Set ID: 75035 Kashyyyk Troopers
Number of Pieces: 99
Year of Release: 2014
Minifigs: 4
Purchased Price: About SGD 20
Y? Y? Y???
So, why is there a Swamp Speeder in a set named "Kashyyyk Troopers"? And why are the Troopers carrying blasters that are larger than their arms? And why are there 3 "Y"s in the word "Kashyyyk" (and gives me plenty of headache when typing it)? Coincidentally, I was watching "The King's Speech" while reviewing this set and the word "Kashyyyk" kind of resonate well with Colin Firth stammering his lines in the background.
There were a few mini sets released during this latest wave of Star Wars launch. By mini set, I mean they are meant for kids who cannot afford the bigger ones and those AFOLs who are very much into the collection of minifigs. I bought this for the sake of completing (and continuing) my collection, but ended up was rather impressed by the quality of the minifigs. But up till now, I still struggle to justify the inclusion of the Swarm Speeder or its remote relevance to the Troopers.
This season, LEGO has attempted to improve the playability of the new sets with the introduction of spring loaded missiles and ejection blasters, which are found in this set. To accommodate this shooting feature, LEGO has compromised on the sleekness of design and size of the blasters. As a result, the Troopers are now seen carrying those grossly oversized guns while fighting for their life in battle. Some kids will certainly enjoy shooting those single stud pellets at some other minifigs (and will pester their parents to help them look for the lost pellets), but for a collector like myself, I hate the look of these blasters. I guess there is no best of both world here.
The mini swarm speeder is a modest version of that found in 8091 Republic Swarm Speeder, with less details and playability. Despite its modest size, the rear propeller can actually be rotated to help the speeder change direction. Two blasters are attached to its front to help provide scant attacking options for the Troopers. With only 99 bricks at our disposal, it will be unfair to compare to its 8091 "big brother".
Building Experience
My son was a little bored over the weekend and pleaded to open this set. It was too simple to keep him occupied for too long and all he took was 15 minutes to finish the building process. One small instruction booklet accompanies the 2 packet of bricks in the box. LEGO seems to have anticipated the high chance of losing the light blue pellet during play time. As such, there are 6 extra pellets included in this set in addition to the 4 that are already attached to the blasters. Trust me, it wouldn't take long to lose all of them.
Minifigs
Once again, the minifigs prevail over the vehicle in this set. A pair of identical Elite Corps Troopers and another pair of Kashyyyk Clone Troopers complete the crew list of this set. The outfit of the minifigs reminds me of the overall worn by those paintball players, who typically don the kaki colored camouflage vests with big, huge protective goggles. All four of them have the same intense facial expression, concealed behind the highly detailed helmets.
I first had the suspicion that the helmet of the Elite Corps Troopers are of the same mould as that of the Bike Trooper. Having access to one of the latter, I immediately concluded that they are different. With better technology, LEGO has managed to up the standard of details on the minifigs in recent years. Just check out the camouflage design and grilled mouth piece print on the helmet and you will be thoroughly convince.
The Elite Trooper also comes with a brown leg piece, with prints up to his knees. Kashyyyk Trooper is less visually exciting to me but it doesn't take away the pleasure of appreciating the details on his helmet. His torso is also printed on both sides with camouflage details extending to his kaki leg piece too. These 2 minifigs have are totally new ones in this wave of 2014 release. They do impress, and I can't wait to see what the minifig design team in LEGO is going to throw at consumer next.
Conclusion
A good entry level set. Will be better off getting the minifigs and combined with other more impressive vehicle or scene sets.
+ Details on minifigs
+ More playable features with the ejection blasters
- Unimpressive mini swarm speeder
- Unimpressive blaster designs. Wayyy to big fo the minifigs
So, why is there a Swamp Speeder in a set named "Kashyyyk Troopers"? And why are the Troopers carrying blasters that are larger than their arms? And why are there 3 "Y"s in the word "Kashyyyk" (and gives me plenty of headache when typing it)? Coincidentally, I was watching "The King's Speech" while reviewing this set and the word "Kashyyyk" kind of resonate well with Colin Firth stammering his lines in the background.
There were a few mini sets released during this latest wave of Star Wars launch. By mini set, I mean they are meant for kids who cannot afford the bigger ones and those AFOLs who are very much into the collection of minifigs. I bought this for the sake of completing (and continuing) my collection, but ended up was rather impressed by the quality of the minifigs. But up till now, I still struggle to justify the inclusion of the Swarm Speeder or its remote relevance to the Troopers.
This season, LEGO has attempted to improve the playability of the new sets with the introduction of spring loaded missiles and ejection blasters, which are found in this set. To accommodate this shooting feature, LEGO has compromised on the sleekness of design and size of the blasters. As a result, the Troopers are now seen carrying those grossly oversized guns while fighting for their life in battle. Some kids will certainly enjoy shooting those single stud pellets at some other minifigs (and will pester their parents to help them look for the lost pellets), but for a collector like myself, I hate the look of these blasters. I guess there is no best of both world here.The mini swarm speeder is a modest version of that found in 8091 Republic Swarm Speeder, with less details and playability. Despite its modest size, the rear propeller can actually be rotated to help the speeder change direction. Two blasters are attached to its front to help provide scant attacking options for the Troopers. With only 99 bricks at our disposal, it will be unfair to compare to its 8091 "big brother".
Building Experience
My son was a little bored over the weekend and pleaded to open this set. It was too simple to keep him occupied for too long and all he took was 15 minutes to finish the building process. One small instruction booklet accompanies the 2 packet of bricks in the box. LEGO seems to have anticipated the high chance of losing the light blue pellet during play time. As such, there are 6 extra pellets included in this set in addition to the 4 that are already attached to the blasters. Trust me, it wouldn't take long to lose all of them.
Minifigs
Once again, the minifigs prevail over the vehicle in this set. A pair of identical Elite Corps Troopers and another pair of Kashyyyk Clone Troopers complete the crew list of this set. The outfit of the minifigs reminds me of the overall worn by those paintball players, who typically don the kaki colored camouflage vests with big, huge protective goggles. All four of them have the same intense facial expression, concealed behind the highly detailed helmets.I first had the suspicion that the helmet of the Elite Corps Troopers are of the same mould as that of the Bike Trooper. Having access to one of the latter, I immediately concluded that they are different. With better technology, LEGO has managed to up the standard of details on the minifigs in recent years. Just check out the camouflage design and grilled mouth piece print on the helmet and you will be thoroughly convince.
The Elite Trooper also comes with a brown leg piece, with prints up to his knees. Kashyyyk Trooper is less visually exciting to me but it doesn't take away the pleasure of appreciating the details on his helmet. His torso is also printed on both sides with camouflage details extending to his kaki leg piece too. These 2 minifigs have are totally new ones in this wave of 2014 release. They do impress, and I can't wait to see what the minifig design team in LEGO is going to throw at consumer next.
Conclusion
A good entry level set. Will be better off getting the minifigs and combined with other more impressive vehicle or scene sets.
+ Details on minifigs
+ More playable features with the ejection blasters
- Unimpressive mini swarm speeder
- Unimpressive blaster designs. Wayyy to big fo the minifigs
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