How I Saved $100 on a LEGO Evangelion MOC (Without Any Tech Skills)

So I Don't Know About You Guys…

…but XML hurts my head. It’s a load of letters, numbers, symbols, and it looks like I’m cracking some war-time secret code just to get some MOC information. Like most things I just tend to open it, have a break down, scream and ignore it like it never existed.

That’s why I’m here today: to help you understand XML and how you can use it to benefit yourself in the dumbest way possible.
Not because I’m looking down on you — it’s because I’m shtoopit and only understand the barebones myself :’)

The Build

So I’m a nerd. I like video games, and more importantly, I’ve watched 425 anime. Yes, that is sad. Yes, I question why I spent my teens staring at anime girls. And yes, I do have friends. I have 3! It says so right here!

Since I love anime, I thought I’d use an Evangelion MOC, because what’s cooler than a custom LEGO Eva? Come on...

This 560‑part model by @BigSkwigg is just perfect. 

XML in Plain English

XML is just a shopping list in pointy brackets. Example line:

<ITEM><ITEMID>3001</ITEMID><COLOR>154</COLOR><QTY>6</QTY></ITEM>

Part number • colour code • quantity — that’s seriously all there is to it.

Easy Savings Plan (How to use XML for dummies)

• Grab the file — Download eva_unit_01.xml from the Rebrickable page (Inventory → Export → BrickLink XML).

^ Copy this da vinci code ^

• Open the MOCBoxing XML Editor — it lives under Tools on our site.

You can find it literally anywhere — we promote that thing like it’s our son who just finished a law degree and has an expected salary of $700k.

Paste & submit the XML partslist and view the table

Alright cool, you've got this table in front of you, it's super easy to view and use. 

First check the parts that might be unavailable, for us its this one bloody purple piece. 

All you have to do here is change the colour, simple right? Just find a colour that's either very similar or that fits the colour scheme.

For me... since its an Eva, I'll just use the lime green one. Granted it isn't the cheapest, so you could go for like a white/grey just for a neutral piece, but I'm special if you couldn't tell already :)

Okay that's the unavailable parts done

Let's take a look at the quote:

A little too high for my liking...

So now we look at all the other pieces, I personally sort by price and roll to the bottom to see the most expensive pieces. Designers like to use accurate pieces, so you'll generally always have an insanely priced piece.

I personally decided to change a few of the final pieces to different/similar colours to shave a bit of the price off, eh, I'm from the north of the UK, we are known for being super cheap. 

LIKE! THAT'S INSANE, $32 DOLLARS ON 3 PIECES. WHAT IN THE ACTUAL... 

So yeah I changed them up anyway. 

Its farrrr farrrr cheaper for those pieces now (I did change the two above for continuity sake) 

The Final Bill

A handful of swaps later:
$319 → $219 NEW BRICKS
Time spent: under 3 minutes.
Savings: ≈ 31 %.

That is absolutely nuts.

All because 3 or 4 pieces were so rare that they hiked up the price super high. Insane, isn’t it?

Now you can just upload the new XML to the MOCBoxing XML parts buying form.

 

This could look very different to you since we are always updating features and the site, just look for this feature on the site and it'll be explained on the page how it works (All else fails I'll update the blog as time goes on)

I pasted the new XML back into the MOCBoxing form, filled in some basic details, and the order was sent before the kettle whistled for my inevitable 10th cup of tea for the day.

And that's done, very easy to do, especially once you've done it once or twice. 

Tiny FAQ

Do I have to change unavailable parts?
Not really no. If it's unavailable it will just not be included in the parts list. Some designers are just unaware of rarity when using Stud.io. But 8 times out of 10 you’ll find a piece that’s not too far off and will generally make your MOC milesssss cheaper. Id just add the part in another colour if you want all the parts. 

Will Unit‑01 still look accurate?
Absolutely. Sometimes, if there’s a heap of pieces, I recommend changing them all to the same colour — just a cheaper variant — for consistency. You don’t want a giant purple and lime green MOC having one random orange piece. Screw that.

Can I add spares?
We do add a few extras just to make sure but yeah, tweak the <QTY> numbers or tap the + buttons. This helps if you’re not 100% sure you’ve got everything.

Cheat Sheet

XML = LEGO shopping list → Paste into MOCBoxing Editor → Fill in the form → Save cash → Build Eva → Flex online → Rewatch Eva → Question life.

Change the colour of internal parts to make it overall cheaper (No-one's looking inside unless they've got X-ray goggles so just change it to the cheapest colour for maximum cost efficiency) Just PLEASE check the manual first

 

Tried out the XML Editor and are just baffled?

Just had a breakdown and spilled tea all over your desk?

Join our discord, add me on Instagram @cal_cium0 and fire your questions away, always willing to help fellow LEGO fans and money scrimpers.

Thanks for reading!
– Callum Lonsdale