Clay Moorington (Ultimate/Standard Armor)
nex001 · NEXO KNIGHTS
Standard Wave 1 / Ultimate Series · 2016
Figure ID
nex001
Theme
NEXO KNIGHTS
Year Released
2016
Rarity
Common to Uncommon. While he was the main protagonist of the theme and appeared in several sets, this specific configuration (Standard armor with the Ultimate helmet) is widely available on the secondary market but specific to the theme's initial peak.
Head
Standard flesh-tone head with brown eyebrows and a determined expression. It features a dual-sided print: one side with a confident smirk and the other with a concerned/battle-worn face.
Torso
Dark Blue torso with Bright Light Blue and Silver armor printing. The design features chest plate detailing and a belt. The arms are Pearl Dark Gray (Metallic) to represent chainmail or under-armor, with Medium Azure hands.
Legs
Medium Azure legs with Dark Blue and Pearl Gray printing. The design features armored knee pads and toe highlights. The hips are Dark Blue with belt buckle detailing.
Accessories
The figure is wearing a Medium Azure armored breastplate (neck bracket) with a shield-shaped stud for NEXO Powers. The helmet is the iconic NEXO Knight visor-less Great Helm in Medium Azure. The image shown is missing the orange translucent visor and his claymore sword.
Color Scheme
A mix of Medium Azure (primary), Dark Blue (secondary), Pearl Dark Gray (accents), and Trans-Neon Orange (energy highlights, though the visor is missing here).
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing typical of the mid-2010s. The torso features detailed mechanical 'tech-knight' aesthetics. The leg printing is sharp and extends to the feet, though it does not wrap around the sides.
Variants
Numerous variants exist including 'Ultimate Clay' (nex008), 'Stone Armor Clay', and 'Infected Clay'. This version is the core 2016 version found in many starter sets and vehicles.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include 'stress marks' on the heel of the legs from constant removal and scratches on the flat front surface of the chest armor. The silver printing on the torso can rub off with heavy play.
Estimated Value
Used: $3.00 - $5.00 USD. New/Unassembled: $6.00 - $8.00 USD. The value is relatively low due to the high volume of sets produced.
Price (New)
Appeared in sets ranging from the $9.99 'Ultimate Clay' (70315) to the $99.99 'Fortrex' (70317).
Compatible Sets
70315 Clay's Rumble Blade, 70317 The Fortrex, 70351 Clay's Falcon Fighter Blaster, and 70311 Chaos Catapult.
Character Background
Clay Moorington is the leader of the NEXO Knights in the kingdom of Knighton. He is a 'straight-arrow' knight who lives by the knight's code and later discovers a mysterious heritage involving the Wizard Merlok.
Design Notes
The NEXO Knights theme was a unique 'Castle-meets-Sci-Fi' hybrid. The armor piece was a new mold for 2016 that allowed for the attachment of collectible 'NEXO Power' shield tiles.
Similar Minifigures
Macy, Aaron, Lance, and Axl (the other core knights). It also shares design similarities with the 2013 Galaxy Squad pilots.
Collectibility
Moderate. While NEXO Knights isn't as highly sought after as Star Wars or Ninjago, the unique armor and colorful aesthetic make Clay a staple for completionists of 2010s-era themes.
History
Launched in 2016 as LEGO's next big 'big-bang' IP following Chima. It included a digital app integration where users scanned the shields of figures like Clay to unlock powers in a game.
Interesting Facts
The character of Clay was originally going to have a different color scheme, but blue was chosen to signify his role as the traditional leader; also, his early sets are the only ones where his 'human' form is the focus before his storyline transformation.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed with his NEXO Power shields attached to his chest or on a stand alongside his vehicle, the Rumble Blade. Using a blue-lit display case enhances the translucent orange elements.
Modification Potential
Excellent for 'Space Castle' MOCs. The chest armor is a favorite for customizers creating futuristic soldiers or paladins.
Overall Assessment
A solid, well-designed figure that perfectly captures the tech-fantasy aesthetic of the 2016-2018 era. While not extremely valuable, it is a high-quality example of LEGO's excellence in specialized armor molding.