Here's a quick pic of Scoria, which arrived today,
QC on mine is damn good, the shoulder joints are ever so slightly loose but not to the extent that they cause the arm to flop or anything so it's a non issue especially as I take more care with my figures that I suspect some of the people who're always quick to report issues do.
All the other joints are fine, lots of nice, clicky ratchets and the only ones that require real care in moving are the fingers on the hands which're quite tight....it can also be slightly fiddly to get the gun and sword in the right position but they both look great once they're in place. I haven't tried the lights on either weapon yet as I've not sorted out some batteries for them.
Quakewave didn't really have any paint apps so Scoria is FT's first real go at that and they pass with flying colors. The various colours on the smaller detailing that's been sculpted instead of the stickers that the original toy all look very cleanly done and the glossy red finish on the body makes a very nice contrast with the unpainted plastic areas which are a very close match to the original Takara and Hasbro releases of MP Grimlock.
What really catches the eye is of course the chrome which looks stunning....Snarl will probably have to come with a set of sunglasses
Transformation is excellent, the bit where you basically turn the lower robot legs inside out in order to reveal the rear dino legs is one of most enjoyable elements of any transformation I've ever done and the rest is no more difficult than most recent Masterpieces. The only bit that was really fiddly was getting the chest panel to fold down to reveal the cavity that the head folds into as it was really tough to get moving but I just levered it out with one of those little tools you get with HT Iron Man figures and all was well.
Due to the way the last few stages work it might take a little bit of jiggling of parts to get the final few tabs into place in each spot but when it goes you should just sit back in awe at an incredible looking Dinobot, he even has a little flamethrower that flips up in his mouth and I'm hoping someone makes a flame attachment for it.
I haven't tried the other facesculpts yet but they look nice enough and I've also not put an Autobot logo on yet as I can't make up my mind about whether to use a clear backed or white backed one.
Due to it's bulk and weight Scoria has considerable presence either mode, he's a BEAST!
Anyone wanting to display their Dinobots all together in dinosaur mode will need a bloody big case for all 5 as there's no way they'll get on even 2 regular Detolf shelves....they'll probably just fit on one of my Billy bookcases in robot mode as long as I don't make the poses too extreme.
Also included are Grimlock's shoes which fit really well and don't look at all goofy in person and the grey matches up very well with the original MP08 release that I have.
Obviously the shoes don't solve the problems with other parts of his body lacking some bulk compared to Scoria but it'll do until FT's Grimlock comes along.
Fans Toys raised the bar with Quakewave but Scoria pisses on it. It is just that good.
