I’m a Lego collector, and Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer is impressive, most impressive

I’ve been looking forward to getting my Empire-loving mitts on the Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394). Not only is the capital ship one of the most iconic vessels from the Original Trilogy, but its pair of playset predecessors are some of the best Lego set classics in their own right. You have to go all the way back to 2006’s set 6211 to witness Billund’s first iteration of this menacing triangular spacecraft, and what a marvelous effort it was for the time.

Jump to 2014, and Lego released set 75055, which was immediately considered the definitive offering. Due to the Star Destroyer’s rather simplistic, angular shape, you’d be hard-pressed to find a set that’s been around this long while physically changing so little. The very latest incarnation that I’m reviewing today might be the smallest of the bunch, but it also has the most pieces.

Although it isn’t named as such by Lego, this particular incarnation is evidently Devastator, which served as Darth Vader’s flagship in both Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Episode IV: A New Hope before the Dark Lord of the Sith transitioned to the Super Star Destroyer Executor.

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Evidence of this can be found in an information-panel sticker that features both R2-D2 and C-3PO, as well as the presence of a Commander Praji Minifigure, who tells Vader that the Death Star plans were not aboard the Tantive IV at the beginning of A New Hope. If this playset can get close to my glowing Dark Falcon (75389) review, it'll be impressive, most impressive. So, let’s crack open the box and get building to find out if Lego’s latest star destroyer is a resounding success or has failed me for the last time…

Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394): Features

• 1,555 pieces
• 10+ age rating
• Seven minifigures

The Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394) retails for $159.99 / £149.99 and hovers just below or just within Lego’s price-per-piece average (depending on where you look). Although the Star Destroyer has shrunk over time, it’s still one of Lego Star Wars’ most substantial playsets, beaten only by The Dark Falcon and the recently announced Offworld Sandcrawler and Mudhorn (75453).

Pieces don’t tell the whole story, but if you compare the Imperial Star Destroyer’s price point and 1,555 piece count to the Battle of Felucia Separatist MTT (75435), which has just 976 pieces and retails for $159.99 / £139.99, it starts to look like a decent deal. And the MTT isn't a one-off; several other medium-to-large playsets are similarly priced. I have also seen the Imperial Star Destroyer available with healthy discounts, so you should be able to pick it up for less if you’re patient.

Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394): Build

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• Four-hour build
• May prove too repetitive for younger builders
• 13 stickers

Putting together the Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394) will be very familiar to anyone who’s built a Star Destroyer playset before, particularly the previous 2014 offering, which uses many of the same build techniques. You still build up the interior first, before applying a triangular Technic chassis, which houses the fold-out paneling.

The set comprises 1,555 pieces, split across 14 paper-bagged sections and took me just over four hours to put together. If you haven’t built a Star Destroyer playset before, it’s a fun experience. It’s rather unusual when building a large vessel to start by piecing together and detailing the interior almost immediately. You then move on to the framework of the rear, construct the carrying handle, and piece together the triangular chassis. I was particularly impressed with how hinged pieces are used to angle Technic pins so that they fit snugly into the slanted beams.

The engines and command bridge come next; the bridge is very similar to the 2014 model in that it relies on clips so that each panel faces outwards and is angled accordingly. You then move onto the huge side panels before progressing onto the surprisingly chunky top panel. The turret mechanism is virtually the same as the one on the 2014 Star Destroyer and is a classic case of: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Rather than an overly complicated Technic arrangement, the mechanism is built entirely with classic Lego pieces that simply slide back and forth to swivel each row of turrets in unison.

The difficulty of this build is roughly what you’d expect from a big Lego Star Wars ship. Some occasionally challenging Technic sections require a little bit of force to get each pin to slot in place, but most of the time is spent laying down large tiles. I find this process to be rather therapeutic, but the size and symmetrical nature of this playset means there’s a lot of repetition that will no doubt challenge the attention span of younger builders.

The monotone gray aesthetic does mean you have to pay attention, as it’s very easy to pick up the wrong tile length or accidentally place a piece a stud or two off position. As always, kudos to Lego for splitting the minifigures evenly across the build, so there’s always something for youngsters to play with while an adult helps out with the ship.

If you've read any of my Lego reviews before, you’ll know that I’m not a fan of stickers. This set has 13 stickers and while I’d still prefer more printed pieces in this price range, most of the stickers represent information panels, which are a necessity. I also like the inclusion of R2-D2 and C-3PO on one of the panels and the holographic information panels at the rear of the ship with schematics for both the Star Destroyer, a couple of TIE Fighters and what looks like a map of the system the ship is in orbit.

Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394): Design

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• Display worthy
• Full interior
• Plenty of playability

Lego’s shrinkflation has been well documented, so I wasn’t surprised when I learned that this would be the smallest Star Destroyer playset to date. However, it’s a good example of how a smaller set doesn’t have to compromise heavily on accuracy, features and playability.

This is quite simply the best-looking Star Destroyer playset Lego has ever created. It’s subtly flatter than the previous models, which is more accurate to the prototype, although the removable mid-section beneath the command bridge is still a bit too chunky, giving the ship a slightly stylized aesthetic. That said, it's still a playset that could sit alongside Lego models intended for display and it wouldn't look out of place.

A subtle design choice I particularly like is the decision to remove most of the dark-gray bricks that are dotted around the previous two models. The monotone finish is more in keeping with the Star Destroyers seen in the movies. And that's not the only change that's resulted in a cleaner finish...

Lego has completely hidden the carrying handle behind two hinged doors. It’s a simple touch, but a welcome one that delivers a sleeker aesthetic. Large playsets tend to be a little bit delicate, so I’m always pleased to find a sturdy handle that kids can use to swoop and swish the ship around.

Finally, the 2014 model has green flick-fire missiles, too, but the fluorescent rear of each missile is visible, which isn’t prototypical and creates a decidedly toyish look. In the new set, all but the tip of each missile is completely enclosed, with a simple Technic beam mechanism on each side, which you press down to fire the missiles. It’s a genius and simple solution that elevates the exterior greatly.

All of these changes have made for a more accurate, sleeker and overall tidier exterior that looks more like a display model than a playset, which is a huge compliment. My only complaints are that just three of the seven rear thrusters house clear blue cylindrical pieces to represent firing ion engines. And finally, a few rounded plates on the base would have made the ship glide along carpets more easily during play.

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You’d think that the interior would really highlight the smaller scale, but this might just be my favorite Star Destroyer interior yet, with a couple of caveats. Getting to the interior requires gently removing the central structure beneath the bridge. This isn’t connected to anything, which can feel a little suspect, but I’ve found it to be solid enough and much more accessible for youngsters than having to remove pins or unclip pieces. The side flaps then simply fold out flat.

I’ve always thought that the interiors on the 2006 and 2014 models were a little sparse. You had more real estate for figures, but the detail was lacking. What I like about this latest model is that the interior feels busier. At the front you’ve got a bridge section and at the rear you’ve got a desk with an information pad and coffee cup, storage boxes, two large holographic panels, a holotable that represents an ensuing battle, and what looks like a medical station with a panel, a syringe and flap that houses a bacta tank. There’s plenty of room to position minifigures and overall I think this is a fantastic interior.

The only shortcoming is the front bridge section. It’s more cramped than the 2014 model and the only place where I feel the smaller size lets the ship down. Not only is it a bit of a squeeze to sit figures in the two available seats, but one seat isn’t even aligned with an information panel, which seems like a bit of an awkward oversight. Personally, I wish the designers had moved the wall that’s next to the seats back just two studs to create a little more room.

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Seven minifigures are a good haul for a set of this size. Although he’s one of the most replicated characters in minifigure form, Darth Vader is my pick of the bunch. This variant was available via the now-discontinued Darth Vader Mech (75368) and can also be picked up via the new Darth Vader Bust (75439). He features what I think is the best face print to represent Sebastian Shaw’s unmasking during Return of the Jedi and is a premium offering with printed arms, legs, hips, and torso (front and back).

This Vader sports the traditional, stiff cape, although I do prefer the softer fabric that’s more prevalent nowadays; but that’s personal preference. As always, the helmet is exquisite – arguably the best helmet Lego has ever produced! It’s beautifully moulded and split into two pieces, so you can remove the helmet to reveal the bevor beneath.

Commander Praji is the only other named Minifigure, apart from the bonus Cal Kestis ‘fig’, who I’ll get to later. As with most imperial officers, there’s a limit to what Lego can do given the inherent simplicity of their uniforms. Praji has some decent sideburns going on in A New Hope, so it’s a shame these weren’t added to the face print; otherwise, you’ve got a simple officer’s hat and torso (front and back) printing.

Praji is one of three figures that are exclusive to this set, along with Cal Kestis and the Imperial Gunner. Only the latter’s female face print differs from other recent incarnations. This is a solid figure with leg, hip and torso (front and back) printing, along with a neat molded helmet with an Imperial emblem and some colored buttons.

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The Imperial Navy Trooper is the weakest trooper minifigure. He only has torso (front and back) printing, but I do like the chinstrap on the dual face print and the molded helmet looks the part. The Imperial Crew Member Minifigure is also available in the Lego Death Star (75419), but other similar variants have been available before. He’s a low-key highlight, with torso (front and back), hip and leg printing, as well as a lovely face print that features a headset. Definitely this set’s understated gem.

And finally, the Stormtrooper minifigure might be one of the easiest troopers to come by, but it’s also one of my favorites. This one is a female variant, and while a non-articulating helmet is a frustration for some collectors, it has never bothered me. I love the way this figure looks. She has leg and torso printing (front and back). Arm and hip printing would be a welcome upgrade, but blank white spaces don’t detract from what is a top-tier trooper minifigure with a helmet mold that rivals even Vader’s.

Cal Kestis isn’t technically part of this Star Destroyer’s official Minifigure roster because he’s an exclusive figure in celebration of Lego Star Wars’ 25th anniversary. Seven anniversary figures were available in various sets, but Cal is one of the most sought-after due to being the beloved main protagonist from the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor video games. This is also the very first time he’s been replicated in minifigure form. He’s dressed in his attire from the first game and features torso (front and back), hip, leg, foot and dual face printing, as well as a printed anniversary display base. He’s a great figure, but I do think it’s a shame he doesn’t come with his droid companion BD-1.

Should you buy the Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394)?

In a Lego Star Wars galaxy of medium-sized playsets and evermore ambitious Ultimate Collector Series behemoths, I’m still very much of the opinion that a good-quality large playset is the sweet spot for many child and adult brick fanatics alike. And with the retirement of the Millennium Falcon (75257), the Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394) is one of only two sets (available at the time of writing) that scratch that itch.

But as much as I love The Dark Falcon, the multi-verse-esque theme isn’t for everyone. I’m therefore over the moon (that’s no moon!) that this latest Star Destroyer is an absolute hit. The downsizing will anger some hardcore collectors, but it’s difficult to fault the execution. As far as I’m concerned, this is Lego’s best-looking Star Destroyer playset from the outside and inside. Sure, the command bridge interior is a little cramped, but this is the first Star Destroyer playset where the entire interior is interesting to look at.

If you already own a Star Destroyer playset – particularly the previous 2014 version – this is a refinement, not a major overhaul. But bar the aforementioned bridge and a slightly chunky midsection, I’m finding it hard to imagine how the formula could be improved upon at this scale.

To top everything off, you get a decent roster of seven minifigures. Some of the troopers are a little bit basic, but Darth Vader and that 25th-anniversary Cal Kestis are highlights. It’s hard to think of a Lego Star Wars capital ship that was a dud. Which reminds me, now the Imperial Star Destroyer is in the bag, can we have a follow-up to the Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser (8039) please, Lego?

Ratings

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394)

My army of astromech droids and I built the Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer (75394) in six sittings, where it took just over four hours to build. It sat in my study for a couple of weeks so I could admire it and during the photo shoot, I made sure it was moved, swooshed and played with to test its durability as a toy.

I’ve been collecting Lego since the ‘90s, so you can bet your last galactic credit that I’m passionate about Billund’s bricks. And if there’s one thing I like just as much as Lego, it’s Star Wars, so the two together is a match made in Alderaan.

For more information on our procedure, take a look at how we test products.

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