The Energon Pub

Autobot032 wrote:
I not only admit to collecting them, but I actually ENJOY them. I'd imagine there are far more of us RID collectors than we're led to believe.

If there weren't, I could find a TAV 21 Optimus, doggone it! *looks at current eBay pricing* Ugh. I really dropped the ball on that one. Geez...

Oh man, I didnt know those prices went up that much, holy smokes. Glad I got him. But there is a retool coming out soon so you can get that mold then, and it even has better accessories.

One thing though, the examples you give are not RID proper, they are TAV. I am sure that if Hasbro releases a voyager RID Grimlock or a leader class Optimus like that one, both would sell as well. I do not like the RID line and I do not find it collector driven (it isnt) but the TAV line on the other hand is great and is definitely collector driven. Just go to the TAV thread and you will get nothing but "oh, I want that", or "NICE!", its loads of positivity. I myself have spent more on TAv than any other line coming out this year. I can understand how collectors can look at the american counterparts to these toys and be underwhelmed since they are seriously lacking in deco and also do not have the same really cool toys found in the TAV line.

So yes, these RID toys are better than people think but to truly experience their best aspects, you have to import. And technically that doesnt make them RID toys anymore but TAV toys.

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:
I not only admit to collecting them, but I actually ENJOY them. I'd imagine there are far more of us RID collectors than we're led to believe.

If there weren't, I could find a TAV 21 Optimus, doggone it! *looks at current eBay pricing* Ugh. I really dropped the ball on that one. Geez...

Oh man, I didnt know those prices went up that much, holy smokes. Glad I got him. But there is a retool coming out soon so you can get that mold then, and it even has better accessories.

One thing though, the examples you give are not RID proper, they are TAV. I am sure that if Hasbro releases a voyager RID Grimlock or a leader class Optimus like that one, both would sell as well. I do not like the RID line and I do not find it collector driven (it isnt) but the TAV line on the other hand is great and is definitely collector driven. Just go to the TAV thread and you will get nothing but "oh, I want that", or "NICE!", its loads of positivity. I myself have spent more on TAv than any other line coming out this year. I can understand how collectors can look at the american counterparts to these toys and be underwhelmed since they are seriously lacking in deco and also do not have the same really cool toys found in the TAV line.

So yes, these RID toys are better than people think but to truly experience their best aspects, you have to import. And technically that doesnt make them RID toys anymore but TAV toys.

A remold, eh? I might have to check that out...

I get what you and Sabr are saying, but honestly, it's the RID molds with a new coat of paint for a large number of the figures. A new coat of paint isn't enough to get me to import. A drastic remold (Grimlock) or a brand new mold (Optimus) is. I'll stick with US versions wherever possible and then include imports to fill out the gaps in the line. Heck, I even bought Deployers to get the Mini-Cons and a Deluxe size Fracture.

Im not a fan of the animalcons in RiD, think they are completely stupid and make decepticons look like a joke but they make interesting toys. Clampdowns engineering is pretty impressive for a legion.

Autobot032 wrote:
A remold, eh? I might have to check that out...

I get what you and Sabr are saying, but honestly, it's the RID molds with a new coat of paint for a large number of the figures. A new coat of paint isn't enough to get me to import. A drastic remold (Grimlock) or a brand new mold (Optimus) is. I'll stick with US versions wherever possible and then include imports to fill out the gaps in the line. Heck, I even bought Deployers to get the Mini-Cons and a Deluxe size Fracture.

Yup, here's the remold, its even better than the previous (kinda, depends on your deco preference):



And I was just trying to be fair. People say the RID line isnt for collectors and you were saying it was by giving examples from outside that line. While I completely agree with that, it does suggest that the real collector line isnt stateside (like with Grimlock and Optimus).

And a coat of paint makes a huge difference for these toys. The fact that they cost the same as retail made it hard not to import. Sure, shipping makes the toy cost about 5$ more on average, but thats a small price to pay for me to get the best version of a toy:


Transformers Adventures Drift Gallery


Transformers Adventures Jazz Gallery

These are cool, but I'm hoping for more Warrior class 'Cons soon. I'm starting to buy these specifically so my kids can play with them (and hopefully not pine over my pricier figures from other lines), but so far my lineup of six contains only one Decepticon. Steeljaw's a little outnumbered.

Glarryg

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:
A remold, eh? I might have to check that out...

I get what you and Sabr are saying, but honestly, it's the RID molds with a new coat of paint for a large number of the figures. A new coat of paint isn't enough to get me to import. A drastic remold (Grimlock) or a brand new mold (Optimus) is. I'll stick with US versions wherever possible and then include imports to fill out the gaps in the line. Heck, I even bought Deployers to get the Mini-Cons and a Deluxe size Fracture.

Yup, here's the remold, its even better than the previous (kinda, depends on your deco preference):



And I was just trying to be fair. People say the RID line isnt for collectors and you were saying it was by giving examples from outside that line. While I completely agree with that, it does suggest that the real collector line isnt stateside (like with Grimlock and Optimus).

And a coat of paint makes a huge difference for these toys. The fact that they cost the same as retail made it hard not to import. Sure, shipping makes the toy cost about 5$ more on average, but thats a small price to pay for me to get the best version of a toy:


Transformers Adventures Drift Gallery


Transformers Adventures Jazz Gallery

Eww. That Optimus doesn't do it for me. I'll admit that Drift looks nicer with the extra paint, but I actually prefer the less busy looking Hasbro version of Jazz. Just a bit too much blue on the Takara Tomy one. Man, that Optimus. =\

I kind of agree with Rated X and Megatron Wolf on the fact that the animalistic Decepticons look dumb. In Prime, most all of the Decepticons had sleek and cool designs, while in RID, most of them just look plain stupid. Fracture and Megatronus are the only ones that appeal to me.

Onto the actual line, most of the figures I don't really care about because already have good versions of all the Autobots save Windblade and Strongarm (Windblade doesn't have a deluxe in RID anyway and I don't care about Strongarm) and the above issue with the Decepticons. The only one that I would really want is the TAV Origin Drift.

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:The corny looking half animal decepticons ruin RID.

But thats the whole point of the show. You take them out and there is no show left.

I didn't say take the decepticons out of the sbow, just make them less corny. Get rid of the animal features they have in robot mode and make them like the autobots.

Autobot032 wrote:
Eww. That Optimus doesn't do it for me. I'll admit that Drift looks nicer with the extra paint, but I actually prefer the less busy looking Hasbro version of Jazz. Just a bit too much blue on the Takara Tomy one. Man, that Optimus. =\

What do you dislike about the Optimus, too X-treme!!!!!!!!! ? Thats how I feel about him. He also reminds me a bit too much of AOE with that headsculpt.

Delta Magnus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:The corny looking half animal decepticons ruin RID.

But thats the whole point of the show. You take them out and there is no show left.

Remember, if it's not EXACTLY like a poorly animated, poorly written cartoon from 30 years ago then it's garbage. So our lord and saviour Rated X has spoken.

Clampdown looks pretty hilarious and Thunderhoof looks fun. Windblade though...ugh.

I get it. You dont like G1. But the cool thing about G1 is the stories and characters werent dumbed down like every TF cartoon made in the post Michael Bay era. Ill take a few animation errors any day of the week over pure goofiness. RID is on the same level as rescue bots.

Rated X wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:The corny looking half animal decepticons ruin RID.

But thats the whole point of the show. You take them out and there is no show left.

Remember, if it's not EXACTLY like a poorly animated, poorly written cartoon from 30 years ago then it's garbage. So our lord and saviour Rated X has spoken.

Clampdown looks pretty hilarious and Thunderhoof looks fun. Windblade though...ugh.

I get it. You dont like G1. But the cool thing about G1 is the stories and characters werent dumbed down like every TF cartoon made in the post Michael Bay era. Ill take a few animation errors any day of the week over pure goofiness. RID is on the same level as rescue bots.

What about TF Prime and TF Animated? Those were quite solid and totally took hints for the G1 era.

Also, yeah I get what you mean about changing the decepticon looks. I guess since I grew up on beast wars, I dont much mind these designs. Steeljaw reminds me a bit of Beast Wars Ravage. I find the designs fun and inventive and I really just wish we had all their toys.

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:
Eww. That Optimus doesn't do it for me. I'll admit that Drift looks nicer with the extra paint, but I actually prefer the less busy looking Hasbro version of Jazz. Just a bit too much blue on the Takara Tomy one. Man, that Optimus. =\

What do you dislike about the Optimus, too X-treme!!!!!!!!! ? Thats how I feel about him. He also reminds me a bit too much of AOE with that headsculpt.

Actually, yeah. That pretty much nails it. The only other thing is the black in place of the blue. Yuck.

Rated X wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:The corny looking half animal decepticons ruin RID.

But thats the whole point of the show. You take them out and there is no show left.

Remember, if it's not EXACTLY like a poorly animated, poorly written cartoon from 30 years ago then it's garbage. So our lord and saviour Rated X has spoken.

Clampdown looks pretty hilarious and Thunderhoof looks fun. Windblade though...ugh.

I get it. You dont like G1. But the cool thing about G1 is the stories and characters werent dumbed down like every TF cartoon made in the post Michael Bay era. Ill take a few animation errors any day of the week over pure goofiness. RID is on the same level as rescue bots.

Wait, X, what are you talking about? Did you actually WATCH G1? The Autobots playing basketball? Goofy. Having snowball fights with Spike? Goofy. "Fat chance, fathead!" Goofy, horrible to even say with a straight face. The Girl Who Loved Powerglide? The entire episode was just "Ugh. Are you serious, right now?"

G1 was full of dumbed down characters and dumbed down stories. Couple that WITH the animation errors and campiness overall and G1 is on the same level as RID, if not a bit worse.

If you're going to paint the picture, paint it honestly.

Rated X wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:The corny looking half animal decepticons ruin RID.

But thats the whole point of the show. You take them out and there is no show left.

Remember, if it's not EXACTLY like a poorly animated, poorly written cartoon from 30 years ago then it's garbage. So our lord and saviour Rated X has spoken.

Clampdown looks pretty hilarious and Thunderhoof looks fun. Windblade though...ugh.

I get it. You dont like G1. But the cool thing about G1 is the stories and characters werent dumbed down like every TF cartoon made in the post Michael Bay era. Ill take a few animation errors any day of the week over pure goofiness. RID is on the same level as rescue bots.

Are we watching the same G1 cartoon? How is that whole thing NOT goofy and dumbed-down? Optimus basically was deactivated every other episode. Prime played basketball. Megatron's plans.

I think some bias is showing in this response. If anything these shows are dumbed down but with stories and effects that last more than 1 episode. Animated and Prime are great examples

Rated X wrote:

Delta Magnus wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:The corny looking half animal decepticons ruin RID.

But thats the whole point of the show. You take them out and there is no show left.

Remember, if it's not EXACTLY like a poorly animated, poorly written cartoon from 30 years ago then it's garbage. So our lord and saviour Rated X has spoken.

Clampdown looks pretty hilarious and Thunderhoof looks fun. Windblade though...ugh.

I get it. You dont like G1. But the cool thing about G1 is the stories and characters werent dumbed down like every TF cartoon made in the post Michael Bay era. Ill take a few animation errors any day of the week over pure goofiness. RID is on the same level as rescue bots.

What about TF Prime and TF Animated? Those were quite solid and totally took hints for the G1 era.

Also, yeah I get what you mean about changing the decepticon looks. I guess since I grew up on beast wars, I dont much mind these designs. Steeljaw reminds me a bit of Beast Wars Ravage. I find the designs fun and inventive and I really just wish we had all their toys.

It's amazing to me how often we tend to forget the past, which automatically dooms us to repeat it. People are upset that the Decepticons are animalistic in RID, but G1 was full of animalistic characters and toys.

Decepticon Headmasters? Weirdwolf (name requires no further discussion), Mindwipe (a vampire BAT), Skullcruncher (a crocodile) not to mention the continuation of that line as animals. Oooh and what about Predaking? All beast combiner. Monstructor? Creatures that don't even exist, plus the Seacons and the Terrorcons, another team of creatures that don't actually exist.

That compared to a lobster bot named Bisque and people think RID is more ridiculous? C'mon.

Really just interested in Windblade. I wish she was a little bit better, but I really only want her as an accessory for Metroplex anyway.

Emerje

Emerje wrote:Really just interested in Windblade. I wish she was a little bit better, but I really only want her as an accessory for Metroplex anyway.

Emerje

Now that you bring that up, that may be a reason for me to get her. So that way Metroplex has a better-scaled city speaker. Thanks!

Autobot032 wrote:It's amazing to me how often we tend to forget the past, which automatically dooms us to repeat it. People are upset that the Decepticons are animalistic in RID, but G1 was full of animalistic characters and toys.

Decepticon Headmasters? Weirdwolf (name requires no further discussion), Mindwipe (a vampire BAT), Skullcruncher (a crocodile) not to mention the continuation of that line as animals. Oooh and what about Predaking? All beast combiner. Monstructor? Creatures that don't even exist, plus the Seacons and the Terrorcons, another team of creatures that don't actually exist.

That compared to a lobster bot named Bisque and people think RID is more ridiculous? C'mon.

I like your comparisons to G1. My favourite comparison is to LioKaiser who is practically the same thing. Vehicle modes but robot modes which are animal themed (with animal themes names). The slight difference is that the beat heads in robot mode are helmets while in RID, it is their real face. But it's a very similar aesthetic in the end.

RID-15 Decepticons are not a million miles away from Prime Predacons or G1 Horrorcons.

Oh and speaking of larger Grimlocks my KO arrived - good news = No faux Autobot logo or cut out circle bad new no metal parts.

Sizewise Grimmy is the same as First Edition Prime or FOC Grimlock. He feels a little light but not that bad otherwise. He even has light piping. I'll try to find out if the metal ones were cancelled or if both exist. I think both exist for some of the KO's of AOE toys so it might be the same here too. well worth £7.99 / $14.99 though which is what they cost on Ebay's UK & USA sites respectively.

I thought I'd mention it as Adventures Grimmy might be hard to get - size wise though if you want a much bigger toy the 3 step might be worth considering too.

william-james88 wrote:

Autobot032 wrote:It's amazing to me how often we tend to forget the past, which automatically dooms us to repeat it. People are upset that the Decepticons are animalistic in RID, but G1 was full of animalistic characters and toys.

Decepticon Headmasters? Weirdwolf (name requires no further discussion), Mindwipe (a vampire BAT), Skullcruncher (a crocodile) not to mention the continuation of that line as animals. Oooh and what about Predaking? All beast combiner. Monstructor? Creatures that don't even exist, plus the Seacons and the Terrorcons, another team of creatures that don't actually exist.

That compared to a lobster bot named Bisque and people think RID is more ridiculous? C'mon.

I like your comparisons to G1. My favourite comparison is to LioKaiser who is practically the same thing. Vehicle modes but robot modes which are animal themed (with animal themes names). The slight difference is that the beat heads in robot mode are helmets while in RID, it is their real face. But it's a very similar aesthetic in the end.

Another good mention, yes. People seem to miss that characters like Bisque and Clampdown are meant to be outlandish. That's part of their charm is that they're ridiculous. I know we take Transformers way too serious and the creators of RID are trying to bring it back to it's roots and go the silly route. It's not everyone's cup of tea, sure, but it's not all gloom and doom either.

There can be a balance, we need it.

To me, part of the charm of RID is the fact that the decepticons have animal like qualities.

What surprises me is that no one has brought up the fact that the idea of some decepticons being analogous to earth animals originated with Arachnid in TF Prime. The idea that she had spider like qualities yet she transformed into an earth mode was cool.

Plus the personalities of the beastcons are amazing. Many of them had motive. Which is more than I can say for most decepticons the Unicron Trilogy.

Dawh, clampdown is so cute

It's incredible that he could be so realistic (albeit without (maybe) claws, but I can forgive it at this size class), kinda wish he had elbows (ball-jointed would be best to allow for forward and lateral movement), but I like that he seems to have poseable eye's and mouth

Might have to get thunderhoof, underbite, and clampdown

Hellscream9999 wrote:Dawh, clampdown is so cute

It's incredible that he could be so realistic (albeit without (maybe) claws, but I can forgive it at this size class), kinda wish he had elbows (ball-jointed would be best to allow for forward and lateral movement), but I like that he seems to have poseable eye's and mouth

Might have to get thunderhoof, underbite, and clampdown

A lot of these legends guys are nailing it. Fixit is amazing, Sideswipe is really cool, Underbite, Clampdown, Thunderhoof, the whole lot is cool. all we need is a legends Fracture to complete the main cast in legions!

Emerje wrote:Really just interested in Windblade. I wish she was a little bit better, but I really only want her as an accessory for Metroplex anyway.

Emerje

erm just out of curiosity....what class size is Windblade anyway? & is that the class that Gen Plex is supposed to interact with?

Stuartmaximus wrote:

Emerje wrote:Really just interested in Windblade. I wish she was a little bit better, but I really only want her as an accessory for Metroplex anyway.

Emerje

erm just out of curiosity....what class size is Windblade anyway? & is that the class that Gen Plex is supposed to interact with?

She is Legion class.