TRANSFORMERS TOYS AND MERCHANDISE SECTION

Robot Mode:

Alternate Mode:

Additional Image:

Box Art:

Blackjack's review: Payload

Name Payload
Alligeance Decepticon
Scale: 1/60 or thereabouts

Two things are crucial to maintaining the DECEPTICON cause and the hunt for the AllSpark: energy and currency. Energy powers weapons and combat systems, and money allows the DECEPTICONS to purchase modifications and integrate them into their bodies. PAYLOAD is tasked with seeing that DECEPTICON forces in need of either commodity get it on time and in full. He's armored and armed to plow through or destroy any AUTOBOTS that get in his way, and fast enough to outrun almost anything on the road.

If you don't know yet, Payload does not appear in the movie, but appeared in the game and the Movie Prequel #1. His toy is closer to the movie prequel appearance. In the game, the Payload character (a higher level drone) is closer to Longarm or Dropkick, what with the sleek body and all.

The name Payload has been used a few times as Minicons in the Unicorn trilogy twice, all as minicons.

ALTERNATE MODE
As what I gathtered, Payload is a bulldog 2 Armoured truck. I've never seen one of these babies before, but it looks bulky and powerful, able to crush into any Autobot in his way.

Payload is coloured navy blue, with silver bits for the cargo bay and grill. He rolls pretty well with the plastic wheels. The main advantage of the movie toys is that the vehicles are realistic and this really looks like a real car, with all the detailing and engraving. (Compare this detail level with, I dunno, Motormaster?) I can't help but appreciate the amount of work put into all the Movie toy lines. Compared to the more 'Kiddie' Armada and Energon lines, and the 'Superdeformed' Cybertron line, this line takes cues from the more realistic Alternator line, and it is a great, GREAT improvement. Um, where was I?

Appearance wise, Payload doesn't stand out as much as Barricade or Jazz, but since he is a low-ranking Decepticon, and a 'robot in disguise', so it's okay. He doesn't stand out much when I displayed him beside Swindle, Bumblebee and Jazz though.

Payload looks impressive in this mode, and is my preferred mode. He is bulky, fitting his name, and nearly no kibble can be seen, except if you look at the bottom, But then, it is only the claw and two arms disguised as wheel assemblies. Transform Payload now... It's a hard task, I need the instructions this time. HONEST!

ROBOT MODE
Payload has one of the most intricate transformations ever, harder than even voyager Starscream. Payload stands as tall as deluxe Bonecrusher, and is a lens head drone, although one of the best (if not the best) I've seen.

Although I like Swindle's sleek robot mode better, Payload contrasts with him by being a bulky robot, built for strength rather than speed. His cab forms the legs, the cargo bay forms some sort of shoulder armour (it is really detailed inside, with carvings of machines) and the grill forms an overly long gimmick thing. (more on that later)

Payload's weakness now. His head and shoulder assembly, his chest, and the grill falls off easily, but can be put back on easily. Personally I glued them with super glue, but watch yours if it falls off, as the transformation is very intricate.

After multiple transformations, the ball joints on his legs can become loose, and coupled with the ****-ing gimmick (more on that later), it is a nightmare to stand Payload up. Still...

Neon blue colors are introduced, and Payload is a sturdy robot. He, like Bonecrusher, doesn't have any guns or gun mounts, but he has an Automorph claw gimmick, which frankly sucks. the long grill thing (which runs the length of the vehicle mode) now juts on Payload's back. Push it and the chest armature moves out and twin spring-activated automorph claws come out to grab and destroy any Autobot in front of him.

It doesn't work that well, as the steel bar inside gets loose after repeated usage, so I never use it again. However, this is easily overlooked, as Payload is a great toy by himself. A solid win for Hasbro, with a realistic alt mode, a great robot mode, a hard transformation and a nice try at the gimmicks section.

Transformation 10/10 Very hard. The second deluxe Transformer that I need the instructions for, the first being Brawl, but well designed.
Durability 6/10 The pieces mentioned above falls easily, and Payload is quite heavy. The Cargo bay sections look like they could break easily. As I mentioned, the ball joints get loose.
Fun7/10 He's a foot soldier, and has a great appearance. It's hard to pose him though.
Price 10/10 For a deluxe class toy, he's impressively designed.
Overall 9/10 One of the best movie line toys, and has both a great alternate and robot mode. He's even included in the Prequel comics, and I'm guessing the 'Reign of Starscream' too. Decked a fraction for his easily-missing parts, bad poseability and the useless claw gimmick. Grab it now!