PhoenixBuilder

I agree with this - although I think the issue has got worse over time. The Bugle has those clear grey strips between each “play” floor which helps it to feel more closely integrated to and scaled with the rest of the modulars, while the window elements give the sense of more floors: it balanced both well. The Sanctum tried to do the same with the colours of the walls indicating play floors and the windows indicating visual floors, but I think less effectively - the windows and rails just feel too prominent as separate elements and do make it look like a smaller scale. And of course, the Avengers Tower gave up on the idea of trying to have any sense of separation between the play floors entirely (and in fairness, probably had to for the sense of skyscraper scale). I would put the Bugle with the other modulars and I think it scales ok but the others… less so alright. I’d love to at some point adapt the sanctum to be more modular scale (and lose a visual floor) or to get the pieces to add a full sized extra floor to it (but it would tower above other modulars then!).

Press release and images are out: https://brickset.com/article/114597/76294-the-x-mansion-revealed!

Am I right in thinking that the midi-scale Helicarrier is coming out with the other already-revealed summer sets? So there should hopefully be pics of that soon…? (Unless it’s a Lego exclusive?)

I have the brickset article still open -- and on the picture of the back, there are hinges in the connection between the red / olive green building -- so I'm wondering if they can be shut? But may just be there for the odd angles -- it looks like part of the olive green building's rafters would (just) be still visible if closed... And to my eye, the three buildings on the other side are almost closed on the front of the box but open on the back suggesting they can be condensed?

Question for anyone who has the Hoopty -- would it be worth picking up for €60? There's a promo on I might be able to get to, but it still seems pricey for the piece count...

A few instagram accounts saying the reveal of the Tower is due 14 November - seems pretty late considering the VIP weekend will presumably start 17 Nov - I guess as a D2C it’s not inconceivable it’s announced at that point along with the rest of the weekend’s offers?

An inessential GWP is arguably good if you don’t want to feel pressured to spend the cash on release - those who do get some extra pieces and characters, and those who don’t don’t miss out on too much. (Whether they could’ve done a better inessential GWP… I’ll leave to others!)

Has Lizard in the new NWH set been confirmed by anyone? I’ve just watched Critics Cup on YouTube, who I’ve seen mentioned as the source on IG, and he says ‘hopefully we’ll get Lizard’ which doesn’t sound like confirmation to me…?

I’ve just blitzed through the last 24 hours so may have missed something, but I thought the Chewbacca D2C was rumoured for May. Is there a May D2C set number, or are we possibly not getting one this year?

For those in Europe at least, the lunar new year sets appear to have been made unavailable until 10 January. I contacted customer service and they said it wasn’t a mistake and is due to warehouse issues.

Would this also remove the possibility of another 18+ / D2C set or would that be considered separately from the main line?

Is War on the Water a Lego exclusive (at least in Europe)? I can’t find many or any third party sellers listing it. Sort of tempted with the 20% off for Black Friday, and then the discounted VIP codes could bring it down to a reasonable price…

I don’t buy the Covid reasoning, but also don’t know that it was ever going to happen without Marvel themselves marking the anniversary? Lego was aligned with them eg for the 10th anniversary of the Studios (thinking of the Avengers Tower GWP that featured that logo) and then more recently the wave of Infinity Saga sets at a similar time to others from other companies. It might just be that without Marvel wanting to celebrate eg 10 years of The Avengers there wasn’t much impetus?

I don't know what the fuss is, I personally cannot wait for the 20,000 piece Lego Art set where you can recreate classic comic covers.

The Sanctum is super interesting to me as I'd been working on a MOC of a modular-compatible Sanctum until the rumours about this set started, and actually I can see the justification for a number of the design decisions: Having the building extend too far back on a 32x32 baseplate makes it lose a sense of height and feel too "fat": yes, the alley might seem like wasted space but it helps to maintain the sense of proportion and grandeur. I think this was the right call (and probably a necessity from a parts count / budget perspective too!) The left front corner of the building being missing I'd imagine is due to the modular-compatibility, both re connecting to others and maintaining enough of the front pavement / sidewalk. A decision I do find interesting is the choice to have four windows on the front. I did that in my first iteration, but thought it looked way too busy, particularly beside the other modulars. Moving to two wider bays of windows allowed for more detail and matched other modulars, and also -- to me at least! -- felt more Lego-y, even if it was a departure from how the building actually looks. I think there are opportunities for modding and improving some of the front facade of the building: I'm not sure about the tan window frames for example, and I really dislike the grills used as railings in front of them, but overall it's a really good model -- the illusion of four floors but only having three is super smart, and the interior is exquisite: I didn't even attempt to fit the staircase inside, am very impressed by that. Was delighted that they used the same upside down arch method that I'd chosen right below the main window too! I've popped some images of my MOC renders (forgive the black roof! Again though, I'd hope to remove the studs around the main circular window in the set...) in the tag below in case anyone is interested.