Actually, the solid black Bohrok faceplate first appeared in the Technic Darth Vader figure (8010) released five months before this. Similarly, the Technic 5M-6 3D panels in silver first appeared in another Star Wars figure (8011) in late April of 2002, and would also appear in a "Drome Racers" set (8363) in July of '03.
Oh darn! For some reason I was certain Vader came out after, should have checked. Clearly my brain couldn't conceive of a Bionicle part recolour debuting in a non-Bionicle set!
I always thought it was funny how despite being such a minor part of the 2002 story and just being glorified suits of armour the Exo-Toa kept on being brought back throughout the story to fill out the ranks of Makuta’s armies alongside the Rahkshi and Visorak. Always thought the Vahki would be better suited to that role.
When it came to fitting Onua and Pohatu into the Exo-Toa, I guess the LEGO designers didn't think that one all the way through. A solution would be to have Pohatu and Onua standing on their tip-toes. I really like how the Exo-Toa looked with the two gun arms on the shoulders instead of the left arm.
It is wild to me that the price difference between the Boxor set back in 2002 and a single toa or makuta figure from the Phantoka or Mistika sets was a difference of only 3 dollars in the US if you compared them, the figures costing 12 dollars each back in 2008(meaning you would have to pay 142 dollars US if you wanted both complete sets). I really think that was one of the big reasons I ended up not completing or just straight up not getting the later sets, because the prices just kept going up and I just couldn't afford them at the time. It especially didn't help that the price jumped again to 13 dollars US with the Glatorians in 2009, and don't even get me started on some of the prices for the bigger sets. I can't remember exactly but they got really ridicules later on down the line, in fact the only big set I got after the Makuta (later named Teridax) was Vezon and Fenrakk, which if I recall cost something like 48 dollars US in 2006, which was ten dollars less then the Axonn and Brutaka sets, which were 58 dollars US.
Love your exo toa mocs! I'll have to try that heavy arms model, looks awesome. I was fortunate to have acquired 2 additional exo suits, and swapped out the orange parts and Bohrok eyes for medium blue and lime colors. These match nicely with the other Toa (eg. Onua and Lewa share the lime accent suit)
i feel like what would have made more sense in story, would have been to have there been six exo toa, but only one remaining functional. so instead of all of them using exo toa, they instead activated that single remaining unit and used it to assist them in battle. maybe having it distract the Bahrog so the toa could get hits in, and maybe have the Exo toa end up taking out one of the Bahrog!
I have an Aluternet Modification idea for the Exo-Toa, Swapping the Technic Vented panelling for the main Toa Pilot Color Pohatu=Brown, Onua=Black, Gali=Blue, Tahu=Red, Lewa=Green, Kopaka=White,
So, Exo-Toa in lore... They were originally built by the Nynrah Ghosts, a group of very secretive Matoran who specialized in building weapons to order for various factions. They were also the ones who built the armored bodies of the Brotherhood of Makuta when the latter evolved into beings made of antidermis. Back when the Makuta still worked as the peacekeepers of the Matoran Universe, before Makuta Teridax betrayed Mata Nui, the Exo-Toa were a part of the army of the Brotherhood of Makuta alongside the Visorak and "Fohrak". After the defeat of the Bohrak, including the Bohrak Kal, the next time the Exo-Toa were seen they were under the control of Makuta Teridax, and used to capture fugitives and bring them back to Metru Nui.
A shame that the Exo Toa can only fit the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva. It would have been interesting to see a moc build of an Exo Toa that could fit the likes of the Toa Metru or Toa Inika.
Apparently by GregF's account, Bob Thompson himself had a major grudge with the Exo-Toa concept and made it so that the story team would minimize its use in the story. Not sure what his deal was but he was definitely a killjoy in that regard, and tells you how the set and story teams didn't fully align all the time (*cough*MarhiScubaGear*cough)
That's interesting info, makes sense with how badly sidelined they were. I wonder what his problem was? And yeah, the Mahri scuba change was so dumb, lol.
Actually, the solid black Bohrok faceplate first appeared in the Technic Darth Vader figure (8010) released five months before this. Similarly, the Technic 5M-6 3D panels in silver first appeared in another Star Wars figure (8011) in late April of 2002, and would also appear in a "Drome Racers" set (8363) in July of '03.
Oh darn! For some reason I was certain Vader came out after, should have checked. Clearly my brain couldn't conceive of a Bionicle part recolour debuting in a non-Bionicle set!
I always thought it was funny how despite being such a minor part of the 2002 story and just being glorified suits of armour the Exo-Toa kept on being brought back throughout the story to fill out the ranks of Makuta’s armies alongside the Rahkshi and Visorak. Always thought the Vahki would be better suited to that role.
When it came to fitting Onua and Pohatu into the Exo-Toa, I guess the LEGO designers didn't think that one all the way through. A solution would be to have Pohatu and Onua standing on their tip-toes. I really like how the Exo-Toa looked with the two gun arms on the shoulders instead of the left arm.
Aaw man, I never liked the launcher arm, cant believe i didnt think of doing one with two punching arms. Nice work ❤
I have to say your reviews are probably my favorite bionicle reviews I've seen.
That's very kind, thank you :D Glad you enjoyed!
Honestly I never cared that they weren't powerful in the story, in my imagination they were as badass as they looked
It is wild to me that the price difference between the Boxor set back in 2002 and a single toa or makuta figure from the Phantoka or Mistika sets was a difference of only 3 dollars in the US if you compared them, the figures costing 12 dollars each back in 2008(meaning you would have to pay 142 dollars US if you wanted both complete sets).
I really think that was one of the big reasons I ended up not completing or just straight up not getting the later sets, because the prices just kept going up and I just couldn't afford them at the time. It especially didn't help that the price jumped again to 13 dollars US with the Glatorians in 2009, and don't even get me started on some of the prices for the bigger sets. I can't remember exactly but they got really ridicules later on down the line, in fact the only big set I got after the Makuta (later named Teridax) was Vezon and Fenrakk, which if I recall cost something like 48 dollars US in 2006, which was ten dollars less then the Axonn and Brutaka sets, which were 58 dollars US.
Great review! Went out and purchased one because of it.
great review, never got it but looks cool and the modifications are a good idea
Love your exo toa mocs! I'll have to try that heavy arms model, looks awesome. I was fortunate to have acquired 2 additional exo suits, and swapped out the orange parts and Bohrok eyes for medium blue and lime colors. These match nicely with the other Toa (eg. Onua and Lewa share the lime accent suit)
Oh, nice! I really want to try that, but I know if I start I'll need to do all six...
i feel like what would have made more sense in story, would have been to have there been six exo toa, but only one remaining functional. so instead of all of them using exo toa, they instead activated that single remaining unit and used it to assist them in battle. maybe having it distract the Bahrog so the toa could get hits in, and maybe have the Exo toa end up taking out one of the Bahrog!
I have an Aluternet Modification idea for the Exo-Toa,
Swapping the Technic Vented panelling for the main Toa Pilot Color
Pohatu=Brown, Onua=Black, Gali=Blue, Tahu=Red,
Lewa=Green, Kopaka=White,
So, Exo-Toa in lore...
They were originally built by the Nynrah Ghosts, a group of very secretive Matoran who specialized in building weapons to order for various factions. They were also the ones who built the armored bodies of the Brotherhood of Makuta when the latter evolved into beings made of antidermis. Back when the Makuta still worked as the peacekeepers of the Matoran Universe, before Makuta Teridax betrayed Mata Nui, the Exo-Toa were a part of the army of the Brotherhood of Makuta alongside the Visorak and "Fohrak". After the defeat of the Bohrak, including the Bohrak Kal, the next time the Exo-Toa were seen they were under the control of Makuta Teridax, and used to capture fugitives and bring them back to Metru Nui.
My grail set. Really like the builds at the end too.
Oh wauw! Your Exo Toa mocs look amazing!
I'd love to see you show off some alternate modes of sets like this, such as the Exo-Raptor!
3:53
best Channel ever, fuuuuucck
Ikr
A shame that the Exo Toa can only fit the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva. It would have been interesting to see a moc build of an Exo Toa that could fit the likes of the Toa Metru or Toa Inika.
Awesome, maybe you could make a version for the shadow toa!
Apparently by GregF's account, Bob Thompson himself had a major grudge with the Exo-Toa concept and made it so that the story team would minimize its use in the story. Not sure what his deal was but he was definitely a killjoy in that regard, and tells you how the set and story teams didn't fully align all the time (*cough*MarhiScubaGear*cough)
That's interesting info, makes sense with how badly sidelined they were. I wonder what his problem was? And yeah, the Mahri scuba change was so dumb, lol.
This and the Boxor solidified Bionicle as a Mecha franchise....and later Mata Nui/Makuta for obvious reasons