The Energon Pub

Any size class you own, any figure you have. Throw in your close seconds, because I know it's hard to choose, at least for me.

Scout - Breacher (movie). Great little figure. Cool head. Tight alt mode. Knuckle dusters are awesome. Close second would be Sunspot from the same line. The spring loaded chicken legs, unofficial gerwalk mode and super solid alt mode all made a great little army builder.

Deluxe - This is a hard one, but I gotta go with Generations Warpath. He's just like the greatest representation of an old character at that size level ever. I just wanna scream onomatopoeia and obscenities at the top of my lungs when I fiddle with that toy. I still have the G1 mini fig from when I was a kid, so that makes him near and dear to my heart. Close second to Generations Wheeljack. Such a great modernization of a classic character

Voyager - Sea Spray (movie) - Sure he's technically a movie toy, but once again it's an updated version of a G1 toy toy I still have from when I was a kid. He's so damned cool. I love the diver style head, the giant fans on the shoulders and the flippered reverse joint legs. His alt mode is really nice to look at. Close second would be Classics Optimus Prime. His smoke stack gun is awesome and the wind vane gun is very flexible as far as how OP can deploy it. He's probably the last great flat nosed truck OP toy that isn't a repaint/remold or reissue. Too bad he doesn't have a trailer (although I'm sure one is available from Japan).

Leader/Ultra - TrU Exclusive Countdown. This guy is just fun. I love the missile. It can be an ICBM, a massive shoulder cannon or an orbital laser (at least I like to think it can be an orbital laser, I don't think it's mentioned anywhere in his bio). The shield and tool attachments are really fun and he's surprisingly poseable for such a bulky figure. Close second goes to Animated Ultra Magnus. This guy is so loaded down with guns, and they all deploy in both modes! Plus...GIANT SPRING-LOADED HAMMER! The clencher that put him over DotM Sentinel Prime (who's vehicle mode I adore, it's so neat looking) is that his vehicle mode is indistinguishable from regular style figures when it's sitting on the shelf (he looks great next to Countdown since they're alt modes are so similar). Also, he's raises an eyebrow and looks at you disapprovingly when he talks. Apparently he doesn't have time for you right now.

Masterpiece - TrU King Grimlock. And once again an updated version of a G1 toy I still own. This guy is just so crazy cartoon accurate. I mean, my god, appart from the surprisingly more-simeple-than-it-looks leg transformation, this guy transforms almost exactly like his G1 counterpart. He's the centerpiece of my modest collection. Close second goes to my only other MP figure Rodimus Prime/Hot Rod. He's neat looking in both modes and I love the face changing feature, but he's a pain in the ass to transform and really hard to get everything to peg in right.

Bumblebee.

Mykltron wrote:Bumblebee.

Except you have to replace "Voyager" with "Human Alliance"

I have so many in each Size Class (except for Ultimate and larger) it's hard to pick, especially from the smallest sizes. Anyhow:

Cyberverse Legion / Legends Class
Universe 2008 Legends Bumblebee
That one was pretty easy for me, as he keeps simplicity between other versions of his G1 self. No fancy transformation or detailing, yet he looks natural, no compromises needed. I currently own Bumblebee and RtS Gold Bumblebee of this mold, and I'm looking for Henkei Cliff just because he's red

Cyberverse Commander
Dark of the Moon Autobot Guzzle
I don't have many toys in this class, but if I have to pick one, it's him. An obscure throwback to G1, updated with movie sensibilities. The best thing is he doesn't look out of place in the Movie-verse, I'd love to see how a larger version of him can be pulled off.

Mega
Beast Wars B'Boom / BWII C-12 Apache
I'm listing both since they're the same toy, but in the short-lived Mega class (between Deluxe and Voyager) of Beast Wars and Robots in Disguise, B'Boom the mandril stands out because of his features yet simple design. His Beast Mode has articulation, a feature that would become standard in the following years and his third mode, a weapon platform is a nice touch, save for the inconsistent orientation of the limbs. His Robot Mode also shows a change in design thought, basically no longer hiding the robotic limbs but using the Beast Mode limbs instead. In short, he was revolutionary.

Voyager Class
Cybertron Evac
I admit, this is my love for helicopters and rescue themes talking. Don't really have anything noteworthy to say, except I love his simple yet effective design. If you must know, he's my all-time favourite, and seeing he was used for my favourite character G1 Blades...

Ultra Class
Cybertron Cybertron Defense Red Alert / Universe 2008 Autobot Countdown
Same mold, but different colors. Relative simple design, but it works for both of them. Never thought Armada Red Alert would eventually carry a big missile, but Countdown, no doubt about it. As for the claw and hammer accessories, it works for Countdown as well, as he (well, Moon Radar) was seen tinkering with a machine in the Zone OVA.

Leader Class
Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime
This one's a no-brainer, as this toy is everything I've come to expect in a toy his size. Media-accuracy thanks to all the moving panels, with all the necessary articulation without unnecessary sacrifice. He does lose some points for being overly complex and fidgety with all the parts, but it's a good trade-off.

Scout, Deluxe and Supreme are upcoming

Legends - Galaxy Force Ligerjack.

Deluxe - Can't choose. Can't even narrow it down.

Voyager - Animated Optimus Prime

Ultra - Armada Megatron

Leader - RoTF Optimus Prime (DotM Sentinel Prime is close 2nd)

Masterpiece - TRU Roddy and Grimlock are tied

Supreme - Armada Unicron

Legends - I normally don't like Legends but I do like DOTM Ravage.

Scout - So many: Generations Windcharger, ROTF Breakdown, Energon Kickback, Robotmasters Mirage, Strongarm, Botcon Chromia, the Laser Rods, G1 Prowl

Deluxe - Classics Seekers, Botcon Leozack, WFC Megatron, Classics G2 Megatron, Classics Cyclonus, G1 Quake

Voyager - Henkei Megatron, Nemesis Prime, Energon Scorponok

Ultra - Armada Megatron

Supreme - Energon Omega Supreme (a repaint and head remold as Astrotrain would be awesome)

Legend: DotM Cyberverse Crowbar. Start as a little matchbox car and become a very tall dreadful robot. Impressive.

Commander: DotM Blackout. He's awesome all over plus he come with a lil' scorpion!

Scout: I'll go with HftD Hubcap. A nice robot that turn into a 1930's musclecar. What's not to love?

Deluxe: G1 Optimus Prime with trailer. Diecast metal, rubber tires, surprising ammount of articulations for a G1 toy, and a PERFECT vehicle mode. And the trailer is not just an empty gray box (stare at the new one)

Voyager: Once again, it MUST be RtS Lugnut. What a glorious bastard! His vehicle mode is so huge, he's almost a ultra!

Ultra: Universe Onslaught. He's a great mold and a great character.

Leader: HftD movie Starscream. He's so great, he made me love movie Screamers.

Supreme: Unicron. Both Armada and the 25th. I even bought a Throne of Chaos to properly display him in Planet Mode.

Ultimate: Cheating a little to say G1 Masterforce God Ginrai. Ginrai + truck transtechtor + trailer + Godbomber = pure awesome. He's my #1 TF ever.

I'm going to go ahead and put forward:

Some other repaint/retool of Bumblebee!

Scout - Another size class I'm not too keen on... First: DOTM Hatchet. Second? ROTF ice cream truck twins. I realize they form a Deluxe vehicle, but their robot forms are definitely Scout sized and smaller. Incredibly intricate for such small figures.

Deluxe - Too many options. First? Either First Edition Starscream, First Edition Vehicon, Animated Ratchet or HFTD Battle Blade Bumblebee. Second? Animated Samurai Prowl or ...bah. I can't even give you a good answer on this one.

Voyager - This is a tough one because Voyager isn't exactly my favorite size class. A toss up between First Edition Bulkhead (amazing figure) and FansProject's Warbot Defender. Second? DOTM Ironhide or ROTF Bludgeon. Can't be more definitive. Sorry.

Leader/Ultra - Instant choice: ROTF Leader Optimus. Should be in the Masterpiece category. Second? DOTM Sentinel Prime.

Masterpiece - TakaraTomy's version of Rodimus Convoy. Impressive figure for all that it does. TLC is needed, yes, but still amazing. Second? Wal-Mart Starscream.

Legend: RTS Megatron

Scout: HFTD Breacher. RTS Windcharger is very close.

Cyberverse Commander: Guzzle

Deluxe: Too hard to choose. Think I will go with RTS Jazz for now.

Voyager: If custom counts, my custom Classics Shockwave. If not, I might still go with Classics Prime.

Ultra: Universe Onslaught.

PCC commander: Huffer

PCC combiner: Grimstone with Dinobots.

Human Alliance: Jazz.

Human Alliance Basic: Whirl.

Leader: ROTF Prime.

Supreme: Unicron and Primus are almost equal.

Master Piece: Grimlock.

Alternator: Kitty Ravage.

Legends - RTS Starscream - what a great transformation for such a little toy, and full of attitude.

Scout - Hubcap, no doubt

Deluxe - Animated Swindle, more personality, more awesomeness!

Voyager - RTS Lugnut, or animated Bulkhead

Leader - I only own a used 2007 Optimus that I can't seem to sell. But, he has rubber tires - so I think he's awesome

Ultra - I own Darkwind only. So Darkwind!

It's cool to see a couple of people picking the same favorites as I had in certain classes (Countdown and Breacher).

I understand the pain of not being able to pick favorites guys. It was a pain to narrow it down to two in each class for me.

Pulling from my entire collection here:

Minicon: Deepdive, simply because he reminds me of that one GoBot I had as a kid.

Legends/Cyberverse: Until recently, I would have said LOC Starscream... but I got my hands on Cyberverse Prime Cliffjumper, and his articulation at that scale is simply amazing.

Scout / Basic: Ooh, this one's a bit of a toughie, though not as tough as Deluxe. It's a tossup between TFCybertron Armorhide, and HFTD Hubcap. Armorhide has a lot of character and his entire chest opening up into a missile bay always makes me laugh, while Hubcap turns into ZZ Top's Eliminator!

Deluxe: After a knockdown, drag-out brawl on my shelf, Generations Jazz has emerged victorious, closely followed by his buddy Warpath. However, the Classics Etc Seeker molds nearly took the title!

Voyager: And here is where the division begins in earnest. On the playability side, gotta love Vector Prime. Simple but effective transformation, and a good bit of both articulation and personality. However, moving in from the DOTM line, Skyhammer just totally dominates in both helicopter and robot modes, only losing points because the transformation has become less of a 'play' function, and more of an IQ test.

Human Alliance: Although I'd normally classify these guys as "basically just Voyagers with a human figure", Human Alliance Jazz convinced me to put him in a class by himself.

Alternators: Also a scale I'd normally classify as "Voyagers with attitude", but the Smokescreen / Silverstreak mold is and always has been a favorite.

Ultra: Actually, I don't have too many of this scale - about the only ones I do have are the Classics Storm Cloud, Silverbolt, and Onslaught, and TFCybertron Skyshadow and CD Red Alert. Of those, Onslaught is probably my favorite.

Leader: Again the vote is split - between Optimus and Optimus, and for the same reasons! In the left corner, we have TFCybertron Optimus Prime: Filled with chunky, durable goodness, a nice but simple transform, and a total beast when armed up with his trailer - or with his buddies jumping on his back for more power! In the right corner, we have ROTF Leader Class Prime - amazingly screen accurate, excellent articulation and presence, but more of a chore to transform than a delight.

Supreme: I only own one Supreme, and it's one that, if i didn't have it, would be at the top of my list in one repaint or another, and that's Unicron. I got the Armada version, and it's probably the only Armada figure I own...


And for the non-standard figures:

Masterpiece: 20th Optimus Prime, no doubt, although Grimlock comes very close. Honestly, I'm not really disappointed with any of them, but these two just rule the roost.

Crossovers: Whether Marvel, Star Wars, or Disney, my favorite is and always will be the Incredible Hulk Tank, with Captain America Humvee right behind. And why, you may ask? Because they're the only two worth a damn that aren't too cartooney.

ORIGINAL GEEWUN: If i had a G1 Jazz, G1 Bluestreak, Misfire, and Fortress Maximus, I would neither need nor want any other Geewuns. Mostly for sentimental reasons.

GoBots: I have me a Screwhead, 1983 vintage, whose paint and chrome have never chipped or flaked yet. Point of pride, that!

Legends/Legions - HFTD Ravage
Commander - Prime Starscream
Scout - Skystalker
Deluxe - DOTM Leadfoot
Voyager - FE Prime Optimus Prime
Ultra/Human Alliance - DOTM Soundwave
Leader - DOTM Striker Prime
Supreme - DOTM Black Jetwing Optimus Prime
Combiner - JRX (Railracer)

KRE-O - Optimus Prime w/ Trailer

Here's what I think about a few classes:

Scout- Windcharger (he's the only one I own)

Deluxe- I gotta go with Classics Thrust. I love the seeker mold and he has the best color scheme, in my opinion.

Voyager- Classics Prime for all of the usual reasons. When I am going to play with a toy, he is the one I reach for first.

Ultra- Classics Silverbolt. Great G1 look, simple transformation. Great figure.

Supreme- Cybertron Starscream. I know he doesn't fit in with ANYTHING scale-wise, but he is a giant, detailed, colorful, Starscream with cool accessories.

Masterpiece- Original Optimus Prime for all the usual reasons. A close second is the clear Starscream. Man, does that thing look cool.