REVIEW: BrickArms Mystery Pack vol. 2

[SilentMode]

Brickarms Mystery Pack vol. 2

# of parts: 8 or 9

RRP: GBP 7.00 / USD 10.00

Links: minifigforlife.com ToyWiz (pack) (single weapons)

I've been a fan of BrickArms' Mystery Packs since they started coming out this year, but unfortunately I didn't get enough of the first wave. A few weeks ago I found out there were no more on offer... and then by chance I found out they released a Volume 2. Big shout out to minifigforlife.com, the UK branch of the weapons cartel, for making these available over here.

What's new

The first volume contained a number of random weapons, in random and unusual colours, per pack. The big draw back then was that, hidden in 1:20 packs, was a 24-carat gold part. Some guy who reviewed that volume here on EB was fortunate enough to get one of these parts.

The second volume is remarkably different from the outset: you only get four weapons per pack, and three of them are predetermined: all three of these predetermined weapons were released to the public earlier this year. The odds of finding a gold weapon have decreased to 1:100, although there's the suggestion that you might find more than one gold weapon in a pack.

But there's a 1:100 chance of finding a fifth weapon in a Mystery Pack: a rare prototype weapon. What could these be?

Included weapons

First up is the infamous minigun, which is probably going to be the main draw for buying these packs - particularly when you see the colours it's available in:

You can buy the minigun in different colours to the ones shown here, however they (along with the miniguns found in these packs) don't come with universal clips or bullets. Getting the minigun in these colours already makes this Mystery Pack worth getting, although this is the only weapon that won't come in the rare gold variety.

Colour Statistics

• Glow in the Dark (1:10)
  
• Solid Lego Green (1:10)
  
• Solid Lego Red (1:10)
  
• Solid Lego Blue (1:10)
  
• Bronze (1:10)
  
• Assorted Mystery Metallics (1:2)
  

I don't know about you, but the sound of a glow-in-the-dark minigun sends my body tingling.

Second is the Tactical Sword:

I bought a few of these when they first came out, and while I have mixed feelings about them in general these are very stylish.

Colour Statistics

• Gold (1:100)
  
• Ruby Red Chrome (1:8)
  
• Midnight Blue Chrome (1:8)
  
• Bright Chrome (1:8)
  
• Black Chrome (1:8)
  
• Glow-in-the-Dark (1:8)
  
• Mystery Solid (1:2)
  

Third is a niche favourite, the retro ray gun. Personally these aren't for me, and I'd be looking to pass these on very quickly - but they're very well designed and a must for Space enthusiasts. I can imagine a chromed version being highly desirable.

Colour Statistics

• Gold (1:100)
  
• Ruby Red Chrome (1:8)
  
• Midnight Blue Chrome (1:8)
  
• Bright Chrome (1:8)
  
• Black Chrome (1:8)
  
• Glow-in-the-Dark (1:8)
  
• Mystery Solid (1:2)
  

The fourth weapon is chosen from a small range of other BrickArms weapons, however these come in a "blood spatter" pattern. You can see some examples of the gold versions of these weapons below:

Weapon Statistics

• Assorted Gold (1:100)
  
• Titanium Combat Knives (1:4)
  
• Titanium Paintball Guns (1:5)
  
• Titanium Machete (1:20)
  
• Titanium Chainblades (1:10)
  
• Titanium Combat Shotguns (1:8)
  
• Titanium M21 Snipers (1:8)
  
• Titanium Damien Blades (1:25)
  
• Titanium Dadao (1:16)
  

Finally here are some examples of the prototype weapons you might be able to find in these packs:

What I got

Luck isn't my strong point, so I was very anxious to find out what I'd received in the four Mystery Packs I'd ordered. Here are the contents:

Pack 1

The luckiest pack of the four: not only did I get a red minigun, but a sweet chrome tactical sword. Not sure if it's the black or "bright" chrome. The combat knife is very appropriately patterned.

Pack 2

A blood-spatter paint gun and a rather nice-looking "rusty" sword.

Pack 3

An also rather appropriate chainsaw extension, along with a rather nice metallic silver sword. The ray gun is also an interesting colour.

Pack 4

Continuing the appropriateness of the blood spatter, a machete. We also have a very nice-looking silver ray gun, and a metallic blue sword.

I should point out, at this juncture, that the minigun in packs 2, 3 and 4 are the same damn colour - some kind of metallic brown. I was really hoping for a green/transparent green - even a blue one would have made my day.

All the Volume 2 packs are significantly smaller than Volume 1, and contain a small plastic bag like this one:

The verdict

These packs are definitely worth getting for the minigun, as there's a chance of getting one in a different colour to what's available on its own. (Actually I've gone and ordered another six packs, just to see what I get.)

The fixed line-up of weapons may be off-putting to some, especially given the predetermined weapons and the price of each pack. It might be less expensive and time-consuming to look around for the part you want, either as a sale or trade. In the end, a bit like the Collectible Minifigures, it's a personal decision. Personally I would drop the ray gun in favour of two random grenades.

Score out of thin air? Okay, How about a 7/10.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to support your local weapons dealer.

[Darth Nihilus]

I that prototype DC-15A!

Cna't wait to see it able to be purchased in mass numbers for my clone army.

But great review SilentMode, I might be picking up one of these for a minigun and a chance at that sweet DC-15A!

[Nightshroud99]

Really cool!

I just ordered 3 myself, Toywiz has the on sale for $8 now.

[SilentMode]

Thank you guys for the feedback! I'll wait for my next batch to arrive, and will probably do an update as well as begin trading.

As usual the US has things much better!

[Ceroknight]

Thanks for the review!

Honestly, I prefer the first wave much more..

I wish they did something like the first wave again in the future!

[the enigma that is badger]

Thanks for the thoughtful review and glad to hear you enjoyed the Mystery Pack experience!

I wish they did something like the first wave again in the future!

Will definitely plans future volumes of the Mystery Pack, and while it's too early to discuss what might be included in them, what's proved most popular in Vols. 1 and 2 has been more than noted and will be taken into consideration when it comes to the contents new Mystery Packs.

[LuxorV]

Thanks for the very detailed review, SilentMode.

All these shiny and colourful pictures are really appealing to the eye

[The_Customizer]

I have already bought about 10 of these, and I am anxiously awaiting 8 more today. These are a great item, and I love the high-quality Will has done on these!

Also, the color miniguns you got are as follows:

Pack 2: Gunmetal

Pack 3: Bronze

Pack 4: Bronze

[SilentMode]

Also, the color miniguns you got are as follows:

Pack 2: Gunmetal

Pack 3: Bronze

Pack 4: Bronze

The colour's a bit off in the pack 2 picture, but 2, 3 and 4 are the same colour - so they're all bronze. I had to double-check this morning.

[The_Customizer]

The colour's a bit off in the pack 2 picture, but 2, 3 and 4 are the same colour - so they're all bronze. I had to double-check this morning.

Ah, ok. I see.

This is a very nice and detailed review, great job on it!

[Darkdragon]

Great review. I've now ordered 5 mystery packs after reading this and hope for a few bladed weapons with blood pattern. I will definitely have items to trade when they arrive, since I only need one minigun.

[SilentMode]

Here's a picture of the items I received just a short while ago - a bit luckier this time around.

Thanks for the feedback by the way.

[charlieboy]

Great review matey, I bought a few guns from minifigforlife.com last month although I bought a large order of guns etc..that I wanted rather than buying the mystery packs. I quite like those ray guns, especially the silver ones, may have to order a few myself

[SilentMode]

Here's an example of a 1:100 prototype weapon you can get in a pack:

It comes in its own sealed bag.

[Darkdragon]

Here's an example of a 1:100 prototype weapon you can get in a pack

That is really cool gun!

[Darth Nihilus]

That is really cool gun!

That is a DC-15a. It is the main weapon of clone troopers in the SW universe, and I love clone troopers, so I'm hoping that it comes out in the Brickarms store.