We Build the Wildly Creative Set

The LEGO Fortnite Mecha Team Leader is easily the biggest build I’ve done here on IGN. When the box arrived in the mail I was genuinely surprised at its size. Coming in at just under two feet, the box is absolutely massive. The set itself is comprised of 2,503 pieces and is spread out among 19 bags. The instruction booklet is just as heavy-duty, feeling like a graphic novel at 317 pages. The instructions and sticker sets even came in a premium-feeling envelope to protect it, which I appreciated.

I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when I started this build. I’ve built countless LEGO sets in my day, but truly nothing quite at this scale. I built this in one day because I don’t know how to relax, with a couple breaks in between because my kitchen table chairs aren’t comfy whatsoever. Overall, I think it took me around five or six hours. Every aspect of the mech’s body is exquisitely detailed, each with their own extremely technical and unique attachment techniques. I timed it, and just one leg took me almost an hour.

I’m not educated on the lore behind the Mecha Team Leader’s design, but I think I can speak for everyone when I comment on how ridiculous (and ridiculously awesome) this set is. One leg is made up of what looks like ice cream, with an apple foot, while the other foot is a literal cheeseburger. I don’t get it, and I don’t care; this thing rules. Building the each body part was extremely satisfying, getting to see how in-depth the attachment techniques are. Every limb is movable and posable except for the knees, which unfortunately don’t bend. But you can still articulate the mech’s arms, hands, and fingers to put it up on your shelf however you want.

One of my favorite aspects of this build is the huge sword. It cleverly uses a grey LEGO minifigure blank head and ponytail hairstyle to simulate what I’m pretty sure is a fabric tassel on the end of the sword’s grip. You can slot the sword into either of the mech’s hands, so feel free to pose it however you want, the sword won’t fall off.

The mech’s chest cavity opens up to allow a minifigure version of it to enter, and this is also one of the first parts of the build. You build out the pilot cockpit, complete with a detailed chair and screens to survey the battlefield, which are where most of the sticker elements come into play. The mech’s armor breastplate itself was fun to build, but I’m questioning some of the sequencing in the steps here; it was difficult to attach the upper breastplate once it was fully assembled to the rest of the body without breaking off other pieces in the process.

The teddy bear head really ties the whole set together. It’s the last bit of the build, and it also one of my favorite parts. I always appreciate how LEGO designers can take ordinary brick shapes and mold into an extremely detailed, uncanny recreation of what we all know to be a head, and the Mecha Team Leader’s head is no different. Its eyes, ears, and little tufts of hair sticking out are awesome little details.

Even though I don’t play Fortnite, the LEGO Mecha Team Leader is one of my favorite builds I’ve ever done, whether for IGN or on my own. Once it’s all said and done, it stands at almost 18 inches tall. It’s an impressively designed and time-consuming build that I highly recommend spacing out over multiple sessions. The minifigure version of the mech, the buildable sword, and “Fortnite” printed LEGO plaque are all great additions to an already great set. I love LEGO and I’m a huge nerd when it comes to appreciating the design of massive, technical sets like this, and I can’t wait to see more of what they can cook up. Check out our Fornite LEGO designer interview for info on earlier Fortnite sets.

We Build the LEGO Fortnite Mecha Team Leader

Myles Obenza is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Bluesky @mylesobenza.bsky.social.