The Universal Counting Method
Here's a copy of the democratically formulated Universal Counting Method for this new board...
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PREAMBLE
"How many Transformers do you have?"
"What's the size of an average Transformer collection?"
These are questions that we often hear as Transformer collectors.
The Universal Counting Method was created to allow fans to:
1. Participate in collection count surveys.
2. Provide a fair way to compare collection sizes.
The definition of what should and shouldn't count as a "Transformer" in one's collection count greatly varies between individuals collectors depending on individual opinions which makes it ineffectual for individuals to compare collection sizes or effectively participate in surveys if every collector has a different method of classifying and counting Transformers.
For example, imagine 2 Transformer collectors. They both own 2 G1 Seaspray toys in their collections. That's all. Transfan A decides that doubles count whereas Transfan B decides that they don't. Thus Transfan A considers himself as owning 2 Transformers whereas Transfan B considers herself as owning 1 Transformer. Despite the fact that both of these collectors own the exact same toys in the exact same quantities, Transfan A's collection count is 100% larger than Transfan B's simply because of discrepancies in their counting method. Now imagine this discrepancy on a larger scale when comparing collectors whose collection count would number in tens, hundreds or over a thousand and you can see that the disparity exponentially increases making collection size comparisons grossly unfair and rendering any data gathered from surveys about collection sizes useless.
Due to the arbitrary nature of Transformer classification, it is not possible to formulate a single system of counting that everyone would completely agree with.
As a result, during 2006 and 2007 a series of polls were conducted over numerous Transformer forums with collectors from various countries voting on what they considered to be the "correct" way of classifying and counting Transformer toys, and thus the Universal Counting Method was born based on the results of majority votes.
It is a counting method made by the people for the people. Is it the "best" counting method? There's no real way to answer that because we all have different opinions on what is the "best" or "correct" way of classifying and counting Transformers. But considering that each Article in the Universal Counting Method is based on majority votes, I believe that it is at least the fairest method of counting Transformers for the purposes of comparing collection sizes and participating in surveys.
The Universal Counting Method has not been officially endorsed by Hasbro Inc or TakaraTOMY Co., Ltd. It has been made by fans for fans. This system is not necessarily intended to replace everyone's personal preference for classification and counting - you can count your Transformers however you want to. But if you want to compare your collection count with others or participate in a collection count survey then you need to ensure that you and others are counting by the same method to make the comparison or results fair. The Universal Counting Method exists as a pre-made method that you can choose to use for such purposes.
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* ARTICLE 1: What Is A Transformer?
A Transformer is legally defined as any product created under licence from Hasbro Inc. and/or Takara(Tomy) Co., Ltd under the "Transformers?" logo. As a result:
1/ Pre-Transformers do not count as Transformers. Although they may have been manufactured by Takara, they were NOT done so under the Transformers? logo.
2/ Knock-Offs/Bootlegs do not count as Transformers. They are not manufactured by Hasbro or Takara(Tomy) and they are certainly not released under licence from HasTak.
3/ Any other kind of non-Transformer transforming robot toy that's not really a Transformer does not count as a Transformer. This includes your Macross, Gobots (Machine Men), Machine Robo etc. - again, if the toy is not manufactured under HasTak licence under the "Transformers?" logo then it doesn't count. It's as easy as that.
* ARTICLE 02: Nebulans, Master Robots, Motorvator partners, Pretender/Crossformer/Dinoforce shells and Action Master partners and vehicles do not count separately. See Special Exemptions below.
e.g.:
- Triggerhappy & Blowpipe = 1 Transformer
- Landmine & his Pretender shell = 1 Transformer
- Action Master Sideswipe and Vanguard = 1 Transformer -- in total these all count as 3 Transformers.
- Any Transformer made as an accessory will also not count as separate Transformers under this article's definition. (e.g. Barricade's Frenzy, Blackout's Scorponok - the Deluxe Scorponok toy does count separately as it's not an accessory for a Blackout toy).
- Special Exemptions: Takara's Headmaster, Godmaster Warriors and Titan/Prime Masters that are sold individually do count separately.
* ARTICLE 03: Micromasters and Mini-Cons count individually. See Special Exemptions below.
e.g.:
- A complete Air Strike Patrol = 4 Transformers (Whisper, Tailwind, Stormcloud & Nightflight)
- A complete Mini-Con Air Defence Team = 3 Transformers (Sonar, Jetstorm & Runway)
- Hot Shot & Jolt = 2 Transformers
- Overload & Rollout = 2 Transformers -- in total these all count as 11 Transformers.
- Special Exemptions: Transformers Prime Arms Microns (including Ion Scythe) & Power Core Combiner Mini-Cons don't count
* ARTICLE 04: Only the component members of a Gestalt team count. e.g.:
- Devastator = 6 Transformers (6 Constructicons)
- Superion = 5 Transformers (5 Aerialbots) -- in total these all count as 11 Transformers.
* ARTICLE 05: Individual combiner robots count individually but multi-in-1 components do not. e.g.:
- A complete Constructor Squad = 6 Transformers
- Battletrap = 1 Transformer (not 2)
- Magmatron = 1 Transformer (not 3) -- in total these all count as 8 Transformers.
* ARTICLE 06: Bases do not count. e.g.:
- 1984 Optimus Prime = 1 Transformer (combat deck doesn't count separately)
- Airwave = 1 Transformer (his Micromaster Station doesn't count separately)
- BW Diver = 1 Transformer (Niagara Base doesn't count separately) -- in total these 3 Transformers are belong to us.
* ARTICLE 07: "Peripheral" Transformers, drones and pilots/drivers do not count. e.g.:
- Metroplex = 1 Transformer (Scamper, Six Gun and Slammer don't count)
- 1984 Optimus Prime = 1 Transformer (Roller doesn't count separately)
- Luke Skywalker/X-Wing Fighter = 1 Transformer (Luke Skywalker pilot doesn't count separately)
- BTA Alert = 1 Transformer (Kuruma Ai doesn't count separately) -- in total these are 4 Transformers.
- Blackout's Scorponok figurine will also not count as separate Transformers under this article's definition.
* ARTICLE 08: Decoys, Statues, busts, PVCs, meal/candy toys, kits etc. do not count. e.g.:
- Super Collection Figures don't count
- Mega Collection Figures don't count
- Mighty Muggs don't count
- Be@rbricks don't count
- Mega Bloks & Kre-Os don't count
- Model kit style Arms Microns don't count
- R.E.D. Series figures don't count
* ARTICLE 09: Variants count. e.g.:
- Red and yellow Cliffjumper = 2 Transformers.
- Original 1984, Classic reissue, Takara reissue, Ghost Starscream and TFC reissue Starscream = 5 Transformers -- in total 7 Transformers
* ARTICLE 10: Multiples count. e.g.:
- 2 Seasprays = 2 Transformers.
* ARTICLE 11: Only the transformable 15cm Titanium Series Transformers count.
* ARTICLE 12: Transformer Juniors and "non-mainline" Transformers count.
e.g. Choro-Q Transformers Revoltech Transformers, Transformers etc. count.
* ARTICLE 13: Microman Transformer humans count. e.g.: Kicker, Ga'Mede.
* ARTICLE 14: PlaySkool Transformers count.
* ARTICLE 15: Quintessons, Beastformers and Build-figures count. e.g.:
- Alpha Quintesson = 1 Transformer
- White Leo = 1 Transformer (NOTE: Battle Beasts do not count as Beastformers and thus do not count as Transformers)
- Transmutate = 1 Transformer -- in total 3 Transformers
* ARTICLE 16: Transformers Plushies count.
* ARTICLE 17: All transforming movie Transformers count (e.g.: Cyber Slammers, Fast Action Battlers) but non-transforming movie Transformers do not (e.g.: Robot Replicas, Beatmix Bumblebee).
* ARTICLE 18: Loose and sealed Transformers are counted in the same way.
e.g.: A Micromaster Combiner Squad counts as 6 Transformers regardless of being sealed or loose
* ARTICLE 19: Only Transformers in C-6 condition or above count
i.e.: junkers don't count but anything that's not a junker counts.
Most toys that you find on eBay etc are C-6. They are in reasonably fine to good condition and are mostly in tact. They are not missing any major parts and are not too heavily worn with no significant damage. Gimmicks are still operational. They may or may not come with accessories, depending on the nature of the toy. They should come with any major accessories - so a Headmaster or Targetmaster would only be considered C-6 if it has its Nebulan partner. In the case of a Maximus, it needs to have at least the "Cerebros" component, because it can still form the basic robot mode w/o "Spike."
* ARTICLE 20: Customs and kitbashes count. Remember that under ARTICLE01 only Transformers manufactured under licence from Hasbro and/or Takara(TOMY) and specifically marketed as part of the Transformers brand count, therefore only customs/kitbashes constructed entirely from legitimate TF products count.
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Originally Posted by GoktimusPrime
