27 replies to this topic

[Chro]

After the sacrifices of the Toa Kitai, a new team rose from the ashes- the Kanau, the prophesied Last Hope for their land.



^ click the picture above to go to the overall team gallery, click the names below for more pictures in the individual galleries ^


Cilira, the Cunning. Toa of Lightning. Quiet co-leader of the Kanau. Tactical and stealth specialist.

Kerev, the Swift. Toa of Air. Headstrong like all Le-Toa, but quiet unlike most. Speed fighter ("rusher").

Asgage, the Grim. Toa of Stone. Serious, uses element sparingly but effectively. Team leader.

Madar, the Volatile. Toa of Iron. Loyal but unstable. Destructive elemental abilities.

Ormont, the Tenacious. Toa of Earth. Was forced to use his Iden to permanently possess a robot body. Heavy unit.




As it says up there, individual Brickshelf galleries linked above; team gallery can be found by clicking the giant rainbow.

The MOCpage for the Toa Kanau can be found right here, assuming someone cares.


Some relevant points to make~
I was running out of parts by the time I got to Cilira, but I wanted a blue Toa, and a female team member. That's why the torso- and actually, the entire MOC to some extent- looks like it is made from leftover pieces. Magnetism might've been a more fitting element for Asgage, based on appearance and such, but eh, whatever. Please remember that Ormont doesn't look like a Toa because he isn't- it's his spirit in a robot body. The MOC itself was initially inspired by Brute Steltians (my name for Krekka's species), although the no-right-eye thing is a coincidence... honestly. As a story-related side note, Ormont has one eye because the sudden energy influx busted one of the robot's optical sockets. Kerev does have a mask- a Calix, probably- which is molded like a ninja's mask because, well, he felt like it.
So anyway, feedback is appreciated, as usual.


If you've got the time and are so inclined, feel free to take a look at the various works that I have so self-servingly linked to in my signature, located for your convenience directly below this (and every) post that I've made.

[~The 1st Shadow~]

They all look pretty good, especially Asgage. I can see what you mean about Cilira looking like a plate of leftovers. Other than that, I think they all look good.
I'll review each one in order:
Cilira: As I said before, torso isn't so great. It just looks a bit too long compared to her legs and arms. The limbs, I like. Especially the way the electro-blade-things attach to the arms.

Kerev: He's definitely interesting. The "mask" looks well-done, though I feel like those huge bugging eyes can see straight through my soul I feel like there isn't enough teal in there, and what little there is seems to be concentrated more in the legs. Speaking of the legs, they seem a little bulky compared to the rest of him. Otherwise, he's probably one of my favorites out of the group.

Asgage: This one I have almost no complaint about. Except for maybe his back--the rest of his torso looks good, but the upper back just seems to be hanging out there. If that's supposed to represent a backpack, then it makes more sense to me. Otherwise, he looks great. Especially the legs and the lower arms. Great job here.

Madar: This is another of my favorites. I like the overall look of him, although maybe the two shades of orange (bright and burnt) are a little clashy. Other than that, I don't have much more to say than good job!

Ormont: Where do I begin? He looks really good, despite not being a Toa-like body. He looks very menacing, especially with that canon on his shoulder. The little red highlights just add to the overall effect, and I like how that turned out. Overall, he looks like a good solid build and I applaud you for that.

Although, I have to ask: Did you post these (or something like them) on here a while back? Aside from Madar, I feel like I just clicked these same links a few days ago. Or maybe it's just deja vu. Or maybe I saw them while browsing Brickshelf

Anyway, I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

[Chro]

Thanks for the feedback!
Asgage doesn't have a backpack, it's just another armor plate; it looked fine on the actual MOC, I didn't realize until now how odd it looked in the pictures. Kerev's green is a bit unbalanced, yes- and by the way, it's Mata green, not teal- but I'd run out of green by that point and I liked the color balance of the legs. You said they were a bit too bulky, and perhaps they are; but I felt that strong legs better beget the idea of speed for a MOC.

Although, I have to ask: Did you post these (or something like them) on here a while back? Aside from Madar, I feel like I just clicked these same links a few days ago. Or maybe it's just deja vu. Or maybe I saw them while browsing Brickshelf Anyway, I look forward to seeing what else you come up with.

Yes, these have been up on my Brickshelf for a while. And that's strange, I could've sworn I posted them here a few weeks ago, but apparently I didn't. There have been quite a few of my MOCs posted here, but for the most part they've gone unnoticed- the only one still in the 20-day period of activity can be found via the link in my signature.
Thanks again.

[~The 1st Shadow~]

Thanks for the feedback!
Kerev's green is a bit unbalanced, yes- and by the way, it's Mata green, not teal- but I'd run out of green by that point and I liked the color balance of the legs. You said they were a bit too bulky, and perhaps they are; but I felt that strong legs better beget the idea of speed for a MOC.
Yes, these have been up on my Brickshelf for a while.

Is it really? The pictures make it look teal. Probably just the lighting. In any case, I like teal, so I'll just pretend that's what it actually is.
Yeah, compared to his arms, they just seemed a little heavy-looking. For something built for speed, generally what you'd expect to see is something narrower and more aerodynamic. The legs look good on their own, but for the intent of speed they just seem a little unwieldy, if you see what I mean.
If they've been up for a while, then that's probably it!
And you are quite welcome!

[Vox The Shadow of Reality]

man i remember looking at these already like last week and i have to admit i admire your ability to create custom bodies and limbs i personally lack that skill

[Chro]

Is it really? The pictures make it look teal. Probably just the lighting. In any case, I like teal, so I'll just pretend that's what it actually is.
Yeah, compared to his arms, they just seemed a little heavy-looking. For something built for speed, generally what you'd expect to see is something narrower and more aerodynamic. The legs look good on their own, but for the intent of speed they just seem a little unwieldy, if you see what I mean.

Yeah, I tried fixing the color balance, but making the "teal" look like the green it actually is would always cause the rest to look pretty strange. I know what you mean about the legs, thanks again for the advice on that.

man i remember looking at these already like last week and i have to admit i admire your ability to create custom bodies and limbs i personally lack that skill

Thanks man. Yeah, I have a lot of experience with that (well, one year of building, but a lot of fully or mostly custom MOCs). Some people say that simplicity is almost always better, but I disagree, for my MOCs at least.

[Vox The Shadow of Reality]

Is it really? The pictures make it look teal. Probably just the lighting. In any case, I like teal, so I'll just pretend that's what it actually is.
Yeah, compared to his arms, they just seemed a little heavy-looking. For something built for speed, generally what you'd expect to see is something narrower and more aerodynamic. The legs look good on their own, but for the intent of speed they just seem a little unwieldy, if you see what I mean.

Yeah, I tried fixing the color balance, but making the "teal" look like the green it actually is would always cause the rest to look pretty strange. I know what you mean about the legs, thanks again for the advice on that.

man i remember looking at these already like last week and i have to admit i admire your ability to create custom bodies and limbs i personally lack that skill

Thanks man. Yeah, I have a lot of experience with that (well, one year of building, but a lot of fully or mostly custom MOCs). Some people say that simplicity is almost always better, but I disagree, for my MOCs at least.

yeah well i do alot of simplicity but mainly just because i have a lack of pieces to do custom
also kinda of funny but i noticed everyone to reply in this topic so far has 1st in their username

[Chro]

Ah, I see. Yeah, I have hardly any Technic or complex Bionicle sets, but I did get a few of those surplus parts buckets from the earlier years; best Bionicle investment yet. I recommend Bricklink, which I have yet to use, but is excellent for buying Technic (and other) parts cheap.
And yes, that is pretty funny.

Edited by Chro, Nov 08 2012 - 12:01 PM.

[CeeCee]

Wow these are awesome. I really like the yellow, the red and the orange guy.
I think the green one would look better with a real Kanohi though.
Blue... Looks a little too thin IMO. If its a girl, may I suggest thickening the... chest and... above the leg region to make it look more feminine.
Good work though man!

[Chro]

Thanks for the feedback, glad you like the set. None of the (available) masks I tried for Kerev looked good in my eyes, so I went with the custom one. Yes, Cilira is female. I usually try not to over-feminize female MOCs, like a lot of others that I see... and in Bionicle, we hardly ever saw truly feminine-looking Toa, eh?

[CeeCee]

Thanks for the feedback, glad you like the set. None of the (available) masks I tried for Kerev looked good in my eyes, so I went with the custom one. Yes, Cilira is female. I usually try not to over-feminize female MOCs, like a lot of others that I see... and in Bionicle, we hardly ever saw truly feminine-looking Toa, eh?

Yeah but that was because some people wouldn't buy them otherwise. I like a good feminine looking MOC

[Chro]

I like a good feminine looking MOC

Some day I am going to quote you on that at the most inopportune moment.

[Stan McStudz]

These are some pretty well- built MOCs you've got there! I like how they're all very posable compared to the real BIONICLE sets (and mostly all Toa). Kerev seems to be a favorite of mine, with his blades and general agile look, and I think Ormont's present situation (being stuck as a robot) is very creative. Will we ever see an original form?

Keep up the great work there.

[Chro]

Thanks Stan! No, there won't be an original form for Ormont- he used his Iden to leave his original body literally seconds after becoming a Toa. (Let's just say he has brilliant reflexes. )

[CeeCee]

Why does he posses the robot? Did his original body get damaged. That would be cool if he was paralyzed or something

[Chro]

The city they lived in was attacked by some Dark Hunters or maybe just random bandits. A few Toa died defending these Matoran, in turn transforming them into Toa while the village still burned... Ormont's original Toa body was likely either crushed by debris, burned, or stabbed by a bandit (never really specified that), so in a split-second decision he used his Kanohi Iden (he knew it was this because he'd worn a powerless one until then) to leave his body. Later, as I said, he took over a robot and carved its face to be like his old mask.
I suppose the team might come across Ormont's old body at some point. That could be awkward.

[CeeCee]

The city they lived in was attacked by some Dark Hunters or maybe just random bandits. A few Toa died defending these Matoran, in turn transforming them into Toa while the village still burned... Ormont's original Toa body was likely either crushed by debris, burned, or stabbed by a bandit (never really specified that), so in a split-second decision he used his Kanohi Iden (he knew it was this because he'd worn a powerless one until then) to leave his body. Later, as I said, he took over a robot and carved its face to be like his old mask.
I suppose the team might come across Ormont's old body at some point. That could be awkward.

Did you write a story about the Kitai and the Kanau because I would be very much interested in reading it.

[Chro]

Did you write a story about the Kitai and the Kanau because I would be very much interested in reading it.

Not yet. I did write a story for each member of the Kitai, but they really didn't tell you much. Thanks for the idea, I think I will write about that event.

[~Shockwave~]

the links don't work for me...

[Chro]

the links don't work for me...

Really? That's very strange. All of them work for me, even when I'm logged out of Brickshelf.
I've triple-checked all of the links and stuff, no idea why it isn't working for you.
Anyway it's easy enough to find them, just click the Brickshelf link in my sig and there's a really obvious Kanau folder.

[Zaxvo]

I think the biggest problem with trying to do a team like this is that you run out of parts -- and you touched on this in the comments.

Cilira, the blue one, looks fine from the waist down. Her torso is shaped like a T; thin from the waist up and then suddenly spreading out sharply for the shoulders. It doesn't really look that great, and initially I was going to pass on reviewing Cilira merely because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to offer any positive feedback. I looked at the others and then came back to Cilira and noticed that you've got an excellent bottom half of a Toa -- the top half was jsut so off I didn't actually notice it. I've tried using the Nuva armor on the legs, like that, before, but it always looked weird to me, so well done there. That's impressive (at least to me).

Also, it feels like you've got to much black/grey and not enough color.

Kerev suffers from similar problems to Cilira, but not as drastic. Here, his torso needs some more armor, it feels "raw" to me. And, he could do with a bit more color as well. The balance of color, in general, seems off to me. lots of black on the bototm, lots of grey in the middle, and lots of black on the top, with green interspersed throughout. I feel like the black and grey should be more evenly mixed, with more green throughout.

And nice head, by the way. It certainly looks like the mask of a ninja.

Asgage is wonderful. I especially like what you've done with the sword, it looks amazing. And although he hasn't got much color too him, it's in all the right places so I look at the armor and think, nope, he's colore,d the armor is just covering it up. In other words, the lack of color works fine here.

Madar looks great as well, although here I think there are too many colors. Count them, you've got black, grey, orange, gunmetal, and trans orange. As a general rule of thumb, 3 is a good minimum, maybe 4 if you have too. 5 is almost always too much. I like the use of the rahkshi head in the torso, it looks wonderful. Actually, all of the torso is great; it's compact, flows well, and it works.

Lastly, Ormont. He's my favorite one of the bunch, followed closely by Agage. No issues with color here, the al black approach looks marvelous. The shoulder cannon looks great and it just clicks together. Purely from a moc perspective, I wish he had two eyes...it would look a lot cleaner that way. I'm not going to fault you for it, however, because I can tell you've got solid stories around all of these so it's obvious you've got an artistic reason there.

Overall, well done. The Ormont, Asgage and Madar are excellent, and then Kerev and Cilira are decent.

One thing though: don't always feel like you absolutely have to go custom for the limbs or torsos. Custom is only impressive if you manage to make it look good, as in the case of Ormont, Asgage, and Madar.

[Chro]

Thanks for all the feedback, Zaxvo. 

 

I think the biggest problem with trying to do a team like this is that you run out of parts -- and you touched on this in the comments.
Cilira, the blue one, looks fine from the waist down. Her torso is shaped like a T; thin from the waist up and then suddenly spreading out sharply for the shoulders. It doesn't really look that great, and initially I was going to pass on reviewing Cilira merely because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to offer any positive feedback. I looked at the others and then came back to Cilira and noticed that you've got an excellent bottom half of a Toa -- the top half was jsut so off I didn't actually notice it. I've tried using the Nuva armor on the legs, like that, before, but it always looked weird to me, so well done there. That's impressive (at least to me).
Also, it feels like you've got to much black/grey and not enough color.

Yeah, Cilira was the last one that I made, so I was running out of parts. Not sure how much the shoulders actually flare out, though. I do like the legs as well, and that's where I started on building Cilira, so thanks for that.

 

Kerev suffers from similar problems to Cilira, but not as drastic. Here, his torso needs some more armor, it feels "raw" to me. And, he could do with a bit more color as well. The balance of color, in general, seems off to me. lots of black on the bototm, lots of grey in the middle, and lots of black on the top, with green interspersed throughout. I feel like the black and grey should be more evenly mixed, with more green throughout.
And nice head, by the way. It certainly looks like the mask of a ninja.

Kerev wasn't supposed to be very armored- I was focusing around Technic construction. But I see how that can look unappealing. The colors were off, yes. Overall I agree that Kerev needed some work.

Asgage is wonderful. I especially like what you've done with the sword, it looks amazing. And although he hasn't got much color too him, it's in all the right places so I look at the armor and think, nope, he's colore,d the armor is just covering it up. In other words, the lack of color works fine here.

Thanks again. He was the first of the team I built, so naturally he'd be the best, in terms of originality and usage of available parts.

Madar looks great as well, although here I think there are too many colors. Count them, you've got black, grey, orange, gunmetal, and trans orange. As a general rule of thumb, 3 is a good minimum, maybe 4 if you have too. 5 is almost always too much. I like the use of the rahkshi head in the torso, it looks wonderful. Actually, all of the torso is great; it's compact, flows well, and it works.

Actually, he's only got four main colors- orange and earth orange, with black and dark bley in there as well. (The trans-orange is just for the eyes and heartlight.) I like working with crazy color schemes and making them look good, although Madar wasn't intentionally so... negatively multicolored. Glad you like the torso, anyway.

Lastly, Ormont. He's my favorite one of the bunch, followed closely by Agage. No issues with color here, the al black approach looks marvelous. The shoulder cannon looks great and it just clicks together. Purely from a moc perspective, I wish he had two eyes...it would look a lot cleaner that way. I'm not going to fault you for it, however, because I can tell you've got solid stories around all of these so it's obvious you've got an artistic reason there.

Yeah, two eyes would be better, but I only had one of those red tiles and found this easier to build... not to mention the story that I'd already planned out, as you mentioned.

Overall, well done. The Ormont, Asgage and Madar are excellent, and then Kerev and Cilira are decent.
One thing though: don't always feel like you absolutely have to go custom for the limbs or torsos. Custom is only impressive if you manage to make it look good, as in the case of Ormont, Asgage, and Madar.

Oh believe me, I know full-on complexity is unnecessary. But I consider it an extra challenge in my MOCing. I am aware that Cilira and to some extent Kerev suffered for that, although the initial intent of this project was to create a completely custom-build Toa team.

Thanks again for all of the feedback, it's always very useful.

[Steve the Squid]

Wow, these are really great. Some are a bit skinny, but they're pretty good overall!

[Chro]

Thanks Steve. Yeah, I've made more of an effort on recent creations to have a more proportionate torso size.

[Flaredrick: the Sniper]

man i remember looking at these already like last week and i have to admit i admire your ability to create custom bodies and limbs i personally lack that skill

 

I to lack skill in making custom body parts. I just don't have enough pieces and imagination to do so. Either way great mocs Chro.

[Rooster Nui]

One word, awesome!

 

Please leave constructive criticism next time instead of SPAM.

~Makaru

Edited by Makaru, Dec 22 2012 - 01:04 PM.

[Chro]

I to lack skill in making custom body parts. I just don't have enough pieces and imagination to do so. Either way great mocs Chro.

Thanks! If you're interested, I can share some designs which are a good starting point for custom limbs, and they're also easy to make with limited parts.

 

 

One word, awesome!

Glad you think so... there's a rule about generic posts, though, so I'd recommend adding something if you don't want your comment to get reported as spam.

[Flaredrick: the Sniper]

I like Kerev's mask. It looks awesome. I always pretend that the glatorian helmets are a combination of two masks in one. Reason is because some of my toa wear glatorian helmets.