Welcome to Season 7 – Round 9 of Iron Builder!
Two new challengers for an empty throne – this will be fun!
Who will take home the crown?
Hailing from the Far East, Dicken Liu, needs no introduction: TBB’s LEGO Builder of the Year 2023, an exhibitor in the LEGO House Masterpiece Gallery, and a contestant on LEGO Masters China. His competitor is no stranger to us either… Daniel Metcalf is a familiar face to all fans of Iron Forge, where he has hammered away year after year and wowed us all with incredible seed part usage time and time again.
And the seed part is…
This round’s seed part is the Minifigure, Utensil Toolbox in dark blue.
Now our two contestants have 14 days to come up with amazing and inspiring creations featuring this seed part. Wish them luck! They’ll better get cracking!
Who are you rooting for? Who will take it home? Whose builds reign supreme?
Only one way to find out! ALLEZ BRICK!
Desk
Well, Dicken, it seems we have a new part in our toolboxes for the next couple of weeks – let’s see what we can do with it! You may not have cleared your desk yet to begin, but I’ve bin so excited for this round I couldn’t chair to wait one more minute to get this competition going! I can’t predict how this contest will end, but I know it won’t end in a draw(er) – Only one of us gets to take a seat among the Iron Builders!
Hungry Hungry Hippos
It takes more than one person to play a game, Dicken, and I’m hungry hungry for some competition. Hippo-thetically, I think I would “win” if you never built anything, but where’s the fun in that?
War Machine
“The battle begins”
As a newcomer taking part in Iron Builder for the first time, I’d like to dedicate my first entry to this absolutely brilliant competition. As for my esteemed opponent, Daniel, just look at how much ammunition I’ve got in store for you. Right, I’ve spotted the same creative idea on ‘Desk’, so I’ll tick that off my list. Let’s get on with it!
Training
Oh. Speaking of ammunition again. I’d been practising for ages at the shooting range in preparation for this duel with Daniel.🤪
Salvage Robots
Guess what, Dicken: While you were are the firing range, my salvage robots tore apart your “War Machine.” Turns out all that ammo wasn’t quite the threat you thought, and I can certainly use the parts!
Enlarge MIXELS
MIXELS: I’m back What I’m trying to say is: in the face of absolute power, any little trick is pointless. Even if it’s just a larger version of MIXELS, it could easily crush these little robots. Dear Daniel, they’re far too small…
Cat Hair
Touche, Dicken, I’m floor-ed by your clever comeback (and great throwback). I suppose I’m due for my own catty response, but if we just keep tearing apart each other’s builds, things will get hair-y fast! I may have the smaller robots, but I’ll be the bigger man and draw the curtain on our petty little skirmish. Anyway, I’m feline pretty happy about my latest entry! It may not be purr-fect, but I find it pretty a-mew-sing.
Shaving set
In light of your immense kindness, I’m happy to take a moment to rest. After all, crouching in the trenches all the time really isn’t easy… I’ve decided to have a proper shave, followed by a lovely hot bath, and finally get a good night’s sleep. Have a lovely weekend, Daniel.
Make Bricks, Not War
Far out razor Dicken, but my hippie sure doesn’t need it! Even if we compete peacefully, this round won’t end in a tie(-dye), and it’s not in my jeans to give someone else an easy victory. Cop out if you want, but I’m gonna keep groovin’ along!
Moai
Before you have time to build any Moai-‘m going to get even further a head. Easter you or island a spot among the Iron Builders, and I will make sure that our competition, just like these statues, will be tuff.
The Moai of Easter Island
Blimey!! We’ve actually bumped into each other on an island thousands of miles away!! I simply can’t believe it’s happened again… Right, well, see you in the pub in a bit! (I’ve just written this bit after seeing Daniel’s work a moment ago; actually, this isn’t the bit I was writing… We bumped into each other again on the narrow lane….)😹 😹 😂
Squidward Tentacles’ House
Just as I’d finished making these Moai, I saw a notification about Lego’s new releases. Well, it reminded me of the parts I had to hand.
Evening Train
I see we followed the exact same train of thought! I also thought of the seed part when I heard about the upcoming set, though I didn’t get around to building it. Nonetheless, I won’t rail at you for using the idea before I could: There’s still a river of ideas to choose from! Anyway, before I get too sidetracked, I had better show you my latest model!
Aztec adventure
After leaving Easter Island, I set off on my Aztec adventure. Wonders and dangers lie hidden within the jungle; I used my toolbox at three locations amongst the ruins—can you all spot them?🤪
Cartographer
Dicken, thanks for telling me about your Aztec adventure! I’ll pass word along to my cartographer so he can add it to his maps!
Vacuum cleaner
The thrilling journey has come to an end. Now that I’m back home, I need to start tidying up my room—luckily, I have the right tools. I wonder if Daniel is still traveling?
Traffic Lights
I’m almost home, Dicken; I just need to wait for this light to change! However, even when I’m home, I won’t be red-y to clean up! There’s too much left to do before the round ends!
Home Theater System
Oh, I’ve already finished cleaning up. I’ve also turned on the home theater system and am ready to enjoy a great movie. Even though the game is still going on, I’m still lost in memories of my trip…
“Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”
While you’re watching movies Dicken, I’m reading poetry! This competition is very close, but I am very Edgar to win!. Whether or not I manage it, I will be raven to all my LEGO-building friends about what a fun experience it is! Victory or bust!