MFZ: Intercept Orbit Carrier Design

Another quick post to show off a capital ship design based around the Technic wing front (2743) that I used for the aft of my Frigates. This one is exactly 16 studs long, and looks pretty beastly even if I do say so myself. The second picture shows the upgraded stand - I also have a method for propping up the bow end if need be.

MFZ: Intercept Orbit - Frigate Designs

These are the first designs from the Daimler MacLaren Group R&D labs since the name change from Alpha Bandit to Intercept Orbit. Of note, these builds are on the correctly sized bases & fit the maximum size restriction of 12 studs (if only just). More pics to follow!

Single Set Challenge (SSC) /// MFZ-focused reviews /// what to buy and where from

>>> I'm a big fan of this concept: take any single Lego set, and make as many Mobile Frames and stations as you can from only those pieces. This is a perfect opportunity for the AFOL to grab a new set or two to take on vacation, after all. Smaller sets may only result in a single frame, but I recently had success with making a whole company from a single set.

>>> An excellent MFZ specific review framework has been established by Mantisking on his blog the Mobile Frame Garage. I'll reproduce it here, but I suggest checking his blog out as it has heaps of information. There's a long list of good sets for MFZ on his blog too.

The Questions:

Can you build a frame, or frames, right away? (Yes = +5 / No = -5)

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (Below = +5 / At = 0 / Above = -10) (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)

If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? (Yes = +5 / No = -5)

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? (Yes = +5 / No = -5)

The Ratings:

Added to a base score of zero (0), the answers to these questions should give a range of -25 to +20 points. 

Which gives us the following scores and ratings:

+20 = A+

+15 = A

+10 = A-

+5 = B+

0 = B

-5 = B-

-10 = C+

-15 = C

-25 = C-.

Now that MFZ: Alpha Bandit (spaceship combat) is nearing release, some people are adding scores for that as well. A marginal set for the original MFZ can sometimes be an excellent set for Alpha Bandit.

>>> When sourcing sets for MFZ, it's well worth looking on eBay for sellers who split off the minifigs & on-sell the rest of the kit. Since minifigs are mostly useless to us in MFZ (aside from the infamous 'butt-hands', perhaps), this leaves us all the good bits we're after & can make an otherwise marginal cost/part ratio dip below the line.

Just in case you don't know, if you enter a set number (like 40085) into the search engine of a site like Brickset.com, you can find a complete inventory of the parts included. Once you get your eye in for the parts that are normally used to make frames, you can very quickly determine if a set is worth your time or not.

Sometimes you just really need a particular part - you can now buy directly from Lego's online store (which is expensive), or through a service like Bricklink (unfortunately quite complex) or the newer site Brick Owl (which I haven't used yet). Careful shopping will net you orders under the golden ratio with the parts you need, but be warned: there'll always be something you forgot ;)

Finally, be aware that some countries have much better shipping services than others. I'm located in Australia, but due to our often horrible pricing I buy sets and parts from overseas. I've found that a lot of UK sellers have great shipping fees compared to sellers in the USA, and the service is often faster too.

introduction >> parallel evolution

Just when you think you're being clever, somebody pips you to the post - that's what I get for taking a five day holiday in a scenic sea-side location. A review of Titanfall posted less than 24 hrs ago used the tagline 'Mechs and the City'.

This blog is about LEGO wargame "Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack" and its space spin-off "Alpha Bandit", and has nowt to do with Titanfall (even if it is lousy with giant fighting robots). As a long suffering partner to a spouse who watched an awful lot of a certain show, the name "Mechs and the City" was just too good to pass up!

Along with background fluff and general frame constructs, I'll be posting my reviews of MoFØ appropriate LEGO sets, my 'Single Set Challenge' builds and my "Alpha Bandit" fleets.

Here's a link to the reviewer who cheekily "stole" my idea: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/11098-Titanfall-Review-Mechs-and-the-City