Power Core Combiners

This article is about the real-world toyline. For the in-fiction technology, see Power Core Combination{{#switch:{{#sub:Power Core Combination|-1}}

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Power Core Combiners is a toyline, released concurrently with the 2010 Transformers and Generations toylines.

The design of the toys relies heavily on the titular gimmick, combination. Every main character is a "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 previous 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 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 Scramble-City-esque dimension of play. Also, people who love Transformers but hate transforming can breathe easy in the knowledge that the drones 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>"...they basically exist on their own." 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.

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 Collectors' Club magazine #32. As of yet there has been no narrative fiction, only summaries and bios. As for which larger continuity (if any) this fits into, clues are scant and contradictory: The "Gestalt Process" is described in horrific terms that match only the live-action film series; however, Huffer's bio says that he's "just as inclined to grumble as he's ever been,"<ref>Huffer's on-package bio</ref> despite having never appeared in the movie universe before. Rather, this is clearly inspired by his Generation 1 namesake. Any conclusions are up to the reader to make.

Toys

Power Core Combiners

Commander 2-packs

Each 2-pack contains a Commander (who turns into a robot and a vehicle) and a Mini-Con (who turns into a robot and various accessory modes for the Commander). Each Commander also has a torso mode with a different head, and this 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.

Wave 1

• Huffer (semi cab) and Caliburst (cannon)
• Searchlight (rescue helicopter) and Backwind (winch)
• Smolder (fire department brush truck) and Chopster (axe)

Wave 2

• Icepick (snowcat arctic vehicle) and Chainclaw (missile launcher)
• Leadfoot (F1 racer) and Pinpoint (cannon/engine)
• Sledge (rockwheel trencher construction vehicle) and Throttler (drill)

Wave 3

• Windburn (Searchlight redeco) and Darkray (Caliburst redeco)
• Darkstream (Skyburst redeco) and Razorbeam (Chopster redeco)
• Steelshot (Bombshock redeco) and Beacon (Backwind redeco)

Future Waves

• Heavytread (tank) and Groundspike (mine plow)
• Skyhammer (fighter jet) and Airlift (cannon)
• Undertow (speedboat) and Waterlog (gun emplacement)
• Salvage (Mudslinger redeco) and Bomb-Burst (Chainclaw redeco)

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5-packs

Each 5-pack contains a Commander (who turns into a robot and a vehicle) and four drones (which turn into vehicles and limbs). The drones have an automatic "deploy" transformation when they attach and an automatic retract feature to vehicle mode when detached. 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 has Mini-Con Powerlinx hardpoints. Any set of drones can combine with any Commander, even the ones sold in 2-packs.

Wave 1

• Bombshock with Combaticon drones
• Skyburst with Aerialbots drones

Wave 2

• Double Clutch with Rallybot drones
• Mudslinger with Destructicon drones

Wave 3

• Stakeout (Smolder redeco) with Protectobot drones (Aerialbot & Combaticon redecoes)
• Crankcase (Huffer redeco) with Destron drones (Aerialbot & Combaticon redecoes)

Future Waves

• Steamhammer with Constructicon drones
• Grimstone with Dinobot drones
• Spastic with Stunticon drones

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Exclusive value packs

Toys"R"Us

• Skyburst with Aerialbots (Includes Skyburst, Searchlight, Backwind, and the Aerialbots)

References

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