Tag Archives: Optimus Maximus

My Transformer Collection Showcase, Transformatorium

Transformers Collection – Combiner Wars/Unite Warriors

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And so the great cataloging of my personal collection continues.

The next instalment of the Generations line and the first installment of the Prime Wars Trilogy was Combiner Wars.  This is a toyline that a lot of people – now near a full decade later – tend to disparage.  However personally I feel that is both unwaranted and unjustified.  Combiner Wars brought back many of the classic Combiner teams,including many of the Scramble City groups such as the Aerialbots & Stunticons.  It introduced new teams such that which made the first female combiner Victorion, and best of all it’s signature piece was a huge Devastator, which remains the largest mainline gestalt ever made!

Toy Review – Unite Warriors Computron VS Combiner Wars Computron

The companion line in Japan was Unite Warriors.  These featured most of the same teams but with new paintjobs, and sometimes differered the moulds that Combiner Wars used for various individuals – the Technobots being a prime example.  So if you wanted to have both the Combiner and the bots who made them up on display, picking up both lines was a great option! (also the Aussie dollar was very strong back then, making it affordable enough to do so.  Sadly no longer the case).

 

My Transformers Combiner Wars/Unite Warrriors Collection

 

CW/UW Autobots

 

*Item #ACW0001: Transformers Autobot Windcharger

*Item #ACW0002: Transformers Autobot Warpath

*Item #ACW0003: Transformers Autobot Huffer

*Item #ACW0004: Transformers Junkion Wreck-Gar

*Item #ACW0005: Transformers Autobot Pipes

 

Combiner Wars Optimus Maximus, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0006: Transformers Autobot Optimus Prime

*Item #ACW0007: Transformers Autobot Ironhide

*Item #ACW0008: Transformers Autobot Mirage

*Item #ACW0009: Transformers Autobot Prowl

*Item #ACW0010: Transformers Autobot Stunstreaker

*Item #ACW0011: Transformers Autobot Hot Rod

 

Combiner Wars Sky Reign, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0012: Transformers Autobot Sky Lynx

*Item #ACW0013: Transformers Autobot Wheeljack

*Item #ACW0014: Transformers Autobot Trailbreaker

*Item #ACW0015: Transformers Autobot Hound

*Item #ACW0016: Transformers Autobot Smokescreen

 

Combiner Wars Victorion, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0017: Transformers Torchbearer Pyra Magna

(torso)

*Item #ACW0018: Transformers Torchbearer Rust Dust

(chest)

*Item #ACW0019: Transformers Torchbearer Skyburst

(arm)

*Item #ACW0020: Transformers Torchbearer Stormclash

(arm)

*Item #ACW0021: Transformers Torchbearer Dust Up

(leg)

*Item #ACW0022: Transformers Torchbearer Jumpstream (leg)

 

-Combiner Wars Superion, consisting of

*Item #ACW0023: Transformers Aerielbot Silverbolt

(torso)

*Item #ACW0024: Transformers Aerielbot Air Raid

(limb)

*Item #ACW0025: Transformers Aerielbot Sky Dive

(limb)

*Item #ACW0026: Transformers Aerielbot Firefly

(limb)

*Item #ACW0027: Transformers Aerielbot Slingshot

(limb)

*Item #AUW0001: Transformers Aerielbot Silverbolt

*Item #ACW0028: Transformers Aerielbot Alpha Bravo

*Item #AUW0002: Transformers Aerielbot Air Raider

*Item #AUW0003: Transformers Aerielbot Firebolt

*Item #AUW0004: Transformers Aerielbot Skydive

*Item #AUW0005: Transformers Aerielbot Sling

*Item #ACW0029: Transformers Aerielbot Powerglide

 

-Combiner Wars Defensor, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0030: Transformers Protectobot Hot Spot

(torso)

*Item #ACW0031: Transformers Protectobot Groove

(chest)

*Item #ACW0032: Transformers Protectobot First Aid

(right arm)

*Item #ACW0033: Transformers Protectobot Blades

(left arm)

*Item #ACW0034: Transformers Protectobot Streetwise

(right leg)

*Item #ACW0035: Transformers Protectobot Rook

(left leg)

*Item #AUW0006: Transformers Protectobot Hot Spot

*Item #ACW0036: Transformers Protectobot Rook

*Item #AUW0007: Transformers Protectobot Graze

*Item #AUW0008: Transformers Protectobot Groove

*Item #AUW0009: Transformers Protectobot Streetwise

*Item #AUW0010: Transformers Protectobot First Aid

 

-Combiner Wars Computron, consisting of:

*Item #ACW0037: Transformers Technobot Scattershot

*Item #ACW0038: Transformers Technobot Afterburner

(right arm)

*Item #ACW0039: Transformers Technobot Strafe

(left arm)

*Item #ACW0040: Transformers Technobot Lightspeed

(right leg)

*Item #ACW0041: Transformers Technobot Nosecone

(left leg)

*Item #AUW0011: Transformers Technobot Scattershot

*Item #AUW0012: Transformers Technobot Afterbreaker

*Item #AUW0013: Transformers Technobot Strafe

*Item #AUW0014: Transformers Technobot Lightsteed

*Item #AUW0015: Transformers Technobot Nosecone

*Item #ACW0042: Transformers Technobot Scrounge

*Item #ACW0043: Transformers Technobot Cybaxx

*Item #ACW0044: Transformers Technobot Scattershot (vehicle mode)

 

CW/UW Decepticons

 

*Item #DCW0001: Transformers Decepticon Megatron

*Item #DCW0002: Transformers Decepticon Armada Megatron

 

*Item #DCW0003: Transformers Decepticon Starscream

*Item #DCW0004: Transformers Decepticon Thundercracker

*Item #DCW0005: Transformers Decepticon Skywarp

 

*Item #DCW0006: Transformers Decepticon Skywarp

*Item #DCW0007: Transformers Decepticon Thundercracker

 

*Item #DCW0008: Transformers Decepticon Shockwave

*Item #DCW0009: Transformers Decepticon Viper

 

*Item #DCW0010: Transformers Insecticon Bombshell

*Item #DCW0011: Transformers Insecticon Chop Shop

 

*Item #DCW0012: Transformers Decepticon Buzzsaw

 

*Item #DCW0013: Transformers Decepticon Cyclonus

 

-Combiner Wars Devastator, consisting of

*Item #DCW0014: Transformers Constructicon Long Haul

(torso)

*Item #DCW0015: Transformers Constructicon Hook

(head & shoulders)

*Item #DCW0016: Transformers Constructicon Scavenger

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0017: Transformers Constructicon Bonecrusher

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0018: Transformers Constructicon Scrapper

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0019: Transformers Constructicon Mixmaster

(left leg)

*Item #DUW0001: Transformers Constructicon Long Haul

*Item #DUW0002: Transformers Constructicon Hook

*Item #DUW0003: Transformers Constructicon Scavenger

*Item #DUW0004: Transformers Constructicon Bonecrusher

*Item #DUW0005: Transformers Constructicon Scrapper

*Item #DUW0006: Transformers Constructicon Mixmaster

 

-Combiner Wars Menasor, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0020: Transformers Stunticon Motormaster

(torso)

*Item #DCW0021: Transformers Stunticon Blackjack

(chest)

*Item #DCW0022: Transformers Stunticon Drag Strip

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0023: Transformers Stunticon Dead End

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0024: Transformers Stunticon Brake-Neck

(leg)

*Item #DCW0025: Transformers Stunticon Breakdown

(leg)

*Item #DUW0007: Transformers Stunticon Motormaster

*Item #DCW0026: Transformers Stunticon Offroad

*Item #DUW0008: Transformers Stunticon Breakdown

*Item #DUW0009: Transformers Stunticon Drag Stripe

*Item #DUW0010: Transformers Stunticon Dead End

*Item #DUW0011: Transformers Stunticon Wildrider

*Item #DCW0027: Transformers Stunticon Blackjack

 

-Combiner Wars Bruticus, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0028: Transformers Combaticon Onslaught

(torso)

*Item #DCW0029: Transformers Combaticon Vortex

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0030: Transformers Combaticon Blast Off

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0031: Transformers Combaticon Swindle

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0032: Transformers Combaticon Brawl

(left leg)

-Combiner Wars G2 Bruticus, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0033: Transformers G2 Combaticon Onslaught

(torso)

*Item #DCW0034: Transformers G2 Combaticon Vortex

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0035: Transformers G2 Combaticon Blast Off

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0036: Transformers G2 Combaticon Swindle

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0037: Transformers G2 Combaticon Brawl

(left leg)

*Item #DUW0012: Transformers Combaticon Onslaught

*Item #DUW0013: Transformers Combaticon Vorter

*Item #DUW0014: Transformers Combaticon Swindle

*Item #DUW0015: Transformers Combaticon Brawl

*Item #DUW0016: Transformers Combaticon Blast Off

*Item #DCW0038: Transformers Combaticon G2 Shockwave

 

-Combiner Wars Liokaiser, consisting of:

*Item #DCW0039: Transformers Decepticon Dezarus

(torso)

*Item #DCW0040: Transformers Decepticon Guyhawk

(right arm)

*Item #DCW0041: Transformers Decepticon Fellbat

(left arm)

*Item #DCW0042: Transformers Decepticon Drillhorn

(right leg)

*Item #DCW0043: Transformers Decepticon Ironbison

(left leg)

*Item #DCW0044: Transformers Decepticon Ion Sythe

(sword)

 

UW-EX Woman Destron Combined Female Soldier Megatronia, consisting of:

*Item #DUW0017: Transformers Destron Megaempress

(torso)

*Item #DUW0018: Transformers Destron Lunaclub

(arm)

*Item #DUW0019: Transformers Destron Moonheart

(arm)

*Item #DUW0020: Transformers Destron Flowspade
(leg)

*Item #DUW0021: Transformers Destron Trickdiamond

(leg)

 

Count: 124

 

Toys Review – the Combiner Wars Combaticons!

Games & Competitions, Transformatorium

Rise of the Combiners Booster Packs. Review Part 1 – Transformers TCG

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Yes kids, the wait is over!  For months now we have been seeing previews of both the new Hero Cards and Battle Cards for Wave 2 of Transformers: Trading Card Game, the wave entitled Rise of the Combiners.  People have been anxiously awaiting to get thier hands on these cards to see if they are as good, or even better, than the excellent cards that were released in Wave 1 last year.

Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast have been kind enough to send me a box of the new Booster Packs from Wave 2, in order to review in much the same way I did the Metroplex Pack last year and the Dirge Reveal several weeks ago.  Once again, it must be stated that I have not been paid to do this review nor have either company tried to dictate the contents of this blog.  www.bigangrytrev.com would like to thank both Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast for the opportunity to examine these cards.

Oh the sweet anticipation of opening!

Now, as you may have noticed from the title of this blog post, this is Part 1 of a review of these booster packs.  Why am I doing it over more than one post?  Because in recieving a box of the Booster Packs, each box holding 30 packs which in turn contain at least 8 cards, it means I now have over 200 cards on my billiard table (er… I mean gaming table) with at least a hundred of them different!  That’s a LOT of cards to look at and a pretty big undertaking!  So in Part 1 we will be examining Drop Rates, new types of cards, Combiners and new Hero & Battle Cards.  In Part 2 we will look at how they perform in gameplay.

 

The Packs Themselves

Each Pack contains 7 Battle Cards and 1 Hero Card or 1 Pair of Combiner Character Cards.  We will look at the likelihood of doubles near the end of this review.

 

The Cards Themselves

Note: At the end of each discussion of the new cards I will be popping in their Drop Rate.  This is to signify how many times I was able to find these cards from the 30 packs contained within a single box of Booster Packs.

 

Combiner Cards

So many Combiners to be made!

Whereas Hero Cards have the robot on the front and the alt-mode on the back, Combiner Character Cards come in pairs.  On one card you will find the robot mode and the other the alt-mode.  On the back of the cards you will find artwork to join together to make the Combiner itself.

Gotta Combin’em all!

There are 5 different Combiners to make from the Booster Packs: Volcanicus, Optimus Maximus, Predaking, Superion and Menasor.

The Stunticons

I was lucky enough to find from the one box all 5 sets of Character Cards in order to make Menasor.  I look forward to bringing you a review of just how he goes in actual gameplay.  I was also able to form what could be termed a Mini-Combiner:

The Dreadwing Pair
Dreadwing

First revealed exclusively by Ozformers, this pair of Decepticons – Dreadwind and Blackwing (formerly Darkwing) combine to form the Dreadwing Sky Destroyer Jet.  This was a smart move on the part of the game makers, as it means you have a greater likelihood of making a Combiner sooner rather than later since he only needs two Character Card pairs instead of 5 or 6.

Drop Rate: Both the side of the box and the official website say the drop rate for Combiner Character Cards is about 50%. When opening multiple packs I was pleasantly surprised to find, for me at least, it surpassed that promise.  Out of the 30 packs I opened, 20 of them had Combiner Character Cards.  So rather than a drop rate of 50% it was a drop rate of 66%.  That’s great considering most Combiners are made up of 5 or 6 different characters you have to collect.

 

Hero Cards

New Hero Cards

As well as the Combiner Cards, we have the same sort of Hero Cards that were released in Wave 1.  There are quite a few new characters getting a showing, and many of the most famous characters, such as Megatron, Bumblebee and Starscream, have been released again but with new artwork and stats

New Hero Cards

I got a mix of characters I had other versions of from Wave 1 along with a good dose of new guys.  I was particularly pleased I was able to get Dirge since www.bigangrytrev.com was given the exlusive reveal of Dirge earlier in the year.  Some Character Cards have their special abilities blank, such as Novastar and Ruckus.  I have yet to figure out exactly why this is and how it will affect their gameplay value.

Drop Rate: Those packs that don’t come with a Combiner Character come with a regular Hero Card.  I found the drop rate to be one in every 3 packs, which doesn’t sound great but actually is if you are after the Combiners specifically, which I believe most players will be actively seeking.

Drop rates for Ultra Rare cards are described as 50:1.  You’ll note I got a King Starscream which is indeed Ultra Rare.  So I got one at a ratio of 30:1 but its entirely possible I could buy 20 more packs without finding another.

 

Battle Cards

Before we had Battle Cards that came in a few different colours based on their ability to attack and defend, with some cards overlapping.  Rise of the Combiners see’s some new categories introduced.

Star Battle Cards

Oh. My. Primus!

This cards are definitely going to be a game changer!  Big time! Got a team which only uses up 22 or 23 or the 25 Star allowance.  Well now there are Battle Cards that have stars!  That means you can put them in as part of your team.  Valued at 1 Star apiece, these are perfect for rounding up your team.  I can see Bolt of Lightning being very useful but it’s Vandalize, where you can scrap all enemy Weapons, Armour or Utilities, that blows me away!  I can’t think of many instances where that wont be invaluable!

Drop Rate: There are 7 Star Battle Cards, in 30 packs I obtained 6 of them.

Enigma Cards

Enigma Cards

So you have all your characters needed to create a Combiner.  But you need one more thing – an Enigma Card.  There is an Enigma Card for each Combiner.  Being Green (discussed shortly), these cards can be rescued from the discard pile which saves a lot of heartache.  The Enigma Card is used to make your Combiner Character cards join together, even if some of those characters have been previously KO’ed.

Drop Rate: In 30 packs I was able to get all 5 Enigma’s as well as a couple of spares.

Team Specific Cards

Team Specific Cards

There are specific cards that you can use with each team but no others.  They can be placed on only one member of this team.  I have yet to see if they can be retroactive – for instance I have a Dinobot Swoop card from Wave 1, but it does not make up the Volcanicus Team.  Can I use my Electrified Spikes card on that old Swoop since he is a Dinobot and the card talks about Dinobots, not Volcanicus?  Stay tuned for future reviews to find out!

Drop Rate: I was able to find cards for four of the five teams within 30 packs.

Green Battle Cards

If you get a Green Battle Card, it means that you are able to retrieve it from the discard pile.  You can only do this with one card per turn.  Whilst this sounds good but not game changing, it can be of extreme importance given what some of these cards (such as the Enigma’s) do.

Regular Battle Cards

White Battle Cards

We have a slew of new Battle Cards in already established catagories, so many it would take too long to list them all.  Some of them we have already seen in exclusive reveals, such as those made by Lisamaree on the Life with SPROGS site, like Inferno Breath and Surprise Attack.   I was a little disappointed to not get a Defensive Driving card but don’t believe it will take me long to obtain one.

Orange Battle Cards
Blue Battle Cards

Drop Rate: Well you are guaranteed 7 Battle Cards per pack.  I was very heartened that I never got the same two cards in the same pack.

 

So there ya go, a not-so-short synopsis of the new cards on offer from the Wave 2 Transformers Trading Card Game Rise of the Combiner Booster Packs.  I was very pleasantly surprised that I only got two doubles of characters (Dead End and Mirage) out of the 30 packs, which made this undertaking even bigger!  Stay tuned for Part 2, where we test these bad bots (now available in selected stores) out with some serious gameplay!

 

Related Articles:

ROTC Booster Packs.  Part 2 – Gameplay

Exclusive Cards Reveal: Dirge & Defensive Driving

Metroplex Pack: Transformers TCG