CC Set Review: 9469 - Gandalf Arrives

[Bruce N H]

Join the Classic Castle set review discussion. Please post your opinions on the set play ability, piece selection, design, etc. Which sets stand up to our catapult of critique and which ones crumble in shame!

This week’s set is 9469 - Gandalf arrives.

Gandalf arrives was one of the first sets to include the new articulated horse. It also included the Gandalf and Frodo figs, a small cart, some fireworks for the Long-Expected Party, and a carrot, just in case Gandalf got a little peckish.

[Sir Erathor]

I'm quite a big fan of this set, which I bought about over a year ago. It's a good way of getting a new horse, and everyone wants Gandalf! Frodo's torso is great, and he has a different facial expression to those in the other sets. The pieces that make up the cart are pretty decent - I was happy to get a couple more dark tan plates and a few light tan 1x1 bricks. I also got my first LEGO book with this set, which is nice to have. Overall, I think that this was a great buy!

[Lil_Curt]

I love this set. I bought 2 from AK, about 9 months ago. 1 for me 1 for my wife. I got it mostly for the cart which is great. It is a great help learning how to make simmilar carts for my mocs. All in all a great small set. Just wish I could have snaged more of them when rhey came out.

Curt

[Purple Wolf]

This is the only set of the first wave that I got(mainly a cheap way to get another horse) and I must say it's a good set.

The design of the cart is really good for it is strong and looks good. The piece selection is nice as well you get a book. carrot, and a fare bit of clip/hinges. Plus a horse and two very useful figs. It was a little expensive but worth it.

Purple Wolf

[Athos]

A very nice set. Two cool figures, even if one is fairly common now. A lot of accessories. Cheap horse source... And a solidly designed cart. What more could you want?

I wish I'd snagged a second one.

Steve

[Brickninja]

This was my 1st LOTR set, I think it's a fairly good value, as you get some useful parts including some cool torsos for your castle builds, and of course a brown horse, which is not terribly common.

[SSchmidt]

I bought a couple of these when they came out. A very nice little set.

Of course, since it was part of the first wave, the figures were awesome. Frodo's dual sided head is a great bonus. Everything about Gandalf's fig at the time was spectacular. Those new horses were great, and the structure of the cart was really neat and sturdy. It was and is small, but there are some hidden techniques in the building process that made it turn out quite well. And of course, you get the carrot, the fireworks (which are incredibly simple but surprisingly clever) and if memory serves me right, a book is included as well.

All of this is nice, although I thought the price was a tad high. It seems like it was in the $13-$15 dollar range here in the states. I know it was at least $13. That is too high. This should have been a $10-$11 set IMO.

Therefore I would give the set a 4 out of 5.

[mpoh98]

An excellent set! I definitely agree with everything SSchmidt said, couldn't have said it better myself.

Who could not like this set? It has the new horse, Gandalf, Frodo, and sweet pieces on the cart! I agree that the price is a little to much, but if you find it on sale, it is definitely worth it.

[dyntar]

I think this is a great set. I bought 8 of these when they were on sale. It has some great wizard parts the new beard and a new brown horse. When this set came out it was really the cheapest way to get the new horses.
They should make more sets like these, simple sets with the 2 main characters.

[Bluesecrets]

At the time that the LOTR sets were just coming out and this one did, it was the only LOTR set I planned on buying. It was the only one I actually liked. I know, I know..."WHAT?!?!" but licenses rarely appeal to me. I've since bought a few LOTR sets, more Hobbit than LOTR. But this set I liked. It was a good nice build that made me happy as I built it. Two good figs. I'm not all over the moon over getting more horses. But it gives variety which is good. But the red snake...I needed for a non-castle build. Overall, I enjoyed the set. Overpriced but then aren't all licenses anyway?

[andhe]

I like it. Interestingly the picture shown actually differs from the actual set. The picture seems to show Gandalf with a prototype beard? where the sides came up (like the classic beard), as opposed to the produced piece that is flatter around the neck (like the Sensei Wu beard).

Saw these for 50% off which was a great price, even at full whack I don't think it's too bad. Sets in this price bracket are usually 2 figs and a small build, so the new style horse is a great bonus in my eyes. I would have liked a more 'gandalf-like' staff, as opposed to the standard bar, but that's not really a big gripe.

I've got one, and it complements my Unexpected Gathering Bag End nicely.