I got tired of waiting for LEGO to make my most hoped-for Star Wars set, so I found a truly epic custom upgrade instead. Last year, the LEGO Group released its newest iteration of the classic Imperial Star Destroyer. However, it doesn’t take much to make the model infinitely better.

First seen in Star Wars Rebels, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s personal Star Destroyer was one of a kind. Known as the Chimaera, Thrawn’s cruiser featured upgraded weapon systems, and a stylized chimaera engraved on the ventral hull. However, the Chimaera became even more unique following its live-action debut in Ahsoka, a design I just couldn’t wait for LEGO to officially make.

LEGO’s Recent Imperial Star Destroyer (75394): A Solid Official Model

Released last year in 2024, LEGO’s official Imperial Star Destroyer (75394) is by no means a bad model.

Decently priced at $159.99 with 1,555 pieces, this new Star Destroyer design is well-built and more compact than previous models, with some impressive details. Despite being somewhat smaller in terms of length, this new version does have more pieces compared to the last model’s 1,359.

The new Imperial Star Destroyer model also comes with seven minifigures. Darth Vader, a Stormtrooper, and various Imperial officers are included, as well as the first-ever exclusive minifigure of Cal Kestis from EA’s Jedi games.

Again, this official model from LEGO is solid and one of the best Star Wars sets of 2024 by far. However, I had desperately been wanting LEGO to release Thrawn’s Chimaera ever since its live-action debut in 2023’s Ahsoka, especially with its various damaged sections repaired with gold as seen in the live-action series on the extragalactic planet of Peridea.

After two years of waiting, I finally decided to take matters into my own hands, beginning the search for the perfect custom upgrade for this latest Imperial Star Destroyer model.

Click Here To Buy/View Imperial Star Destroyer (75394) on LEGO.com

This Amazing Custom LEGO Mod Transforms The Set Into Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Chimaera

After some searching online, I finally found a great custom modification for LEGO’s Imperial Star Destroyer (75394).

Impressively designed by codyaner.bricks on Rebrickable.com, I purchased their detailed instructions and parts list, which I was able to import to Bricklink.com, the largest online marketplace for LEGO. In total, the instructions and 392 pieces for the mod cost me around $40.

Once the pieces were delivered, the mod instructions were quite easy to follow, just like any official LEGO set. After removing about 20 pieces from the original set and some minor plate shifting, I was able to start upgrading the LEGO Star Destroyer model and turn it into Thrawn’s Chimaera, gold repairs, insignia, and all.

Overall, I was incredibly happy with how the custom Chimaera mod turned out. The stylized chimaera on the underside of the hull looks really great and quite accurate to what we’ve seen on-screen, both in animation with Rebels and in live-action with Ahsoka. Likewise, the gold repairs are all in the right spots, making for a satisfyingly accurate brick-built recreation all around.

As cool as normal Imperial Star Destroyers are, they’re quite average and a dime a dozen (as proven in The Rise of Skywalker). In comparison, Thrawn’s Chimaera has a more specific narrative significance thanks to its more unique design.

After all, the damage to the capital ship requiring gold repairs on Peridea was caused by a pod of space whales known as purrgil, having been summoned by Ezra Bridger (resulting in Ezra’s and Thrawn’s exile for nearly a decade just before the events of the Galactic Civil War).

The Chimaera’s unique design also serves as a reflection of Thrawn’s own unique status within the Galactic Empire and Imperial Remnant as the apparent Heir to the Empire.

Now that he’s returned to the main galaxy as seen at the end of Ahsoka season 1, it’s likely that we’ll be seeing Thrawn’s Chimaera in Ahsoka season 2 and beyond, leading the charge against the New Republic forces once they finally recognize the Grand Admiral’s return.

Even If LEGO Makes An Official Chimaera, I Doubt I’ll Care

Having never attempted such a detailed custom mod on an official LEGO set before, the entire process was easier than I thought. Likewise, the results were pretty great thanks to codyaner.brick’s impressive design.

It really does improve the entire set exactly how I hoped it would, becoming a perfect addition to my collection of Ahsoka sets like The Ghost & Phantom II (75357), Ahsoka Tano’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle (75362), and especially Ahsoka Tano’s Duel on Peridea (75385).

I’m also planning on purchasing a couple copies of LEGO’s recently released Death Trooper & Night Trooper Battle Pack (75412), which should look great displayed next to my new custom Chimaera.

Notably, codyaner.bricks also has a design for the Chimaera’s giant hyperspace ring known as the Eye of Sion, though that comes with a much heftier price tag as it’s a full custom build rather than modifying an existing set. Perhaps someday, though I’m quite pleased with the custom Chimaera upgrade all the same.