Rob Clay returns for a deep dive on the Combiner Wars Protectobot deluxes: Blades, Streetwise, First Aid and the all-new Rook. John DeLuna and Rob judge each figure in robot mode, vehicle mode and as a Defensor limb. Rook is the star for John, while both find the car-based limbs bulky. Rob calls it unheard of to get a deluxe wave where nothing is bad.
Blades
Blades is the least changed of the four, a redeco of the Alpha Bravo mold. Rob says Blades does a good job of not looking like Alpha Bravo, and his joints are stiffer than his Alpha Bravo’s. John agrees he feels more solid. On the much-discussed big head, Rob says the blue face takes up a lot of the helmet. He suspects the chin guard was not meant to be painted blue, and notes paint slop on his copy. John likes the handgun and calls the metallic red helicopter mode sharp. Rob tested Blades on Superion and prefers him as a leg, since the rescue missiles obstruct the elbow. John prefers the arm look despite the obstruction.
Streetwise
Streetwise reworks the Stunticon Dead End mold. John finds his cream-white plastic G1-accurate to a fault, saying it makes him look like he has sat on a shelf for years. He also dislikes the splayed feet but loves the shotgun. Rob agrees the off-white stands out from the other three. He praises the head sculpts across the wave, contrasting them with Wave 1’s Skydive. Rob is bothered by the faux car hood on Streetwise’s chest. He suspects it was molded with a future Prowl in mind, and that the extra blue and off-white keep that Prowl distinct. Neither is thrilled with the car-based limbs, which Rob finds bulky and plain next to the Aerialbots.
First Aid
First Aid reworks the Offroad mold, and Rob likes the two contrasting reds. First Aid was Rob’s favorite Protectobot as a kid, so he is sad that this figure has the most obstructed articulation of the wave. Door panels block the shoulders. John praises the head and the intuitive axe storage on the legs. Rob says the deco recalls Animated Ratchet, and wishes the rear rails were slightly thicker to hold older weapon accessories. Both say First Aid is better as a leg than an arm. Rob notes the arm connection is loose, and both see why fans want bigger third-party feet from makers like Perfect Effect and Nonnef Productions.
Rook
Rook is the only new mold in the wave and John’s star of the show. He is wide but not much bigger than the other deluxes. John enjoys the ankles, the “Hulk hands” gimmick and the Autobot symbol on his forehead. He wishes Rook had a touch of red to tie him to the team. Both dislike his hollow, cut-out legs, which show through in arm mode, and John finds him back-heavy. Rob likes that both accessories store symmetrically on the SWAT vehicle. He guesses the mold could be reworked into Brawl.
Wave 3 Verdict
Rob thinks the Protectobots may beat the Aerialbots as individual figures. He is waiting on Hot Spot to judge Defensor. He says getting a whole deluxe wave where nothing is bad is unheard of in recent Generations. John credits heavy up-front planning for the line’s quality.
Contributors: John DeLuna, Rob Clay
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