mirkwoodspiders

GWP isn't a deal-breaker for me - I'd be buying enough on 5/4 with the 2x VIP points promotion to get the bonuses anyways. Of the three, the Death Star II is my favorite. It'll look nice next to the Nebulon B and othe scaled down sets. I'm really intrigued by the $85 card thing... I think I'll need to see it in person or see an actual review to make up my mind. Either way I'll get it, just not sure what to make of it yet.

I was able to pick up all three sets at my local LEGO store this morning. The Fighter Plane Chase was the last copy in store, but the other two were still in-stock. It's as excited as I've been to pick up a few sets in a while. I have to say, I've been frustrated trying to discern where to direct my frustration over the cancellation of the ToD set. If I send feedback to LEGO, I get the sense it will fall on deaf ears. The sets that did release are magnificent, so sending a message with my wallet is nigh impossible. What to do? Take my toys in my corner and pout I suppose.

After seeing the release pics, I'm honestly a little surprised at some of the negative feedback for the UCS X Wing. I think it looks quite good, absolutely the most accurate representation we've ever gotten. Improvements I noticed over the previous versions: 1) Properly-shaped hexagonal fuselage, 2) Printed windscreen, 3) Properly shaped engines/air intakes, 4) improved nose shape, 5) greater number of brick-built details/fewer stickers. Flaws I noticed: 1) Nose is still chunky even if it's well-shaped overall, 2) Minifig R2 vs. 3x3 dome, 3) Small gap when the wings are folded, 4) No landing gear. The flaws aren't deal-breakers at all. I'm honestly not sure how they'd get the nose size down, or eliminate the gap between the wings while still having a functioning s-foil device. I might be in the minority on this one, but it really does look like a fantastic model and I'm considering picking it up even though I already have the 2013 version.

I could definitely see one or two removable panels on top revealing some sort of hangar with multiple microscale ships. It won't be the deciding factor for me, though. The thing should look amazing on its own.

Yeah same here, and I don't think it should be too difficult to modify the nose to grey if anyone wants to.

Oh yeah, for sure. I loved that build, definitely underrated. I'm especially curious to see how the S-foil function comes together. Agreed!

Yep, looks way better in the photo on the stand with the wings folded. The front box art still looks a little odd, like the air intakes on the engine are a little too big or positioned a little too high above the main portion of the ship. Printed windshield is fantastic. The dip on top of the nose is much better than the 2013 version. The overall shaping has been done really well. Not sure if it demands to be bought for those who have the 2013 version, sort of like the recent R2 remake. Seeing it in person will probably make my mind up.

I can't imagine it'd be anything but minifig-scale at UCS size. It's one of the few remaining OT ships I think LEGO could pull off at that scale. I have no idea what the interior looks like, though, and an accurate, minifig-scale interior may not lend itself to great structural integrity.

At second glance, I think perhaps the S-foils are angled a little too far apart, which is an easy fix. And I agree, this isn't a full picture and it's also just one angle. I need to see more before giving it a fair assessment.

First UCS X Wing picture has leaked in the usual place. You can't see the full ship, but it looks... odd at first glance. The engines seem a little disproportionate. Otherwise it looks fine I guess, I look forward to the full reveal, likely on 4/8.

Three years would be great. I'll also keep my hopes up until there's definitive proof the theme is gone after one year back.

Yeah, same here. I have a running list of "sets I'm interested in" for 2023, numbering the sets from "I want this really badly" to "I could live without this". I calculated about $3400 worth of sets I'm "interested in" so far and I can only afford about a third of those. Sadly, Avengers Tower just misses the mark for my budget, and I really don't know where I'd put it either! I'd agree. I'm curious to see what the interior consists of. I'm assuming it'll be fully enclosed like the Bugle? Orthanc had a great facade and still worked being open in the back, though.

Any guesses as to the height of the Avengers Tower? I'd imagine it'll be similar to the Daily Bugle.

Yeah, I checked with a store employee the day before who showed they were in stock and set to be placed on shelves 4/1. I checked and the spaces they occupied in the LEGO shelves with the prices and set numbers were empty. I guess some stores aren't getting them out in time?

Man, it's amazing how much my enthusiasm for Indy LEGO has dropped between seeing the Promobricks article last fall to today. The three sets we're getting are great. I'm genuinely thankful for these. But, might have been easier not to drop these three than to release them and then nothing else. We could still have more, but I guess I'll take these three as the only ones we'll ever get again and be content. FWIW, my local LEGO store and local Target were completely sold out early Saturday for the release, in addition to being back-ordered online. So, people WANT these sets, that much is clear. Or... LEGO just sucks at stocking sets for releases lol.

My memory of each year is not good enough to do this This year hinges mostly on Gringott's for me.

Not super happy, but I'll wait to see it to decide for sure whether or not I'll get it. I would have preferred an update of the AOTC 2013 version. But, this one could be great, too.

Sure, I'm probably focusing too much on the loudest voices on either side. It is just annoying to see the complaint at all. If the figure is that important, BL it or wait until it's released in a cheaper set. If the figures aren't what you were hoping for, sorry, but 99% of the reason the UCS sets exist is for build and display value.

So excited that these are not fake. I stand corrected. Most excited for the UCS Venator. It will look great alongside the UCS Star Destroyer. I have to point out as well: Many LEGO Star Wars fans: Upset they didn't include a nicer, exclusive minifig in the expensive UCS Gunship. Also many LEGO Star Wars fans: Upset they are including a nicer, exclusive minifig in the expensive UCS Venator. What do you want?!?!

Maybe a little cruel from Promobricks, but not unexpected. The "decide which sets get to be cancelled in the next 10 years" from Brickset was pretty funny if anyone hasn't read that yet.

Yep. Of all the dead giveaways in the post, this is the... deadest? Lol

I can see them wanting to do standalone WWW and other shops for those who don't want to pay large sums for the D2C DA. If they're they same shops in the D2C DA, I'll probably pass, but I won't completely rule them out.

Minifigs look really good for the 4+ set. I have no idea what the show entails, but this looks like something my kids would love regardless. They will need to save a lot in their piggy banks and learn at a young age about the high cost of investing in Star Wars LEGO as a hobby: "I am a Star Wars LEGO collector, like my father before me."

Both diorama sets look excellent. I'm especially impressed with the giant (printed?) window piece behind Palpatine's throne. The prices are high, though. For what they're supposed to be, they capture their respective scenes quite well. If I can find them on May the 4th weekend for 2x Star Wars points, I'll absolutely be picking them up. Wonder if there will be a run on the previous dioramas, similar to the helmets when the 2nd wave got released.

I stand corrected! This theme may never end...