The Energon Pub

[Hellscream9999]

And to the one who asked, I cant exchange this since I did get Devy a month ago now and this was my mistake.

Sorry to hear that! I think though for the big purchases, it's wise to wait like I am doing right now so I can hear all the horror stories and make me aware and more careful. I recommend doing the same sometimes for these types of things. It really helps to not break things so often.

It would be hypocritical of me to just post just be careful. But what if you were careful but you missed one step in the transformation sequences? I had already 4 cases when the item just broke apart and I was careful

And the instructions at times whether in English or otherwise don't make sense at all.

And some transformers require "break plastic" force to transform them correctly.

True true, though it is better to know about these things early on to know what you're getting into.

Like a disease, the breakage symptoms manifest later. I'm wondering too if the lime green type used on the D-man is also a future "breaker" type.

Probably; Combine: overly thin parts + lower-grade plastic + strong and sturdy joint designs, and you get a recipe for regrettable purchase - happened with me and magnus, and seems to be happening to a lot of devs'

[Amelie]

Like a disease, the breakage symptoms manifest later. I'm wondering too if the lime green type used on the D-man is also a future "breaker" type.

I doubt it - with metallic-plastic-syndrome I believe its the metallic sparkles that cause the bonds that hold the plastic together to fail.

Plus we've had other lime-green plastics in the past that weren't brittle.

Its more likely the type of plastic that Hasbro\Takara use isn't really suited for such large (yet delicate) toys. Which is why we've never seen them done at this scale before. Metroplex, Fort Max ect were big - but chunky. Devastator has fiddly, clip-on parts that present whole new engineering challenges with all that weight behind them.

[fenrir72]

Another feedback/complaint.

UW Menasor is so floppy back heavy. Ever since his August 2015 release, if you pose the lower limbs officially, he falls down backwards, changing Stunticons position is of little help. Posing them ala G1 style, with the undercarriage facing outwards,he stays/stands straight but then nullifies the knee articulation which is his selling point........gaaaaaaaaaah ! Hence my lack of interest for the upcoming Optimus Maximus mold.

[DedicatedGhostArt]

Probably; Combine: overly thin parts + lower-grade plastic + strong and sturdy joint designs, and you get a recipe for regrettable purchase - happened with me and magnus, and seems to be happening to a lot of devs'

This doesn't deter me from getting Devastator at all, only makes me wanna find a way to fix it before it breaks. I think shaving the tab down a bit so that the *snap* is not so tense, it would keep the stability but also be easier to remove and insert, without all the risk of breakage.

Btw I have Generations Springer, and I do not remember people talking much about the issue with the gun tab for helicopter mode. Basically it is less like a tab and more like a "T shaped slider tab". Basically you have to partially slide the tab on in order to get it in. The issue with it was, although it didn't break right away, I noticed that the gun took TREMENDOUS force to take off, and no matter how hard I tried to be careful, it ended up starting to slighty crack anyhow. I was determined to stop the crackage right away to I started to sand the sides of the T tab down a bit, and then it worked fine with now more crackage, and still held on fine. I am thinking something similar with Devastator's foot tab.

[fenrir72]

Like a disease, the breakage symptoms manifest later. I'm wondering too if the lime green type used on the D-man is also a future "breaker" type.

I doubt it - with metallic-plastic-syndrome I believe its the metallic sparkles that cause the bonds that hold the plastic together to fail.

Plus we've had other lime-green plastics in the past that weren't brittle.

Its more likely the type of plastic that Hasbro\Takara use isn't really suited for such large (yet delicate) toys. Which is why we've never seen them done at this scale before. Metroplex, Fort Max ect were big - but chunky. Devastator has fiddly, clip-on parts that present whole new engineering challenges with all that weight behind them.

Th G1 Metroplex and Fortmax seems to share the same type of solid plastic. The Titans/Legends TT version (I can't vouch for the Hb version as don't have one) feels a bit on the lighter/thinner side. Fortmax feels more solid.

Makes me also anticipate that the new Fortmax might also be as light.

[Hellscream9999]

Another feedback/complaint.

UW Menasor is so floppy back heavy. Ever since his August 2015 release, if you pose the lower limbs officially, he falls down backwards, changing Stunticons position is of little help. Posing them ala G1 style, with the undercarriage facing outwards,he stays/stands straight but then nullifies the knee articulation which is his selling point........gaaaaaaaaaah ! Hence my lack of interest for the upcoming Optimus Maximus mold.

Yeah, that torso mode is an abomination, and needs to die and be forgotten - shame we couldn't have gotten a better version of it

Probably; Combine: overly thin parts + lower-grade plastic + strong and sturdy joint designs, and you get a recipe for regrettable purchase - happened with me and magnus, and seems to be happening to a lot of devs'

This doesn't deter me from getting Devastator at all, only makes me wanna find a way to fix it before it breaks. I think shaving the tab down a bit so that the *snap* is not so tense, it would keep the stability but also be easier to remove and insert, without all the risk of breakage.

Btw I have Generations Springer, and I do not remember people talking much about the issue with the gun tab for helicopter mode. Basically it is less like a tab and more like a "T shaped slider tab". Basically you have to partially slide the tab on in order to get it in. The issue with it was, although it didn't break right away, I noticed that the gun took TREMENDOUS force to take off, and no matter how hard I tried to be careful, it ended up starting to slighty crack anyhow. I was determined to stop the crackage right away to I started to sand the sides of the T tab down a bit, and then it worked fine with now more crackage, and still held on fine. I am thinking something similar with Devastator's foot tab.

meh, never equipped his gun in copter mode, nor do I know of anyone else who does either, guess that would explain why it was never brought up as an issue

[megatronus]

Another feedback/complaint.

UW Menasor is so floppy back heavy. Ever since his August 2015 release, if you pose the lower limbs officially, he falls down backwards, changing Stunticons position is of little help. Posing them ala G1 style, with the undercarriage facing outwards,he stays/stands straight but then nullifies the knee articulation which is his selling point........gaaaaaaaaaah ! Hence my lack of interest for the upcoming Optimus Maximus mold.

Yeah, that mold/torso mode is an abomination, and needs to die and be forgotten - shame we couldn't have gotten a better version of it

Disagree - the Motormaster mold is fantastic... or would be, if he were just a robot and vehicle. The torso mode is sub-par, sure, but that mold is still pretty great in my book.

[fenrir72]

Another feedback/complaint.

UW Menasor is so floppy back heavy. Ever since his August 2015 release, if you pose the lower limbs officially, he falls down backwards, changing Stunticons position is of little help. Posing them ala G1 style, with the undercarriage facing outwards,he stays/stands straight but then nullifies the knee articulation which is his selling point........gaaaaaaaaaah ! Hence my lack of interest for the upcoming Optimus Maximus mold.

Yeah, that mold/torso mode is an abomination, and needs to die and be forgotten - shame we couldn't have gotten a better version of it

Disagree - the Motormaster mold is fantastic... or would be, if he were just a robot and vehicle. The torso mode is sub-par, sure, but that mold is still pretty great in my book.

Its the combiner mode that sucks. Issues is that center of gravity once in Menasor mode in MM. Plus the limb connectors of the vehicles, needs more ratchets to prevent the back lean. As I mentioned, you reverse the limbs with the undercarriage facing forward, the back tilt is gone.

So two flaws in the design. But as an individual 'bot, MM especially the TT version is Boss. That and BJ keeps on falling off

Being that the combiner mode is the selling point.............

[Hellscream9999]

Another feedback/complaint.

UW Menasor is so floppy back heavy. Ever since his August 2015 release, if you pose the lower limbs officially, he falls down backwards, changing Stunticons position is of little help. Posing them ala G1 style, with the undercarriage facing outwards,he stays/stands straight but then nullifies the knee articulation which is his selling point........gaaaaaaaaaah ! Hence my lack of interest for the upcoming Optimus Maximus mold.

Yeah, that torso mode is an abomination, and needs to die and be forgotten - shame we couldn't have gotten a better version of it

Disagree - the Motormaster mold is fantastic... or would be, if he were just a robot and vehicle. The torso mode is sub-par, sure, but that mold is still pretty great in my book.

Its the combiner mode that sucks. Issues is that center of gravity once in Menasor mode in MM. Plus the limb connectors of the vehicles, needs more ratchets to prevent the back lean. As I mentioned, you reverse the limbs with the undercarriage facing forward, the back tilt is gone.

So two flaws in the design. But as an individual 'bot, MM especially the TT version is Boss. That and BJ keeps on falling off

Being that the combiner mode is the selling point.............

Exactly

[DedicatedGhostArt]

meh, never equipped his gun in copter mode, nor do I know of anyone else who does either, guess that would explain why it was never brought up as an issue

Haha I think it looks friggin awesome personally. It's not like it hurts the realism of the chopper mode or anything, and plus it's Cybertronian, so it should be weaponized.

Another feedback/complaint.

UW Menasor is so floppy back heavy. Ever since his August 2015 release, if you pose the lower limbs officially, he falls down backwards, changing Stunticons position is of little help. Posing them ala G1 style, with the undercarriage facing outwards,he stays/stands straight but then nullifies the knee articulation which is his selling point........gaaaaaaaaaah ! Hence my lack of interest for the upcoming Optimus Maximus mold.

Yeah, that torso mode is an abomination, and needs to die and be forgotten - shame we couldn't have gotten a better version of it

Disagree - the Motormaster mold is fantastic... or would be, if he were just a robot and vehicle. The torso mode is sub-par, sure, but that mold is still pretty great in my book.

Its the combiner mode that sucks. Issues is that center of gravity once in Menasor mode in MM. Plus the limb connectors of the vehicles, needs more ratchets to prevent the back lean. As I mentioned, you reverse the limbs with the undercarriage facing forward, the back tilt is gone.

So two flaws in the design. But as an individual 'bot, MM especially the TT version is Boss. That and BJ keeps on falling off

Being that the combiner mode is the selling point.............

Exactly

I kinda think it'd be awesome if someone did some custom parts for Motormaster to make the legs transform differently and have a better looking torso. If I were to get one of the versions of this mold I might just do that.

[Hellscream9999]

meh, never equipped his gun in copter mode, nor do I know of anyone else who does either, guess that would explain why it was never brought up as an issue

Haha I think it looks friggin awesome personally. It's not like it hurts the realism of the chopper mode or anything, and plus it's Cybertronian, so it should be weaponized.

Well, I admit, it was difficult to equip it and then remove it, but it looked so over-the-top anyways, I just didn't care for it in any mode, but I agree with all of your points.

[megatronus]

I kinda think it'd be awesome if someone did some custom parts for Motormaster to make the legs transform differently and have a better looking torso. If I were to get one of the versions of this mold I might just do that.

Funny you should say that...

[King Kuuga]

Btw I have Generations Springer, and I do not remember people talking much about the issue with the gun tab for helicopter mode. Basically it is less like a tab and more like a "T shaped slider tab". Basically you have to partially slide the tab on in order to get it in. The issue with it was, although it didn't break right away, I noticed that the gun took TREMENDOUS force to take off, and no matter how hard I tried to be careful, it ended up starting to slighty crack anyhow. I was determined to stop the crackage right away to I started to sand the sides of the T tab down a bit, and then it worked fine with now more crackage, and still held on fine. I am thinking something similar with Devastator's foot tab.

meh, never equipped his gun in copter mode, nor do I know of anyone else who does either, guess that would explain why it was never brought up as an issue

I equip his gun and have had no such issue. You have to slide it forward to attach and back to detach. Sure, you've got ridiculous clearance issues and just tabbing in traditionally would have been preferred, but I haven't observed any cracking.

[Insurgent]

Well, it was only a bit of flash on my mixmaster. But it was worrying for a moment.



I've not had any issue with my TT Motormaster in combined mode. He stands upright, isn't floppy, isn't back hheavy and his legs are on the CW way, not G1 way. So it can't be a design problem. Maybe a construction problem with certain batches?



I leave the gun off my Springer in copter mode, but that's because I can never get the blasted thing to peg in. I know it's meant to push forward and click in somehow, but I've only ever been able to do it once or twice since getting him, so I jsut don't bother now.

[william-james88]

Disagree - the Motormaster mold is fantastic... or would be, if he were just a robot and vehicle. The torso mode is sub-par, sure, but that mold is still pretty great in my book.

Motormaster is undeniably the most udnerrated figure of that line. I am so impressed at how imposing the combiner mode is when having him stand tall. And, as metioned, that isnt even his best mode. It is amazing how simple the transformation is to have 2 very distinctive and detailed robot and vehicle modes that both look amazing.

While superion is he easiest to play with and pose, I am always more impressed with Menasor's look and motormaster's robot to vehicle transformation compared to Silverbolt's.

[RAR]

I leave the gun off my Springer in copter mode, but that's because I can never get the blasted thing to peg in. I know it's meant to push forward and click in somehow, but I've only ever been able to do it once or twice since getting him, so I jsut don't bother now.

Fortunately I have a couple of Springer Guns so I can place them on the sides of the Helicopter instead (using the fists) which looks quite good.

[Hellscream9999]

I leave the gun off my Springer in copter mode, but that's because I can never get the blasted thing to peg in. I know it's meant to push forward and click in somehow, but I've only ever been able to do it once or twice since getting him, so I jsut don't bother now.

Fortunately I have a couple of Springer Guns so I can place them on the sides of the Helicopter instead (using the fists) which looks quite good.

Lucky, bet that looks frickin' amazing

[megatronus]

Disagree - the Motormaster mold is fantastic... or would be, if he were just a robot and vehicle. The torso mode is sub-par, sure, but that mold is still pretty great in my book.

Motormaster is undeniably the most udnerrated figure of that line. I am so impressed at how imposing the combiner mode is when having him stand tall. And, as metioned, that isnt even his best mode. It is amazing how simple the transformation is to have 2 very distinctive and detailed robot and vehicle modes that both look amazing.

While superion is he easiest to play with and pose, I am always more impressed with Menasor's look and motormaster's robot to vehicle transformation compared to Silverbolt's.

All hail Motormaster, and his 50 repaints!!!

[DedicatedGhostArt]

I kinda think it'd be awesome if someone did some custom parts for Motormaster to make the legs transform differently and have a better looking torso. If I were to get one of the versions of this mold I might just do that.

Funny you should say that...

But the whole legs don't transform completely differently though.

I would probably make both new arms and new legs so that I can not only make combined mode better and give Motormaster cab details on his feet, but also make the wheels bigger to be more "monster truck" like. Motormaster SHOULD be a monster truck.

[Insurgent]

I leave the gun off my Springer in copter mode, but that's because I can never get the blasted thing to peg in. I know it's meant to push forward and click in somehow, but I've only ever been able to do it once or twice since getting him, so I jsut don't bother now.

Fortunately I have a couple of Springer Guns so I can place them on the sides of the Helicopter instead (using the fists) which looks quite good.

Nice. Like a proper Apache.

[King Kuuga]

Motormaster SHOULD be a monster truck.

I staunchly disagree with this. He's the truck that drives all the cars around.

[Va'al]

Via site sponsor TFSource, we have a slightly grainy reveal of the upcoming Takara Tomy Unite Warriors UW-07 Bruticus, as teased here, showing off the existence of a new mold - of course, we're talking about Blast-off in shuttle form! Also added to the set, compared to the Hasbro version, is a bigger rotor for Vortex (who still otherwise looks like an Alpha Bravo repaint). Check it out below, and start waiting as the set is due for release in June!

[Warpstorm]

Way to go Takara.
I will definitely have to keep an eye out for Bruticus and it seems we will get vortex with four blades instead of two, once a clearer picture is revealed we can see if Brawl gets a fix as well

[LE0KING]

After defensor, I figured I'd wait on takara for this set. And now I'm glad I did. As long as they don't jack up the colors, that is.

[ZeroWolf]

Still a bit blurry to get a good look at blast off but they're on the right track