The Energon Pub

Hi guys I used to be a collector I had all the alternators and I have a masterpiece Optimus prime the white redeco for ultra Magnus and a star scream. I ant to start off again where is the best place to start. I know I will not be able to source a lot of them

Depends on your budget and preference, really. If you're wanting to keep it cheap, I'd go for the smaller figures, like the Autobot Cars, first. Bots like Prowl, Bluestreak, Wheeljack, and Road Rage are pretty nice figures, and you can generally find them for under $100.

If you don't mind spending a bit more money, I'd definitely go for Shockwave, Grimlock, and Ultra Magnus (The newer one, heh). MP-10 and MP-10B are also getting reissues, so if you want the newer Optimus mold now is the perfect time to get it for a somewhat reasonable price. If you can find Soundwave for a good price, definitely pick him up, as he's such a cool figure to display.

Finally, if money is no object to you, I'd definitely recommend Megatron. Despite the problems people had with him when he first came out, he's still a very very cool figure. Plus, his transformation is really quite an experience.

Well, that's some of my thoughts on where I would start. I do hope this helps! Happy collecting!

Thank you any idea who is the best site to use

Overloaded wrote:Thank you any idea who is the best site to use

I don't know how their prices on masterpieces compare, but just from a customer service perspective, I'm pretty happy ordering from BBTS. My CW Devastator came (sealed) with factory error and they took good care of me.

Overloaded! Welcome back to Seibertron!

Your query is perfect for this thread, so I took the liberty of merging

I can help too. But need a moment to compose myself

shajaki wrote:Overloaded! Welcome back to Seibertron!

Your query is perfect for this thread, so I took the liberty of merging

I can help too. But need a moment to compose myself

Thank you I try to keep up to date

Overloaded wrote:Thank you I try to keep up to date

So! I thought I's answered this question recently with someone else, and kinda, but not thoroughly. But first, you have a lot in consideration there... what's the actual goal? Total completionist? Character completionist? Mold completionist?

Firstly:
You said you had Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Starscream? Can I assume these are MP-1, MP-2, and MP-3 respectively?

Secondly, where to acquire new:
Keep a close eye on all outlets. Keep up on new releases, and TakaraTomy is reissuing things all the time. Watch import stores like Amiami and HLJ. Normally they are the cheapest option (especially with pre-orders, they are cheaper than when they physically come in stock). Then there's always Hasbro and TRU. They have proven to be difficult to find, expensive, and far and fewer between when compared to their Japanese counterparts. But still, it's a resource. And lastly, if you're uncomfortable with importing then there's always BBTS. Prices are slightly inflated to compensate for them importing stuff themselves, but their POL feature and customer service are top notch.

Where/how to acquire old:
What local resources do you have? For example, I'm a part of a local Facebook group (for the city I live in) that I have gotten some amazing deals from. There's also Kijiji, which is basically a not-shifty version of Craigslist. I just search "transformers" and check it daily. There's some fantastic Used TF sites out there these days too. TransformerLand is a great American one, and Mandarake is an equally great Japanese one. And finally, eBay. I have a list of saved searches, probably 60-80 different Transformers toys and lines, that I check a minimum of twice a day. You really need to be careful though, what with the MP KO's all over the place. And with eBay, you can get steals if you got the patience.

If you can get specific about which MP's you're hunting first, I can help narrow down your search

shajaki wrote:

Overloaded wrote:Thank you I try to keep up to date

So! I thought I's answered this question recently with someone else, and kinda, but not thoroughly. But first, you have a lot in consideration there... what's the actual goal? Total completionist? Character completionist? Mold completionist?

Firstly:
You said you had Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Starscream? Can I assume these are MP-1, MP-2, and MP-3 respectively?

Secondly, where to acquire new:
Keep a close eye on all outlets. Keep up on new releases, and TakaraTomy is reissuing things all the time. Watch import stores like Amiami and HLJ. Normally they are the cheapest option (especially with pre-orders, they are cheaper than when they physically come in stock). Then there's always Hasbro and TRU. They have proven to be difficult to find, expensive, and far and fewer between when compared to their Japanese counterparts. But still, it's a resource. And lastly, if you're uncomfortable with importing then there's always BBTS. Prices are slightly inflated to compensate for them importing stuff themselves, but their POL feature and customer service are top notch.

Where/how to acquire old:
What local resources do you have? For example, I'm a part of a local Facebook group (for the city I live in) that I have gotten some amazing deals from. There's also Kijiji, which is basically a not-shifty version of Craigslist. I just search "transformers" and check it daily. There's some fantastic Used TF sites out there these days too. TransformerLand is a great American one, and Mandarake is an equally great Japanese one. And finally, eBay. I have a list of saved searches, probably 60-80 different Transformers toys and lines, that I check a minimum of twice a day. You really need to be careful though, what with the MP KO's all over the place. And with eBay, you can get steals if you got the patience.

If you can get specific about which MP's you're hunting first, I can help narrow down your search

Thank you

Overloaded wrote:Thank you

No worries

Like I said, if you've got some particular ones in mind to start with, I could advise you further. Good luck!

Lets talk MP-10.
Believe it or not, they have not exhausted their options for variants, and there's ones I still want. Would you buy any of these?

MP-10S (Sleep Mode)
Out of all MP-10's on this list (and that have already been made), this is the one I want the most. Prime has always been subject to being repaint fodder, and I always thought that after Black Convoy and Cab-Magnus, this should be the go-to. And yet, MP-1S is the only one of his kind. For such an iconic moment in the TF franchise, you'd think they'd homage it more.



MP-10G (Generation 2)
You might think "Really? He's barely different from G1 OP". But there is a lot they could do to distinguish him from the G1 look. First and easiest, yellow eyes and G2 insignias. After that, give him his black trailer plastered with his disguise ruining "OPTIMUS PRIME" written on the sides. Now lets get to the deco and new pieces! The deco doesn't need to be any different than the Takara MP-10 (as he should definitely be keeping the darker toy blue) but could have some battle damage'ish paint apps (like Hasbro's first MP-1). He should absolutely have the additional backback and big new guns. And if they really wanted to give it their all, give him a new head sculpt, more sharp and stylized like the comic art. I would simply die if they made that





MP-10D (Battle Damaged)
Styled after his fight with Megatron in TFTM, and before he actually dies, Battle Damaged MP-10. Seems like kind of a long shot, but with the additional BD pieces that MP-36 Megatron came with... you never know. It has been done before, most notably with Hasbro's first release of MP-1.




MP-10U (Ultra Magnus)
The white Prime. Simultaneously loved and hated. For such a staple, how has this gone ignored for so long? There is a KO, but I seriously don't recommend it.



MP-10M (Magna Convoy)
Magna Convoy? Powered Convoy? Delta Magnus? Whatever you want to call this guy, its basically a blue cab'd G1 Optimus Prime. Inspired from Diaclone, this was the first use of the Ultra Magnus mold. We have an MP of the super mode, but much like the white Prime Magnus, I want a blue Prime.

I am also incredibly surprised we've gone this long without a Magnus MP-10 -- you'd think it'd be first on the list. And I'm sure it'd look awesome next to the actual MP Magnus; maybe someone could make MP Magnus into a mid-transformation pose to trick the eye into thinking the White Prime is coming out of it.

I can't complain myself as the ones I'd want most already exist; Nemesis and SG. Though you know what they should do?

CRAYOLA PRIME

hmmm ... so I went ahead and pre-ordered him.

Still not sure if I need him in the collection or not. I'm more for collecting main characters rather than repaints and obscure characters.

I know there's a KO, and I've ogled it many times, but I'd be down for an official translucent MP-10.
Also, totally random pipe dream, but something along the lines of the '07 Movie Leader Night Watch deco would be cool.
Green B.A.P.E. would fill that niche for me, but unfortunately I don't poop money.

If we're talking obscure character repaints, I would love to see a repaint "Action Master" Prime from the last issue of the US Marvel comics run. I'd also love to see him retooled into that stylized Prime from the G2 comics.

Though, if I had to choose a re-release, I'd definitely choose the Sleep Mode Convoy. That's such a cool MP in my opinion. Sadly, the aftermarket price is very much not cool.

I would buy the hell out of MP-10 ultra Magnus, Magna convoy and sleep mode. Ultra Magnus and Magna Convoy because they're different characters and sleep mode because in my head he's a zombie version of prime.

shajaki wrote:LMP-10S (Sleep Mode)
Out of all MP-10's on this list (and that have already been made), this is the one I want the most. Prime has always been subject to being repaint fodder, and I always thought that after Black Convoy and Cab-Magnus, this should be the go-to. And yet, MP-1S is the only one of his kind. For such an iconic moment in the TF franchise, you'd think they'd homage it more.

Maybe it hasn't been homaged as much because it's such a morbid, depressing redeco that's based on one of the biggest black marks in the brand's history? I mean, Hasbro practically shot themselves in the foot with the cinematic death of Optimus Prime, in their failing to realize just how much he meant to all those kids who were traumatized by the ordeal. It's not exactly a deco that has a whole lot of marketing appeal.

All those "traumatised kids" are now grown adults and it would be an ideal coping mechanism as we can use him to rise from the grave and kick Hot Rod in the head.

Burn wrote:All those "traumatised kids" are now grown adults and it would be an ideal coping mechanism as we can use him to rise from the grave and kick Hot Rod in the head.

Think of it from a corporate perspective. Would you want to immortalize one of your most regretful business mistakes, and then flood the market with the physical representation of that constant reminder?

Burn wrote:All those "traumatised kids" are now grown adults and it would be an ideal coping mechanism as we can use him to rise from the grave and kick Hot Rod in the head.

Grown adults physically, sure, but in terms of maturity...

Kurona wrote:CRAYOLA PRIME

I'd rather that than all the BAPE's

Burn wrote:hmmm ... so I went ahead and pre-ordered him.

Your dilemna sounds similar to someone else. See how he overcame

Cobotron wrote:I know there's a KO, and I've ogled it many times, but I'd be down for an official translucent MP-10.

Of course you would
That's one I missed. I don't usually think about ghost Prime's for some reason. Starscream's sure, but not Prime's

EmirateXaaron wrote:If we're talking obscure character repaints, I would love to see a repaint "Action Master" Prime from the last issue of the US Marvel comics run.

I'm not familiar with that... any pics for reference?

steals_your_goats wrote:...sleep mode because in my head he's a zombie version of prime.

Sabrblade wrote:Think of it from a corporate perspective. Would you want to immortalize one of your most regretful business mistakes, and then flood the market with the physical representation of that constant reminder?

It was a mistake in the 80's.

This is 30 years later. Indication in this thread aside, take a look at the number of fan repaints and dioramas there's been over the years. The market potential IS there, even if it's only a limited run.

Kurona wrote:Grown adults physically, sure, but in terms of maturity...

Not every person who grew up with G1 is a Bay-hater.

shajaki wrote:Your dilemna sounds similar to someone else. See how he overcame

awwwwww man. A video? You know how hard it's going to be to find the attention span for a video? Even if it is Thew!

There's controversy over the Sleep Mode? Seriously?
All I see it as, is a thing that happened. And with other silly variant repaints like "Matrix Glow Ultra Magnus" and "Fire Guts God Ginrai", then why not? Also lets not even talk about the silly variant repaints that have nothing to do with anything like YOTH MP-10 and YOTG Soundwave

If they;re willing to capitalize on something like "KissPlayers" then a dead Optimus Prime shouldn't be an issue.

shajaki wrote:There's controversy over the Sleep Mode? Seriously?

"Buy this toy of your childhood hero on his deathbed, kids! Recreate this most depressing moment as your hero's life fades to a weathered corpse! It's bleak, macabre, and only yours for $99.99! Recommended for Age 8 and Up!"

Sabrblade wrote:

shajaki wrote:There's controversy over the Sleep Mode? Seriously?

"Buy this toy of your childhood hero on his deathbed, kids! Recreate this most depressing moment as your hero's life fades to a weathered corpse! It's bleak, macabre, and only yours for $99.99! Recommended for Age 8 and Up!"

shajaki wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

shajaki wrote:There's controversy over the Sleep Mode? Seriously?

"Buy this toy of your childhood hero on his deathbed, kids! Recreate this most depressing moment as your hero's life fades to a weathered corpse! It's bleak, macabre, and only yours for $99.99! Recommended for Age 8 and Up!"

Marvel Zombies is a whole different (and glorious) animal.