Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Discussion of official LEGO Castle Theme sets and products
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ffilz
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by ffilz »

ludzik wrote:
ffilz wrote:
ludzik wrote: I don't think I"ll get the big castle though :( Can't justify the price for whole bunch of one piece castle pieces :(

LOTR stuff... well.... there's plenty to like... but that's for a lengthier post later :)
I actually like the new castle wall pieces, they will be much more usable in large creations without the bits sticking out. I love the new corner wall sections, but the new Panel 1 x 4 x 5 with Window is way more usable than the old Panel 2 x 5 x 6 Wall. I'm not an absolute fan of panels, but they can make for cheaper builds.

Frank
I don't know.... Granted that the smaller panels are easier to incorporate, I just wish that they made the panels http://brickset.com/parts/?part=4537056 would take window pane pieces like this one: http://brickset.com/parts/?part=3004626
Yes, that would have been a nice update.

Frank
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Ferretclaw
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Ferretclaw »

Awesome. The more factions the better.
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questforcastle
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by questforcastle »

We recently acquired three sets from the new LEGO Castle theme, a couple from Billund in July and one when the theme came on sale in Finland in early August.

Forest Ambush is the smallest set in the range and the least favorite of mine, of the three we have. There is nothing really wrong with this set, would seem like a nice army builder, but other than that there isn't anything imaginative or special about it. The new factions look wonderful, though.

Gold Getaway fares a lot better, even though its theme has been re-done many, many times over the LEGO history. Both the carriage and the little piece of castle wall are well done and with nice amount of detail. The brick-built harness for the horse is an especially nice touch. Also, I think this set includes probably the first good use of a flick-fire, ever. :) It is used to flick open the locked door on the carriage.

Dragon Mountain is really wonderful for what it is. While I wish TLG would start making proper castles (or enclosures of other kind) for antagonists as well, not just simple walls, what is here is very detailed - not a repetitive step in sight on this set. Highlights of the set include the "Hogwarts" spiral stairs (a little odd one out that, but nice in the end) and obviously the dragon that was far larger than I expected and just positively looms over the entire set.

I have also grown fond of the new factions and their colors, even though in initial pre-release photos I found them boring. In reality, the blue on gold and red on black colors work remarkably well for me, much better than the LEGO Kingdoms colors for example. Really fresh colors, good contrast, a pleasure to watch. My only major peeve are the crappy cheek-protection helmets that don't seem to stay on very well.

Now, if only they stopped with the military-focused themes and gave this range some proper civilian love, we might have a little of that 1984 spirit here...

If someone wants to see my photos of the sets, click here: Forest Ambush http://questforbricks.wordpress.com/201 ... st-ambush/ / Gold Getaway http://questforbricks.wordpress.com/201 ... etaway-ii/ / Dragon Mountain http://questforbricks.wordpress.com/201 ... untain-22/
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ffilz
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by ffilz »

I just built the new castle last night. I am very pleased with it. It is simple, but an effective castle. I am really liking the new wall panels, they will be much easier to work with, and I appreciate the large number of corner panels that come in this set. I also like the new 1x2x5 column with slot. It will be a lot easier to work with than the old piece that was 1x2 with hollow back, and 2x2 on the top. I just wish my budget allowed for getting a few copies of this set...

Frank
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Lobberuno »

ffilz wrote:I just built the new castle last night. I am very pleased with it. It is simple, but an effective castle. I am really liking the new wall panels, they will be much easier to work with, and I appreciate the large number of corner panels that come in this set. I also like the new 1x2x5 column with slot. It will be a lot easier to work with than the old piece that was 1x2 with hollow back, and 2x2 on the top. I just wish my budget allowed for getting a few copies of this set...

Frank
Hi Frank, I'm glad you built your new castle. Can I ask you or anybody here... Do you know if the gray coloured bricks in the 70404 matches the gray coloured bricks in the 7946? Apparently, those bricks in the 70404 look brighter than those in the 7946, but I'd like to be sure about this. Thank you :)
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Kev »

Got my first '13 castle set. The small one with 4 figs & a dog. I had forgotten that they replaced the classic sword with the new one with the redesigned crossguard. What a piece of junk! It's as close as i could imagine of something coming from megablox.

Why they got rid of the useful minifig hand/clip compatible on the old sword with the new one that gives me flashbacks of that nasty sci-fi sword that came with the jellybean knights a few years back. Stupid, stupid decision. Question: Do any of the designers at lego ever actually play with the toys?
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by SSchmidt »

I've officially built every castle set for the '13 line, and I think the Dragon Mountain one might be my favorite. The Crown knight catapult is just awesome, and the evil wizard is flat out cool. He is one of my favorite minifigs to date. My least favorite, price wise, is probably the gatehouse raid, although the sweet Dragon barding and chestpiece are really cool.
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Aeridian »

SSchmidt wrote:I've officially built every castle set for the '13 line, and I think the Dragon Mountain one might be my favorite. The Crown knight catapult is just awesome, and the evil wizard is flat out cool. He is one of my favorite minifigs to date. My least favorite, price wise, is probably the gatehouse raid, although the sweet Dragon barding and chestpiece are really cool.
Really? I thought the gatehouse raid would be higher on your list. I know the dragon mountain has a dragon (duh), but the price per piece is a bit better in the $30 set than the $50 one... If it was $40, I probably pick it up sometime, but right now the gatehouse raid looks like a slightly better set for the pieces and price.
And since I have the black dragon from the '07 castle, I don't really see the need for the same one with slightly different print and a lighter color. I'd rather get the armored green dragon, now there's a beauty! ;)
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by SSchmidt »

Surprisingly, I was not very impressed with the Dragon that came with dragon mountain (nor the price for that matter). I have even considered selling the dragon, as I am very certain I will never have any use for him.

Even then, the Wizard I felt was so cool that the set just took the cake for me :)
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Purple Wolf »

So I've ended up getting forest Ambush, The Gatehouse Raid and Dragon Mountain. Already I love them the prices are quite good except for maybe Draogon Mountain but as others have said the wizard is awesome.

Forest Ambush is the best good price and great parts and figs(got five of them alread). The Gatehouse Raid is a little expensive but still great(the dragon knight and houres are awesome). As for Dragon mountian it's a little pricey but it's worth it. The dragon is better than I thought it was going to be and the figs are really nice. The only thing I'm a little sad about is the few figs in the larger set.

Oh well I'm still going to get the others.

Purple Wolf :)
Last edited by Purple Wolf on Wed Sep 25, 2013 1:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by SSchmidt »

I agree with you purple wolf. After building King's Castle, I really felt that it needed another mini fig or two. Like a dragon knight, or even another wizard, or something! While the castle feels complete, it just feels as if it needs a few more figs to "fill it out."
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Sir Erathor »

I haven't built the King's Castle yet, but so far Dragon Mountain is my least favourite for what you get for the price, though the dragon is awesome. The Forest Ambush and Gatehouse Raid tie at the top of my list.
By the way, has anyone noticed that in the LEGO catalogue the Lion knight included in the King's Castle is named 'The White Knight', even though he's exactly the same as the Lion knight included in Dragon Mountain? The Dragon Mountain knight is just called 'Lion Knight'. Not a big deal, just something I noticed :)
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Purple Wolf »

Sir Erathor wrote:By the way, has anyone noticed that in the LEGO catalogue the Lion knight included in the King's Castle is named 'The White Knight', even though he's exactly the same as the Lion knight included in Dragon Mountain? The Dragon Mountain knight is just called 'Lion Knight'. Not a big deal, just something I noticed :)
I noticed that right away and thought oh borther. :roll: I mean he's not white, he's the same as the other and it's just silly. My guess is it's more of a title symblising he's good and pure. But as you said no big deal.

Purple Wolf :)
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by SSchmidt »

Not to be picky guys but its two completely different knights :wink:

Of course, one is on the horse, but their headpieces are different. Being the case it would make perfect sense for one to have a title while the other doesn't. And by the way, after putting them both together, they are awesome figs :eyebrows:
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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Post by Aeridian »

SSchmidt wrote:I agree with you purple wolf. After building King's Castle, I really felt that it needed another mini fig or two. Like a dragon knight, or even another wizard, or something! While the castle feels complete, it just feels as if it needs a few more figs to "fill it out."
Yeah, that's why I prefer the '07 Castle, because it had more minifgs (10, even though three were skeletons) and a dragon to boot!
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