u/Road_Caesar

While the Cosmo Marines are a sub-unit that hasn't seen a lot of support since Garuda Versaulter <CM>, there's still a decent representation.

With around a dozen official models (and a few unofficial from outside sources) there's not a lot of variety after the Powered Suits (A, B, C, D), Maneuver Suits, V-Movers Vers Riser 02, Tri-Digger, and 3-ish Tactical Movers (Hawk was Modular Mode-only, no Frame.)

I'm choosing to also incorporate the recently debuted Hawk Versaulter/OU as well, which would also include the Agress Versaulter based on how close the colorway is to the light green Cosmo Marine deco.

The Product Details pages for the various Cosmo Marines units note that they're a specialized force with high-performance tuned versions of their machines. They also deploy in tandem and in support of local units that come under attack - they're the cavalry, if you will.

The product details lore also notes that they have their own fleet of standard machines like Dia-Battles or Big Powered, and so on, even though the camo/deco isn't specific to the Cosmo Marines colors.

Admittedly it's over-the-top. I collected 1 of each along the way and then some pre-owned were offered at various points (pre-inflation) and I couldn't pass em up. Then X-1 happened and now we have news of a "Ground Battles" teaser from TakaraTomy. (Details to come later.) And this isn't even factoring in the compatibility features with Powered Suits, Maneuver Suits, and Battle Buffalo...

(Oh, and 1/ea of the v2, Cosmo 02, and Cosmo Battles KOs)

https://us.tomy.com/diaclone-d-vehicles-cosmo-chamber/

New D-Vehicles Cosmo Chamber. TOMY US link provided but available via all typical retailers.

"A space container module equipped with four landing gears. The side panel color is off-white, the same as the base color of the Cosmo Carrier aircraft. It is used for transporting and storing small machines such as Diaclone team vehicles and PS aircraft. It has a mechanism for linking chambers together."

https://us.tomy.com/diaclone-tread-versaulter-cu-ground-armored-units-ver/#tab-description

New Preorder now available. TOMY US link provided but available at all typical Diaclone retailers.

"The Ground Armored Unit is a Diaclone ground combat unit composed of machines that combine superior mobility with heavy armor and heavy artillery power. The Tread Versalter/CU is a tactical mover equipped with a powerful crawler (chariot unit) that extends its ability to travel on rough terrain. It becomes a "humanoid tank" that reliably destroys targets with hybrid combat maneuvers that combine agile tracked movement, artillery fire from two artillery units, and powerful close-quarters combat. The basic unit color."

Battles Gridman was the first Diaclone crossover. It took the Gridman, SSSS.Gridman, and Diaclone franchises and merged them together through a Dia-Battles lens.

There were 3 components of the crossover:

• Gridsuit - a variant of the PS 202X Powered Suits with a Gridman Dianaut
• Gridman - a fully articulated action figure the same size as the Good Smile Company The Gattai series with a chrome finish and Thunder Sword, Thunder Shield, Road Viper bike, and a unique female Dianaut (featured in the associated fiction story).
• Battles Gridman - a semi-gloss Gunmetal Gridman figure (to minimize scratching shiny chrome), a Bullet Fighter, the Thunder Calibur sword/shield/combo, and the Battle Hangar which becomes the suit for Super God Combination Battles Gridman.

The Gridman figure has plenty of 3mm ports all over for action bases and dynamic action poses. The Battle Hangar is focused more on being a Gridman suit than a Diaclone machine, so unfortunately, there's almost no 3mm/4mm ports common all over Diaclone machines. The 2 twin guns atop the wings can be swapped out, and the pegs all over the Battle Hangar and Bullet Fighter can be used to support Diaclone machines that have 3mm foot ports in the soles of the foot. Including the Gridman figures.

Crossplay with The Gattai Gridman (either version) or Diaclone is minimal, much like Shield D Prime. But the styling is unmistakably Diaclone and Battles Gridman fits right in with the fleet of Dia-Battles v2 and X-1!

To learn more, check out Takara's product page for the crossover and especially the tabs at the top featuring the story chapters: https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/diaclone/battlesgridman/product/dg_01/

In the above screenshot, you'll see how my Hasbro GIJoe Classified figures were ALL defaulted the "Reduce packaging, ship in manufacturers container"

I had to manually switch to the weirdly phrased "hide" option in order to receive the items in a shipping box, hopefully with a non-zero amount of packing padding.

If you aren't watching for this setting when it appears (inconsistently), you risk Amazon slapping an adhesive backed shipping label on the retail packaging/box and shipping it. Even if you're not a pristine "in-box" collector, no one wants the item to arrive having been subjected to the many bumps and falls of the logistics process.

Knowing is half the battle...

The ExHobby labels for Dia-Battles v2 also includes a couple for X-1 (DA-109; not pictured). The set includes 4 different styles PLUS the ones you see affixed in the first pic which has the unit numbers.

The set also includes some assorted "place anywhere" labels which I haven't found a home for yet. I didn't receive a placement instruction sheet with the set, and I'm not certain one exists. Either way, I really enjoyed the visual upgrade and will be applying the "extras" to my other Dia-Battles v2 decos.

ExHobby has label sheets for the Tactical Grander. I applied them finally; see them in action!

How to:

1. You can use any version of Battle Buffalo. Remove the 3mm male/male plugs from the Strike Legger (where Raid Chambers would be connected normally).
2. You can use either version of Fort Chamber. Remove the 4mm/4mm male/male plugs used to connect it to the chassis from the bottom.
3. You will need at least two (2) 4mm/3mm male/male adapter plugs. Four (4) is better, but not critical. (See pic 3) They come with sets like DA-12/-13 Gyroceptor, DartLoader, and Combat Chronicles 2 and 3 CrossCepter and RapidLoader (and KOs of all 4.)
4. Place the connectors in the locations observed in pic 2. If you only gave 2 connectors, place them in the middle row on the Fort Chamber and ignore the pair close to the ramp/door.
5. Line up the pegs with the ports on the Battle Buffalo Strike Legger and connect. You may have to maneuver the legs the first time to get them to line up right, but you can return them to their default connected configuration after.
6. To connect 2 Fort Chambers side-by-side (last 2 pics) slide the Strike Legger "shins" up until you have enough room to place 2 Fort Chambers next to each other. For this, you can insert the pegs into the Strike Legger ports first and then match them up with the center row of ports under the Forth Chamber. This configuration uses 2 connectors per pod. Make sure they're facing opposite directions so you can open both at the same time in the manner seen in the last 2 pics.

That's it! Let me know if you have any difficulties and I'll try and help!

So what's the big deal?! Why was I ridiculous, collecting so many copies?! Well, at the time, I could and budgets were accommodating. So was pricing.

But why do I recommend picking up at least 1 Tactical Carrier and Expansion?

• The set itself is the multi-use chassis (compatible with the Ground Dion Command Shuttle) which can be used with tons of other features
• The Fort Chamber (box) can be used with Battle Buffalo
• Fort Chamber can stow Gamma, Gamma Airborne, Tread, Tread Chariot, Argo, and Hawk Versaulter Tactical Movers.
• Fort Chamber can be configured to be a mobile base.
• Fort Chamber can be configured to be a weapons platform
• Cockpit module is a deployable hover vehicle with a cargo area which can be used for troop transport, med evac, weapons, motorbike transport, and more.
• Multiple Tactical Carriers can be chained together.

And that's just scratching the surface. I wouldn't go as nuts as I have, but I highly encourage at least 1 and the extra Fort Chamber(s) expansion set and Option Set (accessories and weapons.)

So what is Royal Defender compared to Robot Base Grand Cross?

[The flagship unit of the Capital Defense RB Battalion, deployed in each major city of the Macrozone. Each unit has been uniquely modified for its respective city, and its overall capabilities, including firepower, defense, mobility, and systems, vary depending on the area where it is deployed. In peacetime, it remains stationed in an underground hangar in its mobile fortress GX form, and in times of emergency, it moves to the surface via an underground lift, quickly transitioning to the appropriate combat form to perform powerful defensive maneuvers. Due to its magnificent appearance, it is often featured in various ceremonies in its deployment area. Its official name is "ROBOT BASE GRAND X(CROSS)," and it is sometimes referred to by its abbreviation, "GX." ](https://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/diaclone/product\_details/da-120/)

Part 2 shows the Ground Dion RD with ExHobby labels applied. Still to come will be the glow sheet labels for the ceiling mounted monitors in the Command Shuttle (applied to DA-95) and the upgrades mention in the pt1 post.

For advice:

• A user in this thread (https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/takara-tomy-diaclone-reboot.1051661/page-3254) can help with access/acquisition. Ask in the thread and they'll reach out.
• Using proper tools is critical. Xacto knives work great if you have double-sided tape and a straight edge. I prefer the OLFA cutting tool, sold on Amazon Japan
• Labels have a strong adhesive backing. They stay put. Only the tiniest of labels are finicky.
• ExHobby labels feature more than just printed graphics compared to default labels included with the Diaclone sets. All labels are magnetic receptive. (Not including the glow sheets.) This creates even more surfaces for Dianaut placement.

Finally completed the cutting and application of ALL of the ExHobby Steel Sheet labels for DA-120. It's a TON of labels to cut, with some being absolutely tiny. I couldn't do any justice to the ultra-small labels in places like footrests on the bridge or the palms of the hands. (I'll share pics of that later.)

Pt2 will show the before/after for Ground Dion.

Still to come will be runway "lights" from Kuma Factory (Booth), Command Shuttle and Bridge ExHobby LED ceiling lights (batteries expected tomorrow), and installing the Kuma Factory "rumble seat" in the Cloud Ark shuttle which will keep the Dianauts seated and add 2 more seats down the middle aisle.

The entire Tactical Mover line from Gamma through Agress has come a long way and there's very likely even more innovation to come.

It's really amazing to compare the humble beginnings with Gamma Versaulter as a basic upscale of the Maneuver Suit Gamma and the recent Agress Versaulter <Dark Star> which is more Daedalus Unit than Vers frame.

Which is your personal favorite Versaulter and why?

Delivery courtesy of TOMY US. Arrived late in the day so I only had a few hours to unpack. I have ExHobby labels on the way courtesy of a good friend in Japan. (Uncut - and it will take a few hours to cut them! Ugh!)

Absolutely gorgeous in-hand. Physically, it's identical to DA-95/-100/-97/-98/-99/-108. The main difference being the color and the 3 Dianauts with equipped weapons (moulded in place.)

Interesting note - the packages and inserted booklets all have an English language sticker applied to comply with the impending July 8th US regulations regarding products that could be mistaken as children's toys (and subject to oversight and documentation requirements.) The applied stickers on the box and booklets state in plain English that it's "not a toy" and "not for children." So that's a relief for future releases. What's unknown is if the language is present plainly on imported versions from Japan retailers like AmiAmi or HobbyGenki.