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Castle Timeline

aplbomr79aplbomr79 Member Posts: 159
in Collecting
How does the new Castle Line fit within the 'Castle Timeline'? From what I understand, the new Castle Line is a continuation of the 'Fantasy Era'. However, this new line includes factions that are not following the color lines of the 'Fantasy Era' - so how do you think they fit into the timelines of Castle?

Pardon me if this has already been addressed, I have been away for awhile...

Comments

  • StuBoyStuBoy Member Posts: 623
    The only resemblance I can see to the Fantasy Era is #70403 Dragon Mountain being similar to #7093 Skeleton Tower. I don't think there is any intent from the designers to continue the Fantasy Era line - its too close to The Hobbit and LOTR.

    Its simply part of the Castle cycle to rehash the theme every few years, rather than in the late 80s and early 90s where new factions were gradually introduced and older ones phased out.
  • jdylakjdylak Member Posts: 281
    Yea, they are basically doing to Castle what they do to City. Keep putting out the same sets every 3 years.
  • korkor Member Posts: 392
    StuBoy said:

    Its simply part of the Castle cycle to rehash the theme every few years, rather than in the late 80s and early 90s where new factions were gradually introduced and older ones phased out.

    Thats when the Castle theme was at its best, IMO. However, I grew up with those sets so maybe its just nostalgia talking.
    StuBoy
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    I think another perspective is to think about the designers themselves. The sets of the late 80's early 90's were for all intent and purpose designed by the "pioneers" of LEGO Castle. Since then they surely have retired or otherwise considering the nearly 20 years since. So in other words, we have all new designers with new ideas and concepts. I for one also found those Castle sets to be the best of all time, is it purely nostalgia? Maybe, or maybe they were just really really good sets and the product fluctuation since then has gone up and down based on designer idea AND quality....hmmmm.....
  • FenrisAkashiFenrisAkashi Member Posts: 242
    My two favorite "Themes" were Black Knights, and Kingdoms, both were fantastic imo. Quite a range in time haha.
    bluemodern
  • DrLegOBrickDrLegOBrick Member Posts: 68
    StuBoy, The blue knights have the same crown logo as the old Crownies, hence the link to the Fantasy Era sets. In addition, they've got a very similar Lion logo used in the Royal knights theme, KK1, and KK2, although the crown is more prominent. As for how to they fit in, they've never been "officially" linked to anything but themselves, to my knowledge.
  • piratemania7piratemania7 Member Posts: 2,146
    It'd be fun to see someone with every set from every theme have an all out battle. All the factions going head to head. Priceless.
  • StuBoyStuBoy Member Posts: 623
    Surely the 80s/early 90s sets would win - they used to have twice as many figs as the modern sets. A lot of the old castles also had 4 knights on horseback - lately they've had only 1.
    DrLegOBrick said:

    StuBoy, The blue knights have the same crown logo as the old Crownies, hence the link to the Fantasy Era sets.

    Yeah I totally missed that. I would say that the Lion heraldry is more prominent though, so I'd classify them as closer to King Leo's faction than the Crownies.
  • DrLegOBrickDrLegOBrick Member Posts: 68
    Yes, I'd agree with you there, it's almost a tip of the hat so to speak to the original Crownies. I was surprised at the overall negative reaction to them, people where begging for Fantasy Era knights and when we get them, the sets are "Juniorized" or "child-like". I guess we've been spoilt by Kingdoms and LOTR. I only got 3 Crown knights, along with the King/Queen/Jester/Gold knight, so I've combined them, at least till a latter date when I have enough Crownies to qualify as a faction (10-15 soldiers). On the subject of King Leo, and more on topic, maybe they're a rebellious group that separated from the Crownies and King Leo/Royal knights etc. and formed they're own monarchy? Kind of how I use my Dragon Masters, just with a wizard not a King.
    StuBoy
  • aplbomr79aplbomr79 Member Posts: 159
    Has there been much in the way of new 2014 sets? I am a big fan of the Castle realm (it took me less than a week to purchase and build all of the new sets). I am still hunting down old sets - but I love to see new ones released. Any info or release dates?
  • aplbomr79aplbomr79 Member Posts: 159
    On the same note, I would love to see the 'lesser' or 'baddie' faction to actually have their own fortress or castle - much in the way of the Black Falcon's Fortress (6074).
  • dougtsdougts Member Posts: 4,110
    ^ haven't seen any news about 2014 Castle. Safe bet is definitely not for the first half of the year, but I suppose we could get another mid-year wave and not know about it yet. Time will tell.
  • Peter1975Peter1975 Member Posts: 166
    Well, I guess we had Castle this year so I won't expecting them back after we first get a new Pirates line.
  • TheBigLegoskiTheBigLegoski Member Posts: 1,437
    edited December 2013
    I do not know what 2014 will hold for all Lego Castle fans, but there will be at least one additional Castle set in 2014, which is part of The Lego Movie theme: Castle Cavalry #70806-1
    brickset.com/detail/?Set=70806-1
    Which, if you check the alternative image, incorporates like most other sets of that theme two builds; the 'knightpunk scifi podracer', and a classic castle reinforced gate. I will definitely be getting that set to complement my castle collection.

    As to the question of the original poster @aplbomr79 , I think this line stands on its own, just like all other preceding castle lines/themes. The only thing all these separate Castle themes have in common, is that all of them feature iconic elements from the (European) medieval period, and sometimes fairy tail elements too, often associated with, or portrayed in films, and books, set in that historical era. I suppose that is also the beauty of it; you can buy all current Lego sets, and mix them in with older Lego sets, and almost everything will blend in, and nothing will look out of place (except maybe for the brick build horses from the seventies and early eighties etcetera).

    ps.
    As others have mentioned, a bigger, well designed castle set for the Dragon Knights to dwell in would be welcome.

    pps.
    I do like the current castle line, but I do favour the Lion and Dragon heraldry of The Kingdoms line over this Castle line. As well as the set design of the King's Castle of the Kingdoms line compared to the current one. However, I do like the fantasy/fairy tale element (the Dragon!) which was absent in the preceding Kingdoms theme.
    StuBoy
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    Anyone remember vikings? There was a large thousand part set that was six sided that was pretty cool.
  • CapnRex101CapnRex101 Administrator Posts: 2,364
    edited December 2013
    @LegoFanTexas - #7019 - Look at all those log bricks :o)
  • HardradaHardrada Member Posts: 439
    LegoFanTexas said:

    Anyone remember vikings? There was a large thousand part set that was six sided that was pretty cool.

    I think that set is just average to be honest. Not Viking enough architecturally. That theme was a weird one. Vikings with siege engines is a quite uncommon pairing and I wasn't that fond of the constraction figure-like dragons either. Figures and shields were great though and the small boat (#7016) and big ship (#7018) are excellent. (Even the sea serpent that comes with the ship.)
    icey117
  • Rainstorm26Rainstorm26 Member Posts: 1,011
    LegoFanTexas said:

    Anyone remember vikings?

    I loved set #7020. It is an awesome shooting machine. My son and I would challenge each other and set up a minifig on the floor and try to hit it. #7017 was pretty fun to play with as well.

  • StuBoyStuBoy Member Posts: 623
    LegoFanTexas said:

    Anyone remember vikings? There was a large thousand part set that was six sided that was pretty cool.

    I have that set - its huge! I'm actually trying to sell it but no one seems interested. Anyone in NZ who wants it pm me!

    I'm also another vote for a proper badguy castle. We always seem to only get a prison tower.
  • BumblepantsBumblepants Member Posts: 7,537
    I would love if they ever decided to do a Wolfpack II or some rogue faction that is similar. I spent more time as a kid with the original Wolfpack (and often Pirate accomplices) raiding the Castles and Forestmen than anything else.
  • LegoFanTexasLegoFanTexas Member Posts: 8,404
    ^ The only downside to trying to sell a Vikings set now is that they are so far in the past, many people have simply never heard of the line.

    Have you listed it on eBay? Offering it for sale in Europe or the US would get a much larger audience, assuming shipping doesn't kill you.
  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    I hope they keep the current Crowns vs Dragons for a couple of years, with variation in the fig printing, but the same factions.
    icey117
  • sschmotzsschmotz Member Posts: 25
    My kids seem to like the Castle theme and I've gotten them a few of the smaller sets. Well they want the Castle but when I compare it to #7094 it just doesn't look nearly as cool. It's got the catapult but doesn't have the dragon. I don't know why the #7094 just looks like a nicer set to me. I ended up finding a #7094 for a decent price, hope I didn't make a mistake and get "the wrong one"
  • durazno33durazno33 Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2013
    What we need is a real castle. See here for a Cuusoo project that fills in what Lego has missed in the castle timeline.
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    aplbomr79 said:

    On the same note, I would love to see the 'lesser' or 'baddie' faction to actually have their own fortress or castle - much in the way of the Black Falcon's Fortress (6074).

    Helm's Deep would make a good bad-guy fortress. It may have been a "good guy" fortress in LOTR, but overall it's darker and grittier which would contrast well with the blue candy-coated castles out there right now.
  • rancorbaitrancorbait Member Posts: 1,842
    ^ Or perhaps it is just more realistic :-)
    icey117
  • FenrisAkashiFenrisAkashi Member Posts: 242
    I loved Vikings, thankfully a friend of mine never went through Dark ages and has been collecting full sets of themes he liked so I got to rebuild all the Viking sets recently. Enjoyed them all, and personally I like the Techni-Dragons better than most of the giant molded ones we get these days.

    Some more Exclusive castle-theme sets would be fun, maybe a Ren-faire modular to appeal to castle and mod fans? I can dream right :p ?
  • TheLoneTensorTheLoneTensor Member Posts: 3,937
    edited December 2013
    rancorbait said:

    ^ Or perhaps it is just more realistic :-)

    There's that, but I would label it as more "realistic" to fantasy works and D&D than to real life. I daresay most actual castles tend to be flourished with design and aesthetics for day-to-day living, whereas Helm's Deep is for hardcore defense and survival alone.

    Either way, it's a great looking castle.

    icey117
  • davee123davee123 Member Posts: 852
    StuBoy said:

    Surely the 80s/early 90s sets would win - they used to have twice as many figs as the modern sets.

    We had that heated debate a while ago :)

    The problem is, of course, things like magic and dragons. If Majisto's a ridiculously powerful wizard, he could defeat all the factions combined. Or maybe he's on par with the Evil Wizard from the Fantasy Era, or Willa the Witch. Meanwhile, the Crusaders (while very numerous) have zilch for magic, and might be defeated by the Crown Knights' single flying dragon. Oh, and do the Dragon Masters have *ONE* Majisto? Or do they have 6 of him for every set he comes in?

    I resolved to put an end to the debate the only way I knew how: BrikWars.

    I scored all the units using the BrikWars rules, and had to make a lot of guesses for the magic users. I also decided that "characters" would be represented only ONCE, and only 1 copy of each set would be used-- doubled set numbers (like 6091 and 6098) would just resolve to a single set.

    Next, the method:

    Each faction was pitted against another faction according to the year of release-- so the earliest factions would fight each other, and the later factions would fight each other, progressing up the ladder to the final match.

    Each individual "fight" actually consisted of a best-of-3 matchup: Team A would defend against Team B-- then Team B would defend against Team A. And in the case of a tie, an all-out field battle would be the tiebreaker.

    The results?

    ... I'm sad to say I had a kid, and I've never had time to complete all the battles. Sorry to get you all worked up like that. I also only had teams compete from 1978-1999. No Knights' Kingdom or Fantasy Era (at the time, the Fantasy Era stuff was still coming out, so I couldn't make a "complete" army for their factions anyway).

    So far:
    - The Crusaders summarily walloped the Classic-Castle figs (2:0)
    - The defending Forestmen defeated the attacking Black Falcons (1:0)
    - The Black Knights successfully defended against the Dragon Masters (1:0)
    - The Fright Knights humiliated the Royal Knights (2:0)
    - Wolfpack were essentially laughed out of the running, with their measly lineup, without ever having a battle.

    Score-wise, the Crusaders have the highest number of "points" allocated to them. So if you were going based on that, they'd win. But the makeup of the armies involved suggested that the Fright Knights (with their many flying dragons and magic user (Willa)) would likely be the victors.

    As for the more modern themes, the Crown Knights were actually the next highest scoring, and might stand a chance against the Fright Knights, since they have their own dragon as well as a Wizard, and had almost as many soldiers as the Crusaders did (since I counted things like the chess sets).

    DaveE
    BumblepantsChang405
  • turtle1173turtle1173 Member Posts: 230
    My son and I just built #70403 and #70404 today. Just really outstanding sets in my opinion. Love the blue color. My son really missed the fantasy side when Kingdoms came out. So this was a huge success in my view. The build was very enjoyable. Similar in some ways to #7946, different in many other ways. He used the gatehouse set to expand the size a little. I really didn't have any idea the dragon would be so huge and, well, awesome. Very impressive.

    I hope they will continue to release some sets for this castle theme later on in 2014.
  • Peter1975Peter1975 Member Posts: 166
    Today I watched some old pictures of my old Lego room. This was before we had kids. Made me wonder if Robin Hood ever comes back in the Castle line. I remember the times playing with them against all the knight's. GREAT!!

    photo 1_zpsdd5070aa.jpg

    photo 5_zps09198468.jpg

    photo 2_zps912d90ab.jpg

    photo 3_zps8324e514.jpg
    TheBigLegoskiThanos75StuBoyJeffHkorkhmellymelBumblepants
  • aplbomr79aplbomr79 Member Posts: 159
    That's an impressive castle collection!
  • korkor Member Posts: 392
    ^^ Those bring back some memories!
  • adventure_aladventure_al Member Posts: 243
    Great pics. Although lacking in wolf pack IMO! Hehe
    turtle1173 said:

    My son and I just built #70403 and #70404 today. Just really outstanding sets in my opinion. Love the blue color. My son really missed the fantasy side when Kingdoms came out. So this was a huge success in my view. The build was very enjoyable. Similar in some ways to #7946, different in many other ways. He used the gatehouse set to expand the size a little. I really didn't have any idea the dragon would be so huge and, well, awesome.

    My Christmas present to me was these sets. Decent if not spectacular. The gatehouse has some nice parts.

    I'm quite happy to sell the dragon to any would-be bidders?

    It's impressive and a nice piece but just doesn't fit with my other builds.

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