Buy LEGO® Star Wars: which set suits you?
Buying LEGO® Star Wars starts with choosing what you want to do with the set: play, build, or display. LEGO® Star Wars is one of LEGO®'s longest-running licensed themes, and you can see that in its breadth: from a small box with four soldiers to a display model that fills half a bookshelf. So anyone looking to buy LEGO® Star Wars faces a different question first than which ship looks the most fun: which type of set suits the intended purpose? Below, we compare the four main types, explain why battle packs are so popular, and go over what to look for in second-hand sets and loose minifigures.
LEGO® Star Wars sets: four common types
Playsets: ships, vehicles, and locations
This is the largest group and the backbone of the theme. A playset features a recognizable ship, vehicle, or building from the films or series, with a few minifigures and play features: a hull that opens, a hatch, a cargo hold, or a cockpit that someone can actually fit in. Many playsets have room for minifigures, but the scale varies by model. For children, check the age recommendation, building experience, and play features. A playset can also appeal to adults: you combine building with a recognizable scene.
Display models for collectors
At the other end of the range are the large models designed for display. They emphasize shape, detail, and presentation. Size and scale vary: some include a stand and information plaque, and some are released under the designation Ultimate Collector Series (UCS). Check which play features and minifigures are included with each model. There are also buildable helmets on stands, which follow the same idea in a smaller format. Those interested can find more about what distinguishes such sets in our article on LEGO® for adults.
A LEGO® Star Wars battle pack
Small boxes with a handful of minifigures, usually four, along with a small vehicle, weapons emplacement, or piece of defensive fortification. You can use them to expand a group of figures. Two copies of the same battle pack usually provide reinforcements for the same side; check which characters and factions are included in the box. They generally come from one of the army factions in the universe, such as soldiers, pilots, or guards who appear by the dozens in the films.
Microfighters
Compact, stocky versions of well-known ships, with one minifigure and a small box. The proportions are deliberately inaccurate: a short hull, a large cockpit, a ship you can hold in one hand. They are usually quick and compact to build, making them a pleasant way to see whether the theme appeals to you before starting something larger.
The four types side by side
Building times are general guidelines; experience, model size, and sorting beforehand make a difference. Check the contents of the specific set.
| Set type | Building time | Minifigures | Primarily intended for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playset | One to a few hours | A few, suited to the scene | Playing and arranging loosely |
| Display model | Several evenings | Varies by model | Building and displaying |
| Battle pack | Short | The main component of the set | Building an army |
| Microfighter | Very short | One | Introduction, small gift |
Why battle packs are so popular
Battle packs have a special status within the theme, and there is a simple reason for that: they bundle several soldiers into a relatively compact set. Do compare the price and included figures with individual examples; a battle pack is not automatically the cheapest choice. With a playset, the number of heroes, soldiers, and other figures varies greatly. But the image people have of Star Wars consists of rows of identical figures, and for that you need eight or twelve, not two.
On top of that, these figures do not remain available indefinitely. A battle pack may go out of production, after which availability and prices change. The figures can sometimes still be found individually, in other sets, or in unopened old stock. So if you want to build a display, it is best to buy them while they are available. When buying a used box, check whether all the listed figures and accessories are still included.
A practical note when building a collection of minifigures: when collecting soldiers from the same faction, look for differences in the printing. The same soldier has been redesigned several times over the years, with a different helmet shape, different facial printing, or extra detail on the body. This matters when building a row, because two generations next to each other stand out.
Death Star LEGO®: compare the version, not just the name
Some subjects from Star Wars are so well known that LEGO® has released them several times over the years, in different sizes and with a different approach. The Death Star is the clearest example: there have been versions that are mainly a cross-section with play rooms, and versions that instead recreate the spherical silhouette for display on a shelf. The same applies to the best-known ships from the films, which have existed as playsets, microfighters and large display models.
That is important for anyone searching. If someone asks for "that one Death Star", they are not always referring to the same product. Ask about the size and intended use, and compare the model itself rather than the name. The current selection is available at Star Wars, alongside the broader overview of LEGO® sets.
Second-hand LEGO® Star Wars: what to look out for
Star Wars is one of the themes where the second-hand market works best, precisely because so much of it has been sold and because many sets are no longer in production. Second-hand LEGO® provides access to older sets. Sometimes you can still find a discontinued model unopened from old stock; always compare the condition and the price. Pay attention to the following points when buying.
- Discoloration of white. Star Wars uses a lot of white and light gray, in ship hulls and armor. These colors can discolor with age and exposure to sunlight. This is immediately noticeable in a display, especially if only part of the set has discolored.
- Small loose parts. Blasters, lightsaber blades and handles are small and easily lost. Ask about them explicitly, as they determine whether a figure is complete.
- Fabric and capes. Cloaks and other fabric parts wear out, fade and disappear. Replacing them is possible, but it takes some searching.
- Stickers. Much of the detail on ships comes from stickers. Crooked or peeling stickers are rarely repairable without a new sticker sheet.
- Transparent and chrome parts. These scratch more easily than ordinary bricks and are harder to replace inconspicuously.
If a set arrives dusty or sticky, it can usually be resolved quite easily; our article on cleaning LEGO® explains how to do this safely. The broader checklist for a purchase can be found in buying used LEGO® sets.
Buy LEGO® Star Wars minifigures separately
Star Wars minifigures are often traded separately, and that is exactly where it pays to be vigilant. When buying loose figures, check that the parts and printing match the correct version. Pay attention to the sharpness of the printing, the branding on the studs and parts that differ slightly from the rest in material or color. One characteristic does not prove that a figure is genuine. Compare multiple details with a reliable reference of the same version and ask for clear photos if in doubt. Would you like to know approximately what your own figures or sets are worth? Then what is my LEGO® worth can help.
If you like spaceships but are not necessarily interested in the license, also take a look at Space: a theme from long before the first Star Wars sets, with its own visual language.
LEGO® Star Wars offer: compare the complete purchase
An offer is only worthwhile if the set suits you. Compare the same set number, condition, minifigures, accessories and any shipping costs. A cheap used set without the figures you are looking for may ultimately cost more. Decide on your budget in advance and check the current Star Wars collection to see what is included and available.
Choose your next Star Wars building project
First choose between playing, displaying and collecting minifigures. Then check the set number, dimensions and contents. This way, you can find a building project that suits your space, budget and favorite part of the Star Wars universe.
