UNSC Spade vs. Skirmisher: Set number 96981

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

Set Piece count: 204
Minifigs, Weapons and Accessories: Reach style Marine, Skirmisher, “Grenadier” Spartan, right “JFO” arm, left “CQC” arm, Base “Grenadier” helmet, Base “Mark V” torso, Assault Rifle, Needle Rifle, Heavy Machine Gun, Marine Backpack, Grenadier Backpack, long ammo crate
Special Features: 4-wheel independent suspension
Dimensions:
Price/Value: $19.99 US

The set has 204 pieces, all but the minifigs, weapons, and accessories are dedicated to the Spade model. The set was a quick build, though there was one instruction error near the beginning. Step 4 puts 2 2×2 brown plates in the wrong position. Instead of in the middle as the step describes, they should be one pip closer to the front as subsequent steps show.
From there on the directions are right. The only problem with some is that the brown and dark grey colors are so close in hue and the directions are so small that it might be hard to distinguish which part you need, so “read” carefully when building.

Click on images to see a larger version.

I showed a pic of the box earlier. Here it is now again for reference.

Here is the back, note the cool armory sets coming soon and the complementary Air Assault Spartan vs. Shade turret.

Here is what you get when you open the box:

Next the minifigs, weapons and accessories:

I’m not fond of the blue-green color on the marine, however it is close to the in-game model (which again I’m not fond of the color). This is not a knock on Mega Bloks, rather the choice of color by Bungie. Apologies that the extra Spartan armor isn’t clear in the photo. To note this spartan is by far the BEST spartan Mega Bloks has produced for the Halo line. Not only is the sculpting top notch, the paint application is extensive and brilliant. The addition of a metallic olive green makes this minifig shine, literally.
The only minor issue I have is with the skirmisher’s plumage. It should be black with slight silver/grey highlights, not silver/grey with black highlights. It’s an easy fix to custom. It likely won’t detract for kids.
The marine’s sculpt is fantastic. While I dread the color, I do look forward to getting more of this style marine. Hopefully we’ll get him in different non-game colors. I’d like to see a green/brown version and a sandy/brown version.

Here are the pieces sorted in what I always call the “brick yard.”

Steps 1-10 nets you this:

Steps 11-14 build the base of the bed of the Spade.

Steps 15-21 piece together the engine area, front and mid frame.

Steps 22-25 complete the rest of the frame and add on the front bumpers and tow cable assembly

Steps 26-28 add the wheels and antennae. Here is a shot of the completed set with minifigs.

I elected not to put the damage stickers on my set, preferring a clean version of the Spade. The hubcaps on the tires are a fantastic sculpt. Oh, of note, the inner grey wheel hubs were a bit of a pain to insert into the rubber wheels. Kids should get their parents to do this for them.

Here are the parts left over:

As always I try to make some little minirig or something out of the left over pieces (makes them easier NOT to lose as well:

All in all this is a fantastic set. Great new minifigs with excellent sculpting and paint application. The Spade seems to be just a tad oversized, however I’m fine with that. The build time was fast and other than the one misstep in the instructions, it was not complicated.

I enjoyed new color bloks. Orange, Brown, and light Blue!

The Spade is somewhat of an obscure vehicle from Halo Reach and I was a little surprised that we got it. It was definitely one though that I wanted Mega Bloks to make and they did not disappoint. Now if we can get the blue and green versions as well!

For the typical retail price of $19.99, this set holds it’s value. With three and a half minifigs and a full sized vehicle it’s hard to refute the price given that minifig sets of 4 are normally $12 nowadays. So for just and extra $8 you get the vehicle too.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 medals.

Fellow collector and friend of HaloFanForLife Kevid Hurd found series 4 (all except Cortana which was cherry-picked out of the box).

The codes for these are as follows:

Artic UNSC Pilot a15111mm
Green UNSC Marine a16111mm
Yellow UNSC ODST a17111mm
Blue Covenant Elite a18111mm
Cooper Covenant Brute a21111mm
Crimson Elite Pilot a22111mm
Purple UNSC EVA Spartan a23111mm
Cortana ?????????

He presents the following video:

These are by far some of the best Custom Halo Mega Bloks vehicles out there. Check out Mega’s blog post about them.

http://blog.megabloks.com/posts/goodwillhunters-custom-halo-vehicles/

Here is a shot of a set that is likely a prototype. The revenant will be coming out with the Skirmisher Vs. Revenant set in 2012. Though I’d LOVE to see this set (pictured) come out as well. I like the gun tower and the set itself mimics the previously released Warthog vs Covenant AA set.

Here is a pic of the back of the box of the soon to be released Spade Vs. Skirmisher set. I talked with Andrew Sparkes, VP of Boys Brands at Mega Bloks last night. He had just built the set that day and said it was an extremely fun build.  Note the Jorge figure. Finally a straight up Noble team member. There is no denying that’s Jorge. The Skirmisher looks great. The only thing I don’t like about it so far is that it’s plumage on it’s head should be black as that’s how it is in game. I’m totally digging the needle rifle it carries though.  The Spade itself looks awesome and I’m hoping to see it again in it’s green and blue colors.

of note as well on the box are the other sets. There is a white EOD set, with possibly white Mark V pieces, an Elite Ascetic set, EVA/Marine set with extra Scout and CQB armor. And of course the Shade set mentioned previously here.

I’m excited for this set and all the other sets shown. Mega Bloks has really done an excellent job of making fun sets and sets we ask for.

Kudos to Mr. Sparkes and his whole team at Mega Bloks for making the line fun and worthy to collect!

Update, now a pic of the FRONT of the box!

New pictures have surfaced of the 2012 Halo Mega Bloks Revenant set. Note the new Elite Ultra, and Plasma Rifle. Also note the Health Shield due to release in the Spade VS. Skirmisher set. Look inside of the shield and you’ll see a core that is actually for the normal (Halo 3) bubble shield. Check out the Carter-esque minifig. He’ll be part of the upcoming Armory line.

Simply amazing. This shows that 2012 will get off to a great start for Halo Mega Bloks.

I recently acquired these “test shot” weapons from the Mega Bloks Halo line. Test shot refers testing the molds for pieces. Note the very different color choices for the weapons in the pictures. I was extremely happy to receive these given their rarity, especially the fuel rod gun since it’s only just been released to market.

The needler is brown if you can’t tell and the Spartan Laser is a dark grey. The all black flamethrower is also very cool!

Check out these two new cool drop pods from Mega Bloks!

The image is in reference to a post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150581221039392&set=o.276961586008&type=1&ref=nf

Note the extremely cool and new Fuel Rod Gun with detachable fuel cells. Also, the battle damage paint on the Zealot elite pod is fantastic. I personally can’t wait to get these for my collection. Price will vary by store, however should range between $10-13.

Thanks to “Mr. Sci-Fi” on HaloCollectors.com for pointing this out.

Folks, if you’ve been thinking about buying this set and haven’t yet, NOW is the time. You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal on the Elephant. It’s a behemoth of a set and comes packed with goodness.

Here it is in front of the box.

Here is a closer view.

As you can see this set comes with several minifigs. The most notable being the Black Recon Spartan. There are two square crates, a power core and of course the awesome all black mongoose as great accessories to the set.

You can read my full review of this great set here: Halo Mega Bloks Review: Elephant

I highly recommend buy it and at the Target sale price, well what are you waiting for? Go and get one now!