LEGO nexo knights: merlok 2.0 robin's workshop update guide (sort of)

LEGO Nexo Knights: Merlok 2.0 Update 1.3.2

LEGO Nexo Knights: Merlok 2.0 has recently released update 1.3.2. The official descriptions of the new contents are:

• Boost your powers in battle through crafting.
• Win, collect and craft LEGO studs.
• New powers and ways to level up await.

What is the meaning of this? This means that Robin's workshop is now online!

On a face value, the new update seems a bit weird, so I searched online for some sort of guide but none seems to be posted yet. I then proceeded to explore the updated game blindly, and here are what I've learned. Remember that I am no pro-gamer, this is just me attempting to make sense of it all.

The update prior to this one allowed us to collect LEGO studs of various types and colors by completing different mission challenges. But it did not tell us what the studs are exactly for. Now it was revealed that the young builder Robin will use these studs to make gems (tada!).

Robin's Workshop

Different studs are required to make different gems. Each gem would generate various numbers of star plus points and various levels of battery charges. I thought at first making gems consumed my Nexo power stars, but no, this is not the case (more on this later).

Equipping Gems

After making the gems, you can now equip them prior to battling monsters in your missions (right after choosing Nexo powers). As stated above, the gems would give star plus points and lasts for specific charges. In the picture above, a red pyramid ridged gem gave the red Nexo powers additional two star plus points, and it's good for three uses. The white gem did the same for the white Nexo power. The gems are color specific, so only equip gems of the same colors as the Nexo powers.

Other major changes the update has brought us are on the ways to master and level up Nexo powers. Before the update, these two concepts are one and the same, but not anymore.

Zero Stars!

First impression: All my stars are gone! Were they consumed from making gems? So I did the only natural thing to do: Re-scan Nexo powers!

Power Mastered

But Merlok won't let me, because apparently, I have mastered that Nexo power already (because I really did!). That's when I noticed the varying yellow glow on the Nexo powers borders. That's the current equivalent of the then zero to five stars! Once you've mastered a Nexo power, once you've completed the yellow glow border, you can now level it up!

Level Up 1

Level Up 2

Level Up 3

All you have to do is to select the mastered Nexo power in the grid (with the exclamation point) then click its shield on the upper left hand corner. Now watch the star be transferred from the shield to the stars collective. This would then result to stronger Nexo powers, or so they say...

Have you updated your LEGO Nexo Knights: Merlok 2.0 app yet? Were you weirded out at first as well? Share your thoughts below!

LEGO throwback: magic shop

Magic Shop [6020] Stock Photo

Due to limited space, most of my toys were placed in the bodega (storeroom) when we moved back to my lolo's (grandfather's) house. Included in the abandoned stuck toys are my LEGO boxes. My small collection is a mixture of different themes, but majority of the sets were Castle sets. And among those is my favorite, Majisto's Magic Shop [6020]. I can still recall the blue wizard's enchanted hideout concealed within an old tree. I can still remember that he owns a grey bird, and a glow-in-the-dark wand (glow-in-the-dark wand! how cool is that?!). But they're all trapped in the bodega! And I left the Philippines without being able to rescue them...

Magic Shop [6020] Minifigure: Majisto

So imagine my excitement when I saw a pre-loved set (minus the box and instructions) for auction in eBay UK. It was my first time ever to bid, and I guess lady luck was on my side that time because I was the only bidder, and needless to say, I won a really, really good deal! My joy was suddenly halted for Majisto's beard piece was wrong (it doesn't cover his mouth entirely, making him look like a sorcerer's apprentice poser!). After a few exchanges of e-mails, and after concluding that it was a case of an honest mistake, a replacement piece was immediately sent. Everything is now complete and in perfect condition. It's amazing how these LEGO pieces stand the tests of time. This gives me hope that one day I can still salvage my small collection in the bodega, especially my first ever Majisto, or whatever's left of him. After all, Majisto is the first ever wizard minifigure!

Magic Shop [6020]

Did you also have the Magic Shop when you were a kid? Is it also one of your favorites? Feel free to share your memories with Majisto below.

P. S. Come to think of it, what do you think the trans-red stud represents? Blood? I mean Majisto has a small sword and he's into rituals and everything...

rediscovering LEGO

Naboo Starfighter [75092]

With the awakening of the force late last year comes the reawakening of the inner kid in me. 

I have always loved Star Wars. It was my lolo (grandfather) who introduced me to the galaxy far, far away. He would always tell me tales about the empire and the rebels. When VHS copies of the original trilogy were sent from abroad, I would play them repeatedly. Imagine my twelve-year-old self's delight (and confusion - why is the fourth film Episode I?) when the first prequel was released. I think that was the moment I truly fell in love with Star Wars. The Phantom Menace instantly became my favorite Star Wars film. Later on in life, I was shocked to learn that a lot were disappointed by it to the point that they pretended it doesn't exist! But not me. I was fascinated with everything, from the new versions of lightsabers (double-sided!) to the shiny spacecrafts (N-1!). That's why when my wife and I visited the first (and only) LEGO Certified Store in the Philippines, I can't take my eyes of the Naboo Starfighter set. The release of The Force Awakens has not only revived the Star Wars fanboy in me, but also the LEGO builder. LEGO was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid, but after set 75092, I realized that it still is. And little did I know that that was the start of building a lot of amazing things! And what's more amazing is that I was able to include my wife in my rediscovered vice hobby (ask your partners to join you before they beat you, hehe).

The building experience was really enjoyable. My wife and I were amazed with all the new pieces! The instructions were challenging enough yet easy to understand. Playability is also great with the Naboo Starfighter. With this set, we were able to recreate some of my favorite scenes in Episode I.

Naboo Starfighter [75092] Minifigures: (Clockwise) Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, Naboo Pilot, Battle Droids, & Destroyer Droid

As pictured above, the set comes with a number of characters, three proper minifigures, and six droids, namely Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2-D2, Naboo Pilot, three Battle Droids, and two Destroyer Droids. I really can't decide if the little Anakin is more adorable or R2-D2?

I don't think this set is quite popular among LEGO Star Wars fans. There's still a lot of sets in shops, and the price has dropped significantly from its recommended retail price, at least here in the UK (yes, we've recently migrated). If only I could tell the world how cool this set is. Oh wait, I think I just did...