Multi-component Transformer

2010-11-01T05:28:25Z

67.220.43.31: Didn't see Tidal Wave from Armada/Energon listed as a multi-form Transformer, and he seemed to fit the designation, so I figured I'd throw him in as another example. ^_^

{{noname-nickname}}

[[Image:ReflectorCartoon1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Three components, one Transformer.]]

'''Multi-component Transformers''' are able to have one or more of their components separate and act independently of one another. All of the components together make up the Transformer. They should not be confused with [[combiner]]s, which form from individual characters.

==Transformers with equal components==
When these Transformers split, none of the components are more important than the others. Sometimes these Transformers are depicted in fiction more like [[Triple Changer]]s, where the components are never shown active at the same time.

;Generation 1
*[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]<ref>[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] [[production bible]], toy bio</ref> ([[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]], [[Viewfinder]])
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (rocket, tank, and base)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (lynx, long-necked pterodactyl-like animal)
*[[Duocon]]s
**[[Battletrap]] (truck, helicopter)
**[[Flywheels]] (howitzer, fighter jet)
*[[Cog (G1)|Cog]] ([[Gasket]], [[Grommet]])
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (Tank, jet)

'''Beast Wars Neo'''/'''Beast Machines'''
*[[Magmatron]] (Landsaur, Seasaur, Skysaur)

;Armada
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] ('Dark Fleet'-Aircraft Carrier, Battleship, Troop Transport))

;Energon
*[[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] (Omega, Omega Train, Omega Battleship)
*[[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]] (Small robot, battle train, battleship)

;Animated
*[[Reflector (Animated)|Reflector]] ([[Spectro (Animated)|Spectro]], [[Spyglass (Animated)|Spyglass]], and [[Viewfinder (Animated)|Viewfinder]])
[[Image:Alliance4 bikeAutobots.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Me, myself, and I]]

;Shattered Glass
*[[Sky Lynx (SG)|Sky Lynx]]

;Live-action film
*[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] <small>(fiction-only)</small>

===Mitotic sparks===
Magmatron is stated to have this ability because he has a [[mitotic spark]]. It has not been established whether any of the other examples could have mitotic sparks.

{{--}}

==Transformers with a minor component==
Some Transformers clearly have a dominant component, but also possess parts that are required for their Transformation in one mode but can act independently in another mode. Sometimes the component is semi-autonomous and sometimes it is merely a remote-controlled drone. The distinction is not always clear and varies by fiction.

;Generation 1
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Brain Center]], [[Combat Deck]], [[Roller]])
**Orion Pax (Barrelroller)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] / [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] ([[Onebox component|sled]])
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (laser cannons)<ref>Toy bio, Universe profile, Generation 1 cartoon</ref>
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] ([[roller car]])
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] ([[Six-Gun]], [[Slammer]], [[Scamper]])
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] ([[Full-Tilt]], [[Brunt (G1)|Brunt]], [[Wipe-Out]])
*[[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]] (puppet)
*[[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] ([[Mobile Defense Bay]])
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] ([[Cog (G1)|Cog]])
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] ([[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Fasttrack]])
*[[Motorvator]]s
**[[Flame (Motorvator)|Flame]] ([[Energon figure]])
**[[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]] (Energon figure)
**[[Lightspeed (Motorvator)|Lightspeed]] (Energon figure)
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (2 Energon mini-figures, unnamed car drone)
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] ([[Clutch (G1)|Clutch]])
;Masterforce
*[[Grand Maximus]] ([[Cog (Masterforce)|Cog]])
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (unnamed car drone)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|BlackZarak]] ([[Fasttrack (Scorponok)|Black Rorichi]])
;Victory
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]] ([[V-Star]])
;Zone
*[[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] ([[Metrosquad]])
;Generation 2
*[[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] ([[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen]])
;Beast Wars
*[[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] ([[Cyberbee]])
;;Energon
*[[Tow-Line (Energon)|Tow-Line]] (sled)
;Shattered Glass
*[[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]] ([[Rumbler (SG)|Rumbler]])
;Power Core Combiners
* [[Bombshock (PCC)|Bombshock]] ([[Combaticon (PCC)|Combaticons]])
* [[Double Clutch (PCC)|Double Clutch]] ([[Rallybot]]s)
* [[Mudslinger (PCC)|Mudslinger]] ([[Destructicon (PCC)|Destructicon]]s)
* [[Skyburst]] ([[Aerialbot (PCC)|Aerialbots]])

===Pretenders===
[[Pretender]] shells can be controlled independently by the inner robot.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] was the first multi-component Transformer to be depicted in fiction. His entry in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|G1 cartoon series]] [[production bible]] states that "in his robot mode, Reflector is 3 robots that speak together." He was ''usually'' depicted this way, but this was inconsistent. Reflector components existed and spoke on their own and seemed to have their own personality. It was left uncertain if these components were extra [[generic]] look-alikes. Reflector made one brief cameo in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] without addressing the multi-component issue. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] treated the trio as three individuals that simply had a [[combiner]]-type altmode. The [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics portrayed Reflector both similarly to the cartoon {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}} and as individuals {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

In the cartoon, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] showed the ability to have his rocket component take off (leaving the base and tank behind), travel to another planet then transform back into robot mode. Sometimes his base mode was there on the planet waiting for the rocket to land. Fictional portrayals of Omega Supreme tend to address the oddness of his multi-component altmode by simply not having him transform very often unless he needs to [[Scale#Transport_characters|give the Autobots a ride somewhere]].

Fictional depictions of [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and the [[Duocon]]s tend to treat them as triple-changers of sorts. Their components are not often seen operating at the same time. The exception is from the Dreamwave comics, where they made it a point to show them operating independently.

{{stub}}

===Live-action film continuity===
[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was badly damaged by [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]]. [[Flatline]] attempted to create a new Decepticon warrior by transplanting her [[spark]] into a new pink body. The transplant was a success, but Arcee retained her own will and broke free, surprised to learn that she could control a purple body and a blue body that were with her in the lab. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 6}}

Arcee had become a "tripartite Cybertronian," meaning she is not one, but ''three'' motorcycles, who are controlled by a singular intelligence. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}} The three components were able to combine to form one robot mode. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}} {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (comic series)}}

{{note|While fictional appearances portray Arcee as a multi-component Transformer, the toy bios give her individual components their own personality. ([[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], [[Chromia (ROTF)|Chromia]], and [[Elita-1 (ROTF)|Elita-1]]). Chromia's bio refers to them as [[Relatives|sisters]].}}

===Power Core Combiners===
Some Power Core Commanders went through special training to be able to control a team of drones that they can also combine with. Their personality engrams were uploaded to the drones so the Commander can effectively be in multiple places at once. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32}}

==Notes==
*''[[Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] had a group of drones called the [[Prime Force]] that he could [[Powerlinx]] with forming a [[Optimus Prime Super Modes|super mode]]. There is little evidence to say that the Prime Force was an extension of Optimus Prime, however. In one instance, [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] brought the Prime Force to a wounded Optimus Prime and Optimus Prime seemed surprised to see them. {{storylink|Decepticon Army}}

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Binary bonding]]

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers| ]]

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Multi-component Transformer