The Energon Pub

[Lore Keeper]

Predaking looks good overall. He's not perfect, but he's not the garbage fire some people make him out to be. My only real issues with this set are the decision to make Razorclaw the same size as the rest of the Predacons (leading to massive, unsightly kibble on Headstrong and Tantrum) and the lack of his very iconic sword. People that want Razorclaw to be perfectly in scale with his teammates are forgetting that Predaking himself is already out of scale with other combiners. The sword is not a surprising omission as none of the PotP combiners have dedicated weapons. Seems to be an across the board cost cutting decision. Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

[Wolfman Jake]

Black Hat, I'm more than willing to call out Hasbro when they legitimately screw up. Poorly designing Trypticon's hip joints such that they self destruct after being used is a screw up. Missing out on doing Apeface and Snapdragon in Titans Return was a screw up. Wave 2 of Power of the Primes drying up within weeks at retail is a screw up. Predaking is not a screw up. That's not shilling or fanboyism. That's being fair, objective, and logical. I don't think you're at all being fair if you're resorting to jokes about platinum plated prostate massagers and calling these designers "incompetent." Get off your high horse.

[Evil Eye]

I'm willing to call out Hasbro when they legitimately screw up. Poorly designing Trypticon's hip joints such that they self destruct after being used is a screw up. Missing out on doing Apeface and Snapdragon in Titans Return was a screw up. Wave 2 of Power of the Primes drying up within weeks at retail is a screw up. Predaking is not a screw up. That's not shilling or fanboyism. That's being fair, objective, and logical. I don't think you're at all being fair if you're resorting to jokes about platinum plated prostate massagers and calling these designers "incompetent." Get off your high horse.

No, I'm being totally fair. I'll be frank- if you honestly think that thing is in any way acceptable, you either have very low standards or bad taste. And quite frankly, if you're willing to defend the greedy slimeballs that are imposing these ridiculous budget cuts (coupled with price raises) solely to bloat their profits even further, I have nothing else to say to you.

[mblase75]

It's marketed squarely at collectors- and it falls short of the expectations any *right-thinking* collector would have.

Stopped reading right there. As soon as you start claiming your opinions are the only "right" views to be had, you've lost the argument.

[dragons]

Fans just don't know what they really want.

is farcically out of scale with the other combiners. Predaking continues the trend of sacrificing quality and design (especially in the individual modes) in favour of sheer size

He said s ale he said scale hahahahaha no fans don’t know what they want fans always always forget g1 toys where never everrrr in scale with one another compare g1 metroplex to g1 Optimus prime there is your scale measurement

[ZeroWolf]

Predaking looks good overall. He's not perfect, but he's not the garbage fire some people make him out to be. My only real issues with this set are the decision to make Razorclaw the same size as the rest of the Predacons (leading to massive, unsightly kibble on Headstrong and Tantrum) and the lack of his very iconic sword. People that want Razorclaw to be perfectly in scale with his teammates are forgetting that Predaking himself is already out of scale with other combiners. The sword is not a surprising omission as none of the PotP combiners have dedicated weapons. Seems to be an across the board cost cutting decision. Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

[mblase75]

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

They should've at least updated the box art to remove the knuckle spikes, though.

[SpikeyTigertron]

Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

It's so they fists can slot into the under-side of the feet for storage. While I personally think they *could* have found a way to keep them (even if just little nubs) that's the reason.

[SpikeyTigertron]

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

They should've at least updated the box art to remove the knuckle spikes, though.

While that'd be nice for consistency sake... probably not going to happen (assuming they've started printing all the materials).

[o.supreme]

Looks good for the most part. I just wonder who punched tantrum and gave him a fat upper lip . I wonder if the box will be the same size as CW Devastator, or slightly smaller. (Just thinking of how I will stack my growing collection of boxes in my closet)

[SpikeyTigertron]

So it took my WAY too long to notice.... but Razorclaw's cat ears being formed from the matrix handles is both cute... and clever.... also it appears the barrel extensions *are* for the cats tails.

[Lore Keeper]

Predaking looks good overall. He's not perfect, but he's not the garbage fire some people make him out to be. My only real issues with this set are the decision to make Razorclaw the same size as the rest of the Predacons (leading to massive, unsightly kibble on Headstrong and Tantrum) and the lack of his very iconic sword. People that want Razorclaw to be perfectly in scale with his teammates are forgetting that Predaking himself is already out of scale with other combiners. The sword is not a surprising omission as none of the PotP combiners have dedicated weapons. Seems to be an across the board cost cutting decision. Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

I thought about this too. But, if you look at how they go in, there easily could have been grooves on the underside of the feet to allow at least some small spikes.

[SpikeyTigertron]

I wonder if the box will be the same size as CW Devastator, or slightly smaller. (Just thinking of how I will stack my growing collection of boxes in my closet)

I'd guess it's close to the same size. That being said, do you keep them when there's no insert (to speak of)? I was shocked when some of the Energon (Japanese versions) were literally just twist ties into cardboard. While I'm usually one to keep all my Masterpiece boxes... I just can't see the reason to for ones with "impractical" repack-ability. That said, I suppose for some of those you could fold-flat the boxes (and chuck the inner cardboard).

[SpikeyTigertron]

I'm also somewhat shocked e-tailers haven't gotten the Pre-Orders up for Predaking yet... Though it seems like BBTS has been late to the pre-order (and fulfillment) game lately.

[SpikeyTigertron]

Predaking looks good overall. He's not perfect, but he's not the garbage fire some people make him out to be. My only real issues with this set are the decision to make Razorclaw the same size as the rest of the Predacons (leading to massive, unsightly kibble on Headstrong and Tantrum) and the lack of his very iconic sword. People that want Razorclaw to be perfectly in scale with his teammates are forgetting that Predaking himself is already out of scale with other combiners. The sword is not a surprising omission as none of the PotP combiners have dedicated weapons. Seems to be an across the board cost cutting decision. Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

I thought about this too. But, if you look at how they go in, there easily could have been grooves on the underside of the feet to allow at least some small spikes.

This is true. Maybe there were issues getting the molding clean, for the cavities or something. Alternatively they could have made "edges" of the foot longer/deeper hand had the spikes facing down (toward the floor).

[o.supreme]

I wonder if the box will be the same size as CW Devastator, or slightly smaller. (Just thinking of how I will stack my growing collection of boxes in my closet)

I'd guess it's close to the same size. That being said, do you keep them when there's no insert (to speak of)? I was shocked when some of the Energon (Japanese versions) were literally just twist ties into cardboard. While I'm usually one to keep all my Masterpiece boxes... I just can't see the reason to for ones with "impractical" repack-ability. That said, I suppose for some of those you could fold-flat the boxes (and chuck the inner cardboard).

Really the only Boxes I have kept since getting back into collecting are all my Unite Warrior, CW, and TR box set boxes. Any Leader or Voyager Box, I have not kept. I did not even keep the packaging for Grotusque or Arcee, since once they were opened, like you said, its pretty impractical to repackage them.

[Wolfman Jake]

Predaking looks good overall. He's not perfect, but he's not the garbage fire some people make him out to be. My only real issues with this set are the decision to make Razorclaw the same size as the rest of the Predacons (leading to massive, unsightly kibble on Headstrong and Tantrum) and the lack of his very iconic sword. People that want Razorclaw to be perfectly in scale with his teammates are forgetting that Predaking himself is already out of scale with other combiners. The sword is not a surprising omission as none of the PotP combiners have dedicated weapons. Seems to be an across the board cost cutting decision. Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

I thought about this too. But, if you look at how they go in, there easily could have been grooves on the underside of the feet to allow at least some small spikes.

This is true. Maybe there were issues getting the molding clean, for the cavities or something. Alternatively they could have made "edges" of the foot longer/deeper hand had the spikes facing down (toward the floor).

Retractable spikes would have been a nice fix, but that would have probably upped the "parts count" quite a bit.

[SpikeyTigertron]

I can totally get behind keeping the Unite Warriors. But I think for the combiner wars ones, I'd just clip the front off... again... they were mostly twisted to cardboard (if memory serves). While the packaging for Grotesque and Arcee was really cool.... if opened it became a nightmare, but a neat way to despite MisB ("sealed").

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Predaking looks good overall. He's not perfect, but he's not the garbage fire some people make him out to be. My only real issues with this set are the decision to make Razorclaw the same size as the rest of the Predacons (leading to massive, unsightly kibble on Headstrong and Tantrum) and the lack of his very iconic sword. People that want Razorclaw to be perfectly in scale with his teammates are forgetting that Predaking himself is already out of scale with other combiners. The sword is not a surprising omission as none of the PotP combiners have dedicated weapons. Seems to be an across the board cost cutting decision. Lastly, while not bothered by it, I am confused as to why they removed his knuckle spikes. I can't see a functional reason they would need to be removed.

It's so they could be put away in the feet for storage when not in use. Having the spikes would mess with the clearance.

I thought about this too. But, if you look at how they go in, there easily could have been grooves on the underside of the feet to allow at least some small spikes.

This is true. Maybe there were issues getting the molding clean, for the cavities or something. Alternatively they could have made "edges" of the foot longer/deeper hand had the spikes facing down (toward the floor).

Retractable spikes would have been a nice fix, but that would have probably upped the "parts count" quite a bit.

How big would the spikes have been? Big enough for an "A Christmas Story"-related quote?

[Cobotron]

So does anybody else hear the Bee-Gees in their head when looking at this photo? No? (God I'm old)

I do now!!

Don't worry. I'm old too.

[SpikeyTigertron]

So does anybody else hear the Bee-Gees in their head when looking at this photo? No? (God I'm old)

I do now!!

Don't worry. I'm old too.

This just made me realize that Divebomb's golden wings will be stickers WE get to apply T_T crap.....

[Lore Keeper]

So does anybody else hear the Bee-Gees in their head when looking at this photo? No? (God I'm old)

I do now!!

Don't worry. I'm old too.

This just made me realize that Divebomb's golden wings will be stickers WE get to apply T_T crap.....

I definitely prefer to apply stickers myself if there are stickers. With a little care, you can do a much better job than the factory.

[Randomhero]

Black Hat, I'm more than willing to call out Hasbro when they legitimately screw up. Poorly designing Trypticon's hip joints such that they self destruct after being used is a screw up. Missing out on doing Apeface and Snapdragon in Titans Return was a screw up. Wave 2 of Power of the Primes drying up within weeks at retail is a screw up. Predaking is not a screw up. That's not shilling or fanboyism. That's being fair, objective, and logical. I don't think you're at all being fair if you're resorting to jokes about platinum plated prostate massagers and calling these designers "incompetent." Get off your high horse.

Missing out doing apeface and snapdragon... it took 6 years after classics to get a retail thundercracker. 12 years to get all the Dinobots. Just because you don’t get it in one line doesn’t mean it will never happen.

[fenrir72]

So does anybody else hear the Bee-Gees in their head when looking at this photo? No? (God I'm old)

That is one sexy hunk of cyber beef" metallic monstrosity coming for me! Remember the date folks! October 2018 (JP release that is).

[gothsaurus]

Poses look great. And I have to say... I was in the camp of disliking that thin waist. Then I looked at stills from Call of the Primatives and that one amazing comic poster with him and Superion/Defensiv. Those are the absolute two pinnacles of how good he ever looked. Absolutely epic. And in both of those he has a mind bogglingly small waist.

So I’m 100% okay with it now. Just gonna pose him like some Takara illustration. And call it a day.