No really, I don’t want to read all of that just to get an idea of what we’re talking about so please tell me.
@Ghid is probably right though
Well, during the First Epoch, an argument was held over whether or not Metru builds should be used, and the merits of said style over that of the Inika build, and vice versa.
During the Second Epoch, or as some call it, the Age of Infinite Name Calling and War, there was an argument over what was defined by a “Metru Build”. Some people said that it is purely a MOC that uses a Metru torso as its torso. Others said that it has to be more similar than that, including the same limbs and feet. @Ghid proposed a middle ground that states that a Metru Build has to use the Metru torso and maintain the proportions and scale of a Metru Build.
Finally, in the Third and Current Epoch, the people have once again rebelled and are now arguing whether or not there is creativity encourages in these contests - which will undoubtedly lead to people arguing over the definition of creativity, given this community’s track record. Some people say that creativity is eliminated by the rules, some say it is fostered, and some say it doesn’t matter, because these are Canon contests, not MOC contests, and sometimes canon doesn’t mean complex or creative.
– His Majesty the King @Ghid’s Sixteenth Scribe, Recorded at 2:04 PM GMT, 17 of November, Year of our Lord 2020.
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Ah, ok these are my stances an these.
1: The metru builds should be used, because Norik and Iruni used them, and them all using them would make the team look cohesive.
2: I agree with @Ghid
3: There is creativity in these contests. Even if you just use a metru torso and metru limbs, you can still be creative with masks, limbs, and weapons. Also, there will be 3D models of masks created for the contest. Whenever you do or make something that wasn’t a thing before, that is a creative work.
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Finally someone with common sense in this thread.
Kualsii is the superior choice, the better one and actually came in a color that fits a Toa of Air.
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you know you’re better than the other fifteen scribes I’ll give you that
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Hard af to draw tho :T
Always saw it as the ‘Nidhiki mask’ because of its shaping and how Nidhiki’s face looked in the concept art, this weird, insect like face over a metru head.
Funny enough, though, I have drawn Nidhiki with a Volitak too. XD
So needless to say and memes aside, I’m not particular as to the mask as long as we get to see a good design make it to be Nidhiki’s face.
And making a Volitak non-aquatic isn’t necessarily difficult. KhingK’s proven that much and I have on some lost archives somewhere the concept art for the Volitak as like… a non-aquatic great, a noble and a hordika design.
One can also keep in mind that masks differ between individuals, even if it’s the same mask. So Nidhiki’s Volitak wouldn’t necessarily be 1 to 1 with Chiara’s, and certainly not with Nuparu’s. Same energy, same aesthetic vibe, still a Volitak, but different characters.
Or need I bring up Lhikan’s Hau compared to Tahu’s Hau?
Because the dude shall not abide same face syndrome in my bonkles.
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The reason behind that is that Lhikan is awesome and so had what was essentially his own variant of the Hau. The argument could be made that, Nidhiki being one of the Toa Mangai, also had his own variant of the Volitak, which would be cool, but there’s no info to necessarily support that.
Also in favor of the non-aquatic variant argument, Maxilos has a, um, Hau.
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I would not quite say Maxilos’ face is an actual aquatic variant of the Hau as it is a Giant Robot’s face, forged to resemble a Hau given what the Hau represents to the inhabitants of the GSR, especially the matoran and the Order of Mata-Nui
It’s ‘Protection’, but also is the symbol of Mata-Nui himself.
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Is it too early to start building a MOC with hose limbs on a Metru torso?
never too early my friend
never too early
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This is all just making me excited for the next Metru March.
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For me, I’m not really crazy about the idea of using 3D printed parts. I get the appeal, but it feels slightly disingenuous to me.
Also I think the volitak works well even as a land variant-the rebreather works well with its own power. It looks like it could be some type of vocal silencer/muffler.
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Yes, I like that theory. And I get that people might not like it because Maxilos robots can’t use kanohi, but I don’t think something has to be able to use kanohi to wear it, especially if it’s an inorganic robot that can be modified.
no it’s just a boring MOC
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Always figured Maxilos’s face was styled as a Hau/Kiril hybrid because it’s another Teridax in disguise set.
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Frankly, I think having contests for Nidhiki and the Toa Hagah are pointless and a waste of time. Especially if design consistency is going to be thrown out of the window.
I’m indifferent to what Nidhiki’s mask shape is and I don’t think a Kualsi nor 3-D printed Volitak should be a a big deal, but I’m sure some will cite Greg saying that Nidhiki wears… a green Volitak-shaped Volitak. Not a fan of it but that’s probably how that contest will be handled whenever it happens in 2021 or 2022.
The forehead of Maxilos’ face kinda reminds me of Miru but it’s obviously not an aquatic version of that mask. Regardless, people should stop overthinking this stuff. It’s a helmet/faceplate, nothing more.
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While limiting, enforcing Metru-builds isn’t super egregious imo. There’s a time and place for uniformity in design. You can still play around with proportions, color, and techniques outside of just the Metru frame. There have been a few posted in this thread that do a great job with pushing the boundaries of the Metru torso.
Unfortunately, based on how the voter pool reacted to the previous MOC contests I don’t think we’ll get many MOCs that push those boundaries but I hope I’m wrong.
It isn’t helped by the insistence that these contests are about canon and not creativity implying that somehow we can’t have both. Writing off MOCists with unique entries as show-offs paints a negative image of the purpose of the contests. It feels like the rules are written like they encourage (or at the very least allow) breathing new life into the theme but reward participants for recycling familiar material.
Personally I think we should be looking forward and not back but I realize not everyone will agree with me. I’m fine with people voting for the entries that they want to win but I wish the voters would be willing to accept something new and creative and judge it for what it is rather than what it isn’t. I also wish that the rules were more open to allowing those kinds of entries rather than encourage participants to limit their visions.
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Once again I am reminded of the “before times” when everyone hated the frivolousness that asking Greg stuff on the Lego forums (or whatever venue it was) brought about. Where’d that go? Frankly, I don’t see the point in using fan fiction pieces as substitutes for pieces that already exist. It disincentives actual pieces while also making official sets “dubiously canon” at best, and non-canon at worst.
Want a non-aquatic version of the Volitak? Don’t attach a tube, and don’t include the eye piece. Want to know where I get that? Mazeka, an official set.
Likewise, nonorganic versions of the Inika masks? We already know that they look identical to what the Inika wear, only metallic. Where does that come from? Jovan and Tobduk, the first an official set, the other following precedent.
That’s the key for me: follow precedent. There is no reason to use fan fiction pieces for masks that already exist from an official source. There is no reason to make official models “less canon” because a subset doesn’t like the official piece(s)*. That’s not me knocking 3D modelers. It takes an incredible amount of talent and skill to make those. The Mask of Creation used for the winning MOC, for instance? Incredible. But at the end of the day, they shouldn’t be used as substitutes for official pieces.
And using a Kualsi for Nidhiki’s mask? Seriously, how many people have complained about the Hagah not using masks that are shaped like their own Kanohi? And now you want to do it for Nidhiki because it looks vaguely bug-like? Okay boomer. But, here’s what I think about it: doesn’t him not having a bug-like face in the first place make his transformation all the that more terrifying, if not for us then for him? It’s like giving the Barraki their animal attributes before they’re mutated: it deprives the transformation of much of its meaning, shock, and horror.
And that Maxilos mask looking like an aquatic Hau is a stretch. It’s just its face, or otherwise some nondescript helmet. You might as well say Hydraxon’s helmet looks like an aquatic Akaku.
*And before someone points it out to me, yes, I know Krakua’s mask is actually shaped like a Suletu in story, and I think that’s dumb. Why shouldn’t he just wear a Hau-shaped Suletu?
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I should clarify that I think there’s a time and place for nostalgia and following set aesthetics. I just think that we shouldn’t be voting exclusively based on those points.
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Here’s a novel idea: the moc can use whatever mask the builder wants as a placeholder – a volitak or a modified 3d printed volitak if they want, or anything else, like a kualsi or a hau or even a Raanu helmet – and then the art can draw it with a volitak (with or without the air tank).
You know, like every other contest.
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