Collection Rating 10 out of 10Pros: it is the Black Pearl and so an iconic ship of the POTC. When you add the totally black sails it looks amazing. Also the minifigs (especially Captain Davy Jones which is unique) are very nice I liked the totally black bottom of the ship too.
Cons: when you build it (before adding the sails) it look like a “normal” vessel and without too much details. |
4184 The Black Pearl (2011)The Black Pearl is the most famous vessel of the south. During its history it had many captains and actually it is leaded by Davy Jones. It is not the biggest vessel but it is the fasted indeed: with its two masts and its seven totally black sails no other vessel can compete in speed. It is all painted black from the sails to the deck and the cabins and even its symbol in the front is an armed back siren. It is equipped with two cannons and on the masts has two watch points reachable with black ropes. Compared to the western pirates vessels, the southern ones have the characteristic of equipping the second mast with three sails instead of two (to have more speed) and the sail themselves are better adjustable. The cabin is quite well equipped with golden windows, a wooden table with maps, a well decorated chair for the captain and beautiful torches outside. The crew is composed by the captain, a quartermaster and three pirates. Main Characters Captain Davy Jones: he is the captain of the ship and (as a typical feature of the pirates in the South) is a cursed pirate. In the past, when he was captain of another vessel, he proved to be a very cruel pirate and he passed the limit by trying to go too far outside the southern world. People in the South believe that you cannot go too much far from their islands and you have to respect some general rules even in war: if you do not do these things the spirits of the southern seas (in which they believe) will course you in many ways. In the case of Jones he was condemned to be transformed in a mix between a pirate and a fish and he can assume his human form only if he leaves the ship to the land but for no longer than two days a time or he will die. Jones doesn’t care too much about his curse and he’s still one of the most terrible pirates in the South. Josh Gibbs: he is the quartermaster of the ship. He is a very close friend of Cavendish and he followed him in searching for a vessel, being actually the only real member of his crew. Since he needed money, he had problems with the imperials and he got also a bit tired of this vain search, he enrolled with Jones on the Black Pearl in order to take part in the Great North discovery expedition. Mystral: he is the deputy of Captain Jones. Being with him since many years he followed the same destiny and had the same curse has his captain. He is kind of a deputy of the captain and the head of the war tactics due to his experience in fighting (especially with guns). Like the captain and the other cursed pirates of the crew is also able (as half-fish) to breathe under water. “Captain” Paul Cavendish: born in a small island in the south, he spent all his life strongly believing in the pirates way of living rather the general philosophy. Honestly he doesn’t care too much about the Empire, the conflicts with the imperials etc.. he always followed only his personal interests trying to acquire as many treasures possible and moreover trying to enjoy life (especially beautiful women) and freedom (which caused him some problems with the Imperial Army and therefore there is a bounty over his head). He pretends to be a captain but is still looking for a ship and a crew: he found this magic compass which could lead him to discover the great North and maybe bring back the Empire.. and adventure that could change his entire life. |
Collection Rating 6 out of 10Pros: you can get Elisabeth Swan minifg which is unique to this set. You can get also a huge amount of gold pieces.
Cons: the worst set of POTC. The gold in not really shining as it seems from the box. The sets in the whole is quite poor. |
4181 Isla De Muerta (2012)The Death Island among the island of the south is the northern one. On the surface it is a very rocky island always surrounded by a deep fog. Nobody lives there and it is told that it’s the house of the ghost of Captain Barbados. Accordingly to these legends in the very centre of the island there is a big pond full of relicts of the ship which have tried to dock there and of the spirits of the dead crews. This pond is full of gold and treasures but they are cursed and therefore nobody can touch them and survive. It is told that there is also a kind of altar containing the biggest treasure in the world but it is cursed too of course. Main Characters Captain Hector Barbados: he is the ghost of the Death Island. It is called the “one and triune” because it can appear in three different shapes: one is like a skeleton and represents the curse of death, another is like his mortal aspects of pirate and represents greed and the last is like a one wooden leg old man which represents illness. In any form you see him, it is without any doubt the last time you see someone because nobody visited Death island and came back. It is told that in his life he was a cruel and greedy pirate (captain of the Black Pearl) and that, before the end, in a certain way he passed the limit and was cursed to spend the rest of his life there neither dead or alive, surrounded that all the treasures that he had searched in his entire life, but without the possibility of touching them. Captain Barbados to protect himself and his island has possesses magic such as the power to summon every living or dead men and make him trying to kill the intruders. Miss Elisabeth Barbados: she was the wife of Captain Barbados, one of the most beautiful women in the world. It is not clear if he deliberately chose or if it was her husband’s decision but what is sure is that she shares the same destiny as Hector and she’s a ghost neither dead or alive, searching desperately to get free of her course. |
Collection Rating 7.5 out of 10Pros: many nice transparent pieces and I loved the two versions of Captain Barbossa (normal and skeleton). In only one sets you get all the three captains minifigs.
Cons: it’s the set of the POTC whit the highest price for piece ratio. |
4192 Fountain Of Youth (2012)At the very end of the pond on the Death Island legends told that there is the Fountain of Youth. Despite the name the water that comes from this well decorated fountain does not give eternal youth: if someone is able to reach the fountain Captain Barbados (usually in the wooden leg men form) offers you to drink from two identical gold goblets one of which contains a deadly poison and the other offers you the possibility to view the real truth about something you choose (therefore it is often better called as fountain of Truth). Near the fountain there are two marble columns and a magic waterfall behind which it is told that there are Captain’s Barbados apartments. Main Characters n/a |
Collection Rating 7 out of 10Pros: the smallest set but with nice details such as the bottles with the ships inside (really the ships are painted outside) and the rotating globe.
Cons: it is a very small set. To be bought after other POTC sets. |
4191 The Captain's Cabin (2012)As mentioned before, after the magic waterfall on the Death Island there is the Cabin (or apartment) of Captain Barbados. It is always guarded by two deadly zombies and it contains some magic items: the most important is probably a globe which shows the real map of the world of Altaria containing all the islands and continents not already discovered. In addition there is a world map which has the characteristics of showing the only way to go out from the Death Island. Last but not least there is a wooden and boned bookshelf which contains magic bottles: in each bottle there is a miniature of a sunk vessel and, accordingly to the legend, Captain Barbados is able to bring back each of these vessels by simply breaking the bottle. Main Characters n/a |
Collection Rating 8 out of 10Pros: the mill wheel is very well built. You can get the unique minifig of Commodore Norrington.
Cons: the building of the mill is not as well built as the wheel. |
4183 The Mill (2011)Green Island is a typical island of the South with a very humid climate and all its territory is basically occupied by a green forest. There is also a river which crosses all the island and you can find thousands of species of plants and animals as well: no surprise that is the favourite island for the naturalists. Anyway the western part of Green Island was soon colonized by some pirates who decided to establish themselves leaving the pirate’s life and dedicate to the agriculture. The most famous building of this part of the Island is the Mill which is not only used for producing flour but he’s also the headquarter of the head of the Green Island pirate community. This building has a big wooden wheel of the mill and also a small tower with a bell on top which is used as an apartment by the Commodore. In the mill are also stored the treasures of the community and that’s why the Commodore has also two pirates guards to defend the building. Main Characters Commodore Northway: he was an imperial soldier from Eland, he became then a pirate when arriving in Shell Island and then moved away from that life by reaching Green Island. He’s not an expert on weapons and war tactics but he is not a politician either. His big merit is the fact that he was able to convince a bunch of people that there was a real alternative to the pirates and imperials life and to move them to Green Island in order to fund this new community. He was therefore nominated chief (Commodore) of this community and established himself in the Mill. Jack Turner: as a friend since many years of Northway he was the first in joining the project of moving into Green Island. Once there, as son of carpenters, he helped the community in building the mill and the village and became also the right hand of the Commodore, taking care of all financial matters. |
Collection Rating 7.5 out of 10Pros: it is probably the most enjoyable set for younger kids. Very nice the bone cage and the fire in which you can “burn” the minifigs. There is the unique minifig of Jack Sparrow with the “multiple eyes” face.
Cons: the tribal house of the cannibals is not very detailed. |
4182 The Cannibal Escape (2011)In the Eastern Part of Green Island the forest is even deeper than in the western one and the climate is characterized by heavy and frequent rain falls. This region is inhabited by the original population of the island. These people were considered by the pirates a savage tribe of cannibals but in reality they are not cannibals at all and are quite similar (in habits as well as in religion) to the Islanders of the West. Of course, as aboriginals of the island, they are in war with the pirates trying to defend their territory. Their main village has many wooden and straw buildings and many open fireplaces (the use to dine together). They have also suspended bone cages for prisoners and also a big decorated (mostly with skulls) throne for their leader who is considered the son of the Gods of the island. Main Characters The Savage Captain: he’s real name is William Spencer and he was a pirate from Shell Island. He was not a good pirate at all and therefore he was soon unable to be recruited in any crew and began spending all his time drinking ale in the inns. One day he heard about the Green Island and the Mill community and so he decided to go there. But his intentions were not to join the community: he instead went directly to the savages and showed them many inventions (especially weapons) of the pirates and succeeded in being considered like a son of the Gods and being proclaimed their leader. He nominated himself the Savage Captain and he’s leading his new people in the war of the island against Commodore Northway. John Turner: he is the brother of Jack and came to Green Island with him. When they first encountered the savages he was of the front line of fighting them and trying to conquer all the island. Unfortunately for him during one battle in the jungle he was captured and now he’s actually imprisoned in a cage waiting for his brother to come and rescue him. |
Collection Rating 9 out of 10Pros: one of my favorite sets of the POTC. In only one set you can get pirates and guards, two chariots… The tavern is well built, the symbol of the Captain’s Daughter Inn is awesome and also the interior of the building are quite well detailed.
Cons: it is not so big as the Whitecap Bay set but it is cheaper. |
4193 The London Escape (2012)Shell Island is the main pirate island of the South. In the western part of this island there is the biggest pirate village and in that village the place you cannot miss it the Captain’s Daughter Inn. This inn is simply the place in which you can find the best beer of all Altaria and it is frequented by pirates of any kind but also by imperials who came here to taste the beer and to hear all the stories and the legends among piracy and whatever else. In the main floor of the inn there is the tavern with the bar and the tables and the barrels of ale. In the upper floor some bedrooms are also available (if you are not scared about rats and spiders). The inn also has a side business and provides carbon to the community of the island. Main Characters James Gibbs: he’s the twin brother of Josh Gibbs. Like his brother he’s a pirate since many years and he knows very well Paul Cavendish. If Josh is a quartermaster and is a pirate of the sea, James is more like a pirate of the land: he likes to stay in Shell Island, hear stories and tell important information when necessary to his brother. He helped many times Cavendish in trying to recruit a crew or in finding safe places to escape from the Imperials. Unfortunately James is hunted by the imperials too and many times has been captured and put in chains but, thanks to his widespread connections, he always succeeded in escaping from a trial and a certain death sentence. |
Collection Rating 8.5 out of 10Pros: one of the biggest sets and the lighthouse is well detailed. The mermaid minifigs are cool and also the small black boats have fine lamps on the front.
Cons: the mechanism to destroy the tower is quite tricky and it risks to ruin all the set which appears then to be too much delicate. |
4194 Whitecap Bay (2012)If the Captain’s Daughter Inn is the entertainment reference point of the island, Whitecap Bay is the spiritual one. Whitecap Bay was born as a lighthouse of the island and it’s still the biggest lighthouse of the South. It as an high tower on top of which there is the real lighthouse; in the back there’s a big barrel containing the oil for the light and the apartment of the guardian of the lighthouse. The place where the lighthouse is located is told to be populated by magic sea creatures, the mermaids and therefore the place was equipped with a boat and a particular type of cannon was build near the building in order to throw big nets and catch these creatures. Anyway some years after its construction a Reverend in search for peace and a place to meditate offered himself as guardian of the lighthouse. Once there he slowly transformed the place into the church of the island and now many people of the island go there to hear the mess or simply to confess themselves for their sins. Main Characters Reverend Sheppard: he is the man of God who transformed the lighthouse into a church. He went there in search for inner peace but soon realized that a pirate island was full of sins and these people need a spiritual guide and so he began to receive people at Whitecap Bay and to celebrate the Mess. He took with him three former pirates who offered their help in the lighthouse maintenance but also helped the reverend in spiritual matters in order to redeem themselves from their sins. Mytril: regarding the mermaids it is told that Reverend Sheppard encountered one of them (Mytril) but, instead of capturing her, he considered her as a creature of God and talked about life and everything and the mermaids offered protection to the lighthouse as long as Sheppard will be there. It is told that Mytril goes to Whitecap Bay every Saturday and confesses the Reverend. |
Collection Rating 9.5 out of 10Pros: another iconic vessel with lots of nice minifigs. It’s bigger that the Black Pearl: I loved the blooded red sails and the decorated giant window in the back. If you love skulls and bones go for it!
Cons: if you have to chose I would rather go with the Black Pearl which is smaller but also less expensive. There are no doors in the Captain’s cabin. |
4195 Queen Anne's Revenge (2012)It is without any doubt the most dreadful vessel of the South. It is told to be a cursed vessel and it is characterized to be decorated by hundreds of skulls and bones from the front to the back: like the Black Pearl it is a two masted ship although bigger and with four cannons instead of two. You can see it even from a far distance because of its blooded red sails and because of its flame torches which burn night and day. The crew is composed by the Captain, a quartermaster and five pirates (both human and cursed zombies), each of them dedicated to a specific task. The most incredible part of this ship is the captain’s cabin which is simply huge and with outstanding decorations: skulls and bones everywhere and even entire skeletons at the walls; there are two windows and two small decks at the sides (each of them covered with small red sails) while in the back there is a giant glass panel decorated with flames and pictures from hell. On top there is the command deck and on the very back a giant burning lamp visible from a far distance and decorated with entire black skeletons. It is a fearful vessel like its captains and it is also told that it is able to eject flames and to burn the ships of the enemies. The symbol of the Queen Anne’s Revenge is obviously Queen Anne: a white skeleton ejecting flames... Main Characters Captain Blackbeard: Edward Teach, alias Blackbeard, is simply the most dreadful pirate ever lived, he knows no mercy and no other way to deal with enemies than to kill them; moreover since the beginning he does not tolerate any mistake and he’s ready every member of his crew if fails. No other captain in the world sunk as many vessels and plundered as many treasures as him but all this cruelty and lack of fear of death or pity caused him to be cursed: Blackbeard is condemned to die in the worst manner possible, he does not know when but it is written in his destiny. In the meantime it’s part of his curse that he’s able to command the vessel with his mind (or better with his magic flamed sword) and to make it ejecting flames to the enemies. Even if he will never admit that, he’s trying to find a way to redeem himself and escape from the cursed death. Claire Teach: she’s the daughter of the Captain and also the quartermaster of the vessel. Having a father like Blackbeard wasn’t easy for her, but Claire managed to learn from him only the good things (like the art of sailing and fighting) and did not inherit his cruelty. Therefore, despite her being a real pirate, she’s always keen on mediating between her father and the rest of the crew as well as with the defeated enemies. Paul T: he is one of the human member of the crew and he’s the cook of the vessels. He’s the very cousin of Will T of the Black Seas Barracuda. They grew together in the Forbidden Island but then Paul emigrated to the south and, despite being a very shy and good guy, he finished on the Queen Anne’s Revenge forced by Blackbeard who highly appreciate his way of cooking. |