SDCC Preview Breakfast - first look at Power of the Primes toys

[griffin]

The annual preview breakfast with invited (American) Transformers fansite admins was held, and a small selection of upcoming Transformers toys were on display, including the first wave of the new Power of the Primes toyline.

Details of the play pattern/gimmick are to be revealed at the presentation panel, but it looks like a combination of the first two toyline gimmicks (combining and headmasters), with a new gimmick (pretender shells - relax, it's just small ones for the new Titanmasters, to be called Primemasters).

Photos can be seen here (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/07/20/san-diego-comic-con-2017-collector-preview-breakfast-344837), here (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/gallery-for-sdcc-2017-transformers-power-of-the-primes-reveals-at-hasbro-breakfast-press-event-hasbrosdcc/38985/) and here (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/sdcc-2017-hasbro-breakfast-press-event-featuring-rid-combiner-force-primelock-saberclaw-hasbrosdcc/38983/).


Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy

Titan Master


Skullgrin

Legends


Beachcomber (Titanmaster can drive vehicle mode)

Deluxe


Dreadwing (Combiner Wars Skydive retool)
Darkwind (Combiner Wars Air Raid retool)
Jazz

Dreadwing and Darkwind combine into a larger superjet.
Voyager


Starscream

Leader


Rodimus Prime (Removalable Matrix, Deluxe Hot Rod inside)
Overlord

Transformers: Robots In Disguise


Combiner Force Crash Combiner Primelock (Optimus Prime + Grimlock)
Combiner Force Crash Combiner Saberclaw (Saberhorn + Bisque)

Transformers: The Last Knight


Deluxe Class Hot Rod
Deluxe Class Cogman
Voyager Class Decepticon Nitro
Leader Class Megatron
Leader Class Dragonstrom
Legion Class Combiner Infernocus

Movie Masterpiece Optimus Prime


Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy

Power Of The Primes:
Prime Masters are the new Titan Masters. Represents the Original 13 Primes as their Avatars (not to be confused with The Last Airbender… or Korra).
Prime Masters are small extremely powerful being who acts as the Avatars of the 13 Primes. Actually 12. The 13th Avatar being the Matrix Of Leadership itself.
The Avatars hide inside “Decoy Suits” which are essentially Pretenders.
Each Prime Master is a Logo for the 12 Primes.
You can replace the middle part of the Matrix Of Leadership and attach the Avatars to the frame.
The Avatars can be fitted to the Deluxe and Voyager classes as well. But the highlight is the replacement of Matrix Of Leadership which comes with each Leader Class figures (each with a unique Matrix).
Hot Rod car is a Deluxe. Can combine with the trailer to become Leader Class Rodimus Prime.


Transformers: Titans Return:
Deluxe Slugslinger with Titan Master Caliburst is featured as a single pack.


Transformers: The Last Knight
Nothing new was shown during the Preview Breakfast. Cannot be sure about the panel either. But keep your fingers crossed.

[Raider]

There also seems to be a quasi powermaster gimmick. If I understand correctly the centre of the matrix (1 comes with each leader class) can be removed and replaced with 1 of the 'primes' which can be stored in the leader.

The pretenders act like a mini shell for these primes.

Also, not sure about Jazz but Darkwind and Dreadwing look like they are combiner limbs too given retold and the chest seems to contain a connector.

[valkyrie_76]

Looks interesting but see how it goes.

[Raider]

There are official pics on the Transformers FB page (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1556086124461576&id=146805978722938) now. Looks like Jazz is a combiner too.

[Deonasis]

I am happy with what the gimmick they are moving towards, how the toys look, and the characters announced so far.

[Deonasis]

Also I am thinking we could see some Turbomasters appear. Jazz reminds me of Hurricane or Flash? And Rodimus could be Thunderclash.

Optimus Primal as (if i read correctly) a Leader class like Rodimus??? Oh hello Optimal Optimus!

Starcreams giant engines give me somethingof a B2(?) bomber feel but perhaps they are to store these powerup titanmasters pretenders.

Skullgrin is a nice slash claw. Hope he intergrates onto the bigger arms well.

[miles_prower]

A friend and I were discussing what gimmick they were going to go with since they've been reusing a lot of past ones, since Combiner Force was doing powerlinking like in Energon, honestly thought they were gonna go with minicons or cyber keys, but cool seeing the return of Pretenders, sounding like this line will have a lot of retools, but I'm all for a proper Rodimus Prime

[OptimusNerd]

It is a shame they couldn't figure out a way to utilize the existing TR Hot Hod... but it in the end was probably more cost effective to produce a re-designed figure from scratch.

So assuming this will come with the Rod Prime TM head that is currently included in the Chaos on Velocitron set? (perhaps minus the *premium* diecase head-head?)

[Deonasis]

It is a shame they couldn't figure out a way to utilize the existing TR Hot Hod... but it in the end was probably more cost effective to produce a re-designed figure from scratch.

So assuming this will come with the Rod Prime TM head that is currently included in the Chaos on Velocitron set? (perhaps minus the *premium* diecase head-head?)

Interesting that the other loose head in those 2 sets was Thunderwing..

[Jellico]

My goodness that is an ugly Starscream. My immediate thought is why the boxing gloves and boots? They make robot under the jet syndrome unnecessarily worse.

[griffin]

Jazz and Starscream remind me of the Pretender versions. I guess that's the new seeker mould for the next 10 years and 30+ redecos.

I like that they have managed to find a way of homaging Pretenders without it being overbearing or a big hollow shell for a larger toy. The drawback is that this 3rd chapter doesn't have its own unique primary gimmick like the first two chapters had.

Only 12 of the smallest size planned... that's only 3, maybe 4 waves for PotP. First wave probably out in the week before Christmas and the others out before the Bumblebee movie in June.

[Ploughmans Lunch]

Rodimus, Jazz and Starscream aren't doing it for me, which is a shame because I've been keen for a Voyager Starscream/Leader (or whatever really) Rodimus (tbh a good Voyager Rodimus would've been nice). Beachcomber and Darkwind/Dreadwing are nice tho.

Also realised that we're about done with a lot of 1984/1985/1986 bots/cons, with some noticable exceptions, and well... maybe that's almost it for me, for CHUG? idk.

[Omega Metro]

Starscreams arms are designed to store the head things in them. That's why they are so chunky.

[Raider]

I think Griffin is right, they are a homage to the pretender versions. I also think Starscream is a combiner core given the huge shoulders and feet.

The back of the trypticon cereal box (https://twitter.com/raiderxxii/status/888137568440598528) is interesting. Long list of titan master names, quite a few of which were previously unknown.

[Paulbot]

I like that Jazz a lot more thinking of him that way.

Starscream is very likely a combiner body (and all the deluxes have combiner ports)

Turbomasters would be nice, and it wouldn't be too hard to turn those new Powermaster jets into Predators. But in the short term I'm happy to get those jets!

My first thought about the Pretender shells wasn't great, but then I saw little Skullgrin and I can't resist him. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the shells.

I also think it's kind of funny that the line promises all of the legendary Primes, but gives them to us as headmaster heads, rather than creating 11 unqiue Leader class (and one Minicon) toys to represent them. It's a good way of doing it and it lets the rest of the line continue being a "Classics" line.

[FruitBuyer]

Was hoping to see Grimlock though I get showcasing Rodimus would be more relevant when revealing PotPs. He does look pretty sweet, well proportioned with nice colours.

[DELTAprime]

Takara will have to do something amazing to make me buy this new Seeker mould and Jazz mould. The Hasbro versions do nothing for me and from what they have shown I'll be sticking with my Henkei Seekers and United Jazz.

[kup]

I kinda dig what I see here for the most part in power of the Primes line with the exception of Starscream's Popeye arms - That seems so unnecessary and bad design.

I will need to see more but if it's overall decent, it might bring me back to collecting main line toys.

[griffin]

If it weren't for Hascon in 2 months, I think a lot more would have been revealed, to have a more comprehensive look at a new concept and more chances of fans finding something they really like.
As such, I feel a little disappointed at the limited reveal. That isn't the full set of wave 1 PotP, and RID had like 2 reveals... and nothing new under the movie banner.
I think I was most excited/impressed about the exclusive Trypticon poster.

[Shirokaze]

Not real impressed with any of this. There have been better molds for most of these toys so an easy pass for me. Hopefully griffin is right and they're just holding back for Hascon. :)

[Sinnertwin]

Titan Master
Skullgrin

Legends
Beachcomber (Titanmaster can drive vehicle mode)

Deluxe
Dreadwing (Combiner Wars Skydive retool)
Darkwind (Combiner Wars Air Raid retool)
Jazz

Voyager
Starscream

Leader
Rodimus Prime (Removalable Matrix, Deluxe Hot Rod inside)
Overlord

That's me done.

[OptimusNerd]

My goodness that is an ugly Starscream. My immediate thought is why the boxing gloves and boots? They make robot under the jet syndrome unnecessarily worse.

Structural support for whatever combiner gimmick they incorporate. Mind you in the Combiner Wars web series he had a full gestalt as each limb... so maybe he really does need some hulking supports :)

[Deano85]

Keen to use that Jazz on my Optimus Prime combiner. Will be a leg next to smokescreen.

[SharkyMcShark]

Look, I might just be getting old and stupid here, but I'm not really sure what the gimmick is here.

Titan Masters are now Prime Masters, which are little robots that transform into cores that fit inside matrix handles. The little vehicles that Titan Masters used to come with are now pretender shells.

Scout class figures can be used as vehicles for the Prime Masters, just like they could for Titan Masters in TR.

The three deluxes all seem to have combiner pegs? The remolds from CW don't interest me. Jazz looks so-so. Hollow forearms is a minus, as ever. Honestly it reminds me a lot of the FOC Jazz figure in that it looks kind of hollow and insubstantial.

Starscream looks like a fat piece of garbage but hasn't been confirmed as a combiner torso? Either way, it looks garbage.

Leader Rodimus looks genuinely interesting. I'm actually really stoked that the leader class gimmick for at least part of this line is deluxe-ish sized robots with transforming power armour. That tickles me and bravo to Hasbro for that. Hoping for a new Ultra Magnus as this obviously suits him to a tee.

[griffin]

I must say, I think I like Beachcomber... it actually looks like a cross between the Gen1 toy and Gen1 cartoon versions. The original toy was perfect for me, so I have high standards for Beachcomber homages, and none so far have appealed to me (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Beachcomber).

[Gouki]

I am so down for the Beachcomber. Unless they hint at a chrome green version before I can pick it up.

I'm also terrified that Deluxe Hot Rod is a retool of that damn Classics mould.

[Verno]

My reaction thus far: Yawn.

Wake me up when pics of Primal hit the net.

[SMHFConvoy]

I'm also terrified that Deluxe Hot Rod is a retool of that damn Classics mould.

It's a new mold, the deluxe legs are the combined mode's shoulders.

Looking at the promotional art for PotP, it makes me wonder if IDW Rodimus will have a new co-captain before next year's PotP crossover :p

[Lord_Zed]

Well I like Skullgrin, but so far the rest of these guys are a snoozefest for me.

Dreadwing and Darkwing are two of my favourite cons from the comic, but I'm not loving them as Titan Returns retools.

And all the others are just the usual cast of Main characaters who get a new toy of them every second year. Yawn!

[FatalityPitt]

Finally! Rodimus PRIME!

Also, I like how they've brought back the Pretender gimmick (kinda sorta). I'd love to see more figures like Skullgrin. I'll be a happy camper if they give us Crossblades, Doubleheader, Bludegeon, Bomb-Burst, etc in this scale.

[Paulbot]

Look, I might just be getting old and stupid here, but I'm not really sure what the gimmick is here.

There were slides from the show that made the gimmick clearer.

PrimeMasters hide in shells that become weapons. In robot mode they ride Legend class vehicles.

The PrimeMasters transform into power cores that can plug into deluxes and voyagers in a similar way to Minicons could attach to Bulks in Armada. (It appears they may also trigger a gimmick in Voyagers).

They can also replace the matrix of the leader class toy.

For deluxes, voyagers and leaders the PrimeMasters grant a "special power" to the larger robot (but like the Titan Masters and their special powers it's just text not an actual thing except Voyagers maybe)

For backward compatibility the three deluxes (so far) are also combiner limbs and the voyager has what looks like combiner limb connection points.

The power cores can also take the place of a Titan Master on Titans Return toys (giving the Transformer a head very reminiscent of a Celestial from Marvel comics).

And thinking about it plugging these "cores" into Overlord's chest make more sense than those pics of him holding other heads there.

[morg176]

Beachcomber and skullgrin/LM look very nice, but have to see them in hand
The rest are iffish

Would like to see what other pretender shells are going to be used

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Also I am thinking we could see some Turbomasters appear. Jazz reminds me of Hurricane or Flash? And Rodimus could be Thunderclash. I'd totally be up for some updated Turbomasters, especially a Thunderclash-from-Rodimus-base-mold.

So far I'm actually liking a lot of what I'm seeing, even if a lot of it isn't necessarily on my to-get list. The backwards-compatilibity aspect is good, they're still covering reasonably diverse characters as pre/re-molds along with the classic/default characters as the 'core' mold, and it looks like the molds have been designed such that they could be used for more haven't-had-updated-versions-yet characters.
I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, and yeah, it's kind of cheap, but at this point in my collection that's pretty much ideal for me. I already have a Starscream and an Optimus and a Megatron, but I don't have, say, a Skyquake. If HasTakTom can do those characters as variants on molds of 'core' characters and it helps cover the costs of the tooling, and if the toys are still decent, then good says I.

Based on what we've seen of the general line of gimmicks/overall direction, I'm pretty happy with it.:)

[Jellico]

I am looking for toys to teach the kids the awesomeness of G1. For example timing meant that the Cons are built around CW Leaders Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave. But that means finding suitable henchmen. The TR cons have been good for that with a good mix of voyagers and deluxes. But I have been left short good Ssekers. This Starscream could have been it. But with its odd proportions and possible combiner ports who knows what they are planning. A Seeker army of combiner torsos would be very odd.

[griffin]

So where are all the Beasts... combiners or Beast Wars homages?

There was a lot of hope that Beasts would be the theme of the third chapter, but so far there hasn't even been a hint of it.

Maybe next year's toyline then.

[Verno]

So where are all the Beasts... combiners or Beast Wars homages?

There was a lot of hope that Beasts would be the theme of the third chapter, but so far there hasn't even been a hint of it.

Maybe next year's toyline then.
Yep. And in their stead, behold the majesty of the 13 Primes!

http://img04.deviantart.net/bbce/i/2017/202/f/9/evr_by_rh1n0x-dbh74h6.jpg

:(

[FatalityPitt]

So where are all the Beasts... combiners or Beast Wars homages?

There was a lot of hope that Beasts would be the theme of the third chapter, but so far there hasn't even been a hint of it.

Maybe next year's toyline then.

Wasn't an Optimus Primal Titanmaster announced? I believe it's gonna be released in the same wave as Toraizer.

[Raider]

So where are all the Beasts... combiners or Beast Wars homages?

There was a lot of hope that Beasts would be the theme of the third chapter, but so far there hasn't even been a hint of it.

Maybe next year's toyline then.

I presumed they were holding it back for announcement at Hascon

[Sinnertwin]

Yep. And in their stead, behold the majesty of the 13 Primes!
:(

Nice. Can't wait for more reveals :cool:

[FatalityPitt]

TBH, the only toys from PotP that has my attention at the moment are the Rodimus Prime and the Primemasters (I'd like to have a whole town of Titan/Primemasters :D)

[Bidoofdude]

Really excited for Rodimus Prime, I loved him as a kid much more than Hot Rod. If he holds well like Leader Ultra Magnus and his convoluted makeup involving the Hot Rod and Rodimus armour doesn't render him a floppy mess, it will be super great. Beachcomber looks great, as to be expected from the Legends Minibots. Hopefully we see Outback soon.