KimT Posted December 19, 2008 Introcomment: This is one of the most spoken about Castle sets on Eurobricks. The other being the brother/sister set 5372 Skeleton Chariot (which I'll be reviewing next). In order to de-mysitfy this set, I ordered all the needed parts and here's the result. Enjoy the review and feel free to comment on this small never released impulse-like set. 20 pieces and a minifig, that's gotten so much attention, that we might be missing the point of the reason for this never being released Set information as I could dig it up around the net: Set#: 5373 Theme: Castle Set Name: Knight & Catapult Pieces: 20 + minifig according to Bricklink Release: 2008, except it was never released Price: unknown USD / unknown EUR / unknown GBP Links: My 5373 Brickshelf folder Bricklink Reference Catalog Peeron.com Brickset.com Bricklink Inventory The-box-that-never-was-view A neatly designed box art. Not much to say about it. It basically shows the 20 pieces and the minifig in the set. Would you buy a Castle impulse set that looked like this? I would. Wouldt you buy a "regular" Castle set that looked like this = price tag a little higher than the impulses, between the 7009 Final Joust/7090 Crossbow Attack and the impulse wave? I am not so sure I would. Instructions picture A full page of instructions... But what's to be expected with a set this small? As usual it's a little difficult being sure of when the intention is that one should use black or dark-grey parts. This is easily solved though, since the set only has 20 pieces. If in doubt then all the pieces have their 7 digit LEGO code and tapping that into the PaB-online shows you the exact piece (given that's it's in the database and that it's not black or dark-grey, because it's impossible to see which is which there ) Instructions link SET PICTURES: A barrel full of weapons. The knight surely has a lot to pick between, were he ever to skip catapulting the enemy and try out some ol' skool melee. (Bear in mind that he's also got his trusy sword and helmet close to him at all times). Defense is apparently of the essense here. Side view of the catapult. Small and deadly at short ranges. Who wouldn't fear a saucepan that launches big concrete rounded pellets? Another shot of this small "Machine of Mayhem". How does he move it around with no wheels on it? Must be a strong fella. Dragging around a catapult and a barrel of weapons. For cooking and for toiletries. No further comments... "Tadaa!" The hero to be. Smirk on his face, armed and with the trusty "pot" on his head. Is this the face of death from above? I'd expect a more grim man to handle such a machine. Perhaps a little older and with a grey stubble. (and more of a belly) Why did they add this in tan? Pearl silver or grey would suit as metal bar or even brown as wooden bar. Why tan, is that to resemble a de-barked piece of wood? As mentioned earlier, a lot of weapons is included. Great additions to the ever-growing army of Crownies. And to finish it all off, a picture of the entire set. Scores: 9/10 Design - Overall a fairly well designed set. Not much to complain about there. The catapult could surely be worse. 8/10 Playability - Loads of playability given the working catapult and weaponry. But where's the Enemy? 7/10 Parts & Price - A neat collection of useable parts, no known price makes it hard to either justify or give any critical comments. Total: 24/30 / Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorro Posted December 19, 2008 This would have made an excellent Impulse Pack set... Yes it lacks an enemy but that is quite common with Impulse Packs, I think you are supposed to buy two of them, one crownie and one sceleton pack. The best aspect of this unreleased set is that it has so many weapons, except for the catapult that is: a sword, a crossbow, and a halberd . Very good review, KimT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nirdian Posted December 19, 2008 (edited) A nice and cool set! Sad thing it never got released... Edited December 19, 2008 by Nirdian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KimT Posted December 19, 2008 Very good review, KimT. Thanks. I hope to do the 5373 before I leave for the holidays. If not then you'll just have to wait until New Year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meschepers Posted December 20, 2008 (edited) This is a neat little set, it has everything you could hope for: a minifig, weapons, a catapult. However, I can see a big reason that TLC may not sold this one: simply put a very similar item was featured in the castle advent calendar . Edited December 20, 2008 by meschepers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KimT Posted December 30, 2008 This is a neat little set, it has everything you could hope for: a minifig, weapons, a catapult. However, I can see a big reason that TLC may not sold this one: simply put a very similar item was featured in the castle advent calendar And this is the comparison of the two catapults: Old and new side by side They do look alike, the only difference is the xmas colours featured on the 22nd of December's version. Inventory New X-mas version to the left and old version to the right. Very very similar. Not much has changed here. Only the ammo seems different. The lack of the grey slope (roof topping) does make it harder to shoot the xmas catapult. It has a tendency to fire directly into the ground, when there's nothing to stop the arm. Which do you prefer? The Santa Version? The Classic Version? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorro Posted December 30, 2008 I didn't even see they consisted out of the same bricks, so nice find guys . Cute TLG produced them in Christmas colors and its good they put it in the advent calendar, but I like the 'classic' version more, so I am still sorry they didn't release this Impulse pack. Thanks for the comparison, KimT, you are doing a wonderfull job here! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
