MattedBricks

Thanks for the review! I don’t have any of these figures yet, so really looking forward to getting it! (If I can get my hands on one here in the US...) I only wish they would have included a reddish brown crow to go on top of the Snape Boggart. But otherwise fantastic!

Hello all. As Lego has moved along over the years, I have noticed steady increase in pieces that are updated with new molds. One that surprises me that has not been updated is the 2x2x2 slope piece used to represent dresses, robes, etc. Am I the only one that thinks this should be updated with a new piece? I have never liked the fact that using this piece makes a minifigure 1 plate taller than they should be, the arms can't sit flush against the torso (because it's wider than regular legs), the figure is static because the torso can't bend, they don't hold together well when played with, and dresses aren't square (well, you know what I mean). Why has Lego not created a new dress mold or standard minifigure equivalent? I don't mean to make this into a gender issue... but could this be because the major focus for girls' play is now the Friends, Disney Princess, Elves, etc. lines with minidoll style figures? My kids enjoy minidolls and minifigures, but I have noticed they like to use regular minifigure legs over these slope dresses. Just seems overdue for a new piece. Thoughts?

It’s been very interesting to read all the comments on cracking. I too have been afflicted with cracked Lego. I create a few MOCs once in a while, but mostly keep sets intact in Sterilite bins in a temperature controlled closet. I live in Utah (a dry area) in the US. I allow my children to gently play with my Lego after they have washed their hands. I never take the arms or hands off. I have found 163 pieces with a crack or break out of about 55,000 pieces. 39 of the 629 minifigures I own have had cracking issues. That’s 0.3% of the entire collection, and 6.2% for minifigures. For me, it has been across all themes. Though I have noticed that some sets have more issues than others, such as 7965 Millennium Falcon. Could this be related to where the set was produced, shipping conditions, or storing conditions even before the set was opened? It is interesting to look at the issue from different angles: the Lego group, kids, and AFOLs (or should it be AFsOL?). From a corporate perspective, 0.3% seems like a pretty good rate, statistically speaking; however, 6.2% is not nearly as good... But I only have my own data to go from. My kids aren’t really bothered by cracks unless it affects the functionality of the piece or is very noticeable. For me personally, cracks in a valuable or cherished minifigure is very irksome. Based on the discussion so far, it seems that there are several factors that could be contributing to cracking: 1. Fundamental quality – weaknesses in the plastic, molding etc. 2. Environmental conditions – Humidity, temperature, sunlight, etc. 3. Play – How the pieces are handled, stressed, hand oils, etc. 4. Time – cracks appear even though pieces were not touched or used As others have said, it would be very difficult to pin down the exact cause, as everyone’s circumstances are different. More than likely there are multiple factors combined that contribute to cracking. Though it would still be a relatively small dataset, it would be great to get more feedback from others in the forum on these correlating factors to see if there are any patterns. With more adult fans (highly scrutinizing of quality) buying more Lego than ever, it seems an issue that cannot be ignored by the Lego Group. As others have mentioned, Lego has fantastic customer service in this regard. But it is certainly frustrating when a piece cracks after a very short time or is no longer available to be replaced.

Any word on a LOTR (or Hobbit, or Middle Earth) book from DK?

The LOTR is the third best selling book of all time at 150,000,000 copies... So, I think it's safe to say those few of us here that enjoy the source material are not off our rockers. Just sayin'. I believe Lego understands the lasting appeal to young and old alike, and that's why they are willing to roll the dice, and give another go with the license.

I am ok with the big figs in concept, I just wish that they were a bit more proportional, as noted above. Cave troll, goblin king, etc. seem ok... But if they are anywhere from 7' ~ 9', shouldn't they just be slightly bigger than a minifig? Not double? That would be my preference. But since they have started down the road using the current established size, seems like that ship has sailed...

Got the new T-16 Skyhopper, and I have to say I am impressed. The build was fun, great figs, and the pilot's helmet matching Luke's training helmet on the Falcon in ANH, nice nod to OT fans. The effort put into the new Tusken Raider's head in noticeable. The two different colors of plastic so the nobs aren't just paint that rubs off in two seconds... quality. I can't help but speculate that we may see another Tusken Raider set soon... I can almost hear a bantha in the distance.... "Rrrruuuurrrrr..." (Perhaps wishful thinking...)

Do we know if the new DK book Lego Star Wars in 100 Scenes will have a minifugre included or not? Thanks.

Very excited. Do we have a confirmed DCPI? Thanks.

Barcode number worked like a charm at Target in Utah. Thanks Just2good! Picked up Witch King Battle. The guy at Target also mentioned it looked like they were scheduled to put them out on shelves this coming weekend.

So we were playing with the Mos Eisley Cantina set today, and my four year old asked me: "where's the guy who runs the bar?"... Excellent question. The ship has sailed on Wuher, but I am sure hoping some additional cantina patrons will make an appearance. Perhaps with Rebels?

Hearing everyone's sentiments and feeling the very same is quite vindicating. It has been a great run while it lasted. I'll always hope for more, no matter how many waves we get. And I would add my voice to those who have expressed views that while the Hobbit movies were not as good as LOTR, don't hold out on buying Hobbit sets because of it. I did, for a good while, and missed out on some great sets at great prices. We all know what aftermarket prices look like. My advice is pick them up while you can. I have picked up all but Goblin King... Bagend is fantastic, and Mirkwood Elf Army was a surprising gem (great number of figs, a brown warg, and a fun build with a creative elf launching play feature). Though I bought these sets for myself, my girls have loved the Middle Earth theme. Probably the one they ask to play with the most. (Yes, I do keep them separated, because everyone keeps messing with my stuff!)

Am I the only one that thinks the new cowl makes him look like double-chin Fatman?

What was the timeline for the Harry Potter DK book in relation to the end of the line?

Perhaps this was already mentioned, but the official comments from Lego (posted on Ideas' Facebook page yesterday) on NujuMetru's Minas Tirith: "who wouldn’t want to be a "steward" and have a beauty like this sitting next to the LEGO Tower of Orthanc?" give some small glimmer of hope that it is on their radar... Thoughts?

Yeah, would have been great to get a prarl gold baseplate with a few sets of coins.

Is the eagle darker brown or is that just the pic?

It seems that we are all grasping at straws, because we love the theme and don’t want to see it end… A few thoughts. First, we have been very fortunate to get what we have (just out of my dark ages right before wave 1 hit, what timing!). A complete Fellowship… just awesome. Second, we have no idea what the future holds. Even with “confirmed” reports that the line is done, that doesn’t mean that things can’t change. I am guessing that the third Hobbit wave is going to do VERY well, thanks in large part to our buddy Smaug. With MiddleEarth sales at a (what can only be assumed) record high, it may changes things for a future LOTR wave. May not. Third, have we done ALL we can to help the theme continue? Have we all contacted Lego directly and voiced our support of the line? Supported all MiddleEarth IDEAS projects out there? Asked our friends and family to support as well? In the end, we know it’s all about sales. Is there anything else we can do to encourage sales? A few buddies just came out of their dark ages (sadly, they missed most of the LOTR waves, and are subject to aftermarket price hikes) are now planning on buying the new Hobbit sets. With enough support behind the Hobbit, we may see LOTR theme continue. May not. I really would have liked to see the theme go “evergreen”… but that doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. One day the theme will end. And a sad day it will be. But we can still keep it alive with the forums talking about how to (purist or custom) complete the line… Post epic new builds on MOC pages, Flickr etc… and just have fun with what we DID get, instead of focusing on what we are missing. Because no matter how long a theme continues, we won’t get EVERYTHING. If I have learned one thing from Lego it’s that we are only limited by our own imagination and creativity. I know it sounds like a cat poster, but it’s true.

Did anyone else notice that the Summer catalogue doesn't have any Hobbit (or LOTR) sets featured? Not sure what that says...

For Star Lord, yes, but for Chris Pratt I think it's perfect.

Thanks everyone! I just want to say that I thoroughly enjoy the all positivity in the Lego community! In a world where conflict and cynicism seems overwhelming, it is nice to have a place to come where the prevailing feeling is kindness, acceptance and just good fun!

How about George Lucas or Ralph McQuarrie? I know they aren't technically "characters", but I would love to have an official Lego of them. That's why I created this project. Let me know what you think. Thanks! Lego Star Wars 15th Anniversary: a Tribute to the Creators. http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/58294

Hi Everyone! I am a couple of years out is my dark ages, thanks to my kids getting into Lego. I enjoy Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Batman (and DC), and other license lines. I read CS Lewis and various other authors. I am proud to be an AFOL!