The Kingdoms Sets released!

[Count Blacktron]

Unicorns?



The horses included in these sets are War Horses wearing armor that is removable.

[JPinoy]

I know a lot of folks were glad to return to human vs. human factions, but I miss the fantasy aspect (unless the horses are in fact unicorns...)

What I think is being done here is sort of a compromise. The theme is human-human, but there are elements thrown into the mix. Similar to older LEGO factions.

Although it leaves me wondering if more factions will be introduced later in the timeline of this theme. Castle Fantasy went from 2 factions to 4 in 2008, and I wonder if Kingdoms is going to take the same route. If so, it would prove to be quite interesting.

I'm pondering that possibility too. If Kingdoms is a kind of "rehash" of the older Castle themes, its possible we may see something familiar... lets say... a blue faction with a Falcon symbol?

[domboy]

Unicorns?



The horses included in these sets are War Horses wearing armor that is removable.

I'm not so sure of that. Checking the inventory of 7949 we find "bb460 Pearl Gold Horn (Unicorn)".

This is a new piece only found in the new kingdom sets (along with the matching horse helmet), and it comes in pearl light gray and pearl gold, which by the way is the color of the unicorn horn in your picture. If it was supposed to be just a spike, why not use an already existing piece that doesn't look so much like a unicorn horn? Perhaps something more like this piece:
http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=53451
Or why not just use a horse head armor piece that has no horn or spike at all? The hole in this theory is that without the helmet it's just a regular horse. Maybe they wanted war unicorns but didn't want to make a new horse mold? Unicorn or no, it's going to be interesting to see where they take this theme.

[Count Blacktron]

It is not a unicorn as that would require a different horse head piece. There is a unicorn in the Harry Potter stories from which LEGO makes sets. It is possible that the unicorn will be featured in an upcoming Harry Potter set, or a Belville fantasy set and this is simply a style they may use for that later. The existing horn pieces are not as suitable for a war horse armor accessory due to the curve they may have felt. If it were a unicorn, it would need no armor to hold the horn.

[Username]

Or why not just use a horse head armor piece that has no horn or spike at all? The hole in this theory is that without the helmet it's just a regular horse. Maybe they wanted war unicorns but didn't want to make a new horse mold? Unicorn or no, it's going to be interesting to see where they take this theme.

Looks pretty historical and not-unicorn to me:

http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/ls-1073t2.jpg

I doubt Lego thinks they are unicorns, and I don't think Lego has any influence on what Bricklink calls pieces.

***EDIT - linked a different pic***

[Napoleon]

Or why not just use a horse head armor piece that has no horn or spike at all? The hole in this theory is that without the helmet it's just a regular horse. Maybe they wanted war unicorns but didn't want to make a new horse mold? Unicorn or no, it's going to be interesting to see where they take this theme.

Looks pretty historical and not-unicorn to me:

http://image63.webshots.com/163/1/90/3/509819003yAZIti_ph.jpg

I doubt Lego thinks they are unicorns, and I don't think Lego has any influence on what Bricklink calls pieces.

I agree(even though your link isn't working for me ). I think I know what your link is, though: medieval horse armor. I have seen horse helmets almost exactly like the Kingdoms ones in castle war movies. If I am thinking correctly, it was some movie where they joust a lot. Maybe this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivanhoe_(1982_film) Anyway, you can easily remove the spike, so I would say it is not a unicorn. Besides, they might put one in Belville, but boys(LEGO Castle's target audience) are not likely to enjoy unicorn toys or fairy tales, hence, I doubt they would include one.

As to future factions, I would love to see the return of the Black Falcons, Forestmen, and Wolfpack.

[quaraga]

I picked up a Dragon battle pack ($14.99US), the wizard ($3.99US), the jester ($3.99US), and the prison cart ($9.99US)

wow thats odd, the cart is 5 bucks less than the battlepack i'd have thought the battlepack would be cheaper

[Blueandwhite]

I picked up a Dragon battle pack ($14.99US), the wizard ($3.99US), the jester ($3.99US), and the prison cart ($9.99US)

wow thats odd, the cart is 5 bucks less than the battlepack i'd have thought the battlepack would be cheaper

The battle packs are simply too expensive. $14.99US for five figures is quite high when you consider that the collectable figs are $1.99 each. You're paying an extra $1 per fig. Also, word from Eurobricks is that the quality is again pretty disappointing with the figures having pretty soft hands that have difficulty holding items tightly. If I'm going to pay a premium price for figures, I want them to be top-notch figures. The fact that LEGO is going cheap on these figures while charging more doesn't please me at all.

[Bluesecrets]

The battle packs are simply too expensive. $14.99US for five figures is quite high when you consider that the collectable figs are $1.99 each. You're paying an extra $1 per fig. Also, word from Eurobricks is that the quality is again pretty disappointing with the figures having pretty soft hands that have difficulty holding items tightly. If I'm going to pay a premium price for figures, I want them to be top-notch figures. The fact that LEGO is going cheap on these figures while charging more doesn't please me at all.

Any item that is not an actual set that contains figs is made in China. For example: the battlepacks, the magnets, the collector figs,...all made in China. BUT not all things made in china are experiencing these issues. Anything placed in a separate little plastic baggy is also. For example: the new big shark, all of the jester hats, the cow...all made in China but their quality is excellent. LEGO is aware that the quality is down in these items. They have been working on it.

If you aren't pleased, don't buy them. If you want the figs, buy them. But I do have a question. Who other than yourself will be close enough to actually care that your fig is of the highest quality or not?

My answer to that question is this: They are going into MOC's that it can't really be distinguished from and unless you plan on profiting from them, then I really don't see why its worth getting upset. The hands may be an issue...so bricklink yourself some new ones if you don't like them.

Myself? I am going to buy the small sets to get the figs I want and consider the parts a bonus. Why? Because the simple fact is these factions will not be my main army. I already have 3 very nicely sized armies.

[Ye Olde Republic]

I'm not so sure of that. Checking the inventory of 7949 we find "bb460 Pearl Gold Horn (Unicorn)".

Remember that the items on Bricklink are name by 'us', not 'them'. There is nothing official about Bricklink naming that a 'unicorn horn'. Besides, horse amour that would have had a horn like that was intended to emulate a unicorn. Unicorns were a fairly common figure in heraldry, much like the dragon or the gryphon and many other fantastic animals.

Also, word from Eurobricks is that the quality is again pretty disappointing with the figures having pretty soft hands that have difficulty holding items tightly.

This is interesting. I was having just the opposite problem. ie; the hands are so hard that the only way I could put an accessory in them is to slide it down from the top. However, I am finding that there is too much play in the connection of the legs to the hip piece. These aren't really too big of an issue to me as I most likely don't manipulate these piece as much as a child would. This will make finding good quality second hand figs hard to find in the future. Of course, some legs can be replaced with DK manufactured ones but it doesn't help my cheer squad much. I understand cost saving but I would certainly have forgone the printing on the sides of the legs for a stronger hip.

Also, I tried to refrain from this comment but couldn't: The number one reason I've never joined EB is the member's tendency to fly off the handle over the smallest thing. For example, they freaked about the Power Miners prelim pics/colour scheme and wound up eating so much crow, they're still pooping black feathers. Yes, that is a generalized blanket statement but I do believe it to sum up their forums in a truthful manner.

[Forestboy]

Just to chime in about the battle packs quality, I have both the Crownie knights battle pack, and the Skeleton battle pack, and all the contents of the battle packs were the same quality as my other knights that came in sets. They were good quality, if not better than the Denmark ones.

I was unable to get the next battle packs (Dwarf, Troll) because they sold like crazy, so I'm not sure how good those are, but considering the first ones were good, I would expect these ones to be just the same.

And considering that Dwarf and Troll ones were good I'm not sure that these Kingdoms ones are fine. And since Ye Old Republic said that they are hard to put weapons into, that's better than them always falling out.

~FB~

P.S. At my Lego store, they only have the Lion Knights (so far).

[Blueandwhite]

If you aren't pleased, don't buy them. If you want the figs, buy them. But I do have a question. Who other than yourself will be close enough to actually care that your fig is of the highest quality or not?

Nothing I've said is anything but my personal opinion. As to your question; for me this isn't simply about appearance. You may not have any issues with these figures but aren't I within my rights to feel a bit disappointed?

My answer to that question is this: They are going into MOC's that it can't really be distinguished from and unless you plan on profiting from them, then I really don't see why its worth getting upset. The hands may be an issue...so bricklink yourself some new ones if you don't like them.

This is where we disagree. If somebody is paying a large premium for these figs, is it really reasonable to expect people to have to go to bricklink to replace the hands of those minifigs? In the past I've been able to justify paying a pretty heavy premium for LEGO because I knew I was getting top quality in return. Many of these stand alone figure packs contradict this idea. Bluesecrets, I don't see why you take issue with somebody beind disappointed by this. I haven't expressed my disappointment for the cows, the jester hat, or the shark as they have been of the highest quality but I don't understand the problem with expressing my disappointment here.

[BiggerJim]

Just to chime in about the battle packs quality, I have both the Crownie knights battle pack, and the Skeleton battle pack, and all the contents of the battle packs were the same quality as my other knights that came in sets. They were good quality, if not better than the Denmark ones.

I got the Lion knights battle pack and the hands look a little more glossy then the regular hands but thats the only difference I could see. I haven't finished opening all the sets I have but so far the only pinkish Lions I have come across were in set 7950 Knights Showdown. The Lion Battle pack guys were red and white. There is a noticeable difference in the colors between the pinkish red and good red.

[Napoleon]

The battle packs are simply too expensive. $14.99US for five figures is quite high when you consider that the collectable figs are $1.99 each. You're paying an extra $1 per fig. Also, word from Eurobricks is that the quality is again pretty disappointing with the figures having pretty soft hands that have difficulty holding items tightly. If I'm going to pay a premium price for figures, I want them to be top-notch figures. The fact that LEGO is going cheap on these figures while charging more doesn't please me at all.

Any item that is not an actual set that contains figs is made in China. For example: the battlepacks, the magnets, the collector figs,...all made in China. BUT not all things made in china are experiencing these issues. Anything placed in a separate little plastic baggy is also. For example: the new big shark, all of the jester hats, the cow...all made in China but their quality is excellent. LEGO is aware that the quality is down in these items. They have been working on it.

If you aren't pleased, don't buy them. If you want the figs, buy them. But I do have a question. Who other than yourself will be close enough to actually care that your fig is of the highest quality or not?

My answer to that question is this: They are going into MOC's that it can't really be distinguished from and unless you plan on profiting from them, then I really don't see why its worth getting upset. The hands may be an issue...so bricklink yourself some new ones if you don't like them.

Myself? I am going to buy the small sets to get the figs I want and consider the parts a bonus. Why? Because the simple fact is these factions will not be my main army. I already have 3 very nicely sized armies.

"Only the best is good enough!"-- Ole Kirk Christiansen
They can be distinguished from: even the figs' heads are a different shade of yellow, and it's very noticeable. I would actually prefer NOT to have the cow and jester hat parts if it meant getting good-quality Chinese battle packs. I have tried substituting normal hands on my castle guys from the old tic-tac-toe set, and found that normal ones slide out of the Chinese arms. If you try to replace those, the nomal arms are really wobbly on Chinese torsos. No, I am not going to make a profit from them, but this is LEGO we're talking about! If I didn't care about LEGO's quality, I would buy clone brands. I am respectfully disagreeing with you.

[Bluesecrets]

This is where we disagree. If somebody is paying a large premium for these figs, is it really reasonable to expect people to have to go to bricklink to replace the hands of those minifigs? In the past I've been able to justify paying a pretty heavy premium for LEGO because I knew I was getting top quality in return. Many of these stand alone figure packs contradict this idea. Bluesecrets, I don't see why you take issue with somebody beind disappointed by this. I haven't expressed my disappointment for the cows, the jester hat, or the shark as they have been of the highest quality but I don't understand the problem with expressing my disappointment here.

Sure we disagree and that's fine. I have no issues as you have said. I am just furthering the discussion. If I had issues, I would have taken it privately.

This whole issue of the Chinese parts is one that...well I'm pretty sure we all are a bit disappointed that the quality is down. But it is being brought up in all kinds of threads all over the place. And not all things from China are in fact low quality. Yes, you have a right to be disappointed. Maybe you should contact LEGO themselves about it.

But in the meantime, what other choice do we really have? Complain ourselves silly? Spend every moment focused on the negative aspects?

or maybe...we can be patient with the company that provides us with the ability to have this amazing hobby?

Either case...if you don't want those figs...do not buy them. You have the power...it is your money.