LEGO Star Wars 2012 Pictures and Rumors

[Darth Nihilus]

2012 is going to be a great year for Lego sets! As you can probably tell from my username, I am a huge fan of SW, and these sets are a great success on TLG's part. So here are my two cents on these sets:

9488: The minifigs are really the selling point of this set. The commando droids look awesome, if a little too tall. The ARC is amazing, but is it Commander Colt or the red ARC seen in the first episode of Season 3?

9489: Finally, I can get more stormtroopers and Rebels in a smaller set. Why is the tree gray, though?

9490: More stormies! That dirt printing is nice.

9491: Geonosians and a new clone! The geonosian wings look amazing, though I assume the zombie's (I think the zombie is the gray one) wings should be tattered. Gree is very true to his "real" character, though Barris is with those huge eyes.

9492: The TIE is really cool, but the cockpit could be better. The minifigs are really good, though, and I will get the set for them.

9493: Don't know about this one. I personally love 6212, but sadly do not own it (yet). This could be my second chance to have this iconic ship, but not sure if I have the funds.

All in all, 2012 is full of great designs from TLG, and my wallet will really hurt in January.

[Brickadeer]

9488: The minifigs are really the selling point of this set. The commando droids look awesome, if a little too tall. The ARC is amazing, but is it Commander Colt or the red ARC seen in the first episode of Season 3?

No, it's not Colt. Colt is this one:

Colt

I do not understand why so many people like the ARC Trooper. The helmet is wrongly designed; the armor, which looks pretty cool in TCW series, looks rediculous, and the Kama doesn't fit to the whole. This ARC Trooper reminds me pretty much of a person wearing a traditional Peruvian garb combined with a phase 1.5 helmet and dual blasters. The phase I trooper and the ARF Trooper were well designed, however, the ARC is worlds apart from being of the same quality. The imagination of Rex and Cody looking pretty much the same (well, in different colours, of course) makes me shudder. Compared to the design of this minifig, adding Vader's "No, no!" to the blue ray edition of RotJ appears to be an ingenious idea that stroke the mind of a pure genius.

As Douglas Adams might have put it:

"Some minifigs look ugly. Some minifigs look very ugly. And some attain a degree of ugliness that can only be the result of a special effort."

For me, this set is the biggest disappointment that I can think of. Well, at least with regard to the ARC Trooper and the Commando Droids.

Edited September 25, 2011 by Brickadeer

[Fallenangel]

Really? THIS is more impressive than a podracer?

The Z001 really appeals to me for some reason. I think it may have something to do with the fact that it's so ridiculously obscure only hardcore Star Wars fans would recognize it.

That and several nice MOCs exist of the vehicle, which I personally find really neat.

[Darth Nihilus]

No, it's not Colt. Colt is this one:

Colt

I do not understand why so many people like the ARC Trooper. The helmet is wrongly designed; the armor, which looks pretty cool in TCW series, looks rediculous, and the Kama doesn't fit to the whole. This ARC Trooper reminds me pretty much of a person wearing a traditional Peruvian garb combined with a phase 1.5 helmet and dual blasters. The phase I trooper and the ARF Trooper were well designed, however, the ARC is worlds apart from being of the same quality. The imagination of Rex and Cody looking pretty much the same (well, in different colours, of course) makes me shudder. Compared to the design of this minifig, adding Vader's "No, no!" to the blue ray edition of RotJ appears to be an ingenious idea that stroke the mind of a pure genius.

As Douglas Adams might have put it:

"Some minifigs look ugly. Some minifigs look very ugly. And some attain a degree of ugliness that can only be the result of a special effort."

For me, this set is the biggest disappointment that I can think of. Well, at least with regard to the ARC Trooper and the Commando Droids.

I have to disagree with you on this point. The pauldron does fit the minifig well, and appears to be made of the same paper as capes, which is how it should have been all along, since 2008. The paper pauldron is a good decision on TLG's part, since in posability it fits the show better. The kama should have been paper as well, but that will probably come later. The only part I don't like about the ARC is that the "face" plate on the helmet is grey instead of white. Also, does anyone else think that a regular clone helmet will fit on the commando droid?

[nex]

The helmet is wrongly designed

How? The helmet is based off of this ARC trooper, who isn't Colt.

[MandaloretheLesser]

How? The helmet is based off of this ARC trooper, who isn't Colt.

I think they mean the mold of the helmet not the print. Myself I don't like the mold of the helmet from what i can see it doesn't look right (mostly because i haven't seen it from the side or back yet) but I may be wrong I will know when I get the set next year or late this year and see for myself.

[anakin66]

On the contrary it was Captain Kirk who said it and it has not been revealed by name or number yet.

Hey, I don't want to start a fake rumour, but what about the BIG sets? I mean, the list doesn't show any 100-160 $/€ vassals…

I'd like to know if the MTT is coming back in a re-edition for 2012 (as ep One is coming up) and hopefully in brown again, or if 7929 "Battle of Naboo", that could be called a big BP ;) kills the hope for an MTT :(

Just wondering… (should I buy it in 2nd hand for Xmas, and take the risk of seen a new and better one show up?)

Edited September 26, 2011 by anakin66

[Brickadeer]

I have to disagree with you on this point. The pauldron does fit the minifig well, and appears to be made of the same paper as capes, which is how it should have been all along, since 2008. The paper pauldron is a good decision on TLG's part, since in posability it fits the show better. The kama should have been paper as well, but that will probably come later. The only part I don't like about the ARC is that the "face" plate on the helmet is grey instead of white. Also, does anyone else think that a regular clone helmet will fit on the commando droid?

Actually, I don't care about the material of which pauldron and kama are made. I care about the design.

As you can see, the shape of armor and pauldron approximates the shape of a "\/". The pauldron of the minifig, however, is designed in quite the opposite way: looking from the top of the helm down to the armor, helmet and pauldron form a "/\". To me, it looks awkward.

I think they mean the mold of the helmet not the print. Myself I don't like the mold of the helmet from what i can see it doesn't look right (mostly because i haven't seen it from the side or back yet) but I may be wrong I will know when I get the set next year or late this year and see for myself.

Yes, I mean the mold.

As you can see, the helmet is designed around the function to turn the head (and the helmet, of course) of the minifigure by 360 degrees.

However, they didn't make the "breathing tubes" as horizontal (to the shoulders) as they are in TCW. The consequence of these two facts is that there is a gap between the breathing tubes and the shoulders. My impression is that this results in the upper part of the figure simply looking too long. The whole face part seems to be located at a higher point compared to the phase I helmet (e. g. compared to the ARF trooper standing right besides the ARC trooper).

Whatever the reasons may be, I think that this trooper is not as well done as the phase I trooper or the current Stormtrooper.

Edited September 26, 2011 by Brickadeer

[Darth Nihilus]

Actually, I don't care about the material of which pauldron and kama are made. I care about the design.

As you can see, the shape of armor and pauldron approximates the shape of a "\/". The pauldron of the minifig, however, is designed in quite the opposite way: looking from the top of the helm down to the armor, helmet and pauldron form a "/\". To me, it looks awkward.

Yes, I mean the mold.

As you can see, the helmet is designed around the function to turn the head (and the helmet, of course) of the minifigure by 360 degrees.

However, they didn't make the "breathing tubes" as horizontal (to the shoulders) as they are in TCW. The consequence of these two facts is that there is a gap between the breathing tubes and the shoulders. My impression is that this results in the upper part of the figure simply looking too long. The whole face part seems to be located at a higher point compared to the phase I helmet (e. g. compared to the ARF trooper standing right besides the ARC trooper).

Whatever the reasons may be, I think that this trooper is not as well done as the phase I trooper or the current Stormtrooper.

The reason that, as you say, the pauldron and helm form a /\ instead of a \/ is because that's how it is in the show and the movies. If you look at seasons 1 and 2 of TCW, the pauldrons look like the current ones in production by TLG. But in the Season 3 ARCs and the Season 4 clone officers and ARCs, the pauldron looks like the new one, as seen here:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/ARC_trooper_armor

With this reference, the new pauldron looks perfect to it's model. I admit that the helmet may be a little too tall, but hey, it's LEGO, and it can't fit the reference perfect. This was the best that they could do, and I accept that.

Edited September 26, 2011 by darthnihilius

[MandaloretheLesser]

Yes, I mean the mold.

As you can see, the helmet is designed around the function to turn the head (and the helmet, of course) of the minifigure by 360 degrees.

However, they didn't make the "breathing tubes" as horizontal (to the shoulders) as they are in TCW. The consequence of these two facts is that there is a gap between the breathing tubes and the shoulders. My impression is that this results in the upper part of the figure simply looking too long. The whole face part seems to be located at a higher point compared to the phase I helmet (e. g. compared to the ARF trooper standing right besides the ARC trooper).

Whatever the reasons may be, I think that this trooper is not as well done as the phase I trooper or the current Stormtrooper.

Yeah thats what i thought looked odd about it

[Brickdoctor]

Hey, I don't want to start a fake rumour, but what about the BIG sets? I mean, the list doesn't show any 100-160 $/€ vassals…

I'd like to know if the MTT is coming back in a re-edition for 2012 (as ep One is coming up) and hopefully in brown again, or if 7929 "Battle of Naboo", that could be called a big BP ;) kills the hope for an MTT :(

Just wondering… (should I buy it in 2nd hand for Xmas, and take the risk of seen a new and better one show up?)

The bigger System sets are usually Summer releases, so we wont't know what they are in 2012 until January-February-ish.

[Brickadeer]

The reason that, as you say, the pauldron and helm form a /\ instead of a \/ is because that's how it is in the show and the movies. If you look at seasons 1 and 2 of TCW, the pauldrons look like the current ones in production by TLG. But in the Season 3 ARCs and the Season 4 clone officers and ARCs, the pauldron looks like the new one, as seen here:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/ARC_trooper_armor

With this reference, the new pauldron looks perfect to it's model. I admit that the helmet may be a little too tall, but hey, it's LEGO, and it can't fit the reference perfect. This was the best that they could do, and I accept that.

I don't really understand your point. The upper shoulder parts of the ARC Troopers look like this (upper sketch: as seen in TCW, lower sketch: Lego version. Sorry for my poor painting skills):

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I think that the upper sketch catches the shape of the pauldron pretty well:

So the pauldron forms a \/, while the minifig forms a /\.

[Darth Nihilus]

I don't really understand your point. The upper shoulder parts of the ARC Troopers look like this (upper sketch: as seen in TCW, lower sketch: Lego version. Sorry for my poor painting skills):

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I think that the upper sketch catches the shape of the pauldron pretty well:

So the pauldron forms a \/, while the minifig forms a /\.

Okay, now I see what you mean. The minifig uses Palpatines shoulder capes for the pauldron( ), so in relation to the reference, the pauldron is the wrong shape. But as I said before, it's LEGO, so they can't make it perfect. Why couldn't the pauldron be one new-molded cape piece, which would sove these problems?

[Fives]

Have I missed some new pics or something? There seems to be a lot of talk about the ARC pauldron, and if all of this uproar is over the prelim pic, than it is pointless. I have a good feeling that a new mould will be made for the pauldron on the ARC. They wouldn't use Palpatines shoulder pads for two reasons: 1. they cover the entire arm practically, and 2. the pauldrons from '08 were special moulds, so why start making fabric ones now.

[Brickadeer]

Have I missed some new pics or something? There seems to be a lot of talk about the ARC pauldron, and if all of this uproar is over the prelim pic, than it is pointless. I have a good feeling that a new mould will be made for the pauldron on the ARC. They wouldn't use Palpatines shoulder pads for two reasons: 1. they cover the entire arm practically, and 2. the pauldrons from '08 were special moulds, so why start making fabric ones now.

No, it's still about the pictures from the catalogue that leaked to the public 2 or 3 weeks ago.

If Lego should introduce a new plastic pauldron, that'd mean that the upper part of the figure would become even longer. So I do not believe that the pauldron-issue can be isolated from the helmet-issue, but maybe I'm wrong :)

On the picture, a new mold different from the 7655-helmets can be seen. Although it is a prelim-picture, the question is whether this mold will be changed.

If it should turn out that the final versions of both helmet and pauldron look different from the prelim picture, and if it should turn out that the designers actually made it to catch the coolness-factor from the TCW phase 1.5 armors, and if it should turn out that the Commando Droids actually aren't that big as they appear to be on the prelim picture, I am a happy man.

Edited September 26, 2011 by Brickadeer

[Mr Man]

The pauldrons from '08 were special moulds, so why start making fabric ones now.

Although TLG should have used cloth pauldrons and karmas from the start, so clones could still sit down, and snowtroopers could have a karma without it interfering with their backpacks.

[Darth Nihilus]

Have I missed some new pics or something? There seems to be a lot of talk about the ARC pauldron, and if all of this uproar is over the prelim pic, than it is pointless. I have a good feeling that a new mould will be made for the pauldron on the ARC. They wouldn't use Palpatines shoulder pads for two reasons: 1. they cover the entire arm practically, and 2. the pauldrons from '08 were special moulds, so why start making fabric ones now.

The pic is here:

[DarthR2-D2]

OK, this is my 1st post in about 4 months. I'm giving my thoughts about all these 2012 sets...

Clone Wars BP: The ARC Trooper looks very good actually, and by "ARC Trooper" I assume it means "ARC Trooper", not any particular ARC Trooper. The Commando Droids are a little tall though.

Endor BP: The Rebels look very good. Whoa! They're using a speeder bike for more than 1 year! An another Stormie!

Droid Escape: This looks like a very nice little set. I'm hoping $15-20. I need more Sandtroopers. Not to mention the new 3PO design.

Geonosian Cannon: I have the old 1 so, like the starfighetr, no biggy.

TIE Fighter: I have the 2005 version and I have no problem w/ it so I prob won't get it.

X-Wing: I have the 2006 version and love it. But I like Jek and R5.

Anakin's JSF: This is a must-have for me! I can't wait to see the re-designs!

Y-Wing Gold Leader: ???

Hoth Games: Games don't concern me.

Planet sets: I'll prob get all of them for the cheap minifigs

Queen Amidala: It'll prob be a cheap Naboo ship or Theed palace. But I'll get it anyway

UCS doesn't concern me.

[Cad Bane]

Droid Escape: This looks like a very nice little set. I'm hoping $15-20.

We got price confirmations not too long ago. I can't remember where, but here's the list of prices for the Star Wars line:

Star Wars

LEGO 9488 ARC Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack $12.99

LEGO 9489 Endor Rebel Trooper & Imperial Trooper $12.99

LEGO 9490 Droid Escape $19.99

LEGO 9491 Geonosian Cannon $19.99

LEGO 9492 Tie Fighter $49.99

LEGO 9493 X-wing Starfighter $59.99

[Fallenangel]

I believe those prices were announced here.

[Hollander]

Can't wait for the Y-wing Gold Leader. I really hope to see some SNOT when this set is released.

[BobThePom]

We got price confirmations not too long ago. I can't remember where, but here's the list of prices for the Star Wars line:

Star Wars

LEGO 9488 ARC Trooper & Commando Droid Battle Pack $12.99

LEGO 9489 Endor Rebel Trooper & Imperial Trooper $12.99

LEGO 9490 Droid Escape $19.99

LEGO 9491 Geonosian Cannon $19.99

LEGO 9492 Tie Fighter $49.99

LEGO 9493 X-wing Starfighter $59.99

You did not include the "Planets" line so here they are

Star Wars Planet Sets

LEGO 9674 Naboo Starfighter & Naboo $9.99

LEGO 9675 Sebulbas Podracer & Tatooine $9.99

LEGO 9676 Tie Interceptor & Death Star $9.99

[Solscud007]

Wow very cool stuff. I like the R5, and commando droids!!!!, Sand troopers with PRINTED LEGS!!!!!, I dont see how the guy next to Bariss is Commander Gree. I thought Gree was green and camoflaged in EpIII?

What are the planet lines and what UCS is mentioned?

Ok I saw the planet lines, hilarious. I so want the mini deathstar. It will make a great Xmas ornament.

Commando droids arent bad, People seem to dislike the size. The problem is not the size, it is the pose. Commando Droids are always hunched over and sneaky looking so they appear smaller. When in fact they are not. They are the same size as a Battle Droid, but their posture is deceiving.

Edited September 27, 2011 by Solscud007

[Darth Nihilus]

Wow very cool stuff. I like the R5, and commando droids!!!!, Sand troopers with PRINTED LEGS!!!!!, I dont see how the guy next to Bariss is Commander Gree. I thought Gree was green and camoflaged in EpIII?

What are the planet lines and what UCS is mentioned?

Ok I saw the planet lines, hilarious. I so want the mini deathstar. It will make a great Xmas ornament.

Commando droids arent bad, People seem to dislike the size. The problem is not the size, it is the pose. Commando Droids are always hunched over and sneaky looking so they appear smaller. When in fact they are not. They are the same size as a Battle Droid, but their posture is deceiving.

First of all, even though Gree was camoflaged in Ep.III, Gree looks like the minifig does in TCW. Here:

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/CC-1004

Second, the issue with the commando droids is not their pose, it is that they use SBD legs instead of BD legs.

The UCS is a B-Wing, this has been confirmed.

[lightningtiger]

Ah, the commando droid.....I might have an answer for you - look carefully at these two images.

The super battle droid is a more beefier war machine, but the commando is fast and agile.....they do share common features and remember it's Lego....they are just going to stick with two kinds of legs.....and the commando ones are a slimmer design of the SBD hence they'll use the SBD legs over the plain old BD legs.

Just my two cents worth.