Flood Pod Elite Combat Form: Set number 96929
Tech Specs
Build Time: 2 minutes including sorting
Set Piece count: 26
Price: $11.99 US

The minifigs included are two flood infection forms, one purple elite minor, and the arm and head of an elite flood form.

This is a good set if you want to do a little army building, especially of those little flood infection forms. I am missing one of the little clear pegs to attach it to the clear base, but I’ll get that from Mega through their customer service line.

The value of the set is good, almost great, IMO. The only two things I would have changed to this set were the color choice of the elite to be the correct blue in-game color, and a different weapon for the Elite. Why Mega insists on a plasma pistol for the Elite, I don’t know. At the least it should have a plasma rifle. That’s a small knock though, nothing huge.

Overall Rating: 8.5 out of 10 medals. It would have scored more if it had been game correct in color, as well as the plasma rifle instead of the pistol.

And now onto the pic:

Just one, however, it’s a composite of everything in the set.

It really is a nice set. Though I’m tired of the pods, this one is so very different from the rest that it’s a welcome addition to the collection. The flood infection forms add value to the set, as do the flood extra parts for the Elite.

If you’re a fan of the pods or Flood, this is a must have set.

-HFFL

Covenant Drop Pod Elite Ultra: Set number 96928
Tech Specs
Build Time: 2 minutes including sorting
Set Piece count: 24
Price: $9.99-11.99 US

This set has 24 pieces.

The minifig included a Silver Ultra Elite. It’s a fantastic figure and I wish Mega would release it in more sets. I find myself wanting to get a couple more of this set. Plus there are arms, chest and a head of the Ascetic Elite if you choose to switch armor. I personally prefer the Ultra much more.

The set is fairly standard fair for a drop pod set. One figure, a couple of weapons and the pod and bonus armor. While I like the pods, I do think they are to the point of saturation now. I kind of hope Mega is done with the pod sets after these releases.

The value of the set is good ok, though I’d have like another full figure or more weapons not often released, like the plasma rifle.

Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 medals. It would have been higher, but again, I’m getting a bit saturated with the pods and would prefer more minifigs and/or weapons.

And now onto the pics:

Finally the Ultra Elite:

For me the Ultra is the real draw here. Typically these show up in groups of 4 in Firefight, so I’d like to have that many sets. However, given the cost of the set itself and I not wanting more pods, I can’t justify buying multiples.

Still, I highly recommend getting this set if you like pods, or Elites, or both.

-HFFL

While I’m not so much a fan of the chopper, this set I’m very much looking forward to. For me the draw is the Brute Chieftain. It’s an awesome figure and quite large for a minifig. The helmet sports semi-soft plastic near the top to keep from breaking off as well as for child safety. Something I applaud Mega for thinking about. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a prototype of the Chieftain while at Toy Fair this year, and again can speak from first-hand that it’s an amazing figure.

Here’s the product shot followed by my prototype Cheiftain.

This set will retail for around $12 depending on store. The Chieftain is awesome, the gravity hammer is excellent, and the chopper completes the set nicely.

Here are four new sets slated for release later this year. While Fall is the release season, typically fall releases show up in mid-summer.

First up is one of the smaller packs. This should retail for about $5US. It includes the Air Assault spartan with what appears to be a Commando helmet or possibly the same helmet that came in the AA turret vs Rocket hog set from last year. With some extra weapons and YEAH! a BR, this set is worth the $5.

Next we have a gold Ascetic Elite set. Again a $5 set. It also comes with the standard Elite Minor helmet. Besides the Ascetic Elite, the real draw for me here is the Plasma Rifle. That weapon has only recently been introduced into the line, so the more I can get of it the better. The Needle Rifle is also a nice addition.

Up next is Cobalt Blue UNSC Armory set. Comes with the standard Mk V Spartan, CQB Spartan and the arms and helmet for the scout armor, as well as a Marine. This set should ring in around $11-12US. A good set, but the lack of a full fourth figure is a little disconcerting. About a year to a year and a half ago we used to get sets of four figures for $10. With the price raised by a dollar or two and half a figure missing or more, I just feel I’m missing something. The extra weapons are nice, and the armory stand is cool for extra pieces. However, for the money, I’d rather have a complete fourth figure.

Lastly we have a Silver Covenant Armory set. While I love the new style of grunts, since there are only two of them and one complete elite (standard), plus arms and helmet of an ascetic, I’m again feeling like something is missing. I understand the idea is to mix and match armor. I’l refer to my comments above about the extra money for less product. Also, I’m perplexed by the color choice here. When it comes to Covenant forces, I’d much prefer in-game colors, rather than “skittle” colors. Grunts come is typically orange, green, red, and purple armor colors. I’d like to see those before we get these odd color sets. Hopefully Mega will address that. As a note to Mega, I as well as others WILL buy more of the in-game colors to army build, rather than the off-color sets. The one thing to note with this particular set is the inclusion of the Focus Rifle. While it looks to be unpainted, it’s still a very welcomed addition to the Halo weapons line.

Again, look for these to come out mid-summer.

Target is running a 50% off coupon for all Mega Bloks (including Halo). You can find the coupon in your Sunday paper.

If however you want to order online, you can do that too and I have the coupon code for you: TGT8AJVK Now, I did this and it gave an error, but when you continue with the purchase it DOES take half off.

I bought a Pelican online and saved nearly $40. I’ll now be going to my local store to get a UNSC Elephant and save almost $60 there. Woot! It’s like getting the Pelican for free in essence after buying the Elephant. If you’ve though about buying Mega Bloks Halo stuff before, NOW is the time to do it. The coupon is only good until the end of this month.

-HFFL

Two new Die Cast sets coming soon from Mega Bloks Die-cast line:

Battle Set: Scorpion/Covenant Sniper tower
and
Battle Set: Wraith/Pelican

These are not official names. However I will endeavor to find that out as soon as possible.

In the mean time feast your eyes on these cool sets to come. (Product subject to change before release):

No word on cost either. Assuming the Wraith set is $20, then this battle set will be a lot more given the size of the Pelican. Hopefully not more than $40 though. The Scorpion/Tower set should be more than $30 given the small size of the tower. We’ll see though.

The Mega Bloks Halo Toymation contest has been over for awhile. Now we get to see one of the prizes awarded to the winners. It’s a Master Chief Helmet set on a base. Not quite to scale, but still totally awesome.

I would so TOTALLY get one of these if it came in Master Chief Green with the visor being gold.

Hmm, maybe they will consider it. Even without the majority of the base it would be uber cool to have.