Mega Bloks UNSC Attack Gausshog

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 20 minutes sorting, 45 minutes build (your time may vary)
Set Piece Count: 229
Minifigs: Master Chief (with painted cracked helmet); Halo 5 Gold Arbiter
Weapons: Assault Rifle, Energy Sword
Accessories: N/A
Special Features: Rotating/Pivoting Gauss cannon, wheels spin
Cost: $25 (US)

And on with the pics! (Click pics to make BIGGER)

The box has a cool action scene on it. Note that this first release of this gauchos has the REQ pack sticker on it. It is unknown if future releases of this same set will happen and if they will also include the REQ pack cards with them.

Below are the contents of the box. Note again the REQ card.

The pieces all sorted out. Colors of pieces are mostly black, grey and bits of gold.

Okay, let’s get into the build. The chassis is a little different this time around from previous Warthogs. Gone are the long bloks with the holes through them. Instead, those are replaced with small 2×1 bloks with one hole in them, 2×2 bloks, and ‘L’ shape 1×4 tiles (in gold). The mid pic here shows a distinct difference between the suspension of previous variants of the Hog. Notice the small curving pieces on top of the mid pic assembly? Those act as the suspension, essentially slight ‘springs’ if you will. It’s quite nice when the model is fully built.

Also, and this was a little more important to me, the pins (seen at mid in gold and light grey) are EASY to slip into the 1×4 bloks with holes in them. This differs GREATLY from previous versions in that those always seem to be a little tough to put in. In fact this was the step I dreaded the most as it usually hurt my fingers a little trying to press those pins in.

Not this time! Again, they went in smoothly! I’m glad that MEGA has finally resolved that small issue. I’d expect any future Hog releases to have this new suspension system in them.

The lowest pic in the above 3 shows the suspension in pace along with a little bit of the body of the hog itself.

Now here we see the bulk of the body being assembled. The black pieces are very nearly the same in kind and building process that previous Hog models had. So these steps will be very familiar to you, if you have bought and built other hogs in the past. The seats are curious a light brown/mustard color. I think this is the first time we’ve had seats in this color.

Next up the Gauss cannon itself is built and the wheels are about to be added on. 

And here is the completed model. Pretty snazzy looking. I’m a bit partial to the colors as Black and Gold are the colors of my city’s (Pittsburgh) sports teams. Also, if you were fortunate enough to get the Halofest Warthog (released in 2010) this will go quite well with that set. I’ll have to find that set in amongst my sets that are packed away at the moment and take a side by side pic. 

Here are the pieces left over, that I had. (Your pieces left over may vary)

Next, let’s look at the figures. (Be sure to click on the pic to make bigger!) This version of Master Chief has a deep green coloration to it. I think this is the darkest to date, though I would have to check this against the Master Chief figure released at TRU in the single pack previously to be certain.

Additionally, Chief’s visor has a painted on cracked look to it. This is a first and replicates the look first seen in the 2013 E3 teaser trailer for Halo 5 Guardians. 

Ah, now we come to what I consider the best part of the set. The Arbiter. I do love Chief, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that this is the first time (outside of the SDCC exclusive set) that we get to have the Arbiter in his Halo 5 armor. It’s a very cool design. He looks both more regal AND menacing. Not to mention, this is a super articulated Arbiter, so he’s taller than Chief, as he should be. The only issue I have is the flesh color. The Arbiter’s skin tone is dark. Definitely not this tan color. It does look out of place too against the rest of figure. I may paint the arm and head to better match the in-game color.

And one final action shot! Ready for battle!!!!

Summary: The set has a short build time and can easily be done in one sitting. Only the second black warthog version to date. One of a rare few sets to have only named characters in it.

Overall Rating: I give this set 9.75 out for 10 medals. This set has good value at $25. Having two named characters gives this set a boost, not to mention the specific armor of the Arbiter, which likely won’t be done in too many variant colors (there is a known active came version coming soon).

Why did I give it a 9.75 out of 10?
• The only shortcoming of the set is the flesh color of the left arm of the Arbiter as it’s not correct to the in-game version. Other than that, it’s a stellar set and a very unique one to boot.

Do I recommend it?  YES The new armored Arbiter is really a prize to be had!

If you have any questions about this set that I didn’t cover in the review, please do not hesitate to ask me. Either reply below or e-mail me at [email protected]

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think of the review. If you get this set yourself, please let me know your thoughts on it too!

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-Sal