Alien MOC Review: 1,400-Piece Mech and UFO Build
The short version: this alien MOC instruction set is genuinely inventive. Around 1,400 pieces build one alien mech and one small flying saucer, four of those parts are light bricks, and the whole package comes to roughly ¥180. Sci-fi builders should give it a look — just plan on supplying the button cells yourself, because the light bricks do not include batteries.
1. Design and Accuracy
The alien mech is modelled on classic sci-fi silhouettes, and a light-up brain element is visible inside the trans-green dome. Accuracy to the reference look is about 85%. The saucer pairs a dish-shaped base with a trans-clear cockpit, measures roughly 25 cm across, and sits on three landing struts underneath. The set leans hard on purple-and-green contrast for its alien feel — displayed side by side, the two models read as a small off-world scene.
2. Building Experience
The manual runs 240 steps, and the test build took about 6 hours. The mech's legs use a double-joint design, so it stands stably once finished. The saucer's curved shell has to be layered plate by plate in numbered order, and that is where your patience gets tested. The four light elements sit in the dome, the cockpit and the underside of the saucer — press to switch them on. The battery compartment is small, so button cells are the sensible choice.
3. Value and Playability
Instructions cost about ¥28 and the parts pack about ¥152, for a total near ¥180 — roughly ¥0.129 per piece, which is a normal price for sci-fi MOCs. The mech stands about 30 cm tall with 12 points of articulation, enough to hold a range of combat poses. The rare parts are mainly trans-green and glow pieces, making up around 12% of the count. Check the parts list on brickplan.cn first and buy them all in one order.
FAQ
Q: Where do I download the alien MOC instructions? A: Search for "alien" on brickplan.cn. The PDF costs about ¥28 and includes the 240-step manual plus a parts list. After purchase you can download it permanently, and you can preview it online before deciding.
Q: How do the light-up parts work? A: They are push-type LED light bricks — press the top to switch one on, press again to switch it off. They are fitted in the dome and under the saucer. You need to supply two CR927 button cells yourself, and one cell runs for roughly 30 hours.
Q: Is the alien MOC hard to build? A: Medium. The 240 steps take about 6 hours, and the saucer's curved shell is the most time-consuming part, so follow the numbering in order. The mech section is simple in structure — beginners can start there, build confidence, then take on the saucer.
Q: How is this different from a spaceship MOC? A: This one is built around two vehicles, a mech and a saucer, and it includes light bricks plus 12 points of articulation, so there is more to play with. Spaceship MOCs usually give you a single vehicle that is bigger in scale but has fewer interactive details. It comes down to personal preference.
Q: How much does the alien MOC cost? A: About ¥28 for the instructions plus roughly ¥152 for parts, so around ¥180 for the full set. Instructions alone are about ¥28, and building from your own sci-fi spare parts can save about half the cost. Buying the glow parts separately runs about ¥20.