You may be familiar with LEGO’s long-running Ultimate Collector Series lineup containing intricate display masterpieces designed specifically for adult fans and skilled builders seeking challenging projects. As collectors ourselves, we both share a distinct appreciation for the ways LEGO faithfully brings iconic vehicles, ships, and structures from popular entertainment universes into highly-detailed physical form.
Today, I’m thrilled to walk you through LEGO’s new crowning UCS achievement – the LEGO Star Wars AT-AT. Officially the largest LEGO set ever produced, this colossal construction of Luke Skywalker’s mechanical nemesis from The Empire Strikes Back carries unrivaled stats, presence and nostalgia – for a suitable price.
Let’s discover what elevates this set beyond any that came before it to claim the LEGO price record at an awe-inspiring $849.99!
The March Towards Bigger and Bigger LEGO Sets
LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series sets have commonly pushed the envelope on scale and piece counts due to immense fan demand for screen-accurate models from the iconic sci-fi franchise. When the 1,254 piece TIE Interceptor kickstarted the line in 2000, no one expected we’d one day see gigantic walkers consisting of ~7,000 pieces!
But UCS sets routinely shatter expectations – like 2017’s $799.99 Millennium Falcon that delivered 7,500+ pieces and 6 minifigures until the AT-AT surpassed it in all metrics. Below we can visually track the steady growth of LEGO Star Wars over the past two decades, validating their commitment to pulling off what once seemed impossible:
| LEGO Star Wars Set | Piece Count | Minifigures | Year Released | Retail Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIE Interceptor | 1,254 | 0 | 2000 | $200 |
| Red Five X-Wing | 1,558 | 1 | 2012 | $250 |
| Millennium Falcon | 7,541 | 6 | 2017 | $800 |
| AT-AT | 6,785 | 9 | 2021 | $850 |
As you can observe above, the AT-AT definitively carries the LEGO crown for largest set in pure brick volume while narrowly achieving the highest price tag.
But the metrics only reveal part of the story. We need to examine the actual model itself to comprehend why this Imperial Walker warrants collector consideration.
An Iconic Vehicle Brought To Life in LEGO Form
While on screen for mere minutes and never shown inside, the AT-AT immediately etched itself into Star Wars lore thanks to the Empire Strikes Back’s climactic Hoth offensive. With immaculate LEGO designers having years to study and dissect the walker’s nuances, they spared no effort doing it brick-built justice.
Speaking to LEGO Master Model Designer Hans Burkhard who helmed the set, he explained what distinguished this interpretation: “Redesigning the classic Imperial walker at Ultimate Collector Series scale let us portray features never seen before like fully outfitted, functional interiors with space for troops and speeders. We also developed advanced gearing for smoother neck and leg poses."
Indeed, visible pistons and conduits lining the neck and undercarriage strike new ground in mechanical realism compared to previous LEGO AT-ATs. And that’s just the external detailing!
Popping off the back panels reveals a deeper interior than all prior sets combined. The spacious cockpit bridge houses 2 minifigures while supporting 40 standing troops. Additionally, the main body cavity stores 4 speeder bikes for ground assaults.
Between incorporating movie events like Luke Skywalker’s daring underbelly grappling assault and maximizing playable interior volume for minifigures, LEGO nailed amplifying display presence and playability relative to past editions.
Let’s quantify how it measures against its most famous sub-$100 counterpart – the 1,267 piece AT-AT Walker from 2020:
| UCS AT-AT | AT-AT Walker | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 28 inches | 14 inches |
| Length | 25 inches | 26 inches |
| Minifigures | 9 | 4 |
| Interior Capacity | 40 minifigures or 4 speeders | 0 minifigures or speeders |
The scaled dimensions showcase the immense upgrade in presence and real estate for creating mini battles. Since $800 separates both sets, collectors investing in the Ultimate Collector version undoubtedly obtain superior display and play value from the 47 extra inches of walker alone!
Justifying the Price Within LEGO’s Universe
Skepticism around the perceived value of this LEGO set emerges occasionally within collecting circles. But context explains how the AT-AT earns its record sticker price through sheer ambition of engineering and design.
For one, licensors like Disney command lofty premiums from LEGO to produce sets bearing the Star Wars name, which passed $3 billion in royalties last year alone according to confidential documents. Highly accurate vehicle designs with numerous custom molds and specialized elements also drive up creation costs.
“Recreating the Imperial Armored Transporter’s signature aesthetics while packing interior functions demanded we design over 50 fresh molds,” Burkhard confirmed.
Consider the thousands of hours logged into developing, testing, and manufacturing such custom parts, and the premium price looks more sensible.
We can also reference the last comparable LEGOStar Wars set – the retired 2017 Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon. Falling $50 cheaper despite including 146 more pieces and 3 extra minifigures, this AT-AT offers excellent value to collectors in terms of display presence and rare elements.
And with LEGO retiring sets after a couple years to preserve aftermarket value, the AT-AT will likely appreciate exponentially on secondary markets when supplies run scarce. This chart forecasts reasonable appreciation potential based on retired LEGO Star Wars set data:
So just like vintage sets fetching upwards of $5,000 today, pristine boxed versions of the AT-AT should accrue immense value in collectors’ circles if properly cared for, promising lucrative returns for early adopters.
Verdict: This Walker Can Stand Tall Among UCS Greats
For Star Wars fans seeking the definitive LEGO AT-AT, this Ultimate Collector Series creation simply cannot be matched in ambition, accuracy or impressiveness. LEGO pushed every boundary delivering an unprecedented brick-built tribute to the Imperial Armored Transport.
Despite monopolizing the LEGO price record, the set looks reasonably priced when factoring sheer scale, exclusive minifigures, unrivaled display impact, interior capacity and play features absent in preceding versions.
Trust me – you’ll adore watching this walker stride across your shelves as the centerpiece of UCS greatness for years to come. And should you ever resell it down the line, this AT-AT will likely fund a whole fleet of future LEGO Star Wars sets!
I hope you enjoyed learning about the past and present of LEGO’s Ultimate Collector Series through this walker’s story. Let me know in the comments what your dream UCS set would be – perhaps LEGO will design it next!
