LEGO IDEAS - The Medieval Blacksmith

[Salty Balti]

I'm really psyched for this set now I've seen the developer's vid. Love that it's got a fully realised interior as well. Can't wait.

[Lyichir]

1 hour ago, Lira_Bricks said:

I didn't know they had huskies in the medieval times. Why not a goat? That would make this set really interesting for people who do not want to pay 50 euro for one on Bricklink...

Because the husky mold is still available, while the old goat mold is unusable and would need to be recast at a substantial cost.

Anyway, even more impressed with this set based on the additional pictures. I LOVE that the light brick in the forge is activated by inserting the bellows underneath it! And other aspects like the furnishings and tree build are also impressive.

[Robert8]

1 hour ago, Lira_Bricks said:

I didn't know they had huskies in the medieval times. Why not a goat? That would make this set really interesting for people who do not want to pay 50 euro for one on Bricklink...

Agree

They gave Sesame Street 5 new molds. And here they could reintroduce the goat mold?? 

[Maple]

34 minutes ago, Lyichir said:

Because the husky mold is still available, while the old goat mold is unusable and would need to be recast at a substantial cost.

Anyway, even more impressed with this set based on the additional pictures. I LOVE that the light brick in the forge is activated by inserting the bellows underneath it! And other aspects like the furnishings and tree build are also impressive.

LEGO makes a new dog mold every year, they can redo the goat and release it in this set, a CMF series, a town set, ect.

I like it. I also like the comments I read on Brickset, completely insane.

[danth]

2 hours ago, Blazej_Holen said:

You can remove him and pretend that it never happend.  Voila - problem solved :) 

So Lego should include confounding and out of place additions in sets, at the opportunity cost of better options, and we're expected to pay for them and not complain, and that's fine because we can just remove them? That's seriously your take?

In that case Lego should start including Classic Space minfigs in all their Star Wars sets. I don't care if SW fans don't want them, I'll buy their unwanted minifgs cheap on Bricklink!

49 minutes ago, Lyichir said:

Because the husky mold is still available, while the old goat mold is unusable and would need to be recast at a substantial cost.

That's a weird thing to say. You know that right?

That's a business reason why maybe to Lego's bottom line a husky is preferable to a goat, but this is not a forum for Lego's finance team. We're Lego fans who buy sets and want them to be good. So your answer is really bizarre to us.

Anyway, the German Shepard mold was used recently and it's at least an option that makes sense.

[Blazej_Holen]

Just now, danth said:

So Lego should include confounding and out of place additions in sets, at the opportunity cost of better options, and we're expected to pay for them and not complain, and that's fine because we can just remove them? That's seriously your take?

In that case Lego should start including Classic Space minfigs in all their Star Wars sets. I don't care if SW fans don't want them, I'll buy their unwanted minifgs cheap on Bricklink!

Quite interesting assumption :) I dont mind that Husky as much as I mind some flaws for example in recent Ninjago D2C set. I dont know whether Lego have a mould for a goat or if that mould is old and discarded. If that 2nd option is true, I can fully understand why they exclude goat as a fig in the set. All in all I am buying it mainly for the build not for the animals included. 

I agree that husky is out of place, but it not ruining the value of the set for me. I would rather had a different and more accurate dog or that goat or second horse or whatever, but I can live with what I get. In this case. 

Of course there are some other minor flaws but I can oversee them :)

[Aanchir]

3 hours ago, Lira_Bricks said:

I didn't know they had huskies in the medieval times. Why not a goat? That would make this set really interesting for people who do not want to pay 50 euro for one on Bricklink...

Since the set description only refers to it as a dog and not a husky, couldn't it be intended to represent a different Spitz breed? After all, several Spitz breeds existed in Scandinavia during the Middle Ages, and they also spread to other parts of Europe via Viking expeditions. A few of these ancestral "Viking" breeds like the Norwegian Elkhound and Swedish Vallhund have similar coat colors to Siberian Huskies, although the Swedish Vallhund generally has shorter legs, giving rise to theories that it may be related to the Welsh Corgi.

The much more blatant/surprising historical inaccuracy in this set is the squash patch. Pumpkins and squash are New World produce, and while Europe, Africa, and Asia do have their own gourd species like the calabash, they do not resemble the gourds in this set. It's true that writers of historical fiction or medieval fantasy take liberties with this sort of stuff all the time — for example, the Hobbits of the Shire cultivate both potatoes and "pipe-weed" (i.e. tobacco) in Tolkien's Middle-Earth stories. However, it still feels like a somewhat unusual oversight, and leaves me wondering whether the designers considered including other sorts of produce like cabbages, carrots, or calabash before opting for a squash patch.

Anyway, I'm disappointed but not surprised that the Brickset story about the official announcement of this set ended up getting locked because people were getting into arguments about the "historical inaccuracy" of including a female knight. I find it kind of telling that female knights, pirates, samurai, etc. tend to be such a consistent source of controversy whenever new historic sets or themes get announced, despite their existence being so well documented (even if it wasn't the norm for their time period).

Some of the newly (or at least, more clearly) revealed details that I'm most impressed by are the bearskin rug (in the earlier leaks of the box, I couldn't tell what that black patch was supposed to represent, and my best guess was either ashes from the fireplace or spilled ink from the writing desk), the metalworking tools like the bellows and grindstone, the covered woodpile, the light brick function, and the clearer views of the roof construction (inside and out).

It's hard to tell quite how many of these details had counterparts in the original project, since the builder included so few interior photos, and most were not from especially helpful angles. In any case, these furnishings definitely give the set some of the sort of "lived-in" quality that I've long yearned to see in the Castle theme, and greatly appreciated seeing in more recent themes like Friends, Elves, or sometimes even Nexo Knights and Ninjago. It's easy to envision the full and fulfilling lives of the set's humble denizens, from the long hours spent at their daytime trades to the rewarding evenings dining on vegetables and wild game!

I definitely appreciate that the set makes full use of the top floor/attic space, since it was unclear whether the original project did — although regrettably, the peaked roof seems to have forced Wes to replace the four-poster bed with a more conventional wooden bedframe. I'm still longing for SOME future Castle set to include a four-poster bed, since like the medieval banquet hall, it strikes me as a very iconic feature of medieval castles!

On an amusing note, I also just noticed that one of the lifestyle photos includes some tabletop gaming dice among the non-LEGO props — which probably reflects both an audience that LEGO expects the set to resonate with and one of the interests that motivated Wes and Austin's enthusiasm for this set. After all, quite a few of the non-LEGO projects in Wes's creative portfolio (from both before and after he began working in Billund) are D&D related, including illustrations of characters from his various role-playing campaigns with friends.

Edited January 19, 2021 by Aanchir

[koalayummies]

Set looks really good, excellent work to all the designers and original builder.

Here's hoping for an all goat 'battlepack'.

[Vorkosigan]

1 hour ago, danth said:

That's a business reason why maybe to Lego's bottom line a husky is preferable to a goat, but this is not a forum for Lego's finance team. We're Lego fans who buy sets and want them to be good. So your answer is really bizarre to us.

If the question is "why a husky" and the answer is, "because they're cheaper" well that's what the answer is. It is not necessarily a design decision. Doesn't mean it is a good thing for us fans, but sometimes that's the deciding factor from LEGO's side.

 

Personally I think the set looks great and I'll be buying it day one!

[Aanchir]

1 hour ago, Blazej_Holen said:

Quite interesting assumption :) I dont mind that Husky as much as I mind some flaws for example in recent Ninjago D2C set. I dont know whether Lego have a mould for a goat or if that mould is old and discarded. If that 2nd option is true, I can fully understand why they exclude goat as a fig in the set. All in all I am buying it mainly for the build not for the animals included.

Designer Mark Stafford has confirmed on Reddit that the goat mold from the Mill Village Raid set is no longer usable, unfortunately. He'd intended to use one in the Jurassic Park T. Rex Rampage set before learning of this. LEGO could certainly introduce a new goat mold at some point, but so far all the sets and themes that have had the budget to introduce new molds have directed that budget towards other parts (including other animal molds in themes like City, Jurassic World, or the Collectible Minifigures).

Whenever LEGO does decide to introduce a new goat mold, it would be interesting if it had removable horns like the LEGO cow so that it could be used for a wider variety of breeds and species. That might make it easier for LEGO to include it in a wider range of sets and themes, such as collectible minifigures inspired by different historical or geographic settings.

Edited January 19, 2021 by Aanchir

[Shiva]

5 hours ago, Deivit said:

Love the Blacksmith! 
However, kind of upset about the pricing strategy of Lego. The set will cost 169,99 euro's in the Netherlands and 149,99 in Germany, what's that about....

In Sweden it will be around 187€ = 1899SEK. And as Aurore wrote, maybe different taxes?

[GeoBrick]

This set will find a place in my home for sure. Kind of look forward adjusting the Medieval Market set buildings to the standard shown here.

On different pricing/country, I always thought it was related to the size of the market in countries. Though sometimes a set has a flat price throughout countries using the same currency.

[Maple]

13 minutes ago, Aanchir said:

Designer Mark Stafford has confirmed on Reddit that the goat mold from the Mill Village Raid set is no longer usable, unfortunately. He'd intended to use one in the Jurassic Park T. Rex Rampage set before learning of this. LEGO could certainly introduce a new goat mold at some point, but so far all the sets and themes that have had the budget to introduce new molds have directed that budget towards other parts (including other animal molds in themes like City, Jurassic World, or the Collectible Minifigures).

Whenever LEGO does decide to introduce a new goat mold, it would be interesting if it had removable horns like the LEGO cow so that it could be used for a wider variety of breeds and species. That might make it easier for LEGO to include it in a wider range of sets and themes, such as collectible minifigures inspired by different historical or geographic settings.

I don't buy 'the mold broke' as an excuse.

The goat could have (and SHOULD HAVE) been included in the Jurassic Park set, the Mikey Mouse boat, this set, and a few others. Why is it LEGO can make a new dog mold every year? Why is it that LEGO made at least three Friends animals that are exclusive to those three sets, but not a goat that can be included in several themes?
 

[danth]

34 minutes ago, Vorkosigan said:

If the question is "why a husky" and the answer is, "because they're cheaper" well that's what the answer is

It doesn't answer the question of "why a husky" though. They could have used the German Shepard mold that's still in use.

[Tierce]

23 hours ago, TheLegoDr said:

I agree sometimes size in person is different than pictures. But still, another $150 set is tough to chew. TOO many large beautiful sets. Hard to miss out on some, but will have to.

Make sure to think this through! I did this earlier and regretted it a couple of times. Never again.

6 hours ago, Deivit said:

Love the Blacksmith! 
However, kind of upset about the pricing strategy of Lego. The set will cost 169,99 euro's in the Netherlands and 149,99 in Germany, what's that about....

I am sorry for you. I think this set looks like 100 or 120 euros tops, but 150 is too much. Will wait for something like 2x VIP points. But 170 euros is just insane. I will have to check out a comparison of the earnings between Netherlands and Germany.

[koalayummies]

56 minutes ago, Aanchir said:

Whenever LEGO does decide to introduce a new goat mold, it would be interesting if it had removable horns like the LEGO cow so that it could be used for a wider variety of breeds and species.

Yes! Must have removable horns.

[Aanchir]

1 hour ago, danth said:

It doesn't answer the question of "why a husky" though. They could have used the German Shepard mold that's still in use. 

Perhaps. Maybe it's meant as a reference to a pet belonging to either the set designer or the project creator? I know that's something graphic designers have done in the past. And as I mentioned in my previous post, there were quite a few Spitz-type dog breeds that this mold might be meant to represent besides a husky, including ones that were used as herding or hunting dogs in medieval Europe.

1 hour ago, Maple said:

Why is it LEGO can make a new dog mold every year? Why is it that LEGO made at least three Friends animals that are exclusive to those three sets, but not a goat that can be included in several themes?

Maybe designers so far have simply considered new dog breeds and other new animals more useful or interesting than goats. Or maybe sets in themes like Friends and Duplo make enough money to offset the cost of plentiful animal molds, while adult-oriented exclusives like the Medieval Blacksmith Shop, Steamboat Willie, and T. Rex Rampage sets don't (after all, it took until this year's Sesame Street set for ANY Ideas set to get a new mold without the development team of a "mass market" theme like Minifigures or Dimensions stepping in to cover the cost.

All we know for sure is that so far, any designers who have had the opportunity to introduce a new goat mold have chosen not to. And as much of a bummer as that might be for fans who desperately want goats for their MOCs or layouts, I don't see much sense in acting like it's inexcusable for LEGO to prioritize other new animal molds over a new goat. After all, not only did they clearly manage to do just fine without minifig scale goats up until 2011, but they also apparently saw so little need for them over the next few years that it took until the T. Rex Rampage set's development for set designers to even become aware that the existing goat mold was no longer usable!

49 minutes ago, koalayummies said:

Yes! Must have removable horns.

Oh my gosh, thank you SO MUCH for this. This really brightened my day!

[koalayummies]

Just now, Aanchir said:

Oh my gosh, thank you SO MUCH for this. This really brightened my day!
 

Aw dang, I was going to do more but I wasn't sure how it'd be received. Glad you enjoyed it, there's still plenty of silly potential there.

[danth]

Just now, Aanchir said:

Perhaps. Maybe it's meant as a reference to a pet belonging to either the set designer or the project creator? I know that's something graphic designers have done in the past. And as I mentioned in my previous post, there were quite a few Spitz-type dog breeds that this mold might be meant to represent besides a husky, including ones that were used as herding or hunting dogs in medieval Europe.

The Norwegian Elkhound you mentioned, that breed just might be look close enough to a husky to make sense. A while back I looked up medieval dogs to see if any looked like huskies, but didn't find that one. For now I'm considering that to be the answer; maybe the designers will comment on it eventually?

[Aanchir]

10 minutes ago, danth said:

The Norwegian Elkhound you mentioned, that breed just might be look close enough to a husky to make sense. A while back I looked up medieval dogs to see if any looked like huskies, but didn't find that one. For now I'm considering that to be the answer; maybe the designers will comment on it eventually?

Hopefully! Honestly, I'm still more curious about their thought process behind the squash patch.

[Deivit]

2 hours ago, Shiva said:

In Sweden it will be around 187€ = 1899SEK. And as Aurore wrote, maybe different taxes?

Damn, that is even worse....

 

1 hour ago, Tierce said:

Make sure to think this through! I did this earlier and regretted it a couple of times. Never again.

I am sorry for you. I think this set looks like 100 or 120 euros tops, but 150 is too much. Will wait for something like 2x VIP points. But 170 euros is just insane. I will have to check out a comparison of the earnings between Netherlands and Germany.

I guess it will have to do with earnings indeed, the minimum (average) wage is a bit higher in the Netherlands I believe, as well as the VAT.
Strange that this never has been an issue, all prices were exactly the same (for example barracuda bay 199,99), but since this year (January sets) there are price differences.  
I agree the set looks good for 120 - 130, not sure if I'm getting it for 170. Maybe will have to look for a german willing to ship and buy multiples from germany.

[notpennysboat]

The more I see it, the more I like it. I still love how LEGO reinvent the using of a piece, here the axe for the chair, or the lingot piece (here in brown, black and orange).

I don't reconize a piece, the dark grey one at the bottom of the spear, also in black in the kitchen and on the doors. 4 is a good number for the sword piece from last year.
I just found the piece number on Brickset, 66909 Weapon Hilt Symmetric, and the sets it appears, it will be all new to me.

 

[Mikado]

Great set, not as great as the original, but will be fun to try to change it to make it look more like the one we voted on. Already ordered black and dark blue roof tiles to get rid of the blue color 

€185 in Norway.

Also I'm curious, why is so many obsessed with goats? Id like to see more easily obtainable farm animals as well but not buying a set because theres no goat in it makes no sense to me. If you use the money on goats instead of this set you get like 5-6 of them! 

[Maple]

46 minutes ago, Mikado said:

Also I'm curious, why is so many obsessed with goats? Id like to see more easily obtainable farm animals as well but not buying a set because theres no goat in it makes no sense to me. If you use the money on goats instead of this set you get like 5-6 of them! 

Are people saying they won't buy a set because there is no goat?

I'm just questioning why LEGO can make ridiculous animals in multiple Friend sets that are only used once, but can't make a new goat mold that would have worked in several sets throughout many themes.

I'm probably not buying the set because I have no point point for it, or $150 extra laying around.

[AmperZand]

3 hours ago, koalayummies said:

Yes! Must have removable horns.

 

Thank you for that picture. I literally LOLed