Review: 75174 Desert Skiff Escape
Posted by CapnRex101,
75174 Desert Skiff Escape yields our fourth model of a Bantha-II Cargo Skiff at this scale. The last was released in 2012 and is one of my favourite smaller Star Wars sets thanks to its tremendous minifigure selection and the authenticity of the models included.
This set therefore has a great deal to live up to, particularly since it seems to be based directly upon 9496 Desert Skiff given the presence of four minifigures, the Sarlacc pit and a skiff. The only significant distinctions relate to the characters included and the price of £29.99 or $29.99, marking a slight increase over the older set. Hopefully some improvements will have been made to the skiff as well.
Minifigures
A brand new hair piece was introduced for Han Solo in 75159 Death Star and this is its first appearance in a smaller set so will likely be a considerable draw for many fans. It looks absolutely brilliant and is a vast improvement over the older element, particularly since Han's hair is relatively long following his period in carbon freeze and therefore matches this textured component very nicely.
The rest of the figure is identical to that found in 75173 Carbon-Freezing Chamber. His head is printed with a grimace on one side and a sleeping expression on the other, neither of which are appropriate in relation to the events which take place during this scene in the film. The wrinkled fabric of Han's shirt is printed on the front of the torso but the reverse is left blank which is disappointing given the level of detail seen on other Star Wars figures.
Chewbacca underwent a considerable update in 2014 and the minifigure has remained the same since. He has not appeared in such a small set for many years and looks splendid, with an attractive combination of dark brown and dark tan fur. The bandoleer features silver highlights which contrasts beautifully with the subdued colours of the rest of the figure and Chewbacca wears a pair of light bluish grey handcuffs, as does Han.
Where Han Solo and Chewbacca are found, Boba Fett is rarely far behind. This minifigure looks identical to that in 75173 Carbon-Freezing Chamber at first glance but actually offers a number of subtle alterations which reflect the differences between Boba's armour in The Empire Strikes Back and in Return of the Jedi. For instance, his reddish brown belt is lined with pockets for its entire width, the braid of Wookiee hair on his chest has changed colour and the legs are light bluish grey rather than sand blue. I really appreciate this attention to detail and am very pleased that the graphic designer has recognised the distinction between the bounty hunter's uniforms.
The ragged cape has also been changed as the printed stripe is now absent while the colour of the hands has been changed from grey to tan. This is the only adjustment which detracts from the figure in my opinion as they look a little too bright in relation to the rest of the design. However, this is a very minor issue and the minifigure is exceptionally impressive on the whole. As usual, Boba is equipped with a detailed helmet, a sand green jetpack and his EE-3 rifle which is represented by a blaster pistol with a black lightsaber hilt plugged into the end of the barrel.
A Skiff Guard completes the minifigure selection. He wears a padded uniform which is printed on both sides of the torso and it continues across the hips and onto the legs. The head is very detailed, including plenty of wrinkles to replicate the Weequay's leathery skin as well as a grim expression on the front and some braided hair on the back.
These clutches of hair also appear on the torso and the guard is armed with a vibro-axe which consists of a pole and a pearl dark grey axe blade. He is based on an unidentified member of the skiff's crew who is quickly dispatched into the Sarlacc Pit in the movie, falling victim to Luke's lightsaber as the rebels begin their escape.
The Completed Model
The sarlacc has appeared in three sets and they all share similar features, with a tan base which is surrounded by slopes to a height of about one brick, but the beak and tentacles have been altered quite significantly. The dark orange colour scheme is striking and offers a marked contrast with the sand, although dark tan might be a little more faithful to the film. I like the shape of the beak and four poseable tentacles is an improvement over the two of the sarlacc which appeared in 9496 Desert Skiff even though a couple of these are rather short.
Spikes are arranged around the creature's maw, ensuring that anything which falls into the pit has no chance of escape. A Technic mechanism allows you to open the beak by moving one of the tentacles and this feature works quite well, particularly since there is room for a whole minifigure to fit inside when it closes. Unfortunately the grey elements around the base of the sarlacc are rather unsightly and the mouth is not entirely secure so the two halves of the beak tend to wobble. Nevertheless, the model looks alright on the whole and I appreciate the effort to include a function given its small size.
The cargo skiff is a simple vehicle but has undergone substantial changes with each new model in 2000, 2006, 2012 and now 2017. The colour of the armour is by far the most notable alteration and there is an argument to be made that dark tan is a more appropriate shade than the reddish brown which has been used in the past. Dust and sand covers the hull of these vehicles in the movie so they look fairly light despite being made from a dark metal. This colour therefore seems appropriate to me but I like the reddish brown of the deck and the patches of grey look great as well.
The bow is attractively shaped using some curved slopes and this structure is topped with a railing which follows the contour of the hull. It should be raised a little further but is definitely a vast improvement over past models where no railings have been included. The entire vehicle is raised on trans-clear pillars which reach a height of four plates. This is not nearly sufficient to extend the gangplank over the sarlacc pit but the eight pillars could be rearranged to increase the height of the model and you could raise it even further with your own pieces.
The gangplank is an integral feature of the cargo skiff and it is therefore a shame that this is the weakest aspect of its design. I like the extending function but the length of the walkway is considerably shorter than it should be and the light bluish grey housing is not consistent with the rest of the colour scheme. Two exposed studs allow a minifigure to stand at the end in readiness to be pushed into the sarlacc and these are left visible even when the gangplank is fully retracted.
The deck is fairly spacious and allows room for at least six minifigures to stand, a vast improvement over the limited floor area which has detracted from earlier sets. The bench in the centre will seat a couple of figures and also opens to reveal a blaster pistol in case the guard requires a ranged weapon during battle.
There is space for a minifigure to stand behind the control pedestal and a printed panel adds some extra detail. Another curved railing runs around the top of the armour which protects the pilot, completing the vehicle's organic profile. The steering vanes are mounted on click hinges so can be adjusted very easily and they are accurately shaped using curved and wedge plates.
75174 Desert Skiff Escape and 9496 Desert Skiff share many features but are also remarkably different in some respects. The most immediately apparent distinction is the colour and I think the newer model is superior, with a more consistent dark tan hull which is reasonably uniform but also looks appropriately rugged. The addition of curved railings is also a major step forward in my opinion, as is the more efficient use of space for the minifigures on the deck.
The only aspect of the older set which I prefer is the gangplank. I appreciate the telescopic design of the more recent model but the longer structure is more accurate to the film and the hinging deployment method does not bother me at all. On the other hand, the folding mechanism reduced the durability of the vehicle from 2012 and the latest edition is far better in that regard.
Overall
I was very sceptical when I learned that a new desert skiff was being released in 2017. The previous version was marvellous and left little room for improvement in my opinion so this seemed like an update which was doomed to mediocrity. However, it has proved to be a delightful surprise. Not only are the minifigures excellent but the skiff offers several valuable improvements over its predecessor, with a far sturdier design and much more detail. The sarlacc pit is a little less impressive, although I applaud the designer for squeezing an unusual play feature into such a small model.
Moreover, this is only the second appearance of Han Solo's new hair piece and I love the new Boba Fett minifigure so expect this set to prove very popular. The price of £29.99 or $29.99 seems fair and I therefore have no hesitation in recommending this set.
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
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41 comments on this article
Great review! I wish this set included Luke too, but oh well...
I wondered why boba fett had different coloured hands!
A fine review. Any idea what month Vader's Transformation will be released? Thanks
Does anyone else find the new Han hairpiece to be a bit too large for his head? I can't see it without being reminded of Jack Stone ( http://brickset.com/minifigs/js002/Jack-Stone-Blue-Jacket-Blue-Pants-Gray-Shirt ) ... something I'd rather forget!
@fear_lego
Probably either march or June
I prefer the 2012 version.
To each their own.
I like the side-by-side comparison; nice to have that when they do an updated version!
Cheers Speed Champ
No lando with special helmet ??....
A great set but not in my alley, hopefully the US prices are better.
Honestly, I like it, but the price of 49,95€ they ask here, and that it's only available via LEGO.com almost make me to get previous one instead.
Wow, thanks! This version is probably the best yet, and if they had just included Luke, it would have been even better. As-is, though, I think it's fine... not super high priority for me though, I'd rather get the Y-Wing, A-Wing, and Phantom over this.
Nice set, but for me it was the inclusion of the Lando figure in the previous Desert Skiff which made that set worth buying multiple versions of. This, to me, is a better looking skiff, but the Lando minifig was the unique addition which made the skiff worth buying.
I hope this means we'll be seeing another interpretation of the Sail Barge soon, especially with Slave Leia, because I missed the previous one and I definitely want one for my collection. I wasn't thinking of getting this one, but it might make a decent addition with the slight improvements on the model.
I do agree that the Minifigure selection is a bit lackluster though, why can't they make a Battle Pack with Skiff Guards and Lando in Disguise to go with this?
Nice review. Could you include European prices?
I think at €39.99 for 277 pieces I'll leave it for now...
I'll echo Odeinoichus- I REALLY want to see another sail barge with another Slave Leia minifigure. It's one of my favorite scenes watching this incredible hero defeat the wretched scum who treats her as an object.
Excellent review, thanks for being thorough!
Just a thought about the Han Solo head:
Yes, I know this is basically the minifigure from 75173 Carbon-Freezing Chamber (with new hair) but doesn't Han have post-hibernation blindness after he's un-frozen and therefore spends a lot of time in the Sarlacc scene squinting in the bright Tatooine desert sunlight? So maybe the second face isn't entirely inappropriate?
With regard to the possibility of a new Sail Barge set and a re-release or update of the Leia in Jabba's slave outfit minifigure, didn't Carrie Fisher say some time back that she thought that outfit was ultimately just objectification of women and she didn't want any more Star Wars toys of her character in that costume...?
The cost in the EU is high in comparaison to the Us and UK price ...
I got the 2012 version but it was disapointing because of the lack of strongness but the 2017 one looks more accurated and stronger. Cap, could you do the review or the new landspeeder next time, thx.
I agree with @blue_sqaudron regarding Han Solo's alt face representing squinting due to post-hibernation blindness. A blinded open-eyed expression would of been even better.
The other subtle touch I like here is the addition of trans-clear slider plates underneath the trans-clear pillars. The earlier models didn't slide around so well, especially if you decided to build up the scene around the sarlacc pit using base plates.
I also agree with blue_squadron, I think the squinting face is a very good approximation of the post-hibernation blindness, and I think the nervous face is quite suitable too ("boba fett? BOBA FETT??")...
Are LEGO going back to making their figures overly-detailed with cheekbones and other lines again? Not a fan of Han's face here. Don't know why they feel the need to give his mouth such a weird expression - what's wrong with the classic cheeky grin? I miss the days when there was less facial detail and wrinkles too. :( Even LEGO minifigures are a victim of HD lol.
I love little details like the differences between this Boba Fett minifigure and the Ep.V version so thanks for pointing them out. It's so nice to have the reviews written by a genuine expert and fellow Fett fan!
This will be one of my first SW purchases of the year but I'm waiting for a sale.
I agree with this review completely, I purchased this set s few weeks back, and is my first Skiff, I like the fact the model is sturdy on the plenty of trans clear 2x2 round bricks, so its more stable when adding figs. I was also slightly disappointed with the "floppy" sarlecc mouth, but it still looks nice on the shelf. I would have liked more trans-clear bricks to have the skiff higher, to appear over the sarlecc pit, but I guess I can find those!
I have the Skiff from 2012 and the one included with the older Jabba's sail barge, but for some reason I also want this one. I don't particularly like the sarlacc though... something about the color.
I ended up collecting the entire Jabba sub-theme back in 2013, and this set would probably just look odd with the rest of my display. But if I find it on discount, I'll likely pick it up.
No way in hell this thing is worth $70... $60 would be pushing it
This doesn't look as good as the 2012 version. What do you mean with "On the other hand, the folding mechanism reduced the durability of the vehicle from 2012" @Cap?
I kept thinking; "Why release a new Desert Skiff set? The last one came out a few years ago." Then I realized with this review that the last one came out FIVE years ago. For adults that is not a long time; but considering the majority of Lego's main market is children, for kids then it must have felt like FOREVER since the last version came out! :D
Man the fact five years ago doesn't seem like that long ago, makes me feel old.
I think that this set is just okay. I wish that other sets related to the scene such as the Sail Barge were available when it came out, just so one giant scene would be possible to build if you have the money ready. I also think this set needs more mini figures to have more of the battle that's not just knocking Boba Fett in to the pit (Luke for example, maybe a gammoreo also.) Although I'm just not sure that for 30$ this set is a good value.
Does anyone know when this wave will be released in the US?
@fatsomania36 yes, they release in march
I was going to complain about another Weequay (when another goon who has not yet appeared in Lego form could have been included) but this minifig is a vast improvement over the last one.
I have to agree with Irish Luke Skywalker... Han is not an old man and does not need face wrinkles!
I have the previous version and I will get this one too. Jabba had more than one skiff right? This new one almost looks like the perfect scale for minifigs. I would love a UCS sail barge closer to minifig scale like the sandcrawler.
Perhaps Lego will release a simpler Han solo head, a bit like they did with the simpler Luke Skywalker head introduced in the death Star final duel set
Disappointed in the Fett. I appreciate that the designer gave some effort to make a ROTJ version, but there are ways to push it with minimal expense to really make two distinct Fetts, and I don't mean Jango and Boba. I don't even mind the tan hands, I get what he was trying to do on a small scale with the glove trim. Though one small pad print could do it. But I know...cost.
Take a look at how different the outfits really look, tell me if you agree that some additional changes could be done though. I'm thinking about doing some specs in Photoshop and commissioning a customizer to do them.
http://www.starwarsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/boba-front.jpg
http://www.starwarsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/boba-back.jpg
Check and watch the (video) skiff scene: This skiff is more accurate. And, by original trilogy, there were two skiffs at the spot. So it's fine to have two (2012 and 2017). I do appreciate that this version has a different crew. This is the second Weequay on skiff I (there were 2, Kithaba and some other members). This sarlacc pit is also closer to the "special edition".
In total, only Boba Fett is twice (and waste). And that show it clearly - Boba should have placed to Jabba Barge (where he started in the movie) and not to skiff (and the first Weequay vice versa). Lego mess that up!
I think this set is the most accurate representation of the desert skiff from star wars but I too would like to have seen a Luke Skywalker figure, along with an r2-d2 figure. Also the last set with boba Fett also included han Solo so I think they should have added a different hero or add more hero's such as lando. Overall really great set and review. Keep making reviews I love them!!!
I'm excited about getting a skiff since the only one in my collection is the earliest release. But I wish we were getting Lando in his disguise instead of the slightly tweaked Boba Fett.
If we get a Boba Fett movie...will we see him have to put out the flames on his cape every time he uses the jet pack?
The timing of this set is extremely poor so soon after the Carbon-Freezing Chamber. Yes, we get a slightly different Boba and Han's new hair, but the end result is most consumers will see two of the same minifigs in two sets in a similar price point... still, Chewie, the Guard and Han's hair are enough to get me interested, and the differences in Boba do catch my eye at that point, although for Boba's gloves, I might've sacrificed accuracy and stuck with the dark gray gloves.
Speaking of which, really not crazy about the more tan hull. Ew. Wish we had a color more between light brown and dark tan that was more suitable. I might have to try bricklinking some brown if I buy this.
@LukeSkywalker : It's a tough call. LEGO seems to be dialing back in some instances but sticking to guns in the other. I don't think Han's too bad - but Luke for ep4 was the worst I've ever seen, but they learned their less on that one.
I am sorry, but 40€ is just too much for what this set is.
Bought this set to add to previous purchases Jabba's sail barge, palace and previous skiff. Looking forward to seeing them all together