The Energon Pub

[Mindmaster]

Last year, I started a thread about guessing BotCon 2013's exclusive toys. This year's no different. This year's theme appears to be based on pirates. So search ye TFWikis, browse our galleries, hoist the gibb, and prepare the mainsail, it's time to get crackin'!

First figure seems to be a gimme: Cannonball. Suggestions I'd like to make include Universe (2008-09) Ironhide, Prime Arms Micron Breakdown, and, if they're desperate enough, Dark of the Moon Crankcase.

And GO!

[GuyIncognito]

A repaint of Thundertron, for sure. I think that's a given.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

This BotCon would be ideal for Prime molds which never saw stateside release, like Breakdown and Jet Vehicon. But knowing Hasbro and FunPub they'll chose Ratchet (regular or Hunter) for Cannonball, like they used Red Alert back in Cybertron.

[craggy]

Breakdown seems ideal for Cannonball.

[Mindmaster]

But knowing Hasbro and FunPub they'll chose Ratchet (regular or Hunter) for Cannonball, like they used Red Alert back in Cybertron.

Why did I not think of Prime Ratchet? Could definitely see that mold being Cannonball.

[Mindmaster]

Something neat, courtesy of Daim Choc for sharing this on Facebook.

[GuyIncognito]

A repaint of Prime Thundertron and a repaint of Animated or DotM Lockdown.

(courtesy of Reprolabels)

[Mkall]

I'm honestly hoping for some new characters. I like it when the Club is completely original instead of thinking "We'll make character <pseudo-popular> out of <available mold> and squeeze him in to the lore somehow"

[GuyIncognito]

"We'll make character out of <available mold> and squeeze him in to the lore somehow"

What's wrong with that? That's the entire concept upon which Transformers was based. Hasbro said "Let's take these existing toy molds and squeeze them into some sort of unified fiction somehow". For 30 years now, Hasbro and TT have been making toys and then finding ways to squeeze them into the fiction. I don't think we should expect anything different from TFCC.

[Sabrblade]

A few Cannonball fan customs from Cheetimus Primal:

http://www.cheetimus.com/2012/06/all-hands-on-deck.html









http://www.cheetimus.com/2013/12/cannonball.html





That's Energon Slugslinger's head on the second one.

and, if they're desperate enough, Dark of the Moon Crankcase.

They can't use that mold since its design is (partly) owned by Paramount.

[Mkall]

"We'll make character out of <available mold> and squeeze him in to the lore somehow"

What's wrong with that? That's the entire concept upon which Transformers was based. Hasbro said "Let's take these existing toy molds and squeeze them into some sort of unified fiction somehow". For 30 years now, Hasbro and TT have been making toys and then finding ways to squeeze them into the fiction. I don't think we should expect anything different from TFCC.

I'm not saying anything's wrong with it. I make a fangirl squeel everytime they make a obscure character. I'm just saying that every now and again, I like seeing something completely new. Something like a loosely-described pirate faction opens the gates for all sorts of potential originality.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

I'm calling a repaint/retool of FoC Air Raid! Ship-like vehicle mode, sword and gun in robot mode, it's begging for a new character.

[PrymeStriker]

The Star Seekers are all beasts, except for Axor having been a former Decepticon. I'm betting on some new characters from BotCon unless they aren't using the aligned continuity for this.

I want the other half to be Beast Hunters Bee & Smokescreen, using the FE and BH molds respectively. Pretty please, Hasbro?

[craggy]

they can't use non-TF Takara molds can they? because...WebDiver had that pirateship/dragon pirate dude.

[jamesbenjamin]

Something neat, courtesy of Daim Choc for sharing this on Facebook.

Quick note on this: "Cylas Breakdown" already has an eyepatch head.

[Mindmaster]

Quick note on this: "Cylas Breakdown" already has an eyepatch head.

Technically, he doesn't. He's got what I like to call "the monocle".

[PrymeStriker]

Quick note on this: "Cylas Breakdown" already has an eyepatch head.

Technically, he doesn't. He's got what I like to call "the monocle".

Yeah, it's just an eye that MECH plugged in his head for Silas. It's not an eyepatch.

[Mindmaster]

I feel this is something BeastProwl would appreciate. Dat smirk.

[Sabrblade]

From the Twitter of artist Josh Burcham:



Don't forget, though, that he did something like this last year when he posted that artwork of Machine Wars Megaplex taking off a Megatron-styled helmet to reveal his Prime Dreadwing/Skyquake head, and that turned out to be him just having some fun and not official. So who knows if this is a clue to anything or not.

[Mindmaster]

Official or not, I like it. A lot.

Seriously would not be surprised if this is what Cannonball looks like, and will be made into a toy. Would give them an excuse to release at least one version of the Voyager Breakdown mold in the States. And frankly, it's an excuse that I don't mind at all.

[PrymeStriker]

Official or not, I like it. A lot.

Seriously would not be surprised if this is what Cannonball looks like, and will be made into a toy. Would give them an excuse to release at least one version of the Voyager Breakdown mold in the States. And frankly, it's an excuse that I don't mind at all.

While I already own the Breakdown mold and wouldn't particularly appreciate this like others may, if this is a toy, I may need to go to BotCon this year...

[megatronus]

Technically, he doesn't. He's got what I like to call "the monocle".

Mmm... monocle...

I would love a Breakdown-as-Cannonball. I recently sold my Prime figures; all that remains are those figures that fit into Classics (Slipstream, GDO Cliffjumper, etc.). I would cherish a chance to own a Classics character from the Breakdown mold.

[ausbot]

I'd love to see armada tidal wave done in this style.

[ausbot]

oops double post.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Regarding monocles, both Silas Breakdown and Hunter Ratchet have the monocle thing going on, so I see at least one of these two being used. Thing is, what weapon would the Breakdown mold come with? Maybe a repaint of Gul to function as his parrot? Gul wanna cracker!