Commando Droid
sw0359 · Star Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars · 2012 (Debuted in set 9488 Elite Clone Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack)
Figure ID
sw0359
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
2012 (Debuted in set 9488 Elite Clone Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack)
Rarity
Uncommon. While available in multiple sets, it is no longer in production and specific to the Clone Wars era designs.
Head
Dark Brown droid head mold with white/light grey printed eyes (photoreceptors). This specialized mold differs from standard B1 Battle Droids by featuring a flatter, more aggressive profile.
Torso
Dark Brown standard mechanical droid torso with two vertical arm clips. The torso lacks back printing, which is standard for droid figures of this era.
Legs
Dark Brown one-piece fused droid legs. Unlike standard battle droids, the Commando Droid uses the dark brown color to signify its elite status and stealth capabilities.
Accessories
Includes one black blaster rifle (medium blaster). In some sets, they were also equipped with silver-hued vibroswords/katinas, though the figure pictured features the standard blaster.
Color Scheme
Monochromatic Dark Brown. This earth-tone palette is designed to reflect the character's 'BX-series' stealth and reinforcement armor seen in the animated series.
Printing Details
Simple but precise. The head features white dot printing for receptors. There is no printing on the torso or legs, relying on the dark brown mold color for detail.
Variants
There is a Captain variant (sw0457) which features white circular markings on the head and chest, released in 2013.
Condition Notes
Prone to loose arm clips due to the plastic type. Check for stress marks (whitening) on the horizontal bars of the torso where arms and legs attach.
Estimated Value
$4.00 - $7.00 USD (Used/Complete); $8.00 - $12.00 USD (New/Mint). Prices fluctuate based on bulk demand for army building.
Price (New)
Originally released in sets ranging from $12.99 (Battle Packs) to $79.99 (Malevolence).
Compatible Sets
9488 Elite Clone Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack (2012), 9515 The Malevolence (2012), 75012 BARC Speeder with Sidecar (2013).
Character Background
BX-series droid commandos, advanced models of the B1 battle droid used by the Confederacy of Independent Systems for infiltration and assassination missions during the Clone Wars.
Design Notes
Features a unique head mold specific to the BX-series, capturing the elongated but flattened 'face' seen in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars TV series.
Similar Minifigures
sw0457 Commando Droid Captain, sw0001c Battle Droid (Tan), sw0224 Assassin Droid (Silver).
Collectibility
High for army builders. Collectors often seek these in squads of 4 to 10 for diorama purposes. Value is stable but upward-trending as Clone Wars sets become more nostalgic.
History
First introduced in 2012 during the height of LEGO's Clone Wars license. It marked a significant departure from the 'fragile' look of standard tan droids to a more menacing aesthetic.
Interesting Facts
The dark brown plastic used for these droids is slightly more durable than the reddish-brown plastic from the same era, which was notorious for being brittle.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in groups of three. They look excellent when paired with Riven or Captain Rex minifigures to recreate scenes from the 'Rookies' episode of The Clone Wars.
Modification Potential
Excellent for 'purist' customs. The head and torso are frequently used for custom bounty hunter droids or post-apocalyptic robotic MOCs.
Overall Assessment
A solid, essential figure for any Star Wars: The Clone Wars fan. Its unique mold and specialized color make it a standout compared to the hundreds of generic tan battle droids produced over the years.