Lord of the Rings Ongoing Discussion

[Balrogofmorgoth]

I really don’t think Minas Tirith would be as hard as people think. Scaling would have to be similar to Barad-dûr which I thought worked pretty well. People will just have to be ok with a high price point 

[RichardGoring]

9 minutes ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I really don’t think Minas Tirith would be as hard as people think. Scaling would have to be similar to Barad-dûr which I thought worked pretty well. People will just have to be ok with a high price point 

Barad-dur had a nanoscale exterior and a minifig scale interior, roughly. It worked because you didn't see them both together. 

Minas Tirith needs the nanoscale for most of the structure, but then minifigure scale on top, so it's all visible together, which would probably look extremely odd.

[sonofasubmariner]

Personally I think you have to choose between micro- and mini-scale. I don't really collect micro-scale sets, so my preference would be mini-scale. An ideal single display set for me would the courtyard with the white tree and tower in the center, flanked by the Houses of Healing and the Dead on either side. Figs would definitely include Denethor, Faramir, Eowyn, Merry, Pippin (Gondor), Gandalf the White and a couple of guards of the citadel. Maybe Ioreth (I think that was her name), Beregrond and a cloaked Aragorn if they want to add some details from the books.

[Lordhelmet]

Just got the shire set finally.  Built it, great set, really enjoyed the build the way it looks, and the minifigures are excellent.  Honestly the side builds just make me want to build out more of the shire for a bigger scene.  Lends itself to Mocs more than the other sets did in my opinion.

[Balrogofmorgoth]

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

[yokozuna]

The gift with purchase is not available anymore. I guess the shire sold quite well the first few days? 

[Lordhelmet]

11 minutes ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

I like getting the smaller set in the shire.  I thought it really is a great set and I think criticism would have been less if it was $220-$250.  
 

Now I want even smaller play sets.

[BrickBob Studpants]

16 minutes ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

Granted, the fans asking for smaller sets probably aren’t the exact same people wanting the Shire to be bigger (though with some overlap). It’s still strange. Fans on the whole are just hard to please, I guess

Edited April 9 by BrickBob Studpants

[Blazej_Holen]

39 minutes ago, BrickBob Studpants said:

Granted, the fans asking for smaller sets probably aren’t the exact same people wanting the Shire to be bigger (though with some overlap). It’s still strange. Fans on the whole are just hard to please, I guess

Its not that easy I guess. I think that fans wants a smaller (affordable) sets ALONGSIDE with big UCS... in short, fans want to have option to choose. Now there is only option to buy or not to buy. Thats it. 

Regarding the Bag End / Shire set - I am OK with its size, I am not ok with the price, which is riddiculous. Its premium price for not as premium set. Only premium think is, that there is nothing else from LOTR line to buy (except Rivendell and Barad Dur). If its 270 bucks, it should have additional 500-800 pieces (i.e. Beauty and the Beast Castle). This will certainly make it bigger and more in line with the cost. If its 2 017 pcs. set, it should cost 199,99 bucks at top. And yes, I am taking into consideration the IP, number of figs, and specialized pieces such as cloth parts etc. 

 

52 minutes ago, yokozuna said:

The gift with purchase is not available anymore. I guess the shire sold quite well the first few days? 

It was sold out during first 24 hrs. At least here In Czech Republic. Now it is on secondary market, usually around 2 500 - 4 000 CZK (110 - 175 USD). This is the way how LEgo treats Fans. Just riddiculous.

1 hour ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

It is not that simplistic. But yes, for the sake of ranting, I guess I get your point...

[vizzitor]

1 hour ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

The Simpsons focus group scene really nailed this:

Quote

So, you want a realistic, down to earth show, that's completely off the wall and swarming with magic robots?
And also, you should win things by watching.

[mtrsteve]

1 hour ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

It's not that hard to understand. The Shire is overpriced. People wanted smaller sets at a smaller price tag. We got a smaller set, but the price tag is still huge. $400 CAD after taxes is NOT a smaller, more affordable set in any meaningful sense. If you're gonna charge me that much, give me something that reflects it.

[brimbolet]

1 hour ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

I'd rather say people are very disappointed because of the unjustified price, not mad. Even "official" reviewers criticize this.

Maybe it's a question of license agreements, but I think it's really a shame that there hasn't been one affordable set with minifigs below 60-80$ aimed at kids since the new Amazon series started. This was the perfect opportunity for various toy companies to make at least something and to reach the younger audience... And nothing happened. Can't remember I've seen any LOTR toys from e.g. Hasbro. That's very odd. Dungeon & Dragon figures flew off the shelves which clearly shows there is still a high demand for fantasy stuff.

[Blazej_Holen]

18 minutes ago, brimbolet said:

I'd rather say people are very disappointed because of the unjustified price, not mad. Even "official" reviewers criticize this.

Maybe it's a question of license agreements, but I think it's really a shame that there hasn't been one affordable set with minifigs below 60-80$ aimed at kids since the new Amazon series started. This was the perfect opportunity for various toy companies to make at least something and to reach the younger audience... And nothing happened. Can't remember I've seen any LOTR toys from e.g. Hasbro. That's very odd. Dungeon & Dragon figures flew off the shelves which clearly shows there is still a high demand for fantasy stuff.

I agree mostly, but I personaly dont want LEgeo to make sets based on RoP...

Its a still strong start for LOTR line even if it is under ICONS brand, so I would much appreciate if they continue with the story of LOTR and give us (fans) a decent storytelling through line of LOTR themed sets, rather than splitting it up or worse ending it and then continue with RoP or Hobbit. The Key locations are still missing. And yes, there is a great potential for smaller sets or vignettes (Mount Doom, Moria, Argonath...) and battle packs (Roha, Gondor - obviously, some Orcs Uruks etc.). I think that Rohan and Gondor need to be next. And not just Minas Tirith or Helms Deep but also Paths of the Dead, Edoras, or at least Meduseld, Osgiliath, Ithilien...there is so much potential for UCS style sets :)

[MAB]

23 hours ago, RichardGoring said:

Barad-dur had a nanoscale exterior and a minifig scale interior, roughly. It worked because you didn't see them both together. 

Minas Tirith needs the nanoscale for most of the structure, but then minifigure scale on top, so it's all visible together, which would probably look extremely odd.

Yes, the two are quite different.  Although Barad-Dur is microscale it still looks fine with minifigures posed in front of it as well as inside it as there is nothing really showing the scale compared to a figure. In fact, there is one window that is minifig scale. So it looks like a tower that figures can interact with at the same scale even though in reality it is much much larger. Whereas if they did a microscale city with identifiable small buildings, then minifigures would look like giants next to it. 

2 hours ago, Blazej_Holen said:

Regarding the Bag End / Shire set - I am OK with its size, I am not ok with the price, which is riddiculous. Its premium price for not as premium set.

Same here, the size is OK. The price is not.

Plus that awful tree. 

[Black Falcon]

3 hours ago, Balrogofmorgoth said:

I’m confused. People demanded a smaller LOTR D2C. And now they’re mad because they wanted it to be bigger 😭 make it make sense 

There are always those that prefer one or the other - but overall I would say the size they choose if just fine like it is, if someone wants it bigger he can buy two copies and make a bigger Bag End - or a secone Hobbit home. Of course, with a bigger Set there would still be more stuff included, like another print, more minifigs etc, but you can´t please everyone.

4 hours ago, yokozuna said:

The gift with purchase is not available anymore. I guess the shire sold quite well the first few days? 

It wasn´t as fast gone as the Fell beast, but didn´t last a day either online. The only chance to still get one might be one of the stores if you are lucky (and have one near you in the first place)

[Balrogofmorgoth]

5 hours ago, mtrsteve said:

It's not that hard to understand. The Shire is overpriced. People wanted smaller sets at a smaller price tag. We got a smaller set, but the price tag is still huge. $400 CAD after taxes is NOT a smaller, more affordable set in any meaningful sense. If you're gonna charge me that much, give me something that reflects it.

$270 is high for what you get but it’s still a big leap from that to $500. They currently aren’t doing playsets, so to expect this to have been a small play set is nonsensical. I was referring to people who wanted a smaller and cheaper D2C. Which is EXACTLY what this is

[Lordhelmet]

The second gwp (Easter bunny) had some really good extra parts for the shire.  There are the flowers that haven’t bloomed yet that look really good beneath the large window (and balance the color well), and it had spare sunflowers.  Really nice extras for the shire.

[Balrogofmorgoth]

5 minutes ago, Lordhelmet said:

The second gwp (Easter bunny) had some really good extra parts for the shire.  There are the flowers that haven’t bloomed yet that look really good beneath the large window (and balance the color well), and it had spare sunflowers.  Really nice extras for the shire.

I had the same thought, but I gave mine to my boys since they love bunnies lol

[zoth33]

7 hours ago, Blazej_Holen said:

Its not that easy I guess. I think that fans wants a smaller (affordable) sets ALONGSIDE with big UCS... in short, fans want to have option to choose. Now there is only option to buy or not to buy. Thats it. 

Regarding the Bag End / Shire set - I am OK with its size, I am not ok with the price, which is riddiculous. Its premium price for not as premium set. Only premium think is, that there is nothing else from LOTR line to buy (except Rivendell and Barad Dur). If its 270 bucks, it should have additional 500-800 pieces (i.e. Beauty and the Beast Castle). This will certainly make it bigger and more in line with the cost. If its 2 017 pcs. set, it should cost 199,99 bucks at top. And yes, I am taking into consideration the IP, number of figs, and specialized pieces such as cloth parts etc. 

 

It was sold out during first 24 hrs. At least here In Czech Republic. Now it is on secondary market, usually around 2 500 - 4 000 CZK (110 - 175 USD). This is the way how LEgo treats Fans. Just riddiculous.

It is not that simplistic. But yes, for the sake of ranting, I guess I get your point...

No this is how greedy resellers treat fans in their own community or are just money hungry people who see it as a way to make money instead of actually being a fan.  

[MAB]

On 4/9/2025 at 9:02 PM, zoth33 said:

No this is how greedy resellers treat fans in their own community or are just money hungry people who see it as a way to make money instead of actually being a fan.  

Or they are a fan and want to offset some of the cost of the large sets by selling the GWP to someone willing to pay that much but didn't buy the big set to get it.

[zoth33]

1 hour ago, MAB said:

Or they are a fan and want to offset some of the cost of the large sets by selling the GWP to someone willing to pay that much but didn't buy the big set to get it.

Maybe but why not keep the set if your a fan of the franchise that wouldn't make any sense to sell it off.  

[MAB]

7 hours ago, zoth33 said:

Maybe but why not keep the set if your a fan of the franchise that wouldn't make any sense to sell it off.  

Because it doesn't fit with what you want to collect / display or because you cannot really afford the big set but can if you can offset the cost a little by selling the GWP. 

It is possible to be a fan and not have everything.

It may also be someone is a richer fan and wants two or three different hobbit holes to make a better Shire and they sell off the additional GWP they are given and the minifigures from the additionalsets. Just because someone sells something doesn't make them greedy, money loving scum like they are often portrayed here.

[Blazej_Holen]

1 hour ago, MAB said:

Because it doesn't fit with what you want to collect / display or because you cannot really afford the big set but can if you can offset the cost a little by selling the GWP. 

It is possible to be a fan and not have everything.

It may also be someone is a richer fan and wants two or three different hobbit holes to make a better Shire and they sell off the additional GWP they are given and the minifigures from the additionalsets. Just because someone sells something doesn't make them greedy, money loving scum like they are often portrayed here.

Sure. But these resellers and scalpers are “greedy money loving scum”. Its just funny that this GWP is sold out not even after 24 hrs. and suddenly they appear everywhere on secondary market just for riddiculous prices… I am not buying this megabullshit excuses…sorry but not sorry.

Edited April 11 by Blazej_Holen

[BrickBob Studpants]

1 hour ago, Blazej_Holen said:

and suddenly they appear everywhere on secondary market just for riddiculous prices…

My stance on reselling is this: an increase in price is justified, if the seller adds value. In terms of collecting, this means taking good care of the set (like keeping the box in good condition over multiple years etc). So asking a (reasonably) higher price for an old set is justified in my eyes  Selling a GWP for five times its actual value 2 days after launch is certainly NOT. So yeah, agreed, that‘s just plain greed.

[Arjo]

I don’t necessarily disagree, as some people do indeed go through the whole process with the single goal to make a profit. However, it takes two to tango and sellers can only achieve what buyers are willing to pay. I have never resold a gwp… but I often end up in the position where I can’t justify opening and enjoying them either because their market value is more than what I would be comfortable paying. In other words, there are sellers out there who would have liked to keep gwp x, y, z but can’t quite justify the luxury when they already are paying too much for a given lego set.

different story with the raiders scanning all the beastmasters only to sell them all out at 3x the price…