The BotCon 2013 toys are...

[griffin]

Just did the package pickup, so got the attendee figure, and the names of the other toys are in the back of the program guide.

Boxset (which we already know)
Megaplex (VOY TFPrime Dreadwing)
Hoist (DLX Classics Kup)
Skywarp (DLX Movie Dirge)
Strika (DLX Classics Warpath)
Obsidian (VOY Movie Powerdive)

Attendee figure
Starscream (DLX Movie Terrordive)

Big pair (2000 units)
Electron (DLX Classics Kup) (character is Gen2 Electro)
Sandstorm (VOY Movie Skyhammer)

Small pair (2000 units)
Mirage (DLX Classics Mirage)
Thundercracker (DLX Movie Dirge)

Three pack (2,500 units)
Rainmakers
(names might be on their bio-cards)

Kreo 5-pack (1500 units)
(unknown characters)

Custom Class toy (still some available to sell)
Blast Charge (DLX Classics Warpath)

Plus, two sets of trading cards this year, AND three different Lithos this year...
- Machine Wars Termination (400 units)
- Obsidian (100 units)
- Strika (100 units)

They certainly keep increasing the amount of items to sell each year.

(Photos to come shortly)

[swoop]

The only ones I want from that list are the rainmakers and I know they are going to go for crazy prizes on eBay:(

[i_amtrunks]

Kreon 5 pack? They'll go for a pretty penny. Not as much as the rainmakers though.

Using Mirage for Mirage was an easy out too! :D

[griffin]

At 2500, I'll be surprised if they do sell out... at least before it is opened up for people to buy extras.
They only made 1000 3-packs in 2009 & 2010, then raised it to 1500 for 2011, and then 2000 3-packs last year.
I think they are going to struggle selling all of their 2-packs this year, as they have less interest compared to last year, and they didn't sell out of their small 2-pack which had only 1500 units compared to this year's 2000.

[Paulbot]

I'd like a good repaint or three of Terradive, but not as an attendee figure.

Look forward to the pics. Wish I was there.

[tinyJazz]

There's some pics of Terradive Starscream's alt mode on the tfw thread. The mold looks really nice in black.

Did fubpub have a reason for keeping the at show souvenirs a secret until now?

[CHILENO20]

I will definitely want a set of rainmakers!!! :D :D :D

[Sky Shadow]

Did fubpub have a reason for keeping the at show souvenirs a secret until now?

They intend to keep all the toys except the boxed set a surprise every year, but they always get leaked.

[Autocon]

No hubcap? Prowl? or Soundwave? They were main characters from the line:p

[Quickstrike]

Kreo 5-pack (1500 units)
(unknown characters)

Oh god oh god oh god. How much will these end up costing me?

I welcome more redecoes of Terradive. That's a cool toy.

[griffin]

The hotel internet was down this morning so I wasn't able to upload and post the photos I took, before I went to Seaworld.

I have a couple minutes to post up a couple links to other site photosas I have to go to the IDW tour in 10 minutes.

The attendee starscream figure in packaging (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2013-attendee-starscream-figure-revealed/27689/) (neither main fansite has pics of it out of packaging in their news postings yet).

The main Litho poster has been revealed (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2013-lithograph-revealed/27691/).

It looks like the Hasbro MP Soundwave is getting an advance release at BotCon (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/transformers-masterpiece-47/masterpiece-soundwave-to-debut-at-botcon-this-weekend-177849/).

[1AZRAEL1]

Anyone who is going able to grab me a kreon set and/or the rainmakers set? I'm totally wanting those.

[Paulbot]

Yeah the Rainmakers actually look alright, but for BotCon prices I would still pass.

Oh wait, they actually made one of them Sunstorm? The remaining non-Hasbro produced seeker that people want is now only a BotCon toy? :mad:

Machine Wars Mirage looks good, and I love the Depth Charge packaging

There's photos on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BotConOfficial) and I'm sure some of the international sites are "mirroring them for your convience" :rolleyes:

[Megatron]

The attendee starscream figure in packaging (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2013-attendee-starscream-figure-revealed/27689/) (neither main fansite has pics of it out of packaging in their news postings yet).

A clone loyal to Jhiaxus...? ugh, never mind... :(

[UltraMarginal]

You're probably back from IDW by now, but I hope you had a great time.

[Golden Phoenix]

Damn, those Rainmakers look nice........

[Sky Shadow]

This year's set's gonna shelfwarm like it's 2005. Hoist is the only one I even like.

[janda the red]

Damn, those Rainmakers look nice........

+1

would love a set... gonna cost a small fortune though

:)

[griffin]

Okay, time for piccies... :p

(these are just temporary pics, so when I get to do up my full report, these images might be removed)

Wednesday night package pickup... Golden Ticket edition.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z26.jpg

Program guide/comic and both first day pins (one for being Golden Ticket... and both sucky for being a homage to a price sticker from the original MW toys - ruining the "badge" concept)
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z27.jpg

The set and attendee figure.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z28.jpg

Out with accessories (robot mode photo still to come).
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z29.jpg

Bio cards.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z30.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z31.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z32.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z33.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z34.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z35.jpg

Bio for the Custom Class figure - Blast Charge.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z36.jpg

[Bidoofdude]

I NEED those Rainmakers!!!!:eek:

[griffin]

Not toys, but BotCon related...
IDW tour - boardroom of artists and writers.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z39.jpg

The sign outside...
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z40.jpg

The unpainted Custom Class toy.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z41.jpg

The big pair.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z42.jpg

The small pair.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z43.jpg

Three pack.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z44.jpg

Kreon 5-pack.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z45.jpg

Since the Club store is in the dealer room, there was a mountain of Metroplex toys in the middle of the room, belonging to BBTS.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z46.jpg

Stuff I bought for myself.
The 7 toys, the Custom Class toy, the kreon 5-pack, main litho, Carded Membership Depthcharge toy (regular version sent out to members is just bagged), both sets of trading/autograph cards, Volume 2 Collector Club Magazine (issues 7-12... I thought it was a compilation of the club comics, so now have to offload it), and Diamond edition of the 2012 BotCon comic.

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z47.jpg

The five kreons before assembly (photo of assembled forms later).
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z48.jpg

Bio of Depthcharge.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z49.jpg

The seven toys out of packaging (robot modes later).
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z50.jpg

Bio cards.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z51.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z52.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z53.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z54.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z55.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z56.jpg
.
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z57.jpg

[griffin]

I already have hundreds of photos from this week so far, but am only posting up the more important/interesting ones until I get back home and process them all.


USA... characters welcome. :p

[UltraMarginal]

those Kreons are awesomely cute. nice effort with the twin blades on obsidian.

[Ravagecat]

Awesome :D Soooooo Jealous :p

Those rainmakers only appear for a second in the cartoon and they made toys of them...wow...look cool though

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p498/ravagecat/Rainmakers_zpsb8c1c5c3.jpg (http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/ravagecat/media/Rainmakers_zpsb8c1c5c3.jpg.html)

[1AZRAEL1]

Damn I really want those kreons and seekers

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Oh man, the club never fails to disappoint. Mirage has never been a solder hey?

Sad to say even those seekers don't really interest me.

[griffin]

That reminds me....

Paul Agnew was telling me the other day that a couple of the FunPub ladies were talking to each other about something bad with the exclusive toys, but he didn't hear them say what it was.
Well, I've now heard from another staffer, that most, if not all, of the Hoist and Electron toys (the Classics Kup mould) have the upper arms attached on the wrong sides. I don't know if it does anything to the transformation, but must be something noticeable that they are annoyed about them being constructed incorrectly at the factory.

[Paulbot]

Yeah I saw something about the problem with Hoist on Twitter last night.

Great teaser pics and thanks for the bio card shots. Can't wait to hear about the IDW tour.

The Machine Wars boxset though in your pickup photos really looks like the box for one toy. I don't think the window and one character art is a good idea.

[ILikeSoundwave]

WOW some of these look great!!! Really want the rainmakers and Kreons but the machine wars set looks pretty neat, but I'll probably never end up getting one due to the crazy prices.:(

[Doubledealer]

Yeah I saw something about the problem with Hoist on Twitter last night.

Not sure if all Hoist's have this problem but other than the shoulders, my one also has a problem with the auto-morph, specifically, when converting to robot mode the torso can't rotate around enough to sit flush with the waist (it's off by about half a cm). Not only that, I can't get him back into vehicle mode as his head is too big!! I took him to the 2nd custom class today and two of the staff had a go at transforming him, they couldn't do anything with him and just said to bring Hoist to the info booth on Saturday for a fix / swap over / whatever. Love, love loooove the head mould on Hoist - hope they can get him sorted!

[UltraMarginal]

Not sure if all Hoist's have this problem but other than the shoulders, my one also has a problem with the auto-morph, specifically, when converting to robot mode the torso can't rotate around enough to sit flush with the waist (it's off by about half a cm). Not only that, I can't get him back into vehicle mode as his head is too big!! I took him to the 2nd custom class today and two of the staff had a go at transforming him, they couldn't do anything with him and just said to bring Hoist to the info booth on Saturday for a fix / swap over / whatever. Love, love loooove the head mould on Hoist - hope they can get him sorted!

I've always found when transforming this mold back to vehicle that you need to hold two internal beams apart (they are spring loaded) to allow parts to swing through without interferance. it's quite tricky and not mentioned in the instructions.
I'll try to remember to dig out my kup tonight and take some photos. I'll be home late though so it'll probably be your morning before I get anything up here.

[i_amtrunks]

Cannot wait for the full IDW run down from you Griffin! Hope you got the comic special edition you wanted.

[Hursticon]

Thanks once again for your coverage of Botcon, Griffin, it's always appreciated. :cool:

Thus far, outside of a mountain of Titan Class Metroplexes, there hasn't been anything of interest to me at all. :(
Early days yet, I know. ;):)

[Bidoofdude]

How's the quality on the Rainmakers and how much were they? :cool: I want some.

[Trent]

Thanks for the rundown Griffman.

That litho is pretty awesome!! I wouldn't mind one of those.

I'm also curious to see with he rainmakers how the mold is holding up more than anything else. It has certainly been around the block.

[Barrel05]

Are Sunstorms hands Black or White? The profile has white hands but the promo pic of the fig his hands are black

[Quickstrike]

Kreon Hoist just looks like Nemesis Prime. I still want them though.

[Sinnertwin]

The Rainmakers have really grown on me :D Yes, the mould has been done to death, but i'm really considering purchasing them.

[reillyd]

I must have those Rainmakers, but $200+ on ebay is just out of my range. Grrr... I really hope they put them up in thee store, but its a big risk to take that they dont.

[UltraMarginal]

Not sure if all Hoist's have this problem but other than the shoulders, my one also has a problem with the auto-morph, specifically, when converting to robot mode the torso can't rotate around enough to sit flush with the waist (it's off by about half a cm). Not only that, I can't get him back into vehicle mode as his head is too big!! I took him to the 2nd custom class today and two of the staff had a go at transforming him, they couldn't do anything with him and just said to bring Hoist to the info booth on Saturday for a fix / swap over / whatever. Love, love loooove the head mould on Hoist - hope they can get him sorted!


I've always found when transforming this mold back to vehicle that you need to hold two internal beams apart (they are spring loaded) to allow parts to swing through without interferance. it's quite tricky and not mentioned in the instructions.
I'll try to remember to dig out my kup tonight and take some photos. I'll be home late though so it'll probably be your morning before I get anything up here.

Following up. Here is a link to my photo bucket
http://s1123.photobucket.com/albums/l541/UltraMarginal/UltraMarginals Transformers collection/generations kup

It's the grey bits that make up the side of the waist that get in the way.
I hope this helps. Otherwise change it over for another while your there. And enjoy the rest of the show.

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Awesome :D Soooooo Jealous :p

Those rainmakers only appear for a second in the cartoon and they made toys of them...wow...look cool though

http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p498/ravagecat/Rainmakers_zpsb8c1c5c3.jpg (http://s1152.photobucket.com/user/ravagecat/media/Rainmakers_zpsb8c1c5c3.jpg.html)

Already going for $200+ on eBay

[Doubledealer]

Following up. Here is a link to my photo bucket
http://s1123.photobucket.com/albums/l541/UltraMarginal/UltraMarginals Transformers collection/generations kup

It's the grey bits that make up the side of the waist that get in the way.
I hope this helps. Otherwise change it over for another while your there. And enjoy the rest of the show.

Thanks for the help UltraMarginal. :) I've got two of the Kup mould at home but none of them have the problems this one does. They'll either somehow fix it or just replace it on Saturday (assuming the automorph gimmick problem is unique to mine).

[Sinnertwin]

Already going for $200+ on eBay

Ouchies. :(
On a side note, although referred to as Rainmakers for whatever reason, the actual Rainmakers, i believe were the three bright neon 'cons (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Rainmaker) featured in the episode "Divide & Conquer" and not these three bots which the botcon toys are based off.

[griffin]

Yep, these three are not the actual Rainmakers, but they probably used the name for familiarity, as the three these are based on were never given their own nickname.

[tinyJazz]

Con souvenirs (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=265&company=3) up for preorder at BBTS. ;)

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Con souvenirs (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=265&company=3) up for preorder at BBTS. ;)

And....they're gone

[UltraMarginal]

No worries. As long as it gets sorted out for you. I remember the first time I transformed it after a year and it took me ten minutes to figure out what I was doing wrong. :o

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Con souvenirs (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=265&company=3) up for preorder at BBTS. ;)

Rainmakers back up at BBTS $145 + postage http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22984&mode=retail

Get in quick

[reillyd]

Awesome find Karnival. Even if its sold through the club store later for that price, I'll save a fortune on shipping using BBTS rather than the club store. Problem solve-ed!

[Sinnertwin]

Rainmakers back up at BBTS $145 + postage http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22984&mode=retail

Get in quick

Yep. Got 'em. My first Botcon toys! Now there's 25 left. ;)
Shipping on them should be next to nothing with PoL, shipping weight being 635 grams

[tinyJazz]

Con souvenirs (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=265&company=3) up for preorder at BBTS. ;)

Still up, minus Starscream. Also looks like the prices were lowered on some.

[Sinnertwin]

Rainmakers sold out at BBTS

[griffin]

Finally, robot mode images...
(some may not be completely/properly transformed... I had to do this in a hurry)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z60.jpg

Close up photos were also taken, but only had time right now to process and upload these two pics.

And with this year's haul (so far).
http://www.toycollectors.com.au/z61.jpg

[Raptormesh]

Can't wait to read your report on your blog, Grif. I love them so much I reread them every few months! Always gave me the sense that I'm there with you. Keep it up!

[ILikeSoundwave]

Yep. Got 'em. My first Botcon toys! Now there's 25 left. ;)
Shipping on them should be next to nothing with PoL, shipping weight being 635 grams

How much did they cost you with shipping?

[Barrel05]

Not happy that Sunstorms hands and feet are black. Strange decision might have to leave ko on display

[reillyd]

That's a formidible army to have to pack away and take back. Someone's going to get hit with excess luggage methinks ;)

[Paulbot]

Metroplex is so big in that picture compared to the other toys that I can't quite take it in. My mind is trying to convince me something's wrong.

[griffin]

I think if the two plush toys weren't there, it would look like a Leader toy surrounded by minicons.
The ones in front are Voyagers or smaller, and they don't even come up to Metroplex's knees.

[CHILENO20]

MW Starscream is really starting to grow on me for some reason. I may have to start looking at ebay for him (cue nuts prices!). I assume you took two suitcases with you right? One for your clothing, one for all the rest! :D

[Quickstrike]

Strika, Obsidian and Starscream are fantastic. Sunstorm is... what I expected Sunstorm would look like. I kind of wish he was made of transparent orange plastic or something. I dunno, he looks alright.

[reillyd]

Tfsource have botcon preorders, but no seekers or starscream

[Starscream77]

Don't look on evil bay, prices are ridiculous already!!!!

[Autocon]

Love to see the rainmakers with their counterparts;):p

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

RK have the rainmakers up

$199.90 (http://robotkingdom.com/services/eshop/main.php?action=details&CatType=&II=TFBC2013011&lang=us&CatID=)

Unlike RK to jack prices up so much

Only 12 available

[Barrel05]

Love to see the rainmakers with their counterparts;):p
Which counterparts?

[Sinnertwin]

How much did they cost you with shipping?

They're still on preorder. With my PoL, i'd say shipping might be an extra $6-$12. That of course depends on how much my current PoL weighs.

[griffin]

Unlike RK to jack prices up so much


Really? They got really bad once they started being first with stuff. They were really great when they first started out, but now they have a BBTS mentality with rarer items in an assortment or in general.

[Sinnertwin]

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22984&mode=retail

BBTS have just added $30 to the initial preorder pricing for The Rainmakers. Now priced at $174.99

[KaRNiV8L PRiME]

Really? They got really bad once they started being first with stuff. They were really great when they first started out, but now they have a BBTS mentality with rarer items in an assortment or in general.

Lol sorry boss bot my sarcasm cannot be detected through text :D

[UltraMarginal]

Lol sorry boss bot my sarcasm cannot be detected through text :D

you need to add a :rolleyes: or something when sarcastic, it helps a little, sometimes.:D

[Gouki]

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS22984&mode=retail

BBTS have just added $30 to the initial preorder pricing for The Rainmakers. Now priced at $174.99

And that is why I refuse to use BBTS anymore.

[UltraMarginal]

find me an online retailer that doesn't raise the price of a high demand item for the sake of increasing their profit? seriously.

[UltraMarginal]

Thanks for the help UltraMarginal. :) I've got two of the Kup mould at home but none of them have the problems this one does. They'll either somehow fix it or just replace it on Saturday (assuming the automorph gimmick problem is unique to mine).

If anyone is having any issues with their Botcon hoist, I found a useful posting on Seibertron (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/botcon-2013-machine-wars-hoist-chest-fix/27770/)

it seems one possible issue is a part within the chest being installed in the wrong orientation in the factory.

[Gouki]

find me an online retailer that doesn't raise the price of a high demand item for the sake of increasing their profit? seriously.

I notice it far more with BBTS because of their already high prices and outrageous shipping. It's really more of an, at the time I stopped, "final straw" thing as I used to use them a fair bit.

Don't notice it with the things I buy on Amazon (but it very well could happen), nor do I notice it from ozgameshop, AmiAmi or a few others. I've seen second runs and reissues costing more but that's completely different.

So, yeah.

[Bidoofdude]

Personally, I think BBTS are far better for getting large amounts of retail figures, such as Generations DLX/VOY and PRid/Prime BH stuff that is quite expensive here. :cool:

That extra $30 is quite astounding though. As they don't charge until the ship it, that's kinda sneaky there.

[Golden Phoenix]

That extra $30 is quite astounding though. As they don't charge until the ship it, that's kinda sneaky there.

A little bit sneaky, but they do send out emails about this sort of thing.

I pre-ordered the D-Arts Venasaur figure. They actually reduced the pre-order price and sent me an email to tell me about the price change.

[Sinnertwin]

That extra $30 is quite astounding though. As they don't charge until the ship it, that's kinda sneaky there.

They're still honouring the original listing's pre-order price of $144.99, the price that i ordered my set at. The extra $30 will hit those that have and/or will order at a later date. Hope that clears any misunderstanding from my OP