The Energon Pub

Stuartmaximus wrote:So yet another heavy retool from the Silverbolt mold! like they did for Cyclonus! but this time.....as Sky Lynx, I'm actually quite liking this one, I'm just wondering somewhere down the line....what they'll retool Leader Class Megatron & Ultra Magnus as? If anything.

What makes you think Sky Lynx is a retool, of Silverbolt at that? Looks like an all new mold to me, honestly.

Stuartmaximus wrote:So yet another heavy retool from the Silverbolt mold! like they did for Cyclonus! but this time.....as Sky Lynx, I'm actually quite liking this one, I'm just wondering somewhere down the line....what they'll retool Leader Class Megatron & Ultra Magnus as? If anything.

I see they're also doing a Titan Wars....starting with Fort Max! who's probably a heavy retool of Generations Metroplex, still would love to see a Titan Class Trypticon & Omega Supreme.

I'm pretty sure skylynx is an entirely new mold, it just has the handstand style torso transformation like silverbolt. And i'm also sure whatever new fort max they make will also be a new mold to accommodate for the double headmaster.

ok for this year i have the constructions (which set dammit?) and protectobots and mp tracks still to get. hopefully there'll be a good break before the rest is released. I weeped a little at the prospect of titan wars.

of the new releases i must admit i really like sky lynx. I bought the reissue a while back on a whim. His character's pretty awesome and though obviously scale wise he should be a titan, I really like how they got him here. It was quite left field and unexpected.

I do think it shares some traits with silver bolt but is quite much its own mould.

bruticus looks great.. though he might need a little leg extension help. The comabitcons were always my favourite combiner team. The vehicles were the coolest and in swindle perhaps one of the most memorable characters. I'm curious to see if taker do a shuttle blast off. On one hand that would be more show accurate but even as a 7 year old i thought the space shuttle was out of place in the team.

re the rest of the autobots as combiners, i don't care much for them, some such as hound are really well done but I already own all the previous versions so i'm not keen.

i'm glad for shockwave. Still hope for a giant ass version but i like the fact that they paired him with bruticus.

I really wish they'd release more Decepticons. In both lines, but ESPECIALLY in RID, where there's next to none, and they're unique. (Don't get me wrong, the Animated Lite thing the Autobots have going isn't bad, it's just that the animalistic robot mode of the Decepticons are something that's rarely, if ever, been done before.) And there are apparently no more new Decepticons planned for that line that they could show us. Disappointing.

Yotsuyasan wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:Who exactly is supposed to want this one? The Geewunners who'd appreciate the throwback don't want this series to even exist. And fans of the new show probably would prefer the green version.

As someone who could probably be considered a by some to be a "Geewunner," I have no problem with this series existing. Just because I have never watched the show or plan to, or have any plans related to the show's toys, doesn't mean I wish to deny this show to those who do enjoy it. Nor would I not happily welcome the show's fans as fellow Transformers fans.

That all being said... Yeah, this isn't a toy I'd be interested in myself. I just don't like the implication that because I don't want something myself I don't want it (or the show it is from) to even exist.

No offense meant, it's just that I see less who fit the label and are willing to just ignore what they aren't interested in, and more who go off on wild rants about Windblade and Alpha Bravo and Grimlock being green. Admittedly, the latter might just be more visible because they're louder.

Wow, first post in quite a while. How long has it been since my last one? 6 months! Dear Primus!

Down to business.

Sky Reign is EPIC!!!

I feel obligated to get all the Combaticons as I never completed my FOC Bruticus. And changing Blast Off into a jet is perfectly fine with me. Slingshot's head though? No.

I may end up getting CW Smokescreen and Prowl to replace the Classics versions, as the head sculpts look better. I prefer the existing versions of Sunstreaker, Wheeljack, Trailbreaker, Hound, Mirage and Ironhide.

I'm going to keep my FoC Bruticus though as I just don't have the money to get all of these waves. I think the CW Bruticus looks amazing in combined mode, better than FoC Bruticus (unless you get the 3P upgrades). Onslaught is certainly better, and so is Swindle, but I still prefer the FoC versions of the other 3 individually. It's not enough to make me want to replace, especially since I love the Cybertronian look of the FoC version.

It's a shame that they didn't abandon the combining gimmick for Sky Lynx and make him Leader class. Still, I'll definitely be picking him up as he looks great.

I wish Pipes had a new head sculpt rather than being a straight redeco of Huffer. Otherwise I'd say this was the best wave of Legends figures ever, because Shockwave and Chop Shop look great and hey, glad to have a new Buzz Saw, even with his... pad alt mode. Gotta' get with the times, I guess.

Bruticus is excellent, disappointing Blast Off aside. Better a new mold for Brawl than Blast-Off in my opinion. Gonna' get just one last combiner...

Nemesis Primal wrote:I really wish they'd release more Decepticons.

That's always a problem, alas. Heck, it isn't even a problem just limited to Transformers toy lines. I guess manufacturers feel like kids are more likely to want good guy toys. Hence why, for example, in any Batman toy line you're lucky if you get one of each bad guy, while meanwhile Batman himself will have 20 different made up variations. And thus, Batman being able to breathe in space was born.

Nemesis Primal wrote:No offense meant, it's just that I see less who fit the label and are willing to just ignore what they aren't interested in, and more who go off on wild rants about Windblade and Alpha Bravo and Grimlock being green. Admittedly, the latter might just be more visible because they're louder.

Eh, none taken. I will admit there is always a vocal minority of fans who are, "Why aren't things exactly the way I want it, damn it?! It should be my way! Don't care how, I WANT IT NOW!"

For me, though... Well, to use the three examples you gave...

Windblade? Cool! A new G1 character to add to my collection.

Alpha Bravo? If I was miffed at all with him, it was because he was coming at the expense of a pre-existing character I wanted, unlike Windblade who's existence came at the expense of no one. With Alpha Bravo, I could not have a G1 accurate Superion. As soon as it became known that there would be options, however, then all was right with the world. And if options for a Slingshot had never happened? Eh, I'd have sucked it up gotten Alpha Bravo, and lived with it, I suppose.

Green Grimlock? (Or even that same Grimlock repainted in G1 colors?) Eh, as I said, that toyline isn't my thing. Not interested. But awesome it is there for those who are!

Guess what it boils down to is that I am primarily a G1 fan, but of the sort who won't deny others the right to their own brands of Transformers fandom. We are all Transformers fans, and that is awesome.

Henry921 wrote:I wish Pipes had a new head sculpt rather than being a straight redeco of Huffer.

Eh, it will work for me! Of course, I don't have that head yet. I have the mold as Prime, but skipped out on Huffer as I'd gotten a third party Huffer before we knew an official one was coming. So that head will be all new to me!

Just doesn't make sense for a lot of those Autobots who already have far superior figures that aren't crippled by having to be combiner form and using someone else's mold. Do I want a little Wreck Gar that barely looks like the character at all or do I want that actually pretty cool Deluxe figure from a few years back that does a fantastic job in updating him? Hasbro you really have gone a bit too combiner-happy with all this. Stop it.

I'm still a bit tempted by Sky Lynx but is he really lacking the splitting apart feature of the original despite many parts of each mode (including both heads) being present? If so I'm wondering if there are ways to customise that. And would it have been a feature if he hadn't been made into a Combiner?

Carnivius_Prime wrote:I'm still a bit tempted by Sky Lynx but is he really lacking the splitting apart feature of the original despite many parts of each mode (including both heads) being present? If so I'm wondering if there are ways to customise that. And would it have been a feature if he hadn't been made into a Combiner?

I'm still totally tempted by him, but yeah, I do wish he could split. And it doesn't even look like it would have been that hard, as the combiner looks like it mostly is made from the lynx/wheeled carrier portion, while (other then a bit on the chest) the bird/shuttle portion just hangs off the combiner's back.

Alas, I think this photo I just spotted at TFormers.com kills any tiny lingering hopes that maybe he can split and Hasbro has just not shown us that yet for some reason.



Here is why I think this.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Hasbro you really have gone a bit too combiner-happy with all this. Stop it.

Glad I'm not the only one feeling that way.

Yeah, this combiner-mania has to calm down a little.

Also for god's sake Hasbro STOP USING THE SAME MOLDS OVER AND OVER AGAIN IT'S GETTING SILLY ARGHARGAHGARH

(Seriously though, with Alpha Bravo, Blades, Vortex and the 2 helicopter limbs on Victorion, that's 5 uses of the AB mold.)

Combiner Beast Wars is probably the last thing I want to see out of this toyline.

bvzxa wrote:So the same seven molds...so the same seven molds...so the same seven molds...so the same seven molds

Delta Magnus wrote:Also for god's sake Hasbro STOP USING THE SAME MOLDS OVER AND OVER AGAIN IT'S GETTING SILLY ARGHARGAHGARH

So basically, what you're saying is that you want to get less toys, then? And for the ones we do get to possibly be more expensive?

Hasbro is putting out a lot of figures in the Combiner Wars line. I can't remember when there has been this much output for a toy line that wasn't associated with a movie or TV series! It is a great time to be a Classics style collector.

But molds cost money, you know. And that money is best spent if it is stretched out over multiple characters. This is nothing new, it has been going on in Transformers since 1984.

Frankly, I think with Combiner Wars Hasbro has finally gotten reusing molds right. Almost everyone gets a new head. Important characters often get extensive remolding. And less important ones (such as all of the Autobot cars) are at least getting new paint jobs that really help make them look like they are supposed to... and are, frankly, optional characters anyway for any long term Classics style collectors. So if you don't need them, then guess what? Less repaints you need to worry about in your collection.

Aside from the occasional misfire, such as Blast Off being a straight repaint with zero remolding, I think Hasbro's been hitting these out of the park.

I will also, however, agree that maybe the Alpha Bravo mold is getting a little too much use... I mean, we always knew that the Fan Built Combiner was going to be made up of repaints... But seriously? Two uses of one mold in the same combiner? Seriously, Hasbro? This ain't the dark days of Energon, here!

(And don't you dare call me and my impeding ownership of Slingshot a hypocrite for those last statements, ha ha.)

Interesting that they are using 3d renders for the new stuff. Guess it could still be really early on these—or could this finally be the beginning of the end for mis-transformed product shots?

Thormind wrote:Can anyone confirm if that crown on leader Starscream is molded with the head or a removable accessory pls?

Currently working on a post that should answer your question. Here is a sneak peek:

Yotsuyasan wrote:

steve2275 wrote:no cw sideswipe nor sunstreaker or tracks

Um...



I guess you at least were right on two out of three?

Diem wrote:Also there's finally a CHUG G1 Shockwave figure so people can stop whinging about that.

Good luck with that wish. I am sure plenty of people will still be whinging, "But he doesn't scale in robot mode! He should be at least a Deluxe! Maybe even a Voyager!"

In fact, while I will get and love the Legends Shockwave, please allow me to be the first one to so whinge for you. Where's my Classics style Deluxe Shockwave?

I guess the FOC toy is your classics deluxe shockwave. I am still waiting for my Voyager Shockwave. It was one of the main entries in this top 5 list: http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/top-5-transformers-toys-that-need-an-upscale/32149/

william-james88 wrote:

Thormind wrote:Can anyone confirm if that crown on leader Starscream is molded with the head or a removable accessory pls?

Currently working on a news story that should answer your question. Here is a sneak peek:

I had a feeling it would be. But not knowing for sure, I refrained from chiming in previously.

Kind of a pity they didn't paint the underside of his wings purple to emulate the cape. Although I suppose eventually some third party company will just release a cape (and possibly some shoulder pads) for him. It seems to be a common enough thing for third party companies to do with Starscream. It happened for the original Masterpiece, and it happened for Classics. (Kind of surprised no one ever threw together a set of such accessories for the G1 figure!)

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Just doesn't make sense for a lot of those Autobots who already have far superior figures that aren't crippled by having to be combiner form and using someone else's mold. Do I want a little Wreck Gar that barely looks like the character at all or do I want that actually pretty cool Deluxe figure from a few years back that does a fantastic job in updating him? Hasbro you really have gone a bit too combiner-happy with all this. Stop it.

I'm on board with them as I wasn't collecting around Classics and 2.0. Even though they do have to have the combining features, I still think the CW toys are awesome. So I guess you're just not the type of collector Hasbro's targeting.

EDIT: But Legends Wreck-Gar is pretty stupid, yeah.

william-james88 wrote:I guess the FOC toy is your classics deluxe shockwave. I am still waiting for my Voyager Shockwave. It was one of the main entries in this top 5 list: http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/top-5-transformers-toys-that-need-an-upscale/32149/

Nah. I had little interest in the FOC version, or the Beast Hunters version. I will admit I thought about the FOC one... but in the end, decided against it. He just didn't look right to me.

I did recently decide to pull my Alternaters Shockblast out of storage, and see if he would fit in with my Classics. He actually seems to work pretty good!



And as a toy I already owned, he cost $0.00 to add to my collection! A pretty sweet deal.

That being said, I would still like a proper Classics style one in such a scale. But that won't stop me from also loving this upcoming Legends one!

Delta Magnus wrote:Yeah, this combiner-mania has to calm down a little.

Also for god's sake Hasbro STOP USING THE SAME MOLDS OVER AND OVER AGAIN IT'S GETTING SILLY ARGHARGAHGARH

(Seriously though, with Alpha Bravo, Blades, Vortex and the 2 helicopter limbs on Victorion, that's 5 uses of the AB mold.)

Don't forget TFSS 4.0 Spinister, that makes nr. 6

I've done some new mold counting and here are the results (not counting redecos of the previous T30 line):

Legends
First year: 4 molds, 2 alternate heads
Second year: 2 molds, 1 alternate head from 1st year and counting

Deluxe
First year: 8 molds, 3 reshells, 7 alternate heads (18 figures)
Second year: 1 mold, 2 reshells, 3 alternate heads, 2 redecos and counting (8 figures and counting)

Voyager
First year: 3 molds, 2 reshells, 1 alternate head (6 figures)
Second year: 1 mold, 1 reshell from first year and counting (2 figures and counting)

I know Hasbro is all about efficiency for Combiner Wars, but this is getting a bit ridiculous. I know, the Autobot Cars (all 8 of them) are for padding the line, and providing extra funds, but still...

*EDIT* Anybody notice Trailbreaker has a gun for a hand:

'UTILITARIAN' Finally [Bruticus] but too many colors maybe, IDK.
Vortex's Yellow missles look Horrible. Arms look too Looong!
Better head-piece than ROTF Bruticus Fans project, but Im just
Too in Love with that Old Perfect Silhouette.
That's "Utilitarian" or even the other new one,from? Can't member.
Either way, the More I compare the two (or Three) the more I hate this new Hasbro one.

But--

'Swindle' looks AWESOME!!
Esp after jus being Blown away by Starscream in the <IDW>
-waaay too short of A story- "CombinerWars" finale.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:*EDIT* Anybody notice Trailbreaker has a gun for a hand:

Nope. Absolutely no one noticed that at all!

I will take this moment to point out, though, that this means that Trailbreaker is a more extensive remold then just sticking a new head on a preexisting toy. Between that, and Mirage's getting a bit of work to his vehicle's front end, I guess the Autobot repaints may be a little less lazy then some people are complaining they are.

my only issue with sky lynx is size, should be leader! he looks great though and at the presentation one of the hasbro guys said there is a way to transform him into the puma as a fourth mode so other than size he is a great sky lynx.

blast off needs to be replaced plane and simple. I could maybe get behind a jet mode because it makes more military sense but that head is just terribly wrong for him. so might as well get a whole new shuttle bot along with the new head from either takara or 3rd party.

everything else is awesome, especially the new brawl tank mold, that was a relief!

glad to see painted rims back on the autobot cars after disappearing on the protectobots - please keep doing that hasbro!

mbd88prime wrote:glad to see painted rims back on the autobot cars after disappearing on the protectobots - please keep doing that hasbro!

Assuming, that is, that those paint apps don't get dropped for budgetary reasons between now and their retail release. (I shall certainly hope that they don't, myself!)