Lordhelmet

Yes, they have the dark brown and tan dual molded legs, and I think five colors of the hair. I did pick up two torsos on there too but most of the torsos and face prints I got were from bricklink. It was pretty cheap too, I did add a bunch of parts to make a wheat field and pumpkin patch (and a few animals) to build out a pathway for Gandalf. Edit: the black hair shows up separately from the Rivendell search.

Fair, and agreed. I think I will keep my eyes open for other MOCs too that add to the trees. This version costs $140 on pick a brick (and there are two missing parts, and one with a limit). It looks great but I think there is probably a good middle ground (maybe just doing the party tree, and some small additions to the bag end tree). It is hard to look at the set now though and not think of how good it will look with the updates - especially the party tree. I just did a PAB order to get 7 new hobbits (and a bricklink order for torso's), so I will hold off for a while. Regardless, seeing how good it can be with some modifications makes me want to modify it.

Looks awesome but I don’t think I can justify $150 more for two trees, hoping someone comes out with a good middle ground improvement (100 - 200 parts) edit: also I can’t look at the set without wanting to upgrade the trees now after seeing this one. I liked them before but now I want to add to them.

Heard it was a baby hedgehog without a print. Cool part usage as it’s meant to be a pine cone. I also like the rug prints. and I don’t know who else has noticed it yet but I think there is a Gondor reference in the study (the tree). Maybe we will get Gondor next year after all?

No, ending without Gondor again would be the worst decision possible. And the decline is overblown. I get Rivendell was a nearly perfect set (probably one of the best Lego sets ever), but it had some of the same cost issues when it came out. We all complained on here about the price, reuse of face prints, the new elven hair, things that could have been added, etc. Barad Dur and the Shire are both great sets even if the price has gone up and we find things we don’t like. In fact we could look at the shire as an improvement in the minifigure department because Gandalf is getting a new face print which Rivendell did not do. I think that Lego could keep “declining” for a decade before we get sets that aren’t worth it when it comes to LOTR. And that is more than enough time to get some Gondor and maybe even loth Lorien or edoras too. i vote more LOTR sets because they have all been excellent (albeit expensive)

I really like this set, just watched a few of the videos out on it and looked at the pictures for a while. The set isn't perfect (tree, interior detail) but really this is not perfect because of the price. I hate that the price is most of the conversation on this one because it really is a great idea, well executed, the minifigures look great, and I like the choices that were made (not having the kitchen makes sense, including the party scene is good, focus on the exterior, etc). I will be buy-ing day one, and think it really is a nice set.

Ouch, let’s hope for bad writing.

I love the minifigures in the set, they really did a good job on all the prints and the dress pieces. It was nice to get more detailed photos of them. Now with the seven hobbits I got through pick a brick I am ready to go. on another note has anyone tried making custom minifigures with the design your own minifigure tool? Assuming we only need the torso customized? Like a smeagol torso since we have the face?

Fair point, I should have put those together but my assumption had been two death troopers and two night troopers. Happy for those that like them but I’ll likely pass now that I realize what it is. i am hoping for a bunch of imperial stuff next year, we need some good imperial sets (and hopefully at lower costs)

Did I see that right that the death troopers are the zombie versions? If so I just went from buying 5-10 of that set to maybe buying one on sale. Was hoping for some new death troopers (real ones). also the Andor trailer has so many good set options! Range troopers would be sweet to get back (and apparently real death troopers) the ITT and Tie avenger would also make great sets.

I just did a pick a brick order and a BrickLink order to build some extra hobbits. You can basically build two good hobbits with just pick a brick alone (maybe three or four with some creativity). But I also picked up two pirates of the Caribbean dress torso's with the white skirt piece on pick a brick. I also picked up a cow and some parts to add a little wheat field to fill out the shire a bit more. Should have seven extra hobbits now for the party. Also looking back at the unexpected gathering. That set is going new for $280, used in the upper $100s. Interesting that the new price for the new one is around the new price for the old one.

Not FOMO, just collectors. And not as an absurd proposition as described. It is over priced, it does have a gwp. If you collect 100% of LOTR Lego then buying it with the gwp is better than waiting for a crazy deal because the gwp will likely be expensive on the secondary market (not as bad as the fell beast, but let’s call it $50). So knowing I’m buying these no matter what, then I weigh the prices out, I can get both sets now for $270 or wait and hope I get a deal on the shire for $216, (20%off) and then hope that the gwp sells for under $50 so I can save more than $4. Those are big ifs, long waits, and little gain. So I don’t think this is FOMO vs. an understanding that to get both sets I am likely going to be paying around this amount anyway, so why bother waiting, maybe to save $20 in the long run?

At least we can take the leg off the keychain to upgrade C-3PO (if you choose to) just like Luke skywalker.

Fair point, sad that we don’t get a print or the right color, but two extra minifigs is still a win. I think the scene and concept are good, and the scene is well executed. I probably would have preferred two generic hobbits and a gwp called “bilbo’s birthday”. With some tables and food to flesh out the scene. Then I don’t care about reuse of prints as much. But I am still happy to get minifigures in a gwp. day one buy for me.

Have we confirmed both torso prints are reused? I haven't seen a picture of Deagol at all that shows the torso print?

That is disappointing. I will say that the torso works for a spare hobbit but it’s not Sméagol. on a better subject, what other torso’s work well for spare hobbits for the party? Same with other face prints, has anyone made generic hobbits? I figure I’ll need to make three or four for the party.

I like the gwp, however, if that is the official gwp the torso is the wrong colors and design for Sméagol. He has a greenish coat with prominent buttons and a scarf thing in the movie. That would be highly disappointing if they didn’t do an accurate torso print considering that is the whole character.

Nice, two more minifigures, day one for sure. That nets us five new prints plus 5 new characters in total. (And Gandalf)

Truth, LOTR sets get prioritized to the top of the list. It is the only theme where I collect everything too. My Star Wars collection is narrowly focused and I don’t buy much else with the price increases, but LOTR always gets prioritized (and day one with a gwp)

Agreed, I think the set does look nice and has all the parts I would want it to have. Price is the only caveat which is unfortunate because it really is a nice set (and the tree can be modified).

not seeing $270 in this set, love the exterior, interior is small but fine, just not seeing $270 in it. Still will buy for the gwp but the cost lowers my excitement for what is a great looking set otherwise.

Waiting on this official reveal feels like it is taking forever, aren't we less than three weeks out today?

I am interested in the tariff impact on Lego as well, I did see the article yesterday where Lego announced there were no current tariffs impacting them. So I am assuming the things that are shipped and imported before the Tariffs start wouldn’t have an impact (like the first wave of the shire), but then how do they affect sets after they start, does the base price increase by 25% on the shelf before sales tax is applied? Can Lego get some type of exemption - they are already building the production plant in the US - can’t really speed that up much? Just curious what the impact will be. I was planning on getting the Death Star, but if it goes from $1080 to $1350 (after sales tax and potential tariffs) it probably won’t happen. I would still probably grab the book nook despite the increase. Edit: I think the math is wrong, the above assumes 25% at full price to the consumer, but after I thought about it, they are probably paying a lot less on any imports, so the Death Star would theoretically go up to something closer to $1215 depending on the value of the import vs. sale price.

side builds have large (most likely printed pieces? More parts, specialty parts (tent,banner), more prints = increased cost of the set? If they were not included theoretically the price would be cheaper. Again I prefer that the side builds are there. I think they make the set look better and am happy they were included. I think the designer did a good job adding them in to create a full shire feel. I am excited for this set and it will be a day one purchase for me.

Agreed sets are better today and price count and detail has increased with smaller new parts, but these types of discounts referenced largely apply to Lego with non-LOTR themes today, looking online 20% off is nearly constant and frequently sets are at higher rates on clearance (I bought the ISD on amazon for 30% off last year a few months after release). Maybe LOTR is that much more popular today than it was 12 years ago just like Lego is more popular. (are you saying LOtR probably has the interest for its own theme now given they don’t have the same discounts that other themes have)? I think both things can be true (sets look better and are more popular, and Lego is taking value out for customers to drive profit margins). Unfortunately the latter is not going to stop me from buying, I have all of the LOTR sets and will continue to buy them. I just like to complain about it once in a while.