The Energon Pub

[Ironhidensh]

I have a serious question!

Should I get CW Cyclonus? Premium Collectables have him on sale at the moment. I have zero interest in that Galvatron combiner thingy that's coming out, and I actually have zero interest in using CW Cyclonus as a torso (much like Sky Lynx, who I want, just not as a torso).

I'm actually pretty content with 2008's Cyclonus as he displays well with Scourge, so I'm not sure where CW Cyclonus would fit in.

I just have this feeling if I don't get him I might be missing out on something good.

Thoughts?

He really only works as a torso. Other than his head, the bot mode looks like a very crappy Cyclonus. The alt mode would be okay... except for the massive kibble underneath. The 2009 version is simply vastly superior.

He rules as a torso, though. I bought him solely to replace Motormaster, whom I then used as target practice.

[Munkky]

Need some help here. If you were to buy only one combiner which one would you go for and why??

If you can spare $150 get Devastator. If you can't, I recommend Superion because he's the least awkward-looking Combiner. I'd also advise you try to get Quickslinger for a limb instead of Alpha Bravo, it makes for better limb symmetry.

[Burn]

He really only works as a torso. Other than his head, the bot mode looks like a very crappy Cyclonus. The alt mode would be okay... except for the massive kibble underneath. The 2009 version is simply vastly superior.

That was my reaction when I first saw pictures.

Given the torso retail in Australian stores for about $45 and I could have got him from Premium Collectables for $25 (and then at LEAST $10 shipping) it was a little bit of a saving.

So yeah, stuff him. As far as Combiner Wars go, I'm sticking with the original combiners (and their new guys), so no Galvatronus or Victorinox (or whatever she's called, I'm sure one of the know-it-alls will be all to quick to set me straight) for me!

[Munkky]

He really only works as a torso. Other than his head, the bot mode looks like a very crappy Cyclonus. The alt mode would be okay... except for the massive kibble underneath. The 2009 version is simply vastly superior.

That was my reaction when I first saw pictures.

Given the torso retail in Australian stores for about $45 and I could have got him from Premium Collectables for $25 (and then at LEAST $10 shipping) it was a little bit of a saving.

So yeah, stuff him. As far as Combiner Wars go, I'm sticking with the original combiners (and their new guys), so no Galvatronus or Victorinox (or whatever she's called, I'm sure one of the know-it-alls will be all to quick to set me straight) for me!

I'll admit Cyclonus/Galvatronus/Grand Galvatron was tempting, but I'll probably give him a miss, seeing as we're getting a proper Galvatron next year. Victorinox is a funnier name, but yeah, I'm not touching Victorion with a thirty-nine and a half-foot pole.

[Lunatic Prime]

Need some help here. If you were to buy only one combiner which one would you go for and why??

It depends very much on what you like. My choice would be Galvatronus with Viper, First Aid, Dragstrip, Brawl and Offroad (nearly like I have him) or Sky Reign with Rook, Wheeljack, Alpha Bravo and Quickslinger (and Groove, if he has a sixth member). I think the all white limbs would fit him well or maybe red legs if the Technobots will look cool.

Or G2 Bruticus

[alex1986lunatic]

Thank you guys for your recommendations!

In the beginning I was very excited about the CW line. However, after the first reviews arrived, I was disappointed and lost interest in the line. I really couldn't understand some of the design choices. It was like every combiner had a killer flaw. I was hoping Bruticus would save the day but man...that Brawl figure. And the overall final look is kinda boring. I think it's because of all the grey and brown. I don't think I can go with Devastator-limited budget and space. But I want to get one solely for the experience! Sooo, to be honest, I'm leaning towards Defensor. I like the diversity and the colours. Is Rook that bad as a leg? I was thinking buying the Perfect Effect hands and feet, too. Maybe these make Rook less obtrusive. I 'll consider getting Groove if he ever becomes separately available. Superion looks ok but I hate the skinny legs and the fact that there are only jets. Menasor is out of the question. As for the rest of the torsos, meh, i don't think you can make a good-looking, cohesive team out of them. Will I be very disappointed by Defensor, or should I go for it? I'm still open for suggestions and arguments, though, if you have any!

[Rodimus Prime]

Defensor is my favorite so far. Ironically, he was the one I didn't care any about when the line was 1st announced. I was looking forward to Superion and Bruticus. Turns out, Defensor is badass. Menasor is a floppy mess, though the newer Motormaster makes it tolerable, and Superion is just meh. He's good, but nothing special. And I use Rook as an arm. A massive arm. He should be an arm.

[Cobotron]

Agreed! Rook arm for the win!
He really packs a PUNCH.

[alex1986lunatic]

Agreed! Rook arm for the win!
He really packs a PUNCH.

But doesn't he look disproportionate with blades?

[Cobotron]

Agreed! Rook arm for the win!
He really packs a PUNCH.

But doesn't he look disproportionate with blades?

Sure. That's why I use First Aid as his other arm. I also like the idea that maybe Rook's combined specialty is his "jack hammer punch", so he needs to be a A big bulky thing. Kinda like Hellboy, maybe?
Also I'm not a "traditionalist" so I'm ok with scrambling and/or asymmetry. As mentioned before Prowl would make a nice stand in for anyone who throws off the proportions you're after. It works with the team, he's a police car.

[Lunatic Prime]

Thank you guys for your recommendations!

In the beginning I was very excited about the CW line. However, after the first reviews arrived, I was disappointed and lost interest in the line. I really couldn't understand some of the design choices. It was like every combiner had a killer flaw. I was hoping Bruticus would save the day but man...that Brawl figure. And the overall final look is kinda boring. I think it's because of all the grey and brown. I don't think I can go with Devastator-limited budget and space. But I want to get one solely for the experience! Sooo, to be honest, I'm leaning towards Defensor. I like the diversity and the colours. Is Rook that bad as a leg? I was thinking buying the Perfect Effect hands and feet, too. Maybe these make Rook less obtrusive. I 'll consider getting Groove if he ever becomes separately available. Superion looks ok but I hate the skinny legs and the fact that there are only jets. Menasor is out of the question. As for the rest of the torsos, meh, i don't think you can make a good-looking, cohesive team out of them. Will I be very disappointed by Defensor, or should I go for it? I'm still open for suggestions and arguments, though, if you have any!

If you like Defensor, go for it. All the molds he consists of are cool (except of Streetwise, but that's maybe just me) and the thing with Rook is just that he looks like he has a huge knee pad hanging on his shin. But with Streetwise as the other leg it's symetrically
I'm not the type of I-need-a-combiner-that-consists-just-of-its-original-members. I like to mix them and figure out what looks and works best. Like using First Aid as Galvatronus' right arm to give him his arm cannon. And my Defensor will consist of Hot Spot of course, Groove, Rook and Wheeljack as the arms and Alpha Bravo and Quickslinger as the legs. And maybe I'll gibe him DotM Backfire as a gun.

[Autobot N]

Thank you guys for your recommendations!

In the beginning I was very excited about the CW line. However, after the first reviews arrived, I was disappointed and lost interest in the line. I really couldn't understand some of the design choices. It was like every combiner had a killer flaw. I was hoping Bruticus would save the day but man...that Brawl figure. And the overall final look is kinda boring. I think it's because of all the grey and brown. I don't think I can go with Devastator-limited budget and space. But I want to get one solely for the experience! Sooo, to be honest, I'm leaning towards Defensor. I like the diversity and the colours. Is Rook that bad as a leg? I was thinking buying the Perfect Effect hands and feet, too. Maybe these make Rook less obtrusive. I 'll consider getting Groove if he ever becomes separately available. Superion looks ok but I hate the skinny legs and the fact that there are only jets. Menasor is out of the question. As for the rest of the torsos, meh, i don't think you can make a good-looking, cohesive team out of them. Will I be very disappointed by Defensor, or should I go for it? I'm still open for suggestions and arguments, though, if you have any!

You will most likely not be disappointed by Defensor. Practically the only problem with him is a bit of a weird waist (at least with mine), but that is a minimal problem, especially with the PE hands and feet. About the PE set, some say that the hands look skeletal (and they kinda are), but it isn't that noticeable. The ball joints in the feet could be tighter, but that problem is also minimal. But keep his old feet, as you can combine them with his gun to do this:

EDIT: And why would Rook be a bad leg?

[Lunatic Prime]

Thank you guys for your recommendations!

In the beginning I was very excited about the CW line. However, after the first reviews arrived, I was disappointed and lost interest in the line. I really couldn't understand some of the design choices. It was like every combiner had a killer flaw. I was hoping Bruticus would save the day but man...that Brawl figure. And the overall final look is kinda boring. I think it's because of all the grey and brown. I don't think I can go with Devastator-limited budget and space. But I want to get one solely for the experience! Sooo, to be honest, I'm leaning towards Defensor. I like the diversity and the colours. Is Rook that bad as a leg? I was thinking buying the Perfect Effect hands and feet, too. Maybe these make Rook less obtrusive. I 'll consider getting Groove if he ever becomes separately available. Superion looks ok but I hate the skinny legs and the fact that there are only jets. Menasor is out of the question. As for the rest of the torsos, meh, i don't think you can make a good-looking, cohesive team out of them. Will I be very disappointed by Defensor, or should I go for it? I'm still open for suggestions and arguments, though, if you have any!

You will most likely not be disappointed by Defensor. Practically the only problem with him is a bit of a weird waist (at least with mine), but that is a minimal problem, especially with the PE hands and feet. About the PE set, some say that the hands look skeletal (and they kinda are), but it isn't that noticeable. The ball joints in the feet could be tighter, but that problem is also minimal. But keep his old feet, as you can combine them with his gun to do this:

EDIT: And why would Rook be a bad leg?

That's awesome. Perhaps I could combine his guns with DotM Backfire to make a huge hammer-cannon-thingy. Especially because Rook has a 5-mm-peg in his palm.

[alex1986lunatic]

Thank you guys for your recommendations!

In the beginning I was very excited about the CW line. However, after the first reviews arrived, I was disappointed and lost interest in the line. I really couldn't understand some of the design choices. It was like every combiner had a killer flaw. I was hoping Bruticus would save the day but man...that Brawl figure. And the overall final look is kinda boring. I think it's because of all the grey and brown. I don't think I can go with Devastator-limited budget and space. But I want to get one solely for the experience! Sooo, to be honest, I'm leaning towards Defensor. I like the diversity and the colours. Is Rook that bad as a leg? I was thinking buying the Perfect Effect hands and feet, too. Maybe these make Rook less obtrusive. I 'll consider getting Groove if he ever becomes separately available. Superion looks ok but I hate the skinny legs and the fact that there are only jets. Menasor is out of the question. As for the rest of the torsos, meh, i don't think you can make a good-looking, cohesive team out of them. Will I be very disappointed by Defensor, or should I go for it? I'm still open for suggestions and arguments, though, if you have any!

You will most likely not be disappointed by Defensor. Practically the only problem with him is a bit of a weird waist (at least with mine), but that is a minimal problem, especially with the PE hands and feet. About the PE set, some say that the hands look skeletal (and they kinda are), but it isn't that noticeable. The ball joints in the feet could be tighter, but that problem is also minimal. But keep his old feet, as you can combine them with his gun to do this:

EDIT: And why would Rook be a bad leg?

Rook forms a huge knee cap as a leg. Maybe it's not that bad upclose. Has anyone heard anything about PE making a set specifically for Defensor? I think all of these pictures are with the Superion set.

[Autobot N]

Thank you guys for your recommendations!

In the beginning I was very excited about the CW line. However, after the first reviews arrived, I was disappointed and lost interest in the line. I really couldn't understand some of the design choices. It was like every combiner had a killer flaw. I was hoping Bruticus would save the day but man...that Brawl figure. And the overall final look is kinda boring. I think it's because of all the grey and brown. I don't think I can go with Devastator-limited budget and space. But I want to get one solely for the experience! Sooo, to be honest, I'm leaning towards Defensor. I like the diversity and the colours. Is Rook that bad as a leg? I was thinking buying the Perfect Effect hands and feet, too. Maybe these make Rook less obtrusive. I 'll consider getting Groove if he ever becomes separately available. Superion looks ok but I hate the skinny legs and the fact that there are only jets. Menasor is out of the question. As for the rest of the torsos, meh, i don't think you can make a good-looking, cohesive team out of them. Will I be very disappointed by Defensor, or should I go for it? I'm still open for suggestions and arguments, though, if you have any!

You will most likely not be disappointed by Defensor. Practically the only problem with him is a bit of a weird waist (at least with mine), but that is a minimal problem, especially with the PE hands and feet. About the PE set, some say that the hands look skeletal (and they kinda are), but it isn't that noticeable. The ball joints in the feet could be tighter, but that problem is also minimal. But keep his old feet, as you can combine them with his gun to do this:

EDIT: And why would Rook be a bad leg?

Rook forms a huge knee cap as a leg. Maybe it's not that bad upclose. Has anyone heard anything about PE making a set specifically for Defensor? I think all of these pictures are with the Superion set.

Well, the black set was made for Hasbro Superion because his limbs came with black foot/hand/gun/somethings. They work for Defensor because he has black hands and feet too, so there isn't a need.

[Rodimus Prime]

As mentioned before Prowl would make a nice stand in for anyone who throws off the proportions you're after. It works with the team, he's a police car.

That's how I have him combined. Streetwise and Prowl are legs, Blades and First Aid are arms, Groove is the chest, and Rook just kinda hangs out next to them, pretending he has friends.

[Cobotron]

Rook just kinda hangs out next to them, pretending he has friends.

Poor Rookie. I'll be your friend.

Just for the record (Rookcord?), I think Rook makes a decent leg, I just like him better as an arm. BC Prime is wearing him and First Aid as pants right now.
For me Dead End/Streetwise/Prowl makes the weakest limb of all, so he mostly defaults to a leg. Maybe my opinion is tainted because my Dead End was an absolute mess, and is my least favorite sculpt. Though I like Prowl as an arm just because I think he should be a (long) arm (of the law).


This picture has all kinds of awesome going on. The weapon is super cool, and the way the thighs are twisted a quarter turn is neat. Is that Alpha Bravo back there as an arm?

[Autobot N]

Rook just kinda hangs out next to them, pretending he has friends.

Poor Rookie. I'll be your friend.

Just for the record (Rookcord?), I think Rook makes a decent leg, I just like him better as an arm. BC Prime is wearing him and First Aid as pants right now.
For me Dead End/Streetwise/Prowl makes the weakest limb of all, so he mostly defaults to a leg. Maybe my opinion is tainted because my Dead End was an absolute mess, and is my least favorite sculpt. Though I like Prowl as an arm just because I think he should be a (long) arm (of the law).


This picture has all kinds of awesome going on. The weapon is super cool, and the way the thighs are twisted a quarter turn is neat. Is that Alpha Bravo back there as an arm?

That arm is indeed the almighty Alpha Bravo.

[Cobotron]

That arm is indeed the almighty Alpha Bravo.

Alpha Bravo, the hardest workin' man in the combiner business.

That defensor needs a white tiger.

[Rodimus Prime]

I like Prowl as an arm just because I think he should be a (long) arm (of the law).

But I still laughed. Puns are good. Especially when they're clever. And that was clever.

[Autobot N]

That arm is indeed the almighty Alpha Bravo.

Alpha Bravo, the hardest workin' man in the combiner business.

That defensor needs a white tiger.

But then again, MAYBE THERE IS ONE!!!!

[Autobot Roadburn]

Are there any Perfect Effect parts announced for Bruticus? It seems like they only have black and purple (I think purple, I'm colorblind). Those cover Superion, Defensor and Menasor, but I'd like silver ones for Bruticus. I could live with black but I feel like they wouldn't look as good.

[Autobot N]

Are there any Perfect Effect parts announced for Bruticus? It seems like they only have black and purple (I think purple, I'm colorblind). Those cover Superion, Defensor and Menasor, but I'd like silver ones for Bruticus. I could live with black but I feel like they wouldn't look as good.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

[Autobot Roadburn]

Are there any Perfect Effect parts announced for Bruticus? It seems like they only have black and purple (I think purple, I'm colorblind). Those cover Superion, Defensor and Menasor, but I'd like silver ones for Bruticus. I could live with black but I feel like they wouldn't look as good.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Yup, found those the second I bothered to check. Thanks and sorry!

[alex1986lunatic]

Check these pictures out! I really dig Rook's configuration! Is it a mod or can you simply move the arms around like this and compress the front section down to make him a bit slimmer?