The Energon Pub

Just picked up Double Clutch & the Rallybots yesterday, didn't get a chance to crack em open until this morning. I have to say... WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP! Keep in mind, I really like the premise behind PCC, so I really want this sub-line to do well. My biggest problem with this toy at the moment is that it just does not work. Period. Limbs constantly fall off; ball joints are loose, in fact almost all his joints are loose even some swivel ones like his head; Pieces don't stay in their pegs once transformed very well... and the feet on the combined mode, especially the drag car, do not work. The drag car's nose and undercarriage are suppose to activate when connected to form the heel and bottom of the foot, but they don't do anything, at least not on my specific toy. I can manually open it open so I can see where they SHOULD be, but they will not hold in place, automatically snapping shut soon as I let go. Another thing is Double Clutch in his single robot mode has crap for arms. They are on a ball joint but because where the connection is on his shoulders, he can not raise his arms higher than his lower part of his chest unless turn his arms almost back all the way. The whole thing reminds me of when the T-1000 from terminator got that big ol' blast at the end, and couldn't hold itself together, falling into the lava... that's where this toy belongs.

A couple of good things though... the Rallybots are fairly unique as far as cars go, each with their own distinctive color and style. I actually really hate most race car transformers because they generally all have the same shape with different colors (wth, right? maybe why I prefer Decipticons). Double clutch isn't the best looking in robot mode, but his car mode is fairly tight. Everything fits fairly well in alt mode, and he even has a trunk you can open, and a back windowish thing that you can flip open to place a minicon on. Transforming him is more complex than the other PCC I have, lots of twisting and snapping, if only all his limbs didn't fall off when basically doing anything, I'd say it was fun.

I'm going to return this toy and exchange it for the same thing to see if maybe I just got a lemon. However, if this is how all the Rallybots are, I'm going to give Hasbro a piece of my mind, because the toy I got is pure junk.

If anyone else picked this guy up, please let me know what your experience is with him, because I'm REALLLLLY hoping I got a lemon, because I'd be willing to forgive some of his design flaws if the rest of him worked. Sigh... I really am enjoying the 2-packs though. The Combaticons aren't too shabby either.

Want pics or a vid, just request, and I'll throw some up.

Hopefully you just got a bad one. Doubleclutch is one of the PCC I'm most looking forward to for his Crankcase+rallybots=kinda Menasor look.

My Bombshock has messed up leg connectors, so it's prolly just a lemon like you think.

My bombshock's right leg is kinda messed up as well, its not terrible, but its not as snug as the left, so anytime I try to bed the knee with the drone attached, it becomes slightly dislodged, annoying, but not a game breaker like the POS that is my Double Clutch.

adamassc wrote:Hopefully you just got a bad one. Doubleclutch is one of the PCC I'm most looking forward to for his Crankcase+rallybots=kinda Menasor look.

My Bombshock has messed up leg connectors, so it's prolly just a lemon like you think.

My Rallybots set has the same issues, including the Drag Racer Drone not auto-morphing properly. This however can be fixed. Look at the bottom of the Drag Racer, the plastic tab should be coming though the hole in the bottom of the car. Mine was stuck inside the vehicle rather than extending through. Just reposition the tab so that it is coming all the way through the hole and this should fix the problem of it not wanting to stay fully transformed in leg mode.

I saw that, and promptly fixed it, thinking... SUCCESS!!! but alas, nope, it continues to slip through the tap anytime it becomes activated, but the part that activates too doesn't work... Will tinker some more, but the loose unfitted joints are really killing this product. Loose I can fix, but the left leg simply doesn't even fit into the socket properly, it can just fall off for no reason.

El Duque wrote:My Rallybots set has the same issues, including the Drag Racer Drone not auto-morphing properly. This however can be fixed. Look at the bottom of the Drag Racer, the plastic tab should be coming though the hole in the bottom of the car. Mine was stuck inside the vehicle rather than extending through. Just reposition the tab so that it is coming all the way through the hole and this should fix the problem of it not wanting to stay fully transformed in leg mode.

So I went back and exchanged my Rallybots. Glad I did because this one hold itself slightly better. His right arm is partially loose, but no where NEAR the amount of any of the joints on the previous one. The drag car still doesn't automorph properly, but at the very least, I can snap it into place and i will stay that way unlike before. I think it was a bad design flaw though as I look at the mechanism that supposed to activate it, and it doesn't look like it'd do anything. The rallybots connections points are a bit snug too, you gotta use a lot of force to get them on him. I tried them on Huffer and got better results, but getting the left leg off was a chore. Last, his combo head doesn't snap into place where the pegs go in, they easily pop out, so it doesn't look as seamless as it should.

The same issues with his arms still stand, it was just a bad design. He's the shortest of all the PCC from head to toe,;has very limited pose-ability in his arms, both in robot and combined mode. In fact the only thing his arms can do in combined mode is rotate up and down, they can't be moved forward or back, just stuck slightly backwards assuming you transformed him the "correct way". The Rallybots look a lot better on Huffer, as well as fit better. Double Clutch is just a bad toy, his only good merits are he kinda looks like Jazz, has the most most complex transformation (if you like some complexity), and a decent looking alt mode. Unless you are trying to complete the collection of this line, stay FAR FAR away from this toy.

I found Bombshock to be garbage so I returned him for a refund. Then I found other complaints about him along the same line so I figure it's a general issue with the drones. Even if they worked I was utterly underwhelmed by the thing once it was open.

Mykltron wrote:I found Bombshock to be garbage so I returned him for a refund. Then I found other complaints about him along the same line so I figure it's a general issue with the drones. Even if they worked I was utterly underwhelmed by the thing once it was open.

I had the opposite experience.

My Bombshock and drones were actually very well done and nicely solid. It was the jets that were POS's for me.

I'd have to second this, my Bombshock is very solid, save for a slightly finicky right knee in combined mode, if I bend the leg, the link slips out slightly. But overall, a WAY better experience than Double Clutch. I've had some time to play around with him, and parts of him are slightly growing on me, but there are just so many small things that could have made this toy a lot better it's ridiculous. The Rallybots go fairly good though on all the other Commanders though. Drag car is still the gimp.

I do look forward to Mudslinger and the Destructicons though, they looked good in person minus the oddly white color on some of the drones.

Valandar wrote:

Mykltron wrote:I found Bombshock to be garbage so I returned him for a refund. Then I found other complaints about him along the same line so I figure it's a general issue with the drones. Even if they worked I was utterly underwhelmed by the thing once it was open.

I had the opposite experience.

My Bombshock and drones were actually very well done and nicely solid. It was the jets that were POS's for me.

Well my thoughts on this line varies alot, I've thought about picking up Bombshock and Mudslinger cause they look cool, but i just cant bring myself to get into this line at all! but as far a junk or garbage, im hearing Skyburst is the worse among the PCC 5 packs.

Well, this thread is convincing me to shy away from the PCC line, even though I was trying to like it. Not the best time budget-wise anyway, so I think I'll just stick to picking up the Generations/HftD figures that interest me instead.

personally, I'm a fan of this line, but I dislike the 5-packs I've dealt with so far-Wave 1's.

The Commander 2-packs make this line want to be great, but the fact that they rely on half-thought out drones sold boxed up with the worst commanders available hurts the line badly.

I would happily pay 15-20 dollars for a 4 pack of well made, completely thought out drones. They don't need bot modes, they just need to execute their vehicle to limb mode shift better.

I'd also like to see some unique drones for Icepick. he's awesome, but his snowcat altmode and frozen supermode head don't really fit with any of the drones I've seen. Maybe a pair of weaponized snowskis, a 'rescue' copter, and something else.

I have all four of the 5-packs and Doubleclutch is definitely the weakest in my opinion. I would rate them; Bombshock, Mudslinger, Skyburst, Doubleclutch. In fact Doubleclutch even fails as a stand alone figure.

To me most of the problems with these guys come from the automorphing limbs. Had they went with a traditional transformation process for the drones that left you with an articulated limb the figures would be considerably better. I'm fine with the drone concept, but if the drones are only going to transform into limbs they should at least turn into really good limbs. We kind of ended up with the worst of both worlds. They sacrificed overall quality for a cheesy gimmick.

El Duque wrote:I have all four of the 5-packs and Doubleclutch is definitely the weakest in my opinion. I would rate them; Bombshock, Mudslinger, Skyburst, Doubleclutch. In fact Doubleclutch even fails as a stand alone figure.

To me most of the problems with these guys come from the automorphing limbs. Had they went with a traditional transformation process for the drones that left you with an articulated limb the figures would be considerably better. I'm fine with the drone concept, but if the drones are only going to transform into limbs they should at least turn into really good limbs. We kind of ended up with the worst of both worlds. They sacrificed overall quality for a cheesy gimmick.

I agree, but so far I only found Bombshock. Left the Arielbots at the store, that combined mode just looked awful.

I really, really really want to love these figures. I think the idea is terrific, I like the concept as a concept. I don't mind the drones at all, and I like Bombshock as an individual figure. But yeah, the automorph doesn't work that well on a few of Bombshocks' drones and they aren't articulated at all. And they got loose, first time they morphed on mine.

My issue is this: the drones are named teams, right? But why? Bombshock has Combaticons, such and such has Rallybots. But the drones aren't bots or cons at all. I'd be ok with the combined form being called Combaticon or Rallybot or Arielbot, with the commander still retaining an individual name. But they gave a team name to a bunch of non-sentient vehicles.

I'm hoping that these first wavers are going to be improved upon in the future.

Dagon wrote:

El Duque wrote:I have all four of the 5-packs and Doubleclutch is definitely the weakest in my opinion. I would rate them; Bombshock, Mudslinger, Skyburst, Doubleclutch. In fact Doubleclutch even fails as a stand alone figure.

To me most of the problems with these guys come from the automorphing limbs. Had they went with a traditional transformation process for the drones that left you with an articulated limb the figures would be considerably better. I'm fine with the drone concept, but if the drones are only going to transform into limbs they should at least turn into really good limbs. We kind of ended up with the worst of both worlds. They sacrificed overall quality for a cheesy gimmick.

I agree, but so far I only found Bombshock. Left the Arielbots at the store, that combined mode just looked awful.

I really, really really want to love these figures. I think the idea is terrific, I like the concept as a concept. I don't mind the drones at all, and I like Bombshock as an individual figure. But yeah, the automorph doesn't work that well on a few of Bombshocks' drones and they aren't articulated at all. And they got loose, first time they morphed on mine.

My issue is this: the drones are named teams, right? But why? Bombshock has Combaticons, such and such has Rallybots. But the drones aren't bots or cons at all. I'd be ok with the combined form being called Combaticon or Rallybot or Arielbot, with the commander still retaining an individual name. But they gave a team name to a bunch of non-sentient vehicles.

I'm hoping that these first wavers are going to be improved upon in the future.

Agreed, it would make more sense to me if it were Bombshock with power-up combat drones, or something like that.

El Duque wrote:

Dagon wrote:

El Duque wrote:I have all four of the 5-packs and Doubleclutch is definitely the weakest in my opinion. I would rate them; Bombshock, Mudslinger, Skyburst, Doubleclutch. In fact Doubleclutch even fails as a stand alone figure.

To me most of the problems with these guys come from the automorphing limbs. Had they went with a traditional transformation process for the drones that left you with an articulated limb the figures would be considerably better. I'm fine with the drone concept, but if the drones are only going to transform into limbs they should at least turn into really good limbs. We kind of ended up with the worst of both worlds. They sacrificed overall quality for a cheesy gimmick.

I agree, but so far I only found Bombshock. Left the Arielbots at the store, that combined mode just looked awful.

I really, really really want to love these figures. I think the idea is terrific, I like the concept as a concept. I don't mind the drones at all, and I like Bombshock as an individual figure. But yeah, the automorph doesn't work that well on a few of Bombshocks' drones and they aren't articulated at all. And they got loose, first time they morphed on mine.

My issue is this: the drones are named teams, right? But why? Bombshock has Combaticons, such and such has Rallybots. But the drones aren't bots or cons at all. I'd be ok with the combined form being called Combaticon or Rallybot or Arielbot, with the commander still retaining an individual name. But they gave a team name to a bunch of non-sentient vehicles.

I'm hoping that these first wavers are going to be improved upon in the future.

Agreed, it would make more sense to me if it were Bombshock with power-up combat drones, or something like that.

YEah, I just don't understand why/how drones get a team name. And it's not like a G1 thing, like Oh god, how could they reuse the Combaticon name????11???
I just don't get why they get named as a team when really it's the commander who is literally calling all the shots. I guess an approximation would be like, Roller from G1, where he was a drone but when it suited his one or two cartoon appearances he was a stand-alone character.

Because i'm the sort of idiot that insists on having one of each mold (preferably the original) I "treated" myself to Double Clutch today even though i'd been keeping an eye on this thread for what others were saying.

Unlike noodles, i'm NOT a fan of the PCC concept. I think it sucks. Plain and simple. Double Clutch and the Rallybots did nothing to change that opinion for the positive, if anything, it made it more concrete.

Like others I had the same problem with Drag Racer Drone but quickly worked out the fix for it. The legs aren't so bad once you can get them to balance. The arms however are bloody awful. Getting them on is a task in it's self. Tuner Drone went on without any hassles but when I put Race Car Drone on, Tuner and the entire shoulder fell off the ball joint! And then getting those shoulders to plug in is a worthless endeavour as they pop out so easily.

I'll say this though, once you get the legs sorted out they do a better job of standing up than Skyburst does.

All in all, not impressed. If you're a casual collector, just avoid it.

if anybody has drones they want to sell me, send me a message!

Burn wrote:Because i'm the sort of idiot that insists on having one of each mold (preferably the original) I "treated" myself to Double Clutch today even though i'd been keeping an eye on this thread for what others were saying.

Unlike noodles, i'm NOT a fan of the PCC concept. I think it sucks. Plain and simple. Double Clutch and the Rallybots did nothing to change that opinion for the positive, if anything, it made it more concrete.

Like others I had the same problem with Drag Racer Drone but quickly worked out the fix for it. The legs aren't so bad once you can get them to balance. The arms however are bloody awful. Getting them on is a task in it's self. Tuner Drone went on without any hassles but when I put Race Car Drone on, Tuner and the entire shoulder fell off the ball joint! And then getting those shoulders to plug in is a worthless endeavour as they pop out so easily.

I'll say this though, once you get the legs sorted out they do a better job of standing up than Skyburst does.

All in all, not impressed. If you're a casual collector, just avoid it.

What did you do as your fix for the Drag Racer Drone? The one I exchange can at least keep the leg formed now once I manually put it that way, but it won't automorph and I don't see anyway to actually fix that, so I'd love to know what you did. And it's not the tab thats the problem for me, it's the part that is suppose to move the tab (near the base of the socket).

I can see how the PCC is not everyone's cup of tea. I really like the idea of assistant bots (in this case, minicons), it's the 2packs that sold me on this line. I'm only getting the drones to complete the collection. It's a shame that the 5 packs are ruining a lot of peoples experience with this line including myself. However, to me, it appears the weakest links are the autobots combiners. I have a good experience with Bombshock overall, and I think I'll have just as much fun with Mudslinger... but I haven't heard anything great about the Aerialbots, so it's a good think im waiting for the TRU 7 pack.

I do agree if you are casual collector, its not a line worth getting. One of the reasons I'm getting this line is a I hate 90% of the movie line, can't afford all the ones coming out for generations (only gonna get the WFC ones), and this line doesn't look like it'll have a ridiculous amount of figures.

By fix I mean I had to manually do it like everyone else.

I just didn't read that bit on here first.

ONE THING TO CONSIDER:

While the drones may be disappointing, and the minicons little more than robot yoga, the actual "commander" parts (the slightly larger than Scout sized vehicles) are for the most part pretty darn good.

No, as Noodles pointed out, Double Clutch's arms are troublesome.

I DID say "For the most part". Not all of them can be gems.

Double Clutch is a foul, miserable failure of a toy.