6046 - Hemlock Stronghold

Rating:
Pros: I think it is the best forestmen set of this year (though it doesn't contain the forest chick like the Bandit Ambush does).
Cons: None. For the size of the set, it has everything it should.
Contents: 213 pieces including 5 figures
Price: $21.99 - Discontinued
Reviewed: 16-Jul-1996
Reviewed by: Joseph Gonzalez

The Black Knight's armies have always posed a sinister threat to King Archibald's peaceful land; but now, with the possibility of allying themselves with the Dragon Master wizards, the king has no alternative but to seek some agreement with the mysterious rangers of the dark forest. It is on that quest for assistance that two soldiers find themselves. Now two weeks in the woods with no sign of habitations and no contact made, the two specially appointed Royal Knights are almost ready to turn back when upon finding a clearing with a working water well, the soldiers stop to drink. The tired warriors' rest is stopped short as they feel the narrow point of cold arrowheads held firmly at the back of their necks!

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After being more than let down with a larger set of this theme (I won't name names but the set number is 6079) I was very pleased with the Hemlock Stronghold. It is a small-to-medium set but consists of a sturdy tower for the forestmen to hang out in, a small catapult at the top of the tower for defense and a larger swiveling catapult on the side. Mind you, this structure won't stand up to a large scale attack but for one thing you can't wage too large an attack in a thick forest. Second, I'm figuring that strongholds like this are so deeply ensconced in the forest that the attacking soldiers are so tired or disoriented from a long march that they are not able to fight too well in confined wooded areas anyway. Also, it could be that these small towers serve as lookout posts a small distance from a larger headquarters (much, much larger than the Dark Forest Fortress). The set also contains a handcart to haul a treasure chest and the little cart comprises a few flat pieces and two tiny wheels.
The set includes two forestmen, two royal guards, and a skeleton. Personally, I don't see much need for a skeleton, it just seems Lego is over-promoting them with one in every other set. What next, a skeleton with Happy Speedster Raceway?
Not a lot of new pieces but one of the forestmen has that very cool brown chainmail body print, there is also a fairly new little catapult cup for the tower catapult. My favorite pieces are the four semicircle "arc" bricks that make up the wall of the well. I'm sure these have been around since the late 70's but we rarely get to see them. The four arcs put together form a circle that fits over a 4x4 square (I'd love a set of just these in different colors).
Overall, the set makes a great addition to any castle theme. It isn't quite as creative as the first forestmen sets and I almost wish Lego would reissue those early sets because I wasn't very "in" to them when they first came out. Still, we can hope that with this sub-theme being specifically named now (it wasn't considered a sub-theme before), we'll get some more (and possibly more interesting) sets in 1997.