My thoughts on how the Matrix works:

Any Transformer can use the power of the Matrix by merging it with their spark (through their spark cavity, which all bots come with). But because of its semi-sentience it will only work on a being truly pure and worthy to wield its majesty.

 

Emperor of Destruction is a pretty fuckin cool title to be fair!

 

If omega supreme launched his rocket and the Base was destroyed immediately after... Would it re-appear when he landed on the moon

 

People complaining about kibble on certain designs kinda really bugs me ngl, like we get it that character has animal limbs hanging off their back, oh it's so terrible...but Optimus having windows for tits or seekers having wings (and typically nosecones hanging off the back of their necks) is completely fine? Like, not every piece of alt mode that doesn't tightly compact into a perfect human with cube limb form or match G1 sunbow is kibble or is a sin against Primus and his shiny silver world.

 

I agree!!! The only bit I'd like to add is that it's not predetermined who can wield the matrix, I like to see it like Mjolnir in Marvel, like, sure, Thor was basically born to wield the hammer, but he can lose it (like in Thor 1) and people can become worthy, like Steve Rogers. Cause I just wanna say I hate the idea that you are BORN worthy to Mjolnir or the Matrix (like in some continuities)

 

Bring back some Aerialbots drama ! 

 

I'm personally fine with the Matrix only being useable by certain characters/destined for someone. If it's just something that anyone can use just by picking up, what's different about it from a library computer or something? And besides, a character's worth shouldn't be determined by if they can use the matrix or not, what makes a character more impactful, rising to the occasion and getting the participation prize of using the matrix to show they're special too, or proving their special and important without having to use some fancy god trinket, that they might not have been born for greatness like Rodimus Prime or something but can still do great and important things.

 

It would have allowed Hasbro to characterize and explore many more toys without the constraints of 3D animation and budget.

I've been thinking, and it's really no that easy to find an alt-mode that evokes authority and heroism for an Autobot leader other than trucks, which are a safe bet with Optimus and Rodimus. By comparison, Decepticon leaders can be almost anything: tank, jet, gun, monster, etc. There is just a greater range of choices for a character who is supposed to be powerful and aggressive.

I tend to cross flying vehicle because, while practical, jets and planes in general don't necessarily carry a sense of heroic leadership for me, especially for the Autobots. A ground vehicle is more fitting for the leader of a faction that's mostly on wheels and an heroic commander should be leading the charge on the battlefield and fight alongside their soldiers, instead of overlooking the battle from above. If the Autobot leader is capable of flight, it should preferably be an upgrade they receive later.

Military vehicles are also an option, but I think tanks, missile carriers and the like are way too aggressive. An Autobot leader should always consider violence as a last resort, instead of rolling everywhere with a bulging canon. If an Autobot leader transforms into a military vehicle, it should be something primarily logistic but still imposing, like an HEMTT or an LVSR.

What do you think?

 

This is honestly why I love the shows there the Matrix is MIA. It makes the leaders feel more relatable than some, "chosen" whatever.

 

Anyone who tries to push the objectively false narrative that Slag's on-the-box name was changed because of some kind of campaign by an offended party should be severely beaten with baseball bats for being a fucking moron and not listening to reason.

 

Yeah I think as long as it doesn’t hinder the design it’s fine. I never got the obsession with making sure you can’t see Primes wheels in robot mode. Like he is a truck, is he not?

Also some rather big kibble can be fun imo, like Huffer!

 

Yeah, so I don't really understand it when people say they want updates of characters to simplify their kibble and make it more G1. Like...they're not cheap animation models made to conserve as much budget as possible while drawing them over and over again. They don't need to be that simple. And simplifying them goes against the whole accuracy thing we're doing (except for Prime it seems rip those guys)

 

Lazyness for lack of trying will not be accepted.
For instance ER primes but flap... Sucks but it's acceptable there was just no place to put it. Seige Optimus was a lazy half assed block of kibble crap . It could have been so much more. Loose the arm Kibble, and make the HUGE plate on his back a removable shield... Done perfect Cybertron G1 Prime that's not Sunbow. Another example. Jetfire is great epic and awesome yet Megatron has a MASSIVE Lazy backpack.

I can hear Hasbro Pitch meeting... Make Kibble Cool so we can safe money and raise Prices to add more Paint.

 

What does any of this have to do with what SecretWyvern posted?

 

There is only so much you can do at mainline price points in terms of parts count, size, and transformation, especially to get through safety guidelines. Megatron having tanktreads on his back, or Optimus having the roof and grill of his truck become a backpack does not equate laziness but simply the limitations of actually having to be a physical thing that can be made within the budget and sold at mass market without running into any troubles with the government.

 

It is official.

I agree on some figures, but I think Megatron's backpack really isn't that bad. There are a lot of figures that have it worse. Seige Optimus is horrible I agree on that one but it's generally not as bad as many make it out to be.

I think you underestimate the possibilities hasbro has, with clever engineering a lot of the problems these toys have could be easily fixed while still remaining in the budget constrains. I won't call it lazy but I don't believe they are doing everything in there capabilities.
Something in between. Though I think Hasbro is putting in much more effort into their "more mature oriented" merchandise than they used to.
since the Last Knight Hasbro generally seems much more careful with their decisions regarding the Transformers franchise and are playing it safer.
They're working with the maximum instead of the optimum (not exactly obviously).

 

But We have better much better at the same price point.

After posting this I realized I gave my seige Optimus away a while back. Damnit I need me some forearm Kibble cannons and a riot shield. I will track down a siege Prime and do it.

 

Strange, because I consider Siege Optimus almost masterfully designed when compared to ER Optimus. This, despite the fact that I generally dislike Cybertronian/futuristic alt modes. Ideally I would want Seige architecture with the ER aesthetic, but if I could only keep one of the figures, it’d be Siege.

 

Yeah, I think Siege Optimus looks nicer than Earthrise Optimus, probably because the chest doesn't seem to jut out as far.

 

Seige will always surpass ER as the definitive G1 Optimus for Most. Why... Because he looks the most like G1 Optimus Prime (from the front ONLY). I dislike the figure... Why... Because he looks like G1 Optimus from the front ONLY. Turn him any other direction and he's a 90's transformer. The arm Kibble and Plate makes him a Kids Toy. So... I gave mine to a kid. He loves it.