7037 Tower Raid and 7040 Dwarves' Mine Defender

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:42 pm

I recently bought 7037 Tower Raid and 7040 Dwarves' Mine Defender, but I hadn't built them till this weekend. Once again LEGO has impressed me with their set designs with details not obviously seen by just looking at official pictures, or would be otherwise missed without studying them.

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7037 Tower Raid

What impressed me most was the playability the set offers. Previous "normal" LEGO set designs call for a collapsing wall to be triggered by a simple battering ram or underpowered catapult and a hefty portion of imagination. This set, however, not only offers a rubber band powered battering ram, but a wall that, when collapsed by the battering ram, causes the floor it supports to collapse as well, freeing the prisoner in the second floor chamber. The siege tower also has an ingeniously designed in-and-out rope system that allows a rope in the back of the tower to be pulled that extends the gang plank forward.

The design of the tower itself is pretty standard, but it fits in well with the large castle from the previous year. I was a little frustrated with the collapsing floor, as it has nothing to hold it in the tower aside from gravity, and falls out easily if the tower is tipped in one direction. The Orc siege tower has a great disshevled look to it, as if it was either thrown together or had seen a lot of action. Either way, the construction is sturdy and makes for excellent play.

The set also comes with 5 minifigs, which is pretty good for a $30 set given LEGO's previous recent offerings. The accessories are great, including the new Orc armor and a new (and IMO better) design of shackles.

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7040 Dwarves' Mine Defender

I bought this set for the figs, I'll admit. When I opened the box I had little hope for the little siege engine the set included, given LEGO's previous mini sets. This set, by the looks of it, is remarkably similar to a set offered in the KK2 era, but the similarities stop there.

The siege engine is very cleverly designed, and provides ALOT of play value for only $10. The buzz saws are 'geared' to the right front wheel of the siege engine via a rubber band, so they spin as the wheels do. A quick tweak of the design could also gear up the speed of the buzz saws using a technic pully, making them spin more than twice the speed of the wheels. The buzz saws are also on a hinge, so they can be raised or lowered at will. The catapult is surprisingly not a simple "slammer", but instead is attached to a great chain system. Pulling the chain back on the rear of the siege engine launches the catapult, allowing for some great play.

The set comes with three figs, two standard orcs and more importantly one dwarf. It doesn't come with many accessories, but does come with a great Orc War Banner, which is also found in the Tower Raid set.

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Overall I put both of these sets in the 'must buy' category for any castle fan. Not only do these sets make good part packs, but their designs themselves offer a lot of play value as well as a few ideas that some may never have though of.

Whomever LEGO has designing these sets - I'd like to buy them an adult beverage.

--Tony

Donut · Post by **Donut** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:11 pm

I have neither of these sets, so it was very interesting reading what you had to say. I just got the Dwarf Mine this weekend and you have convinced me to pick up a couple of the Tower Raid.

Post by **Athos** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:47 pm

I just got the Dwarf Defender and it was better than expected. The only down side, is there isn't a single shield in the set. And no weapon for the dwarf or the second troll.

Steve

Remyth · Post by **Remyth** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:13 pm

Dang you, Tony! Now I have to spend $40 more dollars...

Great reviews. As stated above, I have to go out and buy these sets as soon as I can now... Well, thanks for the heads up on these!

In Christ,

Muskey15 · Post by **Muskey15** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:36 am

Tower Raid is good, for I have one, but now I have to go out and get the other

porschecm2 · Post by **porschecm2** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:31 am

Good review, Tony. I wasn't aware of some of the play features those sets had. Dagnabit, Lego's making too many good sets these days!

In the Tower Raid set, the Trolls come with the new troll helmets, right, not the KK2 helms, like the Peeron inventory lists, correct?

Cm2

Sir Dano · Post by **Sir Dano** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:51 am

porschecm2 wrote: In the Tower Raid set, the Trolls come with the new troll helmets, right, not the KK2 helms, like the Peeron inventory lists, correct?

Bricklink says the troll helms.

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:17 am

Bricklink is correct. Troll helms on both sets.

--Tony

Brick Builder · Post by **Brick Builder** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:43 am

I have to agree the tower raid is heaps fun. I got troll warship on the same day and I actualy enjoyed tower raid better.

timber_wolf899 · Post by **timber_wolf899** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:54 am

Superb review

melonkernel · Post by **melonkernel** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 11:15 am

I just got the tower raid as a graduation present from a friend, haven't built it yet but my fingers are itching...

it is relly nice when your friends know you appreciate lego and give that as a present.

Count Blacktron · Post by **Count Blacktron** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:53 pm

melonkernel wrote:I just got the tower raid as a graduation present from a friend, haven't built it yet but my fingers are itching...

it is relly nice when your friends know you appreciate lego and give that as a present.

That's the mark of true friendship. No shame and acceptance. I wish family members could be as accepting as friends often are.

I have all of the Castle sets boxed right now as I just don't have the time to build them, or the place with repairs and remodels going on in my home. I am also absolutely itching to get to it.

ELMAS · Post by **ELMAS** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:02 pm

I have both sets boxed. Nice review. To me the mine defender looked a little "bla" and also got it for the figs, but glad to hear there is playability in them.

As the rest I guess also disapointed due to the lack of shields.

Aharown · Post by **Aharown** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:54 pm

Good review, Tony.

It's nice to know that these sets are so well executed. I plan on getting both, and probably multiples of the Dwarves' Mine Defender (Dwarves!) (Trolls!)

Hob Took · Post by **Hob Took** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:14 pm

I got the Mine Defender for the figs and new colored brown pieces. It was alright though could have been improved in a few ways. For one they could've given the dwarf some kind of weapon. Secondly a few pieces covering the center of the wheels would help, and possibly put a second rubber band on the other side of the buzz saws. It looks a bit lopsided to me haveing a rubber band and some techinc pieces on one side and nothing ont he other. Also they might have changed the color of the rubber band, though that might be asking too much.

Thanks for the review on the Tower Raid though, I'll have to see if I can pick one of those up.

-Hob Took