Ki-Adi-Mundi

These days 9490 Droid Escape arrived. A bit pricey but it was the last set i was missing of the winter wave. One should not have too much fantasy regarding the dirt on the stormies' armor. This being said, the elaborate printing on the figs is still well done.

GRogall, you pics are the greatest - as always! It's the skiff and Jabba's palace for me. Jabba must wait until a '20% off' sale. 140 EUR (some 178 USD) is way too much for a start. I'll consider the Fury class Interceptor for it's stunning evil, imperial looks...

Thank you for this nice review. It grants a good insight into what one gets with the set. I have it, too and like the set and it's design and composition very much. The weaknesses (IMO) are: - the brown poles don't fit into the colour scheme. They should have been whitey or grey - the hatch for the bombs/torpedos can't be closed - i can't get myself to like stickers Despite this criticism, the set remains very good. The overall design very much resembles the original and looking from above or side, this depiction is pretty much excellent. The greebling is well done and make the ship really look rebel-like. Yes, this is the Alliance's steady workhorse. A word on the pricing: In Europe it comes for 50 EUR (some 63,60 USD), while the X-Wing goes for 70 EUR (some 89 USD). There is a serious difference... The Y-Wing is significantly cheaper and belongs to the rare sets that come out at the right price from TLG themselves. Yep, i will get a second one for sure. Two more comments: - Minifig Leia is beautiful in her ceremonial dress and cape. She looks much better with the happy face. - You got something wrong with the frontal weaponry. It shouldn't stick out that much.

Reinforcements arrived - another 3 Endor battle packs joined the show. Even more may follow. At 10 €, i will continue to buy multiple BPs each wave.

My S@H order of the 4th arrived, too. Got TC-14, poster # 12k something of 20k something and the mini TIE. Despite not being informed on the course of the order and status, i can be pretty satisfied and again applaud TLG for getting things right in the end. A big thanks to you at S@H!!! Just like the Brickdoctor, I had ordered Kingdoms Joust - a gorgeous civil set of the medieval theme. Just like MMV and MVR it is just loveable. I am sad that the line will be discontinued for at least a while.

Amazon.de has 9489 Endor Battle Pack for just 10 €. Hurry up - sale might wear off soon.

Me too, exactly. Knights, just no Jedi Knights. Too bad the summer wave is not availale yet. I would easily have passed the qualification mark then, too. Ordered yesterday morning already. Since then order says 'in process' whatever this may mean... All objects are shown in the order verification.

Thanks for this closer look at this shiny little buddy. The quality of your photos is outstanding. I especially like the perfection of shots 1 and 2. The way the chromed surface mirrors the environment, lights and shadows - just great!

A big thanks for big pictures, GRogall! Do you also have a pic of the set (not box art) of the Desert Skiff? Although Jabba's Palace lost a minifig along the way, it's still a must buy for me. Depending on the price, i'll get it either sooner or later. Of the planet sets, i like Endor the most. Nice printing on the moon itself and the minifig as well. Lobot of Bespin would be a nice addition to a Cloud City - we all are waiting for.

What a gorgeous set - great work! You brought TLGs' design of many city (seasonal) sets to life in an adorable manner. The implementation of your micors micros is just so cute...

Well, UCS R2 certainly is a very nice collector's piece and might become pretty valuable over time. I too am just a system sets collector and therefore won't go for it. However, i keep wondering. Is Luke really supposed to come with a grey shirt in 9496? See here The last few dozen times i watched EP VI, his tunic was plain black. So is this a preliminary torso or his final appearance? And btw: Has anyone seen the Zuckuss minifig of 9516 yet? So Ree-Yees will be left out for sure?

While TLG did good choices in what they actually put into the respective 'mixed' BPs, i still prefer single faction BPs. It's good being able to fully play with only one BP as a kid. However, kids require a good deal of pocket money to actually purchase a single BP nowadays (at least in Europe: a lone BP costs the equivalent of 22,38 USD!!!). I also don't like the numeric balance between the factions within the packs. In OT for example, the Rebels ought to be terribly outnumbered by Imperials. When looking at the sets components, the Rebels do tend to be equal or even in superior numbers. Yes, they are the heroes. But isn't heroism the greater, the smaller the odds are? IMO, the Endor BP is very good as it is. There is a vehicle and some foliage to make dioramas more interesting. But how the heck to purchase official sets solely and give an edge to the Empire? General Solo's commandos had about some 20 men while the Emperor had ordered a whole legion of Stormies there... I clearly vote for single faction BPs. This also allows for more non-generic variance within the troops. If the content is right, i won't stop purchasing BPs just because they are mixed. Just what i prefer. Development of prices seriously reduces the number of BPs i purchase.

2003 if my memory does not fail me. Way enough to simply make a new version of the main spots. I could very much live with a new version of the old set. TLG is about to do the same with Jabba's Palace - which was released in 2003 as well...

Ah, i see. Too bad. So i better wait for some bombastic movie about Rome or the Greeks in the Kingdoms to come.

The discussion might have derailed but i still agree with OP. Since last year I buy almost all (even older) OT sets and also go for some of the PT sets (memorable scenes of the movies) but go ways round anything CW (animated series). IMO, comics turn the fantastic into the ridiculous or maybe that's simply out of my age range. Thus i tend to moan a bit about TLG releasing a 'Malvolence' which is only of interest to the fans of CW while they also could have had a shot at the 'Invisible Hand' for example, which adresses a broader audience, IMO. Still, for as long as TLG keeps up a good mixture in the release waves, they have a good chance to attract all of us. I felt pretty satisfied with the spring 2012 wave and will also go for the OT sets in the summer (Jabba when the price gets right). Planet sets and maybe the Sith Fury Interceptor are optionals to me. Furthermore i feel hungry for next year, too. Mos Eisley, Cloud City, Star Destroyer and a Stormie/Scout Rebel BP might already be under construction in TLG's secret forge... This leaves enough room for more CW stuff and would not hurt anyone...

Thanks for the link. It's an interesting lecture. Hopefully TLG keeps quality a top priority in the long run and matching colours remain the rule. A rule we customers must have an eye on. BTW, is it possible to get specific minifigs of the collectibles from S@H and official retailers? I am interested in creating a small Roman army and bunch of opposing barbarians but will certainly not spend a fortune on the lottery or to feel many, many polybags.

Well, something entirely different and not solely directed at LEGO SW: When planning to purchase some new or even older set - how do we know in which country the set was produced beforehand? I wonder about some sets having differing colours and some colours not even matching within a set (see cows and the fill-up brick on their back in 'Medieval Market Village'). Also, how is it decided what production run is being done in China for example? The bricks being done there seem to have a little less distinctive colours. Are we better advised to go for early production runs or better wait for a later run (with improved quality and newer minifigs)?

A big thanks, Erdbeereis! Tastes as good as your forum alias indicates.

A big thanks, Aanchir! Very good pics to have a glance at the upcoming sets. Already owning everything OT of the winter wave, Jabba's Palace and the Desert Skiff are the sets i am most interested in. I hope that TLG reconsiders the retail price of Jabba's Palace - The preliminary price is utterly outrageous. Considering the expected increase for Europe (without any reason) and the neglection of exchange courses by TLG, i cannot believe in good sale numbers outside of sale-actions (20+% off). Yes, Jabba, special prints for minifigs and some other items seem to be extraordinarily well done but there seriously needs to be some better price/piece ratio.

This is pretty nice a collection you got within a short time. Regarding your question, your friend proves to have a very good OT taste. The sets mentioned belong to the best TLG has released, IMO. 8038 is a legend already and often receives highest acclaims by SW fans. It is kind of a 'all in one' that makes for a great standalone Endor diorama. It recently went out of production so you might still get it from retailers. I do very much recommend it. If a new iteration were to become released later on, it would differ in many regards as did 7879 to 7666. It would be more complementary than a new version. 7754 is a little underestimated and didn't sell too well. Nevertheless it contains two display/play areas, a very nice starfighter and some exclusive minifigs. Personally i like it very much. Prices can be expected to rise substantially as time progresses. It is unlikely that it gets rereleased in a new version - a real collector's piece... 7666 was a cheap Hoth set to include very much for a low price. Initially it didn't sell well but then sold out in a fairly short time. It's prices on the aftermarket are extraordinary which speaks for itself. I sought after it for almost a year until i got a used one in mint condition (at twice the retail price i must admit). It's great for display and contains a few nice/rare parts. Having several other Hoth sets, one can create an impressive Hoth diorama around it. Another recommendation is 10198, Tantive IV. IMHO it is the most beautifully designed ship TLG has done so far. Accurate, system scale, great colour scheme ond no stickers There are many reviews (even video) around if you are interested.

Well put, Solscud. I too look forward to get this little guy. It's a giveaway for customers within a special timeframe. If one does not like the shiny and rare item - one does not have to purchase anything on May, 4th. Personally i like the clumsy protocol droids in SW. They have been sweetly designed by TLG so this little metallic friend will be a nice addition to my collection.

I guess i do qualify for the fan tag as well. I'd love to receive one.

To me that sounds all too familiar. Bought the first 7965 on christmas sale and recently got a second at 33% off. Having built one up now i slowly get used to the mandible flaw. What bugs me most is the sticker issue. The sheet was kind of rolled up with the stickers standing up from it. Despite being attached now, they roll up time and again and i often have to press them down again. Shouldn't stickers stick to the surface? Dreaded stickers... This being said, i love the set very much. A pretty sturdy build with interesting techniques - and it's huge. Among my most beautiful sets. I am still searching after a worthy place for display of the 'old lady'.

Thanks, doc. The prospect is a little grom, though. I'd have to get multiples, then.

Thanks for sharing those news. I really like the promo-fig and hope i'll find some interesting sets (i don't have already) in a sufficient amount to get one. Will the summer wave sets be available by then? I've read the posts above but is there any chance that the wave arrives in time? Or at least some exclusive set?