The Energon Pub

[Randomhero]

Soundbarrier is probably one of the worst Transformers I've seen since Beast Machines.

Someone show this guy Prime Arachnid

[TF-fan kev777]

I really hope there is a bit more to the transformation that simply tucking in the limbs and folding out the shield... but I doubt it.

I doubt it too. Pretty sure he just goes on his tummy and we unfold the ramp.

Well there is folding in the 5mm peg, which has FINALLY been done on the stock photo. The initial renders all had the peg out for robot mode.

[Wolfman Jake]

Soundbarrier is probably one of the worst Transformers I've seen since Beast Machines.

Someone show this guy Prime Arachnid

Prime Airachnid actually transformed somewhat, though, despite being a terrible figure. Soundbarrier, unfortunately, looks to be the worst "shellformer" we've ever had. He literally just stands at attention, legs together, arms to his sides, lays face down, and has a ramp on his back. His transformation is folding the ramp in half and standing up "at ease." He'll probably be a fun accessory, as good looking shields are much more rare accessories in Transformers, and he's got a unique blast effect part too, but the titular "transformation" in his play pattern is utterly bland and uninspired.

[Decepticon Stryker]

Soundbarrier is probably one of the worst Transformers I've seen since Beast Machines.

Someone show this guy Prime Arachnid

At least Airachnid had an actual Transformation into an admittedly cool helicopter mode.

Titanium series Megatron is probably still the worst.

[ScottyP]

Soundbarrier is a thing of dreams: modular base components for sale on their own. They just happened to make it also turn into a robot. Neat!

I hope Quintessa is the for-copyright-retention-purposes name that gets slapped on Wreck-Gar's girlfriend Nancy from "The Big Broadcast of 2006". Auntie would be fine too.

[sol magnus]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

[bacem]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

If we gonna bring up armada, then i'd want to see armada sideswipe.

[Jeddostotle7]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

Y'know what'd be a really easy slam dunk? Armada Wheeljack from Siege Sideswipe.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

Y'know what'd be a really easy slam dunk? Armada Wheeljack from Siege Sideswipe.

Yes to this please.

Soundbarrier really needed to integrate better with the shield mold, it is bad.

Also, brainstorm: what if the Quintessa listing isn't for a TLK homage, but rather someone who was on Quintessa who can't get a trademark (like Scotty mentioned earlier), like Detritus, an Alicon, Kranix, etc.

[william-james88]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

If we gonna bring up armada, then i'd want to see armada sideswipe.

Speaking of worst toys ever

[Jeddostotle7]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

If we gonna bring up armada, then i'd want to see armada sideswipe.

Speaking of worst toys ever

Would be nice to see his character design get a better toy, though.

[Sabrblade]

Why would there be something I didn't want to see? I'm good with EVERYTHING!

In fact, where are the Armada homages?

Y'know what'd be a really easy slam dunk? Armada Wheeljack from Siege Sideswipe.

Heh, that was the surprise second option for the custom class figure back at this year's RoboCon.

[Nemesis Primal]

I don't think anyone posted this yet, I think it surfaced with/shortly after those Takara stock photos, but here's proof that the Micromasters still have weapon/"weapon" modes and what looks to be a callout of some kind on Hoist's battle damage. Perhaps indicating it as a unique feature, so that those who don't like it don't have to worry about it being line-wide again (I don't know what it actually says, just a guess).

Micromaster guns.jpeg

[Skritz]

Car sex is back. Greeeaaat...

[ScottyP]

Soundbarrier really needed to integrate better with the shield mold, it is bad.

Also, brainstorm: what if the Quintessa listing isn't for a TLK homage, but rather someone who was on Quintessa who can't get a trademark (like Scotty mentioned earlier), like Detritus, an Alicon, Kranix, etc.

You're missing the point of Soundbarrier. They're selling a ramp. Ironworks is a base and a robot, but is ultimately just modular base parts too. Enough of these in enough quantity and we'll be able to create our own planets. Of junk!

Or at least that's my working theory.

[aronjlove]

Car sex is back. Greeeaaat...

For reals though! The cars don't even make interesting weapons like that, at least the Air Strike Patrol make a semi decent sword.

[ThunderThruster]

Car sex is back. Greeeaaat...

Maybe get them the CARmasutra so they can change up their positioning.

[Barricade.it]

This is the coolest line since a long time. I like them more then Masterpieces.

[AcademyofDrX]

I had a decent sized Masterpiece collection of a half-dozen or so, but transformations weren't fun. I had statues that could transform, but didn't. I wanted toys I could play with, even if I would spend more time displaying or storing them than fiddling with them. I got a few Classics figures, but they always felt a little off. Combiner Wars and Titans Return started to get me to where I wanted to be.

I wasn't fully committed to the CHUG life until I got Sideswipe in my hands: this is what I always wanted in a Transformers figure. Some of the Siege line still wasn't as accurate as I wanted, like Magnus, or wasn't as fun to play with, like Springer. By and large, though, I think this is what I always wanted from a Transformers toyline.

With Earthrise Prime and Starscream in particular, plus standbys like Cliffjumper and Wheeljack, I think we're getting nearly perfect $20-$30 Transformers. Sure, I'm a little disappointed in how derivative the Seeker mold is, and I'm wary of Prime's deco, but overall I've been really impressed. I'm shooting for a complete lineup of '84-'86 bots, and they should all have good articulation, a mix of good cartoon and toy accuracy, all at a fraction of the cost per figure of Masterpiece.

[Decepticon Stryker]

Car sex is back. Greeeaaat...

I'm honestly trying, but I can't see car sex. All I see is just a really awkward pile-up.


Remember how the Skyboom Shield, Requiem Blaster, and Star Saber from Armada actually looked like actual weapons and not just a bunch of alt modes piled together with a 5mm post? Good times.

[ScottyP]

Car sex is back. Greeeaaat...

I'm honestly trying, but I can't see car sex. All I see is just a really awkward pile-up.


Remember how the Skyboom Shield, Requiem Blaster, and Star Saber from Armada actually looked like actual weapons and not just a bunch of alt modes piled together with a 5mm post? Good times.

That's being way too generous to the Skyboom Shield's bottom piece which is quite literally just a car latched on to the otherwise good work that Dirt Boss and Downshift are doing.

But in principle I completely agree here. The Micromasters have been far from what they could have been. They're more articulated than some Armada Mini-Cons and use some nice modern sculpting but outclassed in almost every way in the cleverness of engineering and fun-factor.

[haldand]

When a Cybertronian chooses an alt form, usually it's from scanning some animal, object, or vehicle. So now I really want to know what was in Soundbarrier's processor the day he decided to scan a piece of road...

Cheetor: I transform into a Cheetah!

Tracer: I transform into a gun!

Windblade: I transform into a jet!

Soundbarrier: ummm... yo... 'sup?

I guess he can always hang out with the Rock Lords...

[Sabrblade]

When a Cybertronian chooses an alt form, usually it's from scanning some animal, object, or vehicle.

Or, it's something that's built into their bodies upon their initial construction, like what was the case for the Dinobots, Stunticons, Aerialbots, and Technobots in the G1 cartoon. Meaning Soundbarrier could have had his ramp mode built into his body upon his initial construction, as though he was built to be a practical services bot.

[aronjlove]

But in principle I completely agree here. The Micromasters have been far from what they could have been. They're more articulated than some Armada Mini-Cons and use some nice modern sculpting but outclassed in almost every way in the cleverness of engineering and fun-factor.

Does anyone know why the Targetmasters with the Takara Legends versions of the Titan Masters had knee articulation but the Hasbro Siege Battle Masters do not? Feels like a step back in both articulation and transformation.

[blackeyedprime]

Maybe the quintessons thought that a ramp could never rebel against them, only to find when their elderley needed access to a building he was no where to be seen.