The Energon Pub

[TheStarScreamer]

I would like to assemble a group of G1 style seekers. At least SS, SW, and TC. What's the best way to go about getting these? I would take G1, KO, reissues, classics, whatever, as long as they look like G1.

Now I'd love to have a group of Classics seekers, but from what I gather, they're pretty darn rare. Remember friends, I am still new to this hobby. I remember having several seekers as a kid, and just want to be able to have them again. Soundwave and Soundblast are 2 more I am looking to get real soon.

Also, are there any plans or rumors regarding seeker repaints of the WM Starscream MP figure?

[Burn]

Right, for a nice set of seekers you should go with G1.

Starscream - will be your easiest as he's recently been released in the Encore line
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Thrust
Ramjet
Dirge
Sunfire - E-Hobby repaint, probably harder to get.

For the five in the middle you could keep an eye on E-Bay.

There are no KO versions of them (at least not market flooding ones).

As far as Masterpiece goes, Skywarp was released in Japan a while back, he's a repaint of Starscream. Thundercracker will no doubt eventuate in time.

If you wanted Classics, be prepared to pay a bit for Thrust, Dirge and Thundercracker.

[Cascadia]

it can be tough to find the Seekers...I currently have two of the 6 in terms of G1. I am too working on getting the other four. None of my seekers came from evil bay. In terms of MP repaints, I have not heard anything.

[Blurrz]

Going back into G1 to get Seekers will definelty call for the use of Ebay. And alot of Cash to get Mint figures.

But for an alternative to getting all the Seekers you could get figures from early on in the Unicron trilogy. And the prices will be alot cheaper.

Starscream - Armada Starscream
Skywarp - Armada Skywarp
Thundercracker - Armada Thundercracker
Thrust - Armada (Takara-Exclusive) Thrust
Dirge - Armada Powerlinx Thrust
Ramjet - Universe Ramjet
Sunstorm - Universe Sunstorm

When it comes to the early Unicron Trilogy figures.. there's only 3 molds for the seekers. The Starscream, Skywarp(which is actually a slight retool of Starscream) and Thrust.

Thundercracker is a repaint of Starscream, Ramjet is a repaint of Skywarp, and Sunstorm/Dirge are a repaint of Thrust.

[DoubleOScorpio]

You can go one of three ways, with a rough estimate of the cost of each figure, where I feel knowledgeable enough to quote a price:

1. Original G1 - I stay away from these, only b/c I don't want to deal with ebay sellers claiming that an item has tight joints and no paint/chrome wear, only to find out that the thing is like a Raggedy Andy doll.

2. Classics - G1 + 20 years of toy development and expertise. IMO, superior than the originals in both transformation and overall look of the robot. Here's what you should expect to shell out:

Starscream = $30 - $40 (or preorder the Takara version at BigBadToyStore.com for $25. It comes out in March).

Skywarp = Comes with Ultra Magnus in a 2-pack Target exclusive = $25 - $45.

Thundercracker = 2007 Botcon exclusive, limited to approximately 1500 made = $250-$300.

Ramjet = $10 - $20.

Thrust = 2007 Botcon exclusive, limited to approximately 1500 made = $200-$300.

Dirge = 2007 Botcon exclusive, limited to approximately 1500 made = $200-$300.

If you buy the entire "Games of Deception" set, which included all three seekers mentioned above, you'll save yourself some money over buying each individually (unless you get lucky on ebay auctions).

3. Miscellaneous Others - If you're looking for seekers but don't want to shell out the cash for either of the above, here are some other versions that might be what you're looking for without breaking the bank:

Starscream = RobotMasters figure - updated G1 figure, has the same transformation as G1 figure, but without the removable fists, wings, and landing gear. Nice looking figure in cartoon-accurate colors. Slightly smaller than the classics version. Will run you between $25-$45. Another option is the G1 anime Energon Starscream, but I don't know how expensive that figure is and it's a different alt mode (F22 instead of F15 like the original).


Skywarp & Thundercracker = RobotMasters figure - Come together in a 2-pack = $45 - $55 for both.

Ramjet = I'd stick with the Classics figure here - $10 - $20.

Thrust = Toy Dreams Project version of Armada Thrust - comes in G1 dark red and costs between $35 - $50.

Dirge = Powerlinx Armada Thrust - $15-$25.

Sunstorm = Titanium - $20-$25.

I hope this helps. I've had all of the figures that I mentioned above, so if you have any other specific questions, feel free to PM me. Also, be sure to check out the pics in the database - they help immensely.

Good luck!!!

[Giga Prime]

I have all of the G1 seekers as well as Sunstorm and G2 Ramjet and Starscream. Since they all have different paint jobs that gives me a nine seeker team.
And I love setting them all up together.

[Gauntlet101010]

I went for a set from micelanious lines. Mostly because I like seeing the different figures all together.

MP Screamer - shouldn't be a problem to find these ...
Classics Skywarp - Not a problem.
Robot Masters Thundercracker - A bit more expencive ..... you'd get Skywarp too, but I wanted a Classics representation.
WSTF SunStorm - it's not an official product, but it's quite nice.

But if it's only the three you want you could always just get WSTF. The KO versions. They're cheap and nice. The Robot Masters are expencive, but less than the botcon exclusive seekers.

[sto_vo_kor_2000]

Sunfire - E-Hobby repaint, probably harder to get.
.

I'm shocked you made this mistake Burn.The name was Sunstorm not Sunfire.....maybe you got X-men on the brain????

[shortround]

If you want anima acurate figures then go with classics otherwise go with g1 figures all the way.

[5kywarp]

If you're in the UK go to Toys R Us and get G1 Skywarp re-issue. There is still lots available.

[Burn]

Sunfire - E-Hobby repaint, probably harder to get.
.

I'm shocked you made this mistake Burn.The name was Sunstorm not Sunfire.....maybe you got X-men on the brain????

Actually I have just spent the last week reading House of M and Decimation.

Plus i'm not a big fan of ol Sunstorm so that probably factored in as well.

[waaaaghlord]

If you're in the UK go to Toys R Us and get G1 Skywarp re-issue. There is still lots available.

That could be largely due to the problem with the nosecone on the TRU version, it's certainly why I keep passing on it.

My gut says go with Classics, Thundercracker will break the bank though unless you were willing to find an extra Starscream or Skywarp to repaint.

The Robot Masters Starscream and ehobby 2 pack of Thundercracker and Skywarp based of the Robot Masters mould would probably be a cheaper option overall than the Classics. They're smaller and the plastic quality isn't great though, you'll need to watch out for breakages around the ball joints. About the only thing I'd rate the RM versions higher than the Classics in terms of the toys themselves is the null rays/arm cannons. Much sleeker and they don't limit posability like the large launchers on the Classics do, although they don't have a launcher function like the Classics.

Check out my sig for the Classics/Botcon versions.

[Scaleface]

Sadly Hasbro has a habit of messing up Seekers. G2 had 2 seekers, Machine Wars had 2 released as basics, then Starscream was giant, so they don't go well together. Titanium 6 inch only released Starscream, Thundercracker and Sunstorm. Classics released Thundercracker as a con-exclusive that costs over $100 easy on ebay now. Energon only had Starscream. Cybertron had Skywarp and Thundercracker on Deluxe molds, but Starscream was a Supreme. Movie only has Starscream and Thundercracker... Ramjet as a FAB.

So basically you are limited to G1, Robot Masters (hard to find), Armada (not easy either), Smallest Transformers (Some were chase, but Bootlegs are common).

I recently went with the Smallest Transformers line for my Seekers. Starscream and Thrust were easy to get. You can usually find the bootlegs of Dirge, Ramjet, Skywarp, Thundercracker and Sunstorm on ebay for about $10 each.

[TheStarScreamer]

Thanks for all the awesome advice everyone, especially the very well-thought out posts from Blurrz and wildscorpio. Those were very helpful.

I decided to drink the kool-aid, as Bay would say, an purchased 2 G1 sekers on ebay. They are both incomplete (no fists, stickers - which I like -, weapons, or wheels. But they look very good in the pics. Thundercracker and Skywarp by the way. I BINed them for $35 each.

The others are tempting, but as someone mentioned, G1 is the way to go. It will take more work and cash, but the look is what I need. Assuming this goes well, I will buy more G1. If Iam unhappy, I will consider the classics or Masters molds instead. I'll keep you all updated.

[DoubleOScorpio]

Since you've made your decision, be sure to check out these sites as you work to complete and restore your figures:

Reprolabels.com - for replacement stickers, etc. Great quality stuff.

tfieds.com and transformerland.com for various parts, etc - may be cheaper than ebay.

Good luck!!!

[Scaleface]

Also, feel free to put your parts needs lists in your signature. Some people here might have spares they can part with.

[TheStarScreamer]

Great tips guys! I am stoked about this now. I am going to get the repro labels ($10 a sheet - ouch!) and apply them to my sticker-less seekers. Hope they look good!

Here's my seekers:

[Cascadia]

they look in excellent shape except they need some parts and stickers.

[TheStarScreamer]

This seller has many of each, but I chose the ones without stickers purposely since they'll likely look better with new ones. Also they're both missing fists, wheels, and weapons, but no big deal to me. All easy to find I think.

[Cascadia]

Transformerland sometimes has parts for figures. Right now they have launchers for TC and fists for Skywarp.

[Burn]

I am stoked about this now. I am going to get the repro labels ($10 a sheet - ouch!) and apply them to my sticker-less seekers. Hope they look good!

They may sound expensive, but you'll soon forget the cost of them when you get them and apply them and see a 20 year old figure brought back to life.

Trust me, it's a great feeling restoring G1 figures.

[TheStarScreamer]

And again...

[Cascadia]

coolness...I have some extra parts for Starscream

[TheStarScreamer]

So, 3 seemingly nice looking seekers from one ebay seller for $115 shipped. How did I do? I also picked up the labels for all 3 for $30 shipped, and need to gather up fists and weapons (which it seems Cassie is giving me another helpful boost on). So as soon as I get everything together, I'll be flying high with my seekers, eh?

I have been playing with my MP SS all night getting excited about this,

[thedistinctroom]

Right, for a nice set of seekers you should go with G1.

Starscream - will be your easiest as he's recently been released in the Encore line
Skywarp
Thundercracker
Thrust
Ramjet
Dirge
Sunfire - E-Hobby repaint, probably harder to get.

For the five in the middle you could keep an eye on E-Bay.

There are no KO versions of them (at least not market flooding ones).

As far as Masterpiece goes, Skywarp was released in Japan a while back, he's a repaint of Starscream. Thundercracker will no doubt eventuate in time.

If you wanted Classics, be prepared to pay a bit for Thrust, Dirge and Thundercracker.

I have seen KO's for all of the G1 seekers.