(NOTE: Because this is a repaint, this is not a full-blown review. This mainly covers any changes made to the mold and the color scheme, and merely compares it to Combiner Wars Rook. For a review on the mold itself, read the review of Combiner Wars Rook here.)

    This version of "vehicle Tarantulas" is based on his Transmetal version because... well... FunPub already released a "pre-BW" version of Tarantulas, in its 3rd subscription service. This version forgoes the more fitting motorcycle alt mode for a rather ill-fitting armored transport alt mode for Tarantulas. For the most part it doesn't work for the character, except for one thing-- I love love LOVE how the windows, headlights, and a few other minor bits on the shoulders and robot chest and waist are painted a wonderful bright green. Particularly in vehicle mode, this calls back to the Transmetal version's spider eyes, and it also just contrasts wonderfully as an accent color. However, the bulkiness of the vehicle mode and the robot mode bring to mind the original version of Tarantulas a little more than his Transmetal version-- even then, though, the original Tarantulas had a bulky chest and wide shoulders, not bulky legs and arms. This is just another instance of the mold (largely) ill-fitting the character because Hasbro made FunPub fit their Beast Wars theme into Combiner Wars molds. Still, FunPub did a dynamite job with the color scheme on this one-- much of the dark plastic in vehicle mode is actually a very dark blue, not black-- just like on the Transmetal toy, though there is certainly a fair amount of black plastic (not just on the tires, but on the knees, upper legs, chest, and a few other minor connector parts in robot mode. Another fairly dark color-- though certainly lighter than the dark blue and black-- is some dark purple, on the sides of the vehicle mode as well as on the lower robot arms, lower chest, lower legs, and some minor connector parts. The purple plastic is noticeably paler than the paint, though the former is used so sparingly it's not a big issue. Beyond the aforementioned bright green, the pumpkin orange on the toes and shoulders is another great accent color that contributes to Tarantulas' "Halloween-y" colors.
    Tarantulas has a new headsculpt, obviously inspired by his Transmetal head but a bit "chunkier" to fit his proportions. His little side horns have sadly been shortened due to space restrictions in vehicle mode, but otherwise all the major details are there-- the mandibles are particularly well-done. He's got all the paint you'd expect, too, like a yellow visor, green "jewels" on his forehead, orange-and-purple mandibles, and, oddly, a bit of dark purplish periwinkle around his eyes and on the sides. I'm not sure why that color's there-- it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb, but it wasn't on the Transmetal toy either. Still, a well-painted headsculpt, to be sure. No other mold changes have been made to Tarantulas when compared to CW Rook.
    BotCon 2016 Tarantulas has an excellent color scheme and a decent headsculpt-- FunPub certainly did their level best to make this mold look as much like Transmetal Tarantulas as possible (and the window "eyes" are a brilliant touch), but the mold just doesn't fit Tarantulas well in nearly every respect. I'd recommend the Subscription Service version of pre-BW Tarantulas before this one any day, though on the other hand I do think this is the best-looking toy (and best mold) out of the 2016 boxset.

Review by Beastbot

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