[Lego] Black light - 70794 + 70795 Combination Model

The combination model for two Bionicle Summer 2015 sets, the #70794 Skull Scorpio and the #70795 Mask Maker vs. Skull Grinder under UV Black light.

At the moment of this blogpost, this combination model doesn't go by an unique name unlike most previous Bionicle combinations (in example, Takutanuva,  Ultimate Dume, Voporak, Vezon & Kardas). This seems to be common for the new series of Bionicle sets, together with the fact that none of these have appeared in the story (unlike those older examples above).

However, the LEGO® Shop at Home refers it as a "Powered-up Skull Grinder" in the product description. Makes sense, because in the character biography of Kulta (the Skull Grinder), he equips the Mask of Creation and beats the Toa without any issues. Although the character biography doesn't show him growing in size when he equips the mask (similar to most Bionicle characters in the original story), it would make sense that a Mask of Creation would suffice the possibility of creating power.

When looking at the initial images before building it, the model itself looks to be sized similar to the original Warriors subthemes of Bionicle - a favoured line of larger (and sometimes exclusive) Bionicle characters than the regular Toa-sized sets. I know that not all of the Warriors are huge compared to regular Toa, in some cases they were on the same height, in example Lesovikk, Takanuva and Toa Ignika - but came with their plot-related vehicles to justify a respectable set size.

More information (size comparison with the new Tahu, spare parts and quite some subjective evaluation) below the jump break!

When comparing the new Tahu (#70787) with the combination model, it's a more or less a similar height difference towards older Warriors with their respective Toa from that year or area (in example, #8593 Makuta with the Toa Nuva). It might not be as that large as you might expect after comparing, but it does follow that older scale ratio that most Warriors had.

Of course it's not something like the Witch Doctor (#2283) from the HERO Factory theme, because that's similar to something like Takanuva (#8699) - a much higher price point and is huge compared to the other Heroes/Bionicles of that area.

For having two sets combining to make a Warriors-ish-scaled model, I'm very satisfied to see it was possible to combine three total different designs to make a believable upgrade for Kulta the Skull Grinder.

I think the lower part of the body is the best part of the design, just because of the way how parts are combined. I do appreciate the use of CCBS body parts to form a more rounded (and believable) body, on a similar fashion they did with Ekimu in the Skull Grinder's original set. I also like the way the horns are build and are scaled up with the entire body, instead of copying the build of the Skull Grinder.

However, there are a few things I might think that could've used a bit of change as for colours (especially Ekimu's transparent colour scheme in the upper body and on the back) because it looks a bit off compared to the bottom, but if I'd be honest: for the pieces that you have left from the two sets after building this combination model that would've been a tough call.

As a LEGO® Product Designer once said to me: "If you don't like something that we've used in a set, you can always swap it out with your own parts". I do fully agree on that, the best thing about the LEGO® System, is that you can always modify builds from instructions on the way you want to. A set by itself is just a suggestion with its instructions, you can always go beyond that - keep in mind that the parts in MOCs we all make came from different sets, now didn't they?

There's plenty of Transparent Neon Orange to give some "Black light justification", and the larger weapon itself uses Transparent Neon Green to give a bit more colour-based feedback indications while playing. However, because it uses Ekimu's transparent colour scheme in the upper body, there's a handful of pieces (two limb pieces and two structural pieces on the back) which won't glow.

Here's an overview of parts that were left after building the combination model, excluding the spare parts that were included in both sets but are not part of the original models. There's plenty of parts available to add to the "Powered-up Skull Grinder" if that is your cup of tea. If you want to leave this combination model as it is, all of those parts are available to add in your supply. Never hurts to have plenty of stock, now does it?

I actually forgot to place the Infected Mask of Stone in the picture, because it looks pretty sweet on Pohatu so I kept it on him without realizing the absence of it. But yes, that's a spare part as well.

=================================

As you might can assume from the things I've written above, I'm satisfied with this model. When Bionicle was announced to be rebooted with the CCBS System I was kind of worried about the play features because that used to be a selling point before they changed directions near Voya/Mahri Nui. LEGO® has solved it on a way that was lacking in the later Bionicle sets from the original theme: adding play features inside the models instead of just in the weapons. To achieve this, they brought back the Technic-sub assemblies (ending up with a Technic/CCBS balance to good effect) that were used throughout the entire line instead of going full CCBS.

After seeing how they solved the first wave of Toa, I wondered how they would build larger figures, especially going to (hopefully an inevitable) a line-up of newer Warriors figures. Especially the larger Bionicle and HERO Factory models back then used a lot of Technic-based-builds, but most of those larger/largest ones were limited to only posing limbs. They still look epic, but as a toy, they do lack some play features - this made me wonder how LEGO® would combine the rebooted Bionicle builds with the original intended features inside the models instead of just the weapons.

As for the Skull Creatures theme goes, this model does take that key feature in consideration because both weapons have something related to them (see next paragraph).

Even though his left arm is the only arm that's connected to the gearbox, it does make sense because his right arm holds a quite heavy build. It's good to see that both arms have at least one part that uses the "mask grabbing feature" - the arm that uses the gearbox can easily whack a mask off a figure because of the orientation of the hooks, while the larger build, some kind of halberd, uses a kind of clothes peg feature. A rubber belt, from the Skull Scorpio set, keeps the two halves together so you can use it in a grabbing motion. Because the right arm is not mounted on a gear in the gearbox, it's easy to move that arm while playing to point the "clothes peg" to a mask.

Having the "Powered-up Skull Grinder" as a physical example, seeing how many parts are left, together with an approximation of how much this model could cost as a standalone set (actually, substituting a few of Ekimu's colours with Kulta's would even reduce the inventory costs because that requires less colour swapping during manufacturing), this is an example where I am convinced for the possibility of seeing a successful combination of CCBS and Technic while remaining those good ol' features and not a heavy balance or reliance on Technic. You know, not actually going to release something ridiculously large as Mata Nui, Witch Doctor, Rocka XL or Takanuva that is (even though those huge models are awesome). I'm actually very curious if they would be able to use that new gearbox to full effect on such a large scale... Probably they have to add a lot of friction gears. A lot.

That aside; as aforementioned, I find it impressive to see how three different designs in two sets combine a believable single creature. Of course, it is not without flaws because of the limited inventory with less freedom; which especially hurts in the colour scheme in the upper body and the back. I think that the arms might could've used a few more friction pieces (especially the right arm), however there wasn't enough of them available from both sets together. But in my opinion, these are just small complaints and nothing too major.

Phew! That took actually quite a while to write and to prepare. If you are interested in seeing the Skull Grinder, Skull Scorpio, Ekimu and Pohatu with the Infected Mask of Stone under UV Black light, please refer to this post. That's it for today. I'll see you guys again next post!