Ki-Adi-Mundi

That's basically an interesting idea. However, after thinking it over, i would prefer such set to be a full fledged one. While separate sections do for a sum of an impressive diorama, the wait for the next part kills the fun out of it. Just imagine to wait some 2 full years until you finally finish a set! I don't favor this prospect. I would instead sheer away from the modular thingy until i know for sure how the rest does look like. And if the first part looks like a fail, the rest would not be that attractive to buy, either. If the whole of the scene was divided into parts that can pretty much stand for their own AND the others parts of the complement were in the same (or at least definitely in the next), one could consider. Otherwise the policy to make full sets and release some smaller add-ons (like Jabba's Palace and the Skiff) would continue to be the best marketing approach, IMHO. Regarding Cloud City itself - it's indeed high tide to make it - 10 years after the first version.

Well, you both are right with your reasons. Still, i wonder - the LOTR line was released without any movie just around the corner. I interpret the reception to be generally positive with MOCs and elaborate ideas on further sets spreading. Wouldn't it be a good move to have the lines running parallel? Middle Earth is a great fantasy setting, offering interesting spots for kids and AFOLs alike. Some 20 years ago i read the Hobbit - after having read LOTR. My disappointment couldn't have been any greater. While it's a good fantasy story setting, it really is a book for kids - which is originally what J.R.R. Tolkien had intended. We can assume that Jackson once again will create a cineastic and entertaining show which positively differs from the source material. However, adding some spicy LOTR scenes to the LEGO lines would not harm, IMHO. The user i mentioned pointed out that there would not be anything about LOTR in the next wave. This leaves me with mixed feelings and pretty much lowered expectations.

In the LSW forums someone who has seen the upcoming retailer's catalogue told us that there would not be any LOTR sets in the next wave - just Hobbit ones. I am a little disappointed to read that. Doesn't LOTR sell well? Why don't they mix the two lines a bit?! Are there chances for any exclusives?

I feel ever more appetized by the idea of middle american tribes and conquistadores. If Pharao's Quest - as is this new Monster Fighter's hadn't been 'fantastic' action themes - at least the first mentioned would have caught my interest. When will we get any sourced info? Is it included in the new retailer's catalogue?

Wanted to complete Helm's Deep and thus went for the Uruk Hai army. Nice set - at 20% off (at 32 EUR) one can consider it. Regarding the contents - it is just good.

Ah, some 'sourced' rumors - at last... Regarding the sets themselves, i am not too thrilled. CW and planet sets are easy passes for me. I just comment on what is interesting to me: A Wing: A nice addition to the re-released starfighter complements. Getting a second (new?) Ackbar makes me curious as does Han with some new garment. Hopefully the set will be scaled and priced reasonably. AFAIK the previous starfighters did only skyrocket in sales numbers after being seriously reduced in prices. Really looking forward to it and i might 'need' ( ) at least two. The Rancor Pit: As mentioned above, price is the key. The Rancor has been a highly anticipated figure over the years. Getting more henchmen and aliens gets me intrigued. Still, this remains some 'optional' set, not having experienced too much of a screen time. Old Republic Battle Pack: If it contained what previous posters have guessed, i would be in for at least one for sure. Some built unit (war droid) and a Sith Warrior would be mandatory, then. I expect some more of course. An TIE Interceptor should be in. Maybe exclusive? I remember the Y-Wing which isn't available everywhere but is a great and affordable set, IMHO. Hopefully we get a medium sized set (location). How about Mos Eisley Cantina or an Imperial Inspection?! Too bad TLG does not release anything big in the winter wave.

I'd like to see more aliens: - Ugnaught - Rodian (Greedo) - Gran (Ree-Yees) - Sullustan (Nien Numb) - Duro - Quarren - Bith It is not by chance that i only chose (some) species being shown in the cinematic movies. Specific characters are named.

Ah, you are a fan of the Mandalorians, too. The ship really looks like the Kimoglia Heavy Fighter. Too bad EU vehicles don't sell that well in LSW. Your MOC is a nice iteration of the named ship. At least the resemblance is pretty close.

Great job, billdeen! It seems a little slim and the cockpit could be placed a little more forward. Still, being limited to what 9493 offers, this is a great iteration - recognisable on the first spot!

Thanks for the review on this little, pretty nice set. I really hope that it becomes available in Germany, too. Furniture and civil gadgets are difficult to get these days - if one does not want to rip apart other sets for them.

Thanks for this quick summary. Indeed i was initially hoping for something about Aztec/Mayan, about conquistadores or even a new way into a pirates theme, garnered with colonisation and ancient native american civilisations. That's of course too much at once but there are just so many promising ideas to elaborate.

As a collector i like sets MISB. Not wanting to miss the fun of building up and admiring the sets on the shelf, i use to buy multiples of some specific sets. It goes without saying that battle packs do qualify for multiples but a few starships do as well. Owning a Falcon for example - which is a must have for any serious (L)SW fan - one simply must have built it up. To have one 'highly valuable' MISB duplicate is very satisfying. Of course multiples of OT-starfighters is pretty nice for dogfight dioramas, too. Overall it's just nice to have. However, i still prefer a multiple of a good set to having some other additional which i myself don't like at all.

Ouch, they got me too. Ordered Helm's Deep yesterday. I am afraid that i just stumbled into the nex line to collect. My portemonnaie already aches...

Well, is it possible to get special line minifig heads from S@H or somewhere else (official retailer)? I recently became such fond of the latest LSW and LOTR minifig faces that i do consider to change the yellow ones of my other sets.

Just acquired one more X-Wing. It ought to be en route in hyperspace already.

Thanks for this review. It's funny to see such an 'ancient' ...eh... classic set being shown with top notch equipment. Dewback and Greedo are pretty much enough reason to long for this set. I really hope that it will be released again with the next wave. A bigger set of course wouldn't sheer me away... And i also like your funnies. Btw., i always knew it - Han shot first!

The beginning of summer sales set me on a little shopping spree: 9516 Jabba's palace 9526 Palpatine's Arrest 9496 Desert Skiff 20% off (amazon and TRU) make up for the recent price boost on LSW sets in Germany.

TRU Germany offers 20% off for LEGO sets (all lines). Sale wears off on August, 8th.

Very nice review on a great set. A good collection of memorable minifgs with outstanding detail. The printing isn't perfect but the figs are real eye-catchers. The set itself looks quite accurate and has a strong Tatooine feel. Rooms, interior, gadgets and play functions make it as nice to look at as it attracts to play around with it. Looking forward to get this set. And i will get it for sure. The recent price boost, however, makes me patient to get it on a serious sale. 20 % off at least. The prospect of the Rancor's pit adds to the selling proposition of this excellent collector's piece. Just having to wait...

I stumbled into this thread just out of curiosity. I am pleasantly surprised to see many fans loving the more civil sets and owning the same ones as i do. Actually MMV, MVR and KJ are the only Knights Kingdoms sets i bought as an adult. I really hope that TLG will stick to creating such loveable diorama sets. I also adore some Prince of Persia sets: Putting the weapons aside, the Fight for the Dagger (7571) and Battle of Alamut (7573) also are great for creating an medieval oriental town. Of the LOTR line, Helms Deep would be the only set to qualify by size and versatility. Still, it lacks sufficient interior and gadgets to be a must have for me. Please don't get this wrong - I am an outright LOTR fan. However, as to LEGO, i do prefer more the civil sets with furniture, animals and spots of the everyday life in the middle ages. My unrestricted fandom or war/military based LEGOs is set in a galaxy far, far away... And even there i would love to see more diorama type sets.

The Rancor Pit really is appealing. I just take cover before the very price tag. They recently skyrocketed the pricing and this set might not do for an exception. This aside, there has never been a LEGO Rancor before. Thus the set has potential to become a real classic. By design it is an adventurous set; great for kids to play with and memorable for AFOLs to look at. If TLG keeps pricing within the reasonable, the set might very well sell like hot cakes.

I recently made a list to keep track of my ever growing collection. Gosh, since last year's spring, i did spend some 2,500 euros (which is more than 3,000 USD) on LEGO SW. Quite a lot of my collection is MISB still. I lack time and space to build them all up.

Thanks for this insightful review. I was surprised by two facts - in reality the set does even look better than i thought and it is much smaller than it appeared at first glance. I like the design (it really looks evil, imperial and stuff), the minifigs (details and characters) and the colour scheme. However the ship is even smaller than the X-Wing but so much more expensive. A considerable sale might tempt me but my collection would survive the set missing. By design i rate the set above average. I won't aggregate for pricing - this only has impact on my decision to buy or not...

Sry, i haven't got much to add. An outstanding review on a an excellent set. Actually - the more i see of it, the more this is about to become the set i desire the most. Waiting for a sale in Germany (29.99 €) to get at least two of it.

Thanks for this very good review on an excellent set! If i were not already planning to go for it - i would start to do so now. Rarely do we (in Europe) get that much value at this price. Most often sets at this price tag contain some 50 less parts and sometimes have fewer/not as good minifigs. We get a well designed vehicle, pretty iconic and nicely printed minifigs, a beast/scenery and all is this about a very memorable scene! And best of all - NO stickers. Everything is as it's supposed to be. IMHO this set is a must have for every SW fan, collector and those planning to become one. The set might also attract new fans to the SW universe of LEGO. I bow before the designers!