LEGO Creator German Shepherd 30578 Review for MFO

WoW, First Post of 2021 and First post in awhile; specially for MF0. Sorry about that; life and work got away from me. Well got away from a lot of people but glad to get one of these out again. Though this post not about that, it about LEGO and MF0 so let's get started!

The Bag

I found this polybag at Target but I haven't seen it there since but looks like you can find it on their website including at store pick up! Like many Creator sets there is technically 3 builds in this polybag BUT two of them (Spider and Snake) are PDF instructions on the LEGO site; should note these instructions are not part of the LEGO Instructions App at the time of writing this blog post. 

The Frame - Front

Can you build some sort of creation right away? 

The Frame - Back

I made a pretty simple and small quad walker that a bit different then some. I say the legs might be a bit simple BUT honestly the 3 builds meant for these parts could all serve as templates for potential animal shaped frame builds, more so the snake and the spider then the German Shepherd. Not quite enough to play with Systems right from the bag I believe if using it that way but this is very close to a 'frame in a bag'. +5 Points 

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.

 

Parts 2

$4.99/76 pieces = $0.07 per part. While the bag is about a dollar more then most polys the increase part count makes it a deal of useful parts but maybe not the most popular colors. +5 points

Parts 3

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 

Parts 4

Quite certainly a yes though most likely leaning chicken/hi-leg style walkers or multi leg frames. +5 points

Parts 5

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? 

Set - The Dog

I have clearly already answered this making +5 points. 

Set - The Spider

Total: This is an A+ pretty much; it not the most fun colors and sort of lacking pieces for general system building or making more 'traditionl' frames out of the bag but it a great part bag none the less. 

Set - The Snake

Thanks for coming back or welcome if first time here or coming from another project of mine. As I get more things settled I hope to get back to this more in some form along with starting new projects or restarting old ones.

LEGO Spider-man's Mini Spider Crawler 30451 Review for MF0

The Bag

Picked this up at Target in the Holiday section along with several others; behold LEGO posts from DCB! Is it still October? Who is haunting this once noble spaces? Alright let's get into the review.

Web Baller Frame

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I built this little quad frame, surprised this set didn't include the circle plate with bars but seems the good new padlocks make them a bit unneeded if designed right. +5 points.

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part

$3.99 / 73 = $0.05 per part! Very good deal indeed. +5 points

Parts 2

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

The shear number of padlocks at the price point make this set worth it but the parts do lean toward quad or other such frames then the classic humanoids though. +5 points.

The Minifig

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

Another easy yes for +5 points.

The Build

Total: This is an easy A+ set just for the padlocks, the planned out build could easily become a frame itself with some other parts, almost a 'frame in a bag' but not quite there. Either way it be hard to pass up this set.

Please check out my other reviews and posts; if you like what I am doing and like to support make sure to check out my Patreon and Ko-fi links. If you are into RPGs then consider checking out my other Blog Shardfinder where I am exploring conversions from the Eberron Setting from WotC to bring it to Pathfinder Second Edition.

Frame Card

LEGO Creator Blue Express 31054 Review and Scale for MF0

The Box

Sadly this is now a retired product from the time of writing this but you can sometimes find it around or pick up the instructions for it online. I bought this more for a table/cover piece then to build outi f it much like an earlier train set.

Parts 1

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I didn't even try to build anything with this set outside of the set but looking over the pieces I could have probably gotten a blocky but not fancy frame with maybe some kind of ranged weapons so I will weakly give it +5 points.

Parts 2

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.

This set should have been $4.99

$4.99 / 71 = $0.07 a piece this is under the Golden Ratio for another +5 points!

Parts 3

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 

Certainly usable parts but also a lot of plates but that still gets it +5 points.

The Set - Form 1

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

This is where this falls about earning a - 5 points as the useful seems smaller then the not useful to my eyes.

Total: So an A- rating for a set but this was bought for the table and no matter I think the train could look could; specially if combined with a track and some other sets but how does the scale of this look at 6-7 plates? Look below to find out.

So first we need some measurements.

About 12 plates tall 

About 9 studs long

About 4 wide

So what does this all mean; well sticking to your established Scales our train is about 10 feet, about 22 1/2 feet long and approx 10 feet wide.

Well finding Classic Engine dimensions proving a little annoying but I think a standard 50' Standard Box car gets us some info. The box cars have a height from 11-13 feet with a width of 10-11 feet so given this is LEGO I think we are on the money their. Length wise these box cars are 50-80 feet but I think steam engine were much smaller so just using my gut I think we are fine. I personally think it be great to see a long train of flatbeds with frames on them being transported on tracks for a battlefield. If you decide to do it let me know!

LEGO Friends Friendship Flower 30404 Set Review for MF0

The Bag

Another Target Clearance Find, I really recommend you check out yours!

Frames!

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I most certainly did! I got a classic squat quad walker and I tried to make a more human shaped from but was forced to make a hybrid as I couldn't figure out bipedal legs. I am really licking the arm style here. +5 points.

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the Golden Ratio?  (Ratio is $0.10 a piece)

Original Price $3.99 / 100 = $0.04 per part giving us +5 points.

Clearance Price #1.98 / = $0.02 per part gives us +5 and because it so low and the previous one was already below we will give a bonus +5 points for 10 total.

Parts 2

If you can't build a frame right away or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

Big yes but more on the scrambler or quad walker styles. +5 points.

Parts 3

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

Sort of have to say use given a built two frames, no don't I? +5 points.

 

The Set - Pretty Flower

Total: So the Set is already A+ before going on Clearance but after Clearance it exceeds exceptions becoming S(pecial) class!

LEGO Friends Emma's Bumper Cars 30409 Review for MF0

The Bag

As you can see I got this in clearance at my local Target so might want to check yours. I love the colors and I see something in this...

Front

Back

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Well I built myself a bit of a dogcatfigher for Vitor's Dogfight MF0 Variant but still sort of a weak build so will go 0 points.

Parts 1

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (Ratio is $0.10 per part)

Original Price $3.99 / 66 = $0.06 +5 Points
Clearance $1.98 / 66 =  $0.03 +5 with Clearance Bonus of +5 points.

Parts 2

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 

Taking in account all the games I would say this set breaks even and will go with 0 points!

Parts 3

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? 

This I am going to say no to though so -5 points.

The Figures

The Set

Total: So regular Price we have a B and with my Clearance we get a B+ set. I think that fair plus the actual set I see some potential. Emma's Bumper could easily be made a starship and the cat could be the start of a tank for MF0.

MF0 Expanded: The Evolution of a Rhino

Generation 1

The Rhino, one of my most favorite frame builds that have taken a bit of a life of its own to the point that it might be my most iconic but not really used by the community build. It a more unusual design of frame with layers and layers of plates.

The Original Concept Rawing

To be frank it a box with legs but it a box with legs that had style that looked menacing. It all started with a drawing with future plans that never happened until this: a contest; Atavism's Non-Combat Frame Contest. The Rhino was one of many of my submissions. I found the contest rather inspiring.

I was runner up three in the contest which got me Starflower's Special Achievement. He had to build a non-combat from of my choice. I picked Journalism. You can see all that on the Announcement Thread.

Of course next Atavism had to take it a step further and made his own combat versions of the frames on his Total War Appreciation Tour.

I liked his version a lot and thought I could improve the Rhino.

Seems I never posted the improved version to The Hangar but I am sure I did to The University (Discord) but you get to see it here.

Generation 2

Much better looking frame and sadly I have never physically bricked it up...yet. I really should make a squad of these though my love for this frame has lead to some other outputs such as a short story type thing.

Rhino Charge

If you like a closer look at the Rhino, how it built and maybe some combat varients I have come up with than check out my Sketchfab.

Lastly, I commission art of the Rhino. I wanted to see it outside of the Brick into something you might see in an anime or the pages of a manga. We know what our beloved Chub looks like 'in the flesh', why not my Rhino? So the following is all made by the Awesome and Talented Alan B and you should check out his deviantart after looking at this section of his work: shinypants.

Front - Construction

Back - Construction

Combat Retro Fit

RHINO SMASH!!!

Well thank you for coming along this journey with me; I hope it was fun, you enjoyed what you saw and please feel free to bring the Rhino into your own squads. I love to see pictures of them posted in any of our MF0 groups or just #MF0 on Twitter, Instagram and other places!

LEGO Seasonal Santa 40206 Set Review for MF0

The Set

I picked this up from Barnes and Noble but I believe I also saw it at TRU. According to the box there is also an elf shop set but I have not seen it.

Season Frame?

Can you build some sort of creation right away? 

Yes, I made this not bad frame and most likely could of pushed out a station along with easy Cover. +5

Parts 1

Parts 2

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.

$9.99 / 155 = $0.06 per piece going under ratio for +5 points!

Parts 3

Parts 4

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 

Several useful frame parts but not really in the SNOT range though. +5 points.

Parts 5

Parts 6

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? 

Sort of an even mix bag of a set so will go with a 0 points score on this question.

The Set

For Fun, Santa meets Abstract Horror Santa

Total: So all together we get an A set which is cool though mostly red but also kind of a fun set to have around your house but most will probably just want the parts to build frames which is what this is all about.