[OFFICIAL] 10320 Eldorado Fortress - Retiring SOON!

[Arjo]

I hear you… seeing the pics I didn’t think omg lazy/crappy minifigs due to lack of boots. I actually quite like them in plain white. Having the opportunity to get some dual molded legs being relatively cheap and convenient, it hyped me up to go get a few before the set is released. I understand it might be more important to others for whom supply is scarcer. Also agreed that it is an extra cost, one chooses whether it is only a nice to have or one’s requirement.

[DonQuixote]

So many people not satisfied with this set. I am surprised. What do you expect from a 2500 piece count? I knew it was gonna be small. I like it and will get it on day one. I was 9 when the original released and I still have it. So much nostalgia. Oh yeah, I am thinking about getting the motorized lighthouse as well, though it's far overpriced. But I will get the lighthouse with a Majisto gwp. I think the lighthouse will enhance the Eldorado Fortress and they will look great when displayed together with Pirates of Barracuda bay in ship form. 

[Aanchir]

6 hours ago, Arjo said:

I hear you… seeing the pics I didn’t think omg lazy/crappy minifigs due to lack of boots. I actually quite like them in plain white. Having the opportunity to get some dual molded legs being relatively cheap and convenient, it hyped me up to go get a few before the set is released. I understand it might be more important to others for whom supply is scarcer. Also agreed that it is an extra cost, one chooses whether it is only a nice to have or one’s requirement.

Yeah, I didn't really take much notice of the lack of boots either. After all, it's not as though I ever cared about about the lack of boots or printed shoes on the pirate characters in this set or Barracuda Bay, nor have I ever seen anybody else complain about that. And I hardly expect any different from the soldiers just because they're in uniform. Maybe I'd feel differently if I were more of a military history buff myself.

I can relate a bit more to folks being bothered by the lack of printing on the shakos, since it's a bit implausible for the feather/plume to be the same color as the leather hat. I certainly see how the designers might have preferred to keep the decoration simpler than the 2009 or 2015 versions to better echo the original set's minifig designs, but it'd be nice if they'd still opted to print a bit of contrasting color on the plume (perhaps red to match the epaulets).

5 hours ago, DonQuixote said:

So many people not satisfied with this set. I am surprised. What do you expect from a 2500 piece count? I knew it was gonna be small. I like it and will get it on day one. I was 9 when the original released and I still have it. So much nostalgia.

I get your point, but I'd hardly describe this set (or any 2500 piece set) as "small"! Certainly, we've been spoiled lately by the increasing number of adult-targeted sets, including ones like the Lion Knights' Castle or the Ninjago City collection with piece counts well above the norm. But this set is still roughly modular building sized, by both piece count and dimensions!

For my part, this is very close to the size I hoped for and expected from this set. One of the amazing things about Pirates of Barracuda Bay, for me, was that the modernized Black Seas Barracuda made such massive improvements on the original design without too much change to the model's overall size. The masts and sails were slightly taller and the decks slightly higher, but the hull was almost exactly the same size as the original.

So while a Lion Knights' Castle sized mega-fort might've been cool, I don't think it would have impressed me in nearly the same way as Barracuda Bay did. And I can't imagine I'd have found it as enchanting as Lion Knights' Castle, either, even if it had enough interior detail to justify that kind of size. Again, I'm not a military history buff, so while I was captivated by that set's medieval mill, kitchen, stable, banquet hall, and bedroom, imagining a detailed colonial barracks, armory, and mess hall fills me with with more of a sense of drudgery than antiquated charm.

I suppose some people's issue with the model's size may stem from worries about how this set will look on display alongside the LEGO Ideas version of the Black Seas Barracuda, but I don't think the size should be an issue, considering how much iconic promotional art there is showing the original versions of these two sets side by side! Certainly, it wasn't a balanced matchup itself (BSB cost nearly twice the price and had nearly twice the piece count of Eldorado Fortress), but that hardly made their conflict any less dramatic to behold!

Edited June 17, 2023 by Aanchir

[Llewop]

Do you think when they release this they might do a GWP that is pirates themed. Sorry if something like that has been announced already and I hadn’t seen it

[Arjo]

Nope, I am not in the secrets of the gods but I follow leaks left and right and there is nothing in the pipe (at least that anyone has heard of thus far).

The one GWP I am eager to see is the Galileo tribute but the last update on this was a Sept/Oct release date.

There is also a rumoured Majisto remake which might hit at some point this Summer but in terms of truly pirate-specific GWP... there has only been the kids' playground slides from earlier this month:)

[Arjo]

btw reading this thread I have expanded my vocabulary as I had no idea these hats were called shakos:)

This year for the first time I have committed a grave lego crime... I took a sharpie to add a black line to the 501st specialist visor. It worked wonders and I was happier for it. For the shakos, adding a touch of red might be tricky/would require some special paint and some talent (unlike the sharpie fix) but I would imagine that a touch of gold with a sharpie should be easy enough for whomever will be bold enough to try! I probably won't!

The CMF nutcracker's is very nice but I personally don't like the side hair and it is one of the reasons why I refrained from purchasing more than a few.

[eldiano]

On 6/16/2023 at 10:14 PM, CommanderJonny1 said:

I think I get it now; do you mean that the same word is used for both puttees and foot-wraps?

Also, to get back on topic, I don't know the breakdown for the cost of pieces for Lego, but of the three kinds of dual-molded legs with black bottoms I can find on PAB in the US, they are $0.66 apiece for the relatively common Dark Bluish Gray ones (has been in 11 sets), $2.12 each for the Red ones (3 sets), and $3.16 each for the Dark Red ones (1 set). Each time a dual-molded legs with black bottoms has appeared, there's only been one in the set or CMF or whatever, so having anywhere between one and six in a single set means a varying amount of cost. Would Lego consider the cost of producing those worth it? CMFs I feel are profitable for them because there's relatively little there (resource wise), and almost every other time one of these things pop up, it's either in a big set like a UCS set, or in a GWP. Both of which aren't really monetary risks for Lego, so they can afford to put in something extra. While I would put this set (along with PoBB and LKC) up there in the same (or similar) tier as a UCS set, Lego might not consider it the same way, given the price disparity between them.

I mean, the pictures make it seem pretty easy to reconfigure it with the modularity aspect, especially if you had two copies. Plus, you could combine the two ships into a bigger merchantman

That's the thing, though. Technically they didn't throw in the towel, which in any case was more like "Oh no! A bunch of money! Whatever shall we do?". Both Pirates of Barracuda Bay (30th-ish) and Lion Knights' Castle (90th) are anniversary sets of something, and PoBB was based off an Ideas submission. I'm not trying to dash your hopes, but while I can see them releasing more sets within those themes, they'll probably use some excuse or another when rolling them out, and I doubt they'll release them as actual themes again. The best I can see is nostalgia bait and GWPs.

Although who knows? Mayhaps you've got the right idea, and they will bow down to the myriad voices (and wallets) and start releasing the classics themes again. If so, I'll be right there with ya

To be honest, this is my logic on this, and I might sound crazy, but even if LEGO managed to release one set per line a year, in my humble and crazy logic all I can think is Pick a Brick.

Endless possibilities, in my case, when all the previous sets we discussed were released I have managed to double my set oriented exclusive pieces and minifigures to future proof my collection, If Lego won't give me the sets I want, I might as well bank on the current availability of the "line" and the figures. I bought two sets of barracuda bay minifigures for my pirate lineup and tripled my lion knight army collection for each banner under their shields and managed to acquire bricks and essentials necessary for my projects.  

I'm not creative by any means but I just expand on current mentioned sets, I'm trying to be hopeful with lego but the days of pushing multiple Pirates and Castle sets for us consumers are over I think, so I am content with what we get and I love new and improved takes or remakes of their older sets, because it evolves on what we grew up on. 

Believe me, my wallet is ready, but I am also still hopeful that maybe LEGO will go the subscription right and keep their word on the Lego Vault sets exclusives and would be curious to see how far back they would had gone. 

I'm a little sad because LEGO was changing the LEGO VIP early access window from the 7th, to the 1st, back to the 4th of July and since it's a national Holiday I don't think that many people will be in town in the first place on the US that is. 

7 hours ago, Llewop said:

Do you think when they release this they might do a GWP that is pirates themed. Sorry if something like that has been announced already and I hadn’t seen it

They already leaked the DISNEY 100 GWP for July, with a set number and no majisto as of yet. Knowing LEGO, they will probably release it on some off the wall month to get us to purchase their sets. 

[Llewop]

1 hour ago, eldiano said:

They already leaked the DISNEY 100 GWP for July, with a set number and no majisto as of yet. Knowing LEGO, they will probably release it on some off the wall month to get us to purchase their sets. 

I was hoping they would do what they did with the lion knights castle last year and release the forest men hideout with it. 

[dilligan]

As someone who mostly leaves sets made up the way the way the instructions say, the one aspect of this set that stands out to me is the modularity of it. I am looking forward to seeing how the separate modules all connect and how possible it would be to make my own modules to add in to make it bigger. Obviously the ideal parts pack to do that would be a second copy of it, but that will make it a very expensive set. (More expensive than Lion Kights Castle). Will defintely get this set, but may have to sell/swap my spare PoBB to fund a 2nd copy.

While this set isn't in the same league as Lion Knights Castle and PoBB, I am happy enough with what they have produced. Some of the suggested improvements in this forum could really take it to the next level and I'll probably implement a few of them. Eldorado was my favourite set as a kid, so the nostalgia factor is high for me. I'm glad they did a remake rather than a whole new set, but I do wonder what Lego could have come up with if they started with a blank slate. 

[Jiesdeo]

12 hours ago, Llewop said:

Do you think when they release this they might do a GWP that is pirates themed. Sorry if something like that has been announced already and I hadn’t seen it

If there's no accompanying Pirates-themed GWP at release, I think I will wait until there is, or to the next 2xVIP promotion.

I'm saying that as a huge fan of Pirates, it's just that Lego sets are becoming too expensive. I need something back to buy at recommended price from Lego.com.

[TeriXeri]

5 hours ago, dilligan said:

As someone who mostly leaves sets made up the way the way the instructions say, the one aspect of this set that stands out to me is the modularity of it. I am looking forward to seeing how the separate modules all connect and how possible it would be to make my own modules to add in to make it bigger.

Agreed, the modularity and addition of tunnels/basement sort of justifies the brick-built base vs a baseplate.

But I can understand if set is used in default config, obviously a lot of the internal rockwork/tunnel parts aren't used/seen and I can see how some people say it "eats" into parts budget that way.

Also makes it a lot more suitable for display on a shelf, or play, in "wide" configuration.

Also seperating some of the modules is interesting as well, giving it more of a Imperial Trading post configuration, which LEGO probably already had in mind as they included a new version of the ship from that set.

The baseplate version had a lot of empty "air" below the ramp, and the dungeon section was just a hole in the middle of the fort covered with a 8x8 grate.

Edited June 18, 2023 by TeriXeri

[F1stzz]

42 minutes ago, TeriXeri said:

Also seperating some of the modules is interesting as well, giving it more of a Imperial Trading post configuration, which LEGO probably already had in mind as they included a new version of the ship from that set.

I'd be cautious about making such an assumption prior to the moment we'll get some detailed reviews of the set. I have a feeling the modularity in here is aimed more to give us an easier way to inspect what's "under the hood" and less — to turn this set into something different. 

[Third Navigator]

Good news,

like other man I think lego used too many pieces to remake the baseplate(once they were). But, also sometimes the piece limits build and this new base seems to be more detailed, I love this.

Their first perpose is to remake Eldorado, glorius set for imperial soilders but merchant ship in front of the base shows that lego didn't forget the set 6277. Ship, new base build, brick-built details instead of last printed pannels. This set seems to lead us to remake 6277.

+ Some claim that the port is too small, but these port-type sets can be easily extended by 'hungry men'. And There are plenty of such people among pirates-lovers.

 

[TeriXeri]

1 hour ago, F1stzz said:

I'd be cautious about making such an assumption prior to the moment we'll get some detailed reviews of the set. I have a feeling the modularity in here is aimed more to give us an easier way to inspect what's "under the hood" and less — to turn this set into something different. 

Oh, I didn't mean it as a full 2-in-1, it certainly is not, or there would have been Redcoats / Imperial figures/flags included and maybe an official suggestion of it. (barracuda bay was an official 2-in-1, this is not) 

 

Of course the modularity likely is just intended to have easier access to the new interiors below the fort, as well as different way to display it , on a shallow shelf etc. (most Castles of old, and even new can fold open or split too)

Even if the faction would be correct for a 6265: Sabre Island, simply seperating the tower from 10320 and saying it's a Sabre Island re-imagining, also doesn't make it a Sabre Island remake (but still could function as it's own small tower island with similar play functions as 6265)

There's still the option to fairly easily mod it into a wider looking harbour that 6277: Imperial Trading Post was, but that doesn't make it the same set, but modding is a different topic entirely.

 

A smaller 6263: Imperial Outpost type of set would be nice to see (I never got any of the imperial sets, and while they were redone in 2009 and 2010 , that's already ages ago)

 

 

Edited June 18, 2023 by TeriXeri

[F1stzz]

53 minutes ago, TeriXeri said:

Oh, I didn't mean it as a full 2-in-1

Though there are people who genuinely think or suggest that's actually the case, which is why I decided to drop a sort of "disclaimer" here, lol, for everybody who's gonna be looking through the topic. Let's not allow this idea to spread widely, who knows how it might affect potential TLG's plans for future remakes  

[Captain Braunsfeld]

This set is going to be expensive great! 

I am also amazed how many comments this single post already has created 

[Mister Phes]

16 minutes ago, Captain Braunsfeld said:

I am also amazed how many comments this single post already has created 

Official news gets the views...

[LordsofMedieval]

Honestly, I kind of wish they'd remade the Caribbean Clipper. It's been so long since we last saw a reasonably-sized hero boat.

[Arjo]

I’ve watched a detailed review of the OG set (for I don’t have it) to refresh my memory. It had its limitations, some of which have in fact been addressed with the “reboot”, whereas a lot of the good stuff has been retained. Given the price is pretty close once inflation adjusted, and is certainly much better than paying what the secondary market demands, I think it is as good as it gets. TLG could have done a lot less, or a lot more at a steeper price still, so for me it is a happy medium with a lot of upside given the modular nature of the new set (and hopefully PAB to get a few extra imperials). Maybe some of the torsos will even end up in BAM stations the same way they released some lion knights and most of the PoBB minifigs after a while.

[Agent Kallus]

28 minutes ago, LordsofMedieval said:

Honestly, I kind of wish they'd remade the Caribbean Clipper. It's been so long since we last saw a reasonably-sized hero boat.

Well there is an oddly positioned pier in the Eldorado remake, too tall for the row boat or the set's medium sailboat. Perhaps a large Imperial vessel is coming (at somepoint)? Perhaps not but it's possible.

[Jack Sassy]

7 minutes ago, Agent Kallus said:

Well there is an oddly positioned pier in the Eldorado remake, too tall for the row boat or the set's medium sailboat.

As absurd as it may sound, that pier could be meant for the 2020 Black Seas Barracuda.

[F1stzz]

1 hour ago, LordsofMedieval said:

It's been so long since we last saw a reasonably-sized hero boat.

One was never produced for Bluecoats in particular   But given what TLG's done with the Eldorado Fortress remake, I'm worried we ain't getting "the Ironram" (that'd be an equal to 10210) type of a flagship ever, lol. When the time comes to give the audience a new boat for Bluecoats (if there are any chances of that happening), it would more likely be kinda spitting image of the original Clipper made in style of 2015 Brick Bounty, I guess 

[eldiano]

13 hours ago, TeriXeri said:

Oh, I didn't mean it as a full 2-in-1, it certainly is not, or there would have been Redcoats / Imperial figures/flags included and maybe an official suggestion of it. (barracuda bay was an official 2-in-1, this is not) 

 

Of course the modularity likely is just intended to have easier access to the new interiors below the fort, as well as different way to display it , on a shallow shelf etc. (most Castles of old, and even new can fold open or split too)

Even if the faction would be correct for a 6265: Sabre Island, simply seperating the tower from 10320 and saying it's a Sabre Island re-imagining, also doesn't make it a Sabre Island remake (but still could function as it's own small tower island with similar play functions as 6265)

There's still the option to fairly easily mod it into a wider looking harbour that 6277: Imperial Trading Post was, but that doesn't make it the same set, but modding is a different topic entirely.

 

A smaller 6263: Imperial Outpost type of set would be nice to see (I never got any of the imperial sets, and while they were redone in 2009 and 2010 , that's already ages ago)

 

 

My logic behind this set is that the bricks and figures from such a period will be available "again" like if I wanted to recreate an Imperial trading post per se, the new bricks and style are available from PaB, making it thus easier to expand on these notions and imaginations hehehe 

[Khargeust]

We must see the first reviews tomorrow. 

[Arjo]

How do you know the review embargo lapses tomorrow? Is it always 2w prior to vip release date? If so tomorrow is going to be a great day:D