LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga, rejoice! LEGO is set to launch The Lord of the Rings: The Shire on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public. This exciting release marks the third LEGO Lord of the Rings set in the last three years, following the monumental 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the impressive 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.
Out April 5### LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest
3See it at LEGO Store
Comprising 2,017 pieces, The Shire set is a beautifully detailed model that captures the essence of Bilbo Baggins' cozy hobbit-hole. Every wall in this set is designed with rounded or curved shapes, and the surfaces are adorned with numerous accessories, creating a truly immersive experience. LEGO provided IGN with a test build of The Shire, and while it's charming and befitting its subject, it's worth noting that it comes with a disproportionately high price tag relative to its piece count.
We Build LEGO LOTR Shire
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Set #10354 meticulously recreates Bilbo Baggins' home as seen during his "eleventy-first" birthday celebration. This set includes nine minifigures: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The model is built into a green-bricked hillside, with the back cut away to reveal three distinct rooms: the main foyer, a study, and a dining and sitting area. These rooms are constructed separately and then connected using clamps, ensuring a seamless exterior and a cohesive interior living space.
The design of Bilbo's home emphasizes its cozy atmosphere, with patterned rugs, stacks of letters from well-wishers, and food items tucked into every corner. A notable feature is the wedge of cheese above the fireplace and a loaf of bread on the windowsill. Additionally, the set is filled with artifacts from Bilbo's adventures, such as the Mithril Coat in a large chest and a well-worn map on the table.
A unique mechanical element, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, paying homage to a pivotal scene from The Fellowship of the Ring. The rooms are designed to be wider than they are tall, reflecting the hobbit-hole's canonical design and creating a sense of spaciousness. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior requires careful attention to achieve the natural curves of the hillside.
Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running your hand over an Earth globe, feeling the terrain's relief. The set uses multiple curved green pieces to create an organic flow to the hillside, which varies in slope and erosion, mirroring the hobbits' natural integration with their environment. The model is crowned with a tree, its branches extending over the hilltop.
The set also includes several standalone exterior elements that enhance its playability and scene-setting capabilities. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework on a clear attachment, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a set of barrels with interlocking gears that allow Bilbo to "disappear" as he did at the end of his party.
Overall, LEGO The Shire is a simpler set compared to its predecessors, Rivendell and Barad-dûr, which aligns well with the humble lifestyle of hobbits. However, despite its simplicity, the set's price of $270 for 2,017 pieces is significantly higher than the traditional metric of 10 cents per brick. For comparison, Barad-dûr and Rivendell are both priced below this metric, making The Shire a more expensive option per piece.
Even LEGO Star Wars sets, known for their high prices due to the "Disney tax," such as the 2024 Jabba's Sail Barge, are not as disproportionately priced. Despite the higher cost, The Shire remains the most affordable Lord of the Rings LEGO set for fans who couldn't justify purchasing the larger, more intricate Rivendell or Barad-dûr sets.
The pricing strategy raises questions about customer demand and willingness to pay, given LEGO's goodwill and the enduring popularity of The Lord of the Rings. Nevertheless, the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.
For a closer look at this enchanting set, check out the LEGO mini-movie:
LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and is composed of 2,017 pieces. It is available at the LEGO Store starting on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and on April 5 for the general public.
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