Baylan Skoll (Mercenary) — Star Wars The Black Series Review

The release of Baylan Skoll (Mercenary) in the Star Wars The Black Series marks a significant “fix” for collectors of the Ahsoka series sub-line. Originally released without his signature outer garment, this Walmart Exclusive version rectifies that omission by including the dark, heavy soft-goods robe that Baylan wore during his introduction on the prisoner transport and his subsequent arrival on Seatos. As a character, Baylan Skoll defies the traditional “sith” or “jedi” labels, existing instead as a “force-user” and “wanderer” within the “new-republic” era. This figure captures the stoic, melancholic weight of the late Ray Stevenson’s performance, providing a tactile representation of a fallen knight who seeks a power beyond the cycle of light and dark.

The Sculpt of a Fallen Knight: Capturing Ray Stevenson

The head sculpt of Baylan Skoll is a high-water mark for the Photo Real application in 2024. Ray Stevenson had a very specific, weathered presence, and the designers have successfully translated that “villain” archetype’s gravity into a 1:12 scale portrait. The hair and beard are sculpted with a heavy, greyed texture that reflects his status as a survivor of the Old Republic. The eyes are set in a stern, thoughtful gaze, capturing the “shrewd” nature mentioned in the packaging text. While the head sculpt itself is identical to the initial retail release, the application on this exclusive version feels consistently sharp, with the silvering of the beard precisely aligned with the facial sculpt.

The body sculpt reflects the “mercenary” aesthetic, blending Jedi-like tunics with heavy, battle-worn armor. The shoulder bells are a highlight of the engineering; they are made of a very soft, pliable plastic and attached via a floating o-ring system. This ensures that when the arms are raised for a lightsaber duel, the armor moves with the joint rather than obstructing it. The upper body armor features a weathered, metallic finish that suggests years of use in the field. The lower half of the figure uses a plastic skirt piece integrated with the belt, which provides a clean visual line but does slightly limit the forward range of the hips. Despite this, the figure maintains a powerful silhouette that perfectly represents the “human” species within a martial context.

The Soft-Goods Fix: Enhancing the Wanderer

The defining feature of this “Mercenary” variant is the soft-goods robe. For many collectors, this is the version that should have been the standard release. The robe is made from a dark, heavy-knit fabric that drapes surprisingly well for this scale. It includes a hood that, with careful futzing, can be placed over the head to recreate the mysterious look Baylan sported during the opening of the Ahsoka series. The inclusion of this robe transforms the figure from a simple “officer” of a mercenary company into a true “wanderer,” adding a layer of texture and realism that plastic-only figures often lack. It allows for more dynamic photography, as the fabric catches light and shadow in a way that sculpted plastic cannot.

The lightsaber is another unique element of this release. Baylan Skoll wields a blade that is distinctly more orange/vermillion than the traditional Sith red. Hasbro has captured this by casting the blade in a translucent orange plastic that is slightly longer and thicker than the standard Jedi saber, reflecting the “greatsword” style Baylan uses in his combat. The hilt is detailed with silver and black accents and features a small peg that allows it to hang from the hook on his belt. The blade is removable, allowing for “deactivated” display options that suit his more contemplative scenes.

Engineering and Articulation: Martial Power

Baylan Skoll’s combat style is heavy and deliberate, and the articulation reflects this “commander”-like stability. With 17 points of articulation, the figure is capable of the wide-set, grounded stances seen in his “duel-with-ahsoka” on Seatos. The inclusion of butterfly joints in the shoulders is a major win for this mold, as it allows the figure to grip the lightsaber hilt with both hands in a natural, centered position—a move essential for his “claymore” style of fighting. The elbows and wrists are ball-jointed, providing a range of motion that allows for nuanced blade positioning.

The lower body features ball-jointed knees and ankles. One minor criticism that has persisted from the mold’s debut is the scale. Ray Stevenson was a physically imposing actor, standing 6’3”, and in the show, Baylan towers over Ahsoka and Shin Hati. The figure, however, is scaled slightly shorter than it should be, standing only marginally taller than the Shin Hati figure. While this is a minor technical discrepancy, it is one that collectors should be aware of when organizing their “imperial-remnant” or “thrawn-allies” displays. The high-tension rocker ankles do, however, ensure that the figure can hold its weight in dynamic lunging poses without the need for a stand.

Taxonomy and Faction Alignment

Within the broader Star Wars taxonomy, Baylan Skoll serves as a critical bridge. He is categorized under the “villain” archetype, yet his motivations are more complex than simple malice. His alignment is “dark,” but he operates with a Jedi-like code of conduct. His faction, “thrawn-allies,” places him at the center of the “new-republic” era’s escalating conflict. This figure is the anchor for the “peridea” location display, representing the search for a new beginning in a distant galaxy.

When displayed alongside the Black Series Shin Hati, the “master and apprentice” dynamic is fully realized. Posing him during the “peridea-ritual” scene or the “night-trooper-battle” adds narrative depth to a collection. This version’s “exclusive” status at Walmart makes it a slightly more difficult find, but for those focused on the “tv” mediaGroup, it is the essential version of the character. The “mercenary” variant is a testament to how a single well-placed accessory (the robe) can elevate a figure from a standard release to a definitive representation.

Final Technical Evaluation

The Star Wars The Black Series Baylan Skoll (Mercenary) is a successful refinement of an already strong mold. The addition of the soft-goods robe and the high-quality paint application on the armor plates make it a standout for 2024. While the scale remains a point of contention for accuracy-focused collectors, the presence and “shelf appeal” of the figure are undeniable. He is the quintessential “wanderer,” a fallen knight moving through the shadows of the New Republic, and this figure captures that essence with Ray Stevenson’s undeniable gravitas.

Whether he is leading “thrawn-allies” into battle or standing alone on the cliffs of Seatos, Baylan Skoll is a powerful addition to the “ahsoka” mediaSource collection. He represents the “villain” archetype at its most nuanced, and this Black Series release provides the tactile quality and display options necessary to honor the character’s impactful role in the Star Wars saga.

Technical Details & Sculpt

Overall Sculpt & Proportions

The figure utilizes the 2023 Baylan Skoll mold with new soft-goods additions:

Height: Scaled at approximately 6.2 inches (notably short for the character).
Armor: Weathered metallic finish on the torso and shoulders.
Shoulder Bells: Floating o-ring attachment for maximum arm range.
Hands: Optimized for a two-handed “greatsword” grip.

Head & Face

Likeness: Photo Real portrait of Ray Stevenson.
Hair/Beard: Detailed grey-wash plastic.
Neck: Dual ball-jointed system (top and base of neck).

Articulation

The 17 points of articulation favor grounded, powerful posing:

Neck: Double ball-joint.
Shoulders: Butterfly joints + Ball-jointed swivel.
Elbows: Ball-jointed.
Wrists: Ball-jointed with vertical hinge on the right.
Upper Body: Ball-jointed diaphragm.
Hips: Ball-jointed.
Knees: Ball-jointed (pinless).
Ankles: High-tension rocker joints.

Paint & Deco

Armor: Dark gunmetal with a light silver dry-brush for weathering.
Under-suit: Dark brown/black matte finish.
Lightsaber Hilt: Silver with matte black grip and controls.
Face: High-fidelity Photo Real skin tones and eyes.

Accessories & Equipment

Orange Lightsaber

Blade: Unique translucent orange/vermillion color.
Design: Longer and thicker than standard lightsabers.
Storage: Hilt pegs onto the belt hook.

Soft-goods Robe

Material: Dark grey/black heavy knit fabric.
Feature: Includes a functional hood for “mystery” poses.

Packaging (Galaxy Collection — Exclusive)

Number: #13 in the Ahsoka series sub-line.
Color Accent: Teal/Aqua.
Exclusivity: Walmart Exclusive sticker on the front window.
Mural Art: Side-box art connects with Shin Hati and standard wave releases.

Collector Notes

The Definitive Version: This “Mercenary” release is preferred over the standard version due to the robe.
Scale Issues: He is roughly the same height as Shin Hati, which is screen-inaccurate but common in this wave.
Value: Launched at $24.99 but saw deep discounts early in its release cycle.

Display & Photography Notes

Baylan is a prime subject for low-light photography. Use an orange gel on a small LED light to mimic the glow of his saber against the fabric of the robe. Posing him with the hood up adds a layer of “wanderer” mysticism that is central to his character arc.

Ideal for:

Seatos Henge dioramas.
Peridea wasteland displays.
Master/Apprentice poses with Shin Hati.
Character-focused portrait photography.