TheWorldAhead

You're right. And now that I think about it, a second game could have provided us with another exclusive minifigure.

I've been really annoyed and confused about the lack of BOTFA DLC for the video game as well. My only thought is that, if TT has to use significant amounts of audio and spoilers from the film, perhaps they are waiting to tie it in with the Blu-ray release around April or so. But if that is the case, why the heck wouldn't they have announced it? What I fear the most is "LEGO The Hobbit 2: The Complete Adventure," or something like that.

How long do you all think it will be before "Dol Guldur Amush" and "Dol Guldur Battle" are discontinued? The former set has already been discounted on LEGO Shop at Home, which seems like a warning sign, and I missed Amazon's sale on the latter. There's a reason I saved these sets for the end; as well designed as they may be, they are a little boring after other, more iconic sets like "Mines of Moria" and "Battle of Helm's Deep." Then again, all I really want are Beorn and Radagast for an epic Eagle rescue for a BOTFA setup, so maybe I should just Bricklink 'em... Still, 16 USD seems too good to pass up for the "Ambush." Thoughts?

Exactly--the prices will be through the roof. That's why I had to get The Lonely Mountain (aka "set with Smaug") now. If I have time, money, and space later, I will still get the Goblin King Battle, and the two Dol Guldur sets, but Smaug is the main thing. The lowest price for that dragon alone on Bricklink is about 55 USD. Compare that to the Hungarian Horntail from "Harry Potter," which came in a $30 set....yeesh (see below): http://www.bricklink...7561&colorID=88 Yeah, I'm glad I bought Smaug now.

This looks great. Infinitely better than the bridge/tower from 79016, although that one could be modded to make the prison cell, which is, IIRC, in a similar environment. It reminds me immediately of that scene with Bain, which was my favorite and most emotional sequence from the film.

This is fantastic, and it's hard to believe that you built it all before seeing the movie! I forget, was Bard on the troll vs. the cart featured in one of the trailers? I love the warning horn pavilion..."the bells were ringing in the Dale/the Men looked up with faces pale..."

I ordered The Lonely Mountain as well, about a week ago, and it should be coming to the door today in a matter of minutes or hours. Can't wait for Smaug, Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities!

Supposedly you just buy two, build them, and put them together. Obviously, this will not be film accurate, because then you will have two sets of double doors. Ironic, seeing as in the book there was only a single door, and if you build the "suggested" combination you will have four. On a different note, I was wondering whether the Staff Pick for Minas Tirith "means" anything. As much as I want NujuMetru's set to sit on my desk, I fear that a model that size from an existing license will never be made into a real Ideas set. For instance, during this review, I don't think the "Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT" stands a snowball's chance in hell against something like "Doctor Who," which is a one-off fan favorite that couldn't be made into a set later. Even if Minas Tirith happened to be a small model, I find it hard to believe that the Review team would choose a set from a line that was essentially just abandoned. So I guess, let's get to 10,000 first and then start hoping for the best. Any other places we could try to get support besides TheOneRing? The LOTR Facebook page, maybe, or would that be impossible?

Well, I think so too. Some days I want this topic closed, and some days I just desperately want to post something hopeful or observant here.

How can you say it is terrible when, first of all, it is a Eurobricks member's MOC, posted right here in the history forum, and secondly, is, in my opinion, an amazing budget Minas Tirith? Even if you do think it's awful, it has by far the most support of any Minas Tirith on LEGO Ideas, and as others have said, it won't be adapted literally; none of them are. My main concern would be whether TLG would even consider releasing a fan's choice model that is so enormous, based on a theme that has, to all appearances, disappeared.

That would be terrific, please, even if it would only make me need it more.

And yet, as has been said elsewhere, that very scene was depicted in LEGO form in the first wave of Revenge of the Sith sets in 2005: http://brickset.com/...-Transformation I can't really understand the apparent lack of success for LEGO LOTR, but I suppose we have to keep in mind that a huge part of the LEGO consumers wasn't even alive when Fellowship was released.

I'm thinking of holding off until Brick Friday for "The Lonely Mountain," in hope of possible Triple VIP points. However, that seems like a long shot, and even if it is possible, that set would probably be sold out before I could get one. Any thoughts or similar hopes about that possibility?

Honestly, I don't mean to crush this thread, but.... I was so obsessed with TLG making more LOTR sets, but to be honest, I am so excited with this final wave from The Hobbit that I find it fair enough as it is. Yes, Minas Tirith and a Balrog would be fantastic, but it has been discussed ad nauseum not only in this thread, but in others as well. I think it is time for the MOC-ers to shine! (And they have already begun)

The Lonely Mountain seems harder to find...I wonder if that's because it has a stricter embargo date (October 15)? Ironically, it is the only set TLG has acknowledged the existence of. But if it's not available yet, that's fine with me; I'm lucky enough to enjoy the three other ones, and it's not as though I can summon $130 out of nowhere, anyway.

Actually, I have to disagree. I just got the BoFA this morning, and even though the piece count is much lower, I think the minifigures are far better (if you care about Hobbit characters, that is), and the structures are much more innovative, not to mention colorful. But they are the RIGHT colors...I never thought much of a sand-blue Cave Troll with a plain tan belly and dark grey spots on his back. The Mines of Moria structures were really just facades, especially the main gallery with the falling pillars, whereas the BoFA ballista seems much cleverer, IMO, with gear-teeth, unique pieces, and even poles for the Orcs to wheel it into battle. Anyway, Mines of Moria is a great set, and I would certainly be sad had I not gotten it, but for those on the fence about BoFA, it is purer awesomeness...with a low piece count.

Also from the Chicago suburbs; my local Target has Witch-king Battle and Battle of Five Armies (I got both!) and I found Attack on Lake-town at a nearby store. Didn't see the Lonely Mountain, but I still have to save up for that one anyway. Winter is coming, and so are the sets!

Exactly what I was going to post. Special thanks to "just2good" for the UPC listing! I might go back to Target tomorrow to see if they have Attack on Lake-town!

Okay, thanks! I just wondered why Huw at Brickset had "November/December" listed as the release date on his frontpage news. But October is very good news. At least two months sooner!

It looks to me more like a trans-white 1x1 circular plate with blue printing. Anyway, this set exceeds my expectations in the sense that Smaug is incredible, and the rest of the set is actually worthwhile, if not "$130-worthwhile." I can't wait to buy it save up for it. That brings me to two questions, though: 1. Has this set been officially revealed at Comic-Con? If not, we might see what is missing on the left of the image. (Like others, I am hoping for a "collapsible" gold Dwarf statue) 2. Is the release date for this set actually October or December? All the contradictions in the news are really starting to irritate me. Thanks!

Well, I think most of us were hoping that we'd see an ad in the Desolation of Smaug sets last winter.

Yeah, that is not positive, it's exactly what they sent me when I asked whether Star Wars Planets series 4 would be released in the US. I got my hopes up, and a few months later it was revealed that they were canceled. I really don't know what to expect for LOTR at this point...

I know. I'm sorry if you were offended by my equally sarcastic reply.

That sounds kind of awkward. Anyway, I voted for the Witch-king Battle because I don't think the scope of Minas Tirith could be accurately captured in a set that is less than about $500. That is a LOT of money; I could never afford it, and goodness knows most kids couldn't. It is essential, yes, but not really feasible in my opinion. The Witch-king Showdown, on the other hand, could be a "future-classic" $60-ish set with the Witch-king on fell beast, Eowyn, Merry, Theoden with Snowmane, Gothmog, and a Gondorian soldier or something like that. The bulk of the brick build could be taken up by the gate of Minas Tirith, or at least some battlements. At this point, however, I think our only hope for the continuation of LOTR is another massive exclusive, so who knows what will happen.

Totally true; it could be a sort of Pelennor Fields mega-battle pack