The Energon Pub

by **ZeldaTheSwordsman** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 12:36 pm

Astrotrain's steam engine mode looks the best it ever has thanks to the fuel tender covering up his shuttle engines. I have no issues with him being a Leader-class figure with a Voyager-size core robot, I think that's a perfectly valid use of the price point. My one issue with him is him taking the cartoon accuracy to the point of having the fin/chest fail, but I love everything else enough that I can overlook that.

blackeyedprime, CW Ultra Magnus is actually also too small and in his case it's incurable. And SIEGE Magnus' trailer may not open up in vehicle mode, but you can still cram 2 deluxes onto it.

News Credits: 12 · by **Sentinel_Primal** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 1:04 pm

Hm... I wanna say Astrotrain's one I can skip... But that steam engine alt mode's sooooo good...

News Credits: 19 · by **blackeyedprime** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 1:12 pm

The movie crew continues to grow...

Artic megatron will either convince me I need the siege megatron or it wont. Pictures of ratchet on here have convinced me to try and pick one up rather than find another/spend more on a Potpp sepcialist or whatever they are called. Nightbirds pics make her look nice but already having the legends I doubt I'll be picking her up. Prime will be replaced at some point if I could get a siege Prime cheap or maybe the cell shaded.

I think Astrotrain, Springer and Red alert etc all have legs that are too short which makes them look stubby. Astro trains legs are barely longer than his torso but I always liked the style of long legs to bodys (Phantom 2040/Guyver).

by **Shockwave640** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 2:46 pm

I hope my email was received when I too had reported this news about a day or two ago ;m; -Jay Hutchison

Amazing figure though! By no means perfect in either alt mode (though Train wins for me this time) he looks stunning and a great update to the character. I love TR Astrotrain but he isnt all that rememorable.

News Credits: 372 · by **Cyberpath** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:42 pm

Cobotron wrote:
Cyberpath wrote: got a backstory for it, too.
Oh? Do tell. I love a good back story!
Head canon FTW!!!!

Basically, he joined a group of Transformers, each hails from their own alternate dimension, banded together to save realities on the verge of collapse. I never took a group-shot because I didn't buy all the toys I had planned, but the original "cast" included:
LG12 Wingblade as a Perceptor that never returned to his original body and lived on as Nijika.
LG15 Nightbird as a Nightbird that got into a freak accident with Arcee and somehow gained her ability to talk and transform.
TAV 07 Roadblock as a Constructicon we never had.
CW Viper - as a Powerglide that was suborned by the Decepticons & Cobra and ultimately broke free.
And "our" Sunbow Skyfire (that's why he stopped appearing on the show

) as the leader of the group, who at some point wanted to be better fighter so he convinced Perceptor to upgrade him into "Jetfire."
Here's the backstory for (Japan's Headmasters) Brainstorm that I posted a while back -- 1931892#p1932526 (after the Perceptor "review.")
What can I say, I like my toys to have origin stories. :lol:

And the best part is that you can have an ever chancing cast. (Like a "Reflector" body that gained his own personality and joined the Autobots, or a white Ultra Magnus with an armour, etc. Almost any toy from any line will do.)

News Credits: 10 · by **sol magnus** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:14 pm

Responding to the review post - I love the G1 faithful robot mode on Astrotrain, and I will be getting him, but for Siege I prefer the Cybertronian Alt Modes which gives the Titans Return version a bit of a pop. Ultimately, though, I display in robot mode so I'll be getting the Leader Class when it hits.

News Credits: 65 · by **Wolfman Jake** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:45 pm

sol magnus wrote:Responding to the review post - I love the G1 faithful robot mode on Astrotrain, and I will be getting him, but for Siege I prefer the Cybertronian Alt Modes which gives the Titans Return version a bit of a pop. Ultimately, though, I display in robot mode so I'll be getting the Leader Class when it hits.

Interestingly enough, the Titans Return version of Astrotrain serves as a better "Cybertronian" version for the character with its military train and stylized space ship alt modes.

News Credits: 131 · by **no-one** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 5:14 pm

I think this was talked about a few pages back, but I can 100% confirm that Jetfire can be found for $45 at some Walmarts. Head over to the steal of a deal thread here.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 5:26 pm

Allow me to gush again on the special Refraktors 3 pack. I love the fact that most plastics have that special shiny/metallic color. Because said plastics are kinda soft, I don't fear any breakage in the future. But I do hope it will not become gooey from leaking plastifier.

News Credits: 10 · by **sol magnus** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 5:38 pm

Wolfman Jake wrote:
sol magnus wrote:Responding to the review post - I love the G1 faithful robot mode on Astrotrain, and I will be getting him, but for Siege I prefer the Cybertronian Alt Modes which gives the Titans Return version a bit of a pop. Ultimately, though, I display in robot mode so I'll be getting the Leader Class when it hits.

Interestingly enough, the Titans Return version of Astrotrain serves as a better "Cybertronian" version for the character with its military train and stylized space ship alt modes.

I agree. But, the robot mode is what's causing me to buy the Leader Class, because I can't move past G1. :roll:

News Credits: 387 · by **Bounti76** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:14 pm

Thanks to our very own Nathaniel Prime, we have evidence that the final of the original Seeker trio, Thundercracker, has shown up at brick and mortar retail in the U.S.! While he had been originally thought to be in a Wave with Springer, he was delayed to his own Wave instead.

Thundercracker was found at a Walmart in Daytona Beach, Florida. Do you plan on completing the original Seekers? Gonna take a pass on this one? Let us know below! If you've found a new or highly sought after figure, and haven't seen a news story about it, please let us know, with photographic proof, and happy hunting one and all!

News Credits: 19 · by **blackeyedprime** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 7:57 pm

Since when was Omega not able to link to TR bases?

News Credits: 12 · by **Sentinel_Primal** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:32 pm

Not sure if this has been mentioned before but BBTS has the Rainmakers in stock at the moment if anyone wants them. But, for some reason they're $120??? Geez BBTS, that's quite the markup...

News Credits: 4836 · by **william-james88** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:36 pm

Sentinel_Primal wrote:Not sure if this has been mentioned before but BBTS has the Rainmakers in stock at the moment if anyone wants them. But, for some reason they're $120??? Geez BBTS, that's quite the markup...

Thays because they are just resellers, not getting the product directly from Hasbro.

News Credits: 8 · by **Flashwave** » Fri Sep 13, 2019 10:57 pm

blackeyedprime wrote:Since when was Omega not able to link to TR bases?

Since Never? There are several slots along the track and a flip out latchg on his calf that will hook in. There are aso ramps off his thigh that have the connector, but as they are INSIDE the base it doesnt really do any good

News Credits: 4836 · by **william-james88** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:23 am

Shockwave640 wrote:I hope my email was received when I too had reported this news about a day or two ago ;m; -Jay Hutchison

Amazing figure though! By no means perfect in either alt mode (though Train wins for me this time) he looks stunning and a great update to the character. I love TR Astrotrain but he isnt all that rememorable.

Yes, you and 5 other people reported the same review.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:38 am

The single thing I don't like about Siege Leader Astrotrain is the shuttle mode. Especially the part behind the "legs" where there's just "hollow damage" that desperately beg for a panel to cover that mess. I expect Shapeway or someone else to make such a cover. Plus the part could be stored easily in the train wagon, or be used as a shield in bot mode.

Regardless, I LOVE Astrotrain and that leader is fantastic. Especially because it nail the look (despite the shuttle flaw) and it mostly transform like the original G1 toy! :APPLAUSE:

News Credits: 1642 · by **D-Maximal_Primal** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 8:31 am

-Kanrabat- wrote:The single thing I don't like about Siege Leader Astrotrain is the shuttle mode. Especially the part behind the "legs" where there's just "hollow damage" that desperately beg for a panel to cover that mess. I expect Shapeway or someone else to make such a cover. Plus the part could be stored easily in the train wagon, or be used as a shield in bot mode.

Regardless, I LOVE Astrotrain and that leader is fantastic. Especially because it nail the look (despite the shuttle flaw) and it mostly transform like the original G1 toy!

Honesty I'm ok with a weaker shuttle mode, since every astrotrain toy ever has prioritized that mode. It's finally time for the steam loco to shine

News Credits: 25 · by **Ironhidensh** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 8:35 am

I love everything about Astrotrain, except for his price. Jetfire was really my last straw. I am so tired of paying these high ass prices, and then finding them cheaper later. I’m gonna keep a close eye on ‘train sales, so as soon as I see him drop to 30 or lower, I can pounce.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 8:54 am

Ironhidensh wrote:I love everything about Astrotrain, except for his price. Jetfire was really my last straw. I am so tired of paying these high ass prices, and then finding them cheaper later. I’m gonna keep a close eye on ‘train sales, so as soon as I see him drop to 30 or lower, I can pounce.

Glad to have that 3 months price warranty with Club R membership at Toys R Us! :BOWDOWN:

This way, I can buy now, not missing out, and possibly STILL save.

News Credits: 4836 · by **william-james88** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:07 am

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:The single thing I don't like about Siege Leader Astrotrain is the shuttle mode. Especially the part behind the "legs" where there's just "hollow damage" that desperately beg for a panel to cover that mess. I expect Shapeway or someone else to make such a cover. Plus the part could be stored easily in the train wagon, or be used as a shield in bot mode.

Regardless, I LOVE Astrotrain and that leader is fantastic. Especially because it nail the look (despite the shuttle flaw) and it mostly transform like the original G1 toy!

Honesty I'm ok with a weaker shuttle mode, since every astrotrain toy ever has prioritized that mode. It's finally time for the steam loco to shine

I thought the shuttle mode was the weakest part of the G1 and classics toy.

News Credits: 100 · by **-Kanrabat-** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 10:23 am

william-james88 wrote:
I thought the shuttle mode was the weakest part of the G1 and classics toy.

I agree that Classic shuttle sucked because of the two very obvious train parts sticking on both sides. However, G1 Astrotrain had solid vehicle modes, including the shuttle. G1 had a dinky bot with his ridiculous T-Rex arms.

Ah, the eternal law or triple changers where one mode must always be sacrificed.
Is there any official triple changers out there that have ALL of its 3 modes legit perfect?

by **emlit** » Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:46 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
I thought the shuttle mode was the weakest part of the G1 and classics toy.

I agree that Classic shuttle sucked because of the two very obvious train parts sticking on both sides. However, G1 Astrotrain had solid vehicle modes, including the shuttle. G1 had a dinky bot with his ridiculous T-Rex arms.

Ah, the eternal law or triple changers where one mode must always be sacrificed.
Is there any official triple changers out there that have ALL of its 3 modes legit perfect?

Thrilling 30 Springer for me.