The Energon Pub

That's what I'm feeling. I have a couple of problems, and I'm hoping you guys can help a newb out.

So, my area is suffering a serious TF drought. We've got a bunch of Payload, Dreadwing, and one of my Wal-Marts has had Voyager Rescue Ratchet and Thundercracker for about a week now. Should I be picking these up? I initially wanted to stick to in-movie figs, but that seems to be getting nowhere slow.

Out of my few figs, I have a leader Megs. I recently read, however, that the batteries included will eventually leak, ruining the package/figure. Now, I'm a MISP person, it's just how I roll. Is there ANY way I can prevent this leakage? Perhaps store Megs in a cool place? I really don't want to depreciate the value of such a fig.

I'd really appreciate some opinions here. Thanks a million.

Are you new to TF, by the recent movie? There are a few good ones not in the movie, Wreckage being my favorite.

Are you only buying to save MISB? You could always open Megatron to simply take out the battery, and put him right back. By the way, these Transformers aren't expected to be as valued as the old ones due to higher production.

I was a fan of TF long ago, and when the movie hit, it seemed like a completely new thing. :\ In short, yes, I'm pretty much new to TF/figure collecting.

Bummer about the values, but they're cool nonetheless.

even if the figures are not as valuable as they were in the past, but if you want to protect the Megatron figure. Take the batteries out when not in use. This could prevent leakage from the batteries to the figure.

I see. Looks like I'll have to open Megs in order to save him. So cruel!

mosh magnus wrote:Are you new to TF, by the recent movie? There are a few good ones not in the movie, Wreckage being my favorite.

Are you only buying to save MISB? You could always open Megatron to simply take out the battery, and put him right back. By the way, these Transformers aren't expected to be as valued as the old ones due to higher production.

The production is pretty high, but go and try to find a leader prime right now. Even with this excessive production ... certain figures are already difficult to find. Just like any other line ... certain figures are going to pull in BIG money as time passes, while others will not.

Sure, we can wait until the next wave of releases ... but years after the line is over, certain figs will become rare and expensive.

G1 Target redecos are tough to find, Robovision Prime ... forget about it. Collecting MISB is never a bad idea, but if your sole purpose is for investment ... then yes, most of the spent money will be wasted.

I believe anyone could at least make their money back years down the road by selling the MISB crappy figures at cost.

Keep the rare ones to appreciate in value, everyone's happy.

Thanks for the info, Quiksilver. I know, I really want that Leader Prime, but I'm lost as to where to get one now. I was lucky to find Leader Megs a week ago.

What do you think about the extra TFs they made (Dreadwing, Thundercracker, Swindle, Longarm)? Those worth picking up? Hell, I'm even thinking about displaying a TF or two. I hear good things about some TFs' playability and looks.

Whichever one you get depends on your taste but everybody around here is always ready to lend their opinion. Personally, I have the G1 Starscream instead of the movie. I haven't opened the G1 Jazz yet but he's a lot better then the movie version also.

If you have a Costco near you and a card they may still have the Leader Primes, $36 plus two legends. Budget shoppers usually don't shell out that much for toys. Of course, he has batteries also so MISB is not the way. Also, you have some time before batteries even have a chance of leaking so you could leave him MISB for a year or two before you take him out.

I have two leader primes from Costco. One was for MISB and one for playing but my voyager Prime's box got messed up when I left him in the sunny car so I still have two unopened Leaders. Been on the fence about whether I should get rid of one or not.

videriant, hi again! We've got Sam's around here, dunno if that's about the same as Costco...

Bluesummers wrote:What do you think about the extra TFs they made (Dreadwing, Thundercracker, Swindle, Longarm)? Those worth picking up? Hell, I'm even thinking about displaying a TF or two. I hear good things about some TFs' playability and looks.

Personally, I don't like the cyclops transformers, so I skipped Dreadwing, Swindle and Payload. As for Longarm, I picked him up. I didn't have the chance to pick up the Hasbro Movie Screen Battles "Final Stand" where they corrected the side to read Mike's Towing. But I still think of Longarm as a "movie" transformer.

As for Thundercracker, I picked up Starscream... and one of this mold was plenty for me.

Happy hunting!

Blue, are you looking to open and display the smaller figs, like Payload and Dreadwing? They're pretty cool as-is, w/ nice articulation and unique robot modes, cyclops-heads aside. Payload in particular has ncie molded details all over. And Dreadwing's jet mode is excellent.

Are you into modding TFs? If so, I modded these 2 figs and they look and work much better IMHO. I amputated Payload's back plunger and gave him a pair of battle claws to wear on his forearms, resulting in a virtually kibble-free fig. And I put a real TF head on Dreadwing. I posted these mods over on TFans.com, and I'll re-post them here tonight (can't access TFans from work). They're somewhat "adventurous" mods, but they really make these figs come alive, again IMHO, YMMV.

So, if it's not too late to make a long story short, yes, pick up Payload and Dreadwing, and Thundercracker too, why not. I'm looking for him myself, but with all I've spent on TFs in recent months I'm just afraid I might find him! Good luck and enjoy.

Thanks, Decepticharge. I noticed these things flying off the shelves, so I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. I guess the kiddies are on the hunt as much as I am.

Hip-Hop: I wanted to do MISP, but these things just look so darn fun. As for modding, I'd probly screw it up. I'd need someone who knows what they're doing...but I do think most of these figs look great as-is.

Might get a Dropkick if I see him again. I heard great things about it. And I just might get Dreadwing/Thundercracker, just because I'm seeker-less atm.

Bluesummers wrote:videriant, hi again! We've got Sam's around here, dunno if that's about the same as Costco...

Sam's and Costco are different. Sam's had the three-pack Jazz/Bonecrusher/Brawl for $26. The ones in Houston are out of them.

That sounds cool, since I don't have any of those three figures. :\ Might go to Sam's later...

Get Thundercracker at least because he is a seeker, and take Megatron out of his package, remove the batteries, paint him silver and put him back in the box. Wont be MISB but will look a million times better for display purposes. Or you could just get the Best Buy Megatron which is repainted metallic silver, looks cool and can stay MISB.

Alright, so I've got a few fingers pointing to Thundercracker. He looks good, so I'll get him. Rescue Ratchet, though? Worth it? Keep in mind, I have no Ratchet, so he'd go toward my movie Autobot collection...

As for Megs, I now need final opinions on him. As a MISP collector, should I just return it, since he won't ever be at full value? Or should I just bite the bullet, take him out, and play/display him? Would that be worth the $39.96(+ tax) I paid? It'd be great to have a TF figure out, but such a costly one? Thanks to all!

Hip-Hoptimus Rime wrote: I modded these 2 figs and they look and work much better IMHO. I amputated Payload's back plunger and gave him a pair of battle claws to wear on his forearms, resulting in a virtually kibble-free fig. And I put a real TF head on Dreadwing. I posted these mods over on TFans.com, and I'll re-post them here tonight (can't access TFans from work). They're somewhat "adventurous" mods, but they really make these figs come alive, again IMHO, YMMV.

Post them. I'd like to see these.