I was able to get my “hands” on a virtual file of the insert sheet (thanks to sharkfinboy1-a fellow MB collector).

I reported just Friday an article of the  “Halo Mega Bloks Series 7 blind pack preview“. Glad to see I was indeed correct in my preview.

Anyway,  without further ado, here’s the insert sheet believed to be coming with the minifigs (click to make bigger):

I’m VERY agreeable with which ones are common, rare, and very rare. Mind you this sheet doesn’t show the four translucent minifigs.

Happy hunting! Oh and when you find them, snap a pic and send it to me at sal@halofanforlife.com and I’ll share it here on the blog!

-Sal

As was revealed at Toy Fair in Febraury, we will soon see the next series of Halo Mega Bloks blind packaged minifigs. This series doesn’t contain the normal 8 figure count. Nor does it contain 3 translucent figures. Nope…It contains a WHOPPING 16 minifigs AND 4 translucent minifigs. That’s a total of TWENTY minifigs in one series!

Below is a pic I compiled of all 20 minifigs to come in this series. After which, I’ll give my own thoughts on each minifig. I’m going to start left to right, top to bottom…however, saving the translucent figured until the end.

Top Row:
Standard Marine with full goggles: Okay, I’m ALWAYS up for more marines. This figure is great for army building. It comes with an Assault Rifle
Desert ODST: OMG, YES! Another figure worthy of army building. Now we get the ODST in what looks to be a desert paint deco. If it’s white, that cool too. Comes with Assault Rifle.
Black Armored Halo 4 style Marine: OH YEAH! Now I might now have to try and buy multiples of the more expensive Weapons Ammo set. Another good army builder! Comes with…Is that a Railgun!
Black (or is it grey) Spartan Mark 5 [ b ]: I’m pretty sure collectors are going to start calling this “Not-Noble 6.” So let me be the first here. This is certainly a welcomed minifig. I’d love to have the completed Noble Team someday and this is another step towards that. To note, this fig comes with a crimson Plasma Rifle. This can said to be a Brute Plasma Rifle. YES!

Second Row:
Yellow EOD Spartan: I’m not so much a fan of yellow painted Spartans. However, I AM a fan of the EOD helmet. So it’s a welcome addition, IMO. Hard to tell what this one comes with from this pic. Sorry.
White Scout Spartan: The Scout is cool. I like the helmet. This one if crafted to look more like the Halo 4 Scout could be a good one for customizing into Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer. Comes with an Assault Rifle.
Silver Security Spartan: I really like silver painted Spartans. Though I’m not a huge fan of the bug visor Security helmet. Still, it’s a welcome addition. Comes with what looks to be a Brute Mauler.
Grey CQB Spartan: Oh yeah! One of my favorite helmets. Though, IIRC, we already have a grey CQB from a previous set. Not sure, but is that a sentinel beam in it’s hands? If so, AWESOME!

Third Row: 
Yellow Grunt: Grunts grunts and MORE grunts! I love ’em Keep them coming! Yellow isn’t really an in-game color (with exception to Halo Wars). So I’ll have to treat this as a commander grunt. Comes with a crimson not-accurate needler.
Green Grunt: See above, just switch out the color for green. Though green is closer to an in-game color which was closer to teal-green.
Dark Blue? Reach Style Grunt Major: I’m VERY glad to see Reach style Grunts come back. This one looks to be a Dark Blue variant. Comes with purple plasma pistol. (When is MEGA going to make game accurate dark blue plasma rifles?)
Blue Mark VI Halo 4 style Spartan: YES! If you’re looking for TEAM color spartans, this is one of them! Comes with a light grey Railgun.

Fourth Row:
Human Flood: I already have more of these than I really need. Still for those who don’t have enough or even one, I’m glad it’s in this series for you. Comes with an Assault Rifle.
Purple Ascetic Elite: Dark purple. And a Carbine. The Ascetic Elite is my favorite armor design for Elites from Halo 3.
Violet Zealot Elite: This Elite is decidedly different in color from the Purple one. I’m VERY glad to have yet more Zealots make an appearance in the minifig line. Comes with it’s own violet colored Carbine.
Crimson Jump Pack Brute: VERY cool color! If you have the Crimson Brute Prowler (exclusive to Wal*Mart), then you already know how cool the brute look in this color deco. This one comes with a black Mauler.

Now we get to the four that I am MOST looking forward to. As you long time readers know, I LOVE translucent toys. I just love seeing how they are put together. Even minifigs such as these are awesome, in my book! Of course, these are going to be the VERY hard to find ones…

Translucent minifigs:
Green Marine: Well, at least I THINK it’s a marine from the pic. Lean Green Translucent Marine! Possibly has a shotgun.
Orange Elite Minor Halo 4 style: Okay, now THIS color is VERY different. It’s the first time we’ve had an orange translucent color minifig. I’m looking forward to it. Comes with a needler.
Gold Spartan Mark VI Halo 4 style: Could be yellow, but looks more gold in color. The weapon included looks to be the DMR. VERY cool fig, IMO.
Blue Zealot Elite: This one, to me is the GEM of the bunch. Why? Well, it just LOOKS like an Elite coming out of active camo. It being a new Halo 4 style Elite Zealot just makes it that much more AWESOME! Comes with a needler.

So what are your thoughts about these figures? Any of them really strike you as must have for your collection? Any you don’t like? Hit the reply button below. If you’re not already signed up as a subscriber to HFFL, then please shoot me an e-mail to sal@halofanforlife.com if you want to become a subscriber and reply.

-Sal

This is a follow up with some new pics to the article I posted the other day of the Mega Bloks full size Promethean Knight.

Mega Bloks posted on Facebook that, “We are putting together a giant build of a Halo Knight to be displayed at San Diego Comic Con in July.”

Here are a few new pics from that build:

Okay technically this is a cut down version of the head shot from the other day…

Wow! Would you look at that SWEET sword! That is a thing of BEAUTY!

So is this amazing Scattershot!!!

Here’s part of the leg assembly. As you can see it has an inner metal core to keep it stable.  It’s going to need that too, considering the massive torso, arms, etc., that is to come.

Here’s just ONE of the wing assemblies.

Wow, this is going to be a HUGE set. Simply awe inspiring.
-Sal

My friend and Vice President of Mega Brands (parent to it’s Mega Bloks division) posted the following pic on Twitter of Mega Bloks next huge build:

Wow, this is just the head. Imagine how big the whole knight is going to be when finished?

Personally, I’d LOVE to see just this come out as a set to buy. I’m sure it would be expensive, but wow what a set to own huh?

-Sal

The Gorgon was a vehicle in concept for Halo Wars. Hmm, looking at it now, it would have been great to have in Halo 4. Instead of being an Anti-Air mech, it could have gone against the Mantis. Imagine epic battles in Multiplayer.

Halo Mega Bloks customizer starhunter shows us his version of this mech.

The white fins at the top are glow-in-the-dark. Pretty cool. Again, this is something I’d have LOVE to have seen in Halo 4.

-Sal
Thanks to starhunter for permission to repost his pics.

UNSC Cyro Bay: Set # 97088

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 5 minutes

Set Piece Count: 72
Minifigs: Master Chief (Halo 4 version), micro Cortana
Weapons: Assault Rifle, Battle Rifle, Sticky Detonator
Accessories: None
Special Features: Flip up door
Price: $11-13 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!


The graphics on the box are nice as always.

Below are the contents of the box.

The following shows the contents of the big bag in the upper left of the preceding pic.

All the pieces sorted out.

And now on with the easy build.


This really is such a simple build. The only thing to watch out for is dropping some of those little parts and having the roll away under furniture.

The Cryo Tube takes shape above. This cryo tube is essentially the same as the one in the Forward unto Dawn set. Though we add a hinge piece to this one (seen at far right above).

It’s a simple hinge design that is hidden for the most part in the final build.

So there it is. Nice and compact. The only thing i would have changed with this set is the baseplate. I do like that it is black. However, it’s strange shape doesn’t make it easy to connect additional cryo tube sets easily without having raised and lower portions as well as angles sticking out. That’s fairly minor though as I see this as mostly a one-purchase buy and not a multi purchase.

Above are the few extra pieces and below is the set with those pieces added and a slight reconfiguration. (Sorry it’s a bit fuzzy of a pic)

Recently I reviewed the Mega Bloks UNSC Mantis. At the time it was missing a few parts. I called in to Mega Brands/Mega Bloks customer service and asked for the parts that were missing.

I got them within 2 weeks. Much faster than the possible 4 weeks I was told it might take. All the parts I needed were included in the bubblewrap envelope.

Now my Mantis in complete!

THANKS Mega Brands for always having great customer service!

-Sal

I’ve already posted much of this before in some fashion, here are some new press images as well as text about the products that I just had to share. The last three images are from figures.com.

First up the single pack minifigs: 

Micro Action Figures Series 7 (#96978)
SRP: $2.99 each USD/ 3.99$ CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

Shown are form left to right, top to bottom:
ODST, Noble 6 (with Brute plasma rifle), Flood-human variant, Grunt (possibly black ops color?);
Grunt Yellow, CQB (Black), Brute, Crimson jump pack, Elite Ascetic Purple;
EOD Yellow, Scout White, Marine (Halo 3 style w/full goggles), Storm Elite Purple;
Halo 4 Spartan Blue, Marine Black (Halo 4), Spartan Security (silver), Grunt

Lots of good choices there. Plenty of army builders for those that want them! (Count me in there!!)

Next up Armory Packs:

Halo Armory Pack IV

SRP: $5.99 each / $6.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

* UNSC Ammo Pack I (97037V) approx. 23 pcs
* Covenant Weapons Pack (97076U) approx. 26 pcs
* UNSC Weapons Pack (97165U) approx. 24 pcs
* Forerunner Weapons Pack (97166U)

Build and expand your units with an assortment of new Halo Armory Packs by Mega Bloks. Features:
• Assortment includes decorated weapons & new characters.
• First Forerunner armory pack featuring a Promethean Watcher.
• Three new armory packs rebuild into a cool weapon stand.

I am loving the Covie and Forerunner sets! The UNSC set is good too. I want more of the weapons drop pods, but don’t have as much use for the extra desert Spartan.

Next we have the Booster Frame sets:

Build & Combine Assortment

SRP: $9.99 each / 10.99$ CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

* UNSC C&C Console (97131U): A UNSC Marine heads to the command and control console to alert troops of incoming Covenant forces. Prepare the UNSC for inbound hostile enemies with the Mega Bloks UNSC C&C Console. Combine the UNSC C&C Console with the UNSC Hangar Deck and the Forerunner Terminal to build a UNSC Booster Frame! (approx. 60 pcs) Set includes all-new Halo 4 Marine figure.

* UNSC Hangar Deck (97133U): During a Forerunner ambush on a UNSC ship, a cyan UNSC Spartan in EVA armor secures the Hangar Deck for incoming battle-damaged UNSC aircraft. Support the attack with the Mega Bloks UNSC Hangar Deck. Combine the UNSC Hangar Deck with the UNSC C&C Console and the Forerunner Terminal to build a UNSC Booster Frame! (approx. 53 pcs)

* Forerunner Terminal (97170U): A Promethean Alpha Crawler defends a Forerunner Terminal from UNSC and Covenant access. Guard the terminal with the Mega Bloks Forerunner Terminal. Combine the Forerunner Terminal with the UNSC C&C Console and the UNSC Hangar Deck to build a UNSC Booster Frame! (approx. 69 pcs) Set includes all-new Halo 4 Alpha Crawler.

Combat Units are next:

Halo Combat Unit

SRP: $11.99 USD/ $12.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

* Brute Battle Pack (97082U): The Brute Battle Unit pits a green UNSC Officer and green UNSC Spartan Security (NEW!) against a Brute Chieftain and active camo Brute Stalker (NEW!). (approx. 42 pcs)
* ODST Battle Pack (97085U): The ODST Battle Unit pits an ODST and an active camo ODST against a Covenant Grunt and gold Hunter. Let the battle begin! (approx. 37 pcs)

You folks know I just LOVE transparent toys and these two sets have one each, YES!!!!

The Cyclops are looking at you:

Cyclops Assortment

SRP: $14.99 USD/ $16.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

* Cyclops Jungle Strike (97006V) approx. 47 pcs
* Cyclops Desert Strike (97007V) approx. 47 pcs
* Arctic Strike Cyclops (97107U) approx. 63 pcs
* Attack Ops Cyclops (97108U) approx. 54 pcs

The price is pretty good here. I’m looking forward to getting one of each.

A light up Gauss Hog follows:

UNSC Night Ops Gausshog

SRP: $32.99 USD/ $34.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

The UNSC Gausshog is the light anti-armor variant of the Warthog LRV. Equipped with a 360° rotating Gauss Cannon, real working suspension and specially engineered floodlights, the Spartan Pathfinder and his Spartan gunner open fire on a Knight Lancer armed with a Suppressor. Now in desert camo with light features and in-game sounds, the Mega Bloks UNSC Night Ops Gausshog lets you play more than ever before! Approximately 220 pieces.

This set is exciting. Yes, a bit more than the normal price-wsie, however, did you read that it lights up AND makes sounds?!! AWESOME! Now if only it came in the more abundant green color as in the games.

And now for something completely different, ONI vehicles!

There has been quite a bit of buzz about our upcoming Fall product line since Nuremburg and New York Toy Fairs. We’re excited that we can finally give Bloks Brigade members the first official look at the exciting new Mega Bloks Halo ONI REAP-X builds! Read on below to learn about the ONI REAP-X subdivision and two new vehicles developed by their team of engineers.

The Office of Naval Intelligence, commonly referred to as ONI, is the intelligence service branch of the UNSC. While ONI serves various functions and operates under a multitude of subdivisions, the existence of the Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department, acronym REAP-X, is unknown outside the ONI division. Working under the ONI umbrella, REAP-X develops concepts, technologies and applications that are often field tested by ONI via other military branch deployments.

The REAP-X department evolved from smaller splinter groups created during the Human-Covenant War and helped funnel weapons and shield technology to human forces via Misriah and other firms as the war came to a close. Its big breakthrough however, was a Forerunner slipspace engine discovery that created the basis for the engineering concepts that helped complete the Infinity project. With unlimited resources, funding and attention from top brass the department houses many variants of never before seen military vehicles developed for special missions.

Mainline activities:

Weapon development
Technology analysis and research
Practical reapplication of alien technology
Vehicle and transport development
Hardlight research (Boson-Photon Fields)

The UNSC Siege Bike

ONI’s solution to single-manned rapid assault vehicles like the Covenant Ghost or Brute Chopper is none other than the UNSC Siege Bike. Positioned on a heavy-grade, all-terrain single traction tread, the Siege Bike can easily traverse challenging environments, reaching speeds of over 145kph (90mph) while maintaining incredible control and field dexterity. The forward-facing armor plate protects the operator while displaying intel for tactical information, as well as firing system controls.
The Siege Bike’s armament is a side-mounted heavy machine gun (M268 HMG) with spectrum-enhanced visual tracking functionality, designed specifically to target well-fortified enemy strongholds and barricades. The goal of the UNSC Siege Bike is simple yet brutal: Through the deployment of multiple, heavily armed and swift Siege Bikes, offensive assaults can form an unstoppable wall of firepower, quickly tearing through enemy defenses.

(This just plain looks COOL!)

The UNSC Light Assault VTOL

In the vein of the Hornet and the Sparrowhawk, the UNSC Light Assault VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) craft is a heavily armed, full mobility combat flier designed to operate in confined environments, such as forests, cave interiors, or even a skyscraper-dense metropolis. Unlike the other UNSC VTOLs which often have limited push mobility due to their turbine placement, the Light Assault VTOL has three turbines, one of which is a rear-mounted thrust system that allows the vehicle to quickly and deftly navigate narrow spaces, as well as engage swift enemy fliers like the Covenant Banshee. Lightly armored and capable of carrying only a single pilot, the real benefit of this vehicle is its armament: Below its flanking turbines hang twin autocannons (GAU-10/A HAC) and a pair of rocket pods (M302 Class-1 GMLS), both of which are extremely competent arsenals when providing ground support or engaging in air-to-air combat.

(Oh my, this will be a multiple purchase if only for the Jackal!)

UNSC Anti-Armor Cobra (97139)

SRP: $49.99 USD/ $54.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

The UNSC Cobra is a surprisingly agile and fast 6×6 dual-mode battle tank. While in mobile mode, the Cobra can quickly cover long distances and launch a powerful offensive using its twin 30mm light railguns. It can also transform into lock-down mode and deploy a huge turret mounted 105mm light railgun that can punch through most Covenant shields and vehicles with ease. Featured with dual transformation, lights and in-game sounds, the Mega Bloks UNSC Anti-Armor Cobra lets you create the battle like never before! Approximately 400 pieces.

UNSC Hornet vs. Covenant Vampire (97123)

SRP: $69.99 USD/ $74.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

Build the aerial battle between the Hornet & Vampire. Set includes 6 collectible figures including the new Spartan Recruit & Engineer! Hornet with in-game sounds & lights! Approximately 680 pieces.

UNSC Pelican Gunship (97129)

SRP: $99.99 USD/ $109.99 CAD ǀ Available: Fall 2013

New buildable Pelican with 3 Majestic Team micro action figures (Spartan Operator, Pathfinder & Scout). Also includes first ever light up Knight Battlewagon figure! In-game sounds & lights! Approximately 1,160 pieces.

As I’ve said before, I really love the Pelican design and have two of the Mega Bloks previous iteration of this ship. I just HAVE to get one of these new ones though. New design AND the electronics! WHOO-HOO.

I know this article was long, but as I said, it just had to be shared!

-Sal

My wife, being the lovely lady she is, got this for me.

UNSC Combat Orange Unit: Set # 97083

Technical Specifications:
Build Time: 1 minute

Set Piece Count: 37
Minifigs: Orange Spartan Mark IV, Orange Spartan EOD, Orange Spartan Scout, Active Camo Spartan CQB
Weapons: Rocket Launcher, SMG, Shotgun, Active Camo Shotgun
Accessories: None
Special Features: None
Price: $12-15 depending on where you buy it from.

And on with the pics!

A nice set. I’m glad Mega went back to the 4 minifigure set instead of the 3-3/12 minifig sets from last year.

This is what you get in the set. Considering single blind packed minifigures are usually $3 each, what you get here for $12 isn’t bad at all. You essentially get another 2X4 blok, 2 4X10 plates, the orange tile with the UNSC symbol and the angle plate as extra for free.

Here’s the unit on display. I almost always choose to make the display stand different from what is in the instructions.

Now for close-ups of the minifigs:

The Spartan Mark IV included has been done before so this isn’t really new. However, for those who missed it, it’s a great chance to get him.

Personally, I think Mega captured the sculpt of the EOD Spartan very well. It’s one of my favorite Mega Bloks Spartans.

I have to check, but I think the torso for the Scout seen here isn’t correct. I think that’s an ODST torso. Regardless, it’s a cool figure and I’m not unhappy about it.

And here we have what I consider to be the gem of the set. An Active Camo CQB. Long time readers of the blog will know that I LOVE translucent toys. I always love to see how things are put together. So being able to see through to the joints of figures is always cool and amusing to me.

Summary: No build time really as the display stand takes less than a minute. This is a good set for the money, especially given the active camo CQB Spartan.

Overall Rating: I give this set 8.5. It would have scored higher for me had there been a different spartan instead of the Mark IV. Still, the other three figures really make this worth it. As a side bonus, if you were looking to have a grifball colored spartan than this set is a MUST pick up for you!

–Sal