The Energon Pub

Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:55 pm

I'm one of the few toy collectors who doesn't like a lot of die-cast metal, especially in toys that have a lot of poseability. First world problems, I know, but I like to actually play with my toys, so my Warbot Defender from two years ago - my first FansProject purchase, and an otherwise beautiful piece of toy work - is completely limp from all the heavy lifting. Anyway, I've been thinking about buying some (or all) of their new Stunticons, so I was wondering if they had the same "problem." Thanks!

News Credits: 1 · Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:00 am

The only metal is a bunch of screws and pins.

But I'd be careful with Down Force. His windshield is prone to brakeage if it gets snagged when you turn it. I've opened the figure up and loosened it on mine and found it much easier to manage. Dunno if that'll actually prevent any damage, but I 'll definitely be able to tell if it's being blocked without having to exert too much force.

Sun Aug 04, 2013 1:28 am

None of the cars have any die-cast except for what Gauntlet said: screws and pins, just like a lost of modern figures. I don't believe Diesel is supposed to have any die-cast parts either, so if that's what is holding you back, then I believe you're free to start picking these guys up. Having all four in hand, I'd say my FAVORITE to play with is Last Chance. Very intuitive transformation, and no steps which make me feel like I'm about to break him. Down Force has the aforementioned windshield issue, and Car Crash and T-Bone share the overall mold and the feet/hood of the car has some pretty unforgiving engineering on them which makes me feel like I'm about to break them when transforming.

News Credits: 10 · Sun Aug 04, 2013 3:10 am

The Dude wrote:I like to actually play with my toys

I don't have Last Chance in hand yet, but the first three don't have the greatest amount of playability due to the reasons necr0blivion mentioned. They are more of a "pose and leave alone" type of toy than anything else. They sit on the shelf in vehicle mode and I force myself to leave them alone for fear of breaking them :-(

News Credits: 1 · Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:36 am

I've transformed Down Shift a few times now without breaking him. Out of the box I can see how the windshield would snap as it's very tight; it's hard to tell if it's blocked.

Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:04 am

No metal parts except for pins. None of these guys are fun to transform. All very difficult. Breakdown and Wildrider have hood/feet issues. Drag Strip does require a little bit of force. I didn't have too much trouble rotating the cockpit, but I did have trouble shoving the feet inside the cockpit as the transformation requires. Maybe that's how he got the name "Down Force". Folding up Dead End's arms properly requires a degree in rocket science. Getting the head to pop back out is also a pain in the ass. Im so thankful for online reviews. I use them as instruction manuals and rarely watch them without the figure in hand. Just try to find one where the reviewer opens the box on film. It's so annoying when they review it backwards in the mode that it was not packaged in. Anyways, the figures are more for posing than playing. That's my two cents.

Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:34 pm

Discussion should be continued in the already well established FP Stunticon thread.
fansproject-combat-racing-team-not-stunticons-t88830.php

None of the figures have diecast in them. And if you do end up grabbing them, keep in mind that these are 3rd party toys and the plastic is not as flexible as with official products. There are some very thin sections and very small tabs that can come off easily. As Rated X said, take a look at some video reviews, I personally really like peaugh, he's done a ton and will point out spots where you should be extra cautious.

And Rated X, peaugh said in his review of HftD Leader Class Starscream that he enjoys going from vehicle to robot because he considers the reveal to be more impressive, I have to agree.