Toy Review - POTP Battleslash & Roadtrap

[GoktimusPrime]

BATTLESLASH
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Power of the Primes
Size/class - Legends
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here - April 2018
Approximate Retail Price - $19
Approximate Size - 10cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - helicopter
Main Features/Gimmicks - combines with Roadtrap (sold separately)
Main Colours - Greyish white with black accents
Main Accessories - none

ROADTRAP
Series - Generations
Sub-line - Power of the Primes
Size/class - Legends
New/remould/redeco - New
Wave - 2
Released here - April 2018
Approximate Retail Price - $19
Approximate Size - 10cm
Allegiance - Decepticon
Alt-mode - off-road vehicle
Main Features/Gimmicks - combines with Battleslash (sold separately)
Main Colours - blue with red, black, yellow and silver highlights throughout
Main Accessories - none

Overall Thoughts

The G1 fanboy in me kinda misses the Duocon gimmick which is completely gone from this new set of toys, but the gains that they've made in sacrificing the gimmick more than makes up for it. Let's face it, the G1 Duocons are slaves to their gimmicks and there's not a whole lot more to them outside of said gimmick. Battleslash and Roadtrap have given this up in favour of just having two solid transforming action figures who can combine.

As relatively small and inexpensive Legends Class figures who need to be able to combine with each other, I think that they've done a truly outstanding job. The transformation on each figure is surprisingly complex yet fun and intuitive. Both figures are reasonably well articulated, and the combined robot mode is also really poseable and quite stable too. The decos on both figures and the combined form are also really well done. The sculpting and detailing look really nice. Battleslash kinda has a "thunder thighs" feel to his upper legs, but when you see that it really bulks out the combined robot mode's upper arms then it's easily understandable.

I personally would've preferred the combined robot mode's face to be silver and maybe with a different coloured visor (e.g. red). It would've offset the blue helmet better than the Smurf blue that they went with for the face, but it's not a deal breaker. The official transformation for the combined robot mode has the helicopter rotors getting in the way of the legs, but it's easy enough just to reposition Battleslash's arms and get it out of the way. :) The toy doesn't come with any accessories but they all have 5mm post compatible fist holes. Although the combined robot's fists have the helicopter's rear landing strut sticking out which can make it tricky to attach some guns. They do kind of make it look like he's carrying a pair of knives.


Quite frankly the combined robot mode is a better 2-bot gestalt than any of the Transformers Energon Powerlinx 2-bot combiners. Sure, the top and bottom halves can't interchange, but who cares about that? Okay, Battleslash's helicopter does have an unsightly gap in the front and Roadtrap's thighs and waist do stick out from behind the vehicle mode, but considering everything that this toy has to do with its Legends Class budget and price point, it's easily forgivable. There are really no unforgivable drawbacks on this toy and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Oh, and if you're wondering why I keep saying "Combined Robot Mode" instead of Battletrap, it's because the combined robot mode doesn't officially have a name. Obviously every G1 fan is going to call it Battletrap but yeah... technically it's nameless. But hey, that didn't stop us from naming our new Constructicons or Autobot Rescue Force members back in 1992, so why stop now? :p

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/th_jaam_yum.gif

Images

https://image.ibb.co/kmm01x/TR_battleslash01.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/c9zaZH/TR_battleslash02.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/jdsvZH/TR_battleslash03.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/cDq4Tc/TR_battleslash03a.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/d1SjTc/TR_battleslash05.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/cXC7gx/TR_battleslash06.jpg

https://image.ibb.co/fj9ngx/TR_battleslash07.jpg

[Maruten]

I need to transform them a couple more times I think, because there were bits of each transformation that I found fiddly or annoying. The combined mode is definitely the best, the individual modes have suffered a few painful compromises (particularly the rear end of Roadtrap's vehicle mode).

On the whole though, quite an achievement and I'd love to see more combining Legends like this. CW-style Combiners are super tired by now, but this is something fresher.

[SuspectimusPrime]

Comparing Roadtrap's leg-mode to other leg-formers like Armada Jetfire (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Jetfire_(Armada)), RID Midnight Express (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Midnight_Express_(RID)), and Generations Mini-con Assault Team's Heavytread (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Heavytread_(Generations)) (as opposed to the Powerlinx combiners interchangeable gimmick), there are some pros and cons.

I like how they were able to achieve a good middle ground between robot/leg modes. Jetfire had a good robot mode but a poor leg mode which looked good standing straight but was not able to handle the combined form weight in any other poses; Midnight Express had much more poseability but looked terrible as a standalone bot; and Heavytread basically had no neck as his head was set in his chest. As a standalone stocky basic fig, his robot mode looks great, and is comparable with Cybertron Armorhide (https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Armorhide_(Cybertron)#Toys).

The main drawback for me, is using his head as waist articulation and the foreseeable degradation on the neck ball joint over time (this drawback does not affect any of his fellow leg-formers). While it's nice to give Battletrap waist articulation, this is not a set-standard for other deluxe-sized figs, and certainly not expected of combiners. Over time and play, Roadtrap's head joint will become as floppy as those Funko POP figures. As a design-decision, doing without waist articulation for the combined form would have been also been easier and potentially make Battleslash's giant nozzle-hole less of an eyesore.

Overall I really liked this fig as this was a super nostalgic character for me because he was introduced in one of two Headmasters cartoons my dad acquired on VHS tape when I was a kid. That same episode, where he and Flywheels were featured, made them appear to be super awesome arse kickers (took a while to figure out that the actual toys totally sucked as Transformers, and was wayyy smaller than any of the Headmasters/Targetmasters).

Bring on Flywheels!

[Dimi194]

Finally picked up Roadtrap and I agree with the sentiments above-both vehicles suffer, but the results are worth it! Really like the combined mode-it has more articulation than some DLX figures!!!

Only downside is the lack of a weapon-both for the combined mode but also Roadtrap, but the clear inserts from the POTP combiner hands have proved their use again to complete the look of this one!

I'm unsure why they don't advertise the combining feature on the box, surely that would sell more toys than the ability to kinda sit a Prime Master on top (if they only had space to feature 1 gimmick)???

[M-bot]

On shopping for these guys, I found a TRU with one in stock without the other, then the same on the website of an online retailer (one character in stock and the other sold out). Who is buying one without the other? WHO IS IT!? THIS MADNESS MUST STOP!!!:p

[Trent]

Great little figure/s. I thing I can add that hasn’t been said already but my big complaint is the price. I found these guys at TRU and paid full price of $19.95 each. So this essentially amounted to a $40 deluxe. That’s far too steep. I’d probably fork out the cash for a Flywheels if they release it but at $20 a pop, this size class is too rich for my blood.


On shopping for these guys, I found a TRU with one in stock without the other, then the same on the website of an online retailer (one character in stock and the other sold out). Who is buying one without the other? WHO IS IT!? THIS MADNESS MUST STOP!!!:p

I found Roadtrap twice by himself prior to finding a set. So it does seems a little weird but I suppose it’s because the box makes no mention of them combining. So if you are like normal mums and dads and not really familiar with Battletrap, it’s understandable.

But still frustrating.

[Dimi194]

Great little figure/s. I thing I can add that hasn’t been said already but my big complaint is the price. I found these guys at TRU and paid full price of $19.95 each. So this essentially amounted to a $40 deluxe. That’s far too steep. I’d probably fork out the cash for a Flywheels if they release it but at $20 a pop, this size class is too rich for my blood.



But you also get 2 decent Legends figures-not perfect (or as good in vehicle mode as many of the other legends figures which are often very nice), but I think they have equivalent individual robot modes to other legends so even if you don't display them separately the engineering/possibility is there... so imho that's not a super fair comparison (ESP as some Toyworld's/Toymates are charging that much for POTP DLXs lol)

[Sutton]

This guy(s) is an absolutely wonderful toy. There's some compromises in the individual toys but for a G1 toy as weird/obscure as Battletrap to get such a wonderful update is just great. Even more bizarre when you consider that Flywheels would have sold better first, being a Jet/Tank combo...

I cannot for the life of me understand Hasbro's insistence on practically no promotion of the combination aspect of the POTP toyline...seems like crazy marketing to me.

[SharkyMcShark]

I'm actually reasonably keen to get this. Usually legends figures in 2018 are a bit dear for my money, for what we get anyway, but the combination aspect just about gets this over the line.

Would love to see Flywheels in the same style.

[FatalityPitt]

Even more bizarre when you consider that Flywheels would have sold better first, being a Jet/Tank combo...

Yeah, that's true. But if they released Flywheels first, people on tighter budgets (or with lesser incentives) might be adequately satisfied with Flywheels that they might only see Battletrap as an 'extra bonus'; then the Battleslash/Roadtrap duo might peg warm. Hasbro seem to have realized that it's better to release the 'less cool' toy first before the 'cool one'.

[M-bot]

With a new line on its way after POTP and no announcement of a Flywheels, I’m wondering if he is even in the pipeline? Especially if the next line is going to be more Cybertronian alt modes.

I’m encouraged by the release of legend-scaled Insecticons over several lines.

[Trent]

But you also get 2 decent Legends figures-not perfect (or as good in vehicle mode as many of the other legends figures which are often very nice), but I think they have equivalent individual robot modes to other legends so even if you don't display them separately the engineering/possibility is there... so imho that's not a super fair comparison (ESP as some Toyworld's/Toymates are charging that much for POTP DLXs lol)

Fair point but the thrust of my argument wasn’t so much the value of legends class vs deluxe class, it was that at $20 for a legend and $35-$40 for a deluxe they are just too expensive. At $25 for a deluxe, I saw the value of it but the new prices are definitely reflected in my buying habits. Battletrap is my only POTP purchase so far. If they release Flywheels, I won’t be able to help myself but that’s all I’ll buy. Despite what I have seen all reports say are some excellent toys, when I see them in person the price just makes me keep right on walking.

[Sutton]

With a new line on its way after POTP and no announcement of a Flywheels, I’m wondering if he is even in the pipeline? Especially if the next line is going to be more Cybertronian alt modes.

I’m encouraged by the release of legend-scaled Insecticons over several lines.

Yes, Insecticons is one example, another is 'Buzzsaw' - he was Soundwave compatible, but was released at the tail-end of Combiner Wars. So kind of a 'preview' figure.

It would be great if that's what we're seeing here - I'd be stoked to see a little 'sub-line' of duocon TF's, and I don't have a problem with them using some characters that weren't originally duocons that could use some updating - Backstreet, Override, Dogfight etc. The combination method for this guy - a simple head-port - and it's really obvious placement in vehicle mode makes me think that there will be other compatible figures later on, otherwise they could have used a more 'bespoke' method.

[Sutton]

Yeah, that's true. But if they released Flywheels first, people on tighter budgets (or with lesser incentives) might be adequately satisfied with Flywheels that they might only see Battletrap as an 'extra bonus'; then the Battleslash/Roadtrap duo might peg warm. Hasbro seem to have realized that it's better to release the 'less cool' toy first before the 'cool one'.

They do have a habit of releasing the repaint first too, lately - Starscream from Elita-1, Optimus Prime from Motormaster etc...

[Lint]

Picked these two up because I love the Duocons, in summary


Individually Roadtrap got the shaft of the two in terms of design compromises
Neither are a joy to transform
I know its a POTP thing but not having weapons for this guy really sucks, also Battletrap's hand 'spikes' are unnecessary and a stupid obstruction
Silly but I would have loved a 'Copter-on-car' combined vehicle mode
All of this is made up for by the combined mode being really really ridiculously good looking and poseable. Love that they nailed the colours and appreciate that they didn't Hasbro-Grey Battleslash.



Hasbro have really got to drop this dark purple on black-grey instructions thing. They're practically worthless as a visual guide.

[M-bot]

Picked these two up because I love the Duocons, in summary


Individually Roadtrap got the shaft of the two in terms of design compromises
Neither are a joy to transform
I know its a POTP thing but not having weapons for this guy really sucks, also Battletrap's hand 'spikes' are unnecessary and a stupid obstruction
Silly but I would have loved a 'Copter-on-car' combined vehicle mode
All of this is made up for by the combined mode being really really ridiculously good looking and poseable. Love that they nailed the colours and appreciate that they didn't Hasbro-Grey Battleslash.



Hasbro have really got to drop this dark purple on black-grey instructions thing. They're practically worthless as a visual guide.

Battletrap has his say (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NHHEcmZtJvY) on the matter... :p

[Lint]

Battletrap has his say (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NHHEcmZtJvY) on the matter... :p

If Battletrap ever makes it into a live action movie he should totally be voiced by this guy

[BigTransformerTrev]

there were bits of each transformation that I found fiddly or annoying.



Neither are a joy to transform


I agree, I found the conversions from robots to vehicles on both robots to be a massive pain in the diodes and far more irritating than fun. Yet transforming each into their combined mode were simplicity itself. Weird.

I was thinking of getting 2 sets so I could have their separate bot modes as well as combined but not now. I'll be keeping these two combined as Battletrap as I have zero love for their individual modes.

[shockNwave]

Definitely agree with the complaints about the complicated and annoying transformations (e.g. in vehicle mode, Roadtrap's thighs fit in at an angle like TR Triggerhappy and most of us are used to the horizontal positioning). I also find the rotor on Battleslash doesn't spin smoothly. I also don't find Roadtrap's oversized feet cool but realise it's all for a good cause which is the amazing combiner mode.

[kovert]

Finally freed Battleslash and Roadtrap from their plastic and cardboard prisons. Both toys are fun to transform. Really like the design and colours of Battleslash. Very pleased with the combined mode.

[Paulbot]

I gave up on getting either robot into vehicle mode out of frustration.

Combining the two was nice and easy and the resulting Battletrap is a good looking combined robot. As individual legends though both are far too compromised for my liking. I concur with Lint the instructions are hard to read and were of no help.

Disassembling Battletrap into two vehicles was easier. I missed a hinge on Battleslash and Roadtrap fit together better once he was already in pants mode. Overall I don’t like either as an individual legend so I vote only if you want a Battletrap.


Oh, and if you're wondering why I keep saying "Combined Robot Mode" instead of Battletrap, it's because the combined robot mode doesn't officially have a name.

It is named in the instructions as Duocon Battletrap.

[GoktimusPrime]

It is named in the instructions as Duocon Battletrap.
Ah, cheers. :)

[Paulbot]

I was a bit harsh with my first impression. Been fiddling him back and forth and actually he’s really growing on me - but feel he could have been fantastic if they hadn’t forced the little robot modes into the mix.

[SuspectimusPrime]

I was a bit harsh with my first impression. Been fiddling him back and forth and actually he’s really growing on me - but feel he could have been fantastic if they hadn’t forced the little robot modes into the mix.

The little guys did alright considering the original did not set a high bar :)

[GoktimusPrime]

The little guys did alright considering the original did not set a high bar :)
Heh, true. But G1 Battletrap has always had a special place for me because he was the first Transformer toy that I received as a competition prize. When TFTM came out in December 1986, the Sydney Herald ran a competition. Send in a drawing of your favourite Transformer and win a Transformer toy. The promo had an illustration of Ultra Magnus and I really wanted to win that toy so I drew something like 20 odd full colour illustrations of various Transformers and packed them into an envelope (so that it was a ball shape by the time I sealed it!). I addressed it and posted it. Then forgot about it. The summer holidays came and went and it was already Term 1 in 1987 and one morning I was watching cartoons on TV before school and a courier came knocking at our door with a parcel for me. I had never received a parcel before! :eek: The only mail I'd ever received before was birthday and Xmas cards. Who the hell would send me a parcel?!? :eek:

Yep. It was Battletrap. My prize for sending in those drawings. The toy hadn't hit stores yet so my thoughts were, "Who the hell's Battletrap? What's a Duocon? Why isn't this Ultra Magnus?" :p So I ripped the toy open and shoved it in my pocket and went to school. During the morning assembly I would sneak the toy out when teachers weren't looking to get a first fiddle, and then quickly stuffed it back into my pocket if my teacher glanced my way. The perfect crime. :p ;)

[TaZZerath]

Isn't it funny how toys from our childhood can have such a nostalgic grip on us?

For me it was G1 Powermaster OP, as i was a 'victim of divorce' child and he was a present which brought me a lot of comfort through a very rough time. Which is why i HAD to have Ginrai over TR Powermaster Prime.

Back on point though, I think that Battleslash and Roadtrap that I have will remain pretty much permanently as BattleTrap and from an articulation perspective I'm pretty happy with him (plus with his head and colour scheme). Hopefully FlyWheels improves on the DuoCon idea.

[Deano85]

Isn't it funny how toys from our childhood can have such a nostalgic grip on us?

Yeah that's why I had to get Maketoys Cupola. My first transformer when I was a kid was G1 Chromedome.

Yeah these guys will always remain as battletrap. I just gave him potp slugs gun so he has a weapon.

[TaZZerath]

There's a 3P weapon set that looks quite good and reasonably cheap

https://www.nonnef.com/products/battletrap-potp

I just can't get the darn thing to ship here despite the fact it looks like it should ship to Oz!

[Tranceblade]

They definitely ship to Australia, I got the Battletrap parts alongside some other stuff like the Dinobots guns.

I recommend those parts highly. The only change you'll need to make is swapping Battleslash's rotor blade, but other than that the combined form just needs a minor deviation in transformation by arranging the Battleslash arms outward for weapon pegging.

[TaZZerath]

Yeah I was a bit of a dope and missed that they had a minimum $30 before they ship :(

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Just picked up the POTP JP Battletrap (yes, it's exactly the same) and while I'm not very impressed with the Battleslash and roadtrap, BattleTrap is a mighty fine fellow indeed.

Really makes me wish they had dropped the robot modes for the two even more and sold them as a pack. AS individuals they are both kind of crap. They should have bundled these guys togther as a pair, like they did with the Legends Clone bots. Here in Japan, you can get the two of them for less than a deluxe, so they shouldve just made them a deluxe together IMO.

Battletraps flaws are due to the robot parts of the little guys. I really dislike the position of Roady's arms in Battletrap mode. The helicopter blade doesn't worry me too much.

I am very impressed

[SharkyMcShark]

I'm also quite impressed with this kit, despite my initial misgivings.

I got the set for $30 and as a set these are more than worth that price of entry.

The most compromised mode is Battleslash's chopper mode, but I don't feel that any other mode is particularly handicapped by the gimmick. For example, I don't feel that as a standalone figure Roadtrap is much worse overall than Brawn/Outback from POTP.

[GoktimusPrime]

I got the set for $30 and as a set these are more than worth that price of entry.
Even more fun when Siege Skytread comes out and you can play mix 'n' match. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/fGfd2JK/SIEGE-Flywheels05.jpg

[SharkyMcShark]

Even more fun when Siege Skytread comes out and you can play mix 'n' match. ;)
https://i.ibb.co/fGfd2JK/SIEGE-Flywheels05.jpg

I appreciate the design effort but will likely miss Skytread. The fact that the halves of Battletrap have their own standalone robot modes was a large draw, notwithstanding that it's not G1 toy accurate.

[TaZZerath]

I appreciate the design effort but will likely miss Skytread. The fact that the halves of Battletrap have their own standalone robot modes was a large draw, notwithstanding that it's not G1 toy accurate.

It was a large enough draw for me, but honestly? For their size they were just waaaaaaaay to complex in transformation to be fun, which is why they stay in pants-and-torso mode.

As such, SkyFlyTreadWheels will be a must :)

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Yeah, having just got these guys a few days back I sort of think the robot modes compromised things a bit. They're still good, but I would have preferred better alt-modes to (admittedly surprisingly good) individual bot modes.

Still, it's not like the G1 toys were great anyway, so I can let it slide. They're still an awesome little pair/set of toys.:)