The Energon Pub

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Glad to see others share my sentiment that T30 Titan class Metroplex never should have been as shallowly tall as it was in the first place.

Eh, he kinda did need to be the size he is. Not only does it make him a better towering giant, it also makes him work better as a walking dollhouse for figures larger than Legion-class.

The thing is, when you use the word "size", you're talking about mass. When I used the word "tall", I was talking about height.

He could have kept the same mass (and thus kept the same functionality as a playset, or "walking dollhouse" as you put it) if he had been couple a couple of inches shorter in height. In fact, keeping the same mass at that slightly shorter height could have even bulked him up a bit more (making him better resemble his original chunkier design) so that he wouldn't be as lanky and anorexic as he turned out to be for the sheer shallow sake of more height.

Sorry, I should have said height too. I think the lower legs at the least still needed to be as tall as they are so that his decks would be decently sized. The thighs, they could probably have got away with shortening a bit.

Returning to Earthrise... Has anyone made their own train cars for Astrotrain?

is there even a connection system on the back of the tinder/tender? (I honestly never looked... will have to when I get home).

There's a peg on the back of the tender you could stick one onto. It's something I plan to do whenever I finally manage to get my own Astrotrain.

[SpikeyTigertron]

I hope they remake some old Titans without sound and with more articulations like Scorpionok

other than ankle rockers, were they *missing* articulation? I definitely would like some alternatives with stronger ratchets, and less hollow legs. It still grinds me gears how wasted Fort Max was by reusing so much of Metroplex. At least Metroplex *used* all this hollowness for play value.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

I hope they remake some old Titans without sound and with more articulations like Scorpionok

other than ankle rockers, were they *missing* articulation? I definitely would like some alternatives with stronger ratchets, and less hollow legs. It still grinds me gears how wasted Fort Max was by reusing so much of Metroplex. At least Metroplex *used* all this hollowness for play value.

Fort Max definitely suffers from being a budget job and an experiment. That and some questionable choices with the parts that are new - namely, the change to how Cerebros connects in altmode.

I think if Hasbro had known for certain the viability of doing the rest of the citybots when they were developing TR Fort Max, they would probably have sprung for new, accurately-transforming lower legs at the least. On a related note, anyone have recommendations for how to build a custom below-the-knee pivot for him?

[SpikeyTigertron]

I hope they remake some old Titans without sound and with more articulations like Scorpionok

other than ankle rockers, were they *missing* articulation? I definitely would like some alternatives with stronger ratchets, and less hollow legs. It still grinds me gears how wasted Fort Max was by reusing so much of Metroplex. At least Metroplex *used* all this hollowness for play value.

Fort Max definitely suffers from being a budget job and an experiment. That and some questionable choices with the parts that are new - namely, the change to how Cerebros connects in altmode.

I think if Hasbro had known for certain the viability of doing the rest of the citybots when they were developing TR Fort Max, they would probably have sprung for new, accurately-transforming lower legs at the least. On a related note, anyone have recommendations for how to build a custom below-the-knee pivot for him?

Probably fashion some kind of mushroom peg system.

[aronjlove]

I saw on the TFW2005 boards that an Earthrise 2-pack of Earth mode Prowl and Ironhide are on their way. Lol, are we gonna get repeats of everyone?

[Hellscream9999]

I saw on the TFW2005 boards that an Earthrise 2-pack of Earth mode Prowl and Ironhide are on their way. Lol, are we gonna get repeats of everyone?

I don't see why not, they know you guys will buy them

[Gauntlet101010]

I saw on the TFW2005 boards that an Earthrise 2-pack of Earth mode Prowl and Ironhide are on their way. Lol, are we gonna get repeats of everyone?

I saw that too. My old Universe Ironhide (and Ratchet) may finally be replaced! Ditto Prowl. I've disliked that old mold for years now.

I wonder if we'll get another Barricade repaint out of it...

[Skritz]

I saw on the TFW2005 boards that an Earthrise 2-pack of Earth mode Prowl and Ironhide are on their way. Lol, are we gonna get repeats of everyone?

Yep. And next line too. And the next...

[aronjlove]

Maybe it is because I'm relatively new, but the last trilogy didn't double-dip like this? At least give us a couple of years to enjoy the current toy...

[Skritz]

Maybe it is because I'm relatively new, but the last trilogy didn't double-dip like this? At least give us a couple of years to enjoy the current toy...

There weren't really any repeats in Prime Wars beyond Optimus and Megatron, plus each was a different design anyway. This all seems pretty silly to me when there are '84-'86 designs they could be doing that aren't a repeat. Especially in an era where retooling is so advanced and commonplace.

[Nemesis Primal]

...huh. This is actually an interesting development because Hasbro very rarely puts new molds out as exclusives (Punch/Counterpunch being the exception), so this Ironhide is going to be either a reshell of the Siege one, a very heavy retool of Hoist/Trailbreaker due to their similar alt modes (maybe?), another exception to that rule (possibly), or there's someone with a van alt mode coming somewhere in the main line we haven't seen yet, which would have to be...I have no idea, actually.

Maybe it is because I'm relatively new, but the last trilogy didn't double-dip like this? At least give us a couple of years to enjoy the current toy...

I mean, there were multiple Optimus and Megatron figures like Skritz said, but each one was a blatantly different design, and Megatron even sat PotP out completely since he didn't win the fan vote. Outside of that, there was only Hot Rod, Brawn, and Grimlock, and those only really count if you squint at them, since a Legends-class Hot Rod repaint and Titanmasters of Brawn and Grim for banter aren't really the same thing as getting the same character again in the same size class with the same base design and barely different alt modes, which is what all of the Siege redos bar the Seekers have been, and the Seekers only don't fit that alt mode qualification.

Edit: Oh, and Blast Off, but that's because Hasbro were lazy and couldn't be bothered to give him his real alt mode, and Takara weren't having it.

[Skritz]

What if its an Energon Ironhide? (As if...)

[no-one]

or there's someone with a van alt mode coming somewhere in the main line we haven't seen yet, which would have to be...

Ratchet

[aronjlove]

I guess since we already knew about Smokescreen, I shouldn't be surprised about the other Datsuns. And maybe Ironhide is like ER Megatron, just enough change to call it a day. But does this two-pack come with a map piece? I'm not collecting them, but for some, that would practically force their hand.

[Skritz]

Overall I'm just not interested at all in repeats. Yeah, sure, little plastic robots are already technically a major money sink but I don't see the point of replacing anything I got in Siege. I'm not a G1 fan on the same level as some people that I'll happily sit out any repeats, unless its a figure I missed out during Siege for a reason or another (such as not finding it and its now sold out online). I'm all for getting their repaint or retools if its a design I like but overall just ain't so wasteful as to get rid/replace a guy I bought last year.

Barring a few exceptions I'm a 'one figure per character' kind of guy. Doubledealer is one I do want to replace but that's because the T30 one is an awful (comparatively) figure I got at a discount for **** and giggles. Even then, any double is not wasted I'll try to figure out some use for them as custom fodder.

If next line is 3/4 redo of guys from the last two lines then, fine. That's less I'm interested in and all the better.

[Nemesis Primal]

or there's someone with a van alt mode coming somewhere in the main line we haven't seen yet, which would have to be...

Ratchet

I thought he was rumored for Selects? 85% of the TFW thread about this boxset seems to think so, at least, which is why I'm confused and attempting to speculate.

[JoeIsNotCool]

Personally I like this news. I didn't like how Siege Prowl looked so I skipped out on him, and I don't really like how Siege Ironhide looks either now I have him, but I do like Ratchet. I will most likely pick this up.

[Skritz]

If it wasn't some boxset of two, I'd consider the ER Prowl since I only got Smokescreen and Bluestreak and the molds are similar-ish enough that some visual variety wouldn't bother me too much, especially since for Prowl I'd be more 'attached' to the completely Earth-based mode. However, given how badly Prowl warmed shelves and its a set, I'll skip.

If they make another Barricade then I will try to get that one because I never saw Barricade anywhere.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Honestly, only way I'd get the set is if it hits discount to the point where it's basically a Buy 1 Get 1 Free. If it was Ratchet and a blue sided Bluestreak, then I'd be interested, but Ironhide's not a major issue, and while Prowl would be nice, I'm fine without it. Besides, at this rate we might be able to get 3 Datsuns in 3 different lines and molds

[Skritz]

Blue Bluestreak is one thing I'd be interested in, if only because I'd treat his regular color self as a different character so I can finally call him 'Bluestreak'. Not being a G1 guy means some of these characters get mixed up in my head, with Bluestreak and Smokescreen always getting mixed up. I see the blue one and think "Oh yeah that's Bluestreak" and then see the grey one and think "Right, grey, Smokescreen!"

But it the opposite damn it.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Blue Bluestreak is one thing I'd be interested in, if only because I'd treat his regular color self as a different character so I can finally call him 'Bluestreak'. Not being a G1 guy means some of these characters get mixed up in my head, with Bluestreak and Smokescreen always getting mixed up. I see the blue one and think "Oh yeah that's Bluestreak" and then see the grey one and think "Right, grey, Smokescreen!"

But it the opposite damn it.

It really doesn't help that Bluestreak's original toy had a blue sided version, AND a repaint in the Masterpiece line CALLED Bluestreak

[Skritz]

Bluestreak and Smokescreen would make more sense with their colors swapped.

[sol magnus]

...huh. This is actually an interesting development because Hasbro very rarely puts new molds out as exclusives (Punch/Counterpunch being the exception), so this Ironhide is going to be either a reshell of the Siege one, a very heavy retool of Hoist/Trailbreaker due to their similar alt modes (maybe?), another exception to that rule (possibly), or there's someone with a van alt mode coming somewhere in the main line we haven't seen yet, which would have to be...I have no idea, actually.

Maybe it is because I'm relatively new, but the last trilogy didn't double-dip like this? At least give us a couple of years to enjoy the current toy...

I mean, there were multiple Optimus and Megatron figures like Skritz said, but each one was a blatantly different design, and Megatron even sat PotP out completely since he didn't win the fan vote. Outside of that, there was only Hot Rod, Brawn, and Grimlock, and those only really count if you squint at them, since a Legends-class Hot Rod repaint and Titanmasters of Brawn and Grim for banter aren't really the same thing as getting the same character again in the same size class with the same base design and barely different alt modes, which is what all of the Siege redos bar the Seekers have been, and the Seekers only don't fit that alt mode qualification.

Edit: Oh, and Blast Off, but that's because Hasbro were lazy and couldn't be bothered to give him his real alt mode, and Takara weren't having it.

Seems to me they planned all these Cybertron/Earth modes out at the time conception since they planned this trilogy well in advance. Like they did with Ratchet/Ironhide, they probably did Earth modes for some people in the very beginning. I'm actually wondering how they will approach part 3. A mix of Earth/Cyberton? More focus on 1986-1988? Time will tell.

In any event, an Earth mode Prowl/Ironhide two pack is a definite buy for me.

[blackeyedprime]

Def buy for me having skipped the lacklustre siege versions. Hopefully ratchet is selects as walgreens exclusives seem to be the hardest/highest scalper price rate over the past few lines with the possible exception of wreckgar.

[Cyberpath]

Isn't this the theme of the new trilogy? To show their progression from Cybertronian vehicles to Earth-style ones (and then into whatever's coming next)?

Interesting how Bumblebee has been ignored so far... He'd have been perfect for Siege with his Cybertronian car-mode actually appearing on screen.. and as for EarthRise all they need to do is re-tool Cliff'.

Still on the fence about ER Prime, all that grey plastic on the legs is jarring; if I knew for sure whether a more strict deco was coming out...