The Energon Pub

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

Autobot N wrote:Wouldn't it be prudent to just wait until they're revealed to pre order them?

And probably less likely to have your pre-order cancelled

Yup, as someone who used the wishlist trick once I can tell you it might not go smoothly. According to Amazon, using the wishlist trick puts you at the bottom of the order list under all the people who ordered normally when the product went live. Now, I've been told by many this isn't true and that they ordered through the wishlist trick and got their figures before people who ordered normally and that mine was a one-off occurrence. Maybe so, but I've never taken the chance since.

chuckdawg1999 wrote:

Sentinel_Primal wrote:

Autobot N wrote:Wouldn't it be prudent to just wait until they're revealed to pre order them?

And probably less likely to have your pre-order cancelled

Yup, as someone who used the wishlist trick once I can tell you it might not go smoothly. According to Amazon, using the wishlist trick puts you at the bottom of the order list under all the people who ordered normally when the product went live. Now, I've been told by many this isn't true and that they ordered through the wishlist trick and got their figures before people who ordered normally and that mine was a one-off occurrence. Maybe so, but I've never taken the chance since.

Amazon just updated my pre-order so I assume all is fine.

So basically its come to this...

You want to purchase something online, because there's no guarantee you will find it in a store.

Then, you'll want to pre-order that item online, because there's no guaranty once it is available online, that there will be sufficient stock.

Then you'll want to reserve-ahead-of-time the listing for your pre-order, because there's no guaranty once you submit your pre-order that the online retailer won't cancel it...

so basically, sad to say, there are no guarantees.. And yes I know I'll still complain if/when my pre-orders are arbitrarily put in Limbo status or cancelled for no reason...

the kingdom stuff is coming up to see on smyths website in ireland now.

fair hefty price increase though.

the Ark is up for 169.99 and rodimus is up for 94.99 both dated to be in 1st july.

normally it'd be 150 euro and 89 respectively.

still as someon living in ireland its STILL the cheapest option as theres no charge on deliveries for figs that expensive and no import/duty to worry about either.

heres the link for the ark so ya can see.

https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/toy ... e/p/198332

william-james88 wrote:

Tuned Agent wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:

william-james88 wrote:The G1 characters are pretty show accurate.

That's pretty much the reason in a nutshell

Because they're G1 characters.

Here's a question though, could they do definitive versions of Beast Wars cast? And how much would they cost? Giving the price of paint apps in the proper places. The mp beast wars stuff have mp budgets behind them, and people still weren't happy with some of them (mainly Blackarachnia).

^ Pretty much this. Many of the BW character models cheat so much between modes that even the MPs can't pull them off without completely relying on faux parts, and some of them just straight up sacrifice one mode so the other mode can look good (see: Blackarachnia). None of that is really feasible on a general retail toy, at least not one that's any fun.

Really the only major change that could be made is to have show accurate beast mode instead of realistic ones, but I kind of see that as the Kingdom toys going for more BW toy-accurate direction, since the toys had (somewhat) more realistic beast modes than the cartoon. That's just my take, though.

This is all so well said.

Indeed.

I think however, People dismissing BW figure accuracy full stop, due to the CG models, are missing the point. Because they already achieved it. MP Primal is the best one they've made so far. Practically perfect representation. Blackarachnia is the worst, to date. Thanks to a lazy Beast Mode.
The actual question to ask is what has changed at Takara within the three years between the two?

This applies to Kingdom as well. Some of the compromises made in altmodes have been seemingly okayed just to meet a line quota IE Dinobot's robo-boobs, the underside of Blackarachnia's altmode. Some times all it would have taken is a simple quick fix, such as a different colour for Dinobot's hip joints. So why has the QA seemingly taken a backseat for some figures and not others?

Surely the WFC BW comparrisons are on parr with ironhides/ratchets feet poking out lol whilst people are paying money for stuff like that Hasbro can, and is churning it out. Whilst cool aid drinkers worship figures with glaring faults as mini masterpieces (though some MPs have glaring faults too so maybe mini MP is a fair comparrison )

blackeyedprime wrote:Surely the WFC BW comparisons are on par with ironhides/ratchets feet poking out lol whilst people are paying money for stuff like that Hasbro can, and is churning it out. Whilst cool aid drinkers worship figures with glaring faults as mini masterpieces (though some MPs have glaring faults too so maybe mini MP is a fair comparison )

Exactly. That's the whole point. Even I am guilty of it. I bought MP Blackarachnia, to complete the line. Granted she is cast so far back in my display, she is unseen. But I still purchased a half-finished figure.

blackeyedprime wrote:Surely the WFC BW comparrisons are on parr with ironhides/ratchets feet poking out lol whilst people are paying money for stuff like that Hasbro can, and is churning it out. Whilst cool aid drinkers worship figures with glaring faults as mini masterpieces (though some MPs have glaring faults too so maybe mini MP is a fair comparrison )

Cheetor is to date the only Masterpiece figure I've ever owned, and yeah, wasn't a big fan of it. I don't really see any figure in Generations as "Mini Masterpiece", and while I'm overall happy with Kingdom I won't deny the faults. Megatron is fantastic, but the T-Rex mode is let down by all those panels that don't line up properly or jut out in places. Optimus Primal is great, but I always worry about the joint on the chest piece while transforming him because it alays feels like it's going to snap off. As far as cartoon accuracy, the lack of it with the Beast Wars characters doesn't bother me that much, because a lot of those old designs haven't aged well, and I actually like the idea of realistic or semi-realistic beast modes.

I've seen the term "Mini Masterpiece" become prevalent in recent years especially with this last trilogy. Although I don't own either of these toys, personally the only ones that seem to marginally qualify for that fan-made monniker might be Warpath, or perhaps Netflix BB (but some fans don't like the partsforming aspect, so I don't really know...) Also the recent SS86 releases. At any rate, it is seemingly overused. I don't expect my $20-$50 toys to be as complex and well engineered as $100-$300 toys, but that's also why I purchase them, because they are affordable. Also now that Hasbro themselves have started using the term to describe their own product (i.e. Tracks on the Fan fest last Friday), I expect the term to fall out of fashion somewhat.

I only have a few bots currently on pre-order: Transmutate and the Ark. The rest, Imma leave up to chance, as even though I want Airazor and any SS86 bots, if I don't see them on the shelves, I consider it money saved (to be used on other impulse purchases or just going online if it's a must!).

When I think "MP", I think, "This is the best version of this character that could be made".
I think of "Mini Masterpiece" as a relative term, meaning it is the best version you can get considering the constraints; usually budget and size.
But still, that label is probably a bit out of context.
I'm probably going to start using the verbiage of "definitive version" rather than "Mini MP".

In terms of the BW figures; From what I've seen, almost all of them look really good.
I'm sure there are aspects that could point to a need for another update down the road...
I just wonder if Hastak is thinking that these are outstanding updates and like the other recent lines, is providing definitive versions of these characters.

o.supreme wrote:because there's no guaranty once you submit your pre-order that the online retailer won't cancel it...

That's why you go BBTS, I haven't had a single pre order cancelled on me in 6 years of buying from them. Sure, it takes a little while for them to get stuff in, but that just means you can cancel your pre order if you find the figure you want at retail

Cyclonus is on Amazon for pre-order at $30. Go, go, go!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HG ... UTF8&psc=1

In stock April 18.

Emerje

Overcracker wrote:

aronjlove wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Rodimus, Rhinox and Tracks have been pre-ordered from BBTS.

Tigatron and BB + Sam on Amazon. Waspinator seems to not be available for pre-order on amazon yet, and Slag won't let me add him to my wishlist so I can't pre-order him.

Strange about Slag, but Waspinator is definitely available as I already ordered him

Screenshot 2021-04-12 092432.png

For me, he has no Pre-Order Option, like the rest of them had.

Screen Shot 2021-04-12 at 11.33.44 AM.png

sol magnus wrote:I can't find Tigatron at all.

Click the link, to add him to an amazon list, you should be able to pre-order him from there.

WFC Tigatron:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/add- ... =wishlist&

Thanks for trying, but it says 'Page Not Found' now...

sol magnus wrote:

Overcracker wrote:

aronjlove wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Rodimus, Rhinox and Tracks have been pre-ordered from BBTS.

Tigatron and BB + Sam on Amazon. Waspinator seems to not be available for pre-order on amazon yet, and Slag won't let me add him to my wishlist so I can't pre-order him.

Strange about Slag, but Waspinator is definitely available as I already ordered him

Screenshot 2021-04-12 092432.png

For me, he has no Pre-Order Option, like the rest of them had.

Screen Shot 2021-04-12 at 11.33.44 AM.png

sol magnus wrote:I can't find Tigatron at all.

Click the link, to add him to an amazon list, you should be able to pre-order him from there.

WFC Tigatron:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/add- ... =wishlist&

Thanks for trying, but it says 'Page Not Found' now...

That's weird, it just worked for me. It is possibly your browser and/or phone?

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

sol magnus wrote:

Overcracker wrote:

aronjlove wrote:

Overcracker wrote:Rodimus, Rhinox and Tracks have been pre-ordered from BBTS.

Tigatron and BB + Sam on Amazon. Waspinator seems to not be available for pre-order on amazon yet, and Slag won't let me add him to my wishlist so I can't pre-order him.

Strange about Slag, but Waspinator is definitely available as I already ordered him

Screenshot 2021-04-12 092432.png

For me, he has no Pre-Order Option, like the rest of them had.

Screen Shot 2021-04-12 at 11.33.44 AM.png

sol magnus wrote:I can't find Tigatron at all.

Click the link, to add him to an amazon list, you should be able to pre-order him from there.

WFC Tigatron:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/add- ... =wishlist&

Thanks for trying, but it says 'Page Not Found' now...

That's weird, it just worked for me. It is possibly your browser and/or phone?

I don't know. That doesn't really make sense. I get the wish list part, but if I look at the item itself it doesn't show up.

Obviously, I want a Tigatron, but I can wait.

Yeah I get as far as the list page as well, but no actual page for the figure.

sol magnus wrote:I get the wish list part, but if I look at the item itself it doesn't show up.

Obviously, I want a Tigatron, but I can wait.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Yeah I get as far as the list page as well, but no actual page for the figure.

Ah, okay, the Listing still wont work, but you can still pre-order from your wish list. That is how I pre-ordered them.

Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

Fuhzimota wrote:Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

I dunno. I got Omega Supreme yesterday. That is all.

Fuhzimota wrote:Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

Yup.

TulioDude wrote:

Fuhzimota wrote:Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

Yup.

Seconded. I wonder if that could be considered unofficial Masterpiece Armada...might make someone on here really happy

Fuhzimota wrote:Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

It would have to be a seriously major retool in order to be satisfactory.

Fuhzimota wrote:Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

God I hope not. It isn't that I don't want a Tidal Wave, its that I want a good Tidal Wave, not another re-purposed mold what really only gets 1 mode right-ish. The Arkbot doesn't have a boat mode, Tidal Wave doesn't have a spaceship mode. The only thing they have in common is the robot profile and even for that you have to sort of squint.

Last time they re-tooled a titan we got the disappointing Fort Max with all that unused potential inside the legs. I'd rather that not happen again.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

Fuhzimota wrote:Am I the only one who is getting major Tidal Wave vibes from the Ark's head/chest details? I know about the Last Autobot homage, but I can definitely envision a TW retool.

God I hope not. It isn't that I don't want a Tidal Wave, its that I want a good Tidal Wave, not another re-purposed mold what really only gets 1 mode right-ish. The Arkbot doesn't have a boat mode, Tidal Wave doesn't have a spaceship mode. The only thing they have in common is the robot profile and even for that you have to sort of squint.

Last time they re-tooled a titan we got the disappointing Fort Max with all that unused potential inside the legs. I'd rather that not happen again.

Exactly this, Tidal Wave is coming, I can feel it in my bones but its not coming from this mold. Remember as well that this is likely the last retail Titan we'll get for a while. Commander class is where we'll get Tidal Wave and next year, we're going to get two of the buggers