Weekly Set Review: Dwarves' Mine Defender

[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 7040 Dwarves' Mine Defender.

Dwarves' Mine Defender was released in 2008 for the Dwarves. This rolling catapult with sawblades ensures a strong mine defense against two invading trolls.

Various accessories such as a banner, pike, and troll sword are included.

[eNiGMa]

Interesting timing on the review for this set; up until just tonight, mine was still MISB (had to get rid of the box to make more space; will sort parts later on). For me, this set is all about the minifigs. It's a nice way to get some trolls, though I do wish they had included another troll sword and maybe also a shield. It would have been nice also to see the dwarf armed with something just in case he got chased off the catapult. Still, the dwarf itself looks great, and comes with the awesome chainmail torso that has the belt going across.

Other than that, just a nice parts pack for brown slopes, 4x4 rounds, and, um... saw blades....

[divonic]

The inclusion of the rubber band, to make the cutters on the front of the catapult turn, made me actually build this entire set; but yeah I got this set for the figs and accessories, especially the banner.

[theboywarrior]

I like this set, the idea of a battalion of those machines sweeping through Orcish ranks causing widespread devastation is just precious, I'm just imagining little troll pieces flying everywhere amid horrible screams.
Playability is great. the machine is easily operatable, and the catapult works smoothly. The only issue is no battleaxe for the dwarf.

[friskywhiskers]

I got two of these along with the troll artilary wagon. I really like the look of it and the minifigs are awesome. The only problem is that the shredders don't turn however I position the rubber bands.

EDIT: Just out of curiosity, when will the 2008/2009 out of production set pages be ready?

[Elephant Knight]

My first impression on the Dwarf/Orc part of the Fantasy line was that of meh. then I got one of these and my opinion changed. I ended up buying two more, mainly for the orcs

Design, there isn't much to say. A catapult on wheels with some sawblades. yeah. Parts are a different matter. Has some useful brown pieces, plus a bit of dark bley, if you are into that. The bunch of Technic downplays it a bit, but the figs make up for it. Though it could use some more weapons to equip the poor blighters.

7/10

EKnight

[Username]

This set brought me out of my dark age. Love the design of the vehicle and 3 minifigs and a couple of weapons is pretty awesome. I would have liked it a bit more if the dwarf had an axe or pick and the trolls would have had a shield. Also, I wish the dwarf would have came with the unwinged helmet. Other than that, fantastic set.

[theboywarrior]

Oh yeah, has anyone noticed the fact that the catapult is operated by a chain in the back? I think it's kinda cool, but it could be just me.

[Blego7]

I just love how we choose something with trolls in it for Valentines day.

[J_MAN]

This set is nice for the figs and has some nice parts. What really cracks me up is the fact that it's controlled by levers, like it's some kind of ancient tank.

[andhe]

This set brought me out of my dark age. Love the design of the vehicle and 3 minifigs and a couple of weapons is pretty awesome. I would have liked it a bit more if the dwarf had an axe or pick and the trolls would have had a shield.

Me too! Then I just had to get the mine so it had something to defend. The figure design is great and felt fresh with Dwarves and Orcs being a new addition to the Castle line. The rubber band system doesn't actually work, and could do with perhaps a more direct cog to power the blades from the wheels, and the catapult also reqired some modding to make it work, but I guess this set is all about simplicity rather than being a functioning battle machine.

The Orcs could do with a few more weapons (how do you fight holding just a flag?) and maybe a weapon/tool for the dwarf is needed as well, but all in all a great set with well designed figures and good parts.

[Jojo]

Hello!


I'm not too impressed with this set. It's rather weird. How is it supposed to work anyway? The lone dwarf is pushing this huge heavy battering machine towards the enemy forces so that the scary bladed wheels at the front can grind their way through the opponent ranks? Really? And after that the exhausted dwarf hides in his cockpit like a crane operator and manoeuvers the catapult with the joystick? Really? And there's only one and a half usefull weapon for three minifigs?
The catapult mechanism is quite nice, though. However, of all the catapult sets Lego has done over the years, this is one of the weakest.


Bye
Jojo

[domboy]

Basically I bought this set for the Dwarf. It's ok as a war machine, though I agree the rubber band system doesn't work well. Especially on carpet where the wheel doesn't seem to get enough traction to turn the blades. What I haven't figured out is whether this is primarily a mining machine (some sort of rock grinder) that doubles as a war machine, or is it solely a war machine?

[Vrio]

...a "tank" in medieval ages that works with engine?...What they will think next...an ancient spaceship?...I don't like this set or any other Castle Set (only exception MMV the only one i bought from these series). This futuristic war machine reminds me the Fright Nights war machines like: http://guide.lugnet.com/set/2539 ...and this is not good.

[Forestboy]

I really like this set. It's really a great compliment to the Dwarves' Mine Playset and I like the idea of some double use war machine. Yes, it is a bit illogical (hello, aren't all Lego sets), but I'm still a fan.