The Energon Pub

Guys,

I could use some advise... I'm about to get my first Masterpiece (after I got the Wei Jiang Optimus Prime last month), but I'm not sure which one to get.
I would like to make sure I get my hands on the rare ones first, before they become hard to get at a later stage.

- Which do you recommend me??
(money isn't much of an issue at this moment)

MP-06 Bluestreak
MP-07 Starscream
MP-8 Grimlock
MP-9 Rodimus Convoy
MP-10 Optimus Prime
MP-11SW Skywarp
MP-11T Thundercracker
MP-11NR Ramjet
MP-12 Lambor
MP-12T Tigertrack
MP-13 Soundwave
MP-13B Soundblaster
MP-14+ Alert
MP-15 Rumble & Jaguar
MP-16 Frenzy & Buzzsaw
MP-17 Prowl
MP-19 Smokescreen
MP-20 Wheeljack
MP-21 Bumble
MP-22 Ultra Magnus
MP-25 Tracks
MP-27 Ironhide
MP-28 Hot Rodimus
MP-29 Laserwave
MP-30 Ratchet

I was leaning towards either MP-13 or MP11-SW, but neither were available...
So I just bought the following 3 (yes 3) characters;

MP-06 Bluestreak
MP-17 Prowl
MP-20 Wheeljack

* IMO not too bad a start for my Masterpiece collection.

You have a lot in consideration there... what's the actual goal? Total completionist? Character completionist? Mold completionist? I'll advise thoroughly you once I get what you're after

What you started with though, is great. Wheeljack and the Datsun molds are heralded as some of the best. I'll tell you what you absolutely need though:

MP10 Optimus Prime.
The TakaraTomy version was recently reissued so he shouldn't be too difficult or expensive to find. Or if you want the lighter Hasbro blue, BBTS still has him in stock.

MP21 Bumblebee.
I could turn you on to some JP sites for one of these if you're so inclined. But due to KO'ing I would absolutely avoid eBay for this fella. And the BB's on there that aren't KO's are way overpriced. There is also a Hasbro version coming out, but that all depends on how long you're willing to wait (and gamble on actually finding one in store).

The Prodigy wrote:I was leaning towards either MP-13 or MP11-SW, but neither were available...
So I just bought the following 3 (yes 3) characters;

MP-06 Bluestreak
MP-17 Prowl
MP-20 Wheeljack

* IMO not too bad a start for my Masterpiece collection.

At the present based on my sources MP TT SW is out of the market. Can't find one in online Japanese stores. That may change but now zilch. The three you got are great choices. Try amiami if MP-10 is still available.

Beware also of MP Starsaber. There's already a KO version. Same with Tacks.

If I had the $$$$, I would've bought Optimus first.
Seeing how money is an issue, I went with my favorite character, Soundwave.
And I was NOT disappointed.
No joke, I'm a little worried that whoever I do end up getting next (whenever that is) will be a bit of a letdown.
This is not an easy choice, so good luck!!

Start with Optimus and Soundwave. They always ends up being the most expensive. The rarer ones are more from the previous MP line and are usually redecos.

Any other is relatively easy to aquire at a decent price since they get reissued (Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Ironhide). I guess the priority after those two (and the casette minions) would be Sideswipe/Lambour since he hasnt gotten reissued recently and is starting to cost more. But the Datsuns are still easily available.

william-james88 wrote:Start with Optimus and Soundwave. They always ends up being the most expensive. The rarer ones are more from the previous MP line and are usually redecos.

Any other is relatively easy to aquire at a decent price since they get reissued (Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Ironhide). I guess the priority after those two (and the casette minions) would be Sideswipe/Lambour since he hasnt gotten reissued recently and is starting to cost more. But the Datsuns are still easily available.

Good call (and it still surprises me that Ironhide is being reissued). As for your Decepticon Cassette deck, if you only want one then I would suggest buying 13B SoundBlaster since he's much easier to acquire and much less pricey. But if its Soundwave you specifically desire then it might be worth your while to break the bank with Hasbro's version since he comes with every cassette (aside from Ratty-B).

shajaki wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Start with Optimus and Soundwave. They always ends up being the most expensive. The rarer ones are more from the previous MP line and are usually redecos.

Any other is relatively easy to aquire at a decent price since they get reissued (Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Ironhide). I guess the priority after those two (and the casette minions) would be Sideswipe/Lambour since he hasnt gotten reissued recently and is starting to cost more. But the Datsuns are still easily available.

Good call (and it still surprises me that Ironhide is being reissued). As for your Decepticon Cassette deck, if you only want one then I would suggest buying 13B SoundBlaster since he's much easier to acquire and much less pricey. But if its Soundwave you specifically desire then it might be worth your while to break the bank with Hasbro's version since he comes with every cassette (aside from Ratty-B).

Both come out to the same cost though if you want all casettes right? You can still buy the takara one and get the casettes in their two packs. It all comes down to what colour you want Sounwave's eyes sicne that is the main difference between Hasbro and Takars (aside from how many casettes they come with).

william-james88 wrote:

shajaki wrote:

william-james88 wrote:Start with Optimus and Soundwave. They always ends up being the most expensive. The rarer ones are more from the previous MP line and are usually redecos.

Any other is relatively easy to aquire at a decent price since they get reissued (Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, Ironhide). I guess the priority after those two (and the casette minions) would be Sideswipe/Lambour since he hasnt gotten reissued recently and is starting to cost more. But the Datsuns are still easily available.

Good call (and it still surprises me that Ironhide is being reissued). As for your Decepticon Cassette deck, if you only want one then I would suggest buying 13B SoundBlaster since he's much easier to acquire and much less pricey. But if its Soundwave you specifically desire then it might be worth your while to break the bank with Hasbro's version since he comes with every cassette (aside from Ratty-B).

Both come out to the same cost though if you want all casettes right? You can still buy the takara one and get the casettes in their two packs. It all comes down to what colour you want Sounwave's eyes sicne that is the main difference between Hasbro and Takars (aside from how many casettes they come with).

Dunno. The only SW I've been watching on the secondary market is Hasbro's since I'm currently in the market. If you go Hasbro though, at least there would be no worries of KO's. Those KO cassettes are everywhere.

Prodigy? You're leaving us all hanging!