rollermonkey Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) Both of the LEGO stores near me are nearly always sold out of Ghost and Phantom now, whereas last year, they couldn't get them out the door. Pretty much the same for the TRU stores, too. TIE Advanced Prototype and Ezra's speeder have flown off the shelves since day 1, but not the AT-DP. The Wookie Gunship doesn't even feel like a Rebels set to me... But the stores always have plenty of it. I think the popularity of the show with the DisneyXD demographic is doing just fine. :) Edited February 22, 2015 by rollermonkey Quote
Faefrost Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Both of the LEGO stores near me are nearly always sold out of Ghost and Phantom now, whereas last year, they couldn't get them out the door. Pretty much the same for the TRU stores, too. TIE Advanced Prototype and Ezra's speeder have flown off the shelves since day 1, but not the AT-DP. The Wookie Gunship doesn't even feel like a Rebels set to me... But the stores always have plenty of it. I think the popularity of the show with the DisneyXD demographic is doing just fine. :) Yeah like a lot of other properties the sets didn't quite take off until the show started to air and gain traction. Weirdly the same thing happened a few years ago with the first wave of Avengers sets. They released and just sat there for two or three weeks. Then the movie opened and they were cleaned out by noon Saturday. Quote
The Executive Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 The new flash speeder is really over sized. I mean why would you oversize the flash speeder? It's one of the vehicles you see least in TPM but then decided to shrink the AAT, a vehicle you see way more which naturally deserves more detail. Sometimes I think the people in charge of these kinds of decisions don't have a clue of what they are doing. Quote
strangely Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 I knew to expect complaints about Lego downsizing a vehicle, but I did not expect to see complaints about them making something bigger. I'm alright with the size. The federation has two big vehicles for their side of the battle, it's only fair that Naboo gets a decent sized vehicle to fight back with. Quote
Fuppylodders Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 People keep mentioning about a storm trooper transport... I wonder, if it would be an imperial landing craft? Quote
Cyberfounder Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) I was waiting a long time for a new flash speeder and I really like the design of this one, but since TLG made a mess of the AAT I can't see any reason why I would buy the Flash speeder, since it will not have a counterpart in my collection. The new flash speeder is really over sized. I mean why would you oversize the flash speeder? It's one of the vehicles you see least in TPM but then decided to shrink the AAT, a vehicle you see way more which naturally deserves more detail. Sometimes I think the people in charge of these kinds of decisions don't have a clue of what they are doing. Indeed the flash speeder is oversized and the AAT undersized. To bad, these wear 2 sets I was looking forward to the most. I knew to expect complaints about Lego downsizing a vehicle, but I did not expect to see complaints about them making something bigger. I'm alright with the size. The federation has two big vehicles for their side of the battle, it's only fair that Naboo gets a decent sized vehicle to fight back with. The problem is the federation vehicles are so small, the flash speeder I almost bigger then the MTT. Edited February 23, 2015 by Cyberfounder Quote
Flieger Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 Yeah like a lot of other properties the sets didn't quite take off until the show started to air and gain traction. I for one found the Rebels sets that were released before the show rather less well designed, the Ghost being undersized (they really should have made that set 20 Euros more expensive but larger) and the Phantom an uninspired way to sell Ezra to the kids. But once you realize you have to buy these sets in order to get the heroes... well. The new Rebels sets on the other hand, I feel, are almost all executed nicely. Good size, good modelling, excellent minifig selection. The Tie and the AT-DP rank among my favourite sets ever. I think they can stand up much better without the show. Quote
rollermonkey Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) The difference in the first Rebels sets and the latest is the difference between designing from concept drawings and designing from fully realized and final-render images. Edited February 23, 2015 by rollermonkey Quote
Flieger Posted February 23, 2015 Posted February 23, 2015 The difference in the first Rebels sets and the latest is the difference between designing from concept drawings and designing from fully realized and final-render images. I would not be so sure about that. The wrong colours of the uniforms Kallus and the AT-DP drivers have seem to stem from a misunderstanding of the concept art. See Kallus' concept here: http://i.imgur.com/HYA75uc.jpg It is very dark and almost looks like black. I can understand the Lego designers choosing this colour. However seeing the actual episodes it is clear that it is actually a dark grey: http://i.imgur.com/TlPpoQt.jpg Compare his uniform to the black of the Inquisitor's armour and the Olive-Grey of Tarkin's uniform. Had Lego designers seen this image, their choice of colour would be different, no doubt. Same with the AT-DP drivers. Therefore I think Lego also worked with concepts when designing the Winter sets. And other than these two mismatched colourings of uniforms, I cannot complain about the results. Quote
Venkefedo Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I had hoped for the Imperial Gunship with Tarkin in battle armour, his Stormtrooper guards, and a pilot. (I think it would even sell well). Just buy the 75046 Coruscant Police Gunship set and customize your own figures (and replace the Republic-emblem stickers with Imperial-emblem stickers) They basically, from what I understand, used the same CG vehicle model in the show for the Imp Gunship, and 75046 was released only a year ago. It's still on shelves in many (most?) TRUs and Lego Stores. Would it sell better than that one with armored Tarkin, Rebels-style stormies, and a pilot? Maybe. But I'd probably go for the Clone Wars version if I wanted the ship, since it's also got nice Shocktroopers (to replace my 2005 versions) and a spare Ahsoka & Anakin. I'd just BL Tarkin's head to replace my Death Star version (with new hair, too, of course). Quote
Flieger Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Just buy the 75046 Coruscant Police Gunship set and customize your own figures (and replace the Republic-emblem stickers with Imperial-emblem stickers) They basically, from what I understand, used the same CG vehicle model in the show for the Imp Gunship, and 75046 was released only a year ago. It's still on shelves in many (most?) TRUs and Lego Stores. Would it sell better than that one with armored Tarkin, Rebels-style stormies, and a pilot? Maybe. But I'd probably go for the Clone Wars version if I wanted the ship, since it's also got nice Shocktroopers (to replace my 2005 versions) and a spare Ahsoka & Anakin. I'd just BL Tarkin's head to replace my Death Star version (with new hair, too, of course). I love the Coruscant Police Gunship and I am proud to have bought that set early. And yes, it would be no big deal modifying to it an Imperial paint scheme. The problem is just Tarkin itself, for many reasons. The old Tarkin head is simply outdated and I never thought it does Tarkin justice anyway. Then there is no suitable torso. Kallus's torso is too dark for Kallus (although this can be remedied via the use of dark grey arms and legs) and inappropriate for Tarkin. It also has the wrong rank insignia. These days Lego does a great job accurately representing such details. Lastly, the helmet... the closest would be Veers's helmet, but it has the wrong colour (and would never match Kallus's breastplate, if one would like to pursue that idea) and it lacks the insignia. The beauty of Lego is that you can do stuff on your own. I can build an Imperial version of the gunship. But the minifigs are still Lego's job, I am afraid. Maybe my standards are too high, but I see no way recreating battle dress Tarkin with currently available parts, not on the level of current minifigs. I think it is time for an upgraded Tarkin anyway; Rebels and ANH. Quote
Darth Punk Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I would not be so sure about that. The wrong colours of the uniforms Kallus and the AT-DP drivers have seem to stem from a misunderstanding of the concept art. See Kallus' concept here: http://i.imgur.com/HYA75uc.jpg It is very dark and almost looks like black. I can understand the Lego designers choosing this colour. However seeing the actual episodes it is clear that it is actually a dark grey: http://i.imgur.com/TlPpoQt.jpg Compare his uniform to the black of the Inquisitor's armour and the Olive-Grey of Tarkin's uniform. Had Lego designers seen this image, their choice of colour would be different, no doubt. Same with the AT-DP drivers. Therefore I think Lego also worked with concepts when designing the Winter sets. And other than these two mismatched colourings of uniforms, I cannot complain about the results. And that is the concept art given to TLG by Disney to work from? I only ask because concept art can change from original to the final version. So I agree with what Rollermonley is saying especially since TLG would have to start working on sets 18-24 months before they are released. So at the point they start working there might just be a rough idea given to them and could completely change. Quote
Flieger Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) And that is the concept art given to TLG by Disney to work from? I only ask because concept art can change from original to the final version. So I agree with what Rollermonley is saying especially since TLG would have to start working on sets 18-24 months before they are released. So at the point they start working there might just be a rough idea given to them and could completely change. I have no idea what concept art Lego actually had to work with. Or if it was concept art. I am not privy to such information, and I guess few are. So we are guessing here. I am just saying that I doubt Lego had final renderings, much less episodes to work with. At least this would explain the wrong colours of Kallus's and AT-DP drivers's uniforms, matching the concept art we know ok-ish, but not the actual episode colours. Had I not seen the show, but only the artwork, I'd like the colouring. Again, all of this is guesswork, but I have seen nothing that would imply Lego had significantly more finished material to work with the 2015 winter sets than they had when working on the Ghost&Phantom. I cannot imagine that Lego designers would make the AT-DP driver all-white had they seen the episodes first, or Kallus black... I am absolutely open for contradiction and other points of view, though. Edited February 24, 2015 by Flieger Quote
duboismerci Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Since the police gunship seems to replace the LAAT gunship, I think if they release a new one in imperial color it will be bigger and around the 120$ price point. That way multiple figures could fit in the back and the side panels could look accurate. I don't know if the may the 4th exclusive counts as a set but maybe the Yularen minifig is from rebels. Are we sure its from ANH? If it were rebels it would make a 2nd rebel "set" for the summer with the Gonzati. Quote
markw Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) I for one found the Rebels sets that were released before the show rather less well designed, the Ghost being undersized (they really should have made that set 20 Euros more expensive but larger) and the Phantom an uninspired way to sell Ezra to the kids. But once you realize you have to buy these sets in order to get the heroes... well. The new Rebels sets on the other hand, I feel, are almost all executed nicely. Good size, good modelling, excellent minifig selection. The Tie and the AT-DP rank among my favourite sets ever. I think they can stand up much better without the show. The Ghost and the Phantom (despite the Ghost's similarities to the Millenium Falcon) and their minifigs were very alien when they appeared. The TIE and the AT-DP (and their figs) are very familiar variants on existing and well loved OT vehicles. They were always going to be more popular with us AFOL's. Interesting seeing the Kallus concept, in the show he does appear to be in the same colour as the existing Imperial Officers. . Since the police gunship seems to replace the LAAT gunship, I think if they release a new one in imperial color it will be bigger and around the 120$ price point. That way multiple figures could fit in the back and the side panels could look accurate. I don't know if the may the 4th exclusive counts as a set but maybe the Yularen minifig is from rebels. Are we sure its from ANH? If it were rebels it would make a 2nd rebel "set" for the summer with the Gonzati. I like the blurred lines between Rebels and the OT, particularly the disappearance of the cartoon faces. Tarkin, Yularen and the other chap in the brown outfit whose name escapes me could all be added to existing OT MOC's and displays. Has anyone tried using an Imperial Officer's legs and arms on Kallus to make him fit in a bit better? He already has a strip of grey down his front so this might be an easy customisation to make him a bit more show accurate. Edited February 24, 2015 by markw Quote
Flieger Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 The Ghost and the Phantom (despite the Ghost's similarities to the Millenium Falcon) and their minifigs were very alien when they appeared. The TIE and the AT-DP (and their figs) are very familiar variants on existing and well loved OT vehicles. They were always going to be more popular with us AFOL's. Fair point. Has anyone tried using an Imperial Officer's legs and arms on Kallus to make him fit in a bit better? He already has a strip of grey down his front so this might be an easy customisation to make him a bit more show accurate. Quick and dirty shot: The photo may not do it justice, but the grey of the torso and the grey of the arms&legs are the same, so it works ok. Not perfect, but ok and imho a better representation of the on-screen Kallus than the all black version of Lego. Quote
Legomastahh Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Just wondering, has anyone has any trouble getting the new droid troop carrier? I went to Legoland the other day and saw no sign of it. Quote
Gremer Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 Just wondering, has anyone has any trouble getting the new droid troop carrier? I went to Legoland the other day and saw no sign of it. I ordered it from LEGO.com last Monday, and ha no trouble with it. Quote
Legomastahh Posted February 24, 2015 Posted February 24, 2015 I ordered it from LEGO.com last Monday, and ha no trouble with it. Ok, I'll order online. But there seems to be a shortage of carriers, or is it just me? Quote
markw Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Fair point. Quick and dirty shot: *snip* The photo may not do it justice, but the grey of the torso and the grey of the arms&legs are the same, so it works ok. Not perfect, but ok and imho a better representation of the on-screen Kallus than the all black version of Lego. Yeah, he looks like he might fit in with my Imperial army now! Would love a new Tarkin! Edited February 25, 2015 by Lobot Please don't quote images Quote
Khaled Yousef Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Yeah, an updated Tarkin with pupils would be great; I just hope he doesn’t come in a dark-tan uniform. I really don’t understand why LEGO decided to go with this color for the Imperial Officers in Rebels, it looks wrong by all measures. Quote
Raskolnikov Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I think that old dark gray was probably the closest that Lego has gotten to the dark olive color of Imperial officers' uniforms. Quote
Khaled Yousef Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 That’s correct, but the next best thing to old grey is the current grey, so why did they drift so far away with dark-tan? Quote
Raskolnikov Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 No idea. I'm just going to treat them as different kinds of Imperial officers in my own collection. Oh well. I've got enough of the normal officers that it doesn't bother me too much. So when are they going to come out with one of those new officers' caps in black? I'd pay a fortune. Quote
Khaled Yousef Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Me too, I was hoping one black uniform officer would make appearance in Rebels so we might get those new caps in black, and that’s another reason to make me angry at the dark-tan ones since we’re getting the awesome new cap in a useless color while we’re missing the other essential one. Quote
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