JimBee

Well, we're getting the "large" battle pack of the Hoth troopers (Echo Base) later this year, so I'd say that chances of getting Hoth BPs are low. But perhaps sometime in the future, TLG could do a "large battle pack" (about 20 USD) of Endor, which would include two Rebels, two Scout troopers, and maybe an Ewok or two. This would be a comparison to what TLG did with the Hoth sets (Hoth Rebel Base: Echo Base; Endor Bunker: Endor BP). I'd also like to see Gungan and Wookie BPs, but that's really wishful thinking, since CW doesn't really include those armies.

It's hard to believe that Alpha is so outnumbered in terms of entries! We'd better catch up! To help the cause, I've posted my Royal Armory in the Alpha Thread. Enjoy!

I've finished my Royal Armory. Here's an overview, without the hallway attached. I used the same exact room as I did with the wine cellar, just with different items in it. No use in taking it apart and rebuilding it, right? In the front right corner of the room, we see a dwarf examining the shield rack. Note the two helmets above; the Clone heads are supposed to represent mannequin heads (finally a use for them!). We have several interesting items in the back corner. They include a royal weapons rack (holding two golden swords and a double-sided axe), another mannequin (this time displaying armor and a helmet), and a crossbow on it's holder. A knight is inspecting these items to prepare himself for the next battle. Finally, on the left wall, we have an archers' armory and another crossbow to the left of that. Also note the two halberds for flag-bearing troops. Here's another look at the left wall. There are a total of four quivers on the archers' armory: two on the back and one on either side. The middle bow (on the front) is held on by the "string" being between the two clips that hold the halberds. This picture shows the knights face and the other side of the shield rack. And finally a last overall shot, with the hallway attached. So that was my Royal Armory, I hope you liked it. Feedback is appreciated, as always. Sorry if I exceeded the picture limit, I can always remove some if need be.

I would definitely love to see a Greek Mythology theme. The subject has always interested me, and I even did a few MOCs of it (Elements, IJ contest entry). Even a Hercules theme would work. I have doubts about this becoming a theme, though, since kids these days aren't really interested in that kind of stuff. Pirates, Castle, and Star Wars are the big ones where I live, and I doubt an 8-year old will be saying "Mommy, Mommy, look! It's Ceberus from the Greek tales!!". We can always dream, though.

Thanks for the review, but I really have to disagree with you on the scores. I think that this is an outstanding set, especially for only 20 USD. I know that you had to pay more, but try not to be biased in your reviews. This great set gives you a neat (if flimsy...) Vulture droid, a yellow JSF (the set that all of the kids would look forward to when Ep.III came out), and one great figure that is somewhat rare to find, since it was only in a few sets. I agree that the design on both ships could be better, but both were good first attempts. Sadly, my 7256 set is now in pieces, with most missing. This was one of only four sets in my dark age (2004-2007), and I still hope to rebuild it some day.

Excellent, new pics! The Snail Tank looks pretty good to me. Good size, good color scheme... and 216 pieces probably means that it will be 20 USD. I'm thinking that it's just the angle of the picture that makes the set look so small. I know I've already expressed my opinions on the Hoth set, but it looks like the Hoth Rebels have a new hat mold, instead of the pilot helmet with goggles. The Nemodian Shuttle looks really neat; very sleek, and the right size. I see three battle droids, a probable Nute Gunray (in the orange and red), and what looks like a Rodian. I'm wondering about that last figure, though, because the battle droids appear to be holding the Rodian captive. I thought that the Rodians were allied with the CIS in the T.V. show, but what do I know? 259 pieces suggest 20 or 30 USD, a nice medium sized set. The CW-styled Y-Wing looks pretty accurate, but I can't say that I like the design. Seeing the yellow-white color scheme in Lego is unattractive, at least on this set. I can't say that I like the minifig choice, either, but I know TLG's reasons for doing so. At least we get a newly printed windshield, but for 50-60 USD, this doesn't even come close to being a "might buy" set. The Venator looks a lot better now; it's not nearly as stubby or small as it was, and now it looks like a potential set. I'm not extremely satisfied with the figs, but I must admit that Palpatine and the Senate guards looks fantastic. Remember, these are still preliminary, so anything could change.

Yes. How is time determined during the (game) days? For example, Iris is meeting the DESPrite club at lunch (in game time), assumably at 12:00 PM. Since timezones are different, and one game day takes place over four real days, how the hell is anyone supposed to be on time? Let me guess, "you don't stop playing the character 'till the interviews"? (Tropic Thunder quote...)

Great work on the ship, JD. I'm not really worried about a name for it, but you guys can make one if you like. Bpac and DDS are still playing, but some people don't have as much time to participate in online things like EB and the SWCG, which is perfectly fine. I'm not going to take anyone out of the game for the time being- it hasn't even started! We'll think about removing players if they aren't active for a long time (in the game), just like always. Sorry I haven't gotten around to making the MOC index yet, I have to focus on my finals. I'll try to get to work on it ASAP.

Thanks for the link. The packaging looks pretty good; nice, sharp, and a change-up of the blue. I liked the blue better, but packaging design doesn't really matter to me, since I'll be recycling the boxes anyway. Thanks very much for the find! Hoth: It looks... alright. The trench isn't exactly what I imagined it to be, and the turret doesn't even look that good. However, this will be a very cheap way of getting some more Hoth Rebels and Snowtroopers, plus a new Taun-Taun and a hooded Han. Looks like I was wrong after all (about the Taun-Taun)... Do your worst, KimT. Endor: Wow, what a great set! Everything looks wonderful, and the figs are just wonderful. I can't really see how the Ewoks are "new", but that's probably just my monitor. A definate buy for me. Don't worry, it's doubtful that the CW sets are gone. On the contrary, these two OT sets (along with whatever else TLG may have in store for us this year) are probably the last big wave we'll see of Lego OT SW. The pnly reason TLG did this was because of the 10th Anniversary. But you never know... The CW T.V. show still has a lot to offer for Lego sets. Yes, very.

I have to say, excellent work so far, Kim. You really have been pulling a heavy work load around here. I have the Obi-Wan from the Gungan Sub set, but unfortunately the unique face print is heavily scratched, and you can barely make out the features. So, I'm afraid I wont be taking a picture of that fig, but I'll be on the lookout for more empty places. And, yes, there is a difference between the two Darth Maul minifigures. I pointed this out in my review of the 7663 Sith Infiltrator: I can take pics of either Maul, if you would like, KimT.

Everyone needs to drink at some time, right? All I do is slip a drop of this in his beer...

Yeah, that's what I meant. Nah, I was just kidding. Do whatever you want. Try the first post. That shows how tall, wide, and long the rooms' walls should be. See the map for your room's dimensions.

No, what I meant is... did you need pictures of the minifigs (Ep. 1 only for now) on a grey baseplate background, or do you already have that handled (besides the Gungan sub ones)? I guess you do.

Sure, that sounds like a good idea, KimT. So, are you going to keep the figures pictures as they are now, or do you want the ones that several members are going to take on the grey base plate background? I can try to help out with the pictures on the grey baseplate backgrounds.

No. Sets of the following year are often released in late December of the current year, but are still considered part of the first wave of the new year. My favorite set of the year is undoubtedly the 10188 Death Star Playset. Just look at it! TLG gave the fans everything they ever wanted in a DS set, plus much, much more. So many features, and many authentic touches from the movie that would really bring one back to the "good ol' days". Really a spectacular set. If I had the money, I would get it right away. The worst set is a little harder to determine. 2008 was another great year for Lego, despite many complaints. The worst, if I had to choose, would be that Speed Racer truck set. Since when were trucks open like that?

Wonderful work, yet again, Sandy! I have waited quite a while for the last installment if Princess Quest, but it turns out that it was worth it. The finale was excellent to read, just as the other chapters have been. One of the best aspects in these comics with your writing is the sense of chivalry and that medieval vibe, in my opinion. It really felt like the story was going at nice, smooth pace, and the character development was great (good idea on the "Who's Who" topic). The pictures, captions, speech bubbles, MOCs, backgrounds and special affects all show how much time and effort you've put into PQ, and it really paid off. You deserve many big congratulations for doing this comic. CONGRATULATIONS! Very well done, Sandy. As for my feedback, I only have minor points that you could possibly improve on. I felt that the story was rushed at some points, especially with the action. I know you said that you didn't really like to make those action scenes, but I still would have liked more of them instead of a caption saying what was going on (like during the dragon battle), and showing a different area of the scene. Two thumbs up, though! :thumbup: I'm really looking forward to Queen Quest.

Thrash, quit it! I build one module after three months of being a participant, and then you have to ruin it by making yours ten times better than mine! Keep up the great work, but just try not to knock everyone out of the competition. By the way, thanks for all of the answers. I'll get to work on the Royal Treasury soon. (Don't make that one too!). As for the contest, I really have no idea on how to do it. I liked the idea that the best modules were voted for in in the respective teams, and then the one(s) with the most votes on each team would face-off. That way, the winner would win without leaving out his/ her team. And the other team... well they would just be SOOL. EDIT: Damn, darkagent! Looks like I have lots of competition, now...

That would be cool, however, that has a very small chance of happening, for several reasons. First, translucent pieces are hard to make, and it would cost a lot to make transparent minifigures. They would also be expensive to print, and the ink is more likely to scratch off. Lastly, the transparent minifig parts would be easy to break, since minifig parts alone are easy to break (hands breaking, torsos cracking, etc.), and trans pieces are delicate. Combining the two could really result in a disaster (like those trans hook hands back in Space...). Sorry, but I just don't think this would happen. Yes! Exactly like that! I love that custom so much, I wish I had bought it when I had the chance.

Great find, Darth Dracus. This set looks really good to me now, nothing like that picture a few weeks ago (maybe the shot was just bad). The speeder looks good, and the minifgures are all cool (yes, even the pilot droid). Dooku comes with a hood and a hair piece, which is also a plus. New torso and head design, too, that both look good. I'm also pretty sure that the lightsaber hilt is chrome. EDIT: Whoops, I didn't notice TBB review...

Wow, these look great! Thanks for the pics, mania3. The bad guy looks very neat, and the black speeder will be a must-buy for me. From these pics, this looks like a great line.

Because, ForceMaster said that the ship was "really small". I still think that it is a potential set, but I don't think it will be "full size".

Ah, thanks you two. Who is going to build the modules (for a complete collection, perhaps?), by the way? Or do the builders just need them in case we need to rebuild them? And what's the difference between the Royal Armory and the Armory? I'll stop asking questions now. Sounds good to me! Huzzah! Go Alpha! I agree, I think the contestants should place their vote(s) on their favorite from their respective team once the vote-off is ready.

Thanks very much for the news, ForceMaster! Again, just what I expected. Sounds like an excellent set to me, and the Hoth Rebels and Snowtroopers are always wanted. We probably won't get Hoth BPs because of this, but this is much better. A super-battle pack, like KimT said. My chances don't seem too good on the "who's-right-about-the-Taun-Taun" thing, though. Hmm, this must be the mid-scale that we've been speculating about. I think that the Venator is mid-scale, and that doesn't look too good. But, the mid-scale TIE Advanced (in Death Star play set) looked fine... hopefully this will too. Now this sounds amazing! This is everything that we've asked for in an Endor bunker set, and the minifigs sound great, too. I'll definitely be picking this up. I'm not really interested in this one. If it costs the rumored 50 USD, I'll pass. We've gotten all three figs before- many times. I know, I know, TLG wants it to be Anakin's Y-Wing, and it's for the kids to play with the main characters, but I would much rather have a single clone pilot, like in the V-19. I think I'll pass on this one too, depending on how good it looks. Soundsgood, I'll be glad to finally get a Nute Gunray figure. Chances are, Gunray will look the same as a minifigure in both CW and PT, since he's an alien (like the Plo Koon fig). Also sounds good, I wonder what the Jet troopers will look like... Another mid-scale set? All in all, I think that 2009 is going to be a good year, after all. To be honest, I thought that this year would suck, but I guess not. The Hoth base and Endor bunker both sound spectacular, and so do a couple of the CW ones. I'm still unsure about the mid-scale, though.

Thanks for the info, ForceMaster. Both of these sets sound promising, and I'm glad that the Cairo set will be nice and small. So TPRU was right. Neither seem like "limited edition" sets to me, so Cairo will probably be 10 USD, and the Fighter Plane Attack will probably be 50 USD.

It's hard to say for certain, because I probably got a few Duplo or basic sets when I was a young child, but the first one that I remeber would be this: or this: I'm thinking it's the Star Wars set, since it was released before the Robo Riders one.