"Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set

Posted by william-james88 Oct 9, 2015 at 9:42pm CDT 40,264 views

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Not too long ago, it was announced that Botcon 2016's box set would be called "Dawn of the Predacus" and consist of a combiner made up of Beast Wars components linked to the Tripedicus group. The first reveal was Ravage (a Tripedicus agent) using the combiner wars Breakdown mold. They have just revealed on their website today that another figure part of this set will be Tarantulas, as many fans guessed due to the character's affiliation with the Tripedicus council. Not only that but it was also revealed that his Beast Wars voice actor, Alec Willows, will also be a guest at the show.

While it may be odd that we are getting another exclusive Tarantulas in such a short time, they do indicate that this will be based on his Transmetal deco. As you recall, that body did have a motorcycle mode, however, he will not be using the deluxe Groove mold but instead the Rook mold as seen below.

Transformers News: "Dawn of the Predacus" Tarantulus revealed from BotCon 2016 set

Also, this means that the remaining three members of the combiner are probably the original members of the Tripedicus combiner: General Ram Horn, Sea Clamp, and Cicadacon.

Botcon wrote:10/09/2015 - We are thrilled to announce that Alec Willows, voice of the villainous and venomnous TARANTULAS from the Beast Wars cartoon series, will be our guest At BotCon 2016. Along with David Kaye, Alec will be available for autographs and panels as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Beast Wars.

Speaking of the robotic spider, we are also pleased to reveal that our second BotCon 2016 Predacon themed Combiner Wars boxed set character is in fact TARANTULAS, inspired by his season 2 "Transmetal" deco and featuring an ALL-NEW head sculpt. Along with Ravage, Tarantulas will merge with the other 3 Predacons in the box set to form PREDACUS!

Stay Tuned for more figure reveals, guest updates and info regarding events and registration for BotCon 2016 - North America's LARGEST Transformers fan convention!

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Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by TF_JW Oct 9, 2015

Personal observation here (as a guy who had nothing to do with the mold choice on this one).

Transmetal Tarantulas was... well he was a bit like Bruce Lee. He wasn't bulky, but the guy was trim and toned (look at those abs!). And then he had a ginormous linebacker's shoulder pads thrown on, giving him an extremely wide chest and shoulders.

From the day Rook was revealed, that's kind of how I saw him too. His upper legs aren't all that bulky, and with the bomb disposal claw defining his job, I can interpret him as a moderate-sized guy inside of massively oversized protective shielding. And with this being Tarantulas working with the Predacon Secret before/instead of on ancient Earth getting turned into a spider, I can catch some interesting story vibes of him putting on some riot gear or a bomb disposal suit for a particularly tricky assignment.

As for the size of the head, thanks for pointing that out. But there has been a 3D printing made and correctly fitted to the body, even if the digital color/paint mock-up might appear to show something different.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Hellscream9999 Oct 9, 2015

TF_JW wrote:Personal observation here (as a guy who had nothing to do with the mold choice on this one).

Transmetal Tarantulas was... well he was a bit like Bruce Lee. He wasn't bulky, but the guy was trim and toned (look at those abs!). And then he had a ginormous linebacker's shoulder pads thrown on, giving him an extremely wide chest and shoulders.

From the day Rook was revealed, that's kind of how I saw him too. His upper legs aren't all that bulky, and with the bomb disposal claw defining his job, I can interpret him as a moderate-sized guy inside of massively oversized protective shielding. And with this being Tarantulas working with the Predacon Secret before/instead of on ancient Earth getting turned into a spider, I can catch some interesting story vibes of him putting on some riot gear or a bomb disposal suit for a particularly tricky assignment.

As for the size of the head, thanks for pointing that out. But there has been a 3D printing made and correctly fitted to the body, even if the digital color/paint mock-up might appear to show something different.

Cool, that's good to know about the head

I don't mind the mold choice, I can see it; but I must say, as the 'stalwart tank' ramhorn or seaclamp would have probably worked better, but I wonder if brawl and/or swindle are going to make an appearance; I can see ramhorn from brawl with a 'techno' barrel that looks like his horn :-?

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Gearslide Oct 9, 2015

Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

So, it's not going to be that much of a surprise as to who the other 3 members are. The question is, WHO will be the Voyager in the middle and what mold will he use? Maybe Cicadacon? He has Tripredacus' head after all.

Hmm...

Actually, IF Cicadacon is the torso/voyager, maybe he'll make use of the Silverbolt mold? It would make more sense than the Optimus/Motormaster or Hot Spot/Onslaught molds. That leaves Sea Clamp and Ram Horn though.

I guess I could see Ram Horn using the First Aid or Offroad mold? It has the kind of bulk and shape that resembles his beetle mode. Plus, he'd work well as the Left Arm of the new Combiner and even resemble the original Tripredacus' Left Arm.

As for Sea Clamp... maybe the Dragstrip mold? That one hasn't gotten much use besides Mirage, and it's vaguely Crawfish shaped.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Hellscream9999 Oct 9, 2015

Gearslide wrote:Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

How would it be too costly?

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Autobot N Oct 9, 2015

This, I really like. Way better than that Ravage.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Oct 9, 2015

Hellscream9999 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

How would it be too costly?

He has an additional plastic sprue that the Hasbro-released CW Deluxes all lack.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by william-james88 Oct 9, 2015

Sabrblade wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

How would it be too costly?
He has an additional plastic sprue that the Hasbro-released CW Deluxes all lack.

Yeah but we arent talking about Hasbro here, we are talking about the Club. The same people that released the Breakdown old at botcon last year along with some microns. They dont go by the same rules of Hasbro.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Hellscream9999 Oct 9, 2015

william-james88 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

How would it be too costly?
He has an additional plastic sprue that the Hasbro-released CW Deluxes all lack.

Yeah but we arent talking about Hasbro here, we are talking about the Club. The same people that released the Breakdown old at botcon last year along with some microns. They dont go by the same rules of Hasbro.

I don't pretend to know anything about mold layouts, but I'm sure it could've been done >:oP

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by SW's SilverHammer Oct 9, 2015

Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

How would it be too costly?
He has an additional plastic sprue that the Hasbro-released CW Deluxes all lack.

Yeah but we arent talking about Hasbro here, we are talking about the Club. The same people that released the Breakdown old at botcon last year along with some microns. They dont go by the same rules of Hasbro.

I don't pretend to know anything about mold layouts, but I'm sure it could've been done

Also Beast Wars II Dirgegun

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Hellscream9999 Oct 9, 2015

SW's SilverHammer wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
william-james88 wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Hellscream9999 wrote:
Gearslide wrote:Seeing as how Takara's Groove is apparently too costly to make to use anywhere else, this isn't bad as a 2nd best.

How would it be too costly?
He has an additional plastic sprue that the Hasbro-released CW Deluxes all lack.

Yeah but we arent talking about Hasbro here, we are talking about the Club. The same people that released the Breakdown old at botcon last year along with some microns. They dont go by the same rules of Hasbro.

I don't pretend to know anything about mold layouts, but I'm sure it could've been done

Also Beast Wars II Dirgegun

Exactly, and I still stand by my thought that hasbro will release bigroove and blastoff2 next year or later...

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Oct 9, 2015

william-james88 wrote:Yeah but we arent talking about Hasbro here, we are talking about the Club. The same people that released the Breakdown old at botcon last year along with some microns. They dont go by the same rules of Hasbro.

My answer was only in regards to the inquiry of how the UW Groove mold might be more expensive than the CW Deluxes, not in regards to the idea that its expense is why the mold wasn't used.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Lucky Logician Oct 9, 2015

The second I saw Ravage, I got REALLY excited. Beast Wars Anniversary! Another character with a vehicle alt mode. And right after they gave us Tarantualas as the motorcycle. Looks like they've got the right idea and will be doing the remaining characters. Blackarachnia will probably be the Chromia mold. Silverbolt could be Beast Hunters Dreadwing with those back frilly things as a nice homage to Silverbolt's feathers. And Beast Hunters Ratchet has the PERFECT head for a Dinobot II. I can't wait to see more!

Then I read he was part of a combiner team. Ummmm... Okay, I guess. Isn't FunPub making a combiner (with too many limbs) for their subscription service? Whatever though. I could see Quickstrike in the Dragstrip mold; he is pretty fast after all. Scorpinoc could be the Rook Mold; beefy chest and those plugs on his fists could be reiminisnt of Scorp having no actual hands. I'm sure Terrorsaur will be one of the jets. Maybe Inferno will even be the Onslaught mold!

Then I saw this new post....

REALLY?!?! :???:

You literally just gave us a Tarantulas just over a month ago. Is this a joke? "Yo dawg, we heard you like Tarantulas. So we're gonna give you some Tarantulas to go with that Tarantulas." #-o

Oh, I'm sorry. This doesn't count because this is his "transmetal" version. WHAT?! :BANG_HEAD:

Honestly, I hadn't budgeted money for 2016 Botcon. But then I saw Ravage. So I now I was 100% going. I can make this happen and save enough money in time. But then I saw this. YOU HAD MY MONEY, FUNPUB! Why did you have to go and make an easy decision into a tough one?

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Emerje Oct 9, 2015

I think Rook is a good move. I'm sure a lot of people that joined the TFSS would be upset over a second motorcycle Tarantulas so making him something else makes sense. If Cicadacon is the torso then I'm thinking the Scattershot mold given the gun barrel nose and unusual wings. I think Ram Horn makes more sense as Dragstrip given the scoop on front somewhat resembling his horn. It goes against his heavy armor, but evokes his most noticeable feature. Sea Clamp I'd like to see as First Aid because of the more impressive armor plates. Might need to slap a Coast Guard or life guard sticker on him to make any sense.

Emerje

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Oct 10, 2015

Lucky Logician wrote:The second I saw Ravage, I got REALLY excited. Beast Wars Anniversary! Another character with a vehicle alt mode. And right after they gave us Tarantualas as the motorcycle. Looks like they've got the right idea and will be doing the remaining characters. Blackarachnia will probably be the Chromia mold. Silverbolt could be Beast Hunters Dreadwing with those back frilly things as a nice homage to Silverbolt's feathers. And Beast Hunters Ratchet has the PERFECT head for a Dinobot II. I can't wait to see more!

Then I read he was part of a combiner team. Ummmm... Okay, I guess. Isn't FunPub making a combiner (with too many limbs) for their subscription service? Whatever though. I could see Quickstrike in the Dragstrip mold; he is pretty fast after all. Scorpinoc could be the Rook Mold; beefy chest and those plugs on his fists could be reiminisnt of Scorp having no actual hands. I'm sure Terrorsaur will be one of the jets. Maybe Inferno will even be the Onslaught mold!

Then I saw this new post....

REALLY?!?!

You literally just gave us a Tarantulas just over a month ago. Is this a joke? "Yo dawg, we heard you like Tarantulas. So we're gonna give you some Tarantulas to go with that Tarantulas."

Oh, I'm sorry. This doesn't count because this is his "transmetal" version. WHAT?!

Honestly, I hadn't budgeted money for 2016 Botcon. But then I saw Ravage. So I now I was 100% going. I can make this happen and save enough money in time. But then I saw this. YOU HAD MY MONEY, FUNPUB! Why did you have to go and make an easy decision into a tough one?

Was it not evident from the title of this set ("Dawn of the Predacus") that this was going to be a set of characters part of or affiliated with the Tripredacus Council?

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Lucky Logician Oct 10, 2015

Sabrblade wrote:Was it not evident from the title of this set ("Dawn of the Predacus") that this was going to be a set of characters part of or affiliated with the Tripredacus Council?

Was it not evident from the faction symbol on Ravage ("Predacon") that this was going to be a set of characters part of or affiliated with the Predacons? Honestly, Predacus sounds just as likely to be the Predacon version of Bruticus.

Yes, I thought there might be members of the Tri-Predacus council. But considering they are the Tri-Predacus council, I imagined a 3-pack of them. Why would I think that FunPub would give us the exact same character that arrived in my mailbox 44 days ago?

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by D-Maximal_Primal Oct 10, 2015

It looks good, and as one who appreciates the Rook mold, it works for me. Quite nice and Transmetal to me

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Oct 10, 2015

Lucky Logician wrote:Was it not evident from the faction symbol on Ravage

...who is a Tripredacus Agent.

Lucky Logician wrote:that this was going to be a set of characters part of or affiliated with the Predacons?

...which the Tripredaucs Council is a ruling body of.

Lucky Logician wrote:Honestly, Predacus sounds just as likely to be the Predacon version of Bruticus.

Honestly, if it was to be a Predacon-themed set instead of specifically a Tripredacus-themed set, why include Ravage and have him as the first reveal (since he was a mere a guest star minor character who only appeared in 3 episodes out of 52) instead of any of the more major Predacon characters in the cartoon?

Lucky Logician wrote:Yes, I thought there might be members of the Tri-Predacus council. But considering they are the Tri-Predacus council, I imagined a 3-pack of them.

Considering that a large part of their combiner/council name is in the theme's title, it'd make far more sense to have them showcased in the main boxed set.

Lucky Logician wrote:Why would I think that FunPub would give us the exact same character that arrived in my mailbox 44 days ago?

This one we are in agreement with since I was not expecting Tarantulas but a different Tripredacus Agent to go with Ravage and the main three. Onyx Primal in particular was the one I was hoping for since his getting a new toy next year would be in honor of the character's 20th anniversary. They wouldn't have even had to remold his head since they could have redecoed CW Firefly whose head is a close enough match to Onyx's head.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Starsaber468 Oct 10, 2015

Sabrblade wrote:
Lucky Logician wrote:Was it not evident from the faction symbol on Ravage
...who is a Tripredacus Agent.

Lucky Logician wrote:("Predacon") that this was going to be a set of characters part of or affiliated with the Predacons?
...which the Tripredaucs Council is a ruling body of.

Lucky Logician wrote:Honestly, Predacus sounds just as likely to be the Predacon version of Bruticus.
Honestly, if it was to be a Predacon-themed set instead of specifically a Tripredacus-themed set, why include Ravage and have him as the first reveal (since he was a mere a guest star minor character who only appeared in 3 episodes out of 52) instead of any of the more major Predacon characters in the cartoon?

Lucky Logician wrote:Yes, I thought there might be members of the Tri-Predacus council. But considering they are the Tri-Predacus council, I imagined a 3-pack of them.
Considering that a large part of their combiner/council name is in the theme's title, it'd make far more sense to have them showcased in the main boxed set.

Lucky Logician wrote:Why would I think that FunPub would give us the exact same character that arrived in my mailbox 44 days ago?
This one we are in agreement with since I was not expecting Tarantulas but a different Tripredacus Agent to go with Ravage and the main three. Onyx Primal in particular was the one I was hoping for since his getting a new toy next year would be in honor of the character's 20th anniversary. They wouldn't have even had to remold his head since they could have redecoed CW Firefly whose head is a close enough match to Onyx's head.

I would consider waiting for the rest of the reveals after all, all those figures are getting NEW HEADS plus the Figure could be displayed with the Dawn of futures last boxset and the tfcc 3.0 figure deisplayed with your beast wars uprising figure collection

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by Sabrblade Oct 10, 2015

Starsaber468 wrote:I would consider waiting for the rest of the reveals after all, all those figures are getting NEW HEADS

They said there will be five new heads. Within a standard five CW mold-combiner (1 torso and 4 limbs) there are six heads total due to the combiner itself having a head of its own. So one of those six may not be remolded if the "five new heads" thing is true to its word.

Re: "Dawn of the Predacus" Predacon Secret Police Tarantulas revealed from BotCon 2016 set (view post)

Comment by DecepticonFinishline Oct 10, 2015

I know we just got a motorbike Tarantulus, but I was suuuuuper hoping they were going to find a way to snag the new Takara Groove Mold for Tarantulus. I would have preferred to see Sea Clamp in the Rook mold (I've actually given this a significant amount of thought.)

The Transmetal scheme is surprising, though I suppose when he reveals his association with the Tripredacus council in the series, he is a Transmetal by then...

I've never got a BotCon set before, but that may change this year. I love the BW Predacons!

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