One of the best castle sets ever
Posted by
Gus263
in Brazil
on
25 August 2008
6085- BLACK MONARCH'S CASTLE
(part two)
This is the second (and last) part of my review about the set 6085 (Black Monarch's castle). As I said before, this set includes many useful contents and feature a nice design, though the color scheme is simple. The building of this set is complex, but with instructions it can be made easily. The 665 pieces included makes this set a great and classic set.
Building steps (part 1, the back of the castle):
In the first steps of the building, this set uses as base two baseplates with size of 16X16 studs. Above, the two baseplates are connected by two 2X1 bricks with hole, which uses as connection a gray technic pin. This technic pin connects very well the baseplates, making it playable and hard to dismantle when playing. The first bricks to make the castle structure are putted after, above the baseplate. On the back of each baseplate, some slope bricks are used to make the walls that will later help to make the back of the castle. Some bricks are used to connect some black panels on it's back, completing the walls of the back of the castle. At the sides, more black bricks will make the walls, and these makes the 1X4 hinge bricks stay a bit hidden. At the back, some slope bricks finish the structure of the walls, and by extension complete the connection of the two baseplates, strengthening the connection, and the whole set.
Yet in the back of the castle, a wall increase it inside, making it a bit assymetric (not outside, but inside), but increasing the building and playability. This part of the back uses exactly eight panel pieces to make the walls, but these pieces are even increased by some gray colored plates (with divergences in sizes, but with sizes like 1X2 studs to 1X10 studs). At the external sides of the wall, (in each side), two torch pieces increases the design of the set, exactly being used as torchs (it is obvious).
The building of the castle turrets begins above the corners of the wall, using two 3X6 plates without corners (two in each corner of the walls) as the main bases of the turrets, and after, one 3X3X6 panel wall (one in each turret) makes the structure of the turrets recognizable. After it, more panel walls makes the turret's structure, and a space to put the minifigure inside the turret increases even more the playability (the space that left over to put a minifigure inside each turret is exactly a space of 4X4 studs). In the first floor (above the baseplates), a cage can be built, using as base a space of 6X6 in a baseplate, and using a panel as wall. It have a barred door, where the minifigure can hold (with the "hands"), and as the teat, this "cage" uses a 6X8 black plate. The "cage" is connected in the wall by a sequence of double slope bricks (inverted). This "cage" (at least the door makes it looks like a cage, and the space inside, too) add more playability and details to the set. Now, at the second floor once again, the building continues, making some "windows" with arch pieces, above a part of the walls, between the turrets. These windows are increased by some 1X2 bricks above, adding a reallistic design to the castle, and making it very creative too. Above the panels of the turrets, the building continues with more 3X6 plates without corners, and above these, some inverted slope bricks and 2X2 corner round bricks increases the design. The turrets are later finished by some bricks above, adding details and a cool-looking design to the set. You have to note that some panel pieces aren't only black, because some have printed details.
Building steps (part 2, the front of the castle):
This part of the set is a bit more detailed (though the back of the castle have some notable details like the turrets, windows, the "cage" and walls), because it have the gate and the structure to support it. As the central part of the set (central part because you can divide the back corners of the castle, making a wall in the place of a castle. If you make it, this will be the center), this part uses as main base a 16X32 green baseplate. This baseplate is connected with the other two (other two wich are used in the back of the castle) by some bricks. This connection is a bit more weak than a connection using bricks with holes and technic pins, but don't dismantle easily too, because in each side, two hinge bricks connects (the hinge brick used as top, and the used as base). It also can makes the parts of the back divides, making a wall in place of a castle. To increase this part, there are some more slope pieces, that will later be completed by bricks. The front of the castle can be a bit more recognized when the part under the gate is being built. Some panels occupies the incomplete (incomplete until you use the panels) spaces between some slope bricks, increasing the set. Also, some slope bricks are used focused to inside the castle, adding more details to it.
After it, some hinge bricks connects again the two parts of the set, and can also divides it, making a wall. It add more resistance (and by extension, playability) to the whole set, and don't affects the design, because some plates are used above. Next to the part that the gate will be made, two slope bricks "create" the structure of an arch. Adding some bricks and 1X2 plates, it turn more recognizable. Turned into the castle, (and at the same time, strengthening the part that will later makes the gate), some 1X1 plates with horizontal clips (exactly one in each side) connects two spears (one in each side again), just to add a complex style to the design of the set. The structure turns more recognizable when more panels are putted above the base made by the slope bricks (located at the front of the castle). These panels are connected with the part next to the gate by more gray plates. These are by extension, even more increased by black bricks, adding more medieval looking, and making the front of the castle more compatible with the turrets (not in shape, but in terms of design and color scheme). At the front, some inverted slope bricks, combined with more black regular bricks abuse of the creativity, adding more reallistic details to the castle. And above the gate, there is being formed another structure, a big turret (but more than a simple turret, this features many details).
At each side of the structure, there is a sufficient space to put many minifigures, exactly, in each side it have space of 5X4 studs. In each side, after it, one slope brick, increased by more plates and bricks. This part also have plates with horizontal clips, but at this time, connecting a sword and a battle axe (but you can connect any weapon). In the same structure, each side is increased by panels, when the front is increased by more bricks and plates (with different color schemes, and shapes). These makes some "medieval windows" with retangular shape, and combined with the other part of the structure, this big turret looks like a face (not really a expressive face, but at least, it is very well detailed). The "face" is later increased by two arch pieces, above the region that is the equivalent of the "eyes" (in the castle, these are the windows of the front). This "face" in the front of the castle is finally finished when a combination among hinge plates is putted above its "mouth" (this "mouth" is made by a inverted double slope brick combinated with two 2X1 slope bricks). It will later makes its "nose", when it will be connected with the flag. But now, at the fourth floor (above this "face", there is a fourth floor), using some plates (plates with different shapes, including two "wing" plates) as base, there is also the system to open and close the gate. The gate is very well made, using only plates, and not only a piece (in castle sets before this time, is common to use only one or two pieces as gate).
The gate is connected by a string (putted in the middle of the 3X2 plate with hole, used in the gate) which is connected in the castle passing through a 2X1 brick with hole, and later being fitted in a technic wheel. After it, there is another gate, that can open like a bridge. This is connected in the castle by a piece which is commonly used as a joust spear (in this case, it supports the first gate of the castle, a creative use). The first gate is also made by more than just one or two pieces, it is made by at least nine plates. To open or close this gate is very easy, you only have to spin the technic wheel in clockwise. This fourth floor is later finished by some bricks, adding to the castle a medieval looking, basically making another turret. After this step, the castle have only some details added, like the flags (located in the turrets of the back, in the "nose" of the front of the castle, and in each side of the castle's main tower). Also, the castle have added one brick 1X2 in each side of the main arch, these are putted in vertical position because are connected by bricks with headlights (one in each side). But it is just to add more details to the design. This set have too a small barrel piece where you can put some weapons (this set have exactly 4 battleaxes, 7 swords! 4 arrow quivers, 4 arrows with bows, 6 lances! 10 shields and 3 spears).
Playability:
Altough this set don't have a catapult, it is very cool to play with. The two gates can be opened easily and by a creative system, this set have 12 minifigures, 10 shields and 28 weapons (useful for the castle theme). Also, this set have four horses, that can be equipped with accessories, and includes many helmets and "plumes" to increase the helmets. These useful contents can add to this set a great playability. And it isn't all, this castle can divide the two baseplates used as bases of the castle's back, making a great wall (not very great, but with a great space to the 12 minifigures). It is hard to dismantle, so don't hesitate to play with this set (if you have, of course, or if you have at least an opportunity to play with this set). The set also features a "cage" (at least, this gray door inside suggests that it is a kind of cage, but you can play with the set as you like). Summarizing, the playability of this set is great.
And also, a interesting fact is that this set shows a playability and building a bit similar with the set 6080 (King's castle, from the lion knights subtheme), though the color scheme is different. But both sets (6085 and 6080) are very different in some terms, and both are without doubts, classic sets. Now, more about the playability of this set: This set have some alternative models shown at the box's back. One is a flagship, other is a small fort with space to "play joust" with the knights, and the other is a bridge between to towers. I couldn't find any instruction of these alternate models, but of course you can create your own castle, or use this to increase it.
Pros and Cons:
Here are the basic Pros and Cons about this set:
Pros:
includes 12 minifigures
lots of weapons and accessories
the castle don't dismantle easily
full of playability
nice design
includes 665 useful pieces
Cons:
none
Overall:
As I said in the first part of this review (this review have two parts, this is the second), this set is very hard to find now (this set was released in 1988, exactly 20 years ago), but you can find it in websites like bricklink and ebay, by a price by approx $90. Not very cheap for a set with 665 pieces, because it is rare, but worth completely the money. If you find this set more cheaper, and by extension, easy to get, don't hesitate! Get this chance! I recommend it.
So, overall, this set is a nice set, to collect, play with, use the pieces in creations and it have basically none problem. If you are a Lego collector, or a Lego castle fan, this set is a great addition, a "flawless castle". It deserves without doubt a five out of five. 5/5
Hope you enjoyed the review, so if you have any comment about the review, please contact me :)
Thanks if you took time to read!
7 out of 8 people thought this review was helpful.
Did you find this review helpful?
