Pre-Independence Day Special: Foldabots Gestalts 101

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While we all wait for the July issue to come out later this month, I decided to postpone the Combiner Wars Menasor review for next week, and instead making a filler blog about every gestalt in Foldabots.

SHORT HISTORY

January 2007 marks a big milestone in Foldabots history by making the very first combiner (or in this blog, a gestalt) beginning with its theme as Philippine Mythology creatures. Tikbalang, Nuno, Manananggal, and Kapre make up the enormous Higantechron. The original toy itself possess a lot of unique combination gimmicks such as Tikbalang's humanoid head can be tucked inside the horse head, PUNSO which is inserted into Nuno to form the full right leg, Manananggal splitting into half and forms as both arms, Kapre's hands somehow hook onto the gestalt's arm parts (unless you use paper and not cardboard in making this replica) while it's legs slot onto the gestalt legs, and the use of a simple small strip of paper forming a sleeve which becomes the gestalt's head.

Another gestalt came into the scene in July of the same year, but this time the theme was all about the elements. Siklab, Tutubi, Ukay, Alon, and Layag (later called Agos) are the components of the mighty Elementron. Again, new gimmicks were introduced including the fist parts disguised as parts of the vehicles, two similar looking components forming into a cargo ship, and a very clever way of stowing the robot arms in the treads of the excavator.

For my version of these classic patterns, do check this blog:
http://ejsotto.blogspot.com/2012/11/pre-birthday-special-part-22-classics.html

The craze continued in 2008, where we are introduced to not one, but two gestalts. One being aquatic animal themed, and another being forest animals. Yet again, gimmicks evolved and the introduction to the T-joints that is superior to its previous system.

As we officially shift to cardboard, new possibilities were unlocked as early as Toy Book 1 was released, 7 years ago. Before that, we got the rare Metallic collection which include 10 same characters that was also in TB1.

Paperclips were first used in the Aura-Sans, where masking tape was also used to secure the strap onto the wrist. The primary use for these, were to hold separate pieces which are not glued on and it provides range of articulations depending on the part. Bakunawa Dragon, Saurotron, Yelotron, Komyutatron, and Kontrolion are just a few of the gestalts that use paperclips. No matter how simple like Mikrokosmos and Pestetron, or complex like the Sporticus and the Diadrones, there is always a new gimmick applied onto them.

Almost all of the recent gestalts like Malvin Roix Orense's Magmatron and Stormicus, and Lester Bernaldez' Likastron need paperclips, and some utilize their parts as weapons. Trosonator, and now Zootron requires you to collect one more issue to get the gestalt pieces such as the feet, hands, and the most important, the head. Also included in the pattern are extra accessories which I believe are not really that important if you are a veteran fan like me.

Check out the original patterns of Magmatron and Stormicus at these links:
Magmatron: http://ejsotto.blogspot.com/2013/02/pre-cnyvalentine-special-magmabots-by.html
Stormicus: http://ejsotto.blogspot.com/2013/04/bataan-day-special-stormicons-by-malvin.html

MY PERSONAL DESIGN IDEAS

Are you short on paperclips or you just not want to use even a single piece? Well I have some design ideas I can share to you, the readers so you can save paperclips for other Foldabots, especially official and those individual ones that need it so.

1. SHOULDER SLEEVE - This is also the same system used for Komyutatron. Boltahedron, one of my gestalts have this concept too. The only way for your character to have this is to restrict tucking the arms into the inside of the body, and utilize a new way to hide the arms such as using sleeves or a slit on the side.

Pattern for Boltahedron can be found on this link:
http://ejsotto.blogspot.com/2014/02/payasotron-vs-boltahderon.html

2. SIDE SLEEVE - Unlike the last one, this one is never used in official designs, whatsoever. Placing the sleeve on either the arm or under it will give the gestalt's arms some support especially if the flap is longer and can be folded to lock into place.

3. FOLDABOTS MINI SYSTEM - First debuted in 2009 as a part of a promotion, later returned in early 2011. The leader's hand has usually a vertical slit that can connect the arm components that have vertical slits between the legs. Probably the easiest style to make, and it can save up space on your pattern, so you can add something like one part of another member or any weapon or accessory you desire.

Check out my version of the Foldabots Mini at these links:
http://ejsotto.blogspot.com/2014/09/bahaghari-remake.html
http://ejsotto.blogspot.com/2014/10/foldabots-mini-5th-anniversary.html

4. DUAL PURPOSE GESTALT HEAD - For the record, none of the known Foldabot or Lutabot gestalt has this design technique where the gestalt head is fixed onto a certain part which is detachable. The crowning feature of this system is you'll never lose the piece when one unit forms its alt mode.

5. BUILT-IN WEAPONS - There are some weapons that are meant to be separate, and some can be easily stowed inside some, but there are those that can be a part of the alt mode. One example is Bugbog's upper horn that is also used as his weapon. Built-in weapons are very versatile when you want something useful in any modes. In addition, you can make a combining weapon using most of the parts you want, even make one weapon as the gestalt head! Talk about all-purpose.

Another point, if you want something more useful, be sure to learn various design techniques from what you see in your patterns, and try using your imagination to perfect the best Foldabot design not only for individual characters, but also for those that belong to a gestalt.

With all the info I gave to you, I hope most of you are getting inspired already especially those who are currently having a hard time to make the patterns of their new creations. Be sure to check back next week for the Combiner Wars Menasor review. Until then, this has been The Foldabots Blog, we'll see you next time.