2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Looking over the TF purchases of the past year, I couldn’t help but notice this cool trend, i.e. that we saw more figures with melee weapons over the traditional missile launcher. I know they existed before, it just seems that they were more prominent this year than any other. It was more than the typical sword as well; the variety was amazing. Just looking at my collection we had:

Katanas & Wakizashis of Drift/Bludgeon/Banzaitron
Pop-out Battle blades/hooks of Optimus
Ninja Daggers of Mindwipe
Axes of Skystalker
Trident of Terradive
Pickaxe of Skullgrin/Darkmount

I’m probably missing more, but the point is that figures in all classes, from scout to leader had this trend. Even better was when combined with the improved possibility of the figures we finally got the 2-handed grip pose which I don’t remember seeing too often. I know that firing missiles at each other is a large factor for some, but I think unique melee weapons are a good change of pace (and less missiles lost!)

Any thoughts on this trend & whether it will continue into next year?

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Although its cool, I would make minor adjustments to the trend. it should include both guns and melee. I wish drift had a cool gun and sword maybe a sword that transforms into a gun.

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

I suspect it has to do with cost-cutting measures, as having just a melee weapon would be cheaper than including spring-loaded weapons...:/

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

that would be cool

we have seen swords, axes and even a trident, a freckin' T*R*I*D*E*N*T, just like you said.

animated had the most I know of, like magnus hammer, ironhide brass knuckles, lockdown hook/saw, sentinal primes sheild & spear, blurrs sheild/saw, etc.

good chance would see more melee

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Don't forget about WFC BB & CJ's energon blades that swing out from their arms

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

You forget to mention Drift...two butterfly daggers and a BFS

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Reading > You :doh:

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Melee weapons are cool, i hope we'll see more in the future.

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Robot with guns have been done to death, it's nice to see something different for a change. I look forward to seeing more melee weapons in the future, but of course I wouldn't want them all to be swords and stuff.

Re: 2010: Year of the Melee weapon?
 

Kinda like a FFVIII Gunblade? How awesome would that be! We'd have a figure with the best of both Blurr & Drift!



I was thinking of this too, but then it wouldn't explain why we didn't see more pressure missiles (although Hailstorm had enough for 4 bots...) . Plus, we did see spring-loaded melee weapons too, like Mindwipe, Prime & WFC BB/CJ (as Autobotz24 mentioned), which I imagine would cost just as much.



Yeah, Ironhide had some pretty unique melee gear. Brass Knucks & that whole survival knife kit he used against Bludgeon; a big change for a guy who "just wants to show his cannons":o