AirWatcher the brainless Guard.

[Alucia]

Hey,
So we all know that some of the Dark Hunter builds are, not the best. AirWatcher is very much a product of a kid with a good idea but not the skills or parts to really pull it off. So this is less of a revamp and more of a reinterpritation.

So how I see the original build is, bird man. There are clear signs of taloned feet, digitigrade legs a bird like head and an attempt to make a feathered chest and back.
The concept is sound but the execution is very lacking, as is the colour scheme.
So here is my interpretation of AirWatcher.

I wanted to keep some of the original design choices in tact with this build, so I went with a modified articulated Mata waist part, as well as the shield armor peices from KrayDay’s parts pack.

The original also had lift arms jutting out of the back, so I moved those down and converted into a feathered tail.
I also retained the wrist blade but obviously gave it a more suitable orientation.

If my Axonn revamp is anything the go on, it should be clear that giant hands are really not my thing but I thought that the large hands really were a design feature here and I think I found a nice middle ground, still pretty big but much better proportioned and even more articulated.

One thing I very much wanted to do was give the head a very bird like appearance, I had some feedback that it was a bit too bird like but I’m honestly happy with how it looks. What do you all think?

One of AirWatchers features is an energy web launcher in his chest, the original did this by slapping a disk launcher to his side. I have to admit that I coulden’t come up with a way to do this myself either, so let’s say he some how shoots the energy web from his heart stone lol.
Also custom Toa Nuva might be uploaded at a later date

Acid staff, soooooo thankful to Vahki06 for making Krika’s blades, these are some of my favorite weapon parts ever.

While he may look much smaller than the original that is mainly due to the original having such a long neck and the wings being more vertical, while mine are more horizontal.

Hoping to work on some more Dark Hunter rebuilds down the line now, this was a really fun build. Espcaially happy with the wings.

As always all comments and criticism are welcome.
Now I’m gunna lay down in this disgusting heat that the Uk is currently having…my PC is like a radiator so gunna give it a rest lol.

Credits

Also credits for the parts and colours go to.
Turret3471 Pack
Galva Pack
Bio Pack
KhingK
KingSidorak
Megawillbot
Voidhound
Mod20087
Gifthammer
Hermaeus_Jackson
MO6Z
Rothanak
KrayDay
OhluCG
Godfyr6934
Agils
Ken
Meowserstrousers
Kryakwa
Grievous
Aleist3r
Phinto_
Nattarthetimedragon
Charger0908
Voyager
HahliNuva
Vspinax
AbsolutBeginner
Valtarshol
BionicleC4
BowtiedTrombone
Knux400
Lehvak Nuva
Xio Zaku
Pasta Man64
SCMD1999
and a few of my own.

If I have missed anyone or if anyone knows any more skilled artists that have parts free for download then please let me know, I’m always looking for new parts.

[Wekua]

I did not realize Airwatcher was supposed to be a bird until you did this. You have opened my eyes, and the truth is beautiful.

I do like the new head, but honestly the part I favor is that you sized down the Ultimate Dume hands. Those things are so ungainly.

You so consistently retained the color scheme, and many of the original design elements, your build is proof enough of your assessment; this kid just didn’t have the parts or the experience needed to realize their vision. You’ve done them a huge service with this build.

10/10!

[TheJerminator]

This is a super cool build, and I look forward to seeing reinterpretations of other Dark Hunters.

I particularly like the increase in tan when compared to the original. The colour scheme is just better overall.

The only criticism I have is the head; while the current design is very good, and fits the build really well, it just doesn’t really “feel” like Airwatcher to me. The original had more of a jaw, while this is like a beak. Perhaps some middle ground could be found?

(Also, where could I obtain that Krika blade piece for stud.io? Is it public-access?)

EDIT:

Maybe the head could be something like Nivawk’s movie interpretation? That design, to me, manages to merge the jaw of the original set with a beak-like shape?

[Alucia]

@Wekua

I do like the new head, but honestly the part I favor is that you sized down the Ultimate Dume hands. Those things are so ungainly.

Thanks, yeah I was going to go with normal sized hands but I thought that some larger hands would be more in like with the original vision. Just not the mega Ultimate Dume hands.

@TheJerminator

(Also, where could I obtain that Krika blade piece for stud.io? Is it public-access?)

They are made by Vahki06. I don’t really feel comfortable mentioning where it was posted (given how toxic it can be) but I’ll drop you a DM with the part file in it.

@TheJerminator

Maybe the head could be something like Nivawk’s movie interpretation? That design, to me, manages to merge the jaw of the original set with a beak-like shape?

Low quantity render obviously but how about something like this?

I tried this one as well to go a bit closer to the original but not really feeling it tbh.

[KanohiReqi]

Nice using Krayday’s work. Speaking of which, I went back to check their artstation and all of their bionicle was gone. Has something happened?

[TheJerminator]

@Alucia

I tried this one as well to go a bit closer to the original but not really feeling it tbh.

I definitely prefer the first one. That’s pretty much exactly how I imagined it.

[Alucia]

@TheJerminator

I definitely prefer the first one. That’s pretty much exactly how I imagined it.

Awesome I’ll redo the renders with the new head tomorrow then. Thanks for the feedback.

@KanohiReqi

I went back to check their artstation and all of their bionicle was gone. Has something happened?

Honestly don’t know, I don’t talk to the people in that specific location, I just lurk it for parts lol.
Strange about their Artstation though. They did post the pack download on Dropbox though, so I can DM you the link if you need it.

[Enbeanie]

I’ve always seen Airwatcher as more of a flying gecko but this is a nice version as well.
oh, and if you want a Nivawk head design you could use Govis’s

[Rukah]

Ooh a @Alucia moc! This guy looks pretty good, and I’d say it’s much improved over the original. I like the wings and armor.

[Stuubh]

The comparison to the original model is night and day, yet paired next to each other there is still a clear resemblance. Very nice work.

[Scmd1999]

Definitely way better than the original. It reminds me of the chozo from metroid. His spear and his head look really good.

[Rhyla416]

oo this looks good!

[Alucia]

@TheJerminator So I couldn’t be bothered re rendering everything but here’s the museum pose with the new head at least.

[Senit]

Hm pretty cool, it is always nice to see a good DH revamp, I like the head(s) a lot.

[Bio_G3_Bringer]

I love that head design <3

[Droconis]

This would be a cool built for a Makuta.