LEGO Collectable Minifigures Series 4 discussion

[tiggerkiddo]

Really hope the musketeer isn't the Zombie/Spartan/Elf of the collection because I really want one. I also love the new skater and the printed skateboard, I'm a sucker for those. While I'm not a big fan of it, I do agree that none of the figures seem like a bit of a throw in but each one seems worthy of getting a copy of!

[peterab]

I'm surprised so many people find this series better than series three. I don't think this is a bad series but it doesn't have many figures I'd like lots of. On the other hand I really like series three.

In fact IMHO it has far more figures than any previous series that I only want one of. To put this into context, I'm a town and train builder, so the monsters are not very attractive, the geisha is beautiful figure but I cant imagine a use for more than two identical geishas, there's a limit to the number of different sports teams I want, and I think the tennis player from series 3 is far more useful. I really like the new surfer but hardly need lots of wetsuits after the series 1 diver. Some of the other figures like the skateboarder and garden gnome look like they might have use as generic town torsos, but not in huge numbers.

For me the standout figures for army building are the radiation suit and the sailor. The sailor is ok in multiples as is, and the torso would make great asian schoolgirls too :-) I'd love a radiation leak diorama somewhere on my layout.

[Pellaeon]

Series 4 looks amazing. The only figure that seems like a boring repeat is the Surfer Girl... unfortunate, since she's one of the few female figures in Series 4. I'd be bored with the Mad Scientist, were it not for that beaker Erlenmeyer flask.

Based on a second look I think the 'traffic cop' 'scuba diver' of this lot will be the sailor or the ice skater. I think it's cause the accessories that they have aren't unique. The sailor has the telescope piece isn't rare but it's just in chrome. The ice skater has the same piece as the hockey player just the hockey player is much cooler.

I disagree about the Sailor, if only because the folks that build massive minifig-scale warships will buy sailors by the boatload.

Edited December 6, 2010 by Pellaeon

[David Thomsen]

I love these minifigs, and it's the first time I'm going to get multiples of any figure - the Musketeer. I don't actually need any Musketeers, but that hat and épée are perfect for my ever-expanding pirate theme. Must have.

The Geisha is fabulous, but I don't really need her, and I don't usually get minifigs unless they compliment one of my existing themes... in this case I might make an exception though.

Mostly I only want the others for their accessories. Brush, palette, steel telescope, ELECTRIC GUITAR... all things I must have.

[BrickWild]

Here's some more!

Edit by WhiteFang: This image is the same as what the Eurobricks Frontpage is featuring now.

Edited December 6, 2010 by Bonaparte
Removed deeplinks

[WhiteFang]

I think the key difference between series 4 and earlier series is that there are a lot of great figures to choose from in series 4. In the past few series, several figures seemed to be simply thrown in to fill out the line. While everybody clamoured to grab cheerleaders, Spartans and elves, how many people were rushing out for ringmasters, traffic cops and scuba divers? The thing that makes series 4 so amazing is the wide variety of accessories and prints included with each figure. No figure seems to be an afterthought. I suspect that this will probably reduce the tendency to hoard figures as most folks would be happy with all of these guys. Here's hoping series 5 continues this trend.

I agree with your observation. In fact, I find this batch of minifigures are all equally attractive in its own rights, resulting in equal collectable values in terms of getting a fair amount of multiples without getting too much of it at the same time. I really hope this will reduce the trend of hoarding and if one wants to hoard, I believe they will hoard by the boxes since all minifigs are equally impressive. Time will tell very soon enough to see which are the popular minifigures in the sales chart.

For now, I need to get my hands onto Series 3 first.

[XimenaPaulina]

The sailor is ok in multiples as is, and the torso would make great asian schoolgirls too :-)

That is a great idea! Sailor torso + S1 Cheerleader 'skirted legs' = Japanese-style school girls.

I'd be bored with the Mad Scientist, were it not for that beaker.

That is technically not a beaker, but a stoppered Erlenmeyer Flask. Sorry can't resist correcting.

[Archer]

quite a nice assortment we get here, skaters face is a bit much imo. I thought I read earlier that this would be the last series, however why stop now it's a fairly successful recipe. I personally would enjoy a ghost fig that was made of translucent blue body parts as opposed to the old ghostie. We've never hand translucent body parts other than heads and hooks.

[WhiteFang]

That is a great idea! Sailor torso + S1 Cheerleader 'skirted legs' = Japanese-style school girls.

I fully agreed! Or you can use the Female Tennis Player in Series 3 as well.

[Peppermint_M]

Why must it be negative that there doesn't seem to be army building figures for certain members? These were designed for collecting one of each and that was that. It is the perfect way to expand your population without having to get massive and costly sets. Between scalpers, mean AFOLs who buy the whole box and stupid people speculating on minifigs I though it would be a good thin for collectors to not have to worry about army builders choosing to take all of a certain figure.

When it comes to these, I am glad I live in a fairly normal area where people buy Lego in normal quantaties and somtimes battlepacks make it to clearance!

[Drakon]

There are a few really cool figures, the standout one being the hazmat guy. Am I the only one that thinks the speed skater looks like Wilma from the Flintstones? (In the shot where they are in 4 rows of 4)

I am disappointed by a few though.

Gnome. Come on. Another fisherman but with shorter legs? really.....?

Skateboarder/Surfer. We already have one of each from series 1 and 2. Lets get some unique ones. Plenty of figures that haven't been done yet.

Soccer player (One with the trophy). Lets stop repainting the mini-minifigure trophy. The worse thing is its that figures ONLY accessory. Pretty lame looking if you ask me.

Edited December 6, 2010 by Drakon

[Peppermint_M]

The footballer's trophy does seem to be on a stand however, this stand seems to be a Black Fez. Not new, but a good recolour and I am sure a large number of greeble fans would find it very useful.

[WhiteFang]

Skateboarder/Surfer. We already have one of each from series 1 and 2. Lets get some unique ones. Plenty of figures that haven't been done yet.

Not really! At least mine Skater Boy and Surfer Dude will have new companions to match together in a nice related setting. It won't be as bad as having same generic appearance of having to own the same multiples.

[Pellaeon]

That is technically not a beaker, but a stoppered Erlenmeyer Flask. Sorry can't resist correcting.

My own fault for not looking it up--I knew "beaker" was wrong but typed it anyways.

Between scalpers, mean AFOLs who buy the whole box and stupid people speculating on minifigs I though it would be a good thin for collectors to not have to worry about army builders choosing to take all of a certain figure.

When it comes to these, I am glad I live in a fairly normal area where people buy Lego in normal quantaties and somtimes battlepacks make it to clearance!

I guess Series 3+ are supposed to be far more widely available than Series 1 and 2 were, so hopefully we'll all have more pleasant purchasing experiences this time around. And here's hoping for reprints of Series 1 and 2 next year.

[Klaus-Dieter]

Thank you very much for this picture, Tribolego!

Wow, series 4 looks completely amazing! :wub:

It without doubts outguns all three previous series!

That many amazing new torsos and that many amazing new accessory!

Bio-hazard personnel, a new skater, a Kimono girl, an e-guitar, an accurate skateboard and the bio-hazard personnel's accessory - I really miss words!

Which is imo a pity is that the surfer girl doesn't come with trunks and a bikini - but with a wetsuit.

The only minifigs I do not like are Frankenstein and the Monster.

Apart from these two - simply outstanding!

I bet that the minifigs of this series will be the most sold of all series!

Not really! At least mine Skater Boy and Surfer Dude will have new companions to match together in a nice related setting. It won't be as bad as having same generic appearance of having to own the same multiples.

I completely agree with you, WhiteFang!

The skater from series 1 looks completely different to the one included in series 4. I didn't like it that much that the skater in series 1 had a skull printing on his hoodie. The new hoodie looks much better.

Plus there is a new skateboard - finally in black (and not always in that stupid unauthentic blue color) and even with printing on it!

And the new beanie looks cool, too.

Plus think about that the minifigs of series 1 were shortly sold out. So for all who want more than only one or two skaters but didn't have the chance to get more, there's now the possibility.

Btw:

Do you think that the exhauster of the bio-hazard personnel is attachable to the "rucksack" - so that the minifig does not necessarily have to hold it all the time? That would be great.

Klaus-Dieter

Edited December 6, 2010 by Klaus-Dieter

[Delta 38]

Oh no! Not again, I can't catch up!

I have to admit, though, series 3 and 4 are really good. I hope they're widely available here, as series 2 is effectively extinct around my area and series 1 never appeared.

So many new parts! Guitar, mohawk and paint palettes which aren't custom? Amazing. I love the hazmat guy, the artist, the scientist, the musketeer and the hockey player. The others are quite nice too, particularly the Japanese girl, which might go well along with the Japanese minifigs from other series and my future Ninjago army.

Yeah, these are all must-haves, but for now I'll devote my energies in getting series 3 and hunting for 1 and 2.

[hawkyboy4]

By the looks of things, the gnome figure looks good for Zelda MOC's.

I can't wait!!

Edited December 6, 2010 by hawkyboy4

[robuko]

All look super. Early leak - Conspiracy theory or cock-up? Conspiracy theory says S3 is not very exciting, S4 is great, so release S4 leaked shots just before selling S3 to boost S3 demand from completists.

I like all of the series 4. My surprise hit army builder is the hockey player, for the epaulettes. My favourite is hard to choose, but it has to be the geisha.

[Jargo]

Hazmat suit guy - Lego have answered my prayers. I only want a couple but this is perfection.

Skateboarder - love the torso and face print, black hat and board. Fantastic in it's subtlety.

Sailor - This is the army builder to me. Want lots.

Artist - Beautiful minifig and accessories.

Punk rocker - Incredible. here's hoping for more band members.

Wolfman - Based on classic horror rather than modern I think. So not a werewolf, but a wolfman.

Frankenstein's monster - The addition of hair is a lovely touch. Great update on the studios version.

Mad scientist - Looks unfinished. lovely flask accessory and nice use of that hair piece though.

Musketeer - Like the hat and sword, don't like the figure.

Hockey player - Nice minifig but not my cup of tea. the skate piece is cute.

Ice skater - IMO it's a horrible minifig. I hate the colours and the hair piece. looks like a fat Wilma Flintstone.

Footballer - Not very exciting. If there's a second footballer in a future wave it might be worth building a team.

Viking - hmmm, I guess it adds variation to the theme but it doesn't excite me.

Surfer girl - Not bad, could have lived without the pink.

Gnome - why? It's pointless, out of scale and aside from the hat fairly bland.

Japanese woman - Quite nice I suppose. The fan is cool. Not tempted to get this though.

[escortmad79]

I think she has a skirt piece..but not so sure...

Correct, she does have a 3/4 skirt

Soccer player (One with the trophy). Lets stop repainting the mini-minifigure trophy. The worse thing is its that figures ONLY accessory. Pretty lame looking if you ask me.

That's the full set now!

Gold = Karate guy

Silver = Footballer

Bronze = Sumo Wrestler

Edited December 6, 2010 by escortmad79

[Aanchir]

The footballer's trophy does seem to be on a stand however, this stand seems to be a Black Fez. Not new, but a good recolour and I am sure a large number of greeble fans would find it very useful.

I always thought the fez would make a great shade for a table lamp. Of course, the dark red one works better for the ones in my house, but I'm just offering that suggestion to folks who need ideas on how to use a fez.

The use of it as a trophy stand is very inspired. Just a reminder, though-- I doubt any of the parts will be "chrome". My guess is that they'll be the same sort of metallic-lacquered color as the Spartan's helmet, only in silver instead of gold. Granted, not everyone necessarily means actual chrome when they say "chrome", but when I hear chrome I think a material you can see your face in, and don't want anyone with similar expectations to be disappointed.

All look super. Early leak - Conspiracy theory or cock-up? Conspiracy theory says S3 is not very exciting, S4 is great, so release S4 leaked shots just before selling S3 to boost S3 demand from completists.

I like all of the series 4. My surprise hit army builder is the hockey player, for the epaulettes. My favourite is hard to choose, but it has to be the geisha.

I doubt LEGO would deliberately leak info on this ahead of time, because if anything it might cause fans to pass up Series 3 figs and save up for Series 4 ones instead. This is part of why LEGO disapproves of leaked images, along with the fact that "preliminary" images are subject to change and could lead to false expectations. Thankfully, these aren't preliminary, so they show us exactly what to expect-- and so far I've seen little fan backlash. Hope distribution is up to par with the demand we're seeing even four months ahead of schedule.

[Darth Jar Jar]

Oh yes look at the fan on the japanese one repaint it green and it can be used in avatar MOCs

Also a good lamp put the fez on top off the series 2 karate minifig for a great lamp

Edited December 6, 2010 by Darth Jar Jar

[Mr. Elijah Timms]

And now, I'm going to attempt the impossible-- rank them in order of my least favorite to most, which I must say is harder than ever before. As so many have pointed out, unlike the previous lines there's not a single weak 'filler' fig in the entire batch, easily the high point of the whole CM line so far. Here's my thoughts:

16. SURFER GIRL: Again, this would have clearly fallen in the third quarter of any other line, but against this competition I find her the least pressing. I like the head-- possibly our first smirking female face.

15. SKATER PUNK: Yes, we've already had a skater-- perhaps they're going to set us up with an eventual gang of punk teens to serve up some mischief in our collective cities.

14. SOCCER PLAYER: Actually quite a nice figure, even if I'm not really into soccer. I could see plenty of soccer fans wanting multiples of this guy, so sorry if my low placement offends anyone. I'll probably get one and avoid the teambuilding.

13. ICE SKATER: Love the concept, and a new hairpiece to boot. Will be a great addition to the Winter Bakery's ice rink.

12. GARDEN GNOME: Clever idea-- could possibly double as 'Santa elves' if need be. What I don't get is-- why does a garden gnome have a fishing rod? Maybe I just don't know enough about gnomes...

11. GEISHA GIRL: Great figure, and what a great addition to the entire Japan sub-theme the figures have followed. She'll look great beside an un-armored samurai with sumo hair.

10. MAD SCIENTIST: This was yet another figure on my 'must-make' list. Finally, a villain to blame all of these bizarre creations on-- the zombies, robot-- adds a great deal of storyline into other figures. He looks nuts!

9. MONSTER: And what mad scientist would be complete without his master creation... Surprised this guy didn't make the series 2 cut since it was so close to Halloween-- but he looks fantastic. Certainly will look great besides all of the other 'movie monster' figs...

8. SAILOR: Ahoy matey! Again, I realize I'm probably going to disappoint many collectors who will want hordes of these guys. I can see myself getting two, just to have hanging out at the docks or maybe in the local saloon.

7. PUNK ROCKER: DUDE! Hair is great, even if it's purple. But let's not kid ourselves... This will certainly be one of those figures where the accessory is just as, if not more, important than the figure itself. ROCK ON!

6. HAZMAT SUIT GUY: Clean-up on aisle 6... A fantastic figure. I want two, although a full team would be really cool too.

5. VIKING: Yes, we've had vikings, I know. I have only one, and am sick of him being absorbed by other factions-- he needs some men to command, and I intend to give him PLENTY.

4. WEREWOLF: Personally something I've wanted to see since the series came out, and I love how they used the elf gear to make it possible. I'm entirely satisfied, and love how he's got one sleeve ripped away entirely. If only you could see his bare feet.

3. ARTIST: Viola! Perfection... already thinking of how we can make him a canvas and easel out of a 2x2 tile and some other pieces...

2. HOCKEY PLAYER: Actually I'm a bit surprised I have him #2-- this figure is great and I will want at least six, if not more... the only weak part might be the hockey stick itself, but otherwise amazing. I'm wondering if that's just a standard racing helmet below the facemask, because if it is we could easily put together a rival team using pieces from these guys... Black Falcons hockey, anyone?

1. MUSKETEER: This, in my opinion, will be the true Spartan of the series... The hat, the weapon, the amazing torso. Sure, everyone will buy at least three, and at first I thought I would stop there... but if anyone's into Pirates, and clearly I am, suddenly this becomes a potential gold mine, if not for the accessories but also the torso itself. And judging by the last few pages' comments, everyone seems to be talking about him the most. Absolutely epic!

I think all in all this line will see more people buying doubles than ever before. I'm still not a buy-a-box kinda guy, but I'll surely buy more second and thirds than ever before. Great job TLG!!

[Ogre]

Oh. My. Gawd.

Best series yet, IMO.

[Ravenclaw2010]

These look terrific! I love the surfer girl and the football player's hair(more nougat!) and the kimono girl is great. I don't understand what the girl in the blue dress and the blonde hair or the guy on the skateboard are meant to be, though. I love the artist's palette, and the silver trophy. I will definetely pick a few of these up when they come out. Thanks for the picture!