The Case For & Against A Death Star HasLab

 When Chris from BanthaSkull comes up with what seems to be a ho-hum article at 6 AM Central time (where I live, anyway) it's usually thought provoking. And this one didn't disappoint.

https://www.banthaskull.com/story/news-hasbro-has-a-death-star-sized-haslab-problem-with-me

Normally I comment, but I didn't because my response would be quite lengthy. Something only a blog post can do. But, I have my own thoughts as to why a Death Star HasLab can work, but also why Hasbro may be better off making it instead as a retail item. But this quote from the article says it all: ask 10 VC collectors what you want in a modern Death Star playset and you'll get 10 different answers. So, I'll make my weakest argument first. 

THE DEATH STAR PLAYSET NEEDS TO BE SOLD AT RETAIL OUTLETS 

There is some logic to this. Back in 1995-96 Kenner/Hasbro released some small sets like the detention block hallway and the reactor bridge to recreate Luke and Leia's swing. Nothing really has happened after that. Which is sad, if you ask me. But back in the day, this is what was sold in stores: 

Now that, if you ask me was pretty cool back in 1978-79. But, back then toys could be simple, and there wasn't today's demanding collector's market, which dominates modern toy purchases. 

Jabba's, whoops, Boba Fett's Palace was a HasLab type playset that wasn't a HasLab, and was offered on Hasbro Pulse. It was a great looking playset, and definitely a great display piece, especially once the new Jabba The Hutt came, I don't know if collector's used it only as Boba's Palace, but to each their own. A modern update of the Vintage Kenner Death Star Playset could be done via Pulse, or Big Bad Toy Store and Entertainment Earth as well, and be about $400. The garbage masher on the bottom level, the control room on the 2nd, Luke/Leia swing and Ben Kenobi/Vader duel on the 3rd, with the Death Star main gun and command deck on the 4th. An elevator could connect all the levels, and that would be satisfactory for me. 

But here's where it gets tricky: add ons. This set is missing the briefing room and detention block. These could be added on, and the elevator could rotate to deliver figures into those areas. The detention block could also have a hatch that lowers into the garbage disposal level. Those could range in the $90-$100 range, and for those who can't afford, or have the space for the playset can have pieces to display figures. 

Even if this were to become a HasLab, the Streets of Mos Eisly playset is a compliment piece to the Cantina HasLab. The standard has been set, and this makes a good argument for a retail presence for the Death Star Playset. 

The bad? How long will Hasbro have the Star Wars license? If they lose it, how would the new toy company handle things, would they go for compatibility (which is preferred for this collectors wallet) or just do something on their own? Or will they just not do it? 

WHAT COLLECTORS WANT

It varies, but there are some things all collectors want. The 2 screenshots (these are the only pictures that are mine) are used with the author's permission: 

As you can see, there are different things in each post, but you get the main point Chris emphasized in the article: every one has a different perspective on what should a Death Star playset have. But you also see some common points as well. As for what can't or won't work, I'll give that info when I go about what I would like to see in a Death Star playset. 

THE DEATH STAR NEEDS TO BE A HASLAB

This is the main belief collectors have at this moment, and I agree. I pointed out that some add ons could be made for mass retail to complement the HasLab, too. And I believe that's what would happen. But letting this be crowd funded gives Hasbro the chance to make this and not have to take away their tooling budget for action figures. And, I believe it could be the ONLY way to get this done. 

Now, there are some things that cannot be done. No outer trench, and definitely no hangar bay. They're simply too large. And it's not possible to display any X-Wing or TIE Fighter in it. And you also have to take into account the Legacy/VC Millennium Falcon too, which is massive. 

And with all the fan demands, wishes, etc, this is the only logical way it could be done. And no, I don't want this to be a Retro Collection HasLab, this needs to be VC. So, you've seen what collectors want, but what do I want?

WHAT I WANT FROM A DEATH STAR HASLAB PLAYSET 

Ideally, I want to have a modern version of the Kenner Playset. It should be in a Star Wars movie box. There should also be an elevator to connect all the levels. But with an additional 5th Level. So, from the ground up: 

1st Level: Garbage masher. It needs some junk and a Dianoga monster, which should be the pack in. 

2nd Level: Detention Block. It needs a hatch so the figures can jump into the garbage masher. 

3rd Level: Luke and Leia's swing. Place a cable for them to swing over. Simple. This could also double as the control room for Threepio and Artoo, and a place for the tractor beam. 

4th Level: Vader vs Ben Kenobi. Space for the duel. Plus, if you want to have Stormtroopers assembled for when Han & Chewbacca rush at them, here you go! 

5th Level: Command deck and main gun. We see Tarkin here, and you can have Vader and Leia here as Alderaan is destroyed. Plus with the main gun, you can use it to launch something at passing X-Wings and Y-Wings. No launching projectiles, but a snap on green beam for the super laser, and a standard blaster effect for shooting at Rebel fighters. 

Included figures: Dianoga and Tarkin on a POTF card and a Death Star Droid, along with a couple Mouse Droids. 

Tier 1: Stormtrooper Han & Luke (new card images)

Tier 2: General Tagge

Tier 3: Colonel Yularen

Estimated price: $400-$500

And since modular designs are the new standard with Hasbro, there will be 2 add on playsets that can "attach" to the Death Star:

1. Briefing Room playset. This will come with the table, and a couple of the background Imperial Officers, including Director Krennic. This will be on a Rogue One box. (Estimated price $95)

2. Emperor's Throne Room. The pack in figure will be an Emperor's Royal Guard, and will have Palpy's Throne and an area where Luke and Vader can duel. This would be on a Return of the Jedi box, and there was no  doubt a similar throne room on the original Death Star so this, in my opinion, makes sense. (Estimated price: $150)

This is the closest to how I'd like it to look: 

So that's my 2 cents. 

Only the screenshots are my pictures, the others came from online searches. Thanks for reading! A special thanks to Chris and Nomad at BanthaSkull for allowing me to post this link in the comments section! Please share this link on your social media accounts so I can get more readers!