LEGO® NINJAGO® review: 71774 Lloyd's Ultra Golden Dragon

Dragons are a common sight in the realm of LEGO® NINJAGO®. A quick search on Rebrickable shows 58 sets featuring a dragon. So the question will be: does 71774 Lloyd’s Ultra Golden Dragon have anything new to offer? With 998 parts, it is one of the largest dragon sets, and with 286 of these parts being in Pearl Gold, its shininess certainly stands out.

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New Molds

A new wave of Ninjago sets means a wave of new molds. I’ll show the new minifig parts later in the minifigure section and start off with these 3:

• The dragon wings feature a new large sword blade, Weapon Sword with Jagged Edges, Double Axle Hole in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385972 | 79895). The blade is the ideal size for mechs, as shown in 71775 Nya's Samurai X-Mech.
• We also get a new blade in minifig scale: Weapon Sword Crystalized in Transparent Medium Reddish Violet/ Trans-Dark Pink (6365680 | 79985).
• The Wedge Sloped 4 x 4 Triple with 3 Ridges on Slope in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6376233 | 86148) is very well received by the NE team, as it is ideal for adding texture to a model. We get 10 of this part in this set.

A large, poseable dragon needs joints and 71774 comes with a lot of elements from the Rotation Joint family. There's a new mold, a recolour and the relatively new 79505 Technic Rotation Joint Disk with Pin and Double Rotation Joint Ball Half.

The new mold is the Rotation Joint Socket with 2 Pins in Dark Stone Gray / Dark Bluish Gray (6369944 | 80563). The best way to describe this element is by comparing it to the 44224 Technic Rotation Joint Disk with Pin Hole and 3L Beam Thick, shown underneath the new element in the left photo. The inner workings are identical, but instead of a beam, the 80563 has 2 pins on the back. The element can be paired with the 44225 Technic Rotation Joint Disk with Pin and 3L Beam Thick and the 79505 Technic Rotation Joint Disk with Pin and Double Rotation Joint Ball Half, shown in the photo on the right. The 79505 was introduced earlier this year, and is described in Áron’s review of the 71766 Lloyd’s Legendary Dragon.

The recolour in the Rotation Joint family is the Brick Special 1 x 2 x 1 1/3 with Rotation Joint Socket in Bright Red/ Red (6377024 | 80431). The mold was already featured in 76989 Horizon Forbidden West: Tallneck in Dark Stone Gray / Dark Bluish Gray, reviewed by Zachar. 

The last new mold actually consists of 5 new molds: The Parts Pack Ninjago Golden Weapons in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold(6376230 | 86125) contains new molds for the 4 Golden Weapons, along with a new mold for horns. I’ve added an insert for the nunchucks for a better view.

Recolours

A golden dragon means a lot of Pearl Gold elements, including some interesting recolours.

• Brick Round Corner 5 x 5 x 1 with Bottom Cut Outs [No Studs Flat Top][1/4 Arch] in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6349623 | 76795)
• Wedge Sloped 45° 3 x 3 Left in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6357784 | 42862)
• Wedge Sloped 45° 3 x 3 Right in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6357785 | 48165)
• Technic Gear Rack 1/4 Circle 6 x 6, 15 Teeth in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6396481 | 78442). Appearing only in the 75313 UCS AT-AT, it’s nice to see this mold in a (relatively) cheaper set.
• Wedge Sloped 4 x 2 Triple Left in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6394215 | 43710)
• Wedge Sloped 4 x 2 Triple Right in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6394216 | 43711)
• Technic Tooth 1 x 3 with Axle Hole [Hollow Underside] in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385549 | 48267). It depends on which site you check if this is a true recolour. According to BrickLink this element has existed since 2006 as 41669. Rebrickable has the 41669 and 43710 molds split up, and says this set, along with 71769 Cole's Dragon Cruiser is the first set to feature this element.
• Slope 45° 2 x 2 in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6396470 | 3039)
• Wedge Sloped 45° 2 x 2 Corner in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6388245 | 13548)
• Weapon Sword / Katana / Shamshir with Capped Pommel [Square Guard] in Transparent Medium Reddish Violet/ Trans-Dark Pink (6394569 | 21459), making this the 12th recolour for the mold.

 

The dragon has 4 heads, bringing us recolours and new prints as well. In the top photo 2 new prints:

• Creature Body Part, Dragon Head with Trans-Yellow Horns Pattern, Yellow Eyes print (6384923)
• Creature Body Part, Dragon Head with Trans-Light Blue Horns Pattern, White/Blue Eyes print in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6384924)

In the center photo are a recolour and a new print:

• Creature Body Part, Dragon Head Lower Jaw with Pointy Chin in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6371696)
• Creature Body Part, Dragon Head Lower Jaw with Pointy Chin with Dark Brown Markings, Orange Eye print in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385388). The description calls this part a lower jaw, but is used here as the upper jaw/head.

In the bottom photo:

1. Creature Body Part, Dragon Head Upper Jaw with Red Markings and Yellow Eyes Print in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6384922) brings both a recolour and a new print.
2. Creature Body Part, Dragon Head Lower Jaw with 6 Studs on Top, Spike, Teeth [PLAIN] in new Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385645)

Other Interesting Elements

• Technic Axle Connector 2 x 3 with Ball Socket, Closed Sides in Dark Stone Gray / Dark Bluish Gray (6360824 | 67695). This new version of the 32174 was introduced this year, and has only been seen in 2 other sets in Dark Stone Gray / Dark Bluish Gray.
• Brick Special 2 x 5 with Slope, Studs on Side in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6371694 | 79897) is also introduced this year, and has only been seen in 4 other Ninjago sets.
• Brick Round 1 x 1 diameter Tube with 45 Degree Elbow(2 x 2 x 1) and Axle Holes(Crossholes) at each end in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6357264 | 65473) was introduced in 2021 in a Super Mario set, and appears for the 2nd time in 71774.
• Technic Brick Special 2 x 2 with Ball Receptacle Wide and Axle Hole, No Arm Holes in Dark Stone Gray / Dark Bluish Gray (6338291 | 67696) and White (6360826 | 67696). Another case of an older part that got a mold-update this year.
• Wedge Plate 6 x 2 Left in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6385281 | 78443) and Wedge Plate 6 x 2 Right in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6385280 | 78444) are both introduced this year, and have been seen in 3 other sets.
• Bracket 1 x 1 - 1 x 2 Inverted in Medium Nougat (6380634 | 73825) is also new for 2022. 
• Bracket 1 x 2 - 1 x 2 in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6328477 | 99781) has been seen in 3 sets prior.

Minifigures

A new wave of sets means new ninja outfits and new enemies to battle. 

The ninjas don’t get new heads, but all other parts are new.

Kai

• New print Minifig Wrap with Long Back Knot, Red Band Pattern in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385367)
• New print Torso, Pearl Gold Arms, Black Hands in Bright Red/ Red (6396648)
• New print Legs and Hips in Bright Red/ Red (6385369)

Zane

• New print Minifig Wrap with Long Back Knot, White Band Pattern in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385362)
• New print Tors Pearl Gold Arms, Black Hands in White (6395362)
• New print Legs and Hips in White (6385364)

Cole

• New print Minifig Wrap with Long Back Knot, Black Band Pattern in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385353)
• New print Torso, Pearl Gold Arms, Black Hands in Black (6394542)
• New print Legs and Hips in Black (6385355)

Jay

• New print Minifig Wrap with Long Back Knot, Blue Band Pattern in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385370)
• New print Torso, Yellow/Orange Decorations print, Pearl Gold Arms, Black Hands in Bright Blue/ Blue (6397815)
• New print Legs and Hips in Bright Blue/ Blue (6385372)

Lloyd

• New print Oni mask, Headwear Accessory Mask Ninjago Oni Print in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6384921)
• New mold Minifig Helmet Ninja (Ninjago Samurai) without Clip in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6376236).
• New print Torso Armor, Pearl Gold Arms and Hands in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6397990)
• New print Legs and Hips, in Warm Gold/ Pearl Gold (6385387)

The new enemies consist of the Crystal King and his minions: 2 Vengestone Brutes (left) and a Vengestone Warrior (right).

The minions feature a new mold as a head/mask: Minifig Head Special Dragon Helmet with Trans-Dark Pink Eyes, Teeth, Mohawk Mold Pattern in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6376235). I simply love the dual mold with transparent Pink. It makes the fig really come to life in the right light. The legs are beautiful as well. It’s the 2nd time we’ve seen Trans-Dark Pink legs: Odd Legs, Dark Purple Hips, Pearl Dark Gray Left Leg, Trans-Dark Pink Right Leg in Transparent Medium Reddish Violet/ Trans-Dark Pink (6385352).

There are 2 types of torsos, with the first ever Trans-Dark Pink arms. What a time to be alive! The Brutes have both arms transparent: Torso, Trans-Dark Pink Arms, Magenta Hands in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6395052). The Warrior has one transparent arm: Torso, Odd Arms and Hands, Left Trans-Dark Pink Arm and Magenta Hand, Right Pearl Dark Gray Arm and Dark Bluish Gray Hand in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6394033).

The Crystal King (who looks a lot like Garmaddon?) has a new mold for a mask, Headwear Accessory Mask Ninjago Crystal King with Magenta Eyes, Yellow Flames Print in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6385489), placed on the same helmet as Lloyd has, here in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6385978).

• New print head in Black (6385373)
• New print Torso Short and Modified with Armor - Smooth Breastplate with Shoulder Pads in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6399635)
• New print Torso, Pearl Gold Arms, Black Hands in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6396622)
• New print Legs and Hips in Titanium Metallic/ Pearl Dark Gray (6385376)

The Build

The build begins with the Crystal King’s throne containing the 4 Golden Weapons and crystals. I’m eagerly awaiting the new season to figure out what this means.

The sections of the body include many SNOT bricks covered in Pearl Gold slopes with the scales held in place by bars stuck between 2 headlight bricks. The tail utilizes multiple Technic bricks.

Once all of the sections are combined we have an impressively long dragon body. The sections are linked by Rotation Joints, except the last one that’s held by a standard pin.

The 4 heads are all unique with their own clear identities, but still fit well together on 1 dragon. The heads and necks are connected to the body using ball joints, making them very poseable.

The legs are connected to the body with rotation joints, and the feet are connected with ball joints.

The wings include a nice LEGO Technic feature that lets the blades spread out.

Conclusion

I love this set. The dragon is massive, one of the biggest I’ve built so far. Thanks to the stiff rotation joints, the beast is very poseable and stable. Even after 11 years, Ninjago just keeps coming with great sets. The load of Pearl Gold recolours are very welcome, although I did spot several different shades among the elements. It’s hard to see in the photos, but in real life the shade differences are clearer.

My favorite new element must be the minions head. Ever since I first saw the Pyro minions in the 2019 wave of Ninjago sets, I've been in love with dual molded elements using transparent colours. It’s just so beautiful how the light comes through, bringing life to the figure’s eyes. Side-note: There might be earlier examples of dual molded transparent elements, but the Pyro was the first I encountered myself.

For the set as a MOC feeder, there are a lot of options. I already mentioned the load of Pearl Gold elements. Add to that the rotation joint elements and the ball joint elements, and you have a nice mech/creature starter pack.

Editor: Chris Baginski

 

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