Castle Brick MOC Guide: From City Walls to Moat

A castle brick scene is a bucket-list build for a lot of MOC makers, but the usual sticking point comes before the first brick: do you start with the wall or with the tower? This guide lays out a complete, followable plan that moves from the outside in and from structure to decoration.

Step 1: Planning the terrain and baseplates

Don't start stacking yet. Join two 32x32 baseplates into a base of roughly 64x32. Build the terrain two layers deep: the bottom layer uses 2x2 bricks and 1x4 bricks to raise things by 8 studs, which gives you room to hide wiring and lets you sculpt rock and grass layers on the sides. Mark the wall footprint and the moat with tape on the baseplate. Dig the moat 2 studs wide and 1 brick deep, and close the edges with 1x2 slope bricks.

Step 2: Wall brickwork and crenellations

Lay the wall in staggered 2x2 bricks, offsetting each course by half a brick so joints never line up; this is stronger than stacking straight. Every 3 courses, sandwich in a row of 1x2 bricks with studs as a tie, which keeps the wall from coming apart. Take the wall up to 16 brick courses (about 14 cm). For the crenellations: alternate 1x1 bricks with 1x1 bricks with a cross axle hole along the top, then fill the gaps flush with 1x2 plates so minifigures can stand there. Wrap the outer corners with 1x2 slope bricks, then inset 2x2 patterned bricks to suggest stone joints.

Step 3: Towers, round and square

A square tower is the brick-cheapest option: use 2x2 corner bricks at the four corners, offset half a brick each course, and fill the middle with 2x4 bricks. The round tower is the visual anchor: build the outer ring from 1x2 bricks, stepping each course half a brick inward to form the curve, starting at a diameter of 8 studs. Ring the top with 1x1 bricks with studs for the merlons, cut 1x2 arched windows into the shaft, and turn 1x4 curved slope bricks upside down to frame the openings. Make the four corner towers slightly taller than the main tower so the skyline reads as uneven.

Step 4: The gate and a working drawbridge

Bury two 1x2 bricks with round holes in the gate wall as pivot points and run a long axle through them. Build the drawbridge from 4x8 plates layered with 2x6 plates for reinforcement, connect both sides of the deck to the axle with 1x2 bricks with holes, and set it so that when lowered it rests exactly on 1x1 stud bricks on the far bank. Arch the top of the gateway with 1x4 curved slope bricks, and make the doors two leaves from 2x6 hinge bricks to complete a fully movable assembly.

Step 5: Interiors, the great hall, throne and armory

Pave the great hall with dark red 6x8 tiles along the central axis, and stand 1x1 round bricks down both sides as columns, capped with 1x2 curved slopes. Put the throne at the far end of the hall on a 1x4 step, shape the high back from 2x2 slope bricks, and stand a torch on each side (1x1 round bar plus an orange glow brick). Against the wall, set a 2x3 rack and load it with swords, spears and shields. Shields are easy: a 2x2 slope brick plus a sticker does the job.

Step 6: Minifigures, banners and lighting

Place 6 to 8 minifigures armed with swords or bows along the crenellations, on the tower tops and flanking the gate; having guards at the key positions adds a lot of narrative. For banners, use 1x1 bricks with a round bar plus 2x2 soft flag pieces, flying four different colors at the corners for medieval atmosphere. For light, tuck 1x1 glow bricks inside the gate as a base layer, and hide warm light bricks behind the throne in the hall to fake candlelight.

Finishing and sharing

Finish by covering the moat with 1x1 transparent blue bricks and dotting a few green plant pieces around it, and the castle brick scene is complete. The whole build comes to roughly 3000 parts. For more original castle and military MOC instructions, browse and download from the brickplan.cn community, where a large group of builders working with Chinese brick brands share their designs.