LEGO Star Wars: 7914 Mandalorian Battle Pack 2011

The LEGO Star Wars 7914 Mandalorian Battle Pack was officially released in January 2011, though it was already inofficially available on Christmas day 2010. Basically, you get what looks like an army of Boba/Jango Fett clones, so Boba/Jango Fett fans rejoice (hurrah!). Only problem with this set is that everybody looked the same (oh no!). :(

Mandalorians are from the planet Mandalore. They are mercenaries by profession, and though they often side with the Sith against the Jedi whom they are known to hate, at various times in the past, they were also known to fight for the Jedi. In the Clone Wars, they are taking the side of the Separatist, fighting against the Clones. Soldiers fighting for money, not for any cause, that's what they are. If you remember your Star Wars official canon, the Clone troopers are based on Jango Fett, the father of Boba Fett. But they are not supposed to be all alike, unlike the Clones, but the reality here, at least by LEGO, is that they are all alike. :(

This set features 4 minifigures - 1 Mandalorian assassin and 3 Mandalorian troopers. It also has a Mandalorian speeder, as well as a heavy blaster turret with a stand. That is not including the awesome looking sniper rifle with bipod stand, which presumably belongs to the assassin.

This is a battle pack for you to build an army with, to wage war against the 7913 Clone Trooper Battle Pack, which features ... Clone Troopers (what else?).

Apart from the minifigs, which we will go into details shortly, you will also find a Mandalorian speeder bike and a blaster turret.

The Mandalorian Speeder is really a tiny speeder if compared to the BARC Speeder in set 7913, but don't let its size fool you. It does its job well and can turn on a dime if needed to, unlike bigger speeder bikes which are less maneuverable. The Mandalorian speeder is 3 inch (7cm) long and 2 inch (5cm) wide. It can seat one Mandalorian, and is held by a clear cylindrical brick to make it appear as if it is hovering over terrain. This speeder bike as interpreted by LEGO is very TV accurate.

The Blaster Turret can swivel, it is mounted on its own stand, and has a shield armor protecting the gunner. It measures 2 inch (5cm) long and 2 inch (5cm) wide.

There is also what appears to me to be a high powered sniper rifle with bipod. Or is that a light blaster turret - as described by others? I'll happily give that to an Mandolorian Assassin to snipe the Clones from afar. It looked very well designed albeit a bit oversized. If LEGO has more weapons like this, firefights would be more interesting. :) Along with this awesome sniper rifle, there are also the new pistols which looked great!

Most people will be buying this set for the minifigs - whether its because they want to build an army to wage war with the Clone Troopers, or because this is a cheaper way to get hold of Boba/Jango Fett - who are Mandalorians, in case you didn't know.

That's because the standard minifig here is the Mandalorian Death Watch Warrior, which erm, apparently wears the same outfit as Boba/Jango Fett. They even feature the same jetpack - all of them have one. Which makes it distressing for me. :( Boba Fett used to be unique, until Jango Fett came in, and now they are re-imagined as sub-types of the Mandalorian Death Watch Warriors. :(

If you are interested in making your own Pre Vizsla character (who is the leader of the Death Watch splinter group), this is also the set to get.

Their grey jetpack were also worn by the Clone Jetpack Troopers in the 7748 Corporate Alliance Tank Droid, but were in a different color in that set.

Their helmets are the same as 2010's Boba Fett's helmet, just that everybody's favorite bounty hunter's helmet has his own personalized color.

Overall, this makes a great battle pack - the vehicle and the blaster turret is not too bad - if you have too many of them, you can always use them for parts, as there are some nice pieces in there.

This is a great set, with strangely colored Boba and Jango Fetts. Mandalorians - I really can't tell them apart. ;)

One of the better LEGO Battle Packs and definitely a buy!

"Begun the Clone Wars have". ;)

Rating: ****/5