The Energon Pub

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:

Nemesis Primal wrote:

Sowndwave76 wrote:Does anyone know if Amazon had preorders that have already sold out, or has the 2-pack not been listed yet?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK7ZMLRT?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Thank you…. I guess you have to search with the exact name Amazon has for this item? I searched a few different times with various verbiage, and how it never landed is beyond me. I mean, shouldn’t this set come up if someone searches “Transformers Studio Series 86”?
At any rate, thanks again. I really appreciate it!!

I searched "Studio Series Long Haul", it was the first result, although I didn't get around to it until after the set had already sold out on Pulse.

Still seems silly to the point of stupid that neither “Tranformers Studio Series 86”, nor “Transformers Studio Series 86 Hook and Long Haul” resulted in the listing showing up. Thinking this may had changed since yesterday, I tried again late this morning…. Still nothing.
Oh well, thanks again. Got my preorders in.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Oh well, thanks again. Got my preorders in.

No problem!

Sowndwave76 wrote:Still seems silly to the point of stupid that neither “Tranformers Studio Series 86”, nor “Transformers Studio Series 86 Hook and Long Haul” resulted in the listing showing up. Thinking this may had changed since yesterday, I tried again late this morning…. Still nothing.

I went back and looked because you said that, and I didn't even notice this before, but since the numbering system for the figures is gone as of the new packaging, none of the Constructicons have "86" anywhere on their packaging or in their listings. If you literally just search "Studio Series", Long Haul and Hook are the immediate first result. The second you include 86 in the search criteria, they're gone. Why searching with 86 included still brings up Bonecrusher and Scrapper, I now don't understand.

Just a gut feeling, but as people have voiced reasonable opinion along with time and what's logical, this new packaging seems to be good evidence that the SS86 subline is in fact ending. Despite people like Evan the designer talking about and naming specific figures saying "studio series 86...", including times where the subject was future figures for characters like Soundwave and Astrotrain, Swoop may be the last SS86 figure to be released in standard SS86 packaging.
Looks like figures such as Grimlock, Snarl, and CC Optimus will get PR's with literally fresh packaging.
Imo, this switch also speaks to Hastak's financial situation. I know the clear window packaging is returning, however, the extra "diorama/backdrop" insert is gone. This not only saves money on material, but also for the need of any artwork, which involves printing, along with different backdrop scenes for different characters. Plus, the clear window should help alleviate figures being messed with/damaged in stores.

It's also going to be interesting to see how the Studio Series line is handled after (if not during) 2026. Will the focus shift more to live action movie figures? Will it be a catch-all and still include screen accurate figures from G1 and other series? I believe the latter is more likely. Studio Series has become as popular as the mainlines in the last 4+ years, so even without the "86" in the branding, Hastak is going to want to maintain this as a money-maker.

The new packaging is incredibly boring, honestly. Real downgrade from past lines.

Emerje wrote:I wouldn't read anything into the new packaging, they changed it to be uniform with Age of the Primes. I doubt we'll be seeing Gamer Edition any more either, they'll just call out the source in the bottom corner and leave it at that.
Emerje

Definitely could be... But it still seems like SS86 is being phased-out, especially considering that up until these photos, this subline did have distinct packaging.

Who knows what the exact sub-name would be, but "The Transformers the Movie" could easily be replaced by something referring to the G1 Cartoon. And again, the SS86 character well is real close to dried-up anyway. There's no shame in Hastak officially announcing that subline is ending; the same announcement could include news that screen accurate figures are still in the works and will simply be under a different banner.

Regarding Jazz did anyone have problems with a loose right leg? I'm so freakin' fried over this crap considering I paid eBay prices. It's actually at the knee joint, the other leg is some what loose but not as bad as the right one. So now I'm going to wait for a much cheaper find or wait til the re-release hits shelves.

But seriously did anyone else have this crap? I'd like to hear from you all!

Nemesis Destron wrote:Regarding Jazz did anyone have problems with a loose right leg? I'm so freakin' fried over this crap considering I paid eBay prices. So now I'm going to wait for a much cheaper find or wait til the re-release hits shelves.

But seriously did anyone else have this crap? I'd like to hear from you all!

That's way too specific to be a widespread thing.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:Regarding Jazz did anyone have problems with a loose right leg? I'm so freakin' fried over this crap considering I paid eBay prices. So now I'm going to wait for a much cheaper find or wait til the re-release hits shelves.

But seriously did anyone else have this crap? I'd like to hear from you all!

That's way too specific to be a widespread thing.

Really???

Nemesis Destron wrote:

Really???

Yeah, I never heard of that issue before. Mine is perfect. So yours may be a "unique lemon" case.

Besides Sludge, I haven't had any QC issue with any of my SS86 figures.

*Edit:
I have no idea how I ended up having a double post where the second happened over an hour after the first... But I guess I'll use this one to voice a thought I've had since seeing a couple videos of SS86 Scrapper.

The appearance of this figure is fine, and once in-hand I won't be surprised if this view changes to "good". However, imo it's beyond a stretch that this is a voyager class figure.
-this isn't a tall deluxe, and he's not filled out (hollow shoulders, forearms, and lower legs). His blaster is nothing more than any other weapon for any other deluxe. So it's tough to accept that it's Devy's gun that pushed this budget in terms of plastic. I'm sure it matters to a few, but I would've been good with that being thrown into the Commander Class set.
-there are no waist or wrist swivels. I understand not all voyagers have these joints. I also know that there's parts involved in the ratcheted sideways bend for Devy's ankle tilt. However even that seems a bit overshadowed by this last point:
-the engineering for the transformation is nothing close to complicated or over the top. Sure, his third mode needs to do a little more than that of Scavenger and Bonecrusher, but yet not as much as Hook or Long Haul. This is by no means a triple changer.
Lastly, while there's actually a little more molded detail than I wanted, again, there's nothing there in plastic detail that's over the top. With this, there isn't a ton in terms of the paint apps.
Imo, minus Devy's gun, Scrapper is basically an equivalent to any of the Legacy Menasor deluxe limb figures, rather than being similar to a voyager figure such as Kingdom Cylconus.

Yes, I understand Hastak is in the business of making profit from these toys. I've never expected any favors, even before they hit this downward financial situation.
And still, I don't see anything more than a $25 deluxe with this Scrapper.
This isn't justification, but I know Hastak isn't going to get anymore from this mold than a repaint (maybe a couple repaints at best)... I guess they're trying to get their $$$$$$ up front.

I'm sure most of us can already picture what Scavenger will look like based on Bonecrusher...
But I am anxious to see Mixmaster... Maybe he'll be closer to a legit voyager.

Trying to talk myself into getting the new Perceptor/cassetes, but I just can't. I want Ramhorn, but I already have/like better MP Ratbat and the 1st Perceptor. Also I was certain I heard Evan or someone say that Perceptor had remoulding to make him fit his animation model better, or as I think they said, more bulk or something. I could be wrong though. He doesn't look to have any remoulding I can see.

Sabrblade wrote:

Hero Alpha wrote:Trying to talk myself into getting the new Perceptor/cassetes, but I just can't. I want Ramhorn, but I already have/like better MP Ratbat and the 1st Perceptor. Also I was certain I heard Evan or someone say that Perceptor had remoulding to make him fit his animation model better, or as I think they said, more bulk or something. I could be wrong though. He doesn't look to have any remoulding I can see.

His chest window seems to be a little smaller than the previous release.

Yeah I guess I see it now, thanks. Though, I don't think the window is smaller, I think the torso/chest is actually a tiny, tiny, bit bigger. I really wish they would have given him wrist swivels and more up and down looking articulation with his head(but that is my biggest complaint with most figures). I would much rather have a small cut-out in the back of their heads for articulation as apposed to back of the head accuracy any day on any figure. Wrist swivels should be a given on every figure deluxe and above.

EDIT: Also I hate to be so down about stuff, but Ramjet mould again?! It does look real good, but if it was Dirge or Thrust I would have been all over it. Nothing for them and what, 4 maybe 5 Ramjet repaints?

I am glad to hear they’ve retooled Perceptor…. I’m ready to preorder that set!

Emerje wrote:I haven't seen pictures, but I've heard people say Perceptor now has a cover on his back to cover the hole and hide his head.

Hero Alpha wrote:EDIT: Also I hate to be so down about stuff, but Ramjet mould again?! It does look real good, but if it was Dirge or Thrust I would have been all over it. Nothing for them and what, 4 maybe 5 Ramjet repaints?

It's because they used his model for the game. Can't really be helped that the mold was popular in G2, too.



Emerje

Actually I would say those models are somewhere in between Ramjet and Dirge. They don't have the actual ramjets that Ramjet has, so not accurate anyway. I don't think it would have hurt to have it be a Dirge mould with small inaccurate wings at the front as opposed to inaccurate ramjets. Both are not correct, but we at least would have a bit more variety.

Toys are Russ on Youtube has been given the commander class box set of Long Haul and Hook for review purposes. They go through the length of showing the bots individually as well as their combined mode in two separate videos. We thank Troyburger for letting us know. You can watch the video below, here are a few noted they wanted to share as well:

Apologies no bonecrusher and scrapper combining as I don’t have them

Huge thanks to Indemand toys and Hasbro for this opportunity.
These aren’t my toys. I have been officially allowed to do the unboxing and reviews from official channels and will be returning these once the review is done.

Just saw leaks for SS86 listings for next year:

Leaders-- Soundwave, & Astrotrain
Voyagers-- Skywarp, Thundercracker, & Shockwave
Deluxes-- Sunstreaker, Windcharger, Cliffjumper, & Kranix

There's a capsule with:
Hound, Hot Rod, Scourge, and a leader Optimus

Obviously there could be a bit more.

So SS86 still isn't over yet...

Seems as if next year we'll finally get Sunstreaker reissue, and it's nice to see Windcharger on that list to complete another minibot. Also Kranix, that one ought to be interesting given the design and covers another obscure Cybertronian. Definitely will be getting two of these, but am unsure on Sunstreaker until I see the final product.

I am surprised to see Skywarp and Thundercracker sooner than Thrust being that those two were easier to locate. Cliffjumper too in a way, I'll only consider him if he's got the opaque windows.

Voyager Shockwave will depend on his deco, I sold of the Siege figure because I just didn't like it.
Leader Soundwave too will depend on what it has going on.

And I'm curious about Capsule Hound.

Till-all-R1 wrote:Seems as if next year we'll finally get Sunstreaker reissue, and it's nice to see Windcharger on that list to complete another minibot. Also Kranix, that one ought to be interesting given the design and covers another obscure Cybertronian. Definitely will be getting two of these, but am unsure on Sunstreaker until I see the final product.

I am surprised to see Skywarp and Thundercracker sooner than Thrust being that those two were easier to locate. Cliffjumper too in a way, I'll only consider him if he's got the opaque windows.

Voyager Shockwave will depend on his deco, I sold of the Siege figure because I just didn't like it.
Leader Soundwave too will depend on what it has going on.

And I'm curious about Capsule Hound.

Soundwave is supposedly a new mold, which I believe will happen.
Cliffjumper will surely be a retool of SS86 Bee.
Skyward and Thundercracker will probably have slight deco changes (which unfortunately may get me to bite).
Hound could be retooled, but maybe not... May depend on how Hastak thinks they can re-use a retooled mold.
I'm betting Sunstreaker is just a re-release of the 5-pk mold.
I'll get Windcharger and Kranix for sure.
I never got Shockwave, so assuming it's good, I'll get him as well. We'll see about Astrotrain. I have the Dramatic Capture set preordered, but who knows, the SS86 version could be an improvement.