Laval - Armor with Heavy V-Neck Shoulder Armor
loc078 · Legends of Chima
Fire vs. Ice · 2014
Figure ID
loc078
Theme
Legends of Chima
Year Released
2014
Rarity
Uncommon
Head
Double-sided yellow head with Laval's lion face: one side featuring a determined smirk and the other a fierce combat expression. Included is his characteristic reddish-brown lion mane hairpiece.
Torso
Dark Green torso with gold and light blue mechanical armor printing. Features pearl gold arms and gold hands. Printing includes the 'Fire CHI' harness details.
Legs
Dark Green legs with extensive pearl gold, light blue, and silver armor plating print, featuring toe claw details.
Accessories
Includes the Pearl Gold Heavy V-Neck Shoulder Armor with a Lion CHI orb print. The figure in the image is accompanied by a buildable weapon featuring trans-orange flame elements and grey Technic/Bionicle connector pieces.
Color Scheme
Primary Dark Green and Pearl Gold with Trans-Orange accents for the CHI energy effects.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing with metallic gold ink and intricate mechanical detailing on both the torso and the front of the legs. The armor piece features a centered Lion Tribe emblem print.
Variants
Laval has many variants including standard armor (loc001), royal armor, and specifically this 'Fire CHI' powered-up version. This version is distinguished by the dark green base color rather than the standard blue or white.
Condition Notes
Common wear points include the gold paint on the shoulder armor rubbing off and stress marks on the side of the torso from the armor attachment. Check for 'cape fray' if a cape was included, though this version usually relies on the plastic armor piece.
Estimated Value
$5.00 - $9.00 USD used; $12.00 - $18.00 USD if extracted from a sealed set.
Price (New)
The set this figure primarily appeared in (70144) retailed for $39.99 USD in 2014.
Compatible Sets
70144 Laval's Fire Lion, 70156 Fire vs. Ice Speedorz, and various promotional foil packs.
Character Background
Laval is the Prince of the Lion Tribe and the primary protagonist of the Legends of Chima series. This version represents his 'Fire CHI' form used to combat the Ice Hunter tribes.
Design Notes
The shoulder armor was a significant mold for the Chima line, designed to hold a 1x1 round tile representing a CHI orb. The dark green color choice represents the camouflage/jungle nature of certain Fire CHI scenes.
Similar Minifigures
loc082 Li'Ella, loc077 Sir Fangar, and other Fire CHI versions of Eris or Cragger.
Collectibility
Moderate. Chima has a dedicated cult following, but values remain stable rather than skyrocketing compared to Star Wars or Classic Space.
History
Released during the second half of the Chima theme's lifespan, shifting the conflict from tribal civil war to the 'Fire vs. Ice' elemental battle.
Interesting Facts
The Lion Tribe was the only tribe to consistently use yellow heads for their humanoid animal faces, while others like the Wolves or Crocodiles used grey or olive green.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed with a translucent orange 'CHI' orb in the armor and placed alongside his Fire Lion vehicle or fellow Lion Tribe members.
Modification Potential
The pearl gold armor and arms are highly sought after for MOC (My Own Creation) fantasy knights or futuristic paladins.
Overall Assessment
A solid, highly detailed figure from a unique era of LEGO design. It stands out due to the vibrant green and gold contrast and remains an affordable piece for fans of anthropomorphic themes.