Destiny's Shadow

"With a BrickScore of 72.3, Destiny's Shadow is a likeable mid-tier Ninjago vehicle that rewards fans of the Hands of Time season — the all-printed details, transformation gimmick, and trio of sharp minifigs make it easy to recommend, even if the tiny wings and a few structural niggles keep it from greatness."

Destiny's Shadow earns a solid middle-ground reception: enthusiastic Ninjago fans love the dual boat/flight transformation, fold-out wings, deployable canoes, and the fact that every detail is printed — no stickers anywhere. The three minifigures (Lloyd, Cole, and the exclusive Vermin) are widely praised for their crisp, fine print detailing. The more critical expert voice (JANG) tempers expectations, calling the wings laughably small for a supposed flying vessel and noting a few functional niggles, but even he acknowledges a strong parts selection and a genuinely fun, intricate build. Owner reviews skew very positive, driven largely by the Hands of Time TV tie-in and nostalgia for the Destiny's Bounty name.

Where they split: The sharpest split is between the enthusiastic owner reviews (nearly all perfect scores) and JANG's more critical 62/100 "skip" verdict. Owners barely mention the small wings; JANG treats them as a central flaw. One owner also felt the ship compares poorly to the original Destiny's Bounty in size and detail, while other owners find the scale perfectly appropriate for a ~$30 set.