Legionnaire (MechWarrior) - Action Figure Reviews

Series: MechWarrior

Craftsmanship: 9.1 / 10

- Authentic metal parts

- Needs more small touches

- Great compatibility with the other MechWarrior figures

- Okay articulation and poseability

Playability: 8.0 / 10

- Good play options with the other Mech figures

- Pretty darn heavy

- Not good for rough play

Related Links:

- Action Figure: Jupiter

- Action Figure: Forestry 'Mech

- Action figure: Mad Cat II

- Review: MechWarrior 4 (PC)

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Legionnaire (MechWarrior)

by Joyride Studios

Rounding out the MechWarrior line is Legionnaire – a big blue, hulking beast with a rotary autocannon for a head – that fits right in with the other figures in the series.

It’s a slight inaccuracy to say it has a rotary autocannonn for a head. To be completely accurate it’s above his head but since his head (or the pilot

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compartment) is in the middle of his chest, it does look as if he lacks a typical head.

What is typical about Legionnaire is the high standards that the MechWarrior line has brought to the table and a lot of this has to do with the real die-cast metal. It gives the figures loads of credibility in the way that plastic just can’t when it comes to big robots. The articulation

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does take a hit owed to the bigger and blockier construction, but authenticity is the beneficiary and when it’s on your shelf in a frenetic MechWarrior diorama any complaints about not being able contort him into acrobatic knots seem minor. Legionnaire has about 15 points of articulation, used to varying degrees of effectiveness, but like I said, don’t expect Cirque de Soliel.

The balance and attention to detail is good, like the spinning cannon and metal plating, but it doesn’t have the small touches that I’ve whined about with the other MechWarrior figures. Basically, the lack of battle damage knocks the score down slightly. It does have some mud splashes on its legs but it’s not enough to make me believe this Mech has seen any action. If you have some imagination, the right tools and paint, and a steady hand you can create your own battle damage of this yourself so hardcore fans will be able to correct Joyride’s omission.

Like most of the MechWarrior figures, Legionnaire has mixed playability. He’s not the heaviest figure but he is heavy enough to cause damage if you were to clunked on the head. The centerpiece – the autocannon – is susceptible to breaking under moderately rough play. Some smaller parts can also be snapped off such as the twin antennas. The most play you’ll get from the MechWarrior figures is with themselves, but the C&C vehicles (also from Joyride) can also make for some more exciting dioramas and play possibilities – especially stomping those little rubber guys that come with the vehicles. Which brings me to my last point. The tiny pilot figure packed with Legionnaire is a nice touch – I really do like it – but it’ll be gone before you know it unless you put him in the cockpit.

As this is the last MechWarrior figure review (at least in the order I chose) I can’t help but think of the possibilities for future lines. Joyride has scored big with these figures – let’s hope they can one-up themselves with the next series (possibly with battle damage).

- Omni
(June 1, 2003)