The Energon Pub

[Sabrblade]

Speaking about new releases, what about the animal combiners? HasTak has totally skipped those.

It's not so much 'skipped' as 'don't have the molds to do'.

Maybe it's time for some new molds.

John Warden once said in a TCC magazine interview that they deliberately avoided doing the beast-based combiners on purpose.

TCC: What Combiner were you personally eager to make, but just could not get it into the final product line? Predaking, Piranhacon(sic), Abominus are seemingly absent from Combiner Wars. Were the animal Combiners just not feasible for the line or was it a priority issue, wanting to focus on the more classic vehicle Combiners?

JW: You took the words right out of my mouth: Predaking. I loved Predaking as a kid, and I loved the other Monster/Beast Combiner teams as well. I'd even love to bring to life the idea of a Dinobot Combiner team in toy form.

Every figure we create needs to be able to be incorporated into the greater whole of the Combiner Wars line. To create a Beast Combiner, we would have had to dedicate a full wave of product to play off the aesthetics of the original characters and Combiners that fans love.

Secondly, we wanted to focus the line on "terrestrial" forms (such as helicopters, jets, cars) that we knew would be easily identified by the new fans (kids) and would give a point of difference from the Transformers: Robots in Disguise toyline, which has a lot of Beast/Monster Alt Forms.

[Cyberpath]

Neither of these reasons completely makes sense to me. I think Kurona nailed it.

[Kurona]

Neither of these reasons completely makes sense to me. I think Kurona nailed it.

It's essentially just saying the same thing I did with more flowery corporate language.

[Sabrblade]

Neither of these reasons completely makes sense to me. I think Kurona nailed it.

Well, yeah, they don't have the molds to make those combiners out of because they didn't make the necessary molds to do so, and they didn't make said molds for the reasons given in that interview.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Neither of these reasons completely makes sense to me. I think Kurona nailed it.

Well, yeah, they don't have the molds to make those combiners out of because they didn't make the necessary molds to do so, and they didn't make said molds for the reasons given in that interview.

Look at it this way: Hasbro wants to keep RiD 2015 and Generations separate with each its own gimmicks to avoid toy line confusion (remember, not everyone is as savvy as we are). The last thing they want is for the two lines to "blend" thematically, for instance by flooding one line with what would be other line's main gimmick, rendering the point of having two lines at all moot.

[Sabrblade]

Neither of these reasons completely makes sense to me. I think Kurona nailed it.

Well, yeah, they don't have the molds to make those combiners out of because they didn't make the necessary molds to do so, and they didn't make said molds for the reasons given in that interview.

Look at it this way: Hasbro wants to keep RiD 2015 and Generations separate with each its own gimmicks to avoid toy line confusion (remember, not everyone is as savvy as we are). The last thing they want is for the two lines to "blend" thematically, for instance by flooding one line with what would be other line's main gimmick, rendering the point of having two lines at all moot.

Though, things have since changed what with Titans Return featuring animal-based Decepticons, which at the time this interview was published were only in RID and not in Generations.

[Jelze Bunnycat]

Neither of these reasons completely makes sense to me. I think Kurona nailed it.

Well, yeah, they don't have the molds to make those combiners out of because they didn't make the necessary molds to do so, and they didn't make said molds for the reasons given in that interview.

Look at it this way: Hasbro wants to keep RiD 2015 and Generations separate with each its own gimmicks to avoid toy line confusion (remember, not everyone is as savvy as we are). The last thing they want is for the two lines to "blend" thematically, for instance by flooding one line with what would be other line's main gimmick, rendering the point of having two lines at all moot.

Things has since changed what with Titans Return featuring animal-based Decepticons, which at the time this interview was published were only in RID and not in Generations.

I did say flooding as in "multiple consecutive waves with Beast Modes". One or two should be OK, as long as it doesn't overtake RiD 2015 in amounts (like 4 Generations vs. only 1 in RiD 2015). When the Beast Mode gimmick is taken over by a different line, then you have a problem.

[Kurona]

That said, Starscream is an indication of RiD 2015 shifting towards vehicle-based Decepticons once again, redecos like Paralon aside.

[Cyberpath]

I'm saying that the overkill of mold re-use is probably the real reason. Because what the Hasbro man said doesn't really makes sense to me.. what does Combiner Wars have to do with RID? RID also has trucks and cars, so animals is where they draw the line?

And why does everything else have to be animal themed for them to do animal combiners? Isn't a big part of the combiner toys to mix and match? A kid can make a combiner from a jet and a car but not from a lion and a chooper?

[King Kuuga]

The ability to reuse the molds such as they did in Combiner Wars is key. It is expected that the third part of the trilogy will feature the beast combiners with their own sets of molds that are able to be retooled into each other.

[RAR]

To me it would make perfect sense to revisit Combiner Wars thematically in 2018-2019 with Beasts for a number of reasons.

They will be a nice Amuse Bouche for Movie toys - as there is only going to be a few Animals in The Last Knights - a few Dinobots and a Dragon in particular.

So for a mostly vehicle based toy line some more Animals would be nice counter to that. also if people liked The Headmaster Beast then a short pause and a slight twist from Headmaster Animals to other kinds makes sense to me.

If they give the combiner a pause they can come back to them fresh with an Animal focus. (as well as get around to G2 Devastator & Defensor if they still have not by then).

----

Also the mould family they make can be used for all sorts the new Combiner Characters that debued in the Kreo-O line for example on top of Abominus and The Seacons.

[DedicatedGhostArt]

I can dig some curvy femme though. I am not PC.

Obviously, you look nothing like him:

I am so sad they stopped those ads. The one time I actually like ads other than Geico ones, they stop.

[Starsaber468]

To me it would make perfect sense to revisit Combiner Wars thematically in 2018-2019 with Beasts for a number of reasons.

They will be a nice Amuse Bouche for Movie toys - as there is only going to be a few Animals in The Last Knights - a few Dinobots and a Dragon in particular.

So for a mostly vehicle based toy line some more Animals would be nice counter to that. also if people liked The Headmaster Beast then a short pause and a slight twist from Headmaster Animals to other kinds makes sense to me.

If they give the combiner a pause they can come back to them fresh with an Animal focus. (as well as get around to G2 Devastator & Defensor if they still have not by then).

----

Also the mould family they make can be used for all sorts the new Combiner Characters that debued in the Kreo-O line for example on top of Abominus and The Seacons.

Love the fact this is unlikely to happen guys beast combiners is still the same as the combiner gimmick which i doubt they will be doing unless its a boxset, and also beast alt modes is not a gimmick.... seriously i bet you its either gonna be pretenders 2018-2019 or something else doubt it would be actionmasters unless it was like something for legends class cause hasbro has likely learned from their mistakes

[D-Maximal_Primal]

Love the fact this is unlikely to happen guys beast combiners is still the same as the combiner gimmick which i doubt they will be doing unless its a boxset, and also beast alt modes is not a gimmick.... seriously i bet you its either gonna be pretenders 2018-2019 or something else doubt it would be actionmasters unless it was like something for legends class cause hasbro has likely learned from their mistakes

It's been strongly hinted at that we will be getting beast combiners within the next couple of years. They didn't want to do them during Combiner wars since the focus there was vehicles, not beasts

[william-james88]

We posted the Takara Transformers Unite Warriors EX Megatronia comic not too long ago and now we have a real treat for you guy: we have the translated version. Now you will be able to put words to this series of over the top images which includes one of Megatronia's guards cutting off autobot combiner ports and licking the bleeding energon from them. Remember, this is read right to left, top to bottom. Enjoy!

[Sabrblade]

Of note is that this fan translation made a conscious effort to use the Hasbro names in place of all Takara names, hence Laserwave, Convoy, and Convoy Grand Prime being referred to as "Shockwave", "Optimus Prime", and "Optimus Maximus" instead.

[King Kuuga]

That seems fairly self-evident and NOT worth special note.

[Bumblevivisector]

I guess I had to read it a second time after the shock of the strip's other contents had worn off, but Vector Sigma telling Optimus, "You have lived and died too many times," is just so damn funny cuz' it's so damn true...

[partholon]

ha ha ha .

that sound ya hear is every feminist in the world going mental !

[Sjeng]

If there's anyone in the EU looking for a relatively cheap Grand Galvatron: http://www.marktplaats.nl/a/verzamelen/ ... =lr&pos=31

Dutch website, but the Guy's legit. I bought 4 UW's from him.

[Prowl4]

The stench of overly aggressive feminism in this translation is stifling.

[Madeus Prime]

Terrible writing, really, really sexist feeling.

But I kinda love it. Not the sexist part, obviously, but I love how you have them using ridiculous attacks on all the Decepticons. Lunaclub being an overtly-aggressive fangirl on Starscream, Trickdiamond bullying and coercing Thrust into summoning Unicron for her own goals, Flowspade having a blast using Roller and Breakdown into boxing gloves, and Moonheart giving them- well, let's say Erector would be proud.

Honestly I just love the craziness of these girls.

[william-james88]

Wouldnt it be up to people of the female gender to decide if its sexist or not? Kurona, Jelze, do you have any opinion?

I find it a bit degrading that we have a comic with fun female villains taking the lead and being awesome, and the first thing men say is "sexist". Its like putting down something that could instead be hailed as more fiction involving females within a very (coinsciously made) male centric hobby. To me, thats where the real sexism is, in the people seeing an isue that might not be there, its speak to their bias. I support any fiction involving new female characters, especially some who kick ass as much as these and show the men how its really done!

[Kurona]

Wouldnt it be up to women to decide if its sexist or not? Kurona, Jelze, do you have any opinion?

I find it a bit degrading that we have a comic with fun female villains taking the lead and being awesome, and the first thing men say is "sexist". Its like putting down something that could instead be hailed as more fiction involving females within a very (coinsciously made) male centric hobby. To me, thats where the real sexism is, in the people seeing an isue that might not be there, its speak to their bias. I support any fiction involving new female characters, especially some who kick ass as much as these and show the men how its really done!

I'd rather not give an opinion since I'm a little tired of this particular combiner mold making people triggerhappy for either their "SEXIST" or "YOU'RE A FEMINIST SJW" buzzwords that do more harm than good, don't contribute towards any actual conversation beyond inflating your own ego and agenda and really have no place on a Transformers forum. I'd rather the comic and toys themselves be discussed, as is the point of the thread.

[william-james88]

I'd rather not give an opinion since I'm a little tired of this particular combiner mold making people triggerhappy for either their "SEXIST" or "YOU'RE A FEMINIST SJW" buzzwords that do more harm than good, don't contribute towards any actual conversation beyond inflating your own ego and agenda and really have no place on a Transformers forum. I'd rather the comic and toys themselves be discussed, as is the point of the thread.

That is even better, yes. I did get sick of it all too.
I found the comic pretty fun and I wish more of them were translated. What I liked most was how it dealt with Megatron becoming Galvatron. In the show, its never adresed much as if Galvatron is a whole new character and everyone moves on with that in mind (even if we know he used to be Megatron). But here, there is a nice legacy which even takes another leap with Galvatron now being a head in Cyclonus, but with his entire history still there. So the only way for her to have a chat with him is for Cyclonus to have his chest open and reveal the head. Its a nice new wrinkle to the legacy of these characters