As a pop culture fanatic and avid LEGO collector, few things delight me more than the perfect marriage of an iconic media franchise with LEGO‘s timeless brick-based toys.
When Disney+ premiered The Mandalorian in late 2019, the series instantly became a mainstream sensation thanks to breakout characters like the adorable Grogu (aka Baby Yoda). As the show‘s new ships, characters and worlds captured fan‘s imaginations, LEGO wasted no time in launching the first Mandalorian-themed sets in 2020.
Now with three seasons under Mando‘s iconic beskar helmet, LEGO has over a dozen sets for fans and collectors to enjoy. The LEGO Group has mastered translating cinematic Star Wars designs into stunning brick-built models since their partnership with Lucasfilm began in 1999.
In this guide crafted for the fellow Mandalorian fans, we‘ll highlight the 6 most iconic LEGO sets from the Disney+ series every collector should own.
You can expect:
- A detailed history on LEGO® Star Wars and why certain ships earn "iconic" status
- In-depth analysis on set features, displayability value, appreciating potential
- Data comparisons of key set metrics like piece counts and minifigures
- The case for investing in underrated LEGO sets before they retire
Strap in like Baby Yoda in his floating pram pod – this is the way to building the ultimate Mandalorian LEGO collection!
A Blocky History of LEGO® Star Wars Sets
Before analyzing the best Mandalorian sets, it helps to understand LEGO‘s journey from plain colored bricks to global multimedia juggernaut.
The LEGO Group introduced its patented interlocking brick system in 1949. Early play themes like Space and Castle kits revolutionized the concept of toys that sparked a child‘s creativity through building.
By securing major entertainment licenses like Star Wars and Harry Potter in the late 1990s, the LEGO brand expanded beyond kids‘ rooms into the collector‘s market.
LEGO Star Wars Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1999 | LEGO unveils first Star Wars sets based on characters and vehicles from the original 1977 film release. Sets branded under LEGO System to distinguish from regular LEGO. |
| 2007 | LEGO Group secures 10-year exclusive partnership with Lucasfilm for Star Wars toys. More expansive collection of sets released to coincide with the 30th anniversary. |
| 2012 | Disney acquires Lucasfilm as new Star Wars films announced. LEGO Star Wars products rebranded without ‘System‘ label. |
| 2020 | First Mandalorian-themed sets released months after Disney+ series premiere to massive success. Rare sets soar in value on secondary markets. |
With over 700 different Star Wars LEGO sets released since 1999, the theme has helped make LEGO the world‘s most valuable toy brand.
The Iconic Nostalgia of the Razor Crest
While Star Wars features no shortage of iconic starships, few captured fans‘ hearts like the Razor Crest. The gunship serves as the Mandalorian‘s base of operations throughout his adventures with Grogu across the galaxy.
In capturing the beat-up, rustic appeal of Mando‘s trusted ship in brick form, LEGO elevated the Razor Crest to iconic status alongside vessels like the Millennium Falcon. Let‘s analyze why the Razor Crest is so special by assessing LEGO‘s two different set versions.
LEGO® Razor Crest Comparison
| Set # | Pieces | Minifigures | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75292 | 1,023 | 5 | $130 |
| 75331 | 6,187 | 4 | $550 |
Set #75292
As an instantly recognizable core ship likely to appear across future seasons, LEGO lucked out by immortalizing the Razor Crest early with 2020‘s 1,023 piece set.
While stickering brings authentic details, the textured orange hull and silver blasters evoke the gritty nostalgia that makes the Crest so iconic. Hinged engines, lowering ramp and carbon freeze chamber provide interactive play features kids and collectors appreciate in equal measure.
This set shines thanks to five exclusive minifigures of the show‘s core characters. Between Mando, Greef Karga, Scout Trooper, IG-11 and the essential Child aka Grogu accessory, iconic scenes from seasons one and two are ready to unfold in LEGO form!
Set #75331
For collectors more interested in displaying an incredibly accurate LEGO model over playing with features, November 2022‘s Ultimate Collector Series (UCS) Razor Crest delivers.
UCS sets cater specifically to adult builders with more complex buildspacked with details. At over 6,000 pieces, this impressive recreation of Mando‘s gunship stretches over 28-inches long when completed.
While omitting Greef and IG-11 minfigs, exclusive inclusions like the Ugnaught engineer and Mandalorian leader boost collectors‘ appeal. The ability to remove exterior panels and access the detailed interior also provides attractive display options worth the hefty $550 price tag.
Given the Crest‘s main character status compared to one-off vehicles, we anticipate 75331 will continue gaining value after retirement like $900 Collector Series Millennium Falcon.
Scening Iconic Story Moments
While singular ships make impressive display centerpieces, recreating iconic scenes allows imaginative play. Let‘s compare LEGO sets offering memorable Mandalorian story moments and environments through exclusive minifigures and nifty feature builds.
LEGO Mandalorian Scene Comparison
| Set # | Pieces | Minifigures | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75315 | 1,336 | 6 | $160 |
| 66708 | 901 | 9 | $110 |
Imperial Light Cruiser #75315
Season two‘s introduction of Imperial leader Moff Gideon piloting a personal cruiser turned heads. The angular starship bridges Original and Sequel Trilogy designs, hinting at Gideon wanting to restore the Empire to its former glory.
LEGO translated the imposing cruiser into 1,336 high-quality pieces with stunning accuracy. The six minifigures recreate climatic face-offs perfectly – Mando attempting to save Grogu as Moff and his Dark Trooper barge in. Authentic details like escape pods and rotating turrets amp up display value after recreating key scenes.
At over 18-inches long, it qualifies as an impressive centerpiece model sure to spark conversations.
Galactic Adventures Set #66708
2022‘s retired LEGO Star Wars Galactic Adventures bundle stands out by bundling three hard-to-find Mandalorian scene sets – Duel on Mandalore, Armored Marauder, and Tatooine.
While smaller than fully-sized playsets, these heropacks provide stellar source material recreation. Between all three models, the nine included minifigures let you build a substantial roster of friends and foes from the show. The tiny buildable Mandalorian throne from the stylized Duel set alone makes the overall set a worthwhile buy.
Bundling these retired sets into one accessibly priced 901 piece collection will appeal to collector investors too – especially as time makes them rarer.
Prized Display Collectibles
Avid LEGO hoarders eventually need to store their plastic bounty. While playsets reward interaction, LEGO has introduced collectible lines with figures and replicas designed purely for attractive admiration.
The most display-friendly category comes from the LEGO helmet and BrickHeadz lines that shrink iconic characters into funky blocky figures or their signature helmets.
LEGO Collectible Comparison
| Set # | Pieces | Figures | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75328 | 584 | Mando‘s Helmet | $70 |
| 75317 | 295 | Mando + Child | $20 |
The Mandalorian Helmet #75328
Few sights strike more joy (or fear) into the hearts of scum and villainy than the Mandalorian‘s gleaming beskar helmet. LEGO‘s 584 piece stunningly accurate recreation of the iconic headgear makes an instant conversation piece.
Vibrant silver and mudhorn signet printing sits atop the included name plaque stand, perfect for showing off the set as a centerpiece between other Star Wars builds. While stickering adds essential finishing touches, the shaping and visor perfectly capture Mando and Boba Fett‘s signature armor profile.
As one of the earlier and easily most recognizable parts of Mandalorian iconography, we anticipate the Helmet set only appreciating over time like retired sets now selling for over $200.
BrickHeadz: Mando & Grogu #75317
For collectors enamored by Grogu‘s adorable face, this vibrant 295 piece set translates their endearing likenesses into classic blocky BrickHeadz style.
Charming features like Grogu‘s movable ears and neck allow for cute customizable expressions that pair wonderfully with other LEGO Star Wars sets. While not as complex as the helmet build, the BrickHeadz set has wider appeal for younger builders too.
Given the Child‘s scene-stealing popularity, brick-built figures like this make accessible Mandalorian collection additions before retirement sends aftermarket value soaring over 4x higher.
Appreciation-Worthy Investments
From a collector investment perspective, retired LEGO Star Wars sets tend to gain value rapidly. Production molds getting destroyed after set cycling off shelves creates legitimate supply scarcity.
Smaller sets and promotional polybags are prime retirement targets. Cheaper to produce, their aftermarket value regularly doubles or triples once sealed box listings dwindle.
While major vehicles like retired 2017 Millennium Falcon can fetch thousands, more recent sub $50 sets like 2020‘s Mandalorian Battle Pack now sell above $200.
Value-Appreciating Mandalorian Set Data
| Set # | Piece Count | Retail Price | 2023 Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75312 | 1,073 | $80 | $350 | 338% |
| 75299 | 102 | $20 | $70 | 250% |
Disney‘s marketing mastery in making Grogu an internet phenomenon makes any set featuring him especially attractive. We strongly advise investing in Greef Karga‘s Infantry Battle Pack and the buildable Child before supply totally vanishes.
2022 brought a BrickHeadz 3-pack containing exclusive Blurrg mounts sure to gain notoriety. We also anticipate rumored 2023 sets like Moff Gideon‘s Imperial Light Cruiser appreciating similarly to the retired version over time.
Continuing The Collecting Journey
As LEGO Star Wars collectors ourselves, curating this definitive Mandalorian set guide has been an absolute pleasure. We hope analyzing factors like iconography, displayability value and retirement appreciation potential helps build your hobby knowledge.
The Razor Crest stands tall as our most recommended all-around set thanks to its sizable piece count, exclusive minifigures and instantly recognizable design that hits nostalgia touchpoints. Iconic vehicles like Slave I and the TIE Fighter remind us these Corellian Engineering Corporation gunships remain popular years after retirement.
Whatever ships, scenes and collectibles you prioritize, we hope our guide to the best LEGO The Mandalorian sets helps capture the excitement of such a pivotal pop culture era.
This is the way.
