MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Scale

2008-05-12T19:25:45Z

129.63.53.149: /* Toys out of scale with others in the same line */

[[Image:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|thumb|300px|And the truck's ''how'' big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

Virtually no era, franchise, fiction, [[toy|toyline]] or other incarnation of ''Transformers'' has presented scale in a logical or believable fashion. (The only exceptions are the 1:24 toys for ''[[Alternators]]'' and ''[[Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'', but they [[Atari Hitotonari|have their own problems]].) Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process fanwank themselves into oblivion.

However, the scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

==Scale within toylines==
===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
The early [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1 toyline]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] lines, were repackaged and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toylines. The crucial point is that the toylines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale to each other as they all have real-world altmodes that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale to each other, but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Bumblebee (G1)|Volkswagen Beetle]] Microman toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)|Porsche 935]] Diaclone toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with [[minibot]]s such as [[Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray]] (a hovercraft) who should be many times their actual size.

[[Image:DiacloneScale.jpg|left|thumb|350px|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker]]s, who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 9.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Correctly scaled, this would make their robot modes ''colossal'' compared to most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s, despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

{{-}}

===Toys out of scale within teams===
Even toys specifically designed to interact with each other suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon]]s are wildly out of scale to each other — [[Blast Off]]'s space shuttle mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Among the Constructicons, [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] is designed to look like a gigantic [[Wikipedia:Image:Liebherr_t282_1.jpg|"earth-mover" mining truck]].He should be able to carry all his teammates in his bed, with some crowding. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a Concorde jet) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

===Same altmode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) altmodes but whose toys are different sizes. For example [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] transforms into an F-15 Eagle, but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the Lamborghini Countach [[Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City]] combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[Triple Changer|Triple-Changers]] create a whole new set of problems. [[Octane]] transforms from a 20 m (60') tanker truck into a 65 m (200') jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth jet into an entire ''aircraft carrier.''

Even a two-mode toy can have this problem. Twentieth Anniversary Optimus Prime has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions.

===Toys with roleplay altmodes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be human-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with [[Megatron (G1) toys|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with Masterpiece Optimus Prime. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing (Not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica"...).

===Fanciful altmodes===
Most post-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] Generation 1 characters (for that matter, most post-Generation 1 lines) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertonian vehicles whose size we don't really know. (Or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all.) The scale of characters such as [[Hot Rod]] or [[Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters in the fiction (although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard, see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for human passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome]] and [[Lightspeed (Technobot)|Lightspeed]] suggests the combiner scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the citybot and planetbot toys (Such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge Hasbro not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

===An exception===
There has only been one notable exception to all of this scale weirdness in the toys: the ''[[Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus they are in perfect scale with each other. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limits the choice of altmodes. A Blast Off (space shuttle) Alternator toy would be 1.6 m (5.1') long, while a Broadside (aircraft carrier) Alternator toy would be over 12 m (40').

== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation errors]], such as layering problems,<sup>[[:Image:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:Image:Huge_Ironhide_and_Small_Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:Image:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]]</sup> but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[Image:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]

[[Image:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Actually, [[Kiss Players|disturbing Slash fiction]] is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

''Transformers'' fiction often depicts characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows Prime, Megatron and Soundwave as about the same height, Seekers and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Minibot]]s as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the Marvel Comics portrayed the Pretenders as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having Landmine and Cloudburst encounter gigantic alien organics on other worlds, who regarded 60-foot humans as entirely normal.
{{-}}

[[Image:Omegagrab.jpg|right|thumb|I know he's meant to be ''big'', but holy crap, dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most [[Minibot]]s, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the toy Galvatron is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realise that a redco of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode.

[[Image:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]

[[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes. Within the animation, this causes problems with their Mini-Con partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Galaxy Force]]'' release of Metroplex, dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] to indicate the "correct" scale.

[[Image:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''Beast Wars'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is Optimus Primal, who has an Ultra toy (almost twice the size of the next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both Dinobot and Rhinox. Further, Cheetor and Tigatron's toys use the same mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys.

The ''[[Beast Machines (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the Maximals featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], is the ''shortest'' toy, while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a massive Ultra-class toy. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, Air Attack [[Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the King Kong-like size of this toy became canon [[Prime_Spark|in one specific]] [[micro-continuity]].)

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[Image:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|thumb|left|175px|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll . . .]]

[[Image:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|thumb|200px|right|. . . too late.]]

Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes.

The [[Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, Rumble and Frenzy vary in height relative to Soundwave. A panel in the [[Time Wars]] shows [[Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his [[Command Performances|original appearance]], shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. Fortress Maximus suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer.
{{-}}
[[Image:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blasty Zone adds on a few tons to [[Beast Era]] characters.]]

Between the [[Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably [[Maximal Upgrade|downgraded in size]]. When entering the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] -- but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the ''Ark'' and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the Maximals are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet he ''Ark'' also seems to feature some human-sized control panels, such as the computer in [[Master Blaster]]. Without any height booster, Blackarachnia can interface well with these controls.

On the other hand, ''[[Robot Masters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blasty Zone]] may somehow [[Wikipedia:Boom tube#Later Additions to the Concept|account for this discrepancy]].
{{-}}
===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
Blaster becomes a human-size radio; Megatron shrinks into a Transformer-scaled handgun. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the reader to attribute it to advanced alien technology.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the Pretenders are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, Grimlock, Bumblebee, and Jazz in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in Powermaster Optimus Prime's hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized. ''[[Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[More Than Meets The Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size when transforming in a less explicit fashion. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size changing by that portion of the fanbase who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice.

====Transport characters====
[[Image:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]

In the orginal cartoon, Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as Astrotrain, Skyfire, and Cosmos, will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than Blaster in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as Cyclonus, Thrust or Huffer carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even Omega Supreme, who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In [[Guess Who the Mecannibals are Having for Dinner?|one story]], the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored.
{{-}}
====Combiner characters====
[[Image:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Since when is a sedan nine stories tall?]]

[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[That big green, fire-snortin' lizard|Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd. ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner.)

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be only twice as tall as a one-car Transformer, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for (e.g.) the Seekers to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.
{{-}}
===Undersized alternate modes===
[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]

Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. They are usually are depicted as smaller than other Transformers in the fiction, even when their alternate modes should have [[Warpath (G1)|them]] [[Seaspray|towering]] [[Powerglide|over]] other characters. This often results in miniscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows.

The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot-mode, but they transform into equally-tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes.

Despite this, the Marvel comic featured Roadhandler carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized cars. The Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to more easily interact with "smaller beings". It does not explain the Micromasters' passenger compartments, which are obviously much too small to accommodate the "[[human|smaller beings]]".

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers. (Notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock]], and [[High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances.) In this continuity, there's no sign of mini-passengers. The Mini-Cons scan normal vehicles and then resize them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing, or that their cockpits are kinda cramped.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the Vehicons in [[Beast Machines]]), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[Image:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|If you were ever ''this'' big in the cartoon, ''then'' we might call you a city.]]

The characters [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Trypticon]], [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a city-bot that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' transformers, should have a robot-mode that'd make [[Hojoni|Godzilla]] look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. However, the grossly-undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) would be closer to the size of a transformed city; in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These city-bots often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt]], [[Six Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot-mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters.
{{-}}

====Planets and planetbots====
[[Image:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|250px|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is only the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge ''France'' into that gash. (Which would probably improve both Cybertron and France.)]]

Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout Generation 1 with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.'' style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150km (100 miles) across. By comparison, the rather [http://www.starwars.com/databank/location/coruscant/index.html Coruscant]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable.

{{-}}
[[Image:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Either [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvy]] is humungo, or [[Lithone]] is ''tiiinyyy!!!'']]

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. Scenes in the ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|Movie]]'' in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm]] on his fingernail ([[On the Edge of Extinction|in the comic]]), or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. If Unicron is the size of a planet, his hands would be the size of continents. This would make Galvatron (in the image to the right) the size of Great Britain.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing [[Sideways|one of them]]. Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[Image:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|thumb|right|I'm tellin' ya, ''all'' da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]

Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other, their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, ''most'' of the characters are subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rattrap]] is a monstrously huge rat, the size of a large dog (indeed, the writers stated<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref> that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall). [[Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real velociraptor, closer in size to a ''[[Wikipedia: Utahraptor|Utahraptor]]''. [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros, and [[Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal gorilla. However, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] is a tiny specimen of T. rex (Perhaps a ''[[wikipedia:Nanotyrannus|Nanotyrannus]]''? ).

In their interactions with adult [[protohuman]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[Image:Prime has a huge head.jpg|thumb|left|150px|With 20th Anniversary Prime and Smallest Transformers Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]

Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character.

Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states he's 15' tall{{fact}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker]]s should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair. (And also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult.)

In a related vein, [[B.O.T.|sometimes]] Transformers are sometimes able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and able to run up their staircases without crashing through. A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things.

{{-}}

====Intentionally strange scale====
[[Image:MarvelUS-01.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Wikipedia:White Rabbit (song)|One side makes you larger]], [[Wikipedia:Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|one side makes you small]]. (Op's been noshing on the first side too much.)]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size intentionally. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (comic issue)|first issue]] of [[Generation 1 (Marvel Comics)|Marvel Generation 1]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge, compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars. ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too.) This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/bible/index.html World of the TRANSFORMERS]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere.
[[Image:World_of_the_Transformers_ent.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Meet the Supreme class <strike>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</strike> Optimus Primal.]]
{{-}}

===The 2007 ''Transformers'' movie===
[[Image:Moviescale1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]

The creators of the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues. (Well, greater than previous franchises.) This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. The movie-franchise toys, meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), though many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale.
{{-}}

==Official Scale Guides ==
[[Image: tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|thumb|Official Scale Guides]] Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guide ''[[Transformers:_The_Ark|Transformers: The Ark]].'' Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.
{{-}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

==References==
<references/>

{{-}}
[[Category: Biology]]
[[Category: Fandom]]
[[Category: Planets]]
[[Category: Technology]]
[[Category: Things that don't exist]]
[[Category: Toys]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Reflector (G1)

2008-03-27T14:10:15Z

129.63.53.149: /* Sunbow cartoon */

{{picsneeded|other fictional appearances}}

:''Reflector is a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ReflectorG1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|It's a Kodak moment.]]

'''Reflector''' likes to watch. He lives (they live?) to observe anything and everything, from scenery, to wildlife, to architecture. But above all else, Reflector likes to watch his (their?) comrades, learn their dark secrets, and profit from them. Reflector is also very impressed with his (their) own abilities both in the fields of observation and blackmail.

Reflector is generally composed of three separate robots - [[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]] and [[Viewfinder]] - who combine into the single camera [[altmode]] that is Reflector.

==Fiction==
===G1 cartoon continuity===
====Sunbow cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Chris Latta]] (US), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japan)

[[Image:ReflectorCartoon1.jpg|left|170px|thumb|I (we?) see EVERYTHING!]]

Reflector is unique among the Decepticons: he is three robots who talk and act in unison as a single mind in three (give or take) bodies. His individual components are never named; they are all simply "Reflector."

He was with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] on the [[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]] during its assault on the [[Ark]]. He was thus among Megatron's troops after their reawakening on [[Earth]]. Reflector and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] did some scouting shortly after the Decepticons left the Ark. Reflector demonstrated his ability to zoom-focus and print pictures, Polaroid-style, in camera mode. {{storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

He later spied on the laboratory of [[Dr. Alcazar]], the mentor of boy genius [[Chip Chase]]. Using his zoom-focus and photographic powers once more, Reflector secretly obtained the entry-code for the laboratory's security system. {{storylink|Roll For It}} Reflector later gathered valuable intelligence prior to the Decepticon attack on the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power plant.

[[image:GenericDecepticons_MTMTE.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Anything you need reflected? I (we?) gotcha covered.]]

Useful though his reconnaissance abilities were, he also provided a less glamorous contribution to the Decepticons' early Earth campaigns: force of numbers. Many Reflector-bots were seen in robot mode among Megatron's initial forces - far more than the core three. And in one instance, a reverse effect occurred: Two Reflector-bots were ''absorbed'' into a third when they forcibly collided. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} This suggests that Reflector has some sort of body-duplication power.

The nature of the duplicates is unclear, though some may possess their own consciousness. When Megatron needed someone to test the then-experimental [[Space Bridge]], he selected a lone Reflector-bot, who protested in panic. There was no implied connection to the other Reflector-bots, and his voice lacked the echoing modulation that Reflector usually possessed. Megatron seemed cavalier about the prospect of losing him to the experiment; however, as he survived the trip to Cybertron, it's unknown what effect his destruction could've had on the other Reflector-bots. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} Later, two more of his kin were seen on that planet assisting Starscream in transporting an injured [[Doctor Arkeville]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction}}

As time went on, Reflector-bots became scarcer and scarcer. Even the core three were seldom seen. The last, very brief sighting was during the Great Battle of [[Autobot City]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{note|The real-world explanation for Reflector's initial overabundance was that he made a handy [[generic]] with which the animators could pad out the meager Decepticon ranks. This need became less acute as more Decepticons joined the cast. Also, the [[Production bible|series story bible]] discouraged use of the character, as Hasbro had decided not to sell his toy at the time.<ref>[http://transformers.winterchill.com/bible/biblepage43.html Reflector's page in the series bible]</ref> Thus, he was eventually phased out completely.}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform'' manga====

[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] photographed the incomplete [[Autobot City]], with the aid of Reflector's camera mode, so that Megatron could decipher whether or not it was powerful enough to stand up to [[Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3}}

===Dreamwave G1 continuity===

====DW G1 comic====
Reflector was not part of Megatron's crew, but worked for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], monitoring the planet and its inhabitants for him from a central mainframe. {{Storylink|Brothers' Burden}} They were seemingly destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. {{Storylink|Countdown to Extinction (comic issue)|Countdown to Extinction}}

====''Keepers Trilogy'' novels====
While one set of Reflector-bots was on Cybertron, another was on Earth. {{storylink|Annihilation}} The Terran version was identified as the "true" Reflector, the Cybertronian version being a "copy." {{storylink|Fusion}} This echoes the body-duplication theme seen [[Reflector#Sunbow_cartoon|elsewhere in the multiverse]].

===IDW G1 comics continuity===

Spectro and Spyglass were seen aboard the Decepticon Orbital Command Hub, terrified of walking down the same hallway as [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. {{Storylink|Spotlight: Sixshot}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Reflector''' (Mail-away, 1986/1987; wide release in Japan, 1985)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' Spectro component, Viewfinder component, Spyglass component, 3 guns, flash cube/missile launcher, 3 missiles and camera lens.

[[Image:G1_Reflector_toy.jpg|thumb|left|150px|We three kings of orient are...]]

[[Image:Reflectorisanevilmarauder.jpg|170px|thumb|right|Suprisingly, the humans were not fooled by the 15-foot-tall camera.]]

: Reflector was available only as a [[pack-in flyer|mail away promotion]] in 1986-1987 (ironically after his character had long since disappeared from the cartoon), at a cost of $10 and two [[robot points]]. It is composed of three distinct robots that combine to form a camera, Viewfinder as the central part with the lens, Spectro as the right side component with the shutter button and Spyglass as the leftside component with the flash. It includes a telephoto lens and old-style flashcube (that doubles as a missile launcher) accessories as well as various guns.

:His role early in the cartoon makes it seem likely his toy was originally planned for inclusion in the original 1984 line. Why Hasbro decided not to release it so late in the game is unknown, as is what reversed the decision later to make it a viable mail-away. However, he was given a full release in Japan.

{{-}}

===Merchandise===
* '''Reflector''' (Decoy, 1986)

: A small plastic [[decoy]] of Reflector was part of the Decoy promotion and given away with many smaller TFs. It was based on the cartoon design of the central (lensed) Reflector unit. He came in either red or purple plastic: the red version is much rareer and goes for a lot more on the secondary market.

==Trivia==
[[Image:Canon Robo.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A screenshot from Solar Adventure. Reflector had kids to feed, dammit!]]

*Reflector's original toy was used in the South Korean cartoon ''[http://www.cyrusfirst.com/guests/digiview/dev/detail.php?p=105 Solar Adventure]'' (초 합금 로보트 쏠라 원, 투, 드리) as the "Canon Robo" in which [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0SZM_G5l3w he kills a bunch of North Koreans].

[[Image:PreReflector.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Say "Cheese" and die.]]
* Not so surprisingly, Reflector (or rather his [[Microchange]] counterpart, Microx) was first designed as a single unit. Apparently, the primary designer of the final toy, and possibly this initial design, was mecha designer [[Shinji Aramaki]], who designed the robots for ''[[wikipedia:Megazone 23|Megazone 23]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Genesis Climber Mospeada|Genesis Climber Mospeada]]''.
{{-}}

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Decoys/Reflector/reflector.htm Reflector at TFU.info]

[[Category: Combined forms]]
[[Category: Decepticons]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Spies]]
[[Category: Mail order exclusives]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

War of the Dinobots

2008-03-10T21:22:02Z

129.63.53.149: /* Notable quotes */

[[Image:Warofthedinobots.JPG|right|thumb|250px|For [[Primus|God]]'s sake, I didn't eat your damn pudding!]]

{{episodenav|g1|season=1|10|prev=Fire on the Mountain|next=The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}
{{episodenav|SRLFtoon|8|prev=SOS Dinobots|next=Countdown to Extinction}}

'''Snarl and Swoop are added to the Dinobot roster... and just in time!'''

'''Japanese title:''' "The Mysterious Giant Meteorite"

==Detailed synopsis==
[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_5.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Kiss Me Grimlock you fool.]]

An unidentified meteor impacts with the Earth, and [[Chip Chase]] asks the Autobots to investigate. Fearing that its energy potential could be used by the Decepticons, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] calls in the Dinobots for help.

At Decepticon HQ, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is watching video footage of the Dinobots and is raging about how the dim-witted robots have defeated his warriors time and again. Megatron orders [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to find their weaknesses.

After the meteor crashlands, the Autobots take a sample back to the Ark and leave the Dinobots to guard the crash site. Impressed that they are following orders, Prime decides to order Ratchet and Wheeljack to build two more Dinobots, with Spike and Chip's help.

At the meteor site, Soundwave scans the Dinobots' brains while in hiding and reports back to Megatron. The Decepticon leaders declares [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is arrogant, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is violent, and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] is stupid. He vows to use those weaknesses against the Dinobots.

[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Me Grimlock say Pull!]]
Megatron's forces arrive at the meteorite's location, and after the Dinobots trash the [[Seeker]]s, Megatron arrives and feigns humility. He wonders aloud why the Dinobots, as powerful as they are, follow a weaker leader such as Optimus Prime. Because of Megatron's powerful logic, Grimlock and the Dinobots are convinced to rebel against Prime, and the [[Decepticon]]s take the Meteorite.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], Prime and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] oversee construction of two new Dinobots: [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. During this, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] discovers the meteorite's energy is highly unstable. Trailbreaker manages to encase the fragment in a forcefield just before it explodes. Fearing a huge explosion, Optimus Prime rushes out alone to warn the Dinobots.

[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_7.jpg|left|thumb|150px|You can let go of my hand now, Grimlock.]]
At the base, Wheeljack has Snarl and Swoop do a test run of their powers. Bluestreak, Ironhide, Sideswipe and Prowl attempt to stop the new Dinobots, but get their cans soundly kicked.

Prime arrives at the crash site and is attacked by the Dinobots. Though Optimus puts up a good fight, the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] is unable to defeat the Dinobots by himself and is knocked out. However, Grimlock doesn't kill him or let the others hurt Prime further, a restraint that Prime attributes to their Autobot training. The Dinobots instead take Prime to the Decepticons.

At Autobot HQ, Spike and Chip are concerned because Optimus hasn't reported in. Teletraan 1 alerts Wheeljack that the meteorite has been moved and is about ready to blow. Snarl and Swoop are sent to stop it.

While the Decepticons form [[Energon cube]]s from the unstable meteorite energy, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] grows concerned by the meteorite's unstable nature. When Grimlock, Slag and Sludge arrive, Megatron is angered that they didn't kill Prime, but is soon distracted as the Energon cubes detonate.

Swoop and Snarl arrive. The two new Dinobots fight the old Dinobots to a standstill in a vicious battle. During this, the meteorite visually destabilizes and just before it explodes, Prime pushes Grimlock to safety.

Realizing that Prime is both strong and has concern for his troops, Grimlock orders the Dinobots to attack Megatron. The Decepticons retreat, and Grimlock asks for Prime's forgiveness as the other Autobots arrive. The Dinobots are welcomed back, and Swoop and Snarl are added to the team.

{{-}}
==Stats==
'''Original airdate: 11/27/1984'''

'''Production number: '''

'''Written by:''' [[Earl Kress]]

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* [[Trailbreaker]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Bluestreak]]

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[Spike Witwicky]]
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]
* [[Chip Chase]]

'''Guests'''
*

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notable quotes==
"Well, meteor or no meteor, Optimus Prime, it sure is nice not to have to worry about the Decepticons for a change."<br>
"I always worry about the Decepticons, Spike."<br>
:-- '''Spike Witwicky''' learns that '''Optimus Prime''' ''really'' needs a vacation.

"I’ve seen enough! My finest warriors defeated by those primitive, pea-brained beasts. Revolting!"
:--'''Megatron''' on the Decepticons' failure to defeat the Dinobots

"No matter how many times I see it, it's always outrageous."
:--'''Chip Chase''', fanboy, on the Autobots' transforming

'''Grimlock''': "We destroy Optimus Prime!"<br/>
'''Slag''': "And him, Grimlock, be new leader!"<br/>
'''Sludge''': "Hail him, Grimlock!"<br/>
:--The Dinobots plan their coup

"I do not want to fight you, but you leave me no choice."
:-- '''Optimus Prime''''s warning to the Dinobots

"Megatron, listen... Meteorite.. unstable... At any moment.. could explode!"
:-- The Dinobots' horrendous grammar brushes off on '''Optimus Prime'''

"You, Megatron, tricked us, make us fight good leader, Optimus Prime. Prime risk own life to save us. Bad Megatron!"
:--'''Grimlock''' switches allegiances again

"Decepticons retreat now, quick, at once!"
:--'''Megatron''' orders a cowardly retreat in the face of the Dinobots' wrath

"Optimus Prime, can you forgive? Me, Grimlock was jealous of you."
:-- '''Grimlock''', actually showing humility for once

==Other notes==
===Animation and/or technical glitches===
*Optimus blasts a fragment off of the meteor at night, transforms during the day, leaves the scene around dawn, and drives off into the dead of night.

* When Soundwave goes back to the Decepticon base after scanning the Dinobots, the Decepticon insignia on his chest is not shown.

* When the Decepticons attack the Dinobots guarding the meteorite, Slag's Autobot insignia is not shown in one shot.

* In the same scene, when Grimlock asks Slag if he likes to fight, Sludge answers with Slag's voice.

* When the Dinobots are attacking Optimus Prime, in one shot Grimlock's torso is colored gray instead of yellow.

* When the Dinobots take Optimus to Megatron, Starscream is colored in Thundercracker's colors. A little later, when they are escaping the meteorite explosion, Starscream is colored as Thundercracker again.

* When asking for forgiveness from Optimus, Grimlock's eyes are not colored.

{{-}}
===Continuity errors===

{{-}}

===Real-world references===
* TBA

{{-}}
===Transformers references===

* Apparently the Decepticons are still pretty steamed about the Dinobots utterly slagging them two episodes ago ("[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"). Seriously guys, let it go.

{{-}}

===Miscellaneous trivia===
[[Image:Grimhead.JPG||thumb|"Me Grimlock before, me Grimlock after. Head no matter, always sexpot"]]

* In an earlier draft of this episode's script, it was not Chip who discovered the meteorite, but an original character named Doctor Lynn Hyashi.

*Grimlock's head has been redesigned. However, the old design remained in the comics all the way until Grimlock took a bath in nucleon. {{storylink|Still Life!}} The second head design would be used in all incarnations from then on.

{{-}}

==External Links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/war_of_the_dinobots.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

War of the Dinobots

2008-03-10T21:21:28Z

129.63.53.149: /* Notable quotes */

[[Image:Warofthedinobots.JPG|right|thumb|250px|For [[Primus|God]]'s sake, I didn't eat your damn pudding!]]

{{episodenav|g1|season=1|10|prev=Fire on the Mountain|next=The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}
{{episodenav|SRLFtoon|8|prev=SOS Dinobots|next=Countdown to Extinction}}

'''Snarl and Swoop are added to the Dinobot roster... and just in time!'''

'''Japanese title:''' "The Mysterious Giant Meteorite"

==Detailed synopsis==
[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_5.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Kiss Me Grimlock you fool.]]

An unidentified meteor impacts with the Earth, and [[Chip Chase]] asks the Autobots to investigate. Fearing that its energy potential could be used by the Decepticons, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] calls in the Dinobots for help.

At Decepticon HQ, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is watching video footage of the Dinobots and is raging about how the dim-witted robots have defeated his warriors time and again. Megatron orders [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to find their weaknesses.

After the meteor crashlands, the Autobots take a sample back to the Ark and leave the Dinobots to guard the crash site. Impressed that they are following orders, Prime decides to order Ratchet and Wheeljack to build two more Dinobots, with Spike and Chip's help.

At the meteor site, Soundwave scans the Dinobots' brains while in hiding and reports back to Megatron. The Decepticon leaders declares [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is arrogant, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is violent, and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] is stupid. He vows to use those weaknesses against the Dinobots.

[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Me Grimlock say Pull!]]
Megatron's forces arrive at the meteorite's location, and after the Dinobots trash the [[Seeker]]s, Megatron arrives and feigns humility. He wonders aloud why the Dinobots, as powerful as they are, follow a weaker leader such as Optimus Prime. Because of Megatron's powerful logic, Grimlock and the Dinobots are convinced to rebel against Prime, and the [[Decepticon]]s take the Meteorite.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], Prime and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] oversee construction of two new Dinobots: [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. During this, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] discovers the meteorite's energy is highly unstable. Trailbreaker manages to encase the fragment in a forcefield just before it explodes. Fearing a huge explosion, Optimus Prime rushes out alone to warn the Dinobots.

[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_7.jpg|left|thumb|150px|You can let go of my hand now, Grimlock.]]
At the base, Wheeljack has Snarl and Swoop do a test run of their powers. Bluestreak, Ironhide, Sideswipe and Prowl attempt to stop the new Dinobots, but get their cans soundly kicked.

Prime arrives at the crash site and is attacked by the Dinobots. Though Optimus puts up a good fight, the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] is unable to defeat the Dinobots by himself and is knocked out. However, Grimlock doesn't kill him or let the others hurt Prime further, a restraint that Prime attributes to their Autobot training. The Dinobots instead take Prime to the Decepticons.

At Autobot HQ, Spike and Chip are concerned because Optimus hasn't reported in. Teletraan 1 alerts Wheeljack that the meteorite has been moved and is about ready to blow. Snarl and Swoop are sent to stop it.

While the Decepticons form [[Energon cube]]s from the unstable meteorite energy, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] grows concerned by the meteorite's unstable nature. When Grimlock, Slag and Sludge arrive, Megatron is angered that they didn't kill Prime, but is soon distracted as the Energon cubes detonate.

Swoop and Snarl arrive. The two new Dinobots fight the old Dinobots to a standstill in a vicious battle. During this, the meteorite visually destabilizes and just before it explodes, Prime pushes Grimlock to safety.

Realizing that Prime is both strong and has concern for his troops, Grimlock orders the Dinobots to attack Megatron. The Decepticons retreat, and Grimlock asks for Prime's forgiveness as the other Autobots arrive. The Dinobots are welcomed back, and Swoop and Snarl are added to the team.

{{-}}
==Stats==
'''Original airdate: 11/27/1984'''

'''Production number: '''

'''Written by:''' [[Earl Kress]]

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* [[Trailbreaker]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Bluestreak]]

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[Spike Witwicky]]
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]
* [[Chip Chase]]

'''Guests'''
*

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notable quotes==
"Well, meteor or no meteor, Optimus Prime, it sure is nice not to have to worry about the Decepticons for a change."<br>
"I always worry about the Decepticons, Spike."<br>
:-- '''Spike Witwicky''' learns that '''Optimus Prime''' ''really'' needs a vacation.

"I’ve seen enough! My finest warriors defeated by those primitive, pea-brained beasts. Revolting!"
:--'''Megatron''' on the Decepticons' failure to defeat the Dinobots

"No matter how many times I see it, it's always outrageous."
:--'''Chip Chase''', fanboy, on the Autobots' transforming

'''Grimlock''': "We destroy Optimus Prime!"<br/>
'''Slag''': "And him, Grimlock, be new leader!"<br/>
'''Sludge''': "Hail him, Grimlock!"<br/>
:--The Dinobots plan their coup

"I do not want to fight you, but you leave me no choice."
:-- '''Optimus Prime''''s warning to the Dinobots

"Megatron... Listen... Meteorite.. unstable... At any moment.. could explode!"
:-- The Dinobots' horrendous grammar brushes off on '''Optimus Prime'''

"You, Megatron, tricked us, make us fight good leader, Optimus Prime. Prime risk own life to save us. Bad Megatron!"
:--'''Grimlock''' switches allegiances again

"Decepticons retreat now, quick, at once!"
:--'''Megatron''' orders a cowardly retreat in the face of the Dinobots' wrath

"Optimus Prime, can you forgive? Me, Grimlock was jealous of you."
:-- '''Grimlock''', actually showing humility for once

==Other notes==
===Animation and/or technical glitches===
*Optimus blasts a fragment off of the meteor at night, transforms during the day, leaves the scene around dawn, and drives off into the dead of night.

* When Soundwave goes back to the Decepticon base after scanning the Dinobots, the Decepticon insignia on his chest is not shown.

* When the Decepticons attack the Dinobots guarding the meteorite, Slag's Autobot insignia is not shown in one shot.

* In the same scene, when Grimlock asks Slag if he likes to fight, Sludge answers with Slag's voice.

* When the Dinobots are attacking Optimus Prime, in one shot Grimlock's torso is colored gray instead of yellow.

* When the Dinobots take Optimus to Megatron, Starscream is colored in Thundercracker's colors. A little later, when they are escaping the meteorite explosion, Starscream is colored as Thundercracker again.

* When asking for forgiveness from Optimus, Grimlock's eyes are not colored.

{{-}}
===Continuity errors===

{{-}}

===Real-world references===
* TBA

{{-}}
===Transformers references===

* Apparently the Decepticons are still pretty steamed about the Dinobots utterly slagging them two episodes ago ("[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"). Seriously guys, let it go.

{{-}}

===Miscellaneous trivia===
[[Image:Grimhead.JPG||thumb|"Me Grimlock before, me Grimlock after. Head no matter, always sexpot"]]

* In an earlier draft of this episode's script, it was not Chip who discovered the meteorite, but an original character named Doctor Lynn Hyashi.

*Grimlock's head has been redesigned. However, the old design remained in the comics all the way until Grimlock took a bath in nucleon. {{storylink|Still Life!}} The second head design would be used in all incarnations from then on.

{{-}}

==External Links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/war_of_the_dinobots.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

War of the Dinobots

2008-03-10T21:20:54Z

129.63.53.149: /* Notable quotes */

[[Image:Warofthedinobots.JPG|right|thumb|250px|For [[Primus|God]]'s sake, I didn't eat your damn pudding!]]

{{episodenav|g1|season=1|10|prev=Fire on the Mountain|next=The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}}
{{episodenav|SRLFtoon|8|prev=SOS Dinobots|next=Countdown to Extinction}}

'''Snarl and Swoop are added to the Dinobot roster... and just in time!'''

'''Japanese title:''' "The Mysterious Giant Meteorite"

==Detailed synopsis==
[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_5.jpg|left|thumb|150px|Kiss Me Grimlock you fool.]]

An unidentified meteor impacts with the Earth, and [[Chip Chase]] asks the Autobots to investigate. Fearing that its energy potential could be used by the Decepticons, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] calls in the Dinobots for help.

At Decepticon HQ, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is watching video footage of the Dinobots and is raging about how the dim-witted robots have defeated his warriors time and again. Megatron orders [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] to find their weaknesses.

After the meteor crashlands, the Autobots take a sample back to the Ark and leave the Dinobots to guard the crash site. Impressed that they are following orders, Prime decides to order Ratchet and Wheeljack to build two more Dinobots, with Spike and Chip's help.

At the meteor site, Soundwave scans the Dinobots' brains while in hiding and reports back to Megatron. The Decepticon leaders declares [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is arrogant, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is violent, and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] is stupid. He vows to use those weaknesses against the Dinobots.

[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_1.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Me Grimlock say Pull!]]
Megatron's forces arrive at the meteorite's location, and after the Dinobots trash the [[Seeker]]s, Megatron arrives and feigns humility. He wonders aloud why the Dinobots, as powerful as they are, follow a weaker leader such as Optimus Prime. Because of Megatron's powerful logic, Grimlock and the Dinobots are convinced to rebel against Prime, and the [[Decepticon]]s take the Meteorite.

At the [[Ark (G1)|Autobot base]], Prime and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] oversee construction of two new Dinobots: [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]. During this, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] discovers the meteorite's energy is highly unstable. Trailbreaker manages to encase the fragment in a forcefield just before it explodes. Fearing a huge explosion, Optimus Prime rushes out alone to warn the Dinobots.

[[Image:War_of_the_dinos_7.jpg|left|thumb|150px|You can let go of my hand now, Grimlock.]]
At the base, Wheeljack has Snarl and Swoop do a test run of their powers. Bluestreak, Ironhide, Sideswipe and Prowl attempt to stop the new Dinobots, but get their cans soundly kicked.

Prime arrives at the crash site and is attacked by the Dinobots. Though Optimus puts up a good fight, the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] is unable to defeat the Dinobots by himself and is knocked out. However, Grimlock doesn't kill him or let the others hurt Prime further, a restraint that Prime attributes to their Autobot training. The Dinobots instead take Prime to the Decepticons.

At Autobot HQ, Spike and Chip are concerned because Optimus hasn't reported in. Teletraan 1 alerts Wheeljack that the meteorite has been moved and is about ready to blow. Snarl and Swoop are sent to stop it.

While the Decepticons form [[Energon cube]]s from the unstable meteorite energy, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] grows concerned by the meteorite's unstable nature. When Grimlock, Slag and Sludge arrive, Megatron is angered that they didn't kill Prime, but is soon distracted as the Energon cubes detonate.

Swoop and Snarl arrive. The two new Dinobots fight the old Dinobots to a standstill in a vicious battle. During this, the meteorite visually destabilizes and just before it explodes, Prime pushes Grimlock to safety.

Realizing that Prime is both strong and has concern for his troops, Grimlock orders the Dinobots to attack Megatron. The Decepticons retreat, and Grimlock asks for Prime's forgiveness as the other Autobots arrive. The Dinobots are welcomed back, and Swoop and Snarl are added to the team.

{{-}}
==Stats==
'''Original airdate: 11/27/1984'''

'''Production number: '''

'''Written by:''' [[Earl Kress]]

===Featured Characters===
(''Numbers indicate order of appearance.)
{|border=5 cellpadding=5 cellspacing=5 align=center style="border:#800000"
! style="background:#FFEEEE" | [[Autobots]]
! style="background:#EEEEFE" | [[Decepticons]]
! style="background:antiquewhite" | [[Human|Humans]]
! style="background:#FFEEB8" | Others
|-
| style="background:#FFEEEE" valign="top" |
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
* [[Trailbreaker]]
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]
* [[Bluestreak]]

| style="background:#EEEEFE" valign="top" |
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]

| style="background:antiquewhite" valign="top" | '''Regulars'''
* [[Spike Witwicky]]
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]
* [[Chip Chase]]

'''Guests'''
*

| style="background:#FFEEB8" valign="top" |

|}

==Notable quotes==
"Well, meteor or no meteor, Optimus Prime, it sure is nice not to have to worry about the Decepticons for a change."<br>
"I always worry about the Decepticons, Spike."<br>
:-- '''Spike Witwicky''' learns that '''Optimus Prime''' ''really'' needs a vacation.

"I’ve seen enough! My finest warriors defeated by those primitive, pea-brained beasts. Revolting!"
:--'''Megatron''' on the Decepticons' failure to defeat the Dinobots

"No matter how many times I see it, it's always outrageous."
:--'''Chip Chase''', fanboy, on the Autobots' transforming

'''Grimlock''': "We destroy Optimus Prime!"<br/>
'''Slag''': "And him, Grimlock, be new leader!"<br/>
'''Sludge''': "Hail him, Grimlock!"<br/>
:--The Dinobots plan their coup

"I do not want to fight you, but you leave me no choice."
:-- '''Optimus Prime''''s warning to the Dinobots

"Megatron... Listen... Meteorite.. unstable... At any moment.. could explode!"
:-- The Dinobots' horrendous grammar brushes off on '''Optimus Prime'''

"You, Megatron, tricked us, make us fight good leader, Optimus Prime. Prime risk own life to save us. Bad Megatron!"
:--'''Grimlock''' switches allegiances again

"Decepticons retreat now, quick, at once!"
:--'''Megatron''' orders a cowardly retreat in the face of the Dinobots' wrath

"Optimus Prime, can you forgive? Me, Grimlock was jealous of you."
:-- '''Grimlock''', actually showing humility for once

==Other notes==
===Animation and/or technical glitches===
*Optimus blasts a fragment off of the meteor at night, transforms during the day, leaves the scene around dawn, and drives off into the dead of night.

* When Soundwave goes back to the Decepticon base after scanning the Dinobots, the Decepticon insignia on his chest is not shown.

* When the Decepticons attack the Dinobots guarding the meteorite, Slag's Autobot insignia is not shown in one shot.

* In the same scene, when Grimlock asks Slag if he likes to fight, Sludge answers with Slag's voice.

* When the Dinobots are attacking Optimus Prime, in one shot Grimlock's torso is colored gray instead of yellow.

* When the Dinobots take Optimus to Megatron, Starscream is colored in Thundercracker's colors. A little later, when they are escaping the meteorite explosion, Starscream is colored as Thundercracker again.

* When asking for forgiveness from Optimus, Grimlock's eyes are not colored.

{{-}}
===Continuity errors===

{{-}}

===Real-world references===
* TBA

{{-}}
===Transformers references===

* Apparently the Decepticons are still pretty steamed about the Dinobots utterly slagging them two episodes ago ("[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]"). Seriously guys, let it go.

{{-}}

===Miscellaneous trivia===
[[Image:Grimhead.JPG||thumb|"Me Grimlock before, me Grimlock after. Head no matter, always sexpot"]]

* In an earlier draft of this episode's script, it was not Chip who discovered the meteorite, but an original character named Doctor Lynn Hyashi.

*Grimlock's head has been redesigned. However, the old design remained in the comics all the way until Grimlock took a bath in nucleon. {{storylink|Still Life!}} The second head design would be used in all incarnations from then on.

{{-}}

==External Links==
* [http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/synopses/war_of_the_dinobots.html Dossier at the Cybertron Chronicle]

[[Category: Generation 1 episodes]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>