Editing Power Core Combiners

{{disambig2|the real-world toyline|the in-fiction technology|Power Core Combination}}

[[Image:PCCLogo.jpg|center]]

'''Power Core Combiners''' is a toyline, released concurrently  with the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] and ''[[Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' toylines.

The design of the toys relies heavily on the titular [[gimmick]], [[Combiner|combination]].  Every main character is a "[[Commander (PCC)|Commander]]" sold with either a [[Mini-Con]] (which connects in several configurations) or a set of four [[drone]] vehicles (which connect as limbs to form a larger robot).  The Mini-Cons and drones can be attached to any Commander, leading to ''millions'' of possible combinations between all of the figures.

Unlike the Mini-Cons of [[Unicron Trilogy|previous]] [[Classics (2006)|lines]], the Power Core Combiner Mini-Cons lack their own independent vehicle or animal modes.  Rather, they turn from robots into accessories for their Commanders.  In vehicle mode, a Commander can use a Mini-Con as a weapon or tool.  In robot mode, a Commander can wield a Mini-Con as a hand-held weapon or wear him as armor.

The drones are similar to ''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s "[[Prime Force]]", being vehicles with no robot modes.  While the drones are left/right interchangeable, an arm-drone cannot become a leg-drone (or vice versa) making them more limited than the Prime Force drones.  However, the fact that there are several teams of drones who can be swapped among Commanders adds a [[Special Teams|Scramble-City-esque]] dimension of play.  Also, people who love [[Transformer]]s but hate transforming can breathe easy in the knowledge that the drones [[Automorph Technology|automorph]] into and out of limb mode simply by being plugged into and removed from a Commander.

Fictionally, the Power Core Combiners are not strictly connected to any other [[continuity]],<ref name=continuityqa>"...they basically exist on their own." [http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=27064 October Hasbro Transformers Q&A Answers for Cybertron.ca]</ref> although Smolder and Chopster have made an appearance in the [[Movie continuity]] via ''[[Cyber Missions]]'', while Bombshock via ''[[Transformers Classified|the Classified]]'' novels.

==Fiction==
The toys' packaging presents a simple storyline about [[Power Core Combination]] technology being found on [[Earth]].  A more robust account was published in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|Collectors' Club magazine #32]].  As of yet there has been no narrative fiction, only summaries and [[bio]]s.

===Place in continuity===
As for which larger continuity family (if any) this fits into, clues are scant and contradictory.  The strongest evidence appears to suggest the [[live-action film series]]: 
* The storyline blurb on the packaging references "monsters like [[Devastator (disambiguation)|Devastator]]" in terms that best match the [[Devastator (ROTF)|live-action version.]]
* [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]]'s bio is fairly explicit that he is his movie counterpart, even referencing his origin as an [[AllSpark Mutation]].
* [[Smolder]] has made an appearance in [[Cyber Missions 9|movie-related fiction]].
* [[Icepick (PCC)|Icepick]] received a new toy in the ''[[Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' toyline.
* [[Bombshock (PCC)|Bombshock]] appears in ''[[Transformers Classified: Switching Gears]]'' novel.

However, other elements seem to hint towards [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]:
* [[Huffer (PCC)|Huffer]]'s bio says that he's "just as inclined to grumble as he's ever been,"<ref name=hufferbio>Huffer's on-package bio</ref> implying that he is a preexisting, familiar character.  There are only [[Huffer (disambiguation)|a few Huffers]], and this points pretty clearly to [[Huffer (G1)|the original]].
* While less explicit, several characters have bios that are too similar to same-named characters in the [[Generation 1 continuity family]] to be a coincidence.  [[Leadfoot (PCC)|Leadfoot]] is good at [[Leadfoot (G2)|infiltrating Decepticon bases]], [[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]] is [[Sledge (G1)|noted for his loyalty and love of destruction]], [[Icepick (PCC)|Icepick]] wants to [[Icepick (G1)|scrap the obsolete]], and [[Stakeout (PCC)|Stakeout]] is [[Stakeout (G1)|a former ''loose cannon cop on the edge'' who has since mellowed out]].  Compare this to what [[Sea Spray]] got.

[[Hasbro]]'s official stance on the matter is that ''Power Core Combiners'' are not tied to any particular continuity family.<ref name=continuityqa />  This is in keeping with the company's recent apparent reluctance to tie its toylines to specific universes, and can be interpreted as "both," "neither," or not actually even an answer.  Any conclusions are [[Personal canon|up to the reader to make.]]

==Toys==
===Power Core Combiners===
====Commander 2-packs====
[[Image:PCC-toy Smolder.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Smolder...]]
[[Image:PCC-toy Chopster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|... and his pack-in partner Chopster.]]

Each 2-pack contains a roughly-Scout-class-sized Commander figure as well as a partner Mini-Con.

Commanders transform from a robot to vehicle mode, as well as a "power up" torso-mode that can be combined with any of the drone sets from the 5-packs (see below). Commanders also have standard Mini-Con [[Powerlinx]] plugs, so they are compatible with ''any'' Mini-Cons, not just their pack-in partners.

Mini-Cons have multiple configurations to enhance their larger partners. Each one transforms from a robot to "armor" that any Commander can use (though with limited usefulness on the 5-pack Commander molds due to placement of their Powerlinx plugs). They also have weapon modes; most have separate configurations for Commanders' robot and alternate modes, though a few only really have one that works on both.

'''Wave 1'''
* [[Huffer (PCC)|Huffer]] (semi cab) and [[Caliburst (PCC)|Caliburst]] (anti-aircraft cannon/rifle)
* [[Searchlight (PCC)|Searchlight]] (rescue helicopter) and [[Backwind]] (winch/rifle)
* [[Smolder]] (fire department brush truck) and [[Chopster]] (flamethrower/axe)

'''Wave 2'''
* [[Icepick (PCC)|Icepick]] (arctic vehicle) and [[Chainclaw (PCC)|Chainclaw]] (missile launcher)
* [[Leadfoot (PCC)|Leadfoot]] (F1 racer) and [[Pinpoint]] (engine-cannon/rifle)
* [[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]] (rockwheel trencher construction vehicle) and [[Throttler]] (drill)

'''Wave 3'''
* [[Windburn]] (rescue helicopter) and [[Darkray]] (anti-aircraft cannon/rifle)
* [[Darkstream]] (stealth jet) and [[Razorbeam]] (cannon/axe)
* [[Steelshot]] (cannon truck) and [[Beacon (PCC)|Beacon]] (winch/rifle)

'''Wave 4'''
* [[Heavytread (PCC)|Heavytread]] (tank) and [[Groundspike]] (mine plow/claw)
* [[Skyhammer (PCC)|Skyhammer]] (fighter jet) and [[Airlift (PCC)|Airlift]] (gun emplacement)

'''Wave 5'''
* [[Undertow (PCC)|Undertow]] (speedboat) and [[Waterlog (PCC)|Waterlog]] (gun emplacement)
* [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]] (monster truck) and [[Bomb-Burst (PCC)|Bomb-Burst]] (missile launcher)
{{-}}

====5-packs====
[[Image:PCC-toy Bombshock.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Bombshock...]]
[[Image:PCC-toy Combaticons.jpg|right|thumb|300px|...and his Combaticons.]]

Each 5-pack contains a Commander and four drone-units.

Unlike the Commanders designed for the 2-packs, most (if not all) of the Commanders designed originally for the 5-packs do not have Powerlinx hardpoints that normally function for the 2-pack Mini-Cons' armor modes while in their standard Commander robot modes. However, these Commanders' power up modes allow for the proper placement of their Powerlix hardpoints.

The drones each [[Automorph Technology|automatically transform]] into a super-robot limb when they are attached to the bright blue connector points on any Commander's "power up" mode, and snap back to drone-mode once removed. Arm-drones and leg-drones cannot swap functions; they ''can'' be attached to each others' connection points, but arms will always be arms and legs will always be legs. Each drone also has Mini-Con [[Powerlinx]] [[peg|hardpoint]]s.

'''Wave 1'''
* [[Bombshock (PCC)|Bombshock]] (cannon truck) with [[Combaticon (PCC)|Combaticon]] drones
* [[Skyburst]] (stealth jet) with [[Aerialbot (PCC)|Aerialbot]] drones

'''Wave 2'''
* [[Double Clutch (PCC)|Double Clutch]] (sports car) with [[Rallybot]] drones
* [[Mudslinger (PCC)|Mudslinger]] (monster truck) with [[Destructicon (PCC)|Destructicon]] drones

'''Wave 3'''
* [[Stakeout (PCC)|Stakeout]] (fire response truck) with [[Protectobot (PCC)|Protectobot]] drones
* [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]] (semi cab) with [[Destron (PCC)|Destron]] drones

'''Wave 4'''
* [[Steamhammer (PCC)|Steamhammer]] (bulldozer) with [[Constructicon (PCC)|Constructicon]] drones
* [[Grimstone]] (''Styracosaurus'') with [[Dinobot (PCC)|Dinobot]] drones

'''Wave 5'''
* [[Over-Run (PCC)|Over-Run]] (F1 racer) with [[Stunticon (PCC)|Stunticon]] drones
{{-}}

====Exclusive value packs====
[[Image:Skyburst-backwind-packagin.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
[[Image:PCCtoy-OverRunSledgecombo.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]

'''[[Toys"R"Us]]'''
* Skyburst with Aerialbots (Includes Skyburst, Searchlight, Backwind, and the Aerialbots)


'''[[Walmart]]'''
: After most stores had long gotten rid of ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' (and a few waves of product virtually never hit normal retail shelves), Walmart put out these bonus packs of a 5-piece combiner team with a two-pack taped to the side... all for the whopping price of ''ten dollars''. '''''TEN DOLLARS.''''' These were placed mostly on pallets pretty much wherever there was room in the aisle. There does not appear to be any particular order to who got packed with what, but reported combinations include:

{|class="wikitable" border="5" style="width:50%"
|-
!'''5-pack'''
!'''2-pack'''
|-
|[[Double Clutch (PCC)|Double Clutch]] with [[Rallybot]]s
|[[Steelshot]] with [[Beacon (PCC)|Beacon]]<br>[[Undertow (PCC)|Undertow]] with [[Waterlog (PCC)|Waterlog]]
|-
|[[Grimstone]] with [[Dinobot (PCC)|Dinobots]]
|[[Icepick (PCC)|Icepick]] with [[Chainclaw (PCC)|Chainclaw]]<br>[[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]] with [[Bomb-Burst (PCC)|Bomb-Burst]]<br>[[Skyhammer (PCC)|Skyhammer]] with [[Airlift (PCC)|Airlift]]<br>Undertow with Waterlog
|-
|[[Mudslinger (PCC)|Mudslinger]] with [[Destructicon (PCC)|Destructicons]]
|[[Smolder]] with [[Chopster]]
|-
|[[Over-Run (PCC)|Over-Run]] with [[Stunticon (PCC)|Stunticons]]
|Salvage with Bomb-Burst<br>[[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]] with [[Throttler]]
|-
|[[Stakeout (PCC)|Stakeout]] with [[Protectobot (PCC)|Protectobots]]
|[[Heavytread (PCC)|Heavytread]] with [[Groundspike]]
|-
|[[Steamhammer (PCC)|Steamhammer]] with [[Constructicon (PCC)|Constructions]]
||Heavytread with Groundspike<br>Icepick with Chainclaw<br>[[Leadfoot (PCC)|Leadfoot]] with [[Pinpoint]]<br>Salvage with Bomb-Burst<br>Sledge with Throttler
|}

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Power Core Combiners| ]]
[[Category:Toylines]]