Get A Glimpse Into The World Of Rogue One With The New 2016 Star Wars LEGO Sets
It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were all getting ready for the release of The Force Awakens and marveling at the mysterious new models that had appeared in LEGO form. A year on and we are doing it all over again with the newest 2016 releases in the LEGO Star Wars range. This time it is all about Rogue One. We have had a glimpse at the characters, locations and vehicles included in this new, stand-alone movie and know that it takes place before the original trilogy. Some of these characters and craft have been recreated by LEGO so fans can start their collection before the movie comes out. There are five new vehicles sets to get to grips with – the Hovertank, AT-ST Walker, TIE striker, U-Wing Fighter and an Imperial Shuttle – as well as three new buildable characters. This is sure to only be the start of a much broader range.
Rogue One LEGO Sets
LEGO STAR WARS Imperial Assault Hovertank 75152 Set
The first of the new vehicles to consider is the LEGO STAR WARS Imperial Assault Hovertank 75152. This Hovertank is an impressive built because of the scale of the kit and the overall impression it makes when placed to the Speeders of Star Wars 7. It measures 20cm long and has lots of details in its defenses. One of the most interesting features is the use of transparent wheels so it really does look as though it is hovering over the table. It is classed as an urban patrol vehicle, the sort to stamp out any civil unrest from the Rebel Alliance.
We still don’t know precisely what the Imperial Army plan to do with this hovering, armoured beast in Rogue One, but it is sure to be destructive. It has a rotating and elevating turret gun and spring loaded shooters on board and there are two Imperial Hovertank Pilots included in the 2016 set – one to steer it and one to shoot. In this set, these pilots are aiming at Chirrut Imwe, who comes complete with this fabric cloak and bow. Players need to help Imwe fight back in what looks like a one sided battle.
LEGO Star Wars AT-ST Walker 75153 Set
Some types of machine are more iconic than others and there are few Star Wars Fans that saw the Rogue One trailers and didn’t grin at the sight of the AS-AT Walker. The aim of the new 2016 LEGO STAR WARS AT-ST Walker 75153 Set seems to be pretty similar to that of the Hovertank above. This new walker is patrolling the area, keeping an eye out for anyone that might cross its path. Where the Hovertank is the tough, armored approach to keeping the city submissive, this walker is the ideal way to get a good view of what its really going on. The poseable legs mean that players can really walk it around and the wheel-activated top section rotates so that the AS-AT driver mini-figure within can get a great view from all angles.
In this instance, it is Baze Malbus and a Rebel Trooper that the walker is after. If they are spotted, the driver can fire the dual spring-loaded shooter and elevating front guns to drive them away. That doesn’t mean that the Rebel and Baze can’t fight back, they have a blaster pistol, blaster rifle and a heavy blaster to cover themselves.
LEGO Star Wars TIE Striker 75154 Set
The next set takes us out of the streets of Rogue One’s curious story and into the more familiar territory of the skies. If any Star Wars LEGO collectors wants a good aerial battle, they need a good 2016 TIE Striker. The LEGO STAR WARS TIE Striker 75154 set lets fans build a detailed, moving model of a tough striker for some exciting chases. It has adjustable wings, a cockpit that can be accessed from the front and top, a storage area at the rear and plenty of firepower in the spring-loaded shooters. It is a complex build, but one that results in a detailed model that builders can be proud of.
The ground target is a Rebel Trooper – interestingly modeled in an Endor outfit – who is carrying nothing but a blaster pistol. He is severely outnumbered because there TIE Striker Pilot is gaining fast and there are two Imperial members on the ground. They are the Imperial Shoretrooper and ground crew member ready to wave the Striker in to land. This is the sort of set that collectors can begin with when starting a Rogue One series, and then expand upon it. With additional fighters and mini figures, the battle could be more intense.
LEGO Star Wars Rebel U-Wing Fighter 75155 Set
The Star Wars 7 series of toys was dominated by the X-Wing. That was the fighter that everyone wanted so that they could fly Poe Dameron thrown the galaxy and destroy the First Order. In Rogue One, we are back to the Imperial Army and the top craft in the skies might just be the LEGO STAR WARS Rebel U-Wing Fighter 75155.
This Rebel ship set provides collectors with an impressive craft thanks to its 659 pieces. She has 4 large engines to help her power threw the skies, huge wings that require a good builder’s hand, an opening cockpit for either of the minifigures and side doors. Additional elements of interest on the craft are the pull-out stud shooters and the transparent observation window.
The obvious choice to man the ship is the U-Wing Pilot. However, should he fall behind in battle, there is also Bistan, Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor and a Rebel Trooper. Each character is armed with their trademark weapon, usually a blaster pistol, and comes in authentic costume. It is an interesting design for 2016 that players will love to recreate and fly as they imagine the potential story-lines in the upcoming film.
LEGO Star Wars Krennic’s Imperial Shuttle 75156 Set
Everyone wants the latest version of the more iconic vehicles and craft to add to a new wing of their LEGO Star Wars Collection. That is why the AS-AT Walker and TIE Striker will be so popular. However, the most impressive of the five new Rogue One vehicle sets may have been saved until last. The LEGO STAR WARS Krennic’s Imperial Shuttle 75156 set brings us a dark, foreboding ship that belongs to Director Krennic – surely one of the main villains of the new 2016 tale. Krennic is included in minifigure form, as are Pao, Bohdi Rook, K-2SO and 2 Imperial Death Troopers. This leads to a lot of questions. Who is this troop of fighters, where is Krennic heading in this ship and why is the supposedly-defected K-2SO droid with him?
When it comes to the ship, builders have a fun challenge on their hands with the big black shape and folding wings. It measures 25cm long and 56cm wide in flying mode, so it is one of the larger models. The front and side panels open to reveal the interior, including a storage area and seating for four passengers. There is also a rear ramp, retractable landing gear, a cockpit for a minfigure and dual spring-loaded shooters.
LEGO Star Wars K-2SO 75120 Set
Star Wars LEGO collectors love their buildable figures and there are three new characters to highlight in this guide. The first is the LEGO Star Wars K-2SO 75120 Set. K-2SO is a character that collectors are not very familiar with yet, but he is one of the most intriguing. This droid is a menacing looking figure, with the scuffed, all-black armour and Imperial insignia on his left arm. The fact that this is an “extra tall” model with a height of 29cm just adds to that sense of dominance. However, K-2SO has been reprogrammed to fight with the good guys.
This is good news for all players that want to use this big, buildable figure to fight off Imperial troops. What makes him even more interesting is that the has posable arms and legs for a battle stance and an arm swinging function to knock-out the enemy. There is a lot of detail in the parts, joints and design elements of this figure. The creation may be fiddly, but it leads to a realistic looking model. It is something that keen builders will enjoy and something to take pride of place in a new Rogue One 2016 collection.
LEGO Star Wars Imperial Death Trooper 75121 Set
If K-2SO is the big, black figure reeking havoc for the good guys, his best rival on the Imperial side has to be the LEGO STAR WARS Imperial Death Trooper 75121. True to their word, LEGO have ensured that K-2SO is a little taller than this 2016 Death Trooper, as this stunning looking soldier reaches a height of 26cm. There is something very attractive about the use of black parts and the different shapes that make up the armor and helmet of this figure. This appeal increase with the paintwork on the cape, pockets and belt, as well as the green of the visor and red on the rifle. It is a model that gets better the more pieces builders find and the finished model is a major talking point for anyone keen to see the Rogue One.
One of key selling points with this model has to be fact that he is armed. K-2SO may be able to punch, but he has a spring-loaded blaster rifle and a blaster pistol, complete with holster. This means that the poseable model has great worth as a plaything as well as a collector’s item. This has to be the Imperial troop’s must deadly weapon in this LEGO Star Wars set so far.
LEGO Star Wars Sergeant Jyn Erso 75119 Set
By comparison, most human form buildable Star Wars figures never look quite as good as the troopers and droids. There is something about the shapes and joint that better suit mechanical parts and armor than real limbs. This is still true with the LEGO STAR WARS Sergeant Jyn Erso 75119 set as some of the limbs do look a little awkward. However, this 2016 model had come a long way in the parts used and the design to create a desirable replica of this new Rogue One Character. Jyn Erso is shorter again, at 24cm tall, and her costume and facial features are shown in great detail.
The appeal is helped by the fact that this is a poseable model with articulation through all the joints. The sales photos have her knelt, running and taking aim at her enemies. This makes the model much more tactile and interesting. There is also a wheel on the back that triggers a swinging fist. This ability to get into combat continues with the detailed blaster rifle and the truncheons mounted on her back. Jyn Erso is sure to be a key player in Rogue One, which makes this new 2016 model a must have for Star Wars fans.
Leave a Reply