May the 4th Promotion 2013

Legoboy

In which case it's the only May 4th promo they've done since. :o)

samiam391

Yes! Another Han Solo!

I'll have too see if I can fit him somewhere in between my other 100 Han Solos....

*sigh.. Oh TLG.

y2josh

Oh. No. Definitely not. Chrome TC-14 was a terrible promo. I meant chrome 3PO, I just didn't mean May the 4th. This Han Solo is the best promotional figure they've done since 3PO and the best May the 4th promotional figure they've done period. Though I do agree with the sentiment that this could have been in a set... so could any of those non-Boba Fett figures, really (and, in fact, Vader and Threepio did).

samiam391

^There is some nice intricate printing on Han, I'll admit that.

But other than the small bits of detail, I don't see much else to like considering it is another Han.

Bottom line, I would have much rather preferred this type of intricate printing on a different character. Not one I've already seen in a new "outfit" several times.

Si_UKNZ

I absolutely LOVE this minifig but wont be buying any star warts so if anyone gets one and wants to trade, let me know. I have half a box of CMF s6 and another of s7 if you want to trade [and no, I dont mean all of them :) ]


PS I wont be following this thread since its mostly a whinge-fest, so PM me if interested.

BrickDancer

Nice printing, but not special in any way. @margot had it spot on that it should have been in the Hoth set instead. The promos before this were all pretty special (aftermarket prices aside) in comparison.

y2josh

Serious question here. How is this figure less special than, let's say the ARF Trooper or TC-14? To me, these other promos are just lazy. This figure is actually unique and a popular character to boot. I'm just legitimately curious as to why a chrome, or all black, or all white version of an existing figure is better than a completely fresh version of an existing figure.

Though, to be fair, this Han is well in line with last year's minifig-sized Hulk... which I also recall people complaining about.

Diggydoes

^well both the shadow ARF and TC-14 have never been made before, they´ve not appeared in any set (not before/after the Promo) and in no other form (for example a "unchromed" TC-14), Han on the other side has been made a million times in all kind of outfits, and even in this "special" Hoth-outfit!

P.S. i like the Hulk-figure! I guess a lot of people complained about the printing/colour-quality!

BrickDancer

Chrome anything is special. Color variants are special because they're usually too weird to include in regular sets. Shirtless Maul is the only one that would be close to this Han. Even then, I'd say Maul is better by a good measure.

y2josh

^^That's essentially what I'm saying. The Shadow ARF and TC-14 are the LEGO equivalent of a repainted action figure. Han Solo and The Hulk are the LEGO equivalent of a brand new sculpt. So the hostility towards this figure baffles me. I may be misremembering, but I don't feel like anyone knocked that Elrond figure until the cape debacle... and that's the same style figure we're getting here.

lulwut

This Han belongs in a Hoth set, not as a one time promo.

BrickDancer

Elrond is from a different time era than what you can get in any LotR or Hobbitt set. Hulk won't be done in that size again, since they've committed to maxi. When you look at any of the promo figs, they look a bit odd and out of place compared with the regular fare. What again makes this Han better than the other ones?

Diggydoes

y2josh said:

^^That's essentially what I'm saying. The Shadow ARF and TC-14 are the LEGO equivalent of a repainted action figure. Han Solo and The Hulk are the LEGO equivalent of a brand new sculpt. So the hostility towards this figure baffles me. I may be misremembering, but I don't feel like anyone knocked that Elrond figure until the cape debacle... and that's the same style figure we're getting here.

Well almost every "new"Figure is the "repainted"Version of another Figure if it comes without a new mold if you´re arguing that way!

samiam391

@y2josh- A very good question.

First off, I'm disappointed, but hopefully I am not coming across as whining. I apologize if I am.

Too answer the question..

Certainly just putting them all side by side, none of them would seem very special. A minifigure in black armor and a chromed figure that the average SW fan wouldn't even know existed.

However, those minifigures are both somewhat special. For the ARF trooper first, we have gotten several minifigures of the same format. Same helmet, torso, legs, etc.. This one came in all black. That certainly isn't very special at all. However, off of the top of my head I can think of 2... 3 different variations of this figure (may be missing 1 or 2). So while it remains a somewhat similar figure, it also keeps some sort of "exclusive" feel to it.

TC-14 could be considered yet another rendition, that of C-3PO. Again, same head, same body, same legs. This one was unique for the chrome, which I would consider "exclusive". Plus, it was silver chroming, which has its own charm to it. The bright yellow eyes clashed against the shiny silver are actually quite nice in my opinion. It certainly isn't my favorite figure, but it is nice. While there have been lots of C-3POs, they've been mostly the same. While this would seem to hurt the TC-14 more, it doesn't. I don't have dozens of C-3POs cluttering my shelf, I only have a few. Why? Because I don't need to buy every single C-3PO that comes in a set, considering that it is the same as the last one. While drawl, and perhaps a seemingly weak point, I'd consider it a rather major pull to why the TC-14 can still be considered a nice exclusive.

While most of those tiny arguments may not appeal to you, my main one would reside in the Han figure itself.

Don't get me wrong, this is a nice figure and I will be getting some. It's absoultely beautiful printing. I love the colors. I think it is a fantastic figure.

What ruins it than?

I would have liked something more exclusive... something "new", per say. There have been more Han Solo variations than I can count with my fingers and a LEGO mininfigure's hands. Too many. I can think of so many other figures that would have been more unique and that have not been made very many times. I'd go insane if they made a chrome Jango fett.

They've made a beautiful figure... but this figure could just be thrown in a LEGO hoth set. TC-14 couldn't be thrown in a set. Shadow ARF? Yes, you could make an argument that it could be thrown in a set, but at the same time it warrants the exclusive feel with the somewhat shiny silver and all black armor.

In other words, while I feel I wouldn't have any problem pulling out this Han figure in a set, I do feel I'd find it more unique to pull out a shadow ARF. Maybe that is just me.

So yes, it is a item, but it is also a promotion.

This is NOT a freebie. Too anyone who argues that, you are incorrect. I would term it a freebie if it was given to me for free.

This is a promotional item, meant to bolster sales. LEGO will do what it feels is best too generate more sales.

Since I am spending $75 too get this item, I would have liked something more unique. Something I feel like I wouldn't pull out of the average LEGO set. Instead they give me a nice figure, that I do feel like I could pull out of an average LEGO set. For $75, I would like a more unique bonus.

That's all.

I've rambled quite a bit.. sorry folks.. LEGO minifigures get me talkative. :o)

y2josh

This Han is phenomenally better than the others (in my opinion, of course) for a number of reasons. He's more in line with the video game and book promos than he is with the typically lazy May the 4th promos. He's a character that's actually desirable rather than a character that never existed (White Boba Fett) or a character that was literally on-screen for less than a minute and serves no real purpose (TC-14). He corrects a ridiculously bad error in the form of the blue coat TLG has been using for ten years or so.

That said, if he shows up in a mass market set somewhere down the line, that's obviously a problem. But if he stays exclusive, which I'm giving TLG the benefit of the doubt on to be sure, he's easily the second best Star Wars promo minifig they've done.

Diggydoes

^Word!

y2josh

Thanks for the explanation @samiam391. Valid points, and to each their own. I have to disagree on TC-14, though. For two reasons, actually.

First, they could easily throw TC-14 into a 'Short Negotiations' set if they wanted to. Not that that would likely be a popular set, but it still seems at least possible.

Secondly, there are dozens of silver protocol droids scattered throughout Star Wars, so if I were to get, say, a standard version of E-3PO, it would essentially work for every other silver protocol droid. And TLG has shown a willingness to toss generic droids into sets, especially lately, so that doesn't seem out of the realm of reason, either.

At the end of the day, I'm just glad we're getting something unique AND sensible this time around, and I hope TLG will offer more promos like this one in the future.

samiam391

@y2josh- Some good points as well, however I'll make my own counters.

I don't think they could throw the LEGO exclusive chrome TC-14 into short negotiations. They could put TC-14 into short negotiations.

If i'm correct here, and I may not be remembering that "one set", but they've never had a chrome figure in a set.

That's TC-14s saving grace. Yes, it's another protocol droid, but we can't ignore the fact that it is chrome. The chrome keeps it unique and out of the reaches of putting it in your average LEGO set.

Is it somewhat boring? Yes, it is, but honestly I don't think there is any perfect minifigure that they could make (except for that chrome Jango.. fingers crossed). Obviously not everyone is going to be enamored by a single figure.

Does this mean I want every single exclusive figure LEGO makes too be chrome? No, not at all. If every figure was chrome, it wouldn't be special.

However, I would like a figure that I get the feeling of, "this is exclusive". If I'm holding that Han Solo in my hands, sitting in it's little polybag, I don't think I'll get that feeling.

Might sound lame to a lot of people, but that is a feeling, after spending $75, that I would like. LEGO doesn't have to give me anything, obviously, but I still did spend $75.

y2josh said:

At the end of the day, I'm just glad we're getting something unique AND sensible this time around, and I hope TLG will offer more promos like this one in the future.

Agreed. Don't think because of all my rambling talk that I disagree with you. I'd LOVE to have incredibly detailed figures such as this one be in promos. Just not Han, and not a figure I feel could be pulled out of many sets we've already had. But most importantly.. and just to say it again.. not Han.

BrickDancer

^We already have the 'perfect minifig' he goes by the name of Vader in all his glorious black chrome. Some would argue for gold chrome C3PO. Seriously hard to top those two.

samiam391

^It's all on matter of opinion.

I mean.. chrome Jango Fett...

BrickDancer

^Existing that is. Dont get me started on a 'Dream Fig'.

Pitfall69

I like the minifigure. I always wanted to be Han Solo when I was young and we were playing Star Wars.

I liked TC-14 very much, especially because I was fortunate to snag a C-3PO out of a set and I don't think I'll be paying $300 for one.

Simply chroming a figure just to be chroming it is a bit lazy, but TC-14 has never been in a set and that is what makes it special to me.

Yes, E-3PO and TC-14 look the "same" or do they?

BrickDancer

Something special and out of the box for this promo could have been the Jedi Ghosts, Blue Chrome Jango, Red Chrome Maul, Chrome-anything, Furry Chewbacca, Shirtless Leia, etc...

samiam391

BrickDancer said:

^Existing that is. Dont get me started on a 'Dream Fig'.

True. If we started doing that, neither of us would be able to shut up.

It'd embarrass the length of the "red standing by" comments.

graphite

BrickDancer said:

Shirtless Leia, etc...

haha

LegoFanTexas

y2josh said:

Serious question here. How is this figure less special than, let's say the ARF Trooper or TC-14? To me, these other promos are just lazy. This figure is actually unique and a popular character to boot. I'm just legitimately curious as to why a chrome, or all black, or all white version of an existing figure is better than a completely fresh version of an existing figure.

All here who would prefer to have a chrome R2-D2 for the promotion instead of this Han figure, say "I".

All against, say "ney"?

Well that was easy, the "I's" have it. :)

Everyone and their brother has a basic Han figure. We've had Chrome Stormie, Chrome Vader, Chrome C-3PO, Chrome TC-14, now where is our Chrome R2-D2? :)

TheLoneTensor

y2josh said:

Should wind up being worth well more than TC-14 down the road...

Chrome TC-14 was a terrible promo...

ARF Trooper or TC-14? To me, these other promos are just lazy...

The Shadow ARF and TC-14 are the LEGO equivalent of a repainted action figure...

a character that was literally on-screen for less than a minute and serves no real purpose (TC-14)...

to each their own. I have to disagree on TC-14, though...

I can't quite put my finger on it, but I get the feeling you don't like TC-14.

Pitfall69

LegoFanTexas said:

y2josh said:

Serious question here. How is this figure less special than, let's say the ARF Trooper or TC-14? To me, these other promos are just lazy. This figure is actually unique and a popular character to boot. I'm just legitimately curious as to why a chrome, or all black, or all white version of an existing figure is better than a completely fresh version of an existing figure.

All here who would prefer to have a chrome R2-D2 for the promotion instead of this Han figure, say "I".

All against, say "ney"?

Well that was easy, the "I's" have it. :)

Everyone and their brother has a basic Han figure. We've had Chrome Stormie, Chrome Vader, Chrome C-3PO, Chrome TC-14, now where is our Chrome R2-D2? :)

Well, he wasn't called "chrome dome" for nothing.

y2josh

LegoFanTexas said:

y2josh said:

Serious question here. How is this figure less special than, let's say the ARF Trooper or TC-14? To me, these other promos are just lazy. This figure is actually unique and a popular character to boot. I'm just legitimately curious as to why a chrome, or all black, or all white version of an existing figure is better than a completely fresh version of an existing figure.

All here who would prefer to have a chrome R2-D2 for the promotion instead of this Han figure, say "I".

All against, say "ney"?

Well that was easy, the "I's" have it. :)

Everyone and their brother has a basic Han figure. We've had Chrome Stormie, Chrome Vader, Chrome C-3PO, Chrome TC-14, now where is our Chrome R2-D2? :)

The problem here is that a chrome R2-D2 doesn't make any sense. Similar to the chrome stormtrooper and white Boba Fett (and, honestly, I was never really feeling the chromed Vader, but at least he sort of works), these are the kind of lazy promos I'm talking about. Chroming something for no reason other than to say it's chrome is the polar opposite of a creative promo that builds excitement.

This thread, of course, seems to indicate that, at least in the AFOL community, they can churn out any old chromed junk and it will be an instant success, but I'll go ahead and remain in the minority that would take a really beautiful minifig like this one any day of the week over chrome 'just because we can' Jar Jar.

tensor said:

y2josh said:

Should wind up being worth well more than TC-14 down the road...

Chrome TC-14 was a terrible promo...

ARF Trooper or TC-14? To me, these other promos are just lazy...

The Shadow ARF and TC-14 are the LEGO equivalent of a repainted action figure...

a character that was literally on-screen for less than a minute and serves no real purpose (TC-14)...

to each their own. I have to disagree on TC-14, though...

I can't quite put my finger on it, but I get the feeling you don't like TC-14.

TC-14 was an extremely disappointing promo for me, but I still picked up a few because, as I mentioned, there are tons of silver protocol droids. Still, it was an odd choice of character - most adults hate the prequels, and most kids would likely have preferred a more interesting character. This is, however, the first year I'm legitimately pumped for the promo and I will do my best to acquire several of this figure as, so long as he stays exclusive, I think he'll draw much more than any of the past May the 4th offerings.

Pitfall69

Damn, I'm glad I didn't get chromed rims on my car. Unfortunately, chromed exhaust tips come standard. I'll make sure I write a letter to BMW telling them that chroming exhaust tips are a form of laziness on their part ;)

I like the Han Solo and I liked TC-14. I think anything in the Star Wars universe that is metallic should...well...look metallic.

y2josh

^Almost everything would be chromed then. Just because the Falcon or an X-Wing are made of metal doesn't mean they should be shiny. They'd look ridiculous.

C-3PO (and even TC-14) made sense because he's ACTUALLY shiny. Artoo's dome is silver, but it's an extremely matte silver. So there again, putting out a chrome R2-D2 just for the sake of having a chrome R2-D2 is something I wouldn't really love to see.

Pitfall69

^Hehehe. What are you still doing up? I should have been more specific. I should have said shiny metallic.

Pitfall69

As far as TC-14 and U-3PO and E-3PO. They all look similar but they have subtle color differences.

U-3PO - Metallic Silver
E-3PO - Metallic Copper
TC-14 - Metallic Chromium

Pitfall69

My wife just said "I'm going to bed and have nightmares about being married to a nerd"

y2josh

Pitfall69 said:

^Hehehe. What are you still doing up? I should have been more specific. I should have said shiny metallic.

It's Friday night, and Bioshock Infinite just came out. I imagine I'll be up 'til five or six in the morning. Also, R2-D2 isn't shiny metallic. :D

BrickDancer

Ooooohhhh a Tan Chrome Jar Jar... :)

Goldchains

I have to say that I am really starting to like the Han Solo, especially after seeing the picture of him with the hood on and the masked face side. The printing is great and I only wish he came with a "cut-open" Taun-taun lol. I'm going to spend the money anyways, why not get something free and exclusive with it? I seriously doubt we'll see this figure again in any other set, because we just had him in the blue outfit in the Hoth Rebel Base set. I think that the Lego designer of this is obviously a real fan, and versed in the mythology, and giving the fans something different and, yes, unique(even with the multitude of Hans already).

LegoFanTexas

y2josh said:

The problem here is that a chrome R2-D2 doesn't make any sense.

I'll go ahead and remain in the minority that would take a really beautiful minifig like this one any day of the week over chrome 'just because we can' Jar Jar.

Actually, I'd love a chrome Jar Jar.

Not for me, but my son would love it, so I'd love one...

And for the record, a chrome R2 makes perfect sense. I don't have one sitting next to TC-14, so I need one. :) Perfectly good enough reason for me!

margot

They still need to make another Han Solo... I'm waiting for one where they get his hair right.

Jonn420

I dont have one but just to defend the white boba fett.... Ralph Mcquarrie' s origonal consept paintings depicted boba as in all white, Hasbro made a figure based on it, and id say Lego gave it a nod. So its not just white to be white.

prevere

BrickDancer said:

^Existing that is. Dont get me started on a 'Dream Fig'.

What, the upcoming Santa Jango isn't a dream fig for you?

Beav

Is the promo available just through the Lego site/lego stores?

doriansdad

Well the new hood and face design is a nice improvement over the original pic. I am wondering if they are going to limit this to one per VIP account like they did with the bonus xmas set (well after 3 days that is)?

Personally I would have preferred a more obscure character as the promo figure....something completely out of left field like a highly detailed sandperson would have left me thinking "very cool".

TheLoneTensor

Random ramblings...

Me, I like the chrome or other flamboyant, unique aspects or accessories for the promos. I feel it takes it to a new level especially when you won't find such minifigs/polybags "in the wild."

I find myself absolutely unmotivated to get this promo, whereas last year's shiny TC-14 did enough for me to get one (but only one). Basically, on the heels of 2012 minimal 5/4-BF-Xmas offerings, the realist in me is fully prepared for this to be the worst 5/4 event yet. Lego, prove me wrong.

2011's BF/Xmas was a high water mark for promos, because they combined free shipping, 15% off and you got the pair of very cool Xmas vignettes. Also, they tossed a lot on sale, including some diamonds (IF, EN, WTS). Maybe I was simply spoiled by that. As much as the Han fig is "good," I cannot even come close to caring about this minifig, especially when there has been so much promo lameness as of the last year.

Lego managed record profits, yet the promos and discounts on the big events are diminishing. 2012 gave only the single, smaller Xmas scene for the holidays, now we get yet another dilution of a central Star Wars character for 5/4. Where is Lego's marketing team looking? Where are their social media people looking? They sure as heck aren't looking at the blogs. Why not a chrome Jango? Why not a glow in the dark Boba? Why not a shiny chrome Naboo royal starship poly? Why not anything else that makes you go "WOW" at instead of this Han fig that most people are going "meh" at?

Btw, I've seen a few people posting the pictures of Han from the calendar. What does the calendar say about the rest of the promos for 5/4 (shipping, discounts, etc.)?

richo

I really like the figure, and it's free!

TheLoneTensor

It's not free. You are paying $75+ for a combination of it and something else.

CapnRex101

I am disappointed, there are so many better possibilities if you ask me, but bear in mind that it could have been a poster...

BrickDancer

prevere said:

BrickDancer said:

^Existing that is. Dont get me started on a 'Dream Fig'.

What, the upcoming Santa Jango isn't a dream fig for you?

I was stoked to hear it would be Santa Jango this year. But he wasn't executed correctly in color, he should have had a red helmet to make it look right. Santa Yoda is still my favorite of that quartet.

samiam391

CapnRex101 said:

I am disappointed, there are so many better possibilities if you ask me, but bear in mind that it could have been a poster...

So true, that is the bright side of things. Maybe we'll get a poster in addition to the minifigure?

A poster of a chrome Jango Fett...

Deadareus

Just chrome R2's dome only and I'm good. No need to chrome the whole figure. A chrome dome with some nice printing on it would look fantastic!

Not sure if this Han promotion will be enough for me to pull the trigger on something this May 4th. Depends on which larger sets are discounted.