LEGO Ninjago 2023 Discussion

[Killian]

9 hours ago, Rolyat24 said:

 But long-gone are the days of 5 different Serpentine vehicles sharing design elements, and that is a little disappointing. 

The Bull Clones in Monkie Kid had at least 3 vehicles sharing the same aesthetic, more if you count their little side builds. I suppose Macaque and the the Shadow Monkeys did too.

 

I wonder if the new 4-armed torso for Disney's Stitch that just leaked will end up being reused in Ninjago. That theme loves extra limbs. Imagine Zane upgrading himself to wield 4 weapons.

[Rolyat24]

14 hours ago, Meadius said:

I certainly wouldn't mind more villain vehicles, but I think @Lyichir raised a very good point in mentioning the repetitiveness of the Serpentine vehicles (something which I'd argue also applies to the Skulkin stuff). That's not something that can't be fixed, but I think that if we ever start getting more villain vehicles again, the designers will need to differentiate them more. In hindsight, it's pretty weird that the Serpentine stuff wasn't designed based on the tribes. Going for that, or designs based on specific antagonists, seems like a good way to avoid that pitfall. 

Yeah, I think there definitely could have been more variety with the early villain vehicles. I think it’s especially noticeable with the Serpentine vehicles due to the bright colors and exaggerated snake head designs. If we were to ever return to having more than 1 or 2 villain set per faction, I’d definitely welcome more variety. I guess I’m not really lamenting the end of the design of those early sets but just the end of their mere presence and quantity. As a kid, I wanted the villains to have a large army and artillery of vehicles to match the heroes of my stories. I wonder if test groups of children care less about that today. Even today when displaying Ninjago sets, the villain factions often look puny compared to the large number of (well-designed and still awesome) ninja vehicles. Still, I love the villain sets we do get, so I can’t complain too much! 

[Killian]

1 hour ago, Rolyat24 said:

 As a kid, I wanted the villains to have a large army and artillery of vehicles to match the heroes of my stories. I wonder if test groups of children care less about that today. Even today when displaying Ninjago sets, the villain factions often look puny compared to the large number of (well-designed and still awesome) ninja vehicles. 

Personally, I'd prefer more villain builds/vehicles than heroic ones. I like the odds to be against the heroes to make their inevitable triumph feel like more of a struggle and a greater achievement

[Rolyat24]

42 minutes ago, Killian said:

Personally, I'd prefer more villain builds/vehicles than heroic ones. I like the odds to be against the heroes to make their inevitable triumph feel like more of a struggle and a greater achievement

Hard to feel like the heroes really accomplished much if they have 15 motorbikes, 20 mechs, 40 dragons, and 5 battle ships fighting against a single medium-sized water snake and a chariot. Not that many kids would have that many ninja vehicles, but even looking one wave at a time there is very little balance. 

[Meaf]

I suppose this is probably not as common for kids, but I think the main reason I prefer villain sets or neutral locations is because I have already had the opportunity to get a big vehicle for every Ninja. There are still a few gaps but by and large every main character has been well served, so if I want to display them with villains I can always just use one of the older sets instead of a new one. That doesn't apply as much for more specific sub-themes like Seabound where the vehicles are pretty different to normal, but that's really an exception to the norm.

[TeriXeri]

I prefer villains to get hideouts and bases to defend, rather then vehicle vs vehicle combat.

That's why I loved the Skull Dungeons so much, where the focus was on location most of all.

Of course there have been other examples as well like Lighthouse Siege, Ice Emperor Castle and Crystal King Temple, or Prime Empire Temple, where it's mainly focused on ninjas having to travel up/in the structure to reach something or someone, rather then just barge in with a giant mech, jet or dragon (which are still sold seperately and I think is the best way to balance)

I don't like when a set budget is split between a big hero vehicle and then some structure, especially if it's the only or one of the few location sets of that year.

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by TeriXeri

[Kaijumeister]

@TeriXeri Agreed on all points, for me the Skull Dungeons sets were one of the strongest Ninjago waves in recent memory.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Kaijumeister

[Kaijumeister]

7 hours ago, TeriXeri said:

I prefer villains to get hideouts and bases to defend, rather then vehicle vs vehicle combat.

That's why I loved the Skull Dungeons so much, where the focus was on location most of all.

Of course there have been other examples as well like Lighthouse Siege, Ice Emperor Castle and Crystal King Temple, or Prime Empire Temple, where it's mainly focused on ninjas having to travel up/in the structure to reach something or someone, rather then just barge in with a giant mech, jet or dragon (which are still sold seperately and I think is the best way to balance)

I don't like when a set budget is split between a big hero vehicle and then some structure, especially if it's the only or one of the few location sets of that year.

 

Agreed on all points, for me the Skull Dungeons sets were one of the strongest Ninjago waves in recent memory.

Edit: Sorry for the double post. Accidental. 

Edited January 20, 2023 by Kaijumeister

[Fire-Ninja]

   LEGO Ninjago Summer 2023 Set-listings

• 30650:  LEGO NINJAGO Kai and Rapton's Temple Battle  ($3.99 | 6+ | 47 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 66767:  LEGO NINJAGO NINJAGO Gift Set  ($??? | 6+ | ??? pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71777:  LEGO NINJAGO Kai's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip  ($9.99 | 6+ | 72 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71778:  LEGO NINJAGO Nya's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Drift  ($9.99 | 6+ | 57 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71779:  LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Spin  ($9.99 | 6+ | 56 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71789:  LEGO NINJAGO Kai and Ras's Car and Bike Battle  ($19.99 | 4+ | 103 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71790:  LEGO NINJAGO Imperium Dragon Hunter Hound  ($19.99 | 6+ | 198 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71791:  LEGO NINJAGO Zane's Dragon Power Spinjitzu Race Car  ($34.99 | 7+ | 307 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71792:  LEGO NINJAGO Sora's Transforming Mech Bike Racer   ($44.99 | 8+ | 384 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71793:  LEGO NINJAGO Heatwave Transforming Lava Dragon  ($49.99 | 8+ | 479 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71794:  LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd and Arin's Ninja Team Mechs  ($79.99 | 9+ | 764 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71795:  LEGO NINJAGO Temple of the Dragon Energy Cores  ($89.99 | 8+ | 1029 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71796:  LEGO NINJAGO Elemental Dragon vs. The Empress Mech  ($99.99 | 9+ | 1038 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71797:  LEGO NINJAGO Destiny's Bounty - Race Against Time  ($139.99 | 9+ | 1739 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71798:  LEGO NINJAGO Nya and Arin's Baby Dragon Battle  ($29.99 | 4+ | 157 pieces | June 1st 2023)

• 71799:  LEGO NINJAGO Ninjago City Markets  ($369.99 | 14+ | 6163 pieces | June 1st 2023)

Edited February 28, 2023 by Fire-Ninja

[THELEGOBATMAN]

The next Ninjago magazine (the one after Dragon Jay) includes Vangelis (without any changes).

That's fantastic. I suppose the next two will be Dragon Cole and Garmadon.

[Killian]

1 hour ago, THELEGOBATMAN said:

The next Ninjago magazine (the one after Dragon Jay) includes Vangelis (without any changes).

That's fantastic. I suppose the next two will be Dragon Cole and Garmadon.

Wish they'd do Crystalized Aspheera. I'm still waiting for the book she comes with to release. I know I could just get set 71769 but I'm trying to be more selective when there's so many amazing Friends sets to focus on this year

[Lemerbrix]

Just finished Lloyds mech battle EVO, very nice set, wish the Lloyd mech was better though

[Alegrispa]

71799 Ninjago City Markets

6163pcs $370 Summer/June

https://www.promobricks.de/lego-71799-ninjago-city-markets-vorschau/157263/

 

Darn it, yet another reason to wait to build my Ninjago City and Ninjago City Gardens.

Edited January 30, 2023 by Alegrispa

[Bloquerto]

Great news: I saw on IG that we will have a new Ninjago City expansion set called Ninjago City Markets. It will release in june and has 6163 pieces. I'm super excited for this set!

[Classic_Spaceman]

From Promobricks: 
71799 - Ninjago City Markets: $369.99, 6163 Pieces / Release June 2023 

From Instagram (not sure how reliable the source is): 
71798 - Nya and Arin's Baby Dragon Battle: $29.99 
 

[Alegrispa]

I wonder if it's gonna be another corner, or the other kind. Personally hoping for the other kind since that would fit better into my (planned) layout.

If it's a corner module I may just have to cannibalize my Downtown Diner and build that neat karaoke bar extension by cjtonic on rebrickable (though maybe it's too much teal in combination with Ninjago City Gardens?)

[PsychoBuilder]

10 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

From Promobricks: 
71799 - Ninjago City Markets: $369.99, 6163 Pieces / Release June 2023 

From Instagram (not sure how reliable the source is): 
71798 - Nya and Arin's Baby Dragon Battle: $29.99 
 

I mean this is his second time scooping Promobricks and FalconFan cited him, so I would say maybe(?) we can trust the guy. I certainly wouldn't bet money on him, but I wouldn't bet money against him either. 

[Classic_Spaceman]

1 minute ago, Alegrispa said:

I wonder if it's gonna be another corner, or the other kind. Personally hoping for the other kind since that would fit better into my (planned) layout.

Considering that the regular Modulars follow a pattern of corner-straight-straight (setting a precedent for patterns in these kinds of sets), and since the Ninjago City modulars have alternated between corner (NC, NCG) and straight (NCD), I think that the Markets will be another straight segment. 
 

[Alegrispa]

1 minute ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Considering that the regular Modulars follow a pattern of corner-straight-straight (setting a precedent for patterns in these kinds of sets), and since the Ninjago City modulars have alternated between corner (NC, NCG) and straight (NCD), I think that the Markets will be another straight segment. 
 

Huh. I never noticed the pattern in with the regular modular buildings. I hope you're right.

[Classic_Spaceman]

4 minutes ago, Brickroll said:

I mean this is his second time scooping Promobricks and FalconFan cited him, so I would say maybe(?) we can trust the guy. I certainly wouldn't bet money on him, but I wouldn't bet money against him either. 

The one thing that gives me pause is that Arin is most likely a female character, and LEGO generally does not release sets with all/mostly female Minifigs in "boy's" themes (though they have been getting better in this respect). The notable exception that I can think of is 70651, which had Nya, Skylor, P.I.X.A.L., Harumi, and Lloyd. 
 

[a guy from somewhere]

I think considering its promo bricks, its 90 percent set in stone (or bricks)! If it was anyone else, even falcon fan, I'd be somewhat sceptical. I'm also hoping now that this kickstarts a modular for ninjago every couple of years. 

Personally life has kinda been rough for me recently, but this seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot wait. Another section, as a straight one as well, I'm so happy. This is the definition of a dream come true, and with my custom corner section almost done, this is shaping up to being one of the best summers in memory. Here's my design idea for a layout - I'm hoping we get a 32x32 baseplate that is pretty short, with 2 sets of markets, one on the pavement lower level and then a second level onto of a cliff face, and at the top of the cliff is a building and the second main level walkway. Connected to it is a 16x32 baseplate that has the cliff continued and another tower/temple shrine much like the canceled monastery of ice set. I hope we see more complex waterways and some more hidden spaces, and wow, I'm sorry im just too excited. I hope lego doesnt disappoint us. glad I can share this excitement with the others on this thread as well. 

[Bloquerto]

Arin, Ra, Sora... I'm starting to believe these new characters are the New Ninja of Crystalized. I always found strange they are called literally as the New Ninja but at the end of the day they didn't do nothing remarkable. Of course this could be another consecuence of the mess it was season 15 but I don't know... I hope to see more of them in Ninjago United.

[Classic_Spaceman]

28 minutes ago, a guy from somewhere said:

I cannot wait. Another section, as a straight one as well, I'm so happy. This is the definition of a dream come true 

Only another addition to the Ninjago City series has been confirmed; it being a straight section is just my speculation. 
 

11 minutes ago, Bloquerto said:

Arin, Ra, Sora... I'm starting to believe these new characters are the New Ninja of Crystalized. 

That is one possibility, though they could also be completely new characters; maybe the series has a time-jump, and these are now-teens who grew up seeing the original Ninja protecting Ninjago (essentially a heroic version of Harumi's backstory). 
 

[THELEGOBATMAN]

That sounds great, and the PpP ratio is crazy. 6163 pieces for 370€? What a steal.

[a guy from somewhere]

10 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

Only another addition to the Ninjago City series has been confirmed; it being a straight section is just my speculation. 
 

That is one possibility, though they could also be completely new characters; maybe the series has a time-jump, and these are now-teens who grew up seeing the original Ninja protecting Ninjago (essentially a heroic version of Harumi's backstory). 
 

in my mind its already confirmed, we have 2 corners and just 1 straight section, I dont see why we would get another corner section after just getting one. But we shall see.