Weekly Set Review: Defense Archer

[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 1287/4801/4811 Defense Archer.

Defense Archer was released in 2000 for Knight's Kingdom. One archer mans this rotating, crossbow-firing station. Various accessories are included. Kabaya released this set in Japan with the number 1287.

[Robin Hood]

I believe that this is the only castle set I have doubles of. I want to get more because of the torso, which is the only reason worth getting it.

Well, almost the only reason. The entire fig is nice, and the two plates are usefull, and you get yet another cheap source of crossbows. I really would never get it except that the fig is one of the best.

Dan

[Rosh.Gonff]

so so awesome. put 20 of these on your walls and your undefeatable. It is pretty cool beacause it comes with one awesome minifig and 2 crossbows.

8/10 is the rating i would give it

[TheOrk]

This is the only LEGO set I have 5 of, let alone 2. Its a great army builder 8/10

[The Hordesman]

Love this set. Good to stock up on crossbows and quiver, and a shield! I need shields! Everyone loves shields! The wierd thing is that it isnt the normal KK1 archer guy, but the footsoldier one. Good set for pieces. The minus is the rotating platform, a crossbow platform like this shouldnt be mountable, but controlled from the ground, its not a AA turret or something! That can be fixed by moving the "gun" backwards a little. Like all KK1 sets, awesome figs. Green plates are allways lovely. A melee weapon of some sort would give a large plus, however.

4/5- cheap source of good stuff. The design could be better, but alot of pieces for being a KK1 set(no kiddin'!).

I bought some of these, cant remember how many.

[Sir Dillon]

I like this set. It has a awesome fig, some cross bows, and a shield. all for a pretty good price.

7/10

[HenrytheV]

Great Army builder. I bought 8 of these

9/10

[eNiGMa]

I never got this set, but I hope to someday. Green plates, crossbows, a lion shield, a quiver, and of course, an awesome fig. It does need a melee weapon, but I'm happy with this.

8/10

[Dragonlord Esq.]

Great little set. I wasn't really impressed with KK1, but I love these minifigs. I wish I would have bought more of these when they were on the shelves.
9/10

[Lord Mikal]

Let me just say right off that I was never a big fan of KK1, especially not the cannons, faces, and that ridiculous helmet.
This idea had potential, and TLC botched it. They should have mounted the thing on a 2x2 rotating plate and had the soldier on the ground behind the shield. Still, the guy can't see over the thing, he's got minimal protection from sideways arrows, and what's he going to do if the attackers get up on the wall tops? Punch them? At least the Dragon Masters' crossbow cart came with sidearms.

I also think that the green belt on the hips goes really badly with the red arms and highlights on the torso. I'd much rather have five crossbow carts, at the same price, than five of these things.

[JoshWedin]

I, too, was not a big fan of KK1. However, it is growing on me as time goes by. For one thing, both factions had great army builder sets. I forget how many of these I bought, but it was at least six, maybe more. Great parts, weapons, and fig. Now have lots of big swivel pieces in my generic pieces too.

Josh

[J1A3L5]

I still have 3 polybag versions unopened. While the set itself isn't great - It's a cheap and easy source of the crossbows, armoured torso, green plates, and most importantly, a quiver.

-John "J1A3L5" Langrish, who would buy more for the pieces, but definitely not for the model itself.

[The Yeti]

great set! you get a guy, baseplates and crossbows. what more could you want in a small set?

[Commander Redbeard]

One of the only KK1 sets worth buying doubles of, the fig is a great generic soldier and one can never have too many crossbows, little green plates, or black turny things. Unfortunately, when this set came out, I was not at an age mature enough to realize the wisdom of buying doubles:

"I already got that one, Mom! Let's go exchange it!"

Overall an 8/10, purely because it is a simple set, but an excellent army builder with a good fig and weapons selection.

[kajo163]

Got in on sale a few years back (it was about 25 SEK).

The minifig is the thing to get here. I've said it before and I say it again: KKI had some of the greatest castle figs of all time, and I dont care if they did'nt have the classic smiley!

Play well!

Joel of Sweden.