Transformers: Energon (toyline): Difference between revisions

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Energon overview - may be too wordy - I tried to keep it objective, except for the 'catalog-style' introductory hyperbole :)
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==Overview==
Returning to their cartoon roots, the Autobots and Decepticons
wage war over Energon, a powerful energy resource, while the
specter of Unicron looms in the background. 
The Autobots, gifted with the Spark of Combination, can fuse
into Powerlinx combinations of two mighty warriors.  The
Decepticons, upgraded into new bodies by the power of Unicron,
can convert to stronger, deadlier hyper-modes.
The Mini-Cons of the previous Armada line still exist, but have
lost their prominence.  Taking their place as allies of the
two major factions are the energon-mining Omnicons, able to
shape raw energon into tools and weapons for the Autobots,
and the swarms of drone Terrorcons who fight alongside the
Decepticons.
==Toyline Overview==
There are Mini-Cons, and Basics, combination, articulation,
and clear Energon weapons with 5mm pegs that all but a few
figures can hold.  Nearly all alternate modes are futuristic
vehicles or robotic animals.  Robot modes are angular and
mechanical-looking. 
Energon was also a line of throwbacks.  As in the Beast era,
all new-mold figures have Spark Crystals to display their
allegiance.  Like Armada, most have at least a few
Mini-Con hardpoints.  Finally, homages to G1 are frequent
and obvious in the Energon toy designs.
Optimus Prime and Megatron once again lead the
factions, and continue their respective sides' emphases
on combination and hyper-mode augmentation.  Just how
they do this, of course, is better reserved for their
specific articles.
The Basic-sized Omnicons and Terrorcons come with clear
Energon weapons and 'Energon stars' that can be attached
over their Spark Crystals. Stars and weapons are red for
Omnicons and green for Terrorcons.  Transformations are
quite innovative and robot modes are well-articulated.
Deluxe and Mega Autobots, besides transforming from vehicle
to robot (and back!) can also become the top or bottom
half of a 'Powerlinx' combination robot.  While it was
not widely advertised, the two size classes can freely
inter-combine, with occasionally ludicrous results.  The
need to combine did compromise the articulation, stability,
and appearance of many Autobot figures.
Ultra Autobots each include transforming bases and can
combine with these for 'Brute Mode', as can Deluxe
Tow-Line.
Deluxe, Mega, and Ultra Decepticons are fitted with
'hyper modes'. These usually involve hidden weapons
which pop out when properly triggered, like the Armada
gimmicks, but unlike Armada in that Mini-Cons are not
needed.  Some of these modes are elaborate enough to
become genuine 'third modes', as in Shockblast and
Scorponok.
This line also saw the release of updated Scramble City-style
combiners, in which four Basic-sized limbs join a Deluxe core.
The Autobots had one such combiner; the decepticons two. 
Each had a unique core design and two unique limbs.  Each limb
was recolored once to make the necessary four.  The limb figures
all came with add-on weapons and Energon Stars, cast in blue
clear plastic, and these weapons formed the hands or feet of the
combined robot.
In general, this line's Decepticons maintained most of the
play value of Armada's hidden weapons.  While the Autobots lost
much of this, they gained the ability to combine.  Both sides'
articulation in robot mode improved over Armada.  Finally, the
standardized Energon weapons formed a sort of construction set
for creative play.  Energon was certainly an extensive and
varied line.
==Autobots==
==Autobots==


Revision as of 19:29, 13 March 2006

Overview

Returning to their cartoon roots, the Autobots and Decepticons wage war over Energon, a powerful energy resource, while the specter of Unicron looms in the background.

The Autobots, gifted with the Spark of Combination, can fuse into Powerlinx combinations of two mighty warriors. The Decepticons, upgraded into new bodies by the power of Unicron, can convert to stronger, deadlier hyper-modes.

The Mini-Cons of the previous Armada line still exist, but have lost their prominence. Taking their place as allies of the two major factions are the energon-mining Omnicons, able to shape raw energon into tools and weapons for the Autobots, and the swarms of drone Terrorcons who fight alongside the Decepticons.

Toyline Overview

There are Mini-Cons, and Basics, combination, articulation, and clear Energon weapons with 5mm pegs that all but a few figures can hold. Nearly all alternate modes are futuristic vehicles or robotic animals. Robot modes are angular and mechanical-looking.

Energon was also a line of throwbacks. As in the Beast era, all new-mold figures have Spark Crystals to display their allegiance. Like Armada, most have at least a few Mini-Con hardpoints. Finally, homages to G1 are frequent and obvious in the Energon toy designs.

Optimus Prime and Megatron once again lead the factions, and continue their respective sides' emphases on combination and hyper-mode augmentation. Just how they do this, of course, is better reserved for their specific articles.

The Basic-sized Omnicons and Terrorcons come with clear Energon weapons and 'Energon stars' that can be attached over their Spark Crystals. Stars and weapons are red for Omnicons and green for Terrorcons. Transformations are quite innovative and robot modes are well-articulated.

Deluxe and Mega Autobots, besides transforming from vehicle to robot (and back!) can also become the top or bottom half of a 'Powerlinx' combination robot. While it was not widely advertised, the two size classes can freely inter-combine, with occasionally ludicrous results. The need to combine did compromise the articulation, stability, and appearance of many Autobot figures.

Ultra Autobots each include transforming bases and can combine with these for 'Brute Mode', as can Deluxe Tow-Line.

Deluxe, Mega, and Ultra Decepticons are fitted with 'hyper modes'. These usually involve hidden weapons which pop out when properly triggered, like the Armada gimmicks, but unlike Armada in that Mini-Cons are not needed. Some of these modes are elaborate enough to become genuine 'third modes', as in Shockblast and Scorponok.

This line also saw the release of updated Scramble City-style combiners, in which four Basic-sized limbs join a Deluxe core. The Autobots had one such combiner; the decepticons two. Each had a unique core design and two unique limbs. Each limb was recolored once to make the necessary four. The limb figures all came with add-on weapons and Energon Stars, cast in blue clear plastic, and these weapons formed the hands or feet of the combined robot.

In general, this line's Decepticons maintained most of the play value of Armada's hidden weapons. While the Autobots lost much of this, they gained the ability to combine. Both sides' articulation in robot mode improved over Armada. Finally, the standardized Energon weapons formed a sort of construction set for creative play. Energon was certainly an extensive and varied line.

Autobots

Omnicons

Air Team

Supercons

Dinobot 2-Pack

SWAT Team 2-Pack - K-Mart exclusive

Maxcons

Gigacons

Leader

Supreme

Roleplay

Decepticons

Terrorcons

Construction Team

Destruction Team

Supercons

Maxcons

Gigacons

Leader

Minicons

Energon Saber Team

  • Scattorshot (Concorde)
  • Skyboom (space shuttle)
  • Wreckage (supersonic bomber)

Perceptor Team

Miscellaneous

Leader 2-Pack - Toys 'R' Us exclusive

Unicron

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