Over the years, the LEGO Star Wars franchise has consistently been one of the most popular and bestselling themes in the LEGO lineup. With a consistent flow of new television content over the last two decades, the product portfolio has remained balanced with a variety of new models and redesigns of classic scenes and characters. With the great success of the theme came ample opportunity to explore icons of the series, both old and new, at a larger scale. LEGO embraced this opportunity through its release of the many Ultimate Collector Series items, but also with its buildable characters series – many of which showcase Star Wars droids.
The LEGO Star Wars large-scale buildable droids derive from two distinct eras in which they were produced. The first era focused on creating the droids under the Technic subtheme, using almost exclusively technic based parts for their builds. This era lasted from the years 2000 to 2003 before they disappeared from the product portfolio. After a span of several years without any large-scale droid models, the theme was resurrected in 2012 for its second era, which involved using System based elements (more common LEGO bricks), with technic parts used when necessary. The droids of the second era commonly included informational display plaques along with its droid minifigure counterpart (if there was one) for comparison. The trends of the second era continue to the present day.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Star Wars franchise has been how consistently it involves droids in the storyline – both protagonist and antagonist. One look at the LEGO shelf in your local store will quickly reveal that LEGO has learned to deftly capitalize off of this interest by producing numerous droid models. But just how many different droids have been produced as LEGO sets? This article will take a comprehensive look at every LEGO Star Wars droid that has been released in a large-scale buildable format since the theme’s inception over 20 years ago.
1. Pit Droid 8000
RRP: $19.99
Year Released: 2000
Pieces: 217
Minifigures: 0
Set 8000 Pit Droid was the first of three droid sets released shortly after the debut of Episode I: The Phantom Menace under the Technic branding. Known primarily for aiding podracers and technicians with repairs on the desert planet of Tatooine, these droids are also renowned for their mischief and mayhem, and their general inability to get anything useful done.
Containing a large number of technic-based parts, this model, along with the other droids released that year, solidly established the trend of building early Star Wars droid sets with only technic parts. The green ribbed hose, featured on the top rim of the droid head, is currently exclusive to this set.
2. Battle Droid 8001
RRP: $29.99
Year Released: 2000
Pieces: 328
Minifigures: 0
Set 8001 Battle Droid was the second of three droid sets released in 2000 to coincide with the debut of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This set captured the iconic look of the standard Trade Federation battle droid, which was produced en masse by the Separatists during the Clone Wars.
Once again, the set was featured with Technic branding and the box advertised that the model could strike two different poses: the upright standing position, as well as a folded-down option. The set also featured red alternate parts to enable builders to choose between displaying a standard battle droid or a security battle droid.
3. Destroyer Droid 8002
RRP: $49.99
Year Released: 2000
Pieces: 553
Minifigures: 0
The third LEGO Star Wars droid to hit the shelves in 2000 was 8002 Destroyer Droid. An emblem of advanced Separatist fighting technology in the prequel movies (and later the Clone Wars), this droid appeared prominently for the first time in Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
The set was also marketed under the Technic subtheme due its large share of technic-related components. Interestingly, this set is primarily composed of several colors that are no longer in production – including Brown, Light Gray, and Dark Gray. There were also two versions of the set which were released, with a varying number of parts and some differing build techniques.
4. Star Wars C-3PO 8007
RRP: $34.99
Year Released: 2001
Pieces: 339
Minifigures: 0
C-3PO was the next droid model released in 2001, continuing the trend of LEGO Star Wars Technic models. A faithful protocol droid throughout the entire Skywalker Saga, it made perfect sense for LEGO to replicate one of the most well-known automatons in the Star Wars galaxy.
This version of C-3PO included a wide variety of new metallic-gold elements, most of which remain exclusive to the set. Additionally, it featured a large number of stickers, something the previous droid models had not incorporated. This set was also later included in a co-pack with an R2-D2 model in 2002 (set 65081).
5. Star Wars R2-D2 8009
RRP: $19.99
Year Released: 2002
Pieces: 242
Minifigures: 0
Following up the release of C-3PO was his faithful counterpart, R2-D2! Equally renowned, with a reputation of having a mind of his own, this little astromech droid continued the Technic branded series in 2002.
While perhaps not the most accurate depiction of the droid you may have seen, it was the first attempt made by LEGO to capture the cylindrical dome-shape of the astromech without large printed pieces (a previous R2-D2 model had been released in 1999 – however, it is not included in this list due to it primarily being a Mindstorms robotics model – the 9748 Droid Developer Kit). One of the unique aspects of the set are the dark blue hoses around the top rims; the hose recolor is exclusive to the Technic R2-D2 model. As previously stated, this set also appeared with C-3PO in a 2002 co-pack (set 65081).
6. Super Battle Droid 8012
RRP: $34.99
Year Released: 2002
Pieces: 381
Minifigures: 0
Following the debut of Episode II: Attack of the Clones in theaters, LEGO released the technic-based 8012 Super Battle Droid. Designed by the Separatists to have more firepower and durability than the standard battle droid, the Super Battle Droid showcased wrist blasters and a thick armor casing in both the prequel movies and Clone Wars television series.
With a host of recolors and exclusive parts in medium blue and pearl sand blue, this LEGO set explored new territory and borrowed elements from the newly burgeoning Bionicle theme to aid in its construction. It continued the trend of providing Separatist-based models to LEGO enthusiasts so they could recreate their favorite battle droids in LEGO form.
7. Hailfire Droid 4481
RRP: $49.99
Year Released: 2003
Pieces: 681
Minifigures: 0
The LEGO Group’s 2003 set, 4481 Hailfire Droid continued the proliferation of droids featured from Episode II: Attack of the Clones. While carrying on the technic style of build typical of the previous years’ models, the box art notably dropped the Technic branding, quietly signaling a pivot away from these kind of sets in the Star Wars theme.
It contained the highest number of pieces in a droid set at the time of release, and introduced several new elements (such as the flat silver shields on the sides of the model, as well the large dark gray wheels). The massive wheels of this set were never used in any other model, and represent the bulk of the set’s current value (with each wheel fetching an average of $33 a piece in used condition on BrickLink at the time of writing).
8. R2-D2 10225
RRP: $179.99
Year Released: 2012
Pieces: 2127
Minifigures: 1
After nearly a decade passed without another large scale droid model, the line finally returned in a big way with the release of 10225 R2-D2 in 2012! LEGO’s second attempt at the beloved astromech droid marked a definitive shift away from technic-based models to a LEGO System-based approach for future droid sets (though technic parts were still used in tandem when necessary).
The redesign clearly improved upon its previous aesthetic by presenting a far more realistic look defined by detailed color patterns and a solid, filled-in, shape. These improvements were not made without adding a few more parts, however, as this model included more than three times the number of pieces as the second-largest droid at the time (the Hailfire Droid). This set also included an information display plaque, as well as an R2-D2 minifigure.
9. Lego Star Wars BB-8 75187
RRP: $99.99
Year Released: 2017
Pieces: 1106
Minifigures: 1
Following the release of Episode VII: The Force Awakens and in anticipation of Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, LEGO added BB-8 to its buildable droid collection in late 2017. An astromech droid in service of the Resistance, BB-8 was a natural choice to produce given his prominent role in the sequel trilogy.
The set is notable for its large spherical shape, something rarely accomplished with LEGO bricks. Built with several hidden play features, it included a movable head piece which allowed builders to mimick BB-8’s affable personality from the sequel films. The set also followed the trend of including a display stand, informational plaque, and a minifigure model of the droid.
10. The Rise of Skywalker D-O 75278
RRP: $69.99
Year Released: 2020
Pieces: 519
Minifigures: 1
After the release of Episode IX: Rise of Skywalker, LEGO introduced D-O as a new character to their droid catalogue. D-O was a data storage droid that had once been owned by a Sith assassin. However, he was discovered by the Resistance rebels upon their visit to the planet Pasaana, and joined their cause. Known for being timid, D-O remained a side-character throughout most of Episode IX.
The LEGO model followed the trend of including an informational display plaque with the minifigure beside it. Unlike the BB-8 set, D-O’s stand was made of bricks that represented the desert environment of Pasaana, and was not made of a black frame.
While perhaps LEGO had hoped that his endearing nature would make him a hit with fans, many signs indicated that this never occurred, and D-O was often sold at a discount. Even now, over a year after the set has retired, a new and sealed copy can often be bought below the original recommended retail price.
11. Imperial Probe Droid 75306
RRP: $59.99
Year Released: 2021
Pieces: 683
Minifigures: 0
In early 2021, LEGO launched the 75306 Imperial Probe Droid set as the next large-scale droid model. Well known for its appearances in the original trilogy, especially in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, this model was a nostalgic release for many LEGO Star Wars enthusiasts. The probe droid is featured elegantly on its trans-clear stand, giving it the illusion of floating above its informational display plaque.
While the D-O model began the trend of having the planetary environment serve as a stand, the Imperial Probe Droid took that idea to a new level, with the icy snow of Hoth creeping even onto the display plaque. The set also departed from the norms of its recent predecessors in two other key areas: first, the set did not contain a minifigure model of the droid. Second, it reintroduced stickers onto the main model for the first time since C-3PO’s set in 2001 – a move that was generally perceived as a slight drawback by most collectors.
12. Lego Star Wars R2-D2 75308
RRP: $239.99
Year Released: 2021
Pieces: 2314
Minifigures: 1
Again?! Indeed, Lucasfilm’s 50th Anniversary in 2021 marked the third release of the renowned droid hero in a large-scale format. It is well known that R2-D2 is a great droid to have by your side when you’re in a tight spot, and that’s exactly where your wallet will be after you’ve purchased your third R2 model. LEGO seems keen on making sure everyone has at least one of these little guys. What more is there to say?
This version of R2-D2 was redesigned to be a sleeker alternative to the 2012 model. Many of the rougher edges were smoothed, with the dome being softened by several rising tiers of sloped curves. The model also featured a large number of play functions, including a lightsaber that could be stored inside a secret compartment. An R2-D2 minifigure, as well as an informational display plaque, were included with the set.
13. Lego Star Wars BD-1 75335
RRP: $99.99
Year Released: 2022
Pieces: 1062
Minifigures: 1
One of the first LEGO Star Wars buildable droids to be released from the Star Wars expanded universe, BD-1’s launch caused considerable excitement in the LEGO community. Originally based off the video game Jedi: Fallen Order, BD-1 is an explorer droid who accompanies Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis on his quest to escape the Empire and rebuild the Jedi Order.
The BD droid’s design was extremely detailed, with plenty of wiring and mechanics visible, creating a very convincing look. It also featured a rotatable head which allowed dynamic display options. The set included a red reprint of the BD droid minifigure originally featured in the set 75325 Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter, as well as an informational display plaque.
Final Thoughts
This comprehensive list of large-scale droid models reveals how LEGO Star Wars designs have changed and evolved, while also showcasing the historical relevance of a number of the subject choices. Many of the droid sets which have retired from production have increased in value over the years. If you would like to learn about LEGO investing strategies, go ahead and check out our YouTube channel, Brick Bucks, where we explain how it works.
If you would like to read more LEGO round-up articles, check out our news feed for more interesting information! If you are interested specifically in learning about one our most recent roundups regarding the LEGO Overwatch theme, check it out here!
