Masked Builder

"Are we all good then?" Alexis looks up to try to guess what time it is using the stars.

Don't get me wrong Zeph, I'm loving the quest, the battles seem to be the slowest part.

"What ever you want Nerwen. I'm giving you these tonics though." A package poofs into existence in front of Alexis. "Oh this must be from the raffle." She opens it and finds a Titan Heart. Loot Division: Staff (WP: 4) - Matthias Town Watch Helmet (SP: 2) - Matthias Potion x2 - Alexis Remedy - Alexis Tonic x2 - Nerwen Elixer - Matthias City Watch Halberd (WP: 6) - Alexis City Watch Helmet (SP: 1) - Matthias "Now what were we doing again?"

OOC: Been 24 hours now; time to move this on. Alexis swings her fan at Avery from the front row. Battle Order: > Nerwen v. Thistlethorp - Sword >Midge v. Avery - Cruel Axe Ruffers & Pigley v. Thistlethorp - Crabspirator Ruffers & Pigley v. Avery - Crabspirator Bert v. Thistlethorp - Halberd Samuel v. Alexis - Heal Alexis v. Avery - Fan

These are pretty good! I'm tempted to build some of the puzzle ones to see how well they work.

I've had this set for quite a while now. I don't quite remember when exactly I got it. I got it originally to have a complete collection, and for the minifigures, but after building the set I was pleasantly surprised by it. This set has been a glaring gap in our LotR review database so with the Eurobricks Reviewers Academy Anniversary, I thought it was time the gap was filled! Set Information: Name: Orc Forge Set Number: 9476 Pieces: 363 Price: $39.99 Ages: 8-14 Minifigs: 4 Theme: Lord of the Rings Year of Release: 2012 Bricklink Brickset Flickr Set Box: Here's the front of the box. The top bar shows Sauron's finger with the ring. The set has been dropped on a very wonderfully detailed scene. I would like to know why the "The Lord of the Rings" text is on top of the set though. The front of the box is an action scene. The back has more detailed images. I love how they've formatted the back too, the parchment with the nails really adds a great medieval look. There's also a small add for LEGO Lord of the Rings. The 1:1 image on the box is of Lurtz, boy he does look good. The parchment note is continued here again. Contents: I normally don't include minifigure parts in my new/interesting parts image; however these were just too cool not to include. Until Orthanc came out, the armor pieces with the hand print were exclusive to this set. The cheese and 1x1 round are new colors I believe: and no stickers in this set, the tile is printed! The brick separator isn't an extra part really, but I'm not sure where else to put it. That olive cheese is definitely the best score in this set. Manual: Now for the manual. The front shows the same art as the front of the box, minus all of the cluttering set information. The first page shows a bunch of warnings and instructional information on how to use the light brick. On the next two pages are what bags build what and not to build out in the yard. It's printed on a nice tan back map back ground. I had no color misprints. And a close up of the map. I find it rather funny that it shows Erebor here. A full page, fun ad for the LEGO Lord of the Rings website. Finally a checklist so one can keep track of what minifigures they own. Minifigures: Now for the best part; the minifigures! There may be only four in this set, but they are packed with detail. The Uruk is pretty generic, but he's special because of the inclusion of the helmet with the hand of Sarumon on it. Lurtz is a brown color as opposed to the dark red of the Uruks, and he has a nicely muscled printed torso. The two Orcs are exactly the same, but one gets a hair piece. I love the inclusion of the rings on the Orcs. Most of the back printing on these guys is covered up by their various hair pieces or armor. However they all have nice detailing on the back. With the hair pieces and armor removed it's easy to see that the backs are just as nicely detailed as their fronts. The Uruk and Lurtz have alternate expressions as well. I'm really glad that LEGO put printing on the back of the Orc's heads, even if it could be covered up by hair. Look at all of the accessories/weapons included for these guys. Sadly, Lurtz can't have his hair piece on when he's wearing the armor. That's about the only thing I do not like about the minifigures. Otherwise they're all some of the most nicely detailed minifigures I've gotten in a LONG time. The Build: Bag one builds the whole of the left side. The second bag starts on the right section and builds part of the forge. Bag three finishes the right section. The completed set, it does look pretty good. Finished Model: The set looks a lot better when populated with minifigures. The color blocking is done quite well too. Check out all of that olive cheese! These are the two most lackluster items in the set. While they were in the movie, I think they're some of the hardest items to recreate into usable items with LEGO. I prefer everything to be absolutely symmetrical. I think that's the math in me coming out. But this actually looks really good. Side shot of the crane to give you an idea of how far it sticks out. All of the structural elements are easily visible from the back. I must admit I'm not used to seeing it from this side! The set actually looks pretty long from this angle. The crane will actually hold the bucket up, I haven't put much weight in it though... I think the smelting area looks pretty good, I also love that LEGO used the raised base for two completely different functions. The rock detailing is rather repetitive, but there is just enough variation for it to look great when the set is finished. Functions: First you load up the ore. Then crane it up. By turning this the bucket goes up or down. Then pour it down a chute to a cauldron. And finally smelt the iron. You push this to make the light brick turn on. One can dig Lurtz out from his pit. By pulling this away Lurtz can come out. There's a hole in the back to push Lurtz through with. One can also hammer the weapons out with the anvil. Conclusion: This set really has grown on me since I bought it. Like I said, I had originally gotten it for the minifigures, not expecting much. When this was released it was the set with the most olive parts in it. Not to mention the sheer number of play features! I do not do much playing, but I could definitely see someone else having hours of fun with this set. The amount of details on the minifigures still astounds me. Ratings: Playability: 9/10 There are a TON of functions in this set, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they work too. Design: 6/10 LEGO did a pretty good job of turning that huge underground maze into a $40 set. Price: 10/10 I have zero complaints about the price at all, there's so much great stuff in this set it's well worth it. Minifigures: 8/10 The only thing that could have made this set better would have been the inclusion of armor that works with Lurtz's hair and a bow for him. Parts: 7/10 There are a fair number of new and interesting items to make this set good. Total: 40/50 Like this review? Want to learn how to make good reviews? Then join the Reviewers Academy!

Alexis swings a Remedy in Ruffer's direction. Battle Order: > Nerwen v. Crowley -Sword >Matthias v. Thistlethorp -Peashooter >Matthias v. Thistlethorp -Peashooter >Midge v. Morrison -Cruel Axe Ruffers & Pigley v. Thistlethorp -Crabspirator Ruffers & Pigley v. Morrison -Crabspirator Bert v. Crowley -Halberd Samuel v. Alexis -heal Alexis v. Ruffers -remedy OOC: Sorry was waiting for nstickney to post. I have no problem with Chromeknight picking my actions in the future.

My favorite set is definitely the Lake-town add on set. The original was just so good looking. Over all I like all three but it's hard to see much in the BO5A set.

Oh gosh. Lots of great one-liners in there.

Not today but over the weekend:

Well from what I can see it looks great! I was planning on building one myself at one point.

Alexis swings a Remedy in Nerwen's direction. Battle Order: >Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp >Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp >Midge: Fire Spell vs. Avery Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Crowley Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Morrison Bert: Halberd vs. Crowley Samuel: Heal vs. lowest health (%) party member Alexis: Remedy vs. Nerwen Nerwen: Remedy vs. Midge

Revised Battle Order: > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp Alexis: Fan vs. Avery >Nerwen: Remedy vs. Avery Midge: Fire spell vs. Avery Samuel: Sword vs. Avery Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery Bert: Halberd vs. Avery If Avery goes down the remaining heroes attack Crowley.

I was excited to hear about a polybag with the Laketown Guard in it as I had Laketown but only one guard, and had to have at least two. At $5 this was a half decent deal, not the Elf polybag mind you, but still pretty good. Enjoy this pecial Reviewers Academy Anniversary edition review! Set Information: Name: Laketown Guard Set Number: 30216 Pieces: 31 Price: $4.99 Ages: 6-12 Minifigs: 1 Theme: The Hobbit Year of Release: 2013 Brickset Bricklink Flickr Set Baggy: The front of the bag is graced with some beautiful artwork showing Laketown in the winter. The banner at the top of the bag is also quite lovely, the muted colors and the company trekking across a ridge look great. Nothing much on the back of the bag as usual. Just "The Hobbit" in various languages as well as a wall-of-text warnings. Contents: As this is a small set, here's all of the parts included. Nothing super extraordinary since this is a poly bag and the main draw is the minifigure. These are the only two extra parts, really excited to see some extra dark green cheese! Manual: Here is our manual. The light grey background for this is a good choice; it really plays on the snow aspect. The back of the manual is split between a half page ad for the rest of Laketown and the final instructions for the set. Minifigure: This figure is just so cool! All of the curves in the figure flow so well; not to mention the colors. The purple, dark red, and brown flow together quite well. Laketown has some great colors. There's quite a bit of detail on this guy too, you can see the chain mail skirt sticking out from under his robes. Less to see on the back. His belt continues around and his shirt has some nice printing. Now the Master of Laketown has has two guards; as he should! The Laketown figures are so wonderfully designed and have great color schemes. Finished Model: There's really not a whole lot to this set; it's a polybag after all. But one gets a nice little armory and a decent catapult. It's a pretty standard armory design that we've seen repeated for years now with only slight changes. The catapult is pretty good though. Here's the armory compared to the one that came in the Laketown Chase set, the one here is actually more impressive. Our original guard has a more enjoyable time with a friend now. Conclusion: This isn't a terrible set at all if one is army building with the figure. Otherwise there's really not a reason to be getting more than one. (I'm a bit of a completionist myself. ) The figure is really quite pretty though. Ratings: Playability: 4/10 Okay you get the catapult, but who's he supposed to fire it at?? Design: 5/10 It's a pretty standard set model wise; we've seen similar stuff quite often. Price: 8/10 I can't complain about the price to much. Minifigures: 9/10 I absolutely love this figure! So detailed and wonderfully colored. Parts: 6/10 Nothing spectacular at all in this set. Total: 32/50 "Mine's bigger!" Like this review? Want to learn how to make good reviews? Then join the Reviewers Academy!

"I'm pressing the attack while we have an opening Nerwen. I'll help you next turn." Alexis swings her fan at Avery. Battle Order: > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp Alexis: Fan vs. Avery >Nerwen: Remedy vs. Self Midge: Fire spell vs. Avery Samuel: Sword vs. Avery Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery Bert: Halberd vs. Avery If Avery goes down the remaining heroes attack Crowley.

Alexis swings her fan again, more determined to hit Crowley. Battle Order: > Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Thistlethorp > Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Thistlethorp Nerwen: Sword vs. Avery Samuel: Heal vs. Alexis Alexis: Fan vs. Crowley > Midge: Fire spell vs. Thistlethorp > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp Bert: Halberd vs. Morrison OOC: Sorry about my inactivity, I've just moved back home after my summer job then went to NYC for the day. But I'll be more active now.

"I hate this woman." Alexis says as she swings her fan at Crowley. Battle Order: > Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Crowley > Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Morrison Nerwen: Sword vs. Avery Samuel: Heal vs. Alexis Alexis: Fan vs. Crowley > Midge: Light spell vs. Avery > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp > Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp Bert: Halberd vs. Thistlethorp

"What did I say guys?" Alexis swings her fan at the Undead Assassin from the front row. Battle Order: > Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Thistlethorp > Ruffers & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Undead Crowley >Matthias: Change Dapper Hat for Quckdraw Quiver >Matthias: Peashooter vs. Thistlethorp Samuel: Heal vs. Bert Bert: If healed, Halberd vs. Thistlethorp, otherwise Use Grand Potion Midge: Axe vs. Thistlethorp Alexis: Fan vs. Undead Assassin > Nerwen: Sword vs. Undead Morrison

Alexis is walking down the road and sees a letter appear. "Is it that time of year again?" she thinks. Alexis sends her letter back with her name.

Alexis swings around and puts her fan at Thistlethorp's throat. "Have you been screwing with us?"

Alexis swings her fan again, ignore her party member's comments. Battle Order: Russel & Pigley: Phoenix Essence vs. Alexis Nerwen: Sword vs. Avery Alexis: Fan vs. Avery Midge: Axe vs. Avery Samuel: Sword vs. Avery Matthias: Peashooter vs. Avery Matthias: Peashooter vs. Avery Bert: Halberd vs. Avery Thistlethorp: Heal vs. Bert Russel & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery

"Shut up and fight guys." Alexis swings her fan from the back row. Battle Order: Matthias: Mead vs. Nerwen Matthias: Mead vs. Alexis > Nerwen: Sword vs. Avery > Alexis: Fan vs. Avery Samuel: Heal vs. Bert Thistlethorp: If Bert is less than full health, Heal vs. Bert, otherwise Heal vs. Most Hurt Party Member > Bert: If Bert is healed to full health, Halberd vs. Avery, otherwise Nothing Midge: Nothing > Russel & Pigley: If Bert attacks, Nothing, otherwise, Crabspirator vs. Avery Russel & Pigley: Nothing

Alexis swings her fan at Avery. Battle Order: Nerwen: Sword vs. Avery Alexis: Fan vs. Avery Midge: Axe vs. Avery Samuel: Sword vs. Avery Matthias: Peashooter vs. Avery Matthias: Peashooter vs. Avery Bert: Halberd vs. Avery Thistlethorp: Heal vs. Bert Russel & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery Russel & Pigley: Crabspirator vs. Avery

Battle Order: Alexis Nerwen Midge >Matthias Matthias >Bert Thistlethorp Samuel Russel & Pigley