The Energon Pub

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:07 am

I am new to collecting transformers and I realized how I don’t have many seeker molds. I have deluxe generations Starscream (FOC) and voyager prime Dreadwing but that is about it (as well as Leader Movie Jetfire though he isn’t considered a seeker). I find all 3 of those vehicles too bulky due to so much undercarriage due to the legs. Can anyone recommend a nice sleek seeker mold that has an interesting/complex transformation process? Would you recommend Thrust Henkei/generations?

News Credits: 2 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:36 pm

The Henkei/Generations mold is definitely nice and sleek and the engineering is brilliant for its time, but it is a bit dated and tiny in my opinion. Still, I have more versions of that particular mold than any other on my shelves because they do look really nice. I definitely recommend Thrust in either his Generations of Henkei form as both look really good. The Henkei is a bit more 'red' if that makes any sense, with the Generations version being much darker/closer to brown.

As for other Seeker molds I'd recommend based on your criteria, the MP-11 mold is great. It's got all the complexity and brilliance of a Masterpiece but fixes a lot of the issues that the previous versions of the mold had, such as the weird legs and skirt bits in bot mode. It definitely looks sleek in jet mode, with a pretty much properly proportioned undercarriage for the alt mode it's emulating and the bot mode looks near perfect to what was seen on the old 80's cartoon.

If you're looking for something more Cybertronian/alien but don't like the more compact/bulky mode used for FoC, you can go with the Titanium Seeker mold. It looks very nice and fairly sleek in alt mode and they released a lot of different versions in different decos (I currently have all of them except for Sunstorm and they look real nice in alt mode on the shelf). The bot mode isn't that great, but the alt mode is a definite winner in my opinion, and it's worth owning at least one just to check it out and experience the mold first-hand.

Here's a picture of some of the Titanium Seekers in alt mode to give you an idea of what I mean:

News Credits: 12 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:40 pm

The BEST seeker molds don't necessarily have the most complex/interesting transformations. Part of what makes the Classic seeker molds great is their simplicity. When they try to make seekers more complex/interesting, they end up with molds like Movie Dirge.

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:52 pm

Oh dear Lord, I just saw what Dirige looks like, it is a monstrosity.

I guess you are right, Seekers are supposed to be simple, and transform quickly, like we see in the 80s show. My first transformer ever was G2 Dreadwing and my favourite part was the Smokescreen toy that came with it. It was sleek and both modes were nice, yet it was easy and quick to tansform (I was 5 and had no problem).

And thanks XYL360, those titanium seekers look great! I will definately put it on my want list (MP-11 is a bit too expensive at the moment)

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:09 pm

The reason I asked about the cone head seeker is because someone is offering to sell me Thrust henkei deluxe and a Classics Starscream. Both are about the same price and I am not sure if they are worthwhile to own. I grew up on Beast Wars so I dont really place sentimental value over either character. And I am really unsure about the cone head design. It looks a bit off to me.

News Credits: 2 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:09 pm

All the conehead seekers are awesome dude! Should you take that deal and when in your hand I think you will agree. Depending on the conditions of the figs I say take the deal so long as your wallet is cool with it.

I do have most of the Classics seeker molds and some CHMS one's too and needless to say they are awesome as well. I also got all the Prime seeker's and FOC as well.

I admit I didn't think I would enjoy the Prime seeker's as much as I do and they are worth it and not too pricey. I personally took the Gatling guns from HFTD Highbrow and put them on TC and GDO Powerdive's for Skywarp. They look awesome IMO as shoulder cannon's, it's just too bad I don't have a decent camera to show them. So I hope this helps man and good luck on that deal! ;)^

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:16 pm

When you talk about Prime Seekers, are you referring to the voyager class ones like Dreadwing and Skyquake? Because while I dont like their alt modes too much the robot mode is amazing and almost kibble free. I dont have the first edition deluxe ones though and they look pretty good (I got stuck with the beast hunters instead and its not that great). My wallet can handle the Henkei conehead seeker, since he's less than 20 (I am guessing this is a good deal). What made me aprhensive was that it being a conhead I fear that he will looks like a robot with a jet on his back. But for less than 20$ its probably worth a try.
The mold looks similar to Classics Starscream, is the transformation similar? Or is the gnerations conhead mold and the classics seeker mold entirely different?

EDIT:

Ok, I just got that Thrust is a redeco of Ramjet who is a retool of classics Starscream, hence why they have a similar configuration and transformation

Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:19 pm

The Classics mold is the best period. And there are so many of them including the Botcon Rainmaker (or CHMS Rainmakers for those who aren't millionaires) and their is Acid Storm!

News Credits: 1235 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:33 pm

william-james88 wrote:My wallet can handle the Henkei conehead seeker, since he's less than 20 (I am guessing this is a good deal). What made me aprhensive was that it being a conhead I fear that he will looks like a robot with a jet on his back. But for less than 20$ its probably worth a try.

That sounds like too good of a deal. You might want to make sure it's not a knock off unless you don't care about that.

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 10:23 pm

thanks for the heads up, anyway to tell a knock off? Like, is this a knockoff? http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRANSFORMERS-HE ... 27e124a24e

Because if not then the price is similar (the item is loose) and the seller I deal with only deals locally so I can see the price make some kind of sense. It can be simply luck this time, which would make up for the times I paid so much for incomplete beast wars figures.

News Credits: 1235 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:13 pm

william-james88 wrote:thanks for the heads up, anyway to tell a knock off? Like, is this a knockoff? http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRANSFORMERS-HE ... 27e124a24e

Because if not then the price is similar (the item is loose) and the seller I deal with only deals locally so I can see the price make some kind of sense. It can be simply luck this time, which would make up for the times I paid so much for incomplete beast wars figures.

Probably not, forgot about that Asia exclusive box set. I was thinking more of the individual Henkei releases.

News Credits: 4877 · Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:18 pm

oh, ok. I believe this release was actually called Gentei! Gentei!, so sorry about the confusion

News Credits: 4877 · Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:40 am

GuyIncognito wrote:The BEST seeker molds don't necessarily have the most complex/interesting transformations. Part of what makes the Classic seeker molds great is their simplicity. When they try to make seekers more complex/interesting, they end up with molds like Movie Dirge.

I did some research adn it turns out this figure is not as bad as it looks. It's apparently one of the better figures from ROTF.

http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/rotf/deluxe/dirge/

News Credits: 12 · Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:47 am

william-james88 wrote:
GuyIncognito wrote:The BEST seeker molds don't necessarily have the most complex/interesting transformations. Part of what makes the Classic seeker molds great is their simplicity. When they try to make seekers more complex/interesting, they end up with molds like Movie Dirge.

I did some research adn it turns out this figure is not as bad as it looks. It's apparently one of the better figures from ROTF.

http://www.bwtf.com/toyreviews/rotf/deluxe/dirge/

That's a matter of opinion. I happen to OWN this figure as well as a large number of other ROTF figures, and in my opinion it's WORSE than it looks, and one of the WORST figures from ROTF.

News Credits: 1 · Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:06 pm

Classics SS/TC/SW for me easily, perfect in appearance in both modes,sleek F-15 style fighter jet and a very G1 Cartoon acurate robot mode.

77399d2a7a6a1ab400aa662a83cd512a_zpsa78bba43 by dannythejedi, on Flickr

Whats not to like.

Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:26 pm

BEST seekers? The revised MP mold, IMHO.

Best to collect? Classics / Henkei / Generations, since you can get all six plus a bonus or three.

News Credits: 12 · Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:03 am

GuyIncognito wrote:The BEST seeker molds don't necessarily have the most complex/interesting transformations. Part of what makes the Classic seeker molds great is their simplicity. When they try to make seekers more complex/interesting, they end up with molds like Movie Dirge.

...And yet, I really like that design. Granted I don't own the figure, so I don't know if he's much worse whn you get him in hand, but he certainly looks cool. But then I like weird/monstrous TFs, and he along with Energon Slugslinger and DOTM Crankcase are some figures everybody hates that I reeeeaaallly want!

On topic, I have heard wonders about the Classics mold, although I don't own any myself. If you're into customs, you could probably make a good set of pretty cool Seekers from Energon Starscream. He's well articulated and has a very tidy altmode from what I've seen of him, but he was only ever redecoed as other Starscreams, so you would have to customize him for Thundercracker and Skywarp.

I've got Armada Starscream and Movie Thundercracker (I still need a Skywarp) and I can say about those 2:

>Armada Starscream is a nice figure. He's not hugely articulated, but he's solid, looks nice just standing, very well detailed, has a nice jet mode and the best damn facesculpt ever (dat smirk). Buy if you don't care too much about articulation and just want a big, solid, attractive robot on your shelf. Got redecoed as Thundercracker and heavily retooled into Skywarp.
>Movie Thundercracker has a very good robot mode with decent articulation and very nice sculpting and paintwork (I love his headsculpt in particular) but has rocket pods for hands and the worst jet mode ever. Seriously, it's like an F-22 glued on top of a mound of robot parts. Still a fun toy though. Buy if you don't intend to display him in vehicle mode. He was retooled from Starscream, who also got redecoed into a G1 accurate scheme (with the same headsculpt as Thundercracker) and again with the Thundercracker headsculpt as Skywarp for the ROTF line.

News Credits: 4877 · Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:18 pm

Nemesis Destron wrote:All the conehead seekers are awesome dude! Should you take that deal and when in your hand I think you will agree.

I took the deal and I agree. I actually got 2 classics seekers out of a transaction (you can see the whole thing in the Haul thread)and I actually prefer the conehead simply because it results in one less piece of kibble in the back, making it even sleeker. I do prefer having Thrust's wings up though, it creates a sleeker shape for me and adds one more step to the transformation. I love how great the plane is too, very little undercarriage.

News Credits: 293 · Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:57 pm

Valandar wrote:BEST seekers? The revised MP mold, IMHO.
Best to collect? Classics / Henkei / Generations, since you can get all six plus a bonus or three.

this.

but also, ive always had a soft spot for galaxy force starscream.

even with those terrible arms, and lack of proper repaints (SW and TC) but its still my favorite tetra jet(ish) seeker.

News Credits: 251 · Sun Apr 27, 2014 9:52 pm

My personal opinion? Seekers that utilize the MP11 mold. No official Skywarp in this mold yet, sadly... :-(

Classics is another viable option.

News Credits: 4877 · Wed May 14, 2014 8:16 am

Delta Magnus wrote:
GuyIncognito wrote:The BEST seeker molds don't necessarily have the most complex/interesting transformations. Part of what makes the Classic seeker molds great is their simplicity. When they try to make seekers more complex/interesting, they end up with molds like Movie Dirge.

...And yet, I really like that design. Granted I don't own the figure, so I don't know if he's much worse whn you get him in hand, but he certainly looks cool. But then I like weird/monstrous TFs, and he along with Energon Slugslinger and DOTM Crankcase are some figures everybody hates that I reeeeaaallly want!

I finally gave in and got Dirge. He is very much like the picture so no-one should be dissapointed if they are ok with the odd design pictured.

What I find absolutely fascinating is how he has every seeker concept integrated into the figure esthetically. Though his transformation is entirely different from the classics seeker mold, he does end up with a cockpit on his chest, along with the traditional 2 jet pieces rising from his back (I dont know what to call them). So pretty much, its the same upper torso elements found on a classics seeker coneheads and the jet itself is like a more modern version of that same seeker jet. HOWEVER, none of those seeker elements found on his chest come from the alt mode, and that includes his coneshaped head. Sure, some might find it dumb that he ends up with two cockpits but what I find amazing about all this is how he retains an homage to the seeker mold in both modes while having a completely different transformation. I love the legs and feet form, using only parts of the jet mode that, leaving little kible in that area of the figure.
While we are there, I would like to piint out that this is the deluxe seeker mold with the least robot kibble found in alt mode.

I didnt think I would find such a nice complexity to a seeker mold and I did with this figure, so I think it was a worthwhile purchase. I still fully recomend the classics since they are very show accurate and have smart simple transformations but for anyone looking for more complexity, Dirge is pretty cool.

News Credits: 4877 · Sat Jul 19, 2014 1:44 pm

Ok, so now I own several major seeker molds: G2 smokescreen, cybertron (voyager and supreme), ROTF voyager, DOTM deluxe, HFTD Leader, MP-03, classics, animated, Generations Armada, Generations WFC, First Edition Prime, ROTF Dirge and RID Prime Dreadwing/Skyquake.

And in order, my top 5 seeker molds would be:
FE Prime
Classics
G2 smokescreen
HFTD Leader
Generations Armada

News Credits: 1350 · Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:29 pm

You'll be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't look at Energon Starscream, he's a real fun one to play around with. I'm not too sure on repaints with him mind. Although I do love the standard deco it has, bringing home the 'ghost' look.

News Credits: 4877 · Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:38 pm

ZeroWolf wrote:You'll be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't look at Energon Starscream, he's a real fun one to play around with. I'm not too sure on repaints with him mind. Although I do love the standard deco it has, bringing home the 'ghost' look.

Isn't he a very similar concept to the smokescreen/smokejumper mold?

News Credits: 1350 · Sat Jul 19, 2014 2:48 pm

Similar engineering but different. I would say they took the smokescreen mold and went to town on it. It's dishonest to the toy to even call it a remold (same as the incoming generations chromia figure and prime arcee. Same transformation different everything else.)

...Kinda went off track there, my apologies. Still Energon Starscream is a good seeker mold.