2023 Star Wars sets officially revealed!

Having watched the one review on YouTube of the TIE Bomber, I think the play features could have easily been improved. But it looks amazing and I'll still pick it up for sure.

Can't say I care too much for the others. The battle pack is fine; minifigures just aren't really my thing. And I would have bought a Jango Fett Slave I, but I don't need the 27,683rd version of Boba's.

Been hoping for a tie bomber. They finally release one, and it matches the half size designs. :(
Oh well.

@ArmoredBricks said:
" @Squid_Kid8 said:
"Yo, the 501st has a new helmet, the rangefinder sits lower than it would on the troops from this years At-te."

Nope, they photoshopped the main image to make it look that way. Still the same helmet."

dang

Its about time they did a Tie-Bomber, but that price... yeeessshh...

I'll be grabbing Slave-1 and the TIE Bomber (after a price drop).

I am highly amused by Darth Vader getting second billing on the box to Vice Admiral Sloane. That one's a maybe, I just haven't invested in these smaller scale starfighters but the TIE Bomber is so cool.

Tiny Slav, er...Boba Fett's Starship is an easy choice though. Cute, well done and in my price range!

The Tie Bomber is too small, and overpriced. I'll have to get that on sale. The lil Slave 1 is awesome though, have to grab that one and put it next to it's UCS counterpart

I wish they kept the Gonk Droid as the original SW0073

The Microfighter Slave-1 id fantastic! That's too cool how they incorporated the complete minifgure and still got the look right. And the 501st set looks very cool. Nice figure choices there

Whilst it seems like a limited range at first, I'm sure Lego will release more.

Interesting the Lego are doing mini-figures of EU characters for sets from the films.

The Bomber. A slim range for the start, but in SW, it's basically standard these days.

This lineup. albeit a small one, is a great start of the new year for Star Wars. The TIE Bomber looks splendid! I will definitely add the TIE Bomber and the new 501st Battle Pack to my collection.

It's kind of weird not including a range finder for Boba. That being said it looks like one of the best released! Now if only they would fix the figure...

The battlepack I'm definitely picking up! Honestly I'm more excited about the attachments than the figures. Idk if I'll get two, but I'm looking forward to the blue attachments and macrobinoculars. The distribution if I recall correctly is 4 rangefinders, 4 visors, and 2 macrobinoculars. The cannon looks pretty good for a battlepack build. The commander really needed dual molded legs or side leg printing.

@sideswinger said:
"Not a Star Wars fan, but for those of you who are, that TIE Bomber is overpriced. LEGO Star Wars has lost its appeal for me."

I don't think it's overpriced, but I wish the parts budget had gone more into the ship itself. The side build lends basically nothing and some parts of the ship could've used a little more detailing. Nice to get a Sloane figure, though!

Is the Boba Fett figure missing the rangefinder? Is this bc it wouldn't fit under the canopy? Good thing I have a ton extra; I want the updated Boba design. What's with all the 501st battle packs? Seems like we've had plenty of that detachment lately.

I guess I don't know much about the 501st Legion, so I don't know what's so special about them.

The sets look decent overall, but I don't know if I'll pick any up.

@Broken_Cheese_Slope said:
"Would be a real shame if people had owned these sets for weeks and posted video reviews on Youtube. "

True

Ouch on that TIE Bomber price! Should be used to this by now with Lego SW, but it's always a little galling.

Love the little cheap Boba set. And i love the Tie-Bomber as well. I didn’t buy SW for a long time, because i lost my nostalgic click with the franchise a bit. But that Bomber is calling my name :-)

LEGO should get better with this. If there is already review on YouTube almost the week with physical set in hands - there should be instant official reveal from LEGO as well. Not week later once hype / waiting for reveal is already gone. And SW theme should be revealed among first themes as most anticipated one.

Cool gonk droid. I like the Slave I Microfighter. Might could be the second model in the series I actually build and didn't buy for some parts.

i hope those macros will fit on a mando helmet!

also they need to edit the green for boba's helmet to match the cleaned up armor.

Definitely the 501st and the Tie Bomber

@ahughwilliams said:
"i hope those macros will fit on a mando helmet!"

They fit on mando, P1, and P2 helmets.

Probably get 2 or 3 of the battle pack and 1 each of the rest. But maybe get the TIE Bomber at price drop in a few months.

I really like the TIE Bomber, I may have to get one!

@Bagelwolf said:
" @sideswinger said:
"Not a Star Wars fan, but for those of you who are, that TIE Bomber is overpriced. LEGO Star Wars has lost its appeal for me."

I don't think it's overpriced, but I wish the parts budget had gone more into the ship itself. The side build lends basically nothing and some parts of the ship could've used a little more detailing. Nice to get a Sloane figure, though!"
Looking at it, it feels like a $40, maybe $45 ship.

@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"Rae Sloane is an odd duck, as the rebooted Star Wars of 2015 tried to set her up as the next Admiral Daala-type (a prominent imperial from the old EU days). She prominently featured at the Battle of Jakku, and was responsible for getting much of the Imperial Remnant to the Unknown Regions so they could begin forming the First Order. (How this fits into the revelations of The Rise of Skywalker are unclear--prior to 2019, the impression we had is that Sloane and the Hux family formed the First Order independent of a secretly hiding Palpatine.) She apparently survived into the Force Awakens era, although we haven't really seen her there outside of limited reference.

It'd be tempting to get that Bomber just for her, and a spare Vader."

She also appears in the SW Squadrons videogame. I need a SD to place her at the helm of the ship. I will buy at least 2 of those 501st Trooper BP but the prices well, better leave them for a May the Fourth be With You with double VIP points.

we all know what set were getting...

@Are said:
"It seems like you can't look through the TIE Bomber cockpit window, that's kinda sad."
I just had to scroll up to check - you are totally right. Seems like such a waste. It really ruined the TIE Advanced that came with Darth Vader’s castle for me.

TIE Bomber and 1 or 2 sets of clones, for me.

I've got every official Microfighter set released so far, so I'll have to get this one. I'll add it to my Slave 1 collection.

GONK

Looks like the best microfighter yet.

Like the TIE bomber and looks like it might be a good basis for a TIE advanced MoC.

These TIEs will make a fine addition to my collection.

bomber & boba's micro, absolutely

Imperial Gonk Droid!!!

So which film/series/other spin-off is the TIE Bomber meant to be from? It's most famously seen in Empire, the box has a Return of the Jedi anniversary logo, but it includes a character (Sloane) not seen in any film.

@Doctor_Hugh said:
"So which film/series/other spin-off is the TIE Bomber meant to be from? It's most famously seen in Empire, the box has a Return of the Jedi anniversary logo, but it includes a character (Sloane) not seen in any film.
"

I think that would imply it's just from that general era of Star Wars events.

@N1majneb said:
"40th ROTJ badge, I wonder if we'll see more ROTJ sets this year related to this?"

There have been rumours of some new dioramas of the endor speeder bike chase, Jabba's palace and the death star showdown...

I’ve been waiting on this for what feels like ages!

@Squid_Kid8 said:
"Yo, the 501st has a new helmet, the rangefinder sits lower than it would on the troops from this years At-te."

I think we can do without the 'yo'. Yikes, seriously cringy.

Unless... it's 'Yo, MTV Raps!'

If you say 'yo' to the StyleCounselor, you're obligated to dap 'em up and/or buy him a beer. Since neither can be done online, please refrain.

TIE Bomber and Darth Vader! My first SW LEGO purchase sine the AT-AT.

@Squid_Kid8 said:
"Yo, the 501st has a new helmet, the rangefinder sits lower than it would on the troops from this years At-te."

More likely a rendering error on the box rather than a new helmet piece

@Mattewes said:
" @Are said:
"It seems like you can't look through the TIE Bomber cockpit window, that's kinda sad."
I just had to scroll up to check - you are totally right. Seems like such a waste. It really ruined the TIE Advanced that came with Darth Vader’s castle for me.
"

It's not a good look.

Man, I used to love LEGO Star Wars, but the offerings from the last few years have been pretty lacklustre. It really make me wonder who’s designing the sets.

Case in point, the TIE Bomber. Why is there an ROTJ badge when the ship never appeared in the film, the box art is from ESB and none of the minifigures are exclusive to the film either (why no Moff Jerjerrod?). I guess all ‘most people remember’ is that there were some TIE model ships at the Battle of Endor. A TIE Interceptor or B-Wing would have probably been a better choice. From the last few years, you would think that there are only a few Star Wars fans on the design team, and this is why I have no care for the Star Wars theme anymore.

Aside from the badge, I do like the TIE Bomber — LEGO attempting to branch out into the EU with Rae Sloane (Mara Hade and Kyle Katarn when?) is a win for me, and the price is reasonable enough. I would buy it if my backlog weren’t so full.

The 501st BP might be the only one I’ll pick up, although I’m still not a fan of the price. Really wish they can go back to two a year.

Don’t really care about Slave I.

@Dean_Dingus_2000 said:
"But I supposed 2 appearances spaced 3 years apart is a little much for the fanbase that complains when a new x wing comes out every 6 years. "

75301 and 75297 in 2021
75273 in 2020
75236 in 2019
75218 in 2018
75149 in 2016
75102 in 2015

You’re welcome to do the math. Those complaints are quite justified if you ask me.

FINALLY!! I've been waiting forever to get good-quality photos of these sets. but I like the view of the slave one microfighter a little better in the lower-quality picture. it sucks. it doesn't suck as a slave one it sucks as a microfighter. it looks ugly. and Boba Fett looks ugly without the range finder. the 501st battle pack on the other hand looks magnificent. I love it. it looks really good. the tie bomber on the other hand isn't that bad-looking. you can't see through the window as some of you mentioned already which is a downside. the cockpit is a little cramped. other than that it looks pretty good. but have any of y'all noticed that the box art is for empire strikes back but the badge is for return of the jedi?

Finally we get another Tie Bomber! I like it, but WTF is up with the included minifigs? Who the hell is Vice Admiral Sloane? And the Imperial Gonk droid is super meh. Why no Stormtroopers? LEGO every Imperial set should have at least 1 Stormtrooper!!!

Why does the rangefinder not have a black stripe across the front? It makes it look ridiculous... almost as ridiculous as Bobas sand green helmet that should be dark green but they won't change it for some reason....

@ResIpsaLoquitur:
For one thing, _I_ would like another MBS Hoth set. I missed the one everyone hates on so much, and I actually wanted it. From the OT, they could still do an MBS Jabba’s Palace or Dagobah. From the PT, there are several possibilities, but Geonosis is one that gets mentioned a lot.

@CCC:
Youngsters like Darth Annie!

@HandPositions:
A long time ago, in a galaxy that’s pretty much right where ours is at the moment, people used to complain about the “Star Wars tax”. People like me started poking holes the size of the Grand Canyon in that argument by pointing out that ~20 years ago basic SW sets averaged $0.09/pc while World City clocked in at $0.11/pc. So they moved on to less objective means of comparing value to cost. Means that reward a chonky design that uses lots of 2x4 and Duplo bricks, just to bulk up the size of a model that looks like it was built in the 1970’s.

@legoDad42:
MaRey Sue, allow me to introduce you to MaRae Sue.

75347 TIE Bomber.

PROS: Net and nice design, no stickers, OT classic ship. EPIC.
CONS: Expensive, Expensive, Expensive. EXPENSIVE.

A Must Have. I will be waiting for 33%OFF.

I've purposely stayed away from YT until this reveal (FOMO is some weird crap I've never understood) and I enjoy surprises.

I like these sets. The Tie is a little on the high side, but isn't outrageous. The Slave 1 is awesome and the battlepack is a battlepack, which are always fun.

All definite purchases for me.

@legoDad42 said:
"Just wow! The most incredible back story I've ever read from a character with zero screen time from Star Wars. Amazing. "

You don't know much at all about the Star Wars EU then, lol.

@sideswinger said:
"Not a Star Wars fan, but for those of you who are, that TIE Bomber is overpriced. LEGO Star Wars has lost its appeal for me."

Actually, I think that's not the case. I think $65 for the TIE Bomber is fairly reasonable within modern Lego Star Wars. I was expecting at least $80.

I've seen early reviews and the set seems to be well worth the price Lego's asking.

is that all? I mean, good for my wallet, but damn.

I see it as quite a shady move on Lego's part with the 501st officer's helmet's rangefinder being falsely advertised. I'd love to give TLG the benefit of the doubt and see it as merely a rendering error, but it's present on all the official images. It seems that even TLG realises that their minifigure looks inaccurate, and tried to get away with false advertising.

It's almost like they know they're lazy but can't be bothered to own up to it.

@RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
" @Dean_Dingus_2000 said:
"But I supposed 2 appearances spaced 3 years apart is a little much for the fanbase that complains when a new x wing comes out every 6 years. "

75301 and 75297 in 2021
75273 in 2020
75236 in 2019
75218 in 2018
75149 in 2016
75102 in 2015

You’re welcome to do the math. Those complaints are quite justified if you ask me.

"

75236 isn't an x-wing?

@123MrBrick said:
" @legoDad42 said:
"Just wow! The most incredible back story I've ever read from a character with zero screen time from Star Wars. Amazing. "

You don't know much at all about the Star Wars EU then, lol."

I just watch the movies (mostly the OT) and read only the Heir to the Empire trilogy and Splinter of the Mind's Eye.

I still have the original tie bomber, and i think for the scale this looks good. My money is betting on the fact that this will be a UCS set announced next in 2023.

Not only a new TIE bomber but a Microfighter that actually has an interior! I never thought I'd see the day.

@ScholtzTKO said:
"Why does the rangefinder not have a black stripe across the front? It makes it look ridiculous... almost as ridiculous as Bobas sand green helmet that should be dark green but they won't change it for some reason...."

I assume you mean the macrobinoculars...? It could be too small/complex of a surface for them to print. It could also have something to do with not being able to print parts in accessory packs for manufacturing reasons. The later being a lousy excuse with an easy workaround.

You know that scene in The Empire Strikes Back when Luke Skywalker is on Dagobah looking for Yoda and he experiences an unknown, but also familiar feeling?

I have that feeling too! It feels like...

...I've already seen all of these for weeks.

I must be strong in the Force.

@Sandinista said:
" @RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
" @Dean_Dingus_2000 said:
"But I supposed 2 appearances spaced 3 years apart is a little much for the fanbase that complains when a new x wing comes out every 6 years. "

75301 and 75297 in 2021
75273 in 2020
75236 in 2019
75218 in 2018
75149 in 2016
75102 in 2015

You’re welcome to do the math. Those complaints are quite justified if you ask me.

"

75236 isn't an x-wing?"

Nice catch! I meant 75235. My bad.

I really want to like that Tie-Bomber so much, but I am just underwhelmed by the result.
All the Tie fighter variants I have (and ships that are somehow in-universe related to them), I bought before they decided to reduce the size of all these smaller mostly one man seater spacecraft, and it shows.
When I compare these sets (which I own):
75082 75150 75154 75211 75101 9500 75168 75179 76096
to the new 2023 Tie-Bomber; the ship is too small, the cockpit is too cramped. The Tie-bomber is supposed to be able to carry a several people, and when not configured as a bomber, even a small squadron.
For years, TLG used this large 6X6 stud hinged transparent printed dish for the view portal, and often one in dark grey for the top hatch. This view portal is 'fake' and doesn't let you really look into the cockpit. There probably is no room for other minifigs. I find the minifig selection odd and sparse. Why include Darth Vader? A technician and a trooper would have been better IMO. I do like the inclusion of a high ranking officer (although I don't know who she is supposed to be). If this is based on The Empire Strikes Back, Captain Needa would have been preferable, I think.
The proportions of 75347 are about right, and yet everything looks slightly off.
It is on my wish list, but definitely not an instant must buy. It doesn't look like a set worth €65 of Lego bricks and pieces to me. It is more sort of a starter kit for a MOC/MOD project.

My bad! 75096
Somehow, I cannot edit my comment.

Ummm...how would 'Carbonite Han' fit in B.F.'s Mirco-'Slave 1' (Cuz' I REFUSE to call it anything else...)?

The Tie Bomber looks excellent to me, am excited for it and will definitely be picking it up as it's been 20 years since the last minifig scale one.

That being said, it is the 40th anniversary of ROJ in 2023, and I certainly don't remember the Tie Bomber being in ROJ. Strange that it is being released as a 40th ROJ anniversary set.

I was honestly really looking forward to an updated minifig scale Tie Interceptor for 2023 as a 40th anniversary set, as the Interceptor was featured prominently in ROJ. I figured if they would ever release an updated Tie Interceptor it would be this year (I think the last one was released in 2004 so it's been 18 years and counting). Wondering if they'll ever release an updated one now. The Interceptor is my favorite Tie Fighter variant so this is very dissapointing. They could have released an updated Interceptor this year and then released the Tie Bomber next year.

MicroSlave looks cute.

@legoDad42 said:
" @123MrBrick said:
" @legoDad42 said:
"Just wow! The most incredible back story I've ever read from a character with zero screen time from Star Wars. Amazing. "

You don't know much at all about the Star Wars EU then, lol."

I just watch the movies (mostly the OT) and read only the Heir to the Empire trilogy and Splinter of the Mind's Eye. "

That's completely fair of you, imo. The other poster is correct in that this kind of thing was very common in the EU even in the 90s -- I would certainly say it was disappointing to see Disney repeat a trend that had seemed died off, but a lot of those books would introduce new Imperial officers who would be built up as huge antagonists, with several major skills, deep connections to other Imperial or Rebel characters, and sometimes flimsy excuses to not be around for the film events, and eventually get quietly killed off and forgotten.

Good to know, i already saw 75345 this week in Zürich. I was like wtf is this. Now i know.

I hope that TIE Bomber is still in stock come May the 4th. Now they just need to announce another $100 worth of sets I want so I can get the GWP.

Looking forward to getting the latest Boba Fett Minifig from the microfighter. Already have UCS Slave 1, so couldn't really justify getting the Mandalorian era smaller version.

The TIE Bomber is welcome. Good thing that overpriced sets always end up firmly on sale!

Hell yeah! Moar Clones! Also pretty excited for the Tie Bomber, but it's a little pricey, so you should pick it up, when it's finally down 30%.

I looked at the TIE Bomber and thought, £34.99, £39.99 at a push.
£59.99???

That's insane!

No Andor sets? they are missing a trick. Best thing on Disney + EVER lol

Nothing too exciting, shame the 75315: Imperial Light Cruiser is to be discontinued at the end of Dec with nothing really to replace it.

@legoDad42 said:
"I've never heard of Rae Sloane before. Had to read up on it.

Side note: It's odd they named a new character 'Rae' the same as Star War's main new hero character 'Rey'. Strange.

Boy they made this Rae Sloane incredible. What a resume for a never seen on screen Star Wars character. Check it....
- Vice Admiral
- Grand Admiral
- Responsible for saving the remnants of the Imperial Fleet's defeat at Endor.
- When only a cadet saved BOTH Vader and Palpatine from an assassination. Amazing!
- Got to rank of Captain at a young age.
- Saved a planet from destruction and saved valuable resources for the Empire.
- Helped form the New Order
- A high level mathematician
- Well versed in military tactics.
- A loyal Imperial Navy officer,devoted to serving Emperor Palpatine and his Galactic Empire but also an intelligent and rational woman, able to see the flaws in the Empire's policies and strategies. Incredible!
- Chose not to have a wife or husband or children to serve the Empire. So brave!
- Tall and muscular.
- A martial artist too.
Just wow! The most incredible back story I've ever read from a character with zero screen time from Star Wars. Amazing. "

That’s called a Scary Sue!

Been out of the loop, what happened to that push a couple years back to make Star Wars ships a bit cheaper? Resulted in a fairly well received X-Wing, TIE and Imperial Shuttle if I recall correctly? Are they still doing that?

The price of the TIE Bomber is quite fair, considering that X-Wings were nearing £100 mark.

If they announced it was £35, people on here would be complaining about how expensive it was.

@Squid_Kid8 said:
"Yo, the 501st has a new helmet, the rangefinder sits lower than it would on the troops from this years At-te."

I think that may just be a mistake with the image render. But still thanks for pointing that out I would have never noticed that.

@legoguysw said:
"Been out of the loop, what happened to that push a couple years back to make Star Wars ships a bit cheaper? Resulted in a fairly well received X-Wing, TIE and Imperial Shuttle if I recall correctly? Are they still doing that?"

Yes, they are. Slave 1 and this new bomber continue that push. Or are you asking where the Brickset interest is since we were asking Lego to do this and now hate it?

TIE bomber is a bit fugly but no doubt I will buy it when it gets reduced at some point :)

@brick_r said:
"Ummm...how would 'Carbonite Han' fit in B.F.'s Mirco-'Slave 1' (Cuz' I REFUSE to call it anything else...)?"

Suit yourself, but _I'm_ going to call it "Micro Slave I", because I'm not really sure what a "Mirco" is...

@classic_space17:
Wookieepedia confirms that the TIE Bomber does indeed appear in RotJ. I can't find any info on when/where to spot them, but I imagine they can be seen strafing capital ships, as that is one of their primary roles. On a similar note, I know the B-Wing is from RotJ, and my brother had a school folder that showed concept art of one or two racing away from an exploding ISD, but the only time I know you can spot them is when the starfighters accelerate away from Ackbar's bridge.

@CapnRex101:
So, no combat action?

@PurpleDave said:
" @classic_space17:
Wookieepedia confirms that the TIE Bomber does indeed appear in RotJ. I can't find any info on when/where to spot them, but I imagine they can be seen strafing capital ships, as that is one of their primary roles. On a similar note, I know the B-Wing is from RotJ, and my brother had a school folder that showed concept art of one or two racing away from an exploding ISD, but the only time I know you can spot them is when the starfighters accelerate away from Ackbar's bridge."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbsNi_ex24s
Yeah, unfortunately, hardly any screentime for the B-Wing. Still a very cool star-fighter!
75050 was/is such a good minifig rendition, I don't think they can scale this one down much if they would do a new version.

What a shame, still no TIE Interceptor. Maybe later next year? The TIE Bomber is long overdue, though that price is ridiculous. And as someone who only saw the movies, who the heck is Admiral Sloane?

@CapnRex101 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @classic_space17 :
Wookieepedia confirms that the TIE Bomber does indeed appear in RotJ. I can't find any info on when/where to spot them, but I imagine they can be seen strafing capital ships, as that is one of their primary roles. On a similar note, I know the B-Wing is from RotJ, and my brother had a school folder that showed concept art of one or two racing away from an exploding ISD, but the only time I know you can spot them is when the starfighters accelerate away from Ackbar's bridge."

The TIE Bomber appears in the foreground when Darth Vader arrives on the Death Star II, hanging from a deployment rack inside the hangar bay: https://images.brickset.com/news/86892_Bomber%20Ref.jpg "

So it appears in the movie for a few seconds hanging from a deployment rack (very easy to miss), while numerous Tie Interceptors are featured prominently in multiple combat scenes throughout the Battle of Endor. To me it's still a very strange choice as a 40th anniversary set for ROJ.

So it's strange they put in a TIE Bomber for a Return of the Jedi anniversary.
Nice ship, but it makes no sense.
The prominent ships in combat that I remember are A-Wing, B-Wing, X-Wing, Y-Wing, Millennium Falcon, TIE Fighters, TIE Interceptors, Star Destroyers, Super Star Destroyer, Imperial Shuttle, and the big mofo: The Death Star II.
Hoping we'll see the return of a UCS Death Star II.
No TIE Bombers if I remember in combat.
You could do another Jabba Sail Barge too. An Ewok Glider, Speeder-Bikes, etc.

@CapnRex101 said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @CapnRex101 :
So, no combat action?"

Nothing clear, although I get the impression that ILM used absolutely everything they had for background starfighters at the Battle of Endor, so I would not be surprised if TIE Bombers and TIE Shuttles appear in the deep background."

It’s known among nerds that ILM put a lot of strange and unidentified objects in there to fill out the deep background for the Endor space battle scenes. People have tried to reconstruct their shapes by combining multiple frames and seeing if they can model them somehow.

It’s reasonable to expect TIE Bombers in action, but they could also be TIE Boarding Craft as they have a near-identical silhouette.

@PhantomBricks said:
" @legoguysw said:
"Been out of the loop, what happened to that push a couple years back to make Star Wars ships a bit cheaper? Resulted in a fairly well received X-Wing, TIE and Imperial Shuttle if I recall correctly? Are they still doing that?"

Yes, they are. Slave 1 and this new bomber continue that push. Or are you asking where the Brickset interest is since we were asking Lego to do this and now hate it?"

Haha, I wasn't asking that but that's interesting to hear! Why the hate? Genuine question, not looked into it

@Rare_White_Ape:
During my brief attempt to locate visual proof that TIE Bombers did appear in RotJ, I ran across a video showing that ILM used Kenner die-cast TIE Fighters for deep background shots. The wings have a different shape, they have a vestigial battery box from the action figure version, and they were painted white.

@legoguysw:
The prices went down, but the ships also shrunk a lot. In the case of the X-Wing, people got used to these giant space-yachts, and some still refuse to accept that the latest version is the first to be nearly perfectly in scale with minifigs. Part of the issue may have been the accompanying TIE Fighter, which was legitimately undersized, but the price goes up a lot just to make the wings the right size.

@PurpleDave said:
" @Rare_White_Ape:
During my brief attempt to locate visual proof that TIE Bombers did appear in RotJ, I ran across a video showing that ILM used Kenner die-cast TIE Fighters for deep background shots. The wings have a different shape, they have a vestigial battery box from the action figure version, and they were painted white.

@legoguysw:
The prices went down, but the ships also shrunk a lot. In the case of the X-Wing, people got used to these giant space-yachts, and some still refuse to accept that the latest version is the first to be nearly perfectly in scale with minifigs. Part of the issue may have been the accompanying TIE Fighter, which was legitimately undersized, but the price goes up a lot just to make the wings the right size."

Interesting, thanks. Yeah, I always felt they'd gotten way too big (my first X-Wing was the 2006 release of the fairly classic design) and overly detailed so was pleased with the shift.

The TIE Bomber will be released in 2023. 2023 is the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi.
This is called coincidence. That's all it is

@560heliport said:
"The TIE Bomber will be released in 2023. 2023 is the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi.
This is called coincidence. That's all it is "

The TIE has a ROTJ 40th logo on the box, while the other two do not. More than a coincidence here!

@legoDad42 said:

"Side note: It's odd they named a new character 'Rae' the same as Star War's main new hero character 'Rey'. Strange."

It's actually the other way round, Rae Sloane was introduced into Star Wars in 2014 whereas Rey was introduced at the end of 2015.

There's also plenty of other characters in the universe which share names. Ben Kenobi and Ben Solo for example

@GamerBambii said:
" @legoDad42 said:

"Side note: It's odd they named a new character 'Rae' the same as Star War's main new hero character 'Rey'. Strange."

It's actually the other way round, Rae Sloane was introduced into Star Wars in 2014 whereas Rey was introduced at the end of 2015.

There's also plenty of other characters in the universe which share names. Ben Kenobi and Ben Solo for example"

Thx. With Ben Solo, the writers figured it'd make sense that Han and Leia would name him after their deceased dearest close friend, mentor, protector, Jedi master to their family old 'Ben' Kenobi.

Disappointing they didn't use the same TIE windscreen piece. For some visual continuity. But I can't deny this looks more accurate.

‘Fett’s Starship’ still irritates me so much. …I hope LEGO is getting a discount on that Star Wars license, because they’re allowed to use less and less of what Star Wars actually is.

I've been looking for an updated TIE Bomber for years, very nice.

That weird SW tax--from a per-piece cost, it doesn't seem out of line. But $65 USD for that size DOES look out of line. Who am I kidding, I'll still buy it, though, as it's one of my favorite SW ships.

Slave-1 is great at that scale. Don't like how the tail guns are now flick missiles, but easily modded. Still I'll grab that one, too.