CC Set Review: 79006 - The Council of Elrond

[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 79006 - The Council of Elrond:



Released in the 2013 wave of Tolkien sets, this set introduced the figures of Elrond (who had previously only been available in a promotional tie-in) and Arwen, along with Gimli and another Frodo. 79006 saw the introduction of the new gothic half-arch piece, and also had foliage elements in dark orange and lime green.

The set even included an action element. Builders could reproduce the hilarious moment when Gimli was so dumb he thought he could destroy the one ring with his axe. Let's all laugh at the short guy, because, you know, the only point of Gimli is comic relief.

Bruce

[Bluesecrets]

I have parted this set. I have drafted this set. And I have built this set. Overall, I can say all three of those uses have been pleasant. It is a good solid build full of great parts. But I actually think of this set more as a parts pack than a set. The figs are good. The cheese is very very good. And well the variation in color of the leaf part has been begged for...for what seems like forever.

And I like Gimli, comedy relief or not, he's probably one of my favorite characters.

[Brickninja]

Well then. I have wanted this set for a very long time, and recently I finally ordered it on Amazon. It is being shipped to my house back in the States, where I will get to meet it in a few days. I too, like Blue(note the rhyme) am going to treat this more like a parts pack, as ultimately that is why I wanted it. I will enjoy building the set, have it together for a few days/hours, then just part it out and put all the pieces in my collection. I will post my thoughts in a few days once I get home to my Lego.

[Elephant Knight]

also had foliage elements in dark orange and lime green.

Sorry Bruce, but those plants were not lime, but were olive green.

This was a great parts pack. A fair bit of white bricks, grey plates, foliage, lots of arches, and some fairly useful figs. I definitely see this as not much of a set kids would want, as there isn't many play features. I think TLC must have had the AFOL community in mind when designing this set.

I give it a 8/10

EKnight

[Azaghal]

As others have said, this set's chief value is as a parts and minifig pack - I was especially excited to see it announced, as it was (and remains, I believe) the cheapest set to include Gimli. He's one of my favorite characters, too, as if it weren't obvious from my username and location that I'm fond of Tolkien's dwarves generally.

However, I think some credit has to be given for the design of the set, as well. Especially all the little embellishments on the building facade, it really sells the Elvishness of the location.

[Takkata]

When I did the draft for this set at brickcon last year, I got the cheese! CHEESE!

[Lil_Curt]

I have drafted this set as well I have one. As others habe mentioned I feel this was geared towards the Afol or Tfol. This to me is a great parts pack and minifigure set. Lots of good useful parts for my builds. I give this set a 9 out of 10 from a parts pack stance. As a set it is very good but i dont think playability is very good. From that standpoint I give it a 7.5 out of 10. Great set good value overall.

[Sir Kohran]

Sorry for going off-topic here, but I'd like to address this:

Builders could reproduce the hilarious moment when Gimli was so dumb he thought he could destroy the one ring with his axe. Let's all laugh at the short guy, because, you know, the only point of Gimli is comic relief.

I don't think that bit is meant to be 'hilarious' at all. Its purpose is to make it clear that the Ring could not be destroyed by any quick means. It also introduces Gimli (Elrond responds to him by name) before he joins the Fellowship.

[rogue27]

I bought one of these some time ago, but I haven't opened it yet. My interest was as a parts pack; the set didn't look very interesting.

Not going to say more without actually opening the box, handling the parts, and building the set, but most people seem to have a similar feeling about this one.

[Brickninja]

I received, opened, built, then broke down this set. I am very pleased. The model is way larger than it looks on the box, the minifigs are great, and the parts will be a great addition to my collection.

[RedBrick]

Ok, first of all my apologies for the thread-necromancy here but this set is a personal fav of mine.

Its a lovely set. I won't give it high scores for playabliltiy though. Its not like a siege-situation, nor is there an actual enemy present - except saurons eye lurking beneath the floor.

But it is just wonderfully looking. Something which does well on a shelf as deco piece. And the (elven) figures look great too and are not that easy to get elsewhere afaik.
I'd say its not really made for small customers who want to see some action. Its a very scenic set, more a diorama really.