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[william-james88]

Superion!

[phantom1592]

For what it's worth, the protectobots never did anything for me...

I'm also just starting to get back into this and picking and chosing. I would say buy your favorites... whichever they may be.

For me, the 'good guy' combiners were always kind of blah... It was always about devastor for me.

Superion however was the 'first' of the Autobot combiners... so I went and got him. Wasn't going to... but I liked the way he looked.

Defensor? Never saw/read/played with anything involving him before, so it was an easy pass.

[Hellscream9999]

Here's where I need some input--
Yeah, you would think; "If you're already getting Hotspot, get the other 4 members... Done."
My problem:
Even though I was a fan of the Protectobots growing up,
I'm not a huge fan of how Defensor looks, and I'm not wanting to spend the extra $$ on the Takara version. And I'm not a fan of Rook.
I've been reading a lot of great stuff about Superion.
And I like his combined appearance as much as Defensor.

Thoughts on which Autobot combiner I should get???

Honestly, Superion is, well, superior; just overall too, he has a better center of gravity, is well balanced due to his tight body design and lack of kibble. He has excellent proportions overall, and the arms and legs even fit well with the hand/foot weapons due to their being similar dimensions (h/f/w is cube-shaped, the aerial bots have square footprints. They also allow for the most articulation on torso figures with larger shoulder ports like mm and hotspot.

Honestly though, if you like SOME of the protectobots, and want some of the two waves of the '84 team, pick up 4 of the figures so you can make a defensor, and it keeps with the ethos of the line: mix and match the figures. Just because they were on a team AT ONE POINT, DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO BE THAT WAY FOREVER.

This is only for IF you want to use defensor at the same time as superion. You don't have to get anybody else, but maybe you might want hound and streetwise and sunstreaker and trailbreaker, bam, you've got yourself a full combiner! I really hope this helps you out, Superion is probably the best overall combiner released yet (for the autobots )

[shajaki]

Thoughts on which Autobot combiner I should get???

May suggest you... SCRAMBLE you city?

Are you going for one solid team or willing to mix and match? Individually (if we're just talking Autobots) I would suggest: Streetwise, First Aid, Alpha Bravo, Air Raid, Slugslinger, and Silverbolt. If you're not going to mix and match, then go Defensor. He's got more variety.

And trust me with these words:
-Get Cyclonus.
-Give Rook a chance

[Sowndwave76]

First off, thanks for all of the feedback.
I do really appreciate it.
One thing I didn't put in my original post is that I am not getting any of the non-combiner team Autobots.
I'm more than happy with the versions of all of those characters that I already have.

Cyclonus almost fits into this same boat; I know this CW version is a voyager, which is truly appealing. But I like my deluxe version, and I don't need him to be able to combine with any other figure.
But I am still not 100% passing on this one. Especially depending on what I decide with this Autobot combiner situation.

Speaking of which, I was considering this:
Getting Blades and Firefly as arms, and First Aid and Streetwise as legs for Defensor.

Another issue that I didn't bring up in my original post which adds to the dilemma;
IF I go with Superion, I will get Slingshot, which obviously is slightly more $$.


Thanks again for suggestions.
It almost sounds dumb since we're discussing purchasing toys,
but I know for a fact that I will not end up getting both of these Autobot combiners.
I'm getting both Hasbro and Takara versions of the Stunticons,
I just preordered Devastator yesterday,
and I know I'm getting the Combaticons. And who knows, I may be getting the Takara versions of them.
So in the grand scheme of buying toys, this is a decently important decision for me.

*edit: One more reason this is an important decision is because I may give in and get Skylinx...

[Hellscream9999]

First off, thanks for all of the feedback.
I do really appreciate it.
One thing I didn't put in my original post is that I am not getting any of the non-combiner team Autobots.
I'm more than happy with the versions of all of those characters that I already have.

Cyclonus almost fits into this same boat; I know this CW version is a voyager, which is truly appealing. But I like my deluxe version, and I don't need him to be able to combine with any other figure.
But I am still not 100% passing on this one. Especially depending on what I decide with this Autobot combiner situation.

Speaking of which, I was considering this:
Getting Blades and Firefly as arms, and First Aid and Streetwise as legs for Defensor.

Another issue that I didn't bring up in my original post which adds to the dilemma;
IF I go with Superion, I will get Slingshot, which obviously is slightly more $$.


Thanks again for suggestions.
It almost sounds dumb since we're discussing purchasing toys,
but I know for a fact that I will not end up getting both of these Autobot combiners.
I'm getting both Hasbro and Takara versions of the Stunticons,
I just preordered Devastator yesterday,
and I know I'm getting the Combaticons. And who knows, I may be getting the Takara versions of them.
So in the grand scheme of buying toys, this is a decently important decision for me.

*edit: One more reason this is an important decision is because I may give in and get Skylinx...

Honestly, unless you need some menasor in your life, I would consider not getting the tt menasor set, and instead get cyclonus and give him the stunticons; I honestly belive the op/mm mold is a severe let down in combined form (unless you can be happy with it, or a fan edit). I know I convinced carrytheone on getting cyclonus, as he is easily one of the strongest combined figures (on par with superion, above all the others) from an engineering perspective, plus he is awesome wearing the stunticons.

Just some food for thought, but yes, the aerialbots make excellent arms due to the clearances around their combiner ports.

[phantom1592]

That sounds legit actually... I haven't seen a review yet that was happy with Menasor. One may be fun just if you're a fan of the character, but two may be serious overkill...

[Hellscream9999]

That sounds legit actually... I haven't seen a review yet that was happy with Menasor. One may be fun just if you're a fan of the character, but two may be serious overkill...

Correct, like I said, unless you NEED a menasor and you're willing to settle for a mediocre combined form that can't really move or stand up - for a long and varying list of reasons - you're better off getting cyclonus, who is better and vastly more fun. I honestly HATE the op/mm mold and hope to never see it again (I breathed easily once I knew the tfss was using onslaught and not op/mm).

Again, this is my opinion, feel free to do what you want to; I'm just trying to get you the most enjoyment out of your combiners as possible

[Sowndwave76]

First off, thanks for all of the feedback.
I do really appreciate it.
One thing I didn't put in my original post is that I am not getting any of the non-combiner team Autobots.
I'm more than happy with the versions of all of those characters that I already have.

Cyclonus almost fits into this same boat; I know this CW version is a voyager, which is truly appealing. But I like my deluxe version, and I don't need him to be able to combine with any other figure.
But I am still not 100% passing on this one. Especially depending on what I decide with this Autobot combiner situation.

Speaking of which, I was considering this:
Getting Blades and Firefly as arms, and First Aid and Streetwise as legs for Defensor.

Another issue that I didn't bring up in my original post which adds to the dilemma;
IF I go with Superion, I will get Slingshot, which obviously is slightly more $$.


Thanks again for suggestions.
It almost sounds dumb since we're discussing purchasing toys,
but I know for a fact that I will not end up getting both of these Autobot combiners.
I'm getting both Hasbro and Takara versions of the Stunticons,
I just preordered Devastator yesterday,
and I know I'm getting the Combaticons. And who knows, I may be getting the Takara versions of them.
So in the grand scheme of buying toys, this is a decently important decision for me.

*edit: One more reason this is an important decision is because I may give in and get Skylinx...

Honestly, unless you need some menasor in your life, I would consider not getting the tt menasor set, and instead get cyclonus and give him the stunticons; I honestly belive the op/mm mold is a severe let down in combined form (unless you can be happy with it, or a fan edit). I know I convinced carrytheone on getting cyclonus, as he is easily one of the strongest combined figures (on par with superion, above all the others) from an engineering perspective, plus he is awesome wearing the stunticons.

Just some food for thought, but yes, the aerialbots make excellent arms due to the clearances around their combiner ports.

This may sound lame, but even if I buy Cyclonus, I won't be combining him with others.

Here's what I'm considering for the Autobot Combiner is getting Firefly and AirRaid for arms (I don't like Skydive's head),
and Streetwise and First Aid for legs.
But also going ahead and getting Silverbolt. And since I've planned on Hotspot since I saw him, I can at least switch torsos and have altered versions of both Superion and Defensor.
I'll pass on AB and Blades and let Vortex be the lone helicopter in my collection.

Not completely sure about this, just seems like a decent solution.

And thank for all of your input.

That sounds legit actually... I haven't seen a review yet that was happy with Menasor. One may be fun just if you're a fan of the character, but two may be serious overkill...

For me, MM and Menasor are worth the risk.
And yeah, some will say getting both versions is overkill...
But it's easy for me to justify--
I'm a huge fan of characters I really like being cartoon accurate;
I'll also be passing on about as many figures as I'm purchasing;
I may end up keeping one set of Stunticons MISP. Not uncommon in my collection.

[Hellscream9999]

This may sound lame, but even if I buy Cyclonus, I won't be combining him with others.

Here's what I'm considering for the Autobot Combiner is getting Firefly and AirRaid for arms (I don't like Skydive's head),
and Streetwise and First Aid for legs.
But also going ahead and getting Silverbolt. And since I've planned on Hotspot since I saw him, I can at least switch torsos and have altered versions of both Superion and Defensor.
I'll pass on AB and Blades and let Vortex be the lone helicopter in my collection.

Not completely sure about this, just seems like a decent solution.
And thank for all of your input.

That sounds legit actually... I haven't seen a review yet that was happy with Menasor. One may be fun just if you're a fan of the character, but two may be serious overkill...

For me, MM and Menasor are worth the risk.
And yeah, some will say getting both versions is overkill...
But it's easy for me to justify--
I'm a huge fan of characters I really like being cartoon accurate;
I'll also be passing on about as many figures as I'm purchasing;
I may end up keeping one set of Stunticons MISP. Not uncommon in my collection.

That's cool this is why I made the distinction of NEEDING a menasor in your collection, you obviously do, so that's totally cool. We obviously look for different things in our figures (I NEED playability and articulation) you need different stuff. Also, I agree with your choice of limbs, they are all excellent figures.

Please enjoy your scramble-able selection.

[jay5]

I recently started collecting TF and here's my collecting methodology for Combiner Wars:

Pre-order the UW Takara set for each gestalt that I want (So far that's UW-01, UW-02, UW-03, and I'll likely do Bruticus as well) since they tend to aim for G1 authenticity and often have a little more visual detail added.

Meanwhile, pick up the Hasbro unique Deluxe figures that Takara won't be including because Takara is replacing them with the traditional G1 figures Hasbro skipped. So that's Alpha Bravo, Rook, etc. That way, I have a full set of the Deluxe CW figures for each gestalt.

In addition, get a Hasbro version of any Takara-set-included figures that have a different enough Hasbro paint deco to want to have a second one. For example, when in alt mode, a couple of the Aerialbots and a couple of the Stunticons I think look better in their Hasbro paint deco.

My display plan would be to display the UWs in gestalt form or their individual robot modes, while displaying my favorite alt mode paint deco for the ones I have duplicates of. (So a few jets and cars on display in their alt modes in a separate location from the gestalts display.)

Anyway, maybe that is helpful for theorycrafting your collection.

[Sowndwave76]

This may sound lame, but even if I buy Cyclonus, I won't be combining him with others.

Here's what I'm considering for the Autobot Combiner is getting Firefly and AirRaid for arms (I don't like Skydive's head),
and Streetwise and First Aid for legs.
But also going ahead and getting Silverbolt. And since I've planned on Hotspot since I saw him, I can at least switch torsos and have altered versions of both Superion and Defensor.
I'll pass on AB and Blades and let Vortex be the lone helicopter in my collection.

Not completely sure about this, just seems like a decent solution.
And thank for all of your input.

That sounds legit actually... I haven't seen a review yet that was happy with Menasor. One may be fun just if you're a fan of the character, but two may be serious overkill...

For me, MM and Menasor are worth the risk.
And yeah, some will say getting both versions is overkill...
But it's easy for me to justify--
I'm a huge fan of characters I really like being cartoon accurate;
I'll also be passing on about as many figures as I'm purchasing;
I may end up keeping one set of Stunticons MISP. Not uncommon in my collection.

That's cool this is why I made the distinction of NEEDING a menasor in your collection, you obviously do, so that's totally cool. We obviously look for different things in our figures (I NEED playability and articulation) you need different stuff. Also, I agree with your choice of limbs, they are all excellent figures.

Please enjoy your scramble-able selection.

Yeah, I would say I "need" the Stunticons... I misspoke earlier just a little... I do have the Takara Dragstrip from the "classics" line.
But I'm seriously excited about finally getting updated Decepticons.
I started collecting with the Classics line... Unfortunately, after you could find any in stores. So I had to use ebay a lot.
Kinda crazy that was roughly 8 years ago!
Anyway, I hope you didn't interpret my post as annoyed or like I didn't agree with your post.
I am not someone who thinks others should see everything the way I do!
My collection need is simple; characters I like, looking G1-ish enough for my liking.
Articulation is nice, but not super-important for me.
I periodically transform my figures, but I don't play with them.

But thanks. So far that idea of mixed team limbs to go with Silverbolt and Hotspot is about the best solution I have.
I think IF that changes, I will go with Superion, including getting Slingshot.
It sucks being indecisive sometimes. I like to all it being "selective".

[Sowndwave76]

I recently started collecting TF and here's my collecting methodology for Combiner Wars:

Pre-order the UW Takara set for each gestalt that I want (So far that's UW-01, UW-02, UW-03, and I'll likely do Bruticus as well) since they tend to aim for G1 authenticity and often have a little more visual detail added.

Meanwhile, pick up the Hasbro unique Deluxe figures that Takara won't be including because Takara is replacing them with the traditional G1 figures Hasbro skipped. So that's Alpha Bravo, Rook, etc. That way, I have a full set of the Deluxe CW figures for each gestalt.

In addition, get a Hasbro version of any Takara-set-included figures that have a different enough Hasbro paint deco to want to have a second one. For example, when in alt mode, a couple of the Aerialbots and a couple of the Stunticons I think look better in their Hasbro paint deco.

My display plan would be to display the UWs in gestalt form or their individual robot modes, while displaying my favorite alt mode paint deco for the ones I have duplicates of. (So a few jets and cars on display in their alt modes in a separate location from the gestalts display.)

Anyway, maybe that is helpful for theorycrafting your collection.

I like your initial approach-- For a lot of my Decepticons I've done the same thing.
I have two of almost every figure in my collection (that isn't third party).
1 Hasro, 1 TT.
Where we differ is that I've figured out as of right now I won't be getting more than 10 Autobots, and it could be as few as 6.
Well, unless they release a Computron next year.
I do have a feeling I'll be getting TT Combaticons...
I'm happy with what I'm seeing of Hasbro's offerings. But if TT's are more cartoon accurate,
and especially if they make a new Blast Off, that will be difficult to resist.
Depending on the other releases in 2016, who knows... I may be getting both versions!

Thanks for sharing your methodology!

[Hellscream9999]

This may sound lame, but even if I buy Cyclonus, I won't be combining him with others.

Here's what I'm considering for the Autobot Combiner is getting Firefly and AirRaid for arms (I don't like Skydive's head),
and Streetwise and First Aid for legs.
But also going ahead and getting Silverbolt. And since I've planned on Hotspot since I saw him, I can at least switch torsos and have altered versions of both Superion and Defensor.
I'll pass on AB and Blades and let Vortex be the lone helicopter in my collection.

Not completely sure about this, just seems like a decent solution.
And thank for all of your input.

That sounds legit actually... I haven't seen a review yet that was happy with Menasor. One may be fun just if you're a fan of the character, but two may be serious overkill...

For me, MM and Menasor are worth the risk.
And yeah, some will say getting both versions is overkill...
But it's easy for me to justify--
I'm a huge fan of characters I really like being cartoon accurate;
I'll also be passing on about as many figures as I'm purchasing;
I may end up keeping one set of Stunticons MISP. Not uncommon in my collection.

That's cool this is why I made the distinction of NEEDING a menasor in your collection, you obviously do, so that's totally cool. We obviously look for different things in our figures (I NEED playability and articulation) you need different stuff. Also, I agree with your choice of limbs, they are all excellent figures.

Please enjoy your scramble-able selection.

Yeah, I would say I "need" the Stunticons... I misspoke earlier just a little... I do have the Takara Dragstrip from the "classics" line.
But I'm seriously excited about finally getting updated Decepticons.
I started collecting with the Classics line... Unfortunately, after you could find any in stores. So I had to use ebay a lot.
Kinda crazy that was roughly 8 years ago!
Anyway, I hope you didn't interpret my post as annoyed or like I didn't agree with your post.
I am not someone who thinks others should see everything the way I do!
My collection need is simple; characters I like, looking G1-ish enough for my liking.
Articulation is nice, but not super-important for me.
I periodically transform my figures, but I don't play with them.

But thanks. So far that idea of mixed team limbs to go with Silverbolt and Hotspot is about the best solution I have.
I think IF that changes, I will go with Superion, including getting Slingshot.
It sucks being indecisive sometimes. I like to all it being "selective".

No probs I did not interpret it as confrontational or anything, just letting you know my reasoning for splitting hairs like that.

[peaces]

the entire cw line is fantastic

[Rodimus Prime]

I really don't like how Menasor looks, but so far I have seen Motormaster and Blackjack in person at TRU and Target, and I liked both of them. I'm debating buying the Stunticons and displaying them separately. In this CW line, does Blackjack automatically qualify as a Stunticon, much like Powerglide qualifies as an Aerialbot?

[william-james88]

I really don't like how Menasor looks, but so far I have seen Motormaster and Blackjack in person at TRU and Target, and I liked both of them. I'm debating buying the Stunticons and displaying them separately. In this CW line, does Blackjack automatically qualify as a Stunticon, much like Powerglide qualifies as an Aerialbot?

I think Menasor is really underrated. He comes well together and looks super imposing as a Decepticon Combiner:





As you can tell, I chose not to go for blackjack, it makes menasor look a bit sleeker and plus apparently Blackjack doesnt fit well on Menasor's chest and keeps falling off. Takara chose to ignore him too in their offering. Hasbro does consider both he and powerglide new additions to the team, but Takara doesnt.

[Sowndwave76]

the entire cw line is fantastic

Absolutely... I've said multiple times recently that this line has completely rejuvenated my interest in TF toys.
I'm beyond excited to be getting characters that I never had growing up, and that have never been given a solid, G1-esque upating.

Honestly, if I could justify the funds, I would be getting a good portion of this line.

I really don't like how Menasor looks, but so far I have seen Motormaster and Blackjack in person at TRU and Target, and I liked both of them. I'm debating buying the Stunticons and displaying them separately. In this CW line, does Blackjack automatically qualify as a Stunticon, much like Powerglide qualifies as an Aerialbot?

I will be passing on BlackJack because I'm really only getting deluxe and voyager figures.
I'm not sure he's really considered a Stunticon... My initial opinion is no.
At first, I was only going to get MM and Breakdown from the Stunticon team, but quickly thought,
"Wait... I've never had any of these guys... Why the hell would I NOT be getting them??!!?".

I totally dig the look of MM. And ironically enough, I cannot find him in my area!!!
I don't know how much longer I can wait......

[Sowndwave76]

I really don't like how Menasor looks, but so far I have seen Motormaster and Blackjack in person at TRU and Target, and I liked both of them. I'm debating buying the Stunticons and displaying them separately. In this CW line, does Blackjack automatically qualify as a Stunticon, much like Powerglide qualifies as an Aerialbot?

I think Menasor is really underrated. He comes well together and looks super imposing as a Decepticon Combiner:





As you can tell, I chose not to go for blackjack, it makes menasor look a bit sleeker and plus apparently Blackjack doesnt fit well on Menasor's chest and keeps falling off. Takara chose to ignore him too in their offering. Hasbro does consider both he and powerglide new additions to the team, but Takara doesnt.

I'm fairly happy with how he looks as well, and have purchased the PE add-on for the extra shoulders and head... The Hasbro head doesn't really bother me, but I want the extra bulk in the shoulders like the cartoon version.
I'm thinking I will also get the hand and foot add-on set as well.
But the slight mod of his legs being closer together towards the waist does a lot for his appearance imo.

I'm not going to get Blackjack either... I haven't liked the look of adding any of the legends figures to any of the combiners.

By the way, did you at all like the look of Menasor with the leg figures being turned around?
I'm assuming not... I will be trying it once I finally get a MM.

[william-james88]

By the way, did you at all like the look of Menasor with the leg figures being turned around?
I'm assuming not... I will be trying it once I finally get a MM.

You thought right, I dont like the look. Its not necessary (in the slight mod I did) and you lose the new combiner mold detailing on the legs.

[munkimus prime]

I have 2 complete combiners Currently, 3 if you count Galvatronus, and I must say I haven't found a bad figure in the entire line. Hotspot is fantastic now I know that his knees are supposed to lock into place, Silverbolt and Cyclonus are both very nice and being abel to make any combiner with him is great. I'll wait for victorion so I can give Galvatronus all uses of the Alpha-Bravo mould. The only figure I don't own yet is Motor-Master but I do own Optimus Prime so I know what the mould is like and he isn't to bad so I will get MM sooner or later.

[Sabrblade]

Someone at The Allspark managed to ask Hasbro at BotCon about Unite Warriors Groove getting a Hasbro release. The answer given was the typical apathetic answer of "eh, maybe, we'll see, we dunno"

Bugger.

[Cobotron]

@Soundwave76
Just for reference, Hot Spot looks pretty cool wearing the aerial bots.

[Sabrblade]

@Soundwave76
Just for reference, Hot Spot looks pretty cool wearing the aerial bots.

Broken pic is broken.

[william-james88]

@Soundwave76
Just for reference, Hot Spot looks pretty cool wearing the aerial bots.

Broken pic is broken.

Dont know if cobotron sees what we see but I hope he does, its so cute!