Powercore Combiners!

[SilverDragon]

We have a first look at a package mock-up for the next line, with the Power Core Combiners. (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/283109-powercore-combiners-huffer.html) The two shown are Huffer and Caliburst.

It basically looks like a Targetmaster which turns into a weapon meant for the vehicle mode, rather than the robot mode.

I get the feeling we're heading back to Armada.

[kup]

We have a first look at a package mock-up for the next line, with the Power Core Combiners. (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/283109-powercore-combiners-huffer.html) The two shown are Huffer and Caliburst.

It basically looks like a Targetmaster which turns into a weapon meant for the vehicle mode, rather than the robot mode.

I get the feeling we're heading back to Armada.

Same, I am not too happy about this turn of events - It seems that Hasbro is now once again focusing on a single line wide gimmick than letting the toys be good Transformers.

I'll wait for more information before I make up my mind - apparently this thing could be the next cartoon too.

[optimus1]

Doesn't look to bad in my opinion, I'm hoping this is the new name for Powermasters??

It looks to be a new gimmick combining powermasters/targetmasters in one?

Sort of looks a mix of Classics/Movieverse as well

[kup]

Doesn't look to bad in my opinion, I'm hoping this is the new name for Powermasters??

It looks to be a new gimmick combining powermasters/targetmasters in one?

Sort of looks a mix of Classics/Movieverse as well

There has been a pretty long stream of 'disappointment' coming from main Transformer lines this decade so I will remain skeptical until proven otherwise. If its good then good for everyone, if its bad then I have nothing invested in it.

[1AZRAEL1]

There has been a pretty long stream of 'disappointment' coming from main Transformer lines this decade so I will remain skeptical until proven otherwise. If its good then good for everyone, if its bad then I have nothing invested in it.

I second this, I will wait and see on the finished product before I make any decision. I won't be holding my breathe.

[Gutsman Heavy]

Target Masters? Win!

[GoktimusPrime]

They've used the name of a Decepticon Targetmaster-partner (Caliburst) with an Autobot (Huffer)... and also further obscured the term "Combiner" for Transformers. :/

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

[Golden Phoenix]

Target Masters? Win!

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/jimmey-11/other/second.jpg

I only wish they had a 3rd vehicle mode. So they were more like the Target Master Minicons

[Tommy K]

who knows maybe we will have something really interesting happen, lol.

my guess is this will have to do with the up and comming transformers show, the one they were looking for voice actors for or whatever

anyway my predicition is

powercore combiners may either be

just another armarda thing

something where the minicon/target master/"blue glowy guy" is used for combining modes.

something that continues off the unicron trilogy ( slits throat after thinking that)

michael bay got dunced into a can of blueberry fanta and was then frozen in a freeze for 10 years and now is blue

[1AZRAEL1]

From the looks of the picture of Huffer, he looks kinda G1ish. As in he orange legs, blue chest, grey/silver arms, truck mode, similar head. Who knows, maybe it will turn out ok. But we shall wait and see.

[Paulbot]

New Huffer toy people!

Huffer FTW.

Oh wait sorry this is the thread for people who want to complain about a new toyline after one leaked mocked up promo photo. My mistake.

[kup]

New Huffer toy people!

Huffer FTW.

Oh wait sorry this is the thread for people who want to complain about a new toyline after one leaked mocked up promo photo. My mistake.

We wouldn't be Transfans if we didn't ;)

[Golden Phoenix]

Oh wait sorry this is the thread for people who want to complain about a new toyline after one leaked mocked up promo photo. My mistake.

That is all it needs for Transformers to be RUINED FOREVER (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Ruined_FOREVER)

[1orion2many]

:)I don't mind if it's an esque of TM or PM lines and the pic of the figure of Huffer doesn't look to bad;):)

[1AZRAEL1]

New Huffer toy people!

Huffer FTW.

Oh wait sorry this is the thread for people who want to complain about a new toyline after one leaked mocked up promo photo. My mistake.

Who is complaining? I am merely just voicing my distaste of anything new that is not G1 :p

But seriously though, from the promo picture, I kinda do like it, but will wait for the finished product.

[GoktimusPrime]

I never complained about the toys themselves, but I did whinge about the reuse of "Caliburst" and "Combiner."

<insert extensive rant here>

[dirge]

Too soon to tell. Whether it end up being the line-wide thinn gimmick concept or not is hard to discern. It may end up being a one-size class thing (like Activators).

Line-wide isn't necessarily a bad thing - sure Armada did a terrible job of it, but Cybertron actually managed it fairly well. Time will tell, I guess.

[lcz128]

I'm looking forward to this, and it kinda looks like...it might be from the game almost!?
Dunno - just from the way the altmode's been rendered :\

Excited though ^_^

[Starscream212]

To early to tell but I'm excited, seriously hope it has something to do with the new game because the robots look awesome in that trailer!

[Sky Shadow]

New Targetmasters? If they're a bit more solid than some of the Mini-Cons and have better hip joints than G1 Caliburst this might not be a bad thing. (Oh... and Huffer = yay!)

[MV75]

Looks pretty hot really.

I'm not seeing too much "movie" in it, more classic styling. With the usual suspects having a whinge, I predict this will end up great. :)

[kup]

With the usual suspects having a whinge, I predict this will end up great. :)

Hey! Hey! Do not ruin a possible RUINED FOREVER! moment - we could make the TFwiki!

[i_amtrunks]

Concept sounds intriguing. I'm far more interested in this potential future line than I have ever been by the movie line.

Paper cutouts surely cannot give us a good indication of what to expect, I mean the movie toy cutouts made them look like utter utter crap... :p

[morg176]

the use of translucent plastic may infer that there is an LED feature or similar in the large figure [huffer], that causes the small targetmaster to glow or illuminate when combined.

I also found this on the net, dont know how true it is so with a grain of salt...

Let me first say that I am a very lucky person and a very lucky
Transformer fan. To be in the fortunate position that I am in, I am
very thankful. It is my wish to share my experiences with you, my
fellow fans.
As you obviously know, things have been incredibly busy here at
Hasbro. With the movie toys in full swing and the remaining few
Transformers Animated toys going out, there are not enough hours in
the day to get things done. I just finished specifications on the
first wave of Power Core Combiner toys this morning.
Power Core Combiners (PCC) is a little different than what you're
accustomed to with Transformers. The Powerlinx feature was so
successful that we have been challenged to create a toyline that can
be massively combined and reconfigured. Each toy can be disassembled
and reassembled using components from every other toy in the line.
Beyond that the toys can be combined as gestalts in a nearly limitless
number of configurations. In effect all the toys can combine with each
other simultaneously. Our computer models look promising, the
engineers have been able to create a gestalt using thirty-two of our
prototyped toys. It's a really awesome time to be a Transformers fan.
Like I said, it's incredibly busy and I wanted to shoot this e-mail to
you while I had a few minutes free. We'll have more for you later.
From your Transformer insider, Patrick Stewart

wasn't sure who had had seen it, i have the web address if anyone wants it.There were no pictures

This line does not overwhelmingly impress me. Im tired of the shelves being full of movie line figures. They clog the shelves. In the last few years the only decent line has been animated. almost everyone loved it, why did they kill it.

[1AZRAEL1]

I did read that somewhere but I can't remember where.

There was also something else I read which said they could all combine, meaning that sort of like ROTF Devastator, you could combine different robots to make a gestalt, and with different robots makes different looking gestalts.

Lets see how this all pans out I say.

[kup]

Yep it is a line wide single gimmick.

So now we have Lego Transformers?

[Golden Phoenix]

So now we have Lego Transformers?

And it will be AWESOME

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Judging from the cardboard cut-outs, I say CRAP! :D More Armada-ness? As long as the main figures are good then yay, but otherwise it may look like I finish collecting new Tfs for a while.

32 toy Gestalt? Wow bet that looks... Blocky:o

[Starscream212]

Lego + Transformers will be awesome adds a whole new dimension to the toy.
imagine if you can put them together mix and match parts and of course transform them!

[Golden Phoenix]

Lego + Transformers will be awesome adds a whole new dimension to the toy.
imagine if you can put them together mix and match parts and of course transform them!

You could add parts from other Lego sets. Then you could have a triple crossover: Lego Star Wars Transformers!

[fatbot]

I'll wait and see what these things are like, but my first thoughts are "bleh"

[SilverDragon]

Multiple combinations? I like the sound of it, as long as it looks good and doesn't compromise the overall toy.


You could add parts from other Lego sets. Then you could have a triple crossover: Lego Star Wars Transformers!

Or a quadruple or even quintuple crossover with other TFs: Lego Star Wars Marvel Disney Transformers!

[The_Damned]

the concept sounds pretty cool

[SMHFConvoy]

There was an interview in Toyfare with Aaron Archer a few years back (this is when Energon was just released) and he commented that he would like to expand upon the combiner gimmick.

The idea is that smaller robots combine with larger robots as armor or in this case a weapon. The larger robots combine with larger class robots in similar ways. It's interesting play pattern for kids, could be a disappointment for us kidults...

I need to go mourn the loss of Animated now...

[GoktimusPrime]

There was an interview in Toyfare with Aaron Archer a few years back (this is when Energon was just released) and he commented that he would like to expand upon the combiner gimmick.
The Energon Power Link gimmick was arguably an "inferior" attempt at updating the G1 1989 Multi Force gimmick. Unlike Multi Force, Energon Power Linkers:
1. Don't have 'new' identities in their dual-combined forms. e.g.: when Wing combines with Waver they become a new entity, Wingwaver (the toy has a new head). When Hot Shot combines with Inferno it's pretty much just Hot Shot sitting on top of Inferno (using Hot Shot's head). There's no new head (hence no new "combined entity") like with Multi Force.
2. Energon Power Linkers cannot combine into a gestalt robot, unlike Multi Forcers who of course merge to form Landcross. The Energon gestalts cannot Power Link. Yes, they do have interchangeable limbs, but so does Landcross.

When I look at Multi Force by 1989 standards I find them quite ingenious and clever, but I don't get that same feeling when I look at Energon Power Link by 2004 standards.


The idea is that smaller robots combine with larger robots as armor or in this case a weapon. The larger robots combine with larger class robots in similar ways. It's interesting play pattern for kids, could be a disappointment for us kidults...

If it's a genuinely fun idea then I'd get into it too. But it all depends on whether the gimmick enhances or hinders the overall integrity of the toy. By this I mean how well the gimmick compliments the toy, or if the toy is engineered around the gimmick so much that it's significantly compromised by this gimmick. And even children generally don't like toys that are compromised by its gimmick. Quite a few G1 fans don't like toys like the Battlechargers as they feel that they're too compromised by their instant transformation gimmicks (arguably moreso than Jumpstarters). Some G1 fans also don't like Pretenders; and particularly with the 1988 Pretenders I don't blame them... you have these annorexic robots that transform into a series of non-descript vehicular... things. Vehicles? Yeah I guess so. Kids aren't stupid. Wethey know whether a toy is fun or not to play with.

Having said all that, this Powercore Combiner gimmick could be fun... we won't really know for sure until the toys are out. Like with all gimmicks, it depends on the execution and whether the toys still remain inherently fun to play with.

I still really wish they'd avoided using the term "Combiner" again... but I suppose a rose by any other name would still prick just as badly. ;)

[dirge]

To sum up Gok's essay above... it all hinges on whether Hasbro uses the gimmick to get around putting effort into the Transformers themselves (cough... Armada) or uses the gimmick to enhance the fun of the Transformers (like the better toys in Cybertron).

As much as I dislike Animated as a toyline, there are quite a few toys in that line who managed to avoid being overwhelmed by their gimmicks. Of course, there's no realism, but that was never the point was it? Hopefully they'll have learned the lessons of Armada (& much of Energon) and continue in the same vein as Cybertron & Animated.

[SMHFConvoy]

Well I don't think this will be "lego-formers" the mock up of Huffer looked like your standard TF. Who combines with a smaller robot in vehicle mode.

So much speculation over a photograph! :p

Gok, I agree the powerlink gimmick in energon was really bad. Hence the reason why I sold most of my figures. That said it's 3 maybe four years since Energon, better engineering and who knows how long this has been in development too? It just might be a real pleasant surprise...

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

You know, this reminds of these dudes I saw at the Bandai section of the Tokyo Toyfare. There are lost of little guys that combine into the big horse thing.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Wootnchoo/Tokyo%20Toyfare%2009/manycombiner2.jpg


http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Wootnchoo/Tokyo%20Toyfare%2009/Manycombiner.jpg

Thats the sort of feeling I have from the evidence presented so far. As much as its worth...:rolleyes:

[Lord_Zed]

After seeing some of the designs from that new game, I had a feeling they were going for a look like this, G1 ish with hints of Animated and even movie.

In any case its too soon for me to make any judgements, obviously given my dislike of the Armada verse lines when they start mentioning harking back to them I get nervous, however the proof's in the pudding.

Anyways it's all good as long as they keep running a couple of TF lines overlaping each other a little.

[SMHFConvoy]

True. We only know that Caliburst transforms into a gun and it clips to the back of Huffer in vehicle mode. Huffer doesn't look like he comes apart.

Maybe it's just the little dudes that combine? Eh all I can do is speculate.

More speculation... I do a lot of thinking when driving to and from work, the thought strayed across my mind that maybe the mini partners act as combiner joints...