The Energon Pub

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Rated X wrote:I would be inclined to think that when a figure is as intricate as these 5 you picked, theyre not considered a "shellformer". To me personally a "shellformer" is more of a derogatory term for a robot that wears 80% of his alt mode on his back as a backpack. These figures you picked dont fit that definition. If we go by the logic youre using virtually all CHUG autobot cars would be shellformers because the hood, roof, and doors form a sort of "shell" over robot parts. Actually shell forming in the 90s was the nail in the coffin for "bricks" which is a good thing. It just takes a good engineer to incorporate the right amount of shell-forming and brick-forming into one figure so that it isnt too much of either extreme. I would call these figures you picked "complex" rather than calling them shellformers. Thats just my opinion.

For once, I agree with you. Not at 100%, but you got a serious point here about the cars.

Panels hanging off the arms. Panels hanging off the arms everywhere.

To me it all depends on how the shell is used, really. The traditional "Hood-for-a-chest-and-doors-for-wings" is a perfect example because the shell is used as decoration for the Robot Mode without getting in the way. Another example would G1 Scourge's Hull-for-Wings and to a lesser extent, Cybertron Thunderblast. Some figures can completely fold up the shell, with Vehicon even integrating it into the legs.

When kibble is assigned to a place just for the sake of putting it somewhere, that's when something is wrong. Beast Wars Neo and the RiD Cars are especially guilty of that, though figuress with symmetric kibble are easier on the eye, like BW Neo Saberback and RiD Prowl.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Desslok2201 wrote:

Emerje wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
Any figure with simulated blood tops the awesome list

And I'm totally game for a Nemesis Prime list. But... would it have to include RiD Scourge and Black Lio Convoy? Is any Black Prime fair game, regardless of symbol?

Two figures would pose a problem though: United Black Optimus Prime (still G1 Prime, but undercover) and Alternity Convoy Super Black (repurposed as a redeemed Universe 2003 Nemesis Prime).

Well if that list ever gets written, it wont be by me due to my limited knowledge on these. If any fan or staff wants to write it in the style that these lists are written , please send me a PM. As for what to do with more complicated toys, as long as you explain it its fine (either in the intro or honourable mentions). Also, from experience, a list is more fun if you stick to the more mainstream stuff, unless the list is about rare and less known toys and decos. Because like that, more people can get involved with the discussion

Nemesis Prime/Black Convoy/Scourge is definitely one of my favorite things to collect within Transformers so I'd love to see what kind of list people would put together. For me it does shave to be an evil character so MP-1B wouldn't make the list, but MP-10B would. I'd probably include the Black Convoy pen on my list, I don't care what the figure turns into, it's awesome! I really want to see Hasbro make a Scourge figure out of Leader Ultra Magnus because I really want a large Scourge figure that looks a little like this.

Emerje

I think you're ruling out awesome stuff if you keep it to a Decepticon list. I understand MP-10b over MP-01b, but come on, you can't deny Nucleon Quest Super Convoy's awesomeness, and he's an Autobot

All black makes him look a bit... dull? I've thought of making a list of contenders, but... it's quite long and a doozy if we count every single evil clone or lookalikes, including the Darksides.

Just keep it to 5, like always, I was just saying to not count the autobots out of the choices, and the black on NQSC is broken up quite nicely by red

thanos13omega wrote: and could you consider g1 ultra magnus?

Nope, G1 Magnus falls into a different category.

I think G1 Scourge deserves an honorable mention at least. he was basically robot stuffed into a two-part shell.

Noideaforaname wrote:RotF Mixmaster also gets my vote for very much the same reasons.

I guess statistically, someone has to like that thing...

But I remember it being a pain in the ass. Especially the "Battle Mode", a mode that looks like nothing in particular but was still IMPOSSIBLE for me to get the toy into.

Boxkicker wrote:I think G1 Scourge deserves an honorable mention at least. he was basically robot stuffed into a two-part shell.

But was he a good toy?

william-james88 wrote:

Boxkicker wrote:I think G1 Scourge deserves an honorable mention at least. he was basically robot stuffed into a two-part shell.

But was he a good toy?

Yes

Speaking of amazing AOE Shellformers, AOE Voyager Galvatron should be here as well. The shell fold completely on his back, turning into "wings". This is a TF that you just cant tell what the hell his altmode would be by looking at the robot mode alone. That is quite a feat.

-Kanrabat- wrote:

Rated X wrote:I would be inclined to think that when a figure is as intricate as these 5 you picked, theyre not considered a "shellformer". To me personally a "shellformer" is more of a derogatory term for a robot that wears 80% of his alt mode on his back as a backpack. These figures you picked dont fit that definition. If we go by the logic youre using virtually all CHUG autobot cars would be shellformers because the hood, roof, and doors form a sort of "shell" over robot parts. Actually shell forming in the 90s was the nail in the coffin for "bricks" which is a good thing. It just takes a good engineer to incorporate the right amount of shell-forming and brick-forming into one figure so that it isnt too much of either extreme. I would call these figures you picked "complex" rather than calling them shellformers. Thats just my opinion.

For once, I agree with you. Not at 100%, but you got a serious point here about the cars.

Panels hanging off the arms. Panels hanging off the arms everywhere.

I disagree here. Following along those lines practically every transformer ever is a shellformer.

A shellformer to me is when a figure's alt-mode has nothing to do wit the robot mode at all. Using the Autobot cars (Jazz, Datsuns etc) as an example, sure you've got the roof panel on the back, and door wings (or hanging off the arms) but the car bonnet to chest is actually part of the robot mode, not flung off to the side like the original RiD line and the rear end of the car makes up the robots legs.
Tto use the Prime Vehicon as an example, for the most part a shell former, as the entire top side of the car vanishes, and has nothing to do with the core of the bot mode, and as mentioned earlier, G1 Scourge is just a bot hiding inside a two part shell like a Kinder Surprise toy. That's definitely a shellformer.

However I guess everyone's definition is a little different.

D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Casting in a few things:

1) AoE Crosshairs made it work very well. I think he is a great shellformer.

2) That Vehicon definitely wins. that is the smoothest shell placement ever

3) AoE Armor Knight Optimus deserved a spot. That thing captured the knight look so good. it was badass

4) AoE Hound. Everything folded up so nicely. his roof and cab folded into themselves! That was a great transformer, one of my AoE favorites. That guy deserves a mention or a spot.

Awesome list, thanks! And the reason I didnt put Hound is because I didnt see him as a shellformer. He doesnt really have a shell, he just folds in on himself, like Evasion Mode Prime. At least, that's what I thought.

Burn wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Boxkicker wrote:I think G1 Scourge deserves an honorable mention at least. he was basically robot stuffed into a two-part shell.

But was he a good toy?

Yes

Better than Falcon the predator jet? (who I now own after your recommendation)

What are you **** crazy? He's a Predator jet, you know who is **** boss is. How the hell could Scourge be better than ANY of the Predators?

Honestly ... sometimes I think you're just bat-shit crazy.

This was a great list, WJ - RID Vehicon is hands down the right choice for the #1 spot!

I love that mold so much, and just wish we got an North American release (or even a non Arms-Microns-stickers release) of the Jet Vehicon.

At least we can rest easy knowing TAV Vehicon General is coming. That thing looks like awesome sauce.

Another great list will though a bit gutted to see cybershark only got an honourable mention, he's a fantastic figure

ZeroWolf wrote:Another great list will though a bit gutted to see cybershark only got an honourable mention, he's a fantastic figure

Oh I know. But he will get his moment to shine later so I didnt want to put him everywhere. There is an upcoming best water based transformers list ...

Do we have a best toaster list? Because do I have a toaster for you..

Va'al wrote:Do we have a best toaster list? Because do I have a toaster for you..

Wouldnt that list just be 1 toy. Admitedly that would be the best toy, but still the best of one is not a great list. I could make a list a best household object transformers

william-james88 wrote:

Va'al wrote:Do we have a best toaster list? Because do I have a toaster for you..

Wouldnt that list just be 1 toy. Admitedly that would be the best toy, but still the best of one is not a great list. I could make a list a best household object transformers

Toasters or nuthin.

Va'al wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Va'al wrote:Do we have a best toaster list? Because do I have a toaster for you..

Wouldnt that list just be 1 toy. Admitedly that would be the best toy, but still the best of one is not a great list. I could make a list a best household object transformers

Toasters or nuthin.

I like your enthusiasm and thus feel free to write the list and be our next guest writer

william-james88 wrote:

Va'al wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Va'al wrote:Do we have a best toaster list? Because do I have a toaster for you..

Wouldnt that list just be 1 toy. Admitedly that would be the best toy, but still the best of one is not a great list. I could make a list a best household object transformers

Toasters or nuthin.

I like your enthusiasm and thus feel free to write the list and be our next guest writer

Challenge accepted.


(I will write the lists I promised, now that I'm stable for a month. I will, I swear. Forgive me.)

Treetop Maximus wrote:That Vehicon looks pretty cool. I still want the FE, though, even though everyone says buy the RID. The RID line was tiny as all hell, even by modern standards.

I have both, and both are pretty cool.

Kyleor wrote:

Treetop Maximus wrote:That Vehicon looks pretty cool. I still want the FE, though, even though everyone says buy the RID. The RID line was tiny as all hell, even by modern standards.

I have both, and both are pretty cool.

Tiny you say?



I have the RiD one (lucky find as he was skipped initially) and love him. I just wish:

a) Jet Vehicon was released here too
b) people didn't use the Vehicons for army-building!