My first MOC!!! - please read...

[ukdevilz]

After joining this forum again and looking at some of the other peoples collections and models. I thought I

[Mister Phes]

Now lad before I get to commenting on the actual MOC I should let you know we have an entire Pirate MOC sub-forum which this thread will be moved into after you read this message. If you look at the very top of each forum page you'll notice 5 sub-forums with the Pirate MOC sub-forum being at the top. I recommend you take a look in there.

The other thing I notice is you've all called this a "model" however, throughout the AFOL (Adult Fan Of LEGO) world these things are known as "My Own Creations" or MOCs so I recommend you let me change the title otherwise users may be confused as what you're referring to.

[dillthepill]

Good to see a new member.

That is a pretty good MOC for a first time. I like the water part with the sharks and the tower is good as well.

Good job. *y*

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

Ach - No, not bad at all for a WIP. We're in the same boat, per se - I only have half a ship and half a tavern built so far :P

Anyhow, some tips that I know just from experience:

If you're using a baseplate, take advantage of it. Think of creative ways to use it.

Unlike how Lego portrays them, real forts were mighty nigh-on unassailable structures. STRONG! BOLD! Those should be your thoughts in everything you build.

Now, onto the MoC itself:

All MoCs start with the baseplate, and your dock setup doesnt look half bad - Particularly how you covered over the (annoying) hole in the ground.

Your sense of factions is strong, too - Very good, as mocs that make no real distinction between factions are rather.... irksome :P

The dock itself is a fairly good, straightforward design, but I would advise a lot more detail to the under-structure. Since you arent using wood, it would obviously be made of stone, and, due to the era, would be a bit more... "flashy" then straight block pilings. I suggest arches under the docks.

Now, im not trying to tear you up or anything, but the tower has to be the weakest part of this so far - I strongly suggest heavily rebuilding it. Like I said - Strong! Bold! So small a fort would have to be very compact, so tight spacing is fine. However, the tower looks like it would shatter with a single cannonball. Keep strategic signifigance in mind - would they really need that railing halfway up it, or would they simply brick the damn thing over?

I suggest increasing the overall size of the tower. While I oppose having a cannon at the top, it would be workable with a much larger tower top. Take your average cannon into concideration: It needs room to be aimed, recoil, be releoaded, and then hauled back to fire again. The area up there is simply too small :/ Furthermore, replacing the rat lines with a real stairway might also help the overall feel - They would be needing to run gunpowder, wads, cannonballs, and everything else up to this unless they kept all that up there. When modeling cannons, concider that they will need these supplies as well as at least 3 people to man them at all times. Either way, the tower needs to be larger :)

As for The Plank - There is only one confirmed case in all of History where a Pirate was actually made to Walk the Plank. Furthermore, the Bluecoats would not be sentancing a PIRATE to walk the plank - A really cool thing to see, though, would be a gallows or a guioteine in the middle of this MoC! So, for overall feel, I'd have to advise the removal of the plank in the final version :/ Though the sharks are enough to make it cool for now ^_^

I've always loved making scenes, and I will compliment you now on yours - It really tells a story, even with so basic a MoC!

The only remaining part is the back wall, but I will refrain from commenting on it until I see pics of the finished MoC :)

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay, and keep building!

[Bonaparte]

Can't really provide inside on building a port/fortress since I never build one. But this looks like a good start to me.

I hope to make one some day but it won't be soon...

You should change the flag however, since you are using the red imperial guards.

Or maybe there is a story behind the presence of the blue flag?

[ukdevilz]

Thank you all for the great feedback! Lord Admiral Helden Ravensburg - I will take your advice and start building more today! Thank you all again!

[Captain Roger]

good job is a simple port but a good MOC i like it...only a bad point...i think you shouldn't put the Imperial soldiers flag with the imperial guards flag

[Mister Phes]

Thank you all for the great feedback! Lord Admiral Helden Ravensburg - I will take your advice and start building more today! Thank you all again!

Obviously I've moved this thread to the Pirate MOC sub-forum which wasn't really negotiable, however you haven't told me what you think I my proposed renaming of "model" to "MOC" yet.

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

I point you to Zcerberus' port:

http://eurobricks.hosting.ipsyn.com/eurofo...?showtopic=6986

[ZCerberus]

I point you to Zcerberus' port:

http://eurobricks.hosting.ipsyn.com/eurofo...?showtopic=6986

Since my handle has been evoked, I thought I would comment.

First of all, I really like that you have built off the edge of the raised basplate, it is so easy to stay confined to a baseplates raised surface that I commend you for going off the edge.

Second, I would like to applaud you for selection of the Imperials as you fort of choice. The Imperials are an awesome faction!

Besides the MOC I have done, there are other very large harbors floating around including two in this post Imperial Harbors

Also, if you look at my MOC or severl of the other MOCs featuring Imperial harbors, you will notice that they are very large and use many, many, many pieces, so don't aim for a sprawling fortress if you can't effectuate the design. I obviously don't know what you do or don't have, but I see you are mostly sticking with the Imperial Guard color scheme! *y*

Smaller fortresses, however, can be built and still look nice and clean. Evil Willy has started one that is still in progress. Evil Willy's small fortress

I think giving you other harbors and forts to look at is what we should do, we can give you some examples, and then let you get inspired on your own!

If you do want feedback and suggestions though, I think Lord Admiral Helden Ravensburg had some good advice. Using arches on the lower structure of the dock really gives it a sturdy, but classy look. I have also used 2x2 round bricks, and 1x1 round bricks to bolster my docks. I also added some boat tie-ups on my docks as well, which I think is always a nice addition!

Also, there are many different ways to make 'stairs' to lead up to your tower, and since you have a lot of space, it could do well to use stairs to lead up a level. I think the ratline is okay to use if you are trying to reach an even higher lookout tower, so you could still keep that rather orginal idea in the moc, but use it somewhere a little different!

Also, my MOC also was changed due to suggestions on the forum here. I orignally had planned, but had not implemented any vegetation (unlike you who has already done so) so I hope you continnue to build taking suggestions here to improve the MOC.

Two last notes. 1) Don't change anything you are completely happy with, even if unrealistic. This is a LEGO Pirates fan site after all. 2) Welcome to the forum. I myself am a fairly new member, so I hope this is a welcoming place and somewhere that becomes a favorite of your to visit!

[ukdevilz]

ZCerberus - nice to meet you too! Thank you for the comments and advice! I don't think I can build a great imperial lego fort like you, as i dont have as many peices hehe.

Mister Phes - I will call it a 'MOC' lol *sweet*

[Mister Phes]

And the name change has been made!

How many pieces do you have to put towards this MOC?

[ukdevilz]

I have 3 boxes FULL of lego, but not that many white and yellow pieces. I have a lot of black and grey, but it wouldnt fit with the pirate theme would it....

[Mister Phes]

Will you be acquiring more in the future?

[ukdevilz]

hopefully hehe i dont know where i could put my lego creations on show tho.

[Mister Phes]

Do you have limited space at your place? Most here build their MOCs and then destroy them :'-( and recycle the pieces in future MOCs.

Space is very precious when it comes to MOCs!

[ukdevilz]

lol do they now? :'-( tis a shame cos i hope that large imperial port/fortress isnt destroyed! I will have to place my mos in my bedroom or store them in loft. only problem is the DUST. How can i counter this?

[Mister Phes]

Now that is a good question because I experience too much dust with my MOCs and sets.

But you're getting a bit ahead of yourself because you haven't finished it yet! When are you going to do some more work on it?

[ZCerberus]

Fortunately I have not had to destroy my large MOCs for more pieces. I think maybe it is because my Pirate MOCs take prioritoy over everything else! Plus I have a pick-a-brick near by and a Bricklink account!

Don't worry about the dust till later, but canned air, air compressors, and tooth brushes all seem to be good 'after-the-fact' ways to clean off dust.

[Lord Admiral Helden Ravensdorn]

At least your collection isnt like mine - Its been experiencing heavy play and tons of dust for nigh-on 8 years now ;) Im ashamed to build with them, they're so dirty! :P

[Mister Phes]

I think what we be needed here is some close up images to see what's going on.

Whoever was wondering what an Imperial Fortress would look on that green baseplate here is an insight for you.

[ukdevilz]

I will work on it next week sometime, I got a lot of college work at the moment.

[Scouty]

That would be me X-D . It looks good. Especially if it's near water.

Nice MOC ukdevilz! I like the dock alot!