kgyore

$4.49 for an elf, a tree and the LOTR exclusive bow? You have to be insane not to buy this for this price when elves on the market usually sell for at least $8-10 a pop. Since i have missed out on the whole series 3 chainmail elf edition, this was my big chance to try to create somewhat of a resemblance of an elf army. I truly feel for people who did not get the chance to buy this since it is such a deal for today's LOTR LEGO prices. I wish that it wouldn't just have been a polybag set but maybe a starter set since LEGO right now wants so much money for elves in general that it is almost unfair to one's wallet. Yes, maybe one doesnt get a lot of bricks with this one but they are really useful. The tree can be a simple addition to your forest because it is a nice stand alone piece. The elf is really cute and although you dont get the elf hairs but the dark green hood is really rare at this point. And there is the afore mentioned LOTR exclusive bow. All in all, it is a deal from a lot of aspects.

Great review, Rufus! I have to say that the LEGO group has really done this right this time. 3 different designers - especially that the guy who developed Unexpected Journey and Helm's Deep always comes out as an outstanding set builder - were hired to design this monstrousity. I agree with a lot of people here that the detailing added to this set is just purely stunning. Needless to say that my contact at the store called me the day they got this in and it was my day off therefore i threw everything aside and made a run to the otherside of town : ). Was it worth it? Every minute and every piece of it. Now Orthanc constitutes my baddies center piece towering over my orc forges and breeding grounds. Also, a point that i really appreciated from the Rufus review is that never complain about a set that has useful elements in useful colors in plenty. It is a pivotal characteritic of a set that every builder should consider. I have to say that this is the only set besides Unexpected Gathering that i have never considered so far taking apart. If i would have to critique one thing about the set though - 5 minifigures for a $200 set is pretty measly. Could have thrown a couple more Uruks in there just to sweeten the pie. Thank you for the wonderful pictures again, Rufus !!!! You are a treasure to our community.

It seems you have just made it happen what LEGO should have done with this set. A little more bulk to that side tower for the dragon and the arches on the bottom with a couple leaves added a lot to this set without adding a lot of elements or cost to it. I salute you for this previous post.

Well, the critics seem not to give too much credit in their review despite the above average scoring so far. My two cents are that they do make a lot of valid points about being a bit Junior-ish - or simplistic if you will - without a lot of detailing but something that provides decent playability still. I do support this view and since i have built this set myself i have finished it with somewhat of these same mixed feelings. Nevertheless, i feel that we have excluded some factors that actually made me appreciate this set even more so than my previous castles: 1. I LOVE the new approach to the flags on the towers - they create the feeling that they are hanging by their own weight. I was never a big fan of the fact that the previous flags looked like that there is a 70 mph wind blowing and the weather never changes. Also, the hanging approach makes the flag look a bit more majestic. 2. I hope that everyone agrees that the new kind of horses with the standing on the two hind legs brought a new look to the castle theme. Even though castle was not the first theme to use this, it has brough a new capability to playability and expression to the castle theme. The barding for the king's horse is just plainly a great addition to this set. 3. Some of the approaches were great yet not fully explored e.g. throne room, jail with double doors with chains hanging, treasury etc. I wished it had a bit more of the Dragon mountain's internal design. 4. I agree that 7 minifigues was a bit less than i would have expected from a $100 set. Throw in a couple peasants, servants, maybe a blacksmith or a good wizard, dear LEGO group since it is a not a licensed theme thus customers could get a little more bank for their buck. 5. LEGO needs to get rid of the theme: the bad guys can just take the side wall out and take the treasure at will. They are giving kids the irrational idea that it was an easy thing to break into a castle. Also 3 soldiers for a garrison means that this king does not value security for his big chest of gold and jewels. 6. I appreciate that how the gatehouse can be integrated into the main castle. LEGO needs to really expand on this idea making set such that would encourage customers to buy set that would serve as an extention of currently or pastly produced sets. e.g. : blacksmith set that could be integrated into the main castle; a wizard's shop that can be added to the opposite side or something of that sort. All in all, it is a set that can start a revitalization of the castle theme yet has a lot to improve.

The review is great and it is really disappointing how they have priced this specific set. Nevertheless, in my geographical area (northeastern US) -according to my store contacts- this was the most seeked out set as soon as it came out. Therefore following basic economic principles supply met demand and probably it would have even sold for $60 a piece if that was the given price. I had to order one since i really wanted the wizard (especially for the beautifully designed garb) and the new princess design. Also i did not have this particular dragon either. Nonetheless, i agree with the critics that it is a bit overpriced. As far as minifigures, Lego created a great balance by serving a healthy amount of minifigures with the set (2 badies, 2 good crownies and princess) next to the dragon. On the other hand, i do not particularly agree with the critics bashing the design of the knights. The color schemes are very esthetic and expressive (black/red - baddies; blue/gold - good guys and of course the white theme for the innocent princess). The castle - i have to agree with most of the critics here - is very measly for being the "bad guys HQ" so far, yet the internal design of the rooms was greatly done with relatively few elements ( love the bone lamp in the wizard's quarters). Would i recommend it for anyone to buy? I would say yes if you have the money. On the other hand, i think i have made a much better investment by getting the black gate from the LOTR series. It was $10 more, but the detailing and the design was far superior to this set. Thank you for reading.

I think the critics are being a bit too hard on this set. Consider this: the printing on the minifigures exceed anything that LEGO has ever made before for the soldiers as far as detail and color schemes. They have really done a great job revitalizing the Kingdom colors with the mixing of silver, gold and blue. The baddies with the black and red (kind of a remake of the Vladek color schemes) are also very esthethic. Although i have to agree with some of the points bashing the meat of the gatehouse; however, one has to look at this also as a product that a company is trying to sell. A company tries to make maximum profits from minimal raw materials invested. Yes, the customer does not get a lot of meat but gets a horse with boarding (which LEGO does not like to give out in large amounts) and some form of a building that can be used for spare parts but it can stand by itself. I think the minifigures are totally worth the set for $30 and the horse with the boarding and the castle parts. Could LEGO have done a better job? Of course. People can always bring that arguement into the mix; nevertheless, i think, the community should focus on the what you are actually getting vs what we are not. Did i regret buying the set? Not really. Most of the time all of us know what we are getting when we look at the picture on the front.

I miss the two cave trolls pulling the back end of the gate : ) That was a great scene. Of course, it probably would not have fit in the price range of the set. All in all, it is a great set and i would also recommend combining the two gates. Looks really cool !

Great creation from the 2 sets with minimal parts added. Way to go!!!! How did you put the short sword onto Thorin's back?

Great technique. Thank you for sharing and keep them coming : ) The seaweed method is ingenius because it is so simple yet so effective.