They’re just tiny pieces of plastic. At least, that’s what your bank account wants you to believe before you spend $100 on a single 1.5-inch tall soldier with a blue stripe on its head. If you’ve ever looked at a Captain Rex minifigure and wondered why grown adults are arguing about the "waist cape" being made of fabric versus plastic, you’ve entered the rabbit hole of Lego Star Wars Clone Wars clones.
It’s a weird world.
Back in 2008, when The Clone Wars movie first hit theaters, the Lego sets looked... different. They had these "animated" eyes. Big, bug-like pupils that tried to mimic the stylized look of the Dave Filoni show. Fans hated them. Or, well, they didn't love them. But fast forward to today, and those weird, wide-eyed figures from the early 2000s are actual gold mines. Collectors are hunting down specific Phase 1 and Phase 2 variations with a ferocity that feels more like stock market trading than toy collecting.
The Great Helmet Hole Controversy and Why It Matters
If you want to understand the current state of Lego Star Wars Clone Wars clones, you have to talk about the holes. Yes, the tiny holes on the sides of the helmets. Recently, Lego updated their mold to include a small attachment point above the "ear" area of the helmet. This was meant to allow kids to attach rangefinders and visors.
Total disaster.
Well, according to the "purists" on Reddit and Eurobricks, anyway. The argument is that the hole is placed too high, ruining the silhouette of the iconic 501st Legion or 212th Attack Battalion troopers. But here’s the reality: Lego is a toy company first. They want playability. To a kid, being able to snap a visor onto Commander Cody is a win. To a collector who wants a 1:1 scale-accurate representation of a 3D-animated character? It’s a tragedy. This tension defines the hobby right now. You have these incredible new figures like the 187th Legion troopers (those purple ones from the fighter tank set), but they come with these "inaccurate" helmets that drive the secondary market prices of the older, "hole-less" versions through the roof.
It’s honestly fascinating how a 2-millimeter shift in a plastic mold can shift the value of a plastic army by hundreds of dollars.
From 2008 Eyes to 2024 Realism
The evolution of the Lego Star Wars Clone Wars clones is basically a timeline of Lego finding its footing. In the beginning, we had the "Clone Wars style" faces. They were jarring. You’d have a realistic Anakin Skywalker from the Episode III sets sitting next to a Clone Wars Anakin who looked like he’d seen things no human should ever see.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
Eventually, Lego realized people wanted consistency.
They shifted toward the "unified" look. This means today’s clones have faces that look like Temuera Morrison (the actor who played Jango Fett and the clones), regardless of whether the set is based on a cartoon or a live-action movie. This change made the 501st Legion Clone Troopers battle pack from 2020 a massive hit. It was the first time fans got high-quality, "realistic" versions of the soldiers they’d spent seven seasons watching on TV.
People bought them by the dozen. Some bought them by the hundred.
I’ve seen photos of "basement armies" where collectors have thousands of these 501st troopers lined up on baseplates. It’s a level of dedication that borders on a full-time job. You’re looking at thousands of dollars in plastic, all because Lego finally nailed the printing on the torso and legs.
The Captain Rex Factor
You can't talk about Lego Star Wars Clone Wars clones without mentioning the man, the myth, the legend: Captain Rex. For years, the Phase 2 Captain Rex (from the 2013 BARC Speeder with Sidecar set) was the "holy grail." If you had one in good condition, you were sitting on $200 or $300.
Then Lego did something bold.
They put a brand-new, highly detailed Captain Rex in a $650 UCS (Ultimate Collector Series) Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser. The gatekeeping was real. Owners of the old Rex were worried their "investment" would tank. But then, in an even bolder move, Lego put that same Rex into a $12 Microfighter set.
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Chaos. Pure, unadulterated Lego community chaos.
But you know what? It was great for the average fan. It meant that a kid with ten bucks could finally own the most iconic clone in the galaxy. It also proved that Lego is leaning hard into the nostalgia of the Clone Wars era, recognizing that the kids who grew up watching the show now have adult money. And they want their Captain Rex.
Why Some Clones Are Worth More Than Your Car
It isn't just about the main characters. Sometimes it’s the obscure ones. Take the 104th Battalion "Wolfpack" clones. These grey-and-white troopers only appeared in a couple of sets years ago. Because they haven’t been remade recently, the price for a single "Wolfpack" trooper is astronomical.
Then you have the "misprints."
In the world of Lego Star Wars Clone Wars clones, a factory error—like a helmet print being slightly too high or a color being off—can actually make a figure more valuable to a specific niche of collectors. It’s a weird inversion of quality control. Usually, you want the product to be perfect. In the Lego world, a "bleeding" print on a 212th trooper might be the rarest thing in your collection.
Building Your Own Grand Army of the Republic
If you’re just getting into this, don't try to buy everything at once. You'll go broke.
Start with the battle packs. Lego usually keeps at least one "Clone" centric battle pack on shelves at any given time. These are the bread and butter of the hobby. They give you four figures for around $20. It’s the easiest way to feel the rush of "army building" without needing a second mortgage.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
Check the secondary markets like BrickLink. It’s way better than eBay for this stuff. On BrickLink, you can see the price history of every single version of every clone ever made. You’ll see that a Phase 1 grunt from 2008 is cheap, but a Phase 2 Commander Wolffe is... well, maybe sit down before you look at that price.
Also, keep an eye on the "waste."
Collectors often buy sets just for the minifigures and then sell the "build" (the actual bricks for the ship or vehicle) separately. If you don't care about the little plastic men, you can get some cool Star Wars ships for dirt cheap. But if you’re reading this, you probably do care about the plastic men.
What's Next for the Clones?
We’re in a golden age. With shows like The Bad Batch and the cameos in Ahsoka, Disney is keeping the Clone Wars era alive. That means Lego will keep pumping out sets. We’re seeing more "specialist" clones than ever—snipers, heavy troopers, and officers with unique printing.
The level of detail is getting insane. We’re talking about "arm printing," which used to be reserved for the most expensive collector sets, now showing up in more common boxes. It’s a good time to be a fan, even with the "helmet hole" drama.
Ultimately, Lego Star Wars Clone Wars clones represent a weird bridge between a children's toy and a high-end collectible. They’re nostalgic, they’re customizable, and they’re a tangible piece of a story that a lot of people care deeply about. Just don't step on one in the middle of the night. That’s a pain that transcends all eras of Star Wars.
Actionable Steps for New Collectors
- Verify the Torso: Before buying "used" clones online, always ask for a photo of the torso under the arms. Cracks in the plastic here are the most common "injury" for clones and can drop the value by 50% instantly.
- Check the Neck: Genuine Lego minifigures have a small "LEGO" logo stamped on the top of the neck peg. If it’s smooth, it’s a fake. The "knock-off" market for clones is massive because the real ones are so expensive.
- Use BrickLink Price Guides: Never pay "Buy It Now" prices on eBay without checking the "Last 6 Months Sales" average on BrickLink. This prevents you from overpaying during a temporary hype spike.
- Invest in Storage: If you're building an army, buy UV-protected display cases. Sunlight is the ultimate enemy of white Lego bricks; it will turn your pristine 501st Legion into a "Yellow-ish 501st" in just a few months.
- Focus on 'Retired' Sets: If you see a clone-heavy set that is about to retire (usually after 18-24 months on shelves), buy it now. Once it leaves the Lego Store, the price for those specific clones usually doubles within a year.