Shellformer

A Shellformer that forms a shell.

Shellformer is a fandom term (most often used derisively) for a Transformer that transforms by "peeling" pieces of one form to reveal the other form inside. Literally, the majority of the alternate mode is a "shell" that closes completely (or close enough) around the robot parts, with the robot mode having very little genuine integration of the alternate mode parts. Sometimes, the term panelformer is used as a synonym.

Shellforming is often the result of a design failing to include appropriate parts integration to support an aesthetically pleasing alt mode, and is often the result of attempts to produce a "realistic" beast mode. Sometimes, however, it may be an intended part of the design. For example, Age of Extinction Deluxe Class Crosshairs uses the panels that form the majority of his vehicle mode to create the appearance of a trenchcoat.

Meanwhile, toys such as One Step Changers and Turbo Changers use very simple transformations, often involving shellforming, to make them easy and fun to transform for young children. Like the previous Crosshairs example, this would fall under the category of being a feature rather than clumsy design.

In some of the most extreme cases, such as the ones pictured on this page, one can remove almost the entirety of the alternate mode parts and still have a complete, fully-functional robot figure left over. The Beast Wars Neo line is probably most notorious for this, with many original molds featuring large chunks of beast mode paneling hanging off completely mechanical robot bodies.

Also see: kibble.

Shellformers should not be confused with the Pretenders.

Notable shellformers

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  Scourge
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  Most of the first year of Beast Wars Basic Class figures.
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  Ultra Class Megatron
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  Basic Class Terragator
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  This figure is probably 90% kibble.
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  Under-3
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  The weather is too hot, so I take off my woolly fur coat.
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  The robot is the prize inside. No refunds.
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  Beast Wars Neo Mach Kick
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  Car Robots Speedbreaker/Robots in Disguise Side Burn
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  Car Robots Gelshark/Robots in Disguise Sky-Byte
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  Pretty Soldier Sailor Mirage.
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  Thunderblast
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  Voyager Class Megatron
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  Darth Vader/Death Star
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  Luke Skywalker (snowspeeder)
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  Nikemus Prime, Nikeatron and unreleased Nikescream.
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  Trans-Scanning Bumblebee
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  Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime
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  Wreck-Gar
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  Human Alliance Sideswipe
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  Revenge of the Fallen Rollbar
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  Deluxe Class Brawn
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  Voyager Class Sentinel Prime
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  Cyberverse Legion Class Topspin
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  Gari Robo-kun
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  First Edition Optimus Prime
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  Voyager Class Galvatron
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  Deluxe Class Crosshairs
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  Lost Age Series Battle Command Optimus Prime
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  One-Step Changer Bumblebee
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  Turbo Changer Autobot Drift
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  Ultra Class Shadow Striker
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  Deluxe Class WWII Bumblebee
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  Siege Starscream and all his redecos.
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  Masterpiece Beast Megatron
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  Earthrise Deluxe Class Arcee
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  Cyberverse Deluxe Class Arcee
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  War for Cybertron Unicron
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  Studio Series Scourge/Sweep
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  Studio Series 86 Arcee
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  Studio Series Crosshairs
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  Legacy: Evolution Shadow Striker