The Energon Pub

[NuclearConvoy]

I was having a chat with Shajaki of old, and he said some interesting things (and what a handsome devil!). Regarding those worried about the price or attainability of Slingshot and Wildrider, hear his thoughts:

Remember a little thing called Classics? Big daddy Hasbro gave us Starscream, Ramjet, and (Target exclusive mind you) Skywarp. We cried and cried for our remaining three seekers which someone must have heard, cause we finally got them! In the form of a Botcon Exclusive gift set.....

Not only is the set expensive AT Botcon, but you don't even want to venture near eBay. But hey, all well and good for those who spent their rent on the set right? Wrong. 2015 Shajaki tells me that Takara releases their own (better!) versions of the missing seekers as exclusives, only to be put on regular store shelves by Hasbro for retail price. YOU THINK YOU KNOW PAIN?

At which point 2007 Shajaki had to be sedated. So if you have to pay retail, or even a mark-up to complete the G1'ish Superion you so covet, be glad it isn't worse.

And those 3 missing seekers aren't even the best part of that Both on set. The retooled Jet fire as Dreading (or wad it the other brother?) Is way cooler. But then again, I am heavily based towards that toy. I still need the black and purple japanese release...

[Sabrblade]

And those 3 missing seekers aren't even the best part of that Both on set. The retooled Jet fire as Dreading (or wad it the other brother?) Is way cooler. But then again, I am heavily based towards that toy. I still need the black and purple japanese release...

It's especially cool how that BotCon Dreadwind can be combined with Universe Darkwind (Darkwing) to create a super-jet Dreadwing like the G1 toys could.

[chuckdawg1999]

With Defensor coming in April and the Autobot cars coming in May/June. does this mean CW could be done before the summer? I know there's Devastator but he's one set that will be around for awhile.

[gothsaurus]

Whaaaaat. You have to link to a pic of that Sabrblade! Shocked.

[Thadicon]

Ha, I'm kind of the opposite. I'm looking forward to the Autobot Stunticon repaints in part because I'm not getting the Stunticons themselves, yet I'd like to have some version of the molds. (I have Optimus Prime, and look forward to getting limbs for him.)

Are the Autobot repaints of the Stunticons an homage to the G1 episode "Masquerade?" I can't remember which bots were involved besides Prime.

The idea is there, but at this point I think it's more of a tongue-in-cheek reference than anything else. Here are the bots in the episode, plus who they disguised themselves as:

Optimus Prime: Motormaster (both are semis)
Mirage: Drag Strip (Racing cars)
Sideswipe: Breakdown (Lamborghinis)
Jazz: Dead End (Porsches)
Windcharger: Wildrider (shoe-horned in for his magnetic powers for the "combined mode")

I'd like to make an observation. I'll start with a disclaimer. I mean no ill will or malicious intent, as I have know desire to start some scrap. Just a general question to all and any fans.

In my time here I have noticed that, we the fans, are constantly looking at new toys for their homage to the past. The nature of the CHUG toy lines IS all about that, of course, but this "Masquerade" question in relation to the Autobot team keeps coming up. It's a good example of what I'm talking about. Why can't the Autobot team just be a new thing? Why is there such resistance to evolution and new ideas in this thing we all love so much?

For me the Autobot team is an homage to my imagination when I was 10. But then, Hasbro didn't ask me what I was dreaming about when I was 10. They just saw a new way to introduce a neat idea to expand the play options of this toy line.

I understand where you are coming from. Me personally I am happy with new characters, different concepts and new things being introduced at the end of the day Transformers change that's basically what their society is. Plus they are at war with each other so there is always going to be casualties and new characters joining each faction\cause.

[gothsaurus]

Thadicon — that's exactly why I'm glad to see the 'bonus' extra team members and new combiner teams coming. (Autobots plus the fan-choice one). They have a solid home run with the homage combiners, but I'm glad to see them mix it up with some new additions.

[shockblast2]

You think 15.93 is bad? They are 16.99 here.

[OptimalOptimus2]

Brake Neck looks like a bleeding knight! What's wrong with his vehicle mode? He looks sick! I have never been so disgusted in my life.

[NuclearConvoy]

And those 3 missing seekers aren't even the best part of that Both on set. The retooled Jet fire as Dreading (or wad it the other brother?) Is way cooler. But then again, I am heavily based towards that toy. I still need the black and purple japanese release...

It's especially cool how that BotCon Dreadwind can be combined with Universe Darkwind (Darkwing) to create a super-jet Dreadwing like the G1 toys could.

Picture please? I never saw that universe toy in stores but I would be willing to hunt for it to combine for Dreadwing.

[Cobotron]

I'd like to make an observation. I'll start with a disclaimer. I mean no ill will or malicious intent, as I have know desire to start some scrap. Just a general question to all and any fans.

In my time here I have noticed that, we the fans, are constantly looking at new toys for their homage to the past. The nature of the CHUG toy lines IS all about that, of course, but this "Masquerade" question in relation to the Autobot team keeps coming up. It's a good example of what I'm talking about. Why can't the Autobot team just be a new thing? Why is there such resistance to evolution and new ideas in this thing we all love so much?

For me the Autobot team is an homage to my imagination when I was 10. But then, Hasbro didn't ask me what I was dreaming about when I was 10. They just saw a new way to introduce a neat idea to expand the play options of this toy line.

I understand where you are coming from. Me personally I am happy with new characters, different concepts and new things being introduced at the end of the day Transformers change that's basically what their society is. Plus they are at war with each other so there is always going to be casualties and new characters joining each faction\cause.

Thadicon - that's exactly why I'm glad to see the 'bonus' extra team members and new combiner teams coming. (Autobots plus the fan-choice one). They have a solid home run with the homage combiners, but I'm glad to see them mix it up with some new additions.

Thad, Goth, I am right there with what you both said. After I hit submit, it kinda dawned on me that my question went deeper than just the Autobot team. It was summing up the differences in ideology going on all over this thread. It is fascinating how we are always looking for the homages whatever our ideologies may be. I do it too.

Thad I like your point of "Transformers change". Crud, I'm almost 40. I was there when G1 happened, but I've always enjoyed new iterations of TFs. Beast Wars and Cybertron being my favorites. If we don't get new characters to propel this ongoing saga, we'll all just get stuck in a loop and I fear it will all get really stale... all get really stale... all get really stale... all get really stale...

[gothsaurus]

Yeah, the big trouble is that Hasbro has identified their "cash cows" ... being Optimus and Bee, primarily. They make more money if kids recognize the toys. Makes it hard to introduce a new character... like Rodimus.

[prjkt]

So they introduce him as a legends figure

Oh and Chuckdawg, there's still the fan-choice combiner to come, and most likely Bruticus* & Computron. Hasbro did say Combiner Wars would last more than a year.

*Bruticus would never be in the first year, considering how recent the FOC version was, and has been quite a popular character over the years.

[Sabrblade]

Whaaaaat. You have to link to a pic of that Sabrblade! Shocked.

And those 3 missing seekers aren't even the best part of that Both on set. The retooled Jet fire as Dreading (or wad it the other brother?) Is way cooler. But then again, I am heavily based towards that toy. I still need the black and purple japanese release...

It's especially cool how that BotCon Dreadwind can be combined with Universe Darkwind (Darkwing) to create a super-jet Dreadwing like the G1 toys could.

Picture please? I never saw that universe toy in stores but I would be willing to hunt for it to combine for Dreadwing.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/58 ... dreadwing/

[Rodimus Prime]

Picture please? I never saw that universe toy in stores but I would be willing to hunt for it to combine for Dreadwing.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/58 ... dreadwing/

Wow. That's...creative. The shot from the underside with Darkwing's legs spread around Dreadwind is a bit disturbing, but it had to be done, I guess, to make it work. I wonder if Jetfire and Silverbolt would look any good doing that.

[Thadicon]

I'd like to make an observation. I'll start with a disclaimer. I mean no ill will or malicious intent, as I have know desire to start some scrap. Just a general question to all and any fans.

In my time here I have noticed that, we the fans, are constantly looking at new toys for their homage to the past. The nature of the CHUG toy lines IS all about that, of course, but this "Masquerade" question in relation to the Autobot team keeps coming up. It's a good example of what I'm talking about. Why can't the Autobot team just be a new thing? Why is there such resistance to evolution and new ideas in this thing we all love so much?

For me the Autobot team is an homage to my imagination when I was 10. But then, Hasbro didn't ask me what I was dreaming about when I was 10. They just saw a new way to introduce a neat idea to expand the play options of this toy line.

I understand where you are coming from. Me personally I am happy with new characters, different concepts and new things being introduced at the end of the day Transformers change that's basically what their society is. Plus they are at war with each other so there is always going to be casualties and new characters joining each faction\cause.

Thadicon - that's exactly why I'm glad to see the 'bonus' extra team members and new combiner teams coming. (Autobots plus the fan-choice one). They have a solid home run with the homage combiners, but I'm glad to see them mix it up with some new additions.

Thad, Goth, I am right there with what you both said. After I hit submit, it kinda dawned on me that my question went deeper than just the Autobot team. It was summing up the differences in ideology going on all over this thread. It is fascinating how we are always looking for the homages whatever our ideologies may be. I do it too.

Thad I like your point of "Transformers change". Crud, I'm almost 40. I was there when G1 happened, but I've always enjoyed new iterations of TFs. Beast Wars and Cybertron being my favorites. If we don't get new characters to propel this ongoing saga, we'll all just get stuck in a loop and I fear it will all get really stale... all get really stale... all get really stale... all get really stale...

Yeah new additional team members are good I mean look at how the new Defensor is done the Rook swat vehicle works well and Groove is still included in the team and he scales better too now. I think it was Tsu that said awhile ago that got me thinking about it that a member might be out of action so then the other team member could replace them for the time being. To me that is the point of Scramble City type combiners.

I used to get cut up when new characters came out but now I think its pretty cool plus its good to see a team being more than just 5 transformers now.

You guys are right in my books, mixing it up is good otherwise we just see the same old stuff day in day out and then it gets boring. I just see a lot of potential for everyone with these.

[Thadicon]

Who wants representations of two robots who were reduced to quivering piles of slag?

Brake Neck, Wildrider, whoop dee doo.......who cares? The only people who are picking these two up are the people who cried rivers of tears when they found out that they had been replaced due to death in G3 fiction. Crushing their dreams of shoehorning these next generation figures into their "geewun classics" collection, right next to their HFTD Seaspray and FOC Shockwave.

Ahh I will be getting both brake-neck and Offroad and having them both part of the Stunticons team I just thought that having a wildrider released now is just a bonus so no tears here mate.

G3? What's G3 never heard of it?

Because it doesnt exist.

I sense this is a sensitive subject for a few people

[Sabrblade]

Who wants representations of two robots who were reduced to quivering piles of slag?

Brake Neck, Wildrider, whoop dee doo.......who cares? The only people who are picking these two up are the people who cried rivers of tears when they found out that they had been replaced due to death in G3 fiction. Crushing their dreams of shoehorning these next generation figures into their "geewun classics" collection, right next to their HFTD Seaspray and FOC Shockwave.

Ahh I will be getting both brake-neck and Offroad and having them both part of the Stunticons team I just thought that having a wildrider released now is just a bonus so no tears here mate.

G3? What's G3 never heard of it?

Because it doesnt exist.

I sense this is a sensitive subject for a few people

Check your PM inbox.

[Yotsuyasan]

I sense this is a sensitive subject for a few people

Check your PM inbox.

I almost PM'd him myself. (Certainly didn't wish to derail yet another thread with shockblast2 vs. The World.) So thanks, Sabrblade!

[Cobotron]

I sense this is a sensitive subject for a few people

The Force is strong with this one.

[phantom1592]

[
Yeah new additional team members are good I mean look at how the new Defensor is done the Rook swat vehicle works well and Groove is still included in the team and he scales better too now. I think it was Tsu that said awhile ago that got me thinking about it that a member might be out of action so then the other team member could replace them for the time being. To me that is the point of Scramble City type combiners.

I used to get cut up when new characters came out but now I think its pretty cool plus its good to see a team being more than just 5 transformers now.

You guys are right in my books, mixing it up is good otherwise we just see the same old stuff day in day out and then it gets boring. I just see a lot of potential for everyone with these.

Ehhhh... I don't get too excited with the scramble city concept. I can understand people who believe in the 'set team' concept. Personally, I've always seen Superion or Devastator as being a combination of the core personalities and they only fit together one way... Mixing up a portion of that changes everything. How many Aerialbots do you need to make Superion? How many decepticons can you add to the mix and it still be Superion?

I've always been a fan of the giant Gestalt robots having MASSIVE power... but the 'required parts' were their weakness. If they don't have all 5, then they can't combine. Like when Voltron watches a lion get knocked out... they know they're hosed now... Or if someone is missing when they got to form Captain Planet... You have five components, and if you mess with the recipe, then you don't get what you want...


SLingshot or Bravo? I don't have much of an opinion. I didn't have the nostalgia for superion the way I did for Devastator... but yeah, I can see why some people would. It'd be like releasing Four Voltron Lions and a Semi Truck and saying it's close enough...



What I expect to see, is Cyclonus, Alpha Bravo, and... new stunticon to form a brand new 'gestalt with whatever other 'new guys' show up... That could be pretty cool use for the extra guys

[NuclearConvoy]

Whaaaaat. You have to link to a pic of that Sabrblade! Shocked.

And those 3 missing seekers aren't even the best part of that Both on set. The retooled Jet fire as Dreading (or wad it the other brother?) Is way cooler. But then again, I am heavily based towards that toy. I still need the black and purple japanese release...

It's especially cool how that BotCon Dreadwind can be combined with Universe Darkwind (Darkwing) to create a super-jet Dreadwing like the G1 toys could.

Picture please? I never saw that universe toy in stores but I would be willing to hunt for it to combine for Dreadwing.

http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/58 ... dreadwing/

Well, **** me, now I absolutely NEED that guy. So happy you pointed this out.

[Editor]

but yeah, I can see why some people would. It'd be like releasing Four Voltron Lions and a Semi Truck and saying it's close enough...

To be fair, it would be more appropriate to say 4 lions and leopard than a semi.

[Yotsuyasan]

but yeah, I can see why some people would. It'd be like releasing Four Voltron Lions and a Semi Truck and saying it's close enough...

Finally, something to do with my Combiner Wars Optimus while I wait for those Autobot repaints of the Stunticon limbs!



(Ignore the rubber bands on the arms, and the lack of anything other than balance and a prayer holding the legs in place.)

[Cobotron]

Finally, something to do with my Combiner Wars Optimus while I wait for those Autobot repaints of the Stunticon limbs!

AWESOME!!!

[Crosscheck]

Since Slingshot is dead and Wildrider might be, perhaps we could get a combiner made of deceased Transformers.