LEGO® Icons parts review: 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell

When details first emerged of the LEGO Group revisiting The Lord of the Rings franchise some ten years after the discontinuation of the original theme, as a Tolkien fan my interest was understandably piqued. Following the release of three sets under the LEGO BrickHeadz banner earlier this year, we're about to receive a set under the LEGO® Icons theme, in the form of 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell. 

At 6167 parts, it's a massive set, and I was eager to embark on the quest of reviewing it.

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
US$499.99/ £429.99/ 499.99€/ AU$799.99
6167 parts
5 March 2023 for VIPs, general release 8 March
Buying from LEGO.com? Please consider using our affiliate links, we may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

New moulds

First and foremost, let's take a closer at the new moulded elements introduced by this set.

Plant, w/Plate 2x3x2, No. 1 (Design ID 2682)

Over the past few years we've been fortunate to see the introduction of several new botanical elements, including the 1 x 1 Round Plate with 5 Petals (Design ID 24866), 1 x 1 Round Plate with 3 Leaves (32607), and Stem with 3 Leaves (37695).

This year sees the welcome addition of yet another new plant element: a 1 x 1 Round Plate with Fern (2682). For this launch, it's only available in Dark Green / Green (6411022), but in a high quantity – 34 copies of the element are found in set 10316.

The element measures three studs long, two studs wide, and six plates high, and features a hollow stud at the base. 

These features allow the fern to fit snugly inside of a 1 x 6 x 2 Arch Brick (15254).

Highly versatile, the fern can be integrated into builds straight or at an angle. If it is introduced in neutral colors, I could see it being popular with builders trying to replicate the ornate details of classical architecture.

Weapons Multi-Pack

While several specialized fantasy weapons were introduced in 2012 and 2013 when LEGO® The Lord of the Rings sets were first available, most of those elements have since been discontinued. To remedy this, a new weapons multi-pack has been introduced.

Available in Silver Metallic / Flat Silver (6411018), the multi-pack consists of four Elven swords, two copies of Aragorn's Ranger sword, two copies of Frodo's sword Sting, four copies of Gimli's axes, two copies of Narsil, and two copies of Boromir's sword.

Helmet with Cheek Protection and Flared Front

Another element that has been revisited for Rivendell is Gimli's helmet. 

The new helmet (6421852 | 2675) comes in Dark Brown, with detailed Gold Ink printing.

Compared to the old helmet introduced in 2012 (6016987 | 10056, shown above right), the new helmet is notably smaller, with a flared front and printed (rather than moulded) detail along the back.

Beard with Braided Mustache Ends, Recessed Center

In addition to Gimli's helmet, his beard has also received an update. 

The new mould (2676) is available in both Dark Orange (6411020) and White (6435917).

The most notable difference between the new beard and its 2012 counterpart (10065, above right) is the reduction in size of the central portion of the beard. Additionally, the back of the element has been adjusted to allow for it to fit with the Long Hair with Center Part (36806).

Elf Hair

The final new mould to appear in the set is an updated elf hairpiece (100953). The new element is dual-moulded, allowing for the ears and hair to be colored separately, rather than being differentiated though printing. 

The hairpiece appears in both Dark Brown (6424841) and (6414615) Cool Yellow / Bright Light Yellow. The most visible difference between the new elf hairpiece and its 2012 forbear is the addition of hair strands along the front. 

The back of the hairpiece, in contrast, has remained remarkably consistent, retaining the distinctive central braid of the prior mould.

Recoloured elements

Rivendell features fifteen recoloured elements, currently exclusive to the set. 

The recoloured elements in 10316 are:

• 8x Slope 75° 2 x 2 x 3 Double Convex in Sand Green (6417961 | 3685)
• 23x Road Sign Clip-on 2 x 2 Square [Thick Open O Clip] in Sand Green (6417958 | 15210)
• 4x Brick Round Corner 6 x 6 x 2 in Sand Green (6417960 | 87559)
• 1x Neckwear, Cape with One Top Hole in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6421474 | 1884)
• 7x Food Popsicle / Lollipop in Medium Nougat (6417965 | 30222)
• 9x Bar Holder with Hole and Bar Handle in Medium Nougat (6417968 | 23443)
• 16x Bar Holder with Clip in Medium Nougat (6417967 | 11090)
• 16x Food Hot Dog / Sausage in Medium Nougat (6417964 | 33078)
• 30x Ornament with Bar in White (6417971 | 28870)
• 1x Hair Long Parted in Center in Dark Orange (6435918 | 36806)
• 2x Brick Special 1 x 1 with Scroll with Open Stud in Dark Orange  (6429032 | 20310)
• 3x Brick Round 2 x 2 Dome Top - Vented Stud with Bottom Axle Holder x Shape + Orientation in Reddish Brown (6429060 | 3262)
• 130x Tile 1 x 1 with Groove in Nougat (6419170 | 3070)
• 4x Legs Short with Light Nougat Feet Pattern [Multi Color Injection] in Dark Brown (6417974 | 16079)
• 1x Neckwear Cape, Standard, Very Short [Traditional Starched Fabric] in Sand Blue (6421433 | 99464)

Printed elements

The majority of exclusive elements in Rivendell are printed elements. Of these, most are reserved for recreating the iconic Fellowship of the Ring and the supporting characters they encounter at Rivendell. 

The printed minifigure elements consist of:

• 1x Dress/Robe with Copper Cloth and Silver Embroidery Print in Dark Red (6421826 | 36036)
• 1x Dress/Robe with Silver Embroidery Print in White (6421818 | 36036)
• 1x Dress/Robe with Dark Brown Satchel Print in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6421830 | 36036)
• 1x Dress/Robe with Dark Green Cloth and Silver Embroidery Print in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6421848 | 36036)
• 1x Legs with Black Boots and Olive Green Coattails Print in Sand Blue (6447824 | 970)
• 1x Legs with Robes and Reddish Brown Belt Print in Dark Blue (6421823 | 970)
• 1x Legs with Coattails and Patterned Cloth Print in Dark Brown (6421816 | 970)
• 1x Torso Buttoned Shirt and Belt Print (Aragorn), Dark Tan Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Dark Brown (6433561 | 973)
• 1x Torso Silver Embroidery and Earth Green / Dark Green Belt Print, Sand Green Arms, Light Nougat hands in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6435577 | 973)
• 1x Torso Jacket and Yellow Waistcoast with Buttons Print, Dark Green Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Earth Green / Dark Green (6435322 | 973)
• 1x Torso Vest, Buttons Print, White Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Brick Yellow / Tan (6433765 | 973)
• 1x Torso Dress and Evenstar Pendant Print, White Arms, Light Nougat Hands in White (6433762 | 973)
• 1x Torso Shirt with Buttons and Cloak Print, Dark Tan Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Sand Yellow / Dark Tan (6435308 | 973)
• 1x Torso Jacket and Red Waistcoast Print, Reddish Brown Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Reddish Brown (6433883 | 973)
• 1x Torso Coat with Scarf Print, Dark Blue Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Earth Blue / Dark Blue (6434395 | 973)
• 1x Torso Elven Robe with Medium Stone Grey shirt Print, Dark Red Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Dark Red (6433977 | 973)
• 1x Torso Robe, Leather Straps and Ornate Belt Buckle Print, Silver Metallic / Flat Silver Arms, Dark Brown Hands in Reddish Brown (6435624 | 973)
• 6x Torso Toga, Medium Stone Grey Arms, Medium Stone Grey Hands in Medium Stone Grey / Light Bluish Gray (6435437 | 973)
• 1x Torso Cloak with Dark Green Collar and Straps Print, Olive Green Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Olive Green (6434366 | 973)
• 1x Torso Cloak with Belt Print, Dark Bluish Gray Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6433881 | 973)
• 1x Torso Waistcoat Long with Dark Red Shirt and Brown Belt Print, Dark Red Arms, Light Nougat Hands in Earth Blue / Dark Blue (6433772 | 973)
• 1x Head (Bilbo) in Light Nougat (6421819 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Pippin) in Light Nougat (6421831 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Boromir) in Light Nougat (6421821 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Sam) in Light Nougat (6383857 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Gimli) in Light Nougat (6421831 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Elrond) in Light Nougat (6421824 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Aragorn) in Light Nougat (6421814 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Frodo) in Light Nougat (6421827 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Glóin) in Light Nougat (6421834 | 3626)
• 1x Head (Statue) in Medium Stone Grey / Light Bluish Gray (6421840 | 3626)
• 1x Slope Curved 2 x 2 x 2/3 with Dark Brown Satchel Print in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6421845 | 15068)
• 1x Slope Curved 2 x 2 x 2/3 with Copper Cloth and Silver Embroidery Print in Dark Red (6421846 | 15068)

Four additional printed elements have been created for the floor tiling of Rivendell and minifigure accessories. These printed elements are:

• 64x Tile 2 x 2 with Floor Tile Print in Brick Yellow / Tan (6421849 | 3068)
• 6x Tile 2 x 2 with Angled Point Floor Tile Print in Brick Yellow / Tan (6421844 | 3068)
• 7x Tile Special 2 x 3 Pentagonal with Point Floor Tile Print in Brick Yellow / Tan (6421843 | 22385)
• 1x Minifig Shield Round Bowed with Dark Brown Ring and 4 Rivets in Silver Metallic / Flat Silver (6421842 | 75902)

Rare elements

In addition to new moulded elements and freshly-recoloured parts, Rivendell also manages to include a welcome variety of hard-to-find elements.

The following twenty elements each appear in only a single other set:

• 1x Plate 8 x 16 in Bright Bluish Green / Dark Turquoise (6424332 | 92438)
• 1x Plate 1 x 10 in Bright Bluish Green / Dark Turquoise (6433414 | 4477)
• 2x Plate 6 x 8 in Bright Bluish Green / Dark Turquoise (6424456 | 3036)
• 1x Neckwear Cape, Standard, Very Short [Traditional Starched Fabric] in Earth Green / Dark Green (6421432 | 99464)
• 2x Brick Curved 1 x 4 x 3 in Medium Stone Grey / Light Bluish Gray (6395751 | 65734)
• 4x Slope 45° 2 x 4 in Olive Green (6398465 | 3037)
• 3x Panel 2 x 2 x 1 Corner Posts with Centre Stud in Brick Yellow / Tan (6429962 | 3131)
• 3x Plate 1 x 1 in Nougat (6330584 | 3024)
• 18x Tile Round 1 x 1 Quarter in Sand Blue (6400305 | 25269)
• 1x Neckwear Cape, Standard [Traditional Starched Fabric] in Dark Brown (6421449 | 50231)
• 2x Brick Arch 1 x 4 x 3 in Medium Stone Grey / Light Bluish Gray (6403585 | 80543)
• 1x Tile Round 2 x 4 in Dark Orange (6359041 | 66857)
• 2x Tile 2 x 4 with Groove in Spring Yellowish Green / Yellowish Green (6405559 | 87079)
• 10x Tile 3 x 3 Curved, Macaroni in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6393306 | 79393)
• 1x Brick Special 1 x 2 x 1 2/3 with Four Studs on One Side in Dark Green / Green (6399780 | 22885)
• 6x Wheel Arch, Mudguard 2 x 3 x 1 1/3 in Sand Green (6401018 | 49097)
• 6x Animal Body Part / Plant, Tail / Trunk / Tentacle / Tongue / Vine / Tree Branch (Long Tip) in Reddish Brown (6382326 | 80497)
• 8x Brick Round 1 x 1 Open Stud in Aqua / Light Aqua (6335549 | 3062)
• 1x Hair Tousled, Mid-Length in Dark Orange (6417953 | 10048)
• 1x Hair Tousled, Mid-Length in Reddish Brown (6417952 | 10048)

An additional twenty parts have only appeared in two other sets:

• 2x Plate 1 x 10 in Dark Brown (6312357 | 4477)
• 6x 90195 Window 1 x 2 x 2 Castle in Reddish Brown (6063447 | 90195)
• 2x Brick Round 2 x 2 D. Tube with 45° Elbow and Axle Holes (Crossholes) at each end in Reddish Brown (6327811 | 65473)
• 3x Hair Long Wavy with Centre Part in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6435614 | 95225)
• 1x 14395 Brick Arch 1 x 5 x 4 [Continuous Bow, Raised Underside Cross Supports] in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6337778 | 14395)
• 6x Plant, Leaves 6 x 5 in Sand Green (6387139 | 2417)
• 20x Brick 2 x 4 in Aqua/ Light Aqua (6146863 | 3001)
• 1x Glass for Frame 1 x 6 x 7 with Bow in Sand Yellow/ Dark Tan (6395740 | 65066)
• 1x Neckwear Cape, Standard, Very Short [Traditional Starched Fabric] in Reddish Brown (6421449 | 99464)
• 2x Slope Curved 2 x 2 with Stud Notches in Sand Green (6416005 | 66956)
• 4x Tile 2 x 2 Curved, Macaroni in Dark Orange (6340042 | 27925)
• 2x Plate Special 1 x 2 [Side Handle Closed Ends] in Medium Nougat (6424277 | 48336)
• 1x Brick Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole in Bright Purple/ Dark Pink (6422439 | 6143)
• 4x Brick Round 1.5 x 1.5 Dome Top [Plain] in Sand Green (6400309 | 37840)
• 2x Tile Round 1 x 2 in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6412816 | 1126)
• 2x 15573 Plate Special 1 x 2 with 1 Stud with Groove and Inside Stud Holder (Jumper) in Nougat (6330418 | 15573)
• 1x Legs Short with Light Nougat Feet Pattern [Multi Color Injection] in Brick Yellow / Tan (6310249 | 37679)
• 2x Brick Curved 1 x 4 x 2/3 Double Curved Top, No Studs in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6402876 | 79756)
• 2x Tile 4 x 4 in Dark Orange (6408240 | 1751)
• 1x Neckwear Cape, Standard, Very Short [Traditional Starched Fabric] in Olive Green (6421435 | 99464)

The parts in this set are exciting enough, but in part two of this review, we'll be taking you into details of the building process and the finished model! 10316 The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell is available from 5 March 2023 for VIPs, and on general release 8 March, priced US$499.99/ £429.99/ 499.99€/ AU$799.99. If you are buying from LEGO.com, please consider using our affiliate links, we may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

READ MORE: All the new parts from four LEGO® Technic sets coming in March

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