First off, yes, unconventional picture, but it was just sooo cool.

Anyway, I got Gresh and Zesk at BrickCon for 50% off, which didn't save me much compared to those who snagged stuff like Skopio, but I don't have that kind of money anyway. (Or the chance, really) Unlike some particular people I had to settle for less.

Gresh

The star of TLR (or, well, at least a character with more than three lines), Gresh was also a popular character that came out this winter. But how is the actual set?

Well, I think he's too Inika-y. Besides a few modifications for armor, he has the same build as any of the Inika. That was one reason I held off on buying him... he just didn't seem to offer much that was new, although the pieces are nice. Lots of claws in lime green (hopefully they won't break like the socket joints always do) I guess I do like how the body was thickened to give him shoulder armor spikes, but I wish they had used something besides Piraka armor for the upper arm. Bleh. Also nice in lime green are the feet, which are new for me, although I guess they also came with Tuma. (Oh, and new black neck piece... I could have fun with hundreds of those)

New stuff for just Gresh are his weapons and helmet. The weapons... well, they're a fairly nice design, although they feel a bit awkward to fit into the Glatorian's hand as a blade or a shield. (I think they look better on the Spikit) I do think they work better as twin blades and not a shield, but the latter was easier to use in the pose above. Next, the helmet... is large. I got into a pattern expecting smallish helmets, from MN to Ackar to Strakk. But Gresh has quite a big head. It seems to be a little too big at times, or too tall, but I'm sure it'll work nicely in other MOCs.

I probably wouldn't promote Gresh as the star of the Glatorian Winter sets (that would be Vorox... TAN!) which makes it all the stranger that he's being brought back as the Star, but I suppose we'll see what the reasons for that are next year when the Stars are actually released.

Zesk

Everybody said this littl' guy was the coolest Agori to get. Well, maybe they should reconsider why they'd be getting any Agori at all...

Besides the helmet, Zesk has no new pieces, and only has the new Agori bent limb in tan, which was also seen on Vorox (although, to be fair, Zesk has five of them). I guess the big unique thing was the tail, but the way Lego attached it to the back really limited the maneuverability of the head. I switched this, and instead attached the Vahki leg to his belly, which limits the length of the tail but gives some more freedom to the head. Still, the helmet feels lacking... it's too small and wide, not nearly as imposing as Vorox's, and just plain hard to pose well on an Agori body. I mean, I guess it would work if he were a humanoid, but as a quadriped the back of the helmet just keeps hitting the body and... well, no good. He's a fun little guy, and worth it at 50% off, but I couldn't justify getting him for more, or any of the other Agori for that matter. Only Agori I thought was "worth" it was maybe Metus because of his snowflake shield, and even then you could've gotten that with Gelu.

But now the question is, who will win the battle of the curtain string: Gresh of the vicious Zesk! Cast your bets today, and stay turned for an update! (And be disappointed when it never comes)