Helm's Deep, also clone brick question

[Bruce N H]

Hey all,

Helm's Deep is rapidly becoming the most MOC'ed Lord of the Rings structure. Two new things showed up on Brickshelf in the last few days:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=58818
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=58788

One thing I noticed, in this picture:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=533740
Look at the dark gray on the right. He used a mix of normal brics and those stone bricks from the Megablocks Dragons line. Any thoughts on this? I'm generally down on clone bricks, but I think this gives a nice look, with more realistically uneven and weathered stones. There are other clone elements throughout this MOC, but those seem less crucial and they could have been replaced with actual Lego elements.

Bruce

[architect]

That is an interesting use of clone bricks. I like the textured stone look.

Ben

[Glencaer]

Bruce,

thanks for bring this to my attention. I must say, this is the best use of mixing clone and LEGO pieces - almost good enough to warrant buying some clone for just this purpose.

-lenny

[footsteps]

I've taken a look at the pictures, and I'm fairly sure that apart from the foundations (BURPs etc) this structure is over 95% clone - probably from the Megablok aircraft carrier set. I like the look of it.

Alan

[Charlie]

I noticed that too, if you look at the close up of the plates, they don't have the "LEGO" trademark on it, but they do have that little dimple on the top like megblocks have.

Whether or not it is made with actual LEGO bricks, it looks great.

[Jojo]

Hello!


In my capicity of the official No-sayer in this forum I declare, that I'm always more exalted if somebody finds a LEGO-solution for any building problem. I'm kind of a purist, sorry. If one uses clone bricks in case LEGO bricks don't fit you could also glue parts together, that doesn't make much difference. But it is not LEGO.

So this might be a not so bad building. However, you will never hear a gushing from me for any clone-building.


Bye
Jojo the Draconic

[Toombinator]

I myself am personally a big fan of the Mega Bloks Dragons line. They come in bulk, so they make great enemies... Plus, who can beat those Dragons? THEY'RE HUGE! They're a lot cheaper than lego, but they don't hold together too well, and the weapons are a little... overdetailed

[wlister]

I think the mix of these bricks seems great, it really gives the walls a weathered look, perfect smooth walls aren't really realistic. Being a purist, I would never mix them into my collection, but I have been tempted by the lower costs and the affordable minifig assortments.

The Mega Blocks Dragon series is readily available here in Canada, it tends to disappear from shelves rather quickly. They also seem to go on sale more often than Lego. Many of the stores that carry the line close to my place always seem to be bringing in more stock. It would seem to be an indication that they are selling quite well.

It would be fairly easy to build a large army. I am hoping lego might take notice of this success and start putting out sets to RETAIL that allow for easier army building. Shop at Home is nice, but it is pretty costly for shipping etc...