The Energon Pub

william-james88 wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:A lot of the modern toys feel very hollow/light compared to my G1/G2 toys. Are there any modern ones you recommend that feel really solidly built? Thanks!

I always go back to vector prime for a good example, but he is technically from over a decade ago. In terns of recent toys, I did find Leo Prime to have surprising substance.

And of course, Omega Supreme from a few years ago is a really good substantial toy, as is commander class Jetfire.

As for the G1 toys, I have found some of them to be hollow too, like G1 Hardhead. That dude is all kinds of hollow, more so than many modern toys.

Amusingly enough I got Nemesis Leo Prime for my kiddo because he wanted a "black lion big guy". He calls transformers "big guys" because I once referred to my Fort Max as "big guy" and it stuck.

Is Armada Prime really "that good"? Was thinking of Menasor, but at ~$100 cheaper Prime sound like "a win".

Also, regarding those retro headmasters, is there a specific one (s) that's/re better than the others?

Mkdlmr wrote:Is Armada Prime really "that good"? Was thinking of Menasor, but at ~$100 cheaper Prime sound like "a win".

Also, regarding those retro headmasters, is there a specific one (s) that's/re better than the others?

Armada Prime is really "that good."

HOWEVER, he will still be available for a while and may come on sale sooner or later.
If you have the chance to get a complete Legacy Menasor, ACT NOW.

Or be like me and buy the thing for DOUBLE the price later.
Like I just did for the Siege Firestormer Alpha Strike Counterforce pack.
A set that I could have bought several times for 69$CAN total at any time when Siege and Earthrise was on GameStop shelves. Now, I just bought it for 135$CAN total, importing it from the U.K.



I suddenly wanted to have ALL the Sideswipes, and their repaints/remolds. It was the last one that I missed.

As for the Slamdance, even if the components can't change into cassettes, he'll be perfect with my Titan Returns Blaster. And while I was there, burning money on eBay, might as well buy the knock-off G1 Slamdance for my Blaster reissue. I already have the Dr Wu "Slamdance" for my Kingdom Blaster. So, that another thing that is complete.


Oh, and about the headmaster, if you just ask for ONE headmaster, that mean any Titan Return guy would count, right? Might as well get the Amazon exclusive Transformers Generations Legacy Wreck ‘N Rule Collection Diaclone Universe Twin Twist. It's pretty neat and way cheaper than the one into the "right" color. Note that in the official lore, Twin Twist was never a headmaster. It just that in Titan Return, EVERYONE and their pet dog was a headmaster.

-Kanrabat- wrote:[quote="Mkdlmr"
Oh, and about the headmaster, if you just ask for ONE headmaster, that mean any Titan Return guy would count, right? Might as well get the Amazon exclusive Transformers Generations Legacy Wreck ‘N Rule Collection Diaclone Universe Twin Twist. It's pretty neat and way cheaper than the one into the "right" color. Note that in the official lore, Twin Twist was never a headmaster. It just that in Titan Return, EVERYONE and their pet dog was a headmaster.

Thanks! But I was referring to those retro style box figures. Is there a specific one or two of those that's best? Thanks again!

Mkdlmr wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:[quote="Mkdlmr"
Oh, and about the headmaster, if you just ask for ONE headmaster, that mean any Titan Return guy would count, right? Might as well get the Amazon exclusive Transformers Generations Legacy Wreck ‘N Rule Collection Diaclone Universe Twin Twist. It's pretty neat and way cheaper than the one into the "right" color. Note that in the official lore, Twin Twist was never a headmaster. It just that in Titan Return, EVERYONE and their pet dog was a headmaster.

Thanks! But I was referring to those retro style box figures. Is there a specific one or two of those that's best? Thanks again!

They're all equally good.
Get them all.
Especially if their price are "normal deluxe" priced.

Hmm... people seem to think Menasor has some fragility/peg breaking issues?

https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/ ... r.1242765/

First time I heard of those issues. My Menasor is in combined mode but I never reverted it back so far.

Regardless, having 5mm pegs that are too tight or too loose is a common issue among many transformers. The trick is to mods things as they go. Sanding down the pegs, enlarging the hole with a drill, tightening things with super glue, and so on.

Yea... all the tweaking...

Any thoughts on Siege Apeface and Earthrise Snapdragon?

Mkdlmr wrote:Yea... all the tweaking...

Any thoughts on Siege Apeface and Earthrise Snapdragon?

Both are good, but not perfect.
Siege Apeface is a bit fiddly to transform and you must be careful with that all clear plastics shield. The spaceship is a mess, but the ape is surprisingly perfect, as well as the bot. But you may find the choice of nylon as the main body to be a bit odd. That's solid plastics, but it gives a off look.

As for Snapdragon, all modes are great and he's not fiddly.

Still, the G1 originals are way better in every ways. I know because I have them all.

Gotcha, thanks!

What about the Siege Astrotrain and Legacy Blitzwing? Looking for good leader class deceptions.

Mkdlmr wrote:Gotcha, thanks!

What about the Siege Astrotrain and Legacy Blitzwing? Looking for good leader class deceptions.

Astrotrain is quite nice and fun, despite the train engine having a "small nose" and the shuttle having a chunk of vehicle missing on top. If you can find it for the price of a regular leader, he's worth it.
However, if you can manage to get the Velocitron Galaxy Shuttle for retail price, he'll be Skylinx's perfect partner.

As for Legacy Blitzwing, all he got is his bot mode. The tank have a p3nis and the jet is just a big mess. I'd buy him only at 50% off and even then, I'm not sure. IMO, the best Blitzwing so far is the Titan Return voyager. Because he's now "out of date" by the recent leader, he should come cheap. Same thing with Titan Returns Astrotrain. He have a weird train mode, but the shuttle is perfect and he should come cheap. He's as tall as the leader, but he's very thin.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Mkdlmr wrote:Gotcha, thanks!

What about the Siege Astrotrain and Legacy Blitzwing? Looking for good leader class deceptions.

Astrotrain is quite nice and fun, despite the train engine having a "small nose" and the shuttle having a chunk of vehicle missing on top. If you can find it for the price of a regular leader, he's worth it.
However, if you can manage to get the Velocitron Galaxy Shuttle for retail price, he'll be Skylinx's perfect partner.

As for Legacy Blitzwing, all he got is his bot mode. The tank have a p3nis and the jet is just a big mess. I'd buy him only at 50% off and even then, I'm not sure. IMO, the best Blitzwing so far is the Titan Return voyager. Because he's now "out of date" by the recent leader, he should come cheap. Same thing with Titan Returns Astrotrain. He have a weird train mode, but the shuttle is perfect and he should come cheap. He's as tall as the leader, but he's very thin.

Thanks! You're up early!

I'm trying to get some more decepticons in my collection from the Studio Series 86 and/or War for Cybertron trilogy [or Legacy]. Any suggestions? I'm really drawn toward Legacy Scourge [I know, he doesn't quite fit the theme I'm going for], and I'd love a Siege Spinister, but I'm not paying the current asking rate for him.

Yup, I'm heading for work.

As for some , you can't go wrong with Legacy Galvatron, SS86 Scourge or Sweep, and Kingdom Cyclonus. Plus, if you go for the Selects versions, they should still be available for cheap.

If you finally manage to watch Masterforce, try getting these little Titan Masters from Titan Return to go with your Black Zarak. They will be in scale for the base mode and are perfect representation for the show's characters.
If you can, try getting the Autobots as well.

Mkdlmr wrote:Huh, I just realized you put Legacy Metroplex as your number 2 Titan above the Scorponok mold. May I ask why?

Did you watch the Hasbro Pulse event today? They said "Omega" when referring to the next Transformers Haslab:

https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/c ... veal_next/

Color me curious.

Why Titan Legacy Cybertron Universe is above Select BZ?
Simple.
PLAY VALUE.

Transforming BZ involve partsforming a zillion pieces, thanks to the upgrade kit and his "little friends". It's a bit annoying and so far, I only transformed him twice, back and forth. Plus, the fact that he needed such a huge kit to be "complete" knock down a few points. Hell, I'll be making a new "accessory kit" just for him this weekend by repainting a ER Ironworks.

Cybertron Metroplex, I transform him over and over and over again in his 3 modes and he's a lot of fun and so satisfying! The fun points have a lot of value.

As for the next HASLAB, "Omega reveal" is not a big clue because I don't see any point in making a HASLAB Omega Supreme. It will be something unexpected for sure.
People theorise Primus/Cybertron

Darn... now I'm regretting getting Black Zarak...

Anyway, can you please tell me what the depth (including that butt flap) of the combined form of Armada Optimus Prime? I can figure out height and shoulder width easily enough. Thanks!

Mkdlmr wrote:Darn... now I'm regretting getting Black Zarak...

Anyway, can you please tell me what the depth (including that butt flap) of the combined form of Armada Optimus Prime? I can figure out height and shoulder width easily enough. Thanks!

Well, in that case, keep BZ, his upgrade kit, and Roricthi SEALED.
sit on that lot for a few years, then sell the whole thing for a hefty profit.

Keep an eye out for a Legacy Metroplex. It's bound to come on sale sooner or later. Plus, the upcoming Tidalwave will be his perfect rival and will display well with Armada Optimus Prime.

As for the precise measurements, I'm currently out of town. So, later.

How is Legacy Axelgrease? I'm kinda digging the design/look.

Also, I think I'll pick up Legacy Crankcase to have a Skids mold and increase my Decepticon ranks. Also, digging his nonnef upgrade kit.

Mkdlmr wrote:How is Legacy Axelgrease? I'm kinda digging the design/look.

Also, I think I'll pick up Legacy Crankcase to have a Skids mold and increase my Decepticon ranks. Also, digging his nonnef upgrade kit.

If you have the Junkion towing, it's the same thing.

The flaw is the fiddliness of the arms transformation and their tendency to pop off. Other than that, she looks amazing in both modes.

Is there any difference, in quality, between figures sold in North America and those sold in Asian countries [incorrect term?] besides the warning labels being in different languages?

Mkdlmr wrote:Is there any difference, in quality, between figures sold in North America and those sold in Asian countries [incorrect term?] besides the warning labels being in different languages?

It depends on the versions.
Sometime, the is more solid, other times, it's the .

That was the case for everything before the unification of the brands when Studio Series and WFC began.
Since SS and WFC, both and are the exact same things.

Thanks as always! Are there any good figures that are elevated to greatness through upgrades?

Oh, I did see this recently [sorry to post a link to another news site]:

https://tformers.com/armada-optimus-pri ... /news.html

I do like the articulated hands, added weaponry and improved butt flaps [dunno what it's called - reverse loin cloth?].

Mkdlmr wrote:Thanks as always! Are there any good figures that are elevated to greatness through upgrades?

Oh, I did see this recently [sorry to post a link to another news site]:

https://tformers.com/armada-optimus-pri ... /news.html

I do like the articulated hands, added weaponry and improved butt flaps [dunno what it's called - reverse loin cloth?].

I'm not really feeling that kit. I see it more like "adding lots of spices on an already delicious dish."
It is just unnecessary.

A DNA Design kit will be a must for Gamer Optimus, who have gigantic gaps. Especially with the whole back of its vehicle missing.

A (very expensive) kit was also a must for the Studio Series Movie 2007 Ironhide to correct his "smiling" bumper in bot mode and to give him perfect feet. But now, instead of paying 200$+ to have that, there's a new K.O of that upgraded toy at AliExpress for cheaper than a regular voyager! And the reviews are good.

The DNA kit is also a must to make the SS 2007 voyager Megatron have his accurate chest.

The upcoming one for SS ROTB leader Scourge will make quite the difference as well.

My friend bought one to complete his Legacy Laser Optimus.

All in all, it all depends on how YOU see if a kit improves a toy or not.

Also, another good source of upgrades is that AliExpress store:
https://m.aliexpress.com/store/1100084178
I bought often from them. Their price are good and the quality of the 3D printed pieces are amazing.

I would have thought the Scorponok DNA upgrades [minus legs] would have been essential. I do like the Nonnef Sludge toe-fix kit even though color matching is off and you lose the dino weapon storage.

In other news: I have actually ordered and returned three SS86 Brawn's. All of them have had scuffing/damage to the chest - not loving the plastic-free packaging at all


I am still tempted to pick up Generations Warpath. Just not sure how well he'd fit in with my WfC/SS86 collection. I did order SS86 Wreck-Gar and paid way too much for a Siege Spinister because I wanted one and money buys stuff.

With "Generations Warpath", you mean the old Generations mold, not the Kingdom one, right?

EXCELENT CHOICE!

And with the fact that he's a H tank, he'll be right at home in a "Cybertronian" Siege display.

Also, if you ever get a ER Scorponok, the first two DNA upgrades would be essential. The Vanilla version is quite "incomplete." Especially compared to the G1 original. You'll also have to find a ER Fasttrack to go with him too. Thankfully, that last one is piss-easy to find.

-Kanrabat- wrote:With "Generations Warpath", you mean the old Generations mold, not the Kingdom one, right?

EXCELENT CHOICE!

And with the fact that he's a H tank, he'll be right at home in a "Cybertronian" Siege display.

Also, if you ever get a ER Scorponok, the first two DNA upgrades would be essential. The Vanilla version is quite "incomplete." Especially compared to the G1 original. You'll also have to find a ER Fasttrack to go with him too. Thankfully, that last one is piss-easy to find.

Correct. Generations. Was specifically eyeing the Takara UN-24.. priced similarly and I prefer the Takara color.

Yea... I'm probably just going to stick with my Black Zarak, Black Roritchi and the DK-33 I already have.

Almost tempted to give up on the SS86 Brawn. Last I checked you did mention I should get him though... kinda unfortunate that his chest paint has been scratched or even the corners of his chest rounded/crunched down... :-/