Horation

Well, I think you're right (for the purpose that is intended here), maybe I'm just expecting even the smallest builds to be turned into 3000+ pieces masterpieces, oh well I'll try to keep that in mind.

The problem isn't the presence of random rocks around, it's the lack thereof. " I'd seriously recommend just 1 or 2 pieces of foliage /(and a grey brick to hold 'em) being moved to the island base " "move some of that rocky foliage to the ground to shake things up.  " The rocks wouldn't look strange if there were other such rocks all around the island @zinnn

The problem isn't that they're out of line for a Lego set, it is that the rest of the island is too clean (light tan sand, yellow crab, etc...), so the nice rocks look a little out of place, I'd seriously recommend just 1 or 2 pieces of foliage /(and a grey brick to hold 'em) being moved to the island base (which looks much better by now, good job!), it would avoid monotony

Question here If we commented under an entry that is now labelled a moc by the creator (they pulled out of the contest), do our efforts in that thread count?

A much improved small set Theme A small set which was really weird initially but which works better here, I like the little details but, for the sake of conflict, maybe consider a crocodile or an octopus? Build The overall look is a bit weird; it's an island but the water doesn't go all around it? Also the rock colours seem a little strange considering the clean island, I'd say expand the water all around the island, remake the island with some wedges and the likes to give a random shape (it currently looks like an actual circle) and finally, move some of that rocky foliage to the ground to shake things up.

A fine set of remakes Theme There's a clear story going on and the two sets compliment each other well, with some pleasant play features (like that tree) and a nice variety of figures. I must however question how people reach the dock with a raft or a rowboat. Also, the treasure coins are nice, but it makes little sense why anyone would hang gold coins anywhere instead of putting 'em in a box Build I love the arabic arches-they look very colonial and exotic. Now in this case I'd just remove a few layers ; it's really, really tall and the whole thing feels a bit excessive, at least fix that dock problem I mentioned with stairs leading to a dock below and it'd already make more sense, and while I'm at it, the brig is super-cramped, it could really use a larger back area (do note that this wouldn't be an issue if the brig was ground level, since it'd be much more logical that way for play value). Now the rock's colour scheme is good, but why are there grey masonry bricks below? Does this mean they carved those stones but didn't paint 'em? Weird. Now finally, the walls are built in an interesting fashion, but either make 'em all white or add more yellow, since this just looks awkward. Overall, the upper part looks good but the height, width and depth all feel too cramped.

Ok, so your idea ain't bad, but there's not a lot going on. Theme What can one do here? Move the soldiers on the dock? Have them inspect incoming ships? There's no way for ships to go through, so one must wonder why said ships don't simply go around and land elsewhere. A gateway design with a hole in the middle would work better (since how are the ships supposed to go through the docks? Flight? Carrying 'em over the docks by hands?), with ships being forced through the hole in the docks, and it would be much more interesting for kids. Build The palm tree is well positioned, and the docks are a good contrast to the blue water. But again, consider adding some sort of gateway, ideally a colourful one, would look much better.

A solid playset with AFOL detail Theme Brown is the way to go for islanders! The skulls and bones create a brilliant atmosphere, and there are enough crocodiles and minifigs for an actually decent fight. Normally I'd have complained about the lack of cannons, but it actually makes sense : a lone adventurer (not necessarily a pirate), seeking a lost treasure, finds it's guardians, fearsome warriors of a rocky island. A brilliant, brilliant idea done really well, there are so many play features that if I covered them all, this would take another 200 words, in short : treasures, treasures, escapes and hidden features galore! Build The play part is clearly the most important, but the build wasn't abandoned, the ''marsh'' effect at the front works, but I'd consider using dark green for those bushes, as it would add to the atmosphere, now for the main build, I'm not a fan of the rocks on side technique, because it makes a gap, and I must ask you whether you tried it the other way, but if you won't change it I understand. Now The rock work is beautiful and the statue works, as do the colours, just maybe add a few vines in those headlight bricks' holes, so that way it doesn't feel needlessly empty.

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

The quintessential 2009 set-for better and for worse Theme There's a guard tower, with hidden treasure, a boat, cannons, pirates and a useful fortress build, with an island which contains a lot of spacce for play. Now one thing that annoys me is the cannon on a dock, maybe move that to the shore? Then again can't blame you, considering that one of my favourite sets is imperial sentry-a cannon on a boat. Build The build is plain and the foliage is repetitive (also why would plants be growing from inside a rock?), I'd say shake up the plants a little with some variety and more logical builds (using brown and what not) and I'll forgive the plain interior and exterior of the set, unfortunately both of which are symptomatic of that wave (and are hence intentional). Overall, this set captures the feel of that 2009 wave-it's a solid concept, done decently, but nothing to make it stand out against the other pirate sets (or MOCs).

Simple : if everyone is selling bananas for 18$, you purchased a bunch of them for 5$, why not sell 'em for say, 14$ or 15$? They'll sell much faster that way. P.S. You could absolutely be right but I just don't buy into it, maybe someone would consider getting a few for the sake of testing 'em out?

They were, and it isn't too hard to believe this user purchased 1000s for the purpose of resale down the line-but of course they might be fakes.

T'is the internet, fake outrage is the currency with which comments get shared, I say if there really is a boycott of the set (people online saying they won't buy a set doesn't count, BTW), then it'll show on the price of the figs and the set on Bricklink.

Wow, good job! The colors are better, the dock is larger, the staircase works with the rest of the build (and uses the space for something, avoiding any wasted area). Overall a great update of a great MOC

I'd remove a pirate-one of the stripped men, they look really similar to one another, and needlessly add to the figure count. What do you think @_R_R_?

If Lego made sets for AFOLs Theme A well defended, and lavish (by islander standards) throne room, with pirates to do looting! There's an enormous crocodile-which is actually a pretty good idea for extra play value, so good job there. And the large space of the original isn't wasted-just made more detailed, now I'd love to know if there are traps, hidden treasures or other features here, because it isn't clear from this one picture. Build The colors are dark, which is what I'd want from a wild jungle setting, The occasional light green on the rocks and the trees is really clever while the statue is really detailed-if a bit too abandoned to my taste, as there are islanders living there who should be able to maintain and clean it of foliage if need be. The thatched roof is excellent, as are the other elements of islander infrastructure on the island? And silly question @SevenDeadlyStreamers, but does it come with a Lego frog?

One thing I'd consider for this is trying to make the whole structure less chaotic ; maybe move that barrier at the top away from the ladder, since it's just blocking the pirates' approach to the upper level

Which is which?-I can't tell! Theme A powerful, 2-cannon vessel with a cabin, a pirate being forced to carry a treasure (at least that's what the original box art suggests), arguably there's no small boat or crocodile-but the original didn't have any. So all in all you really capture the essence of the original-but with new parts. Build The colour scheme is good, but the middeck at the center of the ship ought to be a stud higher , to at least create the illusion of depth and make it easier to move stuff around on the gundeck. There's also the weird gap caused by the use of slopes to create the white and grey sides, I'd try something a little different, maybe with plates instead? There's also the issue of the figurehead ; it looks really good but the support built using wedges is weird, even considering the source material, maybe use a regular 2xsomething plate? Overall there's a lot of nice details to this build, with some nice touches of blue, well-made railings and a general sense of modern parts, without ruining the desired look.

Charming-if a bit large Theme A nice rocky hideout, with a lot of space, some useful commodities and quite a few accessories, but it is lacking play features, with no cannon in a 600 pieces set, and no opponents (soldiers, crocodiles, etc...). I do like the inclusion of an islander statue, as it makes the island's purpose clearer. Question for you @MyFirstMOC-Hun, is there a structural reason why the whole roof can't be removed? if not please consider increasing the number of parts that are removable so it's easier to access the inside. Alternatively making the whole rocky outcrop removable could work, as you suggest with one of your pictures. Build The colours are appropriate, but the rocks are too uniform, the added foliage mostly does the job but changing the colour of the bottom rocks to dark grey would be perfect for such a build. There are a few right angles with the sand but that's hard to fix so I can forgive it. The foliage is effective, the details are realistic, there's not a lot going on but what is going on looks good.

Maybe consider using a slightly different arrangement for the front of the hull, the current piece looks nice but a mix of slopes and sloped plates like for the sides might cover that gap, this is arguably a problem in real sets too so quite fitting considering the goal of the competition. Well, you can always go with an existing design of pirate sails. Also, if you have the budget for it, maybe consider using one of those custom Lego sail websites, although they're 20$+ a pop, so this is just an idea.

A really good build Theme -This looks like a small merchant vessel the pirates seized, and it has enough room to actually be quite useful for play, but it'd replace the cannon with a design using stud shooters (see @Eggyslav's excellent example for inspiration), since it would add play value, finally just consider a storage spot (maybe using hinges) under the captain's bridge as a way to smuggle! Now overall this design is really detailed (and even my critiques aren't strong-there's a storage barrel on board). Just one question-is there any treasure in that barrel @Elephant Knight? Build You sneaky one! You said you weren't planning a ship build for the contest, not that I'm disappointed you changed your mind. The hull looks good, but there is that one gap on the side-either replace that green part with a black one or modify the hull to hide it. Finally, the colour scheme is done flawlessly, with a clever hull technique, a decenty realistic set of proportions, and some good play features-I'd just recommend (for your sake) making the sails out of cloth, this would be more work, but it would do well amongst the voting populace...

Hear hear! Almost all of my criticism can be explained by a willful choice to make it closer to the original. Might I suggest using a brick-based approximation of the current part? You might expect it to be less nice but I think it'd look better, so it's worth a shot.

A nice boat hull- I think that It works really well in red, I'd just try to make it have some storage compartment (maybe using a car door?) under the back half of the boat? This build has a nice colour scheme, some good figure selections. But it could use a black cannon to make for better contrast with the main build The build has a lot going for it, though, so best of luck!

Good grief, this is really impressive! Theme (story) This is one part where the original was lacking, as it had few action features. -I would definitely add a hidden treasure-maybe an opportunity for some brick-built golden statues? -Try to make parts of the set collapse-able, or even better, have a trap, with a falling boulder or hidden pikes? -The interior of the rocks is mostly unused, which is a shame, maybe a chance for extra space? There is an obvious conflict, a nice amount of animals, food, variety of locations, just do consider some of these as nice extras. Build This is it- a vintage set with some fine, fine details. There's a lot of green, some good use of red, with modern grey parts used well. Now some quick improvements, which are of course up to you : -The towers, while nice, are a little too close to the original, I'd have them a little more rounded (with, perhaps, an ewok-village inspired tree style), more detailed (they look very plain as they stand), type of look? -There's something weird about an islander village having black wood everywhere, I'd have much rather you use brown, also there is that one large tower with the grey battlement at the top, this is plain old weird, how did they get rocks on top of trees? -Finally, the rockwork is excellent, and there are ladders (too many in fact, but you already know this from other comments), I'd just try to make those floating rocks under the main rocky outcrop disappear, since they look a little... weird, maybe use grey tiles if they can fit under those gaps? Overall, the colours are good, it's very faithful (maybe a little too much), but I am genuinely nitpicky with the above comments, you've clearly spent a lot of time on this (wish I could say the same about others), and you've chosen to focus on displayability a lot, I think a few key improvements to the play aspect will make this set pop even more compared to the other competitors

A very large fort-maybe a little too much Theme A great job here, this really feels like a 1990s set! With excellent play features, but can we please get inside pics? The waterside red door is weird, and while I understand the desire to make a bigger fortress, might I recommend removing the black door and connecting walls, and using the extra parts for a prefab hull ship? It would look really nice as a big playset, but the current design works, too. Build A lovely white build, but it could use some colour, try to add some prints to those walls and maybe make the rockwork more realistic? Can I ask why you went with that tall of a fort? I think a single watchtower would pop out more in an otherwise small set than in an enormous build like this. The use of ladders (which isn't 2020s tech) is a nice touch.