The Energon Pub

If HasTak releases the CW Bruticus Combaticons toys. Then I plan to get rid of my ROTF Bruticus along with my Fans Projects add ons Swindle and Blast off kits.

Did decide to keep my MakeToys Green Giant and Fans Projects Menasor. As I really like those toys.

Speculating HasTak will be releasing the CW Combaticons. As some store employees already found listings for them in store computers. Also think it will be easy to repurose previous CW toys into the CW Combaticons.

Guessing Hasbro at Botcon 2015 will officially reveal The CW Combaticons along with the CW Technobots. Hoping More CW Combiners teams get revealed at Botcon 2015 like the G1 Predacons, G1 Terrorcons, G1 Seacons, G1 Dinobots.

No, but it seems I've cut back extensively since last year: Feral Rex, Quantron, and the Microblaze Onslaught are the last combiner pieces I've purchased.

I'm really interested in the CW combiners, but they are not necessarily keeping me from buying 3rd Party combiners. It is a lot easier to justify buying a whole combiner team (CW) compared to the average cost of just 1 limb of a 3rd party.

There's simply too many competing products coming out that are taking up my monthly spending. Besides, there hasn't been an announced CW Terrorcons (yet) and I'm really liking Unique Toys' offering.

Nah. I've been spoiled by 3rd party combiners, so CW isn't doing anything for me. I'm limiting myself to only FP, MMC, Maketoys and TW, though I'm no fan of technobots or TW throttler, so that leaves me with only Toyworld's dino-combiner + Goldbug, and FP's still WIP Dinoking.

If I were allowed financially, I'd have gotten Computron.

I'm honestly thinking of selling my FP Menasor when Takara's Menasor + Upgrade parts land,

What I am hoping for is that 3rd parties will start making stuff that is compatible with the Combiner Wars stuff. We already have a replacement Motormasters. Maybe a 3P Groove or a 3P Predaking in the style of a CW combiner. Maybe some parts that will attach to Cyclonus so he can turn into a huge Galvatron. Or the Terrorcons and Seacons in CW style.

If anything the CW stuff just opened up another avenue for 3P to make stuff.

Mkall wrote:I'm honestly thinking of selling my FP Menasor when Takara's Menasor + Upgrade parts land,

Im not gonna sell them but im starting to regret buying FP Menasor and TFC Uranus. Im very happy with TFC Hercules and maketoys giant because Hasbrostator blows monkey balls. I have no regrets on feral rex and I doubt I ever will. For now im happy with Quantron and look foward to Throttler. Still undecided on Ordin it all depends on the scale.

I'm wavering on and 3rd party Protectobots. And I'm definitely waiting on purchasing any. When the official ones come out I predict a price drop.

I dunno if I regret buying Uranos and M3. I definitely haven't gotten enough time to really enjoy either. Ideally I'd like a few years before buying a double of either (oh well).

No.

They are very different products.

In fact, Hasbro's combiners have made me realize the difference between a $15 toy and a $100 toy with greater clarity.

I used to think that perhaps 90-100 a pop for these 3rd party figures was too much. Putting them side by side with the current retail figures makes it obvious that while still a little expensive, I am getting superior product in virtually every direction with the 3rd party toys.

Nope, I look at the Hasbro CW stuff as kiddie playthings and the 3P stuff as adult collectibles.

There is a place for both in my collection.

One group on the "Daddy's stuff, you kids don't touch this" shelf, and the others on the "Go ahead and play with these if you want because they are fun" shelf.

As far as protectobots, I will be getting both TFC and CW, and I am also anticipating a price drop on the TFC stuff.

I'm actually getting a superion for my collection due to CW. TFC just wasn't for me.
I like the looks of FP menasor but I missed out and CW/perfect effect upgrades will suffice for my needs(but if FP does a complete G2 version I'm there!)

Other than that I'm going UT warlord, Maketoys Defensor, and MBC Bruticus.

3rd party= "usually" ideal gestalt form.

Has/Tak CW= passible fun gestalt teams.

also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

With the exception of the 'new' team members-Alpha Bravo, Off Road, Rook and possibly others-I'm not getting the CW figures. I've already got seven of the ten G1 combiners I want in good form, and I have no need to double up on them. Nor do I have room for new combiners.

Ginrai Minor wrote:also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

I don't typically play with figures, I'm a display guy, but with CW I do like to fiddle with them! This was the same thing I liked about PCC. They were lousy Transformers (at least the limbs) but they were fun toys.

I've been considering getting Giant (I have Herc) just to pose with my CW stuff as he will fit size-wise much better.

rpetras wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

I don't typically play with figures, I'm a display guy, but with CW I do like to fiddle with them! This was the same thing I liked about PCC. They were lousy Transformers (at least the limbs) but they were fun toys.

I've been considering getting Giant (I have Herc) just to pose with my CW stuff as he will fit size-wise much better.

Giant was a very satisfying purchase for me and I recommend if the opportunity arises snag him if you can(I even want to double dip for g2 yellow but have a few bots to go before scratching that itch.)

plus he can take moderate play/posing with ease, not that fiddly imo. Maketoys makes great stuff....other than my floppy chaos/paladin

From what I've heard, most if not all were good products. Why sell 'em? FP and Maketoys especially. Heard nothing but good reviews (except that "not Motormaster" being hard to transform).

Ginrai Minor wrote:

rpetras wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

I don't typically play with figures, I'm a display guy, but with CW I do like to fiddle with them! This was the same thing I liked about PCC. They were lousy Transformers (at least the limbs) but they were fun toys.

I've been considering getting Giant (I have Herc) just to pose with my CW stuff as he will fit size-wise much better.

Giant was a very satisfying purchase for me and I recommend if the opportunity arises snag him if you can(I even want to double dip for g2 yellow but have a few bots to go before scratching that itch.)

plus he can take moderate play/posing with ease, not that fiddly imo. Maketoys makes great stuff....other than my floppy chaos/paladin

If you left your Giant untouched for a long while, best to check on him. Mine started to get super stiff joints(combiner ratchets), when coupled with the strong springs and soft plastic use on the ratchet housing, it makes for an easy break when moving them even a click. Filing/sanding down on the ratchet seems to fix my problems, however though it did gave me a heart attack

guarayakha wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:

rpetras wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

I don't typically play with figures, I'm a display guy, but with CW I do like to fiddle with them! This was the same thing I liked about PCC. They were lousy Transformers (at least the limbs) but they were fun toys.

I've been considering getting Giant (I have Herc) just to pose with my CW stuff as he will fit size-wise much better.

Giant was a very satisfying purchase for me and I recommend if the opportunity arises snag him if you can(I even want to double dip for g2 yellow but have a few bots to go before scratching that itch.)

plus he can take moderate play/posing with ease, not that fiddly imo. Maketoys makes great stuff....other than my floppy chaos/paladin

If you left your Giant untouched for a long while, best to check on him. Mine started to get super stiff joints(combiner ratchets), when coupled with the strong springs and soft plastic use on the ratchet housing, it makes for an easy break when moving them even a click. Filing/sanding down on the ratchet seems to fix my problems, however though it did gave me a heart attack

Damn really? Looks like giant is getting a daily check-up from now on.

Ginrai Minor wrote:

guarayakha wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:

rpetras wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

I don't typically play with figures, I'm a display guy, but with CW I do like to fiddle with them! This was the same thing I liked about PCC. They were lousy Transformers (at least the limbs) but they were fun toys.

I've been considering getting Giant (I have Herc) just to pose with my CW stuff as he will fit size-wise much better.

Giant was a very satisfying purchase for me and I recommend if the opportunity arises snag him if you can(I even want to double dip for g2 yellow but have a few bots to go before scratching that itch.)

plus he can take moderate play/posing with ease, not that fiddly imo. Maketoys makes great stuff....other than my floppy chaos/paladin

If you left your Giant untouched for a long while, best to check on him. Mine started to get super stiff joints(combiner ratchets), when coupled with the strong springs and soft plastic use on the ratchet housing, it makes for an easy break when moving them even a click. Filing/sanding down on the ratchet seems to fix my problems, however though it did gave me a heart attack

Damn really? Looks like giant is getting a daily check-up from now on.

Anybody else had this problem ? I havent messed with my yellow Giant in a long time. He just stays posed.

What does he mean by "easy break" ? Is he trying to say if you move the arms they will snap off ?

Rated X wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:

guarayakha wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:

rpetras wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:also play/fun factor is a big thing for me so it's a fine line with 3rd party items in regards to that some times(but I do love giant dearly)

I don't typically play with figures, I'm a display guy, but with CW I do like to fiddle with them! This was the same thing I liked about PCC. They were lousy Transformers (at least the limbs) but they were fun toys.

I've been considering getting Giant (I have Herc) just to pose with my CW stuff as he will fit size-wise much better.

Giant was a very satisfying purchase for me and I recommend if the opportunity arises snag him if you can(I even want to double dip for g2 yellow but have a few bots to go before scratching that itch.)

plus he can take moderate play/posing with ease, not that fiddly imo. Maketoys makes great stuff....other than my floppy chaos/paladin

If you left your Giant untouched for a long while, best to check on him. Mine started to get super stiff joints(combiner ratchets), when coupled with the strong springs and soft plastic use on the ratchet housing, it makes for an easy break when moving them even a click. Filing/sanding down on the ratchet seems to fix my problems, however though it did gave me a heart attack

Damn really? Looks like giant is getting a daily check-up from now on.

Anybody else had this problem ? I havent messed with my yellow Giant in a long time. He just stays posed.

What does he mean by "easy break" ? Is he trying to say if you move the arms they will snap off ?

Pretty close; they started to bend really uncomfortable instead of going a click on that ratchet(only on the 2 rathets on the arms), and at some point the notches on the soft plastic that houses the ratchet gave way (these notches are supposed to lock one side of the ratchet in place) and both ratchet ends up rotating instead of the usual click.

I'll try to get some pics in later. I'm sure that sounds confusing as hell. All other joints are fine though.

Edit: Here

Yellow ratchet is a fixed ratchet, green is backed with spring. The spring is actually alot stronger than I thought, and the ratchet gears are pretty steep; which in combo with the spring gave Giant his much praised strong joints.

I don't know if the spring actually got stiffer over time, but when I checked on him I was trying to gave him a new pose, and after much struggle, the soft plastic (in red) bent outwards and the tiny extrusion that keeps the green ratchet in position rotated and went inside (normally, the green ratchet should be pushed by the yellow ratchet back against the spring and go click; in this case, both ratchets stayed together). The only pros about that soft platic was that they're flexible enough not to get stress mark/break by that

So, I proceed to do some quick fix by filing down on the ratchets. Trimming the spring slightly might help too.

In any case, make sure your Giants have their fair amount of exercise monthly.

Dayum. Definitely buying Hercules in that case.

On-topic, I would sell my FP Bruticus if it weren't for the fact he's in such a sorry state (the head broke, the shoulder blocks became so floppy I had to soak them with superglue, lots of filing/superglue had to be applied to various pegs) that chances are nobody would buy him. In any case, I might wait and see what CW Bruticus looks like before I decide whether to sell him for cheap as a junker.

I came to a decision a little while back. I mentioned earlier that I was debating selling off my FP Menasor. That's no longer the case.

I came to realise that my main goal is to get the best representation of a Classics character on my shelf. Is CW Superion the best incarnation thus far? IMO, yes he is - which is why I'll be springing for Takara's version for the PE upgrades to make it even better.

Is CW Menasor the best incarnation of the character? Hell no. Once I came to realise that, I dropped those preorders like a rock.

Defensor is still up in the air.

Mkall wrote:I came to a decision a little while back. I mentioned earlier that I was debating selling off my FP Menasor. That's no longer the case.

I came to realise that my main goal is to get the best representation of a Classics character on my shelf. Is CW Superion the best incarnation thus far? IMO, yes he is - which is why I'll be springing for Takara's version for the PE upgrades to make it even better.

Is CW Menasor the best incarnation of the character? Hell no. Once I came to realise that, I dropped those preorders like a rock.

Defensor is still up in the air.

maketoys defensor is gonna give Hasbro and TFC a run for their money imo

Ginrai Minor wrote:maketoys defensor is gonna give Hasbro and TFC a run for their money imo

Absolutely. Knowing me, I'll use Hasbro's as a standin for the character, then get Maketoys. I don't like 95% of TFC figs on principal alone, although a couple of their individual Protectobots would make for a nice standalone character.

Ive cut right back on what i buy now to the point its almost at a holt .

I'm only really buying combiner members atm and i only have Apollyon on pre order with no other purchases going to be made untill final product images have been shown , there is a few i have my eye on for the year but its less than a handfull .

So CW has give me a little project to pass the time untill each release and thats buying upgrades and making them the best they can be . Ive been in and out of this line faster than a virgin . i still dont think they are great combiners but i love an upgrade and the takara sets look so much better .

Mkall wrote:

Ginrai Minor wrote:maketoys defensor is gonna give Hasbro and TFC a run for their money imo

Absolutely. Knowing me, I'll use Hasbro's as a standin for the character, then get Maketoys. I don't like 95% of TFC figs on principal alone, although a couple of their individual Protectobots would make for a nice standalone character.

I'm of the same mindset as that good sir. Hasbro will def be my gestalt teams represented in bot form but as you said early and I will echo, I desire the best representations(based on preference) for my classics world I'm trying to compile!