The Dor

Okay, Skrall's proportions are actually better than many of the sets. At least his arms and legs are not as monkey-like as Gali's or Tahu's. His shoulders being back are not quite as hunchbacked as they seem in pictures. Almost everything about him is fantastic, IMO. He is certainly my favorite set in a LONG time. More creative than the Barraki, with the same amount of articulation as any other set, and more than a lot. So I don't know what you are complaining about. He is fantastic. So bummed it is Christmas time. I wanna get the others, but know that I will save quite a bit of money from waiting for them in gifts. I'm torn. D: (he = it, considering Skrall are of both genders, just feeling very male right now *grunts*)

I do see the point there. And I do feel tat eventually they will need to change it, but I think that it gives some stylistic consistency. And besides, None of the 09 sets so far use the traditional build, aside from Malum, who is cool enough anyways, and uses an armor that has only been used rarely, and Gresh, who uses a new idea with the armor. I think that Strakk and Skrall and Vorox and Tarix are enough to break the sameness of everyone else. But that's just my opinion.

We'll hopefully get a new torso this summer, if Lego follows pattern. we got a new one in the summer in 07, then in the winter 08, and since we didn't get a new one this winter, we'll probably get one this summer. And seriously guys. I don't see anything wrong w/ using the Inika torso (although Piraka ones aren't very good) in new ways. I think that it's similar to complaining about reusing the same head for 4 years. Honestly.

;_; But more seriously, the direct links are also in Strakk's review. I say this because he's updating the folder with Metus tomorrow, so the gallery won't be public tomorrow.

Vorox finally. Dunno if everyone else saw this already, the probably did. He has the same neck style as Strakk. D: But that's really not that bad. At least for an animal, right?

Story wise, this year was really good, especially the end (obviously), and set wise, they weren't bad in my opinion, but they certainly weren't great. I loved a few of them (Kopaka, Pohatu, Onua), and there were a few I didn't love (Tahu). Overall, it was no where near failing. It was not the best year, but it was better than many.

No, the hand is blocked midway through. even if it wasn't, the amount of friction from pushing it through wouldn't be worth it, IMO. Yeah, they won't be blurry exactly, but the colors would be hideous and the lighting poor. Dunno how long Atakus's head is, so dunno if it's longer or shorter. It is just directly on top of it. It wouldn't be very comfortable to hold, especially of to the side. And again, Skrall's head looks like it could easily be longer or shorter than Atakus's. Expect pictures soon-ish. If I get Photo Booth working. Pics up now. :D

Thanks. Dunno when I'll be able to get pics. If you guys don't mind really bad pics, I could use the camera on my iMac, but it's really hard to get a good pic of Skrall with that. He certainly exceeded my expectations. The colored parts are not removable unfortunately. Although the swords look so good with them I dunno why you'd want to take it away. ;) I think the l33t is annoying, especially because of all the fuss about it.

Here's my review of the Skrall: Canister: Any of the real fans should have the front memorized by now, so I don't think I need to describe it. Although the Scorpion in the back is very menacing. The back features a picture of Skrall and Atakus, Skrall's BIO bode (SKR411 lol), a pic of the life counter, a demonstration of the Thornax, and a pic showing how to shove him into the canister. Pieces: Skrall has buckets of new pieces. The new shield, the new armor, the new swords, the Thornax, the launcher pieces, and of course the head, helmet, neck and hands. The shield uses a new concept. Paint. This isn't a wholly new concept, but it is on Bionicle sets. The red pattern is painted onto a raised version of the pattern on the shield. The armor is a lot sharper and smaller than I expected. It is very pointy. I absolutely love it, and I hope it stays around for a long time. Really. Please. The swords are cool. The red pattern at the top is very vivid. There are a LOT of patterns all over it. Dunno if it has a significance. The Thornax is really fun. Even though it is rubber with the black band being solid, the exact opposite of what we hoped for, it is actually really fun. The spikes act a lot like the leeches' did. They make it bounce. Seriously. And the swirled gold pattern makes it more fruit like. And on it's side, it looks like a mine, which is very fitting. The launcher itself is kinda lame. I love the direction Lego is taking the launchers. Even though I still remove them, dunno why they bug me in general, I really like them. I wish all the launchers were like this. Mostly because a character can wield the launcher and a weapon in the same hand. Speaking of which, the hands are really nice. Even though the thumb juts out of the wrist and fuses with the middle finger, preventing any flipping off, it adds a lot to the figure. It makes them seem more lively. The head piece is interesting. It is really small. They are definitely the smallest so far. The Av-Matoran heads seem like giants in comparison to these. Also, the whole flipping concept, pffff. The top of the head looks NOTHING like a face. Oh wait. I have it upside down I think. No, nevermind. Still doesn't look like a face. >:C But that doesn't matter, flipping his helmet would be a ridiculous concept. His helmet is so long it goes past his hips. But that isn't a real problem. His helmet is really the coolest helmet we've had. :P But seriously, it is very awesome. His face is like a cross between a rodent and an insect. It really gives the image of group mindedness. The neck is cool, but it really is just what it looks like. A stick w/ a ball on it. :P Build: Okay, this guy is very inventive. The bent backwards torso really doesn't shorten him all that much. It just pulls back the shoulders, which works really well for a sinister scene. His neck is, in fact, stabilized by the new armor, which is held in place by the Inika torso because the Phankuta connector disrupts it from using both its peg holes. It is a surprising design, and I absolutely love it. Although I still think this is one of the better Bionicle sets out there, he still has his flaws. The main problem is how the swords and his helmet interact. He cannot turn his head very well without running it into a sword. But it doesn't really limit the poses as much as it sounds. The real problem is the joint. The sides of the socket run into the base of the neck. It still isn't that much of a problem, which is really nice considering it's the worst flaw, IMO. The sword is a little funny, although that is just personal taste and not really a flaw. I like that they gave him a good way to hold the Thornax and the sword, but it makes it seem to weighted and clunky. I simply took off the Thornax and extension, and it fixed the problem. He also holds the shield a little awkwardly, but again, that's just personal taste. Playability: This set is fantastic. He looks good in almost ANY pose. The Thornax shoots very well, and bounces nicely, like I said earlier. The life counter clicks and locks into place w/ each life point. I didn't expect that. It is very satisfying, if you're going to bother playing the game. I won't, but hey. It's still neat. I don't really have a whole lot else to say here, because in this aspect he is basically like all the other Bionicle sets w/ 13 points of articulation. Overall: This set is definitely my favorite set in a long time. I would recommend this set to any fan of Bionicle, those who like new pieces for MoC, those who like to collect, those who like articulation, and those who like a good looking set. This is without a doubt a keeper. 9.8/10 PICS: Generic Pose Showing his build Showing his armor Showing his head Showing his face Showing his armor in more detail Showing the length of his head Showing the rubberiness of the Thornax Another generic pose Showing off his Thornax launcher There you go. :D

Gladly. But it'll have to be pic-less. My digicam is teh broken. D:

Well damn. If I'd known you guys would need Strakk and Vorox I would've gotten them instead of Malum and Skrall. Maybe. But yeah. Just got Malum and Skrall. The heads are so small! I can't believe how small they are! Smaller than their hands! It is scary. And I tried a Great Huna on Malum's head. The mask looked hollow. Technically it fits, but it doesn't look very good. And Skrall's head is shorter than Krika's. By a lot. And the Thornax are rubber. D:

maybe not yet but they're available on Toys R Us right now. So expect about 3 days before someone does. Maybe me. ;)

I knew it! It is a new neck piece. And I figured out how Skrall's neck works. And Malum is so much win want want want!!!! :D

Okay, yeah, Malum wins. Gresh seems pretty cool too, although they ent into detail with his signature move. That's a little odd. I'm still a little peeved at stores in general. Lying over the phone. The shame. There still aren't any Glatorian out, despite what they say to me. :(

I'm with Bunda on this one... what's to misread?

So you want basically an Inika clone with gold and tan? I happen to agree with you, considering that the Inika were very critical to him. The Nuva were fine and all, but the Inika saved is life. So the least he could do is look like one. And I'm not so concerned about the launchers, because the most recent ones (Thornax and Nynrah) were great advances in the launcher technology. So I'm excited for Mata Nui. Really. :D

It seemed pretty clear to me. And an awesome insight into the lives of Glatorian. They are basically mercenaries hired by the tribes to fight each other in the arena. It's kinda cool that they are hired by the Agori. Okay I guess they might not be, but that would be too cool. :P And we now know that the Glatorian are special individuals, and the only ones we know are loyal are the Skrall. Sweet. :D And Mata Nui is tan (or yellow or brown or orange with possible gray accents)? More sweet! :D So so so so soooo eager for next year now. I think that is an awesome storyline base so far. :D

:| This is the lame part about new builds. It's gonna tear at me until I get the sets. :| No. It actually came from Trogdor, then Turaga Dor (Apparently I do have humor, at least on BZP). And now this. :)

Oh! That's right! I dunno if it's long enough, but it might work. That could easily be it. :)

... So much hate. ;) But that is how the armor is secured. Try looking at it and thinking critically. And build a model. I sensed something was amiss, so I built one myself. Seeing as the armor can only attach w/ one plus rod due to its location, the way it is secured is by the plus rod going into the last hole in the Inika torso. It's hard to explain but it works. :/ If I need to I can draw a picture.

It's probably just a mess up. People make mistakes. Although it would be interesting if they weren't individuals, and in fact all the members of a tribe all looked the same, but it would make it impossible to distinguish different characters.

I dunno if it would be leftovers from Mata Nui, necessarily. We don't have any definitive proof he was built there. And besides, there is no doubt some other way for them to build mechanical parts for themselves. So you admit to submitting to peer pressure??? :P D:< (this is my angry face)

*glances at topic title* ... *glances at past 10 posts* SERIOUSLY. I come to this topic to have (shocker) discussions about the 2009 sets and storyline. Only three of the last 10 posts have mentioned anything to do with 2009, and it didn't have any meaningful discussion. So if you guys wouldn't mind moving your discussion over which year of storyline was the best into a different topic, I would strongly suggest that you do. ANYWAYS: I am a bit concerned about Skrall. It seems he has no way of stabilizing his neck. D: I built his torso, and there was only one place that his neck could attach and it would not be stable. What is likely is that it is a CGI error and the neck piece has at least two empty peg holes that take up at least 3 studs length linearly. I think this is also likely looking at Tarix's second wrist piece, which seems to be long enough to pull that off. I'm not sure though. Looking at it in Paint, it is possible though. AGH. I cannot wait to see bigger CGI (hopefully) so I can figure it out!

Well apparently the website is telling the truth when it says they are available in stores. Just called my local Super Target and they say they'll be getting them next week. Either they are lying or I'm very happy. Hopefully that second one. Hopefully. :( Cool stuffs Bara Magna. However, none of this is truly new to me. The name bone hunters is the only thing we hadn't already guessed. :P

'Bout time! We finally get good pictures of the finals. :D Unfortunately, this didn't solve any questions for me, such as Skrall's Thornax launcher and how it is kept steady (I hope it's held steady somehow.) WEEEEEEE and those mysterious humanoid things are probably just tribe members, either Agori or Glatorian. However the bugs are definitely worth something. Assuming the Vorox one is a bug (which it probably is, seems to be the theme so far), we have now seen four. This is probably gonna relate to the desert thing.