The Energon Pub

Nemesis Primal wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:So latest rumours are that Starscream is getting bumped up to leader class thanks to a throne extra. Also aside from shoulders, Cape and crown, (possibly paint) he's identical to ER Screamer (whose reissue in Kingdom is supposedly getting short packed to help ensure there's not a Screamer clogging up shelves...how leakers find these things out is beyond me). Unless things change, he won't even get a new head.

Think it was said that the cape is articulated in some way too, so there's a bit more for the parts count bumping it up to Leader.

The plastic cape worked pretty well for the Masterpiece MP-11 Starscream figure, so I imagine Hasbro and Takara Tomy will just scale that concept down to fit a Voyager Class figure.

for leader price the cape better have a bot mode

If the base figure will still just be an unchanged ER Starscream, then this has to be the stupidest waste of a leader slot there is. Seriously, a re-release with only accessories being new to bump it up a class, WTF Hasbro!

They couldn't do something simple and smart, like a coronation accessory pack? Most fans who would want a coronation Starscream already have the ER version and don't need another. Those that will double dip just for the accessories will likely be putting their ER version up on eBay, giving more toy options and lessening demand for the coronation version, especially at $50.

I'm honestly getting to the point where I hope some of these really bad decisions backfire on Hasbro.

This is why I held off on getting ER Starscream.

Also the fact that I barely ever saw one in stores.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:If the base figure will still just be an unchanged ER Starscream, then this has to be the stupidest waste of a leader slot there is. Seriously, a re-release with only accessories being new to bump it up a class, WTF Hasbro!

They couldn't do something simple and smart, like a coronation accessory pack? Most fans who would want a coronation Starscream already have the ER version and don't need another. Those that will double dip just for the accessories will likely be putting their ER version up on eBay, giving more toy options and lessening demand for the coronation version, especially at $50.

I'm honestly getting to the point where I hope some of these really bad decisions backfire on Hasbro.

This.

I like and have ER Starscream and don't care about getting the same figure with some extras that aren't worth the money. So I'm glad I wasn't gullible enough to hold out. Hasbro has done this too many times.

ZeroWolf wrote:So latest rumours are that Starscream is getting bumped up to leader class thanks to a throne extra. Also aside from shoulders, Cape and crown, (possibly paint) he's identical to ER Screamer (whose reissue in Kingdom is supposedly getting short packed to help ensure there's not a Screamer clogging up shelves...how leakers find these things out is beyond me). Unless things change, he won't even get a new head.

Heh, heh, throne. I wonder if it'll be anything like my throne. If it has sound effects I'll buy two.

Sowndwave76 wrote:This is really poor form, Hastak.

One could even say... this is bad comedy.

aronjlove wrote:Here's an upgrade kit I can get behind

IMG_20210421_120732.jpg

He he, behind.

I'll buy 10.

ZeroWolf wrote:Don't be surprised if the Dinobots cross lines to come out faster. They could easily put one of them in the 2022 line as a first wave leader (meaning you can grab him end of the year if lucky like in the past). That would be the most sensible thing to do really.

Given the recent insistence that teams in the main Generations line need to be completed in the same line (see: the WFC seeker and datsun molds (which definitely hurt those figures/teams, but that's a different story)), I rather doubt they would just put a couple dinobots in regular Generations. Especially since I think Studio Series' seemingly more flexible per-figure budget allocation is what's allowing the dinobots to exist at the size they are in the first place, which might be why they're trying to pad them out with cheaper (read: higher profit margins) leader figures like this rumored Starscream to even things out a bit.

Nemesis Primal wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:So latest rumours are that Starscream is getting bumped up to leader class thanks to a throne extra. Also aside from shoulders, Cape and crown, (possibly paint) he's identical to ER Screamer (whose reissue in Kingdom is supposedly getting short packed to help ensure there's not a Screamer clogging up shelves...how leakers find these things out is beyond me). Unless things change, he won't even get a new head.

Think it was said that the cape is articulated in some way too, so there's a bit more for the parts count bumping it up to Leader.

I mean, at that point why not just use a fabric cape? It obviously wouldn't be as smooth as the movie... but neither will a plastic articulated cape.
With the increased budget, there's probably some sorta laminated fabric option they could go with.

I really don't see this as any different than when Hasbro first released Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, and Scourge in 1986 and then put them all out again 95% unchanged as Targetmasters in 1987.

Nuclearxpotato wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:So latest rumours are that Starscream is getting bumped up to leader class thanks to a throne extra. Also aside from shoulders, Cape and crown, (possibly paint) he's identical to ER Screamer (whose reissue in Kingdom is supposedly getting short packed to help ensure there's not a Screamer clogging up shelves...how leakers find these things out is beyond me). Unless things change, he won't even get a new head.

Think it was said that the cape is articulated in some way too, so there's a bit more for the parts count bumping it up to Leader.

I mean, at that point why not just use a fabric cape? It obviously wouldn't be as smooth as the movie... but neither will a plastic articulated cape.
With the increased budget, there's probably some sorta laminated fabric option they could go with.

Can't do that with a fabric tape, unless there's bendy wires in it.





A fabric cape would look daff on a TF.

First off, good call about a fabric cape...
It’s most likely just not going to look that great...
But how in the world they’re going to make this thing work so SS can wear it and sit...
It really could be a hot mess.

Either way, I still say this is a really bad idea...
No matter how good the crown, should pieces, etc. look, it’s still a letdown for the SS86 line.
And the regular SS line as well.

Heck, if Wreck-far is a voyager, I would rather they put some good add-in’s with him and bumped him to leader Class... At least he’s a new mold!
Now I get it, what could justify an extra $20... Not sure.
But this Coronation SS is just stupid.

SS86 figures are..... Something. Hot Rod is as great as they say and the faux chest doesn't even feel like it's supposed to be the same part. Scourge is brilliant and sinister looking, and I want to see the sweeps to decide whether to go all in on them or just get another Scourge. I wound up with two so far, because I ordered from two different shops to see which one would arrive first, then forgot to cancel the second one. The second one is just sitting in the box waiting for the Sweep reveal. Kup is fine. Blurr is.... certainly present in this toyline. I may have gushed about Grimlock before but he's gorgeous and I can't wait for the other Dinobots even though I have no room for them. I realize this shelf is a mix of SS86 and other stuff but it's what I was able to arrange.


EDIT: just realized I've rearranged a tad since this picture was taken so I guess an update is in order. Eventually.

I got Hot Rod and he's been a bit of a nightmare for fiddling. I'm starting to get the hang of him, but I've noticed that this particular corner of his hood doesn't align properly. Am I not putting something in the right spot or is this a common problem? The other side lines up perfectly.

Nuclearxpotato wrote:
I got Hot Rod and he's been a bit of a nightmare for fiddling. I'm starting to get the hang of him, but I've noticed that this particular corner of his hood doesn't align properly. Am I not putting something in the right spot or is this a common problem? The other side lines up perfectly.

Look like it's a common issue. The way you made it is the best you could have, as I did. This time I don't think it's a case of a "hidden tab" like for SS '07 Jazz.

Nuclearxpotato wrote:
I got Hot Rod and he's been a bit of a nightmare for fiddling. I'm starting to get the hang of him, but I've noticed that this particular corner of his hood doesn't align properly. Am I not putting something in the right spot or is this a common problem? The other side lines up perfectly.

Technically the headlight corners are supposed to tab into the shoulder pieces. There's a slot in the shoulder, and a tab on the headlight corner, but it doesn't quite stay tabbed in.

Mine does the same thing for the most part.

Passenger side headlight sticks up a bit.

When I ordered my Hot Rod, I also ordered Blurr and Kup... and now I understand people's complaints with Blurr. Kup looks weary, which I suppose is appropriate but Blurr looks like Handsome Squidward.
While it's great to see the trickling return of Lightpiping... Blurr somehow botched it in a unique way.

He had so much pain on his face that it globbed up half of his right eye.

Since I'm not a big fan of accessories that don't store, Lifeline has gained medical supplies by way of Blurr's Welder and Kup's Energon Goodies Medkit (ignore the decaying mouse pad).

She's got a lot of work on her hands, but maybe someday she can finally fix her kibble...

Nuclearxpotato wrote:When I ordered my Hot Rod, I also ordered Blurr and Kup... and now I understand people's complaints with Blurr. Kup looks weary, which I suppose is appropriate but Blurr looks like Handsome Squidward.

Yeah, the Titans Return Blurr had such a good face sculpt, especially in its Takara Legends colors, that this new one just cannot compare.

Nuclearxpotato wrote:(ignore the decaying mouse pad)

(Well, I would have if you hadn't pointed it out! )

A few thoughts as I catch up on the topic. (Been a long week, my car was in the shop twice and I worked 37 hours in the past three days...)

I doubt Sludge would be sold at Commander Class, but considering the rumors say next year we're getting two Commanders (one for SS and one for post-WFC?) at $100 each, so what if they did Sludge and Swoop in a two pack? Sludge could have a slightly larger parts count and Swoop a slightly smaller one compared to Grimlock and Slag, but still at the comparable size. This would still sell the two at the equivalent price of two Leaders without having to compromise.

Another thing to consider is wouldn't a proper Sludge need "ladder magic" to hide his massive dino head and neck inside his body? I know when he transforms the whole thing is there, but it just sort of sinks into his back otherwise with just the base visible. Not sure how accurate they want things, but seeing as how they gave Slag a fake jaw...

About Starscream, we should have known something would be up. Did we really think they'd do the exact same Starscream with a bunch of extra parts at the same price as the vanilla version? We should probably be happy they're adding the throne, it just goes to show they don't think the coronation parts alone are enough to justify being bumped to the next price point. I really hope the throne looks like Megatron's from the Nemesis.



Emerje

I will laugh if the throne turns out to be a "chair-ized" version of the raised platform that Starscream, Astrotrain, and Ramjet all stood upon during the coronation.

I actually really like the idea of a Sludge & Swoop 2 pack.
Could probably throw-in some swords with them as well to help justify the price.
Also, then they could both be Leader Class, even if Sludge is a bit bulkier and Swoop is slightly smaller than the rest.

Either way I do have confidence that Hastak will have the transformation for these guys figured out.
I could see Sludge having some paneling folding to do from dino to bot mode, but I'm not real worried.
As long as the face/headsculpt are great, and the proportions are pretty on point, I'll be happy.

Still can't believe this Coronation SS... There was no throne in the movie, so who knows.
For having everything movie-based, do not be surprised at all if what he comes with is a platform, or as Saborblade said, a platform-sized chair... So lame!!!!

Emerje wrote:A few thoughts as I catch up on the topic. (Been a long week, my car was in the shop twice and I worked 37 hours in the past three days...)

I doubt Sludge would be sold at Commander Class, but considering the rumors say next year we're getting two Commanders (one for SS and one for post-WFC?) at $100 each, so what if they did Sludge and Swoop in a two pack? Sludge could have a slightly larger parts count and Swoop a slightly smaller one compared to Grimlock and Slag, but still at the comparable size. This would still sell the two at the equivalent price of two Leaders without having to compromise.

Another thing to consider is wouldn't a proper Sludge need "ladder magic" to hide his massive dino head and neck inside his body? I know when he transforms the whole thing is there, but it just sort of sinks into his back otherwise with just the base visible. Not sure how accurate they want things, but seeing as how they gave Slag a fake jaw...[/img]

Emerje

Sorry, you've had a tough week. Hasn't been all that great over here, but I persevere nonetheless.

I love the idea of a Commander Class two pack with Sludge, given Swoop is a rumored Voyager, that could easily happen. Then we'd just need Snarl by himself and maybe get these guys just a bit faster.

I do wonder. Why Wreck-Gar is a voyager? Engineering and lots of dongle-wongles like HotRod?

-Kanrabat- wrote:I do wonder. Why Wreck-Gar is a voyager? Engineering and lots of dongle-wongles like HotRod?

Pretty much my guess.

ZeroWolf wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:I do wonder. Why Wreck-Gar is a voyager? Engineering and lots of dongle-wongles like HotRod?

Pretty much my guess.

Wreck-Gar and the other Junkions are larger than you may remember, actually. Voyager size seems about right. Wreck-Gar is way taller than Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, or Arcee. He's a similar stature to the likes of Rodimus Prime and Springer.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:I do wonder. Why Wreck-Gar is a voyager? Engineering and lots of dongle-wongles like HotRod?

Pretty much my guess.

Wreck-Gar and the other Junkions are larger than you may remember, actually. Voyager size seems about right. Wreck-Gar is way taller than Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, or Arcee. He's a similar stature to the likes of Rodimus Prime and Springer.

In that case it will work. As for the motorcycle altmde, I remember those bikes are NOT "human sized" but are for other big bots to ride. So bikes that are huge like trucks make perfect sense.