mirkwoodspiders

Actually, Stonewars says it should be 2314, which would exceed the old model's count of 2127 by a couple hundred. Still speculation at this point, but I thought I'd mention it.

Well 12 pages and 30 minutes later. I'm all caught up I had the same problem with EB being down. I couldn't see this thread for about 9 hours. What a terrible time to be in the dark! Thanks to everyone for the new info. I'm happy things are changing. Remember how this feels - going from being certain about the D2C and disappointed to not knowing anything about it and having hope. It's a fun place to be. EDIT: Unless you were excited for D2C chess... sorry!

Cat Hermione looks wonderful. Perhaps the minifigures will allow us to look back on this wave without complete disdain When do we expect pics/figs for the D2C chess to leak? I have to say, the more I think about that, the more excited I am to see what it looks like.

Per the Brothers Brick announcement article for the helmets and probe droid: "In addition to these three sets, the LEGO Star Wars design team shared a preview of a set we can’t talk about yet, as well as teasing the previously announced UCS Republic Gunship." Any guesses as to the "set we can't talk about yet"?

Agreed, I think the head is fine. I'm not sure what else they could do to try and smooth it out. I own the previous model and honestly can't tell if I like the studded version or the newer version of the head better. I would bet they've found a way to make the functions operate more smoothly (especially the third leg release). Can't wait to see this, but am more excited for the forthcoming Gunship and AT-AT. Man, budgeting for these will be a nightmare if I want all three - roughly $1400 if all three preliminary prices are correct

True, although I guess I thought the hype surrounding him during the Gunship vote implied there was already a lot of interest prior to that. Good point with the holiday special connection; it's been so long since we thought it would be released, it feels like ages ago.

For sure, I get the frustration with the influence of memes, etc., but I don't think Jedi Bob would be "useless" as you say. Fans are clamoring for him and it might heighten interest in the game (not that it needs that!). So why not use this as an easy opportunity to release him? I guess it's not so much about his actual significance as a character, but more how much fans want him and TLG's opportunity to meet demand. Either way, still agree that they could have done better than "blue-milk Luke".

Yep. This could have been the perfect place to slip in a Jedi Bob or someone more obscure, but no!

Yep! The photoshopped version of Vader with a full grille still looks a little odd with the gap between the triangular portions and the portion below. I think that could be solved with three fully printed pieces, but I guess that'd have been too expensive?

No kidding. The grille should clearly extend down, and it would have been seemingly easy to just put another sticker there.

Fair enough. I can see how this current wave has sapped lots of enthusiasm, but hopefully people keep their spirits up for next year. Lots of money saved from this wave for something hopefully better on the way. I am curious to see how the rest of this year's thread goes. Since we know virtually every set for the rest of this year, and most of them *appear to be* disappointing/maddening, it could be a long summer/fall waiting for info on the sets for *year that shall not be named in a 2021 thread*

Yikes, that didn't take long! I don't think the panic is well-founded. One off-year shouldn't completely break your trust after three other really good years. Honestly, it's a little humorous to see how doom and gloom people are getting here. Wait for the final pics of this year's sets, make your full judgement, and then see what next year brings. If they do something like this year again, that'd be grounds for broken trust. Seriously though, one bad wave. Cut the designers some slack.

Vader and Scout Trooper helmet photos have leaked in the usual place. The Scout Trooper looks pretty good. Vader is ok, but the neck looks kind of funky. Imperial Probe Droid has some more photos too and looks great.

News is the $250 D2C is a chess set based on PS. I get why some in the thread are saying "easy pass", etc. already, but I'm learning more and more to wait and see with these sorts of sets. It could be an amazing build with great details. I'm envisioning a platform on top for the board, then the ability to lift off the top revealing a chamber below with the various challenges. Who knows, but there are some cool possibilities. Just wait and see, maybe it will be something we like more than we thought. I really wanted a Gringott's instead of this (and I think we'll get one eventually anyway), so the enthusiasm is a bit low, but I'm willing to wait and see the actual set to determine if it's a pass or not.

They did. https://www.brickfanatics.com/exclusive-lego-star-wars-ucs-republic-gunship-deep-in-development/ From the article: "Jens: To be quite honest we didn’t have anything before the poll, we had done a little bit of thinking on the Nebulon-B and also on the TIE Bomber – but that was more coincidence. I would say the Nebulon was more to be sure we could deliver it, because of the structure. We were very much in doubt if it was at all possible to make at that size, so we were experimenting a little bit. But with the Gunship we were sure we could do it and we hadn’t started any work. Our development side takes time at LEGO, so we hope that people will just be a little bit patient. It is going to happen, but we can’t mention the launch date yet." This is one of the reasons I think they'll end up making at least the Nebulon B eventually... why not if you have a prototype and offer it as an option in the poll?

I have a feeling we'll be getting a UCS Nebulon B at some point. Maybe not, but I doubt they'd have included them as options in the vote if they didn't think they could design and sell them at some point. I voted Gunship, but it was a hard choice between Gunship and Frigate. Honestly, any of the three options would have been great, and I hope we end up getting all three eventually.

TLG must be following this thread Ranking my top 5 2021 sets in order of excitement: 1. UCS AT-AT 2. UCS Republic Gunship 3. Vader Helmet 4. Scout Trooper Helmet 5. Imperial Probe Droid I remember filling out a feedback form on a LEGO.com order not too long ago begging for a UCS AT-AT. LEGO responded with something to the extent of "You are not the only one to request that; let's wait and see what the future holds". Not sure how much influence customer feedback has, but TLG seems to be listening!

I sincerely hope this is the case.

I think the line will be around for awhile. Any time I go into a Target or our local LEGO store, the helmets are either low stock or out, especially Boba. I finally snagged him a week ago after waiting about 3 months for him to come back in stock. I'd honestly rather have a Scout Trooper than a FO Stormtrooper, but I'm open to seeing what the Stormtrooper is like. Vader's helmet should be interesting, too. It's over twice the piece count of the SW Celebration bust.

Yep, same here. All of the previous re-releases were ones I'd missed the first time (Falcon, SD, Snowspeeder, Y-Wing). I'm not certain, but I'll most likely pass on the new R2, anticipating/saving for the budget-slaying $800 AT-AT reportedly on its way in November. Definitely happy for everyone who missed out on R2 the first time around, whatever this new one looks like.

Shifting a little bit to the rumored May the 4th R2 D2, how does everyone decide whether or not to purchase re-releases of models they already own? I have the older R2 UCS model and am really happy with it, but I'm also really curious to see what the newer one looks like. I'm not sure I can justify owning two R2-D2's at that scale, but if the appearance and functions of the new one blow the previous model out of the water, it'll be really tempting to pick it up.

I also voted Gunship and hope it's enormous. I buy UCS for the detail; any minifigs are an added bonus.

I would love this. I'm hoping for Gringott's, but this would be a nice alternative. A fun feature would be a functional spinning wall through which you can easily shove a minifigure and cart. My guess is Gringott's though - it would make the most sense to release it on the heels of DA.

Fair point, and not rude at all. I appreciate the comment. I suppose I enjoy the general discussion about sets on this forum more than the rumors/leaks themselves. There is more thrill for me when finding out what a set is the day it's released than from a leak, but seeing/hearing about leaks and rumors is not enough to spoil the fun entirely. They are still enjoyable. Should have phrased it differently, my apologies.

Definitely respect the decision. No need to jeopardize anyone's reputation. The sets are what they are, set in stone at this point and knowing them ahead of time kind of spoils the fun/surprise anyway.