The Energon Pub

Have you ever looked forward to a figure for what feels like forever and then shipped your PoL and felt disappointed when you finally get the figure in hand?

For me recently its Toyworld's Headmasters. in this day and age certain elements seem like they should be fundamental in the design process, if a tank tread slides to reveal an arm i think it should have a mechanism in place to lock the arm in place (rather than let it slide back and forth). When a wing assembly folds up onto the back of a figure to form an iconic silhouette, i think there should be a tab or ratchet system to stabilize them.

These seem like large oversights to me and it has turned me off from Toyworld for headmasters, i'm enjoying their throttlebot updates quite a bit and hegemon as well with orion on the way.

I have the three FP headmasters so far and with each release i am more and more impressed with quality and transformation innovation. the scale also works better for my collection

What about you guys? any disappointments? From upgrades to full figures, post em all!

PE-01 Shadow Warrior. This toy broke in my hands while I was carefully transforming it. Also some of the connector tabs broke off. the gun barrel on the robots back was hard to flip out. PE should have named this toy PE-01 Fragile Warrior.

A minor one, though it's already apparent without having to get it in hand:

MMC Hexatron getting chrome helmet/blasters as special side orders, but not chrome shurikens/hubcaps. It's just that close to G1 homage perfection.

As I've mentioned in passing I have a history of problems with Fansproject stuff to the point where I feel it's too much of a gamble to buy into their stuff until well after the fact. My first City Commander from 2008 lost it's head, Defender's knees are weak as all hell, but the one most major disappointment from them that I'll never let be lived down: Colossus. Individual figures are fantastic molds, weapons have excellent potential, and the combined mode looks amazing! However the test of time and tolerance falls short as much of what holds it together in combined mode crumbles. I know to some people there's been no issue, but I can't help but think the arm connectors were major design flaws. A panel that wasn't even holding up anything broke on me for no reason!

The worst part is I keep giving FP the benefit of the doubt, and have yet to feel anything but remorse in doing so. I took the plunge on FX 4U, and so far it seems solid enough, but I'm still doubtless that it'll prove to be a mistake

One other minor disappointment would be Maketoys Wheel Loader/Scrapper. Again it looks good enough, but it bugs the crap out of me that his shoulders are as restricted as they are by the design.

Fans project parallax armor , in hand a huge disappointment to me i didn't really see Rodimus Prime in my collection , just a boxy out dated looking transformer. I sold it the same week .

Perfect Effect Motobot Aranea. I have the Arcee color scheme, and she permanently stays in bot mode. I got the Black Arachnia color scheme because I thought the two would look good together, with Arcee riding Black Arachnia. The spider drone never clipped into the bottom of the bike, no matter how I aligned things. The transformations of both are not fun, too fiddly, and I'm afraid I am going to break something. Plus, they do not look good riding each other. I really like the Reflector homage. (I'd love to see this take in a larger scale.) I have high hopes for Warden. I would like to replace my "Classics Arcee" with something better.

This is really too bad, because I loved the Robotech Cyclone look of the bikes.

Agamemnon wrote:Perfect Effect Motobot Aranea. I have the Arcee color scheme, and she permanently stays in bot mode. I got the Black Arachnia color scheme because I thought the two would look good together, with Arcee riding Black Arachnia. The spider drone never clipped into the bottom of the bike, no matter how I aligned things. The transformations of both are not fun, too fiddly, and I'm afraid I am going to break something. Plus, they do not look good riding each other. I really like the Reflector homage. (I'd love to see this take in a larger scale.) I have high hopes for Warden. I would like to replace my "Classics Arcee" with something better.

This is really too bad, because I loved the Robotech Cyclone look of the bikes.

I might suggest Delicate Warrior for classics Arcee, The pink really pops compared to Valkyrie, great articulation, and even a few diecast parts. Great G1 look and a really good aesthetic overall. I didn't get PE Motobot in any colorscheme but I am looking at MMC Arcee. If nothing else, I may do what Rated X is considering and have her stand in as Elita 1.

Valkyrie is far and away the worst 3rd party experience. Right on the edge of greatness but falls short in every way. Best word to describe her: Chintzy.

Agamemnon wrote:Perfect Effect Motobot Aranea. I have the Arcee color scheme, and she permanently stays in bot mode. I got the Black Arachnia color se because I thought the two would look good together, with Arcee riding Black Arachnia. The spider drone never clipped into the bottom of the bike, no matter how I aligned things. The transformations of both are not fun, too fiddly, and I'm afraid I am going to break something. Plus, they do not look good riding each other. I really like the Reflector homage. (I'd love to see this take in a larger scale.) I have high hopes for Warden. I would like to replace my "Classics Arcee" with something better.

This is really too bad, because I loved the Robotech Cyclone look of the bikes.

I totally agree. I bought the blue version to be classics chromia. Halfway through the transformation I got stumped and no review could help me figure it out. So it stays permantaly in bot mode. The transformation seems so damn scary that I have no ambition to ever see the bike mode in hand. Im pretty sure fp motormaster will be a similar headache. I hate complex transformations. It takes the fun out of the figures. I would highly recommend delicate warrior if youre looking for a classics arcee. Its cartoon accurate, simple to transform and fun to pose. Im not even interested in the mmc version of arcee until the mold is used for elita one.

Tsutsukakushi wrote:PE-01 Shadow Warrior. This toy broke in my hands while I was carefully transforming it. Also some of the connector tabs broke off. the gun barrel on the robots back was hard to flip out. PE should have named this toy PE-01 Fragile Warrior.

Really that bad ? I have the rumble and frenzy versions as well as their laserbeak and buzzsaw. I have never transformed any of them because their alt modes are pointless in my opinion. They were just used to replace the crappy foc cassettes for soundwave until I got hold of the mp cassettes for my classics shelf. Now if I could just get a decent classics soundwave. The foc version is a little to big and I hate that claw thing on his belly.

Xtransbots Powerglide never liked it the moment i got my hands on it and just to make me hate the figure there was no weapons in the box .

Autobot Genocide wrote:Xtransbots Powerglide never liked it the moment i got my hands on it and just to make me hate the figure there was no the weapons in the box .

I picked up their Bad Boy recolour of the mold for $20, and I still feel I overpaid.

Impossible Toys... whatever the hell they called their Arcee. Disappointment doesn't even begin to cover it. Small, badly-proportioned, and one of the seats just fell off when I was looking at it. Literally.

Fansproject's not-Shrapnel. It's a **** toy that can't even hold itself together in bug mode meaning all it's good for is bot mode. Pretty sad for a transforming toy when it can't transform (it's one thing If I do it on purpose to give it a better looking/more show accurate bot mode or something, but when it comes out of the box that way and it's supposed to transform, then I got ripped off). The odd shoulder joints on that thing are way overcomplicated too. A lot of their figures these days seem to use complexity in the oddest places for no good reason and it makes posing them in certain ways just look really weird.

As much as I love the way they look, FP's Stunticons have been a disappointment overall. The quality feels pretty cheap on a lot of the parts (think DotM Deluxe panel quality), bits pop off that shouldn't on my not-Wildrider, the transformations for some parts (mainly the legs) are way too difficult/fidgety and require too much force. Still, at least when transformed right they look great in both modes.

I got the PE Motobot blue version and one of her knees is backwards making it impossible to transform her. Unfortunately there's no screws on that part of her body so I can't fix the assembly error myself and I never did get around to returning it (yeah, I know, my own fault). She looks OK in bot mode, but never having been able to transform her is a pretty major disappointment (see the comments about not-Shrapnel above for a similar complaint).

FP Warbot Defender. I just can't get over the fact that some parts of the transformation are so difficult/complex needlessly that it completely takes the fun out of transforming it, and unlike a lot of my toys, a triplechanger is something I'd actually enjoy messing with if only it felt rewarding/not like a total pain in the ass to do so. My modern MP toys are way more fun to transform and that seems to be the case with a lot of FP's stuff lately, at least the stuff that I've bought. I have to just get them into the modes I like and leave them on the shelf.

Someone mentioned the Bruticus Crossfire kit and I definitely agree about those thin shoulder bits. It was just a bad choice of plastics for those pieces and I noticed that they didn't fix it in their re-release (more G1 deco) version either unfortunately. It's the same soft, waxy stuff they used in the original and it will crack and break eventually, especially if you transform it more than a few times.

TFC's not-Silverbolt. Overall I like the figure, but I was transforming it into bot mode and a long pin popped out of somewhere on his chest. I still haven't figured out where it came out of and nothing has fallen off yet, but things like that should not happen.

Generally, I tend to like almost everything I get. Maybe a part of that is me justifying paying a lot for something, but I do tend to feel good about what I get. That said ...

Immediately, I think of Motobot. I knew the issues revolving around her and, despite being careful, I managed to break parts. I bought an incomplete one off BBTS just for parts. I then just went ahead of cut off part of the nub on her lower leg; something that makes transformation a lot easier (too late to save those ankle bits, though).

IT's Arcee was also disappointing. Just .... everything. It looks nice enough, but it doesn't hold together well. It's even worse on Nightbird (which I got on clearance). Their other Nightbird has such floppy wrists that she can't even hold her sword straight. *sigh*

The Chrome CHMS Seekers (yeah, I'm counting them). I was sad to see the one I got just couldn't transform all the way to bot mode, not can he get back fully to jet mode. Chrome EVERYWHERE means everything is too thick to fit properly. I go the rest (on clearance) knowing this issue and was more satisfied with them, but they should have made this clear from the get-go.

TFC's heavy labor. Way to ruin your gestalt with bad hips, TFC. I implemented the hip fix and it's STILL broke. Must have used the wrong lube because the shapeways D rings are just shredded. Going to buy new lube just for that. I still like Herc overall, but this issue sucks.

BTS' Matrix set. It couldn't fully close. Meh.

iGear's Magnus hammer. The clear bit inside the hammer broke. Bought a new one to replace it (it was on clearance, so it's all good).

Crazy Devy's Devestator upgrades. I was in for the whole crazy train and ... it just wasn't worth it. From the lame way they wouldn't show you the entire product you were buying to the mystery of how the entire set would look to the way the final product didn't hang together very well, every bit of this was a waste of money.

iGear's Huffer and Seaspray. At first I was pretty happy with them, actually. Then they upped the size of their minibots, and I liked the new size much better. Not I'm looking at Huffer and Seaspray and thinking I should have gone with my first impulse not to buy them. They're just too small for who they are in my collection.

The newest KO of City Commander. I got it JUST so I could swap out it's face for Dr. Wu's (I have 08 CC) and, wouldn't you know it? It was put in while the paint was wet. So, naturally, I gouged it out, permanently wrecking the thing. Because that's how I am. The WU face looks spiffy enough, though.

Off the top of my head those were disappointments to me. I can find fault in some others, but I was never majorly disappointed in them.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Going to buy new lube just for that.

What brand do you go for and/or where do you get this stuff?

megatronus wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Going to buy new lube just for that.

What brand do you go for and/or where do you get this stuff?

The brand I went for was clearly crap, it was made to lube excersize equipment, but it just didn't cut it for Herc. I got it at Canadian tire, but maybe that was a mistake too. There's not really a lot of hobby shops in my area that specialise in RC cars. I'll make a greater effort to find one, though, and to try again.

megatronus wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:Going to buy new lube just for that.

What brand do you go for and/or where do you get this stuff?

You guys just setting yourselves up for a uranus joke ?

I'm a bit disappointed that FP still hasn't done a add-on chest wing for there Crossfire Bruticus. The chest wing could easily plug into the energon star crystal port on onslaughts chest.

My only real disappointment with a 3rd party item so far was PerfectEffect's Motobot RC. Looks nice enough with the rest of my deluxes but it's too damn fragile. Despite handling the toy with extreme caution, I managed to break one of its wrists the first time I rotated it.

Surprised by FansProject's Shrapnel being included here, it is a great figure and holds together for me in insect mode. A dodgy one maybe? I pose him so he looks a bit more like his G1 self...



This is going to sound odd but so far I have found the first 2 of MMC's Predacons underwhelming. I can't really put my finger on it - it's like they are way too big, and I just find them a bit boring.

I also agree regarding Motobot - it is a very fragile figure and also doesn't homage Arcee too well, whereas like JRFitzpatrick7 said, M&G Toys Delicate warrior is (ironically) a bit more sturdy plus homages Arcee a whole lot better.

I have a couple of KFC figures in hand and they just feel soooo cheap and nasty.

FansProject always have at least one 'feature' per toy whereby you can gouge bits of plastic accidentally. This trend continues and even Code is not immune. I have yet to receive Brainstorm and Wierdwolf though, perhaps these have improved.

Finally, I was disappointed when I finally got Colossus second-hand, not because of any QC issues, but because I bought it from someone who obviously smoked like a chimney. They stink to this day so any advice on how to remove the stench would be appreciated

One big disappointments was KFC squalktalk. The guns dont fit in his back. Heard plenty of people say if you force them in, they will start to work. I cut my finger trying to do so and gave up. Also chipped the dark green paint a little bit so I was like screw this. I wish somebody would make 4th party guns for him that fit with ease. Good thing I display him in combined robot form with beastbox or this would bug me to death.

Mkall wrote:

Autobot Genocide wrote:Xtransbots Powerglide never liked it the moment i got my hands on it and just to make me hate the figure there was no the weapons in the box .

I picked up their Bad Boy recolour of the mold for $20, and I still feel I overpaid.

Ha , I don't blame you it feels and was executed so cheap , i sold mine at a loss since it had no weapons .

On other figures

FP Shrapnel if i remember correctly in bug mode there might be a tab that won't slot in but it doesn't effect him it's still a solid alt mode .

KFC Steeljaws feet are a pain i don't like to move him too much as they fall off far too easy.

Motobot , never got it and now never will

Banjo-Tron wrote:This is going to sound odd but so far I have found the first 2 of MMC's Predacons underwhelming. I can't really put my finger on it - it's like they are way too big, and I just find them a bit boring.

I... I... have no words for you, sir.

I'm generally very happy with my 3rd Party stuff. I Love MMC's Reformatted line, and I've had a blast with FP's Insecticons, Stunticons, and now Headmasters. I have TFC's Hercules and UT's Sharkies, and though they are definitely of lesser quality, they serve their purpose just fine (no breaks or anything like that).

Banjo-Tron wrote:I have a couple of KFC figures in hand and they just feel soooo cheap and nasty.

I got KFC's not-Magnificus, and I thought he was neat at first, but he feels so cheap that I decided to sell him. I got the official Generations Magnificus instead (on sale at TFsource), and am much, much happier with him.

Also, this one might surprise people, but I couldn't stand Hegemon. The plastic felt waxier than TFC's Hercules, and the joints were so weak he couldn't hold up his right arm. Maybe my hopes for a truly G1-esque Megatron were too high, and I did try to get over it, but I had to sell him off.

megatronus wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:This is going to sound odd but so far I have found the first 2 of MMC's Predacons underwhelming. I can't really put my finger on it - it's like they are way too big, and I just find them a bit boring.

I... I... have no words for you, sir.

I do, Blasphemy!!!

megatronus wrote:

Banjo-Tron wrote:I have a couple of KFC figures in hand and they just feel soooo cheap and nasty.

I got KFC's not-Magnificus, and I thought he was neat at first, but he feels so cheap that I decided to sell him. I got the official Generations Magnificus instead (on sale at TFsource), and am much, much happier with him.

KFC produces compete and utter crap! I've got 6 of their cassettes (2 still in my PoL) and they are all terrible. I'm going to keep them for a particular display I've got in mind, but only because no one else is competing with them on this.

megatronus wrote:Also, this one might surprise people, but I couldn't stand Hegemon. The plastic felt waxier than TFC's Hercules, and the joints were so weak he couldn't hold up his right arm. Maybe my hopes for a truly G1-esque Megatron were too high, and I did try to get over it, but I had to sell him off.

What run was that from, I got one from the third (and final) run and, apart from slightly lose ankles, he is great. The plastic feels really solid.


Apart from KFC the only real complaints I have relate to FP's Stunticons. The plastic is thin and weak, transformations overly complicated, parts falling off or breaking etc. I don't want to reignite an old argument, but, they should've been bigger. The more I've looked at them the more I believe they aren't poorly designed, just over engineered for their size. All the QC issues could've be fixed with just making them a little bigger FP's insistence on staying with the smaller scale requires simpler engineering to make it work properly, so FP really need to decide what they want, great engineering or smaller scale.

xyl360 wrote:Fansproject's not-Shrapnel. It's a **** toy that can't even hold itself together in bug mode meaning all it's good for is bot mode. Pretty sad for a transforming toy when it can't transform (it's one thing If I do it on purpose to give it a better looking/more show accurate bot mode or something, but when it comes out of the box that way and it's supposed to transform, then I got ripped off). The odd shoulder joints on that thing are way overcomplicated too. A lot of their figures these days seem to use complexity in the oddest places for no good reason and it makes posing them in certain ways just look really weird.

Sorry to hear about your Shrapnel, mine had no issues apart from being a bit of a pain to transform.

xyl360 wrote:FP Warbot Defender. I just can't get over the fact that some parts of the transformation are so difficult/complex needlessly that it completely takes the fun out of transforming it, and unlike a lot of my toys, a triplechanger is something I'd actually enjoy messing with if only it felt rewarding/not like a total pain in the ass to do so. My modern MP toys are way more fun to transform and that seems to be the case with a lot of FP's stuff lately, at least the stuff that I've bought. I have to just get them into the modes I like and leave them on the shelf.

He isn't on my shelf anymore, so I forgot about him. I agree 100% with what you say here, really wish I never wasted the money.

xyl360 wrote:Someone mentioned the Bruticus Crossfire kit and I definitely agree about those thin shoulder bits. It was just a bad choice of plastics for those pieces and I noticed that they didn't fix it in their re-release (more G1 deco) version either unfortunately. It's the same soft, waxy stuff they used in the original and it will crack and break eventually, especially if you transform it more than a few times.

I got the most recent release and was completely happy with him until now Happily he won't be my Classics Bruticus for too much longer!

Wow, so many problems with KFC's cassettes. I guess I got lucky. Sure, there are some loose joints and squawkTalk's guns are a pain to put in, but none of 'en actually broke on me.