The Energon Pub

I'm always interested to see which Botcon figures cost more than their compatriots of the same set. Last year's set seems to be Scourge, the Sweeps and Banzai-Tron. Any theories on who will be the higher-demand figures of this set?

My thoughts:
Pyro/Spark - I think the pink will be a big turnoff, there won't be a lot of demand past the initial snapping-up phase.
Breakdown - I think this one may be the "forgotten" gem. I think the initial reaction will be "ew! hidious!" but that will eventually turn into a "Hey I think he's kinda neat." he'll cost more than Spark in a year
Streetwisestar - He's got a pretty dull paint scheme compared to the others, though that also means more people will want him for their Classics collection. I can see him peaking fairly quickly, then plateauing
Clench - I think we can all admit that despite any possible bias, this guy will be the big guy of the set in terms of popularity and cost.
Sky-Byte - The Energon Sharkticon mold was never repainted, and it's a pretty cool figure, and a lot of people may snap it up just for that fact alone. I see him at a level between Streetstar and Brakedown.

So my theory on the Box set itself - Clench, Breakdown, Sky-Byte, Breakdown then Spark.

Now what we know of the atendee figures:
Sharkticons - If you can get them; grab them fast because they're going to skyrocket in price due to the fact that it's a G1 figure, an army-builder, and a fairly cool mold.
Slicer - Much like the Energon Sharkticon, the mold hasn't been repainted until now (oddly enough). This one could serve 2 purposes, both as the Evil Decepticon Slicer, and Shattered Glass Wheeljack. I would think several people are going to try and get a second one for that purpose. However if the rumours are accurate and he is the free atendee figure, then supply is going to be good. I estimate the price will climb slowly but surely.
Rapido - Rumoured to be coming, but haven't seen it yet. I would suspect that his scheme will make him popular for those that want a less flashy line.


And I think that's all we know of so far. Thoughts?

I doubt the figures for this year will fetch higher prices than usual on the aftermarket. Not only is Generation 2 a bit unknown to the casual fan, but the colors, as you said, will turn them off a bit. If anything, Clench will raise to the top simply because of his size and the fact he's Onslaught with a new head. The others, not so much.

The Attendee and Souvenirs will probably go the same way, save for Slicer, even then only the hardcore fans will have him repurposed as SG Wheeljack based on the comics. In short, another cheap year for the aftermarket.

Which means good news for me, as I want them

I agree with Jelze. I don't really see too much of a problem (price wise) getting most of the figures from this set. G2 is pretty unknown, the colors will throw a lot of people off, and the characters aren't too stellar this year either. Clench will be expensive (because, as you said, it's going to be an Ultra Class figure with a new headsculpt). The Sharkticons will also be expensive because it's a G1 nod and I can see a lot of people using them in their classics collection.

The only figures I'm interested in are Clench and Skybyte. I know I'm going to pay out the wazoo for Clench and I've been saving up to pay about 80-100 bucks for the figure. Skybyte, on the other hand, has me a bit unsure. Firstly, he's an awesome character, and Scourge aside, was the best character in the RID series. Plus, the Energon Sharkticon mold has always been great (with not so great colors). On the other hand, RID wasn't really a well received series...

Either way, I'm only getting two Botcon figures this year. No matter how you slice it, they're going to be unreasonably expensive. Sucks to be a collector...

When Shattered Glass came out there was a lot of hate for the purple optimus with green headlights. Now. . .

If I had to guess I'd say Clench based on the size and new mold and Breakdown. He's got a G1 head, a nod to two Botcons, and the colors are soooo bad they grow on you.

sometimes funky and ugly colors grow on you. I think back on my MOTU Masters of the Universe that is...toys. The colors much like G2 i'm kinda intrigued and would like to be there to collect these. Also my guess is the army building Sharkticon stuff. You can have 100 of those with any green autobot and hulk hogan toy being overrun and you prob. have the coolest TF collection.

I honestly don't think there any "duds" in this collection and I think all will sell pretty well on the aftermarket. I see this set eventually selling as well, or almost as well as the 2007 and 2008 sets.

As for G2 being unknown...ummm...where did you guys get that idea exactly? No, it's not G1 level but a lot of people in the fandom grew up with G2, especially those that have money to spend on figs now.

I hate spark at the begining, but it grows on me now....
So u will never know.... Sometimes the market is unpredictable

Delicon wrote:As for G2 being unknown...ummm...where did you guys get that idea exactly? No, it's not G1 level but a lot of people in the fandom grew up with G2, especially those that have money to spend on figs now.

I said a *bit*, as it was often overlooked by other toylines. Think Power Rangers

I'm only going by what I like/love about the set.

Spark- I think this guy will be pretty much 50/50 with the fans and will do fairly well in the aftermarket. IDK if he's gonna be the holy grail in anyone's collection though.

Streetstar- The least impressive deco and least impressive figure in the set so far. But he is pretty accurate to his G2 deco, so he's got that going for him. My guess is that he'll be the cheapest to get.

Breakdown- Screams(!!) G2 and is a great because this character and paint scheme was for the very first Botcon exclusive. He's got a newly remolded "block head" and I think that it works so well, that I kinda want more of the "block head" look. (yeah fansproject with Explorer and Munitioner) We've had cartoon accurate head sculpts for so long that I think it's cool that we have G1-esque heads now. Kitchy!

Clench- The Ultra class of the botcon figs. The main baddie. The Bot that will be in black! This mold gets the new head mold treatment and I think this is they guy that will fetch a hefty price. (from what figs we know of so far) Who couldn’t use another bad guy in their collection. Me? I’m all about the Decepticons and this guy will be a very very impressive figure in my collection. Already got a spot for him too. Buy him now or forever kill your wallet.

Sky-Byte- The odd Con out. He’s not G2. But he has a nice lil following. Using a mold that I didn’t get till last year at botcon for cheap. I’ve always wanted this mold, but wasn’t a fan of the original colors, but had to get him because I liked the figure enough to warrant a purchase. Now he’s a somebody. Now he has a color scheme I can enjoy. He has more personality then E-Sharkticon and one of the figures to sport a new head. He should appease those that like the mold, those that like Sky-Byte, the RiD fans, and those that want a leader for their Sharkticon troops. I’m guessing his aftermarket value will definitely be above average.

Slicer/SG Wheeljack- I’m really not sure who’s he gonna be. I’ve been told that he is supposed to be Slicer, but the molded bot insignia screams SG to me. Not doubting my source, but I just don’t know. I’m hoping he is Slicer. But no matter who he is, he is gonna have a home weather it be in your G2 set or your SG set. So that can bring up demand for this guy. Not only that, but it’s a mold that really hasn’t been repainted and that to me makes him more desirable.

Rapido- The bot that I could care less about. This is just totally my opinion, but he better get a head remold. The Sideswipe/Sunstreaker figure gets 4 head molds and 5 different uses. The Prowl mold gets NO head remolds and potentially has 5 different bots as well. So it all depends to me. A new head will bring up the value of this figure. Same old head mold, I’d consider selling this guy if I actually sold my TF’s. Maybe the fiction can make him better then this mediocre figure about a character that is relatively unknown using a mold with nothing new. So with what we know. I’d say he’s a $75-$90 figure.

The Sharkticons- If Fun Pub is smart, they will do a troop build set every year. Last year’s Sweeps got swept up. The set, if I recall was about $55-$60. The aftermarket value went as from $80 for a single figure to $300+ for all three with bio cards. Clever move Fun Pub in giving each troop their own profile. I see this as a must buy. Army building, affordable (at the con), good mold, and colors very reminiscent of their G1 counterparts. My guess, this set will sell out at botcon and won’t be available at the store like Razorclaw and Elita-1. So if ya know anyone going, get them to do ya a favor and have them pick you up a set…or two like I want.

I only know of 1 of the add-ons that has not been mentioned or seen. My guess is that this add-on will fetch a nice price considering its size. But the character is a relative unknown as well. If color is accurate to the original toy, this will be inline with G2 colors being bright. Not overly bright, but parts of it will be. This mold has had 3 color schemes. 1 Japan, 2 US. No new head mold. So it would be nice for a new head mold, but I don’t think it’s necessary.

There ya have it, my guess on da valyuh of this year’s botcon set and add-ons.