New 2009 Pirates Sets - NEW closeups of the wench & mermaid added

[Mister Phes]

I found new pictures on brickshelf-awesome :

Thank you for taking the initiative to post these pictures Green Trooper, however we're not certain that we're allowed to display them and they're far too big to post in the forum.

Please note pictures must be no bigger than 800 x 600 otherwise they take too long to download for people with dial up Internet connections.

[BlueBard]

I'm sorry, you're going to hate my words but I'm highly disappointed with these new sets...

I like no one of them, I find the faces, the torsos, the flags (!), the parrot and the sails really ugly. So many years waiting for THAT?

[Cardinal Brick]

The soldiers flag is the same as the Imperial Guards if I’m not mistaken? Can I ask what you wanted just out of intrest?

[Tenorikuma]

I suspect this will be like Star Wars Lego and the new Castle line. If it's a big hit, Lego will see it as less risky and put more effort into large quality sets. For starters, I think it looks very good, including the new pirate ship — which looks nicer to me than the BSB.

[Sir Dano]

Some of just can't be pleased, eh?

I for one love these new sets, sure they have their problems (Low quantity of weapons, almost all the pirate torsos are hideous), but it's better than no Pirate line at all. Come on people, shakos, epaulettes, and PLUMES!!!!!!11!!!!!!1! Be excited for once in your life.

Edited August 20, 2008 by sir dano

[metalandi]

i also don't get the disappointment. And what's wrong with the torsos? They even look much more realistic than the old ones. I think most people's problem just is that they can't accept somthing new and want their "good old stuff" all over again, again, and again. That phenomen also shows up in the music genre, some pople always are whining after the "good old times", that seems so ridiculous. I personally dislike that mood, i'm sure lego would have lost plenty of fans if they would still do the same as in the 80's/early 90's.

[blueandwhite]

While the sets themselves don't look the greatest (I actually find them akin to the new Castle line which is nice but not nearly as wonderful as the late 80s/early 90s stuff), the parts and figs look utterly amazing. I'm thrilled to see the firing cannons make their return; or at the very least making their return in the early photos. I'm also surprised that LEGO actually decided to resurrect the old-school cannons. It's also nice to see that the Imperial Soldiers match up with their 90s counterparts making this line quite compatable with the previous one.

I've seen a few complaints about this line, but for me it's nice to have Pirates back. I will definitely pick up a few of these when they arrive. Hopefully this line will thrive, carrying forward for a few years. Good stuff.

[Sir Dano]

And what's wrong with the torsos? They even look much more realistic than the old ones.

I don't really know myself, they just rub me the wrong way, I guess. Won't stop me from buying multiples, though.

[soy ?]

I have mixed feelings for the line. I find "Attack of the Giant Octopus" (kraken attackin) to be pretty cool, reminds me of the rafts i had as a kid. The smallest set is also cool, however i will probably pass on it. The island is what bugs me of the lot, it seems jumbled together, they could have made it much nicer, i do enjoy the baseplate however. The ship needs a second look, some very nice elements, but seems a bit cramped.

However the soldiers fort is really great, and would be the greatest soldiers set ever if it had a small brickbuilt ship (like the one from imtp) however as far as the base goes it beats hands down what i can remember from imtp, imperial outpost, and lagoon lockup.

Did anybody see that the soldiers fort is modular, im assuming new sets will probably be comming out midyear, or as a lego/tru exclusive. Look at the corner of the base underneath the tower.

[Dreamweb]

Wow. I've been away from home and from my PC for just a couple of days... Now I'm back and I see THESE. Wow again.

Not that I didn't expect it.

I like the fact that they kept the same flag pattern for Imperial Guards - clearly showing us that they're still the same faction. Their uniforms have changed over the years, but that happens in the real world too. Of course they can be used as a completely different faction by MOCers - even as enemies of the classic redcoats. And that's the beauty of it.

I like the new pirate faction - with captain Brickbeard if that's his real name. Not a great name but hey - you can always change it. And I smell a few Redbeard Vs Brickbeard MOCs showing up next year.

As for the sets... I'll start with the ship as I've always considered ships the most important part of the theme. I must admit I'm having trouble with this set. When I look at the top half of it, I feel like looking at that ugly 4+ ship again. The sails look cartoonish, and I don't like the chains at all. I don't get it why the guys at Lego refrain from using strings in their sets these days. The bottom half on the other hand looks great. The sterncastle is very nicely done. As for the hull you can see that they used the old middle sections (two of them), but the bow and stern sections are a new thing (no anchor ports, and they seem slightly longer). Overall, not a bad set, I'll probably get it but I'll customize it according to my taste.

[hewkii9]

And what’s all the adoring of the soldier fort? Haven’t you guys seen the old forts, Eldorado Fortress (6276) and the Imperial Trading Post (6277) ?!!....does were the days…

The times are different now. It seems like if the theme aren’t very, very popular it will only last for a couple of years. Have you for an example read the list that were on the eurobricks frontpage yesterday? Only three new castle set (and some impulse but I don’t count them as “sets”).

It's a good set. And haven't you seen the calendar, and noticed 'oh that's odd i guess the good old days are gone now'? You're not going to get old Pirates sets, you're going to just get Pirates sets. And also designers have said there'll be more than three Castle sets next year, so wrong on that point too - the set list seems like it's for the first half of the year, as well.

My only disappointment is the raft in Kraken Attacken; I have enough 2x2 brown cylinders as is, I would've rather had a small ship.

[Capt. Bluebeard]

IMO, these new sets are everything I've hoped for and more.

I'm lovin' the new shakos!

I'll definitely be buying all of them (out of the ones I've seen, that is).

However, I do hope those sails are cloth...

Bluebeard, out-

[Asuka]

I´m quite amazed how wonderful TLC managed the transition from the old times of pirateship to what we can see now. Congrats!

I never thought that we would see such a seamlessly passing, and although some increased fantasy aspect with more factions could carry

its own benefits when it comes to long term attraction I´m very glad to see the classical scheme of Pirates versus Imperials return.

Did anybody see that the soldiers fort is modular, im assuming new sets will probably be comming out midyear, or as a lego/tru exclusive. Look at the corner of the base underneath the tower.

Now that´s interesting... some modular building style could for sure spice up that line... I´m curious how that new theme might evolve

over the years, and for how long it´s already planned...

And the good old LEGO humor´s back as well, similar to the Castle theme....

Monkeys, and bananas, ´re really the captured pirates best friends I guess.

[Cardinal Brick]

My only disappointment is the raft in Kraken Attacken; I have enough 2x2 brown cylinders as is, I would've rather had a small ship.

Now that I feel is a fair and reasonable criticism and constructive to boot. I to would have preferred a small boat, along the like of the Viking vs Dragon one rather than the raft that we’ve been supplied with.

[Silent-Sigfig]

I just use my stratagy for buying new lines: buy the two cheap ones, and wait till I see pics of next years to decide what to but. that way I don't spen $60 on a ship, and then se a better set for the same price.

[Cardinal Brick]

I doubt the fort will be expandable with further modules (though I’d love to be proved wrong) the Dwarf mine set has a similar modular system as does the Skeleton attack ship dock, but nothing has come out to add to them really. I think it’s more so that it allows you to rearrange your fort rather than add to it.

[Norrington]

yes, the ship and the soldier castle aren't <insert that tiresome argument> in a single way, honstly. As far as i can see, there ar mostly normal piecs, which are used in many sets these days.

I don't think they're <insert that tiresome argument>. I can get over the fact that a set is <insert that tiresome argument> if it's good. I love the town plane from about a year back. I like the fort. I don't really like the ship. It's more a parts and figure pack.

No offence Norrington, but yeah right. The BSB will probably remain an old Pirate ship and that's it.

I know we won't get that loverly ship back, I'm just saying I'd prefer it to this ship.

I'd be happy if these sets got cool names, like they used to have.

The ship I can agree with, it's <insert that tiresome argument>. It makes me kind of sad, I wondered how'd they'd do the ships. It's not bad, if I were staying for 2009 I'd buy it in a second... but still, the excellent back part of the ship seems to be the only true build. Otherwise, it seems to me like this set will be a bit too <insert that tiresome argument>.

The Smallest Set is perfect, I don't see how it could be any better.

The Second Smallest is good, but I too wish the Kraken was better (even with a stupid name like Kraken Attackin)

The Third One looks terrible, dumb island and a build which... well, even I don't get what it is!

The Fourth One looks good, like I said before, <insert that tiresome argument> but still neat. The cabin's great, the ship hull pieces, masts and sails however are not. These are just rehash 4+ pieces from what I can see. However, I do like that figurehead and the figures overall. The shark from Agents unfortunately is here, too.

The Fifth One is the strongest, being the second largest (next to the ship). Looks great, nothing really wrong here. However, that third shack in the back looks useless. What's it for? It's an open building with a slanted brick roof that frankly looks pretty ugly. Otherwise, great.

1. The ship is no more <insert that tiresome argument> than any other. It just has a weird build and weird color scheme. I suppose I'm asking for too much realism, what with the fact that pirates have been romanticized here and other places. The original ships weren't all that realistic, and they were as <insert that tiresome argument> (the only major juniorization is hull pieces, and if you're like me, cannons. But it's good juniorization!) as this one.

I'm posting from a MAC, so I don't want to the laborious lengths of post pictures of the BSB and this one to compare (I'm assuming that's OK, since we've got small snippets up in this thread already). Here is some points:

1. The sterncastle. All right. This is important. Most ships had a relatively small sterncastle, except during the 17th century, when there were massive ships like "Soveriegn of the Seas" and "Soliel Royale". This however, is probably not that way, as those were warships, and most likely, this a captured merchant. Sure, BSB has a huge honkin' sterncastle, but, it was done tastefully, and slowly sloped up into it. This however, (like most of LEGO's new ships) goes straight up into the air, with a pair of inverted arches quickly put there as an after thought.

2. The colors. Okay, most ships that were fighters had some sort of stripe going along their sides over the gundeck. However, most ships were black (any royal navy warship or BSB, for example). This is brown and white, not a good color combination in my opinion, and even more grating is the stern castle. All brown, with gold smothered all over it. Then the forecastle looks... like it actually has no deck. But I digress.

I dunno why people are complaning lets look at them for what they are NEW pirates

I like them so much ive chaned my avatar accordingly, I'm definaltey going to try and get them all there all so good. I really like the Kraken Attackin'

I love the fact that there are new pirates. However, I'm just being myself and whining because the sets could have been better.

i also don't get the disappointment. And what's wrong with the torsos? They even look much more realistic than the old ones. I think most people's problem just is that they can't accept somthing new and want their "good old stuff" all over again, again, and again. That phenomen also shows up in the music genre, some pople always are whining after the "good old times", that seems so ridiculous. I personally dislike that mood, i'm sure lego would have lost plenty of fans if they would still do the same as in the 80's/early 90's.

The torsos don't really look more realistic. I like the soldiers, but the rest all seem cartoony (alright, the soldiers aren't exceptions from that.) and remind me of +4. Looking at Captain Blockbeard's torso, his ascot and other bits from others appear to bear a striking resemblance to the torsos of +4.

Sorry for all this nay-saying and whining, everyone. I just expected more with this line.

[Norrington]

yes, the ship and the soldier castle aren't <insert that tiresome argument> in a single way, honstly. As far as i can see, there ar mostly normal piecs, which are used in many sets these days.

I don't think they're <insert that tiresome argument>. I can get over the fact that a set is <insert that tiresome argument> if it's good. I love the town plane from about a year back. I like the fort. I don't really like the ship. It's more a parts and figure pack.

No offence Norrington, but yeah right. The BSB will probably remain an old Pirate ship and that's it.

I know we won't get that loverly ship back, I'm just saying I'd prefer it to this ship.

I'd be happy if these sets got cool names, like they used to have.

The ship I can agree with, it's <insert that tiresome argument>. It makes me kind of sad, I wondered how'd they'd do the ships. It's not bad, if I were staying for 2009 I'd buy it in a second... but still, the excellent back part of the ship seems to be the only true build. Otherwise, it seems to me like this set will be a bit too <insert that tiresome argument>.

The Smallest Set is perfect, I don't see how it could be any better.

The Second Smallest is good, but I too wish the Kraken was better (even with a stupid name like Kraken Attackin)

The Third One looks terrible, dumb island and a build which... well, even I don't get what it is!

The Fourth One looks good, like I said before, <insert that tiresome argument> but still neat. The cabin's great, the ship hull pieces, masts and sails however are not. These are just rehash 4+ pieces from what I can see. However, I do like that figurehead and the figures overall. The shark from Agents unfortunately is here, too.

The Fifth One is the strongest, being the second largest (next to the ship). Looks great, nothing really wrong here. However, that third shack in the back looks useless. What's it for? It's an open building with a slanted brick roof that frankly looks pretty ugly. Otherwise, great.

1. The ship is no more <insert that tiresome argument> than any other. It just has a weird build and weird color scheme. I suppose I'm asking for too much realism, what with the fact that pirates have been romanticized here and other places. The original ships weren't all that realistic, and they were as <insert that tiresome argument> (the only major juniorization is hull pieces, and if you're like me, cannons. But it's good juniorization!) as this one.

I'm posting from a MAC, so I don't want to the laborious lengths of post pictures of the BSB and this one to compare (I'm assuming that's OK, since we've got small snippets up in this thread already). Here is some points:

1. The sterncastle. All right. This is important. Most ships had a relatively small sterncastle, except during the 17th century, when there were massive ships like "Soveriegn of the Seas" and "Soliel Royale". This however, is probably not that way, as those were warships, and most likely, this a captured merchant. Sure, BSB has a huge honkin' sterncastle, but, it was done tastefully, and slowly sloped up into it. This however, (like most of LEGO's new ships) goes straight up into the air, with a pair of inverted arches quickly put there as an after thought.

2. The colors. Okay, most ships that were fighters had some sort of stripe going along their sides over the gundeck. However, most ships were black (any royal navy warship or BSB, for example). This is brown and white, not a good color combination in my opinion, and even more grating is the stern castle. All brown, with gold smothered all over it. Then the forecastle looks... like it actually has no deck. But I digress.

I dunno why people are complaning lets look at them for what they are NEW pirates

I like them so much ive chaned my avatar accordingly, I'm definaltey going to try and get them all there all so good. I really like the Kraken Attackin'

I love the fact that there are new pirates. However, I'm just being myself and whining because the sets could have been better.

i also don't get the disappointment. And what's wrong with the torsos? They even look much more realistic than the old ones. I think most people's problem just is that they can't accept somthing new and want their "good old stuff" all over again, again, and again. That phenomen also shows up in the music genre, some pople always are whining after the "good old times", that seems so ridiculous. I personally dislike that mood, i'm sure lego would have lost plenty of fans if they would still do the same as in the 80's/early 90's.

The torsos don't really look more realistic. I like the soldiers, but the rest all seem cartoony (alright, the soldiers aren't exceptions from that.) and remind me of +4. Looking at Captain Blockbeard's torso, his ascot and other bits from others appear to bear a striking resemblance to the torsos of +4.

Sorry for all this nay-saying and whining, everyone. I just expected more with this line.

yes, the ship and the soldier castle aren't <insert that tiresome argument> in a single way, honstly. As far as i can see, there ar mostly normal piecs, which are used in many sets these days.

I don't think they're <insert that tiresome argument>. I can get over the fact that a set is <insert that tiresome argument> if it's good. I love the town plane from about a year back. I like the fort. I don't really like the ship. It's more a parts and figure pack.

No offence Norrington, but yeah right. The BSB will probably remain an old Pirate ship and that's it.

I know we won't get that loverly ship back, I'm just saying I'd prefer it to this ship.

I'd be happy if these sets got cool names, like they used to have.

The ship I can agree with, it's <insert that tiresome argument>. It makes me kind of sad, I wondered how'd they'd do the ships. It's not bad, if I were staying for 2009 I'd buy it in a second... but still, the excellent back part of the ship seems to be the only true build. Otherwise, it seems to me like this set will be a bit too <insert that tiresome argument>.

The Smallest Set is perfect, I don't see how it could be any better.

The Second Smallest is good, but I too wish the Kraken was better (even with a stupid name like Kraken Attackin)

The Third One looks terrible, dumb island and a build which... well, even I don't get what it is!

The Fourth One looks good, like I said before, <insert that tiresome argument> but still neat. The cabin's great, the ship hull pieces, masts and sails however are not. These are just rehash 4+ pieces from what I can see. However, I do like that figurehead and the figures overall. The shark from Agents unfortunately is here, too.

The Fifth One is the strongest, being the second largest (next to the ship). Looks great, nothing really wrong here. However, that third shack in the back looks useless. What's it for? It's an open building with a slanted brick roof that frankly looks pretty ugly. Otherwise, great.

1. The ship is no more <insert that tiresome argument> than any other. It just has a weird build and weird color scheme. I suppose I'm asking for too much realism, what with the fact that pirates have been romanticized here and other places. The original ships weren't all that realistic, and they were as <insert that tiresome argument> (the only major juniorization is hull pieces, and if you're like me, cannons. But it's good juniorization!) as this one.

I'm posting from a MAC, so I don't want to the laborious lengths of post pictures of the BSB and this one to compare (I'm assuming that's OK, since we've got small snippets up in this thread already). Here is some points:

1. The sterncastle. All right. This is important. Most ships had a relatively small sterncastle, except during the 17th century, when there were massive ships like "Soveriegn of the Seas" and "Soliel Royale". This however, is probably not that way, as those were warships, and most likely, this a captured merchant. Sure, BSB has a huge honkin' sterncastle, but, it was done tastefully, and slowly sloped up into it. This however, (like most of LEGO's new ships) goes straight up into the air, with a pair of inverted arches quickly put there as an after thought.

2. The colors. Okay, most ships that were fighters had some sort of stripe going along their sides over the gundeck. However, most ships were black (any royal navy warship or BSB, for example). This is brown and white, not a good color combination in my opinion, and even more grating is the stern castle. All brown, with gold smothered all over it. Then the forecastle looks... like it actually has no deck. But I digress.

I dunno why people are complaning lets look at them for what they are NEW pirates

I like them so much ive chaned my avatar accordingly, I'm definaltey going to try and get them all there all so good. I really like the Kraken Attackin'

I love the fact that there are new pirates. However, I'm just being myself and whining because the sets could have been better.

i also don't get the disappointment. And what's wrong with the torsos? They even look much more realistic than the old ones. I think most people's problem just is that they can't accept somthing new and want their "good old stuff" all over again, again, and again. That phenomen also shows up in the music genre, some pople always are whining after the "good old times", that seems so ridiculous. I personally dislike that mood, i'm sure lego would have lost plenty of fans if they would still do the same as in the 80's/early 90's.

The torsos don't really look more realistic. I like the soldiers, but the rest all seem cartoony (alright, the soldiers aren't exceptions from that.) and remind me of +4. Looking at Captain Blockbeard's torso, his ascot and other bits from others appear to bear a striking resemblance to the torsos of +4.

Sorry for all this nay-saying and whining, everyone. I just expected more with this line.

I'm happy pirates are back, and like Castle, they will get better.

Edited August 20, 2008 by Norrington

[Dr. Steve]

Has anyone else noticed the torch used on the cannon in the fort? It looks like a chrome gold lightsaber hilt attached to the end of it. I hope so that would be a great new part. Anyway I like the pics so far and the Shako's look Very Good!

Just saw another pic and it looks a little different from a Hilt....who knows it may work as one though

Edited August 20, 2008 by Dr.Steve

[omega brick]

It's a good set. And haven't you seen the calendar, and noticed 'oh that's odd i guess the good old days are gone now'? You're not going to get old Pirates sets, you're going to just get Pirates sets. And also designers have said there'll be more than three Castle sets next year, so wrong on that point too - the set list seems like it's for the first half of the year, as well.

…read my whole post not just part of it. This has nothing to do with me just wanting the old pirate look. “Those were the days” is just an expression. The disappointment is against the lack of inspiration in the new set, could you see anything that is amazing or new (beside from the parts) about them? I guess not, as I wrote the problem is not that they are too different from the old pirate line up but the opposite, they are too similar…it’s like the time have stand still. In the early set in every different line-up (castle, pirates, space etc.) there was a much greater feeling of playfulness than today.

About the three castle sets: A designer can never say with a 100% accurate what will be released or not. That’s all up to the “boarding members” or at least for the people that are deep in too the economy of TLC. It’s possible that we will see more than three sets for the castle line but what a designer have said or speculated in a half to one year ago, is never the last decision. To make a prototype of a set and to rely put it to mass production is two totally different things. Also the economic balance in the world is going slightly downwards and that makes people hold on harder to the money and that affect brand toys as well.

As I said, I will give this line a chance and probably buy, at least, the two “large” sets. And from what it seems like we don’t have to worry. Must of the people here like the new sets and that are good for the enduring of the line

[Cardinal Brick]

Norrington, I think it depends on the time frame that you’re looking at, as to if your comments stand up.

For myself I assume the line was meant to be around the 17th century, thus making the high sterncastle seem fairly normal to me as a depiction of a great ship from the period. As far as I recall I’m to lazy to dig out my naval architecture book pretty much everything in the period had a high sterncastle even the tiny English Whelp ships.

The colour scheme, well also of things in the 17th century had awful paint jobs that jarred and were garish especially French ship.

I still think the line stands up well especially if you’re thinking about the 17th century with a few bits of romanticism thrown in shakos dynamite etc

[Scyzoryk]

Why can't Cannon Battle, Kraken Attackin' or Brickbeard's Bounty be or include ships? Failing that, Shipwreck Hideout should include at least part of one!

I've died and gone to heaven! A Kraken? Yay! I hope it's better than the preliminary Viking's kraken.

I wonder he'll look like... Hopefully quite different.

TLC will probably use the dwarven beard.

And does anybody have a link to the list?

[The Rancor]

I've died and gone to heaven! A Kraken? Yay! I hope it's better than the preliminary Viking's kraken.

And does anybody have a link to the list?

Have you seen the pics Scyzoryk? They more than explain the list!

[Norrington]

Norrington, I think it depends on the time frame that you’re looking at, as to if your comments stand up.

For myself I assume the line was meant to be around the 17th century, thus making the high sterncastle seem fairly normal to me as a depiction of a great ship from the period. As far as I recall I’m to lazy to dig out my naval architecture book pretty much everything in the period had a high sterncastle even the tiny English Whelp ships.

Warship:

Merchant:

I do see your point of the 17th century, as the golden age of piracy was really about 1600 to 1690. They continued untill the 1780s, and were wid out with the steam ship. Play Sid Meier's pirates, it gives a very accurate idea of 17th century ships. The thing is, midway the the 1650s naval achitecture evolved into the things were used to in the 18th century. Some things disagree with the 17th centuy, namely: Bicornes & Shakos.

Those came later.

The colour scheme, well also of things in the 17th century had awful paint jobs that jarred and were garish especially French ship.

I still think the line stands up well especially if you’re thinking about the 17th century with a few bits of romanticism thrown in shakos dynamite etc

No, the paint jobs weren't really garish, they were just gaudy. I.E. The Soliel Royale had a good color scheme, it was so drenched in ornamentations that it became ugly at some point.

British ships, I will admit were somewhat painted like that. natural wood brown on the hull, the black just above waterline, then white below the waterline. The ships like this (I can't find a decent picture that doesn't neeed to be scanned) were very close in achitecture to the kind that fought Napoleon. THey came about in the 1690's, 90-some years earlier.

Even if it was accurate, it's sterncastle still doesn't flow well.

EDIT: I apologize fo crude illustration, but here you go. My suggestion for making flow better.

Edited August 20, 2008 by Norrington

[Lego12]

Wow the pirate sets look GREAT! I am going to get every single one of them! The Ship and Fort look especially good! My birthday is in January! Yepee! I'm turning my avatar, signature, and other things to Pirates!

Edited August 20, 2008 by lego12