{"id":31537,"date":"2019-06-28T07:30:13","date_gmt":"2019-06-28T12:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=31537"},"modified":"2019-06-28T07:30:13","modified_gmt":"2019-06-28T12:30:13","slug":"halo-toy-review-mega-construx-phaeton-helios-strike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/?p=31537","title":{"rendered":"Halo Toy Review: Mega Construx Phaeton Helios Strike"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Mega\u00a0Construx Phaeton Helios Strike<\/strong><\/p>\n

Technical Specifications:<\/strong>
\nBuild Time:<\/strong>\u00a035 minutes to sort, 1 1\/2 hours to build (your time will vary as I take pics of the build along the way)
\nSet Piece Count:<\/strong>\u00a0569
\nMinifigures: <\/strong>Spartan Defender, Spartan Orbital, \u00a0Legendary Promethean Knight, Legendary Promethean Crawler, Legendary Promethean Watcher
\nWeapons: <\/strong>Beam Rifle (Delta skin), SMG (Pop Culture skin)
\nAccessories: <\/strong>Figure stand X4, buildable Rocket Launcher with triangles-pod
\nSpecial Features:<\/strong>\u00a0Cockpit opens\/closes, Phaeton guns can rotate, cylindrical wings can rotate, minimal stands for Phaeton to rest on, stand for Watcher to hover over.
\nCost:<\/strong>\u00a0$55-60 US (Mass Retail) I got mine from Amazon.<\/p>\n

And on with the pics!\u00a0<\/strong>(Click pics to make\u00a0BIGGER<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

The box art is very cool, showing a battle scene between Spartan and Promethean forces with the Phaeton Helios right in the middle of the fray.
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nThe back of the box shows the action feature as well as names the figures included.<\/p>\n

The box includes 11 numbered bags, two unnumbered bags and two thin instruction booklets.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The bigger of the two unnumbered bags includes the figures, weapons, tools and various Phaeton Helios pieces.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You get the clip tool and the multitool in this set.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Spartans have at their use a Delta skinned Beam Rifle and a “Pop Culture” skinned SMG.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here we see the printed cockpit readout piece.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You get a nice array of Promethean figures in this set. From left to right:
\nCrawler, Knight, Watcher. There is also a Suppressor included and the Knight has a detachable Scattershot and Sword.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We get a Spartan Orbital with the Equinox skin and a Spartan Defender with the Redoubt skin.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is everything in the big MCX bag, sorted out.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The smaller unnumbered bag comes with 5 circular pieces, the stand for the watcher, a part of the rocket launcher and some small attachment pieces.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Those smaller pieces more clearly…\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Okay, let’s get on with the build, shall we?<\/strong><\/p>\n

From here out, numbered bags will first have corresponding graphics to show which bags are being used. Directly below for instance are bags 1 and 2.<\/p>\n

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Bags 1 and 2 pieces are sorted out
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We start by building the underside of the front of the Phaeton as well as what I like to call the souped up V6 engine!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bags 3 and 4 sorted out.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We now begin to build the top portion of the front of the Phaeton Helios. Those red upward pointing “C” clips will be used to attach the cockpit hatch to.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I was very curious how Mega was going to approach the color shading on the Helios. I am SO happy they went with a gradient print instead of blok pieces. This makes the model look more game accurate!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Several steps in the build are represented here. The top two show the cockpit coming together. Then bottom, the front top and cockpit sections attaching to each other.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We then add the cockpit hatch and a few solid bright orange sections, attaching those to the bottom half of the front of the Phaeton. Now, I know some of you are saying, but the cockpit isn’t really located there. You would be correct. in fact this set has built into it, TWO cockpit sections. This one and the correct area near the back, which you’ll see later in the build.\"\"<\/a>
\nI really like the look of this so far. Those gradient printed pieces are really doing justice to the Helios skin of this Phaeton.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bags 5 and 6 sorted.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This part of the build starts the back half of the Phaeton. Below is the top rear section.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The middle section of the Phaeton. This is also part of the rear cockpit.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here three sections of the rear come together, then at bottom, some rounded pieces are added. This is looking really good and Mega so far has done a wonderful job of making use of color bloks to get the Helios skin down pat.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bags 7 and 8 sorted out.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Flipping this section over, we add the lower half of the rear cockpit. Flip back over and we add the large cockpit hatch.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The front and back body sections of the Phaeton are ready to be attached together. This is by means of two grey joint pieces. It’s VERY secure! Side mounted guns are added to the rear of the Phaeton.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bags 9 and 10 sorted out. LOTS of translucent orange pieces here!!! I LOVE see through pieces!
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Each “wing” cylinder is built the same, just in reverse for the actual angular wings pieces. Much of the inside of these cylinders are hollow.<\/p>\n

You build each in three sections then fit them together.\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

With both cylinders complete, we add them to the body. Now, in-game, these hover next to the craft. We humans of this century do not have that tech yet, so Mega makes use of some small clear attachment pins. Looks great!\"\"<\/a>
\nThere are also two very small buildable stands for the Phaeton to rest on.<\/p>\n

Now let’s take a look at the ship and figures in orthogonal views!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Phaeton is the same on the left and right sides. The front view makes the craft look menacing. Even the back view does too. ALL THAT COLOR! I love it!!\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Now onto the figures!<\/strong><\/p>\n

As mentioned earlier, the Spartan\u00a0Defender<\/strong> uses the Redoubt skin. What I like here is that the Defender’s colors make him blend in with the Phaeton. Good touch, Mega!
\n\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This Spartan Orbital<\/strong> uses the Equinox skin. It is quite detailed using a blue and gold finish.\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Promethean are all “Legendary” rank. This shown by them having the copper color.<\/p>\n

Crawler\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Watcher\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Knight\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Also note<\/strong>, the Watcher can fit into the Knight’s back. This is a feature that’s been present since the first set that came with a knight, several years ago. Below shows the steps you need to take to store the Watcher properly.\"\"<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Phaeton is complete. I wanted to show it in 3\/4 views. This really looks nice. I really am impressed with how Mega pulled off the Helios skin to this.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We aren’t quite done yet though!!
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bag 11, the final bag! This bag contains all the pieces for the rocket launcher.
\n\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I had a small incident here. The rod that gets inserted into the holes of the main piece of the launcher started to bend and get a stress mark. This shown by the red circles. I carefully removed it and tried from the other side. This time it worked. However, I do want to point out, the holes on both sides are tight so that this rod doesn’t easily slip in. So take extra care with inserting it.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The rocket launcher comes together. Body, then launchers then complete. I love how Mega designed this.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There are four figure stands that come with the set. The crawler and Spartan can make use of these. The knight can’t really use one as it’s feet are too big for it. I’d have liked to have had a bigger base for it to stand on, but that is really so minor.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These are the leftover pieces I had from the build. I used them to make as close as I could a mini Phaeton! LOL\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And finally, the whole set, minus the figure stands, with exception to the Watcher stand.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary: <\/strong><\/span>The set’s build time is decent, for a model of this piece count. That Mega now uses numbered bags, makes it MUCH easier. the set includes a very good amount of varied figures. The Helios colors are well applied, be they in blok form or printed.<\/p>\n

Overall Rating:\u00a0I give this set 10 out of 10 medals.
\n<\/strong><\/span>Why did I give it a 10 out of 10?<\/strong><\/span>
\n\u2022 The ship itself (not including coloring) is identical from what I can tell, to the original Phaeton. However, it’s those very colors of the Helios that make this ship stand out!
\n\u2022 Figure variation and amount is awesome! 3 Promtheans and 2 very detail Spartans!<\/p>\n

Here’s my opinion on the break down of the value of this set. (In US dollars)
\n<\/strong>\u2022 Each Spartan with a weapon and stand is worth $5. (This due to the extra paint applied to them to make their unique skins) $10 total<\/strong>
\n\u2022 The Watcher I put at $2<\/strong>
\n\u2022 The Crawler at $2.50
\n<\/strong>\u2022 The Knight being a big figure I put at $8<\/strong>. However, the Knights do tend to sell for more on the second market. So this is subjective to what you may think it’s worth to you.
\n\u2022 The Rocket Launcher assembly I put at $2.50<\/strong>
\n\u2022 This leaves the Phaeton Helios. Given the piece count remaining, it’s easily worth $40<\/strong>. Especially when you include the translucent and printed bloks used to complete it.
\nTOTAL: $65 (before tax and in U.S. dollars)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Given that the set costs $55-60 US before tax, I find the value of this set BETTER than the retail price. So you’re getting a good deal here!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do I recommend it?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>YES! I really love the Phaeton design. When the Helios version came out in-game, I was excited to see it too in Mega form. It took some time, but it’s finally here and it was well worth the wait! The ship is fantastic and the figures really add value to the set.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

If you have any questions about this set that I didn’t cover in the review, please do not hesitate to ask me. Either reply below or e-mail me at sal@halofanforlife.com<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If this review gives you an informed decision on whether to purchase the toy\u00a0or not, please consider a small donation (50 cents)<\/strong> to the blog.You can donate via PayPal<\/strong> to jedisalpitt2002@yahoo.com<\/strong>. Or just click the paypal link at the right on the main page<\/strong> of the site. \u00a0It\u2019s much appreciated and helps ensure that HFFL stays registered\/active on the internet. Thank You.<\/span><\/p>\n

-Sal<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mega\u00a0Construx Phaeton Helios Strike Technical Specifications: Build Time:\u00a035 minutes to sort, 1 1\/2 hours to build (your time will vary as I take pics of the build along the way) Set Piece Count:\u00a0569 Minifigures: Spartan Defender, Spartan Orbital, \u00a0Legendary Promethean … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bloks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31537"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31537\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31547,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31537\/revisions\/31547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/halofanforlife.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}