Yep - Steed's a bike. The chess theme came about as a result of trying to find a name that no one else was using in the game. After numerous attempts at suitably TF sounding names Checkmate was approved so I decided to go with a chess theme for the whole team. Every name has some relevance to the game and, if possible, to the character's personality and skills I wrote into the bios.

For my own line (Renewed War) I take existing figures, plan repaint or remodeling (note: PLAN, I haven't got around to it yet), think of a new name and a new personality. Here's what I've come up with so far (as far as memory serves me):

 

Maximals/Autobots

 

- Ultimus Prime (hybrid of Primal Prime and Op/Optimus); could also be Primal Rodimus Prime

- Rawhide----Big Convoy/Nemesis Prime (obvious, of course)

- Mash----Supercon Prime (or U. Ultra Magnus)

- Hot Pyro----E: Inferno

- Blueheat----Supercon Prime

- Whippet----BM:Rattrap

- Airwolf----U:Silverbolt

- Goldrush----U:Inferno

- Fray----RiD:Sideburn

- Jetblaster----Arm: Jetfire

- Slake----RiD: Spychanger Prime

- Windstalker----unknown (has to be a flying dinosaur: am thinking of kitbashing U:Depth Charge)

 

Decepticons/Vehicons/Predacons

- Red Nova----BW:TM2 Megatron

- Sigint----E:Shockblast

- Grasshopper----BM: Ultra Jetstorm (just mirror Cyclonus' colors)

- Shimmer----E:Starscream???

- Mean Streak---BM:del Jetstorm

- Carnage----Arm:Megatron

- Barrage----BM:Tankor (used name, but I like it)

- Gatling----BM:Blast Charge

- Grimoire----RiD:Megatron

- Bestiality----BW2: Galvatron

- Ramscoop----RiD:Grimlock

- Daubing----RiD:Hightower

- Boulderdash----RiD:Heavy Load

- Dight----RiD:Wedge

- Develor (combined form)

- Cyclotorn----Arm:Sideways

- Tarmac----Arm: Wheeljack

 

....well, there are a few more and I have to think of many more, but this is the list I currently remember. I've got this really thick English-English dictionary with every English word ever used. Once every week I just open it up and look for potential names.

 

And yes, I take this tread seriously...I feel if I just take what Hasbro/Takara gives us/me and do nothing with it, it's no fun. I don't get a kick out of buying something and putting it on a shelf. When I started with TF I made up stories and even once considered creating an elite Autobot team - way before I ever heard of the wreckers. Now, I'm just creating an entire line, discarding every storyline after BM and making my own.

I like the name Renewed War, sounds cool. But I think you need to work on the names some. Some of them just don't give me any feeling.

 

Just my 2 cents.

well, there are a few more and I have to think of many more, but this is the list I currently remember. I've got this really thick English-English dictionary with every English word ever used. Once every week I just open it up and look for potential names.

Whoa! An English to English dictionary!! That'd be great for people who are trying to learn... uh... English...

 

:tftongue

I like the name Renewed War, sounds cool. But I think you need to work on the names some. Some of them just don't give me any feeling.

 

You actually like the name "Renewed War"? To be honest I've tried to come up with something better but have failed to do so far.

 

I agree that some of these names aren't exactly the greatest. Could you tell me what names you in particular have trouble with (always appreciate positive critism).

 

I myself, for instance, am still not completely happy with a name like Whippet. The character's a member of the elite squad (a bit like the Wreckers), and as such it's not a great name. But since I want this team to have names refering to miliry vehicles, and just like the regular series, also point to capabilities or character, Whippet came up. BM:Rattrap has, after all, a whip. (Now, tell me, Lord Madhammer, what does Whippet mean?)

 

Other names I'm a bit hesitant over are names like Fray and Jetblaster.

 

Oh, and Lord Madhammer, please tell me (without looking it up) what do the following names refer to:

 

- Ultimus Prime derived from Ultimus heres

- Whippet

- Slake

- Grimoire

 

Since English is not my native tongue, I didn't know any of these, but neither am I familiar with every word ever uttered in the Dutch language.

Yeah Renewed War sounds more like a short 3 episode series in a TF series. Um the names I don't like are these...

 

Red Nova----BW:TM2 Megatron

Grasshopper----BM: Ultra Jetstorm (just mirror Cyclonus' colors)

Grimoire----RiD:Megatron

Carnage----Arm:Megatron

Dight----RiD:Wedge

Daubing----RiD:Hightower

Slake----RiD: Spychanger Prime

 

If your going for a Military theme or names, its best to just use those type of words. I wouldn't use anything that you NEVER heard before. Thats what I see is the problem with your names. Some of the don't even sound like TF names, like Carnage.

 

Here's some names I've made up...

 

Skyline

Blur

Shim

Teronacon

Autoblitz

Swipe

Doublelock

Frone

Rubber

Waveacon

Shade

Treadmark

Slyshot

4 Wheel

Triacons

Deacon

Migatron

Hightide

Oh, and Lord Madhammer, please tell me (without looking it up) what do the following names refer to:

 

- Ultimus Prime derived from Ultimus heres

- Whippet

- Slake

- Grimoire

 

Since English is not my native tongue, I didn't know any of these, but neither am I familiar with every word ever uttered in the Dutch language.

Without looking it up, I'd have to say "I have no friggin' idea." :tftongue Although "Whippet" reminds me of a certain illicit activity involving CO2-filled cans... (hypothetically speaking, of course -- hey, I was young and stupid. :tfgrin )

 

Er, anyway:

 

A Whippet is a small-ish English hunting dog that hunts by sight rather than smell.

 

To "Slake" is to satisfy a thirst for something. It also means "to treat lime with water to produce calcium hydroxide." So maybe that character can be green or something. :tftongue

 

"Grimoire" isn't an English word that I know of (or a real word at all). But it sounds like "armoire." Maybe it could mean "evil hutch." :tflaugh (Though "armoire" originally meant "armory" -- maybe you can get something from that. I dunno.)

 

Finally (and fittingly), "Ultimus" means "last" or "final." Which would produce a rather curious name in "Ultimus Prime," which would literally mean "Last First." Though if you wanted to, I suppose, you could use it in an "Alpha and Omega" sense, but I'm not sure how much Christian symbolism you want to bring into your character designs.

 

Man, you sure do pick some obscure-ass names!! :tflaugh1

Here's some I made up a while ago. I have some pictures two (old ones, but pictures none the less. I may post them later

 

Groundbreaker - 1988 Landcruser (my car)

School Boy - short style bus

Tanks - tank

 

I have a few beast wars characters too if those are allowed

Rawhide, you've picked some great names but here's a few I wouldn't be too sure of using...

 

- Mash----to beat into a soft pulp - doesn't sound like an Autobot really

- Sigint----I have never seen this word in my life - I'll have to look it up (edit: ah - short for 'signals intelligence' - could be appropriate with Shockblast's satellite altmode)

- Grasshopper----A small insect - not the kind of name I'd associate with an imposing air warrior like Jetstorm

- Shimmer----Not a bad name but I'd probably give it to a female character

- Grimoire----Is a kind of big heavy book of the sort you often see wizards owning - could be suitable for the sinister looking RiD Megatron depending on what sort of backstory you're giving the character

- Bestiality----Generally associated with sexual practices involving animals - probably one to avoid!

- Ramscoop----Is a type of engine - usually appears in science fiction books driving starships

- Daubing----Means painting (or similar action)

- Boulderdash----Sounds a lot like balderdash meaning nonsense

- Dight----Means dressed - very strange name

- Grimoire----Is a kind of big heavy book of the sort you often see wizards owning - could be suitable for the sinister looking RiD Megatron depending on what sort of backstory you're giving the character

Wow -- well done on that one. I never would have known that was an actual word (though it sounds like it may be a D&D / Magic invention...).