LEGO LotR - general discussion

[The_Chosen_1]

^ Right. IIRC, we don't currently have a shield mold that's anything like that. But if Lego were to make one, it's definitely one that could be reused for future Castle sets.

[Alcarin]

@Alcarin: The technique used on the whip is considered "illegal" by TLG since the connection is not intended and very VERY unstable Besides, the new version of the flame piece can't be connected like that anymore since the little pins have been removed

LOL ''illegal'' funny TLG :D

it still looks great though imo....

[Fives]

LOL ''illegal'' funny TLG :D

it still looks great though imo....

It does look amazing, but it's definitely not a realistic LEGO product. It's like how the video game versions of the Ents and the actual Ent LEGO released are completely different. I bet the designers just couldn't find a way to make a Balrog that A) looked like the character, and B) allowed playability.

I'm fine with not getting a Balrog. I would much prefer sets that cover the Battle of Pelennor, and give us the essential new characters and outfit variations of existing characters (the Hobbits in armour).

[Hammerhand]

The Gondor shield should be a new mold. It needs to be a longer shield (like the troll shields from Castle), but the handle needs to be placed vertically rather than horizontally. That's how the shields are held in the films.

Then again, knowing that LEGO is sometimes cheap on new molds (at least where they feel they can be), then the Roman shield is the best choice. Sure, there's a stupid stud in the middle of the shield, but the shape matches the film best.

I personally would prefer the troll shield design over the roman shield for Gondor soldiers. I used them for my custom Gondor soldiers, and used this design - http://www.brickshel...rian_shield.png It does have the stud hole in the middle, but it's the best one I could find. I'll post a picture of the shields later.

Edited January 22, 2014 by Hammerhand

[Deathleech]

Here is a comparison:

I'm not sure why people keep saying the Roman shield needs to be re-used when it's clearly not the best choice. Obviously the stud in the middle is all wrong, but even the shape isn't that close. Granted the troll shield isn't perfect, but it at least has a closer shape and no stud in the center. It more closely resembles the rounded top and bottom and is a longer shield overall much like the Gondor ones. It actually is a little too large but it's shape is so much closer overall it's fine.

Edited January 22, 2014 by Deathleech

[naf]

Of course, every set could be bigger ;) Unfortunately Council of Elrond seems to be too small for AFOLs and not exiting enough for kids.

I think the sets that we still need are similar to the ones that obviously sold very well (battle scenes and army builders)

I actually like Council of Elrond a lot. It's a nice size for sitting on my work desk, has nice colors/parts, and is pretty recognizable. I think the set ultimately suffers from not knowing what it actually is. The set isn't exciting for the kiddies because it doesn't have any battle aspect to it. That ridiculous play feature makes it less attractive for the adult crowd. So, if the set isn't going to be a kid favorite, Lego should have probably just killed the play feature, and added some more architectural details while keeping it the same size to make TFOLs and AFOLs happy. In it's current state, it's not very appealing to either crowd.

[Robert_88]

I totally agree! I really like the colours and the architectual details but it could have been better. I understand that play features are necessary but when I was a kid I wanted the sets to be as realistic as possible. Play features were nice but they were not the reason why I bought/wanted the sets. But I guess I'm in the minority.

I think the troll shield is the most accurate version but I wouldn't be surprised if we get a new shield because it could be used for other themes as well.

Edited January 22, 2014 by Robert_88

[SMC]

and the 2 figs that we had an army of already in that set didnt help

[Fives]

Seeing those shields next to each other only strengthens my belief that we need a special Gondor shield mold. LEGO could easily make the shield seen in the video game.

[SMC]

^ I would not worry too much at the moment there is not even a LOTR line

[Fives]

^ I would not worry too much at the moment there is not even a LOTR line

I'm not worried at all. I've basically come to terms with the fact that LEGO LOTR is dead. It kills me, because it was the one theme I had always wanted from LEGO since I was a kid when the films came out. Sure, they finally delivered, but not fully. Its like they gave us an amazing soufflé, but decided to blow an air horn right before the first bite.

[Blakstone]

I like the Council of Elrond set. I think LEGO was wise to introduce a new leaf color to the set to encourage general LEGO fans to buy it. The issue with it for me was there was not enough reason to buy multiples. Once you have Elrond and Arwen, you were done.

If LEGO had included a generic Rivendale guard or servant instead of another Frodo, then I suspect many of the AFOLs would have bought multiples.

[SheepEater]

I'm not worried at all. I've basically come to terms with the fact that LEGO LOTR is dead.

It's not dead and won't ever be, as long as people keep making awesome MOCs.

Eurobricks LOTR MOC chronological index

[naf]

....

I understand that play features are necessary but when I was a kid I wanted the sets to be as realistic as possible.

...

This. When I was a kid (here I go sounding like an old man), play features were hidden compartments, cockpits, detachable space labs, working anchors, the occasional crane to lift cargo up. None of this ridiculous launching stuff across the room nonsense. In two sets there are mechanisms for launch Gimli across the room, and both affect the aesthetics of the set negatively. I'm starting to think that the Lego designers have some kind of dwarf launching inside joke going on.

As for Gondor, they really wouldn't be doing the theme justice unless they did brand new molds for the helmet and shields.

1) Pelennor Fields - similar in size to Helm's Deep. Make the actual structure of Minas Tirith smaller (just the main gate), but include brick built Grond, brick build fell beast, Eowyn, Pippin in Gondorian armor, Gothmog, a couple Mordor Orcs, and a couple Gondor troops.

2) Army of the Shadow - $30 army builder, includes 2 Gondor troops, 2 Mordor Orcs, and 2 Haradrim troops (good way to slip these guys in). Includes a brick built wall that can attach to the Minas Tirith gate structure above. I guarantee this thing would fly off the shelves.

Other sets I really don't have a strong opinion on. I still like the idea of having a Mount Doom set, maybe the size of Weathertop. Frodo and Bilbo leaving for the undying lands would also make for a cool set, and would be a nice official "goodbye" to the theme. That way they could include Galadriel (I believe she is in that scene with Elrond?), and an elderly Bilbo figure.

[JerseyManiac1]

If LOTR is done, then I'm done collecting Lego. I currently buy three themes, 2 for my daughter, and 3 for my son. It was LOTR that influenced me to start buying them in the first place, and stopping before giving us a Witch King, Fell Beast, Faramir, and Sauron is downright insulting! I will have NO problem giving it up.

[Deathleech]

What if Lego gave us something like this? Sorry, I got lazy and didn't finish it, plus I suck with LDD still, but I think you get the idea:

Basically it's three straight walls and a curved wall section. Lego could make a Pelennor Fields/Minas Tirith gate set that had a gate (similar to Yooha's model, but not as tall) and put 2 of the curved wall pieces on each side. Then you could buy the Gondor Soldier army builders that contain the straight wall piece and put as many as you want between the curved walls. So you could put one on the left and two on the right, three on the right and two on the left, etc. Basically it would allow you to choose if you wanted to build out the width OR length of Minas Tirith. I think the curve I have needs to be a little less dramatic but you still get the idea. Inside is a simply brown ladder and armor holding a sword and "Gondor" shield.

EDIT: Here is the same curved wall sections, but with three straights wall in the front and two on each side. Ideally the gate would be about the size of one straight wall. The inner court yard is one straight wall connected by the curved ones. You could potentially stack the second row of walls the make the second level of the city and put a base plate under them (this would be 12 Gondor Army sets). Then all you would need is the big mountain in the middle and the top citadel and white tree and voila! Modular Minas Tirith using 2 big sets and tons of army builders!

Edited January 23, 2014 by Deathleech

[deskp]

Here is a comparison:

I'm not sure why people keep saying the Roman shield needs to be re-used when it's clearly not the best choice. Obviously the stud in the middle is all wrong, but even the shape isn't that close. Granted the troll shield isn't perfect, but it at least has a closer shape and no stud in the center. It more closely resembles the rounded top and bottom and is a longer shield overall much like the Gondor ones. It actually is a little too large but it's shape is so much closer overall it's fine.

Those are not the 3rd age Gondorian shields.... These are, yes they are a little curved up top, but the overall curve of the roman shield fixes that, the hard edges of the troll shield gets all wrong.

[Deathleech]

The one I used is almost the exact same shape as the ones used in the film. The white tree symbol is just a bit different. I was going to use the shields in that picture you posted but the resolution was too low and they were too tiny. The side detail is a little less pronounced (which is irrelevant), and they are SLIGHTLY less round on the top and bottom. I blew them up and they still have a significant rounding on the top and bottom though, much more than the Roman shield. The Roman shield is rounded on the front, not the top and bottom. The troll shield has hard edges but it more closely resembles the overall shape.

EDIT: Here is one from the film added to the previous picture I posted. As you can see the shape is near identical:

Edited January 23, 2014 by Deathleech

[SirBlake]

It would need to be a new mold. The Orc shield is boxy and flat, the roman is curved, which is nice, but ruined by the stud and too squared off. Don't get me wrong, I'd take either over nothing, but to do it right it'd have to be new.

[Deathleech]

And here is an overlay. The troll one definitely isn't perfect, the angles need to be more curved and it needs to be slightly concave in the middle. It's a way better overall shape than the Roman shield though and is lacking the huge stud in the middle. Ideally we would get a whole new shield mold, but if we didn't I would settle for a new print on the troll shield.

EDIT: And here is what a Gondor Shield print could look like on the troll shield. Not perfect, but not bad imo...

Edited January 23, 2014 by Deathleech

[deskp]

And here is what a Gondor Shield print could look like on the troll shield. Not perfect, but not bad imo...

snip

And here is what i think a gondor print could look like for the roman shield:

And to people saying we NEED a new mold. consider this:

[Alcarin]

I like both gondor shields ..... not sure which id prefer lol

[Blazej_Holen]

What if Lego gave us something like this? Sorry, I got lazy and didn't finish it, plus I suck with LDD still, but I think you get the idea:

Basically it's three straight walls and a curved wall section. Lego could make a Pelennor Fields/Minas Tirith gate set that had a gate (similar to Yooha's model, but not as tall) and put 2 of the curved wall pieces on each side. Then you could buy the Gondor Soldier army builders that contain the straight wall piece and put as many as you want between the curved walls. So you could put one on the left and two on the right, three on the right and two on the left, etc. Basically it would allow you to choose if you wanted to build out the width OR length of Minas Tirith. I think the curve I have needs to be a little less dramatic but you still get the idea. Inside is a simply brown ladder and armor holding a sword and "Gondor" shield.

EDIT: Here is the same curved wall sections, but with three straights wall in the front and two on each side. Ideally the gate would be about the size of one straight wall. The inner court yard is one straight wall connected by the curved ones. You could potentially stack the second row of walls the make the second level of the city and put a base plate under them (this would be 12 Gondor Army sets). Then all you would need is the big mountain in the middle and the top citadel and white tree and voila! Modular Minas Tirith using 2 big sets and tons of army builders!

Its kinda edgy...MT was in a shape of half circle...:)

[Deathleech]

I know, it's too boxy atm. The angle on the curved sections needs to be changed and possibly add a slight curve to the "straight" pieces as well. I took about 20 minutes to make it though just to give a rough idea, I hope Lego would take a little longer to do an official set

Honestly I don't see Lego making something this modular. The furthest they seem to go with modular builds is two totally separate sets attached by pins. They don't really do any stacking on top of each other or mixing and matching wall sections. And why would they, it's not like the sets are made of tons of bricks that can be connected togeth... oh wait

[Dr.Cogg]

Lego made Harry Potter sets that stack on each other and Jabba's Palace with the Rancor pit.