The Energon Pub

[ZeroWolf]

I've pointed out before though that alpha bravo colours are a lot like slingshots...also with regards to ab sharing a mold with blades and maybe vortex (I would like to see a heavily militarised helicopter for vortex though) how do we know that alpha bravo didn't come first and it was his repaintability that cemented his incursion though I hope hasbro has an easier time creating new team members next time round.

Oh and the subject of hasbroslingshot and wild rider nothing has been said either way since they were found in the listings. So if they weren't just bad info or cancelled, then they'll hit this year as exclusives or they'll hit next year as part of cw second year along with the fan built combiner

[william-james88]

Now, I see a lot of you saying you are going Takara and it's always cheaper to go that route. Now maybe that's true for you Make It Rain Big Ballers but I have to ask, what are you folks paying for shipping. The only reason I don't go Takara is because I'm lucky to have more that about $100 at a time to spend so I'm never in the position to spend enough for most Free shipping with $xxx purchase. The only reason Takara is more expensive is because you have to basically double the price of a figure to have it sent to the US. Then customs can be a jerk and decide to keep it for as long as they want to. That's why Takara toys are so expensive when you buy from US sellers. They had to pay to get it here and you're just having the luxury of know you'll get it within a fairly reasonable amount of time.

I will gladly answer this. But I do want to point out that I didnt say it's ALWAYS cheaper. As a matter of fact its never cheaper than buying locally, but its not much of a difference either. Firstly, I live in canada and automatically, that means ordering from the states or japan will give me the same shipping cost or just about for these kinds of packages (I hate that and it doesnt make any sense). USPS and SAS pricing is pretty much the same. Also, for some reason, customs has been far more keen on intercepting packages from the states and thus they charge me tax (15%).

So lets do a rundown on superion:

Hasbro on BBTS, 4(17.99) + 24.99 + 19.59 (shipping)= 116.54 US$ (146$ cdn)
If you add the very probable tax it will be, 134 US$ which is 168.50 cdn$

Hasbro locally at Walmart in canada, 4(19.99) + 34.99 + 17.24 (local tax)= 132.19$ cdn

Takara on amiami, 11,300 yen + 2,000 yen (shipping estimate) = 13,300 yen which becomes 139.40 cdn$

Buying the takara version on amiami is less than 10$ more than buying the Hasbro version locally at walmart, it also happens to be a waaaay better option for getting a nice accurate Superion without having to settle for an alpha bravo, who's mold I will get if I get defensor.

I hope that answered your question.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I've pointed out before though that alpha bravo colours are a lot like slingshots...also with regards to ab sharing a mold with blades and maybe vortex (I would like to see a heavily militarised helicopter for vortex though) how do we know that alpha bravo didn't come first and it was his repaintability that cemented his incursion though I hope hasbro has an easier time creating new team members next time round.

We may never know. I still hold on to the theory that every mold is designed with at least two characters in mind, and my personal suspicion that Alpha Bravo is a mix of Blades' vehicle mode and Vortex' robot mode.

[Thadicon]

The G1 cartoon tells us fire retárdánt foam is a deadly weapon against Transformers, so Blades using missiles filled with that foam means he can be an effective rescue vehicle AND a psychotic 'Con-killer. Everybody wins! Except the Decepticons. And fires.

I prefer the missiles on Blades. Yeah, there's irony in him being such a psychopath and stuck in a rescue alt mode, but I also think it's in character for him to stick missiles on there anyway.

Oh and if anybody hasn't seen this yet, here's my version of putting Blackjack on Menasor.



No modding required, and it's easy to do. Here's the guide if you want to try it out.
http://mattbooker.info/2015/03/18/better-transformation-combiner-wars-blackjack/

~Matt Booker

I do like this fan mode better than the official mode. I didn't at first but the more I look at it the more appealing it becomes

Thanks. I think it helps fill out the torso more and make it look less squat.

~Matt Booker

Yeah and it kind looks like it merges the front of the car with the crotch plate too as like overlapping armor and makes it more uniform. Oh and as a bonus the Con symbol is up the right way YAY

[LOST Cybertronian]

The G1 cartoon tells us fire retárdánt foam is a deadly weapon against Transformers, so Blades using missiles filled with that foam means he can be an effective rescue vehicle AND a psychotic 'Con-killer. Everybody wins! Except the Decepticons. And fires.

I prefer the missiles on Blades. Yeah, there's irony in him being such a psychopath and stuck in a rescue alt mode, but I also think it's in character for him to stick missiles on there anyway.

Oh and if anybody hasn't seen this yet, here's my version of putting Blackjack on Menasor.



No modding required, and it's easy to do. Here's the guide if you want to try it out.
http://mattbooker.info/2015/03/18/better-transformation-combiner-wars-blackjack/

~Matt Booker

I do like this fan mode better than the official mode. I didn't at first but the more I look at it the more appealing it becomes

Thanks. I think it helps fill out the torso more and make it look less squat.

~Matt Booker

Yeah and it kind looks like it merges the front of the car with the crotch plate too as like overlapping armor and makes it more uniform. Oh and as a bonus the Con symbol is up the right way YAY

If you wanted to still use the purple axe thingy on the chest, you can stick the tabs in between where the top of blackjack's roof splits (where his head is) and it also holds decent.

[Thadicon]

The G1 cartoon tells us fire retárdánt foam is a deadly weapon against Transformers, so Blades using missiles filled with that foam means he can be an effective rescue vehicle AND a psychotic 'Con-killer. Everybody wins! Except the Decepticons. And fires.

I prefer the missiles on Blades. Yeah, there's irony in him being such a psychopath and stuck in a rescue alt mode, but I also think it's in character for him to stick missiles on there anyway.

Oh and if anybody hasn't seen this yet, here's my version of putting Blackjack on Menasor.



No modding required, and it's easy to do. Here's the guide if you want to try it out.
http://mattbooker.info/2015/03/18/better-transformation-combiner-wars-blackjack/

~Matt Booker

I do like this fan mode better than the official mode. I didn't at first but the more I look at it the more appealing it becomes

Thanks. I think it helps fill out the torso more and make it look less squat.

~Matt Booker

Yeah and it kind looks like it merges the front of the car with the crotch plate too as like overlapping armor and makes it more uniform. Oh and as a bonus the Con symbol is up the right way YAY

If you wanted to still use the purple axe thingy on the chest, you can stick the tabs in between where the top of blackjack's roof splits (where his head is) and it also holds decent.

That was the next thing I was going to ask

[Yotsuyasan]

Now, I see a lot of you saying you are going Takara and it's always cheaper to go that route. Now maybe that's true for you Make It Rain Big Ballers but I have to ask, what are you folks paying for shipping.

Well, the Takara version is running about $125.00 at TFSource, my personal retailer of choice. I know you asked about shipping, not the cost of the item itself, but this is how that is relevant: To U.S. addresses (and I see you are in Ohio) TFSource offers free shipping on orders of $150.00 or more. And at $125.00, it is almost there. So I'll just need to find one or two smallish things that cost slightly more than $25.00 all together, and shipping costs will not be an issue for me.

Now, not sure where you got the idea that Takara (discounting shipping) would be cheaper... But based on average U.S. retail prices for four deluxes and a voyager vs. $125.00ish for the Takara version, that is only about five or six more bucks per figure. Getting them all in one go without the hassle of having to hunt them down individually, plus getting Slingshot (Again, sorry, Va'al!) makes that slight difference worth it, at least to me.

[Crosscheck]

I actually like the regular way of putting Blackjack on Menasor. Problem was that the attachment so so loose. So I tightened it up with a little glue, now he fits fine. As for Motormaster's transformation into the torso, I didn't like the original leg transformation since the ratchets made it unstable when standing, but otherwise didn't mind the appearance. Initially, I was just transforming the legs like normal and leaving the flaps unattached (but the flaps still flipped up like normal). That didn't look good since the pins the flaps attach onto were pushing the flaps forward into the groin armor. So now I rotate Motormaster's thighs so the open ratchet area that normally faced down faces forward. This puts the pins on the top of hips rather than facing forward. It makes Menasor a little shorter, but he is a lot more stable this way and less prone to doing the splits.

[chuckdawg1999]

I actually like the regular way of putting Blackjack on Menasor. Problem was that the attachment so so loose. So I tightened it up with a little glue, now he fits fine. As for Motormaster's transformation into the torso, I didn't like the original leg transformation since the ratchets made it unstable when standing, but otherwise didn't mind the appearance. Initially, I was just transforming the legs like normal and leaving the flaps unattached (but the flaps still flipped up like normal). That didn't look good since the pins the flaps attach onto were pushing the flaps forward into the groin armor. So now I rotate Motormaster's thighs so the open ratchet area that normally faced down faces forward. This puts the pins on the top of hips rather than facing forward. It makes Menasor a little shorter, but he is a lot more stable this way and less prone to doing the splits.

Speaking of which has anyone else noticed the forward lean on their Superion getting worse as time goes on? There's wiggle between the ratchet joints of Silverbolt's arms, and while that has always caused Superion to lean forward outside of a neutral pose, today I noticed it leaning a bit more forward than usual.

[Autobot032]

I actually like the regular way of putting Blackjack on Menasor. Problem was that the attachment so so loose. So I tightened it up with a little glue, now he fits fine. As for Motormaster's transformation into the torso, I didn't like the original leg transformation since the ratchets made it unstable when standing, but otherwise didn't mind the appearance. Initially, I was just transforming the legs like normal and leaving the flaps unattached (but the flaps still flipped up like normal). That didn't look good since the pins the flaps attach onto were pushing the flaps forward into the groin armor. So now I rotate Motormaster's thighs so the open ratchet area that normally faced down faces forward. This puts the pins on the top of hips rather than facing forward. It makes Menasor a little shorter, but he is a lot more stable this way and less prone to doing the splits.

Speaking of which has anyone else noticed the forward lean on their Superion getting worse as time goes on? There's wiggle between the ratchet joints of Silverbolt's arms, and while that has always caused Superion to lean forward outside of a neutral pose, today I noticed it leaning a bit more forward than usual.

Mine tends to lean back, actually. Kinda annoying.

[Crosscheck]

I actually like the regular way of putting Blackjack on Menasor. Problem was that the attachment so so loose. So I tightened it up with a little glue, now he fits fine. As for Motormaster's transformation into the torso, I didn't like the original leg transformation since the ratchets made it unstable when standing, but otherwise didn't mind the appearance. Initially, I was just transforming the legs like normal and leaving the flaps unattached (but the flaps still flipped up like normal). That didn't look good since the pins the flaps attach onto were pushing the flaps forward into the groin armor. So now I rotate Motormaster's thighs so the open ratchet area that normally faced down faces forward. This puts the pins on the top of hips rather than facing forward. It makes Menasor a little shorter, but he is a lot more stable this way and less prone to doing the splits.

Speaking of which has anyone else noticed the forward lean on their Superion getting worse as time goes on? There's wiggle between the ratchet joints of Silverbolt's arms, and while that has always caused Superion to lean forward outside of a neutral pose, today I noticed it leaning a bit more forward than usual.

As of right now, the ratchets on my Silverbolt's shoulders are solid as a rock. That probably won't last though.

[Optimizzy]

Quick side thought:

Repaint of Hot Spot as RiD Prime? (Fire Convoy) I'd buy it.

[ZeroWolf]

That would be a club exclusive. Couldn't see them doing it at retail (or at all) Takara on the other hand...

[NuclearConvoy]

Quick side thought:

Repaint of Hot Spot as RiD Prime? (Fire Convoy) I'd buy it.

I would prefer a remold with both Fire Convoy and Super Fire Convoy heads. I'd also ask for chest detail new molding, but that is too much.

[Seibertron]

A very trusted anonymous source just let me know some exciting information about two highly anticipated Combiner Wars figures. Deluxe Class Slingshot and Wildrider are indeed coming down the pipes. Both figures will only be sold in solid cases of 8 through smaller stores (which Hasbro refers to as "emerging channels" or "emerging markets") and will NOT be available in big box stores such as Walmart, Target, and (currently) Toys R Us. Each figure has an MSRP of $17.99.

Slingshot will be sold as Quickslinger and Wildrider will be sold as Brake-Neck. Fans of the Kre-o Transformers line will be quick to notice that both names were used for those characters in the previously released blind-packs recently.

May 22nd is the targeted street date for these items, but that is subject to change.

More information and pictures about Quickslinger and Brake-Neck will be posted right here on Seibertron.com as soon as anything new becomes available.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

A very trusted anonymous source just let me know some exciting information about two highly anticipated Combiner Wars figures. Deluxe Class Slingshot and Wildrider are indeed coming down the pipes. Neither figure will be sold at big box stores apparently and will only be sold in solid cases of 8 through smaller stores (which Hasbro refers to as "emerging channels" or "emerging markets"). Slingshot will be sold as Quickslinger and Wildrider will be sold as Brake-Neck. Fans of the Kre-o Transformers line will be quick to notice that both names were used for those characters in the previously released blind-packs recently. May 22nd is the targeted street date for these items, but that is subject to change. More information and pictures about Quickslinger and Brake-Neck will be posted right here on Seibertron.com as soon as anything new becomes available.

Aw, figures they'd resort to those names, those two have always been problem children when it comes to trademarks. At least they're still coming.

[NuclearConvoy]

A very trusted anonymous source just let me know some exciting information about two highly anticipated Combiner Wars figures. Deluxe Class Slingshot and Wildrider are indeed coming down the pipes. Neither figure will be sold at big box stores apparently and will only be sold in solid cases of 8 through smaller stores (which Hasbro refers to as "emerging channels" or "emerging markets"). Slingshot will be sold as Quickslinger and Wildrider will be sold as Brake-Neck. Fans of the Kre-o Transformers line will be quick to notice that both names were used for those characters in the previously released blind-packs recently. May 22nd is the targeted street date for these items, but that is subject to change. More information and pictures about Quickslinger and Brake-Neck will be posted right here on Seibertron.com as soon as anything new becomes available.

Can you clarify what kind of smaller stores at all? Are we talking Online only or any physical stores?

[Seibertron]

A very trusted anonymous source just let me know some exciting information about two highly anticipated Combiner Wars figures. Deluxe Class Slingshot and Wildrider are indeed coming down the pipes. Neither figure will be sold at big box stores apparently and will only be sold in solid cases of 8 through smaller stores (which Hasbro refers to as "emerging channels" or "emerging markets"). Slingshot will be sold as Quickslinger and Wildrider will be sold as Brake-Neck. Fans of the Kre-o Transformers line will be quick to notice that both names were used for those characters in the previously released blind-packs recently. May 22nd is the targeted street date for these items, but that is subject to change. More information and pictures about Quickslinger and Brake-Neck will be posted right here on Seibertron.com as soon as anything new becomes available.

Can you clarify what kind of smaller stores at all? Are we talking Online only or any physical stores?

It sounds like smaller stores ... probably stores that order wholesale from distributors outside of Hasbro directly. I'm thinking comic book stores, local toy shops, etc. Possibly market 6 stores but it didn't sound like it. Whatever falls under what Hasbro calls as "emerging channels".

[OptimalOptimus2]

So, will the figures be available in the big box stores at all? I know that Hasbro wants to help the smaller businesses, but I believe that the toys will get more acknowledged in stores like Toys"R"Us.

[NuclearConvoy]

What's a "market 6 store"?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

What's a "market 6 store"?

As luck would have it, TFWiki has an article on Market Six, which includes the term "emerging channels"

Better start looking at Kohl's, Meijer, Big Lots!, Tuesday Morning, Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's... basically any store that isn't Toys 'R Us, Walmart, and Target.

[ZeroWolf]

Interesting news, I was wrong about them turning up as tru exclusives but turns out they exclusively won't turn up to those stores question is though what about other countries. Here in the UK we have a couple of other big name stores like Symths and the entertainer, will they be allowed to stock these two I wonder.

[Cobotron]

Anybody want to take a stab at why? Why work this "emerging channels" angle?
Give the smaller guys some exclusivity, so they can compete with the bigger chains?
I'm not a business guy.

If they become really hard to find, I might just stick with the rookies. Alpha and Offy are A.O.K. by me.

[King Kuuga]

Do you think any online retailers will get them? Hasbro Toy Shop, BBTS, any of those?

[KnightStrike]

So I have the feeling this is going to fuel the scalper fires. Its hard enough trying to find Hasbro figures that get wide large chain releases, never have seen Gears, Chromia, or Arcee in the wild for instance. I really hope these aren't going to be very difficult to locate without getting stuck with an inflated secondary market price. Wouldn't the Amazon/BBTS shared exclusive been a better route to go?