Basil the Bat Lord
cas001 · Castle
Fright Knights · 1997. Released during the Fright Knights wave, a fantastical shift in the Castle theme featuring dragons and magic.
Figure ID
cas001
Theme
Castle
Year Released
1997. Released during the Fright Knights wave, a fantastical shift in the Castle theme featuring dragons and magic.
Rarity
Uncommon. While widely available in 1997-1998, high-quality specimens with intact capes and chrome accessories are increasingly difficult to find.
Head
Classic yellow skin with black eyebrows, a mustache, and a soul patch/goatee. No dual-sided printing (standard for the era).
Torso
Black torso with light gray and silver breastplate armor printing. Black arms and yellow hands. Features rear printing of the armor's straps.
Legs
Dark gray legs with a black hip piece. No printing on the legs (consistent with 1990s Castle designs).
Accessories
Black visor helmet with a red dragon/feather plume (x447). Typically equipped with a chrome silver greatsword and a light gray shield with a black and red bat logo. Note: This figure is missing its iconic black cloth cape with red bat printing.
Color Scheme
Black, Dark Gray, and Red. Significant use of Chrome Silver for the sword and Bright Red for the plume accent.
Printing Details
Pad-printed. High contrast between the silver armor and black torso. The shield print is a classic 90s thick-ink application prone to scratches.
Variants
Standard version (cas001) and a version with a slightly different cape print. Some versions appeared in smaller sets without the cape or sword.
Condition Notes
The chrome silver paint on the sword is highly susceptible to flaking. The red plume often has 'stress marks' at the base. The missing cloth cape is the most common loss.
Estimated Value
$15.00 - $25.00 USD for a used complete figure with cape. Without the cape (as pictured), value is approximately $8.00 - $12.00 USD. New/Mint can exceed $50.00.
Price (New)
Featured in sets ranging from $3.00 (6007 Bat Lord polybag) to $80.00 (6097 Night Lord's Castle).
Compatible Sets
6097 Night Lord's Castle, 6047 Traitor Transport, 6031 Fright Force, 6027 Bat Lord's Catapult, 6007 Bat Lord.
Character Background
Leader of the Fright Knights. Basil is a villainous knight who uses a giant dragon to instill fear. He was the main antagonist of the LEGO Castle line in the late 90s.
Design Notes
Introduced the iconic Fright Knights helmet mold and was one of the last Castle figures of the 90s to prioritize the 'classic' castle aesthetic before the Kingdom/Knight's Kingdom reboot.
Similar Minifigures
Willa the Witch (cas026), Fright Knights Soldier (cas002), and later revamped versions of knights in the LEGO Studios or Knights Kingdom lines.
Collectibility
High. Basil is a nostalgic icon for '90s kids' and is essential for completing the Castle sub-themes collection. Demand remains stable for 'Fright Knight' faction builders.
History
Debuted in 1997 as the face of the Fright Knights theme. This character also appeared in the LEGO Chess (1998) and LEGO Racers (1999) video games.
Interesting Facts
Basil's name was not always used in all regions; in some LEGO catalogs, he was simply referred to as 'The Bat Lord'. The sword is molded in plastic then dipped in chrome, making it the most expensive part of the kit.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed on a gray castle battlement or next to his dragon. Use a UV-protected case to prevent the red plume and yellow head from fading.
Modification Potential
The torso and legs are excellent for generic 'evil knight' MOCs. The chrome sword is often harvested for high-end custom medieval figures.
Overall Assessment
An iconic 1990s villain. While the pictured specimen is missing the cape and shows minor silver wear, it remains a highly desirable piece of LEGO history. Rating: 8/10.