Weekly Set Review: Border Ambush

[venvorskar]

This set was the first KK2 set that I got. I kept it for about a year and then broke it for the parts. The building part of it(where the SK is) has the most useful parts. And I agree that the platform that Santis stands on is horrible.

[architect]

I really like this set because it has a nice brick selection, model, and a fun bridge. This set contains the 1x3 grey arch piece (one of my favorites) and a good quantity of basic brick. Using the white and blue bricks does not look good along with the brown, greys, and green. The rule of 3 (three main colors for a model + one for a base) has been violated yet again in another LEGO set. This set has atleast 11 different colors.

There are some nice design touches like the brown whip connected to the leaf to make a small tree. The rock launcher is not really necessary but makes sense since Santis is supposed to be very strong. I agree with Jojo that the spear spikes are too high. The would not work well because you do not fall enough to impale yourself well.

Like most kk2, it does not seem much like castle but more like Pirates or Adventurers. I can imagine Johnny Thunder crossing a deep ravine on a bridge like this to fight some swordsman (like Indiana Jones II).

Ben

[Nick]

Seems to be quite good... Well, I can see that it would be very useful if you have a ninja kingdom, as any kingdom has borders, mostly guarded. The bridge/pike idea seems excellent, as any trespassers will get impaled once they fall - very effective defence. I don't collect the ninja theme (yet), but when I will begin, this set will prove to be a necessity! One of the main ninja sets, I'd say.

[The Hordesman]

One of the main ninja sets, I'd say.

I see one Shadow Knight and a Santis, no Ninjas, no Ashigarus, no old Senseis, no Samurais, no Geishas...

[kingkastle]

I agree with Jojo that the spear spikes are too high. The would not work well because you do not fall enough to impale yourself well.

you try sitting gently on a sharpened spear head and see what happens

As for the review I dont find this set incredibly usefull. Far to skimpy on parts selection for my taste. Never bought the set and most likely never will unless I find it on sale for about 12cdn but I doubt thats gonna happen anytime soon. The only reason I ever considered buying this set was for the Shadow Knight but now that we have them readily available in the new line of KK2 sets that reason no longer applies. I may have bought it had there been more substance to the fortress (if you can call it that) on the shadow kights side and if more figures were included.

[Damien]

As a customizer and builder, I like the set.

As a LEGO fan, I don't.

By way of explanation: On its own, if this was all you had - the set would be kind of crappy. Two figures duking it out on a kind of lame overall set with one of those silly trap doors and the stand for Santis, as has been said, is poorly designed.

However, if you have a lot of LEGOs and enjoy building from imagination rather than instructions, it has good pieces, and the overall concept is good (rope/plank bridge connecting two things). With some added effort and extra pieces, this set could be pretty wicked.

The Shadow Knight is awesome, of course. And Santis isn't bad - the only really weak point to the KK2 line is the swords, in the opinion of this customizer. Armour and helms can be painted a better colour (all my Red, Blue, Purple, and most of my Green armour and helm sets are now Games Workshop (Citadel Miniatures) Chainmail or Mithril Silver.


So depending on what you do, this set is a 3/10 or a 8/10, respectively.

[plebeianprint]

I like the bridge design. That's about all that I can bring myself to say, having not yet purchased it. I am, however, surprised to see this many positive responses to it.

[Troy T. Moore]

Best of the first wave of KK2 sets..... Not saying much, is it? It is mostly bricks, and that is a good thing Colours are new bleys, which is what is being produced, so I am OK with that. The use of white slopes bley would have been more useful for my building purposes. I have 2 of these and it is a neat set. My kids each have one and they like the bridge and the trapdoor (go figure, they are 9 and 10yrs old ) If you like BURPS for landscaping the reddish brown is a welcome break from grey. Shadow knight

7/10

[Sir-Boris]

I have just recently added a few Border Ambush to my collection. I haven't opened them yet, but they seem to have some useful pieces. Plus it comes with a Shadow Knight and the red knight, too bad the set didn't have a few more Shadow Knights...oh well. Overall, seems to be a decent set.


Nate

[Formendacil]

And the first of the KK2 sets to be reviewed appears...

A decent set. With two figs (and one of them a Shadow Knight), a bunch of extra black spears under the bridge, plus vines, baseplate, and a decent number of bricks, this is an excellent set- as far as KK2 goes.

Parts: 8/10
Playability: 7.5/10
Figs/Accessories: 7/10
Design (then): 7/10
Design (now): 7/10
Nostalgia: 5/10

Overall Score: 6.92/10

[ottoatm]

This one is a little to much like a "comic book" type of set. There is really no medieval feeling inspired by it.

This is actually a really good point I hadn't thought of. I think it's a pretty good comment about the entire KK2 line so far.

Still, I like this set. Lots of black spears, nice bridge, good stairs, cool ruin w/ key, and a shadow knight. I don't mind an extra Santis (although I don't really count it as a plus, either). I did enjoy putting it together, which says something to me, and I don't mind the new colors. I like the brown rocks, actually.

I do want to make it clear that it isn't as good as the BF or Crusader sets, but I think it's cool, and shows some uniqueness.

[Robin Hood]

Hmmm, as far as KK2 first year goes, its alright, I guess.

For pieces it so-so. It has a few weapons, a shadow knight if you are into them. It also has Santis, who, in my opinion is the worst of the four knights.

The design baffles me. Instead of risking being imbeded on a spike, why doesn't Santis just walk on the ground and take the shadow knight from behind. Then there is the boulder launching thing. The point of it has eluded me since I first saw it. I believe that Santis is supposed to throw it at the shadow knight. But why go through the bother? Its only one shadow knight. Surly Santis can take him out without needing to throw boulders around.

Even from a kids point of view, it seems rather bad to me. Of the KK2 sets, I imagine that the kids would have more fun playing with other sets. As far as playablity goes, it ranks rather low.

Dan

[wizardnoob28]

I have gotten about 4 or 5 of these.the playability is okay, but it gets old after about 10 min. I mostly got them for the peices.

[ottoatm]

The design baffles me. Instead of risking being imbeded on a spike, why doesn't Santis just walk on the ground and take the shadow knight from behind.

LOL


I think the "deadly" scorpians running around on the pit floor act as a deterent to any plans Santis might have at running across the bottom. Well, thats what the comic seems to suggest, anyway.

[Graynar]

Hi guys!

10 minutes is aslong as you can play with this thing. I don't know why but it is not that fun to play with. That's why I took mine apart and built a bigger castle.

But really, its not that bad.I found several usefull pieces. Santis looks better with out his helmet. (gotta be the worst helm TLC has ever made!)Shadow knights rock though.

So over all, 4 knights out of 10 knights.