Please help me decide between Fantasy Era of LOTR/Hobbit

[Ritsz]

Hi,

I want to start something completely new.. and after 2 months I still can't make a choice.

The idea is to start building a great layout, but something that's going to keep me bussy for at least 10 years..

Something like I did with the Western layout but much bigger and detailed..

I like these theme's because you are not limited to only humans like in other castle themes. So the possibilities are far greater and I wont get bored so quickly. Thats important if I want to be building and collecting for about 10 years..

I like LOTR/Hobbit because you have more veriety in different armys, like different orcs, elves. But the drawback for me is that I wont feel as free to build whatever I like. Reason is that I think you should stick with the original timeline/story and dont change anything to it..

Then with Fantasy Era you dont have that problem because it's just a made up theme. But on the other hand you only get 1 type of Orcs, skeleton army, dwarfs and humans.

Then I also thought of using Fantasy Era and add the LOTR/Hobbit Orcs and Elves. But to be honest I've never liked mixing theme's.

So what do you guys think I should do? I really can't decide on my own on this one..

Thanks!!!

[Jan_sh]

I think you should make up your own rules as you go along and mix theme elements to make your own unique "world". Lego is all about imagination and creating new things out of existing bricks.

[Mutant Orc]

Hmm, I know what you mean. I myself have bought all the LOTR and Hobbit sets, and they are really worthwhile. If you leave it a while without watching the films or reading the books then the need for staying cannon wares off. At least it did for me. I also think that LOTR and Hobbit are better than the LEGO own brand fantasy-historical themes in a few senses, as they seem more serious, with darker colours, nicer more sensible prints and FLESH FACES, which I prefer personally.

The only real drawback with LOTR and Hobbit sets, from a parts pack view (rather than a collectors view who would find two problems- the second being no where near enough sets or characters from important scenes), is the pricing. At least i found that problem.

[Alfadas]

Personally I would go with Fantasy Era, and just bricklink some hobbit/lotr orcs, to mix up the orc army. Good thing about FE is that it also has dragons, good for some action in the air. FE has a lot of sets, with a lot of figs, so it shouldn't be too hard to make large armies.

[Hive]

Use Fantasy Era as a base, but add some orcs and trolls and ringwraiths from LOTR/Hobbit to spice things up. And of course, use some bricks/structures from LOTR/Hobbit as they fit. Create your own world where you aren't limited to canon material.

[Venkefedo]

Have you checked out the Troll Town thread? It shows a lot of the potential of the Fantasy trolls/orcs. Doing the same for dwarves could be fun, even the skeleton armies might like to have a town of their own for laughs

Then you can add in elves in you want, whether gathering the CMF Elf and customizing it into a range of figures or maybe just getting LOTR/Hobbit Elves for a wider range (their fleshie heads could easily be work because they aren't human).

In any case, doing your own thing should give you years of fun building potential!

[Lady K]

I agree with what's be said already. Fantasy Era is what I prefer for a strong base because I like the pieces better as a foundation. Adding what ever you want from LOTR/Hobbitt just enhances your builds with out all the commitment of expensive liscensed sets.

The only problem I've encountered is that everyone assumes the poor Trolls from Fantasy Era are Orcs, which they aren't. Now with the orcs available you can have several different species of non human characters. Having a variety of clans always makes for a good large long term layout.

[TheLegoDr]

I think, no matter what you choose, it will cost a fortune! Not to be a debbie downer, but that's what I am.

Since Fantasy Era is discontinued, the sets themselves and a lot of the figures can be costly. LOTR is at least ongoing (for now), but a lot of those have been retired already too.

Personally, I agree with everyone else here. Do a mix, but by your own rules. I don't like mixing themes either and I think FE orcs would look weird next to LOTR orcs because of the serious tone/color scheme. But adding in dragons is always fun. Dwarves can work either way. Skeleton armies could work either way.

The next question becomes, do you prefer licensed or unlicensed skin tones for humans/elves. I personally love the licensed skin tone, but since I have a far greater number of unlicensed, that would edge out a victory in my collection.

[deskp]

can't yo build 11 big one, that blends the 2? Not mixing. but like fading btween them, half middle earth and half lego.

[Alfadas]

I don't like mixing themes either and I think FE orcs would look weird next to LOTR orcs because of the serious tone/color scheme.

Well, at first I also thought mixing the orcs from LOTR and FE and The Hobbit was strange and would look weird, but I tried it a while ago, and I was happy with the result.

So, you could mix all the orcs to a bunch of savages that pillage everything that catches their eye, or different clans that fight eachother. Either way, I would highly recommend that you get a bunch of every colour orc there is, just because it looks nice.

[Ritsz]

Wow that's a lot of reply's!!

First of all I want to thank everyone for your very helpful tips!!

Like most of you said, I think it's best to start with FE and from there on adding LOTR/Hobbit Orcs and Elves.

I do not like mixing up all the Trolls and Orcs. So I'll keep them in seperate clans. And like Venkefedo said, the fleshie colored Elves don't matter because they are not human, so that would work fine I think..

This indeed is going to cost me a lot of money, but starting slow, not buying everything at once (exept for all the FE sets) in a period of 10 years (or longer) has to be doable..

I'll have to try to ignore the other themes as much as possible to keep the costs down I guess..

can't yo build 11 big one, that blends the 2? Not mixing. but like fading btween them, half middle earth and half lego.

Thats a great Idea to build half and half.. I'll start with FE as a base and be adding Orcs, Elves,.. And if at some point I got enough LOTR/Hobbit sets, figures, that I can make their own world, I'll definitely try that!!!

But before that I got a long way to go

[Lord Vladivus]

If you're working on your own layout, you don't necessarily need the sets, but Bricklinking the figs alone might be a good idea? And buying parts etc. Might be a cheaper way than buying loads of discontinued sets. Although sometimes you can find good value parts packs in sets. Just a couple of musings.

[Ritsz]

If you're working on your own layout, you don't necessarily need the sets, but Bricklinking the figs alone might be a good idea? And buying parts etc. Might be a cheaper way than buying loads of discontinued sets. Although sometimes you can find good value parts packs in sets. Just a couple of musings.

Your right, but I like to have at least one of each set to complete the theme. I'll take those castles and maybe other sets appart for the parts, but it's just the thought of knowing you have the complete theme somewhere in there. After that it's mostly going to be bricklink like you said, I think thats the best way for army building and other parts.

[Lord Vladivus]

Your right, but I like to have at least one of each set to complete the theme. I'll take those castles and maybe other sets appart for the parts, but it's just the thought of knowing you have the complete theme somewhere in there. After that it's mostly going to be bricklink like you said, I think thats the best way for army building and other parts.

Fair enough- I used to do that (to some extent I still do, but only with certain themes), but now I tend to buy sets as parts packs, and supplement that with figs from Bricklink. I must admit though, every set I buy gets built, and displayed for at least a week- a hangover from my days as a KFOL. Anyway, I hope you document your progress, and we get to see some sweet MOCing from you! Have you thought about building your layout in the GoH setting? We have a settlement type community build going on right now.

[SirBlake]

I personally would mix and match and have fun with that.

If you're really wanting to focus on the sets, for my taste LOTR/Hobbit is far superior as far as set selection. I've got lots of crownies, which I think are great designs, but for the most part, I can't stand fantasy era set designs (drawbridge and MMV being the big exceptions there) so I got most of the minifigs separately from bricklink.

With Lego castle, kingdoms, etc, I think they all fit within the same universe. 80's forestmen look right at home next to the newer kingdoms castle, for instance.

[K-Nut]

I agree, I'd do a mix. With just doing one or the other, you'd just be restricted to that kind of theme when building, whereas with a mix you can really just do whatever you want to do with your layout.

[Ritsz]

Fair enough- I used to do that (to some extent I still do, but only with certain themes), but now I tend to buy sets as parts packs, and supplement that with figs from Bricklink. I must admit though, every set I buy gets built, and displayed for at least a week- a hangover from my days as a KFOL. Anyway, I hope you document your progress, and we get to see some sweet MOCing from you! Have you thought about building your layout in the GoH setting? We have a settlement type community build going on right now.

I took a look at the GoH forum and I think I would like to join GoH. But first I'll have to study it a bit to know how it all works, and I won't be ready to join very soon because I do not have that much Castle Lego at this moment.. And to be honest it's going to take me a long time before I can MOC like most of what I've seen over there..

I personally would mix and match and have fun with that.

If you're really wanting to focus on the sets, for my taste LOTR/Hobbit is far superior as far as set selection. I've got lots of crownies, which I think are great designs, but for the most part, I can't stand fantasy era set designs (drawbridge and MMV being the big exceptions there) so I got most of the minifigs separately from bricklink.

With Lego castle, kingdoms, etc, I think they all fit within the same universe. 80's forestmen look right at home next to the newer kingdoms castle, for instance.

I don't want to focus that much on the sets, it's just that I need every set of a theme that I am building around. Don't ask me why but I feel like I'm not happy if I have only half of a theme... hmmm, costly issues I got there.

I agree, I'd do a mix. With just doing one or the other, you'd just be restricted to that kind of theme when building, whereas with a mix you can really just do whatever you want to do with your layout.

That's exactly what I decided to do! Thanks all for your replies, it really helped out a lot. Now I can sleep again after two months of breaking my head haha

[Lord Vladivus]

It would be good to see you over in GoH. Check out the pinned story thread, that's all the background you need pretty much, and pick a guild. Start small (I know I did), they/we're a great community for improvements- it's taken me over a year to get from my original set-type building to a much more AFOL style. Anyway, I'll stop trying to sell GoH to you! I'll just wait (im)patiently for updates!

[Dewey Cheatum 1011 Western]

fantasy era

[Ardelon]

I see you've already decided, but I'll chime in to support the majority opinion. It's a lot easier to fit elements of LotR (or any Castle theme, or even themes like Prince of Persia) into Fantasy Castle than vice versa.

Anyway, good luck with your project, and don't burn out too soon!

[Ritsz]

It would be good to see you over in GoH. Check out the pinned story thread, that's all the background you need pretty much, and pick a guild. Start small (I know I did), they/we're a great community for improvements- it's taken me over a year to get from my original set-type building to a much more AFOL style. Anyway, I'll stop trying to sell GoH to you! I'll just wait (im)patiently for updates!

Please don't wait too Impatiently, cause I'm going to take it slow. If maybe in a few months I have some updates or something build already I'll definitely let you know!

I see you've already decided, but I'll chime in to support the majority opinion. It's a lot easier to fit elements of LotR (or any Castle theme, or even themes like Prince of Persia) into Fantasy Castle than vice versa.

Anyway, good luck with your project, and don't burn out too soon!

thanks a lot! yes, Thats why I want to build slow but for a long time, so I don't burn out too quick

[Yzalirk]

I feel your pain, I would recommend using the LotR and The Hobbit aspects for what you're building. Say you have some of the Fantasy Era Orcs like this, they seem less detailed than the Orcs you'd get in the LotR and The Hobbit sets. I like everything looking similar so it makes sense and looks nice