LEGO enthusiasts and Lord of the Rings fans, 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 LOTR-themed set in the past three years, following the impressive 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 Store
The new 2,017-piece set, dubbed The Shire, captures the charm and warmth of the iconic location with meticulous detail. Every wall features rounded or curved designs, and each surface is adorned with accessories, creating an authentic hobbit-hole experience. LEGO provided IGN with a copy for a test build, and while the set is undeniably charming and true to its subject, it comes with a price tag that feels disproportionately high for its piece count.
We Build LEGO LOTR Shire
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Set #10354 brings to life Bilbo Baggins' hobbit-hole, 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 home, 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 hillside exterior and a cohesive living space inside. The designers have gone to great lengths to capture the coziness of Bilbo's home, with varied patterned rugs, letters from well-wishers, and food tucked into every corner. 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. In the large chest by the door, you'll find the Mithril Coat, which Bilbo later gifts to Frodo. A well-worn map, pivotal to Thorin and Company's quest to the Lonely Mountain, sits on the table near the teapot. Additionally, an umbrella stand by the door holds a sword and a parasol.
A unique mechanical feature, utilizing LEGO Technic, allows you to change the fireplace display between a charred envelope and the One Ring, referencing the iconic scene from Fellowship of the Ring where Gandalf reveals the Ring's markings to Frodo.
The rooms are designed to be wider than they are tall, reflecting the canonical hobbit-hole structure and creating a sense of spaciousness. The interior construction is straightforward, requiring no advanced techniques, while the exterior demands more attention to detail to achieve its flowing, curved appearance.
Building The Shire evokes a tactile pleasure reminiscent of running a hand over a globe's relief map. The use of multiple curved green pieces creates a natural flow to the hillside, varying in slope and erosion, embodying the hobbits' harmony with their environment. Bag End is crowned with a tree, its branches extending over the hilltop.
Several standalone exterior elements, while not essential to the core set, enhance its storytelling potential. These include a birthday cake, a Party Tree with colorful lanterns, a patterned tent, a flying red dragon firework, and Gandalf's horse-drawn carriage. You can switch Frodo and Gandalf's legs between standing and sitting positions to ride in the carriage. Additionally, a group of barrels connected to interlocking gears allows you to recreate Bilbo's dramatic disappearance at his party.
Overall, The Shire is a simpler set compared to Rivendell and Barad-dûr, which aligns with the hobbits' modest lifestyle. However, its simplicity contrasts sharply with its steep price, which is 34% above the standard metric of 10 cents per piece. For comparison, Barad-dûr and Rivendell are priced 16% and 19% below this metric, respectively. Despite this, The Shire feels more like a $200 set.
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 at $500, was only 27% above the standard. Ironically, The Shire remains the most affordable option for LOTR fans unable to invest in Rivendell or Barad-dûr, though it offers less value per piece.
While piece count might be a simplistic measure of value, pricing often reflects consumer demand and willingness to pay. LEGO's brand loyalty and the enduring love for Lord of the Rings may sustain this pricing, but it remains a point of contention. Despite the price, the set's visual appeal is undeniable.
For those interested, don't miss the LEGO mini-movie featuring The Shire:
LEGO The Lord of the Rings: The Shire, Set #10354, retails for $269.99 and comprises 2,017 pieces. It will be available at the LEGO Store starting April 2 for LEGO Insiders and April 5 for the general public.
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