Helms Deep use as castle?

[Faefrost]

The Monster Fighters Vampires Castle is also kind of an interesting one to work with to creat something a little taller and different. It just doesn't some with traditional armies. Orc or otherwise.

[sealslip3]

Earlier I had an interesting thought regarding this topic...

Based on this picture, I'm wondering if it might be possible to make a traditional square/rectangular castle with a little creative rearrangement of the sections of Helm's Deep. Here's what I'm thinking:

The gateway section and rounded walls directly adjacent to it wouldn't need to be changed. The exploding section and another section from the Uruk-Hai Army set would make up the sides of the castle. The rounded sections in the interior of the set would be placed at the remaining two corners, and the tower and other remaining pieces could be used to make the final side (opposite the gate). I'm sure it would be a little more complicated than it sounds (the heights of the walls would have to be played with, some plates may need to be added to the bottom, etc). Anyone with the necessary sets and a little spare time feel like giving it a go?

[Brickington]

I think helms deep is just fine, and you could consider what seaseal3 said:)

[Faefrost]

I could see Theoden appearing in a Battle at Pelennor Field or Witch King set, but the other two definitely won't be in any other set unless it's a remake of Helm's Deep. Also prices on them have dropped dramatically in the past few months. Haldir and Theoden are only fetching around $12-13 now, and the Berserker is at 6-7 bucks. Still, that's roughly $32 bucks just for those three alone. Add in 3 Uruk-hai Orcs at 3 bucks a shot, and Gimli and Aragorn at $5 each and you are easily looking at $50 back for the minifigures. Still not a bad deal at all. If he bought two battle packs he would have 2 more minifigures than normal all for 20 bucks less than Helm's Deep MSRP.

Theoden would definitely be in a Pelennor Fields set. (Theoden, Eowyn, Merry vs the Witch King on his Fel Beast). Haldir could possibly appear in a Lothlorien set (like the one in the easter egg of the LotR game). He may also appear in a future Hobbit set. We know that scenes in it feature Gandalf and Galadriel. So the forces of Lothlorien may come into play against the Necromancer.

If you are concerned about age appropriateness for the Helms Deep or a LotR set for a younger child, try this out. Test the kid out by showing him the old old Rankin Bass animated version of the Hobbit.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hobbit-Original-Unedited-Animated/dp/B008ETVXQY/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1353915973&sr=8-32&keywords=The+Hobbit

That should get him into the setting, while recognizing the Orcs and Goblins as more cartoony bad monsters. It may reduce the scary factor of the source materials somewhat.

As far as Castles, we have actually had an incredible year for Castle fans.

Helms Deep is one of the best castle sets Lego has ever put out. Just an amazing fun build. Almost entirely pure brick build and imaginative techniques. Some great, if subdued colors. Even if you are looking to use the more traditional Castle figs and factions, Helms Deep would make a superb Castle for the Green Dragon Knights, who I believe never did have a main base of their own.

The Kingdoms Joust isn't a true Castle, but it is still a stunning and huge castle type scene. Plus incredible play value.

The Vampires Castle is a bit on the Gothic Side. But is a gorgeous base to create a different sort of castle. Something a little creepy or scary. The default Vampire Castle is once again one of the best and most distinctive sets Lego has ever made.

While not technically a Castle per se, the Medieval Market Village is in solid competition as the all time best Castle themed set, ever! Not to mention it comes up on list of all time best Lego sets ever. It's the town and people and animals for your knights to interact with. The Mill Village Raid also makes a nice add on for it. These sets would also be particularly appealing to a 4 year old as they come with a good amount of animals. Cows, Chickens, Goats, etc.