From Wookieepedia :
Lathe was a Kajain'sa'Nikto male who worked in the criminal empire of the Hutt crime lord Jabba Desilijic Tiure. A guard who worked in Jabba's Palace on the planet Tatooine, he was part of a group that traveled on a Bantha-II cargo skiff to the Great Pit of Carkoon in order to watch the execution of three of the Hutt's prisoners.
This figure is named just "Nikto" on the card. But a Nikto seem not a name for individual but that of a species. Did a little backgroud search and got to know this guy has a name and he is called "Lathe"... not that turning machine!
Nikto Lathe comes in as a TVC VC099 in the series and was released in June 2012.
Chanced upon this figure at Carousell a seller was selling this lose but complete. Quick check at eBay shows a scary scene of exorbitant pricing. No dillema after that and promptly put in an offer and here he is right inside my photo booth.
It is a chore to pose this guy as there are no thigh swivel point, only at the knee and feet. Unable to achieve a natural pose with these alone. Poses here in these pictures achieved as best it can.
Anyway, on to the scorings.
Sculpting - 5/5
A straight full score here without need for much deliberation. The usual, by now, the high detail on the face and headsculpt, on the hands and on the gear.
Blaster fit the hands well and slot into the holster snugly.
Painting - 4/5
The face was given a wash to accentuate the details on top of the dark brown paint applied. Tiny eyes were also painted with a noticeable pupil. High marks on these.
The merticulately painted white pulled strings on the blouse is another commendable effort.
On a comedic side, them shoes looks like a pair of addidas sneakers at a glance ha!
Nikto Lathe would have scored a full points here if there are further washes on the garbs.
I realize all older TVC figures are painted like this. Perhaps a standard procedure at that time.
Anyway, on to the scorings.
Sculpting - 5/5
A straight full score here without need for much deliberation. The usual, by now, the high detail on the face and headsculpt, on the hands and on the gear.
Blaster fit the hands well and slot into the holster snugly.
Painting - 4/5
The face was given a wash to accentuate the details on top of the dark brown paint applied. Tiny eyes were also painted with a noticeable pupil. High marks on these.
The merticulately painted white pulled strings on the blouse is another commendable effort.
On a comedic side, them shoes looks like a pair of addidas sneakers at a glance ha!
Nikto Lathe would have scored a full points here if there are further washes on the garbs.
I realize all older TVC figures are painted like this. Perhaps a standard procedure at that time.
Articulation - 3/5
It was mentioned that posing this guy is a chore isn't it? Top half, above waist is excellent as the head is snapped onto a ball joint. However the movement isn't fantastic since the chin piece is too near the bottom of the neck and the Y-Axis movement are restricted. Still a welcome design nonetheless. Swivel waist, elbow and shoulder joints. wrist swivel. All good.
Bottom half is bad. Just how the figure is designed. Major lacking in hip which can only do a front and back kick. Knee and feet able to swivel but not sufficient to make some meaningful pose.
Realistically, it is a 3.75" figure (read : small) and the articulations points are already a major leap forward comparing POTF2 figures. I think the score justified.
Accessories - 5/5
Personally, there is low expectation for accessories in an action figure that I require. A figure can do away all the bells and whistles. I will be satisfied if Nikto Lathe only comes with a Blaster Pistol. But it also include a Vibro Hammer (of sorts) and a removable head cape. Exceeding expectation and what it deserves? A full score of course.
Want to say this figure is rare these days... and it really is. Most of the older TVC figures are kinda hard to come by today and it hold it's value pretty well. Nikto Lathe is arguably my 2nd most favourite Skiff Guard, after Wooof.
Hope to collect all available TVC Skiff guards ever release. Almost there just missing the Weequay Skiff Master. It is really one ugly looking figure that if it isn't for completing the crew, I wouldn't even consider it. Oh well... that makes the search less intense I guess ha!
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