Well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but in the absence of blue coat Soldier parts in recent BrickLink Designer palettes, we’ve observed a innovative surge in imperial designs utilising non-imperial minfigure alternates.
The Imperial Armada?
In our previous post the Classic Pirates suggested the minifigures of Coconut Cape were inspired by the Imperial Armada.
To afford them greater authenticity, the morion piece could be plucked from retirement.
A modern head and classic Imperial Armada minifigures
Wishful thinking perhaps, as each BrickLink Designer series has a predefined palette, so in the interest of efficiency, the intent is not to deviate beyond that collection of parts.
But in the interest of authenticity, imagine if the occasional retired part could be retrieved from the archive.
Not actually imperials – they’re Tortuga’s concierge service
The Model Governance Team has demonstrated a willingness to innovate beyond the builder’s original design.
A most welcome revision to The Thieves of Tortuga was the inclusion of brand new imperial faction, complete with flag.
Granted the flag is a sticker and the torsos originated from 10297 Boutique Hotel, an opposing faction introduces playability to the set. Now is tension and conflict exists between two rival parties.
Or from an AFOL perspective, their inclusion provides new mythos to the LEGO Pirates canon. Who are these imperials? What are they doing at a pirate haven? Where have they originated from? And will we ever see them again in future sets?
Looking at the broader picture, are we now to introduce a new imperial faction in every other BrickLink Designer set? Essentially resulting in disparate and underdeveloped LEGO Pirate subthemes which are never fully realised or explored to their maximum potential?
Perhaps we could establish a continuity in which these sets are merely their introduction, and these fledgling empires return in future sets in an expanded capacity.
The Imperial Armada already provides a foundation, but could this subtheme return without the minifigure’s iconic helmets? After all, these domes were a feature that well and truly differentiated the armada conquistadors from their tricorn and shako wearing predecessors.
If the BrickLink Designer Program wishes to raise the bar and ingrain the notion these sets are more than just fan designs merely offering a generic assortment of parts, based on whatever be available at the time, venturing beyond the palette during the Refinement phase will assist in that endeavour.
Last seen in on the conquistador from Collectible Minifigure Series 12.
The Imperial Armada: two sets doesn’t really make for a grand armada, does it?
