chuckdawg1999

Ah, Grapple. Hoist's buddy joins us in the Earthrise line and much like Leader Optimus Prime is an affordable option to the Masterpiece figure. Transformation is smooth, but make sure to file down the pegs that peg into the bottom of the feet for vehicle mode, there is a high rate of breakage on those parts. Overall this is a solid figure and worthy of a place in your neo-G1 collection.

Kraken and Lobclow are great figures, shining examples of what Has/Tak can do when inspired, like a chef with some simple ingredients. Between the two I enjoy Kraken more, partially because I enjoy running around the house shouting "Release the Kraken!" Obviously, if you're looking to complete the Seacons you're picking these two up, but they're solid figures and stand on their own.

Soundbarrier is either a robot with a ramp on its back or a ramp with a robot on its bottom. Either way, you're not getting much here. Yes, there's some form of playability with the ramp connecting to other bases but I can see that getting old quick. Ultimately, I think continuing the weapon-based Battlemasters would've been a better way to go but for $6 it's ok.

These come from the Wayback machine courtesy of some deep discounts on Amazon. Of the two, I tend to enjoy Outback more, but Cindersaur has that old TFCC this is what we can do type feel. Obviously most of you decided a long time ago if you wanted these but if you're still interested, they're still out there.

Hasbro must have heard the cries from the masses since these new mold Warrior Class figures feature articulation that's comparable with Deluxe Class figures. Both Starscream and Hammerbyte feature an action gimmick that's the signature of the Warrior Class line but they really don't get in the way of the basic movements of the figures. Unfortunately, the gimmicks are still a little fiddly, not as bad as before, but enough to make you pause for a moment of reflection. Ultimately these are good, not great figures.

Bludgeon is a fun One-Step Transformer that shows how Hasbro is really innovating at this cheaper price point. While I would always like to see a Bludgeon figure that looks like the original robot and not the hybrid shell/bot design we've been getting for quite a while now. Definitely worth the addition to your desk legions.

Grimlock is the most complicated of the deluxe figures I've reviewed thus far, the large chunks of pannels often make the transformation fiddly as they crash into each other during the process. Grimlock cuts an imposing, stocky figure that's fitting for the King of the Dinobots. While I won't recommend Grimlock as a first purchase, it is worthy of a spot in your collection.

Continuing the Deluxe Class subline of Cyberverse, Hot Rod is a solid figure that's a great representation of the animated design. Transformation is smooth but satisfying, although there are some details missing like Hot Rod's trademark yellow spoiler. The blast effects are a nice addition but I feel a handheld weapon would've been a nice addition. Definitely worth a pick up for your Cyberverse collection.

Debates about the size of the figure aside this is a great Optimus Prime. I'll go so far to say that I don't think we'll need another Optimus Prime figure for quite a while. Transformation is inventive and the resulting figure is near Masterpiece quality. I truly feel this is the best G1 style Optimus Prime to date.

Do you have to file the whole peg around or just that one side of the peg shown in the diagram?

It's funny, since of the best figures I've handled in recent times are the cyber series and authentics. Both lines are designed for discount chains.

Pant based plastic? If it comes in my size I'll be down.

One of these days I'm going to talk about my tin-hat theory on modern transformers and their construction.

Absolutely the quality has gone down ever since the oil "shortage" almost a decade ago. What makes it worse is there's a vocal minority in the Fandom that tries to excuse the quality reduction and brush it all under the table.

Whereas Cliffjumper is on the smaller end of the deluxe spectrum Hoist is a figure that's on the larger end, it's a big beefy robot. Unlike the 30th anniversary figure, Earthrise Hoist borrows more from the classic G1 design, for better or worse in the case of the arm flaps. Transformation is a bit fiddly but once everything comes together you end up with a nice and tight truck mode. While not the best of the Wave 1 deluxe figures, Hoist fills a niche that might just be what your collection is looking for.