The Energon Pub

[no-one]

Man, I may just skip the entire CW Autobots wave part deux. I think Swindle will be may jeep buddy of choice and my homeboy Wheeljack just looks naked and I just don't care for that mold. I really wanna like these guys too.

If I spot WJ at retail I'll probably have a moment of weakness, his vehicle mode does look good. Hounds silver gatling pistol look pretty neat too.

[Gearslide]

Woah, what?

Did I miss something?

How come Trailbreaker's Gestalt Hand/Foot is so radically different from the others in the line? It's got two massive fingers and a very differently shaped thumb!

I like it! It adds more diversity to combiner limbs! But why him? Is it to make it fit better in the bed of his truck mode?

[no-one]

Woah, what?

Did I miss something?

How come Trailbreaker's Gestalt Hand/Foot is so radically different from the others in the line? It's got two massive fingers and a very differently shaped thumb!

I like it! It adds more diversity to combiner limbs! But why him? Is it to make it fit better in the bed of his truck mode?

Good eye! I'm going to guess there is a way to shove the hand in his robot mode backpack to give him that classic Trailcutter look. I'm going go try it with Ironhide right now.

insert force field face here

[DMSL]

I am glad i have the CHUG versions of these characters, because these look so terrible and cheap.

A screwhole in the window of Trailbreaker is the worst.

[Alpha Dominus]

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

[Mkall]

I like Hound for whatever reason, but I do not like the rest, they all seems woefully under-painted.

[Amelie]

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

I don't get the whole thing about people complaining about repaints, especially when the moment Starscream comes out theres always a "when will we see Thundercracker\Skywarp". Like - c'mon - the seekers even have the same heads

Transformers and repaints go hand-in-hand and its been stuffed full of them since the very first wave in 1984

[Agamemnon]

Anyone else notice that they don't seem to come with comics but now include the cards...?

It looks like these are the international packaging (with multiple language representations of "Includes"). Perhaps these are just the international versions and we'll still be getting comics in the US.

[william-james88]

Anyone else notice that they don't seem to come with comics but now include the cards...?

It looks like these are the international packaging (with multiple language representations of "Includes"). Perhaps these are just the international versions and we'll still be getting comics in the US.

I am 100% sure you are right and that these are simply the international versions.

Unless Hasbro is simply cutting costs and making one uniform packaging for the entire world including the states. Personally, I would rather any cost saving would be done with the packaging instead of the toys

[Stuartmaximus]

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

I don't get the whole thing about people complaining about repaints, especially when the moment Starscream comes out theres always a "when will we see Thundercracker\Skywarp". Like - c'mon - the seekers even have the same heads

Transformers and repaints go hand-in-hand and its been stuffed full of them since the very first wave in 1984

oh & don't forget we've also had the more recent Platinum Edition Seekers

[no-one]

Curiosity got the better of me. I found this image of CW Trailbreaker. See how that thumb appears to tuck in very flush with the rest of the hand.

Thumbs down dude

r_transformers-042-1.jpg (60.82 KiB) Viewed 7886 times

The regular hand doesn't really fit in the backpack very well. I'm guessing this will tuck in nice and tight.

[AutobotAlvaron]

Considering these CW versions of G1 car-bots as stand-alone Deluxes, Wheeljack's Lancia-mode is the best of his recent molds as far as G1 accuracy is concerned (aside from the MP, of course), and Reprolabels will surely complete his look and make him pretty. The CHUG version is superior, as far as transformation/articulation design is concerned, and the Prime version is a cool modern take on the Lancia car design, but this mold hits a happy "medium". He's the only one I pre-ordered at BBTS, at any rate.

The Trailbreaker, as well as Ironhide, should have been made from the First Aid mold to give them a more "van" or "camper" look, though I do like his head/face-sculpt, and the blue windshield & eye-visor, and black face. Smokescreen looks OK, while I remain undecided about Hound's alt-mode, though his head/face-sculpt does looks good. I wonder, how will Takara spice these up?

The problem with all of these is the need for more paint. Emphasis seems to have be put into their alt-modes, and though I appreciate the silver-painted wheels, their bot-modes sorely needed more attention as well.

Overall, they're alright, but the end of Combiner Wars seems to be going out with sputter instead of a BANG!, but there's still Sky Lynx to look forward to...

[RAR]

I am glad I have the CHUG versions of these characters, because these look so terrible and cheap.

A screw hole in the window of Trailbreaker is the worst.

I had a stray Animated ratchet that needed some TLC and as I was tarting him up a little I realised boy - how s*** Transformers can be compared to just a half a decade or so ago.

I think the better movie & animated toys really did spoil us.

I'm reminded of something Stuart Foley said recently which is if you wanted to introduce someone to Star Trek - you'd never show them any show in the order they aired in as they all start so weekly - similarly if you wanted to introduce someone to Transformers - I have to say I'd be tempted to pick some point between 2003 and 2010 to do so.

Another way to look at it is this - when G2 toys start to look like something that outperforms you current offerings I'd say to Hasbro that they might just be doing something less well than they could do.

I can see how some mild application of paint and some of the water slide or pencil rub style decals on the SkyReign cars would make them look a lot more visually interesting when it comes to the likes of Smokescreen & Wheeljack in particular.

I'm not over offended by the CW Ironhide as it does at least look a little like Arms Micron Ironhide.

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

Not a bad thing if you want to juggle the parts so the fists or feet match in pairs.

However I'll likely buy KO PE parts for the whole line - if and when I finally get around to completing it - I have a pretty atrocious lack of CW Deluxes lately. But then I may end up being the only person who's first bite of the cherry in some cases is via the G2 repaints it seems.

[Glarryg]

I'm definitely getting that Wheeljack, because I love Wheeljack. Then I'm definitely adding paint to him, and probably correcting the number as well (705? What?)

I'm almost certainly getting that Trailbreaker, even though I already have the Generations version. Trailbreaker was one of my favorites as a kid; I think it was because of the SUV vehicle mode, which is funny because I despise "gas guzzlers" as an adult.

I'll probably get that Smokescreen, because I don't have any version of him (and secondary market prices for the Universe version are a little too much for a character I'm not too connected to).

I'm a little on the fence about Hound, because I have a Hound already and this is another character I don't have a huge connection to. But, I like green Autobots, so I'll probably get him.

I'm definitely getting Sky Lynx, because I never had one and the character is so wonderfully ostentatious I feel he needs to be in my collection.

Anyway, my point is that I feel that the whole "Sky Reign" character is just a hodge-podge of figures that somebody or two at Hasbro wanted to do as combiner parts without any real rhyme or reason for the team as a whole, but I'm more than likely going to get them all. Funny how that worked out.

Glarryg

[Mindmaster]

If I could get that Wheeljack as Slicer (unlikely) or Exhaust (even more unlikely), then I'll pick him up. I already have the original Deluxe from a while back, so I've no need for him.

Hound, though... He's tempting. I like my Universe (2008) guy, but he's definitely showing his age.

Not that interested in the other two: already have Trailcutter from a couple years ago (even though this one looks cooler), and I like my Datsun brothers like Redbull: with wings.

[Gunmetal]

The Trailbreaker, as well as Ironhide, should have been made from the First Aid mold to give them a more "van" or "camper" look, though I do like his head/face-sculpt, and the blue windshield & eye-visor, and black face.

It seems that at least part of the reason his appendage weapon was remolded was to fit flusher with the truck bed. I think the weapon becomes the camper.

It's worth noting that Trailbreaker is the only non-exclusive deluxe to get retooling without reshelling and the only shell to get a third head. I wonder if, being in the last wave, he was given whatever budget was left over for CW deluxes.

The problem with all of these is the need for more paint. Emphasis seems to have be put into their alt-modes, and though I appreciate the silver-painted wheels, their bot-modes sorely needed more attention as well.

I think these guys have more paint than we're giving them credit for, mainly because entire parts had to be painted.

Smokescreen, as usual for him, suffers from this the most. By my count, he actually has 37 paint aps and tampographs, some them rather large:

4 Red: Hood, backs of legs, chest
4 Blue: Upper and lower arms/door panels
8 White: Racing stripes (4 parts each)
3 Black: Windows
6 Silver: Wheels, face, entire gun
2 Yellow: Head crests
2 Light blue: eyes
8 Tampographs: Numbers (assuming digits are paired), backing rectangles, hood and chest sigils

Maybe I missed one because...symbolism?

[Lunatic Prime]

Did anyone notice that the fingers on Trailbreaker's hand-foot-gun look different from all others?

[Cobotron]

Welcome Lunatic Prime!!!

It was noticed, and lightly discussed a few pages/posts ago, but it is an interesting mystery, no doubt. I'm thinking it is to play on the old G1 notion that Trail Breaker had the interchangeable hand and weapons gimmick. I'm also liking the above theories that it helps make it look more like a camper top in vehicle mode, and maybe pegs on his back some how in robot modefor a more G1 appearance.

[Sgt Major Mirage]

I thought I would add this here. I already posted under the "Toy Sightings" for Texas. Went out to a Wal-Mart Super Center here in El Paso. They had 2 sets of Blast Off, Swindle, Brawl, and Vortex. I attached a photo! I haven't seen anything else in the surrounding Targets or TRUs.

[Gunmetal]

Welcome Lunatic Prime!!!

It was noticed, and lightly discussed a few pages/posts ago, but it is an interesting mystery, no doubt. I'm thinking it is to play on the old G1 notion that Trail Breaker had the interchangeable hand and weapons gimmick. I'm also liking the above theories that it helps make it look more like a camper top in vehicle mode, and maybe pegs on his back some how in robot modefor a more G1 appearance.

Just thought of something:

Q: What might that foot look a little like if you can mount it metal side up with the thumb out?
A: A tow apparatus...

EDIT: Also explains why the arm-cannon is on the right...

[Ironhidensh]

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

I don't get the whole thing about people complaining about repaints, especially when the moment Starscream comes out theres always a "when will we see Thundercracker\Skywarp". Like - c'mon - the seekers even have the same heads

Transformers and repaints go hand-in-hand and its been stuffed full of them since the very first wave in 1984

For certain characters its okay, if they were always similar. The seekers, Trailbreaker and Hoist, Grapple and Inferno, cassettes, Ironhide and Ratchet. These are guys have always been the same mold so its okay.

Prime and motormaster? Silverbolt and Cyclonic? Vortex and 30000 other helicopters? Dead end and 40000 other car molds?

Hell no.

Yes, reprints have always had a place, but never to the extent that combined wars has shoved down our throughts.

[Gunmetal]

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

I don't get the whole thing about people complaining about repaints, especially when the moment Starscream comes out theres always a "when will we see Thundercracker\Skywarp". Like - c'mon - the seekers even have the same heads

Transformers and repaints go hand-in-hand and its been stuffed full of them since the very first wave in 1984

For certain characters its okay, if they were always similar. The seekers, Trailbreaker and Hoist, Grapple and Inferno, cassettes, Ironhide and Ratchet. These are guys have always been the same mold so its okay.

Prime and motormaster? Silverbolt and Cyclonic? Vortex and 30000 other helicopters? Dead end and 40000 other car molds?

Hell no.

Yes, reprints have always had a place, but never to the extent that combined wars has shoved down our throughts.

But...we were talking about 4 characters who aren't on your "hell no" list, unless you're counting Smokescreen as the Dead End mold (which is so heavily retooled that's it's closer to "shared engineering"). Even then, he still works because he and Prowl "have always been the same mold so its okay."

[Mindmaster]

Oooh look. They even come with the same weapons as previous combiners. Repaint Wars.

I don't get the whole thing about people complaining about repaints, especially when the moment Starscream comes out theres always a "when will we see Thundercracker\Skywarp". Like - c'mon - the seekers even have the same heads

Transformers and repaints go hand-in-hand and its been stuffed full of them since the very first wave in 1984

For certain characters its okay, if they were always similar. The seekers, Trailbreaker and Hoist, Grapple and Inferno, cassettes, Ironhide and Ratchet. These are guys have always been the same mold so its okay.

Prime and motormaster? Silverbolt and Cyclonic? Vortex and 30000 other helicopters? Dead end and 40000 other car molds?

Hell no.

Yes, reprints have always had a place, but never to the extent that combined wars has shoved down our throughts.

But...we were talking about 4 characters who aren't on your "hell no" list, unless you're counting Smokescreen as the Dead End mold (which is so heavily retooled that's it's closer to "shared engineering"). Even then, he still works because he and Prowl "have always been the same mold so its okay."

That's kind of how I view guys like Swindle: different enough that it feels more like shared engineering than retool. That's pretty much how I've gotten through a good majority of Combiner Wars, honestly.

[Cobotron]

Welcome Lunatic Prime!!!

It was noticed, and lightly discussed a few pages/posts ago, but it is an interesting mystery, no doubt. I'm thinking it is to play on the old G1 notion that Trail Breaker had the interchangeable hand and weapons gimmick. I'm also liking the above theories that it helps make it look more like a camper top in vehicle mode, and maybe pegs on his back some how in robot modefor a more G1 appearance.

Just thought of something:

Q: What might that foot look a little like if you can mount it metal side up with the thumb out?
A: A tow apparatus...

EDIT: Also explains why the arm-cannon is on the right...

I'm pickin' up what yer puttin' down. So a little pre-Hoist action, ya?

[Gunmetal]

Welcome Lunatic Prime!!!

It was noticed, and lightly discussed a few pages/posts ago, but it is an interesting mystery, no doubt. I'm thinking it is to play on the old G1 notion that Trail Breaker had the interchangeable hand and weapons gimmick. I'm also liking the above theories that it helps make it look more like a camper top in vehicle mode, and maybe pegs on his back some how in robot modefor a more G1 appearance.

Just thought of something:

Q: What might that foot look a little like if you can mount it metal side up with the thumb out?
A: A tow apparatus...

EDIT: Also explains why the arm-cannon is on the right...

I'm pickin' up what yer puttin' down. So a little pre-Hoist action, ya?

All of the other mold toolings seemed to max out at two heads. At first, I thought Trailbreaker just got the Victorion treatment to use up the remaining budget, but perhaps they went with full-on new mold plates with a new pair of heads.

It might be for release later on, but it may have just been part of a filler wave in case Titans Returns was delayed (along with the seeker heads revealed by Grand Galvatron) and one of any of the other pretooled heads we haven't seen yet (i.e. the alternate heads for First Aid, Wheeljack, Rook, and Brawl). All speculation, of course.

FOLLOW UP: I'll drop off these pictures I took of First Aid (sorry, I don't have any of the pickups) and leave it at that. Just imagine a more angular thumb and fingers that look like skid plate...

IMG_20151213_201040741.jpg (38.07 KiB) Viewed 7635 times

IMG_20151213_201117391.jpg (26.93 KiB) Viewed 7635 times