I've been avoiding 3rd party figures for a while, but with the recent Increase in build quality (and not feeling so squeamish about 3rd parties anymore), I'm ready to get a Masterpiece-style Megatron. And I definitely prefer one that converts to a realistic gun mode.

What do you all prefer? A 3rd party? Or should I just spring for Takara's?

 

Well, as far as MP styled, there are only two. The original MP-05, and Appolyon. Both have their difficulties, but Appolyon looks better and is scaled properly.

Perhaps you thought there were more choices?

 

The Bold Forms Gladius and Maketoys Despotron are not out yet. So it's hard to say they are better or worse than the two out now from Takara and X-Transbots.

Gladius:


Despotron:

 

So far despotron the teaser images is all we got but man does it look good

 

If I buy one, it will likely be the Maketoys Despotron.

 

This. I'd add that MP-05 isn't scaled to the current MP line though (it's scaled to MP-01) and that it looks pretty bad. If you're collecting the current MP line, Appolyon is the only available MP "2.0" Megatron at the moment and while it looks absolutely stunning, the quality/solidity isn't great. The better option would probably be to wait for MakeToys to release their "Despotron".

 

I've got a version 1 of Appolyon, and from what I've read on the forums it seems to be mostly problem free, just a change to the shoulder socket (which I did the first day) and he's pretty much perfect condition with every joint nice and tight. The materials are not up to the likes of MMC or Takara, but it is an absolutely amazing looking figure with a bit of a finicky transformation.

With that being said, wait for Maketoys Despotron.

 

Both are likely to be quality pieces, but I think they may stand out a bit in an official MP collection.

Gladius looks cool, but he looks like a great re-imagining of Megatron in all modes which, unfortunately, isn't what the official MPs target. I think he'd be an amazing CHUG Megatron at a smaller size, but he definitely looks distinct from the '80s cartoon iteration of the character.

Maketoys makes really great stuff, and I look forward to seeing Despotron, but based on their drawings I suspect he will have a bit more of a kibble-y sculpt, which wouldn't quite match the cleaner cartoon look the official MPs seem to aim for.

Apollyon looks like the G1 cartoon, and I think scales nicely with the other modern MPs. On the shelf next to Soundwave and across from Optimus, he doesn't stand out as an anomaly, which was my goal for the piece. Mine has been problem free, other than the shoulder joint which on mine needed to be swapped out... but they provided the swap out piece in the box, and it was easy to adjust it to my preference.

 

Imo MP-05 isn't an option any more. It's ugly, out of scale, fragile and has QC issues.

I am happy with Apollyon for now. I don't have high hopes for Despotron, because Maketoys too often give their toys anime or toy looking faces, which I don't want. I want it to look like the Sunbow cartoon.

 

XTB Apollyon is the best.

 

Apollyon is really the only choice, right now...

 

I'd wait for Maketoys to show more of their figure before pulling the trigger at this point, because options and MT has a rep for quality. That said, I find Apollyon to be a pretty darn good Megatron. It won figure of the year in the fan vote on this site and while it isn't perfect it really looks great and fits into the MP style very well.

Again, I'd wait to see MT but even so you may wind up getting Apollyon, depending on your personal tastes.

 

I got Apollyon when he first came out and still love him. I have no need nor plans to replace him unless Takara releases an official Megs.

 

I believe that distinction belongs to X-Transbots Apollyon.



However before you rush out and buy it- there is a KO rumored to be released. It may have improvements- or it may be OS to scale with MPP-10. Who knows!

 

XTB's MP Megatron is definitely the best unless Takara comes up with something surprising. Maketoys' figure does look interesting, and it'll probably be good in it's own right undoubtedly, but it'll more than likely have an anime aesthetic to it, which I personally won't like. So I guess it really depends on the aesthetic you're going for.

 

Despotron's alt mode at least looks a heck of a lot better than Apollyon's. Bot mode looks promising too from what we can see (which isn't much). I'm really surprised we haven't seen more since they obviously have a proto. The tease pics were ages ago now!

 

You all are awesome. Thanks a million!

 

My Apollyon V2 is basically issue free, not even the shoulders are loose. The main issue is they forgot the right wrist pin, the right hand assembly just comes right out if pulled on. Which can be a plus during transformation. I've transformed him like six times and no issues except some red accent paint scraped off the abs.

I don't like Bold Forms stuff, it looks amateurish and or just plain horrible like that Lone Wolf. And Make Toys seems to have a habit of fat legs on recent figures, plus, Desporton in the line art looks too over detailed and while it may fit, I haven't thought their latest offerings have been too appealing. Fans Toys (except their face sculpts) and MMC look better, even the XTB Inferno looks to blow away the MT to me.

In the end, it's a preference of aesthetics...if you don't have a MP Megs MP10 scale, then buy Apollyon right now, or wait to see what the Desptron looks like as a final figure...but the Bold Forms one to me doesn't fit MP at all.

 

Same here.

 

Appolyon is the best your gonna get, and does the part well IMO. But, Despite on could be a major player when released.