The Energon Pub

(What, you thought I only post to complain?)

Once in a blue arced fly-by, something new in all things TF will happen in ONLY a good way. At the heavy cost of Cliffjumpers ridiculous new outfit and ultimate death, we have the Eradicon.

The Strategic beauty:
Consider: that each of us who becomes a member at Seibertron.com is granted the opportunity to set up for ourselves a little Tech Spec(*1) for others to see and enjoy.Every Transformer has one too.Every Eradicon is a Transformer (rather than a drone) in a Uniform.None of them have a fixed profile,function(before becoming Decepticon Soldiers),motto and special abilities.Nobody knows who they are dealing with when they are dealing with Eradicons.You want to take out an Eradicon sentry.Are you sneaking up on a pleb or are you sneaking up on a Ninja? The Eradicon that you capture and take into custody might be General Thrust who betrayed and ruined the Autobot armies in Armada, or Swindle, or, as we have seen, Makeshift.

The technical beauty:
An Eradicon has the capability to transform into Army, AirForce and propably Navy 'personnel' as well, and then back, and yet still remain in Uniform. Raising one Eradicon army effectively raises three sphere-specialised invasion forces before considering further likely specializations (4x4, Snow, Space etc.).There is no need to bring in more of one type from further away.Furthermore, several Decepticon groups (eg Stunticons) might already be on Earth in the Prime series in this way,be assumed to be killed off, and then reappear in the next TF cartoon series as Eradicons WITH (theoretically) NO CONSEQUENCE to continuity.

The poetic beauty:
Transformers are Robots in disguise.Eradicons are Decepticons disguised as Eradicons.It's a far better weapon than Dark Energon,which only raises Zombies.

The contributive beauty:
Woohoo! Finally, Megatron has a SUBLIMINAL terror weapon to go with all the in your face ones!(Megatron doesn't own Soundwave).

The Potential Beauty:
I want Autobot Eradicons too! I vote the G1 Bluestreak look!!!(I know, I said it in another post yesterday, but still, I do!!)


(*1)(For those newbies who aren't certain about what a Tech Spec is, it's the motto, weapons loadout and list of numbers [endurance, skill, etc.] in the upper and left areas of our posts, or a datafile of similar content on the back of a Tfs packaging. Tech Specs have changed over the years, sometimes appearing under a secret panel on the toy, sometimes looking nothing like a 'traditional' Tech Spec and sometimes almost going extinct.Hardcore fans will consider the ownership of a personal 'official'one, like the Seibertron poster ones, a privelege).

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:(What, you thought I only post to complain?)

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:At the heavy cost of Cliffjumpers ridiculous new outfit and ultimate death, we have the Eradicon.

You didn't like Cliffjumper's new look??
I find him the best looking and most badass CJ ever.

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:The Strategic beauty:
Consider: that each of us who becomes a member at Seibertron.com is granted the opportunity to set up for ourselves a little Tech Spec(*1) for others to see and enjoy.Every Transformer has one too.Every Eradicon is a Transformer (rather than a drone) in a Uniform.None of them have a fixed profile,function(before becoming Decepticon Soldiers),motto and special abilities.Nobody knows who they are dealing with when they are dealing with Eradicons.You want to take out an Eradicon sentry.Are you sneaking up on a pleb or are you sneaking up on a Ninja? The Eradicon that you capture and take into custody might be General Thrust who betrayed and ruined the Autobot armies in Armada, or Swindle, or, as we have seen, Makeshift.

Although they seem to be able to think and speak and even question Starscream's leading ability, I think that they are just drones, maybe more advanced than what we've seen in the past, but yet drones. Also, I think this is their official description. However, your approach (the "profile-less" army) is quite interesting.

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:The technical beauty:
An Eradicon has the capability to transform into Army, AirForce and propably Navy 'personnel' as well, and then back, and yet still remain in Uniform. Raising one Eradicon army effectively raises three sphere-specialised invasion forces before considering further likely specializations (4x4, Snow, Space etc.).There is no need to bring in more of one type from further away.Furthermore, several Decepticon groups (eg Stunticons) might already be on Earth in the Prime series in this way,be assumed to be killed off, and then reappear in the next TF cartoon series as Eradicons WITH (theoretically) NO CONSEQUENCE to continuity.

This sounds good, but IMO this way we miss the chance to see new characters. We just stick up with a small team of 'Cons (Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave) and a huge army fighting for them.

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:The poetic beauty:
Transformers are Robots in disguise.Eradicons are Decepticons disguised as Eradicons.It's a far better weapon than Dark Energon,which only raises Zombies.

OMG! My brain almost exploded trying to get the meaning of the Decepticons-disguised-as-Eradicons theory!
Anyway, another nice approach on the matter.

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:The Potential Beauty:
I want Autobot Eradicons too! I vote the G1 Bluestreak look!!!(I know, I said it in another post yesterday, but still, I do!!)

Sorry, but I'll disagree. As I said before, I prefer various different characters to be introduced rather than watch a war between Optimus' and Megatron's armies of drones/TFs that look and behave pretty much the same.

Anyway, I really appreciate your spherical and analytical way of approaching the Eradicons. For the majority of the fans they are just another type of drones. But, you gave them the attention they deserve..! Well done my friend!

Thank you for the compliment, Didicos. I guess I should look at the Eradicons as Drones as well.Maybe I'm missing living bots in Prime, what with the potential to include any previously established character in it and the idea that all of Cybertron is now a zombie town.

As for Cliffjumper, Sorry, I didn't like the Altmode at all.I treat the TFs as if their names are tribal: they earned them somehow, but didn't name themselves. I don't see Cliffjumper as someone who jumps off cliffs all day, but someone who would the second he had to to rid the galaxy of one more Decepticon.The Altmode was too Dukes of Hazzard for me, and I remember those vehicles losing parts regularly during jumps much lower than cliffs.The Altmode is a talk rather than a walk and I don't think it was well thought out at all for a Bot who will just DO.
Also, I don't see why an alien that can punch a hole into a building will adopt animal bones as a symbol of his own toughness.(I didn't choose to not like the look -it just kicked out that way when I saw him).

Anyway, I've been revisiting the TF:Armada game on my old PS2 and have been pasting Decepticon drones all over the screen,but have been taking breaks to play Predator:concrete Jungle (to death!!) as well, where there's a small arsenal of different styled weaponry available to think a way around the enemy.Those were the sources of inspired thankfulness for the Eradicons.

Technically, they're called "Vehicons" not "Eradicons" (we were misinformed by that name before).

the Eradicons just remind me of every army build toy from Beast Machines, Energon, and Cybertron. thats not a good sign

Sabrblade wrote:Technically, they're called "Vehicons" not "Eradicons" (we were misinformed by that name before).

So what? It's cooler name that a Vehicon, merely.

And it comes from the word "eradicate"
+
Eradicate = about the same as destroy, terminate
We were given that name first, so for me, it's a keeper.

Red 50 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Technically, they're called "Vehicons" not "Eradicons" (we were misinformed by that name before).

So what? It's cooler name that a Vehicon, merely.

And it comes from the word "eradicate"
+
Eradicate = about the same as destroy, terminate
We were given that name first, so for me, it's a keeper.

But it was the wrong name. Coming "first" doesn't make it right.

Cybertron Crosswise was originally called "Smokescreen" when the episodes he first appeared in first aired. Then, when those few episodes reaired in reruns, his name was corrected to "Crosswise".

Sabrblade wrote:

Red 50 wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Technically, they're called "Vehicons" not "Eradicons" (we were misinformed by that name before).

So what? It's cooler name that a Vehicon, merely.

And it comes from the word "eradicate"
+
Eradicate = about the same as destroy, terminate
We were given that name first, so for me, it's a keeper.

But it was the wrong name. Coming "first" doesn't make it right.

Cybertron Crosswise was originally called "Smokescreen" when the episodes he first appeared in first aired. Then, when those few episodes reaired in reruns, his name was corrected to "Crosswise".

Okay, okay...
It was wrong name, I got it.

I'm still gonna call 'em both Vehicons and Eradicons.

Red 50 wrote:I'm still gonna call 'em both Vehicons and Eradicons.

Still doesn't make sense to call them by that name. It'd be like calling G1 Starscream "Ulchtar".

Sabrblade wrote:

Red 50 wrote:I'm still gonna call 'em both Vehicons and Eradicons.

Still doesn't make sense to call them by that name. It'd be like calling G1 Starscream "Ulchtar".

If it's any comfort, then no.one's asking you to call him by that name.

It's just how I call them. By the earlier name, which, as you pointed out, was false. I call them by that, because I find it cooler, maybe I prefer that.

Believe me, many things, that others think, don't make sense. This might just be one of these times.


So, case closed or shall we scrap some more?
'Cause I really enjoy this debate.

Sabrblade wrote:Technically, they're called "Vehicons" not "Eradicons" (we were misinformed by that name before).

Why did they change the name? Do you know Sabrblade?
It just strikes me as odd that they'd cancel out such a dynamic name unless there's a copyright issue or they're saving it for something nastier and it got leaked accidentally.

Autobot Smoketreader wrote:

Sabrblade wrote:Technically, they're called "Vehicons" not "Eradicons" (we were misinformed by that name before).

Why did they change the name? Do you know Sabrblade?
It just strikes me as odd that they'd cancel out such a dynamic name unless there's a copyright issue or they're saving it for something nastier and it got leaked accidentally.

Actually, it was never even solidly confirmed that "Eradicon" was the name of these soldiers. The name came from a caption on an image of the Vehicon's car altmode in an image gallery on the Hub's website, but that wasn't exactly a bold statement. Closed captions for the series also call them this, but that's not Hasbro.

The name "Vehicon", however, has popped up in much more places and referred to these troopers in a much more direct way. The word has been spoken by comments from the creative team, written in multiple plot summaries in online episode guides like TVGuide, MSN, and Hubworld; and has been used officially in the "Terrorcon Defense" online game ("Terrorcon" being the name given to the Dark Energon zombies seen in Parts 3-5 of "Darkness Rising").

It would appear that the name "Vehicon" holds more validity to it than the enigmatic "Eradicon" name.

Either name is fine with me.

Now, we just need some Vehicon generals....

Twitchythe3rd wrote:Either name is fine with me.

Now, we just need some Vehicon generals....

Well, since it is kind-of a Clone army, they could have 'em like Captain Rex is Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Red 50 wrote:

Twitchythe3rd wrote:Either name is fine with me.

Now, we just need some Vehicon generals....

Well, since it is kind-of a Clone army, they could have 'em like Captain Rex is Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Well, each and every one of them is sentient, though I think Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave already fill that role of authority.

Though, we need to see more than just the purple variant in the show. Let's see some of those green, blue, and red ones that we saw on Cybertron working on Starscream's Space Bridge that Cliffjumper and Arcee destroyed.

Having recently joined the TF collectors' club, I found the official word on the Vehicons' name given in the last Hasbro Q&A from January:

They are officially called Vehicons and they are specialized drones who do the grunt work, handle particularly mundane or dangerous tasks while also being soldiers in the Decepticon Army. They do have a level of sentience, since they talk and respond individually, but we do not know what their past is; the writers haven't told us yet.

Sabrblade wrote:

Red 50 wrote:

Twitchythe3rd wrote:Either name is fine with me.

Now, we just need some Vehicon generals....

Well, since it is kind-of a Clone army, they could have 'em like Captain Rex is Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Well, each and every one of them is sentient, though I think Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave already fill that role of authority.

Though, we need to see more than just the purple variant in the show. Let's see some of those green, blue, and red ones that we saw on Cybertron working on Starscream's Space Bridge that Cliffjumper and Arcee destroyed.

I think it would be enough if they'd have some differently colored patterns or badges on chests and/or shoulders.

Or just some badges with some special extra patterns or lines. (I.E. Like TFA's Elite Guard's wings on Autobot symbol)

If you want an Autobot faceless army, what about the senator's enforcers in Megatron: Origin?

I do agree that the Bluestreak/Prowl mold would make for a cool looking bot army like the G1 Seekers. Especially since it's that face the Autobot symbol is based on.

Imagine legions of G1 Prowls. Each unit commander based on Energon Checkpoint.

Windsweeper wrote:If you want an Autobot faceless army, what about the senator's enforcers in Megatron: Origin?

I do agree that the Bluestreak/Prowl mold would make for a cool looking bot army like the G1 Seekers. Especially since it's that face the Autobot symbol is based on.

Imagine legions of G1 Prowls. Each unit commander based on Energon Checkpoint.

Oh, there is only ONE Prowl, with his Battle analysis Computer ( at least in my TF Universe).I don't know of the Senator enforcers, but I'd threat the whole mold as the most appropriate for their Function.

My general conception is that plenty of the smaller Autobots would benefit from 'Uniforms' based along their size.(Bigger Autobots either support specific team setups or have endless work to do carrying stuff to and fro).As events progress, Territories get cleared out,Platoons get whittled down or marooned and periods of semi-peace ensue,some Bots would partially modify their overall 'mold'.Many Veterans would even keep parts of the uniform after the war for sentimental (or functional) value.
Bluestreak and Silverstreak would take their independant colors (including the BotMode/Protoform colors),Prowl would add the sirens to his Roof and adjust his own deco as would Smokescreen.

Consider, Transformers Prime, imaginary season 24,imaginary episode 76:

Somewhere further afield, Outrider Autobot: Windsweeper needs some stunt jumping moves to traverse a shattered speed planet cityscape.He adjusts his Transformation process to permit temporary flight,thereby keeping the Army vehicle mode but switching the Transformation from Bluestreaks' style to the Wheeljack/Tracks process,thus gaining the familiar wings,but his Altmode still remains 'Uniform'.
His Bot mode and colors,for now, will also remain 'army' so that any Eradicons he runs into whilst in Bot mode will assume he'll operate upon predicted lines (provided they don't notice the wings).Also, Overrides people will not shoot (hopefully) if they recognise the 'army' colors and faceplate (which can be transformed later to Windsweepers 'civilian' face whenever desired).

Autobot Jazz in the meantime adopts his signature Porsche mode so that his mission team can make him out.His Transformation process remains 'drone',but the mode was picked out as 'Uniform' by Prowl specifically for its' versatility anyway, so keeping it isn't a handicap.

Lost,Autobot Smoketreader needs to run Decepticon patrol territory to get back to (what he thinks is the direction of) home ground.He 'sprouts' a series of spike & rib arrays a la Axors' vehicle mode to help him survive running ramming battles against the Vehicons,but in all other ways remains 'drone'.Later, in a ruined city, he dumps the spikes but keeps a few handy ribs and changes to his 'civilian' smoky color for camoflage purposes.

In this way, the storyline could universally permit individual 'Drones' of any Army to gradually evolve into a front row character, without hurting toy sales too much (many would be a Drone toy with occasional recolor and odd resculpt elsewhere on the anatomy as well).