parchioso

Thanks for the suggestions, even before reading your comments, I also felt that the color scheme is too heavy, my main focus when doing this was actually on how to use the alpha team wedge with printed pattern, if I am right only a few of such printed wedge exists, and many of them are used in Starfighter sets, but I think I should have invested more and get more necessary white and gray parts to fit the Hoth theme, which will help to make the Alpha team wedge fit. Getting parts here in Hong Kong is more costly and less convenient than Lego Players in Europe and North America, but I think I really need to put in more effort (and budget) in order to improve, thanks again for the advice, I'll try to make a better version 2.

Thanks to the newly released 8083 and 8084, plus a little help from 7749, I found the necessary elements to build a version 2 of my previous Hoth based MOC, one of the features I had in the old version is the blood stains (thanks to the kind words of those who left comments), in this version II, I tried some additional methods, I hope they are interesting to you. Although the scene looks quite bloody, but it depicts the sacrifices of the Hoth Rebels in doing their jobs. My blog entry for this moc: http://brickand.me/2010/01/14/DeadlyResist...084And7749.aspx

I am not exactly too excited about the vehicle, but I think the minifig is great, it is a collector set, whether the price is justifiable would depend on whether Barriss Offee would remain exclusive to this set only. I usually focus on vehicle more than minifigs, but this is an exception, somehow I feel that the lady jedi is really fascinating:

It gives a cool military feel, reminds me of the elite commandos

Thanks all for the kind comments. Actually I am not very happy with the snow effect, there are a few great examples from others, but for costing reason I have to use only parts I have on hand. The blood effect is what I am trying to play with, but I think the movie is intended for general audiences and too much blood may not be appropriate, I hope my work would not appear offensive to anyone. What I actually tried to do with the speeder was to make it fly up like what a stuntman would do, but I think the angle is not right..... And finally, I include a photo showing the overall work:

I am happy with the rebels, I used to get one at more than USD 7! But the vehicle (an ice-cutter?) can probably be designed better, the dark side counterpart 8084 seems to have more fun equipments to play with

May be many of you have your choice of most favorite Star War Hero minifig, but how about those from the dark side? Without a worthy opponent the war will be dull, who is the most "wanted" villain for you? Mine is Ventress, a fascinating character who is probably the most fearsome nemesis of the good jedi clan!

IMHO I think the wings, cabin doors and Storage compartments of 7676 Republic Gunship are great Pictures: http://brickand.me/2009/09/10/TheBestVehic...ackGunship.aspx

Sometimes people tend to think that it must be costly to build Lego MOCs, but I feel that it is also possible to have fun with limited number of parts as well. I have a low cost Lego set - creator products 6741 Mini Jet, it contains a good combination of parts that can be useful for building mini Starfighters, so I just give it a try. I used up all the parts and only parts from 6741 My blog entry and 6741 set review: http://brickand.me/2009/12/14/Lego6741Mini...dSetReview.aspx

Is this blue 32 X 32 baseplate that you guys are talking about? http://www.peeron.com/inv/parts/3811 Well, I have a couple of these blue base plates, mainly from a set known as 9286: http://brickand.me/2009/08/11/9286LargeLEG...eBaseplate.aspx 9286 is quite costly, if I had known that this new set 620 is coming up, I would not have purchased the extra 9286 sets. Any idea on how much 620 is going to be?

I opened a box today and I think it provides very good value for the large quantity of jewel/gem parts, plus some others useful ones which you cannot get in such quantity from a small set like this, the model is quite interesting too. Although I am not fond of this type of game, it can be useful for playing with small kids. Wonder if anyone have done a review already? Or if anyone really cares about buying one? Somehow I feel that this set is simply being ignored by many.

I am curious though on why Lego does this, there must be business reasons behind

Although I also study Western History at High School, but certainly my understanding is far way below you folks, I am curious about the hats of the army as we see them in the Pirates set, after reading again the recent great review of the Pirates Chess set by einsteinonthebeach, I was comparing the hats of the Imperial Pawns vs the Imperial Bishops and wondering, are the hats fit for the rank? i.e. Is the top hat worn by the Bishop denoting a higher ranking indeed? please note that the Bishops are the army minifigs from Tic Tac Toe, I once thought that Tic Tac Toe is good enough for Army building, but it seems that I need the Chess set as well for the Pawn soldiers (who are having different hats) But I even suspect that the two types of hats are used during different era, anyone can share some ideas?

I noticed a rather confusing thread on this item, actually information about this thing is indeed an old news, but opening a set and having a review probably is still new, considering that Amazon and the publisher themselves are only pre-selling it (to be released Aug 31?). I don't think we need to argue whether it is a book or a set, I see it as both, a nicely printed instruction book with the actual bricks (over 140 pcs and 2 minifigs), and can be used to build a rich variety of models! And being able to come up with so many models with the same set of material is simply astonishing. I am not sure if it is related to the BrickMaster program (http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=KBM27) or is this a new product line to be released in such format (while I believe that the later is more likely). Nice printed book that comes with a set of bricks Some nice parts So here I am sharing one model that we can come up with the bricks, it looks really good: One of the Model - Treasure Island So the remaining factor on whether you would get this set would probably be...Pricing? I got it here at around USD 12.70, that's a good deal for me. Review at my blog: http://brickand.me/2009/07/27/LegoBrickMas...BuiltModel.aspx

I would prefer the 2000 Productions for the X-wing UCS, the 334x packs, and the Starwars Technics Set! But if this happens, some investors and collectors will lose money for something they hold dearly for 9 years...

I am not a skilled lego player (it should be obvious) but it is fun to build (which all of you should agree), so here comes a Star wars Hoth related MOC, a bloody one as I am trying to illustrate how unfortunate the Hoth Rebels have been. More pictures can be found at my blog entry: http://brickand.me/2009/07/23/AFallingComr...Chronicles.aspx

Thanks for the great review, it is very good work. I actually had a chance to buy this chess set 3 weeks ago when I did my review for the Pirates Tic Tac Toe, but I did not get it because I have too many "chess sets" at home already, compared to Tic Tac Toes, they occupy more space, although the pricing seems to be quite economical as well (USD 19.99 for 10 minifigs vs USD 49.99 for 24 minifigs + 2 monkeys + 2 horse heads + 4 rocks), the soldiers do not have epaulettes is a big minus. For army building I still prefer the Pirates Tic Tac Toe over this one, as collector item, I would wait patiently. Based on pricing history, Tic Tac Toes does not seem to depreciate as bad as the chess sets, I expect to get this Pirates Chess set when it is sold at discounted price like the fate of the Castle Chess set today.

Does anyone own this Duplo Pirate Bag Charm? Is it something that you consider nice to have? There does not seem to be any info for this item on the web, and perhaps this is something that not many interested in. I find it quite good though.

Any possibility that Lego factory has some sort of equipment to automate this process? On the box it says "the components are made in Denmark, Austria and China"

Thanks for raising this question, I think I jumped into conclusion too quick (my fault), I think it may probably be removed with care, but I am not sure as I don't feel like forcing the issue (I have clumsy hands), perhaps owners of other Tic Tac Toe set can share some clues.

Thanks for the suggestion, I have added a close up picture showing the faces of the minifigs. Sorry, I forgot to mention that I got this from the Lego booth in a Hong Kong ani-com event (we have to pay more here at around USD 30), but it is now available on Lego shopping site (http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?p=852750&cn=554&d=70) for USD 19.99, so many others like you should be able to get one soon.

Is this already available in your geography? I got one set today, along with the Pirates Battle Pack, is a review welcomed? I doubt if anyone would care for a review for this type of items, as they are just way too simple and plain.

Name: BrickMaster Castle Set: n/a Theme: Castle Year: 2009 Pieces: 140+ Minifigs: 2 Price: HKD 99 Having a good experience with the BrickMaster Pirates, I expect the same level of satisfaction with the BrickMaster Castle set, and I am not disappointed. From first glance the bricks in the set does not seem to be superb, but the rich variety of models that can be built out of them again makes this simple set of bricks extraordinary. The high quality printing makes the 45 pages book a collector item, the book is not for illustrating Lego castle information as some people thinks, it is actually an instruction manual for 7 alternatives models that you can build with the included bricks, but it is printed at high quality that no Lego manual had been produced like this before, and there is a compartment used to keep the bag of bricks. Here is one of the model in completed form - Two Castles (you can use the same set of bricks to build 6 others based on the instructions) Overall rating: Minifigs: 7/10. Just Ordinary, but good to fit in what the set can offer Parts: 8/10. Not that there are great parts, but the value lies in the models that the same set of bricks can be used to build Playability 10/10: With so many alternative models to build, rarely can a set be having such good playability Price: 10/10. 2 minifigs and 140+ pieces plus a nicely printed book is a good deal for HKD 99 (Around USD 12.70), Amazon is pre-selling it at a higher price Overall: 9/10. This is truly a great value set! I would highly recommend it (subject to the price in your region may be). Please also feel free to check out my blog entry on this review: http://brickand.me/2009/07/30/The7ModelsOf...sterCastle.aspx

Here is a review and sharing of the 7 models included in the book's instructions: Two Castles: This model uses all the bricks, the knight has the strongest fighting strength here. But I think the skeleton's assets looks very great too! Castle Jail: The Knight is having an upper hand here, and this mini jail also has a defensive weapon (the catapult) Skull Castle: This one is truly inspiring, I am going to build a MOC.... Castle Chariot: The knight is in trouble here! But a mobile jail without cover? I think it looks more like a comfortable transport Castle Lookout: A simple one, but the skeleton feel is strong! Imagine running into this amidst heavy mist! Castle Battle: The Knight defense can look grand even with so few bricks! Against a fully equiped Skeleton! Castle Defense: The Skeleton vehicle looks great from the front, but one question, how does this thing moves? I need to mention that the book has very good photo background for the models, a seaside background that fits exceptionally well to the storyline! This is a must get set really! My blog entry for this review: http://brickand.me/2009/07/30/The7ModelsOf...sterCastle.aspx

Understand, I have done some adjustments to the review, if time allows I'll build the alternative models soon