lomis

Here's an LXF file I put together for 75098 in case anyone's interested. The biggest omission (other than decorations/decals) is the Taun Taun. Everything else basically exists in LDD.

I just added some pics to my previous post.

I have finally un-boxed and assembled 75098: Assault on Hoth, 75049: Snowspeeder, 75054: AT-AT, and 75138: Hoth Attack. Together, they make a truly awesome display and the "assault" actually makes sense. It's clear that adding 75054 (AT-AT) to 75098 (Assault) really makes the name of the latter set work. It's just a shame that 75054 (AT-AT) isn't on the shelves for people to buy. ...and if you're going to have an Echo Base, why not have a little more trench, another DF.9 anti-infantry turret, an Imperial Probe Droid, more Imperial Snowtroopers, and Luke's speeder? It's really cool seeing 6 Snowtroopers and a Snowtrooper Commander advancing on Echo Base. But the oddest thing about the setup is having three different builds of E-Web blaster. Otherwise, here are some more thoughts on the 75098: Assault on Hoth set itself: The front of the base itself looks good. I don't mind the use of the Big Ugly Rock Pieces. The shield doors are built well and look the part. I only wish the gearing mechanism worked better as it seems a little sluggish. The trench is done well. No complaints. The lookout tower is worthless and should not have been included. The control room is simple and sufficient. I don't really see a need for anything more significant. This is a great way for anyone who has missed out on them to get the Wampa and Tauntaun... and both are perfectly done. However, the Tauntaun pen is a little odd and it doesn't make much sense that the Wampa cave where Luke was kept connects to the base itself. The Ion Cannon looks great! The back of the build looks awful but I don't really look at it to be honest. I know some people have mentioned that the Shield Generator is only 3/4 complete but I think it's fine. It looks great, is scaled well, and the action feature is really cool. I don't like this version of the E-Web blaster cannon. I think it's far too large for minifigure scale. I don't understand why a Speederbike was included since it was not in the movie. This seems totally unnecessary in this set. The DF.9 anti-infantry turrets are cool although I love that the version in 75138 has the rotation function. The P-Tower turret is okay but the version from 75014: Battle of Hoth looks much better. ...and does everything have to have a stud shooter? The modularity of the set doesn't really appeal to me as I don't see moving the cannons/turrets around. The minifigures are all quite good. I especially like the newer versions of the Hoth Rebel Trooper introduced in 2015's advent calendar, although I kind of wish we got the facial hair of this guy. The pilot helmets are very well done, especially Wes Janson's. "Thank the maker" they included the two droids. I really like the R3-A2 even if the printing on his dome seems wobbly. I like the addition of the updated version of the Snowspeeder in the style of Luke's in 75049 but with orange markings. The build for the Rebel Troop Carrier is well done. I really like this little vehicle! Having said that - I am glad I bought 75098. I don't think it's a true UCS set as I consider those "complete" and 75098 (Assault) is clearly not complete in this case if I have to add other sets to round things out. But it makes a great display in combination with the other sets mentioned above. One last thought: Leia's omission is the biggest issue I have with all of these combined sets. I really think TLG needs to understand why this is a mistake and correct it in the next year. However, I'm not optimistic that will happen considering all of The Force Awakens and Rogue One sets due to be released. Sorry for the lack on pics. Maybe I'll add some later... ...and here are some pics (added 2016-05-09):

I was able to the Black Pearl and QAR on sale at Barnes and Noble near the end of their lives. They're still sitting unopened in the closet. I should probably think about selling one of them...

It's a glaring omission in my opinion. There is no way to buy a Hoth-themed Leia off the shelf these days - unless you buy her as a keychain. Yet she's a central character to most scenes in Echo base. Having Han in this set when he's also in another Hoth set just adds fuel to the fire. I showed the set pictures to both my wife and 4 year old daughter separately. They both immediately asked "Where's Leia?" I totally agree with them... Where's Leia?

But aren't the bands color coded to size? Meaning, if you have blue bands that have broken - you know you need to replace them with other blue bands from LEGO because they are the same size. In other words - if you used black bands from LEGO, then they wouldn't fit because they're the wrong size.

Excellent review! I didn't expect to get this set originally. But once I saw it in the store I just had to have it. It's been on display since putting it together last summer and I can't help myself from making it turn each time I walk by it.

That clip was debunked by Pablo Hidalgo.

For those of you planning on getting 75098: Assault on Hoth, will you also purchase 75138: Hoth Attack if you haven't already? I'm finding it hard to justify buying 75138 myself - knowing that 75098 basically covers it all.

For those of us looking forward to the set: what are you most looking forward to? New figures / prints Tauntaun Wampa Blast doors / front of base Shield generator Ion cannon New build of non-Luke Snowspeeder Anything else... For me - I've been looking forward to this for a long time and still have 75049: Snowspeeder and 75054: AT-AT waiting in their boxes to be built along side it. I'm looking forward to seeing them together.

I have several of the old Hoth sets but I'll be getting this one. The only thing I'm unsure of is whether or not I'll also get 75138: Hoth Attack. I also hope there will be some way to get a Hoth-based Leia soon. What a shame she won't be included in this set.

Exactly. I'm not sure about getting 75138 now since I'm guaranteed to get 75098.

No, it was stated in the press release that it was Toryn Farr.

I felt the same way yesterday after reading that it would be included since I already own 8089: Hoth Wampa Cave. However, upon reflection, I think it's a good move on TLG's part. It's been 6 years since 8089 came out and I'm sure there are plenty of people who missed out when it was on the shelves. Let's be honest - it's also a bit annoying to see slightly modified snow speeders released every year. But the reality is that they and any other Hoth sets sell well (with the possible exception of 7879: Hoth Echo Base). Would I like to see a bigger/better interior to the base included in the new 75098: Assault on Hoth set? Absolutely! But I know a lot of people out there are probably very excited that they'll get their hands on a Wampa. The one thing I'm disappointed in is that Leia isn't included. Han and Luke are included but not her? What a terrible omission - especially considering Han's already included in 75138: Hoth Attack. The only way to get her now is either through Bricklink or as a keychain. I hope TLG corrects that somehow.

Surprised to see that Wedge Antilles is included in 75098: Assault on Hoth.

Is it me or do the Tie Fighters look like they are the OT variety with the bubble windscreen from 9492? I wouldn't mind seeing an updated version of the Tie Fighter with the windscreen from the 75082: TIE Advanced Prototype set like we'll see in 75150: Darth Vader's TIE Advanced and A-wing Fighter.

The only difference I've heard of is that part of the rear of the ship comes out.

Any ideas on the items in the Calendar? Here are my guesses based on the display: Row 1: Slave I, Bespin Guard, Imperial Tie Fighter, Imperial Navy Trooper, ?, Snowtrooper Row 2: Snowman?, 1.4 FD P-Tower?, Hoth Rebel Trooper, Venator-class Star Destroyer, AAT?, HMP droid gunship? Row 3: Not Visible, Obi Wan's Delta-7 Starfighter, CR90 Corvette / Blockade Runner, E-3PO / TC-14?, Brown GNK droid?, ? Row 4: Not Visible, ?, Stormtrooper, Sentinel-class landing craft?, Sled, White Chewbacca / Yeti There are two items that aren't directly visible in the grid display. However, it looks like they may be a Battle Droid and Luke Skywalker (from 75093: Death Star Final Duel) as these characters are shown on the box. EDIT: Added Sentinel-class landing craft as a best guess

It's from January 27 to February 1, 2016.

Sure. Here is the LXF file.

The FO Transporter is my favorite set of the line. It's a good recreation in LEGO form, has awesome figures, and a lot of play-ability.

Another excellent review! I have the shuttle still sitting in the box but hope to build it soon. I'll rate the set once I've done so. The figures all look awesome. I especially love the FO Stormtrooper Officer with his pauldron. On a side note: I love reading these reviews so much more than watching review videos. I hope you keep up the good work and continue to do them. I see you've done several Star Wars TFA sets. Any plans on reviewing 75103 - First Order Transporter? It's my favorite set of the bunch thus far...

True. Oddly, I'm most excited about the heavy gunner figure than anything else that I've seen so far for 2016.

One of the more interesting things I've found is that it looks like the new crossbow shooter will come with the 41120 Friends set.

That's most likely Major Derlin (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bren_Derlin/Canon), played by John Ratzenberger - also known as Cliff Clavin from Cheers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Clavin):