The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1350 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:12 am

The easiest answer to why ss86 exists is because its the 25th anniversary of Beast Wars, and hasbro got a lot of flack for missing the 20th Anniversary. So what was originally going to be the movie celebration line, got split with so many of the movie figures going to ss86. This is why SS86 is kind of a oddity with not being a sub like but not being numbered like normal SS releases.

News Credits: 23 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:30 am

Cyberpath wrote:I can't find any flight base ports in their jet-modes... anyone? Is that not the standard anymore?

From what I can tell, the ports are prioritized for robot mode, so they don't always line up for alt-mode. Every figure seems to have one still, and it is usually around the back of the crotch.

News Credits: 372 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:40 am

Was asking why Cyclonus wasn't part of the SS86 line, too. Seems like the right fit.
I realised when I noticed Scourge's display background.

Shame about the flight stand ports; figured the jet modes made more sense, or two ports.

News Credits: 1350 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:56 am

Cyberpath wrote:Was asking why Cyclonus wasn't part of the SS86 line, too. Seems like the right fit.
I realised when I noticed Scourge's display background.

Shame about the flight stand ports; figured the jet modes made more sense, or two ports.

Just how that worked it to keep a good mix between both lines

News Credits: 5 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 3:32 pm

aronjlove wrote:
Cyberpath wrote:I can't find any flight base ports in their jet-modes... anyone? Is that not the standard anymore?
From what I can tell, the ports are prioritized for robot mode, so they don't always line up for alt-mode. Every figure seems to have one still, and it is usually around the back of the crotch.

Cyclonus' is located on the bottom of his crotch in Jet mode. Look right between his knee pads on the undercarriage and you should see it.

It'll probably be a tight fit for most stands however.

News Credits: 11 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:21 pm

Cyberpath wrote:Was asking why Cyclonus wasn't part of the SS86 line, too. Seems like the right fit.
I realised when I noticed Scourge's display background.

Shame about the flight stand ports; figured the jet modes made more sense, or two ports.

It wouldn't have been the first time Studio Series has re-used backdrop scenes for more than one figure, many of the 2007 Movie characters use the same "Battle of Mission City" scene on their backdrops, and I'm pretty sure the Constructicons all had the same one.
Personally I'm not too fussed about Cyclonus and Galvatron being in Kingdom rather than Studio Series 1986, because Kingdom has only a tiny handful of Decepticons, so it's good to have at least two really prominent ones outside of the Core Class. Though I still low-key think there should've been a Deluxe Needlenose seeing as there's a Tracks on the way...

News Credits: 12 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:22 pm

Ordered Optimus primal off Amazon since I couldn't find him in stores and the damn mailman keeps throwing my packages into the front yard where my dog is so she got into both the Amazon box and the Kingdom packaging. Toy is mostly intact but the backpack is bent and dirty, nearly broken. Happy Easter :HEADHURTS:

News Credits: 56 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:50 pm

Was able to see a Single Ultra Magnus today. So I guess all that leaves is Inferno and the Deluxes and I'll have seen all of wave 2.

News Credits: 462 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:04 pm

I went to three Walmarts this morning. The first had the Netflix Wave 2 and 3 Deluxes (minus Bumblebee). They had only one Cheetor among several Sparkless Bots, Deseeus Army Drones, and Deep Covers, so I grabbed him.

The second Walmart was practically empty. Not even a Cyberverse toy to be found. Just one SS86 Kup and an opened SS86 Jazz.

The third Walmart had the Wave 2 Kingdom Deluxes, so I got Airazor and Ractonite.

News Credits: 101 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:07 pm

Meanwhile in my area:

News Credits: 462 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:09 pm

-Kanrabat- wrote:Meanwhile in my area:

If it means anything, I've still never seen any of the Wave 1 Voyagers, Leader Megatron, Leader Ultra Magnus, or Netflix Soundwave at any of my stores. The shelves are always empty whenever I get there.

News Credits: 23 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 5:58 pm

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Wave 2 voyagers are hitting saturation in Phoenix, AZ while the occasional wave 3 deluxe can be found. I feel bad for anybody who paid more than retail for Netflix Soundwave in my area as it looks like it was just a waiting game until the stock hit the shelves.

News Credits: 462 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:21 pm

Yo! I'm in the need for a Netflix Soundwave. Care to help a fellow fan out? ;;)

News Credits: 23 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:59 pm

Sabrblade wrote:Yo! I'm in the need for a Netflix Soundwave. Care to help a fellow fan out?

Yeah, I gotta run out tomorrow anyways so I'll try and grab one for you ;)^

News Credits: 9 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:13 pm

sol magnus wrote:They've done such great versions it's hard to see them improving on them.

For me, Blaster, Perceptor, Blitzwing, Sandstorm, Octane, Brawn, Gears, Windcharger, Swerve, and good earthmodes for the cars that were made in Siege plus the ones we know are coming.

Basically, 84-86 cast. The combiners would be nice, but for me I'd have to get Unite Warriors rather than Combiner Wars if I ever did it.

I know there's a good chance we won't see anyone who's been recently made such as Astrotrain or Reflector for a while... It's wishful thinking on my part, but I still think they could be better; they don't seem like definitive versions such as Hot Rod, Cyclonus, Scourge, Grimlock and others.
Everyone on your list other than Blitzy would be "icing" for me... Yes, I'd get them all if the updates are to my liking.

I have all of the CW combiners in the UW versions except for the Protectobots... I even have both versions of the Stunticons and Combaticons. Those are still awesome (although I never did get Volcanicus).

Cyberpath wrote:Just got Cyclonus and Scourge, transformed them once so far but had to post my first impression -- wow wow wow!

A lot of the new CHUG are basically smaller scale Masterpiece now: the cartoon-accuracy, the articulation (both which are easy to take for granted currently) the face-sculpts, the weapons, and the way the characters look in both modes. Even the colours are spot on (or perhaps with a few inaccuracies.)

Only real difference is that their hands don't open. And that MP have now evolved into almost untransformable state (they're transformable, they're transformable... you just have to clear your day first.)

Love the way Cyclonus hides the nose cone (when will Starscream?) even got landing gear and translucent pieces in places where he had light in the cartoon at least once.

Scourge gave me flashbacks to the old X-Men figures. It's the fact that they sculpted his hands differently and that he's a lil weird looking (for a Transformer.) And I finally have a purple blast-effect!
His Decepticon tampos are a bit misaligned in jet-mode, but oh well. Anyone has that, too?

Kind of makes me want to pick up all the SS86 & WfC, but I'm trying not to get sucked into it again. Will get Galvatron of course, to go with those two. And maybe Grimlock cause he looks really nice. And maybe Huffer.

Cyclonus and Scourge are two of the very best we've received in the last couple years imo.
I'm SO glad they don't have the Siege greebling all over the place...
I'm thinking I'm going to pass on Blurr; I've seen him in stores now at least 3 times, and every time I've picked him up, I'm clearly not impressed because putting him back on a peg has been very easy. I'm hoping to get Kup on sale, but if not, I'll pass on him too. Same for Kingdom UM; if I could get him for under $40, I'll bite. Haven't had him since my City Commander set.
Also, I'd recommend getting SS86 Grimlock. Despite Wheelie being a lame waste of plastic, he's very a very solid figure, especially in terms of appearance. Knowing that Slag's on the way and hopefully the others, I think most who pass on him will eventually regret it if they end up paying aftermarket prices.

In general something to think about-- if you like the appearance of any of these recent figures, ER, SS86, etc., I'd consider getting them sooner than later. My gut tells me that the next time some of these characters are made, they'll have some sort of gimmick that compromises something (potentially a lot), which for me will make these recent versions better even when they're older...
Figures like Cyclonus, Scourge, Hot Rod, Grimlock, etc.-- why would Hastak go to the trouble of making "new" versions these of guys when these recent ones are so good? Not to mention, HOW would you improve them??? The differences would be so minute that most people would think "What's the point of these?? Why didn't they make updated versions of other characters who needed and have been due for an update?".
I don't care if I'm wrong, and I don't believe in "jinxing" so I'll say this-- I bet it's 5 years before we get another G1 style Grimlock that is of the SS86 size/scale, gimmick-free, and emphasizes his cartoon appearance.
Honestly, I don't know if something better will ever happen if it's to follow that criteria...
I see these figures of this quality possibly being re-released. I won't be surprised if the paint apps are in some way slightly altered, but either way, in 5 years Hastak could and probably will charge $60+ for a re-issued SS86 Grimlock. For a figure that's from an old mold.

Last thought on this-- The Dinobots are certainly a bit difficult to pull off as different characters, even in drastically different colors...
I won't be shocked if Hastak continues the Generations line with G2 versions of at least some of these, especially the Dinobots. Even if it's technically in the Gen Selects line like G2 Ramjet.
Again, I could be totally off; there's obviously a chance that the 12 versions of the Siege Sideswipe mold are what make figures like Leader Class Dinobots and other one-off's like Astrotrain possible.

News Credits: 9 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 8:22 pm

aronjlove wrote:Wave 2 voyagers are hitting saturation in Phoenix, AZ while the occasional wave 3 deluxe can be found. I feel bad for anybody who paid more than retail for Netflix Soundwave in my area as it looks like it was just a waiting game until the stock hit the shelves.

AronJ, you're pretty freaking lucky that your area is so well-stocked...
My Walmart has been pretty pathetic for a while now. I know I found Brainstorm, but other than that, there hasn't been much of anything for weeks.
I've never seen any SS86 at my Walmart, and the few times I've seen Headmasters, it's never been more than 5, usually it's been 2-3.
Again, I don't believe in jinxing, so you're giving me a sliver of hope that I could find NF Bumblebee. Although now it's been over a couple months since I've seen any NF figures.

News Credits: 31 · Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:27 pm

Finally bought him. He does feels solid and packed in hand. One thing to note, on mine the joints is mixed bag. Like, some are tight, excessively so, and some other is loose that i have to apply nail polish. But all in all, good figure.

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News Credits: 19 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:33 am

Got my first Kingdom figure through, if I really neeeded a fifth Cyclonus figure...which who doesnt? Sadly he's a little bit short for a voyager but the bulk on him definitely makes him feel voyager. Good figure. Only issue is size with SS Scourge being a bit smaller than him makes the classics cyclonus along with TR/TL scourge are the best duo at the mo for me.

Hopefully some company will oversize this cyclonus so he can stand head to head with CW Ultra Magnus.

News Credits: 388 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:46 am

Thanks to Seibertronian Mindmaster for pointing us towards this Instagram post by Kremzeek Reviews we finally have full, in-hand images of the Kingdom Beast Megatron redeco T-Wrecks! In Beast Wars, T-Wrecks was a straight-up Maximal redeco of Megatron, and that continues here. We get several great images of T-Wrecks in his robot and alt modes, showing he's every bit as imposing as Megatron.

While he hasn't been officially revealed, T-Wrecks is rumored to be a Target exclusive in the U.S. Unfortunately, there's no word on when he's expected to be released, or how he might be available outside the U.S.

What do you think of these images? Is this a figure you plan on picking up when it's available? Let us know your thoughts, good or bad, on this massive Maximal below!

News Credits: 7 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:55 am

It cool to see Hasbro remembering this Beast Machines toy-only character.

Day 461 of waiting for Transformers Armada Masterpiece news.

News Credits: 23 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:55 am

I'm seeing rumors he is a Red Card exclusive and part of this 4-pack...

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News Credits: 23 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:57 am

Sowndwave76 wrote:
aronjlove wrote:Wave 2 voyagers are hitting saturation in Phoenix, AZ while the occasional wave 3 deluxe can be found. I feel bad for anybody who paid more than retail for Netflix Soundwave in my area as it looks like it was just a waiting game until the stock hit the shelves.

AronJ, you're pretty freaking lucky that your area is so well-stocked...
My Walmart has been pretty pathetic for a while now. I know I found Brainstorm, but other than that, there hasn't been much of anything for weeks.
I've never seen any SS86 at my Walmart, and the few times I've seen Headmasters, it's never been more than 5, usually it's been 2-3.
Again, I don't believe in jinxing, so you're giving me a sliver of hope that I could find NF Bumblebee. Although now it's been over a couple months since I've seen any NF figures.

I'm incredibly lucky in regards to distribution. I've seen titans on shelves, both Omega Supreme and Scorponok.

News Credits: 56 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:57 am

Well that is interesting, I thought the "face change" on some of the BW Megatron's was an erroneous early look at T-Wrecks face. But that is not the case. T-Wrecks is again slightly different than either version of Megatron, so I wonder why the change in the case of Megatron?

News Credits: 20 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:59 am

I think this copy was given the wrong head. It has a silver paint app for the snarling face's teeth, but without the snarling face he just ends up with silver lipstick. :lol:

News Credits: 18 · Mon Apr 05, 2021 12:04 pm

Tuned Agent wrote:I think this copy was given the wrong head. It has a silver paint app for the snarling face's teeth, but without the snarling face he just ends up with silver lipstick.

YUP. Which is hilarious. :lol: