Six of the most challenging LEGO Star Wars sets to put together
LEGO Star Wars sets come in all shapes and sizes but some are more challenging to build than others, including these six complex creations.
It’s the 25th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars and what better time than now to trek through history and recall some of the most memorable models. Looking through the portfolio, we’ve spotted a few from our collection and some from other enthusiasts that are notably challenging entries in the theme.
From one of the first LEGO Technic Star Wars sets to colossal creations, here are six of the most challenging LEGO Star Wars to put together across 25 years of the classic theme.
6 – 75313 AT-AT
Price: £734.99 / $849.99 / €849.99 Pieces: 6,785 Release date: November 26, 2021
LEGO Star Wars 75313 AT-AT may not be the biggest build in LEGO Star Wars’ history (though it comes close), but it is one of the most challenging builds thanks to a unique aspect of the AT-AT. Much of 75313 AT-AT‘s construction process is (relatively) simple and sturdy, including the lengthy legs attached to the bottom of the body.
Not all of the body is built in one fell swoop as instruction number 713 informs you to place the rest of the body on the top of the tall leg modules, which will be especially challenging for anyone building on a table. The size of this AT-AT paired with this necessary but challenging step in the instructions makes this model a monolithic build to conquer, as long as you have the budget for it.
5 – 8002 Destroyer Droid
Price: $49.99 Pieces: 558 Release date: January 1, 2000
8002 Destroyer Droid from 2000 may not seem challenging today, but as reviews have noted online nearer to launch, that wasn’t the case for those new to LEGO Star Wars and the LEGO Group overall.
LEGO Technic has been around since 1977 and for many, the debut of LEGO Technic Star Wars sets in 2000 won’t have been seen as a challenge. There’s no doubt though that the licensed theme introduced some new fans to LEGO sets. They likely will have been daunted by the challenging Technic build and this model’s curved shaping in particular.
4 – 75308 R2-D2
Price: £209.99 / $239.99 / €239.99 Pieces: 2,314 Release date: May 1, 2021
75308 R2-D2 is a recreation of 2012’s 10225 R2-D2 and it still includes all the original set’s functions and many new features packed in, drastically changing the experience and adding more challenge.
Despite the size of this set, jamming in the mechanisms for the various functions as well as the necessary details make this LEGO Star Wars set challenging but rewarding to build and play with.
3 – 10143 Death Star II
Price: £249.99 / $269.99 Pieces: 3,449 Release date: September 1, 2005
LEGO Star Wars 10143 Death Star II has a similar assembly to the more modern 21332 The Globe but the much larger Star Wars set is a test of even the most experienced enthusiast’s patience.
10143 Death Star II is an impressive model but there’s little doubt that it’s incredibly repetitive and is as much a test of patience as it is of other aspects of the building experience. The under-construction section especially is detailed but monotonous with plenty of small beams and antennae to place over and over again.
2 – 75187 BB-8
Price: £84.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 1,106 Release date: September 1, 2017
2017 features a couple of particularly challenging builds, including 75187 BB-8. Unlike 75308 R2-D2, this droid only features a few play features but the build for its ball-shaped body is as intricate as it is intriguing. It’s not often that we see studded balls at this size in LEGO sets and as such, it’s going to be challenging to understand how it all fits together.
It’s also a challenge to build without making mistakes and you’ll find yourself rebuilding at least a couple of sections to get the shaping right. The LEGO Group veered away from studded curves with 75308 R2-D2 and it may be for the best to keep things approachable in theme.
1 – 75192 Millennium Falcon
Price: £734.99 / $849.99 / €849.99 Pieces: 7,541 Release date: October 1, 2017
Also from 2017, LEGO Star Wars 75192 Millennium Falcon is by far the biggest set in the theme to date and it’s also one of the most challenging for a single, simple reason.
You won’t be finishing 75192 Millennium Falcon in one building session, and you’ll be lucky if it’s done in two – unless you’re trying for a world record. This build will test your stamina in a way that no other LEGO Star Wars can to the same level and typically, it should take you around 20 or more hours at a comfortable pace.
For even more LEGO Star Wars 25th anniversary content, be sure to check out our dedicated landing page right here.
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Author Profile
- 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.
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someone hasn’t tried building the UCS imperial Star Destroyer – which essentially consists of 8 large, thin plates attached to a slanting scaffold – all of which, particularly the 4 bottom plates – are prone to breaking as you attach them.
The first issue of the Star Destroyer. how many lego set are held together by magnets ! The central A frame must be perfect and you really don’t know until half way through.
Much harder than the Falcon.
Actually, IMHO, The original UCS Falcon was more of an endurance build for one simple reason, 34(?) un-numbered bags. It was basically a treasure hunt for the first half.