The Energon Pub

I haven't opened any figures in years.Just so much been going on.There really starting to pile up and trying to decide what to open to make floor space.I have not opened a single classic/universe yet and was consdiering them since there is a lot and I have one free shelf.My deciding factor has to be some of these fansprojects floating around.I was thinking about the City commander set.If I got that it would motivate me to open Ultramagnus then I'm sure a few others.I'm just concerned about quality and cheapness.Is it really a fun add on?

city commander may be the most fun add on ever!

the tired hasbro idea of repainting prime as magnus is transformed into the best ultra magnus since G1 when you put it together.

just be careful while you do, replacing either is pretty expensive at this point.

you should also get the missile add on kit if you bought a city commander from the original run like I did. It really completes it.

I would be surprised if anyone posts a negative thing about the set.

This is close to what Ultra Magnus should be. The best interpretation of the G1 toy, cartoon, and IDW-type figure all rolled into one. As I stated in my blog, Hasbro took the cheap way out for years repainting him just white.

It's fun to play with and has lots of parts. Now depending on which City Commander set you get determines whether you need the add-on kit or not.

2008 City Commander (Original release) needs the add-on for the missiles, 3 faces and the G1 style Ultra Magnus Gun. The reason you get 3 faces is when you remove the face from the original set, it's a little wider than the other three, so it will get damaged. So they added a new version of that face just in case.



2009 City Commander set comes with the missiles, the gun, and two faces. Also the trailer is modified so the missile pods fit using the pegs.

I assume theres no way to tell what kit you get unless noted on a site?

vulgar_wraith wrote:I assume theres no way to tell what kit you get unless noted on a site?

I think most retailers are restocked with the second release now. I would email places if they have them like BBTS or TFSource before buying that u know for sure whether you need the Add-on kit or not.

I absolutely love my City Commander. So much so that I also purchased the second release, Shadow Commander, and DIA Commander. The quality is top notch, it's on par with Has/Tak or possibly exceeds it. The only QC complaints I remember are some of the first run CC's had a really stiff ball joint at the head/neck connection, and some people ended up snapping the peg. Definitely go for the second release. It's comes with the rifle, missle launchers, a slight chest piece revision, extra stickers, and plugs for the visible screw holes.

I got the first release, so the head doesn't function like it's on a ball joint. Well, small loss as far as I'm concerned.

It's still one of the best 3rd product products for TFs ever. The only thing that would make it undesirable is the price on getting a Classics Ultra Magnus to go with it. And no, the KO doesn't cut it as far as I've heard.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I got the first release, so the head doesn't function like it's on a ball joint. Well, small loss as far as I'm concerned.

It's still one of the best 3rd product products for TFs ever. The only thing that would make it undesirable is the price on getting a Classics Ultra Magnus to go with it. And no, the KO doesn't cut it as far as I've heard.

One of the best? It IS the best, with their own "Springer" coming in a pretty damn close second place!

I was lucky - I got the UM and Skywarp 2-pack, so I could have at least one of the ClPrime mold, and so I could have Skywarp. So he was sitting on my shelf just waiting for his brand new armor.

I managed to get all three molds back in the day.Ultramagnus,Prime and N Prime.I found a good price on the city commander set might be the first release.I also noticed they have one on BBTS for $80 for Prime dessions decisons.

I have version 2 of City Commander and no regrets like everyone else said and bought DIA Commander set as well and again, top notch quality and perfection for these 2 sets...

Valandar wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I got the first release, so the head doesn't function like it's on a ball joint. Well, small loss as far as I'm concerned.

It's still one of the best 3rd product products for TFs ever. The only thing that would make it undesirable is the price on getting a Classics Ultra Magnus to go with it. And no, the KO doesn't cut it as far as I've heard.

One of the best? It IS the best, with their own "Springer" coming in a pretty damn close second place!

I was lucky - I got the UM and Skywarp 2-pack, so I could have at least one of the ClPrime mold, and so I could have Skywarp. So he was sitting on my shelf just waiting for his brand new armor.

See, I'm not so sure it's THE best. It's very fun, but I think the Bruticus upgrades just may outdo it.

I have D.I.A. Commander and I love it to pieces.
This is one of the best products for TFs, that I've seen.

At first, I was a bit apprehensive spending that kinda dough, but once I had it in hand and transformed him back and forth...I was sold.

No buyer's remorse. Very well made, looks terrific, solid as a rock.

I got the first version and just ordered the Prime repaint. He completes Magnus and is awesome.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Valandar wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I got the first release, so the head doesn't function like it's on a ball joint. Well, small loss as far as I'm concerned.

It's still one of the best 3rd product products for TFs ever. The only thing that would make it undesirable is the price on getting a Classics Ultra Magnus to go with it. And no, the KO doesn't cut it as far as I've heard.

One of the best? It IS the best, with their own "Springer" coming in a pretty damn close second place!

I was lucky - I got the UM and Skywarp 2-pack, so I could have at least one of the ClPrime mold, and so I could have Skywarp. So he was sitting on my shelf just waiting for his brand new armor.

See, I'm not so sure it's THE best. It's very fun, but I think the Bruticus upgrades just may outdo it.

Well... here's something we can agree on then:

FP makes the best third party products.

If I had to chop my collection down to 5 figures, City Commander would be one of those 5 hands down.

But would he count as one figure, or as two?

Wait, why do you need motivation to open figures?

bvzxa wrote:

Damn! I really need to get one of those missle sets for mine!

Valandar wrote:But would he count as one figure, or as two?

One. Same as G1 Prime. Prime + Trailer = One figure IMHO.

--B-- wrote:

Valandar wrote:But would he count as one figure, or as two?

One. Same as G1 Prime. Prime + Trailer = One figure IMHO.

Agreed.

Prime is a singular entity, but he was linked to his trailer and Roller. When he thought Roller was destroyed, he cried out. Yet, both of those modules could be destroyed and he would still live. Prime doesn't need his trailer. Hasbro went with this.

Ultra Magnus, on the other hand, robot and trailer, are one figure. Sure, you can transform the cab into a robot form, but he's really meant to be one with the trailer.

It's a confusing mess for some, but the bottom line is this:

Character:

- Prime doesn't need his trailer, but he comes with it anyway.
- Ultra Magnus and his trailer are one being. He needs it.

Toy:

- Prime comes packaged with or without the trailer and Roller. As long as the cab serves it's purpose, there's no need for the trailer. They usually include it as a commemorative item, or to milk us dry.

- Ultra Magnus used to come packed with a trailer, but now they've embraced the Optimus mentality and no longer include a trailer. They don't even design one.

I sold my City Commander set because I decided that despite it's total awesomeness, I didn't want to start collecting 3rd party stuff as well as official releases, Star Wars products and other action figures that I like as it would just cost too much and i couldn't justify spending so much on toys/action figures so something had to go.

I sold City Commander (I really miss it though, especially as they will probably never make an Ultra Magnus figure as good as this one again) and Defender (don't miss him so much, he just wasn't quite Springer for me, can't explain why as they did a great job).

City Commander is awesome. I wsh I'd bought the missile upgrades now.

My friend, let me tell you;

I broke down after second-and-third guessing myself about shadow commander (the black version of what you're looking for). I got it in for christmas and accidentally left the invoice out where my wife could see it.

How could I spend 90 buck$ on a TF add-on?
Best. Fight. Ever. I'd do it all again, because, you know, it's FANSPROJECT!

It was my first 3rd-party thing I ever got, and I thought I would seriously regret it. Nay. It now heralds the hall of Primes with its BFG in all its glory.

Anyway, go for it if you have the money, the bigger crime would be in NOT getting it and regretting it forever. That's why I jumped on the Bruticus add-on, Awe-SUM!

P.S. If your prime's right elbow does not have the ratchet, you can easily take the circular gear from the other arm and put it in the same place (mirror image) to add this function to it. this way he'll be able to hold up his BFG with a lot more stability.

-Kronatron

I couldn't really imagine missing out on CC. The thing is frickin fantastic!!
CC is one of the more exciting purchases i've bought in years and it didn't let me down in the least.
Open the thing and enjoy it!! you'll regret it if you don't. It actually bothers ME that you haven't opened it and are letting it collect dust.
I can sorta relate though. I got my Piranacon in the mail last week along with my FPBruticus bits and haven't opened them. I have WAAAY to many house guests at the moment for me to actually have the alone time to open and explore and enjoy these awesome figures.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Valandar wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I got the first release, so the head doesn't function like it's on a ball joint. Well, small loss as far as I'm concerned.

It's still one of the best 3rd product products for TFs ever. The only thing that would make it undesirable is the price on getting a Classics Ultra Magnus to go with it. And no, the KO doesn't cut it as far as I've heard.

One of the best? It IS the best, with their own "Springer" coming in a pretty damn close second place!

I was lucky - I got the UM and Skywarp 2-pack, so I could have at least one of the ClPrime mold, and so I could have Skywarp. So he was sitting on my shelf just waiting for his brand new armor.

See, I'm not so sure it's THE best. It's very fun, but I think the Bruticus upgrades just may outdo it.

No doubt that it's the best there is right now but I think that TFClub's Devastator may well take that title soon.

I just wish Hasbro or Takara Tomy would give us a G1 accurate posable Ultra Magnus voyager/Ultra/Masterpiece. Anything!!