The Energon Pub

That Bot wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:TFC has perfected the art of fleecing their customers.

Seriously. I would bet good money that they had this and the "Rage of the Hercules" set for Herc planned from the beginning of those sets, and they're releasing the imperfect versions first to get even more money from the dissatisfied people who want their combiners to be more G1. They could easily have packed these upgrade parts in with some or all of the individual figures if they really wanted to give people "options", but "options" here means you get to buy it as-is or pay an extra $30 or so. *slow clap*

While the Uranos add on does look good, Herc was perfect as is. In my opinion the rage of Hercules set ruined what made herc the better devastator. The only part that was need was the gun.

Not owning Herc personally, I would say that I think the shoulder extenders might be a nice addition even if you use the treads as your forearms, but I do agree the rest is extraneous and undermines the philosophy they had with Herc of trying to integrate everything. Depending on the buyer's personal tastes, I can see the appeal of both the Hercules and Uranos upgrade sets, but I feel that if TFC wanted to include options, they should have included these parts with the figures the first time rather than nickel and diming people like this. Rated X may be able to drop an extra $60 on a whim to make an even more ideal Superion, but for some of us, if we're gonna spend $520 on a set of figures, they better be damn perfect as-is. That $60 could get another third party item, it could get some first party toys, it could be used for something completely unrelated to Transformers.

That Bot wrote:Not owning Herc personally, I would say that I think the shoulder extenders might be a nice addition even if you use the treads as your forearms, but I do agree the rest is extraneous and undermines the philosophy they had with Herc of trying to integrate everything. Depending on the buyer's personal tastes, I can see the appeal of both the Hercules and Uranos upgrade sets, but I feel that if TFC wanted to include options, they should have included these parts with the figures the first time rather than nickel and diming people like this. Rated X may be able to drop an extra $60 on a whim to make an even more ideal Superion, but for some of us, if we're gonna spend $520 on a set of figures, they better be damn perfect as-is. That $60 could get another third party item, it could get some first party toys, it could be used for something completely unrelated to Transformers.

Well said

That Bot wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:TFC has perfected the art of fleecing their customers.

Seriously. I would bet good money that they had this and the "Rage of the Hercules" set for Herc planned from the beginning of those sets, and they're releasing the imperfect versions first to get even more money from the dissatisfied people who want their combiners to be more G1. They could easily have packed these upgrade parts in with some or all of the individual figures if they really wanted to give people "options", but "options" here means you get to buy it as-is or pay an extra $30 or so. *slow clap*

I also believe they pre-planned this, and, while I am all in with Uranos, I see it as massively inferior to Herc. Feels like they phoned the design in with these guys where as Herc (in my opinion) is perfect unmodified. I'm wanting some upgrades for Not-Superion (limbs are good so far, but Silverbolt is a joke) but no way in hell I'm giving TFC more money for an obvious ripoff. I'd rather give my money to another 3P for upgrades.

So THAT's why Uranos had a weird-looking face sculpt, so you can cover it up with the add-on set!

I do not like the way these shysters operate. These 'upgrades' Should be free to those who have dropped serious cash on this set already.

LOST Cybertronian wrote:

That Bot wrote:Not owning Herc personally, I would say that I think the shoulder extenders might be a nice addition even if you use the treads as your forearms, but I do agree the rest is extraneous and undermines the philosophy they had with Herc of trying to integrate everything. Depending on the buyer's personal tastes, I can see the appeal of both the Hercules and Uranos upgrade sets, but I feel that if TFC wanted to include options, they should have included these parts with the figures the first time rather than nickel and diming people like this. Rated X may be able to drop an extra $60 on a whim to make an even more ideal Superion, but for some of us, if we're gonna spend $520 on a set of figures, they better be damn perfect as-is. That $60 could get another third party item, it could get some first party toys, it could be used for something completely unrelated to Transformers.

Well said

It is a lot of money.

Drinks and lap dances are not included with the cover charge. P2P guys...

But for what it's worth, I dont go out on Saturday nights and eat TV dinners to help afford stuff like this. Trust me, it all adds up.

If this is going to be TFC's trend. Selling the combiners then giving add on's to make it look better... I think this will be the last time I buy from them. ill finish off Uranos and more than likely the add on.

but wont give them more money until they start making the items they sell complete.

Personally, I like it, and I expected it.

With Herc, they made an updated version of the character, a Classics version.
People b!+ched.

They created the "Rage kit" to fix a perceived flaw, and make it more G1.

Now it is an MO. They make the bots in a slightly updated/interpreted style, and if people don't prefer the updates, you can pretty much expect a G1 pack.

If you are happy with the updated character, you save some scratch. If you like the add on kit better you can buy it. There are options, and in my book options are good.

For Herc I prefer his "as released" look.
Here, I prefer the add on kit.
In both cases I have the look on my shelf that I want.

rpetras wrote:If you are happy with the updated character, you save some scratch. If you like the add on kit better you can buy it. There are options, and in my book options are good.

If I may quote myself:

That Bot wrote:Depending on the buyer's personal tastes, I can see the appeal of both the Hercules and Uranos upgrade sets, but I feel that if TFC wanted to include options, they should have included these parts with the figures the first time rather than nickel and diming people like this.

That Bot wrote:

rpetras wrote:If you are happy with the updated character, you save some scratch. If you like the add on kit better you can buy it. There are options, and in my book options are good.

If I may quote myself:

That Bot wrote:Depending on the buyer's personal tastes, I can see the appeal of both the Hercules and Uranos upgrade sets, but I feel that if TFC wanted to include options, they should have included these parts with the figures the first time rather than nickel and diming people like this.

It's true. It would be better if ALL of these third parties listened to us more, sadly none of them seem to (perhaps with the exception of MMC, at least for now).

Still, I don't mind having the options, though I must admit it would have been nice had TFC already known that they were doing such an add-on set, to have it included with the figures instead of sold separately, although I guess I can see the logic in wanting to keep the price down and just have the add-on for those who want it instead of forcing everyone, including those who don't want it/won't use it, to have to pay for it.

Of course I'm one of the Herc crowd who bought the Rage set just for the shoulder extensions even though I still use the treads as the forearms. Oh well, the price we pay for our 'perfect combiners' .

Too bad the add on set doesn't include more accurate heads for the individual bots.

Dammit... I'll probably get this add-on kit for the chest part alone. The gun, too.

Now that I know there is an add on set coming with a better chest and rifle I feel comfortable preordering the final two. Looks good. TFC can keep the facelplate though.

Some of it looks like I'd use it, though now Ill have to wait and see the price point to see if it'll be worth it.

They need a tagline for this set though, I'm thinking "Wings of Uranos; it'll make Uranos soar!"

The upgrade is brilliant so glad there's a new gun i can't stand the thing sliverbolt came with.

60 bucks is a small price to pay to get rid of that abortion of a chest plate Silverbolt came with.

Wings of Uranos up for Pre-order via RK

http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/es ... 08&lang=us

They beef-caked Herc and it looks awesome!!! TFC have almost won me over... Almost.

daimchoc wrote:Wings of Uranos up for Pre-order via RK

http://www.robotkingdom.com/services/es ... 08&lang=us

Cheaper than I was expecting, but the only thing from it I'd use is the gun (without those little wings) and that puts it back at too expensive

WOU BBTS pre-order: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

daimchoc wrote:WOU BBTS pre-order: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Preordered, thanks !

Preordered as well. I didn't need it for Herc, but here I think I'll be using it.

That Bot wrote:

LOST Cybertronian wrote:TFC has perfected the art of fleecing their customers.

Seriously. I would bet good money that they had this and the "Rage of the Hercules" set for Herc planned from the beginning of those sets, and they're releasing the imperfect versions first to get even more money from the dissatisfied people who want their combiners to be more G1. They could easily have packed these upgrade parts in with some or all of the individual figures if they really wanted to give people "options", but "options" here means you get to buy it as-is or pay an extra $30 or so. *slow clap*

Was the Rage set announced before all the shapeways mod's started appearing? I seem to recall seeing the shapeways mod's first then the Rage set being announced not long after.