Let's begin with Scattershot, all... three of them? That's right, there was an anomolyous Voyager Scattershot released separately the Combiner Wars line that really wasn't suitable for, well, anything. It has a decent enough alt mode and sporting some remolding, but the uninspiring deco making him seem like a dry run for the real thing. The version we see with the Hasbro Collection Pack might be the same remold (torso mode being a complete repaint of Superion) but he at least has much better color choices, and I love the sticker inspired tampographs. Enter Takara's rendition, the color choices are superb and the retooling extends beyond what Hasbro did, plus having some new unique guns. Have a look at the three in both modes, and as torso's. And just for fun, also see Betatron in all his... glory?
Afterburner really bugs me. Both of them. In my opinion not enough was changed from the previous user of the mold (Groove) and that windshield kibble could be made a ton better with a simple swivel joint. My gripes aside, both Hasbro and Takara do a commendable job in in their color schemes. With Takara stereotypically going all out on cartoon accuracy with the red, and Hasbro going toy/Marvel Comics accurate. you can't go wrong with either. Fun side note: these two are completely the same mold wise, making them the only shared figures between the two sets.
Lightspeed isn't as cut and dry as you might think. I'd say Hasbro 'Speed is the weakest of both sets, but he's not terrible. It's my favorite car mold from the line, and a repaint of my favorite iteration (Streetwise). And while Takara's Wheeljackremold is more suiting, it just happens to be least favorite CW car. That said, his sharp reds and brilliant new head sculpt elevates this hated mold to loving new heights.
Strafe is a great addition on both sides of the fence. Hasbro's Strafe is a simpler retool when compared to Takara's, but that shouldn't take away from the experience. Hasbro Strafe steals his duds from Air Raid, which again, is a a favorite of mine. So right off the bat, I like the figure and his remolding/new head impress me. Two negatives though, he has no gun (but can borrow one of Afterburners) and he's off-white. Takara's snow white is simply stunning, but I have issues with the Blast-Off mold (QC wise). They aren't as bad, but still present. Namely the head popping off, but he is oh so pretty *bats eyelashes*.
The Nosecones are vastly set apart by using completely different molds, and color schemes. Hasbro's uses the Brawl mold with tooling from the Botcon 2016 Ramhorn (namely the drill, as he keeps Brawl's head). If you haven't made peace with this mold by now, then you never will (and you''l have a rough time with Liokaiser). But I honestly don't mind him, and prefer the darker brown coloring ala G1 toy. On the flip side, Takara decided to go with the Rook mold by slapping some treads on him, along with a drill and new noggin. He looks great and comes with a small arsenal, making his play options plentiful. One thing I don't like however, is the stick on his back. It reminds me of a flagpole, and he should be flying some kind of banner. I just wish it had been more collapsible is all.
UW Computron scores big points for something people might dislike or not even think twice about: the combined gun. I really appreciate Takara's efforts there and wish they had done the same for Bruticus. The new head and chest plate, along with the beautiful streamlined color choices make him absolutely awe inspiring.
CW Computron hit's me the same way the G2 Combiners do. He's just funky and fun! If you want your Computron to be colored like the ones you had as a kid, this is the set for you. Even with no alteration, I love the torso. The pinkish chest and tampographs I mentioned earlier look fantastic. Not to mention the brand new hands a feet, they look and work brilliantly.
Also, there's lots of scramblin' drill hand'ing fun to be had with both sets!
Bonus Round!
Scrounge and Cybaxx, talk about niche! A tragic story from the G1 Marvel glory days, and present once again in IDW, this is the first time he's been immortalized in plastic. The mold choice (Legends Class Cosmos) is about as fitting as can be, and a new proper new head to boot. And his pal Cybaxx is supposed to represent his "special arm". The 7 Scrounge diehards out there ought to be pretty happy with this!
So how do they compare? Takara put a great deal of effort into their Computron, and the sheer amount of retooling, remolding, and repainting certainly give it the edge. If you value cartoon accuracy and don't mind paying a few extra bucks, then he's your bot. But Hasbro's Collection Pack is great in his own regards. Unique Strafe, a seemingly more crowd pleasing orange Afterburner, awesome new hands and feet, and not to mention Scrounge(!), something so obscure you'd only expect to find it in an expensive Botcon set. If I had to choose, I would go Unite Warriors, but only for combined mode. As separate figures, I actually prefer the Combiner Wars Collection Pack. Good thing I don't have to choose, because I'm quite happy having both! Also, MVP's of the two sets for me are: UW Lightspeed, and CW Strafe.
Were you on the fence? did you decide months ago before the release of either? What are your thoughts with the set you chose? Join us in the Pub and let us know!
