Griffin Knight - Kingdom of Lion Force (Lord of the Rings Style)
cas511 · Kingdoms
Generic / Miscellaneous (Later Castle style) · 2013 - Released during the final waves of the Kingdoms-style aesthetic, often appearing in the Castle (2013) line.
Figure ID
cas511
Theme
Kingdoms
Year Released
2013 - Released during the final waves of the Kingdoms-style aesthetic, often appearing in the Castle (2013) line.
Rarity
Uncommon. While not a limited convention exclusive, this specific knight appeared in fewer sets compared to the mass-produced Lion or Dragon knights of the previous years.
Head
Standard yellow skin tone with a reddish-brown goatee and moustache. It is a single-sided print. It is paired with a Flat Silver Great Helmet (Visor Fixed).
Torso
Pearl Dark Gray with Scale Mail print. The design features a dark red tunic center with a brown belt and gold buckle. The printing is high-density pad printing on both the front and back, featuring realistic metallic texture.
Legs
Pearl Dark Gray legs with Dark Red hips. The printing includes continued scale mail patterns, gold trimming, and dark red fabric layers (faulds) to match the torso.
Accessories
Includes a Pearl Dark Gray Sword (Longsword) and a triangular Dark Red shield featuring a silver/white Griffin printed in the center with a gold border. The shield is the defining piece of this faction.
Color Scheme
Pearl Dark Gray (main armor), Dark Red (faction color), and Gold accents. This darker metallic palette was a shift from the bright light gray of the early 2000s.
Printing Details
Highly detailed for its era. The scale mail texture uses white and silver highlights to create depth. Alignment is typically excellent, representative of 2010s quality standards.
Variants
There are similar knights with different facial expressions (some with light flesh tones in licensed lines), but this specific yellow-headed Griffin knight remained fairly consistent.
Condition Notes
Watch for 'silvering' or rubbing on the shield's Griffin print. Metallic Pearl Gray plastic is prone to showing gate marks and swirl marks from the molding process, which are not damage but natural characteristics.
Estimated Value
Used Complete: $12.00 - $18.00 USD; New/Mint: $25.00+ USD. The shield alone is often sold for $5.00 - $7.00 due to high demand for army building.
Price (New)
Originally included in sets ranging from $20.00 to $100.00. It was not sold as a standalone retail figure (non-CMF).
Compatible Sets
Set 70402: The Gatehouse Raid; Set 70403: Dragon Mountain; Set 70404: King's Castle (2013 version).
Character Background
Part of the 'King's Knights' faction from the 2013 Castle reboot. They are defenders of the realm against the Dragon Soldiers. While they lack individual names in lore, they are the elite heavy infantry of the king.
Design Notes
Utilizes the 'scale mail' aesthetic which was a bridge between the classic 'lion' torso designs and more modern, realistic fantasy armor designs seen in the LEGO Hobbit/Lord of the Rings lines.
Similar Minifigures
King's Knight (cas512), Lion Knight (cas444), and various Rohan Soldiers from the Lord of the Rings theme which share the Pearl Dark Gray armor aesthetic.
Collectibility
High. LEGO Castle enthusiasts constantly 'army build' these factions. The color scheme is very popular for MOC (My Own Creation) builders who create gritty medieval displays.
History
Represents the 2013 'return to roots' phase where LEGO simplified the Castle line before the high-fantasy Nexo Knights theme took over in 2016.
Interesting Facts
The Griffin crest on the shield is often confused by newer collectors with the older 1990s Black Knights or Dragon Masters, but this specific 'rampant griffin' design is unique to this 2013 era.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a phalanx formation with multiple identical figures. Complements grey castle walls or the 10305 Lion Knights' Castle for a 'Vassal House' look.
Modification Potential
Excellent for purist customs. The head can be swapped for a 'flesh' tone head to turn it into a realistic Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings background soldier.
Overall Assessment
A solid, high-quality medieval figure. It stands out due to the sophisticated scale-armor printing and the striking dark red/pearl gray contrast. A 'buy' for any Castle collector.