I'm not sure if "Appreciation" is the right word, since shellformers tend to draw more scorn than praise. But, it fits the naming convention of the board. For anyone unfamiliar with the term, "shellformer" refers to a transformer whose alt mode parts form a shell around the bot parts in alt mode, rather than being the same parts used in different ways. In some cases, the alt mode parts can be removed from the bot entirely, resulting in two separate toys, such as: I just had to pop the two pegs in the bracket on Nova Storm's back out of their holes in Nova Storm's backpack, and I had two separate toys. Still, I like this mold enough that I'm glad to own it 3 times. The way the arms collapse during transformation to conceal the fist while shortening is quite clever. The spring loaded panels in the leg to prevent hollow limbs, even when viewed from behind, are much appreciated. Everything tabs together very well. Shellformers are often thought of as lazy design, but that's not the case here. My only complaint is that I wish the legs came together in alt mode to form a single chunk instead of remain two distinct chunks. I've since reassembled Nova Storm and will be sticking with 3 toys instead of 4 (or 6). Any other particularly loved (or hated) examples? I saw a photo of a movie Prime whose truck parts had been removed and reassembled into a truck while the bot remained mostly intact, similar to (but more involved than) what I did to Nova Storm. I don't think you could do that with the Prime car Vehicon, but it store the entire top of the car, from bumper-to-bumper, in the backs of the legs, which was pretty clever.
I mean, literally over 60 percent of toys for this franchise these days are shellformers anyway, so... XD
Like, most of Beast Wars 2nd and Beast Wars Neo. And this chick You literally curl her up into fetal position and wrap the boat parts around her. Shell-Formers! That's all there is to it, guys!
I think Classics 2006 Megatron is a good shell-former. The 'shell' turns into two wings on his back, and isn't even the majority of his alternate mode. His body undergoes some pretty substantial transformation on its own. I think the wings are aesthetically pleasing, and don't interfere too much with balance, and not really at all with articulation.
All hail the king!!! I don’t care if it doesn’t manage planet shell elegantly, I’m still glad I got it, and that it exists at all!
I thought we agreed to ignore the elephant in the room...I'd imagine removing those parts was a mammoth undertaking... I've no problem with shell formers. I love how G1 and Titanium Scourge transform and I really need to get around to picking up Cybertron Thunderblast.
