Lynx

A new designer video (at least, I haven't seen it posted) about the minifigures! http://thelordoftherings.lego.com/en-us/Videos/Designer%20Video%20-%20Minifigs%20.aspx Edit: I really want the Moria Orc and Uruk army that are shown. :)

Just picked it up from Big W in Australia. Target didn't have it, and we don't have a LEGO store. The Australian box does not have the "HARD TO FIND" label on it. So you should be alright. :)

Nice review! I voted "Below average" for this set. It is my least favourite of the LotR line, so far (haven't gotten the Orc Forge). I love the three minifigures - but that's about it. I'm not a big fan of brick-build creatures, in general, and LEGO Shelob has a few things I don't like: - the robotic look - the flimsy legs which come off too easily when bent - the size (far too big; larger than Weathertop ruins, and not to scale with minifigures) Lastly, the price tag (AU$ 40) is horrendous for this set. I understand that this is obviously different in the US, and a price of 20 bucks seems good indeed.

I'd love to see a photo of that!

Good point! I'm also looking forward to use all "non-fitting" characters and geek all-star teams after unlocking them. Playing the Witch-King to smash some nazgul, riding into battle as Radagast on Gwaihir, teaming-up Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf etc... I also wonder if larger figures will be playable (cave troll, Sauron?) and how fighting from horse backs will work (if it's included).

There certainly are! They even have a proper chieftain (Azog, if I remember correctly).

I found some info quite interesting: - anything you see has been build by LEGO bricks prior to making the video game. So that means the balrog seen in the demo is on somebody's desktop. Wonder if you could recreate it... - Boromir has the Horn of Gondor which he can use to stun opponents - Boromir also has his shield which he can use to become temporarily invincible

I noticed the same with Merry's fighting expression. I display him with his mischievous look, so it's not a big deal for me. I'd assume you'd get a replacement head from LEGO if you contact customer service.

I second that! That Dunedain ranger alone would be sweet!

Aragorn's cape looks brown to me (the scene when the heroes are running over the bridge of Khazad-dum). Boromir's cape is red when he arrives in Rivendell. http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/8/84876/2005528-boromir.jpg It looks very Gondorian, and I like the look on the LEGO miniature. I guess that's one of the nice things about LEGO. My Boromir will have a red cape and yours a brown one.

Just noticed that video game Boromir has a red cape and Aragorn a brown one. I guess I'll change my minis, take the spare red from Helm's Deep and give it to Boromir (actually quite accurate to the movie) and the brown to Aragorn.

LEGO Lord of the Rings Videogame Gameplay footage:

Just a general question about the face printing in LotR sets: All of my figures have what looks like a sticker that covers the whole circumference of the head and from just above the chin to forehead in height. There are distinct lines on top and bottom as well as multiple, parallel lines in between. They are pretty much invisible unless exploded to direct, bright light. Almost like the one ring and fire. I don't remember these lines from my last LEGO sets (which were in the early 90s, mind you), and in some characters I find them quite annoying. I'm assuming that the face printing somehow works by printing a sticker onto the face and guess it's due to the level of detail. But still, if anybody could tell me if these lines are new or have been around for a while, that would be nice.

My pick is Attack on Weathertop. It's a great display set, feels complete, features a very interesting build and has nice minifigures.

Sure! I got it at Myer (Sydney CBD) during their one day sale last week. Myer had Helm's Deep, Weathertop and Uruk-hai Army. You can also find some sets at Toys R Us (Miranda). They had Moria, Uruk-hai Army and Gandalf Arrives. Supposedly, they'll get Helm's Deep on June 6 at a special price.

Some suggestions to get different looks: - armor - quivers and bows - different weapons - helmets (stolen from the dwarves in Moria) - different leg pieces

On this one, one too many armour pieces is falsely depicted. Nit-picking, of course. I really love these animations! Looking forward to Helm's Deep and an animated Shelob!

Toys R Us Miranda (South Sydney) has it for 120 AUD. I think that store goes by the RRP.

I'll just add my rating after picking the set up yesterday (out of 5) Build - really interesting cart design. Very creative use of limited brick count (83 pieces) :thumbup: :thumbup: Movie accuracy - fireworks, envelope, staff and a great looking cart. Frodo can even stand next to Gandalf on the seat. Nothing to improve. :thumbup: :thumbup: Minifigures - Gandalf's beard is a big disappointment to me as the back of his head looks naked. His staff could have been a new mold. :thumbup: Play features - with just this set, you can push a card and act some role-play with two friendly characters. Not that much, but it's 83 pieces, after all :thumbup: :thumbup: OVERALL :thumbup: :thumbup:

I like this set as an add-on but don't consider it an army builder. The wall structure with its out pocketing only fits once into the Deeping Wall. For the predominantly flat section, it has to be modified. Having Eomer in the set also speaks against army building (although I preferred it this way). I'd rate it (out of 5) Build - straightforward wall, interesting ballista, no stickers :thumbup: :thumbup: Movie accuracy - the ballista is way too large for my liking. Uruks could simply climb it to reach the top of the wall. Dislike it so much that I removed it from my display. Catapult inaccurate. :thumbup: Minifigures - Eomer is amazing (after removing the cloak), the Rohan soldier and uruks are equally great :thumbup: :thumbup: Play features - ballista and catapult, lots of figures and a horse. Not much more one could ask for in a set of this size :thumbup: :thumbup: OVERALL :thumbup: :thumbup:

I voted "Outstanding". Helm's Deep is my second favourite LotR set, so far. I think the set would benefit greatly from a battle pack containing 3 Uruk-hai, 1 Rohan Solider and 1 Elf Archer. The reasons for my vote are listed in the following rating (out of 5) Build - was really interesting with hinged elements and technic elements in the tower :thumbup: :thumbup: Movie accuracy - clearly recognisable, main features included, but throne room feels off :thumbup: :thumbup: Minifigures - King Theoden is simply amazing, the Uruks are great, Haldir lacks a head-turning ability but is otherwise stunning, Aragorn could have used a different look to Weathertop :thumbup: :thumbup: Play features - exploding wall one of the best ever, side door, ladder, tower, heaps of figures - a kid's dream :thumbup: :thumbup: OVERALL :thumbup: :thumbup:

I got the set yesterday and really like it. I don't have much to add to the excellent review and won't start a new threat for my own. I think it's nice to keep all opinions in one place. However, I took some photos. "Lego Otaku", fell free to take any if you like to add them to your review. For what it's worth, I'd rate The Mines of Moria as follows (out of 5). Build - rather simple, and application of stickers annoying :thumbup: Movie accuracy - greatly recognisable, main features of fight captures in LEGO, lacks important characters :thumbup: :thumbup: Minifigures - love the Moria orcs, heroes and cave troll. Only downside Legolas' inability to wear a quiver :thumbup: :thumbup: Play features - aside from the well, it's all about destruction. Plenty, but not a lot of diversity. :thumbup: :thumbup: Overall :thumbup: :thumbup: A friend of mine never applies stickers. So these photo is for him and other people to see what the sets looks like without... And to compare to the look after sticker application. In case you were wondering if the Moria orcs can wear armour and quiver. Both fit perfectly! Another view. Following are some movie scenes I tried to fit into LEGO. Some characters are used from other sets (Aragorn, Frodo, Merry, Gandalf) Gimli finding out about his cousin Balin... "Drums. Drums in the deep." Curious young hobbit. Skeleton, chain and bucket. Deep well. Recipe for disaster! "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" "Let them come. There is one dwarf left yet in Moria who still draws breath." "They have a cave troll." This Moria orc will regret his eagerness. They have broken through! The hobbits joining the fray (I don't have Sam). Decapitation LEGO style. Balin's tomb about to get smashed. Note the Moria orc expertly keeping the troll on a leash. Aragorn and Boromir saving Sam from getting clobbered. Boromir about to get tossed. Too bad his movie expression in this scene is missing. Frodo trying to hide from the troll... ... to no avail. Aragorn trying to protect the hobbit. Poor Frodo. Merry and Pippin lost any hesitation after Frodo was stabbed Legolas doing his chain-dodging, locking and climbing trick... ... before firing some arrows into the troll's skull Cave troll about to go down Thanks! I'll see if I find those.

I took some Mines of Moria photos and added them into an existing review threat by "Lego Otaku" (page 4). In case anybody is interested, have a look here: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=69853&st=45&gopid=1301652entry1301652 I guess the main things of interest to some people are the following two: The set without stickers and equipment on the Moria orcs. I really want a battle pack with these guys more than any other!

Thanks for those! At least Legolas' video game version has a quiver.

For anyone in Sydney interested in more Lord of the Rings, Toys R Us Miranda has The Mines of Moria and Gandalf Arrives (at full RRP, however). The sales assistant told me they'll get Helm's Deep on June 6, and it will be a catalogue special (although he didn't know the exact price).