MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Gimmick

2006-10-25T05:01:03Z

69.61.169.137:

''Basically, I feel that the TFs died because Hasbro got carried away with inventing dumb gimmicks that often hampered the Transformers' transformation, appearance, etc. ''-Alexander Hart, 11-08-1994 [http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/6c9da6c9bb55e5d5]

[[Image:stepper_gimmick.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Targetmasters? Transformation? MEGA LAME!!]]
The dictionary gives several definitions of a '''"gimmick"''', but in relation to [[Transformers]] toys it is usually used to mean "a feature added to a toy to enhance its play value or make it more attractive to buyers". They may also be called "action features". Common gimmicks found on Transformers are:

*Weapons, which may be static, deployable, or projectile-launching,
*Interaction with other Transformers,
*Electronic sounds or lights,
*Articulated limbs, and
*Transformation itself.

[[Image:laserprime_gimmick.jpg|left|150px|thumb|The light-up sword and articulation are so [[Playskool|Playskoolish]].]]
The term "gimmick" has a vaguely pejorative sense, and some Transformers fans profess a dislike for all gimmicks on Transformers. A look at the above list makes this seem strange; a truly gimmick-free Transformer toy would be no more than a static statue. Usually, however, the real if unspoken argument is that articulation and transformation are the preferred features, and others are unwanted because they tend to interfere with these favored two.

On the other hand, these fans may believe that attempts to add play value are bound to make Transformers into [[Playskool]] baby toys instead of the [[Kiss_Players|adult collectibles]] they should be. How silly that would be.

===See also===
*[[Mini-Con]]
*[[Powerlinx]]
*[[Combiner]]
*[[Transformers]]
*[[Playskool]]

[[Category: Fandom]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Lucky Draw figure

2006-10-25T04:53:00Z

69.61.169.137:

'''Lucky Draw''' figures are extremely limited-run versions of mass-release toys, given to winners of various contests. Production runs for Lucky Draw figures range from the thousands to the single digits, with the occasional figure being given to only *one* person. This extreme rarity makes them very desirable to some collectors, while others find the entire concept ridiculous. These figures can vary in appearance, from straightforward "chromed" versions of figures to [[repaint]]s with entirely new color schemes.

The American Transformers line has very very rarely flirted with the idea of Lucky Draw-type toys, with the only one in recent memory being the specially customized [[Optimus Prime]] offered as a door prize at [[Botcon 2006]]. The practice is considerably more common in Japan.

See also: [[Chase figure]].

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[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Fandom]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Chase figure

2006-10-25T04:52:12Z

69.61.169.137:

A '''chase figure''' is a toy that is released in limited amounts relative to the rest of an assortment, often something like "one chase figure for every two cases of regular product" or similar. The name comes from the assumption that collectors, in their need to [[completist|"collect them all"]] will put in more effort than usual to "chase" down said toys. Chase figures are relatively rare in the Transformers toyline, although they are common in other series.

Only a handful of Transformers toys and products could really be considered "chase" figures, mostly some of Takara's PVC and "World's Smallest Transformers" series, and some figures from the [[Micron Booster]] series.

See also: [[Lucky Draw figure]]

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[[category:Toys]]
[[category:Fandom]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Sky High (Pretender)

2006-10-23T23:46:47Z

69.61.169.137:

{{Template:Disambig2|the Autobot Pretender Helicopter|the Autobot Micromaster Jet|Sky High (G1) (Micromaster)}}

''Sky High is an [[Autobot]] in the [[Generation 1]] continuity.''

''The great barbarian, '''Sky High''', his titanic muscles straining under the effort of days locked in combat against the endless armies of orcs and trolls that have guarded the castle of the Dark Lord [[Skullgrin G1 |Skullgrin]], raises his massive scythe, enchanted Sparksplitter, and swings it in a sweeping arc that shatters the dark gate to splinters before him. He turns in triumph and calls to the party members behind him, "Come! Brave [[Landmine (G1) |Landmine]], sword-wielder. Wise [[Cloudburst (G1) |Cloudburst]], master of magic. Stoic [[Waverider (G1) |Waverider ]], traveller of the depths. The keep of our enemy lies before us! The day has come at last! Let the Brotherhood of Primus enter here, and victory shall be ours!”''

...and so the battle continues in the never-ending world of adventure that Sky High lives out in his imagination. Those who don’t know the hulking, powerful [[Pretender]] (''great barbarian hero'') assume that his quietness and spacey erratic behavior result from his being all brawn and no brains. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sky High is as smart as he is strong, but to escape from the harsh reality of war the imaginative Pretender (''Warrior of Primus''), an extreme introvert, has fashioned his own fantasy world of high adventure in his mind, where he is the great hero of an epic story. So involved and immersed is Sky High in his fantasy world that he works everything that happens around him into his (''great'') imaginary adventures. Sky High blatantly and purposefully ignores reality in favor of his dreams, thankfully he is intelligent and imaginative enough that he usually has no problem working his actual situation and orders (''quests'') into his ongoing daydream.

Sky High, along with being very intelligent and imaginative, is also stronger, faster, and more durable than the average Transformer even without his Pretender shell (''Battle Armor of the Hawk'') which boosts his strength immensely (''+5''). In his shell he swings a sonic scythe (''elf-forged weapon'') that breaks molecular bonds, has access to leg mounted energy beams that can blind opponents (''Spell of Blinding''), and wears a utility belt with rocket boosters (''Enchanted Belt of Flight'') that enables him to fly. In robot mode he wields a cerebro-scrambling gun (''Wand of Confusion'') which he can also use when he transforms (''shape-changes'') to helicopter mode (''a hawk'').

== Fiction ==

'''Marvel Comic'''

== Toy ==

Sky High is a Pretender with a mostly red Hawk-themed Pretender shell. His inner robot becomes a Hellicopter with the scythe weapon as its blades. He is a seperate character from the Micromaster Sky High.

== External Links ==

[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/SkyHigh/skyhigh.htm Sky High at tfu.info]

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Pretenders]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Dredd

2006-10-23T22:51:35Z

69.61.169.137:

:''Dredd is a planet in the [[Generation 1]] continuity... and DA LAW''.

Dredd is a rather unpleasant planet which possess both hordes of slavers and the monsterous [[Chaos]]. As such, it is also the only planet on which [[Death Crystals]] can be mined.

It probably doesn't get much tourism.

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[[Category: Planets]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Paint mask

2006-10-20T22:24:58Z

69.61.169.137: /* Cheap, lazy redecos */

Spraying is the quickest way to paint a complicated part evenly without obscuring detail, so it is the method of choice in the mass production of toys. To keep the paint spray from going where it is not wanted, a '''paint mask''' is made. This is a thin metal shell which conforms to the shape of the painted part. Holes are cut in the mask to reveal the areas of the part which are to receive paint. A separate mask is usually needed for each color used, and many multiples of each are needed to paint many objects at one time, but the term "paint mask" is usually used by Transformers fans to refer to the entire set of masks for one particular figure.

==Cheap, lazy redecos==

Once a set of paint masks has been produced, different colors may be easily sprayed through the same mask - it's only a matter of changing the paint used. Changing the shape, number, or location of the [[paint application|paint applications]] used, however, requires a new set of masks, as well as new paint. The extra costs involved in this make such [[redeco]]es less common; generally, the same paint masks will be reused.

[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>