First TF you had to read the instuctions for...

[Smokes]

When I was five or six I got G1 Jetfire/Skyfire for Christmas. His transformation was rather complicated compared to the other G1's. I remember being scared of breaking his arms as I tried to pull them out, and I freaked and read the instructions. Surprisingly he outlasted all my other G1's and remains one of the few TF's in my collection that I haven't had to buy again(aside from the armor).

[Damnit Dog]

Binaltech smokescreen, I so didnt want to mess this thing up, and its transformation was not one that I could invision from the start so I had to go to the directions, would have helped if they were in english, but I figured it out.

[Heat Guy]

Beast wars rampage. god i was a dumbass

[Tantrum]

Some of the figures from beast wars neo. Mach Kick and Longrack are a pain to change back and forth. Especially if you haven't done it for a while.

[Big Grim]

not to sound like an idiot or anything, but I use the directions when I transform it for the first time just to make sure I do it right w/out breaking anything.

[Trailfollower]

My first was making Build King from RID.

[Bumblejumper]

When I was five or six I got Ironhide and tried to transform him in the car on the way home--and I snapped one of the treads off his battle cart. We returned him (somehow) and got a new one, and from then on I read the instructions to every TF I got. Even now, I still read them.

 

In my defense, though--it was Ironhide, who (along with Ratchet) has the most illogical (and non-show-accurate) transformation of any of the season 1 or 2 G1 Transformers!

[jimoinj]

Dirge - my first ever Transformer - at age 8 or so. :)

[gkopw]

uh...I always use the instructions. That way I know how its SUPPOSED to be done. that's all there is to it...why wouldn't I use the instuctions? You guys are a bunch of weirdos.

[Donkeystyle]

G1 and all was so obvious, no instructions needed. But my first RiD was Sideswipe. Man he was tough! I was shocked I needed the instructions, but from then on I usually refer to them at least once.