Battle of the Tantives: Which LEGO Star Wars Tantive to buy

09/07/202410/07/2024 Jack Yates 179 Views 0 Comments

Both current LEGO Star Wars Tantive IV models are on sale now at GAME, leaving you with the task of choosing which one to buy and why.

It’s a big year for the first Star Wars ship ever pictured on the silver screen as the Tantive IV has not one, but two LEGO Star Wars sets now on shelves right on time for the 25th anniversary of the theme.

Whether you’re a fan of the franchise or the LEGO theme first, the Tantive IV is an iconic part of Star Wars and more than deserving of multiple LEGO sets in one year. That said, 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV and 75376 Tantive IV are quite different and aimed at differing demographics of the LEGO audience.

We’ll guide you through what makes them so different as well as one key feature in both sets to help you decide which LEGO Star Wars Tantive IV is right for you.

3 – One is best for play and the other is ideal for display

75387 Boarding the Tantive IV is designed for play first and foremost with play features that include an opening door that reveals melted metal from where it has been forced open, plates that topple enemies to simulate battle, both of which are controlled via the levers on the front. There’s also the option to connect multiple copies of the set to form a longer corridor.

75376 Tantive IV is designed for display, contrasting with the play-centric 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV. 75376 Tantive IV has no such play features and is positioned on an elegant stand featuring a nameplate to identify the ship. The build is more intricate too, ideal for older enthusiasts and it could be a great piece to showcase on a desk or a shelf at work.

2 – There are no minifigures in 75376 Tantive IV, but it still celebrates the anniversary

75387 Boarding the Tantive IV includes a whopping seven minifigures in the £49.99 set. These include Darth Vader, two Stormtroopers, Captain Antilles and Rebel Fleet Troopers. Those last two are rare in LEGO Star Wars but not quite as rare as the seventh minifigure.

ARC Trooper Fives doesn’t quite fit in the context of 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV but that’s entirely by design as Fives is a 25th-anniversary minifigure that we’re unlikely to see in a set ever again. While 75376 Tantive IV doesn’t have any minifigures, anniversary or otherwise, it does have a printed brick featuring the same design as Fives’ display stand, celebrating the anniversary all the same.

1 – One is the full ship and the other is just a corridor

75387 Boarding the Tantive IV is based specifically on the opening scene from A New Hope and only covers a small portion of the iconic ship. This makes sense in the context of the set but to less-avid Star Wars enthusiasts, it may not be recognisable as the Tantive IV.

Those wanting to display the Tantive IV in their home or workplace might want to opt for 75376 Tantive IV instead as it covers the entire shape of the iconic ship at a smaller scale. It’s more likely that friends and family will be able to recognise the ship from this model than with 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV.

GAME is currently offering 20% off both sets which equals £10 off for 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV or £40 and £14 off for 75376 Tantive IV or £56. It’s a considerable discount on either depiction of the Tantive IV just in time for the 25th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars.

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Author Profile

Jack Yates

LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.