When LEGO released their Black Pearl set back in 2011, fans got exactly what they expected from a mid-tier Pirates of the Caribbean tie-in: a perfectly adequate 779-piece approximation that captured the ship’s basic silhouette while missing virtually everything that made Jack Sparrow’s vessel legendary. The original set served its purpose as a movie tie-in product, but felt more like a decent pirate ship cosplaying as the most feared vessel in the Caribbean than the real deal.
Fast-forward to 2025, and LEGO Ideas creator Tobnac has submitted a Black Pearl MOC that makes the original look like a dinghy by comparison, delivering the kind of epic, display-worthy interpretation that the legendary ship deserved from the start. This 4,590-piece behemoth represents everything the original set should have been: a true homage to the ship that launched a thousand pirate fantasies and made “savvy” part of our everyday vocabulary.
Designer: Tobnac
Where the 2011 version gave us a basic black hull with minimal detailing, this monster stretches an impressive 107.8 centimeters in length and towers at 94.5 centimeters high. The sheer scale difference tells the story perfectly: the original’s 779 pieces now seem almost insulting when faced with this monument to proper LEGO ship building that weighs in at nearly 5 kilograms.
The visual impact starts with the rigging, where countless black strings create the complex web of lines that any proper sailing ship demands. Those iconic black sails, while not fabric in this iteration, are represented through a sophisticated rigging system suggesting the Pearl’s supernatural speed that made her “nigh uncatchable” according to Barbossa himself.
The hull maintains that signature all-black aesthetic, but here it’s executed with sophisticated part usage creating genuine depth and texture rather than just slapping black bricks together. Looking at the stern section, you can see the intricate gothic details that made the Pearl feel like a floating cathedral of piracy.
Brilliant touches like using basketball net elements for the distinctive lanterns show the kind of creative part usage that separates exceptional MOCs from mere brick piles. These details would have made Hector Barbossa proud enough to stop eating apples for a moment to admire the craftsmanship.
The modular design allows for easy access to different sections of the ship, from the gun decks bristling with cannons to the various crew quarters. You can see multiple levels of internal detail that create genuine play value alongside the display appeal, addressing one of the biggest shortcomings of the original set which felt more like a hollow shell.
The captain’s quarters showcase a level of detail that would make Jack reach for his rum, complete with navigational equipment, personal effects, and the kind of lived-in authenticity that brings the space to life. I can almost smell the sea salt, leather, and that peculiar Jack Sparrow aroma that Elizabeth Swann once found so objectionable.
Cannon ports line the hull with military precision, suggesting the Pearl’s formidable firepower that could match any Navy vessel when the situation demanded it. Each section feels purposeful and authentic, creating the sense that this version actually could house a crew for months of Caribbean piracy, treasure hunting, and running from the East India Trading Company.
The original 2011 set now sells on the black market for over $700 USD sealed, proving that demand for a proper Black Pearl has always existed. This new interpretation finally provides the scale, detail, and authenticity that fans have been craving for more than a decade. Tobnac’s MOC (My Own Creation) currently exists as a fan-submission to the LEGO Ideas forum, an online portal where enthusiasts build, share, and vote for community-made MOCs. If you want to see this particular build come to life, head down to the LEGO Ideas website and give it your vote! If it does hit the 10,000 vote mark, the MOC gets officially reviewed by LEGO’s internal team and ‘potentially’ turned into a retail box set!
The post This 4,590-brick Black Pearl looks vastly better than the original 2011 LEGO set first appeared on Yanko Design.
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