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Alternate mode

2012-04-11T18:04:38Z

212.139.227.80: /* Fiction */

An '''alternate mode''' (commonly shortened to "'''altmode'''," "'''alt mode'''," or "'''alt-mode'''," also known as a '''"trans-form"''', a '''"transform"''' or a '''"changeform"''') is a term used to describe a Transformer's non-robot form, whether it be vehicle, animal, or otherwise. Various, more specific, terms are also sometimes used—vehicle mode, gun mode, tank mode, etc.

Some Transformers don't have a humanoid form, so in those special cases, the altmode is perceived to be the mode which is more geared towards utility or disguise while their [[robot mode]] is the one geared more towards interaction with other Transformers. For example, for the G1 characters [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], their animal forms are their primary mode, and the cassettes their alternate modes. Even [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], who transform from cassettes to vehicles, would be thought of as having a cassette alternate mode, as their vehicle forms—while not humanoid or animalistic—are at least self-mobile.

Transformers with more than two modes are usually considered to have multiple altmodes. ([[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] on the other hand has one altmode and two robot modes.)

In the cartoon episode "[[The Killing Jar]]," the Quintesson scientist refers to the Quintesson guard's transformation as his alternate mode, the first such use of this term in the official fiction.

The earliest recorded use in the fandom of the shortened term "alt mode" is an [[alt.toys.transformers]] post from March 1994.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/dcddbf79b470731c alt.toys.transformers, Fanfic: GoTP Plot Blurb!]</ref> From the context, it appears that the term was already understood by fans at that time, as the post's author does not explain what he means.

==Beast mode==
{{main|Beast mode}}

==Fiction==
When a Transformer takes on an alternate mode for the purpose of disguise, they are ''mimicking'' that form, they don't actually ''become'' what that form represents. They are "robots in disguise". To accomplish this, they physically alter their forms, and when necessary, use [[hologram]]s to help maintain the disguise illusion, especially when battle damage or lack of a driver might otherwise give them away.<ref>This is true across all [[continuities]]. [[Hasbro Q&A/August 2009: Answers]].</ref>
===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] reversed the polarity of his windshield to clear his vision during a bad thunderstorm, indicating he sees out of his windows. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}
===Marvel comics continuity===
[[Getaway]] lost complete vision in his right headlights and partial vision in his left headlights during the [[Armornecking Incident]]. {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Getaway's ''Universe'' profile}}
===''Prime'' cartoon===
Neither [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] nor [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] had alternate modes when they first appeared on Earth. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]], meanwhile, retained his Cybertronian alternate mode. In [[Crisscross]], [[Airachnid]] scanned [[Agent Fowler]]'s helicopter and escaped into the night.

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes]]
*[[Popular beast alternate modes]]
*[[Non-vehicle non-beast alternate modes]]
*[[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

Alternate mode

2012-04-11T18:03:10Z

212.139.227.80: /* Fiction */

An '''alternate mode''' (commonly shortened to "'''altmode'''," "'''alt mode'''," or "'''alt-mode'''," also known as a '''"trans-form"''', a '''"transform"''' or a '''"changeform"''') is a term used to describe a Transformer's non-robot form, whether it be vehicle, animal, or otherwise. Various, more specific, terms are also sometimes used—vehicle mode, gun mode, tank mode, etc.

Some Transformers don't have a humanoid form, so in those special cases, the altmode is perceived to be the mode which is more geared towards utility or disguise while their [[robot mode]] is the one geared more towards interaction with other Transformers. For example, for the G1 characters [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], their animal forms are their primary mode, and the cassettes their alternate modes. Even [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], who transform from cassettes to vehicles, would be thought of as having a cassette alternate mode, as their vehicle forms—while not humanoid or animalistic—are at least self-mobile.

Transformers with more than two modes are usually considered to have multiple altmodes. ([[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] on the other hand has one altmode and two robot modes.)

In the cartoon episode "[[The Killing Jar]]," the Quintesson scientist refers to the Quintesson guard's transformation as his alternate mode, the first such use of this term in the official fiction.

The earliest recorded use in the fandom of the shortened term "alt mode" is an [[alt.toys.transformers]] post from March 1994.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/dcddbf79b470731c alt.toys.transformers, Fanfic: GoTP Plot Blurb!]</ref> From the context, it appears that the term was already understood by fans at that time, as the post's author does not explain what he means.

==Beast mode==
{{main|Beast mode}}

==Fiction==
When a Transformer takes on an alternate mode for the purpose of disguise, they are ''mimicking'' that form, they don't actually ''become'' what that form represents. They are "robots in disguise". To accomplish this, they physically alter their forms, and when necessary, use [[hologram]]s to help maintain the disguise illusion, especially when battle damage or lack of a driver might otherwise give them away.<ref>This is true across all [[continuities]]. [[Hasbro Q&A/August 2009: Answers]].</ref>
===Generation 1 cartoon===
[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] reversed the polarity of his windshield to clear his vision during a bad thunderstorm, indicating he sees out of his windows. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}
===Marvel comics continuity===
[[Getaway]] lost complete vision in his right headlights and partial vision in his left headlights during the [[Armornecking Incident]]. {{storylink|Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Getaway's ''Universe'' profile}}
===''Prime'' cartoon===
Neither [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] nor [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]] had alternate modes when they first appeared on Earth. [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]], meanwhile, retained his Cybertronian alternate mode. In [[Crisscross]], [[Airachnid]] scanned [[Agent Fowler]]'s helicopter and escaped into the night.and some times they start to pooo

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes]]
*[[Popular beast alternate modes]]
*[[Non-vehicle non-beast alternate modes]]
*[[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]