LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor review

is an excellently designed two-in-one set, and a must-have this May the 4th.

Combining the design standards of

in 2023 with a multi-vehicle concept not seen in years, feels like a throwback wrapped in modern love. And for a number of strengths – not least of which is the first TIE Interceptor in many years – this is yet another set released this year not to overlook.

— LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor set details —

Theme:

Set name: Release: May 1, 2023

Price: £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99 Pieces: 957 Minifigures: 4

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— Where to buy LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor —

launched on May 1 at and in stores as part of the Group’s May the 4th 2023 shopping event. You can find the latest prices for this set below.

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— LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor build —

We spoke in the

review about the immediate appeal and clear potential of any number of ships that have appeared in The Mandalorian to convert into highly credible sets, and is yet another example of how.

Interestingly too, the Mandalorian Fang Fighter mirrors

in core design principals, built quite flatly and out of a number of plates. Of the two ships in it’s the one we only really glimpse at during season three of The Mandalorian, without ever seeing in action. But from what we have seen, the design approach taken here makes sense and offers up a credible replica in brick plate form.

The cockpit design in particular shows off the more recent attention to detail that such smaller

sets benefit from nowadays – there are no fancy new pieces here, but a presentation that colours the interior in a nice warm tan contrast to the cooler exterior of the ship. It’s a little thing, really, but gives an air of quality to the overall design.

Whilst quite flat and generally plate-based in design (as needs to be for the thin appearance – it’s just not the most fun to put together), the Fang Fighter remains incredibly sturdy – lifting by the tip of one of the wings is demonstration enough of this, even if MandR chose in his review to test its strength a little too well.

Alongside the Fang Fighter comes the TIE Interceptor – 

’ first System minifigure-scale model of this ship since 2006. A lot has changed in the 17 years in between, from the obvious aspects such as the shift from a blue and black colour scheme, to the finer points, such as the use of so many smaller and better-suited pieces to capture the unique shape of the Interceptor in form, and indeed the light grey framing of those black wing panels, both exterior and interior.

As a result, of course this 2023 version of the TIE Interceptor is the best we have ever seen in

form, but it’s also a stand-out in the recent line of TIE-series sets that we’ve had, alongside . It’s a good size, the detailing and shaping is great and everything that you would expect or hope to see in a minifigure-scale version of the TIE Interceptor is here.

It’s the far more compelling model to build in

and looks really great on display once complete.

— LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor characters —

Included in

are four characters – three minifigures for The Mandalorian, a Mandalorian Fleet Commander and a TIE Fighter Pilot, and one droid, R2-E6.

The two Mandalorians are where most of the attention will be, for the updated and far-more-accurate helmet for the titular Din Djarin (with the rarer face print underneath), and a long-awaited (if a little late) new mould for the Darksaber; and another Mandalorian in the form of the Fleet Commander to add to the collection and great for army building.

Could we have had a named character such as Axe Woves or Koska Reeves instead? Most definitely, but it doesn’t take away from the really nice design for this Mandalorian Fleet Commander, who himself does get a bit of screentime and some lines during season three.

The TIE Fighter Pilot is fairly standard whilst the detailing on R2-E6 seems even more refined – even if these characters will be overlooked, the

team didn’t downgrade any aspect of their design.

Overall, this is a very strong line-up for such a set to contain. The only complaint is the risk that the helmet on the Mandalorian Fleet Commander will come scratched. Much like with the helmet for Bo-Katan in

, the facial detailing to the Fleet Commander’s helmet is painted on and is highly scratchable. Our review copy included a nick that you can’t unsee once you notice.

— LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor price —

Coming in at £89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99,

is priced pretty much where you’d expect it to be, considering the size and quality of the two models that come in the box. For everything about how good this set is – across both models, but in particular the TIE Interceptor – and for a glance across what else the same budget could land you this May the 4^th, that price represents fair value and an easy way to move closer to any of the promotional gift-with-purchases available from release day this May.

— LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor pictures —

— LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor pros and cons —

Ultimately,

is a win – how often do we see two ships in one set and, at that, both credibly and accurately designed as both the Fang Fighter and TIE Interceptor are? Both these models are nicely sized as individual ships and in relation to each other, making for quite possibly the most swooshable set of recent years.

Consider also the rarity of a

TIE Interceptor and just how nice this one looks on display (or in your hands flying around the living room whilst your partner shakes their head) and it’s certainly one not to miss.

75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor $99.99 at BUY NOW pros	75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor $99.99 at BUY NOW cons
Two strong and respectively-proportioned ships in one set	Painted helmet for the Mandalorian Fleet Commander liable to scratch
First TIE Interceptor in years	Should one of the four characters been swapped out for another named character from The Mandalorian?
Good minifigure line-up	Plate-based building is relevant to the Fang Fighter’s design, but after 75346 Pirate Snub Fighter $27.99 at BUY NOW too, it’s a less-enjoyable building experience

This set was provided for review by the

Group.

Stay across all the May the 4^th deals this year and support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your

through one of our .

— Alternatives to LEGO Star Wars 75348 Mandalorian Fang Fighter vs. TIE Interceptor —

The most relevant alternative to

is actually more of a perfect complement to it in the form of , for how they share relevant screen time together in the third season of The Mandalorian. Budget-wise, the likes of and are both cheaper and are catching our eye just as much this May the 4^th.