The Energon Pub

Hold on a second guys;

Sixth member is not what people think, but is a lot of fun, giving way to an optional, more balanced transformation.

Just a poor choice of words, or maybe the Ferocicons can combine without number 6 but it'll look better with it, similar to TFC's Rage of Hercules set? It's not ideal regardless of the situation, but it's true that the Predacons were always going to be a tough team to do seeing as they're a five member combiner of pretty much equal sizes. I have to admit that I think I'd be OK with an extra figure if it meant the original five were nearly the same size.

As a kid I had six episodes of Transformers on VHS, and the Predacons featured in three of them so they're a pretty prominent team for me. MMC will really have to screw this up for me back away from this set.

Also interesting to hear the choice of size compared to other companies. It's turning into Tekken Tag Tournament: 3rd Party Edition: FansProject & MakeToys .vs. TFC & MMC.

These look fantastic. I'm kinda irked about some folks busting these 3rd party companies' chops for introducing a sixth member too the teams like their collector sensibilities have been disrespected in some egregious form or fashion.
It's not like you'd EVER see an "official" release of these Combiners as cool as these are and with so much attention to the G1 aesthetic and of which are in the "scale" that we all want.
Some seem to be focusing on such a non pertinent (at least i fell it is) detail too an otherwise joyous occasion in the TF world.

Quit yer bitchin is the moral of my post. Seriously. It'll all work out just fine in the end. Have some faith. Compromises sometimes must be made for awesomeness.

"It's not like you'd EVER see an "official" release of these Combiners as cool as these are and with so much attention to the G1 aesthetic"

Funny...this is EXACTLY what peeps used to opine about Devy back before Herc and Giant were even created as teaser images...and look what we got.

TFC knew we all wanted G1-esque aesthetics, big 'ol bots, decent-scaled alt modes, and a towering Gestalt...and we got it. Then people complained about his arm molds and whatnot, so they gave us Teh Rage. Maketoys did it a little better (read: not needing the additional add-on), to a slightly smaller scale for those who wanted their Devy in-line with their already existing FP Bruty/Supes.

Pretty much everyone wins...only problem was...Herc, Giant, or wallet suicide via both?

Now, though, they know we still want the same things, but are toying with us by giving us this new "6th-bot" ideology, and whats worse, passing it off like it is supposed to be the norm from here on(6th bot for Superion? Check. 6th bot for Predaking? Check.).

Whats worse, my prediction is another Herc/Giant scenario will come up, but with a worse outcome. Someone will do a "6th bot" Superion, and amidst all the complaining, another company will do a more accurate/slightly different Gestalt of the same team with the ACCEPTABLE 5 bots...and all the people who jumped on the train fearing just what this guy said (about never getting another option to add a stand-in for this team to their collection) are the ones getting screwed. Now they are stuck with an embarrassing, NOT-G1-accurate money sink and thinking "man, if only I had waited a while longer and not jumped all over this in desperation."

Think about it...would you buy a toy labelled Optimus Supreme (or some other trademark-infringement-avoiding name) if it wasnt even a semi-truck? Or it was a semi truck, but it was, like, orange and purple NO. Because thats NOT the character. Just like a team of SIX bots, who just happen to turn into airplanes, and just happen to gestalt together into a giant bot, are NOT the aerialbots.

If that's me getting my "collector sensbilities" in an uproar...than so be it. I will pay for what I find as suitable stand-ins for my collection, you do the same and we will all live happily ever after.

I don't think the 6th member of the Predacons is a big deal. Just look at the teasers for a minute. There's no visible 6th member there. It's optional. Optional as in "I can leave it in the box or pretend it's a minicon drone" or soemthing.

Ditto TFC's Areialbots. It's been confirmed as Superion's chest shield. That ain't so bad, is it?

ruined FOREVER

I want to see more but I'm liking the idea of MMC taking this project on. They design figures with a lot of detail and crisp angles-I think that design philosophy will translate nicely in a modern update to Predaking!

So...much...red...

But I like what I'm seeing. Makes me feel a little better about not buying the reissue. Can't wait to see some better shots. As for the 6th member, whatever. I think it'll be just an accessory to make Razorclaw fit in better with the others, so that his individual size can stay relatively in scale with the others. And where's the sword?

I really don't get all the rage over the "optional" 6th member. I didn't watch the cartoons much as a kid... so maybe I'm just not as attached to the characters as some of you others are. I just owned a hell of a lot of the figures... because I thought they looked awesome and were fun to tinker with. I think Predaking & Piranacon were the only combiners I didn't own... but I always wanted them.

If these are awesome enough & I can afford them... I'll buy 'em. They could make him a headmaster for all I care... judging by the silhouette, there's plenty enough G1-goodness for me.

NOS wrote:Animal feets on Rampage and Razorclaw kind of scare me. Looks thin and possibly brittle. Once product images start to surface I'll start mulling over a possible purchase, but I don't think It'll convince me this is the Predaking for my collection, sadly.

I noticed that too. I am guessing it's just how the computer drafting tool is set up and it will be thicker (I hope) when it gets released.

Here comes MMC's Rampage!

Sooo Bad@$$. Thrilled, as I was not to fond of what I've seen of the other Predaking.

Mekatron wrote:Sooo Bad@$$. Thrilled, as I was not to fond of what I've seen of the other Predaking.

Agreed. My thoughts of what I first saw of Unique Toys's version is that it's G1 with articulation - which is cool if you are a strict G1-er. I prefer MMC's because it appears that it's a reimaged figure with much more styling.

Well... the other one is a ripoff of someone else's custom, which says a LOT about them in my mind. MMC seems to have a little more "original" talent then that and it really shows.

I love the snarl on the bot's face and that cannon on the back of the bull looks amazing! Can't stop drooling.

That does look good. It might come down to what is carried at BBTS. Oh, and price...

oh man, this is going to be expensive.

Mkall wrote:

Mekatron wrote:Sooo Bad@$$. Thrilled, as I was not to fond of what I've seen of the other Predaking.

Agreed. My thoughts of what I first saw of Unique Toys's version is that it's G1 with articulation - which is cool if you are a strict G1-er. I prefer MMC's because it appears that it's a reimaged figure with much more styling.

Agree with both of you 100%

He looks freaken AWESOME!!!

Mkall wrote:Here comes MMC's Rampage!

And we have a winner. Tantrum looks amazing, fits in with the classics styling and will be massive. It has everything I want from Predaking. Well played MMC and bad luck Uniquetoys.

Edit: If you look closely you can see that the combiner hand and foot make up the canon on his back. Since Tantrum and Headstrong use the same base mold with different heads we can assume the other hand and foot will come with Headstrong.

Looks awsome! But let's see that price, eh?

Predaking is the only post movie combiner that I'm actually interested in. I can't recall offhand, but wasn't his main enemy the Dinos? Someone better get on those guys.

OK Im feeling this more than the other set. But I see a hefty price tag.

Mkall wrote:Here comes MMC's Rampage!

You mean Tantrum right ?

This looks AMAZING, but I'm blown away by the sword!

Holee crap this thing could be immense!

Oh wow! I'm not surprised about that claim this team is going to be on parr with Hercules in height. For a bull he's a bit on the overweight side, but seriously, I can't even pretend I'm bothered by that. This one figure has me making messy in my trousers.

I really like where MMC is going with this. I've always liked their work but just couldn't find a way to fit their figures into my collection. Looks like that's all about to change!

Unique toys design so far actually "seems" like it would be more fun to play with, transform, and combine. I really do like the size mmc's going for, but the blade length vs. handle length throws me off...I know it's probably to combat stability issues. Will have to see more figures and pricing like everyone else.