Transformers: Energon (toyline)

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Revision as of 02:18, 8 March 2008 by 164.67.226.92 (talk) (I'm pretty sure only the basics had the energon weapons, not the bigger toys)
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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.

File:Hotshotenergontoy.jpg
Energon Hot Shot, a Deluxe Autobot.

The Energon line is dominated by the concept of combination, which pops up in numerous forms. Virtually every smaller toy came with an "Energon weapon", a clear-colored assortment of accessories, which could peg into one another to form larger weapons. The Deluxe and Mega Autobots can combine with one another in pairs (top and bottom, a source of endless jokes in the fandom), while the Ultra class combines with a vehicular 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.

File:Energon Cruellock toy.jpg
Cruellock, a Terrorcon.

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. They filled the Basic/Scout price point left vacant by the Mini-Con 3-packs of Armada.

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.

Scorponok, one of the line's many G1 homages.

Energon began with a series of redecos of Armada toys, among them Tidal Wave, Treadbolt, and Ultra Magnus. These toys were meant as short-term filler till the main line toys were ready; hence they did not ship long and some -- particularly Ultra Magnus -- were difficult to find.

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.

Combine to form Superion Maximus.

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 accessories that form part of their vehicle modes; they can combine with these to form a 'Brute Mode'.

Supers

Supremes

Roleplay

Decepticons

Terrorcons

Construction Team
A loose homage to the original Constructicons.

Combine to form Constructicon Maximus.

Destruction Team
A loose homage to the original Combaticons.

Combine to form Bruticus Maximus.

Deluxes

Megas

Ultras

Leaders

Role Play

Mini-Cons

Energon Saber

Perceptor

Miscellaneous

Leader 2-Pack - Toys 'R' Us exclusive

Unicron

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