The Energon Pub

I've always liked Menasor the best. I think it's due to his uniform look, there aren't any scale issues within the team. Plus he has a streamlined look, no wings or anything like that sticking out.

shonenfan4 wrote:

JetOptimus23 wrote:It's so difficult to choose, so heres a list.
1. ROTF Devastator
2. ROTF Jet Optimus
3. Animated Safeguard
4. Gi Predaking
5. Beast Machines Magmatron

I love G1 Predaking, almost forgot about this guy. Still hating myself that I missed the chance to get the reissue giftset.

Aww crap I know the feeling Shonenfan!! Once again another golden moment I had to at least get my hands on one at least for around $115 or less (that I recall) and I blew it putting off....total regret!!

But I'm curious for those who have mentioned the term "Gestalts". I saw other members post some names refering to them but what defines "Gestalts" and who are they?

Nemesis Destron wrote:But I'm curious for those who have mentioned the term "Gestalts". I saw other members post some names refering to them but what defines "Gestalts" and who are they?

You can see more information about types of combiners here. The term "Gestalt" is apparently a fan created term for big robot combiners who have emergent personalities.

Thanx for that tip Convotron, I will check it out!!

This brings up a good question. What exactly makes a combiner/gestalt? Do the Energon Powerlinx figures count? What about Energon Prime in his super mode? Or what about when Armada Prime combines with Jetfire and Overload? And how about the figures that are formed from 3 or more vehicles/animals that don't have their own bot modes (Magnaboss and Tidal Wave).

Personally, my definition of a Gestalt is a TEAM of 3 or more transformable robots that can merge to form a bigger robot. Therefore, a team of 2 robots that can merge doesn't really count as a Gestalt (ex. Animated Safeguard). Also, since the figures have to be part of a particular team (Team Bullet Train to Railracer, Predacon Trio to Tripredacus, Combaticons to Bruticus, etc.). Therefore, even though Armada Super Prime is composed of 3 different bots, they're not technically a team so it doesn't really count.

But these definitions only apply to what I think. I'm sure everyone will have a different opinion.

For me, all "gestalts" are combiners but not all combiners are "gestalts".

I think of Gestalts as combiners that combine and create a "combined form" personality. The Armada Optimus Prime combinations are then not "Gestalts" because there isn't a new personality formed during combination.

I usually don't overthink it, though. I just look at Transformers that can combine as "combiners" and leave it at that.

Convotron wrote:For me, all "gestalts" are combiners but not all combiners are "gestalts".

I think of Gestalts as combiners that combine and create a "combined form" personality. The Armada Optimus Prime combinations are then not "Gestalts" because there isn't a new personality formed during combination.

I usually don't overthink it, though. I just look at Transformers that can combine as "combiners" and leave it at that.

I like your use of "emergent personalities". I think that's the difference. So Animated Safeguard is a gestalt, and so are the G1 combiners, Magnaboss, Tripredacus, Rail Racer, etc. But the Armada and Energon powerlinx'd combinations aren't.

So this brings up the question...what are the Skyboom Shield, Reqium Blaster, and Star Saber? Three characters merge to form an inanimate object? Are the weapons sentient?

Philosophical questions for Sunday afternoon when I should be doing work for my grad classes.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:I like your use of "emergent personalities". I think that's the difference. So Animated Safeguard is a gestalt, and so are the G1 combiners, Magnaboss, Tripredacus, Rail Racer, etc. But the Armada and Energon powerlinx'd combinations aren't.

Yup, pretty much. Since the general meaning of gestalt is the sum of something's parts, I like the use of "Gestalt" as a type of combiner that manifests with its own personality. Powerlinx type of combinations where the combined are still mentally present are more of a "tag-team" scenario in my eyes.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:So this brings up the question...what are the Skyboom Shield, Reqium Blaster, and Star Saber? Three characters merge to form an inanimate object? Are the weapons sentient?

Very good question! I think technically they are combiners as they combine to create a new form. Maybe a "low level combiner" as they don't seem to have sentience when combined? I'm not an expert on Armada(I've just recently started watching the series).

Razorclaw0000 wrote:Philosophical questions for Sunday afternoon when I should be doing work for my grad classes.

Nah, this is a good way to get the gears in the noggin' turnin'! It'll help with your grad class work.

Nemesis Destron wrote:

shonenfan4 wrote:

JetOptimus23 wrote:It's so difficult to choose, so heres a list.
1. ROTF Devastator
2. ROTF Jet Optimus
3. Animated Safeguard
4. Gi Predaking
5. Beast Machines Magmatron

I love G1 Predaking, almost forgot about this guy. Still hating myself that I missed the chance to get the reissue giftset.

Aww crap I know the feeling Shonenfan!! Once again another golden moment I had to at least get my hands on one at least for around $115 or less (that I recall) and I blew it putting off....total regret!!

But I'm curious for those who have mentioned the term "Gestalts". I saw other members post some names refering to them but what defines "Gestalts" and who are they?

Dang, that's a pretty good deal Kinda reminds me of the time that I got outbid on the last second by $5 (ending bid was $158) for a pretty good condition of genuine G1 Devastator with box too.

Well, if an emergent personality is a basis for a Gestalt, then maybe you should rethink whether or not Railracer is a true Gestalt. In the cartoon, he always referred to himself as "We" whereas every other combiner says "I" (Except Bruticus who just referred to himself in the third person). So if Railracer knows he's 3 different bots, he doesn't have much of an emergent personality. I also remember hearing that the conflicting personalities of a Gestalt contributed to their sluggishness. However, Railracer is REALLY fast...perhaps because there is no culmination of personalities. If you ask me, it seems as if when Railracer would combine, Midnight Express and Rapid Run would just surrender their bodies and let Railspike take over.

So...if that's true, then according to Convotron's definition, Railracer is NOT a Gestalt.

WolfDawg wrote:Well, if an emergent personality is a basis for a Gestalt, then maybe you should rethink whether or not Railracer is a true Gestalt. In the cartoon, he always referred to himself as "We" whereas every other combiner says "I" (Except Bruticus who just referred to himself in the third person). So if Railracer knows he's 3 different bots, he doesn't have much of an emergent personality. I also remember hearing that the conflicting personalities of a Gestalt contributed to their sluggishness. However, Railracer is REALLY fast...perhaps because there is no culmination of personalities. If you ask me, it seems as if when Railracer would combine, Midnight Express and Rapid Run would just surrender their bodies and let Railspike take over.

So...if that's true, then according to Convotron's definition, Railracer is NOT a Gestalt.

Whoops...good point. Never saw the RID cartoon. It might have been back of the box bios that made me think Rail Racer was his own personality.

Yeah, Rail Racer is unique for saying "We", so there doesn't seem to be an emergent personality.

It's kind of like Venom/Eddie Brock. "We will have our revenge, Parker!!!"

Convotron wrote:Yeah, Rail Racer is unique for saying "We", so there doesn't seem to be an emergent personality.

It's kind of like Venom/Eddie Brock. "We will have our revenge, Parker!!!"

Never knew that either, kinda miss the RID cartoon. Wish it would be released to DVDs.

I'd love to get a hold of the entire series of Car Robots cartoons with English subtitles. The God Fire Convoy sequence seems cooler than the Omega Prime sequence.

Transformu!
Cho kyodai gattai!
Goddo Faiyah Convoy!



Pow.

Another personal favorite is Checkpoint and Prowl:

Razorclaw0000 wrote:Another personal favorite is Checkpoint and Prowl:

Oh, Checkpoint and Prowl make a good Powerlinx pair. I find that some of the Powerlinx combos are a bit odd looking but still cool for the fact that the combination option is available.

I'm torn between G1 Menasor, Devastator and Predaking for 1st. Each has its own merits and drawbacks.

My least favorite is Monstructor for being so puny.

Razorclaw0000 wrote:Another personal favorite is Checkpoint and Prowl:

That's sweet, I didn't get much figs during the powerlinks series.

Lapse Of Reason wrote:I'm torn between G1 Menasor, Devastator and Predaking for 1st. Each has its own merits and drawbacks.

My least favorite is Monstructor for being so puny.

Monstructor is quite a unique combiner.

shonenfan4 wrote:That's sweet, I didn't get much figs during the powerlinks series.

You should. Right now. Stop what you're doing and hunt down at least:

Bulkhead or Quickstrike
Shockblast
Skyblast
Downshift
Roadblock
Towline
Wing Saber
Landmine or Landquake
Battle Ravage
Divebomb
Insecticon
Demolisher (Dump Truck)
Sharkticon
Starscream
Mirage or Dreadwing (DW has an amazing deco)

Razorclaw0000 wrote:

shonenfan4 wrote:That's sweet, I didn't get much figs during the powerlinks series.

You should. Right now. Stop what you're doing and hunt down at least:

Bulkhead or Quickstrike
Shockblast
Skyblast
Downshift
Roadblock
Towline
Wing Saber
Landmine or Landquake
Battle Ravage
Divebomb
Insecticon
Demolisher (Dump Truck)
Sharkticon
Starscream
Mirage or Dreadwing (DW has an amazing deco)

That's a long list, but I have a few figures on the list. Any reason as to why those on the lists?

I love Energon Dreadwing. It has cool alt and bot modes. The Botcon 2009 Banzai-Tron repaint looks great too.

I'll second Armada/Energon Tidal Wave for notable combiners. His combined form with Armada Megatron looks quite bulky but it's got points for sheer mass.

My Top 5;
Bruticus (Energon mold)
Tripredacus
Liokaiser (Payed out the aft for It)
Landfill (Missing Grimlock )
Bruticus (G1 mold)

Most disliked;
Defensor (Motorcycle Leg, What the Slag?!)
But other wise I like all combiners.

Convotron wrote:I love Energon Dreadwing. It has cool alt and bot modes. The Botcon 2009 Banzai-Tron repaint looks great too.

I'll second Armada/Energon Tidal Wave for notable combiners. His combined form with Armada Megatron looks quite bulky but it's got points for sheer mass.

The only complaint I have for Armada Tidal Wave is the lack of sound effects that other same classes did. i.e. Overload.

The ultimate combiner have to be Predaking, an unstoppable force that represents an optimal blend of great strength, agility and mental unity. He is being describe as the ultimate weapon for the decepticons and is rightly so. He is my favorite due to unique animalistic design and wonderful built and structure. Bruticus will be my second favorite since his humanoid robot mode is top notch looks better as a toy figure than the cartoon model. THe worse combiner have to be monstructor, very ugly and makes no sense. THough by the time he is release the G1 series is already in its twilight so no suprise ofr such poor design

shonenfan4 wrote:

Convotron wrote:I love Energon Dreadwing. It has cool alt and bot modes. The Botcon 2009 Banzai-Tron repaint looks great too.

I'll second Armada/Energon Tidal Wave for notable combiners. His combined form with Armada Megatron looks quite bulky but it's got points for sheer mass.

The only complaint I have for Armada Tidal Wave is the lack of sound effects that other same classes did. i.e. Overload.

I have a soft spot for the transformation sound effect! But I don't miss it. For me, Tidal Wave's design is what I'm all about. Imagine if Tidal Wave had a sound effect of someone saying "Tidal Wave" every time you transformed it, hehe.