Siegfried

This isn't a new idea; Bristlebots have been around for years...

Yeah...

I realise you aren't asking me, but what I would have liked was one more bit of variety. For example the head, the feet or the chest. (My preference would be the chest.) If they did that it'd make a lot of difference to me, and it would have gave them the ability differentiate the Heroes further.

...bumping topics is so rude.

From what I've heard -> Rocka XL <- $24.99 USD. (I didn't pay for these; TLG very generously have donated these to a few sites for reviewing purposes.)

Yeah, that's why I didn't highlight it... but I did take some close ups though. Yeah, I'm not sure if I like that or not. That's one of the big problems with the masks; they aren't all the same style. Glad to hear it! While I was a bit harsh or the set I did try to be objective as possible, and I wasn't trying to force my opinions on anyone. I do think they are good sets... I just think they aren't as radical a change as last time.

Yeah, I'm surprised they cut him down to size. I'm hoping that at least some of the Heroes are shorter or taller... With that line I think you've just made an enemy of Von... ...but sadly that's all I have. Brickthing has some more though.

That repeating yourself for attention is a trick worthy of my kids. Not the kind of behavior we want on an AFOL site. (...and calling me "sir" is just silly. I'm not knighted, nor am I an officer. I work for a living...)

Thanks for reading everyone! Yeah, it's a great new piece. Still waiting.... Yeah I realise, but he's an insect so I'll stick with exo. Good idea! Not with ball joints, no. But to be honest I'm not too displeased with the poses.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Yes it was. But when the sets turned up in Germany I EMailed Jan to explain what had happened and he gave me permission to post them. This piece? I never bought Fire Lord (he looked to messy to me) so I didn't realise that... Yes, it does wobble, and the finger blades aren't locked in place as they are held only by a pin-end. Sadly no. It'd be a difficult mod too.

With that post you're off to a good start! Welcome!

Keep posting like that and something similar might happen to you...

I'm not sure about him, but I told Jan that they had been released in Germany and I was given permission to post now.

NOTE: This review is written by our guest reviewer, Preston Stormer. Set Index: Stormer 3.0 The clarion call was made, and I responded, as I always do. But new situations call for new bodies, so as good as Stormer 2.0 is, I needed to change. "Alas, poor Stormer 3.0! I knew him, Horatio.".... sorry, just practicing my lines. I can combine with Rocka 3.0 and become somewhat more powerful. Sometimes I need that extra 1%. This is the raw components that make up my new body. The next 20 pages detail how much power I have, but I won't bore you with the details. Laid out, the core components look simple, but that is just because you don't know what I know. Only the best goes into the Stormer parts bin. I must confess, I expected a bird, an eagle for example. But a rhino was picked instead. In hindsight it makes sense; I am rather strong. My mask is especially special. It not only resembles a rhino horn, it also looks like a knights helmet to symbolise the honour, bravery and modesty that I have. I like the second horn. It connects to my head in the standard fashion, but in this case it is extra strong. This part was specially made for my new weapon, but I have allowed the second rate samples to be used by others. I'm sharing like that. This part is especially useful as it's another of the HF-to-clip parts. This part looks passable inside as well. The ridges may just be there for strength, but they look good in any case. Here is the same part being used to form my weapon. I don't really need weapons, but I use them anyway so the other heroes don't feel too inferior. Unlike last time, I am the same height as the other heroes. It comes down to it that I don't need that kind of advantage. I could be half the size and I'd still be the most powerful hero. Ready for transfer! I like the bulk of the left shoulder. Transfer in three... two... Von: No! Two Prestons! Why is the world so cruel?! Stormer: Rhino power! Ratings Posability: Perfect. 10/10 Parts: Nothing but net in all cases. 10/10 Looks: Like a fine red wine I just get better with age. 10/10 Fudge: A+++ 10/10 Overall: The only thing that comes close to this set is Stormer 2.0 10/10 ....errr.... OK. The REAL Ratings Posability: Very considering many previous lines of this size. His weapon is more posable this time as well 9/10 Parts: If you don't have the sets from the last wave then this is a great buy (and add 4 to this score!), otherwise this set is a good buy only for the mask and the name panel. For the other new parts you'd be better off buying a bigger set. 5/10 Looks: All jokes aside, I do like the helmet. It's more usable than the other ones as it's animal origins are less clear. 9/10 Fudge: What's Hero Factory without Preston? 7/10 Overall: It's much the same as Stormer 2.0, isn't it? A few different colours, a different mask and different weapon, but other than that, much the same. More and more I do question the logic in this whole "Six Good Guys" concept. This line is very good when compared to nothing, but when you compare them to others in the line and the 2.0 wave I think it's too similar. Perhaps right now TLG are trying to restrict the number of new moulds and that's why these are so similar, but I hope the next batch will have more variety, such as a 100% unique weapon for each Hero. (Note: Ignoring the 2.0 line these get a 8 from me...) 6/10

Set Index: Nex 3.0 Grrr! Nex is back and this time he bites! The combiner crosses a tiger with a panther (Stringer 3.0). Scary! These sets never look too impressive on the virtual parts list, and this is no exception. What doesn't help is that the legs and arms are just 4x the same thing. The real parts spread looks better, especially the new pieces. The Sabre Toothed Tiger mask is nice. It looks catish while still looking mechanical. It connects in the standard way. I like how the new name panels are on a transparent part. This one in particular heavily resembles the mask. These parts aren't new, but I do like the metal "colour". This part however is new. I especially like how this line uses the clip joints; this aids using HF parts with System and vice versa. Due to the mould being inverted on the other side these look OK on both sides. Time to build! Heres the 4x that I mentioned earlier... ...and this is how it looks at mid point. I think he needs some "Weight Gain 4000". Finished! I'm going to pass on the back shots this time... Nex 3.0 has two hands, which I always prefer and is a big visual change from Nex 2.0, but at the core this is a very similar set. I do much prefer his weapons; especially the absence of that shield. You can see here how good looking that new piece is from both sides. Night all! Ratings Posability: Very considering many previous lines of this size. His weapon is more posable this time as well 9/10 Parts: If you don't have the sets from the last wave then this is a great buy (and add 4 to this score!), otherwise this set is a good buy only for the mask and the name panel. For the other new parts you'd be better off buying a bigger set. 5/10 Looks: I do like this colour combination, and it works well with the mask. The claw is very with the whole tiger thing too. 8/10 Fudge: Déjà vu? 4/10 Overall: It's much the same as Nex 2.0, isn't it? A few different colours, a different mask and different weapon, but other than that, much the same. More and more I do question the logic in this whole "Six Good Guys" concept. This line is very good when compared to nothing, but when you compare them to others in the line and the 2.0 wave I think it's too similar. Even the Rahkshi line had a wider part selection. Perhaps right now TLG are trying to restrict the number of new moulds and that's why these are so similar, but I hope the next batch will have more variety, such as a 100% unique weapon for each Hero. (Note: Ignoring the 2.0 line this gets an 8 from me...) 6/10

We don't host images here; you'll need to use a site like Flickr.

Rufus has shared further details of his ship The Bullfrog that was a part of the Planet Skcirborue display at Brickworld. Find this cool LEGO space ship in the Sci-Fi forum!

Don't get me wrong here, I'm not claiming to be an expert MOCer or anything, but this is a ship that I'd be happy to attach my name to... I love the overall concept of this ship, and the story, especially the practicality and history. You've got my vote for EB Space MOC of the Year... it's a shame there isn't an award. Wonderful work.

Yeah, you're 100% right. There are some perks, but overall it's work. I love EB so I'm mostly cool with it, but it costs me a lot of time. Thanks for the appreciation. ...oh and on the subject of work please don't make such vague topic titles Red Bricks. I've renamed the topic. Ambassadors are a separate issue; they are recommended by the AFOL community and picked by TLG. (The exact method varies from year to year.) They are not directly part of EB.

Well it wasn't my decision; my bike is fully insured and the tire was replaced. While it was being fixed I had this for a day; It's a Ninja 250. Funnily it seemed underpowered and too low for me; it seems I've got too used to my Versys! But it's all fixed now. Yesterday I was installing a 12v plug so I had the sides off... ...but now I have power! I'll be leaving for a 3000 km (total) trip next weekend so this is an essential modification! No comment...

I'm not too surprised. I looked though my collection and found none. I'll correct the review; thanks.

Set Index: Waspix The face of Waspix reminds me a lot of Waspinator, which gives him an unfair advantage in this review! I'm decently sure that is the US Box... and I think Furno 3.0 better be a darn good shot with a bow to be able to hit a wasp... Just one bag inside the box, and a loose torso. I'm always interested as to why some sets have a loose part like that. The parts! There should be no huge surprises, he's mostly legs so there's loads of limbs! I believe this is new, but in any case it's a very useful part! Note the ball shaped receptacle; it allows this to be placed in a spot where the is a central ball connector and still allow it to be used on the other side. I'm 95% sure that this is the same part from the much loved Ben 10 line, in particular Big Chill and Spider Monkey. Waspy prints! I didn't expect three of these, but it's good! I think this is new as well. It adds to his buggy charm. It attaches via the standard connector. I thought this part might be new, but it turns out it's been used once before in Drilldozer. (Thanks LuxorV! ) I think they look cool being transparent. (Probably too small for wings though.) I look forward to seeing this part used more widely. Ahhhghh! Evil! I washed my hands ten times after handling these, but I still have dark urges. Be careful with the Quaza spikes! The happy fellow himself. It might be my photography, but the eyes don't look as deep-set as the box. (No, I'm not going to let this go.) Seeing the disembodied head makes me think of Waspinator even more! Standard connection... which annoyingly is flush so it can't easily be used on a Hero head. (Yeah, I tried! ) On to the building... it's all pretty simple so I won't show much. You just assemble the core (exoskeleton?)... and put on the shell. Spares. Yeah, I was surprised too, but the instructions list only 2, use 2, but provide 6. Since there are 4 panels with no decoration this could be a last minute change... but the prototypes only had 2 as well... From the rear he looks bugish still! Looking at this model makes me think TLG should make an insect line in HF parts! Three generations of bad guys. I think he's much better than the spindly Nitroblast, but Corroder is too different to compare. Weight wise the 117 gram Nitroblast win over the 114 gram Waspix, and Corroder is the distant loser at 103. He's big enough to look like a worthy adversary for the Heroes.. ...and others as well. Ratings Posability: With all his joints it's hard not to be! His main problem is balance. 9/10 Parts: Want limbs and lots of them? Waspix is great for that, but not so great for new parts. 7/10 Looks: This set is among my favourites as the parts work well as insect limbs. My only major complaint is the wings; they are too small. But since TLG needed to bring in a new part to make them as big as they are I'm probably being a bit unreasonable. 9/10 Fudge: He has a lot of buggy charm! One surprising special feature is the lack of a shooting device... 10/10 Overall: I must admit I'm tempted to get a few of these. He's a fun figure. I think that aside from a few pieces he's not the best for parts, but I do think the main model makes up for that. 9/10

Ahh yeah, that's where I saw it earlier. I'm proud to make this mistake.

They come with the Ninjago set, Garmadon's Dark Fortress.

Set Index: Rocka XL ....and so Rocka interfaced the Xtreame Largeness module into his Hero Core and became Rocka XL!... Actually I'm making that up. In any case Rocka XL is a titan version of Rocka 3.0. Is bigger better? Well I don't have the standard version so I can't tell you yet... but I can tell you that someone seems to have sat on this box during transit. The traditional good vs bad image is at the back... which is too edited for my taste. Back box shots of recent Star Wars sets have been less edited lately; I hope the trend extends to Hero Factory in time. Let's start with the contents. All bagged except the torso. To my surprise there's a decent size collection of pins, but I suppose it's hard to go pin free for such a large model. It's got a nice spread of parts though, and loads of gold! Here's the official parts page with the classic "ouch!" on the left side. Back on the gold, he's got a gold chest... ...even a gold Zamor sphere. (Yeah, I know they probably aren't called that anymore.) The gold helmet is quite nice. Not as nice as the CG-enhanced box shot, but it's detailed. (Note that since the helmet is the 1:1 shot on the box it's not completely unclear that the eyes don't really glow.) I wonder if the "H" on the side is supposed to be one? From the rear it's a bit bland, but I prefer it to the double-heads so I'll try to not complain too much! It uses the standard two rod connectors; I wonder how many of these helmets will end up being used as figureheads... Maybe this is why he's bigger; two name panels! Like the 2.0s it's a nice print. I do like this new piece; I can see this being useful for many MOCs. It's made of a flexible rubbery material and I quite like the metallic effect. These are also new. There are a few pieces from this new line that have clip style connections. I like this a lot. Loads of these spiky things. I'm not sure if these are supposed to be good versions of the "Quaza spike" things that the bad guys have, but it'd make sense. As a guess it's not; Bulk 3.0 has two. The two sides aren't the same, but TLG have done a good job of making them similar. OK, it's time to assemble! At first a solid core of ball joints is made... it kind of reminds me of a dog! Instructions at the same stage! After that the legs are built up... ...spikes are added... ...and with a roar he's finished! My first thought is; "What eyes does he see with?" The front of the box implies it's the helmet, but the rear has the internal eyes glowing instead... From the back he's passable and he still looks nice and beefy. There's a few spare parts, but nothing exciting. Rocka XL does deserve his name; he makes Von look rather short! Compared to a standard 3.0 figure he's vastly bigger... ...and I feel a bit sorry for Waspix too! Ratings Posability: Very good, but it's hardly surprising with the titans. I especially like how you can adjust the angle of the big lower legs. 10/10 Parts: If you like the gold you'll love this set! It also comes with loads of the new parts, all of which I love. 9/10 Looks: There's a lot I like about him, and there's a lot I don't. The white insides looks weird to me (same story with the red but that's not as obvious), I wish they found a different solution to the grey Technic Pin Long with Stop Bush in the shoulder and the front of the lower legs seem unfinished with that grey 3 beam. (I might change mine to a black.) 7/10 Fudge: As I've already said, the titans of this line look a bit unfinished to me. A different part/colour in the legs, some more bulk in the hips... I think just a little bit extra would have made a big difference. 8/10 Overall: Regardless of what I've said, I do like Rocka XL. Not as much as Von, but I still think he's an imposing figure and I think they'll learn to get on. I would love to see something similar at a higher price point however. (Chances are market research and past experience says it won't sell... ) 8/10