Ion blaster

2011-11-20T20:58:02Z

68.185.155.30:

[[Image:Optimusg1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Ion blasts are the right of all sentient beings.]]

The '''ion blaster''' is a kind of [[laser rifle]] and the primary weapon of several [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Primes]]. Only used by the [[Prime (rank)|leader]] of the [[Autobot|Autobots]] when all attempts at peace have failed, the ion blaster ensures that freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and strikes fear in the [[Spark|sparks]] of the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] who are foolish enough to challenge him.

Except [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Only [[Primus]] knows how many times Optimus has shot Megatron and failed to kill him. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] knows that frustration all too well.

==Fiction==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] used the ion blaster against [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] after [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] was defeated and brought before [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

Optimus Prime's ion blaster was stolen from him a few times. The first was when the Decepticons tried to take over [[New York City]], when he was disassembled by [[Hook (G1)|Hook]]. The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] then placed the arm and ion blaster atop the command post of the newly dubbed [[New Cybertron]]. As part of the building's weapons systems, Megatron used the blaster to begin firing on the Autobots. However, when Megatron and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] were removed from the command post, Optimus Prime was able to regain control of the weapon and hit [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] with it, sending him to the hard pavement below. {{storylink|City of Steel}}

Later, the human-built ninjabot [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] stole the ion blaster when she tried to steal the [[World Energy Chip]], but Optimus Prime recovered it rather quickly. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:OpTransformsSu.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Replacement ion rifle hinges: hard to find.]]

[[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]] fashioned [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s ion blaster during his first campaign in the [[Manganese Mountains]], though unfortunately Prime mistook Ironfist for his chief rival, [[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]]. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}}

While in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], Optimus Prime keeps his (folded up) ion blaster in his cab. When he [[transformation|transforms]], the Ion blaster is ejected, allowing him to grab it in midair. So ''that's'' where it goes. Now if we could only figure out where the [[trailer]] goes... During the course of the battle, a shot from Prime's ion blaster managed to ''blow up'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s much-more powerful [[fusion cannon]] by entering through the cannon's barrel. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}
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===Live-action film series===
[[Image:ROTF Optimus ion blaster.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Any last words?" "The Fallen shall rise again!" "That sounds like an oxymoron." "Your mother is an oxymor-" *Bang*]]
[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s primary range weapon is an ion blaster, though he prefers to use his [[Dual Energon Swords]] in combat, leaving the blaster stored in his back in the form of fuel tanks. Once fired, it releases a wave of radiation condensed into an energy ball that will destroy anything in its path.<ref>[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bios at Hasbro.com]</ref> During the battle of [[Mission City]], Optimus managed to get off a single shot of his ion blaster at [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] before he was sent flying by the latter's [[fusion cannon]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2007)|Transformers}}

Two years later, Optimus was fighting [[Demolishor (ROTF)|Demolishor]] in [[Shanghai]] and critically injured the Decepticon by putting several point blank shots into his head. He later executed the dying [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] by a shot through the optic. Several days later, Optimus shot up Megatron and [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] with his ion blaster and [[barrage cannon]] while rescuing [[Sam Witwicky]]. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

Three years later, during his battle against [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] in [[Chicago]], Optimus Prime tried to defend himself from the Decepticons ships using his ion blaster, but was unsuccessful and apparently lost his cannon between the explosions. {{storylink|Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
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==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron''===
[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime's]] signature weapon is a little less powerful than the [[Neutron assault rifle]], but with twice the rate of fire, it makes a suitable weapon for the [[Leader (WFC)|Leader]] class. 

'''Carried by:''' Leaders, Optimus 
*The blaster has the following in-game stats:
**''Damage:'' 4
**''Range:'' 5
**''Accuracy:'' 4
**''Rate of Fire:'' 10
 
*Max Load: 250 
*Per Mag: 50

==Toys==
===Generation 1 Optimus Prime===
{{main|Optimus Prime (G1)/toys}}
===20th Anniversary/Masterpiece===
[[Image:20thAnniversary_OptimusPrimesm.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)
* '''Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, 2004)
* '''Convoy Perfect Edition''' (2006, 2009)
* '''Convoy Sleep Mode''' (2010)

:20th Anniversary/[[Masterpiece]] Optimus Prime was one of the first Optimus Prime toys to refer to his iconic laser rifle as an "ion blaster". The [[Takara]] Japanese releases of this figure have consistently coloured the rifle dark grey, and while early releases of [[Hasbro]]'s followed suit, they were very quickly changed to black as a [[running change]].
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===Titanium Series===
[[Image:TitaniumHeroes_WWPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
* '''War Within Optimus Prime vs. War Within Megatron Battlepack''' (Multipack, 2007)

:The silver ion blaster that comes with [[Titanium Series]] [[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]] Optimus Prime featured the first name of its designer, [[Don Figueroa]], sculpted into its sides.
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===Classics (2006)===
[[Image:DVD_20thPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Discounted at a Walmart near you.]]
* '''Optimus Prime''' (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)

:When 20th Anniversary/Masterpiece Optimus Prime was released in the ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' toyline to commemorate the 20th Anniversary DVD release of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', for some reason his ion blaster was coloured ''blue''.
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[[Image:PepsiOptimusPrime.JPG|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Pepsi Optimus Prime''' (Autobot, 2007)

:A retool of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, his laser rifle was redubbed the ion blaster to fit in line with Hasbro's modern naming scheme.
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===Movie Optimus Prime===
{{main|Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys}}
===Transformers (2007)===
====Leader class toys====
[[Image:MovieLeader OptimusPrime toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Watch out! He's got an ion blaster!" *little plastic balls shoot out*]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2007)
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, UK 2007)
*'''Nightwatch Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, USA 2008)

:The initial mold for the ''[[Movie (toyline)|Transformers]]'' (2007) Leader class Optimus Prime featured a spring-loaded ion blaster mounted on the side of his arm. It was deployed via [[Automorph]]ing by sliding a lever, which caused the gun to flip over and cover his hand. This gun was replaced by an [[Dual Energon Swords|energon sword]] on the "Premium" [[retool]]/[[redeco]] of this toy in 2008.
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====Robot Replicas====
[[Image:Optimusprimemovierobotreplicas.jpg|right|150px|thumb|]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Robot Replica, 2007)
*'''Megatron vs. Optimus Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2007)

:[[Robot Replicas]] Optimus Prime featured an ion blaster that could replace his right forearm.
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===Revenge of the Fallen===
[[Image:ROTF_Leader_BusterOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Buster Optimus Prime''' (Leader, 2009)
*'''Jetpower Optimus Prime''' (Leader 2-pack, 2009)

:The [[TakaraTomy]] Japanese/Asia-exclusive ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Buster Optimus Prime (itself a retool of the regular Leader class ''Revenge'' Optimus Prime) featured an ion blaster that was assembled from his vehicle mode's fuel tanks and smokestacks. The transforming blaster was designed by [[Hironori Kobayashi]], the TakaraTomy designer best known for his work on the ''[[Binaltech]]''/''[[Alternators]]'' and ''Masterpiece'' toylines.
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===Dark of the Moon===
====Deluxe Class toys====
*'''Lunarfire Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Deluxe, 2011)

:This redeco of Deluxe-class Optimus Prime has a redecoed version of ''Dark of the Moon'' MechTech Voyager class Optimus Prime's Ion Blaster/Battle Cannon.
{{comingsoontoy}}
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====Voyager Class toys====
[[Image:DOTM_Voyager_OptimusPrime_toy.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)

:This new mold ''Dark of the Moon'' MechTech Voyager-class Optimus Prime has a MechTech Ion Blaster that converts into a Battle Cannon.
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[[Image:DOTM_Voyager_OptimusPrime_trailer.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
*'''Optimus Prime / MechTech Trailer''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
*'''Tritanium Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Voyager, 2011)
:This Japanese exclusive retool of MechTech Voyager-class Optimus Prime, aside from coming with a MechTech trailer, has a new mold of the Ion Blaster that converts into an [[Dual Energon Swords|Energon Sword]].
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====Supreme Class toys====
[[Image:DOTM_MechTech_JetwingOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
*'''Jetwing Optimus Prime''' (MechTech Supreme, 2011)
*'''Jetwing Optimus Prime Black Version''' (MechTech Supreme, 2011)

:A retooled version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Leader class Buster Optimus Prime with a humongous jet-pack and massive dual Gatling cannons. The transforming fuel tanks/ion blaster parts are retained.
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==Notes==
*In the original toy and the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Prime's weapon was referred to as a '''laser rifle''', but many newer toys have called it an ion blaster.

*One notable aspect of Optimus Prime's [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Generation 1 and Generation 2 toys]] is that the figure can only hold it by the ammo casing, as the weapon handle is unable to fit in Prime's hand,. Also, the gun's rifle butt is too large for Prime to hold it straight, so the gun must be turned at a slight angle. Strangely, this has never been altered in reissues.

*The Japanese-exclusive ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)|Robot Masters]]'' toy packaging calls this weapon the '''Convoy Gun'''. Wow, ''really'' original.

* In the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 movie]], the Ion Blaster is seen only once being used against [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. ONCE.

* It's used more often in the film ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', on one occasion by Prime [[:Image:TFTM_Ironhide_dies.jpg|SHOOTING]] [[Demolishor (ROTF)|A HELPLESS ENEMY]] [[Decapitation|IN THE HEAD]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 weapons]]
[[Category:Movie weapons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron weapons]]
[[Category:Dark of the Moon weapons]]

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Ion blaster