Road to PAX East 2016: As the Corvid Flies - Plans and Blogs!

So the other day Raymond (Mantis King) and I got together on a Google Hangout to talk about plans for PAX East 2016. Some of it are hard goals and others are a bit softer:

Hard

1) Dark Cloud Blogs vs. The Mobile Frame Garage: A clash of mini-figure scale frame combat! You have read the reviews and seen the rivalry! Watch these two take Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack to an unseen scale! DOUBLE THE SIZE! DOUBLE THE DESTRUCTION! (In short Raymond and I are doubling the game's scale and having a public face off!)

2) Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack Tournament! Think you can survive the gauntlet of battle after battle, hours of MF0 in a row! Crave some prizes and the taste of victory!

Soft

3) Mobile Frame Zero Review Panel! We aren't talking about what makes this game great (Well, might be a little of that). We are talking about all the great people that give the heads up of LEGO and other brands of building blocks sets to buy or not to buy. We aren't sure what the panel would be about exactly but we know what kind of people we want on it, SET REVIEWERS!!! What do you think?

4) MF0: Music Vid! A long time ago I wrote a quick parody of Hello from Book of Mormon about our little battle game. Who would like to take that to the next level and help make a MFVA (Mobile Frame Music Video!)?

Bonus

5) A regular online vid chat! Well, I got this one started already and it will be every other month on the second Tuesday starting Oct 13! I can only have 10 in the chat so the guests will be limited but any open slots means I will put the entrance link in the watch room for first come first serve basis.

So are you coming to PAX East? Come check us out! Looking for a reason to come to PAX East? I just listed some! Want this to be the Year of MFZ at PAX East 2016? Should we try to fit Intercept Orbit into it too? Come join the conversation in the Hanger!

Blogs

So, while I have your attention I want to talk about this blog(s) for a second. Just some fun random stuff. First, thanks to all my readers and special credit to those that ready the non-MF0 stuff too.

Even when I am not posting regularly, Dark Cloud seems weekly if not daily views. The amount isn't anything special but the fact makes me feel 'Wow!' Dark Cloud Blogs shows up on the first page of a Google search; this is also fantastic.

There is a widely range of number of views to my various set review posts. I think it might of something to popular search terms.

Mobile Frame Zero: Scales, Sizes and Standards currently has the most views.

Thanks for your time!

Mega Bloks Call of Duty Juggernaut Review for MF0

The Box

So I have been eyeing this one for awhile because of the shield but never picked it up because it was a horrible price ratio. When I had earned some TRU bucks I figure I go ahead and pick it up! Sorry about the poor lighting in the photos.

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

No, I couldn't but I was expecting to honestly. There are some good parts in here but not enough to get something out of it. -5 points

Parts 1

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

$6.99 / 47 = $0.15 per part. Certainly one of the worse over ratio I have seen which is why I did not buy it without some 'free money'. -10 points

Parts 2

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

This is a yes, look at Parts 1 but it low but the pillar could be for some fun cover or such. +5 points

The Set

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

No, not at all. As I said, a few but not enough to give it yes in any shape. -5 points

Chub using Shield 1

Total: C set, one of the worse and very very close to being a C-. I only got this for the Shield and only paid a dollar for it. If there was a BrickLink for Mega Bloks where I could buy just the shields, I would! This thing looks great in the hands of a Chub!

LEGO Jurassic World Gallimimus Trap Review for MF0

The Bag, Sorry about the Crappy Photo.

So I got this polybag with my pre-order of LEGO Jurassic World Video Game. It is the best pre-order LEGO game bonus to date. Usually you just get a minifigure but here we have a micro set! I was planning to do a showcase on it given I didn't pay for it BUT then I got a email from TRU saying this same poly is there current 'Buy $30 of LEGO get this free set'. My local one hasn't carried it yet and I can't find any US pricing for it. So, going off history and the currency collector suggestion we will presume this is a $3.99 set for now.

This counts, right?

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Well, I sort of utilized the dino to be able to make something, which is what I wanted to do in the first place but some might not like that idea.

Dino: +5
No Dino: -5

Parts 1

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

Going off our presume price of $3.99/29 parts = $0.14 a part! Wow -10

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?

There are a few parts, but not a lot of 'core' stuff but the chain could be some fun! +5

Parts 3 - The Gallimimus - which shouldn't have teeth like that...

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

This is a flat out no. -5

The Set

Total: Well for the 'Dino Frame' we get a B- but the way up cost might push it to a B. Without the 'Dino Frame' we get a C. Though I think the Jurassic World line has some of the highest franchise tax I have seen so not surprising...though you might see some more 'Dino Frames'

LEGO Juniors Race Car Rally Review for MF0

The Box

Picked this up AWHILE ago, mostly for the reusable container which now holds all my 2x4 bricks and bigger.

Presenting...Diesel Punk!

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Got a basic and simple Hi-Legs like frame but I rather like it but had to really shake the tree. +5 points.

Parts 1 - Been wanting to play with that Intake piece for awhile.

Parts 2 - These 1x4 mod plates with the 'pipe' angle extensions are interesting

Parts 3 - The worse things in this set.

Parts 4 - Some interesting looking things here

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

$29.99 / 350 pieces = $0.09 per piece. Just under the ratio for +5 points!

Parts 5

Parts 6

Parts 7

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 some common parts here along with someones I think could be interesting to see used. +5 points.

The Pime Build from this Junior Set.

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

Now I did get a frame out of this set which usually means this question usually is an auto yes BUT looking at the ratio of truly useful parts vs 'wall pieces' things start getting iffy. I think I am going to have to go with a -5 for this set.

Close look on the Trophy - Winner!!!

Total: We have a A- for this set but could be said A if you are looking to use the container to store your stuff! Honestly I am surprised we don't see a lot more builds using that intake/engine block piece! Has it been use in a frame chef? Does the hanger still do that?

Mixel Series 1 Bonus - Mixel Cards

If you missed Mixel Series 1 Week you can find the three reviews here: Infernites, Cragsters and Electroids.

Repeating in these reviews I mention you could just field the Mixel and it true though you might have to toss a weapon or a shield into their hands to round them out. With that spirit in mind I present Mixel Mobile Frame Cards given suggested load outs of the Mixels as is!

Mixel Series 1: Electroids Review for MF0

The last of the Series one Mixels but certainly not the last of the Mixels! Let's Light Em Up! Introducing...

Teslo

The Bag

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

I built a tiny frame that might be more for 4p and of course you could just field the Mixel. +5

Parts 1

Parts 2

Parts 3

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

$4.99 / 54 = $0.09 putting just under the ratio for +5 points!

The Frame - I am going to Taze a B!TCH

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, some good and common used parts along with some interesting parts. +5 points.

The Set and Friends

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

The whole bag? +5 points

Total: Our first Electroid is a A+ set with a few interesting parts to play with. I don't care to much for whole as a dominating color but is great for accenting. Let's Keep this Chain Lighting going with...

Volectro

The Bag

What is up with some of these names?

The Frame - I am Rather Proud of this one

Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Yes, I made this cute little guy, HI! +5 points!

Parts 1

Parts 2

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?

$4.99 / 70 = $0.07 Wow, even lower then the last one! +5 points

The Set and Friends

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?

What do you think? I think yes for +5 points!

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

Another bag of Goodness! +5 points

Total: Another A+ baby! Can we keep this trend going to the next Electroid...

Zaptor

The Bag

Can you build some sort of creation right away? 

Made another tazing frame! +5 points!

Frame build

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?

$4.99 / 61 = $0.08 per parts! Another under the ratio for +5 points!!

Parts 1

Parts 2

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?

Everyone, just nod yes by now. +5 points

Set ---Tall Glass of Water...

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

But of course but of course! +5 points.

Total!!: OH MY GOD! Another A+ set from the Electroids! Jeez Weez...to bad they are yellow...

but let's take this to the MAX!

What you doing?

And here is some cards...