If Mega Bloks makes something remotely close to this, it will be awesome. The builder “goodwill hunter” should be commended for his excellent efforts.
Thanks to my friend “VaderRx” for the link.
Covenant Spade Turret: Set number 96949
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Build Time: 2 minutes sorting, 5 minutes build. Total 7 minutes.
Set Piece count: 68
Minifigs, Weapons and Accessories: Green Air Assault Spartan with 2 Frag grenades and Assault Rifle, Grunt (Major) with Plasma Pistol. Also a circular stand and clear bar for the Spartan to attach to by the jetpack (to appear as if flying-very cool!)
Dimensions: Height 4 inches, width and length 3 inches minus forward turrets. Add 2 inches for those to length.
Price/Value: $11.99 US
The set has 68 pieces, The set was an extremely quick build. Be careful of the small pieces. I thought I had lost on of the turret handles, only to find it on the table rolled away.
This is a great little set and relatively holds it value at the normal retail price of $11.99-12.99 depending on store. We get two minifigs that we’d pay $3.50 each for if single packed. So for an additional $5-6 we get the turret, UNSC crate, and jet pack, plus an extra Spartan Helmet. I think it’s worth the cost. WE’ve seen the Air Assault Spartan before, but not in this color. I happen to like the color choice. The grunt is an all new sculpt using the Halo Reach Major template. It’s bigger than any previous grunts by about the height of it’s head. It’s also wider by one whole stud so it fits on a 1X3 tile instead of the smaller grunt’s 1X2 stance. Excellent execution and upgrade to the Grunt mold and I look forward to getting a lot of them when they hit late in the Series 5 single packs.
I find no fault with this set other than I wish Mega would give us different weapons. I have plenty of ARs and Plasma Rifles. I’d love to see more Battle Rifles/DMRs and Needlers. Only for this reason did it not receive a perfect 10 out of ten.
Overall Rating: 9.5 out of 10 medals.
Here are the images of the build in progress as well as views of the minifigs:
Click on images to see a larger version.
Okay the giveaway/contest is simple. To enter you need to be a member at any of my three outlets. That being here on the blog, my twitter (https://twitter.com/#/HaloFanForLife) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/halofanforlife11). You must post a response to the outlet you are a member of:
• This thread saying why you like my blog
• tweet @HaloFanForLife why you like my blog
• reply on the Facebook post why you like my blog
If you are a member of all three outlets and post a response to all three you will get an extra entry (total of four entries).
I’ll select the winners at random for each outlet as well as one for any members of all three.
The winner will receive a NEW Halo Reach copy WITH Recon code (for Reach) (courtesy of Mega Brands Inc.), plus a random sealed Mega Bloks Minifigure. Limited to U.S. and Canada residents only (sorry elsewhere folks, but due to regional coding, I do not know if the disc will work outside of the U.S. or Canada).
Winners will need to supply a valid shipping address. If you are under 18 years of age, please get permission from your parents. HaloFanForLife will not assume any liability for lost or damaged packages. Entering the contest specifically implies you’ve read the rules and will adhere to them, including if you are under 18, that you have received permission from your parents to enter.
Contest starts now and runs through March 5, 2012.
I look forward to your replies. Please keep them civil and safe for work. Any rude comments will be deleted.
-HaloFanForLife
HaloWaypoint.com has released a video with Andrew Sparkes, Vice President of Mega Brands, Boys Brand Toys, explaining the new Halo Universe (Die Cast) line and more.
Sparky, as he is known, is the gentleman I met at Toy Fair and had an exceedingly fun time viewing the Mega Brands booth with, not to mention gaming with at their LAN.
I was extremely fortunate enough to even be able to attend this event. It was even more a surprise that I was given some of the following, let alone be able to win some at the Mega Brands LAN party.
First here is my haul, minus another copy of Reach, which I gave to my brother-in-law. As well minus the minifigs and prototypes (you will see those below).
Here is all of the die cast sets in a micro diorama:
Here is a look at the base plates combined:
Minifigs, translucent weapons, and prototypes!
She’s only one of two from what I’m told.

You can see to the right of the pic, the sprue on her head where she was attached to the completed mold.

Brute coolness! The headdress is a flexible plastic. The final will be sturdier, yet still somewhat flexible so it won’t break as easily.

For those wondering, the die cast line is about 1/4 the size of the regular bloks line. See in this comparison shot between the older Scorpion and the Die Cast one:

Thanks for checking out my blog as always, more to come!
Microfigs: 2 Green Spartan Mark V’s, Purple Elite, Purple Grunt, DieCast Spartan Mark V
Accessories: 3 Base Plates (each approx 3 X 2 1/2 inches)
Special Features: tread sections move independently, actual treads move, cannon turns 360 and pivots up and down, cannon shoots “missle” (which is front of cannon), front driver hatch opens/closes
Dimensions: Length 4 inches (body only), Width 2.75 inches, Height 2.375 inches (not including antenna)
Price: $15.99 US (unconfirmed)
All in all a great set. I recommend getting it!
Please sign up for my blog and leave a comment or two!
Microfigs: Red Spartan Mark V driver, Red Marine Gunner, Die-Cast Elite Minor
Accessories: 2 Base Plates (each approx 3 X 2 1/2 inches)
Special Features: Independent all wheel suspension, turret turns 360.
Dimensions: Length 3.5 inches, Width 1.5 inches, Height 2 inches
Price: $9.99 US
All in all a great set. I recommend getting it!
Please sign up for my blog and leave a comment or two!
Microfigs: White Elite Pilot, White Grunt, Die-Cast Marin
Accessories: 2 Base Plates (each approx 3 X 2 1/2 inches), clear connecting pieces to elevate Banshee
Special Features: Cockpit top opens and closes, rear flaps fold in and out
Dimensions: Wingspan: 3 1/2 inches Length and Height approx 2 1/2 inches each.
Price: $9.99 US ??? (Unconfirmed)
I hope you enjoyed reading this review as much as I enjoyed writing it. I also hope you found it informative.
All in all a great set. I recommend getting it!
Please sign up for my blog and leave a comment or two!
Since the figures are the same for both of these packs, except for the color, the review is the same for both.
Minifigs: Battle Pack 2: Blue Marine with Battle Rifle, Copper Grunt, Blue Mark V Spartan, Blue Marine with Rocket Launcher, Copper Elite, Die Cast Brute; Battle Pack 3: Red Marine with Battle Rifle, White Grunt, Red Mark V Spartan, Red Marine with Rocket Launcher, White Elite, Die Cast EVA Spartan
Dimensions: Each figure ranges between 3/4 inch-1 inch tall.
Price/Value: $5.99-6.99 US per battle pack depending on store.
These sets are great for filler to a diorama. The added Die Cast figure is nice and if you happen to bump another die cast against it they make a nice “clink” sound, telling you they are indeed metal. The plastic figures are a little soft. That’s not a bad thing though. It means you shouldn’t have an easy time breaking those. I suspect they’ll hold up to semi-rough play, though don’t let them near baby or animal teeth… When taking these out of the package I recommend popping them out from the bottom, rather than trying to pull them out from the top. Seemed to work easier for me.
As you can see in the pics the microfigs are imprinted on the under side of the base with the Mega Bloks logo.
For the price of $6-7 these sets hold their value. At $1 or just above each, their great. Certainly the Die Cast figure will be the hot one for collectors.
There are actually 5 different battle packs. I got these two at Toy Fair. The others will be reviewed at a later date once I have them in my hands.
I hope you enjoyed reading this review as much as I enjoyed writing it. I also hope you found it informative. All in all a great set. I recommend getting it!
Please sign up for my blog and leave a comment or two!
Me and two of my friends from HaloCollectors.com doing a sneak peek video for Mega Bloks