10305 Lion Knights' Castle 90th anniversary set

[Merlo]

Yes, that's the one, thanks! That looks great from the standpoint of added size and complexity.

What I would do is just bring them together in style.

For example the MOC has decorative "round" corners - that could be "fixed". Same for:

Match battlements style, remove the roofs, match windows style, etc.

In the end two castles could feel like they're a part of the same theme, just like Lego castles of old used to (through usage of common elements more than anything).

 

[Ruthin Road]

This set seems like a missed opportunity. It feels like the designers were given free reign and have just thrown everything Castle at one set without creating a terribly coherent whole. While most seem to have found it a fun build and some of the angles in particular are really clever, it could have easily have lost some rooms with no overall loss of effect. Indeed a smaller build would have decreased the amount of gray wall and reduced the artificial "doll's house" feel, as well as creating a more affordable set. I think this set could have benefitted from more ruthless editing or a more precise remit.

For me part of the skill and fun of Lego is creating designs and implying features from a limited number and limited types of pieces. I feel this set falls into an uneasy middle ground between a traditional Lego castle and a more realistic model, where, somewhat counter intuitively, the areas of increased detail, for example the kitchen, actually amplifies the more artificial elements of the set, for example the uniform layout of the rooms.

I am newly out of my Lego "Dark Age" so still adjusting to this new world of Lego. However I really like 31120 Medieval Castle so it's good that there is a choice for different tastes.

[Triceron]

I do wish the LKC ramp was more built like the one from Eldorado Fortress.  There isn't really any room for minis, and the SNOT techniques look nice, but aren't really built for mini display.  I will probably do a modification on mine eventually 

[Merlo]

@Ruthin Road Couldn't agree more. The reason I think Lego could probably do better if they wanted is precisely that - when discussing this with my friends we can agree on a lot of points, just like I agree with you. So even though some of the requests I might have are unique to me, I feel a good chunk of it are actual valid points about the areas where the set could have been improved.

@Triceron Yep.

[jstarscomm]

this castle is actually quite boring! no catapults no invasion bridge hard pass

[Follows Closely]

16 hours ago, jstarscomm said:

this castle is actually quite boring! no catapults no invasion bridge hard pass

I have purchased three all ready (two used). 

[eldiano]

Just now, Follows Closely said:

I have purchased three all ready (two used). 

Lego Japan has a sale that’s going for 200 bucks at the moment

[zoth33]

On 11/10/2023 at 11:19 PM, jstarscomm said:

this castle is actually quite boring! no catapults no invasion bridge hard pass

You know you can add that stuff yourself.  There are some great building techniques and some nice nods to the old castle sets in this set but to each their own.  You also can create your own invasion based on the forestmen hideout part or just make your own.  

[Alexandrina]

On 11/11/2023 at 4:19 AM, jstarscomm said:

this castle is actually quite boring! no catapults no invasion bridge hard pass

It's a display piece/tribute to the theme rather than a playset though. Catapults and things are cool play features but they'd have been out of place in the set imo.

[Aanchir]

On 11/10/2023 at 11:19 PM, jstarscomm said:

this castle is actually quite boring! no catapults no invasion bridge hard pass

For my part, the lack of catapults or siege towers didn't surprise me at all — after all, teen/adult-targeted exclusives in general often tend to have fewer conflict-focused play features and scenarios than their kid-targeted counterparts. We've seen the same sort of thing many times before in sets like Medieval Market Village and Kingdoms Joust from LEGO Castle/Kingdoms, the Haunted House from LEGO Monster Fighters, the Temple of Airjitzu and Ninjago City collection from LEGO Ninjago, etc.

Moreover, I realize you weren't on Eurobricks for the reveal or release of the 2013 Castle range, but a lot of those sets which DID come with siege equipment like catapults and battering rams ended up getting a lot of criticism from adult fans because they were seen as either needlessly driving up the price tag or taking the place of parts that could have been used to give the buildings/structures in those sets a larger and more impressive design. So even if a stand-alone catapult or siege tower set could potentially have a lot of AFOL appeal, stuff like that would probably not be received as favorably as secondary builds in a more location-focused set like this one.

The good thing is that as zoth33 pointed out, that sort of stuff is pretty simple to build and add to the set yourself, since it doesn't have to be as heavily integrated with the main build as the sorts of play features that were included (like the drawbridge, portcullis, postern gate, secret cave entrance, and water wheel).

[Black Falcon]

1 hour ago, Aanchir said:

For my part, the lack of catapults or siege towers didn't surprise me at all — after all, teen/adult-targeted exclusives in general often tend to have fewer conflict-focused play features and scenarios than their kid-targeted counterparts. We've seen the same sort of thing many times before in sets like Medieval Market Village and Kingdoms Joust from LEGO Castle/Kingdoms, the Haunted House from LEGO Monster Fighters, the Temple of Airjitzu and Ninjago City collection from LEGO Ninjago, etc.

I wouldn´t have minded a well made siege in that set - but I see two main reason why it wasn´t included. First of all, you would need someone to bring and use that siege and since the Black Falcons are supposed friendly visitors in this set, them coming with siege wouldn´t make that much sense.

The other reason is that this set is already expensive enough, so including siege would just add more money - or more likely, since they are working with a budget, they would have had to save the budged elsewhere, so I am actually happy the set is like it is. On the other site, I would also like to see Legos attempt to make realistic siege. But well, maybe one day.

1 hour ago, Aanchir said:

Moreover, I realize you weren't on Eurobricks for the reveal or release of the 2013 Castle range, but a lot of those sets which DID come with siege equipment like catapults and battering rams ended up getting a lot of criticism from adult fans because they were seen as either needlessly driving up the price tag or taking the place of parts that could have been used to give the buildings/structures in those sets a larger and more impressive design. So even if a stand-alone catapult or siege tower set could potentially have a lot of AFOL appeal, stuff like that would probably not be received as favorably as secondary builds in a more location-focused set like this one.

I think one of the main issued there might have been not, that there war a catapult included in general but how it was made. At least the one in the main set just looks horrible to me, while a better made one might have appealed more audience.

 

[Sir Dano]

The castle has working machicolations, that more than makes up for any lack of catapults in my opinion.

[brimbolet]

Brick Clicker reports that the castle will be on sale on Friday!

[jodawill]

That's great news. I bought two when it came out, but I ended up parting them out for a display I was working on. It would be nice to have one just to keep as the set.

[Classic_Spaceman]

1 hour ago, brimbolet said:

Brick Clicker reports that the castle will be on sale on Friday!

Which one - LKC or Creator 3-in-1? 
 

[Yoggington]

1 hour ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Which one - LKC or Creator 3-in-1? 
 

Lion Knight Castle - in the USA - allegedly 25% off.

[JohnTPT17]

38 minutes ago, Yoggington said:

Lion Knight Castle - in the USA - allegedly 25% off.

Golly, that is tempting. But I also need to be saving money for next year with the Medieval Town Square and Bricklink Designer Program sets, and possibly some smaller pickups like the Animal Crossing sets, Bowser's car, and the family tree... Plus, you know, rent, food, and tuition. I might have to skip it, even at that price, sadly...

[RichardGoring]

Does anyone have any good SEC recommendations for a second copy of this? There are a few on Rebrickable, but none really feel like they add a lot to the original. Then there are some additions, which look terrific, but they're using parts from other sets, or just random parts. All of which is to say that 25% off is a great deal, but I don't know if there's huge value in getting a second for someone who isn't great at custom builds (at least, not yet!).

[jodawill]

I'm also torn on this. I would really like to have a copy to keep separated from my bulk parts, but even with this great deal, it's a lot of money that I otherwise would be spending on bulk parts, which are much more useful and I get more enjoyment from. But we're also unlikely to see a sale like this again.

I miss how big sets used to be just a few hundred pieces. It doesn't feel like the end of the world if you mix a set like Fort Legoredo into a bin of random parts because it isn't that hard to rebuild. The newer sets have so many pieces, it feels like a responsibility to keep all of the pieces from getting lost.

At least 10305 is one of the best parts packs though. I found the other day that it has more 1x4 bricks (in a single color) than any other set!

[karrit]

As tempting as a second copy on sale would be it seems like we never get the same terrific Black friday deals in the U.S. as they get in Europe.  So I'll be very surprised if they offer us that deal.  But I doubt I'll buy a second copy even at that discounted price.  Too many other expensive upcoming sets I'm interested in.

[Sir Dano]

The deal is actually North America only according to the leaks.

[MAB]

2 hours ago, karrit said:

As tempting as a second copy on sale would be it seems like we never get the same terrific Black friday deals in the U.S. as they get in Europe.  So I'll be very surprised if they offer us that deal.  But I doubt I'll buy a second copy even at that discounted price.  Too many other expensive upcoming sets I'm interested in.

What deals do you think we get in Europe? Recent investigations (across many product types and retailers) indicate that many BF offers are not as good as prices at other times of the year. And LEGO deals often only match discounts other retailers give.

[karrit]

1 hour ago, MAB said:

What deals do you think we get in Europe? Recent investigations (across many product types and retailers) indicate that many BF offers are not as good as prices at other times of the year. And LEGO deals often only match discounts other retailers give.

It the past sets many larger sets that were offered you at a discount were not offered on sale for us.  Sorry I can't recall specific examples to name.  The deals vary by region every time and some big ticket items never get discounted for us.  I'm shocked at some of what I've set listed as supposedly going to be on sale for us in the US this time.  I'll believe it when I actually see the deals posted at LEGO.com on Friday.

[BrickSP]

I have to agree that here in the UK our Black Friday offers from Lego.com are never as good as over in the U.S - Take for example Monkie Kid - we didn't get the insiders voucher code last week for Dragon of the East Palace and I doubt we will get the City of Lanterns on sale this weekend either (probably also wont get the lunar new year and brickheadz)

It will be interesting to see what regions get what sets on sale on Friday and if the rumours are to be believed that Lion Knights Castle is North America only

Just simply by watching Lego youtubers videos regarding sales it's obvious the US gets a lot more discounted sets than the U.K

 

 

 

[MAB]

5 hours ago, karrit said:

It the past sets many larger sets that were offered you at a discount were not offered on sale for us.  Sorry I can't recall specific examples to name.  The deals vary by region every time and some big ticket items never get discounted for us.  I'm shocked at some of what I've set listed as supposedly going to be on sale for us in the US this time.  I'll believe it when I actually see the deals posted at LEGO.com on Friday.

I think this is a case of the grass is always greener on the other side (for everyone).