Review:71310 by SPIRIT

BS01 Reviews

71310 Umarak the Hunter

This set was provided to BS01 by LEGO, but the opinions of the set are those of the reviewer.

Review: 71310 Umarak the Hunter

Because the world always needs saving, this year Bionicle has Umarak the Hunter. But is this a set worth hunting for or something better left in the shadows? Let's find out.

The Box

Lego doesn't really do bigger boxes for the bigger Bionicle sets these days, but I don't think that's all bad. They do manage to cram an awful lot into the box art to the point where it's pretty clear that Umarak is up to no good. There's also a lot of green to it to let you know that there's a new theme to this year.

Also of note are the symbols on top of the box. The other characters just have Nuva symbols along with what I can only assume is the symbol for the Elemental Creatures on the left (the triangles at the top are kind of like ears while the rest of it looks like a helmet). Umarak, obviously, doesn't have a Nuva symbol, but they've given him a unique symbol nonetheless. Assuming I've got it the right way up, the symbol could either refer to the Mask of Creation (with the spikes at the top) or maybe Umarak himself (with his antlers).

Either way, it is cool when the packaging has storyline secrets on it.

The Bits

Umarak has quite a mix of pieces and colours. A lot of repeats from 2015, but the overall colour scheme is fairly unique: black, transparent green, and dark red. It's just a dark combination and it works quite well together.

The masks and armour are great too. You've got Umarak's regular mask (face?) which has a great blend of black and transparent green. Then there's the Mask of Control which definitely looks like the brother of the Mask of Creation. All runic and gold, it's nice that Lego was able to tease it in the animations last year and that we finally get the chance to own it ourselves.

Then there's Umarak's armour, which looks pretty scary. I'm unclear if that mouth is supposed to be from something Umarak hunted and turned into armour or if Umarak actually has a mouth coming out of his chest. Either way, it sure is freaky looking.

The Build

Umarak is certainly not someone you want to meet in a dark alley. He is tall, dark, and imposing. With his chains, spikes, and bones he is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

I will fault Lego on their reuse of a lot of 2015 parts, though. I get that Umarak is a hunter, but did we really need to reuse the Skull Warrior's bow?

It is really cool that they've given Umarak an additional ammunition belt, but it would have been even cooler if he could speed-load the Lego studs in. The stud-shooter is not my favourite weapon either, but I can get why Lego isn't chomping at the bit to reinvent the wheel with Gen 2 only in its infancy.

Easily Umarak's best feature are his antlers. I had a few issues with Skull Basher's horns, but Umarak's antlers solve all of that. They're sturdy, functional, and a lot of fun to build. Plus its a really clever addition to a character who is a hunter (hunting deer, deer have antlers -- it's genius!).

Not only that, but Umarak is also compatible with the Elemental Creatures. Uxar appears paired with Umarak on Umarak's box and he's the only Creature I have, but it makes an incredible display. With all the green pieces they share, Uxar is clearly the best creature for Umarak, but I'm sure the other creatures will also have their charm.

The Brass Tacks

Should I get this set? Yes	Good for people who like: • Features and value - Shadow traps, weapons, and antlers oh my! • Big bads - Lots of character, especially compared to 2015
	Not for those looking for: • Skull Warrior - Obviously an improvement, but some certain design cues nonetheless.
	Other Comments:

This is a good set. Some of the villains last year were a little bland, but Umarak already has a lot of character just from looking at him. He's got a bow and a sword, his armour can be used to make a Shadow Trap, and his eyes give off an aura of pure evil. And he's got antlers! When has Bionicle ever had antlers?!

Now, collectors on a budget might want to wait to see what Umarak's summer incarnation looks like before choosing this set. If that's not an issue for you, I would definitely recommend adding Umarak to your collection.

2016 Set Reviews (1HY)
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Review #1	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek	By Dorek
Review #2	By SPIRIT			By Cholie		By SPIRIT				By Swert	By SPIRIT	By KZN02