Lord of the Rings Ongoing Discussion

[Agent Kallus]

24 minutes ago, brimbolet said:

There seem to be even more new helmets inside the forge, but I'm not 100% sure.

It's a family pack of new parts for the helmets, like it was for the Rivendell weapons. you can see the other new helmet that's not shown on any of figures in the picture in the spoiler.

Duckbricks also has a designer interview up.

Spoiler

 

[HothFan1987]

If anyone follows Jay’s Brick Blog on Twitter he has photos of some of the sections of the tower stacked together to elongate it. Looks pretty good. Think I’ll looking into Bricklinking the relevant parts rather than buying two copies 😆

[legofan126]

1 minute ago, HothFan1987 said:

If anyone follows Jay’s Brick Blog on Twitter he has photos of some of the sections of the tower stacked together to elongate it. Looks pretty good. Think I’ll looking into Bricklinking the relevant parts rather than buying two copies 😆

I saw this. Having to buy 2 to make it look more proportionate is absurd. Its way too bulky with one, 2 looks way better but that’s a ridiculous suggestion by the designers.

[Lordhelmet]

7 minutes ago, HothFan1987 said:

If anyone follows Jay’s Brick Blog on Twitter he has photos of some of the sections of the tower stacked together to elongate it. Looks pretty good. Think I’ll looking into Bricklinking the relevant parts rather than buying two copies 😆

nice,  I’ll probably bricklink one section and add it that way.  I’m sure there will be a bunch of “that’s ridiculous” comments but I modify most of my sets to make them look more accurate (Rivendell was a rare exception and I want to add another tower to that anyway).  I think it would be good with one or maybe two extra sections and I am happy it is modular.

[Legomaster34]

Honestly I think the proportions look great. Minifigures themselves are weirdly proportioned, so I've always thought Minifigure scale buildings and such would be too. I feel like it fits with the LEGO vibe and aesthetic. Personally, if I wanted a perfect replica of the tower I'd buy the Weta environment, or something similar. This looks perfect for a LEGO version of the tower.

[Shiva]

7 hours ago, kris kelvin said:

I could build better in 3 days so it`s just ONE BIG MEH.

You will have to live with this :)

Yes, you builds are great.

Could we see your build in.. 5 days and how much that could cost?

3 hours ago, LegoThomas85 said:

If the pictures i saw were real, i have to say: the GWP for me is one big disappointment. Especially if you have 10+ years this one in mind:

Could you please, link me to the set where this version of the Fell Beast was in? I tried to search, but could not find it.

[Lordhelmet]

17 minutes ago, Legomaster34 said:

Honestly I think the proportions look great. Minifigures themselves are weirdly proportioned, so I've always thought Minifigure scale buildings and such would be too. I feel like it fits with the LEGO vibe and aesthetic. Personally, if I wanted a perfect replica of the tower I'd buy the Weta environment, or something similar. This looks perfect for a LEGO version of the tower.

Agreed!  Plus with Lego we can modify what we want and the designers built in a modification option which makes it super easy.

[Galahad]

15 minutes ago, Shiva said:

Yes, you builds are great.

Could we see your build in.. 5 days and how much that could cost?

Could you please, link me to the set where this version of the Fell Beast was in? I tried to search, but could not find it.

The fell beast was never in a set - that image is from the LEGO Lord of the Rings video game. 

[Shiva]

Galahad, that's what I found out too + why I asked my question.

[JohnTPT17]

So, now that we've got new molds and prints, we can reuse them in smaller, cheaper sets for those of us who don't have the money for these $500 sets... Right?

Due to the cost, I won't be able to buy this, but I still think that it looks like a great set. The new minifigs all look really good to me, besides Gollum - his arms now look really stubby, and he's got the same cataracts that Maul and Ezra have. I also think that Sauron looks fine as he is - I think the Avatar limbs would look wacky. It's a shame they skimped on the mace, though, when they obviously made other new molds throughout the set. And having a little more height on the tower maybe would have helped with the proportions, but I imagine it's another case of "how it looks IRL vs in photos." Happy for those that will be able to get it, but I'll just have to enjoy the photos!

[MAB]

15 minutes ago, Shiva said:

Galahad, that's what I found out too + why I asked my question.

It is because at the time, some people thought we'd get a set to match that in the game.

[THELEGOBATMAN]

I really like this set. Would've been a good deal at 400€, but I fell like 460€ is really pushing it. 

The build looks awesome. The facade is very detailed, and the interior has quite a lot of space too. I don't mind it being open from the back like some do, but I agree that the overall proportions are off. 

Minifigures are fantastic. The Orcs all look awesome, glad they included so many variants in a single set. Sauron looks great. Gollum's arms are too short, but I like the overall look (does he have a printed waist cloth?).

I really like the Fell Beast too. Looks good, and it's pretty substantial for a GWP.

The problem I have with this set is that it bas almost the same price as Rivendell, but feels nowhere near as good. And to be fair, it's mostly because of the chosen location itself. But still, if I had to buy one of these sets, Rivendell would be in my cart in a heartbeat. 

I hope LEGO takes this theme further tho. Not everyone wants or can afford a <500€ D2C, and it would be nice to get smaller sets. I understand if they don't want to make it an evergreen theme like Harry Potter, but it still would be awesome to get a 100€ diorama.

[CallumPears]

10 minutes ago, JohnTPT17 said:

So, now that we've got new molds and prints, we can reuse them in smaller, cheaper sets for those of us who don't have the money for these $500 sets... Right?

Due to the cost, I won't be able to buy this, but I still think that it looks like a great set. The new minifigs all look really good to me, besides Gollum - his arms now look really stubby, and he's got the same cataracts that Maul and Ezra have. I also think that Sauron looks fine as he is - I think the Avatar limbs would look wacky. It's a shame they skimped on the mace, though, when they obviously made other new molds throughout the set. And having a little more height on the tower maybe would have helped with the proportions, but I imagine it's another case of "how it looks IRL vs in photos." Happy for those that will be able to get it, but I'll just have to enjoy the photos!

My thoughts as well. I really hope we get a small Orc set since this is the first time we've ever got proper Mordor Orcs and it'd be a shame if they're locked behind something which is unobtainable for most adults, nevermind kids. 

[mirkwoodspiders]

13 minutes ago, JohnTPT17 said:

So, now that we've got new molds and prints, we can reuse them in smaller, cheaper sets for those of us who don't have the money for these $500 sets... Right?

Due to the cost, I won't be able to buy this, but I still think that it looks like a great set.

I have a hunch LEGO might be releasing these giant sets to prime buyers for smaller, more affordable ones. Not that interested buyers wouldn't get smaller sets anyway, but I've seen so many responses to these in the vein of "This is wonderful, but I can't afford it, please release cheaper ones", which gets people excited for the theme and also has them craving more affordable sets. And, presumably many of those who can buy the larger sets would then be doubly excited if smaller ones come out.

I'd argue they did something similar with Star Wars (and LEGO in general) withIthe UCS Falcon in 2017. Releasing an $800 set pushed the limits of most imaginations and reservations about what's ok to spend on a LEGO set. Prior to that, $300 was my ceiling. Then, the Falcon comes out, and all of the sudden I'm saving and saving and saving to purchase it. It is such a fantastic set, I found a way to talk myself into purchasing it. Then, sets in-between $300 and $799 start getting released, and the mindset is: "Well, I got something worth $800... $500, $150, etc. aren't exactly out of the question."

I dunno - this is all to say I hope releasing Rivendell and Barad-Dur is in some way, shape, or form a preliminary step into a full-blown revival of the LOTR theme. If it is, I'm all for it.

Edited May 14, 2024 by mirkwoodspiders

[MAB]

1 hour ago, legofan126 said:

I saw this. Having to buy 2 to make it look more proportionate is absurd. Its way too bulky with one, 2 looks way better but that’s a ridiculous suggestion by the designers.

LEGO knows some people buy multiple sets. It is good to know parts of the tower are modular so that it is easy to extend the height easily either by using parts from another copy of the set of by buying them on bricklink. They can't really say buy extra parts on bricklink to extend the height, when there won't be extension packs available for those that are not used to using bricklink. 

I prefer the set to be slightly shorter with the option to go higher than to have it at a higher price. 

[Darth Shadowthrone]

Is there any good pictures of all the different orc helmets? I take it there’s 2 copies of 4 unique helmets included in this new weapons pack 

[sqidlord05]

I think that for a huge build like Barad Dur they have done amazing with making it both a play set and a display. As for the hight you could buy a second one since it is a modular and use the pieces to build it up to its full glory. I think that the light brick will help the features of the eye and the dark tanish red bricks surrounding the eye.

Edited May 14, 2024 by sqidlord05

[legofan126]

4 minutes ago, sqidlord05 said:

I think that for a huge build like Barad Dur they have done amazing with making it both a play set and a display. As for the hight you could buy a second one since it is a modular and use the pieces to build it up to its full glory. I think that the light brick will help the features of the eye and the dark tanish red bricks surrounding the eye.

The idea of having to buy a second one to reach its full glory is insane at $460 each, and only half of a second set would be utilized to build it up. Terrible

[Mandalorianknight]

Barad-Dur looks amazing. I held off on Rivendell, which was also amazing, due to the price, but I think this summer I'll have to get one of the two.

Really like the differently colored bricks at the top to represent the light effect. Barad-Dur could easily have been a somewhat dull tower for the most part but they did a great job giving it a sense of environment and scale.

 

Also, in regards to the fel beast, this along with that droid carrier from the start of the month is proof that lego can't win with GWPs. If it's as good as a retail set and/or there's desirable exclusives, people are mad they can't buy it normally. If there's not desirable exclusives, people are mad they aren't there.

Edited May 14, 2024 by Mandalorianknight

[mirkwoodspiders]

2 minutes ago, Mandalorianknight said:

Also, in regards to the fel beast, this along with that droid carrier from the start of the month is proof that lego can't win with GWPs. If it's as good as a retail set and/or there's desirable exclusives, people are mad they can't buy it normally. If there's not desirable exclusives, people are mad they aren't there.

Yeah, I can see both sides of it, too. So, I just take what LEGO gives and gladly accept something free lol.

[JohnTPT17]

3 minutes ago, Mandalorianknight said:

Also, in regards to the fel beast, this along with that droid carrier from the start of the month is proof that lego can't win with GWPs. If it's as good as a retail set and/or there's desirable exclusives, people are mad they can't buy it normally. If there's not desirable exclusives, people are mad they aren't there.

Here's my suggestion: have a set available as a GWP for a certain time, then let it have a retail release 3-6 months later (maybe even keep it exclusive to Lego.com). Those who buy early get early access to the set, but no one is locked out of it completely, and Lego gets money from both the early access people and those just wanting the set (or those wanting multiple, like with the Droid Carrier). Yeah, maybe that's not a perfect solution, but it might satisfy most customers. 

I also don't want there to be any kind of desirable exclusives locked behind big sets. I can swallow things sub-$200 or so, which is what got me to buy the Viking Village to get the Galileo set. But, say, if the Witch King/Eowyn were locked behind a narrow buying window on a super expensive set? Nah - that's no good, IMO.

[mtrsteve]

17 minutes ago, legofan126 said:

The idea of having to buy a second one to reach its full glory is insane at $460 each, and only half of a second set would be utilized to build it up. Terrible

Then don't. The set looks fine as is. If you are hell bent on making it taller, the modular nature means you can do this any number of ways. Buying a whole second set would be the easy but expensive approach. Using the instructions to bricklink some parts and MOC up your own section is a harder but cheaper way. But either way, that's on you for deciding that the proportions need to be different, no one has done you an injustice.

 

Guess what, if you realllllly want it to reach 'full glory' , you need to buy at least 6 of these and make it 10 feet tall. Oh the humanity!

Edited May 14, 2024 by mtrsteve

[upliftingbricks]

1 hour ago, MAB said:

LEGO knows some people buy multiple sets. It is good to know parts of the tower are modular so that it is easy to extend the height easily either by using parts from another copy of the set of by buying them on bricklink. They can't really say buy extra parts on bricklink to extend the height, when there won't be extension packs available for those that are not used to using bricklink. 

I prefer the set to be slightly shorter with the option to go higher than to have it at a higher price. 

They should do extension packs or at least functionality on Pick a Brick to add the correct bricks too. Not just specific for this set either. Seems like easy money for Lego

12 minutes ago, JohnTPT17 said:

Here's my suggestion: have a set available as a GWP for a certain time, then let it have a retail release 3-6 months later (maybe even keep it exclusive to Lego.com). Those who buy early get early access to the set, but no one is locked out of it completely, and Lego gets money from both the early access people and those just wanting the set (or those wanting multiple, like with the Droid Carrier). Yeah, maybe that's not a perfect solution, but it might satisfy most customers. 

I like this idea. Exclusive to Lego.com and short shelve run. Even a small premium on what a normal set of that size would cost to buy. All companies try to double dip to maximize profits and this seems like a good way to do it without upsetting the customers.

[Gorilla94]

I think one of the orcs is the orc leader against Minas Tirith... Is that a hint we won´t be getting it or that Lego would just reuse him or is lego keeping him exclusive in Barad Dur? What do you think?

[MAB]

44 minutes ago, legofan126 said:

The idea of having to buy a second one to reach its full glory is insane at $460 each, and only half of a second set would be utilized to build it up. Terrible

You don't have to buy a second to do it. However, if you buy a second set, you can. These are two different things. You can also buy just the parts you need to create extension sections, like you can extend many sets that are built by floor.

36 minutes ago, JohnTPT17 said:

I also don't want there to be any kind of desirable exclusives locked behind big sets. I can swallow things sub-$200 or so, which is what got me to buy the Viking Village to get the Galileo set. But, say, if the Witch King/Eowyn were locked behind a narrow buying window on a super expensive set? Nah - that's no good, IMO.

It is unlikely that they would do exclusive desireable figures in a GWP locked to a specific set, especially ones needing new parts. A downside of them selling GWPs is that there is less incentive to buy the set they are paired with. So if they felt forced to do that, it might just be that they give up with more original and niche GWP and just do a regular retail set as the GWP like Rivendell plus BH.

19 minutes ago, upliftingbricks said:

They should do extension packs or at least functionality on Pick a Brick to add the correct bricks too. Not just specific for this set either. Seems like easy money for Lego.

They do have that functionality, sort of. You bring up the set, and select the parts you need. Of course, there is no guarantee they have all the parts you need. It could be improved if they did specific floors through PAB so you have less work to do, but I don't think that is their intention for PAB.

 

The downside of extension packs is judging demands. With sets like that they will always get it wrong, producing too few and having people complain about availability and that they should have included the necessary parts in the main set, or produce too many and end up needing to discount them. 

20 minutes ago, Gorilla94 said:

I think one of the orcs is the orc leader against Minas Tirith... Is that a hint we won´t be getting it or that Lego would just reuse him or is lego keeping him exclusive in Barad Dur? What do you think?

Gothmog. I doubt you can read anything into it. They could reuse him, or focus on different aspects of Minas Tirith.