[OFFICIAL] 10320 Eldorado Fortress - Retiring SOON!

[jodawill]

5 minutes ago, dimc said:

Ha! I was just looking here (https://bricknerd.com/home/everything-you-want-to-know-about-lego-pirates-6-8-21) and it mentions you discussing the comic on eurobricks! Thanks for the link, I'll take a read!

Oh, that's very interesting! I'm famous now. I'm still looking for a volunteer to clean up the high resolution scans I provided. I'd love to be able to make bootleg copies for kids to enjoy. If anyone reading this has the skills to do it, please message me.

Edit: It's been so long, I forgot - someone did do the original comic, but not the second comic. I guess I forgot to look into printing it!

Edited June 14, 2023 by jodawill

[dimc]

4 minutes ago, jodawill said:

Oh, that's very interesting! I'm famous now. I'm still looking for a volunteer to clean up the high resolution scans I provided. I'd love to be able to make bootleg copies for kids to enjoy. If anyone reading this has the skills to do it, please message me.

Edit: It's been so long, I forgot - someone did do the original comic, but not the second comic. I guess I forgot to look into printing it!

I just downloaded the 1.5GB version, I'll read it in a bit.

[TalonCard]

21 minutes ago, jodawill said:

You've got to love how the website says, "The gang's all here!" and we're missing Captain Redbeard, Governor Broadside, de Martinet, Will, Spinoza, Popsy... pretty much literally every character from the original comic.

I suspect this set is, like Barracuda Bay, picking up 20 years after the original theme ended, so maybe that's Admiral De Martinet and not Governor Broadside? He did manage to strike a pretty big blow against the pirates in this comic posted here...

Edited June 14, 2023 by TalonCard

[MAB]

4 hours ago, R0Sch said:

To me the black also looks bad. Should have at least been dark brown. Or did the Bluecoats carry ebony wood all the way from East-Africa to their island?

Or they have used tar / pitch to make it waterproof and black. But more importantly to match the original ship in the Imperial Trading Post.

[dimc]

8 minutes ago, TalonCard said:

I suspect this set is, like Barracuda Bay, picking up 20 years after the original theme ended, so maybe that's Admiral De Martinet and not Governor Broadside? He did manage to strike a pretty big blow against the pirates in this comic posted here...

Vive le lieutenant!

[_R_R_]

1 hour ago, TalonCard said:

We do know from the LEGO lore that the 18th century Imperial militaries were more inclusive than in real life history: there's Miranda Valentina in the LEGOLAND Florida stunt show, lady Armada officers in LEGO Chess, and Cadet Rita LaQuay from LEGO Legacy: Heroes Unboxed. 

I like this set a lot--cheers to those bold enough to speculate that the Imperial Trading Post ship would be included, I'm shocked but delighted; I didn't think they'd really do it! 

Sure but Miranda is a sort of Elizabeth Swan character, being the Admiral's daughter and everything and I don't really consider those games as canon to the lore also taking into account we consider the Pirates the heroes of the theme I think it would be smarter to keep females in the pirates team and keep the soldiers mainly men/red shirts for our mates to shoot and plunder, I think lady pirate lords have way more potential as minifigures than just soldiers but with a girl head, imagine a minifigure inspired by Anne Bonny with a new hair/hat piece or even reusing the PoTC Angelica hat/hair combo that's extremely rare, captaining her own ship with her own crew, it would be amazing, the issue is I don't think TLG has any plans for the theme aside from these remakes so they have to diversify what's already there and it doesn't really work that well, it just feels tacked on.

I was more bold in my prediction saying we might see the Caribbean Clipper and I still wish we did but the TP ship is also a nice addition I think it really adds to the set instead of just having two row boats.

Edited June 14, 2023 by _R_R_

[dimc]

19 minutes ago, _R_R_ said:

I was more bold in my prediction saying we might see the Caribbean Clipper and I still wish we did but the TP ship is also a nice addition I think it really adds to the set instead of just having two row boats.

I feel like it works pretty well when you have PoBB in ship mode, they can attack the cargo ship or Eldorado. Gives plenty of play action, and somewhat makes sense to have a ship to supply the base. Clipper would have been rather large to include, even if the piece count isn't that high. I wonder how hard it would be to change the sail design in the 3-in-1 pirate ship to reflect imperials instead? There's a fair bit of red around the cabin, but doing the blue corners and crossed cannons in a sail shouldn't be too hard.

[Duck]

Really pleased to see this announced! I was getting a bit worried it had been shelved when nothing more appeared after the leaked info. 

July isn't a great month financially for me... do we know how long "LEGO Icons" sets have hung around in the past before retiring, and what their restocking has been like? I feel like there were restock problems with Barracuda Bay for those who didn't buy it instantly? 

Anyway, I'm pleased they generally stuck to the original (including the awkward wall pointing out into the sea next to the gate!), and am very impressed that the trading vessel makes an appearance!!

[eldiano]

1 hour ago, Roebuck said:

Expect reviews soon
 

 

I am actually impressed he managed to keep this under wraps for so long considering the massive leak of 2023/2024 from a focused group of lego recently. 

I wish I could get lego to send me sets for reviews hahaha 

15 minutes ago, Duck said:

Really pleased to see this announced! I was getting a bit worried it had been shelved when nothing more appeared after the leaked info. 

July isn't a great month financially for me... do we know how long "LEGO Icons" sets have hung around in the past before retiring, and what their restocking has been like? I feel like there were restock problems with Barracuda Bay for those who didn't buy it instantly? 

Anyway, I'm pleased they generally stuck to the original (including the awkward wall pointing out into the sea next to the gate!), and am very impressed that the trading vessel makes an appearance!!

Year and half, barracuda bay came out in August 2020 but it retired november 2021 I think, 19 months it lasted. Reason I remember is because that's when I bought my second set, it went down to 180 bucks I think.  I'm surprised the 3in1 pirate ship is still being sold since 2019.  

 

Edited June 14, 2023 by eldiano

[Classic_Spaceman]

This is gorgeous! I love how the raised baseplate was recreated, the modular design (allowing the set to be reconfigured or expanded), and the unexpected addition of the Trading Post merchant vessel. The return of Broadside’s hat and the inclusion of both current hat-hair combo pieces are also great, welcome, surprises. 
For me, there are only a few negatives: While the traditional palm trees are defiantly hitting the nostalgia, they look look primitive next to the design used in PoBB and Ray the Castaway; the same goes for the black dock, which should have been brown (I am fine with the crane remaining black, though, since it can represent iron). That said, both of these issues are quite easy to fix. My more serious complaints are that the Imperials’ flag does not appear in 2x2 form, that the new pirate torso has a skull necklace (preventing it from being used for a civilian), and the lack of at least one more Minifig (we should have gotten Gov, one officer, four soldiers, two pirates, and one merchant). 

Overall, the set is excellent, and I cannot wait to get it! 
 

BTW, what are we doing with our 2015 Bluecoats? Since I only have two, I plan to use mine as officers. 
 

[F1stzz]

2 hours ago, Jiesdeo said:

Also, it would be great to get a Sabre Island that fits with the modular system as a GWP (most probable scenario).

I honestly think Imperial sets from the 2015 wave are going to fit in really well with one too after applying some adjustments.

[Classic_Spaceman]

2 hours ago, Jiesdeo said:

Also, it would be great to get a Sabre Island that fits with the modular system as a GWP (most probable scenario).

I was thinking this as well! In fact, I can see the other two Bluecoat fort sets (Lagoon Lock-Up and Broadside’s Brig) also being GWPs. Perhaps we could even get an Imperial Creator 3-in-1 that is compatible with this set. 🤔
 

[eldiano]

10 minutes ago, F1stzz said:

I honestly think Imperial sets from the 2015 wave are going to fit in really well with one too after applying some adjustments.

I feel like i'm the only who stocked up on the 2015 wave haha, to be honest the prints are nearly identical you could barely tell BUT it's a welcome touch, the more the merrier.  

[F1stzz]

2 hours ago, jodawill said:

You've got to love how the website says, "The gang's all here!" and we're missing Captain Redbeard, Governor Broadside, de Martinet, Will, Spinoza, Popsy... pretty much literally every character from the original comic.

Dude, THIS. I swear, I've been talking to lots of people in YT comments & Insta DMs about it — this is just insane. I'm struggling to grasp how TLG created a literal copycat of 6276 build-wise (I'm really starting to think it's more of a replica than a true modern take on the classic like 21322) — and managed to basically drop all the original characters out of it, lol. They had ONE JOB, kek. I mean yeah, u can have a couple of female characters in the set — but FFS, not at the expense of OG figures! We wanted a comic finally coming alive again, but instead there are 2 female officers, 1 soldier, which I'm assuming is a transgender, cuz the figure has a feminine face and wears a shako without a hair mold, ANOTHER pirate girl (at this point we'll soon be having more pirate girls than boys, lol), generic swashbuckler with 2015 Redbeard's faceprint and a no name admiral pretending to be Broadside. Thank God we at least have a couple of cool Imperial troopers left as well  

Edited June 14, 2023 by F1stzz

[RichardGoring]

1 hour ago, MAB said:

Or they have used tar / pitch to make it waterproof and black. But more importantly to match the original ship in the Imperial Trading Post.

That's what I'm going to believe.

[F1stzz]

31 minutes ago, Classic_Spaceman said:

BTW, what are we doing with our 2015 Bluecoats? Since I only have two, I plan to use mine as officers.

We definitely HODL those, me hearties, lol. I think it's safe to assume 2015 design is no more & would never be reproduced. So yeah, not all treasure is silver and gold, m8s 

[TeriXeri]

Looks great.

It does indeed have a lot more modularity due to the non-baseplate design, so you can have it in "original" form , or a much wider setup for a shelf, or just play scene.

Also , it does look like it does have an underground tunnel/dungeon type section in the modules as well (back on box shows pirate in "cave" with a hidden trapdoor (similar to the underground "cave" forestmen have in the Lion Knights set.

I also do like the ship , and the additional taller dock section to the side, so larger Pirate vessels have something to raid, or land on. (+ direct reference to Imperial Trading Post ship)

My only experience with Bluecoats has been 2 1989 Sabre Island sets, I did come back to LEGO after 2016, pretty much strictly collected another theme until 2018, so by then the 2015 Pirates were gone, so this will be a great companion for Barracuda Bay (in ship form) + 3-in-1 Pirate Ship.

 

The thing I like most that it looks like this stayed true to size, and preserved many colors of the original, instead of becoming "Neo-Eldorado" with completely different colors. (I can understand using Medium Azure for water, as I think it's a good contrast with Tan beaches ,and especially in this case, Blue minifigs)

Edited June 14, 2023 by TeriXeri

[TeufelHund]

1 hour ago, F1stzz said:

 I mean yeah, u can have a couple of female characters in the set — but FFS, not at the expense of OG figures! We wanted a comic finally coming alive again, but instead there are 2 female officers, 1 soldier, which I'm assuming is a transgender, cuz the figure has a feminine face and wears a shako without a hair mold, ANOTHER pirate girl (at this point we'll soon be having more pirate girls than boys, lol), generic swashbuckler with 2015 Redbeard's faceprint and a no name admiral pretending to be Broadside. 

It's just lazy on Lego's behalf - if they want to have gender balance then make some cool new female torsos (pirates, civilians etc) or include extra male and female heads so the builder can decide what gender their troops are. don't just arbitrarily make half the soldiers female and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

At least they didn't gender swap the governor I guess, unlike Lion Knights' Castle where you have to accept your castle is ruled by a Queen (unless you have a king available from another source of course).

[Classic_Spaceman]

2 hours ago, F1stzz said:

We definitely HODL those, me hearties, lol. I think it's safe to assume 2015 design is no more & would never be reproduced. So yeah, not all treasure is silver and gold, m8s 

Obviously! I was just wondering how people plan to integrate the two designs (army/navy, soldiers/officers, French/Dutch, etc). 
 

2 hours ago, TeriXeri said:

Also , it does look like it does have an underground tunnel/dungeon type section in the modules as well (back on box shows pirate in "cave" with a hidden trapdoor (similar to the underground "cave" forestmen have in the Lion Knights set.

I did not notice that before - I really like the trend of opposing factions having little hideouts in larger structures; it is cute and makes the build feel more alive! 

 

2 hours ago, F1stzz said:

1 soldier, which I'm assuming is a transgender, cuz the figure has a feminine face and wears a shako without a hair mold

Because no cis woman has ever had short hair or been bald? 

2 hours ago, F1stzz said:

ANOTHER pirate girl (at this point we'll soon be having more pirate girls than boys, lol) 

After Pirates III ended, we have gotten three proper Pirates sets (this, PoBB, and the Creator pirate ship), two Pirate CMFs, and three pirate-themed modern-day settings (Pirate Roller Coaster, Ray the Castaway GWP, and Pirate Ship Playground GWP). Of the Minifigs included, we get one male pirate in 31084, six male pirates and two female ones in 21322, three male pirates in 31109, one boy and one girl in 40589, one male in 40566, and one male pirate and one female pirate in CMFs (Scallywag Pirate and Pirate Girl respectively). Adding the one male and one female pirates from Eldorado Fortress, this brings us to a total of 14 male pirates and 5 female pirates since 2018 (hardly close to an equal number, much less to female pirates outnumbering the males!). Additionally, only the CMF Pirate Girl and Lady Anchor (from PoBB) have torsos that cannot also be used for males. 
 

Edited June 15, 2023 by Classic_Spaceman

[dimc]

I wonder how two of these together would look. I feel like you could make an open parade ground area in the middle, maybe a barracks, maybe have a few animals too. Leave one crane, and have a lower area with more dock around it. Sort of a combo of 6276 and 6277 in a way. And of course having two trading ships is always a bonus.

[iragm]

The strongest -- and unfortunately weakest -- bit of the set might be its modularity.  I was hoping to see Lagoon Lockup and Sabre Island modules to add to it.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any consistency in the placement of the clips and bars: they are closer to hinges like on the Lion Knight's Castle than to a true modular system.  So, any expansion MOCs that people make need to be targeted at a certain part of the build.

Anyway, here's a quick test module that adds a cannon and dock in between the crane and the building on the right side when the set is displayed in the open configuration:

I may take a look at other locations to add stuff tomorrow.

[Bodi]

For someone who've grown up with the first pirates wave, I've to say this new Eldorado for looks quite disappointing, especially when we compare it with the POBB. I could change my mind once I have the actual set, but I still think they could've done better than that. On the positive side, it appears that the new set is a sort of 2-in-1, with a fort in its original form and a port when it opens. Also it's thoughtful to include a small trade vessel, though I'm not sure with that raised bow, it looks like they've used some hinge plates to raise the front at a certain angle, not sure if it's the best way to achieve that feature, some railings in place of that sloped bow would look better imho, like the Ideas' sailboat.

[Elephant Knight]

Ooooh, I am super excited about this now! I was excited before, but after seeing the inclusion of the ITP ship, wow, such perfection! Day one purchase for me, for sure!

I'm more of a redcoat guy, but I got the original Eldorado Fortress a couple years ago. It's a good set, for sure, but I have no particular attachment to it. This set certainly seems to do it great justice.  The ability to reconfigure it too look more like the Imperial Trading Post is cool, but the ITP had redcoats, so I see a slight problem...

I do agree that there ought to have been a couple more merchants to sail the merchant vessel. But Lego ships have always been short of sailors to sail their non-pirate vessels.

EKnight

[thewatchman]

38 minutes ago, iragm said:

The strongest -- and unfortunately weakest -- bit of the set might be its modularity.  I was hoping to see Lagoon Lockup and Sabre Island modules to add to it.  Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any consistency in the placement of the clips and bars: they are closer to hinges like on the Lion Knight's Castle than to a true modular system.  So, any expansion MOCs that people make need to be targeted at a certain part of the build.

Anyway, here's a quick test module that adds a cannon and dock in between the crane and the building on the right side when the set is displayed in the open configuration:

I may take a look at other locations to add stuff tomorrow.

This is really cool!

 I can’t wait to see more moc builders add all sorts to this, making a modular bay and trading post.

[Time77]

Lame; red-beard got replaced because we gotta have 50% women.. ugh.