Thursday, April 5, 2012

Buying Lego Sets for MFZ

With the massive upsurge in interest in Mobile Frame Zero, a lot of talk has been about getting the parts you need to make the mechs you need to play the game.  Most of the talk revolves around using Bricklink and Pick-A-Brick to cherry-pick the exact parts you need.  While this gets you the parts you need fast it also gives you only the parts you need and no more.  You won't be left with spare parts to build Stations and scenery.  I'm also a fan of having a stockpile of Lego parts for later use.

Here's the list I've compiled so far:
X-Wing polybag.
AT-ST polybag.
AAT polybag.
Hallowe'en Spiders polybag.
Atlantis Octopus polybag.
Atlantis Mini-Sub polybag.
Star Wars Brickmaster.
Atlantis Brickmaster.
Ninjago Brickmaster.
Star Wars 2011 Advent Calendar.

As you can see most of the sets are ploybags.  These offer the most bang for your buck; lots of small pieces -- generally of the kind needed for mech building -- and reasonable prices.

I saw this one a couple of days ago, 40031 Bunny & Chick polybag.  While there are some "enh" parts in the set, it has four Travis Bricks, two Headlight bricks, and some other good parts.  It also has 52 pieces and retails for $4.99 USD, which means it falls into the $0.10 per part range which is right in the sweet spot.  Also, it's a seasonal item so, if it stays past Easter it'll probably get marked down.

Another one that's good, but not in my usual price range for recommendation, is the 5767 Cool Cruiser.  It has all the usual fiddly bits we love but, the thing that knocked my socks off was the two Trans-Clear Headlight bricks.

18 comments:

  1. The new tie interceptor (http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=9676-1) has some decent parts (though the wings are a bit large).

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    1. All three of the Star Wars Planet sets are good in terms of parts. You're just paying the "Star Wars tax" for them. Hence, the Price/Piece ranges from $0.13 to $0.20.

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  2. Toys R Us is doing a Buy 1, Get 1 50% off sale on certain Lego sets right now. Any recommendations from what they're offering?

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    1. Josh, I'd go with sets from the Creator line. Any of the 3-in-1 or Mini sets would be good. I bought the 5765 Transport Truck set, lots of great color in that.

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    2. I too recommend the Creator 3-in-1 sets. I bought 2 of them; the 5762 Mini Plane and the 6912 Super Soarer, both of which have been very handy. The City series 4427 Fire ATV isn't bad either.

      I too got the TIE Interceptor with Death Star and it's got some nice pieces.

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  3. I looked at a few Creator sets today with my fiancee, but instead we ended up going with just the Star Wars Advent Calendar for now. (since it's down from $40 to $20 and may not last much longer) But I am pretty amazed at the number of handy pieces it comes with (plus Santa Yoda :) ) so I'm going to see how many weapons I can build with that set alone.

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  4. Josh, I didn't realize that you're the one doing the Bots of Westeros blog. You mentioned that a new Lego store is opening near you. Where are you located?

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    1. I'm in Rochester, NY. There's apparently one opening up not too far away in Victor, NY.

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    2. Okay. There's one opening up in Peabody, MA as well. That's why I asked.

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  5. Seconded on the mini-sub and the X-Wing polybag. I'd buy more of the X-Wing if I could find the things. :P

    As of a week or so ago, my local Toys R Us still had the Star Wars 2011 Advent Calendar ($35). I'd be happy to pick some up for people if they'd be willing to pay me back + shipping from central Illinois.

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    1. Try Walmart. I saw them in the clearance section for $10.

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    2. At the TRU I went to, they were marked $35 on the shelves but they actually rang up as $20. But if Walmart has them for $10, that's still the better option.

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    3. Anyone in nc north carolina? I Would be in terested in getting together for a tournament and a trip to lego store in raleigh.

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    4. You're probably better off asking at the Mobile Frame Hangar. http://www.mobileframehangar.com/index.php

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  6. Bit late to the party, but for any UK people interested the Atlantis Brickmaster book mentioned is £5 on The Book People website here.
    Which probably reduces it to the price of an equivalent set without the added book, but it's a good collection of pieces (I got 3).

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  7. I'm not able to find the SW poly bags around here, except for the mini Republic Attack Shuttle (part 30050). That, along with the two Atlantis ones above are in my grocery store for $2.50 right now, bought 2 of each last night. And as posted in another threat, Bunny and Chick are on closeout for under $2.

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    1. Those Atlantis polybag sets are great. Target has a SW polybag set in the checkouts, just not any of the ones listed above. They tend to have very limited retail lifespans. I picked up a Bunny & Chick polybag a couple of weeks ago. I still need to open and sort it.

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    2. Thanks, I'll have to check Target. Hit Toys R Us today, good selection of new sets, including all the ones in your 3rd good sets post, but no poly bags and no clearance.

      John Phelps

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