ResIpsaLoquitur

Any signs of a Scooby Doo polybag out there in the wild? Given the size of the line, I'm surprised we haven't seen one.

I had no idea that was an Ewok village until you pointed that out. This whole time, I was thinking it was a cheesy three-legged table. Microscale: not everything works. Now if somebody could tell me what that black box with the trigger guns on it is supposed to be, I'll be happy.

Oh, heavens, yes. And the Day 23 build should be "Santa's" chair (modeled on the DS2 throne) instead of another silly lightsaber or rocket sled. And you should be able to put crying Ewoks in his lap.

Way too soon for this, but I wonder what 2016's Advent Calendar will bring. Rebels-themed? Or Episode VII-themed? Or more OT rehashes? I guess going with either Rebels or TFA would allow them to come up with some new mini-builds instead of slightly-upgrading the old ones (Falcon, Imperial Shuttle, Y-Wing, etc.).

Around here (US--DC/MD/VA area), the Advent Calendars appear on the shelves around Sept/Oct and then vanish by the week before Advent itself, typically before Thanksgiving. I think you have time if you need to hold off on the purchase, but definitely buy it by early November. The City one moves pretty quick, too. The only one that wasn't a big mover last year was the Friends one, which I thought was weird since the first one was a limited offering and the second sold pretty well.

I wonder if the Microfighters Ghost will basically be the Comic-Con Ghost with flick-fire missiles added. I know that it's rare that they duplicate Con exclusives, but they basically produced a few Microfighters before Microfighters was even a line. They had, what, Slave 1, Luke's Landspeeder, the Sith Infiltrator, and Jek-14's ship. Be nice if they just recreated those as Microfighters.

You know what? I'm really hoping some of the zombie parts make it into the Pick-a-Figure bin at the Lego Store someday. I don't normally like P-A-F, but I'd love to army build some zombies....

Found the DC Super Heroes Darkseid Invasion marked down to $45 US (marked down from $70) at Wal-Mart.

I got my Gallimimuses. I wonder if there's more JW sets coming, since the Gallimimus is a very weird item to make a polybag exclusive. I was also hoping there'd be an Owen polybag so I wouldn't have to pay full price for another Chris Pratt figure.

Well, I've got all my parts in now, so Ganrash is done. Of course, I don't know what the stupid golden blades are supposed to do when you finally get them. But that's a Ganrash problem, not Bricklink's. Also, I still don't have Draida Bay, so Ganrash is sort of attached to Waldurk Forest in this odd, misplaced location.

The thing about the Planet series is that it held the equivalent of a polybag ship, just with much fancier packaging, a minifigure, and a display platform. The Planet ships were approximately in the same scale as most poly-ships...and in one case (the X-Wing), actually duplicated a ship. To that extent, I miss the Planet series because it churned out poly-sized ships at a much faster rate than we normally get them (which is 2-3 per year). I haven't found the TIE Advanced yet, and who knows if the A-Wing will ever be released in the US. What we never got in the Planet series: - Geonosis (a Jango-colored Slave 1 to foil Obi-Wan's Starfighter would have been good) - Dagobah (the only option other than an X-Wing would be Yoda's escape pod from the deleted scene in Episode III with Yoda) - Utapau (Obi-Wan's Jedi Interceptor in his colors; throw in an Episode III clone or an Obi-Wan) - Kashyyk (lots of options here--I'd think a Wookiee craft with a Wookiee warrior) - Mustafar (Palpatine's landing craft with a Shock Trooper) - Death Star II (this one would be hard to do--maybe a painted version of the DSI planet. Ship could have been the Imperial Shuttle and an Imperial Officer). There were lots of planets we got glimpses of in Episode III as well: Cato Nemoidia, Felucia, Mygeeto, Selucemai, and Polis Massa. We saw so little of those worlds that I don't think they'd be worth a planet set compared to the "main" worlds of the films.

Thanks for the tips so far. Despite my pile of parts (much of which is from multiple trips to the PAB wall), I had surprisingly few pieces to go towards an accurate Ganrash. So here's how I did on orders: Order #1: [New] Pearl Gold Minifig, Weapon Knife (x2) ..... US $0.351 each = US $0.702 [New] Reddish Brown Brick, Round 1 x 1 Open Stud (x3) ..... US $0.039 each = US $0.117 [New] Reddish Brown Plate, Round 1 x 1 Straight Side (x8) ..... US $0.0325 each = US $0.26 [New] Tan Plate 4 x 8 (x2) ..... US $0.2015 each = US $0.403 [New] Tan Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud in Center (Jumper) (x2) ..... US $0.1235 each = US $0.247 [New] Trans-Orange Brick 1 x 1 (x1) ..... US $0.0845 each = US $0.0845 + 2.75 shipping Total = $4.57 Order #2: Cone 4 x 4 x 2 with axel hole (1) $0.48 Antenna 1 x 4 flat top (1) $0.28 Dish 3 x 3 inverted (1) $0.48 + $3.50 shipping = $4.31 Order #3: [New] Green Slope 75 2 x 2 x 2 Quadruple Convex (x1) ..... US $0.715 each = US $0.715 [New] Reddish Brown Slope 45 2 x 1 Triple - with Inside Bar (x2) ..... US $0.40 each = US $0.80 (This order's a bit hard to calculate, as I had to order a bunch of other parts to meet the minimum order price.) Order #4: [used] Microfig Heroica Goblin Guardian (x1) ..... US $0.25 each = US $0.25 [used] Microfig Heroica Goblin Warrior (x1) ..... US $0.25 each = US $0.25 [New] Black Dish 2 x 2 Inverted (Radar) (x1) ..... US $0.07 each = US $0.07 [New] Dark Azure Plate 2 x 6 (x2) ..... US $0.19 each = US $0.38 [New] Dark Bluish Gray Tile, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip (x2) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.10 [New] Dark Tan Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud in Center (Jumper) (x2) ..... US $0.13 each = US $0.26 [New] Green Dish 2 x 2 Inverted (Radar) (x1) ..... US $0.21 each = US $0.21 [New] Green Plate, Round 2 x 2 with Axle Hole (x2) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.10 [New] Light Bluish Gray Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Clip on Top (x2) ..... US $0.04 each = US $0.08 [New] Light Bluish Gray Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with Handle on Side - Closed Ends (x1) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.05 [New] Red Flag 4 x 1 Wave (x1) ..... US $0.07 each = US $0.07 [used] Red Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud in Center (Jumper) (x1) ..... US $0.11 each = US $0.11 [New] Reddish Brown Cone 1 x 1 with Top Groove (x2) ..... US $0.04 each = US $0.08 [New] Reddish Brown Plate 2 x 2 (x2) ..... US $0.04 each = US $0.08 [New] Reddish Brown Plate, Modified 2 x 2 with Groove and 1 Stud in Center (Jumper) (x2) ..... US $0.14 each = US $0.28 [New] White Barb Small (Helmet Horn) (x2) ..... US $0.05 each = US $0.10 + Shipping ($2.58) = $5.05 So it looks like I spent approximately $15 piecing together that set, plus whatever the shipping cost was on that last order where I had to get a bunch of extra parts. Looking on eBay, I see that Ganrash goes FOR $26-30, so I think I did better...but yeah, paying for shipping four times definitely hit me hard. I certainly did best on that one order where I got a bunch of parts for a very reasonable price, shipping included. Also, I guess it pays to pay attention--I hadn't realized that three of the parts I ordered were used. They look fine to me, though--if they're used in any meaningful way, I really can't tell.

So I decided to Bricklink the parts for a Ganrash set to complete my Heroica board. (Yes, I could have just ordered a complete set, but it's rare and I thought it would be easier to order the individual parts.) Ganrash is a 55-piece polybag, so I thought between my spare pieces and 1 or 2 orders, I'd be able to order everything. It actually took me 4 orders, for 55 pieces. My first two orders covered most of the parts, but then I got down to individual specific pieces that I needed, and I just couldn't find an individual seller who had all the parts in one lump for me. The last order I placed was for some pretty specific pieces, like the 1 x 2 red-brown triple-slope bricks which apparently only exist in 7 sets. It was also from a seller who had an $8.00 minimum, so I had to order a few other parts that I really didn't need at the moment in order to reach the minimum. Anyway, once my last order comes in, I'll have a complete Ganrash, but this was a really frustrating process for a polybag's worth of parts. I can't imagine what it'd be like if I needed to Bricklink the parts for a much larger set. Does anyone have any tips on how to make this process easier?

Anhyone mention yet that TRU is doing another freebie Star Wars build on the 2nd? It's a Rebels Wookiee Gunship. (Unrelatedly, it's also Free Comic Book Day, so go get some free comics and then head to TRU for free Lego.)

I bought a pair of Elsa's Sparkling Ice Castle. I'm not as big of a spender as you guys, but an $80 purchase got me 160 points, so now I have $10 which I can use to get my daughter into next month's Club meeting for free.

Hate to resurrect an old thread, but I just found two MBA kits--Level One, Part II (robots and microbuilds) and Level Three (storyteller) on clearance at a local toy shop. I'm not bringing this up as a "find" so much as to point out that some of the MBA kits are still floating around out there, so there's still a minute chance to get into these. Small chance. I really do like this concept--I got my daughter to do the Space Designer a few weeks ago, and I think she really needs a kit that will teach her how to put thought and structure into her designs. I suppose there's also the Brickmaster sets out there--still plenty of those in bookstores--but those aren't really designed as teaching tools, but more as samplers with multiple alernate builds. Plus, I really like the MBA books. I'm really sad that I likely won't find MBA Level Two for a reasonable price at this point. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll find someone who's selling just the manuals so at least we can have a complete bookshelf.

I have vague plans to the extent that I'd like to build more AC-compatible stuff, particuarly since the ACs will probably be focused on TFA after this year. I want more microbuilds--I'd particularly like to build a B-Wing if I can figure out how to pull it off in microscale. I'm not sure what else there is to mod from the prior calendars. 2011's came with a walker for Nute Gunray which was spot-on. I don't remember 2012 having anything. 2013 had Jango's sled, but it didn't resemble anything so I really can't mod something from nothing. And this year has...something pretty lousy, which again, I don't think is worth modding. Do you have any requests?

Call me crazy, but I actually liked last year's Advent Speeder Bike. Compared to 2013's Jango Rocket Sled and this year's upcoming sled (I won't spoil it, but trust me, it sucks), the Speeder Bike was cute and very Star Wars-y. Still, I admit it lacks some accuracy. So here's a quick fix. You need: - One 2 x 2 black plate - One 2 x 2 black plate with axles - One 4 x 4 reddish brown plate - Two light bley bent droid arms - Two light bley nozzles - Two reddish brown cheese slopes.M Modify as seen below. There. I think this gets it much more film-accurate while still retaining that chibi-look. If you didn't disassemble your AC speeder for parts, I think you'll be much happier with these mods. Hope it helps.

Anybody notice a lack of Microfighters? I guess they're done now?

So, Advent Calendar...let's see what we got: - Stormtrooper: Hooray! I think he's the only white-armored character yet to appear in an AC. (We've had Phase I and II clones, two Snowtroopers, and a Scout Trooper. No Stormies.) - Endor weapons rack: Meh. I guess it could work in an Endor vignette. - Endor table. Meh. - Ewok: Good. That's another one that's been screaming "army builder" for awhile. - Endor catapult: Oh, fer...I'm pretty sure this is the third catapult to appear in an AC. - Hoth nipple cannon: Cute representation. I'm iffy about them making micro buildings as opposed to vehicles, but this works. - AT-AT: Wow. Much improved over the 2012 version. - Hoth Rebel Trooper: Looks a lot whiter than previous versions. I guess if we're getting a UCS Echo Base he could make a nice supplement. - Probe Droid: Cute, but smaller than the Minifig-scale version. Would it have been too hard to put a "real" Probe Droid in the AC? - Hoth weapons rack: Meh. Throw it in the spare parts pile. - A Wing: WOW! Again, much improved over the 2011 version. - Millennium Falcon: Close to the 2011 version, but nicely tweaked. - Star Destroyer: Hmmm...I don't think it looks much better than the one we got in 2012. - IG-88: WOW! I'm surprised we're getting him outside of a regular set. Wish he had some printing on his head. - Weapons rack: Meh. - Another weapons rack: Again, meh. - Sarlaac Pit: Hah...he actually looks kind of cute. Not great for minifigure play, but cute. - Jabba's Barge: Wow. It vaguely captures the shape, but it's so small that I wish they hadn't bothered and made a T-16 instead. - Sandcrawler: Doesn't look quite right. I appreciate the effort, but it loses some of the box shape the real one has. - Jawa: Much needed--I don't own any Jawas and I'm not sure any were ever made outside the two giant Sandcrawler sets. I wish he came with a present to represent that one Lucasfilm Christmas Card. - Droid: I'm too lazy to look up his name, but he's cute and accurate. - R2-Reindeer: It's a regular R2, but with bonus antlers. (No idea where that piece comes from.) If you need an updated R2, this is it--just take the antlers off. - Sled: I can't...I don't even know what this is. It looks pretty simple. At least last year, Vader came with a chibi-looking Endor bike. I don't know what this is. I wish they'd made an effort to capture an iconic vehicle...maybe R2 and 3PO's escape pod. - Santa-3PO: He's cute. I probably won't bother putting the beard on mine. If you need printed 3PO legs, this is your chance. (Note that this is the first "good" Santa we've had in three years.) Also interesting: this is an entirely OT calendar. No PT in here, unless you want to count R2, 3PO, and the Jawa (yeah, there were Jawas in Episode I). So it's a buy for me, but man, the excess of weapons racks is killing me. Last year had, what, only one or two? It's like they're making up for lost time this year.

I'm hoping we get a Tusken in the Advent Calendar. It's always a good dumping ground for army builders and it sounds like it might be Tatooine themed.

I would like a Krampus Wampa myself, but I doubt we'll get a bigfig in an AC, and also, too few Americans know who Krampus is.

Well, 3PO at least has new printing. Besides, the pair seems to be based on that old Lucasfilm Christmas Card.

Love the Santa 3PO, though I'll probably just display him without his beard. I have last year's Santa Clone wearing his helmet with the Santa hat in my spare parts bag. Maybe I'll stick the hat and beard on Lobot to be cute. Wish I knew what the rest of the AC is going to be. I don't buy many Star Wars sets during the year, and the Calendar is a great way to get some army builders. Anyone know what minifigs it includes?

I picked up Ezra's Speeder Bike just so I could get the Sabine figure. *Sob* She could have been so much better if they'd just put more orange in her hair...and gave her a helmet...