The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

As for Wheeljack, Smokescreen and Hound, would you recommend waiting for the new versions or do you think think preexisting versions are better?

I think the upcoming ones look perfectly serviceable. Also, I never liked how wide that Generations Wheeljack was.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

As for Wheeljack, Smokescreen and Hound, would you recommend waiting for the new versions or do you think think preexisting versions are better?

For Wheeljack and Hound, don't wait and get the pre-existing versions, they are leagues better (though a case can be made for Hound). Smokescreen and co though, even though I like the Universe mold a lot, do be aware that some figures have problems: Prowl has sticky paint on the clear plastic pieces (probably worsened by high temperatures), and Smokescreen's US deco is... less than stellar, to the point his deco artist is disappointed with the result. Also, the doors on the mold itself has clearance issues.

[Cobotron]

The Classics Hound and RTS (or HFTD?) Wheeljack are awesome toys and cool representations of those characters, but Smokescreen, hmmmmm? Again, the Datsuns are my fav of all, but I think I like the CW Prowl just a little more than the Classics.

But, the best Datspns are the MPs!
I know you didn't want to hear that.

[joeprime276]

Great thank you! I think that due to mold repetition I'll get Generations Wheeljack and Hound rather than the upcoming ones. However, because I already have the new Prowl (and love him) I think ill get the newest Smokescreen to match him (they are brothers after all). Also, should we expect them to release a Bluestreak with the Dead-End mold?

[Cobotron]

Also, should we expect them to release a Bluestreak with the Dead-End mold?

I $%&@ing HOPE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[nycPrime]

If you want a Beachcomber that has a little more umpf (even if it's totally against his character):


Transformers Energon Beachcomber (Overdrive) Gallery

The classics seekers look real nice, but aren't they prohibitively expensive at this point? For that reason I'm considering the CW leader class version despite the scale issue.

[nycPrime]

Personally I'm still on the fence re: soundwave. Not thrilled with any of the available options, especially given the prices.

[joeprime276]

In total, I spent around $90 to get all three (authentic) classics seekers. Yes, they are quite pricey especially Skywarp. Thunder Cracker usually goes for around $30, Starscream $20-$30, Skywarp $40 and up. Since they are some of my favorite characters I HAD to get them but I can totally understand how those prices may seem unappealing.

[fenrir72]

At the local TRU I found the latest combiner limbs. Sunstreaker, Ironhide and Mitage. No new "white" Optimus or Prowl. If I have any complaints, it's the materials used on the yellow of Sunstreaker.....kind of meh blah dirty yellow. Kind of a slap on the egotist's facade if you ask me.

[Wolfman Jake]

I can understand the temptation to go with CW Prowl for an official "Classics" Prowl, since the Universe 2.0 version has a lot of issues associated with it (Sticky paint on the doors, door wings pop off almost 99% of the time when transforming, awkward feet and balancing issues, etc.). However, I don't much like the paint job of the upcoming "Smokescreen" repaint of CW Prowl, and there is really no guarantee we'll get a Bluestreak in the future either, just like there's no guarantee of a Sideswipe, Ratchet, Hoist, etc. The Henkei version of Smokescreen looks great. You might want to save up for that version. As for Henkei Prowl and Bluestreek: Henkei Prowl is pretty much equivocal to the Universe 2.0 version, save for a differently shaped light bar, chromed spoiler and shoulder cannons, and a deeper red paint used for the Autobot symbol on the car hood. Henkei Bluestreak has brighter red plastic versus the more maroon shade of the Universe 2.0 version. As usual, Hasbro's version has toy-accurate paint detailing where Takara goes for more screen accuracy. The dark central stripe along the top of the car mode is practically black for the Universe 2.0 version, but more of a dark gray for the Henkei version.

[Hellscream9999]

At the local TRU I found the latest combiner limbs. Sunstreaker, Ironhide and Mitage. No new "white" Optimus or Prowl. If I have any complaints, it's the materials used on the yellow of Sunstreaker.....kind of meh blah dirty yellow. Kind of a slap on the egotist's facade if you ask me.

Are you sure it wasn't painted on? That's what yielded that 'fake' look of breakdowns combiner hand. And if you think that's bad, my streetwise's legs and arms are a mix of white and cream in random parts

[that1guysittingthere]

If you want a Beachcomber that has a little more umpf (even if it's totally against his character):


Transformers Energon Beachcomber (Overdrive) Gallery

The classics seekers look real nice, but aren't they prohibitively expensive at this point? For that reason I'm considering the CW leader class version despite the scale issue.

Scale issue? What's scale? Nah but seriously, I think the Seekers being leader class actually works better than turning into tiny F15s. My Universe Sunstreaker towers over the classics deluxe Seekers. When I have my figures in vehicle mode, it's either the Autobot cars are unusually big or the Decepticon jets are actually clones that are exactly like the Seekers in every way...except 1/8th their size.

[that1guysittingthere]

If you want a Beachcomber that has a little more umpf (even if it's totally against his character):


Transformers Energon Beachcomber (Overdrive) Gallery

The classics seekers look real nice, but aren't they prohibitively expensive at this point? For that reason I'm considering the CW leader class version despite the scale issue.

Scale issue? What's scale? Nah but seriously, I think the Seekers being leader class actually works better than turning into tiny F15s. My Universe Sunstreaker towers over the classics deluxe Seekers. When I have my figures in vehicle mode, it's either the Autobot cars are unusually big or the Decepticon jets are actually clones that are exactly like the Seekers in every way...except 1/8th their size.

[william-james88]

As usual, Hasbro's version has toy-accurate paint detailing where Takara goes for more screen accuracy. The dark central stripe along the top of the car mode is practically black for the Universe 2.0 version, but more of a dark gray for the Henkei version.

But was that really the case for most Henkei products? That they were cartoon accurate instaed of toy accurate? Becasue I always thought they weren't with their heavy use of chrome, like on the seekers. And the Takara wheeljack (he's generations, by the way Cobotron, same wave as Warpath) was not show accurate at all. It was a cool (minty fresh) metallic deco but not show accurate.


Also for the universe Datsuns, I really don't like their headsculpts and while I dislike fake parts, I don't feel the hood for chest was achieved with a pleasing aesthetic on the universe mold (especially when you compare it to the MP which was done right, and even the alternators version is better). So for the style alone, I find the CW datsun better looking. I just dont like how CW Smokescreen still has a cop light bar sculpted on him though. And if they make Bluestreak (which I do wish for the fans out there), that retool wars table will have to be updated

[that1guysittingthere]

Was Combiner Wars stated to end next year? We haven't heard much about Titan Wars? Is the wave with Sky Lynx, Wheeljack, Hound, Smokescreen, Trailbreaker going to be the last? I would sure hope to see a Bluestreak someday.

[Wolfman Jake]

But was that really the case for most Henkei products? That they were cartoon accurate instaed of toy accurate? Becasue I always thought they weren't with their heavy use of chrome, like on the seekers. And the Takara wheeljack (he's generations, by the way Cobotron, same wave as Warpath) was not show accurate at all. It was a cool (minty fresh) metallic deco but not show accurate.

Yes, I'd say it was the case for most Henkei releases. No, they weren't perfectly screen accurate, but they obviously tried to be closer than Hasbro, despite the presence of the chromed parts which are more of a G1 toy homage. For instance, the Seekers have pretty much cartoon accurate coloring enhanced with some extra details (just because). If you were to compare Henkei Starscream to Classics Starscream, it's clear which one deviates more from the cartoon character model in some very fundamental ways. Here's a list of Henkei releases that achieved a much better cartoon look than their Hasbro counterparts (I'm not even listing United, Takara Generations, Takara Legends, etc., at this point): Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Mirage, Megatron, Starscream, Astrotrain, Hot Rod, Ramjet, Octane, Ironhide, Cyclonus, Ratchet, Dinobot, Hot Shot, Red Alert, Smokescreen, Brawn, Cosmos, Warpath, Wheelie, Powerglide, Silverbolt, Onslaught, Skywarp, and Thundercracker.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I personally believe the combiner wars Hound will be amazing. i have heard nothing but praise for Rook and this is based on his mold. The current pics make him look amazing too and I think it will be well worth it to wait for him. As for Prowl and others like him: I'm still not happy. the classics sounds like a not very good figure and the combiner wars guys lack the transformation and door wings. i think they are the only ones that bother me with the not usual transformation considering I have considered door wings part of those 3's main attraction. But thats just me

[william-james88]

I personally believe the combiner wars Hound will be amazing. i have heard nothing but praise for Rook and this is based on his mold. The current pics make him look amazing too and I think it will be well worth it to wait for him. As for Prowl and others like him: I'm still not happy. the classics sounds like a not very good figure and the combiner wars guys lack the transformation and door wings. i think they are the only ones that bother me with the not usual transformation considering I have considered door wings part of those 3's main attraction. But thats just me

Well to be fair, there is only so much you can do without just making them the MPs at a non MP scale. I think it comes to the point where if you want the perfect Datsuns, then MP is the way to go. And lucky for us, they are still readily available (2 at least).

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I personally believe the combiner wars Hound will be amazing. i have heard nothing but praise for Rook and this is based on his mold. The current pics make him look amazing too and I think it will be well worth it to wait for him. As for Prowl and others like him: I'm still not happy. the classics sounds like a not very good figure and the combiner wars guys lack the transformation and door wings. i think they are the only ones that bother me with the not usual transformation considering I have considered door wings part of those 3's main attraction. But thats just me

Well to be fair, there is only so much you can do without just making them the MPs at a non MP scale. I think it comes to the point where if you want the perfect Datsuns, then MP is the way to go. And lucky for us, they are still readily available (2 at least).

True, but I am not a masterpiece collector, so others do for me, and I am not too picky. There are many different ways you can recreate the same character and they still look the same. That Hound just stands out so well because he can combine, but it's not really obvious and he honestly looks close to his Jeep G1 Mode. That and that shade of green is just cool, plus the headsculpts have been nailed out of the part recently

[Cobotron]

(he's generations, by the way Cobotron, same wave as Warpath)

Word up!I think I think that because I seem to remember finding him at TJ Max when that was the only place you could find the RTS line. Would that even be chronologically possible?
But it's all a blur. It was a long time ago. I'm old.

Hey D-Max, I think it was Wolfy Jake that pointed out that CW Prowl kinda DOES have door wings. I would have to kinda, sorta agree, And that's coming from a Datson dudes purist.
Maybe me and J are just seeing what we want to see.



Edit: I'm starting to see a hazy image of Wheeljack at Target in my mind.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

(he's generations, by the way Cobotron, same wave as Warpath)

Word up!I think I think that because I seem to remember finding him at TJ Max when that was the only place you could find the RTS line. Would that even be chronologically possible?
But it's all a blur. It was a long time ago. I'm old.

Hey D-Max, I think it was Wolfy Jake that pointed out that CW Prowl kinda DOES have door wings. I would have to kinda, sorta agree, And that's coming from a Datson dudes purist.
Maybe me and J are just seeing what we want to see.

Yeah, I remembered he brought that up haha. While he kinda does, sorta does, it just doesn't do the whole thing for me. You can just call be a door wing purist. I was sad that BH Smokescreen didn't have his wheels end up with his doors on his wings. That was honestly the greatest door-wing design I have ever seen

[Cobotron]

I don't have a Prime Smokescreen. I may have to look into that.

You know who rocks the door wings like an old pro? RID Jazz!

[william-james88]

:shock: I don't have a Prime Smokescreen. I may have to look into that.

You know who rocks the door wings like an old pro? RID Jazz!

Did you know they also used that mold for Prowl? So 2 Datsuns:


Transformers Prime Beast Hunters Prowl Gallery

Fair warning though, it isnt a good mold. It has very loosey goosey thin shoulders and uses a fake chest.

[Cobotron]

I did know he was also Prowl. and with a bot mode that slick, I've been known to over look technical difficulties.

I really like the Eagle dude / crossbow Micron the AM version came with. I don't have any Microns.

Edit: went looking. WAIT! That is a different mold. so the one you showed is BH Prime ya? Is the AM SS a repaint of Knockout?



COMBINERWARS RULES!!!!


Edit Edit:

So 2 Datsuns:

Bluestreak always gets the shaft!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

It wasn't a terrible mold, but its one that could have been better. Like PUTTING WHEELS ON THE DOOR WINGS!! I also like putting the windows up. added a bit more flare to me.

BTW: CW Smokescreen will be a good figure for what he is. that is a good mold