It's been a bit since I've reviewed a Star Wars set so time to get back in the game. This one is not a new one. The Imperial Assault Hovertank is from "Rogue One" and has been out since 1 Oct 2016. At $29.99 (in the US) for 385 pieces it works out to $0.078 per piece. I picked it up for 20% off on Amazon.com for $23.97 which works out to $0.062 per piece. As of 14 June, the set is still 20% off on Amazon.com although if history is worth anything, the discount may increase as the Christmas shopping season approaches. Either way for less than $0.10 per piece for a licensed set, this one appears to be on the cheap side.
Here is the box. Standard front and back for a Star Wars set.
The contents include 4 numbered parts bags labeled 1 through 4 and an instruction booklet. Thankfully, there are no stickers.
Bag 1 includes Chirrut Îmwe with 2 weapons and a clip on the back to store 1 of them. It also starts off the troop compartment of the hovertank. Basic building techniques here and nothing outside the ordinary.
The second bag builds the left side of the hovertank. It clips on with 2 Technic pins and has 2 Technic wheels on it that are clear so when it is complete you can move it around (it would have been much cooler if they actually made it hover, but I probably couldn't have afforded it then).
The next bag has the 2 hovertank troopers and it completes the right side so you now can move the vehicle around on the wheels. You will also notice that the excess parts pile is growing.
The fourth bag finishes up the set. It includes the back cargo area, the orange cargo case, a rifle mounted on top, and it installs the 2 plastic spring mounted shooters (what is the technical name of those?). The shooters are activated by a Technic pin and gear attached to the outside of the hovertank on either side (which I learned on accident during assembly).
My thoughts? It reminds me too much of 75100 First Order Snowspeeder from "The Force Awakens." Another "troop transporter" that "hovers" and has Technic wheels. In terms of minifigures, you get two "storm troopers" and then it is the only set (so far) with Chirrut Îmwe. Not super impressive, but if you want the minifigs and can pick the set up at a discount, you get them with a decent amount of parts considering the price. My overall opinion is not to buy it. It is really not an impressive set. What are your thoughts?