2013 sets posted

I know that some of these have been available online previously, but I avoid linking to images leaked from dealer catalogs. Now, however, LEGO has publicly displayed (and allowed photography) at the New York Toy Fair. Toy News International has photos and there are also videos going up at Brick Show. FBTB has a correspondent there, so expect a full report from them in due course.

79005 – The Wizard Battle - Great way to get the two wizards for cheap. Love the Palantir with the Eye - obvious MOC is to put that Eye at the top of a microscale Barad Dur


79006 – The Council of Elrond - Yes, as a Tolkien fan I appreciate the inclusion of Elrond and Arwen. I'm a little annoyed that they chose to highlight one of the points in the movie where Gimli is treated as comic relief. Most exciting to me, though, is the inclusion of a new gothic arch piece. As a castle builder I really appreciate this more than anything else. Orange leaves, new printed tiles, and great torsos make this (IMO) generally useful set for castle builders.


79007 – Battle at the Black Gate - While I haven't linked them, of course I'd already seen the leaked pictures of the Black Gate, and knew it would look cool. I'm pleasantly surprised with how good the Eagle looks here. I think the previously leaked image included an unfinished prototype.


79008 – Pirate Ship Ambush - Again, I'd seen the leaked image, and this looks even better. I was most excited to see good pictures of the ghost warriors, and they look great. Those six shields on the ship will make for a nice army faction as well. My main complaint here is that they dumbed down the name of the set.