The Energon Pub

william-james88 wrote:But back to what I was going for, Animated Lockdown and Oilslick show some vehicle bits, but they are so lanky and sleek that they look more like action figure versions of a transformer instead of an actual transformer. That's kinda what I am going for.

And I am far more intrigued by what Va'al mentioned since that totally works with that idea. Wow Va'al, I totally ignored those Prime figures and they didnt even cross my mind but yes, they totally fit the bill, especially Thundertron, who I think is super awesome. He looks more like a detailed power rangers action figure that way. Um...

I only thought of these after the list went up at the weekend, or would've chatted with you about it before! But yeah, some beastformers have a good way of keeping the hibridity of the character's forms available more or less in both modes.

Would that allow for one of the gems of the AoE line to come through here, too..?

It may be just me but I think it's pretty obvious that Scorn transforms.

Somebody mentioned MP Ultra Magnus which is a good pick but what about Masterpiece Star Sabre, You couldn't really tell he even had another mode.

I recently found Cybertron Hardtop who apart from some wheels on his legs and back. I couldn't make out what his vehicle mode was.

william-james88 wrote:

Crosscheck wrote:I can't believe Generations Springer isn't on this list. He has almost no kibble when in robot mode.

Nice pick, but I personally found the wheels a bit too obvious, as well as the stuff hanging off his feet in the back and his knee landing gear. It's a top 5 so it's hard to put everyone on there. He might have been there if it was a top 10 though.

You might guess he turns into a car but a helicopter too? No chance. And besides I barely even noticed the kneepad thingies even had his rear landing gear on them and I also like folding the spoiler bits up behind his calves cos I think they look better there (only bringing them down for extra stability in some poses). Also the wheels may be somewhat apparent but I like that they don't actually stick out as extra kibble on his sides or something. They're all integrated neatly into his shoulders and lower legs. Tidy!

And not sure how you can say it's not obvious what Cyclonus turns into. His wings and fins are blatantly still present in robot mode. Still, that figure is still designed a hell of a lot better than the new Combiner Wars one.

Oh well these kinds of lists are always subjective but nice for debate.


I think RotF Leader Prime would qualify because I'm still amazed at how a big chunky truck neatly folds away to reveal a superbly well built and athletic-looking robot mode without much unneccessary stuff sticking out.

munkimus prime wrote:Somebody mentioned MP Ultra Magnus which is a good pick but what about Masterpiece Star Sabre, You couldn't really tell he even had another mode.

I hear you on this one, my Star Saber finally arrived yesterday. Fully combined he's like a giant robot action figure. Yeah, there are a few wings, but he looks like a non-transforming action figure, like a model kit. Super impressive, especially in person.

Emerje

Carnivius_Prime wrote: Also the wheels may be somewhat apparent but I like that they don't actually stick out as extra kibble on his sides or something. They're all integrated neatly into his shoulders and lower legs. Tidy!

And not sure how you can say it's not obvious what Cyclonus turns into. His wings and fins are blatantly still present in robot mode. Still, that figure is still designed a hell of a lot better than the new Combiner Wars one.

Oh well these kinds of lists are always subjective but nice for debate.


I think RotF Leader Prime would qualify because I'm still amazed at how a big chunky truck neatly folds away to reveal a superbly well built and athletic-looking robot mode without much unneccessary stuff sticking out.

All amazing points. The list is truly just a starting point for a discussion, which is great. Like that in the far or near future, if anyone is intrigued by this topic, they get the list and all the amazing additions to it. Thanks for contributing.

And yeah, I will totally agree with the fact that I wouldnt be able to tell that Springer turns into both a car AND a helicopter, what a gorgeous toy (and he will have his time to shine on these lists, I guarantee it).

And as for the recent MPs, they are always a victim of time. Both with the fact that I (or a guest writer) might not own them AND with me wanting to avoid a recency bias. So thankfully I get the comments to fill in those blanks

PS: As for wings being a giveaway to a toy transforming, I give you

DOTM Voyager OP looks more like a robot replica or cyber stompin robot or whatever non transforming lines they tried to push during the first few movie lines than something that could actually turn into a truck. But then he totally goes and turns into a truck!

Emerje wrote:

munkimus prime wrote:Somebody mentioned MP Ultra Magnus which is a good pick but what about Masterpiece Star Sabre, You couldn't really tell he even had another mode.

I hear you on this one, my Star Saber finally arrived yesterday. Fully combined he's like a giant robot action figure. Yeah, there are a few wings, but he looks like a non-transforming action figure, like a model kit. Super impressive, especially in person.

Emerje

Not only did I not think of Magnus, but I also spaced on Starsaber! Those are damn good candidates!

Good list WJ, though I'd have put Lockdown as #1. Not that he deserves the spot, just cause I love him

Guys, I cannot express how happy I am with this discussion. I was worried people wouldn't get the gist of my list (since it is oddly specific and quite eclectic) but man, I can tell I am talking to the right people. I love everything everyone is bringing up. Lockdown will shine again Shajaki and Optimum Supreme, that Prime was one of the contenders! At first, I didnt like his fake chest but it actually adds to fooling us that the toy doesnt turn into a truck so it actually works to its advantage in that sense. Giving us a transforming figure that looks just like the non transforming ones.

Also Va'al, you preffer Scorn having a full on "head hand" instead of an actual hand?

william-james88 wrote:Also Va'al, you preffer Scorn having a full on "head hand" instead of an actual hand?

That was just a silly picture. Have we met..?

Great list - tricky topic! We have many great vehicle modes that can sit out and look just like a toy car or whatever, buy how many robots that just look like toy robots?

Animated was great at this, some notable ones, which I think if you showed to any (non tf-fan) adult they'd not guess these to be transformers, much less what they'd transform into:

Hell yeah, we could almost put the entire Animated line here.

I can't see how most of the other toys mentioned here meet the criteria of the article. If it has massive forearm kibble, wheels, or a face anywhere other than ON ITS OWN FACE, it pretty obviously transforms into something else.

Heck, in the IDW comics, the Functionist Council required that Rung wear a backpack with a wheel on it just to assure the public that he COULD transform.

I enjoy this discussion. I think Onslaught falls under "Toys that feel like they don't transform". He's really articulate and when you move him around panels don't go unfolding anywhere, except for his legs a little bit. But the wheels on the legs and the windshields on his chest discount him from this list IMO.

Other figures that come to mind:
Armada Tidal Wave, Unicron
Cybertron Metroplex

I'd say animated Ultra Magnus is one of them

It's an interesting list, several have said that visible wheels or other such semi-kibble discount figures from the list but I think it's reasonable for a non-transforming representation of a character that is a transformer to still have visible kibble, I think it's more about figures that appear more seamless and behave like an action figure.

which the originally nominated figures do pretty well, I think though that animated prowl really does take the cake, the robot mode is seamless and has exceptional articulation.

Much of the Animated line is very good at hiding it's alt modes - The Deluxe Optimus does pretty well at that.

I actually had the same thought as this topic a few days back about Legion Class Movie Ravage - thinking he just looks like a spikey cat toy.
I've often considered that Animated Jazz especially in the freeway colours looks pretty much like a Ben 10 sort of style figure.

I guess Legends Megatron / Warpath also hides it well - usually the give away is there is some wheels on it somewhere.

Prime Soundwave looks a bit odd - but he doesn't look much like a jet to me.

But who is a good action figure is a slightly different question. Generations Rhinox can almost fall you into thinking he doesn't transform I guess. As might ROTF Leader Optimus or DOTM leader Sentinel.

Conversely I guess a Spychanger could fool someone into thinking they are only a toy car.

Interesting questions though - I'll give it some further thought.