Build Journal: Yeti

In my first Quadcast Build Journal I mentioned I was mulling over an idea for the new Ninjago Bar Block.  This is that idea finally taken form.

Version 1 was banged together out of
parts on hand and proved that it was
worth moving forwards with the idea.

Version 2 started using more of the parts
I had in mind in their proper colors. 

Version 3 shows the head taking shape and the start of Sentai Marking*.

Final Version.

Flickr page.

*Sentai Marking is the process of using specific colors to differentiate units on the battlefield.

Review: 30394 Minecraft Skeleton Defense Polybag

I found this Thursday night after looking for new and/or clearance sets at Walmart.

Bag.  I paid $4.97, for a $0.16 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Minifig.  The Skeleton
pieces can be useful.

Parts.  Plates, Large Jumpers, Flower
Plates, Round Plates, Bricks,
Slope, Bricks w/Pinhole, Cone,
Plant Stems, and Flick Missile.

Build.  A one Hit wall 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?  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-).  Yeah.  Increased cost and reduced parts count leads to a poor score.

Review: 850049 Seasonal Pumpkin & Bat Duo

This is one of the new Seasonal sets for Fall.  It's not packed in what I would call a "standard" box.


Box.  I paid $9.99 for this which gives us a $0.08 Price per Piece.

Instructions & Stickers.

Parts 1.  These were loose in the box.

Parts 2.  New Technic Bricks, Studless
Slopes, Plates, 1x2 Brick w/Studs
on 1 Side, and Corner Bricks.  (I
mistakenly left out one 1x4 Plate.)

Parts 3.  Quarter Circle Tile, Plates, Wedge Plates, Round Plates, Clip
Plates, 2x2 Plate w/Studs on Side, Technic Connectors, Axles w/Stop,
Bricks w/Studs on Side, Boat Slides, Cheese Slopes, Bar Plates,
Studless Slopes, Tile, Jumper, and Large Cheese Slopes.

Build. Two Frames
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 decent selection of parts but lacking in the really useful stuff.

Review 2: 71361 Super Mario Character Pack

I used one of the parts from the last review in a build so I went looking for another one and this is what I ended up with.

Bag.  MSRP was $3.99 for a $0.13 Price per Piece.  (The bag lists 23 pieces but I count 31.)

Instructions.

Parts.  4x4x0.6 w/Reduced Knob Plate, Starfish Plate, New Flower Plates, Plates, Leaves, Round Bricks, Round Plates, Stickered Tile, 1x2x1.6 Brick w/Studs on Three Sides, Nipples, Stars, Printed Tile, Jumper, and Pyramids.

Build.  Frame.

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-).  Same as before, there are some neat pieces and prints but the Price per Piece is horrible.

Review: Gundam Converge EX06 Full Armor Knight Gundam

The Gundam Converge line has occasional special releases, this is one of those.  It dates back to 2015 and was released -- I believe -- to celebrate the 100th Gundam Converge figure being released.

Box.  MSRP was $23.99 at Magic Castle.

Parts.  Shiny!

Disassembled.  The head could be Defense or Spotting.  The wings could be Defense or Movement.  The sword can be Melee.  The lance could be Melee, Direct Fire, or Spotting.  The shield can be Defense.  The arms can be removed for White Dice damage.

Assembled.

Size Comparison.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Above.  (-10)
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: +5 (B+). A really nice looking figure with swapable Attachments.

Review: Gundam Converge MSM-03 Gogg (215)

I found this at the Magic Castle store within H Mart.

Box.  MSRP was $14.99 at Magic Castle.

Parts. It's been a while since I've
gotten candy in one of these. 

Disassembled.  The arms can be Melee.  The shoulders can represent White Dice.

Assembled.  Hey, the legs move!

Size Comparison.  About the size of a Classic.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame?  Above.  (-10)
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?  Two.  (0)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage?  Yes.  (+5)
Score: 0 (B).  I'd pass on this one unless you're a completist or have a specific idea for a squad.

Sales Alert

Target is running a 20% off Disney Princess Lego sets sale this week.  Hopefully this brings the prices on these sets down to a more reasonable level.

Good hunting.