What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Discussion of official LEGO Castle Theme sets and products
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Bluesecrets
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Bluesecrets »

Since I accidentally spawned this discussion, I think I need to add on. I agree with Bruce about the MMV. I've never build the first one, I had it briefly but donated it to the CCC once. I didn't buy Helms Deep, but sure I could see it being considered here. And I didn't buy the Joust set, but that too I could find relevancy in this thread. I have a very hard time adding on. I have been waiting for someone to bring up the Mill Village Raid...and trying to not say what I truly think of that set. I didn't enjoy that build at all. So I wouldn't ever put it in this discussion...but I think it may come up. But did you notice, the ones we have mentioned tend to be the kind that was direct to LEGO, or limited..or designed with the AFOL in mind?

But I find more inspiration from non-castle sets currently...which isn't what we are talking about in this thread...so I will keep those to myself.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by foxdobbs »

Bruce's highlighted sets are indeed memorable!
Couple of other "castle-ish" sets that stick out from recent building sessions are Kingdom's 7947: Prison Tower Rescue, Ninjago's 2507: Fire Temple, and the Hobbit's 79003: An Unexpected Gathering. The two POTC ships deserve honorable mention as well.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by nanuck95 »

I would have listed all of the same sets. My absolute favorite is still the MMV, but I also enjoyed the Kingdom's Joust set, Helm's Deep, and Bag End. Although the older sets aren't as technically challenging as far as technique goes, I do find some of them more challenging because the older instructions put on more pieces per step, and generally weren't always as clear as the newer sets.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Mark of Falworth »

Never got helms deep so I won't put an opinion on it. The Joust the Blacksmith and the MMV were very enjoyable builds. ;)
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by New Danarchy »

The Syndicate wrote:There can always be an "accident" and an offer to rebuild it for her. Children or pets are suitable scapegoats if readily available.
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I don't own helm's deep, the joust or mmv, but I have looked at the building instructions. They are nice but my favourite would be Orthanc (which I don't own either, man this is depressing :) ). The old sets were pretty simple although the siege tower in 6061 was a nice build.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Athos »

Orthanc was a lot of fun to build. No real advance techniques, but it was a nice build that reminded me of the older sets I built as a kid.

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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Gavin of Lockwood »

I buy mainly for the pieces now, as of about a year and half ago. I do build the set and keep it together until I need too many pieces from it to keep it together, and then I sit down and part it out. But I'd have to say for the building experience, LOtR is by far the best. The Dino Attack (not Dino 2010) line was good too, but I didn't get many sets from that.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by rodiziorobs »

For sure the MMV; it was the number one set on my must-have list when I came back from my dark ages, even though I collect sets just for parts. It was awesome not just for the building techniques with the roofs and detailed accessible interiors, but also just the use of colors and small parts to add a lot of detail--I don't think any set before had really done that in the same way (but like I said, I was in my dark ages at the time, so I could be wrong).

I don't own Helm's Deep or the Medieval Joust so I won't comment on them other than to say that I think earlier comments about them are probably accurate.

A small but neat set that I think gets overlooked is 7038, the Troll Assault Wagon--for such a small set, it has a lot going for it. Particularly, I love the way it integrates the Technic frame with System pieces (something I wish I was better at), the rapid-fire ballista hidden behind the banner (an idea which I have since used when MOCing), and those awesome giant metallic grey wheels, which I couldn't help but use in a steampunk airship MOC as turbines. Those wheels with the horns and all gave it a menacing appearance that was very fitting for the trolls and made it seem bigger than it really was--the wagon itself doesn't use much more than 100 pieces, I think. I still have yet to find a decent use for the fishbone, though.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by SSchmidt »

So I would chime in since I recently purchased two sets. I purchased MMV (but have not built it yet). I also purchased the Tower of Orthanc and finally built it (it took me three days of on and off building). I really enjoyed Orthanc as it was to me, a very satisfying build. I hope and pray that one day we get a Minas Tirith in either the size of Helms Deep or preferably the size of Orthanc. The magnitude of such a set could only offer happiness.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by surixurient »

I am looking to buy more sets of black monarch's castle so I can try and build the alts.
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4111/5188 ... 2419_o.jpg
I'd like to have the main one, the bridge, the one on the bottom left, and black knight's stronghold as the base of operation for my black knights army.
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by richardanthonyc »

I wish I had bought Siskinds Inn when I had the money. It is also a shame that he seems to have veered away from building Castle these days (as judged by his website). His MOC Bloodstone Castle was one of the first MOC's I ever saw online and it left an impression on me as a teenager. Can't seem to find it online anymore though. Does anyone remember it?
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Another_Brick_Wall »

I am surprised nobody has mentioned the "haunted house" from monster fighters theme. The vampire castle was also cool. Any of the modular sets are nice to build as an AFOL especially the latest "parisian restaurant" set is tremendous in detail :o
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Lil_Curt »

I did mention the mansion way back on page 1. Also I agree with you on the modulars. Love the restaruant!
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Athos
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Re: What official sets do you build as an advanced FOL?

Post by Athos »

I really like the Creator houses and animal sets too.

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