TheFrisian

Great topic! It's very interesting to see part of the design process. I have to admit that a lot of prototypes look more promising than the actual set, which is really a shame. Some of the alterations really puzzle me, like the removal of the beards in the Viking line. Even from a marketing point of view this seems totally illogical, since it greatly reduced the overall appeal of the sets. Also, I really liked the Kraken and the prototype designs of the Viking torso prints. And I have to agree with the City fans that the prototype crane looks a lot better proportioned and sleeker than the final product, especially with those nice rounded slopes. By all means, please continue to post pictures of prototypes, I'd love to see more!!! :-D

To me, they also look like a cheap imitation. Have you looked at the printing? That's definitely not as high quality as genuine printed LEGO parts. But I do have to admit, the chrome swords are nice! By the way, are you sure the second picture of the Viking ship is actually LEGO? It looks so different!

Also, the Castle section on the LEGO website has some posters you could print. I don't know if any other themes have posters, but it might be worth checking it out.

I'm with you on this one as well, they look far too much like modern artillery to be able to pose as something medieval. If the designers had only tried to make them look like proper medieval ballistas, maybe I would've liked them a lot better. Perhaps a nice idea for a building contest: try to create the most realistic ballista while still retaining the shooting function.

WOW, those are some great castles DNL! They have nice architecture, a very solid appearance and lots of nice detailing. Compared to the sleek architecture of the castle as a whole, the battlements seem a bit crude to me though, but perhaps that's just a matter of opinion. I also really like the way you added minifigs, foliage and lots of other small details to make the scene come alive! *y*

Think so? I've never seen Gandalf or Saruman in robes with a star pattern... |-/

My point exactly. As I said earlier somewhere, I would love to have (lots) more archers. Currently, the only way to get them relatively cheap is the Crossbow Attack, but in that set they come without bow and quiver and with a siege weapon I don't need that many of.

I vote for Elves! First of all because this is a fantasy based Castle theme, and Elves would fit in a lot better than Forestmen. And since Elves have never been done before by TLC, I also think it would appeal to a much wider target group. But since I loved the Forestmen theme when I was younger, I certainly wouldn't mind if the new Elves faction was based on a forest theme. Just think of it, Forest Elves X-D

I completely agree with you here Batbrick. Seriously, who needs a dozen or more mini towers. I sure don't, which would mean I'd be paying for parts I don't want. Instead, we get enough extra parts to equip a second minifig, which makes this a fantastic army builder set. And as Blueandwhite pointed out, the armour has no printing (lets hope it stays that way), so it can be used for other factions as well. I know I'm going to buy several of these!

That was my impression as well, but it probably depends on how you look at it: the torso was newly introduced with this Castle line...

Thanks to Jipay's pictures on the frontpage news, we now know what the Castle Impulse sets are going to look like! Quite frankly, I find the wizard kinda disappointing, the starry print on his clothes and hat give him a rather <insert that tiresome argument> appearance. But the Sentry set makes more than up for it, look at all the extras! Grill helmet, armour, shield, spear and sword. You wanted an army builder pack? Looks like you got it! Too bad they didn't make an Impulse set with an archer as well, would have loved more of those!

Which just proves to me that modern looking artillery like that is totally out of place on a medieval ship.

Probably so, but still... nice going Eurobricks!!! *y*

Erm... mind if I just call you Oobie? 8-| Welcome to Eurobricks, I hope you enjoy your stay here! :-D

Ben Ellermans article in the topic "Castle Team: The New Role of Fan Feedback" if I'm not mistaken.

|-/ *wacko*

LOL! Why do you think I'm going to order the chess set, it has all the really good minifigs in one great collection! King, princess, necromancer, bishops, eight soldiers. Otherwise I would've had to buy nearly the entire line just to get those figs. Too bad about the black skeletons though, I like my skellies white. Perhaps I can find someone willing to trade, that would be nice.

Great find SW4J, that is one fantastic MOC by RebelRock! Nice architecture and great detailing. *y*

Yes, that MOC is very nice as well, but I especially like Vlad's Tower because it uses no wall panels whatsoever. What can I say, I like my walls nice and thick X-D

Happy birthday Legoman! :-D By the way, nice find Asuka! Thats a really great sculpture!

I'm sorry to hear about your dog SW4J, no wonder your birthday wasn't the happy occasion it's supposed to be. I hope she'll get better soon! (That would probably be the best birthday gift yet)

Thanks... erm... interesting hair color! X-D

The armour and swords is what I liked best too. Shorter swords would've been nice in addition to the longer katanas. Great overall theme, which TLC should redo sometime in the near future. Just think about it, metallic coloured weaponry and armour, with printed decorations. I do however agree with SW4J that ninjas and samurai usually don't mix together, they should be on opposing teams.

Well, we're still missing Elves. Would like them with a green and brown colorscheme and living in trees. And the Undead faction has some room for expansion as well. More demons and zombies, war machines, etc.