MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Rodney

2008-01-06T16:12:35Z

90.192.31.166:

:''Rodney is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Rodney.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Rodney, you plonker!]]

'''Rodney''' is one of the [[Headmaster Warrior]]s, the group of diminutive young robots training on the planet [[Master]] to become fully-fledged [[Headmaster]]s.

==Fiction==
===''Headmasters'' animated series===

Several robots using Rodney’s body design appeared as members of the resistance force formed to battle the [[Decepticon]]s on planet Master.

{{note|Among these generic Rodney-based crowd-fillers are two robots, whose color scheme is quite close to the Rodney toy. Whether or not either of these is intended to be Rodney himself is unclear.}}

===''TV Magazine Masterforce'' prologue===
Some time later, after the Decepticons had been forced off of [[Earth]] and a larger war began based around use of advanced technology from Planet Master, [[Chromedome]] and the other Headmasters took it upon themselves to train Rodney and the other Headmaster Warriors in the use of their powers.

==Toys==
[[Image:Rodney_toy.jpg|right|thumb|"Look out for number one... But try not to step in number two!"]]
===The Headmasters===
*'''Rodney''' (Headmaster Warrior, 1987)

:Available exclusively in Japan, Rodney transforms from a blue and yellow robot into a head, in which mode he can connect to any of the larger Headmaster toys. He goes for ludicrous sums of money on the secondary market, to say nothing of the super-rare, entirely white version of the figure which was only available in certain Japanese toy stores.

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Headmasters]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Japanese-original characters]]<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>

Alliance

2008-01-06T02:13:13Z

90.192.31.166:

{{episodenav|armada|49|prev=Cramp|next=Union}}

Starscream's sacrifice spurs the Autobots and the Decepticons to join forces. However, Unicron awakens.

==Detailed Synopsis==

[[Image:Sshot-arm-494-remains.jpg|left|thumb|175px|You failed, your highness. I'm a Jedi, like my father before me...yeah...]]

Demolishor is astonished to hear about the truce between the two armies and asks if Galvatron is functioning. Cyclonus is disgusted that they're doing this simply because the traitorous [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] asked that they do it, then suggests that they simply use the idea of a truce to ambush the Autobots. At that point, Galvatron makes Cyclonus respect his authoritah. He is upset at how poorly things have turned out, but Starscream's sacrifice has convinced him: they're going to ally with the Autobots...for now. Afterwards, all bets are off.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-491-ships.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Not all Autobot spaceships know how to swim.]]

Inside of Unicron, Thrust and Sideways plan their inevitable victory and conquest of the universe. The power of the [[Star Saber]] allows Unicron to shed the remains of his moon-disguise shell. The dark god hovers over [[Cybertron]], sucking up parts of the terrain. Both armies evacuate the surface, assisted by the [[Mini-Con]] swarm.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-492-decepts.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Galvatron...Emperor Palpatine...What's the difference?]]

In a ceremonial procedure, Galvatron and his men meet for a handshake to seal the truce. The leaders shake hands, and Perceptor also grabs on as his way of representing the allegiance of the Mini-Cons. Forming a single front, the [[armada]] heads towards Unicron. The first volley of fire does no damage against their enemy. Two larger ships perform reconnaissance and are blasted, so a team of Hot Shot, Side Swipe, Demolishor, and Cyclonus (and some others) are sent in, based on a [[Star Wars|vaguely familar]] theory that smaller ships will elude Unicron's detection. On Unicron's surface, Cyclonus and the generics fly away to break stuff, and Demolishor leaves to avoid Hot Shot, leaving the two Autobots by themselves.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-492-redshirts.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Balls of DOOOOM!!!!]]

Unicron's geography shifts and folds, disturbing his visitors and causing Demolishor to lose Blackout. From the base, Galvatron suggests another attack, which Optimus makes sure won't harm the recon crew, who have their hands full fighting against swarms of [[Dead End Drone]]s. Demolishor saves Cyclonus from falling into a fissure, while the Autobots assist their begrudging allies. Demolishor saves Side Swipe from falling into another fissure, and Hot Shot thanks the Decepticon by re-uniting Demolishor with Blackout—a tender moment. Optimus and Galvatron arrive to bring the group home.

From a distance, the armada witnesses Unicron complete his transformation into robot mode, ready to devour the planet.

{{-}}

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' September 30th, 2003 (United Kingdom), November 14th, 2003 (North America)

'''Written by:''' ???

===Featured characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Highwire]] (10)
*[[Sureshock]] (11)
*[[Grindor]] (12)
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] (19)
*[[Hoist (Armada)|Hoist]] (20)
*[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (27)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (28)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (29)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (30)

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Demolishor]] (2)
*[[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (3)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (4)
*[[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] (5)
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (6)
*[[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]] (22)
*[[Gunbarrel]] (23)
*[[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (24)
*[[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (25)
*[[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (26)
*[[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]] (31)

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*[[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] (9)
*[[Rad White|Rad]] (13)
*[[Alexis]] (14)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (15)
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (16)

'''Guests'''

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |
*[[Unicron]] (1)
*[[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (7)
*[[Sideways]] (8)
*[[Dead End Drone]]s (32)

|}

==Quotes==
"Right now, all I can think about is the comrade we lost. Sure, he challenged my authority in a failed coup attempt, but even though Starscream was a traitor, he never lost sight of his oath to the Decepticons. He was a true soldier, unlike most of ''you''!"
:—'''Galvatron''' defends Starscream's memory from the jibes of the other Decepticons.

'''Billy:''' I don't like this, Fred.<br>
'''Fred:'''And I wish I went to the bathroom!<br>
'''Rad:''' You know, guys, I'd never thought I'd see this happen. The two of them shaking hands, just standing here in front of the Decepticons. Watching this is like some kind of weird dream.<br>
'''Carlos:''' Hey, are you all right, Alexis?<br>
'''Alexis:''' Yeah, I was just thinking about Starscream. You know, he sure would have loved to see all this happen between them. After all, it was kind of his last request.<br>
'''Rad:''' Well, I got a feeling he knows.
:—The kids compare reactions on the Autobot/Decepticon truce.

'''Demolishor:''' I'm only doing this because I'm following Galvatron's orders.<br>
'''Cyclonus:''' Ha! I can't believe I'm fighting for harmony! What a load of bunk! I'm a lean, mean, fighting machine! Hahahaha!<br>
'''Side Swipe:''' I gotta work with this guy? I'm not so sure about this.
:—The truce gets off to a shaky start.

"Tidal Wave..."<br>
"Uh...nice meetin' ya."
:—'''Tidal Wave''' and '''Jetfire''' shaking hands.

"I can't believe I just saved Prime!"
:—An incredulous '''Galvatron''' after he destroys a cannon targeted at Optimus Prime.

==Other Notes==
*This is one of the most inconsistently animated episodes of the series. While the majority of the episode is of below-par in animation quality, several "showcase" sequences, such as Hot Shot helping Hoist board the ''Axalon'', and Unicron's very detailed transformation sequence, are very well drawn and animated.

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* Several Mini-Cons are standing in the hangar bay of Megatron's flagship after the Decepticons run inside to escape from Unicron's gravitational pull, and they are the size of normal Transformers.

* The Race Team Mini-Con Mirage appears among the Mini-Cons there, but he should be with Thrust inside Unicron by now, as the traitorous Decepticon had stolen the Skyboom Shield several episodes earlier.

*Several of the Mini-Cons protecting the ''Axalon'' and the Autobot fleet during the lift-off from Cybertron use ''Generation 1'' character models instead of Mini-Con character models.

*When Jet Optimus attacks the Dead End drones surrounding Hot Shot and Demolishor's recon team, the laser blast comes from in front of the first drone destroyed, rather than behind (the direction from which Prime is coming).

===Continuity errors===
* Cyclonus is in danger of falling into a hole, having apparently forgotten that ''he can fly'', which he was doing ''moments before''.

===Transformers references===
* Several parts of Unicron's transformation sequence are clearly a visual homage to his transformation in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the original ''Transformers'' movie]].

===Miscellaneous trivia===
* Various cameos appear in the hand-shaking scene, including [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and a pallete swapped [[Dead End (G1)| Dead End]] of the [[Stunticons]].

* The generic Decepticons sent to Unicron to assist the named characters have ''Generation 1'' character models in colors based on some of the Mini-Cons (such as [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] colors). They totally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29 all died.]

*Also, in the scene with Cyclonus and Decepticons, one is Scrapper.

*Assuming the episode was entirely in real-time, Unicron's transformation took close to seven minutes.

* Yes, the combined army of Autobots, Decepticons, and Mini-Cons is what the "Armada" in the title of the series stands for.

[[Category:Armada episodes|Alliance]]<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>

Alliance

2008-01-06T02:09:55Z

90.192.31.166:

{{episodenav|armada|49|prev=Cramp|next=Union}}

Starscream's sacrifice spurs the Autobots and the Decepticons to join forces. However, Unicron awakens.

==Detailed Synopsis==

[[Image:Sshot-arm-494-remains.jpg|left|thumb|175px|You failed, your highness. I'm a Jedi, like my father before me...yeah...]]

Demolishor is astonished to hear about the truce between the two armies and asks if Galvatron is functioning. Cyclonus is disgusted that they're doing this simply because the traitorous [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] asked that they do it, then suggests that they simply use the idea of a truce to ambush the Autobots. At that point, Galvatron makes Cyclonus respect his authoritah. He is upset at how poorly things have turned out, but Starscream's sacrifice has convinced him: they're going to ally with the Autobots...for now. Afterwards, all bets are off.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-491-ships.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Not all Autobot spaceships know how to swim.]]

Inside of Unicron, Thrust and Sideways plan their inevitable victory and conquest of the universe. The power of the [[Star Saber]] allows Unicron to shed the remains of his moon-disguise shell. The dark god hovers over [[Cybertron]], sucking up parts of the terrain. Both armies evacuate the surface, assisted by the [[Mini-Con]] swarm.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-492-decepts.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Galvatron...Emperor Palpatine...What's the difference?]]

In a ceremonial procedure, Galvatron and his men meet for a handshake to seal the truce. The leaders shake hands, and Perceptor also grabs on as his way of representing the allegiance of the Mini-Cons. Forming a single front, the [[armada]] heads towards Unicron. The first volley of fire does no damage against their enemy. Two larger ships perform reconnaissance and are blasted, so a team of Hot Shot, Side Swipe, Demolishor, and Cyclonus (and some others) are sent in, based on a [[Star Wars|vaguely familar]] theory that smaller ships will elude Unicron's detection. On Unicron's surface, Cyclonus and the generics fly away to break stuff, and Demolishor leaves to avoid Hot Shot, leaving the two Autobots by themselves.

[[Image:Sshot-arm-492-redshirts.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Balls of DOOOOM!!!!]]

Unicron's geography shifts and folds, disturbing his visitors and causing Demolishor to lose Blackout. From the base, Galvatron suggests another attack, which Optimus makes sure won't harm the recon crew, who have their hands full fighting against swarms of [[Dead End Drone]]s. Demolishor saves Cyclonus from falling into a fissure, while the Autobots assist their begrudging allies. Demolishor saves Side Swipe from falling into another fissure, and Hot Shot thanks the Decepticon by re-uniting Demolishor with Blackout—a tender moment. Optimus and Galvatron arrive to bring the group home.

From a distance, the armada witnesses Unicron complete his transformation into robot mode, ready to devour the planet.

{{-}}

==Stats==
'''Original airdate:''' September 30th, 2003 (United Kingdom), November 14th, 2003 (North America)

'''Written by:''' ???

===Featured characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
*[[Highwire]] (10)
*[[Sureshock]] (11)
*[[Grindor]] (12)
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (17)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] (18)
*[[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]] (19)
*[[Hoist (Armada)|Hoist]] (20)
*[[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]] (27)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] (28)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (29)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] (30)

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
*[[Demolishor]] (2)
*[[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (3)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (4)
*[[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] (5)
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] (6)
*[[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] (21)
*[[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]] (22)
*[[Gunbarrel]] (23)
*[[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (24)
*[[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (25)
*[[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (26)
*[[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]] (31)

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
*[[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] (9)
*[[Rad White|Rad]] (13)
*[[Alexis]] (14)
*[[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] (15)
*[[Billy (Armada)|Billy]] (16)

'''Guests'''

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |
*[[Unicron]] (1)
*[[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (7)
*[[Sideways]] (8)
*[[Dead End Drone]]s (32)

|}

==Quotes==
"Right now, all I can think about is the comrade we lost. Sure, he challenged my authority in a failed coup attempt, but even though Starscream was a traitor, he never lost sight of his oath to the Decepticons. He was a true soldier, unlike most of ''you''!"
:—'''Galvatron''' defends Starscream's memory from the jibes of the other Decepticons.

'''Billy:''' I don't like this, Fred.<br>
'''Fred:'''And I wish I went to the bathroom!<br>
'''Rad:''' You know, guys, I'd never thought I'd see this happen. The two of them shaking hands, just standing here in front of the Decepticons. Watching this is like some kind of weird dream.<br>
'''Carlos:''' Hey, are you all right, Alexis?<br>
'''Alexis:''' Yeah, I was just thinking about Starscream. You know, he sure would have loved to see all this happen between them. After all, it was kind of his last request.<br>
'''Rad:''' Well, I got a feeling he knows.
:—The kids compare reactions on the Autobot/Decepticon truce.

'''Demolishor:''' I'm only doing this because I'm following Galvatron's orders.<br>
'''Cyclonus:''' Ha! I can't believe I'm fighting for harmony! What a load of bunk! I'm a lean, mean, fighting machine! Hahahaha!<br>
'''Side Swipe:''' I gotta work with this guy? I'm not so sure about this.
:—The truce gets off to a shaky start.

"Tidal Wave..."<br>
"Uh...nice meetin' ya."
:—'''Tidal Wave''' and '''Jetfire''' shaking hands.

"I can't believe I just saved Prime!"
:—An incredulous '''Galvatron''' after he destroys a cannon targeted at Optimus Prime.

==Other Notes==
*This is one of the most inconsistently animated episodes of the series. While the majority of the episode is of below-par in animation quality, several "showcase" sequences, such as Hot Shot helping Hoist board the ''Axalon'', and Unicron's very detailed transformation sequence, are very well drawn and animated.

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
* Several Mini-Cons are standing in the hangar bay of Megatron's flagship after the Decepticons run inside to escape from Unicron's gravitational pull, and they are the size of normal Transformers.

* The Race Team Mini-Con Mirage appears among the Mini-Cons there, but he should be with Thrust inside Unicron by now, as the traitorous Decepticon had stolen the Skyboom Shield several episodes earlier.

*Several of the Mini-Cons protecting the ''Axalon'' and the Autobot fleet during the lift-off from Cybertron use ''Generation 1'' character models instead of Mini-Con character models.

*When Jet Optimus attacks the Dead End drones surrounding Hot Shot and Demolishor's recon team, the laser blast comes from in front of the first drone destroyed, rather than behind (the direction from which Prime is coming).

===Continuity errors===
* Cyclonus is in danger of falling into a hole, having apparently forgotten that ''he can fly'', which he was doing ''moments before''.

===Transformers references===
* Several parts of Unicron's transformation sequence are clearly a visual homage to his transformation in [[The Transformers: The Movie|the original ''Transformers'' movie]].

===Miscellaneous trivia===
* Various cameos appear in the hand-shaking scene, including [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Dead End| Dead End (G1)]] of the [[Stunticons]].

* The generic Decepticons sent to Unicron to assist the named characters have ''Generation 1'' character models in colors based on some of the Mini-Cons (such as [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] in [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] colors). They totally [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29 all died.]

*Also, in the scene with Cyclonus and Decepticons, one is Scrapper.

*Assuming the episode was entirely in real-time, Unicron's transformation took close to seven minutes.

* Yes, the combined army of Autobots, Decepticons, and Mini-Cons is what the "Armada" in the title of the series stands for.

[[Category:Armada episodes|Alliance]]<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>

Rodney

2008-01-05T23:35:00Z

90.192.31.166:

:''Rodney is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Headmasters (franchise)|Headmasters]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Rodney.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Rodney, you plonker!]]

'''Rodney''' is one of the [[Headmaster Warrior]]s, the group of diminutive young robots training on the planet [[Master]] to become fully-fledged [[Headmaster]]s.

==Fiction==

===''Headmasters'' animated series===

Several robots using Rodney’s body design appeared as members of the resistance force formed to battle the [[Decepticon]]s on planet Master.

''('''Note:''' Among these generic Rodney-based crowd-fillers are two robots, whose color scheme is quite close to the Rodney toy. Whether or not either of these is intended to be Rodney himself is unclear.)''

===''TV Magazine Masterforce'' prologue===

Some time later, after the Decepticons had been forced off of Earth and a larger war began based around use of advanced technology from Planet Master, Chromedome and the other Headmasters took it upon themselves to train Rodney and the other Headmaster Warriors in the use of their powers.

==Toys==

[[Image:Rodney_toy.jpg|right|thumb|"Look out for number one... But try not to step in number two!"]]

===Generation 1===

*'''Rodney''' (Headmaster Warrior, 1987)

:Available exclusively in Japan, Rodney transforms from a blue and yellow robot into a head, in which mode he can connect to any of the larger Headmaster toys. He goes for ludicrous sums of money on the secondary market, to say nothing of the super-rare, entirely white version of the figure which was only available in certain Japanese toy stores.

[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Headmasters]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]<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>

Exclusive

2008-01-05T20:10:28Z

90.192.31.166:

[[Image:Ratchettoytimelines.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Weren't at [[BotCon 2005]]? Then I hope you like [[Ladiesman217|eBay]]!]]

The term '''exclusive''' is most often used in reference to a toy (or other item) that was only available at a specific store or venue rather that at standard retail in normal assortments.

While occasionally these are simply already-released toys in new packaging (often as multi-packs at a reduced price), most often they are [[redeco]]es. Very rarely, a toy developed for a defunct line will find itself released as an exclusive to a particular retailer, so the company can make back at least ''some'' of the development costs that went into it.

==Store exclusives==
Though store exclusives in ''Transformers'' date back as far as 1989's K-Mart-only releases of the "[[Legends (G1)|Legends]]" [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the practice saw little use in the US until Kay-Bee stores got its own exclusive mini-line ''[[Machine Wars]]'' in 1997. Store exclusives tied in directly to the main retail line, however, remained minimal in the following years, with ''[[Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines]]'' getting one or two.

[[Image:Loadhauler.jpg|left|thumb|100px|[[Load Hauler]], exclusive to [[e-Hobby]]. It takes longer to read this caption than it does to watch his entire onscreen performance.]]

The success of the ''[[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' series caused a boom for the franchise, resulting in the "big four" chains (Wal*Mart, Toys 'R' Us, Target, and Kay-Bee) each getting their own Transformers available only at their stores. Since then, store-exclusives have persisted and increased in number, though with the creation of the ''[[Universe]]'' series, most have fallen under that line, even well after the ''Universe'' line disappeared from standard retail, and even with toys whose backstories place them quite explicitly in other continuities. To this day, multiple store exclusives are released each year in the US.
[[Image:RID_Scourge_toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] was a prominent repeating character, but his "main" toy was sold only at Toys R Us.]]

In Japan, short-run exclusives are fairly common (or, used to be). There are (or, were) multiple outlets for exclusives; for most larger toys, [[Takara]]'s [[e-Hobby]] online store put up exclusive redecoes and "[[USA Edition]]s", though other online services got some as well. Many brick-and-mortar stores received very short-run smaller exclusives that were ''technically'' given away free, but only to people who bought certain toys (or a certain amount of toys) at the stores on a certain date. Magazine mail-aways remain a popular outlet for exclusive redecos in Japan, though that practice has fallen out of favor in the US.

{{-}}

==Convention & club exclusives==
[[Image:BCBreakdown.jpg|right|thumb|200px|If you opened this, you probably regret it now.]]
Convention exclusives have a more consistent history, starting back in 1994 with [[BotCon 1994]]'s ''[[Generation 2]]'' [[Breakdown]], which had been slated for normal retail release with the rest of the team, but ultimately cancelled. The following year saw the first convention-exclusive toy [[redeco]]ed specifically for the convention, [[Nightracer]] (albeit not to the original specifications).

From then on, each official Transformers convention has had at least one exclusive toy... in fact, as time has gone on, the scale of convention exclusives has only expanded, with multi-toy packs, larger molds, and even [[retool]]ed items.

In 2005, [[Fun Publications]] expanded exclusives by producing toys available only to members of the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]. While one each year is produced as a "free" incentive for signing up, in 2006 the first separately-purchased exclusive, [[Astrotrain (Timelines)|Astrotrain]], was produced based on fan-reaction to an unreleased retail exclusive, with more planned.

{{-}}
==Why exclusives?==
God hates you and doesn't want you to have toys.
[[Image:Alphatrionbc07.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Fans wanted this for decades, and now they can have it... well, about 1,000 can have it. Get to work kitbashers.]]

Aside from that, exclusives for both stores and conventions are ''incentives'' to get interested buyers to the stores/shows to make other purchases. While you're here for that Transformer or ''[[Star Wars]]'' Clonetrooper set that can only be found at this store... hey, Dr Pepper is also four for ten bucks. And look, the new ''Venture Bros.'' DVD set is out. Need some paper towels? Tube socks?

For store exclusives, often the chain will request (or in the case of Wal*Mart, demand) an exclusive, perhaps even suggesting (or, again, demanding) a specific price point, should the line be proving popular. Sometimes, Hasbro or Takara may solicit items already in the works as exclusives to stores. Several toys that had been slated for normal retail release but canceled in the ''[[Universe]]'' line, for example, were ultimately released as Target exclusives in 2006, and over the last several years, many other items planned for mass-retail were relegated to exclusive status when their standard retail assortments were cancelled, such as the ''[[Alternators]]'' versions of [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Ravage]].

Convention/club exclusives are a bit different, and involve a lot more work done outside of Hasbro/Takara's offices. The convention organizers themselves write up proposals to the company, including the molds they would like to use, color arrangements, names, any new tools they wish to make, and such. These plans very often change depending on mold availability (sometimes molds are lost, or deteriorated, or are being used for other releases) or plans that Hasbro/Takara have in store for the future. In almost every instance, the convention-exclusive toys would not exist ''at all'' if the convention organizers did not request (and pay for) them.

The exclusives from BotCon [[Dawn of Futures Past|2006]] and [[Games Of Deception|2007]] proved particularly controversial. Many fans complained about the difficulty and expense of acquiring these figures that were representations of very well-liked characters (i.e. [[Waspinator]]), characters that had played major roles in stories and never previously received toys ([[Alpha Trion]]), or characters traditionally envisioned as part of a "set" of which other members were easily available at standard retail ([[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]).

[[Image:Classics_Thundercracker_Toy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Indiana, let it go.]]
Passions were most intense about the exclusives representing the very popular and conspicuous [[Classics]] characters--especially after Hasbro revealed that, to their own surprise, sales had proven strong enough that the line would be revived in 2008, potentially leaving "holes" in some fans' collections. It is important to note that the business decision of using popular characters as convention exclusives has been a sound one: Primus Package attendees contribute the bulk of revenue for the convention, and so turning the toys from "also-rans" into "must-haves" helps keep the show running and growing. It is the responsibility of each fan to determine how much they want to devote to their hobby, both in terms of the emotional devotion they have towards particular characters and collection styles, and financial devotion that they will invest to get what they have chosen to desire.<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>