Transformers: Armada (toyline): Difference between revisions
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==Mini-Cons== | ==Mini-Cons== | ||
The Mini-Cons were sold in carded three packs at the Basic/Scout price point. Each team was defined by a particular gimmick or theme. Though only slightly larger than their closest precedent the [[Micromaster]]s, they featured greatly improved articulation, posability, complexity, and originality of design | The Mini-Cons were sold in carded three-packs at the Basic/Scout price point. Each team was defined by a particular gimmick or theme. Though only slightly larger than their closest precedent, the [[Micromaster]]s, they featured greatly improved articulation, posability, complexity, and originality of design compared to the G1 line. | ||
'''[[Adventure Mini-Con Team]]''' | '''[[Adventure Mini-Con Team]]''' | ||
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* [[Iceberg]] (snowcat) | * [[Iceberg]] (snowcat) | ||
* [[Ransack (Armada)|Ransack]] (jeep) | * [[Ransack (Armada)|Ransack]] (jeep) | ||
''Each | ''Each features geared moving parts activated by rolling the vehicle or by attaching the figure to [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]].'' | ||
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* [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (recon jet) | * [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (recon jet) | ||
* [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (stealth bomber) | * [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (stealth bomber) | ||
''Each | ''Each features a weapon mode in addition to robot and vehicle.'' | ||
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* [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (mining vehicle) | * [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (mining vehicle) | ||
* [[Dualor]] (tank) | * [[Dualor]] (tank) | ||
''Each | ''Each features geared moving parts activated by rolling the vehicle or by attaching the figure to [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]].'' | ||
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* [[Makeshift]] (VTOL plane) | * [[Makeshift]] (VTOL plane) | ||
* [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] (police cruiser) | * [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] (police cruiser) | ||
''Each | ''Each features a weapon mode in addition to robot and vehicle.'' | ||
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* [[Knock Out (Armada)|Knock Out]] (armored personnel carrier) | * [[Knock Out (Armada)|Knock Out]] (armored personnel carrier) | ||
* [[Wreckage (Armada)|Wreckage]] (tracked missile platform) | * [[Wreckage (Armada)|Wreckage]] (tracked missile platform) | ||
''Each | ''Each features launching missiles.'' | ||
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* [[Fetch]] (tracked missile platform) | * [[Fetch]] (tracked missile platform) | ||
* [[Scattor (Armada)|Scattor]] (missile transport) | * [[Scattor (Armada)|Scattor]] (missile transport) | ||
''Redeco of the Land Military Team. Each | ''Redeco of the Land Military Team. Each features launching missiles.'' | ||
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* [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (mining vehicle) | * [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (mining vehicle) | ||
* [[Dualor]] (tank) | * [[Dualor]] (tank) | ||
''Redeco of the Destruction Team. Each | ''Redeco of the Destruction Team. Each features geared moving parts activated by rolling the vehicle or by attaching the figure to [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]].'' | ||
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* [[Stormcloud (Armada)|Stormcloud]] (speedboat) | * [[Stormcloud (Armada)|Stormcloud]] (speedboat) | ||
* [[Waterlog]] (hovercraft) | * [[Waterlog]] (hovercraft) | ||
''Each | ''Each features launching missiles.'' | ||
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* [[Oval]] (sportscar) | * [[Oval]] (sportscar) | ||
* [[Spiral]] (sportscar) | * [[Spiral]] (sportscar) | ||
''Each | ''Each features enhanced posability in robot mode.'' | ||
==Miscellaneous== | ==Miscellaneous== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
According to [[Aaron Archer]] during his stint as ORSON, | According to [[Aaron Archer]] during his stint as ORSON, the Armada Autobots and Decepticons had intentionally different design aesthetics. The Autobots were designed to be symmetrical with clean lines and detailing, while the Decepticons had asymmetrical sculpts and details to invoke a more foreboding and battle-worn feel. A good example of this would be [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] versus [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. | ||
[[Category:Toys]] | [[Category:Toys]] | ||
[[Category:Armada| ]]<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> | [[Category:Armada| ]]<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> | ||
Revision as of 20:15, 28 December 2007
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Armada marked a fresh start for the Transformers brand, a reinvention that introduced a whole new universe and backstory for the robots in disguise. The franchise also introduced a new faction, the Mini-Cons, whose tiny toys carried the notion of "micro play" -- a concept absent from Transformers for more than ten years. The Mini-Cons are the line's most distinctive element, as every larger toy included one or more Mini-Con partners. They were a smash hit with fans and kids alike, and have continued on into many subsequent toylines.
The toyline marked a sharp change of design direction from the intricate, sometimes frustrating complexity found in Beast Wars, Beast Machines, and Robots in Disguise. The early offerings in particular were blocky, easy to transform, sturdy and colorful. Articulation tended to be reduced, sacrificed to keep price down in light of the need to add a Mini-Con partner to every mold. Ball joints largely disappeared. The aesthetics of larger robots hearkened back more to the blocky concepts of G1, while the Mini-Cons tended to be more experimental, with odd facial designs and non-standard limbs.
Autobots
Supercon (Deluxe)
- Airazor (falcon) w/ Minicon Nightscream (sportscar)
- Blurr (sportscar) w/ Minicon Incinerator (drag racer)
- Cheetor (cheetah) w/ Minicon Cliffjumper (jeep)
- Hoist (power shovel) w/ Minicon Refute (mining vehicle)
- Hot Shot (sportscar) w/ Minicon Jolt (helicopter)
- Optimus Prime (semi cab) w/ Minicon Over-Run (space fighter)
- Powerlinx Hot Shot (sportscar) w/ Minicon Jolt (helicopter)
- Rhinox (rhinoceros) w/ Minicon Armorhide (snowcat)
- Side Swipe (sedan) w/ Minicon Nightbeat (motorcycle)
- Smokescreen (utility truck) w/ Minicon Liftor (forklift)
Maxcon (Mega)
- Overload (shuttle carrier) w/ Minicon Roll-Out (tractor cab)
- Powerlinx Red Alert (rescue SUV) w/ Minicon Longarm (crane truck)
- Red Alert (rescue SUV) w/ Minicon Longarm (crane truck)
- Scavenger (construction vehicle) w/ Minicon Rollbar (buggy)
Gigacon (Ultra)
- Jetfire (space shuttle) w/ Minicon Comettor (space rover)
- Powerlinx Jetfire (space shuttle w/ Minicon Comettor (space rover)
Super
- Optimus Prime (tractor trailer) w/ Minicon Sparkplug (sportscar)
- Powerlinx Optimus Prime (tractor trailer) w/ Minicon Corona Sparkplug (sportscar)
Roleplay
- Laserbeak (video camera)
- Star Saber
Decepticons
Supercon (Deluxe)
- Cyclonus (helicopter) w/ Minicon Crumplezone (tank)
- Demolishor (tank) w/ Minicon Blackout (combat car)
- Nemesis Prime (semi cab) w/ Minicon Run-Over (space fighter)
- Powerlinx Cyclonus (helicopter) w/ Minicon Crumplezone (tank)
- Powerlinx Demolishor (tank) w/ Minicon Blackout (combat car)
- Powerlinx Thrust (fighter jet) w/ Minicon Inferno (missile truck)
- Terrorsaur (Pteranodon) w/ Minicon Ironhide (dune buggy)
- Thrust (fighter jet) w/ Minicon Inferno (missile truck)
- Wheeljack (sportscar) w/ Minicon Wind Sheer (stealth fighter)
Maxcon (Mega)
- Predacon (Tyrannosaurus rex) w/ Minicons Skid-Z and Side Burn (sportscar)
- Skywarp (VTOL fighter jet) w/ Minicon Thunderclash (space fighter)
- Starscream (fighter jet) w/ Minicon Swindle (Indy racer)
- Thundercracker (fighter jet) w/ Minicon Zapmaster (Indy racer)
Gigacon (Ultra)
- Galvatron (tank) w/ Minicon Clench
- Megatron (tank) w/ Minicon Leader-1
- Tidal Wave (Dark Fleet w/ Minicon Ramjet (fighter jet)
Roleplay
Mini-Cons
The Mini-Cons were sold in carded three-packs at the Basic/Scout price point. Each team was defined by a particular gimmick or theme. Though only slightly larger than their closest precedent, the Micromasters, they featured greatly improved articulation, posability, complexity, and originality of design compared to the G1 line.
- Dune Runner (dune buggy)
- Iceberg (snowcat)
- Ransack (jeep)
Each features geared moving parts activated by rolling the vehicle or by attaching the figure to Cyclonus.
Combine to form the Dark Saber. Redeco of the Air Defense Mini-Con Team.
Combine to form the Star Saber.
- Gunbarrel (cargo jet)
- Terradive (recon jet)
- Thunderwing (stealth bomber)
Each features a weapon mode in addition to robot and vehicle.
Each features geared moving parts activated by rolling the vehicle or by attaching the figure to Cyclonus.
Each features a weapon mode in addition to robot and vehicle.
- Bonecrusher (missile transport)
- Knock Out (armored personnel carrier)
- Wreckage (tracked missile platform)
Each features launching missiles.
Redeco of the Land Military Team. Each features launching missiles.
Combine to form the Skyboom Shield.
Redeco of the Race Mini-Con Team. Combine to form the Skyboom Shield.
Redeco of the Destruction Team. Each features geared moving parts activated by rolling the vehicle or by attaching the figure to Cyclonus.
- Oceanglide (solar-powered boat)
- Stormcloud (speedboat)
- Waterlog (hovercraft)
Each features launching missiles.
- Astroscope (space station)
- Payload (rocket transporter)
- Sky Blast (rocket)
Combine to form the Requiem Blaster.
Combine to form the robot Perceptor.
Each features enhanced posability in robot mode.
Miscellaneous
Supercon (Deluxe)
Supreme
Trivia
According to Aaron Archer during his stint as ORSON, the Armada Autobots and Decepticons had intentionally different design aesthetics. The Autobots were designed to be symmetrical with clean lines and detailing, while the Decepticons had asymmetrical sculpts and details to invoke a more foreboding and battle-worn feel. A good example of this would be Hot Shot versus Cyclonus.
