Thoughts On Transformers Earthrise - 2020 Reveals (+ A Return!)

It's been a long time since I've posted, mostly due to school and the holidays. As such, I haven't had much time to work on designs and prototypes. That combined with the robotics program I recently joined, and I'm surprised I've had time to interact with customers. However, now that things are winding down a bit, the daily schedule can resume. There are a bunch of things I'd like to share, but I'll likely discuss the stuff in the forum and/or the Discord channel. So, let's get started, shall we?

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With Hasbro's displays at Toyfair 2020, comes a whole Astrotrain-load of reveals. I'll do my best to address most of these reveals, but there are some that most of us Transformers fans could care less about. If you don't feel like reading through the whole post, there'll be a list on the bottom with my thoughts on each figure so far.

First and foremost, it would seem as a whole, we're reaching the end of the classic G1 roster with most of the current lines. Continuing off last year's Siege, is Earthrise, the next part of the War For Cybertron Trilogy, while Cyberverse, a lighter series, chugs along. For 2020, it would seem the theme is a bit more unorthodox, focusing on a notorious species -- the Quintessons. However you say it, the name is typically associated with a whole species of corrupt invertebrates whose meddling in the Cybertronian history dates back to the beginning of the Prime lineage.

On the side of the "Quints," we've already seen a Cyberverse playset as well as some Sharkticons. For Earthrise, the above is what we'll be seeing, and possibly more as the year progresses. The Quintesson Judge, if it isn't clear from the panel, converts into a prison that, yes, can in fact fit Micromasters! Meanwhile, Alicon is the first actual figure, outside of third party releases, such as the Combiner Wars-compatible version. Slither Fang is our first bestial Battlemaster for the line, with the exception of Smashdown's repack. Slither Fang's design is quite reminiscent of Headrobots' Toxin, which is another bonus.

Before I continue, I just want to note that the Battlemasters for this line are not weapons, but rather ramps for bases. More on the 'base' part later.

Next up, is the class, that for the most part, replaces the Weaponizers of the previous line. The Weaponizers were based off Sixgun's original gimmick, where they break up into weapon packs for other figures. The three mainline figures were Sixgun, Cog, and Brunt, while using these three molds, Generations Selects saw the release of the Powerdashers, an obscure giveaway set, which was quite a surprise for me, as I'm used to seeing Hasbro's exclusives being some repaint of Optimus Prime or Bumblebee. The Modulators use this same idea of weapon packs, but rather than having vehicle modes, they convert into Micromaster bases! The first two that have been revealed are Airwave and Ironworks. We'll also be seeing one more Weaponizer, in the form of Fasttrack.

Now, I had mentioned 'bases' before, which these Modulators are intended to link up to, but who exactly?

So first and foremost, we've got ourselves Skylynx taking up the new Commander Class size this year. Some of you may be thinking, "didn't we already see one from Hasbro?" I just want to point out the fact that the previous version did NOT break up into a phoenix and lynx, nor does it turn into a launchpad. Next up, as our third leader class figure, following Optimus and the Astrotrain repack, we'll see Doubledealer on shelves! For those of you who know me, and know that I'm a fan of the Masterforce Decepticons, yoo'll probably recognize that this puts me one step closer to a complete lineup. But wait, where are his Godmasters(Powermasters for you G1 purists)? Rounding out the larger reveals, is Scorponok who, like Fortress Maximus, is a Double Headmaster. Classic Zarak becomes the head of 'Headmasters' Zarak, who in turn becomes Scorponok's noggin'.

But wait, there's more! (*cliche statements strike again!*)

robots

cassettes

Boxed

So, this is the Spy Patrol 4-pack, comprised of Wingthing, Frenzy/Rumble . . . Knok, and Skar! Doubledealer's two partners will be made available as part of the Generations Selects line, but even though they're cassettes, they still can slot into Doubledealer to replicate his duel allegiance.

So, my thoughts on Earthrise so far:

• Smashdown (REPACK): Have it already. Don't really need another one.

• Astrotrain (REPACK): Pass.

• Rung (REPACK): Meh. A little, too small...

• Soundbarrier: Possibly. Likely going to stick with Decepticons, though.

• Slither Fang: Definitely.

• Doublecrosser: Same as Slither Fang. Curious design, though.

• Hot Rod Patrol (Trip-Up/Daddy-O): Already have it. Fun designs, though I'm thoroughly convinced Trip-Up is a Furry.

• Military Patrol (Bombshock/Growl): Also already have it. Intrigued by the designs, but liking them nonetheless.

• Race Track Patrol (Roller Force/Ground Hog): Just because I like Micromasters.

• Astro Squad (Blast Master/Fuzer): Same as Race Track Patrol, but I will admit, the shuttle mode is nice.

• Hoist: Pass.

• Wheeljack: Pass. Another one?!

• Cliffjumper: Also pass. It's basically going to be repainted yellow and labelled Bumblebee.

• Ironworks: Since I have Irontread from the Micromaster 10-pack, definitely.

• Arcee: Definitely . . . passing. If I really wanted an Arcee, there are dozens to choose from. This version partsforms.

• Airwave: Even though it was Over-Air in the 10-pack, he still needs his base!

• Alicon: Might get, but I'm curious if there are any other gimmicks.

• Smokescreen: Passing on this, because the Prowl body-type is seriously over-used.

• Fasttrack: Getting this, and the rumored Roritchi repaint so as to round out the Weaponizers.

• Runamuck: Passing on this, because I've got a papercraft version, and the Battlechargers weren't very memorable.

• Starscream: Passing because it's essentially a heavy retool of the Siege Version.

• Megatron: Same reason as Starscream, but more so! The figure is basically the Siege version but smoothed out.

• Grapple: Never was attached to the character. Mildly surprised that he has his claw, though.

• Quintesson Judge: Possibly. It all depends on if the cage can fit any Micromaster.

• Snapdragon: Might consider snagging him and Apeface.

• Optimus Prime: Once again, passing. Despite how it looks, I really don't need another Optimus. The red and blue is getting kinda' overwhelming.

• Doubledealer: Absolutely. I'm a major fan of the character.

• Sky Lynx: Probably. I could use an Autobot and Decepticon base.

• Scorponok: Seriously considering it, as it's the first Titan class figure that's caught my eye.

• Megatron w/ Lionizer & Pinpointer: Probably gonna' wait for Lionizer to be sold separately.

• Hotlink w/ Firetwins: Looks nice, but probably gonna' pass.

• Chromia: pass.

• Sideswipe: pass

• Hound: pass.

• Mirage: Strange that he's a Decepticon, but still, pass.

• Scrapface: Kind of reminds me of the rusty Autobots from that one Cyberverse episode. Likely gonna' pass on it, though.

• Mystery box: From what it would seem, this thing's gonna' be Ultra Magnus, so pass.

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Welp, that's it for now! I've got even more school work to get back to! I'll probably show up at Toycon NJ as well, as I'm looking for something in particular, that I have not been able to find. Just look for the shirt with the soon-to-come (new) Nightstrike's Customs logo on it. Between Earthrise and Toycon, I'm going to have to start selling some of my collection as well, so I'll probably have a table at a convention, depending on how things go.

Nightstrike out! Stay tuned for some important project updates!