Hasbro brought some Clone Wars firepower to San Diego Comic-Con 2026 with the Star Wars: The Black Series ARF Trooper (501st) & AT-RT vehicle. Released as an SDCC 2026 exclusive, the set pairs an AT-RT with the very first ARF Trooper released in The Black Series. Following the convention, a limited quantity of the Black Series AT-RT was made available through Hasbro Pulse for $79.99. With vehicles still being a rarity in the 6-inch Black Series line, this set immediately stands out, particularly for collectors of Clone Wars-era figures.
The Black Series AT-RT Packaging
The packaging for the Black Series AT-RT (501st) & ARF Trooper draws its inspiration from the Umbara story arc in Season 4 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the memorable storyline centered around Jedi General Pong Krell. The artwork depicts the ARF Trooper riding the AT-RT in an Umbaran environment. What you initially see is actually an outer slipcase. After cutting the tape, the slipcase can be lifted away to reveal a window box underneath, providing a clear look at both the ARF Trooper and AT-RT vehicle inside.
Packaging Text: Controlled by Advanced Recon Force troopers, AT-RT Walkers are two-legged open-cockpit reconnaissance vehicles. AT-RT drivers featured heavily in the Republic assault on the capital of Umbara, in which Commanders Rex and Fives stood up for the well-being of their clone brothers.
Once the box is opened, there is surprisingly little assembly required. There is no instruction sheet and no sticker sheet because the AT-RT comes essentially assembled, painted, and ready for display. The only pieces that need to be installed are the two antennas, which plug into holes located behind the seat. The footrests can be unplugged from the vehicle and they might come off every once in a while when you reposition the trooper and the vehicle.
The Black Series AT-RT Vehicle
The sculpt is nicely executed, with plenty of mechanical detail throughout the body and cockpit. The control area includes sculpted components along with graphics and buttons that add some additional visual interest to the vehicle. The exterior also features a prominent 501st marking as seen in the Clone Wars, tying the AT-RT directly to the legion represented by the included ARF Trooper.
The paint application is clean, although the weathering is fairly restrained. There is some dirt applied around the feet, but most of the vehicle has a relatively clean appearance. A stronger wash across the legs, mechanical components, and underside would have helped bring out more of the sculpted detail and given the AT-RT a more convincing battle-worn appearance.
AT-RT Articulation And Features
The legs are fully articulated and provide an impressive range of movement. The AT-RT can be displayed standing upright in a variety of positions and heights, while the legs can also be folded down to lower the vehicle and recreate the position used when a trooper mounts or dismounts it. Despite the narrow legs and relatively tall design, the vehicle balances quite well when properly positioned.
The laser cannon mounted at the front of the cockpit can swivel from side to side and pivot up and down. A small flexible plastic cable connects to the top of the cannon. Unfortunately, this cable has a tendency to disconnect while the cannon is being repositioned, and reconnecting it can be somewhat frustrating because there is very little room to maneuver your fingers around the connection point.
The controls offer additional adjustment options. There are four handlebars in total, consisting of two larger upper controls and two smaller controls. Each pair can be adjusted independently, making it easier to position the ARF Trooper naturally in the seat.
The footrests are adjustable as well, and between the movable handlebars and footrests, it is surprisingly easy to achieve a convincing riding position. The included ARF Trooper fits extremely well on the AT-RT and looks properly scaled to the vehicle.
The AT-RT Rock Display Base
The set includes a plastic rock display base for the AT-RT. Two removable pegs connect the vehicle’s feet to the base, helping to keep it stable on display. When the pegs are not needed, they can be stored in dedicated slots underneath the rock (there were 3 pegs included, 2 are needed, 1 in case you lose it).
One notable omission is a clear display stand. The Vintage Collection AT-RT has previously demonstrated how useful a transparent support can be for displaying vehicles in more dynamic positions. Unfortunately, nothing comparable is included with this Black Series release. While the AT-RT can hold a variety of standing poses without difficulty, recreating a convincing jumping pose or an aggressive full-speed running pose is considerably more difficult without some form of external support. A clear stand designed specifically for the vehicle would have expanded the display possibilities considerably.
The Black Series ARF Trooper (501st)
The included ARF Trooper (501st) marks the first time Hasbro has released an ARF Trooper in Star Wars: The Black Series. The figure utilizes the familiar 3.0 Clone Trooper body that collectors have seen numerous times over the past several years, but the distinctive ARF Trooper helmet immediately gives the figure its own identity.
The helmet is particularly well executed. Hasbro did a phenomenal job with its shape and proportions, and it fits extremely well over the Clone Trooper's head. Combined with the blue and white 501st color scheme, the figure looks excellent both riding the AT-RT and displayed separately.
Reusing the established Clone Trooper body also means the ARF Trooper benefits from the articulation collectors have come to expect from the current Black Series Clone Trooper design. More importantly for this particular release, the articulation works exceptionally well with the vehicle and allows the trooper to convincingly grip the controls while keeping his feet positioned on the adjustable footrests.
Black Series AT-RT Final Thoughts
The Star Wars: The Black Series ARF Trooper (501st) & AT-RT is a welcome addition to a line that has traditionally offered relatively few vehicles. The fully articulated legs, adjustable controls, movable laser cannon, detailed cockpit, rock display base, and excellent ARF Trooper make this a fun set with plenty of display potential.
There are a few areas where Hasbro could have taken the release further. Additional weathering would have helped emphasize the excellent sculpt, the cannon cable can be frustrating when it disconnects, and the lack of a clear display stand limits some of the more dynamic poses that the articulated legs would otherwise make possible.
Those issues aside, the Black Series AT-RT (501st) is an easy recommendation for Black Series collectors, and it should be especially appealing to fans of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the 501st Legion. Between the vehicle itself and the first Black Series ARF Trooper, the San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exclusive offers something genuinely different for the collection. Considering how rarely Hasbro ventures into vehicles for the 6-inch line, the AT-RT is a welcome addition, make sure to add it to your shelf.
