The Energon Pub

Well, I'm one of those "sacrilegious" fans you've heard of...the no G1 guy. But I have some excuse considering I wasn't alive in G1. I own no G1 figures, and the only classics series figures I own are Classics Ultra Magnus and Skywarp, Generations Cybertronian Optimus Prime (if he counts), and Generations Thrust. As you can see, that's almost nothing. I only bought ONE Classics product, the Magnus and Skywarp pack, zero Universe products, and only two Generations so far. I ignorantly dismissed the last two classics, and I want a good G1 character collection. I am trying to familiarize myself with G1 more and more now.
Out of Classics, Henkei, Masterpiece, Universe, Generations, (Reveal the Shield if you have the first few out) and United, what are the essential G1 classics character figures I should have? Fire away!

Henkei Megatron and Optimus, Cyclonus, Sunstreaker, Hound, Onslaught, Powerglide, Mirage, Inferno, Bluestreak... well these are my favourites but honestly you can't go wrong with any of the original moulds.

Well, I'd assume you want the main characters, like Optimus, Megatron, etc. The best Optimus would be Classics or Henkei (they're very similar, but Henkei has a different colour scheme. I think Henkei looks better, but it'll probably be more expensive). I personally don't like the Classics Megatron mould all that much, but if you're going to get it, definitely get the G1-accurate Henkei/United version. I'd also get a Starscream. My favourite is the off-white Universe version, but I think the Henkei one looks almost as good (it'll be a lot more expensive, though). I don't like the Classics colour scheme much. Here are some other figures I'd recommend:
-Classics Bumblebee (He's being released in the RtS line next year with what is in my opinion the best colour scheme he's had, so if I'd get him then)
-Classics Jetfire (Still one of my favourite figures I own, definitely one of the best from the line)
-A version of the Universe Sunstreaker/Sideswipe/Red Alert mould (The only I have so far is Sunstreaker, but I'm planning to get the others, and if you're only getting one of them, I'd get Sideswipe, but that's just my personal preference of colour scheme)
-Universe Onslaught (One of the best from the Universe line)
-The Rodimus/Cyclonus 2-pack that's going to be released later this year (They're both good figures, Rodimus is extremely expensive these days, and Cyclonus looks good with that colour scheme, especially if you want show accuracy)
-Also, pretty much all the figures coming out in the RtS and Generations lines later this year and next year look really great
Hope this helps! I'm kind of similar to you in how I collect, since I don't want any G1 figures, and only have a few, all of them reissues. I'm instead trying to make as complete a collection of G1 characters as possible using modern figures (Classics, Universe, etc).

From personal experience -

Classics Hot Rod, Henkei Optimus Prime (better colour scheme to Classics Prime), Generations Cybertronian Megatron (bit small but very nice), Universe/Henkei Cyclonus, Generations Soundwave, Universe/Henkei Hound. And starscream/the seekers, coz theyre just great in a group lol

Id also suggest some of the Fansproject upgrades, in the last few months ive blown a lot of money on City Commander (Ultra Magnus), DIA Commander (Optimus Prime), Crossfire 1 (Superion) and 2x Crossfire 2's (Bruticus and Nexus Prime). SO WORTH IT

Okay I think I have a good list here:
Henkei Optimus Prime
Henkei Megatron
Universe Starscream
Henkei Galvatron
RtS Rodimus and Cyclonus
RtS Bumblebee
Henkei or Universe Hound
Universe Ironhide
Universe Ratchet (impossible to find cheap)
Universe Nemesis Prime perhaps? (I found him at a "nothing to sneeze at" price)
Universe Sideswipe
The entire Generations line except for Skullgrin and Thunderwing.
Most of the announced RtS products.

I'm in the same boat as you. Someone mentioned Powerglide and from seeing him up close he looks pretty cheap compared to the smaller deluxes. The line PG comes from is a lot bigger. If I remember correctly he was smaller on the tv show and has a much smaller g1 toy. If that matters to you.

If scale means anything to you, stay away from the Seekers and Bumblebee.

You may be better off with the Masterpiece Seekers.

Personally, I revolve my collection around the reissues/diaclones so the deluxe cars are a no-no and Legends sicken me. Plus the G1 Diaclones have a realism that the plastic reissues can never capture. Might I add I'm not disrespecting the Classic line, I love the Seekers, Roadbuster, Henkei Megatron, Nemesis Prime, Jetfire and the new characters the line's given us like Acid Storm and Treadbolt.

Since you are a fan of the Classics/Universe line, you should pick up the Reissue Soundwave and Insecticons. I know the G1 stuff puts you off but G1 Soundwave is a great toy.

i personally like all of hasbro's universe, classics, reveal the shield, generations line. I basically have all of them aside from the new releases and classics mirage, grimlock, megs, and universe ironhide, ratchet, and sideswipe. I only go for the main characters. word of advice: it's gonna get expensive!! especially the seekers. i also started my classics line late, and my wallet is on life support!!

Windsweeper wrote:If scale means anything to you, stay away from the Seekers and Bumblebee.

You may be better off with the Masterpiece Seekers.

Personally, I revolve my collection around the reissues/diaclones so the deluxe cars are a no-no and Legends sicken me. Plus the G1 Diaclones have a realism that the plastic reissues can never capture. Might I add I'm not disrespecting the Classic line, I love the Seekers, Roadbuster, Henkei Megatron, Nemesis Prime, Jetfire and the new characters the line's given us like Acid Storm and Treadbolt.

Since you are a fan of the Classics/Universe line, you should pick up the Reissue Soundwave and Insecticons. I know the G1 stuff puts you off but G1 Soundwave is a great toy.

No, you're taking it the wrong way with G1. I just don't want to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for original G1 figures or reissues. They're waaaaaay too expensive. But I'll definitely get reissue G1 Prime and most definitely reissue G1 Ultra Magnus, since I can't stop staring at his gallery pictures. And I already have slightly considered Soundwave, since we haven't gotten a nicely sized new mold of G1 Soundwave yet. I just prefer their newer counterparts that have better articulation and features.
And I did think about the MP seekers, but I'm not getting them. I'm perfectly content with the deluxe class versions. The only MP I really want is Optimus Prime. And I DEFINITELY need a Bumblebee! I can't have enough Bumblebees!

OptiMagnus10 wrote:Okay I think I have a good list here:
Henkei Optimus Prime
Henkei Megatron
Universe Starscream
Henkei Galvatron
RtS Rodimus and Cyclonus
RtS Bumblebee
Henkei or Universe Hound
Universe Ironhide
Universe Ratchet (impossible to find cheap)
Universe Nemesis Prime perhaps? (I found him at a "nothing to sneeze at" price)
Universe Sideswipe
The entire Generations line except for Skullgrin and Thunderwing.
Most of the announced RtS products.

I have all of these. I really like Nemesis Prime, so I would definitely pick him up, but just get Henkei Hound, there is no comparison between that and the hasbro version. The Ravage is the same, but the darker color of the Henkei version is leaps and bounds better than the Universe one.

--B-- wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:Okay I think I have a good list here:
Henkei Optimus Prime
Henkei Megatron
Universe Starscream
Henkei Galvatron
RtS Rodimus and Cyclonus
RtS Bumblebee
Henkei or Universe Hound
Universe Ironhide
Universe Ratchet (impossible to find cheap)
Universe Nemesis Prime perhaps? (I found him at a "nothing to sneeze at" price)
Universe Sideswipe
The entire Generations line except for Skullgrin and Thunderwing.
Most of the announced RtS products.

I have all of these. I really like Nemesis Prime, so I would definitely pick him up, but just get Henkei Hound, there is no comparison between that and the hasbro version. The Ravage is the same, but the darker color of the Henkei version is leaps and bounds better than the Universe one.

I'll definitely go for Nemesis Prime if I get Optimus Prime. And now I pretty much have enough backup to go ahead and get Henkei Hound.

By the way, does ANYONE happen to know where I can get Ratchet or Jetfire for a reasonable price? I really want Ratchet.

SN95 Cobra R wrote:I'm in the same boat as you. Someone mentioned Powerglide and from seeing him up close he looks pretty cheap compared to the smaller deluxes. The line PG comes from is a lot bigger. If I remember correctly he was smaller on the tv show and has a much smaller g1 toy. If that matters to you.

In hand Powerglide is awesome. He's one of those TFs that doesn't look like much from pics but when you get a hold of him you're won over pretty quickly. My only regret is not waiting for the red version.

Henkei Optimus Prime (Convoy)
Cyclonus - Henkei version is best but Hasbro version is ok. Recent multi pack version is great too.
If you have Thrust then definitely get Dirge too
Starscream (Henkei or Classics)
Henkei Smokescreen
Astrotrain (Henkei or Classics)
Sunstreaker (Henkei or Classics)


Personally not a fan of the Universe Powerglide due to the scale thing. Not the first time or last time this situation has occurred. He was just way too big. He was the same size as Silverbolt and Onslaught which didn't work for me.

Be prepared to pay just as ridiculous prices for Universe as you do Henkei. There is an opened Classic Ultra Magnus for 80 on eBay. Average price is about 30 per.

Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

SN95 Cobra R wrote:Be prepared to pay just as ridiculous prices for Universe as you do Henkei. There is an opened Classic Ultra Magnus for 80 on eBay. Average price is about 30 per.

Surprisingly, some Hasbro Classics and Universe figures are going for MORE than their Henkei counterparts, such as Optimus Prime. Kind of weird...

If you are going to get Powerglide, get the Walmart red one or the Henkei red one. The grey one just isnt Powerglide.

I would also pick up Movie Seaspray. Nice homage to a memorable character from the show.

I know a lot of people don't like this figure, but I really like Universe Silverbolt. As far as G1 homages go, he is about as close as Classics get to looking like their G1 counterpart.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

Inferno's hard to find? I had always figured he was pretty easy to find, given that I got mine for $10 at TRU about half a year after the ROTF toys were released.

Anyway, a couple more figures you should get would be Drift/Blurr (it's a great mould, so it's just preference over the colour scheme, character, head sculpt, and weapon choice) and WFC Soundwave. I don't actually have him yet, but I really want him, and I've heard he's a great figure. I think he'd make a great Classics Soundwave. Plus, if you don't like the vehicle mode, there's a fan-made radio mode.

Optimus1138 wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

Inferno's hard to find? I had always figured he was pretty easy to find, given that I got mine for $10 at TRU about half a year after the ROTF toys were released.

Anyway, a couple more figures you should get would be Drift/Blurr (it's a great mould, so it's just preference over the colour scheme, character, head sculpt, and weapon choice) and WFC Soundwave. I don't actually have him yet, but I really want him, and I've heard he's a great figure. I think he'd make a great Classics Soundwave. Plus, if you don't like the vehicle mode, there's a fan-made radio mode.

Well, you're slagging lucky with Inferno then.
And, refer to the list I made about Drift and Blurr. I said the entire Generations series except for Skullgrin and Thunderwing. I'm definitely getting both of them. Soundwave is on the list, too, since he's pretty much the only classics Soundwave there is besides the G1 reissue.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

Same, I got lucky and found ONE Inferno at Target on a trip down to Seattle. One of my luckiest finds.

Just a tip, a lot of people have reported paint problems with Prowl, apparently the white paint gets sticky. Mine hasn't had a single problem, so I don't know what the deal is, but that's just what I hear.

kirbenvost wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

Same, I got lucky and found ONE Inferno at Target on a trip down to Seattle. One of my luckiest finds.

Just a tip, a lot of people have reported paint problems with Prowl, apparently the white paint gets sticky. Mine hasn't had a single problem, so I don't know what the deal is, but that's just what I hear.

I've heard that that Prowl problem can be pretty common, and that it can also happen with Silverstreak's silver paint, although it hasn't happened to my Prowl nor my Silverstreak. I'm not sure if it can happen to Smokescreen. I haven't heard anything about it happening to him, so if you're really worried about the problem and like all three repaints equally, Smokescreen might be the safest (and possibly cheapest) one to get.

Optimus1138 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

Same, I got lucky and found ONE Inferno at Target on a trip down to Seattle. One of my luckiest finds.

Just a tip, a lot of people have reported paint problems with Prowl, apparently the white paint gets sticky. Mine hasn't had a single problem, so I don't know what the deal is, but that's just what I hear.

I've heard that that Prowl problem can be pretty common, and that it can also happen with Silverstreak's silver paint, although it hasn't happened to my Prowl nor my Silverstreak. I'm not sure if it can happen to Smokescreen. I haven't heard anything about it happening to him, so if you're really worried about the problem and like all three repaints equally, Smokescreen might be the safest (and possibly cheapest) one to get.

Except he's ugly. Unless you get the Takara version.

kirbenvost wrote:

Optimus1138 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

OptiMagnus10 wrote:

kirbenvost wrote:Definitely get Henkei Prime (Convoy) and Megatron, any of the variations of Classics Bumblebee, Henkei Hound, one of the Lambos (Sunstreaker is my preference), Silverstreak if you want one of the car brothers, wait for the Battle in Space box set for Hot Rod & Cyclonus (best version of Cyclonus yet), Classics JETFIRE!...and actually, I prefer Henkei Ironhide over Ratchet, but that's just my personal color scheme preference. Oh, and Universe/Henkei Inferno if you can find him. Or just wait for Grapple. Mirage is a nice one too, but not a necessity.

I forgot about Silverstreak! I must have him too with his "mold sibling" Prowl. I need Inferno too, but I CAN'T FIND HIM! I don't like Grapple as much. Mirage is probably the most expensive classics deluxe class now, along with Cliffjumper, so I think they're out of the picture, unless I dare to get a KO Mirage

Inferno was hard to find even at retail. I only saw one at a Wal-Mart and I was lucky to snag him. I am glad I did so I didn't have to resort to after market prices on him.

Same, I got lucky and found ONE Inferno at Target on a trip down to Seattle. One of my luckiest finds.

Just a tip, a lot of people have reported paint problems with Prowl, apparently the white paint gets sticky. Mine hasn't had a single problem, so I don't know what the deal is, but that's just what I hear.

I've heard that that Prowl problem can be pretty common, and that it can also happen with Silverstreak's silver paint, although it hasn't happened to my Prowl nor my Silverstreak. I'm not sure if it can happen to Smokescreen. I haven't heard anything about it happening to him, so if you're really worried about the problem and like all three repaints equally, Smokescreen might be the safest (and possibly cheapest) one to get.

Except he's ugly. Unless you get the Takara version.

lol kirbenvost.