Sets with baseplates?

chuxtoybox

Do any of the current sets have baseplates like, let's say Fort Legorado did, or are the only baseplates available to buy new the green the blue, the roads, the large grey and the small green that comes with the tub of Legos?

CapnRex101

The Modular Buildings have baseplates. Apart from that though there are very few others available in sets, most City buildings are built on plates fitted together rather than full baseplates.

bmwlego

Palace Cinema has a red 32x32 baseplate. Grand Emporium is built upon a tan one.
Don't forget you can use parts replacement to order parts and get these baseplates direct from LEGO.

akunthita

Baselates are also available on BrickLink in all shapes and sizes, both new and used: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?catType=P&catString=2

luckyruss

The games are good for baseplates - Minotaurus #3841 and Ramses' Pyramid #3843 for example. I guess they are officially EOL but I've still seen them around for under RRP (my TRU has a shelf of Minotaurus).

Some of the newer games have the 16x16 plates, too.

Cheeka

Don't the Creator houses come with baseplates too? I have #5891 Apple Tree House, which has 2 of the 16 x 32 green variety.

Aanchir

Cheeka said:

Don't the Creator houses come with baseplates too? I have #5891 Apple Tree House, which has 2 of the 16 x 32 green variety.

The more recent Creator houses use regular 3.2-millimeter-thick plates rather than the thinner traditional baseplates. Personally, I'm just fine with this change. I'm quite fond of the thicker plates since they meet corner-to-corner with no gap and are generally more versatile as building elements. And ever since regular plates were introduced in 8x16 and 16x16 sizes, it has become easy to make a large, solid base from them (plus, being rigid, they make some models easier to carry). The Log Cabin in 2011 was the first Creator house to use the newer plates, and all subsequent Creator houses have followed its lead.

The more recent LEGO Games also have made this transition. In general, the modular buildings are the only holdovers from this transition to standard plates. But for all I know, TLG could always prove me wrong and include a baseplate (even a raised baseplate) in a future set or theme.

If you are trying to standardize a display or tabletown and get fed up with seeking out older baseplates on the aftermarket, Bricklink has several sellers offering the newer 16x16 plates in substantial quantities for $1-5 apiece, and 8x16 plates at less than $2 apiece. I imagine the price for many colors will only go down as more sets are released with baseplates in those colors. But some older baseplates are currently just as cheap or cheaper. So depending on your needs, you can definitely do some comparison shopping to determine which standard will be most affordable in the long run.

meyerc13

I think we may be seeing the end of baseplates in LEGO sets. For the past two years, LEGO hasn't included any with City sets, including the latest fire station. In 2011, the Harbor, Space Center, and Police station all had baseplates, but I think those were the last City sets to include them.

As a City fan, I'm not sure how I feel about that. I definitely like the smooth surface on the road plates, and with the City sets coming on plates, it's difficult to attech them to baseplates without a slight height difference. Yet building smooth roads without baseplates can take a lot of bricks (if using SNOT) or tiles. It will be interesting to see how (or if) LEGO intends for us to work around the lack of baseplates. Maybe they have a solution in mind, or maybe they just think we are going to throw our buildings on tables and hope they don't slide around, using the spaces in between as the roads.

Cheeka

@Aanchir aah, thanks for the explanation. I haven't actually opened my Apple Tree House yet (only purchased recently) so hadn't noticed they were the thicker plates when perusing the pieces on the side of the box. Appreciate the info!

rocao

This addresses the trend away from LEGO baseplates more than it does the OP's question about sets containing them, but for those that missed this thread (read caperberry's post at the top of page 2):
http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/4058/where-have-all-the-baseplates-gone/p2

Aanchir

rocao said:

This addresses the trend away from LEGO baseplates more than it does the OP's question about sets containing them, but for those that missed this thread (read caperberry's post at the top of page 2):
http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/4058/where-have-all-the-baseplates-gone/p2

Very informative! This kind of thing always makes me wish there were some LEGO news site that would compile any new info revealed by TLG's representatives at conventions. A lot of other franchises with a lot of "nerd appeal" have news sites reporting on any new revelations at conventions; then again, a lot of other nerdy interests lack the global presence that the LEGO fan community has. Nobody has the budget to visit EVERY convention a LEGO rep appears at, so the only option for that kind of thing is for someone at every LEGO convention to take notes during the Q&A sessions or other panels and report them to the greater community.

Anyway, back on-topic, regarding the issue of roads: I've long fancied the idea of a modular road system based on the 8x16 tile. I want to make a Cuusoo project based on this idea one day, but I don't currently have enough 8x16 tiles to really create proof-of-concept images. The advantage this system offers, though, is that if you build these kinds of roads on a grid of smaller plates, it's easy to get older road plates and baseplates "in system" with sets built on regular plates. After all, the top surface of a baseplate sitting on top of studs will be almost exactly level with the top surface of a regular plate sitting on the same studs. All in all I would love this kind of design, as I've long felt that road plates are overly restrictive (the modular buildings, for instance, can't easily be placed flush to the curb of road plates without transferring them from their original baseplates-- this design would be fully compatible with them).

CCC

Aanchir said:

Anyway, back on-topic, regarding the issue of roads: I've long fancied the idea of a modular road system based on the 8x16 tile. I want to make a Cuusoo project based on this idea one day, but I don't currently have enough 8x16 tiles to really create proof-of-concept images.

I've used the DBG 8x16 tiles (I managed to get a load of HP Hogwarts game cheap for parts) for roads on top of old style green baseplates. There is a bit of a problem with the scale / width - if you have them end to end then two 4 stud wide cars cannot pass each other without veering off the road. It is probably more suited to 6 stud cars, and having the road two plates wide (or rotating the plate and having it 16 wide, with a white line drawn in the middle). But then it is getting fairly wide. The other option is make it single carriage, one way only!

jasor

^^^ City squares are normally one ways :D

meyerc13

I like the idea of more readily available large plates, but then you have the problem of what do you attach them to? We almost still need baseplates underneath them. If you have an odd size LEGO table, with only 32X32 or larger baseplates available for separate purchase, it can limit the amount of playable LEGO space that you have.

Ideally LEGO (or someone else) would make a flexible playmat available that has studs on top that you could trim down to the size of your table. That would be awesome.

jasor

You could do that with the large baseplates now, though...right?

This is a pretty cool article I thought about doing for my girl

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/8741/how-to-build-a-lego-table

Aanchir

meyerc13 said:

I like the idea of more readily available large plates, but then you have the problem of what do you attach them to? We almost still need baseplates underneath them. If you have an odd size LEGO table, with only 32X32 or larger baseplates available for separate purchase, it can limit the amount of playable LEGO space that you have.

Ideally LEGO (or someone else) would make a flexible playmat available that has studs on top that you could trim down to the size of your table. That would be awesome.

Baseplates would probably still be the best way to get a solid "floor" of studs underneath models built on regular plates, but when working with 8x8, 8x16, and 16x16 plates/tiles, I find a grid of 2x6 and 2x16 plates with 6x6 gaps in between is a very effective solution. It's easy to assemble and disassemble and will hold its shape reasonably well.

With models built on smaller plates, you do run into issues where the plates might not meet up at such regular intervals. But baseplates can exhibit similar problems if a model is built on multiple baseplates that are spaced irregularly. Not to mention that even back in the day when baseplates were the go-to standard for the foundation of a building, smaller regular plates were in use as a foundation for smaller edifices like gas pumps and pay phones. Case in point, set 6562 from my childhood.

Basta

Have a question, what was the last set TLG released with a moulded baseplate, the ones like in the old pirate sets such as #6277 Imperial Trading Post.?

As a kid I never owned any of these larger sets but I thought they were cool, now its moved on to most things being brick built which allows for more detail and actual build time but still, releasing a set or two using them now would be cool IMO.

sidersdd

^ #7327 Scorpion Pyramid from Pharaoh's Quest in 2011 had one.

Basta

Nice, so not that long ago them. Wonder if any more will come out.

Aanchir

Basta said:

Nice, so not that long ago them. Wonder if any more will come out.

Really hard to say. The Scorpion Pyramid used that mold after it had been out-of-use for three years. I think the deciding factor in whether raised baseplates are used in this day and age is "can this model be achieved affordably without one?" The Scorpion Pyramid would have looked a little plainer and could not have been nearly as large without the raised baseplate, because elevating it that much with smaller parts would have driven the price up a great deal.

An obstacle that would face sets with raised baseplates today is that TLG has been putting forth a concerted effort to reduce the size of their boxes. A raised baseplate demands a box at least as large, and I imagine they also complicated the packing process. So that, in addition to how specialized they are, is reason enough to avoid them in many cases.

I somewhat doubt that particular raised baseplate would be reused at this point. It's somewhat unwieldy and awkward to use, and additionally with standard baseplates being phased out in many sets, TLG might have a reasonable incentive to make a baseplate that is more compatible with the new 3.2 mm standard. So if the need ever does arise for a raised baseplate in a future set, perhaps they will be able to introduce a new one that avoids many of the complications that make the older ones so impractical in many situations.

madforLEGO

The Polcie stations used to also use an elevated mold.. The problem is they are too flimsy IMO..
I cannot tell you how many raised baseplates I have seen missing studs because they were pushed through the flimsy plastic.
Plus I think it many ways LEGO uses those raised plates as a 'cheat' to save on parts.

I think those one of the reasons I like the 80's sets is because they had base plates in them, and not just any baseplates, but all kinds, most unique to the set they were in.

pvp3020

meyerc13 said:

I think we may be seeing the end of baseplates in LEGO sets. For the past two years, LEGO hasn't included any with City sets, including the latest fire station. In 2011, the Harbor, Space Center, and Police station all had baseplates, but I think those were the last City sets to include them.

#4207 City Garage 2012 included two baseplates. I think that's the only City set in the last 12 months to include them.

If we are really seeing the end of baseplates, I wonder what will happen to the Modular Buildings - these all use baseplates. If future models switch to using normal plates they will not connect to the existing buildings, as the technic bricks will not align (at least not without some mods to the existing models).

HokieJoe99

pvp3020 said:

If we are really seeing the end of baseplates, I wonder what will happen to the Modular Buildings - these all use baseplates. If future models switch to using normal plates they will not connect to the existing buildings, as the technic bricks will not align (at least not without some mods to the existing models).

Yes, LEGO really painted themselves into a corner on that one.

emilewski

I would assume that the modulars will be the exception and continue to utilize the traditional baseplates into the future (possibly in unique colors like the red for PC).

Aanchir

If you sit the modular buildings on a studded surface, then they will line up perfectly with any buildings whether they're built on baseplates or regular plates. There are various solutions for this-- either buy cheap additional plates or baseplates in any color to lay under your modular layout, or create a two-layer grid of 2x6 and 2x16 plates, or even use basic bricks.

And yes, I imagine the modular buildings will continue to use traditional baseplates in the future. Considering that baseplates are already in production (meaning there is no need to subsidize the cost of new molds) and the modular buildings are big enough and pricy enough to offset the cost of production, I don't think it's economically infeasible.

CurvedRoadPlate

It's worth noting the Haunted House used plates rather than baseplates. It's as big as a modular.

jon11380

However, the HH is not, was not intended, and will not be a part of the modular range.

beegeedee

There was a few of of city sets too that had base plates of varying size as well. The city house had a 16x32 green plate and city corner had a series of 8x16 baseplates. City harbour had 16x16 baseplates with a smooth road part to it, as does the city fire stations and a couple of other sets. I think the 2008/9 police station had a 16x32 grey baseplate too. Also, I got a deluxe brick box that also had a 16x32 baseplate with it. As for creator, it seems that the last one was family home or apple tree house. The log cabin, hillside house and lighthouse + later ones all were based on 16x16 plates.

I really don't like the base plates and I have a whole heap of them too from various sets and a few I bought. They are just way too flexible for my liking. I actually picked up a load of 16x16 tan plates for use for building on at about 1.50 euro each and was well pleased. Ok, so you have to join them together but they are just so much more rigid in the end.

chuxtoybox

I really don't like the base plates and I have a whole heap of them too from various sets and a few I bought. They are just way too flexible for my liking. I actually picked up a load of 16x16 tan plates for use for building on at about 1.50 euro each and was well pleased. Ok, so you have to join them together but they are just so much more rigid in the end.

I have a good sized table in the middle of my Lego room and I was trying to cover the whole surface with base plates but the standard green plates didn't entirely cover the table and so I was curious if any of the new sets had smaller plates (well actually any size because I want to use new plates and need quite a few) because then I would look into buying those sets and obtain the bricks as well.

TheLoneTensor

^Woah, deja vu. I thought I was having an aneurysm for a sec there.

beegeedee

^me too. what's worse is I wrote the first part too...spinning head much???

@chuxtoybox there is a lego game that is discontinued that comes with 4 green plates #3856 Ningago game, and also there's a new batman game by the looks of things that has 2 lt bley and 1 dk bley plates in it too, #50003 - these would be a good starting point for a few. if you need them in quantity, Bricklink will be the only way or they are around 3 euro each from S&H pick a brick. It also depends on the colour you want as some are more expensive than others. Bright green is generally the cheapest but I got lucky with the tan ones as they aren't normally that cheap.

chuxtoybox

Sorry tensor and beegeedee, obviously I'm not very good at re-posting quotes! :} Thanx for the advice on Ninjago game (aha seems you're not perfect either LOL) and Batman. Are they actually releasing the Batman game?

plasmodium

^Quoting hint, @chuxtoybox, there is a little button at the bottom of each post that says "Quote". If you click that it pastes the whole post (which you can then edit to the bit you want) with some HTML stuff so it gets the blue background. :) It's a small button that you can quite easily miss!

beegeedee

^^ I blame autocorrect. ;-) As for the batman game, maybe not. Would be a good source of grey plates and 2x2 jumpers though if they do. I don't think there are many sets with the grey plates.

TheLoneTensor

chuxtoybox said:

Sorry tensor and beegeedee, obviously I'm not very good at re-posting quotes! :} Thanx for the advice on Ninjago game (aha seems you're not perfect either LOL) and Batman. Are they actually releasing the Batman game?

Heh, no worries, it was funny. Also, to tack onto @plasmodium's advice, the quote function is a direct paste that will append to whatever's already in there, so if you start writing, then hit quote, it could get messy.

Aanchir

beegeedee said:

^me too. what's worse is I wrote the first part too...spinning head much???

@chuxtoybox there is a lego game that is discontinued that comes with 4 green plates #3856 Ningago game, and also there's a new batman game by the looks of things that has 2 lt bley and 1 dk bley plates in it too, #50003 - these would be a good starting point for a few. if you need them in quantity, Bricklink will be the only way or they are around 3 euro each from S&H pick a brick. It also depends on the colour you want as some are more expensive than others. Bright green is generally the cheapest but I got lucky with the tan ones as they aren't normally that cheap.

One warning: the green plates in the Ninjago game are Bright Green, not classic green (officially, Dark Green) like the green baseplates appearing in most System sets. Classic green 16x16 plates come in these sets, though not in the same quantities.

dejavu

I haven't seen the big baseplates available at Lego.com under Pick a Brick. Is there another way to order them? I'd like an additional sand-colored one...

Aanchir

dejavu said:

I haven't seen the big baseplates available at Lego.com under Pick a Brick. Is there another way to order them? I'd like an additional sand-colored one...

You mean the old style, or the new style (3.2mm thickness)? The old style baseplates are not on Pick-A-Brick. Blue, gray, and green ones can be bought as sets from here, but no tan ones have ever been available for individual purchase as far as I know.

The new style is available in Pick-A-Brick: just search 8x16 or 16x16 in the "Brick Name" field. 8x16 plates are available in Bright Green (one shade lighter than classic green), while 16x16 plates are available in Bright Green, Bright Blue (classic blue), Sand Yellow (dark tan), and Dark Stone Grey (dark bley). 8x16 plates are $2.00 apiece and 16x16 plates are $4.00 apiece. Prices are almost certainly cheaper via Bricklink (and a lot of colors are being sold in nice large quantities), so feel free to do some comparison shopping. Bricklink also has lots more colors, including Brick Yellow (tan) in both sizes.

dejavu

@Aanchir - 16 x 16 in the sand yellow might do, but I wish they'd sell tan plates of the same type as the large blue and green ones, or the same as the base for the GE. Wouldn't mind getting a red base such as used in the Cinema also.

emilewski

^ I would think you could try calling LEGO customer service and see if you could purchase the red or tan 32 x 32 baseplates through the part replacement program? It is worth a try.

Jenni

@dejavu there is a tan baseplate in the Ramses Pyramid game. It's been out for a while but it was way overproduced so you may still find one hiding somewhere.

My problem is that my daughter takes them all. She'll use the 48x48s to arrange Friends sets on.

dejavu

@Jenni - thanks! And hey, how dare these pipsqueaks hog all our LEGO?!

dougts

^

tan baseplate in replacement parts:
https://service.lego.com/replacementparts/#WhatBrickBuy/10211

roxio

dougts said:

^

tan baseplate in replacement parts:
https://service.lego.com/replacementparts/#WhatBrickBuy/10211

Can't see it listed under 10211 ?

Sorry, its there, £5.41 :)