Review: LEGO 75367 UCS Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser

September 27, 2023 | 14

The prequel trilogy has long been underrepresented in the LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, but that has begun to change lately, sparked by 2021’s 75309 UCS Republic Gunship.

75367 UCS Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser is the newest prequel flagship set, and wow does it stand out. It is the first proper LEGO Venator-class Star Destroyer we have had since 2009, and is the definitive version, containing a whopping 5,374 pieces and measuring 110cm (43″) long. It comes at an equally hefty price – US$649.99 / AU$999.99 – but let’s take a deeper dive and see if this deserves its spot in LEGO’s prestigious UCS lineup.

75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser will be released exclusively on LEGO.com on 1 October 2023 via Insiders Early Access, ahead of a 4 October general release date.

See below for regional pricing and product pages

• 75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser [US] – US$649.99
• 75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser [AUS] – AU$999.99
• 75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser [UK] – £559.99
• 75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser [EU] – €649.99
• 75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser [CA] – CAD$849.99

If you’re buying the LEGO UCS Venator, please consider using these affiliate links in the post. I may receive a small commission with each purchase that goes a long way in helping support the work I do on the blog!

This is a guest review from our LEGO Star Wars correspondent Vaderfan – we have more of the recent Ahsoka reviews coming up, so keep an eye out! Check them out below!

• Review: LEGO 75359 332nd Ahsoka’s Clone Troopers Battle Pack
• Review: LEGO 75365 Yavin 4 Rebel Base
• Review: LEGO 75361 Spider Tank
• Review: LEGO 75360 Yoda’s Jedi Starfighter (2023)

Special thanks to the LEGO Group for sending this set over for review.

75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser Set Details

Set Number: 75367
Set Name: Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser
Pieces: 5,374
Minifigures: 2 (Captain Rex, Admiral Yularen)
Theme: Star Wars
Release Date: 1 October 2023 (Insiders Early Access)
Retail Price: US$649.99 / AU$999.99 / £559.99 / €649.99 / CAD$849.99
Designer: Hans Burkhard Schlömer

Unboxing

The UCS Venator comes in a massive black box. It’s almost cube-like in shape due to its depth, similar to previous large UCS sets like the Millennium Falcon and the Star Destroyer.

The front of the box shows off the model from an attractive front 3/4 angle, along with the LEGO, Star Wars, and Ultimate Collector Series logos. The set name is on the top left, and thankfully the correct Republic logo was included this time.

The back of the box shows off alternate angles of the set, including the minifigure stand and an info box displaying the height and length. In-universe comparison images are printed at the bottom.

The sides of the box show the front and rear views of the Venator, accompanied by the Clone Wars 20th Anniversary logo.

The top has an angled top view of the cruiser, plus a 1:1 image of the Admiral Yularen minifigure.

Inside you’ll find two smaller cardboard boxes labeled 1 and 2, both of which feature scenes from Revenge of the Sith showcasing the Venator.

Inside each box you will find lots of plastic bags and an instruction manual folder.

The manuals come packaged in this cardboard folder, and it serves as a good layer of protection from warping and damage.

Inside you’ll find the first two manuals and a sticker sheet. It is disappointing that even at this price point, we cannot get all printed parts.

Box 1 contains 23 numbered bags and 2 unnumbered bags containing large pieces like wheel elements and the printed UCS plaque.

The contents of box 2 look nearly the same as box 1.

Inside is another cardboard folder containing two more instruction manuals…

…along with 25 more numbered bags.

The first instruction manual has some additional information and graphics about the background and design process of the UCS Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser, which is always an enjoyable feature in UCS sets.

Build Process

Unlike some other smaller LEGO sets, the Venator does not have duplicate numbered bags (e.g. two bags labeled “8”). Instead, all bags are numbered individually, but you are often instructed to open more than one bag per stage.

Bag 1 starts with the Technic frame, as expected for stability.

Bags 2 & 3 extend the Technic support structure, starting to form a cross-like shape.

Bags 4 & 5 build half of a bigger cross-section, which is then mirrored in bags 6 & 7.

The entire assembly then connects to the end of the initial build and you begin to get a sense of how large the final model will be.

Bag 8 adds some exterior detail to the rear, bags 9 & 10 adds the black display stands, and bags 11 & 12 flesh out the rear section more.

Bags 13, 14, and 15 start building up the bridge, as its own separate subassembly. This part provides a nice break from all the Technic work to focus on a more traditional bricks-on-bricks style build.

Bag 16 adds the front paneling of the bridge tower, while bag 17 attaches the double bridges and connects it to the main Technic frame at a slight angle.

Bags 18 and 19 add some bodywork detailing to the underside of the ship, directly beneath the bridge.

Bags 20 & 21 along with bags 22 & 23 add underside paneling on the right and left sides of the ship respectively, and concluding the first half of the build process.

Bags 24 and 25 add a narrow strip of greebling to the sides of the front triangle shape.

Bags 26 & 27 add more underside paneling on the left front of the ship.

Bags 28 & 29 do the same, just on the other side of the model. These large panels are each connected using two mini ball joints, a Technic axle at the front and a pair of rubber Technic elements, but feel suitably secure.

Bags 30, 31, 32 & 33 build up the striking engine cluster at the rear, along with some small supplementary paneling.

Bags 34 and 35 add some greebled dark grey subassemblies that perfectly recreate the shape of the Venator’s side sections.

The top paneling finally starts appearing, as bags 36-38 add features like the dark red striping and the Open Circle Armada logo.

Bags 39-41 add the relevant paneling on the opposite side. This large panel was not easy to attach, as it requires lining up two mini ball joints at a specific angle without really being able to see the joints themselves, but with a bit of fiddling it attaches securely.

Bags 42 and 43 continue the impressive paneling work to the front of the ship…

…and that work is further extended by bags 44 and 45 on the opposite side.

Bags 46 & 47 finish up the iconic dark red stripe that runs down the front of the ship.

Finally, bag 48 finishes the model’s final details and adds the minifigure stand.

It was a long build process and certainly quite different from most smaller LEGO sets, but it does follow an established template of a Technic core for stability and then cosmetic additions on top.

I have not build anything this large in LEGO before, and it was a treat – especially counterbalanced by the high level of detail throughout the entire exterior. Definitely make sure you have enough space before building this though!

Minifigures

Two exclusive minifigures are included – a Republic-era Admiral Yularen and our first official Phase II Captain Rex figure in 10 years! Rex is an incredibly anticipated figure and (for the most part) it does not disappoint, with a great helmet design, gorgeous printed arms and a nice blue pauldron.

Yularen looks good too but stands out less due to his more generic uniform. At least he gets dual-molded boots which look classy.

Rex has a unique head print with a bandage on his forehead where the Order 66 chip was removed, while Yularen has an alternate head print with a slightly miffed expression.

The Rex minifigure has one huge downside, though – the kama armor around the legs is simply represented by two slivers of black printed on the front of the legs.

This results in an incomplete look from any view that is not directly from the front, and is a bizarre choice since Rex’s pauldron is represented by a cloth piece – surely a matching cloth kama would not have been too much to ask for?

It does let down the figure quite noticeably and you will probably have to buy a cloth kama from Bricklink or a custom minifigure shop.

The UCS plaque is included as part of a separate minifigure stand, which also features a printed 4x3x1 brick with the Clone Wars 20th Anniversary logo.

The info plaque is printed as well and looks fantastic – interestingly the model is named as a “Star Destroyer” on the plaque instead of “Republic Attack Cruiser” in the set name, although both titles are appropriate.

The back is pretty simplistic – the stand is mostly built on a pair of 2-stud-wide plates.

Final Model

The completed Venator measures 110cm (43″) long, and wow does it have presence. Its sheer size makes it incredibly eye-catching, although it is a double-edged sword as it does limit your display options. Its length is identical to its Imperial sibling in set 75252, meaning if you have the size and budget to display both warships side-by-side they will match up nicely.

A higher angle is one of its most flattering angles, and this model truly looks like it has been ripped off the screen. The large scale has allowed the designers to replicate all the details and shaping brilliantly.

The frontal view of the ship looks good, although this ship is admittedly not as iconic from this view as its Imperial counterpart.

To be frank, the ship looks good from any angle, thanks to the details generously peppered on every surface. The proportions are also far better than the previous LEGO Venator (set 8039), as it has larger dimensions and is not constrained by the need to include interior play features.

Indeed, some fans might be slightly disappointed that no interior space is included, due to the central Technic frame. There is some hollow space especially towards the front, but then fitting opening panels that are stable enough would be another massive challenge.

I think the lack of interior is acceptable, as most UCS sets lack an interior and focus on exterior display, which this set achieves brilliantly.

The model rests on two separate black Technic stands. These are not very large but are securely locked to the main interior structure and are certainly stable.

Their color also ensures they are not obtrusive, but instead look professional and match the minifigure stand/information plaque.

One of my favorite aspects of this set is how it holds up to close scrutiny – an up-close look only reveals more brick-built detail such as the greebling that runs up and down the side of the whole model.

Four light laser cannons are also replicated with 1×1 round plate with bars on each wingtip.

A pair of medium-dual turbolasers are included closer to the front. These cannons are rather oversized but have a good level of detail.

They are completely static but I think the aesthetic value justifies the lack of playability.

Hangars carrying various ships and walkers were one of the key features of the Venator, and brick-built hangars are included at the thickest part of the Venator’s side bodywork.

The one on the portside of the ship features a microscale Republic Gunship (built from 3 pieces), along with some trans-yellow landing lights and a smooth black backdrop. It is well-done and the mini Gunship does add some character to the ship.

The corresponding hangar on the starboard side is closed, cleverly using the underside of 1×3 jumper plates to represent the armoured doors.

A ventral hangar is included as well, which is accurate to the in-universe ship. As expected, this hangar does not open, but it ingeniously uses two layers of plates to simulate closed blast doors.

Behind the hangar is a strip of additional greebling, which uses the light grey rollercoaster track piece for some unusual texturing. It’s a brilliant and accurate inclusion, and shows that the designers went the extra mile even for the underside.

The paneling on the top of the ship is yet another standout aspect – the model strikes a good balance of tiled and studded surfaces, a technique that LEGO designers have truly mastered. There is more dark grey on the front half than the in-universe ship, but it is visually more interesting and pleasing than an all-light grey look would have been.

Mildly frustratingly, these 6×6 tiles are stickers. I do not see why a set at this price point should still have stickers, instead of just printing these pieces for a more complete, premium experience.

The Open Circle Armada logos are such an important part of the model, and are symmetrical so would have only necessitated one printed part. The two tiles towards the middle could have been represented by brick-built detail (like the rest of the model) or have been omitted instead.

This problem is worsened by the lack of color matching between the grey of the sticker and the color of the bricks, resulting in a slightly off shade of grey on these stickered 6×6 tiles.

Fortunately, brick-built detail abounds elsewhere, including on the prominent dark red stripe running down the nose. In-universe these should open up to reveal the main hangar, but that function is lacking from this model.

And with good reason too, as opening up the dark red panels would only reveal the central Technic spine, so it was naturally the right choice to prioritise stability over functionality.

In case you were wondering, the red stripe (and any accurate coloring/striping) extends to the underside of the model, showing that the designers cut no corners in the design of this model!

The front tip of the ship also has some brick-built detail, which is impressive. A pair of 1×2 tiles represent the front hangar doors – I wasn’t joking when I said the Venator was renowned for its hangar capacity!

Moving to the rear of the ship, there are the four double-barreled turbolaser turrets on each side, accompanied by dark red striping.

These dorsal cannons also appeared on the Venator’s successor, the Imperial Star Destroyer.

These turbolasers are built using several small pieces, using mini ski poles to represent the cannons. They are connected to the ship with just one stud so can be rotated side to side, although there’s no function to move them in synchrony. The cannons can also be individually posed up and down at your preferred angle.

Now on to the back of the ship, featuring the engine cluster.

This model of the Venator has eight engines, and they look marvellous in LEGO form, utilising gunmetal grey-colored wheel hub elements to achieve a brutalist, industrial look.

The trans-blue pieces also replicate the glowing effect of the in-universe engines well.

The engines look good from the side too, and the longest engine assemblies are mounted at two points to prevent sagging.

The last two stickers are used here on large 1x5x6 slopes, which forms the protruding hyperdrive generator.

Now we come to the bridge section. Despite being built around a simpler studs-facing-up template, it still features lots of studs-on-the-side building and angled subassemblies. Trans-blue plates are used to represent the windows of the ship, plus lots of small angled tiles for additional shaping along the sides. I particularly like how the front sloping assemblies look – they are mounted at an angle via Technic pins.

The dual bridge superstructure at the top is built from dark red pieces, indicating this particular Venator as a command flagship, possibly with a Jedi on board.

These sub-builds have trans-blue tiles at the front for the command bridge windows, plus some 1×4 tiles attached sideways to clips at the rear for a unique look.

The back of the bridge is notably simpler, mostly featuring slope bricks and lacking in greebling, but is accurate to the in-universe craft so it does its job.

Final Thoughts

This set is absolutely incredible, and is a love letter to all prequel Star Wars fans. No expense has been spared in terms of the design, with marvelous greebling and brick-built paneling covering the entire model, creating an accurate yet aesthetically pleasing final product.

Its imposing size means it will take a well deserved flagship position in most LEGO Star Wars collections, while the two exclusive minifigures means will delight minifigure collectors (although some might be frustrated that they are locked in such an expensive set).

Make no mistake, US$650 is a hefty price, but it is an equally hefty model, and it does feel worth the price if you have the budget.

Of course, it is not without flaws, be it the lack of Captain Rex’s printed kama or the occasional fiddly subassembly, but these are minor issues in comparison to the quality of the overall set. There are some considerations to be made, though – this is a really large set, and the length of the ship really limits its display options. If you do not have the space to display this well, then there probably isn’t a reason to buy this set unless you are a diehard collector.

However, if you are a LEGO Star Wars fan with a sizeable display shelf and a big budget, this set absolutely does not disappoint, and will likely be a collector’s item for years to come.

Build [5] – This is LEGO design work at its finest – the model is visually stunning both from afar and up close, replicating the Galactic Republic’s flagship in near perfect form.
Minifigures [4] – This is not a set you will buy for the figures, but the two exclusive characters included are overall well done (apart from Rex’s annoying printed kama).
Real Value [4] – Not a steal and certainly an expensive set, but it is reasonable for the volume of stuff included.
Innovation [5] – The build process is delightful and has lots of clever small piece usage throughout to achieve its final look. The Technic frame also cleverly maintains stability while ensuring all the panels (and the entire bridge superstructure) can be mounted at the necessary angles.
Keepability [5] – LEGO Star Wars fans have been clamoring for a return to the Venator, and this set delivers in every way: an instant classic.

Final Rating: 5/5 ★★★★★

75367 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser will be released exclusively on LEGO.com on 1 October 2023 via Insiders Early Access, ahead of a 4 October general release date.

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