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 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 Batman Movie Battle Pod 5004929 Set Review for MF0

The Bag

First let me just admit I freaked out seeing this as it reminds me of Pods/X-Pods LEGO line. Sadly I wasn't into LEGO at the time this line come about but when I stumbled upon it I fell in love and did a bit of Ebaying. Now this isn't quite the same but I feel like the spirit is there. I have seen a preview and seems we are getting a series of these for the year but looks like their focused on minifigs but how cool would it be to get one where we could fold up frames, put them in the pod and carry them in our pockets?!

Well moving on to the actual set! These are a Free with Purchase of $30 of LEGO Batman Movie sets or you can just buy it (at TRU.)

Pod Closed

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

No creation to be found here but maybe you can field 'fancy' dress Batman? -5 points.

Pod Open

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

 $5.99 / 24 = $0.25 per part! Jeez I think that is the worse ratio I have ever seen but these Pods are new but...wow! This week there is also a sale going on for the LEGO Batman Movie sets which includes these pods. -5 points.

Poorly Dressed Batman...

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? 

There are certainly some frame parts, though more on the cosmetic side? +5 points

Parts

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

Hmm, sort of a tough on this one and I think I will actually go with Zero points as just about all can be useful but more cosmetic over function parts.

The Set

Total: B- set, maybe but I think it still neat and fun but probably not for MF0 directly.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes The Milano 30449 Set Review for MF0

The Bag

This was a LEGO Store pay $30 get this free promo but a lot of those have become regular buy polybags so far this year so I am hoping this one follows that path too.

The Set

Can you build some sort of creation right away? 

The set as is can be dropped right into IO and I think could serve as a Capital Ship! +5 points

Parts 1

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

I forgot to check the ESV in the legal so going to go with $3.99 unless I see something different in the future than will update it.

$3.99 / 64 = $0.06 so very under the ratio for +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?

Yes, several good frame parts in this bag so +5 points!

Parts 3

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

Another quick and easy yes for +5 points!

Parts 4

Total: With my guessed value we have an A+ set and still have one if I did $4.99 honestly. Hopefully this makes it way as a general purchase for a bit; could be a fun entry set into Intercept Orbit.

Nexo Knights Battle Suits and Combo Nexo Powers Showcase for MF0

Boxes and Bag

Alright boys, girls and non-binary children it is time for a big old showcase/review...thing! Get excited! Today's topic is ALL the battle suits AND the Combo Nexo Powers bags aka shields 'n' combo plate bags.

Let's start with the Combo Nexo Powers

The Bag

So in the bag you get 5 shield plates, a 2x2 tile, a round boat bumper, two 1x2 side clips, the combo plate and a poster of all the possible shields there are in the bags; the patterns are random.

The Bags are 3.99 which comes out to be about $0.40 per piece which is way over ratio but perhaps cheaper than what you will find on Second Markets for the combo plate which is a real interesting piece which has Cover potential or big shield for frames.

It also might be worth it if the random frame patterns wasn't so wide so you could use it as like a uniform symbol to put on your squad of frames? Onto the battle suits

"To Battle!"

So straight up ALL the Battle Suits are Over the Golden Ratio with Macy being the biggest offender. I did build a frame out of one of the sets (Axl) and essentially they are all very similar sharing the same core build style but the difference come in the detailing and weapons.

They all push against The Box's walls to the point that I am not going to recommond using the set in MF0: Rapid Attack unless that is the general style of your group's builders OR...you ALL field the Battle Suits which could be fun and certainly SOME system options with each Battle Suit. Gallery Time?

Axl Frame

Axl Battle Suit

Axl Battle Suit

Parts 1 

Parts 2

Parts 3

Parts 4

Parts 5

Axl Fig

Clay Battle Suit

Battle Suit

Parts 1

Parts 2

Parts 3

Lance Battle Suit

Battle Suit - Love these skate feet...

Parts 1

Parts 2

Parts 3

Parts 4

Lance Fig

Aaron Battle Suit

Aaron Battle Suit

Parts 1

Parts 2

Parts 3

Macy Battle Suit

Battle Suit

Parts 1

Parts 2

Parts 3

And that is all folks. Hope this was fun and informative!