LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire Quest Begins

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have a new reason to celebrate. LEGO is set to release "The Lord of the Rings: The Shire" on April 2 for LEGO Insiders, with a general public release following on April 5. This marks the third Lord of the Rings set to be launched in the last three years, following the impressive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the formidable 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.

Out April 5### LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest

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The new 2,017-piece set, "The Shire," captures the essence of Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole with meticulous detail. Every wall is rounded or curved, and each surface is adorned with accessories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. LEGO provided IGN with a copy for a test build, and while the set is charming and true to its source material, it comes with a disproportionately high price tag for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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Set #10354 beautifully recreates Bilbo Baggins' home as seen during his "eleventy-first" birthday celebration. The set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The hobbit-hole, nestled into a green-bricked hillside, is designed with a cutaway back, allowing a view into three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area.

These rooms are built separately and then connected using clamps, ensuring a seamless exterior and a cohesive interior living space. The designers have gone to great lengths to capture the cozy feel of Bilbo's home, with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food items scattered throughout. Notable details include a wedge of cheese above the fireplace, a loaf of bread, and libations on the windowsill.

The set is also rich with artifacts from Bilbo's youthful adventures. A large chest by the door houses the Mithril Coat, a gift to Frodo before his journey to Mordor. A well-worn map on the table near the teapot recalls Thorin and Company's quest to the Lonely Mountain. An umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol.

A single mechanical feature, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to change the fireplace display from a charred envelope to the One Ring, referencing a key moment from "The Fellowship of the Ring" when Gandalf reveals the Ring's markings to Frodo.

The rooms are wider than they are tall, reflecting the hobbit-hole's design and creating a sense of spaciousness. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior requires careful attention to achieve the flowing curves of the hillside. Building the set evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over a relief map, with the use of multiple curved green pieces creating a natural landscape.

The set emphasizes the hobbits' connection to their environment, with Bag End crowned by a tree with gnarled branches. Additional elements, such as a birthday cake, a Party Tree with lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, and Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, enhance the set's playability and allow for scene recreation from the films. The carriage even features adjustable legs for Frodo and Gandalf to sit or stand.

A clever feature includes a group of barrels connected to interlocking gears, enabling Bilbo to "disappear" as he did at his party's end.

Overall, "The Shire" is a simpler set compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, reflecting the humble lifestyle of hobbits. However, its simplicity contrasts with its steep price, which is 34% above the standard metric of 10 cents per brick. At $270 for 2,017 pieces, it feels more like a $200 set. Even LEGO Star Wars sets, known for their higher prices due to the "Disney tax," don't exhibit such a significant markup.

Ironically, "The Shire" remains the most affordable option for Lord of the Rings fans unable to justify the cost of Rivendell or Barad-dûr. Yet, those sets offer better value per brick. While piece count alone may not fully justify pricing, LEGO's goodwill and the enduring popularity of Lord of the Rings will determine the set's market success. Despite its price, "The Shire" is undeniably a beautiful addition to any collection.

For those interested, a LEGO mini-movie showcasing the set is also available:

LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and comprises 2,017 pieces. It is available at the LEGO Store starting April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public.

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