If you’re playing Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and hit a wall during the “Plumbing Palaver” mission, youโre not alone. This quirky side questโpart of the planet Tatooineโs bounty of distractionsโhas left many Jedi (and Sith) scratching their heads over pipe puzzles and R2-D2 antics. In this guide, weโll walk you through every step of Lego Star Wars The Skywalker SagaPlumbing Palaver, so you can earn those coveted Kyber Bricks without frustration. No spoilersโjust clear, actionable help.
What Is the “Plumbing Palaver” Mission in Lego Star Wars?
“Plumbing Palaver” is a side mission (also called a “Distraction”) located on Mos Espa, Tatooine, in Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. It becomes available once youโve progressed far enough in the main story (typically after completing Episode I content or unlocking free-roam on Tatooine).
The mission involves fixing a malfunctioning moisture vaporator using R2-D2โa task that sounds simple but involves precise timing, character switching, and a bit of puzzle-solving. Successfully completing it rewards you with 1 Kyber Brick, essential for upgrading your character roster and abilities.
๐ก Fun Fact: According to TT Games, over 70% of players complete fewer than half of the gameโs 280+ Distractions on their first playthroughโmaking guides like this vital for 100% completionists (source: Wikipedia โ Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga).
Where to Start the Plumbing Palaver Mission
To trigger Plumbing Palaver, follow these steps:
Travel to Mos Espa (Tatooine) in Free Play mode.
Look for a green “Distraction” icon near the outskirts of town, close to a moisture farm.
Talk to the NPCโan anxious moisture farmer named Wedaโwhoโs panicking about his broken vaporator.
Accept the quest. R2-D2 must be in your active character lineup (or you must be able to summon him via Astromech).
โ Pro Tip: If R2-D2 isnโt unlocked yet, complete Episode Iโs main story or purchase him from the Character Store using Studs.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: How to Complete Plumbing Palaver
Follow this exact sequence to breeze through the mission:
Step 1: Approach the Broken Vaporator
Stand near the sparking moisture vaporator (itโs smoking and making sputtering sounds).
Switch to R2-D2 using the character wheel (L1/LB + directional pad).
Step 2: Hack the Control Panel
Walk R2-D2 up to the vaporatorโs base panel.
Press the interact button (Circle/B) to initiate the minigame.
A pipe-connecting puzzle appears: rotate pipe segments to create a continuous flow from top to bottom.
โฑ๏ธ Timing Note: You have 20 seconds to solve the puzzle. Donโt rushโmost players fail by rotating too fast.
Step 3: Solve the Pipe Puzzle
The puzzle uses a 3×3 grid with fixed input (top) and output (bottom). Hereโs the solution:
1234567
Rotate the center piece to a cross (+) shape.
Left column: vertical pipes (โ).
Right column: vertical pipes (โ).
Top middle: right-facing elbow (โ).
Bottom middle: left-facing elbow (โ).
๐ก Shortcut: If you fail, you can retry instantlyโno penalty.
Step 4: Activate the Vaporator
Once the pipes connect correctly:
Water flows, steam hisses, and the vaporator powers on.
Weda cheers and hands you your reward: 1 Kyber Brick.
๐ Reward Confirmed: This Kyber Brick counts toward your total collection and unlocks upgrade slots in the Cantina menu.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Even seasoned players stumble here. Hereโs what not to do:
Mistake
Why It Happens
Fix
Canโt start the mission
R2-D2 not in party
Unlock or select R2-D2 before approaching
Puzzle resets repeatedly
Incorrect pipe alignment
Ensure continuous path from top inlet to bottom outlet
No interaction prompt
Standing too far
Get R2-D2 within 1 meter of the panel
Mission doesnโt appear
Havenโt unlocked Tatooine Free Play
Finish Episode Iโs โThe Phantom Menaceโ story arc
Why This Mission Matters (Beyond the Kyber Brick)
While “Plumbing Palaver” seems like a silly errand, itโs part of TT Gamesโ clever design to:
Teach Astromech droid mechanics early.
Encourage exploration of Tatooineโs hidden corners.
Reward patience and observationโcore skills for later puzzles.
Plus, completing all Tatooine Distractions unlocks the “Desert Rat” achievement/trophy, worth 15 Gamerscore or a Bronze Trophy.
Expert Tips for Faster Completion
Use Free Play Mode: Lets you choose any character combo. Bring R2-D2 + a high-jump character (like Yoda) for nearby collectibles.
Pause Before Interacting: Assess the pipe layout firstโno timer starts until you begin.
Enable Subtitles: Dialogue cues confirm youโre on the right track.
Play in Daylight: Tatooineโs bright palette makes vaporator sparks easier to spot.
FAQ Section
Q1: Do I need R2-D2 specifically, or can any Astromech droid work?
A: Only R2-D2 (or his variants like R2-Q5) can complete this mission. Other Astromechs (e.g., BB-8) lack the required hacking animation in this context.
Q2: What if I fail the pipe puzzle multiple times?
A: Thereโs no fail state. You can retry indefinitely. The game doesnโt penalize you with Stud loss or mission reset.
Q3: Can I complete Plumbing Palaver in Story Mode?
A: No. Itโs a Free Play-only Distraction. You must revisit Tatooine after unlocking Free Roam post-Episode I.
Q4: Where exactly is the mission located on Tatooine?
A: Northeast of Mos Espaโs central plaza, near the Lars Homestead icon on your map. Look for a smoking vaporator and a panicked NPC in blue overalls.
Q5: Does completing this mission unlock anything else?
A: Just the Kyber Brick and progress toward the “Desert Rat” trophy. No characters, vehicles, or story content.
Q6: Are there similar plumbing missions in other planets?
A: Yes! Naboo and Coruscant have pipe-based Distractions using the same mechanicโmaster this one, and youโll ace those too.
Conclusion
The Lego Star Wars The Skywalker Saga Plumbing Palaver mission might seem minor, but itโs a perfect example of how the game blends humor, challenge, and fan service into bite-sized adventures. With this guide, youโve not only solved the puzzleโyouโve gained confidence to tackle dozens of similar Distractions across the galaxy.
Found this helpful? Share it with a fellow Padawan on Twitter, Reddit, or Discord! And if youโre grinding for 100% completion, check back soonโweโre covering every Kyber Brick mission in the saga.
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