CardinalBricks Posted May 23 7 hours ago, Timobricko said: I think the tan is the main offender, hopefully removing some of those pieces would help with that. Dark pearl grey would look perfect though you're right! Honestly the more I look at the tower the more I'm disappointed. After Rivendell elegance I feel like could have done something better. Did they have the same set designers involved? I'm not super worried by the height but the towers detailing and greebling just looks a bit clunky and not like the reference material it sticks out too much making it just looks a little messy from a distance, especially that rock work. The rock work and landscaping looked incredible on Rivendell meanwhile, I'm just not sure why those techniques didn't carry over Still cool to be getting a new lord of the rings set. Maybe anything would have been disappointing after Rivendell, that set is incredible 3 hours ago, LDM said: I think it is the mid section that is throwing me off. After the rocks it does straight into symmetry and that isnt how it looks, there are towers that step up the one side. I've added half a level and these proportions looks much better. I completely agree with what you both say about the detailing on the tower after the rocks looking off. I think there are just too many things with the set that don't meet my expectations that I would end up heavily MOCing it. Is it still worth getting for the parts/minifigs? Maybe? I'm not really sure. I'm inclined to hold off on it. $460 is more than I spent on all the Lord of the Rings sets I own combined, and even then it's not like I bought them all at once. Going through the Bricklink pages of parts available in pearl dark grey, I think making a rock section in that color may be more possible than I initially thought. It will be a challenge for sure, but building under part constraints is kind of the bread and butter MOC making anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mandalorianknight Posted May 23 (edited) On 5/21/2024 at 8:19 PM, Lion King said: Well, it’s likely to wail when you see a $1 million tag on that set! Unless you spend buying pieces off PAB and Bricklink and build it larger than your house. For a million pieces, the price would more likely be around $100,000 USD, more or less a couple tens of thousands of dollars. Though the LOTR sets tend to have a lower PPP than the average lego set- Rivendell at 12.334 parts per dollar, and Barad-dur at 11.89. Averaging that for 12.112 pieces per dollar, we get a price of around $82,500. On 5/21/2024 at 8:41 PM, Lordhelmet said: How many minifigs should come in a set like that? 21 thousand (includes three versions of Sauron, Gandalf the white, king Aragorn, the rest of the fellowship, 7 cave trolls 5 fell beasts, the which king, 5k Gondor and 16k orcs. Going off Rivendell being $500 for 21 (15 listed figures + six? statues, which use figure parts and have printed torsos and heads, so I'm counting them), and Barad-Dur being $460 for 10 figures, we have an average of 1 figure every $35, or 1 figure every 420.4 pieces. Assuming a 1 million, $82,500 set, we get either 2,378 figures or 2,357 figures (Hey, cool, those are pretty close!). Averaging that for 2368 figures, and saying horses and trolls dig into the figure count a bit, let's say- The entire fellowship, Sauron, the Mouth of Sauron, the Witch-king, all Nazgul, every other named character in the films with more than three lines, around 350 Gondor soldiers, 250 Riders of Rohan on horses, 150 ghosts, 150 goblins, 30 Cave Trolls, 450 orks, 400 uruk-hai, and Tom Bombadil. Edited May 23 by Mandalorianknight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brimbolet Posted May 23 52 minutes ago, Mandalorianknight said: The entire fellowship, Sauron, the Mouth of Sauron, the Witch-king, all Nazgul, every other named character in the films with more than three lines, around 600 Gondor soldiers, 400 Riders of Rohan on horses, 500 ghosts, 350 goblins, 30 Cave Trolls, 550 orks, 600 uruk-hai, and Tom Bombadil. Don't forget the special: one Sauron in chrome gold, just to push the sales a little... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lordhelmet Posted May 23 1 hour ago, brimbolet said: Don't forget the special: one Sauron in chrome gold, just to push the sales a little... He is the architect of Barad dur, maybe he is holding a micro representation of barad dur also in chrome gold? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timobricko Posted May 23 6 hours ago, BrickRally217 said: I completely agree with what you both say about the detailing on the tower after the rocks looking off. I think there are just too many things with the set that don't meet my expectations that I would end up heavily MOCing it. Is it still worth getting for the parts/minifigs? Maybe? I'm not really sure. I'm inclined to hold off on it. $460 is more than I spent on all the Lord of the Rings sets I own combined, and even then it's not like I bought them all at once. Going through the Bricklink pages of parts available in pearl dark grey, I think making a rock section in that color may be more possible than I initially thought. It will be a challenge for sure, but building under part constraints is kind of the bread and butter MOC making anyway. Yeah I think I'll have to do some heavy MOCing too to be happy with it. If you end up doing pearl dark grey part swaps would love to see the results! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreenTreeLeaf Posted May 24 Is it just me or does the pauldron on Sauron bother anyone else a lot? Ever since we saw pics of the Sauron fig, there was something about it that just didn't feel quite right. The helmet/shoulder armor piece doesn't integrate well with the rest of the body. I think, for me, it's how overly detailed the pauldron mold is. I don't think the excess ridges complement the look of minifigures. The dimensions figure also has detailed armor pieces but they blended in well with the rest of the figure. It could just be the color mismatch on the new Sauron fig between the molded piece and the body. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balrogofmorgoth Posted May 27 On 5/24/2024 at 2:43 PM, GreenTreeLeaf said: Is it just me or does the pauldron on Sauron bother anyone else a lot? Ever since we saw pics of the Sauron fig, there was something about it that just didn't feel quite right. The helmet/shoulder armor piece doesn't integrate well with the rest of the body. I think, for me, it's how overly detailed the pauldron mold is. I don't think the excess ridges complement the look of minifigures. The dimensions figure also has detailed armor pieces but they blended in well with the rest of the figure. It could just be the color mismatch on the new Sauron fig between the molded piece and the body. Nah it’s not the detail, it’s just too thick at the neck, it throws off the proportions. Really should have been two separate pieces Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mirkwoodspiders Posted May 27 Anyone else going to see the LOTR re-releases in theatres next week? I have to think releasing Barad-Dur the week before isn't a coincidence! If only I could build the set in the theatre while watching the movies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legoturtle Posted May 27 These 2 guys know a lot about LEGO themes. Join us tonight as we dive in to the new Lego® release of the Lord of the Rings Barad Dur Lego® Set + GWP. For all the LOTR Fans out there this will be an epic set to acquire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoth33 Posted May 27 1 hour ago, legoturtle said: These 2 guys know a lot about LEGO themes. Join us tonight as we dive in to the new Lego® release of the Lord of the Rings Barad Dur Lego® Set + GWP. For all the LOTR Fans out there this will be an epic set to acquire. Yeah will be watching them tonight at 7pm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legoturtle Posted May 27 ok. good to know. they have many videos from different themes. Aquaraiders to Wolf Pack. I collect / MOC only DC & Batman lego. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris6507 Posted May 28 I've just bricklinked the parts to double my Black Gate set ready to go with Barad-Dur. Just wondering if anyone has a link or maybe their own instructions they might be able to share for converting it into a large 2 gate version rather than the 4 door version that LEGO encourages in the manual. Would love it to look like the follwing, but i'm a bit of an Emmet and like following instructions. Terrible at MOCing. Lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDoctor Posted May 28 (edited) Always much preferred this configuration of the two sets combined... The 'long gate' version just looks too out of proportion and this version looks suitably LEGO styled. I'll have to dig out my two before the big day! Edited May 28 by TheDoctor Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris6507 Posted May 28 33 minutes ago, TheDoctor said: Always much preferred this configuration of the two sets combined... The 'long gate' version just looks too out of proportion and this version looks suitably LEGO styled. I'll have to dig out my two before the big day! I'd be happy with instuctions to that one instead if anyone has them! :-D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDoctor Posted May 28 That was a photoshop somebody made waaaay back in the day! I saved it so I could make my own, no instructions exist for it as far as I know. But it's a much easier mod than the 'long-gate' because it required no extra pieces. I'll check when I get mine down from the attic, but I think it was as simple as building those 1x2 hinge bricks into the tower so the spare gates can attach to the sides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtrsteve Posted May 28 22 hours ago, mirkwoodspiders said: Anyone else going to see the LOTR re-releases in theatres next week? I have to think releasing Barad-Dur the week before isn't a coincidence! If only I could build the set in the theatre while watching the movies. None of the theatres near me are playing it. I would have to drive 350km to go... I haven't ruled it out... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris6507 Posted May 28 9 hours ago, TheDoctor said: That was a photoshop somebody made waaaay back in the day! I saved it so I could make my own, no instructions exist for it as far as I know. But it's a much easier mod than the 'long-gate' because it required no extra pieces. I'll check when I get mine down from the attic, but I think it was as simple as building those 1x2 hinge bricks into the tower so the spare gates can attach to the sides. For the most part i've worked it out. You have to remove the 6x24 plate and split the gates onto 2 seperate 2x12 plates. You then need to also split 3x 1x8 tiles and 1x 2x2 tile. Then the gates just clip into the sides. The only problem with it is the rocks don't actually connect to anything and are nowhere near tall enough to not look stupid at the sides. Pretty sure they've been stretched in that picture as they don't come nearly that high as they are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BitByBrick Posted May 29 On 5/27/2024 at 1:00 PM, mirkwoodspiders said: Anyone else going to see the LOTR re-releases in theatres next week? I have to think releasing Barad-Dur the week before isn't a coincidence! If only I could build the set in the theatre while watching the movies. Got my tickets for all 3. My understanding is that they will the extended versions. May be too dark to build in the theater 😎 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mirkwoodspiders Posted May 29 2 hours ago, BitByBrick said: Got my tickets for all 3. My understanding is that they will the extended versions. May be too dark to build in the theater 😎 Haha for sure. And yeah, I think all three are extended versions. So, 10+ hours of LOTR goodness. I'll enjoy building Barad Dur while watching the movies again at home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris6507 Posted May 29 (edited) Still remember seeing Return of the King for the first time as part of a movie marathon. Obviously not as long as the extended editions. But went in round 8pm and came out round 6am the next morning. Was a great experience. But still remember how excited I was being there throughout The Fellowship Of The Ring, Then having to hold my eyes open during The Two Towers and then absolutely buzzing and awake by Return Of The King. Really don't think there will ever be an experience like that again. Sorry, I know my comment is not LEGO related. Just previous comments making me reminisce. :-D Edited May 29 by chris6507 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lordhelmet Posted May 30 All quiet before release day. I will be lined up before the store opens this weekend. I am excited about getting Brad Dur and another wraith too. Hopefully they have enough copies at the store. I think last year they had around 20 rivendells. I am not expecting Lego to sell as many Brad Dur as Rivendell but hoping for enough where it doesn’t run out until later in the day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zoth33 Posted May 30 7 hours ago, Lordhelmet said: All quiet before release day. I will be lined up before the store opens this weekend. I am excited about getting Brad Dur and another wraith too. Hopefully they have enough copies at the store. I think last year they had around 20 rivendells. I am not expecting Lego to sell as many Brad Dur as Rivendell but hoping for enough where it doesn’t run out until later in the day. Good luck. I will probably end up getting this next year. I will try and get Rivendell first. I was hoping to get it this weekend but I have switched to a different job and won't get paid till the middle of June so I'm out of luck this time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mirkwoodspiders Posted May 31 So, my thought after Saturday is... where do we go from here? It's an interesting place to be. 2 huge D2Cs feels like the beginning of something long term for the LOTR theme. But, this could be it. Zilch. Just watch and wait, I suppose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris6507 Posted May 31 Really struggling to know whether to pull the pin tonight or not. I'm excited to build Barad-Dur, but with the small minifigure selection (which is really only 8 if you have Rivendell), the lackluster GWP and the fact it's getting put away for my birthday which isn't til September. I'm wondering whether it's worth waiting for a better price or better GWP. But at the same time, even though I don't like the GWP it'll still be a Lord of the Rings set i'm missing. Anyhow, does anyone have any further analysis as to whether this is going to be completely exclusive to LEGO or whether other retailers are going to be selling this? Rivendell I could get for at least 20% less from other retailers, but not sure if this will be the same or not. In relation to this question, does anybody know when a new set is released how to tell whether it's going to be completely exclusive to LEGO such as sets like Lion Knights castle or whether it's going to be available at other retailers? There seems to be 3 types of release... LEGO exclusive, LEGO and specialist toy store exclusive and then the general release that all retailers have. I can never tell what it is until often several weeks after release. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unclejeffie Posted May 31 7 hours ago, chris6507 said: Really struggling to know whether to pull the pin tonight or not. I'm excited to build Barad-Dur, but with the small minifigure selection (which is really only 8 if you have Rivendell), the lackluster GWP and the fact it's getting put away for my birthday which isn't til September. I'm wondering whether it's worth waiting for a better price or better GWP. But at the same time, even though I don't like the GWP it'll still be a Lord of the Rings set i'm missing. Anyhow, does anyone have any further analysis as to whether this is going to be completely exclusive to LEGO or whether other retailers are going to be selling this? Rivendell I could get for at least 20% less from other retailers, but not sure if this will be the same or not. In relation to this question, does anybody know when a new set is released how to tell whether it's going to be completely exclusive to LEGO such as sets like Lion Knights castle or whether it's going to be available at other retailers? There seems to be 3 types of release... LEGO exclusive, LEGO and specialist toy store exclusive and then the general release that all retailers have. I can never tell what it is until often several weeks after release. I pull the trigger tonight. The gwp is good enough for me to start off with a better moc. The chances are that the gwp is worth less than 20% of the barad dur set but also thats its greater. the rivendell set i had with 75 euro discount, didn’t find anywhere to 400 euro at my region. The brickhead gwp was to lackluster Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
