Bios: Prowl

This powerful Autobot enforcer is cool under pressure, but hot on the tail of the Predacons!

Firelance Missile:
- Warhead is specifically tuned to track down Predacon energy signatures.
- Even a near miss can short out flight systems, causing Predacons to crash to the ground.
- Allows Prowl to also fire a short-range burst of fire from his grille.

Strength: 7 Intelligence: 9 Speed: 8 Endurance: 7

Rank: 8 Courage: 10 Fireblast: 6 Skill: 9

 

*Prowl's bio was included with Chapter 10 of Tales of the Beast Hunters*

Beast Lord Dino Robot

Dino Robot is a set I've been tracking down for a few years now. Thanks to Shawn's tip, I found a set at my local Rose's. A store I often forget exists. As you can tell by looking at the pictures Dino Robot is a knock off of Go! Goradora/Beast Hunters Abominus/TF5 Infernocus. Specifically it's a K.O of Goradora as those are the closest in colors it comes to. The individual combiner members are sized up a little being closer to Core Class scale than the Legion/Legend scale the originals were. I'm a fan of both size classes (as you probably know by now), but having more Core Class bad guys is definitely a good thing. I have both versions of Abominus, Infernocus, and multiple (but not all) of the individual uses of these molds... but no Goradora. So Dino Robot is a good substitution for the Goradora I don't have. However, I'll be refereeing to the set at Dino Robot the rest of this post because I kinda love that name. It's a discount store bootleg robot toy... it damn well better have a name like Dino Robot.

Speaking about names... these guys man. Each member's name is their alt mode, or what the shady company that made the set thought their alt mode was. Jurara is named Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is a stretch. However the original mold has been used for Grimlock a few times, so I guess it works. Barara is named Pterosaurs. Which I guess works, even though he's more of a take on Firebird from the Hanna-Barbera Godzilla cartoon. He's supposed to be a dragon of sorts, but now you can't unsee it either. Burara is Monster... which fits. Lastly both Dorara and Garara are named Double Dragon. Which is awesome. However as they both are named Double Dragon... I guess one is the NES port. These are not complete 1 for 1 matches to the originals as the colors are not exact. Dino Robot is closer to this team than the others, however.

This is a pretty good set for some knock off toys. For Twelve dollars and ninety nine cents I got what the box advertised as an 8 piece set. The Five In One Dino Robot and three weapons. Yeah... they counted the weapons as pieces to advertise on the box. The figures are larger than their original use as I said above, but don't look too bad. Considering the age of the original toys and multiple uses they look pretty sharp. Of course I don't know when this mold set was made off the original toys or if it's just a  stolen CAD file as the box art is CGI models. There is some loose joints here and there, but for the most part the figures are decently sturdy enough. Pterosaurs is probably the worst of the batch when it comes to that. Those three weapons... the group does have a problem holding them correctly and they don't connect together well either. So I just kinda had to make them work where they could.

I was pleased with how stable they were combined together. When it comes to these sets the combination is either sorta ok or a complete shit show. These guys were pretty high in the sorta ok end of things. Everything actually worked pretty well, but the legs could have been a lot better. Admittedly the original toy's legs were never so great either. This was during an era of Transformers where there was obvious sandbagging when the creatives didn't want to do something the higher ups commanded. You'd think HBK was loosing the match with those legs. Honestly, the arms are a little half assed too design wise, but considering it's supposed to be a monstrous robot... it works. Just the legs could have benefited from a little more effort. To be fair they were small toys sold at a pretty low price.

I am pretty happy with Dino Robot as is, not only does he make a good stand in for Goradora but at that bigger size makes for a great villain for the upcoming Core Class Volcanicus to fight. It's been a while since I've bought a discount store robot and that's an itch I've been needing to scratch that Dino Robot fulfilled. Despite some hit or miss points in the toy, it is a satisfying experience. For twelve dollars and ninety nine cents you're not getting a lot these days, hardly even lunch at a fast food place. So a somewhat decent robot toy set that didn't crumble in my hands (it has happened before) that definitely has a purpose... yeah. Dino Robot's ok.

Shattering Prime's Glass

 

Sticking with the concepts that never became a reality subject, Hayato Sakamoto also pitched a pretty simple, fun idea around the same time as Bravemasters. Transformers Prime: Shattered Glass was exactly what it sounded like, a Shattered Glass version of Transformers Prime. It makes perfect sense for an exclusive to E-Hobby line as the Prime toys were winding down around this time. Prime itself was a very popular series.

Providing Prime fans another outlet was a no brainer, not to mention, Shattered Glass itself has been pretty popular. So much that it's found it's influenced other properties. Personally, I really liked the Prime toys and would have enjoyed the new decos on the toys. While the concept of a mirror universe is fun, the cool colors have been my favorite part of Shattered Glass. Seeing that idea on Prime toys would have been pretty great.

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 24: Prowl

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 24

The moment Megatron fires the first blast, Prowl has his tactical subroutines run an analysis, but it's not until he sees the Predacons surging into the sky to attack the Decepticon leader that he really understands what's happening. Even Megatron fears the consequences should Predaking learn that the other beasts are still alive. So he's taking the most direct route, hoping to destroy the Predacons before their existence ever becomes a problem. Bumblebee converts to robot mode and moves to charge towards the action, but Prowl stops him. Why commit themselves to a battle when they can sit back and watch Megatron and the Predacons tear each other apart?

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 23: Night Shadow Bumblebee

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 23

After the injuries he suffered in the raid on the derelict starship, Bumblebee understands why Autobot Ratchet has him on light duty. That doesn't make patrol alongside Prowl any less frustrating. He feels fine! So why can't he be out with the rest of his team kicking Predacon tail? With Predaking defeated, the Autobots are free to chase down the rest of the beasts, and hopefully neutralize them before their leader even realizes they're alive. And yet here Bumblebee is, driving down remote backcountry roads alongside Prowl, who wouldn't know action if it raced up and dented his fender. Just as Bumblebee decides he's in for the most boring mission ever, there is a crack like thunder from the sky. Then Megatron streaks down out of the stratosphere, his cannon firing a pulse of energy that blasts the top off a nearby mountain.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 22: Sharkticon Megatron

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 22

Trapped in a tangle of ancient wreckage, his comm unit so damaged that he can monitor what is happening on Earth but cannot transmit, Megatron seethes with rage. He gropes around in the pitch black silence of the ancient wreck, but he feels nothing but rubble. Until suddenly, his hand happens upon something new. It is the grip of a weapon - unclaimed by the Autobot raid - one that is familiar, though he never thought he would hold it again. He feels memories stir deep within his data banks, and remembers a time long ago on a world consumed by savage hunger. His damaged systems surge to life. The jagged metal pinning him shifts, then twists and warps, bonding itself with his body, repairing damage, but also changing him. His nightvision systems restored, he looks down at the weapon in his hand. It is an object of incredible power - enough, perhaps, to bring the Predacons under control, and do away with the Autobots for good.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 21: Vertebreak

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 21

Vertebreak can't sense much from the murky interior of the Hyperevolution Chamber in which he waits, half-awake, to be reborn. But he knows that he is being moved. The steady flow of information into his mind from the data connections installed by Shockwave ceases first, and then there is a sensation as the chamber is lifted. He cares little for any of this. All he wants is to be free of the little chamber - to be free to hunt, to fight, and to destroy. He longs to feel the rush of battle. Luckily, he doesn't have long to wait. After a short time in darkness, the chamber opens and Vertebreak smells the familiar air of Cybertron.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 20: Knock Out

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 20

With Megatron missing, Predaking running wild, and the other Predacons wreaking havoc all over Earth, Knock Out begins to think it might be high time to vacate the planet in favor of somewhere less occupied by dragons. Lucky for him, Shockwave seems to have the same idea. The Decepticon scientist comes to Knock Out looking for his expert help in packing up what remains of the destroyed cloning lab - including the final two Hyperevolution Chambers. Knock Out isn't entirely certain it's wise to be bringing cargo this dangerous with them - but he doesn't really care as long as Shockwave pays for his help by getting him off the planet.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 19: Arcee

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 19

Arcee has been watching the pattern of attacks on her fellow Autobots with great interest. They are savage and devastating, yes, but they are also random. What's more, the Decepticons have been no where to be seen. Her tactical processors tell her that the Decepticon forces are in chaos - and just as concerned about the Predacon threat as the Autobots are. That's why, when she finds herself tracking Ripclaw to a hidden cave deep in the Canadian Rockies, she transmits the location directly to the Decepticons. Why should the Autobots risk themselves against the Predacons when the Decepticons are probably more than willing to do it for them!

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 18: Beast Fire Predaking

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 18

Even as his blasters spew nova-hot flame across the quickly melting walls of the ancient starship, Predaking scans the cargo hold for signs of the powerful weapons the Autobots have come to find. So focused is he on holding off Optimus Prime and accomplishing his goal that he does not see the skulking form of Lazerback, flitting from shadow to shadow. No one does, in fact, and even as battle rages, the Predacon saboteur manages to plant enough explosives to utterly annihilate the derelict ship. When the charges detonate, all of the combatants are caught off guard. Predaking watches as his Autobot opponents escape with a precious few of the weapon crates in their possession. Only when he turns o make his on escape from the disintegrating starship does he see Megatron, surrounded by fire, plunge helplessly through the damaged floor, followed by hundreds of tons of debris.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 17: Beast Hunter Optimus Prime

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 17

With Ultra Magnus the latest casualty of the Predacon assault, Optimus Prime decides that enough is enough. Whether the new weaponry discovered by Bumblebee is ready or not, the Predacons must be stopped. Donning the heavy Firebreath Cyclocannons, Optimus Prime steps outside into the hot desert air, determined to find Predaking and bring him down one way or another. He doesn't have far to look. The Predacon leader has come looking for him, armed to the teeth and ready to destroy every last Autobot. That's when Optimus Prime receives a transmission from Autobot Ratchet. "Sir," says the scientist, "I've figured out how to activate our new weaponry. Sending the information to you now." Within moments, the Autobot leader feels power flowing through him, and he knows even before it begins that the fight against Predaking can only end in victory.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 16: Ultra Magnus

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 16

Ultra Magnus sees the massive Predacon coming from a mile away. He doesn't know who the big dragon is, and he doesn't care. All he knows is that the dragons are dangerous, and must be defeated. He converts to robot mode and leaps into the air, bringing the Forge of Solus around in a shattering blow that would destroy a lesser robot. Grimwing takes the blow, and is only momentarily fazed. The battle is short, violent, and never in doubt. It ends with Ultra Magnus on the ground, disarmed and barely functional. Grimwing stands over him. "Pathetic," he says. "I hoped to learn something from you, but this new race of Cybertronians must all be liars and savages." He leans down to look into the optics of his Autobot opponent, "Be warned. This world is in grave danger from my fellow Predacons. I will restrain them. You and your fellows stay out of my way or be destroyed." And then he is gone, leaving Ultra Magnus dented and smoking in the dust.
 

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 15: Grimwing

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 15

The higher he soars into the unfamiliar sky, the more his mind clears. Grimwing remembers his time in the Hyperevolution Chamber. He remembers the "lessons" fed directly into his brain by Shockwave. But he also knows there must be more to the world into which he has been reborn, and he is determined to discover it. That's when his highly sensitive optics spot a Cybertronian signature on the ground below. Judging by the size and power of the stranger, he knows it must be a brother warrior - a kindred spirit. "Yes! Fight!" screeches Blackbeak, but Grimwing shakes his head. "No. We seek knowledge, not battle. For now," he says, and banks, descending towards the distant stranger.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 14: Dreadwing

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 14

Dreadwing has known Starscream for too long for the cowardly Seeker to hide from him. Still, when he smashes into his former commander's hiding place, he expects a vicious fight, and is surprised to instead find Starscream with his weapons lowered. "Listen!" Starscream says. "Since when do I flee the moment Megatron is out of the picture? If he was deactivated because of me, I'd take command! As is my destiny!" Dreadwing aches to blast his fellow air warrior to atoms, but he knows Starscream is telling the truth. He levels a finger at the other Decepticon. "You will help me find Megatron then. Find him and bring him back."

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 13: Ratchet

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 13

Autobot Ratchet scowls at the data discs recovered from the Decepticon lab by Smokescreen. Most of them are useless - charred or cracked by the same plasma blasts that had rendered the Autobot warrior himself nearly unable to return to base. But a few have shocking information on them. Information that not only reveals much about the cloning process used to bring the Predacons back to life, but also about the secrets of the powerful new weapons recovered by Bumblebee.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 12: Skystalker

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 12

Skystalker slides from the murky numbness of his Hyperevolution Chamber and into the heat of battle. His Spark aches to join the battle, but his instincts tell him to wait, to understand where he is. Even as the battle between Smokescreen and Shockwave continues to rage, he takes a moment to look around. He stands in a room full of unfamiliar equipment - a room he nonetheless recognizes as a laboratory. A laboratory in which he - and possibly other Predacons - have been experimented on. His cold, calculating mind is suddenly submerged in anger. His wings spread, and a devastating barrage of white-hot discs fly, burning, blasting, and melting all around him.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 11: Shockwave

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 11

With Megatron gone missing, Shockwave makes the decision to end his Predacon cloning program. A force of Predacons, united under Predaking could spell doom for the Decepticons as well as the Autobots. He is in the middle of shutting down his Hyperevolution laboratory when he spots an Autobot spy hiding in the shadows among the still-occupied chambers. A plan forms in his precise and brilliant mind: Destroy the Autobot and the lab, and lay the blame for the annihilation of the cloning program at the feet of Optimus Prime and his soldiers. Such an event would drive Predaking into a rage that would doubtless utterly consume the Autobots in its fury.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 10: Smokescreen

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 10

With Bumblebee injured and Bulkhead near total shutdown, it's up to Smokescreen to discover where these new and dangerous Predacons are coming from. Luckily, the Autobot trickster is also a capable spy, and soon he finds himself creeping through the shadows of a remote Decepticon lab. At first, he thinks the place is abandoned. Then he discovers a room lined with large glass chambers, each one filled with a strange, murky liquid, and the vague outline of a beastly machine. Satisfied that he's discovered exactly what Optimus Prime needs to know, he turns to leave, only to find Shockwave blocking his way. "You should not have come here," the Decepticon scientist says, raising his laser cannon.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 9: Bulkhead

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 9

Bulkhead can't deny that the new weapons brought back to base by Bumblebee are pretty cool, but no one can figure out how to activate them. Autobot Ratchet is working on it in his lab, but Bulkhead would rather smash stuff than study, so he's been out in the middle of the desert for hours, trying to get the thing to work. He's just about to give up when Ripclaw plunges out of the sky and smashes into him. Before Bulkhead can react, the unknown dragon's tail claw grips his chest and rips away a chunk of armor. Even as the big Autobot pounds on his beastly opponent, giving as good as he gets, he feels the poisonous heat of the dragon's mech venom searing his circuitry.

Tales Of The Beast Hunters - Chapter 8: Ripclaw

Tales of the Beast Hunters - Chapter 8

Even before she fully shakes off the disorientation of emerging fresh from the Hyperevolution Chamber, Ripclaw can hear the soothing, strange voice of Shockwave. "Predaking is alive," he says, "but in danger. Enemies known as Autobots have stolen weapons powerful enough to harm even the king of the Predacons." Ripclaw needs to hear nothing else - she blasts out of the lab and into the sky, turning her ultra-sensative snout into the wind, sniffing for any hint of the stolen seapons. Instead she finds Lazerback, smiling his cunning grin, "Whatever the Decepticons have told you is a lie, my dear," he tells her. "Predaking is long gone. But that's no reason we shouldn't destroy the Autobots - and the Decepticons along with them."