LEGO LotR - general discussion

[deskp]

No doubt, even one Easterling would have been significantly better than the zero we got. Ideally I would of liked to have seen two or even three in the Black Gate set and no Orcs. That way we could have a small regiment of at least four, or six from buying two BG sets to form a "complete" wall, and buying more beyond that (and selling the bricks and other minifigures besides the Easterlings) would of allowed us to quickly build up a sizable force.

Don't get me wrong though, I understand Lego was trying to portray the final battle so they needed an orc or two, it just sucks because the Black Gates are the only place we really see the Easterlings on screen. Sure we know they are at the Battle of Pelennor Fields and other various battles because of the books, but we never actually see them there which makes me worried they might easily be passed up by Lego. I mean where else could they include them besides a battle pack? Including them in the Black Gate set would of made the set cover a few different parts of the movie AND gave us the Easterlings, which personally I think could of been amazing looking minifigs.

We do see easterlings when the Minas tirith gate is breached, just barely, but i hada say it!

[Lynx]

You mean ?

While the helmet and shield look great I think printed armor would be sufficient imo...

or even the Samurai armor in gold to reduce costs.

I keep waiting for those shields in LEGO from Roman commanders... never seem to drop in sets...

Yes, I think these guys would look great as actual minifigs!

[Seaber]

I'd rather their armour was printed, but the helmet may then make them look too bulky, like Uruk-Hai without the armour.

[Deathleech]

I think it's just the low quality render from the game that is making the Easterling look bad. I am sure if Lego made it exactly like it appeared in game, it would look significantly better since the armor would not look as muddy in the actual plastic.

[scottjs]

Not that it actually means anything but I found it interesting that while reading Brick by Brick the author mentions "licensing more recent megahits such as Lord of the Rings" when talking about how well Lego is now doing. I know I'm reading into it but I still have hope that this theme is doing fantastic (much better then The Hobbit minus Unexpected Gathering), and we'll see sets for years to come.

I've noticed in my local Lego store Orthanc sets seem to fly off the shelves at an alarming rate and I wonder if this would prompt TLG to do another huge exclusive for Lord of the Rings? Although Orthanc will probably stick around for a couple years would it not?

[Deathleech]

Was he referring to the Lego line when he said megahits though, or the films?

[Alcarin]

Was he referring to the Lego line when he said megahits though, or the films?

Ye :P Major difference here :D

I just hope we get 2 more waves with atleast 11 sets :D anything more than that (or even additional UCS type of set) and I would be super happy

[Seaber]

I can't think of many recent hits Lego haven't got licensed yet. Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Marvel, DC, Pirates of the Caribbean and LOTR/TH are all huge franchises, probably only beaten by James Bond. Possibly with the recent films Star Trek could work, I don't know. Otherwise, more Disney/CN lines I imagine.

I hope this line gets multiple future waves, but a 'Diagon Alley' set to finish with would be amazing.

[Elrond]

The Balrog set could contain Moria Orc helmets exclusive to the set (designs seen in the video game).

Yeah, I would have liked to see more movie-accurate swords and shields (those in the Moria set look nothing like the ones from the movie) but I fear it will never happen.

If they release it, I hope they won't have any problem with yet another religious group because the Balrog looks like a demon.

Imagine LEGO would go all out and give us Haradrim (not sure if the headpiece would be new)

They probably won't be new. They'll certainly re-use headpieces from the Ninja/Ninjago themes and from PoP. Not to mention the Haradrim captains don't even wear anything on their heads.

Moreover, if we get Haradrims it will most probably be with an oliphant, which means a completely new mold. We probably won't get any other new piece in that set... I fear oliphants might even be too big to get a representation (and they might not look good if they're made of bricks).

Possibly with the recent films Star Trek could work, I don't know.

Kre-o (Hasbro) already owns the Star Trek license.

Edited August 17, 2013 by Elrond

[BlueberryWaffles]

I hope this line gets multiple future waves, but a 'Diagon Alley' set to finish with would be amazing.

I'm hoping the very last Middle Earth set will be the Grey Havens boat. Then I would die a happy hobbit.

[deskp]

I'm hoping the very last Middle Earth set will be the Grey Havens boat. Then I would die a happy hobbit.

I would not be happy, cause that would proapbly take up the place of another unmade location, and the figure selection would be shit concrning new characters.

[Str0ngbad]

I would not be happy, cause that would proapbly take up the place of another unmade location, and the figure selection would be shit concrning new characters.

Hey, you should show more respect to Círdan; oldest and wisest of the elves that remained. ;)

Fortunately, he was included in the movie though he wasn't named in any dialogue.

That would thrill me too Tolkien but I highly doubt it would even be considered.

[scottjs]

Was he referring to the Lego line when he said megahits though, or the films?

Debateable, I'll expand the quote.

"The majority of its revenue comes from refining classic LEGO lines such as City and Star Wars, licensing more recent megahits such as Lord of the Rings, and inventing Big Bang themes such as..."

I would be amazed if the Grey Havens boat was the last big set to end LotR. I would think/hope Minas Tirith in Death Star proportions as it has much more significance/screen time/playability/awesomeness. Not that I don't want the boat I just want other stuff first. Lego (customers) sure love boats though.

[Darth Caedus]

Debateable, I'll expand the quote.

"The majority of its revenue comes from refining classic LEGO lines such as City and Star Wars, licensing more recent megahits such as Lord of the Rings, and inventing Big Bang themes such as..."

I would be amazed if the Grey Havens boat was the last big set to end LotR. I would think/hope Minas Tirith in Death Star proportions as it has much more significance/screen time/playability/awesomeness. Not that I don't want the boat I just want other stuff first. Lego (customers) sure love boats though.

I think we've had quite enough of boats taking up large slots in the line (cough corsair cough). But I'd still buy a well-done Grey Havens ship.

[Deathleech]

I would gladly buy a Grey Havens set as long as we got Minas Tirith, Gondor Soldiers, an Oliphant with Haradrim, the Balrog, Treebeard, Faramir, Eowyn, Sauron, and the Witch King on Fel Beast in sets all first :)

It would make the perfect end to the line.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Deathleech

[LegoThomas]

I would gladly buy a Grey Havens set as long as we got Minas Tirith, Goneor Soldiers, an Oliphant with Haradrim, the Balrog, Treebeard, Faramir, Eowyn, Sauron, and the Witch King on Fel Beast in sets all first :)

It would make the perfect end to the line.

I totally agree.

Plus the prancing pony and the green dragon. ;-)

[Zzz]

Lego is just not getting that this line needs battle packs. Getting a few more figures for little money is making the current sets more attractive, it's not making them less attractive. The Lone Ranger BP is making every other set of the line more attractive, cause I can get a few more figures to play with. Isn't that the reason that even City has them? To 'upgrade' the more expensive sets? To have an introduction, a small impulse buy set, a gift and then get hooked? Boy there are so many reasons to have cheaper sets. Why not here?

Or let me change my question: Is there any line that doesn't have battle packs? Then why not this line, which is based on epic battles? TLC is clearly afraid that they won't sell the bigger sets if there are smaller sets, which is a mistake in my opinion.

[Infernum]

I just want that Easterling. He looks fantastic! . I'd also love a Havens set, as long as it doesn't cut out any important scenes, like Minas Tirith or something.

[Deathleech]

Lego is just not getting that this line needs battle packs. Getting a few more figures for little money is making the current sets more attractive, it's not making them less attractive. The Lone Ranger BP is making every other set of the line more attractive, cause I can get a few more figures to play with. Isn't that the reason that even City has them? To 'upgrade' the more expensive sets? To have an introduction, a small impulse buy set, a gift and then get hooked? Boy there are so many reasons to have cheaper sets. Why not here?

At this point we don't really know what Lego's reason is for not making LotR battle packs. It could be more due to their licensing agreement than anything. It seems like they WANT to make them what with the Uruk-hai Army and Mirkwood Elf Army sets, but they need to include a lot more bricks than a standard battle pack would have.

As for your sentiment, I agree battle packs would help most bigger set sales than hurt them, but I don't know if that would always the case. I imagine the undead in the Pirate Ship Ambush are a pretty big selling point of the set, and without them the set would sell significantly less. Then again Lego could still keep sets like the Pirate Ship Ambush appealing by including unique undead soldier prints and different variations in a battle pack. Or maybe the King and Corsair are unique enough to sell the ship if they are exclusive to that set? Of course you also get the model, which if cool enough should help sell the set as well. For sets like the Black Gate I am pretty sure the Mordor Orcs aren't really helping sell the set at all so Orc battle packs would be fine at this point I imagine.

I do think Lego needs to start kicking the battle pack production up with their LotR line though. The smallest sets seem to be a waste so far and are always massed and sitting on shelves around me at retailers. They also seem to be the least favorite of everyone for every wave thus far released. Why not change that small $12.99 set into a similarly priced battle pack or two? I am sure they would FLY off shelves. LotR has so many huge army battles and didfferent factions it just screams to have battle packs made. Imagine all the possibilities... Gondor Soldiers, Rohan Soldiers, Haradrim, Mordor Orcs, Moria Orcs, Elves, Easterling, Gondor Rangers, Undead Soldiers, Wild Men, Trolls, etc. And this isn't even getting into the sub classes like the regular Gondor Soldiers and the Fountain Guards.

[DarkKnight7]

I don't usually post in this thread, but I think it would be cool to have a series of two or three Minas Tirith set pieces.

The ideal IMHO would be to have 1) a lower wall with The Great Gate, the Orc battering ram, orc soldiers and their orc leader (can't remember his name), and Gondor soldiers, 2) An upper part with Gandalf the White and Gondor Pippin and the Witch King on a fell beast, and 3) the Tower of Ecthelion with the main chamber, the tree, Denothor, Faramir, and a Gondor Soldier. The only set in this list that would be a hard sell would be the Tower of Ecthelion due to the lack of action in those scenes, but then again, they made that Rivendell scene with the only action being Gimli being catapulted into the air for hitting the ring with his axe...so you never know!

With those three, you could put them together (similar to the Helm's Deep and Uruk Hai Army set) and make a complete Minas Tirith. Would be interesting idea.

Edited August 18, 2013 by DarkKnight7

[wesker]

I think I'd prefer to just have one large Minas Tirith set, preferably as a S@H exclusive like Orthanc was. My main concern is that the third wave of LOTR sets could very well be the last, and as much as I'd like to see Gondor get some representation in Lego form I'd hate to see the entire wave dominated by it.

[Robert_88]

I think I'd prefer to just have one large Minas Tirith set, preferably as a S@H exclusive like Orthanc was. My main concern is that the third wave of LOTR sets could very well be the last, and as much as I'd like to see Gondor get some representation in Lego form I'd hate to see the entire wave dominated by it.

I hope there will be more than three waves! I think LOTR has a lot more potential!

[wesker]

So do I. We definitely need another two waves to cover all the essentials. Something like this would be ideal:

Wave 3

- Mount Doom (includes Sauron)

- Treebeard

- Siege Tower (army builder for Gondor Soldiers and Mordor Orcs)

- Mumakil

- Edoras

Wave 4

- Amon Hen

- The Balrog

- Lothlorien

- Eowyn vs The Witch-King

- Minas Tirith

[scottjs]

I think I'd prefer to just have one large Minas Tirith set, preferably as a S@H exclusive like Orthanc was. My main concern is that the third wave of LOTR sets could very well be the last, and as much as I'd like to see Gondor get some representation in Lego form I'd hate to see the entire wave dominated by it.

Yeah I agree. One huge Minas Tirith set would be better then 3 individuals sets. I was pondering how they would design a set like this over the weekend, making notes as I went. In my notes I used the Death Star as an example as I believe Minis Tirith would be comparable to the Death Star in terms of the amount of pieces and minifigures you would need to do it justice. If I had the bricks to undertake what I thought would be a marketable version I wouldn't hesitate. However I don't, so this is just a day dream for me. Also I'm trying to keep the new mould piece count to a minimum as that would play into the set being made.

First off the minifigure count:

Lego likes to stick with "the good guys always prevail" (which they do in LotR) but as an example the Battle of Helm's Deep in which the "good guys" are vastly outnumbered has 4 good and 4 bad minifigures. For this reason I can't see Minis Tirith having a large amount of baddies. At best a number evenly matched with the good guys. Also I'm reading through the books again and my memory isn't the best. So if I miss anyone let me know.

Good Guys:

Theoden (Helm's Deep minifigure)

Aragorn (Black Gate minifigure)

Gandalf the White w/Shadowfax (Black Gate minifigure)

Pippin (New Citadel Attire/Printing)

Eomer (Uruk-Hai Army minifigure)

Faramir

Denethor

2 Rohirrim (Uruk-Hai Army)

2 Gondorian

Bad Guys:

Gothmog

Orcs x 3 (with armor)

Troll

Now that puts us at 14 minifigures plus the Troll. An existing mold would suffice for many of the characters and armor. Mostly we would need new printing which would keep costs down. I had in my head a minifigure count of 20 although the troll would take away from that number somewhat. Also I had originally thought of Eowyn, Merry, The Witch King and his Fell Beast but I believe this would be better suited as its own set. Although for a theme ending set it would be great to see them included.

Minis Tirith:

Obviously 7 levels isn't going to happen. I'm thinking more along the lines of 3 as others have suggested. The first level would be the outer wall (think Helm's Deep) with the Main Gate. This would include catapults as well as play features to break of part(s) of the wall. Next would be a level built up slightly with perhaps a black smith and pub for their play features. Depending on the size of the buildings there could be a sleeping quarters or something else to keep play features alive. In between these two or more buildings would be the start of the mountain that protrudes out. This would be built up higher then the tops of the buildings. The courtyard, white tree and Citadel would be at the top of this.

Other Items:

A decently large Siege Tower would be included which would be pulled by the troll and house some of the other bad guys and their weapons. There could be a smaller catapult as well.

Obviously there would need to be some more detail but what does everyone think?

[BlueberryWaffles]

Why Eomer? We already got him. Us army-builders have tons. I would rather see another Gondorian or a Citadel Guard. Speaking of them, I bet we'd get 4 of them instead of 2 and 2 Rohirrim. And Aragorn should be normal.