Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[Wolfman Jake]

As long as we're listing wants, I hope that the remaining three Autobot Headmaster Warriors are released, even in some sort of multi-pack that they seem to be doing now with a Legends or a Deluxe or something. It'd be so easy.

Are you talking about the Autobot Master Warriors we have yet to get: Kirk, Rodney, and Loafer? Or are you talking about the Autobot Targetmasters redone as Deluxe Titans Return figures: Crosshairs, Pointblank, and Sureshot?

[Kurona]

As long as we're listing wants, I hope that the remaining three Autobot Headmaster Warriors are released, even in some sort of multi-pack that they seem to be doing now with a Legends or a Deluxe or something. It'd be so easy.

Are you talking about the Autobot Master Warriors we have yet to get: Kirk, Rodney, and Loafer? Or are you talking about the Autobot Targetmasters redone as Deluxe Titans Return figures: Crosshairs, Pointblank, and Sureshot?

The former. Though god yes, I want the latter so badly.

It's just that while I can expect the latter to maybe not happen at this point, the former would be so ridiculously easy it's insane they wouldn't be done. Literally just three Titan Masters.

[Wolfman Jake]

As long as we're listing wants, I hope that the remaining three Autobot Headmaster Warriors are released, even in some sort of multi-pack that they seem to be doing now with a Legends or a Deluxe or something. It'd be so easy.

Are you talking about the Autobot Master Warriors we have yet to get: Kirk, Rodney, and Loafer? Or are you talking about the Autobot Targetmasters redone as Deluxe Titans Return figures: Crosshairs, Pointblank, and Sureshot?

The former. Though god yes, I want the latter so badly.

It's just that while I can expect the latter to maybe not happen at this point, the former would be so ridiculously easy it's insane they wouldn't be done. Literally just three Titan Masters.

This is all assuming that we are still getting Toraizer, which seems pretty uncertain at this point. We're only 2 for 6 right now with the Master Warriors. Here's hoping, if nothing else, Takara picks up the ball and releases these guys as a nice box set, including their Titan Master vehicles.

While were also on the topic of Targetmasters, I think everyone expects that a redeco of Titans Return Kup with a new head would be acceptable for Crosshairs, but what about Pointblank and Sureshot? Would a couple of retools of Titans Return Hot Rod suffice? It would work well for either, or both, especially if they can work in a few alternate transformation schemes.

[Kurona]

When we thought Wave 6 was going to have more than just Slugslinger, my theory was that Sureshot would be the only new mold (if maybe sharing parts like Blurr/Chromedome or Alpha Trion/Broadside); with Crosshairs a redeco of Kup and Pointblank a fairly major retool of Hot Rod (not terribly unlikely, considering the lengths we've seen retooling go to in this line).

Though the idea of Pointblank being a retool goes beyond them just being Cybertronian cars. If you show Hot Rod back-to-front and take off his spoiler section, you see there's a fair few similarities that could have been used. Most obviously is the cockpit section being exactly where Crosshairs' is, and I think with clever deco choices the lower leg design could be made out to be an 'update' of Crosshairs' G1 leg detailing. The spoiler section would need to be a new detachable weapon part, and the biggest change to the figure itself would of course need to be the arms -- making sure they go sideways instead of upwards, and making that still work with the transformation. Still, it seems like it could have been done fairly easily.

[william-james88]

There is always doubt on who gets what when it comes to retailer exclusives in international markets. Some just never come if they aren't picked up. We knew the Siege on Cybertron boxset, the final big ticket boxset from Titans Return, was a BBTS exclusive in the US and a Toysrus Exclusive in Hong Kong. While this set was listed on random computer hardware sites in Canada (where they are not in stock), the listing for this set was found in Toysrus Canada's database today. The SKN is 341455 and it is called "TF Gen Piece 1 Strength" at the peice of $149.99 CDN, which is the same price the Chaos on Velocitron set sold for.

[TF-fan kev777]

While were also on the topic of Targetmasters, I think everyone expects that a redeco of Titans Return Kup with a new head would be acceptable for Crosshairs, but what about Pointblank and Sureshot? Would a couple of retools of Titans Return Hot Rod suffice? It would work well for either, or both, especially if they can work in a few alternate transformation schemes.

I actually think they won't be headmasters if they end up being a regular release. I also think doing the Orion Pax from the Kup mold already rules out Crosshairs from that mold since they would use the same colors as Pax.

So my thoughts are that they will either be released later in PotP as CW retools/reshells, or more likely they will be in whatever line comes next with whatever gimmick comes next.

So, if they do become CW retools, then Mirage for Sureshot seems like a no brainer. Offroad or First Aid could work for Crosshairs, or even the Rook mold. Pointblank is the tough one to figure out. None of the CW or TM molds really have his trademark shoulders, and all of the CW car molds have been done to death. He really makes the most sense for being a new mold, or possibly a retool of PotP Jazz or something like that.

[Wolfman Jake]

That works so well, it HURTS! Fingers crossed something like this is still coming in some capacity down the line.

[Rated X]

How come every other country gets this set in brick and mortar retail bus the US has to go through BBTS and have it shipped? Thats messed up Hasbro...

[william-james88]

considering the lengths we've seen retooling go to in this line

I truly believe that this line has had little retooling. The only actual retooling I can think of are those extra holes on the takara versions. Instead I feel that they just planned it all out and maximised on the engineering and molds. Combining and reusing certain aspects. Like how Misfire and Trigerhappy have the same legs but everything else, including the transformation, is different.
So Point Blank would have to be planned from the very begining, like every other toy in this line.

[Kurona]

considering the lengths we've seen retooling go to in this line

I truly believe that this line has had little retooling. The only actual retooling I can think of are those extra holes on the takara versions. Instead I feel that they just planned it all out and maximised on the engineering and molds. Combining and reusing certain aspects. Like how Misfire and Trigerhappy have the same legs but everything else, including the transformation, is different.
So Point Blank would have to be planned from the very begining, like every other toy in this line.

A rose by any other name...

[william-james88]

considering the lengths we've seen retooling go to in this line

I truly believe that this line has had little retooling. The only actual retooling I can think of are those extra holes on the takara versions. Instead I feel that they just planned it all out and maximised on the engineering and molds. Combining and reusing certain aspects. Like how Misfire and Trigerhappy have the same legs but everything else, including the transformation, is different.
So Point Blank would have to be planned from the very begining, like every other toy in this line.

A rose by any other name...

Oh I know, and you are quite sweet Kurona

But I really feel we live in a brave new world now in terms of engineering. Oddly enough, its like we are back in G1, doing a full circle, where every toy is now unique again and what is reused is the engineering as opposed to the whole bot. Like less Gen Dreadwing/Megqatron and more G1 BB/Cliffjumper.

But the question changes too. Its less of what will Hasbro retool this mold into and more what else has Hasbro planned for these parts/design.

[Emerje]

How come every other country gets this set in brick and mortar retail bus the US has to go through BBTS and have it shipped? Thats messed up Hasbro...

You'd prefer the uncertainty of finding it in a store over the certainty of buying it online? And BBTS shipping is only $4, that's hardly a deal breaker when you're already spending $100. Granted, it sold out quickly, but it gives those of us without a nearby TRU a fighting chance.

Now, as for the Targetmaster discussion, I mentioned this in another thread, but I feel like the rumored new subscription service would be the most likely place for these. If Arcee really is an example of just how far they're willing to go (new arms, new car hood, two new Titan Masters) then it's clear they're willing to go all out on these beyond new paint and swapping around TMs. I'm not entirely sure Arcee was something they planned from the beginning, she feels more like something they came up with later due to fan demand.

If that's the case then I could see Crosshairs from Kup quite easily with no real changes aside from a new face. People who think the new Orion Pax looks too much like Crosshairs already should really compare the two.




Only thing they really have in common is the lower legs and chest and even that part is mostly translucent blue. And in alt mode Orion is mostly red while Crosshairs is mostly blue. That's to say nothing of all the black that isn't on Orion at all. Add some toy accurate tampographs and the two will have little in common.

Pointblank from Hot Rod really is ideal. Would just need a new spoiler section and you're done if you can forgive him having exhaust pipes.

Sureshot would probably have to be a retooled Chromedome with a new chest and spoiler unless they have an unused Sureshot mold already made.

And where Arcee comes with a diecast Magnus TM these three can come with their proper Targetmaters courtesy of Takara Tomy.

Emerje

[Relic0037]

There is always doubt on who gets what when it comes to retailer exclusives in international markets. Some just never come if they aren't picked up. We knew the Siege on Cybertron boxset, the final big ticket boxset from Titans Return, was a BBTS exclusive in the US and a Toysrus Exclusive in Hong Kong. While this set was listed on random computer hardware sites in Canada (where they are not in stock), the listing for this set was found in Toysrus Canada's database today. The SKN is 341455 and it is called "TF Gen Piece 1 Strength" at the peice of $149.99 CDN, which is the same price the Chaos on Velocitron set sold for.

Last time I checked, Robot Kingdom had the set for around $150. That price was before shipping, which usually costs an arm & a leg.

[william-james88]

Last time I checked, Robot Kingdom had the set for around $150. That price was before shipping, which usually costs an arm & a leg.

Thats because they are secondary sellers, just like anyone on e-bay (but with more inventory). Its an exclusive to elsewhere and they resell it at a mark up to cover the fact that they had to buy it at full price.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Talk about planned mold reuses, it's pretty likely that they're following the CW mentality and plan out the first 2 per mold or sets of parts, and see from there. That would eliminate Windblade from the pre-made category, but I have a hunch Misfire and Slugslinger were pre-planned given that Triggerhappy's legs has the fins which the G1 figure does not. The sets may be a mix of pretools and newly made parts.

[william-james88]

Talk about planned mold reuses, it's pretty likely that they're following the CW mentality and plan out the first 2 per mold or sets of parts, and see from there. That would eliminate Windblade from the pre-made category, but I have a hunch Misfire and Slugslinger were pre-planned given that Triggerhappy's legs has the fins which the G1 figure does not. The sets may be a mix of pretools and newly made parts.

Why cant they all be preplanned? I feel they leant from CW and did that as a standard practice. So no more surprises like CW Computron.

I mean they did leak out practically all of next year which means they have this in their noggins for quite sometime. Thats all the evidence I need to know that every toy we have gotten starting with TR in prime Wars is preplanned.

[Stuartmaximus]

How come every other country gets this set in brick and mortar retail bus the US has to go through BBTS and have it shipped? Thats messed up Hasbro...

Ahem....! have the UK got this in brick & mortar stores yet?(i could be wrong....but i doubt it!)

[Kurona]

I honestly don't recall anywhere other than America, Canada and Asia getting the TR Boxsets so far.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Talk about planned mold reuses, it's pretty likely that they're following the CW mentality and plan out the first 2 per mold or sets of parts, and see from there. That would eliminate Windblade from the pre-made category, but I have a hunch Misfire and Slugslinger were pre-planned given that Triggerhappy's legs has the fins which the G1 figure does not. The sets may be a mix of pretools and newly made parts.

Why cant they all be preplanned? I feel they leant from CW and did that as a standard practice. So no more surprises like CW Computron.

I mean they did leak out practically all of next year which means they have this in their noggins for quite sometime. Thats all the evidence I need to know that every toy we have gotten starting with TR in prime Wars is preplanned.

Wasn't the standard development time for any given line 1 to 2 years? Once the (first set of) toolings are complete and in use, anything that's added or switched out with newly tooled parts to be used at a later date, I don't consider pre-planned.

Ok, let's take the Blurr/Chromedome one for example since that's getting the most use as of late. Let's assume these releases are planned from the beginning as they were released in short order:

- Chromedome
- Getaway
- Blurr
- Brainstorm

That would leave Nautica and Arcee outside of that initial development window. On the flipside, Arcee does make use of the Blurr vs. Brainstorm dynamic, as the same areas have been switched out between all three releases:

- upper arms and fist covers
- car hood
- antenna
- face plate

The newly tooled parts are then the guns and Leinad's head... unless the original smaller gun is gangmolded with Stylor's head. That would support the pre-planned theory. All Nautica has is add-on wings, possibly gang-molded with the new face.

[Hero Alpha]

So I'm very curious: where'd the huge love for Apeface and Snapdragon come from?

Don't get me wrong; this isn't a post saying you're dumb or whatever for wanting them or that you shouldn't want them. That would be stupid; you're allowed to like whatever you like -- and honestly I don't think I'd mind them either. But it's certainly curious to me when they didn't seem to be the most popular characters before, and they were obscure even when the Headmasters got their huge advertising push in '87. Were they just that amazing in the Headmasters anime, is it a love for the toys, or something else?

I have always loved Apeface back to 87'. Had the toy and always liked the Headmasters as a whole and loved Rebirth. Later I watched Transformers: Headmasters and they were still awesome(now my head-canon is a mix of Rebirth and Headmasters). Apeface one of my top fav Cons, Snapdragon, not so much, but he is cool. I realize to get a new updated Apeface finally, we need Snapdragon as well. Thats why I mention both when asking for them in Titans Return. If you look back a few years posts here where I posted my most wanted updates, Apeface and Skylynx were in my list. We got Skylynx, although a lot smaller than I wanted, so now I'm onto Apeface and Punch/Counterpunch for updates I want that only had their G1 figures.

[william-james88]

I honestly don't recall anywhere other than America, Canada and Asia getting the TR Boxsets so far.

Australia's got em. A local collectables retailer was able to get the exclusive distribution.

But your right, I have not heard of any UK sightings so far.

[o.supreme]

now my head-canon is a mix of Rebirth and Headmasters.

That's basically the same for me, its tricky, but can be done. I even did a whole explanation in writing back in 2000. I never had the Horrorcons myself, but a close friend did. Pretty cool concept, but I had to sacrifice getting most of the 1987 line so I could have just one...Fort Max .

[Burn]

I honestly don't recall anywhere other than America, Canada and Asia getting the TR Boxsets so far.

Australia's got em. A local collectables retailer was able to get the exclusive distribution.

ummm...wot?

[william-james88]

I honestly don't recall anywhere other than America, Canada and Asia getting the TR Boxsets so far.

Australia's got em. A local collectables retailer was able to get the exclusive distribution.

ummm...wot?

Yeah, premium collectables is getting the seige of cybertron set.

[Rated X]

How come every other country gets this set in brick and mortar retail bus the US has to go through BBTS and have it shipped? Thats messed up Hasbro...

You'd prefer the uncertainty of finding it in a store over the certainty of buying it online? And BBTS shipping is only $4, that's hardly a deal breaker when you're already spending $100. Granted, it sold out quickly, but it gives those of us without a nearby TRU a fighting chance.

Well you gotta understand I live in Miami, not some small town in the middle of nowhere. I have 3 toys r us fairly close to me and another 3 or 4 under 30 minutes away in clear traffic. Same thing with walmarts and targets. I got my chaos on velocatran set in the store. If I were to get a set which one of the figures is defective or has really bad paint flaws, its nice to be able to exchange it without having to send e-mails, take pics, wait, then find a box, and ship it out even if they pay for it. I would rather just take a short road trip. Its nice BBTS is doing the 4 dollar shipping. But perhaps theyre only doing it to push the sets after the recent announcements of the clones 2 packs and the takara godbomber/ginrai gift set. Those 2 announcements amounted to many cancelled preorders im sure.