LEGO Castle 2013

[Bricknblue]

To me it looks like a redo of the Kingdoms castle, as in they are both boring. There is nothing "wrong" with either set, but there is nothing special from them either.

What I do not understand is Lego's use of the raised baseplate. They built a police station and a hospital and a coast guard set, and that ugly IJ set, but they can't use on on a Castle just to make it somewhat different?

But we have to remember that while these sets are boring, so is almost every first year for Castle and then they get better and better until they end for no reason.

[kermit]

I notice that ropes are used to lower the drawbridge instead of chains. i would of rather the chains.

[Echo]

The guy driving the carriage does appear to have a white head, red eyes, and fangs. I hope that they are indeed vampires rather than regular guys or skellies. A vampire army would be awesome.

[SirBlake]

Be grateful, people! We are getting (long-awaited) LotR sets, AND a brand new castle line with new minifigs, new prints and new pieces in the SAME year! I am eagerly anticipating the release of all these new sets!

I take umbrage with this statement, sir. I'm happy for you that you're happy, but to foist your apologist outlook on the whole of the community is not appreciated. We owe it to ourselves to praise the victories and decry the failures, and the overwhelming majority of this forum sees the failure in some foundational elements of this line.

Are we fortunate to be getting LotR/Hobbit? I think so. Are we therefore obligated to smile and cheer when we're force-fed inferior castle product because of it's proximity to the aforementioned licensed themes? I think not.

As I said before, in general, the builds aren't bad, but the very bones of a castle themed line are the heraldry/factions. Kingdoms took a tired concept (Lions and Dragons... AGAIN!?!?) and made them great with fantastic artwork. TLG then follows this up with a direct (though admittedly, somewhat improved) call-back to Royal Knights/KK1 heraldry that virtually no one cares for on any aesthetic level, and a pathetic representation of a dragon. To back this up, I would put good money on the assumption that if the 3 variations of Dragon shield designs were ranked by the community, this one would finish a distant last. Likewise, if the same were done with the 4 main Lion shield designs (Royal/KK1 is basically the same except for the background) were put to the same test, this new one would barely beat Royal/KK1.

So to bring this home, I would say this: I refuse to be grateful for inferior design. I have supported TLG off and on for 30 years, and I believe that it profits no one to to be a cheer leader of bad decisions. I reiterate, I'm happy for you that you do not share my disappointment, but reserve the right to express mine.

Note: I've worked hard to keep any inflammatory language out of this post. I'm certainly not mad, just engaging in what I feel is a healthy debate. Cheers.

[smellsgood]

I'm still holding out hope for a theme that plays on Greek Mythology. The recent additions in the CMF line (Minotaur, Cyclops, soon to be Medusa) have made me optimistic. I'm hoping these figs are somewhat of a prelude much like the monster figs were to Monster Fighters.

That could be really interesting, and a change from the usual, too.

As for the bad guys, if they have vampire faces, that does sound awesome. Maybe they will be "related" in some way to the dragons, other than just using their image for heraldry and having the one dragon as an ally.

Edited February 2, 2013 by smellsgood

[Dr.Cogg]

If the Villians are Vampires, than maybe there a remake of the Fright Knights ?

[Echo]

The standard soldiers appear to have crown emblems on their torsos rather than the KK2 lion facing forward emblem seen on the shields, so it should be pretty easy to simply replace their shields with Crownie shields. That would probably look quite nice.

Edited February 2, 2013 by Echo

[SirBlake]

The standard soldiers appear to have crown emblems on their torsos rather than the KK2 lion facing forward emblem seen on the shields, so it should be pretty easy to simply replace their shields with Crownie shields. That would probably look quite nice.

That occurred to me as well. That helps. Unfortunately, the dragons don't appear to have fared so well. They all seem to have the "spiky phallus" emblem on their torso prints.

Edit: spelling

Edited February 2, 2013 by SirBlake

[smellsgood]

That occurred to me as well. That helps. Unfortunately, the dragons don't appear to have fared so well. They all seem to have the "spiky fallace" emblem on their torso prints.

You know, in many ancient cultures, the phallus is a classical symbol of strength... I don't think that's what it looks like, though.

[SirBlake]

You know, in many ancient cultures, the phallus is a classical symbol of strength... I don't think that's what it looks like, though.

Thanks for correcting my spelling on that one. And yes, it symbolizes a lot of things, none of which I want on my knight's shields, lol.

[smellsgood]

Thanks for correcting my spelling on that one. And yes, it symbolizes a lot of things, none of which I want on my knight's shields, lol.

No problem. I think even those ancient cultures didn't put those particular symbols on their knights' shields, either. :)

[Sigolf Brimabane]

No problem. I think even those ancient cultures didn't put those particular symbols on their knights' shields, either. :)

Some ancient warriors fought naked, though... Not the mediæval ones however x)

[smellsgood]

Some ancient warriors fought naked, though... Not the mediæval ones however x)

Really? Interesting point... Do you happen to know which ones?

Maybe we should be glad the new factions have clothes at all, even if the heraldry isn't appealing! Because all yellow would suck

Edited February 3, 2013 by smellsgood

[Haltiamieli]

The top right corner of this image at full size ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/61839591@N08/8431768247/sizes/o/in/photostream/) the fig in the barrel helm seems to have the white face on the box.

I think it is yellow. It can be partly seen also in this pic. But I agree that all we see of the figs actually in the display seem white-y. But then again I find it strange that apparently no one that actually visited the toy fair has commented on it yet. So I'm kinda inclined to suspect it's just photographic illusion, until further notice.

Really? Interesting point... Do you happen to know which ones?

At least Celts were known of that, Romans tell us. Nothing to scare those orderly Roman legions like wild, hairy and naked warriors apparently with rather serious case of contempt for their own lives. Apart from being scary it's terribly impractical, of course.

[Sigolf Brimabane]

At least Celts were known of that, Romans tell us. Nothing to scare those orderly Roman legions like wild, hairy and naked warriors apparently with rather serious case of contempt for their own lives. Apart from being scary it's terribly impractical, of course.

The thing with going to battle naked was... well... it probably is a good feeling! And you know, it was honourable to die in battle, so the warriors had no need to fear death :D Therefore they needed no armour. And it is intimidating... Or maybe just shocking? I would probably be more disgusted than frightened though... Or I don't know, going to battle like that seems like messy stuff so I would probably mostly be scared.

The berserkers were also supposed to have fought without armour (though with some clothing). There were also those specific Greeks (if I don't remember wrong) who only wore one shoe (although having armour) x) I don't remember exactly why, but I think it had to do with some god... So hmm, maybe I should make some naked warriors for Mitgardia? :D CMF Poseidon's torso is good for that x)

[gedren_y]

I think it is yellow. It can be partly seen also in this pic. But I agree that all we see of the figs actually in the display seem white-y. But then again I find it strange that apparently no one that actually visited the toy fair has commented on it yet. So I'm kinda inclined to suspect it's just photographic illusion, until further notice.

At least Celts were known of that, Romans tell us. Nothing to scare those orderly Roman legions like wild, hairy and naked warriors apparently with rather serious case of contempt for their own lives. Apart from being scary it's terribly impractical, of course.

Possible, but what is more likely is the box is still using a preliminary image.

Secondly, pre-Christian Romans decorated their buildings with phalic symbols. The idea that Celts battled naked comes from a Christian era Roman drawing. Even the modern word Celt comes from the Greek word keltoi, not from any of the languages of the region.

Now back to the issue at hand. Has anyone asked Fedro, who seems to have gotten the best pics, about his (I'm assuming male) experience at the German Toy Fair? Did he learn anything from the presenters about the upcoming Castle theme not apparent in the pictures?

Edited February 3, 2013 by gedren_y

[Artanis I]

I find it strange that apparently no one that actually visited the toy fair has commented on it yet. So I'm kinda inclined to suspect it's just photographic illusion, until further notice.

That's my position at the moment too.

[legobear]

Those guys might have fangs but I don't think they are vampire. I think one guy pointed something out and then everyone "saw" it. Then suddenly people are crying "vampire!" . I really think TLG is trying to make the dragon faction as "evil" looking as possible to the point of entirely giving up on their aesthetics.

There is huge disappointment in this line and I do think it's warranted. Firstly, the falcon knights were the last "new" factions featured in 10223 Kingdom Joust. Why tempt us with that one figure to uphold the entire faction to not continue with it? Joust should have been Dragons Vs Lions if they never intended to revive it. That was terrible marketing that caused much confusion in the core fan base.

Adding insult to injury, not only are they NOT delivering the falcons as shown in 10223 Kingdom Joust, they will sell EXACTLY THE SAME FACTIONS you bought a year or two ago. It just screams complacency and overall carelessness.

Edited February 3, 2013 by legobear

[Cara]

Blocky and retro and not in a good way. I couldnt get enough of the beauty of previous sets like the Mill Village Raid, the Blacksmith, any of the dragon knights. These, aside from some minifigures for use in MOC'ing, are really unattractive to me.

[Slobey]

I'm inclined to think this is a young kid friendly line to keep the castle "seat" warm till Hobbit/LotR has run its course which will probably be the end of next year. Hopefully we will then see a castle line geared more toward older kids/afols...... I don't think this is as strong as kingdoms but it is no where near as bad as the Jellybean knights

[smellsgood]

The thing with going to battle naked was... well... it probably is a good feeling! And you know, it was honourable to die in battle, so the warriors had no need to fear death :D Therefore they needed no armour. And it is intimidating... Or maybe just shocking? I would probably be more disgusted than frightened though... Or I don't know, going to battle like that seems like messy stuff so I would probably mostly be scared.

The berserkers were also supposed to have fought without armour (though with some clothing). There were also those specific Greeks (if I don't remember wrong) who only wore one shoe (although having armour) x) I don't remember exactly why, but I think it had to do with some god... So hmm, maybe I should make some naked warriors for Mitgardia? :D CMF Poseidon's torso is good for that x)

On the historical naked warriors: Interesting!

On the minifigs: I think an MOC portraying a battle between freaked out armored minifigs and naked warrior minifigs could be pretty funny. :)

And on the faces: if they are yellow, it still leaves the bad guys with freaky evil faces, which is at least different from last time.

[Krulis]

So dragon knights have got normal faces:

http://www.spieletest.at/pics/bericht/1174/069Lego2013.JPG

http://www.spieletest.at/pics/bericht/1174/071Lego2013.JPG

[frumpy]

So dragon knights have got normal faces:

http://www.spieletest.at/pics/bericht/1174/069Lego2013.JPG

http://www.spieletest.at/pics/bericht/1174/071Lego2013.JPG

Yep. That solves that one.

[fuavarra]

So dragon knights have got normal faces:

http://www.spieletes...069Lego2013.JPG

http://www.spieletes...071Lego2013.JPG

That's sad. Vampire Dragon Knights would have been very funny :D

[KazeMonsuta]

Here's a better look at all the figs of this line.

Lion knights seem to have 3 different torso printings and the dragon knights have 2.

The evil mage is back, just ike in the Castle line of 2007.