On 9/18/2015 at 11:57 AM, Quisoves Pugnat said:

Swiveling arms are hardly the be all and end all of constraction, are they?

I suppose I could have worded that better. I'm fearing that the Star Wars torso is going to become commonplace in the future. I've got five sets from three different years that heavily used the Inika build, and four of those actually used it. It's such a large piece that puts even more limitations on how much stuff can be put into a set and still look good.

  On 9/18/2015 at 12:04 PM, LewiMOC said:

No, but they certainly made Bionicle G2 unique, and... well, Bionicle.

It's not definite that they're not there though, it's just that the guys who've seen the images couldn't make out gearboxes on the models, much like we kinda couldn't when we all first saw the 2015 Toa.

Think about the amount of armor coverage/weapon builds the Star Wars sets had. If that torso has become the standard in the new Toa, without adjusted price points (or entirely new limbs) I can't see any way to have the gearbox match the price point. You do raise a fair point, though.

I'm thinking there will be no gearbox. The large torso bone has ball connectors sticking out even farther compared to 2015's build. I fear that because it's so wide you can't add a gearbox without it interfering with those balls. Can someone please prove me wrong?

  On 9/18/2015 at 12:18 PM, Dr_Chronos said:

I'm thinking there will be no gearbox. The large torso bone has ball connectors sticking out even farther compared to 2015's build. I fear that because it's so wide you can't add a gearbox without it interfering with those balls. Can someone please prove me wrong?

This is the case. If they have a variation of that torso without those balljoints. (such piece was by a mistake in the SW commercial: http://board.ttvpodcast.com/uploads/db5640/original/3X/a/2/a2eb4277545deab16412d217aeefc7404cfb9945.png )

Then it's entirely possible to fit the gearbox, but can they stretch budget enough for that?

  On 9/18/2015 at 12:18 PM, Dr_Chronos said:

I'm thinking there will be no gearbox. The large torso bone has ball connectors sticking out even farther compared to 2015's build. I fear that because it's so wide you can't add a gearbox without it interfering with those balls. Can someone please prove me wrong?

I completely forgot that that was a thing. CM4Sci, is Onua also using the Star Wars torso?

edit: nvm, already been reported. Well, so much for Onua being a walking six pack I don't suppose the "feathery" attachments coming out the back of the Toa's masks could be a new eyestalk designed to "catch" the light better? Assuming they're transparent, that is.

Edited September 18, 20159 yr by Mandate

Nah, I think that they'd at least try to find a way to fit some functions into the sets. Even if they don't have functions...I'm still super excited about these sets. Finally, Tahu has orange....but I don't like the descriptions of his mask. Gali, Pohatu sound awesome....not sure about Kopaka. Onua sounds ok...and I'm disappointed Lewa's Keetorange is gone.

Edited September 18, 20159 yr by lambda_cla3391

The loss of the gear functions is one of the worst things about this wave, unless they've made a balljointless version of the large torso. And if they're all using the SW torso, that means they're all going to be quite tall, right? Not sure I like the use of the SW torsos, mostly due to the belt thing they have. That will just look out of place on the Toa. And if they're printed, that'll reduce their reusability, too... they also have no connection points, unlike 2.0 torsos. Honestly, I would prefer to keep getting 2.0 and brain attack torsos. They're simple and they get the job done. Better than the SW torsos will, that's for sure. Though... I feel like it's about time we had a torso that was in-between the length of the large torso and the common medium torso.

I don't see why they would scrap gear functions. It's not like it's because people complained about them or anything. Even if people did complain it's not like that would've affected 2016's sets seeing as how these were probably started being designed in late 2014 or so. Unless gear functions were just planned as a year one thing from the start. But getting rid of them kind of takes away from G2's charm to me. Hm.

Any release dates for the sets by the way?

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:09 PM, lambda_cla3391 said:

Any release dates for the sets by the way?

Amazon Germany had them listed for release on Januar 30

  On 9/18/2015 at 12:22 PM, Mandate said:

I don't suppose the "feathery" attachments coming out the back of the Toa's masks could be a new eyestalk designed to "catch" the light better? Assuming they're transparent, that is.

In the colored versions of the masks the "feathery" detailing fades to silver. In the gold version it fades to a trans-color.

  On 9/18/2015 at 12:38 PM, Ikaatril said:

The loss of the gear functions is one of the worst things about this wave, unless they've made a balljointless version of the large torso. And if they're all using the SW torso, that means they're all going to be quite tall, right? Not sure I like the use of the SW torsos, mostly due to the belt thing they have. That will just look out of place on the Toa. And if they're printed, that'll reduce their reusability, too... they also have no connection points, unlike 2.0 torsos. Honestly, I would prefer to keep getting 2.0 and brain attack torsos. They're simple and they get the job done. Better than the SW torsos will, that's for sure. Though... I feel like it's about time we had a torso that was in-between the length of the large torso and the common medium torso.

The detailing of the SW torso is fantastic, but the lack of attachment points kill it. With some printing I'm sure they could fit the Toa but then there would be less MOCing opportunities.

  On 9/18/2015 at 12:50 PM, MakutaOfWar said:

I don't see why they would scrap gear functions. It's not like it's because people complained about them or anything. Even if people did complain it's not like that would've affected 2016's sets seeing as how these were probably started being designed in late 2014 or so. Unless gear functions were just planned as a year one thing from the start. But getting rid of them kind of takes away from G2's charm to me. Hm.

It does surprise me that they would get rid of the gearbox so quickly, I'd be lying if I said I don't blame Star Wars for this.

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:10 PM, UncannySpaghetti said:

Amazon Germany had them listed for release on Januar 30

Alright. Thanks!!! Can't wait to see official pics!

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:10 PM, UncannySpaghetti said:

Amazon Germany had them listed for release on Januar 30

So it goes to February, as I expected due to the SW figures being released on January.

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:33 PM, GK733 said:

So it goes to February, as I expected due to the SW figures being released on January.

The 2015 sets were also released in February in Germany, so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a January release for other parts of the world just yet.

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:33 PM, GK733 said:

So it goes to February, as I expected due to the SW figures being released on January.

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:37 PM, UncannySpaghetti said:

The 2015 sets were also released in February in Germany, so I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a January release for other parts of the world just yet.

Yeah, I figured as much. It's likely they will be released around Christmas or January in North America like last year, and then released later that month in other countries

Anymore info? Or pictures? I would go to the TTV boards, but I was kinda banned there (it's a long story, part of which I don't even know) anything!?!?

...?

I'm a fan of trans parts and blends, so no problems there.

But the thing that really gets me is the SW armor. If you thought the sets had height issues before, the SW armor would require a large torso making the Toa even taller than before. And I really can't see how the $15 Toa will be able to accommodate that body (unless they just have larger builds but fewer parts?). Not to mention, that piece is pretty heavily influenced by Clone Trooper armor. Seeing it on Bionicle would just be... Awkward.

And no gearboxes, what? That seemed like a staple of G2's design.

Right now, I'm a little bummed. Hopefully pictures will change my opinion...

On the upside, Umarak and his walking bear traps sound fan-frickin'-tastic. A black and green dude with a unique build, bow, and antlers sounds sweet. The creatures sound pretty nifty too. Little sad we won't be seeing an armadillo for Stone, but looks like I was right with the scorpion. And judging by Kopaka, seems like the Toa can combine with them.

And finally, the Mask of Control. Judging by the drawings, it going to be one heck of a mask. Probably even cooler looking than the Mask of Creation.

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:48 PM, Kalhiki said:

And finally, the Mask of Control. Judging by the drawings, it going to be one heck of a mask. Probably even cooler looking than the Mask of Creation.

Yeah, that thing looks awesome. I definitely agree.

  On 9/18/2015 at 1:44 PM, AidanBionicle1 said:

Anymore info? Or pictures? I would go to the TTV boards, but I was kinda banned there (it's a long story, part of which I don't even know) anything!?!?

*sigh*

Large post incoming!

Tahu:

Mask looks similar to a red Gali Nuva mask.

Two flame swords.

"Skull Grinder knee things in gold on shoulders, 2 swords with the new

flame blade (silver to red/orange) got some blue designs on his chest,

rock/flame knees (gold to trans orange/red)."

Gali:

Mask is a mix between Nokama's and Hahli's.

Doesn't appear to have a femenine build.

Has a spear that appears to be green/grey. Possible spinner.

"Gali is mostly blue to silver, orange shoulderPAD, long spear with a fan in the middle-ish (which looks kinda odd?)"

Lewa:

Mask looks almost exactly like Toa Metru Matau's.

No Keetorange.

Has two swords with a jungle motif.

"Lewa is green and silver, dual lime flame blades, silver and yellow design, I'm not seeing any of the "keetorange" you guys are calling flame yellow orange."

Kopaka:

Allegedly really cool mask (no pun intended), eye piece. Looks like a mix between a Hau and a helmet.

Kopaka/Melum combo model:

"-a big white guy with the fire knees in gold to trans blue, new gold to trans blue flame blades, Creature feet are shoulderpads, Kopaka wears the Creature's head as a hat, sort of. Other arm is a long stud shooter."

Onua:

Mask has a Toa Metru Whenua vibe.

Stormer XL feet.

Purple wing-like devices on shoulders.

Onua is very big.

Has a very, very big hammer. Like a beefed up version of Makuta's. Spike on the back.

Pohatu:

Mask looks like a mix between an Olmak and a Kakama.

Only Toa that appears to have transparent pieces. Green in color.

Has a spear.

"Pohatu has some short trans yellow shell things on his arms, long spear with a boulder on a chain on opposite end."

Creatures:

Fire - Ikir: Phoenix.

"Fire looks like an eagle, wings made of the flames used on '15 Tahu's board, and the new silver to orange/red blade, enemy uses trans orange claws for legs."

Water - Akida: Fish.

"Water fish thing, dual stud shooters in trans light blue, head is silver to blue, enemy has spider legs (with propellers on them?)"

Jungle - Uxar: Possibly a flying spider.

"-looks like a fly or something, some sort of insect. What I think is dark green for legs, trans lime for wings (Galaxy Squad Insectoid things) enemy has plant vines for legs."

Ice - Melum: Unclear, does not show up next to Kopaka but in an image below him. Seemingly bipedal.

Earth - Terak: Mole. Lots of purple and even some gold. Uses Protector feet, gold head, large purple claws which are possibly a new piece.

"Purple one looks like a weird bird. Huge fists with trans purple claws, gold to trans purple [fire knees] Enemy thing has small drills for legs."

Stone - Ketar: Possibly a scorpion.

"I think it's a scorpion, but it's got two of the new flame blades in silver to lime, enemy has a scorpion tale and a new leg piece, might be from another theme, idk."

Umarak:

Green, black, and brown.

Complex looking horns, possibly antlers.

A bow similar to Skull Warrior's.

Custom leg design, unorthodox build.

Gold Mask included, looks like a mix between the Mask of Control and an elephant head.

"Umarak looks like a giant zombie deer, with a sick silver to trans green head that has huge antlers with the Chima spider legs coming out of them. Red tooth pieces (think Atlantis ones, those small tooth pieces) and has a giant "bow" (long stick connected to a 6-stud shooter with two giant spider legs on top and botom) Big feet, trans green toe claws (what) Golden Mask of Control."

General:

The Toa all have a Golden Mask included, like in 2015.

All the Toa use the new Star Wars constraction torso, including Onua, in silver and gold.

Aside from Pohatu, none of the Toa appear to have transparent pieces.

Seemingly no new eyestalk.

No new feet.

Piston addons return.

New armor addons - one looks like Strakk's ice armor and is worn by Tahu.

A "ton of new parts."

New armor addon resembles the Vorox armor piece from 2009.

The Toa do not use the Star Wars constraction leg piece.

Everyone looks kind of feathery.

Box art is the same but the mask is the Mask of Control with a green glow behind it.

Every creature has the same mask but they all look different, because different animals..

Lots of the dual coloring, the faded basic colors to trans blue/silver/etc.

There's a new feathery/rocky/flaming piece used for knees, fades from gold/silver to respective colors.

Thanks TwistLaw and CM4Sci for this information!

Edited September 18, 20159 yr by Dr_Chronos

  On 9/18/2015 at 2:05 PM, Dr_Chronos said:

Reveal hidden contents

Reveal hidden contents

*sigh*

Large post incoming!

Tahu:

Mask looks similar to a red Gali Nuva mask.

Two flame swords.

"Skull Grinder knee things in gold on shoulders, 2 swords with the new

flame blade (silver to red/orange) got some blue designs on his chest,

rock/flame knees (gold to trans orange/red)."

Gali:

Mask is a mix between Nokama's and Hahli's.

Doesn't appear to have a femenine build.

Has a spear that appears to be green/grey. Possible spinner.

"Gali is mostly blue to silver, orange shoulderPAD, long spear with a fan in the middle-ish (which looks kinda odd?)"

Lewa:

Mask looks almost exactly like Toa Metru Matau's.

No Keetorange.

Has two swords with a jungle motif.

"Lewa is green and silver, dual lime flame blades, silver and yellow design, I'm not seeing any of the "keetorange" you guys are calling flame yellow orange."

Kopaka:

Allegedly really cool mask (no pun intended), eye piece. Looks like a mix between a Hau and a helmet.

Kopaka/Melum combo model:

"-a big white guy with the fire knees in gold to trans blue, new gold to trans blue flame blades, Creature feet are shoulderpads, Kopaka wears the Creature's head as a hat, sort of. Other arm is a long stud shooter."

Onua:

Mask has a Toa Metru Whenua vibe.

Stormer XL feet.

Purple wing-like devices on shoulders.

Onua is very big.

Has a very, very big hammer. Like a beefed up version of Makuta's. Spike on the back.

Pohatu:

Mask looks like a mix between an Olmak and a Kakama.

Only Toa that appears to have transparent pieces. Green in color.

Has a spear.

"Pohatu has some short trans yellow shell things on his arms, long spear with a boulder on a chain on opposite end."

Creatures:

Fire - Ikir: Phoenix.

"Fire looks like an eagle, wings made of the flames used on '15 Tahu's board, and the new silver to orange/red blade, enemy uses trans orange claws for legs."

Water - Akida: Fish.

"Water fish thing, dual stud shooters in trans light blue, head is silver to blue, enemy has spider legs (with propellers on them?)"

Jungle - Uxar: Possibly a flying spider.

"-looks like a fly or something, some sort of insect. What I think is dark green for legs, trans lime for wings (Galaxy Squad Insectoid things) enemy has plant vines for legs."

Ice - Melum: Unclear, does not show up next to Kopaka but in an image below him. Seemingly bipedal.

Earth - Terak: Mole. Lots of purple and even some gold. Uses Protector feet, gold head, large purple claws which are possibly a new piece.

"Purple one looks like a weird bird. Huge fists with trans purple claws, gold to trans purple [fire knees] Enemy thing has small drills for legs."

Stone - Ketar: Possibly a scorpion.

"I think it's a scorpion, but it's got two of the new flame blades in silver to lime, enemy has a scorpion tale and a new leg piece, might be from another theme, idk."

Umarak:

Green, black, and brown.

Complex looking horns, possibly antlers.

A bow similar to Skull Warrior's.

Custom leg design, unorthodox build.

Gold Mask included, looks like a mix between the Mask of Control and an elephant head.

"Umarak looks like a giant zombie deer, with a sick silver to trans green head that has huge antlers with the Chima spider legs coming out of them. Red tooth pieces (think Atlantis ones, those small tooth pieces) and has a giant "bow" (long stick connected to a 6-stud shooter with two giant spider legs on top and botom) Big feet, trans green toe claws (what) Golden Mask of Control."

General:

The Toa all have a Golden Mask included, like in 2015.

All the Toa use the new Star Wars constraction torso, including Onua, in silver and gold.

Aside from Pohatu, none of the Toa appear to have transparent pieces.

Seemingly no new eyestalk.

No new feet.

Piston addons return.

New armor addons - one looks like Strakk's ice armor and is worn by Tahu.

A "ton of new parts."

New armor addon resembles the Vorox armor piece from 2009.

The Toa do not use the Star Wars constraction leg piece.

Everyone looks kind of feathery.

Box art is the same but the mask is the Mask of Control with a green glow behind it.

Every creature has the same mask but they all look different, because different animals..

Lots of the dual coloring, the faded basic colors to trans blue/silver/etc.

There's a new feathery/rocky/flaming piece used for knees, fades from gold/silver to respective colors.

Thanks TwistLaw and CM4Sci for this information!

Thank you.

Edited September 18, 20159 yr by Leewan
Added spoiler tags

I'll be honest, the piece from SW Constraction I least expected to see on the 2016 Bionicles was that torso shell. I don't know, it really doesn't seem very "Bionicle-y" to me. Sad that the leg add-on doesn't appear, but from Gali's description it sounds like the SW shoulder armour is appearing, which makes me happy. But orange, on Gali? Not sure how I feel about that. I wonder if Gali or Ketar has a little dark blue in them?

The other piece I didn't expect to see mentioned is the Skull Army armour add-on. At least it's a new recolour, and parts in more colours is always welcome in my book.

But the figure that has me most excited is Umarak. Antlers, sounds like he hunted a deer-like creature and is wearing it's horns as a sort of trophy as opposed to him actually being a mutant deer-like creature. And I sincerely hope the trans-green is trans-dark green for the sake of something different (plus I'd think it'd work on such a character), though I wouldn't mind trans-bright green too much. Trans-yellowish green (the colour of the shells on Skull Scorpio) I wouldn't be so keen on seeing on Umarak.

And fingers crossed the piston add-on makes an appaearance in gunmetal or black, given they are confirmed to reappear

Overall, I'm intrigued and it sounds pretty promising (except the use of the SW torso, why oh why... I can't really imagine it working but if it means bigger figures and they do actually end up looking good, then I'm all for it. No point rehashing the 2015 builds, there's nothing I dislike more than carbon copies and repetition).

I really, really hope the part about the star wars torso and no gearbox is inaccurate. I'll hold judgment for legit pictures, but I seriously don't like the sound of that at all.

Your welcome everybody!

As I promised to Itaria, the real guy to whom say thank you, I didn't share any pictures. Descriptions only.

SW torsos aside it's gonna be a great year.

Kopaka is one of the best looking sets of all times, can't wait for the day anybody will be able to see it.

I feel like the Star Wars torso shell could work fine for Bionicle, myself. Chances are if it's used it will be printed in the final sets, so I'm curious what type of printing they might use. The biggest disadvantage would be the size and the lack of variety, but the latter is not a huge change and the former could arguably improve the characters' proportions in some cases.

Lack of gear functions is not something I would take at face value, since not only was that many people's impression of last year's sets from preliminary images, but it also wouldn't necessarily preclude a different type of function. Though it would be a bit sad not to get more mileage out of the gearbox element. Fiery-looking add-ons blended with two colors were something I had predicted as a possibility. It sounds like I was right on the money.

Good to hear the creatures are nice and diverse. Umarak sounds very unique. Overall, though, I still feel like it's too early for me to really form a lot of opinions about the sets individually or as a group. After all, there's no clear indication of how close they are to finalized.

Edited September 18, 20159 yr by Aanchir

Oh man, these sets do sound promising. I am holding my breath on the SW torsos as well- if anything, I would like to see a similar piece but in a smaller size for the normal torso we have been using. It could look good, the main issue being its size and how that could impact the functions (as numerous people have said). The aesthetics of the sets sound super awesome, though, with all the feathers/crystals and melded pieces. I am extremely excited to get these in hand, as they sound like a very creative wave.

Also, what kind of weapon is Kopaka said to have? I just might switch it out for Strakk's awesome axe.

I don't know about missing the gearbox...

Because, there has to be some genuine reason these 3D models ended up in the commercial:

http://board.ttvpodcast.com/uploads/db5640/original/3X/a/2/a2eb4277545deab16412d217aeefc7404cfb9945.png

http://board.ttvpodcast.com/uploads/db5640/original/3X/1/d/1d10a5ecbcd7ee7a2360b4a9aace95261a7f6907.png