BAIWEI TW1031 [KO Studio Series SS-101] Scourge 20cm / 8″

Description

The Baiwei TW-1031 Scourge is a highly detailed third-party (or “KO”) action figure that is a significantly enhanced version of the official Hasbro Studio Series SS-90 Scourge mold from the movie Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. It is designed for collectors who desire a more accurate, feature-rich, and premium version of the character.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its features:

1. Character and Design:

• Character: Scourge, the fearsome leader of the Terrorcons and herald of Unicron, as he appeared in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
• Movie-Accurate Aesthetic: The figure is meticulously sculpted to reflect Scourge’s demonic and battle-scarred appearance from the film. It captures his menacing, powerful build, jagged armor, and unique facial design with a single glowing red optic.
• Scale: The TW-1031 is an oversized version, standing taller and bulkier than the original Studio Series figure. This makes him a more imposing figure, especially when displayed with other Autobots and Maximals in the same scale.

2. Core Product Features:

• 2-in-1 Transformation: The figure transforms between two modes: a highly articulated robot mode and a realistic alternate mode as a semi-truck (a Peterbilt 359). The transformation process is designed to be complex and rewarding, offering a satisfying experience for collectors.
• Enhanced Details and Materials: The Baiwei version is known for its improvements over the official release. It features:
  • Die-cast Metal Parts: The inclusion of die-cast metal parts, often in the feet and internal chassis, gives the figure a substantial, premium feel, added weight, and improved stability for posing.
  • Superior Paint Application: The paint job is a significant upgrade, featuring extensive weathering, battle damage, and a gritty, rusted finish that brings the movie character’s sinister aesthetic to life. The glowing red optic is often painted with more precision.
  • Better Joint Tolerances: The joints are typically tighter and more robust, allowing the figure to hold dynamic poses more securely.
• Superior Articulation: The robot mode has a high number of articulation points, allowing for a wide range of expressive and combat-ready poses. This includes:
  • Articulated head, shoulders, bicep, elbows, wrists, torso, hips, knees, and ankles.
  • The articulation is designed to facilitate his menacing stances and poses with his weapons.

3. Included Accessories:

• Chainsaw/Blade Weapon: A key feature is Scourge’s iconic weapon, a large, retractable hook-like blade or chainsaw that can be attached to his hand.
• Trophy Pieces: A significant improvement over the official figure is the inclusion of the trophies Scourge collects from his defeated enemies. These are the Autobot and Maximal insignias that he attaches to his shoulders and chest, a crucial detail from the film that many collectors desire.
• Interchangeable Hands: The figure likely includes a set of interchangeable hands for different gestures and to hold his weapons.
• (Potentially) Blast Effects: Some Baiwei figures include translucent blast effect pieces that can attach to weapons or other parts of the figure for a more dynamic display.

4. Target Audience:

• This figure is primarily aimed at adult collectors who are fans of the Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie.
• It is a popular choice for collectors who want a highly detailed, oversized, and feature-rich Scourge figure that significantly improves upon the original, all at a competitive price point.

Scourge’s portrayal in the movie Transformers: Rise of the Beasts presents him as the central antagonist and a formidable presence that is both ancient and terrifying. He is the leader of the Terrorcons, a group of Decepticon-like characters who serve a far more malevolent entity.

Here is a detailed description of Scourge from the film:

1. Character and Personality:

• Servant of a Greater Evil: Scourge is not simply a power-hungry warlord. His primary motivation is to serve his master, the planet-eating god Unicron. He is Unicron’s herald, driven by a fanatical loyalty to his master’s will to consume planets.
• Trophy Hunter: A key element of his character is his habit of collecting “trophies” from the Autobots he defeats. He keeps their Autobot insignias, often incorporating them into his own armor, as a chilling testament to his past victories. This makes his rivalry with Optimus Prime personal and symbolic.
• Sadistic and Ruthless: Scourge is a brutal and vicious fighter who takes pleasure in the suffering of his enemies. He shows no mercy and is driven by an intense hatred for both the Autobots and Maximals. He enjoys tormenting his foes, as shown in his battle with Optimus Prime.
• An Ancient History: The film reveals that Scourge has a history that stretches back millennia, having faced and defeated numerous Autobots and Maximals across the galaxy in his service to Unicron.

2. Appearance and Robot Mode:

• Demonic and Battle-Scarred: Scourge’s robot form is a terrifying sight. His body is a fusion of vehicle parts and jagged, menacing metal. He has a bulky, powerful build and a distinctive clawed hand that can transform into various weapons.
• Unique Facial Design: His face is a frightening, horned mask with a single glowing red optic, giving him a demonic and inhuman appearance. The smoke that pours from his mouth and other parts of his body further emphasizes his infernal nature.
• Trophy Armor: His most unique physical feature is the collection of Autobot and Maximal insignias embedded on his shoulders and chest. These serve as a visual record of the heroes he has slain, a constant and chilling reminder of his power.
• Size: Scourge is an imposing figure, standing slightly taller and bulkier than Optimus Prime, which allows him to physically overpower the Autobot leader in their initial encounters.

3. Alternate Mode:

• Semi-Truck: His alternate mode is a rugged and menacing semi-truck (specifically, a Peterbilt 359). Unlike the sleek, heroic semi of Optimus Prime, Scourge’s truck is dark, covered in rust and jagged spikes, and often emits black smoke. This serves as a dark mirror to Optimus Prime’s classic vehicle mode.

4. Abilities and Role in the Film:

• Superhuman Strength and Durability: Scourge possesses immense strength and is incredibly durable, able to withstand heavy blows from the Autobots and Maximals.
• Weaponry: He is a master of combat and uses a variety of deadly weapons, including a large, retractable hook-like blade in his hand. He also has the ability to infuse his weapons with Unicron’s power, making them even more destructive.
• Source of the Terrorcons: As the leader of the Terrorcons, he is the central hub of their operations. The Terrorcons serve his will in their mission to find the Transwarp Key for Unicron.
• Archnemesis to Optimus Prime: The film establishes a direct and personal rivalry between Scourge and Optimus Prime. Scourge’s power and his habit of taking trophies from Prime’s fallen allies make him a deeply personal and terrifying threat.
• The Final Battle: Scourge serves as the final obstacle for the Autobots and Maximals in their quest to destroy the Sun Harvester and save the Earth from Unicron. His ultimate defeat comes at the hands of Optimus Prime, who finally overpowers him in a desperate, one-on-one battle.