Walter Kovacs

I keep a very accurate accounting of my collection in an Excel spreadsheet (Access is better suited, but I don't own or have access to the program). I've even split it up into pieces that are part of official sets and general MOCing parts. Right now I am trying to associate an average BL price to every part in the table. This is a very slow process, so I'm not even close to finishing it yet. You might be wondering why. Well, I do all of my MOCing as a MLCad model first, and I don't bother to check whether I have the actual piece (or the correct color) when designing. So when I'm done, I can generate a parts list, drop it into my spreadsheet, do a little Exel magic and poof: It will tell me how many pieces I already own, how many I am going to have to steal from my system sets and, when I get my price info added, about how much it is going to cost me to buy the missing parts off of BL.

From what I've read so far (and I certainly am no expert on the Bionicle story; I've been reading the novelizations to my son, and we are only up to the middle of the Toa Metru Arcs), I would say the Piraka. They are the only enemies to give the Toa Nuva a thorough megablocks-whoopin, and their story arc seemed to last longer than others (not that I've read the books or comics). As for sets, I'm partial to the Phantoka/Mistika Brotherhood of Makuta sets. But that is when I started to collect Bionicle, so my opinions might be skewed a bit. I never did like the Mistika/Phantoka Toa Nuva, though. And for a runner up, I think the Rahkshi sets are fantastic as well. If you couldn't tell, I like the bad guys a bit more than the goody two-shoes types.

I can't tell if that Republic symbol is a STAMP across two arches, or two separate stickers, one for each arch. In all honesty, I'd rather it be a STAMP, as lining up two stickers is going to be TOUGH. And I never take my UCS sets apart, so a STAMP isn't much of an issue in that case. Keep in mind there will be a similar sticker on the other side as well. Overall I think the Delta-7 looks fantastic. We finally have a JSF where the wings sections aren't a mere 1-2 plates thick, like every MF version thusfar. If it weren't so overpriced, I'd snap this up in a heartbeat. As it stands, I'll think about it really hard. And then snap one up.

Another great review Inky. i have to parrot what everyone else has already said. The wings are a subtle improvment over the first version, the connection between the tail fin and the main hull is definite improvement (especially the rear facing lazer cannon), and the rest is a bit blah. I wonder if your rankings would have been better if there were no original version to compare it to. Except for the engines (which are close to hideous), the rest of the model looks pretty good, at least to my eyes. I feel sorry for those who can't get this set from Brickmaster. You could always buy the parts off of Bricklink. Should be close to $6 US, not including shipping, as there aren't many exotic parts in it. You wouldn't get the satisfaction of opening it new, but you'd still be able to display it.

Right now I only collect two themes: Star Wars and Bionicle. I have a complete collection of UFO and Exploriens, so I'm not sure if they count, since I don't need to collect them anymore. Eventually I will finish off my Exo-Force collection, but right now SW takes all of my collecting money. If I had enough spare cash, I would collect the Castle, Pirate, Harry Potter and Classic Space themes (including all of the subthemes). But that is mere idle speculation at this point.

Mine is this Scala set that I had never seen before today. I suppose my daughter might like it...

They are more versatile than you think. I used This Torso and This Connector to make a good hexagonal hull in two of my UCS TIE variants. The only problem was that the color choice wasn't great (I had to use white instead of one of the grays). i suggested this in the Star Wars contest forum (Watto's Junkyard) and it only garnered a lukewarm response. I think it's a great idea. I'd especially like to see uses of this piece prominently displayed

I find MLCad far superior. That way you don't have any part restrictions based on what LEGO currently has available. Although this sort of freedom can go the other way. I have specified part/color combinations in MOCs that LEGO has never produced, so care does have to be taken. That's not a tease. It's expected I can't wait to see your take on this unique TIE. I will do my own version after I finish a design for the standard TIE Fighter. Right now I'm in a designing lull.

I didn't think the fact that the windscreen was a single piece was ever in question. It looks to be a 2 x 12 x 4 windscreen. What people were worried about was that the entire cockpit section was one big BPP, and that certainly is NOT true. I'm sure some enterprising MOCers can make use of a large windscreen.

While not necessarily Star Wars-y, I've always thought that a contest based around utilizing hard to use pieces would be fun. My idea is to assemble a list of 20-25 parts, and stipulate that the MOC must use at least 5 of the parts on the list. The parts must be photographable on the final model - no fair burying them in the interior where no one can verify that they are there. When I say hard to use parts, I'm thinking about things like the rubber band holders, not huge pieces like these massive panels (although that could be fun, too ).

2500 pieces for $260 US sounds like a very good parts to price ratio to me. Especially with how far off the mythical $0.10/part ratio the recent sets have been. UCS sets have always been large and expensive. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. But the price is more than fair. And to re-iterate what I said a few days ago: ME WANT!!!

Fantastic review, ZO6. For some reason I ranked the UCS Death Star II over this set while both were available on S@H. I received the DS II as a gift, but I am still missing an ISD in my collection. Now I wonder what the hell I was thinking. (Not that I don't love my DS II; I do, but DAMN!) The ISD is just absolutely gorgeous. And if you ever need to learn how to greeble, just flip through the instructions on the set. You'll get plenty of pointers. I know I've drawn plenty of inspiration, even if I don't own the set.

I've been following this game since chapter 4, and I have been enjoying every post. I've been trying to go over the clues and figure out who the killer is, much like the players are probably doing. I have a question about these mystery games. Does the player playing the killer know he or she is the killer? For instance, if Jack Baxter were the killer (he's not; he's been half the man he used to be for three chapters), would Jim Butcher know it? It makes a difference if you have to scrutinize everything a player has said, or only what Hinckley has written (or shown) about a character. There's also the possibility that Hinckley has PMed certain things that a player should add into the conversation. I'd imagine Penny's twiddling with her locket came from Hinckley originally. Or I could be wrong.

Ooh! I'd love to sign up! 1) What is your experience with mafia games, here and elsewhere? My only experience actually playing in a mafia game was Shadows sadistic PoP kill-fest. I managed to survive until the final day. Other than that, I've recently followed both Imperial Soldier's and Dystopia from the sidelines. 2) What is your relationship with the Harry Potter -franchise? I've read all seven of the books and own all six of the DVDs. I also own 6 of the LEGO Harry Potter sets, if that helps any.

Anyone get the feeling that these two might be tied at the end of a sudden death overtime period? This duel has been, and continues to be, epic.

Wait a minute. For years AFOLs have been clamoring for a true, minifig scale shuttle. Now it looks like we are getting one ( ), and you want to complain that it's too big? For that matter, since when is any LEGO set too big, anyway.

That question was answered before...

That shuttle is pure win. It is by far the best set in the fall line-up. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go take out a second mortgage to pay for it.

Very nice, Siegfried. Now I want both 10186 AND a Tonberry plush. For those that don't know, Tonberry was an enemy that first appeared in the video game Final Fantasy VI (though they were called Pug in that game) and have appeared in every Final Fantasy game since.

I'm working on an UCS AT-ST review right now. I have about half the pictures taken for it. I just haven't found the time to finish it off.

Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be first come, first served. But there are going to be well over 24 players wanting to get in. The competition for slots is going to be fierce.

Exactly

It seems like an awful lot of people are looking forward to this Hogwart's Mafia. 24 spots are going to fill up quick. Maybe it should be 52, like the PoP free for all.

Excellent MOC, Joebot. Don't put yourself down, the exterior isn't that bad. Not every building can be an architectural wonder. The equipment inside is simply incredible. I just wonder what that guy on the chin-up bar is thinking in the background of the stationary bike pictures.

Very well done, Rook. Looks much better than the original. Do the legs fold up so that the wheel can roll?