The Energon Pub

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:06 pm

primalxconvoy wrote:Does anyone here remember when, price-be-damned, their repaints and efforts used to be good-to-amazing? They've really lost their way...

Maybe for some, but that SS Bug Bee is the best painted we will ever get for sure. Compared to the original, it's night and day. Not having the mold, and for only 15$CAN more than the regular release, it's like ordering the Henkei version from back then.

However, the prices on the voyagers and leader are absurd.

by **Nemesis Reformatted** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 8:21 pm

The only thing I would want from this line is a lighter violet Shockwave. I don't really like the super dark purple. But judging from all the other releases, there won't be much difference. :roll:

News Credits: 11 · by **primalxconvoy** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:41 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:
primalxconvoy wrote:Does anyone here remember when, price-be-damned, their repaints and efforts used to be good-to-amazing? They've really lost their way...

Maybe for some, but that SS Bug Bee is the best painted we will ever get for sure. Compared to the original, it's night and day. Not having the mold, and for only 15$CAN more than the regular release, it's like ordering the Henkei version from back then.

However, the prices on the voyagers and leader are absurd.

I suppose officially, and at a CHUG scale, but wasn't there an OSKO version painted to a (higher) quality?

by **ZeldaTheSwordsman** » Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:35 pm

Are we sure that's really even a photo of Premium Finish Starscream? If so, then he's a complete and total worthless waste of HasTak's money and the factory workers' labor to make, and a waste of our money to buy. I can't make out any deco detail improvements of note, not even something basic like painting side edge stripes on the robot mode side of the wings.

News Credits: 1 · by **Solrac333** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 1:09 am

Looks blurry. Hold on, let me put on my glasses. Nope. Still blurry.

News Credits: 19 · by **blackeyedprime** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:31 am

Ratchets figure was too small for me in the first place.

Starscream has a bit too much greebling to have detailed or paint enhancements, I decided I didn't need more of that mold and didn't get the rainbow trio so it's gonna be the same for repaints.

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 11:59 am

This new ratchet brings up an interesting question, Which premium version has been the best?

The 2007 Best Buy Premium Voyager Ratchet?

Transformers (2007) Premium Ratchet (Best Buy) Gallery

The DotM Deluxe Movie the Best Ratchet

: MB Ratchet

Or will this one dethrone them as the best representation of Movie Ratchet?

News Credits: 61 · by **EvasionModeBumblebee** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 12:35 pm

Overcracker wrote:This new ratchet brings up an interesting question, Which premium version has been the best?

Studio Series is definitely the best of them mold-wise IMO, though the deco is more arguable. The MTB and SS Premium go for a paler, flat green which lines up with the Prime 1 Studios statue, but looking at screenshots from the movie, the Best Buy might be closer to the actual on-screen color.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:23 pm

If you want what will likely be the perfect version of Studio Series Ratchet then the Premium Finish line (lines?) has you covered. And if you want an even dirtier version of Siege Starscream for some reason then they've got you covered there, too.

PF SS-04 Ratchet right off tones down the day glow green of the original release and gives us a much more accurate yellow-green. And the new paint work on the head pulls out all the right details in his face that the blob of gray paint from the original figure never could. The rest of the new paint details throughout his body make this almost look like a new mold. The rescue truck mode isn't so bad itself adding extra touches of silver to the top and wheels and sharpening up the tampographs on the sides. This will be a must have for many Studio Series collectors.

PF WFC-04 Starscream is, as expected, not much different from the original Siege figure, just with a lot more grit and wear. The figures don't share any of the same "damage", but the new version has a lot more of it, especially in the Tetra Jet mode, which was already quite a bit. only real obvious pallet change is the red used appears to be a little paler and his face is now gray instead of silver. Outside of that there's a little extra red on his lover wing tip and his "belt" now goes around his sides instead of just the front. For most this will be an easy pass.

Both figures are due out in January 2022 and will be available outside of Japan through Hasbro Pulse and many of the site sponsors you see on this very page.

Original stock photos for comparison:

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:34 pm

That Ratchet is LEAGUES above the original. I'll consider him. :-?

As for Starscream, look like he was on the wrong end of a bukkake fest. #-o

News Credits: 61 · by **EvasionModeBumblebee** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:35 pm

Premium Ratchet is a HUGE improvement in alt mode. A few touch-ups I’d have to add, but not bad. I’d like to pick it up, these are available on Pulse, right?

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:38 pm

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:Premium Ratchet is a HUGE improvement in alt mode. A few touch-ups I’d have to add, but not bad. I’d like to pick it up, these are available on Pulse, right?

Yes, usually a day or two after Japan.

Emerje

News Credits: 4 · by **Quantum Surge** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:39 pm

That Ratchet may be the first Premium figure I buy. Bumblebee is a second option and maybe Siege Optimus in spite me not liking the show. I'll preorder Ratchet and hope Bumblebee pops up as well

News Credits: 30 · by **DeathReviews** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:53 pm

Outside of that there's a little extra red on his lover wing tip...

His lover wing tip, eh? Do we want to know what that looks like...?

News Credits: 18 · by **Immortal Starscream** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:02 pm

with all the sculpted details on the siege molds, all that starscream would have needed would have been a simple wash to make those details pop. kind of a wasted opportunity. but that ratchet.... oh I might need him.

News Credits: 10 · by **transformers_va** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 10:40 pm

Does anyone know if they're planning on applying this premium finish to all of the previously released figures?

First thing that popped to mind is a premium finish SS Devastator

News Credits: 11 · by **primalxconvoy** » Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:09 pm

Starscream still looks like dogsh*t. It seems that Bakara hasn't learnt from fan-feedback that cr@pple-damage is NOT wanted for re-releases (by either those who already bought the original, or those who wanted a clean version).

News Credits: 61 · by **EvasionModeBumblebee** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:59 am

transformers_va wrote:Does anyone know if they're planning on applying this premium finish to all of the previously released figures?

First thing that popped to mind is a premium finish SS Devastator

Unfortunately there are only two more figures from each premium line (For SS it’s rumored to be SS-32 Prime and Jetfire) from what we know so far. Maybe there will be more waves in the future, but that’s all we know about for now.

I’m impressed with Ratchet, so I’d really like to see them tackle figures like ROTF Starscream that I missed out on at retail.

News Credits: 12 · by **Evil Eye** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:33 am

Ratchet looks a LOT better. Shame the figure still has the backpack, but even so, that's a huge improvement. Starscream though, eh. I'm quite happy with the Siege version.

News Credits: 10 · by **transformers_va** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:57 pm

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:Unfortunately there are only two more figures from each premium line (For SS it’s rumored to be SS-32 Prime and Jetfire) from what we know so far. Maybe there will be more waves in the future, but that’s all we know about for now.

Cool, thank you!

I'd definitely be happy with Premium Finish Jetfire! Whilst not too happy with the character in the movie, I do enjoy the alt-mode (SR-71s are just cool)

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 6:40 am

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:Unfortunately there are only two more figures from each premium line (For SS it’s rumored to be SS-32 Prime and Jetfire) from what we know so far. Maybe there will be more waves in the future, but that’s all we know about for now.

How accurate is that list you're talking about? I've seen some say SS-06 is Shockwave, but also said SS-02 could be a Camaro Bee while also saying WFC 04 would be Soundwave. All seems like guessing to me, those super dark and grainy teasers were barely decipherable. If SS Jetfire is coming I'll be curious what kind of wizardry they put on him because that was already a great looking figure.

Emerje

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 6:53 am

If they ever make a WFC Soundwave, I wonder if it would be the Siege version or the Netflix version? Will it come with both Ravage and Lazerbeak? Will the paint job be a bukkake of grime like for Starscream? :-?

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 11:56 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:If they ever make a WFC Soundwave, I wonder if it would be the Siege version or the Netflix version? Will it come with both Ravage and Lazerbeak? Will the paint job be a bukkake of grime like for Starscream?

Siege for sure, most likely no tapes, but it'd be the NetFlix tapes if he did, and yes.

Emerje

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Sun Aug 01, 2021 6:12 pm

Ratchet looks really sharp. And he still reminds me I need the DotM Ratchet still too

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 5:05 pm

The Takara Premium Finish figures are out, some for a little while and others just a few days ago. So, we have video reviews for four of them now. Seibertron Japan correspondent MattinJapan gave us his review for Megatron which just came out (yay more of that Siege mold!) which gave us the idea to do this roundup. These reviews give us a good idea at the deco, which is what this line is all about. We also have reviews from Ultrazilla, PvP and Gavinstoycupboard. Enjoy them and let us know if you'll get any of these. If you do want them, they are all available at various online importers, like bigbadtoystore.