It is a new mold. He has combiner ports in his feet not his knees and his cockpit transforms differently

 

NYTF

Plus his combiner ports in the arms looks like they have to transform differently, the entire transformation besides the hand placement is different. just the fact of hands being the legs doesn't really hold much weight. Hell, Screamer's transformation into torso maybe slightly Menasor like for all we know.

 

Plus the arms turning into combiner-legs is only superficially similar to Silverbolt/Superion, as Starscream and Elita-1 has the combiner ports on the inside of the arm, sitting opposite of the hands and needing to be swung around for combiner mode, thereby leaving no kibble unlike Superion who has Silverbolt's hands hanging off the backs of his legs. I like that, it reminds me of the ZZ Gundam and how it transforms its arms for the Core Top mode.

I'm somewhat curious about Moonracer and how she'll function in combined mode. The production art seems to indicate she'll be a pretty long arm, but that could just be the proportions playing a trick on my eyes. Also, it would seem her legs fold up in half for leg-mode, thanks to what appears to be double-hinged knees on her legs.

 

Yesterday I saw a FoC Grimlock on the shelves. I was confused until I saw it was in a TLK Megatron box. Dick move.

 

I think I've finally figured out how Moonracer works, and it's rather clever; if you look at the lineart, she's got double-jointed knees, with a panel covering the thighs. So, the legs stay unfolded in arm mode, with the 5mm port on the back of her feet. Then for leg mode, it looks to me like the lower legs fold up behind her thighs, and I'd guess there's a second 5mm port on that panel that covers the thighs.

So, basically, a completely new configuration for CW-style limb bot, making her the same length as a CW figure in arm and/or leg mode, while keeping her slimmer and more feminine, and now I doubly want that figure and ahhhh she's awesome...  

 

Dick move yes, but a better figure too?

 

Not even close.

 

If you don't have the other Protectobots, I'd say opt for Inferno.

That said, I'd almost recommend this set instead, if character doesn't matter.
https://www.amazon.com/Transformers...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BWAGGW8E131R5G1H0087

 

(If you have to analyze a figure this closely for signs of "retooling" does it even matter anymore?)

 

 

Needs a lot of work.

 

And in colour

Transformers Wiki on Twitter

 

Looks like there's a slot on the torso and a tab on the hands/armor that are supposed to fit together. I'm still a bit skeptical on how solid the Grimlock torso will be though.

Not a fan that the hand/armor pieces are pretty much mandatory now in order to make it even look decent.

 

I mean, the upside is Perfect Effect will likely have a fix out to stabilize the torso once they get a Grimlock in hand.

 

And que all the complaints about buying extra stuff  

 

It's wait for PE or when Takara reveals the 6th member to make the complete Dinoking.  

 

Oh I’ve got no issue buying upgrades, personally I love them   I just know this fan base always wants something to complain about haha

 

Just planning ahead.

These won't be my G1 Dinobots; I'm only interested in their possible retools. Hoping PE come through and the torso ends up being solid.

 

While digging the individual dinos, but the combined mode is just as terrible as any other real or imagined version of a dinobot combiner has ever looked. The shapes are just all wrong for making limbs. i'll most likely be getting them (especially if Takara adds the right Chrome or Gold and Silver paint), but also most likely the combined mode will never see the light of day.

 

God, I LOVE every leak and reveal we get!  

 

How? They didn't fix Menasor 's torso. They just made it look better. The shoulders were still shit even with the PE set.