The Energon Pub

My favorite Legacy Evolution figures for 2023:

Core - Swoop
Deluxe - Needlenose
Voyager - Nemesis Leo Prime
Leader - Dreadwing
Premium Price - Deathsaurus

Swoop I like because he isn't hindered in any major way by being a combiner like other Dinobots. Snarl is a close second, but I don't like the way the arms become the back legs or the massive lower leg mode.
Needlenose is a fun figure, decent Transformation and I'm glad he comes with his Targetmaster partners even if they aren't as nice as Core ones.
I might have said Leo Prime, but the lack of painted details on the lion face hurt it a lot. Nemesis Leo Prime looks so much better.
For Dreadwing, it just comes down to preferring the blue and gold over the green and silver of Skyquake.
Deathsaurus only just edges out over Armada Optimus simply because he's a funner figure to handle at the size, IMO.

Emerje

I didn't get very much from Legacy Evolution, only Armada Optimus, Megatron and both versions of Hot Shot, the Insecticons, Needlenose, Dirge, Shadow Striker, Animated Prowl, Dreadwing and Skyquake. Out of those, I'd say I like Armada Optimus and the Dreadwing mould the most, and Shadow Striker the least. There wasn't much else from Evolution I really wanted, I skipped on all of the Cores, most of the Deluxes and Voyagers and all of this year's Capsules.
There's a lot more in Legacy United I'm interested in getting, but still not exactly the entire product line. I already have Tigerhawk, Tasmania Kid and Thundertron, while Animated Optimus and Bumblebee are on pre-order, and I'm definitely getting Tidal Wave, Silverbolt, Vector Prime and at least a couple of the Star Seekers, while Side Burn and the Leader Soundwave are on the maybe pile for now. As much as I dislike Shadow Striker, it's still possible that Side Burn could wear the mould better.

It appears that I didn't get much at all from Legacy in 2023.
Needlenose, which surprised me because I'm not much into the comics. But I really liked the design and I am in need of more Decepticons in my display.
War Dawn 2-pk, and Devcon because I like the Cybertronians.

Strongarm I'm still on the fence with as it's not G1 but I do like the character, and the Bot mode isn't all wonky. Though by the time I decide it'll be 2024. I guess on the positive side my wallet thanks me for such a light year!

Got a little photo dump to do, the first wave of United is seriously the strongest Legacy wave by far, and that's without getting Tigerhawk yet, who is probably my most desired 2024 figure!

first up, rock brothers. I like both of them, and they make a great pair. I am still trying to figure out where they will go on the shelf, currently debating going with Animated, the Junkions, or maybe somewhere else






Next up is Chase. I like him, he is a nice Rescue bot. I think the only think that annoys me is that kibble right behind his shoulders, makes arm rotation a bit annoying. But he is good, I like him, they did him well.





Finally, I got my last 2 cores and deluxes of the wave! Some quick thoughts:

Energon Megatron is a great little toy, they kept so much of the original big toy, but made it small. I love that his backpack still rotates. He's nice! I need to get out my legends Megatron from Cybertron to take some pics.

Tasmania Kid is also pretty neat. I like how different yet similar his transformation is compared to the old Beast Wars basics. He's just really cute. I'm not a huge fan of the flat hands, but it's OK.

Animated Bee is nice! I like this Bee as a character, and the toy ain't bad either! I think the two spots I don't like as much are his less boot-like lower legs and small feet (which aren't bad but aren't my preference) and the fact his stingers can only plug in in 2 handed position, they can't just plug in straight. I feel like they could've done both configurations. But either way, i like him a lot.

Finally, Windblade is perfect. She is just lovely. I love the jet mode, and the robot mode ROCKS. She is very stable, and really cool looking. They took her OG T30 toy, and drastically improved it using queues from her Cyberverse and RiD2015 toys. And she works in Cyberverse! I like her! I cannot wait to take pics of her with Bee!

I like the bot mode an deco on Chase, I just don't care for the "Animated/Cartoony" look for the head sculpt. But I get the aesthetic they're going for based on the source, it's just not for me personally. If I could swap out the head sculpt with something else I'd consider getting it as a fan of Police cars in general. Perhaps Hot Rod's painted blue/gray.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1tFdyPMIHy ... llcW9xYw==

Magmatron looking pretty good

My top Legacy figures from '23 were an easy pick because I didn't buy that much.

Menasor being completed was definitely the highlight. What an outstanding combiner.
Then the two Insecticons, which happen to be the two I like the best. Although I was initially more excited about Shrapnel, overall I'm a bigger fan of Bombshell.

Honorable mentions go to Beachcomber and Devcon.


So far this year it looks like I'm only getting Gears and Origins Wheeljack from Legacy United.
I'm very, very anxious to see what this leader Soundwave ends up being.

Yeah, I really like Devcon. Unfortunately I'm still waiting on Breakdown so I won't be completing Menasor anytime soon. Beachcomber as well got pushed back several months at EE so...

I'm hoping for a better 2024, at least in regard to what I'm after. Who knows it might have been somebody's best year!

If we get a new Soundawve, Awesome! If we get a new Powrglide, great! Asterotrain would also be most welcome and I think I could very well be convinced to by a Commander version if it fixes all of issues of the last figure! But hopefully they can manage it fine with a Leader class release. Of course this feels like the very last thing that would ever happen.

Reruns of both VW Bee, Sunstreaker and Thrust(Target) would be really nice.

Till-all-R1 wrote:Yeah, I really like Devcon. Unfortunately I'm still waiting on Breakdown so I won't be completing Menasor anytime soon. Beachcomber as well got pushed back several months at EE so...

I'm hoping for a better 2024, at least in regard to what I'm after. Who knows it might have been somebody's best year!

If we get a new Soundawve, Awesome! If we get a new Powrglide, great! Asterotrain would also be most welcome and I think I could very well be convinced to by a Commander version if it fixes all of issues of the last figure! But hopefully they can manage it fine with a Leader class release. Of course this feels like the very last thing that would ever happen.

Reruns of both VW Bee, Sunstreaker and Thrust(Target) would be really nice.

I'd love a power glide and a new astrotrain as well

Till-all-R1 wrote:Yeah, I really like Devcon. Unfortunately I'm still waiting on Breakdown so I won't be completing Menasor anytime soon. Beachcomber as well got pushed back several months at EE so...

I'm not sure why their stock is so late... As of right now they're not getting SS86 Frenzy until June. I'm assuming I'll find him at Target before then, but still, seems odd. Breakdown and completing Menasor will be worth the wait, trust me.

Till-all-R1 wrote:I'm hoping for a better 2024, at least in regard to what I'm after. Who knows it might have been somebody's best year!

If we get a new Soundawve, Awesome! If we get a new Powrglide, great! Asterotrain would also be most welcome and I think I could very well be convinced to by a Commander version if it fixes all of issues of the last figure! But hopefully they can manage it fine with a Leader class release. Of course this feels like the very last thing that would ever happen.

Reruns of both VW Bee, Sunstreaker and Thrust(Target) would be really nice.

I can't complain at all about this past year.
First, I forgot to mention Blitzy... Despite the dreadful underside of the jet mode, I thought everything else (including the top view of the jet) was on point. I love the bot mode.
Then, SS86 Snarl, my favorite Dinobot, was finally added to my collection.
Between him, Menasor, the Insecticons, and getting Cosmos through a friend, it was an outstanding year for me. SS86 Ratchet and CC Ultra Magnus were a nice bit of icing to cap-off '23. Not to mention on a whim I picked up a Buzzworthy RotB OP.

In the next couple years I'd say a new Astrotrain wouldn't be out of the question. I'd also assume Thrust will be released as well. I thought Ramjet was on the way, but there's been no word about him for this year.
That may have been an incorrect rumor.
A big yes to both VW Bee and Sunstreaker. Pretty sure the listing for him is legit, but who knows, I'm starting to think it could be another concept figure.

Just saw there’s an Autobot multipack in the pipeline through Selects…
Definitely want to get this just for Hound, Sunstreaker, & Trailbreaker.
It will be interesting to see if these are free of transparent plastic.

Sowndwave76 wrote:First, I forgot to mention Blitzy... Despite the dreadful underside of the jet mode, I thought everything else (including the top view of the jet) was on point. I love the bot mode.
Then, SS86 Snarl, my favorite Dinobot, was finally added to my collection.
Between him, Menasor, the Insecticons, and getting Cosmos through a friend, it was an outstanding year for me. SS86 Ratchet and CC Ultra Magnus were a nice bit of icing to cap-off '23.

I really liked Blitzwing too, especially the Bot mode. I didn't list him because he was a 2022 purchase for me. But if they can deliver that good on a new Astrotrain I'm all for it!

I'm not into the Dinobots enough to get them at almost $60 each, they look great though! Since I already went through the trouble and of getting the Amazon Ratchet, and slightly over paying, I decided to pass on SS86 release.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Just saw there’s an Autobot multipack in the pipeline through Selects…
Definitely want to get this just for Hound, Sunstreaker, & Trailbreaker.
It will be interesting to see if these are free of transparent plastic.

Honestly that sounds like a very nice set if true, two most wanted and a decent reissue? I missed Trailbreaker due to having other more important things on my mind so I wouldn't say no to a second chance at him, though I suspect the deco will be different somehow being it's "Selects"? I can't see them doing a straight reissue of him so soon.

I hope they can fix the color match issue with Sunstreaker. And for Hound, IDK, with them reusing the Siege mold I'm not quite convinced yet. Maybe it's the color on Detritus but it didn't win me over in the sculpt department. The legs just don't look right to me for G1 Hound. Nor does the front bumper. Guess I'll have to wait and see final product.

Till-all-R1 wrote:I really liked Blitzwing too, especially the Bot mode. I didn't list him because he was a 2022 purchase for me. But if they can deliver that good on a new Astrotrain I'm all for it!

I'm not into the Dinobots enough to get them at almost $60 each, they look great though! Since I already went through the trouble and of getting the Amazon Ratchet, and slightly over paying, I decided to pass on SS86 release.

I wish I liked the Siege Astrotrain more... But I didn't and still don't; too much greebling and the extras were completely mehhh for me, so I would hope they give that guy another go in the next couple years.
Understandable with the Dinobots... As much as I love these figures, $55+ for each is steep. I'd keep an eye on SS86 Ratchet; he'll probably go on sale at some point, and then you may be able to sell the ER version for a reasonable price.

Till-all-R1 wrote:Honestly that sounds like a very nice set if true, two most wanted and a decent reissue? I missed Trailbreaker due to having other more important things on my mind so I wouldn't say no to a second chance at him, though I suspect the deco will be different somehow being it's "Selects"? I can't see them doing a straight reissue of him so soon.

I hope they can fix the color match issue with Sunstreaker. And for Hound, IDK, with them reusing the Siege mold I'm not quite convinced yet. Maybe it's the color on Detritus but it didn't win me over in the sculpt department. The legs just don't look right to me for G1 Hound. Nor does the front bumper. Guess I'll have to wait and see final product.

As much as I don't like seeing Wheeljack or Jazz in this set, the other three make it well worth it for me. I never saw Sunstreaker or Trailbreaker, and I really want that Hound even though he's not one of my favorite characters. The mold probably could have been better, but at this point I'll take it.

I have a good feeling that these will all have completely solid plastic. For me this is enough to replace my current Wheeljack and Jazz, and this should allow Sunstreaker to have a consistent yellow color throughout.

It will be interesting to see the cost... I'd be happy if Hastak priced this like they did with the Buzzworthy multi-packs and made it a deal, but being a Selects release, I could see it being at least $120.

Happy New Year fans!!!

Devcon was one of the few I missed finding in stores. He was released in stores or did I miss something?
What wave was he apart of? My thanks in advance!

Nemesis Destron wrote:Happy New Year fans!!!

Devcon was one of the few I missed finding in stores. He was released in stores or did I miss something?
What wave was he apart of? My thanks in advance!

Devcon never showed up in my neck of the woods either. He was part of Legacy Evolution Deluxe class Wave 3, along with Axlegrease, Beachcomber, and a rerelease of Tarantulas.

Below are images from Mark Maher's Instagram post where he gives us a neat write up on all things Magmatron. Enjoy!


Behold… the Predacon Emperor of Destruction, Legacy United Commander class Magmatron is ready to shred through your puny collection. Bare witness to the rath that 3 of the largest species of dino’s, the Giganotosaurus, the Quetzalcoatlus, and the Elasmosaurus can do to your Maximal and Autobot armies!
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Still can’t really believe I was able to bring this incredible bad guy to life with the amazing Shu san over at Takara Tomy. His dedication and keen design sense just put this guy over the top!

There’s so much to talk about, where do I even begin, the sculpted details, the colors, the insane articulation, the size, the transformation sequence, the blast effects, the magmablade, the magmasaurus mode. When I first saw this OG toy so many years ago, I was blown away, there was so many things I love about Transformers packed into this guy. Then once I actually watched the Beast Wars Neo dubbed series and saw the action sequence of the combining dino’s I damn near pooped my pants!

Some deets Dnavi said to mention, the shouldered blurple landsaurus head can move forward in robot mode, the lower jaws of all the dino’s have painted mouths, the blast effects fit into the port of the magmablade but you can also position it as a blaster, due to transformation the waist actually hinges and can act as almost an ab crunch articulation, the seasaurus can plug into a 5mm port to stay stationary or can unplug and become mobile, the skysaurus does have his 2 removable terrorswords, wooooooooo (allow me to Ric Flair strut around the room)

This year is going to have some real doozies I think all of yall will love! The long nights, the relentless work, the extra, the weathering of the storm, its all worth it for everyone to get the TF toys we all want and deserve! more soon!

This Devilmanesque MOFO will be mine!

And I won't wait for a sale.

Looking closely at his tail, it kinda looks like the tail just hangs down sagging behind his waist where the original figure's tail rotated upside-down and plugged into his backside to keep it in place and prevent any and all sag.

Sabrblade wrote:Looking closely at his tail, it kinda looks like the tail just hangs down sagging behind his waist where the original figure's tail rotated upside-down and plugged into his backside to keep it in place and prevent any and all sag.

Mistransformation?

Because I spy a clip on that tail that is not used.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Looking closely at his tail, it kinda looks like the tail just hangs down sagging behind his waist where the original figure's tail rotated upside-down and plugged into his backside to keep it in place and prevent any and all sag.

Mistransformation?

Because I spy a clip on that tail that is not used.

That might be for the Magmasaurus configuration instead.

And these pics come from the guy who designed it, so I would hope he'd know how to transform it properly.

'Course, I would also hope that he knew how the original transformed and hope that he wasn't working off a BW Magmatron with its tail not fully transformed.

Clip for the "just kill me" super beast for sure.

As for that tail, after comparing the vintage and the modern, I don't see what's "sagging" about it. The vintage can just point down like a 3rd leg while the Legacy one flows naturally like a real tail.

-Kanrabat- wrote:As for that tail, after comparing the vintage and the modern, I don't see what's "sagging" about it. The vintage can just point down like a 3rd leg while the Legacy one flows naturally like a real tail.

The underside of the tail is sagging below the crotch space. In these two pics:




On the original toy, that would only happen if the tail wasn't turned upside-down and plugged in properly. When done so, that made sagging impossible and kept the tail's connection to the body above the crotch behind the waist. Here, it looks as though they were working off the original toy with the tail not fully transformed correctly.

He looks awesome, genuinely can't wait to get my paws and claws on this guy. Big and imposing as Mags ought to be!
I also enjoy how posable he is, looks like it'll make sword fighting poses interesting.

I really want to see him next to Kingdom Megatron and Deathsaurus.

Emerje

Looking at the pics some more and previous stock photos, I feeeeeeeel like the "sagging tail" could be a mistransformation, the port on the tail could probably just be for the combined dino form, but I think it probably pegs into the back. My assumption is that, while yes the designer should probably know how the toy they helped design should function, it does seem like it'd possibly restrict most of the waist articulation that's being shown off in the shots. Maybe Mark thought it looked cooler with the tail down. Or maybe he was a bit rushed to take pics of this sample, seeing as the one for the product shots also have the tail down.
Of course, maybe it really was designed based off of a mistransformation. Would not be new at all in Transformers history!