The Energon Pub

Hey guys, I recently really started rewatching my Beast Wars shows and eventually would like to have at least 1 figure of every show character in my collection. I already have some of them, mostly from the 10th anniversary line.

My question is what versions of each character do you think are the best? Also, what are the most rare/expensive pieces of that line?

I'm only interested in "show characters", not off-screen figures, Beast Machines or Japan's Beast Wars II.

I don't know much about rarity, but here's my picks:

Top of my list would be the Japanese Telemocha versions of Optimus Primal TM-01 & Megatron TM-02. They are about deluxe-sized (maybe a tad shorter) and the most screen accurate versions I've seen with rich paint apps. I particularly like the TM-02 Megatron because his tail weapon is removable and he has a well-molded fist underneath. Solid must-have figures and totally worth getting.

I don't know if you like getting two versions of the same character, but I also think the Japanese version (no GPS) of the Metals (Transmetal) Megatron rules (purple & bronze T-rex). He's still one of my favorite figures to this day.

If you do get another Primal, Optimal Optimus is also a great representation in my book.

Get the Japanese X-9 Ravage/Jaguar. Pretty rare.

Henkei Dinobot is my favorite version of him.

I don't think there's been any really great versions of Black Arachnia from BW toys... I like the TF Animated version, but doesn't really fit in with the rest of the BW aesthetic. If I think of more, I'll check in later...

The "Robot Masters" versions of Megatron and Optimus Primal are also very show similar!

The rarest US, non-exclusive figure is... wait for it... the original Rattrap. Most likely the Japanese version too. Seriously.

Don't get the Robot MAsters versions of Primal and Megatron. Primal's not bad but Megatron is a disgrace to the original toy, even if he's more show accurate and has a removable tail weapon the toy is made of fail. The best representation of Megatron is the Transmetals version, get the Japanese one since the Hasbro one has a bad case of GPS.

Primal is best to go and buy ether the original mold (best would be the reissue) or Optimal Optimus, the normal Transmetals isn't all to grate.

Tarantulas is best to get the Transmetals version it kicks ass.

Mkall wrote:The rarest US, non-exclusive figure is... wait for it... the original Rattrap. Most likely the Japanese version too. Seriously.

All because most, if not all of the molds of the Beast Wars basics are lost. Seriously, confirmed by Hasbro.

We had a similar question a few months back, here are my picks, with notes:

Maximals
- BWR-01 Convoy (or Toy 'R Us reissue)

- TM-05 Dinobot
- Rattrap (good luck on that)
- TM-03 Cheetus
- TM-09 Rhinox orBeast Wars 10th Rhinox (both have misassembled shoulders though)
- TM-11 Tigatron
- Airazor
- Silverbolt

Transmetal Maximals
- Optimus Primal
- Optimal Optimus

- Rattrap
- Cheetor
- Transmetal 2 Cheetor
- Depth Charge
- Blackarachnia
- Tigerhawk

Predacons
- BWR-01 Megatron (or Toys 'R Us reissue, be warned the waist does not lock on some figures)

- Scorponok
- D-5 Terrorzaurer (2nd year show-accurate release, you'll need a lot of luck with him)
- Tarantulas (Reissue)
- Waspinator (Reissue) or TM-04 Waspitor (missassembled waist piece)
- Inferno
- TM-06 Black Widow
- Quickstrike

Transmetal Predacons
- D-40 Megatron
- Transmetal 2 Megatron

- Dinobot (white variant)
- Tarantulas
- Rampage

The best Optimus Primal & Megatron are the 10th Anniversary Deluxes. High posability, better scale, technoorganic with Transmetal or Beast Machines, Megatron actually has a left hand, WIN all around. Only real drawbacks? Primals lack of wrist articulation giving him (ironically enough) gorilla arms. Oh, and monkey penis. If I didn't point it out, you'd never even realize it was there. But they still kick ass in every imaginable way.

Oh and the best Dinobot is Universe 2.0 Dinobot which you can still find in some K-Marts and other "less visited" stores. Just never expect the sword to stay in the tail.

The Telemocha SP-DX Primal and Megs have the best paint job.

I also have the 100% CGI Accurate Takara Cheetor, and have to say its pretty nice.

10th Anniversary Waspinator is not bad, but I think the Telemocha version is much better.

And don't forget about the golden disc set for Transmetal Megatron.

See this thread for what may be a near-complete list of the most show-accurate toys of all the Beast Wars characters.