2011 Kingdoms + US prices

[DaleDVM]

Looking at this picture again, it seems that my original (if unvoiced) suspicion was correct: the winch is lifted and lowered by turning around the weather vane!

Good find. I never would have guessed that about the weather vane. I didn't even look at it twice to be honest. TLG really does some interesting engineering on these sets.

I really hope the bow is not final, I really don't like that steel-ish bow and I think that its grip is too small for regular minifigs hands!

My guess would be that these weapons are not really meant for inclusion in the sets. They were made for heroica and had to have attachments at the ends to they can be moved around in the game. Their inclusion in the blacksmith set is just a bonus. All of the other weapons included on the same wheel are pretty appealing to me.

The new pics are very detailed. They are awesome.

On the mill set: It looks like an absolutely fantastic parts set. Lots of browns, tans, and dark grey. The minifigs are even better than I thought. The mill mechanism is ingenius. I don't get a lot of non castle sets... Are those ball gears in the mill a new peice?

The carriage set: The king looks incredible. The back of his torso is as good as the front. I was wondering how the hammer functioned. I'm not impressed but it does work.

The Dragon's prison: The first thing I noticed was that the helmet was also in dark pearl. At the German toy fair last week it was still black. I like the new printing on the armor. Also those bars on the front of the prison look new to me. It is like a matching set of the doors but without a handle on it.

The blacksmith set: That apron looks great I can see a whole lot of artisans plying their wares in an apron like that. The new weapons are growing on me, but not the bow...

[Zeya]

I don't like any of those weapon pieces in the blacksmith set. I think they might be preliminary though, since they all have strange grooves and indentations.

I like how there is a blank armor chest piece. That will be great for making a generic knight fig in a MOC. And yeah, looks like this set includes a chicken and bucket (I wasn't sure at first).

I think it's also funny how some of the box art for the blacksmith imply that the knight is ambushing the blacksmith. But then you can turn it into the blacksmith selling the knight some arms. Like maybe he started out attacking and then the blacksmith turned it around and out-witted him into buying some of his wares, lol.

I'm liking the functionality of the mill. I'm really looking forward to building that one.

And I've been thinking, it seems like Lego has taken a bit of a twist here. They took the Dragon Knights and gave them a bit of a wolfpack feel to them, especially with the carriage ambush set. It's starting to seem like the Dragon Knights are pretty decentralized and using some guerilla warfare tactics. But then... they do have a prison, which is a strange structure to have while lacking a home base.

I'm hoping that we will see an exclusive S@H set for Kingdoms. What do you guys think? Is that a possibility, or would we have heard about it by now? To my knowledge there isn't much info out there on new exclusives this year; the only thing I've read about is the larger City space shuttle exclusive.

[CMP]

I like the Dragon Knights. I do think of it like a Wolfpack, they seem more roguish than knightish.

About the new weapons:

Megablocks. That's what I'm seeing. Doesn't even look like Lego anymore, although a few are nice.

[metalandi]

The weapons aren't preliminary, they are actually made for the new heroica board games. I'm 99,9 % sure they are only included in the blacksmith set, so the blacksmith has a big variety of different "products" to show off. They're more supposed to be just displayed, than be "real" weapons.

[eriochrome]

The Mill looks really good. I already have plenty of castles/knights from the 80's early 90's that I can pass down to my daughter but that was a time with almost no civilians or female minifigures that she would like. I will probably get her the mill and blacksmith. I might also get her the MMV so she can have a nice medival themed play area.

[Neoriceisgood]

The weapons aren't preliminary, they are actually made for the new heroica board games. I'm 99,9 % sure they are only included in the blacksmith set, so the blacksmith has a big variety of different "products" to show off. They're more supposed to be just displayed, than be "real" weapons.

Half the enemies in the Heroica boardgame didn't have printing or anything yet, though, it kinda feels like they could still change some stuff around.

That being said, they are quite obviously just display models in this set, so I wouldn't expect a lot of changes to them for the sake of Kingdoms

On the subject of Heroica: Whenever I see the weapons from this set, it's always the exact same number of each type shown together.

I kinda feel like the mold for these guys is grouped with one of each included. (Like the ring-shaped mold we've seen for the little dragons to put on helmets)

If this is actually how they're set up, it probably explains the kinda rough look they have in parts.

[Sirens-of-Titan]

Half the enemies in the Heroica boardgame didn't have printing or anything yet, though, it kinda feels like they could still change some stuff around.

That being said, they are quite obviously just display models in this set, so I wouldn't expect a lot of changes to them for the sake of Kingdoms

On the subject of Heroica: Whenever I see the weapons from this set, it's always the exact same number of each type shown together.

I kinda feel like the mold for these guys is grouped with one of each included. (Like the ring-shaped mold we've seen for the little dragons to put on helmets)

If this is actually how they're set up, it probably explains the kinda rough look they have in parts.

I agree with you fully; I think these will come on a circular spur and we'll have to break them off, so they are possibly a bit lighter plastic. I sure hope Heroica gets to inspire at least part of the next Castle theme.

After 2 straight years of human factions, knights and civilians we are gonna be hit with a wave of orcs, mystical adventurers and magic. (Mark my words)

[Haltiamieli]

The blacksmith is poorly made IMHO, it is just a copy of the same play feature as in MMV

No need to reinvent the wheel, heh-heh.

Surely it could have been possible to give us another kind of craftsman, like a potter, baker or cooper.

Somehow blacksmithing tends to be viewed as a much cooler profession than other medieval crafts. There is surely many reasons for that - blacksmiths' percieved strength and masculinity, working with fire and weapons, the concept and necessity of blacksmithing still being more or less understandable to modern people (compared to, like, barrel-making) etc. Thus it's no accident that, for example, a protagonist in The Pirates of the Caribbean is a blacksmith instead of a cooper, and Orlando Bloom has the same occupation also in another historical epic, The Kingdom of Heaven. I'm sure there could be other examples too.

There's also more obvious possibilities of play and conflict with a knight and a blacksmith facing each other. Knight may want to steal the weapons, or maybe they are friends and he's buying them - nevertheless a knight wanting to buy/steal a bowl or a bread or a keg wouldn't sound so exciting. And the blacksmith can even defend himself with his weapons (or try to, at least). Not so much the baker, with the bread in his/her hand.

I'm afraid it's a very slim chance that we would ever see any other craftsmen (or -women) as a focus point of any Castle set except more blacksmiths. Unless in some future exclusive targeted to the AFOLs...

[lightningtiger]

Blacksmith would be considered a more tougher job in that era.....I hate to use the word manly, but yes.....why weren't there any women back then smithing ?

Though a more prized job was being a goldsmith.....someone had to make the king's crown, but on the farm or battlefield or even the kitchen - the blacksmith rocked.

It's really handy watching Timeteam, you learn a lot from that show.

[blueandwhite]

I agree with you fully; I think these will come on a circular spur and we'll have to break them off, so they are possibly a bit lighter plastic. I sure hope Heroica gets to inspire at least part of the next Castle theme.

After 2 straight years of human factions, knights and civilians we are gonna be hit with a wave of orcs, mystical adventurers and magic. (Mark my words)

I'm not convinced.

I don't think we'll see a new fantasy faction for the Kingdoms theme in the near future. If LEGO decides to go the fantasy route I fully expect them to reboot the castle theme again before they reintroduce orcs and other fantasy creatures into the mix..

[Artanis I]

I'm not convinced.

I don't think we'll see a new fantasy faction for the Kingdoms theme in the near future. If LEGO decides to go the fantasy route I fully expect them to reboot the castle theme again before they reintroduce orcs and other fantasy creatures into the mix..

+1

[Sirens-of-Titan]

I'm not convinced.

I don't think we'll see a new fantasy faction for the Kingdoms theme in the near future. If LEGO decides to go the fantasy route I fully expect them to reboot the castle theme again before they reintroduce orcs and other fantasy creatures into the mix..

I'm sorry I wasn't clear; I don't mean they will add a fantasy faction in the Kingdoms line, I mean the Kingdoms line will be stopped and a new line reminiscent of minifigure scale Heroica may be introduced. (This isn't my personal wish, but it's distinctly possible as all other themes have fantasy elements it's only a matter of time before castle gets the fantasy treatment. )

I view the changeover to Kingdoms as a way to break up the cluttered world of Fantasy Era which had a lot of warring factions already. It was a way to introduce new knights, a new design direction towards realism, and a clean slate for writing a new fantasy chapter to the world of Castle in the future.

I am quite certain (yes I dare be so bold ) that we will see orcs again! (hopefully in regular green)

[fred67]

I'm not convinced.

I agree. I think they know we want elves, but the latest theme is too new and "real" and I don't think they will throw full blown fantasy into the mix.

Plus, we'll never get Orcs because the Tolkien estate is a bunch of blood sucking leeches living off the work of a brilliant, but long since gone, artist.

I mean, it's not like Tolkien used fantasy creatures created by others, right?

Anyway, I think they know we like Elves, were looking forward to elves, and perhaps changed direction before giving them to us (it seemed like they were planned at one point) for some other reason, perhaps to not interfere with other themes; perhaps they thought they were getting close to getting sued... whatever, we probably won't ever know.

But I do think we'll see them at some point... just not the near future.

[Sirens-of-Titan]

Plus, we'll never get Orcs because the Tolkien estate is a bunch of blood sucking leeches living off the work of a brilliant, but long since gone, artist.

That hasn't stopped game developers from using orcs in games like Warcraft, Warhammer, etc. The green guys are a staple of many a video-game franchise and they are even making a LEGO comeback in the Heroica game. Once again I don't mean they'll be added to kingdoms; even my biased, fantasy-obsessed mind can distinguish between a fantasy theme and a classical castle theme.

[Lordofdragonss]

I prefer Warcraft Orcs than Tolkiens. And I really like how Lego pictured Orcs( but I don't like the fact that they call them trolls), and I would love to get more and more orcish faces! I am happy that we are getting "baby orcs"in Heroica, only I have to think how can I use it!

[Stiel]

I guess it makes sense to say that with the new sets (plus the advent calendar) civilians became a prominent 'faction'.

[The Penguin]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear; I don't mean they will add a fantasy faction in the Kingdoms line, I mean the Kingdoms line will be stopped and a new line reminiscent of minifigure scale Heroica may be introduced. (This isn't my personal wish, but it's distinctly possible as all other themes have fantasy elements it's only a matter of time before castle gets the fantasy treatment. )

I view the changeover to Kingdoms as a way to break up the cluttered world of Fantasy Era which had a lot of warring factions already. It was a way to introduce new knights, a new design direction towards realism, and a clean slate for writing a new fantasy chapter to the world of Castle in the future.

I am quite certain (yes I dare be so bold ) that we will see orcs again! (hopefully in regular green)

Well, I actually agree with you.

Despite the fact that Kingdoms is considered to be a 'realistic' theme, it is simply cannot last for long from now. i expect a year or two, no more. If TLC does not add new factions the theme will simply die out.

I have already stated in some topic that LEGO has no other way but return to fantasy in some time. Kids nowadays would definitely prefer elves, wizards and dragons over jousting and and numerous human knights. They are (kids) are quite different now. I can't recall a single modern kids-oriented movie about medieval ages without fantasy elements in it. Not to mention all those computer games and MMORGs they play.

Not to mention the fact that Kingdoms is on sale now here, while you could hardly get any Fantasy sets, because they were gone from the shelves on the first day.

Good day, ladies and gentlemen! )

[metalandi]

It all depends on what kind of sets TLG is planning to make next. This theme has TONS of potential, if only it is used the right way. Thy could make dozens of different civilian sets, first of all. Also, they can add at least 2 more "fighting" factions, and other forestman/wolfpack thmed factions. It worked this way for more than 10 years when castle first started, i can't see why it wouldn't work a second time, especially not with all the new parts and possibilities that are available nowadays. I know that this is the opinion of an AFOL, but i'm pretty sure that kids would also love a more reality-based theme. We had fantasy elements now for about 15 years, it surely can't be bad.

Edited February 16, 2011 by metalandi

[UsernameMDM]

Despite the fact that Kingdoms is considered to be a 'realistic' theme, it is simply cannot last for long from now. i expect a year or two, no more. If TLC does not add new factions the theme will simply die out.

If that is true, I hope TLG does a proper jousting/tournament set before moving on from Kingdoms.

Edited February 16, 2011 by UsernameMDM

[Sirens-of-Titan]

If that is true, I hope TLG does a proper jousting/tournament set before moving on from Kingdoms.

I am sure there will be at least one more wave of kingdoms, don't worry! The next great set could be a medieval fair; it has to be something like that now that we have a market village, a farm, and all the castles you can think of. This would be a perfect compromise considering the many interests of AFOL's and kids alike.

Imagine a set with a jousting match, a little folk band, a couple of craftsmen and traders selling items, a whole bunch of colorful tents and an eatery;

All in all: 2 knights on horses, 1 nobleman with 2 guards, 4 merchants/craftsmen and 2 peasants to enjoy it all!

Oh dreams....

[DaleDVM]

All of this dreaming and I still have to wait several months to get my hands on the new wave of Kingdoms sets. This thread is full of foul temptation... I for one will not fall prey to its evil!

Back on topic. I just realised that the 2x1x2 65 degree slope was new in dark brown. We get atleast 16 of them in the barn.

[BTappel]

Back on topic. I just realised that the 2x1x2 65 degree slope was new in dark brown. We get atleast 16 of them in the barn.

Jackpot

[Edmond Dantes]

The weapons aren't preliminary, they are actually made for the new heroica board games. I'm 99,9 % sure they are only included in the blacksmith set, so the blacksmith has a big variety of different "products" to show off. They're more supposed to be just displayed, than be "real" weapons.

The weapons might still be preliminary - notice the chicken included in the display set is brown, yet the chicken on the box art is white. There are inconsistencies elsewhere as well (for example, look at the handle of the bucket on the box art compared to the handle in the display set). I could name others...

Edited February 17, 2011 by Edmond Dantes

[Alex the Great]

The pics are pretty good: Lover the new king torso!

In that picture the small plant in the tree only has two leaves, is it a new piece?

Maybe it just broke off.

[UsernameMDM]

The weapons might still be preliminary - notice the chicken included in the display set is brown, yet the chicken on the box art is white. There are inconsistencies elsewhere as well (for example, look at the handle of the bucket on the box art compared to the handle in the display set). I could name others...

The box art is preliminary. What is displayed in actual bricks is what we get.