Review: #360
Name: Chromedome
Brand: Transformers
Allegiance: Autobot
Line: Legends
Year of Release: 2016
Size Class: Deluxe with Vehicle
Mold Status: new
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS:
Chromedome comes from the Legends line and is packed in a box in vehicle mode.
The back as per usual shows off the stock photography and the various gimmicks including the mini-vehicle.
The front of the instructions contain a piece of the excellent unique artwork of the character.
While there is a two page comic included.
CHROME:
Chromedome's Headmaster is Chrome although he is not specifically named anywhere.
The head is in full view from the back as you'd expect. Articulation is your standard balljointed shoulders and neck.
The red and white works nicely such that even though he has no paint on his body, he doesn't feel bland.
MOGURU:
Chromedome's mini-vehicle is called Moguru and is a repaint of the vehicle that came with Nightbeat.
It transforms into a plane but it is very poor with the obvious treads on the sides and lack of a tailfin.
It is very similar to the one that came with Hardhead although there are sculpting differences. You can't combine a Headmaster with the plane now either.
There are some pegs on the plane such that you can attach Chrome securely to ride it.
It is approximately Legion sized, above is a comparison against RiD Legion Bumblebee.
A bulky plane that doesn't quite work making it quite disappointing.
Moguru's other mode is a drill tank and this one is slightly better.
It's missing a proper cockpit (which kind of makes sense) and this is the mode where you combine it with the Headmaster at the back although it is tricky attaching him and it looks weird as a random block on the vehicle.
Alternatively, you can pose it such that Chrome is riding the tank instead.
It is more compact in this mode although there are no wheels of any sort, which seems like a missed opportunity.
The transformation between the two modes is super simple, comprising of flipping the sides and then the front. This is what makes either mode suffer such heavy compromises.
The tank mode is the better one but the gappy middle ruins it somewhat.
VEHICLE MODE:
Chromedome transforms into a sports car that seems to have a busy sculpt but when you look at it in detail, there's actually a lot of smooth areas.
Unfortunately, it is slightly lacking in the paint department. It would have been nice to at least have the rear lights painted, as it is, it feels somewhat lazy.
The size is pretty decent for a Deluxe, above is a comparison against Reveal the Shield Jazz.
In additional to the rolling wheels, there are a few other gimmicks. You can attach the robot weapons onto the roof.
To which you can place Chrome in, although it's quite a precarious position...
Alternatively, you can set the weapon assembly aside as a standalone piece instead.
There are also some pegholes on either side of the car if you want something more unorthodox.
Lastly, the cockpit can open up to reveal a seat for Chrome to sit in.
Despite the paint issue, Chromedome has a fantastic vehicle.
TRANSFORMATION:
You might have already noticed from the vehicle mode but Chromedome shares a lot of engineering with Generations Combiner Wars Dead End. Chromedome is not a remold, rather it just reuses literally all the engineering which is slightly disappointing. The major change to the transformation is that the windshield fold to behind his legs, there's not combiner piece and his head is separate due to the Headmaster gimmick. Thus, you might get a bit of transformation fatigue if you've already got most of the Combiner Wars figures.
ROBOT MODE:
Just to reiterate, Chromedome is not a remold of Dead End, it just reuses nearly all of the engineering. That being said, Chromedome does share the same thighs and gun as Blurr, which is interesting.
Nevertheless, the robot mode is stocky but looks quite good. The vehicle hood sits snugly on his back.
The headsculpt is different compared to the Hasbro Titans Return version. This one is based upon Chromedome's cartoon appearance in The Headmasters.
Size-wise, once again, he's about on par with most Deluxes.
Poseability is really good. Chromedome retains a waist swivel.
The windshield pieces behind his already chunky legs only serve to make is even chunkier, which can get in the way in dynamic poses.
Chromedome has two default weapons, a smaller gun (the one that's shared with Blurr) and a bigger one (the one that has a space for a Headmaster to sit in).
Learning from Wave 1, Chromedome holds the gun that has the gap for the Headmaster upside to hide some of the hollowness (but is ruined by the fact that the hollow tip is in full view).
The only issue with Chromedome's body is the thin thighs compared to the thick legs, it just doesn't look right although it's better in person.
Depending on your figure there might be some tolerance issues with the fists, the fisthole can either be too big or small so you might have a gun that fits loosely in there.
Moguru's third mode is a weapon but it is basically the drill tank with the handle folded down, quite disappointing, especially since it's not a ranged weapon either.
Chromedome can hold Moguru in either hand although best to give it to the one with the tight wrist joint as Mogoru's weight may cause the wrist to flop when handling the figure.
If required, you can also store the other weapons on Chromedome's shoulders when not in use.
You can also combine the guns together which doesn't look half-bad. This is a pretty good robot mode with very little flaws.
OVERALL:
You will be forgiven if you thought Chromedome was just a simple remold. Play with the figure and you'd notice that only the core engineering is shared with Dead End. Chromedome packs a lot more additional features including his interactivity with Headmasters. The colors look great and robot mode is solid, Chromedome is recommended if you like the look of the figure or you like the character.
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