39 replies to this topic

[Hapori Tohu]

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It's been a little bit since our last 2012 Hero Factory review, but fear not! We have not forgotten about you guys. Today Sisen takes a look at the big set from the first wave - Black Phantom. Will this villain mastermind his escape or will he end up back in jail on the toy stores' shelves?

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[Replicant]

Eh, It looks pretty good, but I just don't feel like spendnig 20 bucks on a set with so many peices I have.

[ignika527]

Eh, It looks pretty good, but I just don't feel like spendnig 20 bucks on a set with so many peices I have.

You do have a point, but the new/ recolored pieces may be worth somewhat close value of the whole set. An added bonus is if you do get it, more pieces to make the combo model if you have rocka

[Mesonak]

Got the set a while back, it's very well made. Every negative problem from Fire is fixed, from the jumbled color scheme, to the awkward arm supports, to the gappy and under-armored legs, it's all fixed. It's an excellent set IMO.

I agree, however, with the flaws listed. After Witch Doctor, BP is (understandably) underwhelming to a degree, being nothing more than a perfected Fire Lord design. I also find fault with the fact that his extra appendages and the tubes attached to them are a different color than his Zamor sphere, blade, and eyes, ruining what could have been a perfectly balanced color scheme. But I suppose it's not that much of a problem.

Oh, and the Arachnix Drone is <3

-Mesonak

Edited by Mesonak, Jan 21 2012 - 08:51 PM.

[Makuta_of_Oz]

My question is this: Is Black Phantom's helmet all one piece, or are those blade things on each side separate pieces?

[///dotcom///]

My question is this: Is Black Phantom's helmet all one piece, or are those blade things on each side separate pieces?

His helmet is formed by four pieces, a size two cross axle(?), the helmet piece and two horns.

I got this set a while back. It's pretty cool, though I agree that the mace staff is clumbersome. And actually, I never got FL or Rocka xl, so for me it was kind of a new design.

I'm also not fond of the torso top left bare by the new armor. Still, not a major problem.

Edited by dotcom, Jan 21 2012 - 10:10 PM.

[Silver the Hedgehog]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

[Gerlicky]

Oh, hey, you didn't mention the head is in a new color.

Not like I'm surprised, anyway. And yes, I will keep pestering you until you acknowledge it.

[GeluNumber1]

I got this set a while for Christmas. He's pretty cool; if it had been my own money spent to get it, I would've done it.

[Makuta_of_Oz]

My question is this: Is Black Phantom's helmet all one piece, or are those blade things on each side separate pieces?

His helmet is formed by four pieces, a size two cross axle(?), the helmet piece and two horns.

Awesome. I guess it's worth getting after all!

That's right, I WANT TO BUY AN HF SET!

[///dotcom///]

My question is this: Is Black Phantom's helmet all one piece, or are those blade things on each side separate pieces?

His helmet is formed by four pieces, a size two cross axle(?), the helmet piece and two horns.

Awesome. I guess it's worth getting after all!

That's right, I WANT TO BUY AN HF SET!

Is it bad that 4 or so months ago when we first saw the official images, my first thought upon seeing Black Phantom was "Oh hey another set MoZ is going to buy because of black helmet Skrall shenanigans." ?

Edited by dotcom, Jan 21 2012 - 11:52 PM.

[~Shockwave~]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

How do you figure that? I've seen breez.
They are winter sets.

on a differant note, that spider thing is adorable

[unknown_user2596]

This looks like a cool set, but I don't like how the FL build is (re)used here. It seems so unoriginal in doing so. I hope later titan-sized sets would go away from this type of build...

[Makuta_of_Oz]

My question is this: Is Black Phantom's helmet all one piece, or are those blade things on each side separate pieces?

His helmet is formed by four pieces, a size two cross axle(?), the helmet piece and two horns.

Awesome. I guess it's worth getting after all!

That's right, I WANT TO BUY AN HF SET!

Is it bad that 4 or so months ago when we first saw the official images, my first thought upon seeing Black Phantom was "Oh hey another set MoZ is going to buy because of black helmet Skrall shenanigans." ?

O_O

Maybe... afaik that fact wasn't that well-known.

In this case it's not just the helmet though: That mace would make a great Skrall weapon, and all the other black pieces can be used to make unique Skrall of all kinds too.

[///dotcom///]

My question is this: Is Black Phantom's helmet all one piece, or are those blade things on each side separate pieces?

His helmet is formed by four pieces, a size two cross axle(?), the helmet piece and two horns.

Awesome. I guess it's worth getting after all!

That's right, I WANT TO BUY AN HF SET!

Is it bad that 4 or so months ago when we first saw the official images, my first thought upon seeing Black Phantom was "Oh hey another set MoZ is going to buy because of black helmet Skrall shenanigans." ?

O_O

Maybe... afaik that fact wasn't that well-known.

In this case it's not just the helmet though: That mace would make a great Skrall weapon, and all the other black pieces can be used to make unique Skrall of all kinds too.

My memory when it comes to remembering random facts about people in BZP is surprisingly amazing.
Also creepy.

Anyway, I agree about this set being good fodder for Skrall sets. quite a lot of usable parts.

[Gatanui]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

How do you figure that? I've seen breez.
They are winter sets.

on a differant note, that spider thing is adorable

Have you seen them in the US? So far, I am pretty sure they have only been released in Europe.

By the way, the reason why there is no piece count on the box is because that is how packaging is outside American countries.

Thanks for the review! I take it you are going to review Breez?

~Gata.

[Obsessionist]

It looks like a neat set, definitely on my list after Thornraxx. Sad thing is, the only sets I really want are the ones they haven't released in the US yet...

[ToaGreshWave]

Nice to see a review of my fav HF set . Seriously, throw Fire lord in the trash and buy you a Black Phantom.

[Smitty]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

No they come out at the end of the month.

[DOTM Shockwave]

I have this set, he is way better than Fire Lord. Black Phantom, compare to Fire Lord, has a better color scheme, no arm support system, and has gaps covered-up. I hated the mace, so I took it off, flipped his weapon around, and turned his weapon into a lance

[Indecisive Individual]

It's been a little bit since our last 2012 Hero Factory review, but fear now!

If you say so. I'M FEARING NOW! AAAGH!

Anyhow, I've had Black Phantom for a while now (a little over a week), and I've had the same problems with the big staff. At first, I took it apart and just used the blade. I keep the Arachnix seperate, instead of using it as a gun.
I found it strange that there was no mention of the fact that there are a few different shades of trans-green inside the set, I didn't like that much personally.
However, if he ends up the only Breakout set I get, he's definitely worth it.

[Mesonak]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

No they come out at the end of the month.

Different people who have supposedly received word from Lego say different things about what they were told. Some say January 31st, some say their release has been pushed back to the summer wave, where they will join the sets being released there. I, myself, was told that they would be released on January 1st by a Lego Customer Service represenative, and look how well that went.

I suppose there's nothing to do but wait and see.

Anyways, one thing I forgot to mention in my last post regarding Black Phantom was that, apparently, a secondary "function" to the set is that you're able to remove the blade from the end of his mace, detach the Arachnix Drone and let it walk free, and stick the blade in his left hand to give him two melee weapons. I tried it, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. It definitely removes some awkwardness from the set, but the mace feels kind of... empty wihout it. Meh.

-Mesonak

[Indecisive Individual]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

No they come out at the end of the month.

Different people who have supposedly received word from Lego say different things about what they were told. Some say January 31st, some say their release has been pushed back to the summer wave, where they will join the sets being released there. I, myself, was told that they would be released on January 1st by a Lego Customer Service represenative, and look how well that went.

I suppose there's nothing to do but wait and see.

Anyways, one thing I forgot to mention in my last post regarding Black Phantom was that, apparently, a secondary "function" to the set is that you're able to remove the blade from the end of his mace, detach the Arachnix Drone and let it walk free, and stick the blade in his left hand to give him two melee weapons. I tried it, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. It definitely removes some awkwardness from the set, but the mace feels kind of... empty wihout it. Meh.

-Mesonak

I found it was best if you took the suggestion, but took the mace out completely, and had the blade as BP's only weapon.

[Toa Smoke Monster]

The little crab guy kind of reminds me of Click.

Anyway, this set looks really cool. Definitely one of the best HF sets I've seen, IMO. Thanks for the review!

[Akuna Toa of Sonics]

Even though Black Phantom is a Fire Lord and Rocka XL build, I think he looks really cool. Seeing him in action in the review made me want him even more.

[christo1096]

Some pictures are dark, but the review is great, I like the mask, and the new trans-green pieces, re use of thornaxx head is great.

[Silver the Hedgehog]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

No they come out at the end of the month.

I heared they changed it to summer. If this case is true, then.

Lego should have used that crab back in 2009 on the big mata Nui set as click.

Edited by ~Cravix Toa of Balance~, Jan 23 2012 - 05:56 PM.

[Bambi]

Looks like a cool set, I'm tempted to pick him up.

[DoomIgnika]

Like with Rocka, I believe it is noteworthy to say that his Glatorian skull is trans-dark green (my word for the color) instead of the usual trans-lime/yellow.

[~Shockwave~]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

How do you figure that? I've seen breez.
They are winter sets.

on a differant note, that spider thing is adorable

Have you seen them in the US? So far, I am pretty sure they have only been released in Europe.

By the way, the reason why there is no piece count on the box is because that is how packaging is outside American countries.

Thanks for the review! I take it you are going to review Breez?

~Gata.

I could've sworn I saw a breez...
Why are the others shipping than?

[Meiko]

Man, I had planned on getting so many 2012 Hero Factory sets, but I haven't gotten a single one yet. I really should go out and buy some, but Ninjago has become a bit of a higher priority for me (Hero Factory and LEGO City are probably second).

[Gatanui]

I am looking for this set as well as Furno. I was looking for Breeze and Thornaxx, but sadly they do not come out until summer in the U.S.A.

How do you figure that? I've seen breez.
They are winter sets.

on a differant note, that spider thing is adorable

Have you seen them in the US? So far, I am pretty sure they have only been released in Europe.

By the way, the reason why there is no piece count on the box is because that is how packaging is outside American countries.

Thanks for the review! I take it you are going to review Breez?

~Gata.

I could've sworn I saw a breez...
Why are the others shipping than?

Noone knows why Breez and Thornraxx are held back, and why they are only held back in the US. I think that if they don´t arrive in early February, we can expect them to be released in summer.

~Gata.

Edited by Gatanui, Jan 25 2012 - 10:35 AM.

[~Shockwave~]

How... strange...
I've heard of some weird stuff but...
I guess that's just one of those mysteries of life that.we may never know.
Like why omega supremes other components appear out of nowhere on the planet he's on.

Analysis:inconclusive.

[Gresh's Thornax...Ouchy!!!]

Yay! BP! But seriously, the build is such a cheap reuse. Seeing what they could do with Doctor Bones (My name for Witch Doctor) it is a disappointment. Let's look forward to greater developments in Hero Factory. I like HF almost half as much as Bionicle now. That mace doesn't seem too bad to me, but I don't have the set yet so I can't judge these guys. Oh, and Arachnix is sooooooo cute!

Edited by Gresh's Thornax...Ouchy!!!, Jan 27 2012 - 01:29 PM.

[Mesonak]

Yay! BP! But seriously, the build is such a cheap reuse. Seeing what they could do with Doctor Bones (My name for Witch Doctor) it is a disappointment. Let's look forward to greater developments in Hero Factory. I like HF almost half as much as Bionicle now. That mace doesn't seem too bad to me, but I don't have the set yet so I can't judge these guys. Oh, and Arachnix is sooooooo cute!

Not a cheap reuse; more like perfecting a flawed concept. Lego knows people were displeased by Rocka XL and Fire Lord (the only sets which used that build, an entirely new titan design, mind you), so they took fan feedback and decided to perfect it and release a great set using it. Hopefully titans from here on out have new designs, but I wouldn't mind more sets build like this now that Lego's got a handle on how to use it effectively.

-Mesonak

[Silver the Hedgehog]

I think Lego should use the bionicle build still as well.

[Aanchir: Rachira of Time]

I think Lego should use the bionicle build still as well.

There is no "the BIONICLE build", at least not with titan sets. There's BIONICLE's more Technic-based building system, if that's what you're referring to, but really the only way to use this in a Hero Factory model would be to use older BIONICLE and Technic parts instead of Hero Factory parts, and I don't think that'd fit Hero Factory's aesthetic at all.

[fishers64]

I think Lego should use the bionicle build still as well.

Haven't seen it anywhere. They seem to have dropped it.

Maybe it just isn't working out for them, or it is too associated with Bionicle for them to try it again.

[Silver the Hedgehog]

Maybe it is, but they could return it. I mean, there are ways to combine both builds, and there are are many ideas from the old build that Lego has not used.

[Damaracx 7.0]

This guy is big really it is full with new peices he most certainly looks like he is worth my money.