MaximillianRebo

Personally I hope the rumoured character packs aren't for army building. There's already battle packs for that - hopefully more than one on the way. I'd like to see a way of getting figs that aren't factional soldiers, say Prequel Jedi, Cantina aliens, secondary characters. Not trying to wishlist, just hoping for something that isn't battle packs mk 2.

A single pilot means we won't be getting a two seater version. And yeah, a Hoth Chewie variant would be awesome.

At this point releasing a UCS Landspeeder is like ripping off a band-aid: it's something that should be released imo, but whenever it happened a fountain of memes and chorus of complaints was bound to follow, so better get it over and done with. It's an instantly recognisable vehicle that actually hasn't appeared in UCS form before and is deserving of a slot in the UCS line-up. Outside of the social media bubbles it ought to do well. I kind of get why some people don't want a UCS Landspeeder, I mean ever since the XP-38 came out... For the wave as a whole (so far), as others have said the last few winter waves have been a bit 'safe'. My personal theory is that the release schedules of new SW media and when they are in development - and therefore when TLG gets promo images and such to begin their own development cycle - aligns better with the summer waves, so we see more of the newer models from the recent (and upcoming) shows then and the winter waves becomes a bit of a fall back on ol' reliables.

They've done this with the leaves in the Treehouse and Bonsai sets, and the newly announced Fender Stratocaster comes with bricks to make either a red or black body, so they're obviously open to the idea of multiple colour possibilities in the one set. Plain clones with extra coloured bricks would be the perfect opportunity to bring this into the LSW line-up.

Ah, you're right. Mando's helmet is taller and thinner and has a ridgeline running front to back. I think I've spent more time looking at their minifigs than their actual on-screen appearances together

Luke's helmet is the one I'd most like to see produced, if only to get something different in the line: it's a good guy helmet and would be the first open face one - the Batman cowls have shown the direction TLG would probably go with such a design. Mando helmet will sell well, but it's ultimately a recolour of Boba's, and a monotone one at that (but if that single colour is chrome silver...)

I think the main difference here which has a big effect on how and when tie-in sets appear in Lego waves is the type of media being released e.g movies vs TV shows. Movies are 2-3 hours of content released as a 'one and done' affair i.e. you view the entire story in a single sitting, and most people will see the movie within the first few weeks of release, while TV shows are 8 hours or more of content released over a multi-month timespan (at least at the moment with Disney+ dropping single episodes on a weekly basis). These different types of release schedules require different marketing approaches and therefore tie-ins like Lego sets will be affected. The movie wave sets, releasing a couple of months prior to the movie release, build buzz for the movie which everyone is waiting to see in the near future. If the same was done for a TV show, we might be seeing vehicles that don't appear until say, episode 15 of season 1, which is still potentially 5-6 months away from airing. Apart from any spoilers that might create, the interest in the set might not be there yet, whereas releasing it after the show/season has finished will still see the set fresh in peoples minds. I don't know how the new shows are produced, whether they are completely finished before the first episode is released, or whether post-production work on later episodes is still ongoing when the season begins, but there could also be an issue of when promotional material/new vehicle specs are released to TLG in order for them to start designing the TV tie-in sets. There seems to be a pattern of sorts at the moment with one set for an upcoming show released early - either as pre-release marketing or testing the waters to gauge interest. The difference with the Clone Wars waves from the early 2010s is that at the time that was the only new SW content being released. Now for each upcoming Lego wave there are a bunch of new shows on the horizon, plus follow up content from media just finished, plus re-releases from older media. The landscape is a lot more cluttered now to have a single wave dedicated to a single non-movie release in the way it was done in the past. Possibly over the next few years with new content coming wholly from TV releases rather than movies, there may also be a shift in how and when TLG manages their own releases.

The Strat looks great. I like the circuit board detail on the interior of the amp and the valves at the back. I feel like they could have just gone with the red model alone as a nice contrast to the black amp (that colour pops more in the photos too) but a black Stratocaster is an iconic colour and many people will want to recreate that.

Giving Mando a face this time around would be good incentive for people who already have the figure several times over to drop money on the microfighter. At least it would be a cheap option if it goes this way.

I for one would want many things from this wave, especially the mini-rig. For the duel you could do Han & Chewie vs Probe Droid: Comes with snow covered Chewie, Han in Hoth gear and brick built Probe Droid (although you've already got that in the battle pack). Build would be snowy terrain to hide behind and a self destruct play feature.

While the Razor Crest is definitely a MF that should be made, how many sets will that make with (presumably) Beskar Mando, four? Although putting him in something at that affordable price point is a good move for fans who don't have that fig yet.

Great to finally see some new rumours, especially the return of battle packs. Maybe it's lockdown brain but I've been hanging out for news like this. Some thoughts: Pros - battle packs return! Good selection of figs, especially the Scout Trooper. Wonder if it'll be a unique variant or a regular Endor style. I didn't realise it's been so long since the last Hoth battle packs. No stud shooters! E.g. not needing to pay a couple dollars more per pack to BL regular weapons. Cons - price increase, maybe it's time for an increase but say $17 would have been much easier to swallow than a straight jump to $20. Hope the contents of the pack go someway to justifying the increase. The side builds are nice but they sound suspiciously similar to the side builds from last year's AT-AT. Not that that's a deal breaker, as not everyone will have that set, but could have been a chance to go in a different direction, maybe to introduce an official Kenner MTV-7 in Lego form, now that would justify the increased price.

Just built the Armoured Marauder. Great set with lots of detail and some interesting building techniques for how they get all the side detail and angles to line up. Good selection of figs - Greef Karga and the Mortar Trooper are both excellent - and very good value for money for what you get imo. Also nice to see that transparent half cylinder; hopefully those pieces will become a bit cheaper so they can be used for displaying ships in flying configurations.

For any Aussies online, Big W has the Mando Forge up on their website.

I'd be interested to see how a brick built Jabba would look and whether it would work at the right scale. Maybe as a future 'microfighter' - paired with Huttslayer Leia

I think there's a good chance for Bo-Katan to play a decent role in Mando S3, plus potential she could cameo in the Ahsoka show, so that should translate into more sets with her. Agree about the other characters/figs. Gideon is a popular character (and actor) so hopefully that means he shows up again both in the show and in lego (and in a smaller set) in the future.

I think I overcooked the price on that one. It would probably have a similar piece count to say the Forge, so maybe $30 would be a better price point. Either way, it would be a must buy for most of us. You're right about ROTJ sets not getting a lot of love. Most recently we got the shuttle and final duel, and before that an A-wing, and before that ... shuttle and final duel ... Great list, I'd add in a B-Wing too; eventually we need to see that ship get a re-release.

Without any rumours yet for 2022, here's a stab at a possible winter wave, mostly focused on the Bad Batch: Battle Packs ($14.99) - Imperial Remnant: two Dark Troopers, one Stormtrooper, one Biker Scout. Build is a Dark Trooper charging station and speeder bike Empire soldiers: two TK troopers, one Commando, one plain Phase 2 clone. Build is a repulsor-lift transport craft. Jabba's minions: two Weequays, one Nikto, one Gamorrean Guard. Build is a miniature skiff. Imperial V-Wing ($29.99): comes with a V-Wing pilot, Imperial astromech and Admiral Rampart Secret Laboratory ($49.99): Nala Se's secret lab on Kamino, comes with Nala Se, Lama Su, Omega and AZI-3 Captain Rex's Y-Wing ($69.99): Prequel era Y-Wing with armour plating and 501st markings, comes with Captain Rex, an astromech and a Bracca guard Similar to how both Mando and Bad Batch each had just one set to start their Lego run, I'm guessing the same will happen with Book of Boba Fett. Without any promotion material for the show yet, all I can think of is: Hail to the King ($39.99): Jabba's throne, with dais and backdrop, comes with Boba (repainted armour), Fennec Shand and Bib Fortuna (old)

A wave that TLG will never produce - or everyone would lose their bricks if they did - I present: the Speeder Wave! Flash Speeder: Re-release of the 2015 model, comes with Padmé (handmaiden disguise), Sabé (decoy disguise), Captain Panaka, 2 B1 battle droids Coruscant Speeder Chase: Re-release of the 2002 model, comes with Obi-Wan (Ep II version) Anakin (Padawan outfit), Zam Wesell Jedi Turbo Speeder: from the final episode of TCW S2, comes with Plo Koon, Ahsoka Tano (young version with modern face print), Aurra Sing V-35 Courier: Yellow version seen in Rebels, comes with Cikatro Vizago, Kanan Jarrus, Stormtrooper The Daggerstar: Revan's swoop bike from KOTOR, comes with Revan (battle armour), Taris Sith Trooper Mythrol's Speeder: blue speeder belonging to the Mythrol in Mando S2, comes with the Mythrol, Cara Dune, Mortar Trooper All vehicles would be $30, except for the Speeder Chase at $50. Topped off with the UCS X-34 Landspeeder ($200): comes with Luke (with poncho, hat and goggles) and Tosche Station Biggs While the wave itself is tongue in cheek, these are all vehicles that I'd like to see at some point.

I'm one of those 'oldheads' who grew up with the OT, so naturally that's my favourite era, and I'm assuming those who are vociferously calling for wall to wall PT sets grew up with that, or more likely clone wars. Likewise I've never got the 'us vs them' mentality. If there's an OT set coming out that I like I'll pick it up, but if it's a full on PT wave then I'm happy others are getting what they truly desire, and my wallet thanks me too. Star Wars straddles enough content that there should be something for everyone - ideally in each wave, but that's not always the case and TLG should have more balanced waves - and I don't think it benefits anyone to be calling for a focus on any particular era at the expense of all others. Now get off my moisture farm!

Great redesign! I really like seeing that many stormtroopers able to fit into the interior space.

Some ideas for a ROTJ themed wave where we don't get an MBS Jabba's Palace: Luke's Arrival ($19.99): Bib Fortuna, Gamorrean Guard, Luke skywalker with black hood and robe, B'Omarr Monk. Build is a section of the Palace entry hallway, with an alcove for the guard Jabba's Prize ($19.99): Han (carbonite clothes), Leia (Boushh disguise), Nikto guard. Build is an updated version of the 2003 model, with newer carbonite block. Droid Despair ($29.99): EV-9D9, 8D8, Gonk droid, Artoo, Threepio. Build is the torture chamber under the palace, with feature to rotate the Gonk droid and lower hot irons. Max Rebo Band ($39.99): Max Rebo, Sy Snootles, Droopy McCool, Greeata Jendowanian, Lyn Me, Ak-Rev. Build is the band stand/podium for the group, with Max's keyboard and Ak-Rev's drums. plus archways and backdrop of the palace walls. Jabba's Throne ($69.99): Jabba, Bib Fortuna, Salacious Crumb, Boba Fett, Oola, Threepio, Gamorrean Guard x2. Build is Jabba's dais with backdrop.

Get ready for a spate of eBay and FB Marketplace listings at double the retail price... I feel like the only location sets that work well are the huts like Yoda's and Obi-Wan's because with an actual structure they give a sense of scale and don't look out of place next to ships and vehicles. The vignettes like the Forge, while looking nice on their own, look out out of context next to any other model. Personally I'm planning on getting the Forge, mostly because of the figs and some unique pieces but I'm torn on the Duel - as someone who only started collecting again a couple of years ago I don't have either a Maul or an Ahsoka so I'd only be getting it for the figs as the build looks pretty average. Even on sale it'd still be overpriced, but in the end probably is still better than Bricklinking those two figs alone.

The 20% reduction shows up after the items are added to the shopping cart.

Just watched a few reviews of the Forge set. I don't mind, or at least I can see what Lego was going for with Paz Vizsla's jetpack. I know a lot of people would prefer a moulded piece for that but a brick-built jetpack, especially at that scale, has a certain old school charm I think. Maybe a grille piece, or even an ingot, over the exposed studs could have worked better, but unfortunately those pieces don't exist in the same colour as the bracket (looks like bright light yellow to me). Tiling it over, perhaps with a couple of 1x1 half circles, looks like the only option.