The Energon Pub

[o.supreme]

I wanna see someone with one of every Titan class figure (Metroplex, Devastator, Fort Max, Trypticon, Predaking, and Omega) take a picture of them all together lined up from shortest to tallest.

Oh I have many plans for Titan Group Shots, once I get Omega... it may be a while though. In the mean time, I have all the others AND Legends Grand Max...I did a pic a while back in this thread with size comparisons with everything from Titan, to Titan Master

[sol magnus]

What Deluxe or Voyager class figure is a can’t-miss in the Siege line for you?

Ironhide and ratchet. We just dont have any good alternatives for that scale.

You sound like those are just "good enough". Something you don't like about them?

I never said that. Quite the opposite. If you don't get Siege Mirage, there are others to fill that void. But there is nothing even close to as good as these Ironhide and Ratchet toys.

Purely subjectively, I'm still partial to the old BotCon 2005 ones, even if they are hard to come by and have peculiar-looking headsculpts.

Do they end up on the small side ?

IIRC, most Energon Deluxe class Autobots were pretty chunky toys. Not tall, but not pint-sized, either.

Here's a couple of Ryan's gallery pics:

Why do these two Tow-Line repaints get so much love? It's a fun toy with the G1 "weapon sled" part nailed down for Ironhide and Ratchet...but everything else about them is awful. The head sculpts are atrociously bad. The proportions are all wonky with the skinny thighs and extra wide beer guts for entire torsos. The paint jobs are passable, but not really all that accurate either. To me, they work much better as "Energon" versions of Ironhide and Ratchet than they do their actual G1 selves, or even as "reimagined" 2006 Classics versions.

I think they're objectively hideous.

[Flashwave]

What Deluxe or Voyager class figure is a can’t-miss in the Siege line for you?

Ironhide and ratchet. We just dont have any good alternatives for that scale.

You sound like those are just "good enough". Something you don't like about them?

I never said that. Quite the opposite. If you don't get Siege Mirage, there are others to fill that void. But there is nothing even close to as good as these Ironhide and Ratchet toys.

Purely subjectively, I'm still partial to the old BotCon 2005 ones, even if they are hard to come by and have peculiar-looking headsculpts.

Do they end up on the small side ?

IIRC, most Energon Deluxe class Autobots were pretty chunky toys. Not tall, but not pint-sized, either.

Here's a couple of Ryan's gallery pics:

Why do these two Tow-Line repaints get so much love? It's a fun toy with the G1 "weapon sled" part nailed down for Ironhide and Ratchet...but everything else about them is awful. The head sculpts are atrociously bad. The proportions are all wonky with the skinny thighs and extra wide beer guts for entire torsos. The paint jobs are passable, but not really all that accurate either. To me, they work much better as "Energon" versions of Ironhide and Ratchet than they do their actual G1 selves, or even as "reimagined" 2006 Classics versions.

You answered your own question. Yes, they are ygly abd dont exactly have a classic asthetic, but they do the one thibg that is most easily recognixable about the G1 mold: that it splits into a robot and sled. Sunstreaker has his intakes, Prime always has a Trailer (and when he doesnt its usually the first thing people grouse about) and Magnus has his armor. Tjose are the defining, signature parts of thrir toys (and by extension, their characters) that no other figure did and no other version of Ironhide and Ratchet has even attempted. And its not like there was a better alternative, in 2006 you had the ugly looking van thing that had more wide panel gaps than a shattered mirror, or you had the Universe repaint of X-Brawn that was a fun mold but bot Ratchet in the slightest (or maybe I am biased because it was X Brawn that got me in the collecting) and that was it until Combiner Wars, and even those are generic reuses. So I was happy to fall back onto an oddly proportioned bit Gimmickly accurate version of them over Mr. Staring-at-his-own-Clavicle that we got in 2006. I tried to love that mold, I couldnt do it.

And honsetly, as much as I do like the Siege mold, and cannot wait to find Ratchet for reasonable, I still want a "proper" Generations vwrsion with the battle sleds and the van alt modes if it wasnt so small, I actually almost prefer the new Cyberverse Ratchet's bot and alt modes.

And abyway, the G1 figures were pretty much 95% windshield torso to 5% legs too.

[Sabrblade]

And its not like there was a better alternative, in 2006 you had the ugly looking van thing that had more wide panel gaps than a shattered mirror...

So I was happy to fall back onto an oddly proportioned bit Gimmickly accurate version of them over Mr. Staring-at-his-own-Clavicle that we got in 2006.

2009

[Flashwave]

So, I am very happy wuth Omega Supreme and especially the playavlbility of his vase mode. I am gonna hold off in saying "Favorite Titan" because I still really love the engineering behind Devastator, but he is defiantely up there. I love the rocket transformation especially, and putting the whole tprso together is a ton of fun.

Some minor quirks: there is a burr in the right knee somehwre, it dpes not like to bend to 90* like the left one does.

I do wish the tank barrel had been engineered differently, specifically like the masks were in some Titans Return figures, with the barrel mask being on the neck swivel. In tank mode the turret cannot turn at all.

I am having abolsolute fits getting the track to slot into the bottom of his pant cuffs. Everything should be lined up right vut its a tight fit and thin pegs. I worry that's gonna snap. Also, one of the curves does not seem to want to hold up the tank and it slides off as it goes by. Oddly, it warps and "derails" over one of the folding supports, not between them. But I am on carpet so maybe its just not sitting level.

If anyone is interested, Nonnef Productions has announced that they wants to make track pieces.

For as wide as his feet are, Omega lacks any reach with his toes, amd is still quite top heavy.
I cant for the life of me figure out Countdown's weapon mode. Something is missing from the instructions or the toy, he doesnt even have te Blast Effect Nubs of all the other Weapon dudes that I can find.

I am not a fan of the blast effects in general, and I dont like them here. I wish there was more color in them than black, but even then I probably would just stuff them in his leg cavity. They are a stiffer material though than the regular effects, ao that was nice to see.

I gotta appreciate the level of Siege-ness in Omega Supreme. Despite a lack of traditional hands, there is a full wrist swivel in his claw, and each finger has a 5mm port in it, making it possible for him to still hold things with more than just a pinch grip.

Anyone remember Dreamwave? Groundshaker and Countdown were a duo, seemed only correct ti reunite the Micromasters and give Omega Supreme a Sword... Well, Dagger.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

He has a vase mode?

[-Kanrabat-]

So it’s safe to assume the actual lead class size is now a part of history....

But this isn't a bad thing. Some toys in the past were never released since they didn't fit a size class and lots of fans moaned about that.

I like the idea of price points more than hard defined in height size classes. Most of the recent leader class figures I bought were just too damn big and didn't look good within their own line. I can only think of two leader class figures that make sense to me, T30 Jetfire and TR Overlord (I'm sure there's more, but didn't spot any after a quick scan of my office).

I'll also say that Siege Shockwave and Astrotrain should've/should just drop all the extra stuff and been/be released at the voyager price point.

Honestly, I'm very happy with the new Leaders. They are IN SCALE with the rest of the crew. Plus this allow characters like Ultra Magnus to have working armor. As for the Movie bots, I sold all of my Movie leaders except Buster Optimus/Jetfire and Starscream because they were just big for the sake of being big. Also, it look like all the Movie Megatrons will be made in the SS line. I got over DOTM SS Leader's Megs blocky legs because it allow him to be the same size as the ROTF SS voyager Megs in bot mode, but his truck mode is BIG as it should always have been instead of the almost "scout" truck of the DOTM voyager original.

So for the Generation line, this will allow for bigger characters to finally be made in a manageable size. Plus those who come with a trailer of armor can be included too.
BTW, I wonder if SkyLinx will be two voyagers sold separately,a Leader that is a 2-pack, or a Commander class like Jetfire?

[ZeroWolf]

I'd place money for him being commander class but the problem is he'd should scale with predaking as that was supposed to be his rival.. Which would mean he'd need to be titan class

[william-james88]

So back to Jetfire, which I got last week, he's fine but the QC eaves much to be desired. I was wondering if everyone else had these problems. The right wrist is super loose, so he can't hold his gun straight, it always flops to one side. Also, the ratchets on his thighs are not of the same strength. One side is far weaker than the other. Are all copies like this?

[-Kanrabat-]

So back to Jetfire, which I got last week, he's fine but the QC eaves much to be desired. I was wondering if everyone else had these problems. The right wrist is super loose, so he can't hold his gun straight, it always flops to one side. Also, the ratchets on his thighs are not of the same strength. One side is far weaker than the other. Are all copies like this?

You may have landed a dud. Because mine is just perfect all over.

[no-one]

So it’s safe to assume the actual lead class size is now a part of history....

But this isn't a bad thing. Some toys in the past were never released since they didn't fit a size class and lots of fans moaned about that.

I like the idea of price points more than hard defined in height size classes.

Honestly, I'm very happy with the new Leaders. They are IN SCALE with the rest of the crew.

As am I, I meant leaders from CW through PotP, but I worded it poorly. I like the flexibility and the size variances within size classes.

So for the Generation line, this will allow for bigger characters to finally be made in a manageable size. Plus those who come with a trailer of armor can be included too.

That's also what I'm hoping for.

BTW, I wonder if SkyLinx will be two voyagers sold separately,a Leader that is a 2-pack, or a Commander class like Jetfire?

Are there rumors of a new Skylinx, as cool as that would be I'm happy with the last one we got, but I'm ok with another one that I can skip. If we see another Commander class figure, I'd expect it to be a Decepticon to balance the force.

So back to Jetfire, which I got last week, he's fine but the QC eaves much to be desired. I was wondering if everyone else had these problems. The right wrist is super loose, so he can't hold his gun straight, it always flops to one side. Also, the ratchets on his thighs are not of the same strength. One side is far weaker than the other. Are all copies like this?

No, I think you pulled the short QC straw. The only "issue" mine has is the left wrist will un-peg slightly too easy. The wrists do swivel very easily, but not to the point of a problem. All other joints are tight enough to hold any poses I've put him in. I just grabbed him off the shelf buy his leg and double checked to make sure I wasn't remembering it wrong.

"a bunch of info and cool stuff about Omega Supreme"

Thanks for the info. The more I hear about OS, the more excited I get for him.

[sol magnus]

With this talk of Leader class, I've been doing some thinking on that score. The leader class figures without the add-ons (Prime and Magnus) are the top end of Voyager scale. The others (Shockwave and Astrotrain) are pretty much the same size as a Voyager.

A Voyager is a 30 dollar figure, but a Commander is 50 bucks. And while Prime and Magnus "feel" like they're worth that, Shockwave and Astrotrain don't. Obviously the armor is going to feel like it incorporates into the overall figure while giving you an expected outcome. Shockwave just gets a bunch of arms, and Astrotrain gets some junk in his trunk. I don't feel like that's worth 20 extra bucks, but hey, whatevs I'll buy them because I'm in love with Siege, and when you're in love, you sometimes get taken advantage of.

What I would like to see in Leader class coming up is a slightly larger figure that is self-incorporated. That would make me feel less trepidation about shelling out 50 smackers for a "Voyager with add-ons," which is how it feels with the Decepticon leaders at current.

[Flashwave]

Astrotrain gets some junk in his trunk.

Ro be fair, he is also getting a trunk for his junk.

Idnt it funny? A Decepticon gets a trailer (Tender) befoee G1 Prime.

Actually, thete is a thought exercise: if we got Siege Voyager Prime un a Leader Box with a trailer that did nothing more than what Astrotrain's tender did, the ONLY complaint would be "Where's Roller?" We are a fickle group.

What I would like to see in Leader class coming up is a slightly larger figure that is self-incorporated. That would make me feel less trepidation about shelling out 50 smackers for a "Voyager with add-ons," which is how it feels with the Decepticon leaders at current.

no argument here, although if Shockwave had been incorporated, everyone would have complained that he looked so not G1. So tgey really can't win

[no-one]

Astrotrain gets some junk in his trunk.

Ro be fair, he is also getting a trunk for his junk.

Idnt it funny? A Decepticon gets a trailer (Tender) befoee G1 Prime.

Actually, thete is a thought exercise: if we got Siege Voyager Prime un a Leader Box with a trailer that did nothing more than what Astrotrain's tender did, the ONLY complaint would be "Where's Roller?" We are a fickle group.

What I would like to see in Leader class coming up is a slightly larger figure that is self-incorporated. That would make me feel less trepidation about shelling out 50 smackers for a "Voyager with add-ons," which is how it feels with the Decepticon leaders at current.

no argument here, although if Shockwave had been incorporated, everyone would have complained that he looked so not G1. So tgey really can't win

Fans, the worst part of any fandom

I've been happy with all my Siege leader purchases. Would I have like to play less, sure, but I'm willing to pay for what I want/nice things. I played with Shockwaves extra bits for a day or two then chunked them in the drawer of unloved accessories. Jetfire's extra parts are right next to Shockwaves "drone"

[o.supreme]

Yeah the wrists on my Jetfire are a little loose, but they have actually gotten better over a couple of weeks (something odd, I cant say about other figures), and I don't use any floor polish or other fancy tricks for fear of damaging my toys.

[Cyberpath]

So back to Jetfire, which I got last week, he's fine but the QC eaves much to be desired. I was wondering if everyone else had these problems. The right wrist is super loose, so he can't hold his gun straight, it always flops to one side. Also, the ratchets on his thighs are not of the same strength. One side is far weaker than the other. Are all copies like this?

Same with his right wrist, but I make it work. Might apply "Pledge" if it becomes too annoying.

I don't feel like that's worth 20 extra bucks, but hey, whatevs I'll buy them because I'm in love with Siege, and when you're in love, you sometimes get taken advantage of.

I've been happy with all my Siege leader purchases. Would I have like to play less, sure, but I'm willing to pay for what I want/nice things. I played with Shockwaves extra bits for a day or two then chunked them in the drawer of unloved accessories. Jetfire's extra parts are right next to Shockwaves "drone"

I actually like the extra "Jetfire" parts that came with Skyfire.
I throw them on him sometimes, got a backstory for it, too. Really gives him a different look.

[Cobotron]

got a backstory for it, too.

Oh? Do tell. I love a good back story!
Head canon FTW!!!!

[sol magnus]

Astrotrain gets some junk in his trunk.

Ro be fair, he is also getting a trunk for his junk.

Idnt it funny? A Decepticon gets a trailer (Tender) befoee G1 Prime.

Actually, thete is a thought exercise: if we got Siege Voyager Prime un a Leader Box with a trailer that did nothing more than what Astrotrain's tender did, the ONLY complaint would be "Where's Roller?" We are a fickle group.

What I would like to see in Leader class coming up is a slightly larger figure that is self-incorporated. That would make me feel less trepidation about shelling out 50 smackers for a "Voyager with add-ons," which is how it feels with the Decepticon leaders at current.

no argument here, although if Shockwave had been incorporated, everyone would have complained that he looked so not G1. So tgey really can't win

Well, the junk 'in' his trunk is the same reference. He's also getting a trunk. But yeah. Unless you count Galaxy Upgrade's trailer.

The funny thing about Prime is as a leader class, the Voyager would be exactly that with a trailer. I would say had they done that, Roller would be a Micromaster you could buy or something along the lines of the cassettes. But, I'm glad that one isn't a Leader with a trailer, because it evokes Optimus Prime's alt-mode in Transformers #1 in 1984 -- to me, anyway.

I think they just need to make some larger Decepticons as leader class, although, it's more than fair to say they covered them with recent releases (Sixshot, Black Shadow, Overlord). Since Siege incorporates characters and concepts from different iterations of the franchise, I'm sure there are Armada era guys they could mine.

[william-james88]

Fans, the worst part of any fandom

Come on, everyone knows the best part of Star Wars is the fandom.

[blackeyedprime]

Shockwave felt like a deluxe to me, and ultra magnus feels too small (none working trailer aside) so he's not replaced the CW war one despite looking more like the part. Plus Ultra is a little bit too small for taking on (and missing on purpose) six shot.
Even six shots a bit too small for upside down submarine, so tiny shockwave is a gun for two year old. Maybe that's the new market for them :p
Tr soundwave and blaster were stupidly oversized (kind of think the seeker use of Cw jetfire was too) but all the old leader classes work tho I didn't want or pay £50 for those either. If hasbro wants to cheap out/avoid titans we might get a commander class scorponok tho I think the G1 goes well with TR power master prime and a titan size scorponok is a sure purchase for me.

[no-one]

I actually like the extra "Jetfire" parts that came with Skyfire.

Jetfire is slumming nekked it on my MP shelf. All armored up he has more of a Generations look, but is just too damn big for my taste. He does look cool with all the gear on, but I like him just the way he is. Ultimately I'm not a fan of extra parts and accessories. Up until recently I didn't even display my figures will the their weapons.

I'd also like the deets on that Siegefire back story.

[Stargrave]

Tickets please Seibertronians, tickets please! Grab your carry on items because we're going on a short ride. Thanks to a head's up from fellow Seibertronian DecepticonFinishline we've learned YouTube member TonTon Review has posted a video review of the new Transformers War for Cybertron Siege Leader Class Astrotrain! Some fans are stoked to have a G1 faithful Astrotrain with his extra train accessories, while other fans are tooting their horns in dismay over the scale and size of the figure even when he's armed up with said accessories.

As with everything take a view and decide for yourself. Share your thoughts in the forums and as always stay tuned to Seibertron for the ultimate in Transformers news!

[hausjam]

Bot mode looks really good. Alt modes, well.....

[Stargrave]

So back to Jetfire, which I got last week, he's fine but the QC eaves much to be desired. I was wondering if everyone else had these problems. The right wrist is super loose, so he can't hold his gun straight, it always flops to one side. Also, the ratchets on his thighs are not of the same strength. One side is far weaker than the other. Are all copies like this?

I know I mentioned it a few times here but since you brought it up I've had the issue with his facemask staying on. The first one I got it wouldn't stay on at all so I took it back for another one. The mask stayed on for a few hours then it hasn't stayed on since. It just springs back off like Chromia's knickers. It's the only bummer but I don't want to take him back again.

No issue with the wrists but the genius 5mm palm peg I can see wearing down over time it already is a little delicate when it holds weight, you just get that feeling you know?

A tad loose in the thighs but otherwise the ratchets are pretty awesome especially in the arms and knees.

Those are the only ONLY things that don't make this a perfect toy for me. But I've learned to love him faults and all I mean hey I can't keep my own face mask on some days we've all been there who am I to judge right?

[Stargrave]

After Jetfire I've got to pump the brakes a bit. If Astrotrain goes on clearance I'm on it like Insecticons on a cornfield but he doesn't quite put me over the edge where I'll pay that full price.

I think he looks awesome though. I love the accessories I love how spot on he looks. To me that purple and grey on Astrotrain was always, pow, as important as that purple and green on the Constructicons.

As a kid to me all the colors of the robots really spoke about their characters, and how Astrotrain's vehicle modes had such solid color reversal was just thee cooooolest.

You know with a lot of these Siege figures what I love is that it's not just they look like they did in the cartoon, but how I remember them looking if that makes any sense. Each of them I find a romantic synergy of my childhood memories with my more adult tastes in design and detail.