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Weekly Set Review: Crossbow Flamer

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:10 am
by architect
Join the weekly Classic Castle set review discussion. Please post your opinions on the set play ability, piece selection, design, etc. Which sets stand up to our catapult of critique and which ones crumble in shame!

This week’s set is 2538 Crossbow Flamer

Crossbow Flamer was released in 1998 for the Fright Knights.
This fire cart is pushed by a soldier armed with a crossbow.
Various accessories such as a barrel and bat are included.

Image

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:15 am
by Pacificus
I don't have this set, but I suppose it is good for spare parts and an extra soldier.

Put together, though, you'll have the following equation:

Dude + wood barrel + bat + fire = KA-BOOM!

If you have a lot of them, I suppose they can look to be a formidable front line of fantasy-type, cart-pushin' berserkers. (KA-BOOM!)

Pax,
Pacificus

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:29 am
by Remyth
I do not have this set, and I don't know if I am going to get it. It does not have the best peices, although it does have a barrel...

I would give it a 5/10 all round I think.

In Christ,

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:31 am
by DARKspawn
A good cheap set with good accessories. When I bought the set I got it for the minifig's torso ;) I like his armour

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:27 am
by The Panther
Hmmm. A nice little set with a good fig and some nice peices.
then: 6/10
now:8/10

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 9:08 am
by The_Hun
Finally, a set that I have!

The colour scheme with red and yellow is odd, but perfectly understandable, given that this is a Shell promotional set. So the guy uses Shell gas for his flame thrower - and yes, he keeps it in a wooden barrel. (If you think this concept is silly, check out 2539, which is even weirder.)

Up side: a good generic soldier w/ crossbow + wheels + barrel + bat.

Rebuilt in black, it's a good base for a simple hand cart.

5/10.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 1:32 pm
by rogue27
This is a cheap parts pack containing a minifigure and some nice accessories for a low price point. I'd buy multiples at retail.

Unfortunately, it looks utterly ridiculous if you assemble it using the provided instructions. Unless the idea is to make the opposing army double over with laughter, leave the goofy flaming contraption behind, and consider this man to be crossbow infantry.


Design: 1
Parts: 7
Play Value: 3

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:08 pm
by Spongey
A good army builder. What's especially good is that this is only a common foot soldier/archer, so you can build up a high ratio of soldiers to knights. The only drawback is the lack of soldier (non crossbow) weaponry for the guy.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:40 pm
by Lamanda2
This is a nice set, definately useful for an army builder, especially since I love the way the armor looks.

The crossbow and barrel (With the lid) are quite useful as well.

I think I own one of these, but I wish I had gotten more.

~Amanda

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:53 pm
by wunztwice
I'm not a fan of this set at all. I suppose the generic soldier is a plus, but with out any arrows his crossbow is useless. The flame thrower concept is silly and how is he supposed to push sush a heavy cart of fuel and fire the crossbow (or even carry it) at the same time?

This soldier is not one of my favorites, so I see no real reason fo rme to purchase this set, when I can find other sets or parts to use my money on.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:38 pm
by Lonan
This one's okay as an army builder, I guess. I like the guy's torso, and barrels are always good. But the crossbow...
wunztwice wrote:with out any arrows his crossbow is useless
I second that. Why don't they give us quivers with the crossbows? That's a discussion for another time, I guess.
Overall, I'd say maybe 6/10 if the price was right. Anybody remember what this one cost?

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:50 pm
by Schme
They actually sold a few batlord themed sets(including thisone) at some Shell stations a few years ago. Not my favorite.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:58 pm
by zac_schmitt
I suppose the generic soldier is a plus, but with out any arrows his crossbow is useless

do crossbows ever come with quivers? they certainly done nowadays. can't really fault this set specifically for something that occurs in every lego set you can buy today.

it's a neat fantasy type contraption. i don't think they're suggesting real soldiers ever used it. you can think it's silly if you want, but stop assuming they were going for realism.

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:23 pm
by Athos
I kind of like this little set, as it is an easy way to get that figure, the wheels, and barrel. Though I have no idea what the cart is supposed to be for...

Steve

Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 7:50 pm
by Norro
zac_schmitt wrote:do crossbows ever come with quivers? they certainly done nowadays.
KK1 was the only time I can remember crossbow wielding soldiers being issued quivers by lego...

God Bless,

Nathan