UNSC Mantis Showcase

The Box

So another post stepping from the usual fair. I picked this puppy up awhile ago with something specific in mind; playing Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack at a larger scale or minifigure scale. Minifigure scale or 14p originally started off as thought experiment that turned into a challenge between myself and Mantis King as a way to promote the game. We were suppose to face each other at this year's (2016) PAX East but do to mutual agreement we had to cancel and will try again in 2017.

Parts 1

Parts 2

Parts 3

So I didn't try to build anything at regular scale with this set. Given the number of pieces I am sure you could get a 7p or so size frame from it but you wouldn't be checking off the 'more then a handful' box on the usual reviews. So I went straight to building the set.

Parts 4

Parts 5

Parts 6

The complete set gives you the Mantis from the Halo franchise and a docking station for the 'chicken walker' to unload/load its pilot. I figured I could turn the dock into a station with some modification as I need it to fit in a 8x8 square and the default version was too long for that.

Parts 7

Parts 8

Parts 9

Parts 10

So many parts! I mentioned the docking station so let's take a look at that next.

Dock Station - Front

Dock Station - Back

So the Mantis itself is a beautiful model and very much like our Hi-Legs but on a much grander scale.

Mantis Front

Frame Side

Frame Back

But she is huge and pushes the edges of what I want to use at Minifigure scale game (14p).

Though it certainly comes with parts ready to be weapons and could easily be modified for custom systems. Let's see how it looks against our usual 7p scale frames.

Say Cheese!

Of course I also got UNSC Cyclopes for the same reason; let's see how it looks next to that!

So who is the big brother?

Wow, that has some height over the Cyclopes! Oh, look there are also stickers!

Yep, Stickers...

So I look forward with playing with the Mantis in a grand scale game of Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack but I think I will only field the one unless I find another at a Magic Price! I shall leave you with a frame card!

LEGO City Fire Car Review for MF0

The Bag

This is the latest 'free' polybag for Toys R Us. When I got this bag I honestly got a little excited and hope I could build a Fire Fighting Frame from it or such. Well, let's see how well that went.

This is a man who loves his job.

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Despite my excitement I got nothing from this set. It makes me sad, I wanted to put fires out with frames. -5 points.

Parts 1

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

$3.99 / $0.08 per part, below the golden 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? 

Certainly there are good parts in this set for building for +5 points.

The Set

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

Given I couldn't build anything I have to give this a no for -5 points.

Total: B set, borderline B+ given how low the price per part is and the number of parts but not enough or the right kind to bring everything together.

LEGO Star Wars Homing Spider Droid Review for MF0

The Box

Here we come to a close on this theme week. Do we end in a high note? Let's find out.

Frame Front

Frame Back

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I made this little 'sphere' stompy frame which I really like! Is this a twank? +5 points

Frame Comparison

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

$9.99 / 102 pieces = $0.10 cents per part meeting the ratio for ZERO points.

Parts 1

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? 

I put them to use, didn't? +5 points!

Parts 3 - so many parts

Parts 3

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

I am going to give this set a yes for 5 points!

The Set

Set - Comparison

Total: So we end with another A set. Not to bad for the microfighter series! Once could argue the set build itself could be a frame but I think it pushing out of our suggested 10x10x12 box.

LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship Review for MF0

The Box

Sorry about a day late for the Theme week, was dealing with some stuff. Let's get into this surprise of a set.

Frame Build

Frame Back

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Clearly a yes, I think I got a nice little frame here over all. Rather proud of this one even if the feet are not my favorite. I think I have used foot design before. +5 points!

Frame Comparison

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

$9.99 / 105 = $0.10 for a break even for +0 points.

Parts 1

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 parts surprisingly enough! +5 points.

Parts 2

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

Handful?! Check the yes box! +5 points

Parts 3

Total: A set! I was not expecting this from this set at all, and again I am really happy with that frame. Look at that thing! Do it! Thank you.

The Set

LEGO Star Wars AT-AT Review for MF0

The Box

Isn't that like the cutest frame ever?

Frame in a Box?

Can you build some sort of creation right away? 

I think it is a frame in the box! The body pushes the limits but I think you will be good...maybe don't measure from the head? +5

Comparison

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

$9.99 / 88 = $0.11 per piece, above the ratio but only by a penny! -10 points. FYI: this is ALWAYS the easiest question/answer section.

Parts 1 - Some of the Placement seems random

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? 

I think this is an easy yes. +5 points.

Parts 2 - He wears the Helmet to hide his feelings.

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

This is pretty much a yes. +5

Parts 3

Total: B+ Not bad so far but I was hoping for better. If I catch this set on clearance I might pick up more for a frame squad of cuteness!!! I know I just went with the build bit I like to see what other frames others could build!