MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Design change

2011-04-08T11:00:26Z

58.69.68.23:

[[Image:Leobreakerearly.jpg|right|260px|thumb|The budget department. Ruining Transformers toys FOREVER since [[1984]].]]
A '''design change''' is a modification to a [[toy]]'s design prior to the sculpt's initial release. The changes can affect the sculpting of parts, the [[transformation]] mechanisms, the [[articulation]], the [[gimmick]]s and even the assembly of individual parts.

The reasons for those changes are multifold: Sometimes the original design would have just used up more budget than [[Hasbro]] was willing to spend on the price point, so some elements (such as gimmicks) had to be gutted. Sometimes the toy is based on a third-party design (most prominently in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), and when the original design is changed, the toy's design has to follow suit. Sometimes the toy's [[alternate mode]] is based on an existing design, and Hasbro decides to modify it in order to avoid legal trouble with the vehicle's manufacturer. And sometimes things have to be redesigned [[for safety reasons]] or to fix [[design flaw]]s.

Design changes can be discovered by comparing a toy to the [[stock photography|stock photos]] on its packaging which use earlier [[prototype]]s. A toy's 2D designs are also a possible reference, since [[control drawing]]s are occasionally published in various Japanese guide books or other supplementary material. The [[instructions]] sometimes also reveal design changes, as do prototypes that are revealed to the public through unofficial venues.

Design changes are not to be confused with [[misassembly|misassemblies]]. Misassemblies are errors that occur on a factory level and are contrary to the intentions of the designers. Design changes are intentional decisions, often compromises, that occur on a design level. Design changes are also not to be confused with [[retool]]s: Although retools are ''effectively'' design changes, they don't occur until after the initial version of the sculpt has been released. For the purpose of this article, design changes only refer to modifications that occur before the first release of a sculpt.

==Sculpting (aesthetic)==
[[Image:CYB sonic bomber originalsculpt.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Hey, what happened to my nose?]]
[[Image:MovieMegatronStarscreamProtoHeads.jpg|right|150px|thumb|"Megatron, is that you?" "Starscream? What happened to you?"]]
*''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]] had a hardcopy ("gray model") [[prototype]] depicted in Japanese magazines that was abandoned in favor of an entirely new sculpt for the final toy.
*''[[Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl's]] [[instructions]] feature a head that is almost entirely different from the final sculpt, except for the tailpipes. It bears a striking resemblance to ''[[Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]]. This same head design was shown in a magazine preview for the Japanese version of the [[Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]].
*Stolen test shots of various early ''[[Alternators]]'' toys and designs depicted in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book sported markings of real-life brands on their tires, such as "Bridgestone", "Michelin" or "Goodyear" for [[Smokescreen (G1)#Alternators|Smokescreen]], [[Sideswipe (G1)#Alternators|Side Swipe]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Alternators|Meister]] and [[Tracks (G1)#Alteatros|Tracks]]. The final toys either replaced those markings with the fictious brand [[Cybertronian Radial]], or sported no brand markings on their tires at all.
*''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber's]] original gray model prototype featured a different [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] nosecone design than seen on the final toy. As revealed by the Japanese online retailer [http://www.amenbo.com Amenbo.com] on April 29 2005, the original sculpt had a much greater resemblance to the A-10 Thunderbolt, with a rounded nose cone, a correctly shaped (translucent) canopy, and twin translucent gatling cannons. It's possible that the change from this more realistic sculpt to the entirely opaque one seen on the final toy occurred in order to avoid licensing issues.
*''[[Movie (toyline)|Movie]]'' Leader Class [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|Megatron]] and Deluxe Class "Preview" [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|Starscream]] both had their head sculpts redesigned to reflect changes in the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]] designs. The original head sculpts are used by the [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the back of their packaging.
*A stolen prototype of ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Robot Powered Machines|R.P.M.]] [[Sideswipe (ROTF)|Sideswipe]] that surfaced in 2008<ref name="sideswipe">[http://jalopnik.com/5047177/leaked-transformers-corvette-centennial-concept-toy-possibly-reveals-robot-mode Mirrored photos of early R.P.M. Sideswipe toy at Jalopnik.com]</ref> was pretty accurate to the Corvette Stingray car from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]], but the actual RPM Sideswipe toy has been severely altered and looks more like an Aston Martin. Unfortunately, Mattel was able to secure exclusive rights for releasing a Concept Stingray model car at a 1:64 scale for their ''Hot Wheels'' line (the toy was released as part of the "2010 New Models" lineup).
{{-}}

==Mechanisms==
[[Image:Astrotraincatalog.jpg|thumb|150px|right|What could have been.]]
*''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain's]] original prototype featured a sliding mechanism to extend his arms, which was neutered for the final toy. The arms were still cast in multiple parts, and they ''look'' like they could still be extended... but they can't.<ref name="astro">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/reissue/Animeastro_template.html G1 Astrotrain's original prototype] at TF-1.com</ref>
*''Generation 1'' [[Octane]] has a blocked-off internal mechanism which would have been used to make his torso slide to become more proportional.<ref name="octane">[http://www.ntfa.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2234&mode=threaded&pid=36400 "The many secrets of Octane... Now with pictures!" on NTFA forums]</ref>
*''[[Beast Wars (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Jawbreaker]]'s hyena jaws were designed to flip out of the skull, creating a more proper "hand" for the robot mode. The toy is depicted in this posture in official pictures. While all the necessary articulation is there on the final release, the feature was effectively removed through the later addition of rigid pegs inside the skull that permanently affix the jaws in place. It is possible to [[customizing|sever these pegs with a narrow blade]] and reactivate the feature.
*''[[Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' [[Tracks (G1)#Alternators|Tracks]] was originally intended to feature spring-loaded arm cannons that would have deployed by pushing a button on the sides of the arms. The final toy instead features a sliding mechanism to deploy the arm cannons by moving a peg on the top of the arms. The spring-loaded arm cannons are depicted in the line art used for [[Hasbro]]'s [[instructions]], [[TakaraTomy|Takara's]] [[stock photography|stock photos]] for the yellow version and an article in ''Dengeki Hobby Magazine'' that features a hardcopy ("gray model") [[prototype]] of the toy.
*''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] was subject to an abnormally huge amount of design changes before his release, neutering and removing several gimmicks and sculpted feature.
*''Cybertron'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] lost all of his internal electronics somewhere late in development.
*''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager Class [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|Starscream's]] instructions refer to an additional joint inside the hand's palms that allows to fold them up in jet mode, and depict the forearm cannons in a position where they are moved forward when illustrating the push-button missile firing [[gimmick]], even though the actual toy's hands are cast in one piece, and the cannons are sculpted in place on the actual toy.
*''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] was originally designed to have a lever activated buzzsaw in his right forearm. Like several ROTF toys, this was probably taken out for budget concerns, although some remnants remain in the sculpt of the forearm, and the packaging of the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers]]'' [[Target]] [[exclusive]] "High-Speed Spy Battle" multi-pack even calls out the non-existent gimmick on the back of the box.
{{-}}

==Articulation==
*[[Legends Class|Legends]] of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Vector Prime]] was apparently originally intended to sport [[articulation|articulated]] elbows, but the final toy has each arm sculpted as one piece. The stock photo of Legends [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattorshot]], a [[redeco]] of Vector Prime, on the back of the the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Target]] [[exclusive]] "Special Team Leaders" five-pack depicts a bent elbow. Supposedly, it's easier for Hasbro to simply rapid up a new prototype than keeping samples of older product around for the purpose of re-painting them.
*''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class 2|Optimus Prime]] was originally intended to have articulated fingers, as seen in the stock photos on the back of his packaging. The final toy has the hands cast in one piece.
*''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys|"G1" Megatron's]] head, according to the stock photos, has limited articulation in the neck. However, the final toy only has articulation in the arms.

==Assembly==
[[Image:Human Alliance Bumblebee Prototype.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Nothing that can't be achieved with a screwdriver.]]
*''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Human Alliance]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee's]] legs were originally intended to be assembled the opposite way, which would have put the wheels on the outer sides of the shins and thus made the legs as a whole more [[show-accuracy|movie-accurate]]. Presumably, it was decided to swap the legs because the extra [[transformation]] step (rotating the legs and waist) would have been too difficult for kids to do. While a hardcopy ("gray model") prototype shown in [[TakaraTomy]] solicitations depicts the originally intended assembly for the legs, the official [[Hasbro]] [[stock photography|stock photos]] and the [[instructions]] show the "[[misassembly]]" as the "correct" assembly.
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Landmine (Movie)

2011-04-07T10:51:22Z

58.69.68.23: /* Revenge of the Fallen */ Added some minor trivia.

{{split|Landmine (Movie)|L.M.-1 drone}}

{{factions|autobotfilm|sector7}}
{{disambig3|Landmine}}
:''Landmine is both an [[Autobot]] and a series of [[Drone|drones]] from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Alliance2_LM1_Landmines.jpg|thumb|400px|Their mission: Disassemble Number Five]]

'''Landmine''' was brought to life by the [[AllSpark (Movie)|AllSpark]] during the [[Autobot]]s' final battle with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in [[Mission City]]. Though Landmine finds time to log in training sessions with his mentor, [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]], he prefers to act as an undercover agent with the [[human]]s of [[Sector Seven]].<ref>At the time that this biography was published, Sector Seven was terminated at the end of the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 ''Transformers'' 2007 movie]], it was unknown at the time when these adventures might have taken place.</ref>

Sometimes there are a lot of him.

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===Transformers (2007) movie===
[[Image:S7 buggy 52 smush.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Despite surviving the [[Starscream (Movie)|schemer]], the guy with the [[Brawl (Movie)|identity crisis]] did him in.]]

[[Robert Epps]] and [[William Lennox]] commandeered [[Sector Seven]] assault buggy #52 for their trip to [[Mission City]]. When they left the buggy, it was taken over by an unknown [[Sector Seven]] driver. Buggy #52 seems to have survived Starscream's initial attack, but was damaged while fighting [[Brawl (Movie)|Devastator]], and the driver injured. [[William Lennox|Lennox]] ordered his men to evac the injured driver as [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] bought the retreating humans time against [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|''Transformers''}}

{{-}}

===Toy bios===
{{notemoviebio}}
====Transformers (2007)====
A Sector 7 buggy brought to life by the [[AllSpark (Movie)|AllSpark]] pulsewave during the Mission City battle, Landmine isn't quite sure what this "Autobot" thing is all about yet. Still, he's decided to to work with them, and is being trained by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] in combat while he continues his Sector 7 duties. {{storylink|#AllSparkPower|Landmine toy bio}}

====Revenge of the Fallen====
[[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]] loves to destroy as Landmine enjoys being a secret agent. They both hate each other. {{storylink|#LandmineVsRampage|Landmine VS Rampage}}

===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
Four months before the events of Mission City, Sector Seven recovered the Decepticon [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] and reactivated him. Though at first the Decepticon was hostile, [[Salazar|Agent Salazar]] was able to come to an agreement with the being and exchange information. One of the fruits of these exchanges was the development of Sector Seven's L.M.-1 series of [[Drone|drones]]. {{Storylink|Alliance issue 2}}

In response to the threat of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] at the [[Hoover Dam]], Salazar unveiled, the L.M.-1. At first it appeared to be just an armored buggy, but Starscream's curiosity was piqued when the vehicle began to transform and reveal limbs. Unfortunately the display was less than impressive as the process halted in mechanical failure {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Two}} Sector Seven retrieved L.M.-1 and took him back to a covert [[Nevada]] base, where they also held [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]] and [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3}}

While awaiting for the Autobots to arrive to begin escorting the Decepticon remains, [[Professor Vine]] and [[Seymour Simmons]] reminisced about how Salazar's dealings with Wreckage and the creation of the L.M.-1s. As the group prepared to dump the Decepticon remains, Vine wondered if L.M.-1's mechanical failure had anything to do with Wreckage's earlier rampage and forced shut-down. Before long, the Decepticon was brought back online by the one remaining fragment of the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]]. However, the shard also seemed to bring three L.M.-1 units online, who came to the defense of the humans. Wreckage promptly slagged them. {{storylink|Alliance issue 2}}

==Toys==
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
{{Anchor|AllSparkPower}}
[[Image:Movie_Landmine_toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Jeeper Creepers, where'd you get those peepers?]]
*'''Landmine''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MA-19'''
**''Accessories'': Auto-grenade launcher, AllSpark cube (Japanese release only)

: As part of the "[[AllSpark Power]]" portion of the movie line, Landmine transforms into a [[Sector Seven]] assault buggy of the type seen in the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]], which in turn is a heavily modified Chenowth Desert Patrol Vehicle (DPV) with added protective armor. He has several S7 markings over his chassis. The rear of the vehicle sports an identification number of G2G-534. He features spring-loaded shock absorbers on all of his vehicle-mode wheels, plus a roof-mounted cannon on an articulated arm.

: Landmine features two [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]] gimmicks. The first is a spring-loaded front end, retracting his front wheels into his chest during transformation. The second is a sliding panel on each of his shins that retracts when the tail light/knee caps are moved into place.

: In robot mode, his grenade launcher can be back-mounted to make an over-shoulder cannon, or held in his hand. He also has wheels on the soles of his feet, which let him roll in robot mode... in theory, at least, since his heel-wheels rub against his legs, keeping them from spinning freely.

: Like all Japanese "AllSpark Power" toys, the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] version of Landmine comes with a small Allspark cube accessory that's not included with the [[Hasbro]] version. Landmine himself has a slightly different base plastic color and rubber tires.

:Landmine was later redecoed into ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Armorhide (Movie)|Armorhide]]. His alternate mode was also used as the basis of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Scout Class [[Dune Runner (ROTF)|Dune Runner]], although that toy is an entirely different sculpt.
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
[[Image:ROTF-toy LandmineRPM.jpg|thumb|right|250px|We know, we're shocked he exists too.]]
===Revenge of the Fallen===
{{anchor|LandmineVsRampage}}
*'''Landmine VS Rampage''' (R.P.M. Mini-Vehicle "Battle Series" pack, 2009)
**''Number:'' '''06 of 08'''

: Number six in a series of eight [[Robot Powered Machines#Mini-Vehicles|Robot Powered Machines Mini-Vehicle]] versus packs, "Battle Series" Landmine is packaged with the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]]. He's a non-transformable ''Hot Wheels''-like car, with his robot mode sculpted and painted onto his underside. He has through-axle construction similar to the ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]]s, letting him zip along smooth surfaces (and compatible racetrack sets) at high speed.

: Interestingly, his buggy number is now 23 instead of 52.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:S7 buggy 52.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Cameos aren't much of a resume, but it's a living.]]

* Landmine's vehicle form is directly based on a specific Sector Seven assault buggy seen in the [[Transformers (2007)|movie]]. This makes him the only newly created mold from the movie toyline for a character who's not part of the movie cast that is a faithful recreation of the vehicle the toy is based on, without any major artistic liberties taken to circumvent licensing fees, such as [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]], [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]] or [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]].

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Allspark Mutations]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Autobots]]
[[Category: RPMs]]
[[Category:Sector Seven]]

Army-building

2011-04-07T10:25:19Z

58.69.68.23: /* Movie */

[[Image:Armies of Terrorcons Seacons Sparkdashers Guardminders Autoroopers Guardians Overcharges.jpg|right|400px|thumb|You don't wanna know how much this costs.]]
'''Army-building''' is a nickname for a toy-collecting habit that involves buying multiple identical toys which represent generic or mass-produced characters (for example, [[Cobra]] soldiers or [[Star Wars]] Stormtroopers), with the intent of displaying them as an imposingly large cohesive unit. Some army-builders have hundreds of figures, arranged in elaborate dioramas or military-style formations.

The practice is somewhat less-common in ''Transformers'' fandom than in other fandoms, primarily due to the relative lack of mass-produced, identical, "generic" units, but there are notable exceptions. Perhaps due to the relative dearth of toys representing multiple generic characters, some fans amass armies of non-generic characters (like the [[Jumpstarter]]s).

==Generation 1==
===Generation 1 cartoon===
Generation 1 offers many possibilities for army building, usually by using multiple figures of named characters to represent an army of similarly-designed drones.

[[Image:Scourge and Sweeps.jpg|right|200px|thumb|A typical example of the victim of [[Hasbro|somebody's]] [[To sell toys|evil plan.]]]]

* The [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|pilot mini-series]] featured a fleet of nameless [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] colored differently from [[Starscream (G1)|the]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|primary]] [[Skywarp (G1)|three]]. Two decades later, [[Air Warrior|toys of these "Air Warriors"]] were finally made in the form of ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' [[Plastic|PVC]] figures. They were sold in multi-packs featuring three identical Air Warriors alongside the aforementioned three named Seekers.

* The [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] can be represented by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. This is probably the cheaper option than using multiples of the ''actual'' drone-unit Insecticon toys [[Salvo]], [[Zaptrap]] and [[Shothole]], and more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] to boot.

* Multiples of the [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] toy can represent the [[Sweep]]s. This can work especially well if [[Targetmaster]] Scourge is used as the proper Scourge.

* Multiples of [[Gnaw]] can be used to represent the [[Sharkticon (G1)| Sharkticons]]. This works particularly well with this figure, as Gnaw received very little characterization in most official fiction.

* The [[Guardian robot|Guardian robots]]/[[Dark Guardian|Dark Guardians]] are potential army builders, though as an [[e-Hobby]] [[exclusive]] they would be costly ones.

* [[Kremzeek]] could be considered an army builder, albeit a costly one, as he has only been released as a pack-in with the large [[Autorooper]] and [[Masterpiece]] [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] toys.

* Though there are multiple [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], each one has a different [[character model]], and thus using multiple [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] figures to represent them is not common. Also, he can't really ride himself well.

===The Headmasters===
In [[The Headmasters (cartoon)|Headmasters]], [[Sixshot]] demonstrated the ability to create temporary duplicates of himself.

===Super-God Masterforce===
''[[Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' was good to army builders, as it provided several good opportunities.

* The [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacons]] had multiples of all the limb-units; [[Turtler]] was the only non-cloned individual of the group. Thankfully, the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] versions of these toys are identical to the [[Hasbro]] versions, reducing the need for costly importing.

* The [[Sparkdash]] [[Javil]], [[Guzzle (Masterforce)|Guzzle]] and [[Sizzle (Masterforce)|Sizzle]] are all drones with multiple copies. Though Javil and Guzzle's toys are colored differently from their [[Firecon]] doppelgangers, the ''Masterforce'' cartoon gave all three Sparkdash the Hasbro colors, making for cheap army-building for those who'd rather be [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] with their hordes.

* Legions of black [[Guardminder]] drones appeared, led by a single golden one. The black drones can be represented by [[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]], while the leader can be his upgrade Black Roritchi. However, while collecting a single Black Roritchi wouldn't be too hard, as he comes with BlackZarak, collecting an army of Fasttrack toys, which were only sold packaged with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], would be expensive.

===IDW Comics===
During [[Devastation (IDW)|Devastation]], the [[Machination]] sent multiple [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] clones after [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. However, there is no toy of Sunstreaker in that particular form, let alone as a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], requiring a substitution. There are also multiple Sunstreaker bodies in black, white and red; though there are no ''Transformers'' toys of these, if one were so inclined they could track down the ''[[Diaclone]]'' red and white <s>Sunstreakers</s> Countach LP500S. Alternatively, the [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] [[retool|version]] of Sunstreaker's ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' toy ''has'' been produced in [[Sideswipe (G1)#Universe (2008)|those]] [[Red Alert (G1)#Generations|three]] [[Sideswipe (G1)#Timelines|colors]], although the prospect of an army of [[BotCon 2010]] Sideswipes takes this page to an entirely new level of prohibitively expensive.

===G.I. Joe vs the Transformers===
[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II]] issue [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|#3]] features a pack of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] units.

===Timelines===
* The [[Virulent Clone]] [[exclusive]]s of [[BotCon 2005]] were army builders, and in fact were only sold in pairs. However, being convention exclusive toys, building up an army of them is a little expensive.

* [[BotCon 2009]] featured an [[Sweep#Timelines|exclusive three-pack]] of Sweeps.

* Similarly, [[BotCon 2010]] featured an [[Sharkticon (G1)#Timelines|exclusive three-pack]] of Sharkticons.

===Kiss Players===
The [[Earth Defense Command]]'s [[Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]] had 48 of the human-created [[Autorooper]] models in service. In what can only be a move designed to encourage army-building, the large Autorooper toy came with a decal sheet with specialized markings for ''all 48 units'', not simply the ones given to pack-in pilot character [[Atari Hitotonari|Atari]]'s Autorooper.

===Alternators/Binaltech===
With the introduction of the [[GT System]] in that series' fiction, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] can inhabit four bodies in unison, so some collectors might take to buying all four Smokescreen [[variant]]s (or, more precisely, both Smokescreen variants and both Smokescreen GT variants) to represent him in his four bodies at once.

===Toy Bios===
E-Hobby exclusive [[Overcharge (G1)|Overcharge]] is a [[Quintesson]] military product with multiple units available. This backstory, along with the multiple different faction [[insignia]]s he is packaged with, encourages army building, though like the Guardian Robots he would be costly to collect.

==Beast Era==
===Beast Wars Metals manga===
An army of [[Scorpion Soldier]]s could be built with numerous [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] toys, if one considers the minor differences between the two characters to be simply due to an artistic interpretation of the character model. Considering how other characters have been... stylized in these mangas, it might not be much of a stretch. Additionally, [[Cobra Soldier]]s could be created out of [[Cohrada]] toys. Unlike the Scorpion Soldiers, however, one would have to slightly alter said toy to be more faithful to their appearances in the manga.

===Beast Wars Neo anime===
Multiple ships in the Cybertron fleet share a design with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], which would undoubtedly make him the most expensive army builder of them all.

===Beast Wars Neo manga===
The [[Blendtron]]s [[Elephorca]], [[Drancron]], and [[Rartorata]] have many duplicates.

===Beast Machines===
The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] of ''[[Beast Machines (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' are undoubtedly the most popular army builders from the Beast Era, possibly from all of Transformers, with virtually every Vehicon representing thousands of identical drones. ([[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] was the main exception.)

The [[Beast Machines (cartoon)| Beast Machines cartoon]] featured legions of [[Thrust (BM)| Thrust]], [[Tankor (BM)| Tankor]], [[Jetstorm (BM)| Jetstorm]], [[Obsidian (BM)| Obsidian]] and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] drones, each commanded by a general. Note that the [[character model]] for Tankor was much closer to the [[Tank Drone]] toy.

The Wreckers comic [[Departure]] further featured drones of [[Scavenger (BM)| Scavenger]], [[Blastcharge (BM)| Blastcharge]], [[Spy Streak]] and [[Mirage (BM)| Mirage]]. Additionally, an on-model depiction of the original toy for Tankor was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] to represent drones for [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (who had the same bodyform, but in different colors).

==Universe==
The 2003 [[Universe (2003 franchise)| Universe]] comic "[[Homecoming (issue)|Homecoming]]" featured multiple [[Piranacon (Universe)| Piranacons]], toys which would be eventually released by [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] as new decos of the original [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]].

==Unicron Trilogy==
The Unicron trilogy offers multiple possibilities for army building.

===Armada===
[[Image:Deadend Drone General Armada Toys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Corner pocket.]]
In ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', [[Unicron]]'s interior is patrolled by swarms of [[Dead End Drone|Dead End Drones]], commanded by [[Dead End General]] units. This was originally an expensive toy to army-build, being a pack-in with the [[Unicron|$50 Unicron toy]] (though eventually some Target stores clearanced them for as little as $13). In the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Galaxy Force]]'' toy line though, the fourth [[Micron Booster]] assortment featured "Bug Drones" at a mere 300 yen a pop (very roughly $3). Unfortunately, the [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] boxes meant you either had to buy opened samples, or an entire case of twelve toys to ensure getting a single Dead End Drone... and the General came only one per every ''two'' cases.

===Energon===
''Energon'' offers the largest number of potential army builders of the Unicron Trilogy.

* In both the ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Energon (cartoon)|cartoon]] and [[Energon (comic)|comic]] continuities, the Decepticons send thousands of [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] drones to combat the Autobots and steal raw energon ore. In the comic continuity, these drones were based on four living, fully-sparked Decepticons: [[Battle Ravage]], [[Cruellock]], [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]], and [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]. In the cartoon continuity, the four drone-types also had color-changed variants sold as limited-retail toys.

{{note|Hasbro would introduce another small Terrorcon to the mix: [[Doom-Lock]]. However, with his complete lack of bio or fiction, he is not technically a [[Canon|canonical]] army-building candidate.}}

* In the cartoon, there were also countless identical [[Omnicon]]s split among the three body types; [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]. The fourth Omnicon type from the cartoon, [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], however, was a unique being, serving as the Omnicons' "queen bee". In the comic series, the Omnicons never became mass-produced Transformers.

* The [[bio]] for [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]] says he is the commander of the "[[Guardians of Cybertron]]", though nothing has ever come forward to indicate just what that group is made up of. Hasbro representatives at [[OTFCC 2004]] indicated that they had intended for groups of Omega Sentinels to appear in the cartoon, but ultimately not even ''one'' did, just the original iteration of the mold, [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]]. No canon has specifically made the Omega Sentinel toy, a clear [[homage]] to the [[Guardian Robot|Guardian Robots]] of Generation 1, an army-builder. However, Hasbro's original intent and the Generation 1 allusion has led some fans to collect several of him.

===Cybertron===
Cybertron offers a few good army building opportunities.

[[Image:Scrapmetal Cybertron Toys.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Joe's Apartment 2099]]

* Technically a Terrorcon, [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]] is an excellent army builder from the ''[[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' franchise. In the Takara line, it was available in three different colorations; red, yellow and blue. Hasbro would later release both the red and yellow versions in their own line, but blue remained exclusive to the ''Galaxy Force'' toyline, ramping up his secondary market value outside of Japan.

* The inhabitants of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] are represented by hundreds of [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version|gray clones of Sideways]] and [[Laserbeak drone|attack bird-bots]]. Both are cost-prohibitive army-builders, as the "Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version" was a DVD pack-in exclusive in Japan (and DVDs are not cheap there even without limited-edition toys packed in), and the only way to collect a horde of Laserbeak drones was by buying multiples of the Voyager-class [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] toy (which is still less expensive than the Noisemazes).

* Throughout the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|cartoon series]], "clones" of the [[Blurr (Cybertron)|Blurr]] toy are seen both as part of the civilian Autobot ranks hiding on [[Earth]] and inhabiting [[Velocitron]]. These were never seen in robot mode, and sometimes came in red and yellow varieties as well as the toy's blue (no red or yellow versions of the toy exist, though the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Swerve (Universe)|Swerve]] toy ''is'' a red-colored pre-''Cybertron''-[[retool]] version of the mold). This doesn't exactly inspire too many to army-build him, but the canon is there to support it.

==Movie==
The video games and subsequent comics for the [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie universe]] feature numerous models of mass-produced robots for both the Decepticons and Autobots. Though there are several toys based on these models (designed primarily for the version of the game for the Playstation 2 and 3, Xbox 360, Wii and PC), the accuracy of the toys' coloration and head design ''to'' the game models varies, but most are geared towards being the Decepticon drones. Interestingly enough, the toys that got [[redeco]]ed were given original decos, not opposite-side game-decos.

* [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]]'s toy is nearly-accurate to the console game's Decepticon Swindle drones.

* [[Dropkick]]'s toy has the Decepticon drones' deco, but the face is only somewhat like the Autobot face, leaning towards a more unique design.

* [[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]]'s toy is only barely accurate to the drone design, owing to timing issues. In the game, both Autobot and Decepticon versions are primarily white. The non-lenshead makes it a little more Autobotty, though.

* [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] is fairly accurate to the [[Class Alpha drone unit|Decepticon version]] of the drone.

* Both versions of [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] are similarly very close to the Decepticon [[Class Beta drone unit|Class Beta]] and [[Constructicon Warrior]] drones' designs.

* In the movie comics, [[Landmine (Movie)|Landmine]] lent his form to a series of L.M.-1 drones.

{{note|[[Dirt Boss (ROTF)|Dirt Boss]] and [[Deadlift]] have identical bodytypes to the [[Scrapper (Movie)|Scrapper]] Drones. However, since they have different names and bios, they don’t technically count as [[Canon|canonical]] army-building candidates.}}

==Transformers Animated==
* ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] had multiple [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clones]] of varying colors. In "[[Dino-MIGHT!]]", they were all colored like him, making him an army builder. There were also sparkless, inanimate clone bodies colored like him in "[[A Fistful of Energon]]".
* [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]'s multiple VR clones from "[[Human Error, Part II]]" make electrostatic Soundwave an army builder.

==Revenge of the Fallen==
Potentially, every [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] from the movie is an army builder, because multiple characters with the same body model are either destroyed, merged into Devastator, or are fighting the army at the same time.

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[[Category:Toys]]