General Grievous - Tan Armor, Improved Eyes
sw0515 · LEGO Star Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars / Revenge of the Sith · 2014; first appeared in set 75040 General Grievous' Wheel Bike. This version represented a significant design update from the 2010 version with improved eye printing and tan coloration.
Figure ID
sw0515
Theme
LEGO Star Wars
Year Released
2014; first appeared in set 75040 General Grievous' Wheel Bike. This version represented a significant design update from the 2010 version with improved eye printing and tan coloration.
Rarity
Uncommon to Rare. While it appeared in a few sets, the unique arm mold and frequent limb breakages make finding complete, high-quality versions more difficult than standard minifigures.
Head
The head is a unique mold in Tan with orange/reptilian eyes and black pupil printing. It features specialized vertical vent printing on the mouth area and fits onto the torso via a unique neck clip rather than a standard stud.
Torso
The torso is a highly specialized mechanical piece with 4 arm-attachment points. It features tan mechanical detail printing on the front. The hands and arms are clip-based (battle droid style but unique to Grievous).
Legs
The legs are specialized droid legs in Tan with Dark Bluish Gray feet. They consist of a hip piece and two independent leg limbs that clip into the torso/hip assembly. They do not have standard studs for sitting.
Accessories
Four lightsabers (two Trans-Neon Green and two Trans-Light Blue) with Metallic Silver hilts. This specific figure also features a custom or non-standard brown cloth cape (official LEGO capes for Grievous are typically white with red printed lining, making the pictured brown cape a likely substitution or MOC addition).
Color Scheme
Primary: Tan. Accents: Dark Bluish Gray, Metallic Silver. Blade colors: Trans-Neon Green and Trans-Light Blue. The tan color reflects his organic/kaleesh-integrated cyborg appearance.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing on the head (eyes and respiratory vents) and the chest plate. The alignment of the eyes is a key differentiator between the sw0515 and the earlier sw0254 versions.
Variants
sw0254 (2010-2012) - simpler eyes; sw0515 (2014) - improved eyes (this version); sw1114 (2020) - White armor version from the Starfighter set.
Condition Notes
The most common issues are stress marks or cracks in the clips of the arms and legs. The thin mechanical arms are prone to snapping if handled roughly. Check for 'clutch power' on the lightsaber hilts.
Estimated Value
$25.00 - $45.00 USD for a used complete figure with official cape and sabers. New/Sealed in polybag/set context can exceed $60.00. The figure in the photo has a non-standard cape which may lower collector value slightly.
Price (New)
Included in set 75040 (Retail: $24.99) and set 75199 (Retail: $29.99). The price-per-part ratio was high due to the specialized molds.
Compatible Sets
75040 General Grievous' Wheel Bike (2014) and 75199 General Grievous' Combat Speeder (2018).
Character Background
The Supreme Commander of the Separatist Droid Army during the Clone Wars. A Kaleesh warrior turned cyborg, known for his tactical brilliance and collection of fallen Jedi lightsabers.
Design Notes
This figure uses a unique mold for the torso and head that deviates entirely from the standard minifigure 'block' shape. It captures the spindly, mechanical nature of the character while maintaining LEGO's clip-system functionality.
Similar Minifigures
sw0254 (2010 version), sw1114 (2020 version), and various Battle Droid variants (such as the Commando Droid or Security Droid).
Collectibility
High. Grievous is a fan-favorite antagonist across multiple generations. The tan version is specifically sought after for 'Revenge of the Sith' and 'Clone Wars' era dioramas.
History
LEGO first released a Grievous in 2005 (sw0134) which was very primitive. This 2014 (sw0515) version represents the peak of the 'tan' design before LEGO switched to the 'white' armor design in 2020.
Interesting Facts
Grievous is one of the few minifigures that can actually hold four accessories simultaneously without the aid of extra pieces. His head mold is also one of the few that does not utilize a standard head-to-neck stud connection.
Display Suggestions
Display in a lightsaber combat pose with four arms extended. Best showcased alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi (sw0535) or a squad of MagnaGuards to recreate the Utapau showdown.
Modification Potential
The brown cape in the photo is a popular custom mod to hide the mechanical back. Many collectors replace the standard clips with 'rigid hose' pieces for more dynamic arm articulation in photography.
Overall Assessment
An iconic and engineering-forward minifigure. Despite the fragility of the clips, the sw0515 is a masterpiece of specialized LEGO design and a must-have for any serious Star Wars collector.