Hero Factory 2011

[Front]

The socket will not break. It is as simple as that.

[Baylego]

I am glad that the breaking problem with the joints is solved. I am anticipating these sets in about 3 weeks. That is about the time the Stars came out last year, so I hope it will be similar this year!

[The Dor]

The socket will not break. It is as simple as that.

I'm glad to hear such confidence. I've been afraid to use my sets like LEGO sets for fear of joint breakage. I'm glad that with more of a move toward the building aspect, away from the action figure aspect using less intricate pieces and such, that the sets will be able to handle it.

[Brickthing]

The socket will not break. It is as simple as that.

I guess I'll have to try and prove you wrong once they start hitting stores.

[SpiderSpaceman]

I guess I'll have to try and prove you wrong once they start hitting stores.

I dunno if the parts are gonna be the hard glossy plastic or the ben 10 plastic but the ben 10 joints (same socket) on meltdown have been popped together and apart with wild abandon since i saw that statement and it seems really darn promising

not to start a quality war and I don't even really know if there are different plastics but you know what I mean - the core structural elements of bionicle have always been rigid and glossy while the armors and masks (rahkshi onward) had a bit of softness to them. but if it takes using that to make the ball joints not crack it's more than a worthy application

Edited November 4, 2010 by SpiderSpaceman

[Front]

I dunno if the parts are gonna be the hard glossy plastic or the ben 10 plastic but the ben 10 joints (same socket) on meltdown have been popped together and apart with wild abandon since i saw that statement and it seems really darn promising

not to start a quality war and I don't even really know if there are different plastics but you know what I mean - the core structural elements of bionicle have always been rigid and glossy while the armors and masks (rahkshi onward) had a bit of softness to them. but if it takes using that to make the ball joints not crack it's more than a worthy application

Ball Cups have always used the same material. When something looks glossy there is a good chance that the mould cavity has been High Speed Milled, while a more rough and textured surface indicates that spark eroding has produced the mould cavity.

[Aanchir]

Ball Cups have always used the same material. When something looks glossy there is a good chance that the mould cavity has been High Speed Milled, while a more rough and textured surface indicates that spark eroding has produced the mould cavity.

You're always able to offer such great insights... I imagine if you had been around on BZPower when I was still active there people wouldn't have complained to nearly the same extent. Or at least, they'd limit themselves to informed complaints rather than just assuming that because they don't like a piece, "LEGO is cheap and lazy".

Part design in BIONICLE and Hero Factory is one of the most important aspects of both themes-- particularly in BIONICLE, where parts tended to have much more detail in general than your typical System parts (besides of course the occasional minifig accessory). At least, in my opinion. It's always great to have you here to enlighten us on that particular factor of the physical sets!

[vexorian]

I dunno if the parts are gonna be the hard glossy plastic or the ben 10 plastic but the ben 10 joints (same socket) on meltdown have been popped together and apart with wild abandon since i saw that statement and it seems really darn promising

not to start a quality war and I don't even really know if there are different plastics but you know what I mean - the core structural elements of bionicle have always been rigid and glossy while the armors and masks (rahkshi onward) had a bit of softness to them. but if it takes using that to make the ball joints not crack it's more than a worthy application

Hehe, if weapon plastic was used for sockets, I bet you that no socket would break. They would, however, bend into uselessness after 4 uses.

If you ask me, I wish the normal sockets would use the rubber system that is used on those special sockets that come with some titans. Expenses be damned.

From pics it seems that Ben 10 plastic is the same as Bionicle/LEGO plastic in general, but the molds themselves are thicker. The shape also does wonders, a cylinder is more resistant than a U.

Edited November 4, 2010 by vexorian

[SpiderSpaceman]

Ball Cups have always used the same material. When something looks glossy there is a good chance that the mould cavity has been High Speed Milled, while a more rough and textured surface indicates that spark eroding has produced the mould cavity.

ah OK I get that. I knew about the spark eroded molds. Just didn't when the same stuff was being poured through it.

Hehe, if weapon plastic was used for sockets, I bet you that no socket would break. They would, however, bend into uselessness after 4 uses.

If you ask me, I wish the normal sockets would use the rubber system that is used on those special sockets that come with some titans. Expenses be damned.

From pics it seems that Ben 10 plastic is the same as Bionicle/LEGO plastic in general, but the molds themselves are thicker. The shape also does wonders, a cylinder is more resistant than a U.

haha right. Lapse of brain use on my part

I was in a strengths of materials class over the summer and there was a design project. I really wanted to do a variation on the technic ball joint to figure out why lego has had such a hassle getting it right, but I didn't know if that would be acceptable to the professor as a real engineering application.

Plus it's kind of a cyclic loading thing and I'd assume there's very much a spike in the stress at the moment the ball pops out and in. Anyway, it's more involved than the basic scenarios of that course for sure. But thickening helps out, and since fracture happens at the thinnest point, not skimping on the plastic, not tapering the socket all makes sense

anyway, I always just make myself look stupider with lazy analysis carry on, smart people.

[Front]

Plus it's kind of a cyclic loading thing and I'd assume there's very much a spike in the stress at the moment the ball pops out and in. Anyway, it's more involved than the basic scenarios of that course for sure. But thickening helps out, and since fracture happens at the thinnest point, not skimping on the plastic, not tapering the socket all makes sense

It is no secret that the stresses (force pr. unit area) or strain (relative elongation of the material) is greatest when a ball is inserted or pulled out of the ball cup. Actually anyone with a mechanical engineering degree should figure that out in half a minute.

By the way stress and strain are more or less the same, as strain times the material stiffness factor E equals the stress.

But the strain from being assembled in say a year are also important, as we are dealing with plastic and plastic tend to creep (elongate over time due to strain and dependent on temperature too).

Saying that fracture happens at the thinnest place on a part is only half the truth, it would be more correct to say that it happens at the point of highest strain. But in many cases the strains are highest at a thin spot on a loaded piece.

But making a thin ball cup thicker may not help. When you put in a ball you have a forced deformation and though a forced strain of the ball cup. Though a thicker piece will just as easy break, but will just require a larger force when inserting a ball. This is a very important lesson in mechanical engineering.

Edited November 4, 2010 by Front

[Mesonak]

Bink just updated his signature on BZP.

Creep Crushers.

Buy a hero. Crush some creeps.

I'll stick with We Build Heroes.

-Mesonak

EDIT: On second thought, perhaps it's the name of the online game where you purchase heroes that was mentioned in the catalogue. Interesting.

Edited November 6, 2010 by Mesonak

[ZORK64]

I had almost no problems with snapping pieces... except Mahri Hahli, Glatorian Gresh's feet sockets and one hand of the Cendox V1 Pilot. But I also hadn't MOCed much with the HF-Sets so far... anyway, I don't want to get off-topic here.

I'm really excited about the new heroes and all the new parts they come packed with. The new limbs with a socket on one side and a ball at the other are probably my favourites, I guess as soon I'll get them, my Self-MOC will get another update for the sake of enhanced poseability.

The new armour system is a mix bag in my opinion. The parts look really cool, and attaching them with a ball joint is interesting, but the plates lack axle rods, and that is bad because it limits the possibilities to modify them (especially with Bionicle parts).

The Villians look a bit... meh. I guess it's because of their colour schemes. But they also come with a few neat pieces. I guess I'll get Jetbug and perhaps Fire Lord if he's not too expensive (if he's around the same price as Von Nebula, I'll probably buy him).

One last question about all that new awesome stuff anyway: When will they hit the shelves?

[Brickthing]

One last question about all that new awesome stuff anyway: When will they hit the shelves?

The Stars were first seen in US Toys'R'Us stores right around this time last year, so hopefully the first 2011 Heroes will start appearing anytime before December.

[Bfahome]

So I managed a revamp without breaking any or many pieces.

Dunno if or when I'll post it anywhere.

[Brickthing]

So I managed a revamp without breaking any or many pieces.

Dunno if or when I'll post it anywhere.

Wrong thread, but please post it (in a new topic)! I see Meltdown as just about perfect already so I'd love to see the changes you chose to improve him.

[ZORK64]

The Stars were first seen in US Toys'R'Us stores right around this time last year, so hopefully the first 2011 Heroes will start appearing anytime before December.

Uh... well, since I live in Germany, that probably means I'll have to wait 'til 2011... the Stars were available here in February 2010, while the first Glatorians were released in march 2009.

Because of this, I'm actually expecting the new heroes to be relased around february/march 2011 in Germany. Luckily, I know a store were they released sets like those several weeks earlier...

Edited November 14, 2010 by ZORK64

[Aanchir]

Just wanted to share that preliminary images of all the Hero Factory packaging for next year can be found here. Wish it were finalized, but on the plus side it's high-res.

Also, here's a cool display. Preliminary, and obviously shopped, but figured I might as well link it here.

Edited November 13, 2010 by Aanchir

[Brickthing]

Thanks for finding those! They seem to be the same images from the previous pictures, only with box art instead of background.

The rest of the Fire Lord's arm isn't really exciting piece-wise, and it makes that weapon a triple-function blaster, sword and shield. It would have been more useful for him if the three functions were split over two separate tools, but then I guess he wouldn't have had the clawed left hand to menacingly shake at Heroes or to ominously hold above a "crystal ball reflection" of them as in the previous picture.

The villains in the background of the Hero canisters are a neat touch. Nitroblast is on a far left platform, Jetbug is hovering on the left as well, and I can't see where Drilldozer is. Maybe the spiky silhouette in the top right is him, or another Jetbug. I like that the position of the Heroes and background tone varies, making each background look slightly different, although that could be to do with them being preliminary and different sizes (Surge's image is quite a lot bigger than Furno's).

For some reason Evo has silver spears, which are readily avaliable in SYSTEM Castle sets. I'd have liked him/her more if there were Blue spears like the ones on Stormer. I'm definitely getting Stormer, for the Blue Mahri Tube and spears (and the extra trans-orange Barraki eye).

On the printed armour pieces of each Hero it looks like there is writing on them that I can't quite make out. If it is writing, I hope it's removed in the final versions, because writing limits the use of the piece for MOCs, especially if it's the Hero's names. It reminds me of the Roborider heads, which looked great, but their names were printed on the sides of their faces.

Oh, and your title is annoying...

[Aanchir]

Thanks for finding those! They seem to be the same images from the previous pictures, only with box art instead of background.

The rest of the Fire Lord's arm isn't really exciting piece-wise, and it makes that weapon a triple-function blaster, sword and shield. It would have been more useful for him if the three functions were split over two separate tools, but then I guess he wouldn't have had the clawed left hand to menacingly shake at Heroes or to ominously hold above a "crystal ball reflection" of them as in the previous picture.

Piece-wise, maybe not interesting, but IMO it's a gorgeous design overall-- the pieces flow together so well! Of course, it might not be like that from all angles-- I'm going to have to goof around on LDD, where thankfully all of those pieces seem to be available, if I want to know for sure.

For some reason Evo has silver spears, which are readily avaliable in SYSTEM Castle sets. I'd have liked him/her more if there were Blue spears like the ones on Stormer. I'm definitely getting Stormer, for the Blue Mahri Tube and spears (and the extra trans-orange Barraki eye).

Well, I can give you one reason those spears aren't blue: in some preliminary pictures (specifically the one that shows all the heroes marching in V-formation), Evo's accent color (face, Hero Core, and spikes) is not blue but rather medium lilac (dark purple). The pic of the display stand shows this fairly prominently (since for some reason they put Evo in front). I hope finalized pics come soon so I can know which version makes it to the final version, although I'm afraid it probably won't be the purple one. Pity, because then all the heroes would have different head colors.

On the printed armour pieces of each Hero it looks like there is writing on them that I can't quite make out. If it is writing, I hope it's removed in the final versions, because writing limits the use of the piece for MOCs, especially if it's the Hero's names. It reminds me of the Roborider heads, which looked great, but their names were printed on the sides of their faces.

Every decorated armor piece I can see seems to have "SUB-0" on it along with two letters/numbers I can't make out. Needless to say, there's not a trace of the Heroes' names on there. Since they all seem to have the same (or similar) writing, there won't be anything making these prints more character- or set-specific than there was with the Exo-Force stickers-- and goodness knows many MOCists didn't express any qualms about using those to complement any mech they built.

In case you're not in the know about this, the Exo-Force stickers revealed specific things about the set. Each character had a circular emblem that appeared on their set, and each human battle machine had a completely unique designation (a one- or two-letter prefix to designate what class of vehicle it was, and a two-digit number distinguishing it from other battle machines with that class). There was also usually a two-character Japanese phrase that described the set: for instance, 8113's characters stood for "Suzaku", or "Massive Tearing" (there was a translation for each given on the sticker sheet). Robot battle machines were a little less artistic, but were still set-specific in the same way many City and Atlantis sets are: that is, each set's sticker sheet would have the set number somewhere on it.

Needless to say, there's nothing suggesting that the new Heroes will have printing that's anywhere as specific as the aforementioned sticker sheets. Makes me wonder if that might be to ease the "custom-hero-design" process we've only gotten vague info on.

Oh, and your title is annoying...

I see what you did there.

[Brickthing]

Well, I can give you one reason those spears aren't blue: in some preliminary pictures (specifically the one that shows all the heroes marching in V-formation), Evo's accent color (face, Hero Core, and spikes) is not blue but rather medium lilac (dark purple). The pic of the display stand shows this fairly prominently (since for some reason they put Evo in front). I hope finalized pics come soon so I can know which version makes it to the final version, although I'm afraid it probably won't be the purple one. Pity, because then all the heroes would have different head colors.

I noticed that earlier, but forgot to comment about it. If it is purple, that will justify the set for me, because it's been almost 8 years since purple existed in BIONICLE. I really hope that the core is trans-purple (Although all the cores will probably be solid colours to match the heads and accents).Still, a blue or purple spear would've made it nicer.

I hope Evo will use purple rather than blue. As you say, it will give all the Heroes unique secondary colours, and purple has been used more regularly in other sets now. It's in a lot of NinjaGo sets next year.

Every decorated armor piece I can see seems to have "SUB-0" on it along with two letters/numbers I can't make out. Needless to say, there's not a trace of the Heroes' names on there. Since they all seem to have the same (or similar) writing, there won't be anything making these prints more character- or set-specific than there was with the Exo-Force stickers-- and goodness knows many MOCists didn't express any qualms about using those to complement any mech they built.

SUB-0 makes sense, although it looks more like they're fighting fire with water rather than ice. It's not hero specific, but it's still specific to ice, which makes it harder to use for other purposes, especially for the non-ice coloured armour.

In case you're not in the know about this, the Exo-Force stickers revealed specific things about the set. Each character had a circular emblem that appeared on their set, and each human battle machine had a completely unique designation (a one- or two-letter prefix to designate what class of vehicle it was, and a two-digit number distinguishing it from other battle machines with that class). There was also usually a two-character Japanese phrase that described the set: for instance, 8113's characters stood for "Suzaku", or "Massive Tearing" (there was a translation for each given on the sticker sheet). Robot battle machines were a little less artistic, but were still set-specific in the same way many City and Atlantis sets are: that is, each set's sticker sheet would have the set number somewhere on it.

I like details like those when they're on stickers, because you have the option to apply them to any piece or not at all. When the details are printed on, it looks good for the set, but limits the usefulness in MOCing compared to an unprinted piece. It becomes especially inconvenient when the printed piece is in an uncommon shape and colour, because you don't have the option to use the piece without the decal.

Needless to say, there's nothing suggesting that the new Heroes will have printing that's anywhere as specific as the aforementioned sticker sheets. Makes me wonder if that might be to ease the "custom-hero-design" process we've only gotten vague info on.

It could be, although I don't know if printing unique decals onto pieces is any cheaper than producing the piece in a wider range of colours.

Looking at next year's sets, it's possible that they already include all the pieces that will be used for the custom-hero process. The different shaped armour pieces are incredibly modular/customizable, and there are 6 interchangeable helmet accessories that match any colour of helmet. The heroes have armour in six bright colours, while the villains provide armour pieces in silvers and trans-orange, and an extra spike colour. The resulting heroes might not look incredibly distinct from each other and the sets, but the unique combinations are endless.

[Aanchir]

Looking at next year's sets, it's possible that they already include all the pieces that will be used for the custom-hero process. The different shaped armour pieces are incredibly modular/customizable, and there are 6 interchangeable helmet accessories that match any colour of helmet. The heroes have armour in six bright colours, while the villains provide armour pieces in silvers and trans-orange, and an extra spike colour. The resulting heroes might not look incredibly distinct from each other and the sets, but the unique combinations are endless.

It would certainly be most economical for the custom-hero process to simply use the parts in the colors they actually appear in in next year's sets. The question then becomes, would LEGO actually do that? Or, to be a bit clearer, would such an option actually be profitable if people could just as easily buy the sets that are already on store shelves to get the exact same pieces?

If the options are wider, though, one wonders how broad they would be, how affordable they would be, and how much creativity the designing-and-purchasing process would allow for. Would it be like a simplified LDD, where you're given a Hero frame and offered armor to place over top of it? Could it be any simpler-- perhaps just an option to choose pre-designed arm, leg, and weapon designs in the colors of your choice?

Certainly can't wait until more info on next year's Hero Factory offerings becomes available. I'll definitely be keeping tabs on the Hero Factory official page on Facebook, although I reckon new info would probably be revealed first at some other source-- doubtfully the magazines, since those are already coming out for people and we haven't heard any HF news from them, but maybe the LEGO Club website might have a "teaser" for what's to come.

[_shaddow_]

I noticed that earlier, but forgot to comment about it. If it is purple, that will justify the set for me, because it's been almost 8 years since purple existed in BIONICLE. I really hope that the core is trans-purple (Although all the cores will probably be solid colours to match the heads and accents).Still, a blue or purple spear would've made it nicer.

I hope Evo will use purple rather than blue. As you say, it will give all the Heroes unique secondary colours, and purple has been used more regularly in other sets now. It's in a lot of NinjaGo sets next year.

I really do hope EVO will be yellow and purple, it's my favourite hero and he does look better with the purple. The problem is, only one art shows him with purple details, so i don't think we'll have this version.

[The Dor]

Piece-wise, maybe not interesting, but IMO it's a gorgeous design overall-- the pieces flow together so well! Of course, it might not be like that from all angles-- I'm going to have to goof around on LDD, where thankfully all of those pieces seem to be available, if I want to know for sure.

Are all the pieces now available in LDD? Last I checked only the new armor and joints were.

Every decorated armor piece I can see seems to have "SUB-0" on it along with two letters/numbers I can't make out. Needless to say, there's not a trace of the Heroes' names on there.

Needless to say, there's nothing suggesting that the new Heroes will have printing that's anywhere as specific as the aforementioned sticker sheets. Makes me wonder if that might be to ease the "custom-hero-design" process we've only gotten vague info on.

On Furno's arm, I see it says "SUB-0" and what I think is "W8", and beneath that is something I can't read. I don't think it's impossible his name is on there, but I agree that it's probably not likely to be a problem enough.

Also, I don't know where you got the information on the "custom-hero-design"?

SUB-0 makes sense, although it looks more like they're fighting fire with water rather than ice. It's not hero specific, but it's still specific to ice, which makes it harder to use for other purposes, especially for the non-ice coloured armour.

Personally, I don't think "Sub-0" is so ice-specific that you couldn't use it for other things.

Certainly can't wait until more info on next year's Hero Factory offerings becomes available. I'll definitely be keeping tabs on the Hero Factory official page on Facebook, although I reckon new info would probably be revealed first at some other source-- doubtfully the magazines, since those are already coming out for people and we haven't heard any HF news from them, but maybe the LEGO Club website might have a "teaser" for what's to come.

Which Hero Factory page is the "official" Hero Factory page on Facebook?

[Aanchir]

Are all the pieces now available in LDD? Last I checked only the new armor and joints were.

No, sorry for the confusion! I was just talking about the weapon in his right arm! It uses a Thornax launcher, two of Furno's weapons from this year, and a Bitil wing, all of which are on LDD. Should have been a bit clearer.

Also, I don't know where you got the information on the "custom-hero-design"?

It's from a leaked dealer's catalog: "The launch of LEGO Hero Factory is a high priority in 2011 and will receive marketing support in the form of different TV campaigns, strong web campaigns and a clear presence in the stores. Highlights include three new high-quality animated films of 22 minutes on a famous TV channel for children and an interactive website to design and purchase of unique heroes and make their own comics."

The translation could be a bit buggy, but it sounds to me like you'll be able to design custom heroes and purchase them (even though, again, I'm not sure how much creative liberty the site could give you).

Personally, I don't think "Sub-0" is so ice-specific that you couldn't use it for other things.

Same here.

Which Hero Factory page is the "official" Hero Factory page on Facebook?

This one. I know; it's ridiculous trying to dig through all the LEGO-related pages on Facebook and figure out which ones are official. So far what I've found are the Hero Factory page and the LEGO Games page. There's some other official LEGO pages linked from the LEGO Games page, but the only one that particularly interests me is the LEGO Events page which is in German and seems to cover only European events.

[ZORK64]

No, sorry for the confusion! I was just talking about the weapon in his right arm! It uses a Thornax launcher, two of Furno's weapons from this year, and a Bitil wing, all of which are on LDD. Should have been a bit clearer.

Huh? Which LDD contains stuff like Bionicle parts? Mine LDD from the Lego site only contains regular bricks (LDD does mean "Lego Digital Designer, right?).

"...and an interactive website to design and purchase of unique heroes and make their own comics."

That sounds also interesting. Anyway, the whole "Build your own Hero"-idea is freakin' awesome!