(MOC) Makuta, Lord of the Shadow Realm

[Rakrondewl]

Here is my 2nd entry for the Rebrick Makuta Contest. 

V1: http://www.lego.com/en-us/rebrick/view-entry?c_id={00A66255-0F67-490B-97E3-3FCD9CF12314}&a_id=554ed1b3-2b56-4fbe-93b5-d09dc15f71be&sortEntry=false

V2: http://www.lego.com/en-us/rebrick/view-entry?c_id={00A66255-0F67-490B-97E3-3FCD9CF12314}&a_id=1ac196a2-2fd8-4048-b17a-5c28cccd1867&sortEntry=false

I already have all the g2 sets, so I am doing this for my brother.

 

V1 Bigger and better, this is my second entry for the Rebrick Makuta contest.  This version bears a staff/mace as apposed to my last entry's "Hammer of Glory"

 

V2 Bulked up arms, more armor on back, cape(s), and extended weapon...

 

Images found in spoiler tag.  (warning, there are quite a few)

 

 

New Photos

 

 

Version 2 (small adjustments to build)

 

 

In the picture above you can see my progress at building the JTO Makuta, I'm trying to get duplicate sets to build him.

 

 

 

LDD MOUP: http://www.us.lego.com/en-us/gallery/192a4eaf-2491-4a13-8b80-ea5747239994?index=1 Feel free to use this design on your entries.

 

Comments and criticism welcome.

Edited August 28, 2016 by Rakrondewl

[Pohaturon]

I see you're taking the standard shadow titan approach here. All in all this is probably the strongest entry I've seen so far for the contest. The custom MoUP alone is a massive bonus. The torso works really well, building upon (pun totally intended) the JtO version. Those legs are absolute marvels, man. Beautiful!

 

However, I have two main gripes with this MOC. Really, this is prime construction here, and a feat in and of itself, but there is always room for improvement.

 

Basically, you have some hyper-large and bulky legs and torso, with arms that look like they'd fit UtD. Unless you have a reason for your Makuta skipping arm-day, they need some serious bulking up. Plus, I don't see him realistically lifting that weapon with such thin arms - which brings us to the second issue: the weapon. Yes, it's big, cool and dangerous looking. But which end is the "top"? How could it be effectively used? It seems to be as much as threat to Makuta as it is to whomever it is swung at. I'd recommend making the shaft longer, and removing the section which acts as the bottom in the picture. Make the pommel smaller and less pronounced.

 

Now, I don't want to come across as harsh in my above criticisms. This is still the best entry I've seen so far, both from my own point of view and a "what could realistically win" point of view. As I said, the legs and torso are literal perfection, and the brick built MoUP practically guarantees you one of the 6 winning slots, but if you want to improve your chances further, there is a bit of polish that could go into the arms and weapon.

 

Also, you've successfully crushed any hopes I've had of winning - not that I had many. I hope you're happy 

 

Best of luck in the contest!

 

[Millennium]

I liked the other one more. This one is outstanding, no doubt but...it has no real personality, it's 'just' a ridicolously large and complex titan, with a rather boring color scheme and design - the usual black and red demon.

 

The effort and sheer amount of parts put into it is admirable, but as Makuta it is not so original as your previous one, with purple parts and cape and those bulky feral feets, that made him look bestial but also 'human', like a distorted animal-like okotoan but still 'elevated'.

[Rakrondewl]

I see you're taking the standard shadow titan approach here. All in all this is probably the strongest entry I've seen so far for the contest. The custom MoUP alone is a massive bonus. The torso works really well, building upon (pun totally intended) the JtO version. Those legs are absolute marvels, man. Beautiful!

 

However, I have two main gripes with this MOC. Really, this is prime construction here, and a feat in and of itself, but there is always room for improvement.

 

Basically, you have some hyper-large and bulky legs and torso, with arms that look like they'd fit UtD. Unless you have a reason for your Makuta skipping arm-day, they need some serious bulking up. Plus, I don't see him realistically lifting that weapon with such thin arms - which brings us to the second issue: the weapon. Yes, it's big, cool and dangerous looking. But which end is the "top"? How could it be effectively used? It seems to be as much as threat to Makuta as it is to whomever it is swung at. I'd recommend making the shaft longer, and removing the section which acts as the bottom in the picture. Make the pommel smaller and less pronounced.

 

Now, I don't want to come across as harsh in my above criticisms. This is still the best entry I've seen so far, both from my own point of view and a "what could realistically win" point of view. As I said, the legs and torso are literal perfection, and the brick built MoUP practically guarantees you one of the 6 winning slots, but if you want to improve your chances further, there is a bit of polish that could go into the arms and weapon.

 

Also, you've successfully crushed any hopes I've had of winning - not that I had many. I hope you're happy 

 

Best of luck in the contest!

 

Thank you for the compliments and especially the criticism.  Your comment is much appreciated, you have given me valuable incite to perfect the model.  I will probably post the model as is, make the changes, and than repost it.  

 

I wasn't really sure what I should do for the arms, so I just kept playing with different armor techniques until I found something that looked okay.  So I will definitely have to fix these after the reasons you provided.  

 

The weapon was made to be able to switch between his staff and the mace, but I didn't take into account the practicality of this idea. 

 

The thought of winning and depriving someone of the prize is something that really bites me...I am not as convinced as you are of me getting a winning spot but if I do there are five more winner slots.  I really hope I don't discourage you but instead inspire you.

 

Thank you again!

I liked the other one more. This one is outstanding, no doubt but...it has no real personality, it's 'just' a ridicolously large and complex titan, with a rather boring color scheme and design - the usual black and red demon.

 

The effort and sheer amount of parts put into it is admirable, but as Makuta it is not so original as your previous one, with purple parts and cape and those bulky feral feets, that made him look bestial but also 'human', like a distorted animal-like okotoan but still 'elevated'.

Yeah, this one was meant to closer resemble the designers' Makuta models, whereas my other one was what I imagined he might look like.  I tried to be creative while stay true to the source material.  I also like the original model for it's uniqueness but I am very proud of how this model turned out for what it is.  I completely understand how the color scheme can seem bland after seeing it so many times.

 

I may make another Makuta as well but I am not sure yet, if I do, I will be sure to make him be more original.  Any preference for the trans. color I will use next?

 

Thank you for your compliments and criticism.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Rakrondewl

[The Invisible Handman]

It's incredibly cool, the torso is definitely better than the original. Yet the legs feel too long and I feel like the older version has a better colour scheme. I think a perfect design can be found between both your Makuta Mocs.

[Tahu3.0]

Nice moc as the body looks amazingly good and the mask looks soo great.

[HeavyMetalSunshineSister]

Yeah, I think the weapon kinda tried too hard this time. Might be good to make the bottom (in the picture) the head of it, and whittle down the other end to make it practical. Overall, still more of a fan of the Hammer of Glory, but this does show potential.

 

The colour scheme is nice, and I love the build of the legs. If you do make a third Makuta, it might be good to make a different head for it - while the head on this one is well-built, it's kind of small, and winds up being a bit underwhelming. May be good to go for something with trans-blue as the accent colour, maybe take some cues from Morgoth in The Silmarillion for the head - a big iron crown with glowing gems set in it goes with every outfit.

Edited August 10, 2016 by Rache

[Wiriamu]

...I have never been more terrified by a MOC.

[Rakrondewl]

It's incredibly cool, the torso is definitely better than the original. Yet the legs feel too long and I feel like the older version has a better colour scheme. I think a perfect design can be found between both your Makuta Mocs.

I will try to do that, thank you for the suggestion.

Nice moc as the body looks amazingly good and the mask looks soo great.

Thank you for your generous compliment.

Yeah, I think the weapon kinda tried too hard this time. Might be good to make the bottom (in the picture) the head of it, and whittle down the other end to make it practical. Overall, still more of a fan of the Hammer of Glory, but this does show potential.

 

The colour scheme is nice, and I love the build of the legs. If you do make a third Makuta, it might be good to make a different head for it - while the head on this one is well-built, it's kind of small, and winds up being a bit underwhelming. May be good to go for something with trans-blue as the accent colour, maybe take some cues from Morgoth in The Silmarillion for the head - a big iron crown with glowing gems set in it goes with every outfit.

I'm thinking I may just split the weapon in half and than just extend the shafts to give him two weapons.  I also plan to take this model and switch out all the trans. orange for the trans. purple and give him the hammer.

 

I was thinking of making a white one with the trans. light blue and giving him a sword.  I will try different designs for masks/heads, but I will probably try the current design in white first.  Using Morgoth's crown as inspiration is right up my alley; you have just sparked my imagination, so it is probably just a matter of time before I think of something.

 

Thank you again.

...I have never been more terrified by a MOC.

I'll take that as a compliment, thank you.

 

Update: New photos

Edited August 10, 2016 by Rakrondewl

[HeavyMetalSunshineSister]

...

 

O k a y

 

The new images make me take back pretty much everything I said about the weapon. While the arms could still use more beef, the weapon looks so much cooler when he's posing dynamically with it instead of just holding it vertically. I still love the Hammer of Glory, of course, but any of the new pictures where he's holding the staff sideways make it look amazing.

 

The side-by-side comparison between him and his predecessor also gives me a lot to think about. I'm not sure what to think of the new, upright posture versus the old, hunched posture; it could be argued that the more vertical stance could make the newer build look smarter and more civilized, but I think that, perhaps because the head is thrust forward, the older build's posture makes him look more powerful and imposing, despite being quite a bit smaller than his counterpart. Seen here, the older build's bearing brings to mind General Grievous, of the Star Wars prequels, while, in terms of his basic standing posture, the newer one doesn't really have a lot to say. Viewed in the comparison shots, I have also come to think that the second build could maybe use a bit more height from the torso, as the legs are currently more than half of his height, giving him a bit of a gangly, awkward look. 

 

For the next build, I would suggest experimenting with a torso build that forces the shoulders back while pushing the chest forward - heavily-built shoulders seem to be a thing here already, so that should work well with this, and of course you have no trouble with torso builds that give an overall impression of physical strength. I think that building it with the attachment points for the arms set back like that ought to give the impression of a proud warrior king, with the head properly emphasized and great posture for impressive poses.

 

Lastly, and just slightly off-topic, I must say that you give some of the best responses to feedback that I've seen on here. It's been a pleasure discussing these builds with you, and I look forward to seeing more.

[Rakrondewl]

...

 

O k a y

 

The new images make me take back pretty much everything I said about the weapon. While the arms could still use more beef, the weapon looks so much cooler when he's posing dynamically with it instead of just holding it vertically. I still love the Hammer of Glory, of course, but any of the new pictures where he's holding the staff sideways make it look amazing.

 

The side-by-side comparison between him and his predecessor also gives me a lot to think about. I'm not sure what to think of the new, upright posture versus the old, hunched posture; it could be argued that the more vertical stance could make the newer build look smarter and more civilized, but I think that, perhaps because the head is thrust forward, the older build's posture makes him look more powerful and imposing, despite being quite a bit smaller than his counterpart. Seen here, the older build's bearing brings to mind General Grievous, of the Star Wars prequels, while, in terms of his basic standing posture, the newer one doesn't really have a lot to say. Viewed in the comparison shots, I have also come to think that the second build could maybe use a bit more height from the torso, as the legs are currently more than half of his height, giving him a bit of a gangly, awkward look. 

 

For the next build, I would suggest experimenting with a torso build that forces the shoulders back while pushing the chest forward - heavily-built shoulders seem to be a thing here already, so that should work well with this, and of course you have no trouble with torso builds that give an overall impression of physical strength. I think that building it with the attachment points for the arms set back like that ought to give the impression of a proud warrior king, with the head properly emphasized and great posture for impressive poses.

 

Lastly, and just slightly off-topic, I must say that you give some of the best responses to feedback that I've seen on here. It's been a pleasure discussing these builds with you, and I look forward to seeing more.

I thought more angles of the weapon might help show what I was going for, but you are still right, it isn't practical.  Therefore I will probably still try to make it two separate weapons; glad you like it.  And yes I agree, the arms need some more bulk and maybe even lengthened.

 

Well the main structural torso skeleton build is actually the same in my original model as the General Grievous buildable figure LEGO released and it is just stretched out on the newer model.  That said, I used a lot of techniques to try and get rid of the hunched look, as it made him look awkward because the hunch comes at his chest area.  He can hunch but the overhang of weight can prove to be to much for the lower leg joints, so making the torso bigger may also make me have to rethink the leg connection with these:    

 

Thrusting the shoulders back sounds like a great idea, I will defiantly have to try it.

 

Thank you, I am always trying to improve my skills and I believe feedback is most important for that.  It is also reassuring that you feel I respond well to comments because sometimes I wonder if I am coming off as some sort of robot.  You also take the time to give some of the most in depth criticism which is the most helpful for improving one's model and skills.  It has not only been a pleasure for me, but also a very helpful.  Thank you so much for the feedback, I look forward to discussing more builds with you as well.

Edited August 12, 2016 by Rakrondewl

[Rakrondewl]

Version 2 has been added (I decided to just update this topic rather than make a new one).  Thanks for all the feedback guys, I believe the fixes really improve the model.

 

 

Unfortunately, I will not be switching out the colors for trans. purple, before the contest end date, because of the time required and difficulty of that task.