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General => Report & Review => Topic started by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 14:34:04

Title: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 14:34:04
Hi All,

My wife was in Germany last weekend and picked up a couple of set 4339 for me  :love:

This is the set with one medieval figure and one horse, but a variety of accessories to dress up the figure (and his horse) to be one of four different 'characters': a knight, a viking, an archer or a king.

The first two pictures are of the front and back of the box, and then details of the new (or at least new to me) box opening Playmobil are using. I quite like this, as the perforations mean that there's much less risk of really tearing apart the box flaps. And you can close the box again and have some hope that it will stay closed.

And before anyone asks, no, the Steck walls in the background don't come in this set  ;) (Wish they did, though!)
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 14:38:37
OK, here's all the parts still in their bags, and then a series of shots of the guy dressed up as a knight, ready for the tournament. The blazon on the shield and horse's trapper is very nice -- realistic-looking heraldry as opposed to the fantasy-oriented stuff Playmobil has produced over the past couple of years.

Note he's also got one of the new swords, without the downward-curving quillons. And the plume for his helmet is good, too. This is my favourite of the four characters.
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 14:42:16
Now here he is as the archer. The brown hood is a very nice new part, but I'm not quite sure how well it will work without some sort of shoulder covering in the same colour.

Personally, I don't that much care for the 'shoulder pads' with the lugs for quivers, wings, etc., but I'm sure there will be plenty of folks out there who will find good uses for them  :)
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 14:47:30
Next, we have our trusty Klicky dressed as a viking (complete with horny helmet!), and then with a ballista as well. The round shield is another of the parts I very much like. From the catalog, I thought the basic colour of the shield was going to be gold, but it's actually a sort of tan.

Quite what a viking is doing with a ballista I do not know (vikings weren't known for their skills with siege weaponry), but perhaps he's some sort of generic barbarian (from a tribe that DID go in for siege equipment!).
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 14:54:25
And here we have him as a king or nobleman. The throne is obviously cast from the original mould, but in a very dark blue. The colour of the throne in real life is not quite what I expected given the colours shown in the catalog and on the box, but then I suspect Playmobil may go in for a bit of colour-tweaking for their printed materials. (Getting printed colours to match real life, or even what's on a computer screen in notoriously difficult).

And finally, there's a shot of the Klicky, his horse, and ALL the various bits and pieces that come in this set. I hadn't expected that the two daggers shown on the back of the box (one for the archer 'character', one for the viking) would translate into two actual daggers in the package, but there were two in both boxes I got. So, some spare daggers!

Anyway, I hope folks find this useful and interesting.

Cheers,

AndrewL
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Richard on March 06, 2010, 15:12:07


EXCELLENT REVIEW, ANDREW !!! ... (http://www.gardenwargamer.com/images/bowdown.gif)

It looks like (with this set) Geobra is trying to return to it's early Playmobil roots. A time when a Klicky could be almost anything with a quick click of a hat or other accessory.

Thanks, Andrew!

All the best,
Richard
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Tiermann on March 06, 2010, 15:19:19
I absolutely love this set. The heraldry and colors are great, and it's great to see the multi type sets in a historical theme.
I think this is the first time they've done paintwork on a jousting lance also.
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Martin Milner on March 06, 2010, 16:15:15
Congratulations on a great review Andrew, particularly on finding your camera before ripping open the box and packets! I rarely have such self control.

I like the whole concept of a single figure with multiple outfits, but not the particular colors they chose for this figure. Orange has always seemed a strange color for vikings and nights, and the pale blue is not my favorte shade. And why not make the throne wood-colored? Why must they strive to emulate Fisher Price?

I'd prefer this set with a different central figure, but I'm sure to buy a couple when they hit he US West Coast.

Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 16:56:08
Hi All,

Glad you like the review -- my first attempt at such.

Martin: I'm flattered you think I have so much self-control, but it's actually not quite true: my wife brought two of this set back from Germany. The first one did get ripped open pretty much immediately. The pictures in the review are of the second of the two boxes!

I might also have picked a slightly different colour scheme, but at least this guy is better than the pink/magenta barbarians of a few years ago. Of course I do have a sizeable force of said pink barbarians, but that's a topic for another thread!

Cheers,

AndrewL
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Gepetto on March 06, 2010, 17:02:28
Wonderful review Andrew, this set has a lot going for it but I have to ask is this a (somewhat) reasonable $14.99 set or a $19.99 set? The difference between 2 and 20 sets purchased!  8}


Gepetto
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: AndrewL on March 06, 2010, 17:15:34
Wonderful review Andrew, this set has a lot going for it but I have to ask is this a (somewhat) reasonable $14.99 set or a $19.99 set? The difference between 2 and 20 sets purchased!  8}


Gepetto

Cheers Gepetto!

The price on Playmobil's German website is €9.49, so I'd guess it would wind up as $14.99 when it eventually hits the USA.

But the value of my prediction in this regard may be the same as what you just paid for it (the prediction, that is)!

I find it slightly aggravating sometimes that the price in £ is the same as what folks on the other side of the Channel pay in €. But then I guess that's the price (literally) of living in a country with a strong currency.

All the best,

AndrewL
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Jimbo on March 06, 2010, 18:37:46
Thanks for the review, Andrew!

I like the whole set. 

Best regards, &
Thanks again,
Jimbo
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: WarriorOfToys on March 06, 2010, 18:42:20
Great reveiw!
I really love the knight, and really like the heraldry as well! ;D
I actually like the blue thrown because it is period...
(or it could have been)
Durring the 12th century everyone was fanatic about colors...
The richer you were the more colors you had.
Blue was a stainer that they used.
I made a medieval table with my dad for a reenactment group,
and they specifically said, "Stain it blue."
Great reveiw, I am really wanting one of those guys now!!! :prays:
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Richard on March 06, 2010, 23:50:54



I like the whole concept of a single figure with multiple outfits

1. but not the particular colors they chose for this figure.

2. Orange has always seemed a strange color for vikings and nights ...

3. and the pale blue is not my favorite shade.

4. And why not make the throne wood-colored?

5. Why must they strive to emulate Fisher Price?

6. I'd prefer this set with a different central figure




One might actually think that you didn't like this set very much, Martin ... (http://www.gardenwargamer.com/images/breakmeup.gif)  (http://www.gardenwargamer.com/images/lolsign.gif)

Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Martin Milner on March 07, 2010, 01:07:07


One might actually think that you didn't like this set very much, Martin ... (http://www.gardenwargamer.com/images/breakmeup.gif)  (http://www.gardenwargamer.com/images/lolsign.gif)



I like the concept, but not the execution.  ;D ;D 

I'm not a top-flight Playmo Marketing Executive, I'm sure they know what they're doing with an Orange and pale blue color scheme.

I'll have to get at least one for the caparison, but at $15 a pop I won't be building a 20 man unit.  ;)
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Richard on March 07, 2010, 01:15:51

I'm not a top-flight Playmo Marketing Executive ...



And, IMHO, that's a bloody shame. Because, Martin, I truly believe that you could do a much better job than any of them!
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: WarriorOfToys on March 07, 2010, 03:46:49
I'll have to get at least one for the caparison, but at $15 a pop I won't be building a 20 man unit.  ;)

No... not really. I might buy a few though, like 5.


And, IMHO, that's a bloody shame. Because, Martin, I truly believe that you could do a much better job than any of them!


True!
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on March 07, 2010, 07:13:46
Thanks for this post!  I like the set and am looking forward to seeing it here in California.
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Justindo on March 07, 2010, 09:05:35
Thanks for the review and the pictures, Andrew!

I am very much looking forward to this set, as I think the heraldry is a great improvement over most of Playmobil's current heraldry.  I also like the new feather and it's good to have the painted lance and the new color for the klicky's legs.  WarriorOfToys makes a very good point about the colored throne, but blue is personally not the choice I would have made.  (What about gold?)  Regardless, I will be using parts from this set for a custom knight and the rest will come in handy for other projects.

I like that Playmobil is giving us lots of useful parts and showcasing how versatile a klicky can be, but I'm not sure how logical their choices are.  Obviously a noble should have dress for battle, so two of these outfits make sense, but then is he also a hooded bandit and/or a hunter (poacher?) as well as a Viking with a Roman scorpion?!  Yes, I realize this set is intended for children, but it's just not historically accurate and I doubt Hans Beck would have produced such a set.  The set I would have preferred to see has three variations on this noble represented by three different klickies.  First there is the noble at war who is similar to what is shown here but with a heraldic torso and armored arms.  Second is the noble at court wearing expensive and elegant dress robes with the included throne and crown.  Third is the noble at play who should sport some smart medieval hunting clothing and his horse should have with the included horse barding.  Give him his his hawk and his hound for his last outfit and throw in his lady fair for court.  That's the set I'd like to see, but I know I'll just have to make it if I want it.
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: WarriorOfToys on March 07, 2010, 13:57:25
That's a Brilliant idea Justindo!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
Wish Playmobil had thought of it, then we all could have a great set like that.
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Coyote on March 07, 2010, 22:33:48
Nice review and nice set-
Lots of good parts- would make a great gift to get a youngster into Playmo...
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Gis on May 31, 2010, 22:49:51
Great set review Andrew. I picked one of these up today and thought I check to see if there was a review already. And was happily surprised by your good work :-)

Note he's also got one of the new swords, without the downward-curving quillons. And the plume for his helmet is good, too. This is my favourite of the four characters.

I fully agree with you. To me the whole set is really made to make the knight look absolutely stunning. The clicky works for the other three charachters but not as good as for the knight.

Now here he is as the archer. The brown hood is a very nice new part, but I'm not quite sure how well it will work without some sort of shoulder covering in the same colour.

I am really a great fan of these hoods but must agree on your sentiment regarding the shoulder covering. I am planning on getting loads of 4694 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4694 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=4694)). Black Hood, great cloak and those skulls will probably come in handy sometime *grin*

Personally, I don't that much care for the 'shoulder pads' with the lugs for quivers, wings, etc., but I'm sure there will be plenty of folks out there who will find good uses for them  :)

At first I agreed with you when I only saw them used for the Dragonknights wings. But then I got a 4926 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?set=4926 (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?set=4926)) and was immidiately swayed. Using (http://playmodb.org/parts/30%2024%207320.gif) you can have him ride the horse with his bow and arrows both on his back. Many weapons have been worn on the back and this gives us another way to enable this.

I just need to order many of 30 202 207320's from DS!!

All in all a great set!
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Abbot Hamilton on June 01, 2010, 20:16:14
Great review Andrew, there are some nice pieces included with this set. I especially like the brown hood and could see this used in some good custom klickies.

Abbot Hamilton
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Wolf Knight on June 01, 2010, 20:51:14
I cannot wait for this set to hit the greek toystores!!! I'll buy lots of them for customisations!!!
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Ali Baba on June 01, 2010, 21:01:48
Nice review! Agreed about the coulours. Often they try to be too trendy with their choice of colours. Come on, purple vikings and barbarians????
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Ali Baba on June 01, 2010, 21:06:50
Gis, I've got the hooded phantom 4694. I'll try to post a quick review.
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: playmo1989 on June 01, 2010, 21:12:12
I cannot wait for this set to hit the greek toystores!!! I'll buy lots of them for customisations!!!

 
when will it come to greece?
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Wolf Knight on June 01, 2010, 21:14:49

 
when will it come to greece?

who knows....
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: playmo1989 on June 01, 2010, 21:27:10
we'll see
Title: Re: 4339 Boy's MultiSet (Knight, Viking, etc.)
Post by: Heronimus on June 26, 2010, 11:32:45
Hi All,

Glad you like the review -- my first attempt at such.

Martin: I'm flattered you think I have so much self-control, but it's actually not quite true: my wife brought two of this set back from Germany. The first one did get ripped open pretty much immediately. The pictures in the review are of the second of the two boxes!

I might also have picked a slightly different colour scheme, but at least this guy is better than the pink/magenta barbarians of a few years ago. Of course I do have a sizeable force of said pink barbarians, but that's a topic for another thread!

Cheers,

AndrewL
Hi AndrewL

It really is a great review. It gets all the detail about the multiset. I too think the colour is not the best, especially the azure blue and orange. I prefer something more realistic looking. And thanks again for the review.