Medieval Village 10193 - still worth it?

[LudeBene]

Hello all! I'm a new poster to these boards but have been reading them since my Dark Ages came to an end a couple of months ago. I currently feel like I'm overwhelmed by an embarassment of riches - there are so many amazing sets out currently and then I come across references to legendary retired sets and find myself getting lost on Ebay and Bricklink, oh dear...!

Anyway, I've recently become aware of the existence of the now-sadly-retired Medieval Village 10193, which looks absolutely amazing. I've looked up various reviews and discussions about it on here and it seemed that whilst it was out many posters agreed that it was one of the best sets LEGO ever released. I have to agree that from pictures it looks pretty stunning - some great colours and parts going on.

The question I have is, does this assessment (best set ever) stand the test of time? How do people who've built it (or used its parts...!) feel it compares to more recent sets? For example I'm also currently swooning at the Temple of Airjitzu 70751 which seems to have received a lot of praise and also has some very tempting parts.

Regarding the price it seems that the going rate is around £140 - which I don't personally mind too much (other than regretting how much LEGO sets seem to have inflated in price since the Medieval Village's release!), as it seems to me that if I were buying from the current LEGO catalogue that would be about right for price-per-part. But for those of you who bought it at the RRP, would you still be happy paying twice that, or are there current sets out there that you'd rather spend your money on at that price?

I'd be really interested in hearing people's thoughts about this!

[Venunder]

I would say buy both the Medieval Market Village and the Airjutsu Temple.

They are both fantastic sets and both worth having.

7189 Mill Village Raid is also worth having.

They are only going to increase in price as they become rarer.

Another iconic set to watch out for is 10217 Diagon Alley.

[Dubbadgrim]

If you're happy to pay the inflated price, you will probably be much happier than with the newer sets. Kingdoms Joust 10223 is also worth keeping an eye out for, it has a lot more grey if you have castles in mind.

Edited March 16, 2016 by Dubbadgrim

[nine09nueve]

We have Medieval Market Village / Temple of Airjitsu / Kingdoms Joust - all good sets... but in terms of having a lot of grey for castles we grabbed 4 of the most recent Kings' Castle sets... Coupled with a whole mess of 4x1 light bley bricks and 2x4 dark bley bricks (from your local PAB store) you can make a really big castle :D

[Vorkosigan]

I would vote for buying 10193, if you love medieval settings its a must have. At this time 10193 sells for about the same or a little less than the last castle 70404 (in the US on ebay). 10193 is a much better choice because its unique. 70404 is a fine set in my opinion but not worth the current inflation. 10223 Kingdoms Joust sells for less than those two, it hasn't inflated as much yet and is also very well worth it.

Although I have lamented missing out on the main run of Kingdoms and I had to buy the MMV at somewhat inflated prices, I am very glad that I got to buy all of the Castle 2013 sets on discount, and Kingdoms Joust at normal price. Now is a tougher time for castle fans getting back into LEGO. Elves does have a lot of great elements though no minifigs, and Nexo Knights is a good source for fantasy villains.

[Jern92]

I bought it recently because I loved how it looked on the box, but after building it the whole thing seems a little meh. Maybe because I don't have anything to go with it. The modulars are fun because I can put them together and make a whole city scene, but with this I'm displaying it by itself and it just looks a little small.

[Murdoch17]

I bought MMV and Diagon Alley for my early 1900's town, and considered making the Kingdoms Joust set part of a 1800's European train station or City gate but didn't want to buy two to make a nicer model and couldn't justify the price, so I didn't buy that one.

These models look very nice together, and I would suggest getting them before they get much older / more expensive. Also, if you like modifying your sets, you could easily add a MMV style back to the wand shop from Diagon Alley. I did and it looks pretty cool. (I would do the same for the dark green and black building from Diagon Alley, but I haven't figure out how to do that justice quite yet.)

[Vorkosigan]

One interesting thing about 10193, which could be a pro or a con depending how you look at it: it doesn't have numbered bags. It gives a more oldschool feel, but with 1600 pieces it can be a lot to look through. You need a good supply of trays or bowls to pour the parts into.

[azog]

The medieval village is like the Imperial Flagship for medieval fans! Its the ultimate center piece that can go anywhere in your house and still looks good, I do own the medieval village and its a masterpiece, its fun for kids and absolutely beautiful for teens and adults! BUY IT! You will love it or your money back

[Shroffy123]

Yes most definitely. I purchased 4 of these when it came out. Still have one in package trying to find time to build

[rodiziorobs]

I felt the same when I came out of my DA--I saw pictures and thought 'Oh crap, I missed out on that?!'

I have since managed to buy two of these for less than RRP on eBay (about $90 apiece including shipping), but both were missing most of the minifigs and the cows. Still worth it, however. As a bonus one had nearly another full castle in the same box.

I have since taken them apart for parts (as I do with every set), but if I had the chance to buy a third for a similar price, I wouldn't hesitate. I would actually love one to put on permanent display and change it through the seasons, it is just such a charming set.

I wish I had had the sense to pick up Mill Village Raid, but I was too fresh out of my DA to really know how much I wanted to spend. Once I came around to it it was gone.

Unfortunately, while the Airjitzu temple is gorgeous--even in real life, while some sets only look their best in the boxart--I feel that it is a little too pricey; $200 in one fell swoop is just a little too much for me.

Edited March 17, 2016 by rodiziorobs

[azog]

The temple of airjitzu is a beautiful set! I'm in love with it and it looks really good next to those old ninja sets!

[Wardancer]

The last Hogwarts is also a very decent castle. Lots of tan and sand green. Maybe someone sells it without the figs for cheap.

[Captain Pirate Man]

I recently bought the Kingdoms Joust set and MMV. I haven't actually received MMV yet, it's still in transit. But I have assembled the Joust, and others have said, it is a very nice set, and VERY near retail prices as we speak. MMV is a little more expensive, but if you ever want to create a villiage or town of yesteryear, it is a MUST. Honestly compared to sets like TIF, it is still pretty reasonably priced. I got mine for $170 including shipping, brand new in box. What was the price originally? $140-150?

[rodiziorobs]

$99

[Staslegomaster]

All these thoughts and opinions make me feel nostalgic of LEGO golden times. I have recently got 5002072 and I'm happy.

[Sorrelon]

Well, that all depends on what you like. Medieval Market Village is one of the few civilian Castle sets. If you like the military aspect of the Castle, then you'll be better off not buying it, since MMV has only 2 soldiers and doesn't offer anything else on that aspect. But, if you'd like to make a village or a town besides castles, keeps and barracks, then MMV is a must have. It might be a bit more expensive than it once was, but unless it is triple the original price, it is still well worth the money. Also, while you are at it, I'd also recommend 6918 Blacksmith Attack and 7189 Mill Village Raid, as these 3 sets perfectly fit together. I remember finding MMV, MVR, Blacksmith Attack, Court Jester(7953) and Wizard(7955) in the same store. It was a bit pricey, but still one of the best deal I've ever had.

Also, Kingdoms Joust is a great set as well. While it also is a retired set, with a bit of luck, you can still find it in a store.

[LudeBene]

Thanks to everyone for the responses!

One interesting thing about 10193, which could be a pro or a con depending how you look at it: it doesn't have numbered bags. It gives a more oldschool feel, but with 1600 pieces it can be a lot to look through. You need a good supply of trays or bowls to pour the parts into.

Haha, I do love sorting actually... Some of the numbered bags make it much less of a satisfying challenge!

So far I've been thinking about the sets I buy from two perspectives: firstly if it will be a fun build and a pleasing finished set in its own right, and secondly what potential it has for giving me more flexibility with MOCs... It strikes me that the MMV offers options for a type of building you don't often see in LEGO. I'm also from a very ye-olde-worlde part of Britain so it kind of reminds me of (late mediaeval / Tudor) buildings from my local villages!

My current slow-boil LEGO dream is a sort of modular fantasy forest with different scenes and settings... Dark spooky ruins using Orthanc pieces, a lake with a minifig arm offering up a sword, and maybe I need a wee cottage in there too...?

Hah, this LEGO thing is quite addictive...!

[Actor Builder]

I bought the Medieval Market Village just near the end of it's shelf life. It's really nice.

It's one of the only $100 or less set I find worthy of keeping on display. Along with Benny's Spaceship x3, and Bag End.

[azog]

Man I really miss these times of Lego when we had REAL castle themes! Dont dare say its not but NEXO KNIGHTS IS NOT A CASTLE THEME

[MrRoy]

I got MMV and use it every week as the backdrop for the Town of Valendria. Replicated additional buildings from stock parts so I have six houses/shoppes and another MOC building-the Adventurers Guild. Have 10223, great set but I only use it on tournament days. Mill Village Raid I got twice and MOC'd the second barn into a proper Mill. I use the set(s) weekly as well as the "Outlying Farms." Don't know about parting out because I would never take these awesome sets apart. You guys are so right--they just don't make these great sets like they used to!

Edited March 18, 2016 by MrRoy

[LettuceBrick]

Without (m)any "traditional" castle sets being offered by Lego at the moment, I would say that the MMV is an excellent choice.

[Ltfalcon]

Still one of my all time favorite sets, the medieval setting is a prefect neutral non faction related set. This is what also makes it so versatile with other sets.

[smitty9999]

I was fortunate enough to purchase the Medieval Market Village. It's my pride and joy.

[legoguy1984]

One of the best sets ever. If you are a castle fan this is a must have. I was lucky enough to get one but really want another.