LEGO Star Wars 2023 Set Discussion - READ FIRST POST!!!

[Shiva]

5 hours ago, THELEGOBATMAN said:

I've just finished rewatching Andor, and I'm really mad we still haven't gotten Luthen's ship as a set. One of the collest Star Wars vehicles imo. Could make a fantastic set with a lot of play functions.

Also, tried Lloyd's / Harry's hair on Andor, and he looks so much better with it. They should've used that hairpiece for him.

Rebrickable has a nice playscale version https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-132456/2bricksofficial/fondor-haulcraft-play-set-scale/#details 1601 pieces.

Could LEGO make a better one? Maybe, maybe not.

[Meaf]

2 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

With the ongoing strikes, there’s no way Andor S2 won’t be delayed to 2025. If the set gets made, it certainly won’t release next year

I feel like there is a slight chance we might end up getting it next year as a belated S1 tie-in, since the show obviously ended up being a lot more popular than most people were expecting. That said, there's no way we get a S2 set next year and unless it doesn't show up much at all in S2, I think Luthen's ship will be the most obvious candidate for that slot (meaning they probably won't do a S1 set of it first).

[Chrome Vader]

15 hours ago, LordsofMedieval said:

The Venator has:

• No play features.
• Appears to lack opening dorsal hangar doors.
• Just 2 minifigures (again with this, Lego? Why include figures at all? Like... including them is clearly an acknowledgment that we want figures...).
• A very bland and non-display-friendly stand.

 

I get it - it's not intended for kids. But just because I'm an AFOL doesn't mean I don't see the purpose of interiors (even small, vignette interiors) and figures. I also feel like when you're dropping north of half a grand (well north) on a set, it should be a bit more than a permanent shelf-sitter (or if it IS a permanent shelf-sitter, then by golly at least the stand should look nice).

 

A set of this magnitude should check boxes for all comers - there should be at least a handful of features intended to satisfy childlike wonder. Because, you know, I'm just a grown up kid still buying Legos.

 

It's releases like these that make me think Lego doesn't really understand a lot of their adult customers - especially when you compare it to something like Rivendell, which just NAILS what a set intended for adults (but can be enjoyed by kids and kid-like adults) should present as.

I don't think you are alone in your criticisms of the UCS Venator. But I think viewpoints will vary greatly within the fanbase.

When I was growing up, UCS sets were low in number and generally this large, super detailed display model of a size you just didn't get with play scale sets. So when I see a UCS set, I don't expect an interior (except for the obligatory cockpit detailing in many of them), and as a kid I never wished any of my UCS sets had them. They were big, imposing builds I put on a dresser and just looked at in wonder and awe. To my perception, playable, minifig-centric interiors like the little vignettes in the UCS Falcon are unusual and often inaccurate in their location/detail/size. I appreciate that Lego sometimes tries to incorporate them when the UCS model just happens to be minifig scale, but I actually wish we got better/more complete exterior detailing instead of dumping several hundred parts into a poor attempt at interior detail. Obviously, my opinion here is one of many regarding this topic. But suffice it to say, I am glad Lego did not "waste" parts adding interior vignettes.

Other types of play features like dorsal fin hanger doors etc. would be nice functions to know the model has, even if I never actually use them due to the model being a display piece. But I have a hunch Lego would jack up the price even more if that type of functionality were to be implemented. So while I may wish along with you that they existed, I don't know that it would be worth the added cost.

Minifigs with UCS sets, again, for me, feels like a modern thing and not necessary. They would be more appropriate if the ship was minifig scale. But I also recognize that I am probably in the minority with this opinion haha.

For me, I wish display stands were both minimalistic and super sturdy. I don't know if this is possible with Lego, even technic (I tried and tried for my MOCs, and it is challenging). As far as aesthetics go, that probably comes down to personal preference. I think the Venator's stand is superior to the ISD's stand, but that's just me.

My ultimate opinion on the UCS Venator is that I really like it overall and it well represents the sort of overall build quality Lego has been putting out these days. However, I don't see myself buying it. As a MOC builder, I know I can create something better-detailed, sturdier, more functional mechanisms, to-scale interior elements, etc. And because I know I can build such a ship if I decide I want to (recognizing that it would be super expensive, super high part count, and way beyond anything Lego would realistically market), I just don't think I'd be all that happy with the UCS Venator long term. 

[karmajay]

Any further detail on the inside of UCS sets would make them even MORE expensive. Personally, I'm happy just displaying my UCS sets. If I wanted sets for any kids at my house to play with there plenty of less expensive sets.

[Chrome Vader]

7 hours ago, Alex_South said:

The Rex complaints feel disingenuous and petty. He is vastly superior to the old figure. I owned that one for a bit but I've been dreaming of armored characters getting arm printing for years and finally LEGO is caving and giving us more and more arm printing. IMO Rex is the best clone fig to date, the graphic design is way cleaner than the old one and I never liked cloth kamas, minifigs get cluttered too easily and I would rather have solid prints than cloth goods. I also would be shocked if he didn't show up in next summers wave. Do we have any confirmation on what sort of clones will be in the Grogu escape set? I am very curious about that one, especially if it has a little bit of temple structure. I figured it would be shock troopers but I think lego has that covered in the battle pack, it might be normal 501st.

I think I agree with you. The fig looks good. I'm not sure why there isn't a cloth waste cape, but I'm not sure that I would like the fig better if it had one. 

[AD_Bricks]

10 hours ago, THELEGOBATMAN said:

Also, tried Lloyd's / Harry's hair on Andor, and he looks so much better with it. They should've used that hairpiece for him.

This exact idea occurred to me too; that hairpiece is literally spot on compared to pictures of Cassian in the show. Why did they not use it?? They already produce it in dark brown! 

Additionally, I don't have it in dark brown, so I'm sad.

[Flawless Cowboy]

8 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

You cannot compare a CMF figure to one from a set. The budget of CMF series is on a completely different level

I sure can, it’s one figure 

[Frizzlefry25]

Man, now I have to dig through all my other manuals to see if they have ever said figures would be exclusive to a set before? Has that always been in there? As others have said im sure a different Rex will appear down the line, but jeez intentional putting figures behind a huge set is just freaking mean!

[Flawless Cowboy]

5 hours ago, Frizzlefry25 said:

Man, now I have to dig through all my other manuals to see if they have ever said figures would be exclusive to a set before? Has that always been in there? As others have said im sure a different Rex will appear down the line, but jeez intentional putting figures behind a huge set is just freaking mean!

Every UCS set since 2015’s Slave I has come with a figure that had at least one exclusive element. The character of Rex won’t be exclusive, but either the arm printing, face printing, or both will possibly remain exclusive to the set. The same applies to Yularen, they almost definitely won’t make a figure with his dual moulded legs again. 

[Flieger]

On 9/15/2023 at 1:22 PM, CallumPears said:

Overall they really should've had another go at his torso from scratch.

While I agree entirely, the torso design as an artistic choice can be debated and is somewhat subjective - though I too personally do not see how fans of the CW-era Republican navy uniform could be happy with that rendition.

Stuff like a clear mistake or omissions are somewhat more objective.

 

20 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

You cannot compare a CMF figure to one from a set. The budget of CMF series is on a completely different level

Quite right.

Being a UCS the figures should be much better. They are part of the high-end product of the premium brick brand, designed entirely to be sold to adults with exceptionally deep pockets. If Lego indeed cuts the budget here and deliberately designs an inferior product, that should be critized. And a comparison to a superior product from the same producer seems like an apt way of doing it.

 

 

[CF Mitch]

Ugh, I'm conflicted about the Venator 

In retrospect, I love how it looks (aside from the red bridges), and the minifigures are great (then again, Captain Rex isn't that much different from his current version).
I might be able to place it on the shelf that has the current Venator, but I'm concerned about the width 
I'm not at home right now, but I'll guess I'll just have to measure the shelf when I get back and hope it's just wide enough to support at least the centre of the Venator.

Regards,
Mitch

[Horation]

On 9/15/2023 at 2:00 AM, LordsofMedieval said:

 

 

(removed due to agressiveness)

 

 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Horation
REMOVAL OF CONTENT

[KevinMD]

20 hours ago, gottabekd said:

anyone aware of anyone produces mods for the new UCS to replace the sticker portion of the Republic symbol?

Are you asking for a brick built solution, or a printed tile? 
if print, Steindrucker will certain print them eventually. 
brick built, just search for MOCs here, there are several that offer a possible solution. 

[BrickBob Studpants]

2 hours ago, Flieger said:

Being a UCS the figures should be much better.

That‘s not how that works. CMF series have the highest budget for any LEGO product bar none, and 100% of it goes into the minifigs, because that‘s the entire product. Other themes have to balance their budgets between new pieces, recolours, and prints for the actual builds across multiple sets, and then the minifigs on top of that.

And as has been pointed out before, CMF minifigs have a very short shelf life whereas UCS sets are in production for years. So storing space for the pieces is also a factor.

Plus, the point of a UCS set is, well, the set  The minifigs are supposed to be neat extras. They‘re not the main attraction, as opposed to a CMF series.

[Flawless Cowboy]

7 hours ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

That‘s not how that works. CMF series have the highest budget for any LEGO product bar none, and 100% of it goes into the minifigs, because that‘s the entire product. Other themes have to balance their budgets between new pieces, recolours, and prints for the actual builds across multiple sets, and then the minifigs on top of that.

And as has been pointed out before, CMF minifigs have a very short shelf life whereas UCS sets are in production for years. So storing space for the pieces is also a factor.

Plus, the point of a UCS set is, well, the set  The minifigs are supposed to be neat extras. They‘re not the main attraction, as opposed to a CMF series.

Feels like a moot point considering they’ve already done around the leg printing for LSW figs like the UCS Landspeeder C-3PO. In fact, given that set is “merely” $240, it seems even more odd that they wouldn’t give the same treatment in a $650 set. 

Edited September 17, 2023 by Flawless Cowboy

[LordsofMedieval]

10 hours ago, Horation said:

Comments like these make me think that you don't really understand a lot of adult customers-especially when you compare it to something like your thoughts on Rivendell, which does things very similarly : no play features, a set which can't really be used for much other than display, but a very sucessful set nonethenless

 

It's almost like the rest of humanity isn't your clone.  And how the heck do you know whether or not it's successful? It hasn't been released.

[THELEGOBATMAN]

3 hours ago, LordsofMedieval said:

It's almost like the rest of humanity isn't your clone.  And how the heck do you know whether or not it's successful? It hasn't been released.

He was talking about Rivendell, which released half a year ago.

[Hhalcyon]

I really feel like Lego should just bite the bullet and make a CMF star wars series(don't give me that hasbro myth) and make UCS sets have no figures. That way people that want figures, can get figures and people that don't care about figures, just get a good build.

 

 

[Archer]

1 hour ago, Hhalcyon said:

I really feel like Lego should just bite the bullet and make a CMF star wars series(don't give me that hasbro myth) and make UCS sets have no figures. That way people that want figures, can get figures and people that don't care about figures, just get a good build.

 

 

My personal stance is that things like X-Wing Luke, Arm Printed Mando, or leg printed C-3PO are fine ways to do exclusive figs, but Kuill , Yularen and at the moment Rex ( I think he’ll show up else where) are really significant annoyances to minifig collectors. Kuill is 50-60 bucks while the razor rest is available. He will be ridiculously expensive a few years from now.

separate thought. I think I may by the green version of Anikans hair (Joker) for Jacen as it’s probably the closest thing available ATM. I think she hulk and beast boy are some of the only cases of hair in the right color but clearly those aren’t options. Has anyone tried the green anikan hair?

Edited September 17, 2023 by Archer

[MKJoshA]

There's a lot of overall harsh comments about other's opinions on the Venator. You can love it or hate it and still be welcome to voice your opinion here. You can respond to other's opinions. Just don't squash them or try to play "high and mighty." (Sorry to our non native English speakers, I can't think of a better idiom right now)

[Horation]

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

(removed due to agressiveness)

Edited September 20, 2023 by Horation
REMOVAL OF CONTENT

[Classic_Spaceman]

4 hours ago, Archer said:

separate thought. I think I may by the green version of Anikans hair (Joker) for Jacen as it’s probably the closest thing available ATM. I think she hulk and beast boy are some of the only cases of hair in the right color but clearly those aren’t options. Has anyone tried the green anikan hair?

Here. It looks good, but the colour is too light. 
 

[BrickBob Studpants]

5 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Here. It looks good, but the colour is too light. 

Neither the hairstyle nor the colour match. I actually prefer the official version, since that‘s at least a better match when it comes to the style  

[MKJoshA]

1 hour ago, Horation said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

"It's releases like these that make me think Lego doesn't really understand a lot of their adult customers - especially when you compare it to something like Rivendell, which just NAILS what a set intended for adults (but can be enjoyed by kids and kid-like adults) should present as." is what you said, I was literally trying to make you realise that very thing which you have just written. 

Also, how the heck did you not understand which set I was talking about? : "Rivendell, which does things very similarly : no play features, a set which can't really be used for much other than display, but a very successful set nonetheless" and successful in this context can also refer to intent, both sets (in my opinion), have achieved their intent (to be display pieces).       

And by the way, you still haven't explained how the display stand should have been done, I am truly curious as to what you issue with it is.

@MKJoshA, sorry if I came off as aggressive, t'was not my intent, it's just my argumentation style which comes off that way.

 

You are coming across as aggressive. For the sake of communicating well in a diverse environment with people from around the world (for some English is not their first language), please dial back the aggressiveness/argumentativeness.

[Alex_South]

I really like the Padme and Palpatine figures, also it's interesting that all the sets with obi-wan are retiring plus there is a new rex. It has me hopeful that we might be getting the remaining clone wars era characters in sets next year.

It was also really cool that they made a new hairpiece for Luke this year in the final duel set, it's definitely more accurate to his appearance in ROTJ, although in the current mando-verse they cleaned up the shag. I would love if lego made a new hairpiece for Anakin, depending on which version of him they release next he is my top figure for new hairpiece treatment. They have used that CW era piece for too long, it perfectly matched the art style of the first few seasons, but in live action his hair is wavy/curly and I think they could do a really good job if they make a new piece.

Despite my frustrations with Ahsoka's shuttle I think it scales almost perfectly with the Ghost. The Ghost is a great set, and I will probably get it, there are just a few little details that really bug me: The set has wayyyy too many stickers, but the sticker on the cockpit instead of a print is the most frustrating, the cockpit should have had a print similar to the T-6, it does a lot to give it that "flying fortress" bomber look.

I can live with the gaps in the front, because the set looks so good from so many angles, but I really wish the thrust had been yellow.