The Energon Pub

[ZeroWolf]

That would actually be quite cool to have tentakill do that. Also I'm quite fine with one member being reduced to legends. Legends groove is all kinds of fun. Especially being able to ride his deluxe self then again, consistency with original g1 isn't important to me.

[Dr. Caelus]

Probably the best move would be to make one of the Seacons - probably Nautilator - a Deluxe class Weaponizer that can be split up and attached all over Piranacon.

I'd actually like to see Tentakil fill that role.

Consider this, the main body can form a gun, while the tentacles come off and combine together to form his sword.

The colors are right and the end of the Triton-like sword resembles tentacles in a way.

Emerje

That does make sense, but if they redo Tentakil I'd be hoping for some sort of articulation in the tentacles. Could be hard to manage if they come apart to form a reasonable looking sword - although if the result was a whip-sword that would be pretty cool.

I suggested Nautilator because (a) his bio always described him as the odd one out, and (b) his transformation lends itself well to it I think. His claws coming off to be melee weapons, for example, would be very cool.

[Sentinel_Primal]

Probably the best move would be to make one of the Seacons - probably Nautilator - a Deluxe class Weaponizer that can be split up and attached all over Piranacon.

I'd actually like to see Tentakil fill that role.

Consider this, the main body can form a gun, while the tentacles come off and combine together to form his sword.

The colors are right and the end of the Triton-like sword resembles tentacles in a way.

Emerje

That does make sense, but if they redo Tentakil I'd be hoping for some sort of articulation in the tentacles. Could be hard to manage if they come apart to form a reasonable looking sword - although if the result was a whip-sword that would be pretty cool.

I suggested Nautilator because (a) his bio always described him as the odd one out, and (b) his transformation lends itself well to it I think. His claws coming off to be melee weapons, for example, would be very cool.

Isn't part of Piranacon's bio that the Seacons prefer to leave Nautilator out of the combined gestalt because Piranacon suffers noticeably more in terms of strength when Nautilator is combined with the rest of them?

[Sabrblade]

Isn't part of Piranacon's bio that the Seacons prefer to leave Nautilator out of the combined gestalt because Piranacon suffers noticeably more in terms of strength when Nautilator is combined with the rest of them?

Not in the original 1988 profile. That was a product of the Dreamwave MTMTE profile.

[ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Probably the best move would be to make one of the Seacons - probably Nautilator - a Deluxe class Weaponizer that can be split up and attached all over Piranacon.

I'd actually like to see Tentakil fill that role.

Consider this, the main body can form a gun, while the tentacles come off and combine together to form his sword.

The colors are right and the end of the Triton-like sword resembles tentacles in a way.

Emerje

That does make sense, but if they redo Tentakil I'd be hoping for some sort of articulation in the tentacles. Could be hard to manage if they come apart to form a reasonable looking sword - although if the result was a whip-sword that would be pretty cool.

I suggested Nautilator because (a) his bio always described him as the odd one out, and (b) his transformation lends itself well to it I think. His claws coming off to be melee weapons, for example, would be very cool.

His expanded bios (not the package one) describe him as "the odd one out" because Hasbro left him out of the original Piranacon giftset. The King Poseidon giftset, however, not only included Nautilator (or rather "Lobclaw" but same colores, same mold) but redrew the boxart to have him as the default right arm (and Overbite as the default gun). Masterforce reflects this.

[firefox91]

I love everything about this new version of Flywheels. I didn't have many G1 Transformers but I did have this one back in the day. I just always loved the the multiple alt modes, the look of the 2 combined, and the simplicity of transformation. While this one lacks that simplicity I'm sure, it still just looks fantastic all around. I might just get 2.

[o.supreme]

The confirmed compatibility of Skytread with Battletrap now makes it a definite want. It seems however, that the engineering of the individual bot modes for Skytread were scrapped maybe to cut time, cut cost, who knows, but it seems definitely like something cut from PotP and reworked for the simplicity of the new line. We are seeing more and more evidence of this. Sure it's nice that in going to a 12 month line, stores are more likely to keep ordering new items, but more and more, I;m starting to see what we *lost* and it makes me sad.

[Coptur]

I just want to see all six Seacons I don't much care about the 'gun' modes they never looked good.

fingers crossed for BW2 Seacon repaint...but then again i'm still waiting for Guard City and Battle Gaia (although the former could be cobbled together with existing figures)

[william-james88]

The confirmed compatibility of Skytread with Battletrap now makes it a definite want. It seems however, that the engineering of the individual bot modes for Skytread were scrapped maybe to cut time, cut cost, who knows, but it seems definitely like something cut from PotP and reworked for the simplicity of the new line. We are seeing more and more evidence of this. Sure it's nice that in going to a 12 month line, stores are more likely to keep ordering new items, but more and more, I;m starting to see what we *lost* and it makes me sad.

I am really not seeing what you are seeing. And I dont see any evidence that points one way or another. The compatibility with battletrap to me instead proves that Battletrap came first and Skythread was made after with compatibility done to give fans a bonus.

I really dont think we lost anything at all.

[o.supreme]

I am really not seeing what you are seeing. And I dont see any evidence that points one way or another. The compatibility with battletrap to me instead proves that Battletrap came first and Skythread was made after with compatibility done to give fans a bonus.

I really dont think we lost anything at all.

Hasbro really made an effort to separate the Siege line from any other, as it is the start of a new Trilogy. Supposedly keeping things closer to what the original Transformers was. Though there are some obvious exceptions. There should be zero reason Skytread is compatible with Battletrap. (Though I'm glad it is) Hasbro really isn't really known for giving little fan *bonuses* as you say, that's more of a thing.

Had PotP gone for 18 months, I see we could have had a fully fleshed out Skytread. A Chromia (and perhaps another female Autobot) to compete the Elita-1 Combiner. A Sideswipe, which was an all new mold, to complete the Inferno combiner. There's also the alternate head we saw on Cutthroat, and the *hidden* one on Hun-Gurrr's packaging at NYCC last year etc...

[TF-fan kev777]

The confirmed compatibility of Skytread with Battletrap now makes it a definite want. It seems however, that the engineering of the individual bot modes for Skytread were scrapped maybe to cut time, cut cost, who knows, but it seems definitely like something cut from PotP and reworked for the simplicity of the new line. We are seeing more and more evidence of this. Sure it's nice that in going to a 12 month line, stores are more likely to keep ordering new items, but more and more, I;m starting to see what we *lost* and it makes me sad.

I am really not seeing what you are seeing. And I dont see any evidence that points one way or another. The compatibility with battletrap to me instead proves that Battletrap came first and Skythread was made after with compatibility done to give fans a bonus.

I really dont think we lost anything at all.

I think some fans are convinced that PotP was cut short since there were no complete set of limbs for Starscream, Elita-1 and Inferno, and a simplified version of Flywheels versus the 2 legends format of Batletrap adds to their feelings/suspicions.

However, I was fairly certain from the beginning that PotP was a mis-mash of leftover/unused CW ideas for deluxes and voyagers that only had 2 set teams from the beginning. All of the early artwork was consistent that Volcanicus and Abominus were the only 2 planned teams, and everyone else was a free agent limb or torso without a dedicated team. Some fans just can't accept that and look for other reasons why the teams were cut short.

As for Flywheels I honestly think this was probably a decision very early in the design to omit the individual bot modes, and not a casualty of PotP being cut short. I'm guessing the jet was the main culprit. I think it became too difficult even at a legend price point to incorporate the jet mode with a full set of limbs for a legends, and a decent top half for a deluxe. Doing that would have required more than just hiding the deluxe arms under the jet, and would have required more work using the remainder of the jet to supply the extra pieces that would be needed. The back of the helicopter was an easy place to stash the limbs for Battleslash. I suspect the jet portion of Flywheels just didn't have the same kind of profile to allow them to do it without affecting the jet mode.

[william-james88]

There should be zero reason Skytread is compatible with Battletrap. (Though I'm glad it is) Hasbro really isn't really known for giving little fan *bonuses* as you say, that's more of a thing.

Why? Why should there be no reason? Hasbro isn't dumb, they know the first thing fans will ask so why not give it to us? Plus, I think the problem here is people are getting lost in the paradigm shift. I dont know why we are speculating instead of looking at the fact that there is currently brand unification. So Takara and Hasbro are working closer together, releasing the same product (even MPs) across the world.

And if you want another example of past bonuses, Gen Leader Megatron has minicon ports.

And the biggest bonus of all is the RTS Legion Megatron designed by Hasbro was purposefully made to interact with MP Starscream. Two totally different lines.

Once again, I see absolutely no evidence saying that we lost what should have been. Yes, there may be an alternative headsculpt or two but Hasbro said in interview that they always do several headsculpts and they are not all intended for release. This is an old activity and not specifically related to the fact that POTP was a one year line. Chromia not being a combiner is instead proving that Hasbro never cared for her to combine as well and instead wanted that character in another line. Why? Because that is what we are getting. It is their intention to give us Chromia this way, so why would we be insinuating/assuming anything else?

[ZeroWolf]

I agree with the sentiment that the power of the Primes line is everything that line was to give us. Especially with the extra limbs and torsos, the idea is that kids can mix and match as they want and older fans can have that character if they want it.

[o.supreme]

Why? Why should there be no reason? Hasbro isn't dumb, they know the first thing fans will ask so why not give it to us? Plus, I think the problem here is people are getting lost in the paradigm shift. I dont know why we are speculating instead of looking at the fact that there is currently brand unification. So Takara and Hasbro are working closer together, releasing the same product (even MPs) across the world.

And if you want another example of past bonuses, Gen Leader Megatron has minicon ports.

And the biggest bonus of all is the RTS Legion Megatron designed by Hasbro was purposefully made to interact with MP Starscream. Two totally different lines.

Once again, I see absolutely no evidence saying that we lost what should have been. Yes, there may be an alternative headsculpt or two but Hasbro said in interview that they always do several headsculpts and they are not all intended for release. This is an old activity and not specifically related to the fact that POTP was a one year line. Chromia not being a combiner is instead proving that Hasbro never cared for her to combine as well and instead wanted that character in another line. Why? Because that is what we are getting. It is their intention to give us Chromia this way, so why would we be insinuating/assuming anything else?

But you see, you cant have it both ways. Claiming *smart* enough to give us a Skytread compatible with Battletrap from a completely different line because fans would obviously ask *why not* if it weren't, then completely mutilate Deluxe Chromia and remove the combiner functionality, because, of course, no fan is going to care about that? No, that makes zero sense to me. Also, about total brand unification, When we start seeing Legends EX released in North America, then I'll believe it.

[william-james88]

When we start seeing Legends EX released in North America, then I'll believe it.

So believe it

[ZeroWolf]

I get the feeling he's thinking more greatshot or big powered. Though I always thought brand unification was just about general retail and that exclusives were down to the individual companies.

[o.supreme]

When we start seeing Legends EX released in North America, then I'll believe it.

So believe it

You got it backwards

I get the feeling he's thinking more greatshot or big powered. Though I always thought brand unification was just about general retail and that exclusives were down to the individual companies.

I thought brand unification was more about general retail as well, but WJ pointed out MP's, so why shouldn't it be everything?

[TF-fan kev777]

But you see, you cant have it both ways. Claiming *smart* enough to give us a Skytread compatible with Battletrap from a completely different line because fans would obviously ask *why not* if it weren't, then completely mutilate Deluxe Chromia and remove the combiner functionality, because, of course, no fan is going to care about that? No, that makes zero sense to me. Also, about total brand unification, When we start seeing Legends EX released in North America, then I'll believe it.

You absolutely can have it both ways. This line is supposed to only have gimmicks that were original to the toys (Shockwave being an obvious work-around where the leader portion was added on top of a pretty faithful voyager bot). Battletrap was orignally a duocon without individual robot modes. Using the same connection system that they used for Battletrap is a no brainer. What should they have done, come up with something new just to join a shirt and pants? The fact that it is compatible is a bonus that is easy to implement.

I'm all for more combiner limbs and complete teams, but I'm not going to let my want list color the way I view the upcoming line, or even PotP for that matter. PotP seems like it was always going to be a transition line finishing things up for the CW and TR designs that were meant to be, and making room for something different in the next line.

Chromia was never a combiner to begin with, which fits the new line. Just because you want a complete Elita-1 fembot combiner does not mean that Chromia was supposed to be a limb from the get go. Using the Moonracer mold as a template and omitting the combiner peg was a cost saving move that likely gave them some allowances to put towards the completely new molds. Simply put, Chromia is to Siege what CW's leader seekers were to that line, easy/lazy retools to help spread resources elsewhere.

[william-james88]

When we start seeing Legends EX released in North America, then I'll believe it.

So believe it

You got it backwards

I get the feeling he's thinking more greatshot or big powered. Though I always thought brand unification was just about general retail and that exclusives were down to the individual companies.

I thought brand unification was more about general retail as well, but WJ pointed out MP's, so why shouldn't it be everything?

I am just having some fun (work is boring). Thre will always be toys one gets over the other, but the big idea here is that there is no longer a different version depending the company.

MPs are an extra step. Maybe one day it will be the LGEX, who knows. But that should by no mean discedit that brand unification is now a thing.

[DecepticonFinishline]

Once again, I see absolutely no evidence saying that we lost what should have been. Yes, there may be an alternative headsculpt or two but Hasbro said in interview that they always do several headsculpts and they are not all intended for release. This is an old activity and not specifically related to the fact that POTP was a one year line. Chromia not being a combiner is instead proving that Hasbro never cared for her to combine as well and instead wanted that character in another line. Why? Because that is what we are getting. It is their intention to give us Chromia this way, so why would we be insinuating/assuming anything else?

I can't speak on alternative head sculpts or anything in regards to Skytread. I agree that they probably never intended to give us two Legends bois for Skytread. Though, I 100% think that is something that we have lost out on.

I do, however, completely disagree in terms of Chromia. Chromia first appeared at the SAME TIME as Firestar and Moonracer AND the new Chromia uses that same mold as a base. I think if they had never intended for her to combine, they would have incorporated her (more recognizable) bike-ish-mode.

I can't give you a reason for why they would choose NOT to make Chromia a combiner other than being consistently inconsistent - a disregard for matching sets over the years. Unless they do a Deluxe-Combining version of both Greenlight and Lancer, it's an objectively bad move that no one is happy about. (Though, making Lancer a Deluxe instead of a Weaponizer when her name is EFFING LANCER is dumb on its own)

[o.supreme]

You absolutely can have it both ways. This line is supposed to only have gimmicks that were original to the toys (Shockwave being an obvious work-around where the leader portion was added on top of a pretty faithful voyager bot).

So, you yourself are pointing out there are exceptions in this line, just as I did earlier. It's not exactly the pure gimmick free line it's claiming to be

Battletrap was orignally a duocon without individual robot modes. Using the same connection system that they used for Battletrap is a no brainer.

But using your logic for for why Chromia is different they shouldn't ...


To be clear, while there isn't much this line is offering me, I'm not saying it's bad in any way. The toys look great for the most part, they just don't have many characters I want or need right now, with some exceptions. Also, none of this discussion will change what Hasbro has done in implementing the 12 month line, as opposed to the 18 month one that ended with Titans Return. PotP was just an unfortunate *transition* line that could have done much better, and offered much more is all I'm saying, and it's pretty obvious based on some of what the Siege line is offering. If you don't want to see it, that's fine. It's not like the Siege toys are magically going to change back to PotP or anything. What's done is done.

I'm just hoping that what Hasbro says is true, that they never waste anything, and that at some future point we will see additional figures similar to what the Prime Wars Trilogy offered, even if they are exclusives, or whatever.

[ZeroWolf]

Ah I woukd avoid using the h word you're just setting yourself up for disappointment.

[-Kanrabat-]

Damn, where do you guys find the time to type all that?
(Currently at work, cheating for some time on the toilet.)

[o.supreme]

Damn, where do you guys find the time to type all that?
(Currently at work, cheating for some time on the toilet.)

well, WJ said he was bored at work, I'm WFH today, but I better get back to it, boss is calling

[Nathaniel Prime]

While it would be a whole lot more fun for Skytread to have individual robot modes, I'm perfectly happy with how he turned out because he has more articulation than Battletrap, and weapons too.