The Energon Pub

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Seems that this Refraktor 3-pack was to have been one of this year's two HasCon exclusives if HasCon 2019 was actually going to happen.

Makes ya wonder what the other exclusive might have been. The Autobot dino-cassette reissues, perhaps?

Bullet dodged as far as I'm concerned; these were way too good to pass up, I'd have been salty for a while if they had been locked up behind the bs of hascon

Would make choices easier: if it's still a HasCon exclusive, screw it, get 3 regular Reflectors and wait for some parts to become available

[Sabrblade]

Seems that this Refraktor 3-pack was to have been one of this year's two HasCon exclusives if HasCon 2019 was actually going to happen.

Makes ya wonder what the other exclusive might have been. The Autobot dino-cassette reissues, perhaps?

Bullet dodged as far as I'm concerned; these were way too good to pass up, I'd have been salty for a while if they had been locked up behind the bs of hascon

But the 2017 exclusives were put online for all to purchase after the con was over. Couldn't the same have happened to these as well had HasCon not been indefinitely delayed for this year?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Seems that this Refraktor 3-pack was to have been one of this year's two HasCon exclusives if HasCon 2019 was actually going to happen.

Makes ya wonder what the other exclusive might have been. The Autobot dino-cassette reissues, perhaps?

Bullet dodged as far as I'm concerned; these were way too good to pass up, I'd have been salty for a while if they had been locked up behind the bs of hascon

But the 2017 exclusives were put online for all to purchase after the con was over. Couldn't the same have happened to these as well had HasCon not been indefinitely delayed for this year?

Indefinitely =/= canceled. It just means the date, if any, is currently unknown. If they wanna make it happen, they will... Just hope it's not short notice.

[chuckdawg1999]

For those of you on the fence here's a look at the Alpha-Fire-Strike-Stormer set. Bit of advice though, open it right away; not because of Slamdances foot, but to make sure you have both wings!

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Ok, is anybody's Walmarts passing on the Battle and Micromasters? Ever since the ones at mine have been cleared out they've removed the price tags for them.

Yep, my walmart never made it past wave 1 in any class besides deluxe and voyager, and it never got leaders

[STngAR]

Ok, is anybody's Walmarts passing on the Battle and Micromasters? Ever since the ones at mine have been cleared out they've removed the price tags for them.

Yep, my walmart never made it past wave 1 in any class besides deluxe and voyager, and it never got leaders

Stopped at my Wal-Mart today and all they had were deluxe figures. There was no empty space or pegs for any other size class.

[Hellscream9999]

Ok, is anybody's Walmarts passing on the Battle and Micromasters? Ever since the ones at mine have been cleared out they've removed the price tags for them.

Yep, my walmart never made it past wave 1 in any class besides deluxe and voyager, and it never got leaders

Stopped at my Wal-Mart today and all they had were deluxe figures. There was no empty space or pegs for any other size class.

Yeah, meijer axed their micromaster and battlemaster section too, but those size classes seemed to have really crappy distribution pretty universally

[Ironhidensh]

Ok, is anybody's Walmarts passing on the Battle and Micromasters? Ever since the ones at mine have been cleared out they've removed the price tags for them.

Yep. Same deal in my area.

[Stargrave]

Thanks to fellow Seibertronian Chuckdawg1999 we have a video review of the new Alphastrike Counterforce! The set includes Covert Clone (G2 Sideswipe), Slamdance (Grand Slam and Raindance) and Battlemaster Trenchfoot. Of particular note we get a nice view of Slamdance who several fans noted has an Achilles heel of sorts in the form of a low-tolerance ankle joint attached via pin. Either the tension of the pin, the materials used, or a combination of both have resulted in several cases of snapped ankles. We reported on this previously here. Hopefully this hasn't been an issue for you and unlike Chuck we hope yours came with both wings for Raindance.

From Chuck:
"For those of you on the fence here's a look at the Alpha-Fire-Strike-Stormer set. Bit of advice though, open it right away; not because of Slamdances foot, but to make sure you have both wings!"



Enjoy the view and share your thoughts with the crew in the forums. Stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news!

[Stargrave]

Thanks to fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade we've learned of an interesting listing at BBCW Distributors. The listing is for the new exclusive Refraktor/Reflector Reconnaissance Team with the additional accessories which make it look more like a traditional camera. At the end of the listing it indicates this was originally intended to be one of the two Hascon exclusives, the second in fact. This gives us two things to note: one, now we know why it's not numbered in the Siege or Selects line and two, it tells us that there was a Hascon planned for 2019 that didn't happen.

Here's the original listing at BBCW Distributors:

License: Transformers / War For Cybertron: Siege
Features:
Refraktor Reconnaissance Team Pack comes with Spectro, Viewfinder, and Spyglass figures. All 3 figures feature classic conversion between robot and G1-inspired Cybertronian spacecraft modes in 17 steps.
Combine included figures to form Refraktor camera mode. Refraktor is an evil marauder - not a working camera.
Special box inspired by classic camera boxes. Includes distinct instructions on how to work this non-working camera. Oh no! It’s KREMZEEK! He’s tearing through the package! The pack also includes a Kremzeek figure, a really annoying electronic pest.
Pack includes 8 weapon and armor accessories. Multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. weapon ports on figure and vehicle enable weapon and armor accessories to attach in custom configurations.
Ages 8+
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts may be generated.
Not for children under 3 years.
Assortment is set to include:
4x TRA GEN HASCON EXCLUSIVE 2 (630509825226).
Sold as cases. Packed 4 per case.

What do you think the other exclusive might have been? Tell us your thoughts in the forum and stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news.

[sol magnus]

I prefer the battle damage this just looks like some cleaner spilled on them. Neat attempt thought it’s cool to see them trying this stuff. I think they could refine it.

I like the battle damage, too.

[Wireless_Phantom]

Well... Hmm. Maybe Nemesis Prime? Possibly Blaster? Maybe a Diaclone inspired two pack of Tiger Track and Diaclone Ironhide?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Thanks to fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade we've learned of an interesting listing at BBCW Distributors. The listing is for the new exclusive Refraktor/Reflector Reconnaissance Team with the additional accessories which make it look more like a traditional camera. At the end of the listing it indicates this was originally intended to be one of the two Hascon exclusives, the second in fact. This gives us two things to note: one, now we know why it's not numbered in the Siege or Selects line and two, it tells us that there was a Hascon planned for 2019 that didn't happen.

Here's the original listing at BBCW Distributors:

License: Transformers / War For Cybertron: Siege
Features:
Refraktor Reconnaissance Team Pack comes with Spectro, Viewfinder, and Spyglass figures. All 3 figures feature classic conversion between robot and G1-inspired Cybertronian spacecraft modes in 17 steps.
Combine included figures to form Refraktor camera mode. Refraktor is an evil marauder - not a working camera.
Special box inspired by classic camera boxes. Includes distinct instructions on how to work this non-working camera. Oh no! It’s KREMZEEK! He’s tearing through the package! The pack also includes a Kremzeek figure, a really annoying electronic pest.
Pack includes 8 weapon and armor accessories. Multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. weapon ports on figure and vehicle enable weapon and armor accessories to attach in custom configurations.
Ages 8+
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts may be generated.
Not for children under 3 years.
Assortment is set to include:
4x TRA GEN HASCON EXCLUSIVE 2 (630509825226).
Sold as cases. Packed 4 per case.

What do you think the other exclusive might have been? Tell us your thoughts in the forum and stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news.

... so who will get him?

[william-james88]

Whats your question Jelze?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Whats your question Jelze?

Simple: which store will end up selling that set?

[Sabrblade]

Well... Hmm. Maybe Nemesis Prime? Possibly Blaster? Maybe a Diaclone inspired two pack of Tiger Track and Diaclone Ironhide?

The other HasCon excusive was probably just the Dino-cassettes reissue, what with it being an oddball in the Vintage G1 line by being the only item of the line that isn't being sold through Walmart.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Well... Hmm. Maybe Nemesis Prime? Possibly Blaster? Maybe a Diaclone inspired two pack of Tiger Track and Diaclone Ironhide?

If we get a Nemesis Prime repaint of Siege Prime, that'd be awesome. Though, I also wish that we could get a Shattered Glass repaint out of Siege Prime with the battle damage replaced with energon splashes because of a Digibash that I had seen on Twitter. Or even a Toxitron repaint. Annnnnnd it's at this moment that I realize that Hasbro has way too many character's that are just repainted Optimus Primes

[Stargrave]

Well... Hmm. Maybe Nemesis Prime? Possibly Blaster? Maybe a Diaclone inspired two pack of Tiger Track and Diaclone Ironhide?

The other HasCon excusive was probably just the Dino-cassettes reissue, what with it being an oddball in the Vintage G1 line by being the only item of the line that isn't being sold through Walmart.

Just gotta be the guy who whacks down the piñata on the first swing dontcha Sabr. The entertainment is in the ridiculous guessing and speculation.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Well... Hmm. Maybe Nemesis Prime? Possibly Blaster? Maybe a Diaclone inspired two pack of Tiger Track and Diaclone Ironhide?

If we get a Nemesis Prime repaint of Siege Prime, that'd be awesome. Though, I also wish that we could get a Shattered Glass repaint out of Siege Prime with the battle damage replaced with energon splashes because of a Digibash that I had seen on Twitter. Or even a Toxitron repaint. Annnnnnd it's at this moment that I realize that Hasbro has way too many character's that are just repainted Optimus Primes

G1 Megatron still has more:

MW Megaplex
G2 Archforce
BWII Megastorm
BWII Thrust
RiD Bludgeon
RiD Wind Sheer
RM Air Hunter
RM Reverse Convoy

[william-james88]

Whats your question Jelze?

Simple: which store will end up selling that set?

We already know, its through fan channels, like a may mayhem toy but without support from big box retailers. He isnt an exclusive anymore.

[Hellscream9999]

Whats your question Jelze?

Simple: which store will end up selling that set?

We already know, its through fan channels, like a may mayhem toy but without support from big box retailers. He isnt an exclusive anymore.

I mean pulse, first of all, I've had him pre-ordered since sdcc, I don't quite understand, all the other e-tailers have pre-orders up for him too

[william-james88]

Whats your question Jelze?

Simple: which store will end up selling that set?

We already know, its through fan channels, like a may mayhem toy but without support from big box retailers. He isnt an exclusive anymore.

I mean pulse, first of all, I've had him pre-ordered since sdcc, I don't quite understand, all the other e-tailers have pre-orders up for him too

Yes, Its the same as gen select megatron or most other non exclusive siege toys only found online, what's hard to understand?

[Emerje]

Well... Hmm. Maybe Nemesis Prime? Possibly Blaster? Maybe a Diaclone inspired two pack of Tiger Track and Diaclone Ironhide?

The other HasCon excusive was probably just the Dino-cassettes reissue, what with it being an oddball in the Vintage G1 line by being the only item of the line that isn't being sold through Walmart.

The real question is would they have still come with Frenzy or would they have come with a Deluxe figure like another Bumblebee repaint if they were Hascon exclusives? I also have to wonder what the price would have turned out like. The three tapes are fairly reasonably priced at $35 and are almost comparable to the Walmart 2-packs for $20 and a far cry from 2-tapes and a Deluxe for $60.

On a side note, I really like the way the cartoon shading turned out on 35th Optimus and Megatron and if the Walmart reissues featured those paint jobs I would have bought them on sight!

Also...



My Amazon exclusives finally found their way home. No idea where they were, but somebody dropped them off on my front porch early Wednesday morning, long before my normal mail delivery. They're finally right where they belong. I also got a email from the local Postmaster promising to investigate what happened, I replied letting them know someone dropped it off. I also had a few stern, but not hostile, things to say about constant delivery mixups on a road that only has 13 houses on it with house numbers spread between 19 and 57, our numbers aren't that similar!

But that's not all, my Slamdance appears to be in good shape with not obvious cracks or stress marks. I moved all of his leg joints around several times and transformed him to vehicle modes and back once and aside from being a little stiff at first everything seems fine. There is some obvious loose plastic at the end of some of the pins so the holes might be either slightly too small causing stress or warped in the molding process. I only found this on the left leg, the one that is most often breaking, and not at all on the right leg.

Emerje

[firefox91]

Kind of an indication of what a disaster of an idea Hascon was to begin with. Instead of having a line-specific convention with exclusives, panels, and events focused on that line, they provided a watered down, overpriced show with no focus at all.

[Mindmaster]

My guess is that either the Mirage/Impactor/Aragon set or the Rainmakers set were originally Hascon exclusives.