This figure is why I love Transformers.

Haven't been this amazed since Classics Mirage.

 

Just got this figure. Snagged the only one that came to my Target.

He's amazing. I don't army build, but I'm thinking of getting another one to pick up and customize. I'm thinking an Alternators Battle Ravage-type figure. Random mechanical jaguar head, some missiles in the shoulder slots, and maybe a bit more black paint and you're golden.

But I digress. The leg transformation is one of the cleverest transformations I've seen. It cuts down on kibble, gives his legs pleasant bulk, and is a lot of fun. He's as posable as you could realistically ask for (only missing a waist, which isn't even close to standard. Though his neck is sort of wonky). The myriad of ways to mount his gun are fun, too. Personally, I fold in the left hand and then plug it into the hand (similar to the show-accurate way for Ratchet to hold his scalpels). Looks better to me than clipping it to the forearm.

 

Found one tonight and I must say he lives up to the hype. Thought I would find him overrated but he is that good. I wish Hasbro wouldn't have been cheap bastards and included two guns instead of one. I have the same complaint with FE Optimus and Bulkhead- how much more could it cost to include one more identical rifle/ wrecking ball/sword? They did it all the time during G1. The gun looks sweet on him in car mode but lopsided and I believe less show accurate with only one. I had no intention of troop building but I will probably pick up another later if I can find one in the wild again just for the second gun. Was also a bit disappointed that there were no purple paint apps on the gun as shown on the packaging. These are minor quibbles however as he absolutely exudes badassery in both modes!

 

I know this is off topic in a way, but can anyone post a picture of him standing beside DOTM Crankcase? Thanks

 

Here you go:

 

I'm really happy to finally have the RiD Vehicon to keep my FE Vehicon company. I only need the Jet Vehicon to land now to complete my troop set  

I'll take some pics and post this week of my current Decepticar henchmen line up, which includes the TFCC twins and Crankcase amongst others.

 

yo Sol Fury how many PRID Vechions do you got anyway?

 

This guy is AMAZING. I just transform him over and over...it's so simple, yet such a complete transformation that it's mind-boggling. I've never been so hooked on a figure.

A triumph of design.

 

- he's really a shell former whose legs eat up the shell completely,

- You ever notice how transformer designers constantly come up with new ways to transform vehicles into robots with almost every figure... never revisiting old transformations. I mean in the 80s plenty of characters had similar transformations but now transformations as amazing as this or Mirage are never seen again, despite their effectiveness. Why is that?

 

^ Probably so they don't look same-y. Mirage and Vehicon look REALLY distinct, it would be hard to "copy the transformation" into a totally new character.

 

Designers have to consider the look of the figure as well as engineering of the Transformation. The way the Vehicon was done, it was most likely engineered like that so it preserves the look of the Vehicon's 'bot mode, keeping it accurate. Such a technique works for the Vehicon, but it may not work for another character for a whole bunch of reasons.

Sometimes kibble exists because of engineering vs. size budget of a toy, like backpacks on car transformers, and other times it exists because you cannot make plastic physically shrink and expand when you want it to without breaking the laws of physics.

 

I just got one today and this toy really does live up to the hype. I can't wait for this toy to be distributed even more so everyone can get one, and so I can grab 2 more for myself.

 

Bought another today at the same Target. I was happy with one, but it's nice to have another. Think I'll get an FE Vehicon eventually, too. Can't wait for the jets.

I think 2 of each kind is a better and more thoughtful way to build an army.

 

The first time I saw pictures of this toy, I thought the roof and windshield had been removed to make the photo look more accurate. I was amazed when I found out how it folded away.

Bottom line, whoever designed/engineered this deserves a raise. They really knocked it out of the park with this one. I always find it a plus when you can look at pictures of both modes and think "Wow, I have absolutely no clue how this f@cker transforms."

This is a rare figure indeed in that it hits ALL the metrics for me. It has a good vehicle mode, a nice looking robot mode, is decently posable, and has a VERY satisfying and ingenious transformation, which manages to be quick and seamless while still being involved enough to be impressive. Plus it's very show accurate to boot, AND not expensive (if found at retail).

One of the previous posters noted that this is a good standout figure to recommend to people. I very much agree. This might be the closest thing we have to an ideal figure. Sure, you can pick any one of the metrics above and find a figure that does that one thing better, but I can't think of any one figure that is this good at ALL of them at once.

To sum up my thoughts: Well Done Hasbro/Takara!

 

Untitled by GogDog, on Flickr

 

just grabbed my second vehicon off of amazon, Im ashamed to say Im paying more than I should be, but at least Im spacing out my purchases.

 

I agree with all points about Vehicon, but I think Wheeljack does as good a job as well...

 

Am sure you will feel that it is worthwhile paying a bit more for this vehicon.

 

I definitely agree. as someone else mentioned I think WheelJack is pretty close, having no back kibble himself, and possibly better arms. Though personally Id have to say Generations Mirage is hard one to beat. with better arms, and more posable feet. Ive recommend him the most.

 

What makes the Vehicon such a good standout transformer is the way the entire alt mode just folds in on itself while revealing the robot within it. Warpath was the only other transformer made thus far to be able to do something similar.

Hasbro needs to continue this trend. I love kibble free "Robot" ACTION FIGURES