I'd kind of like to see a combiner based on that concept - having the micromasters be integral to the connection of their vehicles into a mega-bot - Voltron vehicle style perhaps?
If we're talking about more Combiners in the third wave, a theme soon emerges. Let's have a look. There are 10 main G1 combiners in the western hemisphere:
Devastator
Bruticus
Defensor
Menasor
Superion
Computron
Predaking
Abominus
Monstructor
Piranacon
The first six were all done in Combiner Wars. They needn't be done again for another 30 years.
The final four, however, were all omissions from Combiner Wars, and all four are made up of individual figures with beastly alt-modes. This can't be a coincidence.
I'd be delighted to see Predaking, Abominus, Monstructor and Piranacon turn up in the third part of the trilogy, and with a little bit on tinkering (and some squinting), all it would take is 8 new molds to bring them all to life.
Predaking:
Razorclaw (Torso) - Lion [1]
Divebomb - Eagle [2]
Rampage - Tiger [3]
Tantrum - Buffalo [3] {Retool of Rampage}
Headstrong - Rhino [3] {Retool of Rampage}
Abominus:
Hun-Gurrr (Torso) - Two-Headed Dragon [4]
Rippersnapper - Land Shark [5]
Blot - Monster [6]
Sinnertwin - Two-Headed Dragon [3] {Retool of Rampage}
Cutthroat - Hawk Monster [2] {Retool of Divebomb}
Piranacon:
Snaptrap (Torso) - Tortoise [7]
Overbite - Land Shark [5] {Retool of Rippersnapper}
Seawing - Manta Ray [2] {Retool of Divebomb}
Skalor - Land Shark [6] {Retool of Rippersnapper}
Tentakil - Squid [6] {Retool of Blot}
Nautilator - Lobster (Weapon) [8]
Monstructor:
Bristleback (Torso) - Tortoise [7] {Retool of Snaptrap}
Slog - Monster [6] {Retool of Blot}
Birdbrain - Bird Monster [2] {Retool of Divebomb}
Icepick - Monster (Weapon) [8] {Retool of Nautilator
Scowl - Monster [6] {Retool of Blot}
Wildfly - Bird Monster [2] {Retool of Divebomb}
Combiner Wars demonstrated just how keen Hasbro were to use redecos and retools, so I'm being as brutal in this list as possible to minimise the number of new molds needed.
TRANSFORMERS: DEICIDE -- The Beast Wars 20th Anniversary Comic Book series that could have been...
TRANSFORMERS: UNITY -- the BotCon 2016 Comic Book that should have been...
One thing that is problematic is that all four remaining combiners are all Decepticons. How will they craft a story around that? Not saying that it can't be done, just that it will be interesting to see who they pit against them? You would have to think Dinobots are an obvious choice, but who else?
Well there's the Anibots (but those are probably better as a box set exclusive along with Dinoking).
But storywise it could be made to work. In 1985 only the Decepticons had a combiner, but the Autobots had the Dinobots (as a group) and Omega Supreme (by himself) who could go up against it. Really you just have to give the Autobots their own thing, which could be a set of (non-combining) Dinobots or a new Omega Supreme (or both please!) Or if could be the Autobots embrace Micromasters (swarm attacks) or power up with Powermasters?
The other two parts of this new trilogy have had line wide-gimmicks, but the same was true for Armada and Cybertron, meanwhile Energon made combining the gimmick for the Autobots but gave Decepticons attack modes.
From what I understand (I'm a little behind on the comics) Computron didn't appear in Combiner Wars, and nor did Bruticus (who has only just turned up in the Til All Are One series). So just because the combiners are produced doesn't necessarily mean they're included in the comics (though no doubt Hasbro would like them to be).
As for story, we could go back to being at war, with the Decepticons having possession of the Enigma of Combination and going a little nuts with it.
Another Prime (Onyx, perhaps) could turn up and recruit those with animalistic alt-modes to his army. He was once allied with Nexus Prime, so might have some insights into combiners.
There's heaps of room there for story.
TRANSFORMERS: DEICIDE -- The Beast Wars 20th Anniversary Comic Book series that could have been...
TRANSFORMERS: UNITY -- the BotCon 2016 Comic Book that should have been...
Beast Hunter Optimus Prime and Bumblebee of course!
Each will come with their own mini-beast partner who can transform into a weapon or shield. Furthermore all beast hunter deluxes can ride on Dinobots who have 5mm hole all over them to mount all those mini-beast weapons dino-riders style!
I was just watching the old G1 Micromaster ads...
This would be so good as Generations.
"Save the rebellion! Save the dream!" - Saw Gerrera