⚓️ Shackleton’s Endurance & Cataclaws Mischief

Studbee Team

Studbee Team

— 6 min read
⚓️ Shackleton’s Endurance & Cataclaws Mischief

Ahoy, Brick Mateys!

This issue is all about the seas, cats and a bit of holiday cheer.

In This Edition

  • 🎉 LEGO Unveils The Endurance Set for Black Friday
  • 🛶 Shackleton’s Lifeboat as Exclusive Black Friday Gift
  • 🌊 Black Friday Insider Rewards with Nautical Models
  • 🏛️ LEGO X-Mansion Reviews
  • 🐍 2025 Lunar New Year and Monkie Kid Sets
  • 🐱 Cataclaw Brings Holiday Cheer

LEGO Unveils The Endurance Set for Black Friday Release

The LEGO Icons 10335 Endurance set is an epic tribute to Sir Ernest Shackleton's famous Antarctic expedition ship. With 3,011 pieces, this $269.99 model captures the Endurance’s striking details.

The model emphasizes realism, showcasing key elements like:

  • Detailed Rigging and Masts: The Endurance features meticulously crafted rigging, with sails and masts that evoke the ship’s iconic silhouette.
  • Intricate Deck Features: Builders can explore elements on deck, including cranes, lifeboats, and even barrels, giving it the look and feel of a vessel poised for a long journey.
  • Ice-Encased Base: The ship sits on a detailed, ice-themed display base that replicates the frozen landscape Shackleton and his crew braved, adding a dramatic and realistic touch to the presentation.
  • Interior Access: Sections of the ship are removable, allowing a peek into various compartments, a nod to the ship’s rugged interiors where Shackleton and his team weathered the extreme conditions.

Launching on Black Friday (November 29), the set also includes a Shackleton’s Lifeboat (40729) gift-with-purchase for a limited time, letting fans fully immerse themselves in the legendary Antarctic adventure. Just don’t expect it to withstand actual Antarctic conditions.

Check out more details on ↳The Endurance at the LEGO website.

Shackleton's Lifeboat as Exclusive Black Friday Gift

LEGO's ↳Shackleton’s Lifeboat (40729) pays homage to the daring Antarctic rescue by recreating the lifeboat that carried Shackleton and his crew to safety.

As an exclusive Black Friday gift-with-purchase (when paired with The Endurance 10335), this 232-piece set is a detailed throwback to the Heroic Age of Exploration.

Expect iconic details like a camera, stove, sleigh, and oars, plus minifigures of Shackleton and photographer Frank Hurley.

This model’s design allows for a mindful build, with features like a removable top for interior access and adaptable parts for “ice-travel mode”—a tribute to one of history’s greatest survival tales.

Custom LEGO Printed Bricks

We’ve been hard at work at Studbee HQ on some new UV-printed pieces for builders looking to add those finishing touches to their LEGO cities and custom builds. Here are a couple of our latest designs:

Check them out on our shop:

Black Friday Insider Rewards Include Exclusive Nautical Models

LEGO's Black Friday 2024 lineup offers two exclusive rewards for die-hard fans: the Marine Chronometer and the Barracuda Seas.

The Marine Chronometer, set in a classic box, is redeemable for 2,400 points starting November 29, while supplies last. The Barracuda Seas—a mini homage to the Black Seas Barracuda—likely shares the same points cost, giving fans a nostalgia-packed incentive to dive into the holiday season.

LEGO X-Mansion Reviews

The verdict is out! Fans and reviewers alike are sharing their takes on the ↳X-Men X-Mansion 76294, and some common themes are emerging.

Here’s the breakdown of what everyone seems to agree on:

🏰 Pros

  • Iconic Architecture
    • This set captures the X-Mansion with a level of architectural detail that transports fans right into the world of the X-Men. It’s like a mini-museum dedicated to Marvel’s mutant HQ.
  • Modular Build
    • Divided into three distinct sections (main building, garage, and training room), this modular design lets builders reconfigure as they like, making it both playable and a standout display piece.
  • Heroic Minifig Collection
    • You get 10 X-Men heroes, from Wolverine to Storm, each with unique, intricate designs. It’s like assembling your own team of minifigures ready for battle!
  • Easter Egg Galore
    • Packed with hidden references and iconic symbols, this set rewards hardcore Marvel fans with nods to beloved characters and storylines.

🏗️ Cons

  • It’s Compact
    • Some fans might find it smaller than they’d expect for the $329.99 price. Given the scale of other LEGO sets, this one may feel a tad petite.
  • Accessing the Interior
    • While the exterior is stunning, getting into the mansion’s rooms can be tricky. The compact design might make it tough to explore certain areas without dismantling parts.
  • Missing Icons
    • Some key X-Men like Jean Grey and Professor X are missing, which may feel like a letdown for fans hoping for the full squad.
  • A Pricey Purchase
    • At $329.99, it’s a splurge. Though it offers superb detail, some may hesitate, especially if they’re looking for more bang-for-buck LEGO sets.

2025 Lunar New Year and Monkie Kid Sets Revealed

Unveiled at the China International Import Expo, LEGO’s 2025 lineup celebrates the Year of the Snake with Chinese New Year-themed sets and new Monkie Kid releases, launching in late December in Asia-Pacific and January 1, 2025, worldwide.

Chinese Tradition Sets:

Monkie Kid Sets:

Cataclaws Brings Playful Spirit to the Holiday Season

LEGO's 2024 holiday campaign introduces Cataclaws, a festive feline mascot crafted from LEGO bricks, embodying the brand's commitment to creativity and playfulness.

In the campaign's centerpiece film, directed by Brazilian duo Alaska, children build Cataclaws, who then embarks on a journey to spread joy and imagination worldwide.

The campaign extends beyond the film, featuring global activations such as LEGO-branded trams in Naples, 'make and take' builds in North America, and playgrounds in India. Additionally, LEGO's annual Build to Give initiative encourages fans to build and share hearts, with each shared creation resulting in a LEGO set donation to a child in need, aiming to donate up to 2 million sets this holiday season.

Disclaimer: Cataclaws doesn’t actually move on its own. Hey, Boston Dynamics—up for the challenge?

That's it for this edition. Until next time, keep those bricks in line—and your spirits high.

👋 Studbee

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