Review: 75394 Imperial Star Destroyer
Posted by CapnRex101,
75055 Imperial Star Destroyer was released in 2014 and 75394 Imperial Star Destroyer bears an unexpected resemblance to its predecessor, considering the ten-year gap between the two sets. However, the older model was superb, so maybe those similarities are welcome.
In addition, the new Star Destroyer appears to refine features of the old, as the carrying handle and triggers for spring-loaded shooters are better hidden, while the interior appears more detailed. There is also a surprising number of unique minifigures, with Cal Kestis the inevitable standout among them.
Summary
75394 Imperial Star Destroyer, 1,555 pieces.
£149.99 / $159.99 / €169.99 | 9.6p / 10.3c / 10.9c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While very familiar to seasoned LEGO Star Wars fans, this is an enjoyable set
- Impressive exterior
- Appealing functions
- Fantastic interior, on the whole
- Retains the best features of its predecessor
- Limited innovation since 2014
- Mediocre minifigure selection
- Quite expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The same Darth Vader minifigure has appeared in many recent sets and understandably so, as this version of the Sith Lord is outstanding. The buttons on the chest control panel and belt look perfect and the metallic silver shoulder armour corresponds with Vader's appearance onscreen, continuing onto the arms. The arms are also decorated with silver stripes to complement details on the torso and legs.
In addition, the two-piece helmet looks excellent. These elements were introduced with 75093 Death Star Final Duel and have remained in use ever since, featuring great moulded detail. As normal, the neck brace separates when the helmet is removed and Darth Vader's scared face is found underneath.
The villain's angry expression looks fittingly menacing and I like the scarring on the back of the head too. Of course, the minifigure comes equipped with a red lightsaber, as always.
I am always pleased when less prominent Star Wars characters are released in minifigure form and Commander Praji certainly fits the bill, as one of the officers to accompany Vader aboard the Tantive IV. The commander features a new torso with an accurate rank indicator and code cylinders, but the generic head is disappointing. Having appeared in forty sets, this part should really be limited to unnamed troopers.
A new head has been produced for the Imperial Crew Member, however. The printed headset matches these Imperial personnel onscreen and the rest of the uniform looks splendid as well. Re-using the parts from 75252 Imperial Star Destroyer would have been fine, but the updated designs are equally detailed, other than the expected lack of printed arms.
Similarly, the Imperial Navy Trooper has been revised since its previous appearance in 75159 Death Star. The torso decoration looks perfect, including the correct number of silver buckles across the belt this time, while the moulded detail on the helmet remains impressive and the exclusive warm tan head is welcome.
I was initially surprised that the Imperial Gunner has also received a new torso and legs, but the minifigure has not been available for a few years. Once again, the printing looks great and corresponds with the characters in the Original Trilogy, as does the helmet. While this piece has a new number, it seems identical to the gunner's helmet in 75246 Death Star Cannon.
A lone Stormtrooper completes the Star Destroyer's crew. Another would have been good, or maybe an additional grey-suited bridge crew member, but at least Stormtroopers are gradually becoming more readily available for army building. As usual, the armour looks superb and I like the varied heads beneath the troopers' helmets, especially since the navy trooper features two expressions.
LEGO has an inconsistent relationship with Star Wars video games, only developing sets for them occasionally. Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor have received little coverage to date, but the games' popular protagonist, Cal Kestis, finally makes his minifigure debut here. Much though I would love to see full sets inspired by the games, this is a fantastic choice for a 25th anniversary figure.
Cal is dressed in his rugged Bracca scrapper garb from the 2019 game. The leather vest with padding underneath looks lovely and detail continues on the back, accurately including a flask and a row of tiny capsules. The dark orange hair element and double-sided head are perfect as well, with scarring on either face to match the video games.
The accessories are underwhelming though. Cal's lightsaber was a necessity, but he should have come with BD-1 too. Instead, the delightful explorer droid remains exclusive to the now-retired 75335 BD-1. Additionally, Cal should come with a fabric poncho, given their prevalence throughout Jedi: Fallen Order. Qui-Gon Jinn has worn one recently, so it can be done.
The Completed Model
Cal Kestis comes with a printed display base, matching the other 25th anniversary minifigures. The shiny anniversary logo is attractive and I appreciate the shared design between this stand and similar ones produced for the 20th anniversary range in 2019.
75394 Imperial Star Destroyer is the latest in a long-running series of Star Wars capital ship playsets, which started with 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer in 2006. However, this model is far more similar to 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer, released in 2014, given its accurate proportions and length of 46cm. The prior design was only slightly longer, at 50cm, but the functions and overall construction are near-identical between the pair.
Unfortunately, I do not have ready access to the 2014 model for a direct comparison, but the main difference between them is the detailing on the hull. Instead of occasional areas of dark bluish grey, this vessel consists almost entirely of light bluish grey parts, but includes a greater mix of textures, similar to the massive 75252 Imperial Star Destroyer.
Though the surface can look bland under certain light conditions, it usually features some nice shadows, so the texture is easily visible. The cutouts along the sides of the Star Destroyer are suitably positioned and the turbolaser turrets also look excellent. Ideally, they would be further separated from the layered crew decks, but integrating them closely does have its advantages.
Moving tabs on the back of the deck structure causes the turrets to swing back and forth, just like the previous model. This is an outstanding feature and the mechanism is hidden relatively well, although the turbolasers' placement seems to interrupt the crew decks, which looks rather awkward. 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer avoided this problem by narrowing the decks a little.
While that could be improved, the texture here is exceptional. I like the trans-clear 1x1 round plates denoting windows and a pair of spring-loaded shooters are integrated nicely, activated from behind by pressing Technic buttons. Furthermore, the gap between the two halves of this layered assembly is remarkably subtle.
The designer has still managed to include a carrying handle though, hidden beneath a pair of opening panels on this occasion. These panels are seamlessly integrated, while the handle is ideally positioned for balance. Admittedly, this model can be held comfortably from underneath, so a carrying handle was arguably unnecessary, but its presence certainly does no harm.
I adore the functional command bridge on 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer, but adding an interior affected its proportions. On that basis, prioritising the bridge's appearance was probably wise and the detail continues to impress. The communications array and shield projectors are both located on top, while the bridge viewports are highlighted with a sticker. I wish this 1x4 tile was printed though, avoiding the need for any external stickers.
Even the command tower docking tubes can be found on the back, represented by 1x1 round plates with hollow studs. However, the hull behind the command tower comprises large 1x6x5 slopes, which are notably lacking in texture. Stickers were an option, but brick-built mechanical details would have been ideal, of course.
The texture along the spine of the Star Destroyer is effective though, while opening this panel uncovers storage for spare trans-bright green missiles. Once again, exactly the same function earlier appeared on 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer, but this is a useful addition and one suitably hidden, much like the handle.
Nevertheless, there are areas of improvement between the previous Star Destroyer and this design. The engines are accurately arranged and attached using Technic elements, as usual, but those Technic parts are disguised reasonably well and the surrounding armour looks better than ever. I particularly like the 2x4 tiles framing the engines.
The model opens in exactly the same way as its ten-year-old precursor, first by removing the crew decks and then unfolding the side panels. This configuration allows easy interior access and the whole structure feels strong, unlike the infamously fragile panels on 6211 Imperial Star Destroyer. The undersides of the side panels could be neater, however.
Like in 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer and 75190 First Order Star Destroyer before, the bridge occupies the narrow space towards the prow. The raised walkway between the crew pits looks good and I like the stickered consoles, beside a few printed tiles. Also, there is enough room for as many as four minifigures to sit in the crew pits, with the hull panels closed over the top.
However, I would prefer a stronger colour contrast between those panels and the interior, as everything blends together in a mix of greys. The interior of 75190 First Order Star Destroyer remains the gold standard in that regard, being predominantly black inside. That would not be possible here because Imperial bridges are grey, but maybe the Technic bricks on either side could have been black, serving as defined borders.
The area behind the bridge is more spacious, but the unsightly colours continue, such as blue Technic pins and yellow axles. Much of the Technic core is covered though, encased in a grey box, with a desk attached on one side. I like to imagine this is Darth Vader's office, so keep his lightsaber on the available clip.
Several stickers are applied to 2x6 tiles along the walls, mostly featuring generic controls. This one opposite the desk is special though, as shots of C-3PO and R2-D2 are shown on a screen. Appropriately, the red Aurebesh text identifies them 'the droids we're looking for', which is a nice Easter egg!
More consoles and screens are located at the back of the room, also decorated with stickers. The holographic displays stand out in particular, noting the Star Destroyer's primary weapons and engine systems on this side of the central partition. A couple of crates are supplied as well, making full use of the available space.
Some printed thermal detonators and a pair of macrobinoculars are stored inside these crates, ready to scour Tatooine for the missing droids. Moreover, the smaller box is decorated with the Imperial emblem and the word 'cargo' on the side. This piece has appeared a few times already and I am pleased to see it again.
The second holographic screen shows information about TIE Fighters. Both can be detached with ease and repositioned however you choose, but placing them at the back maximises the room for minifigures to stand. Though I would always welcome more detail, enough space for play is paramount.
Another hologram is cleverly constructed around a Technic weapon barrel, with trans-red and trans-light blue elements depicting Rebel and Imperial forces on top. A small diamond-shaped piece forms a perfect Star Destroyer, while the 1x2 plate is presumably a Mon Calamari cruiser. Both starships are angled and perhaps attempting a Marg Sabl manoeuvre, which would be ill-advised for the Empire, given the Rebels' usual starfighter superiority.
A medical bay completes the interior, identifiable by a syringe clipped to the wall and a stored bacta tank. The designer could probably have added more details here, with a bed or medical droid, but maybe keeping the area generic was sensible. Otherwise, a tiny mouse droid can be spotted against the wall, while two blaster rifles are stored beneath the Technic partition.
Overall
I was initially underwhelmed when 75394 Imperial Star Destroyer was announced. This model seems very similar to 75055 Imperial Star Destroyer, which could be considered disappointing given the age of that set. However, retaining the best features of the previous design is no bad thing and there are plenty of improvements too, far more than I expected.
The exterior has been tidied up since 2014, relying more significantly on accurate texture than patches of colour for detail. Similarly, the interior is better furnished, but 75190 First Order Star Destroyer remains superior inside. Moreover, the minifigures could be improved and the price of £149.99, £159.99 or €169.99 feels expensive to me, but once discounted, I would recommend the new Star Destroyer.
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54 comments on this article
Putting Cal in here…it hurts. Love the minifigure just really wish it was in a cheaper set. Great review.
"Bup-bup-bup-bup! Don't stand there and quote Imperial regulations to me! I was head of the committee to review the recommendation to change the color of the book that the regulation that Star Destroyers must be gray is IN!. We kept it gray."
Ow, my wallet, just to get a Cal figure. Will monitor for a sale.
I'd want Cal, but I know he won't be cheap. The set looks good overall, but I don't need it.
Oh, yeah, another boring gray arrow for an insane amount of money. Just for the price of three 60420 excavators.
This set might be peak LEGO Star Wars:
- Hyper-requested figure unrelated to the set at hand? Check.
- Very gray? Check.
- Very expensive? Check.
- Ship that's been done several times before? Check.
- "Upgrades" that are generally superficial? Check.
They really got that forward lean of the bridge and the spine.
The 2014 model is definitely worse interior-wise. The back is nearly entirely empty in comparison, if it weren't bigger and didn't include the hologram emperor trophy it would not be memorable in the slightest aside from the figure selection.
The First Order Star Destroyer is not really comparable being a different faction and ship entirely and even then the black and tan pieces in the underside of the hull make it look the busiest of the 3 mentioned Star Destroyers. If anything, aside from the area being an incredibly scaled down facsimile of what it wants to be, Legos refusal to use colors for smaller Technic pieces that blend in better with the structures creates a slight feeling of visual nausea.
Definitely an upgrade while a fusion of 2014 size and 2024 detailing would probably be the best playscale version.
@blogzilly said:
"Putting Cal in here…it hurts. Love the minifigure just really wish it was in a cheaper set. Great review."
It's still a far better situation than Malak in an R2-D2.
dunno what's with all the hate for the set, but in this country, the set's $170 or so equivalent; I was lucky to get it for $160 (USA price). It's pretty impressive personally, always wanting to own the 2014, this is still great nonetheless. I was able to fit at least 15-16 figs with space for 2 more :))
I dunno maybe I'm entirely biased but I'm only buying one set this year and this had to be it.
I'll be getting this when it's 20% off.
Hhhnnngggg need the Ian Gallagher minifigure bad.
I never ended up getting the First Order Star Destroyer but just looked at the interior and found it quite impressive (minus the off color plates).
This squat ISD was a 100% NO from me at initial unveiling, both because I have 6211 and because it's simply way too small to properly convey the might and terror. But, the review has showcased some real positives for me including the minifigures and internal decor, though in such a limited space. It's probably still a NO, but it's no longer a 100% NO.
First i thought lets leave this one for what it is, which is now turned into a lets buy :p thanks!
I never got me a star destroyer but i am tempted to get one now. I don’t care for Cal. Don’t even know him. I just like the ship and never got one.
I never noticed " the droids we're looking for" Easter egg until now! Very clever!
Will pick up on discount eventually to flank my UCS one on display as a forced perspective kind of deal.
If that's supposed to be Vader's office, some might ask what the mug's there for. But the answer is obvious: he always drinks coffee while he watches radar. Everyone knows that!
Compared to the First Order Star Destroyer, I found this interior to be underwhelming. The reviewer makes a good point with the lack of contrast compared to that other set, but the sparseness is my biggest gripe.
Definite pick up for me! I love all the details included. And the ISD is one of my favourite vehicles from Star Wars, so I'm very excited for this.
If the first order one is superior perhaps a picture for comparison is needed
BD should have arrived with the Cal Kestis. There should also been one more Trooper there. It is a small ship, it can at least serve to give the impression this ships is far away in your fleet formation.
I can just imagine Vader sitting at his office desk, kicking up his heels and wondering when he's going to receive the latest TPS reports he had asked for. Force choke incoming......
Yeah, I’m happy I got the first order star destroyer when I did. I think that set makes far better use of the interior space in comparison to this one, which feels bland and unfinished in comparison. The holographic tactical display is excellent, though: very inventive use of parts.
Hot take…06 Star Destroyer is still the best fig scale star destroyer
@Adrianucho said:
"Oh, yeah, another boring gray arrow for an insane amount of money. Just for the price of three 60420 excavators."
"It's treason then"
*Lightsaber ignites*
@mcdettlaff said:
"Hot take…06 Star Destroyer is still the best fig scale star destroyer "
It's the biggest, but also the ugliest.
I want it as I don’t have a Star Destroyer in my collection and I want Cal. But AU$299.99 here is absolute daylight robbery for this. And a Lego exclusive….:/
While I do love my big grey space triangles, I also like them being significantly different from each other if I’m going to buy them, and since I already have 75055 this one might have to be a pass
"Quite expensive" must be a must for any LEGO Star Wars! No reason to give in to FOMO, I'm sure I will be able to snag it with at least a 30% discount some time next year.
Chris Pratt, Captain america? No this is Cal Kestis.
Marg Sabl works fine with Thrawn in command.
Every time one of these comes out I update my copy of 6211 - there’s always something interesting that’s been updated - guns and engines this time!
I recently got rid of my 6211 and haven’t looked back. Size is nice but the thing is so fragile and the play functions are barely functional. This one looks much cleaner and nicer, albeit very expensive.
@chief7575 said:
"I can just imagine Vader sitting at his office desk, kicking up his heels and wondering when he's going to receive the latest TPS reports he had asked for. Force choke incoming......"
*broken neck / dead body hitting the floor noise*
"Apology accepted, Commander" - Darth Vader
ISD and AT-AT are my two favourite vehicles of the SW universe and it so happens that I adore "boring grey" ! As soon as the discounts hit, I'll get this.
I also really enjoyed both Star Wars Jedi and am looking forward to the next one, so even though Minifigs are nice to have, rather than the must have of a set for me, Cal is a welcome addition.
However, I personally would've wanted a pink poncho, any other colour would have been just wrong (and I can kind of understand the lack of poncho, as it became a meme after the first game and the pink was divisive).
BD-1 should absolutely have been included.
where poncho!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm glad to see Cal's two major flaws mentioned. Additionally, I think his hair should have been 25972 in dark orange.
It’s a nice looking set but due to the high price and unspectacular minifig selection, I might never get it. It’s biggest failure is elsewhere, though: the Empire receives a supreme treatment from Lego in the past years: great AT-ATs, nice AT-ST and Tie Bomber (all no stickers), TIE Interceptors (the little one is amazing), even the Battlepacks (Hoth) and Displays (Death Star, Endor) are on the Dark Side. They might be selling a lot better but as an avid Rebel ships fan, I feel a bit left alone with the 4+ Yavin set, which will not sell as well and prove again Empire sets are selling better : (
Yeah, well, turns out I'm not too big of a fan of the downsizing and overgreebling of modern Star Wars sets. When I heard this came out I rebuilt 75055 and I'm quite happy with it. Luckily I don't care about the anniversary fig, so no need to get this one.
Nothing will ever beat 6211 - especially its minifig selection.
Ah, the Marg Sabl! Thrawn would approve.
Mmmm, another gray capital ship. I don't like or want it, but as long as Star Wars is a thing Star Destroyers will remain popular, so it makes sense to make new ones.
I don't get the "it's already been done" argument. kids who got the last one upon release have probably graduated by now. It was about time a new one was made! There's a whole new generation of fans who will be interested in this for.
I got it I like it. It looks good even though the proportion are somewhat off.
@eiffel006 said:
"I don't get the "it's already been done" argument. kids who got the last one upon release have probably graduated by now. It was about time a new one was made! There's a whole new generation of fans who will be interested in this for.
I got it I like it. It looks good even though the proportion are somewhat off. "
Even as an adult builder, I haven't necessarily had the money to spend when other versions have been on shelves, so it's nice to have a new option. I'm very tempted to get it.
It's a nice option for those who didn't get other Star Destroyer play sets before they retired.
As someone who already owns the First Order Star Destroyer, the building experience seems exactly the same and actually superior in regard to the older set's interior.
no set over 100€ should have fewer than 10 minifigures. Nahdonnis Praji and quasi-Nova Stihl are kinda neat figures but the rest is forgettable and the ISD doesn't even look that good.
@WemWem said:
"This set might be peak LEGO Star Wars:
- Hyper-requested figure unrelated to the set at hand? Check.
- Very gray? Check.
- Very expensive? Check.
- Ship that's been done several times before? Check.
- "Upgrades" that are generally superficial? Check."
In all seriousness,
This comment is a peak Brickset comment!
Well done!
:)
CapnRex - great review as always!
You do make a couple of funny / interesting comments at the start ….
1) “bears an unexpected resemblance to its predecessor” …..
That’s kind of the point! They are both grey triangles of a famously grey triangle spaceship, with few defining features other than the command bridge!
Not sure how you expected it to NOT have a resemblance!?
2) “mediocre minifigures” ….
yet you pretty much praised all seven of them for various reasons in your detailed analysis of the figs!
Hmmmm…..
It feels like each playscale Star Destroyer the interior becomes more and more disapointing. Accuracy be damned, for playability the 2006 one still seems the best.
This one atleast got a livelier interior than the 2014 one, but it comes at the cost of even less space for minifigs to walk around.
What a little piece of junk?!
Seriously, this chibi-bibi is pathetic. The figs are sad and boring. The rendition is tiny, sad, and boring. The scale is just sad. The price is bad.
Cal lacks a poncho, droid, bag, arm printing or anything else that would redeem this atrocity.
Glad I collected the progenitors before Lego SW became the pathetic group that exists today.
They care about ultra expensive UCS models and crappy, chibi, generic, no fun (but, interestingly, still quite expensive) play models. They used to make great toys. Now, all they make are expensive models and expensive, crappy toys. They don't even bother to give us interesting figures to go with the insane prices.
Lego SW continues it's descent into oblivion and my interest in Lego is following it.
There, happy, @yellowcastle . I'm back!
@Ephseb said:
"no set over 100€ should have fewer than 10 minifigures. Nahdonnis Praji and quasi-Nova Stihl are kinda neat figures but the rest is forgettable and the ISD doesn't even look that good."
Not even in the past did most over 100€ sets come with 10 minifigs.
@Eightcoins8 said:
" @Ephseb said:
"no set over 100€ should have fewer than 10 minifigures. Nahdonnis Praji and quasi-Nova Stihl are kinda neat figures but the rest is forgettable and the ISD doesn't even look that good."
Not even in the past did most over 100€ sets come with 10 minifigs."
and? Harry Potter has been solid with the number of figures in each set since 2018 until about 2022/23. there's literally no excuse for Star Wars to not do that, they just don't want to. 6 figures, excl a one-off, in a 170€ set is a joke and shouldn't be accepted as a fair deal.
@Ephseb said:
" @Eightcoins8 said:
" @Ephseb said:
"no set over 100€ should have fewer than 10 minifigures. Nahdonnis Praji and quasi-Nova Stihl are kinda neat figures but the rest is forgettable and the ISD doesn't even look that good."
Not even in the past did most over 100€ sets come with 10 minifigs."
and? Harry Potter has been solid with the number of figures in each set since 2018 until about 2022/23. there's literally no excuse for Star Wars to not do that, they just don't want to. 6 figures, excl a one-off, in a 170€ set is a joke and shouldn't be accepted as a fair deal."
I don't think the 170€ ISD is a fair deal but I also don't think more than 10 minifigs in most 100 bucks range sets is a realistic exspecation. I'd have considered buying it if it was 100€ since i missed every prior ISD. Though Im kinda slowly starting to feel burnt out on Star Wars in general.
And to those of us who are not star wars fans this is set no 1000 of grey bricks ;)