The RFC Mini-cast – 019: Can Hasbro outdo Combiner Wars?

Can Hasbro top Combiner Wars? Exvee and Matt join John DeLuna after BotCon 2015 to ask what comes next. Matt calls Combiner Wars the peak of the Classics era, while Exvee warns that heavy mold reuse is causing fatigue. The crew weighs the rumored Titan Wars and Headmasters, and the case for a break from G1. Exvee shares what Hasbro told him about choosing Sky Lynx.

Is Combiner Wars the Peak?

Matt says Combiner Wars is exactly what he has wanted since Generations started, and he does not know what could keep him interested after it. Exvee says each Classics-era line gave him something different, but Combiner Wars is the most fun as a toy. John praises the line’s complexity sweet spot for both kids and adults.

Moving Too Fast?

One guest is starting to feel mold fatigue, noting he already has three complete combiners after about six months. The other says the 2016 Blast Off, which he calls Slingshot in brown, signals a tipping point. The guests count as many as six uses of the Alpha Bravo mold coming. John says Vortex and the 1984 team gave him pause. He floats splitting teams across waves, as with Superion and Menasor. One guest found that split more frustrating than rewarding.

Titan Wars and the Masters

Exvee welcomes a move toward Headmasters and Titan-style toys as a way to reach later G1 characters, and hopes Combiner Wars’ design philosophy carries over. Matt is interested in Fortress Maximus but says it lacks Combiner Wars’ nostalgia pull. John doubts Hasbro’s claim that third-party combiners have no influence on its plans.

Time for a Break from G1?

Exvee thinks Hasbro will eventually need to step back from redoing G1 and bring something new. Matt, a self-described G1 fan, agrees there is oversaturation and other eras deserve love. John says getting Leader Jetfire while Classics Jetfire still felt recent made the line seem to fold into itself. Exvee doubts beast modes will return soon after Beast Hunters. One guest suggests mining unused Transtech concept designs for something fresh.

Why Sky Lynx?

Exvee says he spoke with Hasbro’s Mark Weber at BotCon, who explained Sky Lynx had never received a true update in nearly 30 years. Matt calls Sky Lynx the way to keep him interested, though the rest of the team is boring mold reuse. Both guests agree Blast Off would have worked better as a new character. John adds that Rob Clay said the same the week before.

What They Want from Titan Wars

Exvee wants the same economy of design and more 1987 and 1988 characters, with variety to choose from. Matt wonders how Fortress Maximus will work if it reuses the Metroplex mold. He would rather see unmade characters than another Soundwave or Blaster, and the crew floats Snapdragon and Apeface.

Contributors: John DeLuna, Exvee, Matt