Displaying combiner toys - combined or separate?

I have 2 sets of the iconic combiners - G1. Still working on getting a complete second set for Computron though. I like to display them in combined mode 1 set, then the other set in individual bot mode. I still haven't opened my Reissue Predaking for this, also haven't really opened 3 of 4 of my Kreon Combiners, but I have to rearrange my Kreon display to accommodate the combiners . Ive only taken out Bruticus Kreon and he's on gestalt mode on display.

G1 decepticon combiner shelf
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/DSC02187.jpg

Gi autobot combiner shelf
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/DSC02186.jpg

For G2 I keep them in individual bot modes. There's enough space for that anyways, for now.

Most recently completed a second set of Monstructor - got Bristleback cheap at the last Parra fair heheheh
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...ps60ef4bf6.jpg


except for Liokaiser which I only have 1 set, I have these in bot individual mode, I didn't wanna fiddle with them as they're pretty expensive and some fig suffer from GPS so if I ever do come across an extra set I can afford then Ill put that in combined mode.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/DSC02188.jpg

my BW combiners are in their combined mode to save space as there's a lot of kibble going on with BW figs. But I keep Magmatron in separate beast modes rather than in combined beast mode.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...2/DSC02201.jpg

RiD combiners in individual bot mode
Energon/ROTF combiners ( same mold) - in combiner mode to save space, also the newer repaint in ROTF are fitted with the 3rd party upgrades so they're always going to be in combined mode instead.

Gestalt. It's what they do and saves on valuable shelf space.

you've got to have a least 2 complete sets of each combiner for combined and individual modes but 3 would be better.

Mine are generally combined, sometimes i split them up and pose them but not for long. The Exception tends to be things like optimus super modes (ie: savage claw mode or jetfire prime) or omega prime.

Ooh, that reminds me... I keep my Armada Super Mode Optimus Prime and Overload uncombined, but my Powerlinx Armada OP and Jetfire are combined. My ROTF Leader Class Optimus Prime and Jetfire and uncombined, but the Legends for both are combined (I think it's so cool that they can do that at that scale and price point!). My DOTM Ultimate Optimus Prime is combined with his trailer in wingaling mode (I used to display it in vehicle mode, but it took up too much space -- the Deluxe version w/ trailer is displayed in vehicle mode now). My Super Link Super Mode (gah) Grand Convoy is combined with his vehicle drones, but the smaller one is separate, but the TV Magazine exclusive version is combined with TV Mag Rodimus. Most of my Energon Powerlinx Autobots are combined, but a few aren't; often where I have the Hasbro and Takara versions I'll keep one combined and the other separate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iamirondude

you've got to have a least 2 complete sets of each combiner for combined and individual modes but 3 would be better.

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I could easily collect all of my gestalt teams in triplicate...

...if I had money to burn. ;)

I can't afford to have two or three of each figure otherwise I would have combined, single bots and alt-modes all set up next to each other. The only exception to this is that I have FoC G2 Bruticus as well as the G1(ish) coloured ones. I've also got all the green and all the yellow G1 Constructicons, but my yellow ones don't combine.

Personally it's easy:

Low shelf space = combined
Lots of shelf space = individual

The problem these days is that you can by individual bots that are way larger than the G1 gestalts which makes them look less impressive on a shelf. Might have to make an exception to the rule for Predaking though - looks awesome! Also I like to group characters together, so I may have every version of Brawl displayed in a group etc which necessitates them being separate.

Right now the only combined gestalts I have on display are my MISB Piranacon and MISB FoC-G2 Bruticus. Everyone else is an individual.

I've got the KreO Combiner packs - haven't opened them yet but when I do after trying all modes will prob display them as individual bots - that way when I get them the likes of Blast Off can join their teammates.

One set's enough for me. What do i need 2-3 sets of the same thing for? If i want a bit of variation i split them up.I can use the money to buy different toys.

well my wife looks at me like i'm a nutcase for having that many but i always use to buy large lots on ebay and as always there would be a few in them packs and i've never gotten around to listing them up on ebay so they go up on display until i do. and the truth is i dont think i've ever paid more than $20 to complete a set of combiners.i,ve even gave fellow member grevious 2 complete sets(bruticus and defensor) and i've still got a load of them left.

I see that my initial/current display method has earnt zero votes so far - I've been displaying the combiner teams in their individual bot forms, as the combiner form was really just a gimmick originally... and it helps with the counting/numbers, as the individual bots were the default characters (in the cartoon and comics, they were rarely combined, spending more time as the individual bots).
But since combined modes have grown into an impressive, fan-favourite concept (that Hasbro loves to milk), it's now starting to appeal to me as something to display in addition to the individual characters we actually see more of in cartoon & comics (which my collection features).

The comments and voting has certainly given me a lot of insight into this though.

Well I suppose if one had the funds, the space and the rescources to track it all down the ultimate would be to do the following:


Using Combaticons as a guide:

*Combined form of Bruticus
*Combaticons in individual robot form
*Combaticons in alt-mode form
*MISB of each character
*Japanese packaging MISB of each character
*Combaticon Gift Set MISB
*Then repeat all of the above with their G2 colours

Then of course for the Seacons you would have to add in the 5 smaller ones Targetmaster modes on display. And with the Pretender Monsters have their shells as well. It would be massively expensive but damn it would look good!