Brickthing Posted December 31, 2011 Set name: Thornraxx Set Number: 6228 Price: $8.99USD , 9.99 Euro Pieces: 44 Year of release: 2012 Peeron Bricklink Brickset Capture THORNRAXX without getting stung! Sound the alarm! THORNRAXX has escaped through the black hole and is hiding on the hive planet! Get there on the double and cuff that villain! Just be prepared for his shooting venom spitter, deadly stinger and razor claws! The Bag Front The new style of packaging works well for Thornraxx and gives a sense of size to the set, because the thickness of the bag is provided entirely by the pieces within. Gone are the days of less than half full boxes and canisters; these bags don’t lie or exaggerate. I particularly like the background of Breez and Thornraxx’s packaging; a massive hive-like area presumably in/under a desert. Breez is closing in on the Thornraxx in question, but she hasn’t noticed the swarm of Thornraxx reinforcements approaching from her left! This gives me a theory on why Breez and Thornraxx aren’t featured so far in the Breakout story material – Thornraxx is a (dangerous) species/swarm, not a single escaped villain. Breez either arrived on the wrong planet for her mission or decided that Raiding bug nests was more important than capturing escapees. Or Thornraxx has a time duplication mask. Back On the back of the bag we have the usual graphical suspects; an action feature diagram, a 1:1 mugshot, chromed legal text and +200 GAME POINTS! Although I’m sure it’s been pointed out before, I’m greatly amused by the fact that Thornraxx is essentially a flying Thornax launcher. Thornraxx the Thornax thrower. Moving on. Contents What lies within? After you cut open the bag, you can spill out its contents; beautiful instructions, holographic Gorast wings, orange Mahri tubes and a glorious single polybag. I’ll confess now that the trans-clear Gorast wings are a pain to capture on film, because they just about as visible as the shadows I try to avoid. Thus most of the pictures in this review are composites from different exposures so that the wings are visible. In reality the wing pieces look much better and have an awesome holographic effect that is now also featured in the Hero holoshield parts. But you should already know what Gorast wings look like from your Gorast set. If you don’t have a Gorast set, go buy one now! Bag Build! Because Thornraxx does away with the large-but-essential torso bone that’s present in all of the other 2012 sets, all of the main pieces are contained within the single polybag, so bag building is possible! This activity is great for bumping up the build time and difficulty significantly, although Thornaxx is too big for the polybag due to the claws and stinger. Still, this takes me bag to the days of bag building Voyatoran and other small boxed sets. Instructions The front of the instructions has the same image as the bag packaging. The little Thornraxx between the arm and tubing of the main Thornraxx is flying the wrong way. Daft little bugger. Game points! The first pages of the instructions ensure that you know your Hero Core is redeemable for Game Points on the website, 200 GAME POINTS in fact. I wish it was made more clear on the packaging that a Hero Core is included in the Villain sets despite not being a part of the main model, but I think that in 9/10 cases the absence/presence of this small coded piece wouldn’t flip a villain purchase. Unless you really really want Game Points. Random Page Thornraxx’s instructions are clear and easy to follow. I appreciate that they include helpful diagrams to help you identify when to use the only 5M shell instead of a 3M shell. Inventory and Mugshots! Thornraxx’s inventory page is a work of art; the colour arranged pieces fit so well into rows and around the customer service bubble. There isn’t much artistic flexibility in arranging the pieces around the inventory page, which makes me wonder if the pieces used in Thornraxx were chosen specifically so that the inventory page would look good. For added confusion in the Breez/Thornraxx pictures, both characters are visible in the background of their opposite’s picture. Combiner action! Once they’ve finished fighting, Thornraxx and Breez combine together using Kaita power to form the legendary Buff-Walrus-Scorpion-thing-with-Rockets™! We’ll reevaluate that in the Breez review; other excitement is afoot here! Pieces Behold, the wonder of Thornraxx’s inventory! At this point I’d better remind you that Thornraxx is priced at the cost of a small Hero canister, not a larger Villain box. Instead of price consuming pieces that you already have lots of such as torso bones, Glatorian heads, chest armour/plates, feet pieces and second legs, Thornraxx leaves you only with goodness. Let me run you through the list of pieces that excite me: 2 Holographic Gorast wings 1 Solid Red Zamor 2 Waspix bones 2 Orange Mahri tubes 2 Orange Revised Zamor Launchers (new) 1 Corrupted Quaza Spike 4 Medium Azure Sockets (new 2012 colour) 2 Medium Azure 5A Bones 1 Orange 5M Shell (recoloured) 2 Orange Claws 1 Coded Hero Core (new) 3 Black Shield/Claw shells 1 Thornraxx head (new) 3 Dark Bley 5B Bones (recoloured) 2 Black Raw-Jaw Tusks (recoloured) Notice that I quite faithfully read off the parts picture in order, listing 66% of the 44 pieces. By comparison, Surge would only score 36% of 39. At this stage the fact that the pieces in this set form a coherent model is entirely bonus. I should address that Thornraxx’s blue pieces are not the Teal of 2001; instead they are a new 2012 Medium Azure, also found in the new Friends line. The colour is very similar and just as exiting, so although Thornraxx doesn’t have the selling point of reusing Teal, it does have the selling point of introducing Azure. Thornraxx’s Head This new bug head also appears in Silver with Black Phantom, where it utilized the bar connection points seen around the sides of the head. Even though those points aren’t being used on this set, they don’t detract from the appearance. I’ve been disappointed countless times when aesthetic pistons and bars on BIONICLE pieces are slightly too thin or thick to be used as connection points – the only valid part I can think of from the top of my head are the Toa Mata feet, and those are over 11 years old. Back to the Thornraxx head, there is a nice variety of surface textures; smooth and reflective around the face, a compound eye-like surface around Thornraxx’s pincers, and an organic brain-like texture on the top of the head. Underside If Thornraxx’s head was reproduced as a marbled two-tone piece it would fit perfectly in with the 2008 Mistika Makuta. The Barraki eyes connect to clip joints inside the head, with is a first for BIONICLE/HF heads. This works much better than the Barraki style of connection, because there is much more space for removing the eyes or fitting other pieces in for MOCs. Mahri tubes can connect to these clip joints through the eye sockets, to turn this head into backpack piece for Hero MOCs. Build As you’d have probably suspected, because Thornraxx isn’t a standard humanoid Hero, he doesn’t have a standard humanoid build process! The build isn’t very long or challenging, but it was fresh and enjoyable to start with a 1x5 Technic beam and 2 Waspix joints rather than a torso bone and leg bones. As you go through the final stages of building the set, Thornraxx suddenly gains a lot more size due to long thin extremity pieces such as the wings and claws. Leftover parts Thornraxx doesn’t have many leftover pieces, but one of them is a nice extra orange claw. If you hadn’t already picked these pieces up from last year’s Ninjago Ice Dragon or Bricklink, Thornraxx is a great cheap source for this piece. Completed Set Front Thornraxx is a big, bold and beautiful set. Despite being a smaller villain, he sizes up well against the larger Breez. I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking here. Overhead Underside The underside of Thornraxx isn’t particularly pleasing, but the only time you’ll see it is when Thornraxx is descending onto you for the kill, at which point it’s against your best interests to insult his appearance. In this photo you can also see both the Azure and Black sockets/5A bones. It’s happened for shells, but I think this is the first time that a set includes two different colours of sockets and bones. Kudos to the designers for caring about the colour scheme enough to do this, although I would have been giving identical praise if they have forgone good colour placement to include 4 more Azure pieces. Flying Sideways Thornraxx stands up very well on thin spiky pieces, and can be easily balanced on two spikes as well. Sideways Standing Front Standing Back Standing *BRZZZBRZZZ* (Translates to “Yummy a flower!”) *BRZGRZBRRRRZZZ* (Translates roughly to “Surrender your red honeycomb slice or die!”) Final Thoughts Colour Scheme - 15/10 – Orange and Black has always been a wonderful and sadly underused colour scheme, and it looks very good on Thornraxx. The Azure technically doesn’t fit well, but it’s Azure! How could you possibly want some other colour instead? The odd colours could be justified as toxic bug patterns, although I’ve never seen a wasp with this particular combination. I’m sure Front could prove me wrong though. Parts - 17/10 – Unless you start counting red axles and Barraki eyes, there are no boring pieces in Thornraxx that I’m not glad to have more of. Thornraxx does well compared to larger villain sets such as Waspix or Drilldozer, when price wise it should be compared to a Hero canister set. Design - 20/10 – Thornraxx is the Hero Factory remake of Nui-Rama. Articulation - 9/10 – Thornraxx has 15 points of articulation, but I’m honestly not sure what should be expected for a non-humanoid bug creature. Historically bug figures have had many more limbs, except for the Nui-Rama of 2001, which had 8 points of articulation. Between the both of them. I’ve deducted a point from the Articulation score because the larger shells around Thornraxx’s body do obstruct motion a fair bit by getting hooked over each other. Quality - 10/10 – All of Thornraxx’s pieces are of high quality, and there are no old-style breakable sockets. Unlike other sets, Thornraxx doesn’t have any printed pieces (expect the code core), but there is no place on the set that needs printing and you don’t miss it on this set. Overall - 83/50 – If you only get one set in the first half of 2012, it should be Thornraxx. If you only get two sets, they should be 2 Thornraxxes. Thornraxx is a joy to build, look at and swoosh around, and once I finally build up the heart to take him apart, I know he will be a joy to MOC with, providing excellent pieces to anyone’s collection. High-Res Gallery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDesuComplex Posted December 31, 2011 I change my mind. This set is very sweet, and deserving of the 166% rating you gave it. Must-buy. P.S. I forget whom I was arguing over the bones being Teal, but I was right. ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightcruise Posted December 31, 2011 Can't wait to find this one, I'll be getting three. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zwen Posted December 31, 2011 YES. I wanted to know about the body building, you are right, is new, is not humanoid, so we like it. I think this a very nice set, not because is an insectoid, but also because of the pieces and the building. The color is odd, but it works as a shocking look. Looks like a very fun set... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bfahome Posted December 31, 2011 Oh his claws are black? Awesome. Though the set itself looks gappy and not as good as I thought it'd look. Does it seem better in person than in the photographs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JFisch Posted December 31, 2011 I really like this set except for the ugly gray piece jutting out of his back. It would look way better even if it was just black. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aethersprite Posted December 31, 2011 Thanks Brickthing for the review! I've been waiting for this for a long time. Still unsure whether or not to get this set, I really like it, but if I do get it it means I'll have to choose this over another of the smaller villains due to my lack of funds. Though the set itself looks gappy and not as good as I thought it'd look. Does it seem better in person than in the photographs? Yup, curious as well - does Thornraxx appear gappy from the sides, especially? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZORK64 Posted December 31, 2011 I agree with you on Thornraxx, Brickthing. He is definitely one of the best sets of this wave, and he comes with azure pieces! I'm still wondering how I could dare to say that I get tired of insect-like monsters among the HF villains, especially since Thornraxx omits the necessary of the torso skeleton and comes with a great amount of cool pieces. And on top of that, he's a small-sized set. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wghost Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) Thanks for the review! As a set, I like the original build, all the fancy pieces and the fact it's non-humanoid. Did I mention the fancy pieces? (Now that's what I call a parts pack!) The overall look still bugs me a little but (no pun intended) as the head seems a bit large compared to the body, but the innovativeness is definitely a welcome. (Ahem, and those parts. Ahem.) For its price tag it's a recommended buy for casual builders/followers and die-hard HF fans as well, I think. Edited January 7, 2012 by wghost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aanchir Posted December 31, 2011 I’ve been disappointed countless times when aesthetic pistons and bars on BIONICLE pieces are slightly too thin or thick to be used as connection points – the only valid part I can think of from the top of my head are the Toa Mata feet, and those are over 11 years old. My younger brother has the same frustration, although I do remembevr a lot of parts where the pistons could be used as attachment points for clips, including Lewa's axe and the Vahki back/chest piece. The underside of Thornraxx isn’t particularly pleasing, but the only time you’ll see it is when Thornraxx is descending onto you for the kill, at which point it’s against your best interests to insult his appearance. In this photo you can also see both the Azure and Black sockets/5A bones. It’s happened for shells, but I think this is the first time that a set includes two different colours of sockets and bones. Kudos to the designers for caring about the colour scheme enough to do this, although I would have been giving identical praise if they have forgone good colour placement to include 4 more Azure pieces. Does the top have the same gappiness in the midsection that the bottom has? I saw a video review, and I found this greatly reduced my interest in the set. Thankfully your review has greatly restored my interest in this set! Thornraxx stands up very well on thin spiky pieces, and can be easily balanced on two spikes as well. This feature is just plain awesome. Overall, this is a great review of a great set! I look forward to getting it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiderSpaceman Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) My younger brother has the same frustration, although I do remembevr a lot of parts where the pistons could be used as attachment points for clips, including Lewa's axe and the Vahki back/chest piece. I busted up some brand new viking axe blades (and that was my most anticipated minifig accessory ever) back in the day like so. just barely too thick. Edited December 31, 2011 by SpiderSpaceman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpiderSpaceman Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) Orange and Black has always been a wonderful and sadly underused colour scheme, and it looks very good on Thornraxx. The Azure technically doesn’t fit well... Hey, watch it! that's my team! Edited December 31, 2011 by SpiderSpaceman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brickthing Posted December 31, 2011 Though the set itself looks gappy and not as good as I thought it'd look. Does it seem better in person than in the photographs? I hadn't really noticed the big gaps in the torso until you pointed them out in the photos. The black shells overlap each other quite a bit, so the size and shape of the gaps depend on the viewing angle, and you can't see them at all when you're swooshing Thornaxx, because you (or at least I) hold the set at the torso. Does the top have the same gappiness in the midsection that the bottom has? I saw a video review, and I found this greatly reduced my interest in the set. Thankfully your review has greatly restored my interest in this set! From the top you can see different gaps to those you can see from the sides. I suppose this could be fixed by adding another armour piece via the exposed pin hole on the 1x5 TECHNIC beam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Siegfried Posted January 4, 2012 166% ? How is that possible? Even so, the villains are very good this year, and Thornraxx is no exception. Thanks for the review. Buff-Walrus-Scorpion-thing-with-Rockets™! I'm 166% offended. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bonehead74 Posted January 7, 2012 Definitely my favorite set besides Toxic Reapa. If you fold the wings down right, the gaps are much less obvious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FurnoGuy Posted January 10, 2012 This set is awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben30024 Posted April 15, 2012 (edited) I busted up some brand new viking axe blades (and that was my most anticipated minifig accessory ever) back in the day like so. just barely too thick. Please put up instructions for that bow! But i'll need to see what would be good as a substitute for the vahki blades, As i have none :/ Edited April 16, 2012 by ben30024 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azuremoon Posted April 21, 2012 I'm hoping to get this set. It's a great design! it’s Azure! How could you possibly want some other colour instead? agreed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
