10320 Eldorado Fortress available now
Posted by TheBrickPal,
10320 Eldorado Fortress is now available for VIPs on LEGO.com.
The 2,509-piece set retails for £189.99 / $214.99 / €214.99, and contains a gorgeous model for Pirates fans. You can read our review of it here.
No gift-with-purchase is being offered right now, unfortunately, but given that the set is likely to sell fast, I am sure not much extra convincing is needed to pull the trigger if you really want it!
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41 comments on this article
Must be patient as I've bought way too much lately. I will wait in hopes I can snag a decent GWP while the set is actually in stock.
Still shows as coming soon here in the US. Standing by.
Ill wait 4 a gwp. Any gwp!
I really like this set, but not up to the point that I would buy it on day 1 with no GWP available (unlike when 10305 was launched) or double VIP points… I'll be patient, especially with 43222 ordered (and hopefully soon on its way).
I'm ready to buy this, but like everyone else I'm waiting for a GWP. Which I can't imagine it won't be long until Lego announces one! So I'm holding out and being patient.
I'm sure there will be GWP this will be worth buying and potentially even with double VIP points. I'm still thinking about buying 2 of these sets because I have a feeling that there will be the MOC combining 2 and potentially more of this particular sets, creating something I was expecting this fortress should be right from the beginning.
Lego went a bit too close to the source material with this one imo, from afar it can be mistaken for the original. I prefer when they try to recreate how we thought the set looked (eg lion knights’ castle) rather than how it actually looked.
No nostalgia for pirates thankfully... still got Rivendell to get!
There are rumours that starting the 11th Europe will have the Blacktron GWP and Bionicle GWP. I'll hold off until then.
If there won't be GWP, I'll wait for it to hit wider distribution and buy for 70-80% MSRP. Moving apartments in September and won't have as much space anyways.
@Legonk said:
"Lego went a bit too close to the source material with this one imo, from afar it can be mistaken for the original. I prefer when they try to recreate how we thought the set looked (eg lion knights’ castle) rather than how it actually looked."
Maybe if you are a really long way from it, but there are many differences between the two. The baseplate is the obvious one, the inclusion of a ship instead of a rowing boat and the shape of the crane and both can be seen from even tiny grainy images. Although what is the problem if it does look like the original set? Isn't that the point of this one.
@CCC said:
" @Legonk said:
"Lego went a bit too close to the source material with this one imo, from afar it can be mistaken for the original. I prefer when they try to recreate how we thought the set looked (eg lion knights’ castle) rather than how it actually looked."
Maybe if you are a really long way from it, but there are many differences between the two. The baseplate is the obvious one, the inclusion of a ship instead of a rowing boat and the shape of the crane and both can be seen from even tiny grainy images. Although what is the problem if it does look like the original set? Isn't that the point of this one."
Nothing wrong with it, but I would have preferred it if they did something new with the old one as inspiration. As it is, it’s a good “remaster” but it’s not for me.
@Legonk I agree. I'd have much rather had a larger fort or at least better use of space than that giant unnecessary ramp. It was a flaw of the original and we didn't need it replicated. Indeed the amount of pieces wasted on basically recreating the raised baseplate is unfortunate. They could have made a different design with some landscaping but not like this.
Also, some people argue this brick-built rock 'raised baseplate' is better because it has caves and so forth. But how much of that is actually truly beneficial? What's the point of a skeleton stuck in a rock chances are you'll never see? Or a treasure room with very little treasure. The rum barrels are a nice idea but don't really add anything.
I'm really glad they added the merchant ship and made a reasonably historically accurate crane. But even the crane for example is let down by the supposed necessity to follow the original Eldorado Fortress to the letter. The tower supporting the crane should be larger, both for plausibility, stability, and it could have had more interior detail.
One thing that really bugs me is the Governor's Office, or rather wall with door and desk. Surely, Lego could have at least made a closed in hut for his office and, better still, given some interesting details beyond a desk and map. I also find it strange there's all this space underneath the 'fort' section, yet none of it is used for things like officer's quarters, armoury/magazine, any other interesting interior detail. The gaol is the only living space, and closed in room, in the whole fort!
Purchased at the stroke of midnight! I'm really looking forward to this set, meanwhile I'll be building Ninjago City while I await arrival.
@Brickchap said:
" @Legonk I agree. I'd have much rather had a larger fort or at least better use of space than that giant unnecessary ramp. It was a flaw of the original and we didn't need it replicated."
Disagree, I quite like the ramp, and find its recreation pretty charming. Good use of the round jumper tiles to provide attachment points which admittedly the moulded baseplates lacked.
It is an awesome rebuild. I have the original and we have to pick and choose what sets you spend ‘limited’ money on - so holding out for the gringotts bank and stark tower - this is £200 that will go towards one of those. I was hoping for a bigger fort which would be different (and make it a “must-have” and be able to create a bit of display - a line of fortifications with the smaller tower guard sets (Sabre island is it?) and the original. Am waiting for a new guards type ship. The massive guards galleon was during the dark ages (financially and interest wise) and it is a set I would love to get.
Ah, nothing like celebrating the United States’ independence from Great Britain by releasing a Spanish fortress manned by French troops.
@Legonk:
I’ve seen people complain that the Forestmen and Blacktron sets strayed too far from the source material. I’ve seen people complain that the Lion Knights’ castle didn’t look anything like any vintage set at all. I’ve seen people complain that this looks too much like the original set(s). And I’ve seen people praise all of these same sets for the same reasons. But it’s not like the police are leaning over your shoulder with handcuffs at the ready should you deviate from the instructions provided.
@PurpleDave said:
"I’ve seen people complain"
This is the common theme. Do what you want, enjoy it how you like.
@PurpleDave said: "I’ve seen people complain that the Forestmen and Blacktron sets ..."
Maybe this is why we didn't get "Classic" sets for so long, no matter what they did it was wrong.
@PurpleDave said:
"Ah, nothing like celebrating the United States’ independence from Great Britain by releasing a Spanish fortress manned by French troops."
It's fitting. Spain was fighting against Britain at the time, indirectly aiding the rebelling colonists, and France supplied direct aid which the United States would never have won independence without. Later, France sold the Louisiana Territory to the US, and Spain sold the US Florida.
Thus, the focus of the set is on French troops, and the Spanish fortress is more in the background. It's a tribute to the criminally unappreciated aid, direct or indirect, our country received to get off the ground in the first place.
@Norikins said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"Ah, nothing like celebrating the United States’ independence from Great Britain by releasing a Spanish fortress manned by French troops."
It's fitting. Spain was fighting against Britain at the time, indirectly aiding the rebelling colonists, and France supplied direct aid which the United States would never have won independence without. Later, France sold the Louisiana Territory to the US, and Spain sold the US Florida.
Thus, the focus of the set is on French troops, and the Spanish fortress is more in the background. It's a tribute to the criminally unappreciated aid, direct or indirect, our country received to get off the ground in the first place."
I will never forgive Spain for that.
Wish Lego would bring Pirates back as a full theme, with various ships available just like back in the golden days of piracy
This set is planned to retire December 2026, so plenty of.time to match with a future classic remake GWP.
@dimc said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"I’ve seen people complain"
This is the common theme. Do what you want, enjoy it how you like. "
I have to admit, I do my fair bit of moaning and bitching (mostly against Technic sets - still not over the 42113 debacle); but I am very (very) happy with what Lego did with: 21322, 10497, 10305, 40580, 40567 and 10320. Keep them coming, as a remaster or as a re-imagined, I will take them (eventually).
No display space and have the old one but damn it's tempting.
@essel When 10305 launched in europa 40567 was still available and stayed that way for a few days.
A few days later you could even get 40515 as a bonus.
Purchased this a few minutes before 12AM EST. Sounds like I am in the minority here, but I think this set looks great and I'm really looking forward to building it. I really hope they keep releasing the re-imagined sets, as 10497, 10305, 40567, 40580, and 21322 are some of my favorite sets over the past several years.
@classic_space17:
I do think it’s a great design, but I’m not at a point in life where the Pirate theme is high on my priority list.
@watcher21 said:
" @essel When 10305 launched in europa 40567 was still available and stayed that way for a few days.
A few days later you could even get 40515 as a bonus."
Actually that is what I meant (i.e. at least 10305 was available with a GWP), but I admit that my wording is ambiguous; I also meant that I bought the Castle directly as I was extremely excited to get it, even more so with a thematically-related GWP.
@classic_space17 said:
"Purchased this a few minutes before 12AM EST. Sounds like I am in the minority here, but I think this set looks great and I'm really looking forward to building it. I really hope they keep releasing the re-imagined sets, as 10497, 10305, 40567, 40580, and 21322 are some of my favorite sets over the past several years."
Same here -- can't agree more. I would be surprised if anybody had any issues with them. I guess my only issue is that some of those are GWPs.
It is a bit on the nose vs the original. But it still looks awesome and made my inner child happy like when the set was new way back when.
I won’t get it day one, but it is in the list. Pirates and Castle were my favorite themes for sure. Late 80s/early 90s was my favorite era of Lego
@dimc what exactly are you holding Spaniards who have been dead well over a century accountable for?
Wow, so many people jumping on Legonk from Sweden.. I thought they had a very nuanced point, it's not like they trashed the set in a "this sucks" sort of way, yet they were pounced on. Are you guys really that thirsty for nostalgic sets that even good criticism hurts you deep inside?
I think his/her point is probably hard to understand for a lot of people, but think about video games. When you think back to games you loved playing when you were younger and see them for the first time after many years the graphics usually look absurdly basic and it's surprising that they look so far from your memories. That's because your memories of how they seemed are filtered through then lens of what’s become current and familiar. The same goes for Lego sets, the old stuff tends to be so much more simple than we imagined. When it comes to recreating something nostalgic the Lion Knight’s castle towed the balance of making something look like what we remembered yet being up to standard of modern Lego. Had it been too modern it would have missed the point but if it looked too close to the original it would have been just ridiculously simple for a new set. The point here is that the castle set did a better job of balancing nostalgia versus modern expectations where this set strays a lot closer to a simplistic recreation of the original.
I'm waiting for a Sabre Island GWP before purchase.
@Norikins said:
" @PurpleDave said:
"Ah, nothing like celebrating the United States’ independence from Great Britain by releasing a Spanish fortress manned by French troops."
It's fitting. Spain was fighting against Britain at the time, indirectly aiding the rebelling colonists, and France supplied direct aid which the United States would never have won independence without. Later, France sold the Louisiana Territory to the US, and Spain sold the US Florida.
Thus, the focus of the set is on French troops, and the Spanish fortress is more in the background. It's a tribute to the criminally unappreciated aid, direct or indirect, our country received to get off the ground in the first place."
What are you some kind of Lafayette lover?
@Norikins said:"It's fitting. Spain was fighting against Britain at the time, indirectly aiding the rebelling colonists, and France supplied direct aid which the United States would never have won independence without. "
"We" (as in the Kingdom of Great Britain back then) were pretty much at war with everyone back then. And that is why the colonies were being taxed, to fund those wars. Although a couple of decades later, Britain was allies with the Spanish when Napoleon came along.
So I posted this comment in the Brickset review for the set, but thought I'd share it here since that news is a bit old at this point:
I’m a bit late to the conversation, but I feel like there is a bit of a historical precedent for the women soldiers thing. American history has severely known examples of women who acted against social convention and even law by disguising themselves as men to enter the armed forces. A prime example is Deborah Sampson, alias Robert Shirtliff, who fought in the American Revolution. It seems to me that where there have been a few such women throughout history, there have probably been even more that we don’t know about, and these figures can be seen to represent that.
I think it’s just throwing away $ at this point to buy any set Day 1. The pandemic got a lot of us worried about stock issues and FOMO on some sets, but lately everything has been in stock, and even popular sets return to stock relatively quickly. I’ll pick up this set with a double VIP or gift with purchase eventually.
@SearchlightRG said:
" @dimc what exactly are you holding Spaniards who have been dead well over a century accountable for?"
Selling Florida to the USA.
@RoboticJesus said:
"Wow, so many people jumping on Legonk from Sweden.. I thought they had a very nuanced point, it's not like they trashed the set in a "this sucks" sort of way, yet they were pounced on. Are you guys really that thirsty for nostalgic sets that even good criticism hurts you deep inside?
I think his/her point is probably hard to understand for a lot of people, but think about video games. When you think back to games you loved playing when you were younger and see them for the first time after many years the graphics usually look absurdly basic and it's surprising that they look so far from your memories. That's because your memories of how they seemed are filtered through then lens of what’s become current and familiar. The same goes for Lego sets, the old stuff tends to be so much more simple than we imagined. When it comes to recreating something nostalgic the Lion Knight’s castle towed the balance of making something look like what we remembered yet being up to standard of modern Lego. Had it been too modern it would have missed the point but if it looked too close to the original it would have been just ridiculously simple for a new set. The point here is that the castle set did a better job of balancing nostalgia versus modern expectations where this set strays a lot closer to a simplistic recreation of the original.
"
Your comparison to video games is spot on!
@dimc said:
" @SearchlightRG said:
" @dimc what exactly are you holding Spaniards who have been dead well over a century accountable for?"
Selling Florida to the USA. "
And this upsets you…why?
@MrKoshka said:
"Still shows as coming soon here in the US. Standing by. "
Shows available in the U.S. now
Another site said the Blackton spaceship will be making a GWP return later this month, so I'll be waiting to see if that holds true.