The Energon Pub

Was it ever confirmed that they came from third party sources or is it just an assumption?

Not confirmed, but I'm not sure what else could constitute a 1200 backer jump overnight, unless something like Pulse UK backers weren't being counted initially, and then all of a sudden they were.

Wouldn't surprise me if it was a technical hitch. Though Takara's silence is interesting. I'll have to go digging to refresh my memory on how Unicron was handled over there. I think it was through Takara Tomy Mall if I remember right.

ZeroWolf wrote:I think it was through Takara Tomy Mall if I remember right.

Yep.

That is what I figured as well, (about TT Mall), but did they crowdfund and add to Pulses numbers on a regular basis, or did they just order a fixed amount for the Japanese market, and then they all got added at once?

o.supreme wrote:That is what I figured as well, (about TT Mall), but did they crowdfund and add to Pulses numbers on a regular basis, or did they just order a fixed amount for the Japanese market, and then they all got added at once?

When searching for the TTM link, I came across posts in the Unicron thread saying "Ryan confirmed on the latest Twincast Podcast (available here!) that Takara Tomy Mall orders would NOT count towards the HasLab campaign total."

Which is... odd, to say the least.

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That is what I figured as well, (about TT Mall), but did they crowdfund and add to Pulses numbers on a regular basis, or did they just order a fixed amount for the Japanese market, and then they all got added at once?

When searching for the TTM link, I came across posts in the Unicron thread saying "Ryan confirmed on the latest Twincast Podcast (available here!) that Takara Tomy Mall orders would NOT count towards the HasLab campaign total."

Which is... odd, to say the least.

That is weird Do we have any idea on the estimate of Unicrons that were ordered through TTM?

Gotta say, it still feels a bit odd that the 2nd unlock tier is a dedicated stand, since as far as I can see there's nothing about this figure that seems incompatible with other, generic stands (unless it's heavier than it looks). I could easily think of at least two, maybe three things which would make better goals (the Rescue Team Micromasters - a third of which could even be recolors of Siege Stakeout & Red Heat -; a figure of Jan - either with his manga Victories armor and a figure of Patty, or a tranformable Illumina II he could drive -; maybe the Multiforce, but with the level of engineering required, that would be pushing the budget).

I just hope they don't hide a much better 3rd tier that won't be unlocked because this one discouraged the backers.

MaximalNui wrote:Gotta say, it still feels a bit odd that the 2nd unlock tier is a dedicated stand, since as far as I can see there's nothing about this figure that seems incompatible with other, generic stands (unless it's heavier than it looks). I could easily think of at least two, maybe three things which would make better goals (the Rescue Team Micromasters - a third of which could even be recolors of Siege Stakeout & Red Heat -; a figure of Jan - either with his manga Victories armor and a figure of Patty, or a tranformable Illumina II he could drive -; maybe the Multiforce, but with the level of engineering required, that would be pushing the budget).

I just hope they don't hide a much better 3rd tier that won't be unlocked because this one discouraged the backers.

Well, Star Saber is roughly Siege Jetfire sized, and while I haven't handled the mold yet (planning to get the SG version), I heard from my friend that he was too heavy for most of the single stands he has, and looked too unstable on the stands that did hold the weight

ZeroWolf wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:

o.supreme wrote:That is what I figured as well, (about TT Mall), but did they crowdfund and add to Pulses numbers on a regular basis, or did they just order a fixed amount for the Japanese market, and then they all got added at once?

When searching for the TTM link, I came across posts in the Unicron thread saying "Ryan confirmed on the latest Twincast Podcast (available here!) that Takara Tomy Mall orders would NOT count towards the HasLab campaign total."

Which is... odd, to say the least.

That is weird Do we have any idea on the estimate of Unicrons that were ordered through TTM?

I seem to recall that near the end they changed their tune and counted the TTM numbers towards the total. I recall the podcast Saber linked, and thought that sometime later than that they changed things up. But then again, everything about the Unicron campaign was bit of a mess.

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

MaximalNui wrote:Gotta say, it still feels a bit odd that the 2nd unlock tier is a dedicated stand, since as far as I can see there's nothing about this figure that seems incompatible with other, generic stands (unless it's heavier than it looks). I could easily think of at least two, maybe three things which would make better goals (the Rescue Team Micromasters - a third of which could even be recolors of Siege Stakeout & Red Heat -; a figure of Jan - either with his manga Victories armor and a figure of Patty, or a tranformable Illumina II he could drive -; maybe the Multiforce, but with the level of engineering required, that would be pushing the budget).

I just hope they don't hide a much better 3rd tier that won't be unlocked because this one discouraged the backers.

Well, Star Saber is roughly Siege Jetfire sized, and while I haven't handled the mold yet (planning to get the SG version), I heard from my friend that he was too heavy for most of the single stands he has, and looked too unstable on the stands that did hold the weight

Furthermore, Victory Saber will be much heavier than Siege Jetfire.

That dedicated stand is a must.

I am underwhelmed by the stand as well, but I don't in any way begrudge anyone who enjoys it, or is looking forward to it. I am happy, that they are happy. I also kept my expectations in check, always hoping maybe some more micro masters at the most, but that's it (all other loftier fantasies aside... ).

I mean, Galactus cost $400. Now admittedly, 2 of the stretch goals included Marvel Legends figures, so that is about $20 each, or $40 total (so roughly 10% of the cost) Plus a molded Dr. Doom head (dumb ), but we have no idea how much that cost to mold, but lets just be generous and say $20.... so $60 in stretch goals equals roughly 15% of the price to include Stretch Goals

If we use the same comparison however, for Victory Saber and the stretch Goals, that would be an added $27.00. (or roughly 15%) Now that could get us, a little less than 3 sets of 2, or 6 Micromasters total. But we already know 2 of the stretch goals, so that isn't happening

I've looked at stands online, my son is in fact getting one for his Gundam Model kids, a much simpler one costs $10, so let's say the Victory Saber Stand would be about $20, and the V-Lock cannon roughly $7, that already matches proportionately ALL the bonuses offered with Galactus. Tier 3 Could very well be improvements to the design of Victory Saber itself. I am still hoping for even just 1 Micromaster, but we will see. I would think that even a Micromaster would be less expensive to produce (since they already have the molds) than a static inaction human figure that is brand new.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

MaximalNui wrote:Gotta say, it still feels a bit odd that the 2nd unlock tier is a dedicated stand, since as far as I can see there's nothing about this figure that seems incompatible with other, generic stands (unless it's heavier than it looks). I could easily think of at least two, maybe three things which would make better goals (the Rescue Team Micromasters - a third of which could even be recolors of Siege Stakeout & Red Heat -; a figure of Jan - either with his manga Victories armor and a figure of Patty, or a tranformable Illumina II he could drive -; maybe the Multiforce, but with the level of engineering required, that would be pushing the budget).

I just hope they don't hide a much better 3rd tier that won't be unlocked because this one discouraged the backers.

Well, Star Saber is roughly Siege Jetfire sized, and while I haven't handled the mold yet (planning to get the SG version), I heard from my friend that he was too heavy for most of the single stands he has, and looked too unstable on the stands that did hold the weight

Furthermore, Victory Saber will be much heavier than Siege Jetfire.

That dedicated stand is a must.

Ah, that explains it. Makes a lot more sense now. Still feels like it should be the last tier and save the second for something else, though, but that's just my opinion.

Keep in mind that micromasters not named Countdown have to come in pairs because of the way they were molded. That is why we have 3 bat cassettes and only 1 bird, despite the missing bird being more prominent than any of the 3 bats.

FYI, the stand we are seeing is the final version, it will not be painted.

william-james88 wrote:FYI, the stand we are seeing is the final version, it will not be painted.

That's unfortunate, but I'm perfectly content with it since it means the arm will be clear. Wish the base was painted though

I'm perfectly fine with a clear stand.
I bet Reprolabels will make a set to enhance some details is people want it.

I'll be primarily displaying this guy in robot mode, but the stand would be cool for the occasional ship mode so I can go "swoosh swoosh!" with it.

RK_Striker_JK_5 wrote:I'll be primarily displaying this guy in robot mode, but the stand would be cool for the occasional ship mode so I can go "swoosh swoosh!" with it.

The stand can also be used with the robot mode. So if it's better thought-out than the MP Dinobot's hands-me-down included with MP Screamers 2.0, it would allow some fancy posing.

I'm out of the loop on this, how do people feel about this figure?
Is this superior to the masterpiece version? I think the masterpiece looks better, but I've never handled it.

GreenLantern of Cybertron wrote:I'm out of the loop on this, how do people feel about this figure?
Is this superior to the masterpiece version? I think the masterpiece looks better, but I've never handled it.

Most people say that once this HASLAB is out, the MP will be pretty much pointless.

Something important related to this Star Saber toy is happening RIGHT NOW on the Twitter of voice actor Christopher Sabat!

Probably way to much to hope that Hasbro would actually sanction a new licensed/approved English dub of Headmasters-Victory.

o.supreme wrote:Probably way to much to hope that Hasbro would actually sanction a new licensed/approved English dub of Headmasters-Victory.

Nope. Just turned out to be a podcast Sabat hosted to ask Hasbro some questions about this toy since he'd never heard of Star Saber before and was curious when he found out it was from an anime.

BUT, they did reveal the first full-color renders of the toy.