What builds does set 71796 include?

Two models – an articulated Elemental Dragon and the Empress mech – plus six minifigures with weapons and accessories.

How many pieces does the set have?

71796 has 1,039 pieces across 338 unique parts, mostly in black, dark blue, dark bluish grey and tan.

Can the two models actually battle each other?

Yes, both have moving joints at the head, wings or arms, which makes it possible to pose them in a fight scene.

Ninjago

Elemental Dragon vs. The Empress Mech

Set 71796 pits an Elemental Dragon against a large Empress mech, two very different builds facing off in one box. At 1,039 pieces and 338 unique parts, it's a substantial dual-build set, with six minifigures split between both sides of the fight.

Set number: 71796
Year: 2023
Pieces: 1,039
Minifigures: 6
Theme: Ninjago
Different parts: 338

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 338

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (40)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Minifigures 6

Lord Ras, Pearl Gold Shoulder Pads fig-0137734 pieces × 1
Empress Beatrix fig-0137795 pieces × 1
Imperium Guard fig-0137845 pieces × 1
Jay - Dragons Rising Robes fig-0137865 pieces × 1
Sora fig-0137875 pieces × 1
Zane - Dragons Rising fig-0137885 pieces × 1

Description

Six figures, one fight

The six minifigures come with weapons and accessories for both close and ranged combat, split between the dragon side and the mech side, so the set works for open-ended play as well as a straight build. That makes it more than a display piece once the models are finished. The exact figures included, along with their gear, are listed in the parts list on this page, together with how they're split between the two builds.

A dark palette with tan highlights

The colour scheme leans dark, with black and dark bluish grey forming the bulk of both builds, dark blue picking out accents on the dragon and mech, and tan used for contrast and smaller details. It fits the moodier visual style of the current Ninjago storyline and ties the two otherwise very different models together as a matching pair. With 338 unique parts, the set sits toward the higher end for piece variety, pointing to a fair number of specialised joint and hinge elements.

A dragon and a mech, built differently

The set centres on two contrasting builds: an articulated dragon with wings, claws and a posable tail, and a large two-legged mech with moving arms and a grabbing claw. Both are designed with enough joints at the head, wings and arms to act out a fight against each other, rather than just standing side by side. At 1,039 pieces, there's enough material for two genuinely detailed models, and each one also works as a standalone display piece if a staged battle isn't the goal.

The parts list for rebuilding joints

Since both the dragon and the mech rely heavily on moving joints, it's worth checking the parts list before building to see which connector and hinge pieces are used and how often. That makes it easier to swap in a replacement if a joint piece goes missing, or to borrow similar elements for other creature or mech builds from different Ninjago sets.

FAQ

What builds does set 71796 include?: Two models – an articulated Elemental Dragon and the Empress mech – plus six minifigures with weapons and accessories.
How many pieces does the set have?: 71796 has 1,039 pieces across 338 unique parts, mostly in black, dark blue, dark bluish grey and tan.
Can the two models actually battle each other?: Yes, both have moving joints at the head, wings or arms, which makes it possible to pose them in a fight scene.