Collectors Dilemma: Decepticon Pretenders Masterforce Trio

Since I didn't have the time yesterday or will have the time tomorrow, I might as well do all 3 Masterforce Decepticon Pretenders. As with the previous 3 Autobot pretenders, there are Hasbro and Takara versions available.

Firstly, I'll start off with Bombburst, his shell boasts of a bat like humanoid figure. In fact, in the recent Transformers Animated series as one of Meltdown's 2 'muscle men', a genetically modified beast was spotted with a very close resemblance to Bombburst, most probably being a homage to the G1 Pretender.

Accessories wise, Bombburst comes with an axe, 2 guns, a belt and 2 winged shoulder pads. One thing to note is that the belt is not used to keep the 2 shell halves together, it's attached to 2 tabs in the front half of the shell. One should take note if the tabs are still intact when getting Bombburst. Another thing to note is that the 2 guns are identical, so if one is missing, you can just get another to replace it.

Alternate mode wise, Bombburst transforms into an aircraft with supposed VTOL capabilities.

Bombburst Shell & Inner Robot

Bombburst Alternate Mode

Up next, we have Submarauder. As with Bombburst, Submarauder had a homage paid to him as the second of Meltdown's 'muscle men' in Transformers Animated.

Accessory wise, Submarauder comes with a sword, a shield, a belt and a gun. The belt functions and is held the same way as Bombburst's.

The alternate mode is some sort of an aquatic submarine that has a snake-like design about it.

Submarauder Shell & Inner Robot

Submarauder Alternate Mode

Finally, the last of the 3 to be featured is Skullgrin. The outer shell resembles some sort of horned skulled beastial warrior. The white skull has limited horizontal articulation, something that is not present in most other pretenders though the movement is somewhat barely minimal.

Accessory wise, Skullgrin comes with a sword, a belt and 2 guns. The belt does not actually keep the 2 halves together, it has a peg and several peg holes on the 2 ends for varying degree of belt 'tightness'. The design is pretty much like how a real belt works in real life, though it somehow does not work that well due to the rigidness of the plastic used. Also, though the 2 guns are nearly identical, there is 1 very important difference between the 2, one of the 2 guns has 2 pegs for the inner robot to hold while the other has only 1. The difference can be seen in the picture below.

As for the alternate mode, Skullgrin transforms into a tank-like vehicle.