Review: 75419 Death Star
Posted by CapnRex101,
LEGO Star Wars sets have regularly pushed the boundaries of set design and size, breaking the record for the biggest set by piece count several times, among other accolades. The spectacular 75419 Death Star attains records of its own, as the largest Star Wars set ever released and the most expensive.
The latter is maybe a questionable honour and certainly raises expectations for the Death Star, which has proven quite contentious, thanks primarily to its unexpected design. Although I can understand those concerns, the cutaway format appeals to me and the model is richly detailed, so there is plenty to explore!
Summary
75419 Death Star, 9,023 pieces.
£899.99 / $999.99 / €999.99 | 10.0p/11.1c/11.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
75419 Death Star is an exceptional set, but one with frustratingly conspicuous flaws
- Incredible presence on display
- High standard of detail
- Enjoyable functions
- Outstanding character selection
- Lots of fun Easter eggs
- Emperor's Throne Room is disappointing
- Certain rooms are cramped
- Minifigures could be better
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
This article focuses on the model, with more coverage of the minifigures coming soon.
Box and Contents
75192 Millennium Falcon introduced a new box size in 2017, which has remained in use for the biggest sets ever since. I wish the Death Star was positioned centrally on the front, though the superlaser makes that difficult and I like the red glow around the battle station. There are three further boxes inside, containing six instruction manuals and 81 numbered bags in total, which is the most I am aware of in any set!
Also included is a substantial sticker sheet, featuring 67 stickers. Seeing this many stickers in such an expensive set is a concern and I do think certain pieces could have been printed, like the repeated arrow stickers applied on the hangar floor. However, most stickers form small consoles or add Easter eggs and those do not really bother me.
The Completed Model
As normal for an Ultimate Collector Series model, the Death Star comes with a printed plaque, displaying a nice graphic of the superlaser dish. Although there are no mistakes on the plaque, thankfully, I hoped to see some acknowledgement of the Geonosians and the Stalgasin Hive in particular, as one of the station's manufacturers, alongside Kuat Drive Yards.
There are studs to display two figures beside the plaque, intended for Galen Erso and Director Orson Krennic, both of whom were instrumental in the Death Star's creation. These minifigures are exceptional and I am delighted to see Galen in particular, complete with a decorated 1x2 tile representing the Death Star plans on a data tape. Between the duo is a console identifying the thermal exhaust port as a fundamental and intended flaw.
Translating the Death Star to LEGO form is not an easy prospect, with many potential formats. Some kind of spherical model feels natural for the space station and was successful for 10188 Death Star and 75159 Death Star, although I think this design achieves far greater presence on display and its size is remarkable, looking even more massive than 75192 Millennium Falcon.
I think the designer, César Soares, has managed to cover all the areas expected aboard the Death Star, beginning with a substantial hangar bay. Though much of the model is only twelve studs deep, this section bulges outwards with a nice curve along the edge, creating plenty of floor space for minifigures and an Imperial Shuttle inside the hangar.
Furthermore, there is room to attach 40771 TIE Fighter with Imperial Hangar Rack beside the shuttle. This set will be available with the Death Star when it is released and I can understand why some fans find that frustrating, although I quite like the idea of a gift-with-purchase directly complementing its associated set and the hangar looks superb with or without a TIE Fighter.
Similarly, I am pleasantly surprised by the Lambda-class Shuttle. The vehicle is obviously quite small and its proportions are distorted because the cockpit module is oversized, compared with the main fuselage. Nonetheless, the overall shape is captured effectively and its most appealing angle is probably the front, which is the side you will normally see in the hangar.
The cockpit is necessarily large to accommodate a minifigure inside, so my greater concern is actually the S-foils, especially when they are folded. The hinges should be a little further out to the sides of the fuselage, which would improve their retracted profile. However, that issue is far less visible with the wings extended and once again, the shuttle's elegant shape looks lovely.
You can remove the top of the fuselage and the cockpit to place the Imperial Shuttle Pilot and a passenger inside. Both minifigures need to lie down, which is never ideal, but I am impressed there is room for them at all, with reddish brown pieces suggesting an interior. LEGO shuttles should always accommodate at least one passenger and this example delivers!
Alternatively, you can display 75375 Millennium Falcon here, as the Starship Collection vessel looks excellent inside the hangar bay. The entrance on the back wall is an ideal size to look as though the Millennium Falcon has just passed through.
Though I wish they were printed, the markings on the hangar floor are accurate and I love its shiny finish, with only occasional studs to attach characters. Additionally, the hole where a lift would rise from below looks splendid, even though it lacks a working lift platform. This is a fair compromise, with nowhere to go underneath.
In fact, under the hangar floor is a familiar stack of 2x2 round elements, featuring the red and green stripes of Octan. 75313 AT-AT also included several of these colourful drums, so Octan evidently supplies fuel to the Galactic Empire!
Gathering lots of the included minifigures to greet Darth Vader or the Emperor creates a good display, but this highlights the omission of Moff Jerjerrod, which is disappointing. However, the hangar does include a crate with some dark red and yellow parts inside, based on boxes found around the hangars aboard the Death Star II, which is a nice touch.
Similarly, the vertical lights on the side wall look fantastic, as does the starry backdrop beyond the hangar entrance. White wands work brilliantly as distant stars, with several 1x1 round tiles scattered among them. I wish the top corners of the border around the entrance were rounded though, to match the bottom corners.
Once the Millennium Falcon is captured aboard the Death Star, the heroes quickly make their way to a control room overlooking the hangar. Vague representations of the room appeared in 10188 Death Star and 75159 Death Star, but this is its first proper appearance, featuring nicely constructed chairs and the distinctive red consoles shown onscreen.
Seventeen stickers are applied in this room alone, ensuring the computers are as detailed and faithful to the movie as possible. They look fantastic, but are not always easy to see and I think the control room should have been able to slide out, like others around the Death Star. You can remove the meditation chamber above, giving slightly better access, but it could be improved.
On the other side of the hangar we find R2-D2 and C-3PO, ready to interface with a computer terminal and shut down the trash compactor. I love the brick-built details on the wall, matching the droids' environment in the movie exactly. Additionally, you can see controls for the hangar's external shield on the side of the lift.
Turbolifts enable rapid transit around the Death Star onscreen and this LEGO model includes one too, connecting its six levels. The curved doors slide open on each floor and are adorned with stickers to replicate the indicators seen in A New Hope. There is only enough room for two minifigures inside though, with their feet tucked into a slot to hold them in place.
I was hoping for a more spacious lift, able to accommodate Luke, Han and Chewbacca for their journey to the detention block, at least. However, this design works incredibly smoothly and you can see when the lift reaches each level, thanks to white 1x2 ingots visible on the sides.
The generic corridor on this floor is one of my favourite additions to this Death Star, compared with previous models. The area is easily adaptable to various scenes and the printed lights on the wall look splendid. 28 of these tiles appear throughout the model and I hope they are used elsewhere in the future.
A sliding door is found at the end of the corridor, opening to reveal the interrogation droid. Two roller skate pieces are connected to the door to stop it closing completely, as it could otherwise become stuck against the wall.
There is more to discover past the droid, including a cache of collectable studs from the LEGO Star Wars video games and even further into this hidden room: a minikit! The corridor needs to be shallower than other sections of the Death Star to facilitate a feature discussed later, so I am glad this space was used.
Continuing to the next floor, we reach the detention block where Princess Leia is held captive. This area stands out to a surprising degree, thanks to its dark orange flooring, which matches the detention area shown onscreen. Also, I will take this opportunity to mention the mechanical detail around the edge of the Death Star, as it looks particularly effective here.
The ring of consoles in the control room is included, each featuring accurate stickers and with studs to stand two minifigures in the middle. That being said, I wish the angled consoles were attached to 2x2 jumper plates rather than 2x2 turntables, so they remained fixed at the proper angles.
You can remove a segment of the floor above the detention block control area, giving a better view of the cameras and twin turbolifts. Superb though these look, I wonder whether the main turbolift could have been constructed with a door to one side on this floor, thus leading directly into detention block AA-23 and avoiding the need for lift façades.
Behind the turbolifts is another enjoyable Easter egg. This stickered chart shows the appropriate height of a Stormtrooper, in reference to Leia's comment when Luke Skywalker arrives to rescue her!
The cell corridor is raised in relation to the control area and features angular walls, exactly as seen in the movie. The corridor is easily accessible to place minifigures inside and a sticker is applied at the end, showing the corridor vanishing into the distance, which looks quite effective.
Leia's cell includes an opening hatch from the corridor, but access it much easier through the side. The whole interior slides out, including more dark orange flooring, a rudimentary bed for the princess and a trans-clear pole to attach the interrogation droid. The details included seem reasonable, but I think the cell could have been expanded.
On the other hand, space is reserved for another important feature of the detention area, as the corridor includes a hole blasted through its wall. You can therefore drop figures through the hole and into the Death Star trash compactor two floors below, passing between the minikit and studs en route!
The trash compactor is quite similar 75339 Death Star Trash Compactor Diorama launched a couple of years ago, albeit smaller. The texture on the walls looks great and I love the rubbish inside, which appears to be scattered around randomly, but is actually attached to the walls, so everything stays together when those walls begin to close.
Fortunately, part of the corridor level slides out to access the trash compactor, also revealing trans-orange lights on the door at the back, which correspond with the film. There is plenty of space for a few minifigures and Chewbacca even comes with an accessory to brace the walls, as well as his standard bowcaster.
The walls are controlled using a geared mechanism on the back, moving them back and forth with the turn of a gear and raising the dianoga's eyestalk as the walls slide inwards! I am fairly satisfied with this function, but there is a little more play in the mechanism than I hoped.
You can place Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader on studs outside the trash compactor, where their duel can be seen through the door to the hangar bay. This is an impressive use of space and works beautifully with the hangar, but I wish there was a panel included to cover the trash compactor when you want to focus on the lightsaber duel.
On the other side of the turbolift is a circular window to view a microscale version of the Death Star's main reactor, recreating its appearance in Return of the Jedi. This is positioned centrally within the space station, though not quite at the precise centre, which bothers me slightly. Even so, this is a clever use of a small space on board and the window panel is removable.
In addition, the back of the model incorporates a simple depiction of the thermal exhaust port found on the original Death Star, leading directly to the main reactor! This is another welcome inclusion, although the photo below also shows some poor colour matching between elements.
A chasm passes through the Death Star beside the main reactor, inspired by the air shafts and their various narrow bridges presented in the film. I like the angled bridge included on this floor, leading to Darth Vader's meditation chamber and still leaving enough room for the tractor beam power terminal.
This structure is connected to the Death Star using a single Technic beam, so it tends to droop slightly. However, you can move the tractor beam terminal against the bridge, which provides a little extra support and looks better as well. Obi-Wan can grip either of the levers on the terminal and stickers are applied on each side to complete its design.
One section of the model I find strange is the corridor outside the meditation chamber. You can pose minifigures here, but access is awkward and I am not convinced this was needed. On the other hand, the meditation chamber is probably large enough already, so the little hallway does no harm.
Darth Vader is known to have several meditation chambers, although the most recognisable is that aboard the Executor shown in The Empire Strikes Back, of course. I am sure Darth Vader had one aboard each Death Star though, so I have no problem with its presence in this model. Maybe I would feel otherwise if something vital from the films was missing, but nothing is.
Despite its modest size, the shape of the meditation chamber is pretty accurate and its halves lock together neatly, with Darth Vader encircled by consoles inside. There is no mechanism to raise and lower the top of the capsule, unfortunately, though attaching the upper portion of the meditation pod to a frame inside the room suffices to keep it open or closed.
The chamber slides out to access space for figures behind the pod, which also gives a clearer view of a sticker inside, featuring some of Darth Vader's favourite keepsakes! These include a poster promoting the Boonta Eve Classic podrace, a Naboo Starfighter and a photo of Padmé Amidala from the days of Anakin Skywalker, beside an Imperial recruitment poster and a photo taken with the Emperor, inspired by LEGO Star Wars: Summer Vacation.
Darth Sidious also appears on a viewscreen at the back of the meditation chamber. I love how you can see the Emperor's throne room window behind him, presumably calling his apprentice from just a couple of floors above! The screen is removable from the side of the Death Star and can be reversed to show a blank screen, if you prefer.
The conference room above looks a bit smaller than I would like. Nonetheless, there is enough room for eight chairs around the table, accommodating all the important characters. In addition, Grand Moff Tarkin's seat is larger and more elaborate than the others, which shows impressive attention to a relatively subtle detail from the movie.
Similarly, the curved walls are surprisingly detailed and I like the spherical holoprojector in the middle of the table. While the table is intended to be removed to reach the seats at the back, I would prefer another completely removable room instead. However, access is sufficient to pose the characters as you wish.
A sliding door from the conference room leads to the chasm, memorably crossed by Luke and Leia using a grappling hook. However, this model features a bar rather than a rope, so the two minifigures can grip the bar together. Turning a Technic gear on the level above swings the pair back and forth, passing by several more of those printed lights.
Fortunately, the Imperial officers need not swing over the chasm to reach the conference room, instead taking the extendable bridge. This mechanism is one of my favourites in the set, as the bridge extends smoothly and lines up precisely with the platform on the other side. As expected for Imperial infrastructure, there are no handrails around the bridge!
The gear controlling the bridge is pretty conspicuous and requires a minor change in the floor height. Perhaps this gear could have been moved to the back of the model instead, like many other function controls around the Death Star. Otherwise, the foyer area looks unusually bland, although it actually contains another fun sticker, hidden on the side of the turbolift.
Unfortunately, the sticker is hard to see, but it includes several more references. The wanted posters for Leia and Han look superb and I love the notice for Stormtrooper shooting lessons, with little response. Also displayed is an advertisement for the Hard Heart Cantina, located on the Death Star, with a poster featuring the 'new T-16', based on the Stormtroopers overheard discussing the 'new BT-16' when Obi-Wan shuts down the tractor beam.
Grand Moff Tarkin and his fellow officers command the Death Star from the Overbridge, found directly above the superlaser dish onscreen. Locating the bridge near the superlaser therefore makes sense on this model, but restricts floor space for characters on the bridge, which can be problematic. You cannot gather lots of officers together as seen in Rogue One, for instance.
Even so, the control station looks marvellous, decorated with accurate stickers and recreating the 'tulip' style work stations found aboard the Death Star. Once again, this section of the floor slides out for access, which is helpful, but minifigures placed behind the work station are pretty tucked away. That seems a shame for something as important as the main bridge.
I find the viewscreen underwhelming too. This should be a massive screen that spans much of the wall, but is relegated to a much smaller version thanks to the superlaser. Moreover, I would have appreciated more alternative screens. Neat though the function to illustrate the destruction of Alderaan is, turning via a gear on the side, screens showing Jedha City and Yavin were also needed.
Even though the superlaser firing mechanism causes issues on the bridge, it is nevertheless impressive. This design is based on the various Death Star schematics created for reference books and matches them closely, but lacks the tributary beam channels around the edge. Still, the textured detail is impressive, especially on the back of the dish.
A six-pointed device forms part of the superlaser mechanism, inspired by the EP-N5 fasteners constructed on Narkina 5 in the Andor series! The final scene of season one revealed what the Narkina 5 prisoners had actually been assembling, joints forming part of the superlaser dish, so this is a brilliant addition to the model. Cassian Andor is not included.
The superlaser dish also looks excellent from the outside. The triangular panels comprising the dish are connected to flexible hoses around the edge and the ring element developed for Harry Potter's glasses in the centre, so the whole dish feels rigid when complete. Furthermore, it slots almost seamlessly into the gap in the external hull panels.
I like the trans-bright green laser beams as well, even though they are relatively fiddly and can be dislodged from meeting exactly in the middle. When positioned properly, they look fantastic and the trans-clear support for the main beam is remarkably rigid, so the place for the tributary lasers to join remains solid and the surrounding lasers are easy to adjust if knocked.
A team of gunners monitors the superlaser system from a control room near the bridge and this area is located on the next floor. Again, it is accessible via the turbolift and a whole wall of white and trans-red 1x1 tiles can be found inside, mirroring the complex fire control computers seen in A New Hope and Return of the Jedi.
Additionally, the gunners can observe the superlaser directly through a window on the side of the control room, which is a welcome feature. However, this is another space that is relatively awkward to access, second only to the hangar control station in that regard.
Emperor Palpatine's throne room occupies a huge section of the Death Star and shares some similarities with 75352 Emperor's Throne Room Diorama, which is no bad thing. However, this model expands the scene to incorporate the full staircase and the walkway where Darth Vader and Luke's battle ends and the Emperor perishes.
The roof panel can be removed to reach the Emperor's throne, which rotates and includes the proper purple upholstery. Studs are provided to stand Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader before the Emperor, flanked by the normal control stations, which are finished with trans-light blue 1x1 slopes. Also, the textured frame around the window looks lovely, again reflecting the diorama.
The window bears a particular resemblance to 75352 Emperor's Throne Room Diorama, albeit with smaller windows arranged around the dish in the centre on this occasion. This structure is not quite as sturdy as the diorama rendition, although it looks much the same and incorporates an identical decorated window piece.
Luke jumps onto a catwalk to avoid the battle with his father in Return of the Jedi, represented here by a small platform. This is perhaps my least favourite part of the model, feeling more like something you would encounter in a play set than a display piece. A simple mechanism causes the platform to collapse and works well, but these parts are totally exposed above the door.
While focusing on this area, it is a shame there is no reference to the Sith wayfinder from The Rise of Skywalker on this side of the throne room. Space is limited by the turbolift on the other side of the wall, but an opening panel with a 1x1 pyramid hidden inside would have sufficed.
Fortunately, the walkways in front of the throne are much more successful, complete with the mechanical details and railings we see onscreen. A pair of lightning accessories are provided, ready for the Emperor to torture Luke Skywalker, but there is nowhere to store these elements around the throne room when not in use.
Alongside the Emperor's throne room is an SB-290 laser cannon. These weapons are used en masse against rebel starfighters at the Battle of Yavin, shooting through gun ports on the battle station's surface. This port is a nice example and you can change the angle of the laser cannon, though not by much.
Lifting the hull panel reveals the full weapon inside, with a seat for an Imperial gunner on one side. The laser cannon is quite detailed, capturing the distinctive main barrel with a collimator underneath, but the version from 75159 Death Star remains my favourite, accurately including seats for two gunners, among other features visible onscreen.
Notably, this design lacks the cables around the laser cannon's base and it cannot rotate at all. There would not be much room for rotation with the external panel closed, but I still think some sideways movement was needed.
Above even the Emperor's throne room, at the very top of the turbolift shaft, is a compact area that would be hard to use for any locations seen in the films. The space is instead reserved for an iconic feature of the Death Star in the LEGO Star Wars video games, as removing the black wall panel next to the turbolift reveals somewhere for the Hot Tub Stormtrooper to relax!
You can see the hot tub from the front, but it is better viewed by raising the top panel. Within is the all-important hot tub, filled with bubbling water, plus a radio and a microphone on a nearby shelf! The rubber duck is also a neat touch and I particularly appreciate the designer's effort to ensure this hot tub looks as though it belongs in Star Wars, given the style of the steps and the printed control panel.
The radio and presumably a bottle of bubble bath can be seen through a window on the back too, pictured below. This photo also shows the mechanism for the turbolift, which is controlled using the central dial on top. The function works extremely smoothly and it can take as little as eleven or twelve seconds to move the lift from top to bottom, which is fairly quick.
It goes without saying that the Death Star is not designed to be viewed from the back, as this side looks decidedly untidy. Personally, I was hoping for some degree of curvature at the rear, but a flat design has the advantage of occupying less space on display, without detracting from the model's visual presence, so I can understand choosing this format.
I earlier mentioned the lack of reference to Geonosian involvement in the Death Star's creation on the information plaque and there are no references to the Geonosians at all. However, you will encounter some dark orange 1x1 round plates throughout the model and I like to imagine these as bits of Geonosian sand, though they are actually dark orange because that is one of César's favourite LEGO colours!
Overall
75419 Death Star is undoubtedly my favourite LEGO model of the Death Star to date, despite my nostalgia for 10188 Death Star. This edition achieves far superior presence on display and its sheer scale is impressive, particularly given the density of detail in many rooms. The hangar bay, trash compactor, detention block and superlaser dish are particular standouts for me.
However, there are many imperfections. I think the model gets weaker towards the top, as the control room is too small and the Emperor's throne room seems unexpectedly lacking in detail, compared with other areas of the Death Star. Issues with the minifigures are also frustrating, as even though the overall selection is broadly comprehensive, better versions of C-3PO and the Imperial officers have appeared elsewhere.
That brings me to the topic of value. £899.99, $999.99 or €999.99 is a huge amount of money and many will reasonably think no LEGO set is worth so much. However, when I compare this model with 75192 Millennium Falcon or 75313 AT-AT, which cost £734.99, $849.99 or €849.99 each, the Death Star's price feels relatively reasonable to me.
Even so, whereas 75192 Millennium Falcon is a set I would recommend to any Star Wars fan able to afford and accommodate it, the Death Star is different and does not possess the same broad appeal, despite its numerous qualities.
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88 comments on this article
I understand people's grumbles, and whilst I am not a collector of Star Wars, I think this set is truly amazing....long may TLG continue to push and try to meet our lofty expectations of what the perfect Lego set could be.
Not that I wouldn't have expected it from the Brickset review team, but I'm very pleased to see such an honest review delivered with integrity. I have not the slightest interest in the set, or Star Wars, or Lego Star Wars, but I have a vested interest in not letting reactionaries on the internet dominate all conversation about a given subject, so this is a refreshing read.
Now brace yourselves...
The Hard Heart Cantina as a reference to the Legends Death Star novel with Memah Roothes on the advertising poster? Andor's Narkina V prison peace? The designers did their research!
I understand the 'slice' approach is a disappointment for many, as it was for me. But I have to admit that to meet my (and other's?) initial expectations - i.e. at least half a globe and full interior - would probably require double the piece count. As is, it's a fine selection of dioramas presented in a cool display.
Here's to hoping a future LOTR set beats this set both in piece count as well as in general appraisal (Minas Tirith, anyone?). My expectations can probably be fullfilled with less than 50.000 pieces :-)
Thank you for a very thorough review!
What a great review. There are so many nice details, but the figures, stickers, lack of depth (plus exterior) and cut corners make this an inexcusable attempt for $1000 in my opinion. This is more like a Master Builder's series set like cloud city and should NOT be Lego's first adult-oriented thousand dollar set.
You'd think that for $1,000 they could have gotten the Emperor's shuttle correct with the grey stripe on the nose.
Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)
I definitely like a lot of the little and arguably obscure references - the hidden minikit, the classic!EU reference to the station cantina from the Death Star novel (including accurate depiction of its owner, Memah Roothes), Vader's personal effects - and some of the individual scenes are cool; but. I don't know, it feels too excessively big and expensive for someone with my minimal Lego budget to really *have* an opinion on, you know? Like it's so far out of my availability range that I don't have any business feeling much either positive or negative towards it, if that makes sense?
I'd be very impressed if this was a MoC at a convention, but as a set it just feels like a bit of a curious choice to go so big.
One thing I notice is that placement of some of the locations doesn't quite add up, to me. If the trash compactor was so close to the hangar, then how do Luke and Leia end up three floors up again on their way between those two locations? I do understand having to place things where they best fit, when you have so much to put into an already-defined space; but I wonder if it could have benefited from a little more emphasis on the arrangement of different areas to follow the flow of story?
It's also a silly minor note, but one thing I am glad of is that they've finally given ANH Han a new torso print to represent his shirt style from that movie, rather than reusing his RotJ-style shirt for this version of the character like they did in the Cantina set. It's honestly been a minor bug to for a while that they used the same print for sets from both movies; sure the outfit is mostly the same, but the neckline / collar style is noticeably different between his ANH and RotJ shirts, so I'm happy that they're using the correct version now ^^
@Albus said:
"Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)"
I expect that is an upcoming second post, though it might have worked better coming first.
Regardless of the merits and effort put into this set, it's clear LEGO blew their opportunity to make their $1K Death Star a splash. It's obvious the reaction has not gone the way the company likely hoped, and I'm very curious to see how the sales numbers come out. This is hardly a set for casual shoppers and it looks like the most devoted likely buyers for such a set have said "no" upon seeing what they are actually getting for that price. It would be hard to find a design concept for a giant Death Star set that would satisfy a majority, but regardless, that concept has to be done right, and we've all just witnessed arbitrary and underhanded restrictive measures being applied to this set that forced a sub-excellent product to be delivered for literally the highest premium in the brand.
There's no excuse for the explanations of print and part limitations in a set like this. You make the rules, LEGO higher-ups, and you have the power to relax them so a $1K set might actually feel like no expense was spared on your end. If the company will spare expenses, then so will the buyer. They'll spare $1000, in fact, and keep it in their bank account.
I liked your review. I too am a huge SW fan and SW LEGO fan. It looks like a lot of fun. I will admire from afar and when I get a yearning to play with this set I will revisit your detailed walkthrough. So thanks! I am looking forward to seeing it displayed at the LEGO store. Unless LEGO sends me a copy to review or it’s miraculously gifted to me, this set won’t be joining my collection. For me a set has to be perfect if I’m going to invest that kind of cumulative coin!
After owning the original and struggling to display it due to it's awkward size and shape, I think this is great! It's very neat and has a lot more depth than it first appears.
I think the value is there, but realistically - I'm gonna need a deep, DEEP discount to even seriously consider picking this up. I've often wondered where I might draw the line on this ridiculous hobby....this is probably it.
It's too expensive, very underwhelming, disappointing GWP, so I'll probably buy it Day One.
The more videos of this I see, the more I like it, it clearly is more imposing than I thought at first.
Still, the price and the minifigure design is really prohibitive when it comes to buying.
Sure, this may seem comparable to the UCS Falcon in price for size. However, that set is great from every angle. This is not. I think the hate is a bit much, but it is more so disappointing for the first ever $1000 set... and the shortcut with the figs and so many stickers makes the 18+ collector marketing gimmick look thinner and thinner every year.
Another great and thorough review!
I’ve voiced my opinions on this set some, but I think as I see more and more reviews, I’m liking it better. Will I ever get it? No, but that was also the same way with the other $800 Star Wars sets, even though Star Wars is one of my absolute favorite themes. I think if you ever were to get it, it should be day one for one reason only: you get the GWP, and then sell it for $200. This Death Star for $800 is a pretty great set. And I still think the value at $1000 is fair, I really do. But, there was still definitely room for improvement, and I’d have loved fewer figures if it meant better ones. Overall, I do like the direction of a Death Disk/Wheel/Slice that they chose. I think the back is quite funny, because that’s what all my best MOCs look like! All the Easter Eggs are pretty fun, and you can really feel that the Design team put a lot into this. The functions are great, and its leaps and bounds better than the previous Death Stars. So, a really cool et that could be a bit better. I’ll stick with getting five BDP sets for $1000!
Also, you could probably get this thing for $500 day one if you sold the GwP and the beach trooper. $500 for this is looking pretty great… maybe that’s an idea for me… that’s dangerous.
The response to this set has been interesting. I’m guessing it looks really cool in person. I think over time people will realize how cool it is.
Regarding the GWP: In my opinion, the Tie Fighter is a perfect GWP. Not that GWP's are good, but this is a good example of one. It's something fun that adds to the related set, but people who don't want the Death Star won't feel left out.
I don't have this kind of money, and I wonder if that's why I think it's amazing: maybe the fans who can regularly afford multi-hundred dollar sets are a bit more jaded than me and expect more because they're spending so much. I like the even-handed approach of the review and agree that it's not PERFECT, but the overall product looks great to me and there's a lot crammed in there. I totally understand it not being what someone envisioned or what they actually want to buy, but I don't think that means that this is BAD in any real sense. That much LEGO, those specific pieces, those minifigs, look WORTH the price--but that doesn't mean it has to entice you to spend it.
I think it like the relatively finished "doll-house" aspect of it, and I think the colours of each scene come out exceptionally well compared to the previous Death Star. More than most giant sets, I find I'd love to try assembling my own--but I fear I'd run out of the requisite parts in the right colours before we reached the top of the first floor!
I really don't get why the stickers are not a con. For that absurd price point everything MUST be printed. Competitors have 60+ prints and not a single sticker in <150€ sets. If people still buy this set the price should have been 2000€ because it's no longer in any way related to what you get. It's just a crazy made up number.
After thinking about it practically, I do think this is just about the best Death Star Lego can do in this scale. However, I just don't think a death star at this scale makes sense. Plenty of compromises had to be made and for this record breaking price tag, it's just not worth it.
When I first saw the “first $1,000 LEGO set” I was shocked it was a slice of the Death Star.
Now that I’ve wrapped my head around that and have seen the sheer size of the set, the only thing that I find truly and utterly unacceptable is a huge sticker sheet in a ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR set. LEGO won’t do better with that cost cutting measure unless the fans become quite loud and annoying about it. Think it’s reasonable? Check out some of the many non-LEGO sets with many high quality prints and oftentimes zero stickers.
At first I hated the design choice but now I can kind of understand it. The age 6-14 year old me would have LOVED this. The real issue to me is this is a playset that none but the richest kids or their parents could ever reasonably afford. So then it is priced for adult collectors but its odd as a display because it looks like a dollhouse type toy (which it technically is). So I don't see much market outside the youtubers who got the set for free from Lego. It is cool though.
Love the concept. Just a shame that the subject matter's so boring!
Now, a cutaway Tracy Island......
I'm not sure how anyone could reasonably excuse a $1,000 set having stickers. It's absurd.
I'm also still not sure where the value is? It looks like an empty dollhouse to me, relying on the mini-figures to give it any personality or display appeal, wherein it suddenly appears cramped. It leaves the impression it's meant to be played with but the rooms are too small to accommodate much beyond their intended purpose of displaying static scenes. Even modular sets have stairs or ladders connecting the floors despite their (relatively) small build areas.
I'm sure this set is bound to cause a lot of people to experience buyer's remorse.
thanks for the detailed review. Especially appreciated the detail on the millennium falcon in the hanger bay. I had been very excited by the vague details I had seen, was underwhelmed by the initial announcement, but the designer interviews and this review have convinced me to buy it.
Great review, @CapnRex101 . I really do like this set, and the new diorama format has really grown on me. I still prefer the formats of 10188 and 75159 , but this new design is no bad thing. The attention to detail is very impressive (I like the references to the video games and Summer Vacation in particular), but I agree with what you said about several notable omissions (I, too, would've loved to see a Sith Wayfinder included, as well as a reference to the Geonosians on the fact plaque; it was a pretty glaring omission to me the first time that I read the plaque!).
And, as @Jo3K3rr pointed out: the Emperor's shuttle should have a grey stripe running down the nose of the craft to distinguish it from other Shuttles.
This is a great set, and the overall floor plan design is very impressive and I applaud the designers for it. Yet, I still don't feel that this set justifies its hefty price tag, and I think the minifigures are the main reason for this. I look forward to the review on them!
"It is a shame there is no reference to the Sith wayfinder from The Rise of Skywalker on this side of the throne room."
I think we dodged a bullet with this one, Cap.
@B_Space_Man said:
"The response to this set has been interesting. I’m guessing it looks really cool in person. I think over time people will realize how cool it is.
Regarding the GWP: In my opinion, the Tie Fighter is a perfect GWP. Not that GWP's are good, but this is a good example of one. It's something fun that adds to the related set, but people who don't want the Death Star won't feel left out. "
From my perspective unless you are able to get this right at launch with gwp, you will always have an incomplete Death Star as the gwp integrates with the set. That would annoy the heck out of me if I was planning to get this set but was unable to at launch. Just my opinion of course.
@GBP_Chris said:
""It is a shame there is no reference to the Sith wayfinder from The Rise of Skywalker on this side of the throne room."
I think we dodged a bullet with this one, Cap."
I agree with the Capn.
Thank you for the extremely detailed and comprehensive review (as always).
I think much of the criticism towards this set has been fair, though.
- the decision to go with this design is still baffling to me, and from most reactions I have seen to the majority of potential buyers.
- the name is misleading, its more of a Death Star Diorama Collection than 'The Death Star'.
- the minifigures are numerous, but overall it feels like TLG have gone for quantity over quality.
- the GWP is more like a DLC and should have been included in the set to begin with, irrespective of its obvious quality issues. Not including it, and even showing it as an apparent part of the set on initial reveal, seems - at best - unprofessional and cheap.
- while some stickers are to be expected, 50+ also contribute, in my opinion, to lower the wow-factor that this set should have had.
As an owner of three of the five recent very large UCS sets (Falcon, AT-AT and Razor Crest) and admirer of the ISD and Venator as well I am much less interested in this newest über-UCS set than any of the aforementioned ones.
1000 Bucks for a few scene's, 50 bloody stickers and a shelf to but the scene's on. Add a collection figures that have the word cheap written all over it and you have a bloated, overpriced failure.
@Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Another great and thorough review!
I’ve voiced my opinions on this set some, but I think as I see more and more reviews, I’m liking it better. Will I ever get it? No, but that was also the same way with the other $800 Star Wars sets, even though Star Wars is one of my absolute favorite themes. I think if you ever were to get it, it should be day one for one reason only: you get the GWP, and then sell it for $200. This Death Star for $800 is a pretty great set. And I still think the value at $1000 is fair, I really do. But, there was still definitely room for improvement, and I’d have loved fewer figures if it meant better ones. Overall, I do like the direction of a Death Disk/Wheel/Slice that they chose. I think the back is quite funny, because that’s what all my best MOCs look like! All the Easter Eggs are pretty fun, and you can really feel that the Design team put a lot into this. The functions are great, and its leaps and bounds better than the previous Death Stars. So, a really cool et that could be a bit better. I’ll stick with getting five BDP sets for $1000!
Also, you could probably get this thing for $500 day one if you sold the GwP and the beach trooper. $500 for this is looking pretty great… maybe that’s an idea for me… that’s dangerous."
On the one hand, get your money's worth, but on the other hand, I think I would resent you for selling a minifigure and a GWP for such exorbitant prices. Justify it how you will, but the average view will be that you have become the greedy one. Becoming the overcharger to compensate for LEGO doing the same just moves the problem a step down the ladder, and I don't think many will go for that kind of aftermarket pricing, especially for the GWP. Maybe someone who can pay $1K for the set can afford to pay another $200 for the TIE Fighter, but suckers like that are rare.
Absolute trash set.
Overpriced, full of stickers, mediocre minifigures...only LAN members will ever give this a positive review. Anyone with a brain and no ulterior motive to give it a good review can, in good conscience, say this is a good set.
I'd rather buy a second Eiffel Tower or a second Titanic and I'd be getting MORE pieces, a complete set, and still have over 300 euros on each.
Not sure I agree about the set looking fine with or without the GWP. To my eyes, there's a gap there that should be filled with more than just white dots on black to represent stars.
Also, I feel like it's fair to point out that the back is not truly flat, preventing it from being displayed flush against a wall. Seems like they tried to have that both ways - an unfinished back that isn't intended for display but also isn't flat enough to sit properly.
@Jo3K3rr said:
"You'd think that for $1,000 they could have gotten the Emperor's shuttle correct with the grey stripe on the nose."
I asked the designers about this, although outside the recorded interview, so this is only my recollection and interpretation of what was said: I think they wanted the Imperial Shuttle to be a bit more generic so it could be used for Darth Vader's arrival or other scenes, not only the Emperor's arrival.
They knew what I was talking about though when the issue was raised, so they were certainly aware of the stripe on the Emperor's shuttle.
@GBP_Chris said:
""It is a shame there is no reference to the Sith wayfinder from The Rise of Skywalker on this side of the throne room."
I think we dodged a bullet with this one, Cap."
Maybe so, but there would be no harm in adding it, especially if it was hidden away!
Great review, Capn! About the stickered chart showing the appropriate height of a stormtrooper, I didn’t think about Leia’s comment on Luke’s disguise. I thought it referenced the stormtrooper blooper of banging his head on the door.
Good review, keeps the set on my “maybe one day” list. Thanks @CapnRex101. But there should have been a note about the likely forthcoming minifig review.
I would also like to lo know about the stability of what seems to be a very tip centric set.
And in n a future article I guess, could we get a pic next to other sets, etc, to better appreciate relative size?
Any pics of how this displays on a shelf, how well it situates against a wall, how much room would be needed between shelves…would also be appreciated.
How heavy is it?
@8BrickMario said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Another great and thorough review!
I’ve voiced my opinions on this set some, but I think as I see more and more reviews, I’m liking it better. Will I ever get it? No, but that was also the same way with the other $800 Star Wars sets, even though Star Wars is one of my absolute favorite themes. I think if you ever were to get it, it should be day one for one reason only: you get the GWP, and then sell it for $200. This Death Star for $800 is a pretty great set. And I still think the value at $1000 is fair, I really do. But, there was still definitely room for improvement, and I’d have loved fewer figures if it meant better ones. Overall, I do like the direction of a Death Disk/Wheel/Slice that they chose. I think the back is quite funny, because that’s what all my best MOCs look like! All the Easter Eggs are pretty fun, and you can really feel that the Design team put a lot into this. The functions are great, and its leaps and bounds better than the previous Death Stars. So, a really cool et that could be a bit better. I’ll stick with getting five BDP sets for $1000!
Also, you could probably get this thing for $500 day one if you sold the GwP and the beach trooper. $500 for this is looking pretty great… maybe that’s an idea for me… that’s dangerous."
On the one hand, get your money's worth, but on the other hand, I think I would resent you for selling a minifigure and a GWP for such exorbitant prices. Justify it how you will, but the average view will be that you have become the greedy one. Becoming the overcharger to compensate for LEGO doing the same just moves the problem a step down the ladder, and I don't think many will go for that kind of aftermarket pricing, especially for the GWP. Maybe someone who can pay $1K for the set can afford to pay another $200 for the TIE Fighter, but suckers like that are rare."
I don’t think I’m being greedy, just realistic. That GWP will be one of the most expensive of all time, I can assure you of that. The beach trooper will also be an extremely expensive minifigure, and there will be few on the market. You can say I’m greedy, but I believe that these prices will be legit. We’ll check back in October, though. I don’t think that those prices will be an overcharge. Then again, how can to quantify that? If they pay that price, that’s not my fault.
Fantastic review; I pretty much agree with everything written here - also, I'm not a very hard core Star Wars fan and understand that not everything is doable considering the medium. Not being hard core, I'm also quite happy with the minifig selection and details.
The missing wayfinder is something that I did not think of but totally makes sense to tie all the series together. This should be easy to mod with about 20 pieces. With about 300 pieces more, a small trench run could have been built on the back at the height where the thermal exhaust port is located.
While not collecting Start Wars sets, if I had the resources for this, I would definitely get it. I think the GWP is totally crass UNLESS they have plenty of them and the promotion last for much longer than a week - not everybody can rapidly come up with a grand for a toy - if the GWP runs for about a month or more then that's fair game - and still does the intended thing (i.e. forcing people to buy early on).
@Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @8BrickMario said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Another great and thorough review!
I’ve voiced my opinions on this set some, but I think as I see more and more reviews, I’m liking it better. Will I ever get it? No, but that was also the same way with the other $800 Star Wars sets, even though Star Wars is one of my absolute favorite themes. I think if you ever were to get it, it should be day one for one reason only: you get the GWP, and then sell it for $200. This Death Star for $800 is a pretty great set. And I still think the value at $1000 is fair, I really do. But, there was still definitely room for improvement, and I’d have loved fewer figures if it meant better ones. Overall, I do like the direction of a Death Disk/Wheel/Slice that they chose. I think the back is quite funny, because that’s what all my best MOCs look like! All the Easter Eggs are pretty fun, and you can really feel that the Design team put a lot into this. The functions are great, and its leaps and bounds better than the previous Death Stars. So, a really cool et that could be a bit better. I’ll stick with getting five BDP sets for $1000!
Also, you could probably get this thing for $500 day one if you sold the GwP and the beach trooper. $500 for this is looking pretty great… maybe that’s an idea for me… that’s dangerous."
On the one hand, get your money's worth, but on the other hand, I think I would resent you for selling a minifigure and a GWP for such exorbitant prices. Justify it how you will, but the average view will be that you have become the greedy one. Becoming the overcharger to compensate for LEGO doing the same just moves the problem a step down the ladder, and I don't think many will go for that kind of aftermarket pricing, especially for the GWP. Maybe someone who can pay $1K for the set can afford to pay another $200 for the TIE Fighter, but suckers like that are rare."
I don’t think I’m being greedy, just realistic. That GWP will be one of the most expensive of all time, I can assure you of that. The beach trooper will also be an extremely expensive minifigure, and there will be few on the market. You can say I’m greedy, but I believe that these prices will be legit. We’ll check back in October, though. I don’t think that those prices will be an overcharge. Then again, how can to quantify that? If they pay that price, that’s not my fault."
You’re not greedy. You sell stuff for what the market will bear. And if people are willing to pay those prices the ire should be directed at those folks, not the people who are trying to make a bit of money.
It always pisses me off when people bitch about sellers and their prices. Just don’t pay it, and the “problem” disappears.
I could not disagree more with this review. I can't believe that the writer is defending the choice of the designers... It is just inacceptable to ask 1,000 bucks for a slice of a Death Star. As a very minimum we should have had half a sphere. I will for sure keep my 75159.
@Jo3K3rr said:
"You'd think that for $1,000 they could have gotten the Emperor's shuttle correct with the grey stripe on the nose."
Maybe they were out of stickers
How does it compare to the shadowbox version?
@Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @8BrickMario said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Another great and thorough review!
I’ve voiced my opinions on this set some, but I think as I see more and more reviews, I’m liking it better. Will I ever get it? No, but that was also the same way with the other $800 Star Wars sets, even though Star Wars is one of my absolute favorite themes. I think if you ever were to get it, it should be day one for one reason only: you get the GWP, and then sell it for $200. This Death Star for $800 is a pretty great set. And I still think the value at $1000 is fair, I really do. But, there was still definitely room for improvement, and I’d have loved fewer figures if it meant better ones. Overall, I do like the direction of a Death Disk/Wheel/Slice that they chose. I think the back is quite funny, because that’s what all my best MOCs look like! All the Easter Eggs are pretty fun, and you can really feel that the Design team put a lot into this. The functions are great, and its leaps and bounds better than the previous Death Stars. So, a really cool et that could be a bit better. I’ll stick with getting five BDP sets for $1000!
Also, you could probably get this thing for $500 day one if you sold the GwP and the beach trooper. $500 for this is looking pretty great… maybe that’s an idea for me… that’s dangerous."
On the one hand, get your money's worth, but on the other hand, I think I would resent you for selling a minifigure and a GWP for such exorbitant prices. Justify it how you will, but the average view will be that you have become the greedy one. Becoming the overcharger to compensate for LEGO doing the same just moves the problem a step down the ladder, and I don't think many will go for that kind of aftermarket pricing, especially for the GWP. Maybe someone who can pay $1K for the set can afford to pay another $200 for the TIE Fighter, but suckers like that are rare."
I don’t think I’m being greedy, just realistic. That GWP will be one of the most expensive of all time, I can assure you of that. The beach trooper will also be an extremely expensive minifigure, and there will be few on the market. You can say I’m greedy, but I believe that these prices will be legit. We’ll check back in October, though. I don’t think that those prices will be an overcharge. Then again, how can to quantify that? If they pay that price, that’s not my fault."
I will be shocked if the “worse than a 4+ TIE” becomes sought after. With no exclusive prints or minifigures, it has no standalone value, and anyone that needs it built and displayed can just Bricklink the pieces. But if I’m wrong, and you make a ton of money, then I’ll be happy for you!
While I’m largely indifferent towards the set, I -do- love all those little references to the games. Reading the section about the hanger I started thinking about how you could hide the minkit from the advent calendar in amongst the creates and hidey holes…and then a paragraph or so later one actually shows up!
Some of the stickers add an air of whimsy I wish was more present in the affordable sets from this theme. The Lego Star Wars games were a huge contributor to my budding interest in both Lego and Star Wars, and I still associate that sense of humor with both brands. I absolutely love the Stormtrooper height chart and hope Lego decides to inject some of that life into the rest of the theme going forward.
@ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
" @8BrickMario said:
" @Wallace_Brick_Designs said:
"Another great and thorough review!
I’ve voiced my opinions on this set some, but I think as I see more and more reviews, I’m liking it better. Will I ever get it? No, but that was also the same way with the other $800 Star Wars sets, even though Star Wars is one of my absolute favorite themes. I think if you ever were to get it, it should be day one for one reason only: you get the GWP, and then sell it for $200. This Death Star for $800 is a pretty great set. And I still think the value at $1000 is fair, I really do. But, there was still definitely room for improvement, and I’d have loved fewer figures if it meant better ones. Overall, I do like the direction of a Death Disk/Wheel/Slice that they chose. I think the back is quite funny, because that’s what all my best MOCs look like! All the Easter Eggs are pretty fun, and you can really feel that the Design team put a lot into this. The functions are great, and its leaps and bounds better than the previous Death Stars. So, a really cool et that could be a bit better. I’ll stick with getting five BDP sets for $1000!
Also, you could probably get this thing for $500 day one if you sold the GwP and the beach trooper. $500 for this is looking pretty great… maybe that’s an idea for me… that’s dangerous."
On the one hand, get your money's worth, but on the other hand, I think I would resent you for selling a minifigure and a GWP for such exorbitant prices. Justify it how you will, but the average view will be that you have become the greedy one. Becoming the overcharger to compensate for LEGO doing the same just moves the problem a step down the ladder, and I don't think many will go for that kind of aftermarket pricing, especially for the GWP. Maybe someone who can pay $1K for the set can afford to pay another $200 for the TIE Fighter, but suckers like that are rare."
I don’t think I’m being greedy, just realistic. That GWP will be one of the most expensive of all time, I can assure you of that. The beach trooper will also be an extremely expensive minifigure, and there will be few on the market. You can say I’m greedy, but I believe that these prices will be legit. We’ll check back in October, though. I don’t think that those prices will be an overcharge. Then again, how can to quantify that? If they pay that price, that’s not my fault."
I will be shocked if the “worse than a 4+ TIE” becomes sought after. With no exclusive prints or minifigures, it has no standalone value, and anyone that needs it built and displayed can just Bricklink the pieces. But if I’m wrong, and you make a ton of money, then I’ll be happy for you!"
Oh yeah, it’s a terrible set, and one that I may build just for fun. No, it’s the rarity that it would have. It’ll be out for a week… and I don’t think this set is going to get a lot of traction as a day one buy. I guess I wouldn’t be shocked about the GwP coming back (just as the Kamino trading facility did), but this will be a rare GwP, even if it’s a terrible one. We’ll see, maybe not, but I think it will be a very expensive one.
After reading and watching several reviews of this set I'm persuaded that it's actually a pretty good idea and a pretty fun set that's finished to a pretty high degree of quality, at least on the front. I'm also mostly persuaded that the value is there, comparatively speaking, when set alongside the UCS Millennium Falcon and the UCS AT-AT, although it's still notably overpriced compared with Lego in general. However, the corner cutting and bad choices on the minifigs are still big strikes against it, and the Moff Jerjerrod erasure is a crying shame.
- Unfinished back
- That isn't flat
- That has details and mechanisms that are only seen and operated from it
= You can't just set it against a wall and forget it
- $1000
- "Ultimate Collectors Series Death Star"
This isn't a UCS Death Star premium display model. It's a playset for billionaire nepo babies.
Brick Fanatics review I think was spot on. Whether you think the form factor is good or not, it’s a striking and imposing set, but at this price to include so many stickers, and a GWP that should be part of the set is indefensible.
Brickset would never acknowledge this but there are other brick building companies that provide great sets with higher brick counts and printed pieces all at hugely lower prices. I don’t mind stickers at all in a set like 40805 which is great value, but in a set of this magnitude and expense it’s an insult.
I understand making Galen Erson exclusive, but I do hope the 1x2 Death Star plans tile shows up elsewhere. It really should have been in the original run of Rogue One sets.
I also feel like they could have at least covered the back of this model in grey plates.
Recently, I started buying sets from another brand of compatible bricks, and there are no stickers, not even in the smaller sets. For a premium set costing €1000, printed pieces should be mandatory. But this is not an important aspect; it's just my personal preference.
In the last section of the review, the reference to 10188 does not link correctly.
Thank you for extensively going over the pros and cons. Ultimately any fan of Lego and Star Wars that doesn't have a Death Star AND has space for this set should consider this set as a fun experience for play and nostalgia.
I happened to get 10188 myself and have not yet built it. Maybe now is time for that set to become my Death Star experience.
@Alia_of_AGL said:
"- Unfinished back
- That isn't flat
- That has details and mechanisms that are only seen and operated from it
= You can't just set it against a wall and forget it
- $1000
- "Ultimate Collectors Series Death Star"
This isn't a UCS Death Star premium display model. It's a playset for billionaire nepo babies."
Agreed. But from TLG’s perspective see this article: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-clothing-retailers-test-full-price-strategy-rich-shoppers-keep-spending-2025-09-05/:~:text=According%20to%20Moody's%20Analytics%2C%20the,half%20of%20all%20consumer%20spending.
“According to Moody's Analytics, the richest 10% of Americans … now account for half of all consumer spending.“
You and I are likely not the company’s most valuable (literally) customers. Which stinks.
Lego scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think…if they should.
;)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel the AFOL community will frown upon those who even own this set, as if sects of the community will deem owning it as a badge of "I will buy whatever Lego makes at whatever price."
Genuinely baffling you bring up the problem with so many stickers in such a premium expensive set but it's not even listed as con, the lack of dual molded legs when they already made them before is also incredibly lazy. This review overall makes it look like the set has more positives, LEGO should be held to higher standards if they intend to milk whales.
For $1k, Lego needed to provide the best of every one of these figures. They've done that plenty of times before (such as Cloud City, Mos Eisley). They chose to go the cheepest, mediocre, boring route instead.
For $1k, Lego needed to produce something epic. They didn't. The stickers are everywhere. The back is unfinished. There's no sphere or half sphere. The sides are boring tiles. The inside is mostly an amalgamation of dioramas and sets that have been produced better elsewhere.
For $1k, they needed to give us an overwhelming plethora of reasons to spend the money. They didn't.
The GWP is a sad, 4+ joke. (credit Brickfanatics) Although, I must admit it's better than patches or a key chain.
Fans don't care or want to hear Lego's excuses for why this set is the new 'Assault on our Wallets.' Lego chose to make this set. Lego chose the price point. That they had to redesign a bunch of boring, redundant Lukes is due to choices they made.
I can't believe the LAN Captain is defending this slop which has been almost universally panned even by the LAN hacks. The analysis of value detail in this review is as overlooked and attenuated as the details on this model.
Boo! I expect better. We deserve better from Lego and BS. This will be a good purchase at $800. If it never reaches that point, it will never reach my home and I'm perfectly fine with that.
P.S. In retrospect, I'm quite pleased that the figs and GWP for this set are so redundant, cheap, and basic. It allows me to easily ignore this set. It's as if Lego wanted to send a big, obvious signal that this set is nothing to care or worry about.
Anyone who feels this is a fair value for $1k better get ready for more of this slop.
@legoDad42 said:
"Lego scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think…if they should.
;)"
Hold onto your butts!! (credit: BrothersBrick)
@ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @Alia_of_AGL said:
"- Unfinished back
- That isn't flat
- That has details and mechanisms that are only seen and operated from it
= You can't just set it against a wall and forget it
- $1000
- "Ultimate Collectors Series Death Star"
This isn't a UCS Death Star premium display model. It's a playset for billionaire nepo babies."
Agreed. But from TLG’s perspective see this article: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-clothing-retailers-test-full-price-strategy-rich-shoppers-keep-spending-2025-09-05/:~:text=According%20to%20Moody's%20Analytics%2C%20the,half%20of%20all%20consumer%20spending.
“According to Moody's Analytics, the richest 10% of Americans … now account for half of all consumer spending.“
You and I are likely not the company’s most valuable (literally) customers. Which stinks."
I really hate to tell you. But, if you own a lot of Lego, you are probably in the 10%.
@MegaBlocks said:
"It's too expensive, very underwhelming, disappointing GWP, so I'll probably buy it Day One."
So tomorrow we'll see you for extraction of one kidney?
@ForestMenOfEndor seen the prices for 40787 or 40698 ?
I don't understand either but people are paying the amount.
It better be able to actually destroy panets for the price.
Also, @ForestMenOfEndor the price for 40729 is crazy, too. By the way, this set is over triple what that one cost, plus it’s Star Wars. I’m not saying it makes sense, but I am saying that’s what the prices look like.
After the initial rumour for a $1,000 UCS Death Star I was excited for it. I only came back to collecting LEGO in 2021 so I'd missed the previous three versions (although two are identical so only two versions really). Some justify this "slice" version by saying there are previous versions if people want a complete sphere, but as those are retired that isn't a valid argument.
As soon as I saw the first images I was disappointed. It looks as if it should cost about £600, not £900. Having read the review I do appreciate what the designers have done far more, but still not enough to buy it. I'm fortunate to be able to afford all the large UCS sets (indeed it was the excellent AT-AT that lured me back to LEGO) so it isn't jealousy speaking. Much as I wanted a full sphere which opened up to show dioramas: Ep IV on one half and Ep VI on the other, I accept the hinging and stability of such a model may be too difficult. However, a full hemisphere so it looks like a Death Star from one side and then has dioramas on the other (similar to the model released but with an outer hemisphere on the back) would have been acceptable for the price.
It's worth mentioning that the piece count is so high simply because of the amount of small pieces, as with so many sets these days. People often quote "price per piece" and have a threshold of 10p as their benchmark. Just within the Star Wars range this is clearly ridiculous. If we look at the first 13 sets released in 1999, the ppp ranges from 7p to 10p. Those early sets used "proper bricks" (2x4 bricks, 4x6 plates, etc,) so LEGO have maintained the ppp for blinkered collectors for 25 years by using multiple pieces where one would suffice (an oversimplification but the principle is indisputable).
The GWP is also awful. As so many have mentioned, they have literally taken a part of the set out and claim it is now a gift. A set of this size should have a GWP worth at least £50, or multiple GWPs. Others have claimed GWPs are wrong. I'm not sure why as such incentives are vital for many. Certainly I will never buy a set from LEGO unless it qualifies for at least one GWP, and is preferably in a double points event.
When rumoured I had every intention to buy, but this is not even close to what I expected or wanted. The situation with the GWP, the stickers, the minifigures (I'm not particularly bothered by them normally but even I expected better than this), the horrible unfinished back, etc. make this a disappointment on so many levels. This should have been Star Wars' Rivendell, not their Hulkbuster.
Thank you for the fair review that doesn't lambast this set for being different. I also prefer this set over the previous Death Stars. I own the 2008 Death Star, and, as much as I love it, I can't ignore the challenges I have displaying it. This new set avoids those issues and appears to make generally good use of the available space. I also think the price is reasonably fair for the set's size/piece count, but I don't love it enough to want to spend that much money on it.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @Alia_of_AGL said:
"- Unfinished back
- That isn't flat
- That has details and mechanisms that are only seen and operated from it
= You can't just set it against a wall and forget it
- $1000
- "Ultimate Collectors Series Death Star"
This isn't a UCS Death Star premium display model. It's a playset for billionaire nepo babies."
Agreed. But from TLG’s perspective see this article: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-clothing-retailers-test-full-price-strategy-rich-shoppers-keep-spending-2025-09-05/:~:text=According%20to%20Moody's%20Analytics%2C%20the,half%20of%20all%20consumer%20spending.
“According to Moody's Analytics, the richest 10% of Americans … now account for half of all consumer spending.“
You and I are likely not the company’s most valuable (literally) customers. Which stinks."
I really hate to tell you. But, if you own a lot of Lego, you are probably in the 10%."
Apparently, the threshold for that ten percent is $250k/year (as an individual). Public interest attorney (me) and newspaper editor (mrs.) are jobs that sounded cool in the ‘90s but aren’t sniffing $250k/year. I haven’t moaned about it much, but my LEGO buying habits have cratered in the last year. Things finally became too expensive. Too many (desirable) sets at increasing price points and no more clearance sales at Target. Oh well. 2016-2024 was great while it lasted!
For a grand you should not have to mess with stickers.
For shame Lego, for shame.
Great review. It does not surprise me that someone who has actually built the set has reacted so positively. I always felt that to truly appreciate this set you will need to actually see it.
It’s particularly pleasing that you haven’t listed the number of stickers as a con. Rather noting the high number but accepting the specific nature of so many of them makes it understandable.
Also accepting the price as okay is a pleasing development for a Star Wars set.
And from a purely petty angle it’s great that it has triggered so many of the haters.
I thought my only venture into £500+ sets would be the Millennium Falcon and that still remains the likely outcome but the fact you can fit 75375 into the hanger does leave a tiny thought that I may do some financial juggling.
It's interesting to me, the number of Easter Eggs. It makes me feel like this build is hoping to grab purchasers because of nostalgia (most notably the LEGO video games). I don't think my 2010 Death Star relies on that at all, and I'm much happier having an orb. One day, my kids will be able to play with it rather than it just sitting high up on a shelf like a display piece
First off, I think this is an excellent review - thorough, detailed, and fair.
Second, the overall AFOL reaction to this set - not just here but also on YouTube and social media - has been a vivid reminder of how very glad I am that my love of Lego is not centered on Lego Star Wars. From the perspective of a non-SW Lego enthusiast, Lego SW fan culture just seems so angry and miserable.
Finally, people want what they want, prefer what they prefer, and have every right to feel how they feel. I get that - and that's totally valid of course. With that said, $1000 is a lot of money... and it's a set with over 9000 parts and 38 minifigures. Everyone knows that IP licensed sets generally cost about 13c per part. This one is 11c per part - which for this set translates to a price difference of about $175. Something had to give, and clearly stickers instead of prints for many of the details is one of the main things. The UCS Millennium Falcon is the same price per part, includes stickers, and comes with fewer than 1/4 the number of minifigures that this set comes with. I get that the overall concept or approach here is not what a lot of people wanted. But I have to question whether a giant 20 kilo/45 pound ball of light bluish gray panels and hinges would really be satisfying or feasible. Consider how impossible it would be to make it stable. How impossible for most people it would be to display. How repetitive and horrid the building experience would be. How many people would - as the designer noted in the interview recently posted here - simply have to take off and store the panels in order to be able to display it so they could look at the actual minifigures, rooms, and scenes. If you're disappointed in the concept, don't buy it, and you have my sympathy. But maybe take an extra few minutes to reflect and get some perspective.
Pah. £899.99... Cheap as chips!
When a Lego set reaches 1000 of the King's pounds will be the time to worry!
@tmtomh said:
"Second, the overall AFOL reaction to this set - not just here but also on YouTube and social media - has been a vivid reminder of how very glad I am that my love of Lego is not centered on Lego Star Wars. From the perspective of a non-SW Lego enthusiast, Lego SW fan culture just seems so angry and miserable."
The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but, on the contrary, that it was impossible to avoid joining in. Within thirty seconds any pretence was always unnecessary. A hideous ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness, a desire to kill, to torture, to smash faces in with a sledge-hammer, seemed to flow through the whole group of people like an electric current, turning one even against one's will into a grimacing, screaming lunatic. And yet the rage that one felt was an abstract, undirected emotion which could be switched from one object to another like the flame of a blowlamp.
Just nah. Details here, references there, all up to the usual standard. Usual figs. Massive sticker sheet.
It's just so,,. mediocre, in all the important attributes.
Which, imo, is inexcusably given the price tag. Think about it. $1000, for a Lego set. A "collector, premium toy" that cuts corners, gives something different than what people wanted, and yet still asks for a thousand dollars.
It doesn't make sense. Honestly, all these absurdly high priced UCS sets don't make sense. The things you could buy with $600-$1000 and yet builds like these demand those prices while sometimes not even meeting their own expectations, much less value.
Though, the saddest and most frustrating part to me is the reason these massive monstrosities exist in the first place.
There is a market for this stuff, Lego sees that, and it will capitalize on that. In doing so, it's also massively shifted from a toy meant to be enjoyed by all ages to a premium luxury item that children cannot even imagine acquiring. Because the massive price tags just pull in so much profit.
I'm not sure if I'm adequately explaining myself, but it just feels insane to me that a toy meant for all ages is being releasing kits so far beyond the reach of the majority that would enjoy it, because the few that can provide the capital to make it lucrative.
Some set lines remain primarily focused around play (like my fav, Minecraft), and no, sets for adults aren't fundamentally a bad thing.
What I do consider harmful is how many of these multi-hundreds of dollar monsters are pumped out each year to massive success and how the increasingly toxic communities primarily focused on seeing Lego as either an investment or something only to be displayed make so many excuses for Lego + give them positive feedback to incentivize doing this (Lego Star Wars is honestly far and away the worst culprit of this, it's so annoying to me).
Maybe this will change, maybe not, especially with how things just keep getting more expensive, not just Lego. But I hope the core of what Lego is is remembered instead of forgotten to make $1000 sets seem not as bad as they are.
@ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @ForestMenOfEndor said:
" @Alia_of_AGL said:
"- Unfinished back
- That isn't flat
- That has details and mechanisms that are only seen and operated from it
= You can't just set it against a wall and forget it
- $1000
- "Ultimate Collectors Series Death Star"
This isn't a UCS Death Star premium display model. It's a playset for billionaire nepo babies."
Agreed. But from TLG’s perspective see this article: https://www.reuters.com/business/us-clothing-retailers-test-full-price-strategy-rich-shoppers-keep-spending-2025-09-05/ :~:text=According%20to%20Moody's%20Analytics%2C%20the,half%20of%20all%20consumer%20spending.
“According to Moody's Analytics, the richest 10% of Americans … now account for half of all consumer spending.“
You and I are likely not the company’s most valuable (literally) customers. Which stinks."
I really hate to tell you. But, if you own a lot of Lego, you are probably in the 10%."
Apparently, the threshold for that ten percent is $250k/year (as an individual). Public interest attorney (me) and newspaper editor (mrs.) are jobs that sounded cool in the ‘90s but aren’t sniffing $250k/year. I haven’t moaned about it much, but my LEGO buying habits have cratered in the last year. Things finally became too expensive. Too many (desirable) sets at increasing price points and no more clearance sales at Target. Oh well. 2016-2024 was great while it lasted!"
Don't forget the appreciation on your investments, home, etc. You'd probably be surprised.
Nevertheless, I completely understand your feelings. I haven't been buying as much either. There's more things to do especially after sending my kid away for college.
The blatant greed of Lego and cheapness of their designs has really made things a lot less fun... a lot less justifiable. To wit.
If the world had more PI lawyers and newspaper editors it would be a merrier [and much more intelligent] place. ;)
I am glad that I am neither a completionist nor the biggest Star Wars fan in the world, and that I already have the previous UCS Death Star, even though that was just a remake of the earlier one.
This new one might look impressive on the whole, but it is lacking in so many ways imho that I would never dream of buying it.
If that's meant to represent Octan, why are the stripes reversed?
After watching and reading a lot of reviews of this set I have come to the conclusion that I might as well hold on until I have seen a few reviews from people who have actually had to pay for this set of their own money.
Although I trust the integrity of the Captain and a few others who have reviewed this set having received it for free I feel, especially in the case of such an expensive and controversial set, that actually having to pony up the dough for this thing is an essential factor in judging its value for most of us.
For a "normal" set costing an amount of money that many of us can use more or less on a whim the impartiality that comes with having purchased the set yourself might not mean as much, but the more expensive something gets I think the price factor becomes more and more important. Never has this factor meant more to me than in the case of this set.
A truly impressive display.
Definitely would command a corner of the room BUT, you can see, at night, without light on each level, it'll look dull with all that black. Shadows everywhere.
PRO's
- Incredible presence on display.
- Highly detailed (love the internal design of the Superlaser) .
- Huge selection of minifigs and exclusive figs.
- Enjoyable functions (elevator, trash compactor, working doors, etc.).
- Lots of fun Easter eggs (SW video game coins and mini-kit, Death Star reactor and port, Octan tank, Stormtrooper height scale, etc.)
- Great design and graphics throughout.
- Removable sections/dioramas for more play.
- Hidden fun areas.
- Overall even though a huge display, is a huge playset!
- Sturdy.
- Mini Imperial Shuttle (holds two figs).
- Fits Midi-scaled Falcon well.
- Greebling on the edges.
CON's...
- Design choice. It's a SHELF! A old round curio cabinet styled shelf.
- Massive sticker sheet (Nice designs and graphics, colors though).
For the top of the line Lego premium set MUST HAVE all prints.
- The TIE Fighter, figures and extras from the Gw/P should've been part of the original set.
NOT an extra at the initial hyped purchase time that many will miss out buying this set down the road. Shameful.
- All officer mini-figures should have boots.
- Awful backside. Yes, it would increase price but the backside, even though flat, should've been a death star landscape design (even gray color, with dark grey and greebling throughout, plus a couple of micro TIE fighters and Star Destroyers to pepper about).
- Free Poster with purchase. NOT to use 5000 ViP points (about $35usd?). Shameful.
- Poster design bad (should be either the schematic from the inner lid of the Death Star or the Erso/Tarkin illustration).
@8BrickMario said:
" @Albus said:
"Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)"
I expect that is an upcoming second post, though it might have worked better coming first."
Weird because they typically title it as "part 1" or something
@CapnRex101 can you comment?
@StyleCounselor said:
I really hate to tell you. But, if you own a lot of Lego, you are probably in the 10%.]]
Yes and no. I've been at this collection for 36 years. It's only natural that in that time I would have bought and maybe paid for a house as well as a Lego collection among other things. Over time it would be expected that my overall net worth would increase. I wasn't a millionaire when I started, that's a fact. I still won't buy this set, there's no perceived value in it for me.
It would be great that TLG made set as half of Death Star, half of sphere, so with 2 sets you could have whole Death Star
I’m thinking Lego will end up selling a lot of these… looks like a great set to build with your kids over a series of weeks. …If you can get this without paying shipping… Wowzer! I’m in!
Great review as always!
At that price, however, there should be no negatives...
...other than price.
Even if I had the space, I wouldn't be getting this, but I do like a lot of the details, especially the Easter eggs. (Minikit FTW!) I also like the fact that you can display 75375 in the hangar bay instead of the shuttle, should you so choose.
@Albus said:
"Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)"
First line under the summary box: "This article focuses on the model, with more coverage of the minifigures coming soon."
@yellowcastle said:"Good review, keeps the set on my “maybe one day” list. Thanks @CapnRex101. But there should have been a note about the likely forthcoming minifig review."
As I pointed out, there was.
@Alia_of_AGL said:"- Unfinished back
- That isn't flat
- That has details and mechanisms that are only seen and operated from it
= You can't just set it against a wall and forget it
- $1000
- "Ultimate Collectors Series Death Star"
This isn't a UCS Death Star premium display model. It's a playset for billionaire nepo babies."
Yes because only such people can afford a thousand-dollar set. It's expensive, certainly, but it's not a Ferrari or something!
@MisterBrickster said:" @tmtomh said:"Second, the overall AFOL reaction to this set - not just here but also on YouTube and social media - has been a vivid reminder of how very glad I am that my love of Lego is not centered on Lego Star Wars. From the perspective of a non-SW Lego enthusiast, Lego SW fan culture just seems so angry and miserable."
The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but, on the contrary, that it was impossible to avoid joining in. Within thirty seconds any pretence was always unnecessary. A hideous ecstasy of fear and vindictiveness, a desire to kill, to torture, to smash faces in with a sledge-hammer, seemed to flow through the whole group of people like an electric current, turning one even against one's will into a grimacing, screaming lunatic. And yet the rage that one felt was an abstract, undirected emotion which could be switched from one object to another like the flame of a blowlamp."
"I understood that reference."
@Albus said:
" @8BrickMario said:
" @Albus said:
"Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)"
I expect that is an upcoming second post, though it might have worked better coming first."
Weird because they typically title it as "part 1" or something
@CapnRex101 can you comment?"
There will be a separate article about the minifigures. I would normally publish that first, as @8BrickMario mentioned, but I decided the model was the priority on this occasion.
@TheOtherMike said:
"Even if I had the space, I wouldn't be getting this, but I do like a lot of the details, especially the Easter eggs. (Minikit FTW!) I also like the fact that you can display 75375 in the hangar bay instead of the shuttle, should you so choose.
@Albus said:
"Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)"
First line under the summary box: "This article focuses on the model, with more coverage of the minifigures"
Thanks, I somehow missed that!
@Albus said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
"Even if I had the space, I wouldn't be getting this, but I do like a lot of the details, especially the Easter eggs. (Minikit FTW!) I also like the fact that you can display 75375 in the hangar bay instead of the shuttle, should you so choose.
@Albus said:
"Is this missing a minifig review section? You didn't really go over them in detail
(I understand it's already a long article!)"
First line under the summary box: "This article focuses on the model, with more coverage of the minifigures"
Thanks, I somehow missed that!"
I clearly missed it as well. Doh.
Good review as always, after reading it I'm more favourably disposed towards the design decision to do a "slice" rather than another "sphere", much as I'd personally rather have the latter. Certainly the Lego designers did a great job once that decision had been made.
The problem comes back to cost cutting - when Rivendell (for example) launched there were people saying it was too expensive, or people who just weren't interested, but I don't remember so many specific complaints about stuff missing or cut to save money. Same with the Lion Knights Castle.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again here, it's not a great approach to launch your latest flagship halo product to an extremely demanding segment of your customer base and then try to save pennies on production by, say not including a removeable wall made of cheap pieces in front of the trash compactor, never mind including dual molded legs from other cheaper sets.
@StyleCounselor said:
" For $1k, Lego needed to provide the best of every one of these figures. They've done that plenty of times before (such as Cloud City, Mos Eisley). They chose to go the cheepest, mediocre, boring route instead.
For $1k, Lego needed to produce something epic. They didn't. The stickers are everywhere. The back is unfinished. There's no sphere or half sphere. The sides are boring tiles. The inside is mostly an amalgamation of dioramas and sets that have been produced better elsewhere.
For $1k, they needed to give us an overwhelming plethora of reasons to spend the money. They didn't.
The GWP is a sad, 4+ joke. (credit Brickfanatics) Although, I must admit it's better than patches or a key chain.
Fans don't care or want to hear Lego's excuses for why this set is the new 'Assault on our Wallets.' Lego chose to make this set. Lego chose the price point. That they had to redesign a bunch of boring, redundant Lukes is due to choices they made.
I can't believe the LAN Captain is defending this slop which has been almost universally panned even by the LAN hacks. The analysis of value detail in this review is as overlooked and attenuated as the details on this model.
Boo! I expect better. We deserve better from Lego and BS. This will be a good purchase at $800. If it never reaches that point, it will never reach my home and I'm perfectly fine with that.
P.S. In retrospect, I'm quite pleased that the figs and GWP for this set are so redundant, cheap, and basic. It allows me to easily ignore this set. It's as if Lego wanted to send a big, obvious signal that this set is nothing to care or worry about.
Anyone who feels this is a fair value for $1k better get ready for more of this slop."
I can’t really disagree with any of these points including a likelihood of buying if ever reduced 20%.
Conceptually, I was on board. It’s simply the execution where they lose me.
Greebling the back side as a micro trench run, heck doing anything with the back, not skimping on the minifigs, adding a removable cover, (which would be so peak…lol…did use that right?) offering a Shackleton GWP, using more prints, etc all would have made this more palatable at $1k. And this comes from someone who adored the Kenner Death Slice 40+ years ago.