The Energon Pub

News Credits: 9 · by **Sowndwave76** » Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:03 pm

My point earlier is just that I would've expected better with the throne. It doesn't really matter to me as I'm not getting this figure, and I hope everyone who has it/gets it is happy.
It just seems like the design of the throne could've been done to compensate for the backpack area of Megatron, and the lower backpack section of Starscream. The throne by itself may have looked awkward... But I don't think there are that many out there who plan on making the throne a display piece in and of itself. If the throne needed to be adjusted to make it look better when either of those figures were in it, I would argue that would've been worth it.
Again, I just hope you all are happy with it.

Even that cartoon image that was shared; either Megatron's right hip is shifted back, or he's awkwardly leaning back-- his right hand and arm could've be where they are if he were up at the edge.

More importantly, are people happy with the look of Sludge??
From the screenshots of the figure literally in-hand (even if it that's just a colored prototype), that is incredibly good...
I'd say that his overall proportions are better than Slag's... His shoulders aren't overly wide.
His legs don't look too short.
I am curious to see how these 3 look standing together in bot mode.
But I'm going to call it now-- Sludge will be the figure of the year for me, even over Menasor.
Does this reveal mean he'll be released late spring/early summer??

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:08 pm

Considering how Transformers are built, I literally do not think they could have done any better to accommodate figures using the throne.

As for Sludge, he does look really good, a lot better than Slug, and he has redeemed the SS86 dinobots in my eyes right now. Since he is wave 2, I would expect June/July release timeframe.

Sludge did make me realize though that we are now at officially 4 years since SS AOE Grimlock came out and there isn't even a rumor of another live action Dinobot, but we are now getting our 3rd G1 Dinobot. Kinda disappointing.

Junkyard also looked good, though ironically the stock images made him look not as good as the leaks. Spike was forgotten by the reveal team as he should be, let's just forget that thing happened and move onto another wave of cores.

News Credits: 56 · by **o.supreme** » Fri Feb 04, 2022 2:33 pm

I was just thinking that because of the size of Sludge he didn't come with a partner. Also I thought well who else is there? Wheelie and Daniel are already used, and Spike got a core class...

Then it hit me...

Even if Swoop turns out to be slightly small for a leader, they can add value by including Hot Rod's sparring drone with Swoop

News Credits: 10 · by **sol magnus** » Fri Feb 04, 2022 6:27 pm

Here's Galvatron on the throne. It works. Kind of. Seems definitely like they worked it for Megatron but it'll do I guess.

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Fri Feb 04, 2022 7:20 pm

o.supreme wrote:I was just thinking that because of the size of Sludge he didn't come with a partner.

The partners always felt super arbitrary. These leader class toys are big and beefy and feel even more worthy of the class than any previous Generations Leader Class figure, going all the way back to the first one, Jetfire. So if they simply didn't add those extra inarticulated figures to Grimlock and Slug, I would still have felt I got my money's worth. So I don't feel I am getting ripped off in any way by not getting more than Sludge.

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:22 pm

Instead of a minifig I'd have rather they added parts to Grimmy. Like the front teeth in dino mode or screw covers for his dino head. I get why they added the minifigs - they didn't know they'd have a core class - but they're just too crap to be worth it. Slag doesn't have the same issues, but I wish his gun weren't a part of his tail.

Hopefully Sludge won't have any problems that will compel me to buy an add-on kit. That they took whatever cost the minifig added and put that towards the figure itself.

News Credits: 65 · by **Wolfman Jake** » Sat Feb 05, 2022 12:02 pm

Emerje wrote:Throne looks fine to me, Megatron is an edge sitter anyway.

Emerje

"You pay for the whole seat, but you'll only need the EDGE!"

News Credits: 56 · by **o.supreme** » Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:52 am

So... I was able to see Coronation Starscream for the first time in store this past weekend. One Target I was visiting about 15 miles away from my home had 3 of them, and one Slag. It was interesting to see that the new Leader Class Box was slightly smaller than the WFC/ Previous SS were (the ones from 2019-2021), just as those were slightly smaller than the Prime Wars leader packaging that we got from 2014-2018.

Also the cardboard box was a lot flimsier than I expected. I mean from what could see, the toys were not compromised in any way, but it appears they were newly put out probably that morning. I'm sure they will sell relatively quickly, but it will be interesting to see the state of those boxes if they sit around for some time.

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:07 pm

sol magnus wrote:Here's Galvatron on the throne. It works. Kind of. Seems definitely like they worked it for Megatron but it'll do I guess.

I was hoping that would fit better, but it doesn't look too bad

by **Colonel*Ives** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 10:08 am

Hi All! Long time visitor to Seibertron.com, first time posting.

I'm sorry if this has been posted and I missed it but I've got a question:

Is there a date for orders to begin to purchases the 86 Studio Series for Sludge? I've looked and looked but I can't find a date.

Thank you in advance!

by **Phylaeus** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 3:09 pm

I agree with the concern around Windowless packaging. Not everyone who purchases these items are collectors. Many are unsuspecting parents buying for a family member or loved one. They are also clueless of whats inside and attempt to mitigate said ignorance via pics sent to someone who knows. This cant occur with the Mystery Box approach so their left to just hoping the weight and contents are accurate. Such a scenario played out with a family member of mine last week who went to purchase coronation starscream for me only to bring home a box with ER starscream sans any thrown or crown.
Buying a titan is different because you have a level of weight present to use as verification. Online ordering is different because the likelihood for such a swap out occurring with an online vendor is lower (not getting into any statistics on this)

Maybe strategic portholes vice larger plastic windows would be a balanced solution but the mystery box approach is just not good.

by **M. Spector** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 12:22 pm

Picked up king Starscream last night! It's a really nice set, my only prior experience with this mold is Selects G2 Sandstorm which is still my fav, but this jet also looks really sharp. And the extra silver bits add with this version of the deco is nice. Only complaint is an odd bit of discoloration on one part which you can see above

The accessories are surprisingly nice too. The throne is very solid and his a nice bit of weight to it, looks good from all angles, the cape as well is much sturdy than I anticipated, nothing feels cheap and I like how it is cleverly hinged to fold or unfold based on poses. The crown, shoulder pads and extra Null Rays also fit on securely with not much trouble. Plus evebething can be stored under and behind the throne thanks to some pegs holes

News Credits: 6 · by **Dr. Caelus** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 12:34 pm

My Starscream arrived this morning. Very happy with him.

News Credits: 331 · by **chuckdawg1999** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:40 pm

Dr. Caelus wrote:My Starscream arrived this morning. Very happy with him.

It's like a law, you have to pose Starscream in its cape and crown in that pose.

News Credits: 6 · by **Dr. Caelus** » Sat Feb 19, 2022 8:46 pm

chuckdawg1999 wrote:
Dr. Caelus wrote:My Starscream arrived this morning. Very happy with him.

It's like a law, you have to pose Starscream in its cape and crown in that pose.

I told my wife it was morally impossible to display him any other way.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:03 pm

So I got my Coronation Starscream from Amazon today, but they chose to ship it in a bag with no padding whatsoever. As you can guess it was completely crushed and every edge of the box was worn and frayed. Shame because I really love the art on this box. The contents seem to be OK, I've checked every bit of everything in the box looking for any signs of cracks or stress marks. Only obvious thing I found was some paint transfer from the tips of his shoulder pilons onto the top flap of the box (which I guess they expected since there's a layer of tape on the front and top of the box to keep the figure from rubbing on cardboard.

Anyway, while Starscream seems to be physically fine I'm having issues with the right shoulder area panels coming together. It feels like the top red part might be warped, and it could be stressed and just not visible because of all the red paint. The right side just doesn't want to lock in place as well as the left and when I do get everything lined up right the already built in gap between the chest and shoulder is even more obvious on the right side. Too much movement and everything pops apart. So the question is, is this a common issue due to mold degradation that I should live with or should I pack it all up and try exchanging it for a better one that hopefully isn't smashed in shipping?

Also, while inspecting for cracks I noticed something I haven't seen before, but checking other figures it's definitely an error in the sculpting that's present on all Earthrise Seekers including the Coneheads.

There's a panel line missing from one of the hinges that completes the panel there. What a weird oversight.

Emerje

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 1:09 pm

Emerje wrote:So I got my Coronation Starscream from Amazon today, but they chose to ship it in a bag with no padding whatsoever. As you can guess it was completely crushed and every edge of the box was worn and frayed. Shame because I really love the art on this box. The contents seem to be OK, I've checked every bit of everything in the box looking for any signs of cracks or stress marks. Only obvious thing I found was some paint transfer from the tips of his shoulder pilons onto the top flap of the box (which I guess they expected since there's a layer of tape on the front and top of the box to keep the figure from rubbing on cardboard.

Anyway, while Starscream seems to be physically fine I'm having issues with the right shoulder area panels coming together. It feels like the top red part might be warped, and it could be stressed and just not visible because of all the red paint. The right side just doesn't want to lock in place as well as the left and when I do get everything lined up right the already built in gap between the chest and shoulder is even more obvious on the right side. Too much movement and everything pops apart. So the question is, is this a common issue due to mold degradation that I should live with or should I pack it all up and try exchanging it for a better one that hopefully isn't smashed in shipping?

Also, while inspecting for cracks I noticed something I haven't seen before, but checking other figures it's definitely an error in the sculpting that's present on all Earthrise Seekers including the Coneheads.

The attachment 20220221_184253.jpg is no longer available

There's a panel line missing from one of the hinges that completes the panel there. What a weird oversight.

Emerje

Got mine yesterday and Indeed, the panel line is missing one side. The is very strange.

Other things I've n articled is the joints are much looser than on the other versions of the mold I own. Thundercracker and Skywarp are nice ands tight as well as G2 Ramjet. Starsream is not as tight. Not floppy, but not as tight. also the pegs on the pigs are much looser, making the wings pop up with minimal force, while the wings on TC and SW are nice and tight enough that I can't just pry them off the pegs like I can with Starscream.

More disappointing though is the fact that the opening hands prevent Starscream from correctly holding the Gun mode Megatron from the Selects Centurion set. He can hold it, but it's quite loose.

Anyway, the Throne is much heavier than I thought it would be, and fits Megatron fine. He is a bit forward due to the treads, but it works. also works for BW Megs.

: Jet Mode

: Robot

: Robot 2

: Megs Gun

: Megs

: Yesssss!

News Credits: 56 · by **o.supreme** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 1:27 pm

Emerje wrote:So I got my Coronation Starscream from Amazon today, but they chose to ship it in a bag with no padding whatsoever. As you can guess it was completely crushed and every edge of the box was worn and frayed.

I commented on this not too long ago, after seeing Coronation SS at Target for the first time. I figured the boxes would be more durable, similar to past CC series boxes. But not only did they go windowless with Leader Class, the cardboard is way more flimsy. i hadn't even considered the consequences of shipping individual toys

Seems to be similar cardboard density on the Core class as well, which isn't entirely unexpected. But I am curious about Deluxe and Voyagers now. I just figured Legacy toys would be the exact same in terms of density, and the previously trilogy, just windowless, but in truth, they may actually have more fragile packaging as well...

I know SS BB Soundwave is pretty much the last of the old type. I wonder if anyone who found the next ss deluxe assortment can confirm not only if they are windowless, but what the quality of the carboard IS

News Credits: 10 · by **sol magnus** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 1:30 pm

o.supreme wrote:I know SS BB Soundwave is pretty much the last of the old type. I wonder if anyone who found the next ss deluxe assortment can confirm not only if they are windowless, but what the quality of the carboard IS

I bought a second Hot Rod and he's in a new box, but it still has a window, albeit smaller than last year's release. The cardboard may be slightly flimsier, but I need to compare them.

News Credits: 22 · by **Rodimus Prime** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 8:26 pm

That throne fits BW Megs the best. He should use it all the time.

News Credits: 10 · by **sol magnus** » Fri Feb 25, 2022 10:02 am

Gamestop has Studio Series 86 Perceptor up for sale right now. It's not a preorder.

https://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/f ... 06409.html

I already bought mine.

News Credits: 22 · by **Rodimus Prime** » Fri Feb 25, 2022 11:46 am

sol magnus wrote:Gamestop has Studio Series 86 Perceptor up for sale right now. It's not a preorder.

https://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/f ... 06409.html

I already bought mine.

$31 with shipping. I got mine preordered at Amazon for $25. Do I wait a month and save $6?

News Credits: 10 · by **sol magnus** » Fri Feb 25, 2022 11:47 am

Rodimus Prime wrote:
sol magnus wrote:Gamestop has Studio Series 86 Perceptor up for sale right now. It's not a preorder.

https://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/f ... 06409.html

I already bought mine.
$31 with shipping. I got mine preordered at Amazon for $25. Do I wait a month and save $6?

I have mine preordered with Pulse with free shipping. I did not wait.

News Credits: 9 · by **Sowndwave76** » Fri Feb 25, 2022 2:04 pm

I'm really looking forward to Perceptor, but I'm waiting for Amazon.
People are probably getting sick of hearing/reading about increased prices, inflation, etc.
But these toys and this hobby are already pushing my financial tolerance levels.
I get it's not that much of a difference, but if I don't have to pay $31 for this figure, I'm not going to.
Plus, saving that $6 will come in handy if I decide to get Core class Spike.

Assuming we get the rest of the Dinobots and Insections next year, my perspective on collecting has turned into:
At the end of 2023 I'll finally be free.