Weekly Set Review: Black Monarch's Castle

[Mr. D]

I love this caste; it is one of my favorites. Although 6086 is still my favorite for the figs and some of its pieces, I like this one better for its design (as much of it that I can see from the pictures, that is; I don't have this set). I also like the gray better than black, but the color was executed well on this castle.

Design ~ 9.5/10
Figs ~ 10/10

Overall ~ 20/10

Throwing in a few more points for amount of figs and the fact that it's on flat baseplates.

[legodude101]

One of the coolest sets 10/10

[JPinoy]

I *wish* I had this set. But I got 2 of the 6086s which is kinda close.... but man, I wish Lego could've continued shoving lots of minifigs into large Castle sets. Thats what made the large Castle sets good, not only was the set large, but you had a reasonable number of minifigs to defend it.

Now... the Castles of the recent past have been severely undermanned... err... under-minifigged.

[Jim]

One of my favorite sets. I bought it to oppose the Black Falcon's castle. I liked the overwelming odds against my favortive Falcons. Get set, great design, lots of figs and accessories. I couldn't ask for more. 10/10.

jimd

[Sir Drake]

This is a very nice set. With 12 minifigs, 4 horses,... This very good for pieces or to raise a small army.
I'll give it a 10.

But it's a pity that I wasn't born yet when TLC released this set.

But I can always buy this on Bricklink!

[TheOrk]

That is one of the most immpresive castles LEGO has ever made.

[quiksand]

In my humble opinion, the best castle ever devised by TLC. I only just recently aquired this set, and was only a 1/4 way through the constuction when I knew it would be my favorite. I prefer the black walled castle to any of the grey, mostly because of the sinister look it achieves, and I've always felt that the Black Knights were more intimidating then the rest of the kingdoms, so the black fit them well. I have seen these on Ebay for as low as $50.00 before, though I paid quite a bit more for mine. The minifigs are quite nice, and 6086, another fine fortress, retained nearly identicle men, but with the added benifit of the euro armor over the printed torsos. I do like the flat base design, though I never really disliked the raised base of 6086. The gate house on this set is my favorite part. I constantly find myself using this setup on MOCs, it's nearly perfect.
10/10, the best castle from the begining till now.

[LusiferSam]

I've always had a soft spot for this castle, as it was one of the earliest set I had. In many ways I like the design better than 6080. The fact that it is mostly black never bothered me (black is my second favorite color). I like how it has a rounder look to than 6080. And there are several minor design feature, like the portcullis, that I think are better. And lest I forget the small dragon flag was unique to this set until '92.

The 12 mini figures are great. I think the knights are some of the best knights. The change in the armor for the foot soldiers and archers was a welcome one. It still one of favorite torso patterns. As I kid I never knew the horse barding hadn't used before in a set (6085 and 6039 were the first), but now it a truly welcome addition.

The only thing I really dislike is the a lack of stairs. But this is more of an adult dislike. As a kid it never bothered me. I made my own stairs or use ladders other sets and never thought about why LEGO had done that.

I'm not sure I call this the pinnacle of TLC's Castle design, but 6085 is the last of the great castle sets, everything else is down hill from here.

[MarioDAlessio]

The conundrum that is the Black Monarch's Castle why do I like the black restructured variant of set 6080 when it is black in colour and lacks the uncompromising simplicity of set 6080?

Positives:

Firstly I consider Lego got it right again with 12 human minifigs including 4 mounted knights for a large castle set and this is what I now consider a castle benchmark:

4 mounted knights with breastplate torso (Although no armour and old style grilled helm, plume feathers two colours red and yellow only no white, a single cape)

4 archers with scale mail torsos and chin guard helmets

4 pikemen/axemen with scale mail torsos with flared helmets

No limiting role pay of baddies vs goodies, the possibility if desired of partition of solders can occur through the use of colour combinations to torsos and helmets.

Standard 16x16 and 32x32 base plates no uncharacteristic base plate combinations.

Brick built portcullis, 2x horse barding and 3x horse colour selection.


My gripes only a few:

Jail and the rear wall inverted slopes are a bit gimmicky no brick built stairs to the battlements, a single cape and limited plume colours suppose it was probably because of brick count limitations.

Review verdict:

Overall the 1988 set 6085 black Monarch's Castle for its obvious advantage of being four years younger then the 1984 set 6086 King's Castle in a wider parts choice is not a improvement on its predecessor that honor is achieved only after another four years with set 6086 Black Knight's Castle in 1992 minifig count the benchmark 12.

Why do I like it the Minifigs!

[albero78]

I had this castle and, together with other sets from those years, they are still the base from my today's MOCs.

I like of course the number of minifigs but also the amount of pieces! It's true that here we have castle walls and corners but also a lot of small different pecies and wedges.

Beatiful design and it was also possible to open it and combine with other sets.

Great: I recieved as a gift and I am still using it! A good choice from my aunt!

[Tower of Iron Will]

Another week of torment, reminded of the way things used to be and, dare I say, COULD still be.....

Fantastic set, a realistic, defendable fortress. The number of figs.... Just think, you young ones, if you could go to the store and buy 4 of these right now...48 minifigs that all look like armoured soldiers/knights, 16 horses, 8 cool bardings...

9/10 then, compared to today, even better as has already been pointed out.

I agree 100%. My only complaint, if it could be called one back then, was that it wasn't for the "Lion Knights" but then the Lions would have to seige it if they wanted it.
-Tower

[Athos]

Great castle. Has the same basic layout as the Kings Castle (6080), but is stylistically different enough to make it distinctive. I'm not real fond of the black, but it was good for this set.

Steve

[Fenneke-Jose]

I Like this set very much, I bought it a few years a go from Ebay. It is allready said, that it has a great amount of figs, weapons and a nice selection of bricks (no burps or lurps).
At the moment the black knights are my fourth faction (after the Lion Knights/Crusaders, Black Falcons and Forestman). I am still planning on buying this year the 6086, that in my opinion is a beter set (and then the Black Knights would be my third faction).
If I compare this set also with 6080 adn 6081, I will give this set an 8.

Greetings,

José

[jokkna]

fantastic, I espessially love the grill helmets.
and the colour fits really well for this theme black and dragons...