The LEGO Group has officially unveiled the UCS Death Star, one of the biggest and most expensive Star Wars models to date. Currently set to release on October 1st, there are numerous differing opinions on the new model. However, most will likely agree that a new custom upgrade improves the set quite a bit.

Featuring over 9,000 pieces and priced at $1000 USD, LEGO’s new UCS Death Star boasts 38 minifigures as a flat cross-section of the Imperial battle station featuring various “vignettes” from the original trilogy, while defying expectations for a fully spherical model with exteriors. However, a custom upgrade has already been made for the UCS Death Star as a welcome improvement.

This Incredible LEGO Custom Adds The Death Star Space Battle

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“instagram”] = “null”;

In light of the new UCS Death Star not having exteriors, @farawaybricks chose to create a custom representation of the battle station’s first space battle for their review set. Using the Death Star’s Imperial shuttle and the gift with purchase TIE Fighter model for scale, @farawaybricks created Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing as well as Darth Vader’s TIE Advanced.

The custom upgrade also includes an arm attached to the backside of the model, allowing Vader’s TIE to be displayed on the upper right of the model, as well as a display stand for the X-Wing to be positioned next to the opposite lower corner.

However, my personal favorite part of this custom upgrade was the micro-scale Y-Wings and TIEs attached to the backs of the X-Wing and TIE Advanced, creating a dynamic forced-perspective effect that works incredibly well.

It’s already become apparent that LEGO’s new UCS Death Star is fairly controversial for more than a few reasons. On the one hand, this new custom upgrade highlights just how much further The LEGO Group could have (and arguably should have) gone with its first $1000 model.

However, it’s also a nice reminder that the greatest thing about LEGO is that no one is beholden to the instructions alone.

As more people get their hands on the UCS Death Star, I’m very excited to see what other improvements and custom upgrades builders come up with. As a prime example, I’m excited to see if someone will give the set a rounded and more complete-looking back, and perhaps even exterior panels on the front for a more full look.

Click Here To View The UCS Death Star on LEGO.com