The Energon Pub

I'm really struggling with this one. When Masterpiece first came out. I bought Takara's MP-04 Prime, Megatron, Skywarp, Grimlock, Rodimus, and Hasbro's Starscream. When MP-10 was released, my initial reaction was "What? Smaller, more plastic, less gimmicks, and more expensive? No thanks." Then Toys R Us brought him out, and I meant to get him, but he completely slipped my mind, and now it's too late. Takara's Soundwave I said no to, because the cost of him plus all his cassettes was just too much, when the original G1 toy was just about as articulated.

Now, however, I'm thinking I want the Toys R Us Soundwave when it comes out with all the cassettes, and Prowl will be coming out at a nice price soon as well. And I'm thinking Red Alert is looking pretty sweet. My mind's changed on what a good figure MP-10 might be, and Mp-11 Starscream is growing on me, because I really don't like the Hasbro one I have whenever I compare it to my Takara Skywarp in quality, and I like how posable the new one seems as well. Now most are almost impossible to find off ebay (I'm aware I could get Optimus from Toys R Us UK, by using Freight Forwarding, but that brings up the price a fair bit). I've discovered a local store, however, that has them all, $90 for Red Alert, $200 for Starscream, and $360 for Optimus. (Prices are Australian)

I'm thinking I could possibly sell my Hasbro Starscream with his coronation set and get close to $100 back on Ebay if I'm lucky, to offset the cost somewhat.

What would others here do? Do you think it's worth this huge outlay? Could I leave them MISB for a few months to see if I regret my decision, and at least get my money back if I try to sell them? Do you think more figures will come out that will leave me kicking myself and trying to hunt down an Optimus, willing to pay $500 if I have to, just because the line doesn't seem complete without him?

In the past, I probably wouldn't have agonised so much, and bought Starscream and Red Alert from here, and Toys R Us Optimus from the UK, but given the choice, having all Takara and one Hasbro seems wrong, but I've also recently outlayed over $500 on Fort Max, Xovergen's Trailerforce, and JB's Matrix Of Leader, and the savings might be worth it.

Maybe I should wait a week and see how I go on lottery tickets before making any decisions. But what if they sell in that time?

Arucard wrote:Takara's Soundwave I said no to, because the cost of him plus all his cassettes was just too much, when the original G1 toy was just about as articulated.

This statement is so wrong. I have G1 and MP Soundwave and the MP is a massive upgrade. While the G1 may have quite a bit of leg articulation it's all useless for posing - moving hips but knees that don't bend the right direction is all useless.

I have all the currently released MP 2 molds and they're fantastic, just not as good as the 3rd party not-Shockwave. If you have the money then I recommend buying them if you've looked at video/pictorial reviews and like what you see.

I should also say, Soundwave I have no choice on any more, since I can't find him anywhere that I know of. I'd also ask, for people who own these already, knowing what they're like, do you think in a few years time, you might be looking at them thinking they weren't worth what I'm thinking of paying for them, or that if you didn't have them, you really wish you did?

I did not jump on the bandwagon.

I have MP Prime, Rodimus, Grimlock, Megatron, Thundercracker, Skywarp, and Crystal Starscream, and Soundwave. On display, Soundave and Rodimus look a little small compared to everyone else. It isn't too bad though.

I am not going to re-buy MP characters that I already own just for scale. The original figures suit me just fine. I'm not going to pick up the rest of the figures because they don't scale well with the original MP's.

Well I though MP Soundwave and taes were worth it, especially since I don't collect any other lines and only figures of characters I like. Though I would also like more MP cassettes. The only character I really want to rebuy is Megatron so he can stand together with Soundwave and Starscream.

Buy only the MPs of characters you really like and feel comfortable with and not just because it's an MP, if you're not really sure or if you're main collection isn't MP focused.

Really, there is no "2.0" to masterpiece. The only molds that did not fit the scale of the other MP's were Prime and Megs. So MP 10 is really the only "2.0" until we get a rescaled Megs.

I think you're thinking about it too much. Just buy what you like.

I only have the Hasbro versions of MP01, Grimlock and the Takara Sideswipe and the Cassettes. No Soundwave, will wait for Hasbro for that, and it'll give me either tapes for customising or for selling on to recoup some money.

Might see about getting Hasbro's MP10. I like the paint job a bit better, although prefer the blue on Takara's, as well as the shiny trailer. Still, the price for MP10 wasn't worth it then, let alone now, so I won't be hunting that down just for slightly nicer colours and less detailed paint apps.

Sideswipe was only bought because it was cheap, but it's damn nice. I can definitely see why some are focussing on the MP line now rather than Classics stuff. I won't be but will pick up Prowl when he comes out. The new MP cars are pretty reasonably priced when compared to similarly complex items of similar size from similar transforming robot toys. (if ya catch my drift)

I'd highly recommend the Cassettes, although if you're happy to wait I'm sure the Hasbro versions will be pretty good. There's not much they can really do to mess with them. Maybe a lack of chrome on the pile-driver twins, but that shouldn't be a problem, in fact it might be preferable. Either way, they're great little bots. The condor and jaguar having inbuilt weapons are really nice and the bros are just outstanding, even with their parts-formery arms and guns.

GuyIncognito wrote:I think you're thinking about it too much. Just buy what you like.

2nd that!

Valandar wrote:Really, there is no "2.0" to masterpiece. The only molds that did not fit the scale of the other MP's were Prime and Megs. So MP 10 is really the only "2.0" until we get a rescaled Megs.

I disagree, this is truly Masterpiece 2.0. We have receive a 2.0 version of Optimus Prime, as well as a 2.0 version of Starscream. We will most likely receive new versions of Ultra Magnus, Megatron, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. That leaves only Rodimus Prime and Grimlock. But that isn't the only thing that makes this the 2.0 of the Masterpiece line. For eight years Takara has be dragging their heels on the Masterpiece line. We've had nine official releases, and four of those were repaints. Nine Masterpiece Transformers in eight years!
Since the release of MP-10 in September of 2011, we have gotten five full sized official releases, ten if you include Soundwave's cassettes. By September of this year we should be able to include Prowl and Smokescreen. So that will be twelve new MPs in two years versus nine over eight years. They are taking this line in a whole new direction. They are no longer releasing just leader class characters and their repaints, they are looking to create a full line. They are finally releasing Autobot cars, it took them nine years to get there. In a period of one year we are getting four cars. And they are starting to pay attention to scale, which I think is awesome. Releases are coming faster and with a wider variety. This is definitely a new age in the Masterpiece line, this is almost a whole new toy line, 2.0 is completely appropriate.

Arucard wrote:I should also say, Soundwave I have no choice on any more, since I can't find him anywhere that I know of. I'd also ask, for people who own these already, knowing what they're like, do you think in a few years time, you might be looking at them thinking they weren't worth what I'm thinking of paying for them, or that if you didn't have them, you really wish you did?

I love the Masterpiece line. And a day may come when I get tired of collecting these figures, but I don't see myself getting tired of the figures themselves. I see these as the definitive Transformers cartoon toys. I can't see them ever releasing a better Transformers toy line. But that just me.

I think I've decided to go for it, but just get Prime and Red Alert, and the Toys R Us Soundwave when he comes out. As I've looked at it more, Starscream just doesn't appeal to me enough for the cost, expecially since I now realise he's not a new mold, just a modified one. I want an MP Prime I can play with a bit. MP-04 I'm afraid to touch a little bit, to be honest.

Son of Carl wrote:

Valandar wrote:Really, there is no "2.0" to masterpiece. The only molds that did not fit the scale of the other MP's were Prime and Megs. So MP 10 is really the only "2.0" until we get a rescaled Megs.

I disagree, this is truly Masterpiece 2.0. We have receive a 2.0 version of Optimus Prime, as well as a 2.0 version of Starscream. We will most likely receive new versions of Ultra Magnus, Megatron, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. That leaves only Rodimus Prime and Grimlock.

I don't think Tomy will be making a new mold for old Grimy (already an outstanding one) and Rodimus technically got a ver. 2 upgrade to the mold right?

fenrir72 wrote:

Son of Carl wrote:

Valandar wrote:Really, there is no "2.0" to masterpiece. The only molds that did not fit the scale of the other MP's were Prime and Megs. So MP 10 is really the only "2.0" until we get a rescaled Megs.

I disagree, this is truly Masterpiece 2.0. We have receive a 2.0 version of Optimus Prime, as well as a 2.0 version of Starscream. We will most likely receive new versions of Ultra Magnus, Megatron, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. That leaves only Rodimus Prime and Grimlock.

I don't think Tomy will be making a new mold for old Grimy (already an outstanding one) and Rodimus technically got a ver. 2 upgrade to the mold right?

They could fix Grim's poor shoulder articulation, but a redesign within 10 years is unlikely. Rod got the design flaws fixed and a targetmaster. That doesn't count as a redesign.

Arucard wrote: As I've looked at it more, Starscream just doesn't appeal to me enough for the cost, expecially since I now realise he's not a new mold, just a modified one.

actually the first release of starscream was 2.0, the "new" one out now is actually the original intended design for the masterpiece line. they released the revised one because the jet was more realistic, they released the new one after they realised like idiots we dont care as much for an alt mode as an authentic bot mode.

look at soundwave, he transforms into a box for all intent and purposes, yet he sold out faster than any mp...

I did not read anything in the thread. Just the title.

I have one thing to say to the original poster:

If you wait for too long, PREPARE TO PAY THE PRICE.

Welp, I bought Red Alert first, to see what he was like, and yeah, that's convinced me to buy Convoy. I can get it from elsewhere for around $300 shipped as well, which makes it a little more palatable now.

Now to convince myself that Soundwave's red eyes aren't worth the $200 extra it would cost me to buy the Takara version and cassettes separately, as opposed to waiting for Hasbro.

wait for the hasbro release... the visor in soundwaves head is it own piece that you can take out and you cant make mistakes painting it that way ( the exact color is testors 1529 red/ rouge metallic) hope this helps your decision.

Really I think it boils down to how you feel about your existing pieces.

For instance, I felt like my MP-01 was way off scale with most of the other MP line (with exception to the MP-05 which I would replace with a V2 version in a heartbeat for the same reason). SO I went out and bought the MP-10. and I'm happy with my purchase.

Now as far as the V2 Starscream, I passed. my existing one is to scale, and with slight modification stands as well as the V2 version.

Would I get the V2 thundercracker? yes, but only if I can pick him up for cheaper and more readily than the original, which will probably be the case.

I wish you luck in your decision, and hope this helps.