LEGO Lord of the Rings: Shire Marks Epic Quest Start

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have something special to look forward to with the upcoming release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Shire." Set to hit the shelves on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public, this set marks the third LEGO Lord of the Rings set released in as many years, following the massive 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

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The new 2,017-piece set, "The Shire," captures the essence of Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole with remarkable detail. Every wall is thoughtfully designed to be rounded or curved, and every surface is adorned with accessories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. LEGO provided IGN with an opportunity to build and review this charming set, which beautifully reflects its subject matter. However, it's worth noting that the set's price is disproportionately high for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

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Set #10354 meticulously recreates Bilbo Baggins' home as seen on his "eleventy-first" birthday, complete with nine minifigures including Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Mrs. Proudfoot, Farmer Proudfoot, Merry, Pippin, Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee, and Gandalf the Grey. The hobbit-hole is ingeniously designed with a cutaway back, offering a glimpse into three distinct rooms: the main foyer accessible through the iconic round door, a cozy study to the left, and a combined dining and sitting area to the right.

Each room is built separately and then connected using clamps, ensuring a seamless hillside exterior and a unified living space inside. The set emphasizes the homely feel of Bilbo's abode with detailed touches like patterned rugs, stacks of letters from well-wishers, and food scattered around, including a wedge of cheese above the fireplace and a loaf of bread on the windowsill.

The set is also filled with mementos from Bilbo's youthful adventures. The Mithril Coat, a gift to Frodo before his journey to Mordor, is stored in a chest by the door. A well-worn map, pivotal to Thorin and Company's quest to the Lonely Mountain, rests on a table near a teapot. An umbrella stand by the entrance holds a sword and a parasol, adding to the home's eclectic charm.

A single mechanical feature, powered by LEGO Technic, allows you to switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, recreating 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-hole architecture and creates a sense of spaciousness. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior requires more attention to detail to achieve the flowing curves of the hillside.

Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running a hand over an Earth globe, feeling the terrain's relief. The set uses curved green pieces to create a naturalistic hillside, varying in depth and slope to mimic the hobbits' integration with their environment. Bag End is topped with a tree, its branches extending over the hilltop, reinforcing the theme of harmony with nature.

Several standalone exterior elements enhance the set, aligning with key moments from the films. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree adorned with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, and a group of barrels rigged with gears to simulate Bilbo's disappearing act at his party.

Overall, LEGO Shire is a delightfully simple set compared to the more complex LEGO Rivendell and Barad-dûr. Its simplicity aligns with the humble lifestyle of hobbits, yet it carries a steep price tag that seems disproportionate for its size and complexity.

The traditional pricing metric suggests a reasonable cost of 10 cents per brick. Barad-dûr, at 5,147 pieces, costs $460, which is 16% below this metric, while Rivendell, at 6,167 pieces, costs $500, 19% below. In contrast, The Shire, with 2,017 pieces, is priced at $270, which is 34% *above* the standard metric, suggesting it feels more like a $200 set.

While LEGO Star Wars sets often carry a premium due to licensing, 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 budget-friendly option for Lord of the Rings fans unable to invest in Rivendell or Barad-dûr.** Yet, those sets offer better value per brick.

Some may argue that piece count alone is not the best indicator of value, as pricing can reflect demand and consumer willingness to pay. LEGO's established reputation and the enduring popularity of Lord of the Rings may support this pricing strategy. Only time will tell its sustainability, but the set's aesthetic appeal is undeniable.

For those interested, don't miss the LEGO mini-movie featuring this set:

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