The Energon Pub

A rather ambitious topic for only my - what, sixth? - post on this site, but hopefully it could be a good idea.
Basically, together we can compile a list of the essential figures every Transfan should own, and I'll edit them into this post. Then, we can help potential buyers make certain decisions with certain figures!
They can be from any line, wave or class - so get posting guys!

Thanks,
TPG

Well....I'm not sure about essential for a collector but my wife and I were actually talking about if there were a fire in the house and she asked if she could only save one or two which ones.

I said my G-1 MIB Optimus Prime and anything else she could have grabbed.

Essential?

I say:


Your favorite version of any incarnation of Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream

Some number of Decepticon Jets, preferably including some form of Thundercracker and Skywarp, or one or more of the Coneheads

Some number of Autobot "cars" (including vans and trucks), preferably including some form of either Jazz, Prowl, and/or Hot Rod / Rodimus

At least one combiner for each faction.

Some number of "pipsqueak" transformers - Minibots, Cassette bots or cons, Micromasters, Minicons, or Legends

At least one figure for your personal favorite character(s)


I'd say those would be "essential" for a collection. Any less, and it's just "My so and so figure"

Valandar wrote:Essential?

I say:


Your favorite version of any incarnation of Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Starscream

Some number of Decepticon Jets, preferably including some form of Thundercracker and Skywarp, or one or more of the Coneheads

Some number of Autobot "cars" (including vans and trucks), preferably including some form of either Jazz, Prowl, and/or Hot Rod / Rodimus

At least one combiner for each faction.

Some number of "pipsqueak" transformers - Minibots, Cassette bots or cons, Micromasters, Minicons, or Legends

At least one figure for your personal favorite character(s)


I'd say those would be "essential" for a collection. Any less, and it's just "My so and so figure"

Yeah, this! Like the G-1 Autobots up to the Dinobots and the Decepticons up to the Constructicons to include the seekers, Soundwave and perhaps shockwave.

But depends on what line your following I'd say.

I thought I could answer easily, but then I got stumped.

I'm a huge Starscream fan, so my essentials are the G1, Classics, Masterpiece, and the Cybertron versions (the HUGE one).

Without picking favorites, I'd say G1 Optimus Prime. Essential because, to me, he's the first Transformer that is easily identifiable by the mass public. He's also a playset, with the trailer and Roller. He's also not too difficult to pick up, with his various reissues.

I like the idea of having a Prime, a Megatron, a Jet, a Car, a mini guy, a big guy, etc.

I mean every collection needs a leader for each faction. The bad guys have to have someone to serve that leader, faithfully, or not so much. Some little guys to get bossed around or to come out on top against all odds are always welcome and a big guy, well, every army needs a big gun. The rest mostly fit into the rank and file in some way or another, but those can be based on personal preference.

A lot has already been covered. But I might as well chime in too.

I think MP Prime and some version of Unicron are pretty essential for a good collection. Both are great representations of their characters and are large focal points.

G1 Soundwave is another I think is essential. When you have him I think you'll agree. Not only is he one of the big characetrs, but he's wonderfully dated with a great gimmick which also has a few great chatacters worked right into it.

I'm going to go right on ahead and say soemthing contraversial now. I think a good collection should include some 3rd party figures. Well, if it's Neo G1 anyway. Nobody has ALL of them and they make a collection more unique.

Depends on which series or line you like but a good rule of thumb to start out with is a basic 5 per side. Look at the movie Autobots: Optimus, Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide, Ratchet. Look at the main active Decepticons in the G1 cartoon: Megatron, Starscream, Thundercracker, Skywarp, Soundwave. If that's jet heavy for your taste replace TC & SW with Shockwave and a Reflector. Cassettes go with Soundwave and don't get counted individually, similar with Reflector (three bodies but one character). It's a good solid core to build from and most of them are available in every line or there's a most series specific character you can replace them with like Bumblebee with Cheetor or Hotshot.

The key to a solid, balanced collection is a good base to build from. If you don't have a line in mine try G1 (expensive), Classicsverse (also expensive but newer and easier to find), of Animated (underappreciated by most and still available in some retail stores but you may need Japans help completing your collection) or ignore me entirely and go bananas to your own liking! The point is, have a blast don't it and still be able to pay your bills.

It's such a personal thing, what matters to one doesn't matter to another. I'd say an iconic version of Megatron and Optimus are the must-haves as they're the leaders. Then the question is: which era? If you grew up with Armada then perhaps you should have them. If you want historic reference then you need a G1 version. Perhaps G1 versions of Megs and Op are a must because that's how it started. Then the question is: original G1 toy or cartoon accuracy?

someone should try following the random links on tfwiki and building their collection that way.

Cybertron Backstop

If you don't own this figure, you're seriously missing out. His alt mode is great and very strong looking. His robot mode is even better. Backstop is truly a fantastic piece.

Uh, wow... That's an awful lot of replies. I don't think I'll edit them into the top post as originally planned, but just leave this open for debate.
Thanks for the discussion chaps.

TPG

Predaking, the TT 2010 line reissue is fantastic if an original G1 die-cast set is out of reach.

I'd echo previous posters who say G1 Prime and Megs, but throw in G1 Magnus too, my most played with TF as a kid.

ROTF leader Prime IMO is a great piece to show how far the figures have moved on since the 80s.

Was just looking at my collection the other day and the ones that really struck me are:

G1 Scorponok
G2 Sizzle
G1 Prowl
G1 Sideswipe
G1 Ultra Magnus
ROTF Breakdown
Robotmasters Mirage
G1 Soundwave
G1 Megatron
Device Label Tigatron
Acid Storm
G1 Ironhide with custom head
RID Optimus Prime
G1 Optimus Prime
Energon Strongarm
Checkpoint

Quite a mixed bag.

I agree its gotta be Optimus, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Jazz and Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, the Seekers
Of course you could also say Rodimus, Magnus, Kup, Blur, and Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps
There are too many great characters too pick the definitive. I was trying to decide the other day who my favorite g1 autobus was and I couldn’t.

Its too tough a ?, so, My answer is Beast Wars Magmatron, G1 Cosmos, and Energon Battle Ravage.

All collections need G1 Prime and G1 Soundwave!

I really dislike this type of thinking. The idea that, simply because you collect transformers, there must be a toy that everyone should own. Everyone has different tastes though, and is a fan of different series and so forth. I try to think of things that fit, but it doesn't work. Some people like bad guys only, or good guys only. Or like G1, or BW, or the movie or what not.