LOTR & The Hobbit 2013 Set Discussion

[Darth Malgus]

Hope to see some info on the Orthanc set, really like to know if its minifgurre based or not as well. The council of Elrond has grown on me a little, I wish they'd have used different characters, I have enough Gimli's.

[deskp]

Can we assume there will be "ads" for ortanc in the other sets' instructions? Cause we'll proapbly see new LOTR sets pop up in somes tores soon

[shadowhearth]

Wizard battle is the best small set in lotr range and maybe overall from lego Licensed themes. I know those play futures are crap, but it is a fantastic display set, lots of nice parts and best of all - 2 great minifigs. Looking forward to it!

[Leo604]

Can we assume there will be "ads" for ortanc in the other sets' instructions? Cause we'll proapbly see new LOTR sets pop up in somes tores soon

I'm guessing there could be some teasers, but probably nothing too substantial since TLG will probably want to keep the suspense going for as long as possible (although I have no idea how that's going to work, seeing as everyone basically knows it's Orthanc now).

[Brickadiergerard]

I agree, the Wizard Battle is a fantastic set, and it's a great thing of TLG to do to put two such iconic figures in such a low price set. Rivendell could've been a huge set of course, but its simplicity is kind of charming and the set does capture something of the feel of the place from the books, films and game. I'll be getting them as soon as I can. My only gripe with Rivendell is the choice of yet another Gimli as a figure in it (old Bilbo would've been perfect), but Elrond and Arwen more than make up for that. Buy 2, sell off the duplicate Elrond, Arwen and Frodo, pay someone to take Gimli, then enlarge the scene a bit with the extra parts is my plan.

As I've said some time back, although the ship's good, it's not for me. I was planning on getting 2 Black Gate sets, and combining them to make something that looked like the proper thing, but now I've seen it up close thanks to the great new pics, I'm not so sure. The set is kind of the opposite of the Wizard Battle - it's expensive, it's only half a set, and the minifigs are a real mix of the inspired (Mouth of Sauron), the good (Gandalf and Aragorn) and the lazily re-hashed (those orrible orcs). And when it comes to it, it's just a gate.

[Str0ngbad]

I wish they'd have used different characters, I have enough Gimli's.

I agree, the Wizard Battle is a fantastic set, and it's a great thing of TLG to do to put two such iconic figures in such a low price set. Rivendell could've been a huge set of course, but its simplicity is kind of charming and the set does capture something of the feel of the place from the books, films and game. I'll be getting them as soon as I can. My only gripe with Rivendell is the choice of yet another Gimli as a figure in it (old Bilbo would've been perfect), but Elrond and Arwen more than make up for that. Buy 2, sell off the duplicate Elrond, Arwen and Frodo, pay someone to take Gimli, then enlarge the scene a bit with the extra parts is my plan.

As I've said some time back, although the ship's good, it's not for me. I was planning on getting 2 Black Gate sets, and combining them to make something that looked like the proper thing, but now I've seen it up close thanks to the great new pics, I'm not so sure. The set is kind of the opposite of the Wizard Battle - it's expensive, it's only half a set, and the minifigs are a real mix of the inspired (Mouth of Sauron), the good (Gandalf and Aragorn) and the lazily re-hashed (those orrible orcs). And when it comes to it, it's just a gate.

I want your Gimlis. I know we're getting quite a few of him but every single piece on him is wonderful and capable of being repurposed. His beard and helmet are so much better than the ones from the fantasy line that by comparison they're made to look like they come from Megabloks or Kreo. I would seriously trade you for them.

I agree with you guys about the Wizard Battle being the best small set in LOTR or Hobbit; great figs, great pieces and an important scene. It would not be possible for the Rivendell set to grow on me anymore unless they included old Bilbo or old Gloin (or Glorfindel ). The pieces look incredibly useful and those elves are spectacular. The gate is my least favorite but I still like it enough to get one (I think I like Aragorn in this even more than the Mouth). LEGO would have had better luck convincing me to buy two if they had put new orcs or armor in it but I still probably wouldn't have gotten two. The ship looks wonderful. Not as excited about it as I was for Helmsdeep since I'm a castle fan and this is from a less iconic scene. Still, I'm looking forward to my first ship and it is WORLDS better than Goblintown.

[Hrw-Amen]

Is it likely that we will ever get battle packs? Trying to make a good sized attack on anything is almost impossible even adding up all the orcs from every set I have (All first wave LotR and Hobbit.) I only get about twenty or so which really is quite pitiful.

I remember similar things when I was a lad, and I would get a set of models (Not LEGO.) and it had the 9 characters from the Fellowship and half a dozen orcs, I mean it was pretty useless as a toy and I would have thought that children nowadays would have similar views? I understand why adults (Like me.) still buy these sets but even then surely more orcs or more of any faction would be a good idea to make the sets stand out with a realistic display?

Is there any hope of this? Anywhere, ever?

[just2good]

Is it likely that we will ever get battle packs? Trying to make a good sized attack on anything is almost impossible even adding up all the orcs from every set I have (All first wave LotR and Hobbit.) I only get about twenty or so which really is quite pitiful.

Is there any hope of this? Anywhere, ever?

There's always hope. If there is a wave next year, I think we'll see an Uruk-Hai BP or Rohan BP.

[legofreak86]

Thanks man!

Although I think the "Help Saruman out of his chair" feature is a bit...Odd.

Love the sets though! The architecture is instantly recognizable, and I can't wait to get a hold of Palantír.

Do remember christopher lee is 90 years old. He might need a bit of help getting up and lego have clearly picked up on that lol. Can't wait for the HD photos hopefully we will get a look at saruman like the gandalf the white one we got earlier from grogal.

Edited April 15, 2013 by legofreak86

[The_Chosen_1]

There's always hope. If there is a wave next year, I think we'll see an Uruk-Hai BP or Rohan BP.

Just my opinion, but I have a feeling that this is the last we'll see of Rohan and Uruk-hai - at least for a little while. I would hope that the next LOTR wave will focus on Gondor.

[The_Creator]

Loving Elrond, want multiples of it, and the Wizard Battle is nice also. Can't wait for GRogal to come by!

[Artanis I]

GRogal came by the board games topic today, check it out if you want to see hi-res pics of the Helm's Deep game with its 20-30 microfigs...

[TheLegoDr]

I had no idea he was 90 (I just looked him up). That is crazy. I also didn't know he was 6'5".

Either way, I do like these new sets, but I'm not as excited about them as the initial wave. I will definitely get them and I don't love multiples of certain main characters, but multiple Gimlis actually works a lot better than multiple Aragorns (in the same outfit). Extra dark red torsos works great for a little army.

I can't wait until next wave, I am hoping for bps also!

[Faefrost]

I had no idea he was 90 (I just looked him up). That is crazy. I also didn't know he was 6'5".

Yeah. I know his age was an issue when they started filming the Hobbit. There was some question as to whether he would be able to make the trip to NZ. In the end I'm not sure that he did. If you look carefully (heck even casually) at the Rivendale scene he is in, it almost looks like he is never in the same room as the other actors. They filmed him elsewhere and edited him in. Kinda like Raymond Burr in Godzilla.

I think the ship remains my favorite of this wave. It just has everything I like. A new ship! Army of the Dead! Peter Jackson chained to the mast! OK another trio of Legolas Gimli and Aragorn I don't need. But the rest is great.

With the Wizard Battle set out there, I would have gladly traded the Gandalf in the Black Gate for another Orc or an armored Hobbit. I do think the set looks much better doubled up, but the amount of unique character minifigs in it kinda discourage that. A few more orcs would have made it more palatable.

I know we all complain about another Gimli in the Rivedale set. But honestly, he is the one figure that had to be there if you were to have any "play features". He is the only thing that actually moves in that scene. Without him it looks like a Jedi Council scene from The Phantom Menace. Funny looking people sitting on sofas.

[deskp]

Yeah. I know his age was an issue when they started filming the Hobbit. There was some question as to whether he would be able to make the trip to NZ. In the end I'm not sure that he did. If you look carefully (heck even casually) at the Rivendale scene he is in, it almost looks like he is never in the same room as the other actors. They filmed him elsewhere and edited him in. Kinda like Raymond Burr in Godzilla.

If you have watcched the Hobbit video diaries, you'll know Lee was filmed on green screen in London.

[TeufelHund]

If you have watcched the Hobbit video diaries, you'll know Lee was filmed on green screen in London.

Apparently as was Ian Holm, neither being fit enough to make the long trip to New Zealand.

[Kez]

GRogal came by the board games topic today, check it out if you want to see hi-res pics of the Helm's Deep game with its 20-30 microfigs...

Do you have a link to this because I can't seem to find it? (sorry)

EDIT: Never mind, I've found it http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=77720entry1566925

Edited April 15, 2013 by Kez

[Artanis I]

Do you have a link to this because I can't seem to find it? (sorry)

EDIT: Never mind, I've found it http://www.eurobrick...0

Don't be sorry, I couldn't be bothered finding the link to it in the first place , thanks for helping everyone else!

[Alcarin]

Simply cannot wait to get Corsair Ship for display.... now to get 10 people to sell me extra corsairs for decent price.... or trade them for undead/fellowship from the same set :P

[Kez]

^^ Thanks and no problems

[Faefrost]

Simply cannot wait to get Corsair Ship for display.... now to get 10 people to sell me extra corsairs for decent price.... or trade them for undead/fellowship from the same set :P

The PoP Hassasim make good starting points for cobbling together Corsairs and Haradrim. And they are fairly cheap to get.

[omegabob]

Is it likely that we will ever get battle packs? Trying to make a good sized attack on anything is almost impossible even adding up all the orcs from every set I have (All first wave LotR and Hobbit.) I only get about twenty or so which really is quite pitiful.

I remember similar things when I was a lad, and I would get a set of models (Not LEGO.) and it had the 9 characters from the Fellowship and half a dozen orcs, I mean it was pretty useless as a toy and I would have thought that children nowadays would have similar views? I understand why adults (Like me.) still buy these sets but even then surely more orcs or more of any faction would be a good idea to make the sets stand out with a realistic display?

Is there any hope of this? Anywhere, ever?

As much as I would love an Elf battle pack (along with the ones you mentioned) I wouldn't recommend hold your breath waiting for them. Last I heard from a Lego Rep LotR is not selling well with kids and could be close to being stopped. I would guess that is the reason there are fewer sets in this wave. Without kids behind the line the chances of getting battle packs are pretty slim.

On a side note I think Lego rushed out the Castle line to get some unaware customers (grandparents and parents) to accidentally buy LotR sets when looking for Castle sets for their kids.

[Deathleech]

As much as I would love an Elf battle pack (along with the ones you mentioned) I wouldn't recommend hold your breath waiting for them. Last I heard from a Lego Rep LotR is not selling well with kids and could be close to being stopped. I would guess that is the reason there are fewer sets in this wave. Without kids behind the line the chances of getting battle packs are pretty slim.

On a side note I think Lego rushed out the Castle line to get some unaware customers (grandparents and parents) to accidentally buy LotR sets when looking for Castle sets for their kids.

We hear these "rumors" all the time but there is little to no hard evidence. We have no sales figures at all and nothing said on the matter from higher ups (everything is from a friend's employee or store manager who has little say if a line continues or not, maybe their store just doesn't have the demand others do?). The only time we have heard Lego LotR even specifically mentioned was in an interview with the CEO from last year where he said they were selling "very well". Other than that nothing. We have a report from Lego for 2012 but it gives us little insight as to how well LotR is doing since it only list the top three performers and we all pretty much knew these themes were Star Wars, Ninjago, and Friends. Was LotR 4th on that list, or dead last?

As for battle packs, it seems most people actually think the exact opposite of what you are saying and BPs cater to adults more than kids (since kids want to buy sets with recognizable named characters, not masses of no name grunts). There are only 4 sets this year, but Orthanc is all but confirmed later in the year bringing the total to 5. One of those is obviously going to be a bigger set, probably D2C and cost at least $150+. It makes sense then that Lego would only do 5 total LotR sets with one being so big and also the Hobbit sets coming out 5-6 months later (10+ sets per year dedicated to Tolkien material is quite a bit). This is pure speculation on my part, but as I said before the complete lack of sets based on some of the biggest factions/locations/scenes tells me Lego is holding back some of their material for later waves. If not why not put their best stuff out now to see if the line is worth continuing?

Lastly LotR sets look NOTHING like the Castle ones since they are all dark neutral colors used to make the sets and the packaging is totally different and darker as well. Castle on the other hand is MUCH brighter with yellows, reds, and blues. The building shapes for LotR are nothing like the conventional square Castle ones. Heck, the logos aren't even anything alike either. I doubt at all Lego rushed the Castle line out again to confuse parents and grandparents into buying LotR sets.

[just2good]

Box image from WoG:

It's the size of the Stage Coach LR set and the Golden Dragon Ninjago set! SO CUTE!

[bekindsorewind]

Council of Elrond is the best LOTR set this year. 2 exclusive minifigures, cheap way for Gimli, and beautiful pieces in new shapes and colors.