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No problem, I did understand that you wanted them in black, and not just move around with the colours. Generally I just decide on a color scheme (2 or maybe even 3 colours) and then go ahead and combine them without much thought, often dictated by which parts I have in a specific colour.

Well I can't run away from the fact that I think in mocs as something that should only include legal builds from a LEGO Design Lab point of view. I definately also want my mocs to be stable, and although this build would probably not pass some people's stability criteria, it is able to stand on one leg. In my eyes the panels give the character a kind of fashion look, but I see your point. Yes the launchers results in very bulky underarms, and I guess I should have gone for some kind of custom built hands. The lime-green AV-Matoran arms connect the Matoran torso (pelvis) with black AV-Matoran arms. I guess a simple solution would be to swap the black and lime-greem arms. These two black and well hidden AV-Matoran arms, have the ball cup connected to the lime-green arm, while the black ball is the shoulder joint. Thank you for comments. I got another Titan sized moc I will show later.

Another moc I've made, quite small but this might be my favorite. Although it may look like a set that could be official, it does contain some neat building tricks that probably is not ok for the age group. It has a unique way of connecting the two double-angled technic beams with Rahkshi Chest Section to form the torso that can hold the three spine spikes at the back. The top of the three spines form the connection between the double-angled beams and the Rahkshi Chest Section, so it's kind of three elements forming a triangle. I aimed at making a creature true to the original look and feel of the 2003 Rahkshi, but off course there are no gears in this set. I might end up making this one in more colour versions, if I have the parts needed. Comments, critics, and questions are welcome. Front

Waiting for the Heroes to arrive, I thought it would be a good idea to show some mocs I've done. First is a fairly old one which has stood against the passing of time. A main feature of this Titan is the connection between the pelvis and the breast region, done by three ball-joint linkages. This enables the Titan to rotate and bend in the torso. The hip region is reinforced with additional linkage much like the Tuma set. The shoulders are with double linkage too, but a bit different than what is seen in official sets. Spike ball shooters are underneath each lower arm. I've used regular hands, although they may be slightly too small for a character this size. In the right picture below the torso is twisted at a maximum. The two swords on the back are connected to the two outer linkages that connect pelvis and breast. That is why the swords point in strange directions when the torso twists. The torso can bend quite a bit forward and backward, but not shown in any picture though. The mask was the fourth I engineered back in 2007, after the two orange masks and the blue silver Vamprah mask. I really like the speedy appearence of this Axalara mask. Hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to critizise my moc or ask questions.

I quite often have sets in advance, but are certainly not allowed to talk about them But to original question, some distributors put out sets quite early, and they may be put out in stores quickly.

You can write whatever you like on the box of the toy you wanna sell. No warning or anything is gonna save you from making sure the product inside conforms with the safety regulations required. Or you can produce a toy that does not conform with regulations, and off course you are free to sell it, in as high a quantity as you want, as long as it is not on planet earth.

I will "review" (= present) one of the larger sets when they hit the streets. It might be a set with wings. I've already prepared a surprise.

If my favorite themes were defined by which I would least like to see disappear from the product line-up, it would be: 1: Technic, more specifically Technic construction vehicles. 2: City 3: Hero Factory or Castle I forgot Creator, including the AFOL targeted Exclusive sets. The will make it into number 2 spot. City down to 3 then.

Yes, some of the soft material "bricks" may have shafts that has a slightly too tight fit in minifigure hands (and other clips). These same shafts does fit in cross holes, and here there has been issues with a too lose fit (as many of you probably have noticed), that results in small stuff falling off constantly. Could the compromise be better ? Maybe. Demands and regulations on toys has evolved in the last few years. This does have effects on how the individual parts can be designed.

Do you really think LEGO use soft materials because it id cheaper than ABS or other harder material ? This is not the case. Materials are selected to make the element safe for kids and to meet the safety regulation demanded by the authorities in e.g. USA, Europe etc. A lot of "minifigure tools" simply can't be designed in ABS. They will not meet safety regulations.

Copmike will have to spend several days occupied with sorting all these great inputs on possible figures. That will learn him to think twice before asking AFOL what they want. I will pass on this, my suggestion are too bizarre

Classic cruelty. don't come much better. Nice Mech and scenes, thank you.

8078 on Brickset You are kind of right. Anyway, it's a toy, it's meant for kids playing with it, and kids have enough imagination to not bother with silly details about what a diver can do and what he can't. And if something in the set does not suit the kids play, the kid will just invent new rules or features. It's like complaining about the 2009 City Garage not having a roof. A kid can't play with a crane if it's blocked by a roof. So a roof is a no-go. 7642 on Brickset We are adult, please rebuilt the set to something that suits your need. It can't be that difficult can it. Either: it's too small, it lack this and that..... or: it's too expensive, over prized.....

I've gone and submitted a mission. I hope the HF guys take it seriously.

Brickset say I have 900+ minifigures, but the Atlantis minifigures are the coolest I got. Don't know why, I just love them. Awesome review of this big set. Your pictures are excellent.

Brickset removed the first blurry picture on request. Not that it matters, when it's out, it's out. I don't blame anyone at EB for keeping a picture posted, even when requested to remove it. It does not make any sense to remove a picture. I don't know the particular history, but this new set has obviously been shared with some AFOL before the presentations. This happens with a lot of sets. If someone leaks something, it's hurting the relation between the AFOL community and TLG. If you want to believe TLG released a blurry picture a day before releasing high quality pictures, then do so. It may or may not be the case. That is my personal view on the matter.

Isn't it just disgusting that somebody need to reveal pictures of this new set, a day or two before LUGs are joined by LEGO employees in the presentation of it. Somebody obviously is not able to keep a secret.

If the community ever wants to persuade TLG to release a particular set, don't pick a theme that is on its way out, but pick a theme that's on its way in, like Atlantis.

Nice detailed review. I like the animals in the Creator theme, they are some of the Lego sets with the best value. Haven't seen this smaller one though, but your review does make it look great.

Could it be that Lego with this did not target you but the consumers that have space and money ? You wanted something like set #1682 ? Do you realise how stupid it would look if a set like that was released today ? A set like that would never sell.

It's much easier. Just look at the element number on both wheels :-)

There is a difference between not having control of the color quality of the plastic used and using a different material. It is NOT cheaper material.

Went to our cantina for lunch, and here the basket scene was on a A2 sized poster.

There is absolutely every reason to believe that there are living life forms on other planets. I think science are a few years away from realizing that birth of life forms on a planet and consequent evolution is a very natural process. And there are several, if not to say and incredible amount of planets in our finite universe. Distance and time is the thing that makes it highly unlikely if not impossible to have any form of two-directional communication between us and another far away planet. ..... The aliens in SP III does make one doubt about the reasoning in the statements above, and be slightly filled with fear if not panic for a moment .

I guess you should have written this in the Hero Factory sticky topic instead. Anyway, strap yourself in, be alert, Hero Factory is taking off big time. I guess