Sunday, February 23, 2014

LEGO Power Digger Review for MFZ


The Box

 Review system established by Mantis King with additional material expanded by me.


The Instructions
So simply but, I love this set. It makes me wonder if LEGO is actually paying attention to MFZ and helping in subtle ways liking making sets like this that can help bring character to a battlefield. Right off the bat I grabbed three boxes because I knew I wanted one of each build on the table. Even started to give me some ideas of 'local uprising' but we will cover that a bit later. So far I have seen this set carried by Target, Wal-Mart and TRU (with TRU Tax). Now off to the races! *cough couch* review I mean!

Can you build a frame, or frames, right away?
Yes, I built two of them in fact. One is a sad looking little walker that I am not sure anyone could use BUT also made a neat looking wheeled frame which is a variant of the bulldozer variant build. +5 points

Sad Frame is Sad
What's UP
Double Zap!
Can you build a terrain right away?
Yes, the construction vehicles could easily be generic terrain but might one to count 2 or 3 pieces as one brick other wises it might take a lot of hits to blow it away. Also each build might be a decent station in their own rights, how else you going to build a new base? +5 points





Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio (10 cents per piece)?
$4.99/64 = 7 cents per piece so below! +5 points.

If you can't build a frame right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?
Straight Forward Yes for +5 points.


If you can't build terrain right away, dose it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?
Not for natural but for some kind of structure most definitely or a station. +5



Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?
Absolutely for both terrain and frames. +5 for both!


The Pile is the Pieces Left over After Build
Ditto
See Above Caption
So our totals!
Frames: 20 for an +A
Terrain: 20 for an +A

Wow, I didn't realize this could be a could set for frames (hope you like yellow). Nothing I built was very specially but just for raw parts still awesome!

House Rules: The Natives are Restless! (not yet play tested)



So with the purchase of this set came images of people using it to defend their homes from frames, either invades or just tired of getting in the crossfire. These rules will focus more on the 'tired of the crossfire' idea.

First lets give some stats to our construction vehicles which all of the same stats. First give them One White Die, One Blue Defense Die for being built tough, One Green System for having 4 wheels and a Melee Red System but I would suggest using just one 8 sided die. This is to represent lack the lack of built for combat/skill of users but these machines still have power!

When would they go in a round? That is an important question.

1) They have a special turn going first until all the construction vehicles have gone. Activation would happen as normal including chains.

2) Split their special round in half go first and the other half go last, if uneven then the larger group is last.

3)Assign Construction Vehicles asset values, players take turns controlling them each round. With the suggested build I would recommend that every two vehicles count as a frame with 7 systems.

Of course you could just treat them as regular frames then just treat there asset values normally they just don't have SSRs.

Now you can have our civilians acting from turn one chasing after the nearest frames but there could be a few options; you can even have them in a hat to be picked at random to keep it interesting.

1) The civilians start fighting back from round one!

2) The construction equipment is on site and won't come 'to life' unless some kind of perimeter is breached (use something to indicate this like perhaps some kind of fence).

3) The active when a frame gets within Direct Fire Range.

4) Doomclock!  Pick a die (d12?), at the start of each round roll it. On a 1 the construction vehicles become part of all rounds from then forward. At the start of each new round at a +1 to the activation range i.e. Round 1 active on a 1, Round 2 active on 1-2. Maybe have the + be equal to the number of times the Doomclock is ticked down?

Certainly could be interesting or could be used in a special scenario, and will admit still very rough.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Rivalry Reviews

So I don't think it is a big secret that Mantis King and I have reviews of the same things with a few jokes that I have 'beaten' him to some and I am trying to show him up.

In reality it comparing notes from our two different views of these sets and of MFZ. I enjoy reading his blog and comparing his review segments to my own; I can only hope it is the same for him. The truth is he inspired me to start my own reviews which is starting to grow into more.

With just getting past St. V's day I figure it be a good time to put out the list of cross crossing reviews so here they are!

Dark Cloud                                         Mantis King

Warrior Pack                                      Warrior Pack

Lawn Mower                                       Lawn Mower

Mini Mech                                           Mini Mech

Kraang Laser Turret                            Kraang Laser Turret

Well, there you go! Have fun MoF0s!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

LEGO Coast Guard Seaplane for MFZ

Our Bag

Review System established by Mantis King with addition material added by me.

Well I meant to post this like a week ago or so. Seems Target has a new trend now that I notice which is basically offering alternative to candy for those holidays that are heavy in it. Seems our Seaplane was the choice for St. Valentine's Day. Of course now it is Tuesday, the heart displays are coming down so these might be going away or at least maybe clearance?

The Instructions
Can you build a frame, or frames, right away? 
Short version, the parts are not there. No for a -5.

Can you build terrain right away?
Repeat offender for another No for another -5

Can you build a ship right away? (What is this about? Alpha Bandit is what it is about.)
Well, I did...it is down below. So yes, +5

My ship! Position 1
My ship again! Position 2
The other side...
Side Note: She is a sleek little beauty I think but simple. She certainly open to some moding to get some weapons on it though.

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  (Golden Ratio = 10 pennies per part)
$3.99/37 = 11 pennies per part so slightly above for a -10.


If you can't build a frame right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?This is a simple yes but very few. +5

If you can't build a terrain right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?This yes, but more for certain kinds of structures then so more natural looking terrain. +5


If you can't build a ship right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?Well given I built a ship I am going to have to say yes, hands are tied sir! +5


These stood out to me, I figure these would be popular 'wings'..
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?For all three of our options these is a no! -5

I would like to see Frame Chef try this piece...
So now for our totals!!!!
Rapid Attack: C
Terrain: C
Alpha Bandit: B-


Alpha Bandit, what happen there? Wow that is an upset! Though honestly the ship built is the only one I could see in the set but I am sure some others could prove me wrong and I look forward to it.