The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1 · by **Gauntlet101010** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 10:52 am

Yeah, the new OP is significantly taller than the rest. And I get that the backpack and fake parts can be a turn off.

For me, though. 86 is the last word on G1 style Primes. I love the guy. He's finally displaced Henkei Prime as my main Prime. I like Henkei's rich colors and the clear windows, but man ... 86 Prime looks like he leaped off the screen.

Plus, ER Prime has those poor plastic colors that were an eyesore right out of the gate. I got him anyway, no regrets, but just looking at him I knew we'd get better. And we did. Twice over. If it isn't this guy then get Dramatic Capture because he's ER perfected.

He's as tall as my old 3P Hegemon figure. Unfortunately the sculpting on Heg just doesn't match this one at all. Maybe if 3P makes a complete Gun Megs as tall as Prime I'll bite.

I'm curious to see their take on Megatron. Didn't bother with ER. I had it in my hands and thought it was so bad I put it right back.

News Credits: 56 · by **o.supreme** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 10:59 am

Sowndwave76 wrote:The vast majority of characters who haven't been put into SS86 packaging already have a good enough release, and don't need another.

I thought the exact same for the longest time, but the fact that so many "good enough" characters are still getting re-releases in SS86 packaging unfortunately disproves that.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 11:18 am

Right now #1 on my list of new SS86 figures is Windcharger, but so far there isn't one listed for 2025. There's a possibility he could turn up in wave 4 since right now there's only two Deluxe figures in that wave.

Emerje

News Credits: 7 · by **Roadbuster** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 2:36 pm

o.supreme wrote:I know that as collectors, when the toys are on display, numbering dosent really mean anything. But I guess i'm just a little disappointed as it was kind of fun to see the numbers progress, and you could "sort of" see how many toys are in this line, although TT seems to be doing slightly better just giving everything a basic number (except for 72 which they skipped??), but now Hasbro it seems just really doesn't care, or doesn't wish to go back and fix their errors. Oh well.

Junkion Scrapheap and Buzzworthy Bumblebee Ironhide both use the 86-24 number. Optimus Prime and Galvatron also share the number 86-31. Now that Hatchet has finally released 2 years after the original figure’s cancellation, he has the number 117, causing the toyline to skip over 94. However, his instructions have the number 94 on it, making Hatchet both 94 and 117

You just have to take the latest release (say 117 currently), and compensate for all that garbage above, then add in all the SS6 releases, all the Video Game releases, and all the core class that have no numbers

As for SS86, I would guess their goal is to end by the end of 2026 for the films 40th anniversary. Here are the characters from TFTM that haven't had a toy yet officially announced:

Rodimus Prime (Likely will be a Kingdom repaint, Im betting will be the CC for 2026)
Wheeljack (from ER)
Grapple (from ER)
Huffer (from Kingdom)
Sunstreaker ( from the recently released 5-pack)
Hound (from the recently released 5-pack)
Cyclonus (Kingdom)
Soundwave (supposedly the team wants to do an "all new" SW...???)
Astrotrain (Siege...possibly a heavy retool, or the fans are going to hate this)
Shockwave (Siege, should be a voyager though if you take out all the extra bits)
Dirge (ER)
Thrust (ER)
Ramjet (ER)
Ravage (ER)
Laserbeak (ER)
Ratbat (Siege)
Skywarp (ER)
Thundercraker (ER)
Quintesson Judge (ER)
Quintesson Prosecutor (BC2022)
Quintesson Baliff (BC2022)
Allicon (BC2022)
Kranix (BC2022)
Blitzwing (Legacy)
Rewind (Kingdom)
Gears (Legacy United)
Bluestreak (ER)
All 3 Insecticons (Legacy)

The following have had no modern toy at all:
Ramhorn (possible SS86 Steeljaw Retool)
Windcharger
Quintesson Executioner
Arblus (Kranix retool from Pit of Judgement)

You forgot Prowl (ER)

News Credits: 11 · by **Overcracker** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 4:13 pm

Roadbuster wrote:You forgot Prowl (ER)

Uhm..

News Credits: 7 · by **Roadbuster** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 4:35 pm

Overcracker wrote:
Roadbuster wrote:You forgot Prowl (ER)

Uhm..

Not that one. I'm talking before he got shot. Like Ratchet, Brawn, and ironhide.

News Credits: 9 · by **Sowndwave76** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 8:52 pm

Till-all-R1 wrote:Well my main argument against Commander Prime was that now means all others are now out of scale. lol
UM was okay as more of a larger bulkier character anyway.

Both Sunstreaker and Hound are solid candidates for reissue as they are both needed outside Exclusivity, plus the fact sunny was due for reissue. That said, is he really going to be that sought after for a third time? Hound definitely. Thrust also fits this criteria.

No interest in the current Ravage, I want a complete redo on par with the new Rumble/Frenzy. In fact I want all the cassettes to get updated, outside of Laserbeak, Buzzsaw and Ratbat, those are fine for what what they are. I was extremely dissatisfied with Steeljaw so much that if Ramhorn follows the same cheap path I'll totally pass on that set as well!

And after having the new Rumble I've no more interest in Rewind/Eject molds. As for the rest of that list of repacks/repaint I can totally pass.

Yeah I don't know if Sunstreaker is going to sell well at this point. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the 5-pack version... He's become one of my favorite Autobot figures.
Hound is due for another release, but considering he was in the movie for about 3-4 seconds... Why not just put him in the mainline?

Ravage is a letdown of a casseticon for sure. I have a week and a half to return Steeljaw... Still not sure I want to keep him, but he's definitely underwhelming as well. Getting him for $10.46 is making me hold on a bit longer, but there's clearly not a lot of pull there to keep him.

And I agree, as long as the list is for characters that could be released in SS86 packaging... At this point the vast majority would be a slap in the face. As much as I want to support this subline (which is about the only reason I bought Steeljaw), there's no way I'm spending $35 on a Grapple just because of the packaging.
I also think it's unrealistic to think we'd get all of the seekers again just so they could be in alternate boxes.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I'm curious to see their take on Megatron. Didn't bother with ER. I had it in my hands and thought it was so bad I put it right back.

The ER version was so bad just because of the face and headsculpt... It really looked like a bad K.O.
I'm not one to hype something up, but between the new CC Optimus (which I agree, that's THE definitive version) and the long overdue new version, I have to assume that this SS86 Megatron is going to be good. The alt mode may be sh!t, but as long as the bot mode is on point, I think people will be happy.
I'm just hoping that the whole budget went into the figure; there's no reason to sacrifice the bot mode for an extra blaster, shard of metal, "lightsaber", etc. I mean, maybe throw-in a transparent purple energon mace (yes, I know that wasn't in the movie), but a solid G1 Megatron is so overdue, I'm giving Hastak the benefit of the doubt that they won't screw this up.

by **Till-all-R1** » Mon Oct 21, 2024 9:25 pm

Sowndwave76 wrote:And I agree, as long as the list is for characters that could be released in SS86 packaging... At this point the vast majority would be a slap in the face. As much as I want to support this subline (which is about the only reason I bought Steeljaw), there's no way I'm spending $35 on a Grapple just because of the packaging.
I also think it's unrealistic to think we'd get all of the seekers again just so they could be in alternate boxes.

I would have seriously considered buying a few of them in SS86 packaging to go with the few MIB I do have, but only if it retailed the larger plastic window box that Hot Rot, Jazz & Kup had. The fact they put Cyclonus in Kingdom totally ruined the whole vibe for me and that's when I stopped buying an extra to keep boxed. That said, I'm having a tough time on whether I should open Blaster or leave him to semi match wave one. And every now and then I reconsider my stance that maybe I should go ahead for a few of the key characters but only being able to see their chest because that small window deters me each time. Would also help if UM and Prime weren't in such big boxes w/o a window. But if they were to release Leader or even stripped down for Voyager in 86 packaging I might be tempted. Just something abut that package style really does appeal to me.

I'd be inclined to rebuy Hound, Prowl, Cliffjumper a few more.

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Tue Oct 22, 2024 2:54 am

Yeah, we're not getting another shot at Sunstreaker and Hound, the Selects 5 pack was meant to fill the need for more cartoon colored figures and supplement SS86. Hound was supposed to be a SS86 Target exclusive in a case with Hatchet, but the fact that Hatchet is getting a retail release and Hound was released in a set just proves they have no interest in bringing these guys to retail.

And the set was online-only, but not exclusive.

Emerje

News Credits: 9 · by **Sowndwave76** » Tue Oct 22, 2024 8:35 pm

Till-all-R1 wrote:
Sowndwave76 wrote:And I agree, as long as the list is for characters that could be released in SS86 packaging... At this point the vast majority would be a slap in the face. As much as I want to support this subline (which is about the only reason I bought Steeljaw), there's no way I'm spending $35 on a Grapple just because of the packaging.
I also think it's unrealistic to think we'd get all of the seekers again just so they could be in alternate boxes.

I would have seriously considered buying a few of them in SS86 packaging to go with the few MIB I do have, but only if it retailed the larger plastic window box that Hot Rot, Jazz & Kup had. The fact they put Cyclonus in Kingdom totally ruined the whole vibe for me and that's when I stopped buying an extra to keep boxed. That said, I'm having a tough time on whether I should open Blaster or leave him to semi match wave one. And every now and then I reconsider my stance that maybe I should go ahead for a few of the key characters but only being able to see their chest because that small window deters me each time. Would also help if UM and Prime weren't in such big boxes w/o a window. But if they were to release Leader or even stripped down for Voyager in 86 packaging I might be tempted. Just something abut that package style really does appeal to me.

I'd be inclined to rebuy Hound, Prowl, Cliffjumper a few more.

I get ditching the plastic window for packaging, but man, some of those did look great... I thought it was especially cool with Grimlock and Slag with them being such large figures.
The only way I'd even consider re-buying most of the characters I already have that haven't been in SS86 yet would be if they were retooled.
If the seekers were given cleaner, less greebled molds (closer to how Cyclonus looks) I'd probably bite.

Did you not get the Buzzworthy version of Cliffjumper? That version is pretty on point. Assuming they make him from the SS86 Bee mold, it will be interesting to see if it's substantially better.

My gut tells me that at the end of 2026 the SS86 line will finally end. And with that, the next releases of any G1 characters will either be stylized due to the theme of the mainline, or due to some play gimmick.
But cartoon accuracy will go away for a while.
And if this is totally wrong, then my bet is that there will be a sporadic sprinkling of screen accurate G1 characters folded into Studio Series, with some additional, small "retro" type of branding.

by **Till-all-R1** » Tue Oct 22, 2024 9:30 pm

No, Buzzworthy Cliffjumper totally skipped my area, or he simply sold out too fast for target to register any in stock. I barely managed to get Origins Bee.

I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Tue Oct 22, 2024 9:34 pm

Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.

Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

by **Till-all-R1** » Fri Oct 25, 2024 1:43 pm

I suppose that could have been the case, it does kind of look more like Cliffjumper if it had a spoiler and different front end. I've just never been a fan of the same mold just repainted approach.

I guess because it's a horrible look for Bee I've let it sway my feeling s for it period.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Fri Oct 25, 2024 2:42 pm

Till-all-R1 wrote:I suppose that could have been the case, it does kind of look more like Cliffjumper if it had a spoiler and different front end. I've just never been a fan of the same mold just repainted approach.

I guess because it's a horrible look for Bee I've let it sway my feeling s for it period.

Notice that this time around, there's no VW licence for this 86 Bee.
Hence the blockiness.

News Credits: 2 · by **Hero Alpha** » Fri Oct 25, 2024 4:32 pm

Sabrblade wrote:
Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.
Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

G1 Cliffjumper is a Porsche 924.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Fri Oct 25, 2024 9:32 pm

Hero Alpha wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.
Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

G1 Cliffjumper is a Porsche 924.

Uhhhh...no?

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 12:41 am

First-Aid wrote:
Hero Alpha wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.
Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

G1 Cliffjumper is a Porsche 924.

Uhhhh...no?

Yep, he really is. The original toy was super deformed so the proportions are wrong, but just like how Bumblebee is a squished Beetle, Cliffjumper is a squished Porsche 924 Turbo.

Emerje

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 12:43 am

Emerje wrote:
First-Aid wrote:
Hero Alpha wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.
Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

G1 Cliffjumper is a Porsche 924.

Uhhhh...no?

Yep, he really is. The original toy was super deformed so the proportions are wrong, but just like how Bumblebee is a squished Beetle, Cliffjumper is a squished Porsche 924 Turbo.

02004741509.jpg

Emerje

Soooo...he ran into a bridge support beam??

MyFigureCollection.net collection · by **Emerje** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 1:02 am

First-Aid wrote:
Emerje wrote:
First-Aid wrote:
Hero Alpha wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.
Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

G1 Cliffjumper is a Porsche 924.

Uhhhh...no?

Yep, he really is. The original toy was super deformed so the proportions are wrong, but just like how Bumblebee is a squished Beetle, Cliffjumper is a squished Porsche 924 Turbo.

The attachment 02004741509.jpg is no longer available

Emerje

Soooo...he ran into a bridge support beam??

Back in the day we weren't really supposed to think too hard about it. :lol:

In the Japanese Micro Change line the Mini Bots were meant to represent tiny robots disguised as toys. Bee, Cliff, Hubcap and Bumper's original iterations were based on Penny Racers/Choro-Q hence being super deformed.

Emerje

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 6:32 am

"Penny Racer"

A car with a penny on the back.

How's that work? :-?

News Credits: 42 · by **TF-fan kev777** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 8:42 am

-Kanrabat- wrote:"Penny Racer"

A car with a penny on the back.

How's that work?

Pull it back until the wheels click and let it go. With a penny on its back it does a bit of a wheelie, without a penny it rides normal.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 9:33 am

TF-fan kev777 wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:"Penny Racer"

A car with a penny on the back.

How's that work?

Pull it back until the wheels click and let it go. With a penny on its back it does a bit of a wheelie, without a penny it rides normal.

Interesting concept.

And they made them until the early 2000's as I see on eBay. The irony is that the latest ones are now genuinely vintage. #-o

News Credits: 2 · by **Hero Alpha** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 11:04 am

Emerje wrote:
First-Aid wrote:
Hero Alpha wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Till-all-R1 wrote:I cannot stand 86 Bee's vehicle mode so I hope that's not what they do for CJ, but odds are they will since those two peas in a pod.
Some have speculated that the 86 mold was designed more for Cliffjumper than Bumblebee, which would explain the blockiness of the altmode that's more suited for Cliff's super-deformed Ferrari form than Bee's SD VW Beetle (the only real presence of which is in the design of the car's hood, which can easily be swapped out for new pieces based on Cliff's Ferrari hood).

G1 Cliffjumper is a Porsche 924.

Uhhhh...no?

Yep, he really is. The original toy was super deformed so the proportions are wrong, but just like how Bumblebee is a squished Beetle, Cliffjumper is a squished Porsche 924 Turbo.

02004741509.jpg

Emerje

Thank you.

by **Till-all-R1** » Sat Oct 26, 2024 3:52 pm

It's interesting for sure, it seemed to me that Cliffjumper was squished more then Bee in most scenes.
Especially from a distance, whenever you say Spike interacting with Bee the vehicle didn't appear deformed as much.

That said, I don't want them to be too literal in recreating the G1 look. lol
Color matching is one thing but sculpting it too mimic their deformed appearance is a bridge too far for me. As a kid it was fine because I was only interested in transforming them and smashing them together in fights etc. But as an adult I prefer a more realistic interpretation of the car model it is supposed to be for aesthetic reasons.

It's also why I'm not into Transformers Animated or Prime series, their styling is just too "something" for my taste. RID is about the only one I can actually watch out of any of the newer stuff and will consider buying bots of due to their more realistic appearance. As well as not as outlandish animation design or character portrayals.

Slightly off topic to 86, I'm curious if their done with the "Origins" releases? As far as I know there's only Laserbeak left unless people actually want Soundwave that turns into a lamp post or whatever he's supposed to be. Because without Core class I don't think we'd see Laserbeak happen due to none being left to pack in with.