First impressions and comparison shots for Combiner Wars Wave 4 autobot limbs

Has anyone else realize that the tabs on the side of breakdown/sunstreakers hand-foot gun can be slid down the sides of the bot mode back kibble (hard to explain, saw in vangelus' review) apparently it yields a more sunstreaker look; I think it will at any rate.

I really love the molds for the characters. I hope I can track these guys down. Thanks for the pics C.

I just picked up the '84 Autobot limbs from my local Target today (along with Legends Rodimus and Skywarp). I've transformed them all back and forth several times, building up Optimus Maximus (using the wave 1 red Prime) and breaking him up again. It's good fun. The truck cab torso IS the weakest of the three models so far, but I was able to get Optimus Maximus to stand with a fair bit of stability just from the official transformation set-up. Pro-Tip: save that clear rubber band that comes with Rodimus to hold him on as a chest piece. Optimus Maximus has the same problem that Menasor had with holding on to Blackjack (e.g., it doesn't hold at all).

I have a Sergent Kup figure I intended to paint as the yellow Turbomaster Dude, and with it a spare pair of Blaster Cannons. With any luck, they'll fit on the Offroad Mold painlessly. If so, that's reason 1 for getting this mold, a good Classics Ironhide with the yellow stripe, a solid truck bed, and his cannons.

Wolfman Jake wrote:I just picked up the '84 Autobot limbs from my local Target today (along with Legends Rodimus and Skywarp). I've transformed them all back and forth several times, building up Optimus Maximus (using the wave 1 red Prime) and breaking him up again. It's good fun. The truck cab torso IS the weakest of the three models so far, but I was able to get Optimus Maximus to stand with a fair bit of stability just from the official transformation set-up. Pro-Tip: save that clear rubber band that comes with Rodimus to hold him on as a chest piece. Optimus Maximus has the same problem that Menasor had with holding on to Blackjack (e.g., it doesn't hold at all).

Battle Core Optimus Prime fixes the waist problem though. Also I think the combined robot is named based on the torso - so your red Optimus Prime makes what you have, Ultra Prime. Which is why even with 3 Aerialbot limbs, Optimus Prime's box does not say it's Superion.

william-james88 wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:Will Takara possibly release these guys??

I got my hands on Ironhide today but if it turns out Takara will in fact release Ironhide and the rest then I will hold off on opening it up.

Yes, they confirmed they are releasing them.

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Thadicon wrote:This is a bit of a random question about the new Buzzsaw that is coming out but what is the mode with the wheels supposed to be?

Like He turns into a tablet and bird mode but what is the other mode supposed to be? A skateboard or something?

A taser on wheels, so he can irritate 's by poking their ankles, obvoiusly

It was referred to as a "tank mode" (cough cough)

Really is that what Hasbro said it was? a tank mode?

All of them have their distinctive chest designs replaced by those ugly combiner pegs. Sunstreaker looks the worst of them in my opinion. Prowl's not far behind. It's just far too obvious they were never meant for these characters. Nothing memorable about these molds at all.

Those comparison shots make me miss clear plastic parts. Sure most of the time you'd just see a jumble of robutts and whatnot, but it gave the illusion of being made of different material, which was pretty cool.

Hellscream9999 wrote:Has anyone else realize that the tabs on the side of breakdown/sunstreakers hand-foot gun can be slid down the sides of the bot mode back kibble (hard to explain, saw in vangelus' review) apparently it yields a more sunstreaker look; I think it will at any rate.

I did see that in a review for Streaker. Didn't realize it but it does look the figures look tons better

Thadicon wrote:
Really is that what Hasbro said it was? a tank mode?

Yes, if i recall correctly.

Noideaforaname wrote:Those comparison shots make me miss clear plastic parts. Sure most of the time you'd just see a jumble of robutts and whatnot, but it gave the illusion of being made of different material, which was pretty cool.

Clear Plastic is alive and strong in the Robots in disguise line I recomend you get that Drift!

Wow these Repaint Wars figures are like the ultimate downgrade. I already knew I wouldnt be buying these, but these comparison shots really put the nail in the coffin. For $10-20 more you can get the real deal Universe/Generations figures on e-bay. I would encourage everybody to let these things shelf warm to send a message to Hasbro not to go this route again. Victorion is cool, but these repaints are a joke.

Wow. The more I see of these figures the less I'm inclined to buy them. Message to Hasbro: Shoehorning new heads onto previously-used molds over and over again is not the way to maintain the brand.

Can Prowl roll, or does his chest piece pegs get in the way in alt mode like on the previous mold?

As I already plan to just display these guys in gestalt mode any issues for their bot looks can be ignored.

That said they will be sitting for a while as I plan to have Prime paired with Ironhide, Trailbreaker, Prowl and Hound. That way Sky Reign will be a speed team with Mirage, Wheeljack, Smokescreen and Sunstreaker.

At least that's my plan up to the point they tell us if they are releasing a wave with the missing 4 from '84. If they do that then I'd swap Sunstreaker with Jazz, Prowl with Ratchet and have the Lambo and Fairlady twins on the 3rd "original" combiner.

william-james88 wrote:

Nemesis Destron wrote:Will Takara possibly release these guys??

I got my hands on Ironhide today but if it turns out Takara will in fact release Ironhide and the rest then I will hold off on opening it up.

Yes, they confirmed they are releasing them.

Excellent, thanks for that word WJ. Looks like it's back to the peg for you Ironhide IF your Takara counterpart is superior.

Wolfman Jake wrote:I just picked up the '84 Autobot limbs from my local Target today (along with Legends Rodimus and Skywarp). I've transformed them all back and forth several times, building up Optimus Maximus (using the wave 1 red Prime) and breaking him up again. It's good fun. The truck cab torso IS the weakest of the three models so far, but I was able to get Optimus Maximus to stand with a fair bit of stability just from the official transformation set-up. Pro-Tip: save that clear rubber band that comes with Rodimus to hold him on as a chest piece. Optimus Maximus has the same problem that Menasor had with holding on to Blackjack (e.g., it doesn't hold at all).

Since I have the Legends Class Optimus Prime that came out prior to the CW line I'm just using him instead of Rodimus. It's not as eye wrenching as the Huffer repaint and it makes for a less "Menasor repaint" look. If you have that figure, I'd recommend going that route instead.

albnok wrote:

Wolfman Jake wrote:I just picked up the '84 Autobot limbs from my local Target today (along with Legends Rodimus and Skywarp). I've transformed them all back and forth several times, building up Optimus Maximus (using the wave 1 red Prime) and breaking him up again. It's good fun. The truck cab torso IS the weakest of the three models so far, but I was able to get Optimus Maximus to stand with a fair bit of stability just from the official transformation set-up. Pro-Tip: save that clear rubber band that comes with Rodimus to hold him on as a chest piece. Optimus Maximus has the same problem that Menasor had with holding on to Blackjack (e.g., it doesn't hold at all).

Battle Core Optimus Prime fixes the waist problem though. Also I think the combined robot is named based on the torso - so your red Optimus Prime makes what you have, Ultra Prime. Which is why even with 3 Aerialbot limbs, Optimus Prime's box does not say it's Superion.

I'll call my plastic robots anything I want, thank you very much!

Hellscream9999 wrote:Has anyone else realize that the tabs on the side of breakdown/sunstreakers hand-foot gun can be slid down the sides of the bot mode back kibble (hard to explain, saw in vangelus' review) apparently it yields a more sunstreaker look; I think it will at any rate.

Yes, if I'm remebering correctly; it goes in thumb out with the thumb folded up and to the side a bit. Tucks in nice and tight.

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Well, this certainly looks more like G1 Mirage than Classics Mirage did (not my pic, BTW):



Just needs his arms (or at least his hands) swapped.

would it still transform correctly if you pop out the arms and swap it? hmm..

I thought this looked so amazing and made Mirage look much more like "Mirage", so I bought an extra Combiner Wars Mirage last night at Target so that I could pop out the pins on his hands, swap them, and do this right. I also used some mounting putty to create a new "peg hole" in the space above the actual peg hole so that the front of the car will sit lower to give his head more clearance. Pics in a moment.

Seibertron wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Well, this certainly looks more like G1 Mirage than Classics Mirage did (not my pic, BTW):



Just needs his arms (or at least his hands) swapped.

would it still transform correctly if you pop out the arms and swap it? hmm..

I thought this looked so amazing and made Mirage look much more like "Mirage", so I bought an extra Combiner Wars Mirage last night at Target so that I could pop out the pins on his hands, swap them, and do this right. I also used some mounting putty to create a new "peg hole" in the space above the actual peg hole so that the front of the car will sit lower to give his head more clearance. Pics in a moment.

And here are my pics! Thanks to whoever Saberblade borrowed a pic from originally. Please provide credit so that I can properly credit that person. Thanks!

i prefer my tfs with hoods in front like g1

Seibertron wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

mooncake623 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Well, this certainly looks more like G1 Mirage than Classics Mirage did (not my pic, BTW):



Just needs his arms (or at least his hands) swapped.

would it still transform correctly if you pop out the arms and swap it? hmm..

I thought this looked so amazing and made Mirage look much more like "Mirage", so I bought an extra Combiner Wars Mirage last night at Target so that I could pop out the pins on his hands, swap them, and do this right. I also used some mounting putty to create a new "peg hole" in the space above the actual peg hole so that the front of the car will sit lower to give his head more clearance. Pics in a moment.

And here are my pics! Thanks to whoever Saberblade borrowed a pic from originally. Please provide credit so that I can properly credit that person. Thanks!

That's David Willis' pic. Saw it on his Tumblr a few hours ago.

Hellscream9999 wrote:Has anyone else realize that the tabs on the side of breakdown/sunstreakers hand-foot gun can be slid down the sides of the bot mode back kibble (hard to explain, saw in vangelus' review) apparently it yields a more sunstreaker look; I think it will at any rate.

Hey HS, thanks for the tip. It sits higher and looks really good.


It fills out the back pack, and with the nice sculpted engine parts facing out looks a lot cooler.

You can see on the right side how it clips in.

From Breakdown's gallery ...



My biggest complaint about the Combiner Wars line are the hands and feet. It tries to do 3 things as a hand, foot or a gun for the individual robots but fails to be truly successful at any one of those things. I'd rather it excel at one thing than fail at all 3.

Seibertron wrote:My biggest complaint about the Combiner Wars line are the hands and feet. It tries to do 3 things as a hand, foot or a gun for the individual robots but fails to be truly successful at any one of those things. I'd rather it excel at one thing than fail at all 3.

Ya, I would give anything for a ball joint on that ankle connection. It would work fine as a wrist too.

Your tweak to Mirage's front end fan mode makes it look better.
Sooooo Seibs, did you score the whole lot of Ark bots? Can't wait to see your galleries.

Cobotron wrote:Sooooo Seibs, did you score the whole lot of Ark bots? Can't wait to see your galleries.

You bet I did ... at the half way point with the photoshoot. Just started working on their robot mode pics.

I found them last week. I really like them. Prowl is the best then Mirage. It's nice to have a classics prowl and ironhide with no sticky paint

Rated X wrote:Wow these Repaint Wars figures are like the ultimate downgrade. I already knew I wouldnt be buying these, but these comparison shots really put the nail in the coffin. For $10-20 more you can get the real deal Universe/Generations figures on e-bay. I would encourage everybody to let these things shelf warm to send a message to Hasbro not to go this route again. Victorion is cool, but these repaints are a joke.

I both understand and respect where you're coming from (despite you're claim that classics mirage is 'real deal' since it looks nothing like G1 ), but I personally never cared for the over-sized chests of the classics figure's (especially sunstreaker's whose bib looks so strange and disproportionate) with the exception of the mirage mold

Despite what people say about these (myself included, as I still would have preferred some different figures ) I like the variety these offer, straying from the G1 designs that I dislike into something that I do like; And that's not to say that I don't think that not remolding the chest plates isn't lazy on hasbro's part, but I like them all well enough.

Most likely will pick up Mirage as I'd like to not pay forty or more smackeroos for the actual legit non-combining Classics Deluxe.

Personal favor, Cobs: can you provide a side-by-side comparison image of Sunstreaker with Universe (2008) Sideswipe, if possible? He's another one I'm considering, since I don't have '08 Sunbro and would like Sideswipe to have his kin.

Seibertron wrote:From Breakdown's gallery ...



My biggest complaint about the Combiner Wars line are the hands and feet. It tries to do 3 things as a hand, foot or a gun for the individual robots but fails to be truly successful at any one of those things. I'd rather it excel at one thing than fail at all 3.

I don't understand what you're getting at, is this in reference to the sunstreaker thing I posted (if so, it is backwards to what I was saying), or is this just a random thought you wanted to post?

As much as I would've like ball joints, I don't think many of the heavy combiners (menasor) would be able to stand without wearing them out at hasbros budgetary standards.

Mindmaster wrote:Most likely will pick up Mirage as I'd like to not pay forty or more smackeroos for the actual legit non-combining Classics Deluxe.

Personal favor, Cobs: can you provide a side-by-side comparison image of Sunstreaker with Universe (2008) Sideswipe, if possible? He's another one I'm considering, since I don't have '08 Sunbro and would like Sideswipe to have his kin.

The original is certainly worth owning in any capacity, so maybe keep an eye out for it, if you could get a fracture , that would be the best case scenario

Mindmaster wrote: Cobs: can you provide a side-by-side comparison image of Sunstreaker with Universe (2008) Sideswipe, if possible?

The Lambros? Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuure.
Do you mean like this...


Or lika dis...

So, I think time and place are important considerations in the comparisons of these figures.

Direct comparisons are going to favor the originals pretty much in every regard. The Classics versions came during perhaps the single best period of Transformers engineering ever. Not only did the Classics versions hit the old design cues, they added the update "flare" of the line while implementing groundbreaking articulation for Transformers without sacrificing or resorting to ball-joints.

Mirage by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Mirage is still an outstanding figure and is a slick update to modern F1 race cars.


Sunstreaker and Sideswipe by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Sunstreaker epitomizes what was good about the initial Classics figures. Characterful, clever, well proportioned, and so well done that no 3rd party company even bothered to take a stab at him in the Classics scale.


Prowl by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Prowl is frankly a little less inspired as his mold and mold brothers have a few issues that could have been improved upon, but he does the difficult task of replicating the car chest look without being terribly awkward.


All that being said, I think the current offerings are updates to the characters just as the Classics figures were updates to G1. I certainly don't think the new figures look better than the old, but the CW figures have their own charm. The CW versions all needed to reformat to take on their combiner aspects. Prowl is actually a good update. Ironhide isn't bad either and frankly, I like the change to Mirage. I think the chest re-configuration looks bad. Sunstreaker is the loser of the group, but even he isn't terrible.

Cobotron wrote:

Mindmaster wrote: Cobs: can you provide a side-by-side comparison image of Sunstreaker with Universe (2008) Sideswipe, if possible?

The Lambros? Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuure.
Do you mean like this...


Or lika dis...

The former, smartass.

In any case... Yeah, I'm not feeling combining Sunstreaker. Looks like the '08 Deluxe will remain on my bucket list along with the other Seekers I've yet to get. Thanks, Cobs!

i'll take the cw over the classics anyday. the classics just weren't good figures. they almost feel like bayformers. the cw are much more solid figures.

peaces wrote:i'll take the cw over the classics anyday. the classics just weren't good figures. they almost feel like bayformers. the cw are much more solid figures.

Why cant we just get both. One to combine and another to leave solo? Also, the classics arent bayformers at all and have some of the best engineering ever found in TF history. The fact that these two below are the exact same car mold is INSANE!

Hellscream9999 wrote:

Seibertron wrote:From Breakdown's gallery ...



My biggest complaint about the Combiner Wars line are the hands and feet. It tries to do 3 things as a hand, foot or a gun for the individual robots but fails to be truly successful at any one of those things. I'd rather it excel at one thing than fail at all 3.

I don't understand what you're getting at, is this in reference to the sunstreaker thing I posted (if so, it is backwards to what I was saying), or is this just a random thought you wanted to post?

I think Ryan was a bit confused and though you guys were just talking about putting the hand/foot in the back. Ryan, they are saying that there are 2 tabs that can make you place this foot the other way so that the motor sticks out of the back. Not sure if it holds as well. You could give it a shot in the sunstreaker gallery and show the 2 options.

Cobotron wrote:

Hellscream9999 wrote:Has anyone else realize that the tabs on the side of breakdown/sunstreakers hand-foot gun can be slid down the sides of the bot mode back kibble (hard to explain, saw in vangelus' review) apparently it yields a more sunstreaker look; I think it will at any rate.

Hey HS, thanks for the tip. It sits higher and looks really good.


It fills out the back pack, and with the nice sculpted engine parts facing out looks a lot cooler.

You can see on the right side how it clips in.

Exactly, as you can see, the engine molding is facing the opposite direction; hope this helps

I tried this on mine but it wasn't stable at all and it was at an odd angle. I prefer it with the non-finger side facing forward.

If somebody could take a pic of Prowl's headsculpt I'd really appreciate it!

Madeus Prime wrote:If somebody could take a pic of Prowl's headsculpt I'd really appreciate it!

Ask and you shall receive!

you know, for being a repaint and retool of streetwise, that's a pretty dank prowl.

SW's SilverHammer wrote:you know, for being a repaint and retool of streetwise, that's a pretty dank prowl.

Ack! I haven't heard the term "dank" used in this context before. And I'm really confused after looking up "dank" on Urban Dictionary.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dank

Does your usage mean good or bad?

Seibertron wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:you know, for being a repaint and retool of streetwise, that's a pretty dank prowl.

Ack! I haven't heard the term "dank" used in this context before. And I'm really confused after looking up "dank" on Urban Dictionary.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dank

Does your usage mean good or bad?

As a twenty-year old, I can confirm that the usage of the word "dank" in this context is a good thing!

Seibertron wrote:I tried this on mine but it wasn't stable at all and it was at an odd angle. I prefer it with the non-finger side facing forward.

It certainly won't be parallel to the body, but I could slide it down about half way along the tracks i the shell, but it pushing it this far results in it getting jammed sometimes; just fidget with it some more, You've got plenty of time to mess with it

Mindmaster wrote:

Seibertron wrote:

SW's SilverHammer wrote:you know, for being a repaint and retool of streetwise, that's a pretty dank prowl.

Ack! I haven't heard the term "dank" used in this context before. And I'm really confused after looking up "dank" on Urban Dictionary.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Dank

Does your usage mean good or bad?

As a twenty-year old, I can confirm that the usage of the word "dank" in this context is a good thing!

What i'm trying to say is, prowl's a stoner... wait...
Ah there it is.

So I'm just going to throw my thoughts out there.

From the time these figures were announced, I wasn't impressed. Seeing the comparison pics, still not impressed.

I'll take the Classics versions (which I think are really good figures) over the CW versions. At least the Classics versions are original moulds and not just repaints.

Counterpunch wrote:So, I think time and place are important considerations in the comparisons of these figures.

Direct comparisons are going to favor the originals pretty much in every regard. The Classics versions came during perhaps the single best period of Transformers engineering ever. Not only did the Classics versions hit the old design cues, they added the update "flare" of the line while implementing groundbreaking articulation for Transformers without sacrificing or resorting to ball-joints.

Mirage by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Mirage is still an outstanding figure and is a slick update to modern F1 race cars.


Sunstreaker and Sideswipe by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Sunstreaker epitomizes what was good about the initial Classics figures. Characterful, clever, well proportioned, and so well done that no 3rd party company even bothered to take a stab at him in the Classics scale.


Prowl by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Prowl is frankly a little less inspired as his mold and mold brothers have a few issues that could have been improved upon, but he does the difficult task of replicating the car chest look without being terribly awkward.


All that being said, I think the current offerings are updates to the characters just as the Classics figures were updates to G1. I certainly don't think the new figures look better than the old, but the CW figures have their own charm. The CW versions all needed to reformat to take on their combiner aspects. Prowl is actually a good update. Ironhide isn't bad either and frankly, I like the change to Mirage. I think the chest re-configuration looks bad. Sunstreaker is the loser of the group, but even he isn't terrible.

I agree that the Classics still hold up well. When CW Hound comes out, the Classics version will still hold up well, maybe still even top it too.

I really like the CW Prowl. The Mirage is so-so, the chest trick makes me think Machine Wars/Robotmasters and I feel like the head sticks up too much. The regular CW transformation still bothers me some. Classics Mirage is still my go to.

CW Sunstreaker is okay, and cW Ironhide looks pretty good, but it's not too hard to beat his classics version.

They are nice updates for those that don't have the Classics and don't want to pay. I will get these to experience them as these characters, but most won't replace my Classics/Henkei versions.

Cool pictures Mike and Ryan!

I hate these repaints. Everyone, except Sunstreaker look terrible.

Burn wrote:So I'm just going to throw my thoughts out there.

From the time these figures were announced, I wasn't impressed. Seeing the comparison pics, still not impressed.

I'll take the Classics versions (which I think are really good figures) over the CW versions. At least the Classics versions are original moulds and not just repaints.

Oh, yeah, these aren't really impressive at all; I personally like the crispness and variety of the decos, and most of the head molds are very well done (sunstreaker...); personally, I like combining tf's more than anything, so these are going to be bought irregardless.