The Energon Pub

ScottyP wrote:Finally found the Leaders yesterday. OP is excellent, and one side of the trailer had almost aligned stickers! The other side though it looked like someone without opposable thumbs slapped them vaguely into a spot near where they should go. Fixed the small ones, will have to see about the larger panels.

Rodimus is so close to being good it hurts. I love the size of the combined bot mode and the winnie mode isnt bad. I think at a $70 price point this would have been the figure everyone wanted.

Wait...... you wanted to paymore for Rodimus?

Ironhidensh wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Finally found the Leaders yesterday. OP is excellent, and one side of the trailer had almost aligned stickers! The other side though it looked like someone without opposable thumbs slapped them vaguely into a spot near where they should go. Fixed the small ones, will have to see about the larger panels.

Rodimus is so close to being good it hurts. I love the size of the combined bot mode and the winnie mode isnt bad. I think at a $70 price point this would have been the figure everyone wanted.

Wait...... you wanted to paymore for Rodimus?

I think what he means is if the figure was $70, Hasbro would have been able to do the figure better than they did. The increased price point would have given them the money to fix the flaws so to speak.

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Finally found the Leaders yesterday. OP is excellent, and one side of the trailer had almost aligned stickers! The other side though it looked like someone without opposable thumbs slapped them vaguely into a spot near where they should go. Fixed the small ones, will have to see about the larger panels.

Rodimus is so close to being good it hurts. I love the size of the combined bot mode and the winnie mode isnt bad. I think at a $70 price point this would have been the figure everyone wanted.

Wait...... you wanted to paymore for Rodimus?

I think what he means is if the figure was $70, Hasbro would have been able to do the figure better than they did. The increased price point would have given them the money to fix the flaws so to speak.

Bingo, got it in one!

Higher parts count to do a few more little things would help it tremendously. Panels to hide the Hot Rod arms in Rodimus Prime mode, a place to actually store the weapons in alt mode, maybe even a base/gun station thing to give the trailer something to do while he's just Hot Rod.

I like the toy and am having good fun with it, but I also find it's a toy whose reach exceeds its grasp a little.

Burn wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:Starscream sucks huge goat testicle. I was expecting a fail and still disappointed. He just doesn't do it for me in any way, nothing just looks right, and the transformation id's deluxe level simple. It's boring. If I didn't have a Starscream collection, I'd toss it to my kids.

How do you feel he compares to CW Leader Starscream?

I personally feel the leader is better but I would have preferred it be voyager scaled, and the white on the POTP Voyager is more pleasing to me.

Cobotron wrote:I woke from the dream with these two in a sack on the passenger's seat next to me!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these.

Lunatic Prime wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:I would import the Takara version of Jazz if it did indeed lack the Cybertronian "MAGA" reference. It's gross. Keep politics off of my toys, please! I'm hoping that Hasbro will have a revised version of Jazz out, either in later production runs for wave 1 or by the time Jazz is refreshed in a future wave later this year or next.

I've already seen one in a review or picture (I can't remember) with the Autobot symbol with black background enlargened and "MAGA" replaced by "Energon" which is originally written below the black square o the MAGA-version.

It would be very helpful if anyone provides photo evidence to this, with a source. Because for now, these reports sound like Big Foot sightings.

Wolfman Jake wrote:

steals_your_goats wrote:

And I am currently heavily debating returning Prime or not.

What's wrong with prime? He's easily the better of the two figures.

I'd say that's very true for Robot mode, whether we're talking Orion Pax or Optimus Prime. However, Hot Rod and Rodimus Prime pull off way better alt modes. They're not flawless, but they are miles ahead of the trainwreck that is the back half of Optimus' truck cab. If what WJ88 is going for is more poseability in Robot mode, though, I think Optimus has way more options for that. Is it just the alt mode that's putting you off on Optimus, Billy-J?

Prime is good, but at things I dont need. I have leader sized primes with good looking robot modes and we have good orion pax toys too. What I find uninspired is how they combine. There isnt much transforming in the process of plugging orion into the Prime suit. I find Hot Rod pretty cool in that regard, thre is some transforming going on before you plug it into the Rodimus suit. And I feel the partforming gauntlets work to that advantage too. It really feels like an evolution. But with Orion, its just plugging the robot mode in the chest and trying to stash the limbs in the back. Its not elegant or integral like Hot Rod. And this evolution gimmick is what I am here for (since we have better toys for every other aspect of these).

And thats aside from the alt modes that do put me off as well.

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:You can get some better poses with Rodimus, you just have to treat the Hot Rod crotch as his shoulders. I really like the figure.

I mean no offense, it simply looks horrible to me.

ScottyP wrote:

RodimusConvoy13 wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Finally found the Leaders yesterday. OP is excellent, and one side of the trailer had almost aligned stickers! The other side though it looked like someone without opposable thumbs slapped them vaguely into a spot near where they should go. Fixed the small ones, will have to see about the larger panels.

Rodimus is so close to being good it hurts. I love the size of the combined bot mode and the winnie mode isnt bad. I think at a $70 price point this would have been the figure everyone wanted.

Wait...... you wanted to paymore for Rodimus?

I think what he means is if the figure was $70, Hasbro would have been able to do the figure better than they did. The increased price point would have given them the money to fix the flaws so to speak.

Bingo, got it in one!

Higher parts count to do a few more little things would help it tremendously. Panels to hide the Hot Rod arms in Rodimus Prime mode, a place to actually store the weapons in alt mode, maybe even a base/gun station thing to give the trailer something to do while he's just Hot Rod.

I like the toy and am having good fun with it, but I also find it's a toy whose reach exceeds its grasp a little.

Ah, I see. I would have to disagree. At that price range you enter MP territory, anfpd that Rodimus is light years away from that level. I don't think an extra 30 could save it, or if a mainline toy could ever be worth that cost.

Ironhidensh wrote:Ah, I see. I would have to disagree. At that price range you enter MP territory, anfpd that Rodimus is light years away from that level. I don't think an extra 30 could save it, or if a mainline toy could ever be worth that cost.

I wish MP figures were still $70!

But regardless, we'll indeed never know. As a fandom we provide a high price elasticity of demand value when prices increase for product of a given class size.

I'm not crazy about the leg-shoulders, as it definitely limits things, but the silhouette and Rodimus Prime's headsculpt are fantastic.

I see what you're saying about the no-brainer evolution for Optimus, Will. And he doesn't seem as beefy as Roddy, somehow....but I like him. Of the two current PotP leaders, his poseability makes Optimus a bit better in my eyes.

went shopping at walmart yesterday. They did have a Leader Rodimus, so I finally go to see it. But it was just so random though. There was no spot for it on the shelf. They still had so much TLK, some of it on clearance, and still a ton of TR deluxe repack wave 4 (ugh...). I figure an employee must have just put the case out, and somebody else bought the Optimus. Hopefully this weekend my local Target that had there reset done might actually fill it with product...then I can see these new toys in all their glory...hopefully.

Try today, even, o.supreme -- one of my Targets said they'd be on the shelves today...but YMMV

Definitely call ahead!

I appreciate the suggestion, but my lack of faith in humanity and their ability to identify things correctly/laziness/apathy usually prevents me from calling. Still, I don't waste gas. I never go to the store for just toys anymore. It's usually in connection with actual shopping for groceries, or if its on my way to/from work. I pass by a mall that has a Target & a TRU, and there is a Walmart that I pass a little closer to my home. These are the ones I hit most often, and unfortunately are not the best when it comes to selection. I usually find the best stuff in stores *out of my way* which is why I wait until I have a purpose to go there.

All my Targets do well with the DPCI #, but yeah, their willingness to retrieve it varies, for sure. But if they find it, they've saved it for me everytime at their electronics/toys section.

Regardless, best of luck on your hunt!

bodrock wrote:All my Targets do well with the DPCI #, but yeah, their willingness to retrieve it varies, for sure. But if they find it, they've saved it for me everytime at their electronics/toys section.

Regardless, best of luck on your hunt!

I've had good luck with Target employees willing to check the stock room for Transformers figures (and amiibos). That night that I couldn't buy the Prime Masters because their computer had a street date of 04/20/2018 for that size class, I was still able to buy all the Legends and Deluxe figures that I wanted. The guy stocking the toy aisles even went to the trouble of getting a fresh case of PotP wave 1 Legends figures from the back so that I could pick the best paint jobs.

Now THAT employee knew what was important, Wolfman!

I opened Grimlock and Rodimus last night.

I agree with Scotty's point that Rodimus could be a better figure at a higher price point. They all could be. And he does feel like ambition was truncated by corporate parameters, but he is what he is. And for what he is, he's a pretty dang fun figure!
It's really great to finally have an update to the fully Primed out Rodimus. Love how bulky and imposing the sculpt is unlike the funny old skinny G1 Rodimus. I think all 3 modes are nice to look at.
I'm ok with letting the deluxe thighs do the work of the Leader's shoulders. Somebody once called me out for having MP-10's shoulders pulled out to increase his range of motion, and thought, well, I want him in a certain pose, and if he has the articulation to get there, why not use it. I've been using my imagination to to add or erase aspects to these toys since the 80's, so it's kind of become second nature. Other than the shoulders though, I think his range of motion is pretty dern good. The legs and feet are great! Head sculpt is cool, and the expression on his face silently screams, "I mean business!".
The Deluxe Hot Rod is great. He ticks all the right boxes to be Hot Rod. The only thing I think he's lacking is character. I think the Classics and TR versions do a better job at that. Something about the blank expression on his too mature face leaves me feeling the same way. Where's the cocky chutzpah we know and love?
The only other neg I have is the placement of the handles on the guns. It works for BIGGIN mode, but in Deluxe he's just holding them all wrong. I think they could have scooted those handles back a little and still gotten away with the combining gimmick.
All said and done I'm happy with the figure. Fun to run through the different modes. Looks the part. A welcome and long awaited addition to the collection.



Grimlock is also great. Way better than I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by his heft out of the box. From pictures, i thought the Rex mode looked weaksauce, but it's way better than I anticipated. Dodged a bullet there. The legs are still pretty goofy, but can be finagled into "good enough". The stickers on mine were applied better than a lot of TR figure's were. That may be a case by case sitch though.
Again in photos I had my reservations about torso mode, and combined for that matter, BUT, torso is awesome. The shoulders stay locked in well when posing combined arms. They legs take some work to get them to where they need to be but once there, they're nice and stable. Plus the shape just looks way better than it did in photos. Also waist swivel in a combiner?!?!? YES! One little detail I love is the placement of the enigma or Power Master in the dino mouth. It's the little things.

For whatever my opinion is worth, I think they're both really nice main line toys, and fun to play with.
And that's all I'm ever really looking for. Fun and play!

Cobotron wrote:*words snip*

I trust your opinion, my friend. Rodimus shall be mine!!

Cobotron wrote:Grimlock is also great.

Thats all I needed to hear. If there's one thing learned is how similar our tastes in plastic are. Grimlock was always guaranteed buy anyway, but now my hesitations are erased.

Torso mode looks better each time I see it (I do feel it needs the fill-in fists though) and I also like the silly enigma Grimmy-snacks integration!

They had me at G1 styled robot dinos (love the deluxes), combining just adds to the fun

Cobotron wrote: Fun to run through the different modes. Looks the part. A welcome and long awaited addition to the collection.

That sums up very well why I preffer him over Prime. its not that he's a better toy but I really enjoy going from one mode to the next and every mode looks the part (unlike prime where some do and some dont). Plus I dont have anything else like the winebago or the rodimus Prime mode in my collection that looks as good. There is a lot involved in going from one mode to the next while with prime, the only fun part is converting the trailer to the power suit.

Question to you fans, why does Rodimus' trailer split in the back? That doesnt come to play in any mode so I wonder why they added 2 more big parts to the parts count.

He's definitely my go-to Rodimus Prime. I was considering going 3p for a short time -- and then he came along with PotP.

Dat face yo!! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!!

william-james88 wrote:Question to you fans, why does Rodimus' trailer split in the back? That doesnt come to play in any mode so I wonder why they added 2 more big parts to the parts count.

If you're asking about the parts with the flame stickers on them, they swing out for transformation purposes. Otherwise, the legs bump into them when you swing the piece down for trailer mode.

Just a little fun with Power of the Primes Rodimus.

itscramtastic wrote:I trust your opinion, my friend. Rodimus shall be mine!!

I know he's like one of your most number one guy, so you have high hopes for any toy form of his. I'm sure there are a number of unofficial options out there that could get you closer to a Masterpiecey feel, but for a main line TF toy he hits the spot. I mean he is the first "Neo G1" Matrix evolved Rodimus Prime (not Hot Rod), in the perfect scale/class main line toy we've gotten. Ever!
OK maybe there is a Roddy P Titanium figure? Right? Well I've never had him and he was some so and such subline, so he doesn't count!

carytheone wrote:I do feel it needs the fill-in fists though

Fer sher bra. He totally looks like a out of whack Barbie doll with out them.

carytheone wrote:They had me at G1 styled robot dinos (love the deluxes), combining just adds to the fun

This! The figure stands really well as a, "pout-pout-I-only-like-to-have -one-kind-of-fun- and-change-is-dumb" 2 mode TF. Dino is nowhere near as bad as feared, and robot is really good. But then DANG! There is a third mode, and it's better than most the torsos from CW.

william-james88 wrote:Plus I dont have anything else like the winebago or the rodimus Prime mode in my collection that looks as good.

Again, TOTALLY. He earns points alone for being the first official CHUG LEADER RODIMUS PRIME toy since the G1 toy.

And I forget who said it a few posts or a page back, but it's genius and true. A base or laser cannon mode from the camper parts would have been really awesome. Great toy without it, but that would have definitely cranked it to 11.

Edit: @ RC13

Cobotron wrote:

carytheone wrote:I do feel it needs the fill-in fists though

Fer sher bra. He totally looks like a out of whack Barbie doll with out them.

"Me Grimlock need lose five more pounds or me Grimlock NEVER BE PRETTY!"

Cobotron wrote:I opened Grimlock and Rodimus last night.

I agree with Scotty's point that Rodimus could be a better figure at a higher price point. They all could be. And he does feel like ambition was truncated by corporate parameters, but he is what he is. And for what he is, he's a pretty dang fun figure!
It's really great to finally have an update to the fully Primed out Rodimus. Love how bulky and imposing the sculpt is unlike the funny old skinny G1 Rodimus. I think all 3 modes are nice to look at.
I'm ok with letting the deluxe thighs do the work of the Leader's shoulders. Somebody once called me out for having MP-10's shoulders pulled out to increase his range of motion, and thought, well, I want him in a certain pose, and if he has the articulation to get there, why not use it. I've been using my imagination to to add or erase aspects to these toys since the 80's, so it's kind of become second nature. Other than the shoulders though, I think his range of motion is pretty dern good. The legs and feet are great! Head sculpt is cool, and the expression on his face silently screams, "I mean business!".
The Deluxe Hot Rod is great. He ticks all the right boxes to be Hot Rod. The only thing I think he's lacking is character. I think the Classics and TR versions do a better job at that. Something about the blank expression on his too mature face leaves me feeling the same way. Where's the cocky chutzpah we know and love?
The only other neg I have is the placement of the handles on the guns. It works for BIGGIN mode, but in Deluxe he's just holding them all wrong. I think they could have scooted those handles back a little and still gotten away with the combining gimmick.
All said and done I'm happy with the figure. Fun to run through the different modes. Looks the part. A welcome and long awaited addition to the collection.



Grimlock is also great. Way better than I expected. I was pleasantly surprised by his heft out of the box. From pictures, i thought the Rex mode looked weaksauce, but it's way better than I anticipated. Dodged a bullet there. The legs are still pretty goofy, but can be finagled into "good enough". The stickers on mine were applied better than a lot of TR figure's were. That may be a case by case sitch though.
Again in photos I had my reservations about torso mode, and combined for that matter, BUT, torso is awesome. The shoulders stay locked in well when posing combined arms. They legs take some work to get them to where they need to be but once there, they're nice and stable. Plus the shape just looks way better than it did in photos. Also waist swivel in a combiner?!?!? YES! One little detail I love is the placement of the enigma or Power Master in the dino mouth. It's the little things.

For whatever my opinion is worth, I think they're both really nice main line toys, and fun to play with.
And that's all I'm ever really looking for. Fun and play!

I could not agree more except i like dino head folded down for combined mode

AWESOME pics, RodimusConvoy13