The Energon Pub

[DrOblivian]

i want a 3rd party to create a set of sweeps to go with him. (they can all be unique or identical, i dont care so long as its 4 sweeps.)

Then in the same set, an upgrade kit to act as armor for the combined mode, replacement hands, feet, chest piece, shoulder pieces, leg pieces (enough to cover every major part of the body but not enough to completely cover the combiner so that you cant tell what it is, essentially cosmetic flourishes) that are all black and jagged and scary looking and a replacement head to match.

i give you the D-Void combiner, AKA the Deceptigod.

[Shuttershock]

Honestly, I think the Alpha Bravo mold works best for Alpha Bravo. I'm rather annoyed by Blades, a rescue helicopter, having missiles. Are they supposed to be water missiles or something? Sure, the original figure had canons, but they were removable and you could rationalize them as extinguishers, not so probable with missiles. Would have been better if they did something like Rook and put canon's on the sides of his arms in place of the missiles. I also hate that he's almost entirely red in copter mode, I'm not sure why Hasbro started that trend with their repaints. Still better than the Evac Squad Fly-Up colors. I think this mold is going to look fine as Vortex, with or without AB's head.

On a side note: why are there so many people trying to tell us what figures we do and do not want? I'll decide what figures I like thank you very much.

Cyclonus' team should be AB, Off Road, and Rook at least along with Viper.

Emerje

To be fair, Blades is to my recollection pretty vicious and trigger happy, so missile pods seem to fit. Sure he's a Protectobot, but he's easily the most violent of them.

[william-james88]

I hope no one thinks I'm too much of an idiot for asking this but am I the only one puzzled that this pic comes from Taiwan? The combiner Wars figures are manufactured in Vietnam now and this is the all English version meant for US distribution, so how did it get there? And how is it found there months in advance?

[william-james88]

Whoever said Alpha Bravo wasn't a G1 toy?

[Crosscheck]

Honestly, I think the Alpha Bravo mold works best for Alpha Bravo. I'm rather annoyed by Blades, a rescue helicopter, having missiles. Are they supposed to be water missiles or something? Sure, the original figure had canons, but they were removable and you could rationalize them as extinguishers, not so probable with missiles. Would have been better if they did something like Rook and put canon's on the sides of his arms in place of the missiles. I also hate that he's almost entirely red in copter mode, I'm not sure why Hasbro started that trend with their repaints. Still better than the Evac Squad Fly-Up colors. I think this mold is going to look fine as Vortex, with or without AB's head.

On a side note: why are there so many people trying to tell us what figures we do and do not want? I'll decide what figures I like thank you very much.

Cyclonus' team should be AB, Off Road, and Rook at least along with Viper.

Emerje

To be fair, Blades is to my recollection pretty vicious and trigger happy, so missile pods seem to fit. Sure he's a Protectobot, but he's easily the most violent of them.

Robots in "Disguise" indeed...

[Crosscheck]

I am definitely looking forward to the Protectobots. All of the molds in use for him look really cool. I never had the Protectobots as kid, so this will be pretty cool to have them. Hopefully I can preorder all six components. I do like that he has all five of the original components, even if Groove forms a chest plate. Still, the motorcycle mode of Groove shouldn't be the same size as the others. But then again, Powerglide is an A-10 Thunderbolt which is bigger than any of the planes that make up Superion besides Silverbolt. I guess Powerglide and Blackjack turn into like 1/5 scale models.

I keep telling myself that after Defensor, I will be done with CW Combiners, but I don't know who I am kidding with that. If they come out with a Combaticons, Technobots, or Predacons set I will be all over it.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I am definitely looking forward to the Protectobots. All of the molds in use for him look really cool. I never had the Protectobots as kid, so this will be pretty cool to have them. Hopefully I can preorder all six components. I do like that he has all five of the original components, even if Groove forms a chest plate. Still, the motorcycle mode of Groove shouldn't be the same size as the others. But then again, Powerglide is an A-10 Thunderbolt which is bigger than any of the planes that make up Superion besides Silverbolt. I guess Powerglide and Blackjack turn into like 1/5 scale models.

I keep telling myself that after Defensor, I will be done with CW Combiners, but I don't know who I am kidding with that. If they come out with a Combaticons, Technobots, or Predacons set I will be all over it.

I tried to tell myself I'd be done after RotF Jetfire, Prime Bulkhead and AoE transformers, but nope, they just keep coming in hot. Since I really don't have a truly great combiner (FoC Ruination, RotF Devastator and Prime Abominus being my only 3) I plan on getting many combiners as long as they look good, which so far all 4 have proven to be. If we get Autobot repaints of the stunticons, then I'll turn down an actual combiner, but if Bruticus and Computron come along, they're mine too. Plus my fan build combiner. She (most likely) will be mine!

[Crosscheck]

I am definitely looking forward to the Protectobots. All of the molds in use for him look really cool. I never had the Protectobots as kid, so this will be pretty cool to have them. Hopefully I can preorder all six components. I do like that he has all five of the original components, even if Groove forms a chest plate. Still, the motorcycle mode of Groove shouldn't be the same size as the others. But then again, Powerglide is an A-10 Thunderbolt which is bigger than any of the planes that make up Superion besides Silverbolt. I guess Powerglide and Blackjack turn into like 1/5 scale models.

I keep telling myself that after Defensor, I will be done with CW Combiners, but I don't know who I am kidding with that. If they come out with a Combaticons, Technobots, or Predacons set I will be all over it.

I tried to tell myself I'd be done after RotF Jetfire, Prime Bulkhead and AoE transformers, but nope, they just keep coming in hot. Since I really don't have a truly great combiner (FoC Ruination, RotF Devastator and Prime Abominus being my only 3) I plan on getting many combiners as long as they look good, which so far all 4 have proven to be. If we get Autobot repaints of the stunticons, then I'll turn down an actual combiner, but if Bruticus and Computron come along, they're mine too. Plus my fan build combiner. She (most likely) will be mine!

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am by no means thinking I am done with TF any time soon, I just have to cut myself off with each series somehow. That said, if they produce some more combiners that aren't composed of a ton of repaints, such as the Combaticons with a Jeep, Shuttle, and Tank mold (they will probably reuse Rook somehow and Alpha Bravo for Vortex and Hotspot will probably be heavily remolded into Onslaught). I would buy a modern Predaking or Pirahnacon in a heartbeat. I do try to keep the sides fairly even, so I won't get the Autobot combiner (unless it is the Technobots).

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I am definitely looking forward to the Protectobots. All of the molds in use for him look really cool. I never had the Protectobots as kid, so this will be pretty cool to have them. Hopefully I can preorder all six components. I do like that he has all five of the original components, even if Groove forms a chest plate. Still, the motorcycle mode of Groove shouldn't be the same size as the others. But then again, Powerglide is an A-10 Thunderbolt which is bigger than any of the planes that make up Superion besides Silverbolt. I guess Powerglide and Blackjack turn into like 1/5 scale models.

I keep telling myself that after Defensor, I will be done with CW Combiners, but I don't know who I am kidding with that. If they come out with a Combaticons, Technobots, or Predacons set I will be all over it.

I tried to tell myself I'd be done after RotF Jetfire, Prime Bulkhead and AoE transformers, but nope, they just keep coming in hot. Since I really don't have a truly great combiner (FoC Ruination, RotF Devastator and Prime Abominus being my only 3) I plan on getting many combiners as long as they look good, which so far all 4 have proven to be. If we get Autobot repaints of the stunticons, then I'll turn down an actual combiner, but if Bruticus and Computron come along, they're mine too. Plus my fan build combiner. She (most likely) will be mine!

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am by no means thinking I am done with TF any time soon, I just have to cut myself off with each series somehow. That said, if they produce some more combiners that aren't composed of a ton of repaints, such as the Combaticons with a Jeep, Shuttle, and Tank mold (they will probably reuse Rook somehow and Alpha Bravo for Vortex and Hotspot will probably be heavily remolded into Onslaught). I would buy a modern Predaking or Pirahnacon in a heartbeat. I do try to keep the sides fairly even, so I won't get the Autobot combiner (unless it is the Technobots).

I need to cut myself off too. It's just really hard! Especially for a college student. But, if the figure is awesome and it is someone who has made an impression, I shall find him/her and buy. That's why I wont get that autobot repaint of Menasor: no real reason to. Now, the other vehicle mode combiners who are from original G1 yes, as well as Fan built combiner (I voted on that thing; not getting it is a crime), but that's where I stop. I don't get the rest of the legends since none really stick out. I'm also not that big a fan of beast-former toys either, so I may not get any of those combiners unless they really scream awesome at me.

[Flashwave]

Whoever said Alpha Bravo wasn't a G1 toy?

Sorry, but Va'al did it better. (With Photoshop)

Soo, changing topics here, since Offroad started out life as a Generations Ruckus, what do ya'll think, is he forever a new character, or could this be a Ruckus figure is WIldrider's clothes?

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Soo, changing topics here, since Offroad started out life as a Generations Ruckus, what do ya'll think, is he forever a new character, or could this be a Ruckus figure is Wildrider's clothes?

I want to say this is a new character. Just because he started out as an update doesn't mean his new form is an update. It just means he has a baseline from which his design started. plus, a Triggercon would not really be seen switching to a Stunticon and combining in my mind.

[Crosscheck]

Offroad's bio does say how the other Stunticons are a little uneasy about the fact that Offroad has taken Wildrider's color scheme, so it is certainly possible that he had a different color scheme in fiction and changed it to fit in. So having him be Ruckus in Wildrider's clothing renamed into Offroad might actually work.

[prjkt]

I hope no one thinks I'm too much of an idiot for asking this but am I the only one puzzled that this pic comes from Taiwan? The combiner Wars figures are manufactured in Vietnam now and this is the all English version meant for US distribution, so how did it get there? And how is it found there months in advance?

This same guy did the same for the last wave too, and iirc, the Asian release date of these is pretty soon, I read that they're due in HK middle of this month, so not exactly "months in advance" - and the HK releases at least seem to be the English only (with comics) so I don't think they're US only releases.

[Emerje]

Honestly, I think the Alpha Bravo mold works best for Alpha Bravo. I'm rather annoyed by Blades, a rescue helicopter, having missiles. Are they supposed to be water missiles or something? Sure, the original figure had canons, but they were removable and you could rationalize them as extinguishers, not so probable with missiles. Would have been better if they did something like Rook and put canon's on the sides of his arms in place of the missiles. I also hate that he's almost entirely red in copter mode, I'm not sure why Hasbro started that trend with their repaints. Still better than the Evac Squad Fly-Up colors. I think this mold is going to look fine as Vortex, with or without AB's head.

On a side note: why are there so many people trying to tell us what figures we do and do not want? I'll decide what figures I like thank you very much.

Cyclonus' team should be AB, Off Road, and Rook at least along with Viper.

Emerje

To be fair, Blades is to my recollection pretty vicious and trigger happy, so missile pods seem to fit. Sure he's a Protectobot, but he's easily the most violent of them.

Robots in "Disguise" indeed...

Bingo! Despite his nature he shouldn't be a rescue chopper that can rain death. The canons were a better fit since they could have a dual purpose, but it's hard to see missiles as anything but what they are. At the very least the figure has two more weapons, he really doesn't need the missiles.

I hope no one thinks I'm too much of an idiot for asking this but am I the only one puzzled that this pic comes from Taiwan? The combiner Wars figures are manufactured in Vietnam now and this is the all English version meant for US distribution, so how did it get there?

Most likely the person who got this has a contact at the factory, or a local dealer does. If I understand things right the only reason why North America got the international release of wave 1 was because the comics weren't ready so those got pushed through sooner. To my knowledge we haven't seen any pics yet of the packages for international wave 2 and from what I can tell they aren't expected to be out until June. It makes sense that Wave 3 would be produced first in comic packaging. Since these are all made at the same factory anyway it doesn't make a difference which version they get their hands on.

And how is it found there months in advance?

"Find" isn't really the right word for it. With these due for release in the summer they'd have to begin production now. These aren't figures that are found at retail somewhere but rather taken directly from the factory, usually under less than honest means for personal gain. As I mentioned before this person either has connections with someone on the inside or they know someone like a dealer that does.

Emerje

[Va'al]

Check out the latest slew of images from TFND.net's Genetic, showing multiple angles and modes, with comparisons to Stunticon mold-sibling Dead End, for the next Protectobot: Streetwise! We've mirrored a couple below, the full series is here.

[RhA]

That is a very nice looking guy. Those colors hide his connection to Dead End very well and the head is really nice... Must get it.

[Crosscheck]

Wow, to say Streetwise is a mere remold is a huge misnomer. Besides the thighs and the core of the figure, not a single thing on him is the same as Deadend. I wish Blades had received a similar treatment. From the looks of it, First Aid will be done the same way with just the core being the same as Offroad. Can't wait for the Protectobots.

[SW's SilverHammer]

I like how most of the protectobots are psychos.

[ThunderThruster]

Looking good. I think that enough mods have been done to the Protectobots to distinguish them from previous mold uses.

[Autobot Roadburn]

Really like this guy! Dead End is already my favorite CW figure in general though. I'll probably grab a Streetwise if I see him in a store (someday), but I'll stick with keeping First Aid on preorder, he looks a bit nicer than Offroad to me. First Aid I'm excited to see in hand pictures for!

[Robogeek1973]

Streetwise looks great!

[Alpha Dominus]

What a pleasant surprise that these once vanilla characters have been upgraded so cleverly. Their colors are subtle yet appealing and fit like a glove. Hasbro's figured out how to cram great articulation onto smaller figures and their molds look great in both modes. They can't all be perfect but I'm thinking 2015 is the year that sets a new precedent for both quality Transformers toys and satisfying fandom.

[Bradimus]

While I would like the Alpha Bravo face on blades, It's presumed that the Alpha Bravo head will be the head for Blast-Off, the original molding*

*presumed

Blast Off has a slightly different face plate, as does Vortex. My biggest concern is Vortex being a straight repaint of AB, but after studying his head the visor is also different, so we hopefully we'll get new heads for both figures.

I hope Vortex gets remolded with a front mounted 50 caliber gun. Like the original.

I hope so too. It would be easy to remold one of the two halves of the copter front to include the gun sticking out of the front. That would also further distinguish the helicopter from AB and Blades as a simple repaint is the easy way out.

Looking at Streetwise, Blades really got the short end of the stick by not getting remolded forearms without rockets. Based on that Vortex better get his front mounted gun.

[RiddlerJ]

Streetwise looks really good.

I wonder if this is the version they'll repaint into Prowl as opposed to the Dead End version. Or will they do a third reshelling.

[noctorro]

And because I'm getting so damn sick of every word acknowledging Alpha Bravo being pre-polarized one way or the other, I'm finally just gonna' say it:

I want, more than anything, so see him f%@# his mom, just like his namesake Johnny Bravo.

Now, happen.

You seem agitated.

Have you accepted Alpha Bravo as your lord and saviour?

Yes, yes I have sir.
I rejoice every day.

Also very cool that Deadend still is depressed in Combiner Wars. I love that character in the cartoon. "We're all food for rust."

I love Motormaster, his G1 figure had a completely different face than the cartoon. This one is so cool, angry but still sharp.

Praise the axe murderer
I think that's why Alpha Bravo is getting all the nerd rage.