LEGO BrickLink’s Dustmark Keep is a must-have for Classic Castle fans

A first look at the BrickLink Designer Program Series 8’s Dustmark Keep reveals why fans of LEGO Classic Castle will want to add the model to their collections.

One set likely to prove very popular with Classic Castle fans when crowdfunding for the upcoming BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 builds goes live is Dustmark Keep. Designed by brickhucker, the 3,900-piece model includes an impressive desert creation that’s home to the enigmatic Bounty Hunter’s Guild and is one that comes with a mighty 20 minfigures.

Ahead of Dustmark Keep’s arrival, YouTuber Brick Quest has taken a closer look at the BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 set, exploring what the model has to offer, what’s included with the build and the many secrets awaiting within its dusty walls.

Brick Quest begins by noting that Dustmark Keep is based on a new Castle faction, the Serpent Knights, that made its debut in last year’s 31168 Medieval Horse Knight Castle, a LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set that’s still available to purchase and not due to retire until 2028.

The Serpent Knights make their return in Dustmark Keep, with the BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 model including minifigures of a Leader, Negotiator, Jailor, Clerk, Madam of the Keep, Cook and nine soldiers, as well as two Horse Knights, a pair of Griffin Knights and Kraken Knight.

The Dustmark Keep build itself starts with the main and entrance and large gates, which Brick Quest says, ‘has some really nice detailing, with the fountain right as you walk in,’ plus praise is also given to the Serpent Knights flags hanging on the walls and the desertscape exterior.

Moving on the main Keep, there are two gated cells for placing captured minifigure prisoners, with one featuring a particularly impressive play feature that was highlighted by the YouTuber.

“The best part about this one prison cell is the integrated breakaway wall,” said Brick Quest. “There’s a small chain that’s attached to one of the horses and the prisoner is able to escape. Absolutely love that play function.”

The Keep also includes a treasure map room, a 25,000 bounty for the ‘Almighty Goat,’ a scroll room, a lookout post with weaponry, a walkway to the other side, a secret serpent lair and a tower with a functional bell.

“The lever right here can be tilted back and forth,” Brick Quest explained, “which in turn moves the bell back and forth. That’s an oversimplification of this mechanism, but it is a very cool detail.”

Dustmark Keep’s exterior also proves to be a hit, with the walls of the BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 set utilising dark tan and light blueish grey pieces to make up the stonework, with brickhucker having added a large vertical jagged crack as part of the clever opening seam between the two parts of the model.

The completed sections of Dustmark Keep are joined together with ball and socket elements and the model can be displayed folded up, opened up or even combined with a second copy of the BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 build, for those with deep enough pockets.

The finished result is described by Brick Quest as having ‘lots of great functionality,’ with Dustmark Keep being ‘good value’ for money and earning its place as ‘one of the top Castle sets to date.’

Crowdfunding for Dustmark Keep and four more BrickLink Designer Program Series 8 sets will go live on June 9 at 4pm BST, with the model priced at £319.99 / $349.99 / €349.99.

The set will be available to purchase until June 18 or until all available stock has run out. Considering the continued popularity of LEGO Classic Castle builds, you might just want to get your orders in for Dustmark Keep ASAP, to avoid potential disappointment.

Every LEGO BrickLink Series 8 finalist

Featured image: Brick Quest

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