Counting this ROTF Set???

[GoktimusPrime]

But on the other hand, their sole purpose is to just form into devastator, as it's even sold that way already combined. I'd make a special exemption to the counting rules for toys such as this that they are just one. Because in comparison to a giftset of menasor, they are packed as individuals with their only transforming purpose to not only be menasor.

Exactly. Even if you got a gestalt as a single set, the individual toys can function as individual Transformer action figures. e.g.: Breakdown still transforms from a robot to a Lamborghini so you can still play with him as a Transformer in his own right even if you don't own any of the other Stunticons. For most of us this was how we collected gestalts in G1 because we didn't get the gift sets here.

Even other gestalts which are sold exclusively in gift sets can count individually because each Transformer works as a separate toy. Take Tripredacus for example - although they were only ever sold together, you can still play with Cicadacon, Ram Horn and Sea Clamp as autonomous Transformers. If you obtained say Ram Horn on his own at a market then you'd still have a Transformer in its own right - transforms from robot to beetle.

As I said before, there have been examples of G1 gestalts sold individually and removed of their ability to combine, and they still work as Transformers (e.g.: 1992 (Australasian/European) Constructicons, Motorvators, Rescue Force etc.).

With these Constructicons, ask yourself this: would you buy one individually? I wouldn't. I think for most (all?) of us it'd be either all or nothing.

What about the fact the individual components of Devs are seperate characters? I guess it depends on whether you look at it as a toy or a character

I think when it comes to counting toys, most collectors look at them as toys first, characters second. This is reflected by the fact that poll results indicate that most collectors don't count Nebulans or Action Master partners separately (UCM Article02) despite the fact that they are separate characters.

[jaydisc]

According to my R.E.C.T.U.M., it would count as one.

[dirge]

According to my R.E.C.T.U.M.

You're talking out of your a$$ again?

(yeah, I know... but you have to admit, an acronym like that will always be the butt of jokes)

[Zahhak]

You're talking out of your a$$ again?

(yeah, I know... but you have to admit, an acronym like that will always be the butt of jokes)

I can't tell whats worse, the calliabre of the jokes...or the fact I laughed