Masked Builder

"So? I failed the quest, it's not something I'm unaccustomed to. It was right in my eyes, I feel quite happy with my choices." Alexis pauses. "Even if it costs me some friends."

Alexis wipes her fan clean as she says, "And that is how you win a battle."

Alexis uses a titan heart on Chauncey then swings Death's whip at Aventine from the front row. Battle Order: Dark Minion does nothing Light Minion vs. Aventine >Alexis uses a titan heart on Chauncey Alexis vs. Aventine >Chauncey vs. Aventine >Chauncey vs. Aventine

Alexis drinks a smelling salts and then uses a Kraken fang on Chauncey from the back row. Battle Order: Dark Minion vs. XX Light Minion vs. Aventine >Ruffers vs. XX >Ruffers vs. Purpearl >Alexis drinks a smelling salts >Alexis uses a Kraken Fang on Chauncey >Chauncey vs. Aventine >Chauncey vs. Aventine

So after my big purchase of the 5887 Dino Defense HQ, I started looking at the smaller sets but I was resolved to get them while they were on sale. So this past week Toys"R"Us was having a sale so I picked this set along with 5884 Raptor Chase. I was really drawn to this set by the cool Dinosaur that was included in the set along with the exclusive minifigure. And I had also started watching Terra Nova so I was drawn to these sets like a fish to water. Was I ready for how cool the Triceratops would be? Read on to find out! Name: Triceratops Trapper Set Number: 5885 Pieces: 269 Price: $49.99 Ages: 6-12 Minifigs: 2 Theme: Dino Year of Release: 2012 Bricklink Brickset S@H Be sure to check out the full Flickr Gallery. Box: Okay now to the box. The front box has the very cool new yellow and gray Dino color scheme that works very well with the sets. It really has a rugged feel to it. On the back of the box we have a nice silver framed action shots showing the functions of the set as well as alternate poses for it. Here we have the top of the box. We have the minifigures shown off with alternate tools as well as the 1:1 scale image. Hopefully you can get a sense of how large it is here, because the thickness is very important. Contents: Now we can get all of the stuff out of the bag! We have three numbered baggies, four loose tires, the manual and sticker sheet, and the Dinosaur parts. The box seemed fairly full when I emptied it. Here are the parts for the Triceratops. Again, we see the parts coming in separate compartments in the same bag to keep them from scratching each other. I was happily surprised to find that the Triceratops head came in its own box. This explains why the box is almost as thin as the $100 set. But it does make sense as the horns are somewhat bendable. Manual: The front of the manual has about the same art as the front of the box does. It's too bad that this set manual didn't come in cardboard as this one was bent up pretty nicely. On the inside of the manual, we have a very nice gray "scratched" color scheme for the background of the page that works well with the theme. No Dino claw rips though. Then we have the section of the manual with the ads for the other sets. Nothing to special to see here. LEGO does seem to be getting the hang of editing their pictures in a very cool way. Minifigures: Now to the minifigures. On the left we have a great new minifigure with some cool lookin' shades, and on the right we have the "rookie" of the Dinosaur team. (At least that's what I call him.) Both have new head print as well as new torso print. The guy on the left really has a "let's do this!" look to him. Here we have the back of the minifigures. I'm really happy with the print on both of these guys as it is so detailed. The guy on the left has one very well designed vest print. This is the only minifigure with double sided head printing. A simple screaming face but it works well for the figure. Parts: Okay first up in this section is the new/interesting parts. Again, we see the 1x6 gate piece but this time in black, we have the new gun piece, the green syringe, one of the new curved gate pieces, and one of the new cheese slopes on a 1x2 plate. And here are our extras. Nothing too signifigant, but little parts are handy to have lots of. The Build: Okay now we can start building the set. Here we have all six parts for the Triceratops all of which have simple snap connections to connect them to the body. The Triceratops completely put together. All simple snap connections like the other Dinosaurs. After building the minifigures we start building the cage. It's built and finished pretty quickly, all simple studs up connections. And here we have what the first bag builds. The minifigures and the cage for the Dino. Then we break into bag two and start on the truck part of the set. The second bag only has the parts to build a strong Technic base. After building through bag two we open bag three and start building the exterior of the truck. This is where we start all of those fine little details that keep the set interesting. Here we have the completed truck. After three bags and some one hundred odd steps later we're done! Complete Model: All of the completed parts of the set come together to make a pretty nice looking scene. Just look at the strong Triceratops take on the diesel engine and steel! What a battle! Now I can show you a front view. The front of the truck has the flick fire missiles, the cockpit, and of course we have those really good looking wheel wells. And a quick back view of the truck. Nothing too special to see here, LEGO has done a really nice job with that cage though. This is the only set in the line with a Herbivore. So this guy is pretty significant in my book. That and he's just plane awesome! He has one heck of an amazing color scheme that is printed onto him so don't scratch it! Here we have a back view of the Dino. He's probably my favorite Dinosaur from the line. Hopefully you can get a sense of just how big that frill is from the minifigure. It is pretty impressive in person. (Notice that I've taken more picture of the Dino than of the truck.) And lastly a comparison picture between the Dinos I have so far. He is the second largest Dinosaur behind the T-Rex. Which one is your favorite? Vote in the poll! Functions: Okay now onto the functions. We of course see the always present flick fire missiles. Then we get to the trapper function. I am very happy with how well thought out this function is. First you unload the cage from the truck. Then you leave it open so the Dinosaur can get in. Next the Triceratops has to wander in for no apparent reason. Maybe LEGO could have included some bait? Then you load up the caged Dino and can cart him back to the base to study him. To unload the Dinosaur without deploying the cage you can just lower the steps so he can walk out. Since this is on the front of the box I should include it. While the head joint is stiff enough to hold up the truck, he isn't heavy enough to hold it up. (My hand is on him) Final Thoughts: Wow, this set was just so much cooler than I thought it would be. I am very satisfied with my purchase even if there are only 269 parts, the Triceratops more than makes up for the piece count. Just look at all of the plastic on him! I had expected everything in the set to be much small but LEGO surprised me and it is so much larger than it would seem from the box front. I would like to see some bait in the cage for the Triceratops to eat. A whole herd of Triceratops would be on the top of my list if they weren't so darn expensive! Ratings: Playability: 8/10 It has a great play function that works very well, and that I am very happy with over all. Design: 8/10 It is fairly well designed, I really like the way the truck looks. Trust me it looks a lot better in person. It does seem small on the box though. Price: 9/10 The set gets a nine here because I am pretty happy with the price tag for this set, looking at the set in the store you may think otherwise but trust me. Maybe $40 would have been a bit better. Minifigures: 9/10 The only thing I'm not happy with is getting the dark red shirted guy. I mean come on LEGO! Why include him in every set I've gotten so far? I don't need four of the same guy! Parts: 10/10 It gets a full score in this section because of that great new Triceratops. If not for him, this set really doesn't have too many interesting parts over all but nothing to bland either. Total: 44/50 This set looks small on the box and somewhat expensive, but it really is worth the money. "ARGH!!" Want to learn to make excellent reviews like this one? Then join the Reviewers Academy!

Alexis uses a Titan Heart and Kraken fang on Chauncey from the back row. Battle Order: Dark Minion vs. XX Light Minion vs. Aventine >Ruffers vs. XX >Ruffers vs. Purpearl >Alexis uses a titan heart on Chauncey >Alexis uses a Kraken Fang on Chauncey >Chauncey vs. Aventine >Chauncey vs. Aventine

Alexis drinks a Smelling Salts, then uses a Nostrum on Chauncey from the back row. Battle Order: Zelphie vs. Aventine Minions vs. Aventine Ruffers vs. XX >Ruffers vs. Purpearl >Alexis takes Smelling Salts >Alexis uses Nostrum on Chauncey >Chauncey vs. Aventine OOC: Family was in town last night, I will try harder to update this sooner.

Alexis eats her health core from the back row. Battle Order: Zelphie vs. Aventine Minions vs. Aventine Ruffers vs. XX >Ruffers vs. Purpearl >Chauncey vs. Aventine >Alexis takes health core OOC: Sorry, was really busy yesterday!

OOC: Sorry Zeph! Alexis repeats. Battle Order: Alexis vs. Aventine Zelphie vs. Aventine Minions vs. Aventine Ruffers vs. XX >Ruffers vs. Purpearl >Chauncey vs. Aventine

"Sorry! Wasn't intentional. I promise." Alexis swings Death's Whip at Aventine. Battle Order: Alexis vs. Aventine Zelphie vs. Aventine Minions vs. Aventine Ruffers vs. XX

OOC: Hey look I am. Battle Order: Alexis vs. Undead Pirate Zelphie vs. Aventine Minions vs. Aventine Ruffers vs. Undead Lord

Alexis swings the Cat-o'-Nine-Tails at the Undead Pirate.

OOC: So there's nothing for me to do this round right?

"Not directly no. But to find the location of this forsake duel, we were forced to take another deal." Alexis says, starting to get worked up.

Alexis stands and thinks, as her party members take sides. Her mind is quickly made up. "Normally I would finish the job; but you forced my friends to kill a friend of mine. I hate that you mentioned Althior last night, but I'm siding with you Chauncey." Alexis moves beside Chauncey.

Really enjoying Edge of Spiderverse. I got a ton of stuff on my list last week.

Oh yeah that's him.

Where's Andy?

Alexis sighs, sad to see her friend go. "Burning is a warrior's death, they were both fighters, they deserve it." She motions for XX to go ahead with the bomb.

I've been told this is how Ultron looks.

"You guys may as well finish, but I'm going on record as this isn't what I wanted."

"Not yet," Alexis replies. "I'm trying something else now."

Alexis wills the compass in the direction of Aventine.

Alexis uses her compass to try to find the location of the duel.

"So should I try the compass guys?" Alexis asks, wondering if she can stop the pointless fight.