The Energon Pub

[-Kanrabat-]

Asking the elephant in the room, what is the general consensus on Masterpiece combiners having separate connector parts for the Gestalt? Should they be part of the design, for the price point??

Based on all the super expensive 3P combiners so far, I've yet to see a single one that don't have any combiner parts that are integrated into the figures themselves. Hands, feet, chestplates, all are always separate pieces. That's pretty standard stuff. Beside, if you want a great looking combiner and great looking bots and vehicles, you don't have much choices. Especially if the OG designs won't allow any integrations.

To have all the parts being parts of the bots, the things must be intended to be integrated from the very start. Best example I can think of is Gobots Puzzler.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

I suppose so. Still, full integration isn't unprecedented in Transformers combiners either...

[Rodimus Prime]

I suppose so. Still, full integration isn't unprecedented in Transformers combiners either...

Every time I see that set I get the monster urge to require it. I sold mine years ago when I was breaking down my collection and it's 1 of the very few regrets I have. That's why I keep hoping see get am updated version soon.

[Rodimus Prime]

I suppose so. Still, full integration isn't unprecedented in Transformers combiners either...

Every time I see that set I get the monster urge to require it. I sold mine years ago when I was breaking down my collection and it's 1 of the very few regrets I have. That's why I keep hoping see get am updated version soon.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

Fingers crossed that if Raiden is successful enough. HasTak might turn their eye back on the only other train combiner team.

[Sabrblade]

Fingers crossed that if Raiden is successful enough. HasTak might turn their eye back on the only other train combiner team.

*Sixliner, Sixtrain, and Universe/Cybertron Rail Racer weep in the corner*

[AllNewSuperRobot]

Knowledge bomb

Correction: There are Three Trainbot combiners (plus two retools/redecos)

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Fingers crossed that if Raiden is successful enough. HasTak might turn their eye back on the only other train combiner team.

Not counting Sixliner and Sixtrain? I see how it is...

Asking the elephant in the room, what is the general consensus on Masterpiece combiners having separate connector parts for the Gestalt? Should they be part of the design, for the price point??

As a combiner aficionado, it depends on the type of part and how they can be repurposed (i.e. where they go on the other modes) if not integrated. Devastator and Raiden did a decent job on repurposing parts, given the amount of them (hands, weapons, head, chest shield parts), the Scramble City ones less so with the hands and feet nowhere to go while Monstructor had them store on the Shells.

I do need to get this off my chest: if a connector piece is separate from both the limb and the body, then you may as well not bother designing a combiner. Long Haul's connection to Mixmaster and Scrapper I'll forgive, but anything else similar like some Super Sentai toys with the final combination, NO.

Full integration isn't without risk, especially when it comes to the hands and chest parts. FoC Bruticus has proven that TakaraTomy has experience with that with the Yuusha series of mechs, but with the combined mech as a priority in the design phase the components can look a wee bit off at times. Hard finding a balance between the two states, really.

[Sabrblade]

Sixliner and Sixtrain are brothers, so it makes sense for them to look similar.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

Asking the elephant in the room, what is the general consensus on Masterpiece combiners having separate connector parts for the Gestalt? Should they be part of the design, for the price point??

I do need to get this off my chest: if a connector piece is separate from both the limb and the body, then you may as well not bother designing a combiner. Long Haul's connection to Mixmaster and Scrapper I'll forgive, but anything else similar like some Super Sentai toys with the final combination, NO.

Complete the Raiden combiner by collecting all 6 Masterpiece G Trainbots (each sold separately)

Box contains

Trainbot Shouki figure
Weapon
2 Seats
Rail A
Rail B
Chest parts for Raiden combiner
Joint parts
Character card
Instruction manual

...

Full integration isn't without risk, especially when it comes to the hands and chest parts. FoC Bruticus has proven that

Hey! He was one of my favourites. A true Cybertronian combiner and I won't hear a bad word against the design

[-Kanrabat-]

I suppose so. Still, full integration isn't unprecedented in Transformers combiners either...

As I said, if the original design thought about integrating parts in the first place.

I also remember that ugly-ass Autobots combiner from the old RID line.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

As I said, if the original design thought about integrating parts in the first place.

I also remember that ugly-ass Autobots combiner from the old RID line.

...Build King/Landfill





It still amazes me how two combiners from the same line can look so different.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Asking the elephant in the room, what is the general consensus on Masterpiece combiners having separate connector parts for the Gestalt? Should they be part of the design, for the price point??

I do need to get this off my chest: if a connector piece is separate from both the limb and the body, then you may as well not bother designing a combiner. Long Haul's connection to Mixmaster and Scrapper I'll forgive, but anything else similar like some Super Sentai toys with the final combination, NO.

Complete the Raiden combiner by collecting all 6 Masterpiece G Trainbots (each sold separately)

Box contains

Trainbot Shouki figure
Weapon
2 Seats
Rail A
Rail B
Chest parts for Raiden combiner
Joint parts
Character card
Instruction manual

...

That may actually point to parts linking the trains together in train mode, as that was featured on the original toy, and a few times in the Headmasters anime:



:EDIT: looking at the original listing in Japanese, and the images... I see the parts in question, but not in upper torso mode. Odd...

[Rodimus Prime]

As I said, if the original design thought about integrating parts in the first place.

I also remember that ugly-ass Autobots combiner from the old RID line.

...Build King/Landfill





It still amazes me how two combiners from the same line can look so different.

Yeah, he had design flaws, but I thought the build team had their charms and i liked that they were colorful. Now, the green and purple redeco probably had Devastator crying in the corner with shame.

[AllNewSuperRobot]

^ One quick google later and I wish I didn't... That Devastator is one of the ugliest Transformers I've ever seen.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

As I said, if the original design thought about integrating parts in the first place.

I also remember that ugly-ass Autobots combiner from the old RID line.

...Build King/Landfill





It still amazes me how two combiners from the same line can look so different.

Yeah, he had design flaws, but I thought the build team had their charms and i liked that they were colorful. Now, the green and purple redeco probably had Devastator crying in the corner with shame.

Not exactly, as he's supposed to be a bit... awkward in construction if the Marvel bio is anything to go by. I have him, and gave names to his three modes:

- Scavenger as arms: Battle Mode, well balanced
- Hightower as arms: Melee Mode. I like having the crane over his head to reel victims in and go all North Star on them
- Long Haul as arms: Destruction Mode, highest power but slow.

[-Kanrabat-]

^ One quick google later and I wish I didn't... That Devastator is one of the ugliest Transformers I've ever seen.

The Walmart exclusive all yellow one ain't so bad looking.



But the "Devastator" one.... WELCOME TO CHERNOBYL!

[AllNewSuperRobot]

[Sabrblade]

What's with the custom headsculpt?

[-Kanrabat-]

What's with the custom headsculpt?

Because why not? ¯\_( ͡°ヮ ͡°)_/¯

[Emerje]

I like Landfill...

I have all three...

Emerje

[Rodimus Prime]

I have all three...

Primus help me, reading through this thread makes me want them as well.

[o.supreme]

I had Buildking MIB. Bought the RiD versions to open/ play/ display. Sold them both in 2007. I knew about the yellow version (Walmart I think?) but wasn't aware of the constructicon deco version. Not sure it needs a more modern update, but I'd take it if it was made.

[Sabrblade]

I have the RID version, and picked up the green Universe version earlier this year at RoboCon. Never got the yellow one. One of the most fun combiners of that era and highly creative with its multiple configurations.



(Note: Not my pic)

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Back to MP Raiden, who's gonna be the next one? My guess is Kaen, the DE10 diesel locomotive, as he forms the lower body.



Transformers G1 1987 Kaen Gallery

Then again, after him the rest will be easypeasy, so they may save him?