Terrain Workshop: (Clone) Trees 25

Until this point in time I've been building my tree designs from Lego parts.  But I've recently reviewed a few non-Lego building block sets that have some useful parts for building foliage so I'm going to combine them into one build.

This starts with two Clip Leaves from the Miniso Toys Sunflower set.  The next piece is the Pin Connector w/4 Clips from the Miniso Toys Multiflora Rose set.  The next piece is three 1x1x2 Round Bricks from the Brix Record Player set.  This gives us a 1 Hit tree that is 21 feet tall and roughly 37.5 feet from branchtip to branchtip in 6P scale.  Granted, it costs $13.25 to build this but you also get four Frames and a ton of extra parts out of the deal.

Brickshelf gallery.

You might even go a little crazy and buy a second Miniso Toys Sunflower set for two more Clip Leaves.  We'll swap out a 1x1x2 Round Brick which changes the parts total to seven.  This is still 1 Hit but the remaining 1x1x2 Round Brick is under the Height Minimum for Cover so it doesn't really matter.  This version is roughly 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide in 6P scale.  This version costs $18.25 to build this but you also get five Frames and even more extra parts out of the deal.

Brickshelf gallery.

If we wanted to buff this up to a full 2 Hits we could add a 1x1x2 Round Brick back in and use four of the Brown 1x1 Round Plates from the Miniso Toys Sunflower set to expand the piece count to twelve.  This also give us enough height so we can change the orientation of the Clip Leaves to give this version a different look than the others.  This version is roughly 39 feet tall and 10 feet wide in 6P scale.  It still costs $18.25 to build this but you also get five Frames and a lot of extra parts out of the deal.

Brickshelf gallery.

Size comparison pictures with the usual suspects.

I'm not sure where I'm going to use this design but I hope this gives people ideas or techniques to use in their terrain builds. Flickr Page.

Review: Brix 64166-02 Household Series Camera

I recently came across four new set lines of Brix building blocks, which seems to be a subsidiary of "Well Played", in 5Below.  Two of these lines are micro bricks, they look to be about the same size as Nano Blocks, but the other lines are compatible with Lego.

Box.  MSRP is $3.25, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Round Plate, Round Plates w/Cutout, Plates, 1x2x1.6 Bricks

w/Studs on Side, 1x2x2 Brick, Curved Bricks w/Cutout, Bricks, Tile,

Studless Slopes, Corner Plates, and 1x1x1.6 Brick w/Studs on Side.

Parts 2.  Transparent Inverted Round Tile, Round Large Jumper,

Round Tile w/Pinhole, Plates, Jumpers, Studless Slopes, Tiles,

Double Jumpers, Double Sided Plates, Curved Cheese Slopes, Brick

 w/Stud on Side, Brick, Large Ball Joints w/Axle Hole, Minifig Bunny.

 

Parts 3. Macaroni Tiles, Tiles, Plates, Brackets, Round Plate w/Petals, Apollo

Stud, Quarter Circle Tiles, Round Tile, Transparent Rounded Plate, Transparent

Stadium Tiles, Transparent Round Plates w/Petals, Bar, and Flower Stems.

Build.  Frame (2W) and 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 bunch of good parts here but this Pink doesn't quite match up to Lego's Pink.

Review: Brix 64166-03 Household Series Computer

I recently came across four new set lines of Brix building blocks, which seems to be a subsidiary of "Well Played", in 5Below.  Two of these lines are micro bricks, they look to be about the same size as Nano Blocks, but the other lines are compatible with Lego.

Box.  MSRP is $3.25, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.

Parts 1.  Door Frame, Tiles, Plates, Inverted Tiles, 1x2x2 Bricks,

1x2x1.6 Bricks w/Studs on Side, 1x1x1.6 Bricks w/Studs on

Side, Curved Bricks w/Cutout, Bricks, Brick w/Pinholes.

Parts 2.  Plates, Grille Tiles, Double Sided Plates, Tiles, Bar Stud, Round

Tile, Apollo Studs, Stadium Tile, Quarter Circle Tiles, Flower, Round

Plate, Brick w/Stud on Side, 1x1x0.6 Bricks, and Minifig Flowerpot.
 

Build.  Frame (2W), 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?  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 like the Light Blue and Light Yellow but I feel like this set doesn't have a lot to offer beyond that.

Review: Brix 64166-07 Household Series Record Player

I recently came across four new set lines of Brix building blocks, which seems to be a subsidiary of "Well Played", in 5Below.  Two of these lines are micro bricks, they look to be about the same size as Nano Blocks, but the other lines are compatible with Lego.

Box.  MSRP is $3.25, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Round Tile, Octagonal Bar Plate, Tiles, Cone, Plates, Bricks,

Tile w/Studs, Corner Plate, Plate w/Pinhole, Axle, Bricks w/Studs on

Corners, Bent Axle Connector, Round Bricks, and Axle Connector.

Parts 2.  Round Tile, Wedge Tiles, Corner Tiles, Bar Holder w/Bar, Tiles,

Plates, Clip Plates, Round Plates, Inkwells, Pin/Axle, Axle, Bar Clips,

Skeleton Arm, Bricks w/Stud on Side, and Double Female Brick.

Build.  Frame (2W) and 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+).  I'll definitely be using those Round Bricks in future tree builds.  That Black Round Tile should make a decent starting point for a shield.  I'm not sure how, but I'll use that Double Female Brick somehow too.

Review: Block Tech US101-0425 Chrome Bricks Gilded Dragon

I feel like Block Tech has been on an absolute tear recently with four new series -- other than this one -- being released within the last month or so.  Then there's the new line I'm reviewing today, Chrome Bricks.  I'm not sure if it's over the top or genius but it's definitely a flex.  I only saw one different set in the store under this imprint.

Box.  MSRP is $5.00, for a $0.04 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Sleeve.  This is how the parts were

arranged inside the box.

Parts 1.  "Loose" in box.  Inverted Slope.
 

Parts 2.  Plates, Tile, Wedge Plates, Slopes w/Cutout, Inverted

Slopes w/ Cutout, Inverted Slopes, Studless Slope, Bricks

w/Studs on Side, Ball Joint Plates, and Angled Bar Plates.

Parts 3.  Wedge Plates, Tile, Ball Joint Plates, Round Plates, Curved

Slopes w/Wing, Hinge Brick Top, Bracket, Tooth Tiles, Hinge Brick

Base, Bricks w/Suds on Corners, and Studless Double Slopes.

Parts 4.  Inverted Round Tiles, Tooth Plates, Ball Joint Stud, Grille Cheese

Slopes, Studless Slopes, Clip Plates, Triple Cheese Slopes, Brackets, Large

Cheese Slopes, Plate, Tiles, Jumper, Inkwells, Ball Joint Axles, Transparent

Barraki Eyes, Transparent Flame, Round Plate, and Exo-Force Arms.

Build.  Two Frames (2Rd

/2W) 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+).  Tons of Ball Joint pieces, some Chrome Gold pieces, and other useful bits definitely make this worth it.  I've already bought a second copy.

Review: Miniso PC8279-11 Car Model Blue

I was in a new-to-me Miniso store last week looking for more of the other line of Botanical sets I reviewed the other week when I discovered this new line of sets.  This was the only copy they had of this set so I bought it to review.  There are two other sets in this line going by the pictures on the box.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.

Parts 1.  Loose in box.  Pull Back Motor Brick.

Parts 2.  Tires.

Parts 3.  Brackets, Translucent Tiles, Tiles, Clip Plates, Hinge Plates,

Plates, Grille Tiles, Wedge Studless Slopes, Translucent Bar Plate,

Axle Plates, Bar Holder w/Bar, Bar Holder w/Clip, Lever Bases, Bar,

Inkwells, Translucent Round Tiles, Levers, Turntable Tops, and a Rim.

 

Parts 4.  Plates, Transparent Tiles, Rims, Tile w/Pin, Inverted

Slopes, Brick w/Studs on Side, Tiles, and Minifig Seats.

Build. IO Cruiser.

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 like the light Blue pieces and the Transparent Bar Plate.  The Pull Back Motor Brick is intriguing, as are the 1x1x1 Brackets.  There's a decent selection of parts too.  Now I just need to find more.

Build Journal: "Damaged" Frames

Occasionally, when assembling a squad, you won't have enough pieces to finish a Frame.  Whether you didn't buy the right quantity, used them on another squad, or they are limited in availability, there's always some sort of reason you don't have enough.  In cases like this, I fall back on the fictional excuse of "Battle Damage" and kludge together some parts to replace the items I'm missing.  With any luck it ends up looking like something the repair crew slapped together on short notice to get the Frame operational and back into the field.  This storytelling angle also makes sense in a gaming perspective.  If you keep getting stuck as Defender because you don't have enough Frames and you need to mobilize one more on the table to change things up, this will allow you to do so.

The first time I did this was the ST-15 Hephaestus.  The Blue pneumatic pieces

in the leg were pretty rare at that point so I had to make do with something

else.  The title of the picture was also a callback to old toy marketing concepts.

The next time I used this idea was for a Goblin frame.  I ran out of the

part I used to make the shoulder so I swapped in another Modified Brick. 

This one has actually made it on to the table for aa full sized game.

A slightly different version of this technique is used on one of my

DF-2 Drakes.  The arm of one model was substituted with the

corresponding pieces in Light Bley to make it look "unpainted".

The latest example of this hack/work around/fun building technique is a Hybrid Mk.2 build.  I ran out of the pieces necessary to make the arm and the shoulder so I swapped in a Bar Clip and Bar Holder w/Clip to make up for the missing arm.

I don't usually offer advice on Frame building

so I hope people find this concept useful.

Review: Miniso Toys Flowers HWMC1016 Sunflower

Miniso now has a second line of Botanical sets.  According to the pictures on the back of the box there are nine sets in this line.  I managed to purchase three of them so let's take a week and review them.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.03 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Loose in box.  Ribbon.

Parts 2.  Round Plates, Clip Leaves, Tiles,  Stadium Tiles, Octagonal Bar

Plates, Large Round Jumper, Bar Clips, Angled Axle Connecter w/Pinhole,

Axle Connectors, Axle Connectors w/Pinhole, Bar w/Stop, Half Pins, 2L

Axles, Clip Plates, Cone, Inverted Studless Slopes, and Tooth Plates.

Build.  Frame (2W) and 2 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+).  I really like those Clip Leaves, I just wish it had more of them.  More Octagonal Bar Plates is always a good thing.  It's a great parts pack if you need any of seven different pieces in Yellow though.  :-)

Review: Miniso Toys Flowers HWMC1005 Bellflower

Miniso now has a second line of Botanical sets.  According to the pictures on the back of the box there are nine sets in this line.  I managed to purchase three of them so let's take a week and review them.

Box.  MSRP is $4.99, for a $0.05 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts 1.  Loose in box.  Ribbon.

Parts 2.  Studless Slopes, 2L Axles, Plates, Round Plates, Domes, Large

 Round Jumpers, Round Brick, Curved Slopes w/Wing, Axle Connectors,

 Bent Axle Connector w/Pinhole, Axle Connectors w/Pinhole, Bricks w/

 Studs on Corners, Round Bricks w/3 Leaves, Bar Clips, Padlocks, Bar

 Holders w/Bar, Round Plates w/Leaves, Apollo Studs, and Half Pins.

Build.  Two Proto-Frames (2W), 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+).  I'm sure a better builder than me could coax something more out of this set.  I like the colors but this seems like more of a parts pack than a core set.