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With the prime masters representing bots that have "inherited the sparks of the original thirteen primes", I've been thinking about those original thirteen lately, and wishing they had figures like everybody else.

So I began wondering, who could be repurposed into them? A little paint, maybe a little retooling, there's gotta be someone out there for each prime...

Obviously, a few of them have legitimate figures already, such as Vector Prime and Megatronus/The Fallen, but it could be useful to brainstorm possible alternatives for those who didn't manage to get them, or just plain don't like them.

Nexus Prime will probably be the easiest considering everything that came out of Combiner Wars and PotP lately. Is there any Canon description of which vehicles make him up?

Figures outside of the Transformers franchise could be useful, too. I have a completed Legendary Defenders Voltron and I've been thinking he could be a possible Onyx Prime.

Amalgamous Prime will probably be the hardest to figure out. Build him out of Legos, and rebuild him when he transforms?

What do you guys think?

Hi Chimera245, I've been thinking about this for a while too. Here's the arrangement I've come up with:

There are several Nexus prime configurations, some are more easily replicated than others. The Exiles novel has two velocitronians (presumably race cars), a junkion (possibly a motorcycle), a regular autobot, and one more forming him. Meanwhile, his Covenant of Primus Art features a flying vehicle as his right leg, a jet-like vehicle as his right hand, a tank as his right bicep, and an eight-wheeled vehicle as his torso. The Club version of Nexus Prime has an APC as the torso with a tank, a helicopter, and two different jets as limbs. Basically, take Hasbro's Bruticus and swap Swindle for another jet. On the subject of re-purposing, Victorion's sword seems fairly close to his Cyber Caliber.

With a bit of orange, black, and purple paint, TR Sky Shadow makes an amazing Megatronus. By transforming him differently as Megatronus, I'm able to hide all the custom paint in his "normal" robot mode and preserve the figure's awesome original colors. Who ever said you needed PotP toys to have evolving primes?

With no alterations whatsoever, the 2014 Voyager Predaking makes an amazing Onyx Prime. Compared with the current offerings, he's basically a leader class. Easily the best repurposing I've ever done.

I've been using Botcon Megaplex as Liege Maximo for a while, with the weapons from two Energon Divebombs shoved in his neck gaps as optional "horns". Obviously this isn't a viable (or even desirable) option for most folks, but I like it a lot. Conversely, many online have been using TLK Megatron (voyager or leader) as Maximo after a coat of green and rotating his horns up.

PCC Pinpoint, although the wrong color, has a great sculpt for Micronus. Thanks to his ball-jointed legs, he can *kind of* sit down like the Aligned version of the character.

If you're willing to step outside the Covenant of Primus roster, Logos Prime can be represented by any old Soundblaster - personally, I prefer the FoC one. If you're repurposing Protoform Optimus Prime as Prima, then TLK Voyager Megatron makes a great adversary, and is actually filling the part of Logos in my current display. If you prefer a larger Prima, the Silver Knight Optimus Prime figures from Age of Extinction may hold some promise.

With TR Scourge's head and some paint, TR Kup could make a decent Maccadam. AKA Alchemist Prime.

I've never handled the figure, but Solus Prime's color scheme in the Machinima series is reminiscent of Cybertron Thunderblast. Sculpt-wise, T30 Chromia's arms and backpack seem like good matches.

I actually just found out about people using protoform Optimus for Prima, so I dig mine out, stuck a sword in his hand and called it a day. I might get ambitious and do a little bit of painting, but honestly, it wouldn't take much.

For Alpha Trion, I actually realized Scourge could repaint into him really easily, and I plan on picking up the TR version once I have money. Ironically, the ACTUAL Alpha Trion from TR doesn't look nearly as much like him...

(Though, if I get TR AT, then give his head to Scourge, then I'll have a Scourge head to give Kup to be Alchemist... I dunno if I can rationalize spending that much... Maybe if I had a use for the body...)

I'm using Fall off Cybertron Bruticus as Nexus, temporarily, but I plan to rig up a custom CW/PotP.

I actually find Cybertron Megatron makes a somewhat decent Liege Maximo, as long as you're going for the "Loki" look, and not the "Satan-Unicron" look.

I have DotM Shockwave, and he makes a surprisingly decent Fallen. He's even got little dark indentations on either side of his mono-eye that could feasibly be eyes if you paint them bright orange, and paint the red mono-eye black to hide it. Note I just need to figure out how to put a bunch of flames all over him...

Solus is giving me the most trouble. I can't find any good feminine looking figure that doesn't look all weak and fragile. I mean she swings around a magic blacksmith hammer. I don't need a "buff" figure, but she should at least be solid and sturdy looking. I was considering some incarnation of RID Strongarm, but couldn't find a good one whose hands could actually hold a hammer...

What sword were you thinking of for Prima? I've gone back and forth between TFP Voyager Optimus's dinky star saber and a blue sword from Alternators Wheeljack. Though both small on their original wielders, they look great with him.

Although a little small for the role, maybe Alpha Trion's body could work for The Last Autobot/Autonomous Maximus? Could also work for Solomus or Vector Prime, depending on tastes and character rosters...

Nice! I'd love to see how the nexus custom turns out.

Can't say I've ever thought of using that Megatron for Maximo - ironically enough, I was briefly using the Galvatron from that line as Megatronus!

Regarding flames, some combination of 2d paint and 3d sculpting (clay or some sort of hot glue creation) could work very well. If I recall, there was a flame upgrade kit for a 3rd party fallen made using hot glue.

Depending on your budget, amount of paint and scale preference, Combiner Wars Pyra Magna could be a good base for that. Equally promising IMO is the newly-revealed WFC Chromia.

Meh, Pyra's not nearly feminine enough. Not surprising considering she came from Hot Spot. I didn't realize there was a new Chromia, though, I might wait, and pick it up... If not, I'll just have to repurpose an effeminate male figure...

I was actually thinking of making the Fallen's flames out of fabric. Find a fabric with a flame print, cut it in jagged flame shapes, glue it on, stand him near a fan, and watch the flames flicker... At least that's the plan. Whether I can achieve it is another matter...

I was planning on keeping to the "main" roster of primes, (I don't wanna say "Aligned" because of that Optimus/13th crap.) So no Logos, Last Autobot, etc.

I just found pictures of a custom repaint of the TR AT mold into Nova Prime. It looks pretty awesome. I think I'll get it, and do something similar myself. I'll probably have to retool the leftovers after I play musical heads pretty hard, to get it to be Nova's face, though...

I'm using CW Menasor's sword for Prima. I don't like it very much on Menasor, so it seemed like a good idea...

Not sure what to do about Quintus. I'm thinking I'll get a bot with a decent looking torso, and with a lot of 5mm peg holes, and fill em all with tentacles. But I'm not sure who fits that bill.

Also, I got a real specific idea of Micronus that's making it hard to find him a mold. I want him to be the smallest of them all, and if at all possible, I want him to have a minicon port, or at least a 5mm peg hole to fake it with. But I definitely absolutely want his alt mode to be a tool or weapon that others can hold.

I definitely want a TFP Predaking to be Onyx now, but I think I'll temporarily use Cybertron Scourge as a stand-in tool I can get one.

Not sure about Amalgamous. I really wanna find a robot with a lot of potential for unofficial fan modes. Maybe use a lot of 5mm connections and make him a parts-former. Not sure who to use as a base, though...

And then there's The Arisen. From the artwork, I thought he had a fairly "Animated Optimus" looking face, (you know, minus any actual face...) so I planned to use a heavily modded Cybertron mode animated Optimus, but he was just way too bulky...

Well, I still stand by my recommendation of Pinpoint for Micronus. He has a 5mm hole in his chest and a mini-con peg on each knee. Plus, he turns into an engine/weapon.

For amalgamous, maybe try TR Sixshot or TR megatron/blitzwing? While a bayformer would better capture his official design, both figures have fanmode potential. Especially megatron/blitzwing; I’ve unofficially turned megatron into a poly-changer with Robot, Tank, jet, laser pistol, Minecart, dinosaur, claw, two-headed dragon, gargoyle/troll, elephant, space racer, helicopter, spider-creature, and battle station modes. I’m in the process of customizing my blitzwing into a parts-forming Tarn, so there is definitely lots of potential for mods

Oh, I thought Pinpoint was the name of the bigger orange racecar looking guy, not the minicon. That makes MUCH more sense now...

And I was actually considering digging out the bulk of my movie figures to see if anyone useful was in there for amalgamous. Though, I don't really have anyone past RotF. I collected a couple of DotM figures, but pretty much gave up on the live action toyline around then.

By any chance, do you have any pictures of any of those Megatron/Blitzwing alt modes?

You know...I just had a thought... What about using any given two Energon (Unicron trilogy) deluxe figures, combined, as Amalgamous? He'd have a huge potential for fan modes, and Energon figures usually have a whole bunch of 5mm ports and minicon ports, to customize even further. The only real downside is that he becomes, essentially, an extreme parts-former.

I think I'll fiddle around with the ones I have a while, and see if anything cool results.

Oops, sorry about the pinpoint confusion!

If you're not using him as, well, himself, The Fallen from RotF could make a good Amalgamous stand-in. Basically no fan-mode potential though. Giant symbols aside, RotF mixmaster could also work. Although I don't own one myself, others on the internet say he's very intricate and fan-modable, with some people turning him into a spaceship or even a dog. Energon guys could work, I suppose. Some sort of centaur creature or "Vishnu mode" may be possible with 0 parts forming. I'm curious to see what you come up with.

BTW, have you considered using pieces from the short-lived construct-bots line? They're covered in 5mm ports and connectors.

And here are the pics, not all modes are created equal

Wow, that figure is REALLY versatile. I love the "Cybertronian Care Bear".

I messed around with my Energon figures a while, and this is what I came up with. I could probably do more if I bothered to dig into my "loose weapons and other extra parts" box...

Anyway...

Spider monster:


Jet :



Train:



Tank:




Crab monster:


Electric shaver?

A jumbled mess you built out of Legos when you were six, and called a spaceship:



Amalgamous Prime's robot mode:


Also Amalgamous Prime's robot mode because he's Amalgamous Prime:


If I go this route, I'll probably add some paint details to make the figures more uniform and themed looking. Maybe add some gold and some black to everyone...

But that TR Megatron is really tempting me...

Haha, thanks! I was inspired by this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8YJEedMreJ0
The energon fanmodes look like a lot of fun, I'm surprised that a truck and a race car made such a convincing aircraft! I tried to make the second combined robot - which looks great with the digitigrade knees btw - and found that it has a surprisingly regal feel. Especially with Menasor's sword. Although my preference would be for Amalgamous to be bigger, or possibly a bionicle, this design is so cool I may use it too.

One more thing, TR Sixshot made a decent "Amalgamous" robot mode, vaguely reminiscent of IDW's Adaptus. For the sake of comparison I'll post everything in one picture.

Chimera245 wrote:

Damn, I so want Energon Prowl now. Just for that jet mode with Rodimus.

Overcracker wrote:

Chimera245 wrote:

Damn, I so want Energon Prowl now. Just for that jet mode with Rodimus.

If you're getting them just for the jet mode then you should go for these two for a nice, uniform color: Prowl and Checkpoint.




(Though getting just Prowl alone is much cheaper, few really likes the guy.)

Emerje

I love those Hub commercials. I still remember the one where Megatron claims his favorite song is the MLP:FIM theme.

If I had another TR Sixshot, I'd definitely consider it, but with so many other options for Amalgamous, I don't think I can justify buying a new one. And the one I've got is busy being Sixshot, obviously.

With so many small robots coming out in WFC: Siege, I think I'll wait a bit, and see if any of them make a promising Micronus.

I think my biggest obstacles right now are Quintus and The Arisen.

I want to give Quintus a bunch of tentacles, which I can always 3D print, and then attach to 5mm peg holes. I just need a figure with a bunch of peg holes, which has a reason to have a bunch of tentacles in its alt mode...

And I want The Arisen to have that "gaping open head and chest full of light" look, but I don't know if any molds that can pull that off...

Fair enough for Micronus, there are plenty of options.

Hold up, you're considering 3D printing but a spare leader class is too expensive? Services like shapeways remain very pricey, and making enough parts to outfit a quintus prime could easily run into the hundreds of dollars, not to mention the various prototypes and refinements you'd have to make if you're custom-designing them. Furthermore, the main 3D printing material (hard plastic) might break easily as a thin tentacle. Unless you have personal access to a 3D printer and either a lot of modeling experience or designs already lined up, this is a very risky and expensive proposition. An easy compromise might be LEGO parts, which include a lot of tentacle molds and can be cheaply ordered off websites like bricklink. The standard Lego stud is almost a 5mm peg, and there are many different joint systems that could make a durable and posable Quintus work.

Rant over

For the Arisen, have you considered the Powerizer (voyager) Ultra Magnus from P:RiD? He's one of the only figures I know of with a light-piped sternum, and the head can be easily popped off its ball joint and replaced with whatever you want.

I actually do have a 3D printer. I've had one almost as long as they've been commercially available, so I keep forgetting how much it costs to go through a third party, or that it's even an option at all. Sorry for the confusion.

As for Ultra Magnus, I never really paid that figure much attention, but he's surprisingly good. I can tell from some pictures on Google image search that his head is made of multiple pieces, so depending on how it's put together, I might be able to just remove the face.

The only thing is he's a good bit beefier than I imagined The Arisen, but I know I'm not gonna have a lot of options for a character like this, so he's a solid candidate.

This is an interesting topic that I've been considering for a while. I've had thoughts on doing the Primes as well, both "present day" and "ancient" representations of them. Here's my thoughts-

Prima: For his original form I'd be tempted to go 3P and use MMC's Seraphicus Prominon (actually meant as Nova Prime but let's be real, that's Prima), as quite frankly I can't think of any official toys that really fit him. If you felt more creative and didn't care so much about the "official" white and silver colour scheme I can see the Galaxy Force redeco of Cybertron Optimus Prime (not Galaxy Convoy) as fitting for the original incarnation of the first Prime, as it's a big, regal looking Prime in non-traditional colours. Alternatively one could give that mold a custom paint job to make him look more Prima-y but that would require painting/custom skills obviously. For a modern day/"Reincarnated" Prima there's two options. One is Protoform 2007 movie Prime (incidentally the "official" toy of Prima) which whilst Deluxe sized and thus unsuitable for his magnificent silver angel form, could work as a smaller reincarnation/"cyber Jesus" form. The other is cheating and putting the Prima Matrix/Prime Master into SDCC (or normal but if you have Prima you might as well use the nicer SDCC version) POTP Primal, representing him being used as an avatar of Prima, kinda like a good version of the classic "possessed by the Devil" trope.

Megatronus: First off I'll say I hate the name "Megatronus" and in my headcanon Megatronus is the name given to him by the Autobot propaganda division, who upon Megatron's rise to infamy decided to claim that he was descended from the evil Prime (though also in my headcanon, Liege Maximo is the one behind everything and "Megatronus", or Umbrus Prime as I prefer, is simply a pawn to the grand conspirator). But anyway, for a pre-fall Megatronus, I can see Cybertron Galvatron (or even Megatron) working- he looks badass and imposing but not truly satanic. Again, you could customize him into traditional Megatronus colours but either way it should work, in theory. For his modern "Fallen" incarnation, either a version of the ROTF Fallen figure or possibly the 3P "Chaos Paladin" figure could work. We really need a better Fallen figure. Alternatively AGAIN one could use the Megatronus Matrix/Prime Master to "possess" a suitable figure (TR Black Shadow could work as mentioned, though I rather like him as is).

Solus Prime: Seeing as she's dead (in my headcanon extremely dead as the cause of her demise was trying to stop Megatronus/Umbrus Prime from shooting the treacherous Legion Prime/Liege Maximo with the Requiem Blaster, a weapon that violates the laws of thermodynamics and destroys energy, which means anything hit is as dead as dead can be) any figure of her "post fall" would be at best a "possession" via the Matrix of Creation/Solus Prime PM, and at worst a charred corpse. As for before she was accidentally split cleanly in two by the power of uncreation, MMC did a rather nice figure called Salvia Prominon...but it's only Deluxe sized. I'm personally of the opinion that as a Prime, Solus should be Voyager sized at least and there's so few good Voyager and up fembots that it's not even funny. I got nothin'. It would have to be a custom at any rate.

Quintus Prime: Uh...I got nothin'. He's supposed to have completely disappeared, and the only image of him is not particularly indicative of anything that could transform. The best I can say is Energon Alpha Q modded to look less evil.

Alchemist Prime: Again I hate the name he has, much preferring "Chemos Prime" myself. Prior to his disappearance I can almost see a Bulkhead of some description working, with some custom accessories. However, my main interest in him is after he disappeared- in my headcanon he went on a voyage with Amalgamous Prime to the edge of the galaxy, where both of them perished and had their sparks claimed by Liege Maximo, who twisted them both into his puppets- Chemos becoming Toxitron, herald of decay.

Amalgamous Prime: Anything, he literally transforms into whatever shape he desires. That applies both to his golden age form and his "fall" form too- Liege Maximo turned him into the ever changing entity known as "The Faceless".

Onyx Prime: Pre- and post-fall would have the same form. I'm thinking either the best version of Prime Predaking (bugger me if I can remember it) or alternatively Cybertron Scourge, both of which would suit him well.

Alpha Trion: The TR figure is basically perfect IMO.

Vector Prime: Cybertron Vector Prime is still a great toy, so why not?

Micronus Prime: Because his whole schtick is being tiny I like the idea that the Micronus Prime PM is actually Micronus himself- he is his own Matrix.

Nexus Prime: Obviously being a combiner he'd probably need some custom work to make him "work" but I reckon the standalone Scattershot (AKA "Betatron"), G2 Fireflight, G2 Dead End, G2 Skydive and maybe CW Smokescreen would make for a good Nexus.

Liege Maximo: TLK Megatron in whatever size you prefer.

The 13th Prime: To me, the 13th is not an individual but a title- whoever is the current bearer of the Matrix of Leadership is the 13th, be it the original bearer (ancient Autobot hero Sentinel Prime) or the current owner (Optimus or Rodimus Prime). But that's just me.

I like the idea too, that the role of "13th" is filled by whoever bears the matrix, but it doesn't change the fact that there was an actual person there when the 13 were created, else they would just be called "the 12". In my head canon, the Arisen actually *is* the matrix, and that's why the matrix-bearer fills the role. Whether it's a "died and left his essence behind as an artifact" or "the matrix is his alt mode" situation, I don't know yet. But the open chest and face full of light definitely looks matrix-y to me...

Haven't you guys read idw though? Onyx is just a guy in a suit! and the religion and origin of the thirteen was just a lie

In all seriousness though there is a lot of good suggestions here and I'm still holding out hope that hasbro do a sub line giving proper molds out to the primes, even if it's spread out over multiple toy lines.

Though if I ever did this then I think I can find a suitable Shockwave to stand in place

I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier, but Elita-1 would make a pretty good Solus, I think. She's got a pretty study, powerful figure, yet is still clearly female. I'd need to give her a new head, but as long as I'm already retooling, I might be able to shave off all that jet kibble on her back, and give her a different alt mode. Plus I'd have a spare pair of PotP combiner feet to give to one of my CW combiners.

I just recently made my own Thirteen.



No paint or mods. I don't have the materials or skill to do that.

We have, from left to right, front row, then back...

ROTF-Jolt as Alchemist Prime.
Titans Return Alpha Trion as Alpha Trion.
Six-inch Titanium Fallen as the Fallen.
TF-2007 Protoform Optimus Prime as Prima.
TF:A Megatron as Liege Maximo.
MMC's Promium as Solus Prime.
ROTF-Soundwave as Amalgamous Prime.
Thrilling 30-CENTURITON! as Micronus Prime.
TF:Cybertron-Vector Prime as Vector Prime.
TFSS-Nexus prime as Nexus Prime.
TF:Energon Alpha Quintesson as Quintus Prime.
TF:Cybertron Scourge as Onyx Prime.
TF:Prime Beast Hunters Optimus Prime as 'Thirteen'.

Now my choices...

Alpha Trion, Fallen, Prima, MMC promium, Vector Prime, BH Optimus, and Nexus Prime are... themselves. or have been officially designated to be who I have as their Thirteen.

Jolt has similar arms to Alchemist. His bug-eyes can be his lenses, and has those electrical whips which can substitute for Alchemist's elemental powers.

TF:A Megatron was just the best I could do for Liege Maximo.

ROTF:Soundwave's alt mode is pretty ambiguous and can be fiddled around with, 'shifting'.

CENTURITON! is the biggest Minicon-style toy I've got.

Same with Alpha Quintesson. There's just no other toy in my collection that can match.

The choice for Onyx was between Scourge and TF:Beast Hunters Voyager-class Predaking, but Scourge is bigger, thicker, just all-around much more intimidating than the comparatively-scrawny Predaking.

Thoughts?

I never even thought about Jolt for Alchemist, but now that the idea is there in front of me, he makes a REALLY good one, as long as you're going for the Aligned vibe. Especially the lens eyes.

And I was also thinking about RotF Soundwave for Amalgamous before I realized the potential my Energon figures could have. Good to know I wasn't alone.

I was torn over those two figures for Onyx, too. Right now, Scourge is up on my "Thirteen Shelf" because I actually have him, and I'd have to buy a Predaking. But I'm not sure I wanna give up having all the TFC planet leaders, so might have to break down and buy Predaking (or at least a second Scourge).

I really wanted to want the TR Alpha Trion, but it just didn't feel like a good depiction of the character to me. Every time I saw it in the store, I just thought "come on, HasTak, you can do better than THIS..." But with some paint, TR Scourge can make an AMAZING Alpha Trion. AT's actually depicted as having a hovercraft alt mode is some comics and Scourge's jet-boat-thing alt mode does a good job of pretending.

I actually have Titanium Series Fallen, but the figure's gotten really loose and wobbly lately, and had a few other problems that were there since I've had it, and the more Voyager-and-up figures make their way into my Thirteen roster, the less I felt a 6-inch figure that could barely hold his arms up could appropriately represent The Fallen.

I can't stand the "Optimus is one of The Thirteen" twist the Covenant of Primus pulled, so if an Optimus figure winds up being my Arisen, it'll be solely for the design of the mold.

Protoform Optimus makes an amazing Prima. I know he's been used canonically to represent him before, but even if he hadn't, I'd still use him. As the first Prime, who bears the closest resemblance to Primus, it makes sense that a tiny version of a planet robot would be a comet robot.

I think my Animated Megatron is buried in a box somewhere right now, so I haven't thought about him much, but he's definitely got potential for Liege Maximo.

With some more fiddling and a few extra parts, I found that TR Megatron can make a freaky upside-down-and-backwards robot mode. Makes him a little more like the covenant Amalgamous, although an exact match is obviously impossible. I may have to track down another Megatron now

Chimera245 wrote:I never even thought about Jolt for Alchemist, but now that the idea is there in front of me, he makes a REALLY good one, as long as you're going for the Aligned vibe. Especially the lens eyes.

And I was also thinking about RotF Soundwave for Amalgamous before I realized the potential my Energon figures could have. Good to know I wasn't alone.

I was torn over those two figures for Onyx, too. Right now, Scourge is up on my "Thirteen Shelf" because I actually have him, and I'd have to buy a Predaking. But I'm not sure I wanna give up having all the TFC planet leaders, so might have to break down and buy Predaking (or at least a second Scourge).

I really wanted to want the TR Alpha Trion, but it just didn't feel like a good depiction of the character to me. Every time I saw it in the store, I just thought "come on, HasTak, you can do better than THIS..." But with some paint, TR Scourge can make an AMAZING Alpha Trion. AT's actually depicted as having a hovercraft alt mode is some comics and Scourge's jet-boat-thing alt mode does a good job of pretending.

I actually have Titanium Series Fallen, but the figure's gotten really loose and wobbly lately, and had a few other problems that were there since I've had it, and the more Voyager-and-up figures make their way into my Thirteen roster, the less I felt a 6-inch figure that could barely hold his arms up could appropriately represent The Fallen.

I can't stand the "Optimus is one of The Thirteen" twist the Covenant of Primus pulled, so if an Optimus figure winds up being my Arisen, it'll be solely for the design of the mold.

Protoform Optimus makes an amazing Prima. I know he's been used canonically to represent him before, but even if he hadn't, I'd still use him. As the first Prime, who bears the closest resemblance to Primus, it makes sense that a tiny version of a planet robot would be a comet robot.

I think my Animated Megatron is buried in a box somewhere right now, so I haven't thought about him much, but he's definitely got potential for Liege Maximo.

Thanks. That Energon combiner for Amalgamous you posted earlier is flippin' sweet and damned clever. And yeah, it's kinda hard not having Scourge with the other Planet Key leaders, but I take solace that in Japan, he was a Prime.