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Csacsa234

Review 70129 Lavertus's Twin Blade

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Hi everybody, as I promised here is my review of 70129 Laverus’s twin blade set from the new Legends of Chima wave. Does this set live up to my expectations? Let’s find out.

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Set details

Set number: 70129

Number of pieces: 183

Number of minifigs: 2 (or 1,5 if you don’t count the lower body of Scutter)

Age range: 8-14

Set price (S@H): £17.99 / US$19.99 / EUR 19.99 / HUF 5990

Set Description

Flee from Scutter with the CHI in Lavertus’ Twin Blade!

Lavertus has the CHI and is looking to escape from Scutter in his super-cool Twin Blade helicopter. Clip the dual maCHIguns to the side of the helicopter and place Lavertus in the pilot’s seat. Press the mechanism trigger to make the rotor blades whizz around and zoom skywards. But beware – Scutter has got a Sting Hammer and is jumping up to try to steal the CHI. Includes 2 minifigures with weapons: Lavertus and Scutter.

  • Includes 2 minifigures with weapons: Lavertus and Scutter
  • Features squeeze-triggered twin rotor blades, CHI-powered engine, lion detailing and translucent elements
  • Weapons include Scutter’s Sting Hammer and Lavertus’ maCHIguns
  • Pump the mechanism and make the rotor blades spin!
  • Measures over 3" (10cm) high, 11" (28cm) long and 9" (25cm) wide

Box

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The box follows the other Chima sets’s design. You can see Lavertus in the upper right corner as TLG always puts the hero of the actual set there. The Chima logo is new with a bright green color and it’s spiced up with red spikes. At the low left corner the minifigures are presented with their names and their affiliation to the good or bad side (represented by the blue/good or the red/evil background). The scene is very action-filled as most of the Chima sets, Lavertus is flying his helicopter and Scutter tries to jump at him from a cliff to get his Chi. The background is foggy and misty so we know that they are not in the idillic part of Chima anymore.

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The back of the box shows another action scene where Scutter managed to steal the Chi and Lavertus is pursuing him. The rest of the back is occupied by a big picture showing us the main play function of the set, described in 6 languages and put arrows to help us understand what to do. There is an interesting background here which show the map of Chima I guess. Finally there is an ad for the Chima online game.

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On the top we see Lavertus in 1:1 size and the another picture of the 2 figs.

Content

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The box is wrapped up, let’s see the contents. We have 2 unnumbered bags, one which is the same size as the box, a smaller one, a sticker sheet and the BI. The bigger bag also has a little one in it for the small parts.

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The DSS is quite pleasantly looking, the sticker do add to the overall look of the Twin blade. Also they are easily appliable provided that they have to be put on flat surfaces. Although when you have to apply the small stickers on the rotor’s ends can be quite frustrating.

As usual the Building Instructions’s cover is the same as the box front image.

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It has a very pleasantly looking mild olive green background. The color differentation is only bad when you have to put dark brown or black, because they look very similar, there is no problem with the other colors.

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Here are the pieces spilled, there are a few recolors and rare parts in the set but nothing new except Scutter’s body, helmet and the long part on the copter’s back in flameish yellow (officially called: Brick 4X16 W/Bow/Angle) which are unique to this set. We get two rubbers for the rotor mechanism (note that one is spare) and Lavertus’s helmet comes in a polybag (If he got one I don’t understand why Scutter’s headpiece is not in a polybag as well).

Here are the rare parts and recolors in the set listed (According to Brickset):

  • 3 Branch Crosshole W. Hole in Dk. Brown
  • Mini Spacegun W.Rib Ø3.2 Shaft in Black
  • Roof Tile 1X2 45° W 1/3 Plate in Dk. St. Gray
  • Rotorblade 8M in Dk. St. Gray
  • Roof Tile 2X2/45° in Fl. Yell-Ora
  • Roof Tile 1X2 45° W 1/3 Plate in Fl. Yell-Ora (Brickset states that it’s the only set cotaining this part but other Chima set include this as well like the Lion Chi Temple)
  • Brick 4X16 W/Bow/Angle in Fl. Yell-Ora
  • Brick 4X4 W. Bow/Angle in Fl. Yell-Ora
  • Left and Right Plate 2X3 W/Angle in Fl. Yell-Ora
  • Plate 1X6 in Fl. Yell-Ora

Minifigures

At this price range in the Chima set line we get 2 minifigures. The only addition is Scutters complete Scorion looking body.

First let’s have a look at Lavertus without his armor and headpiece. He has beautiful painting all over. He is the only Lion to come in Reddish Brown. His head on one side has a very calm face and on the other he is angry. The bodyprint is so great that putting on the armor just isn’t fair to cover it.

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And here we see the Renegade Lion in full glory, note the footprint pattern on his headband/crown-thingy it looks magnificent. His hair is Dark Tan which gives him a unique look.

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He also comes with 2 of his MaCHIguns, they are a simple build but effective looking.

Our second figure is Scutter from the Scorpion tribe. He has baeutiful body printing which looks like a carapace armor. His head has printing only one one side and this head is used by all Scorions (which is uncommon among Chima minifigs but no doubt a money saving method for TLG). Although I’ve never understood why Chima figs need different face expressions for example, Laval has a smiling face and on the other side he has an angrier, roaring, but his headpiece is smiling, so either side of his head you are using, with the helmet put on he will have a smiling face eventually.

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Here he is with the scorpion body built, it’s very similar to Spynlyn’s build but with different legs and with a Stinger tail instead of abdomen. He looks very scary and amazing, he comes with a so-called Sting hammer to squash his puny foes. My only issue with the fig that the piece used for the stinger is made of very soft rubbery material and it comes off too easily, so I replaced it with the smaller black fang piece (used on the hammer), because there was one among the spare parts.

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The main selling point for me was Scutter, as he can be found only in this set and it’s the cheapest way to get yourself Lavertu as well. I’m fully satisfied with the minifigures, the designers at TLG outdone thmeselves again, every Chima fig is a masterpiece. The accessories are also getting better, the weapons are simple but clever and great-looking builds.

The set

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spare parts

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The construction was very smooth and fast (so fastL). The overall look of the set is satisfying but has a few design flaws. The low piece count doesn’t allow higher quality design and more details I understand that, but I’d pay more for a better looking set with more parts.

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Here is a sideshot, the long brick that gives a sturdy base for the helicopter makes the undeside too blocky and it’s visible from all directions.

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Apart from that the set is very decent and good looking especially from birdview. The lion head ont he front is flat and gives a sense of speed, the hair looks like it is blown by the wind, and it fits a helicopter well. The stickers look great on the heli.

Play functions

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The main function is geniusly made. You have to push the vertical brick with the toothed bar and it rotates the gears. If you release it, the brick is pushed back by a rubber, meanwhile the gear jumps down from the toothed bar losing connection and rotates freely moving the rotors. If the rotating stops it connects again with the toothed bar.

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It works very smoothly and is a great function although, although it sacrifices aesthetics on the top.

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You can also store Lavertus’s maCHIguns under the cockpit.

Rating and Overview

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I am quite satisfied with this set, you get a decent looking vehicle with an awesome play function and two beautiful figures for a relatively cheap price. Also as I said before Scutter only appears in this set.

Parts 8/10 You don’t get a lot of parts but there are some rarities among them. There is agreat deal of technic parts too which can be good or bad depending on somebody’s interest.

Price 9/10 I got the set 15% cheaper than the S@H price and for that it’s a great deal, however I’d bought it on ful price as well.

Minifigs 10/10 Can’t complain here, Lavertus is beautifully printed and a very unique fig among lions. Scutter is awesome as well with his brick built scorpion body.

Build 9/10 The build is very smooth and fast, the main function is genius and the stickers can be applied easily except the small ones on the rotorblades.

Design 7/10 The heli follows the lion’s vehicle design with the head on the front, and the flame yellowish orange color. I stated the flaws above that’s why i won’t give it more points.

This set is very divisive, many don’t like it because it’s design, but the play functions and the figs compensate it for me. I hope you enjoyed the review and it helped decide to get this set or not.

Fin!

Edited by Csacsa234

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Bleh, very few interesting parts. The model looks very ugly to me.

But the minifigs are lovely. Will probably Bricklink the figs instead of buying the set.

Thanks for the review!

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Re your comment about the minifigures having double-sided expressions, Csacsa, I'm very glad that they mostly do since the head prints are wonderful to use without the helmets. That's what was genius about LEGO's initial planning of the Chima theme - to make a theme with very unique minifigure prints that are still universally useful, and not just moulds. I don't have much Chima, but I had to get a few things (and especially Lagravis) because the minifigures can look so bad-megablocks with other minifigure accessories. Lagravis with his dark blue cape and a dark blue hood looks incredible.

Lavertus looks pretty awesome too without his 'helmet,' and two faces make him all the more useful.

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The build is alright with an interesting play mechanic but the characters are where it's at for sure. I'd love to see an army of Scorpions!

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Re your comment about the minifigures having double-sided expressions, Csacsa, I'm very glad that they mostly do since the head prints are wonderful to use without the helmets. That's what was genius about LEGO's initial planning of the Chima theme - to make a theme with very unique minifigure prints that are still universally useful, and not just moulds. I don't have much Chima, but I had to get a few things (and especially Lagravis) because the minifigures can look so bad-megablocks with other minifigure accessories. Lagravis with his dark blue cape and a dark blue hood looks incredible.

Lavertus looks pretty awesome too without his 'helmet,' and two faces make him all the more useful.

Oh Im sorry, I only meant it strictly for the official figures with their helmet. Ive seen some MOCs as well using Chima figure heads and they look awesome. I'am sorry I haven't described thoroughly what I mean in the review, I just realised it. Thanks for the comment!

Edited by Csacsa234

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