The Energon Pub

Which do you guys think is better? I like the Masterpiece toy a lot but I think the new design of the Generations figure is better?

Masterpiece is the better overall figure. I like the Leader class one too but it's plastic feels cheap as hell. still looks great though.

Both fill very different needs for collectors, and both fill those needs extremely well. This kind of comparison isn't really useful, in my opinion. Get the one that meets your needs - you won't be unhappy.

Wolfman Jake wrote:Both fill very different needs for collectors, and both fill those needs extremely well. This kind of comparison isn't really useful, in my opinion. Get the one that meets your needs - you won't be unhappy.

To someone collecting for a long time and knows what he likes and want to collect it doesn't really make sense as you are right they fill very different needs. But to someone that is new to collecting it is actually very important as perhaps they would only like to buy one and choosing which magus to go with could effect the future of his collecting habits. If he gets the Leader class maybe he'll only start collecting Classics and mainline figures and vice versa.

mooncake623 wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:Both fill very different needs for collectors, and both fill those needs extremely well. This kind of comparison isn't really useful, in my opinion. Get the one that meets your needs - you won't be unhappy.

To someone collecting for a long time and knows what he likes and want to collect it doesn't really make sense as you are right they fill very different needs. But to someone that is new to collecting it is actually very important as perhaps they would only like to buy one and choosing which magus to go with could effect the future of his collecting habits. If he gets the Leader class maybe he'll only start collecting Classics and mainline figures and vice versa.

Then the question is simply, how much are you willing to spend? Masterpiece figures are more G1-faithful, but more expensive. Classics/Universe 2.0/Generations figures are more modern takes on G1 (and other) characters and less expensive in general compared to the Masterpiece line. LegendaryAntiHero, do you want a collection of "perfect" replicas of the original cartoon characters, or toys you are more apt to play with regularly, look more modern, and cost less money? It sounds like, aesthetically, you're already leaning towards the "neo-G1" look of the Classics/Universe 2.0/Generations series, which is a great way to go, honestly. Also, keep in mind that Masterpiece figures roll out very slowly, even for Takara's markets, so it will take many years to build up a sizeable Masterpiece collection, while most of the Generations and similar offerings cover most of the major characters from the cartoon at this time. Get the Ultra Magnus that fits the collection you want to invest your time and money in for the next several years.

I've said this before, and I'll glady say it again.

Masterpiece Ultra Magnus is the defining representation of the original G1 Ultra Magnus.

Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus is the defining representation of the modern, IDW Ultra Magnus.

Both are in their own leagues.

If people ask for a recommendation, ask them what they want, do they want the G1 look? Then go MP. Do they prefer playability? Then go CW.

The same can be said for Thundercracker.

Expecting to get TT UM within 3 months or so. But I already eyeballed the Hasbro version...not even close to the MP. And I also love how CW came out so I'm not disparaging the mold.

For the homicid@l at heart, you can also use MP to give a bloke a minor concussion (he's got a hefty amount of die-cast).

So both have their pros and cons....your choice in the end.

I'm happy with my Leader UM. If they were the same price, I'd have bought the MP instead as I'm sure it's a superior figure overall, but I'd rather have the less expensive Leader and have money left over for something else. (Also, with a son on the way I'd rather buy figures that can be played with, instead of kept behind glass like MPs.)

In the pics you posted, the Leader one looks better, but it's an unfair comparison because it's a Photoshopped promotional image of the Leader vs. an in-hand photograph of the MP, and those promo images make every figure look better than they do in hand. I WISH Leader UM looked like he does in that picture!

I own both, and I find MP Magnus to be better engineered. He's got more heft, more weight. He's got Primus-damned wrist articulation, and can hold his weapon better.

MP is better, but for the price difference, it damn well should be.