Castle Sets 2010

[Jack Bricker]

Ya looks like Lego is phasing the fantasy line out right now. I was at Toys R Us last weekend and the only castle set they had was the Trolls Mountain Fortress so I picked it up since it was the only set I didn't have from the 2009 castle sets. I regret not getting the Kings Castle Siege when it was out because it seems to go for more than the original sale price now if you try and get it on ebay or on Bricklink. Anyone who still wants to pick up the Medieval Market Village you probably only have a few more months at the most to do so. I got mine while I could!

I thought that the medieval market village would be out for at least another year since it is part of the exclusives line.

[gunm]

Unfortunately, MMV is part of the Castle line, which is going to be replaced by Kingdoms. Of course, they could always re-release it under another Theme name...

[Santhor]

Still no longbows? There goes my Robin Hood forrest...

I agree, I liked the bow-and-arrow piece...crossbows are nice, but they don't have the same "defend the castle and shoot the guys trying to climb" feel...oh well, maybe next year?

-Santhor

[Klaus-Dieter]

I think following new pics from whung's BS gallery haven't been posted/linked before:

Thank you very much for these pics, whung!

The architectual style of all buildings (apart from that strange looking Prison Tower) is brilliant and really classic. and the minifigs are brilliant, too.

If TLG included a decent number of horses in this theme which is about knights and not only medieval soldiers, it would be the perfect new classic-orientated Castle theme. But since there are only three horses in total ... even in the ugly KK2 there were more horses.

Klaus-Dieter

[metalandi]

Thanks for these, they look indeed new to me (though we all know already how the sets look, anyway). I think you missed out this one:

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thanks for these, they look indeed new to me (though we all know already how the sets look, anyway). I think you missed out this one:

Oh yes, sorry. And many thanks for posting it, metalandi!

Klaus-Dieter

[SWMAN]

Another nice thing about this new theme is that it is completely compatible with the last theme. Going from Knights Kingdom to the Fantasy theme was a big jump because neither were compatible with the other. But this new theme can be used with the old theme as simply two new factions added on.

[Nicker]

I will be making a special trip to Toys R Us to fill up a shopping cart with all these new castle sets as soon as they are on store shelves. I can't wait!

After seeing the initial sets for Kingdoms it really stirs my imagination to wonder what kind of sets will be released in 2011 for Kingdoms. I can almost guaranty two things for the future of the Kingdoms line. I am guessing there will be a 3rd faction introduced and there will be a fortress for the opposing faction close to the size of the Kings castle eventually. Good times ahead!

[Etzel]

Another nice thing about this new theme is that it is completely compatible with the last theme. Going from Knights Kingdom to the Fantasy theme was a big jump because neither were compatible with the other. But this new theme can be used with the old theme as simply two new factions added on.

I totally agree with you SWMAN. When the Fantasy Era came out I was really excited, it was the kind of Castle theme that I had waited for since the early 90's. That was IMO the real transformation back to the classic castle style, not this years Kingdoms that just looks like a continuation of the Fantasy Era (but with out skeletons, trolls and dwarfs). Since I loved the Fantasy Era I'm sure I'm going to enjoy the Kingdoms too but I'm not as excited about it like as was when FE came since it's more or less the same theme in my eyes.

[Sir Dillon]

Thanks Whung and Klaus-Dieter for the new pictures. They're aren't a great size, but it's nice to see official images are starting to show up.

[Jack Bricker]

I will say that I do like this theme. I am a little dissapointed that it doesn't come with more horses and great helms but, I guess I can always get more great helms off of brickforge.

[Legorski]

If TLG included a decent number of horses in this theme which is about knights and not only medieval soldiers, it would be the perfect new classic-orientated Castle theme. But since there are only three horses in total ... even in the ugly KK2 there were more horses.

I agree, the more horses the better. For those who already have a large amount of horses this shouldn't be too much of a problem, but the absence of the unicorn armor headpiece will be felt. Hopefully in the second wave (that is if there is going to be one) will add on a bit more of the horses missing in the first one, but the occurrence of this isn't going to be great.

As stated for a knight oriented castle theme horses would be a must, but judging by the two factions and the name of "kingdoms" this is a battle/combat/opposing-factions theme. Each theme will have knights, but will have more of a "soldier" army, fighting for the leader (Which the dragons don't appear to have, lets hope they get someone. I'm hoping that it's not the wizard, I've had enough of wizards!).

Another nice thing about this new theme is that it is completely compatible with the last theme. Going from Knights Kingdom to the Fantasy theme was a big jump because neither were compatible with the other. But this new theme can be used with the old theme as simply two new factions added on.

As stated the compatibility is great, and one can even see a great similarity in the designs of the lions torso's, Thier shown torso's here:

Each have a Crownie rival:

This one's got the leader dude:

Archer and spear dude:

Cain and Halberd dudes:

I just can't wait to get my hands on these

[Tyrant]

As stated for a knight oriented castle theme horses would be a must, but judging by the two factions and the name of "kingdoms" this is a battle/combat/opposing-factions theme. Each theme will have knights, but will have more of a "soldier" army, fighting for the leader (Which the dragons don't appear to have, lets hope they get someone. I'm hoping that it's not the wizard, I've had enough of wizards!).

With any luck the Dragons will have a king (and maybe a queen) too and the Lions will hopefully have a wizard of their own. Maybe a white wizard? A female wizard?

[Legorski]

With any luck the Dragons will have a king (and maybe a queen) too and the Lions will hopefully have a wizard of their own. Maybe a white wizard? A female wizard?

A Queen for the Dragons would be fitting, and a white wizard for the Lions as well. Unfortunately we have to wait till the sets come out, or pics of the (possible) second wave come out. Till then all us castle-lovin builders have to wait in suspense for these awesome sets. I really can't wait!

[Jack Bricker]

Hopefully they will have some more horses in the second wave. I would also love to have some more dragons. New ones that we haven't seen would be nice. And I would like to see some elves and perhapes a forest theme. My dream would be crusaders either templars or teutonic but, I don't think that is going to happen.

[Nicker]

I will say that I do like this theme. I am a little disappointed that it doesn't come with more horses and great helms but, I guess I can always get more great helms off of brickforge.

I agree, it would really be nice to have some of the new sets come with more than one horse especially the larger castle sets. They always used to come with 2-4 horses and it seems like large castles have come with only 1 horse for some time now.

[Dannylonglegs]

I think that a queen would be a good leader for the dragons, because I've seen enough evil wizard leaders (It seems like every one {yes I count Vlad as a wizard of sorts}) I also think it would be cool if the dragon knights had actual dragons, but that seems to be more "Last theme"y. In regards to the horses, I think many horses would be cool, but I have quite a few horses, so I'm not as opinionated on the subject, well the unicorn piece would be nice to have alot of . These dragons are definitely my faves!

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Edit; Tee hee, I spelled knights as in the time of day!

Edited March 22, 2010 by dannylonglegs

[Klaus-Dieter]

I totally agree with you that a real leader for the Dragon Knights is needed since the green wizzard is imo only an assistant for the leader but not a leader himself.

As for a queen for the Dragon Knights: I don't know. How ugly shall she look like?

The Lion Knights will get a very lovely queen in the advent calendar.

And which concerns a wizzard for the Lion Knights: I don't think that there'll be a set with him in 2011 since we already will get a good wizzard in very classic style in the advent calendar.

Btw:

Thank you very much for the pics of the BPs!

It's really a shame that TLG did not even include in them some horses (although they will very supposably be Exclusives (and so more for AFOLs than for JFOLs) anyway).

Klaus-Dieter

Edited March 22, 2010 by Klaus-Dieter

[DaleDVM]

With all of the horse talk, I am surprised noone is talking about the horse barding. I thought when I saw two different designs for the horse barding for the lion knights it was just a prototype thing and they would choose one or the other for final release. The official pics look like the Lion Knights are getting two different types of barding right off the bat. I wish they would have given one of those to the Dragon Knights to make them more of equals. This sets up the sides as the rich vs the robber knights.

Rethinking my point in the larger scheme of things... I suppose the crownies were a rich faction as well so a guess a poorer faction is not too bad of an idea.

[Aanchir]

From experience in dealing/trading with Chinese Manufacturers. The plastic issue may have been resolved but..as soon as Lego looks the other way they will start making the nasty stuff again.

The worst idea Lego ever had was to manufacture anything in China.

I think LEGO's bright enough not to "look the other way", seeing as they've had such good quality control elsewhere. If the quality does begin to suck again, then it's LEGO's fault alone, since LEGO would be deliberately putting less effort into quality control there than at their other factories. And as LEGO fans I hope we can trust LEGO not to be that cheap.

Of course, if you're implying that the Chinese manufacturers and laborers will by principle put up an equal or greater effort to undermine the quality control, well, that comes off as more than a bit racist. So I'll assume that's not at all what you were implying.

With extended-line products like magnets, which are made by other companies, LEGO obviously shares the blame with the company they entrust to make them. But the blame still is not on the manufacturer, but rather on the company that did a halfhearted job keeping the manufacturers in check. With regard to main-line products, I advise you to read the latest issue of The Brick, specifically the article on page 6. LEGO clearly cares more about the manufacture of their products than some fans would think.

[DLangRI]

Of course, if you're implying that the Chinese manufacturers and laborers will by principle put up an equal or greater effort to undermine the quality control, well, that comes off as more than a bit racist. So I'll assume that's not at all what you were implying.

Don't go around throwing racism in a thread without thinking about what you are actually implying. Chinese factories have lengthy records of being fined by both their foriegn and domestic parent companies and government agencies, only to continue abuses of overall safety, worker rights, and material integrity. I think the consumers of any product (including Lego) have a right to hold these factories accountable for the materials they produce, and they are the ultimate responsibility for products released to consumers. It's not racism to imply these factories are run by less than reputable people, considering the same types ran American and European factories until social groups ended their command of the labor market. The deliberate action of cutting corners always extends throughout the produce to increase yield without increasing costs. That's why the factories moved. These leadership practices produce the quantities needed and sometimes human rights are sacrificed. China is the current hotbed of these factories. It has nothing to do with skin color, religion, or any other baseless construct. It has to do with human nature. Perhaps you should focus on that rather than just accussing someone else (be it passively) of racism. This is not a forum for that disucssion.

That said, I do hope these sets do exhibit high quality. I was happier with more recent Chinese parts, and if these sets are 100% Chinese (or even partially), I would not buy the sets if the quality of some or all pieces are below normal TLG standards. That said, I do like the sets though the lack of certain elements (horses, civilian buildings, other common complaints) makes me hope the second Kingdoms wave doesn't mirror the fantasy line with a second and third release of less-and-less sets that are more-and-more expensive.

[Tyrant]

I totally agree with you that a real leader for the Dragon Knights is needed since the green wizzard is imo only an assistant for the leader but not a leader himself.

As for a queen for the Dragon Knights: I don't know. How ugly shall she look like?

I see no reason that the Dragon Queen would have to be ugly. I know TLG has a track record of the evil side having disfigured leaders (similar to the Bond movies, if you see a guy or gal with some type of scar or deformity, they're the villain) but I hope that they don't make the Dragon Knights out to be the obvious villain. I also agree that the wizard should not be the leader. It might be a cop out or shortcut, but it might be interesting if the 2011 sets had a large castle for the Dragon Knights, a jester, and a king or queen while the Lions get a wizard and a mid sized fortress.

[Etzel]

The dragon knights do not need a leader, they are an anarcho-syndicalist commune that take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week. But all the decision of that officer have to be ratified at a special biweekly meeting by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs, but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more serious matters.

[Legorski]

The dragon knights do not need a leader, they are an anarcho-syndicalist commune that take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week. But all the decision of that officer have to be ratified at a special biweekly meeting by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs, but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more serious matters.

True, ... If only I knew what half of that read! XD

[Hound Knight]

The dragon knights do not need a leader, they are an anarcho-syndicalist commune that take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week. But all the decision of that officer have to be ratified at a special biweekly meeting by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs, but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more serious matters.

That's great!