10305 Lion Knights' Castle 90th anniversary set

[dimc]

43 minutes ago, Black Feather said:

Would be nice if it means updated Black Knights are coming too.  Kings Castle and Black Monarchs Castle were my two opposing castles as a kid.  Couldn’t afford all the sets I wanted even focusing on just the castle theme.  But they looked awesome together.  Would be nice to replicate that on a grander scale.  Maybe the BF and LK have reached an uneasy peace to oppose the rising power of the BK...  Or maybe it’s just a clever and entertaining way of explaining what that trans orange piece is in the treasure box and nothing more.  Can always hope though.

Maybe it's the Castle version of the Arkenstone. Or like the rings of power, it turned him into a ghost?

[cosmic]

Really late to the part but holy cow this set is amazing!! So excited to eventually purchase this I hope it stays on shelves for at least 3 years. Some thoughts;

• the use of the Egyptian warriors head robe for a medieval maiden translated so well and is a brilliant unexpected part use that I appreciate a lot

• a micro lego castle in the upper floor to pay homage to the classic line is simultaneously the most ridiculous and adorable detail I’ve seen in a while

• I was definitely taken aback by how many girl knights there are but I agree with the sentiment that in a set with a wizard, In the context of all the other fantastical elements the theme at large has presented over the years, complaining about the realism of girl soldiers is silly. That said I do imagine I likely will swap some heads hut this happens with all types of purchases

• Love how the designers tried to emulate the architecture of real castles, the way it’s both fully complete, hinged and can close along with having a detailed interior plus it’s not a square? Incredible

• disagree with those saying the $400 mark is excessive or a sign of inflation, this looks worth that price even ten years ago let alone now. So excites to get this set I completely think it’s worth the price and I do not say that about all expensive lego sets.

[Mr Maniac]

18 hours ago, Sir Dano said:

Alright so, anybody know what this line in the instructions is a reference to?

  Reveal hidden contents

 

If I had to guess, this quote in the instructions might be nod to some of the older bits of lore LEGO published when they first debuted the Black Falcons.

It might be a long shot, but there is this old commercial which refers to a Black Falcon knight on horseback as the "Black Knight." Seeing some of the other comments here noting the parallels to the Lord of the Rings with the amber standing in for the One Ring might suggest a more sinister nature to the Black Falcon faction, especially when you dip into the archival stuff like this older Bricks and Pieces magazine issue or this example from Legokrant (credit to Aanchir for these two print examples. Apologies about forgoing the credit on that score). Add in the atmosphere from that commercial, and I can see how that quote is a riff on how the Black Falcons were the "darker" castle faction at the time, compared to the more "goodly" or noble Lion Knights!

Anyways, just my two cents, although I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at any more Castle factions making a reappearance in set form, be it Black Knights, Wolfpack, Dragon Masters or Fright Knights!

Edited July 15, 2022 by Mr Maniac

[Aanchir]

2 hours ago, Mr Maniac said:

If I had to guess, this quote in the instructions might be nod to some of the older bits of lore LEGO published when they first debuted the Black Falcons.

It might be a long shot, but there is this old commercial which refers to a Black Falcon knight on horseback as the "Black Knight." Seeing some of the other comments here noting the parallels to the Lord of the Rings with the amber standing in for the One Ring might suggest a more sinister nature to the Black Falcon faction, especially when you dip into the archival stuff like this older Bricks and Pieces magazine issue or this example from Legokrant. Add in the atmosphere from that commercial, and I can see how that quote is a riff on how the Black Falcons were the "darker" castle faction at the time, compared to the more "goodly" or noble Lion Knights!

Anyways, just my two cents, although I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at any more Castle factions making a reappearance in set form, be it Black Knights, Wolfpack, Dragon Masters or Fright Knights!

Yeah, in most European countries (including the UK), "The Black Knight" was the title of the Black Falcons' leader, so it may or may not be meant as a reference to the "Black Knights" faction specifically.

Alternatively, as I've mentioned in this comment, there's some media suggesting that "The Black Knight" who led the Black Falcons and the one who eventually led the Black Knights are the same character. So maybe this might be meant as an explanation for him taking up a new coat of arms (even, in some cases, against his former Black Falcon comrades).

While I'm not aware of any classic LEGO Castle comics/stories revolving around magical amber, specifically, there ARE a number focusing on magical crystals more generally. In the Captain Indigo comics from the 1983–1984 issues of the UK's Bricks & Pieces Magazine, "The Wizard of Avalon", a shirtless mage who promises to use the power of his color-shifting "Zarconian Jewel" (an artifact rightfully belonging to the extraterrestrial Zark people) agrees to help the Black Knight overthrow Sir Richard of the Lion Knights. Perhaps this could be meant as a cheeky reference to that comic storyline.

Or, ya know, it could just be that the amber isn't meant as an old-school set/storyline reference at all, but rather just a brand-new prompt to help builders imagine their own new storylines for these classic LEGO characters/factions!

[Triceron]

16 hours ago, Sir Dano said:

Alright so, anybody know what this line in the instructions is a reference to?

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Johnny Depp reference?  :P

Also, love the fact they're using the same gold coins as we saw in the Troubadour CMF.

Edited July 14, 2022 by Triceron

[BrickJagger]

3 hours ago, Mr Maniac said:

Anyways, just my two cents, although I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at any more Castle factions making a reappearance in set form, be it Black Knights, Wolfpack, Dragon Masters or Fright Knights!

I maintain that the Fright Knights have the most potential as an "updated" faction. Imagine switching out sets like Witch's Windship in favor of gothic-style architecture and some vampiric elements...

Edited July 14, 2022 by BrickJagger

[jodawill]

1 hour ago, Triceron said:

Johnny Depp reference?  :P

Also, love the fact they're using the same gold coins as we saw in the Troubadour CMF.

I like this too. I miss the old golden chrome coins, but these are also nice in a different way, and it's nice to have some consistency just as we did with the old coins. I hope this becomes a reoccurring part. I also hope it shows up in Pick a Brick. I'd like to buy enough to make a proper treasure mound with them. Imagine if they showed up on the PAB wall at the Lego store! I would buy an entire large cup full of them because.. why not?

[RichardGoring]

2 minutes ago, jodawill said:

I like this too. I miss the old golden chrome coins, but these are also nice in a different way, and it's nice to have some consistency just as we did with the old coins. I hope this becomes a reoccurring part. I also hope it shows up in Pick a Brick. I'd like to buy enough to make a proper treasure mound with them. Imagine if they showed up on the PAB wall at the Lego store! I would buy an entire large cup full of them because.. why not?

Only one? You'd need several to make Scrooge McDuck's vault, and Smaug's lair, and a treasure room in a castle spilling over with gold.

[jodawill]

Just now, RichardGoring said:

Only one? You'd need several to make Scrooge McDuck's vault, and Smaug's lair, and a treasure room in a castle spilling over with gold.

I was just telling @Norro the other day that I'd like to have enough of those original gold coins to take a bath in. If those ever showed up on the PAB wall, I'd clean out every store within a 10 hour drive from me. You're right though. I would need more cups of the new coins.

[Mr Maniac]

3 hours ago, Aanchir said:

Alternatively, as I've mentioned in this comment, there's some media suggesting that "The Black Knight" who led the Black Falcons and the one who eventually led the Black Knights are the same character.

Now this I did not know, but that provides an interesting bit of continuity! Also, Sir John Blackghost is a truly phenomenal name that frankly should be highlighted more often.

I believe I recall seeing your comment back when the PAB Falcon torsos first started showing up but couldn't quite dig it up when I wrote that last post, so thank you for linking to it (along with all the great additional lore!)

2 hours ago, BrickJagger said:

I maintain that the Fright Knights have the most potential as an "updated" faction. Imagine switching out sets like Witch's Windship in favor of gothic-style architecture and some vampiric elements...

You're telling me, although I contend that the weird flying machines from that subtheme helped give the Fright Knights an even more unique identity compared to the other castle factions that came before. That said, I can't say I'd be disappointed if they chose to reintroduce that faction sans flying gizmos, if only to see how far they'd take the Gothic architecture. As for the vampiric elements, I might say the Monster Fighters line from 2012 was a reasonable stand-in for the Fright Knights, seeing how we got two vampires and two...man-bats? Bat...men? Whatever you call them.

1 hour ago, jodawill said:

I was just telling @Norro the other day that I'd like to have enough of those original gold coins to take a bath in.

You mean the chrome gold ones? Because I'm right there with ya! They're up there with the first red gemstone part LEGO introduced in 1998 for me. A treasure chamber (or just multiple chests) of the stuff would be quite a sight to see. After all, they're quite photogenic, if some of these LEGO Pirate promotional photos are any indicator!

Spoiler

 

Edited July 15, 2022 by Mr Maniac

[eldiano]

6 hours ago, Mr Maniac said:

Now this I did not know, but that provides an interesting bit of continuity! Also, Sir John Blackghost is a truly phenomenal name that frankly should be highlighted more often.

I believe I recall seeing your comment back when the PAB Falcon torsos first started showing up but couldn't quite dig it up when I wrote that last post, so thank you for linking to it (along with all the great additional lore!)

You're telling me, although I contend that the weird flying machines from that subtheme helped give the Fright Knights an even more unique identity compared to the other castle factions that came before. That said, I can't say I'd be disappointed if they chose to reintroduce that faction sans flying gizmos, if only to see how far they'd take the Gothic architecture. As for the vampiric elements, I might say the Monster Fighters line from 2012 was a reasonable stand-in for the Fright Knights, seeing how we got two vampires and two...man-bats? Bat...men? Whatever you call them.

You mean the chrome gold ones? Because I'm right there with ya! They're up there with the first red gemstone part LEGO introduced in 1998 for me. A treasure chamber (or just multiple chests) of the stuff would be quite a sight to see. After all, they're quite photogenic, if some of these LEGO Pirate promotional photos are any indicator!

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I got like 20 brand new in sprues Chrome gold coins for my pirates sets off of Brickling for around 20 bucks!  There’s something about them haha but I regret not stocking up on gold bullion that was seen in the Pirates of Caribbean sean Isla de Muerta chromatic bricks who knew!

[Black Knight]

On 7/14/2022 at 8:22 AM, Sir Dano said:

Alright so, anybody know what this line in the instructions is a reference to?

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Maybe the reference is to the treasure of the Nibelung: The treasure (originally taken from a Dragon) brings bad luck; basically everyone who ever owned it dies tragically in the Nibelungenlied [The story was much later first recycled by Richard Wagner and later Tolkien heavily borrowed from it]. As this is an old German/Norse story, this would fit well to the Falcon Knights who if any resemble the Holy Roman Empire where the song was written down in medieval times.

[Merlo]

While watching a review I had a feeling that a finished castle is only the first half of the castle. I'd expect it to be twice the size for that price tag. Upon further inspection it does seem I exaggerated a bit, but still, in my mind the castle was huge, in order to compensate the lack of exterior detail, when in reality it's not so much. I kept glancing at my 3x31120 MOC by Madewithbrix and I had a sad feeling the new Lego castle wouldn't quite compare in neither presence, design nor price point.

[LegoJakob]

1 hour ago, Merlo said:

While watching a review I had a feeling that a finished castle is only the first half of the castle. I'd expect it to be twice the size for that price tag. Upon further inspection it does seem I exaggerated a bit, but still, in my mind the castle was huge, in order to compensate the lack of exterior detail, when in reality it's not so much. I kept glancing at my 3x31120 MOC by Madewithbrix and I had a sad feeling the new Lego castle wouldn't quite compare in neither presence, design nor price point.

Well, let's compare them then.

The 10305 castle for 400 euro has 4500 parts. 3x31120 for 300 euro has 3000 (used) parts. 
Dimensions of the closed 10305 are 38(height)x45(width)x34cm(depth). 3x31120 is 42(h)x31(w)x39(d) cm.
10305 has a better minifig collection in terms of number, variation, and animals.

So, I really don't see how it's too expensive, too small or overall lacking.
The only point I can understand is someone not liking the design of it, as that's a question of taste. 

[Sir Dano]

Yeah, just based purely on design I'd much rather have 10305, the design of Madewithbrix's MOC just doesn't appeal to me.

Not to mention 22 cool minifigures versus 6 black falcons and 3 random pirates...

[Agent Kallus]

I was at Dover Castle this week and more than any other castle I've visited it felt to be in this 'style', even up to the replicated furnishings, and the colours on Henry the second's army in the pictures.

[Triceron]

Both designs have their merits.

The Madewithbrix design is really solid and looks very good IMO.  It's a very nice looking castle with some neat interiors.  My only drawback here is that it doesn't look like it would fit many minis to display.

10305 selling point is the minifigures and the play features.  I have to say, the more I looked into this castle through the reviews, the more I am falling in love with this set and seeing past the 'bland gray walls' impression I had initially.  This is built more to present army vs army display.  And as a minifig collector, this is exactly what I wanted out of an iconic Lego Castle set.

14 hours ago, Mr Maniac said:

You're telling me, although I contend that the weird flying machines from that subtheme helped give the Fright Knights an even more unique identity compared to the other castle factions that came before. That said, I can't say I'd be disappointed if they chose to reintroduce that faction sans flying gizmos, if only to see how far they'd take the Gothic architecture. As for the vampiric elements, I might say the Monster Fighters line from 2012 was a reasonable stand-in for the Fright Knights, seeing how we got two vampires and two...man-bats? Bat...men? Whatever you call them.

 

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The Vampyre Castle is one of my favourites, and I'm very happy how well it fits for my Fright Knight's base of operations.  I had Witch's Magical Manor, and I always thought it was an awkward design for what really should have been a gothic castle centerpiece like this one.  It even has a bubbling cauldron that's perfect for Willa!

[woodford86]

Madewithbrix's design is impressive for sure but feels more like a house than a castle. So it scales nicely with the blacksmith but ultimately doesn't really have a place in my display.

[dimc]

1 hour ago, Triceron said:

The Vampyre Castle is one of my favourites, and I'm very happy how well it fits for my Fright Knight's base of operations.  I had Witch's Magical Manor, and I always thought it was an awkward design for what really should have been a gothic castle centerpiece like this one.  It even has a bubbling cauldron that's perfect for Willa!

I would love to see a more modern remake of the big Fright Knights castle. FK always felt kind of disjointed to me, though I do love the black dragons. Who are they fighting? What do they do?

The parts are pretty excellent, and having a witch to go along with Majisto is great. A new spellcaster is excellent for the fantasy side of things, plus the bat helms are just fun. A mixture of FK and MF would be fun.

Edit: is there any lore around FK?

Edited July 15, 2022 by dimc

[Triceron]

31 minutes ago, dimc said:

I would love to see a more modern remake of the big Fright Knights castle. FK always felt kind of disjointed to me, though I do love the black dragons. Who are they fighting? What do they do?

The parts are pretty excellent, and having a witch to go along with Majisto is great. A new spellcaster is excellent for the fantasy side of things, plus the bat helms are just fun. A mixture of FK and MF would be fun.

Edit: is there any lore around FK?

There's different lore depending on where you're from.  It seems like Lego has different localization for their sets, and always have since early Castle days.

http://legosteveblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/lego-fright-knights-1997-1998.html

There's a short story from some magazine that had the origins of the Batlord.  Other than that, Lego pretty much left them to the imagination, and they're mainly rivals for the Royal Knights and the other factions.

[lomis]

15 minutes ago, dimc said:

I would love to see a more modern remake of the big Fright Knights castle. FK always felt kind of disjointed to me, though I do love the black dragons. Who are they fighting? What do they do?

[...]

Edit: is there any lore around FK?

I'm not sure about and "lore" around them.
But aren't they opposing forces to the Royal Knights?
I assumed this was the case because one of the Royal Knights was included in 6097: Night Lord's Castle and otherwise just seems out of place.

[dimc]

6 minutes ago, Triceron said:

There's different lore depending on where you're from.  It seems like Lego has different localization for their sets, and always have since early Castle days.

http://legosteveblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/lego-fright-knights-1997-1998.html

There's a short story from some magazine that had the origins of the Batlord.  Other than that, Lego pretty much left them to the imagination, and they're mainly rivals for the Royal Knights and the other factions.

I love Steve's Lego blog! I never got this far into it though, mostly reading reviews of the 80s themes. I only had the basic black dragon set and the traitor transport. After that was basically my dark ages, and no royal knights meant no modern faction to fight.

[jodawill]

12 minutes ago, dimc said:

I love Steve's Lego blog! I never got this far into it though, mostly reading reviews of the 80s themes. I only had the basic black dragon set and the traitor transport. After that was basically my dark ages, and no royal knights meant no modern faction to fight.

I can't recall if I've seen this site before, but I absolutely adore the design of his blog. It really takes me back to the early 2000s when I first discovered the internet, and I love the focus on classic Lego sets. Too bad some of the images and videos are no longer available. Maybe archive.org has the images.

[dimc]

6 minutes ago, jodawill said:

I can't recall if I've seen this site before, but I absolutely adore the design of his blog. It really takes me back to the early 2000s when I first discovered the internet, and I love the focus on classic Lego sets. Too bad some of the images and videos are no longer available. Maybe archive.org has the images.

It's one of the few "other" sites that has good reviews of old sets, with pictures and reasoning. I love his comments, and I hope he's still out there and happy with the 90th castle and other recent sets.

[jodawill]

Just now, dimc said:

It's one of the few "other" sites that has good reviews of old sets, with pictures and reasoning. I love his comments, and I hope he's still out there and happy with the 90th castle and other recent sets.

I would think that someone like that would be reading this thread right now. STEVE, CAN YOU HEAR ME?