Hero Factory 2013

[DraikNova]

Actually, I think those were laser blasts, not fire.

[lemmyfan396]

I know everybody loves the switch of heroes,but I would love it if TLC made 1 new hero,and we got 5 heroes and villains every wave xD

And this may be a ridiculous idea,but what about 'apart' sets with a couple of bones/armour for the real HF fans ( like they did with Bionicle in the early years ),so if you want to make a MOC,you don't need to take apart your figure.

Edited October 24, 2012 by lemmyfan396

[Shakar]

You mean like those tubs with Vahki/Rahkshi/etc.. parts? Those kinda disappeared, didn't they? I guess they didn't sell well enough. I'd love something like that for HF, but it it seems unlikely. Then again, there's always PaB.

[Aanchir]

Actually, I think those were laser blasts, not fire.

Nah, in Ordeal of Fire Furno's weapon was pretty obviously a flamethrower. It's most evident when he uses it while training and goes flying backwards into Quadal, or when he uses it to propel himself upward while facing the Fire Villains.

You mean like those tubs with Vahki/Rahkshi/etc.. parts? Those kinda disappeared, didn't they? I guess they didn't sell well enough. I'd love something like that for HF, but it it seems unlikely. Then again, there's always PaB.

I don't think it was as much of a matter of them selling poorly as of them being a side-effect of production policies TLG wanted to eliminate. Let's face it; often when those buckets came out they were filled with parts that TLG had stopped using in new sets (including outdated collectibles), so I think it's pretty likely that the only reason they existed at all was to get rid of "overstock" parts. Nowadays perhaps TLG is just smarter about not producing huge surpluses of parts that they're not going to use in future models. No more overstock parts means no more need for those tubs.

Hero Factory parts tubs would be cool, but I think that in general TLG has a good incentive for keeping model sets the focus of the theme. It's easier to control the presentation (and thus, shelf appeal) of a model set than to make a seemingly-random selection of parts look appealing to people who aren't already dedicated builders and collectors. The best way to make a supplementary pack of Hero Factory elements would be to present it like the BIONICLE Master Builder Set: a kit with enough versatile parts to build a wide variety of different models, instructions for which are provided within. But even the Master Builder Set didn't look all that appealing at face value, as the main model presented (the Hikaki Dragon Lizard) is not the most appealing visually, the most impressive functionally, or the most important to the story-- if I'd been in charge, I'd have probably put the Fusa (kangaroo Rahi) on the front of the box, and even that doesn't fully demonstrate what it is that makes the set appealing.

I would love to see some sort of parts packs emerge that are designed with builders in mind, but for now I appreciate the generous helping of Hero Factory elements available from Pick-A-Brick.

[DraikNova]

I personally want a set with a number of bone parts in a wide array of colors, along with a lot of different cladding options. This would also mean that LEGO would have more existing "recolors" available, meaning that it wouldn't have to produce new ones.

[Aanchir]

I personally want a set with a number of bone parts in a wide array of colors, along with a lot of different cladding options. This would also mean that LEGO would have more existing "recolors" available, meaning that it wouldn't have to produce new ones.

Well, that depends. TLG can only have a certain number of parts in production at any one time, since they simply don't have the machines or floor space to produce a lot of parts that aren't currently appearing in sets. So unless they deliberately over-produce parts in new colors, then in the future it will cost about the same to release those parts in those colors whether or not they've been produced in the past (minus the cost of a few test runs perhaps).

It's obviously cheaper to keep producing parts in colors they're already being produced in, because it doesn't require interrupting production to switch the machines over to different molds or dye. But as I understand it the "switching" of what's being produced is where the real cost of producing parts in new colors tends to come from, and that would still have to happen unless TLG started producing a bunch more shell and bone colors and then continued releasing those same ones consistently from that point forward.

[CabooseBM]

If it did happen though, I would be the happiest man alive.

Don't even need fancy colors, just a big bucket of parts would be great.

[ralkon]

I know everybody loves the switch of heroes,but I would love it if TLC made 1 new hero,and we got 5 heroes and villains every wave xD

I agree, make it ten members, what about Thresher?

[DraikNova]

I think LEGO only wants to make Alpha team members, so if they introduce a new hero, it would have to be an entirely new rookie.

[Aanchir]

I think LEGO only wants to make Alpha team members, so if they introduce a new hero, it would have to be an entirely new rookie.

Not necessarily; they could have a hero transfer over from another team or something. Wouldn't be impossible.

Of course, according to Stormer in Hero Factory Secret Mission #2, Thresher is "Retired. Or as much as someone like him can retire. He's head of security on a planet so covert its name doesn't even appear on star charts. They do very secret work there, something to do with defense against mind powers. He says it's not as exciting as it sounds, but at least his headquarters hasn't been wrecked yet."

This could easily be a sequel hook, tying in to either next year's main story or a side story in an upcoming book from the Secret Mission series. After all, the main villainous force next year seems to be a puppeteer parasite of some kind, so defense against mind powers could be a very valid. But even if Thresher has involvement in next year's story, I don't know if we could expect to see him among next year's sets, since he truly isn't an active-duty Hero any longer.

[DraikNova]

Not to mention that we've already got a green colored hero.

[DarkSurgeXL]

Will Brain attack last as much time as Breakout (a year) or will the second half bring another storyline?

Because I really want to see Evo in his new armor

[Cirkit]

Oh, how I would love to see that happen.

I wonder how Stringer's going to be this time. If Surge is included with the others this time around, will Stringer revert back to orange, or keep his trans-blue goodness?

I think it would be excellent if Surge somehow managed to get a trans-yellow visor(as opposed to trans-lime). What with the electricity theme and all going on for him.

I haven't thought much about Evo and Nex, but I suppose their helmets will follow the style of Furno and the others. I imagine Nex will have a white torso, and maybe finally some 5M length orange cladding. Evo would stay very much the same in size and build, but with a different tool for defense. Maybe the designers might sneak some lilac in there, who knows.

Stormer should be a very exciting set, what after the XL and all. Blue visor no doubt, maybe some drones if we're lucky.

If the villains follow on with what we've seen this wave, then there should be a blue villain (YESS!!) for Surge, a black villain for Stringer, an orange villain for Nex(Which would be awesome because I don't think we've had an orange villain since Rotor), Yellow for Evo, and a white guy for Stormer. If Stormer's foe is an abominable snowman, the next wave should be very interesting. :D

[DraikNova]

If Stormer's foe is an abominable snowman, the next wave should be very interesting. :D

That makes me think of a recolored version of Bruizer. Which could work, if his rock armor was replaced with fur-like pieces.

[Dorek]

Will Brain attack last as much time as Breakout (a year) or will the second half bring another storyline?

Because I really want to see Evo in his new armor

For some reason I was assuming brain attack would last a whole year, but now that you mention it, there's really no reason it has to. Would be an interesting way of dividing things up; first we're given whole teams, then we get individual missions, now maybe we get a year where the team is split in two, a la 2008.

[Shakar]

I think it would be excellent if Surge somehow managed to get a trans-yellow visor(as opposed to trans-lime). What with the electricity theme and all going on for him.

I haven't thought much about Evo and Nex, but I suppose their helmets will follow the style of Furno and the others. I imagine Nex will have a white torso, and maybe finally some 5M length orange cladding. Evo would stay very much the same in size and build, but with a different tool for defense. Maybe the designers might sneak some lilac in there, who knows.

If the villains follow on with what we've seen this wave, then there should be a blue villain (YESS!!) for Surge, a black villain for Stringer, an orange villain for Nex(Which would be awesome because I don't think we've had an orange villain since Rotor), Yellow for Evo, and a white guy for Stormer. If Stormer's foe is an abominable snowman, the next wave should be very interesting. :D

I support tr. yellow on Surge. It would be a very nice homage to his 1.0 core, plus we already had tr. cladding (Waspix’s wings). Just make them as 4M or 5M shells, since I guess the 8M wings we already have are too large to be used properly on small/medium figures.

I agree Nex will stick with white (by the way, 2012 already brought us 5M orange shells- check Thornraxx and Breakout Bulk). Some lilac for Evo would be great. I wonder about his transparent colour, however- tr. purple cladding and visor would be very cool..

The 2013 villains' motto, at least for Ogrum and Pyrox, seems to be "the same colour of my Hero rival (?), BUT DARKER!" It's as if the Heroes were Mata Nui characters, and the Villains came from the Metru Nui arc. I can see Surge's villain being dark blue...that would be excellent, as it's the only "Metru colour" that hasn't yet returned. The others I guess will keep regular colours, like Scarox (what would "dark gold" be, anyway?) and Bruizer (who does, however, sport more titanium metallic than the more silver-rich Bulk)- I can't think of a darker counterpart for orange, white (don't mention Thok's nearly useless very light bley : / ), black (... ) and yellow (aside from gold, which would make for a Scarox clone).

One hope for Summer Heroes- better weapons this time, please. Rocka's sword and Furno's shield are great new pieces, and the reuse of Cap America's shield is nifty, but Breez's Most Fragile Bow Ever and Bulk's drill thing really do pale compared to simple yet clever weapons in Breakout like Rocka's crossbow, Stringer's cannon, Bulk's rocket launcher and Stormer's sword. Sometimes, a new piece isn't needed to make a cool weapon, just some creativity is enough. The return of Speeda Demon's Ninjago giant katana would be wonderful, especially in a character like Evo (meditative, weapon master, remember?). Also more MTIS, there can never be enough MTIS.

That makes me think of a recolored version of Bruizer. Which could work, if his rock armor was replaced with fur-like pieces.

If they keep the elemental look on Summer bad guys, a new piece might not even be necessary. How about a recoloured Bruizer armour piece, in white, clear, tr. light blue or something else? Instant ice armour right there. Granted, that would be less of a snowman and more of an ice monster, but still.

Not to mention that we've already got a green colored hero.

Umm.. do Evo, Rocka and Nex ring a bell? They all belong to the same colour family of yellow/orange/brown, yet they manage to look different enough from eachother. Aside from lilac (which would include both indigo and purple, since the latter was discontinued), they've used up all rainbow colours for Heroes; it's all a matter of playing with colour shades at this point. I'm not terribly interested in a Thresher set, but if they really wanted to make him they could use, say, bright green, dark green of olive. Bam! Completely different from Breez.

Man, how do my post always end up so long?

Edited October 25, 2012 by Shakar

[Dorek]

Technically "Metru brown" (dark flesh) hasn't made a comeback... and I think we can all be grateful for that :)

[Aanchir]

Technically "Metru brown" (dark flesh) hasn't made a comeback... and I think we can all be grateful for that :)

That's because Metru Brown/Dark Flesh/217 Brown was discontinued after 2006. Now, I wouldn't call it a bad color-- it was an OK minifigure skin tone-- but my oh my did it have some consistency issues in BIONICLE sets.

Incidentally, any interested parties can file any requests for Sand Red, Sand Violet (Sand Purple), Earth Orange (classic brown/Mata Brown), Bright Violet (classic purple), Bright Bluish Green (Dark Turquoise/"Teal"), and any BIONICLE metallic colors but Warm Gold and Metallized Silver (chrome silver) in the same dropbox/wastebasket. But of course I think the fine folks at Eurobricks understand that, unlike far too many BIONICLE fans who seem to think any colors that were around in 2001 could be brought back as long as enough eager BIONICLE fans wanted them.

Also, in case anyone was wondering, that's at least 16 colors from BIONICLE that will not be returning in Hero Factory, but on the plus side that means 37 colors that can still continue to appear! Of those 37, only eight that I know of have not appeared in Hero Factory in any capacity: Sand Green, Sand Blue, Earth Blue, Dark Orange, Light Stone Grey (Very Light Bluish Gray/Thok White), Metalized Silver, Transparent Brown (Trans-Black/Trans-Smoke) and Nature (Milky White).

Edited October 25, 2012 by Aanchir

[Shakar]

That's because Metru Brown/Dark Flesh/217 Brown was discontinued after 2006. Now, I wouldn't call it a bad color-- it was an OK minifigure skin tone-- but my oh my did it have some consistency issues in BIONICLE sets.

Incidentally, any interested parties can file any requests for Sand Red, Sand Violet (Sand Purple), Earth Orange (classic brown/Mata Brown), Bright Violet (classic purple), Bright Bluish Green (Dark Turquoise/"Teal"), and any BIONICLE metallic colors but Warm Gold and Metallized Silver (chrome silver) in the same dropbox/wastebasket. But of course I think the fine folks at Eurobricks understand that, unlike far too many BIONICLE fans who seem to think any colors that were around in 2001 could be brought back as long as enough eager BIONICLE fans wanted them.

(Also, in case anyone was wondering, that's at least 16 colors from BIONICLE that will not be returning in Hero Factory, but on the plus side that means 37 colors that are still fair game!)

This.

It's not that hard. Just check the colour list on Bricklink or other sites- all the colours that are still used in 2012 are fair game. I apologize for having mentioned Thok's Very Light Bluish Gray, by the way- I forgot they stopped using it in 2010.

I totally forgot about flesh brown. Man did I hate that colour on Bionicle sets. At least brown in Bionicle went out with a bang thanks to Avak (and Vezon's staff and its mysterious brown Inika thigh guard I've yet to found an explanation for).

I facepalm whenever I hear somebody suggesting teal...

Edit: I just reread your last paragraph. Bricklink records Thok White's last use in 2010, could it return? Not that I care much for it, just curious about when a colour is deemed truly discounted.

Edited October 25, 2012 by Shakar

[Cirkit]

I support tr. yellow on Surge. It would be a very nice homage to his 1.0 core, plus we already had tr. cladding (Waspix’s wings). Just make them as 4M or 5M shells, since I guess the 8M wings we already have are too large to be used properly on small/medium figures.

Bwahahaha! I have a new soldier for my trans-yellow army!

Er, I mean, I agree, that would be nice.

I agree Nex will stick with white (by the way, 2012 already brought us 5M orange shells- check Thornraxx and Breakout Bulk). Some lilac for Evo would be great. I wonder about his transparent colour, however- tr. purple cladding and visor would be very cool..

I meant that I'd like Nex to have 5m shells included in his build. I have yet to get any of those great orange shells, though. It'd be nice if my local Target had Bulk on the shelf, so I could get those orange shells- all they have right now are Voltix and Core Hunter. Not a bad thing, mind- never can have too many black and pearl grey parts, but that's irrelevant.

The 2013 villains' motto, at least for Ogrum and Pyrox, seems to be "the same colour of my Hero rival (?), BUT DARKER!"

Haha, that's too funny. Funny CUZ IT'S TRUE!!

I can see Surge's villain being dark blue...that would be excellent, as it's the only "Metru colour" that hasn't yet returned.

I agree- I'd love to see the 'Metru' blue make its return. I wonder what the villain would be like..

Maybe it too would be electric-themed villain? What do you think?

One hope for Summer Heroes- better weapons this time, please. Rocka's sword and Furno's shield are great new pieces, and the reuse of Cap America's shield is nifty, but Breez's Most Fragile Bow Ever and Bulk's drill thing really do pale compared to simple yet clever weapons in Breakout like Rocka's crossbow, Stringer's cannon, Bulk's rocket launcher and Stormer's sword. Sometimes, a new piece isn't needed to make a cool weapon, just some creativity is enough. The return of Speeda Demon's Ninjago giant katana would be wonderful, especially in a character like Evo (meditative, weapon master, remember?). Also more MTIS, there can never be enough MTIS.

I miss the old Evo.. and I want more MTIS. MOAR MTIS.

The whole point of LEGO is creativity, glad that's been pointed out. Don't need an all new piece for a weapon to be awesome.

I wouldn't mind seeing more MTIS used. Perhaps the ice monster would be a good place to utilize those pieces..

By the way, why does Bulk have a drill? I think the only way it'll work on the villain is if Bulk takes and hurls his drill while it's on. Unless it's a lazer-drill. Then that's cool.

If they keep the elemental look on Summer bad guys, a new piece might not even be necessary. How about a recoloured Bruizer armour piece, in white, clear, tr. light blue or something else? Instant ice armour right there. Granted, that would be less of a snowman and more of an ice monster, but still.

YES. Just yes.

I wonder why I didn't think of that? Hmm.

I would fully expect the ice-snow-monster to be a titan. Huge and cold and packed with white and trans blue pieces. Oh yeah...

...it's all a matter of playing with colour shades at this point. I'm not terribly interested in a Thresher set, but if they really wanted to make him they could use, say, bright green, dark green or olive. Bam! Completely different from Breez.

I like the idea! I think his helmet would be slightly different in variation from Bulk's, perhaps with a big brow? Hmm.

I agree on the other point. I would love to see a full dark green Hero, but I'm not sure if I'd have much use for olive. Perhaps it could be used on a villain?

Man, how do my posts always end up so long?

I know the feeling, mate.

I do eet all the time

Edited October 25, 2012 by Cirkit

[Aanchir]

This.

It's not that hard. Just check the colour list on Bricklink or other sites- all the colours that are still used in 2012 are fair game. I apologize for having mentioned Thok's Very Light Bluish Gray, by the way- I forgot they stopped using it in 2010.

I totally forgot about flesh brown. Man did I hate that colour on Bionicle sets. At least brown in Bionicle went out with a bang thanks to Avak (and Vezon's staff and its mysterious brown Inika thigh guard I've yet to found an explanation for).

I facepalm whenever I hear somebody suggesting teal...

Edit: I just reread your last paragraph. Bricklink records Thok White's last use in 2010, could it return? Not that I care much for it, just curious about when a colour is deemed truly discounted.

Light Stone Grey may not be listed as a color for any post-2010 parts on Bricklink, but several 2011 NXT sensors used that color, though since the individual components are preassembled electronic components they're not listed as those colors on Bricklink. On the other hand, this image of a 2013 palette doesn't seem to list it... a real surprise, and a real shame, since it gave the NXT sets such a nice appearance. I suppose it was too similar to white for most people to tell the difference, so I'm not too surprised if it's being discontinued.

The reason for the reddish-brown element in Vezon and Fenrakk may be related to that some preliminary image of Fenrakk show him using Reddish Brown in place of Dark Red. It's possible that when it was decided to change him to Dark Red (probably due to either the cost of so many parts in new colors or focus groups or retailers wanting a brighter-colored set), the one brown piece on the staff was kept.

Edited October 26, 2012 by Aanchir

[Aethersprite]

I'm assuming Brain Attack will continue for Summer 2013, for the sole reason that none of the current villains look like the "boss". I'm guessing Lego has learned with Breakout to release the final baddie in the Summer wave instead.

[ralkon]

Idk, I was hoping for either a space or mid-air theme...

[DarkSurgeXL]

I'm assuming Brain Attack will continue for Summer 2013, for the sole reason that none of the current villains look like the "boss". I'm guessing Lego has learned with Breakout to release the final baddie in the Summer wave instead.

I agree with you. It will be too bad if TLG doesn't continue Brain Attack. I wonder if there will be an exclusive this year. We haven't had exclusives since 1.0 line and another one would be great C:

[DraikNova]

I support tr. yellow on Surge. It would be a very nice homage to his 1.0 core, plus we already had tr. cladding (Waspix’s wings). Just make them as 4M or 5M shells, since I guess the 8M wings we already have are too large to be used properly on small/medium figures.

Actually, in the 1.0 Surge I got, his core was trans-neon green.

Also, we still haven't had a MTIS in blue, lime green, gunmetal or gold, so that's what I'm hoping will be used in the summer.

On the subject of larger sets, I think making Surge's villain the main "enemy" would be nice. If it's dark blue, so much the better. And I expect that LEGO will make a new cladding add-on similar to the brain slugs to indicate the boss.