TheLegoDr

My TRU had a handful of the Elves too and I never saw them again. That was right before Black Friday last year because I went back to check completely forgetting it was Thursday (Black Friday)...shows how much I go shopping around Thanksgiving. Needless to say I saw the line of people waiting to get in and I forgot about it. I didn't care that much about them. And I agree, I like the new Mirkwood Elves significantly better. Odd that they packaged them as a copy of the Barrels elf since that isn't how they are portrayed in the movie after all.

^That would make sense since it seems to be my lighter colors breaking more often than my dark colors. Now one could assume that is because it is harder to see the cracks on the dark bricks, but upon closer inspection I haven't seen too many dark bricks cracking (but I do see some).

Understandable. I wasn't judging And I added up how much was spent this year and it was a bit higher than expected, so I guess I spend a lot too. Just unexpectedly so. I best keep an eye on my budget next year. It looks like it should be safe for the start of the year.

I'm quite amazed at how much some people spend. I get lots of sets every year and I don't think it totals anywhere near some of those totals! Craziness. Have fun going everyone. I'm sure it would be nice to get some sales without a huge crowd. I can certainly see the appeal.

^True, that was the problem originally. It does seem weird that yellow can be used for all races, yet they create one brown minifigure amongst a sea of yellow and still claim it was all races. I think the interesting thing is Duplo figures have been a "flesh" colored since the 70s at least (per the pictures in Brickset) and a set in 1999 when the Star Wars license came to be had darker skinned Duplo figures, yet System didn't have anything like that. And in 1998 Duplo had a set Native American Family that showed darker skinned figures, yet the Wild West theme that had Native Americans still used yellow, just with the more controversial noses/eyes. It's odd that really small children can be exposed to the idea that there are more than one color individual in the world, yet standard LEGO fans had to accept yellow. (Keep in mind, I love licensed figures and regular System figures). Just an interesting observation (at least to me).

I picked up some light bley 2x2 in Chicago this summer. I only grabbed a handful since I actually prefer the dark bley 2x2 which I've never seen anywhere before. I haven't been to a wall since June though since I live so far away from any of them. Per brickbuildr I haven't seen too many good pieces at my closest store, so that works out.

You'd think they crack by being connected to one another, yet, they seem to crack the instant they get placed together, which would mean it is already broken by the time it is clutched for the first time OR that small force placed on the piece causes it to crack that quickly. I can understand that some pieces will crack eventually just because of age, but I've had multiple sets from the early 90s built since they came out and still aren't showing any signs of wear. Yet somehow seemingly ALL of my new pieces are cracked and very few of my old? I know everyone keeps saying they are of better quality now, but I'm not seeing it. Color discrepancies are one thing, they don't bother me as much as bricks cracking all of the time.It boils down to I can deal with a subtle color difference, I can't use a broken piece. That is good to hear that the cheese slope issue might be fixed for the future. I still have lots of palisade bricks, arches, 1x1 headlight bricks, and 1x1 plates that seem to crack very quickly/easily. I keep referring to the Hogwarts build I built, so all of these pieces are reddish brown and/or tan (brick yellow I believe). But I don't know how the color would change the integrity of the plastic of the brick.

Thanks for the review. I've already read 2 others, I think that says his much I like this set. Definitely going to be taking toward the top for me. I like the number of pictures you included, but I would agree about the contrast issue. I like all of the details, but it will stand out a bit compared to the others. I realize this is where we not then ourselves, which I am doing, but it is nice having an official interior. I like the white on the exterior, but I agree a different color could have worked well. I think the subtle amount of white used is what makes it okay. White is hard to work into modular building. I've rarely seen it work. Probably why everyone does tan. I will say your review was the best of the three I've seen, if that means anything to you.

Cheese slopes crack just by looking at them. At least they do for me. Sucks when you build a mini scale Hogwarts and the sand green cheese slopes only come in one or two sets. But I've noticed as lot of my 1x4 arches and 1x6 arches are cracked on the side. Keep in mind ALL of my pieces I build with are from 2011-now, so I wouldn't call any of them old and they all came from New sets. That is the frustrating thing. Can you contact lego and request replacements for pieces that have broke while building? Even years after you bought the set?

Bright colors are more whimsical, just like the early books/movies and they got darker as time went on?

If think of you buy comic con figures WITH the card that comes with it, you might be in the clear. Not that those would be hard to fake necessary, but to fake both might be more work than it is worth. I've seen good customs before too. Maybe look for a lego stamp somewhere? The custom could put one too, but short of going to the con yourself, there is no guarantee. Just trust that you are buying from reputable dealers that are selling a legitimate product.

True, I'd prefer darker hair over yellow too, but it still helps. And I probably would grab a small handful at best so doing would cut all savings for me. And the torso isn't ideal for the type of any of be building, but I can make do if I find it.

I had no idea there was an official lego universe. I guess that is how much I pay attention. I have never thought about how I would incorporate the sets into my collection since most would be in brick piles to build something else. Interesting.

That cheap price for elf hair is in the Czech Republic area, so no way am I paying international shipping prices on hair piece. So the cheapest in USA with any number behind it is around the $2.50 like I said and it only goes up from there (next US sellers are 2.86 and 2.96), plus you still have to add in about $4 shipping on average from what I've ever been charged. So a handful of polybag would be appealing to me. Although I doubt I will find any here.

I don't know where you are seeing Legolas' hair for less than $2. The cheapest I've seen that hair is $2.50 and that was limited sellers at the time. Either way, you'd get a full figure plus bow, maybe quiver for a little more than just the hair piece plus shipping..I think I'd take the polybag.

Well done. It definitely sets a good pace for the rest of us. I know of some good ideas for mine, but this will be a good competitor. I like the use of space. It definitely works well within the constraints. Best of luck in the contest!

^It still won't stop resellers from trying to overprice Azog just because of that issue. Obviously, I'll buy the set, so I won't be overspending on him. A Laketown polybag would be amazing, I just hope I can find it (like everyone else!) I typically can't find the polybags I actually want, just the random bags that everyone seems to get. I found a few of the Mirkwood Elf polybag, which was good, but they went quick. And I'd much rather have Legolas/Laketown Guard polybags. I could always use more elf hairpieces instead of green hoods. If I find any, I may have to buy all that I see. Even though the Mrs won't like that since I'm trying to talk her into me doing a LUGbulk purchase...decisions, decisions. Thanks for the pictures everyone.

As much as I love the black falcon insignia, the black knight and wolf pack were always my go to groups. It helps that the black knights have my favorite lego castle. (As seen in miniature form in my signature)

Concludes makes sense regarding the movies, but that sounds like impending doom for future sets. I'd like to see more after, but who knows what they could come up with. I guess we will find out tomorrow.

Hmm, I do like that updated head. Too bad it isn't the official size. I don't think LEGO will be changing their molds anytime soon, so we will be stuck with those large heads. I will have to grab one or two and see it "in hand" to make my final decision, but so far I unfortunately will be passing on this series.

I would assume the hole in the stud would still allow air to pass through, so if it was lodged in your throat, small amounts of air could still make it through. Now I don't think there would be enough air to actually survive something like that, but maybe you could choke longer on it? But if that is the reason and it was designed to prevent death, how come not all heads have that feature. Most of my more recent figures don't even have the hole in the stud. Now, I don't think I own any that have a solid stud on the head. All have the recessed stud, but that wouldn't prevent choking. But I do have some heads with the Mercedes logo with the hole. Anyway, if you look at the Boba Fett figure, it is the more updated 2010 version, not the Cloud City variant. I think someone needs to do some more research about the LEGO minifigure. I'd assume they aren't an AFOL.

In regards to the light bley jumper tile, I did an online pick a brick and received the new mold, so they must have them separated in the factory somewhere. Just to give a heads up. I want more jumpers that don't have the groove on the bottom.

I agree, it'd be great if shop at home had them all the time to make it more fair for everyone. I rarely find them near me except the few in the Christmas aisle at Target. You'd think they'd be a great unlike purchase, but at the check out at Target they just dangle there with other items that never change.

I've never heard of this character since I'm not into those , but this figure looks really cool. I assume that is a Chima body? I haven't consider using those anywhere, but it is fitting here. Keep up the good work.

Everyone is not looking those new shooters and spring loaded missiles, but I bet the target audience will love them. There are about 7 figures I want, but no sets. I'd like to think I'll save money this wave, but buying just the figures will probably break the bank due to how high sellers price them.