Warthog Resistance: Set number 97011

Build Time: 7 minutes sorting, 23 minutes build. Total 30 minutes.

Set Piece count: 285
Minifigs, Weapons and Accessories: Two NEW Green Mark VII Spartans!, Red Elite (new Halo 4 mold); Sticky pistol (NEW weapon), Assault Rifle, Carbine, Spartan Laser; weapons pod (NEW!)
Special Features: 4-wheel independent suspension, rotating and pivoting machine gin turret
Dimensions: Warthog H 4″ W 3″ L 7.25″ / Forerunner Structure H 4.5″ W 5.5″ L 5.5″
Price/Value: $33US

The set has 285 pieces. Roughly 75% are for the Warthog, with the rest for the Forerunner set piece. This new Warthog for Halo 4 is just plain amazing. For those who have other incarnations of Mega Bloks Warthogs, you’ll find the build similar in most respect, but there are some significant differences. The addition of the guardrails and gas cans just elevates the new warthog design to a more realistic level that we’ve not seen before. The Spartans in the set are AWESOME! Now we can say we have a Master Chief minifig! The Elite is very cool. I love this new more devilish look to the Elites. And we now get the first ever weapons drop pod!

Okay, okay, I know you didn’t read the above and went straight for the pics!

Click on images to see a larger version.

The box art:

Box Contents:

Sorting pieces (always good to do, IMO):

The build begins:

The finished warthog sans stickers (I don’t like to put stickers on the models. I always worry about them peeling off…)

Minifigs and weapons:

The weapons drop pod:

Leftover pieces:

What I made with those:

The sweet Forerunner structure:

Summary: A great set, with fast build time. The price is a little much for the set. With the piece count coming in at 285, this set should have been priced closer to $30. However, it’s only $3 more than that, so it’s close. There are some new parts here that I’m sure MEGA has to recoup the cost of. Those guardrail parts in particular as they can’t really be used on anything else but the warthog. (I expect we’ll see a Gauss and Rocket version of this later). The addition of the Forerunner structure is cool. It’s like you’re getting two sets in one. I hope we get more of those baseplates in upcoming sets. They really add some unseen punch to sets.

Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5 medals. Oh so close, but for the couple of dollars I think it’s over priced. Still, is it worth getting? You bet your a…

-HFFL

Covenant Seraph: Set number 97015

Build Time: 20 minutes sorting, 45 minutes build. Total 1 hour, 5 minutes.

Set Piece count: 566
Minifigs, Weapons and Accessories: Gold Elite General with gold parts to make a Gold Elite Ultra, Blue Standard Elite, Blue Flight Elite; Focus Rifle, Needler, Needle Rifle? Could be the Plasma Launcher, not sure.
Special Features: Opening and Closing Cockpit hatch
Dimensions: Seraph H 3″ W 9″ L 18″ / Stand H 4.625″  W 3.25″ L 3.25″
Price/Value: $65US

The set has 566 pieces. All but about 5% of the pieces go to the seraph. It’s a fairly long set at a foot and a half long.  Though it’s not very tall. So if you have a large shelf space it may fit. I had to do some research on the game color of this starfighter. I thought it was more the wine color that the Revenant is. The model is close though in approximation of color. While I’m not a fan of the ship so much in the game, the MEGA Bloks model is excellent. The build time can be done in one sitting and there is much repetition to make it an easier build.

Now for what you really want, the pics:

Click on images to see a larger version.

The beautiful box art. Loving the new Master Chief Armor.

The contents of the box (so much grape purple!):

Pieces sorted (sorry for the drink containers in the corner. A man’s gotta drink!

The build begins:

Now that it’s complete we go to the stand:

The minifigs and weapons:

As with many MB sets there are stabilizing pieces to keep the model flat on your building surface. They are often a very different color from the rest of the model to easily identify. In this case yellow. Here are those bloks, plus the ones left over. (I was able to make a pseudo-mini Seraph from those bloks):

Summary: At $65US, this is a bit expensive for the set. Since the set includes 566 pieces,   I’d have put the cost at between $55-60US. I go by the general rule of 10 cents per piece. So $56.60 would have been the price I’d have liked to see. However, that being said, it’s a large set and for those who want some covie purple bloks to make customs from, this set has you covered.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 medals. The price is really the only drawback to this set. The model itself is great and the stnad really makes it pop off where ever you display it at.

Orbital Space Banshee: Set number 97010

Build Time: 5 minutes sorting, 15 minutes build. Total 20 minutes.

Set Piece count: 204
Minifigs, Weapons and Accessories: Silver Flight Elite w/Standard Elite head extra, Orange EVA Spartan; Rocket Launcher, Focus Rifle
Special Features: Opening and Closing Cockpit hatch, Turret pivots sideways and guns pivot up and down.
Dimensions: Banshee H 2.5″  W 8″  L 7.25″  / Turret H 2.5″  W 4.75″ L 4/75″ / Banshee Stand H 1.75″ W 1.25″ L 1.75″
Price/Value: $22US

The set has 204 pieces. Roughly 60% of the build goes to the Banshee while the rest to the turret. This is an AWESOME set. It is by far much better than any of the previous Banshee builds MEGA has done before. Those were regular Banshees while this is the Space version. I do hope that the regular version gets this treatment in the future. I’ll buy a few of them and turn my older versions into custom builds. I had a lot of fun building this set. Truth be told I wasn’t much a fan of the banshee before this. I thought I wanted the set purely for the UNSC turret that comes with it. However, after having built it, I have to say again that the Banshee is awesome. Sleek, bigger, sexier…er um ignore that last adjective… Check out the pics below for more discussion on the build.

Click on images to see a larger version.

The beautiful box art. Loving the new Master Chief Armor.

What you get inside:

The pieces sorted out. (I find it important to do this for all but the smallest sets.)

The turret in steps. One thing to note in the upper right corner is that step 6 incorrectly shows how the pieces go together. So pay attention to that step. It’s easy enough to figure out, but it doesn’t hurt to be warned ahead of time.

The Banshee starts to take shape:

Next comes the wing assembly:

The cockpit assembly and finished model:

This comes with a great little clear stand to place the Banshee on so it looks like it’s in flight or at least hovering:

The minifigs and the weapons in the set:

MEGA is great about giving us extra pieces. Here is what I had left:

I always try to make some sort of mini vehicle out of what’s left. If possible I try to make a small version of what the set is. Sometimes there just isn’t enough of the right parts to do so. That was the case here:

Summary: A great small set, with fast building time and great bloks to make an accurate build. This set is worth every bit of the $22 it asks for. I hope to get at least 3 more of the turrets for a diorama and one more of the banshee. So it anyone doesn’t want their turret from their set, e-mail me and let’s work something out: sal@halofanforlife.com

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 medals. This set really is worth the full 5 medals. From start to finish it is a great model.

I took this image into Adobe Illustrator to add the color dots that represent the “studs” of the bloks. Then I put it in Photoshop to fix the box’s perspective.

Here’s the original: 

Here is the fixed perspective with color studs:

Now for the “math.” Each dot represents a “stud” on the top of the bloks. Each fifth dot is a different color to make it easier to count. The height is calculated by plate size, not studs. (I didn’t show the control tower dots near the top right in this graphic)

Red+Yellow length of studs I counted at 85 approximately.
Blue+Green length of studs I counted at 21 approximately.
Orange+Purple height of plates I counted at 48 approximately.

I measured the length of studs. Each 2 stud blok measures 1.5cm. Each plate is 3mm high (not including the stud at the top)

So that means each distance is:
Length 85 studs=67cm=26.375 inches (inches are rounded up)
Width 21 studs=16.5cm=6.5 inches (inches are rounded up)
Height 48 plates high=16cm=6.3 inches (inches are rounded up)

Folks, this is a BIG set!. Also, bare in mind we can’t see all the bloks near the aft end of the set, so it could be even longer.

So again to put it in perspective:
Over 2 feet long by more than a half foot wide, by half foot tall(again approximate)

I got this pic from Spartanbloks.com.

The article and box art on SpartanBloks incorrectly titles it the Forward on to Dawn. As we know that ship (correctly names as the Forward Unto Dawn) is actually a MUCH smaller UNSC Frigate. The ship in this pic is clearly much closer to the UNSC Infinity. Compare it with this pic below:

The UNSC Infinity:

Here is the Forward Unto Dawn (not Forward on to Dawn):

Now, someone said to me it’s the Spirit of Fire. However, compare that ship with the Mega Bloks one:

Spirit of Fire:

You can clearly see the Mega Bloks ship is not the Spirit of Fire either. The fore section is much pointier and has a much lower section in the front.

The closest design the MEGA pic comes to is the UNSC Infinity. That makes total sense too as it’s THE ship of Halo 4.

Though, this box art says it’s a prototype. In a way I hope it is as the design isn’t quite right. Still, were it to remain unchanged, I’d still buy it as it just looks plain AWESOME!

Look at the bottom right corner of the box art and you can see that the top comes off. Likely that is to display a play area within the ship.

Finished product or not, I’m EXCITED about this set. I’ve been talking with a representative from Mega Brands for many months now about having a large starship line. Starting it off with the Infinity really sets it up nicely. We can only hope this ship DOES come to retail. Then maybe we’ll get ships like the Spirit of Fire, Forward Unto Dawn, Long Night of Solace and other various UNSC and Covenant capital class starships.

Here’s hoping this isn’t a hoax either. I’d be really bummed.

Yet more pics of upcoming sets, both Boxed and opened are out. I got these following a link from bloks.hyperboards.com then to a retailer sit.

Really good shots here.

I’m looking forward to this set. While I want the Banshee, it’s really the Turret that is the draw for me. Hmm, maybe I’ll have a contest for a Space Banshee in the future?

Text from retailer website: Sounding just as frightening as its land counterpart, the Orbital Banshee is a one-man space craft of the Covenant. The Orbital Banshee is armed with twin Heavy Plasma Cannons and the devastating Fuel Rod Cannon for ship-to-ship dogfights. A singleAutomated Point-Defence Turret is the UNSC#s only hope in defending against this enemy. Features UNSC defence Turret included along with two micro action figures: Elite Pilot and EVA Spartan. Features Buildable Banshee including a display stand.

A new color Prowler and it comes with SIX figures. I like this wine color.

Text from retailer website: Establish your army, build and expand your units with the Halo Brute Prowler Attack! Three Crimson Brutes converge on UNSC forces in their Brute Prowler, a heavily armoured ground support unit with a turret capable of a 360-degree field of fire. Organising a counter-attack, a UNSC Spartan leads two Marines on a mission to take the Prowler and trap their Covenant enemies. Features buildable Brute Prowler, 3 Brute Crimson figurines, 2 UNSC figurines and accessories and weapons. For Ages 8+

This beast of a tank (Rhino) looks awesome. Mega Bloks did a wonderful job interpreting it. Also, I’m really glad they are including Forerunner structures with some of their sets. It really adds to the feeling of “Halo.” Only thing I’m not so fond of is the Yellow color on the grunts. I wish they’d stick to Campaign accurate colors for them.

Text from retailer website: The M145D Rhino is a UNSC artillery tank and is meant to be a building destroyer! As the Covenant hide out in an old Forerunner structure, the massive UNSC Rhino tank is called in to eliminate the base and keep the ancient technology out of enemy hands. The UNSC Rhino is a massive 6-tread artillery tank armed with the prototype Zeus 320mm Cannon that rotates a full 360 degrees, and capable of a lock-down mode to aid in long range bombardment. Features The UNSC Rhino has six independent treads, rotating cannon and two functional hatches. Comes complete with UNSC Scout in red armour, UNSC Marine, and two Special Ops Grunts and weaponry. Includes buildable terrain with Forerunner structure. Approx 800pces. For Ages 8+

While the build itself looks great, I’ve said this before that the color isn’t right. Almost all of it should be in the wine color. Look at the cockpit top and those other color pieces on the side of it. The whole Seraph should be in that color. I’m happy with the choices of minifigs. Oh and the base of the set looks pretty sturdy.

Text from retailer website: The Covenant Seraph is the multi-role fighter of the Covenant and is a highly maneouverable ship that goes head to head with the Sabre. Armed with a pair of Heavy Plasma Cannons and protected by an Energy Shield, this superior craft is incredibly versatile. The Seraph comes complete with buildable display stand, opening cockpit and all NEW indigo colour. This set includes the Covenant General in gold armour, Elite Pilot and Combat Elite micro action figures. For Ages 8+

Finally, we have a new Wraith. This one’s build is slightly better. However, it’s the color that is much more improved. It’s much closer to the game accurate color. Again, I’m very happy with the additional Forerunner structure. The color choice for the elites are perplexing though.

Text from retailer website: Introducing the Anti-Air Covenant Wraith. New design with new armaments, plasma mortar and a brand new colour! Includes 3 figures and battle damage terrain. Approx 350pcs. For Ages 8+

All in all, these are great looking sets and I highly recommend getting them all. They will vastly expand your collection. They bring quite a boost to your Covenant army as well as a powerful punch in the Rhino.

-HFFL

Community manager at Mega Brands, Brendan Sera-Shriar posts the following on their blog:

Hey guys we just finished shooting a video of some really cool new stuff from our Fall 2012 collection – hosted by the amazing digibomb – me  I’m pretty stoked about these new sets so I thought I would give you a sneak peek.

The video will air soon here on the blog, the Mega Bloks Halo blog, andWaypoint.

If you follow us on Twitter and Facebook you’ve probably already seen some of the leaks from this week as we prepped for this shoot – if you not a fan yet make sure you like and follow, or signup for the Bloks Brigade to stay in loop.

Enjoy!

(There are a few more shots at their blog)

Suffice to say we have some really good stuff coming up. That first pic shows the Snowbound tower set nicely. It’s TALL. Likewise we get a little better shot of the Battlescape III set. The Sabre set’s box looks HUGE!

I’m excited to see these sets for real!!

Brendon Sera-Shriar, Senior Community Manager, Mega Brands Inc. tweeted the following two photos of an upcoming Red Vs Blue Set. Traditionally these have been Target exclusives.

This is the tower from the Halo 3 map, “Snowbound.”

Given that there has been a new set of RvB found at a Target just a day or two ago, this set also makes sense as part of that line-up.

Two for me please! (Well, there were two on the Halo 3 map Snowbound, so it makes sense.)

-HFFL