Fire Blast effect

Don't look at this picture too long, or your eyes will get stuck.

Fire Blast effects are brightly-colored translucent accessories that plug into Transformers toys or their weapons in order to represent energy blasts, burning damage, jet exhaust, or other action features. They were first featured as part of the War for Cybertron: Siege toyline and have continued sporadically ever since.

Depending on the toy and their intended placement, these effect parts can be specifically shaped around a corresponding weapon, or have a more universal 3mm or 5mm post attachment. Effect parts can be layered to form extra-large simulated fires, explosions, etc., and toys at higher pricepoints may include a half-dozen or more.

Unfortunately, the chemical composition of their soft bendy plastic makes them subject to relatively rapid decomposition similar to previous figures that relied on softer plastics. Collectors quickly learned that if the effect parts are left attached to more rigid pieces such as guns or jet thrusters for a prolonged period of time, they may become so firmly bonded together that separating them causes physical damage.

Broad types of effect parts include:

• Small gun bursts, shield impacts, melee weapon movement: Battle Masters, Studio Series Scourge
• Rocket plumes: Siege Jetfire
• Large gun bursts: Siege Omega Supreme, Earthrise Scorponok, Earthrise Sky Lynx
• Energy auras: Studio Series Hot Rod, Kingdom Rodimus Prime, Collaborative Ultimate X-Spanse