Review: 40202 Seasonal/Holiday Easter Chick

Diving back into my backlog and back into last year for a seasonal set.

Box.  MSRP was $9.99 for this which equates to a $0.09 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Plenty of Slopes and Plates.  I see Angled Bar Plates, 1x2 Bricks w/Studs (1 side), Clip Plates, Turntable Bases, and Mod. Plate 2x2x2/3 w/Studs (1 side).

Parts 2.  Plenty of Slopes, Plates, Tiles, Tooth Plates, and Clip Plates.  I see Bar Plates, Turntable Tops, and a Bracket.

Build.  I managed a Frame and a 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+).  A good set if you can find it.

Flexo

Back in September of last year, I mentioned a Kickstarter by a Lego-compatible 3rd party company.  Looks like they are back again with new shapes and colors.  I'm debating backing this so I can review their parts.  Their flexible nature could make for some neat innovations in building and, that triangular plate combined with Padlock Plates could make a really neat tripod core.

Review: 31055 Creator Red Racer

Switching up from current polybags, but still keeping it in the current year, here's another review for you.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99 for this which equates to a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Jumpers, Studless Slopes, Technic Bricks w/Axle Holes,
Axle Plates, Round Tiles, Clip Plates,  Plates w/Pin Hole,
Brackets, Axles, Bar Plate, and Grille Tiles are all interesting.

Build.  An IO Frigate 2Ra+d8/1Y.

The Questions:
Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  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+).  Another good set.

Review: 30497 Star Wars First Order Heavy Assault Walker Polybag

This is another recent release that's currently available at Target.

Bag.  MSRP is $3.49 for this which equates to a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  5x2x1-1/3 Bracket, Brick w/Studs on Side, Bar Plates, Clip Plates, Ball Joints, Slopes, Wedge Plates, Hinge Bricks, Corrugated Bricks, Technic Bricks, Pins, Dishes, Clip Tiles, Pin Hole Plates, and a new 1x2 Axle Plate.

Build.  A 2Rd+d8/2B mech.

Size Comparison


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+).  Another good set.

Review: 60091 Deep Sea Starter Set

Another trip in the wayback machine, this set also dates back to 2015.

Box.  MSRP is $9.99 for a $0.11 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.  Three minifigs plus a shark.

Parts 1.  The R2 Droid Body is intriguing.

Parts 2.  Exo-force Robot Arms, Bar Plates, Clip Bars, Clip
Plate, Large Jumper, and Axle Pin are all really useful.

Build.  Hover Frame or IO
Frigate, it's essentially an
alternate build for the set.

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+).  Ah, a more typical score for a City set.

Review: 60077 City Space Starter Set

Dipping back into the backlog of review sets.  This one dates back to 2015.

Box.  MSRP was $9.99 for a $0.09 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifigs.

Parts 1.  A decent selection, 3x3 Dish, 1x4 Offset Plate, 1x4 Brick w/Studs on Side, Bar Plates, Axle Plates, 6L Bars w/Stop Ring,  and Mudguards are the ones that stand out.

Parts 2.  Plenty of good parts here.

Build.  An IO Frigate.

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+).  Wow.  A City set with the top score.  Amazing.

Instructions Compilation Project 2017

Back in 2014, MFZ Hangar member Scrape put together a compilation of instructions of different builds from the community.  This year, VitorFaria has started putting together a new compilation of instructions with help from several other people.  If you want in, there's a discussion topic on the Hangar.

Micro Mecha 4

It's been a while since I've done one of these and I'm feeling lazy this morning, so here are some pretty pictures for you to gawk at.

Mini Mech Squad by David Steeves.  This is a great picture.

Mecha "Tablescrap" by Joseph Roush.  This guy has a lot of character.

KURAs MkII Heavies by Killy Kaiju.  Some
heavy micro mechs to change things up a bit.

MBT-66 "Noisebringer" by Tenor Penny.  He's

quickly becoming one of my favorite builders.

D6 Security Drones by Legomania.  I don't like that
technique for the legs but otherwise, they look good.

Battle Report: Paper Asylum

We were asked -- by the owner, who is a part time member of our group -- to come and play a game/give a demonstration of MFZ: Rapid attack at Paper Asylum this past weekend.  I actually didn't play in this game, all I did was take pictures.  I was running the demo table off to the side.  I also didn't write this battle report so this should be interesting.

Tyler (4 Frames & 16 Systems) = (7 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 42 points.  (Quattros)

   Orange Tank -- 2Rd+d8/2B/2W + SSR.

   White Tank -- 2Rd+d8/2B/2W.
   Green Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W + SSR.
   Red Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W + SSR.

Narbinator (5 Frames & 20 Systems) = (5 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 35 points.  (Skitterers)
   White Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Orange Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Red Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Yellow Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   Lime Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.

Tom (6 Frames & 24 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 24 points.
   Green Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Blue Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Yellow Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Y/2W.

   White Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Dune Heavy Assault -- 2Rd+d8/1B/1G/2W.
   Artillery (rbf) -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

Occam's Spork (6 Frames & 24 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 24 points.

   Green/Blue Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   Green/ White Tank -- 2Rd+d8/2B/2W.
   Blue/White Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W + SSR.
   White -- 1B/2G/1Y/2W.
   Blue Moving Wall -- 2B/2G+d8/2W + SSR (x2).
   Green -- 2Rh+d8/2Rd+d8/2W.

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

Events of Turn 1 (DDC@11): Occam's Spork is forced to move his entire squad more towards Tyler's Stations.  Tom and Occam's Spork form a pact of non-aggression which dissolves quickly.  Tyler counterattacks Occam's Spork dealing some damage and retreating.  Tom moves out deals some damage to Tyler's frames as well as sending a Frame to attack one of Occam's Spork's Stations.  Finally, Narbey attacks Tom and Occam's Spork's exposed frames.

Tyler: 42 points.
 Narbey: 35 points.
Tom: 24 points.
Occam's Spork: 24 points.

Events of Turn 2 (DDC@8): Tyler retreats, Tom moves two Frames up to Tyler's Station.  Bloodshed ensues in the middle of the board.  Occam's Spork and Tom take some damage near the Stations but Narbey and Tyler mostly stay out of it.  Occam's Spork foolishly returns to his Station to attack Tom's frame.

Narbey: 40 points.
Tyler: 28 points.
Occam's Spork: 21 points.
Tom: 18 points.

Events of Turn 3 (DDC@6): Tom retreats his Frame off Tyler's Station, letting Occam's Spork take it.  Occam's Spork takes heavy damage from Narbey and Tyler, but he holds on to Tyler's Station.Tom and Occam's Spork's combined fire destroys one of Narbey's frame at the base of the plane.  Tom destroys Narbey's frame guarding one of Narbey's Stations.

Tyler: 28 points.
 Narbey: 25 points.
Tom: 21 points.
Occam's Spork: 21 points.

Events of Turn 4 (DDC@1): Tyler attempts to destroy Occam's Spork's frames at Tyler's Station, but falls short and runs afoul of Station Dance rules he declares "totally bogus".  He attempts to destroy Narbey's weakest frame but Narbey rolls extra well, takes no damage, destroys Occam's Spork's frame and takes Tyler's Station.  Doing so put him in range of Tyler's full rage, destroying Narbey's frame.  Occam's Spork and Tom attack one of Narbey's frames in a fit of spite.  Tom attempts a long shot maneuver to win but fails to do so.

Tyler: 28 points.
Tom: 24 points.
 Narbey: 20 points.
Occam's Spork: 18 points.

Here's a few pictures of the aftermath.

Thoughts & Observations:

• Once again, I didn't write this battle report.
• Point attacker was decided by die roll.
• This use of the Airfield setting was on a smaller table but with one less player than the last games it worked out okay.
• Tyler's initial set-up pushed his opponent's out to the fringes of the board.

Review: 30428 Green Ninja Mech Dragon Polybag

This is another recent release that's currently a Lego Store "free giveaway" exclusive

Bag.  I'm guessing MSRP will be $3.99 for this which equates to a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Sand Green parts, Padlocks, Technic Pin/Ball Joints, regular Ball Joints, Inverted 1x2 Studless Slopes, Lampholders, and Clip Plates.  I'm not sure if this is better or just as good as the Quake Mech polybag.

Build.  Building the set
again because I like it.

Size Comparison.  Tall,
but not too wide.

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+).  Another good set.