The Energon Pub

[Hoist [RENEGADE]]

Whilst there not my thing, I actually like the painted detail - My problem is it's just on the front parts ie Prime's legs, a should so in the alt modes the rest of it is shiny and it makes it look off; from an aesthetic point of view.

Not a gripe, just more of a small nit-pick if you will.

[frogbat]

These look much better than I thought! Think that sideswipe looks better than the original generations figure and prime is a great voyager... something I’m missing from my classics shelves. Never had the generations version so he will be a nice addition in spite of the cab looking a bit odd.

[ZeroWolf]

Say what you want about his alt mode, that Optimus/s robot mode is one of the best looking ones there is. From the look of Prime and Sideswipe alone I have a theory for the Motif of WFC: It appears to be based of figuring out a practical version of the opening of the G1 Pilot; More than meets the eye. Now bear with me here, in that episode, because they didn't want to waste time making a whole slew of new designs for half an episode, the Autobots and Decepticons robot modes were identicle with their cybertronian forms to their earth ones, despite the seekers, Wheeljack and Bumbelbee turning into vehicles far different to what they'd transform into on Earth.
Now to me WFC's Optimus and Sideswipe look quite a bit like their G1 earth forms, turning into more cybertronian-y forms that can just about work without needing a million folds (which puts the cost up and increases likelihood of breaking).
Also does anyone else think that this may be an indicator for the plot of the first story for the assumed reboot of IDW post-Unicron?

Yup, this is the assumption that I am working with for the moment, but they can still diverge from each other

[TheForgottenTaxi]

You know, it's weird. These appear to take a lot of cues from the MP line in robot mode, which means they look pretty good... but I'm kinda disappointed? I already have an MP Sideswipe and Optimus... and a CHUG Sideswipe and a CHUG Optimus. So personally, I was hoping for something more fresh and Cybertronian.

(I mean I guess I already have a Cybertronian Prime from that excellent old WFC Deluxe but... well, guys there have been a lot of Optimus Prime toys.)

This was never going to happen, but in my nerdiest little nerd heart, I sort of wanted to see this (objectively mediocre) design from the G1 Marvel Comic:

[transformnerd114]

Ohhhhhhhhh I sure do love the emphasis of weapon names in the product descriptions.

And target masters on their own? I guess I did always wanted Hasbro to make weapon packs for characters to wield.

^THIS. I've been looking into 3D Printing just for that reason (I haven't really found anything except some weapons from the Fall of/War for Cybertron games).

[Wolfman Jake]

Now that we've had a look at what kinds of figures we can expect to see from the "Siege" portion of the "War for Cybertron" trilogy, I have to wonder, what is going to distinguish the three phases of this new line? During the "Prime Wars" trilogy, there was a very obvious difference between Combiner Wars and Titans Return, with Power of the Primes being more of a "greatest hits" with a few new or tweaked ideas. What is going to make the 2020 War for Cybertron line different from "Siege," though? Different aesthetics but still "Cybertronian?" Ditching "Battle Masters" in favor of a new kind of "companion" piece at the $6 price point? Focusing on a much different cast of characters?

[Skritz]

I didn't follow reports about this line so I didn't know they were suppused to have space car modes. Sideswipe's car looks like it could have been designed by Lamborghini (not that I mind!) and Prime's truck looks cluttered, like it was changed for the sake of change. (Still hoping it will get retooled as a classic "Freightliner" by either Takara or Hasbro.)


And just for fun, here's "Cybertronian" Sideswipe by Guido Guidi --

Now see, a whole line of very G1 cartoon-styled figures with modes which do look like they could be alien vehicles I would have been entirely on board with.

Edit: That said, I'm aware I can't judge an entire line (let alone a trilogy) purely on the designs revealed so far, which are easily the most generic/bland (Sidwswipe) or iconic (Optimus). There is still potential for good figures in the '84 and '85 character lineup, ESPECIALLY if we get a cartoon-style Shockwave Voyager or Deluxe.

[bluecatcinema]

Very nice. It's good to see they're bringing back the Targetmasters (even if they're giving them a new name), and the "battleworn" looks on Optimus and Sideswipe are a nice touch.

[Overcracker]

Called It

Anyway, Prime looks really nice in robot mode, but those superfluous floodlights seem to be entirely out of place in truck mode, and are completely useless in robot mode.

Sideswipe looks pretty good.

Sad they aren´t actually more cybertronian, but they look cool enough to be able to see past that.

[Cyberpath]

[Sabrblade]

Very possibly, but with unchanged Earth-kibbled robot modes.

Not with that Earth altmode, though.

[Cyberpath]

Very possibly, but with unchanged Earth-kibbled robot modes.

One can hope.

Not with that Earth altmode, though.

Refer to the highlighted part. I thought it was an interesting tidbit that it was specified that the brand shouldn't be on his robot-mode while on Cybertron.

[1984forever]

I’ve been using UW Sunstreaker as my CHUG Sunstreaker so I’m happy we’re getting a new Sideswipe (the universe version is too big). With a little paint I hope I can give him a more Earthy looking alt-mode (red car roof, light blue windshield, white rocket launcher, mount it on shoulder etc).

[KVO Prime]

Pending final images, this Sideswipe looks to be a great potential replacement for Classics Sideswipe, although I'm not sure how I feel about the battle damage. I await eventual images of Sunstreaker, Red Alert etc. repaints

[Qwan]

Well if we are doing 1984 Pilot Episode: The Toyline, I personally can't wait for the eventual Soundwave figure!

[ZeroWolf]

The daft thing is if they did a soundwave but he didn't transform into a lamppost...you know people would get upset.

[ExciKaiser]

but I'm kinda disappointed? I already have an MP Sideswipe and Optimus... and a CHUG Sideswipe and a CHUG Optimus. So personally, I was hoping for something more fresh and Cybertronian.

Same here. Technically they seem good, but it's Always the same stuff.
Bring back the originality of unicron trilogy, they where full of ideas and cool designs.

[NTESHFT]

Lol, I just saw all the pics. Appaently, their idea of "Cybertronian" modes is just earth modes with some weird exhaust ports at certain areas. Anyways, I was right on it being called Seige.

I was thinking the same thing, it's basically post-movie "futuristic" updates to the pre-movie cast. Not exactly the hover cars we were expecting. I suppose we could still see flying triangles, I think Warden mentioned wanting to do those once.

What if the "War for Cybertron" trilogy is actually a continuation of the G1 cartoon story? E.g., it takes place after "The Rebirth"/Season 4. Cybertron is restored to its former glory, and now the Decepticons want it back more than ever. The fight has completely moved away from Earth, so now the Autobots and Decepticons are adopting more appropriately Cybertronian and battle-ready alt modes for their "new" battlefield. It makes sense for Optimus to be back, and perhaps some other G1 characters will be revived too in new forms (or they'll just side-step all of those deaths in the movie altogether). This first part, the "Siege," may be the Decepticon's initial first strike against the Autobots in the recently restored Cybertron.

I really dig that synopsis! Makes sense to me. With them calling this line Siege on Cybertron, it makes me feel this is not an origins story but a more of "taking the fight back home" kind of story....as you said....picking up after the movie, in a manner of speaking.

[ZeroWolf]

I follow the takara timeline, so this line can't follow on as there is no Cybertron for them to lay siege to

[Sabrblade]

I follow the takara timeline, so this line can't follow on as there is no Cybertron for them to lay siege to

Until the year 2021, that is.

[Skritz]

Given they're called battlemasters rather than targetmasters I assume this mean some of them will turn into melee weapons? Could we see something of a loose redo of Arms Micron conceptually, then?

All I can hope is a bit more variety than the decoy armors this time around.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Given they're called battlemasters rather than targetmasters I assume this mean some of them will turn into melee weapons? Could we see something of a loose redo of Arms Micron conceptually, then?

Possibly. I suspect it's a PC'ification to avoid associations with firearms via "Target", but one that could work out really well.

[Skritz]

Given they're called battlemasters rather than targetmasters I assume this mean some of them will turn into melee weapons? Could we see something of a loose redo of Arms Micron conceptually, then?

Possibly. I suspect it's a PC'ification to avoid associations with firearms via "Target", but one that could work out really well.

Yes because clearly you'd want your brand about two robot factions brutally murdering each others to be completely family friendly. With names like Cutthroat and Sinnertwin unchanged but you can't mention they have guns because that offend soccer moms in pro-gun control locales.

Edit: An no, I'm not 'starting anything' with politics I'm just point out that Transformers renaming/censorship/attempt at being family friendly is...spotty and/or incoherent most of the times.

[-Kanrabat-]

Given they're called battlemasters rather than targetmasters I assume this mean some of them will turn into melee weapons? Could we see something of a loose redo of Arms Micron conceptually, then?

Possibly. I suspect it's a PC'ification to avoid associations with firearms via "Target", but one that could work out really well.

Yes because clearly you'd want your brand about two robot factions brutally murdering each others to be completely family friendly. With names like Cutthroat and Sinnertwin unchanged but you can't mention they have guns because that offend soccer moms in pro-gun control locales.

I really think that "Battle Masters" sound way more accurate and bad-ass than the good old "Targetmaster". Because those bots can do battle in more ways than just shooting. It also allow them to transform into mele weapons and armor, like the Power Core Combiners minicons.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Given they're called battlemasters rather than targetmasters I assume this mean some of them will turn into melee weapons? Could we see something of a loose redo of Arms Micron conceptually, then?

Possibly. I suspect it's a PC'ification to avoid associations with firearms via "Target", but one that could work out really well.

Yes because clearly you'd want your brand about two robot factions brutally murdering each others to be completely family friendly. With names like Cutthroat and Sinnertwin unchanged but you can't mention they have guns because that offend soccer moms in pro-gun control locales.

Edit: An no, I'm not 'starting anything' with politics I'm just point out that Transformers renaming/censorship/attempt at being family friendly is...spotty and/or incoherent most of the times.

Guns are a touchy subject nowadays, so best avoid associations... except for NERF Plus Hasbro has used "Battlemaster" before for Beast Hunters, so whatever works?