The Energon Pub

[Hellscream9999]

Because the torso is the main tease I'd wager, unless of course they're pulling a fake out and next April fools reveal the true techno bots....yeah its a long shot isn't it

Well it took optimus 4 waves to get 'his' limbs, so it is possible, plus isn't this not actually scattershot?
I was a little confused but some of the better informed users have said that this isn't... something to do with computron, so I don't know (please help )

Firstly, the wave 4 autobot limbs were not made for the first wave Prime torso. That first wave red torso was always advertized as Ultra Prime and on every advertising he has the wave 1 limbs. He was made to simply be a prime torso that connects to everyone (like Galvatronus).

The wave 4 autobots are to be combined specifically to make Optimus Maximus. That has been all over the artwork from way back. Sure it's scramble city so they can go wherever you like but I just wanted to make it clear that the wave 4 autobot are not advertized to be Optimus' limbs.

Notice how you have 2 Optimus combiners but only one uses the wave 4 stuff and it's the white one.

Now to answer your other question. It was said in the panel (supposedly) that Betatron was meant to represent the Prototype version of another combiner. What that MIGHT mean is that the Scattershot they give us is not the actual Scattershot that combines to make Computron (which would explain why he doesnt have the right deco for his combiner head). Instead, he is just a torso meant to combine with other figures. Hopefully that means that he will get a redeco and be part of a later line with his own technobots. That is how I saw it but I admit it is confusing and giving me hope for probably nothing.

Alright, but as they are both optimus ( ), literally the same character with two different paint jobs ( ) it kinda doesn't matter, but I get your point. I was under the impression they were meant for either o/p and the second was for those who missed on the first...

On another note, thank for clearing that betatron issue up for me, I was pretty sure it was something like that; maybe scattershots brother or something.

[YoungPrime]

This is no surprise.

Look at G.I.Joe! Scores and scores of repaints based off of one mold that's been skimmed down in resent years. So these combiners are no sweat since their logic is "Well, they asked for'em!

F.Y.I. looking at the torso of that Skylynx combiner mode its safe to say that the repaint will be Hun-Gar. Instead of wings they'll remold it so that its a two headed Dragon. Provided they're not as lazy with it as they're being with Scattershot.

They might also get a cheap Deathsaurus out of that Skylynx mold to since there's clearly no shame in exploiting this renewed combiner goldmine.

H3ll, that head in combiner mold could also be remolded into Trypticon's if they thought they could get away with it.

[Burn]

So these combiners are no sweat since their logic is "Well, they asked for'em!"

There's giving fans what they want (which to me, CW appears geared towards collectors as much as kids) and then there's giving fans what they want but then going overboard out of spite.

That's how I felt about Titaniums, for years we were begging for die-cast metal to return, so it did, to the extreme and the figures were hit and miss. People don't seem to be crying out for die-cast metal any more ...

[peaces]

i like white prime. he looks like ultra magnus to me. his torso mode looks a lot better than prime's. and compared to victorion and betatron, he is awesome.

[Zeedust]

You know what?

With the Sky Lynx mold being what it is, and how difficult it would be to use it as another character (Not that it's ever stopped Hasbro before), it wouldn't surprise me to see Takara do an extensive retool to actually make a Giant Purple Griffon. They seem to do it often enough with molds that don't get a lot of use.

Imagine if it's combiner head was Megatron!

It might (MAYBE) also work as a G1-ized Underbite. But the odds of them even thinking that are astoundingly small.

[william-james88]

So I just got Hotspot to complete Defensor (or at least complete him enough to my liking).

I am sad to say but he is my least favourite torso and my least favourite combiner.

Look at how much more majestic the others are, he looks really unimposing and stocky compared to the rest and he is harder to pose due to his short stance and those rising chest decorations. I didnt notice until now ow smart it was to leave the area connecting the shoulder to the neck clear for the arms to be as free to move as possible.










And the Hotspot toy itself leaves a lot to be desired. The plastic itself feels flimsier and cheaper than the others, especially with everything regarding the ladder area. His robot mode chest piece comes off very easily too. My biggest gripe though is the alt mode, I don't find it very accomplished or nice. Motormaster has a stellar vehicle mode while superion is fun for it being basically G1 all over again. But Hotspot's feels weak. It is far too long and full of gaps (unlike his G1 toy which was a neat little fire engine). He has a gap along the middle of the front cab, which leads to a very thin and hollow middle area and then a visible head (you cant turn t around or else the flap wont close). It feels stretched out and does not work as a fire engine at all. It will work wonders as a military vehicle though as it is dead on for G1 Onslaught, with how flat it is. Oh and those tires just come right off, that suck hard! He also has the worst combiner weapon compared to the other 2.

While Superion is the best looking combined form, I think Menasor is my favourite combiner simply because of how well all the very diverse elements all come together. And he is more fun to play with and transform from combiner to robot to alt modes due to variety. Also, his combiner head is more articulated than all the other combiners who are stuck only going side to side.

One thing about Hotspot though, I LOVE everything to do with his arms. The articulation is great and I love the sculpt.

[Sowndwave76]

F.Y.I. looking at the torso of that Skylynx combiner mode its safe to say that the repaint will be Hun-Gar. Instead of wings they'll remold it so that its a two headed Dragon. Provided they're not as lazy with it as they're being with Scattershot.

Love this idea, and I'm a little surprised it hadn't been mentioned yet...
Obviously a lot of re-tooling would need to happen, but it is a feasible theory.
And I'll add to it--

As I posted before, in the near future (even two years from now),
A lot of characters we're seeing in CW most likely won't get another run...
I know it's possible. Just not likely.
Some people here in the forums agree Hasbro probably won't do another line based solely on combiners, even with the option of making extra voyager torso figures to add variety.
So there's a good chance that a future line (after 2016) won't be heavily G1 inspired/based... And at the same time, it's fair to say a future line won't ever be based on a branch of TF that is really obscure...

I think there's a decent chance we could see another "Generations" themed line (obviously re-named),
where (of course) many molds we've seen in the last year, molds we're getting now, and what we'll see in 2016 could be included.
CW, AoE, RiD, etc.
A mix of slightly older molds (slightly re-tooled) into other characters would help pave the way for new molds of animal/beast characters. And other characters who are due for an update in general.

Abominus is released as a set... Predaking is the new Titan combiner... Those could be the only two combiners released. And after that, since we've had CW, to add to the G1 side of the line, CW Sunstreaker is re-tooled to Sideswipe. CW Ironhide becomes Racthet.
Like I mentioned before, adding some new options to what already exists in CW would be a smart move.
Potentially there's a CW Leader class Skywarp.
A new Leader class figure could be BW Megatron.
I would hope by then, maybe a few Dinobots get a little love at the voyager scale...
But in general, there's a mix of vehicle and animal/beast alt modes in the mix.
Now I don't know the AoE or RiD lines very well, but surely with some re-tooling these (relatively) recent molds could be used to release different characters.

I think this creates the greatest good for the greatest number.
I won't ever buy a BW figure... But I also think it's past time for some of those characters to get really solid updated figures.
This new "Generations" line obv. wouldn't be solely based on BW, but it would get a few new figures out from BW out there for those wanting them.

Another "mixed" line would add variety of the TF realm being covered, add some animal/beast character options, be financially do-able for Hasbro, and would allow for NEW figures.

End rant.

[william-james88]

F.Y.I. looking at the torso of that Skylynx combiner mode its safe to say that the repaint will be Hun-Gar. Instead of wings they'll remold it so that its a two headed Dragon. Provided they're not as lazy with it as they're being with Scattershot.

Love this idea, and I'm a little surprised it hadn't been mentioned yet...
Obviously a lot of re-tooling would need to happen, but it is a feasible theory.

It was mentionned many times before on this thread. More so when we first got the images. But I dont think it will happen for 2 reasons.

1. Hasbro just said they are not working on any beast combiners

2. People are forgetting how Hung Gar works as a transformer. The two Dragon heads are his feet. With the skylynx mold, all limbs tuck away underneath. And Skylynx's robot mode is not humanoid at all. So I do not see how they can fashion Hun Gar out of that mold.

[Sowndwave76]

Thanks for sharing William-James88!

I'm a little bummed to hear that Hotspot is a letdown. I have him and First Aid because I dig their bot modes.
Not gonna lie, you're confirming what I thought about Defensor though, which is why those are the only two Protectobots I think I'll be getting.

And nice to hear about the other two as well.
I may leave my Hasbro Stunticons MISP, and open my TT set when it arrives.
And this weekend I will probably order TT Superion.

Sorry Defensor isn't all that great for you... Hopefully Bruticus will make up for it!!

[Hellscream9999]

So I just got Hotspot to complete Defensor (or at least complete him enough to my liking).

I am sad to say but he is my least favourite torso and my least favourite combiner.

Look at how much more majestic the others are, he looks really unimposing and stocky compared to the rest and he is harder to pose due to his short stance and those rising chest decorations. I didnt notice until now ow smart it was to leave the area connecting the shoulder to the neck clear for the arms to be as free to move as possible.

And the Hotspot toy itself leaves a lot to be desired. The plastic itself feels flimsier and cheaper than the others, especially with everything regarding the ladder area. His robot mode chest piece comes off very easily too. My biggest gripe though is the alt mode, I don't find it very accomplished or nice. Motormaster has a stellar vehicle mode while superion is fun for it being basically G1 all over again. But Hotspot's feels weak. It is far too long and full of gaps (unlike his G1 toy which was a neat little fire engine). He has a gap along the middle of the front cab, which leads to a very thin and hollow middle area and then a visible head (you cant turn t around or else the flap wont close). It feels stretched out and does not work as a fire engine at all. It will work wonders as a military vehicle though as it is dead on for G1 Onslaught, with how flat it is. Oh and those tires just come right off, that suck hard! He also has the worst combiner weapon compared to the other 2.

While Superion is the best looking combined form, I think Menasor is my favourite combiner simply because of how well all the very diverse elements all come together. And he is more fun to play with and transform from combiner to robot to alt modes due to variety. Also, his combiner head is more articulated than all the other combiners who are stuck only going side to side.

One thing about Hotspot though, I LOVE everything to do with his arms. The articulation is great and I love the sculpt.

I admit the ladder assembly feels squishy, perhaps making it more rigid, would have lead to fracturing along some of the very thin areas of the ladder.

As for myself, he may have my FAVORITE vehicle mode of the line. It scratches all the 'big truck' nostalgia I had as a kid - if it was a machine/vehicle, I was into it, be it construction, military, or utility. So to see a merger of the fabled airport firetruck - not something I ever saw in real life - with the articulated ladder arm, is one of the best things ever.

And while it is gap-py and (regrettably) squishy, I believe, the general idea was to alleviate as much weight as possible, so as to not have another 'menasor-mess' on their hands. Where the torso is very dense, and the limbs are dense, and thus lead to too much weight and a lack of play value, as the combined mode could not stand or play under it's own weight.

It also uses the same style of snap-on wheels as every other car-former, save dragstrip. But I definitely agree on the shoulder area, and think that this is where the silverbolt mode REALLY shines through, the freedom of any and all limb-bots to combine and move freely is being really undervalued. I ran into this problem on menasor and defensor, you have to combine the limbs very specifically based on how you want him to be posed, which is unfortunate. Even more unfortunately Bruticus is going to be the same size as defensor, short and squat, not nearly as imposing as he actually is

[Sowndwave76]

F.Y.I. looking at the torso of that Skylynx combiner mode its safe to say that the repaint will be Hun-Gar. Instead of wings they'll remold it so that its a two headed Dragon. Provided they're not as lazy with it as they're being with Scattershot.

Love this idea, and I'm a little surprised it hadn't been mentioned yet...
Obviously a lot of re-tooling would need to happen, but it is a feasible theory.

It was mentionned many times before on this thread. More so when we first got the images. But I dont think it will happen for 2 reasons.

1. Hasbro just said they are not working on any beast combiners

2. People are forgetting how Hung Gar works as a transformer. The two Dragon heads are his feet. With the skylynx mold, all limbs tuck away underneath. And Skylynx's robot mode is not humanoid at all. So I do not see how they can fashion Hun Gar out of that mold.

Fair enough.
That transformation issue is a pretty big problem for a Hun-Gar figure.
But I think a lot of people are forgetting about how much things can change in a year.
Not saying announced releases for 2016 will change at all...
However, in the next year, Hasbro will be working on new stuff.

[Hellscream9999]

Hopefully Bruticus will make up for it!!

Technically, when properly transformed (with the shoulder wheels facing up) he will be EVEN MORE RESTRICTED than defensor and menasor combined. That plus the chest armor getting in the way pretty much guarantees it that nobody other than a select few limb-bots (including all aerialbots due the clearance near the port) will be able to move in a wide range of motion sorry...

[Hellscream9999]

Anyone notice how swindle and hounds chests are molded to look like the front of their jeep mode?

[william-james88]

Thanks for sharing William-James88!

I'm a little bummed to hear that Hotspot is a letdown. I have him and First Aid because I dig their bot modes.
Not gonna lie, you're confirming what I thought about Defensor though, which is why those are the only two Protectobots I think I'll be getting.

And nice to hear about the other two as well.
I may leave my Hasbro Stunticons MISP, and open my TT set when it arrives.
And this weekend I will probably order TT Superion.

Sorry Defensor isn't all that great for you... Hopefully Bruticus will make up for it!!

Thanks man! I hope it too although as Hellscream marked below, Bruticus wont be as imposing as he can be due to his stature. But the vehicle mode will work really well though

And you will love that TT Superion!!!

It also uses the same style of snap-on wheels as every other car-former, save dragstrip. But I definitely agree on the shoulder area, and think that this is where the silverbolt mode REALLY shines through, the freedom of any and all limb-bots to combine and move freely is being really undervalued. I ran into this problem on menasor and defensor, you have to combine the limbs very specifically based on how you want him to be posed, which is unfortunate. Even more unfortunately Bruticus is going to be the same size as defensor, short and squat, not nearly as imposing as he actually is

I am super glad you like Hotspot, all Transformers deserve some love (except for animated voyager megatron). And I like your argument for his vehicle mode though I am sure I will share in it more with onslaught. And yeah, they all use snap on wheels but none of them ever came off for me (to the point where I thought it was one of Hasbro's smartest strategies to cut costs). But Hotspot's come off all the time. And I totally agree with everything else you have written. Maybe it isnt obvious at first, but its by comparing and contrasting that we see how so much was done well with Superion. And yeah, as I wrote above, I am not looking forward to an unimposing Bruticus.

[Hellscream9999]

Thanks man! I hope it too although as Hellscream marked below, Bruticus wont be as imposing as he can be due to his stature. But the vehicle mode will work really well though

And you will love that TT Superion!!!

It also uses the same style of snap-on wheels as every other car-former, save dragstrip. But I definitely agree on the shoulder area, and think that this is where the silverbolt mode REALLY shines through, the freedom of any and all limb-bots to combine and move freely is being really undervalued. I ran into this problem on menasor and defensor, you have to combine the limbs very specifically based on how you want him to be posed, which is unfortunate. Even more unfortunately Bruticus is going to be the same size as defensor, short and squat, not nearly as imposing as he actually is

I am super glad you like Hotspot, all Transformers deserve some love (except for animated voyager megatron). And I like your argument for his vehicle mode though I am sure I will share in it more with onslaught. And yeah, they all use snap on wheels but none of them ever came off for me (to the point where I thought it was one of Hasbro's smartest strategies to cut costs). But Hotspot's come off all the time. And I totally agree with everything else you have written. Maybe it isnt obvious at first, but its by comparing and contrasting that we see how so much was done well with Superion. And yeah, as I wrote above, I am not looking forward to an unimposing Bruticus.

I was honestly really depressed when I saw that onslaught wasn't going to look like some mythical militarized airport firetruck; it still looks awesome but all the same...

Well to be fair there are a substantial number of screws behind the wheels, and they are actually two different widths depending on where they are at. But mine don't snap off unless I do it myself (but it makes painting them super easy )

As I have said before, silverbolts torso is far and away the best on the overhaul, and I will try and buy any number of reuses of it. I gave cyclonus my stunticons, and if we get two scattershots, I guess I can give the first betatron the protectobots...

AS for animated voyager megs, he was the first animated figure I got; have sold him since, and he can't hold a candle to lockdown (but who can) but he was a nice figure and a good megs; the only problem was the cannon was way too heavy.

[Hellscream9999]

And is it just me, or is streetwise's car mode really, really sexy?

[william-james88]

And is it just me, or is streetwise's car mode really, really sexy?

Right there with you. t is by far my favourite car former of the entire CW line.

[Hellscream9999]

And is it just me, or is streetwise's car mode really, really sexy?

Right there with you. t is by far my favourite car former of the entire CW line.

And need I say it?




Triple-barrel shotgun

[ClearlySane88]

So I just got Hotspot to complete Defensor (or at least complete him enough to my liking).

I am sad to say but he is my least favourite torso and my least favourite combiner.

Look at how much more majestic the others are, he looks really unimposing and stocky compared to the rest and he is harder to pose due to his short stance and those rising chest decorations. I didnt notice until now ow smart it was to leave the area connecting the shoulder to the neck clear for the arms to be as free to move as possible.

And the Hotspot toy itself leaves a lot to be desired. The plastic itself feels flimsier and cheaper than the others, especially with everything regarding the ladder area. His robot mode chest piece comes off very easily too. My biggest gripe though is the alt mode, I don't find it very accomplished or nice. Motormaster has a stellar vehicle mode while superion is fun for it being basically G1 all over again. But Hotspot's feels weak. It is far too long and full of gaps (unlike his G1 toy which was a neat little fire engine). He has a gap along the middle of the front cab, which leads to a very thin and hollow middle area and then a visible head (you cant turn t around or else the flap wont close). It feels stretched out and does not work as a fire engine at all. It will work wonders as a military vehicle though as it is dead on for G1 Onslaught, with how flat it is. Oh and those tires just come right off, that suck hard! He also has the worst combiner weapon compared to the other 2.

While Superion is the best looking combined form, I think Menasor is my favourite combiner simply because of how well all the very diverse elements all come together. And he is more fun to play with and transform from combiner to robot to alt modes due to variety. Also, his combiner head is more articulated than all the other combiners who are stuck only going side to side.

One thing about Hotspot though, I LOVE everything to do with his arms. The articulation is great and I love the sculpt.

Huh, strange. I think Hotspot might be my favorite mold out of the whole line so far. I find him extremely pose able in Robot mode and, like Hellscream mentioned, the vehicle mode looks great as an airport style firetruck. Defensor felt pretty solid to me and while I couldn't pose him very well, I was chalking that up to my normal incompetence when it comes to posing. The plastic did feel a little hollow to me in some places, but not enough to really bother me.

[Zeedust]

F.Y.I. looking at the torso of that Skylynx combiner mode its safe to say that the repaint will be Hun-Gar. Instead of wings they'll remold it so that its a two headed Dragon. Provided they're not as lazy with it as they're being with Scattershot.

Love this idea, and I'm a little surprised it hadn't been mentioned yet...
Obviously a lot of re-tooling would need to happen, but it is a feasible theory.
And I'll add to it--

As I posted before, in the near future (even two years from now),
A lot of characters we're seeing in CW most likely won't get another run...
I know it's possible. Just not likely.
Some people here in the forums agree Hasbro probably won't do another line based solely on combiners, even with the option of making extra voyager torso figures to add variety.
So there's a good chance that a future line (after 2016) won't be heavily G1 inspired/based... And at the same time, it's fair to say a future line won't ever be based on a branch of TF that is really obscure...

I think there's a decent chance we could see another "Generations" themed line (obviously re-named),
where (of course) many molds we've seen in the last year, molds we're getting now, and what we'll see in 2016 could be included.
CW, AoE, RiD, etc.
A mix of slightly older molds (slightly re-tooled) into other characters would help pave the way for new molds of animal/beast characters. And other characters who are due for an update in general.

Abominus is released as a set... Predaking is the new Titan combiner... Those could be the only two combiners released. And after that, since we've had CW, to add to the G1 side of the line, CW Sunstreaker is re-tooled to Sideswipe. CW Ironhide becomes Racthet.
Like I mentioned before, adding some new options to what already exists in CW would be a smart move.
Potentially there's a CW Leader class Skywarp.
A new Leader class figure could be BW Megatron.
I would hope by then, maybe a few Dinobots get a little love at the voyager scale...
But in general, there's a mix of vehicle and animal/beast alt modes in the mix.
Now I don't know the AoE or RiD lines very well, but surely with some re-tooling these (relatively) recent molds could be used to release different characters.

I think this creates the greatest good for the greatest number.
I won't ever buy a BW figure... But I also think it's past time for some of those characters to get really solid updated figures.
This new "Generations" line obv. wouldn't be solely based on BW, but it would get a few new figures out from BW out there for those wanting them.

Another "mixed" line would add variety of the TF realm being covered, add some animal/beast character options, be financially do-able for Hasbro, and would allow for NEW figures.

End rant.

I think rather than starting with Ironhide for Ratchet, they'd use the reshelling they already did on First Air with a new head.

As for a mixed-homages line? I'm skeptical. The idea definitely has merit, but Hasbro doesn't seem to hold non-G1 stuff in particularly high regard (save possibly for the Bayformer crap). (And before you say it, the same goes for TakaraTomy.)

[Syn_13]

Was watching the Transformers Devestation gameplay clips and the more I was watching of Sideswipe in his alt mode, the more I thought that they're definitely going to release him in the Breakdown mould. I can also easily see Ratchet being a First Aid re-tool. They'd barely change anything, maybe just tweak the colours and obviously a new head sculpt.

[dyops]

I just can't understand why Hasbro didn't use the original Autobots who disguised themselves as fake Stunticons in a G1 episode. I would buy them for sure.

Optimus Prime = Motormaster (done)
Mirage = Dragstrip (done)
Windcharger = Wildrider
Jazz = Dead End
Sideswipe = Breakdown

Instead we get Prowl, Smokescreen, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack, Ironhide, Trailbreaker and Hound

Hoping Takara Tomy does this as they try to stay faithful to the G1 look.

[Hellscream9999]

So I've been messing around with the bruticus shoulder combination (where the forearms are above the shoulders) and quickslinger as a stand in for blast off, and unless the arms on blastoff are moved to the side, he cannot even go up by 1 full ratchet!

Blades fared a little better, being able to move outwards by a full ratchet sometimes, but as is rook, and therefore swindle will be the only one (as I have no stand-in for brawl and thus cannot comment on it) that will have an semblance on satisfactory range of lateral movement in the arms

[Hellscream9999]

Was watching the Transformers Devestation gameplay clips and the more I was watching of Sideswipe in his alt mode, the more I thought that they're definitely going to release him in the Breakdown mould. I can also easily see Ratchet being a First Aid re-tool. They'd barely change anything, maybe just tweak the colours and obviously a new head sculpt.

God, I seriously hope we don't have to sit through round #3 of the '84 team; I was sighing enough already when the second round of 'em were revealed at botcon

[william-james88]

SCRAMBLE CITY since 1986: