Author Archives: Sal

About Sal

I’ve got tons of experience with Halo gaming and collecting. I feel I have something to offer to the greater Halo fan community. Posts along the way will be about tips and tricks in the games as well as collecting and many more Halo related things. I’ll also repost interesting articles from the official site, Halowaypoint.com, or from fellow Halo fan sites. As I continue this blog, I hope to help gamers who want advice on the games, as well as any collectors with regards to where to find collectibles as well as deals, coupons and so on. You can also follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/HaloFanForLife or Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/halofanforlife11. Welcome to my blog and I hope you’ll come back again and again. -Sal

20 figure Special Edition Halo Mega Bloks figure set (for $30!!!)

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MB grey logo

Glad to finally know what’s in this set. There are some definite gems in there that make the set WORTH the $30 sale price, IMO.

Here are some product shots found on eBay of this set:

20 MB figs front box

20 MB figs back box20 MB figs close upIn my opinion, this is a great set for several reasons.
• A ton of figures for a great price
• Army builders galore
• Previously released figures in NEW team colors
• Previously released figures sought after

Now about the price, it’s been said that it’s really $50, but on ‘Black Friday’ there will be a sale of it for $30. Even at $50 for the amount of figures and accessories plus bloks, makes this worth it.

With there being several grunts, elites and brutes, not to mention a couple of ODSTs, it’s a great deal for army builders.

The Cyan color Covenant figures have never been done in that color before. In fact Cyan is one of the lesser used colors in Mega Bloks repertoire of Halo minifigs. Yes, they aren’t game accurate for the FPS games, but come on, these are TOYS!

Some figures like the steel colored Spartans are sought after. Others like the Translucent Cyan Brute and Translucent Green CQB are great for guys like me who like translucent figs.

The green spartans are also cool as the represent the original color of the Mjolnir armor. I’m totally diggin’ that Green Recon!!!

One last thing to note is that we’re getting some great tiles with multiplayer emblems on them.

Now I can only HOPE that MEGA will make one with my gaming group’s symbol on it:
HFFL Emblem

For a further breakdown of the figures I’m going to use part of a post from a local Halo Mega Bloks collector, reader of the blog and friend, “W2daERN“:

Re-releases: 
Orange Grunt (Series 6)
Orange Spec-ops Grunt (Shade Turret)
Copper ODST (ODST Hawk)
Green CQB (TRU Dream Team)
Green Flame Marine (Various, weapon from dream team)
Green EVA (EVA’s Last Stand)
Silver ODST (ODST Battle Unit)

New Figures: 
Orange Elite Commando
Cyan Grunt
Cyan Spec-ops Grunt
Cyan Jump-Pack Brute
Cyan Brute
AC-Blue Jump-Pack Brute
Orange Elite Flight
Orange Combat Elite
Black EOD
Black Scout
Black Security
AC-Green CQB
Green Recon

Again folks, this is a GREAT deal, especially for those of you who collect Mega Bloks.

-Sal

Oh yeah, the previous Color Me this???

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I posted this graphic last week. It’s the alternate cover for Halo Initiation #1.

HALO.INIT001_VARCOV_INKS_RachelDODSON

Along the way, I posted my progression of coloring this, while showing the original artist’s inkings:

Orig-Fri-Sat-Mon-Wed-Artist

halo_initiation__1_variant_cover_final_by_terrydodson-d6j8pm7

Here is what I came up with as the finished recolored piece:

Halo Initiation 1 variant BIG v7
I knew when I went to recolor this that I wanted to make this a night time setting instead. I’m pretty happy with the outcome. Hopefully that shows that you do not need to rush art as I took my time over the course of a week to finish this.

Let me know what you think of it.

-Sal

 

Color Me This: Boba Fett VS Master Chief

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Here’s a rare chance to mix Halo up with another fantastic Sci-Fi franchise. Star Wars was my first ‘love’ when it comes to sci-fi. So when I saw this on Pinterest the other day, I knew it was going to become the latest ‘Color Me This’ project.

Boba Fett vs Master Chief

Your mission, download and color this in, then send back to me.

Send back as a jpg file only, do not add anything vulgar as it will not be published. Submissions to be sent to sal@halofanforlife.com

-Sal

New ‘Holiday’ ODST drop pods from Mega Bloks?

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Fellow Halo Mega Bloks collector ‘Vanocean’ found these.

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It looks like these drop pods are more of a two-piece mold, so as to be used as part of the packaging. Notice there is no extra paint detail with any of them. Also, the current drop pods wouldn’t be able to be used as packaging given their multi-piece design.

I’m liking these. Looks like you get a fig, weapon, blok and of course the drop pod package. I’m curious if these will be out for the holidays. Would make sense. And besides, if you’re like me, you’ll use the drop pods for a Halo themed Christmas tree. I only with the one that came with the green ODST was bright green as the red one is bright also.

Another cool thing to note is that it looks like the ODSTs have a teeth mark paint app on their helmets. VERY cool!

Not sure on the price, but I’ll venture a guess of $5-6. Normally a blind pack fig is $3 and that comes with a weapon and stand. This having the drop pod, even if a one or two-piece thing would add the couple bucks more.

-Sal

 

IGN interviews the voice of Master Chief, Steve Downes!

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IGN posted the “Podcast Unlocked Episode 117”. How befitting it is that they have Steve Downes, voice of Master Chief on the show. Okay, if you only want to here the interview, snap to 35 minutes in. (And honestly, I suggest that as what comes before is not pertinent to Halo and somewhat boring other than Naomi Kyle’s sweet voice…)

Take a listen:

      Podcast_Unlocked_Episode_117

Or download and listen to later here: Podcast_Unlocked_Episode_117 

If anything, it’s just extremely cool to here ‘Master Chief’ is a casual mode.

-Sal

New Halo finds on Pinterest!

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Every week I check out Pinterest.com for Halo art to repin there and share here,

Here are this week’s finds! (Click on each to make bigger)

Pay special attention to that last one of Boba Fett vs Master Chief. That one is going to be the next “Color Me This” contest artwork, so you can get an early jump on it now if you want to!

Check out my pinterest page here! Please do as you can find who the artists are of such cool Halo works of art. And if you like their stuff, let them know!

As always, you can check out my pinterest page through the link on the right side as well on the homepage.

-Sal

Color Me This: Halo Initiation # 1 Alternate cover Almost done!

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Well, I didn’t have anyone submit a re colorization of this, and that’s okay. I worked on this on Wednesday and had meant to post it yesterday but had a bad day… So I let it slide for a day.

Here is the rendering now with added color shading/highlighting.

To read the progression of this the pic shows from left to right top to bottom:

Original artwork, Friday’s progression-some color added, Saturday’s Progression-a lot more color added;
Monday’s Progression-color added to hammer, brute’s chest and arms, Wednesday’s Progression-color added to blood spatter, highlights and shadows added to both Palmer and Brute, Actual Artist’s inking.

Orig-Fri-Sat-Mon-Wed-ArtistI’ll add some more lighting and a background sometime this weekend and show the final I came up with, compared to the actual artist’s inkings.

-Sal

 

Spirit of Fire podcast #7 What’s good in Halo 4.

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Spirit of Fire Podcast LOGO_R-sm
After a couple of shows where we’ve expressed our displeasure with some aspects of Halo 4, I thought it only fitting that we had a show that discusses things we LIKE about the Halo 4. I’m joined by my co-hosts, Zach and Martin for this one.

Have a listen here.

      SoF 10-16-13

Or right click/download here.

SoF 10-16-13

In this episode you’ll here about the following (with links to certain topics if you want to follow along that way as well):

The Week in Halo
• McFarlane reveals the Halo 4 Master Chief Statue will go on sale December 6. https://halofanforlife.com/?p=11095 ; https://halofanforlife.com/?p=11141
• Halo Initiation #3 is out. Last in the 3 part mini-series leading up to Spartan Assault. https://halofanforlife.com/?p=11101
• Halo Bulletin: https://halofanforlife.com/?p=11108
– Majestic is no longer needed for Team Slayer!
-Oddball replaces King of the Hill. Has ‘Stickyball’ variant gametype sticky det/sticky nades
-Team Throwdown gets the v5 settings (give list of gametypes/maps)
-Interview with Ghostayame
– Screenshot Spotlight – Forge I like “Jurassic Park 4 Rampage”,  Pillar of Autumn, Risen
• New York Comicon has Halo presence. Frank O’Conner signs Mega Bloks Mammoth poster Panel discussions, giveaways
• AGL switches to Halo 3 for their next tournament: https://halofanforlife.com/?p=11169

Blog specific news:
• Various Halo Artwork shown on blog and put on HFFL’s Pinterest page. Specifically a great vertical timeline: https://halofanforlife.com/?p=11132
• Color me this: Halo Initiation #1 variant artwork. Several blog posts showing the original black and white art, the artists final render and my progression of the piece.
• Upcoming multi/simulcast with PGCR (Post Game Carnage Report) Various Halo community people as panel of guests. Expected to be a LONG podcast. 3-4 hours.

What is good in Halo 4?
Campaign – Good story. Nice graphics, great sound.
Multiplayer – Lots of maps within the first 6 months of release.
Spartan Ops – A great additional campaign as seen through your multiplayer spartan’s eyes. 15 maps over the course of all 10 episodes.
Forge – Magnets, three “forge” maps

Halo 3 for FREE
Finally the game we’ve been waiting for to be free is available. Mythic Maps not downloaded? Is this an issue with anyone else? E-mail me!

When I first started this up earlier today, I immediately felt a rush. Call it nostalgia if you want. All I know is that it felt good. Like I was ‘back home’ again. While I thoroughly enjoyed ODST and Reach, Halo 3 for me was the BEST of all the Halo games to date. I’m going to spend some hours playing the campaign again AND taking screenshots in theater.

This week’s podcast is just over 2 hours. Have a listen and let me know what you think of it. Reply below or on twitter. My twitter page is: https://twitter.com/HaloFanForLife or @HaloFanForLife

-Sal

 

The Halo Bulletin 10.16.13

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Here we are again with another bulletin. Man, another week just flies by.

An article about this past 343 community playdate talks about 343 trouncing we lesser people, with them going 11-1.

Several 343ers talk about their experience during the playdate. Notably BS Angel with her more than inappropriate innuendoes regarding balls. It’s kind of played out now Jess. You’re a mom and a professional. Maybe you should take being the senior community manager job more seriously, especially in the official weekly bulletin. Yes, that’s me opinion here, but I’m not the only one who feels/thinks this way. Anyway, moving on…

Community Ricochet game types:

voting2_660

Come Oct 28, we’ll see a new playlist in Community Forge Ricochet. This will include the top 6 finalist from the Ricochet Forge contest. This week, Waypoint asks us which of the above three variants would we like to see in the Community Forge Ricochet playlist. Below is a description of each: 

Quickochet 
Quickochet is the intersection of Ricochet and Halo: Reach’s “Hot Potato.” Loadouts and overall game settings are identical to Ricochet, but after a certain period of time, the ball will explode at random. Get ready to string together some passes!

Shotgun Ricochet 
In Shotgun Ricochet, teams must move together as they inch across the map and eliminate each line of defense. Players are equipped with Shotguns, Plasma Grenades, and Thruster Packs. With lots of in-your-face combat, this game type makes Ricochet up close and personal.

Legendary Ricochet 
Legendary Ricochet pits teams against one another with preset starting Loadouts in Halo 4’s Legendary experience (Battle Rifle starting weapon, no Armor Ability, Motion Tracker enabled).

Of these three, I’m leaning towards Quickochet. I like the idea of having to get rid of the ball fairly quickly. 

Head here to vote on the Waypoint forums.

THe next article is a FUN one. It’s time for HALO-ween! With that we have several Halo Pumpkin Stencils!

pumpkin stencils_2013-apumpkin stencils_2013-bpumpkin stencils_2013-cpumpkin stencils_2013-dpumpkin stencils_2013-epumpkin stencils_2013-f

I have to say, I may just try one of these out this year!

As if you didn’t already know, Halo 3 is free to XBL Gold members. Download it! You won’t be able to play on Mythic Maps unless you purchase those or use your ODST disc. Still, other than those, you can play everything else in Halo 3, for FREE. I played the first 4 missions last night alone and had a BLAST! Love reliving some memories. Wow, those graphics STILL hold up even after 6 years!

And finally this week’s Screenshot Spotlight: Armor Ability

Seems most of these were active camo. Something I hope returns to being a map pick up in the next game. (Should never have been an ability, IMO)

Anyway, here is my favorite of those posted on Waypoint:

10-16-13_01

Next week’s spotlight will be on Oddball.

To read the full bulletin, go HERE.

-Sal