Army-building

2011-01-25T06:23:40Z

76.246.92.12: /* Beast Era */

[[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_2|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 Version|gray clones of Sideways]] and [[Laserbeak drone|attack bird-bots]]. Both are cost-prohibitive army-builders, as the "Noisemaze-Mass Production 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 Decepticon version of the drone.

* [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] is similarly very close to the Decepticon drones' design.

{{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.}}

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

==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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Army-building