Hero Factory 2014 Discussion

Shakar · November 7, 2013

HF always used printed parts in the past, save for very rare cases like Stormer XL, the Beast heads don't even look flat enough for a sticker to be applied nicely.

And again, I might be wrong but SFM probably features Pyrox flames in tr blue. But it might be due to the CGI-esque graphics of the pictures, not to mention that in preliminary images some colours often are subject to change (see Breakout Surge's weapon). So in the final set the white recolour from BA Stormer might be reused (hope not).

Kalhiki · November 7, 2013

I'd imagine the flame pieces would be the same ones seen in BA Stormer. Just seems like it'd be an unnecessary recolor when the already existing one would work just as well.

**VBBN** · November 7, 2013

In regards to the heads they are most likely printed, I don't see any reason for them not to be.

Though I can't say I'm a fan of yet another wave of villains without any sort of lit eyes. (Brains were certainly red but I just didn't like the look in comparison to a standard trans-eye piece.) Printed faces can add some character to the eyes themselves, but doesn't add much dimension to the face as a whole. based on what I can make out from those photos, the head pieces don't look too overly complicated in design, whereas the pictures at the top of the bags show some seriously detailed kaiju. A little disappointment that this massive detail will most likely be missed in the molding and instead incorporated into the face print.

xxlrocka · November 8, 2013

Say, since we're getting minifigures, would anybody like to try building a mini-Splitface and a mini-Fire Lord and a mini-Scorpio and whatever mini-villain you can come up with?

Edited November 8, 2013 by xxlrocka

Shakar · November 9, 2013

I'm 99% sure the minifigs (Stormer at least) are using a new weapon, a tr. light blue wrist mounted shield (I'm using the "red Stormer" from the bag art of Furno Jet M. because it stands out more):

http://24.media.tumblr.com/7a2d8c8e1b433489672c0b457077ef83/tumblr_mw04h6UcPK1r466wko1_100.jpg

(Second pic doesn't work, tumblr seems to hate it and I don't have time to upload it elsewhere now. Just check Stormer on the lower part of Jaw Beast's bag)

I like it. It reminds me of the Hex Shield from Breakout, which was tragically scrapped...ironically, I always wanted that one in any shade of tr. blue.

Kalhiki · November 9, 2013

I don't see anything... I think the light blue is just background color. And the grey bit on the arm is just extraneous detail.

Jetrax99 · November 9, 2013

I don't see anything... I think the light blue is just background color. And the grey bit on the arm is just extraneous detail.

If you take a good look at the actual minifigs, they have some sort of datapad on their left arm.

ToaJaller78 · November 9, 2013

Meh

Kalhiki · November 10, 2013

If you take a good look at the actual minifigs, they have some sort of datapad on their left arm.

Ah. Yeah, I see it. But it seems only some minifigs have it. Evo from the Walker set appears to have a grey one, and Stormer, a trans light blue one. But the pictures are too small to make out any sort of detail.

Also, just noticed that the trans bones on Jaw Beast's legs are the smallest bones. Not sure how I feel about that. I think I would have preferred longer ones so you could attach something to it.

Aanchir · November 10, 2013

Datapads! I've been trying to figure out what that Transparent Light Blue cheese slope in Evo Walker is and where it's attached. Now it makes sense — it's attached to Evo's arm by a 1x1 plate with clip, and it acts as a datapad! Clever, and good to have confirmation that things can clip to the arms!

Also, random observation I made about the "Invasion from Below" sets we've seen: Counting minifigure parts, they have just as many new molds (18) as the early 2013 sets.

5 mini helmets
2 mini bug parts
Mini arm
Mini leg
Mini torso
Mini armor
Large foot (Flyer Beast)
Small foot (Jaw Beast)
Beast upper jaw
Beast lower jaw
Beast talon
Machine cockpit
Machine storage cylinder

I suppose it's not a huge surprise — after all, the same number of new sets probably means a similar budget for new molds. But it's still nice to know that the theme's operating budget hasn't changed considerably.

Something I've been wondering about lately — do you think the Hero masks/helmets are single-piece printed parts, like the Galaxy Squad robot sidekick heads, or a separate mask and head? I had initially assumed the former, but looking at some of the sets again, it might be the latter. Specifically, Evo's neck in 44015 Evo Walker seems to be the same color as his eyes, hinting at an actual head piece underneath the helmet.

I wouldn't mind if the "actual head piece" in question were just a 1x1 round brick. After all, if that's the case, it's possible the hero helmets would also fit on microfigs from the LEGO Games, which would be either awesome or hilarious! Maybe even both!

Edited November 10, 2013 by Aanchir

ToaJaller78 · November 10, 2013

The "Storage Cylinders" are really Trans-Treasure chests.

Kalhiki · November 10, 2013

The "Storage Cylinders" are really Trans-Treasure chests.

Nah. Check the Freeze Machine's packaging. Looks like it's a new piece to me. Most likely two so it can hinge open (add that to the list, Aanchir). Plus it's too big to be a treasure chest.

Unless there's some newer, larger chest that I'm not aware of...

**VBBN** · November 10, 2013

Invasion from below: Massive kaiju break the surface to raid the Pirate heroes of their booty

Though the datapad idea is nice, I have a feeling a cheese slope hanging off of a minifigures arm is going to look a bit strange. However with added details like that, it makes me curious as to what the purpose of them is. Any fanfic writer might like to change things up and say that the datapads can control the Mechs when the Heroes aren't in them. However I'd like to see a more detailed datapad included on the heroes when they become large once more.

And with the "treasure chest" container you can see little black nubs hanging off, I'm guessing those are the 3 long pin/axle port like the Piraka had to hold their tails in place, acting as a hinge, so most certainly two pieces.

Lyichir · November 10, 2013

Nah. Check the Freeze Machine's packaging. Looks like it's a new piece to me. Most likely two so it can hinge open (add that to the list, Aanchir). Plus it's too big to be a treasure chest.

Unless there's some newer, larger chest that I'm not aware of...

There's a larger treasure chest (from Belville) that is 4x6 at the base, but based on the pics we've seen of the sets I think I can say with certainty that that is not what is in these sets.

Aanchir · November 10, 2013

The Freeze Machine's pic shows it very clearly I think. Each storage cylinder is made from two copies of one new half-cylinder piece, joined together with one of these on each side. Each half-cylinder is at least 5x3x7 in size.

bacem · November 11, 2013

Nah. Check the Freeze Machine's packaging. Looks like it's a new piece to me. Most likely two so it can hinge open (add that to the list, Aanchir). Plus it's too big to be a treasure chest.

Unless there's some newer, larger chest that I'm not aware of...

well, in a sense, it is a treasure chest. shapewise, that is. it's a new pieces in the form of treasure chest. most likely will act as a container in the story, used to store those mini alien bugs.

Aanchir · November 11, 2013

well, in a sense, it is a treasure chest. shapewise, that is. it's a new pieces in the form of treasure chest. most likely will act as a container in the story, used to store those mini alien bugs.

It's not really in the shape of a treasure chest at all, though. The two giant half-cylinder pieces combine into a full cylinder. And yeah, I imagine bug storage will be their function.

ToaJaller78 · November 11, 2013

Where are the Final images? City got them today, so where's HF?!

**Dorek** · November 11, 2013

Probably not for a while? Not all the lines follow the same release schedule. Some specifically target the holiday season, while others just follow the standard "January-July" pattern.

Aanchir · November 11, 2013

Probably not for a while? Not all the lines follow the same release schedule. Some specifically target the holiday season, while others just follow the standard "January-July" pattern.

Hero Factory in particular tends to release in February/March in some countries and December/January in others, whereas themes like City are almost invariably December/January releases worldwide. So it's not entirely surprising that Hero Factory pics are slow to appear. I'm as anxious to see them as anyone, though!

Shakar · November 11, 2013

Oddly enough in Italy Bionicle was a March release, while HF sets hit most stores in January like the other new sets. I got my first Exo Force set while looking for a Piraka to buy. :tongue:

Maybe the pics are on Walmart's server? It seems there's no way to access them since the URLs use lines of letters and numbers as random as those found on Youtube video URLs.

Gatanui · November 11, 2013

Oddly enough in Italy Bionicle was a March release, while HF sets hit most stores in January like the other new sets. I got my first Exo Force set while looking for a Piraka to buy.

Maybe the pics are on Walmart's server? It seems there's no way to access them since the URLs use lines of letters and numbers as random as those found on Youtube video URLs.

The Piraka and 2006 Matoran weren't even released before April 2006 in Germany. :wacko:

-Gata

Aethersprite · November 12, 2013

Singapore always gets HF in February without fail. Kinda disappointed we haven't seen finalized pics yet though! Hope they hit the States soon enough, I can't wait for reviews!