The Energon Pub

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

primalxconvoy wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote: So close, yet so far...

???

Skywarp (atop Lio Convoy) being the Takara-renamed Silverbolt ala Team Magnaboss. The fact that a Lion and an Eagle are pictured. But alas the wrong Lion and Eagle...

Maybe someday the Beast Wars combiners will get an update?

I get the pic's theme though, it's Skywarp hanging out with his friend's dad.

DeathReviews wrote: It looks like the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz, crossed with a basset hound…

Definitely looks like 2 things crossed together.

These photos do a much better job of showing off the texture on the face than the stock photos. Low lights were the way to go. Couldn't help but notice the lion nose isn't fully painted, are we really skimping that much on paint these days that we can't do proper face details? The difference between Leo Prime and Tigatron with his painted eyes and lots of face details is pretty shocking.




Now granted, Leo has a lot of bot details painted in, but he's a Prime, he's going to sell, they can afford to give him pupils. Better yet they should have just molded the eyes in and painted them, it would have saved them plastic and given us better looking white eyes.

Emerje

Dat lion's face...

Leo Prime looks pretty good. Still not hot on the lion face, but that's about the only thing.

I long for updated Beast combiners. We only have 2 of them, and they could each be a commander release, or just 3 individual releases. It wouldn't be that hard for either to release them.

Also, Tigerhawk needs a commander release. He is too big and too cool not to get one.

And in theory, they could still potentially still do a combining Magnaboss with that Skywarp, considering all he did was form a backpack and the wings go into the chest, they could still make that work here.

I think the real question isn't if they can or should do Beast Wars combiners, but how big should they be? I can't think of any combination that would give us a 12" BW Combiner without one or two of the members being ridiculously large. The Magnaboss team is probably the easier one since Ironhide can be pretty big, maybe a full Leader sized figure (in parts count, not height) since he has to stretch out to form both the legs and arms and chest. But is that enough to build the body up a head short of 12"? Not so sure. Tripredicus could make things even more awkward since all three would have to be scaled up and none of them really stretch or unfold the way Ironhide does. How big does Seaclamp have to be to give him 8" arms (to the original figuer's proportions?), would a Voyager do it? Should they all be done as Voyagers?

Emerje

Safe to say they wouldn't do the beast wars combiners any better than they were.

Wondering if Leo prime has a pretend marble in his right breast, but I'm liking it enough to pick it up

Emerje wrote:I think the real question isn't if they can or should do Beast Wars combiners, but how big should they be? I can't think of any combination that would give us a 12" BW Combiner without one or two of the members being ridiculously large. The Magnaboss team is probably the easier one since Ironhide can be pretty big, maybe a full Leader sized figure (in parts count, not height) since he has to stretch out to form both the legs and arms and chest. But is that enough to build the body up a head short of 12"? Not so sure. Tripredicus could make things even more awkward since all three would have to be scaled up and none of them really stretch or unfold the way Ironhide does. How big does Seaclamp have to be to give him 8" arms (to the original figuer's proportions?), would a Voyager do it? Should they all be done as Voyagers?

Emerje

Trippy should have all of its members as voyagers obviously. Parts count, + size and there you go.

As for Magnaboss, leader Ironhide, voyager lion, and deluxe bird.

Finally, there's that "Devilman" looking Magmatron combiner. Leader T-Rex, deluxe Pterodactyl, voyager sea monster. But this time, add in individual bot modes for all 3 components.

All 3 could be sold at the Commander price point, or a new price point / class could be made. But all should be sold as box sets.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally, there's that "Devilman" looking Magmatron combiner. Leader T-Rex, deluxe Pterodactyl, voyager sea monster. But this time, add in individual bot modes for all 3 components.

Magmatron is a tricky one because his bot mode isn't supposed to be any bigger than any other Decepticon leader. He'd be better suited as roughly a Voyager (Landsaurus, the bulk of the figure), a Deluxe (Seasaurus, really just the arms, body filler and shield), and a Core (Skysaurus, just the head and shoulders) sold at Leader price. He's one bot mode with three alt modes so they wouldn't be any more complex than, say, Galvatron in parts count, but the number of colored sprues and paint apps could be problematic.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally, there's that "Devilman" looking Magmatron combiner. Leader T-Rex, deluxe Pterodactyl, voyager sea monster. But this time, add in individual bot modes for all 3 components.

Magmatron is a tricky one because his bot mode isn't supposed to be any bigger than any other Decepticon leader. He'd be better suited as roughly a Voyager (Landsaurus, the bulk of the figure), a Deluxe (Seasaurus, really just the arms, body filler and shield), and a Core (Skysaurus, just the head and shoulders) sold at Leader price. He's one bot mode with three alt modes so they wouldn't be any more complex than, say, Galvatron in parts count, but the number of colored sprues and paint apps could be problematic.

Emerje

If that version would be easier to combine than the original and more articulated, I'd be all for it.

It's all definitely interesting conversation. It seems to be the accepted standard now is for heroic leaders to be at the Voyager size, but depending on what extra parts they come with they will be released at a higher price point/scale (Leader for ER Prime, and G2 Laser Prime, or CC for Kingdom Rodimus), is how they will be sold. While Big Convoy is shorter and Squat than Lio Convoy, he is definitely bulkier, so it might be a challenge to get him at the Voyager Price Point.

Evil Leaders seem to be pretty consistent at the Leader class, so I would expect any future Galvatron from BWII to be a Leader, and possibly Magmatron as a CC, but would be approximately Leader height all when combined.

I owned all the Ultra Class BW characters, except for the original Primal and BW Megatron, so I would expect if we ever saw new versions of Tigerhawk, Rampage, or Depthcharge, they would be leader class (Legacy TM2 Megatron sets the pattern for this, even with his many individual pieces). Though rampage would be challenging since he is tecnically a triple changer, and he would no longer have his functioning tank treads. Depthcharge would no longer have his yellow disk firing mechanism either. (well none of them would have firing projectiles, just like TMII Megatron)

As for Tripredacus and Magnaboss, that is tricky. The toys were sold as "Ultra Class", and were sized as such all when combined. However for the 3 to reach approximately 12 inches (or the size of the standard Prime Wars/UW Combiner) and to portray them as fictionally larger than most other Transformers, the 3 would probably have to be sold as a CC set at the very least, and the individual components have their own variable sizes as needed. Although, selling the pair together as a Haslab might be the way to go. Give them the extra parts needed, and to be a little larger, not beholden to any of the current retail standards. If they looked really amazing, I'd be willing to drop $250 (maybe $275?) for the pair together in a Haslab , but they would have to absolutely make an amazing first impression for that to happen.

Plus, the Prowl figure would have be to small enough for a potential Lio Junior redeco to be adequately smaller than the Legacy Leo Prime figure since Lio Junior is supposed to be Lio Convoy's young son.

Probably no larger than the original figure, which in turn would give Magnaboss a better-proportioned, non-balloon-looking sized head.

o.supreme wrote:I owned all the Ultra Class BW characters, except for the original Primal and BW Megatron, so I would expect if we ever saw new versions of Tigerhawk, Rampage, or Depthcharge, they would be leader class (Legacy TM2 Megatron sets the pattern for this, even with his many individual pieces). Though rampage would be challenging since he is tecnically a triple changer, and he would no longer have his functioning tank treads. Depthcharge would no longer have his yellow disk firing mechanism either. (well none of them would have firing projectiles, just like TMII Megatron)

If they cut the triple changer aspect, they could probably release them at Voyager class. I really like Rampage's tank mode, but Depth Charge's is pretty terrible, and I would accept that sacrifice if it made them easier to do. I'm sure there's demand for them, but I worry they might not be successful enough for Leader class.

Magnaboss has the issue of being ridiculously top heavy. Tripredacus, they managed a well proportioned combiner that could stand and pose without issue. They would only need superficial updating. Magnaboss has a hunchback, consisting of half a lion and an eagls. The feet of the gestalt being too narrow to keep them upright. They need the most tweaking to update.

Also note: All Transmetals were Triplechangers.

Sabrblade wrote:Plus, the Prowl figure would have be to small enough for a potential Lio Junior redeco to be adequately smaller than the Legacy Leo Prime figure since Lio Junior is supposed to be Lio Convoy's young son.

Probably no larger than the original figure, which in turn would give Magnaboss a better-proportioned, non-balloon-looking sized head.

Actually, if they went Haslab with this, they could possibly provide all the extra parts needed (heads etc...) to swap out and make these all functional as both Hasbro BW Toy versions, and Takara BWII Animated versions.


Other individual bots might need more work, but Prowl & Lio Jr. are essentially the same in alt mode



While Prowl (far left), and standard Lio Jr (far right) may have slightly different chest and leg details, I'd be content if they just offered a "Best of both" single body with swappable heads.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Also note: All Transmetals were Triplechangers.

True, but some (like Rampage) were more functional than others. TMII Megatrons was never seen in the animated series, and I dont think anyone is missing it in Legacy , in fact, I dont think I've ever seen it discussed.

o.supreme wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Also note: All Transmetals were Triplechangers.

True, but some (like Rampage) were more functional than others. TMII Megatrons was never seen in the animated series, and I dont think anyone is missing it in Legacy , in fact, I don't think I've ever seen it discussed.

Yes, some TM vehicle modes were decent. Some were Rhinox. It's funny that they only kept the triplechanger gimmick with two* in the TM2 line. Megs "Dragster Mode". Seriously, he is a flier. Who thought an altmode that turns him into a car was a good idea? On any level???

The second one, Cybershark, had a "flight mode" that was a lot better implemented.




*Tigerhawk technically has a third mode. But it is weird and indeterminate.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

o.supreme wrote:

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:Also note: All Transmetals were Triplechangers.

True, but some (like Rampage) were more functional than others. TMII Megatrons was never seen in the animated series, and I dont think anyone is missing it in Legacy , in fact, I don't think I've ever seen it discussed.

Yes, some TM vehicle modes were decent. Some were Rhinox. It's funny that they only kept the triplechanger gimmick with two* in the TM2 line. Megs "Dragster Mode". Seriously, he is a flier. Who thought an altmode that turns him into a car was a good idea? On any level???

The second one, Cybershark, had a "flight mode" that was a lot better implemented.




*Tigerhawk technically has a third mode. But it is weird and indeterminate.

Clearly the “Megatron needs a car mode” desgin was a work in progress.

It took them what 8 years to give him a decent car mode:


Transformers Robots In Disguise Megatron (Gigatron) Gallery


Transformers Cybertron Megatron (Master Megatron) Gallery

o.supreme wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Plus, the Prowl figure would have be to small enough for a potential Lio Junior redeco to be adequately smaller than the Legacy Leo Prime figure since Lio Junior is supposed to be Lio Convoy's young son.

Probably no larger than the original figure, which in turn would give Magnaboss a better-proportioned, non-balloon-looking sized head.

Actually, if they went Haslab with this, they could possibly provide all the extra parts needed (heads etc...) to swap out and make these all functional as both Hasbro BW Toy versions, and Takara BWII Animated versions.


Other individual bots might need more work, but Prowl & Lio Jr. are essentially the same in alt mode



While Prowl (far left), and standard Lio Jr (far right) may have slightly different chest and leg details, I'd be content if they just offered a "Best of both" single body with swappable heads.

Who are those other repaints and why do I get the feeling they'll be expensive?

ZeroWolf wrote:Who are those other repaints and why do I get the feeling they'll be expensive?

TFWiki wrote:Lio Junior (Puzzle pack-in, 1998)
Accessories: "Lio Byūto" tail-weapon
Lio Junior was completely redecoed in two different schemes, each one available packed in with a different jigsaw puzzle. One version cast the young lion in black plastic with a red mane, the other in a Lio Convoy-inspired white and yellow deco.

That sounds rare and expensive.

AllNewSuperRobot wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:Who are those other repaints and why do I get the feeling they'll be expensive?

TFWiki wrote:Lio Junior (Puzzle pack-in, 1998)
Accessories: "Lio Byūto" tail-weapon
Lio Junior was completely redecoed in two different schemes, each one available packed in with a different jigsaw puzzle. One version cast the young lion in black plastic with a red mane, the other in a Lio Convoy-inspired white and yellow deco.

That sounds rare and expensive.

Found the black one here on Yahoo Auctions for ¥16000 which is near enough £100 (I have a feeling postage would be murder)

I personally don't think Beast combiners need to be combiner wars height. I would be OK if they were say SS86 Dinobot sized in height with the bulk of someone like Blitzwing. What matters is they are bigger than the other beasts in height and bulk, though the bulk matters much more than the height.

Emerje wrote: but he's a Prime, he's going to sell, they can afford to give him pupils.

If he's going to sell, then they can afford not to. beast mode pupils will not get in the way of sales

If lio convoy is a voyager lio jnr would have to be deluxe to represent his age? I could see a potential polar claw retool for lio convoy but that might just be because of the colors.

william-james88 wrote:

Emerje wrote: but he's a Prime, he's going to sell, they can afford to give him pupils.

If he's going to sell, then they can afford not to. beast mode pupils will not get in the way of sales

I'm sure they think they've already increased the budget enough in parts count and if they were asked they would say as much. But they set a precedence with Primal, they should have kept the aesthetic. The two leaders aren't going to look right together in beast modes.

Emerje