Flieger

Thanks! Can't say it is my fav figure, but still... Is it possible that Lego recently is using new molds far more liberal than in the past (think about the Mouth of Sauron's helm)?

Unless I forgot a big deal, there were no beards that would fit over plate armour. To clarify what I am talking about: I would like to do this: http://oi50.tinypic.com/2emimpg.jpg Therefore I need armour like this: http://www.brickset.com/parts/?part=4611881 And a beard like these: http://www.brickset.com/parts/?part=4518470 http://www.brickset.com/parts/?part=6002819 http://www.brickset.com/parts/?part=4518468 However, armour and beard do not fit together. As I mentioned before I would very much like a beard that can be fitted over (physical) armour, not just a beard over a torso (with printed armour). This would not only be useful for LotR/Hobbit, but also generally for historical&fantastic themes.

To be honest, other than some Gondor sets and Eowyn there is really only one thing I miss badly: I want armoured dwarves! With long filthy beards over heavy plate armour and real warhammers. They would rock so much. (A beard to fit over plate armour is needed anyway and would be useful for many themes, not just Tolkien).

I really blows that we have to wait for these sets until september in my country Yes, there is LotR available, but that is not the same...

Brilliant! I love all the details, especially the gate.

This would be great indeed! Unfortunately I fear that Tolkien may not be big enough for such a line. Every kid wants a clone trooper, but what about a Gondorian? Also, the miniature might be tricky - a mini-Gondor? I am all for this idea but I am not sure if it works out...

Cool! his may incite me to buy the castle yet...

Great! Makes me wish there were more ruinious builds...

Thanks for the info! Modularity seems to be a great plus for just about everything... After all, sticking together different bricks to build a bigger one is pretty much what Lego is about. :)

The brilliant lighting is the icing on the cake!

No, same here. The only selling point of a prologue set would be Sauron - and the major trick about the Ring and Sauron in LotR is to have a non-corporal evil and to describe the struggles against it. Sure I would not be sad to have a prologue Sauron, but I can think of a dozen characters more important, most of all the Witch-King. And the Witch-King and Sauron would be rather similar in Lego design.

One hardly needs to be an expert on the source material to like a Lego-set. In fact, it is often enough for most people to have watched the movies once in cinema (and occasionally again on TV) and if they like a movie themed set, why not buy it? (And since you have it already, review it). I for one bought a Lego Batman set (76000), even though I neither read any comic nor watch the cartoons. I think I saw the last two movies, but the set is unrelated to them iirc. I just happened to like it: interesting vehicle, cool parts and story. Actually, I believe that the casual buyers who may not know how to properly pronounce Sauron are far more important than us few nerds.

Really nice! Wish there were more real life MOCs... Looks like halfway close to life size. Do you plan on adding minifigs maybe?

The Robin Hood movie's boats were inspired by WWII as well, so it is not surprising the come out similar... I really like the overall image, especially the warmaschine on the top tower, and I have only a few comments or question: - the defenders on the shore seem a little suicidal, since there is no possible retreat for them. Is this intended? - the Viking people look a little out of place among the otherwise fairly uniform defenders (btw. I like the uniforms!). Are they the Garim? Sorry, I am not familiar with the story... - since this is D-Day inspired, what about some barricades on the shore (wooden instead of steel)? Would it be too crowded then?

Fair point - although: there is not much missing for the unarmoured Theoden, his body printing is already perfect. It is just the legs...

Very intriguing construction... looking simple at first glance, but a second glance reveals the thoughtfulness of the build. I like that it is easily recognisable as Rohan architecture even without the LotR-specific parts and figures.

When in armour, he does not, that is true. When he is in his 'usual' garbs though, he sports a fine green cloak with red inner lining. At least in the movies. With Aragorn's new blue and red cloak in the Black Gate set, we may see Theoden's green and red cloak too one day. http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/theoden/pictures/theodenmiscpics.html But I don't like the Lego cloaks and seldom use them anyway...

Indeed, for me it is the new pointy sword in gold I must have. Yes, totally. But are you sure people have realized already that it might be a too adult theme? Obviously some savvy people feel the need to repeat that over and over again...

I wonder why there were no Haradrim so far anyway... A ranger vs Haradrim set could be easily done and would not even require new molds if the Oliphant is brickbuild.

I actually like the simple elegance of the Twins! Gives you a good impression about that fortress and its strength! You could add some warmachines like catapults on top to make it more menacing.

My pleasure! I would not advise using the pointy helmet, I just wanted to say you can use that one for anything, but the LotR helmets are too specific imo. Winterfell is pretty much medieval, so most of the castle line helmets would work. I also agree that the torsos of the Rohirrim soldiers are VERY good for ASOIAF because Winterfell and Rohan both are influenced by northern European/Anglo-Saxon culture to some extent. The brown wolfpack torses however may work with the TV-version, since the TV-Winterfell soldiers are mostly brown...

Having no nostalgic feelings about this castle line, my reasons to like it are a) the very stereotype but in that stereotype extremely well executed baddies, who represent evil a lot better than the previous Dragon Knights, and b) the impressive architecture considering the low piece count. That goes for the Gatehouse as well as the Dragon Mountain, both having comparatively few pieces but offer intresting buildings. Although these are clearly an evolution of their previous incarnations, it is an evolution to the better. As an adult, the big castle does not appeal to me but I know my younger self would have loved it (and replaced the lion with the falcons soon). And of course that is what counts unless one thinks afols would matter somehow - visiting Lego-stores from time to time and actually noticing the people shopping there may cure that easily. That is why LotR and Star Wars are perfect licenses, they feature kid friendly good-vs-evil story in rather simple terms, although they do so in masterful language and/or imagery. (Which is yet another reason for never having the fantasy line I wish for - and before smart people point that out for the 100th time: yes, it is too adult. I hope you can spare me your jests on that from now on, ok? ). One could of course argue whether kids really need this clear-cut good vs evil-theme. I grew up with the Falcons and early Lions, and from my point of view the lions were the evil ones. Lego at that time - having only one smily face and noble heraldry for both - allowed me to make that choice. It did not with the Wolfpack, whose faces struck me as scruffy and evil. But the more themes came, the clearer became the distinction between good and evil, and I wonder if that is necessary. Also, why could'nt the Dragon be the sigil of a good faction? One of the greatest medieval heros ever, Arthur, sported a dragon. Is the lion ever good because Denmark's coat of arms includes lions, or because of Richard Lionheart? Black is an obvious choice for the baddies, though.

It worked for the Lone Ranger (Comanche Camp), even though I have to agree that this is not terribly appealing. What would be possible would be a larger tent with detailed inside build to allow the eating of the heart scene. Anyway with the first season gone one can go for sets from the other seasons... The Black Watch recruit cart would not be unique build e.g., but again: was Gandal's Arrival any more than a cart with Gandalf and Frodo? More important: in case of the Horse Gate, and most other buildings and the ships you would have your unique to GoT builds. Sure you may find some of these proposals boring. That may have something to do with the fact that I am a historian, not a professional set designer My only point is that GoT offers far more than just giant castles or wide landscapes. I think a professional should be capable of working out sets in all sizes to match your criteria. This has come to attention already.

I do not contest this particular notion. I also agree that we might take this discussion elsewhere.

Most of my examples ARE key scenes in TV and the novels. How would the funeral pyre of Khal Drogo e.g. be a 'glorified figure pack'? It is a key scene, it has an interesting build with 'play' features (light up flames) and key characters. How could that not be something distinct from the show? Anyway if I may remind you: your point was a about GoT having only large sets. Do you still hold that opinion?