The Energon Pub

On my classics/universe/generations/RTS shelf. I've got megatron, Starscream, Cyclonus, Movie Mindwipe(cuz I love that figure). I try not to do too many repaints. Any suggestions for some reinforcements? I'm absolutely getting lugnut when hits a store in my area.

Astrotrain is a good choice, and should be too pricey on the 2nd hand market if you're patient. If you don't want Device Label Soundwave, his Cybertronian form is a good replacement. Also consider ROTF Bruticus if you can find him for a reasonable price. Even without the FP Upgrade he's still a pretty decent combiner.

I say that army building is one place even people who don't like repaints should flex a little. For example, back during Universe 2.0, you could have gotten several Acid Storm figures as generic Decepticons, since nobody ever heard of him prior to his release and association with one of the "rainmakers".

With Dirge and Thrust still on the shelves and Thundercracker evidently on the way, you should definitely go Seeker crazy. And with Scourge coming out as well, there are as many Sweeps as you can afford. Plus the repaint of Perceptor as Reflector that will hit before DOTM.

If you got Cyclonus, I think Galvatron and Scourge are a must. They're Unicron's three musketeers, after all. I wouldn't want one without the other two, but that's just me.

I second Astrotrain. Henkei Astrotrain if you can afford him. He's FAR superior to Hasbro's white version.

i agree with astrotrain and the seekers. despite all the hate towards galvatron you should pick him up. after i tightend his joints, his bot mode is pretty neat.

I totally agree. I'd even pick up an Octane/Tankor. He was my very first Classics. Also, if you're looking for an Astrotrain, I've got one on my eBay page starting at $17. (Shameless plug, I apologize.)

Also, even though they weren't in the G1 show, Skullgrin and Darkmount (Straxus) are very attractive. I'd also consider the Dreadwind repaint of Silverbolt. I get that he is a repaint, but for some reason he looks soooo great. He also has a third party head replacement coming out.

Also, consider a Dark Skyfire. I know he's a repaint, but if you think about it, Skyfire WAS a Decepticon first....

warwik311 wrote:On my classics/universe/generations/RTS shelf. I've got megatron, Starscream, Cyclonus, Movie Mindwipe(cuz I love that figure). I try not to do too many repaints. Any suggestions for some reinforcements? I'm absolutely getting lugnut when hits a store in my area.

I'd echo what other folks have already said; especially about the recent (and forthcoming) seeker releases. You can also still find Acid Storm pretty cheaply.

You might want to consider ROTF Bludgeon (the Voyager class one) and Lockdown; especially if you've already made an exception for Mindwipe. I'm not a fan of the movie aesthetic myself; but these are figures for which I've made exceptions. And I don't think any of these looks especially out of place alongside Classics figures. It's worth remembering that packaging many of these figures in the movie line is very much a marketing decision that may not say much about what inspired the design of the toy—particularly for characters that did not appear in the movies.

Even though you try not to get too many repaints, I'd suggest getting some Seekers. I would also suggest getting Henkei Astrotrain (it's far better than the Hasbro version, and it might not be all that much more expensive right now), Universe Onslaught (probably the best Ultra mould from Universe), Generations Thunderwing, Generations Darkmount, and Universe Octane. Since you have Cyclonus, you should also get RtS Scourge when he comes out and Universe Galvatron. I don't have him myself, but I would like to if I can find him for a good price. WfC Soundwave would likely also fit in really well with your collection (I have one, but haven't gotten around to opening it yet). Lastly, I would agree with funklizard about ROTF Bludgeon and Lockdown. They're both excellent figures, and should fit in with your collection pretty well, especially since you have Mindwipe.

An army with out repaints? Well let’s see. Most of these have I bit of that “Classics look” to them and are some of my favs over the last ten years or more. Let’s start with older to newer: G2; Cyberjets are great for small jets. RID; Scourge. Armada; Tidalwave, Thrust. Energon; Megatron (TRU version), Shockblast, Mirage, Slugslinger, Sharkticon. Cybertron: well the whole line was crap. Classics; Ramjet, Astrotrain. Universe 2.0; Onslaught, Dragstrip. Movie; Bludgeon, Brawl. Generations/HFTD/RTS; Thunderwing, Skullgrin, Terradive, Soundwave, Scourge, Reflector. That should be a good start with out repaint armies but I would recommend all the seekers and such as well but that’s just me.

Forgot I had ROTF Bludgeon and SDCC Nemesis up there too, just added skullgrin and thunderwing. I may break down and get the seekers. I've been turned off to Universe Galvatron by all the moaning and complaining about it, but maybe I can get a good deal on him somewhere. With Lugnut, Scourge and Rumble and Frenzy coming down the pipes it's getting a little more even. Of course then Kup, Wheeljack, Wreckgar, and perceptor will tip the balance again.
Thanks for the suggestions, off to Seib's galleries to see what I wanna look for.

may i suggest terradive as cyclonus armada yes they dont look alike but hes a fantastic figure. great posability and good troop builder.

man you need Ramjet,Dirge and Thrust.they are essential IMHO

Classics Galvatron isn't that great of a figure, but he's one of those characetrs an army of Decepticons needs. You could probably find him pretty cheap too. Alternitively, Energon Galvatron is an excellent figure (although he's leader class and wouldn't go well with Scourge or Cyclonus), so if you're looking for a perfect Galvatron pick him up.

My 'Cons are pretty terribly outnumbered as well. 2-1 in fact, with 12 'Cons facing 24 'Bots (some of whom are stand-ins for future Generations/RTS releases) but essential Decepticons are the following:
Megatron/Galvatron - every good army needs a leader.
Seekers - As many as you can get, they're fast army filler. Get Starscream, Skywarp (if you can, he's tough to get ahold of) Acid Storm, Ramjet, Thrust, Dirge, and Thundercracker as soon as he comes out.
If, for a leader, you go the Galvatron route, then Scourge and Cyclonus (maybe many to represent the Sweeps and the Armada) are a must.
Triple Changers - so far still only Astrotrain and Octane have come out, with no word on a Blitzwing
Soundwave - Generations WFC Soundwave isn't a tremendously great figure, but it's probably the most Soundwave-y figure we've gotten since G1 (and it has a fan-made boom-box mode!)

Samsonator wrote:Soundwave - Generations WFC Soundwave isn't a tremendously great figure, but it's probably the most Soundwave-y figure we've gotten since G1 (and it has a fan-made boom-box mode!)

Unless, of course, you splurged on Music Label Soundwave, which has a PERFECT boom box mode, is incredibly articulated, and is just the right size with most Classics/Uni/Gen figures.

If you have some budgets, don't miss the FP Bruticus upgrade set. But first you need to have universe/ROTF Bruticus.

Cone heads, Thunderwing, Straxus, WFC Soundwave, etc who are still available at retail stores are pretty good choices. Bludgeon, of course. ROTF Lockdown, good choice. Terradive, who fits okay with classics is pretty good, too.

i'm only missing inferno and brawn from my classics collection and the decepticons are completely outnumbered. I've legitimized it in my head though because every decepticon is a solider, born and bred and many of the autobots are not. it'd be like me trying to fight a marine. i'd need a few friends to stand a chance.

Personally I agree with getting Cyclonus and Galvatron, and with Scourge on his way, i would grab a United version for the REAL Scourge and pick up 3 or 4 of the hasbro version for the Sweeps.