The Energon Pub

It would appear you'll have yet another option for upgrading your Universe Hound and Ravage. This time around it's from the relatively new third-party group MGS. The set titled MGS-03 Scout comes with a set of missiles for Ravage, two new combinable guns, gas cans, and a shoulder/rear weapons mounting plate for Hound. Check out the images mirrored from ACToys below.

Neat-o

I kind of like these over the alternatives we've seen so far. If it's <$20, I'm sold.

This all beckons the question for me: What are MGS-01 & MGS-02?

I'm not understanding how some of you say that these third party stuff cannot be proven character likeness. Uhhhh,it comes with a character bio card saying "Hound" and "Autobot.". And at the bottom, it said "copy righted.". Copy right for who? I have nothing against 3rd party stuff but to argue blindly saying that hasbro doesn't have a case is flawed. Just wanted to point that out. Back to this upgrade. I'll be all over it if it's chromed. THe plastic makes it seemed well, "plasticky.". No thanks

President-prime wrote:I'm not understanding how some of you say that these third party stuff cannot be proven character likeness. Uhhhh,it comes with a character bio card saying "Hound" and "Autobot.". And at the bottom, it said "copy righted.". Copy right for who? I have nothing against 3rd party stuff but to argue blindly saying that hasbro doesn't have a case is flawed. Just wanted to point that out. Back to this upgrade. I'll be all over it if it's chromed. THe plastic makes it seemed well, "plasticky.". No thanks

"Most" third-party companies are careful not to use official names or faction symbols, not sure why these guys are being so bold. Maybe it's because they're just making upgrade parts of an existing figure? Whatever the case using the official names probably isn't the smartest move.

Well, the figure IS Autobot Hound. They're acknowledging Hastaks alsready exsisting figure, can't be illegal. Is it?

Not bad. Starting to make me wish I hadn't bought the Dr. Wu weapons.

Well buckle up boys and girls...it's time for the latest installment of G1 Legacy's semantic bitch & moan routine...

I'm having mixed feelings about this. Putting the whole "3rd party bold infringment" discussion aside for the moment. I respect the effort that has been made on this, I really do. But my complaint here is the SAME one I keep having for every upgrade kit that keeps surfacing for G3 Hound....it's not G1 enough (and before you roll your eye's, just hear me out). Yeah, we're modernizing the G1 brand with the Classics/Universe line... trust me, I get that. But I have yet to see a third party add-on kit for this character that has accurate peripheral hardware. Lets try to combine the G1 toy design and his cartoon portrayal. How do we do this? Well lets keep it simple and go with what we know.

And what two things is Hound known for??? Number one HOLOGRAMS! And second being his peace loving exploratory nature...he's an Autobot, not a Decepticon...why are we arming him to the teeth and/or adding an awkward big gun (or guns)????

Back when this Hound figure came out a few years back I was initially impressed with it (and the Cyclonus Targetmaster homage during that same wave). I thought the Ravage addition with Hound was a BRILLIANT move on Hasbro's part. But what was equally frustrating on the flip side of the coin was the lack of proper guns. Now you could argue that Hasbro was trying to stay true to character by just giving Hound his shoulder mounted Hologram projector, but how can you kiss up to the fanboys and add Ravage from an obscure episode of the old cartoon, but then NOT add the basic accesories from the G1 toy? I never got that. Not to mention the awkward transformation design (also his shoulder missle/hologram projector doesn't seem to want to stay mounted in bot mode). I have two of these figures and their both "loose" and awkward. They don't wanna stand up straight or maintain poses it seems. I mean, thank god for the big feet, you need that foundation to hold up the awkward center of gravity on this guy...so why am I picking on Hasbro when the subject at hand is this kit you ask?

Because with the flaws just mentioned, why would you want to add more "top heavy" guns to this guy to just weigh the figure down with?

I can see how you can want to expand or modernize on a Transformer character that has been portrayed across several iterations of the toy line, but Hound is one of those characters that has only been portrayed in the G1 universe (correct me if I'm wrong). The original Hound toy came with a Pistol, a rocket launcher w/ 3 rockets, a gas tank and last but not least the ever elusive spare tire.

Just give me a damn simple 5 or 6 piece kit with an add-on to correct the poor posture issues and allows a mounting bracket for his rear mounted G1 gun "turret" (which it seems like these guys attempted to do with this upgrade, kudos BTW). But at the same time, give me one that looks similar to G1...and in doing so, PLEASE keep in mind that its equally important to recognize the characterization behind the figure (which 30 years into this is borderline myth/legend at this point). And the peace loving, geologist and sociolgist minded Hound would not carry this level of armaments and arsenal period. It's just against his established character profile. And don't get me wrong, I'm all about tricking out robots and arming them to the teeth for combat scenarios. But do it with the bots that liked combat or were atleast more up for it, like Cliffjumper, Bluestreak, and Sunstreaker for example.
These companies keep adding more guns, MORE GUNS! To me the cool gimmick would be a few Holograms for him to be projecting...several come to mind from the old cartoon. Or a transparent driver etc...and add last but not least how about a SPARE TIRE and one (JUST ONE, not three or six) gas can. Sorry, I had to rant there for a bit folks...I feel better now. Now this is usually the part where another forum member will paste photos to back up there disagreement with something I've pointed out. LOL And the dance continues...

I think hasbro has said they don't mind upgrade sets to existing figures. After all, when a set becomes popular, it only increases sales of the figure, which IS their original product. It's the 3rd parties figures that mostly piss them off as it directly takes away from their sales, particularly if it's a figure they have not yet made.


now... all this is trivial. I'm more interested in this hound repaint. i'm not familiar with it...

And I swear to Primus, the first one of you guys that posts a photo of G2 Hound blazing away with big cannons from the Marvel G2 premiere comic is just asking for it. Especially since Simon Furman has so much as discretited that whole timeline/continuity with the upcoming G1 Marvel continuation of issue #81...but I know, thats a whole 'nother debate

Aluus wrote:

I think hasbro has said they don't mind upgrade sets to existing figures. After all, when a set becomes popular, it only increases sales of the figure, which IS their original product. It's the 3rd parties figures that mostly piss them off as it directly takes away from their sales, particularly if it's a figure they have not yet made.

Yea, I tend to agree with that line of thinking. Boy you must have missed the whole third party fireworks show thats been cracking, popping off, and eventually blowing up on here latley. Phew, last weekends threads were a doozy.

Though I agree to try and keep the characterization of hound, these guys, like myself prob. Like to arm their transformers with awesome weapons. While some people like their guys a certain way, many people (collectors) display their figures on shelves or glass cases. Don't know about you, but robots with holograms and gas cans don't look too appealing. Most of my toys are displayed with swords and big guns. It just makes my collection look better ( to 'me', of course). These guys are prob trying to sell to the masses.

Hope they chrome it g1/Henkei style

President-Prime wrote:

Though I agree to try and keep the characterization of hound, these guys, like myself prob. Like to arm their transformers with awesome weapons. While some people like their guys a certain way, many people (collectors) display their figures on shelves or glass cases. Don't know about you, but robots with holograms and gas cans don't look too appealing. Most of my toys are displayed with swords and big guns. It just makes my collection look better ( to 'me', of course). These guys are prob trying to sell to the masses.

Well said. Point.....counter point. Yeah, my display is glass cased etc. Although my collection is more about quality as opposed to quantity. I just position them in ways that depicts or harkens back to the original portrayls as much as possible while trying to maintain a tolerant and flexable attitude toward Hasbro's Universe updates where needed.

We should preface all of our posts on here with a "to me, of course" disclaimer. LOL THX

Ughhhhhhhh, I knew it was just a matter of time. Way to go Horus!


[EDIT]
And while we're on the subject:
See there, another missing item from this kit? Where is the "Holy Hand grenade of Antioch" tied to Hounds ankle. Because we all know that an advanced alien race of intergalactic space faring transforming robots from a far away galaxy simply must be using a basic balistic 20th century armament, not to mention guns that fire traditional "cased" cartridge ammo. Ahhh yes, the early ninties I remember it well.

Lol. You guys are funny. I've never smiled or laugh so hard reading, but the posts are more entertaing than anybooks I've read in a long time. Still smiling.

G1 Legacy wrote:And I swear to Primus, the first one of you guys that posts a photo of G2 Hound blazing away with big cannons from the Marvel G2 premiere comic is just asking for it. Especially since Simon Furman has so much as discretited that whole timeline/continuity with the upcoming G1 Marvel continuation of issue #81...but I know, thats a whole 'nother debate

How very dare you!

Simon Furman is a GOD! He's like the fourteenth member of The Thirteen!!

I'm interested in this. And although I agree with hound's personification, he has hands and mounts on his body that can be outfitted with endless machineguns.

Gets the roboladies wet.

G1 Legacy wrote:Aluus wrote:

I think hasbro has said they don't mind upgrade sets to existing figures. After all, when a set becomes popular, it only increases sales of the figure, which IS their original product. It's the 3rd parties figures that mostly piss them off as it directly takes away from their sales, particularly if it's a figure they have not yet made.

Yea, I tend to agree with that line of thinking. Boy you must have missed the whole third party fireworks show thats been cracking, popping off, and eventually blowing up on here latley. Phew, last weekends threads were a doozy.

Nah, I check Seibertron daily. 3rd party upgrades and figures don't interest me though, given the cost. Take Hercules for example... For what all 6 Constructicons cost, I could put a custom CAT-Back exhaust on my car, or i could lower it and do a projector retrofit, etc. I still love my transformers, and I buy a figure if the mold or character interests me, but I can't justify dropping cash like that on plastic that sits and gathers dust on my shelves.

The whole third party thing is just getting ludicrous anyway. Now we have knock-offs of third party products... but even more ludicrous, we have third party companies producing upgrades for third party upgrades. And still the fans and collectors keep ponying up the cash, paying even more when the figure's demand exceeds it's supply. I do not mean to step on anyone's toes here, but when i step back and look at the situation, i can't keep a straight face. It is so... absurd.

Now... back on topic... Hello? Orange Hound? Anyone?

Aluus wrote:

G1 Legacy wrote:Aluus wrote:

I think hasbro has said they don't mind upgrade sets to existing figures. After all, when a set becomes popular, it only increases sales of the figure, which IS their original product. It's the 3rd parties figures that mostly piss them off as it directly takes away from their sales, particularly if it's a figure they have not yet made.

Yea, I tend to agree with that line of thinking. Boy you must have missed the whole third party fireworks show thats been cracking, popping off, and eventually blowing up on here latley. Phew, last weekends threads were a doozy.

Nah, I check Seibertron daily. 3rd party upgrades and figures don't interest me though, given the cost. Take Hercules for example... For what all 6 Constructicons cost, I could put a custom CAT-Back exhaust on my car, or i could lower it and do a projector retrofit, etc. I still love my transformers, and I buy a figure if the mold or character interests me, but I can't justify dropping cash like that on plastic that sits and gathers dust on my shelves.

The whole third party thing is just getting ludicrous anyway. Now we have knock-offs of third party products... but even more ludicrous, we have third party companies producing upgrades for third party upgrades. And still the fans and collectors keep ponying up the cash, paying even more when the figure's demand exceeds it's supply. I do not mean to step on anyone's toes here, but when i step back and look at the situation, i can't keep a straight face. It is so... absurd.

Now... back on topic... Hello? Orange Hound? Anyone?

We've had 3rd party stuff for 3rd party stuff ever since City Commander came out.

Also theyellow Hound is a BotCon figure, Turbomaster/Scorch.

Personally I like this set, it's a little much (guns wise) but I like it, so for itS' the best Hound kit out there.

For those woundering what MGS-01 and 02 are, those are the KO Perfect Effect Masterswords that came with Minibot heads. Which you can see here.

Aluus wrote:Now... back on topic... Hello? Orange Hound? Anyone?

You must have missed this. Came out two years ago for Botcon 2010.

http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Scorch

Anywho, I collect 3rd party toys and actually wholeheartedly agree with you. I think the 3rd party business is getting out of control. To much crap and not enough quality or originality. I'm more pick and choose anymore. And the fact that these 3rd party guys are charging more for inferior quality work makes me not want to get a lot of them. So far, I think Fans Project has been the most fair and the one company I will support for their ideas, work, and quality. (besides Takara/Hasbro)

If it allows you to put the rocket launcher properly as shown in the picture, I’m all in. Im already getting Renderform’s Ravage missiles, but I’m all for Hounds rocket launcher getting some much needed attention.

And I love the card. Screw intellectual property. Hasbro wants us to spend our extra money on lego men.

Who's the orange repaint? Never seen that one before but my first instinct was Detritus. And it looks like two sets for both characters. I like it but I will probably only use one shoulder mounted missile.

i skipped on Dr Wu cuz i just used the G1 missiles for ravage... bu this is nice!

Already grabbed Renderform's set, but I'll probably pick this up for the same reason as Rated X: it puts the shoulder missile in the correct position.

Probably give the rest of the guns to Scorch/Turbomaster.

If it comes with missiles for SG Ravage, I'll probably leave them off since he's actually depicted with the small ones his figure already has:

Up for pre-order now at BBTS for $30: http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/prod ... ode=retail

Arrival expected next month.