The Energon Pub

[Samsonator]

First and foremost, my apologies if there's already a thread floating around like this, but after scanning 34 pages of posts pertaining to the words "construct" and "bots" and not turning up anything, I decided to make one.

So, Construct-Bots!
With these turning up in stores now, Who's picked 'em up? What are your thoughts on them?

I'm actually fiddling with my first one right now, Scout-Class Ironhide. The robot mode is actually pretty alright, quite big, too, I'd say he's about as tall as maybe a small Voyager. (having just moved my entire collection to my new place, but not having moved myself there just yet, I don't really have one for size comparison)He makes a pretty clean robot with very little in the way, the only real kibble being the wheels that just sorta hang off his arms. He's also quite hollow, being a frame of what essentially looks like several pipes, with some armour parts slapped on top to fill him out a little. Still, the robot mode scores points with me for being a nice tall robot with decent posing capabilities, and a pretty decent headsculpt to boot.

The initial building of the skeleton is fun, as it shows how you could really make just about anyone out of it, it's only once you start slapping the armour pieces on that you start to see the character.
The ball joints are all rubberized, so they're nice and stiff and will hold together pretty well, the swivel joints are all octagonal clips and pegs, so they only get a few comfortable looking positions out of them, but it's easier to keep posed than, say, a Bionicle.
The red on the armour (of mine at least) looks a little washed out and kinda cheap, but that's what I get for buying the red guy, I guess.

Transforming is pretty simple once you figure out where all the bits go, and it actually pegs together, much to my surprise. The only bit of partsforming required is transferring the Autobot emblem piece from the center of the chest, to the front of the vehicle, personally I think I'm just gonna leave it there, since his chest looks fine without the logo. It's a fun little process, that's a damn sight better than rebuilding a Kre-O set from the ground up.
That said however, the vehicle mode is quite a letdown, as I was sure it was going to be. It just looks like some kinda Dune Buggy that sorta stopped trying towards the rear section. Not too keen on how it looks...

Still, for a first outing, the line shows a lot of promise, as far as I'm concerned, it will be interesting to see what they can come up with down the line, should it continue. So far, I like it, and plan to pick up a few more, to try out the mix and match customizing the line was designed for.

So, anyone else? Share some stories! Tell us the good, the bad, and even the ugly. Post a pic or two (or three, or four, etc.) Show us some mix and match customizations. I want to hear what other people think about this line, and maybe convince some other people to give it a shot like I just did.

Well, that's it for me, until my phone charges enough to use the camera and take a few shots of this guy... If anyone else has anything they wanna share, you know what to do!

[FortMacs]

I really want to pick them up. and I really like the concept. but there is just to many other things that are out or coming out soon im putting my money towards.

maybe if there is a lull in buying what I want ill pick some up.

[Evil_the_Nub]

I've got Ironhide and Starscream and plan to get more. As soon as I get enough I'm going to take a shot at making a combiner. I hope the line does well because the sky's the limit with these. I'd love to see a build a figure system where you can design your own bot and order the pieces in the colors you want to make it.

[Evil_the_Nub]

I picked up Soundwave and took a shot at making the obligatory boom box mode.

[RAcast]

I picked up Soundwave and took a shot at making the obligatory boom box mode.

I was wondering how long that would take, well done by the way.

I've only picked up Ironhide myself, and I quite like him. I'd say the first post is pretty much word-for-word of my opinion, though I suppose I've warmed up to the vehicle mode a bit better by reversing the wheels (such that they sit nearly touching, it deals with that empty space well, and looks good with the back end thinning out, I think).

I definitely don't plan to pick up any elites...seriously, $5 more for maybe four more pieces? Not worth it. The only one I'd consider so far would be Shockwave, as he looks quite nice.

The Scouts are great though, I think you really get your money's worth for $10. I'll probably snag scout TC going forward.

While I probably won't be picking it up, the Bulkhead and friends one looks interesting as well.

[Evil_the_Nub]

Well here it is, my Construct Bots combiner.


It's pretty flimsy though, the joints aren't strong enough to hold the weight very well. So all it can do is stand straight, but I think it looks pretty awesome. It was pretty easy to make, I just used some of Wheeljack's parts to hold everything together. I'll eventually work on making it sturdy and getting a more coherent team together.

[TulioDude]

Well here it is, my Construct Bots combiner.


It's pretty flimsy though, the joints aren't strong enough to hold the weight very well. So all it can do is stand straight, but I think it looks pretty awesome. It was pretty easy to make, I just used some of Wheeljack's parts to hold everything together. I'll eventually work on making it sturdy and getting a more coherent team together.

For a first attempt it looks cool.

[-Kanrabat-]

I did two Contructbots MOC (or slight modding if you prefer).

Here's ULTIMATE IRONHIDE.









Here's Rolling Spaceship Optimus Prime.
Haters gonna hate.









The way Constructbots are designed, it's kinda impossible to create a different transforming scheme. I find that it's more effetive to make spaceships than cars. Still, I love the fact that I managed to easely put some Lego wheels on Hironhide to make him look like a REAL dunebuggy.

Now, waiting for more sets to come out for more customisation options.

[TulioDude]

Hasbro been posting pics of fan-made ones in Facebook








They look pretty rad.

[RAcast]

Care to post a link to the page? Also, does that bumblebee-thing in the first shot transform into anything besides a wall of weapons? XD

[TulioDude]

Does this link works?
https://www.facebook.com/transformers?h ... ion=stream

[RAcast]

Oh no, it's the return of Energon Stormjet!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=520828664653999&set=pb.146805978722938.-2207520000.1379303373.&type=3&theater

[Maerviska]

Hi!

I don't know if there is already a thread about Construct-bots toys (if so please point me in the right direction), but I was wondering what you guys think of them?
Anyone collecting them?

They're pretty much the first series I started to get, since I liked the building part. I don't feel confident enough to get model kits yet, so I get to have fun while not stressing about ruining it (plus they're pretty cheap).
Got Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream and Bumblebee so far!

Actually, I got Starscream yesterday, and found out that it's head was half-painted. Apparently it's a common problem in Quebec, but I wondered if anyone else had that not-so-good surprise. Apparently there is not much to do about it, since they are not really collectibles, Hasbro don't send replacement parts...

Anyways, what's your opinion about them?

[RiddlerJ]

While I don't collect them, I did buy the Shockwave Constuct-Bot since Shocky is one of my favorites and I would recommend him. (I also bought the Optimus/ Megatron two pack just so there would be another figure for him to interact with)

You have the options of giving him is classic laser arm and his classic larger gun barrel, and while his default alt mode is a jet, it's easy enough to turn him into a version of his old space gun mode.

I haven't seen him in stores, I ordered my from HTS.

[Maerviska]

Oh, I didn't know they made Shockwave yet!

Now I need it =3

[Evil_the_Nub]

I've got a lot and I really like them, but I think I'm done for now. The newer ones look like they've been redesigned and I'll get some if I ever see them. I even made an okay-ish combiner.

[Dr. Caelus]

Despite the fragility of some of the pieces (plastic snapping, clips breaking, etc.) I love Construct-bots. There, I expressed an opinion to contribute to the social dialogue, now I have to show off all the things! (And this seemed like the right place for it.)

Decepticon Mercenary Motorpool


Made mostly from a Scout Cliffjumper figure, but the head comes from Elite Megatron, the missiles are from the Megs/Op two pack, the SMGs are from Scout Thundercracker, and the swords are from Bumblebee(? not sure, I've lost track). Guns can store on shoulders or (awkwardly) on his hips, while the swords can be stored on his back.

Next, one of those poor guys who never got a name:



I started out trying to make Galvatron, but then the head off of Deadend looked so good, this just happened. Unfortunately, he ended up giving his life for the construction of my Construct-Bots Decepticon/Covenant Scarab (pictures as soon as I can do another photoshoot).

I thought this little guy also looked pretty awesome, but sadly, he also came and went before getting an identity:



I'm really fond of using the feet off of Megatron for a ramming bumper.

Speaking of Megatron, some classic characters do get built, just with a little... improvement. I didn't like the void between Megatron's rear wheels in armored vehicle mode, nor the way they hung off his arms in robot mode - solution? You can attach the rear wheels to his smaller silver guns, and attach those to his energon mace. The result is what looks for all the world like a big battle hammer, which can then be attached to back end of his vehicle mode to form the rear axle and exhaust pipes. It also disassembles easily for storage on his back, and makes him look nice and bulky.





Unnamed Autobot Assassin



Maybe he should be called Hiddenblade? Eaglecry? Skyfall? From jet mode he transforms into a pretty normal-looking aerialbot, ready to blend, but with a few rearrangements he looks more like he's ready to air-assassinate someone. Includes retractable wrist blade. He mostly uses parts from the scout-class Silverbolt, but there's actually a lot of elite-class Wheeljack in there also.

Unnamed jet/tank triple changer



Most of Blitzwing's parts are shared in common with Elite Class Soundwave, so I swapped in Soundwave's blue to differentiate the CAB Blitzwing from my Generations Blitzwing. Oh, and I redesigned him so I wouldn't have to remove parts when transforming him among his three modes.

Unnamed Decepticon assault 4x4



Scout Breakdown is a rather weak offering by himself - there's just not much going on there. Add a few parts from a clearanced Blitzwing, though, and things change. There's no parts-forming going on with the shoulders, by the way - the only remove/move/replace is the turret which goes from his hands to his arm. And, yes, small Transformers can man his turret.

Unnamed Decepticon Scarab



This was as close as I could come to making a Transformer that turns into a Covenant Scarab. All four leg/arms are fully articulated, though the range of motion limits some poses, and he can be... uncooperative when standing him up in Scarab mode.

Generic Decepticon Jets (i.e., cannon fodder)





Rodimus Prime, who does not transform into an RV!



Autobot Hound, with custom turret!



And finally, the piece that got me started:

Ironhide



Cheerio!

[Cobalt Prime]

Hey Caelus, thanks for the idea for reconfiguring the back of Megatron's robot mode. I had it arranged a different way, but yours looks a lot better on him.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I just got Wheeljack and love him to bits. And he's making me consider getting more, like Blitzwing, Elite Megatron and the Optimus vs. Megatron 2-Pack (with extra weapons). Any other recommendations?

btw I may have found a variant of Wheeljack. The first version (the one with the clear red lid, native to Wave 1) has some off-colored pieces, specifically some parts that are grey in the instructions like the forearm armor and spoilers are black. Today, I noticed the Wave 2 version (with a clear lid) that has at least the forearm armor colored the correct grey. Can anybody confirm that?

[leakin' lubricant]

A little late to the party I know but just bought Starscream for my boy (a steal at £1.80), very surprised at how good these guys are, gonna go back and get a bunch of em!



G1 inspired




Now I know Hasbro like to be, ahem economic with paint apps, but this takes the biscuit! Anyone else had this fault?

[Va'al]

Paint mishap aside.. that looks stupidly good!

Where did you get it for £1.80?

[ScottyP]

Now I know Hasbro like to be, ahem economic with paint apps, but this takes the biscuit! Anyone else had this fault?

Yes, all of the first wave of released Starscreams are like this. He showed up in the US later on in a later wave with corrected paint and a different headsculpt, but I'll be damned if I ever saw it of have pictures of it.

[leakin' lubricant]

Paint mishap aside.. that looks stupidly good!

Where did you get it for £1.80?

I got him from ASDA, there were a bunch of Screamers, a few Bees and a couple of Ironhides.

[leakin' lubricant]

Now I know Hasbro like to be, ahem economic with paint apps, but this takes the biscuit! Anyone else had this fault?

Yes, all of the first wave of released Starscreams I are like this. He showed up in the US later on in a later wave with corrected paint and a different headsculpt, but I'll be damned if I ever saw it of have pictures of it.

Thanks, was gonna buy another to replace the head but no point I guess, I'll give I'm a link of paint myself.

[dirk2243]

Oh, I didn't know they made Shockwave yet!

Now I need it =3

And you can get both versions off of the Target website