The Energon Pub

gothweaver wrote:You know, we really have to give props to Has/Tak on this line because they could have just taken the easy way out and just gave us cybertronian versions of these figures and made their bot modes look like their cartoon counterparts. But no, instead they stuck to their guns and got the licensing for these particular models, only to bring us the best possible versions of these characters.

Takara did; we've yet to see if Hasbro is willing to pay any of the license fees to do their own releases of the MPs with licensed alt modes.

Just got Tigertracks and I am a damn fool for skipping Sideswipe and Red Alert. Definitely going for G2 Sideswipe and Bumblebee.

As for conjecture on future plans; judging by what has come out at this time:

Bumblebee will probably see a Goldbug repaint/retool within a year. This is more due to the license with VW only lasting X number of years and would garner interest in more Throttlebots. Bugbite is a possibility, but I'm not so sure about Glyph since she has no Takara/Hasbro/Marvel origins. If it happens it will probably be e-hobby.

If we're getting a G2 Sideswipe, you're going to see an Action Master Slice out of Wheeljack. Probably a "Marlboor" deco as well via e-hobby. Again, X number of years on the vehicle license means get your repaints out now.

Some conjecture on future licenses: They definitely have not all been secured. Even if Takara is working with Lamborghini, the reason we saw Tigertracks right away is the inability to secure the design for Sunstreaker. I know Tigertracks is not Sunstreaker, but I don't think it's a coincidence we got a yellow Lambo within six months of Sideswipe's release. I think Clampdown and the other dude are definite possibilities.

That's my thoughts on the subject based on what I've seen. Face value only, not gospel.

datguy86 wrote:Some conjecture on future licenses: They definitely have not all been secured. Even if Takara is working with Lamborghini, the reason we saw Tigertracks right away is the inability to secure the design for Sunstreaker. I know Tigertracks is not Sunstreaker, but I don't think it's a coincidence we got a yellow Lambo within six months of Sideswipe's release. I think Clampdown and the other dude are definite possibilities.

That's my thoughts on the subject based on what I've seen. Face value only, not gospel.

i believe the reason we saw tigertrack before sunstreaker is because sunstreaker is going to have to be an entire new mold, whereas tigertrack is basically a straight up repaint.

datguy86 wrote:Just got Tigertracks and I am a damn fool for skipping Sideswipe and Red Alert. Definitely going for G2 Sideswipe and Bumblebee.

As for conjecture on future plans; judging by what has come out at this time:

Bumblebee will probably see a Goldbug repaint/retool within a year. This is more due to the license with VW only lasting X number of years and would garner interest in more Throttlebots. Bugbite is a possibility, but I'm not so sure about Glyph since she has no Takara/Hasbro/Marvel origins. If it happens it will probably be e-hobby.

If we're getting a G2 Sideswipe, you're going to see an Action Master Slice out of Wheeljack. Probably a "Marlboor" deco as well via e-hobby. Again, X number of years on the vehicle license means get your repaints out now.

Some conjecture on future licenses: They definitely have not all been secured. Even if Takara is working with Lamborghini, the reason we saw Tigertracks right away is the inability to secure the design for Sunstreaker. I know Tigertracks is not Sunstreaker, but I don't think it's a coincidence we got a yellow Lambo within six months of Sideswipe's release. I think Clampdown and the other dude are definite possibilities.

That's my thoughts on the subject based on what I've seen. Face value only, not gospel.

I still don't understand the black repaint of Sideswipe. The deco is closer to Clampdown than G2 Sideswipe. On the weaponry makes him G2 Sideswipe.

Stormrider wrote:I still don't understand the black repaint of Sideswipe. The deco is closer to Clampdown than G2 Sideswipe. On the weaponry makes him G2 Sideswipe.

1) The color scheme is probably NOT final. Notice that the weapons are all in flat, test-shot grey.

2) The Marvel Comic G2 Sideswipe actually didn't have all the green highlights on him, so the color scheme is "right," if you prefer slavish accuracy to his appearance in the comics. I, however, won't be happy unless they do a PROPER G2 Sideswipe, garish green highlights and all! I love my G2 Sideswipe to pieces (no, literally, he lost half of his spoiler when I was a kid), and I wouldn't stop at anything if they did G2 'Swipe right. By the way, where do you guys think I should preorder from?

Speculations about MP Bumblebee's accessories?

Stormrider wrote:Speculations about MP Bumblebee's accessories?

The "I ♥ NY" plate; his gun; and the shoulder scanner from Atlantis, Arise!...?

The lab coat from MTMtE would be kind of funny.

Excluding Megatron,Soundwave and Grimlock every Masterpiece figure has had at least one repaint.I can see a Cliffjumper repaint/retool in the near future but I dunno about good old Jackie

Sir Soundwave42 wrote:Excluding Megatron,Soundwave and Grimlock every Masterpiece figure has had at least one repaint.I can see a Cliffjumper repaint/retool in the near future but I dunno about good old Jackie

Actually, Grimlock has had a couple redecos: the Japanese version of King Grimlock, and a comic-inspired deco that I think was an Amazon exclusive a few years back.

Mindmaster wrote:

Sir Soundwave42 wrote:Excluding Megatron,Soundwave and Grimlock every Masterpiece figure has had at least one repaint.I can see a Cliffjumper repaint/retool in the near future but I dunno about good old Jackie

Actually, Grimlock has had a couple redecos: the Japanese version of King Grimlock, and a comic-inspired deco that I think was an Amazon exclusive a few years back.

plus, soundwave is destined for a soundblaster repaint.

So glad I jumped on the MP train. Really impressed that we're getting these two figures as they don't seem like obvious choices but are still essential G1 characters. Can't wait to see how they're going to get accurate, licensed cars to turn into such stylized robots based on their animation models. I mean, Wheeljack's legs aren't that big in the toon. And being that 'Bee was a deformed Bug in G1, it will be interesting to see what they do with him here. If they do an accurate bug, it will take some real engineering wizardry to approximate his animation model. After Lazerbeak, though, I have no doubt Takara's up to task.

I would've thought Ironhide/Ratchet, Trailbreaker/Hoist, or Grapple/Inferno would've been more obvious choices due to the ease of retooling and repainting. I do hope we get Ratchet/Ironhide sooner than later. They're essential to a G1 Autobot lineup.

We do need more 'Cons, though. Megatron v2, Shockwave, Reflector, and the Constructicons are priorities, I hope. Seems that the Coneheads would be easy releases, too.

Sir Soundwave42 wrote:Excluding Megatron,Soundwave and Grimlock every Masterpiece figure has had at least one repaint.I can see a Cliffjumper repaint/retool in the near future but I dunno about good old Jackie

It may not be so clear cut in terms of retools - I get the feeling that in terms of the cartoon scale, Cliffjumper might be larger than Bumblebee. Although that said, a new head and a reshelling definitely sounds like it'll be on the cards.

Dean ML wrote:I would've thought Ironhide/Ratchet, Trailbreaker/Hoist, or Grapple/Inferno would've been more obvious choices due to the ease of retooling and repainting. I do hope we get Ratchet/Ironhide sooner than later. They're essential to a G1 Autobot lineup.

I get the feeling that the licenses came up for these guys and Takara had to jump on them. Also, all of the above are going to be double the price of the likes of Prowl if you look at the scale guide. Heck, Ironhide and Ratchet are a head shorter than Soundwave plus they have the battle station to go with them.

Dean ML wrote:We do need more 'Cons, though. Megatron v2, Shockwave, Reflector, and the Constructicons are priorities, I hope. Seems that the Coneheads would be easy releases, too.

On the contrary, run the ratios of 84 and 85 Bots to Cons. Most of the 84 Cons are already covered (with the exception of Relfector and maybe a V2 Megatron), while there are still a stack of 84 Bots to do. On top of that, there are almost double the number of Bots to Cons with the 85 lineup.

I get that Decepticon fans are frustrated, but those of us who are Autbot fans had to put up with a stack of Con releases in a row until there was an imbalance. Now it's the turn of Decepticon fans to wait it out while that imbalance is addressed.

Dean ML wrote:We do need more 'Cons, though. Megatron v2, Shockwave, Reflector, and the Constructicons are priorities, I hope. Seems that the Coneheads would be easy releases, too.

The MP 2.0 line up (so far) has;

Autobots:

MP-10 Optimus Prime

MP-12 Sideswipe

MP-14 Red Alert


Decepticons:

MP-11 Starscream

MP-11TC Thundercracker

MP-13 Soundwave & Laserbeak

MP-15 Rumble & Ravage

MP-16 Frenzy & Buzzsaw

That's 3 Autobots and 8 Decepticons, 5 Autobots if you add MPs 08 & 09. Then take into account the greater number of first year Autobots and having a large number of 'bots released in a row is a must.

Bowspearer wrote: On the contrary, run the ratios of 84 and 85 Bots to Cons. Most of the 84 Cons are already covered (with the exception of Relfector and maybe a V2 Megatron), while there are still a stack of 84 Bots to do. On top of that, there are almost double the number of Bots to Cons with the 85 lineup.

I get that Decepticon fans are frustrated, but those of us who are Autbot fans had to put up with a stack of Con releases in a row until there was an imbalance. Now it's the turn of Decepticon fans to wait it out while that imbalance is addressed.

Hey, I'm not complaining. I just want 'em all! I love 'em all. I do hope we get a new Megs and Shockwave sooner than later, though. I'm over the moon with any new MP release, though.

Dean ML wrote:So glad I jumped on the MP train. Really impressed that we're getting these two figures as they don't seem like obvious choices but are still essential G1 characters. Can't wait to see how they're going to get accurate, licensed cars to turn into such stylized robots based on their animation models. I mean, Wheeljack's legs aren't that big in the toon. And being that 'Bee was a deformed Bug in G1, it will be interesting to see what they do with him here. If they do an accurate bug, it will take some real engineering wizardry to approximate his animation model. After Lazerbeak, though, I have no doubt Takara's up to task.

I really hope Takara doesn't make the same mistake that they did with the Alternity figure and give us a telatubby looking MP Bumblebee. I think one of challenges with a Volkswagen Beetle is that the cab makes the robot mode look rounder and fatter than the cartoon character really is.

Arctorro wrote:

Dean ML wrote:We do need more 'Cons, though. Megatron v2, Shockwave, Reflector, and the Constructicons are priorities, I hope. Seems that the Coneheads would be easy releases, too.

The MP 2.0 line up (so far) has;

Autobots:

MP-10 Optimus Prime

MP-12 Sideswipe

MP-14 Red Alert


Decepticons:

MP-11 Starscream

MP-11TC Thundercracker

MP-13 Soundwave & Laserbeak

MP-15 Rumble & Ravage

MP-16 Frenzy & Buzzsaw

That's 3 Autobots and 8 Decepticons, 5 Autobots if you add MPs 08 & 09. Then take into account the greater number of first year Autobots and having a large number of 'bots released in a row is a must.

Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

Stormrider wrote:Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

I didn't forget them, I ignored them. I'm talking about G1 show characters represented by the "2.0" MPs that have been released since MP-10. MPs 06 & 07 don't fall under the 2.0 banner. Technically Sunstorm does, but I couldn't care less about him

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

I didn't forget them, I ignored them. I'm talking about G1 show characters represented by the "2.0" MPs that have been released since MP-10. MPs 06 & 07 don't fall under the 2.0 banner. Technically Sunstorm does, but I couldn't care less about him

Even though they are retools? The Coronation Starscream mold is derived from the original MP Seeker mold, restoring some of the intended details like the transformation of the tail fins.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

I didn't forget them, I ignored them. I'm talking about G1 show characters represented by the "2.0" MPs that have been released since MP-10. MPs 06 & 07 don't fall under the 2.0 banner. Technically Sunstorm does, but I couldn't care less about him

Even though they are retools? The Coronation Starscream mold is derived from the original MP Seeker mold, restoring some of the intended details like the transformation of the tail fins.

I could care less about Sunstorm, too, since he was just a G1 genericon. I've got Coronation SS and TRU Thundercracker on the way. Not that excited about them compared to the other MP 2.0 releases. Wish they'd been able to redo that mold from the ground up, or at least make some more major tweaks. Stylistically they still don't fit in that well with the rest of the new line. Still, they're definitely an improvement over the original MP Seeker mold. I'd love to see a new Skywarp released over guys like non-characters like Sunstorm and Acidstorm.

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

I didn't forget them, I ignored them. I'm talking about G1 show characters represented by the "2.0" MPs that have been released since MP-10. MPs 06 & 07 don't fall under the 2.0 banner. Technically Sunstorm does, but I couldn't care less about him

Since 2.0 MP is a loosely coined fan termed and the criteria of what falls under the "2.0" banner is inconsistent - saying that any MP released prior to MP10 is 1.0 is silly.

Just because Convoy was redone to fit in scale with the other masterpieces, doesn't make the other masterpieces prior to MP10 illegitimate. In my view, the Seekers are all in the same scale as MP11 Starscream. MP Rodimus works (though Hot Rod does not).

It's like the fan coined phrase "Generations 2.0" and "Generations 3.0". Generations Optimus Prime may have been one of the first figures from the line but it doesn't mean he should be ignored when standing next to Generations Hoist.

Stormrider wrote:

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

I didn't forget them, I ignored them. I'm talking about G1 show characters represented by the "2.0" MPs that have been released since MP-10. MPs 06 & 07 don't fall under the 2.0 banner. Technically Sunstorm does, but I couldn't care less about him

Since 2.0 MP is a loosely coined fan termed and the criteria of what falls under the "2.0" banner is inconsistent - saying that any MP released prior to MP10 is 1.0 is silly.

Just because Convoy was redone to fit in scale with the other masterpieces, doesn't make the other masterpieces prior to MP10 illegitimate. In my view, the Seekers are all in the same scale as MP11 Starscream. MP Rodimus works (though Hot Rod does not).

It's like the fan coined phrase "Generations 2.0" and "Generations 3.0". Generations Optimus Prime may have been one of the first figures from the line but it doesn't mean he should be ignored when standing next to Generations Hoist.

Now you're just nitpicking, and putting words in my mouth. Yes MP-03 is the same scale, but saying everything from MP-10 onwards is 2.0 is just an easy way of grouping the new MP's. I didn't say "the other masterpieces prior to MP10 illegitimate" and if you actually bothered to read my post you would've seen that I included MPs 08 & 09. The simple fact is that Takara rebooted the line with MPs 10 & 11, so if people want to just say 2.0 so others know that they are talking about a specific group of MPs, then what's the problem?

Jumping on someone for going along with Takara's reboot and using a term to make it easier to let people know what he is talking about is beyond "silly"

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Even though they are retools? The Coronation Starscream mold is derived from the original MP Seeker mold, restoring some of the intended details like the transformation of the tail fins.

Didn't someone say that the MP-03 mould was the second design and the MP-11 mould was what was originally designed, but the guy doing it wanted a more jet accurate figure than robot accurate, so the MP-11 mould was shelved until the reboot? Or am I remembering this completely wrong?

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:

Arctorro wrote:

Stormrider wrote:Don't forget MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker. They are in scale with MP11 Starscream. And if you want to get pickier, you can include Sunstorm, Tigertracks, and Black Convoy.

I didn't forget them, I ignored them. I'm talking about G1 show characters represented by the "2.0" MPs that have been released since MP-10. MPs 06 & 07 don't fall under the 2.0 banner. Technically Sunstorm does, but I couldn't care less about him

Since 2.0 MP is a loosely coined fan termed and the criteria of what falls under the "2.0" banner is inconsistent - saying that any MP released prior to MP10 is 1.0 is silly.

Just because Convoy was redone to fit in scale with the other masterpieces, doesn't make the other masterpieces prior to MP10 illegitimate. In my view, the Seekers are all in the same scale as MP11 Starscream. MP Rodimus works (though Hot Rod does not).

It's like the fan coined phrase "Generations 2.0" and "Generations 3.0". Generations Optimus Prime may have been one of the first figures from the line but it doesn't mean he should be ignored when standing next to Generations Hoist.

Now you're just nitpicking, and putting words in my mouth. Yes MP-03 is the same scale, but saying everything from MP-10 onwards is 2.0 is just an easy way of grouping the new MP's. I didn't say "the other masterpieces prior to MP10 illegitimate" and if you actually bothered to read my post you would've seen that I included MPs 08 & 09. The simple fact is that Takara rebooted the line with MPs 10 & 11, so if people want to just say 2.0 so others know that they are talking about a specific group of MPs, then what's the problem?

Jumping on someone for going along with Takara's reboot and using a term to make it easier to let people know what he is talking about is beyond "silly"

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Even though they are retools? The Coronation Starscream mold is derived from the original MP Seeker mold, restoring some of the intended details like the transformation of the tail fins.

Didn't someone say that the MP-03 mould was the second design and the MP-11 mould was what was originally designed, but the guy doing it wanted a more jet accurate figure than robot accurate, so the MP-11 mould was shelved until the reboot? Or am I remembering this completely wrong?

I did read your early post and it confused me. And your subsequent posts are also confusing me. Some robots you are including, and some you are not. You also mention MP11TC, but that numbering doesn't exist. Takara never remade Thundercracker, but I am guessing that you mean Hasbro MP Thundercracker (which was their first release of the character).

I think we are arguing slightly different points. The point that I am trying to make is that I don't believe Takara has rebooted the Masterpiece line. When Takara released MP10 Convoy they stated that an accurate scale going forward was going to be a main point. They didn't say they are rebooting the line. I think people made assumptions the line was rebooted when MP11 Starscream was released. This is why I include MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker in the number of Autobots and Decepticons that Takara has made.

Stormrider wrote:I did read your early post and it confused me. And your subsequent posts are also confusing me. Some robots you are including, and some you are not. You also mention MP11TC, but that numbering doesn't exist. Takara never remade Thundercracker, but I am guessing that you mean Hasbro MP Thundercracker (which was their first release of the character).

Doesn't take much to confuse you then does it

There are TWO MP Thundercrackers now with the second one being based on the MP-11 mould. I'm merely being clear on WHICH mould I am talking about and I am NOT the first person to say MP-11 Thundercracker. This will most likely get me a warning but your pathetic nitpicking is starting to annoy me, stop being a dick about this!

Stormrider wrote:I think we are arguing slightly different points. The point that I am trying to make is that I don't believe Takara has rebooted the Masterpiece line. When Takara released MP10 Convoy they stated that an accurate scale going forward was going to be a main point. They didn't say they are rebooting the line. I think people made assumptions the line was rebooted when MP11 Starscream was released. This is why I include MP06 Skywarp and MP07 Thundercracker in the number of Autobots and Decepticons that Takara has made.

You are the one who decided to start an argument over this

I couldn't care less about whether or not you consider the line to be rebooted, as you pointed out "When Takara released MP10 Convoy they stated that an accurate scale going forward was going to be a main point", can easily be interpreted as a reboot because they started again this time following the G1 scale chart which they clearly didn't before. There is no reason to jump on someone for thinking something has been rebooted because the line was given a fresh start.

Also, why not include MPs 03 & 05, that'd make as much sence as everything else you've said so far. If there was a perfectly good Starscream that already fit with the new scale why did Takara bother making another?

I made a list, if you don't agree with it, fine. Don't start telling me how I'm supposed to view the line, no one is doing that with you, and I've seen others use 2.0 and MP-11 Thundercracker without have to put up with this crap. Bugger off and let people who are trying to enjoy their hobby do so without having to deal with the likes of you

I agree about MP-10 setting a new Masterpiece standard. And to me, the MP-11 mold definitely looks better than the MP-03. (those horrid hip "kibble" pieces for starts.)

I also agree with Dean ML that the MP-11 still doesn't look perfect. Attempting to hide the nosecone under the back panel doesn't look very attractive.
And the "pecs" sit too low, or perhaps the head too high. The stabilizers..
But I guess there's a limit to what can be done. Mind you, not that it's not one impressive looking toy!

Man, I can't wait to get the Nissanbots, not to mention 'Bee..!

Cyberpath wrote:I agree about MP-10 setting a new Masterpiece standard. And to me, the MP-11 mold definitely looks better than the MP-03. (those horrid hip "kibble" pieces for starts.)

I also agree with Dean ML that the MP-11 still doesn't look perfect. Attempting to hide the nosecone under the back panel doesn't look very attractive.
And the "pecs" sit too low, or perhaps the head too high. The stabilizers..
But I guess there's a limit to what can be done. Mind you, not that it's not one impressive looking toy!

Man, I can't wait to get the Nissanbots, not to mention 'Bee..!

I agree that he doesn't look perfect, and for the same reasons, but he is impressive isn't he! I love to pose him with the cape spread wide and his arms extended like he is shooting someone while standing side on to them

Once all these Autobot cars are in hand I'm going to have to find a way of giving them more shelf space so they can be displayed in a battle scene instead of just standing side by side

I want to pose my MP Wheeljack with my MP Grimlock.. in some interesting way I have yet to think of. hmmmm..