halloween 2016 haul

Boo!

Happy Halloween! Brick or treat? Both!

My wife and I decided to treat ourselves with some bricks on our first Halloween in the United Kingdom. Our Halloween 2016 haul is more like 2015, for everything we bought were stuff from last year (and we're both not a fan of this year's spooky set. Is that a walrus vamp?). Needless to say, they're on sale.

For our first and only set, we purchased the Trick or Treat Halloween Set [40122].

Trick or Treat Halloween Set [40122]

Trick or Treat Halloween Set

We spotted this cute little vignette in our local Sainsbury's. It used to retail for £8.49 but they were selling the set for only £7, then they marked it further down to £5.60! This is our first ever vignette and it has inspired us to make similar projects in the future. Good thing I chose this over some spooky sweets.

For the next items, we used a voucher from WHSmith taking £5 off from at least £15 worth of kids' books or toys. Fortunately, our local store still has a few Minifigures Series 14: Monsters [71010] bags left. To be specific, there were six bags on the shelf. The exact quantity we need to avail of the promo.

Minifigures Series 14: Monsters [71010]

Out of the six bags, only one is a duplicate (to my younger sister's delight). For this haul, we got Zombie Businessman, Wolf Guy, Square Foot, Zombie Pirate, and Specter.

Zombie Businessman

Wolf Guy

Square Foot

Zombie Pirate

Specter

These guys will now join my Monster Scientist, Plant Monster, Tiger Woman, and Gargoyle. I still need to hunt down seven more minifigures to complete the set (I'm late. I know!). Not to mention my desire to have a cool Yeti from Series 11 [71002] to complement my cute Square Foot.

How about you guys? Brick or treat?

Happy Halloween!

UK toys r us first order general promotion

First Order General [5004406]

Good news UK LEGO Star Wars fans, the elusive First Order General [5004406] is finally available via Toys R Us!

As a Toys R Us special offer, the First Order General minifigure is free when you spend £15 on any LEGO Star Wars sets. There was no promotion period stated so it can be assumed that it will run while supplies last. The polybag is also purchasable in-store and online, retailing at £4.99. However, quantity is limited to one item per customer, and click and collect is not an option. Head on to www.toysrus.co.uk to purchase one, and for more details.

First Order General Hat Off

First Order General  Hat On

UK LEGO store star wars rebel A-wing pilot promotion

Rebel A-Wing Pilot Promotion
(Photo grabbed from: https://www.lego.com/en-GB)

It was announced in the UK LEGO Store Christmas 2016 Newsletter that the Star Wars Rebel A-Wing Pilot [5004408] will be finally available as a free gift with purchase come December.

The long sought Phoenix Squadron Pilot minifigure will be officially up for grabs at last in the UK brick market. The minifigure is from Star Wars Rebels, more specifically from the end of the second season. The promotion runs from 11 to 31 December, with a free Rebel A-Wing Pilot [5004408] polybag (while supplies last) for any Star Wars purchase over £25.

I know it's a bit early for this announcement, that's why I plan to make another post later on to remind us of this certain promotion. I'm sure, like me, you wouldn't want to miss this...

UK LEGO store christmas promotions

Christmas Promotions
(Photo grabbed from: https://www.lego.com/en-GB)

'Tis the season to be jolly! Along with the release of the UK LEGO Store Christmas 2016 Newsletter is the announcement of this year's multiple holiday promotions.

As early as October and, of course, ending in December, LEGO is giving away free gifts (after minimum purchases and while supplies last) to liven up the festive mood. The Christmas 2016 LEGO Store promotions are as follows:

• From 23 October to 20 November, free LEGO 24-in-1 Christmas Builds [40222] for any purchase over £60

• From 12 to 23 November, free LEGO Toy Soldier Christmas Ornament [5004420] for any purchase over £25

• From 25 November to 10 December, free LEGO Snowglobe [40223] for any purchase over £60

• From 11 to 20 December, free Exclusive Gingerbread Man Minifigure [5005156] for any purchase over £25

And don't forget to keep your receipt when you buy any LEGO product between 14 October and 10 December to get a 2017 LEGO Wall Calendar. The calendar can then be claimed (while supplies last) from any LEGO Store between 11 December and 15 January.

2017 Wall Calendar
(Photo grabbed from: https://www.lego.com/en-GB)

So plan your holiday purchases wisely! And I think this is just perfect, just in time for the opening of the new London Leicester Square LEGO Flagship Store on 17 November!

project monochrome: black

Black Monochrome Minifigure

Continuing my minimal art project in brick form, I have decided to go back to the basic black...

After my first White Monochrome Minifigure, I chose to follow it up with another basic color, black. Like white pieces, black pieces are also very easy to procure. I acquired all the black minifigure parts from my local LEGO Shop's Build-a-Mini. Unfortunately, there were no plain black head and torso pieces available, so I just selected the ones with the least printing. With the same process as before, I removed the paint using cotton swabs and a rag cloth with Brasso metal polish.

For its first interpretation, the Black Monochrome Minifigure is presented as a soldier. Why? The honest reason is that during the time of the shoot, the soldier hat is my only plain black piece. Besides, I think it looks super cute, like a shadow escapee from The Nutcracker.

Black Monochrome Minifigure: Soldier

Slowly, I'm collecting various extra pieces for my Project Monochrome (I find it hard to break a set for just a particular needed piece). I can't wait to execute what I have envisioned for this minimalist aspect of my brick fixation...

LEGO nexo knights magazine issue 09

LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 09

The LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 09 has just been released. And as promised, it's a profusion of free gifts, including a Bat Flyer and Ninjago trading cards!

Just like the previous issue, Issue 09 is overloaded with giveaways, specifically the Bat Flyer LEGO toy, a Ninjago booster pack, and a limited edition Ninjago card. All that's lacking is a Nexo Power, but that's okay. The brilliant strategy of introducing the Ninjago Trading Card Game in the LEGO Magazines is still ongoing. Just like last month, another rare card was included. A genius move, I believe, to tease the desire to complete the whole collection. It almost worked for me, almost, for now.

Ninjago Trading Cards

A Limited Edition Team Ninja golden foil card is included in every Issue 09. And with the special card guaranteed in every booster pack, I got a Jay & Cole silver foil card. So, by purchasing the two issues of LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine, I instantly have four shiny foil cards. This has tempted me into buying a Starter Pack. It's priced at £4.99, and it includes a binder, a pack of cards, an exclusive NRG Kai card, a gameboard, and a set of rules and instructions. Let's see if I can resist it...

For the LEGO toy, this month's freebie is a Bat Flyer.

Bat Flyer

Even without a rider, the airborne vehicle looks wickedly hot. The six shooter housing piece instantly makes any build fiercely hardcore. And the press release reads that the flame bat fires lava ammo (and that it's a vampire speedster)! I thought that the Bat Flyer is Lavaria's ride, but in the comics, a Crust Smasher was seen flying it. I always love it when the toys would appear in the comics.

I'm actually excited for next issue's free gift, for a knightly toy is promised, none other than a supermighty Mech Bot! Is this in preparation for the future Action sets? Then a Pilot Bot will be included in Issue 11 (I believe that's a typo below, unless the wrong toy was highlighted). LEGO Nexo Knights Magazine Issue 10 is on sale from 16 November.

Mech Bot

last chance to get a final free LEGO toy with next saturday's daily mail

Skybound Plane [30421]
(Photo grabbed from: https://shop.lego.com/en-GB)

Wait, there's more! LEGO fans from the United Kingdom have another chance to get a final free LEGO polybag with the Daily Mail next Saturday.

On 22 October, soar into battle by claiming the Ninjago Skybound Plane [30421] with Saturday's Daily Mail!

To get your loot, simply present the voucher printed in Saturday's paper to a participating WHSmith High Street store before closing on the specified day to collect one free toy, while stocks last.

Head on to The Mail Online for more details.

my LEGO star wars rebels ghost crew (so far)

Ghost Crew

In Star Wars Rebels, the Ghost Crew has proved to be a formidable force against The Empire. In brick form, Spectres One to Six are exactly the same...

But I'm two Spectres short. I was not able to rediscover LEGO and Star Wars on time to collect the first LEGO Star Wars Rebels sets. And that includes The Ghost [75053], the only set (for now) wherein you can get Zeb Orrelios. 75053 has already retired, and I haven't seen a justifiable price yet, so I'm just counting on a re-release. But I was able to get the Microfighter version [75127] though, and that gave me the ship's pilot, Hera Syndulla. It may not be accurate but it was designed very cutely, that's why it's one of my favorites.

The Ghost [75127]

My latest addition to the Ghost Crew is its leader, Kanan Jarrus. My ever-loving wife gave me Kanan's Speeder Bike [75141] for our anniversary. For me, the final build looks like it came out straight from the TV series. I love (mostly) every detail, especially the hover effect. I'm just not really a big fan of stickers.

Kanan's Speeder Bike [75141]

And of course, if you have read my review on the LEGO Star Wars Annual 2017, you'll know that I got my Chopper and Ezra Bridger minifigures from there. What a cheap and easy way to get them? Now, all that's needed is Ezra's lightsaber-blaster hybrid. A binoculars piece will easily solve that.

LEGO Star Wars Annual 2017

And that leaves me with Sabine Wren. She's easily obtainable, but she ain't cheap. So far, Sabine is part of three sets, two of which are big and expensive. The other set, Ezra's Speeder Bike [75090] has a reasonable retail price, but it's already retired! Isn't it ironic?

One day, I hope that I'll be able to complete the whole gang. But now that I've thought of it, I realized that I have a greater desire when it comes to LEGO Star Wars Rebels, and that's having an official Loth-cat minifigure...

LEGO star wars magazine: issue 16

LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 16

Issue 16 of LEGO Star Wars Magazine has just came out, and this month's free gift is the metal monster MTT!

The Multi-Troop Transport, or MTT for short, is a heavily armored repulsorlift vehicle used to bring the Battle Droids to the place of conflict. It was first seen in The Phantom Menace, utilized by the Trade Federation in the Battle of Naboo.

MTT

After last month's AT-AT, the MTT microbuild is a bit of a letdown. I think you need to squint your eyes real small to see the resemblance. I needed to give a detailed description to the missus before she was able to recognize the vehicle. For me, the final build looks like a cross between a choo choo train and a ground type Pokémon. The good thing about the foil pack is the great assortment of reddish brown pieces, including two mini shooters. This is the first time that I saw that piece in that color. A quick Google search revealed that there are just at least three sets that contain reddish brown mini shooters. The MTT is a so-so microbuild for me. It's okay enough to add to your collection, and okay enough to pass on it.

Moving on, for next month's issue, make way for a very important ship, none other than Emperor Palpatine's Shuttle! The LEGO Star Wars Magazine Issue 17 comes out on 9 November.

Palpatine's Shuttle

more LEGO freebies with the mail this weekend

Kai's Mini Dragon [30422] & Olaf's Summertime Fun [30397]
(Photo grabbed from: https://shop.lego.com/en-GB)

Great news LEGO fans from the United Kingdom! More free LEGO toys with The Mail this weekend!

On 15 October, get your next free LEGO toy with Saturday's Daily Mail. Go full on ninja mode and claim Ninjago Kai's Mini Dragon [30422]!

Plus, on 16 October, pick up another polybag with The Mail on Sunday. Don't let the cold bother you and chill with Disney Frozen Olaf's Summertime Fun [30397]!

To claim, just like before, simply present the voucher printed in Saturday and Sunday's paper to a participating WHSmith High Street store, Eason or Tesco Express (Sunday only) store before closing on the specified day to collect one free toy, while stocks last.

For more details, head on to The Mail Online.

LEGO NYCC exclusive super hero girls batgirl minifigure twitter giveaway

LEGO DC Super Hero Girls Batgirl Minifigure
(Photo grabbed from: https://twitter.com/LEGO_Group/status/784030516429197312)

There's a LEGO New York Comic Con exclusive prize giveaway on Twitter, and here are all the details...

LEGO is going full DC in this year's NYCC. With the recent set unveilings from The LEGO Batman Movie and DC Super Hero Girls, it's no surprise that the exclusive prize giveaway would also come from either line. (I just hoped that it was from the former rather than the latter). A total of 20 LEGO DC Super Hero Girls Batgirl minifigure will be awarded in the Twitter giveaway. The minifigure was first revealed via a pre-show Facebook live video feed (watch it here). It looks very similar (if not exactly the same) to the one included in the upcoming Batgirl Batjet [41230] set. (UPDATE: LEGO tweeted that: The NYCC figure is an early release of the retail figure. They are the same.).

Sponsored and administered by LEGO System, the contest requires no purchase or entry fee to enter or win a prize. But a Twitter account is needed to do so. Then all you have to do is to follow the instructions on the LEGO Twitter website and simply RT (ReTweet) clearly designated competition tweets posted by @LEGO_Group during the entry period. This is open to all valid holders of Twitter accounts worldwide (except as may be prohibited by law). Entrants who are minors will be required to provide the consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to claim any prize. Winners will be chosen by random draw. For more details, the official rules were posted on the LEGO Facebook page. Check them out here.

Good luck to all!

free LEGO with the mail this weekend (and next weekend)

Poe's X-Wing Fighter [30278]

It's that time of the year again in the United Kingdom! Free LEGO toys with The Mail this weekend!

Pick up LEGO Star Wars and Nexo Knights polybags this weekend with the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday!

On 8 October, get your hands on Poe's X-Wing Fighter [30278] with Saturday's Daily Mail. (Clear stand pictured above not included).

Poe's X-Wing Fighter [30278] Polybag

Then with The Mail on Sunday on 9 October, catch hold of Jestro's evil minion, The Lava Slinger [30374].

The Lava Slinger [30374] Polybag

The Lava Slinger [30374]

In addition to that, there will be two more LEGO toys next weekend to collect for free! Specifically, Ninjago Kai's Mini Dragon [30422] on next Saturday, then Disney Frozen Olaf's Summertime Fun [30397] on next Sunday.

But how to claim the free LEGO polybags? Just like before, simply present the voucher printed in Saturday and Sunday's paper to a participating WHSmith High Street store, Eason or Tesco Express (Sunday only) store before closing on the specified day to collect one free toy, while stocks last.

For more details, head on to The Mail Online.

imperial assault hovertank [75152] review

Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152]

Fresh from the Rogue Friday event, the Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152] is ready to take on the spiritual warrior-monk Chirrut Îmwe, or is it?

Not considering the buildable figures (sorry, not a fan), the Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152] is easily the obvious Rogue One LEGO set choice due to its price. It's the least expensive among the latest Star Wars sets, retailing for UK £29.99 / US $29.99 (I wonder if there's a pricing error here).

Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152] Box

The packaging is very nice, with a Death Trooper ominously peeking at the upper right hand portion of the large box. I always love it when the box is big enough to fit the final build without disassembling it. Fortunately, that is the case with set 75152.

The set includes three minifigures, specifically Chirrut Îmwe and two Imperial Hovertank Pilots. Not much has been revealed yet for the Rogue One characters, but based on the trailers, Chirrut Îmwe is a blind warrior-monk who strongly believes in the Force. I think that was captured perfectly in minifigure form. His eyes were painted white to reflect that he is sightless, but that did not leave him with a blank expression. The minifig head has double sided looks of seriousness and smugness. He also carries two weapons, a wooden staff and a bowcaster. And for the last detail, LEGO was generous enough to give Chirrut Îmwe a cloak made of fabric instead of just printing it on the legs.

Chirrut Îmwe (Front)

Chirrut Îmwe (Back)

In case you haven't noticed, there are a lot of new Stormtrooper types introduced in the Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailers. And they are represented in the different LEGO sets. What a perfect time to be a Stormtrooper fan (not so if you're a completist on a limited budget)! The set's Imperial Hovertank Pilots are great additions to anyone's army collection. They look very menacing in their detailed armor prints. But the best bit here is that new molds were used for their helmets.

Imperial Hovertank Pilot Unmasked

Imperial Hovertank Pilots

The build per se was a lot of fun. The Imperial Assault Hovertank, with its heavy-armor detailing and multiple guns, is the ultimate urban patrol vehicle. The concealed placement of the dual spring-loaded shooters and the subtle manner to activate them is a genius idea! The vehicle also has a hover gimmick by utilizing transparent wheels. The two Imperial Hovertank Pilots can board the transport via the opening two-minifigure cockpit.

Imperial Assault Hovertank

I think the model looks very similar to the hovertank in the trailers. Even down to the bright orange cargo (which loudly screams STEAL ME!). Inside it was another blaster and electrobinoculars. I wonder if it's the same in the film. Could it contain the secret Death Star plans? The missus suggested that it might be a flight recorder.

Cargo

Bonus points added on the absence of stickers. I don't know about you, but I'm not really fond of painstakingly putting stickers on my bricks. However carefully I do it, I always manage to unevenly stick them. Thank God for my ever-loving wife, who always saves me from this sticky task. But there's no saving needed this time.

Overall, with a fun build, detailed minifigures, and reasonable price, I think the Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152] is a great starting set to go rogue this season. I can't wait to see the live version in action in the big screen soon!

rogue friday 2016 haul

Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152]

Star Wars fans all around the world have gone rogue over the weekend, and LEGO builders are no exceptions. With the recent release of Rogue One toys in the Rogue Friday event, I wonder what did you guys get?

Me? I got the least expensive LEGO Rogue One set, the Imperial Assault Hovertank [75152] (buildable figures not considered). I usually buy stuff only when they're on sale (unless I really, really, really like them), so I bought set 75152 with the Triple VIP Points in mind. That's almost like having a £5 rebate. And of course, let's not forget the free First Order Stormtrooper [30602].

First Order Stormtrooper [30602]

LEGO UK is generous enough to giveaway the exclusive minifigure for any LEGO Star Wars purchase. And they really do mean any, for that includes even the cheapest key chains. That's why my ever-loving wife, using her own VIP account, bought BB-8 and Yoda Key Chains to avail more minifigures.

BB-8 Key Chain

Yoda Key Chain

Though I was really eyeing for the Krennic's Imperial Shuttle [75156] this Rogue Friday release, I did not purchase it straightaway. I guess I'm going to wait a little bit more for better deals. In the meantime, I'm more than happy and contented to start with Chirrut Îmwe versus the Imperial Assault Hovertank. Opening the set in 3, 2, 1...