a way to reintroduce mask collecting?

[banana92]

So this is just an idea I had this morning, but I found it pretty appropriate, so we know Ekimu is going to be a mask maker, and that got me thinking, what if there were 6 novices (or more?) With builds like the protectors in a way, with the protector masks, though not blended in color, and the 6 toa (master) masks in that protectors color, an example would be a red mask maker, the the protector of fire's mask, but just red, not blended, and the 6 "toa" masks in red, same for blue, green, and so on, and introduce 3 new skull spider colors for a battle in a box experience. sorry in advanced if this topic is a bit confusing, so just introduce a new shell attachment maybe, the XT4 torso and small beast feet in the mask makers respective color, and maybe 6 different forge hammers (in color?) Maybe a new eye color, just stuff to collect, and around $12.99 usd, good idea?

Edited February 20, 2015 by banana92

[Ford]

So you're saying that if we got another wave of Protector-sized sets, they should be elemental mask makers?

 

If that's what you are saying, then SIGN ME UP AND TAKE MY MONEY! THAT'S A REALLY COOL IDEA! 

[banana92]

That's correct, I got the idea thinking about how I would make the tarakava in ccbs, and I got to thinking about color, maybe Ekimu could be the teacher, and the elemental protector sized sets, the students, with that we would get the protector masks in 1 solid color (great for MOCing, the six toa masks in the character respective color (which would be all six masks in all six colors) and 3 new colors of skull spiders like maroon, sand blue, and brown or something, that's 8 masks per set, plus the feet and torsos in 6 colors, a new armor attachment, and 6 different hammer style weapons (for about 12.99 usd (to justify new molds and colors) it'd pay homage to generation 1, and also make sense with what I know about the story line.

[Ford]

That's correct, I got the idea thinking about how I would make the tarakava in ccbs, and I got to thinking about color, maybe Ekimu could be the teacher, and the elemental protector sized sets, the students, with that we would get the protector masks in 1 solid color (great for MOCing, the six toa masks in the character respective color (which would be all six masks in all six colors) and 3 new colors of skull spiders like maroon, sand blue, and brown or something, that's 8 masks per set, plus the feet and torsos in 6 colors, a new armor attachment, and 6 different hammer style weapons (for about 12.99 usd (to justify new molds and colors) it'd pay homage to generation 1, and also make sense with what I know about the story line.

I feel like that could make one large sacrifice to the sets, however: uniqueness.

The idea you have is a great one, but if all of the sets were the same basic build then we would be living '05-'06 all over again. My question: how you would go about making them individual and not just recolors of the same character?

[banana92]

Thats an excellent question, it mostly mcame out the wrong way, they would not each have the same exact build, like the protectors out right now, they would have subtle differences, itd be great to add some sort of simple, yet functional action feature though that may bump up the price, and I would like the idea if they had little to no metallic colors on them, a new shell attachment, (which I actually MOCed up a design for,) and maybe a secondary color for some shells.

Edited February 20, 2015 by banana92

[Ford]

Thats an excellent question, it mostly mcame out the wrong way, they would not each have the same exact build, like the protectors out right now, they would have subtle differences, itd be great to add some sort of simple, yet functional action feature though that may bump up the price, and I would like the idea if they had little to no metallic colors on them, a new shell attachment, (which I actually MOCed up a design for,) and maybe a secondary color for some shells.

I'd love to see that MOC.

[Prowl Nightwolf]

Well the most obvious, would be to actually provide them with names. Otherwise they may just come off as glorified retools of the current Protectors. I could see the idea of releasing "solid" mask packs for the Protector masks however with no real lore behind anyone but the Toa wearing Toa masks to date for Gen2, not sure the appeal of releasing them. Now from a marketing standpoint if say the consumer wanted to update older Matoran models like our current contest, that could be seen as an option without having to use the old heads to use the old mask. Still It would fall under the toa's 6 colors. Unless they wanted to release the other Matoran colors for the sake of releasing the other Matoran colors. No lore yet on different color options for the Protectors/Villagers. This could change however come 2016-17.

[banana92]

I did think of the idea of names and am currently working on that, the moc up is in its first stage, so it will be a bit of time before I photograph and publish it, Ekimu has a name, and so shall the others

[Petewa]

I want more masks, but I'm not sure one of each type would...who am I kidding? My only problem would likely be the fact that there are more mask colors than there are elements for masks,

[RahiSpeak]

It should be noted that both Ekimu and Makuta are Protector-like mask-makers. Over the years, it has become common practice for LEGO to release new "elements" (or similar to) in multiples of six. If more Protector-like mask-makers were to exist then it is most likely that there would be four, not six. However, it is very unlikely that anything quite like that would happen because it would detract from the binary-nature of Ekimu versus Makuta. Perhaps there may be more mask-makers, but they would probably not have such a close connection with Ekimu as "student".

 

One thing is for certain though, I would love for "mask-packs" to be reintroduced.

Edited February 20, 2015 by RahiSpeak

[banana92]

Yea, I havent been up to date with the Ekimu lore, how ever, I see what you mean, maybe instead mask maker could be an honorable title that these protector like set could have, there are several problems with lego reintroducing straight mask packs, I could see them possibly doing it, but I think they would do it as a promo online, and not as sets in store do to price, but I still think it was a neat suggestion, I will try and develope the idea in more detail if I can.

[Lyichir]

While six unique masks in each set would be a fantastic thing for fans, you've got to look at it from Lego's perspective. I think there's a very good reason why we haven't seen any sets with so many masks. Masks are a huge draw for Bionicle sets. They're prominent on all the packaging, and sets typically include masks which are exclusive in one way or another (either a unique mold or a unique recolor). As a result, if you release a series of sets (especially small sets like you suggest) that contain six or seven unique masks each, that's going wildly skew demand toward those sets (and away from other sets with fewer masks). And that's not to say that demand for the full range of sets would increase—people aiming to collect as many unique masks as possible will buy sets that offer the largest number of unique masks, whether those sets have six masks or just one or two. There just wouldn't be enough new demand to justify the cost increase for producing so many unique recolors per set.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Lyichir

[banana92]

Thats a very solid point.

[Bryce304]

I will be way too happy if they ever decide to do mask packs. Man I miss those.

[CaT in Rogue]

This certainly sounds like a good idea, but I personally think the masks would have to be a bit more...I dunno, general in shape than the current masks, which are very well matched to their sets, and would just look weird if you switched them with other character's masks.