General Information:
Release Date: February 2019
Price Point: $19.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Asccessories: RT-5 Anti-thermo Blaster, SR Hushfuze, and EMP-Grenades x 2
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
- Build the ultimate battlefield: discover an expansive ecosystem of collectible figures and weapon accessories with Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
- Customizable weapon load out: chromia figure comes with a blaster, silencer, and grenade accessories. Multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. Weapon ports on figure and vehicle enable weapon accessories to attach in custom configurations.
- Expandable weapon selection: fans can build bigger mission loadouts by compiling an arsenal of additional weapon accessories from other Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability).
- Inspired cybertronian Alt Mode: articulated deluxe class wfc-s20 Chromonica toy features classic conversion between robot and cybertronian vehicle modes in 15 steps.
- Add battle effects: attach fire blasts accessories (not included. Included with battle Masters figures. Each sold separately. Subject to availability) to the ends of weapon accessories to simulate blaster fire coming from weapons.
Build the ultimate battlefield with siege figures. Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobus and deception battle to control Cybertron. The Deception resistance army and the Autobus counter-resistance fighters gear up with the C.O.M.B.A.T. (Cybertronian omnifuctional modular battlefield assault Tech) system, the universe's most advanced modular weaponry -- including the determined Autobot army Sergeant and counter intelligence Agent, Chromia.
Chromia was introduced in the Generation One cartoon in the episode "The Search for Alpha Trion". She was one of Elita-1's unit operating against the Decepticons on Cybertron in Optimus Prime's absence. The first toy of the character was part of the Botcon 2005 exclusive set. An alt-universe version of the character also appeared in the live action movies. A previous "Generations" figure featured the character transforming into a Cybertronian motorcycle, but this new version is a heavy retool and redeco of the sculpt that has been used for Moonracer, Novastar, Greenlight and Lancer.
Packaging:
Taking a cue from "Studio Series", the Deluxe figures in "Siege" are packaged in boxes instead of the traditional bubble card used for Deluxe Class figures. These boxes are beautiful featuring an unusual shape with one flat side and one angled side. While elements of previous packaging are still found on the boxes (ex: the vertical Transformers logo, the "Generations" logo, a largely black background etc.) there is a lot more added on. First, the background is not solid black. There are designs on it that look like sparks or perhaps embers from flames On the angled side is the character's package art. In this case it shows Ironhide wielding his rocket launcher. The figure itself is in robot mode behind a clear plastic window. To the left is a chevron with the character name. Below that is the "War for Cybertron: Siege" logo.
The back of the box features Chromia in both modes indicating a 15 step transformation. Off to the side are Pteraxadon and Aimless in weapon mode. It also shows a smaller picture of Chromia holding Pteraxadon in a corner.
In a fun extra, shining a black light on the packaging will reveal Cybertronian glyphs. Input them on Hasbro's "Teletraan-1" web site and you get a translation. In Chromia's case it is "SIIEXXXIITSFAT", which is one of the weirder codes in the line. Entering this into the site unlocks a desktop wallpaper with the "Siege" embers and logo along with some information on Chromia's location and a video featuring the action figure.
Accessories:
Chromia includes several accessories that are new to this figure. The main weapon is the "RT-5 Anti-thermo Blaster". This is a relatively small blaster that looks like it borrows some inspiration from the G1 character's weapon. This piece is cast in blue. The weapon barrel is designed so you can attach Blast Effects on the end to make it look like the blaster is firing.
The next accessory is the "SR Hushfuze" which, as the name suggests is basically a tube shaped silencer that attaches to the end of the "RT-5 Anti-thermo Blaster". This extends the weapon barrel and makes it look likea more formidable weapon. This piece is a very light blue plastic. This piece also has a tip at the end that allows you to attach Blast Effects from Battle Master figures.
Finally, this set includes two "EMP-Grenades". Each is a tube shaped piece with a tab on the side. Both are cast int he same blue as the blaster. Each grenade has a port on one side to attach it to one of the other accessories and a peg on the other, allowing you to attach other weaponry or Blast Effects. You can connect the two grenades together and add them on to the "SR Hushfuze" to turn the blaster into a rifle!
I really dig the inclusion of so many accessories with this figure. Completist fans have wound up buying variants of this mold several times already, so it is important that this version offer something different and fun.
Robot Mode:
If you think that this figure is just a simple retooling of the original Moonracer sculpt like say, Lancer, that is not the case. This is easily the most heavily re-engineered version of this base design. This has been so heavily re-engineered that the "Combiner Wars" style connector piece has been eliminated completely from the figure. This is the most commonly asked question about this figure, so here is the answer: no, Chromia cannot combine with Elita-1 and company. She is a standalone figure. Now, some industrious fans have managed to customize the design to give her the Combiner connector piece, but if you see photos of that rest assured it represents the work of a talented fan and not Hasbro.
Instead of running through a list of what has been changed, it is actually faster for me to just say what has not been changed. As far as I can tell, the fists and the thighs are the only pieces carried over from the previous incarnation. The changes to the figure are mostly aesthetic, but also partly functional. From an aesthetic point of view, the changes incorporate a lot of the designs from Chromia's Generation One animation model. This includes a new head sculpt featuring a distinctive helmet section with a wide central crest and collar-like details around it. The chest has a rectangular section and other sections like the shoulders, hips and knee armor all seem to be inspired by the G1 character. On top of all that, several sections have greebles on them to match with the "Siege" aesthetic.
Chromia is cast in blue, light blue, black and clear plastic. The blue colors make up most of the figure, matching her animated appearance in Generation One. Paint details are done in red and white with silver used for some of the "Siege" style battle damage. The colors on Generation One Chromia were rather simple but clean looking and this figure reflects that.
From a functional standpoint, some of the modifications made to this figure actually help the aesthetics. First, the panels that form the sides of the forearms are nowhere near as large as the ones on the other versions of this sculpt. The other change involves the legs. On the other sculpts like Lancer, the ankles basically have wheel wells stuck to them and they look kind of obtrusive. Here, the wheel wells are still in that area, but they are separate pieces that you can rotate to get out of the way. This really helps make that entire section of the figure look better and the feet don't wind up looking super awkward next to a wheel well.
There are nineteen points of articulation on this figure. This includes four on each arm and five on each leg. I was most surprised by the ankles being able to tilt side to side and back and forth. Each fist is designed to hold a 5mm peg weapon. There are also 5mm ports on the side of each forearm and lower leg. She also has ports on the bottom of her feet so you can attach 5mm peg accessories or Blast Effects from Battle Master figures. Speaking of Blast Effects, Chromia also has a small peg on each knee to attach a Blast Effect. This makes it look like she is being struck by weapons fire. If you want to store any of her weapons, there are three 5mm ports on her back. Interestingly, you can also attach her grenades to the sides of her arms using the tabs on the grenades. They do not hold very tight, but they will hold for display and I think they look super cool.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the accessories and set them aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the robot feet back.
- Rotate the wheel wells on the legs down.
- Clip the feet together using the tabs on each.
- Swing the wheels on the back forward.
- Lift up the back piece and swing the panel on the inside out.
- Swing the back piece down to form the cabin section and front of the vehicle. Use the tabs on the front wheel wells to connect them to the middle section.
- Push the robot head back into the chest.
- Rotate the upper body around.
- Raise the robot arms up.
- Swing the rear wheel well pieces in.
- Swing the arms back, then swing the fists inward.
- Connect the grenades to the two small pegs at the back of the vehicle.
- The other accessories can be attached to the top or sides.
Vehicle Mode:
Chromia's vehicle mode is partly based on her Generation One animation model but mostly owes its design to the base Moonracer design and "Siege" aesthetic. Like the cartoon model, the vehicle is boxy yet sleek looking thanks to the way the lines curve and angle back towards the rear of the car. The cockpit/cabin section in the center gives the vehicle a very futuristic appearance. The G1 influence also comes into play in the back of the vehicle where the rear wheel wells are covered up with armor (which makes sense in the middle of a war). Additional details include what appear to be exhaust pipes running along the sides in the middle and tiny details like vents and armor panels all over the vehicle.
Most of the same colors from the robot mode carry over to this one, but the middle is mostly clear plastic, which looks very cool. A red Autobot symbol is painted right on top of the clear plastic and there are light blue, white and silver details painted onto the front end. I appreciate the variety of colors in this mode. It helps keep the vehicle from just being a blob of blue.
There are six 5mm ports on this vehicle. Two are on top and four are on the sides. If you arrange them carefully you can really overload Chromia with extra accessories! There are five Battle Effect connection points in this mode. Four are in the front in sections that you could consider headlights. That said, you'll need to use thinner Blast Effects to attach there since the pegs are so close together. There is a fifth one on top of the cabin section. You can also attach a couple to the grenades (now exhaust pipes) in the back to make it look like she is using small rocket boosters.
Final Thoughts:
I think many fans are feeling "mold fatigue" with this base design, but this figure really shows how you can improve upon the design of the Moonracer sculpt. Recommended if you want to add a new Chromia to your collection, but otherwise the previous versions will do just fine.
Pros:
- Retooling makes this figure very distinctive from its predecessors.
- Fun accessories.
- Nice detailing on the figure in both modes.
- Good articulation.
Cons:
- Fans may be experiencing mold fatigue from how many times this sculpt has been used.
