The Energon Pub

[Sowndwave76]

Is it just me or does it feel like CW is ending with a lame fizzle rather than a good bang of an outro?

No, it definitely did, with a bunch of weak-@$$ repaints no less - except that they mostly lacked paint apps, so they were just re_____

Liokaiser doesnt seem to lack paint apps though, he just has the wrong ones

And while the CW line may be fizzling out, the UW line will end on a bang. I am saying it now, when all is said and done UW Computron will be hailed as the best product coming out of Combiner Wars. Thnk about it, it has the best torso, homages a true Scramble City combiner, has a uniform colour scheme (from burgundy to yellow), and mostly made of retools of all different molds.

Yes and yes.
Thank you for putting a positive spin on my negativity!
Which wasn't actually intended as such.
I'll admit my perspective is probably a bit selfish and bratty because I wanted the line to continue with a couple more teams that I don't need to mention for the 19th time.

But I absolutely agree that Computron will be a high-note of an end, and could definitely be the best release of these two lines.
Really nice knowing that within the next month we'll all have UW Computron!!
(and I'll finally have UW Brut!)

[Autobot N]

Found it: (in Spanish) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFrdfGyHQT0

I actually submitted that along with the Soundwave, Ravage, and Laserbeak reviews several weeks ago.

[william-james88]

Found it: (in Spanish) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFrdfGyHQT0

I actually submitted that along with the Soundwave, Ravage, and Laserbeak reviews several weeks ago.

Yeah we saw that. Since its a bunch of repaints and retools, a video like that doesnt present much new in terms of transformation which is the only thing that pics cant show fully and that fans could get from a fireign language video. So we'll wait for an english one so the description of the toys can be further understood or simply stick with the Seibertron galleries.

[Sigma Magnus]

So, my final thoughts on this toyline...it may not have been the best attempt at gestalts...
...well, technically it's the best official attempt so far...
...it was still a very fun set of toys. Sure, it got a little repetitive towards the end, but it still offered a lot of fun and playability. And honestly, that's all I want from (non-Masterpiece) official TFs. If I want extremely high quality and complexity, I go for Masterpiece or third-party stuff. I liked Combiner Wars because it was fun...and Titans Return is looking to be even more fun. I cannot wait to have a shelf full of them.

[albnok]

Don't know if anybody has posted anything like this, but...

[Jinnai]

Love the G2 Bruticus gang there

Does anyone know where is now the best place to pick up the Unite Warriors Bruticus set. I got him a few weeks back and sadly had to send him back as Onslaught's left leg was a mess. He couldn't stand resulting in Bruticus not standing which was a QC issue with some of them. The retailer had completely sold out and were't getting anymore in so refunded me.

I passed on the Hasbro release as was waiting for the Takara release, but are now debating weather to pick the team Hasbro one up and then get the upcoming Dreamwave upgrade kit or just try and find the Takara set again and hope the Onslaught doesn't have the same QC Issues?

Any advice guys?

[william-james88]

Love the G2 Bruticus gang there

Does anyone know where is now the best place to pick up the Unite Warriors Bruticus set. I got him a few weeks back and sadly had to send him back as Onslaught's left leg was a mess. He couldn't stand resulting in Bruticus not standing which was a QC issue with some of them. The retailer had completely sold out and were't getting anymore in so refunded me.

I passed on the Hasbro release as was waiting for the Takara release, but are now debating weather to pick the team Hasbro one up and then get the upcoming Dreamwave upgrade kit or just try and find the Takara set again and hope the Onslaught doesn't have the same QC Issues?

Any advice guys?

Takara's is still available in tons of places.

Here they are in order of price:

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/15 ... ticus.html

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail ... agecnt%3D1

http://www.agesthreeandup.com/transform ... -bruticus/

[Counterpunch]

Question for you all:

How many have left their combiners completely stock, without upgrades to the hands and feet?

What about Reprolabels?

My initial (strong) disappointment with the combiners was resolved by all the various kits and sticker sets. You can get some really nice looks on these combiners with a bit of work.

[Sabrblade]

Question for you all:

How many have left their combiners completely stock, without upgrades to the hands and feet?

What about Reprolabels?

My initial (strong) disappointment with the combiners was resolved by all the various kits and sticker sets. You can get some really nice looks on these combiners with a bit of work.

I have UW Superion and Menasor with no external upgrades.

[william-james88]

Question for you all:

How many have left their combiners completely stock, without upgrades to the hands and feet?

What about Reprolabels?

My initial (strong) disappointment with the combiners was resolved by all the various kits and sticker sets. You can get some really nice looks on these combiners with a bit of work.

I kept all my Combiners like they were when I first got them. No upgrades, no stickers. Although, I did get the takara version for a few (Devastator, Superion, Computron) and each of the Hasbro ones have all the right members.

[Kurona]

Yeah, looking at pictures of Combiners with PE feet just improves them so much, especially the likes of Bruticus. It's not just due to the corrected proportions either; the added height really goes a long way in making them better.
Superion seems to be the only one who doesn't really need them. His thigs and legs are so thin and athletic and stuff that the tiny HFG feet actually work in proportion for him.
Only thing that lets me down about the PE Hands/Feet and other third party kits is that they don't have the weapons the HFGs do. I'd love Bruticus' feet to still be cannons and his hands to still have knuckle dusters and rocket launchers, all Predaking-style.

[Insurgent]

I have unite Devastator unmodded.


Everyone else has the nonnef feet, and hands when they come in stock.

And my Defensor also has reprolables. It's not that I thought they were bad, it just gives them that little extra pop.

[Kurona]

Personally I never really got the appeal in Devastator upgrade kits; at least the extent they go. There's only three things that really matter:-

-A cab shoe for Mixmaster, but not the most necessary thing in the world
-Elbows for the Constructicons which the Takara version has anyway
-Prowlastator. Which no-one has done right so far because they've only done a head; you need a Hook leg and a Prowl upper torso to actually pull a Prowlastator off.

[Counterpunch]

Are ya'll opposed to the upgrades because they're unofficial?

I think they really fix the proportions of the combiner figures, especially with consideration to the feet. I actually think the various unofficial hands are inferior to the Hasbro hand configurations, but the feet imo are necessary to get a properly proportioned figure.

As for the stickers, the Reprolabel upgrades are cheap and make huge differences.

wj1.jpg (58.79 KiB) Viewed 4432 times

wj2.jpg (29.51 KiB) Viewed 4432 times

[o.supreme]

I agree many of the 3rd party upgrades do make the toys look better. I guess I'm just one for leaving things as they were made. . But for those that choose to purchase them, more power to you.

[william-james88]

Are ya'll opposed to the upgrades because they're unofficial?

I think they really fix the proportions of the combiner figures, especially with consideration to the feet. I actually think the various unofficial hands are inferior to the Hasbro hand configurations, but the feet imo are necessary to get a properly proportioned figure.

As for the stickers, the Reprolabel upgrades are cheap and make huge differences.

They do make a nice difference, but they dont fix the mold or anything. To me, it's lipstick on a pig and I would rather just not buy that wheeljack. I am already stuck with that mold again for Takara's Computron.

And its not because they are unofficial that I didnt buy any, I think Reprolabels does a fine job and I am one of those in the camp that believes they are doing a great service to the community by giving us G1 sticker reproductions for restauration purposes.

The main reason I dont buy upgrade kits is because I dont like the idea of paying more for making my toy acceptable. Its like those upgrade kits that become a shell over your toy, almost replacing it entirely, I dont see the point. Just buy a new toy instead of trying to fix the one they give you. I am an all or nothing kind of guy. If I have to spend a bunch of money making the toys look better, then I would rather just not buy the toys.

Same with reprolabels. The reprolabels for CW Ultra Magnus is pretty much just a replacement of the paint apps you get on the takara one. So I would rather just own the takara one if I wanted to have that extra deco.

That said, its not set in stone, I will buy some reprolabels for fun when they look interesting (and thats aside from using them to restore G1 toys) but in general I really dont like the idea of having to spend more to ameliorate a toy myself.

[Evil Eye]

Well I came up with a headcanon/customization plan I'm going with if I ever get CW Liokaiser (which I probably won't TBH).

Simply put, the CW "Liokaiser" is actually a rag-tag group of random Decepticons who happen to look a little bit like Liokaiser- the original Liokaiser (and Deszaras) went MIA long ago. When the Decepticon war effort started to go a bit down south, with the re-activation of Defensor (read: I bought Maketoys Guardia), Megatron being rebuilt (I'm customizing a Megatron from Universe Dropshot) and Gigatron being worn-out and in need of a spark transplant (my childhood RID Megatron/Gigatron toy is absolutely knackered and I need to buy a replacement), Megazarak (Armada Megatron) commissioned the creation of a facsimile of Liokaiser from some 'cons that happened to look similar to the Breastforce, intending to trick the Autobots into thinking that Liokaiser had returned from the annals of history and thus sow absolute despair in their ranks. Of course, he's NOT Liokaiser (the combined form, whilst "officially" being called Liokaiser, does not have a name) and is vastly inferior (not to mention smaller) when compared to the real deal.

The members of Lie-okaiser include:

Demolisher (customized from Killbison), artillery/anti-aircraft expert and Megazarak's right-hand man. Intensely loyal to the Decepticon cause but not an especially violent type.
Undermine (customized from Drillhorn), sapper/engineer. A nasty piece of work whose love of "practical jokes" unnerves even his fellow Decepticons.
Toxin Storm (customized from Guyhawk), former Rainmaker. Cowardly, gutless wimp who has to fly very high when dispensing his poison rainclouds so he can't see the hideous results of his handiwork, lest he faint in mid-air.
Dirge (customized from Hellbat), who is...well, Dirge. So a mopey, emo type that nobody much likes.
Ravenus (straight-up repurposed from Deszaras), a savage and wanton Decepticon who is barely above the level of a beast. Unfortunately he's also very smart.
Cro (repurposed from Ion Scythe) who is essentially the team mascot/targetmaster. Cro want a cracker?

[Agamemnon]

Are ya'll opposed to the upgrades because they're unofficial?

I think they really fix the proportions of the combiner figures, especially with consideration to the feet. I actually think the various unofficial hands are inferior to the Hasbro hand configurations, but the feet imo are necessary to get a properly proportioned figure.

As for the stickers, the Reprolabel upgrades are cheap and make huge differences.

They do make a nice difference, but they dont fix the mold or anything. To me, it's lipstick on a pig and I would rather just not buy that wheeljack. I am already stuck with that mold again for Takara's Computron.

And its not because they are unofficial that I didnt buy any, I think Reprolabels does a fine job and I am one of those in the camp that believes they are doing a great service to the community by giving us G1 sticker reproductions for restauration purposes.

The main reason I dont buy upgrade kits is because I dont like the idea of paying more for making my toy acceptable. Its like those upgrade kits that become a shell over your toy, almost replacing it entirely, I dont see the point. Just buy a new toy instead of trying to fix the one they give you. I am an all or nothing kind of guy. If I have to spend a bunch of money making the toys look better, then I would rather just not buy the toys.

Same with reprolabels. The reprolabels for CW Ultra Magnus is pretty much just a replacement of the paint apps you get on the takara one. So I would rather just own the takara one if I wanted to have that extra deco.

That said, its not set in stone, I will buy some reprolabels for fun when they look interesting (and thats aside from using them to restore G1 toys) but in general I really dont like the idea of having to spend more to ameliorate a toy myself.

See, I take a slightly different approach to the add-ons. I realize that these are toys intended for children, and if I was actually 8 (instead of just being 8 in maturity) then the stock toys would be great! (Indeed, my son loves CW!) But, I would make changes to your quote above:

The main reason I dont buy upgrade kits is because I dont like the idea of paying more for making my toy acceptable awesome. Its like those upgrade kits that become a shell over your toy, almost replacing it entirely, adding new levels of playability by providing auxiliary weapons when not in combined mode, I dont see the point. Just buy a new toy instead of trying to fix the one they give you. I am an all or nothing kind of guy. If I have to spend a bunch of money making the toys look better, then I would rather just not buy the toys.

I get what you feel, WJ88. It's just a matter of opinion on what can take a very good toy and make it that much better. I tried to like Victorion's hands and feet, but when she kept tipping over, I ordered a set of PE Bruticus (metallics match reasonably well) to get her to stand well when I am not fiddling with her. To me, the add-ons, even at the price, were worth it.

Of course, this could just be the ramblings of an 8 year old with a middle-aged-man's disposable income...

[Insurgent]

Personally, I'm not against add ons. I'll happily get them, if I think they add enough to the toy to warrant the purchase. For example, Beast Hunters Prime is swinging the Dr Wu Starsaber sword. When Classics Prime isn't.Instead of that cheap and strange looking green one he comes with.

And the Dark Star Saber (I still want to just call it the Vorpal saber) is being swapped between Prime Megatron and Maniaking. I don't have a problem with the stock hands and feet for CW, and that's why I'm not getting the PE ones. I don't feel they add enough for the price. But the nonnef ones are much cheaper, and I feel are better proportioned. And ankle tilts add a ton for a combiner's posing.


Mind you, I also have quite a few custom painted figues, so I'm clearly not against modding the figures.

[Bumblebee21]

Computron in hand pics
http://blacklai1979.blogspot.tw/2016/07 ... t.html?m=1

[william-james88]

Fellow Seibertronian Bumblebee21 has pointed us to a blog post with a slew of Transformers Combiner Wars Computron images. You can find many below and even more here. We have included more of Strafe than the others since he is the only toy with exclusive Hasbro retooling. Takara's is a totally different mold. Also of note is that the hands can be stored under the feet and that the feet have ankle tilt. The hands don't seem to have any articulation though. You will also see how everything can be stored and plugged onto Afterburber.

Let us know which version of Computron you will be getting, if any at all.

[Kurona]

Nggghhh... when I look at Scrounge, Afterburner, Strafe and the new Hands and Feet I REALLY want to like this set, and I could tolerate Streetwise Lightspeed and Brawl with a drill Nosecone; but that torso just brings the whole thing down

[william-james88]

Nggghhh... when I look at Scrounge, Afterburner, Strafe and the new Hands and Feet I REALLY want to like this set, and I could tolerate Streetwise Lightsteed and Brawl with a drill Nosecone; but that torso just brings the whole thing down

Fixed that for you

[Bumblebee21]

Nggghhh... when I look at Scrounge, Afterbreaker, Strafe and the new Hands and Feet I REALLY want to like this set, and I could tolerate Streetwise Lightsteed and Brawl with a drill Nosecone; but that torso just brings the whole thing down

Fixed that for you

fixed it again

[mblase75]

I'd buy this set only if Takara weren't making one that actually looks like the cartoon. By comparison, Hasbro's set just looks like the cheap repainted kludgebot it is, and I honestly can't see myself buying one.

That said, I like the idea of putting the gestalt handfoots on Afterwhatever's motorcycle mode.