Review: 75343 Dark Trooper Helmet
Posted by CapnRex101,
The growing Helmet Collection already includes various Imperial examples. 75343 Dark Trooper Helmet therefore complements earlier products and achieves splendid accuracy, although these intimidating combat droids lack the recognition of previous Helmet Collection subjects.
Nevertheless, the Dark Trooper definitely offers potential for an interesting design! The dramatic curvature of their armour contrasts against earlier Imperial helmets and I anticipate their robotic status introducing some unique details.
Summary
75343 Dark Trooper Helmet, 693 pieces.
£59.99 / $69.99 / €69.99 | 8.7p/10.1c/10.1c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The menacing Dark Trooper looks impressive, but its dark colour disguises certain details.
- Intricate detail
- Predominantly accurate shaping
- Eyes could be brightened
- Potentially difficult to display
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
75343 Dark Trooper Helmet contains 693 pieces, but is marginally smaller than other Helmet Collection models from this wave. However, the height of 18cm appears proportional with equivalent sets because the onscreen droids feature relatively squat heads. That difference arguably enhances this model, since third-generation Dark Trooper heads are not required to accommodate a human in-universe.
Despite its outward divergence from existing helmets, the internal structure seems surprisingly familiar. This model is constructed around various bricks with studs on the side. However, the forward section is more complex as both eyes are connected using hinges, surrounded by a combination of slopes. Clips and ball joints are also employed to attach the outermost panels, unusually.
As usual, the display stand consists primarily of black slopes, which create an attractive shape. The dark colour typically presents a satisfying contrast with the actual helmet, but this design inevitably blends with the Dark Trooper head. While contrast is preferred, I do appreciate the consistency between this plinth and others. Moreover, the printed plaque looks marvellous, as always.
Bright red eyes are among the Dark Troopers' most distinguishing features, so recreating those was important. The designer, Hans Burkhard Schlömer has therefore used white plates under trans-red tiles which does enhance their vibrancy. Even so, the eyes are only strikingly visible from certain angles, so I think this would have been an ideal opportunity to include light bricks.
Nevertheless, the shape of the eyes compares favourably with the source material, while the surrounding bodywork looks wonderful. I love the elaborate layering of tiles and slopes, which captures tremendous detail from the original characters. The black ingots situated between the eyes appear effective, in particular.
The face is comparatively reliant upon stickers though, integrating five across the ventilation system alone. The resulting decoration was necessary though and nestles perfectly between flanking tiles. Furthermore, the flared cheek structure looks brilliant, further corresponding with the droids introduced during The Mandalorian season two.
Viewing this model from the side demonstrates its considerable difference from past helmets, since this example is longer than others. Also, the flanks are accurately truncated, revealing mechanical detail around the neck. The metallic silver accents are particularly recognisable among the predominant black elements.
Additionally, the whole structure is tilted forward on the presentation stand, using 2x4 Technic hinge plates. The detailing across the underside is therefore paramount because that remains exposed from the rear. The stepped sloping displayed below appears rather awkward, but I am uncertain how that could have been avoided without new parts.
Overall
75343 Dark Trooper Helmet portrays a droid, so differences between this model and previous examples from the Helmet Collection should be expected. I appreciate such continued variety and the designer has captured wonderful detail, considering the exceptional complexity of the onscreen Dark Troopers. The pronounced vent looks fantastic, for instance.
Inaccuracies are certainly present though, including narrow gaps beside the cheeks. The dark colour and relative absence of contrasting features might also reduce the appeal of this model, although that obviously matches the onscreen droid. As with other helmets, the price of £54.99, $59.99 or €59.99 feels slightly too expensive, but this remains my favourite Helmet Collection wave released so far!
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29 comments on this article
Should we be calling this a helmet? More like a droid head.
The Brickset photos are the only ones that allow me to actually 'see' these models. The Lego promo pictures make the Mandalorian helmet seem a lot more shiny. Thus, I was a little disappointed at the overwhelming gray of the Mandalorian helmet, but I still like it. I think it's really cool how dark the trooper helmet is even in comparison with Darth Vader. No doubt, I'm getting all of these.
It looks so weird without the chest since the head is so embedded
Adding it to my list...
If droids could think, there'd be none of us here, would there?
I just realised the shape reminds me of HK-47 in KOTOR 2. As it was an assassin droid, was it a precursor to the dark trooper mark 3?
I hope Lego make more droid heads
From the reference image (thank you for including these lately btw, they're super useful!) I think the eyes might be too small on this model. It could just be how dark they are, but the reference image looks way more naturally proportioned.
The bridge between them in particular looks wider, which leaves less space for the eyes.
It's nice to see Disney "borrowing" droid designs from their older properties like The Black Hole. :)
@Binnekamp said:
"From the reference image (thank you for including these lately btw, they're super useful!) I think the eyes might be too small on this model. It could just be how dark they are, but the reference image looks way more naturally proportioned.
The bridge between them in particular looks wider, which leaves less space for the eyes."
I think the relatively muted trans-red colour is responsible for giving that impression because it becomes very dark towards the corners, as you mentioned.
Lego just keeps giving us helmet after helmet in 2022 and LSW fans are apparently overjoyed. I had no idea Dark Troopers were a thing but my Star Wars interests are mostly limited to the starfighters and podracers. It looks like something out of Killzone or maybe Baron Karza.
I really hope we get a C-3PO head now we're branching out from helmets. An Episode I one would be awesome.
Never got into the helmet collection. The lower half of this model proves that they could've looked incredible, but the top half looks terrible with all the exposed studs, just like Darth Vader and many of the helmets. I am not alergic to studs on a Lego model but these could've benefitted from being entirely smooth, as here it looks like the Dark Trooper has some sort of afro.
I love the helmets and have all of them so far, but this one, it's kinda meh to me. Can't wait to add Luke's helmet and Mando to the collection but probably passing on this one...for now. Maybe later on sale I may change my mind.
So does this mean a collection of almost macabre droid heads now?
So which company is going to offer the best after market LED lights for the eyes?
@CapnRex101 would it be a good idea to post an article like this just about helmets ?
https://brickset.com/article/45950/what-should-the-next-ultimate-collector-series-set-be
@tm76 said:
"So does this mean a collection of almost macabre droid heads now?"
Roger Roger.
(I actually don't know, but that chance was too good to pass up.)
Is that vent sticker on the right (droid's left check) misapplied? Looks too far forward compared to the other side, although I can't tell from the reference image if the vents are meant to be non-symmetrical.
"... this remains my favourite Helmet Collection wave released so far!"
Very high praise indeed. I cannot wait to build these.
@CapnRex101 if you are free when they are released, would you mind applying the stickers for me?
Totally OT ... Titanic currently available for backorder in UK. (for Mar 10th)
I'll be giving this one a miss. Not really a helmet as others have pointed out. And the smaller size doesn't seem to fit in with the others. Might pick it up in the future if they decide to do more droid heads. So many other helmets I'm waiting on: Snowtrooper, Kylo Ren, Clone variants, Lando Skiff Guard, Deathtroooer.
See what they did with the stickers.
They could’ve done that instead of the doofy short buck teeth Vader sticker.
A fellow LUG member stated that it would make for a great Blacktron head. You could replace the red with yellow. :)
Looking at the on screen look and design, Lego here kinda' made this helmet/head too stumpy, short.
It should be a taller head. And it really needed the neck with all the circular ridges.
I can't not see an Angry Birds Star Wars pig trooper.
In my opinion the DT should not have been included in the "Helmet Collection". At least the Batman cowls or Venom heads were never called helmet collection, but if we now get droid heads as well where does the distinction end? A chopped off head of General Grievous or a Tusken Raider mask are also valid candidates.
Then again consistency was never a strong suit of TLG.
@R0Sch said:
"In my opinion the DT should not have been included in the "Helmet Collection". At least the Batman cowls or Venom heads were never called helmet collection, but if we now get droid heads as well where does the distinction end? A chopped off head of General Grievous or a Tusken Raider mask are also valid candidates.
Then again consistency was never a strong suit of TLG."
If your biggest complaint with the set is the subtheme it was given...
I typically wait for the LEGO's to go on sale before buying, this will be one I need more than 20% off to purchase. I have all the other helmets but this is hideous.
If you think the eyes are too dark, just use regular red bricks/tiles.