Random set of the day: The Lonely Mountain
Posted by Huwbot,
Today's random set is 79018 The Lonely Mountain, released during 2014. It's one of 6 The Hobbit sets produced that year. It contains 866 pieces and 5 minifigs, and its retail price was US$129.99 / £99.99, which equates to about US$179 / £140 in today's money.
It's owned by 4,869 Brickset members. If you want to add it to your collection you should find it for sale at Brick Owl, BrickLink, where new ones sell for around $776.00, or eBay.
108 likes
61 comments on this article
Double Middle-earth!!!
This was such a cool set. The Smaug figure's awesome. Also love the play features that are included (like the Hidden Door).
Heh, that's funny.
I've got this one. Smaug was one of the cooler molded dragons thanks to his rubbery wings, letting you fold and unfurl them in a much more convincing way than the Ninjago dragons of a few years prior. The mine itself is a bit basic, but I combined it with the one from Fantasy Era Castle to create an impressive dwarf digging project.
@BabuBrick said:
"Double Middle-earth!!!
This was such a cool set. The Smaug figure's awesome. Also love the play features that are included (like the Hidden Door)."
Yep, double ME or double Tolkien. I soooo wanted this set. It’s a set that escaped me and flew away.
I love this set, I never got the hate.
Probably the best dragon LEGO has ever done
I remember learning about this moment in history class back in school. New Zealand history is awesome.
@GSR_MataNui said:
"Heh, that's funny.
I've got this one. Smaug was one of the cooler molded dragons thanks to his rubbery wings, letting you fold and unfurl them in a much more convincing way than the Ninjago dragons of a few years prior. The mine itself is a bit basic, but I combined it with the one from Fantasy Era Castle to create an impressive dwarf digging project. "
Funnier still, years ago someone showed me the wings, and I swore they were from a clone brand because they were so unlike anything TLG has ever released. But I own the set! I just haven't opened it yet, so I'd never seen the actual dragon before.
I lost interest in the movies after the second one, but I'll admit that that's a cool set. I wouldn't mind having it; that Smaug is pretty cool.
Middle Earth Double Feature!
It's really quite sad how things turned out for The Hobbit, both the films and the Lego theme. Never really a chance at Bert, Tom, or Bill figures, or Bolg, or the awesome armored Ringwraiths from Battle of the Five Armies.
@Maxbricks14 said:
"I remember learning about this moment in history class back in school. New Zealand history is awesome."
Ah yes, my favorite history class ;)
@BabuBrick said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
"I remember learning about this moment in history class back in school. New Zealand history is awesome."
Ah yes, my favorite history class ;)"
Wait, you guys learn that in history class? Just like how we learn about cars chasing each other through the wasteland fighting over the last drops of oil after the apocalypse?
Hoh boy sealed copies of this have really skyrocketed in value.
@TheOtherMike said:
"I lost interest in the movies after the second one, but I'll admit that that's a cool set. I wouldn't mind having it; that Smaug is pretty cool."
Did you work for TT Games?
@SearchlightRG said:
"Never really a chance at...the awesome armored Ringwraiths from Battle of the Five Armies."
For a second there I thought you were suggesting that they managed to slip those guys into the chaotic battle scene outside Erebor in the Battle of the Five Armies (event), before I realized you were referencing a different scene altogether in Battle of the Five Armies (movie). Yeah, old Ringwraith, ghost Witch-King, and new Ringwraith is all we currently have. Crazy how they haven't capitalized more on those guys. Also, did we at any point actually see all nine of them in the same scene, prior to Mr. Angmar showing up in RotK with that fancy helmet, or was he potentially being held in reserve for the final film of the LotR trilogy?
I didn't know they made LOTR playsets! I guess the next hour of my time is occupied lol
@RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
" @BabuBrick said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
"I remember learning about this moment in history class back in school. New Zealand history is awesome."
Ah yes, my favorite history class ;)"
Wait, you guys learn that in history class? Just like how we learn about cars chasing each other through the wasteland fighting over the last drops of oil after the apocalypse?"
Isn’t that current affairs?
I remember seeing this set in set in the catalog. I liked it, although admittedly I was more taken by the lower and medium priced sets. Of course, I only got one, and it wasn't even the one I had wanted for my birthday. I liked a couple of the sets for LotR/Hobbit, but most of my money went to Ninjago at the time.
I would love to see a return to Tolkien playsets, but I doubt that will happen at this point. Regardless, Smaug was really cool. I don't think I even watched Battle of the Five Armies until two or three years after it came out either... We did watch Desolation though, and I think saw the trailer for Frozen..? My memory isn't perfect on that.
This was a fun set. A little overpriced, but Smaug was a decent character, and the aftermarket price for him has certainly made the initial cost seem reasonable.
But I would still argue that the temple design is pretty well done. I would say this was the second-best design from the Hobbit sets, with only BagEnd really outshining it. This had iconic looks, great colors, decent play features, and then the figs and dragon to top it all off.
@PurpleDave said:
"Also, did we at any point actually see all nine of them in the same scene, prior to Mr. Angmar showing up in RotK with that fancy helmet, or was he potentially being held in reserve for the final film of the LotR trilogy?"
Weren't all nine of them present at Weathertop in FotR? And the subsequent chase through the woods with Arwen, leading up the river? Or were there only 5 or 6 of them there? It's been a while so my memory's a bit hazy. Also I thought Mr. Angmar was the one who stabbed Frodo at Weathertop, at least in the film.
Anyways, this was an ok set, and I liked the minifig selection. Smaug was quite the awesome figure, though I wasn't a huge fan of the extra-special (read: unique) molds, besides the wings. However, with all the talk about brittle Dark Red in the past few days, if I owned this set I would be absolutely terrified of touching Smaug today, for fear of him disintegrating into plastic splinters. I reckon a good (or even not-so-good) squeeze would probably end it. So much for "my scales are shields."
Without the background shown on the box the scene looks lacking. I've always felt like that in sets like this one. Some kind of printed background, as in advent calenders would be nice.
Funny, I actually misread the title as
The LOVELY mountain.
What a set that would have been.
;-)
In any case I don't understand the aftermarket prices for this. Most of the pieces included are rather basic, and even the rarer ones are very cheap on Bricklink even in New condition.
Then there's the minifigs, which are also quite basic. No arm or leg printing whatsoever, and the torso prints are ok, but nothing to write home about.
Only the dragon is kind of nice, but is it really that desirable?
I had the set in my hands in the store back in the day, looked at the contents and the price, thought Meh, and put it back on the shelf.
Even considering the current price levels I have no regrets not getting it back then.
Some interesting play features and the like in there, would well as an interior for 7036
Is huwbot telling us today is the day for an official reveal of a certain Lord of the Rings set?
I still think the SMaug as good as it looks, its WAY too round for Lego animal.
Never saw it discouned so sadly never bought it
The Lonely Mountain: Like a Boss.
@AustinPowers said:
"Only the dragon is kind of nice, but is it really that desirable?"
Yes, Smaug is very desirable. In the past few years I have sold two, for £580 in total. The dilemma now is open sealed sets to sell individual figures or keep them sealed.
The first Smaug I sold, I let it go for £50 back in 2014. I bought multiple sets at £50 each and thought getting that back for just Smaug was a good sale.
@RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
"Wait, you guys learn that in history class? Just like how we learn about cars chasing each other through the wasteland fighting over the last drops of oil after the apocalypse?"
Um.
Isn't that, literally, just today?
@ACubeInABox said:"Probably the best dragon LEGO has ever done"
Of course, dragons that are mostly made of pieces that can only be used to build dragons (or other fantasy beasties) and dragons made of general-use bricks and plates (such as 31161) are in separate categories, although most Ninjago dragons straddle that line.
@Kynareth said:
" @RaiderOfTheLostBrick said:
" @BabuBrick said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
"I remember learning about this moment in history class back in school. New Zealand history is awesome."
Ah yes, my favorite history class ;)"
Wait, you guys learn that in history class? Just like how we learn about cars chasing each other through the wasteland fighting over the last drops of oil after the apocalypse?"
Isn’t that current affairs?"
That's what I was going to ask!
He is plastic. He is death.
@PurpleDave said:
" @GSR_MataNui said:
"Heh, that's funny.
I've got this one. Smaug was one of the cooler molded dragons thanks to his rubbery wings, letting you fold and unfurl them in a much more convincing way than the Ninjago dragons of a few years prior. The mine itself is a bit basic, but I combined it with the one from Fantasy Era Castle to create an impressive dwarf digging project. "
Funnier still, years ago someone showed me the wings, and I swore they were from a clone brand because they were so unlike anything TLG has ever released. But I own the set! I just haven't opened it yet, so I'd never seen the actual dragon before."
That’s funny in a weird way. I also have the set, have never opened it and have not seen the LEGO Smaug in person, only online. I bought it from a LEGO store back in the day not as an investment but for my display collection, especially Smaug. I do still intend to open it. I’m just not sure when.
This was a great set but caused me a lot of stress at the time. It was never on offer so i kept putting off buying it, all of a sudden Hobbit sets were 25-50% off in Smyths, of course sold out of this one. I tried about 4 stores and suddenly realised it was retiring, no stock anywhere, TRU was still about, sold out, Lego.com out of stock, I did manage to get one from Argos Home delivery which meant paying RRP+Delivery but it was a bit of a panic.
A goated set actually.
@Lego34s said:
"This was a great set but caused me a lot of stress at the time. It was never on offer so i kept putting off buying it, all of a sudden Hobbit sets were 25-50% off in Smyths, of course sold out of this one. I tried about 4 stores and suddenly realised it was retiring, no stock anywhere, TRU was still about, sold out, Lego.com out of stock, I did manage to get one from Argos Home delivery which meant paying RRP+Delivery but it was a bit of a panic."
Looking at my old emails, ASDA had them at £50 in October 2014 and then again in May 2015.
This is among those sets that is firmly in the "I really wish I hadn't missed that one" box. It's way too expensive now, even second hand. Maybe when I win the lottery...
@PurpleDave said:
" @GSR_MataNui said:
"Heh, that's funny.
I've got this one. Smaug was one of the cooler molded dragons thanks to his rubbery wings, letting you fold and unfurl them in a much more convincing way than the Ninjago dragons of a few years prior. The mine itself is a bit basic, but I combined it with the one from Fantasy Era Castle to create an impressive dwarf digging project. "
Funnier still, years ago someone showed me the wings, and I swore they were from a clone brand because they were so unlike anything TLG has ever released. But I own the set! I just haven't opened it yet, so I'd never seen the actual dragon before."
I also didn't open mine, but the box later got water damaged... :(
Best Dragon ever, really wish Lego would give us more Hobbit sets
Cool set, but I personally prefer the Fantasy Era dwarf mine. Atvthe time this was veeery expensive and that only got worse so I never gave it a good look. It's decent as a depiction of the scene, but it feels like it tries to do too much at once.
The 'pile of gold' that's a casket with more storage room underneath is fum though. Not the best representation of the scene, but fun nonetheless.
And yeah, that smaug is the ultimate evolution of the dragon design used since Fantasy Era Castle.
@BLProductions said:
"
Anyways, this was an ok set, and I liked the minifig selection. Smaug was quite the awesome figure, though I wasn't a huge fan of the extra-special (read: unique) molds, besides the wings. However, with all the talk about brittle Dark Red in the past few days, if I owned this set I would be absolutely terrified of touching Smaug today, for fear of him disintegrating into plastic splinters. I reckon a good (or even not-so-good) squeeze would probably end it. So much for "my scales are shields.""
Thanks for unlocking that fear in me!
I have only encountered 3 instances of 'Brittle Brown', a dark red wedge plate in 8019, a 2x2 plate in 10237 and a 2x4 in this very set!
Which considering a BIG chunk of my collection is from those years (including all the LOTR) means I have been very fortunate.
I dread the day when more of it starts to crumble, or it affects something that cant be replaced (such as Smaug!)
though saying that,
Do we know when the brittle-ness started to affect bricks (as obviously werent brittle out of the box, was it after 1 year/2 years etc...)? as most of my sets during that time have been played with or rebuilt a few times over the years without much issue (only the 3 mentioned above) does this imply the rest is potentially safe-ish from brittleness?
@bnic99 said:
" @BLProductions said:
"
Anyways, this was an ok set, and I liked the minifig selection. Smaug was quite the awesome figure, though I wasn't a huge fan of the extra-special (read: unique) molds, besides the wings. However, with all the talk about brittle Dark Red in the past few days, if I owned this set I would be absolutely terrified of touching Smaug today, for fear of him disintegrating into plastic splinters. I reckon a good (or even not-so-good) squeeze would probably end it. So much for "my scales are shields.""
Thanks for unlocking that fear in me!
I have only encountered 3 instances of 'Brittle Brown', a dark red wedge plate in 8019 , a 2x2 plate in 10237 and a 2x4 in this very set!
Which considering a BIG chunk of my collection is from those years (including all the LOTR) means I have been very fortunate.
I dread the day when more of it starts to crumble, or it affects something that cant be replaced (such as Smaug!)
though saying that,
Do we know when the brittle-ness started to affect bricks (as obviously werent brittle out of the box, was it after 1 year/2 years etc...)? as most of my sets during that time have been played with or rebuilt a few times over the years without much issue (only the 3 mentioned above) does this imply the rest is potentially safe-ish from brittleness?"
My brother's copy of Riddles for the Ring had a dark red Bilbo Baggins torso that was cracked within a year or so, maybe less if I remember correctly. I had a brown steam loco MOC from 2016 that was being taken apart last year, and I found several parts that had cracked / disintegrated while it was originally built that I was unaware of back then. It eventually looked like a locomotive boiler explosion had occurred when it as all apart... it was a mess!
@Zander said:
"That’s funny in a weird way. I also have the set, have never opened it and have not seen the LEGO Smaug in person, only online. I bought it from a LEGO store back in the day not as an investment but for my display collection, especially Smaug. I do still intend to open it. I’m just not sure when."
Even on the rare occasion when I do buy as an investment, I don’t _really_ buy as an investment. I bought nearly the entire Middle Earth run (excluding the convention exclusive minifigs, and Rivendell) because I wanted to collect them. Built the SDCC Bag End, I believe.
@bnic99 said:
"Do we know when the brittle-ness started to affect bricks (as obviously werent brittle out of the box, was it after 1 year/2 years etc...)? as most of my sets during that time have been played with or rebuilt a few times over the years without much issue (only the 3 mentioned above) does this imply the rest is potentially safe-ish from brittleness?"
@AustinPowers knows around when the Brittle Brown problem started. I know it does take a few years from when they’re molded for the symptoms to manifest, but not how many. If they’re at least ten years old and haven’t shown any degradation, though, I think you’re in the clear.
Is this the first time we’ve gotten double LOTR-related RxOTD?
Regardless, the Dr. Starange dragon is really awesome.
I swear I’m the only Hobbit Trilogy fan in the world but as a kid I wasn’t and now these sets cost like a million times more on the aftermarket despite the movies having zero cultural impact.
@Trigger_ said:
"I swear I’m the only Hobbit Trilogy fan in the world but as a kid I wasn’t and now these sets cost like a million times more on the aftermarket despite the movies having zero cultural impact."
I would consider myself a fan of the Hobbit films,
Sure they arent as good as they could have been, and dont reach the height of LOTR.
but they are still solid films for what they are.
@MCLegoboy said:
"He is plastic. He is death."
Considering the plastic he's made of, though, the death will be his own.
Is it sad that I can't afford to open my sealed LOTR sets?
@PurpleDave said:
" @Zander said:
"That’s funny in a weird way. I also have the set, have never opened it and have not seen the LEGO Smaug in person, only online. I bought it from a LEGO store back in the day not as an investment but for my display collection, especially Smaug. I do still intend to open it. I’m just not sure when."
Even on the rare occasion when I do buy as an investment, I don’t _really_ buy as an investment. I bought nearly the entire Middle Earth run (excluding the convention exclusive minifigs, and Rivendell) because I wanted to collect them. Built the SDCC Bag End, I believe.
@bnic99 said:
"Do we know when the brittle-ness started to affect bricks (as obviously werent brittle out of the box, was it after 1 year/2 years etc...)? as most of my sets during that time have been played with or rebuilt a few times over the years without much issue (only the 3 mentioned above) does this imply the rest is potentially safe-ish from brittleness?"
@AustinPowers knows around when the Brittle Brown problem started. I know it does take a few years from when they’re molded for the symptoms to manifest, but not how many. If they’re at least ten years old and haven’t shown any degradation, though, I think you’re in the clear."
They are brittle brown - I have exprienced it - more worrying they are brittle dark red, dark green and pearl gold.... So be ultra careful with some of the minifigs - I've had to replace arms on a couple..
@Trigger_ said:
"I swear I’m the only Hobbit Trilogy fan in the world but as a kid I wasn’t and now these sets cost like a million times more on the aftermarket despite the movies having zero cultural impact."
I actually prefer them to LotR…
@Boettner_Builds said:
" @Trigger_ said:
"I swear I’m the only Hobbit Trilogy fan in the world but as a kid I wasn’t and now these sets cost like a million times more on the aftermarket despite the movies having zero cultural impact."
I actually prefer them to LotR…
"
The hobbit films being ok is a respectable opinion,
Them being better than LOTR (the greatest film trilogy of all time)??
Respectfully, you are wrong
I got really lucky and got Smaug in a bulk lot that had no pictures. Not enough of the set and minifigures to complete it, but I was really happy to get Smaug. He was worth what I paid for the lot at the time. Probably more now.
@Boettner_Builds said:
" @Trigger_ said:
"I swear I’m the only Hobbit Trilogy fan in the world but as a kid I wasn’t and now these sets cost like a million times more on the aftermarket despite the movies having zero cultural impact."
I actually prefer them to LotR…"
Well that makes, um, got everyone in the back row…one of us? Yup, just one person.
I never got around to building this set - I picked up the last one from the old LEGO store at Rockefeller before Christmas 2014 and got 10% off as it had a hole in the front of the box. Literally listed it on ebay yesterday.
@bnic99 said:
" @Boettner_Builds said:
" @Trigger_ said:
"I swear I’m the only Hobbit Trilogy fan in the world but as a kid I wasn’t and now these sets cost like a million times more on the aftermarket despite the movies having zero cultural impact."
I actually prefer them to LotR…
"
The hobbit films being ok is a respectable opinion,
Them being better than LOTR (the greatest film trilogy of all time)??
Respectfully, you are wrong"
I never said they were better, just I like them more. I saw the Hobbits in the theater, but didn’t see LotR in the theater. But I ABSOLUTELY love Martin Freeman as Bilbo.
And... 100 likes!
" @Boettner_Builds said:
I saw the Hobbits in the theater, but didn’t see LotR in the theater. But I ABSOLUTELY love Martin Freeman as Bilbo."
I really enjoy the Hobbit movies, and Martin Freeman is a major part of that. He was made for that role! He does such a great job from beginning to end.
@drbaggy said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @Zander said:
"That’s funny in a weird way. I also have the set, have never opened it and have not seen the LEGO Smaug in person, only online. I bought it from a LEGO store back in the day not as an investment but for my display collection, especially Smaug. I do still intend to open it. I’m just not sure when."
Even on the rare occasion when I do buy as an investment, I don’t _really_ buy as an investment. I bought nearly the entire Middle Earth run (excluding the convention exclusive minifigs, and Rivendell) because I wanted to collect them. Built the SDCC Bag End, I believe.
@bnic99 said:
"Do we know when the brittle-ness started to affect bricks (as obviously werent brittle out of the box, was it after 1 year/2 years etc...)? as most of my sets during that time have been played with or rebuilt a few times over the years without much issue (only the 3 mentioned above) does this imply the rest is potentially safe-ish from brittleness?"
@AustinPowers knows around when the Brittle Brown problem started. I know it does take a few years from when they’re molded for the symptoms to manifest, but not how many. If they’re at least ten years old and haven’t shown any degradation, though, I think you’re in the clear."
They are brittle brown - I have exprienced it - more worrying they are brittle dark red, dark green and pearl gold.... So be ultra careful with some of the minifigs - I've had to replace arms on a couple..
"
I'm not exactly sure when it started, but I would probably guess at least 2012 if not earlier. Majority of my experiences involve brittle brown, dark red, and gold, but I have also seen it with dark blue and dark green. I did have a couple of blue parts crumble, but those were from a used lot and I don't know the extent of abuse they faced.
@BabuBrick said:
[[[[ @Boettner_Builds said:
I saw the Hobbits in the theater, but didn’t see LotR in the theater. But I ABSOLUTELY love Martin Freeman as Bilbo.]]
I really enjoy the Hobbit movies, and Martin Freeman is a major part of that. He was made for that role! He does such a great job from beginning to end.]]
I didn't even bother seeing The Battle of the Five Armies, but I will definitely agree that Freeman was perfectly cast. I loved him as Arthur Dent (another everyman-caught-up-in-events-much-bigger-than-anything-he'd-ever-dreamed-about role), too.
What i wouldn't give for a brick-built Smaug. GIGANTIC.
@WokePope said:
"Hoh boy sealed copies of this have really skyrocketed in value."
Surprisingly, the tail tip piece is currently valued at $160, more than the price of all of the rest of the elements in the dragon put together...
@Zoniax said:
"What i wouldn't give for a brick-built Smaug. GIGANTIC."
In the same style as the huge T-Rex from the Jurassic park gate set from a few years back would be amazing...come to think of it, including a mini-scale piece of Tokyo or 'Frisco with the Godzilla set would be great as well...
@Good_Username said:
"I didn't know they made LOTR playsets! I guess the next hour of my time is occupied lol"
Top tier ragebait right here.
" @TheOtherMike said:
I didn't even bother seeing The Battle of the Five Armies, but I will definitely agree that Freeman was perfectly cast."
Understandable. The last two movies were pretty messy.