Mazin

Nice! Very simple, but well thought, with lots of play values. Having those grey element tranformed into a statue was a briliant move, it creates this sort of exotic charm, where lots of adventurous schemes can be start up. I like those minifigs too, but only from the legs up ;) As much as i don't mind having more details on torsos, heads and shakos, I still believe that Lego should mean simplicity, and thus I'm not realy a fan of those shoes ;) If it wouldn't exceed parts limit, i'd add one simple element for color, like a flag, parrot or somesuch. Also, maybe Your office could be given a partisan, instead of one of his tradition weapons, that is if You'd have proper parts of course ;)

Nice! Is it attached directly into the Fortress by some joints or did You just place it by it's walls? Anything secretly hidden inside that rock? :)

Or You could always use something else in place of that flag, like those classic banners from castle themes, pennants i think they are called, that boat doesn't necesarilly need to be carying a traditional form of flag... https://www.toysperiod.com/lego-set-reference/parts/flags-and-signs/flags-and-banners/4495_flag-4-x-1-wavy-swallowtail-pennant/ that is if they are available in Your program of course :)

Thanx for responding. I didn't know it was made that way, and then You always had standard pirate theme clothing in Your previous entries, so that's why i was surprised with it being different ;) Still, this is Lego, everything could be replaced by us, grown up kids ;) Obtaining all those hair pieces would be cool anyway, i mean there would always be ways to find few pirate caps for these fellows and hair pieces could could be used for our town sets, cause there's no Lego fan that doesn't enjoy playing with other themes ;) Anyway, looking to Your next project :) They're getting bigger and bigger, so i wonder what will come next :)

I'm speechless! Thos one is definitely Your best so far. So many little details that everyone will love. All those teeth in the skull, and the gold one too, those litghts within eyes and even eyebrows. And am i wrong or do these plants on it make it look like if it was actually rotting? Honestly, every side i look at forces me into even bigger amezement. All of this structure added behind the rock is a visual masterpiece made out of many smaller masterpieces, I mean, You've included so many ideas at once in one set, the roof, the balcony, stairs. My only question is if there's enough accesibility into the compound? I know that the skull can be removed and some elements can be raised above, but this cave is stil kinda small, seems hardly reachable from photos' perspective, with a lot goods hidden inside that should be easily picked up. But then, maybe this captain is so greedy he doesn't want anyone to even look into it, and even more so let anyone take anything out ;) So, if it would be enginerable, I'd try to make extend Your cave's entrance, behind the skull and maybe those rocks on the back side could form some sort of a gate or coulde be raised as well, as You did with all those secret caches in Your previous sets? Maybe there could be a way to transform the skull itself into giant doors as well, so that pirates could unload all their loot directly trough them? But those are just my silly suggestions, everything looks fine enough just the way it is.... Within the island at least. Cause minifigs are a different case. And, sorry, but i would change them for more classic characters ;) Most of these guys simply don't look like pirates, they're more like seeing Ninjago! Perhaps You wanted to be more original and create some not yet seen personas for them, but I'd stick to what worked well so many years, i want HATS and OTHER HEADWEAR instead of hair products commercial ;) That goes for both sides of the conflict - soldiers look even weirder with that officer pretending to be Ted Danson! ;) Oh, and since You've decided to go with new green ( greyish? ) faction instead of classic ones then they should probably get a new flag, right? I mean, i understand that they might be just new force with the Blues, who got to wear those distinctive uniforms, but still, I think soldier's colors should be more consistent on both their clothing and banners, doesn't matter if they are going to be Blues, Reds, Greens, Grays or Orange ;)

Thanx for responding! Can't wait for Your updates on the project :)

Impressive work! I envy You. My only problem are photos, it's hard to look trough them. I tried downloading biggest sizes and enlarge them and it still didnt give me much. And this is a big set! Suggestions tho... As much as i like the fact that Your crane is upgraded into modern Eldorado standards, it doesn't look workable. Or maybe i'm wrong, i din't play with this set ;) But, as i see it now, it's positioned incredibly high, yet, it's arm is still very close to the structure! Right now i can't see a way it could load anything on any vessels, cause they would be too far from it. Plus, i'm worried it the hight of the crane would allow it to lower the load it's carrying, if it's got enough rope to reach a ship. 2nd thing. I love the fact that You've a small island to be incorporated into the pier, but it's strange that the cannon mounted on it got wheels when it's already positioned on the rotating base! I think those wheels aren't necesary in there. And I see that other cannon is construced the same way? It would be great if You could put some water under the entire lenght of pier too, tho i's not a problem for me. I think our inner kids would manage to play with it the way it is ;) Oh, and as much as i like those barrels locks on barrels on the right side of the Trading Post, they definitely look like somewthing that could be move by a hook? So maybe You'd have a chance to add something like it to the structure? A small crane with a hook on a pier? Or maybe it's already there somewhere, tho i can't see it now. Then again, dockers used special equipment to unload ships' cargo by hand, so maybe, if new crane with a hook is not an option, maybe You could proide some personal hooks-on-sticks for dockers, so that they could carry those barrels by themselves? Or if those barrels are heavy, maybe they could use poles, so thay thye a barrel could be strung onto it and it could be carried by two people?

Nice updates! I'd say Your version looks more playable and has more life than the original one by Lego! Even tho i have a great sentiment for this classic set, i always felt it was kinda depressing, dark, unfinished, like the other pirate island, both being visually inviting, but somewhat asking for upgrades. That was a problem with many classic sets - great fronts, but undeveloped backs ;) Then again, maybe that was done byc TLC on purpose, to offer us sets simple to construct, but that could be upgraded by ourselves? Anyway, Your island looks definitely upgraded, a colorful fun place to to be as a pirate;)

This is sweet! Lovely build, very well thought, even that chain attached to the boat is a detail that make it look perfectly. I don't even midn the lack of any soldiers with that set. It's good as it is. But i wonder what's inside. It's stunning from the outside, but is there anything inside? Does it have some detachable floor or walls that could be open to play with the interior? Or is it constructed more like a movie decoration? - something that looks good on the camera, but isn't necessarily a usable structure ;) I wonder if there would be some ways to add playability into it? Like, since it's a lonely tower on a lonely rock, then maybe it could serve as a lighthouse for passing ships? That is if there is any space left on the top of that tower ;) No point in forcing anything additional into it, if it would work against it's current visuals ;)

Oh yeah, that second option with a musket is better, in my oppinion, looks more original, i wasn't realy familiar with those 2000+ sets. I don't mind a shovel itself, it could be left there somewhere, by the wall perhaps. It's only the way it's attached to the ground that bothers me ;) Rock to mark the spot would be an obvious choice. If it would only be easy to lift, then You might go for it. Tho, i wonder if the soldiers would think that the rock is blocking their path to the ladder, and thus they would try to remove it and they would be the ones to discover the map? So i'd say some plant, flower maybe, preferably a different one from those at the end of the cuttlas island, would be a better choice. That is if it will visually fit with the rest of the set :)

Glad i could help :) It looks great now, it didn't look bad before, but then everything can always look better ;) And yeah, i've noticed this over-femalization with the new Eldorado Fortress ;) Still, i don't mind having them in a set. Tho, with EF, i'd prefer if women were staring in "standard" female roles, with outfits made specificaly for them, instead of posing as simple soldiers ;) But here, with Your tribe, it works better, cause obviously tribes go by their own rules, and this could be een some local jungle Amazons, who knows ;) Anyway, great build once again and looking forward to more MOCs from You :)

Terrific MOC again! Ther's so much life and so much thought put into it! So many "obvious" pirate scenes that haven't been done before, but here they are. Can't even tell what i like the most in here, it's just like whole bunch of small nonexisting pirate sets finaly thrown together and well combined with a huge baseplate. My only suggestion is that it doesn't look like an official set. Kinda the same problem Baracuda Bay had, it grabbed Lego's and fans attention, but it had to be more redone to obtain that classic feeling. So I'd add a bit of toyetic values into it as well as colour here and there. Maybe a hammock made out of sail? Or simply a mast with a sail to give those guys some protection from the sun? Someone said about pieces from the wreck and maybe that's an idea - perhaps You could implement some elements from Soldier's brig or Pirate's galleon into a bar? Like a countertop made out of admirals's former cabin, or whole shack made out of what used to be richly ornamented stern? Or maybe there's so much loot on this island that some of this stuff could be used to built the whole compund? Like bricks from the governo's mansion used for that battery position, or admiral's uniform for a scarecrowgull or colorful captured flags and epoulettes used here and there, as sunroof or sunbed etc?

I like Your presenation and at first look this set sells pretty well. However, if you starting looking closely there are some things that can't help me thinking this is not a presentation made for a bunch of parts that could be used for something else, and not a actual ready-to-play to. Those walls seem kinda out of place, surface of the sand/fort reminds me of a kitchen floor, and that cannon could get itself some weels or a proper base, instead of just being stuck in there ;) Still, it does cool for some reason, as i said. It's simple, cheap and offers some nice parts, so guess plenty of people would grab it anyway ;)

I like the build and idea, however it's a mixture of simplicity and waste of material at the same time in my opinion. It's just that's it's a very simplictic design which sits on an extremely big pile of bricks for sand ;) Thus, maybe this lower part could be transformed into something playable too? Like hidden quarters or ammo depot under that grass perhaps?

Stunning! Nice job dude. I must admit tho that i prefer Your second photo, this one would make a better "cover" in my opinion, as there's a lot more going on the back, inner side of this facility than on the front, the front here is it's actual back ;) Also the back view clearly shows us all the cool stuff that we would get if little kids inside our minds would connince our inner parents to spend all those bucks on this beauty :) Front is estheticaly spectacular, but other than that it's kinda boring when it comes to playability and visual. Not that it's bad! It's just that it's one long structure realy, and not anything like Eldorado realy ;) I must admit i absolutely love the railing, realy glad You came up with idea to make this top platform look different from inner and outer side. And prison escape is briliant! My only suggestion tho, maybe that loose wall in jail could fall to the outside of the whole compound? Right now it kinda looks like if he would only escape to the courtyard, so that he still is actually trapped. And since this whole set looks like if it would be something connectable with other sets, to make even bigger compound, he would be escaping straight into an another wall. If You would take this idea under consideration You could then also add a horserider with a line trying to remove those prison bars, just like in western movies :) Also, i would remove that barrier from the gate, i understand that this might be just a temporary barricade, to repel a possible pirate attack? But then again, it doesn't make much sense since there is a huge hole/window in the right part of structure already ;) I'd use those bricks from the barricade to close off that dangerous part... Unless, that's the way Soldiers prefer to have it to defend themselves ;) And then the gate itself, mayve it's could gain some sort of decoration over it's entyway? Like crossed halberds, something simple that could work like it's front sign and warning? Still, even the way it is it's something I think it's fantastic work and I'd love if it was a real thing, preferably to get it in multiple copies, as it's both goodlooking, playable and offers plenty of parts that would help expand it into something even bigger ;)

Very nice! I see pirates do like to drink quite a lot on Your versions of these sets ;) Bottles, bottles everywhere ;) That hidden entrance to the cave is awesome, but my favorite parts is an emergency stash, hope that gold bar isn't stuck in that hole tho? It looks like if it fit too tightly, but maybe that's just the way the photo shows it, and our pirate fellow won't have any problems to pick it out, with small help of his sabre perhaps? And honestly, i prefer Your first version, with one palm tree. Two of them is too much :)

Awesome, can't wait to see Your updates :)

I like the way You did that observation deck on top of the prison and those stairs are impressive, tho maybe they could be moved from the water a bit? And while all that water is impressive i think You were maybe too focused on it, as the island itself doesnt't follow the same detalic approach. Sand and grass looks kinda rushed, everything above it shows more skill and dedication in my oppinion, especially that sail. Nice addition to the set! Just like the new Soldier's boat. On the other hand that tower seemed to be too tall for me at first sight, when compared to the size of the island... but the more i look at i'd say it actualy fine. I'd remove one of those pirate captains tho, having two of them stuggling for power on such a small piece of land might not end well ;) And that wall next to the cannon, i think it unnecessary in there. It doesn't fit well with the rest, like if it was taken from a different neighbourhood and thrown there, doesn't seem to be attacked to the surface too. And since Your pirates were able to obtain a gun they could surely get more other weapons ;) I see very few of them, when it would be nice to have few muskets and/or pistols as well for both sides.

Very nice! This is a lovely work, very well balanced, from bottom to the top :) Starting with the shape of the baseplate and moving up. I realy like Your presentation too, first pic with those palm trees is nice touch, very atmospheric. And even tho i'm not a fan of tall boxy structures, this one is a winner for me, as You managed to balance the size and shape of the bulding with those earthy elements at the other end of the island and a palm tree brings a lot, simple detail that adds so much to the overall look of this set. Just like those lanterns and red bricks, briliant. But my faorite part is the officer's area, looking at makes me wanna relax there as well ;) And that detachable top with cannon is a smart move, especialy since Your prison wouldn't be hard to reach, considering how it's placed within the set. My only suggestion is that I'd drop that mini cannon from the boat. It looks more like a searchlight honestly, I prefer Your version with pirate flag. But if You want to go for more firepover to counter Soldier's guns, then i think standard cannon or multibarel gun made out muskets would work better. Tho this pirate is obviously cunning enough to simply sneak under garrison' nose ;) Oh, and I would change that shovel for something else as well. Hidden map is a nice idea, tho that shovel attached to sand is kinda weird ;)

Very neat remake, but there is something missing when i think of it as a set and as an outpost with some kind of a purpose. I mean, aesthetically this is such a nice structure, having those walls with windows resting on a rock is a great idea and that sun roof is a nice touch, to make soldier's duty a little bit more pleasant, tho... it seems very crowded with equipment and it's dubious what's it actually there for! Sp I'd try to improve it by adding elements that could emphasize either it's official side for which the government has paid for or soldiers' quarters that those two fellows might have built for themselves. So, ff this is a real outpost i would add more weapons that it could actually look a bit more respectul as a military facility ;) If it's just a place that soldiers simply picked to rest maybe there could be more things for their pleasue, a hammock spread between wall and a rock or a small table by that lower wall with more food and drinks? What comes to my mind, seeing that lantern, is it that it could work best if there was a bar added and it could be transformed into a sort of customs control on the road, a tollgate, where people coming to and out of town could be stopped and checked for contraband etc.

Spectacular. I must admit, seing the first pic with a box i was pretty sure it was a real Lego set :) And i wouldnt mind if TLC release it now, even with that tiny error where the right waterplate clearly stands on an island ;) And i absolutely love that hidden cave as well as a prison within a statue... Can't think of anything that would scream for improvements, tho perhaps this little middle island with a chest could play a more important, secret role? At first i thought it's top is dettachable and that there's something hidden underneath, so maybe that's a clue? Also maybe this little island could be somehow connected to the rest of the set, like a footpath made out of those small round rocks that we can see on both sides of the river/canal, so that the Islanders could walk between them without getting wet ;) PS. I'm quite surprised there's so many chicks among the Islanders, but then again, this is a guy who ride a Crocodile, so i guess local chicks dig the Croc as if it was a sports car.

Awesome! Dear Lego, take my money and pleae give this kinda set to me ;) I absolutely love it, as there's lots and lots of things happening here and it's perfectly balaned too! I mean, that tall wall corresponds nicely with that small fortification on the other side and all it enclosed by Your palm tree with a hidden chest right under it. The only thing i would change is that cannon is positioned, i'd say it would look better if it was complete or even if it was broken, but without that sand underneath. I can see what You wanted to do here, but in this case approaching it with the "less is more" way would work better in my opinion. And since there's plenty of fish, maybe he could have something to catch it with? A spear perhaps? Or is he supposed to catch then with bare hands, as we can see him submerged in the water? PS. I know it's supposed to be a kid's toy, but when i see this skeleton my darker side tells me it could be used as bait to hunt that shark ;) If only this fellow could have something to tie those bones into... ;P

Lovely! Simple, yet quite entertaining set. I can already see few possibilities for both story and ways kids could play with, at least, ways my inner kid would play ;) I mean, the location of crow's nest tells me that this whole island might be submersible and this poor guy is more of a shipwreck or a mutineer sentenced to loneliness at sea and he just go stuck in there, on it's very top. Thus, his crows nest can be used for safety, every time tide sinks the island, as well as for... fishing perhaps? Thus, maybe adding some fish would nice? Tho perhaps he prefers to fish for crabs ;) And since there is already a flag pole, he can probably use it as both, a spear for fishing/crabbing and as a paddle. And then there's his bottle, obviously could be used to send a message, couldn't it? If only he could write and would have something to write with him ;) But hay, this is a kid's toy and every kid have inexhaustible sources of imagination to play even with things aren't included in a particular set ;)

Count me in! Damn, i've just realized i haven't been realy active in Lego contests since TOR III, so it's been a while Would be fun to participate in Building category as well, tho i'm not sure if i'll be able to work anything out of my bricks, but this category suits me just fine

Hi Mike! I must confess that i like this video better than the one about pirate ships ;) I mean, not that i have any knowledge about lego forts or ships at all, but still i find Your fort list better, in a matter of both - playability, design, and in the sentimental way ;) ...while with pirate ships i'm definitely much more a classic sets kind of a guy... just because new ships are bigger doesn't make them any better in my own eyes ;) well, i think that Your pick number one - imperial ship - is actually ugly and wouldn't bother buying it even for parts as i would prefer to buy more classic ships instead ;) Same with other classic ships... for me first soldier's ship is way better and prettier than this whole ugly black pearl, with terrible terrible sails ;) but... as this is my own opinion... going back to forts, as said above, i do agree with Your choices, especially the top of the list as the pirate rock fortress in my favorite pirate set next to barracuda ;)