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To celebrate LEGO's release of the "Hoth" AT-ST, I wanted to explore other appearances of the "Hoth" or ESB AT-ST in books, games, and toys.
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First let's remind ourselves of some of the differences. The head on the ESB version is shorter, and slightly longer. It's the most noticeable in the the face plate. The weapon blisters are proportionally larger. It's hard to tell if they are actually larger or if the head is just smaller. The slope of the head from the back to the front, is curved, instead of a straight line like on the ROTJ version. The armor on the back of the head has a slightly different shape to it. And the main cannons are larger. And of course the view ports are closed.
The only other noticeable difference is the length of the legs. With the ESB version having taller legs. There are other differences between the engine section and body. But as they are harder to see, I'll skip those for now.
So with the differences fresh in our minds, let's see where the ESB AT-ST makes some more appearances. Because while the ROTJ version is the most well known, and the most reproduced version. The ESB version (or parts of it) show up from time to time.
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The first appearance comes along in 1982 with Kenner's "Scout Walker." It would get rereleased several times under Hasbro's a few times. Until 2009 under "The Legacy Collection", it would get a full accurate redesign, making it a complete ROTJ AT-ST. Very quickly we can see that it has the head that looks to be inspired by the ESB version.(with some liberties taken) Complete with that red symbol on the back of the head. But it's on short ROTJ legs. Just some more liberties on Kenner's part?
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Nope! It looks like Kenner had some concept art from Joe Johnston! Once again, that ESB style head.
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(This is a bit of a bonus. As this AT-ST kinda does it's own thing. But I wanted to show it because of the long cannons on either side of the head, like the Kenner toy)
Before we continue with a look at toys, we have to detour over to books really quick.
With the Special Editions, and Prequels looming on the horizon. A host of guide books were written. The book we're looking at is "The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels", released in 1996. In it we're given this schematic....
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This time the mismatching is flipped. With the ROTJ head on ESB legs. This is really odd, as it has its origins with blueprint going back to ROTJ.
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But we can see the origin of the legs in this picture of the ESB model.
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This mismatched schematic would be used for several toys and a video game.
Wizards of the Coast, "Star Wars Miniatures" table top game would release an AT-ST in 2005, 2006, and 2007. They would all essentially use the same model based off that schematic. Albeit with closed view ports.
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This the 2007 release from the "Battle of Hoth" pack.
It also looks to be the inspiration behind the LEGO's 75153 AT-ST Walker (from Rogue One) and 75254 AT-ST Raider.
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We can see 75153 on the left in this little comparison. From this blog.
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On the toy front, with the except of fan made models, and the newest LEGO, the only true ESB AT-ST (that I'm aware of) is a little model made by Bandai.
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On the video game front. The ROTJ version of the AT-ST is the most prevalent. Even if that game has a section taking place on Hoth during the film, the ROTJ AT-ST is always used. This includes games like "Shadows of the Empire", every entry in the "Battlefront" series both classic and modern. RTS games like "Galactic Battlegrounds" and "Empire at War." And "The Force Unleashed" and "Jedi: Fallen Order." These all use the ROTJ AT-ST. But there are a few exceptions.
"Star Wars Galaxies" would use that AT-ST with ROTJ head and ESB legs.
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And as I researching different appearances of the AT-ST, I remembered playing "Jedi Outcast" and thinking the AT-ST we're awfully tall. A quick search for some game play footage confirmed suspicions. "Dark Forces II", "Jedi Outcast", and "Jedi Academy" all use the ESB AT-ST! The only difference being the the open viewports. This makes it the most complete appearance of the ESB AT-ST in all of Star Wars video games.
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And with that. That brings me to the end of this little look at the somewhat obscure ESB or "Hoth" AT-ST. I hope you've enjoyed it. Do you guys know of any others examples of this AT-ST? I find that I like more then it's more popular brother. And hope that it gets used more in upcoming shows or games.