Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 24
Posted by CapnRex101,
I think the standard of microscale vehicles within 75340 Star Wars Advent Calendar has been truly exceptional, while the exclusive minifigures have been impressive too.
Hopefully a third such minifigure arrives today...
A seasonal C-3PO was introduced on day nine, so it was only a matter of time before R2-D2 joined his droid companion. Artoo includes a splendid knitted jumper, featuring C-3PO's head across the front and the Rebel Alliance emblem on the back. I was pleasantly surprised to find decoration on the reverse, since that was only introduced for R2-D2 in the Diorama Collection earlier this year.
Otherwise, this figure includes the same domed head as usual, with accurate dark blue panels and colourful sensors and displays all the way around. Mine was printed correctly, fortunately.
I think Artoo and Threepio look splendid when paired together, with their red and blue jumpers complementing one another. I question whether R2-D2 would be willing to wear a jumper with C-3PO's face on the front, but the Protocol droid probably insisted!
Overall - Our third seasonal minifigure is the perfect finish to an impressive Advent Calendar.
Summary
75340 Star Wars Advent Calendar is the best Star Wars Advent Calendar to date! I am usually hesitant to make such sweeping statements, but this is undoubtedly my favourite because the microscale models have been outstanding. I think the Naboo Starfighter available in 2012 and 2018 remains my favourite microscale vehicle, but the Acclamator-class Assault Ship, Omicron-class Shuttle, Luke's Landspeeder and TIE Interceptor are definite challengers.
Of course, minifigures are an integral asset of Star Wars Advent Calendars and these impress too. No fewer than three unique designs, plus the brick-built Gonk Droid, exceeds the normal number for Star Wars calendars, while the rest are either uncommon or appropriate for army-building. The mostly chronological ordering of items was welcome too, ensuring the whole set feels cohesive throughout its 24 days.
Where do you think this Star Wars Advent Calendar ranks among its precursors and what are your favourite microscale vehicles, either from this Advent Calendar or others? Let us know in the comments.
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Alright, I said yesterday I was going to inventory everything that's come in Star Wars Advent Calendars since 2011. Here we go. Keep in mind, I'm excluding play environments and weapons racks. This is JUST minifigures, mini-ships, and micro-models.
Let's start with the little 4x4 play scenes (yes, some of these were smaller than 4x4, but that's the general size we've gotten):
Atch-To Island: 2019
Bespin Cloud City: 2018
Death Star Turrett: 2019
Endor Ewok Village: 2015
Hoth Echo Base: 2019
Hoth Echo Base Cannon: 2015, 2022
Hoth Echo Base Shield: 2020
Hoth Echo Base Turrett: 2016, 2022
Mustafar Castle Vader: 2020, 2022 (sandcastle)
Tatooine Jabba’s Palace: 2016
Tatooine Lars Homestead: 2019
Tatooine Pit of Carkoon: 2015
So, Hoth's a recurring theme in these, but Tatooine has a close second representation.
Second, here's the micro-vehicles. (Included here are a few of the chibi-vehicles that minifigures can sit on.) And I threw in the moisture vaporators for some reason.
Anakin Skywalker’s Podracer: 2020
The Arrowhead: 2018
Bad Batch Attack Shuttle: 2022
Bespin Twin Pod Car: 2013, 2019
First Order Kylo Ren’s Shuttle: 2019
First Order Snowspeeder: 2017
First Order Resurgent Star Destroyer
First Order TIE Fighter: 2018
First Order TIE Interceptor: 2020
General Greivous’ Starfighter: 2012, 2018
Geonosian Fighter: 2013
Geonosian Solar Sailer: 2013
The Ghost: 2017
Imperial Assault Hovertank: 2017
Imperial AT-AT: 2012, 2015
Imperial AT-ACT: 2018
Imperial AT-ST: 2017, 2022
Imperial E-WEB Gun: 2014, 2021
Imperial ST-149 Delta Shuttle (Krennic’s): 2017
Imperial Landing Craft: 2016
Imperial Light Cruiser: 2021
Imperial Probe Droid: 2015
Imperial Shuttle: 2011, 2014
Imperial Speeder Bike: 2014 (festive), 2018, 2021 (Hoth)
Imperial Star Destroyer: 2012, 2013, 2015
Imperial TIE Fighter: 2011, 2014, 2021
Imperial TIE Interceptor: 2016, 2022
Imperial TIE Striker: 2017
Imperial Troop Transport: 2018, 2021
Imperial Zeta-Class Shuttle: 2018
Jabba’s Sail Barge: 2015
Jabba’s Desert Skiff: 2016
Jedi Starfighter: 2013 (red), 2014 (yellow), 2016 (red), 2018 (red)
Jakku Quadjumper: 2019
Keelboat and Ferry Droid: 2021
Luggabeast: 2017
Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder: 2014, 2018
Luke Skywalker’s T-16 Skyhopper: 2022
The Millennium Falcon: 2011, 2015, 2017, 2020
Moisture Vaporator: 2014, 2018 (festive), 2022
Mythrol’s Landspeeder: 2021
Naboo Gungan Bongo: 2012
Naboo Royal Starship: 2012
Naboo Speeder: 2012
Naboo Starfighter: 2012, 2018
Naboo Royal Transport: 2013
Nute Gunray’s Mechano-Chair: 2011
The Phantom: 2017
Rathar: 2018
The Razorcrest: 2020, 2021
Rebel A-Wing: 2011, 2015, 2020
Rebel Hoth Dish Cannon: 2016
Rebel Snowspeeder: 2011, 2014, 2020
Rebel Tauntaun (festive): 2020
Rebel X-Wing: 2011, 2020, 2021
Rebel Y-Wing: 2011, 2014, 2017
Republic AT-TE: 2013
Republic Acclamator-Class Assault Ship: 2022
Republic Assault Tank: 2018
Republic Consular Class Cruiser: 2011, 2020
Republic LAAT-Carrier Dropship: 2013
Republic LAAT-T Gunship: 2011, 2013, 2021
Republic AV-7 Anti-Vehicle Cannon: 2014
Republic Venator-Class Star Destroyer: 2016
Resistance Troop Transporter: 2019
Resistance X-Wing: 2019
Rey’s Speeder: 2017
Riot Mar’s Starfighter: 2021
Sandcrawler: 2015
Separatist Snail Tank: 2019
Separatist Spider-Droid: 2019
Separatist Droid Tri-Fighter: 2022
Sith Infiltrator: 2012
Slave 1: 2011 (OT), 2013 (PT), 2016 (OT), 2021 (OT)
Tantive IV: 2016
Tantive IV Escape Pod: 2019
Tauntaun: 2020 (festive)
Trade Federation Spider-Droid: 2011
Trade Federation AAT: 2012 (tan), 2014 (blue), 2016 (tan)
Trade Federation Droid Control Ship
Trade Federation Gunship: 2016
Trade Federation MMT: 2011, 2019
Trade Federation Vulture Droid: 2012 (brown), 2014 (blue)
Trade Federation Shuttle: 2012 (tan), 2013 (blue)
V-35 Landspeeder: 2022
Zam Wassell’s Speeder: 2013
The Millennium Falcon and Slave-1 are tied for most common representation here, although they've both been radically redesigned since 2011.
Third, the minifigures. Plus Droids, who aren't true minifigures, but you know. It's where we sort these things.
Assassin Droid: 2015
BB-8: 2017 (Santa)
Bespin Guard: 2016
Bespin Twin Pod Car Pilot: 2019
Boba Fett: 2013 (young)
C-3PO: 2015 (Santa), 2022 (Festive)
Chewbacca: 2011 (classic), 2016 (yeti), 2019 (with porg meat)
Count Dooku’s FA-4 Pilot Droid: 2013
Darth Maul: 2012 (Santa)
Darth Vader: 2014 (Santa), 2020 (festive), 2022 (vacation)
Din Djarin: 2021 (festive)
D-O: 2020 (Santa)
E-3PO: 2016
Ewok: 2014
First Order Snowtrooper: 2017
First Order Stormtrooper: 2017, 2019
First Order Sith Trooper: 2020
Geonosian Warrior: 2013
GNK Droid: 2012 (gray), 2016 (tan), 2019 (festive), 2020 (snowman), 2022 (Santa)
Grogu and Pram: 2021 (festive)
Guavian Security Soldier: 2018
Gungan Warrior: 2012
IG-88: 2018
IG-11: 2021
Imperial AT-AT Pilot: 2012
Imperial Death Trooper: 2018
Imperial Navy Gunner: 2017, 2019
Imperial Navy Trooper: 2016
Imperial Officer: 2017
Imperial R2-Q5: 2011
Imperial Scout Trooper: 2013, 2021
Imperial Snowtrooper: 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022
Imperial Stormtrooper: 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021
Imperial TIE Fighter Pilot: 2011, 2014
Imperial IT-O Interrogation Droid
Jango Fett: 2013 (Santa)
Jawa: 2014
LIN Demolitionmech Droid: 2015
Luke Skywalker: 2014, 2020 (Tatooine), 2016 (Jedi), 2019 (hermit), 2022 (Hoth)
MSE Droid: 2011, 2019
Mynock: 2019
Nute Gunray: 2011
Pit Droid: 2020
Poe Dameron: 2020 (festive)
Porg: 2019 (Santa), 2020 (regular)
R2-X2: 2014 (Christmas Tree; requires head from 75032)
R2-D2: 2012 (snowman), 2015 (reindeer), 2022 (festive)
R5-F7: 2013
Rebellion General Antoc Merrick: 2018
Rebellion General Rieekan: 2014
Rebellion Snowspeeder Pilot: 2014
Rebellion Trooper (Hoth): 2012, 2015, 2016
Rebellion Trooper (Endor): 2013
Rebellion Trooper (Tantive IV): 2012, 2019
Rebellion X-Wing Pilot: 2011, 2018 (snowman)
Republic Clone Trooper Pilot: 2011, 2022
Republic Clone Trooper, Phase I: 2013
Republic Clone Trooper, Phase II: 2014
Resistance Trooper: 2017
Rey Palpatine Skywalker: 2020
Rose Tico: 2018
Rowan Freemaker: 2018
Sabine Wren: 2017
Separatist B-1 Battle Droid: 2011 (blue), 2012 (red), 2013 (tan), 2016, 2018 (tan), 2019 (tan), 2020 (tan), 2022 (tan)
Separatist B-2 Super Battle Droid: 2012, 2014
Tusken Raider: 2021
Unkar Plutt’s Thug: 2017
Yoda: 2011 (Santa)
Unsurprisingly, the B1 Battle Droid is the most common here (usually tan, but two alternates have appeared). The Snowtrooper and Stormtrooper are fairly common army builders, and Luke has shown up in four different forms in five calendars.
I could have sorted these by movie or era, but that'd lead to a lot of nitpicking on who goes where. And a few characters just fit in all eras. So, bleah. There's your list.
This calendar shines in terms of Christmas sweater designs!
“ I wasn’t sure how big to make the hole for the head, so I used a watermelon for size.” - C-3PO
I think Artoo's sweater looks better than Threepio's, personally - though that might just be because its colours are more festive. It's just a shame it can't be worn by any minifigure who isn't also an astromech droid.
That said, if you get several of these and switch out the heads (and legs if necessary) for those of other such droids, you could have a whole group of different astromechs all wearing these sweaters, which sounds like a pretty fun idea...
On a side note, I still like the Droids-cartoon-based shifty-eyed look Threepio has going on there!
Oof. Statistics on this calendar were...not good. Of the 24 models presented, _EVERY_SINGLE_ONE_ is spoiled on the exterior box art of a sealed set! The only bit that's a "surprise" is the legs on the Battle Droid. Since all you can see is the clip, there's always the practically nonexistent chance they used a 1x1 tile w/ clip or some similar part instead of including standard Battle Droid legs. So, really, the last day you can be surprised is the day you pick up the box and really look at it. I don't recall them ever blowing it this badly with an Advent Calendar box before.
@ResIpsaLoquitur:
C-3PO and E-3PO both use standard legs and standard torsos. By TLG's legal definition, they are true minifigs, even though they are both droids.
@PurpleDave said:
"Oof. Statistics on this calendar were...not good. Of the 24 models presented, _EVERY_SINGLE_ONE_ is spoiled on the exterior box art of a sealed set! The only bit that's a "surprise" is the legs on the Battle Droid. Since all you can see is the clip, there's always the practically nonexistent chance they used a 1x1 tile w/ clip or some similar part instead of including standard Battle Droid legs. So, really, the last day you can be surprised is the day you pick up the box and really look at it. I don't recall them ever blowing it this badly with an Advent Calendar box before.
@ResIpsaLoquitur:
C-3PO and E-3PO both use standard legs and standard torsos. By TLG's legal definition, they are true minifigs, even though they are both droids."
By "droids" here, I clearly intended R2, the Battle Droids, and anything made by non-minifigure parts for anyone who was going to nitpick including a GNK with standard Minifigures.
@PurpleDave said:
"Oof. Statistics on this calendar were...not good. Of the 24 models presented, _EVERY_SINGLE_ONE_ is spoiled on the exterior box art of a sealed set! The only bit that's a "surprise" is the legs on the Battle Droid. "
But they did still manage to save one last surprise for today, though, at least for me - I knew Festive Sweater Artoo was coming (and after yesterday’s reveal, that he obviously had to be behind today’s door), but while I knew his sweater / jumper had his best friend’s face on the front, I had no idea the Rebel Alliance insignia was on the back! What a nice last little bonus.
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While I question CapnRex101’s questioning whether Artoo would wear a sweater with his best friend’s face on it (unless he meant whether Artoo would wear any such garment at all, no matter whose face was on it, which… fair), I think he’s right that this has been the best overall, largely because of the quality of the microscale build designs, as well as multiple exclusive seasonal figures. The 2022 SW AC has set a new standard for these. Well done.
@ResIspaLoquitur:
This year's Clone Trooper is a commander, not a pilot.
@Blondie_Wan:
Oh, the calendar as a set is great. I will not dispute that. It's just that I recall in years past some mention was made of how few models from such-and-such calendar weren't spoiled on the box, but I don't recall them ever showing you the entire contents before you even get to the register. Traditionally, LEGO Advent Calendars end on minifigs. Traditionally, this has never been a surprise for the SWAC/DWAC, since they use the exclusive holiday minifigs as a main selling point, and I wouldn't be surprised if they always showed the full lineup of minifigs. They didn't need to show all of the mini models, though. I mean, it's 3/4 of the contents, and aside from the sandcastle and Luke's inversion treatment device there aren't any that are so critically tied to their minifigs that you'd need to pair them up.
Overall I must say this year’s LEGO Star Wars advent calendar was one of the best.
@560heliport said:
" @ResIspaLoquitur:
This year's Clone Trooper is a commander, not a pilot."
Admiral Piett voice: "Too late!!!"
This AC I guess is one of the best, but not the greatest. Didn’t feel like buying it this year because of the price increase (it’s not worth it) and I just didn’t like the builds. It had some duds.
This was my first year doing the SW calendar and I was very happy with it.
It was nice being able to experience the calender like this. Thank you once again, cap'n Rex!
It was a great ride
I really enjoyed this year's Advent Calendar.
My thanks to CapnRex101 for enlightening me the days I had no idea what it was I just built.
Merry Christmas to everyone who reads this. I hope all your Christmas presents have that distinct LEGO rattle sound!
My knee-jerk response was that the Captain was crazy to call this the best SWAC of them all. But the more I think about it, I get that argument. The builds were great and there were multiple holiday figures. I'd argue there were better minifigures earlier in the SWAC lifespan, when torsos AND hips AND legs received exclusive holiday printing (I'm looking at you Jango and Vader). But there were fewer overall exclusives / calendar, and sometimes just one. Regardless Thank you CR101. Really enjoyed your work this holiday season. Already looking forward to next year's trip!
Front n back printing on R2. :0
Done! SW is the winner this Year.
Now this is the droid i'm looking for!
I'd place this calendar in 2nd place all time, right behind 2020. But wow, great finishing gift! Back printing on a Droid - love it!
Thank you, Cap'n!!
Merry Christmas to everyone!
No R2 in mine. A second tie bomber instead. I was really looking forward to the artoo :(
Not normally one to think much of the box art considering everything is “spoiled” in the product images but maybe @PurpleDave has a point. The Marvel calendar didn’t show Drax or Nebula on the box.
@Ssorca19 said:
"No R2 in mine. A second tie bomber instead. I was really looking forward to the artoo :("
From what others have said, contacting Lego customer services should result in them sending you a replacement for the Artoo that you're missing! ^^
@Brikkyy13:
It’s actually weird that nobody noted it earlier. In years past, I know people have complained about how few days remain a surprise after you look over the outer box. The year the entire calendar is spoiled, nobody even noticed until after the 20th, but everyone was probably too distracted by the contents to actually poke around looking for things to complain about.