General Information:
Release Date: July 2019
Price Point: $34.99 (In a boxed set with 10 Micromasters)
Retailer: Target Exclusive
Accessories: None
Official images and text below in italics are from Target.com:
- BUILD THE ULTIMATE BATTLEFIELD: The Generations War for Cybertron trilogy introduces an expansive ecosystem of collectible figures and weapon accessories. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability)
- EXCITING 10pk WITH CLASSIC MICROMASTER COMBINATION: This 10pk includes 5 teams of Micromaster toys that convert and combine to form weapon modes!
- CLASSIC G1-INSPIRED CHARACTERS: Adult fans nostalgic for the original Transformers animation and kids discovering classic characters for the first time can share and experience exciting play patterns across generations
- AWESOME CONVERSION: Each figure in this Micromaster 10pk features simple conversion to micro vehicle modes. For kids and adults 8 years old and up!
- COMPATIBLE WEAPON MODE WORKS WITH ALL OTHER FIGURES: War for Cybertron: Siege figures have multiple weapon ports that enable fans to attach the weapon mode of Micromaster figures
- Build the ultimate battlefield with Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege collectible figures, featuring classic G1 characters. (Each figure sold separately. Subject to availability). Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobot and Decepticon battle to control Cybertron. The Decepticon resistance army and the Autobot counter-resistance fighters gear up with the universe's most advanced modular weaponry, including the weapon modes of Micromaster figures - sentient bots that become weapons!
Micromaster figures combine to form weapons to equip other Siege figures (sold separately)!
- WFC-S58 Ricon and Irontread form Dual-Port Scrapgrinder
- WFC-S59 Road-Police and Wheel Blaze form Powershot Plasma Cannon
- WFC-S60 Overair and Ground Shaker form Ultra-Sonic Shredder Blade
- WFC-S61 Slyhopper and Nightflight form Dual-Edged Soundbreaker Sword
- WFC-S62 Cratermaker and Fireline form Gravatronic Rubblemaker Cannon
- Includes 10 Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Siege Micromaster figures and instructions.
- Figure scale: 1.5 inches
- Ages 8 and up
- Warning: Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
-Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro.
As part of the burst of new products at Target in late July/early August 2019, Target carried an exclusive ten pack of Micromaster figures. A majority of this set featured redecos and retools of previously released figures. Two of the figures in the pack (Irontread and Ricon) were redecos of the Off-Road Patrol, which was not readily available online (via Amazon) until about two weeks after this set was released. Instead of featuring the "missing members" of the previously released patrols, many of these figures represented characters who originally came with transforming bases in Generation One or Japanese exclusive Micromaster homages.
Irontread is the new name for the G1 Micromaster named Ironworks. Ironworks was my first G1 Micromaster base, so I have a special affection for the character. This figure is a redeco and retool of the sculpt used for Powertrain from the Off-Road Patrol, but since I do not have that team yet at this time, this review will serve as my first look at the sculpt.
Packaging:
The Micromaster 10 Pack is packaged in a box with a large window in the front. This allows you to see all ten Micromasters inside. The Micromasters are packaged in robot mode and roughly divided between Autobots and Decepticons. The left side says "Autobots" while the right says "Decepticons", but Ground Shaker and Overair (both Autobots) are near the "Decepticon side" while Nightflight is on the "Autobot side". The "Siege" logo is located towards the bottom and the side of course has the "Generations" logo along with a vertical Transformers logo on the right.
The back of the box features each Micromaster in both modes along with the number of steps to transform them. It also shows off each pair's combined weapon mode, but does not name them (they are however named in the official product description above). In the lower right hand corner is Red Alert holding the "Dual-Port Scrapgrinder" formed by Irontread and Ricon.
Robot Mode:
Irontread is an interesting figure. He is meant to be a new incarnation of G1 Ironworks, but he features a head and chest design based on G1 Big Hauler. This is cool because it is a fun reference to another Micromaster and it distinguishes this figure from Powertrain. However at the same time it is unnecessary because in G1 Powertrain and Ironworks were the same exact sculpt, just in different colors complete with the same head and chest.
Like G1 Ironworks, Irontread is a taller figure with long arms and legs. His arms feature a series of horizontal lines on the shoulders and forearms. The lower legs feature very "Optimus Prime-esque" vent like sections in the front. The Big Hauler inspired parts come into play on the torso and head. The head is rather distinctive in the set, featuring a helmet section with a small crest on top and visor eyes with a mouthplate. meanwhile the chest features a five sided shape in the middle with small bits that rise up from the top of the chest. The main weakness of the design is more an aesthetic issue than a functional one. The front of the truck winds up on the back of the figure behind the legs, and the flip just kind of hangs there awkwardly. I wish it had folded up against the top of the vehicle mode but it does not affect the figure's ability to stand or be posed.
Irontread is cast in yellow and black plastic. Most of the figure is made up of the yellow plastic, with black making up the waist/hip joint area and the wheels. Silver, red and black paint are used to fill in details including red on the face and silver against the black on the lower legs. The smokestack located behind the left shoulder is painted silver. These colors call back to G1 Ironworks very well and they look great on their own.
There are seven points of articulation on this figure. This includes two on each leg and waist articulation. Unlike other Micromasters, Irontread's legs do not pop off very easily, which is a relief. His joints are also nice and tight.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Push the lower legs together.
- Connect the tabs on the forearms to the corresponding slots on the sides of the hips.
- Rotate the back piece around.
- Push the front of the vehicle down.
- Slide the small tabs on the backof the thighs into the corresponding slots under the smokestack.
Vehicle Mode:
Irontread is a (very Earth-like) long nose truck in vehicle form. This mode looks like a much more detailed version of G1 Ironworks' vehicle form and it looks great. There are a lot of cool sculpted details including lots of raised lines on the front end, a row of lights (and possibly horns) running along the top of the vehicle and even a trailer hitch in the back. He also borrows one of G1 Ironworks' more distinct features: a single smokestack on the right side towards the middle of the truck. I love how this vehicle mode takes the G1 form and amps it up.
The yellow color takes center stage in this mode, but we get to see black on the sides and a orange paint on the windshield and trailer hitch section. The orange in the back is a callback to an orange sticker on G1 Ironworks. An Autobot symbol graces the top of the hood section and the smokestack is painted silver. The front end is also painted silver, adding some nice detail to the vehicle.
Transformation to Weapon Mode (Starting in Vehicle mode):
- Lift the front end up, swing out the peg and swing the panel back down.
- Split the lower legs and swing out each of the weapon barrels.
- Push the legs back together.
Weapon Mode:
My first thought when I transformed Irontread into weapon mode was that he looked like a truck with rockets in the back. The weapon barrels look like thrusters and if you attach Blast Effects to them it looks like Irontread is rocketing across the ground! Like his partner Ricon, Irontread is nice and chunky in this mode, giving the sense of power to this mode. The weapon barrels are red plastic and each features an end that allows you to attach Blast Effects.
Irontread is the bottom of the "Dual-Port Scrapgrinder" weapon when combined with Ricon. Unfortunately other than one peg, there is no way to "lock" the two together, so Irontread winds up drooping a bit if the Scrapgrinder is held by a larger figure.
Final Thoughts:
Irontread is a great update of Ironworks. He looks like an upgraded version of the character with more details and deco. The choice to give him a new head/chest is kind of odd, but I can live with it. I do recommend this entire boxed set since it is a lot of fun all in one package. It is also quite a bargain since ten Micromasters would normally cost you about $50 USD at retail.
Pros:
- Excellent sculpt.
- Good deco.
- Fun looking weapon mode.
- Weapon Mode can accomodate Blast Effects.
Cons:
- The big flap in the back of the robot mode is a bit odd (but again, does not affect functionality).
