LEGO Lord of the Rings: Building the Shire, Epic Quest Begins

LEGO enthusiasts and fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga have much to celebrate as LEGO unveils its latest addition to the Lord of the Rings series: The Shire. Set to launch on April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public, this 2,017-piece set marks the third LOTR set released in the last three years, following the massive 6,167-piece Rivendell in 2023 and the 5,471-piece Barad-dûr in 2024.

Out April 5

LEGO LOTR: The Shire, the Beginning of an Epic Quest

3See it at LEGO StoreThe new LEGO LOTR: The Shire set captures the essence of Hobbiton with exquisite detail. Every wall boasts rounded or curved designs, and the surfaces are adorned with a plethora of accessories. IGN was given the opportunity to build this charming set, which, while perfectly capturing the spirit of the Shire, comes with a price tag that seems disproportionately high for its piece count.

We Build LEGO LOTR Shire

146 ImagesSet #10354 recreates Bilbo Baggins' iconic hobbit-hole, as depicted 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 hobbit-hole, nestled into a green-bricked hillside, offers a cut-away view of three distinct rooms: the main foyer accessed through the round door, a cozy study to the left, and a combined dining and sitting area to the right.

Each room is constructed separately and connected using clamps, ensuring a smooth exterior hillside and a unified interior living space. The set's designers have masterfully captured the warmth of Bilbo's home, with various patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers scattered about, and food items filling every nook and cranny. A wedge of cheese rests above the fireplace, while a loaf of bread and beverages sit on the windowsill.

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

The set features a single mechanical element utilizing LEGO Technic technology. By turning a knob, you can switch the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, referencing the pivotal 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. While the interior construction is straightforward, the exterior's flowing curves require careful attention to detail.

Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure similar to running one's hand over an Earth globe, feeling the terrain's relief. The set uses multiple curved green pieces to achieve a natural hillside with varying depths and slopes, reinforcing the theme of hobbits being in harmony with their environment. Bag End is crowned with a tree, its branches extending gracefully over the hilltop.

Several standalone elements enhance the set's appeal, allowing for scene staging from the films. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree adorned with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a red dragon firework, and Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage, complete with switchable leg pieces for Frodo and Gandalf. Additionally, a set of barrels with interlocking gears can simulate Bilbo's disappearance at his party's end.

Overall, LEGO The Shire is a relatively simple set, especially when compared to the more complex Rivendell and Barad-dûr. This simplicity aligns with the hobbits' humble lifestyle, making the set's less ornate nature fitting. However, despite its straightforward build, The Shire's $270 price tag is significantly higher than expected for a set of its size.

Typically, LEGO sets are priced at around 10 cents per piece. Barad-dûr, at 5,147 pieces, is priced at $460, which is 16% below the expected price, while Rivendell, with 6,167 pieces, costs $500, 19% below the expected price. In contrast, The Shire, with 2,017 pieces, is priced at $270, which is 34% above the standard metric, feeling more like a $200 set.

Ironically, despite its higher per-piece cost, The Shire remains the most affordable option for Lord of the Rings fans unable to justify the expense of Rivendell or Barad-dûr. However, the pricing strategy raises questions about whether LEGO's goodwill and the franchise's popularity can sustain such pricing.

In addition to the set itself, a LEGO mini-movie featuring The Shire is available for viewing:

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