Rick

Nice, now if only Lego would release something like this (but that's another topic). I agree, add some 'life' and some color maybe.

As to something I would personally not like to see: Islanders, at least not like in the Pirates I line.

Brickbeard is the new (Pirates II, 2009) pirate captain.

Clearly a high-five. Even when space police came out they weren't the bad guys, they just used to break some speed limits every once in a while... LOL! Never seen this before.

This is probably getting repetitive, but a s@h exclusive port would be great. I like Mr. Phes' idea of Dutch East-India traders, which could be nicely integrated into a port. Another idea for an exclusive could be a really detailed ship (with separately available crew-packs, including flags and perhaps two sets of sails, so that you can decide for yourself what faction owns the ship). I'm really looking forward to one or two exclusives in the Pirates line. Pirates - after town and castle - deserves it! Next to town, castle, and space, pirates should be Lego's fourth ever-lasting line of products. As for the regular line, I wouldn't be afraid to use ideas from Pirates I's early years. I like the cave-hideout idea as well. An Imperial ship and Traders' dock would also be nice for the regular line. And eeehhhmmm... blue coats would be nice too. Although for me that's definitely not top-priority (2011 would be fine, if that would mean the line would last long into the future). Finally, it's cool that Lego is listening to input from the community and that you, Bonaparte, do such a great job as an ambassador by taking the time to compile and forward all requests to Lego. Go Classic Pirates!

Thanks, this is as clear as it gets. Personally I favor 1989. Nothing beats the BSB and Eldorado Fortress yet (I hope the new line holds some surprises the coming years, maybe an s@h exclusive like castle had with the Medieval Market Village, ok I'm getting carried away). I can't decide on the minifigs though: the 1989 are just... classic, the 2009 are just so detailed with their double-sided torsos. The smaller sets are pretty much equal in terms of quality. One touch about the new line I really like are all the small army builders that are available.

Yes please That's why I'd like to compare the first wave only, although a lot of those first wave sets (like BSB and Eldorado Fortress) also lasted a lot longer than many of the 'modern' sets. You're the pirate master, please change the title to whatever you think is least confusing...

I agree on the pricing. The orange helicopter transport (7686) was a much better deal for a truck and trailer. But then again: most people will buy it for the wind turbine.

Exactly 20 years after the first line of pirates ('Pirates I') was introduced, the second line ('Pirates II') comes out. The majority of the first wave of sets of both lines (which appeared in 1989 and 2009, respectively) show a striking resemblance in terms of ideas/themes. So, the question naturally arises: which first wave of sets do you like best? Overall: Pirates I (1989) vs. Pirates II (2009) Specific sets: 6285 Black Seas Barracuda vs. 6243 Brickbeard's Bounty 6276 Eldorado Fortress vs. 6242 Soldiers' Fort 6270 Forbidden Island vs. 6253 Shipwreck Hideout 6260 Shipwreck Island + 6245 Harbor Sentry vs. 6241 Loot Island 6257 Castaway's Raft vs. 6240 Kraken Attackin' 6251 Pirate Minifigures vs. 852747 Pirate Battle Pack 6235 Buried Treasure vs. 8397 Pirate Survival And then there are these soldiers' sets that do not have a match in the other first wave of sets: 6265 Sabre Island 6274 Caribbean Clipper 6239 Cannon Battle 8396 Soldier's Arsenal I would be grateful if an admin could add a poll to this topic.

I don't think I remember referring to him by any name, but Redbeard was the common name I found online as an AFOL. I looked up (in the 1990 Dutch catalogue) what he was called in Dutch: Kapitein Knoest, which means something like 'Captain Knot', commander of the pirate ship De Norse Haai: 'The Surly Shark'

Looking forward... I like the pics you have up so far. Look at all those bluecoats and captured so nicely on picture...

I agree with the general in the barrel, this shows that subconsciously you decided to be a bluecoat!

Nice truck, but your pictures may also be a bit 'strong' (i.e., large, I think you should resize them before posting).

I'm not sure whether this is suitable for a new topic, so I'll post the question here (if a mod thinks it deserves a topic of it's own they can spin it off). What determines your choice for a particular faction (especially bluecoats versus redcoats)? I can understand the British choosing redcoats and the French choosing bluecoats, but what about users from other nations? Please share your thoughts about why do you choose to side with a certain faction? (and please keep the frogleg-eating versus tea-slurping jokes contained to the appropriate topic).

Welcome/welkom Sybrand! (I assume you're the creator of www.fabuland.net, which I really like as a Fabuland resource site)

Judging from the pictues, the packaging looks really nice, so if I would buy it I may also elect to leave the baseplate attached to the rest of the packaging. But perhaps someone else has removed it from this or previous tic-tac-toe games and can share their thoughts on the issue...

Thanks for the review. Is that base plate really stuck/glued/whatever to the packaging, so that you can't use it separately?

I realize that before reaching the 1,000 post mark. Anyway, 'welcome' Awesome...

I'll leave it up to Toaster... eehm... Stauder himself to explain.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showuser=1

No, I've already been PM'ed about it without explicitly asking

You shouldn't be afraid of things that are fully within your control.

I've always been taken seriously here, so I don't think the whole rank system excludes people. Just 10 more posts and you'll be a citizen. Most ranks (vassal, citizen, knight, count, duke) are automatic based on the number of posts. So it isn't what they're occupied with. That may be a good idea, although I didn't actively search whether there is such a thread already. Most are pretty self-explanatory (except for the Toaster, but that seems to be inexplicable anyway ).

That is also what I was trying to say, as long as it's got the 'Lego feel' to it I tend to not too strongly oppose You need to check your keyboard: some letters seem to go missing from time to time. I guess replacing or adding string and added leds are things that not too many people oppose. Did you mean to say that it's ok with you if your house - in which you display your Lego - is made of 'real' bricks instead of Lego bricks?

Please do, a few pictures and your thoughts on the sets are always welcome.