The Energon Pub

Hi, what I love about transformers is their complexity. And with the current trend being a split bewteen Takara making more expensive and complex transformers for collectors (MPs) while Hasbro makes less complex transformers for the general public (the entire AoE movie line mentality), I thought it would be fun to look back on the most complex transformers released by Hasbro, by class. Also, simple rminder, complex means the intricacy of the transformation, not necessarily how hard it is to peg some parts.

Scout/Basic: HFTD Breacher takes the cake for this one. He has over 10 steps for the transformation and that is more than many deluxes ou there.

Deluxe: I guess a lot could be here. Though I really wonder if thre is a transformer out there more complex than Generations WFC Optimus Prime (cybertronian). This figure is insane! Everything is done so that panels connect in alt mode, covering his entire upper robot torso but instead of it being a shell former, the panels are found dispersed in smaller sections all across his forearms, shoulders and back. Very intricate. (Honourable mention: First edition starscream is the most complex deluxe Flyer transformer)

Voyager/Mega: I am sure people are going to mention Mixmaster here but I am not sure about him. It's odd but as complex as he might be, it still looks like a mess once it is transformed. What I mean is the complexity didnt really add to the figure and the figure is not better because of it. I find Binaltech/Alternators Grimlock far more interesting as a larger complex figure of the voyager class size. I have the binaltech version and the booklet it comes with makes you realize just how many steps are truly involved. And he looks nice and solid in his robot form witha very classic transformer look (though not a classic Grimlock look per say)

Leader/Ultra: I know ROTF Optimus is a given but after having transformed him a few times, I am seeing that the only part that is "hard" are inserting those chest panels. That doesnt make him overly complex, just a bit more annoying (and it's worse when transforming back to alt mode). I actually find Sentinel Prime far more involved in his transformation. The heels of his feet alone need several steps. And the way the front section of the truck becomes the chest takes as many steps as it takes to fully transform some voyagers class toys out there. I really love how he first appears to be a shell former but slowly reveals to be more than that once you start transforming him. Unlike the voyager version of the figure, his back does become the cape as seen in the film, making him very screen acurate.


Let me know what you guys think are the most complex figures out there.

Right away I think of the RTS/Generations Deluxe Wreck-Gar/Junk Heap mold. I always have a hard time with getting the legs to fold correctly while transforming into the alt-mode.

Drift082111 wrote:Right away I think of the RTS/Generations Deluxe Wreck-Gar/Junk Heap mold. I always have a hard time with getting the legs to fold correctly while transforming into the alt-mode.

I hear you, forming that altmode "seat" while making sure it all connects well is very tough.

Can't really comment on Scouts and Voyagers, but of the Deluxes this mold can be quite frustrating:



RiD Side Burn

The panels and all the twisting and turning of pieces and limbs makes transforming this toy a daunting task, especially in the front.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Can't really comment on Scouts and Voyagers, but of the Deluxes this mold can be quite frustrating:



RiD Side Burn

The panels and all the twisting and turning of pieces and limbs makes transforming this toy a daunting task, especially in the front.

Got my answer right here. I love both modes. it's getting from one to the other that's the problem.

I don't think anyone is overly complex, but the one that took me the longest to get right was ROTF Jetfire.

Aladar wrote:I don't think anyone is overly complex, but the one that took me the longest to get right was ROTF Jetfire.

I hear you. Getting his panels aligned is nuts. But you are right, complexity has to be defined better as I would not call Jetfire complex, it's more that he is hard due to how much one has to be exact when transforming him.

I meant complex as in the number of steps it takes and how small some peices may be and the number of moving parts. Like Generations WFC Optimus. For a deluxe, he has a lot of small moving panels and parts, and takes 25 steps to transform. I would consider that complex. Leader Sentinel Prime as well, when looking at the panels that fold onto one another to form his asymetric heels.

So pretty much, a trnsformer that takes a long time to transform and not simply because the panels wont fit into one another (rotf Jetfire is the best example of it taking a long time for the wrong reasons)

Here's another couple:

william-james88 wrote:

Aladar wrote:I don't think anyone is overly complex, but the one that took me the longest to get right was ROTF Jetfire.

I hear you. Getting his panels aligned is nuts. But you are right, complexity has to be defined better as I would not call Jetfire complex, it's more that he is hard due to how much one has to be exact when transforming him.

I meant complex as in the number of steps it takes and how small some peices may be and the number of moving parts. Like Generations WFC Optimus. For a deluxe, he has a lot of small moving panels and parts, and takes 25 steps to transform. I would consider that complex. Leader Sentinel Prime as well, when looking at the panels that fold onto one another to form his asymetric heels.

So pretty much, a trnsformer that takes a long time to transform and not simply because the panels wont fit into one another (rotf Jetfire is the best example of it taking a long time for the wrong reasons)

Actually it was the chest flaps for Jet Convoy. I finally figured out that if you put those together and stick them behind the gun?flap on his back they stay there and he looks more cohesive.

I mostly agree with what you've said in the original, but other figures that leap to mind without being influenced by reading replies:

Deluxe: Terradive. That thing's astonishing with how many small parts there are. I find it easier than WFC OP but it may involve more moving parts.

Voyager: I think it's called Battle Blades Optimus Prime, it looks like a miniaturised RotF leader OP. Getting the head and matrix rearranged always gives me trouble.
Also: TFP Dreadwing.