Wow seems like there are a decent amount of QC errors on this release. Hope mine is OK. Should have it on Saturday.

EDIT: got it early! Haven’t done anything except open the box so far but I’m excited to get the kit on. I think I’m gonna choose either the staff or the mace but not both. He looks too awkward with EVERYTHING attached.

 

Really digging this set now. First impressions were mild but time has tempered that. I don't play with this toy so it makes it more appealing on display in both modes now.

 

My favorite part of this kit is the..tongue! Lol

 

I've got a similar—though not quite as bad error on one of my parts:

On one of the "neck" pieces, one of the pins has gone sideways a bit. It prevents the spikes from closing up all the way, and has created a stress mark. Hope it doesn't break.

Anyone know of contact info for DNA designs? Or know how their customer service is?

 

Hmm, as these factory errors occuring are being reported, I'm becoming more concerned with my set. Maybe I should ship my loot now, instead of waiting to sort of nip it in the bud incase I need to replace it before they are sold out.

 

Hmm I saw on their packaging there's a disclaimer tho..

 

Hm, you're right. That's interesting. And dumb. "cannot replace parts damaged in construction."

 

Huh, I imagine that could mean they knew there were problems, and decided to absolve themselves of responsibility with that handy disclaimer. Unless by "construction" they mean when the user adds the pieces on to Grimlock, so if you break it yourself, they don't have replacement parts.

 

Yeah I’m pretty sure it means if you break your Grimlock it’s not on them.

 

Correct.

So TFSource has offered to fix/replace my damaged part but I have to send the entire kit back, not just the damaged piece. Looks like I'm going to have to wait for another god knows how long before I have the kit in hand again... At least Grimlock looked good while it lasted.

 

I have the same issue with yours. What i did was to remove the pin (to outside) and drill a new hole. They pinned it slanted

 

Well done bro!

 

Finally cracked open mine. No obvious QC issues. The base plastic and paint work are amazing matches. The only difference is the paint's sheen doesn't pop in the light.

For dino mode, I expected the tail and neck parts to do good things, but what really surprised me was the tongue. Before, I never felt the one click on the jaw was enough for a good roar, but the tongue somehow fixed it and it looks fine. As for the "storage;" don't. Just set them aside. I've long accepted most transformers keep their stuff in hammer-space so it doesn't cramp the alt.

Going to robot mode, I will always forgive partsforming integrated weapons. Occasionally, I'll give bonus points when a weapon doesn't have to move.

On to robot mode: parts are easy to install and feel solid. New hands and arm are great, like they've always been there. Doubling up the tail as a weapon is brilliant (so Beast Wars).
Weapon storage; this I feel better about but I'm not in love with it. From the front, I like the look; very badass. From the side, the layering connections extend out and look silly.
And now the weapons themselves. Once again they look great. I hated the original mace hand in both forms. The redesign and option for a normal hand was what sold me on this set and Grimmy. But looks are not everything, and we've come to DNA's stumbling block. The hands have a tiny peg in the fingers instead of the palm. That choice makes the flail and staff awkward to lock in and it only holds for posing, try to reposition and they'll release immediately. Credit to the thumb pegging into the pointer, but they only delay the inevitable. The tail and mace hand are so much more solid. Not a fair comparison, they slide in with a notched handle and wrap around, so gravity and inertia is less of a factor, but I bet a more substantial tab would've faired better. When there are locked in, I wish the flail had a swivel at the base so I could change the angle of the arc, and super wish the staff had more than the one grip.
Side thought- What is it with toy designers and staffs? Unless the toy is a wizard, it's fair to assume I want to do something with the rest its length.

All and all, I am having a great time with it. The storage is best ignored and the play needs more help than it should, but it upgrades the hell out of the base toy's greatest flaws.

 

This (plus the poor attempt at weapon storage) is the biggest thing I hold against this set. He has a hard time holding any of the accessories. It's especially a pain with the mace because there's no swivel, so you either move the arm or have it straight back or forward.

 

I just hope this insight isn't too late for however their Megatron set holds the claw blade.

 

Megatron had only integrated weapons til TLK so I think he'll be OK hopefully.

 

You know, someone was saying they wished her had new little dino arms. And I thought that was stupid before. But after handling the whole thing now, yeah. Little T-Rex arms would be nice.

 

I kinda hope they will make a bigger set that fits on either the Wei Jiang or Black Mamba OSKO's. I dig this so much more then the 'improvements' they added on their own.

 

Corrin has recruited SS Grimlock to her cause.



Corrin - “Grimlock, we ride!”