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Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:58 pm
by JoshWedin
lord_of_orks wrote:oh, ok. that at least makes a little sense, though I don't remember him going flying backwards(at least not in the books, though I haven't seen the movie so that may be it)
I don't believe he does in the book, but he does in the movie.

Josh

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:09 pm
by Bruce N H
lord_of_orks wrote:...at least not in the books, though I haven't seen the movie so that may be it...
This line just made me very happy.

In the movie, there are several points where Gimli is treated as comic relief, and this is one of those. I'll leave aside any movie rants, but I do wish that the LEGO designers wouldn't go out of their way to design sets around Peter Jackson's departures from the text. There are so many amazing sets they could potentially build that would fit perfectly with both the books and the movies.

Bruce

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:07 pm
by JCool
The picture from earlier in the thread of the 79006 The Council of Elrond is a bit misleading. When you look at the actual pictures of the set the arch pieces seem to be in white and the leaves seem to be in dark red. Just in case anyone had their hopes up.

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:32 pm
by Sir Osis of Liver
The new castle sets are a big disappointment. However there is something familiar about them. Hmmmm... they look a lot like remakes of the Duplo castle sets that were out a few years ago. I don't have time to post the pics myself, but check out the duplo set #'s 4776, 4862, 4863 and 4864. How unoriginal can you get!

Dear LEGO: When we asked for remakes of classic castle sets, that's not what we meant. :?

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:38 pm
by Bruce N H
I don't see where you're getting dark red. I'm looking at photos from Project Azazel, FBTB, Joe Meno and the official box art, and it seems clear that the leaves are in dark orange. This is with different cameras, from different angles, with different lighting (note that Joe's photos seem to be from Nuremberg while the others are from New York), so it's not just a trick of the shadows. Yes, on your other note, the gothic arch piece definitely seems to be in white, as you can see it right next to tan elements.

Bruce

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:50 pm
by Fraslund
I am not a huge fan so far of the pics I have seen of the new castle sets. Lego has all these new fantastic parts out now that they could have used to build amazing sets, but the castle just looks like a panel/plate fest. Don't get me wrong, I am sure I will buy everyone of them, it just looks that the line wasn't well thought out.

As far as figs, I think the Lion knights, look fantastic. The dragon knights however look really lackluster. Both kingdoms factions and the crownies were factions that you could build great looking armies from imo, and the design of these dragon knights looks more comical than anything. I might think differently once I see them in person, but that is my first impression. I will say that the Red horse barding head armor does look pretty sweet.

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 4:56 pm
by JCool
Bruce N H wrote:I don't see where you're getting dark red. I'm looking at photos from Project Azazel, FBTB, Joe Meno and the official box art, and it seems clear that the leaves are in dark orange. This is with different cameras, from different angles, with different lighting (note that Joe's photos seem to be from Nuremberg while the others are from New York), so it's not just a trick of the shadows. Yes, on your other note, the gothic arch piece definitely seems to be in white, as you can see it right next to tan elements.

Bruce
I stand corrected on the dark red. Looks like dark orange now that I've compared it to another photo gallery that you linked. Sweet! bring on the new leaf color~! :D

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:39 pm
by Tedward
Bruce N H wrote:...I do wish that the LEGO designers wouldn't go out of their way to design sets around Peter Jackson's departures from the text.
You do realize that they are building sets based on the movies alone. Any similarity to, or material from, the books is accidental - or possibly "accidental. :wink:

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 3:41 pm
by The Wolfpack Boss
I do like to chime in when new sets are announced.

The new Castle line feels familiar, and not in the best of ways, but as with nearly any Castle-theme set, I can see things I'd like to have in addition to the whole lot of extraneous bits. New Minifigs and heraldry, I'd like to get my hands on. Yes, it's another Lion/Crown combination and another Dragon, but since my personal world has always used all Lions & Crowns as part and parcel of the same heraldic dynasty, just different houses (ditto, Dragons) it's just a new Lord & Lady and a new Knight and a new House Guard.

I already have an identical dragon, only green. The castle is nice but lacks an aesthetic novelty. I do like the octagonal towers. The gatehouse is very inferior to previous gatehouse or drawbridge sets, but has a nice selection of figures and elements. The forest ambush is a sweet builder, probably the best bet for sure. The chariot, I may get. I have a thing for well-designed chariots.

As for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings sets, as insane a LEGO and Lord of the Rings fan as I am, I'm fairly ambivalent to the whole idea. The white wizard hair & beard piece is pretty nice. And the Eye of Sauron (is that a minifig head piece?) could make for an interesting bunch of customs. Or better still - two of them would make awesome eyes in a brick-built monster.

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:26 pm
by Azaghal
Just to let everyone know, FBTB's Flickr stream has a whole bunch of nice pictures of both the new Castl and LOTR set - mostly what we've already seen, though there's some new details buried in there - here, for example, is the new Castle wizard, and here's a good shot of the Mouth of Sauron from the Black Gate set (I hope he's got a full face print, and not just a mouth . . . ).

Anyway, here's all the relevant picture sets:

70400 Forrest (SIC) Ambush
70401 Gold Getaway
70402 The Gatehouse Raid
70403 Dragon Mountain
70404 King's Castle
79008 Pirate Ship Ambush
79007 Battle At The Black Gate
79006 The Council of Elrond
79005 The Wizard Battle

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 11:00 pm
by Aeridian
Pretty cool stuff coming on the horizon. I kinda wish they beefed up the gatehouse a bit, and the wizard tower, and.... anyway all around it doesn't look that bad. I'm one that prefers the accessories more so I'm content (surprisingly) with most of the stuff. And the new Lone Ranger sets have some pretty sweet new pieces as well. :D

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 3:31 am
by Bruce N H
Hey,

I have to admit that I haven't read every post in this thread, but I just wanted to highlight that these sets have a new barding and helm to fit the new horse mold (available in both the black/red dragon livery and the blue/white crown livery).
Image
I'm also very excited by the small Forest Ambush set - two soldiers from each faction, with two shields, five weapons - great army builder. Throw in flags, wheels, chest, some jewels, and a dog as a bonus. Oh, also note that the crossbow in black has only been seen once 12 years ago, so that's cool.
One last thing I note is a 1x1 round tile with a printed lock design that shows up in both the Gold Getaway and Dragon Mountain sets. That'll be a nice element.

Bruce

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:25 am
by Aeridian
Are you sure Bruce? Compared to the legs on the dragon soldier the crossbow looks like pearl dark grey. And that would kinda make more sense, because it's been made more recently.... could be wrong though. :tasty:

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:29 am
by friskywhiskers
Thanks for these Azaghal! Now while I am still sticking with my previous judgment on the castle line (sucky), the New Lotr sets are really great! Wizards battle is a cheaper way to get two cool wizard figs. Council of Elrond has some great vegetation and architecture parts. My only disappointment with them is the eagle. A single reverse stud leg? Are you serious? I would have like to see two independent pose able legs. Oh well.

Re: Castle and Tolkien sets for 2013

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:42 am
by mencot
Azaghal wrote:Just to let everyone know, FBTB's Flickr stream has a whole bunch of nice pictures of both the new Castl and LOTR set
Thanks Azaghal, yea probably everybody had seen seen something of these but now we have them easy in one place and with a link :D
Bruce N H wrote:One last thing I note is a 1x1 round tile with a printed lock design that shows up in both the Gold Getaway and Dragon Mountain sets. That'll be a nice element.
Yea noticed that also, will be a cool feature to use 8)
Aeridian wrote:Are you sure Bruce? Compared to the legs on the dragon soldier the crossbow looks like pearl dark grey. And that would kinda make more sense, because it's been made more recently.... could be wrong though. :tasty:
I think it also looks like black, it is the flash on the front that plays tricks. If you compare in the back and on the legs it looks black, can be wrong though, it can be the other way around also :)

In the LOTR black gate set, one can say what is good with it and what is lacking and what could been better. But Aragorn with out his horse what, how will he now behead the Mouth, tripple jump, swing? :lol: