New to Castle <again!>

[jamzee]

Hi everyone

Around 30 years ago my brother got the yellow castle for one Christmas and it utterly enchanted both of us. In recent years I've been a huge fan of LSW and Space and lately have branched off into Train with the Emerald Night and truly inspired by the recent Kingdoms range feel its now time to rekindle the eternal flickering torch of Castle!

I've just got the new 7946 King's Castle (my first ever Castle!) along with the 10193 Medieval Market Village and 7953 Court Jester. I wonder if anyone can give any sound pointers to any unmissable Castle sets of recent times as its like a whole new world again! I'm tempted I must admit by the Prison Tower Rescue and Wizard - apologies if this post is in the wrong place!

Thanks for any advice/tips generally re Castle

BTW, I can't find any Castle sets in any stores locally??!!

[fred67]

I've just got the new 7946 King's Castle (my first ever Castle!) along with the 10193 Medieval Market Village and 7953 Court Jester. I wonder if anyone can give any sound pointers to any unmissable Castle sets of recent times as its like a whole new world again! I'm tempted I must admit by the Prison Tower Rescue and Wizard - apologies if this post is in the wrong place!

Thanks for any advice/tips generally re Castle

BTW, I can't find any Castle sets in any stores locally??!!

Hi, Jamzee, welcome to Historic Themes, which Castle is definitely a part of.

I will have a hard time recommending sets; I haven't gotten Kings Castle yet and am unsure if I ever will (I have Castle Siege from the last castle line, don't know where I'd put another castle), although I do think it's a very nice set.

I don't know about Prison Tower Rescue, but I got the Wizard and, for the price, you might as well get it if you like to add that magical theme to your castles.

Outpost Attack seems like a decent set for the price, I put it on my list of things to get. Also, while I'm not too thrilled about the Prison Carriage Rescue, I'm planning on getting at least four and building a larger wagon drawn by at least two, if not all four horses, and on top of that there'll be 12 minifigures as well.

While we're on the subject of minifigures, even if (like me) you just like building vignettes and not really playing, the battlepacks are worthwhile to flesh out your scenes.

Edit: wanted to add: you can order online from S@H, of course... my local LEGO store is always sold out (except for MMV), but Toy R Us has them... but Toys R Us I've decided has an unjustifiable markup from LEGO MSRP, so I'll buy LEGO there when they are having a good sale.

Edited August 14, 2010 by fred67

[Artanis I]

I have the entire Kingdoms line, and like you, it got me back into the dark ages haha. If you know what I mean. (I was exclusively into space for a few years)

The Prison Tower looks awesome, it's some kind of cross between a forestmen's set and a mini castle (what with the gate etc.). The catapult that comes with the Outpost Attack is a good one, the tower is okay. I love the colour scheme used for both sides. Have a look under the Kingdoms 2010 topic and the individual set reviews for more opinions etc!

The only fantasy era sets I have are the King's Castle Siege & Troll's Mountain Fortress, both of which I quite like. Most of my lego is vintage.

[Artifex]

Hail and welcome, friend!

I got all the nem Kingdoms line - and it was the one line that brought me back from my Lego Dark Ages. It's a great line.

I'd say get as many Medieval Market Villages as you can. It's one of the greatest Lego sets EVER and probably one of the most beautiful/useful medieval sets there is (and if you get like 3, you already have a village and a good population for it). Then go for the King's Castle (great parts, good minifigs), Outpost Attack (great when combined with the Castle and awesome Dragon catapult) and Tower Rescue (I'd say 3 Tower Rescues are enough - you can combine the 3 for a nice fortress and there are some cool figures, like the Lion Knight and the Princess; and don't forget the horse!). Also, you don't want to miss the Dragon wizard impulse. You HAVE to have at least one ;)

I'd go for the battle packs then, to man your castles and increase your army. Almost everybody agrees that the plastic is poor, but for MOCing and army building the figures are great.

Then it's all on your personal preferences. I'm not a Knight's Showdown enthusiast myself, but there are some cool features like the minifigs, Lion catapult and parts and pieces. The Prison Carriage Rescue is a must, mainly for the horse, figs and parts (at some point you will want to build more carriages/carts for your village). At some point, like in a banquet, your Jester may need a couple of friends, like other jesters and maybe a Mime Artist (from the Collectable Minifigures Series 2). Give the collectable minifigs a thorough look: some of them may give you ideas on how to use them in your Kingdoms-verse (like the Forestman/Robin Hood from Series 1).

Well, I guess that would be it. One last thing, though: if you are coming out of your Dark Ages, you may want to go through some sets of old, from your childhood. There are some precious sets that you can get through ebay or Bricklink. Take your time and go over them. Brickipedia is a good start, as are the amazing reviews around Eurobricks.

But most important of all...

I&#39;m a conformist&#33;!

[jamzee]

Hi friends, thank you for your time to help! It is really appreciated...

I can't wait to get into this theme again, it has been literally far too long!

I've been scouring ebay for a Forester collector minifig as saw the fig/similar in an Eurobricks review of Prison Tower Rescue - and also enjoying trying to replicate forester sets on LDD (managed <just> River Fortress 6077!)

As I'm sure has been cited far too many times before, I wish I'd got KCS last Xmas/anything of the Dwarves as I feel I'm running to stand still but I hope I'm catching up one step at a time!

Added suggested sets to my cart, also looking at the Troll's Fortress!

Edited August 16, 2010 by jamzee