Armada Unicron

 

Classics Mirage and Classics 2.0 Hound with Ravage immediately come to mind. Neither have been bested in any subsequent mainline.

Animated Blurr may be one of the shining moments in TF engineering......just a ridiculously awesome figure!

MP10 Prime is a sublime figure, truly worthy of the "ages like fine wine" description.

 

TFP Prid Ratchet

 

IMO

Classics Optimus
MP 10 Op
Universe Cyclonus
Universe Hound
CW Dead End
TR Triggerhappy

 

Several good figures in this thread. Surprised to see it started last year and I'm just seeing it. Several G2, RID2001, and other early 2000s toys should be on this list. I'll try to limit to figures not already mentioned.

G2 Hero Megatron and Optimus. I loved these 2 as a kid. The RID 2001 repaints are good too.

RID2001 basics (Skid-z, Tow-Line and the jets). Not bad for Machine Wars repaints

RID2001 Megatron/Gigatron

RID2001 Dreadwind+Smokejumper - best paint deco of the molds imo. BWII Starscream and BB are close second

HFTD Hailstorm and HFTD Terradive. Probably my favorite mainline movie toys ever

Animated Swindle

 

Generations Warpath. I just got this figure in today and handled it for the first time, and I tell you what that transformation is genius. My copy has a cock-eyed barrel which I like to imagine is a result of Warpath ramming into people and firing while making sound effects with his mouth louder than the actual explosion.

 

I've 'only' been collecting since... 2016 so my backlog isn't too deep. Regardless, I'd say from a quick glace: Titans Return Grotesque and Brainstorm. They both have this sort of premium look to them. Grotesque especially has grown on me. I wasn't too happy with it at first (I think it may have been my first case of 'get it because it's an exclusive + hype'), but over time I've really come to appreciate it.

 

This guy...

 

You know, I'm going to go ahead and add in RotF Leader Prime (and all subsequent iterations). I own three of this mold and I can never seem to get enough of it. It's solid in both modes, and even manages to look as good, if not better, than the MPM.

 

I think that with their stylised designs, the Animated toys have done a wonderful job of standing the test of time - certainly we still see a lot of their influence in the design of the cyberverse (or whichever lines are focused at slightly younger age groups) figures. Especially figures like Arcee (and Drag Strip), Blurr, Bulkhead, Soundwave and Lockdown.

From other lines - G1 aside - still love the RID Build team. And I still REALLY like the older MP bots and Binaltech/Alternators. Some of the bot modes are a bit clunky, but the car models are perfect, and you're pretty much getting what you'd get if these robots were being formed out of real cars - I don't really get why that line doesn't continue to have the love it once had from fans!

 

BM Blackarachnia is still one of the best spider Transformers we've gotten imo

 

oh me too, there are some clunkers but I'd take most of them over any modern underdetailed animation-style Masterpiece. the full interiors, linked steering, rubber tires, working suspensions... so much goodness (but not enough 'cons)


Going to get my bias away right up front: I still think the Universe 2.0 Lambo mold (particularly Sunstreaker) is the best Deluxe ever made (Edit: I lied, 2nd best! forgot RTS Jazz/United Stepper). Sunstreaker wins over Sideswipe and Henkei Red Alert (Uni Red Alert had a terrible deco) for the near perfect head sculpt and slightly better proportions of the car-roof chest. I happened to find Sideswipe though while looking for something else, so he gets the love today.

Really, this mold to me is basically heal spurs (it's got some really tiny feet) and a more on model head for the SS/RA version from perfection. (oh if this guy could have the Siege head!)

Brilliant car mode that packs away all the robot bits, every point of articulation you could want (ball joint head! Double jointed elbows!!! Ankle rockers AND ball joints) a nearly Voyager sized robot mode and just some sublime bits like the head reveal automorph and the way the grill flips up to connect the bonnet section to to the spine. the fact that they made it work both front and back for each Lambo bro's distinct look is just icing on the already-brilliant cake.

He does have hollow calves, but given the transformation I can give it a pass here, but it's worth noting.

This mold to me just utterly shames every other version of the characters done in the CHUG lines, including the upcoming Suntreaker, who while technically more on model, just doesn't look very good to me. (and the car mode is just bad.)

 

*RTS Jazz / United Stepper - this mold was damn near perfect for these two and I have yet to see a newer version that has compelled me to want to replace them.

*Energon Skyblast, Divebomb, Inferno - Wasn't a fan of the Energon line overall but these three are some of the best of the line. I still mess with them often.

*Cybertron Downshift - We have had updates to Wheeljack but this mold is my favorite from the Cybertron line second to Cybertron Optimus Prime. Speaking of...

*Cybertron Optimus Prime - I still love this mold and I never really felt the need to "upgrade" to the newer Siege release.

 

That figure was freaking amazing. the wing/leg transformation was so cool.
I Love Energon Starscream, Slugslinger, Landmine and Quickstrike (minus his dumb backpack) too.

 

I have one on the way. I have the POTP figure, but even with black painted over the hands and the questionable cyber-glyphs, he just doesn't feel good.

Not to mention affordable prices. Don't have any Alternators myself, but I would happily take some as an alternative to Masterpiece.

 

Realized I lied up there: I think the RTS Jazz mold is the best Deluxe (in particularly Stepper who I think has the hands-down best paint job I've EVER seen on a TF). forgot him momentarily!

 

I want that figure, but he goes for so much on the aftermarket last I checked.

 

When I see it pop up at transformerland.com, IIRC it was still in the sub $30 range. If that's an okay price to I'll let you know if I see it?

 

Wait warpath goes for $30 now? Damn i shouldve gotten him a few years ago when he was around $15-$20

 

Thanks. I should keep an eye out as well.