The Energon Pub

It's that time again. There are two different Computron's to choose from and the struggle is real, so Seibertron is here to help. Read on to hear this (one man's) opinions!



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!

shajaki wrote:Bonus Round!
Scrounge and Cybaxx, talk about niche! A tragic story from the G1 Marvel glory days, and present once again in IDW

This part confused me; Scrounge hasn't been in IDW beyond a few background cameos.

Otherwise, great review. Pretty much nailed it

Kurona wrote:

shajaki wrote:Bonus Round!
Scrounge and Cybaxx, talk about niche! A tragic story from the G1 Marvel glory days, and present once again in IDW

This part confused me; Scrounge hasn't been in IDW beyond a few background cameos.

Otherwise, great review. Pretty much nailed it

My IDW knowledge is severely lacking, but I read on Wiki that he was present. So technically, background or not, I'm still right

Thanks!

Thanks for the side-by-side. Often times both Hasbro and Takara releases have their own individual merits, but I don't think they've ever been as apples&oranges as Computron!

shajaki wrote:My IDW knowledge is severely lacking, but I read on Wiki that he was present. So technically, background or not, I'm still right

I think they're both cool combiners. In order for Hasbro to get me to buy CW Computron, I would've at liked them to change the head sculpts on Lightspeed, Nosecone, and Computron.

As a result, I bought UW Computron. Like UW Bruticus, I think it's a fantastic set. The changes to the molds of each of the figures really make them individual characters in my collection.

Very awesome review Shajaki! I do wish Hasbro had gone that little extra step with the heads. That would have got me that set for sure. But they all still look really cool. I hope to maybe get one of each someday

RevTibe wrote:I don't think they've ever been as apples&oranges as Computron!

Very true. Apples and bananas even

BATTLEMASTER IIC wrote:The changes to the molds of each of the figures really make them individual characters in my collection.

And see, I even made a thread about my distaste for the rampant mold reuse of the line. I've gotten over it (obviously ) but the UW set is the perfect Compy for those who want the most diverse version possible.

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Very awesome review Shajaki! I do wish Hasbro had gone that little extra step with the heads. That would have got me that set for sure. But they all still look really cool. I hope to maybe get one of each someday

I'd suggest going for UW first. He seems pretttttyyyy popular

shajaki wrote:

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:Very awesome review Shajaki! I do wish Hasbro had gone that little extra step with the heads. That would have got me that set for sure. But they all still look really cool. I hope to maybe get one of each someday

I'd suggest going for UW first. He seems pretttttyyyy popular

Still waiting on my TFsource pre-order dude. and hoping Computron goes the way of the G2 sets

You know, guns aside, I like the Hasbro Afterburner more. Other than that (and the hands/feet), the UW version is far superior.

Ultimately I'm glad I got both. They really feel like different sets of toys that happen to have very similar torso bots.

Alas, I bought the original Voyager Scattershot

Since I won't be getting a CW Computron unless he goes on sale for $30, is it possible to attach Scrounge and Cybaxx as a shield on the Staffe arm? If you haven't already I dare you to combine all the UW weapons into something out of an over the top anime.

Terrsolpix wrote:Since I won't be getting a CW Computron unless he goes on sale for $30, is it possible to attach Scrounge and Cybaxx as a shield on the Staffe arm?

Technically, he can't: UW Strafe doesn't have a dedicated 5mm peg on top of his cockpit, only the CW version does.

I spent about the same amount of money one would for the Unite Warriors set to get the Combiner Wars set plus the Perfect Effect PC-11 addon kit, which led to a very G1 toy-looking combiner as a result. I am quite amazed at how much the PE kit changes the look of the set.



Full album of photos: http://imgur.com/a/DwF4I

No matter how many positive reviews of CW Computron I read, he looks like a red Superion no matter what.

Anyway, extremely happy with UW.

I got both with the full intent of mixing things around.

So for me, the best combination was all UW figures EXCEPT Afterburner, swapping him with his CW version, plus the CW hands/feet.



For me, CW Afterburners colours help break up a predominantly red combined figure.

The 7 Scrounge diehards out there ought to be pretty happy with this!

Not really, cos unless I get lucky I gotta buy a huge box set full of toys I don't want just to get the one lil dude I do want. I wish they'd just released Scrounge as a seperate figure in the CW line like Powerglide and such...

Yeah, I have to admit, Afterburner is my least favourite figure form the UW set. Like, the colour is so iridescent red and kinda see-through-ish (if that makes sense). He sticks out like a sore thumb. I would love to get the CW hands and feet, but I'm not forking out another exorbitant amount of money just for that.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Terrsolpix wrote:Since I won't be getting a CW Computron unless he goes on sale for $30, is it possible to attach Scrounge and Cybaxx as a shield on the Staffe arm?

Technically, he can't: UW Strafe doesn't have a dedicated 5mm peg on top of his cockpit, only the CW version does.

I'm referring to CW Straffe's wing. Forgot to mention

You surprise me with your MVPs Shajaki, I didnt see UW Lightspeed being the standout of the set. But I guess its because the idea is that what Takara did to the mold made you like a mold you usually dislike right? So even if its still not a great mold, you liking this toy means more than you liking a mold we know is usually good. I must admit he surprised me too and I like how they paint apps, especially how they ake advantage of him having a fake chest to make him toon accurate for both modes (which is usually impossible when each has a different looking alt mode front).



I wouldnt know who my standout would be. Maybe Strafe, I really like that alt mode. My least favourite is Scatershot. I am not fond of the plastic used for his alt mode wings and I find it odd how he doesnt really have a neck in robot mode. His head looks squished closer to his body. And I the only one who feels that way?

Anyways, I like what you did with those guns and I will work on some more combinations tonight

Good read Jak!

I like seeing every bodies mash-ups of the different sets. I'm with Burn on the all UW set with CW Afterburner. The colors really make for the G1 super set. Although CW Nosecone is spot on for G1 color, that Rook remold takes the cake.

Jak, what's your favorite mash-up?

Cobotron wrote:Although CW Nosecone is spot on for G1 color, that Rook remold takes the cake.

I really like whet they did with the rook mold as nosecone. The new tooling was smart and the alt mode looks great. But since this is my first actual version of the rook mold (I do own the Swindle/Hound mold which is a complete reshell), thre is something I am not fond of: his hands. I dont like those holes in the front, it makes him unable to hold a gun properly. I respect the new playability but Strafe in the same set shows how you could have both.
I am more fond of how Swindle/Hound turned out, with their hands and all.

Burn wrote:So for me, the best combination was all UW figures EXCEPT Afterburner, swapping him with his CW version, plus the CW hands/feet.

For me, CW Afterburners colours help break up a predominantly red combined figure.

Bingo, this right here is the ticket. Which leaves me to ponder repurposing for the others

Hasbro Nosecone as SG Brawl? Lightspeed as MTMTE Red Alert (to steal Counterpunch's idea, for the record)? Strafe as Wing? UW Afterburner as Vroom?

ScottyP wrote:

Burn wrote:So for me, the best combination was all UW figures EXCEPT Afterburner, swapping him with his CW version, plus the CW hands/feet.

For me, CW Afterburners colours help break up a predominantly red combined figure.

Bingo, this right here is the ticket. Which leaves me to ponder repurposing for the others

Hasbro Nosecone as SG Brawl? Lightspeed as MTMTE Red Alert (to steal Counterpunch's idea, for the record)? Strafe as Wing? UW Afterburner as Vroom?

all sounds good to me

Terrsolpix wrote:I dare you to combine all the UW weapons into something out of an over the top anime.

Didn't I? Only thing I didn't use was Afterburner's guns. I hate those things. So odd and... tall

adamage1 wrote:I spent about the same amount of money one would for the Unite Warriors set to get the Combiner Wars set plus the Perfect Effect PC-11 addon kit, which led to a very G1 toy-looking combiner as a result. I am quite amazed at how much the PE kit changes the look of the set.

Agreed. I would do the same, but I actually don't like that it takes all the pink away. It's one of the major things that sets him apart.

Burn wrote:I got both with the full intent of mixing things around.
So for me, the best combination was all UW figures EXCEPT Afterburner, swapping him with his CW version, plus the CW hands/feet.

I would do the same. A perfect Computron for me though, would be your combination with CW Strafe IF he were the same pretty snow white as UW's.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Not really, cos unless I get lucky I gotta buy a huge box set full of toys I don't want just to get the one lil dude I do want. I wish they'd just released Scrounge as a seperate figure in the CW line like Powerglide and such...

The fact that he was officially made, is a miracle in of itself. With something that niche, you gotta expect him to be expensive. Besides, you can buy him separately off of eBay for less than 50 bucks. Not TOO insane if you ask me.

william-james88 wrote:You surprise me with your MVPs Shajaki, I didnt see UW Lightspeed being the standout of the set.

I surprised myself! But hey, nostalgia weighed heavy on that one. I had LS as a wee one

Cobotron wrote:Good read Jak!
Jak, what's your favorite mash-up?

Thanks Robro
See my reply to Burn for the dream combo

william-james88 wrote:thre is something I am not fond of: his hands. I dont like those holes in the front, it makes him unable to hold a gun properly.

While I also wish he had regular hands, the Rook standard is still lots of fun.

shajaki wrote:

adamage1 wrote:I spent about the same amount of money one would for the Unite Warriors set to get the Combiner Wars set plus the Perfect Effect PC-11 addon kit, which led to a very G1 toy-looking combiner as a result. I am quite amazed at how much the PE kit changes the look of the set.

Agreed. I would do the same, but I actually don't like that it takes all the pink away. It's one of the major things that sets him apart.

Take a look at the attached photo or the photo album linked on my post. The PE chest plate is actually quite more towards the pink side than the orange side of the red spectrum. They really nailed the G1 toy look.