Bionicle 2015 Discussion

[mysteriouspi]

I meant an evolution of CCBS not a replacement-- lets be honest. It's not going to be around forever in its traditional form.

I'm talking about using legit studs to attach different armor pieces and bricks. like I said, the Star Wars figures already incorporate it in a small way.

As long as something like that is introduced with new bones instead of replacement bones, that would be interesting/cool. Though I wonder how useful that would be. If current bones can support that for the Star Wars figures, do we need new bones for it at all?

[One Very Agile Cat]

I've always imagined the longer bones having pin holes in the balls, like the Protector torsos, and special armour with moulded-in pins that clips onto the back. I'm surprised it's never happened, but then Lego seems unwilling to make new bone variants.

[GK733]

I've always imagined the longer bones having pin holes in the balls, like the Protector torsos, and special armour with moulded-in pins that clips onto the back. I'm surprised it's never happened, but then Lego seems unwilling to make new bone variants.

Having pinholes on balljoints would disable the connection from sides, The smallest torso has a pinhole inte the balljoint because the the other joints block the use of the center balljoint sideways anyways.

[Logan McOwen]

I doubt they'd add permanent studs to CCBS bones, especially seeing as Technic pinholes can fill both that purpose with pinstuds, and also traditional Technic connections. Some integration of System parts, like with the SW Battle Figures, would be very interesting to see. Heck, addons or even shell with stud connections would be neat. System integration will probably never be done to a 50/50 ratio though... More like 85/15 at most.

I hope not. I don't collect system at all so that might call the end of my constraction collecting.

Well, that's a bit silly.

You could always keep what little System would come with these sets separate, and such parts would only help in making MOCing more interesting. And anyway, if this is your stance, why haven't you given up on constraction already? Not only do some of the G1 sets such as the Tarakava and other Rahi have System parts integrated, the Protectors, Ekimu and Skull Warrior all wield launchers with System ammunition.

It's not like the Toa would be coming with Lego City police cars or anything dude. You'll likely just be getting the odd slope piece, plate or stud here and there, which is hardly anything to get uppity about.

Edited August 17, 2015 by LewiMOC

[MakutaOfWar]

Well, that's a bit silly.

You could always keep what little System would come with these sets separate, and such parts would only help in making MOCing more interesting. And anyway, if this is your stance, why haven't you given up on constraction already? Not only do some of the G1 sets such as the Tarakava and other Rahi have System parts integrated, the Protectors, Ekimu and Skull Warrior all wield launchers with System ammunition.

It's not like the Toa would be coming with Lego City police cars or anything dude. You'll likely just be getting the odd slope piece, plate or stud here and there, which is hardly anything to get uppity about.

I should've been more clear, I'm pretty sure a complete sentence dropped from my post. Ahem. If it was a majority of system(like knight's kingdom back in the day) I would stop collecting. I figured that's similar to what Nekchir might have been talking about. Sorry

[Mandate]

Having pinholes on balljoints would disable the connection from sides, The smallest torso has a pinhole inte the balljoint because the the other joints block the use of the center balljoint sideways anyways.

But does anyone actually ever attach anything sideways to the standard torso beams?

[Logan McOwen]

I should've been more clear, I'm pretty sure a complete sentence dropped from my post. Ahem. If it was a majority of system(like knight's kingdom back in the day) I would stop collecting. I figured that's similar to what Nekchir might have been talking about. Sorry

Well you really needn't worry about that then. As was said in another thread, CCBS has been made to be the staple of Constraction from here on in. And anyway, the KK figures weren't that great anyway, so I doubt Lego would want to reuse that design...

But does anyone actually ever attach anything sideways to the standard torso beams?

Not often, no... But remember that the larger 3 torso frames were created way before either the XT4 torso or the 3M beam with the midball were, so such a design was likely not conceived or thought to be required yet. If the 2.0 Heroes were to have gearboxes, then maybe it would've been a different story.

Edited August 17, 2015 by LewiMOC

[Mandate]

Not often, no... But remember that the larger 3 torso frames were created way before either the XT4 torso or the 3M beam with the midball were, so such a design was likely not conceived or thought to be required yet. If the 2.0 Heroes were to have gearboxes, then maybe it would've been a different story.

Well, they've had ample amounts of time to have recreated the mold, but maybe they will soon. Speaking of gearboxes though, I was very disappointed to pull Toa Master Kopaka down from my shelf today only to find his arm could no longer hold itself up because the friction pin had worn out. Supposedly the Toa Metru (I don't have one, so I can't compare) could have the gear on their back pushed forwards to lock their arms into place, similarly to the Toa Nuva alternate build. Surely something similar would have been better than relying on friction pieces that wear out for the new sets?

[Logan McOwen]

Yeah, Kopaka is a figure that a lot of people are having that issue with, I'm guessing it's due to his weapon being made almost entirely of heavier Technic pieces rather than the lighter, more flexible plastic used in Tahu's blades or Gali's fins - remember, while Gali's weapon is Technic-heavier than Kopaka's, she has two sets of gears rigged up to her shoulder.

My suggestion would be either to rig up a second set of gears like on Gali, or just to add a third gear under his armpit. If gears aren't your thing at all, one could always replace the gears entirely and use that light grey crank handle piece in both shoulders instead of just the left-hand shoulder.

Edited August 17, 2015 by LewiMOC

[One Very Agile Cat]

Having pinholes on balljoints would disable the connection from sides.

So? I'm not saying replace them, just offer an alternative. The current limb setup doesn't allow for the armour extenders to be placed up or down a module, so there's already drawbacks with the current design. I was operating under the assumption that this new bone piece would be offered alongside the current bone selection, as new parts tend to be. Is that not why we have different length bones to begin with?

[MakutaOfWar]

Huh, my Kopaka arm is loose in certain positions, too. I didn't think his weapon was all that heavy either.

[Mandate]

Yeah, Kopaka is a figure that a lot of people are having that issue with, I'm guessing it's due to his weapon being made almost entirely of heavier Technic pieces rather than the lighter, more flexible plastic used in Tahu's blades or Gali's fins - remember, while Gali's weapon is Technic-heavier than Kopaka's, she has two sets of gears rigged up to her shoulder.

Actually, Tahu doesn't have the problem Kopaka does because of the physics behind the way his weapons are usually held (at least if you're boring like me). If you keep him in a "standard" pose (swords out the front)t he weight of one sword will counteract the other, making them balance and keeping the friction pin out of use. I'm almost certain Tahu's swords would be heavier than Kopaka's spear, though I'm not an expert on how one type of plastic can be heavier than another.

Still though, if only the gear mechanism's posing ability relied on a gear that can be locked into place instead of a friction-based system. It'd be a win-win situation for everyone really, those that want rapid-swinging arms get rapid-swinging arms and those that want awesome poses can do them without issue.

[Scarilian]

I meant an evolution of CCBS not a replacement-- lets be honest. It's not going to be around forever in its traditional form.

This ^

As proven by the evolution of the bone pieces, the CCBS system is slowly adapting and changing. I would'nt be suprised if they change the bone pieces more. Then again, it depends what you refer to as the CCBS system - i'm not sure anyone has a definition yet other than the basic idea of a simplified skeletal understructure with armour add-on pieces.

Huh, my Kopaka arm is loose in certain positions, too. I didn't think his weapon was all that heavy either.

CCBS pieces, especially the bones, lose friction rapidly over-time. Barely a year or two later for most my collection of Hero Factory and Chima Ultrabuilds and a majority can barely hold their arms out without it slowly sliding down to the side. Currently not as bad with the G2 sets, though i would'nt be too suprised if the friction weakens overtime similar to HF and Chima. I guess thats why we got a newer form of friction adder. Hopefully they fix it in the future.

Noting the new bone pieces may be exempt from this as they are newer designed pieces and seem tighter than the others.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Scarilian

[Cheatster9000x]

After seeing ep 11 of the webisodes, I'm willing to bet that the "Hammer Flush" is how Ekimu will defeat Kulta. The LEGO guys are suspiciously pushing this arena game (Website and Eps).

So like how Takanuva took out Teridax in G1? Just replace Kohlii with "hammer flush"

[mysteriouspi]

So like how Takanuva took out Teridax in G1? Just replace Kohlii with "hammer flush"

Oh please no. It annoys me that three years of story in Gen 1 led up to a "simple game of Kohlii..." Ah well.

Though it wouldn't be as bad this time around, since 1) Ekimu wasn't introduced as a Hammer Flush player and 2) it's gotta look cooler than throwing a ball of protodermis.

[Scarilian]

Oh please no. It annoys me that three years of story in Gen 1 led up to a "simple game of Kohlii..." Ah well.

Though it wouldn't be as bad this time around, since 1) Ekimu wasn't introduced as a Hammer Flush player and 2) it's gotta look cooler than throwing a ball of protodermis.

Personally i think the worst thing they could do would probably be to have Ekimu defeat Skull Grinder by knocking his mask off - given this would be re-doing exactly what happened with Makuta.

A 'Hammer Flush' match doesnt seem as bad in comparison to that, could even be a fun animation watching Ekimu defeat the Skull Villains by running and dodging around an arena while the Skull villains try to attack him getting caught in traps along the way until its just Ekimu racing Skull Grinder to the Mask Of Creation.

[Quisoves Pugnat]

I'm late to the party, but I finally got me a summer set. Skull Warrior, to be precise. He's a lovely piece of work.

The build isn't especially ingenious, but it's quite stunning. I don't think I've ever had a BIONICLE set with such an exotic and exciting assortment of parts. The exposed bits might not be to everyone's taste, but I like the impression of decay that they give.

I have only two criticisms.

Firstly, the gear function isn't much use with a spear (though a bit of modding can easily make a sword of it.) I appreciate the importance of the raised shoulders, but surely the gears could have been omitted, perhaps in exchange for something to cover up the exposed ball-joints?

Secondly (and I realize this is a rather OCD complaint,) the instructions do not explain how to attach the crossbow to Warrior's back. It's not too hard to figure out, but it left me with the silly, lingering fear that I was doing it wrong.

All in all, it was a purchase well made!

EDIT:

Personally i think the worst thing they could do would probably be to have Ekimu defeat Skull Grinder by knocking his mask off - given this would be re-doing exactly what happened with Makuta..

He he he...

EDIT 2:

Also, getting Warrior makes me rather sad that there weren't any $20 Summer sets. We need some skeletal titans.

And speaking of sets, the ones on the shelf at Target were rather telling. There were no Warriors (thank goodness for that branch's wonderful customer service) or MM vs. SG, one Basher, and various Slicers and Scorpios. I'd venture to say that Slicer is selling the worst.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Quisoves Pugnat

[Fulcrumfan91]

And speaking of sets, the ones on the shelf at Target were rather telling. There were no Warriors (thank goodness for that branch's wonderful customer service) or MM vs. SG, one Basher, and various Slicers and Scorpios. I'd venture to say that Slicer is selling the worst.

I get MMvSK, SW, and Basher selling well...but I'm stumped with Slicer being the odd one out. Scorpio I get...it looks ugly, although the function looks like it'd be very fun to use, but Slicer looks really cool. Wonder why he's selling so poorly.

[Voxovan]

I get MMvSK, SW, and Basher selling well...but I'm stumped with Slicer being the odd one out. Scorpio I get...it looks ugly, although the function looks like it'd be very fun to use, but Slicer looks really cool. Wonder why he's selling so poorly.

Because he looks ugly too.

[Logan McOwen]

As stupid as it might sound, it might be Slicer's mask that makes him unpopular. It not being a new mould probably puts some kids, or even parents, off.

Edited August 18, 2015 by LewiMOC

[Mandate]

Is it really wise to be assuming how the Summer sets are selling based on a single report about a single store?

[mysteriouspi]

As stupid as it might sound, it might be Slicer's mask that makes him unpopular. It not being a new mould probably puts some kids, or even parents, off.

Not just that it's an old mold, but that anyone who has bought the first wave sets already have several or a dozen of that mask (maybe even more). There's basically no need for anyone to get a fifth silver skull spider.

Is it really wise to be assuming how the Summer sets are selling based on a single report about a single store?

Statistically, no. That said, it is interesting that the report correlates with what the community generally thought about the sets since images were revealed (that Scorpio and Sliver were the worst).

[Kalhiki]

Slicer... Really isn't anything special. Aside from his four arms that are all rigged with gears, what does he have? A mask we already have loads of? Six limbs that are more-or-less built exactly the same? I'm not saying he's bad by any means, but he's nothing astonishing.

[Aanchir]

Parts-wise, Slicer is nothing exceptional (except insofar as he has large quantities of Tr. Bright Green 5M beams and Silver Metallic 5M bones, which might interest some people as a parts pack). But he has a lot of personality. He's easily the most skeletal of the skeletons, which I think does well to set him up as a match for Lewa's agility just as Skull Basher's lumbering build helps set him up as a match for Onua's incredible strength. And while his legs and arms are repetitive, I feel like that helps the color blocking feel more consistent.

My biggest issue with Slicer is that the chain weapon can be a bit awkward. It's hard to wrap the claws securely around a mask, and if you're not careful the chain can easily become tangled up with his other arms.

[GK733]

Slicer is cool as a character but as a set he's really not anything special and for sure I wouldn't suggest it to someone trying to get into Bionicle.