BIOS- Shockwave

"Clarity of thought before rashness of action."

Function: Military Ops. Commander

An awesome warrior. Plots the destruction of the Autobots with the same cold, computer-like efficiency as in planning the overthrow of his Decepticon leader, Megatron. Believes that only one as logical as himself can lead the Decepticons to victory. Left arm shoots a wide range of electromagnetic armaments from explosive gamma rays to super-hot infrared particle beams. Paired with Fistfight, a loathsome terror droid who enjoys dissecting late model cars when he's not in his long range, laser-sighted, lightning rifle mode.

Strength: 10 Intelligence: 10 Speed: 7 Endurance: 7
Rank: 9 Courage: 9 Firepower: 9 Skill: 9

Decepticon Slicer (Shattered Glass/Deluxe Class)

Since we've talked about Exo-Suit earlier, it seems like a good time to talk about Slicer, the toy it came with. Slicer is an update of a European exclusive Action Master figure that has enjoyed a solid fan following. Slicer also serves as two characters, like the BotCon 2010 version, this toy can either be Slicer OR Shattered Glass Wheeljack. The latter's look was based on Slicer, which would be why this toy comes in the Shattered Glass packaging. The toy can represent whichever you prefer. For simplicity sake, I'll be referring to him a Slicer though.

The way fiction will repurpose toys into two different characters can be confusing, so I'll try to keep this simple. I don't have an original Slicer, but do have the BotCon 2010 one mentioned above. I like how this update homages it with the dual red guns. The 2010 toy had them as a holdover from it's origins from the Energon Downshift toy mold. Making it the one Slicer not made from a Wheeljack toy, technically. 

This is a great toy. Using the Earthrise Wheeljack mold as a base, Slicer is a straight repaint improving an excellently designed toy with vibrant colors. Sometimes all you need is a fresh coat of paint. Slicer is well articulated and transforms into his race car alt mode fairly easily. For weapons he has the two red guns I spoke of earlier. They can be mounted to his vehicle mode thanks to some hinges. Slicer also has Wheeljack's rocket launcher. That can be held as a gun or mounted on his shoulder in classic Transformers style. You can add Exo-Suit to Slicer (or any other similar gimmick toy) in a variety of ways as weapons or armor. Get creative! For purposes of this post, I tried to mimic the 'official' armor mode (with some liberties). I'm currently on one of my off and on Spiral Zone kicks and found it similar. Though I hate using the work kick in that way. Ugh.

Slicer with Exo-Suit is an awesome set of toys. The variety of ways they can be used is really neat and their bright colors really pop. Exo-Suit is fun to work into a variety of uses while Slicer is a good old fashioned Transformer (they've been around 40 years for a reason). This was one of the gifts my wife gave me for Christmas and a really awesome one at that. For fans of the Shattered Glass universe, it's a new toy in a series that gets updates at random intervals. This is probably a set of toys a more hardcore fan would appreciate for the character and the history, but a casual fan would find just as much fun with the neatness of the toys. I wish more Weaponizer type figures came packaged with regular figures like this.Just seems natural.

Exo-Suit (Shattered Glass/Deluxe Class)

Exo-Suit is a unique toy. Coming in a 2-Pack with Slicer (I'll get to him soon), Exo-Suit is an update of an Action Master vehicle as a Weaponizer. Using the Weaponizer gimmick means Exo-Suit can somewhat become an Exo-Suit for Slicer. It's vehicle mode doesn't really look like the original's... but it's still neat. As I understand, you can technically create a ride-able buggy for Slicer with this toy... but I didn't try it myself. The toy itself is a repaint of Black Roritchi (don't look at me, I didn't name it), which is a repaint and remold of Fasttrack. This toy has a lot of upfront explanation, but it's still a good regardless. I don't know if Exo-Suit is meant to be a drone or an individual character. Until some sort of characterization is given, I'm taking it as a drone. 

Exo-Suit is a very pretty toy in it's colors. A mixture of pink and red with some gray and black creates a very interesting robot mode. I like it!  My wife said it was a Valentines Day robot, and that works! (The set was a Christmas present from her) A lot of folks would call the deco G2, but it's really the colors the original toy had. Which was G1. The tail end of G1 in Europe (where Slicer hailed from) was converted into G2, so there's a lot of bleeding of one idea into another. The colors were really just a sign of the times. Exo-Suit is a Weaponizer as I said above. Meaning it can be pulled apart and made into armor or weapons for other Transformers figures. Even neater, the parts can be combined with other Weaponizers or similar gimmick figures to create something really unique. The gimmick is very similar to Mugenbine, which is ironic as Exo-Suit gives me strong Machine Robo vibes.

Exo-Suit is a cool toy. The Weaponizer gimmick is fun and works well with this figure. I can see some complaining about the parts forming needed to make the toy work and that'd be a fair complaint. Others like myself don't mind it, so it's really up to personal preferences. I REALLY like the colors. It gives Exo-Suit a distinct look and well... they're cool! There's two pistols that can be attached in other places and a neat little sword included. The little sword is very similar to the ones that would come with older Transformers. It's a neat little bit of flair. Vehicle mode is fun and makes me think of video games. For a figure that's basically a fancy accessory for Slicer, it's pretty great. Speaking of Slicer, we'll be looking at him in a few days.

Bios: Turbo Master

"To control the sky is to control the ground!"

Function: Aerial Marauder

Turbo Master lives by the philosophy that supreme domination is only achieved by gaining absolute control of the sky. Stops at nothing to vanquish an enemy force. Enjoys field-testing new laser weapons on Autobot vacation resorts. Upsets his fellow Decepticons when he tests his hovering capabilities while they're playing cyber poker. Likes to handle dangerous missions alone. His battle tactic is to strike the enemy hard and fast, sparing no one. A heartless Decepticon who is never satisfied with victory. Always strives for complete and utter defeat of his adversary. Converts into an overpowering, dual propeller vertical take-off plane.

Strength: 9 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 6 Endurance: 9

Rank: 8 Courage: 10 Firepower: 5 Skill: 7

Bios: Double Punch

"Double the power means double the destruction!"

Function: Desert Vanguard

Forged out of the most hardened metallic substance in Cybertron's remote desert region. Combats computer-driven units in sandstorms with tempratures exceeding 150 Fahrenheit. Has a ferocious temper thats causes him to react violently at anything that crosses his path. Usually aligns with both sides in an argument just to advance his own position in Decepticon ranks. Cunning and cynical, Double Punch can convert into a fearsome, dual clawed robotic scorpion to perform his most diabolial schemes.

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 7 Speed: 7 Endurance: 6

Rank: 6 Courage: 9 Firepower: 8 Skill: 9

Bios: Windmill

"Nothing is immune from my radar systems! Nothing!"

Function: Air Defense

A specialist in air defense technology. Designed and implemented the Autobots' home base radar system. Advanced kinetic intelligence and cyber-optic perception modem implants enables him to track enemy attack forces anywhere in the galaxy. Feels a special dislike toward Decepticons for obliterating his defense laboratory on Cybertron. Enjoys the challenge of revamping discarded metallic substances to create new forms of laser weaponry. Able to convert into a high-impact, counter strike helicopter.

Strength: 8 Intelligence: 9 Speed: 8 Endurance: 6

Rank: 7 Courage: 10 Firepower: 7 Skill: 9

Toylanta Week is here!

It's not just the beginning of a new week here on Planet Zone, but the start of Toylanta week here on Planet Zone! That right, the great toy show is here and I'm hella excited. This week will be a little different. I'll be updating all weekend after each day at the show. Just to give me a little break before the show, we're going to have an all bios week. Since it's such a special con week, we'll focus on some special toys. 

Transformers Action Masters Elites were a set of Action Masters that transformed unlike the rest of their ilk. Toylanta gives us a chance to really appreciate the more special side of our hobbies. So I don't see a better time to appreciate a special little set of toys. Check back each day leading up to the great toy show and my ongoing reports. Thank you for continuing to read Zone Base and please share with your friends!

Bios: Omega Spreem

"Grinding Decepticons through my treads is my only objective!"

Function: Defense Base

There is no stopping him from taking on the Decepticons most ruthless forces. Displays no fear or caution when excited to the point of armed combat. Gets his kicks when he slams his treads into high gear to attack unsuspecting Decepticons. Often refers to his Decepticon counter parts as the lowest form of cybernetic existence. Skilled in the art of synthetic metallurgy, manipulating pre-solidified steel and titanium alloy into photon laser weaponry. Always seen cleaning out his neutronic laser barrels in case of attack. Can change into a devastating laser tank with rotating cannon unit.

Strength: 9 Intelligence: 6 Speed: 5 Endurance: 7

Rank: 8 Courage: 10 Firepower: 6 Skill: 8

Bios: Krok

"The road to conquest is best traveled one step at a time."

Function: Foot Soldier

Gets his kicks from kicking! One blow from his automatic-powered foot can send an Autobot into orbit. Centuries of playing all-star mecha-soccer on Cybertron has made him the terror that he is today. By taking a single-stomping step, he can create a mini earthquake with a scaled reading of at least 7.0. His faithful partner, Gatoraider, uses his vise-like jaws to crush any unfortunate being caught in the aftershocks. Converts to powerful concussion cannon.

Strength: 9 Intelligence: 6 Speed: 2 Endurance: 10 Rank: 5 Courage: 7 Firepower: 6 Skill: 8

Bios: Kick-Off

"Draw courage from defeat and you gain more than you lose."

Function: Security Expert

Trained as a gladiator in the grease pits of Polyhex while a Decepticon captive on Cybertron. A specialist in hand-to-hand combat who is without equal. Overheats in anticipation of using his skills on those who once imprisioned him. 'I want to show them what a good student I was,' he says vengefully. His Turbo-Pack can do 450mph while attached to Kick-Off. It also converts to an air-cooled, solar-powered flamethrower with pinpoint accuracy and heat beam attachment.

Strength:9 Intelligence:6 Speed:2 Endurance:9 Rank:6 Courage:9 Firepower:6 Skill:7

Bios: Rad

"Think before you shoot, but shoot before you're shot!"

Function: Aerospace Engineer

With more moves than an all-pro halfback, this clever, cool-headed daredevil is equally adept at combating Decepticons or calculating the coefficient of friction for a rocket booster. Paired with Lionizer, a roaring raging bundle of overheated circuits who can change into an atom-smashing blaster at the drop of a microchip... unless Rad can cool his engines first.

Strength:6 Intelligence:9 Speed:2 Endurance:8 Rank:6 Courage:9 Firepower:7 Skill:9

Bios: Sprocket

 

"Know your enemy and victory is yours!"

Function: Surface Surveillance

Sprocket is programmed to take fast, forceful action and no prisoners. This fierce warrior doesn't withdraw from a battlefield until he's covered it with the smoking wreckage of Decepticons. He drives a rebuilt, all-terrain Attack Cruiser which has the standard supply of two photon rifles, metal-immobilizing magnetic rockets, and bumper energy shields. The Attack Cruiser converts into a vector-thrust hover copter, armed with front-mounted plasma-pulse machine guns.

Strength:9 Intelligence:7 Speed:8 Endurance:6 Rank:6 Courage:9 Firepower:9 Skill:8

Bios: Over-Run

 

"I rule the skies with a heavy hand!"

 Function: Air-Defense

Over-Run takes orders from no one but himself. He pilots an advanced model Attack Copter, which has a maximum speed of 340mph, a flying range of 1200 miles, and is armed with air-to-ground magnetic missiles and a rotary photon pulse button. Also converts to a double-barreled concussion cannon emplacement.

Strength:6 Intelligence:8 Speed:5 Endurance:7 Rank:7 Courage:10 Firepower:8 Skill:8

Bios: Gutcruncher

"Conquest of the Autobots begins with control of the sky!"

Function: Air-to-Ground Support

Gutcruncher shares the Decepticon's dream of total defeat of the Autobots, but for his own reasons. He has a contract with Megatron to trade their remains to the Junkions and other interplanetary spare parts dealers for vast quantities of energon cubes. This cold, calculating capitalist views all opponents as potential profit. He pilots the space-faring Stratotronic Jet, which has a maximum speed of 40,000 mph and is armed with fusion bombs, two cruise missiles, particle beam, infrared laser guns and more. It converts into a devastating battle station with missile launcher and fusion blaster connon. Also includes pilotless surveillance drone and one-man battle tank.

Power Plans: Devastator

Centrifical Capacitor: Bullshit, that's just his helmet.

Inductive Proximity Switch: The use for one of these switches is for detecting metal. Which is kind of pointless since all the Transformers are made of metal as is. Then again, Devastator isn't know for critical thinking.

Mental Image Intensifier: That's a nice was of saying Devastator thinks wearing this makes him look cool. If you look good, you feel good.

Energy Storage Reactor: This is a nice way of saying Devastator's power source. Near this should be the Relay Microprocessor and Sub-Elector Cooling... but no.

Wide Scope Processor: I know it may look like his tummy, but it's actually... it's just his tummy. He had beans.

Relay Microprocessor: This is an important part of most electrical systems, so of course it's on his ankle. Because Decepticons.

Sub-Electro Cooling: This keeps Devestator from overheating. If you ever wonder why the Decepticons usually lose, it's because they put things like this in the knee of a giant robot.

Les Nouveaux Exosuits

 That jingle so is pleasant that I'd like to think those Action Masters are out for a Sunday drive instead of fighting a war.

Bios: Mainframe

Function: Systems Analyst

"A program is only as good as its programmer."

A walking, talking computer terminal. Would rather attack fourth order differential equations than Decepticons. Totally committed to his work. Views the galactic conflict as an inconvenience he must tolerate rather than a struggle in which he must participate. Is often compelled to flex his intellectual muscle, when needed. Equipped with 200,000 mega-byte capacity. His pugnacious partner, Push-Button, prefers converting to self-propelled proton rifle mode and disintegrating Decepticons over his assigned task of debugging Mainframe's various programs.

Bios- Treadshot

A gun is only as good as the one who holds it!

When someone needs shooting, he's the one the Decepticons call to pull the trigger! Treadshot can outdraw and outshoot any robot this side of the galaxy. And his partner Catgut, is more than a willing weapon. This snarling, ferocious, 4-legged beast eagerly turns into a powerful, fusion-powered particle blaster with pulse demagnetizer attachment. Like Treadshot, Catgut gets a blast out of his job.

Bios- Inferno

Where there's smoke, there's me.

'The hotter things get, the better I like it!' is Inferno's motto, and he's not just talking about fires. Would rather fight Decepticons than fires, but his strength and ceramic-plated armored skin, able to withstand temperatures as high as 14,000 degrees Fahrenheit, make him ideally suited for his job. His Hydro-Pack converts to a high-pressure cannon that can shoot any liquid substance from water to corrosive acid.

Bios- Rad

Think before you shoot, but shoot before you're shot!

With more moves than an all-pro halfback, this clever, cool-headed daredevil is equally adept at combating Decepticons or calculating the coefficient of friction for a rocket booster. Paired with Lionizer, a roaring raging bundle of overheated circuits who can change into an atom-smashing blaster at the drop of a microchip... unless Rad can cool his engines first.