It wasn't in the retailers catalogue as far as the pages I saw; perhaps I missed it as those pages weren't leaked... Sorry for the misinformation...

I've got another one and the prelim's in there.

I've got another one and the prelim's in there.

Ok, thanks for clarifying.

I actually WAS into Wolfpack. Sort of. There wasn't much to be "into" when there were literally just three sets. Forestmen were before my time, aside from the "Dark Forest" subtheme introduced in North America around 1996 or so. Again, just three sets, and I don't think I actually ended up getting any of them. I was mostly into Aquazone, Exploriens, and Time Cruisers that year.

My childhood preferred Castle themes were Dragon Masters (the American name for Dragon Knights), Royal Knights, and Fright Knights. 6048 Majisto's Magical Workshop is still a top-notch design in my book, even if it's a bit gimmicky and had a poor price-per-piece. Fright Knights definitely hasn't aged well (most of my childhood favorite themes haven't), but I can't pretend its named characters, magic, and dragons didn't fire up my imagination at the time. I'm a sucker for character-driven fantasy themes, and these three themes first helped introduce fantasy elements like wizards, witches, dragons, skeletons, and ghosts to LEGO Castle. Yes, I know ghosts technically originated in the Black Knights sets, but again, those were before my time, and I hardly knew about them except from posters and stuff I picked up at yard sales.

Anyway, I agree that a faction like Wolfpack or Forestmen could be interesting! But I feel like as "renegade" factions, they work most effectively as a "third party" that functions independently of two main knight factions. And no Castle theme since Fantasy Era has really been large enough to support more than two factions. In fact, it's much more difficult for ANY theme to support more than two factions anymore than it used to be, on account of sets not staying available as long as they used to. Back in the day, my big Castle poster advertised years and years of Castle themes. But today, sets tend to be available for two years, tops, and by the time they've been around one year stores are already looking to clear out their old stock to make way for new sets. So LEGO can no longer just introduce sets one year in the faith that they'll still be out there next year when they introduce a new, competing faction. Forestmen and Wolfpack have mostly gone the way of M:Tron and Unitron, two similar-sized Space factions that came out around the same time. The way LEGO themes are released today, there's less room for independent "third parties" not strictly allied with one of the two main competing factions.

Maybe if Nexo Knights gets bigger it might be able to support some sort of futuristic Forestmen or another renegade faction. I wouldn't count on it, though, unless that faction were specifically allied with the good guys or bad guys. Even Legends of Chima, with as many distinct tribes as it had, made it pretty obvious that some factions were "good" and some were "evil", and while those factions would occasionally switch sides, there was little middle-ground. Likewise, Ninjago had its own "renegade" character this year, Ronin, but it was abundantly clear (in the sets, at least) that he was on the side of the ninja.

Wolfpack may have only had 3 sets, but they existed in more than that. They were in, for example, Dragon Masters sets. Forestmen were also included in Crusaders sets. So while they may have seemed small, they were integrated into the larger story.

No Castle theme since Fantasy Era has really been large enough to support more than two factions, which means they need to do a Castle theme that's large enough to support more than two factions. I would really love to see it, and I would likely buy all of the sets in such a theme if it were done well. The Forestmen and Wolfpack could simply be peripheral to the main factions sets, or hopefully fleshed out a bit more than they were in the past with their own sets, perhaps in a second wave. I get what you mean about themes not lasting as long as they used to, but with a few waves spread over a couple of years I see no reason it couldn't be done.

And if you had to align them, I always felt that Forestmen were on the "good" side, and Wolfpack were on the "evil" side.

Named characters could definitely exist within the Castle theme, but while you are drawn to them, I usually react in the opposite way. What I loved about the early Castle sets was the freedom to make my own characters and tell my own stories. Named characters usually come with elements that are hard to use. I found I didn't like a lot of Chima torsos based entirely on the fact that they had blue marks on their chests that didn't match the color scheme. But I will say that having more individual characters in general allows for a lot more diversity in minifigures, a lot more opportunities to make them my own. For example, I really like Clouse from Ninjago. Also, my friend recently scoffed at the fact that I replaced the metal arm on the Winter Soldier polybag figure with a black one, and gave him the classic Castle helmet with neck protector in black, but that's what minifigures are for me.

While it would be cool for Nexo Knights fans to get future Forestmen, it wouldn't help me at all.

And Dragon Masters were OK. A little newer to me, and they felt a bit gimmicky with a lot of yellow dragon printing on pieces (Majisto's Tower), very colorful knights, and the strange new helmet and dragon plume designs. I much preferred the Black Knights, which not only had better designs, but also came out when I was in the target age range. I actually had Majisto's Magical Workshop, among others, and I agree that the design of that set is strong. These were some of the last sets I got before I entered my Dark Ages, and I think those gimmicky elements helped to push me out. By Royal Knights, I was already in my Dark Ages. In my mid teens, I was much more interested in girls than LEGO, and was spending more money on music than anything else. I wish I had stayed around for it, though, as some of those castles look really nice. I am not really a fan of Fright Knights. Once again, gimmicky.

Edited October 15, 20159 yr by x105Black

New designer vid out on YouTube.

Also I took a screen capture of Clay's Cruiser...without his Robo Buddies. If the rear wheels fold in someway it will be amazing. Either way looks good.

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/RaySkull/STUFF/clay.png

Lance's Robo Horse:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/RaySkull/STUFF/lance.png

So Merlok comes with the castle after all:

I think the center cylinder should be neon red for better effect, the computer seems to be merlok.

Edited October 16, 20159 yr by LuxorV
Images too big. Turned into links.

Or a light brick and a trans orange minifigure for Merlock. It might be too expensive though.

The computer is Merlok 2.0, but it's clearly a 3 dimensional translucent hologram. That's what a Merlok 2.0 minifigure should be. That flag is supposed to represent Merlok 2.0, but it's certainly not a minifigure.

What designer video? The one which describes the process of the big Jestro that was at NYCC? Or something else?

This may come off as a bit harsh, but I am really curious about something.

Lego produces a Castle-Space hybrid theme and vocal minority disapproves of it being in the Historic Theme sub-forum. They lobby the mods for weeks and the introduction thread is moved to the Acton an Adventure sub-forum. I'm fine with that tbh as it doesn't "fit" perfectly in any pre-existing box and because it has no bearing of my enjoyment of upcoming X-Mas purchases. Though it did colour my opinion on the Classic Castle community a bit (I have jokingly said I plan to lobby the mods to have the "Historic" sub-forum renamed to the "Non-girl classic castle with certain randomly permitted fantasy bits").

What I fail to understand is why the lobbyist continue to regale us with their reasoning on why they won't buy into Nexo Knights and comparing it to previous Castle waves. If it is that important to have everything its proper place, should you not start a new thread back in the Historic forum to do this, as Classic Castle has no place in the A&A subforum?

Well this is a discussion, and as such it moves from place to place as people respond to earlier comments. As far as I'm concerned, there is room to talk about all Castle and Space themes, or any other themes for that matter, and to compare them to this theme, in a Nexo Knights discussion.

I wish there was another sub-forum for medieval fantasy Castle, as I don't think it fits with Western, but that forum is decidedly Historic and Nexo Knights is arguably futuristic.

Also I took a screen capture of Clay's Cruiser...without his Robo Buddies. If the rear wheels fold in someway it will be amazing. Either way looks good.

http://www.brickshel.../STUFF/clay.png

Lance's Robo Horse:

http://www.brickshel...STUFF/lance.png

Ah, I see now. The huge sword and cockpit piece are not a flyer (despite the presence of wings on the side of the cockpit) but rather the top of a F1 like car for Clay. This car uses the huge wheels at the rear of the vehicle and the small grey wheel that you can see on the bottom of the model between the 2 robots and their cycles. From the picture, it looks like the spring missile assembly at the rear of the vehicle does not form part of Clay's car. There is also some framework forming the housings for the 2 cycles at the front.

So, while this now does not look like it splits into 4 separate vehicles (2 cycles, flyer and car), I am curious to see what Lego did with what is left of the model after the 3 vehicles have detached. If the missile launchers stay on the frame, then perhaps the frame can form some kind of a command center or turret when the vehicles have all been deployed?

Okay, so the trade off here is that in order to have the transforming feature and you getting 2 models in one, they had to have the back legs hanging off the rear of the cycle mode. The idea is, I guess, that they are supposed to be rocket boosters for the cycle, but I think it may come off looking somewhat kibble-ish.

Can't wait to see more pics of these as well as the other sets!

Edited October 16, 20159 yr by TPLSTER21

(...) Lego produces a Castle-Space hybrid theme and vocal minority disapproves of it being in the Historic Theme sub-forum. They lobby the mods for weeks and the introduction thread is moved to the Acton an Adventure sub-forum. I'm fine with that tbh as it doesn't "fit" perfectly in any pre-existing box (...)

Please, it's in whatever the name is for the box Ninjago is in. And now it's in the sub Ninjago is in. All fits perfectly

This may come off as a bit harsh, but I am really curious about something.

Lego produces a Castle-Space hybrid theme and vocal minority disapproves of it being in the Historic Theme sub-forum. They lobby the mods for weeks and the introduction thread is moved to the Acton an Adventure sub-forum. I'm fine with that tbh as it doesn't "fit" perfectly in any pre-existing box and because it has no bearing of my enjoyment of upcoming X-Mas purchases. Though it did colour my opinion on the Classic Castle community a bit (I have jokingly said I plan to lobby the mods to have the "Historic" sub-forum renamed to the "Non-girl classic castle with certain randomly permitted fantasy bits").

What I fail to understand is why the lobbyist continue to regale us with their reasoning on why they won't buy into Nexo Knights and comparing it to previous Castle waves. If it is that important to have everything its proper place, should you not start a new thread back in the Historic forum to do this, as Classic Castle has no place in the A&A subforum?

I think the long winded walls of complaints should be moved back to the Castle Sub forum myself. They want to move us out and fill the Nexo forum with walls of text to drown out our excitement. Responses to this comment longer than 300 words will be ignored entirely.

Back on topic.

I still think Clay's Cruiser does something else, we'll see.

Edited October 16, 20159 yr by Rayskull

Do you guys think that the space marine armour piece will come in new colors next wave? Or is it more likely that baddies will rotate and goodies stay the same? (like Ninjago, i think? I'm not an expert)

I'm asking because I really don't like the baby-blue color or the orange shoulders, but I still want to get like 50 of these knights for my own w40k space marine chapter :p

Edited October 16, 20159 yr by Captain Sweatpants

Do you guys think that the space marine armour piece will come in new colors next wave? Or is it more likely that baddies will rotate and goodies stay the same? (like Ninjago, i think? I'm not an expert)

I'm asking because I really don't like the baby-blue color or the orange shoulders, but I still want to get like 50 of these knights for my own w40k space marine chapter :p

In Ninjago and Legends of Chima, the main characters generally did stay the same from year to year, but they also regularly got new costumes from year to year. So I don't think the possibility of different armor colors is out of the question.

In Ninjago and Legends of Chima, the main characters generally did stay the same from year to year, but they also regularly got new costumes from year to year. So I don't think the possibility of different armor colors is out of the question.

But you wouldn't count on it? I was hoping you would react, Aanchir, you always seem to know your stuff :)

I have jokingly said I plan to lobby the mods to have the "Historic" sub-forum renamed to the "Non-girl classic castle with certain randomly permitted fantasy bits"

:D That is hilarious!

You know, I might just get behind that suggestion. But only if I get to change A&A's discription be: Super fun awesome colourful cool stuff that the boring people don't like.

Anywhat, still loving those books. Just excellent to have. Has there been any more info on the sheild tiles. do they have the recess or studs?

Since they're being used as floor tiles in the Brick Bank, I'm going to guess recesses.

Kwatchi, well said. If people still want to labour on the point of Nexo being anathema to castle enthusiasts then they should go back to their own forum.

Let's draw a line under it though and keep this particular discussion centred on the topic of how awesome Nexo looks. It has captured my eye and now my wallet will follow!

Indeed.

When it was still speculated to be Castle/Historic instead of Action/Castle then things would be okay. So as moderator I would prefer we talk now about the theme as it is and not how people wished it should be.

The reason why people still talk about castle is this "fantasy era reboot" rumor that started the topic. If that rumor hadn't happened nobody would complain about being disappointed. This topic has few perfect proofs why we shouldn't trust rumors here (even if they come from a lego store manager).

Anyway, do we know for sure that Merlok will be a figure in a set? Has anybody seen the library picture?

Edited October 16, 20159 yr by Cagast

I don't get why they didn't make Merlok like this

But you wouldn't count on it? I was hoping you would react, Aanchir, you always seem to know your stuff :)

Could happen those minifig random packs...wish they'd stop making them random.

Other note: I think Merlok is a sticker, so you put him anywhere ha-ha. Yeah I'm sure we'll get a proper merlok down the line so I'm not up in arms.

What designer video? The one which describes the process of the big Jestro that was at NYCC? Or something else?

That one

Edited October 16, 20159 yr by Rayskull

What I fail to understand is why the lobbyist continue to regale us with their reasoning on why they won't buy into Nexo Knights and comparing it to previous Castle waves. If it is that important to have everything its proper place, should you not start a new thread back in the Historic forum to do this, as Classic Castle has no place in the A&A subforum?

Well, as a Castle traditionalist, I come here because Im somewhat interested in NK as an Action theme. And theres the fact that a LEGO designer weighed in on the discussion in this thread, which caused a lot of Castlers to react. And bear in mind that its natural for people who dont like an announced set or theme to critise it in the thread it was announced, and give their reasons why they dont like it and wont be buying it. Similarly, theres no point in starting a NK thread in the Castle theme, when NK discussion is here (emphasis on *discussion*).

Understand better now?

(I have jokingly said I plan to lobby the mods to have the "Historic" sub-forum renamed to the "Non-girl classic castle with certain randomly permitted fantasy bits")

Yeah, and fantasy bits that make up fantasy Castle are pretty broadly agreed upon and have their internal logic, so not really random.

When where do the Nexo Knights episodes air?