Concerning existing castle factions:

[Cutty]

Well, the topic's title gives it away! Would you like to see already existing factions reappearing in different themes or sub-series of themes?

There were some glimpses of that in earlier sets: I recall there being a black falcon shield as a deco on HP's Durmstrang-vessel for instance. A later and very actual example would be the updated black falcon knight in the new Kingdoms exclusive joust set.

Would you like to see other factions reappear and if so how should that task be tackled by TLC? There's a poll up there for your consideration, but please be informative in your posts!

Perhaps we might gather some insight into the wants and needs of Castle builders in a concise way here!

Be well all!

Cutty

Edited October 15, 2011 by Cutty

[lego tripper]

Well it's been clear for a few years now that coming up with entirely new factions is impossible in the long run.

I think Kingdoms has been so strong exactly because it's a return to the classic days of Lions vs Dragons. So I for one would more than welcome an update of the Black Falcons and Forestmen.

[TheLegoDr]

I can understand wanting older factions to return to better build up older armies at a much cheaper price, especially with new sets! However, that does lose some of the nostalgia associated with earlier factions. I looooved the Crusaders, Black Knights, and Black Knights when they first came out 20 years ago, not to forget the Forestmen and Wolfpack. But as much as I loved them, I'd hate to see them return and lose out on that original feeling I have with them. Plus, if they were reintroduced (much like the new Black Falcon knight) they will look great in their own right with the updated design, but won't necessarily mesh well with the older/original group. The only thing I could consider is keeping the colors the same and making some of the armor more elaborate to create tiers of soldier ranking amongst the older factions while still being true to the original design. But in doing so, that takes away the whole purpose of updating the new soldiers. I've heard how upset some people are with the new Black Falcon knight and how it is a homage to days past while showing some new design. I personally love the new Falcon design, I just don't know how well it will go with older versions. Same goes for any of the other sets. Just look at the original Forestmen, then the Dark Forest figures, then the Collectible Minifigure design. I didn't mind the Dark Forest update, but I did not care for the most updated CMF design which is what I would worry would happen with future factions. I'm sure plenty of other people disagree with me regarding that design because a lot of people didn't like Dark Forest. I think some of it has to do with what age you were when you first started playing with those figures to get a more sentimental feeling when you see certain figures. So I am torn on whether or not I would want more to appear.

This post got really long really fast.

[Ardelon]

These are points I consides important:

- The most important thing for me is that reintrodued factions should have the same crest as the original, otherwise I couldn't consider them the same faction. The new falcon shield doesn't make the cut, for instance, that's why I hope the new falcons don't become a new faction - they would have to have the original falcon shields. I would refer to original forestmen and dark forest, whio have the same crests, to show whay I mean.

- They should stick to the orginal color scheme, though i wouldnt mind (not that I would have a choice) new colors that repaced old ones, like if Wolfpack had the red-brown and/or dark brown color instead of the old brown, or bley stonework instead of gray.

- New elements, like the new great helm, weapons, plants/animals and architectural pieces can be incorporated.

- Torsos can be a bit different, like the bull knight keychain – but keep in mind that the wolfpack crest is the same is the same as the original!(incidentally, does anyone know if the torso on this "minifig" can be separated?)

- I presume the faces would be different, at least with the sparkle in the eyes, and I'm ok with that (though unique character figures, like Majisto, the Royal Knights King, Basil the Batlord and Willa should be as faithful to the original, if reintroduced).

I hope the idea of reintroducing old themes/factions works out, I see plenty of advantages they would bring:

- possibly less time and money invested by TLG for development

- kids would buy enjoy them the same as we did and wouldn't care that they were remakes of older themes - or, if their parents or oler relations had the old set, they would be able to expand their armies without buying a busload of sets - a good motivation for their parents, too

- AFOLs would be more motivated to buy them out of nostalgia

- maybe it would even draw some new AFOLs out of their dark ages!

And I dont really see any disadvantages - those who say that it would ruin the uniqueness of the originals, or that the sets wouldn't be as good as the originals, are welcome to spend their money elsewhere.

Edited October 16, 2011 by Ardelon

[fyrmedhatt]

I like how Lego is paying homage to their origins through the Kingdoms theme as well as various collectible minifigures. Both the Lions and the Dragons are recognizable as the old factions that have appeared several times over the past 25 years, and so with the latest Black Falcon Knight in the Kingdoms Joust. I have no illusions of a true return to the designs and minifigures of the 80's and early 90's, and in all honestly I don't think I'd want to, todays kids have different standards than back then. Those old designs are quite dated in both colors and graphics, compared to the modernized designs seen in Kingdoms using excellent color combinations. I do hope later themes will also include such homages, building on the Black Falcon, the Forestmen and the Wolfpack would work great, as the minifigures and sets will still be modern.

Kingdoms does a good job at taking the spirit of the sets of 20 years ago and incorporating it in todays designs, and I have no doubt that helps the appeal for AFOLs, and I hope it also does for todays kids so they can be as sentimental about the Lions and Dragons as we are in 20 years.

[Tyrant]

I would enjoy seeing the other older factions updated. It would be nice if they were closer than the Lions and Dragons are to their predecessors. Keep the original crest, or have minor updates. Keep the essence of the original. For instance, I think the new Falcon shield is fine as it retains the split black/white appearance of the old symbol while still being new. Using the Falcons as a template, from there they should make new soliers with the updated symbols against a blue uniform with the little details we are used to now (chainmail bits, belts, etc). They would be similar, but new. Then if they wanted to expand, they could branch out into other colors (though that's doubtful) like yellow as some of the old Falcon shields were. Finally, we would need barding, printed Euro armor, and oval shields. They would also need an overall "theme/look". The Dragons have a wooden fortress, for instance. The Falcons would need something that made them not-Dragons and not-Lions. This design method could be applied to the Forestmen, Wolfpack, etc with changes as needed (I assume the Forestmen and Wolfpack are unlikely to have oval shields or printed Euro armor, for instance).

For newer factions, one that could be updated and fleshed out is the Unicorn symbol. I don't know if the guys with them in the two sets they are in represent a faction or if they just kind of exist, but with the new horse head armor pieces the symbol could be used again or updated and incorporated into a new faction. Possibly elves? Speaking of Elves, the elven oval shield could almost be an updated Forestman shield.

[Dr.Cogg]

Fright Knights ,only Darker and more Gothic with Gothic Architecture and more Greys,Bleys,light grey and Dark Colors. They could be in Fantasy or historical.

Edited October 16, 2011 by Dr.Cogg

[LandShark]

While I would like to see older factions being more established, and I would love to have lots of big factions, with lots of sets, instead of new ones being introduced every year, I don't think it's possible just have fully-classic factions return.

They would have to be updated, with all-new sets and designs. But I would really like to see that happen, and we might just get it with the Falcon Knight in the Joust.

Another thing is more generic factions, like Forestmen and Bandits (or even Fright Knights). They don't have to be based on older ones, but the whole idea of them would be like a homage, and I'm sure Castle fans would welcome them with open arms.

[DaleDVM]

I have no desire getting any of the old factions done again in any way at all. First of all I have large collections of the old figs and sets. I don't want them to lose value because the classics are released again. The old heraldry and torsos look dated when compared with the modern designs being released right now. If anyone really wants the classics it is expensive but not impossible to aquire them. As far as the target audience is aware of the old black falcons never even existed. Heck I've had kids ask where I got the crownies, trolls, and skellies.

I am a castle collector and I want new stuff to collect. By the time I am an old man I want to have as many castle factions as possible. So bring me some new material LEGO.

I don't consider the new lions or dragons to have anything to do with the old crusaders or old dragon masters. They have different colors and different designs. I just figure they have similar symbols for their heraldry. They don't really look very good mixed in the same armies. Although the lions don't clash as badly due to a similar color scheme.

There are hundreds of new animals or fictional ones they could use along with designs etc. to make new factions. There are colors that haven't been used frequently in the past and could be used as well. Keep coming out with new factions and I will be very happy.