Lord of the Rings Ongoing Discussion

[squiz18]

Rivendell and Barad Dur sets are both 15% off on amazon in the UK.

[Altair1]

Shire officially unveiled! Price confirmed at 270 bucks. Release date for Insiders : 2 April.

Edited March 25 by Altair1

[RichardGoring]

It's a shame that it's $270. I was hoping the official reveal would be more sensible. Oh well. It's expensive, and the interior is lacking, but I do really like the front, which is how I'd see it most of the time. The greenery and the detailing on it is great. It's just very overpriced.

[Lordhelmet]

I love the minifigures in the set, they really did a good job on all the prints and the dress pieces.  It was nice to get more detailed photos of them.  Now with the seven hobbits I got through pick a brick I am ready to go.

on another note has anyone tried making custom minifigures with the design your own minifigure tool?  Assuming we only need the torso customized?  Like a smeagol torso since we have the face?

[MAB]

There is a worrying phrase in the press release ...

A true collector’s item that completes the trilogy of sets, following previous Barad-dûr and Rivendell launches, the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, adventure, and the magic of Middle-earth

I wonder if this is just bad writing, or if they mean that it is the last set.

[Lordhelmet]

3 minutes ago, MAB said:

There is a worrying phrase in the press release ...

A true collector’s item that completes the trilogy of sets, following previous Barad-dûr and Rivendell launches, the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, adventure, and the magic of Middle-earth

I wonder if this is just bad writing, or if they mean that it is the last set.

Ouch, let’s hope for bad writing.

[Altair1]

7 minutes ago, MAB said:

There is a worrying phrase in the press release ...

A true collector’s item that completes the trilogy of sets, following previous Barad-dûr and Rivendell launches, the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, adventure, and the magic of Middle-earth

I wonder if this is just bad writing, or if they mean that it is the last set.

Hopefully this is just a reference to the LOTR movies trilogy. And in any case it is not the last as we are getting Gandalf & Balrog in June. 

Edited March 25 by Altair1

[Arjo]

Purposefully written that way to entice you to open your wallet one more/last time, as in “yes it’s expensive but then I will have them all, can’t skip it when it is the last one to get etc”.

or so jaded me thinks:)

i like the set very much but don’t think i’ll bite. Trying to slowly but surely go back to my dark ages and live free of my lego addiction!

[Lordhelmet]

I really like this set, just watched a few of the videos out on it and looked at the pictures for a while.  The set isn't perfect (tree, interior detail) but really this is not perfect because of the price.  I hate that the price is most of the conversation on this one because it really is a great idea, well executed, the minifigures look great, and I like the choices that were made (not having the kitchen makes sense, including the party scene is good, focus on the exterior, etc).  I will be buy-ing day one, and think it really is a nice set.  

[THELEGOBATMAN]

Damn, I really wanted to get this set. I think it looks really good, except for some minor complaints. The minifigures are great, and the main build is super nice. I don't like that there are a million random sidebuilds though—I like when bigger sets are more compact and displayable as a whole.

Unfortunately, the price is unacceptable. It comes as such a surprise because the previous two sets were really well priced. Why they changed their system for this one is beyond me.

[DonQuixote]

26 minutes ago, Arjo said:

Purposefully written that way to entice you to open your wallet one more/last time, as in “yes it’s expensive but then I will have them all, can’t skip it when it is the last one to get etc”.

or so jaded me thinks:)

i like the set very much but don’t think i’ll bite. Trying to slowly but surely go back to my dark ages and live free of my lego addiction!

Agreed. Lego is a drug. Don't get of your Lego addiction cold turkey. It's dangerous. 

[Altair1]

32 minutes ago, Lordhelmet said:

I really like this set, just watched a few of the videos out on it and looked at the pictures for a while.  The set isn't perfect (tree, interior detail) but really this is not perfect because of the price.  I hate that the price is most of the conversation on this one because it really is a great idea, well executed, the minifigures look great, and I like the choices that were made (not having the kitchen makes sense, including the party scene is good, focus on the exterior, etc).  I will be buy-ing day one, and think it really is a nice set.  

Yes I love it too and can't wait to build it :-) Eventually I plan to have a whole room dedicated to my LOTR display on a giant map of Middle-Earth with all the main sets : the Shire, Attack on Weathertop, Rivendell, Mines of Moria, Helm's Deep, Orthanc, full Black Gate (bought 2 sets especially), Barad Dur… Then hopefully I can add Minas Tirith next year if it is confirmed. I would love to add Edoras and Lothlorien too, but I will probably need to MOC them, unless Lego also miraculously makes them!

[Cyprinus]

2 hours ago, MAB said:

There is a worrying phrase in the press release ...

A true collector’s item that completes the trilogy of sets, following previous Barad-dûr and Rivendell launches, the LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: The Shire set is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, adventure, and the magic of Middle-earth

I wonder if this is just bad writing, or if they mean that it is the last set.

I mean, if the future sets kept increasing in - relative - price and decrease in quality, ending here and now would be better than a terrible decline...

[jjr_2009]

36 minutes ago, Altair1 said:

Yes I love it too and can't wait to build it :-) Eventually I plan to have a whole room dedicated to my LOTR display on a giant map of Middle-Earth with all the main sets : the Shire, Attack on Weathertop, Rivendell, Mines of Moria, Helm's Deep, Orthanc, full Black Gate (bought 2 sets especially), Barad Dur… Then hopefully I can add Minas Tirith next year if it is confirmed. I would love to add Edoras and Lothlorien too, but I will probably need to MOC them, unless Lego also miraculously makes them!

I can definitely imagine them making Edoras. It's a really iconic location and has a distinctive look to it. Lothlorien is much more of a long shot though, IMO.

In response to the wider topic of the newly announced set: I still really like it, but there is just no way I am going to shell out that much money for it. I have the 2012 set, and I am still extremely satisfied with it. I might pick up a few of the printed/stickered pieces from this new set, as well as a couple of minifigures--but overall I am happy to pass on this one.

[kuzyabricks]

Overall apart from interior and lame sidebuilds the set is solid. But I saw a picture of it next to Rivendell and barad dur.... The price is the killer. This set just isn't worth more than HALF of rivendell.... the original sets hold a special place in my heart, I watched Lego reviews of them for hours to keep improving my english, which means there is no way I'm missing out on more Lego LOTR... even if overpriced. Let's hope the Balrog set is fantastic.

2 hours ago, Altair1 said:

Hopefully this is just a reference to the LOTR movies trilogy. And in any case it is not the last as we are getting Gandalf & Balrog in June. 

What worries is me is that the Balrog set belongs to its own subtheme. Maybe LoTR is done as an icons theme? I hope not. I want the white city next year.

[Lordhelmet]

43 minutes ago, Cyprinus said:

I mean, if the future sets kept increasing in - relative - price and decrease in quality, ending here and now would be better than a terrible decline...

No, ending without Gondor again would be the worst decision possible.  

And the decline is overblown.  I get Rivendell was a nearly perfect set (probably one of the best Lego sets ever), but it had some of the same cost issues when it came out.  We all complained on here about the price, reuse of face prints, the new elven hair, things that could have been added, etc. Barad Dur and the Shire are both great sets even if the price has gone up and we find things we don’t like.  In fact we could look at the shire as an improvement in the minifigure department because Gandalf is getting a new face print which Rivendell did not do.  I think that Lego could keep “declining” for a decade before we get sets that aren’t worth it when it comes to LOTR.  And that is more than enough time to get some Gondor and maybe even loth Lorien or edoras too.

 

i vote more LOTR sets because they have all been excellent (albeit expensive)

[Kraby]

It does indeed feel overpriced. Can't deny it. And whoever greenlit that tree behind Bilbo's banner need to get his/her eyes checked ASAP.
That being said, owning the original Bag End, this one feels like a big improvement. 
I will be for sure be getting it day one for the GWP and continue to support the theme, hoping we'll get more in the future.
I also can't wait to see what kind of extensions/add-ons we'll see popping up on Rebrickable for this set, like we did for Rivendell and Barad-Dur. I probably will end up getting some!

[mirkwoodspiders]

I feel LEGO could quell some frustration if they provided some explanation for their pricing mechanism. Can they? Should they? I don't know. However, knowing the "why" can do a lot to change the perception of a situation for the better. It's my impression LEGO collectors either want consistency or an understandable reason things are different across the board. Why is Bag End - having 6 fewer figs and 4,000+ fewer pieces than Rivendell - not closer to $200? What's behind the inconsistent pricing? We're aware of things like inflation, licensing fees, tariffs, printed pieces, new moulds, net weight of pieces in a set, etc. Are we missing something? Are we undervaluing certain aspects of the production process?

Many people's go-to valuation tool of price-per-piece is a poor metric. It's single-factor analysis which disregards basic things like inflation and the differing value of individual pieces, among other things. But, what makes a good overall metric for judging a set's value? What would make Bag End worth $270 for its detractors? More figs? Another 500+ pieces? I really am curious what else people consider.

I'll be purchasing Bag End. I do wish the side builds had their pieces dedicated to the main model. Having the dining room and kitchen would have been great. Maybe that's reason enough to pass. I also think the model is visually appealing, has a great selection of figures, and will look great alongside the other LOTR models. I've saved for it. It'll probably be the last of its kind for awhile, maybe ever. If someone can convince me $270 really is a travesty and a massive ripoff and something I shouldn't support/purchase, perhaps I'll pass.

Until then, my mind won't stop telling me: "You shall not pass!"

[Gnukan]

Not in the same league as Rivendell unfortunately. Just watched JangBricks reaction to the announcement and I largely agree with what he said. It’s a pass for me, sadly.

[brimbolet]

Ok, I know that much has been said about the price but seeing the lifestyle picture of the 3 LOTR sets together I'm astonished how small The Shire is next to Rivendell and Barad Dur. Looks like 1/2 of a modular at most... The figures are splendid yes, but there are no new moulds like helmets or weapons like in the 2 sets before.

The official value of the Smeagol GWP is now 25$, so the booknook will be probably microscale - a minifig sized fragment of a bridge with Gandalf and the Balrog seems impossible.

[mtrsteve]

7 minutes ago, brimbolet said:

Ok, I know that much has been said about the price but seeing the lifestyle picture of the 3 LOTR sets together I'm astonished how small The Shire is next to Rivendell and Barad Dur. Looks like 1/2 of a modular at most... The figures are splendid yes, but there are no new moulds like helmets or weapons like in the 2 sets before.

The official value of the Smeagol GWP is now 25$, so the booknook will be probably microscale - a minifig sized fragment of a bridge with Gandalf and the Balrog seems impossible.

Yeah, that picture with all three sets next to each other almost tips this into don't buy territory for me. It looks *really* underwhelming. A $350 CAD Lego set should be a statement piece. 

[HothFan1987]

7 hours ago, squiz18 said:

Rivendell and Barad Dur sets are both 15% off on amazon in the UK.

Thank you for posting this. That’s very tempting at that price even knowing the boxes will probably be an absolute mess 

[BrickBob Studpants]

I have a hard time identifying the piece behind the teapot. Is that a giant pinecone with an accessory hole?

Edited March 25 by BrickBob Studpants

[squiz18]

12 minutes ago, HothFan1987 said:

Thank you for posting this. That’s very tempting at that price even knowing the boxes will probably be an absolute mess 

No problem. I've seen Rivendell at 15% off before but this is the first time I've seen Barad Dur discounted. Not great timing with The Shire Set announced on the same day .

On the topic of value, the 3 sets together would cost you over £1000, so a 15% discount adds up to a fair amount. I do think the photo of the 3 sets lined up together doesn't show The Shire off very well. I know it's supposed to be low and it's difficult to display next to the 2 taller sets. But they have chosen to upload that photo. Rivendell is the standout, and the tower's shere size is impressive but the Shire to me currently is just overpriced. 

[Lordhelmet]

6 minutes ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

I have a hard time identifying the piece behind the teapot. Is that a giant pinecone with an accessory hole?

Heard it was a baby hedgehog without a print.  Cool part usage as it’s meant to be a pine cone.  I also like the rug prints.

 

and I don’t know who else has noticed it yet but I think there is a Gondor reference in the study (the tree).  Maybe we will get Gondor next year after all?