I was just watching a podcast where a group of Transformer fans discussed how they each have a character that they always buy some version of, regardless of brand or make (for me, I always like Prowl, Megatron, Shockwave and Springer). I was curious, because for the most part, I see that most of us collect either a generation-themed selection or just love the brand no matter what iteration.

So my question is, if you are a character collector, who's your go-to? And do you have some pics of your character group acquisitions?

 

If you collect anything off of a franchise you have to have a favorite(s). At the same time budgetary constraints might prevent someone from getting every version of that character. That said, for me personally having to play catch-up I can pick and choose from everything that's been released up to now, so for example Optimus Prime (one of my favorites) I only have 4 versions: the recent G1 Walmart reissue, the voyager Evasion Mode, the KO MP10V and finally SS38. So while I love Optimus I don't feel the need to get every one of his releases (waiting for Earth Rise to show up in my area). And that's just "official" releases (since I included the MP10V and the evasion mode is also a KO) if we include 3P versions yeah there are way more figures I'd love to have but most are MP size and I don't collect MP

On the other side of character collecting, there plenty of other characters I don't particularly have any attachments to, but if the figure looks cool, I'm buying it ( Siege Impactor)

 

Maybe soundwave

 

I'm the exact opposite, I don't like having more than one of any given character unless it's explicitly a different form/continuity (i.e. G1 vs Laser Prime).

 

Very early on I tried collecting every Optimus and Megatron I could get my hands on, but I ran out of shelf space...plus I couldn't get them all to pose right for the conga lines I had them in.

 

Besides my Generations collection, I have two character shelves. One for Ratchets and another for Skywarps.

 

not me....

 

I'm not an army builder, because that's one less place on the shelf for a character I want. Though I do have a couple of doubles.
2 Megatrons, one I bought, one I won as part of a mystery prize.
2 Optimus Primes, both purchased.
2 Soundwaves, one I bought, one was a gift.

I am still kicking myself for not getting a second Thunderhoof, and I'm going to nab Earthrise Starscream because he's too cool not to have.

I did have a 3rd Prime that I got from a happy meal, but I customized him into Nemesis. Fortunately, Transformers doesn't do a lot of blind- bags or multi-packs with the main lines, so I don't hafta fret about getting rid of multiples.

 

Sometimes, one character I know I like to collect is Jazz.

Hot damn that's an awesome collection.

 

For the most part, I don’t have multiples, unless they were an Action Master. I think about for a long time before I buy and normally only get one version of the character, and then it’s only the one I like most, because they are going to get played with by my kids and I.

 

It was bigger, but since it's on topic, I sold all jap exclusives, blue, red clear, and black versions. I am selling more now only keeping g1 versions.

 

Yeah. I have 10 versions of BW Scorponok, several of which are customs or homages. I used to collect Dirges too but I've long since scaled back on that. Those two are pretty much the only intentional character collections I've had, though.

 

I didn't really start collecting (excluding childhood G1) until CW came out . But the character I have the most of is SHockwave. (Alternators, DotM, CW, Siege). If I had cared more/had the cash at the time, I would have gotten Animated and Prime as well. But he has to look aesthetically pleasing to me as well; was never interested in the UT version, and I don't really care for his Cyberverse incarnation.

 

Anytime Hastak makes a version of Bruticus, I have to have it.

 

Any Skywarp, any time, anywhere.
Followed closely by Shockwave and Wreck-Gar, but considering you can count pretty much all the official Wreck-Gar figures and merch out there without going into double digits, "all the Wreck-Gars" isn't saying much.
Weirdwolfs (or "Wolfwires" if you really must insist). Similar to Wreck-Gar, it is even less difficult to put together a complete set of official Weirdwolfs given there are, like, four. And that's being generous - TakTom Legends Weirdwolf is basically just Titans Return Wolfwire with a more G1 faceplate.
Lots of Hot Rod/Rodimus, but primarily just based on his color scheme if I am honest.
Many Grimlocks, depends on the design.
Many OPs. Some say this doesn't count as who does not have multiple OPs, but I actually have sought some out specifically to collect, so for me it counts.
Every black OP repaint I can put my hands on. Every. One. The do not all represent a single character, though.
All include 3P stuff, which fills out the Wreck-Gar and Weirdwolf collections nicely.

 

My insistence on basing my collection on vehicle scale stops me buying too many of any character. But some characters have gotten multiple figures despite my trying to keep to one toy per character with the last few years.

The ones with the most include:

Hot Rod
Prowl
Megatron
Shockwave
Soundwave
Ultra Magnus
Starscream
Cyclonus
Scourge

 

Nope... that's a false assumption.

I may have several "favourites" but at the same time none are... as I collect for the figures and not the characters.

So for the OP's question, I am not. I collect robots in general, with preference with the transformable ones, and TFs are a very big part of that, but I don't limit myself to it, nor buy any figure because it's a certain "character", aside obvious absolutes for other series that the robot is unique. (Soul of Chogokins, Voltron, Power Rangers etc.) and wouldn't be hunting down the multiple versions of any either. I'd be picky and should I end up with a figure that does have a newer version with additional features that would be worth the price, I might go for it, but with some figures at above 100$ (some up to 500$, both my budget wouldn't allow me to go crazy, nor would I even want to go and get every version out there... that's not the type of collecting I do... it feels more like hoarding at some point.

I've seen some people end up with 20-50 of the same figure just because they like it.. and most end up in boxes anyways... I don't get that.

The most I've done is buy a few extras of one figure that I really like and play with a lot, in case it might break (and it's happened and was glad I did), or because I see it on liquidation and do want a "back-up" in case. Just a few did I get a couple extra to have a small squadron/army, but again.. not because of character, but about the figure itself.

 

I collect molds to experience the transformation and possibility...granted most of the molds are of Optimus Prime and Megatron...

 

I collect just the characters I like and don’t bother with the others. Anytime I’ve picked up something, not on my list, I’ve ended up selling it typically. Plus, it keeps my collection small and manageable to a degree. It also gives me more flexibility to pick up more expensive items, since I’m not chasing down whole lines. Almost everything I have is out on display at the moment, here are some older photos, I am in need of some new pictures...

 

There's two characters that I kinda go out of the way to pick up: Optimus and Soundwave. I have all my Primes in one part of my collection, and it's pretty neat to look at all the ways the character's evolved over the years. Soundwave I get because he's always gonna be my favorite character.