The Energon Pub

[AllNewSuperRobot]

It's all down to what sells better and what sells better in other markets, especially in Takara's home market where baddies don't sell that well (exception to this is when they can repaint a goodie into a nice black paint job) but yeah, good guys sell better than bad guys with the child audience. It is what it is.

I have twice as many Autobots as I do Decepticons, but is that because of preference or what's available at retail? Which dictates which, nurture or nature, chicken or the egg?

I'm not disagreeing, just tossing out a counter point.

A little bit of both. In 1984 Autobot toys outnumbered the Decepticon one, but in the following years both sides got roughly equal amounts of toys. It was a bit of a time of experimenting in what worked in the US market, really.

btw the egg came first, due to reptiles laying them long before birds even evolved.

It's not a unique thing to Transformers either, it crops up in a lot of toylines. Some years tend to have more or less parity, others have an imbalance one way or the other, and it depends on the line.

Within Transformers, the Japanese toylines tend to be really bad about more good guys than bad. Zone (where the only bad guy toys were Metrotitan and the Race Track Patrol) and Return of Convoy were the absolute worst.

It does often resound of confirmation bias. Lines are inundated with "good guys", ergo they outsell "bad guy" toys (female toys suffer the exact same thing). Therefore Good guys are clearly better sellers and lines are inundated with them.

There was an amazing series I adored growing up, Skeleton Warriors. Although only a single line of toys, there were three (of four) heroes (sans female character, of course) and five Villains, one of which was actually female too. Even for 90's toys the detailing and design of the Villains was amazing. Although the heroes were visually detailed themselves, the villains stood out. As a fan of villains since the beginning, this is the ironic truth I've always seen. But, as a villain fan for so long I have accepted toys lines outside of this exception, particularly in Transformers, don't cater to me. I learned a long time ago to make do.

[Sabrblade]

There was an amazing series I adored growing up, Skeleton Warriors. Although only a single line of toys, there were three (of four) heroes (sans female character, of course) and five Villains, one of which was actually female too. Even for 90's toys the detailing and design of the Villains was amazing. Although the heroes were visually detailed themselves, the villains stood out.

Looking this series up, as a line of only 9 figures, for a show that was only a 13-episode miniseries, it doesn't sound like it was very successful.

[ZeroWolf]

There was an amazing series I adored growing up, Skeleton Warriors. Although only a single line of toys, there were three (of four) heroes (sans female character, of course) and five Villains, one of which was actually female too. Even for 90's toys the detailing and design of the Villains was amazing. Although the heroes were visually detailed themselves, the villains stood out.

Looking this series up, as a line of only 9 figures, for a show that was only a 13-episode miniseries, it doesn't sound like it was very successful.

It wasn't, despite the cartoon being quite good, it didn't gain any traction and the line was cancelled, with some toys already been far on in design just getting scrapped.

The intro rocked though.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

There was an amazing series I adored growing up, Skeleton Warriors. Although only a single line of toys, there were three (of four) heroes (sans female character, of course) and five Villains, one of which was actually female too. Even for 90's toys the detailing and design of the Villains was amazing. Although the heroes were visually detailed themselves, the villains stood out.

Looking this series up, as a line of only 9 figures, for a show that was only a 13-episode miniseries, it doesn't sound like it was very successful.

It wasn't, despite the cartoon being quite good, it didn't gain any traction and the line was cancelled, with some toys already been far on in design just getting scrapped.

The intro rocked though.

Unfortunately one of the factors that went against it was it debuted at the same time as Power Rangers in the West...

[o.supreme]

Looking this series up, as a line of only 9 figures, for a show that was only a 13-episode miniseries, it doesn't sound like it was very successful.

Some of the very best series of the 80's and 90's were not "successful" despite having great writing.

Robotix, The Inhumanoids, The Pirates of Dark Water, War Planets...

[AllNewSuperRobot]

War Planets was the best series Mainframe ever made. That's coming from a Huge fan of Beast Wars (and a lesser fan of Reboot).

[o.supreme]

War Planets was the best series Mainframe ever made. That's coming from a Huge fan of Beast Wars (and a lesser fan of Reboot).

Agreed 100%, also as a fan of BW.

[Railbomb]

So, I just got both the leader-class Shockwave and Ultra Magnus and Shockwave has this nifty little hoverboard you can make out of his armor bits. Has anyone figured out if you can do anything like that with Ultra Magnus' armor bits? it's kinda annoying to have them floating around when he's not all suited up.

[Ironhidensh]

And Ironhidensh, Magnus is one of the figures that's and in hand decision for me, so hopefully he's not as bad as you say, though usually you and I are in agreement about figures.

What don't you like about Ultra Mangus in hand, Ironhidensh? I've been on the fence about him for the past few months, preferring to stay with my Autobot Heroes repaint of the Combiner Wars figure, but after seeing some video reviews, I'm starting to warm up to this new Siege version. If there is a critical flaw you can see, it might help make the difference between me spending or saving an extra $50.

Don't take my opinion to seriously, gentlemen, I'm basing my feelings more on visual than anything. With the abundance of white color on Magnus the "battle damage" looks very cheap. Plus, I found the CW version of Magnus to be just about perfect, and overall, I don't like the styling of Siege. Its all personal opinion to me.

[Hellscream9999]

I really love that you can make some nasty looking rifles out or cogs' legs and arms; they look great being held by magnus

[Flashwave]

I really love that you can make some nasty looking rifles out or cogs' legs and arms; they look great being held by magnus

You know, I was wanting something along the lines pf the Blue Bolts cannon for the RID Magnus look. That would probably look about right

[william-james88]

So, I just got both the leader-class Shockwave and Ultra Magnus and Shockwave has this nifty little hoverboard you can make out of his armor bits. Has anyone figured out if you can do anything like that with Ultra Magnus' armor bits? it's kinda annoying to have them floating around when he's not all suited up.

Cant you simply make a trailer out of them?

[Hellscream9999]

So, I just got both the leader-class Shockwave and Ultra Magnus and Shockwave has this nifty little hoverboard you can make out of his armor bits. Has anyone figured out if you can do anything like that with Ultra Magnus' armor bits? it's kinda annoying to have them floating around when he's not all suited up.

Cant you simply make a trailer out of them?

Yeah, you can

[Amelie]

I haven't got my grubby mitts on the Siege line yet (soon), so I wouldn't know - but couldn't someone else wear the Magnus Armour? I'm looking more at Cog for that, here..

[Rodimus Prime]

I haven't got my grubby mitts on the Siege line yet (soon), so I wouldn't know - but couldn't someone else wear the Magnus Armour? I'm looking more at Cog for that, here..

Wouldn't it be too big on him, considering that Cog is a deluxe and white Magnus is a voyager?

As for my personal view on Siege Magnus, if I get him, it'll be for the total package. I don't care for the voyager figure, I don't like how it looks. If I did get him, he would be the G1 Magnus representative in my collection. I do have CW Magnus and he represents the IDW part.

[Hellscream9999]

I haven't got my grubby mitts on the Siege line yet (soon), so I wouldn't know - but couldn't someone else wear the Magnus Armour? I'm looking more at Cog for that, here..

Wouldn't it be too big on him, considering that Cog is a deluxe and white Magnus is a voyager?

As for my personal view on Siege Magnus, if I get him, it'll be for the total package. I don't care for the voyager figure, I don't like how it looks. If I did get him, he would be the G1 Magnus representative in my collection. I do have VW Magnus and he represents the IDW part.

magnus uses a lot of specialized connection points, no one that I know of can use the chest, or shoulders, or the legs, some might be able to use the gauntlets, but they would look too big.

Shockwave on the other hand, I believe a lot of figures can use the feet and some could probably use the shoulders, if their shoulders are narrow enough

[Rodimus Prime]

Shockwave on the other hand, I believe a lot of figures can use the feet and some could probably use the shoulders, if their shoulders are narrow enough

Shockwaves from other lines, perhaps?

[Hellscream9999]

Shockwave on the other hand, I believe a lot of figures can use the feet and some could probably use the shoulders, if their shoulders are narrow enough

Shockwaves from other lines, perhaps?

They'd need peg holes in their shoulders

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I hope we get some more outliers in this line. Cybertronian Runabout and Runamuck, for example, could be interesting.

These 2 are among the ones I hope to see as well. I want to flesh the cons out some.

We also need to get good coneheads here. We are getting the 84 seeker lineup, and we got the 87 seeker lineup (Triggerhappy, Misfire, and Slugslinger, i count them that way) and the 86 lineup between CW and TR (Cyclonus and Scourge) in TR. So we need them.

I also want some Predators.

Predators being the G2 jets? Or the Cyber Jets? Those would be cool, and they're way under used. I always liked Holligan.

Why not both?

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Don't take my opinion to seriously, gentlemen, I'm basing my feelings more on visual than anything. With the abundance of white color on Magnus the "battle damage" looks very cheap. Plus, I found the CW version of Magnus to be just about perfect, and overall, I don't like the styling of Siege. Its all personal opinion to me.

Ever worked an outdoor job? Or spent a chunk of time outside getting dirty at all? The parts of you covered by your clothes get substantially less dirty than your clothes and the uncovered parts.
Hell, just pick up something off a dusty shelf. The shelf beneath is most likely clean.

[Railbomb]

Shockwave on the other hand, I believe a lot of figures can use the feet and some could probably use the shoulders, if their shoulders are narrow enough

Shockwaves from other lines, perhaps?

They'd need peg holes in their shoulders

You can fit everything on to Skytread/Flywheels no problem. The backpack bit is a bit awkward but I think you'll have that issue with anyone.

[Ironhidensh]

Don't take my opinion to seriously, gentlemen, I'm basing my feelings more on visual than anything. With the abundance of white color on Magnus the "battle damage" looks very cheap. Plus, I found the CW version of Magnus to be just about perfect, and overall, I don't like the styling of Siege. Its all personal opinion to me.

Ever worked an outdoor job? Or spent a chunk of time outside getting dirty at all? The parts of you covered by your clothes get substantially less dirty than your clothes and the uncovered parts.
Hell, just pick up something off a dusty shelf. The shelf beneath is most likely clean.

..........So did you have a point here? I don't mean to be rude, but nobody really wants to hear about your household chores.

[Rodimus Prime]

Don't take my opinion to seriously, gentlemen, I'm basing my feelings more on visual than anything. With the abundance of white color on Magnus the "battle damage" looks very cheap. Plus, I found the CW version of Magnus to be just about perfect, and overall, I don't like the styling of Siege. Its all personal opinion to me.

Ever worked an outdoor job? Or spent a chunk of time outside getting dirty at all? The parts of you covered by your clothes get substantially less dirty than your clothes and the uncovered parts.
Hell, just pick up something off a dusty shelf. The shelf beneath is most likely clean.

..........So did you have a point here? I don't mean to be rude, but nobody really wants to hear about your household chores.

I think he was equating Magnus's battle damage to your clothes getting dirty when you're doing yard work. Or construction. Or being a lumberjack. Or a gravedigger. Or...

Hell, you get the point.

Right?

I mean, I got it when he said it.

[Ironhidensh]

Don't take my opinion to seriously, gentlemen, I'm basing my feelings more on visual than anything. With the abundance of white color on Magnus the "battle damage" looks very cheap. Plus, I found the CW version of Magnus to be just about perfect, and overall, I don't like the styling of Siege. Its all personal opinion to me.

Ever worked an outdoor job? Or spent a chunk of time outside getting dirty at all? The parts of you covered by your clothes get substantially less dirty than your clothes and the uncovered parts.
Hell, just pick up something off a dusty shelf. The shelf beneath is most likely clean.

..........So did you have a point here? I don't mean to be rude, but nobody really wants to hear about your household chores.

I think he was equating Magnus's battle damage to your clothes getting dirty when you're doing yard work. Or construction. Or being a lumberjack. Or a gravedigger. Or...

Hell, you get the point.

Right?

I mean, I got it when he said it.

I got that he was trying to justify a horrible paint/design decision by saying Magnus gets dirty when he works.

His sarcastic eyeroll emoji annoyed me.

I'm fine with battle damage or weathering effects on a toy, I just think it should be done well. Magnus was not.


Look Zelda, I get that you love this line, that's cool, you get to do that. I don't, and I also get to do that, so let it go.

[Dr. Caelus]

Shockwave on the other hand, I believe a lot of figures can use the feet and some could probably use the shoulders, if their shoulders are narrow enough

Shockwaves from other lines, perhaps?

They'd need peg holes in their shoulders

You can fit everything on to Skytread/Flywheels no problem. The backpack bit is a bit awkward but I think you'll have that issue with anyone.

The backpack bits combine well with Megatron's fusion cannon.