Ardelon

I wonder whether they will be real monsters or regular people dressed up as monsters? I might actually prefer the 2nd alternative, it would be funny and save the real monsters for regular releases.

I wonder whether they will be real monsters or regular people dressed up as monsters, like trick-or-treaters? EDIT: wróng thread, but I decided to make the most of it and post some suggestions on the 2nd alternative. The possibilities are endless, but I tried to stick with stereotypical ideas: minifig dressed as a... 1) sheet ghost, complete with patch print on the sheet 2) skeleton 3) vampire, basically a yellow-faced vampire (or obvious white makeup like the Ninjago snake cultists), with a way to show the fangs are fake dentures 4) Frankenstein monster 5) werewolf, using a chima Wolf/sabertooth headpiece as a mask 6) robot, maybe with a cardboard box as a helmet 7) (poorly wrapped) mummy - a toilet paper roll would be funny, either printed on the torso or on a 1x1 cylinder 8) pirate, maybe with a wooden sword 9) spaceman, complete with classic logo somewhere, again, maybe a cardboard box as a helmet 10) dinosaur, possible reuse of the helmet and tail mold from the 1st CMF dino suit guy 11) superhero, but would probably have to be unlicensed - maybe as a Ninjago ninja (or a Chima character, or Galaxy Squadman)? 12) superheroine (see above) (girl fig) 13) princess (repeat of the hennin, or mabybe a tiara) (girl fig) 14) witch (girl fig) 15) cat (not so much a cat mask as whiskers drawn on the face and a hair with cat ears mold) (girl fig) 16) doll (girl fig) The pumpkin head mask could also be used in this scenario. Coming up with accessories would be a bit harder, apart from giving everyone a basket...

I dont think Sergeant #2s head ever appeared in Pirates. I know it appeared in some 2013 Castle sets, but I think it was introduced as Josh Thunder in Dino 2012: http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/Josh_Thunder

Meh, those custom Gondor helmets are so conical, theyre comical (wordplay ftw). Nice detailing around the face though. I wonder whether the helmet from the game would be possible to be made physically.

I would like to point out that a sabre/cutlass is different from a rapier, like the BrickArms one that Captain Brausnfeld has shown us. So there is no point in wanting one to be replaced, as they are not the same thing. And I hardly think it is possible to replace the current sabre with a better version. Having said that, I probably wouldnt mind seeing the LEGO *rapier* being replaced by something more like the BrickArms one, but I wont let it get in my way of enjoying the current mold. Agreed on all points. Even the parrot. I am surprised someone would seriously come here just to tell us this. Feel free to put the discussion on a more constructive track, by providing a pictoral review of one of the upcoming sets for example.

Neat MOC, and pretty movie-set-like itself! Nice work on the lamp especially. But I dont recognize the round tile on the end of the window-shade string... I dont know why, but the scale is really screwing with my mind - it always takes my eyes a moment to adjust!

Beautiful & brilliant in its simplicity!

Not sure how I feel about this. Could be interesting, but I would have preferred a standard varied series. At least I hoped 2 out the 3 series each year would be regular ones, with the third being a special series. But now, it seems like regular series are becoming the exception rather than the norm.

Succubus? As a LEGO figure? Really? The rest sound about right.

Wow, thanks for posting the pics, its Great to compare the variantions like this! Still hoping for a President/Lord Business with an evil/cocky/smug grin.

Well, Im optimistic about this theme. I dont think that whether the figs are beased on the classic or "be cool" appearance will have an effect on the appearance of the minifigs. But I dont really see where any pumpkin-mask guy would fit, unless the mansion has a pumpkin patch. Or I guess the in the Mystery Machine set.

For a ghost ship, I would like to see it with torn and tattered sails, like the RBR, but plain white. The BP was too black for my liking.

Well, I prefer the old croc; the new one looks ok, but more like a crocodile monster than an actal crocodile... the bulging eyes contribute to that effect.

I guess I would give it a C - docking one level (A) for incompleteness, and another (B) for lack of battle packs / army builder sets. Alright, but not what I was hoping for. What we did get was good, though.

I have to defend the single-mold longboat issue. I would much rather have a longboat mold than two rowboats (or a detailed Smaug, as someone suggested), for the simple reason that it looks awkward, exactly like two rowboats struck back-to-back, with no way to go from one end to the other. Arguing that it would be lazy or redundant to design a single-mold longboat is pointless, since we could say the same about rowboats themselves, or horses, as Mazin pointed out. And a longboat would have plenty of reuse potential, unlike many other LotR/Hobbit molds - of course, provided TLG would be able to use the mold outside the licensed Hobbit sets anyway. Also, coming up with a new mold, modeling and sculpting it and working out how it will work within the LEGO system is much more creative than using whats available. Im sure any inventor can attest that coming up with new and improved things is more creative than using the same old things. Of course, this is all in the case of TLG. For consumers, who dont have the means to design new parts, I allow that using a more complex solution is more creative than a single mold, but that just brings us to the brickbuilt rowboats argument. So those against a single mold just be equally against the two-rowboar solution, and should build their longboat entirely from simpler bricks. Of course, this is a minor issue, I just wanted to show the "two rowboats are great!" opinion isnt nearly as universal as it would seem, and I turned this into a little debate exercise for myself.

Between the dino skeleton in the Research Institute set, the ammonite tile in CMFS13, and the mosquito in amber in this theme, this looks like a bumper year for paleontology and natural history!

The Castle theme, in all its incarnations. But in the context of this question, is there a difference between "best" and "your favorite" theme?

I am among those that are pretty riled up when reading that "this thread should be locked because *I* dont find it worthwile and screw those with another opinion". Nobody is forced to read this thread. Of course, another matter is whether the thread is serving its purpose to the satisfaction of the staff. To the extent that I can contribute to the debate, I would agree with unpinning the thread and letting members vote with their feet. Im pretty sure at least the hardcore tolkienistas would read it, just as is the situation now, and I dont think future members should be deprived of posting questions, comments, thoughts on the sets, wishlists and the like. What does bother me a bit is all the talk that should go in the Tolkien thread in the Culture and Media forum, but its not like Im inconvenienced by it.

@ Robin Lego, that is a perfect way to integrate your park. Looking at the PR I always thought it was necessary to leave an open space next to the staircase and terrace to get that airy and open feel of an outdoor restaurant terrace, rather than hem it in immediately next to another modular, like some promotional materials showed. So great work on that layout!

It is indeed a mismatch, but it think thats the charm of it - it gives of the feeling of a complex from different periods and civilizations.

I enjoy the winter banner, though I guess it is a bit weird for our fellow AFOLs from the southern hemisphere. I didnt notice the height change and Im pretty neutral about it,though its a good thing it doesnt stay at the top while scrolling down.

The camels are great! Nice work

Nice, but I would suggest adding some green. I myself wouldnt recognize the Christmas theme from just red and white.

Well, I agree with Blakstone that its more of a cultural thing. Whatever the case I find it significant that its the sheriffs that get the big moustache molds. Prospectors with unkempt beards I can understand, but sheriffs and mustaches? Not necessarily. The Alien Grey still hasnt been reused. Though I hope this guy will. And I think the dark tan arms blend in better witht the bun, thus giving the appearance of "not being there". But yeah, I was hoping for a brochure, sausage or even a new hot dog piece for the HDG. Oh well.

More like clever foresight or coordination to release the Goblin before potentially making the GG, so they wouldnt be stuck with a licensed GG headpiece they wouldnt be able to use anywhere else.