first order heavy assault walker [30497] review

First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497]

A fearsome new walker!

As part of the LEGO Force Friday II promotions, the First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497] polybag was given away with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £60. It is a mini build of the larger set [75189] with the same name. Not much is known yet on the new First Order weapon but early reports warns against it heavier artillery, featuring a megacaliber six cannon mounted to its back. It is officially named as the All Terrain MegaCaliber Six or AT-M6 for short. I'm sure we'll know more once the film is released.

The mini First Order Heavy Assault Walker looks very similar to the massive set. The scale translation was rather impressive. Building it is a lot of fun, and the utilization of different Technic parts gave the mini build more appeal with multiple articulation points.

First Order Heavy Assault Walker

The First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497] is the first among the promotional polybags for The Last Jedi, and with it, things are looking very promising. I can't wait too see what's in store next. And of course I can't wait to see the AT-M6 and everything else on the big screen!

LEGO force friday II experience

Force Friday II
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Promotional Material)

Force Friday II is here and LEGO has a lot of force-filled goodies for brick fans from a galaxy far, far away...

For some reason, LEGO UK waited until the last minute to announce their Force Friday II (weekend) offers, but it's so worth the wait. Unfortunately, I was working (and not to mention exhausted) the past few days so a timely announcement post is not feasible. My sincerest apologies. Let me just give you an account of my wife and I's Force Friday II experience.

To continue celebrating 40 Years of Star Wars, and to further hype The Last Jedi (merchandise), 1 September has been marked as Force Friday II. Since the day wasn't declared a public holiday, the event was extended the whole weekend. And of course LEGO is a big part of this celebration, releasing new (huge) sets based on the upcoming film, with lots of offers and freebies to boast.

There are a few Star Wars sets on sale, mostly from the Rogue One collection, which are, by the way, retiring soon! VIP members will also receive triple points on LEGO Star Wars sets. Then for the freebies, there's a free First Order Heavy Assault Walker [30497] with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £60, and a free Scarif Stormtrooper [40176] minifigure with any LEGO Star Wars purchase over £25! For more details, check out their official website.

Force Friday II Offers
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Sept-Oct 2017 Newsletter)

But wait, there's more! Everything is just about to get massive with the official announcement of the biggest LEGO set ever, the Ultimate Collector's Series Millennium Falcon [75192]! Well, it only has a piece count of 7,541 (and a RRP of £649.99)! It's just a bit unfortunate that my local LEGO Store in Watford had some technical difficulties and was unable to display the model during the Force Friday II weekend (they're still the best, though). But the good news is, LEGO, being generous as ever, is giving its fans a chance to take home the iconic new set via its Launch Guide.

Launch Guide
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Promotional Material)

At the back of the Launch Guide is a Galactic Pop Quiz, wherein there are five multiple choice questions. You can answer these questions by applying the green stud stickers on the space provided for. Please don't look for the green stud stickers in the sheet pictured above, they were already used before I got the chance to take a picture of it. After answering it (correctly), show it to a LEGO Store Associate to receive your Peel Card.

Scratch Peel Card
(Photo grabbed from: LEGO Store Promotional Material)

Unfortunately, our Peel Card said we didn't win but there is a consolation prize, an R2-D2 [30611] polybag (which I previously did a review)! I almost forgot, for LEGO VIP purchase of any Star Wars set, you'll receive a Millennium Falcon mini poster (a different one each day!). Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of these posters, I'll just make a separate post on this.

Are you wondering what my haul is this Force Friday II? It's the BB-8 [75187] set! I fell in love with this set ever since I saw it in the previews, and I'm sure I'll fall deeper once I've built it. 'Can't wait!

BB-8 [75187]

I think it's now safe to say that the LEGO Force Friday II is a huge hit among LEGO Star Wars fans, with a lot of new (and even old) sets being sold out in-store and being on back order online.

How about you? What's your Force Friday II story?

P. S. With the untitled Han Solo film being released on May 2018, I wonder if we'll be having Force Friday next year. I'm sure promotions will be big on May the 4th. Will there be anything left to celebrate come fall?