Transformers: Energon (toyline): Difference between revisions

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Near-total re-write. Still needs some pics of, y'know, the actual toys.
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Revision as of 01:22, 29 December 2007
Unicron Trilogy continuity family
« Energon »

Following up on the highly successful Armada, the Energon toyline carried over a number of characters in new forms, and added many newcomers as well.

The Energon line is dominated by the concept of combination, which pops up in numerous forms. Virtually every larger toy came with an "Energon weapon", a clear-colored assortment of accessories, which could peg into one another to form larger weapons. Most of the Autobots could either combine with one another in pairs, or combine with an accessory to form a larger "brute" mode. The line's first Mini-Cons were two teams that could combine. And three combiner teams in the spirit of the Scramble City gestalts dominated the line's later waves.

The Energon weapons formed another of the line's main concepts, as the battle for control of Energon dominated the cartoon storyline. The clear Energon weapons feature standardized 5mm pegs that all but a few figures can hold, and the weapons could be pegged together in almost infinite combinations.

A third concept was the Hyper-mode of the Decepticons, basically a series of flip- or fold-out weapons that could be deployed without the addition of Mini-Cons.

The line introduced two new ostensible factions, the Omnicons and Terrorcons, though in practice these were more subgroups of the Autobots and Decepticons, respectively.

File:Energoncartoy.jpg
Some Energon toys

Nearly all alternate modes are futuristic vehicles or robotic animals. Robot modes are angular and mechanical-looking, continuing the G1-esque look started by Armada but refining it. Articulation rose almost to pre-Armada levels, and the complexity required by some of the combining gimmicks brought forth ingenious and complex designs, though sometimes at the expense of the overall appearance of the toy.

Energon was saturated with frequent and obvious G1 references and homages. As in the Beast era, all new-mold figures have Spark Crystals to display their allegiance. As in Armada, most have at least a few Mini-Con hardpoints. Two Mini-Con teams were part of the line, with Hasbro stating that the runaway success of the Mini-Cons in Armada caught them by surprise, and that more would be forthcoming in future lines.

Autobots

Omnicons The Basic-sized Omnicons and Terrorcons come with clear Energon weapons and 'Energon stars' or 'Energon cells' that can be attached over their Spark Crystals. Stars and weapons are red and pink for Omnicons and green and yellow for Terrorcons.

Air Team The Air Team is one of three 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.

Deluxes Deluxe and Mega Autobots, besides transforming from vehicle to robot, 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.

SWAT Team 2-Pack - K-Mart exclusive

Megas

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

Supers

Supremes

Roleplay

Decepticons

Terrorcons

Construction Team

Destruction Team

Deluxes

Megas

Ultras

Leaders

Role Play

Mini-Cons

Energon Saber

Perceptor

Miscellaneous

Leader 2-Pack - Toys 'R' Us exclusive

Unicron

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