Head-to-head
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell vs LEGO Icons Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull
Both built. Both reviewed. Here's how they actually compare on the things that matter.
Set #10316
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
Elrond's hidden valley. Five sub-buildings. Fifteen minifigures. The most ambitious LOTR LEGO set ever made — and the most stunning.
Set #76964
LEGO Icons Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull
The T. rex skull, mounted, base, plaque, and a printed footprint that's the smartest detail in the set.
By the numbers
The spec sheet.
| Metric | LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell | LEGO Icons Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5WINS | 4/5 |
| Pieces | 6,167WINS | 577 |
| MSRP | $499.99 | $79.99WINS |
| Price per piece | $0.08WINS | $0.14 |
| Verdict | Must buy | Recommended |
| Best for | Lord of the Rings fans, fantasy builders, and serious LEGO Icons collectors with substantial display space. | Builders who want the museum-skeleton vibe in a single-piece display; fans of the retired [Dinosaur Fossils](/reviews/dinosaur-fossils) who can't find a copy. |
Pros & cons
What I actually noticed.
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
Pros
- 6,167 pieces — one of the largest single LEGO Icons sets ever made
- Five sub-buildings, plus the Council of Elrond gazebo
- 15 minifigures including all 9 members of the Fellowship
- Waterfall, river, and full elven-valley landscape detail
- The Shards of Narsil display alone is worth the build effort
Cons
- Footprint is enormous — 72cm × 39cm — measure before ordering
- $500 commitment matches a UCS Star Wars flagship
- Build is 26+ hours — serious time investment
LEGO Icons Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull
Pros
- Movie-accurate T. rex skull anatomy in LEGO scale
- Printed footprint tile on the base — most underappreciated detail in the set
- Articulated jaw — can be staged open or closed
- Modern reissue of the [Dinosaur Fossils](/reviews/dinosaur-fossils) skeleton concept at a single-piece price point
Cons
- Single skull only — no full skeleton like the original 21320
- Display base is smaller than the build deserves
- Lighting matters more than for any other set in the lineup
Made up your mind?
Pick a retailer.
Comparison generated from our individual reviews. Pros, cons, and ratings come from full hands-on builds — see each review for the complete take.