Constructicons, but not as you know them

I was surprised by how much I liked the Power Core Combiners line. I love it. I like the uniform size class. I like the affordable nature of the two packs. I like the mix and match potential of the five packs. Steamhammer with Constructicons is the latest of the decepticon five packs, and it is incredible the progress that the line has made since it's humble beginnings. Steamhammer himself is of the same nice quality of the other commander figures in the line, mixing the small size of the scout class with the robustness of the larger size classes. He comes in traditional constructicon green and turns from a chunky bulldozer into a squat, mean looking robot. Articulation is hindered somewhat by the backpack unfortunately, but the shoulder pylons are a nice detail and there is enough movement in the arms to make use of the wrist mounted claws.

This set also includes four constructicon drones: a white and green snowplough, a yellow steamroller, an orange tracked conveyor and a pale blue drilling rig. All are nicely detailed, with the drilling rig and conveyor both featuring moving parts. The paint effect on the steamroller drum is one that I haven't seen before, a very glossy black base with what look like drybrushed silver streaks; its a lot of detail for Hasbro and at this scale is quite convincing.

Transform Steamhammer into torso mode and clip on the drones to convert them to limb configurations and you are left with this set's combined mode. The conversion from robot to torso has always impressed me on these figures and Steamhammer continues the trend of innovative ways to do so, in this case the bulldozer bucket flips on top of the robot mode torso to create a whole new chestpiece and reveal the combined mode head. The limbs are among the best in the line, with the legs being solid and stable, and the arms looking good and both featuring moving thumbs.

Overall this is a fantastic look at the potential this line always had, and it is a pity it is also among the last of the announced ones. Power Core hasn't been much of a fan favorite, but this set is certainly worth a look.