The Energon Pub

Until we see a real update to the Pretenders, I can understand why some of us won't accept substitutes.
What I'm excited for the most right now is also the mish mash of all the play-styles, and how they'll interact with previous lines.

I wouldn't mind using the Prime/Titan Masters with a Micromaster base, like Countdown.....and hope to have an army of Matrix-heads on transtectors.

Beachcomber looks awesome. But I have my own custom so I'm good.

I was looking forward to Dread and Dark wing, as I was 95% certain they would appear in this line. But they are CW remoulds. And deluxes. I was hoping they would be voyagers. But, if they were all new, I would have been tempted to bite. But alas, they just aren't doing anything for me. Think I'll try to track down their previous ones. Or make my own.


I'm warming up to Rodimus. Except that backpack. But he's ok. Although the deluxe figure looks great. If he came seperately, I would have been very tempted to get that.


The rest is all meh. Looks like I may be sitting this line out. That's good for my wallet. I can go after other things, like God Bomber.

So, the night has passed and let me time to update and organize all my thoughts, change advice on some point, reinforce some others.


- First, the gimmick :

No change of advice here. From what we know, it's poor, it's stupid.

Here, the prime master serves no real purpose other than being an energon chip.
When a toy manufacturer says "you plug it then you can imagine the power flowing", it's a toy manufacturer who missed something.

Headmaster are a feature, they're a head.
Powermasters unlock the transformation.

Prime masters do nothing. At least as far as we know. Waiting a reveal to change of advice, but from what we know, it's terrible.




- The pretender shell.

Even if I think prime masters are a stupid gimmick, the pretender shell is the contrary, it's cool, for several reasons :

- It's the good size where we can accept the lack of articulation inherent of the concept
- The size makes more sense. I think we can all agree the size of G1 pretenders where a big issue, with full size planes hiding inside a human body..

In fact I only regret they didn't use it for TR, instead of the small vehicules. For me the pretender shell makes really sense for these tiny guys.



- The Deluxes.

No change of advice here.

Let's be clear : I'm not saying Dreadwing and Darkwing are bad, that's the contrary.
But using them for presenting a new line is such a terrible idea.

- Presenting a new line with 2x fouryears old retools (of mold already retooled dozen of times) vs 1x new mold is such a bad message to give. We can now worry about the quantity of not new molds for the deluxes of this line. Probably few.
- Presenting mold we all identified as combiner limbs ruined the surprise they apparently tried to keep about starscream. We all now know he's a combiner torso, despite Hasbro not wanting to communicate about it and even trying to hide it with the poses.

They should have presented only Jazz, and kept the planes for later in the line, when we know more about the gimmicks.
With this 2 remolds shown as introduction for the line, they ruined their whole surprise effect, without any benefits in return.



- Starscream.

I could have handled the big arms, and the big shoes, but the later close up of the face is a no.
I hope it's only the result of the handpainted prototype and the final result will be different, but for now, it reminds me the Third party Tetra seekers : https://i.ytimg.com/vi/epNcr9SkwUs/maxresdefault.jpg

I also hope there's something else than only being a combiner torso, something which can explain the terrible transformation and odd proportions. Some interaction with the prime masters that has not been shown.. something, please.

If not, if it's only a bad designed combiner torso, it'll be a pass.


- Rodimus

For me it's a yes.
I'm not even sure to understand the complaints:

- BackPack : Yes but it's a toy which combine with its trailer, I think it's excusable. It's not the result of the bad design of a single toy, it's the result of constraints. I can completely deal with that.
- "it's not rodimus, it's hotrod wit a trailer" "the combiner form is hotrod not rodimus". I really don't get these. G1 rodimus in the cartoon was nothing else than upsized Hotrod. Same for the toy. I really don't get it.

It's for me definitely a yes. I already got the Classics + Fansproject trailer, now I'll get an official version, more integrated (Fansproject was 80% of leftover, so I can deal with a backpack).
And what was the last time we got a transformer merging with his backpack ? Energon landmine ?
Even Magnus and PM prime on the recent years passed on the small robot, so there's no way I critisize this rodimus which brings back this.

The only thing to criticize is again the prime master integration which is lame. What's the purpose outside losing the small matrix part ?

Again I hope there's unrevealed features with these -for now - useless masters.

We are gonna need a bunch more Decepticons to make combiner limbs for Starscream now and even more so if they repaint or remould him.

I am both interested & horrified by the idea that he could be easily repainted at least 4 more times (or more).

Also that frame in the video saying there is some head integration for Prime-Masters is that what the funny neck frame is on Black wing then - is that a way to fold the head forwards - cover it up with the hand/foot/gun/chestplate thingie and free a space up to plug a titan-master or Prime master into them.

I can't see a specific plug point yet though - but I've been wondering if it's possible to do more than just stick a head on their chests.

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Also the hinges on Rodimus trailer sides suggests that it opens and also the hug gap in his backpack look like a whole pretender shell can be jammed in there.

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Oh and don't forget to make a Deluxe Fangry Hasbro.

RAR wrote:We are gonna need a bunch more Decepticons to make combiner limbs for Starscream now and even more so if they repaint or remould him.

Others will say Skyquake, while others scream for King Atlas

Honestly, considering how many unique Voyager molds there were in Titans Return and how even mold re-uses used extensive retooling, I'd fully expect the likes of Thundercracker and Skywarp to come in boxsets.

Say, isn't Thrust, Dirge and Ramjet doesn't have molds yet? or the Rainmakers?

Beachcomber - definitely my fave reveal. THey'v been knocking those legends out of the park. Especially when they use the legends class for the original minibots.

star scream - he looks odd and animated-ish. Still prefer him to the jet fire CW mould. But not sure I'll be ponying up the cash for him. Will have to see what the whole gimmick is about..

darkwing/dreadwing... they look the part no doubt, would've been nice to have new engineering and maybe voyager classes here.

jazz - on one hand he looks great for a combiner... on the other, the RTS is a much better homage. Plus the alt mode reminds me of gobots crasher.

rodimus - think he looks pretty good and i think he needs to be a leader class to go toe to go with some of his peers and foes tho galvatron is a voyager. a bit backpacky but think he looks good

skull grin - not a fan of pretenders but it's kinda cute.

think they're trying too hard to introduce a new gimmick and continue with the TR play pattern....

Ya know, with Dreadwind and Darkwing, it will be be interesting to see how Takara does them. Will Buster and Hydra have their God Masters included? Either way, I think this will be a case where both Hasbro's and Takara's versions will be needed.

Kurona wrote:Honestly, considering how many unique Voyager molds there were in Titans Return and how even mold re-uses used extensive retooling, I'd fully expect the likes of Thundercracker and Skywarp to come in boxsets.

Hmmm, it's kinda odd that i think the mold is good to use for Leozack...

By the by, guys; I'm surprised no-one's brought this up... but with Jazz being a Combiner limb, that means all Autobot cars but Sideswipe are CW limbs and we're also one step closer to a more accurate Masquerade fake Menasor

Rodimus- he looks cool, backpack is big but as long as it doesn't make him off balance it's okay with me.

Starscream-Dude's been working out. It's hard trying to overthrow Megatron, you know?

Jazz-This one looks great. And he's a limb too?

Dreadwind/Darkwing- Although the pair are retooled aerialbots, those molds are good ones, so I don't mind it much. Plus it means I can have more extra limbs to use!

Beachcomber-again, this one looks nice.

skullgrin/liege maximo-well, I think it's cute.

Kurona wrote:By the by, guys; I'm surprised no-one's brought this up... but with Jazz being a Combiner limb, that means all Autobot cars but Sideswipe are CW limbs and we're also one step closer to a more accurate Masquerade fake Menasor

But a deluxe windcharger would make no sense since the plan has been to release new bots in their new scale equivalent. Although, he could be a chest piece for optimus. And Sideswioe could fill in as a limb

mordhelm wrote:

Kurona wrote:By the by, guys; I'm surprised no-one's brought this up... but with Jazz being a Combiner limb, that means all Autobot cars but Sideswipe are CW limbs and we're also one step closer to a more accurate Masquerade fake Menasor

But a deluxe windcharger would make no sense since the plan has been to release new bots in their new scale equivalent. Although, he could be a chest piece for optimus. And Sideswioe could fill in as a limb

Either way; 3/5 is better than 2/5, right?

Beachcomber is pretty cool. I reall like him.

Thats it.

I'll get Starscream and Rodimus since I collect those characters, and I"m a dirty bastard like that, but I'm really not liking the looks. I"ll try and wait for good sales, though.

I keep creeping closer to Masterpiece style collecting only.

Also, we still need a damned Rung figure already! Get off your flabby ass* Hasbro, and do it!








*I can call out flabby asses, as I myself have one. So there.

Kurona wrote:By the by, guys; I'm surprised no-one's brought this up... but with Jazz being a Combiner limb, that means all Autobot cars but Sideswipe are CW limbs and we're also one step closer to a more accurate Masquerade fake Menasor

And Megatron said
TWO MENASORS?!

Kotori_Sonoda wrote:Starscream-Dude's been working out. It's hard trying to overthrow Megatron, you know?

He kinda Looks like Leozack in my opinion ,

I'm honestly delighted by what was revealed.

We've got classic characters in recognizable looks that are evolving beyond the tiny box of total G1 brand awareness.

Admittedly, most of the figure look like pre-tools for other things, but that isn't a bad thing.

Jazz looks neat on his own. His racing car style update keeps the chest we all know but gives him some hard lines that make for a fun new take.

Rodimus looks like a really fun toy that has something to explore in all his modes. The backpack is a bit out of hand, but it's honestly an overlooked flaw on a shelf.

Starscream is the one I'm most excited for. His bulk is clearly a result of the armor bits. The design over all is really following the comic trend and outside of the iGear Squad, it's the only way to see this design in a properly scaled capacity.

The Pretender gimmick is about as well done as it could be in a modern sense. I only hope they go all the way and make sure the Pretender line is filled out with adequate representation. If it's just Skullgrin, that'll be the real disappointment.

All the other stuff looks neat.

The retool list is even more exciting...Thunderclash from Rodimus, Skyquake from Starscream, Daytonus or Boss out of Jazz...

My niche list is going to get several check marks by the end of this line.

Counterpunch wrote:I'm honestly delighted by what was revealed.

We've got classic characters in recognizable looks that are evolving beyond the tiny box of total G1 brand awareness.

Admittedly, most of the figure look like pre-tools for other things, but that isn't a bad thing.

Jazz looks neat on his own. His racing car style update keeps the chest we all know but gives him some hard lines that make for a fun new take.

Rodimus looks like a really fun toy that has something to explore in all his modes. The backpack is a bit out of hand, but it's honestly an overlooked flaw on a shelf.

Starscream is the one I'm most excited for. His bulk is clearly a result of the armor bits. The design over all is really following the comic trend and outside of the iGear Squad, it's the only way to see this design in a properly scaled capacity.

The Pretender gimmick is about as well done as it could be in a modern sense. I only hope they go all the way and make sure the Pretender line is filled out with adequate representation. If it's just Skullgrin, that'll be the real disappointment.

All the other stuff looks neat.

The retool list is even more exciting...Thunderclash from Rodimus, Skyquake from Starscream, Daytonus or Boss out of Jazz...

My niche list is going to get several check marks by the end of this line.

Where's the retool list? Did I miss something or is it speculation?

I quite like Popeye...er I mean Starscream

Terrsolpix wrote:

Rysquad wrote:What other characters do we think will have the "evolve" gimmick?

Thunderwing is the most likely candidate.

There is more than that and I thnk they are all as likely.

Well Optimus Primal is the most likely sicne he's on the poster as the main character of the line but aside from him, Rodimus and Thunderwing, there could be:

Thunderclash
StarSabre
Armada Optimus Prime

And probably more I cant think of at the moment. Thats already 6 possibilities and so far that seems to be the amount of leaders per mainline.

Kurona wrote:Personally I think dismissing Darkwing and Dreadwind as Aerialbot repaints prevents you from seeing the positives they do have and realising they do actually look like decent figures, but hey, I guess positivity just isn't fashionable these days.

My first comment was that Darkwing and Dreadwind were my favorite of the reveals. Of course I am biased in a positive light towards CW, but I explained to me son, the CW functionality is merely a bonus, its not their primary function. I really like these two...

ExciKaiser wrote:In any other context,yes.

But for a new line launch, you can't repaint 4 years old molds. It's giving a terrible message.

It's G2 launch.

I don't necessarily agree, but even if it was, is that a bad thing? When G2 came out, the only toys I purchased were ones that were the repaints of the original Toys (With Tank Megatron being the only exception).

This is exactly what I had hoped for. If we do get the remaining combiners that were not released as part of CW, this is another nugget of hope Hasbro/Takara is in fact keeping a system that works great.


Also just to get an 11 year olds perspective, I tried to show my son the reveal pics yesterday without any of my biases, or those of the online community. His first comment was...."I like Starscream's arms"... So it may not appeal to myself, but someone at Hasbro has at least appealed to the mind of a child, not sure what other kids thoughts are...but just thought I'd throw that out there.

Rysquad wrote:

Burn wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Burn wrote:The problem with Hot Rod combining with a trailer to become Rodimus Prime is he still looks like Hot Rod but with a big useless backpack.

I wish they would have gone the Ultra Magnus/PM Prime route, or a giant version of the Titanium figure, where the entire vehicle transforms into the robot mode and nothing has to be attached/detached during transformation. This would have made Rodimus an entirely separate character from Hot Rod as the Hot Rod figure wouldn't have been used at all.

Exactly. It's just Hot Rod with a trailer boost. Not exactly an "evolved" character.

What other characters do we think will have the "evolve" gimmick?

Well we know that Rodimus and Optimus Primal have it. I think that our best clue comes from the Power of the Primes fan vote poster.



Looking at the list of possible characters, I think that it's likely we'll see a Megatron, Thunderwing, Star Saber, and Dezarus/Unkown Evil, though Ultra Magnus, Hound, Arcee, Shockwave, and even Optimus Prime could be contenders, especially if this is a two-year run.

As far as Leaders are Concerned, CW gave us Six (based on 3 molds, three being retools of Jetfire from the T30 line). TR thus far has given us Eight (based on 4 molds, two being heavy retools of CW Ultra Magnus).

I don't quite see how the "Evolving" Gimmick would lend itself to be reused, all things considered. As far as characters that "Grow/change"

Hot Rod to Rodimus Prime (revealed)
Optimus Primal to Optimal Optimus

Speculaiton:
Star to Star Saber
Orion Pax to Optimus Prime
Minimus Ambus to Ultra Magnus
Megatron to Galvatron

Deszaurus never really "changed", nor did Shockwave, or Thunderwing, he became much more powerful with the Creation Matrix, but never underwent a physical change IIRC, but its a toy line so who knows...