Partformer
A partformer (also part-former or partsformer or parts-former, also sometimes Lego-former) is a fandom term for a Transformer toy that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a Transformer when any kibble can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere. Partforming is usually distinguished from simple removable accessories by the question of whether the removed part is integral to the body; having to pop off the gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not.
By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The Beast Era in particular used this practice as a way to avoid kibble, usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips. Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body. In particular, this is more the rule than the exception with fanmade "upgrade sets", which often involve adding new parts to the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering. This also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as super mode upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway.
Notable examples
Individual figures
- Generation 1 Omega Supreme is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
- All Generation 1 Seeker molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different alignment.
- Aside from the Seekers, G1 Optimus Prime is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool Ultra Magnus adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece.
- Generation 1 Scamper requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached into the robot mode as arms.
- Godbomber disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
- Robots in Disguise Ultra Magnus's trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
- Robots in Disguise Hightower's crane cab must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
Toylines and subseries
- The vast majority of Generation 1 Headmaster figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the Titan Masters, the CHUG equivalent of the Headmasters.
- Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most LEGO-esque construction block toylines that have featured Transformers:
- Built to Rule, Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is vaguely transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
- Nanoblock 's Choro-Q rendition of Convoy and Bumblebee require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger Diablock Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
- Kre-O predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end Battle Changers subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the Micro-Changers can also be converted with only minor amounts of partsforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
- The War for Cybertron: Siege Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into a set of weapons.
See also
- Kibble, especially the original definition of the term.
