Thoughts on Blade Liger variants for customization

[Everfree]

I was thinking about making one of two versions of the Blade Liger for a showcase.  The two versions I found are to be based on pictures that I found on the Zoids Wikia.  I will show them to you through images.





The first is the Snipe Liger, a more long-range type of zoid, with sniper weapons.





The second is the Slash Liger, which is more close combat oriented.


Which one would be easier to build for me?  I am new to customizing and would like some input.

[Maethius]

My guess would be to attempt the Slash Liger first, using the Liger Zero Jaeger armor as a base. The blades would either have to be cut from styrene (or cardboard... I've seen some remarkable stuff done that way!) but they would be simpler than constructing the weaponry, missile boxes, and roll cage or the Snipe Liger.

Just my two bits.

[Everfree]

And how would all the Jaeger armor fit on the Blade Liger body?

[Snowflake]

The fact that you asked that question makes me think you aren't ready yet to scratchbuild a replica zoid

[Everfree]

Sorry, I just wanted clarification.

[Hanyoutai]

This really comes down to how finnicky you are about details.

I'm also not sure I'd recommend starting with Jager. It just doesn't match any of Slashies details and the connections wouldn't fit. It'd be easier to butcher the bladey armor for its connector parts, since you'd have to scratch build the harder parts of Slash Liger anyway.

I've been toying with a Slash Liger custom from Styrene myself, and one of the more annoying aspects of it is the gentle curves. They are harder to get right than a sharp angle when heat treating. It'd be easier to do the blades flat, but if you want that gentle curve they have it'd again be a lot of very careful filing, and very easy to mess up on.



Slash Liger on the other hand has a lot of detail with movable parts that might necessitate scratch building (the hinge on the gun, etc.) If you build the gun solid without the collapsible form, though, you'd save yourself a lot of trouble. Its curves would also be way easier to do than Slash Ligers because they are sharp curves, like the tops of the legs. For the radar thingermerbob there are plenty of Zoid parts to scavenge, or maybe even a tiny gumball machine capsule lid.

Basically, while Snipe has more details, I feel like its challenges are easier to overcome. Especially if you settle (solid gun, etc.) It'd probably take more time, though, because of the layering up, but while time consuming I feel like this might be easier on a beginner. Just look at it like building blocks.

[Everfree]

Well, what if I used parts from the Liger Zero X, and some of the regular Liger Zero C.A.S. from Tomy and Hasbro, and maybe a Shield Liger cockpit door?

[Maethius]

Mar 26, 2017 15:18:26 GMT -5 Everfree said:

And how would all the Jaeger armor fit on the Blade Liger body?

Like this:
from Liger Zero/Konig Wolf to Wolvereaver

[Everfree]

Mar 26, 2017 22:18:02 GMT -5 Hanyoutai said:

This really comes down to how finnicky you are about details.

I'm also not sure I'd recommend starting with Jager. It just doesn't match any of Slashies details and the connections wouldn't fit. It'd be easier to butcher the bladey armor for its connector parts, since you'd have to scratch build the harder parts of Slash Liger anyway.

I've been toying with a Slash Liger custom from Styrene myself, and one of the more annoying aspects of it is the gentle curves. They are harder to get right than a sharp angle when heat treating. It'd be easier to do the blades flat, but if you want that gentle curve they have it'd again be a lot of very careful filing, and very easy to mess up on.



Slash Liger on the other hand has a lot of detail with movable parts that might necessitate scratch building (the hinge on the gun, etc.) If you build the gun solid without the collapsible form, though, you'd save yourself a lot of trouble. Its curves would also be way easier to do than Slash Ligers because they are sharp curves, like the tops of the legs. For the radar thingermerbob there are plenty of Zoid parts to scavenge, or maybe even a tiny gumball machine capsule lid.

Basically, while Snipe has more details, I feel like its challenges are easier to overcome. Especially if you settle (solid gun, etc.) It'd probably take more time, though, because of the layering up, but while time consuming I feel like this might be easier on a beginner. Just look at it like building blocks.

Thank you Hanyoutai for your opinion, but where would I find all of the parts needed for building the Snipe Liger anyway?

[Hanyoutai]

Again, I think this depends on how close you want the design to be. If you're fine with an approximate design, you can find parts in plenty of places. They won't match exact, though. For example, any number of toys/kits might have longswords usable for Slash Liger. Snipey's 2 black guns (it only shows 1 in the picture to showcase the big gun, but it has one on both sides) could be as simple as adding some carved blocks around an office pen case. The little angular box ontop of them, a lot of zoids use similar pieces to hold the body halves together.

Panzer may or may not have some of the missile covers; just a matter of how well they'd be sized / fit. Wire would be easy to use for the bars. A lot of the rest would be better scratch built.

I recommend picking up a couple styrene sheets, some gurilla glue, and doing some testing for yourself. If you want a REALLY low cost test, get some of that thick styrofoam poster board from the store. Wouldn't recommend it for an actual build, but it's a $1 option to get used to figuring out scratch building logistics, and getting a feel for what it might entail to do a kit from scratch.

[Everfree]

Mar 27, 2017 21:36:49 GMT -5 Hanyoutai said:

Again, I think this depends on how close you want the design to be. If you're fine with an approximate design, you can find parts in plenty of places. They won't match exact, though. For example, any number of toys/kits might have longswords usable for Slash Liger. Snipey's 2 black guns (it only shows 1 in the picture to showcase the big gun, but it has one on both sides) could be as simple as adding some carved blocks around an office pen case. The little angular box ontop of them, a lot of zoids use similar pieces to hold the body halves together.

Panzer may or may not have some of the missile covers; just a matter of how well they'd be sized / fit. Wire would be easy to use for the bars. A lot of the rest would be better scratch built.

I recommend picking up a couple styrene sheets, some gurilla glue, and doing some testing for yourself. If you want a REALLY low cost test, get some of that thick styrofoam poster board from the store. Wouldn't recommend it for an actual build, but it's a $1 option to get used to figuring out scratch building logistics, and getting a feel for what it might entail to do a kit from scratch.

Ok, I'll try that, but what about the head?  It looks like an Iron Kong head, with Blade Liger teeth.

[Maethius]

Head: try Hammer Rock or Ray Kong for the forehead bit; mount it on the existing canopy hinge or even the full glass to make it strong.

You haven't picked an easy way to jump into building customs! I applaud the ambition! ^_^

[Raysetiger]

I have yet to take an HMM bladeliger and give it a new unique CAS or just rebuild into another bladeliger such as Slash Liger.

It's possible since in the past I took a HMM shield liger and gave it the Envy Liger unit. My thing is though, if you plan on remodeling a blade liger go with melee weapons first. Anything Long range i'd say do a shield liger.

feels more right.