Masked Builder

Oky you always manage to surprise me with your excellent funnies!

So, here I am with my promised (Hey I said I do it!) Batcave review. Been quite awhile too, about six months. I got this around Christmas time at a LEGO store near my Grandmother's house. (Happens to be the one I go in the most.) I got lucky, VIP rewards, and a LEGO coupon, and I only paid about $55 total for this, so I was very happy with the amount it cost me. When we first got pictures of this, I thought, "Well, I should get that," because it came with so many good figures. (You should know I'm about as crazy as Clone O'Patra when it comes to minifigures now.) But when I saw the price I was a bit disappointed, as I knew there were other sets I'd rather have. Shall we see if the set is a good as I thought it'd be? Oh I should add that this is a special 5000 post edition review too! Name: The Batcave Set Number: 6860 Pieces: 689 Price: $69.99 Ages: 7-14 Minifigs: 5 Theme: Superheroes Year of Release: 2012 Bricklink Brickset S@H See the Flickr set with all of the pictures here. Box: Alright, let's get started! LEGO has edited in a great "cave" style background for this set as always, the front of the box is full of action. LEGO has place an action posed Batman in the upper right corner, as well as the Batman logo in the bottom right. On the back, LEGO has put some great little "action" phrases. I really like these, they add something to the box. The dark blue and black color scheme has to be my favorite one yet. The top of the box features Batman on it, nothing much to notice here. Contents: Out of the box come five bags and one package with the instructions. I was very happy to see the instruction package in this set as it insures that none of the items in the box will become damaged in transit. Manual: Here's a close up of the manual package. LEGO has folded the top over and sealed it with some tape that comes off quite easily. And then the contents of the package, three manuals, sticker sheet, and the comic book. We'll be coming back to all of these. While it was all in the package, my sticker sheet was still a little bent, but not as bad as it could be. The front of the manual has the same art as the box, but with the manual number in the bottom left. LEGO has used an excellent light blue color inside, and some little dots, which I would guess is like the comic books. In the upper right corner, LEGO has placed some very faded out pictures of Superman, The Joker, and Batman. This is just one of those little details I like. One of the last pages has a quick ad for the three "action figures." I like the three little "slashes" LEGO has used to display them. And the last page has an excellent ad for the new Superheroes video game. The pose Superman is in really captures what he does if you ask me. Comic: I quite like the cover LEGO has designed for the comic; it features most of the Heroes in the line. Mostly, I'm going to let the pictures talk in this section. The first page has ad for all of the sets, and the start of the comic for the Catwoman set. The second page finishes the Catwoman comic and has shots of all of the figures from the line. Then starts the comic for this set. "CRASH!!" "BAZZIINNGG!!" Then on the back cover, there's a shot of Superman and Batman both looking at the Batcomputer. I didn't even know they interacted... Minifigures: Now we get to my favorite part, the minifigures! While the whole reason I got this set was for the excellent selection of them, I'm most happy with Poison Ivy and Bane. All of the figures are totally new designs; LEGO has done an excellent job as always with them. One thing that bugs me a bit though, is that Ivy's flesh torso print isn't quite the same color as the rest of the flesh tone on her. We get a grey-suited Batman in this set, and it's one of two sets that come with Robin. Bruce Wayne, Poison Ivy, and Bane are all exclusive to this set. LEGO has even gone and put detail printing on the back of Bane's head, which really adds to him. Then the three figures with hidden printing. All of them have shoulder-blades now, Batman and Robin have tool belts, and Ivy has some back showing. When I first saw the figures, I thought that Ivy's hair would be the same color as Ginny's. I was wrong about that! But they do make an excellent duo. Parts: There are three parts that stood out to me, the Batsymbol printed piece, the beam (totally new to me), and the large cross bar piece. All of them are in great colors, dark blue , and there are quite a few of them all but the symbol. Not to many good extra parts, but cheese slopes are always nice to have. The Build: The first bad builds the two vehicles, as well as Batman and Bane, definitely the simplest part of the build. Bags two and three get you started on, and completing, the little "changing" section of the Batcave. You also build Ivy and Bruce in these two bags. Bags four and five finish the set by having you build the main section, as well as Robin. Here's what your set'll look like when you have it done! I was very happy with how the build went, the only "weak" part in the build I found was when you were putting all of those five tall bricks together, I never quite got it on the first couple of tries. Complete Model: Now that we're done building, let's move on. LEGO has done a fantastic job designing and executing this set, I'm very happy with the job they've done. While there are a few week points, overall it's a great set. We'll look at the Batcycle first, it's simple and while it's different from the one in The Joker's Funhouse, it adds diversity to the theme. I chose not to apply the stickers to this part of the model; I like to keep this one clean. The driller has to be my favorite vehicle in this set, the red color scheme really breaks up the darker colors of the rest of the set. Again, I abstained from adding stickers here. Here's the front of just the Batcave, nothing to fancy nothing to complicated. I like it; I've added a few stickers here that I think add to the overall set. Back shot of the Batcave, here you see the sticks for opening the main doors, more on that coming up. The main section of the Batcave by itself, the ladder system really seems to have been thought through, now Batman can actually get up there! On the other side of the "cave" we have the transformation chamber. This section has the largest sticker of the set that I actually applied. Though there's no ladder to get up to the transformation chamber... See those two big black walls? Well those open. And you can roll the Batmobile through! I was very happy this worked out, though I'm sure LEGO designed it this way. Functions: When you push the driller forward, the drill on the front rotates. It's a fairly simple system, but we haven't seen this since Power Miners and I've always loved functions that work well. There are several flick-fire missiles scattered around in the set. Nothing to special, but they are there. You can also "release" Poison Ivy from her "prison" by pulling the bars off of the front. I suppose you could do this with the driller, but it would go in rather than out. I think the main function that LEGO is marketing for this set is the "transformation" feature. Basically, you sit Bruce Wayne up on the top here. Then you pull this bar out until it won't come out any farther. And then Batman slams down, yep slams, ready for action. Really, Batman just sits inside the box until you pull the bar releasing him. There is no possible way for Bruce to fall through. Final Thoughts: So, here we are again at the end of a review. Again, with a set I'm quite happy with. First off we have the minifigures, LEGO has done an excellent job designing these, and while I know next to nothing about Batman, they do seem pretty accurate and do satisfy my tastes. The two vehicles included in the set are built quite well, and I have no problems with them, in fact, I really like Bane's driller. The Batcycle is pretty good to, though it seems fairly simple. As for the rest of the cave, my favorite part has to be the computer. Like the last version, which I was able to see in person, it's quite large and has multiple displays. The transforming function is quite ingenious, nice work LEGO. Ratings: Playability: 10/10 This set has all sorts of neat little functions that make it very nice to sit and play with. I'm not sure LEGO could do much else to make this set better. Design: 9/10 It's designed very well but, while it looks cool, the two different sections attached by that ladder doesn't do it for me. I'd like to see something a bit stronger. Price: 10/10 Like I said before, I only paid about $55 for this, but going and looking at the original price, it seems very fair. You get a fairly large amount of parts for $70. Minifigures: 9/10 All of the minifigures have excellent design though, Bruce Wayne seems a bit simple to me. But overall the suit is quite nice. Parts: 9/10 While there aren't to many new parts total, the selection of parts in new colors is fantastic! I'm quite happy in this category. Total: 47/50 Another excellent overall score for a set! "I don't think it was supposed to work this way..." Want to learn to make excellent reviews like this one? Then join the Reviewers Academy!

"Sounds good to me. No, I'm sure we can do this. She's not going to get past us." Alexis says very determinedly.

I love that second shot, though both are excellent representations!

Excellent review Pandora! This set did look pretty good when I saw the pictures for the first time myself, but I've always been a Sci-fi guy.

The Jedi are gathered in the main room arguing amongst themselves as to who is the best candidate to lynch. Again, Gree pushes to the center of the crowd and announces. "You may now vote." Voting will last for 48 hours or until a conviction has been reached.

I've got a Shadow ARF trooper if you'd like it.

If you don't like Cam's offer, I have a Shadow ARF trooper I can trade.

I like what you're doing Waterbrick, in fact, along with Doc, you're one of the Quest hosts I'd like to go on. Well you can't have mine, so back off!

So? They're still making them! But I do expect to see quite a few of the female figs from the movie eventually.

Another excellent creature build AC! Excellent part usage on the nose.

This guy has always been my favorite beast and you've rendered him quite nicely. That head is pretty intricate.

Happy birthday Cam! That Camera cake looks good!

Oky, why must you post so many good funnies?! They're all excellent! Really? I'm not so sure... :skeptic:

"Alright to the Ziegried's we go. I say Benji guards the item, as he has more health."

Yep you're welcome Sisco, it's good to see Jess with the new outfit.

"Nuts. Excellent idea Benji, I say we go for it. Do we still have no idea where she'll strike next?"

Oh great. Did I really do that?! Crap. Guess I'll have to work on those. Yeah I know, but it is supposed to be "night," I'm still trying to find out a good system.

Oh great, no we're gonna have to deal with three Mods...

The new day thread is up! Thanks to Brickdoctor, Zakura, and VolanicPanik for playing.

Jedi Temple Mafia - Day Four Murder In The Dark Saesee and Quinlan are having a chat in Saesee's room. When two dark figures enter with guns. "Oh crap." They say. Neither of the figures answer. They just blow holes in their heads. Yoda enters the room to give his daily report. "Unable I was, to find out the droids affiliation." Someone in the crowd gasps. "And found two dead Jedi we have, Quinlan Vos and Saesee Tiin, both we loyal Jedi." Players: Yoda and Commander Gree (NPCs) - Played By Masked Builder And K-Nut R2-D2 - fhomess Coryn Kelens - Tamamono Ithra Srryn - Macoco Ili Seosty - Sisco Foul Moudama - Kadabra Euna Iladru - Jedi master Brick Voolvif Monn - JackJonespaw Barriss Offee - Scorpiox Plo Koon - TheBoyWonder Kit Fisto - ADHO15 Shaak Ti - Flare Luminara Unduli - Peanuts Ahsoka Tano - MacK Aayla Secura - Darth Nihilus Ki-Adi Mundi - Dannylonglegs Nahdar Vebb - Scubacarrot Obi-Wan Kenobi - Palathadric The Dead: Mace Windu (Nightshroud99) - Lynched Day 1 Sith Eeth Koth (Alex the Great) - Killed Night 1 Jedi Hugar Ssiht (badboytje88) Lynched Day 2 Sith Roron Corobb (Flipz) - Killed Night 2 Jedi Anakin Skywalker (Swils) - Killed Night 2 Jedi C-3PO (Brickdoctor) - Lynched Day 2 Unknown Saesee Tiin (Zakura) - Killed Night 3 Jedi Quinlan Vos (VolanicPanik) - Killed Night 3 Jedi Rules: 1. Each player will be given a character to play, who will be aligned with either the Jedi or the Sith. To win the game, the Jedi must kill off all the Sith, while the Sith need to outnumber the Jedi. Third-Party (neutral) characters have their own win conditions as outlined in their roles. Proxy votes are allowed if done in this format: Proxy: Character (Player). 2. Each day you will be able to vote to lynch a player. Voting should be done in the following format; Vote: Character (Player). You don't get to unvote your vote, you only get one shot. No other format will be accepted. The player with the most votes will be lynched. In the case of a tie, the first to achieve their vote will be lynched. Voting is mandatory. Failure to vote will incur a vote penalty the following game day. 3. A game day will last a maximum of 72 hours. You may not vote in the first 24 hours. The day will end when a majority vote has been reached. After the day has concluded, a night stage will commence, which will last a maximum of 48 hours. Night actions must be sent to the host in the first 24 hours of the night stage. 4. The alignment of lynched players, as well as those that died during the night, will be revealed at the beginning of the next day. 5. You may not quote or pretend to quote anything sent to you by the game host via PM. This includes all the details of your character and role, as well as any night action results. Role claims and reporting of night action results are acceptable, but in your own words only. Do not attempt to use the structure of your role PM to your advantage. 6. Do not play the game outside the thread. Similarly, do not post out of character inside the thread. Game tactics and roles may only be discussed in the game thread or via PM with other players. Private discussion is done at your own risk and should be treated as part of the game. 7. If you are dead, you may not post in thread or discuss the game with any of the players. Any information you had becomes void, and may not be passed on. 8. You may not edit your posts. 9. You must post in every day thread. 10. If you encounter a problem or have a question, please contact the host via PM. 11. Violation of the above rules will result in a 5 vote penalty against you on your first offense, and the death of your character on your second offense. Voting will begin in 24 hours.

"Kayla, do you know why I can't find Violetta with my compass?"

Yes I would love to see that. But it's negated when they get the gem, but they're rather rare...

"Well I say we follow the compass."