General Information:
Release Date: November 2018
Price Point: $5.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Toys R Us, Target, Wal-Mart etc.)
Accessories: Fire Blast accessory (blue)
Official images and text below in italics are from Amazon.com:
- Build the ultimate battlefield - the generations War for Cyber Tron trilogy introduces an expansive ecosystem of collectible figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability). War for Cyber Tron: Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobot and deception battle to control Cyber Tron. The time of peace is gone. Cyber Tron is a war-torn battlefield, overrun by the Fighting between two factions: the deception resistance Army and the Autobot counter-resistance fighters.
- Featuring classic G1 characters – experience classic G1 characters through the lens of the war for Cyber Tron: Siege story. The Siege line offers thrilling throwbacks to G1 toys and exciting play patterns for all generations. Adult fans nostalgic for the original Transformers animation can explore a new chapter of Transformers lore, while young kids can discover classic characters for the first time. Share the experience across Generations by uncovering the epic story of War for Cybertron together.
- AWESOME WEAPON MODE – The WFC-S2 Lionizer action figure stands at 1.5in in robot mode. Convert the Battle Masters action figure into its RS Firesteel Saber mode in 5 easy steps. Simple conversion for kids and adults 8 years old and up!
- COMPATIBLE WEAPON MODE WORKS WITH ALL OTHER SIEGE FIGURES – Convert the WFC-S2 Lionizer toy into its weapon mode and use it to create a larger mission loadout for Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader Class Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.) Multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. (Cybertronian Omnifuctional Modular Battlefield Assault Tech) System weapon ports enable fans to attach weapon mode Battle Masters toys to other Siege figures and their vehicle modes in custom configurations.
- ADD BATTLE EFFECTS WITH FIRE BLASTS ACCESSORIES – All Battle Masters action figures come with Fire Blasts accessories. Attach Fire Blasts to the ends of Battle Masters action figures
In 2018 the "Power of the Primes" line finished off the "Prime Wars Trilogy" which had begun with "Combiner Wars". To kick off a whole new G1 inspired series of "Generations" figures, a new line known as "War for Cybertron: Siege" started in late 2018 (with a planned wide release in 2019). This line introduced new Classes of Transformers figures into the mix seen the last three years. In place of the "Master" price point at $5.99 USD MSRP, Titan Masters and Prime Masters have been replaced with Battle Masters. G1 fans will remember these as "Targetmasters", figures that transform from a robot mode into a weapon! Each Battle Master also includes soft plastic "Fire Blast" effects that can attach to the weapon modes, bringing the figures to life in a new way in "Generations".
Most of the Battle Masters announced so far for "Siege" are based on G1 Targetmaster characters. However, Lionizer is a bit different. Instead of being based on a Targetmaster from the 1987-88 era, he is based on an Action Master partner from the latter part of G1. His G1 predecessor was partnered with the Autobot, Rad and he transformed into a large cannon. This new incarnation is a robotic lion that transforms into a sword!
Packaging:
Similar to the Titan Masters and Prime Masters, Lionizer is packaged on a small bubble card. However, Hasbro has stepped up the artwork to deliver a stronger visual punch. The card itself has artwork for the individual characters against a Cybertronian backdrop. Lionizer is shown leaping into battle firing his weapon. Below him is a large symbol which represents his rank (As of early December 2018, Hasbro has not yet released a comprehensive guide to what symbols correspond to what rank). The name "Lionizer" and his rank symbol appear in a vertical chevron on the left. The figure is packaged in robot mode. His "Fire Blast" effect is on the right side. Under him is the package insert featuring the word "Siege" in giant letters and the "War for Cybertron Trilogy" logo under it. The "Transformers" logo is on top in a much smaller font. Under all that is the term "Battle Masters" next to the age recommendation and Hasbro logo. On the right is a black strip with the vertical "Transformers" logo seen on most "Generations" packaging, the "Generations" logo above it and the Takara Tomy log above that.
The back of the card features the figure in both modes indicating a 5 step transformation. It also shows Optimus Prime holding Lionizer with his Fire Blast effect on the Autobot leader's shield. There is of course a ton of legal information towards the bottom.
Beast Mode:
With Battle Masters like Firedrive, Lionizer does not heavily borrow from his G1 predecessor in design. Sure he is a "robotic lion" and he has a vertical "mane" on the head with some similar designs on the sides of the legs, but overall this is a design unique to this figure, especially the big weapon blade with mechanical details on the side that swings over the back. It's a cool looking figure even if not super G1 accurate.
Lionizer's colors also differ from his G1 counterpart's. Instead of a neon orange and silver, this Lionizer is black and silver plastic. His eyes are painted red and there is a tiny Autobot symbol on the top of his head. This mode has no other deco and that is unfortunate. I think some more red paint would have helped some of the sculpted details on the side really pop.
There are six points of articulation on this figure: the four legs, the "sword/tail" and the head. While the official artwork shows Lionizer with the sword blade swung over the back as a cannon, you can also swing it back like a giant tail. Oddly, there is a 3mm peg in the back of the sword/cannon/tail which seem somewhat impractical but at least it adds play value.
Transformation to Weapon Mode:
- Swing the sword blade back.
- Swing the head down to reveal the sword handle.
- Swing the rear legs up.
- Swing the front legs back and connect the tabs on it to the top of the rear legs.
Weapon Mode:
From a visual standpoint not much is different between this mode and the beast mode. The legs are still showing, they're just tucked together. Really, the only "new" part showing is the sword handle. This is not necesarily a bad thing. The weapon certainly looks like a sword and a powerful one at that.
Sadly no new colors or paint apps reveal themselves in this mode, but then again most of the other Battle Masters are fairly plain in terms of colors in weapon mode so Lionizer is hardly an outlier.
The 5mm peg allows any figure with a 5mm port to wield the sword. What's kind of cool is that you can swing the peg out to the side to attach the sword to vehicle modes or even other Battle Masters. The Fire Blast effect included with Lionizer is a really cool one. Cast in blue, soft plastic it looks like a curve of energy coming out of the sword blade. There is a rectangular slot that attaches to the rectangle on the sword blade section. I love the effect this creates. It looks beautiful and cool all at the same time.
Final Thoughts:
Of the first three Battle Masters released, Lionizer is probably the most unusual. However, being a melee weapon in his alt mode and the awesome Fire Blast effect is really cool. I also love the callback to an Action Master partner. It offers up some diversity to the potential pool of characters to be used as Battle Masters. Recommended if you're looking for something different from the other two Battle Masters in the assortment.
Pros:
- A fun reference to the Action Masters era of Transformers history.
- Cool sculpt with nice detailing.
- The sword is a unique weapon mode in the assortment.
Cons:
- Needs more deco in beast mode.
