Stegoceras

To be honest, I kind of understand Lucas in this aspect. In my free time I like drawing comic stories and often the greatest ideas are not the ones I came up at the beginning but while I'm actually working on them. I'd call it sheer genius on Lucas' side for turning Vader into Luke's dad, he created a very interesting plot twist and that it created a nice opportunity for him to earn lots more money was nice advantage as well, good for him. Honestly he could do what he wants with the franchise, it's his, We don't have to like it, but we ourselves choose what to accept into the way we experience Star Wars and what parts we don't, there really is not point taking it out on Lucas. and please everyone, I know your all fierce protectors of the part you like best but don't bash too much on what other people like and then get frustrated when they say something in return.

Thanks for trying to explain some of this stuff, though I still have some doubts. - I'm quite curious to see how they can explain a Zabrak male clan on Dathomir at all. - It's true that all zabrak have line tattoos on their face, but I always associated the certain type of tattoo Maul has as Sith Tattoos, similar to the ones you see on Sith from the Legacy comic series like Darth Talon and that they were applied by (or on order of) Lord Sidious instead of being there at birth. Thus it must be a Retcon. - Maul being from the same village is also a Retcon, as he used to be from Nar Shaddaa (if I remember correct). Doesn't change me from thinking it's another strange decision to change it, to be honest sometimes it feels like they don't even try to adapt it to things that have been established in EU canon. - I'm quite sure it was a test, but the battle seems to small scaled to the point of being ridiculous. Over course episode time plays a role here. Other concerns would be the strange ritual by the nightsisters, a 20 second ritual is enough to mind-wipe someone, increase his strength and turn him into a brutal killer, now there is a recipe for galaxy domination. It was just a strange episode, which lot of retconning happening and some strange situations, but at least the action scenes were nice. Savage looks like a nice temporary bad guy, though I'm still waiting for Durge to make his appearance. In retrospect the former Mandalore three episode story arc was also a work of retconning confusion (if you had any interest in EU material of course), so this makes me fear the next 3 episode arc. I presume the less you know of the EU the better The Clone Wars series would be.

Simple, the best cartoon ever made; The Tick and then Arthur's appartment as the MOC. Would take some serious customization to get an acceptable Tick though. They sure don't make cartoons like this anymore.

I know I'm a bit late to the party but Episode 13 was in my opinion a very strange episode. Don't get me wrong, the action scenes where nice and all, but the episode raised so many questions. Just a hand full of those would be: - Zabrak males on dathomir? what happened to the Zabrak females? - The marking on the males where Sith tattoos on Darth Maul, so how do they get them? - All the Males are Force sensitive and somehow related to Darth Maul? - The CIS stages an assault on a ?jedi temple? with a handful of droids and the Republic defends with a few clones and two Jedi?, not to mention apparently nobody inside the building(though this was likely to time-saving). I'm used to having a few eyebrow raisers per episode but this one topped it so far.

An interesting post. Hopefully will take the brunt of discussion on this subject of other posts keeping them more on-topic (well I can hope). Anyways I'll share my opinion. As I'am (largely) a PT fan I feel I fall in between the discussion whether OT is the cream of the crops and The Clone Wars is an abomination child that was never to be born. I'm not even going to touch the fact that OT is simply great. It's even enjoyable after all these years and it was what brought me into the Star Wars universe. Though if I had to think of a minor problem with the OT is that it might be so incredibly nostalgic now that it's up to the point of being idolized, do remember that back in those days the movie was unlike anything people had ever seen in a movie which would make any scene more memorable than many could ever now hope to achieve. Nowadays we don't even raise an eyebrow to a massive space battle on screen. The PT on the other hand is what really made me a Star Wars ?addict?, I was still a young when I saw TPM and it literally blew my mind. Even though many people say the acting is awful and the script is rubbish and childish (even the whole loathing of Jar-Jar seems strange to me, he simply is the 3P0 of the PT), all and all I still love it. Then there is the EU, the greatly undervalued child of all this. There are great books and comics on many periods of the timeline and I think any Star Wars fan would enjoy it, it glides gently between the movies, including as much as they can without conflicting with established movie (or other EU) canon. Then there is The Clone Wars, All I can say is that it's entertaining. I do enjoy watching the episodes although they make me scratch my head more than once when they once again drive straight trough the garden of established (EU) canon. Beyond the fact that it disturbs what we know and loved here and there I'm not sure why people hate it (or very much dislike it in lack of a better word). Okay, so it's not exactly as deep and gripping as the OT, but it was never meant too be anyways. I'm sure the kids that grow up with this cartoon will love it and cherish it as much as I do the PT and others do the OT. and for one I'm glad it's there, cause without The Clone Wars would TLC still have interest in making Star Wars sets?(I severely doubt it, I don't see them stepping into EU sets, cause the market would be to small). In the end it's all about taste and what you grew up with.

Thanks Brickdoctor, Walter Kovacs and Praiter Yed for your ideas and suggestions. The LDD manager seems to make a nice list which is a definite plus, still have to look into what options there are to get it to bricklink (which seems to be possible, just haven't paid a lot of attention to it) but so far I'm happy with the list you get with the program, safes me a lot of work not having to do that manually.

Very nice shots Swiss Army Droid. The first one is so funny, gives of the right feel without even having any expression, but you know what emotions are playing beneath those helmets.

Hehe, 70 dollars for half a ship, better hope they throw in the Gran senator then. The sad part would then be that it would probably sell much better than if they made a nice EU ship like Kyle Katarn's "Mouldy Crow" or a nice KOTOR "Ebon Hawk"

I have a question on this subject, might not be Star Wars related but since we got this far might as well pop it out. Is there a fast way of getting a list of the parts you need when you build a model in LDD? and is there a fast way of ordering large number of different parts on Briclink or do you have to look them all up manually? If have got a few LDD models I really want to build, but I want to cannibalize my Star Wars sets as little as possible, as well as keep nice MOC's intact (which really is hardly ever possible since my collection is mostly SW)

Now all your objections on the movie, they only really apply if you have been a former fan of the franchise, don't they? I do agree that the story is hardly a+ material, but it's not really meant to be that anyways. This is a film that you watch for the effects and the overall coolness. For what it's worth it was an entertaining movie and I can't say that to me personally it belongs in category movies I would love to unsee(to be honest very few movies do in my terms, there is always that something that piques my interest).

That isn't even considered Canon, right? So chances probably would be very slim. I think the resurrected Maul vs Vader is considered canon though.. I'm still hoping they will consider making some sets on the upcoming 'the old republic' MMORPG, but probably unlikely as well, we just got to face it that these EU sets are not good money-makers, but we can dream.

heh, good to see your still not wavering on the commander Wolffe character (as you included him in the poll as well), I'm so curious to see if you are right about him. Your still missing the Ewoks as well btw... and the Geonosian

With the family while having a the most terrible runny nose in years, watching other people shoot their money into the sky with large poofs, lights and sound. (Fireworks, definitely not my thing)

So impressive and so detailed even to the smallest thing, I mean just look at the candle it kind of says it all, amazing.

Although more than a few hours to go here, I wish everyone a happy new year and best of luck in 2011 (and may I finally get around to changing my Halloween Avatar in the new year)

Ever wondered what a clone wants for Christmas? Can't wish you all a merry Christmas anymore, so instead happy new year all and best of luck in the contest.

Why is Lego over-priced? simple, they are a company, they want profit and since we still buy they can maintain a high price. Can't blame 'em honestly (as long as they don't raise prices too much) I generally don't want to overpay on a Star Wars set(75 euro for the T6, no thanks, even if it has the most amazing figures), so generally I no longer buy any expensive set unless I see it on discount. Which happens eventually, it's playing the waiting game.

I think only people close to me know, I'm not exactly waving my obsession around, nor am I hiding it. And I agree with Arigomi, Most people just don't care what your hobbies are and I'm not one to advertise it. Some might have the weird look on their face when they find out, but generally most people have some hobby or another that's consider strange by the general public.

Thanks for the review, was waiting for this one. still looks like one amazing set, definitely want it. Noticed that Rex still seems to have the old helmet with the longer visor as opposed to the shorter ones in the Battle Pack. Guess they didn't change it on figures they already had made. Makes me wonder what Cody will have, shortened or longer visor.

Thanks for the review. Saesee Tiin is definitely going to be a must have for me, I mean look at the detailing on him both front and back, very nice indeed. and it's good to see I'm not the only one with a complete disregard for bag numbering. A big pile beats all.

I believe it's time for me to become more knowledgeable about making grand reviews, I would very much like to join the academy.

Thanks all for the kind words on my first review. I certainly have thought about joining the academy, but I didn't want to start something and then realize I was never going to follow-up on it. Now that I have proven myself I can do it I will reconsider. Thanks, as for the build pictures, I decided it wasn't real worth it on such a small set, you can pretty much see how it's build-up. For once us Europeans are in luck with the early releases here. But I think they will start popping-up in USA as well very soon.

Hmm, Ki-adi-mundi,s head seems to have a special hair piece on top, these pictures show that it's not a regular cone at least I agree, I honestly think they are too blurry as well, All I see is clonetrooper scribbly line nr#1(who seems to be an commander or ARC judging by the Kama) and clonetrooper scribbly line nr#2(who seems to be holding what reminds me of a jetpack, but that makes no sense at all so it probably isn't), nor do I honestly see any gray on any of them. As well as the fact that the minifigure line-up would make very little sense for it them to be wolfpack. Since I don't think they have never been pictured with any of these jedi on the show. Kudos to commanderneyo if he did get it right, but I guess it's better to wait for final pictures. As for the shortened visors, I presume they'll keep doing that, wouldn't make sense to do it for one set. Besides it looks slightly better.

My first set review; Sorry for the slightly blurry shots here and there, still trying to improve my photographing skills. Set: 7913 Clone Trooper Battle Pack Pieces: 85 Year release: 2011 Minifigures: 4 Price: Eur 14.99(got it for 12.49), USD 11.99, GBP 9.99 Official Lego.com text: Unleash the might of the clone army against the Mandalorians! As the Clone Wars rage across the galaxy, the Army of the Republic faces a powerful new enemy- the Mandalorians! Build up your crack team of clone troopers with the BARC speeder, the all-new ARF clone trooper, 2 new bomb squad clone troopers and the new clone commander minifigures. · Includes 4 minifigures: clone commander, 2 bomb squad clone troopers and 1 ARF clone trooper · Features 5 weapons! · Includes BARC speeder · Move the cannon turret! · BARC speeder measures 6” (15cm) long, 3” (7cm) wide Nothing spectacular, although TLG seems to have made a big mistake in the features of this model. Box: The box design is the same as that of the sets we have seen in 2010, featuring Captain Rex. It also show a small blue box where the ARF trooper has stolen the pistols from the Clone Commander. The side has a 1:1 shot of the Clone Commander, who is as far as I can tell simply a clonetrooper from Horn Company featured in the 9th episode of season 2 of the Clone Wars series. Who confusingly is stated as Clone trooper on the box art and as Clone Commander on the Lego site. On the back the set is shown in combination with the Mandalorian battlepack. Which is said to be inspired by a battle that is going to happen in the Clone Wars series. Manual The cover of the manually pictures non-surprisingly the same picture as the front of the box, so nothing special. Though I did notice that the ARF trooper is going to get hit by friendly fire. Coming from behind him. Random shot of the steps, nothing special. Darth Vader pops out of the corner just a bit but that’s nothing new. The back of the manual featured the parts list, box shots of the v-wing, Battle of Naboo and bounty hunter fighter sets and the usual 'WIN' advertisement. Sadly the photos turned out too fuzzy to use. Parts: Having read so many reviews here, I decided trying giving you a nice picture of all pieces spread out. One of the black droid arms is the only spare piece of the set. The set comes with 5 guns, including 2 rifles, a blaster and 2 new pistols with scope. I personally think it’s nice to have some more of the rifles. The pistols look great but I think the old ones look better for clonetroopers. These look much better on bounty-hunters or even the Mandalorians. Also noticed the difference between the head stud, closed or open, not sure why there is a difference(maybe I accidentally mixed it with other clone heads, but I can't remember doing that) Maybe someone else noticed the same in some set. The Minifgures: The most important part of this set, 4 fabulous figures. From left to right: Clone trooper commander (Horn company clone trooper) 2 Bomb squad troopers and an ARF (Advanced Recon Force) trooper. The printing is simply amazing, a few things you could remark on this is that the torso and legs of the ARF looks a bit bland in comparison and that the white on the Bomb Squad trooper has a bit of orange hue. A bit like what happened in the past when they put yellow print on black. Nothing too bad because these characters still look very impressive. I'm especially fond of the Commander which has such amazing detail on him. Nothing really special in the side view except the amazing details on the ARF trooper helmet. All of them are back printed and this shot also shows the nice markings on the Clone Commanders and bomb squad trooper backs. The faces are all the regular clone faces, I heard people getting pupils on the other corners of the eye, but so far all my clones have their pupils towards the left. TLG has made a slight chance to the visor of the Clone helmet, making it shorter. Looks better in my opinion and the change isn’t obvious that it would look out of place if used in conjunction with the old style. The model: The Barc Speeder. Many people loathe it, I personally think it’s a decent Lego model of the real one without making it feeble or using non-conventional construction techniques. Top view shows it’s maybe a tad fat and not very articulated but Battle Packs are not known for their great vehicles and I still think it’s one of the better vehicles we haven gotten in these sets. Apparently the Clone commander is supposed to ride this puppy, although I replaced him with a regular clone in my collection, since having him ride it completely blocks the view of that amazing leg print. Score: Design 8/10, I know many people screamed about the inaccuracies of the speeder, but I think it’s one of the better Battlepack vehicles to date. Playability 7/10 Enough guns to go around at least, no enemies or flick-fires but I can’t say this is an important point to me. Swooshability 9/10, if you can’t swoosh this then you have to stop and wonder what’s wrong. Pieces 6/10: Not much there, nothing really special or very strange colors. 85 pieces for 15 euro is pressing it a whole bit (what’s up with the continuous raising of prices anyways). Minifigures 9/10, The main reason you should get it. Why no 10? Because of the double Bomb squad trooper. Overall 7,8/10, which makes it a more than decent set, do take in consideration that this is an overall and you may decide what points are more important or less important to you. Parting thoughts: A great set and a very nice addition to your clone forces, this Battlepack is all about the minifgures, which in my opinion also has the greatest setback for this set (similar to the Mandolorian battle pack), 2 bomb squad troopers is overdoing it, you don’t want to buy many packs cause what is the use of a bomb squad army? TLG would have done better by replacing one of them by a duplicate of one of the other 2 or even a regular trooper in my opinion.

Just watched 'A Christmas Carol', very nice episode, well written by Steven Moffat and I must say Matt Smith is getting better and better at playing the doctor, I really enjoy seeing him as the doctor, hope he sticks around for a few more seasons. Preview for the new season looks very promising too.