Monster Fighters 2012

[Amset-Rah]

The ghost train is sort of breaking my heart. I love the ghosts, but as you say a poly bag eliminates the need for the set. And I love that little retro plane, which would go well with some of my other ones like the PQ biplane. The train itself is kind of meh to me. It's too big and too weird to really display with anything else, it's not something I would simply use as a parts source, and I really don't have shelf or storage space for it.

Really if I had to skip out on one of the MF sets, this would be it. It's depending on whether the polybag will be available, but nonetheless, it'll lower the price on Brick Link for sure. the only reason I'm getting it is for completion's sake. Even if you can get the ghosts in a polybag, you can never have too many happy haunts.

[Endgame]

Really if I had to skip out on one of the MF sets, this would be it. It's depending on whether the polybag will be available, but nonetheless, it'll lower the price on Brick Link for sure. the only reason I'm getting it is for completion's sake. Even if you can get the ghosts in a polybag, you can never have too many happy haunts.

I'm actually quite surprised about all the "eh" opinions on the Ghost train. It's a fun and challening build, comes with a variety of pieces, and has a really nice aesthetic - Improved by the GITD elements.

I'll have a review up Sunday the latest!

[ZO6]

The ghost train is sort of breaking my heart. I love the ghosts, but as you say a poly bag eliminates the need for the set. And I love that little retro plane, which would go well with some of my other ones like the PQ biplane. The train itself is kind of meh to me. It's too big and too weird to really display with anything else, it's not something I would simply use as a parts source, and I really don't have shelf or storage space for it.

And the minifig craze continues...

I don't mean this to be an attack on anyone, but I never cease to be amazed at how large a role minifigures play in the desire for Lego sets these days. I buy Lego for the sets themselves, and the figs are a bonus. Sure there are a lot of awesome figs out there, and the Monster Fighter theme has its fair share of them, but the sets provide the backbone to our hobby. I personally find the MF theme to have some of the most fun looking sets that I've seen in a while. The monsters all look great, but I could be content with most of the sets even without the little guys. If as you said -if a set has flaws in design or a price that is unreasonable, then that is fair justification for not wanting to pick it up. But unless you are a diehard minifig collector, I find it silly to base the worthiness of a set on whether you can find a particular fig in a polybag or for a good price on Bricklink.

Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight. I'm just really surprised at the amount of comments regarding minifigs in these forums.

[TheLegoDr]

ZO6

The popularity of the CMF shows how powerful the minifig is in collecting/buying Lego. I typically will buy a set for minifigures first and the bricks are a bonus (if they are useful anyway), whereas you buy the bricks and the figures are a bonus. There is something for everyone, and TLG gets money either way.

I originally wanted the Ghost Train also, but I would much rather get the polybag and/or the Haunted Mansion (if it comes with ghosts like in the screenshot) for the ghosts and not waste the money on that set, which I then could put towards a different set that I would want even more. I would end up getting extra Fighters with exclusive Ghosts plus extra train pieces I would never use again, so the ghost polybag is perfect for someone like me.

[TheLegoJoker]

I definitely buy more for the figures than the bricks. Just like the style of them. There are a lot of great sets too, but usually the minifigures are the deciding factor for me if I'm on the fence about a set.

I'm looking forward to these monster sets, though, both for the minifigures and the sets themselves. Going to be a fun theme.

Edited May 19, 2012 by agentofchaos73

[ZO6]

ZO6

The popularity of the CMF shows how powerful the minifig is in collecting/buying Lego. I typically will buy a set for minifigures first and the bricks are a bonus (if they are useful anyway), whereas you buy the bricks and the figures are a bonus. There is something for everyone, and TLG gets money either way.

I originally wanted the Ghost Train also, but I would much rather get the polybag and/or the Haunted Mansion (if it comes with ghosts like in the screenshot) for the ghosts and not waste the money on that set, which I then could put towards a different set that I would want even more. I would end up getting extra Fighters with exclusive Ghosts plus extra train pieces I would never use again, so the ghost polybag is perfect for someone like me.

You make some good points. I completely understand the appeal of minifigures, I guess I just let my emotions get the best of me there for a moment (I'd just come from the SW section, where minifigs are one of the biggest draws these days and seem to be a wonderful way for TLG to raise prices, and then here in the MF thread there had just been a number of posts about wanting figs and not caring too much about the sets). I don't want to turn this thread into a discussion about the pros and cons of minifigures, so I'll just leave it at that. I do not wish to attack anyones preferences when it comes to collecting Lego/figs

I must say that I'm extremely pleased with the way that the vampire castle has turned out. I was initially worried that the set would mainly be a facade with nothing interesting for an interior. While I do wish there was one more wall, I really love the way that the space has been used - what with all the neat furniture details and traps. Any scoop on how the lab set connects with the castle, or has that feature been dropped?

[TheLegoDr]

ZO6

To clarify, I love the minifigures, but I also want a nice looking and functional set to go along with them. I just don't see that as well with the ghost train. I will agree the Vampyre Castle is brilliant. The color scheme looks great, the GID pieces are amazing, and the neat hidden features will definitely be a hit with the kids, and even some AFOLs. I like the hidden staircase in the wall the most and then the angled wooden stairs leading up to that. For some reason that is really interesting to me. I also like the car, so that helps. Going back to minifigures, you do get a lot of exclusive figures with that castle, so that is even more appealing to people.

I haven't heard about the lab connecting to the castle before, I must have missed that. That would be a nice idea on TLG's part to have people buy more of the theme to interconnect things. I wonder how well Lord Vampyre would work with a human scientist..points to ponder.

[Clone OPatra]

I understand the minifigure craze when it comes to licensed themes, but in a LEGO original it's a little bit confusing to me. In licensed, it's very natural to desire all of the characters and whatnot. Sure, you might have loved the X-Wing when you saw the film, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the characters were even more exciting.

That said, even in licensed I'm startled when people buy the really big sets in which they hate the model but love the minifigures. I couldn't possibly bring myself to do that; I'd rather just not have the minifigures at all.

When it comes to a theme like Monster Fighters, I can't understand why people would buy nearly any of the sets just for the figures. The smallest ones, fine, but even the werewolf set I wouldn't buy if I didn't at least like the car. I don't deny or disagree that these figures are awesome, and I'm very excited to have them once I get the sets I want, but they're not the sole basis for liking these sets. If the sets were awful, I could get some cool (albeit different) figures in some other theme with better sets.

[1980-Something-Space-Guy]

I understand the minifigure craze when it comes to licensed themes, but in a LEGO original it's a little bit confusing to me. In licensed, it's very natural to desire all of the characters and whatnot. Sure, you might have loved the X-Wing when you saw the film, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the characters were even more exciting.

That said, even in licensed I'm startled when people buy the really big sets in which they hate the model but love the minifigures. I couldn't possibly bring myself to do that; I'd rather just not have the minifigures at all.

When it comes to a theme like Monster Fighters, I can't understand why people would buy nearly any of the sets just for the figures. The smallest ones, fine, but even the werewolf set I wouldn't buy if I didn't at least like the car. I don't deny or disagree that these figures are awesome, and I'm very excited to have them once I get the sets I want, but they're not the sole basis for liking these sets. If the sets were awful, I could get some cool (albeit different) figures in some other theme with better sets.

I'd say that the reason there is minifigure craze over the figs from this theme is the same reason for the one over the licensed themes. They are simply very good figs. As for not buying the sets, that does surprise me. In my case, I simply can't afford to buy all the sets that have figs that I want, so I buy them separately.

[K-Nut]

I don't mean this to be an attack on anyone, but I never cease to be amazed at how large a role minifigures play in the desire for Lego sets these days. I buy Lego for the sets themselves, and the figs are a bonus. Sure there are a lot of awesome figs out there, and the Monster Fighter theme has its fair share of them, but the sets provide the backbone to our hobby. I personally find the MF theme to have some of the most fun looking sets that I've seen in a while. The monsters all look great, but I could be content with most of the sets even without the little guys. If as you said -if a set has flaws in design or a price that is unreasonable, then that is fair justification for not wanting to pick it up. But unless you are a diehard minifig collector, I find it silly to base the worthiness of a set on whether you can find a particular fig in a polybag or for a good price on Bricklink.

I could say I follow this philosophy, but I'm guilty of buying a set for the figs. It's always one of the smaller sets, though, like the Swamp Monster or Mummy sets. But then there are these great sets that surpass my expectations and force me to buy them, like last years Earth Defense HQ and Dracula's Castle. Minifigs have really become a center of people's collections for the detail TLG is putting into them.

[captainsamus]

Well, I wouldn't have bought the Ghost Train JUST for the figures. I like the set as a whole, plus it has three ghosts (I don't have any of the old smiling ghosts) and a bunch of nice GITD pieces.

I'll definitely pick up one or two of the polybagged ghosts if I have a chance, but it doesn't have legs like the ones included with the Ghost Train which is a bit of a negative. Plus we don't know the availability of that set, so there's a chance it may not be readily available.

[iambob13]

edit: One minor (and permissible) flaw is present! The set would be even more awesome if that clock actually was at midnight position. Yes, yes, I know a little set like this does not justify a new print and TLC used what was at hand.

Be well!

Cutty

It looks to be about 3:00... And 3:00am is the witching hour. I haven't been a fan of that hour since I saw The Haunting of Emily Rose. I've found it to feel very creepy.

Good on you, TLG.

[Cutty]

And the minifig craze continues...

I don't mean this to be an attack on anyone, but I never cease to be amazed at how large a role minifigures play in the desire for Lego sets these days. I buy Lego for the sets themselves, and the figs are a bonus. Sure there are a lot of awesome figs out there, and the Monster Fighter theme has its fair share of them, but the sets provide the backbone to our hobby. I personally find the MF theme to have some of the most fun looking sets that I've seen in a while. The monsters all look great, but I could be content with most of the sets even without the little guys. If as you said -if a set has flaws in design or a price that is unreasonable, then that is fair justification for not wanting to pick it up. But unless you are a diehard minifig collector, I find it silly to base the worthiness of a set on whether you can find a particular fig in a polybag or for a good price on Bricklink.

Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight. I'm just really surprised at the amount of comments regarding minifigs in these forums.

Yeah well, that would be your own reasons to pick up sets. Others, like myself, have other interests, other aspects highlighted before a purchase. And while, to me, usually a set is seldom any more than parts supply, the redesigned ghost minifigure in the ghost train set was and still would be its only selling point for me. Why? Because I do not need the rest of the set's parts and I have a huge dislike for anything associated with trains. Thus the ghost remains the only desirable part according to my tastes, which makes the advent of the figure in a comparably cheap polybag set all the more exciting. Remember: In here it will all boil down to tastes and preferences.

I do not say that the ghost train wasn't well designed or didn't have a certain vibe to it that might strike another FOL's fancy, just that the train doesn't hit it with me.

I understand the minifigure craze when it comes to licensed themes, but in a LEGO original it's a little bit confusing to me. In licensed, it's very natural to desire all of the characters and whatnot. Sure, you might have loved the X-Wing when you saw the film, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the characters were even more exciting.

That said, even in licensed I'm startled when people buy the really big sets in which they hate the model but love the minifigures. I couldn't possibly bring myself to do that; I'd rather just not have the minifigures at all.

When it comes to a theme like Monster Fighters, I can't understand why people would buy nearly any of the sets just for the figures. The smallest ones, fine, but even the werewolf set I wouldn't buy if I didn't at least like the car. I don't deny or disagree that these figures are awesome, and I'm very excited to have them once I get the sets I want, but they're not the sole basis for liking these sets. If the sets were awful, I could get some cool (albeit different) figures in some other theme with better sets.

Let's cut to it: I beg to differ! As the title indicates this theme is about fighting "Monsters". Why should they not be the prime appeal of the line? If it wasn't for the swamp creature, the smallest set would be an uninspiring vehicle; without the werewolf, the tree and the tacky car would be nothing; hell! without the crazy doctor and his monster the whole point of the laboratory would be non existent! And these are only assessments on the obvious ones, as the train or the castle, and to a lesser extent even the mummy chariot, could work in other contexts, but never out of any context. Nice parts? Yes, definintely! But they clearly rank second after the figures. As I stated above: If it wasn't for the ghost at least I would have zero interest in the train set.

It looks to be about 3:00... And 3:00am is the witching hour. I haven't been a fan of that hour since I saw The Haunting of Emily Rose. I've found it to feel very creepy.

Good on you, TLG.

According to almighty Wikipedia this 3:00 am = witching hour thing seems to be tied to the movie as all other sources I draw inspiration from clearly associate the appearance of supernatural beings with midnight. And then again, this might be a cultural difference as around here 3:00 am is clearly not thought of as being "spooky time"... But thank you for the info! (Still I'd preferred a new, classier, mignight position print )

Be well you all!

Cutty

[Omega X]

And the minifig craze continues...

I don't mean this to be an attack on anyone, but I never cease to be amazed at how large a role minifigures play in the desire for Lego sets these days. I buy Lego for the sets themselves, and the figs are a bonus.

I've decided to buy the sets based on the features. Everybody have their own definition of 'features', so here are my definitions:

• The play features aka playability are usually stated on the back of the box
  
• Play features do not include opening cockpit area, flick-fire missiles(used to count those as features), articulation of parts(Eg. Samurai mech, Bionicle) but there are some exceptions(Eg. Fangpyre Truck Ambush) and those scenes that are shown at the back of the box(How to pose the minifigures). Sadly, most sets includes these...
  

However, I do take into consideration the figs in that set. I do not buy Tehnic sets because there are no figs(Yes i know that sounds contradictory) and I hate it when I get multiple figs, but if the sets have NO features at all(Eg. Mummy, Swamp Creature) and it is only the figs that is appealing, I do not buy it. (You can see how close Ghost Train went into that category)

I intend to buy the Vampyre Castle for the features(and I DO count GITD parts as features) and also for the figs. But the features outweigh the figs. I wonder what would my mother's reaction when I came home carrying a 'coffin'. Her most possible reaction- and last but not least------ :angry: :angry: :angry:

Omega X

[305Bats]

On the show Paranormal State they call 3 AM "dead time".

[Walter]

If that Ghost polybag hits the states I'll be sure to pick up a few. Even for 5-6 dollars, it's worth picking up at least one.

[The Joker1]

If those ghosts turn up in the sun I will have to bring a wheelbarrow to WHsmiths .

[Fuppylodders]

Yeah, but how often (if ever) do any LEGO minifigure heads appear misprinted/misaligned with their headpieces? I can't think of any that I own where the head printing didn't match up perfectly or so close that you can't see any difference with the naked eye.

Just picked up the 30160 Batman promotional packet, low and behold:

(background picture is the actual packaging picture)

Edited May 19, 2012 by Fuppylodders

[TheLegoDr]

I usually have to want/love the figures, the pieces, or both to buy something. The main reason I buy the full set just for the figures sometimes is because when you go to buy each individual figure, you could end up paying just as much for the complete set. Take the new Hulk's Helicarrier Breakout set for an example. The big Hulk figure average price on Bricklink is ~$32.00 and the Thor average price is ~$12.00. Right there is almost the same as the $49.99 price tag, so I might as well just buy the full set and get the extra pieces instead of "saving" ~$5. I realize Thor will be coming out in a polybag, but who knows the availability of some of those. So with Monster Fighters, a lot of the sets I may as well just buy and get the pieces and figures. Some of the pieces I will surely be able to use elsewhere, but the Ghost Train doesn't have as many as I would need/want. If I have to Bricklink the ghost figure (if I can't find the polybag), then so be it. I am very pleased to see those neat GID pieces on the train though.

Very clever to have "the witching hour" represented. Now, the theme just needs a witch! (different from CMF witch of course..ooh, with the new olive green color head!)

[Amset-Rah]

The way I decide to buy a set is if the build looks substantial, if it has good play features, parts, and yes the minifigs. The Ghost Train looks like it'll satisfy the first criteria (Which is why I'll buy it all things considered) and the minifigs are great, even if the ghost polybag will be available. You can never have too many happy haunts (Considering the only spooks I have haunting my Lego collection are skeletons). I'm just saving it for last compared to the other sets in the line. In terms of parts, that flame is unique because of the GitD injection plus the neat face on the front of the locomotive.

[The Brick Rat]

It looks to be about 3:00... And 3:00am is the witching hour. I haven't been a fan of that hour since I saw The Haunting of Emily Rose. I've found it to feel very creepy.

Good on you, TLG.

Traditionally midnight is called "the witching hour" and 3:00am is known as "the souls midnight" because it is said that the majority of people who die in their sleep do so at this hour.

[Graysmith]

Just picked up the 30160 Batman promotional packet, low and behold:

(background picture is the actual packaging picture)

That's not a misprint, just stupidity by LEGO. They made a new Batman cowl but didn't make a new head that fits it.

[Faefrost]

And the minifig craze continues...

I don't mean this to be an attack on anyone, but I never cease to be amazed at how large a role minifigures play in the desire for Lego sets these days. I buy Lego for the sets themselves, and the figs are a bonus. Sure there are a lot of awesome figs out there, and the Monster Fighter theme has its fair share of them, but the sets provide the backbone to our hobby. I personally find the MF theme to have some of the most fun looking sets that I've seen in a while. The monsters all look great, but I could be content with most of the sets even without the little guys. If as you said -if a set has flaws in design or a price that is unreasonable, then that is fair justification for not wanting to pick it up. But unless you are a diehard minifig collector, I find it silly to base the worthiness of a set on whether you can find a particular fig in a polybag or for a good price on Bricklink.

Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight. I'm just really surprised at the amount of comments regarding minifigs in these forums.

I don't completely disagree with you. The figs collectibility has become sort of a mini game to a lot of us. Personally in my case I mainly buy sets that I want the principle build for. Star Wars sets it almost always has to be a ship or subject that draws me in. The only real exception to this is real good character figs mixed in a nice low affordable set ( ie desert skiff). But the figs are often enough to push me one way or another on a borderline set. I may not love the subject, but it is cool enough if I can also use the figs for something. In the case of the ghost train, the ghost figs are really useful for almost any moc or desired scene. They work with anything so major bonus there. Lots of cool moc or story telling options there. I love the cool period plane. The train just doesn't fit or blend with anything I do. And the set is way expensive just for some ghosts and a plane. If I can get at least the ghosts brought alternate means then the relative value of the set vs it's price shifts into the red zone, if you know what I mean.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Faefrost

[Fuppylodders]

That's not a misprint, just stupidity by LEGO. They made a new Batman cowl but didn't make a new head that fits it.

Who's to say it's not the same issue with the Swamp Creature? The cowl would have been made to fit a standard minifig head, and if you look closer on the packaging picture, you will see that the cowl is actually lifted off the body by between 1-2mm. I can get the same affect if I lift the cowl off the minifigure the same amount and everything matches like it does in the picture.

If they made a new cowl they would have more than likely made it to fit the existing head print, knowing it would have to match that so would have had to ensure the eyes would have matched up. Somewhere along the lines they have messed up, probably before the packaging was designed/finalised for the image because it appears that this 'lifting' is their fix for it...

So regardless of reason, head doesn't match up to headgear due to error.

Edited May 19, 2012 by Fuppylodders

[305Bats]

I don't see what the big deal is,I knew about this when they first came out,I knew all I had to do was not push the cowl all the way down!