Battle Droid (Tan)
sw0001c · Star Wars
The Phantom Menace / Attack of the Clones / The Clone Wars · 1999 (Original debut) - Present (Iterative designs)
Figure ID
sw0001c
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
1999 (Original debut) - Present (Iterative designs)
Rarity
Common. This is one of the most mass-produced minifigures in LEGO history due to army-building sets.
Head
Mechanized thin tan head piece with dual recessed sensors. It fits onto a standard neck pin and is stationary (no dual printing).
Torso
Specifically designed droid torso with a mechanical ribcage look. It has a single vertical clip on the back for holding a blaster or backpack.
Legs
Standard Battle Droid legs, molded as a single non-articulated piece with a two-stud footplate and a clip at the hip.
Accessories
Missing in image. Usually includes a black medium blaster (SE-14r) or a long blaster rifle (E-5).
Color Scheme
Monochromatic Tan (BrickLink color) / Brick Yellow (LEGO color). Small mechanical details in the mold only.
Printing Details
None. This specific variant relies entirely on the mold design and the color of the plastic; there is no pad-printing.
Variants
Varieties include sw0001 (one straight arm), sw0001a (two straight arms), sw0001b (one bent arm), and this version with two bent arms (sw0001c).
Condition Notes
Prone to loose arm joints over time. The thin plastic clips on the arms and torso are susceptible to snapping or stress marks.
Estimated Value
Used: $1.00 - $2.50 USD. New: $3.00 - $5.00 USD. Value is low due to extreme saturation in the market.
Price (New)
N/A - Usually bundled in sets ranging from $10 to $800. Often seen in 'Battle Packs' originally retailing for $9.99.
Compatible Sets
Appears in over 50 sets including 7141 Naboo Fighter (1999), 75086 Battle Droid Troop Carrier, and 75337 AT-TE Walker.
Character Background
B1 Battle Droids were the main infantry force of the Trade Federation and the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS) throughout the Prequel Era.
Design Notes
One of the earliest examples of a figure that departs entirely from the traditional 'minifigure' blocky template to match movie accuracy.
Similar Minifigures
Security Battle Droid (Red), Commander Battle Droid (Yellow), Pilot Battle Droid (Blue), Super Battle Droid (Pearl Dark Gray).
Collectibility
High for army builders; low for rarity hunters. Most Star Wars fans own dozens or hundreds of these figures.
History
Debuted in 1999 as LEGO's first non-standard minifigure design. The 'two bent arms' variant became the standard around 2007 to allow droids to hold blasters horizontally.
Interesting Facts
The arm mold is identical to the one used for the skeleton minifigure of the same era, but produced in tan instead of white.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in large ranks/grids on tan baseplates to simulate the droid armies on Naboo or Geonosis.
Modification Potential
Excellent for 'purist' battle damage; parts are easily swapped. Arms are often used in MOCs for piping or mechanical detailing.
Overall Assessment
The quintessential 'grunt' of the LEGO Star Wars line. While common, its iconic silhouette makes it a cornerstone of any sci-fi collection.