Power Core Combiners
| This article is about the real-world toyline. For the in-fiction technology, see Power Core Combination. |
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,[1] 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,"[2] 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 roughly-Scout-class-sized Commander figure as well as a partner Mini-Con.
Commanders transform from a robot to vehicle mode, as well as a "power up" torso-mode that 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.
Mini-Cons have multiple configurations to enhance their larger partners. Each one transforms from a robot to "armor" that any Commander can use (though with limited usefulness on the 5-pack Commander molds due to placement of their Powerlinx plugs). They also have weapon modes; most have separate configurations for Commanders' robot and alternate modes, though a few only really have one that works on both.
Wave 1
- Huffer (semi cab) and Caliburst (cannon/rifle)
- Searchlight (rescue helicopter) and Backwind (winch/rifle)
- Smolder (fire department brush truck) and Chopster (flamethrower/axe)
Wave 2
- Icepick (arctic vehicle) and Chainclaw (missile launcher)
- Leadfoot (F1 racer) and Pinpoint (engine-cannon/rifle)
- Sledge (rockwheel trencher construction vehicle) and Throttler (drill)
Wave 3
- Windburn (rescue helicopter) and Darkray (cannon/rifle)
- Darkstream (stealth jet) and Razorbeam (cannon/axe)
- Steelshot (cannon truck) and Beacon (winch/rifle)
Wave 4
- Heavytread (tank) and Groundspike (claw/mine plow)
- Skyhammer (fighter jet) and Airlift (gun emplacement)
Future Waves
- Undertow (speedboat) and Waterlog (gun emplacement)
- Salvage (monster truck) and Bomb-Burst (missile launcher/hand-held launcher)
5-packs
Each 5-pack contains a Commander and four drone-units.
The Commanders have the same functionality as the 2-pack Commanders, only those designed originally for 5-packs have... less-than-useful Powerlinx plug locations, making dubious use of the 2-pack Mini-Cons' armor modes.
The drones each automatically transform into a super-robot limb when they are attached to the bright blue connector points on any Commander's "power up" mode, and snap back to drone-mode once removed. 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 also has Mini-Con Powerlinx hardpoints.
Wave 1
- Bombshock (cannon truck) with Combaticon drones
- Skyburst (stealth jet) with Aerialbots drones
Wave 2
- Double Clutch (sports car) with Rallybot drones
- Mudslinger (monster truck) with Destructicon drones
Wave 3
- Stakeout (fire response truck) with Protectobot drones
- Crankcase (semi cab) with Destron drones
Wave 4
- Steamhammer (bulldozer) with Constructicon drones
- Grimstone (Styracosaurus) with Dinobot drones
Future Waves
Exclusive value packs
- Skyburst with Aerialbots (Includes Skyburst, Searchlight, Backwind, and the Aerialbots)
References
- ↑ "...they basically exist on their own." October Hasbro Transformers Q&A Answers for Cybertron.ca
- ↑ Huffer's on-package bio
