General Information:
Release Date: December 2019 (Estimated Arrival Date)
Price Point: $19.99 (depending on retailer)
Retailer: General (Amazon, BigBadToyStore, Entertainment Earth etc.)
Accessories: W-35 LR Doomblast Forge Launcher
Note: I received this figure during Hasbro's 2019 unboxing event. Unfortunately the packaging was tossed out and official photos of the packaging are not on any major retail sites associated with BWTF yet so I will post those images once they are available.
Official images and text below in italics are from >BigBadToyStore:
Recreate the ultimate battle with Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege toy figures. 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 are equipped with the C.O.M.B.A.T. (Cybertronian Omnifuctional Modular Battlefield Assault Tech) System, the universe's most advanced modular weaponry.
The Deluxe Class WFC-S49 Crosshairs figure comes with a converting W-35 LR Doomblast Forge Launcher weapon accessory with 2 weapon modes: blaster and hammer modes. Figure features multiple C.O.M.B.A.T. System weapon ports to attach weapons, enabling custom configurations in bot and vehicle modes.
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). The traditional Deluxe Class of figures continues in "Siege".
Crosshairs was first introduced in 1987 as part of the "Headmasters/Targetmasters" era of G1. The character was paired up with the Targetmaster Pinpointer, who transformed from a small figure into a weapon for Crosshairs. This new version of the character is a retool and redeco of Siege Ironhide so you may want to check out that review before reading this one. This review will focus on the changes made to the figure for this release.
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 Crosshairs' case, it looks like he is aiming his weapon at (presumably) a Decepticon that is "off screen". 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 Crosshairs in both modes indicating a 14 step transformation. It also shows him holding Smashdown. Smashdown and Caliburst are both listed as cosells.
Accessory:
Like Ironhide, Crosshairs includes a "W-35 LR Doomblast Forge Launcher". This is a fancy way of saying "Awesome Looking Rocket Launcher". The front appears to be an oblique homage to the rocket launcher built into G1 Ironhide's trailer vehicle. Like that rocket launcher this one is rectangular in shape, but instead of just one rocket in the front it has tubes for six. The weapon is long, extending back with what looks like a handle/shoulder rest in the back. There is some beautiful sculpted detail running along the sides and bottom.
This time out the Doomblast Forge Launcher is cast in black plastic. The "hammer head" end is painted red with silver in front. These colors align nicely with Crosshairs himself and it looks great.
The Launcher features three different 5mm pegs. Each allows Crosshairs (or any figure, really) to hold the weapon in various positions. It can be held like a blaster, or over the shoulder or even just to the side. The peg towards the back is used to hold the weapon as if it were a giant hammer. Just swing down the front end and now the weapon takes on an especially brutal configuration! Even more fun, the back of the hammer mode has two connector points for Blast Effects from Battle Master figures. That makes the hammer look "rocket powered" which is very fun. I really love how simple yet awesome this weapon is.
Some fans may not be thrilled that Crosshairs does not include a Targetmaster partner. It has been suggested that Trenchfoot is actually meant to be an updated Pinpointer, and the colors definitely work so feel free to pair up Crosshairs with that figure.
Update (10/14/19): Several fans reported to me that I had transformed Crosshairs' chest incorrectly when I failed to swing down the panel, then swing it up so the top slots into the grooves on the inside of the chest. These fans were absolutely correct. I have updated photos 1, 2, 4 and 6 below to reflect the correct transformation and added in a weapons storage photo as a bonus. Apologies for any confusion to my fellow fans. I hope you continue to enjoy my reviews.
Robot Mode:
Crosshairs is a retool and redeco of Siege Ironhide. The two figures share the same body, but Crosshairs has been given a new head. Instead of the head seen on the G1 toy, this head is based on the design of the head seen in the G1 cartoon. The two are very different. Whereas the G1 toy head had a face with two eyes, a nose and mouth, the G1 animation model featured a head with visor eyes and a mouthplate with horizontal tubes running across it. The sides of the head each have flat panels on them and there is a crest in the middle on top. The head sculpt looks fantastic overall.
The rest of the body is the same sculpt as Ironhide. Some fans may feel this is a bit of a "cheat", but personally I think it looks great. Like G1 Crosshairs he features a prominent windshield piece on his torso and the arms and legs have a "blocky" look to them that suits the character.
This time out, this sculpt is cast in black, red and blue plastic. The torso panel/windshield is made of clear plastic. The red, blue and black were all key colors of G1 Crosshairs and they look fantastic here. Paint details are done in red and silver colors. The lower legs feature a set of beautiful tampographed details based on stickers from G1 Crosshairs' leg stickers. These are among my favorite designs on this figure. They look awesome!
All the joints on my copy of this figure are nice and tight. This also includes the flaps that are attached to the sides of his legs. On Ironhide these flaps would come off if you looked at them funny (I exaggerate...but not by much). However on this figure they clearly did some work to make sure they held on tighter. I actually managed to pick up the figure by the flaps and they didn't come off! I am super happy about this.
Transformation to Vehicle Mode:
- Detach the launcher and set it aside for now.
- Straighten out the arms and legs.
- Swing the chest panel forward, swing the head down and close the cover.
- Swing the arms up and connect them together.
- Swing the back pack down.
- Rotate the chest piece with the arms attached around.
- Push the back pack piece against the chest/windshield section.
- Swing the front panels of each lower leg up.
- Push the two legs together.
- Swing the panels on the sides of the lower legs forward.
- Swing the panels from the front of the lower legs together.
- The weapon can be attached to the top of the vehicle.
Vehicle Mode:
Crosshairs was a Cybertronian dune buggy-like figure in G1. Here he looks more like a Cybertronian van or maybe even some type of troop carrier ATV. G1 purists will likely not be thrilled with this mode, but personally I dig it. To me it fits the "tough looking off-road" vehicle category that I picture Crosshairs being in.
All the colors from the robot mode carry over to this form, so there are few color surprises. There is some silver on the headlights and front section for "weathering" that is not prominent in robot mode. The silver details from the legs wind up on the sides here, looking almost like large window strips.
Just like Ironhide you have four 5mm ports on top and two on the back of the vehicle. You can also attach a Blast Effect to the top section of the windshield.
Final Thoughts:
Crosshairs is a super cool redeco and retool of Ironhide. The new head sculpt looks fantastic and the deco really helps make the body a convincing one for the character. Recommended!
Pros:
- Great new head sculpt.
- A cool new toy for a character that has been neglected for quite some time.
- Fun play value in both modes.
- They fixed the whole "leg flap falling off" issue!
- The deco pops beautifully and really distinguishes this figure from Ironhide.
Cons:
- Some fans may prefer a Targetmaster partner being included with the figure (understandable, but not realistic given the price point).
