Yearly Look Back: 2020 Edition

It's been a year, hasn't it.

I'm up 18 posts from last year, maintaining my "at least three posts per week" average for the eighth year running.  This is my third highest total for posting.  I'm now estimating cracking 2,000 posts sometime around June of 2024.

The Central MA gaming group continued to meet this year.   We managed seven games together, before the COVID-19 lockdowns took effect.

I managed 117 reviews this year; 10 non-building block, 36 clone bricks, 9 Mega Bloks, and 62 Lego. That comes out to an average of 9.75 per month. Which is a increase of 2.17 reviews per month from 2019.

I did a few more Terrain Workshop posts than the year before.  I really have to lean harder into doing posts like that as I have a few new table-settings I'm working on and doing them in general might aid the community more.

I'm now over 910K views, which is roughly another 60K views since last year.  Thank you to everyone for the continued readership.   My Flickr stream is over 4.1 million views which I must thank everyone for as well.

I got to attend PAX East -- for the second time as a regular attendee -- and then COVID-19 shut down the world.  No PAX Unplugged, no Armour Con, no meeting great MoF0s, no seeing old friends, or playing really fun games.  I won't lie, it sucks.  But I'd rather everyone stay safe and sound.  I know a few people are working on virtual table top mods so we can maybe play that way.  Vaccine distributions are being finalized so we're getting closer to face to face meeting again.  I'm still hoping to arrange a tournament for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack at the next PAX Unplugged, whenever that might be.  So let's take a breath, wave at each other virtually, and go on being the awesome community that I know we are.

Stay safe, see you next year.  :-)

Build Journal: The DMZ

Two and a half years ago I debuted a table-setting called "Missile Base Omega".  It didn't seem that popular with my group and had some minor issues during play.  So I retired it and thought about how I could change it.  I managed to re-use the "frame" pieces in a game a little later that year.

My first thought was to split the structures between the ends of the battlefield.  While the asymmetrical nature of the original idea was cool, it led to problems with the Defender having a greater amount of Cover than the other players.  Splitting things between both ends evens the amount of Cover out and solves that problem.  This led to the new concept and name for the table-setting, The De-Militarized Zone.

My original idea to help represent this was to have someone stitch together a few pieces of felt -- green in the middle, brown at either end -- to represent the surface of the battlefield.  Then Make-It Blocks came out with a line of cheap baseplates and I switched my thinking.

So that's a picture of my initial start; the baseplates, the framework buildings, and the fencing -- which I used in the last version of this idea and is a variation on this build.  You can see how both ends of the battlefield are defined with an open zone in the middle.  I like how it looks but I have to say it was a pain in the ass getting all the baseplates synched up.  The quality control isn't as good as Lego's and I broke a lot of 2x2 Reddish Brown plates trying to get it all lined up.

This is a close up shot of a framework building.

A Frame's-Eye-View looking up the battlefield.

At this point I dug into the bag holding the rest of the constructs that were used in Missile Base Omega and started re-assembling them and laying them out to fill in some of the remaining empty space.

Missile silos, ranging from closed to open.

Defensive guns.

Size Comparison: Fencing.  In the background you can see an antenna array.

Size Comparison: Framework Building.

All of that work leads to this.  There's nice open section in the middle with plenty of Cover at each end.

Each Frame Piece is 4 Hits.  The Platforms will be 1 Hit.  Missile Silos are 3 Hits to destroy.  Antenna Arrays are 1 Hit.  Defensive Guns are 1 Hit.  Fence Sections are 1 Hit, Fence Posts are 1 Hit.  I have enough extra sections for the frame buildings to make two more.  I also have more fencing.  And I have two Make-It Blocks Scenery Polybags set aside if there's the need for a little more variety in the Cover selection.

Hopefully this will see use some time in 2021.

Review: 30370 Ocean Diver Polybag

Happy Holidays, everyone.  This can be found in Walmart in a midway display with other polybags and other impulse Christmas toy selections.  Thanks to Atavism for bringing it to my attention on the Discord server.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.23 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.  Let's take a quick look at this.  The helmet is over-

molded and one piece.  The flippers did not come on a sprue.

Parts.   Stingray, Wedge Plate, Coral, Tile, Clip Plate, Slopes, Brick, Plate, Rim, Dome, Round Brick, Round Large Jumper, Minfig Handlebar, and Axle/Pin.

Build.  Attack Stingray (2Rh+d8/1B).

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?  No.  (-5)
Score: -5 (B-).  Beyond the Stingray, there's not much of a reason to recommend this set.

Review: Gundam Micro Wars Ball & Pilot

This is a different type of Gundam model than the Converge or Gunpla sets.  I initially thought there was some sort of rule set connected to this due to the name.  This is one of the releases from the third wave.

 Box.  I paid $7.99 at Barnes & Noble for this.

Instructions.  Inside the box.

Parts.  

Disassembled.  As you can see, the body has a cockpit for a figure.  The

gun could be Artillery or Spotting.  The arms could be Melee or Defense.

Assembled.

Size Comparison 1.

Disassembled Figures.

Assembled Figures.

Size Comparison 2.  The Mobile Suit Figure looks to be 9P or so.

Size Comparison 3.  Here you can see the figures in the Ball

and the Z'Gok which I reviewed a couple months back.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Below.  (+5)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  In between a Chub and a Classic.  (+5)
How many parts does it have to represent systems?  Three.  (0)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  No.  (-5)
Score: +5 (B+).  It looks neat but doesn't have a lot of Attachments.

A New Hangar

Since the Mobile Frame Hangar forums have been inactive for a while, community member Vitoria set up  a new forum this weekend.  It's called the Mobile Frame Hangar Nova.  It's set up roughly the same as the old one.  Click on over and register, (re-)introduce yourself, then post away.

Let's give Vitoria a big round of applause for doing this.

Review: EMS-TC02 Phantom Gundam (230)

While Christmas shopping at my local Barnes & Noble, I decided to pick up a few new Gundam converge sets.

Box.  I paid $6.99 at Barnes & Noble for this.

Parts.

Disassembled.  The head vane could be Spotting.  The head could be Spotting or Defense.  The leg coverings could be Defense or Movement.  The back vanes could be Defense, Movement, or Spotting.  The backpack could be Defense or Movement.  The gun could be Direct Fire, Melee, or Spotting.  The arms could be removed for White Die damage.

Assembled.

Size Comparison.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Below.  (+5)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  In between a Chub and a Classic.  (+5)
How many parts does it have to represent systems?  Six.  (+5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (A+).  Top score and it's a non-standard color Gundam!

Review: OZX-GUO2A Gundam Geminass 02 (235)

While Christmas shopping at my local Barnes & Noble, I decided to pick up a few new Gundam converge sets.

Box.  I paid $6.99 at Barnes & Noble for this.

Parts.

Disassembled.  The head vane could be Spotting.  The head could be Defense or Spotting.  The gun could be Direct Fire or Spotting.  The shield could be Defense.  The backpack could be Defense or Movement.  The arms can be removed for White Die damage.

Assembled.

Size Comparison.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Below.  (+5)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  In between a Chub and a Classic.  (+5)
How many parts does it have to represent systems?  Four.  (+5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (B+).  A nice looking model that can be fielded in the "Soldier" configuration.

Review: RGM-78SP GM Sniper II (234)

While Christmas shopping at my local Barnes & Noble, I decided to pick up a few new Gundam Converge sets.

Box.  I paid $6.99 at Barnes & Noble for this.

Parts.

Disassembled.  The antenna could be Spotting.  The head could be Defense or Spotting.  The rifle could be Direct Fire, Artillery, or Spotting.  The shield could be Defense.  The arms are removable for White Dice damage.

Assembled.

Size Comparison.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Below.  (+5)
Is it a good size to use in a game?  Yes.  In between a Chub and a Classic.  (+5)
How many parts does it have to represent systems?  Four.  (+5)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: +20 (B+).  Just barely squeaks into a top score with that removable antenna, looks cool though.

Sales Alert (Updated)

Target has a couple of sales this week.  15% off Select Lego sets, and 20% off select Mega Construx sets.

Barnes & Noble also has a 30% off select sets sale going on.

Good hunting.

Purity: Mega Bloks Construction Polybag Review 3

  There are new Mega Construx blind bag polybags available at the Dollar Tree.  I was alerted to the existence of these by someone on the MFZ Facebook Group.  I haven't been able to find any information on these as the only number on the bag that comes back with a hit, 684173-A, leads to an eBay auction.  As these seem to be blind bags you'll have to do the "feel test" to determine which one you're buying.

Bag.  MSRP was $1.00 for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.  These are folded up really small and bound with a

clear rubber band that, unfortunately, doesn't get used in the build

Parts.  Plates, Axle Plates, Slope w/Cutout, Tile w/Bar, Grille

Tiles, Tile, Wheels, Bar w/Bar Holder Horizontal, Bracket,

Double Sided Round Plate, Truncated Cones, and a Slope.

Build.  This cement mixer is 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? No. (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  Another construction vehicle -- for some reason I'm intrigued by cement mixers -- with a few cool parts.

Purity: Mega Bloks Construction Polybag Review 2

 There are new Mega Construx blind bag polybags available at the Dollar Tree.  I was alerted to the existence of these by someone on the MFZ Facebook Group.  I haven't been able to find any information on these as the only number on the bag that comes back with a hit, 684173-A, leads to an eBay auction.  As these seem to be blind bags you'll have to do the "feel test" to determine which one you're buying.

Bag.  MSRP was $1.00 for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions.  These are folded up really small and bound with a

clear rubber band that, unfortunately, doesn't get used in the build

Parts.  Tile, Plate, Plate w/Open Studs, Tiles w/Open Stud, Axle Plates, Rounded Slope, Panel, Bracket w/Open Studs, Wheels, Bars, and Bar Holder/Bar.

Build.  The top of this is roughly five Bricks

tall, so it could be 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? No. (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  Another parts set that can help populate a construction site battlefield.

Purity: Mega Bloks Construction Polybag Review 1

There are new Mega Construx blind bag polybags available at the Dollar Tree.  I was alerted to the existence of these by someone on the MFZ Facebook Group.  I haven't been able to find any information on these as the only number on the bag that comes back with a hit, 684173-A, leads to an eBay auction.  As these seem to be blind bags you'll have to do the "feel test" to determine which one you're buying.

Bag.  MSRP was $1.00 for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions.  These are folded up really small and bound with a

clear rubber band that, unfortunately, doesn't get used in the build

Parts.  Plates, Hinge Plate Bottom, Panels, Bracket, Axle Plates, hinge Plate Top, Tiles, Wheels, and Transparent Slope.

Build.  As you can see I missed a Grille Plate when I emptied the

bag, so always be sure you have all the parts.  :-)  With the bed

down the dump truck is only 8 Plates tall so it doesn't count as

cover.  But with it in the upwards position it is 14 Plates tall and

counts as a 1 Hit piece of Cover.  You could possibly put it on the 

battlefield with the bed down and allow a frame that has moved

next to it use a Melee "action" to elevate the bed of the truck.

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? No. (-5)
Score: +10 (A-).  A neat little set but it probably will be better in bulk as a parts pack.