Brickset Bouts: 10350 Tudor Corner vs. 10320 Eldorado Fortress
Posted by Huw,
Welcome to the first bout in our knockout competition to find the best set released during the last five years.
After announcing the top 16 sets from our initial poll last week, I contacted people who were willing to advocate for a set in the first round to write something to persuade others to vote for it. I've had ten or so responses so far, so the first few bouts can go ahead.
In this one, which is actually number six of eight, we pit 10350 Tudor Corner against 10320 Eldorado Fortress.
Read what Sammael has to say about this year's modular building, and lego_james about the reimagined classic Pirates set after the break, then cast your vote!
10350 Tudor Corner
We've had a lot of variety in the modular building range over the years. Previous creations drew inspiration from Dutch, French, and American city streets, and many would not feel totally out of place in England.
However, the Tudor Corner captures the charm of a quintessential British public house so well that it stands out in a crowd unapologetically. It almost screams: look at my wooden half-timbering! Look at the dark green pub facade and its brown windows! It's so close to the real deal that it makes me fancy a pint whenever I look at it.
The pub signage evokes 6067 Guarded Inn which was one of the few to utilise coveted Tudor panels. Building colours are vivid and work together despite being so eclectic. Facade angles are achieved through some superb building techniques and, thanks to so much variety in a relatively confined edifice, the build remains interesting and engaging throughout.
Interior is rich and, though it regrettably does not include any ale taps or kegs, it offers a lot. In addition to the pub, we have a haberdashery and a horologist, both of which contribute to the English (or more specifically London) vibe. The sheer number of different clocks included for the horologist to tinker with is amazing, particularly since all the builds are different and most utilise neat tricks and nice part uses. Finally, the top floor flat has lovely furniture, a terrarium, and a most unexpectedly delightful cat scratching post.
The roof is so amazingly well-fitted despite the odd angles that, once it all clicks together, it feels almost unreal, like the bricks passed through each other and interlocked outside of the confines of normal space.
I skipped the last few modulars (I will get them eventually, but they didn't inspire me), but as soon as I saw Tudor Corner I knew it had to be a day 1 purchase - and it did not disappoint.
10320 Eldorado Fortress
Nostalgia ahoy! What a treasure of a set - embracing all that was, but delivered by all that is now. Like the fortress it is, sitting on a rock, it has withstood the ravages of time, and come out stronger.
I remember opening the box of the original set, and I am lucky enough to still own it. This set takes me back to doing so, when the Pirates theme had just launched. This re-make feels fresh, new and different, yet comforting and reassuring at the same time.
Building the “raised baseplate” is a brilliant take on the original, and one that can be taken apart and reconfigured, giving more play opportunities -- even those of us who experienced the original still can’t but help play -- and storytelling -- will you side with the Imperial Guards or the Pirates?!
There are delightful little vignettes and Easter eggs throughout the build, and it's fitting a tribute to a classic: reimagined faithfully yet progressively.
I love this set. You should too! It even prompted me to expand the garrison, courtesy of Pick-a-Brick: you can never have too many Imperial Guards!
If you don’t vote Eldorado, be warned, the Black Seas Barracuda might track you down…
Cast your vote!
Having read the above, which of these two sets do you think should go through to the quarter-final for a chance to be crowned "best set of the last five years" ?
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72 comments on this article
This is the hardest vote for me. I came OUT of my Dark Age because of my discovery of the Pirates vs Soldiers theme, and I've never stopped since. The Tudor style pub is one of the most enticing and interesting buildings using modern construction methods. This is actually a battle between nostalgia Lego and modern Lego. Here we have England At Home and England Abroad. Native and Colonial. I am torn!
"The roof is so amazingly well-fitted despite the odd angles that, once it all clicks together, it feels almost unreal, like the bricks passed through each other and interlocked outside of the confines of normal space."
Don't you know, it's bigger on the inside. Oh wait, that's 21304.
"I remember opening the box of the original set, and I am lucky enough to still own it."
I wish I sill had mine, but unfortunately, I put off paying my storage bill too long, which is one reason I was so glad to see (and get) the re-imagining. I'm also more than happy to cast my vote for it.
Easy one for me as I have no attachment to the classic Pirates theme and unlike some of the other retro sets (e.g. 10305 or 21322 ) this one has no appeal to me otherwise
These two are not amongst my favorite sets, but as I am not a fan of the Pirate theme and always enjoy English pubs when I go to the UK, I will go for the Tudor Corner.
As an adult, I prefer Tudor Corner.
As an adult with the heart of a child, I prefer Eldorado Fortress.
I’m sure Tudor Corner is well regarded but I can’t help but suspect this’ll be a landslide for El Dorado
Never been that attracted to the modulars.
Love Pirates. So an easy choice
Tudor Corner is just lovely. Gets my vote.
As a modular this one doesn’t need others to look good, it can stand on its own in all its own glory
Fortress <3
One is an original, the other is a remake.
Both are great, but the fortress can be reconfigured.
I haven't even read the pitches; that's how obvious this one is for me. But I won't tell you what I've voted for ;)
My vote is for Tudor Corner. Out of all modulars Lego has released so far, this beautiful set is the only one that made me seriously reconsider whether Parisian Restaurant should remain as my favourite of all times or there is a new king. In the end I couldn't decide so both are now the best modulars to me.
@MegaBlocks said:
"One is an original, the other is a remake."
Username checks out.
I mean... it's Lego. Both sets can be very definitely be reconfigured.
Pirates kept me going longer with LEGO than other kids my age at the time, until I too finally entered my dark age during college years. The new Eldorado Fortress is quite nice as it is, but once I started reconfiguring the modules and adding my own, it turned into the most fun project and maybe best MOC I’ve ever done!
2 of the 4 I own in this competition up against each other first up.
The Tudor Corner is the first modular I have bought as it is such a great looking set, but I haven't had a chance to make it yet. Eldorado on the other hand was my favourite set a child. I currently have the original set up. While the new version of the set had some minor drawbacks that were widely discussed on its release, it also surpasses the original in many ways. It inspired me to get a 2nd copy of the set to expand it into a bigger fortress. Hopefully I can do it justice.
Edorado for the win.
@Brickalili said:
"I’m sure Tudor Corner is well regarded but I can’t help but suspect this’ll be a landslide for El Dorado"
The battle of the baseplates!
The modulars are AFOL catnip and the Tudor Corner is in the conversation when it comes to which is the best. I like both but I expect this to be a comfortable win for the Tudor "Corner".
Tudor corner is an extremely well designed top 3 modular of all time while eldorado fortress has many quirks and compromises with its design ranging from excessive rockwork to awkward exposed areas to support the modular system. Easy choice for me.
I'm sure Eldorado Fortress is great for nostalgia but, since I was deep in my dark age, pirates do nothing for me. Tudor Corner, on the other hand, is simply the best modular for several years. Easy choice!
I have all the modulars except the Cafe Corner and Market Street. For me, Tudor Corner is the best modular there's been - even beating Parisian Restaurant and Boutique Hotel. As the advocate says, it has everything.
I coveted the pirates theme when I was a child, loved everything about it and the sets. However, Eldorado Fortress doesn't pull me in at all. I feel no need to own it, so for me this was an easy decision.
It has to be Tudor Corner.
Tough call, I loved the fort (it was one of my white whales as a kid), and the Tudor Corner has become my first modular purchase since the Boutique Hotel. As I’ve put it away for Christmas I guess I’ll have to vote for what I know.
Easily Tudor Corner. I don't get all these remakes that totally lacks the charm of the original set.
I found the Eldorado Fortress to be somewhat underwhelming, while the Tudor Corner is tied with the Parisian Restaurant as my favourite modular building, so this was an easy vote to cast.
I am a classic Pirates fan all the way and love the 10320 Eldorado Fortress remake.
But the only things that are better about the Eldorado Fortress are the play-ability and nostalgia for those of us who experienced the classic Pirates line.
Having said that, 10350 Tudor Corner is so well designed, easily mixes with other modular buildings, has superior build techniques, mixes different styles & color choices, and is an outstanding display piece.
Modulars do nothing for me. Easy choice.
@Al_S said:
"Never been that attracted to the modulars.
Love Pirates. So an easy choice"
10320 was an easy choice for me as well, but if I had the space, I would definitely be getting 10350. It's one of no less than nine modulars on my wanted list (not that I have the space or money for them, but a man can dream), and I'd rather have it than several of the other sets in this competition.
English pub vs french fortress:)
The Fortress. Childhood nostalgia for the Pirates perhaps, but its just more fun and better value for money too in my opinion.
This is like picking your favorite child. I canna do it, Claire.
Why does it have to be these two competing against each other!? For me this could be already the final duel. Really tough vote! I guess it has to be Tudor Corner though, since 10320 Eldorado Fortress is "just" a remake after all.
I don't own either of these, so I am completely unbiased...maybe not. I love Victorian architecture, so I went with Tudor Corner.
Tudor Corner easily for me. I think it is one of the best modulars. Eldorado Fortress is nice, but not worthy of the listing in greatest sets. I'm sure if I had an ounce of memories or love for pirates, my opinion would change, but I don't.
Pirates Rule, Arrrrr :)
Having grown up in the Golden Era of Pirates and having that original set, there was something about the new one that didn't click with me as much. Maybe my nostalgia isn't as strong as I thought. It is an awesome set, so I can't fault it for being in the running as one of the best.
The Modular is a neat option also. I like the variety in the shape/color. It just all works.
@kfr said:
"I haven't even read the pitches; that's how obvious this one is for me. But I won't tell you what I've voted for ;)"
I won't tell you whether or not that was the case for me. ;P
I just finished Tudor Corner and it is the only set that my family want me to keep out on display somewhere. Right away upon seeing it built, it brought back memories of past travels ("Hey that looks like the pub we went to...", from my father) so that's very telling about the quality of this modular.
But the building of this was so excellent and enjoyable, with so much NPU and techniques for the beams and plaster of the top floor walls. Nothing short of brilliant designing all around. Easy choice.
I find these two dramatically different sets to compare against each other like this. I've never heard anyone go "I love Eldorado Fortress, but I prefer the Tudor Corner"
I think this just boils down what appeals to you more, rather than compelling arguments underlying key features, value, quality, and techniques used.
I don't really collect the Modular sets, but I love Pirates which is why I bought the Eldorado Fortress, so naturally my vote went towards the Eldorado Fortress.
Hard choice indeed. But as I don't have this modular, and never saw it for real, and with a little push of nostalgia (as a kid borned in the 70's and who has been lucky enough to get the original as a birthday present) my choice goes to Eldorado fortress. Must say that as fond as I was and still am of the original, this reboot is stunning.
@SMC said:
" @Brickalili said:
"I’m sure Tudor Corner is well regarded but I can’t help but suspect this’ll be a landslide for El Dorado"
The battle of the baseplates!
The modulars are AFOL catnip and the Tudor Corner is in the conversation when it comes to which is the best. I like both but I expect this to be a comfortable win for the Tudor "Corner". "
See I don’t think its an easy challenge to overcome AFOL nostalgia; look at how often the various colours of Spacemen have taken the “Best Minifig” votes Brickset has had despite being fairly basic and lacking in the fancy printing everyone says they like. I’m expecting anything like El Dorado here or the Galaxy Explorer later to be fairly dominant
@MegaBlocks said:
"One is an original, the other is a remake."
Technically they're both remakes :-)
Reading at the comments, it looks like it is going to be very close. I own both of the sets but back in the days, I was into Classic Space. Even though, I'm now collecting all the possible remakes of Space, Castle and Pirates, there is very little nostalgia in there for me (for that theme). That said, if Pirates of Barracuda Bay 21322 would go against the Tudor Corner, I would vote for the Pirates set. As it stands now, I selected the Tudor corner but I admit It is a difficult choice - well those are the top 16, so in essence they are all great sets.
P.s. If I was trying to sell the Eldorado Fortress, I would mention that the new and improved version includes the boat from the Imperial Trading Post 6277 which increases the play value tremendously.
@Brickalili said:
" @SMC said:
" @Brickalili said:
"I’m sure Tudor Corner is well regarded but I can’t help but suspect this’ll be a landslide for El Dorado"
The battle of the baseplates!
The modulars are AFOL catnip and the Tudor Corner is in the conversation when it comes to which is the best. I like both but I expect this to be a comfortable win for the Tudor "Corner". "
See I don’t think its an easy challenge to overcome AFOL nostalgia; look at how often the various colours of Spacemen have taken the “Best Minifig” votes Brickset has had despite being fairly basic and lacking in the fancy printing everyone says they like. I’m expecting anything like El Dorado here or the Galaxy Explorer later to be fairly dominant"
Yeah and I agree in part as I have the set despite not being a huge pirate fan. But I think Space and Castle have a bigger following than pirates and the sets good but not perfect and its not a ship so...
and some of us have nostalgia for British pubs :)
We shall see and I assume @Huw will tell us the scale of the victory so we can see if either ran away with it or if we were both wrong.
Speaking of which @Huw is it too late to set up a competition, where we guess the results of each round and the winner gets all the sets :)
@Huw : the idea of people advocating for their favorite sets is great! I was sure for which set I am going to vote, but I'm not sure anymore.
Good job @Sammael and @lego_james ! It was pleasure to read you.
Modular buildings are fantastic, but ironically, I love that we've been moving in new and exciting directions by revisiting the past. My vote goes to the Fortress--and I was a Space kid (still am...) so that's not even really nostalgia talking.
Classic British pubs took a lot of my time, money, and youth in the '90s...
...but then, so did LEGO Pirates!
I don't own any of those and I must say I wasn't blown away with the Fortress and that the Tudor house is really spectacular. But still the choice rather hard. And to my own surprise I find that the fortress is more enchanting, have more things visible which are eye catching, while the Tudor house is 'just another square modular'. So my vote goes to the Fortress.
I own both, but went with Tudor Corner. A rare day one purchase (ordered 20 minutes after it was available online), I built it soon after it arrived, saving it from joining the backlog of unbuilt sets.
At least it wasn't it wasn't 10320 versus 10497. If that ends up happening in a later bracket, I don't know *what* I'll do.
@watcher21 said:
"English pub vs french fortress:)"
I feel the need to make a joke about Jean-Luc Picard...
Fortress for the win! Modulars are cool and all, but I don't consider them to be playsets. They don't have to be, but if you ask me which of any two sets is better, the one with the most play value usually wins. Play over display.
What modular set is inspiren by dutch streets?
I am from the Netherlands and nothing stands out to me.
This is going to be tough. I own both but haven't had a chance to actually build either yet. Don't know if my love for the Pirate theme can overtake the awesomeness of the Tudor Corner. I need to think on this a bit.
@legoverslinder said:
"What modular set is inspiren by dutch streets?
I am from the Netherlands and nothing stands out to me."
10190 Market Street, I would assume. Though not unique to the Netherlands, the top floor façade definitely resembles buildings in Amsterdam.
@TheOtherMike said:
"At least it wasn't it wasn't 10320 versus 10497. If that ends up happening in a later bracket, I don't know *what* I'll do.
"
I'd get a kick out of that, if the finals of "best set from the last 5 years" turned out to be sets from 40 years ago... Honestly, though, much as I love 10497, I don't think I could give it the victory, not against some of the others in this competition.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @legoverslinder said:
"What modular set is inspiren by dutch streets?
I am from the Netherlands and nothing stands out to me."
10190 Market Street, I would assume. Though not unique to the Netherlands, the top floor façade definitely resembles buildings in Amsterdam."
Cough....Factory.....cough....cough
@yellowcastle said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @legoverslinder said:
"What modular set is inspiren by dutch streets?
I am from the Netherlands and nothing stands out to me."
10190 Market Street, I would assume. Though not unique to the Netherlands, the top floor façade definitely resembles buildings in Amsterdam."
Cough....Factory.....cough....cough
"
It's still a modular building and a part of the modular building series, shown in official modular lineups and confirmed by designers over the years. Besides, Cafe Corner was an "Advanced Model", then they switched to Creator Expert with Palace Cinema, and finally Icons with the Police Station.
If anything, Market Street is more modular than others since its floors can be rotated and are all interchangeable ;)
@yellowcastle said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @legoverslinder said:
"What modular set is inspiren by dutch streets?
I am from the Netherlands and nothing stands out to me."
10190 Market Street, I would assume. Though not unique to the Netherlands, the top floor façade definitely resembles buildings in Amsterdam."
Cough....Factory.....cough....cough
"
Oh, knock it off and get a glass of water. Can't you see I'm trying to discuss large tracts of land?!
The quest rest on the edge of a knife.
Very difficult one to choose to be sure. Tudor represents my feelings about my sophisticated interlocking brick system hobby.
But, Eldorado baby! It's well designed with hidden paths, cranes, ships, and cannon! Pew, pew!
I have both sets, and didn't leave either on my want list for long, so this is a hard decision. Seems to me like a matchup that should have come later in the tournament--but since this is already the "Sweet 16," perhaps it's not so unreasonable.
Not a huge Pirates fan (and I would normally lean towards something resembling a castle set) ... however the modularity and neat recreation of a recreation of a beloved set (the Eldorado fortress) has to take the point for me.
I bought Tudor Corner on Day 1 and it’s certainly beautiful. But I have to be honest in that I probably would have waited if not for the GWP. I guess I have to go with El Dorado as it’s the closest I’m likely to ever get to my white whale 6277 Imperial Trading Post.
@Sammael said:
" @yellowcastle said:
" @CapnRex101 said:
" @legoverslinder said:
"What modular set is inspiren by dutch streets?
I am from the Netherlands and nothing stands out to me."
10190 Market Street, I would assume. Though not unique to the Netherlands, the top floor façade definitely resembles buildings in Amsterdam."
Cough....Factory.....cough....cough
"
It's still a modular building and a part of the modular building series, shown in official modular lineups and confirmed by designers over the years. Besides, Cafe Corner was an "Advanced Model", then they switched to Creator Expert with Palace Cinema, and finally Icons with the Police Station.
If anything, Market Street is more modular than others since its floors can be rotated and are all interchangeable ;)"
Whoa, it’s not fair to bring facts and/or well thought out points to my emotional if not tenuous hold on 10182 Cafe Corner as the chosen one.
I’ll accept LEGO retconning 10190 Market Street as a modular the moment everyone accepts 10191 Star Justice as Space Police 3. :o)
I can understand the nostalgia factor, but to me who never had any Pirates sets as a kid (I was a Classic Space guy through and through), the Tudor Corner is the superior set, so my vote goes to the Modular. I don't have it myself yet, but it's only a matter of time until I will get it. Imho the best Modular of the last five years.
Pirates FTW!
I’m not into Modulars/City or Pirates. Based not on affinity for either theme but purely on the aesthetics and design/construction of these two sets, I have to vote for Tudor Corner.
Not gonna vote on this one. While pretty, I'm not particularly interested in modular buildings myself, and even though I had the amazing original fortress, I'm not going give a vote to the rerelease, of which half of the components and building work consists of reconstructing a base plate. Eh.
The fact that these two sets are pitted against each other is a travesty.
@SwingTop said:
"Not gonna vote on this one. While pretty, I'm not particularly interested in modular buildings myself, and even though I had the amazing original fortress, I'm not going give a vote to the rerelease, of which half of the components and building work consists of reconstructing a base plate. Eh."
A baseplate that has an interior and can be reconfigured, I might point out.
I haven't seen this posted anywhere else yet, but if anyone is interested in comparing all the sets in one place, here's a quick query I made, sorted by ascending set number:
https://brickset.com/sets/query-11640
@bananaworld said:
"
I haven't seen this posted anywhere else yet, but if anyone is interested in comparing all the sets in one place, here's a quick query I made, sorted by ascending set number:
https://brickset.com/sets/query-11640
"
Brilliant! Thank you.
@Huw, Can you please include bananaworld’s link in all future discussions about and bouts of this competition?
@Zander said:
"
Brilliant! Thank you.
"
Glad you've found it useful!
Ideally, the 16 sets would get their own unique tag so anyone can see them in a list and sort them however they wish.
For now, here's a couple more queries of the same sets:
Ascending (UK) price:
https://brickset.com/sets/query-11641
Ascending number of pieces:
https://brickset.com/sets/query-11642
Ascending PPP (UK):
https://brickset.com/sets/query-11643
Queries are fun and more people should have a play with them :-)
I prefer the baseplate, but Eldorado Fortress is a fantastic revival.