Toy review - Dinobot Slug (Slag) and Daniel Witwicky (Studio Series 86)

Dinobot Slug (Slag) and Daniel Witwicky
Series - Studio Series
Sub-line - 86
Size/class - Leader
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here - June/July 2021
Approximate Retail Price - $90 - 100
Approximate Size - >21 cm
Allegiance - Autobot
Alt-mode - robotic triceratops dinosaur
Main Features/Gimmicks - Daniel figure can ride on Slug/Slag
Main Colours - red, grey, gold
Main Accessories - gun + non-transformable Daniel figure

https://i.ibb.co/3Fs0rvH/2021-07-08-20-40-13.jpg
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https://i.ibb.co/0hY1BFZ/2021-07-08-20-41-12.jpg
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This is a charming toy. The transformation is more involved than I expected, with foldings hidden in the torso. The robot mode has longer torso and shorter arms/legs compared to Grimlock, but doesn't look bad when displayed right next to Grimlock. Given that he's as tall as Grimlock he has an impressive presence when displayed next to other WFC/SS86 toys. Also, like Grimlock he has 5mm peg holes on his arms/legs and back so he's compatible with weapons from the WFC toys. I really like this toy.

Absolutely love this guy!
My favourite bit is how the dino legs can completely fold up and hide inside the robot mode legs - pretty much eliminating hollowness and also allowing for that show accuracy. :)
My only minor annoyance with this figure is getting the dino tail to tab in properly for alt. Otherwise no issues to complain about.

Those last dino riders pics are awesome. Definitely a display option once we get the rest of the SS86 Dinobots

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tha_Phantom

Absolutely love this guy!
My favourite bit is how the dino legs can completely fold up and hide inside the robot mode legs - pretty much eliminating hollowness and also allowing for that show accuracy. :)
My only minor annoyance with this figure is getting the dino tail to tab in properly for alt. Otherwise no issues to complain about.

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Agreed. The dino legs being hidden in the robot legs is very nice. I also like how the gun can be stored underneath the tail during dino mode and extends the tail a little.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deano85

Those last dino riders pics are awesome. Definitely a display option once we get the rest of the SS86 Dinobots

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I hope the rumors regarding more Dinobots turn out to be true. I'd be happy with whatever more we can get!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deano85

Those last dino riders pics are awesome.

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Ditto. <3 the Dino Rider poses.

Very chunky. Haven't really paid attention to pics showing the size. So pretty impressed, though a few bits on mine are a bit loose.

Can't wait for the rest of the Dinobots.

Another Masterpiece in Studio Series form. Beautiful version of G1/movie Slag, the best Slag ever made. Perfect scale with Grimlock, SS86 and WFC toys.

I couldn't close the faux chest after pushing the sides of the chest halves in and discovered a bit of flash around the hinge was obstructing, which I removed with a hobby knife.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2ff69fa8_k.jpg

Also his left foot did not click into place after ankle tilting. The ankle tilt was not loose but there was no catching to hold the foot in its neutral position, just remaining there by friction. At first I thought the edge of the tab or the edge of the hole were deformed, but they looked the same as the other side.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d2de7663_k.jpg

Then I noticed a slightly larger gap than the other leg between the 2 plastic parts just in front of that rectangular hole (between it and the golden toes). Opening the leg up by the usual transformation revealed a screw on the other side. I tightened it with my JIS screwdriver (a normal Phillips head probably works) and I got back my clicking into place ankle.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9671b0af_k.jpg

I checked my Slug and sure enough, I had the same extra plastic in the hinge. It's hard to clear out, but I think I got most of it. The transformation relies on a large number of tabs staying together, which can be a bit finicky. The transformation is otherwise quite intuitive, more than the usual G1 Slag we've seen.

Both modes on their own are stellar, the triceratops has bright colours and all the right spots of cute pudginess in Slag's cartoon model. A lot of third party offerings have failed to capture that and looked ugly, while this toy excels with its stubbiness. The paint apps on the head and torso are spot on, surely a near perfect facsimile of the cartoon.

Bring on Swoop, I can't wait to see their attempt at a similarly cartoon accurate pterodactyl head. The current POTP one on my shelf is a good sculpt, but a little dry of character, as are his linemates.

I don't have Grimlock yet, but seeing how big Slug is in hand, just wow. Looks good, transforms well and not too hard to figure out. Clipping together is a bit annoying but not awful. Daniel is a crap accessory. If he wasn't molded to have permanently bent knees, I'd display it on a shelf. But alas, into a storage box he goes. What a waste.

I wonder what other annoying add on characters they will throw in with the rest of the Dinobots.....

If only they gave Daniel and Wheelie a hinged knee. Nothing complex requiring a metal pin, just molded thigh and lower leg to push interlock. Just a little more in parts and labour but so much more pleasing.

Who will join the other SS86 dinos? Kranix, Arlbus and Spike (in exosuit i.e. Daniel with reversed hands :p)?

I just got this guy and I'm impressed. Both Dinobots are simple for leader class toys, but a lot of fun. I was less impressed by Grimlock, probably because I had the Masterpiece already, but Slug had some quite nice surprises. It's big and chunky in both modes but quite different shapes between bot and triceratops.
I appreciate the fake toes they put on top of his dinosaur mode as an homage to the toy and cartoon. I was wondering why the box photo had red around that area when it wasn't red around his robot toes. I get it now.
Grimlock was okay, but this one has gotten me really excited about getting the other Dinobots (hopefully) coming out in leader scale without having to compromise by including gimmicks. I'm imagining a big wingspan for Swoop. I hope they all happen and soon.

I want these guys but i think the red parts on them (hips/chest) just looks so bland and almost cheap looking?.... is it just me?

I was somewhat reluctant about getting this toy... then ended up with two (selling the spare :p).

I wasn't really impressed with Grimlock, but Slug has seriously exceeded my expectations. Unlike Grimlock which basically the G1 toy but with better articulation and more cartoony proportions, Slug is really a whole new ballgame. The engineering and transformation is an interesting departure from the G1 toy, particularly with the way that the legs and hips transform. But also the Dinobot mode jaw with a faux jaw-chest for the robot mode, and even an upper palate panel that conceals the robot face in Dinobot mode so he no longer looks like a Triceratops that's swallowed a robot! The sculpting is unapologetically based on the cartoon design; and even as someone who prefers the original G1 toy designs, I can get on board with this as it offers something different.

Unencumbered with accommodating a combining gimmick and makes ample use of the Leader Class price point/budget. I also like the way that the tail tucks into the back; being G1 accurate but without being as in-the-way as G1 Slag's tail is. The way that the hind legs tuck into the robot legs is quite neat, and I quite like the chonky tank-like armoured look of the Dinobot mode. The way that the gun becomes the tail tip is also really neat. The inside of Slug's Dino mouth even has a post to attach flame/blast effects!

https://i.ibb.co/Rv4FzJs/86studioser...obotslag01.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/Qd5HfG8/86studioser...obotslag02.jpg

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https://i.ibb.co/BPKwLCk/86studioser...obotslag07.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/vkP4n9d/86studioser...obotslag08.jpg

I only have a few small nitpicks...
+ As others have said, the Daniel Witwicky accessory is rubbish. Even worse than Wheelie as it lacks hip and head articulation. Don't even know why the helmet is all white; they couldn't have even sculpted or applied a deco of Daniel's face/head inside a transparent helmet? They did it with LG Spike, and that was a puny Titan Master. Although I'm glad that his name's not Leinad anymore.
+ The 5mm port on the top of the Dinobot back is positioned in a way that you can't really mount Slug's rifle onto it well. Mainly because the frill gets in the way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deano85

I wonder what other annoying add on characters they will throw in with the rest of the Dinobots.....

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Good question! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sideswipes brother

I want these guys but i think the red parts on them (hips/chest) just looks so bland and almost cheap looking?.... is it just me?

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This is what happens when people want toys to look like the Sunbow cartoon. :) I'm not a fan of the red head; I much prefer the original black head. But then again, the whole point of Studio Series is to look like the screen model, so... yeah. :) We still have POTP Slug if you prefer G1-accurate colours. :)

i was starting to warm up to these new dinobots and i saw the hollow horns. it might be pretty minor but it just really annoys me. are that tight they cant just have a full horn?? my god

I just wish the triceratops had some curves out back.

Queue Sir Mix-a-Lot.

That and the spindly rear feet. We know it can be done better.

I've been playing around with mine for an hour or so, and Slug is overall a nice piece, but I really don't like the thin rear legs and feet. I would have been ok with thicker and chunkier lower legs if it means the rear dinosaur legs were also thicker and fuller. In fact, I think the lower legs look kind of thin from the front and back, possibly because I've been so used to seeing G1 Slag toys.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jellico

I just wish the triceratops had some curves out back.

Queue Sir Mix-a-Lot.

That and the spindly rear feet. We know it can be done better.

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I already mentioned the feet, but you raise a good point about how 'flat' the rear of the dinosaur's torso is. It doesn't gradually curve down to where the tail starts; it feels like the torso just 'stops' abruptly right behind the hind legs, since that forms the robot shins and those are very flat. G1 Slag also has that 'stop' where the rear torso comes down sharply, but the torso sticks out behind the hind legs and the slope down from the back isn't so steep.

Of the two issues you mentioned, the rear legs bother me more. I'll probably get used to them eventually, but they still look very strange.