This set is my latest acquisition (and probably the last for awhile as my Lego budget is spent...
). I hadn't originally planned on getting this set as I figured it would be hard to get since it's retired and was also a "special edition" or "limited edition". Can anyone explain what that actually means? I noticed my copy of 7036 Dwarves' Mine also said "special edition" on it.
Anyway, for some reason I started getting hooked on the idea of getting as many of the Skeleton faction sets as possible, as I really started to develop a liking to this faction (hard to explain why exactly). After I got the Troll Warship, I began to really want to get this set. I managed to get a copy off ebay for not too outrageous a price... it arrived early this week. I thought I'd post my thoughts as well...
The Harbor/Dock
I don't recall anything like this in a castle set before, so just that fact alone makes this part really unique. I really like the dock house (or whatever it is) on the right hand side in the picture. It's not very big, but it just looks really good. I like how it sits out over the water on wooden pillars. A nice little hangout for the soldiers, and the turkey leg is a nice touch too. It's my favorite of the three dock modules.
I like the idea of the little cave in the rocky shoreline for hiding the treasure, it almost starts feeling like a pirate set in the castle theme, especially since the skeletons are after the treasure (at least on the box pictures). The frog is a really nice inclusion as well... never had a Lego frog before. The catapult on top is nothing special, but I like the round projectiles Lego included in this set... that's a new piece to me.
The actual dock section is pretty cool too. The trap is kind of cool, though I've accidentally set it off several times. The gate is cool, and the two towers aren't bad either, especially since the turret piece isn't my favorite, but they work here I think. I like the small rock pieces with the green growth on them... gives it a nice high tide water mark look.
The Ship
I really like the ship. The whole idea of a "ghost ship" is nicely represented... the tattered skull sail, the dark coloring, the spikes and bones, etc. I actually like the captain with a beard... it makes him unique (nice hat too). Besides, Captian Barbossa in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie had a beard even when he was a skeleton.
Some have said the ship looks half-built. Sure, it is kind of small compared to the Troll Warship, but I see it more like a fast attack boat for a quick strike and a quick get away, whereas the Troll Warship is a big ship designed for massive invasion, destruction, and ramming other ships. Kind of like a destroyer compared to a battleship. Besides, a skeleton crew doesn't need much of a ship... it's not like they need a lot of space to store food and water supplies.
All in all, I'm really glad I got this set. My only problem now is that my crown knights are going to have a hard time trying to ward off both the Skeleton ship
and the Troll Warship!
Even if I include the green dragon, I think they're still outnumbered! Hmm... too bad I don't have any of the older castle boats.
