Ok guys so I broke down and got this set. For the measly sum of $15. How you ask? Well I got a gift card from work for going above and beyond and I was recognized by the management team. They gave me a $15 gift card to target so I figured it was time, an blew it on some Lego.
My first impressions of the set is that it is a very good builder for pre-teens an teens. There are some advanced techniques, such as some SNOT work that were never used in sets when we were kids just 20 years ago. The main Build is a fairly solid build and heavy in the hand. My Only qualm is that the pods are a little flimsy as they only attach Via a cross shaped Technic post.
The secondary build of the Gate is so so. It is a little unstable, an a bit flimsy. I do Like the cart however. If built into a larger display piece I am sure this would hold up better. I am still tired of the flick fire, and the small catapults, though as the box states 8-14 we are not the age group that TLG is focusing on.
That said this is a great set for parts!!! When I first picked up the set and looked at the Pictures I thought there would be more panels to simplify the build. but when I dumped out the box I was greeted by 2 bags of nothing but small parts.
This set has which I find very desirable;
24- 1x1 modified with stud on side in Dark Bley
1- Light Bley Lion head
8- Bley Masonry Bricks
2- Green Vine Pieces
21- Dark Bley Cheese slopes
As well as a smattering of other useful parts.
So as a parts pack you get 424 pieces, at $30. This is AWESOME! As Emmit would say. It comes to about .07 cents per part. There are only 2 panels in this set, if you don't count the gate pieces. All in all this is a good buy. I will be getting another set in a couple months just for the parts I listed above. This is a great set/ Parts pack and a worthy addition to my parts bins.
I hope you all find this useful.
Curt