LEGO Unveils The Lord of the Rings: The Shire Set

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 monumental 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.

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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 is also disproportionately expensive 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 coziness of Bilbo's home, with patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food 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 element, utilizing LEGO Technic, adds an interactive touch. By turning a knob, you can switch the display in the fireplace between a charred envelope and the One Ring, referencing the iconic scene from "The Fellowship of the Ring" where Gandalf reveals the Ring's markings to Frodo.

The rooms' design, wider than they are tall, reflects the canonical hobbit architecture and creates a sense of spaciousness. The interior construction is straightforward, but the exterior, with its flowing curves, requires careful attention to detail for accuracy.

Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over a relief map. The use of multiple curved green pieces creates a natural, undulating hillside, reflecting the hobbits' harmony with their environment. Bag End is topped with a tree, its branches extending over the hilltop.

Several freestanding elements enhance the set's playability and scene-setting potential. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a group of barrels with interlocking gears that allow Bilbo to "disappear" as he did at his party.

Overall, LEGO Shire is a simpler set compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, which aligns with the hobbits' modest lifestyle. However, its simplicity contrasts with its steep price tag. At $270 for 2,017 pieces, it exceeds the traditional pricing metric of 10 cents per brick by 34%, feeling more like a $200 set.

Comparatively, LEGO Star Wars sets often carry a higher price due to the "Disney tax," but even the 2024 Jabba's Sail Barge, with 3,943 pieces for $500, is only 27% above the metric. 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 it offers less value per brick.

While piece count alone may not fully justify pricing, customer demand and willingness to pay play significant roles. LEGO's reputation and the enduring popularity of Lord of the Rings may support this pricing, but it remains to be seen if it will be sustainable. Despite the cost, the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.

For those interested, a LEGO mini-movie featuring this 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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