The Energon Pub

That's odd about the Pretender slime-coat!

A few of my Pretenders have that mottled look, or dark spots here and there (especially on white or light-colored plastic). The plastic used for Finback can feel greasy on occasion; similar to Thunderwing's arms, which also get glistening with grease (?). I don't get that from any of the other Pretenders....but it's odd. It's not like they're displayed on a shelf, exposed to the sun, but the opposite -- in a cold, dark cupboard. It's like the plastic wants to melt to mush....

The gold plastic used for Roadblock's innerbot may spontaneously crumble some day, but he won't slime me. And here I thought plastic was forever.

If I ever obtained the Dinoforce, I'd want them loose -- and I'd be cleaning them often, for sure.

Do the Pretender Monster shells have the same ability to slime?It could almost be seen as a bonus, if it had been intentional.

bodrock wrote:That's odd about the Pretender slime-coat!

A few of my Pretenders have that mottled look, or dark spots here and there (especially on white or light-colored plastic). The plastic used for Finback can feel greasy on occasion; similar to Thunderwing's arms, which also get glistening with grease (?). I don't get that from any of the other Pretenders....but it's odd. It's not like they're displayed on a shelf, exposed to the sun, but the opposite -- in a cold, dark cupboard. It's like the plastic wants to melt to mush....

The gold plastic used for Roadblock's innerbot may spontaneously crumble some day, but he won't slime me. And here I thought plastic was forever.

If I ever obtained the Dinoforce, I'd want them loose -- and I'd be cleaning them often, for sure.

Do the Pretender Monster shells have the same ability to slime?

IMG_8911.JPG

It could almost be seen as a bonus, if it had been intentional.

I haven't noticed it on my Pretender Monsters. Granted, I keep Monstructor displayed and the shells packed away, but the worst I've seen with the shells is that Wildfly has a tendency to get discoloration spots.

No, Monstructor's greatest crime is GPS. I already had to some surgery on my Bristleback, and Slog scares me.

Throttlebotsrevenge wrote:Take note of the Dinoforce Pretenders . . . for some reason, the Pretender shells get slimy. I've had 4/6 of them, and each shell feels gross to handle. This phenomenon is also listed on the TF wiki, so I'm not the only one who's noticed this.

Sounds like extreme plasticizer migration. Plasticizer is an additive used to keep plastic soft and pliable, ideal for the soft Pretender shells. It's what causes that strong smell when you open a figure with soft plastic parts. Over time the plasticizer will naturally start to seep or "migrate" out of the plastic making the surface feel sticky or slimy and the paint might also liquefy. I have a few different figures that have this going on, mainly in super hero capes, it isn't fun, especially if a few of these figures are currently swapping runny paint in a box...

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Throttlebotsrevenge wrote:Take note of the Dinoforce Pretenders . . . for some reason, the Pretender shells get slimy. I've had 4/6 of them, and each shell feels gross to handle. This phenomenon is also listed on the TF wiki, so I'm not the only one who's noticed this.

Sounds like extreme plasticizer migration. Plasticizer is an additive used to keep plastic soft and pliable, ideal for the soft Pretender shells. It's what causes that strong smell when you open a figure with soft plastic parts. Over time the plasticizer will naturally start to seep or "migrate" out of the plastic making the surface feel sticky or slimy and the paint might also liquefy. I have a few different figures that have this going on, mainly in super hero capes, it isn't fun, especially if a few of these figures are currently swapping runny paint in a box...

Emerje

So all I have to look forward to are seeing the things I worked so hard for disolve into a pathetic pile of mush . . .

You know, I started collecting Transformers to distract myself from existential crises, not add to them!

Throttlebotsrevenge wrote:

Emerje wrote:

Throttlebotsrevenge wrote:Take note of the Dinoforce Pretenders . . . for some reason, the Pretender shells get slimy. I've had 4/6 of them, and each shell feels gross to handle. This phenomenon is also listed on the TF wiki, so I'm not the only one who's noticed this.

Sounds like extreme plasticizer migration. Plasticizer is an additive used to keep plastic soft and pliable, ideal for the soft Pretender shells. It's what causes that strong smell when you open a figure with soft plastic parts. Over time the plasticizer will naturally start to seep or "migrate" out of the plastic making the surface feel sticky or slimy and the paint might also liquefy. I have a few different figures that have this going on, mainly in super hero capes, it isn't fun, especially if a few of these figures are currently swapping runny paint in a box...

Emerje

So all I have to look forward to are seeing the things I worked so hard for disolve into a pathetic pile of mush . . .

You know, I started collecting Transformers to distract myself from existential crises, not add to them!

Exactly! When I look at the innerbot Roadblock (still living with GPS), I can't help but think...would dipping him in superglue or rubber cement allow him to last longer?

Speaking of slimy plastics, the analog sticks on both my PS1 and PS2 controllers got all gooey over time. Of course, every particles around got to stick on those. It's freaking DISGUSTING.

By the way, I'll finally get Pretender Gunrunner next week or the week after. Turn out my local seller adjusted the price to 70$CAN plus taxe. Not the best price ever, but better than buying off Ebay. Off Ebay, I'd pay either 5$ more or 5$ less, depending of the exchange rate's will. Plus, there is the custom gamble that would slap me a bonus 30 bucks to pay. And lastly, I want my local geek store to prosper and stick around so even if I don't save anything, I'd rather have my money go to him. Beside, I will not have to wait to get Gunrunner in hand!

Nice! Both Pretender Vehicles for you, Kanra -- they always look armed to the teeth.

Is your guy continuously getting more Pretenders in? My favorite store never has any, but all other flavors of TF....if my guy ever got a Monstructor or any Pretender, I'd buy it in a heartbeat; I want him to stick around, too.

The rise of the new pretenders and the Double Pretenders as arrived!



Oilmaster is spectacular. i really wish his legs moved some and he had elbows, but he is pretty sweet! I'm thinking the inner robot could double as Shattered Glass Swerve and my Swerve can hijack the shell But he is awesome! I have wanted him, and getting the set for $86, which is about the same that Oilmaster goes for on ebay, is just the best

I'll be honest -- I wanna see more pics of Oilmaster!

bodrock wrote:I'll be honest -- I wanna see more pics of Oilmaster!

I will add more images in time!

So, Oilmaster then. I will start this off with this statement: He is my favorite Pretender so far in my collection. They are all really cool, but he stands out by having an awesome shell like Skullgrin but also having cool inner robots, and the fact that there are 2 is awesome too.

The armored monkey look is pretty sweet. I love all the details and the paint work on him. There was some obvious posing potential they could have pursued, like a swivel for the legs and maybe some knees and elbows. But at least he can turn his head.

He does have a backpack due to how his pretender process works, but considering his armored gorilla look, I personally don't think it takes away from his look at all. His arms are just a bit loose when he is almost at a standard arms at side look though, so his arms, when holding weapons, won't stay in a particular spot without dropping, but that's ok, I've been keeping his arms farther up anyway.

His weapons are also cool, and his truck component looks good with the gun, though not so much the sword, which is too big for him but a bit too small for the shell itself.

Overall, he is fantastic. I was scouring eBay for him since his release, but nothing ever under $80. The fact that i got him and the others in his box for that price is awesome. He was well worth it. and he will forever remain unique in my collection as a Botcon double pretender!!

Hey D, thank you for sharing Oilmaster with us!

If it's not obvious, I prefer the Decepticon Pretenders, and Oilmaster looks slick as hell -- from the mold of his gorilla shell, to the Double Pretenders within. Especially with his innerbot looking like a Shattered Glass Swerve -- that's just cool.

I finally purchased my first Pretender Vehicle, Roadgrabber! D & Kanra already know the joys of this guy - his colors pop, that non-transforming claw-car looks wicked.

Nice score!
And tomorrow, I'll bring home Gunrunner. It will be expensive as hell at around 63$US with taxes, but it will be in perfect shape, 100% complete, and I'll have it in hand as soon that I pay.

Can't wait!
...But I have to...

-Kanrabat- wrote:Nice score!
And tomorrow, I'll bring home Gunrunner. It will be expensive as hell at around 63$US with taxes, but it will be in perfect shape, 100% complete, and I'll have it in hand as soon that I pay.

Can't wait!
...But I have to...

I can't wait to see him, Kanra. Roadgrabber is pretty cool for all the playabilty/features available for a G1 figure. It certainly makes me want Gunrunner, too.

He's finally here,
Gunrunner!



Was is worth the 80.50$CAN (currently 62.65$US) ?
Let's see.

First, the bio, if you want/can read it. It's always fun to have that bonus card.

It's vintage!


The vehicle is very nice looking, equipped with a HUGE TOWER OF DEATH.

The wheels have a rubber band inside so it can roll on every surface while triggering the very cool and RATATATATATATA machine gun gimmick. Roadgrabber don't have that rubber, making use of his similar gimmick more difficult.


There is plenty of room inside that shell and it's a no brainer to just drop in the inner bot:


In compact form, the inner bot look like a Rock Lord:


He is 100% complete so here's what he come with:
Car shell, inner bot, two bombs/missiles that are the same, a gun, and the machine gun tower:


Let's face it, Gunrunner is pretty bland. Especially without weapons.


Hollow legs are hollow.


With a gun however, he come alive.


The "null ray" bombs complete him. He's also surprisingly posable!


Transforming into jet mode is simply turning into a "rock lord" and carrying the machine-gun tower and the bombs on his back. The small gun can only remain on the car shell.


The jet mode IS silly, but it work. with the irony that THIS time, it IS LITTERALLY a bot carring a jet onto his back. FOR REAL THIS TIME.


Alternative transformation


Seriously, the machine gun tower work BETTER on his own!


It is really a fault? No because having a bot can divide himself into 3 separate and distinct entities is always cool.


Bonus feature! "Haters gonna hate" mode!


Does the strengths of these two rivals seem balanced?


One thing is sure, is that Roadgrabber and Gunrunner are car enthusiast and have some sweet, sweet rides!


Final verdict: Despite his obvious flaws, Pretender Gunrunner is very AWESOME. Lots of fun to fiddle with, and great looking. Worth the full price? Definitely!

Love the TOWER OF DEATH -- and that could work as a remote-controlled drone as Gunrunner is ridin' dirty in the driver's seat of his vehicular shell. I like him, Kanra! Very cool.

My non-fave vintage store got in Catilla, complete -- but $69? I was thinking 40-50.....

Cheapest listing on Ebay for Catilla:
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Transformers-Pr ... SwPIhaDmmL

Even with shipping, you'll save 10$. Maybe more if your local guy have to charge you sales taxes.
Still, for Transformers prices, it's always what are you willing to pay. Gunrunner was NOT a deal at 80$CAN, but I think I had my money's worth aplenty. Other times, I buy a 20$ deluxe and feel I got ripped off...

Catilla is clearly a shout-out to Battle Cat, and I dig it for that. Just not $69-want it. I'm still feeling $40 would be the most I'd pay.Especially not when I still need Bludgeon & Stranglehold!

Bludgeon will definitely be $80+ at this point.

Only the innerbot and shells for Cloudburst & Finback -- but only $20:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F172959446309

The accessories can be a pain to obtain cheap, as we all know....but still.

bodrock wrote:Only the innerbot and shells for Cloudburst & Finback -- but only $20:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F172959446309

The accessories can be a pain to obtain cheap, as we all know....but still.

Well, the price IS reasonable for what you get. Still, I'd keep my money and rather pay 40$ more just for ONE that is 100% complete.

Still, those could be good custom fodder.
I can't buy anything from that seller but I'd love to have a "naked" pretender like that and make my own OC.

Of the 2 pretender vehicles, I think Roadgrabber is my favorite of the 2. He's slightly more interesting. But they are really cool figures nonetheless. The shells are why we buy Pretenders a lot of the time.

True enough, D-Max -- it's allzabout dat shell game.

As a Decepticon-fan, I prefer Roadgrabber's overall design, but I can see both have great play value thanks to the Pretender Vehicle shell. The innerbots' alt modes leave something to be desired, but I hardly ever take them out of their shells. I would love to see the Double Pretender approach come into the main line of figures, but I think the closest we may ever get to Pretenders Return are the Prime Masters.

Bomb-Burst keeps showing up in my pics, simply because of his shell & tech specs (robo-vampire!). I can't believe he wasn't originally on my must-have list, since I've enjoyed him so much -- I got him for $25, less than a year ago; I can't imagine getting that deal now.But Skullgrin was at the top.

There's this seller on eBay who's trying to sell Pretenders (sans most/all accessories) for ~$20:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F182911722488

He's got other random deals too!

The Prime Master Pretenders are finally here! I can't help but prefer the humanoids in this scale -- they might have to team-up with the Titan Masters and Micromasters, though.If I had G1 Metalhawk, I certainly wouldn't be selling him off, but this incarnation is fun.

I can imagine the same with Cloudburst -- the Prime Masters are a great, modern interpretation and offer good play-value.....but aren't quite the display pieces their G1 counterparts are.

I'm looking forward the Prime Masters. I plan to get all of them, unlike TR's Titan Masters.