Set Review: 70788 Kopaka Master of Ice

[Hapori Tohu]

Bionicle is back! LEGO has been kind enough to send us some of the upcoming sets to review, proving once again that they are awesome. Today we're taking a look at 70788 Kopaka Master of Ice, one of the larger sets in the winter wave. Will he thaw your Gen 1 Bionicle-fan heart or leave you frigid and unyielding to change? We've got all the details in both the text and image format as well as video. So what are you waiting for, let's get going!

 

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[fishers64]

Is it just me, or does that thumbnail have just a little too much gold in it? It appears Kopaka looks better with his white mask.

[J46 Nui]

This is pretty great. I am slightly disappointed that there are stickers in this set (I just don't think Lego and stickers mix well). The set looks fairly big, which is good for a $20 set, and most importantly it actually looks like Kopaka.

 

Though if there is a thing I would want added to the review, it would be comparison pics between this set and some of the G1 Kopaka figures. If there is anyway to dig up those sets and post those pics, I would be pretty thankful.

[Toa Smoke Monster]

I wasn't expecting a review on one of the new Toa to be up so soon. Not that I'm complaining.

 

I really like that this set comes with both the white and gold versions of Kopaka's mask. I also like that his weapons can attach to his feet. That kind of reminds me of the weapons Kopaka had on his 02 set. 

 

I don't like that it has stickers, but that is just minor complaint that I can live with.

 

Thanks for reviewing this set!

[Rooster Nui]

Whoa, this review goes for a while, I was only expecting 10 minutes.

[Zeddy]

I think now would be a good time to bring out this bad boy:

 

I think Kopaka is definitely one of my favorite sets from the new batch. I'm not a huge fan of the stickers on the breastplates (this applies to all Toa) but here at least it seems to break the flow and fit with the rest of the colour scheme. I prefer the print to a solid gold block of armor which would just be distracting. The armor on the leg is a bit weird, his thighs look way too weak compared to his calves... But I guess adding too much bulk on there would make it hard to pose the sets. Also it's interesting that there's not "real" leg piece- it definitely adds more versatility which is good, but then again, I like standard leg pieces.

[Axilus Prime]

I'm a Transformers fan. Reboots with major differences are easy for me to deal with.

 

And this set is even easier for me to deal with, this just helps cement my belief that the Okoto Toa are the best set Toa ever. Gear functions without posing drawbacks, dual function weapons, and they're huge. Plus the gold masks and skull spiders actually coming with them means we don't get the pain in the rear part of '01...collecting.

[masterchirox580]

Hang on a minute, that was a box intended for a European English speaking country, that must mean it was likely intended to ship to "gasp" the UK, runs to a hill, why didn't ya send to me lego why didn't you send it to me!

[Gatanui]

I think now would be a good time to bring out this bad boy:

 

I think Kopaka is definitely one of my favorite sets from the new batch. I'm not a huge fan of the stickers on the breastplates (this applies to all Toa) but here at least it seems to break the flow and fit with the rest of the colour scheme. I prefer the print to a solid gold block of armor which would just be distracting. The armor on the leg is a bit weird, his thighs look way too weak compared to his calves... But I guess adding too much bulk on there would make it hard to pose the sets. Also it's interesting that there's not "real" leg piece- it definitely adds more versatility which is good, but then again, I like standard leg pieces.

I'm pretty sure the chest pieces are printed, the stickers are on the thighs.

 

 

Hang on a minute, that was a box intended for a European English speaking country, that must mean it was likely intended to ship to "gasp" the UK, runs to a hill, why didn't ya send to me lego why didn't you send it to me!

That is a generic European packaging, not just English-speaking. Usually the boxes BZPower gets to review are European, probably because they're sent straight from Denmark.

 

Anyway, thanks a lot for the review as usual! You could have given him more dynamic poses in the photos, though, he looks kind of stiff.

Edited November 5, 2014 by Gatanui

[Nescent]

This will definitely be one of the first sets I pick up. Great review, looking forward to more.

 

I wonder how many eye colors there are going to be? I'm guessing red/green/blue, but a couple others would be nice.

[masterchirox580]

 

I think now would be a good time to bring out this bad boy:

 

I think Kopaka is definitely one of my favorite sets from the new batch. I'm not a huge fan of the stickers on the breastplates (this applies to all Toa) but here at least it seems to break the flow and fit with the rest of the colour scheme. I prefer the print to a solid gold block of armor which would just be distracting. The armor on the leg is a bit weird, his thighs look way too weak compared to his calves... But I guess adding too much bulk on there would make it hard to pose the sets. Also it's interesting that there's not "real" leg piece- it definitely adds more versatility which is good, but then again, I like standard leg pieces.

I'm pretty sure the chest pieces are printed, the stickers are on the thighs.

 

 

Hang on a minute, that was a box intended for a European English speaking country, that must mean it was likely intended to ship to "gasp" the UK, runs to a hill, why didn't ya send to me lego why didn't you send it to me!

That is a generic European packaging, not just English-speaking. Usually the boxes BZPower gets to review are European, probably because they're sent straight from Denmark.

 

 

 

Wait so is English the default language on European boxes?

[Alloywarrior]

Thanks for the review! Man I'm loving Kopaka's new look. He's possibly my favorite of the new sets simply because he looks like the Kopaka of old, but much upgraded. However... as she was my first set back in '01, Gali will always be my G.A.L. (i)! lol

[user-402520536]

MUST... HAVE... Kopaka's new design suits him perfectly. I wish I could say more, but then I might explode from all the hype.

[Xeo]

I can't wait to get Kopaka. He was my first one I got back in 2001. I'm going to try and repeat history here.

[Pohatu: Uniter of Stone]

This is awesome! I really like this new Kopaka. I've always liked Pohatu more, but I'm going to make sure to get both now! He has so many sweet pieces!

[Black Six]

Though if there is a thing I would want added to the review, it would be comparison pics between this set and some of the G1 Kopaka figures. If there is anyway to dig up those sets and post those pics, I would be pretty thankful.

All of my original sets are somewhere deep in storage. I figured getting the review up quickly was more important than finding my old sets.

 

Whoa, this review goes for a while, I was only expecting 10 minutes.

Since it's the first review of one of the 2015 sets, I wanted to make sure I covered things in as much detail as possible. I'm sure future reviews will be shorter since things like the new box and many of the new pieces have now been covered.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the stickers on the breastplates (this applies to all Toa) but here at least it seems to break the flow and fit with the rest of the colour scheme.

The chest piece is printed. The thigh armor has stickers.

 

 

Hang on a minute, that was a box intended for a European English speaking country, that must mean it was likely intended to ship to "gasp" the UK, runs to a hill, why didn't ya send to me lego why didn't you send it to me!

That is a generic European packaging, not just English-speaking. Usually the boxes BZPower gets to review are European, probably because they're sent straight from Denmark.

 

Correct. When LEGO sends us sets they usually come right from Billund.

 

Anyway, thanks a lot for the review as usual! You could have given him more dynamic poses in the photos, though, he looks kind of stiff.

Yeah, I noticed that as I was writing it up and wished I had taken some more posed photos. But again, I was trying to get the review posted as soon as I could (while still keeping the quality high).

 

I wonder how many eye colors there are going to be? I'm guessing red/green/blue, but a couple others would be nice.

Currently there are two colors for the eye pieces, trans-light blue and trans-neon green (I think that's the color). Hopefully more colors will be introduced in future waves.

 

Wait so is English the default language on European boxes?

Yes.

[Zeddy]

I'm pretty sure the chest pieces are printed, the stickers are on the thighs.

 

 

Yeah, I misspoke, I meant to say the print on the chest. I didn't even notice the thigh stickers, so I guess that's a good thing because they're not gaudy or anything.

[Lyichir]

Kopaka is a fantastic set. The review described him as looking muscular, but to me his heavy armor on his shoulders and lower legs gives me the impression that he's "bundled up"; it helps to evoke both his frigid setting and his guarded, icy personality.

 

I don't mind the stickers, honestly, since they're easy enough to apply properly. Plus, this allows the parts they go on to come unstickered; useful since Kopaka's thighs (and Onua's chest) are both new in those very basic and useful colors.

 

Kopaka looks FANTASTIC on his skis (which are actual skis this time, not glorified ice skates).

 

The color of the Skull Spider claws, by the way, is Titanium Metallic. The old gunmetal, discontinued for several years now, was Dark Gray Metallic. Titanium Metallic is generally a much prettier and purer color. Of course, Bricklink considers them the same color, since they're as useless as ever when it comes to metallic colors.

 

I think that he looks better with his white mask than with his gold one. The white helps to balance his color scheme a bit better.

 

I like the use of a spear as a weapon, which works great in combination with his skis and helps to differentiate him more from Tahu.

 

I do think the "combi model" of Kopaka and the Protector of Ice is a little underwhelming. For some reason, the "saw blade" piece is added to his spear, whereas he replaces his shield altogether with the tiny blaster from the Protector. This seems bizarre to me; I would think it'd make more sense to stick the saw blade onto the front of the shield instead to beef it up, and maybe add the blaster to the base of the spear or something. I guess I'll see what I can do to improve that once the Protectors are available in the wild.

[CaT in Rogue]

I am buying this set. There is nothing anyone could do to stop me from buying this set. IT'S SO COOOOOOOL!

 

(Pun only slightly intended.)

[Pohatu: Uniter of Stone]

I tried Lego.com/Bionicle/bi

 

I got a 404

[Kek]

These figures look like a lot of attention went into them and it really shows that they're the next big step in CCBS.

 

On another note, those red and purple Skull Spiders in the comic are making me hope we'll see them in more colors, or even in blind bags in the summer wave

[Vorahk1Panrahk2]

Thanks so mcuh for the review! I have to say that while I liked Kopaka in promotional pictures, I'm not feeling the love as much with the in-person pictures. That gold shoulder armor seems way too large, and it kind of looks like its restricting movement on the gear function. The bottom shins look a little fat as well. I do love that the torso seems to be filled out in the back, though.

 

Looking forward to the next one!

[Heraldor]

I'm looking forward to picking these up myself soon, and getting to use all of those fancy new parts.

[CeeCee]

One thing I do like about Kopaka is he doesnt seem too bulky. I think he still keeps his slender feel, just with a larger proportion. He looks good. 

 

Great review as well. Keep it up.

[Pohatu: Uniter of Stone]

Hey Black Six- it looks like the hole in Kopaka's mask can hold a lightsaber rod, or something of that size. Can it?

[Shadow Destroyer]

I'm very excited to pick up this set as soon as I see these in stores. Kopaka has now moved to my #1 most anticipated set in this wave!

[BioniCro]

Very exciting, but for me, my no.1 question currently is when do the other reviews come online? (Namely the ones for Pohatu, Lewa and Onua).

[SinisaSerbia]

I like almost everything about him,but theres two things i dont like.

 

Stickers-No,they dont look like they should be used with bionicles.Its just not right....I got used to see details on the very piece,not some sticker

 

Transparent plastic joint ball socket piece-These look very breakable,and they probably are.But for the looks,it seems perfect.

 

But i would buy the set nevertheless!

[Xarok]

20 dollars seems a bit much to ask for a Toa. Times really have changed. Price aside, Kopaka looks neat and I'm glad to see they're bringing him and the 6 classic Toa updated while still remaining recognizable unlike the ones from 2008. (Not that the Phantoka or Mistika were bad, it's just I had to really convince myself that that was Tahu or Lewa.)

Edited November 5, 2014 by Xarok

[Lyichir]

Hey Black Six- it looks like the hole in Kopaka's mask can hold a lightsaber rod, or something of that size. Can it?

No. Too small for that and too big for minifig headgear accessories like plumes or Friends hair decs. Sorry.

 

Transparent plastic joint ball socket piece-These look very breakable,and they probably are.But for the looks,it seems perfect.

The joint sockets are just as strong as the opaque ones, that is to say, reports of breaking have been few and far between. All Hero Factory bones (even opaque ones) are molded in Polycarbonate, so there's no material difference other than the type and amount of dye used.

Edited November 5, 2014 by Lyichir

[Vorahk1Panrahk2]

20 dollars seems a bit much to ask for a Toa. Times really have changed. Price aside, Kopaka looks neat and I'm glad to see they're bringing him and the 6 classic Toa updated while still remaining recognizable unlike the ones from 2008. (Not that the Phantoka or Mistika were bad, it's just I had to really convince myself that that was Tahu or Lewa.)

 

Considering that the original 2001 Kopaka retailed for about $7.00 (American) and had about a third of the piece of this Kopaka... I'd say $20.00 really isn't that bad. As far as price per piece goes they two are darn near the same, with 2008 Kopaka having a slightly higher price per piece ratio than both (and also less piece- 54 versus 97).

 

So, yeah, it costs more. But it's a bigger set, too. Whether or not it should be a bigger set is a different discussion, and probably boils down to personal preference.

Edited November 5, 2014 by Vorahk1Panrahk2

[Zeb]

I like almost everything about him,but theres two things i dont like.

 

Stickers-No,they dont look like they should be used with bionicles.Its just not right....I got used to see details on the very piece,not some sticker

 

Transparent plastic joint ball socket piece-These look very breakable,and they probably are.But for the looks,it seems perfect.

 

But i would buy the set nevertheless!

I don't think the trans-bones are breakable. The CCBS system almost never breaks, including on transparent parts such as the 2013 HF Brain Attack heads (not to be confused with the easily-cracked 2009 Glatorian heads they decided to reuse in 2012), so don't worry about it breaking.

 

20 dollars seems a bit much to ask for a Toa. Times really have changed.

It is a lot of money, but it's also a lot more parts.

 

*CPP = cost per piece

 

Tahu Mata - 33 parts for $7.          CPP: $0.21

Tahu Nuva - 36 parts for $8.          CPP: $0.22

Vakama Metru - 48 parts for $8.    CPP: $0.17

Vakama Hordika - 48 parts for $9. CPP: $0.19

Jaller Inika - 46 parts for $10.        CPP: $0.22

Jaller Mahri - 68 parts for $10.       CPP: $0.15

Tahu Mistika - 73 parts for $13.     CPP: $0.17

Tahu Stars - 19 parts for $8.          CPP: $0.42

Tahu 2015 - 89 parts for $20.        CPP: $0.22

 

So the cost per piece is the same as it was back in 2001-2002, and the new Toa have more parts than any prior standard Toa set. Of course, CPP isn't always the best source of how well the set is priced, as a set with a high CPP may have its high price because some of its pieces are very large or a set may have a low CPP because its parts are all small. But from this perspective at least, the new Toa are just as good a value as most of the old ones.

[Aanchir]

Very exciting, but for me, my no.1 question currently is when do the other reviews come online? (Namely the ones for Pohatu, Lewa and Onua).

I believe the LEGO Group is sending out review copies of the small and medium sets either today or very soon. Nobody's received any of them yet, though. BZPower and Eurobricks have both already gotten Kopaka, Tahu, and Onua, so an Onua review should be posted to BZPower as soon as it's finished, which probably shouldn't take too long.

 

Anyway, Kopaka's definitely a great design! The gold and blue contrast beautifully. For those wondering, Kopaka has 97 pieces (counting the sticker sheet). So although he costs nearly three times as much as the original Kopaka set, he also contains nearly three times as many pieces (and actually has a fractionally lower price-per-piece). I wouldn't complain about the stickers and printed chest piece one bit — they look beautiful and add a nice splash of colorful detail.

 

The decision to give Kopaka a spear instead of a sword is great, I think, because it makes his weapons and Tahu's feel less redundant than their Toa Mata and Toa Nuva weapons were. Also, the spear looks like it could function as a ski pole in adrenalin mode.

 

Good review, and great photos! I'll have to watch the video later.

[Kek]

 

 

I like almost everything about him,but theres two things i dont like.

 

Stickers-No,they dont look like they should be used with bionicles.Its just not right....I got used to see details on the very piece,not some sticker

 

Transparent plastic joint ball socket piece-These look very breakable,and they probably are.But for the looks,it seems perfect.

 

But i would buy the set nevertheless!

I don't think the trans-bones are breakable. The CCBS system almost never breaks, including on transparent parts such as the 2013 HF Brain Attack heads (not to be confused with the easily-cracked 2009 Glatorian heads they decided to reuse in 2012), so don't worry about it breaking.

20 dollars seems a bit much to ask for a Toa. Times really have changed.

It is a lot of money, but it's also a lot more parts.

 

*CPP = cost per piece

 

Tahu Mata - 33 parts for $7. CPP: $0.21

Tahu Nuva - 36 parts for $8. CPP: $0.22

Vakama Metru - 48 parts for $8. CPP: $0.17

Vakama Hordika - 48 parts for $9. CPP: $0.19

Jaller Inika - 46 parts for $10. CPP: $0.22

Jaller Mahri - 68 parts for $10. CPP: $0.15

Tahu Mistika - 73 parts for $13. CPP: $0.17

Tahu Stars - 19 parts for $8. CPP: $0.42

Tahu 2015 - 89 parts for $20. CPP: $0.22

 

So the cost per piece is the same as it was back in 2001-2002, and the new Toa have more parts than any prior standard Toa set. Of course, CPP isn't always the best source of how well the set is priced, as a set with a high CPP may have its high price because some of its pieces are very large or a set may have a low CPP because its parts are all small. But from this perspective at least, the new Toa are just as good a value as most of the old ones.

Not to mention you technically get two figures, multiple play features, and an extra mask all in one. This is something the previous figures lacked. Edited November 5, 2014 by Kek

[xccj]

Great review, Andrew, really captured the whole set rather well. The look at the gearbox was great, as well as the mask flip function. And it does look like Kopaka. Granted, I'm not a huge fan of the lower leg armor, but that's just me. Can't wait to see some more reviews of the other Toa!

 

[SinisaSerbia]

Transparent plastic joint ball socket piece-These look very breakable,and they probably are.But for the looks,it seems perfect.

 

The joint sockets are just as strong as the opaque ones, that is to say, reports of breaking have been few and far between. All Hero Factory bones (even opaque ones) are molded in Polycarbonate, so there's no material difference other than the type and amount of dye used.

 

You just raised my will to spend a 20~ish euros on a Toa.Thanks(No sarcasm).

[Iblis]

The use of stickers does seem a bit strange...

 

20 dollars seems a bit much to ask for a Toa. Times really have changed.

 

I dunno...

 

                    -- 2001 # of pieces -- 2015 # of pieces

Kopaka                  33                           97

Onua                     30                         109

Tahu                      33                          89

Subtotal                 96                        295                       an extra  pieces on average (96/3=32, 295/3=99; 99-32=65)

Gali                        35                          87

Lewa                      36                          85

Pohatu                   49                          66

Subtotal               120                        238                       an extra  pieces on average (120/3=40, 238/3=80; 80-40=40)

Total                     216                       533                       an extra 52 pieces on average (216/6=36, 533/6=88; 88-36=52)

 

"Large" Sets (Kopaka, Onua, & Tahu)

Paying ($20-$7) $13US more for an extra 65 parts.

(65^parts/$13=5^parts, 5×$7=35^parts; & the difference between 35 & 32 is very small...)

 

"Medium" Sets (Gali, Lewa, Kopaka)

Paying ($15-$7) $8US more for an extra 40 parts.

(40^parts/$8=5^parts, 5×$7=35^parts; & the difference between 35 & 40 is very small...)

 

So really however you cut it the cost per piece hasn't really changed that much since 2001. paying more for more pieces & considering Masks, for those that want to complete a collection they've essentially destroyed having to buy duplicate packs (etc.) this wave; all round I don't see something they've done notably worse than '01... ^{& personally I think by having 6 sets @ $10, 4 sets @ $15, & 3 sets @ $20 they aren't forced as much into cutting an idea down to a "small/medium" set or a "titan" set, they can have a bit more of a range whilst still having a variety at the lower end for general affordability. Less shoehorning of sets etc.}

[Pohatu: Uniter of Stone]

Originally, my 2001 set had the most parts- nearly fifty. Now, I have the least- nearly seventy.

[Kek]

Originally, my 2001 set had the most parts- nearly fifty. Now, I have the least- nearly seventy.

But delicious trans-bones, Brohatu. Be optimistic.

[Pohatu: Uniter of Stone]

 

Originally, my 2001 set had the most parts- nearly fifty. Now, I have the least- nearly seventy.

But delicious trans-bones, Brohatu. Be optimistic.

 

I know! And I'll probably find a way to get my kicking function back, too.