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I had this idea recently while thinking of how people want a decent sized Smaug for the Hobbit sets. Smaug has to look impressive and even though the current dragon in the castle line would suffice, wouldn't it be better to have a detailed, articulate representation of Smaug? So they could just make a set with a brick built dragon like the creator sets. Or, the could offer a body part you put together throughout their wave of sets that would make a complete character, similar to how action figures have an added body part to make into a giant sized figure. Sure there are flaws to the idea, but it could work. Lego is always looking for something to sell their sets and a tie in like this could be it. I've seen people say they'd "pass" on a set or 2 from a current line, but what if you needed that set to get an arm or leg to a bigger character? It could work for other themes, and doesn't necessarily need to be a creature or character. For LOTR and The Hobbit, A few examples would also be Treebeard, a Balrog, or an Oliphant.

I think that's a very good idea, in fact it's one that I talked about ages ago with my brothers! If it could work, that would be our dream LEGO set! I'm sure the designers can find a way to build it!

Parents will complain that they have to buy a $150 set in order for their kid to get a complete (dragon/oliphaunt/etc). This issue already exists with themes like LoTR/Hobbit where you can only get the full fellowship/company if you buy several sets, a few of which are pretty pricy.

I'd rather just have one set with the whole figure in it, even if the set was only a massive Smaug figure with a "Riddles for the Ring"-sized accompanying MOC and Bilbo fig with a few bits of treasure.

Parents will complain that they have to buy a $150 set in order for their kid to get a complete (dragon/oliphaunt/etc). This issue already exists with themes like LoTR/Hobbit where you can only get the full fellowship/company if you buy several sets, a few of which are pretty pricy.

And that is a business model that has been practiced since...forever.

Bluesecrets wrote:

Parents will complain that they have to buy a $150 set in order for their kid to get a complete (dragon/oliphaunt/etc). This issue already exists with themes like LoTR/Hobbit where you can only get the full fellowship/company if you buy several sets, a few of which are pretty pricy.

And that is a business model that has been practiced since...forever.

Yes and Lego group has done it before in these sets,

Star Wars mini sets 4488-4491, you had to buy all 4 sets to build the Bonus Y-wing. An these sets are the only way to do it!

I would love a modular build style, however I am with AK I would rather by the one set as opposed to several. But that's just me, doesn't mean I wouldn't by several sets to complete a figure like Smaug.

Curt

Thus the "flaws" in the idea. I'd rather have a stand alone set myself than be coerced into buying an entire wave for a bonus build. However, with Bricklink, fans like me wouldn't be bound to get every set. My budget would never allow it anyways. I am just looking at an alternative way to get something we may not get in a stand alone set.

Quickblade22 wrote:Thus the "flaws" in the idea. I'd rather have a stand alone set myself than be coerced into buying an entire wave for a bonus build. However, with Bricklink, fans like me wouldn't be bound to get every set. My budget would never allow it anyways. I am just looking at an alternative way to get something we may not get in a stand alone set.

I agree, it should be a stand-alone set because it would be too big for a bonus build.

I immediately thought of some Marvel action figures I've seen. Each 'series' came with a dismembered limb of a larger figure so once you'd collected the series, you could build the additional figure. It was a nice idea, but made for some odd looking packaging (especially if you only wnated the one figure, and found an additional leg inside the packaging).

I'm not sure this idea would work with lego, as it would just add up to an extra bag of 'random' pieces in each set (though extra parts are never a bad thing).

What might work is a set that included Smaug in a smaller version for the standard customer. They get a dragon and are happy. Then TLG release some instructions as to how to combine two copies of the set into a larger diorama and dragon. Then people couple buy two copies or supersize the dragon from their own collection.

TLG did a lesser version of this when they released the Kingdom's joust, with a number of the official pictures (confusingly) showing what two sets combined would look like.