I don't think that they do have to be. The original G1 ones were, so I think Platypus Prime (*puts on fedora "PERRY the Platypus Prime?!") was hoping that these wouldn't follow suite.
Transformers: Age of the Primes Thread: ll First Post All Listings II Update : April 12th, 2027 Bonus Wave: Repaint fun, Beast Wars, G2, Machine Wars
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I don't think that they do have to be. The original G1 ones were, so I think Platypus Prime (*puts on fedora "PERRY the Platypus Prime?!") was hoping that these wouldn't follow suite.
Well, the problem is that I only want it for its combine mode. The rest of it is just kind of meh. So a $90 miniature version of what I want is a tough sell for me.
No rubbery shells, probably no GPS either, what's even the point? It's just not Monstructor if it doesn't destroy itself in multiple ways.
I figure it would be a lot easier to have solid shells with pegs for the back panels to slide into.
So $90 for a small Combiner, when Legacy Menasor's box set was like $280 when it came out? About 3 times the cost for a what would be the non-miniature version of what you're wanting?
No worries, I will just get some of my POTP Powermaster jets, and leave their fins resting against the plastic. That should cause some damage very easily without compromising the hypothetical material of the new shells themselves.
But seriously, I don't expect super-posable shells, if they even HAVE joints at all. I have the Pretender Megatron/Grand Maximus shell, and using it as a baseline, I think modern Pretender Monster shells could be made in 2 to 4 parts each and work just fine. I think the more 'modern' Oilmaster/Priime shell (which looks to be made of about seven parts I can see) would be a bit too much for these. As it is, the inner robots will be vast improvements on the originals in nearly every way, I just want the shells so Monstructor can be surrounded by his familiars or to distinguish the Pretender Monsters from the Dinoforce.
But seriously, I don't expect super-posable shells, if they even HAVE joints at all. I have the Pretender Megatron/Grand Maximus shell, and using it as a baseline, I think modern Pretender Monster shells could be made in 2 to 4 parts each and work just fine. I think the more 'modern' Oilmaster/Priime shell (which looks to be made of about seven parts I can see) would be a bit too much for these. As it is, the inner robots will be vast improvements on the originals in nearly every way, I just want the shells so Monstructor can be surrounded by his familiars or to distinguish the Pretender Monsters from the Dinoforce.
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Now you have me thinking of the shells more as the robots' warlock patrons. They are somewhat demonic looking...
I always sort of imagined the Pretender Monsters outer shells as acting like normal if strange looking suits, but when Monstructor forms, they start taking on a 'life of their own', like something is possessing them. Probably just echos of their individual components but still disturbing for someone looking on as this combiner goes into battle, followed by these shuffling/flapping/drooling/oozing THINGS that loyally follow in his wake.
Maybe they joined forces to overcome the control of their shells, and the combined, chaotic mental force of Monstructor's mind overwhelms the shells, turning them into minions...okay, this is going places.
The analogy I came up with last night is the original alt modes are vague NES monster sprites. The alt modes in this set are inaccurate Nintendo of America manual drawings. They're not what was intended, but there's a clueless sincerity to the art that's endearing today.
Well, Menasor was five bots that I like in all three modes, and they display nicely against other figures. Monstructor's not going to be able to stand next to Grimlock without looking silly.
Continuing the analogy, the manual describes them as serious soldiers of the Decepticon army that somehow have been an unstoppable force to everyone they've met so far, but they're level 1 monsters that die in one hit.
They're not supposed to be big.
They're not supposed to be big.
Which tracks, because the American story/manual lore often had little to nothing to do with the original Japanese version.
Monstructor was actually a recolored figure from a non-Transformers toyline called “Doki Doki Panic.” It was imported over concerns that the Japanese release was too difficult.
No, that's Mario Bros. 2. Monstructor is about a bounty hunter fighting space pirates and headcrabs on an alien world. (Spoiler: the hunter's a lady!)
Egads there's a lot to react to.
RE DragonTail's fanfics. Love that guy's stuff, and I miss seeing his posts on Livejournal. Very glad his stuff is available on Ao3, and I hope that he's doing okay.
RE Nonnef Productions. Love their stuff as well, and I've been a happy customer of theirs for years. I can't wait to see what they do with the Pretender shells for the Monstructor Six...but I really wish they would give us those Targetmasters they were talking about a while ago.
RE DragonTail's fanfics. Love that guy's stuff, and I miss seeing his posts on Livejournal. Very glad his stuff is available on Ao3, and I hope that he's doing okay.
RE Nonnef Productions. Love their stuff as well, and I've been a happy customer of theirs for years. I can't wait to see what they do with the Pretender shells for the Monstructor Six...but I really wish they would give us those Targetmasters they were talking about a while ago.
New 2026 Listings & Details – Megazarak, Autobot Pack & More
Thanks to TFW's Jtprime17 we now have some new 2026 listings and details. Check them out below and then let us know if you're interested in the discussion thread! "TRA GEN PRIME LDR Megazarak (seemingly replacing armada Megatron reissue) TRA GEN SELECTS MULTI PACK- Ironhide, Bluestreak & Mirage...
news.tfw2005.com
Jtprime17 has some leaks.
TRA GEN PRIME LDR Megazarak-
seemingly replacing Legacy Armada Megatron reissue
TRA GEN SELECTS MULTI PACK-
Ironhide, Bluestreak, and Mirage
Energon capsule-
TRA AOTP DARK ENERGON MEGATRON (TRA GEN AOTP ENERGON 4)-
Siege Miner Megatron reuse in black and purple
TRA AOTP ENERGON OPTIMUS PRIME (TRA GEN AOTP ENERGON 3)-
Siege Optimus Prime reuse in blue
TRA AOTP DLX ENERGON CYBERTRONIC (TRA GEN AOTP ENERGON 2) –
Siege Sixgun Retool
TRA AOTP DLX ENERGON CYBERTREAD (TRA GEN AOTP ENERGON 1)-
Siege Slammer Retool
I'm very happy with how Monstructor looks, I never owned the full team of the originals missing Wildfly and Birdbrain, and missing an arm is one thing but the lower torso is kinda important. I do hope now that we're getting them in a few years we can get them in a standard combiner team size.
And I hope Hasbro can release the arms and feet for the Dinobots at some point, they look incomplete now without them.
And I hope Hasbro can release the arms and feet for the Dinobots at some point, they look incomplete now without them.
I don't know about the multipack, I need to see if my nephew has a Mirage. I know he has a Bluestreak, because both mine and his broke but in different ways, so we took them apart and rebuilt a good one, and a 'dead' one for possible picture fun.
One thing, Nonnef is a great shop and I fully support them (I have a LOT of their parts), but do keep in mind we may have to be patient, as he IS a small outfit. So I wouldn't be looking for stuff in the first few weeks after Monstructor is released. Even if he starts with the Dinoforce, there are enough mold changes that shell concepts will have to be tweaked quite a bit before any production attempt. I'm willing to wait, though, if it gets me something I know I will probably not see again in this era.
One thing, Nonnef is a great shop and I fully support them (I have a LOT of their parts), but do keep in mind we may have to be patient, as he IS a small outfit. So I wouldn't be looking for stuff in the first few weeks after Monstructor is released. Even if he starts with the Dinoforce, there are enough mold changes that shell concepts will have to be tweaked quite a bit before any production attempt. I'm willing to wait, though, if it gets me something I know I will probably not see again in this era.