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[Lore Keeper]

I'm still having no luck finding any Earthrise figures around the Twin Cities area. All of the Targets around me are still stocked full of Siege stuff. There's all sorts of Battle Masters (except Smashdown) available. Rung and Singe keep popping up from time to time. Same with the Micromasters, even including the harder to find Soundwave Spy Patrol from wave 2. The Battle Squad and Rumble & Ratbat 2-packs have all apparently dried up since Xmas. Deluxes are mostly Wave 4 (minus Mirage) with a healthy sprinkling of Wave 5 Crosshairs and Spinister. The Voyagers are almost all just Megatron, Starscream, and Thundercracker, with an occasional Optimus Prime. There's no sign of Springer or Apeface anymore. Soundwave was hardly ever on the shelves around here either. The Leaders are all Shockwave, with a few Ultra Magnus figures thrown in. No sign ever of Astrotrain, and no remaining Galaxy Upgrade Optimus Primes either.

I feel your pain. I never once saw Rumble and Ratbat. It seems I missed out on them without ever really getting a chance to pick them up. Cheapest I can find the 2 pack for now is $36...

[LinaNui]

I feel your pain. I never once saw Rumble and Ratbat. It seems I missed out on them without ever really getting a chance to pick them up. Cheapest I can find the 2 pack for now is $36...[/quote]

$36 Dang! I think I should look into selling my extra copy! I feel like they may get repacked into wave 2 or 3 of ER. Just have to hold out.

[Ironhidensh]

I did a run of all 3 area Target stores yesterday. While I found Deluxes and Battlemasters, there were no Voyagers and Leaders. Of Earthrise, that is. It appears that all three stores received a very healthy stock of Siege Shockwave, Megatron, and Thundercracker. One store had gotten a couple cases of wave 1 Siege Deluxe class as well. I was very disappoint.

[o.supreme]

I've been told There doesn't seem to be any official street date, or release date (if you will), in the continental U.S.-but it does seem rather convenient that for months there are leaks here-and-there, and then all of a sudden, there seems to be this major release all at once. Maybe its self imposed by each business?...I don't know. All I do know is that no any Target in my area has even had a whiff of Earthrise. In the past, I've been on a rare occasion able to finagle an early toy out a of a employee from the back room, but not this year.

I keep checking each weekend, as this seems to be the pattern of when a major roll out occurs in the past. I'm thinking since 2/29 is a Saturday, this is when it may happen (as close to 3/1 as you can be), but there's still one more week to go before then, and of course the Toyfare reveals make it an ideal time to unleash the line as a whole.

There have been so many Leader Shockwaves cluttering up the shelf space, its probably for the best that ER hasn't had its full release yet. I think Target may have had a sale recently, but I'm not sure. Up to 2 weeks ago, every Target in my area had 4-8 Shockwaves, now they seem to be half that, or less, which is slightly encouraging. I ended up getting Singe online for $15. I can wait on Rung's eventual Earthrise re-release. Same with Astrotrain.

[Wolfman Jake]

Guess what! Soon after posting about the lack of Earthrise figures around the Twin Cities, I finally spotted the Wave 1 Voyagers at Target! There were two Grapples and one Starscream available. I got one of each, leaving one other Grapple on the shelf. Unfortunately, the boxes were sliced along the top, probably due to an overzealous use of a box cutter when opening the case, but I'm not an MISB collector anyway. Transformers are meant to be free of their paper and plastic prisons so they can be transformed back and forth! Every other size class was still Siege, though. I even had an employee check if any other Earthrise stuff was in the back or nearby stores. No luck there, but at least I've got my foot in the door with Earthrise! Grapple and Starscream look amazing in-hand. I can hardly wait to get home and open them up! Here's hoping that the rest of Wave 1 isn't far behind here. I want Leader Earthrise Optimus Prime so much!

[o.supreme]

Transformers are meant to be free of their paper and plastic prisons so they can be transformed back and forth!

This has definitely been the prevailing attitude for the past 15 years or so, which is nice. Prior to that things were different. I was never a MISB collector myself, but when I was collecting original series items, especially Japanese Transformers, I did try to go for MIB, so could take them out occasionally, look at them, but then put them back in the package.

But I agree with anything that is basically not an original series TF, might as well be opened and enjoyed. I see large collections of Armada-recent generations stuff MISB asking for exorbitant prices, and nobody is going for it. Of course there is the occasional rare item, which may warrant such a thing, but that's a personal choice.

I just wonder now, with some items getting a 2nd release, if we will start to see a slight resurgence of MISB demand. Personally , as long as there are no significant changes between Siege & Earthrise Astrotrain, I don't care when I get it. But I can see some having the mentality that the Siege version *came first*, and presumably has a lower production quantity, trying to drive up it's value. I guess only time will tell.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I too take the stance that Transformers are playthings, not trophies. The only real value of MISB from that standpoint is the guarantee that the toy's unbroken and has all its bits.

I was a bit unhappy about SIEGE Prime's height (not that I EVER saw him on shelves, I'd have had to order him), but I'm nevertheless tempted by Earthrise Leader Optimus Prime; he has a lot going for him. I'm holding out hope that maaaaybe there'll be a Commander-class Special Edition with a larger trailer that interacts with Titan Masters the way the G1 trailer interacts with Diaclone pilots, but that's probably a pipe dream.

[Wolfman Jake]

I too take the stance that Transformers are playthings, not trophies. The only real value of MISB from that standpoint is the guarantee that the toy's unbroken and has all its bits.

Exactly. When I have to buy a Transformer on the secondary market because of scarcity at retail or just missing the boat initially, I prefer getting them MISB if at all possible, just because I know the figure hasn't been handled roughly and that there won't be any missing pieces, worn joints or paint, or other wear-and-tear kinds of damage. I take care of my toys, but I don't trust anyone else to handle them, lol!

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I too take the stance that Transformers are playthings, not trophies. The only real value of MISB from that standpoint is the guarantee that the toy's unbroken and has all its bits.

Exactly. When I have to buy a Transformer on the secondary market because of scarcity at retail or just missing the boat initially, I prefer getting them MISB if at all possible, just because I know the figure hasn't been handled roughly and that there won't be any missing pieces, worn joints or paint, or other wear-and-tear kinds of damage. I take care of my toys, but I don't trust anyone else to handle them, lol!

I tend to shoot for "loose complete" (although MISB is nice if I can get it without pain), although I have bought partial and broken figures out of cheapness - typically with regards to G1 and G2. Take the guy in my avatar - broken and headless when I bought him. My G1 Trypticon had a leg broken off (which I repaired with full success).

[aronjlove]

I just paid way too much for Earthrise Smashdown on Amazon and there is one left if anyone wants: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZQXSBMY

[william-james88]

Rung and Singe keep popping up from time to time.

In my end we got lots of astrotrains and apefaces but toysrus has skipped rung and singe. Dont think Walmart will get them either. So we all have our woes.

By the way, I saw your comment about Siege grapple and I agree, he looks great in hand. BUT after transforming him, I really dislike him. The truck mode does not look good (too flat) and pieces do not peg in. So here is my current stance:

via Imgflip Meme Generator

I've been told There doesn't seem to be any official street date, or release date (if you will), in the continental U.S.-but it does seem rather convenient that for months there are leaks here-and-there, and then all of a sudden, there seems to be this major release all at once. Maybe its self imposed by each business?

It has no street date from hasbro. Those are usually for movie toys so that they ensure that they are on shelves at the same time of the film. Any restriction you would see is from the retailer, if any.

The official initial date for Earhrise was January 2020. Hence why the US got the initial toys that month and Entertainment earth started shipping out some classes that month as well.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

I just paid way too much for Earthrise Smashdown on Amazon and there is one left if anyone wants: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZQXSBMY

I hope they show up en masse around here, I need 5 more (and 5 more nicknames)

[STngAR]

Picked up Astrotrain and Optimus today at Target. Was kind of a shock after the last 2 weeks of checking and only seeing shockwave there. I saw that green on the package and was like

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Rung and Singe keep popping up from time to time.

In my end we got lots of astrotrains and apefaces but toysrus has skipped rung and singe. Dont think Walmart will get them either. So we all have our woes.

By the way, I saw your comment about Siege grapple and I agree, he looks great in hand. BUT after transforming him, I really dislike him. The truck mode does not look good (too flat) and pieces do not peg in. So here is my current stance:
-"Change my mind" image snipped-

The relatively flat look compared to 2010 "Grappel" is suited for the cartoon and for an older Mitsubishi Fuso truck in general. And the classic Fuso truck mode has much better styling than the bootleg Pierce Contender that the Universe Inferno mold turned into.

[TF-fan kev777]

Moving right along, I’m finding more and more redeeming qualities for ER Prime he’s pretty rad. If you missed Siege Prime, ER Prime is a must. I could see people getting this and saying they’ll never need another Prime again.

We say that now, but once part 3 rolls in with a new leader/voyager prime, people are gong to ditch the ER one. Just like what is happening with the siege prime

Oh for sure but for now I’m living in the moment I said the EXACT same thing with Siege Prime.[/quote]
and Power of the Primes Prime

and TR Powermaster Prime

and CW Red and white Primes

sigh, I have a Prime problem...

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

A Prime problem? Then YOU MUST HAVE A RACE!

[Stargrave]

I saw a blurb on Twitter about the Dead Universe in the Star Map. Have I totally missed that? I know Micron is in Prime’s box but who has Dead Universe? And Junkion too?

[Sabrblade]

I saw a blurb on Twitter about the Dead Universe in the Star Map. Have I totally missed that? I know Micron is in Prime’s box but who has Dead Universe? And Junkion too?

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10157342693399912&id=317740274911



Even more pics in that link.

[william-james88]

Rung and Singe keep popping up from time to time.

In my end we got lots of astrotrains and apefaces but toysrus has skipped rung and singe. Dont think Walmart will get them either. So we all have our woes.

By the way, I saw your comment about Siege grapple and I agree, he looks great in hand. BUT after transforming him, I really dislike him. The truck mode does not look good (too flat) and pieces do not peg in. So here is my current stance:
-"Change my mind" image snipped-

The relatively flat look compared to 2010 "Grappel" is suited for the cartoon and for an older Mitsubishi Fuso truck in general. And the classic Fuso truck mode has much better styling than the bootleg Pierce Contender that the Universe Inferno mold turned into.

That did not change my mind.

[Tuned Agent]

A Prime problem? Then YOU MUST HAVE A RACE!

Only after we have a sharpshooting competition.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Rung and Singe keep popping up from time to time.

In my end we got lots of astrotrains and apefaces but toysrus has skipped rung and singe. Dont think Walmart will get them either. So we all have our woes.

By the way, I saw your comment about Siege grapple and I agree, he looks great in hand. BUT after transforming him, I really dislike him. The truck mode does not look good (too flat) and pieces do not peg in. So here is my current stance:
-"Change my mind" image snipped-

The relatively flat look compared to 2010 "Grappel" is suited for the cartoon and for an older Mitsubishi Fuso truck in general. And the classic Fuso truck mode has much better styling than the bootleg Pierce Contender that the Universe Inferno mold turned into.

That did not change my mind.

Well, if the better-looking (IMO) truck mode doesn't convince you, how about this? Earthrise Grapple doesn't have an awkward arm crane (I think Mudflap pulled that off better than "Grappel"), he has better robot mode proportions and articulation scheme going by looking at him, he comes with a gun, and he can fold his hands in to reveal accessory connection ports.

[william-james88]

Rung and Singe keep popping up from time to time.

In my end we got lots of astrotrains and apefaces but toysrus has skipped rung and singe. Dont think Walmart will get them either. So we all have our woes.

By the way, I saw your comment about Siege grapple and I agree, he looks great in hand. BUT after transforming him, I really dislike him. The truck mode does not look good (too flat) and pieces do not peg in. So here is my current stance:
-"Change my mind" image snipped-

The relatively flat look compared to 2010 "Grappel" is suited for the cartoon and for an older Mitsubishi Fuso truck in general. And the classic Fuso truck mode has much better styling than the bootleg Pierce Contender that the Universe Inferno mold turned into.

That did not change my mind.

Well, if the better-looking (IMO) truck mode doesn't convince you, how about this? Earthrise Grapple doesn't have an awkward arm crane (I think Mudflap pulled that off better than "Grappel"), he has better robot mode proportions and articulation scheme going by looking at him, he comes with a gun, and he can fold his hands in to reveal accessory connection ports.

That is more convincing. The robot mode is better, though I really despise the way the arms/shoulders don't say pegged in solidly when posing him. Those are some weak ass connections, reminds me of MP Roadrage or RID Sideswipe.

[Stargrave]

I saw a blurb on Twitter about the Dead Universe in the Star Map. Have I totally missed that? I know Micron is in Prime’s box but who has Dead Universe? And Junkion too?

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10157342693399912&id=317740274911



Even more pics in that link.

And Antilla what the heck?? Madness!!

[Wolfman Jake]

My cup runneth over! After finding Earthrise Grapple and Starscream, I decided to check a few more Targets on the way home. Next one I checked had the Micromasters out. Got both sets. Next one had the Deluxes. Got all four, thanks in part to a nice Target employee who got Hoist from the back for me! The next one had the Battle Masters. I got Soundbarrier only, since I already have Smashdown from Siege. The last two though were a complete bust for Earthrise. None of them had the Leader Class figures either. Just a sea of Siege Shockwave at each one. I only need Optimus Prime too, since I got the Siege release of Astrotrain from online. I guess I should complain about not finding figures more often?

By the way, I saw your comment about Siege grapple and I agree, he looks great in hand. BUT after transforming him, I really dislike him. The truck mode does not look good (too flat) and pieces do not peg in. So here is my current stance:

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Actually, every piece does peg in. A lot of reviewers online just phoned-in transforming the arms into vehicle mode. The forearms snap together and then snap into the bed of the truck as well. It's very solid when done right and doesn't rely at all on simple friction or tight ratchets or whatever to hold its shape. Everything tabs nicely. Give it another shot.

BTW: That should really be RTS "Grappel."

[ZeroWolf]

IDW references galore... Well old IDW version 1 references galore.