I would prefer battle packs with one faction, for example, ditch the two droidekas in 75000 and replace them with more of the new basic clones.

Especially since there seems to be very few clones in the new AOTC sets coming out in the summer wave

I'm not an army builder so I like any combo when it comes to battle packs. Though I can see how the original ones were a great way to rack up multiples real quick.

im all for them doing the current style of battle packs... but only if as mentioned above, they can fill out the sets with some clones, of which they appear to be hugely failing at. It seems like it is going to soon become a thing of the past to be able to army build at all unless you can afford multiples of expensive sets... or possibly high future BL prices...

Especially since there seems to be very few clones in the new AOTC sets coming out in the summer wave

Yes, the AT-TE and the Gunship only seem to contain specialized clones. But there clearly is a lack of generic clones. It would be pretty nice if S&H customers were offered an option to buy more clones (or other set related figures with army building potential) if the customer orders a certain set.

Edited January 29, 201312 yr by Brickadeer

I would expect with all the ep2 and ep3 sets coming out the next year or so, we will get another generic clone battlepack. I just wonder if they'll ever go back to the original AOTC clone helmets or if that design is retired in favor of the clone wars version.

As far fetched as this may sound, it would be neat if they could release two versions of sets. The original, which come's with non generic figs, i.e. the new BARC speeder would have Rex and Obi-wan, and a second version where those two are switched out with 501st Clones. Switch Yoda for a 501st Clone in the AT-RT, Ahsoka for a 212th in the Umbaran thing, Pong Krell for a Pilot, and so on and so forth. We'd get the same great sets, same great new figures, as well as possibility of more generics.

As far fetched as this may sound, it would be neat if they could release two versions of sets. The original, which come's with non generic figs, i.e. the new BARC speeder would have Rex and Obi-wan, and a second version where those two are switched out with 501st Clones. Switch Yoda for a 501st Clone in the AT-RT, Ahsoka for a 212th in the Umbaran thing, Pong Krell for a Pilot, and so on and so forth. We'd get the same great sets, same great new figures, as well as possibility of more generics.

While I think your idea is a good one, wouldn't it be far simpler and cheaper for LEGO just to add the generic minifigures to the sets rather than making second copies of them with generic minifigures in? Not many people would be willing to pay double the amount of money to get 1 set with 2 different minifigure ranges. Some people might, but it wouldn't be enough for TLG to even consider trying it, unfortunately.

Edited January 29, 201312 yr by Star Wars NutJob 69

I find the lack of (plain) clones disturbing...in 2013.

I wish they'd ditch these EU sets and give us more clone filled goodness. Like the set with the orange troopers. I do somewhat like the variety in companies were seeing, though. But still, there's too little to really make a sizable faction unless you're willing to shell out a lot of money. And with all the awesome that is coming out of Denmark this year, I know I certainly won't be.

I like both types of Battle Pack, generally.

Single-Sided, easier to build armies

I have no problems with the current version ("Battle-in-a-Box"), because as I see it, I would always be wanting at least two factions (what's the point of building an army of just clones, if you don't have an opposing droid army?).

For example: if I am creating a Battle of Endor battle, then, if LEGO were doing single-sided battle packs, I would need to buy a certain amount of Stormtrooper/Scout packs, and an equivalent amount of Rebel battle packs (or Ewoks, or whatever: good vs bad basically). If LEGO is doing the current format though, e.g. the 2012 Endor Battle Pack, then I am still buying just as many sets, to get the same number of troops per side. It's just this time around I am purchasing the single set multiples time instead of two different sets. 2x Endor Battle Pack will give me the same thing as 1x Baddies pack and 1x Goodies pack.

The trouble comes when you take in a whole lot of different factions and all: OT stuff is easy, there are limited factions. When PT and CW come in however, you can do anything, because there are so many different sides and battles. That is the problem that some on here face, I am sure.

Overall, sometimes I mind, sometimes I don't. E.g. I don't mind for the Endor pack, because if I want 4 of each side, I buy two sets, which I would have done anyway if they were in two, single-sided packs.

The issue of specialised characters is a whole other aspect of it all

I have no problems with the current version ("Battle-in-a-Box"), because as I see it, I would always be wanting at least two factions (what's the point of building an army of just clones, if you don't have an opposing droid army?).

For example: if I am creating a Battle of Endor battle, then, if LEGO were doing single-sided battle packs, I would need to buy a certain amount of Stormtrooper/Scout packs, and an equivalent amount of Rebel battle packs (or Ewoks, or whatever: good vs bad basically). If LEGO is doing the current format though, e.g. the 2012 Endor Battle Pack, then I am still buying just as many sets, to get the same number of troops per side. It's just this time around I am purchasing the single set multiples time instead of two different sets. 2x Endor Battle Pack will give me the same thing as 1x Baddies pack and 1x Goodies pack.

The trouble comes when you take in a whole lot of different factions and all: OT stuff is easy, there are limited factions. When PT and CW come in however, you can do anything, because there are so many different sides and battles. That is the problem that some on here face, I am sure.

Overall, sometimes I mind, sometimes I don't. E.g. I don't mind for the Endor pack, because if I want 4 of each side, I buy two sets, which I would have done anyway if they were in two, single-sided packs.

The issue of specialised characters is a whole other aspect of it all

I do not have a problem with "battle" packs per se. It's rather the ratio of the figures contained. As for 9489 (Endor Battle Pack), I would have prefered 2 Stormtroopers, 1 Scout and 1 Rebel (dual printed head).

Edited February 4, 201312 yr by Brickadeer

It's aggravating to buy all of these clone vehicles and then only have one or two basic clone troopers manning them. It would be nice if they would at least offer battle packs filled with clones as an online exclusive.

It's aggravating to buy all of these clone vehicles and then only have one or two basic clone troopers manning them. It would be nice if they would at least offer battle packs filled with clones as an online exclusive.

I also find it aggravating, but my kids and their friends don't seem to mind. They don't have an issue mixing Phase I and II clones and all minifigs in general.

First of all I must say I really don't like the new two-sided battlepacks. I really miss the old cool ones like the Mandalorian and the Clone Walker ones, wich I have 4 and 7 of each respectively.

But, I understand the move by LEGO. Us AFOL's have money to buy pretty much as many as we can. Kids don't. Kids don't have the money to buy a battlepack of say Clones and another of Droids. So between selling 1 or selling none, LEGO has gone for the obvious choice - put clones and droids in the same box, and everyone is happy. Kids buy 1 and get their thing, and we AFOL's buy too because in general we have the means too, more means than kids.

Now, answering directly to the original poster questions:

Do you like the new 'battle in a box' battle packs?

In general, no. But it really depends on what battle pack we are talking about. Some are very well done, and both figures have appeal while there's others where only 1 of the sides is cool, and the not so much.

What is the best way to build armies now?

To be honest? No idea. I am no professional army builder. Yes I like and try to build some, but I am not obsessed with it. I do it as I can and has opportunities arise, so I don't have much special advise to give.

Probably it's a good idea to buy these 2 sided battlepacks, keep the figs you want, try to sell the others and re-invest that money back in more batteplacks and keep this cycle going.

and What new battle packs would you like to see?

Nothing special comming to my mind right now. The major factions, CIS,GR,RA and GE have pretty much been covered. Maybe some race oriented BP's? I miss Tusken Raiders a lot! There could also be Jawa's, Gamorrean's whatever. I am just not sure those would sell well.

I am not even going to speak about EU, because I sincerely doubt LEGO will go there, specially if there's not updated source material like we got SWTOR now.

It's aggravating to buy all of these clone vehicles and then only have one or two basic clone troopers manning them. It would be nice if they would at least offer battle packs filled with clones as an online exclusive.

not a bad idea there...