About
You start with a sturdy Technic spine for the torso and hips, then add click hinges at shoulders and thighs and ball joints at wrists, ankles, and tail base. It stands securely on three points and holds aggressive poses without sagging. The head features a working jaw and paneled fins and plates, with room for a hidden shooter or energy effect. The wings use light sub-assemblies with bar ribs and small panels that open and close to vary the silhouette, not huge, but readable from afar. The segmented tail curves naturally to counterbalance stances and the saddle locks the rider in place. The build flows quickly and cleanly. Expected compromises, a hollow underside and wings that benefit from small angle tweaks. Overall it is swooshable, reads well on display, and offers enough articulation for dynamic shots.
Minifigure review
The line-up is strong. Rogue is Jay in disguise with a dark-blue hat, bandana, and lightning prints. Arin arrives with a black hood over his yellow suit, a lantern, and the new dual-moulded Reveal Blade, the only quibble is his smiling face where a sterner expression might fit better. The standout is Rox, Elemental Master of Fear and member of the Forbidden Five, exclusive to this set and the first NINJAGO minifigure with medium legs, sporting a detailed robe and a gold-toothed mask. Rounding things out is a Spectral Dragonian Warrior in bluish-translucent tones with dragon-shaped chest armor and a ghost lower piece, far more distinct than earlier Dragonian variants. There is also a banner with a sticker that reacts to the Reveal Blade to show Thunderfang’s face. Overall, it is a balanced selection with crisp prints and story-ready accessories.
Box design
The box uses the current landscape format, with the dragon in flight on the front and functions, cockpit, and articulation highlighted on the back. Inside, the wings and head ship in separate bags and the sticker sheet lies flat.
Instruction manual
The set includes 2 instruction booklets, one for the mech and one for the dragon. The flow is clear with well-paced steps, making each sub-build straightforward. Because there is one booklet per model, two builders can work in parallel comfortably. Both booklets are also available as PDFs on LEGO’s official building instructions hub if you prefer digital.
Stickers
A medium sticker sheet covers scales, emblems, and armor plates. Most placements are on tiles and flat slopes, easy to align with tweezers. They sharpen the organic-versus-mechanical contrast and can be partially skipped if you prefer a cleaner look.
So…
Rogue’s Mech Dragon Rider delivers rock-solid poseability, a frustration-free build, and visual punch for shelves and photos. The wings could have more surface area and the belly is a bit hollow, but it remains a fun, well-balanced set. If you like NINJAGO mechs with creature vibes and want strong display value, it is an easy recommendation, even better with a small discount. It was one of my personal surprises of the year, under €100 with excellent minifigures, especially Rox, which helped me finish the Forbidden Five.
