Hapori Tohu Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 The Bionicle 2015 set reviews keep coming! This time I take a look at 70782 Protector of Ice, one of the small sets from next year's first wave. Should you pass over this set on your way to pick up all the Toa, or is this little guy still a worthy addition to your collection? You'll have to read on to find out! View the full article 3 Quote News Forums Q&A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 It's so adorable!! At first I thought the Protectors were pretty cool, but now I see that they're also as cute as the 2001 Matoran. I'll make sure to buy one of the Protectors next year if I can afford it! Quote The artist formerly known as ŜﮞρЄЯ־GЄNіﮞŜ־CЯЄ▲Ŧ۞Я BBC#69 Entry: Roodaka - Master of Manipulation BFTGM entries: Zigben · Ventox · Deflecto “Hail Denmark.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
END Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) The model looks quite cool and I love that 3 of the new shell covers in white come in a small set. My one critiques would be he looks a little too fat/round and the yellow parts don't fit the scheme. Edited November 12, 2014 by END 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambi Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I love that gatling gun. The rest of the set reminds me of Strakk, not sure why though. I do agree with END that he looks a little too fat, but I might pick him up in the future.Thanks for the review! Quote [my blog] [custom emotes] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aanchir Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Good review! The Protector sets are definitely pretty cool. This one appears to be 28 pieces, not including his weapons and ammo. His color scheme is very cool, though I agree the silver feet feel a bit out-of-place. The design of the Protectors' masks is definitely very cool. And the blasters both look and function great. It's amazing that after so many years of bulky, specialized blasters with specialized ammo in BIONICLE, a compact one like this can be just as effective! I do agree that with as powerful as they are, it can be easy to lose the ammo. At least with certain sets like the Protectors of Stone, Fire, and Jungle, the ammo is a fluorescent color that will glow under a blacklight, which should make lost ammo a bit easier to find... for those few people who have a blacklight, anyway. 3 Quote Latest MOC: PAIGE (Prototype Artificial Intelligence, Gynoid Expression) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohatu: Uniter of Stone Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 My only complaint is that the back armor looks a little small. But still- those 1x3 technic beams with a ball in the middle are too cool! And the launcher, too. Quote I HATE SCORPIOS ~Pohatu Master of Stone, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toa Smoke Monster Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) I reall like the color scheme on this set. The white and trans-blue really flow well together IMO. His weapons and Mask also look really good. Especially the blaster, which kind of look like a mini Cordak Blaster to me. Which isn't a complaint since that was one of my favorite blasters. You mentioned that 'there are two versions of the Protector's Mask that are the same' when you talked about it. Do you, or anyone else, know the other Protector's Masks are like this as well, or is it does this particular one? Anyways, thanks for the review! Edited November 12, 2014 by Toa Smoke Monster 1 Quote Everyone is one choice away from being the bad guy in another person's story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltex Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 This is making me want the Protectors as wellAlas, I shall probably not have the fundsI'll have to try and settle for purchasing all six Toa. Quote JOIN AETHERGARDE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pomegranate Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I am very impressed! The Protectors are basically the small sets, and for the end of Bionicle those were like 15 pieces tops for nearly the same price, so it's great really get your money's worth this time around. The gatling gun works astonishingly well, I didn't think it would be able to aim that well, it looked to me like the studs would pop off wildly in different directions and not go that far. The mask being partly transparent threw me 'cause I never noticed that in the promos, so that's a super cool thing that I am in loooove with and I feel justifies using the same mold for all of them. The whole set is basically a triumph, the lack of elbows is the only disappointment but I feel like it doesn't impede the playablity or illusion of articulation that much at all anyways. I will definitely be picking this guy up and probably all his buddies too. I love that you can combine the Protector with Kopaka to make what should be a better version of the set, and if it actually does add to the figure (I couldn't even tell what change besides the weapon accesories and the gold mask to be honest so I'll have to wait to see the instruction when they go up) I will definitely go and beef up all the Toa that way, have my Toa team be extra cool I am actually kind of disappointed the Toa don't have the launchers because they really are so impressive compared to what I'm used to, and I guess that was sorta the point, because they're a really strong selling point. 2 Quote . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iblis Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) I am very impressed! The Protectors are basically the small sets, and for the end of Bionicle those were like 15 pieces tops for nearly the same price, so it's great really get your money's worth this time around. Hmm yes...They are certainly better value than what we had towards the end & I'm not complaining there. I love that you can combine the Protector with Kopaka to make what should be a better version of the set, and if it actually does add to the figure (I couldn't even tell what change besides the weapon accesories and the gold mask to be honest so I'll have to wait to see the instruction when they go up) I will definitely go and beef up all the Toa that way, have my Toa team be extra cool I am actually kind of disappointed the Toa don't have the launchers because they really are so impressive compared to what I'm used to, and I guess that was sorta the point, because they're a really strong selling point. I find the convert a Protector into a bit more armor to be a bit of a let down, I'm sure it makes them look cooler, but I would have preferred actual combiners. Still what they did wasn't bad. Not that into the launchers (well any reall) but they'll be good because pretty! (ammo) :3 This guy seems a bit too stocky for my liking, but hey; it's cold! Edit: In entirely unrelated news: the Hydruka are officially my favourite Impulse sets to date! They were always cute but after ppp comparison it's undisputed ^-^ Edited November 12, 2014 by Iblis Quote ~ Sophistry: A way to be antidisuncorrect. ~ In a decade you might convince maybe a small tribe of people. In a decade you might also conquer one million km2 of land, & in over a thousand years you might have over a billion followers. I like building things. Please don't break the big ones. & evidential philosophies that dare to extrapolate beyond an individual's direct experience aren't easily built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Nui Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I agree with Aanchir, that after having so many specialised weapons in past sets, this new weapon that the Protectors use makes great use of Lego studs which have been in production for a long time, and at the same time manages to fire very well and function with ease. I really like it, though I have a feeling the studs will go missing quickly. Thanks again for another review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballom Nom Nom Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 This set looks great! Definitely miles ahead of the terrible Av-Matoran and Stars builds that were the equivalent in the later years of the first run of Bionicle. The mask of this Protector looks really sweet too, with that marbling of white and trans light blue. Also: where has that pin spacer been all my life? MUST HAVE SOME. ~B~ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zidonaro Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Looks cool.But REALLY awkward arms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohatu: Uniter of Stone Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I'll always refer to 1x1 round plates as studs, probably due to the TT games. Nonetheless, I'll probably lose all of mine with this awesome new launcher. Quote I HATE SCORPIOS ~Pohatu Master of Stone, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
user-402520536 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) You mentioned that 'there are two versions of the Protector's Mask that are the same' when you talked about it. Do you, or anyone else, know the other Protector's Masks are like this as well, or is it does this particular one? He means that no two masks will be the same. Due to the nature of dual-injected plastic, some will have a little more cyan and some a little more white, or slightly unequal coloring in general. This applies to all protectors, since they all have dual-injected mask pieces. In terms of the feet, I honestly think that them being silver isn't the problem- the figure itself should have more silver, in my opinion. Maybe that's just because silver's my favorite color. Edited November 12, 2014 by Gukko Lord 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masterchirox580 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Huh I was wondering how those stud launchers fired, I thought it would work something like the blasters the toa mahri had, this review has definitely shown me that the protectors are better than I thought they'd be (not that I had any problem with them in the first place). 1 Quote It's time to move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 This set looks great! Definitely miles ahead of the terrible Av-Matoran and Stars builds that were the equivalent in the later years of the first run of Bionicle. The mask of this Protector looks really sweet too, with that marbling of white and trans light blue. Also: where has that pin spacer been all my life? MUST HAVE SOME. ~B~Ah yes. At last, a normal pin spacer!!! That really would have been quite useful in some of my MOCs I've made in the past... 1 Quote The artist formerly known as ŜﮞρЄЯ־GЄNіﮞŜ־CЯЄ▲Ŧ۞Я BBC#69 Entry: Roodaka - Master of Manipulation BFTGM entries: Zigben · Ventox · Deflecto “Hail Denmark.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nescent Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I'm really excited for the Protectors. They're much more interesting than a lot of the gen 1 Matoran, and I'm personally a big fan of their build/masks/weapons/colors. People are complaining that this guy looks fat, and I see it too, but I like it. It's a shape I've never really seen before in Bionicle, and it looks good. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnuaNut Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) Finally! The perfect use for the large cup of trans-light blue studs I got from the PAB Wall!The Protector of Ice shall never run out of ammo. I like the two-tone mask a lot, it makes me very excited for the other color combinations; particularly the Protector of Earth's. But I'm not so much a fan of the arms, I'll definitely be adding these to give him forearms. Edited November 12, 2014 by OnuaNut 1 Quote [ blog ] [ Flickr ] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyichir Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) This set looks great, and I only have one gripe with him and Kopaka. That's that Kopaka's powered-up form is easily the worst of the powered-up Toa. For some reason, the combined form adds the saw blade to Kopaka's spear making a really strange, cumbersome weapon, but more importantly, the gatling launcher replaces Kopaka's shield altogether! This is a little ridiculous considering how easy it would have been to instead attach the gatling launcher onto the base of the spear where Kopaka holds it, and put the sawblade on the front of Kopaka's shield for an added elemental effect. That makes for a much better look WITHOUT having to deprive Kopaka of his signature weapon. And from what I can tell it could be done effectively without using any parts other than those of the Protector's weapons. The only reason I can think of that they might not have done that is that it would require disassembling the Protector's weapons and rebuilding them a bit. But I think that that would be well worth the trouble if it meant that Kopaka's "upgrade" were less of a downgrade. Edited November 12, 2014 by Lyichir 5 Quote Formerly Lyichir: Rachira of Influence Aanchir's and Meiko's brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
user-402520536 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) For those of you who think he looks fat: not all the protectors will have this build. The Protectors of Fire and Earth, for example: They have extra armor shells on the sides of their main chest armor, making them look a little less chubby and a little more buff. They all have differing designs, so if you want something with elbows, get the Protector of Stone. The Earth Protector has easily the most drastic change, as his gatler is in his chest! Don't worry, friends, all is not lost. Edited November 12, 2014 by Gukko Lord 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohatu: Uniter of Stone Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 If I get the Ice duo, I'll find some way to make the powered-up form better. I'm sure most of us will. However... I'll probably end up getting the Stone duo. Quote I HATE SCORPIOS ~Pohatu Master of Stone, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Based Goomy Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Looks like a great set, and I'm excited to pick these guys up! Quote Looking for a Voya Gold Kraahkan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippo Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Question: Did Lego only send 1 protector to BZPower, or were you given more than 1? Quote why is this happening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iblis Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Question: Did Lego only send 1 protector to BZPower, or were you given more than 1? At least 1 of each Protector was sent out, as to who has been delegated what to do for a review etc. IDK Quote ~ Sophistry: A way to be antidisuncorrect. ~ In a decade you might convince maybe a small tribe of people. In a decade you might also conquer one million km2 of land, & in over a thousand years you might have over a billion followers. I like building things. Please don't break the big ones. & evidential philosophies that dare to extrapolate beyond an individual's direct experience aren't easily built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrahk Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I wasn't really inclined to buy the protectors because I was already going to spend enough money on the toa, but this review has pretty much changed my mind about that (dang it BZPower). That white/ice blue color scheme has always been pretty sweet. This time around it's balanced beautifully. I do feel like I would rather have his feet in white though, but the silver seems to work. Now I have to wait for the other protector reviews to see if I want them too... 1 Quote [brickshelf Gallery] [barock] [Makuta Kaishu vs. Takanuva] [The Burakku] [Halo: Tiny Co-op!] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatanui Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I really, really like how the protectors look. I've already said it elsewhere but from what I've seen so far, they are my favourite small sets in all of BIONICLE. Small is of course relative, considering these have more pieces than the first Toa. 3 Quote - Gata Please don't use my avatar or signature without permission, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aanchir Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Question: Did Lego only send 1 protector to BZPower, or were you given more than 1? At least 1 of each Protector was sent out, as to who has been delegated what to do for a review etc. IDK Black Six is the one who recieved the shipments of BIONICLE sets for BZPower, and those he didn't keep for himself he had to mail to the other BZPower staff members who will be writing reviews. This is why his Kopaka review came before Nuju Metru's Onua review or DeeVee's not-yet-posted Tahu review — he was the first BZPower staff member to actually have the sets in hand. I'm guessing he chose to keep and review the Protector of Ice instead of mailing it to another reviewer because it's the one that matches the Kopaka set he already chose to keep and review. 3 Quote Latest MOC: PAIGE (Prototype Artificial Intelligence, Gynoid Expression) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSciFiGuy Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Wow, they look pretty good in set form. I just hope all the other Protectors don't have stubby arms like his Quote Bionicle: ANP aims to create narrated versions of all the Bionicle books, with voice actors for each character, and music taken from various media to enhance the story. Check here if you're interested in voicing a character, and here for the chapters that've already been released!Formerly: Tahu Nuva 3.0Looking for a Bionicle Beanie. Black one with the symbol on it. Contact me if you are willing to sell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyichir Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Wow, they look pretty good in set form. I just hope all the other Protectors don't have stubby arms like hisThey don't all have short arms like this, just the Protector of Ice and Protector of Fire. I'm not sure what to think about the arms... these ones that lack an elbow joint have a much more limited range of movement, but on the other hand they're much better proportioned compared to the figures' heights. The others are much more poseable and dynamic but their length can make them look bizarre, especially when they're hanging straight to the figure's sides. Quote Formerly Lyichir: Rachira of Influence Aanchir's and Meiko's brother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
believe victims Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I find it an odd omission that there's no photo of Kopaka with the PoI's weapons like advertised on the box. Do neither of them come with instructions for it? That would be consistent with LEGO's tendency these days to put combo instructions exclusively online, but for something as relatively simple as this I wouldn't think it would be too much trouble to put short, simple instructions at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Six Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 I find it an odd omission that there's no photo of Kopaka with the PoI's weapons like advertised on the box. Do neither of them come with instructions for it? That would be consistent with LEGO's tendency these days to put combo instructions exclusively online, but for something as relatively simple as this I wouldn't think it would be too much trouble to put short, simple instructions at the end.The instructions will only be available online and have not been posted yet. We've put in a request to LEGO to see if we can get them early. Quote Bio of a BZP Admin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fry Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) PLEASE, review the protector of earth next! I really want to see those trans-purple limbs! I fell in love with him the second I saw him. Edited November 13, 2014 by PrismWind 2 Quote Visit my Bionicle 2001 site recreation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandur Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Now what I find intriguing about the new sets is how, "Comic book-like" they present the sets to be. In later years of gen. 1 Bionicle the sets were, not "comic book-like" but, more flat. This is definitely an improvement. Quote Grandur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nidhiki of the Shadows Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 These are certainly some of the most high-quality impulse sets to come out in a long time! Very good design, does a good job keeping it simple while filling in holes. The lack of some articulation bugs me, but it is not unlike the Matoran of many years ago. Glad the launcher is only on the Protectors this time around, the launcher always bugged me in G1. Fortunately this launcher looks small, unobtrusive and very fun to play with (though yeah, those studs are gonna be gone in a day knowing me). Good colour scheme, definitely echoes "Protector of Ice". Weapon is pretty awesome too. Thanks for the review! Loving the first line of 2015 sets!! -NotS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UngluedBike Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 They are smaller than I thought. Quote Also, if you're a resident of the UK and like Bionicle, go ahead and join us at this awesome Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BFUK7/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aanchir Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 They are smaller than I thought. Yep, actually shorter on average than the 2008 Matoran (not counting Radiak), if you imagine that you could straighten those Matoran's knees. Those Matoran were 19 modules tall on average, while the new Protectors are more like 18 modules tall on average. Of course, the Protectors use around twice as many pieces as the 2008 Matoran for their bodies alone. And counting their weapons, they have about four times as many pieces on average, even if you exclude the Skull Spiders' pieces and spare ammo. They also have a better price per piece than most Matoran — only the 2007 Matoran cost less per piece than the Protectors. When we got our first glimpse at the size and prices of the new Toa and Protectors, I was extremely uneasy about them, not becuase I thought they were a poor value for money, but rather because I thought it could have been great to go back to 2002–2003 Toa and Matoran sizes and prices: 25-piece, 12.5-module-tall, $5 Matoran and 50-piece, 22.5-module-tall, $10 Toa. But now that I have some of the sets in hand my misgivings have been cast to the wind, because they really do offer a great value, great aesthetics, great diversity, and a great play experience. The designs don't feel nearly as repetitive as in classic BIONICLE sets, but they still feel incredibly polished and unified. 3 Quote Latest MOC: PAIGE (Prototype Artificial Intelligence, Gynoid Expression) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kek Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) I love how stocky and compact the Protectors are. It makes me think of the 07 Matoran, and how robust and strong they were both set-wise and within the story. I also adore the fact they all share the same mask. While some would say this takes away their individuality, having the same mask in six unique colors just screams gen1 to me. The launchers are also very nice. They are nowhere near as cumbersome as previous gimmick weapons, and are another component that helps these six little guys appear as a team. As for the Skull Spider, I feel as though it works better as an in set enemy for the Protectors, since the size difference isn't as severe. Next to the Protector of Ice, it looks like something to fight. Next to Onua, it looks like something to step on. I wish the silver ones were a different color though. The green and dark blue look quite exotic, but the silver ones just look too artificial IMO. The gunmetal limbs probably add to this, but hey. More spiders for army building. Look forward to your next review B6. Keep it up. Edited November 13, 2014 by Kek 2 Quote Signature Guidelines: Image size may not exceed 250x100 combined or 468x60 combined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tahtorak ate my house! Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 Protector of Ice looks neat! Tribal-esque mask, great color scheme and adorable body portions Cool gattling gun and rotating saw there, and kudos to LEGO for including additional stud "ammo"! As compared to the Toa, the addition of the Skull spiders make even more sense in the case of the Protectors, as the difference in size is smaller and thus conflict is sort of more "balanced"/fair I always thought that transferring the "uniform launcher weapons" from the medium-size sets (e.g. the Toa and the main "villians of the year") to the small-size sets (e.g. the "villagers" like the Matoran, Agori or the Protectors) is an excellent idea. This gives the smaller sets more playability (and increase its worth given its price) while the medium sets retain great playability via Toa Mata/Nuva-style multi-functional Toa tools. This awesome idea should have been embraced earlier! 2 Quote Your left brain contains nothing right, while your right brain contains nothing left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ektris Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 I am loving the look of the Protector of Ice. Although the Protectors are indeed a fair bit smaller than I thought they would be. Those launchers are also seriously cool. Suitably unique and fun, it seems. Although I too do not look forward to losing all those studs heh. These really seem like fantastic incentive sets. Lots of pieces, lots of playability, all at the lowest price point? Yes please. Much improved over the offerings from years past. ~|ET|~ Quote E-T... Phone home. "He walks among us, but he is not one of us." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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