The Energon Pub

[william-james88]

I'm fine with shorter lines if it's good but I'd rather not see a repeat of POTP where they just released the same figures in different waves and shortpacked the only new one. Because that really, really sucks.

When has that happened in POTP?

[o.supreme]

While Novastar wasn't "shortpacked" being the only new figure in wave 4, means there is only a 25% chance of getting her (2 in every case of 8 ), and seemingly less since all the other figures are re-releases. Still, while I did get her initially from Amazon ($16.99), I have seen her at various Walmarts at least 3 times so far. Moonracer definitely should have been included in the wave 4 assortment as opposed to Slug. Moonracer offcially will be arguably the leats produced PotP Deluxe (along with possibly Wreck Gar). having only been included in one assortment, at 1 per case of 8, and having no re-release.

I think the idea/hop is just even shipments across all lines and sizes.

leader cases of 2 (1 each)
Voyager cases of 4 (2 each)
Deluxe cases of 8 (4x2 each) etc... trying to keep things even.

When you have assortments that have 3 or 5 or only 1 new figure...it tends to throw things all wonky.

[Emerje]

Also, I don't think we're going to get another Armada Megatron from G1 Megatron retool for one main reason: This line is supposed to be based on/around an associated storyline as Hasbro keeps saying, and we've already seen some evidence of this via the poster messages and how the fan poll worked. Because of that, it wouldn't make sense for the line to have two different Megatrons, as that would be confusing from a story continuity standpoint unless they were to make the other Megatron a completely separate character named something other than Megatron (Galvatron, Gigatron, SOMETHING). That's also why I doubt they'll retool Magnus into RiD Magnus, as that would be two Magnuses (Magnusi?) and they already made a big deal out of Magnus's alt mode and how it referenced/homaged RiD.

I agree, for Siege anyway. Like I had said, with short lines and no gimmicks they can save some of the retools for 2020 or 2021. Warden teased Armada and Beast Wars could be happening in WfC so it seems like only Siege will be the purely G1 line, part 2 could be a million years later and incorporate other lines into G1 the way Thrilling 30 did. Maybe they go back to Cybertron and there's a bunch of new guys that weren't there before.

Emerje

[Wireless_Phantom]

Or a G1 jetfire that combines with Siege Optimus in an Armada/movie homage

YES! That is what I have been craving as of recently and I know I would love to see it again!

[Skritz]

You know, I could totally see Megatron reworked into a Straxus. Also double as a very silly comic continuity reference for the ten people who would get that. Still, all he'd need is some reshelling over the figure's skeleton and IMO we'd have one kickass Voyager Straxus Darkmount. I mean, hey, if it's a line with Impactor in it may as well have more comic characters, huh?

[D-Maximal_Primal]

All this talk about retools and repaints, and I'm still impressed by this --

Usually Hasbro doesn't miss a chance to do repaints, even when it doesn't make sense (Slingshot / Blast Off) --

Hasbro could have easily released the "Ultra Magnus" mold both as that, and in red/blue as Optimus Prime, and call it a day.

But instead we get two different molds with the same iconic details/features in different styles/proportions, and with two different truck-modes.

This is largely why I pre-ordered Magnus despite already having the MP.

Cyber, I think this comparison you did here just convinced me to get Magnus at some point. The fact that his inner robot is so Optimus Prime but different makes up for me not getting the Prime voyager, and helps justify that beauty of a figure.

I was somewhat but not entirely convinced after justifying that he and CW Magnus are 2 very different things with 2 entirely different character choices, but the inner Prime remark is enough. I plan to get Magnus now

[Skritz]

Personally I would not even have minded if Ultra Magnus and Optimus were the same figure but Magnus came with a trailer and different accessories. If anything, I kinda dig the Cabnus more because it looks more cybertronian, which kind of make me hope we see him repainted as Optimus who turns into Powered Convoy or something.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

1. POWERED. CONVOY. HAS. A. BLUE. CAB. I realize Fansproject might have confused people by marketing the Powered Convoy-colors version of their Ugly Magnus trailer as going with Classics Optimus, but aside from a semi-rare variant Powered Convoy had a blue cab.

2. Look up Delta Magnus.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Personally I would not even have minded if Ultra Magnus and Optimus were the same figure but Magnus came with a trailer and different accessories. If anything, I kinda dig the Cabnus more because it looks more cybertronian, which kind of make me hope we see him repainted as Optimus who turns into Powered Convoy or something.

You mean Delta Magnus.

[fenrir72]

All this talk about retools and repaints, and I'm still impressed by this --

Usually Hasbro doesn't miss a chance to do repaints, even when it doesn't make sense (Slingshot / Blast Off) --

Hasbro could have easily released the "Ultra Magnus" mold both as that, and in red/blue as Optimus Prime, and call it a day.

But instead we get two different molds with the same iconic details/features in different styles/proportions, and with two different truck-modes.

This is largely why I pre-ordered Magnus despite already having the MP.

Cyber, I think this comparison you did here just convinced me to get Magnus at some point. The fact that his inner robot is so Optimus Prime but different makes up for me not getting the Prime voyager, and helps justify that beauty of a figure.

I was somewhat but not entirely convinced after justifying that he and CW Magnus are 2 very different things with 2 entirely different character choices, but the inner Prime remark is enough. I plan to get Magnus now

You're skipping Optimus? Why split the "bros'?

[Sentinel_Primal]

All this talk about retools and repaints, and I'm still impressed by this --

Usually Hasbro doesn't miss a chance to do repaints, even when it doesn't make sense (Slingshot / Blast Off) --

Hasbro could have easily released the "Ultra Magnus" mold both as that, and in red/blue as Optimus Prime, and call it a day.

But instead we get two different molds with the same iconic details/features in different styles/proportions, and with two different truck-modes.

This is largely why I pre-ordered Magnus despite already having the MP.

Cyber, I think this comparison you did here just convinced me to get Magnus at some point. The fact that his inner robot is so Optimus Prime but different makes up for me not getting the Prime voyager, and helps justify that beauty of a figure.

I was somewhat but not entirely convinced after justifying that he and CW Magnus are 2 very different things with 2 entirely different character choices, but the inner Prime remark is enough. I plan to get Magnus now

You're skipping Optimus? Why split the "bros'?

Personally I'm skipping Siege Prime because I already have the Titans Return version to serve as my voyager Prime. Plus I don't really care for the aesthetic for Optimus from this line

[Skritz]

Optimus is a low priority for me, plus I'm not super keen on 'replacing' my TR Optimus in spite of this clearly being THE modern Voyager Prime. There's a good chance I'll end up picking him up on a whim if the occasion present itself but right now he's fairly low on my list: there's just so much in this line that is promising that I don't need to waste money or space on a new Optimus right now.

[D-Maximal_Primal]

You're skipping Optimus? Why split the "bros'?

I'm demanding more selectionism in my collection now that we are past the line wide gimmicks, and the voyagers don't do it for me. Megs does, and he will replace the TR one (maybe that one will get an Autobot deco like my CW one did, love Megs), but he will be the only one.

Prime's robot mode just doesn't do it for me, and I have 2 voyagers and 2 leaders from the past 3 lines. Mind you the PotP one is the only "true" one, as the others are the Battle core in combined form, God Ginrai, and G2 Laser Prime, but I can wait for a Prime with a more interesting robot mode and cool alt mode (PotP sucked alt mode wise, but killed bot mode).

So Optimus can wait until a new voyager blows me away. I have a good supply, and BC Prime is my favorite overall.

[Skritz]

I know this whole line has a shtick of G1 cartoon-dominated robot modes but I really, really wish that Optimus Prime had a different chest. It's too much like a real, '80 truck and not futuristic/alien enough: Magnus solve this issue in both modes. But that's my personal tastes.

[Sentinel_Primal]

I feel like I'm probably going to be in the minority here, but I wish that they had released Reflector in his toy colors or maybe did a variant run or something. Mostly because I don't really enjoy getting multiple of the same figure but I love the camera mode. Oh well. Here's hoping Reprolabels can help out with that slightly

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Releasing him in the toy colors at regular retail would cause problems. Because then, not only would you have to buy 3 of him... you would also have to hope you could find one of each different color. Extra hassle.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Releasing him in the toy colors at regular retail would cause problems. Because then, not only would you have to buy 3 of him... you would also have to hope you could find one of each different color. Extra hassle.

It's more than that: how would you market the three versions and when would you release them?

Let's take Cybertron Scrapmetal as an example, as that figure is the closest to the Reflector dilemma Hasbro has faced:


Transformers Cybertron Scrapmetal (Ramble) Gallery

His TakaraTomy counterpart, Galaxy Force Ramble/Rumble, was released in 3 color variants, solid cases (I'm guessing with an even ratio of the 3 colors), as was Takara policy. No problems there. Hasbro policy however, was to designate each version a different product, thus assign its own slot in the wave release order. The net result was that the blue version was passed over by Hasbro, leaving the US with only the red and the yellow ones. Hasbro did try the variant approach back in Beast Wars (new color, same product), but that was roughly the same in execution.
Given the current trend of later waves not appearing in stores, chances would have been high that the final member would go MIA, so I'm quite impressed Hasbro opted for the "3 members in 1 figure" approach, which only requires switching out the chest piece. Get 3 of the same in a timely fashion and you're done.

That said, it would be unlike Hasbro to not acknowledge the original toy, in redecoing/retooling Refraktor in the appropriate colors for Spectro, Spyglass and Viewfinder, and releasing them in an exclusive set.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Very true, I was thinking the same. Those three in toy colors would be perfect for a set. It would even homage their original Hasbro release, which was a mail-order exclusive.

And now for something completely different: I wonder if they could get away with/wrap their heads around this: Releasing a trailer for Optimus at the Leader-class price point, with the included Roller (or perhaps Huffer, to homage "Heavy Metal War" and include an actual transforming figure) able to act as a "yard mule" for the trailer to give it independent operability.

[william-james88]

Personally, I think this is the best way Hasbro could have given us reflector at retail. I think this is the smartest move we have ever seen from them for a toy, especially if the idea is to avoid fans bitching as much as possible:

You can choose to buy as many as you want
Customisability options to differentiate them without taking up another wave spot
G1 show colours
G1 show scale
Not an exclusive

CAnt posibly think of a way to release him taht would have yielded less drama.

And as for Optimus, this is the first time we have had a mold made principally for him in the voyager size since 2006. Same with Megatron. No fooling around just a straight up G1 Optimus and Megatron in a scale that matches all the gen toys we have been buying the past years. I think thats worthy of some aknowledgement.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

And as for Optimus, this is the first time we have had a mold made principally for him in the voyager size since 2006. Same with Megatron. No fooling around just a straight up G1 Optimus and Megatron in a scale that matches all the gen toys we have been buying the past years. I think thats worthy of some aknowledgement.

I agree. I like them a lot for that

[TF-fan kev777]

Personally, I think this is the best way Hasbro could have given us reflector at retail. I think this is the smartest move we have ever seen from them for a toy, especially if the idea is to avoid fans bitching as much as possible:

I'm almost in complete agreement, however, I want to see their wave assortment first. Knowing collectors are going to want 3, 2 per case in a normal wave is still going to cause problems. If they are really smart, they would consider putting him in a 3 figure deluxe wave with 4 of the 8 being reflector.

[william-james88]

Personally, I think this is the best way Hasbro could have given us reflector at retail. I think this is the smartest move we have ever seen from them for a toy, especially if the idea is to avoid fans bitching as much as possible:

I'm almost in complete agreement, however, I want to see their wave assortment first. Knowing collectors are going to want 3, 2 per case in a normal wave is still going to cause problems. If they are really smart, they would consider putting him in a 3 figure deluxe wave with 4 of the 8 being reflector.

You cant overestimate demand either. Or else you will end up in the same predicament we have now with trigerhappy and krok shelfwarming. Not everyone is buying 3, just like not everyone troop built sharkticons.

[Galvatronian]

Totally agree. In so many ways it just feels like someone look at my collection, and made a line to fill in the major gaps, and remake a few disappointing robots. G1 optimus, megatron, and starscream voyagers, all replace 'good' toys we've all complained about. Voyager shockwave, deluxe reflector, impactor, omega supreme, flywheels all characters we've begged for. Brunt and Cog, amazing charcters most of us didn't even know we'd want. And a few '84 cars for those of us who just can't be bothered to go through getting old universe and classics versions.
If all these figures are as good in hand as they look, then thank God. Bomber. But they won't be. A few will disappoint, most will be good, and a few will stand out. As always

[TF-fan kev777]

Personally, I think this is the best way Hasbro could have given us reflector at retail. I think this is the smartest move we have ever seen from them for a toy, especially if the idea is to avoid fans bitching as much as possible:

I'm almost in complete agreement, however, I want to see their wave assortment first. Knowing collectors are going to want 3, 2 per case in a normal wave is still going to cause problems. If they are really smart, they would consider putting him in a 3 figure deluxe wave with 4 of the 8 being reflector.

You cant overestimate demand either. Or else you will end up in the same predicament we have now with trigerhappy and krok shelfwarming. Not everyone is buying 3, just like not everyone troop built sharkticons.

They seem to have guessed right on the sharkticons, as I've never seen them shelfwarm and haven't heard many complaints about availability either. I think they were originally 3 per case in their wave and then were repacked 2 per case in a revision wave right?

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Personally, I think this is the best way Hasbro could have given us reflector at retail. I think this is the smartest move we have ever seen from them for a toy, especially if the idea is to avoid fans bitching as much as possible:

I'm almost in complete agreement, however, I want to see their wave assortment first. Knowing collectors are going to want 3, 2 per case in a normal wave is still going to cause problems. If they are really smart, they would consider putting him in a 3 figure deluxe wave with 4 of the 8 being reflector.

You cant overestimate demand either. Or else you will end up in the same predicament we have now with trigerhappy and krok shelfwarming. Not everyone is buying 3, just like not everyone troop built sharkticons.

Don't forget, later assortments do carry earlier figures at times, so we could expect Refraktor to be shipped in more than one wave.