The Energon Pub

News Credits: 61 · Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:39 am

If/when we get the rest of the AOE Dinobots in SS, I really think they should reissue Grimlock since it will have been such a long time from its release.

I think I would get a Strafe to have with Stinger and an eventual AOE Bumblebee.

News Credits: 101 · Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:56 am

EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:If/when we get the rest of the AOE Dinobots in SS, I really think they should reissue Grimlock since it will have been such a long time from its release.

I think I would get a Strafe to have with Stinger and an eventual AOE Bumblebee.

Well, to respect the bot scales, maybe not only Grimlock should be reissued, but he should be upscaled to Commander class. No. The Dinobots need to be TITANS. And to make them even bigger, they could cheat by making many bits hollow, cleverly hidden by panels and things. Then we could recreate this scene in toy form. And I mean, transformable ones.

News Credits: 462 · Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:58 am

-Kanrabat- wrote:
EvasionModeBumblebee wrote:If/when we get the rest of the AOE Dinobots in SS, I really think they should reissue Grimlock since it will have been such a long time from its release.

I think I would get a Strafe to have with Stinger and an eventual AOE Bumblebee.

Well, to respect the bot scales, maybe not only Grimlock should be reissued, but he should be upscaled to Commander class. No. The Dinobots need to be TITANS. And to make them even bigger, they could cheat by making many bits hollow, cleverly hidden by panels and things. Then we could recreate this scene in toy form. And I mean, transformable ones.

Hasbro's response: "Ah, just buy Stomp & Chomp Grimlock. I'm sure it's still shelfwarming somewhere."

News Credits: 101 · Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:51 am

Dinobots aside, I must say that SS86 Scourge is fantastic. A bit back heavy in robot mode though. Still, he look bad-ass and the transformation is pretty smooth. Not the cleanest underside for his space-boat mode, but it's okay.

However, that laser effect is.... hum... A bit unfortunate.

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News Credits: 42 · Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:03 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:why does red Swoop stick out? He's the way he's supposed to be, isn't he? Besides, the other Dinobots have more red on them than blue, so if anyone sticks out it's blue swoop.

Red versus blue isn't the issue (I have no preference). The grey they used on red swoop is the problem, it is a terrible match with the PotP dinos and with grey being their most predominant color, I really hope they don't screw it up here.

News Credits: 1350 · Fri Apr 02, 2021 1:07 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:Dinobots aside, I must say that SS86 Scourge is fantastic. A bit back heavy in robot mode though. Still, he look bad-ass and the transformation is pretty smooth. Not the cleanest underside for his space-boat mode, but it's okay.

However, that laser effect is.... hum... A bit unfortunate.

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"Is that a laser effect or are you just pleased to see me?"

News Credits: 101 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:52 am

Finally got to the Wreckers brothers.

They are really good but each had a fidly step to their transformation. Regardless, they look awesome and I'm glad to have the trio that match together for once.

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News Credits: 22 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:08 am

-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally got to the Wreckers brothers.

They are really good but each had a fidly step to their transformation. Regardless, they look awesome and I'm glad to have the trio that match together for once.

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I saw Leadfoot at Target on 2 separate occasions and was very tempted. At the time Wal-Mart had multiples of both Topspin and Roadbuster, so I could have had the trio easily. But I wish I could have gotten a 'cleaned up' version where their weapons didn't show. I would have loved to have just 3 transforming race cars, no weapons added.

News Credits: 101 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:36 am

Rodimus Prime wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally got to the Wreckers brothers.

They are really good but each had a fidly step to their transformation. Regardless, they look awesome and I'm glad to have the trio that match together for once.

IMG_20210404_104652.jpg
I saw Leadfoot at Target on 2 separate occasions and was very tempted. At the time Wal-Mart had multiples of both Topspin and Roadbuster, so I could have had the trio easily. But I wish I could have gotten a 'cleaned up' version where their weapons didn't show. I would have loved to have just 3 transforming race cars, no weapons added.

Maybe they will make 3 new molds down the line for the "clean" versions.

But for now, I skipped and skipped... Then I saw Topspin on sale. This made me buy Roadbuster at full price at another store... And finally, having to import Leadfoot at high price from Japan.

Overall, I don't regret it because Leadfoot alone is really worth it. Plus the amount of paint and sculpt details are amazing.

News Credits: 4880 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:34 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally got to the Wreckers brothers.

They are really good but each had a fidly step to their transformation. Regardless, they look awesome and I'm glad to have the trio that match together for once.

IMG_20210404_104652.jpg

Which is your favourite?

News Credits: 101 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:18 pm

william-james88 wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally got to the Wreckers brothers.

They are really good but each had a fidly step to their transformation. Regardless, they look awesome and I'm glad to have the trio that match together for once.

IMG_20210404_104652.jpg

Which is your favourite?

Leadfoot, definitely. I just love his unique robot mode, the fact that he come with FIVE accessories including his dog, plus he's the most pleasing to transform of the 3. Roadbuster is my second favorite but his lone peashooter is disappointing. 3rd place is Topspin, where the windshield section was very annoying to peg in the hood of the car.

A solid trio overall.

News Credits: 61 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 1:29 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:Finally got to the Wreckers brothers.

They are really good but each had a fidly step to their transformation. Regardless, they look awesome and I'm glad to have the trio that match together for once.

IMG_20210404_104652.jpg

Very nice! It’s so cool to have a full set of armored wreckers at long last. Definitely agree on your ranking as well.

On a side note, happy Easter everyone!

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News Credits: 12 · Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:28 pm

I got Kup in today but had to send him back as he came with two left shin plates, thus meaning his right leg couldn't lock together. Hopefully I get a replacement soon!

News Credits: 22 · Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:17 pm

Evil Eye wrote:I got Kup in today but had to send him back as he came with two left shin plates, thus meaning his right leg couldn't lock together. Hopefully I get a replacement soon!

Is this a big problem? I've had my Kup for a month now but I have yet to open him. I need to check that out.

News Credits: 10 · Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:29 pm

Rodimus Prime wrote:
Evil Eye wrote:I got Kup in today but had to send him back as he came with two left shin plates, thus meaning his right leg couldn't lock together. Hopefully I get a replacement soon!
Is this a big problem? I've had my Kup for a month now but I have yet to open him. I need to check that out.

My Kup (or my son's) doesn't have any issues.

News Credits: 42 · Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:50 pm

A Kup check? Mine's good

News Credits: 12 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:04 am

Replacement Kup came in this time correctly assembled. Now I have him untainted by dodgy legs, I absolutely love him. I'm particularly fond of the transformation, and the vehicle mode is gorgeous.

News Credits: 101 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 12:51 pm

I still have to spot any SS86 figures in store...

News Credits: 11 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:09 pm

I got 1986 Grimlock today, the robot mode is awesome, a big chunky boi, but I tried displaying him in T-Rex mode and it just doesn't look good from any angle. I et that it's supposed to be G1 cartoon accurate, but G1 Grimlock's T-Rex mode has never been a design I've particularly liked, so I think I'll keep him in robot mode. It's also a shame that Wheelie has almost no articulation, he's designed to pose sitting on Grimlock's back and aiming his slingshot in one direction, and that's it.

News Credits: 1646 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:24 pm

today I had some great fortune, I found the newest wave of SS figures!

I have to say, the wave is pretty neat, there is a lot to love here.

B-127 is still the weakest of the bunch, that mold is just not very good, but at least compared to Cliffjumper the joints are tighter, the headsculpt isn't hideous, and he actually feels a bit better to transform. It's sad he's still this not very good mold, but he's an improvement over Cliff. I might swap his and Offroad Bee's heads, I love the facemask on this one.

Starscream is interesting, there is a lot of bulk to him, and the wing aesthetic is pretty neat. I like the expressible kibble, and he has some heft to him. I wish the face sculpt was cleaner (a lot like I wish Cliffs was), but he's solid. Transformation is sort of interesting, and the jet mode is pretty heavy and a space hog. Kinda cool where all his robot mode parts end up, and it feels like a video game jet to swish around. He's not bad. I only wish his main gun had a longer handle.

Now to put the spotlight on the one who deserves it: Dino.

Dino is a really great toy, just as good in-hand as I was hoping he would be based on the photos. For one thing, the robot mode is really nice. I like the chest sculpt, they did great with the head, and the little collar and the wings are great. They got the wings right on the first try! Now do wings like this with Hot Rod like you were supposed to dammit! I like how he is formed, and they did a lot to make the robot mode surprisingly tight.

Transformation is pretty involved, I like how he splits in half to unfold, you swivel both the rear bumper and the front of the car in front of the windshield around, lots of good stuff in there. And the alt mode comes together pretty tight. They did a good job with him, having waited 10 years for a proper toy of this character, they didn't let me down. He's great. Only wish I had was for him to have ankle tilts, and maybe a waist swivel (thought not really possible with how he transforms), but he turned out great. Well done.

Now, finish the live action job!

News Credits: 61 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:32 pm

Check out who I found at Target today!!!

Dino pose.jpg

Dino is really REALLY good. Articulation is great, you can pull off pretty much every pose you see him in in the movie(even when he crosses his arms, which is impressive). Kibble management is excellent, everything folds up very well, and the transformation to do that is kinda nuts. Alt. mode looks good, not a Ferrari of course but I think it gets the job done.

So glad that we finally have a Dino figure, and that it turned out as great as it did!

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News Credits: 14 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 5:04 pm

Finally, after 2 weeks in customs limbo... SS Hot Rod, SS Grimlock and Kingdom Megs finally arrived.

I know I'm super late to the Hot Rod party, but damn if he's not really good.

He is small, but he's fantastic. Its interesting to see some engineering from previous hot rods included and made better. All in all he is a mini-masterpiece. Just the way all the car bits fold away, and don't end up on his back like the actual MP in this size is an engineering feat.

He is an excellent Hot Rod in robot mode. In vehicle mode however, it falls apart a bit. Its still a good looking hot rod, but the car hood is juts a bit too squished up on my opinion. Otherwise, the transformation is great, and satisfying.

Yes, the Voyager price point is in fact in the engineering. Its very intricate but the transformation is not complex.

The visor gimmick is real nice.

My only gripe is, there's nowhere to store the matrix, either he's holding it, or its just laying there next to him.
Strike that, the matrix can be dropped into his torso and will fit, and allow the toros to close, but it does not really peg or snap into anything, so it just rattles in there.
The other accessories are real nice. Love the guns.

The matrix mold seems to have lost some sharpness. Not that it's noticeable outside of a really zoomed in picture.

All in all, he is worth the $30 Voyager price point.

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News Credits: 9 · Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:25 pm

Evil Eye wrote:Replacement Kup came in this time correctly assembled. Now I have him untainted by dodgy legs, I absolutely love him. I'm particularly fond of the transformation, and the vehicle mode is gorgeous.

Somehow his appearance has grown on me... Initially I was not willing to spend $21 on him...
But my tax refund & second stimulus check keep whispering to me,
“Just go for it... We’ve got your back... We completely support you in your decisions to buy more toys you don’t especially want, & definitely don’t need”...

Thu Apr 08, 2021 7:47 am

Man, I really dig Kup's retro future space flatbed mode. It would look extra good with a little custom paint wash in the off white parts to grime him up. For now will probably stick with my Thrilling 30 Kup, as it's still a solid fun toy
As for Bee Screamer ... I already have Blitzwing and did a custom paint job on him to bring it closer to movie and IRL accuracy so there's a large part of me that feels it would be redundant to get Screamer. But y'all keep pointing out how wacky and different the transformation is! :lol:

News Credits: 1646 · Thu Apr 08, 2021 9:24 am

M. Spector wrote:As for Bee Screamer ... I already have Blitzwing and did a custom paint job on him to bring it closer to movie and IRL accuracy so there's a large part of me that feels it would be redundant to get Screamer. But y'all keep pointing out how wacky and different the transformation is!

He is completely different. He feels like he has 50% more parts than Blitzwing does, and he has some major bulk behind him and a completely different style of transformation. They may look alike in robot mode, but the rest is far from identical.