It is interesting that the piece is positioned at the front of the official images, alongside the 1x1 round 'bullets' and some new novelty parts with 3.18mm connectors. Maybe they did this knowing it is an exciting new piece, but more likely I would imagine that this piece has some specific function within the set, perhaps related to minifigures since I can't spot the piece within the main builds. Has anyone figured out what it is for?
The LEGO Group always use solid studs unless there is a good reason not to, which adds weight to the idea of this being related to minifigures because their accessories with 3.18mm bars can be inserted into hollow or recessed studs. The main reason they prefer solid studs is for branding; you're in no doubt that it is a genuine LEGO element when it has 'LEGO' stamped on the stud! For us however, hollow and recessed studs add functionality and flexibility, so I'm really excited about this piece.
This piece shares design similarities with two recent new LEGO pieces; the "D" tile (Design ID 24246) and Plate, Modified 1 x 1 Rounded with Handle a.k.a. the "padlock plate" (Design ID 26047).
The latter in particular has proven immensely popular with builders as the rounded edges provide great flexibility, so I'm sure this new piece will also be a must-have. (Elspeth described the padlock plate for us last year, and you'll find examples of how to use it from builders such as Chris McVeigh, Jonas Kramm, Huw Millington and Thomas Poulsom during our parts festival from last year, The New Black.)
I'm sure you will have spotted many other new LEGO parts in those images, if not check out the post about these new Super Heroes sets on Brickset which gives just about all the information we have to hand so far.
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My guess is the new part can be fired by the stud shooters when they are doubled up. Maybe the holes hold the new 3.18 "effect" elements.
ReplyDeleteThat was my assumption as well. It seems to make sense.
DeleteAs a matter of fact, hollow studs -cannot- be fired by stud shooters.
DeleteLet's remember that we do have a very similar piece already, and it's a minifig accessory, it's one of those "cape" pieces with 2 studs, only in clear trans so far. It could have been that the angle hides the neck attach, I doubt it, but if it's the case, it's not even a new piece but a recolor.
Batman has that trans-clear "cape" in the set btw. So I'd say.. a "cape extension"?
DeleteI think my other answer got eaten btw: I was wondering about the strange pattern on the LBG ingot in the "skull bike" set. I doubt it's a sticker in-between the 2 ingot holes, it'd be too small. If it's a mold variant of the gold ingot, it'd be very useful.
If those studs are completely hollow then I'm sure the logo will be stamped sideways between the studs.
ReplyDeleteReader David Ang has the answer; the piece attaches under the minifigure and the trans-orange flame pieces go underneath that to create boosters!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think the connection on the trans-orange flame is a stud... if correct, they could have just used a regular 1x2 plate . Hmmmmmmm
DeleteYeah that makes sense, even though 2 hollow studs were already doing the job. I suppose it's to make things easier.
DeleteIt's a bar on both ends according to one of the pics that shows the trans light blue ones.
DeleteThere are higher-resolution pics available at http://kastorskorner.com/wp/lego-reveals-2018-dc-superheroes-sets/. You can also see how they're using this new piece, as David Ang pointed out.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it looks like they've put the flames in upside down in this image:
ReplyDeletehttp://kastorskorner.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/76097_Top_05-190x300.jpg
Surely the 3.5 part should attach to the feet - that way you'd need a new part with open studs?
The black one is on the front of the helicopter with a bar with a ball joint and a trans red stud attached.
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ReplyDeleteOoh, if David Ang is correct, we might have a 1x2 plate with studs on both sides! At first I thought it might be some sort of magnet for minifigs to stand on, then I thought it might have something to do with those cylinder things that the baddies are holding (e.g. they have to put them on it). However, This is even better! It also makes sense with the color difference (they match their respective villains).
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look to have studs on both sides (sadly)
DeleteIt reminds me a bit of the thin liftarm 1x2 but with studs and 8 LDU instead of 12. Imagine this piece evolving into different lengths and variants like tiles and jumpers :D
ReplyDeleteJust realized this piece will be super awesome for making wavy flags and banners and stuff and I want all of them now.
ReplyDeleteThat's the spirit!
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