I couldn't agree more although I don't hate the idea of a non partsforming combiner. I'll have to see where my heart is at when I have it all inhand.

 

kinda interested in these guys for their bot modes, I like what Vortex looks like

 

They really are perfect robot modes.

 

And vehicle forms too

 

Also true.

 

I've been following FT's Stunticons with interest (as the only company to do Motormaster's full cab-trailer transformation) but it turns out the 'torso bot' in their set isn't going to form the torso at all, rather plug into a pant-torso-former accessory part, which is so pointless it frankly baffles me. And brings me back to look at the amazing all-in-one engineering going on here.

Forget trying to put boots on to make this Bruticus measure up to other companies' gestalts. I'm seriously hoping MMC are going to do all the combiners in this style, and they will measure up to each other. I want true combiners, not some fake thing that doesn't even need the components to achieve the end result (yeah, looking at X-TB there as well).

 

yeah if mmc stick to their guns for all their combiners ( which i think they will ) then everyone is happy it's so good we are getting the options to suit everyone's taste's

 

I mean I’m fine with XTB cause at least the torso and other stuff is all kept in and formed from the trailer. That’s at least cool to have. I’d be keen if MMC does other combiners though. I’d prefer if they did someone like Defensor though and then maybe Superion. I probably won’t get their menasor though should they make one. Cause XTB has a lot of what I want. All I need is MMC to keep going and include some heel extensions.

 

If it is anywhere near as good as Unique Toys Ragnaros... and it has zero partsforming... I’ll be very pleased. I’m not as concerned with overall height and size... as much as quality. I’ll take a slightly smaller, better engineered, better overall quality with no partsforming... over size and ease of transformation and pose-ability. YMMV.

 

I mean if it works I’ll be down. My only concern is size though. Really hoping they include the feet extensions to make it bigger if you want.

 

Everything about this set, individual bots, alt modes, and articulation makes me hope they do a Defensor next.

 

You see them more often for hastak stuff than 3rd party.

 

I would love for that to be true. Though they are definitely going to run into trouble with Silverbolt forming legs in gestalt mode. If they do other combiners, I definitely want proper feet like DX9 Menasor.

 

Feet extensions (shoes) would be cool... and I’m sure a bunch of peeps here with 3D printers will do it if no one else does. And if people just need a little more height, there’s always the option of leg extenders like GT Gravity Builder.

 

So far, I'm liking the idea of the all-in-one combiner, but I do think it could be better with some traditional parts-forming (meaning add-on feet, etc.). It's not a deal-breaker, but I'd be interested in a set that added some panels or guns to cover the hand in the gap in Vortex' legs. I don't know if parts-forming hands would've made for a cleaner bot mode (probably), but the design is pretty close to being in production so that's a bit of a moot point. But yeah, I'd like some thigh-panels for Vortex alongside some grey toy/studio ox style "shoes" to slip over the built in cartoon-style feet. It could come in a Continuum-style add-on set or a "completion kit" like with their Tigris. I think a set of add-on feet for the combined mode could make a lot of the nay-sayers jump on board. Assaultus still has the best looking individual Combaticons and a combined mode that works for me more than Zeta's, so I'm in for this set either way.

 

Yeah I would love that. Mainly for a beautifully made and masterpiece articulated first aid.

Not even just for height. They look way better than the tiny feet stubs he normally just has.

I feel the best way to do it is issue the parts with the two onslaughts. Since they each focus on a specific style the other parts would match with those styles. Like silver feet with the toy version, and coloured feet with the toon version.

Vortex does have panels to cover the hands in his legs.

 

Have you seen their Bruticon recolour? It's toontastic(!), and obviously hits the 'heights' you're talking about...

 

In paint only. It does look fantastic but it still has the chunk and styling of the originals.

 

Yup

 

Agreed, but as I only plan to display as Bruticus, as opposed to bots or alts, I think I've (finally!) decided to go with that one even though it necessitates me eventually swapping out my UW Devastator... If this MMC one could give me a grey body in combiner mode I'd be all over it, as the Ju Jiang CW Superion is well scaled to match (although I'm still struggling to identify a Defensor in that scale which is toon accurate)