One team has faced down some of the heaviest challenges in their explorations on several worlds during the cartoon series, and has been rewarded with stronger upgraded bodies as they defended Cybertron against the Decepticons and any other threats against their home planet. And their path in the Tournament has not been much easier, either, facing down some of the most dangerous teams and scratching by with narrow victories that could only have been aided by their amplified firepower and improved tactics and teamwork. Cybertron Defense Red Alert & Hot Shot proved that the air superiority of Starscream & Thundercracker were no match for them; Sideways & Soundwave’s nearly-endless bags of tricks weren’t enough to confuse them into a loss; and even the combined Dark Claw mode of Megatron & Nemesis Breaker were conquered at the hands – and guns – of the Cybertron Defense Team. After facing three Decepticon teams (although a case could be made for the Planet X duo), they make their way into the Finals to face their own allies… but friendship must be put aside if they expect to win the title!
On the other hand, the Earth-stationed duo of EVAC & Crosswise has had a far easier time in their matches on their way to the Finals. Their first-round opponents of Crumplezone & Ransack, although long-established, offered almost no resistance against the Earth Planet Key Guardian and the Monster Hunter; in Round 2, they easily wiped the floor with the lesser-known team of Decepticon rogues, Buzzsaw & Runamuck. To make things even easier for them, a draw in the Semi-Finals allowed them to advance directly into the Finals without having to fight a third match. However, will their easy domination and momentary break leave them well-rested, with enough power to take advantage of one of the most powerful teams in the Cybertron series? Or will the lack of being tested against top-notch opposition hinder their preparation and lead to their undoing in the Finals? Only you can answer that question… and this is your chance!
This time, it's simple. You only need to pick the winning team of the one match. As always, the trick is to pick the more realistic winners in this Championship Final, using the criteria that a win can be gained by (a) forcing a surrender from either or both members of the opposing team, (b) rendering either or both members of the opponents unable to continue after a 15-second count, or (c) destroying either or both members of the team. The profiles of both combating teams, and their respective roads to the finals, are here once again for a reminder:
Cybertron Defense Red Alert & Hot Shot (Autobot, Cybertron) – Veterans of the Unicron Trilogy Wars, now upgraded with major military enhancements as part of the Cybertron Defense Team. Red Alert is a cool-headed expert medic and scientist with extremely sophisticated strategy; the thrill-seeking Hot Shot has exchanged a degree of speed for armor and weaponry. Red Alert transforms into an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier with an extra-large missile launcher and additional twin guns, and uses an arm-mounted multi-tool for both offensive destruction and improvisational repairs; Cyber Key Power reveals a long-range, large-scale-destruction energy blaster hidden inside shoulder-mounted rocket. Hot Shot transforms into an armored combat truck with roof-mounted dual blaster cannons and surprising maneuverability, while robot mode has greater strength and very numerous arrays of hidden rocket pods, with a retractable wrist-mounted Energon dagger; Cyber Key Power maximizes his firepower to overwhelming “Death Blossom”-like levels. Increased strength, durability, armament, and skills make them tougher and more dangerous than before, but are physically slower; teamwork is improving, but can be impaired due to differing personalities.
http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/CybDef ... dalert.htm
http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/defa ... t_id=17280 (no profile at TFU.info; Hasbro’s site had an appropriate substitute.)
{Defeated Starscream & Thundercracker (75%), Sideways & Soundwave (56%), and Megatron & Nemesis Breaker (54%) to reach the Finals.}
EVAC & Crosswise (Autobot, Earth) – The Guardian of Earth’s Cyber Planet Key and the Autobot “monster hunter”, Earth’s major defenders. EVAC is normally a gentle Autobot, but becomes a courageous fighter when necessary; Crosswise’s confidence and bounty hunter’s background make him a Cybertronian equivalent to Van Helsing. EVAC transforms into a streamlined rescue helicopter equipped with a power winch, and robot mode uses helicopter rotor blades as a melee weapon; Cyber Key Power increases his speed, and unlocks a pair of guided homing missiles that lock on his targets. Crosswise transforms into a streamlined black race car capable of blazing speed and driving tactics; Cyber Key Power unlocks dual multi-salvo missile pods in both modes. While both are highly intelligent with good stamina and teamwork, EVAC lacks killer instinct, preferring to disable opponents rather than destroy them; Crosswise’s confidence can sometimes lead to a false sense of security as well.
http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/Evac/evac.htm
http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/Crossw ... sswise.htm
{Defeated Crumplezone & Ransack (83%), Buzzsaw & Runamuck (89%), and received a bye in the Semi-Finals to advance to the Finals.}
And, as in the other Tournament Finals, for those who feel a little creative, not only do you get to vote for the winners of the match, but also you can write a move-for-move description of how you think the battle between these explosive teams will go! It can be long or short, concise or detailed. But make it a good and realistic battle, worthy of a championship final. Use the profiles and abilities of the opposing teams to whatever potential works the best, and keep them in character. And remember, this is a two-against-two battle, with both teams using their own powers and resources. No outside interference. No additional reinforcements, outside of their own hardware. But if you feel like adding a little extra to your written description of the fight -- anything from crowd reactions to making it a cage match -- if it works, feel free to do so.
Due to a slight change in regular plans, the deadline for voting and submissions will be Saturday, July 1, roughly around 11pm Pacific Daylight Time, shortly after which the results will be posted, along with some samples from any written battle scenarios, to be posted on all five participating boards; The Underground Hangar, The TF Collectors' Club Forums, Ages 3 & Up's Forums, Ben Yee’s BWTF Forums, and Beast Wars International. You can cast your vote for the winning team of this fight (and send your submission of your battle description if you wish), by e-mailing me at excellence-execution@excite.com, replying right here in this thread, or even letting me know in a Chat or IM. In the rare moment that we might talk in person or on the phone, casting your votes also count there. I have also added a poll option on the boards where it’s applicable, if you feel too rushed to type out a whole post. As usual, you cannot cast your vote for this match more than once (yeah, an anti-ballot box-stuffing measure).
Final Match: Cybertron Defense Red Alert & Hot Shot vs. EVAC & Crosswise
This is it. Let the battle begin.
Outtsyder