The Energon Pub

I've been collecting for a long time but cannot seem to recall anything as radical as the shift of high quality third party products that has recently emerged. I guess my question is this, where on earth do you buy these items once the initial supplies run out? I have noticed nothing but a dearth of these items on Ebay and on BST forums. Am I better off just trying to score these at Botcon? I'm really concerned about adding these to my already sizable collection. Any advice would be appreciated.

Well, you have about the size of it. Ebay. B/T/S forums. And cons. Just like any other "out of print" TFs you can tink of, really.

You should be careful when buying some of these, though. The City Commander sets have been KOed and the KOs are not of the same quality as the originals.

I was worried about the KO issue, what is the easiest way to differentiate?

I think there's a guide on FP's site that goes through the differences. But I don't know if that also applies to the newer KO of Powered Prime.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I think there's a guide on FP's site that goes through the differences. But I don't know if that also applies to the newer KO of Powered Prime.

Telling the difference between the Powered/DIA Commander KO is easy. If it has chrome, and comes with the energon lunchbox, then its a KO. The only official version that came with the energon lunchbox is the TFCON Powered Commander, which had no chrome at all. The DIA Commander, made for a Japan release, has chrome to match Henkei Convoy, but did not come with the energon lunchbox.

Venksta wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I think there's a guide on FP's site that goes through the differences. But I don't know if that also applies to the newer KO of Powered Prime.

Telling the difference between the Powered/DIA Commander KO is easy. If it has chrome, and comes with the energon lunchbox, then its a KO. The only official version that came with the energon lunchbox is the TFCON Powered Commander, which had no chrome at all. The DIA Commander, made for a Japan release, has chrome to match Henkei Convoy, but did not come with the energon lunchbox.

I love that, through lack of a better term, "energon lunchbox" has become the "official" term that the fandom seems to have adopted. It makes me giggle.

I wouldn't suppose anyone here would like to sell me CC TFX-03 or Shadow Commander.

Ruthless Cynic wrote:I wouldn't suppose anyone here would like to sell me CC TFX-03 or Shadow Commander.

I literally sold a Shadow commander ( authentic. purchsed from BBTS) on the bst forums 3 weeks ago. I picked it up from Bigbadtoystore.com's vintage department for $80 bucks. COMPLETE. The box and the set reeeked to high hell of cancer sticks but a few days in my window and some gental air freshener and it was box up and out the door. I'd bet good money that you could pick 1 up at botcon but the chances of getting for under $200 are slim. My advice? Keep an eye on BBTS's vintage department, fansproject stuff turns up every now and then

Just picked up Warbot and Superion Sets, pretty pumped.

Venksta wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I think there's a guide on FP's site that goes through the differences. But I don't know if that also applies to the newer KO of Powered Prime.

Telling the difference between the Powered/DIA Commander KO is easy. If it has chrome, and comes with the energon lunchbox, then its a KO. The only official version that came with the energon lunchbox is the TFCON Powered Commander, which had no chrome at all. The DIA Commander, made for a Japan release, has chrome to match Henkei Convoy, but did not come with the energon lunchbox.

Are you sure FP didn't release a Japanese DIA-Commander with chrome pieces themselves? I find it hard to believe that a knock-off makers would go to that much trouble.....

Its taken me a lot of time and money to get the FP sets i wanted (ive got City Commander, Shadow Commander, Protector, Shadow Scythe and the crossfires) I got scalped on the majority of them, but theyre worth it up to a point.

I desperately need money right now, but theres no way in hell i'll sell them. When the time comes im selling them for no less than i paid. Good luck to everybody hunting, both the shadow armours are awesome and i can understand the price hike (even if i hate scalpers)

trence5 wrote:

Venksta wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I think there's a guide on FP's site that goes through the differences. But I don't know if that also applies to the newer KO of Powered Prime.

Telling the difference between the Powered/DIA Commander KO is easy. If it has chrome, and comes with the energon lunchbox, then its a KO. The only official version that came with the energon lunchbox is the TFCON Powered Commander, which had no chrome at all. The DIA Commander, made for a Japan release, has chrome to match Henkei Convoy, but did not come with the energon lunchbox.

Are you sure FP didn't release a Japanese DIA-Commander with chrome pieces themselves? I find it hard to believe that a knock-off makers would go to that much trouble.....

I believe you're a little confused, let me help you:

TFCon 2009 Exclusive:
Powered Commander made to fit Classics Voyager Optimus Prime.
Limited to 300 pieces, comes with TFCon stickers and "Lunch box"

Japanese Market exclusive:

D.I.A. Clone Commander, made to fit Henkei Voyager Convoy (Optimus Prime)
Not limited, chromed parts.

KO:
D.I.A. Clone Commander colours with chrome and the "Lunch box".

I owned both Henkei Convoy and Classics Prime, and I found that the shades of red and blue on the D.I.A. Clone commander set (which I chose over City Commander) actually match the Hasbro figure a slight bit better than the TakaraTomy figure. The lack of chrome is a bit off putting, but the colors work better.