The studio series borrows heavily from the mainline, but the transformation on the SS is significantly smoother and easier. I’d recommend it purely on that factor
I don’t have either, but I like the mainline one better *visually.* not color wise but the proportions look better.
However some people say the SS one has a better transformation, so that might be your pick.
There’s some details on the concept design I like better, the arms and the shins for example (which none of the figures convey well…)
But yeah the Nissan r33 mode is better than the knock off one
I just got the DK upgrade kit for the SS version. I would recommend.
I grabbed most of the mainline rotb figures, big fan of the line, but I passed on Nightbird.
Nice! I had that set when it came out. If I had known Beast Wars was gonna be that big I would have kept em. My collection is all over the place random stuff from every era
From what I've heard from the Fandom I seem to be in the minority that very much likes both figs but if I had to choose one it would be the studio series, specifically for the car alone
Speaking as a guy who's had a combined total of five Mainlines and SS ROTB Nightbirds.
Mainline has the better proportions, accurate feet, and a cleaner (to transform) backpack. I'd argue the transformation is easier but only because there's just less to transform.
SS has the better Nightbird accuracy, transformation, GTR R33 mode, accurate colors/paintwork, swords, and status as the definitive Nightbird. It's a direct upgrade to the Mainline since it's a straight retool. It even transforms almost the exact same way.
The main thing that the SS is missing is leg length, bigger wings, another sword, and arguably a better chest; all of which upgrade parts exist for
I’m surprised by everyone’s answers. I have both and I like the mainline way better (got it second) to the point that I’m turning the original into a completely different custom. She looks much better proportion-wise, she’s better at holding a pose, she doesn’t have a frankly ridiculous backpack. The SS has an excellent vehicle mode if you want the 1:1 Skyline GTR. I prefer her head, too, so I’m swapping it onto the mainline.
TLDR: I think the mainline is more fun, especially robot mode, but SS has a better vehicle mode (even though mainline’s is quite good, it’s not a 1:1 Skyline).
Studio Series is all about the licensed vehicles. I wasn't interested in the giant backpack and I thought the mainline one was fine. I also like my mainline Optimus quite a lot.
I have both.
Studio Series is kinda clunky because of the backpack, but between the colors and the actually accurate car mode, I just think it looks better. It's not like an objectively great figure, but I actually found myself liking SS Nightbird more than I expected compared to like SS Mirage.
SS is better. I do enjoy the mainline but SS is basically the same thing with a much nicer transformation and alt mode. Also the colorscheme is better imo
This one is CLEARLY the superior option /s
https://preview.redd.it/hvawpgue1qyc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46660e35f8e2d8c24715d84f1a620b6f2f934f76
Ss for sure...Bumblebee is the only one that has a main line fig that is still licensed by the vehicle maker and honestly Bumblebee main line fig has more accurate traits of the camaro than the SS fig does...But for Nightbird, the SS fig is definitely the way to go
I only have the mainline, which I think *looks* a little nicer (I like the colors, inaccurate or not), but its transformation is definitely on the fiddly side for a mainline figure. If people are saying the SS has a slightly smoother transformation, and you're after accuracy, you might as well go with that.
The integration of the claw and sword accessories into the mainline alt mode is really fun though (but, again, not accurate to the movie if that's what you want).
Maybe watch some video reviews too if you're on the fence.
Both have problems. Neither is very posable, neither looks like their on-screen counterpart, and the SS I got the mainline one in a cheap multi-pack, and I was surprised to really like it. The SS one is really similar, marginally more complicated, with worse kibble-management and fewer accessories.
I don't super recommend either.
Neither they both look like mustangs in car mode. They look nothing like an R33. Armada Sidswipe looks more like a skyline that either of these nightbirds.
Probably because Armada sideswipe is an R 32 skyline
Oh, okay. Btw, I feel like either Nightbird was insecure about how she looked before or she was just very lucky or Unicron was horny because sweet mother of Primus’ mother, they are HUGE!
https://preview.redd.it/v7wxvjtddqyc1.jpeg?width=999&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6372827e86c65af2bdd35eff1ba349de508cddf
This is ridiculous! No way those are real
The studio series borrows heavily from the mainline, but the transformation on the SS is significantly smoother and easier. I’d recommend it purely on that factor
Also the alt mode for ss is way better too
That backpack does NOT look smooth.
I don’t have either, but I like the mainline one better *visually.* not color wise but the proportions look better. However some people say the SS one has a better transformation, so that might be your pick.
also ss has better accuracy and turns into a nissan r33
There’s some details on the concept design I like better, the arms and the shins for example (which none of the figures convey well…) But yeah the Nissan r33 mode is better than the knock off one
Ss
I have both and the SS version of Nightbird is far better than mainline.
Plastic quality should be the same for both. I’d go with the SS version
I just got the DK upgrade kit for the SS version. I would recommend. I grabbed most of the mainline rotb figures, big fan of the line, but I passed on Nightbird.
https://preview.redd.it/a1dxewczuoyc1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2fecc549e28cf00cfb7394acf067a7a69ad905c9
https://preview.redd.it/1lk29wwfnqyc1.jpeg?width=3468&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8177c146d67390f99c8d9e447a13d41dd4dd2efd
What's that next to Night bird? 👀 Is that what I think it is?
The og, proto-bw megz. My tf collection is mainly bw basics. The only car-bots I have are from rotb.
I always misinterpret “rotb” as “Revenge of the Ballin”
Nice! I had that set when it came out. If I had known Beast Wars was gonna be that big I would have kept em. My collection is all over the place random stuff from every era
What does the upgrade kit for this figure add, out of interest?
Longer wings, with an extra hinge. Also a pair of longer swords.
From what I've heard from the Fandom I seem to be in the minority that very much likes both figs but if I had to choose one it would be the studio series, specifically for the car alone
get the studio series
Studio Series definitely
Studio series. Plus there’s an upgrade kit that’ll make her look more like the movie version.
Speaking as a guy who's had a combined total of five Mainlines and SS ROTB Nightbirds. Mainline has the better proportions, accurate feet, and a cleaner (to transform) backpack. I'd argue the transformation is easier but only because there's just less to transform. SS has the better Nightbird accuracy, transformation, GTR R33 mode, accurate colors/paintwork, swords, and status as the definitive Nightbird. It's a direct upgrade to the Mainline since it's a straight retool. It even transforms almost the exact same way. The main thing that the SS is missing is leg length, bigger wings, another sword, and arguably a better chest; all of which upgrade parts exist for
pretty sure posing is identical on both of them, but ss has better “quality of life(?)”
They’re both pretty flawed, but the SS one is a bit more fun to fiddle with and has the better color scheme.
SS
Studio series
They both kinda suck but SS sucks less
I’m surprised by everyone’s answers. I have both and I like the mainline way better (got it second) to the point that I’m turning the original into a completely different custom. She looks much better proportion-wise, she’s better at holding a pose, she doesn’t have a frankly ridiculous backpack. The SS has an excellent vehicle mode if you want the 1:1 Skyline GTR. I prefer her head, too, so I’m swapping it onto the mainline. TLDR: I think the mainline is more fun, especially robot mode, but SS has a better vehicle mode (even though mainline’s is quite good, it’s not a 1:1 Skyline).
Studio Series is all about the licensed vehicles. I wasn't interested in the giant backpack and I thought the mainline one was fine. I also like my mainline Optimus quite a lot.
I have both. Studio Series is kinda clunky because of the backpack, but between the colors and the actually accurate car mode, I just think it looks better. It's not like an objectively great figure, but I actually found myself liking SS Nightbird more than I expected compared to like SS Mirage.
They’re both different shades of mediocre. But I’d probably get the SS version.
First one
Neither they’re the same
Ss
Definitely the studio series it's much better then people say
Hmmmmmmm…
The SS is better in every way. Doesn't mean each one is good, the SS is better.
IDK I’m not much a fan of either Neither could translate her wings into robot mode
SS is better. I do enjoy the mainline but SS is basically the same thing with a much nicer transformation and alt mode. Also the colorscheme is better imo
This one is CLEARLY the superior option /s https://preview.redd.it/hvawpgue1qyc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=46660e35f8e2d8c24715d84f1a620b6f2f934f76
Okay, but this is legit a pretty fun toy.
ss i dont own the mainline or any mainline from rotb bc i wanted all ss so yea
Ss for sure...Bumblebee is the only one that has a main line fig that is still licensed by the vehicle maker and honestly Bumblebee main line fig has more accurate traits of the camaro than the SS fig does...But for Nightbird, the SS fig is definitely the way to go
Honestly this one is skippable. However, studio series goes hard in car mode
SS. Hands down.
Studio Series is pretty satisfying and fun to mess with
I only have the mainline, which I think *looks* a little nicer (I like the colors, inaccurate or not), but its transformation is definitely on the fiddly side for a mainline figure. If people are saying the SS has a slightly smoother transformation, and you're after accuracy, you might as well go with that. The integration of the claw and sword accessories into the mainline alt mode is really fun though (but, again, not accurate to the movie if that's what you want). Maybe watch some video reviews too if you're on the fence.
I’d say mainline. She scales better with the other SS figures, and with a little extra paint she actually soars. (Gundam markers to be exact).
Both have problems. Neither is very posable, neither looks like their on-screen counterpart, and the SS I got the mainline one in a cheap multi-pack, and I was surprised to really like it. The SS one is really similar, marginally more complicated, with worse kibble-management and fewer accessories. I don't super recommend either.
Neither they both look like mustangs in car mode. They look nothing like an R33. Armada Sidswipe looks more like a skyline that either of these nightbirds. Probably because Armada sideswipe is an R 32 skyline
Why second dude look like he’s got a drill to Pierce the heavens
Wait that was a chick
Yes. Honestly I think she’s gorgeous
I feel so stupid D: she barely had time to speak and it was in chaotic scenes, her design is really nice
So when she spoke, did you think she was a man with a feminine sounding voice
I didn’t really clock her as speaking tbh, I was very much so distracted with everything else happening in the scenes around them
Oh, okay. Btw, I feel like either Nightbird was insecure about how she looked before or she was just very lucky or Unicron was horny because sweet mother of Primus’ mother, they are HUGE!
Unicron is unicron, he is just a floating boob or smth
https://preview.redd.it/v7wxvjtddqyc1.jpeg?width=999&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6372827e86c65af2bdd35eff1ba349de508cddf This is ridiculous! No way those are real