Walter Kovacs

I've been away for a little while (again), but I've been busily working on some designs for my UCS TIE project. First up is a model I had been avoiding for a long while, the iconic standard TIE Fighter. Overall I really like this design, but the cockpit ball could use some work. It's decidedly more curved than any other TIE I've done, but is a bit too cylindrical, as opposed to spherical like it should be. I really don't like the sloped method used by TLG in the official TIE Interceptor and TIE Advanced, and this curved method allows for a SNOTed pylon, which I really like a lot. Once the venerable TIE Fighter was done, it opened up a lot of variations on the theme. Like the TIE Experimental M1. And the TIE Experimental M2. And once I had started doing TIE Experimentals, I just had to do all of them. TIE Experimental M3 TIE Experimental M4 TIE Experimental M5 And then I realized that the M3 was the perfect starting point for the Emporer's Royal Guard Interceptor Next came one of my favorite TIE variants, the Lancet Aerial Bombardment. Needing a break from the starfighters, I next moved on to the TIE AP-1, also known as the TIE Mauler. And that led into the Century Tank, or TIE Crawler. I did a few of the odd-ball shaped TIEs next, the TIE Lambda and the TIE Raptor. At this point I returned to the standard TIE variants, starting with the TIE Fire Control. Followed by the TIE Reconnaissance, and the TIE Ground Targeting. Next up is one of the more unique shaped TIEs, the TIE Scout. Then for something completely different, the TIE Neutralizer. It was finally time to tackle the Bomber variants, starting with the TIE Electronic Warfare. Then came the TIE Heavy Bomber the TIE Interdictor the TIE Hammer and finally the TIE Lander The Lander needed two renders, just to shhow off the landing skids I had designed. The TIE Shadow Squadron was next on my radar. After that came the TIE Sentinel Then I finished up the Standard TIE variants with the TIE Vanguard and 'completed' the TIE project with the Nsiss Chiss-Class Clawcraft. I say 'completed' because, even though I've created a model for every variant I intend to, there is always room to improve them. So I looked at the older models I had made, and realized that they didn't age well next to the new methods I was using now. So I set about re-designing them. First was the TIE Bomber the TIE Boarding Craft and the TIE Shuttle. The TIE Predator got a cockpit update, but I couldn't find a combination of slopes that I liked for the wings, so the old design has to do. The trio of the TIE Clutch TIE Phantom and TIE Shadow received updates, though the main hulls remained from the old versions. The last five all received complete make-overs, starting with the TIE Hunter. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a mechanism to make the wings open and close. Then came the TIE Avenger TIE Aggressor TIE Oppressor and last but not least, the TIE Torpedo Bomber The only two original models that have not gotten a facelift are the Scimitar Bomber and the TIE Droid The Droid's wing angle makes it very difficult to brick-build the wings while keeping the pylons from looking like crap warmed over. The Scimitar's complex wing design doesn't lend itself readily to a brick-built design, and the hull I am extremely happy with. None of these new designs have been built yet. I believe I have ordered all of the parts for my interpretation of the TIE Defender. Stay tuned, as soon as the parts arrive I will begin construction. If you have questions or comments, or want different views from some of the models, feel free to ask.

When creating my models, I like to experiment with different techniques. If I used the same technique for every model I make, eventually they would look stale, no matter how different the source material is. This experimentation also gives me options, in case the "standard" approach does not work. And sometimes this experimentation results in something really special, in this case the TIE Phantom: The TIE Phantom (wikipedia page) is one of the more recognizable TIE Alternates. It has three wings, radiating vertically from the hull, much like the TIE Clutch and TIE Shadow. Unlike the Clutch and Shadow, I used a different method for generating the hull. I originally came up with the idea for the Shadow, but the hull section was too large for that model and was perfect for the Phantom. The laser cannons at the end of the wings are very simple, by design. I wanted to see how they looked, and the result is acceptable. Besides, I really wanted the main focus to be on the hull and cockpit on this model. The entire model is very swooshable, provided you know where to hold it. The entire bottom (here's a picture) is held on by just four studs (from a pair of these pieces), so if you grab it the wrong way, you'll pop that section off. Once you know where to hold it, though, and you'll never have a problem again. Front View: In case you couldn't tell, the cockpit was very much influenced by the UCS Millenium Falcon. I didn't see many options for creating a cylindrical cockpit in the scale I wanted using any of the windscreen pieces. The UCS MF gave me the option I needed. Here's another view of the front. Back View: The back side of these hexagonal based models is always difficult. There are no wings that will fit together nicely on a hex shape, and I had used solid dishes for a lot of models (Defender, Clutch and Shadow), so for this model I chose a webbed dish. It shows some of the inner workings that I'd prefer were hidden, but overall it works well. Cockpit: The cockpit was much more of a challenge than it might seem. Because of where I attached the cockpit to the hull, I had no vertical studs on the inside of the cockpit. It made for an interesting design. Here is a photo of the cockpit with the bars left on. There are lots of details I know that I've left out, so please feel free to ask lots of questions. Comments and Constructive Criticisms are also very much welcome. Here is the Full Gallery, when public. If you are wondering what's next, then I'll tell you. I have one more UCS Scale MOC to show, the TIE Defender. Unfortunately, I ran into some unexpected techinical difficulties. It'll take a small Bricklink order to fix the problem, and won't look as good as I had hoped (at least in my opinion), but it will hold together, which is an important step. Unfortunately, I can't make this order any time soon, so it'll be a few weeks before I finish it off. In the meantime, I'll be assembling my MINI collection, including all of the MINIs I've designed. I'll probably have them done next week.

I meant to add, there is no claim that Doctor or Roleblocker costumes exist, but those two are almost certainly floating around out there.

Yes, StickFig did claim bulletproof before his lynch. And as a Townie, he had no reason to lie about it. We are going to have to lose costumes somewhere along the lines. Besides, if Freeze's Coolant is Bulletproof, it just means there's one player the Scum/SK will not target at night. What's the likelyhood the Scum would want to target that player as opposed to, say, the one with the Doctor, Roleblocker or Cop costume? Bulletproof seems like a lower priority than some of the higher power PRs we know (or suspect) is in play. Unless Lind is Dragonfire's scumbuddy and he's trying to save him.

You want me to commit myself? Fine, I'm man enough to do it. Unvote: The Joker (Tamamono) Vote: Gandolf (Lind Whisperer) I was going to wait to see if anyone else found this theory plausible enough to talk it out. I think it sounds very plausible. Lind, you said nothing substantive on Day 1, and your posts today have been equally vacuous. I'm much happier with my vote now. Thank you. It's quite possible that if the scum had it on Day 1, they'd make damn sure to keep it on Day 2. Especially knowing that a firestorm would surround Tammo because of it. One last note coming out of Bloodbrick 2. By the beginning of Day 4, The Scum knew what all but one of the pills that were still in play did. If the Scum team here has been experimenting like they did in BB2, they probably know most of the roles already. Food for Thought.

I've been doing a little research into what happened during Bloodbrick 2, and a new possibility that we haven't discussed has come to mind. In Bloodbrick 2, there was a Bus Driver pill. Tammo was almost certain to be Investigated last night. It's conceivable that Tammo was bussed with a scum, giving the investigator the "false" scum result. It's simple, elegant, and explains just about everything. Thoughts? Also, in looking through Bloodbrick 2's conclusion, I see no Insane Cop on def's spreadsheet. I saw a Town/ Not Town Cop, a Scum/ Not Scum Cop, a Gunsmith and a Flavor Cop. Are we certain one of the Cop actions is Insane/Paranoid/Random? I'm certainly not. Not anymore. For the record, I agree with Tammo. Lind Whisperer smells of scum to me. If we like this new theory, I would switch my vote to him.

I've done a lot of thinking overnight, and I've come to a few conclusions. There is a plausible explanation for Draggy's death that doesn't necessitate Shadows being scum. So first I must do this. Unvote: Starlord (Shadows) If Draggy was the target of the SK, and not the Scum, then a Townie Shadows is much more plausible. Now, Tammo's entire argument is that Brick's Cop action is Random/Paranoid/Insane. How do we know that Draggy's Cop action wasn't the tainted one? We don't, and we can't without more results. For now, I consider a Scum result from an investigation to be just that: we found a scum. Until proven otherwise, I will continue to believe the results from Blackbeard's Shag. Vote: The Joker (Tamamono)

While I am not opposed to lynching Tammo, I think there is enough doubt today to delay his lynch. In my mind, Shadows is a better candidate. I can see no scenario where Draggy claims Cop to Shadows, and then gets killed that night. Shadows even said it himself: Draggy made a poor Scum target, unless the scum were removing a powerful item from the Town's hands. Vote: Starlord (Shadows)

Icarax and the '08 Takanuva are two of the sets I want most in my collection. But as I don't own them, they can't be my favorites...yet. Looking through all of the sets, two really stood out to me. I really like Krika, both story-wise and the overall look of him. He struck a cord with me. On the other side of things, Cahdok & Gahdok were fantastic, detailed builds from Bionicle's infancy, and their function works really well. There are far too many runners-up to mention.

Seems there is a lot of mis-remembering and mis-reading going on. My curse doesn't take effect until tomorrow. Oh, well, it gave some good rhyming practice. Just thinking out loud here. I'm still trying to work out how we could have gotten the results we did without anyone lying. Shadows re-directing the Vig kill explains TPRU's death, and why Tammo's action didn't work. Wait, how did Shadows know Draggy was the Cop? And Draggy wouldn't have gotten an answer, as he was killed during the night, and even if he did couldn't pass the information on (I seriously doubt Draggy of all people would break the 'Once your dead, your dead' rule.) Did Draggy claim to Shadows on Day 1? (Honestly, that of all things wouldn't surprise me.) Draggy makes sense as a scum kill only if the scum knew he was a Cop. And if the scum knew he had the Cop costume, Draggy becomes a very tempting target. That would suggest Shadows is Scum (He would have told his scum-buddies where the Cop costume is; Cop doesn't help the Scum [unless it becomes rolecop in their hands]). That would make the third figure a SK (or something similar, targeting either Draggy or TPRU). In this scenario, Tammo is almost certainly Town. But are there any other possibilities. Could there be a Framer costume? Seems very unlikely, as the Town would have absolutely no use for it. Lightning Rod? Then no kills would have happened, as there is bound to be at least one Protective costume out there negating the kills. So Shadows, when and how did you find out that Draggy was the Cop?

To bed I must away. No more will I post today.

It's also possible Brick's Cop is fake And a false claim he did make. None the wiser we might be, As Insane Cop he could claim you see.

Why waste your breath accusing me? What is it that you don't see? Your plight I cannot explain, But my choice I've made quite plain. Dark Dragon's item was what I did steal, So what would you like as your last meal?

Sorry to disappoint you, scummo. I'm not the one lying.

I most certainly did not steal Tammo's item. I stole Dark Dragon's. And I let him know it as well. He can verify it when he shows up.

1. Iron Patriot's Helmet mostlytechnic 2. Flash's Lightning Cowl Brickelodeon 3. The Lone Ranger's White Hat 4. Captain Jack's CrowWalter Kovacs 5. Egon's Proton Pack Tamamono 6. Mr. Freeze's Coolant 7. Magneto's Super Awesome Helmet 8. Joker's Silly Green Hair 9. Indy Jone's Fedora

2543 - Alien Space Plane (UFO, 1998) Space Plane.mpd Errors: None 6829 - Radon Rover (UFO, 1997) Radon.mpd Errors: None 6836 - V-Wing Fighter (UFO, 1997) V-Wing.mpd Errors: None 6915 - Warp Wing Fighter (UFO, 1997) Warp.mpd Errors: Stickers missing

Not true. Don't forget, in case of a tie, the person who reached the number of votes first is the one lynched, which still points to me. Although Lady K's subsequent vote takes me off the hook, for now. And I clearly stated my vote wasn't set in stone. The Flash Cowl will disappear if I am Lynched. At this point, I'm not certain that's a bad thing for Town. It certainly can help the Town, but in the Scum's hands? *shudder*

I've gotten clarification from Pelly. The Flash cowl IS a Night action, the choice has to be made during the day for a smooth Night action Phase. That suggests that no actions are Day actions. Not proof, but... I've left the choice of my lynch in Brickelodeon's court. Thief could be very powerful in Town hands, but is just plain deadly in Scum hands, especially since they know the location of the Vig item (and, presumably, 4 or 5 more abilities).

If it's a Day ability, I doubt you could re-use it at night. More likely that if the Day ability has been used before the theft, then the thief couldn't re-use it. If the Day ability hadn't been used, then the Thief gets to choose the target. But there's no proof that any abilities are Day abilities. Except for Thief, which is a Day ability by necessity. Gotta know what item is stolen before Night actions can be submitted.

One more thing. Time is a bit short, so in accordance with the majority's wishes, I will let everyone know what the Flash cowl does, as I am currently set to be lynched. When chosen, the wearer gains a Thief ability, and is able to steal one item before the Day phase is out. They can use whatever ability the new item has during the following Night phase. If the item I stole has a Night ability, the player who originally stole it will get a message that their ability failed during the night. I am not sure if the Flash cowl will be lost, or the item I stole will be lost if I am lynched. I have asked Pelly for clarification. It might be best if I AM lynched, now that the scum know which item holds the Vig ability. I will let you know what Pelly comes back with. I will let the player who's item I stole that I have it. Fair enough. Day 1 lynches are always tough, and No-lynch is not an option in this game. All I ask is that you aren't disappointed on Day 2.

@ jluck: I'm sorry you found my early PM scummy. But I've said it in previous games, I like to talk to players privately, and liberally use PMs on Day 1. Usually early PMs are merely Ice-breakers. It's the way I play, and if you look at my record, I've started as Town in every single game I've played (why do I suddenly see meta-game votes coming my way; "he's never been scum before, he must be scum now" ). There have been very few scummy posts up till now. Jack is a possibility, as I was the one who proposed him as a candidate. fhomess hasn't said much of anything yet, could he be laying low? But the thing that strikes me most is StickFig's blind, reasonless vote for Jack. It could be mis-guided Townie, but it sticks in my craw. So for now I'll: Vote: Superman (Stickfig) Don't consider this set in stone. There's plenty of time to change my vote if someone else comes across as scummy.

It's not that I don't want to defend myself, it's RL interfering. Easter is important to a fair amount of the world population. At the time I made my large post, the only talk going on was fluffy or about the costumes. I posted a theory, which I admit is likely flimsy, in order to get some real discussion going. Getting the scum to talk is the only way we'll find them this early. And talking about costumes isn't trying to find scum. I am town. More important, I think Brickelodeon is Town as well. If I had to place my trust in anyone this early, I'd put it in him. This is likely a situation where both Brick and I are both Town. I'm not ready to vote for anyone just yet. I haven't noticed anything scummy yet.

Brickelodeon, what 'actual progress' could I have possibly derailed? From what I was reading, no one was giving any sort of theories on how to draw out the scum. Yes, I focused on some of the minutiae from earlier today. It's usually those small details where scum slip up.

Brickelodeon, what 'actual progress' could I have possibly derailed? From what I was reading, no one was giving any sort of theories on how to draw out the scum. Yes, I focused on some of the minutiae from earlier today. It's usually those small details where scum slip up.