Review: 75346 Pirate Snub Fighter
Posted by CapnRex101,
75346 Pirate Snub Fighter recreates the nimble starfighters featured in The Mandalorian's third season. The vehicle's distinctive silhouette looks interesting and appears remarkably accurate to the onscreen fighter, also displaying impressive external detail.
However, only two minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £29.99, $34.99 or €34.99 feels rather expensive with just two minifigures, even though the starfighter itself looks appealing.
Summary
75346 Pirate Snub Fighter, 285 pieces.
£29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99 | 10.5p/12.3c/12.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The snub-fighter looks excellent, but feels expensive and should offer another minifigure
- Accurate and detailed starfighter
- Surprisingly substantial
- Clever use of space
- Only two minifigures
- Quite expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
Pirate King Gorian Shard commands an Outer Rim pirate gang, with Vane seemingly among his lieutenants. This Nikto pirate is accurately dressed in a dark brown jacket, that features medium nougat stripes on the lapels and intricate patterns on the front and back. The printed necklace is superb too, while a new element has been created for Vane's bandana. Unfortunately, the colour on top of the bandana does not match the head.
Moreover, I am disappointed that Vane's head is identical to the Snub Fighter Pilot. The design looks good and I like the spikes characteristic of the Nikto species, but even differentiating their colours would have been appreciated. Providing another species entirely would have been even better though, as Shard's gang comprises Trandoshans, Quarren, Weequay and others.
The pilot's colourful uniform looks excellent though, combining flame yellowish orange with pearl dark grey. The hexagonal pattern on the torso is particularly striking and the helmet is beautifully detailed as well, moulded in pearl gold! This character does not noticeably appear onscreen, but suits the style of Gorian Shard's criminal crew.
The Completed Model
Gorian Shard deploys a squadron of snub-fighters from his flagship, which appear to prize agility above armour or shielding, based on their performance. However, I like the compact design and this recreation of the starfighter looks marvellous, capturing the angular features of the onscreen vehicles. Also, the length of almost 21cm, excluding weapons, is bigger than I had envisaged.
This scale feels appropriate for play though, while also allowing the designer to include fantastic detail. The laser cannons mounted on the nose are accurate, while the combination of brick-built texture and stickers is effective. The layers of dark bluish grey and black wedge plates create an interesting shape as well, reflecting the source material.
Roller skates provide further mechanical detail on either side, flanking the canopy. This element attracted interest when the set was announced because its blue-tinted colour is new! The colour will be known officially as Transparent Black, which seems bound to cause confusion, given the shade already known by that name on BrickLink and by many LEGO fans.
Regardless, this colour looks reasonable and the canopy shape reflects the onscreen craft, with assistance from stickers placed on each side. The canopy opens on a hinge, revealing a printed console and a control yoke within. The dark tan seat for the pilot is attractive as well, contrasting with the surrounding grey fuselage.
Additionally, there is storage space for the pilot's blaster pistol and extra ammunition for the stud shooters, beneath a removable panel in front of the controls. This panel is only connected using one stud, but feels secure and blends seamlessly into the bodywork, as presented above.
Two stud shooters are mounted on the starfighter's underside, which also integrates a couple of unsightly reddish brown, green and blue pieces. Fortunately, these are usually hidden from view beneath the fuselage. No landing gear is included, but the underside is flat, so rests perfectly on any surface for display.
The rear section is brilliantly detailed, blending smooth bodywork and exposed engine details to create an interesting effect. The three engines are fittingly proportioned and I like their cylindrical shape, which continues nearly unbroken along each flank. Moreover, stickers are applied on the attached fins, featuring accurate stripes.
Once again, the set designer, César Soares, has made maximum use of the available space by including another compartment near the back. The cover can be detached to access an opening crate, which contains a printed thermal detonator. While perhaps unnecessary, the range of play features included is impressive.
Overall
While arguably larger and more complicated than required, 75346 Pirate Snub Fighter takes full advantage of its size and looks superb. The detail is remarkable and I like the accessory storage areas. Nevertheless, the price of £29.99, $34.99 or €34.99 feels expensive and I could definitely envisage a simpler version of this snub-fighter, costing substantially less.
Also, only two minifigures are included. These are both well-designed, but seem underwhelming without Pirate King Gorian Shard or Greef Karga, wearing his ornate High Magistrate's robes, to join the roster. However, the model looks wonderful and should serve as an ideal companion for 75325 The Mandalorian's N-1 Starfighter, once discounted.
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59 comments on this article
Agree it’s unfortunate that the set only includes two “not particularly desirable” figs. Having said that, I’d be surprised if we’ve seen the last of Vane so maybe his creation as minifig will be justified in later episodes/series.
Expensive = No thanks.
One good thing is that this is a vehicle that turns up in multiple episodes, and may yet turn up again. Feels much better value in that regard than e.g. the spider tank.
This is definitely a wait until discount to buy. I do like it though, just wish for at least one more minifig.
I think it looks great, and new parts are always welcome. That price is unfortunate, though. I don’t think I’ll be getting this until I can find it on sale.
Then again, when the new Delta-7 released, it was immediately placed on sale at Target. So there’s hope.
Amazon, do your Amazon thing. Brickset must continue!
Overall not the most appealing set, but I can't deny that the gold helmet is incredible!
Hopefully the old trans-black color isn’t phased out like trans-neon-green. The tint on this color could be a bit much for car windshields. I still enjoy the addition of it nonetheless.
I am sorry, but if those are supposed to be spikes on their faces, they look more like open sores.
Interesting part use of the bucket handle as a control yoke.
This is a pretty good example of what I like to call a 918-class ship. Too bad it's so overpriced.
I like the various compartments. Those remind me of the early SW sets.
The fighter also still reminds me of the Skull Interceptor of 5973 Hyperspeed Chase which is a good thing because I love the design of that one.
That said...
That 'transparant black' looks awful. It looks cheap and unappealing to look at. And we already have the [what Bricklink calls trans-black] color!
Lego dropped transparant neon orange and now the even more versatile transparant neon green... yet they introduce THIS? What even happened to that one color introduced with the buildable Mickey and Minnie Mouse set. The one that was a brownish purple. Why not use that?
Edit: I looked it up. It's Satin Trans-Black. Since its debut in 2020 only used in 11 sets. Most are Eternals sets too. The latest is actually from this year, in set 76420 Triwizard Tournament: The Black Lake.
I somewhat understand not using Satin Trans-Black (although, what is up with that color anyway? 11 sets!!)... but why not just use Trans-Black? It was a more neutral dark transparant color compared to this weird washed-out grey.
I like the generic-ness of the vehicle since we really only get factioned vessels, this could be easily used for any character which is fun.
i'm sure i'll need another star wars set to fill out the "may the 4th" order for a gwp, this will do. that flight suit & helmet is great!
"once discounted" are the words that describe my Lego buying habits nowadays. If it doesn't have at least a 25% discount I don't buy it. Some sets even need a heftier discount (40% off couldn't convince me to buy 75323). I'll buy this one for 25% off (I quite like it).
Okay, so - SW isn't really my wheelhouse (but Space is) - I'm of several minds on the whole thing. On the one hand, this does look generic, but that can be good. It looks to have some of 76832's DNA in it (though you can use this thing to scrape ice from your windshield in a pinch), only in the blandest possible colours. Again, that can be good, especially if you want to customize the thing. After all, any splash of colour at all is going to spruce this thing up to no end.
As for the new trans-black - I think it looks good when matched to the pure cool greys, so it works here. If you only want to build in greys, like a more open-minded Batman, then this might be your go-to trans-colour from here on out. I don't think it's an improvement over old trans-black, but having seen Trans-Neon Orange and Trans-Neon Green (and the old greys!) just get sent to pasture, I'm guessing that this is it. This is our new trans-black. This is the wall, and this is the writing.
I keep reading "Snub Fighter" as a very specific Simpsons reference.
"Hello, my name is Mr. Snrub. And I come from, uh... someplace far away. Yes, that'll do."
I hadn't clocked that the canopy was a new colour... Interesting. I hope it's in addition to old trans-black (which, let's be honest, is kinda trans brown really) rather than a replacement.
I think I'll pass on this one though, just not iconic enough.
@captaincassianandor said:
"…I’d be surprised if we’ve seen the last of Vane so maybe his creation as minifig will be justified in later episodes/series."
The character has been confirmed to appear in Skeleton Crew so providing LEGO release a set or two for the new show…
standard boiler plate:
"However, only X minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £X, $X or €X feels rather expensive with just X minifigures, even though the X itself looks appealing.
@LegoDad_itsforme_ said:
"standard boiler plate:
"However, only X minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £X, $X or €X feels rather expensive with just X minifigures, even though the X itself looks appealing."
I liked that just so that I could unlike it. This is not how one solves for X.
@R1_Drift said:
"Hopefully the old trans-black color isn’t phased out like trans-neon-green. The tint on this color could be a bit much for car windshields. I still enjoy the addition of it nonetheless."
Do I have news for you…
@Klontjes said:
""once discounted" are the words that describe my Lego buying habits nowadays. If it doesn't have at least a 25% discount I don't buy it. Some sets even need a heftier discount (40% off couldn't convince me to buy 75323 ). I'll buy this one for 25% off (I quite like it). "
Amen, brother!! When is Lego going to stop using roller skate greebling as an excuse to drive up prices?!
The printing on the figs is really quite nice (for a change). Yellow pilot is really quite exquisite! But, re-used head really screams 'barely good enough... actually, maybe not even.'
The ship design is also quite good. Yet, price and bright colors exposed underneath again are a slap in the face. Needs MODing and urgent- but undoubtedly forthcoming- discount.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @LegoDad_itsforme_ said:
"standard boiler plate:
"However, only X minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £X, $X or €X feels rather expensive with just X minifigures, even though the X itself looks appealing."
I liked that just so that I could unlike it. This is not how one solves for X."
Could definitely use a few Y's haha
@TheBrickBulbasaur said:
" @Ridgeheart said:
" @LegoDad_itsforme_ said:
"standard boiler plate:
"However, only X minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £X, $X or €X feels rather expensive with just X minifigures, even though the X itself looks appealing."
I liked that just so that I could unlike it. This is not how one solves for X."
Could definitely use a few Y's haha"
As in 'why' buy this? 'Why' this price? 'Why' so few minifigs? 'Why' only one head per set?
I really do like the canopy in this color.
"While arguably larger and more complicated than required.."
Funny because I feel 75325 and 75331 are equally larger than required. In a time that most minifig play scale Star Wars vehicles seem getting smaller and smaller, the Mandalorian based models all seem (slightly) larger than regular minifig scale.
@R1_Drift said:
"Hopefully the old trans-black color isn’t phased out like trans-neon-green. The tint on this color could be a bit much for car windshields. I still enjoy the addition of it nonetheless."
honestly it likely will be, and i'm really sad about it. they're phasing out a few of the old trans colours so it's not a shock but this really looks more like trans dark grey than trans-black, and i loved the old one.
i wonder if the colour changes have to do with finding a better material for the parts, they've always been more careful with transparent colours' fragility and it might be out of their range to replicate the original colours in a new process.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @LegoDad_itsforme_ said:
"standard boiler plate:
"However, only X minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £X, $X or €X feels rather expensive with just X minifigures, even though the X itself looks appealing."
I liked that just so that I could unlike it. This is not how one solves for X."
I unliked it just so I could like it again, mathematical pedantry be damned. LegoDad's comment has a certain something missing from other comments; call it, if you will, the x-factor.
I agree, it’s definitely overpriced 30$ would seem more reasonable to me, but I imagine the big canopy piece and the fact that it’s a SW set has someone to do with that. I’m a big fan of the pilot minifig, and the set itself looks very nice, so I’ll probably get it. If it goes on sale, definitely
I doubt in 1 or 2 years people will remember where's this ship from. An unecessary set like the infamous Quadjumper or First Order AT-ST. The figures couldn't be more generic.
Should come with Pirate King and Vane with new molded head. Very lame especialy for that ridiculous price.
@Somnium said:
"I doubt in 1 or 2 years people will remember where's this ship from. An unecessary set like the infamous Quadjumper or First Order AT-ST. The figures couldn't be more generic."
When I saw the Quadjumper on screen, my reaction was, "Ooh! I hope LEGO makes one of those!"
I saw a picture of a model of the First Order Heavy Scout Walker, and the LEGO version was pretty accurate.
I don't like the size of this. Would love to build Gorian Shard's corsair one day with a landing platform for these small pirate fighters, but this model is simply too large to build a mothership around it.
I am gonna buy six of them, just to recreate the scene from the episode :D
Now you say that, High magistrate Greef Karga and Mr McTreeface would have been great ideas. There seems to be HEAPS of missed oppertunities for minifigs these days, especially sets like there where you really could have gone smaller with more minifigs.
But unfortunately, This is the way...
That's very nice I will probably get this one.
@Binnekamp said:
"I like the various compartments. Those remind me of the early SW sets.
The fighter also still reminds me of the Skull Interceptor of 5973 Hyperspeed Chase which is a good thing because I love the design of that one.
That said...
That 'transparant black' looks awful. It looks cheap and unappealing to look at. And we already have the [what Bricklink calls trans-black] color!
Lego dropped transparant neon orange and now the even more versatile transparant neon green... yet they introduce THIS? What even happened to that one color introduced with the buildable Mickey and Minnie Mouse set. The one that was a brownish purple. Why not use that?
Edit: I looked it up. It's Satin Trans-Black. Since its debut in 2020 only used in 11 sets. Most are Eternals sets too. The latest is actually from this year, in set 76420 Triwizard Tournament: The Black Lake.
I somewhat understand not using Satin Trans-Black (although, what is up with that color anyway? 11 sets!!)... but why not just use Trans-Black? It was a more neutral dark transparant color compared to this weird washed-out grey.
"
Bricklink is already calling the old colour "Trans Brown"
Pirates of the Caribbean called �� it wants their crewmates back!
I feel like the lack of excitement for this set will mean that it sells in low numbers and is suddenly inexplicably worth $200 the week after it goes out of production.
Or at least those mini figs end up in the top 10 most expensive in 5 years time.
With a 20% discount at least, this one is a must-buy for me. I would like to compare this set to 75324 to see which one provides better value.
I like it. Very well designed.
Shame that its onscreen performance was that of fighter cannon-fodder. If these things even hit a bumble bee at speed then it's game over!!!!
Hoping to see the Pirate King in mini figure form.......even tho he's brown bread.
This ship is so memorable that after seeing it a week ago I had no clue what I was looking at until I read the description. I get it, there aren’t a ton of new ships in the Mandalorian. But still, Lego could get creative and give us something unique, and I don’t mean a set depicting a battle with a krayt dragon that is missing the dragon.
I appreciate that they are making Mandalorian sets, but this thing couldn’t be any more generic. Not Legos fault, but they should have designed something other then a ship.
Those Niktos look great. I don’t really care for the ship. Looks a bit too large for my liking, but those Niktos! I like those!
For that price, I would like to see Magistrate Karga.
Edit: High Magistrate Karga
@Ridgeheart said:
" @LegoDad_itsforme_ said:
"standard boiler plate:
"However, only X minifigures are included and neither seems particularly desirable. Furthermore, the price of £X, $X or €X feels rather expensive with just X minifigures, even though the X itself looks appealing."
I liked that just so that I could unlike it. This is not how one solves for X."
If X is the same in every case, then this must be a set where you build a number out of bricks which costs that number of dollars and includes that many minifigs. Maybe a $3 polybag and a $100-200 megaset?
And the nominations for Pirate Of The Year are…NOBODY! Not one pirate deserves the title this year! Not one!
"Only two minifigures"?! It's a spaceship that seats one. There are already more minifigures than can use the vehicle. I keep seeing this sort of thing show up as a "Con" in reviews and think it's ridiculous. You're buying a Lego set, not a minifigure battle pack. Daily Bugle has spoiled you all.
No. No. No .No. No. No.
I can't wait to recreate the scene where the one guy is like " I must drink in the school that used to be a bar, and am justified to command such a thing because you paid for it with your cut of a job we did togeather. We are willing to die for this ideal"
@PDelahanty:
And here I thought I was snubbing pirates by refusing to nominate any for Pirate Of The Year, but only providing enough transport for 50% of them is also a pretty big snub.
75337 review when?
@PDelahanty said:
""Only two minifigures"?! It's a spaceship that seats one. There are already more minifigures than can use the vehicle. I keep seeing this sort of thing show up as a "Con" in reviews and think it's ridiculous. You're buying a Lego set, not a minifigure battle pack. Daily Bugle has spoiled you all."
It's the price point.
I know this a bit of an unfair comparison, but 75324, at the same price point, included 4 minifigures. About your point on the ship only being able to fit one minifigure, LEGO often gives us much more minifigures than the set can hold. Even 75333 gave us Taun We who just stood apart from the build.
And on top of only including two figures, they both use the same print. Surely, as @CapnRex101 mentioned, they could have provided some variety or even gave us some other species like the Trandoshans, or the Weequay?
Just a bit too grey for my liking. Needs another minifigure before I even consider buying it.
Anyone could build a better ship for way less than 35 dollars of parts.
I'll wait for a discount and then I'll decide...
I found this shelved early in a local store and picked it up. To my eye, it is a few studs too long and a stud or two too narrow. There are some excellent MOCs on Rebrickable that get closer to the proper proportions in my view. No mention of what to me is a meaningful weakness, namely the rear wings (I don't think they are fins), which look cheap relative to the front wings and are not that stable. And there's the inevitable reliance on stickers. That said, I love the ship itself and paid full price, so it was plainly good enough for me.
This feels like it’s to Lego The Mandalorian what the Black Ace TIE “Interceptor” was to Lego Resistance.
€34.99 is expensive for 2 Nikto heads pfff
Windshield color is amazing. I hope we see more of them in cheaper sets. I want it...