rodiziorobs

I prefer ebay myself, I find searching for sets on BL fiddly. It's not that I don't know how to use BL--I do and have--but it's not my favorite way to buy. A note on eBay, though is to be patient. Don't rush to buy the first thing you see, find a handful of items to keep an eye on and see what happens. I have bought MSRP sets, both current and retired, sometimes for up to 60% off. Most of what I buy is used, though, which goes even cheaper. But you have to wait for that deal to come along. As always, YMMV.

I like the colors, and I really like the rounded effect on the turrets. The Nexo-enhanced battlements look really nice, although I'm sure a lot of the high part count was invested there. Frankly I am not a fan of the main entrance--I think most of it is that the pillars look too plain next to the detailed walls, and the burps need some dressing up. Maybe the gate is also too broad? I dunno--it seems like the walls and towers are appropriately busy, then the center is devoid of anything. I think you've got a good thing going, I'm just trying to give some honest feedback.

I mostly agree with this, and I only say mostly because I believe there is some nuance to the situation. If chemical production is being prioritized over food production due to some external factor such as government policy, then I have an issue with that, as it gives those food producers incentive to get out of that industry on a large scale, which ultimately hurts people. However, I don't think the technological uses of food crops should be ignored, either. Brazil's ethanol economy is a notable large-scale economy where both ethanol and sugar are derived side by side from the same crop. Efforts are made to use the whole plant, and non-consumable parts that can't be used for ethanol or for food are pressed into fuel, which is then burned to run the distillation plants themselves. There are downsides and undesirable consequences (like any industry), and the situation is far from perfect, but it has gotten better and shows that both interests--food and chemical production--can be served in tandem, if the conditions are right. As for deforestation, it is driven so much by food-as-food demands (as opposed to food-as-fuel) such as beef or food-use sugar that unless sugar-based PE really takes off, I don't see it affecting this issue much. Also, I believe that this kind of process (using food an other plant sources as plastic or even structural material) will come about one way or another. I would rather a world in which a small private company like TLG does the research in refining and correcting the process to where it is sustainable over some major industry player. I think as a company they are generally conscientious and responsible. By the time this process catches on, they may have found a way to do it right with truly reduced impacts, both ecologically and on food economies. This also can't be overlooked. Since most PE products, both high- and low- density varieties, are designed to be disposable, it would make sense that long-lasting 'legacy' products like Lego bricks be made out of already-used plastic rather than new plastic.

If the suit were a cover for a torso, then the arms would have to have remained exactly at the minifig's sides, since torsos are significantly narrower at the top than a 2xn brick. Making it a distinct piece was the only way to keep the arms mobile.

Bummer, transparent is always better IMO. Well, I don't think it's a deal breaker but it's definitely good to know. I never thanked you for the review--I appreciate the clear pictures from all angles throughout the process, and for the answer. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a deal on this set now!

I am contemplating getting this set, but looking for a discount. It looks like a heck of a parts pack, with some good minifig parts to mix and match. I love the Misako/Lady Iron Dragon hair in white. Coming from another person with a love/hate relationship with stickers, are they printed on white paper or transparent?

I saw Black Panther this last weekend, and it was pretty good. I'd recommend seeing it to anyone pretty much unconditionally. (No spoilers here, but I used a spoiler tag because it's long:)

Black Panther. It was pretty good. I'll share more thoughts over in the dedicated Marvel thread.

That's the way I interpreted his statement; he's not giving a timeline at all, more of a lament that "true" castle fans may be waiting as long as "true" space fans who only accept CS as real space (i.e. forever). Four more movies, five in total. WB ran out of viable movie franchises and so they are milking all they can out of it. But if it brings us great sets, it pays off I suppose.

This part of your comment put a huge smile on my face, so thank you.

I noticed the same thing! It's like when you visit anywhere on the forums, everyone feels like this: Except when you visit Nexo Knights, where everyone looks at you like this... I am particularly grateful for new parts and colors, both here and in NK, so keep ' em comin'!

Oh man. I need to watch that movie again; I got chills just reading your comment. That is a fantastic film, helped in no small measure by its haunting score.

Yeah. I can spot a wordy person (since I tend to be one ) and I thought it was succinct enough. I find the ins and outs of these kinds of contracts fascinating, though, so I may be biased.

I noticed the way the minifigs were holding their wands and wondered what kind it illegal shenanigans TLG was up to... The new wands look great, along with all the recolors. The square lattice windows are a great, too. I'm not sure if they are new per se, but I don't ever remember seeing them, but wanting them. I'm not a huge HP fan, but this set is cracking for parts alone!

These two are actually some I like quite a bit. I always loved the idea of having a large beast/ogre pulling a carriage or siege engine as a kid (but, had to settle for horses or the Dragon Master's dragon) and the one above that is downright realistic in its own fantasy way. Agreed on the heraldry aspect as far as 2013's line. That is actually one thing I have loved about NK--the variety of shields is wonderful. There are lots of wacky ones, yes, but also so many great ones with dragons and towers that could for right into a traditional medieval setting. The major problem there is that they are printed on transparent pieces, which makes their usefulness limited for more traditional use (unless you are specifically making a stained-glass window--and then every other piece has to upside down to rule them properly).

I'm not sure it's an issue of size. Even recently, we've seen big projects released as big sets (Saturn V, Fishing Store) or reduced to smaller ones (Ship in a Bottle). I feel like this one wouldn't suffer as much reduction as SiaB, but would be crunched down somewhat. Other than that, it's got playability, a cohesive design, it looks stunning--there are a lot of reasons why it would pass. My bigger concern is that there is a large treehouse set in the Elves theme supposed to release later this year. Given the delay (review, production, etc), this one might land far enough away on the calendar to have a chance, but if there is a chance the two sets will eclipse each other at all, this would be rejected. It's a shame, really. Maybe they could hold it over 'til the next review to ensure it wouldn't compete with the Elves treehouse, but if non-Elves-loving FOLs knew there was a premium Ideas set coming out a year later, would they settle for the Elves one now? I think that's the biggest obstacle this one will have; TLG won't want to short their current sales for an Ideas set. Edit: while I like this project a lot, of commits one of the cardinal sins for me (numerous times!) by jamming technic pins into the bottom of bricks. But of course, if it passes that will be changed. I just hate seeing it for some reason, a pet peeve I guess. Oh well, rant over. Back to your lives, citizens.

Oh that's embarrassing. I suppose I should keep better track of what I've already posted in the future. Some newb will come across this thread (and probably several others) and think, "man this rodiz guy repeats himself All. The. Time." Some public domain characters would be a rich source for Action/Adventure themes, but honestly I would rather TLG put out their own stories and concepts that were reminiscent of those without actually being them. Kind of like how CMFs are named things like Ocean King or Egyptian Queen rather than Poseidon or Cleopatra. Let's see some themes built off of those known concepts, but without having to fuss with name dropping or getting the mythology/literature 100% accurate. Would it appeal more to kids that way? I dunno.

As far as steampunk goes, designer Mark Stafford has stated on EB last year that steampunk hasn't performed well when TLG tests new concepts with kids, which is a shame. He goes on to explain that it's because for steampunk to work, you have to be able to appreciate the mash-up of old and new, which to many kids comes off as 'stupid' because they don't have that contextual understanding. I suppose, since Technic is a product line usually aimed at older-aged kids or teens, that it could happen. But, I have to remind myself that the target age for Nexo Knights (which had started the whole conversation I linked to above) is also older kids and teens, i.e. 8-14. Even if TLG did decide to produce steampunk through Technic, I doubt they would give it more than 1 or 2 one-off sets, since it is such a niche genre. It would be awesome though. I would also love a MF revisit at some point in the near future. I had just emerged from my dark age when that theme came out and I missed it.

My feedback is similar to ShaydDeGrai's. I have three boys, from 10, 7, and 2. Having my first was what brought me back into Lego, and we played with my classic stuff because that was all we had at the time. As he got older we bought him his own (new) stuff. It seems like we got him more licensed stuff like Marvel and Spongebob, but regardless he, and later on his brother, would make up their own stories. If I had kept my old Space or Castle sets together I am sure it would have had the same effect, since sometimes they play in that "world" (Blacktron, Avengers, etc) with its rules, characters, and stories, and other times they throw the rules out and make whatever they want. Can they connect and appreciate the old stuff? For sure. I recently handed my 10-yr old some old Technic instructions and my box of Technic parts. You'd think he'd died and gone to heaven. He loved poring over the old set construction, the knobby bricks, and seeing how the sets were made, but then he turned right around and built something cool from his own new-bricks collection. Now my kids often ask me if they can play with my bricks, and when I let them its a big treat--they have their own (well, not the toddler, yet--although he is surprisingly adept) but mine is special because its usually off-limits. The themes aren't as important to them as the 'really awesome windshield' or 'super cool weapons' or whatever--what they can do with them on their own. TD; DR: Old and new don't matter to them. They love looking over my old catalogs as much as they like the new ones (although they often are sad when I tell them the catalog they're flipping through is from 25 years ago and that stuff isn't made any more).

I feel like there are better options for investing that will give you the same return with less work. For example, I picked up the Ideas Beatles set last year at the Lego store in clearance--20% off ($40). It was a present for my sister, at the best price I could reasonably expect to find at the time. Now that it is retired, it is selling for north of $60 on eBay, which means that after sales tax, shipping, PayPal and eBay fees, etc, the seller is likely only making a couple bucks. Unless you were moving lots of these babies, your overall profit wouldn't justify the effort as an investment. Now if you waited a couple years, the price would probably go up, and you might see some decent money there. But maybe you would see the same in traditional investments over the same time period, with definitely less work, less hassle, and let's face it--less risk. For every set that appreciates in value, there are a dozen that stagnate or lose value. Add in the cost of storage, the risk of anything being damaged, etc, and heaven forbid you ever move. The gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow stories of people flipping sets for big $$$$ are tantalizing. Heck, I myself recently tried my hand at selling an exclusive set on eBay for the first time and you know what? I made some decent change, even after the aforementioned costs. However, it was honestly a bit nerve-racking and I would never try and do it in a big way. Occasionally selling a one-off? Sure. Doing it as a real investment? No. If you have money to invest, start a business, put it in a standard portfolio, or get more education or learn a trade or something; your money and work will almost assuredly be put to better use. Unless of course you're already sitting on a bunch of vintage MISB sealed sets...

I need these to become real (retail) so I can get my hands on them. I also have an army of Azaris, Farrans, and Naidas, with a growing sub-faction of Airas. I'm not sure modelling and painting is a solution for these for me, though.

Illegal techniques tend to be praised as often as not for demonstrating creative problem solving. Even on their official contests (Rebrick), Lego allows any kind of brick-to-brick connection. The only thing that really knots people's knickers it seems is if you don't pledge absolute fealty to the almighty Lego Group.

I would also be surprised if this is Elves' last year. Although I don't have any evidence other than my own anecdotal experience, it seems to continue popular with both boys and girls I know (my own kids, their cousins, neighbors, etc.) We have a couple sets and MOCs on display in our home and every kid who sees them loves them. I think it will go on at least though another season/story line after Noctura. It seems if any minidoll line was getting axed, it would be DC Super Hero Girls, which would be a bit of a shame as it has been a decent source for customizing minidolls for sci-fi. (That and the snow-themed Friends sets). But, if Elves is on its way out, at least we've had a really good run of sets, where there have been way more winners than losers. Hopefully it would be replaced with an equally engaging minidoll theme or something. (Friends in Space ! Come on Lego, you can do it!)

This is probably your best bet, honestly. It makes the base taller, which may not be desirable, but can also give you stability in multiple directions. If you don't want to use technic bricks, then I would follow @peedeejay 's advice and use smaller plates, but I don't think they need to be 2x's. I'd say anything between 6x6 and 8x16 should be a sweet spot. That way you can just put two layers of plates directly on one another, or use 2x's along the seams and edges between two plate layers. Not having all the edges of the plates in the same row helps--stagger different sizes next to each other. If you do go the technic brick route, building a modular base connected by pins is another option. If you will be moving the build much there is definitely an advantage there.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).