Studio Series Leader Class SS-55 *SCAVENGER*

Discussion in 'Transformers Feedback & Reviews' started by Actar, Jan 12, 2020.

  1. Actar

    Actar Well-Known Member

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    Here's my review from the Devastator thread, slightly rewritten with brand new pictures!

    20200107_233210.jpg

    I've been a huge fan of Scavenger (aka Demolishor) for the longest time, ever since the impactful bridge-destroying scene appeared in the trailers. There was something about his design that separated him from other wheelbots and I got hooked on it in a big way. Sadly, the original Voyager Class figure was a rather huge letdown in an equally big way.

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    Firstly, while there was a charm to having the threads actually become the wheels, way too much was sacrificed in the process, including having the wheels ending up hollow and not being able to roll. Not to mention, they didn't even bother giving him elbow articulation, making a basic tripod stance impossible. The Legends Class figure faired a little better with its abilitly to roll and combine, though its biggest flaw was that the vehicle mode treads ended up as kibble.

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    This Leader Class figure is the best of both worlds. I'm definitely coming from a biased perspective as I love the design, but this toy is such an excellent execution of it and it might be my favorite main line release in a long, long time. Not only are the wheels solid, allowing the figure to roll, the treads just disappear into the wheels, staying true to the spirit of the on-screen transformation. Thanks to the transformation, the bottom wheel can even turn from side to side!

    20200113_022343.jpg

    The articulation is also top-notch, allowing for the figure to not only stand, but for the figure to also achieve some kick-ass poses that just weren't doable with the Voyager Class. It can even balance unsupported on its one wheel!

    20200113_022705.jpg

    ...and if you're creative, you can even recreate the bike mode!

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    All in all, the visual juxtaposition between the boxy excavator mode and two-wheeled bot mode makes both modes really unique, encouraging you to keep transforming him back and forth. The transformation itself is both fun and intuitive. It's complex enough to be satisfying but simple enough to be intuitive and addictive. I've had him for weeks and I'm still fiddling with him whenever I get the chance.

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    Even if this figure didn't have the combination gimmick, I'd highly recommend picking this guy up.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2020
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  2. Lazerwave

    Lazerwave My Most Prized Treasure

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    I can't wait for mine.
     
  3. Blot

    Blot The most disgusting of all Transformers.

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    Yeah, this guy is a pretty nice upgrade over the original--the only downside is his top wheel doesn't spin, but that's minor. I found it odd he was "some assembly required" with that little flap having to be attached out of the box, but never removed for any other mode.
     
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  4. ACMagnus

    ACMagnus Phantom Thief

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    Out of curiosity, if the bottom wheel does spin, how is the figure able to balance on it? Is there friction holding it in place?
     
  5. rendsora

    rendsora Well-Known Member

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    Thank you Actar for the review.
     
  6. Actar

    Actar Well-Known Member

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    I definitely agree. However, the lack of a spinning top wheel doesn't really affect the play value that much and it's a rather small sacrifice to get a stable combination joint with Overload.

    Yup. You'll still have to balance it, but it's not something that's unachievable like on the original Voyager.
     
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  7. VBBN

    VBBN The Awakened

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    Can’t believe I haven’t realized he’s missing the main front window before lol

    Super excited to get this guy, though amazon says Feb 8th delivery
     
  8. Dachande

    Dachande MULTI-QUOTE- USE IT. Super Mod

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    The original wins in terms of realistic details and paint, clear windows and rubber treads.
    This one does seem like a much more fun figure though, so it's kind of a win/win all around.
     
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  9. TheSuperion

    TheSuperion No am Bishoujo!

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    Uh, do you own a copy of ROTF Demolishor, and have you played with at all recently? Because I hate to break it to you, but all those Demolishors have treads that are literally melting.

    PSA: New toy plastic condition discovered (melted soft rubbery parts)

    This is yet another reason why this new Scavenger is proving so popular, I suspect.
     
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  10. Dachande

    Dachande MULTI-QUOTE- USE IT. Super Mod

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    I have two, and they're both fine.
    Not saying the treads won't eventually turn to mush, but for now they are solid.
     
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  11. Actar

    Actar Well-Known Member

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    Just to quickly clarify, it's not the rubbery parts that are melting. The rubbery parts are melting hard plastic that is in contact with it. My Demolishor has been posed with the top wheel resting on its head and the horns have been eaten away. The plastic brackets inside the threads have also melted quite a bit.

    20200107_222232.jpg
     
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  12. Astrotrain52

    Astrotrain52 Banned

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    How does this happen at room temperature?
     
  13. Napjr

    Napjr Mr. Internet Veteran

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    Is not so much a heat melting problem, but a chemical reaction of the rubber pieces with the other plastics
     
  14. Astrotrain52

    Astrotrain52 Banned

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    but what’s the catalyst? Simply having the pieces near each other? Wouldn’t this be a problem in-box too?
     
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  15. ObakaChanTachi

    ObakaChanTachi woke among sussy soyjak

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    How prevalent is the problem, exactly? The rubber treads of my ROTF Rampage are still fine, though to be fair I think he's the only figure I have with rubber parts.
     
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  16. Actar

    Actar Well-Known Member

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    I highly suggest actually reading the linked thread. The answers to all your questions are in there. But to summarize, it's plasticizer migration. The chemical keeping the treads soft is moving into the surrounding hard plastic making the hard plastic soft. Only the few figures with that specific rubber is affected. ROTF Bludgeon and Demolishor are a couple of examples.
     
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  17. kaiserlisk

    kaiserlisk Squid Kid

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    For those of you into the combiner aspect he really is coming together quite nicely, comparable to the original Supreme class in size and stature based on the prototypes and what we have so far. The connections to the other components are very sturdy and strong, and Scavenger's arm joints are monstrously tight to hold up Scrapper and ScrapTower. Overload is really gonna be tying this monstrosity together, but the completed Devastator is definitely gonna be a fantastic centerpiece for your SS collection. My only issues are structural concerns for the final combined mode and some QC issues.

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    Scavenger by himself is also enjoyable. I always dug this design and I really appreciate that I can do more with this than the original Voyager. He doesn't come with any weapons or accessories, but the screwholes on his arms might be intended to be 5mm ports and the bars used to secure Mixmaster are C-joint compatible. Vehicle mode is where the original Voyager is superior; he's just really oddly proportioned and gappy here, with a disappointingly small shovel. That said, I'm really enjoying him and I'd love for the rumored Demolishor/Skipjack/Payload repaints to be true so I can put together a Devastator 2.
     
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  18. RKStrikerJK5

    RKStrikerJK5 number one Bangles fan on the boards

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    Man, really great review. I get my Scavenger tomorrow. Argh, I can't wait!
     
  19. pokemonsdoom

    pokemonsdoom MadameVixen

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    he's awesome
     
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  20. SinisterSpinister

    SinisterSpinister Violently Neon

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    How'd you get Scrapmetal to sit sideways? doesn't seem like his peg would fit in Hightower's hole that way.