The Energon Pub

News Credits: 2 · Sun Jul 17, 2022 1:47 am

Okay, so am I the only ones who think that Dream Star's new "Aerialbots" are simply amazing? I LOVE how they have eschewed the cartoon accuracy and gone for a more realistic look than other lines. I am really picky with my third party figs, usually focusing on combiners (Shuraking, Warbotron, Quanttron, Hercules are the only ones I've got) but hell if this isn't EXACTLY what I've wanted for years! Both released prototypes are amazing in vehicle mode with good realism.

What's every one else's opinions or thoughts?

News Credits: 22 · Sun Jul 17, 2022 12:32 pm

I'm actually in the market for a good 3P set of the Aerialbots. This actually looks pretty good. Hopefully they get all the colors right, but the combined mode definitely looks solid and stable.

...but this thread should be moved to the 3P forum.

News Credits: 2 · Sun Jul 17, 2022 3:04 pm

Oops. Sorry...was drinking...lol

News Credits: 22 · Sun Jul 17, 2022 3:53 pm

Well I would move it but my mod powers inexplicably disappeared a while ago and never returned even after they were told to. :-?

News Credits: 101 · Tue Jul 19, 2022 7:22 am

Rodimus Prime wrote:Well I would move it but my mod powers inexplicably disappeared a while ago and never returned even after they were told to.

Chances that you once had the wrong opinion.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

News Credits: 2 · Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:56 am

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Well I would move it but my mod powers inexplicably disappeared a while ago and never returned even after they were told to.

Chances that you once had the wrong opinion.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Opinions are never wrong. Just look at Facebook... :michaelbay:

News Credits: 22 · Tue Jul 19, 2022 11:15 am

First-Aid wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Well I would move it but my mod powers inexplicably disappeared a while ago and never returned even after they were told to.

Chances that you once had the wrong opinion.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Opinions are never wrong. Just look at Facebook...

I have a sneaking suspicion that you're both correct.

As for the topic at hand, I believe I'm sold on this set, as soon as my CW Aerialbots find a new home. I largely avoided 3P figures in the past if there is a suitable officially released alternative, but now I'm starting to lean towards 3P sets when considering a combiner purchase.

News Credits: 2 · Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:09 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:As for the topic at hand, I believe I'm sold on this set, as soon as my CW Aerialbots find a new home. I largely avoided 3P figures in the past if there is a suitable officially released alternative, but now I'm starting to lean towards 3P sets when considering a combiner purchase.

It's so different from other sets in that the alt modes are more the focus than the bots, and the realism is a huge selling point for me. I've often advocated a 1/32 scale Transformers line with a focus on the realism and scale of the altmodes instead of the bots; obviously the bots would be recognizable, but the alt mode focus (think Alternators/Binaltech but smaller scale) in actual scale would be amazing. The diversity of sizes would appeal to Hasbro's eye on cost and availability (small car vs jet vs semi, core vs leader vs deluxe/voyager) and could draw in new collectors. And it would be a change from the same old crap we seem to be getting. This set looks to be taking that to heart. I'll be curious to see how much bigger the "Silverbolt" Concorde jet will be than the fighters...

News Credits: 22 · Tue Jul 19, 2022 1:59 pm

Yeah I would like that as well, I think 1 reason I find myself drifting from collecting is my dislike of how some figures are scaled. I understand Hasbro going with the most effective method of offering the biggest variety at the lowest cost, but it would be nice if we got a line like you're talking about.

It's a big reason I got into Alternators collecting back in the day (and never should have stopped) but I realized that it was going to be a limited line. We weren't gonna get jets, tanks or helicopters in that line. But now I'm regretting it, as I'm looking to get back into that line and it will be more expensive on the 2ndary market. So as far as odds and ends (mainly beasts and non-cars) ate concerned 3P is looking more and more alluring, despite the steeper prices.

News Credits: 2 · Fri Sep 09, 2022 10:54 pm

Well the first Dream Star figure is available and in stock at TF Source and I have ordered it. I'll post some pictures on here when I finally get him. I'm psyched on this...

News Credits: 1646 · Tue Sep 13, 2022 8:59 pm

My first is sitting in my BBTS POL. I want to try out 1 before I commit to the rest. I am in the process of getting 3 MP scale combiners, so I want to make sure the 2 3P ones are worth it first

News Credits: 2 · Wed Sep 14, 2022 12:53 pm

USPS vs UPS

Ordered Dream Star: Sept 9th. Currently in Pennsylvania.
Ordered MPM Starscream and Bee version Prime: Sept 12th. Currently out for delivery.

Oyvay.

News Credits: 2 · Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:29 am

Got my Slingshoot today. Haven't fiddled with him as I'm in too much pain from rebuilding my deck...

I'll post a couple pics when I can. Have to say, he's bigger than I was expecting. Height is equivalent to MPM Optimus (Bee movie) but he had really long legs and larger feet. Good articulation points. Thumbs tend to pop off and it's difficult to pose him with his guns because of the fingers. Tomorrow after some Tylenol I will post some pictures.

News Credits: 2 · Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:08 pm

Okay I have to amend my last statement. In the dark and with my ever-worsening eyesight, I didn't notice the very small and well-camouflaged holes in the hands where a peg on the guns secure.

I don't know what paint they used but it actually has a mildly reflective surface, just like a true gunmetal would. The figure feels very solid with a lot of panels, and the joints are pretty tight. Comes with a very effective stand that allows for both suspended poses and standing, as well as "flight" in plain mode.

Joints:
Each finger has 3 joints, including the thumbs, bending to 90 degrees. Proximal finger joint can rotate 360 degrees due to a ball joint at the "knuckle".
Wrist rotation 360 degrees and extension to 90 degrees
Elbows to full flexion
Shoulders 360 degrees rotation with lateral extension to 90 degrees
Neck 360 degree rotation and able to nod downward to the point where the chin touches the chest; neck cannot look up more than 10 degrees
Torso can do limited "ab crunch" movement. Full 360 degrees at waist.
Ball joints at both hips, thigh rotation.
Knees to flex to excess of 90 degrees.
Ankles only have one direction of flexion, everting and inverting in a limited amount.

Pros in bot mode: solid, good size, great poseability, tight joints.
Excellent detailing. Paint apps largely excellent.
Colors minimal but tasteful.

Cons: Some minor small paint app issues on head.
Abdominal "muscles" loose, do not lock, so abdomen tends to "slump forward" if posing that direction.
Fingers tend to pop off at ball joints.
SMall codpiece plate pops off easily.
One gun peg is mis-sized, rending the gun useless in bot mode. Comes with two guns.
Doesn't have the "stereotypical" Slingshot visor-style optics.

Nice touches: jet intakes on shoulders, fuel pods can extend like launchers.

News Credits: 2 · Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:23 pm

Here are a few pics. Dont have a high quality lens...sorry.

News Credits: 2 · Sun Sep 18, 2022 1:52 pm

Alt mode.

News Credits: 1646 · Sun Sep 18, 2022 4:02 pm

Cool stuff. I am waiting on BBTS to ship mine now, so hopefully I'll check him out soon too

News Credits: 1646 · Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:15 am

I got Slingshot in as well. I haven't messed with him too much yet, but so far, not bad. The robot mode is really nice and big, and I adore the colors, they nailed the paintwork. Not a fan of the hands, but that is the only detraction so far

News Credits: 1646 · Sun Oct 02, 2022 7:53 pm

Transformed my Slingshot for the first time. That transformation was hateful. I'm hoping another go at it is better, but dang, that was rough. It took me the entire run time of Hocus Pocus 2 to transform him.

News Credits: 1646 · Fri Oct 07, 2022 12:43 pm

Transformed this guy back to robot mode. It is a little easier that direction, but I did have 2 fingers just fall off. I really don't like the hands. He's not that bad, he's just a bit of a pain

News Credits: 2 · Fri Oct 07, 2022 12:48 pm

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Transformed this guy back to robot mode. It is a little easier that direction, but I did have 2 fingers just fall off. I really don't like the hands. He's not that bad, he's just a bit of a pain

Yeah, I think they would have been a bit better off with a thumb and molded fingers. I honestly can't complain though. I love that alt mode. ANd I can't wait to see the combined mode. "Silverbolt" is going to be enormous.

News Credits: 1646 · Fri Oct 07, 2022 12:53 pm

First-Aid wrote:Yeah, I think they would have been a bit better off with a thumb and molded fingers. I honestly can't complain though. I love that alt mode. ANd I can't wait to see the combined mode. "Silverbolt" is going to be enormous.

Have you gotten Skydive in yet? I've seen him floating around for PO due imminently. Still waiting on preorders for the remaining 3 too. Silverbolt is next I think?

News Credits: 2 · Fri Oct 07, 2022 2:16 pm

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:
First-Aid wrote:Yeah, I think they would have been a bit better off with a thumb and molded fingers. I honestly can't complain though. I love that alt mode. ANd I can't wait to see the combined mode. "Silverbolt" is going to be enormous.

Have you gotten Skydive in yet? I've seen him floating around for PO due imminently. Still waiting on preorders for the remaining 3 too. Silverbolt is next I think?

Haven't gotten the second one yet. That's the one that sold me on this team. That F-16 mode just looks sick. Haven't seen any other prototypes either.