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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 7:41:25 GMT
(Phew, initially typed Breast Wars, but spotted it!)
To my fellow Hubbers in the know, I have a few questions on Beast Wars, the previously unknown era to me that I am now getting into in a big way. When time and funding (and Mrs Shockprowl) allow I plan to get hold of the serieseses, so obv don't spoil the plot for me, but there's a coupla things I don't know/understand. Thanking you in advance.
1. Why did they initially travel to prehistoric Earth?
2. They're from the distant future, right?
3. Regards to the (excellant) figs, what's with the 'Mutant' faces/heads? Waspinator has two actual heads! Even the Maximals have insecty/mutant faces, although Rhinox does not.
4. Did Owl Prowl, Magnaboss or Tripredacus ever feature in the serieseses?
5. As I understand it, principal Maximals: Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Rhinox, Rattrap. Principal Predacons: Megatron, Waspinator, Tarantulus, Blackarachnia. Any I've missed?
Ta!
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Post by legios on Dec 2, 2007 11:00:13 GMT
Megatron travelled there as part of a nefarious plan to desabilise the political situation in his home era and put the Predacons in charge (the exact nature of that scheme appears to vary depending on which Season you are watching because he has a couple of plans up his sleeve - won't say much more than that because I don't want to spoil whichever bits you haven't seen).
Yep, they come from some point in the future after a Great War between Autobot and Decepticon led to them, being supplanted by Maximals and Predacons.
A wee gimmick that was dreamed up by the Kenner designers when they were working on the early waves. They were going to be used in the TV series as battle helmets, but that would have meant having a second animation model for everyone and on the very limited budget that "Beast Wars" had that would have been prohibitively expensive. (The mutant heads were kind of abandoned by later waves of the toys as well.)
None of them showed up in the US Beast Wars series. The japanese equivalents of Magnaboss and Tripredacus did show up in "Beast Wars Second".
I'd add Dinobot to your principal Maximals list on balance. Depending on what season of the TV show you are watching there would be justification to add Terrosaur to the list of principal Predacons.
Karl
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Post by The Doctor on Dec 2, 2007 11:13:38 GMT
This is a good place to start for info on Beast Wars: www.bwtf.com/bw/The site owner, Ben Yee, did some consultant work on the TV show. -Ralph |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 11:49:26 GMT
Thank you, Gentlemen. You truely are Fonts of Knowledge.
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Post by andrewcrane on Dec 2, 2007 14:39:33 GMT
(Phew, initially typed Breast Wars, but spotted it!)1. Why did they initially travel to prehistoric Earth? They didn't knowlingly do so (as in deliberately travel to prehistoric Earth. In fact in the first season, the writers weren't 100% that the planet was Earth. Megatron just followed the co-ordinates on the Golden Disc. Define distant - it's obvious that they are from the 'future' but the exact date, in human time measurements, is never given. It's a bit vague. The 1996 range of toys had the 'Mutant Heads' on figures Deluxe size or larger. The Mutant Heads were phased out from the toy range pretty quickly. It was too fiddly for Mainframe to animate two sets of robot heads, so they animated one robot head for each character - Waspinator and Tarantulas' appearances are based on the toys Mutant heads, the rest the 'normal' heads. Only Tripredacus. In one episode. Not enough time and money to design CGI models based on the toys, so they don't look like the toys at all. But they are Tripredacus - the script, which is online somewhere, calls the characters "Genreal Seaclamp" etc. If by "principal" you mean the characters that appear in the first episode, it's Maximals: OP, Cheetor, Rhinox, Rattrap. Predacons: Megatron, Dinobot, Tarantulas, Terrorsaur, Waspinator and Scorponok. Season/series 1 adds Dinobot to the Maximals (he defects), Tigatron and Airazor to the Maximals from stasis pods, and the Predacons get Blackarachnia and Inferno from stasis pods. |
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Post by legios on Dec 2, 2007 15:16:23 GMT
Only Tripredacus. In one episode. Not enough time and money to design CGI models based on the toys, so they don't look like the toys at all. But they are Tripredacus - the script, which is online somewhere, calls the characters "Genreal Seaclamp" etc. The cell animated "Beast Wars Second" series also features the Japanese Magnaboss - LioJunior, Santon & Skywarp, and the Jointron's who form Tripledacus (repaint Tripredicus). Both groups of which have parts to play in the Beast Wars Second movie. (In fact quite a lot of the plot of the latter hinges on Liojunior) Karl |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 15:34:08 GMT
Thanks AC and Karl, phew I've got a lot to catch up on! You know, only just getting into Beast Wars is like discovering Transformers all over again! It's cool!
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 9:25:38 GMT
If there was a Beast Wars Shockwave, what beast would he transform into? Best I can come up with is some kinda dragony thing, 'cos he prob should be able to fly- or he might just be able to fly in robot mode.
And, bizzar Shockprowl question comming up, which existing BW toy could be kitbashed into Shockwave?
(every time I type Beast I wana type Breast!! Maybe I wasn't breast-fed as a child much or something...)
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panderson
Protoform
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Post by panderson on Dec 2, 2007 12:53:42 GMT
If stick with Dragon then best bet is TM2 Megs although not sure myself
Something which suggests quiet calm/logic but also power
Elephant? then use Big Convoy - pricey a bit but I can see it
Some bird? - vulture? nah - too preadatory
What about an Owl? and evil owl - and can use Prowl
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 13:30:07 GMT
Hmm, good ideas. I like the calm/logic suggestion. That's a definate. I also feel he has to be something deadly, but not too in your face.
What about Rampage?
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 2, 2007 14:30:36 GMT
How about using the original Cybershark ? That would take a purple wash quite nicely without harming the beast mode too much, and the head's a ball joint so could be popped off for a home made replacement |
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 2, 2007 14:32:45 GMT
(every time I type Beast I wana type Breast!! Maybe I wasn't breast-fed as a child much or something...) Do you know about Breast Force ? |
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Post by andrewcrane on Dec 2, 2007 14:45:09 GMT
Are there any Cyclops-like BW toys, one-eyed ones?
Otherwise, I've always thought that Transquito recoloured could make a good BW Shockwave. No idea why though.
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 2, 2007 15:42:57 GMT
(every time I type Beast I wana type Breast!! Maybe I wasn't breast-fed as a child much or something...) Do you know about Breast Force ? BREAST FORCE! HAAAA! That's proper Mad! No idea they existed! They're called 'Breast Force' cosa the shields that, what, fold out? From their chests? That's crazy! Beware the Breast Force! Comin' at ya! That's a mag I'd like to buy! Haven't found any cyclops BW yet. I'm drifting towards Rampage with a new head. (continues laughing uncontrollabily at Breast Force!) |
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Post by Philip Ayres on Dec 2, 2007 16:21:23 GMT
Are there any Cyclops-like BW toys, one-eyed ones? Otherwise, I've always thought that Transquito recoloured could make a good BW Shockwave. No idea why though. It's the missile down the centre of the face. See also Bonecrusher. |
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Post by legios on Dec 2, 2007 16:25:28 GMT
BREAST FORCE! HAAAA! That's proper Mad! No idea they existed! They're called 'Breast Force' cosa the shields that, what, fold out? From their chests? That's crazy! Beware the Breast Force! Comin' at ya! That's a mag I'd like to buy! Haven't found any cyclops BW yet. I'm drifting towards Rampage with a new head. (continues laughing uncontrollabily at Breast Force!) I think it is more that the companion robots/weapons transform into breastplates, you know. Like on suits of armour. Don't think that their are any cyclopean Beast Wars toys that I can think of unforunately so you are pretty much on a hiding to nothing with that idea I fear. Karl |
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Post by Nigel on Dec 2, 2007 19:53:11 GMT
If there was a Beast Wars Shockwave, what beast would he transform into? And, bizzar Shockprowl question comming up, which existing BW toy could be kitbashed into Shockwave? I was going to make a one-eyed snake joke, but reading the idea of an animal that suggests quiet calm, then a snake wouldn't be a bad idea. Perhaps repaint a Corahda, giving him a new head. Also, of course, he only has one normal hand, which could work to its advantage. |
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Post by Shockprowl on Dec 6, 2007 7:06:34 GMT
If there was a Beast Wars Shockwave, what beast would he transform into? And, bizzar Shockprowl question comming up, which existing BW toy could be kitbashed into Shockwave? I was going to make a one-eyed snake joke, but reading the idea of an animal that suggests quiet calm, then a snake wouldn't be a bad idea. Perhaps repaint a Corahda, giving him a new head. Also, of course, he only has one normal hand, which could work to its advantage. Like this idea. "Now, Soudwave, I am at last ready to take complete control of this planet!" "Hold, mighty Megatron, what is that comming over the horizon?" "NO! It is the all-powerfull BREAST FORCE! An angry mob of glamour models, hell bent on our destruction!" "Meh, worst fates..." |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jan 31, 2008 15:41:33 GMT
Think back to the mid-90s when Beast Wars arrived. Just prior to then Transformers: Generation 2 was all but floundering in the water and Transformers as a brand was pretty much dead. Along came Beast Wars and, wham!, Transformers was back on the zeitgeist map once again.
But how would a Beast Wars type line (say, all toys as animals and so on) fare today? Would it be too soon after last year's live action feature film? Is there any need to completely overhaul the Transformers brand at this time?
What does everyone think?
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Post by charlesrocketboy on Jan 31, 2008 15:55:09 GMT
I don't think there's any need to do an overhaul of the brand anymore because, ever since Beast Wars, it seems they overhaul it every few years. RID was an overhaul after 6 years of beasties; Armada was another change (large Cybertron-esque alt-modes and a collectible gimmick in the Mini-Cons); the Movie toys are a change again. And there's always a different branding and a continuity reboot every few years, so accessibility is assured.
Though I wouldn't mind more realistic-animals-into-robots toys, that'd be cool. Especially a new Waspinator (Animated Waspinator! Do it now, Hasbro!). God, I wish I'd picked up some of the 10th Anniversary BW toys...
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Post by Bogatan on Jan 31, 2008 15:59:17 GMT
I really think Animated is a pretty big overhaul. Purely as toys I think BW fits alongside the rest of the TF toy line better than Animated will. BW had an organic look but the designs felt very much like what had come before and after (just compare BW and MW flipchangers) Animated feels like the designers have really moved in a new direction to me.
Andy
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Post by Shockprowl on Jan 31, 2008 16:30:22 GMT
Given my new found love of Beast Wars, I'd welcome a forray into that style again. I agree that Animated is the new big thing. So there's prob no place for a whole line as such. But maybe Universe Classics can branch out into the Beast Wars era, after all there's nothing to say 'classic' Transformers have to be exclusively from G1. Said that, alot of the Beast Wars toys that have 'come into' my collection (cheers Barricade!) hold up really well to modern standards. I though Cheetor in 6" Titaniums was a very interesting choice. Maybe in the future Universe Classics can be the new 'sounding board' for us collectors to get new versions of our most loved characters.
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Hero
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Post by Hero on Feb 10, 2008 11:17:51 GMT
I can't see another Beast Wars take off. I would have loved to have seen a Beast Wars that revolved around household pets (something not done yet basically) and would have mixed in nicely with the Real Gear concept in that these Transformers are smaller than the humans.
Beast Wars Neo for me catered for what the other Beast Wars incarnations lacked and that was more Dinos, Zoo creatures, and hardly no Transmetal/Fuzor/Beast Machines bastardisation. Once that had its time Beast Wars was spent for me.
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Post by Shockprowl on Mar 2, 2008 18:54:15 GMT
Continuing our 'Top 5' threads, What are Your Top 5 Beast Wars Toys?
Mine are, in no particular order:
1. Magnaboss. You know why! Grrrr!
2. Original big ape Optimus. Although I preffer his Transmetal incarnations robot face, this mold is ace and blew my brain when I got it (FREE) of the splendid Barricade. So much weaponary! Great great figure.
3. Transmetal Cheetor. A great mold that stands up against any modern figure.
4. Transmetal Rhinox. Same reason as Cheetor.
5. Rampage. The Transmetal Warlord is such an imposing figure with massive claws and great tank mode. Great fun.
Honourable mention to: Original T-Rex Megatron. I know he doesn't have any hands, which is a shame, but I love him for his powerfull feel and imposing robot and T-Rex modes. Also for some reason I love Longrack, the Giraffe. He looks like king of the jungle!
Ian
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Post by legios on Mar 2, 2008 20:02:06 GMT
Top Five Beast Wars toys. This surprises me by how easy I find it:-
1) First Gorilla Optimus Primal: packed with neat features, reasonbly poseable and not at all a bad looking sculpt for its era. It is just such a fun little toy. There is a reason it is one of the few Beast Wars toys I still own.
2) Big Convoy: Yes, he is a bit of an annoying shellformer in the transformation. But he has a very nice-looking sculpt (one of the most imposing-looking Beast Wars leaders in humanoid mode), can pull of some wonderful poses for display (I like to display him wielding his tonfa in a rather Tony Jaa-esque pose).
3) Break: Yes, his beast mode has almost no articulation - but it accurately models a penguin in that regard. His sculpt has a lot of character to it, and it is a fairly unique beastmode.
4) Thrust (BWNeo): He's an F-22 in bright yellow with black trim. There is just something about the absurdity of a low-observable fighter in high-visibility colours like that which amuses me immensly. He's also one of the better Jet toys that Transformers has produced.
5) Stampy: See comments above regarding character. Stampy's sculpt has oodles and ooldles of character to it. From the first time I saw it I was struck by the idea of him in disguise as a cybernetically augmented rabbit and I have been attached to the toy ever since.
(I'm glad you made this Beast Wars toys. If you'd included Beast Machines it would have been a much harder operation all told to narrow it down to five).
Karl
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Post by Philip Ayres on Mar 2, 2008 20:07:48 GMT
1) Ultra Optimus Primal. The main reason I buy TF toys today
2) BWII Galvatron
3) TM Airazor
4) Jp BW Tigatron
5) US Buzzsaw
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Post by The Doctor on Mar 2, 2008 20:35:22 GMT
BWII Moon, Big Convoy, skatebioard monkey Prime and first gorilla Optimus for me. The only Beast toys I own!
-Ralph
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Post by Bogatan on Mar 2, 2008 20:48:55 GMT
Arggggggh! Too hard.
Basics. I truly love BW basics
1.Rattrap/Packrat so much character and poseability and a great looking gun. Packrats colours are lovely.
2. Buzzclaw Just something about it love the colours. Robot mode looks great and because f the insect claws on the back its really stable so can do some great poses. Beast mode has loads of play value to.
3 Razorbeast. For the same reasons as Rattrap I guess.
4. Claw Jaw great looking robot mode and the TM colours are one of my all time favs Ilkars nice too.
5 I want to put Bocon 06 Tigertron but that seems a bit of a cheat so I'l go with Insecticon or Quickstrike.
Above basic.
1 TM Megs whats not to love.
2 Heinlad. Is a racoon with a clock in its belly and a weapon made out of a clay pot type thing. Again whats not to love.
3 Tako Tank, Erm giant octopuss tank with cute blue eyes that you DO NOT want to wake up to find staring straight at you, trust me its scary.
4 Ape Primal is nice
5 Cheetor one of the last toys I played with a lot scores it a place on the list.
Really thought its the basics I love from BW.
Andy
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Post by Shockprowl on Mar 6, 2008 10:20:24 GMT
Really interesting lists. Being quite new to the wonderousness that is Beast Wars, this list has introduced me to figs I wasn't too familiar with, as well as figs that I now own and love. Partic the way you described Ratrap and Razorbeast, Andy, they're great little figures.
Ian
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Mar 6, 2008 10:41:54 GMT
1 - Beast Wars Ultra Optimus Primal - gorilla mode. The first Transformer I'd bought in something like seven years when I picked him up.
2 - Heinlad - he has a clock in his belly and an articulated scrotum. Genius.
3 - Optimal Optimus - a lot of fun, big massive Prime toy.
4 - T-Rex Megatron (original) - a lot of fun can be had with Barneytron.
5 - Razorbeast - I picked him up with Primal back in the day and just liked the little boar/warthog chap. Besides having a mulletgun is awesome.
Andy
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