When I first heard that a Halo Mega Bloks UNSC Ammo Pack was coming in 2013, visions of a package full of rare weapons danced in my head. So when we got our first of what was really included in the UNSC Ammo Pack I, I was a little underwhelmed. In fact, I was downright cold and pretty down on this set–right up until I got my own and put it together. Then, suddenly, this Halo 4 Mega Bloks set looked a whole lot slicker…

The Right:

The one figure included with the Halo Mega Bloks UNSC Ammo Pack I 97037 is a generic UNSC Marine. But wait! He’s not just any generic UNSC Marine. No, this is a Halo 4 specific type of generic marine: the Station Security Marines found in the “Composer” level of the Halo 4 campaign mode. The fact that we’re getting a new type of army-builder Halo 4 Marine in this set is wholly unexpected and instantly improved my outlook on this set.

It’s tough to capture in photos, but this Halo 4 Mega Bloks Marine figure isn’t nearly as monochrome as he appears at first. Different parts of his body have been molded in slightly differing shades of black, adding a lot of depth and dimensions to the look of the figure when you hold him in person. He looks pretty dull in photography, but in-person I think he looks great and is one of my favorite Mega Bloks Marines.

As you might expect from a set billed as an “Ammo Pack”, you get a fair amount of weapons with this set: three guns and two frag grenades. I’m not overly thrilled with the actual guns chosen (more on that momentarily), but I do like that they come fully-painted–the Halo weapons with deco are always my favorites for display and I can never seem to get enough of them. The UNSC Ammo Pack I also includes a small buildable Weapons Rack, which is basic, functional, and takes about 30 seconds to build.

My favorite accessory with the set isn’t the weapons rack of any of the guns, though–it’s a traffic cone. Yeah, that’s right–the UNSC Ammo Pack I includes a little Mega Bloks-sized safety cone. I’m not sure exactly why MEGA Brands opted to include this here, but it’s pretty cute and fun to have around. And if you’re going to army-build this Mega Bloks Halo 4 Marine, you can accumulate a small army of traffic cones as well and create a whole obstacle course for your Warthogs!

The Wrong:

The one and only disappointment in this set for me is the weapons selection. Yes, I understand that the figure in this set is a generic UNSC Marine and they don’t get the most glamorous kit. But really, MEGA Brands–you’re gonna stick me with both the Assault Rifle and the Battle Rifle again!? Even the Rocket Launcher is getting a bit tired, as we’ve had it released in just so many sets over the course of the last year.

Please, MEGA Brands–Let me use these low-priced sets as a means to stock my armory with a painted Sticky Detonator, DMR, Light Machine Gun or another M6C SOCOM. Giving us an “ammo pack” with three very common guns is just cruel.

“Where Can I Buy It?!”
The Mega Bloks Halo 4 UNSC Ammo Pack I 97037 is just starting to hit. This set is still pretty scarce in stores, but it’s fairly plentiful and easy to get online.

Overall: Until I had it in-hand, I was totally put off by this set. But when I actually spent some time with it, the new Halo 4 UNSC Marine featured in this set quickly grew on me as a figure I really, really need to buy several of. The weapons are nothing special selection-wise, but they’re “good enough” if you just want some plain and boring guns to outfit your generic Mega Bloks Marines with. And hey–you even get a traffic cone with this set. That’s gotta be good for something, right? This Halo Mega Bloks UNSC Ammo Pack won’t set the world afire, but it’s a decent low-priced addition to the Halo Mega Bloks 2013 lineup.

GRADE: B-