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jwasko

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Everything posted by jwasko

  1. jwasko
    No, he died with the first Death Star. I simply was pointing out that, in Return of the Jedi, Vader specifically said that he was sent to the Death Star II to get them "back on schedule." This suggests that he may have had a similar role in A New Hope: first making sure that it gets done on time, and also correcting the mistake of letting the plans slip to the rebels. FYI, you're talking about ARC-170 fighters (the x-wing +2) and the y-wing things I think are actually just called Y-wings. The y-wings used by the rebels were usually portrayed as being older/obsolete ships that no one used anymore (except the rebels and small security forces that couldn't get anything else) because of newer, faster ships like TIES. X-Wings were designed by a company just before that company was seized by the Empire. When that happened, the designers defected and gave the designs/prototypes to the Rebel Alliance (who presumably had more built). As a side note, the x-wings were the most advanced fighter ever made up to that point. TIES have been made out to be a symbol of what the Empire stands for: they have minimal amenities and rely on quantity over quality. Unlike all the rebel fighters, TIES have no shields or hyperdrives, and the pilots have to wear fully air-tight suits with a personal oxygen supply. They're cheap, but easy to destroy compared to x-wings and y-wings (both of which have shields). And no, TIES don't need astromechs because they don't have hyperdrives. The main reason why x/y-wings have them is for navigation through hyperspace. PS: You may find this website helpful in the future: http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page PPS: I'm not sure I ever realized quite how much "useless" Star Wars knowledge I had...I pretty much hit all the major points in the TIE/In article from memory alone.
  2. jwasko
    I know that it's not at all canon, but...those pictures really make me think of a Max/Millia pairing. Now I really want to buy two expensive toys.
  3. jwasko
    More on topic, summing up what I want from a TF4: 1 Differentiate the robots more (besides Prime and Bumblebee (though I think DOTM improved on this a little). 2 More G1 Decepticons (even if they are all seekers, at least it makes more sense than having 20 of each Constructicon). 3 Fewer alt-mode-less drones (again: more G1 Decepticons). 4 Pull back the camera during fights (again, I think DOTM improved on this a little compared to the other two). 5 More hands, less claws (see: Megatron, Starscream, Jazz) And while I prefer IDW's updated G1/G1-esque stylings to the movies...and I would love to see an animated version of Last Stand of the Wreckers...I can't say that I completely despise the movie designs. HA Jazz is really awesome.
  4. jwasko
    Concerning the whole "brains have an upper limit" issue... Am I to understand that ants (with 6 limbs), spiders (, crabs (10), not to mention centipedes or millipedes are lugging around have 2 to ? many extra limbs just because...the extra weight keeps them in shape? If you want to nitpick the fact that none of those animals have 10 fingers/toes on each limb...how about monkeys? They have five fingered hands with opposable thumbs, plus feet whose toes have a lot more dexterity than ours...and they have a prehensile tail. On the other hand...I could see research showing that the humanoid form is the most efficient (as seen in Gui's statements about the brain, ears, and eyes). I could be way off on all of that...I'm a chemist, after all, not a biologist. But if someone is going to insult someone else for questioning "scientifically established theories," that person should cite some publications in scientific journals. Because, as a man once said, "between recognized experts and a big mouth on a forum, the choice is quickly done, you know, at least for the ones of us who can use their brain." PS: Just to show that I'm not just picking on Gui...Peter, everything in science is (technically) just a theory that no one has been able to disprove yet. "Scientific fact" is just a phrase.
  5. jwasko
    I don't remember if there is an in-universe explanation for that, but I always figured that Tarkin became one of Palpatine's favorites with his Death Star project (he didn't design it, but he was head of the Maw Installation, which completed the design and a successful prototype). Then, as the head of the project, Palpatine ordered Vader to make sure Tarkin got what he needed to make sure the Death Star was finished on time/under budget (see: Vader's arrival in Return of the Jedi). Plus, I don't know that Palpatine ever really respected Vader as a "second in command"...more like the ultimate tool of the Empire/Palpatine's will.
  6. jwasko
    In Bay's defense...apparently, some companies have a problem having their products associated with wars (even when it's entirely fictional, and involves giant robots that turn into cars). This includes VW. At least that's Hasbro's excuse for not using a Beetle alt mode (even on the G1-esque Classics Bumblebee toy).
  7. jwasko
    Really awesome game. Thanks for the link. It occurs to me that it would take surprisingly little to turn this into a Macross game...Gnerl or Regult = enemy planes, the boats/ships could be the zentraedi capital ships, pickets, etc. Your Valkyrie would be in fighter mode when the boost/engine is on, but transform to battroid when you turn it off to allow for those tight turns. Only thing missing then is the macross missile massacre. In order to keep the Atari-esque stylings, it would probably be a Defender/Geometry Wars-esque, screen-clearing super bomb. You would start with one or a few, and earn more after every so many points. So...anyone know how to make flash games?
  8. jwasko
    Short answer: They're not. Long answer: Most major retailers stopped stocking/restocking Transformers before the final waves of Reveal the Shield, Generations, and Power Core Combiners in preparation for the billions of new movie figures (which would theoretically be super popular). A lot of people were mad about this, because a lot of exciting new figures of really popular characters (Kup, Perceptor, Thundercacker, Lugnut) were included in these waves as well as figures that were canon troop-builders (Scourge/Sweeps, Wreck-gar/Junkions). In comparison, the earlier waves (which actually made it to stores) were full of repaints. Furthermore, scout class figures (like Windcharger)apparently don't sell very well in the US compared to Deluxe class...and thus Hasbro didn't even try very hard to get Windcharger's wave in US stores. I believe Windcharger actually made it into some stores overseas (and maybe Canada?), but even then he's pretty rare. Your best shot is stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, which got some Reveal the Shield stock that never made it into stores. I've never seen any Scouts there, though...just Deluxe Bumblebee, Voyager Strafe, and some Legends class figures. There's plenty on eBay (for 4-5x the MSRP), of course...or you can just hope that they eventually repackage/rerelease him at some point.
  9. jwasko
    Spoiler free version of my previous post (as long as you've seen the previews and the previous movies): Imagine ROTF with far less toilet humor (which didn't offend me...I didn't like it, but it didn't kill ROTF for me), but also without the forest battle. Also, instead of Devastator there's a giant worm thing. Finally, there was too much focus on human soldiers in the final battle...and they were less exciting/more annoying than in the first movie. I went in expecting a mindless, adrenaline-fueled thrill ride and instead got a mindless, coffee-fueled kiddie coaster. Concerning the "oriental freak dude":
  10. jwasko
    I haven't read any reviews, but I'd say the aforementioned scores were pretty accurate. In my book, with the original Transformers animated movie (1986) arbitrarily set at 10, it's: Transformers 2007 = 8.5 ROTF = 7 DOTM = 5
  11. jwasko
    Given that one of the best series of Star Wars novels, X-Wing, featured almost nothing but groups of side characters (non-Jedi pilots)...yes. (I know there was a force-sensitive in there...but he wasn't a Jedi for most of that series) And given how much people adore troopers and Mandalorians, I think many would agree with me(see complaints earlier in this thread). On the other hand, there's no reason why they couldn't continue the animated series past Ep. III and into the Classic/Rebellion Era (and beyond) in place of the live action series.
  12. jwasko
    Hasbro posted some videos on Youtube, which are only visible if you have the link (which I think was posted on Facebook). I got these from Nerfhaven: I think I've seen one more video, showing one of the larger blasters (Praxis?) firing, but I can't find it at the moment.
  13. jwasko
    Yeah...but the Force runs strong in his family.
  14. jwasko
    It's actually ~3500 years before the movies. And they actually did make stuff look old-fashioned/low tech in the comic series "Tales of the Jedi"...which took place around the same era or sometime before. I think, at this point, it's that the people involved with Star Wars realize everyone loves "classic" Star Wars ships, Mandalorians, and troopers. Hence we get funny-looking Star Destroyers, TIEs with slightly different wings, clone trooper look-alikes, and all bounty hunters own a set of Mandalorian armor. That part I actually like for some reason. Unlike technology, which is often lost only when it is replaced with a better/more efficient/cooler technology, the Force is reliant on the passage of knowledge from teacher to student. If that chain is somehow broken, that power/ability is lost. In all, it seems consistent with magic in fantasy stories: Usually there's some ancient magical art which no one knows how to perform anymore (except maybe one guy, who is the key to defeating the bad guy).
  15. jwasko
    I'm pretty sure Grimlock was sold for $70 (in the USA), but I know that that price was after Toys R Us jacked up the price $10-$20 (because he sold out quickly from their online shop). So, if Hot Rod proves similarly popular, I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar. I'll still pay 60-70 for it without too much grumbling, especially if most/all of the breakage issues are fixed.
  16. jwasko
    I think this is the movie you're looking for:
  17. jwasko
    I swear, HLJ always starts their sales the week after I have money.
  18. jwasko
    one_klump: The plunger tube (which, I'm guessing, is what you're calling an "air cylinder"...it's the part that the piston/plunger slides in, and where the air comes out) may have gotten slightly dislodged. It fits in the blaster's shell two different ways (one farther forward and one farther back), and only works properly one way. The pictures here may help. Also, check the timing on the rotation; the barrel should be aligned right before it fires (make sure you don't shoot your eye out while doing this). The Maverick is simple, but finicky. (although, at this point, you probably don't care)
  19. jwasko
    Yes, they are manufactured to be interchangeable.
  20. jwasko
    The Monster XL is, from all I've heard, incredibly rare. It's also incredibly powerful; it can completely drench someone. Get it.
  21. jwasko
    Edit: I just realized the following may seem like an advertisement; please know that I don't mean it to be. I don't own Nerfhaven or somehow earn money if you visit it. If you don't mind, I'll answer that question in the best way I know how. I've been an avid nerfer (both modifying my blasters and actually going out and playing with others of like mind) since 2007. If you want to modify (or make your own) Nerf blasters, or find some people to play with, I'd say the best resource is Nerfhaven. If you don't feel like searching around, here is a link to a list for modifications to just about every blaster in existence. And here is where most of the biggest Nerf wars are planned. Unfortunately, most of the blasters mentioned in this thread (the entire N-Strike line, really, except maybe the Nitefinder and Longshot) are, unfortunately, extremely underpowered compared to what's used at most Nerf wars these days. (Well, maybe not really most...but, certainly, nearly all of the ones planned on Nerfhaven) And, speaking of collecting...here's the greatest Nerf (etc) collection I've ever seen.
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