Double Feature Review Part II: 75025 Jedi Defender-class Cruiser

[BrickBob Studpants]

Now let’s get to the main event of this double feature, set 75025 Jedi Defender-class Cruiser. I’m not that familiar with TOR (as I’m everything but a PC gamer, I see myself as more of a Nintendo nerd), but I’ve seen the epic cinematic trailers for the game which feature pretty much all of the characters we’ve gotten in the TOR sets so far (except the Mirialan Jedi I think).

Again, I really like the boxart and the action shots on the back. Luckily, the instruction booklets are enveloped in plastic along with the sticker sheet.

In the first bag, we get half of the minifigs, in this case a nameless Sith Warrior and an equally unnamed Sith Trooper. The Sith Warrior turns out to be one of my favourite minifigs this year, the dark red hood and the head both look awesome and menacing at the same time. To me, this minifig is what Darth Malgus was to a lot of people last year. The Sith Trooper is the same as the battlepack version. Both have back printing, which has become a standard these days ;)

Bag 1 and 2 contain a lot of technic pieces which form the cruiser’s skeleton:

I forgot to take a picture of bag 3 and realized it only when I was halfway through with bag 4, so pictures of bag 3 are missing completely and this picture of bag 4 is somewhat incomplete:

This set includes a rare bracket piece (which I thought to be new at first, only to be proven wrong by bricklink):

According to bricklink, it has only appeared in two City sets before (4204 and 4434), so it’s probably new to a lot of people ;)

Let’s move on to bag #5, which gives us the remaining minifigs:

A Jedi Consular (left), who’s a Mirialan just like Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee and a Jedi Knight (right) who might be based on Satele Shan’s master, Kao Cen Darach (though the latter is a Jedi master, so either TLG got it wrong or they’re not the same character, but I digress). Again, detailed printing on both minifigs and old parts in new colours, what’s not to like? It's time for a couple of comparison pics before we get to the next bag:

Those trans-blue flower-like technic pieces also appear in 75018 Jek 14's Stealth Starfighter, but I'm not sure whether they're new or not...

Wow, that’s quite an impressive amount of extra parts for a set this size...

And here’s the Cruiser in all her beauty:

Note the lightsaber windows here, who honestly wouldn’t want windows made of lightsabers on their spaceship?

TLG seems to be fascinated by Holocrons, this is the third set this year these appear in (and the fourth in general). This time around, we get both Jedi and Sith Holocrons...

"Wanna swap?"

More pics of the ship:

The whole set in all its glory:

Bonus picture, Little Red Sith Hood:

„If you dare attacking one of us, you attack all of us!“

This is easily the best vehicle-based set this year because of the great colour scheme, cool shapes & angles and the overall design. The minifigures are excellent too, so you really shouldn’t miss this one. Even if you don’t know (or don’t like) TOR, the set certainly has a distinct Star Wars feeling to it (perhaps because it sort of looks like the result of someone throwing the Tantine IV and the Republic Cruiser from TPM into a blender ).

[Ki-Adi-Mundi]

Wow, you're fast! And this review, too is well shot! Great camera work! A big thanks!

Although i'm not into TOR (but a bit into KOTOR I, actually ), this set indeed has some appealing pros about it. I like quite a lot:

- the idea that both Sith and Jedi are included (one can choose)

- the minifigs are unnamed which means that one could use them for any era and place

- at least two minifigs are aliens and the Lego SW universe has lack of them still

but more important to me is the ship, which i like for:

- the overall size of the ship and the piece count (9500 at the same price was much smaller AND had a much lower piece count)

- the color scheme has multiple uses (red - consular republican and it's a dark red the Sith use to fashion a lot). Unlike the Republic Frigate (CW) it isn't ridiculously spiked over and over with weapons no one is there to ever use

- the ship design is 'fresh' to the SW universe and - just like the minifigs - might be found anytime, anywhere and in anyone's use

- there are several interior spots to place minifigs in or pose scenes with. i especially like the escape pods which also could be quarters to the crew

- the ship has a handle to carry it around on top

What i do not like so much at my very first glance:

- there are stickers (in general)

- the bridge is open on the back. Not only 'untight' but also things might fall out when being swooshed or carried around

A few questions at last:

- do you still have the sticker sheet? How many have to be littered across the hull/interior?

- could you be so kind and show some more of the bridge (interior)? How do minifigs fit into it?

- what are the measurements of the ship (length and width)?

Thank you!

Edited June 6, 2013 by Ki-Adi-Mundi

[BrickBob Studpants]

@Ki-Adi-Mundi: Thanks a lot! The ship measures 33 x 25 cm The set includes 15 stickers in various sizes; 6 are used for the middle section that consists of those dark red curved top bricks (http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=6091), 2 large ones are applied to the outside of the escape pods, 2 portray control panels inside the pods, 2 are used on top of the bridge section, another 2 are supposed to be control panels inside the bridge and the last one is applied to the front of the ship (between the lightsaber windows) I'll take a few pics of the bridge later

[jmagaletta]

No Flick Fires!!! I am amazed. Great review, one of the few sets I will be getting this wave.

[IronFish]

How did you get this?

[Fuppylodders]

I was quite hesitant and almost decided about not getting it...

But after seeing that Sith! The ship in itself is a good build too from the looks of it, so I may well be tempted after all!

[Wedge09]

Thanks for giving us this small review :thumbup: I thinks I wil buy this set for sure

[Ki-Adi-Mundi]

@Ki-Adi-Mundi: Thanks a lot! The ship measures 33 x 25 cm The set includes 15 stickers in various sizes; 6 are used for the middle section that consists of those dark red curved top bricks (http://www.bricklink...Item.asp?P=6091), 2 large ones are applied to the outside of the escape pods, 2 portray control panels inside the pods, 2 are used on top of the bridge section, another 2 are supposed to be control panels inside the bridge and the last one is applied to the front of the ship (between the lightsaber windows) I'll take a few pics of the bridge later

Ah, i see. Thanks for the info. So the ship actually is smaller than i assumed basing on the piece count. Thus it measures the same length as the 7965 main hull (saucer).

Still, it appears bigger than the less bulky 9500 and definitely has less 'hollow' areas but more interior and play features. Reconsidering the sticker placement, they do not define the ships' looks. One might even leave them out (except for control panels if no other printed pieces are at hand).

In my last post i forgot to mention your nice displays of the minifigure comparisons. A good idea to show all TOR minifigs we have yet. Aslo, it's interesting to see the different LEGO depictions of zabrak characters. Personally, i like Agen Kolar the most (headpiece and hair) but we humans are just so different either, aren't we?!

I also like your funnies and the way you arranged the Sith with his two lightsabers. That rocks.

Looking forward to more pictures of this set and also more reviews of you!

[khatmorg]

No Flick Fires!!! I am amazed. Great review, one of the few sets I will be getting this wave.

The cannons are flickfires in disguise =P. What does the technic bit do (the beams), Is that to lift the ship safely or something?

[Vindicare]

Even though I'm completely clueless to TOR and have not bought any sets yet, this one is really tempting me. Especially with that Sith warrior, awesome!

Great review. Good pictures and nice explanation of the set and it's figs/pieces. Well done.

[IronFish]

How did you get this early?

[BrickBob Studpants]

Thanks for your comments!

@IronFish: I got it on s@h Currently it's only available in Switzerland, Germany and Austria though

@khatmorg: You're right, those are indeed flick-fire missiles. I guess this gives the term "fire the cannons" a whole new meaning And yes, those technic pieces form a handle for safe carrying

Edited June 6, 2013 by Lego-Freak

[Galaxy Explorer]

Thank you for a very eye-opening review. I say this because as a general rule, I collect only film based sets, mostly to save space and money. I follow the EU somewhat, but am by no means an expert. I am also not a big gamer, even though I have a PS3. But I must say, these sets from TOR are very appealing. The Jedi Defender just looks spectacular, and seems like a good build. It really has a strong Star Wars vibe to it. I could easily see this in a film. Since I'm not familiar with the game, I have no idea how accurate it is to the source material. I assume LEGO scaled it down a bit, which is usually the case. I'll have to watch the trailer and see. I'm a sucker for large Star Wars ships with big engines (ISD/Blockade Runners) so I may have to check this one out. If I get one I'm going to want a Sith Fury, too, right?

[BrickBob Studpants]

And as requested, I present to you a few additional pictures:

As you can see, the minifigs are kept in place by the new corner parts that were introduced last year: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=93095

[IronFish]

How much was this? I am really have an obsession with tor

[BrickBob Studpants]

@IronFish: It was 129 CHF, which is about 100 €, 90 $ or 90 £ (of course not in real life, but in the LEGO reference system )

[IronFish]

@IronFish: It was 129 CHF, which is about 100 €, 90 $ or 90 £ (of course not in real life, but in the LEGO reference system )

perfect! Should have enough to get it when it comes out in the US

[KurttKrueger]

Wow, great review! This has been one of my mopst anticipated ships since they announced they were doing SWTOR ships. I have every SWTOR set so far, so looking forward to adding this bad boy to my collection. Even the Jedi Knight's armour matches my in game Jedi!

Is there any chance that you could post some side by side comparison shots with the other SWTOR ships, particularly the fury?

Thanks!

Cheers,

Kurtt

[Faefrost]

Great review, and thanks for the look at the ship. This one is high on my list.

And to help clear up some Jedi confusion. For purposes of the SWTOR game Jedi Knight is not a rank. It is a role or character class. Jedi Consulars are Jedi scholars dedicated to soft arts. Healing, research and knowledge. Jedi Knights are the more combat focused members of the order. Offensive and defensive warriors. Either group may be Masters.

[BrickBob Studpants]

@KurttKrueger: Of course, here you go:

@Faefrost: Thanks for the clarification, now it makes sense

[KurttKrueger]

Slightly off-topic, but if anyone wants to say hi to me in game, I'm on the EU Red Eclipse server, character name Kurtt.

Cheers,

Kurtt

[Brickus]

Great review, excellent pictures, I can't wait to get this one.

[Ki-Adi-Mundi]

Thank you for your effort, Lego Freak! This insight is very welcome - and your collection of SW TOR sets does let this subtheme become attractive. I'll go for the Defender for sure and will keep my eyes open for a sale on the Fury. The BP is on the shopping list anyway, while i hope to get Satele separately or in a different set. The Republic fighter design is too much of an insult ot my eyes...

[Ceroknight]

I agree, the Old Republic sets together look brilliant!

[Only Sinner]

Thanks fo this review. This is a fantastic set. A well designed ship, with the aesthetically pleasing colors, curves, and angles.

The minifigs are also as amazing as I'd hoped for, and so detailed. I shall be getting two of these lovely sets.