The Energon Pub

[Autobot N]

You are right, that is quite odd. Arcee, Chromia and Brainstorm were released in December last year, which makes sense for a Quarter 4 release. These coming early tell me a few things. 1: that sadly, the Defensor wave will not have a shelf life as long as the previous waves. And thats too bad because it has, to me, the best use of the molds done so far. 2: it tells me that we will be getting Bruticus (and probably Scattershot) end of 2015 afterall.

But yeah, it is super weird to see that technically there is nothing planned for the rest of the year in terms of releases in both Generations AND Robots in Disguise (aside from leader Starscream).

It seems pretty obvious to me that they're gonna release Bruticus in maybe December this year, since the wave 4 is out so quickly. But I'm kinda wondering, do you guys think they are trying to push out the CW stuff as soon as possible, to make way for the Titan Wars stuff for next year? Seems like a possibility...

December?!? My funds can't withstand awesomeness of that magnitude!!!

[DedicatedGhostArt]

You are right, that is quite odd. Arcee, Chromia and Brainstorm were released in December last year, which makes sense for a Quarter 4 release. These coming early tell me a few things. 1: that sadly, the Defensor wave will not have a shelf life as long as the previous waves. And thats too bad because it has, to me, the best use of the molds done so far. 2: it tells me that we will be getting Bruticus (and probably Scattershot) end of 2015 afterall.

But yeah, it is super weird to see that technically there is nothing planned for the rest of the year in terms of releases in both Generations AND Robots in Disguise (aside from leader Starscream).

It seems pretty obvious to me that they're gonna release Bruticus in maybe December this year, since the wave 4 is out so quickly. But I'm kinda wondering, do you guys think they are trying to push out the CW stuff as soon as possible, to make way for the Titan Wars stuff for next year? Seems like a possibility...

December?!? My funds can't withstand awesomeness of that magnitude!!!

I know right? ;_; I'm probably not gonna get Unite Warriors Devastator till December! And that's $215.00! I can't just buy Transformers! I need to replace my broken mp3 player! XD

[william-james88]

December?!? My funds can't withstand awesomeness of that magnitude!!!

[Cobotron]

Well i just found them in Omaha NE. at Target.


I was not expecting them to show up this quick. So so far They have been spotted in NE and MI. Where else? This does nothing to help surmise any kind of distribution patterns. Which I think goes to show It has nothing to do with Hasbro and everything to do with the retailers.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I really want to find the protectobots together and buy them all together. That is why I haven't gone the amazon route: it is a good $10-15 more expensive, and there is a chance it is at a store nearby that I will try to go to soon. Also, I'm very sad the protectobots are going so quick. First Aid is one of the most popular transformers right now thanks to mtmte

[Hellscream9999]

I really want to find the protectobots together and buy them all together. That is why I haven't gone the amazon route: it is a good $10-15 more expensive, and there is a chance it is at a store nearby that I will try to go to soon. Also, I'm very sad the protectobots are going so quick. First Aid is one of the most popular transformers right now thanks to mtmte

Not to sound weird, but if you posted your location, locals on here could help; you could also check the forum for sightings for wherever you live.

I know that stores near me (up to stores ~30 mins away) have barely gotten wave 1 in they just leave the shelves barren, and don't bother sending in for a shipment, because, you guessed it, aoe and the simple brick sh!t are still taking up space (its great to know their campaign is working so well)

[DedicatedGhostArt]

I really want to find the protectobots together and buy them all together. That is why I haven't gone the amazon route: it is a good $10-15 more expensive, and there is a chance it is at a store nearby that I will try to go to soon. Also, I'm very sad the protectobots are going so quick. First Aid is one of the most popular transformers right now thanks to mtmte

Not to sound weird, but if you posted your location, locals on here could help; you could also check the forum for sightings for wherever you live.

I know that stores near me (up to stores ~30 mins away) have barely gotten wave 1 in they just leave the shelves barren, and don't bother sending in for a shipment, because, you guessed it, aoe and the simple brick cluck are still taking up space (its great to know their campaign is working so well)

Both my local Target, and Walmart, had all of the wave 2 deluxes, I just picked up Dragstrip though cuz, funds were low, and I had to get other stuff...

[peaces]

finding all the protectobots together would be like hitting the lottery. especially with wave 4 now out.

[steals_your_goats]

I found all 4 protectobots and groove at a local target about a month and a half ago, but since then I haven't seen them anywhere.

[Wolfman Jake]

Was the release of these wave 4 deluxes (Ironhide, etc.) a mistake - or are these figures really on the cusp of national retail release? I know some stores will get merchandise that they COULD put out on the shelf if they wanted to. But they wait for some kind of mysterious 'street date' release to come before they will actually put them out on the shelves.

Sometimes the grunts at Walmart, Target or some other such place will not 'get the memo' however, and we wind up with some lucky people coming across items early in stores as a result. Is this one such instance of it?

Though frustrated collectors are triggered by this into once again asking the question - if the manufacturers are so far into production that they have actual finished products, what are they waiting for...?

You are right, that is quite odd. Arcee, Chromia and Brainstorm were released in December last year, which makes sense for a Quarter 4 release. These coming early tell me a few things. 1: that sadly, the Defensor wave will not have a shelf life as long as the previous waves. And thats too bad because it has, to me, the best use of the molds done so far. 2: it tells me that we will be getting Bruticus (and probably Scattershot) end of 2015 afterall.

But yeah, it is super weird to see that technically there is nothing planned for the rest of the year in terms of releases in both Generations AND Robots in Disguise (aside from leader Starscream).

The wave 4 deluxes showing up in brick and mortar stores right now isn't likely a mistake. Online retailers have the release of this assortment pegged for an August release. Also, the "'84 Autobots" showing up now doesn't preclude the chance of the Protectobots showing (again) later on. Again, it's just the wonders of retail distribution schemes at work. I guess we peons are not supposed to comprehend the enigma that is toy logistics.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I really want to find the protectobots together and buy them all together. That is why I haven't gone the amazon route: it is a good $10-15 more expensive, and there is a chance it is at a store nearby that I will try to go to soon. Also, I'm very sad the protectobots are going so quick. First Aid is one of the most popular transformers right now thanks to mtmte

Not to sound weird, but if you posted your location, locals on here could help; you could also check the forum for sightings for wherever you live.

I know that stores near me (up to stores ~30 mins away) have barely gotten wave 1 in they just leave the shelves barren, and don't bother sending in for a shipment, because, you guessed it, aoe and the simple brick cluck are still taking up space (its great to know their campaign is working so well)

Well that is a good idea and not weird at all. I live in Ebensburg PA right now. Altoona is my primary source since they are usually right on top of transformers. (except Tankor and Rattrap: those guys are still shelfwarming here). I have found both wave 1 and wave 2 together all at the same time, so it is not impossible to find those guys together. I wanted hasbro toy store but then they stopped providing free shipping and Rook is sold out...

[Hellscream9999]

I really want to find the protectobots together and buy them all together. That is why I haven't gone the amazon route: it is a good $10-15 more expensive, and there is a chance it is at a store nearby that I will try to go to soon. Also, I'm very sad the protectobots are going so quick. First Aid is one of the most popular transformers right now thanks to mtmte

Not to sound weird, but if you posted your location, locals on here could help; you could also check the forum for sightings for wherever you live.

I know that stores near me (up to stores ~30 mins away) have barely gotten wave 1 in they just leave the shelves barren, and don't bother sending in for a shipment, because, you guessed it, aoe and the simple brick cluck are still taking up space (its great to know their campaign is working so well)

Well that is a good idea and not weird at all. I live in Ebensburg PA right now. Altoona is my primary source since they are usually right on top of transformers. (except Tankor and Rattrap: those guys are still shelfwarming here). I have found both wave 1 and wave 2 together all at the same time, so it is not impossible to find those guys together. I wanted hasbro toy store but then they stopped providing free shipping and Rook is sold out...

Well maybe swing by the PA sightings thread, and see if you can get any help

[william-james88]

finding all the protectobots together would be like hitting the lottery. especially with wave 4 now out.

Pic of my tru today:





Does that mean I have won the lottery?

Also, to end the age old debate, here is why Hasbro wont stop forcing Optimus everywhere and why they keep making Bumblebees and Simplified figures: THEY SELL



I was buying a one step prowl for a 4 year old who loves cop cars and the lady in front of me was buying a CW Prime and a 3 Step Bumblebee. As you can see from the pics above, my TRU was stocked to the brim and she could have chosen anything else. But no, Prime and Bumblebee. This tells me that Hasbro knows what they are doing. And I hope whoever gets them grows up to be a big fan

[Hellscream9999]

finding all the protectobots together would be like hitting the lottery. especially with wave 4 now out.

Pic of my tru today:





Does that mean I have won the lottery?

Dammit, you lucky b@stard, I'd kill to see any of my stores have stock at all

[Cobotron]

They have EVERYTHING!!!


I'm movin' to Canada.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

:shock: They have EVERYTHING!!!


I'm movin' to Canada.

Take me with you!!

[Rodimus Prime]

You already have them in the stores, and I can't even get them online at TRU.com

[ThunderThruster]

Nice to see Wave 4 is starting to arrive in stores. I might be able to pick up a Motormaster (Wave 2 never arrived on UK shores) with BC Prime, and probably a Prowl.

[Stuartmaximus]

Nice to see Wave 4 is starting to arrive in stores. I might be able to pick up a Motormaster (Wave 2 never arrived on UK shores) with BC Prime, and probably a Prowl.

Aye but when are we likely to see those in the UK? coz don't forget...We still haven't got Ultra Magnus & Viper in stores over here yet!

[Ironhidensh]

Elkhart, Indiana Target.



The store went from wave one, to months of empty shelves while they cleared out AOE leftovers, to wave four of combiner wars.

Having now seen the Autobot combiners in person, I remain fully disappointed. Maybe if the Stunticons hadn't come out first. Maybe.

[Noideaforaname]

My Target's been terrible with this line. Legends have gone reasonably, more or less (once it got started at all, that is), Viper being the only one I haven't seen. Deluxes not so great, could've probably gotten the Stunticons and Aerialbots if you wanted, Protectobots must've gotten just one shipment though. Voyagers have only recently started to show up, goodness knows when Motormaster will show up, much less Hot Spot or Cyclonus. Leaders... forget it. Not even a spot for them.
The entire TF section has shrunk dramatically, too. If I had any desire for combiners, I'd have to buy them online.

[Shockwave7]

A Target store about a 20 minute drive from my place has the W4 deluxes and agreed to hold some for me (which was very kind of them). So I guess maybe they HAVE bumped up the production dates for some of the CW line at least.

Keep an eye on any local Target stores - that seems to be where they're turning up first.

Edit: Got Ironhide and Mirage to round off my Galvatronus. Repaints, yes - but they still look good...

[Madeus Prime]

Well, since it looks like Bruticus is being bumped up to a December release, that makes only 7 toys left on my to-buy list

[no-one]

And I hope whoever gets them grows up to be a big fan

How do you know it wasn't a self purchase? I mean there are a lot of "grown" people here that buy toys for themselves

And if spotting all 4 Protectobots is like winning the lottery; I've missed out on a lot of winnings

And I will back up the target sightings. They seem to always be the first in my area to get new products.

[william-james88]

And I hope whoever gets them grows up to be a big fan

How do you know it wasn't a self purchase? I mean there are a lot of "grown" people here that buy toys for themselves

Especially since 3 step Bumblebee is made by the same designer as MP 10

It was an older woman buying the toys so I am pretty sure it wasnt for her, just as that one step Prowl isnt for me. But you know who is for me? That RID JAZZ! And man, that is a great toy! While I preffer the feel of the deluxe prime toys (like Wheeljack for instance), I cant deny the fun in that Jazz figure and how everything is well implemented. He has all the articulation he needs, with a kick ass alt mode and another original transformation for a car. In this case its how his forearms make the front bumper, pretty smart. And its beautiful to see a Transformer with minimal excess kibble which shows all kinds of new detail in robot mode.