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Downshift (Energon)

2011-04-02T08:30:43Z

75.72.201.19: Undo revision 570825 by Detour (Talk)

{{factions|autobot|{{factions/icons|custom=Energon Powerlinx Silver symbol.png|cLink=Powerlinx}}}}
{{disambig3|Downshift}}
{{picsneeded|Fiction, Universe releases}}
: ''Downshift is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:EnerDownshiftCard.jpg|right|300px|thumb|No, I'm not [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]. Or [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]]. Or [[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Cliffjumper]].]]

'''Downshift''' doesn't say much, but apparently he's really easy to confuse for other guys. He's all about action, learning what he can from [[Earth]]'s kung-fu movies. Apparently this has done well for him, as he even has a [[Downshift's lifebond partner|fembot lifebond partner]].

:''Japanese name:'' '''Wheeljack'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Lejtő''' ("Slope" (once)), '''Sziklamászó''' ("Cliff-climber")
:''Russian name'': '''Сброс''' ("Zbros" ,Downcast) '''Скалолаз''' ("Skalolaz",Rock-climber)

==Fiction==
===''Energon'' comic===
Downshift was one of many Autobots assembled by [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] when Earth was invaded by the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]]. He joined [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] in Tokyo, Japan fighting against a horde of [[Cruellock]] drones. {{storylink|Multiplicity}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Energon'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Ty Olsson]] (English), [[Makoto Yasumura]] (Japanese), [[Carl Utbult]] (Swedish)

Downshift was a rookie solder sent into the rift, along with his partner [[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Cliffjumper]], to locate [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and his scattered crew. {{storylink|Protection}} They searched fruitlessly for some time over several planets and asteroids. {{storylink|Imprisoned Inferno}} Eventually, the duo found the Autobots' trail on [[Iron Planet]]. There they were joined by their assigned field commander, [[Bulkhead (Energon)|Bulkhead]]. The old coot's eccentric cackling really got on Downshift's nerves, but he respected the chain of command. The three Autobots tracked their comrades down to [[Jungle Planet (Energon)|Jungle Planet]], where the Decepticons were attacking. Downshift demonstrated that he possessed a [[Spark of Combination]] by [[Powerlinx]]ing with [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] in turn. {{storylink|Jungle Planet (episode)|Jungle Planet}}

Downshift and a crew of Autobots made their way back towards Cybertron in order to get the [[energon tower (building)|energon towers]] necessary to defend the energon-rich planets beyond the rift. They were attacked en route by a squadron of [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebombs]], but Downshift and Hot Shot broke off from the others and made their way through the rift. Thanks to the power of teamwork, they were able to destroy the Terrorcons who pursued them, and transformed to speed off to Cybertron as fast as their wheels could carry them while spinning in the void of space. Uh. On Cybertron, Downshift learned that [[Brian Jones (Energon)|crazy, cackling old men]] pop up in a variety of species. After securing an energon tower from Doctor Jones, they returned to Jungle Planet and activated the tower, driving off the Decepticon invaders. {{storylink|Bulkhead (episode)|Bulkhead}}

Downshift and Hot Shot continued to oversee the arrival of more energon towers for [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]]'s planets, including the replacement tower called in for [[Ocean Planet]] at the original was destroyed by [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Mirage]]. They powerlinked in order to hold off the Insecticons attacking the tower. {{storylink|Farewell Inferno}} ''On [[Planet Q]], Downshift and Hot Shot joined forces again to protect Alpha Q's resurrected world from the greedy Terrorcons. {{storylink|Return! Our Scorponok}}''

In the [[Autobot Grand Prix]], Downshift was one of the more heated competitors. He trash-talked with [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]] before the race, and held onto second place behind Hot Shot until losing control and causing the first pile-up. Unlike [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]], Downshift was largely unconcerned with the injuries he caused in the pile-up, and took the first opportunity to abandon Prowl and the others to get back in the race. {{storylink|Crash Course}}

When [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] finally got Unicron up and running, Downshift joined the Autobots for an all-out assault on the Planet-Eater. {{storylink|Omega Supreme (episode)|Omega Supreme}} As the battle continued, Downshift and [[Roadblock (Energon)|Roadblock]] competed against [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] on the surface of Unicron. The Autobots fought and failed to prevent Unicron from reclaiming Alpha Q's energon orb as his head, and the dark creature was made whole once more. {{storylink|A Heroic Battle}} Eventually the fighting became too severe, and the Autobots were forced to retreat to a safe distance while Optimus Prime and [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] prepared to battle Unicron personally. {{storylink|The Power}} Unicron demonstrated his awesome power by consuming [[Blizzard Planet]] entirely. The Autobots were forced to struggle against the energy vortex he created, as entire chunks of the planet flew at them through space. Downshift and a half-dozen other Autobots were too seriously injured at this point to continue the war. They were placed in stasis chambers aboard the ''[[Miranda II]]'' in order to repair. {{storylink|Optimus Supreme}}

After Optimus Prime and Omega Supreme apparently won the war against Unicron, Downshift and the other damaged Autobots were taken back to Cybertron to complete their regeneration cycles. {{storylink|Ambition}}

In a virtual training program, Downshift and Prowl were made tag-team partners. Unfortunately, they didn't properly coordinate their Powerlinx, and ended up combining as two tops with no bottom. Their opponents, [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Snow Cat]], were just about as stupid, but managed to defeat the squabbling Autobots anyway. {{storylink|Distribution}}

As Bulkhead, Downshift and Prowl were recuperating, Cybertron was conquered by Galvatron, who flooded the surface with energon gas that repelled the Autobots back into space. A small team managed to infiltrate the planet through an opening in the gas, after which Ironhide and *snicker* [[Team Ironhide]] were dispatched to rescue Downshift and the others. Eager for news about what had been happening while they were inactive, Downshift and Prowl pummeled Ironhide with questions, until he finally yelled at them to shut up and let him talk. Taking to the streets, Downshift and the others met up with Optimus Prime in battle with Galvatron, and the Autobots were fully assembled for the first time since the war with Unicron. {{storylink|Decepticon Army}} Reunited with their crazy ol' commander, Cliffjumper and Downshift joined Bulkhead in a daring rush on the Decepticon position. Later, when [[Six Shot]] set off an eruption in the energon gas pipeline, they were pulled to safety by [[Superion Maximus]]. Although damaged, Downshift and the others resolutely continued to fight, assaulting the energon towers to prevent Cybertron from destroying the planets it was passing by through space. {{storylink|Formidable}}

The Autobots had just reclaimed the control center for Cybertron when Galvatron bathed fully in the Super Energon pool, rapidly growing to Unicron size. Downshift, Cliffjumper and Hot Shot went out to lend aid to Team Rodimus in the field. Even Powerlinked, however, Downshift and Hot Shot were outgunned by the amassed Decepticon soldiers. {{storylink|Destructive Power}} As the enormous Galvatron began towing Cybertron out into space, Downshift and the other Autobots continued to war with the Decepticons, fluttering around Galvatron like skirmishing insects. Downshift spent most of the battle Powerlinked to Hot Shot, but they eventually separated as Optimus Prime assumed responsibility for the fight, funneling the power of Unicron himself in order to defeat the possessed Galvatron. {{storylink|Spark (episode)|Spark}}

Prime could not overcome Unicron on his own, however, and needed the Combination Sparks of all his fellow Autobots to face the final conflict. Downshift willingly stepped forward to give up his individuality for the greater good of the team. His body was converted into pure energy as he became one with his spark, so that it could in turn become one with all the other Combination Sparks, revitalizing Optimus. Filled with the strength of all his men, Optimus united with Omega Supreme in the ultimate Powerlinx, grappling with Galvatron until the Decepticon leader shrugged off Unicron's influence and plunged into the sun. Downshift and the other Autobots then separated, and were restored to their individual forms. {{storylink|The Sun}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
After the evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] due to the threat of the [[Unicron Singularity]], some soldiers chose to stay behind. Downshift was one of these brave souls, and he guarded the Spark Core access tunnels that led to [[Primus]]'s inner chambers. While on duty, Downshift was attacked by [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] and [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|Nemesis Prime]], impaled to a wall by one of the latter's harpoon missiles. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Part 4}} [[Vector Prime]] and Cybertron's other defenders had to deal with the "melty, evil guy", so Downshift stayed up on the wall a little longer than he would have liked. {{storylink|Balancing Act, Pt 5}}

After these grave injuries, Downshift was repaired and reformatted by a worker drone into a new muscle car form. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

He later joined [[Sentinel Maximus]], [[Omega Prime]] and [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] in lending assistance to the [[Mini-Con]] asteroid colonies during a revolt. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}} Things turned a bit more serious when Unicron himself showed up with his herald, [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} Downshift and his comrades managed to hold off the Chaos-Bringer until Primus made himself known, and the now bite-sized Unicron beat a hasty retreat. After the Unicron Singularity was finally dealt with, Downshift and his new friends took off in the hopes of meeting the Devil face-to-face once again. {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}}

During Downshift's maturation between the [[the Powerlinx Battles]] and the arrival of the Unicron Singularity, [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] became his new mentor. Eventually, Downshift becomes a civilian on Earth, living with his [[Downshift's lifebond partner|female lifebond partner]] in [[Rhode Island]]. {{storylink|Cyber Key Codes|Downshift's Cyber Key Code text}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Energon===
*'''Downshift''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''SC-19'''
**''Accessories'': Spoiler, missile launcher, missile, rifle

[[Image:Energon downshift toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Hi, I'm Cliffjumper!"]]
: Downshift transforms into white rally-deco sports car of undetermined (possibly fictional) model with red and green stripes as a homage to [[Wheeljack (G1)| Wheeljack]] from Generation One. Additionally, his robot mode has Wheeljack's head, a simulated car roof on his chest, and even the "Lancia" grill-feet.He has a pair of clear-plastic guns, one a spring-loaded missile launcher, one non-firing. These can be hand-held or attached to Downshift in various ways in both modes. He can also form the top or bottom half of any silver or bronze "[[Powerlinx]]" combiner.

: For his [[Takara]] releases, the pale-olive plastic of his robot parts was replaced with a medium silver.

: Downshift was first released as part of the final wave of "normal" ''Energon'' black-backed cards, a shipment that appears to have been very brief, mostly showing up in Kohl's department stores and Canada. This naturally caused a panic. He was later released in much greater numbers in the "[[The Powerlinx Battles]]" packaging.

: Downshift was later [[redeco]]ed as [[BotCon 2010]]'s [[Slicer|Decepticon Slicer]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on ''Energon'' Downshift at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[Image:TFU03-toy UniDownshift.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Downshift''' (Deluxe, 2005)
**''Accessories'': Spoiler, missile launcher, missile, rifle

: For ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'', the original ''Energon'' Downshift was [[redeco]]ed with blue stripes and a large Autobot sigil on his car mode, which, strangely enough, has the "eyes" filled in. However, his robot mode was almost totally unchanged, save yellow plastic replacing the pale-olive.

: A [[KB Toys]] [[exclusive]] alongside [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Universe (2003)|Snow Cat]], the pair were released during a time when Kay-Bee was having great financial difficulty, closing multiple stores nationwide. Few Kay-Bees appear to have actually received these. The bulk of these exclusives appear to have been sent instead to "Kay-Bee Toy Works" outlet stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on ''Universe'' Downshift at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|VsCannonball}}
*'''Search for the [[Pirate Moon]]''' (Two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories'': Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles, Earth-type Cyber Key

: As a 2007 [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]] special, [[Walmart]] got two ''Universe''-branded two-packs of ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Deluxes. The ''Cybertron'' version of Downshift was repackaged with [[Cannonball (Cybertron)|Cannonball]], with a cardback story about Downshift hunting Cannonball's gang of pirates... in a setting that had nothing to do with a moon. Oh well. Both toys were identical to their individual releases.
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
*'''Downshift''' (Deluxe-Class, 2006)
**''Accessories'': Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles, Earth-type Cyber Key

[[Image:Cybertron Downshift toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Am I Wheeljack now?"]]
: ''Cybertron'' Downshift is a green sports car that combines elements from two different design trends of various 1970s era muscle and pony cars, namely the "zigzag"-style front grille and bumper found on models like the [[Wikipedia:Chevrolet Monte Carlo#First generation|first generation Chevrolet Monte Carlo]], the [[Wikipedia:Ford_Torino#1972–1976: The Gran Torino|1974 Ford Gran Torino]] and the [[Wikipedia:Dodge Monaco#The unibody Monacos, 1974–1977|1974-1977 Dodge Monaco]] and the rear section, hood vent and "base color with black hood and black stripes on the side" deco of cars such as the [[Wikipedia:First generation (1970–1974)|1970 T/A Dodge Challenger]], the [[Wikipedia:Plymouth Barracuda#1970–74|1970 AAR Plymouth Barracuda]] and the [[Wikipedia:Boss 302 Mustang|1970 Boss 302 Ford Mustang]]. The car also features an exposed supercharger engine on the hood and a sculpted roof texturing like vinyl roof applications from the 1960s and 70s.

: Inserting a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into a flip-up slot in his rear window activates a claw from the car's grill. This feature is also available in robot mode. He comes with two large spring-loaded missile launchers, which can be mounted on his side-panels in car mode, or be used in robot mode as hand-held blasters or mounted on his shoulders.

: While Downshift's Wheeljack-modeled head in this form is not surprising, he still retains his Lancia-grill feet. Funky.

: Downshift suffers from a [[design flaw]]: Even though the head has an [[articulation]] joint, it's rendered useless because the ridges on the chest (the air vents in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]) get in the way in both directions.

: Downshift's Cyber Planet key has the [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key Code]] '''dm8r''' printed on the back.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Movie (toyline)|Movie]]'' [[Big Daddy (Movie)|Big Daddy]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on ''Cybertron'' Downshift at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
* As referenced above, the ''Energon'' cartoon switched [[Cliffjumper (Energon)|Cliffjumper]] and Downshift's names around for the majority of the series. More often than not, the white robot would end up being called Cliffjumper, in defiance of the toy names. It also seemed as if the two characters randomly switched voice actors from episode to episode.
* There are some apparent contradictions between the character information for various Downshift toys provided by Hasbro: While the unlocked [[Cyber Key Codes|Cyber Key code]] content for ''Cybertron'' Deluxe Class Downshift reveals that he has been "separated from his fembot lifebond partner" during the evacuation of Cybertron, and subsequently "spent every waking hour looking [for her]" on Earth, the on-package bio for the KB Toys exclusive ''Universe'' Downshift states that he stayed behind on Cybertron following the evacuation of the planet and is "perfectly at home on the desolate and damaged planet" since he is "a loner by nature". Since the Cyber Key content was often heavily tongue-in-cheek, it's hard to say if it's really supposed to be "[[canon]]"; on the other hand, the entire multiversal nature of the original ''Universe'' line makes it perfectly possible that the KB exclusive Downshift hails from a [[micro-continuity|splinter timeline]] of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] where he never had a "lifebond fembot partner".
* Despite the obvious molding references to [[Wheeljack (G1)| Wheeljack]], the Cybertron Downshift toy's color scheme is a direct reference to the Generation 1 Decepticon Action Master [[Gutcruncher (G1)| Gutcruncher]]. This seems fitting since Cybertron Downshift features a "gut-crunching" action feature. The resemblance is uncanny.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Energon Autobots]]
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Gutcruncher (G1)

2011-04-02T08:29:39Z

75.72.201.19: Undo revision 570833 by Detour (Talk)

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig2|the evil Decepticon|the heroic Decepticon from "Shattered Glass"|Gutcruncher (SG)}}
:''Gutcruncher is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[Image:Gutcruncher MTMTE.jpg|thumb|300px|If I sell [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] for scrap, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] would need a new [[Air Commander]]. Hmm...]]
'''Gutcruncher''' is a very ambitious mechanoid. He's bartered a deal to sell [[Autobot]] remains as scrap metal on various interstellar markets (including to the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]!), and there are rumors that some of those parts were from fellow Decepticons who stood in Gutcruncher's way up the ranks. He's incredibly cold and calculating, and even without his [[Stratotronic Jet]] vehicle, he's got the muscle and firepower to back up his plans. Autobots fear him because he's a ruthless force of nature on the battlefield. Decepticons fear him because he may have already calculated their net worth to some shady black-market metal-monger, and is merely awaiting the right opportunity to cash in.

==Fiction==
===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Gutcruncher IDW.jpg|thumb|180px|No gut goes uncrunched on MY watch.]]
Gutcruncher was monitoring the central security hub at the Decepticon Penal Colony [[Styx]] when [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] introduced a virus to the system to cover his break-in. Eventually the virus popped all the cell doors, forcing Gutcruncher to call a "Code-Nine" alert, which instructed all officers (likely including himself) to immediately evacuate to an orbital platform to await a clean-up squad. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}

Later, Gutcruncher served the [[Decepticon Secret Service]] aboard [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron's]] flagship during the attack on the Autobot penitentiary of [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} He soon began to regret liberating [[Pretender Monster|the "gestalt" transformers]] when agents of the ancient scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] razed Banzai-Tron's fortress in the [[Orcibe Cluster]] and activated [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] with predictable results. {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}}

After a deal was worked out between Banzai-Tron and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], Gutcruncher, [[Axer]] and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] attacked Monstructor with the intent of recapturing the rampaging monster. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

At some point over the next three years, Gutcruncher made his way to the planet Earth. Isolated from his fellow Decepticons, he was relatively easy pickings for [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and his squad of Autobots once they allied themselves with [[Skywatch]]. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}}

{{-}}

===''TransTech''===
A rabble-rouser and local big spender, Gutcruncher took [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] for a sizeable amount of money at [[The Blue Deployer]]'s gambling tables. He was impressed by Hubcap and decided to invite him and [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] to a gathering of the city's various criminal gangs.

The rally was Gutcruncher's attempt at uniting the various gangs and offworlder criminals of [[Axiom Nexus]] against the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]. His assassination by [[Black Shadow]] prevented the uprising, and led to Jackpot and Hubcap's flight from both the law and the gangs as they had been set up to take the blame for the killing. {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====''Classics''====
Gutcruncher was a member of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s splinter faction at the time they were warring with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. He was summoned by [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] to help cart away the "traitor" [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]]. (One can presume Gutcruncher took this opportunity to "liberate" some parts from the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] for resale value.) {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

==Commercial Appearances==
:''Voice actor:'' Unknown
[[Image:GutcruncherG1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Get off my lawn!]]
Flying in his Stratotronic Jet on what may be [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Gutcruncher yells "destroy them!" to no one in particular and proceeds to fly straight up.

When [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]] drive out of a tunnel in their own Action Master vehicles, Gutcruncher strafes them but does not seem to score any hits.
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Gutcruncher toy.jpg|thumb|180px|I considered selling off my own [[kibble]], but decided the rate of return was too low.]]
*'''Gutcruncher w/ Stratotronic Jet''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories'': Stratotronic Jet, twin laser gun, 2 cannons, left & right rear stabilizer fins, 4 missiles

:As an [[Action Master]], Gutcruncher is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows vehicle-mode parts: what he turned into is not exactly clear, but it's certainly some kind of tank. He is compatible with any Action Master weapon or vehicle, and was available only with the large [[Stratotronic Jet]] vehicle.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Decepticon/Gutcruncher/gutcruncher.htm More information on Gutcruncher at TFU.info]''

{{--}}

==Notes==
* Gutcruncher is one of very few Transformers to hold a rank of 10 without being a faction leader. (Possibly due to his status as an outside contractor.)

* Gutcruncher received an homage in the form of [[Downshift (Energon)| Downshift]] in the [[Cybertron (franchise)| Cybertron]] toyline. While the Autobot muscle car is clearly molded to resemble [[Wheeljack (G1)| Wheeljack]], the toy's color scheme very clearly represents Gutcruncher, and even includes a "gut-crunching" action gimmick.

* Gutcruncher was given an homage in the character [[Sparkcrusher]] from the [[Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' toyline]].

===Foreign names===
*''French:'' '''Fricoteur''' (Canada)

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Merchants]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]

Gutcruncher (G1)

2011-04-01T19:11:03Z

75.72.201.19: /* Notes */

Downshift (Energon)

2011-04-01T18:59:27Z

75.72.201.19: /* Notes */