Virginia_Bricks

So far of the minifigure lineup, no potential for a new patronus. Tonk’s Jack rabbit or wolf are done, Dumbledore’s Phoenix, And Umbridge’s cat. Voldemort doesn’t have one. Moody’s is non-corporeal. Mrs Figg was a Squibb

Leg printing on 5 of the 6 mini-figures so far is a good thing. Only 2 in Hogsmeade. The Moody inclusion is a good sign that 10+ is significantly 10+. You would have to still expect the trio, at least Fudge for the trial scene (since we have Figg we know that is in there now), a few DA members and Death Eaters since Tonks suggests the veil scene, and maybe the silver trio. Honestly, I think that is where the cuts are going to happen, the silver trio.

The US Iran war drove up oil prices which are kind of essential for plastic. This is what I expected for a price. I’m expecting at least one large printed cloth piece that will drive up the price

A New Hope is celebrating 50 years next year so that is why Lego is doing concept art anniversary figures and then this set and another that is a diorama of filming Tatooine (with a George Lucas mini-fig).

Super Mario electronic sets seemed to sell well. It appears Lego and Nintendo think that ran its course and time for mini-figure sets and now Pokemon can pick up the banner with Smart Play. Lego clearly wants to break into the electronic toy market to expand its product line not to replace regular sets given the # of sets keeps going up each year. Just like 18+ sets didn't replace play sets they added on (certain themes change, but not the overall makeup). Overall, I'm very pleased with the Lego Pokemon launch. Great looking buildable sets, decent playsets for kids, and we got mini-figures and molded Pokemon. If you really look at the Pokeball set it has a whole lot of custom molds that have no other use outside the theme.

So if the rumor is right and the next modular castle is still movie themed, we might get sets that work for both like the boat house, owlrey, and Hagrid’s hut did. The astronomy tower could fit into that maybe, but less likely. Best bet is a quidditch pitch

I'm normally not all in on buildable character type sets, but so far Lego has cooked here. Only Pikachu's mouth has been a disappointment, but I expect Pikachu will get multiple over the span of this theme.

But 8 years of inflation in there will make it significantly smaller. Very happy I got back into Lego during this recent modular wave because it is by far the best and looks to stay that way. $110 probably means around 900 bricks, so not sure how they can pull off both the Great Hall and Main Tower in that piece count and make it any way comparable to what just came out.

If UniBricks is right and both are movie sets, that is clear indication movie sets will continue for the time being. I can't understand another PS movie based set though over a series set. Both are likely passes for me as I expected. One modular castle wave was enough for me and now just the few other iconic scenes/structures would interest me.

Best bet would be Ginny's horse and the MoM will definitely have the budget for that recolor if they want to continue them. She exists in those scenes and the rest of the primary characters have a patronus already out there.

16 bags in so far (the outer gates and half of the hall base structure). So far a good and varying build and decent amount of unique build techniques to get some of the angles and small details. The mini-fig pacing is not good. You get 3 in the first 8 bags and then 1 in the next 20-30 and the final 5 in the final 30. I don't really get it unless they counted the king statues as mini-figures for pacing purposes since Lego is really good with how they pace builds.

I would guess this is just the Sauron Helmet/Balrog Book Nook for 2027

If Helm's Deep or Edoras (the set could likely be named this and be only Meduseld just like "The Shire") is the next set here are my guesses at mini-figures: Helm's Deep: King Theoden, Eomer, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Haldir, 2 Uruk-Hai, 2 Rohan Soldiers, and 2 Elven Soldiers Edoras: King Theoden, Eowyn, Grima, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Eomer, and 2 Rohan Soldiers

They are in a paper bag in the spare parts bag. Same bag as Shadowfax' torso and the large bar pieces.

Setting aside the extreme hyperbole in your comment, it is disappointing that the sounds aren't closer to the games/anime. They synthesizer in the Smart Brick should be able to create the sounds but clearly they haven't programmed many sounds into them. Thankfully they can be updated and more sounds might be yet to come.