The Energon Pub

Not gonna lie- I don't like how he looks. The robot mode is alright, though the proportions don't seem quite right somehow. But the dinosaur mode is just a block, the dino legs honestly look kinda terrible, and Hasbro's habit of faking parts of transformations (in this case his jaw chest) is getting real annoying. A shame as Grimlock was awesome.

Slag looks great !!!! HASBRO PLEASE DO NOT MESS UP SNARL SWOOP OR SLUDGE !!!!!

Evil Eye wrote:Not gonna lie- I don't like how he looks. The robot mode is alright, though the proportions don't seem quite right somehow. But the dinosaur mode is just a block, the dino legs honestly look kinda terrible, and Hasbro's habit of faking parts of transformations (in this case his jaw chest) is getting real annoying. A shame as Grimlock was awesome.

No, he's not as on point as Grimlock.
In bot mode the chest is a bit wide, which imo makes his shoulders too broad.
Then us upper legs should be just a tad bit longer...

I don't think his dino mode is just a block (not to mention he's supposed to be a stout dino), but his hind legs are a bit thin... Somebody's been skipping out on leg day.

I still don't understand why people hate faux parts when they end up looking so much better...
In this case, if they used the dino jaw, it would look like a baby bib on his bot mode.


*edit
I just watched the review again... And while he could've been a bit better here and there, overall, I'm really excited about this figure!!
Can't wait to see any of the other Dinobots!!

Sowndwave76 wrote:I still don't understand why people hate faux parts when they end up looking so much better...
In this case, if they used the dino jaw, it would look like a baby bib on his bot mode.

It's a choice between two evils really: aesthetically pleasing faux parts with the original parts turned into useless kibble, or grant all pieces a nice place with proportions all over the place. Either way, you can't please everyone with either choice.

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:I still don't understand why people hate faux parts when they end up looking so much better...
In this case, if they used the dino jaw, it would look like a baby bib on his bot mode.

It's a choice between two evils really: aesthetically pleasing faux parts with the original parts turned into useless kibble, or grant all pieces a nice place with proportions all over the place. Either way, you can't please everyone with either choice.

I obviously get what you're saying.
And it's all preference.

I know I prioritize appearance over other facets partially because I don't play with my figures.
The same could be said about my like for screen accuracy;
A figure with a random vehicle alt mode, randomly painted red, black and white won't be Sideswipe to me just because that's what's printed on the box and instructions.
Sometimes I almost wish I had no regard for the characters' screen appearances... I'm sure I'd like way more figures in that case.

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:I still don't understand why people hate faux parts when they end up looking so much better...
In this case, if they used the dino jaw, it would look like a baby bib on his bot mode.

It's a choice between two evils really: aesthetically pleasing faux parts with the original parts turned into useless kibble, or grant all pieces a nice place with proportions all over the place. Either way, you can't please everyone with either choice.

I obviously get what you're saying.
And it's all preference.

I know I prioritize appearance over other facets partially because I don't play with my figures.
The same could be said about my like for screen accuracy;
A figure with a random vehicle alt mode, randomly painted red, black and white won't be Sideswipe to me just because that's what's printed on the box and instructions.
Sometimes I almost wish I had no regard for the characters' screen appearances... I'm sure I'd like way more figures in that case.

Nothing wrong with any of that, that's one way we roll.

The only time I take issue with faux parts is when the real parts and the faux parts are in-your-face visible at the same time. For a faux-part to work, the real one must "disappear". Fortunately, this is what happen most of the time.

-Kanrabat- wrote:The only time I take issue with faux parts is when the real parts and the faux parts are in-your-face visible at the same time. For a faux-part to work, the real one must "disappear". Fortunately, this is what happen most of the time.

I'm sure there are examples, but how and/or why would a "real" part still be visible if a faux part is incorporated??

Also, I completely agree with you, but there are still people who complain and hate faux parts even when the real part is 100% hidden.
I just wish those people would understand that clearly appearance is at least a slightly more important priority than "engineering perfection". Which is why faux parts exist and designers decide it's a "good idea". Designers aren't going for what they feel is the least accepted, or will appeal to the least amount of consumers. Period.
I'll also add this:
people are willing to have a figure look wonky and/or disproportionate just so only real parts are used...
When part of the point of these toys is that the bot mode should look completely different from the alt mode... Ya know, the whole "Robots in disguise" thing...
Faux parts that change the "real" proportions from alt modes helps create this illusion
(which I believe is known as size/scale-shifting?).
The vibe is that these people feel "cheated"... And in the grand scheme, even relatively speaking considering these are toys, seems really silly to me.

Sowndwave76 wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:The only time I take issue with faux parts is when the real parts and the faux parts are in-your-face visible at the same time. For a faux-part to work, the real one must "disappear". Fortunately, this is what happen most of the time.

I'm sure there are examples, but how and/or why would a "real" part still be visible if a faux part is incorporated??

Best example on top of my head is Prime Ratchet.

The ambulance doors clearly make his chest while they are still there, huge on his legs.



This still irk me.

Another faux part that I really find dumb are faux vehicle kibbles that are the same shape and size as the real ones. Like, really?
Best example, Prime 1st Ed. Bulkhead. Look at his feet. That fake wheel on the inside...
And it's even worse on the normal version.



Maybe that was mainly a Prime thing?

Prime and the High Moon games' toys were ripe with Faux parts. Nearly every figure had at least two fake wheels or windows.

An example of a good Faux part is 86 Hot Rod. While I really don't like faux parts, his is the best execution. Between Robot and Alt, his chest rotates from real to faux. Effectively they feel like the same part and the real part is tucked away inside his body. Another example would be K Dinobot, whose faux parts combine with the real dino head to beef it up.

Slug's faux jaw feels unnecessary to me, but at least it isn't obviously replicating the jaw (if someone didn't know what G1 Slug looked like, they'd think it's just a random robo panel).
I'm hoping Hasbro doesn't go the Takara MP route of Faux parts, because at that point you might as well just have two non-transforming figures.

We all have different opinions on the use of faux parts. I know some people simply just don't like them and demand that the designers make the figures transform just like they did on the show and look just like they did on the show, but in many (most? All?) cases, it's simply not possible for the characters where it's needed. Faux parts are a necessary evil of screen accuracy, which skews heavily in favor of the robot mode.

If they made a toy that wasn't based on an on screen appearance that had faux parts, I'd hate it. Nowadays, the characters seem to be designed with the toys/shows in tandem so there's no need for them.

I got an upgrade kit for SS86 Grimlock from eBay recently. This kit has a sword, posable hands, and adapters for holding the gun. I am so glad I got this as it really helps to finish off this figure. Honestly, I don't ever need another G1 Grimlock again, this one is perfect. (I say that now well knowing that I will buy the future versions of him because I am a sucker for them) The sword and hands have molded while the adapters are 3D printed. Hopefully this company makes kits like this for the rest of the dinobots.

LinaNui wrote:I got an upgrade kit for SS86 Grimlock from eBay recently. This kit has a sword, posable hands, and adapters for holding the gun. I am so glad I got this as it really helps to finish off this figure. Honestly, I don't ever need another G1 Grimlock again, this one is perfect. (I say that now well knowing that I will buy the future versions of him because I am a sucker for them) The sword and hands have molded while the adapters are 3D printed. Hopefully this company makes kits like this for the rest of the dinobots.

The sword looks pretty good, but those articulated hands are really nice!!

Grimlock must annoy the hell out of Hasbro:

Fans: we want cartoon accuracy above all else!
Hasbro: Fine! Here's a cartoon accurate Grimlock! Stop pestering us!
Fans: ...where's his sword? C'mon! Where's his sword!
Hasbro: What?
Fans: the sword that's synonymous with Grimlock! His toys have it, his other cartoon appearance has it (Animated) and the comics have it!
Hasbro: but you want cartoon accuracy?
Fans:...and?
Hasbro: he didn't use it in the movie! Or the cartoon!
Fans:...and? We want his sword!
*Hasbro gives up*

LinaNui wrote:I got an upgrade kit for SS86 Grimlock from eBay recently. This kit has a sword, posable hands, and adapters for holding the gun. I am so glad I got this as it really helps to finish off this figure. Honestly, I don't ever need another G1 Grimlock again, this one is perfect. (I say that now well knowing that I will buy the future versions of him because I am a sucker for them) The sword and hands have molded while the adapters are 3D printed. Hopefully this company makes kits like this for the rest of the dinobots.

Wow, those hands look great.

Got a link for the kit?

The sword looks based on MP Grimlock's sword.

ZeroWolf wrote:Grimlock must annoy the hell out of Hasbro:

Fans: we want cartoon accuracy above all else!
Hasbro: Fine! Here's a cartoon accurate Grimlock! Stop pestering us!
Fans: ...where's his sword? C'mon! Where's his sword!
Hasbro: What?
Fans: the sword that's synonymous with Grimlock! His toys have it, his other cartoon appearance has it (Animated) and the comics have it!
Hasbro: but you want cartoon accuracy?
Fans:...and?
Hasbro: he didn't use it in the movie! Or the cartoon!
Fans:...and? We want his sword!
*Hasbro gives up*

Or it could go something like this:

Fans: We are finally getting a cartoon accurate Grimlock!
Hasbro: Enjoy! Oh and here's a bonus Wheelie figure!!!!
Fans: That's cool, but a sword would've been more appreciated.
Hasbro: Well, the sword wasn't ever in the movie, but Wheelie was... Anyway, thanks for your $50!!!!

I can't argue that Hastak is probably listening to fans/collectors more these days than in the past...
But at this point, I don't see them being "annoyed"... They're getting our money.
And if they want more, they could release a weapons pack (which is sure to be overpriced) and get more of our money.
They can deal with a small chirp of complaints as they sit back and watch their profits roll in.

Overcracker wrote:Wow, those hands look great.

Got a link for the kit?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164744479277?var=464259325854

I got them from there for $12. Looks like the price went up. I have ordered multiple times from this seller and have had nothing but good from them. Highly recommended.

LinaNui wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Wow, those hands look great.

Got a link for the kit?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164744479277?var=464259325854

I got them from there for $12. Looks like the price went up. I have ordered multiple times from this seller and have had nothing but good from them. Highly recommended.

Thanks. I'll check them out.

Overcracker wrote:

LinaNui wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Wow, those hands look great.

Got a link for the kit?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164744479277?var=464259325854

I got them from there for $12. Looks like the price went up. I have ordered multiple times from this seller and have had nothing but good from them. Highly recommended.

Thanks. I'll check them out.

There's about a dozen sellers out of China selling it on eBay and they all use SpeedPak and Orange Connex for shipping so they're basically all the same. Just go with whoever is cheapest. I got that set and the filler set for the arms and feet from a different seller, but haven't installed them yet.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Overcracker wrote:

LinaNui wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Wow, those hands look great.

Got a link for the kit?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164744479277?var=464259325854

I got them from there for $12. Looks like the price went up. I have ordered multiple times from this seller and have had nothing but good from them. Highly recommended.

Thanks. I'll check them out.

There's about a dozen sellers out of China selling it on eBay and they all use SpeedPak and Orange Connex for shipping so they're basically all the same. Just go with whoever is cheapest. I got that set and the filler set for the arms and feet from a different seller, but haven't installed them yet.

Emerje

Thanks, yeah ordered the hands, sword and the light up head from a seller with 99.9% positive reviews. It's gonna take a while to get here though.

Will update when they arrive

Saw an image on instagram of SS86 Wreck Gar that was reposted from the kremzeek reviews account

Facial hair on him is glorious

I like the weapons he has as well

Kremzeek reviews has their hands on the upcoming voyager Wreck gar from the Transformers Studio Series line. They added a filter to their pic but we can still make out a lot of the toy. We wanted to show you that image while we wait for the review. The height can be anything between Siege Springer and SS Hot Rod. He definitely looks the part, with the nipples and all. Please let us know what you think.

I'm hoping that Wreck-Gar can do the riding himself thing, and that his wheels actually roll in bike mode. One of those is for sure happening, and the other is unlikely