Weekly Set Review: Siege Tower

[ragnarok]

Although I have never been quite interested in the playability of the sets I must stress out the possibilities which this particular set has. Moreover LEGO have always been short on siege towers (unlike catapults).
Actually siege towers are the only thing which I really like about KKII.

[ericgizmo]

good set lots of mini figs for just a small set

[Legendary_Corsair]

The walls look like its only 10 pieces,but I like the siege tower.

[Master Syl]

I have this set since I was a kid and, as I was a child, I was a bit disapointed by 3 things:
- there is not enough minifigs to move the tower
- the bridge is too light: most of the time, when you try to release it, you need to help it.
- a "usual" crane (like those in the castles) would have been a better choice to move the bridge.

[darkstarsk8er327]

i like the whole aspect of the bording bridge in this set. it also has good minifigs with it too

[domboy]

I don't have anything to add other than this is another set that I had when I was little that I loved! Probably my first lego castle set, and for a while my only defense against my big brothers 6073 Knight's Castle army!! Great set, and I really liked the module/modular concept of those old castle sets.

[DerBum]

This was, as I remember, my first Castle structure. I got it on a pizza night, we stopped by KMart on the way to Little Caesars Pizza and I bought this with some B'Day money. I loved it. The wall is somewhat useless on it's own, but I think the main point of the set is the siege tower. That siege tower was my only piece of siege equipment for long time and it got a lot of use in my wars against my brother. I always thought the amount of figures was great and the siege tower is very well built. I give it 9/10.

[Count Blacktron]

For an army builder, this set has everything. By itself it's not so grand, but if you have a bent toward amassing a great army of LEGO Castle knights, the engines of war and a decent selection of parts for a quick fortress, then this is definitely your bag.

[Walter Kovacs]

This set was my second Castle set (out of the three that I own). I received it as a gift many, many moons ago, and it still is one of my favorite sets. The thing that stands out for me most is that it has the first SNOT technique I ever remember (aside from a 2 x 2 - 2 x 2 bracket, that is).

My biggest complaint is that the handle on the round shield broke off relatively quickly. The shield still functioned, as long as you shoved the handle into the hollow stud, at least until the handle was lost.

As for the defenders vs attackers debate, I always pitted the lone knight, guarding the wall, against the three ground troops and the tower. The knight usually lost.

The siege tower itself is surprisingly well built and wall actually has an interior of sorts (a table or fireplace depending on how you look at it).

I always assumed that it was a hitching post for the knight's horse.

I like it from pictures and can see only one weak point; there is only 1 crest.

If you are referring to the crest on top of the knight's helmet, the set came with three plumes to choose from. I always chose the most elaborate. If you are referring to the faction crests, well, you're right there.

[Jojo]

Hello!

My biggest complaint is that the handle on the round shield broke off relatively quickly.

You certainly don’t want to accuse the set for the broken handle.


Bye
Jojo

[Walter Kovacs]

You're right, complaint isn't the right word. I meant more of a disappointment. Not with the set, but with the fact that the part broke. Of course, that was just a 9 year old being a little too vigorous with his LEGO.

The set itself is fantastic.

[DerBum]

Those round shields were a great piece. I wish TLC still used them in castle sets. A non-factional shield is great for independent knights/armies and these old round shields always had a more barbarian look to them.

[babyjawa]

This is one of those sets that I always watch on ebay. I love the round shields. I wish Lego would release more sets like this. It's simple and fun. The siege tower in the recent Tower Raid is an utter disappointment compared to this. The spikes and huge wheels are unnecessary. I wish Lego would tone down their sets to something close to this level.

The alternate build is insanely cool too.

[CodeGeorge]

Hey don't dis Tower Raid.

It's one of my favorites. I own three of them. I can't speak for this one though since I've never owned it and it looks a bit plain for my tastes.

[Robin Hood]

You know, it's interesting. This is probably, if memory serves, the first siege tower that Lego ever built, and they have yet to improve on the design. Course, that's not so much the brilliance of this one's design, as the horridness of the others.

Design:
On that note, the design of this set reflects the more basic build that sets had back when this was released. The wall element's design works, as, I assume, it is meant to be intergrated into other sets of the era. I'm sure many youngsters would have enjoyed having a bit more wall to add to their city. The siege tower itself is a bit bland perhaps, but that might just be the colour, which as Jojo said, was what they used for wood back then. The design fits with the rest of the era, so it's all good I guess.

Parts:
Meh, it's all what you are after I guess. The four figs are great of course, and with their relatively non-factional look, it makes for a good army builder. Then you get some bricks, a brown ladder, so plates, and if you are interested in them, so wall pieces. Like I said, it's all what you are after. I sure like anyway.

Playability:
If a kid has other people with which to engage these knights, it's great for playabilty. And even if he/she doesn't, it still a decent model. All the elements are there for some good fun. A wall, a siege tower, four armed men with allegiances unspecified, pure classic.

Dan