The Energon Pub

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Any good, small transformers? I have a few modern Micromasters, and those legs just won't stay on...

To interact as Titan minions? Look no further than the current Legion / Legend class figures. Also don't be confused about the name, but look for the Transformers Prime and Dark of the Moon Cyberverse toys if you don't mind universes crossovers. Many of them are SO good!

Huh, those are so neat! Shame they're not available any more . . .

Mkdlmr wrote:Huh, those are so neat! Shame they're not available any more . . .

Almost a decade too late to get them in store, but they are good prey when hunting at the flea markets.

I recently went and I saw a few.

Mkdlmr wrote:Any good, small transformers? I have a few modern Micromasters, and those legs just won't stay on...

Out of curiosity, specifically which Micromasters do you have? I didn't really get into the Micromasters myself, so the only ones I have are from that Galactic Odyssey set Kanra mentioned to you before, but I don't have any issues with them falling apart, and I know I heard others say that the early Siege Micromasters were some of the worst ones QC-wise (which would explain the Red Heat/Stakeout issues you mentioned). If the only ones you have so far are early Siege, you may want to just try getting some of the ones from the later waves of Siege or some of the Earthrise ones and see if those are better.

Also, in the same vein of what Kanra already said, the current Kingdom Core Class is the closest thing we currently have to those older Cyberverse guys. The character selection for those isn't really diverse yet since they just became a thing this year, but I think they've been pretty universally liked when it comes to quality (the only real complaints I've heard are that people wanted a bigger Rattrap instead of a Core one) and the recent influx of early store listings we've gotten for next year's product indicates they're going to make a lot more of them next year.

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Any good, small transformers? I have a few modern Micromasters, and those legs just won't stay on...

Out of curiosity, specifically which Micromasters do you have? I didn't really get into the Micromasters myself, so the only ones I have are from that Galactic Odyssey set Kanra mentioned to you before, but I don't have any issues with them falling apart, and I know I heard others say that the early Siege Micromasters were some of the worst ones QC-wise (which would explain the Red Heat/Stakeout issues you mentioned). If the only ones you have so far are early Siege, you may want to just try getting some of the ones from the later waves of Siege or some of the Earthrise ones and see if those are better.

Also, in the same vein of what Kanra already said, the current Kingdom Core Class is the closest thing we currently have to those older Cyberverse guys. The character selection for those isn't really diverse yet since they just became a thing this year, but I think they've been pretty universally liked when it comes to quality (the only real complaints I've heard are that people wanted a bigger Rattrap instead of a Core one) and the recent influx of early store listings we've gotten for next year's product indicates they're going to make a lot more of them next year.

Air strike patrol
Rescue patrol
Battle patrol

All three have the legs falling off problem... Interestingly enough the micromaster that came with Omega supreme has no issues...

Are there any photos and/or videos of size comparisons between core and micro masters?

Mkdlmr wrote:So, opinions about the Ark?

Weakest of the three WFC Titans, but still better than expected. Ark mode cut a few too many corners like leaving the awful gap on the sides or molding all the guns in fixed positions instead of making them proper moving parts. Even more bizarre they gave it a spring loaded ramp that doesn't serve any real function and possibly sacrificed his middle thruster for it. Should have put that engineering into guns that can move. Otherwise it's serviceable as the Ark.

Bot mode is quite a bit better. Transformation is easy, parts don't fall off (if you do it right), he's very solid and his joints are very stiff (almost frighteningly on the shoulders). One thing I rally like is how the gaps fill themselves in when certain joints are moved. There are some signs real care put into this figure, but at the same time some really baffling decisions like both articulating his hands, but also making them nearly useless by making the fingers too straight. His big feet do make him super stable.

Mainframe is pretty cool though. His Teletraan 1 mode is easy enough to do, his Ark bridge mode is a neat bonus and his bot mode is solid enough. I doubt we'll ever get him in his normal red and blue colors, but he's a pretty nice figure on his own.

It's a little nitpicky but I am a little annoyed that he only has two sets of effect parts (six parts total) for his four thrusters, but I don't really use them anyway. How much are they saving by not giving his four sets?

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:So, opinions about the Ark?

Weakest of the three WFC Titans, but still better than expected. Ark mode cut a few too many corners like leaving the awful gap on the sides or molding all the guns in fixed positions instead of making them proper moving parts. Even more bizarre they gave it a spring loaded ramp that doesn't serve any real function and possibly sacrificed his middle thruster for it. Should have put that engineering into guns that can move. Otherwise it's serviceable as the Ark.

Bot mode is quite a bit better. Transformation is easy, parts don't fall off (if you do it right), he's very solid and his joints are very stiff (almost frighteningly on the shoulders). One thing I rally like is how the gaps fill themselves in when certain joints are moved. There are some signs real care put into this figure, but at the same time some really baffling decisions like both articulating his hands, but also making them nearly useless by making the fingers too straight. His big feet do make him super stable.

Mainframe is pretty cool though. His Teletraan 1 mode is easy enough to do, his Ark bridge mode is a neat bonus and his bot mode is solid enough. I doubt we'll ever get him in his normal red and blue colors, but he's a pretty nice figure on his own.

It's a little nitpicky but I am a little annoyed that he only has two sets of effect parts (six parts total) for his four thrusters, but I don't really use them anyway. How much are they saving by not giving his four sets?

Emerje

Thanks so much! I really do like bigger figures and am torn on the Ark. Omega supreme is fantastic (minus the weird head just sitting being the turret thing). Never cared much for headmasters, but most people seem to rank Scorponok and Omega as the best titans it seems... the ark is one of those "Hey, I always thought it should transform. Neat! It transformed in animated, but we didn't get a figure...wait a sec they're finally made one that transforms?!" I completely feel your on all the of faults you identified; I especially hate the hands...

Mkdlmr wrote:Air strike patrol
Rescue patrol
Battle patrol

All three have the legs falling off problem... Interestingly enough the micromaster that came with Omega supreme has no issues...

All 3 of those teams you mentioned are from the first 2 waves of Siege, which are the ones a lot of the quality issues happened with that put people off of the later releases. You might want to try sets from later in Siege and from Earthrise (Military Patrol, Battle Squad, Off-Road Patrol, etc).

Mkdlmr wrote:Are there any photos and/or videos of size comparisons between core and micro masters?

Here's a quick shot I took of Core Rattrap compared to one of the Astro Squad members (and Redwing for an additional reference point).

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Air strike patrol
Rescue patrol
Battle patrol

All three have the legs falling off problem... Interestingly enough the micromaster that came with Omega supreme has no issues...

All 3 of those teams you mentioned are from the first 2 waves of Siege, which are the ones a lot of the quality issues happened with that put people off of the later releases. You might want to try sets from later in Siege and from Earthrise (Military Patrol, Battle Squad, Off-Road Patrol, etc).

Mkdlmr wrote:Are there any photos and/or videos of size comparisons between core and micro masters?

Here's a quick shot I took of Core Rattrap compared to one of the Astro Squad members (and Redwing for an additional reference point).

IMG_2366.jpg

Thanks! Looks like the core class is almost in-between voyager [did I get that right?] And Micromasters size.

Mkdlmr wrote:Thanks! Looks like the core class is almost in-between voyager [did I get that right?] And Micromasters size.

Voyager is the correct class name, yes. Voyager figures do vary in size a good bit these days though, and there are still Deluxes that fit in-between the Cores and Voyagers, so I mostly included Redwing as a metric for you specifically because you said you have that figure in the Haul thread. The easiest metric is to say that 1 Core = 2 Micromasters, since the Micromaster 2-packs and the Core figures are/were the same price point at retail and the alt mode for a Core is comparable in size to the combined alt modes the Battle Squad, Astro Squad, and their repaints/retools possess. They just took the materials and budget that were going into 2 smaller figure and put it into 1 bigger figure.

Core Class is also basically the equivalent of what Legends Class was (Legends from T30(2014)-PotP(2018))

Huh, can't seem to find a sky lynx or jetfire [earthrise] at MSRP... Thoughts?

Mkdlmr wrote:Huh, can't seem to find a sky lynx or jetfire [earthrise] at MSRP... Thoughts?

Even if you are American, you can still import it from amazon.ca:
https://www.amazon.ca/Transformers-Toys ... oys&sr=1-1

As for Jetfire, you're a bit too late. Still the MP is announced so some people may sell theirs. Keep an eye open!

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Huh, can't seem to find a sky lynx or jetfire [earthrise] at MSRP... Thoughts?

Even if you are American, you can still import it from amazon.ca:
https://www.amazon.ca/Transformers-Toys ... oys&sr=1-1

As for Jetfire, you're a bit too late. Still the MP is announced so some people may sell theirs. Keep an eye open!

Thanks! I did come across this version of Jetfire. . .
https://hasbropulse.com/products/transf ... 8190071363

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Huh, can't seem to find a sky lynx or jetfire [earthrise] at MSRP... Thoughts?

Even if you are American, you can still import it from amazon.ca:
https://www.amazon.ca/Transformers-Toys ... oys&sr=1-1

As for Jetfire, you're a bit too late. Still the MP is announced so some people may sell theirs. Keep an eye open!

Thanks! I did come across this version of Jetfire. . .
https://hasbropulse.com/products/transf ... 8190071363

If you don't care about the colors, it's your best bet.

I'm curious as to what you feel are the most notable/iconic G1 (seasons 1-4, but feel free to pull from other series) Transformers with good modern figures? Care to share?

So far my contemporary G1-ish lineup is:

Optimus prime (Walmart Netflix exclusive)
Bumblebee (Walmart Netflix exclusive)
Grimlock (SS86)[why wasn't he in the war for Cybertron trilogy?]
Omega Supreme (Siege)

Megatron (Walmart Netflix exclusive)
Starscream (Target exclusive Red Wing, to be replaced with SS86)
Soundwave (Walmart Netflix exclusive)
Devastator (Takara Unite Warriors)

I really want to include Shockwave on that list, but siege shockwave's alt mode is just so blah...

Mkdlmr wrote:
I really want to include Shockwave on that list, but siege shockwave's alt mode is just so blah...

Siege Shockwave is the one you need. As for his altmode, how come an epic battleship is "blah"? Regardless, you are not forced to use the armor parts in either modes. Just make a permanent "drone sled" with the armor parts and use Shockwave as a "voyager". The bot is pretty much spot on and the "submarine" mode is actually his original gun mode cleverly renamed and shown upside-down.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:
I really want to include Shockwave on that list, but siege shockwave's alt mode is just so blah...

Siege Shockwave is the one you need. As for his altmode, how come an epic battleship is "blah"? Regardless, you are not forced to use the armor parts in either modes. Just make a permanent "drone sled" with the armor parts and use Shockwave as a "voyager". The bot is pretty much spot on and the "submarine" mode is actually his original gun mode cleverly renamed and shown upside-down.

Roger. So, who in the Autobot lineup would balance him out though?

Mkdlmr wrote:
Roger. So, who in the Autobot lineup would balance him out though?

Ultra Magnus, who else? Either Siege or Kingdom are valid. If you like him gray for reasons, there's the Netflix or Takara Premium versions.
Easy enough to get.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:
Roger. So, who in the Autobot lineup would balance him out though?

Ultra Magnus, who else? Either Siege or Kingdom are valid. If you like him gray for reasons, there's the Netflix or Takara Premium versions.
Easy enough to get.

Really? I would have thought Wheeljack or Ratchet would offset the evil scientist that is Shockwave... Never was a big fan of Ultra Magnus...

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:
Roger. So, who in the Autobot lineup would balance him out though?

Ultra Magnus, who else? Either Siege or Kingdom are valid. If you like him gray for reasons, there's the Netflix or Takara Premium versions.
Easy enough to get.

Really? I would have thought Wheeljack or Ratchet would offset the evil scientist that is Shockwave... Never was a big fan of Ultra Magnus...

He's still an essential part of the G1 lineup. Wheeljack will be easy enough to get, but forget about any versions of WFC Ratchet and Ironhide. Secondary market prices are nuts.

For a Ratchet and Ironhide that are valid but imperfect, you can get the Classics for a reasonable price.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:
Roger. So, who in the Autobot lineup would balance him out though?

Ultra Magnus, who else? Either Siege or Kingdom are valid. If you like him gray for reasons, there's the Netflix or Takara Premium versions.
Easy enough to get.

Really? I would have thought Wheeljack or Ratchet would offset the evil scientist that is Shockwave... Never was a big fan of Ultra Magnus...

He's still an essential part of the G1 lineup. Wheeljack will be easy enough to get, but forget about any versions of WFC Ratchet and Ironhide. Secondary market prices are nuts.

For a Ratchet and Ironhide that are valid but imperfect, you can get the Classics for a reasonable price.

I guess? I always felt like Magnus was a punching bag... I wanted Siege Ratchet, but never find him and feel he's way overpriced atm.

Kinda want rumble and frenzy, but not willing to spend $50 for them and end up with three ratbat molds...

Mkdlmr wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Air strike patrol
Rescue patrol
Battle patrol

All three have the legs falling off problem... Interestingly enough the micromaster that came with Omega supreme has no issues...

All 3 of those teams you mentioned are from the first 2 waves of Siege, which are the ones a lot of the quality issues happened with that put people off of the later releases. You might want to try sets from later in Siege and from Earthrise (Military Patrol, Battle Squad, Off-Road Patrol, etc).

Mkdlmr wrote:Are there any photos and/or videos of size comparisons between core and micro masters?

Here's a quick shot I took of Core Rattrap compared to one of the Astro Squad members (and Redwing for an additional reference point).

IMG_2366.jpg

Thanks! Looks like the core class is almost in-between voyager [did I get that right?] And Micromasters size.

Any idea if these Micromasters are without issue?

Hot rod patrol
Race track patrol
Military patrol
Astro patrol

Really tempted to pick up scorponok or black zarak in the not-too-distant future. Kinda torn on which one though. Thoughts?

I'm not really fond of the character, but the toy is pretty awesome looking. Still loving my Omega Supreme!

Mkdlmr wrote:Really tempted to pick up scorponok or black zarak in the not-too-distant future. Kinda torn on which one though. Thoughts?

I'm not really fond of the character, but the toy is pretty awesome looking. Still loving my Omega Supreme!

Go for whichever looks the "coolest".
Because I already have G1 Scorponok and I wanted Select Blackie, having ER Scorpy was redundant. So I'm only getting Black Zarak because having the original is out of the question, and that character was the ultimate villain in Masterforce (my favorite TF series).

If you get either, you'll have to get their little friend, for completion sake. Select Black Rorichi for Black Zarak (may be hard to find) and Fasttrack for Scorponok (piss-easy to find.)

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Really tempted to pick up scorponok or black zarak in the not-too-distant future. Kinda torn on which one though. Thoughts?

I'm not really fond of the character, but the toy is pretty awesome looking. Still loving my Omega Supreme!

Go for whichever looks the "coolest".
Because I already have G1 Scorponok and I wanted Select Blackie, having ER Scorpy was redundant. So I'm only getting Black Zarak because having the original is out of the question, and that character was the ultimate villain in Masterforce (my favorite TF series).

If you get either, you'll have to get their little friend, for completion sake. Select Black Rorichi for Black Zarak (may be hard to find) and Fasttrack for Scorponok (piss-easy to find.)

This guy? https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B087Z6M5GK/ ... 6T6B6XD2VZ