Review: Block Tech US101-1567 Block Bouquet Black Hyacinth

This is the second line of Halloween themed sets from Block Tech, making a return from last year.

Box.  MSRP is $4.00, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Hinge Plates w/Angled Sides, Plant Stems w/Bar, Axles,

3L Axle Connector, Axle/Pin connector, Axle Connectors, Ball Joint

Pins, Pin Connector, Candlesticks, Ball Joint Plates, Palm Tree Tops,

Hinge Plates,  Bar Bar Holders, Clip Bar Holders, and Flowers w/Bar.

Build.  Two Frames (2W), or two Stations.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  There's almost enough parts to make a third bottom section.  Also, that is a lot of flowers.

Review: 30707 Venom's Museum Robbery Polybag

The review for Friday is going to be new for 2025 polybag that I found at Target in the Toy section.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.14 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.

It looks normal in the picture but,

this is a tiny instruction booklet.

Minifigs.

The Wavy Sword Blade and the Studs w/

Inverted Handles should be fairly useful.

Parts.  Quarter Circle Plate, Bricks, Round Plates, Large

Jumper, Dishes, Transparent Dome Top Round Brick,

Minifig Armor, Minifig Helmet, Minifig Goblet, Ice Cream

Cones, Cone, Apollo Studs, 24 Facet Jewels, Transparent

Cheese Slopes, and Transparent Quarter Circle Tiles.

Build.  Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Above.  (-10)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +5 (B+).  Last year's Venom polybag was better.  Unless you really need something from this one I'd avoid it.

Review: Ninjago 30700 Arin vs. Dragonian Battle Polybag

The reviews for Monday and Wednesday are going to be new for 2025 polybags that I found at Wegman's in the Seasonal section.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.10 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Those Aqua sword blades are nice.

Parts.  Half Oval Plates, Plates,  Round Large Jumper, Jumpers,

 Minifig Bucket, Bar w/Handle, Corner Bricks w/Cutout, Bricks w/

Stud on Side, Brick, Inverted Slope w/Cutout, Minifig Bucket Handles,

Minifig Frog, Chains, Long Cheese Slopes, Round Plates, Cheese

Slopes, Tile w/Studs on Ends, Tiles, Half Bushings, and Jewels.

Build.  IO Frigate (2Ras/1Y).

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  At.  (0)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +15 (A).  This has some nice parts, the new Long Cheese Slopes are cool, but it doesn't seem to be worth it overall.

Review: 30695 Cinderella's Mini Garden Castle Polybag

The reviews for Monday and Wednesday are going to be new for 2025 polybags that I found at Wegman's in the Seasonal section.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.99 for a $0.10 Price per Piece.  

Instructions.

Minifig.

Parts.  Plates, Half Circle Plate, Bricks, Slopes, Half Oval Plate,

 Turntable Bases, Round Plates, Round Large Jumper, Tiles, Splat

Plates, Fence, Doorway, Brick Bricks, Arch, Jumper, Round Plates

w/5 Petal Flower Edge, Minifig Head, Round Plate w/3 Leaves,

Cheese Slopes, Satin Transparent Octagonal Jewel, and Flag.

Build.  Station and 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  At.  (0)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +15 (A).  It's a decent set, any time you get a plain Minifig Head is good.  But one more "official" piece and this would have rated an A+.  Apparently I reviewed this back in March.  Not the first time I've accidentally double reviewed something.

Review: Block Tech US101-1829 Spooky Succulents Jack-O-Thorns

This is the final set from one of the two lines of building block kits being released for Halloween by Five Below.

Box.  MSRP is $6.00, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Plates, Octagonal Bar Plates, Bricks, Tiles, Curved Slopes w/Studs, Minifig

Jack O'Lanterns, Brick w/Studs on Side, Bricks w/Studs on Corners, and Grass Stems.

Parts 2.  Round Large Jumper, Round Plates, Tiles, Minifig Spiders, Minifig

Paint Palettes, Clip Plates, Round Plates w/5 Petal Flower Edge, Round

Plate w/4 Petal Flower Edge, Grass Stem w/Stud, and Skeleton Arms.

Build.  Two Frames (2W), a Station,

and a 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  This set seems like a weird cross between Monday's and Wednesday's sets, and has the same amount of creations as both.

Review: Block Tech US101-1830 Spooky Succulents Cobweb Cactus

This is the second set from one of the two lines of building block kits being released for Halloween by Five Below.

Box.  MSRP is $6.00, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Cobweb, Plates, Octagonal Bar Plates, Bricks, Tiles,

Curved Slopes w/Studs, Brick w/Studs on Side, Flower Stems w/6

Stems & Bar, Grass Stems, and Flower Stem w/3 Stems and Stud.

Parts 2.  Round Plates, Round Large Jumper, Minifig Paint Palettes, Minifig

Spiders, Tiles, Plate, Curved Slopes w/Stud, Clip Plates, Round Plate w/4 Petal

Flower Edge, Clip Tiles, Skeleton Arms, and Bricks w/Studs on Corners.

Build.  Two Frames (2W), a Station,

and a 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  The same amount of creations as Monday's review.  Interesting color choices to work with; Dark Grey, Dark Green, Dark Orange, and Purple.  More Octagonal Bar Plates.

Review: Block Tech US101-1828 Spooky Succulents Skeleton Stonecrop

This is one of the two lines of building block kits being released for Halloween by Five Below.

Box.  MSRP is $6.00, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Quarter Circle Plates, Octagonal Bar Plates, Bricks, Round

Bricks, Round Large Jumper, Macaroni Bricks, Printed 2x2 Sphere

Brick w/Stud, Seaweed/Vines, Half Oval Times, and Round Plates.

Parts 2.  Tiles, Inverted Studless Slopes, Round Plates w/5 Petal Flower

Edge, Macaroni Tiles, Clip Plates, Round Plates w/4 Petal Flower

Edge, Flower Stem w/Bar & 6 Stems, and Cheese Slope w/Stud.

Build.  Two Frames (2W), a Station,

and a 1 Hit piece of Cover.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)

Score: +20 (A+).  Oh, these are going to be fun.  I like the colors and the parts.  Then again, I am a sucker for any set with Octagonal Bar Plates.

Review: Block Tech US101-0905 BYOFFBM Pizza

BYOFFBM is short for "Build Your Own Fast Food Block Magnet".  I was more interested in the Soda at the start. Although after seeing the parts in this set I'm glad I bought two.

Box.  MSRP is $4.00, for a $0.05 Price per Piece. 

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Magnet Brick, Wedge Plates, Round Plates, Plates, Minifig Hair, Quarter

Circle Plates, Inverted Studless Slopes, Round Large Jumper, Round Tiles, Printed

Round Tile, Rounded Plates, Tiles, Vertical Swirl Plates, Stadium Tiles, Quarter Circle

Tiles, Tile Clips, Wedge Studless Slopes, Cheese Slope w/Stud on Slope, Minifig Head, Rounded Corner Plates, Corner Plate, Corner Tile w/Cutout, Macaroni Tiles, Round

Plate w/3 Leaves, Curved Slope w/Cutout, Dome, Minifig Bananas, and Minifig Whip.

Build.  Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  There's a lot of fun pieces but, the quantities are low and there's not a lot of SNOT.  I don't see this being anything more than an accent set.

Review: Block Tech US101-0904 BYOFFBM Soda

BYOFFBM is short for "Build Your Own Fast Food Block Magnet".  This is the only one I was really interested in, due to one part in particular.  Although I should probably get the Pizza Slice as that seems to have some neat parts too.

Box.  MSRP is $3.25, for a $0.07 Price per Piece. 

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Magnet Brick, Quarter Domes,

Brick, Plate, and Bricks w/Studs on Side.

Parts 2.  Bricks, Plates, Studless Slopes, Bricks w/Studs on Side,

Bricks w/Studs on Corners, 1x1x2 Round Brick, Macaroni

Brick, Printed Studless Slopes, and Cheese Slope w/Stud.

Build.  Frame (2W), Station,

and Intercept Orbit HVA.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  I think this set has potential but you may need at least two due to some parts only having singular instances.

Terrain Workshop: Duplo

I know, talking about the larger blocks designed for younger children seems a little odd.  BUT, they are compatible with "regular" Lego and can be used to give more volume to builds and keep the parts count low.  I demonstrated this in this review, and I've used the technique in this table-setting.  I have more ideas on how to use these pieces in other terrain builds rattling around my head .  Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to implement them.

The main issue, at least for me, is that Duplo sets are generally over the Golden Ratio.  That's $0.10 per Piece for those not familiar with that term.  Two recent sets 10426 Train Bridge & Tracks Expansion set and 10425 Train Tunnel & Tracks Expansion set both fall right on that ratio and make for a good starting point to build a table-setting around.

The other issue with Duplo bricks is that they don't fall evenly on the "Six Bricks is 1 Hit" divide as a 2x2 Duplo Brick is the same size as four 2x4 Lego Bricks.  This can be house ruled around so I don't feel it's that much of  problem.  Also, I don't see someone investing the time and effort to get to the "center of the Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop" -- if you'll forgive the joke -- especially if it's a really large terrain build.  Although -- since most Duplo Bricks are two Lego Bricks tall -- you could use them as the base of a terrain build to mark the point at which a piece no longer counts as Cover.

All that being said, set 10425 and 10426 bit me hard after I saw them

in the Lego store.  So much so I built a table-setting around them

in roughly the space of a week.  After starting with those sets, I

added in my Borrower's Trees -- because I had a fair amount of

them and I've really been wanting to use them in a terrain setting.

Triffids?

The next addition was a set of old walls that I recently used in

a playtesting game.  I wanted something to offset the flora and be

a bit more linear and clean than the trees.  The really useful part

about those walls is that I built four different sets.  I can swap

them in and out to vary the look of the terrain for each game.

The last part was a little more difficult.  Since the main part of 10426 is the bridge,

I wanted a "water feature" to go under it.  This, along with the train tracks, will

help to divide the battlefield into sections and create open lanes to travel along

and across during the game.  I couldn't find the scrapbook paper that I've used

before as water so I tried something a little different. This time I used four

9" x 12" Textured Foam Sheets that I bought at Michaels.  I had to cut them to

fit in between the columns of the bridge but that was easy enough.  The textured

foam is a nice contrast to the felt table covering so it helps it stand out a little.

This is a clearer view of one side of the

bridge and the tunnel mouth section.

This is what the entire table looks like without Frames cluttering it up.

I maybe should have subtitled this post "The Evolution of the D Line Dustup".

Battle Report: D Line Dustup

This is our third game for 2025 -- and our first full sized game in six months -- that took a few weeks to form up.  This was a Skirmish.  This is the debut for this table-setting.

Chuck (5 Frames & 18 Systems) = (6 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 42 points.  (Old School)

   Green Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Brown Spotter -- 1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR (x2).

   Yellow Swarmer -- 2Rh+d8/1B/1Gd8/1Y/2W.

   White Assault Scout -- 2Rd+d8/1G/1Y/2W.

   Purple Swarmer -- 2Rh+d8/1B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

Me (5 Frames & 18 Systems) = (6 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 42 points.  (Scissorhands)

   Red Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Yellow Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Orange Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Purple Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Blue Spotter -- 1Gd8/2Y/2W.

Phungkyjams (5 Frames & 18 Systems) = (6 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 42 points.  (Dockhands)
   Yellow Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Red Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W + SSR.

   Blue Armored Binary -- 2Ra/2B/1Y/2W.

   Purple Static Binary -- 2Ra/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Orange Static Binary -- 2Ra/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.

Occam's Spork (5 Frames & 20 Systems) = (4 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 28 points.
   Orange Ijad Beetle Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Yellow Ijad Beetle Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Blue Scout Bodyguard -- 2Rd/2Rh/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Grey Scout Bodyguard -- 2Rd/2Rh/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Brown Scout Bodyguard -- 2Rd/2Rh/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.

This is what the table looked like at the start of the game.

Events of Round 1 (DDC @ 11): Chuck's Brown Frame captures Phungkyjams' Data Dog station before the game starts.  Chuck's Purple frame clubs Occam's Spork's Brown frame for 2, Station Dance.  Chuck's Purple frame captures Occam's Spork's Station.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame moves West under the bridge and hits my Purple frame for 1.  My Purple frame hits the flower in front of Chuck's White frame for 2, destroying it, and the Frame for 3.  Chuck's White frame then moves East and hits my Yellow frame for 2.  My Yellow frame moves West into the river and hits Phungkyjams' Blue frame for 4.  Chuck's Brown frame moves West and captures Phungkyjams' Lil Nas X station.  Chuck's Yellow Frame moves Southwest and hits Occam's Spork's Brown frame for 1.  Occam's Spork's Orange frame steps South and hits Chuck's Yellow frame for 6, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Orange frame hits my Yellow frame for 1.  Occam's Spork's Grey frame moves West and hits Chuck's Purple frame for 3, Station Dance.  My Orange frame moves West into the River and hits Chuck's White frame for 2.  My Red frame moves South to a bridge pylon and hits Phungkyjams' Blue frame for 3, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Red frame hits my Red frame for 3, then moves West across the river and recaptures his Data Dog station.

Chuck: 48 points.

Me: 42 points.

Phungkyjams: 30 points.

Occam's Spork: 24 Points.

Events of Round 2 (DDC @ 7): My Yellow frame hits Chuck's White frame for 1, destroying it, and moves West out of the river.  My Purple frame hits Phungkyjams' Red frame for 1, Station Dance.  My Red frame sprints South under the bridge and captures Phungkyjams' Data Dog station.  Chuck's Purple frame moves West and clubs Occam's Spork's Brown frame for 4, destroying it.  Occam's Spork's Orange frame keeps stepping South along the train tracks and hits Chuck's Purple frame for 2.  Occam's Spork's Blue frame recaptures his Station then moves West and hits Chuck's Purple frame for 1.  Occam's Spork's Grey frame moves West and captures Chuck's Orange station.  Phungkyjams' Yellow frame moves East and hits the mound in front of my Blue frame for 2, destroying it, and the tunnel mouth for 1.

Me: 48 points.

Chuck: 30 points.

Occam's Spork: 28 Points.

Phungkyjams: 24 points.

Events of Round 3 (DDC @ 3): My Red frame moves West and captures the Lil Nas X station that was under Chuck's control.  Occam's Spork's Orange frame hits my Red frame for 2, Station Dance.  Chuck's Purple frame hits my Red frame for 2 with a SSR, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Orange frame hits my Orange frame for 1, with a SSR, then moves East beside a wall section.  Chuck's Brown frame moves West and captures the Neutral station.  Chuck's Green frame hits the wall my Yellow frame was hiding behind for 1.  Phungkyjams' Yellow frame hits my Orange frame for 2, destroying it, and the wall it was hiding behind for 1.  Occam's Spork's Grey frame hits Chuck's Purple frame for 4, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Purple frame hits my Purple frame for 1, and the tree it was hiding behind for 1 -- destroying the tree -- then moves East to the tunnel mouth.  Phungkyjams' Red frame moves South through the river and recaptures the Data Dog station that was under my control.  The Doomsday Clock is ticked to zero.

Me: 36 points.

Phungkyjams: 30 points.

Occam's Spork: 28 points.

Chuck: 24 Points.

Here are several during and aftermath pictures.

Round 1.

Round 1.

Round 1.

Round 1.

Round 1.

Round 1.

Round 2.

Round 2.

Round 2.

Round 2.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Round 3.

Thoughts & Observations:

• This was a Skirmish.
• We used the Neutral Station rule.
• Frame counts are taken from this post.
• Since we had a three people come in at 5 Frames/18 systems we rolled for Defender position.
• Chuck won and decided to be Defender rather than have us add or subtract a Frame.
• I wanted to wait a little longer to make my move for the Defender position but after I captured the Data Dog station in the middle of the Second Round I had to go all in.
• In the Third Round I had one functioning Weapon System left in my squad so I got into Cover where I could and kept my head down, trying to ride out all the attacks coming my way.
• This was the debut of this table-setting.
• We decided that each 2x2 Duplo Brick is 1 Hit.
• Each 2x4 Duplo Brick is 2 Hits.
• Each 2x2x2 Duplo Round Brick is 2 Hits.
• The Lower Bridge sections are 6 Hits after the first arch, and only count as Cover after that arch.
• The Upper Bridge sections are 12 Hits.
• The Arch Span sections are 4 Hits each.
• The Tunnel Mouth is 16 Hits.
• I really need to make a Compass Rose for this table-setting.
• Flickr page.