It seems to me that the purpose of transformation, as it's used in various TF media, is more about additional functionality than actual concealment.

 

 

^The above deserves repeating. It seems to me that the true nature of transformation lies in how they used it on their home planet.

 

And the only Transformer that used his alt. mode for disguise on Cybertron was Soundwave.

 

LAMP POST'D!

I think Op Op is the best example of alt mode WTF. He's a big giant robotic ape that transforms into a big giant robotic ape lying down on wheels and a big giant robotic ape with wings.

Count me in for preferring realistic alt-modes. Part of the fun of TF for me as a kid was spotting an Autobot on the road (Bumblebee, Ironhide, Bluestreak, Prime) or see something similar in a movie (an F-15). The futuristic/Cybertronic designs of the movie were a big part of what pushed me out of TF entirely by '86.

 

Ironically, today I like both styles. Today I judge robot mode first and alt-mode second. Articulation has really emphasized the robot modes for me. I love Cybertron Sideways, Menasor and Brakedown as much as I do Downshift and Armorhide.

 

As for Armorhide's size, yes it sucks he's so small, but I learned to ignore scale in TFs ages ago. Its just something they will never do properly lol.

 

Yep. This is exactly how I've been feeling for the past year or so. Well detailed and articulate bot modes over alt modes anyday. With that said I know a lot of people are of the opinion of why bother buying a transformer when a generic robot toy is just as good if alt modes are no longer important. I actually hought about this and simply put generic robots or whatever they may be are not transformers. Most of the fun in a Transformer to is greatly attributed to it's ability to well transform into one mode or another. Recently got both Cybertron Metroplex, and Menasor and though I'll admit the alt molds aren't much to look at they're both really well designed in the fact both twist and turn in so many directions you can come up with a good handful of really good fan modes. Have yet to do much with Metro but Menasor can pull off a pretty cool backward legged mech.

 

I really like how the Classics line though is going back to what Transformers are. Semirealistic alt molds that transform into super articulated bot modes. The best of both worlds for any TF collector. :thumb