thewatchman

Now I could write a novel on this moc, because it’s incredible, the understanding of architecture of the area and era is something else. That said, as an upgraded “lego” style set I have a few pros and cons for! pros: recognisable as the source material amazing scope and size great parts choice for certain sections cons: Could use some more colour even if it’s less real Would benefit from a better mixture of dark bluish grey and light bluish grey rock pieces hard to critique something like this though, well done!

Ah classic shipbuilding! You’ve really set yourself up with a difficult task here, given the time frame; last time I did a ship build it took over a year until I felt that it was ready. So let’s get too it. pros: Updated clipper is always cool More ships are always good colours are close to the original set cons: it’s blocky its really blocky double walled stern castle needs some refinement or further design given some time I really think you could make this something really incredible, maybe opt for some brick built sails too?

So I never had this set as a kid, so I don’t have the fond memory of it. However, I love what you’ve done with this! It looks so darn good! so let’s go! pros: the awning looks great the palm tree build (even if it’s not legos current design for pirates) the ruins look incredible, especially the curved section fantastic looking rock work cons: (These are really trivial and I’m knit picking at best) I know this is a dumb complaint, but a slight over abundance of plant life a little bit of medium azure water would have helped the wooden window frame in the ruin feel a bit unnecessary all in all though, brilliant build and I’d buy this set for sure.

The island shape change is phenomenal. This is my favourite entry by a good distance.

Cool update! I like this and love the modular nature is fantastic! Pros: modular nature for further modification good update of piece usage larger sizing seeming more grand cons: colours feel a bit washed out and would benefit from some brighter colours here. the awning could use some detailing or tiled parts choice. a switch to the medium azure plates might make this feel more current. all up a pretty great entry!

I have looked at this entry a few times and iv flipped and flopped a bit but I’ll try get my thoughts on this one now. pros: That skeleton cage build That skeleton cage build really is brilliant, and the crane holding it, hell, that whole “module” is great and feels like a true part of the 2015 sets. cons: the other modules are just too similar to the originals. I 100% think you should enter the new designed module as a “purely new” pirates set category because it’s brilliant and truely fits the sets from that time.

A lot to love here! And I’m currently working on my version of this exact same redesign but we went in very different directions! pros: a fantastic expansion a real bridge! modern parts like white bricks make this come to life. cons: not instantly recognisable as bsb I’d love a bit more yellow feels a bit like a western themed fortress good work though, I do like seeing what others took from the build they were inspired by!

Ok! The three in one creator is a cool little set that I own a few of, and in terms of smaller build and age you set yourself a hell of a task here. pros: a second deck over the cannons is rad. higher stern castle is striking. cons: sails look oversized for the vessel still too similar to original set if I’m being reallly picky, wouldn’t you be required to submit the b and c models since it’s a 3-1? while I don’t hate what you’ve done, I’d love to see a different coloured sails, maybe brick built and rolled? Or take advantage of parts choice knowing that you don’t require to make 3 others sets! Fun build though!

Damn, I actually thought it was legit, and from the leaker that leaked el dorado. Guess not then.

Anyone know if the Sabre island gwp was real or just a rumour?

The idea of combining two sets is very on brand for current lego design.

Hey, don’t change it on my accord! Seriously though I absolutely love this entry; probably my favourite so far. Do you prefer the lantern moved or like it in it’s original position? That said you’ll never convince me about the flag on the rifle, kind of conjures up the image in my mind of a rifle so damaged, that it’s only possible purpose is to fly the Jolly Roger.

Cool build! I actually really like this; it looks similar to a rocky island build I was working on, but abandoned a year ago. The rock design and lanterns are very much on style for a modern build, and I really like the idea of a pirate cave style set. The foliage covering the entrance is really cool, reminds me a lot of castle in the forest build. pros: Great rock design. Recognisable as what it is. Natural plant design. cons: Front palm tree design wise is not a great design choice. It creatures an unwelcome over complication of the shape of the build. Silly complaint but el dorado uses the older style palm tree design, and as such I feel current pirate designs would use those also. All up; fantastic and would 100% buy if released.

All of your previous reimaginings and remakes are incredible. Your forbidden island is the kind of thing lego needs to be producing.

Ah accessory packs! Something that modern lego seemingly hates more than anything else! The modernising of the figs is always a plus, even though I still love the aesthetic of the classic minifigs. I feel that maybe a revision of the colour scheme could have made a more striking impact, perhaps black wheels, reddish brown cart and pearl silver blunderbuss to match the change on the flintlock pistol. pros: Your photoshop skills are still infinitely better than mine. Upgraded figs. I love the bar handle on the cart now, best part of the all over change. cons: A bit too close to the original build for me to truely classify it as a remake. I feel that a slight change of colours could have modernised the feel of this more. Modern lego would have at least one pirate be female, being incredibly picky with this one, but if I’m making the judgement off a recreation it would be a likely change. Long live the battle pack I say, we certainly need more of these and I love the approach of a small set, much like the 2015 pirate survival.

Aww man I knew someone was gonna do castaways raft. And that was always gonna win me over because it’s one of the first lego sets I got as a child, and your reimagining doesn’t fail at all! The decision to move away from the all black colour scheme is frankly the right move because it makes more detail pop. The multiple earth tones of colour make the raft look more “ramshackle” which is perfect, without going far away from modern lego styling. The hanging lantern and fish bucket are perfect details added too. pros: Brilliant restyling and inclusion of non original assets that make this feel like a true remake. Great colour update choices, Cons: I love the lantern, but why not have the holding clip slid into the back of the technic pin so it sits more flush at the back of the mast? This is a garbage complaint, but no flag on the musket! One of my favourite parts of the original. Now, onto the island. I considered trying to modernise this same set, but I realised something early on in the design phase, it’s hard to improve perfection, but that doesn’t mean you havnt done a fantastic job doing so. Modernising the “jetty” section to a more rounded and modern look was the right decision and the chest hiding spot with the vines on the back looks very modern lego styling. This feels very barracuda bay in all the very best ways. Pros: This update feels like an extension to t barracuda bay, and the colour choices really modernise it. The addition of the fire is cool as hell Cons: No inclusion of the tub! Unforgivable! I don’t know if it’s fair to consider this a con, but modern lego pirate redesign has us using those ugly ugly palm tree designs that I’m currently struggling with including in a build for this contest. Fantastic work, would buy both of these tomorrow if commercially available.

Wow! Great little build, I’m always in awe of people who can work at this scale, because whenever I try I always end up pulling my design to pieces and rebuilding bigger and bigger until it’s 3-1 pirate ship scale. This build feels like the spiritual grandson of the “spongebobs Flying Dutchman” set in scale and clever use of parts, and it has enough in common with the “emperor’s ship” that you can see the homage, without it being a simple brick for brick creation. pros: Colour choice for the white hull and gold elements. Clever use of parts for the cannon torch. Working at a scale that is very difficult to achieve. Lots of detail in smaller areas. cons: Lots of detail in smaller areas, this is my only complaint with a lot of mocs that I see. I know a lot of people love hyper detail but I find that sometimes smaller builds can become “cluttered” or lost in detail. All up, fantastic build!

That or a company that give a damn about a theme such as pirates.

Hey folks! Long time lego pirates and forum user, I’m attempting a build in the contest but would love to try my hand at doing full reviews / critiques of all entries too!

I agree with this. POBB felt like a true homage to the old sets because the designer included updated and expanded backgrounds and lore to the set. The book that explained the crew made me feel like a kid building it again learning names and seeing how it had all changed. I think this is why some people feel el dorado is soulless, this is corporate stuff designed by comity, not something that felt fan inspired and built with love, more like a straight remake with some flashy features.

Agree mostly with this, but lore wise is kind of one of the things I like about this and pobb. Times moved on, people complaining that the admirals facial hair has changed is ridiculous, he’s older he cant have a beard? My favorite pirate ship is now a trading hub and bar? That’s kinda cool too.

This is really cool! I can’t wait to see more moc builders add all sorts to this, making a modular bay and trading post.

Looks fantastic. Frankly amazed at the hate it’s getting, I think it looks bright, thematic and gorgeous. Might just be the conspiracy theorist in me, but is the back dock to high for the included boat build? It looks like it’s suited for a larger vessel…

This is incredible! Fantastic ship and all the detailing is simply stunning!

Better start believing in terrible company choices, your in one. In all seriousness though, I think they are trying to appeal to certain demographics regardless of sales figures. Politics aside I know a lot of lego fans and I don’t know anyone that would buy that set. where as themes that sell consistently well get pushed aside for garbage sets and release 522 of a background starwars character that was never given a name that now has 3 Disney plus series coming soon tm*