Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 15

Here is today's ranking (in my opinion):
6. City
5. Spider-Man
4. Harry Potter
3. Star Wars
2. Disney
1. Friends

Just like I have yesterday's fighter chasing Ahsoka's shuttle on the display mat, I have this guy and Ahsoka facing off. I have a feeling I know how that showdown ends.

Day 1: X-Wing - representing 7140 from 1999
Day 2: Princess Leia - representing her first appearance in 2000
Day 3: TIE Fighter - representing 7146 from 2001
Day 4: Super Battle Droid - representing its first appearance in 2002
Day 5: AT-AT Walker - representing 4483 from 2003
Day 6: Y-Wing - representing 10134 from 2004
Day 7: Minikit - representing LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame, released in 2005
Day 8: Jabba's Sail Barge - representing 6210 from 2006
Day 9: Millennium Falcon - representing 10179 from 2007
Day 10: Ahsoka Tano - representing her first appearances in 2008
Day 11: Venator-Class Attack Cruiser, representing 8039 from 2009
Day 12: Theta-Class Shuttle, representing 8096 from 2010
Day 13: T-6 Jedi Shuttle, representing 7931 from 2011
Day 14: Mandalorian Starfighter, representing 9525 from 2012
Day 15: 501st Clone Trooper, representing his first appearance in 2013

@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
" @Blondie_Wan said:
"Sweet! Army-builder figures are one of the things I like most about the LSWACs (after the seasonally-attired characters and the daily experience, which is more of a general AC thing than than a LSWAC-specific thing), so this guy is very welcome.

Once upon a time, his blaster would have been part of a weapons rack on a different day, but it appears those days are behind us. I think most of us are fine with that, though I will say I don’t mind weapons racks myself, only that they’re completed with weaponry that should have been included with the figures they’re for. I’d like to see an AC include a weapons rack with “extra” blasters."

I haven't minded weapons racks when they fit with the calendar theme. We've had Geonosis, Hoth, and Endor racks that were tolerable. OTOH, we've had racks that were like three clip plates on a brick and were pretty lazy. Keep them recognizably thematic and I'll let them slide."

Weapons racks are severely overhated IMO. My favorite was probably the Jakku one from 75184. But given that each build/minifigure is supposed to represent something from each year of LEGO Star Wars, I don't see a weapons rack fitting in anywhere.

@PurpleDave said:
" @Blondie_Wan:
At least one SW designer has expressed disdain for making weapons racks. The only one I actually liked was 2014's 75056, with the lightsaber hearth."

The Ewok drum in 75097 isn't too bad, it's basic but it's a neat Ewok accessory even without weapons clipped to it. In general though, I'm with designer Hans Burkhard Schlömer, they're stupid. Effectively stretches a figure out over two days, with a build that's nowhere near as fun as a mini vehicle.

I have bought every set this year that contains 501st clones, so it is nice to have a small group to set up certain scenes. Seeing the blaster with the minifig made me smile, because I knew we could rule out blaster racks. I definitely do not miss those at all. The last AC that had them had about 1/4 of the calendar devoted to some type of weapon or racks. Even the Tusken Raider stick had its own day.

Obviously, it is hard to avoid spoilers on the box, but I wonder if we are getting any location builds. It would be nice to get a mini Cloud City, Death Star, or Jabba's Palace.

@stevesheriw:
That depends entirely on who designs the box. In recent years, I can recall one calendar that managed to spoil all 24 builds on the outside of the box. The same year, I think another calendar managed to keep it in single digits by just repeating the same models on the front, back, and inner flap.

Good choice, though part of me is a little surprised that they didn't save this guy to represent 75280 in 2020.

I agree with the Capn, 10236 would have been nice if they hadn't just included it last year in 75366.

@Blondie_Wan said:
"Sweet! Army-builder figures are one of the things I like most about the LSWACs (after the seasonally-attired characters and the daily experience, which is more of a general AC thing than than a LSWAC-specific thing), so this guy is very welcome.

Once upon a time, his blaster would have been part of a weapons rack on a different day, but it appears those days are behind us. I think most of us are fine with that, though I will say I don’t mind weapons racks myself, only that they’re completed with weaponry that should have been included with the figures they’re for. I’d like to see an AC include a weapons rack with “extra” blasters."

I completely agree! I actually kind of like weapon racks, but it would drive me nuts when they separated the minifig's accessories and put them on the racks instead of having them with the actual figs.

@stevesheriw: Well, there is one on the box already, on the flap for day 14. I'd guess we'll see it Thursday.

6. Dis No points for shrunken characters (0 points today + 35 points previously earned = 35 points total)
5. SM Maybe I'm too old, but in my head, Spider-man doesn't have a car (1+37=38)
4. City Almost a minifig? But only one piece... (2+38=40)
3. Fr Substantial (3+29=32)
2. HP Somehow like that more than the Friends build (4+34=38)
1. SW No competition today (5+30=35)

@WolfpackBricksStudios said:
"But given that each build/minifigure is supposed to represent something from each year of LEGO Star Wars, I don't see a weapons rack fitting in anywhere. "

They could have put one in 2011's slot, to represent the first SWAC, Thank the Force that they didn't do that, though. I do, however, agree with @PurpleDave that 75056's fireplace lightsaber rack was pretty cute.

@LuvsLEGO_Cool_J said:"Can't believe we're still talking about holes. Who cares? Doughnuts have holes and I still love them."

Bagels an Life Savers have holes, too.

@MandalorianCandidate said:
" @b2_O said:
"helmet holes bad, now gib me likes

(Does anyone actually care about if there are helmet holes or not?)"

I don’t give a rip about the holes. They don’t detract from the minifig at all. Nice to have another clone.

Anyone know how many sequential years we’ve gotten a clone in the SW AC?

"

They do often appear in the calendar- it's almost like there are multiples of the exact same character.

Not the best choice, but close enough I guess. I haven't really followed this much but it kind of seems like we've gotten only 501st clones the last few years. But for a 'not-exclusive minifig' they've done well to include one.

@MandalorianCandidate said:
"Anyone know how many sequential years we’ve gotten a clone in the SW AC?"

2011, 2013-2014, and 2022-2024. So three. Three years is the most they’ve appeared in a continuous run. Clearly they’re going to take a break the next few years, and then do four in a row.

@b2_O said:
"helmet holes bad, now gib me likes

(Does anyone actually care about if there are helmet holes or not?)"

I have mixed feelings on them. For the most part I don't care, although the silhouette is a bit worse. I do like the customizability it provides even though range finders look a bit odd. I'm fairly neutral on them, but I do dislike them when it changes prints. The 212th being the example for me. Their printed Lego design looks too close to the 501st.

TLDR; I like and dislike them, but overall it is a net neutral for me.