Classic-Castle.com

I like the sail on the boat set. The rest of the sets don't particularly appeal to me, but

Bruce N H wrote: While I'm less excited about minidolls than I would be about figs, I could see including minidolls as a race of elves in the same world as fig humans, so this could work. Also I like the new elf-ear hair possibilities, though of course these are limited to fleshyfigs.

With the greater variety of elf pieces coming out for fleshy figs through the Hobbit and Lord of The Rings lines, maybe there will be a new wave of acceptance of fleshy-figs as being the color of Elves, just as there is the Orc flesh color from LOTR, and even earlier the Troll flesh color from the Fantasy Era sets. I know that's what I'm going to be doing, at least. Yellow fan at heart, but if it gives me access to all those flesh-exposed torsos and Elf headpieces, I suppose I'll adapt.

Bruce N H wrote:Hey,
...Speaking of figs, I'm intrigued by the fact that one of the figs in the treetop hideaway does not seem to be an elf. I wonder what the storyline is? Perhaps it's like Epic, where a human gets magically shrunk down into the elf world?

Yeah I think I remember reading a press release or something that was along these lines. It seems that most sets contain a key or map to a key. And judging by the earth/fire/water symbols in some of the sets I guess it will have some story about collecting the keys to save the realm or similar.

Bruce N H wrote: I see lots of brown carrot tops, which is nice, as that has been pretty rare to date. Other interesting inclusions are that newish plant piece (BrickLink calls it "plant grass stem") in tan (I think), that clam shell (is that totally new?), some new printed (hopefully) tiles (particularly the scrolls), new animals, a new railing piece in a couple of different colors.

Bruce

I think the plant stem is pearl gold? Comparing it to some of the pearl gold near it. If we're talking about the same thing. Glad those brown 'carrot tops' will become more prevalent. Think I've only seen them in advent calendars (the the Rocket Racoon GOTG polybag) up until now.

Although I'm heavily into fantasy (including Tolkien), I'm not really interested in Tinker Bell style faeries which is what this line seems to be. So I probably won't be getting any of these sets.

Bruce N H wrote:I like the new elf-ear hair possibilities, though of course these are limited to fleshyfigs.

The new ear-and-hair pieces do add possibilities, but like you, I'm a yellowist. In fact, I abhor fleshiness. I might get some of the Elves ear-and-hair parts on the secondary market and recolour the ears yellow just as I did to Legolas's here:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Amper ... _small.jpg, and

Thranduil's and his entourage's here:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Amper ... _small.jpg

I like the new fence piece that comes in pearl gold and sand green; I think it would be great for MOCs, but I will wait to get them in mass on bricklink. Also, the boy elf's hair piece could be used for a regular minifig boy elf. I may get a set for my daughter, but overall the colors make it hard to want to buy all of these sets.

Regarding fleshy figs: I see them quite as a step back really. Legos big strength is the interchangability of parts. The rather simple minifigs are ideal for that. They allow so many ways to combine. The fleshy figs are nicer modelled, yes. But so are a lot of toys and this makes them much more defined and limited in the possibilities what to do with them. I wonder if Lego on the long run would replace the classical minifigs with the larger ones. I hope not. they simply are lego, if you ask me.

Or to make a long story short: I like my lego minifigs simple and tiny

I'm with AmperZand. I see the new hairpieces as being the best parts of these sets, as long as you don't mind recoloring the ears to be yellow.

I am considering getting the cheaper sets. The purple leaves look good and I want to get more variety and magic in the Atlendor forest. The blue elf hair piece might go for some drow or some twilight elves.

I am not sold on this line. I mean it may work out for my daughter to get her more into lego, and I may buy a few sets for parts etc.. but I think the biggest points are the Hair and the Fence Piece. Other then that nothing is jumping out...

Just noticed the fence piece. That thing is amazing.

The little sail boat makes me think of the Starship Heart of Gold (not the recent movie version).

Elves sets are not for AFOLs, at least not for those who want's to use them in LOTR like MOCs.
As theme for children they are great. My 9 yeras old daughter likes them (on photos) a lot.

If AFOL looking for fantasy MOC parst and even dolls are great. If Eleves are different rase from humans they are different and this is good. It is pitty males has all the same trausers as females has variaty of skirts.

Will I buy them? On sale for parts yes.

Being a fan of elves for years and years, I can say that I'll use the figures to keep in storage as collectibles, probably. They're a bit large compared to the standard mini-figure size, so although they have a cuteness to them, I don't think it would make sense for them to coincide with the appearance of my other minifigures.
On the other hand, I can safely say I enjoy some of the parts and colors they'll be featuring in these upcoming sets, so while I don't actually dislike the figures themselves in the least, I think that play-wise, the architectural pieces will get the most use, on my end.

As for my opinion on these sets. I think the sets and the colors are cool.

It's just the figurines that will NOT mesh well with a castle world. They just don't seem like "Lego" figurines. To me it's a big deal.

There's a big sign promoting the Elves sets coming in March at my local target, taking up shelf space next to the Friends and Disney Princess sets. I'm guessing that suggests LEGO will really be pushing this theme as the next big thing.

Bruce

I picked up one of almost everything from the original Disney Princess line. I substituted the minidolls for proper yellow figures and incorporated the 'colorful' landscape into my castle world. I plan on doing the exact same thing with this Elves line. It's just a far-off land that some of my more adventurous knights might travel to and bring back some unique treasures for the Black Monarch.