The Energon Pub

Zeedust wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:As we wait to finally see some pics of the Blitzwing pre-tool of Titans Return Voyager Megatron, I'm hoping we get a pleasant surprise in the form of three Titan Masters for him, one for each of his Transformers Animated faces. I know a lot of people don't like the Thrilling 30 Blitzwing from a few years back, mainly because of the wonky shoulders, but I appreciated the face changing gimmick quite a bit. It would be a shame to loose that now. I know it's not really a thing for the G1 character, but it's a fun little option, nonetheless.

That would be a perfect use of the Titan Master gimmick... but unfortunately the current design team seems a bit too bogged down in Absolute-G1-accuracy-to-the-max-and-maybe-sometimes-we-throw-a-bone-to-IDW-and-Armada...

The last time they threw a bone to Armada, IIRC, was Thrilling 30 Starscream, and even that can pass for the G1 guy (and IDW even used it as him for a while). And that was because it was an anniversary line so they had to throw in a few random non-G1 figures to pretend they cared about the non-G1 "filler" lines. Even RiD is moving towards "all G1, all the time" now. At this rate, in a few years, there's gonna be a little boy in some toy store somewhere holding up a Rescue Bot going "Daddy, why does Chase's box say 'Prowl' on it?"

Carnivius_Prime wrote:Not me. Too big and expensive for a character I care nothing about other than he's previously used retools of Thunderwing toys.

Black Hat wrote:Eh. Not for me. I don't care enough about Black Shadow to want this,

Does ANYONE have any real attachment to this character? I mean, has he ever had any significant roles in anything other than one episode of Victory?

He has a significant role in Transformers Victory Manga, he's a bounty hunter, aiming for Energon for his bounty needs.

Kurona wrote:Actually, the last time they threw a bone to Armada - and the only time this particular design team has done so - was the Armada Megatron new-head redeco in Combiner Wars.

Forgot about that. Still, you can't deny that most Transformers toys in recent times are retro-G1, be they clearly-recognizable reinterpretations like RiD Starscream, or near-exact rehashes like some TR deluxes (Perceptor even has his G1 toy's "tank" mode, for pete's sake).

Zeedust wrote:

Kurona wrote:Actually, the last time they threw a bone to Armada - and the only time this particular design team has done so - was the Armada Megatron new-head redeco in Combiner Wars.

Forgot about that. Still, you can't deny that most Transformers toys in recent times are retro-G1, be they clearly-recognizable reinterpretations like RiD Starscream, or near-exact rehashes like some TR deluxes (Perceptor even has his G1 toy's "tank" mode, for pete's sake).

Most certainly, yeah - that was the point I myself was making. That the new design team is essentially remaking the G1 toys with added articulation.
Which isn't... terrible. And sometimes they add in some IDW inspiration like with Rewind's head, or add in a couple new twists like with how they made Triggerhappy a god among toys. But it can be rather frustrating to see practically nothing else get attention - at the very least they're wandering into the obscure waters of Victory and Action Masters and 1988 that the previous design team wouldn't even dare going towards unless the character was called Nightbeat or Bludgeon.

Kurona wrote:

Zeedust wrote:

Kurona wrote:Actually, the last time they threw a bone to Armada - and the only time this particular design team has done so - was the Armada Megatron new-head redeco in Combiner Wars.

Forgot about that. Still, you can't deny that most Transformers toys in recent times are retro-G1, be they clearly-recognizable reinterpretations like RiD Starscream, or near-exact rehashes like some TR deluxes (Perceptor even has his G1 toy's "tank" mode, for pete's sake).

Most certainly, yeah - that was the point I myself was making. That the new design team is essentially remaking the G1 toys with added articulation.
Which isn't... terrible. And sometimes they add in some IDW inspiration like with Rewind's head, or add in a couple new twists like with how they made Triggerhappy a god among toys. But it can be rather frustrating to see practically nothing else get attention - at the very least they're wandering into the obscure waters of Victory and Action Masters and 1988 that the previous design team wouldn't even dare going towards unless the character was called Nightbeat or Bludgeon.

Yeah. I guess what I was trying to say is I think they're further down that road than perhaps even you realize and it's a MIRACLE that whoever even first THOUGHT about Rook during Combiner Wars wasn't fired on the spot for proposing something entirely new.

Albatross250 wrote:

Zeedust wrote:Does ANYONE have any real attachment to this character? I mean, has he ever had any significant roles in anything other than one episode of Victory?

He has a significant role in Transformers Victory Manga, he's a bounty hunter, aiming for Energon for his bounty needs.

Fair enough. Still sounds obscure, though. I somehow doubt this guy's going to sell on "Oh, I loved him in that one thing!" so much as he will on "Oh, hey, this guy looks cool."

Zeedust wrote: I somehow doubt this guy's going to sell on "Oh, I loved him in that one thing!" so much as he will on "Oh, hey, this guy looks cool."

The line's main market is kids and their parents, who most probably don't know the guy. So yeah, I am pretty sure he is sold mainly on "Oh, hey, this guy looks cool." That's why I am getting him. Remember, the only reason this guy exists is because they want to make use of that Overlord mold.

Zeedust wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Zeedust wrote:

Kurona wrote:Actually, the last time they threw a bone to Armada - and the only time this particular design team has done so - was the Armada Megatron new-head redeco in Combiner Wars.

Forgot about that. Still, you can't deny that most Transformers toys in recent times are retro-G1, be they clearly-recognizable reinterpretations like RiD Starscream, or near-exact rehashes like some TR deluxes (Perceptor even has his G1 toy's "tank" mode, for pete's sake).

Most certainly, yeah - that was the point I myself was making. That the new design team is essentially remaking the G1 toys with added articulation.
Which isn't... terrible. And sometimes they add in some IDW inspiration like with Rewind's head, or add in a couple new twists like with how they made Triggerhappy a god among toys. But it can be rather frustrating to see practically nothing else get attention - at the very least they're wandering into the obscure waters of Victory and Action Masters and 1988 that the previous design team wouldn't even dare going towards unless the character was called Nightbeat or Bludgeon.

Yeah. I guess what I was trying to say is I think they're further down that road than perhaps even you realize and it's a MIRACLE that whoever even first THOUGHT about Rook during Combiner Wars wasn't fired on the spot for proposing something entirely new.

Albatross250 wrote:

Zeedust wrote:Does ANYONE have any real attachment to this character? I mean, has he ever had any significant roles in anything other than one episode of Victory?

He has a significant role in Transformers Victory Manga, he's a bounty hunter, aiming for Energon for his bounty needs.

Fair enough. Still sounds obscure, though. I somehow doubt this guy's going to sell on "Oh, I loved him in that one thing!" so much as he will on "Oh, hey, this guy looks cool."

Well, on the manga he's a Bounty hunter and a Space Gangster, on Planet Micro... other cybertronians says he's the one who destroyed a planet and always together with Blue Bacchus

I feel the main reason to get this guy from a character perspective would be to complete your collection of Phase-Sixers along with Sixshot and Overlord. When there's no other Victory character remakes around yet aside from Masterpiece Star Saber, and considering he's not really a main player at all in that series, he doesn't really fill a hole in that collection... considering there is no collection to have a hole in. So unless you're, like, one of the 14 people whose favourite character was that black and red dude that looked a bit like Thunderwing from that one episode you vaguely remember... somehow, his hi-and-die appearance in IDW gives you more of a reason to get him than his actual original series

Git HIM!

Sky/Blackshadow that is. If you're patient enough, wait for the Takara version.

From the toy haul thread, where Kanrabat scored a Sky Shadow and loves it:

Kurona wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Kurona wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:That figure is PERFECT all over.

Well if that's not a winning endorsement...

Glad you like it! And I certainly can't wait for Overlord

So far for Titans Return, Sky Shadow is the best leader, Astrotrain the best voyager, and Triger Happy is the best deluxe. No nominee yet for Titant, Titant Masters, and Legion.

Far as I know most people agree that the Crashbash mold is one of if not the best Titan Masters - and until Trypticon comes out, doesn't Fort Max win best Titan by default?
(also: Gnaw)

So, to cast my votes in so far with the figures I actually have:

Best Leader: Blaster
Best Voyager: Alpha Trion
Best Deluxe: Weirdwolf
Best Legends: Rewind
Best Titan Master: Toss up between Fangry and Sawback
Best Titan: already more impressed with Trypticon than Fort Max
Figure that is the most fun of the line: Gnaw in sharkticon mode

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:From the toy haul thread, where Kanrabat scored a Sky Shadow and loves it:

Kurona wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Kurona wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:That figure is PERFECT all over.

Well if that's not a winning endorsement...

Glad you like it! And I certainly can't wait for Overlord

So far for Titans Return, Sky Shadow is the best leader, Astrotrain the best voyager, and Triger Happy is the best deluxe. No nominee yet for Titant, Titant Masters, and Legion.

Far as I know most people agree that the Crashbash mold is one of if not the best Titan Masters - and until Trypticon comes out, doesn't Fort Max win best Titan by default?
(also: Gnaw)

So, to cast my votes in so far with the figures I actually have:

Best Leader: Blaster
Best Voyager: Alpha Trion
Best Deluxe: Weirdwolf
Best Legends: Rewind
Best Titan Master: Toss up between Fangry and Sawback
Best Titan: already more impressed with Trypticon than Fort Max
Figure that is the most fun of the line: Gnaw in sharkticon mode

Wait, you have Trypticon? ALREADY??? DANG YOU!

Well, I only have one Voyager, one Legend and one Titan Master... no Leaders or Titans here. Though Megatron, Rewind and Clobber are all incredible.
Out of Chromedome, Wolfwire and Hot Rod I honestly can't decide which of my deluxes is my favourite.

SillySpringer wrote:Wait, you have Trypticon? ALREADY??? DANG YOU!

No, I am saying that I like the looks of Trypticon much more than I actually enjoyed Fort Max, even from the reveal. Cerebros is really the only reason worth owning Fort Max

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:Wait, you have Trypticon? ALREADY??? DANG YOU!

No, I am saying that I like the looks of Trypticon much more than I actually enjoyed Fort Max, even from the reveal. Cerebros is really the only reason worth owning Fort Max

fenrir72 wrote:Git HIM!

Sky/Blackshadow that is. If you're patient enough, wait for the Takara version.

You do realize that there's a 90% TT will never use this mold right?

Zeedust wrote:Does ANYONE have any real attachment to this character? I mean, has he ever had any significant roles in anything other than one episode of Victory?

Check out the TCC TransTech prose story "Gone Too Far" by Greg Sepelak and S. Trent Troop. Black Shadow is SCARY fearsome in that story.

Albatross250 wrote:

Zeedust wrote:Does ANYONE have any real attachment to this character? I mean, has he ever had any significant roles in anything other than one episode of Victory?

He has a significant role in Transformers Victory Manga, he's a bounty hunter, aiming for Energon for his bounty needs.

What? He never appeared in the Victory manga.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Git HIM!

Sky/Blackshadow that is. If you're patient enough, wait for the Takara version.

You do realize that there's a 90% TT will never use this mold right?

You mean this version of the mold, right? Because they're very much using it for Overlord.

Is Full tilt a Voyager or a deluxe?
his size is kinda large rather than his G1 Counterpart

Also from the toy haul thread:

fenrir72 wrote:Gnaw and Kickback make for the best Legends as far as the recent releases.

Triggerhappy and Kup 1st place best in deluxe

2nd place would be Hotrod.

Skyshadow and Sixshot would be a tie imho.

Btw, the feedback on Sixshot concerning how the wings hit the tank treads in his 4WD mode is a bit harsh. When I transformed him, I didn't get any clearance issues.So it's up to you how you give him clearance.

In tank mode, the complaints I can raise is that the Tm revolver can't fully fit into the cockpit unless you compress him into head mode.

Lack of knee ratchets, that I agree with. If included and Revolver having additional paint apps , would make him a 5 out of 5 figure.

I have to wholeheartedly disagree with the Sixshot opinion. I have no issue getting Revolver into the cockpit, or anywhere for that matter. And the issues I was talking about with the wings hitting the treads was based on his Jet mode, not his car mode. the car mode is one of his better modes, while the jet and gun feel like his worst

Kurona wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Git HIM!

Sky/Blackshadow that is. If you're patient enough, wait for the Takara version.

You do realize that there's a 90% TT will never use this mold right?

You mean this version of the mold, right? Because they're very much using it for Overlord.

Yeah, but he was referencing black shadow specifically, so I thought that was implied. And before anyone tries to counter this, don't forget how long it actually took to get the generations figure released in the tav line

At this point I would say that it's hasbro's black shadow or nothing

Albatross250 wrote:Is Full tilt a Voyager or a deluxe?
his size is kinda large rather than his G1 Counterpart

Well, considering how much bigger Titan Trypticon is going to be than the original... it's not that surprising Full-Tilt would be much bigger.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Git HIM!

Sky/Blackshadow that is. If you're patient enough, wait for the Takara version.

You do realize that there's a 90% TT will never use this mold right?

You mean this version of the mold, right? Because they're very much using it for Overlord.

Yeah, but he was referencing black shadow specifically, so I thought that was implied. And before anyone tries to counter this, don't forget how long it actually took to get the generations figure released in the tav line

At this point I would say that it's hasbro's black shadow or nothing

Oh yeah, they're almost certainly not gonna release this as Black Shadow.
At the same time, I REALLY feel like using the Black Shadow version of the mold as Dai Atlas is something that e-Hobby would do.

Kurona wrote:

Albatross250 wrote:Is Full tilt a Voyager or a deluxe?
his size is kinda large rather than his G1 Counterpart

Well, considering how much bigger Titan Trypticon is going to be than the original... it's not that surprising Full-Tilt would be much bigger.

Aww, what a cute picture

I WANT METROPLEX!

SillySpringer wrote:I WANT METROPLEX!

He can be yours on Ebay today, for the low low price of three Fort Maxes, a Lucky Draw Rodimus and 1/3 of your soul

Kurona wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:I WANT METROPLEX!

He can be yours on Ebay today, for the low low price of three Fort Maxes, a Lucky Draw Rodimus and 1/3 of your soul

EXACTLY. I am so kicking myself for not getting him before. Trypticon wouldn't be as awesome without him.