The Energon Pub

fenrir72 wrote:If that list is legit, then Godbomber is not a surprise given the extensive retail the new Godginrai got. Too bad it won't be compatible with the Hb version.

Think you got that backwards seeing as this is a Hasbro rumor list, not Takara.

Do anyone think the TR Arcee could be a headmaster version? Like what we saw in the Rebirth continuity? I'm still really hoping to see the junior Headmaster characters make it to toys this time (finaly, Minerva!) and the Trainbot combiner. Raide would be awesome with my other G1 CW combiners

Ultra Mad wrote:Do anyone think the TR Arcee could be a headmaster version? Like what we saw in the Rebirth continuity? I'm still really hoping to see the junior Headmaster characters make it to toys this time (finaly, Minerva!) and the Trainbot combiner. Raide would be awesome with my other G1 CW combiners

Well, if it's in TR, it's either a headmaster or a legends class. So...

Phew! Five new pages of discussion spawned within a few hours. Got a lot to sift through, bear with me.

Kurona wrote:

Bradimus wrote:and that Chromedome is Arcee's 3rd boyfriend

Wait, what? 0_o since when?

Since The Headmasters cartoon.

Arcee's first love interest: Hot Rod - TFTM

Arcee's second love interest: Springer - G1 cartoon season 3

Arcee's third love interest: Daniel - G1 cartoon season 4 Chromedome - The Headmasters

RAR wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:What?

Japan didn't get Beast Machines until 2004, years after they had made Car Robots.

Perhaps a Japanese viewer or an early sub can confirm - but the info may be "Behind the scenes" info from somewhere like Telemanga or similar.

Basically the idea is that Some Time travel event altered the past so when the "Autobots" /Cybertrons (new ones not G1 characters) return to Cybertron from some mission of colony recall they are traditional Transformers greeted with a techno-organic world someone takes a dislike to this (Megatron/Gigatron possibly) and travels to the past to try to undo it some how or other. in the process changing the past.

So they left from the same universe as G1/Beast Wars and Beast Machines (yes even before Beast Wars Returns was made) but in the process of time travelling cemented their status as a "Alternative Universe".. but a daughter Universe not some random parallel dimension like IDW or Armada but an actual off-shoot terminator style.

I hope someone else remembers this so I don't seem quite so loopy as this sounds in retrospect. making a show a sequel to another show that they'd not even had at the time does sound a bit potty.

That... sound more like fanfiction to me than anything official. At the time Car Robots was made, Japan didn't yet have access to Beast Machines, which they wouldn't get until 2004, renamed as Beast Wars Returns. Car Robots did have its characters come from the future, yes, but not to change history or anything like that (Gigatron's mission was to find and take possession of Brave Maximus, who was hidden on Earth long ago). And the Car Robots characters' home time was never elaborated on in the show itself (yes, I've watched Car Robots in Japanese), but it is believed (by fans, that is) that they came from a time relative to the era of Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo (which are set tens of thousands of years after Beast Machines), what with Fire Convoy possessing an Energon Matrix and Vector Sigma being the "god" of Cybertron like it was in Beast Wars Neo. No technorganic Cybertron factored into the Car Robots backstory, nor was there any "daughter universe" created by the show's events. Car Robots simply takes place in the proper Japanese G1 cartoon timeline in the year 2000, during a time when all of the G1 cartoon Autobot and Decepticon characters had momentarily gone missing for a while.

SillySpringer wrote:That has not a lick of romance in it. Looks more like Daniel is having bad consequences from the Mexican dinner he had the previous night and Arcee is just agreeing with him.

Watch the entire 3-parter again. The kid definitely seemed to be going through some... "changes" about how he felt about Arcee, while Arcee likewise grew emotionally closer to him than ever (even before their undergoing the Headmaster process), across those three episodes.

william-james88 wrote:

Bradimus wrote:As for the 30th anniversary of the film, I am also a bit disappointed. I'm happy we're getting amazing representations of the characters, but I'm not happy Hasbro forced all of them into the Titans Return gimmick of the line.

I wasn't referring to those, they arent part of the anniversary line. The 30th anniversary of the movie is just the platinum sets like Cyconus' Armada and the Rodimus/Galvatron set.

I feel pretty sure in thinking that a lot of what went into Hasbro's deciding to do TR figures of the 1986 characters in addition to TR figures of the 1987-1988 characters (which were the years that actually had Headmasters) is because of the movie's anniversary. This way, they can celebrate the anniversary via both Platinum Edition and Titans Return.

steals_your_goats wrote:Yeah that's who he's talking about. Scorponok and black zarak are different characters

No they're not. BlackZarak is an upgraded form of Scorponok/MegaZarak.

Everyone keeps saying that Overlord should come with two titan masters; one for his normal toy/masterforce face and one for his luscious lips IDW face. But what about a third?

Kurona wrote:Everyone keeps saying that Overlord should come with two titan masters; one for his normal toy/masterforce face and one for his luscious lips IDW face. But what about a third?

That one should come with Bludgeon.

Sabrblade wrote:

Kurona wrote:Everyone keeps saying that Overlord should come with two titan masters; one for his normal toy/masterforce face and one for his luscious lips IDW face. But what about a third?

That one should come with Bludgeon.

Repaint potential!

Only read back a handful of pages, but obviously these rumors of Predaking and Abominus are really exciting.

I really hope Predaking is to scale with every other combiner, but I wouldn't be that surprised if they want to make him bigger like Devastator.
At the same time, because there just don't seem to be as many uses for beast molds, it does make more sense for him to be in line with the rest.

Knowing Hasbro will figure out how to get their $$$ out of molds,
you have to wonder if Predaking, Abomnius, and then a future Piranacon, Beast Wars figures, and even Dinobots may happen.

Yeah there are some scale issues (not trying to bring up that debate), but surely the initial cost of making an original mold and engineering the transformations is more costly than retooling, right?
So assuming the CW combining system is still used, any of these rumored combiner figures that see the light of day aren't created from ground zero.

Anyway, since Hasbro has been hesitant to update a lot of beastformers, if they can be combining retools (although scale still seems to be a major issue), maybe that's enough cost-effective justification.

Sowndwave76 wrote:Only read back a handful of pages, but obviously these rumors of Predaking and Abominus are really exciting.

I really hope Predaking is to scale with every other combiner, but I wouldn't be that surprised if they want to make him bigger like Devastator.
At the same time, because there just don't seem to be as many uses for beast molds, it does make more sense for him to be in line with the rest.

Knowing Hasbro will figure out how to get their $$$ out of molds,
you have to wonder if Predaking, Abomnius, and then a future Piranacon, Beast Wars figures, and even Dinobots may happen.

Yeah there are some scale issues (not trying to bring up that debate), but surely the initial cost of making an original mold and engineering the transformations is more costly than retooling, right?
So assuming the CW combining system is still used, any of these rumored combiner figures that see the light of day aren't created from ground zero.

Anyway, since Hasbro has been hesitant to update a lot of beastformers, if they can be combining retools (although scale still seems to be a major issue), maybe that's enough cost-effective justification.

I figure Predaking would be the same size as most combiners and not Devastator-scale purely due to the fact Scorponok and Omega Supreme are still upcoming for Titan Class. And we know those have at least some preliminary designs made for them; otherwise they wouldn't have been poll options. My personal opinion is that when they get around to CW 2.0 - whether that's next line or the line after - Omega will be the titan for that, considering his status as a Combiner counter in the original cartoon (sometimes being Devastator's rival; helping Superion beat up Menasor) and a few other continuities.

You could easily get a lot of use out of beast molds imo, especially if you go with the basic quadruped-stands-up-hind-legs-become-legs-front-legs-become-arms-beast-head-becomes-chest design that so many characters used. Rampage could get a ton of uses. There's also the idea that Headstrong and Tantrum share an extremely similar design so they could be retools of each other much like Skydive and Air Raid were; third parties and Earth Wars have already gone in that direction and I feel it'd be foolish of Hasbro to not do the same. Razorclaw could be used for a ton of lionformers, Divebomb for countless flying beastformers including Abominus' Cutthroat... they're not quite as flexible and non-specific as the CW vehicle molds were but you could still go very far with them.

Retools definitely cost a lot less to make than original molds; which is very much the point of making them. In addition to the positives you've already mentioned, you've also got to consider that designers have to be paid to, well, design the molds. If they're just making a new head and deco - and maybe a new weapon or piece - that cost drops dramatically compared to designing a whole new figure.

I hope the CW combining system is still used. It'd honestly be madness for them to drop it; they'd have to design a new system from the ground-up for absolutely no reason when the system they already made is about as good as it can get for five-member teams, and for fans both young and old it'd mean we get less play value. I've got an almost complete Bruticus sitting on my desk right now (I'm only missing Vortex who should be arriving on Monday), and while I would of course prefer having him as Bruticus most of the time, I would adore mix-and-matching some Terrorcon or Predacon limbs on him. Let's not forget that Galvatronus could always do with getting some more options, and it'd be cool to see him actually combine with the combiner components that were introduced during Galvatron's era.

I guess I was questioning how much you could get from beastformer combining molds even with re-tooling... But considering there are 3 major teams left (imo), it's still probably pretty cost effective.

Good point about Omega and Trip... It will be interesting to see how they update both, especially Omega. Really, I'm not a fan of the idea of a tank going around on a track, even if it is battery-powered... And at the same time, I do want the updated version to closely resemble the original. Surprise right?

I think I've said this before, but I hope they can get enough from the new combiner molds to where IF they make new dinobots, those can be at least voyager in size.
Not that this is truly equal, but with Predaking and Abominus (and hopefully Piranacon), maybe they can justify the all (or the mass majority) of the voyagers in the line being Autobots.

Megatron Wolf wrote:So is there a reason why canada keeps getting awesome sales and everyone else doesnt?

Yeah, its to cope with our situation that we are totally **** if we cant find something in stores. You see the US just has way more options for you to get your toys at a decent cost. Not Canada. We have 2 retail chains that stock Transformers: TRU and Walmart. Thats it. No target, and amazon.ca is unreliable, unlike the.com version. If something isnt distributed in the big box stores in the states, you might get them at market six stores like 5 below. We only have Winners (TJ Maxx) and Marshalls, which are the same store. And say worst case scenario none of those stores stock an item or do so in a very limited fashion (ex Generations Arcee), then you can just buy it on BBTS. No tax, cheap shipping, easy. Not Canada. We didnt get Arcee (or Chromia, or voyager brainstorm, or any of the May mayhem toys) ever. So we are stuck getting them at BBTS or other places and the exchange is not in our favour, shipping is not cheap and steep customs fees will be unavoidable (since not declring value in mail is a crime in the US), so that 20$ Arcee becomes a 40$ Arcee. We wont get May Mayhem Groove, nor the new Brainstorm, and its never sure if we will get a platinum set or not. And if there is no french on the box, then they cant distribute the toys in my province (so I couldnt get Hasbro's MP Grimlock, MP10, MP Soudwave, MP Thunercracker ect).

So, would you rather switch places on the off chance that there can be a good sale on toys a month after you bought them?

Kurona wrote:So I was looking at my new MTMTE shelf - which includes a really bad knockoff device label Ravage - and looking at Chromedome and Cyclonus next to each other made me realise another reason, among many others, why a Titans Return Cyclonus would not be a good idea.



Unless he gets a voyager/leader-style helmet dealio, this head design just ain't compatible. Probably the reason we got him in CW instead of TR in the first place.

I'd like to think that if they went with Cyclonus again they'd go for IDW style with the horns to set him apart from the other two with the ears. Then for the Titan Master to be in robot mode the horns could be spun around. The horns would have to be shorter than in the comics, but it isn't impossible. Plus Scourge and Blurr have already set a precedence for extra bits on Deluxe figure. Not as extreme, but not out of the question.

Then again, if someone's going for cartoon scale the Voyager Cyclonus is a better scale with TR Galvatron and Scourge anyway.

Emerje

Everyone's thinking that Predaking is gonna be the G1 version! but what if it turns out to be the PRID one instead?(or at least a reuse of that mold)

Stuartmaximus wrote:Everyone's thinking that Predaking is gonna be the G1 version! but what if it turns out to be the PRID one instead?(or at least a reuse of that mold)

Doublecross repaint.

But seriously, why hasn't anyone translated the rest of the text on that list yet? I'm guessing Predaking's placement above Leaders means it's something bigger like a box set?

Emerje

Emerje wrote:

Stuartmaximus wrote:Everyone's thinking that Predaking is gonna be the G1 version! but what if it turns out to be the PRID one instead?(or at least a reuse of that mold)

Doublecross repaint.

But seriously, why hasn't anyone translated the rest of the text on that list yet? I'm guessing Predaking's placement above Leaders means it's something bigger like a box set?

Emerje

The characters before Predaking mean something like "combined warrior", and the rest are nothing more than character names in Chinese. Don't try to translate them, some are quite... creative, like Starscream being called "Star of the Sky King" (aka the planet Uranus), or Dreadwing as "Heavenly Horse" (aka Pegasus).

Speaking of names, I'm pretty sure everyone knows "BLOOD" is Bomb-Burst?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Speaking of names, I'm pretty sure everyone knows "BLOOD" is Bomb-Burst?

if we didn't before.......we do now

This is a bit off topic, but has anyone yet posted a picture somewhere of all the wave 1 and wave 2 titan masters together? Including all those from the deluxe figures, voyager etc. I'd love to see that!

LeAwesome1 wrote:This is a bit off topic, but has anyone yet posted a picture somewhere of all the wave 1 and wave 2 titan masters together? Including all those from the deluxe figures, voyager etc. I'd love to see that!

Like this?



Spot the one with loose joints!

Dr Va'al wrote:

LeAwesome1 wrote:This is a bit off topic, but has anyone yet posted a picture somewhere of all the wave 1 and wave 2 titan masters together? Including all those from the deluxe figures, voyager etc. I'd love to see that!

Like this?



Spot the one with loose joints!

Yea, like that, but just every single one so far, so there should be what...25 so far? Including SDCC Titan Force

Edit: 26* Forgot PMOP

LeAwesome1 wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:

LeAwesome1 wrote:This is a bit off topic, but has anyone yet posted a picture somewhere of all the wave 1 and wave 2 titan masters together? Including all those from the deluxe figures, voyager etc. I'd love to see that!

Like this?



Spot the one with loose joints!

Yea, like that, but just every single one so far, so there should be what...25 so far? Including SDCC Titan Force

Edit: 26* Forgot PMOP

This is all I've seen!

Dr Va'al wrote:

LeAwesome1 wrote:

Dr Va'al wrote:

LeAwesome1 wrote:This is a bit off topic, but has anyone yet posted a picture somewhere of all the wave 1 and wave 2 titan masters together? Including all those from the deluxe figures, voyager etc. I'd love to see that!

Like this?



Spot the one with loose joints!

Yea, like that, but just every single one so far, so there should be what...25 so far? Including SDCC Titan Force

Edit: 26* Forgot PMOP

This is all I've seen!

Don't worry, your 16 or so beats my total of 5, soon to be 9 once I get Wave 2 deluxes

Also, I saw the list of the names been released, and I saw Beachcomber, which was odd because recently I was thinking that with a bit of retooling and recolouring, Wheelie could become a Beachcomber...

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Don't try to translate them, some are quite... creative, like Starscream being called "Star of the Sky King" (aka the planet Uranus), or Dreadwing as "Heavenly Horse" (aka Pegasus).

Well now I really want to see the translation.

LeAwesome1 wrote:Also, I saw the list of the names been released, and I saw Beachcomber, which was odd because recently I was thinking that with a bit of retooling and recolouring, Wheelie could become a Beachcomber...

And you might be right. Some re-shelling and they could probably swap out the vehicle modes. Only hitch is swapping out the window for a roll cage. Maybe if it's primarily attached to the part in front of the seat so it can be spun around behind him?

Emerje

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Don't try to translate them, some are quite... creative, like Starscream being called "Star of the Sky King"

But that's amazing show the rest

My Titanmaster Count is now up to a whole ONE as I just got SDCC Fortress Maximus. I was rather shocked when I opened it and found all the labels were pre-applied ! (and also rather shiny).

That said props to the guy or girl in the Factory as they applied them very well they are all straight and not creased or anything.

I really do think Instructions are more of a suggestion than a guide when it comes to current Transformers as I have seen more complex instructions of Deluxes than Fort Max has.

Anyway I quite like him - he's a handsome chap in robot mode - it's just a small shame he lacks a bit more play function (as he is) in his other modes - sure there is fun to be had in adding stuff - but he needed a few more accessories to at least equal the original - the original is still far far superior. and I'd still recommend to anyone to buy an Encore Fort Max over this one... That might change if 3rd party upgrades really make a difference to his play value.

Oh and when I look at that mysterious (does nothing much) gun on his leg I do wonder if it was originally designed to come off and unfold into a hand held cannon for him. or come off and be vehicle for a Titanmaster.

That it does zip makes it look pretty strange just hanging there - especially when it lacks extending barrel can barely hold a Titanmaster and can't even fold up or have somewhere else to sit if removed.

Since he has a huge gap in his left shoulder hopefully any added accessories will be sized to fit in there or inside the legs.

Oh speaking of surprises his repair bays work way better than I thought the would the rest of him isn't especially blocking them even when out to the side... so he does have more play function than they even advertise him having.

I do still think the mould family could do with some ankles spurs though.

Overall nice - I expect I'll have some fun with him as I get more things to do with him.

If we have a nice day this week I may take him outside and set him up with Metroplex on the grass.