Mahtion

True Wave 2 delivered great minifig selection, it's possible we will see another great variety of characters for Wave 3. We know Lego likes to throw curve balls so it is hard to say. Deskp, do you think the buildings which were thought to be part of lake town are actually part of the BoFA set and will be Dale? How many minifigs can we expect if the set has bricks used for the buildings?

I know, it's not my ideal set, but I'm trying to lower my expectations after MEA and Dol Guldur Battle. :/

I know a lot of people don't want an armored Thranduil but he is a leader of one of the Five Armies and has a huge role to play in the last third of the book and likely in the film as well. He is wearing silver armor and only has a silver circlet rather than his iconic crown, he will look generic and may serve as a generic armored elf sans the most coveted helm. If we think like Lego I imagine the set having at least a Bilbo, Gandalf or Thorin there for kicks unless Thranduil will fill in for that spot as hero along with new character Dain. Bolg, Dain, Thranduil, Bilbo?, Orc, Dwarf/elf soldier

Yes we don't have info about the sets so everyone is a little on edge. Combine that with the passionate Tolkien fan who have various views on the movie/books and you have a powder keg. Now if we look at facts: Laketown is now only a bell tower and the second smallest set, that means the two buildings that looked to be apart of the set are actually part of another set. The second largest set is BoFA. We know Erebor is a sand green nondescript set and could not be proper buildings, similar enough to be confused with Laketown. This means that these buildings most likely are part of Dale which would make sense considering we have seen videos of BoFA taking place there including shots of Armored thranduil fighting orcs. Based on these scenes we should be getting the new brown armored orcs from Dol Guldur, probably Dain based on reports, and maybe an armored Thranduil with two swords. Other characters may be soldiers either dwarf or elf, maybe human. If BoFA has substantial buildings, we may be looking at a Weathertop or Black Gate scenario, bigger build and only 5 figs. If that is the case we have less spots open for generic army builders and will probably be looking at heroes mostly.

As deskp said quivers are on their sides/waists not back. It is lego's choice if they want to use back quivers but it is not accurate. The importance of an elvish helm is due to the fact that elves in both LOTR and the Hobbit have been shown to wear helmets. Despite these many film occurrences we still have never seen an elf helmet mold in lego. Many of us would like to see these made so we can finally recreate a generic elf soldier as most Elven heroes eschew headgear. If lego did decide to reuse Mirkwood Elves from MEA for Battle of Five Armies they may as well reuse Gundabad orcs instead of Dol Guldur orcs and Laketown guards instead of Laketown villagers. Sounds like a rather underwhelming and uninspiring set if that is the case.

So that is mixed news! We were worried about BoFA set containing all of the representative armies and now we know its going to be the second most expensive set. It has room for hero figs like armored Thranduil, Bolg, Dain, etc and may even come with a couple Dale ruins. Yes, it does kinda suck for collecting multiples for the price but it allows greater potential for new molds for the soldiers. Oh and at the very least we know we will be getting one armored elf in the form of Elrond in the Galadriel and Witchking set. Leave it to lego to not represent the most iconic scene in fantasy literature- Laketown aflame with Smaug and Bard. I may be a little disappointed but I am happy with the set layouts and price points since we have the opportunity to get almost everyone.

That was my point, two sets are already in danger of being too similar to the sets in Wave 2. I want armored elves but I am wondering how lego will distribute minfigs. There are only so many slots in each set available and I think BoFA set if it is the $30 slot will have 6 figs max. So it is possible that we will get one of each representative of the armies but I am almost certain that at least 1 minifig will be a hero fig. I would be very happy with a set that had 1 armored elf spearman, 1 armored dwarf with hammer/sword, 2 orcs, 1 laketown soldier but who will be the hero? We dont need Bard since he will be in Laketown set, we definitely dont want any more Gandalfs, maybe Dain could be in this set? I would hope an armored Bilbo or Thorin will be in Erebor. Here is my greatest fear: Gandalf, Bilbo in armor, Thorin in armor, Bolg, and 1 orc.......Battle of Five Armies lol

Actually I am almost certain that the windlance is how it was pronounced in the film. So with 4 sets we know the small one has Galadriel, Elrond and Witchking with some Dol Guldur rocks or debris. I wish Elrond had a helmet for this scene so we could finally get an elvish helmet mold in some capacity. Will lego give him a long sword similar to what happened to Thranduil or one of those golden elf swords? I agree Galadriel should be in her iconic dress but knowing PJ she will have something more mail like, maybe a shimmering gown with embedded crystals or something. Elrond will likely be wearing his armor UNLESS people confused him for an elven soldier that accompanies them, but that seems unlikely. Witchking will be cool as the grey-white wraith, even glow in the dark it could be a new design entirely. It could still be Sauron who says he cannot have glow in the dark printing? I think Erebor will be the biggest set based on all of the play features and areas, it would be hard to recreate the forge, throne room and treasure hall with a smaller sized set. I agree with others who said it would be a 3 movie Erebor covering all of the scenes. Maybe it would even include a King Thror, hard to say. Remember Goblin king battle was a large set and was designed based on the interior with expanding pieces and suspension bridges. I think this set will have the throne room as the centerpiece with one side having the forgery with pulleys and platforms and the other side will be the treasure room. I think it will be like kingdoms or classic castle interiors outstretched without the outside similar to mines of moria or dol guldur. It will include a lot of dwarves lol. Definitely Thorin, Kili and Fili. Depending on how the movie goes maybe Azog or Bolg fight here along with Dain, it would be cinematic to have a fight in front of the very symbol of durin's seat of power (throne room). Laketown if it includes Smaug will definitely be second to largest set (again). I hope if Smaug isn't included it would be the second smallest set but that seems less likely. A tower with the Windlance will be featured most likely with maybe a town hall. Again hard to say without more details. BoFA seems less impressive to casuals because they just see unnamed characters and most likely not much in terms of set design like MEA. I hope the armored dwarves will all be covered in Erebor leaving this set for some armored Elves and orcs and some Laketown men. I just wonder if some of these sets will be too similar to Hobbit Wave 2 like the Laketown and army builder. My concerns are what will happen to important characters like an armored Thranduil, Dain, Bilbo, Bard, and Gandalf? We all want new soldiers from the races but will lego really eliminate those dreaded Gandalfs or resist adding a rehash Legolas or Tauriel?

I agree the architecture isnt very elvish but the ruins have been built upon by the Necromancer so that could be the explanation. It is certainly tall and narrow like elvish towers (look at Ost-en-Edhil in FOTR) and the bridges are very narrow without rails across large chasms just like in Rivendell, Lothlorien and now the Elvenking's halls. Also the Movie guide actually mentions that Dol Guldur was once Amon Lanc and was the city of Oropher so maybe it will be made light of in the movie even if briefly. I am sure Thranduil would be appalled and dismayed to know that the fortress of his father is now occupied by the enemy.

There are many details capturing elements of daily medieval life but my favorite is the area with the praying monks. I like how you made the cross and statue and used the expressive head to show that the lead monk is speaking from the Bible. I think unfortunately the Wizard will be in trouble with the monks for religious differences but the town looks peaceful for now. My only suggestion is that the terrain looks flat and the diorama would look even better with a raised surface. Even areas like the ingeniously made sunflowers would look great with some rock formations.

This is simply amazing, there is just so much to like! Everything from the stained glass windows, arch techniques, floor tiles and the selection of minifigs to accurately portray medieval court life is perfect. The small details reall work well and I love the fact that the King is so young to properly enjoy the festivities. It seems you have a theme going on with the repeat of sons, the young King, the Jester's son, and what looks like young royal members in the audience. It is all very grand while remaining jovial and innocent, great work!

Lego should definitely include bald caps for the orcs, they look so unfinished without anything because they are lacking ears. I am so excited about the movie, especially after seeing that new TV clip! It is so difficult to avoid spoilers right now, I officially stopped looking a couple days ago. Thankfully, finals are keeping me busy so I am not tempted lol.

Of course Dol Guldur is huge, it was originally the capitol of Oropher's elven realm. It has plenty of space because like Thranduil's halls it is meant to house the royal family and court along with palace guards and officials. I hope someone makes mention in the movie that the Necromancer has taken the Mirkwood elves ancestral dwelling.

Wait your Barnes and Noble discount applies to anything in the store, even Legos? Interesting, I have a rewards set up with them. Target.com has them but they are all sold out already!

Orcrist looks nothing like a standard longsword or the gladius. It resembles a falcata or maybe a khopesh, a sabre would be stretching it. The gladius sword packed with Thorin looks like it would be his dwarven sword Deathless but in no way looks even remotely similar to Orcrist which is almost longer than Thorin and much wider. I just use the Brickforge falcata until one of the custom makers designs a proper design. In no fathomable way does Orcrist differ by only a hilt design.

Orcrist will play a part in the movies as it did in the books. It is a named sword and has 3 important scenes from AUJ. In DoS we see that Legolas will take Orcrist from Thorin so it will be connected with the Elf-Dwarf hostilities and past conflicts. Of course in TABA, Orcrist will be important in the major spoiler related to Thorin and Thranduil. I think the excuse that kids do not differentiate between swords is false even by Lego marketing who spent many molds on Bionicle character waves and later with the Colorful Knights from Castle. It is highly annoying to see Lego make so many molds, face prints, and weapon designs from Chima and Ninjango but time and again reuse inaccurate and inadequate pieces for major characters in their Licensed themes. I understand Lego's own themes should get most of the production resources but this is getting silly.

It is just a matter of time waiting for availability. Either we find them in TRU which is difficult (I usually have to drive 45 min since my local one has terrible inventory management) or purchase from Lego.com directly. I'm not surprised that the polybags disappeared from online, something similar happened last year with the Mirkwood Elf Guard. I believe it took a couple weeks to find again. This may be the case this year as well. I just hate the fact the Laketown guard comes with bows, I have tons from Mirkwood Guards already lol.

Exactly! How many Cuusoo projects are about Mina's Tirith? Lego knows how popular such a set concept would be and it's marketability being a Castle with armored knights. Orthanc seems like a Diagon Alley type set but seems an odd choice for the final hurrah of the line. I too find it a real possibility that the line has ended but every time I look at Wave 2 it doesn't make sense for Lego to choose the ones they did over the obvious most wanted and likely best selling sets that could have been made. I agree with Deskp that the Hobbit line is probably more popular and the better seller considering the movie connection, playful set designs and the iconic Bag End.

Looks like a job for me! I'll check after work tonight and let you know. ;) Actually I don't think it will be available until the website allows for in store pick-up.

Having built the sets 2/4, here are my opinions and comments. DGA: Really nice design and was fun to build, would like to see DGB attached. Beorn is great even with his one head piece, his axe seems small and I would change it for a longer pole. The Gundabad orcs are nicely detailed and the hair w/ ears just feels right. MEA: Thranduil looks okay but his torso printing seems lackluster, his crown was painted correctly unlike the prelims and set photos. He looks good complete with his cape but I wish his printing was more metallic, it looks like snake skin. The elves arent bad but not much improvement over last year's Mirkwood Elf. The tree was a fun build and I liked it but the wall was underwhelming. If you compare the size of MEA walls to DGA, it is pitiful. I think the wall needs to be taller and I played around with the idea to have the tree canopy hollowed out so its a hidden lookout. The new Elf shields look really good when seen in person. I think Lego has a good idea with the modular design and it is great that the walls can be positioned in several different angles/ways. I think this wave is better than the first Hobbit and may be the best of LOTR/Hobbit sets.

I just came back from ToysRUs and yes I got them no problem! They were rude of course telling me about the pickup kiosk like I should have known it already. I entered my info and then I go right back around to services counter I started at. The lady asks if I went to the kiosk and I said yes, that it should be in process of retrieving the items. Oh and I got a fierce flyer for $8! They were on sale for today only at that price, also they have some 50% off sets for Castle. I was tempted to get caste gate raid for $17 but decided against it. For a moment I thought I could combine the gate and tower with MEA wall. The colors may not work together well unless I add some grey to the wall and tan to the tower. So in short I had no problem because it was already paid for, no questions even asked. None of the DoS sets were out on shelves either. So in store pick up is the way to go!

I will find out soon! I plan on picking up my in store pickup order after getting back from the gym. So I will let you know in about 1-2 hrs.

Update: We're happy to report that your order #8966122218 is ready for pick up. So this means they have set aside my products and I should have no trouble getting them. Ordering in store pickup may be the best way to get the new sets before Dec 1st release date. Unfortunately the store closes in 10 min and it would take 15 min to get there. That means I'll try in the morning when they open. I doubt there would be any problems, if so they would have been unable to process the order. I wonder if I should have gotten 2 MEAs instead of a DGA. Only $10 more for another MEA. I do like the idea of having 4 orcs vs 4 elves so the DGA orcs will bolster the invading force against Mirkwood.

I just placed a in store pickup for MEA and Dol Guldur Ambush. So we will see what ToysRUs decides when I have a paid receipt showing that the item will be ready within the hour. If I am lucky I will get the 2 sets by tomorrow! Also the Minifigs look great and I am excited to see them and the sets in person. Lego main site did a great job setting the mood with the dynamic set images. Dol Guldur looks positively creepy and foreboding and looks very true to the movie.

Yes the lack of a proper Orcrist mold is saddening. I wish Lego did a better job at elven weapons.