Tips For Getting Back Into Ninjago

[Chilly_Productions]

I've decided that I want to get back into Ninjago, but I would like some tips on what sets to get or anything in-between.

Also here's my experience with the theme so far.

2011: At first I hated Ninjago, but one day I was browsing the internet and stumbled upon the Fire Temple set for half price, I thought "why not, it's cheap!", little did I know what this would turn into.

2012: I'm now into Ninjago, and I'm buying sets frequently. I went to my aunt's house in England, which had a LEGO store close to it (this was before the LEGO store in Scotland opened), I had saved up a very large amount of money, and then spent most of it on Ninjago...

I wasn't good with money back then.

2013: I knew that these weren't the final sets. That's all I can say, this year wasn't very interesting apart from that, at least I got two sets.

2014: After the missing summer wave of 2013, I lost interest in Ninjago due to how long it was since a new wave, so I didn't buy any, mainly because I sort of forgot about it. There were three sets I regretted not picking up.

2015 Wave 1: I tried to get back into the series, but I bought an eight pound set to use as my judgement, i know it's not a very good representation of Ninjago. I might come back and buy some of these if I can actually find them any more.

2015 Wave 2: This is the main reason I want to come back to Ninjago. I think the designs are a lot better than Rebooted or the Tournament of Elements.

2016 Wave 1: I don't think it looks as good as the Possession sets, but I think it's better than the Tournament of Elements sets, that's to be expected, because Wave two sets are usually better than wave one sets.

[tkatt]

One word- Master Wu Dragon

[Dr.Cogg]

My own Ninjago collection and why I bought the sets:

Skull Motorbike: It a cool Ghost Rider like Chopper.

Ice Dragon Attack: I'm a fan of Dragons.

Turbo Shredder: Very unique looking vehicle, plus I liked the Color Scheme.

Garmadon's Dark Fortress: I'm a fan of villain's and their bases, plus it had some pretty good minifigs like: Samukai, Garmadon and Nya

Fire Temple: The Temple has a really great opening function and has a lot of nice detail, it comes with a good amount of minifigs and a Dragon.

Nuckal's ATV: I was collecting most of the Skull vehicles.

Venomari Shrine: impulse buy and a cheap way to get Zane.

Rattlecopter: Loved the color and the snake theme.

Anacondrai Battle Mech: A cheap Impulse buy.

Garmatron: Mostly got this for Kozu.

Hover Hunter: Cheap Nindroid.

OverBorg Attack: I like Borg and his vehicle.

Nindroid MechDragon: I'm a fan of Dragons and Sci-Fi, and really liked the look of the Dragon, I did MOD it's rib flyers and gave it's back feet toes, to match it's front feet.

Battle for Ninjago City: another great Temple, but this one comes with the Overlord.

City of Stix: A great Ghost themed tower with some docks and a good amount of minifigs.

Master Wu Dragon: A very well designed Dragon.

Ronin Rex: The Airships okay, but I mostly got it for Ronin.

Attack of the Morro Dragon: A well designed large Evil Dragon.

Final Flight of the Destiny's Bounty: Missed out on the first one, so I bought this vastly improved version, with some great functions and a great selection of minifigs, including: Ghost Morro

Enter the Serpent: Really loved the look of the giant snake head.

Lava Falls: another cheap impulse buy.

P.S. I am looking forward to the next wave, to see how the Bounty would look versing Misfortune's Keep.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Dr.Cogg

[DraikNova]

If you can still get them, I'd suggest either going for Possession sets or waiting for the next wave. The summer wave is always better. The only set I'd suggest getting from the Skybound wave is Jay's dragon.

[Chilly_Productions]

Thank you all for the help, I'm welcome to more suggestions.

[benderisgreat]

I loved Possesion wave and got a lot of the sets, but Skybound looks much better to me. Maybe it's steampunk vibe these sets give, but all sky pirates are must buy for me! Already ordered Raid Zeppelin my second favorite set of the wave from Amazon . Sky shark set looks cool too, and Misfortune Keep really looks like mish mash of parts , something pirates could have created. But my favorite set of this wave is Tiger Widow island: love the eastern look of the tower, and minifigs looks awesome with ghost Cole being the best!

Edited January 16, 2016 by benderisgreat

[Chilly_Productions]

I loved Possesion wave and got a lot of the sets, but Skybound looks much better to me.

I'm planning on buying the sets I like from 2015, then I'll catch up to 2016.

[chump]

What aspect of Ninjago is appealing to you? Is it the minifigs, the vehicles or the architecture? Are you a set builder or a MOC builder? What do you do in the end with the sets? Display them or play? This might help focus your question and give better responses. Do you subscribe to the Cult of the New? Meaning that you're only interested in Ninjago, if they keep releasing new stuff? If so, your interest will eventually collapse, as it did before. Good for LEGO but bad for you in the long run.

For myself, the minifigs and vehicles are not of interest to me but the architecture is. So that's how I purchase. I've got two Fire Temples, the Spinjitzu Dojo and a Temple of Airjitzu and the pieces that I buy support adding on to that. I don't feel the need to collect everything and the interest is enduring (ie. if Ninjago got cancelled, I'd still be building with these sets) and not isolated to who the next big bad is or what outfit that they're wearing.

[Chilly_Productions]

What aspect of Ninjago is appealing to you? Is it the minifigs, the vehicles or the architecture? Are you a set builder or a MOC builder? What do you do in the end with the sets? Display them or play? This might help focus your question and give better responses. Do you subscribe to the Cult of the New? Meaning that you're only interested in Ninjago, if they keep releasing new stuff? If so, your interest will eventually collapse, as it did before. Good for LEGO but bad for you in the long run.

I don't care if the set is a vehicle or a building, what matters to me is if it has good design for display. I also like the figures.

As for MOCs, I don't like building MOCs based on an existing IP (Intellectual Property), because I don't like to break my sets, and because of that I haven't got any good colour schemes for Ninjago MOCs.

I will probably lose interest in Ninjago when it ends, because of what I said about the MOCs, it's hard to sustain interest when I can't even make MOCs, that doesn't matter too much though, Ninjago is an evergreen theme, it won't end any time soon.

[chump]

Well, if you liked the Fire Temple, then the Temple of Airjitzu I think is going to be one that you'll want to display for a long time, as it's a real nice build. People who don't normally like Ninjago have bought this set.

I passed on the Temple of Light and the Battle for Ninjago City (as they didn't appeal, nor fit in with my Ninjago scheme), but ended up acquiring the frosted glass panels for those buildings to use in future builds.

I also agree with @tkatt that Master Wu's dragon is a beauty to behold. A little more timeless and classic than the rest of the vehicles or dragons which for me increases longevity. I really should look at acquiring that set.

[PenPlays]

To reiterate what tkatt said, unless you are willing to shell out the $200 for the absolutely gorgeous Temple of Airjitzu, then go for the Master Wu Dragon. It's price per piece and minifig count are extraordinary for a set that size. That's aside from the point that it's probably the best Dragon aesthetically to date.

In all honesty, I collect complete themes here. I'm only missing a couple older Ninjago sets, but if you need an opinion on set choices, feel free to PM me or spark up conversation here.

When it comes to 2015 sets, specifically the Tournament of Elements sets (Winter Wave) you're best off just getting the Electromech, The Titanium Dragon and Ninja DB X

Now when it comes to the Summer 2015 sets, the only ones that are hard to justify are the Airjitzu flyers, but, damn they have good minifigs. Jay Walker One is also a so-so set, as it really isn't all that impressive, and the way the "ghost gun" works can be situational. Basically the rest of the wave, is minifig, part, build, and visual gold (in my opinion).

Edited January 17, 2016 by Penkid11

[Chilly_Productions]

When it comes to 2015 sets, specifically the Tournament of Elements sets (Winter Wave) you're best off just getting the Electromech, The Titanium Dragon and Ninja DB X

I really want to get the Ninja DB X, but I can't find it at the RRP anywhere (Recommended Retail Price).

[gamejutzu]

I really want to get the Ninja DB X, but I can't find it at the RRP anywhere (Recommended Retail Price).

It's still online.

Also, If you get the TOE sets, pick the crusher or ETS (both look unique). If you get Posession, take Wu's Dragon or Ronin R.E.X (look interesting). If you get Skybound, get the Raid Zepppelin or Jay's dragon (look great).

[Chilly_Productions]

It's still online.

I know you live in America because you put country down as "Gamestopia", Gamestop is the US name for EB Games (Canada), Game (UK), et cetera, the reason I'm saying this is because the DB X is still available in your country, but in the UK it's not in the toy store I go to (for LEGO, I swear) or even on shop@home.