The Energon Pub

ok so heres a question for all of you, when you get a new TF that youve never had before (ie: repaints,ressisues) do you try and figure it out before you read the instructions or do u not do a thing untill you read them? for me ive been collecting TF's since G1 and 23 yrs of it has given me the skill of figureing out most TF's before i look at the instructions..its only the crazy big ones or really advanced ones that i normally read first.

My best friend who doesnt collect as much as i do can figure them out pretty good as well w/ the instructions. and its funny to see my wife try and transform it cuz shes not into toys so she has the funniest looks when messing with it lol.

I try to transform it on my own first, then look at the robots picture sometimes of what I need to transform it into, and if it doesn't help, I open the instruction. There are some that I couldn't even start to transform (most alternators, TM Tarantulas) those are the ones I really like.

I'll always give it a go before looking at the instructions. The only one I didn't do that with was Masterpiece Skywarp. I wasn't taking any chances with that one.

Most TFs are relatively simple to transform though. I had to refer the instructions for a couple of stages on my Alternators, and turning Classics Ultra Magnus back into a truck.

The only one I ever had to use the instructions for was MP Megatron, other than that I just look at the pic and then transform it, I did that with the Alts aswell.

I usually Transform without instructions. The only one I've had to look at the instructions for was Masterpiece Prime (tough little booger )

Usually without, Unless I get stuck, but thats pretty rare.
The last toy I needed instructions for was Alternators Grimlock.

Otherwise, I can pretty much transform them blind folded.

I always do it the first time to make sure I get it right and back into alt mode again, but then I do it without. Just makes sure I don't miss anything and I don't break anything by accident.

Usually I go to the instrucs first, so I don't break anything or miss any steps, plus someone went to a lot of trouble to put the instrucs together (for some of the movie toys it was prob. a drunk monkey), so I figure I should use them.

Lately tho I've been trying it cold first, then referring back if I get stuck. I usually use the box as a reference, or the fantastic Seibertron galleries. Out of all my 230+ TFs, I've got all their transformations memorized except for one: RID Omega Prime, the Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime link-up. I've only had them for a few months, and I haven't formed Omega Prime very much, but damned if I don't need to break out the enormous instructions to do it- I swear they're the size of a tennis court.

Yeah, Omega Prime can be kind of complex, but once you get the hag of it its as easy as balancing 5 pies on a broom stick lengthwise.

Still Its more of contorting Magnus into chest mode, and getting his thruster/wings out of the way than anything else.

The rest is fairly easy.

Yeah I'm with mostly everyone here as to doing without the instuctions. When I'm done - or think I am - I look on the back of the box at the pic. Sometimes I'll have one of the panels turned the wrong way or something, but dont think I was ever totally stumped. Besides thats the fun of it trying to figure it out on your own.

last one i got stuck on and needed instructions for was umm.... hold on.... umm... got it, unicron

I always keep the instructions handy for the first time. Some of the Alts can be challenging and instead of breaking your $100 toy it's wiser to at least look at the picture before trying to snap an arm or a leg.

The last one I needed instructions for? phew.. Twintwist I guess.

I always look at the instructions first, but sometimes they can be really vague and hard to understand. In that case, I just watch video reviews of them.

I'll use the packaging images if I get stuck, and if that don't help, or I feel like I might do damage to the figure, then I'll consult the instructions, which more often than not, do not help much anyways.

Alternators usually end up with me consulting instructions.

I haven't checked instructions in a real long time.

Most regular bots are pretty simple, a few quick flips and your done.

Maybe it's just from years of doing these, but I got it down. Even MP Megatron was figured out without them.

Still, I have one bot, one whose configuration in a certain mode I always get screwed up on, and always in the same spot.

This would be BW Rampages claw alignment in tank mode, I always forget how they go

So instructions for Liege, not really nessicary, but still nice to have anyway.

YeekJat wrote:I always look at the instructions first, but sometimes they can be really vague and hard to understand. In that case, I just watch video reviews of them.

agree, no one ever mentions to properly allign the front wheel "steering" tabs on the Ford GT mold.

I generally look at the instructions before I try to transform a new Transformer. I figure that they include them for a reason and I ought to follow them. I've had a bad bad experience trying to free-transform a brand new Transformer without the instructions. A bad experience.

That being said, if it's rather obvious as to how the new Transformer is to be transformed, I'll just do it without instructions.

Of course, there are Transformers that are easier to transform if you DON'T follow the directions.

I usually start off with the instructions, get confused, strangle a small animal, have lunch, try to figure it out on my own, screw up, and refer back to the instructions.

!!!HEY!!!

You be nice you your Maximals and Predicons, they're endangered now

I have only used instrustions once in 9-10 years. Most of mine get never even get unfolded.
Half the time they don't tell you anything anyhoo. It'sd more fun If I can do it mysef. Plus, if there's a TV show and the toy character is in it, there's my instructions if I need them.

usually i transform it on my own, without instructions, with the exception of Masterpieces (hey, i have to get it right - they ARE investments!) and Alternators (don't wanna mess up anything, these are just beautiful to ruin by scratches and stressed parts).

The first time around I use the instructions so I don't end up breaking figures (a la 1976 TF Movie BB) and I can get an idea of which parts move around, etc.