Battle Droid Tan with Vertical Torso Arms
sw0001c · Star Wars
Episode I / The Clone Wars / Ultimate Collector Series · 2007 (Specific variant appearance context)
Figure ID
sw0001c
Theme
Star Wars
Year Released
2007 (Specific variant appearance context)
Rarity
Common. This is one of the most mass-produced minifigures in LEGO history due to the army-building nature of the Star Wars Separatist faction.
Head
Mechanical tan head sculpt with long snout and two non-printed eye indentations; attached via a hinged neck clip to the torso.
Torso
Mechanical tan torso with a central horizontal bar for arm attachment and a vertical clip for the head. Front and back are unprinted. Features mechanical detailing.
Legs
Standard straight mechanical droid legs in tan. These are a single molded piece that connects to the torso via a pin-and-clip system, allowing for forward/backward movement.
Accessories
None pictured. Typically issued with a black medium blaster (SE-14r) or a blaster rifle. Older versions often included a backpack consisting of a tan plate and tile.
Color Scheme
Solid Tan (BrickLink color) / Brick Yellow (LEGO color). It is monochromatic to simulate the desert-camouflaged appearance of the B1 series from Episode I.
Printing Details
None. This specific variant relies entirely on the molded plastic shape and color for character representation.
Variants
The sw0001 variant family includes sw0001 (Horizontal arms), sw0001a (One straight arm), sw0001b (Circular torso vents), and sw0001c (Vertical arms). Other colors include Pilot (Blue), Security (Red), and Commander (Yellow).
Condition Notes
Prone to loose joints, especially at the torso-leg connection. The plastic clips on the arms and neck are notorious for developing stress marks or snapping if used frequently. UV exposure causes yellowing.
Estimated Value
Used: $1.00 - $2.50 USD. New: $3.00 - $5.00 USD. Value is low because they are frequently bundled in 'Battle Packs'.
Price (New)
Retail sets containing this figure ranged from $10.00 (Battle Packs) to $400.00+ (UCS sets). The price-per-figure for Droids is typically very low.
Compatible Sets
7662 Trade Federation MTT, 75086 Battle Droid Troop Carrier, 75058 MTT, and various Battle Droid Battle Packs (e.g., 75029).
Character Background
The B1 Battle Droid is the standard infantry unit of the Trade Federation and later the Confederacy of Independent Systems (CIS) seen throughout the Star Wars Prequel trilogy and Clone Wars series.
Design Notes
The Droid arm mold was changed from horizontal to vertical orientation early in the theme's life to allow the droid to hold a blaster rifle 'correctly' (two-handed style or upright).
Similar Minifigures
B1 Battle Droids in Geonosian Red (sw0061), Rocket Droids (sw0228), and the Super Battle Droid (sw0092).
Collectibility
High volume, low individual value. Essential for 'Army Builders' who seek to create massive dioramas of the Battle of Naboo or Geonosis.
History
Launched in 1999 as one of the first LEGO Star Wars figures. Over 20+ years, the mold has remained largely unchanged, representing one of LEGO's most consistent designs.
Interesting Facts
The Battle Droid was the first minifigure to depart significantly from the 'blocky' human form, requiring entirely unique molds for every part of its body.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in large ranks of 10 or more. They look excellent when placed on tan baseplates with a Trade Federation MTT or AAT tank.
Modification Potential
Highly modular; parts are easily swapped with other droid variants to create custom specialists. Often used in MOCs as greebling or architectural detail.
Overall Assessment
The 'bread and butter' of the LEGO Star Wars line. While individual figures have low market value, the design is iconic and functionally perfect for its intended purpose of massive army construction.