Even so, the detailing is uncharacteristic for what studio series normal goes for. The 86 characters are bound to have less holes on them, not only because of their designs, but also the fact that they are kingdom rollovers. Kingdom as a whole (pun intended) has had fewer weapon ports on their figures.

 

I’m not a fan of Hot Rod, but this is absolutely gorgeous. Miles above the Masterpiece especially for the price point. Instant purchase

 

but only on the beast wars figures and it’s probably due to their proportions. We’ve seen warpath has the same amount of ports. Hot rod having a couple is not unlike how cyberverse deluxes have blast effects and a couple pegs and can interact with all the WFC parts. It’s just a cross play pattern

 

Is this a "test shot" or a finished product? Wondering about the bland shins. I figure the yellow hinge in alt mode is baked in, but maybe the bland shins could be addressed if this isn't finished?

Then again, they're probably going for fidelity to the original animation, not the original toy.

Either way, almost perfect. I love TR Hot Rod - so much so that I accidentally cracked his windshield    - but this is a must-have.

 

Because I’m simply used to voyagers being actual voyagers. That’s all. It’s the reason I haven’t bought any leader from the siege lines, because they aren’t leader figures. Same reason I’ve skipped small figures in the movie SS line.

 

Look at the boxes sometime. Studio Series IS Generations.

 

This is everything I want in a chug Hotrod/Rodimus

 

Separate lines. Siege kingdom (aka generations) will be running along side studio series. And Studio series itself has run separately from generations for the previous 2 lines of siege.

 

Warpath can get away with the standard amount of ports because he's an 84 cast member. ER Arcee even sets a precedent for having few ports with the fact that she only has them on the back of her legs and feet, just like Hot rod.
Yeah, sure the beast figures are going to have fewer ports, but mainly because of their design, but that same philosophy can apply to the newer 86 cast in SS and Kingdom. Take a look at Kingdom Cyclonus, he has practically no visible ports on him what-so-ever.

 

I am looking forward to Studio Series characters that are not Car Kibbled Shell Formers!

 

based on what? This one photo?



I have news for you. If you look at most if not all WFC figures from the the front view only you don’t see any 5mm ports.

 

This whole SS86 might actually be the thing to get me back into collecting...

 

If you limit your mind to only accept things the way you're used to them being, then you're going to miss out on a lot of great things. Times change. If you're only evaluating this figure based on size, then you're ignoring all of the quality, engineering, and detail that went into it. A lot of people are saying that this is better than the masterpiece version, so don't look at it as overpaying for a deluxe. Look at it as getting a discount on a masterpiece figure.

I'm not actually disagreeing with you for waiting for a sale. That's your choice. Everybody's situation and preferences is different. I just disagree with the overall perception that Transformers should only be valued by their size. It's quality over size, for me.

 

Man if all the 86 line up looks this good I’ll be in heaven!!!!!!!!!!!

 

To each their own, but this and WFC are far behind anything offered at retail before. It's a pricepoint not a size class. Is there a bit of price gouging??? Probably, but they're running a business. I never need another Hot Rod again since I am getting a perfect version with loads of accessories that give me a screen accurate bot I always wanted. And the Leaders offered a ton of play value for me. . I have a feeling the SS packaging is gonna be part of the fun factor too this go 'round.

I get it's not everyone's bag though. I will enjoy the figure and be satisfied with my collection like never before for a long long time to come. If some fans are just as happy saving the $10-15 then good for you.

 

Some folks just want terribly visible hallow, limited articulated leaders with only height as a pro I guess

 

The yellow hinge piece in the roof is unfortunate.

 

The same could be said for Hot rod. This literally proves my point...

 

How’d you manage to crack it?

 

Not trying to be combative here, but I’m honestly confused by this statement, I own a huge chunk of SS, and, with a few exceptions, I don’t think I’ve ever thought of them as higher quality that the WFC line. They’ve always had worse joint engineering (an over reliance on ball joints), worse tolerances, worse articulation schemes, and larger backpacks.