The Energon Pub

[Carnivius_Prime]

A really dull unmemorable looking figure. Blocky and uninspired. Feel like I've seen this samne basic shape many times over the years.

The Hulk Hands images are amusing though.

[Jeen0808]

Why are Rook's fists closed up from the top but open on the bottom...?

[Mindmaster]

What is it with these new characters that I just can't help but absolutely love? Rook looks like a complete badass! I bet he'd have an Eastern European accent.

[RiddlerJ]

Being the new member, he'll be the ROOK-ie of the team. Eh? Eh?:grin:

I'll show myself out.

[Optimizzy]

A face guard for a face made out of titanium ? Maybe that's what Hasbro was going for, but to me it looks more like a robot version of this:

Just a thing I noticed: Many fans mention Hasbro when they hate something...why not Takara? I think they have hands in making these.

Honestly, Rook looks awesome. He's a cool toy.

[Noideaforaname]

ROOK SMASH!

I kinda want him just for this bit. Although I'd need a second CW Deluxe, too...

I wonder if his backpack can be used as a shield. At the very least it looks like you could flip his limbs and head around to make it body armor.

[william-james88]

Apparently Rook plays for the Dallas Cowboys....

He's even got big enough hands to handle the bustiest of the team's cheerleaders

[Shuttershock]

What is it with these new characters that I just can't help but absolutely love? Rook looks like a complete badass! I bet he'd have an Eastern European accent.

"I vill be putin' you in thee ground, Deceptikonski!"

[william-james88]

A face guard for a face made out of titanium ? Maybe that's what Hasbro was going for, but to me it looks more like a robot version of this:

Just a thing I noticed: Many fans mention Hasbro when they hate something...why not Takara? I think they have hands in making these.

Honestly, Rook looks awesome. He's a cool toy.

Only in engineering them. If you think the transformation is lame, then you can partly blame Takara but the blame still usually falls on Hasbro's side due to them restricting costs which inhibit Takara's ability to do a transformation they want, and of course there is only so much you can do with a specific design, which is handled by Hasbro these days. The only design Takara worked on that was issued in the US in the past few years is actually Generations Arcee. So if people dont like that one and only generations toy, then yes they can mention Takara in their hate. And of course, it goes without saying that Takara is responsible for the deco of their japan exclusive figures, but those arent covered in this thread.

[Autobot032]

That peg sticking out of Rook makes me think I can use it to affix Groove to him, somehow, and if that's the case, great. I really don't like Rook, at all. I find him ugly and way too blocky, he's rather ridiculous looking, I think. I'll use him as a Defensor limb, only and nothing else.

As for the current, finished combiners as of now, here are my thoughts:

Superion's a bit more solid than Menasor and while I do like Alpha Bravo, a lot, he does throw off the set for me. I get why people like him, he's a solid figure and I do enjoy him, but in vehicle mode you've got four planes and all of a sudden, a helicopter. It just doesn't flow well for me and I think Slingshot will fit better, even though he's just a repaint with a new head.

As for Offroad, mine's less than stellar. He's quite a bit floppy and his parts don't want to lock together tightly, which sucks. I'm getting Wildrider because Offroad didn't do it for me, but I'm seriously disappointed in HasTak for making him a straight up repaint of Dead End with no remolding. (The only reason I'm letting Slingshot slide, aside from making the team more cohesive, is that Fireflight's mold IS Slingshot's actual alt-mode...) Now, if Offroad had been more solid and the color scheme had worked a bit better, I'd be glad to keep him and skip Wildrider.

I don't mind having Offroad in the team because you've already got a truck mixed in with cars, so a pickup with a killer engine strapped to it's bed is nothing terribly out of place and even adds some oomph to the team, but the same just doesn't work for Alpha Bravo, with me.

That doesn't mean Offroad and Alpha Bravo have no place in a collection, quite the opposite, but it is nice to be able to make both teams feel like old school G1 without much added cost or effort. Plus you end up with two new figures on top of Slingshot and Wildrider and that's even better.

[MrBlack]

I really wasn't planning on getting any of the Protectobots aside from First Aid, but Streetwise looks great, and Rook looks AMAZING.

Hmm...I'll have to see if Hot Spot is any good. The promo shots were not encouraging, but Hasbro's photos are usually quite underwhelming.

[Cobotron]

I'd quote shajaki, but...

Ya. I have been looking forward to this guy and his boxer mode since we first got a peep at him. everything about him looks great. Love the placement of those wheels on his chest. The ankle tilts look awesome. And I love that he has a face guard to protect that Pretty Boy Floyd mug of his.

I'm still just absorbing the awesomeness of the Stuntipunks, and now I gotta start thinking about these guys? Slow down Hasbro. Your moving too fast!

Off Road is great, Rook looks fantastic, Bravo is the messiah...
Why am I so in to the new guys over the old?
Because they're new and different?

[peaces]

rook looks bad ass and hot spot is probably the best looking tf i've ever seen. much better than a wimpy ass motorcycle. alpha bravo, offroad, and rook are the best of the bunch.

[Sabrblade]

Someone needs to put Devastator's fists on Rook's hands.

[Superginraix]

Very cool. Definitely a contender for a Brawl remold.

The Protectobots were my favorite G1 combiner set, partially because it was the only complete set that I owned but also because every toy was awesome. What kid wouldn't like a combiner composed of a firetruck, a police car, a helicopter, and a motorcycle (and an ambulance but that doesn't seem like a kid's dream toy-- even though First Aid is great)? That's like full win. I also like that Defensor's head was actually part of Hot Spot instead of being a separate bit that acted like a helmet like every other combiner set. That's something that reminds me of the modern toys' sensibilities.

I know the oiginal Protectobots were known as shelf-warmers but that boggles my mind. So many cool toys. It's the set I've been most excited for.

[Sigmus Prime]

Oh, no...

Return of the barrel-fists!

[Sabrblade]

Sorry I just dont see the faceguard the same way you dont see the piercing...

Click on the image to see its full size up close:



It's definitely in front of his nose attached to the frame going around his lower face.

[peaces]

bombshell's barrel fists kick ass

[Rated X]

No doubt you'll still run out and buy four of them and then proceed to take pictures and troll those who like the figure and character.
#JustBeingHonestlyOutspoken

Its almost like youre asking me to do it. Me being a true southern gentleman, ill be happy to oblige.

The real question is will this be va'al's new favorite character ?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

No doubt you'll still run out and buy four of them and then proceed to take pictures and troll those who like the figure and character.
#JustBeingHonestlyOutspoken

Its almost like youre asking me to do it. Me being a true southern gentleman, ill be happy to oblige.

The real question is will this be va'al's new favorite character ?

Va'al already has Alpha Bravo, I call dibs on Rook!

[Mr O]

ROOK SMASH!
http://i.imgur.com/1dzYfnh.jpg

Welp...I REALLY like Rook now.

Interesting that he has the Autobot insignia on his forehead. How many other Transformers have insignias on their head? The only one that comes to mind is Beast Wars Rhinox, with the Maximal insignia.

Rescue Bots Chase (original toy, the cartoon model removed it from his forehead badge).

Tarn from MTMTE wears the Decepticon symbol as a mask, if that counts.

AOE Bumblebee springs to mind, and the first movie tow-truck, Longarm(?), I think.

[Shadowdodger]

I generally can't stand the backpack kibble, but on this guy it works.

[Optimizzy]

If Vaal has Alpha Bravo and JelZe has Rook, I call Off-road.

[Cobotron]

If Vaal has Alpha Bravo and JelZe has Rook, I call Off-road.

Man! I was gonna call Off Road. Alright, I'll be be Drag Strip's champion, until somebody new comes along.


Edit: Maybe Cyclonus.

[Mr O]

You poor fools just don't understand do you? It's ALL about Blades, baby! Fat face and everything...