The Energon Pub

feel free to mention what you expected from an MP figure.
I assume there will be lots of Grimlocks here, so I'm gonna go with MP07.

1) lots of diecast, 30% or more
2) not so fragile
3) parts shouldn't fall off so easily
4) shouldn't require taking off pieces unless it's a gimmick

The laser pointer cannon/scope was brilliant, I would have
expected a working scope, but this is perhaps slightly better

I expected the chain on his spiked ball to be shorter.

As a MP though I would have wanted him to be able
to go back and forth to either original
G1 bot mode features and cartoon features.

In other words
G1 bot:
silver head with crown looking design
silver chest with fancy markings

cartoon:
white chest,
white head with face we all recognize

now being able to go from G1 original toy mode to cartoon mode
would have made him MP worthy gimmick even if all it was,
was to exchange his head and chest piece.

would be nice to also come with the sword and gun that the original
came with.

My only gripe with MP Megatron is that some of the really thin delicate tabs should have been metal. Those things snap off easier than gram crackers.

I certainly have some small gripes with the various masterpiece figures...But as far as what I EXPECT...I expect very detailed and relatively complex versions of classic characters...

And that's exactly what has been delivered...

well,

then it seems like overall they have delivered pretty decently then!
I just want to see more and hope they keep improving and eventually make one that will wow me as much as MP01

I'm hoping for Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, and Devastator myself

wmpyr wrote:1) lots of diecast, 30% or more

Why?

What is so great about die-cast?

I admit, I like the feel of a figure when it has some weight to it as a result of die-cast metal, however, that material has some real draw-backs to it.

Weight, support, and paint damage are all issues that really only have to be addressed when die-cast is added in.

I suppose it's all preference, but I just don't see die-cast as something which is good without question.

Counterpunch wrote:

wmpyr wrote:1) lots of diecast, 30% or more

Why?

What is so great about die-cast?

I admit, I like the feel of a figure when it has some weight to it as a result of die-cast metal, however, that material has some real draw-backs to it.

Weight, support, and paint damage are all issues that really only have to be addressed when die-cast is added in.

I suppose it's all preference, but I just don't see die-cast as something which is good without question.

I completely agree...I don't HATE die-cast in general but I think it's very overrated...I can't stand about 95% of the Titanium line because of how much the figures suffer for the sake of having them be nearly all metal...

Counterpunch wrote:

wmpyr wrote:1) lots of diecast, 30% or more

Why?

What is so great about die-cast?

I'd agree with you here, there's nothing inherantly (sp?) good about diecast, aside from the satisfying weight. But I can understand why people like it: it brings back G1 memories and psychologically speaking it adds a feeling of value to the product. How often do the words "cheap" and "plasticky" go together? Doesn't Swindle with a metal chest feel like more of a "find" than with a plastic chest? I like having the diecast Predaking cause it feels like I'm somehow getting a superior version.

But yeah, diecast has its problems. I'm glad that only a few special figures in my collection have it.

I expect MP's to be the best representation of the best features of the most signifficant characters. So far, I have one of each MP mold. All of which have met or exceeded my expectations.

All look great. Spot on for the characters they represent. I mean, OP, Megatron, Grimlock, and Skywarp could not possibly be mistaken for anyone else.

Die cast has ups and downs. Personally, I love it. OP is my favorite of the bunch due to the sheer weight and look of him. They are more display pieces than toys, so I am not too worried about the paint chipping issue. They are robots. Robots are not made of plastic. For my toys (the ones I play with use plastic), the ones I display (the expensive ones, mostly) die-cast the whole thing.

The transformation sequences for each one was very different. Megatron is just ridiculously difficult. OP wasn't easy, but it was do-able. Skywarp wasn't bad at all. Grimlock was really easy. I don't think it has to be difficult in order to acheive the purpose. Megatron and Prine needed to have more steps in order to get into their modes. In order to have large robots change shape into their alt modes lots of mass had to be shifted. Brilliant engineering. Grimlock and Skywarp didn't need all that. To me, none of the transformations are "better" than another.

The accessories are good as well. They mixed in stuff that was seen all the time (OP's signature gun and Megatrons arm cannon) with some "not so obvious" things (Dr. Archeville, and the energon axe/mace). Nice fot eh casual observer and the hard core fan.

In summary, as a collector I love them all. If I was going to pick a line to collect exclusively, MP is it.

I expect something that stands apart from the standard lines. Something that has as much love and thought thrown at it as possible during design and build.

Basically, something special.

I think we have had that on all figures so far. The seeker tedium was to be expected but they all look great. Megatron was probably the best you could do given his alt mode, just wish they had paid more attention to his stability, the ankle joints are sub standard for a figure of that weight. Prime and Magnus are perfect examples of what the line should be.

As for the Die Cast issue. I like Die Cast and I like plastic, but which is best? There's only one way to find out.....FIGHT!!

If they dont use Die Cast then I would like to see painted plastic as it gives a better finish although I suppose it could introduce quality control issues. A painted figure gives more of a collectible feel over bog standard plastic I feel.

Diem wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

wmpyr wrote:1) lots of diecast, 30% or more

Why?

What is so great about die-cast?

I'd agree with you here, there's nothing inherantly (sp?) good about diecast, aside from the satisfying weight. But I can understand why people like it: it brings back G1 memories and psychologically speaking it adds a feeling of value to the product. How often do the words "cheap" and "plasticky" go together? Doesn't Swindle with a metal chest feel like more of a "find" than with a plastic chest? I like having the diecast Predaking cause it feels like I'm somehow getting a superior version.

But yeah, diecast has its problems. I'm glad that only a few special figures in my collection have it.

Agreed. Just can't see what all the hype is about over diecast. Like the weight but not the issues that can come with it.

I think die cast would be nice to have in places like legs, so that the bots are more stable standing up. Grimlock is fine, since he has large, chunky feet, anyway, but Megatron and the seekers could do with a little more weight from the waist down so they can stand up in more varied poses.

Figure-wise, I expect utter perfection - no paint chips, no slightly damaged parts due to the factory drill being accidently brought onto the plastic, just enough die-cast in the right places to give weight and stability, unintrusive and complementary electronic gimmicks, nice tight joints, no loose parts that fall off, no chrome chipping in-package, poseability out the wazoo, and built to last for a looooong time. The MP line sure brings out the nitpicking perfectionist in me, so I was initially disappointed to find some drill-chipping on BOTH the surfaces on my very first Masterpiece, Grimlock's pelvic joints, a chrome chip on one tail segment (sorta patched that up with a dab of silver paint), and a transparent screwhole plug kept falling off his neck (fixed that with some paper glue).

Character-wise, Takara's exceeded my expectations and ideas, what with including every accessory imaginable that the figure has interacted with in the cartoon series, the neat-looking card, and the instruction booklet detailing the history of the character, their "Best Moments", the featuring of the character's previous toy incarnations (although i found it a bit dissapointing that Grimlock's animated toys weren't featured in his toy list) etc. etc. etc. It's all very nice to look at, even if I don't understand the Japanese text at all.

Well, perfect-information-detailing, check! Perfect-quality, not so. <sighs> Nothing's truly 100% perfect, right?

Warbreaker wrote:(although i found it a bit dissapointing that Grimlock's animated toys weren't featured in his toy list)

Do you mean Transformers: Animated? 'Cos it only showed G1 figures.