Column: LEGO Star Wars has a minifigure problem – here’s how to solve it

LEGO Star Wars minifigure exclusives locked behind expensive sets can prove frustrating for some fans, but there could already be a solution.

The LEGO Star Wars theme has been celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, with loyal fans having been rewarded with new sets, limited edition minifigures, GWPs, Insiders rewards and much more. The festivities aren’t slowing down anytime soon either, as a dedicated LEGO Star Wars coffee table book launches this weekend and more sets will arrive next month.

Speaking of 25th anniversary limited edition minifigures, seven such characters are up for grabs in 2024, with all but one yet to be officially revealed. The inclusion of the minifigures in LEGO Star Wars sets at various price points is certainly great for fans, as it should be possible to collect all of the galaxy’s finest faces without having to break the bank.

That approach flies in the face of previous LEGO sets that have come with exclusive minifigures though, often at an eye-watering premium. The challenge the LEGO Group has faced in the past has been how to create minifigures that are unique to a specific set, without depriving a wider audience access to fan-favourite characters.

Fortunately, a couple of clever solutions have at least been tried this year, even if the first seems to be a bit of a misfire. 75367 Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser was launched in 2023 and included exclusive minifigures of Captain Rex and Admiral Yularen, with the UCS set currently still available for £559.99 / $649.99 / €649.99.

While many will never be able to afford such a massive LEGO Star Wars set, the good news for minifigure collectors is that the exact same clone commander minifigure can be obtained for a fraction of that price when picking up 75391 Captain Rex Y-Wing Microfighter.

LEGO Star Wars fans who purchased 75367 Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser still get an exclusive minifigure of a more obscure Clone Wars character that’s unlikely to appear elsewhere, while the new-look Captain Rex can now find its way into more homes for less.

However, the issue with that potential solution is that those who picked up the UCS set are essentially only getting one exclusive minifigure for that high price, so one camp is going to be less-than happy.

Another alternative option for getting your hands on rare or previously exclusive LEGO Star Wars minifigures does exist though and should be applauded. Launching August 1 is 75385 Ahsoka Tano’s Duel on Peridea, a model that includes the second-ever Grand Admiral Thrawn minifigure to date.

The character previously appeared in 2017’s 75170 The Phantom and can only now be obtained on the secondary market for a pretty penny. However, the version of the minifigure that comes with 75385 Ahsoka Tano’s Duel on Peridea has a slightly updated look, one that we’ve previously covered here.

So if you did manage to pick up 75170 The Phantom, you can relax knowing that your investment will continue to grow in value, while fans keen to obtain a version of the character will at least be able to do so now for £49.99 / $54.99 / €54.99, when the set arrives in a few weeks.

As a LEGO Star Wars minifigure collector, I was sorely tempted at one point to possibly sell my original Thrawn when I heard rumours of a new version, but the value of that original minifigure shouldn’t really be affected by 75385 Ahsoka Tano’s Duel on Peridea.

It’s worth noting that including a variant of a minifigure in a cheaper LEGO Star Wars set may not have much impact on a more expensive model either. The original Coruscant Guard Troopers from 75046 Coruscant Police Gunship seem to have more-or-less held their value on BrickLink, despite the arrival of slightly updated versions in 75354 Coruscant Guard Gunship last year.

It therefore makes a lot of sense then for the LEGO Group to take the latter approach going forward, one that should manage to keep the majority of both fan camps happy. Keep some exclusive characters locked into larger, more expensive sets so that they will retain their value, while delivering fan favourite variants bundled in with more affordable models. 

That would seem to be a win-win solution for everyone and the perfect way to continue celebrating a brick-built galaxy far, far away well into its next quarter of a century.

For much more LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary content, be sure to check out our dedicated page right here.

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