The Energon Pub

carytheone wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:You guys keep showing me a Big Powered and I keep thinking "your tax return has to go somewhere..."

Well you sure as hell can't take it with you


buy it

There's worse things you could spend your money on

Ok FINE! Twist mah arm

I thought about DX9's Carry for awhile but this incarnation looks great and very 1986 movie. I was trying to stick to only "SG Roddy" for the mold...but having both could be fun.

I wonder if other Leaders will be released besides the ones we know....cuz right now it looks like I'm buying ALL THE LEADERS!

bodrock wrote:I wonder if other Leaders will be released besides the ones we know....cuz right now it looks like I'm buying ALL THE LEADERS!

i was thinking about what tbe next leaders could be. If you think about it, if they want to keep with the whole "evolution" gimmick then it only makes sense to make them actual leader characters. They're typically the only ones who get bigger/better. And the first three molds are good guys. I speculate we'll see a Megatron/Galvatron....

shajaki wrote:

bodrock wrote:I wonder if other Leaders will be released besides the ones we know....cuz right now it looks like I'm buying ALL THE LEADERS!

i was thinking about what tbe next leaders could be. If you think about it, if they want to keep with the whole "evolution" gimmick then it only makes sense to make them actual leader characters. They're typically the only ones who get bigger/better. And the first three molds are good guys. I speculate we'll see a Megatron/Galvatron....

Huh, somehow even though I got the whole evolution concept, I never thought of "who else". Megs to Galvs could be interesting. Start with an earth mode tank Megatron and turn it inside out to form a space cannon Galavtron.

But who else went from small to large or at least became a leader. Seems more of a good guy Matrix bearer kinda thing.

Why not shrink the idea and go from a legend class Bumblebee to a deluxe Goldbug? I'm mixing and matching continuities here, but Bee was a leader at some point.

The leaders are giving me a really hard time. I for sure plan to pick up SG Rod and Primal, but I'm just not sure about the first 2 anymore. I want Rodimus, but I am also getting his MP-40 version early this year and the SG version, but I do want a Rodimus Prime. and the Evolution gimmick is so cool with Optimus, and I want to get him, but I just can't convince myself one way or the other

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The leaders are giving me a really hard time. I for sure plan to pick up SG Rod and Primal, but I'm just not sure about the first 2 anymore. I want Rodimus, but I am also getting his MP-40 version early this year and the SG version, but I do want a Rodimus Prime. and the Evolution gimmick is so cool with Optimus, and I want to get him, but I just can't convince myself one way or the other

I like the gimmick (a lot actually, even being gimmick hater), don't like the execution. OP and RP are easy passes. Primal is a soft maybe? I'm actually interested in that character. I was searching the interwebs for the leaked info last night actually. I forgot he goes from the beasty guy to the robo-beasty guy. Sorry I don't know the actually names or the series they come form. I'm intrigued at least. We don't really know much about Primal do we? From what I've seen/remember the deluxe figure's only interaction with the larger is being a surfboard? Considering I live under a rock in Hyrule at the moment, is there any more info that I've missed?

carytheone wrote:

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:The leaders are giving me a really hard time. I for sure plan to pick up SG Rod and Primal, but I'm just not sure about the first 2 anymore. I want Rodimus, but I am also getting his MP-40 version early this year and the SG version, but I do want a Rodimus Prime. and the Evolution gimmick is so cool with Optimus, and I want to get him, but I just can't convince myself one way or the other

I like the gimmick (a lot actually, even being gimmick hater), don't like the execution. OP and RP are easy passes. Primal is a soft maybe? I'm actually interested in that character. I was searching the interwebs for the leaked info last night actually. I forgot he goes from the beasty guy to the robo-beasty guy. Sorry I don't know the actually names or the series they come form. I'm intrigued at least. We don't really know much about Primal do we? From what I've seen/remember the deluxe figure's only interaction with the larger is being a surfboard? Considering I live under a rock in Hyrule at the moment, is there any more info that I've missed?

Not really, They haven't even fully revealed the toy yet, just mock up stuff. I'm expecting him to be fully revealed and shown off either within the next month or at Toy Fair, though the fact they are starting to reign in the early show offs is nice, considering we were seeing combiners in their entirety almost a full year in advance and now we're getting some reveals only 1 wave in advance again (which I prefer). The little guy is based on Beast Wars season 1 Primal, but turns into a spaceship log and acts as a surfboard (based on Transmetal/Season 2 Primal) for the larger monkey, which is based on Transmetal II/Season 3 Primal, as "Optimal Optimus"

Sorry D I gotta #ummactually you
Season 3 Primal, Optimal Optimus, was actually still a Transmetal 1. Everyone says TM2 though because that's what Season 3's thing was.

As for what to buy.... it's all about what you want OUT of the toy. I'm a completist... but if I weren't, that Leader Optimus is a hard sell. The only reason I'm into it is because of the hardcore toon Orion Pax mode. Otherwise it's a serious meh.

Roddy luckily comes in 2 flavors: good and evil. I think he's worth getting once.

And Primal, just depends. If you're a BW fan it should be an easy decision. If not, we'll have to see if the toy can stand on it's own merits first.

shajaki wrote:Sorry D I gotta #ummactually you
Season 3 Primal, Optimal Optimus, was actually still a Transmetal 1. Everyone says TM2 though because that's what Season 3's thing was.

As for what to buy.... it's all about what you want OUT of the toy. I'm a completist... but if I weren't, that Leader Optimus is a hard sell. The only reason I'm into it is because of the hardcore toon Orion Pax mode. Otherwise it's a serious meh.

Roddy luckily comes in 2 flavors: good and evil. I think he's worth getting once.

And Primal, just depends. If you're a BW fan it should be an easy decision. If not, we'll have to see if the toy can stand on it's own merits first.

I love SG, so that roddy has always been a buy. and I love Primal and I voted for him, so I will buy him, much like Windblade and Victorion, and neither of them disappointed either

Back to future POTP Leaders, the Meg/Galv I pictured being the same way as Optimus. Small Megatron, and stuff, together to make a big Galvatron. There was no size difference between the two I know, but to make the toy work easier that's just what I figured.

I did think of BB and GB already. But they ain't Leaders or Leader Class

Otherwise the only other thing I can think of is Prime being hardcore remolded into Ultra Magnus. If you think about it, its really kinda perfect

shajaki wrote:Back to future POTP Leaders, the Meg/Galv I pictured being the same way as Optimus. Small Megatron, and stuff, together to make a big Galvatron. There was no size difference between the two I know, but to make the toy work easier that's just what I figured.

I did think of BB and GB already. But they ain't Leaders or Leader Class

Otherwise the only other thing I can think of is Prime being hardcore remolded into Ultra Magnus. If you think about it, its really kinda perfect

Or Star Saber. the gimmick is perfect for him

shajaki wrote:And Primal, just depends. If you're a BW fan it should be an easy decision. If not, we'll have to see if the toy can stand on it's own merits first.

I'm not, but still interested to see the final toy. I'm not into organic chunks. If it's all robo monkey and a fun toy I'm in. I did really enjoy the thrilling 30 BW guys though (Rattrap and Waspinator).

Star Saber, that would be a figure high on my wants list and would work well in this line as a leader class figure. Pretty sure that's who I voted for.

So any speculation as to what the big monkey in the Primal set turns into for the alt-mode to interact with the deluxe figure?

carytheone wrote:

shajaki wrote:And Primal, just depends. If you're a BW fan it should be an easy decision. If not, we'll have to see if the toy can stand on it's own merits first.

I'm not, but still interested to see the final toy. I'm not into organic chunks. If it's all robo monkey and a fun toy I'm in. I did really enjoy the thrilling 30 BW guys though (Rattrap and Waspinator).

Star Saber, that would be a figure high on my wants list and would work well in this line as a leader class figure. Pretty sure that's who I voted for.

So any speculation as to what the big monkey in the Primal set turns into for the alt-mode to interact with the deluxe figure?

The big monkey part for his "Prime" form uses the deluxe part as a surfboard in monkey mode, then combines with it and transforms into Optimal Mode

Ooooo yes Star Saber WOULD be perfect!

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

carytheone wrote:

shajaki wrote:And Primal, just depends. If you're a BW fan it should be an easy decision. If not, we'll have to see if the toy can stand on it's own merits first.

I'm not, but still interested to see the final toy. I'm not into organic chunks. If it's all robo monkey and a fun toy I'm in. I did really enjoy the thrilling 30 BW guys though (Rattrap and Waspinator).

Star Saber, that would be a figure high on my wants list and would work well in this line as a leader class figure. Pretty sure that's who I voted for.

So any speculation as to what the big monkey in the Primal set turns into for the alt-mode to interact with the deluxe figure?

The big monkey part for his "Prime" form uses the deluxe part as a surfboard in monkey mode, then combines with it and transforms into Optimal Mode

Ah, I was hoping there was more to it than that.

I'd buy pretty much any Decepticon "conversion", but would absolutely love to see a Megz-2-Galvatron figure the most. I like your alt-mode ideas, Cary!

I'd love a STAR SABER figure like that, no doubt! Maybe they just haven't announced him yet.

I'm pretty much getting Op for dat Orion Pax, but also to have him in Leader scale. I'm getting both versions of Roddy now. (Thanks Shaj!)

I wasn't sure that the little Primal had anything to do with the Optimal form other than being a surfboard. So maybe he's a surfboard for Optimal gorilla mode... and combines for Optimal robot mode? I'm confused

shajaki wrote:I wasn't sure that the little Primal had anything to do with the Optimal form other than being a surfboard. So maybe he's a surfboard for Optimal gorilla mode... and combines for Optimal robot mode? I'm confused

That's exactly how it works! or is supposed to

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

shajaki wrote:I wasn't sure that the little Primal had anything to do with the Optimal form other than being a surfboard. So maybe he's a surfboard for Optimal gorilla mode... and combines for Optimal robot mode? I'm confused

That's exactly how it works! or is supposed to

Ahhkay. Makes sense

There's something that really bugs me about the POTP line so far. The "Prime Masters". Here's the two types...







So whatta we got? The individual Prime Masters that come with cool pretender shells, and the PM's themselves are just Titan Masters with different faces, and transform into little dudes. I'd rather them be actual Headmasters, but still cool. A welcome addition.

Then you got the PM's that come packaged with Voyagers and Leaders. They are little square hollow pieces of plastic. I was honestly surprised by this, and think it is L-A-M-E. The play aspect relies solely on imagination (giving the characters powers?), and utilizing the PM's with those combiner hand/faux pregnancy bellies is weak AF.



The only thing that makes sense, is the Matrix's that come with Roddy and Opty don't transform into little dudes. But the rest... why they going all cheapo?

It's because the things that come with Voyagers aren't Prime Masters at all. They're Enigmas of Combination.

...could they have still had robot modes? Sure. But that isn't their purpose.

Siggy Wiggy beat me to the punch. It would have been cool if they were also little robits. Titans Masters, Prime Masters, Masters and Johnson are all a little nonsensical (well not the later, but I couldn't help but type it).

Anyway, I wouldn't have minded more little robots. Sure it was nice to have robots with actual heads and non-hollow guns, but I didn't realize that I missed them until I opened my 4th quarter TR bots from my last haul.

Anyanyway, I think having the enigmas turn into Enigma Masters would have been fun, silly, fit their pattern and why not. Sometimes you gotta do something just for the giggles.



I still think this is one of the best things they ever did. I had a real life They live moment once.

Sigma Magnus wrote:It's because the things that come with Voyagers aren't Prime Masters at all. They're Enigmas of Combination.

...could they have still had robot modes? Sure. But that isn't their purpose.

carytheone wrote:

Be a whole lot cooler if they weren't hollow......

shajaki wrote:

Sigma Magnus wrote:It's because the things that come with Voyagers aren't Prime Masters at all. They're Enigmas of Combination.

...could they have still had robot modes? Sure. But that isn't their purpose.

carytheone wrote:

I gotta agree with dat cat -- we do not need Enigmas of Hollowness.

Let me tell you. How excited I was for Power of the Prime Leader Class Optimus Prime.

Not very.



I bought him and Roddy... what? Two weeks ago? I only opened him today. I've already mentioned that I was only interested in him for the Orion Pax figure, and now, I am ready to eat some crow. He's pretty great. But, recall my thoughts on Roddy, because they're frighteningly similar in that they are impressive but disappointing in some areas.

Orion Pax is great. He's a modernly posable and wonderfully cartoon accurate. His only flaw is he turns into a... strangely proportioned earth truck and not a Cybertronian thingamathing.







The truck mode is alright, but strangely proportioned as I mentioned. I feel they could have done better. The trailer does a lot more work than I thought it would and is pretty impressive. There are bad spots (the red on the roof and front of trailer) but I find them strangely forgivable.

On to the full Optimus Prime mode:





One thing before moving on, he's only got 3 modes as opposed to Roddy's 4. Just pointing out it out cause Pax doesn't have his Cybertruck mode. Anyways, Prime mode is very impressive, especially compared to my rock bottom expectations. His head sculpt is to die for, and he is so MP-10'ish that its crazy. In fact the only thing he's missing is a wrist swivel and waist joint, everything else is there and fantastic.

Let's talk backpack:



It is not bad. It looks bad in pics, but in hand, I dunno. It's strangely acceptable. Doesn't bug me at all.

What is bad though, is the strange lengthy sticks that are his ankles.





Certain angles are fine. Others not so much. But the posability they deliver is delicious.

In closing, I think he's great. Only there's two things that come to mind however.
1) A Takara take on this would be great, hiding more of the grey trailer bits in red paint. I really can't help but think, a proper Takara release of this would make a wonderful Price cutting stand-in for MP-10.

And (2), I don't have any need for a regular Optimus Prime in this size class (if you get my meaning). Powermaster Prime needs to be this big. Normalmaster Prime does not.



The Leader debut's of this line are both winners. If you've any interest, go get'em