#titanmasters

[virovac]

Titanmaster Clobber as Grimlock’s Brainmaster?

While never used in fiction, brainmasters were intended to be like little symbiotic extensions of larger transformers that could interact with smaller life forms and objects safely, while also interfacing to increase admirable qualities such as strength-optimization algorithms, or courage, skill, or intelligence.

So Clobber could be that for POTP Grimlock. Perhaps due to being the “same entity but different” at same time you could have Clobber being a good G1 cartoon conscience to a Marvel-comics inspired larger half, staying in one of his gauntlet accessories that can store matrixes, titanmasters or prime masters. 

Same could be done for Ptero and Swoop...but Imo the armor  doesn’t look good on Swoop so I’d have him be loaned out to Grimlock for storing in other gauntlet

[thenamesblurrito]

Are headmasters a thing on this cybertron? And if yes, do they work like how they do in America or Japan?

Mmmmmm hmm hmmm this question makes me smile bc juicy worldbuilding but also spoilers

BUT, i’ll give you some unknown in-universe lore, as a treat ;)

Headmasters are a boost-support type of spark forged with the ability to powerlinx (that is, combine with another in order to augment and empower them, as opposed to multibody individuals with mitotic sparks or gestalt combiners), specifically by replacing a person’s head. Most often, a headmaster will have a modal frame, with a sphere or blocky shape for their alt mode, shifting into the other mode of a helm when powerlinxing. They can mass shift, they have a subspace pocket where the host’s normal head is safely suspended outside of reality while conjoined, and their helm mode will alter according to their host to better exemplify the augmented person the two of them have become. They are, like all -master sparktypes, their own autonomous Cybertronian person, and have equal say in a powerlinxing bond as their host.

Powermasters are another powerlinxing boost-support sparktype, with the ability to boost energy levels and efficiency, strengthen the frame, and often lend certain powers that the host doesn’t naturally have. Like headmasters, they’re modal frames that can mass shift, but they take more varied forms than just a helm, often forming integrated tools like jetpacks, extra limbs, or bulky defensive armor around vital areas. Occasionally their alt modes are tools or defensive weapons like shields. If something goes wrong during forging or early adolescence, causing spark trauma and energy fluctations, the Powermaster’s ability can maladapt and turn back on them, warping them into sparkeaters, anywhere from mildly vampiric to feral and horrific.

Targetmasters are the last and most varied boost-support sparktype, with a more limited ability to upgrade their host but a much broader application. They always have tool or weapon alt modes; in fact the vast majority of weaponformers are Targetmasters. Powerlinxing gives the host an integrated weapon with quicker reflexes, greater power and strength, and sharper than natural senses. Even non warframes are decent in a fight with a Targetmaster partner. As with the other two boost-support sparktypes, a maladapted form of Targetmasters are minicons, where, instead of a powerlinx bond between two equal partners, the host receives all the power and upgrades at the cost of the minicon’s autonomy. Host and -master partners are a team of equals, but host and minicon partners can easily be skewed into owner and object.

Titanmasters are a command-support sparktype with the ability to safely powerlinx with a Titan. Instead of physically integrating with a Titan to augment it like boost-support sparktypes would, they become a Titan’s tertiary processor, remotely taking on a piece of its processing, feeling the Titan’s frame as if it were their own, and effectively becoming its face and voice among other average-sized mecha, since it’s difficult to properly communicate otherwise. Given the fact that they’re literally part of the Titan’s processor when bonded, even if not physically part of it, their personality and decisions can have great impact on the Titan, although the inverse effect is not as strong, and the both of them must act as one to be an effective team. They’re usually forged Mutacons (although not all Mutacons are Titanmasters) and can adapt to augment a small part of the Titan’s frame when needed. Though these sparktypes are already rare, and it’s even rarer for one person to be multiple -master types, Titanmasters are the ones most likely to be an additional sparktype.

Cityspeakers are another command-support sparktype with similar abilities to Titanmasters, but their version of powerlinxing doesn’t donate power or upgrades to their partners, and does not require a singular partner. Instead of taking on some of a Titan’s processing like a Titanmaster does, they dictate their own thoughts, feelings, and even lifeforce in a wide broadcast. Normal unliving areas can be made animate under the touch of a cityspeaker, and under the onslaught of their full focus, normal individuals can be temporarily overwritten and controlled as pieces of the greater whole that a cityspeaker commands. After all, when they speak, everything must listen. This sheer force of will was meant to direct Titans and keep entire cities full of people working together, unified and safe, but using this power to manipulate regular objects and subsume the will of normal individuals is also possible. They have no typical frametype, but usually have distinct biolights.

Loadbearers are the last command-support sparktype, with a very self-contained set of abilities. Their form of powerlinxing is subtle but powerful, essentially making sure that the loadbearer is solid and strong enough to be the partner that others need. They can take multiple -master partners where others could only take one, they’re often automatically compatible with combiner teams who need a temporary stand-in member, they can take on donated powers and extend their own to a greater degree than a normal individual, and they’re very resistant to harmful environments or abilities. They have no typical frametype, but are always oddly strong and durable, have less need for recharge, and can adapt to extreme frame augmentation with ease. Without deliberately checking, it’s easy for a loadbearer to go unaware of their particular sparktype, as their abilities have little to no influence over their surroundings, just themselves.

Isn’t it odd that these terms aren’t widely known and their powers all but forgotten as long lost myths? Surely there couldn’t be a reason Cybertronians are losing and forgetting what they were once capable of...

[pandacronic-art]

A set of Titan Masters commissioned by Arbitrary Hero! Lots of fun to work on with all the details.

Ko-fi

[balok-blog]

Same sculpt.

[allspark]

Flying into the Allspark Studio at 9999 Powered Knots is the Autobot team that’s in the Zone, Road Fire, Sonic Bomber and Dai Atlus!  Is this Big Powered group of Autobots going to defend your shelves from Violen Jiger and his Decepticon Generals, or will they spend their time in jet mode making rainbows?  Tune in after the break to find out!

I start this review off by saying that if you don’t know anything about these characters, go straight to the TFWiki right now and do your research.  Go ahead and click on all the links.  We’ll wait…

  OK, now that you are all caught up, let’s take a look at a neat set of Japanese exclusive updates to…Japanese exclusive Transformers from the early 90’s era of the franchise!

   Road Fire

Road Fire is a solid remold of one of my favorite childhood characters and Titans Return molds, Twin Twist.  Remolded parts include the kneecaps, chest piece, the entire cockpit mechanism, Titanmaster head and faceplate. 

  Road Fire Vehicle Mode

Road Fire is a Cybertronian tank.  While he may not have any “Master” launching mechanism like the G1 figure does, he is able to store a “Master” class figure in his turret, which features a nice cockpit for storage of the head in vehicle mode.  I love the aggressiveness of the vehicle mode and appreciate that they maintained the double cockpit look of the G1 figure, which makes it appear that this guy takes Cybertronian and Human pilots.  I personally prefer to flip the treads up to give the vehicle the appearance of a hover tank…which would make sense for Cybertron.  Another cool “feature” is that the turret can be rotated back on top of the tank body, giving it a squatter, more Terran look.  This is a great vehicle, no matter the style you prefer, but you do have choices.

  Road Fire Robot Mode

His colors nicely contrasting white, red, blue and black, with bits of orange highlights in a few spots like the knees and chest.  He balances and poses about the same as Twin Twist, unless you have him holding his “Burst cannon”, which tends to make him heavier in whatever direction it is placed.  One nice “feature” on his robot mode is the chest compartment that holds the connector for vehicle Big Powered mode.  Pressing on the Autobot symbol pops open the compartment, revealing what I will be imagining as his spark chamber.  In addition to having a great color scheme based on a mold I already loved, I have to say the best bonus is adding this guy to my “Jumpstarter” team, which you can see in these reviews: Topspin-|-Twin Twist.

  Sonic Bomber

Sonic Bomber is a heavy remold of Titans Return Crossfire.  So heavy, in fact, that it would be easier for me to tell you what is NOT remolded.  Parts that remain the same as the original are the thighs and hips, the inner hip piece that has the hip ball joint posts, the entire arm assemblies, and the Titanmaster thighs and torso plate.

  Sonic Bomber Vehicle Mode

Taking into consideration all the extra parts in this remold, especially in the robot feet which form the back/wing section of this figure, it is not a huge surprise that it looks so distinct from Misfire, very accurately approximating the bomber mode of the original toy.  As a jet it holds together well.  It maintains the “Titanmaster” cockpit, though it is molded in solid black plastic, so the smaller robot is hidden from view.  Overall, I like this mode, but I do have one minor complaint. The original Sonic Bomber sported a yellow rifle, which broke up all the black in jet mode a bit nicer than the black rifle the LG EX version has.  It’s not a major issue, but it would have been nice to get it in yellow, especially considering how close the rest of the jet mode gets to the G1 toy’s appearance.

  Sonic Bomber Robot Mode

Takara did a phenomenal job recreating an updated Sonic Bomber robot mode.  While some liberties were taken (mostly in the arms) this figure is a nice amalgamation of the G1 toy and animation model. Most importantly, the reds, whites, blues and yellows are pretty much in the right spots, with the exception of a few details on the legs.  The chest piece and robot head really top off a spot-on look.  The QC on my Sonic Bomber is great as well, apart from the hips being looser than the rest of his joints, and the ball joints for the feet being a little too tight.  Still, he looks really cool in robot mode, he poses well, and gives the Autobots some additional air support.  He gets an A in my book.

  Dai Atlus

Dai Atlus is another super heavy remold of a Titans Return figure, this time being Black, er… Sky Shadow.  Again, this figure has so many parts it will be faster to identify those which were not remolded.  Original mold parts include the feet, knee/tread section of the lower legs, thighs, hips, inner shoulder assemblies, and the entire Titanmaster, minus the head and faceplate.

  Dai Atlus Jet Mode

This figure is neat because it technically has two vehicle modes, “Drill Tank” and “Jet”.  Both modes are very similar and require a bit more suspension of disbelief than normal for Transformers, but they are neat and harken back nicely to the original figure.  Other than the weirdness of being a jet sitting on tank treads, I don’t have anything bad to say about these modes.  They are what they are, but at least they hold together nicely, which was one of my fears ever since I saw the promotional images.

  Dai Atlus Robot Mode

Robot mode is really where this figure should shine.  Before I bring up the issues, let’s look at what does work.  The original Dai Atlus figure was the definition of a G1 brick.  I’m not sure anything other than the arms was capable of movement.  This figure gives us a fully poseable, “anime” styled update with a few cues to the toy details as well.  He also has tons of articulation (even more than Sky Shadow), which should make for the perfect recreation of a G1 character…but the new parts mess that up.  This is where I am less happy with how the figure turned out.  The waist piece blocks the forward movement of the legs, limiting his poseability.  Additionally, while the new part connecting the lower and upper halves of the body in vehicle mode provides some waist articulation, it makes for a somewhat wobbly upper body that just does not feel as solid as it should.  Do not misunderstand me, I love this set, and I like this figure, and I am really glad we got it…but this is the one spot where it really falls short.

  Base Mode

All of these figures can form base modes.  I have never been a huge fan of base modes, but I never had any Transformers that had them when I was a child, so they don’t hit me in the nostalgia like they might hit you.  They do sit together nicely as a set of bases.  It’s a thing kids would love…if this was a set that was cheap enough to let kids play with it.  Hey HasbroPulse…

Big Powered Mode

Not only does Big Powered magically shoot rainbows from its backside like a Squatty Potty Unicorn, it is held together mostly by magic as well.  I mean, magic, and a few peg/ports.  2 peg ports.  It connects with two connectors.  Basically, you put each vehicle in its “Big Powered Mode” form, then clamp Road Fire on top of Dai Atlus via that clip in Road Fire’s chest, then you peg under Dai Atlus using the 5mm port on the just behind Sonic Bomber’s hidden Titanmaster cockpit.  Two connectors get you this rainbow spewing wonder.   It’s both a mess and an absolute beauty to behold.  I think I love it.

  Recommendation

Big Powered gets 8 Energon Z’s out of 10.  It gives us a nice update of a set of hard to acquire G1 bricks as a group of pretty decent figures.  It is faithful to many of the important details, but the molds have downsides, especially Dai Atlus.  Should the downsides stop you from getting this set?  Absolutely not!  It may not be perfect, but it is fun, and will definitely be a focal point for conversations when you have friends checking out your collection.  Get it now, while you still can!

  LG-EX Big Powered Gallery and Review! Flying into the Allspark Studio at 9999 Powered Knots is the Autobot team that’s in the Zone, Road Fire, Sonic Bomber and Dai Atlus! 

[tekyu]

Been a rough month. Thrilled to have just walked into these glorious additions. #overlord #slugslinger #transformers #headmasters #titansreturn #titanmasters #g1 #generations #generationone #masterforce #godmasters #holepunch #caliburst #mega #giga #gigatron #fangry

[waspshot23]

Titans Return Ptero and Fangry

[armored-empathy]

#dinobotswoop checking out his protege, #ptero . #autobots #titansreturn #transformers #dinobots #swoop #headmasters #titanmasters