Legends of Chima 2013 (Action Figures)

[Aanchir]

It's not that the sets look bad, well maybe except for Eris. It's more that the prototypes implied more interesting, complex builds with a slew of recolours which have been scrapped for sake of cost-cutting. Laval looks especially bland with his Rocka legs, and again, 3 sets have the same black claw feet. The ratio of characters with the same feet is worse than Breakout wave 2! I would have much preferred white, green, purple, anything but black.

Again, I don't think cost-cutting is the only factor in the simplified build of Laval. Stability could be a motivation as well. While cost-cutting is almost certainly the reason for the sets having fewer recolors, that's not to say that TLG had much of a choice in that regard. The cost-cutting could have easily been an unavoidable measure to keep the sets at a certain price point. And instead of looking at the ways costs were cut, sometimes it's worth noting how they weren't. There are dozens of recolors in this wave that TLG probably could have done without but chose not to. If the choice to use black feet was to offset the cost of giving Worriz new dark red shells or give Laval a gold torso shell, then I think it's more than forgivable. It's not like black is a tremendously difficult color to use anyway.

[MakutaDreadscythe]

Again, I don't think cost-cutting is the only factor in the simplified build of Laval. Stability could be a motivation as well. While cost-cutting is almost certainly the reason for the sets having fewer recolors, that's not to say that TLG had much of a choice in that regard. The cost-cutting could have easily been an unavoidable measure to keep the sets at a certain price point. And instead of looking at the ways costs were cut, sometimes it's worth noting how they weren't. There are dozens of recolors in this wave that TLG probably could have done without but chose not to. If the choice to use black feet was to offset the cost of giving Worriz new dark red shells or give Laval a gold torso shell, then I think it's more than forgivable. It's not like black is a tremendously difficult color to use anyway.

Well, in the stability aspect, just look at Makuta Icarax. His feet only touched the ground in two places and I consider him quite stable. I just liked the legs as it differentiated Laval from Rocka. Take away the head and you have a Rocka revamp almost.

In terms of recolours, when you put it like that, yes, I would much prefer dark red shells over -insert colour here- feet. Like you say, it's not a bad colour or a hard one to use. For Cragger and Razar it works. It's just Eris. Everything is a mess on that character.

Oh, and for the record, I would have preferred those large shape pieces in gold over a gold torso shell.

I'm sorry if I sound abrasive in this comment, but Laval disappoints me just on the potential his preliminary photo teased. When was the last time a prototype looked better than the actual set?

[Aanchir]

Well, in the stability aspect, just look at Makuta Icarax. His feet only touched the ground in two places and I consider him quite stable. I just liked the legs as it differentiated Laval from Rocka. Take away the head and you have a Rocka revamp almost.

In terms of recolours, when you put it like that, yes, I would much prefer dark red shells over -insert colour here- feet. Like you say, it's not a bad colour or a hard one to use. For Cragger and Razar it works. It's just Eris. Everything is a mess on that character.

Oh, and for the record, I would have preferred those large shape pieces in gold over a gold torso shell.

I'm sorry if I sound abrasive in this comment, but Laval disappoints me just on the potential his preliminary photo teased. When was the last time a prototype looked better than the actual set?

Icarax's feet were sturdy Technic constructions, not ball-joint-based Hero Factory constructions that could pivot along two different rotation points in between the toe and the heel. But the stability issue I was seeing was more regarding the legs than the feet. The way those digitigrade legs were constructed doesn't have the same amount of friction as a traditional knee joint; that's the reason knee joints exist as they do in most sets.

I think Eris looks quite nice myself; better than I was afraid she might look at any rate.

As for "when was the last time a prototype was better than the actual set", there are certain people who would happily tell you that MOST prototypes are better than the actual sets. Invariably, there's someone to whom the mentality of "the grass is greener on the other side" applies. Examples of prototypes that were inexplicably celebrated included the 2005 playset prototypes, the Toa Inika prototypes, the Phantoka prototypes (including that melted-looking monstrosity that became Chirox), the Mistika prototypes, etc. I typically don't buy it-- most of the prototypes that people tend to prefer to the final sets are very visibly unfinished. The preference comes from the assumption that if the designs WERE finished, they would be very different from the final sets-- never mind that the process of finishing the prototype designs is invariably how the final designs are created.

While the designs on the front page are obviously much more finished than the prototypes so many people inexplicably fawn over, there are still instances here where it seems clear the process of finishing the sets involved necessary sacrifices. The models on the front page do not appear as though they were designed to meet price points, using a number of recolors where existing parts (whether the same parts in different colors or different parts in the same colors) would suffice.

It's true that Laval has a lot in common with Rocka now, but in general I don't judge sets strictly based on their uniqueness. If a set can be visually appealing when judged on its own, then I think it's more or less irrelevant if past series have used similar color schemes or building techniques to great effect. In Laval's case here, ignoring the fact that he shares several parts with various designs of Rocka, he's still a very good-looking model-- in some ways, better than the prototype, on which the legs feel a bit overloaded with gold, not to mention armored in a way that makes them appear spindly. While the uniqueness of his parts selection did not improve in the final version, I think the model as a whole did, and I think the average buyer is going to be buying a set based on the visual appeal of the model, not its MOCing potential.

[Dorek]

Hey, to be fair...

Those playset prototypes WERE more awesome. Mini-Keetongu, man. How could you not love it?

[MakutaDreadscythe]

@Aanchir

You have the persuasive ability of a god. I see what you mean about the whole prototypes thing, and Laval still has some good aspects I suppose. I just hope they put those fur pieces on Pick-a-Brick. I have a MOC that really needs hair.

[Dorek]

It's not really persuasiveness, it's a stick-to-it-ness and a capability of recognizing and pointing out logical fallacies people apply to things. If you're persuaded, you either didn't hold the original opinion with enough conviction, or were wrong =P.

(that said, Aanch will in fact argue things until the cows come home, so I'm not surprised when people give up XP)

I like the original legs we saw, but I'm not really surprised they were only prototypes. The good thing is that they can actually be built normally; if you don't like the way it is now, you can change it yourself. I plan on doing so.

[CabooseBM]

I'm disappointed the new legs don't have gold "wide" shells, really.

[DraikNova]

Yeah, me too. That was one of the main selling points for me. Now I'm probably only going to get Cragger, although I might get Razar for the purple. Whatever is used for connecting his wings might be useful too.

[Aethersprite]

Yeah, me too. That was one of the main selling points for me. Now I'm probably only going to get Cragger, although I might get Razar for the purple. Whatever is used for connecting his wings might be useful too.

Razar's wings are probably just connected to the ball joints on his shoulders.

[DraikNova]

Well, that would mean two extra small joint pieces, but from the pose (how close together they seem to start) of the wings I would say that they used one of those connectors from Drilldozer.

[Aanchir]

Well, that would mean two extra small joint pieces, but from the pose (how close together they seem to start) of the wings I would say that they used one of those connectors from Drilldozer.

Which is very good in my book-- that piece is terribly underused and I never seem to have one when I need one.

[Shakar]

http://www.toyark.co...ma-images-7234/

Scroll down and you'll see the Chima Ultrabuilds.

Yeah, I'm sad about Laval's gold shoulder shoulders shells. Cragger used two dark green ones on his shoulders, but they've been replaced by 3M shells.

Go home Toy Fair, you're drunk.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Shakar

[DraikNova]

What gold shoulders? The wide shells?

Anyway, I still like Razar, but oh damn Worriz is growing on me. Good colorscheme and nice recolors. I just wish I could afford all of these.

Cragger seems to use a lot more dark green now. Let's just hope the bent blade isn't an indication of what to expect from the set. Seems like one of the best.

Gorzan looks worse now than he did before. I'm definitely not getting him now.

Eris looks plain silly with the chest piece turned over. I'm going to stand by what I said; the only reason someone would want that set is for the tr. blue.

Laval looks equally silly with the chestpiece, but his exclusive gold parts, the longer tr. blue shells exclusive to him plus the tr. blue blades I might pick this one up.

Edited February 10, 2013 by DraikNova

[Cahillrebel]

Note that the chest is like that because the Toy Fair people attached it upside down for some odd reason.

[Aanchir]

Eris looks plain silly with the chest piece turned over. I'm going to stand by what I said; the only reason someone would want that set is for the tr. blue.

Really? So being as well-built as Razar, having a more visually impressive weapon, and having a rather well-balanced color scheme mean nothing?

I'll accept that the only reason YOU would want that set is for the transparent blue. But suggesting no other reasons but the ones that matter to you are valid is just downright pretentiousness. There are plenty of things for people to like about that set, just as there are plenty of things for people to dislike. Whether a person likes or dislikes the set depends on how much importance he or she assigns to each of those positive and negative factors.

These images, despite several of the sets being built wrong, continue to demonstrate how complete-looking each character looks. Every character has enough fingers to properly grip their weapons, unlike Ogrum or the Ultrabuild Hulk. Claws are not being used in place of weapons, but in addition to them, and none of the weapons are repetitive. The only one to leave any bones completely un-armored is Cragger, who does it for stylistic reasons (and it works well). Color schemes are logical and cohesive. Body proportions are good, and all the characters echo the creatures they are supposed to represent (although only Cragger gets a tail). In general all of them seem to use the Hero Factory building system a lot more effectively than the Super Heroes constraction sets did on average, even if they don't use it as creatively in all cases.

Overall I think there's a lot to love about each and every one of these sets, and I think they'll do a lot to help people understand the Hero Factory building system is good for more than just robots and mecha. It will also expand the audience of the building system, I think, through its crossover appeal with the Chima model sets. I certainly hope that these sets have strong sales, because if they do I feel it will be a great step forward for action figure themes in general.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Aanchir

[vexorian]

It seems black whathisname crow has purple wings and shells, they looked dark blue in the first pic and torso has lightning detailing. Definitely buying that guy twice for bricks. I got a hidden agenda.

White bird thing, the packaging has the torso in the usual position but the display model is backwards. Same happened to red lion. As usual not even the stand builders care about constraction sets.

No point in buying the white bird set if all you want is the trans blue. Aquagon is going to be less expensive.

Edited February 10, 2013 by vexorian

[PenPlays]

Money. Why do these things need to cost so much money... $15! This isn't a licensed theme Lego!

I think the price will be an extreme deciding factor here. Speedorz vs. CHI Constractions will be the thought of going through kid's minds.

Everything else is fine though, and I intend to buy one of each. It's just that I'd rather buy from another theme with that money. Expect me to be one of the last to get these.

[Aanchir]

Money. Why do these things need to cost so much money... $15! This isn't a licensed theme Lego!

I think the price will be an extreme deciding factor here. Speedorz vs. CHI Constractions will be the thought of going through kid's minds.

Everything else is fine though, and I intend to buy one of each. It's just that I'd rather buy from another theme with that money. Expect me to be one of the last to get these.

Why WOULDN'T they cost $15? They're about the same piece count and size as the mid-size Hero Factory sets, and those typically cost $13. Additionally, unlike the average HF set, they have patterned chests and head sculpts. And price-per-piece doesn't really apply when comparing constraction sets to model sets/Speedorz sets, since I'd wager that a lot of these are larger than Speedorz sets as far as overall volume of plastic is concerned.

Overall I think the pricing seems fair, and wouldn't be surprised if a lot of kids did opt for an action figure over a Speedorz set just out of preference for action figures. The aim of these figures, I think, is to expand the audience Chima can be marketed to, since some kids might find action figures more palateable than a somewhat gimmicky game set or complex LEGO model set, and likewise some kids might feel the opposite.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Aanchir

[Takanuinuva]

Eris having her chest armor upside down actually makes sense to me. To me it gives her a more feminine appearance.

Laval having his upside down is just a mistake.

Razar looks better that ever. Though his chest armor is upside down as well.

Worriz looks just as good

Gorzan hasn't changed but I'd like to know how his torso is constructed since its different that how The Hulk's and Stormer Xl's torso was built. Though I'm guessing a build similar to Furno Xl's Torso was built

Craggar still looks good though I wonder why his weapon has a chain on it. Also I wonder if his head has a poseable jaw.

Still only getting Laval and Razar. Laval for the gold. Razar cause I really like him.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Takanuinuva

[ZORK64]

Eris having her chest armor upside down actually makes sense to me. To me it gives her a more feminine appearance.

I agree on this, but considering that it's not upside down on her bag, I suppose it's also a mistake.

These new pics are good, a bit dark, but at least closer.

I don't like the gold on Gorzan, mostly because of the contrast to black and dark grey.

But the others look even better. I'm still sure about getting Eris, and perhaps Cragger. About the rest... maybe Laval, Worriz or Razar, but I'm a bit sceptical about Gorzan.

Edited February 10, 2013 by ZORK64

[Bfahome]

It doesn't make her look "feminine", it makes her look wrong.

[Meiko]

Personally I really want Gorzan, and of course the others. I love the look of Gorzan, and I also want to see how I can incorporate his head in a MOC.

[Shakar]

name='vexorian' timestamp='1360511432' post='1516272']

As usual not even the stand builders care about constraction sets.[/b]

Nah, it's not only for the constraction sets- look closely, and you'll see most sets feature at least one little building mistake. Nothing more than a typical case of "lolToyFair".

These pictures are great, but don't change my thoughts. The better looking ones are Razar and Cragger (his torso design seems interesting), Gorzan and Worriz are good too, Laval is nice but nothing too special (I guess I just don't love the Lions) and Eris is my least favourite for reasons I already discussed here.

I'm sure I'll get Eris (tr. blue/gold/white pieces, axe, wing pieces), Gorzan (Hulk/Stormer XL chest, recolured mace halves, black and titanium metallic pieces), Laval (tr. blue swords, exclusive 5M tr. blue shells and gold goodness) and Worriz (dark red shells, tr. red Rocka sword, t. metallic/silver dark bley parts).

Ironically, for now I'm excluding Razar and Cragger from the list, the sets I feel look the best as figures on their own: I'm not planning any earth green MOCs for now, and Razar's black parts (nice to see the rare black 5M shells returning) and dark lilac 3M shells don't interest me much (would've loved 4M or 5M recolours..).

15 Euro (I guess) for these sets seems fine to me. The sets contain slightly more pieces than the average HF mid set, and as Aanchir said they have printed chests are sculpted heads, not to mention the impressive quantity of recolours (even if less so than the prototypes). Since they're not licensed, they end up being a far better deal than the Super Hero Ultrabuilds (cough40piecesinHulkcough).

[bacem]

yep, i also think the prices are pretty fair.

and most probably i'll get Gorzan, not because of the pieces, but because i think he looks pretty cool (for my preference, that is).

[Aethersprite]

My opinions haven't changed - definitely getting Razar, Cragger, and Worriz. Cragger looks better in these images. As for the other 3 - Gorzan is a maybe, Laval is a bigger maybe, and Eris is a pass. Will wait for reviews.

Edited February 11, 2013 by Lockon Stratos