The Energon Pub

[Orangepete]

I got Runabout in the mail yesterday. He's better than I thought he'd be, and I like him, but I'm still a little put off on how visible all the lines are in vehicle mode. Now I just have to find Runamok, which I'm hoping will be easier considering he's not an exclusive.

[Overcracker]

So I finally got to experience Earthrise Prime though the Netflix release. The colours are definitely better with a more unified blue (the hands matching the head, crotch and legs) and the central leg peg section is also blue now making the legs a lot better looking.

I was very surprised at the transformation since the top part is nothing like the siege one. Totally new way to get all that new detail, I was very impressed. That's why it's such a shame that they recycled parts from the Earthrise version for the legs. I really don't see why with all that tooling, they couldn't just retool them to no longer have the vestigial ports. That would also avoid them to make the flaps (that's 2 extra parts to make and assemble). Just seems wasteful for somethin vestigial to still be around. A big flaw on an otherwise incredible toy.

They left the wheel hinge in there too, using more parts, but then making it completely immovable by adding the back leg panel.

Some of the choices made on this figure are weird.

Overall he is a really good Optimus Prime.

[TF-fan kev777]

So I finally got to experience Earthrise Prime though the Netflix release. The colours are definitely better with a more unified blue (the hands matching the head, crotch and legs) and the central leg peg section is also blue now making the legs a lot better looking.

I was very surprised at the transformation since the top part is nothing like the siege one. Totally new way to get all that new detail, I was very impressed. That's why it's such a shame that they recycled parts from the Earthrise version for the legs. I really don't see why with all that tooling, they couldn't just retool them to no longer have the vestigial ports. That would also avoid them to make the flaps (that's 2 extra parts to make and assemble). Just seems wasteful for somethin vestigial to still be around. A big flaw on an otherwise incredible toy.

They left the wheel hinge in there too, using more parts, but then making it completely immovable by adding the back leg panel.

Some of the choices made on this figure are weird.

Overall he is a really good Optimus Prime.

With how complex the leg assembly is, I actually wonder if they automated some of the assembly for the legs, where it actually made more sense ($$$) to re-use the molds and the automated assembly instead of just making new legs without all the extra parts and figuring out the new assembly methods. They have put out 3 versions of the Siege mold and 3 more of the Earthrise mold so far and I would expect the were into production one right after the other, so you could basically leave the leg assembly line up and running all throughout production.

[Solrac333]

I am so sick of exclusives.

[King Kuuga]

Ratchet and Lifeline arrived today because I didn't get around to cancelling my order.

I'm still disappointed that there's absolutely no difference between Ratchet and Ironhide except the light bar and the heads. I liked what Siege did a lot more. I'm gonna have to do some real soul searching to figure out whether I want to keep the vans or stick with the cybertronian bodies. It's nice enough but still a very dull figure. I will give it credit for looking ever so slightly better with the white shoulders that blend into the alt mode more than IH's black ones, and there's some nice paint detailing that only shows up in bot mode, but man I'm just not feeling these van molds.

Lifeline..... I had heard the ER Arcee mold was bad. I didn't realize just how bad this mold is. Sure, articulation is pretty good, but the transformation is abysmal. I've handled shellformers before but this is next level. Maybe I'm missing some things but there's nowhere for her limbs to actually attach in car mode, they just sit there under the car shell. She also lacks the line's signature ankle tilts, which is just baffling. I figured I was going to sell her off immediately, but I thought I'd give her a chance. I regret giving her a chance.

Basically I'm .5 out of 2 for this set, I took a chance on it and I regret it.

At least they can surf together.

[Hellscream9999]

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Ratchet and Lifeline arrived today because I didn't get around to cancelling my order.

I'm still disappointed that there's absolutely no difference between Ratchet and Ironhide except the light bar and the heads. I liked what Siege did a lot more. I'm gonna have to do some real soul searching to figure out whether I want to keep the vans or stick with the cybertronian bodies. It's nice enough but still a very dull figure. I will give it credit for looking ever so slightly better with the white shoulders that blend into the alt mode more than IH's black ones, and there's some nice paint detailing that only shows up in bot mode, but man I'm just not feeling these van molds.

Lifeline..... I had heard the ER Arcee mold was bad. I didn't realize just how bad this mold is. Sure, articulation is pretty good, but the transformation is abysmal. I've handled shellformers before but this is next level. Maybe I'm missing some things but there's nowhere for her limbs to actually attach in car mode, they just sit there under the car shell. She also lacks the line's signature ankle tilts, which is just baffling. I figured I was going to sell her off immediately, but I thought I'd give her a chance. I regret giving her a chance.

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Basically I'm .5 out of 2 for this set, I took a chance on it and I regret it.

At least they can surf together.

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earthrise arcee has ankle tilts, but, just like the rest of her, they aren't great; it's crazy to think that arcee is quickly on pace to be one of the worst/most disliked figures ever

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Well, Hastak did a poor job with her this go-around. Yeah, the G1 Arcee design is a bit problematic to start with because Floron the Moron gave her human-style legs, but as seen with T30 it can be handled better. The ER mold is, unnecessarily, a shellformer and doesn't even have an improved vehicle mode to show for it. The Corvette-style "pinch" where the front fenders end and the rear ones begin is barely an indent. (Dodgy) ankle tilts, partial C.O.M.B.A.T. compatibility, and circular fist slots aren't exactly super-great gains compared to the downsides.

HasTak have confessed to having started with the unused PotP Leader design's inner robot (where the vehicle mode hood not becoming the robot chest would have actually served a purpose) and reworked it hastily to be standalone and to work with the C.O.M.B.A.T. system... They should have started from the T30 design instead.

Honestly, the C.O.M.B.A.T. compatibility is the only reason I'd consider picking her up. Well, that and seeing if I could re-engineer her transformation. But I wouldn't want to pay full price.

Re: Ratchet and Ironhide's only difference being the head and lifebar... Well, the earth mode is the biggest thing to blame there. Since they have to look like the same vehicle now (and use a roof shield a la X-Brawn to pull that off) they can't have different leg panels or Ratchet's lightbar shoulders. Although you'd think they could have kept Ratchet's unique forearms.

Has anyone taken a picture of Zarak on TR Galvatron's body?

[Gauntlet101010]

These two are finally on their way for me too.

I'm just so on the fence about both that it's hard to feel happy about it, which may be a sign that I shouldn't have gotten either. Maybe I shoulda been content with Universe. At the least I hope some enterprising soul will make 3rd party feet for both Ratchet and Ironhide. Not the 3d printed ones. Those just don't quite cut it.

I have the Club Lifeline, but there can be more, so another is fine. The mold is weak, though. These last few lines have so so hit an miss. When they have a hit it's great, but when they miss, do they ever miss!

[JoeIsNotCool]

My Runabout arrived today, nice to complete the set especially when in the UK its very hard to get this guy!

[sol magnus]

You guys are crazy. I get the kvetching about Lifeline, it's a straight Arcee redeco - and if you bought it knowing that (you did) but wanna complain now, shame on you. I simply remove the backpack from ER Arcee and pretty much get the look I want from the figure. I'm not crying about transformation (yet - I have one for my daughter for Christmas and likely will have to transform it) because I don't display them as vehicles. It's a moot point on my shelf.

Where Ratchet is concerned, why did he need to be different from Ironhide? In my view, I blame Hasbro for making SIege Ratchet have different surface details than Ironhide, not because it's a not good idea - it is. I blame them because now you all (royally) think everything is supposed to be that. If he was a straight redeco like Crosshairs no one would have said a peep because you wouldn't have thought it was possible.

I'm not advocating for them to not do those kinds of things, they do add richness to the figures. I'm also not expecting them to do it every time on every shared mold character.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

My chaos brothers arrived



I like the mold, but mostly on Runabout. Runamuck is sort of lackluster to me, but Runabout owns the mold. The translucent red and the sharp black look so nice on him, it's great. I think he may have just taken the best deluxe spot from Cliffjumper and Trailbreaker.

[King Kuuga]

earthrise arcee has ankle tilts, but, just like the rest of her, they aren't great

So she does. I stand corrected on that point.

Honestly, the C.O.M.B.A.T. compatibility is the only reason I'd consider picking her up. Well, that and seeing if I could re-engineer her transformation. But I wouldn't want to pay full price.

She only has the two COMBAT ports on her feet and 5mm hand holes, there's nothign on her back, forearms, shoulders, or anywhere else. So you can't make the Cog+Elita combination from the Netflix show.

Re: Ratchet and Ironhide's only difference being the head and lifebar... Well, the earth mode is the biggest thing to blame there. Since they have to look like the same vehicle now (and use a roof shield a la X-Brawn to pull that off) they can't have different leg panels or Ratchet's lightbar shoulders. Although you'd think they could have kept Ratchet's unique forearms.

See I don't feel like they need to be the same alt mode, not exactly. Similar, sure, that's kinda their whole deal, but they could change things (like the aforementioned leg panels) to differentiate them a bit. Siege Ratchet's forearms were also free to use and wouldn't have affected the transformation any.

You guys are crazy. I get the kvetching about Lifeline, it's a straight Arcee redeco - and if you bought it knowing that (you did) but wanna complain now, shame on you. I simply remove the backpack from ER Arcee and pretty much get the look I want from the figure. I'm not crying about transformation (yet - I have one for my daughter for Christmas and likely will have to transform it) because I don't display them as vehicles. It's a moot point on my shelf.

I didn't buy it for Lifeline anyway, I always planned to sell her immediately. Really my mindset for the whole set was more "I'd rather have it and sell it off than decide I want it later when it's no longer affordable." However, I also want to experience figures for myself, so as long as I had her in my hands I was going to see what the deal was. And now I can better understand the complaints.

Where Ratchet is concerned, why did he need to be different from Ironhide? In my view, I blame Hasbro for making SIege Ratchet have different surface details than Ironhide, not because it's a not good idea - it is. I blame them because now you all (royally) think everything is supposed to be that. If he was a straight redeco like Crosshairs no one would have said a peep because you wouldn't have thought it was possible.

I'm not advocating for them to not do those kinds of things, they do add richness to the figures. I'm also not expecting them to do it every time on every shared mold character.

Maybe I'm entitled for wanting the multi-billion dollar corporation to change more than two parts on their $20 toy. I'm aware that they operate within a budget and the Selects and Galactic Odyssey sets have basically no spare money for new parts. Still, as I pointed out above, the forearms and accessories from the Siege set are ready made and wouldn't interfere with this. I'd just like to see a little more effort. Someone on Facebook pointed out that the deco might be a part of it as well. Some more splashes of red could go a long way on Ratchet, and again, wouldn't hurt the molding costs. I assume a lot of their paint budget went into masking the clear window parts, though. I even noticed they skimped on the decals going up the side of the van. On Ironhide they go all the way to the cab, but Ratchet's only go as far as the folding leg panels with the cab being all white. The stock art on Amazon shows the stripe on his chest, so I wonder if that paint app got cut for money or something.

Also RE: Crosshairs. Maybe I'm a hypocrite. I never bought him, but I thought if I liked ER Ironhide I might go grab Siege Crosshairs for the mold and to give Pinpointer someone to tag along with. I don't know much about the Targetmasters but it's a good use of the mold.

[hausjam]

Greetings Seibertronians! Takara have been busy on their Transformers promotional twitter feed, as they've posted up new pictures of Transformers we will never be able to buy!

[Munkky]

I just received an e-mail from Amazon; my Galactic Odyssey Paradron Medics set shipped today and is coming on 14th December! It'll be a nice early Christmas present

[Starseeker]

Yes!

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

You guys are crazy. I get the kvetching about Lifeline, it's a straight Arcee redeco - and if you bought it knowing that (you did) but wanna complain now, shame on you. I simply remove the backpack from ER Arcee and pretty much get the look I want from the figure. I'm not crying about transformation (yet - I have one for my daughter for Christmas and likely will have to transform it) because I don't display them as vehicles. It's a moot point on my shelf.

Yes, we're totally crazy for wanting our transforming robot toys, who are called Transformers, whose big universal gimmick is transforming, to have decent transformations. Sure.

Honestly, the C.O.M.B.A.T. compatibility is the only reason I'd consider picking her up. Well, that and seeing if I could re-engineer her transformation. But I wouldn't want to pay full price.

She only has the two COMBAT ports on her feet and 5mm hand holes, there's nothign on her back, forearms, shoulders, or anywhere else. So you can't make the Cog+Elita combination from the Netflix show.

Isn't the back end of her car mode connected by a 5mm port?

Re: Ratchet and Ironhide's only difference being the head and lifebar... Well, the earth mode is the biggest thing to blame there. Since they have to look like the same vehicle now (and use a roof shield a la X-Brawn to pull that off) they can't have different leg panels or Ratchet's lightbar shoulders. Although you'd think they could have kept Ratchet's unique forearms.

See I don't feel like they need to be the same alt mode, not exactly. Similar, sure, that's kinda their whole deal, but they could change things (like the aforementioned leg panels) to differentiate them a bit.

Except their deal isn't being similar altmodes, it's being different versions of the same altmode. Same sides and whatnot.

Siege Ratchet's forearms were also free to use and wouldn't have affected the transformation any.

I did point that out, as highlighted above. However, on reflection it might have complicated production - Ratchet's forearms are probably on the same mold as his upper arms, so they would have had to employ gating shenanigans...

Frankly, I think both ER Ratchet and Ironhide are "why bother" figures anyway.. I'd rather have had a new, Voyager mold with an A.I.R.Lock version of the G1 battle sled/repair bay, that would make it more worthwhile...

Where Ratchet is concerned, why did he need to be different from Ironhide? In my view, I blame Hasbro for making SIege Ratchet have different surface details than Ironhide, not because it's a not good idea - it is. I blame them because now you all (royally) think everything is supposed to be that. If he was a straight redeco like Crosshairs no one would have said a peep because you wouldn't have thought it was possible.

I'm not advocating for them to not do those kinds of things, they do add richness to the figures. I'm also not expecting them to do it every time on every shared mold character.

Maybe I'm entitled for wanting the multi-billion dollar corporation to change more than two parts on their $20 toy.

I think sol magnus does have a point on this one - while having the different arm details is nice, it's not necessary. It was a surprise bonus treat when it happened with the SIEGE version, and we should treat it as a bonus treat. That kind of parts change on a redeco character is a preeeetty rare thing.

Someone on Facebook pointed out that the deco might be a part of it as well. Some more splashes of red could go a long way on Ratchet, and again, wouldn't hurt the molding costs.

More splashes of red (such as on his hands and pelvis) - and painting the windows on his leg panels.
I think the fact that Ratchet's base color is white makes deco's limits hyper-visible.

[sol magnus]

You guys are crazy. I get the kvetching about Lifeline, it's a straight Arcee redeco - and if you bought it knowing that (you did) but wanna complain now, shame on you. I simply remove the backpack from ER Arcee and pretty much get the look I want from the figure. I'm not crying about transformation (yet - I have one for my daughter for Christmas and likely will have to transform it) because I don't display them as vehicles. It's a moot point on my shelf.

Yes, we're totally crazy for wanting our transforming robot toys, who are called Transformers, whose big universal gimmick is transforming, to have decent transformations. Sure.

I don't think you're crazy for the reasons you state, I think you're crazy for complaining about Lifeline when you've known for a year what it was going to be being a straight redeco of Arcee. Arcee being hated isn't the thing I'm talking about because that's old news. Lifeline, though, is just Arcee with a paintjob and you knew what you were getting into. That's what I'm talking about here.

I know I'm the one that brought it up but, that I display my robots as robots is on the side of it. I've transformed more than my fair share of figures in 35 years, but unless I'm rolling in cash I'm not displaying them as cars, planes, dinosaurs or whatever. My "playing" with them consists of posing them in various action poses and managing the space between them in diorama scenes - but that's just me - it's not an invalidation of their ability to change modes.

[aronjlove]

I hate scalpers...

[Nuclearxpotato]

I hate scalpers...

Screenshot 2020-12-03 172850.png

Man, isn't it great the Amazon allows for up to 30 purchases of TF Exclusives under the same account? Man, if I had a nickle for all the times I needed 30 Ratchets, I'd have a lotta nickels! There's definitely no way this could backfire and open the door for heavy scalping.


I hope Kingdom has like three exclusives max. I'm sick of them.

[Sowndwave76]

My Earthrise Prowl & Ironhide 2 pk showed up a day early!
Although not in a shipping box, everything was in great condition, even the packaging!

Now to hunt down Thrust... & I'm still hopeful for Bluestreak.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I hate scalpers...

Screenshot 2020-12-03 172850.png

Man, isn't it great the Amazon allows for up to 30 purchases of TF Exclusives under the same account? Man, if I had a nickle for all the times I needed 30 Ratchets, I'd have a lotta nickels! There's definitely no way this could backfire and open the door for heavy scalping.


I hope Kingdom has like three exclusives max. I'm sick of them.

Feed Jeff Bezos to the Sharkticons.

[King Kuuga]

You guys are crazy. I get the kvetching about Lifeline, it's a straight Arcee redeco - and if you bought it knowing that (you did) but wanna complain now, shame on you. I simply remove the backpack from ER Arcee and pretty much get the look I want from the figure. I'm not crying about transformation (yet - I have one for my daughter for Christmas and likely will have to transform it) because I don't display them as vehicles. It's a moot point on my shelf.

Yes, we're totally crazy for wanting our transforming robot toys, who are called Transformers, whose big universal gimmick is transforming, to have decent transformations. Sure.

I don't think you're crazy for the reasons you state, I think you're crazy for complaining about Lifeline when you've known for a year what it was going to be being a straight redeco of Arcee. Arcee being hated isn't the thing I'm talking about because that's old news. Lifeline, though, is just Arcee with a paintjob and you knew what you were getting into. That's what I'm talking about here.

I'm complaining about the mold itself since this is my first time handling it. I've heard about the flaws with Arcee and I wasn't expecting Lifeline to be any different from that, but having it in hand really emphasizes the issues. I was always planning to resell it.

[King Kuuga]

Honestly, the C.O.M.B.A.T. compatibility is the only reason I'd consider picking her up. Well, that and seeing if I could re-engineer her transformation. But I wouldn't want to pay full price.

She only has the two COMBAT ports on her feet and 5mm hand holes, there's nothing on her back, forearms, shoulders, or anywhere else. So you can't make the Cog+Elita combination from the Netflix show.

Isn't the back end of her car mode connected by a 5mm port?

Nope! It looks like it but that's actually an axle capped by a pin that the real connection part rides on, and it attaches via two clips. It's honestly more complicated than it needs to be.

Also I'd like to amend my statement sightly. There are also two ports on the backs of the calves.

And yes, you can store her gun on her butt.

[TF-fan kev777]

And yes, you can store her gun on her butt.

Whew, something salvageable for the mold. Hell with storage, she going to be firing from there.

[Emerje]

I hope Kingdom has like three exclusives max. I'm sick of them.

Leaks have already claimed five just for Selects alone (Deep Cover, Transmutate, G2 Ramjet, Artfire, Galvatron in toy colors) so nope.

Emerje