It finally happened. After years of fans practically begging, shouting into the void of internet forums, and custom-painting their own versions, the LEGO Fives ARC Trooper officially landed on shelves. Specifically, he arrived as a 25th-anniversary special edition inclusion in the 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV set. You’d think the community would be throwing a parade. Instead, if you spend five minutes on r/legostarwars, you’ll see a digital civil war. Some people are just happy he exists. Others are looking at the helmet printing and feeling a very specific kind of Lego-themed heartbreak.
What’s Actually in the Box?
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. This isn't a standalone set. To get your hands on CT-5555, you have to buy the Tantive IV hallway scene, which is honestly a bit of a weird choice. Fives has absolutely nothing to do with A New Hope. He's a prequel-era legend. But that’s the "25 Years of LEGO Star Wars" gimmick for you—shoving random, highly-requested characters into sets they don't belong in as a "thank you" to the collectors.
The minifigure features unique printing from head to toe. You get the signature blue ARC trooper markings, the specialized helmet with the Rishi eel drawing—which is a deep-cut reference for anyone who remembers the "Rookies" episode of The Clone Wars—and a fabric kama. But here's the thing: it’s the new 2024 style of printing. If you’re a purist who misses the older, cleaner lines of the 2014 era clones, this might rub you the wrong way. The LEGO Fives ARC Trooper is a product of the modern design philosophy, for better or worse.
The Helmet Hole Debate That Won't Die
You can't talk about this figure without talking about the "helmet holes." It sounds like such a minor, nitpicky thing to care about, right? It’s a plastic toy. But for the hardcore contingent of the hobby, those extra holes on the side of the helmet—designed to let you attach rangefinders or visors—are a massive point of contention.
On Fives, the holes sit a bit high. Because of where they are positioned, the printed blue markings on the side of the helmet get warped or shifted. Honestly, when you’re looking at it from three feet away on a shelf, it’s fine. It looks like Fives. But when you zoom in for a macro photo, or you’re a perfectionist who has waited a decade for this specific character, it feels like a bit of a letdown. LEGO had to choose between "playability" (letting kids put gear on the helmet) and "accuracy" (keeping the sleek look of the show). They chose playability. They almost always do.
Why Fives Matters So Much
Why do people care this much about a clone with a "5" tattooed on his head? Because Fives represents the soul of The Clone Wars. He’s the guy who figured out the Order 66 conspiracy. He’s the tragic hero who tried to save the Jedi and failed because no one would listen to a "defective" clone.
✨ Don't miss: Williams Sonoma Deer Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About This Kitchen Icon
When you hold the LEGO Fives ARC Trooper, you aren't just holding a plastic guy; you’re holding the climax of a seven-season character arc. He went from a "shiny" on a remote moon base to an elite ARC trooper, and finally to a fugitive who died in Rex's arms. That emotional weight is why the expectations were sky-high. If this were just "Generic Blue Clone," nobody would care about a misaligned print. But this is Fives.
The Cape and the Kama
Let’s talk about the waist cape, or the "kama." In the old days, LEGO used to give us these nice, stiff fabric pieces that wrapped around the legs. Then they switched to printing the kama directly onto the legs. Fans hated that. It looked flat. It looked cheap.
For the LEGO Fives ARC Trooper, they compromised. We got a fabric kama! It’s thin, yeah. It’s a bit flimsy compared to the ones from ten years ago. But it provides that 3D silhouette that an ARC trooper needs. However, they didn't give him a fabric pauldrons (the shoulder armor). That part is printed directly onto the torso. It’s an inconsistent look—fabric on the bottom, ink on the top. It’s these kinds of "halfway" designs that keep the community in a state of perpetual debate.
Comparing the Official Version to the Customs
For years, the only way to get this character was through companies like Clone Army Customs (CAC) or Grandpa Clone Customs (GCC). Those guys make some incredible stuff. They use pad-printing, they offer 360-degree leg wraps, and they often include molded plastic pauldrons.
When you put the official LEGO Fives ARC Trooper next to a $30 custom figure, the custom one usually wins on pure detail. But the official one wins on "soul." There is something about the slightly simplified, iconic LEGO style that customs sometimes lose by trying to be too realistic. Plus, the official figure is actually affordable if you’re already buying the set. You aren't paying $5 per arm for custom printing. You're getting a genuine piece of LEGO history.
🔗 Read more: Finding the most affordable way to live when everything feels too expensive
The Value Factor
Is he worth the price of the Tantive IV set? If you only want the figure, you’re probably looking at $25 to $40 on the secondary market (BrickLink or eBay). The set itself is around $50. Honestly, you’re better off just buying the set. You get a great diorama, a bunch of Rebel fleet troopers, and Captain Antilles.
Wait.
Think about that for a second. You get Fives and Antilles in the same box. That is a bizarre crossover, but from a "value per minifigure" perspective, it’s one of the best deals LEGO has put out in the last two years.
Common Misconceptions
People keep saying this is a limited-run figure. It’s not. It’s a 25th-anniversary figure, which means it will be in production for the lifespan of the set—likely 18 to 24 months. You don't need to panic-buy him from a scalper for $60 today.
Another weird rumor is that the "Fives" in this set is a different "version" than the one in the show. Nope. It’s clearly based on his Phase II armor from the later seasons. The tattoo is there under the helmet, which is a massive win. They actually gave him the goatee and the "5" tattoo on his right temple. It’s a great head print. Probably one of the best clone head prints they’ve ever done.
💡 You might also like: Executive desk with drawers: Why your home office setup is probably failing you
The Bottom Line on the LEGO Fives ARC Trooper
If you can get past the helmet holes—and I know for some of you, that’s a big "if"—this is a stellar figure. It marks a moment where a massive company actually listened to the "we want Fives" memes that have been circulating for years. It’s not perfect. The printing on the helmet can be a bit wonky depending on the batch. The fabric kama is a bit thin. But it’s Fives.
Having him stand next to the 2023 Captain Rex from the UCS Venator (or the cheaper Microfighter version) just feels right. It completes the duo. It closes a chapter of LEGO Star Wars history that felt unfinished for a long time.
How to Style Your Fives
If you want to make him look better, here are a few things people are doing:
- Swap the black head for a dark tan one if you prefer the more "animated" look.
- Borrow a plastic pauldron from an older ARC trooper figure if you have one in your bin.
- Actually use the rangefinder! It hides the "high" hole on one side and makes the silhouette much more aggressive.
- Don't over-tighten the kama; let it flare out a bit to give him some "motion" on the shelf.
Practical Next Steps for Collectors
Stop checking eBay every hour. The prices for the LEGO Fives ARC Trooper fluctuate wildly based on which influencer just posted a review. If you see him for under $25 as a standalone, grab him. If not, just wait for a sale on the 75387 set at a big-box retailer.
Inspect the helmet the second you open the box. Because the printing is done on a curved surface with those accessory holes, the alignment can vary significantly from one "batch" to another. If your blue "eel" print is halfway down the visor, that’s a manufacturing error, and you can actually contact LEGO customer service for a replacement. They are surprisingly good about that.
Lastly, just enjoy the figure. We spent ten years waiting for this guy. Don't let a 1-millimeter hole in a plastic helmet ruin the fact that we finally have an official CT-5555 to lead our 501st legions. Place him at the front of your display, give him his twin DC-17 blasters, and remember that "the mission... the nightmares... they're finally over."