Studio Series 86 Ultra Magnus Released in Asia + Review Roundup

I’m in for Scrapheap. I wish his headsculpt included the mirrors of the original design, but he’s an instant preorder for me.
These retooled figures look as good if not better than Wreck-gar imo.
I’m almost never into play gimmicks, so the newer Junkions have been easy passes.

This new Ultra Magnus has already been preordered and is a no-brainer.
The only version of this character I have is because of a trade I made with a friend, which is the CW UM, so this will be the first (and most likely last) Magnus figure I will have ever purchased.

Still not crazy about that Studio Series Magnus. Gonna hold out for an upgrade kit that addresses the torse/upper arms and sunken in head. Would be nice to get a transformable cab section too but that might be pushing it.

Worth it?

Oh hell yeah. SS86 Magnus certainly is.

He's been spotted at a few different places in Australia too (primarily Toyworld's)

Ehh.. I do think the SS mold is the better one, and you get more bang for your buck fr only about 7-10 dollars more, but I actually think I prefer the Legacy Junkion Cycle mold over this one. Better size. And you can get them to ride each other if you get creative with how you use the guns.

Flashwave wrote:Ehh.. I do think the SS mold is the better one, and you get more bang for your buck fr only about 7-10 dollars more, but I actually think I prefer the Legacy Junkion Cycle mold over this one. Better size. And you can get them to ride each other if you get creative with how you use the guns.

Well, My Legacy Junkions are the perfect riders for the SS86 ones.

So I'll get that new one for Towline to ride.

Then I may get an additional Junkheap and convert it with THIS REPRO SET so that Axelgrease can ride him.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

sol magnus wrote:But that 1000 is...theoretical. Maybe I'll feel different when I get there, but I'm not there - I'm here. LOL

Anyway, what do I know? I'm a near 50 year old who plays with action figures.

It IS theorical as fuk.
It may be true for someone with a big user base like PvP.
But for Joe Shmoe with 100 subscribers who is buried deep by the algorithm, if it's 10 cents, it will be lucky.

BTW, I have 228 subscribers on my YT page and I have absolutely no clue why.

No clue why? One word; cat videos

Hero Alpha wrote:
No clue why? One word; cat videos

Oh yeah, the building blocks of the internet: cats and porn!

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Hero Alpha wrote:
No clue why? One word; cat videos

Oh yeah, the building blocks of the internet: cats and porn!

Cat videos? No way, parrots and budgies are the hot thing right now

Back to SS86, here's an interesting question: which versions of Ultra Magnus have what qualities going for them?

Jelze Bunnycat wrote:Back to SS86, here's an interesting question: which versions of Ultra Magnus have what qualities going for them?

Like, pros and cons, not counting the straight Optimus Prime repaints in white?

On top of my head:

G1:
+ Is the original, white "Prime", not too much partsforming, imposing. Vehicle can carry cars.
- No real places to store the extra bits, The giant bot is more of a tower than a bot.

Titanium:
+ One of the best Titanium. First time Magnus transformed one shot without a white "prime".
- Small and not that poseable.

Masterpiece.
+ Huge, a great representation of the character, the transformation is not too fiddly.
- Huge, and the mold is showing its age by not being that show accurate.

Combiner Wars:
+ Transform one shot again, look cool, simple, comes with a little friend.
- The cab of the truck is way too small and not in scale with anything.

Siege/Kingdom:
+ White Prime make a glorious return since G1. Looks great in all modes.
- The vehicle is a long brick. No carrying cars. Partsforming extravaganza.

SS86:
+ Best of both worlds between Generations and Masterpiece. Great screen accuracy. fully poseable bot. No partsforming. Vehicle can carry cars.
- Transformation is a bit fiddly. The removable horns on his bot head can pop off too easily.

So, that's my TlDr takes on the Magnusses.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Masterpiece.
+ Huge, a great representation of the character, the transformation is not too fiddly.
- Huge, and the mold is showing its age by not being that show accurate.

I thought the MP version was pretty show accurate... At least from what I've seen.
I also thought the proportions were well done.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Siege/Kingdom:
+ White Prime make a glorious return since G1. Looks great in all modes.
- The vehicle is a long brick. No carrying cars. Partsforming extravaganza.

So you mean the white Prime looks good in both modes...
Because the truck and trailer imo sucked a$$.
And for how much bitching I've read over the last couple years about parts-forming, it seems contradictory that this figure is liked as much as it is.
I was considering buying the Kingdom version if I could get it for under $40, but never happened, and now I'm very thankful it didn't.

Lain Iwakura wrote:Still not crazy about that Studio Series Magnus. Gonna hold out for an upgrade kit that addresses the torse/upper arms and sunken in head. Would be nice to get a transformable cab section too but that might be pushing it.

Yeah that’s not going to happen. The cab not only makes the entire chest area for magnus but it also has tabs that lock the shoulders from folding out in trailer mode. There’s no room for a cab to become a robot and attach to the body either. To be a cab that also transforms into a robot and become the entire chest, back and have the robot head is not even remotely possible with this figure. The cab it comes with literally turns inside out and folds up to become Magnu’s chest and back.

Sowndwave76 wrote:I was considering buying the Kingdom version if I could get it for under $40, but never happened, and now I'm very thankful it didn't.

I have Siege Magnus and it's pretty damn nice. And when I said "look good in both modes", I was referring to the WHOLE magnus, not the love white "Prime." I consider Siege Magnus superior to the Kingdom one because if the RID reference, and the fact that the trailer cover EVERYTHING, hiding the cab's arms. Something the Kingdom don't.

Still, Even if the Kingdom remold is "bad", Shattered Glass Magnus wear the mold well.

So, I have Siege Magnus as his cybertronian self, the SG as his evil self, and the SS86 as his Earth mode self. I love displaying all 3 together.

In regards to the Siege mold - if you ignore the cab separating it can probably be considered pretty successful. I tend to like armorbots and that's what it is. Armor on the legs, chest, shoulders, and arms. I just wish there were more paint on the cab in vehicle mode because the mass of clear plastic doesn't work for me. It doesn't come off as "Cybertronian" it comes off as unfinished.

Kingdom suffers a LOT from being a remold. The vehicle mode is just a mess. I wish they hadn't bothered. I have SG Magnus beside me, though, and feel better about him largely because there's no other modern Delta Magnuses at that scale.

After looking at Studio Magnus I'm feeling more positive about him. He brings a lot to the table. He's everything Magnus should be at the right size in vehicle mode. I'm not sure they'd be able to do him at a smaller size without making him as small as CW Magnus in vehicle mode - and that toy already exists anyway. Although it's a little mind blowing to see them side by side and know they're the same height!

Siege Magnus tickles all my fancies as well. I like the white Prime bot mode and the design of the front portion of the cab. The armor makes it fun too

Kingdom Magnus looked disgusting to me in vehicle mode and the inner primes bot mode. I'm quite happy with my shattered glass Magnus as well, I thought the original SG Magnus was really cool but overpriced for me at the time and the headsculpt was a little disappointing

Ss86 Magnus... kinda want it just for that alt mode. And to fight my mmc Sixshot. But I also don't want another Magnus lol and I'm running out of space for more toys. And the money. If it goes on sale at some point I'll go for it

My Ratchet arrived today, and he's fitted in perfectly with my other G1 Autobots. While I am happy to finally have him, I do notice that the white paint on the clear blue plastic parts are slightly off-colour compared to the solid white plastic, and I can already tell those parts will be yellow in a few months...

Munkky wrote:My Ratchet arrived today, and he's fitted in perfectly with my other G1 Autobots. While I am happy to finally have him, I do notice that the white paint on the clear blue plastic parts are slightly off-colour compared to the solid white plastic, and I can already tell those parts will be yellow in a few months...

I dunno about the yellowing, but if the thing have various plastics, especially clear parts, colors mismatches are a given. If Ss86 Ironhide had them, Ss86 Ratchet will too.

Randomhero wrote:

Lain Iwakura wrote:Still not crazy about that Studio Series Magnus. Gonna hold out for an upgrade kit that addresses the torse/upper arms and sunken in head. Would be nice to get a transformable cab section too but that might be pushing it.

Yeah that’s not going to happen. The cab not only makes the entire chest area for magnus but it also has tabs that lock the shoulders from folding out in trailer mode. There’s no room for a cab to become a robot and attach to the body either. To be a cab that also transforms into a robot and become the entire chest, back and have the robot head is not even remotely possible with this figure. The cab it comes with literally turns inside out and folds up to become Magnu’s chest and back.

Understandable, best bet for me then is probably to either stick with my Classics Magnus and Fanproject kit, look into gettting the WFC or Siege figues, or lastly invest in more 3rd party alternatives or the latter MP version.

Lain Iwakura wrote:Understandable, best bet for me then is probably to either stick with my Classics Magnus and Fanproject kit, look into gettting the WFC or Siege figues, or lastly invest in more 3rd party alternatives or the latter MP version.

Maybe you should look up the Combiner Wars leader Ultra Magnus. Then invest in the 3P "upgrade kit" that replace the cab portion entirely with a removable and transformable "white Prime". You'll then have a full Ultra Magnus that is transformable without any partsforming, AND have the "white Prime" option.

Unfortunately, the perfect effect pc-17 is now rare and expensive as balls.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Lain Iwakura wrote:Understandable, best bet for me then is probably to either stick with my Classics Magnus and Fanproject kit, look into gettting the WFC or Siege figues, or lastly invest in more 3rd party alternatives or the latter MP version.

Maybe you should look up the Combiner Wars leader Ultra Magnus. Then invest in the 3P "upgrade kit" that replace the cab portion entirely with a removable and transformable "white Prime". You'll then have a full Ultra Magnus that is transformable without any partsforming, AND have the "white Prime" option.

Unfortunately, the perfect effect pc-17 is now rare and expensive as balls.

Ah, had forgotten about that one. That figure combined with that 3rd party fig is a real beauty. Great representation of G1 Magnus's design philosophy. If I ever win the lottery or manage to really save up for it specifically then I'll see about putting that combination together. Will probably just settle for a cheaper, but still satisfying alternative though.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Lain Iwakura wrote:Understandable, best bet for me then is probably to either stick with my Classics Magnus and Fanproject kit, look into gettting the WFC or Siege figues, or lastly invest in more 3rd party alternatives or the latter MP version.

Maybe you should look up the Combiner Wars leader Ultra Magnus. Then invest in the 3P "upgrade kit" that replace the cab portion entirely with a removable and transformable "white Prime". You'll then have a full Ultra Magnus that is transformable without any partsforming, AND have the "white Prime" option.

Unfortunately, the perfect effect pc-17 is now rare and expensive as balls.

Really glad I got that pc-17 kit before it went up in price then. If I remember correctly, it was even cheaper than normal back when I got it. Wish I would have bought the Ginrai version as well as a stand alone, they look that good. CW Magnus w/that kit is still gonna be my Magnus, even if this new one is awesome.

Lain Iwakura wrote:Understandable, best bet for me then is probably to either stick with my Classics Magnus and Fanproject kit, look into gettting the WFC or Siege figues, or lastly invest in more 3rd party alternatives or the latter MP version.

O_O oh, wow. So you really don't like any of the recent takes?

Then why throw good money after bad? IMO, each new Magnus mold (minus the MP) was just barely "good enough to replace", but I kinda regret that mentality now. I had no idea there'd be so many! If you really don't like any of them you may as well stick with City Commander. At least he doesn't fail at being an in-scale car carrier. I just remember that he doesn't always hold together.

I remember that old PE kit for CW Magnus mentioned earlier and why I passed on it. It solved the "no white prime" problem, but didn't solve the "way too small in vehicle mode" problem. And that really bugged me.

City Commander is only somewhat less of a brick than the G1, and can't be a car carrier at all.
Kanra, at least last I looked PC-18 (the UM version) has a bootleg available for not-ouch price.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I remember that old PE kit for CW Magnus mentioned earlier and why I passed on it. It solved the "no white prime" problem, but didn't solve the "way too small in vehicle mode" problem. And that really bugged me.

To solve that you'd have to recreate the trailer at a larger scale, and then you'd have to upscale the cab robot add-on to go with it, so you'd basically have to make a whole new Magnus. Which is a biiit beyond the scope of an add-on figure. Especially an add-on figure that's a redeco.

I am frustrated by SS86 Magnus not having the cab robot, I seriously question whose idea that was, especially after what was achieved with both Motormaster and Armada Optimus. They could have and should have made it work. I wish they'd held him back for redesign to make it happen.
But I still kinda want him for the size. And in the hopes of somebody making a replacement cab that can transform into a separate robot mode. Sigh.

Has anyone here found SS86 Snarl at a US Target or Mall Wart? Or are they seriously giving him a miss?

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:City Commander is only somewhat less of a brick than the G1, and can't be a car carrier at all.
Kanra, at least last I looked PC-18 (the UM version) has a bootleg available for not-ouch price.

Link please?

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:But I still kinda want him for the size. And in the hopes of somebody making a replacement cab that can transform into a separate robot mode. Sigh.

Has anyone here found SS86 Snarl at a US Target or Mall Wart? Or are they seriously giving him a miss?

Impossibru.
I don't think you have SS86 Magnus. If you did, you'll know that the cab completely flatten itself like a stored cardboard box inside the bot's chest, making a "white Prime" impossible to make. That is, unless we sacrifice Magnus's clean back to turn him into a hunchback.

If we only ever get one other figure in the line, I kinda hope Takara makes a Missing Link version of Ultra Magnus so people can stop whining about the cab robot every time there's a new Ultra Magnus toy that incorporates the cab into the super robot just like the cartoon did, despite there also already being multiple options for a cab-roboted Ultra Magnus available, such as the Siege and Kingdom molds.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:City Commander is only somewhat less of a brick than the G1, and can't be a car carrier at all.
Kanra, at least last I looked PC-18 (the UM version) has a bootleg available for not-ouch price.

Link please?

Bleh, can't find any listings for it now. It was a Kubianbao thing.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:But I still kinda want him for the size. And in the hopes of somebody making a replacement cab that can transform into a separate robot mode. Sigh.

Impossibru.
I don't think you have SS86 Magnus. If you did, you'll know that the cab completely flatten itself like a stored cardboard box inside the bot's chest, making a "white Prime" impossible to make. That is, unless we sacrifice Magnus's clean back to turn him into a hunchback.

No, I don't have him. Hence my saying "I still kinda want him".
Although at this point I don't know if he'll even be released in the US.

I still think based on what I've seen it might be more possible than you're giving credit for, idk. But since you apparently do have him, I have a question for you. Is the cab's connection to the trailer articulated, or is it fixed in place?

Sabrblade wrote:If we only ever get one other figure in the line, I kinda hope Takara makes a Missing Link version of Ultra Magnus so people can stop whining about the cab robot every time there's a new Ultra Magnus toy that incorporates the cab into the super robot just like the cartoon did, despite there also already being multiple options for a cab-roboted Ultra Magnus available, such as the Siege and Kingdom molds.

1. Kingdom is a (janky IMO) retool of SIEGE, so idk that you can count it as a separate option
2. The "multiple options" are: G1, and two flavors of WFC. Unless my memory is seriously failing me, that's it. Unless you're also counting Combiner Wars with the now-unobtainable aftermarket PC-18?
3. G1 is a fun toy with lots of play options that can carry up to four G1 Autobot cars (and can even crowd on 3 CHUG+ cars), but a brick. WFC is articulated, but limited capacity-wise to two CHUG+ cars - and not even always comfortably that. We grumble because we want a Magnus that has a separate cab robot while being both articulated and big enough to hold CHUG+ cars. We keep getting 2/3 Magnuses - a 3/3 would be nice. It would basically be the ultimate Ultra Magnus - especially if it also could interact with Titan Masters the ways G1 can with Dianauts.

Sabrblade wrote:If we only ever get one other figure in the line, I kinda hope Takara makes a Missing Link version of Ultra Magnus so people can stop whining about the cab robot every time there's a new Ultra Magnus toy that incorporates the cab into the super robot just like the cartoon did, despite there also already being multiple options for a cab-roboted Ultra Magnus available, such as the Siege and Kingdom molds.

Just imagine a Missing Link G1 Ultra Magnus...
The engineering of that thing would be batshit insane, as well as its price! Just imaging making these "super bot" legs move and appear 3 dimensional, without sacrificing the look of the carrier.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:I still think based on what I've seen it might be more possible than you're giving credit for, idk. But since you apparently do have him, I have a question for you. Is the cab's connection to the trailer articulated, or is it fixed in place?

The cab section not only can rotate in vehicle mode, it can even separate itself from the trailer. It even separate too easily when transforming. So, when I do, I just separate it and transform it this way, then re-atach it. It's way easier.


Also, the horns on Magnus's head come packed separately. You'll have to plug them in. These pop off too easily when handling so I'm thinking of just super-gluing them on.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Has anyone here found SS86 Snarl at a US Target or Mall Wart? Or are they seriously giving him a miss?

Stores in my area have been pretty bad, and mehhh at best, so no, no sign of Snarl.
I don't know what's happening or what to contribute as a reason, but I haven't seen much of any deluxe figures from SS, SS86, or LE for months.
Recently, Core class figures haven't been on pegs.

For me, the best bet has been online preorders.

US Target and Walmart stores are pretty much still trying to get rid of all of the excess SS86 Coronation Starscreams and SS86 Sludges. Those gotta go first.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

Lain Iwakura wrote:Understandable, best bet for me then is probably to either stick with my Classics Magnus and Fanproject kit, look into gettting the WFC or Siege figues, or lastly invest in more 3rd party alternatives or the latter MP version.

O_O oh, wow. So you really don't like any of the recent takes?

Then why throw good money after bad? IMO, each new Magnus mold (minus the MP) was just barely "good enough to replace", but I kinda regret that mentality now. I had no idea there'd be so many! If you really don't like any of them you may as well stick with City Commander. At least he doesn't fail at being an in-scale car carrier. I just remember that he doesn't always hold together.

I remember that old PE kit for CW Magnus mentioned earlier and why I passed on it. It solved the "no white prime" problem, but didn't solve the "way too small in vehicle mode" problem. And that really bugged me.

Hahaha it's not that I don't like any of the recent takes. I just prefer the more modern classics aesthetic of the base figure and full-armor version Magnus. Don't really like doubling up on characters I already got (unless they're different continuity or designs) and I'm working on making a G1/Movie display. Got lots new and great suggestions from everyone, including some I hadn't even considered, so I'm gonna try broadening my horizons.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:City Commander is only somewhat less of a brick than the G1, and can't be a car carrier at all.
Kanra, at least last I looked PC-18 (the UM version) has a bootleg available for not-ouch price.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I remember that old PE kit for CW Magnus mentioned earlier and why I passed on it. It solved the "no white prime" problem, but didn't solve the "way too small in vehicle mode" problem. And that really bugged me.

To solve that you'd have to recreate the trailer at a larger scale, and then you'd have to upscale the cab robot add-on to go with it, so you'd basically have to make a whole new Magnus. Which is a biiit beyond the scope of an add-on figure. Especially an add-on figure that's a redeco.

I am frustrated by SS86 Magnus not having the cab robot, I seriously question whose idea that was, especially after what was achieved with both Motormaster and Armada Optimus. They could have and should have made it work. I wish they'd held him back for redesign to make it happen.
But I still kinda want him for the size. And in the hopes of somebody making a replacement cab that can transform into a separate robot mode. Sigh.

Has anyone here found SS86 Snarl at a US Target or Mall Wart? Or are they seriously giving him a miss?

In regards to CW - I know; it's a problem that can't be solved. Which is why I didn't get the add-on. The vehicle mode is just inherently too small. If I'd be unsatisfied no matter the add-on, why bother? You get a too small vehicle and a too small Prime.

City Commander was great. Super dated in terms of looks and articulation now, though. No, he's not a car carrier, so he doesn't fail at being a car carrier. I feel like if you hate all the other Magnii and still have CC then why spend over a hundred bucks on commander if you dislike him too?

They also made another version later on. It fit all over the cab, turning it into a different cab with an entirely different look.
https://kumastyle.com/fansproject-tfx-07-review/
By that time everyone had moved on. They shouldn't have bothered.

I don't have Commander Magnus either. I'm kinda in the same boat as you as wanting a white prime for it since it's just about everything else I want out of a Magnus figure. On the other hand the lack of a white Prime gives it more of a reason to exist. TBH, even though I have a great love for White Prime I think Commander is probably the best G1 Magnus we're ever going to get.

I wonder what Lain wound up going with ...

Gauntlet101010 wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:City Commander is only somewhat less of a brick than the G1, and can't be a car carrier at all.
Kanra, at least last I looked PC-18 (the UM version) has a bootleg available for not-ouch price.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I remember that old PE kit for CW Magnus mentioned earlier and why I passed on it. It solved the "no white prime" problem, but didn't solve the "way too small in vehicle mode" problem. And that really bugged me.

To solve that you'd have to recreate the trailer at a larger scale, and then you'd have to upscale the cab robot add-on to go with it, so you'd basically have to make a whole new Magnus. Which is a biiit beyond the scope of an add-on figure. Especially an add-on figure that's a redeco.

I am frustrated by SS86 Magnus not having the cab robot, I seriously question whose idea that was, especially after what was achieved with both Motormaster and Armada Optimus. They could have and should have made it work. I wish they'd held him back for redesign to make it happen.
But I still kinda want him for the size. And in the hopes of somebody making a replacement cab that can transform into a separate robot mode. Sigh.

Has anyone here found SS86 Snarl at a US Target or Mall Wart? Or are they seriously giving him a miss?

In regards to CW - I know; it's a problem that can't be solved. Which is why I didn't get the add-on. The vehicle mode is just inherently too small. If I'd be unsatisfied no matter the add-on, why bother? You get a too small vehicle and a too small Prime.

City Commander was great. Super dated in terms of looks and articulation now, though. No, he's not a car carrier, so he doesn't fail at being a car carrier. I feel like if you hate all the other Magnii and still have CC then why spend over a hundred bucks on commander if you dislike him too?

They also made another version later on. It fit all over the cab, turning it into a different cab with an entirely different look.
https://kumastyle.com/fansproject-tfx-07-review/
By that time everyone had moved on. They shouldn't have bothered.

I don't have Commander Magnus either. I'm kinda in the same boat as you as wanting a white prime for it since it's just about everything else I want out of a Magnus figure. On the other hand the lack of a white Prime gives it more of a reason to exist. TBH, even though I have a great love for White Prime I think Commander is probably the best G1 Magnus we're ever going to get.

I wonder what Lain wound up going with ...

Ironically enough, I might just go with the Studio Series. Examining it more closely and looking at the insane prices of some of my alternatives, it might just be the best choice. Already in-scale with the other SS figures and aside from some my design erks I've got, I think it looks great.

Look at that, I'm making character progression

Have Gnaw next to Undermine, because they're both flail-wielding shorties.

Sabrblade wrote:US Target and Walmart stores are pretty much still trying to get rid of all of the excess SS86 Coronation Starscreams and SS86 Sludges. Those gotta go first.

Le sigh. And they apparently haven't even bothered ordering Snarl because of that.
Of course, maybe if Starscream had been kept on clearance last year (or else liquidated) they would have had room to put those "excess" Sludges out on the shelves sooner. Instead of it taking til BASICALLY A YEAR AFTER HIS RELEASE for him to start getting put out in earnest.

I really like the SS86 Sharkticon mold…
I’ll be tempted to get a couple more once we get that PR next year.
Even though it’s Buzzworthy and not SS86, the Quintesson Guard/Allicon is a really fun figure.

In other news, Amazon will be delivering my SS86 Ultra Magnus in two days; basically two and half weeks early.
Looks like either SS86 Ratchet or Frenzy will be my last figure of the year, unless there’s some 4th quarter surprise yet to be unveiled.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Of course, maybe if Starscream had been kept on clearance last year (or else liquidated) they would have had room to put those "excess" Sludges out on the shelves sooner. Instead of it taking til BASICALLY A YEAR AFTER HIS RELEASE for him to start getting put out in earnest.

SS Coronation Screamer has to be Hasbro's biggest fail in recent times of reading the market, hands down. To follow a solid leader wave case of him with with a split case with Sludge was a distribusion disaster. I already had the ER version and the only reason I got the SS86 version was a Hasbro Pulse 40% off sale. The throne, crown and cape were definitely not worth an extra $20 for me to double dip on a figure I already have at full price.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Of course, maybe if Starscream had been kept on clearance last year (or else liquidated) they would have had room to put those "excess" Sludges out on the shelves sooner. Instead of it taking til BASICALLY A YEAR AFTER HIS RELEASE for him to start getting put out in earnest.

SS Coronation Screamer has to be Hasbro's biggest fail in recent times of reading the market, hands down.

I mean, the Putzwing restock in Legacy Evolution wasn't a stellar move either, although it doesn't seem to have been as bad as the damage wrought by Coronation Starscream.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:To follow a solid leader wave case of him with with a split case with Sludge was a distribusion disaster.

Indeed. The other figure in that case should have been a refresh of Slag instead.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:I already had the ER version and the only reason I got the SS86 version was a Hasbro Pulse 40% off sale. The throne, crown and cape were definitely not worth an extra $20 for me to double dip on a figure I already have at full price.

I missed the ER release and I like props, so I've actually wanted Coronation Starscream myself, but not as much as I've wanted Dinobots and other stuff.

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:City Commander is only somewhat less of a brick than the G1, and can't be a car carrier at all.
Kanra, at least last I looked PC-18 (the UM version) has a bootleg available for not-ouch price.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:I remember that old PE kit for CW Magnus mentioned earlier and why I passed on it. It solved the "no white prime" problem, but didn't solve the "way too small in vehicle mode" problem. And that really bugged me.

To solve that you'd have to recreate the trailer at a larger scale, and then you'd have to upscale the cab robot add-on to go with it, so you'd basically have to make a whole new Magnus. Which is a biiit beyond the scope of an add-on figure. Especially an add-on figure that's a redeco.

I am frustrated by SS86 Magnus not having the cab robot, I seriously question whose idea that was, especially after what was achieved with both Motormaster and Armada Optimus. They could have and should have made it work. I wish they'd held him back for redesign to make it happen.
But I still kinda want him for the size. And in the hopes of somebody making a replacement cab that can transform into a separate robot mode. Sigh.

Has anyone here found SS86 Snarl at a US Target or Mall Wart? Or are they seriously giving him a miss?

I finally saw Snarl in Target a couple days ago.

My Ultra Magnus is now showing up today.

I may let my family give this to me as a birthday present though, since I wasn't expecting to get it until November 2nd anyway.
I'm exited this is showing up early, but can wait another 3 weeks to open him.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Of course, maybe if Starscream had been kept on clearance last year (or else liquidated) they would have had room to put those "excess" Sludges out on the shelves sooner. Instead of it taking til BASICALLY A YEAR AFTER HIS RELEASE for him to start getting put out in earnest.

SS Coronation Screamer has to be Hasbro's biggest fail in recent times of reading the market, hands down. To follow a solid leader wave case of him with with a split case with Sludge was a distribusion disaster. I already had the ER version and the only reason I got the SS86 version was a Hasbro Pulse 40% off sale. The throne, crown and cape were definitely not worth an extra $20 for me to double dip on a figure I already have at full price.

The only reason I got him was because he was at Gamestop for $20, and that was purely for the throne for Jhiaxus.

Speaking of Magnus, he is down to $75.99 on Amazon now.

I opened Commander Magnus today. I think he's the very last word on the guy. At least he is for me. I don't care if they made a super shiny extra special release of this mold some time down the road; we're now done.

With him in hand my feelings have warmed up considerably. Of all the Magnus attempts, he feels the most right. Granted I don't have the MP, but I want for nothing here. If a 3P makes a white Prime ... sure. I'm down. But I don't miss it. He's complete without it. He looks as G1 as possible in both modes while also being a modern take on the character without being undersized in vehicle mode. He has all the posability he needs. He even has a Matrix gimmick, which I enjoy. too big in robot mode? I guess there's two other options to solve that problem. But, as a guy who's bought way too many Magnii, this guy wins out.

I guess I have Leader class Springer to look out for next.

I'll pick him up if his price drops a little more on Amazon. I'm really hoping he will have a Diaclone or Shattered Glass variant.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

TF-fan kev777 wrote:

ZeldaTheSwordsman wrote:Of course, maybe if Starscream had been kept on clearance last year (or else liquidated) they would have had room to put those "excess" Sludges out on the shelves sooner. Instead of it taking til BASICALLY A YEAR AFTER HIS RELEASE for him to start getting put out in earnest.

SS Coronation Screamer has to be Hasbro's biggest fail in recent times of reading the market, hands down. To follow a solid leader wave case of him with with a split case with Sludge was a distribusion disaster. I already had the ER version and the only reason I got the SS86 version was a Hasbro Pulse 40% off sale. The throne, crown and cape were definitely not worth an extra $20 for me to double dip on a figure I already have at full price.

The only reason I got him was because he was at Gamestop for $20, and that was purely for the throne for Jhiaxus.

Speaking of Magnus, he is down to $75.99 on Amazon now.

Amazon just shipped mine, and charged me 75.99 instead of the $89.99, which is really nice. Can't wait to get him now.
Gonna have to reconfigure my display to fit him in. Time to put away some kingdom toys. Also, need to get around to opening SS Leader Primal.

Money has been a bit tight lately and I'm not sure if its worth it to go ahead and by this SS86 Ratchet or not. has kinda trained me to buy this one now before I miss out, then put out the one I really want later. With painted windows and such. I can't help think theys know the positive reaction the death scene 86 Prowl and Ironhide got, mainly because of the painted windows, and will wait till everyone buys this one to put out a better Ratchet. Then again, they may not, and I will have to pay scalper prices later if I want it. This all makes me wish they just do away with clear plastic windows and joints. I still can't find Cosmos for a decent price. But I just missed the pre-order window by 20 mins on it.

My copy of Ratchet arrived from Amazon this afternoon.
I’m not sure if I think this mold works better for him or Ironhide, but Hastak did a better job with Ironhide’s face/headsculpt.
I will say they white plastic and paint are a really close match.

I can see why people would be hesitant to get this figure when a “dead” version is probably not too far off. But for me, I won’t mind it if I end up getting another version—
this is the first figure of this character I’ve ever had.
Feels good to finally have him in my Ark scene with others, especially Wheeljack.
There’s one space left on this shelf for Hound.

Looks like SS86 Frenzy will be my last figure for the year.

Careful with his roof. A buddy of mine got his and 2 days after opening it, his roof piece yellowed.

https://twitter.com/Razerwire9/status/1 ... 2278938960

Sowndwave76 wrote:My copy of Ratchet arrived from Amazon this afternoon.
I’m not sure if I think this mold works better for him or Ironhide, but Hastak did a better job with Ironhide’s face/headsculpt.
I will say they white plastic and paint are a really close match.

I can see why people would be hesitant to get this figure when a “dead” version is probably not too far off. But for me, I won’t mind it if I end up getting another version—
this is the first figure of this character I’ve ever had.
Feels good to finally have him in my Ark scene with others, especially Wheeljack.
There’s one space left on this shelf for Hound.

Looks like SS86 Frenzy will be my last figure for the year.

Love the backdrop.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Careful with his roof. A buddy of mine got his and 2 days after opening it, his roof piece yellowed.

https://twitter.com/Razerwire9/status/1 ... 2278938960

Is it genuinely yellowed, or is it just the lighting?

Mine is still fine but he's on display in my bathroom where the only light source is a lightbulb.

Also, I super-glued the ambulance light on the roof because they popped off too easily and they have no point being removable.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Careful with his roof. A buddy of mine got his and 2 days after opening it, his roof piece yellowed.

https://twitter.com/Razerwire9/status/1 ... 2278938960

Is it genuinely yellowed, or is it just the lighting?

Mine is still fine but he's on display in my bathroom where the only light source is a lightbulb.

Also, I super-glued the ambulance light on the roof because they popped off too easily and they have no point being removable.

Genuine yellowing

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Genuine yellowing

Yeesh...

Maybe it depends on the batch.
Also, this is supposed to be paint. So, it's strange that paint is yellowing.