MOC: Vayland Dragon II

[dviddy]

Okay. So, let's go back two years. To BZPower BBC Contest 50.

I built this, and was pretty proud of it. It won BBC 50, and that was also neat.

However, there were parts that bothered me. Like how bad the back legs and tail were. Plus, I didn't like the shape of the wings.

So, I decided I would re-do it after Brickfair '08.

Well, right before Brickfair '10 is still technically after Brickfair '08. The Vayland Dragon had actually never left the baggies I put him in after BF08, and so I had to basically start all over on the MOC outside of the head and neck. Which was okay, because this was mostly a really enjoyable build, and it went by a lot faster than I thought it would!

Anyway, I had originally named it the Vayland Dragon after Bryce McGlone's pseudonym (Cajun Vayland), because he sent me many of the pieces I used in the MOC, and I also jacked that wing design from him. Just in case anyone is wondering!

So, on to the pictures!

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[Makuta Plasmix]

Beautiful. This is the single largest, most intricate Bionicle I have ever seen. In my opinion, this tops even the 2 foot tall bionicle. I have to say, this is by far my favorite Bionicle MOC ever. And unless someone makes something bigger and more elaborate, this will stay as my favorite Bionicle MOC forever. Thank you for displying the limits of Bionicle MOCs.

One-hundred-thousand-trillion/10. Nothing left to say. *wipes multiple tears from eyes*.

Edited August 30, 2010 by Makuta Plasmix

[Brickthing]

This is a fantastic MOC, and certainly deserving of the Best Bionicle 2010 Brickee. Congratulations!

I have mixed feelings about the revamp, both compared to the original and as a MOC by itself, but overall your 2nd Vayland Dragon is still amazing.

The upscaling of the dragon looks great, creating a majestic and regal dragon rather than the more brutal tone of the original dragon. I'm glad you retained the head and neck, although I think it would have been better to keep the red/dark red colour mix rather than adding more black. The ninja wings are a perfect fit, and although using Bionicle pieces instead could have been nicer, I can't think of such piece off the top of my head. The tail is certainly an improvement from the original tail, and the Vladek-sword tip works perfectly!

My main dislike about the MOC aside from the colours is the front legs and lower body. Compared to the elegant curves and SYSTEM plates of the head and neck, the Bohrok bodies and Metru limbs look messy and very hastily constructed. More Axalara panels might reduce the clutter, but they're hardly the piece that anyone would have more than 3 of . Reuse or a variation of the Shadow-Matoran wings for claws would also have been nicer, because they're smoother and more organic than the Bohrok teeth/hand sockets used.

However, I've built similar large scale MOCs before (including dragons), and I know for a fact that most Bionicle pieces are too detailed to work well at such as scale, and sacrifices in aesthetics for stability because required to stop the MOC falling down under it's own weight in plastic. I'm sure that the body would look much better in reality, but overall 3D form and flow is hard to glimpse from a computer screen.

In summary, I'm really glad that you (finally) rebuilt this dragon, as it's certainly one of the best Bionicle MOCs out there. I feel inspired to finish my Keetorange/Dark-Blue dragon, which has been collecting dust without a proper back for too many months!

[Roodaksta]

Impressive MOC there Darth Vader, truly a worthy Bionicle model there. I like the way you curved the neck for more realism in it. Though one thing I have to say is that the tail could of used more work. But other than that the model is shaped right to be easily be a dragon, and a good variety of pieces. Well done.

[PhillipCD]

Whoa, this is huge! My favorite part of it is the wings!

[Riza1234]

I like the head. It's really neat.