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Scourge (RID)

2010-07-01T04:03:37Z

76.233.71.139: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Scourge}}
{{disambig2|the evil, black Optimus Prime clone from ''Robots in Disguise''|the other evil, black Optimus Prime clones|Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)}}
:''Scourge is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Robots in Disguise (franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Black Convoy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I see a red truck and I want it painted black.]]
A [[protoform]] scanning mishap resulted in a [[Decepticon]] protoform attaining attributes of [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] yet retaining the Decepticon programming. This protoform became '''Scourge'''. Scourge is arguably [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s second in command, leading the new Decepticon forces, a much more effective unit than [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]'s [[Predacon (RID)|Predacons]].

He is a ruthless and cunning warrior who contains all of Optimus Prime's strengths and skill, but none of his compassion and mercy. He's also a very ''ambitious'' warrior, with plans to dethrone Megatron!

Scourge's greatest strength is also his weakness—his temper. Fearless and furious, he charges into battle wildly hacking his [[Sword of Fury|broadsword]] as his [[trailer]] combat deck launches missile barrages overhead. Yet his rage also makes him impatient, petulant, and easily provoked; it also scares the heck out of his subordinates.

Naturally, Sky-Byte sees Scourge as a threat on just about every level. For once, he's right.

:''Japanese name:'' '''Black Convoy'''

==Fiction==
===''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Barry Stigler]] (English), [[Taitem Kusunoki]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Rid8.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem. Oh yeah!]]
The robot who came to be named Scourge was originally one of a crew of six [[Autobot|Autobots]] sent to [[Earth]] to reactivate the legendary Autobot battle station, [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. As leader of the expedition, Scourge was equipped with the ability to detect the unique energy signatures of the [[O-Part|O-Parts]], the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] components that held the key to reawakening Maximus. However, Scourge never had the opportunity to use that ability in the service of the Autobots, when the team's craft malfunctioned and crashed on Earth in the mid-20th century. Having been in [[protoform]]-state with [[Stasis pod|stasis pods]] for the duration of their voyage, the six Autobots were entombed in their crashed ship.

In the early days of the 21st century, archaeologist and energy expert [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Kenneth Onishi]]'s work eventually led him to find the various links in the chain of Fortress Maximus—he located the fortress itself beneath [[Metro City]], mapped the location of the O-Parts, and discovered the location of the crashed Autobot spaceship. However, when the evil [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] came to Earth with the intent of harnessing Maximus's power, he captured Onishi, and through mental scans, discerned the location of the Autobots' ship. Stealing the six protoforms, Megatron took them to a nearby military base to scan vehicle modes for them, infusing them with a part of his own spark energy to turn them to the side of evil. The first five became the [[Commando|Commandos]], but when Megatron targeted a tanker truck to scan as the alternate mode of the final protoform, [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] leapt into action in order to save the truck's [[Kelly (RID)|human driver]], and as a result, the tanker, Prime ''and'' the human were all scanned. With an infusion of Megatron's spark energy to complete the concoction, Scourge was born, emerging from his pod as a dark twin of Optimus Prime, who proved that Megatron's programming had over-ridden any Autobot goodness within him. Appointing himself leader of the new "[[Decepticon|Decepticons]]", he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. {{storylink|The Decepticons}}

[[Image:Commandos Scourge.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I look more like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] than [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] does!]]
To prove the effectiveness of the new troops, Scourge led them on a mission to attack [[Sherman Dam]] and made short work of the [[Autobot Brothers]], tossing them into the lake behind the dam. Once the dam was mined with bombs, he attempted to detonate it, only to find that the bombs had been tampered with—Sky-Byte and the Predacons, annoyed at being pushed down in rank by the new arrivals, had taken control of the bombs in order to prove their own effectiveness to Megatron. The arrival of more Autobots in the form of Optimus and [[Team Bullet Train]] caused Megatron to call off the mission with only minor damage to the dam. {{storylink|Commandos}}

The next mission saw Scourge and the Commandos on guard duty, perhaps as a punishment for their previous failed mission, while the Predacon trio dug under a volcano. Scourge and Sky-Byte both fought Optimus when the Autobot leader arrived with the [[Spy Changer]]s, although the shark appeared to regard Scourge as just as valid a target. When a flow of lava was unleashed, Scourge unleashed a Barrage Attack on the Spy Changers who were attempting to stop it, little caring that Sky-Byte and the Predacons were in the blast area. His amusement when the lava soon chased the Predacons into the water was almost palpable. {{storylink|Volcano}}

After [[Movor]] was shot into orbit, Scourge grew steadily impatient with the shuttle's hopeless attempts to guide the rest of the Decepticons to the Autobot base and threatened much bodily injury. Movor was tricked by the Autobots into leading the Decepticons into a trap. While Scourge grappled with Optimus, Movor attempted to help by firing on Optimus from space, but only succeeded in hitting Scourge, who promised to turn the shuttle into "metal confetti". {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[Image:Scourgecar.jpg|left|200px|thumb|But I always cut the crusts off!]]
As part of a new ploy, Scourge interrupted Sky-Byte's attack on an oil rig and chased off the Predacon. Seeing this, Optimus Prime believed that the Decepticons had begun to experience a resurgence of their Autobot sparks. Scourge was disgruntled with [[Mega-Octane]]'s plan, believing lies and deceit to be unworthy of a warrior, but went along with it. The Decepticons successfully gave the appearance of changing sides to the Autobots and underwent various tests such as cleaning a forest, with Scourge holding his temper barely in check the whole time. The appearance of Sky-Byte (who'd been kept ignorant of the plan) gave Scourge an opportunity to blow off some steam, but his attack endangered the life of a [[Kelly (RID)|passerby]]. When Optimus told him to stand down, Scourge exploded and ended up giving the whole plan away, forcing the Decepticons to retreat under the full force of Optimus' rage. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

Scourge presented the increasingly impatient Megatron with a new plan which involved attacking power plants. The Autobots were hampered by the misguided assistance of Sky-Byte, but seemed to repel most of the Decepticon assaults. {{storylink|The Fish Test}} Scourge and the Decepticons subsequently butted in on one of Sky-Byte's plans, stealing a disk supposedly containing the plans to the Autobots' [[Global Space Bridge]] which the Predacons were trying to obtain. Unfortunately it was an Autobot trick, and both the Decepticons and Predacons ended up in a sewer. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

Annoyed by the Autobots constant escapes through the space bridge, Scourge had [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] track one of the [[Build Team]] to the space bridge control center. The Decepticons broke in and Scourge sabotaged the controls, resulting in the space bridge sending any Autobots who used it to a random destination. Once chaos was established, Scourge and Megatron attacked the North Energy Research Center, but were unable to achieve much before the Autobots repaired the space bridge and arrived to chase them off. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[Image:Sky-Byte Saves the Day Scourge Battle Station.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Say hello to my leetle friend]]
Scourge and [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] attempted to intercept Optimus on his way to taking the O-Parts to Sky-Byte, who had taken some humans as hostage. Ruination was swiftly disabled by the Autobot, but Scourge was only wounded and trailed Optimus to the site of the [[CGA Tower]] attack. He again fought Optimus in an attempt to take the O-Parts, but his threatened attack on the tower itself was thwarted by the Build Team. Optimus was able to chase Scourge off so that the tower could be saved. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

[[Image:Ultra Magnus Scourge Megaoctane.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Do NOT 'step on the gas'.]]
After a semi-successful attempt to raid an oil refinery, Scourge and Mega-Octane leaked a transmission ordering Sky-Byte to look for O-Parts in order to lead the Autobots into an ambush. However instead of the expected Autobots, they were confronted by [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. They attempted to fight the newly-arrived Autobot warrior, but retreated after Optimus Prime arrived to lend a hand. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Back at [[Megastar|base]], they watched Movor's surveillance of Ultra Magnus beating down Optimus, and Megatron demanded of Scourge to know why one Autobot had done what the Decepticons had failed to do so many times. They were able to track Sky-Byte to the island on which Optimus was recuperating after the battle and mount an attack, but were chased off once again when Optimus and Ultra Magnus merged into [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

The Decepticons interrupted another of Sky-Byte's plans in order to kidnap the Autobot Brothers. With the three brothers as hostages, the Decepticons led Optimus into a trap and fought the Autobot leader savagely. They were again seen off after Magnus rescued the brothers. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Sensing an opportunity, Scourge met with Ultra Magnus to try to persuade the Autobot to join him against both Optimus Prime and Megatron. When Magnus turned him down, Scourge and the Commandos turned on him, only to end up fighting the three Autobot Brothers instead. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[Image:Fortress Maximus Scourge.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I've got the power!]]
With information extracted from Doctor Onishi, Scourge and the Decepticons were able to find a huge cavern beneath Metro City housing some ruins. Although the Autobots were on hand to try to fight them off, Scourge attempted to approach the ruins, and his proximity caused Fortress Maximus to rise. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} The exposure to the battle station's energies awakened memories of his original Autobot mission to find and reactivate Maximus and, twisted by Megatron's reprogramming, he became determined to take control of the huge Autobot in order to take over leadership of the Decepticon/Predacon forces and eventually the Universe. With Ruination fighting the Autobots as a distraction, Scourge set out to find Maximus, fighting with Optimus Prime and eventually breaking into the cavern to find that Maximus was gone. Upon retreating, Scourge also discovered that Sky-Byte had freed Doctor Onishi, but covered for him with Megatron so that the Predacon would owe him. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

As the race began to locate the remaining O-Parts, Scourge rediscovered his ability to sense them, part of his original mission as an Autobot. The attempts by Scourge and the Decepticons to stop the Autobots finding the O-Part were hampered by Sky-Byte's misguided attempts to find the O-Parts himself, and eventually the Autobots were able to collect them all. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Movor was soon able to locate the Autobots in the Sahara, and Megatron himself led the Predacons and Decepticons there to take the [[Orb of Sigma]] from them. With the loss of Megatron, Scourge and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}}

[[Image:Maximus Emerges Scourge.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Behold my insignias! They are pretty!]]
With Megatron gone, Scourge took command of the ''[[Megastar]]'', much to the Predacons' dismay. They were able to successfully capture [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] from the Autobots, and Scourge was able to use the Autobot part of his bio-signature to dupe the robot into activating Maximus. However he soon found he was unable to control the giant robot, who ran amok until the Autobots' human ally, [[Koji Onishi|Koji]], was able to stop it. Additionally the arrival of Galvatron, Megatron's reborn form, during the battle, also meant that Scourge had lost his new leadership. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} Realizing that humans could control Maximus, Scourge then amplified the human part of his bio-signature and succeeded in taking control of the giant, until he was overridden by a large group of human children. {{storylink|The Human Element}} Seeking to use Koji himself for the process, a case of mistaken identity resulted in the Decepticons capturing his best friend, [[Karl]], instead, but when Karl proved able to activate Fortress Maximus, Scourge dropped his façade of loyalty and ordered Maximus to destroy Galvatron. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

The revelation of his betrayal brought about a punishment most severe—Scourge and the Decepticons had their autonomy stripped by Galvatron, turned once again into loyal servants so absolutely dedicated to their leader that they continued to do his will even after he attempted to kill them with molten lava as a belated punishment. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} With Galvatron's ultimate defeat at the hands of Omega Prime, Scourge was captured and taken aboard Fortress Maximus for imprisonment with the other villains. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?===
[[Image:UltraMagnustotheRescue_Scourge.jpg|thumb|right|150px|What do you think of my breast-reduction surgery?]]
Sent by Megatron to help Sky-Byte steal an experimental nuclear generator from a facility in [[Arizona]], he and the Predacon bickered at length, until the arrival of Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. After an unsuccessful attempt to engage Magnus in combat, during which he was slammed against the building, he realised that the Autobots' concern for the humans would be their downfall. Threatening the nearest human with his sword, Scourge commanded the two Autobots to surrender.

When Sky-Byte protested that this wasn't part of the mission, Scourge accused him of becoming soft. Magnus and Prime, after a brief discussion, agreed to surrender. Scourge raised his sword to strike them down, however he was interrupted by the Predacons making their escape with the nuclear generator. The distraction allowed Prime and Magnus to simultaneously punch Scourge in the face, and he and his Decepticons set out in pursuit of the Predacons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Car Robots===
*'''Black Convoy''' (Destronger, 2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-012'''
**''Accessories:'' Sword, gun, 5 discs, 10 small missiles, 2 large missiles

:A [[Black repaint|black]] [[redeco]] of the Laser [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LaserOptimusPrime|Optimus Prime]] mold, Black Convoy is a black Western Star 4964EX truck with teal paint apps, and darkish pink windows. His trailer is chrome, and he lacks all of Laser Prime's stickers. The toy lacks all of Laser Prime's electronics, to keep costs down. However, the arms still are restricted in motion, to prevent breaking the wires that no longer exist in the toy.

:Due to the molded ''Generation 2'' Autobot symbols on the discs Black Convoy's launcher has, [[Takara]] made Black Convoy's faction symbol the ''Generation 2'' Autobot one, but upside down.

===Robots in Disguise===
*'''Scourge''' (Decepticon, 2002)
**''Accessories:'' [[Sword of Fury]], gun, 5 discs, 10 small missiles, 2 large missiles

[[Image:RID Scourge toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|This toy almost makes the black repaint craze worth it.]]
:The Hasbro release of Black Convoy, sold exclusively at [[Toys"R"Us]]. Specimens sold at retail were very similar to Black Convoy. Notable changes were that red translucent plastic replaces all the pink; the stickers are now a flat light gray with Decepticon logos instead of glossy silver with "negative-Autobot" logos; the sword was blunted; and the discs were remolded to make them blank, removing the faction symbol. The only change in paint is that Scourge has Decepticon sigils tampographed on his doors, while lacking Black Convoy's teal "stripe" along the cab's nose. The license plate sticker on the tanker now states "SCOURGE D-012".

:An early wave of Scourges sold on the Toys"R"Us website had the American-styled stickers but retained the Japanese cab paint applications and pink plastic.

:This version of the mold was later reused by [[Sonokong]] as ''Car Robots'' Black Convoy in the South Korean market, with Hasbro's paint decos and darker red plastic, but with Black Convoy's stickers, as well as for Takara's reissue of Laser Optimus Prime.

::* ''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm More information on Scourge at TFU.info]''

*'''X-Brawn / Scourge''' (Basic, 2002)

: The only new mold for this character, Spychanger Scourge was only available in a 2 pack with a Spychanger version of [[X-Brawn]]. Like most Spychangers, he features high speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly.

: As with most of the new ''Robots in Disguise'' releases, the X-Brawn / Scourge pack was available in Japan as a 'USA Edition' mass-released toy.

: Ironically, this mold was later redecoed '''both''' as ''Generation 1'' Spychanger [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe_.282003.29|Optimus Prime]] in the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' toyline and as "Movie" [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Optimus Prime]] for a Japanese pack-in DVD exclusive.

::* ''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/ScourgeGobot/scourge.htm More information on Spy Changer Scourge at TFU.info]''

*'''Destructicon Scourge''' (Deluxe, 2003)
**''Accessories:'' Gun, 2 missiles

[[Image:Scourgedestructicon.jpg|right|300px|thumb|It's me again!]]
:Released as a Kay-Bee Toys exclusive, [[Destructicon]] Scourge is a black redeco of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#HeroOptimusPrime|Hero Optimus Prime]]. In either robot mode or tanker mode, he carries a missile launcher that fires when its air silo is squeezed. Scourge comes with two rubber-tipped missiles which can store on his back in robot mode.

:By the time this toy was released, its tooling had degraded somewhat since Hero Prime's original production run. As a result, neither robot nor vehicle mode held together very well on many specimens. Keeping his missiles stored was difficult, as they liked to pop out from their storage clips involuntarily. Additionally, initial shipments appear to have been missing a certain part that allowed the waist to ratchet, instead letting it spin freely.

::* ''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm More information on Destruction Scourge at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
* Scourge's color scheme pretty much set the tone for the [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|parade]] [[Grand Scourge|of]] [[Nemesis Prime (Universe 2003)|evil]] [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|clones]] that would follow for the next five years and up. Granted, it's a pretty color scheme, but it's been [[Nemesis Breaker|overused]] by now.
*Scourge looks more like G1 Optimus Prime than (RID) Optimus.

[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Evil clones]]
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise characters]]
[[Category:Spy Changers]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]

Octane

2010-06-29T16:08:02Z

76.233.71.139: /* Notes */

{{Factions|decepticon}}
{{picsneeded|Appearances in fiction}}
{{disambig2|the Generation 1 Triple Changer Decepticon|the Robots in Disguise Commando leader|Mega-Octane}}
{{disambig3|Tankor}}

:''Octane is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. He is sometimes called '''Tankor'''.''

[[Image:Octane boxart.jpg|right|300px|thumb|"Oh, I don't know, Megatron. Why should I give you this energon?"<br> *Megatron cocks the fusion cannon*<br> "Okay, here it is."]]
'''Octane''' is considered vile, even by Decepticon standards. This triple changing bully is a cheat, a liar, and a coward who thinks only of himself and can't be trusted any further than [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] can throw [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The only reason that this inveterate thief is allowed to continue functioning is that he has an uncanny ability to locate stores of fuel for his fellow Decepticons, and is usually able to spin a fairly convincing excuse for why he was unable to assist them in their latest battle. As annoying and frustrating as he may be to work with, most of his allies will grudgingly admit that he does perform his job as a fuel transport quite well—if he could just get over his annoying habit of making them beg for every drop.

:''Japanese name'': '''Octone''' (オクトーン ''Okutōn'')<ref>The word "octane" is usually rendered in katakana as "オクタン" (''okutan''). The change thus ''appears'' to have been an intentional one, although the ''why'' of it is unknown.</ref>
:''Italian name'': '''Triplex Tre''' ("Triplex Three")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Hsīn-wǎn''' (辛烷, "Octane")
:''Chinese name (China):'' '''Duqi Dan''' (毒气弹, "Poison Gas Bomb"）

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Generation 1 cartoon====
:''Voice actor'': [[Beau Weaver]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese)

When the Decepticon forces were driven off [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Octane ended up on the barren planet of [[Chaar]]. When [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] told the Decepticons that he was going to bring back [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] to lead them, Octane was amongst the cheering crowd. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} He then joined the beating-Autobots-to-death crowd when the Decepticons discovered [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] spying on them. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Finally, he joined the energon-munching crowd when the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] offered them energy in exchange for exterminating a group of Autobots on [[Goo]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

Octane first came to the Autobots' attention while doing what he did best—thinking about himself. When [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] had been defeated by [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and hurled into the ocean, it was Octane who first discovered that the giant Decepticon had not been destroyed, but had actually survived his untimely dunk in the water. What happened next depends on who you believe: Octane tells a tale of great heroism, where he came across the weakened and dying Trypticon and, for the glory of the [[Decepticon Empire]] and out of the good of his own heart, nursed the injured giant back to health. The rest of the world prefer to take a less charitable look at his actions, and claim that Octane merely took advantage of Trypticon to secure himself a source of high-quality energon from the [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya]]. Whatever his motivation, it was not long before Octane and Trypticon were trading fuel for protection (even going so far as to assault passing cruise ships and then claiming they had been invading sovereign waters, though Trypticon did genuinely believe that they were invading ships). When that was no longer enough to keep their new landlords happy, Octane quickly came up with a scheme to use Trypticon in stealing all of the world's most important monuments and presenting them as gifts to the nation's leader. That got the attention of Rodimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots, who quickly crashed Octane's party. Worse, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] caught wind of what had been happening, and was not amused with how selfishly Octane had been keeping Trypticon to himself. All the wheeling and dealing in the world failed in the face of Galvatron's rage, and Octane soon found himself ousted from the Decepticons (a fate he shared with his fellow Triple Changer, [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]. Apparently [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] was the only one of them worth keeping). {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

[[Image:SandstormOctane BFF.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Octane could only get along with someone who had nothing left to steal.]]
Alone and on the run, Octane soon discovered that Galvatron was less than willing to let bygones be bygones. The Decepticon leader had placed a price on Octane's head, and countless bounty hunters and assassins were closing in on him. After a close call on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where he narrowly avoided being blown to pieces, Octane quickly decided to seek asylum with the Autobots. It was here that he met and befriended [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], a fellow Triple Changer who had recently joined the Autobots after the destruction of his home planet of [[Paradron]]. After being attacked by the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] at [[Autobot City]], the pair fled to a space station, where they were assaulted once again by a paid assassin (who was fortunately so incompetent that the two robots barely noticed he was there). Eventually settling on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Octane still found no peace, as [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Sweep]]s tracked him down yet again. Fleeing into the forgotten [[Decepticon Crypt]], Octane stumbled onto the ghost of the most famous Decepticon traitor ever known: [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Quickly realising kindred spirits in each other, the two joined forces in an attempt to let Starscream possess Cyclonus and take over the Decepticons. Needless to say, their coup attempt failed rather miserably, and both traitors found themselves once again fleeing from Galvatron's wrath. {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

Despite this, Octane was later back under Galvatron's command, joining him in a firefight with the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] during an attack on the [[Netherlands]]. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

{{note|Octane's role in "Starscream's Ghost" was originally intended for Blitzwing, who would have been taking refuge with the Autobots after his actions in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]". What this says about Octane's role in "Thief in the Night" is not known.}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)

Under the command of [[Sixshot]], Octane and his fellow Decepticon Triple Changers assaulted [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and his troops on Earth in order to prevent them from joining a battle on Cybertron. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} The three went on to defend Trypticon from [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and Octane's old buddy Sandstorm (there's a bromance that died out early). {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}} They also helped the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] steal the energy-gathering [[Solar 1]] satellite for [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} On the planet [[Zarak (planet)|Zarak]], Octane acted as a cruel taskmaster, whipping the [[Beastformer]]s into shape as they were forced to build Scorponok's giant [[Transtector]]. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} He witnessed Scorponok's moment of triumph as he finally revealed his MegaZarak Transtector. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:OctaneMarvel.jpg|right|103px|thumb|In the comics, Octane wanted to be like Bono.]]
Octane was one of the many Decepticons left on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] after [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] departure. ''Along with several others, Octane worked for the tyrant [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] in the giant fortress known as [[Darkmount]]. He was regarded as one of Cybertron's deadliest killers, with soldiers like [[Macabre]] wanting to be seen as his equal, and considered a key target in [[Operation: Volcano]]. {{storylink|Target: 2006}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was accidentally transported back to Cybertron and joined forces with the [[Wrecker|Wreckers]], Octane ran away from them screaming—this is the first sign his rep may be a tad inflated. He reported on the battle to Straxus, greatly over-exaggerating his own role in the battle.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

Octane was sent to Earth by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] to investigate the loss of the [[Wash and Roll|Carwash of Doom]], but when they found the crashed ship they discovered the reason it was lost was because of [[Scraplet]]s. Infected, he failed to kill [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] {{storylink|Crater Critters}} and would end up saved by accident. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

Aside from providing valuable background appearances and occasional comic relief, Octane is also worth noting for one important thing: during a battle in the Arctic that had been set up by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], Octane managed to kill the Autobot known as [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. Of course, Mirage was up and running again shortly thereafter, so it wasn't even a GOOD killing ("deadliest killer" my ''arse'') (and he didn't kill [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] during the previous battle either, as ''HE'' still functioned). Octane's death at the hands of Starscream in [[Buenos Aires]] later that day, however, WAS a good killing and lasted for quite some time. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Cold War}} {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

In 2009 of an alternate future, Octane was stationed at the [[Decepticon Powerbase]] when the last seven remaining Autobots staged a raid on it. After [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] cut the rotors of the Autobot [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]], Octane and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] blew him out of the sky. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[Image:Triple changers shockwave secrets.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
''Octane ended up on Earth under the command of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]].'' {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} ''He helped his boss and the other Triple Changers smack down on Megatron and steal an energon shipment from the other Decepticon leader.'' {{storylink|Secrets}} ''He also joined the raid on Autobot Earthbase, but was cut down in midair when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] hurled his [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]] through his wing in jet mode.'' {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} ''Octane often stole fuel from humans and transported it for the Decepticons—and on the way, he'd have fun trashing human cars and working over the occupants. However, one car (secretly [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], trying to end Octane's "games") led him on a merry chase to a military testing ground. These humans could ''fight back'', and Octane—worried a shot in his full fuel tanks would blow him up—called [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to help him. They did, until they found out he'd only gotten there by goofing off on a mission, at which point they left him to suffer. (WHY did Macabre want to be like you again?)'' {{storylink|Manoeuvres!}}

{{-}}
====Generation 2====
After [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]' second-generation Decepticons (led by the treacherous Starscream) attacked and boarded the [[Warworld]], Octane's scrapped body could be seen amongst the casualties. {{storylink|Total War!}}

====Classics====
{{note|The Classics comic takes place after the end of the original Marvel Comic, but in a new timeline that does not include the events of the Marvel UK-exclusive stories or ''Generation 2''.}}

Following Megatron's return in the 21st century, Octane was among the Decepticons who joined Megatron's faction. He was positioned for a strike on [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s faction before the [[Pretender]] was undone from within. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

===Transformers in 3-D===
[[Image:TFin3D2 Octane's head.jpg|thumb|right|150px|"Run away!! Run away!!"]]
Octane, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] intercepted [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] on his way to [[Andellor]] to find the [[Prism of Power]]. The trio forced Cosmos to lead them to the planet. There, they entered a cave, though Octane wasn't terribly keen on the prospect. His worries proved well founded, as a few minutes later, he was seized by tentacles and dragged into a pool. As his decapitated head flew back out, he requested that Cyclonus retrieve the rest of him. {{storylink|Transformers in 3-D issue 2}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
Octane participated in Shockwave's assault on [[Iacon (city-state)|Iacon]] shortly after Optronix arose to become [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|The War Within}}

During the Dark Ages, Octane served under Starscream's command as one of the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}} When the Decepticons fractured again after the disappearance of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', he began working for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. Octane loved tormenting the pint-sized Decepticon [[Micromaster|Micromasters]], lording over them with his size and rank.

[[Image:DWColdWar Slag Octane.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Kids, never poke and mock bat-shit insane powerhouses!]]
After the [[Great Shutdown]], Octane qualified for Shockwave's re-engineering process, and joined the [[Triple Changer|Triple Changer Strike Force]]. He traveled to Earth in 2003 under Shockwave and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]' command to collect the "renegade" Autobots and Decepticons who were still fighting the Great War. {{storylink|New World Order}} They returned to Cybertron, and Octane assumed patrol duty until coming across the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who had just crash-landed after arriving from Earth. Sensing weakness, Octane mockingly challenged the woozy travelers, poking them and calling them "primitive".

[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] made an ashtray out of his skull. Even Grimlock was a little creeped out by this particular "trophy". {{storylink|Cold War}}
{{-}}

===Devil's Due ''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' comics===
Octane was among the Decepticon forces waiting for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s force field around [[Teletran 3]] would go down. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2}} After [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] took control of the Decepticons, Octane and several subgroup leaders protected him from an assault by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[Image:HeartsofSteel2 Decepticons questions.jpg|left|200px|thumb|His alt-modes in this continuity are "kite" and "wheelbarrow."]]
Octane participated in the questioning of [[Tobias Muldoon]] when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] brought the human scientist down to the Decepticon at the bottom of the [[San Francisco]] Bay. In particular, Octane wanted to know if the humans had developed flight technology, which the Decepticons could exploit. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2}}
{{--}}

{{-}}
===IDW comics continuity===
{{note|Octane is called Tankor in this continuity to match his ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' toy}}

Four million years ago, Tankor was involved in the Decepticon war effort. He was part of a convoy carrying 75 tons of energon for [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Unfortunately, they were intercepted by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and their scout, [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], knocked senseless before he could fire off a shot. Prime and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] managed to capture Tankor's unit without incident by threatening to detonate the unstable energon supply they were carrying. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

Millions of years later, during the Decepticon siege of (parts of) the world, the [[European Union]] sent a nuclear bomb to wipe out the Transformer infestation of [[New York City]]. Unfortunately the plane they sent to carry the bomb was Tankor in disguise. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11}} Even after the Autobots arrived, Megatron ordered Tankor to proceed with the bomb drop and to rendezvous with the Decepticons later, to which he expressed his pleasure. The bomb was indeed dropped, but diverted by Thundercracker. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12}}

Unfortunately, Tankor never made it off Earth. After getting captured by humans at some point, he was liberated by a small group of Decepticons led by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} Their ragtag team then located [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] in the ruins of New York, and added him to the group. {{storylink|Seasons in Flight}} During an attack on [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Swindle starting questioning why they were fighting in the first place. Tankor replied "Because they're Autobots!", but it turned out Swindle was looking for a somewhat deeper answer. The Decepticons subsequently allied themselves with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s defected Autobots, working together to find a way off the planet. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}} Tankor was last seen assisting [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] in the construction of a spaceship. {{storylink|Seasons in Flight}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' pack-in comics===

[[Image:Henkei_octane.jpg|250px|thumb]]

After successfully conducting an energon theft, Octane gave his pursuers, [[Sideswipe (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Sideswipe]] and [[Bluestreak#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Bluestreak]], the runaround by switching back and forth between his alternate modes, making them think they were chasing two culprits instead of one. Once he got bored with the chase, Octane revealed himself, but that proved to be a bad idea, as Sideswipe was able to rocket above him and shoot him down. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 6|Henkei! Henkei! #6}}

Octane's skills were later to put to the test by [[Cyclonus (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Cyclonus]], who tasked him with stealing energon from a factory. Octane upped the stakes, promising to do the job in thirty minutes if Cyclonus would deliver a good report on him to [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Megatron]]. Despite the interference of [[Smokescreen (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Smokescreen]] and [[Red Alert (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Red Alert]], Cyclonus held Octane to the conditions of the deal, and Octane had to try and shake the two Autobots off as he headed for the factory. Octane thought he had succeeded, but found his two opponents waiting for him at the factory, along with Cyclonus, who announced his time was up. Cyclonus departed to report on Octane's failure to Megatron leaving the hapless swindler to Smokescreen and Red Alert's tender mercies. {{storylink|Henkei! Henkei! volume 12|Henkei! Henkei! #12}}

Octane had the misfortune of being possessed by the ghost of a [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream from another dimension]] and being forced to attack the Autobots. He beat up on [[Ironhide (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Ironhide]], before being taken down by the invisible [[Mirage (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! pack-in comics|Mirage]]. As Mirage had taken out Otacne's motor circuits, Starscream's ghost was forced to depart his body and search for a new host. {{storylink|Mirage's Rebirth}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bun Bun manga===

Octane was part of the small group of Decepticons who traveled to Earth with [[Megatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Megatron]] in pursuit of the lost [[Energon Cube]]. He was never seen in action during the battles on the planet, but was shown being rounded up by the combined might of the Autobots and Earth's military forces following [[Galvatron (G1)#Henkei! Henkei! Bun Bun manga|Galvatron]]'s apparent death. {{storylink|To the Sea of Stars}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1 Octane toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Ice Road Trucker.]]
*'''Octane''' (Triple Changer, 1986, 1991)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-72'''
**''Accessories:'' "Flamethrower", tail rudder/"Deflecto Shield", tanker top

:Octane is a [[Triple Changer]], with the ability to transform into two different vehicle modes. His ground vehicle mode is an extended truck cab with fuel-tanker trailer of undetermined model, with much of the detailing in this mode achieved through stickers rather than sculpting. His truck mode has rather strange proportions due to the robot arms sticking out of the sides and the generally broken-up look of the truck. He has three sets of rolling wheels: two purple sets and a set of grey wheels hidden under the middle of the truck. There is also a set of sculpted, non-rolling, unpainted wheels at the back of the truck

:His aerial mode is a two-engined variant of the Boeing 767 jet plane. Though the better of the two vehicle modes, it has some odd concessions that were made due to Octane being a Triple Changer, such as the grey set of wheels from the middle of the truck now sticking up from the top of Octane's fuselage.

:The tail fin of the jet form separates to become his "Deflecto Shield" for robot mode. The [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] tanker top piece can also be used as a shield.<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2234&mode=threaded&pid=36400 "The many secrets of Octane... Now with pictures!" on NTFA forums]</ref> Care should be taken not to lose it, as it covers up some rather unsightly jet parts inside the tanker.

:Octane was reissued in Europe and Australia as part of the 1991 [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line.
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[Image:Tankoruniverse2008toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|My [[light-piping]] gimmick is useless. [[Soundwave (Animated)|Join the club.]]]]
*'''Tankor''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Two blasters, "melee blade"
:Hasbro, apparently being unable to secure the [[trademark]] to the name "Octane"<ref>[http://hasbro.com/transformers/universe/default.cfm?page=News/Item&newsid=A795A47F-D56F-E112-48649ACADFB6ADDC Hasbro's preview of ''Universe'' Wave 1's toys]</ref>, rechristened the character "Tankor" for his ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]] '' toy, part of the first wave of Deluxes in the line. Slyly, his bio mentions that he delivers "high '''octane''' fuel" (Possible pun intended?) to his fellow Decepticons.

:This time around, Octane transforms from a heavy cargo plane (possibly a C-130) to an [http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_hemtt_m978.php M978 Fueler]. He is armed with a serrated "melee blade" weapon, which forms the top of his tanker mode and the base of his plane mode, and a pair of double-barreled blasters, which mount under his wings in plane mode and can combine in [[Targetmaster|Double Targetmaster]]-style into a "Quad Laser". For truck mode, the instructions and stock photography (seen at right) place the blasters in the exposed robot-mode fist holes at the rear of the vehicle, facing forward, but it seems the intended location for them is the two otherwise-pointless holes on either side of the cab, facing upwards, to serve as smokestacks for the truck. The mold was designed for light-piped eyes (and presumably clear truck windows), but the relevant areas have been cast in opaque blue and the eyes are painted red.
{{-}}

===Henkei! Henkei!===
[[Image:Henkei Octone toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Beware my shiny quad-laser!]]
*'''Destron Octone''' (Deluxe, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''D-05'''
**''Accessories:'' Flamethrower *2, "melee blade"

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Octone is a [[redeco]] of ''Universe'' Tankor. Like all ''Henkei'' releases, his colour scheme is designed to be more [[Show-accuracy|more accurate to his cartoon appearance]] and has [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] parts—specifically, his two blasters and the back of the truck mode's tank/the base of the melee blade. Besides the vacuum metallized parts, Octone replaces some of this black plastic with both gray and blue plastic. He also features a lighter and more cool shade of purple paint as well as Decepticon symbols on his wings.
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The Generation 1 Octane toy was originally designed to have a sliding waist—not unlike that of [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]—that would create a more proportional (i.e., less "chesty") robot mode. For whatever reason, this ability was blocked off very late in the design process, but can easily be reinstated with a small amount of unscrewing and plastic cutting.<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=2234&mode=threaded&pid=36400 "The many secrets of Octane... Now with pictures!" on NTFA forums]</ref>
* Although [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] are far more popular, Octane was the main Triple Changer created by Shockwave as discussed in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''.

[[Image:Universe Tankor clearwindows.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I can see clearly now...]]
* Octane is depicted as having white lower arms and fists in the USA 1986 catalog and chromed in some European 1986 catalogs. This was apparently changed very late in the process, as the chromed arms are pictured on Octane's box photography. The box art pictured above also shows the chromed arms.
* As shown on Hasbro's website, ''Universe'' Tankor/Octane's prototype was designed to have transparent plastic windows in his tanker truck mode, but for reasons unknown the windows were opaque plastic with paint applications on the both the ''Universe'' and ''Henkei! Henkei!'' final production versions of the toy.
* In May 2010, a bogus picture of a photoshopped redeco of ''Universe'' Tankor/Octane as [[Clench (G2)|Clench]] was placed in BotCon.com's directory structure to throw off would-be scoop-hounds. The trick worked as one website reported it as being the real deal...until BotCon.com updated its own site with artwork of the actual 2010 version of Clench.
*Octanes on screen plane mode is a 2 engine version of the Boeing 707.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Octane/octane.htm Octane at TFU.info]
*[http://ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Octane Octane's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Classics characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Henkei! Henkei! characters]]
[[Category:Predacons]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Trailbreaker (G1)

2010-06-28T17:27:19Z

76.233.71.139: /* American cartoon continuity */

{{picsneeded|appearances in fiction}}
{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambigr|Trailbreaker|the live-action movie-verse Autobot|Trailbreaker (Movie)}}

:''Trailbreaker is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Trailbreakerg1.jpg|right|240px|thumb|I may not be fast... but I'm effective and provide soothing relief.]]
It's hard not to like '''Trailbreaker'''. He's a good-humored cheerleader, always ready with a joke or comment to lighten the mood when things get dark. Sadly, Trailbreaker's joking is often a cover for his low self-esteem. His form is the most fuel-consumptive of the ''Ark'' crew, and his vehicle mode is very slow. As such, he feels like a useless drain on their limited resources. The Autobots know better, of course. Trailbreaker's good humor, bravery, and impenetrable [[force field]] are all of great use, but convincing him of that is hard, especially when he begins to mope about his handicaps.

:''Preliminary name:'' '''Guzzle'''
:''French-Canadian name'': '''Glouton''' ("Glutton")
:''Hungarian name'': '''Ösvényvágó'''
:''Portuguese name (Portugal comic):'' '''Pica-Trilhos'''
:''Portuguese name (Brazil comic):'' '''Abre-alas'''
:''Italian name'': '''Tuono''' ("Thunder")
:''Chinese name (Taiwan):'' '''Kāi-lù Hsīen-fēng''' (開路先鋒, "Trailbreaker")

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
{{noteukonly}}
Trailbreaker was part of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s original crew, crashing to Earth four million years ago aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''.

Trailbreaker joined a detachment of Autobots investigating robot sightings in Merry Ol' England. After making contact with a young boy named Sammy, the Autobots were caught by surprise when the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] fire-bombed them from the sky. Trailbreaker was blasted before he could activate his force field. Like a freakin' drama queen, he went offline whimpering, "It's no good. Everything's gone... just plain ruined..." {{storylink|Man of Iron (story)|Man of Iron}}

Like many Autobots, Trailbreaker was too low on fuel to join Optimus and the others in what would've been their climactic battle with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron's]] forces, and was taken prisoner without a fight when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] assumed command of the Decepticons and the ''Ark''. He was revived after [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] reclaimed the ''Ark'', however. When the Autobots went to recover Optimus Prime's head and restore their leader to functionality, Trailbreaker was one of many Autobots caught off-guard by the false Prime created by Shockwave and was shot down before he could raise his force field. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''On another occasion, the Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] was under the control of a human scientist and attacking the Autobots. Trailbreaker jumped in his path and tried to wrestle the pteranodon to the ground. Instead, he was lifted up and slammed into the cliffside...'cause he never turned on that force field. {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} During the Dinobot Hunt, Trailbreaker joined [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] in hunting [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] among the sands of the Black Rock Desert. They managed to collect him virtually without a fight once Snarl wandered into a secret military base and unleashed a molecular disintegrator bomb that ended his rampage. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}''

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and his future Decepticons arrived in the present, the Autobot chain of command was crippled as Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and Ratchet vanished and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] was taken prisoner. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] attempted to rise to command, accepting support from [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], but the Autobots were simply outclassed. Trailbreaker was part of a group of more than a half-dozen Autobots who collectively failed to bring down even one of Galvatron's lieutenants. In desperation, the Autobots turned to Megatron himself (who had quickly been disposed of by Galvatron when he first arrived) as a temporary ally and battlefield advisor. Under the Decepticon's direction, the Autobots staged a trap for the lone future Decepticon [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] in order to weaken Galvatron's power base. Unfortunately, Scourge's enhanced sensors detected the trap almost immediately, and his acid ray nailed Trailbreaker THROUGH a wall before the battle even began. (Too early to have activated that force field, huh?) Scourge was ultimately brought down, but Trailbreaker was left inactive for days until Ratchet was restored to the present and able to repair him. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}''

''Well, he was up and about soon enough, and accompanied Prowl and Jetfire on a mission to stop the Decepticons from accessing a NASA space transmission facility, only to get knocked around helplessly by [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], and beaten to the ground long enough for the Decepticons to escape...all because he didn't turn on that slaggin' force field to protect himself. Remember, Trailbreaker? The force field? You're not built for speed or energy efficiency; you were built for power, specifically that one power that makes you ''special'' and ''unique''. Or is it "just plain ruined" these days? {{storylink|The Gift}}''

====Marvel UK future timelines====
''In 2008, Trailbreaker was one of the Autobots taken down and strung up by the [[Quintesson|Quintessons]] when they invaded [[Autobot City]]. Some of the Autobots seen deactivated like this showed up alive later, and [[Time Wars]] probably wiped out the reason for the Quintesson attack in the first place, so Trailbreaker probably survived one way or another. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}''

===American cartoon continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Frank Welker]] (English), [[Ken Shiroyama]] (Japanese)

{{charstubfiction}}

[[Image:Trailbreakerdance.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Do a little dance...make a little love... get down tonight... I said get down tonight!]]

Trailbreaker was part of the bridge crew of the ''Ark'' spaceship when it blasted off from Cybertron to search for new sources of energy four million years in the past. When he was awakened in 1984, [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]] reformatted him so that his alt-mode was a terrestrial Toyota 4WD camper truck. Trailbreaker accompanied his fellow Autobots on their first mission to stop the Decepticons on Earth, a mission that took him to an off-shore oil rig. The Decepticons plundered the rig for energon and destroyed it, leaving it a flaming wreck that endangered its human crew. Trailbreaker used his force field to contain the fire, while [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] used his built-in fire-suppression systems to douse the flames. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

Later, Trailbreaker served as a spy despite his stated function as defensive strategist. ([[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] was apparently busy that day.) He, along with the humans [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], camped out near the Decepticons' headquarters and eavesdropped on their plans to raid the ruby mines of Burma. Their surveillance did not go totally unnoticed, however, as a set of [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] spotted the Autobot making his getaway. Trailbreaker summoned the brothers [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] to fend off his pursuer and got the information safely back to Prime. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}}

{{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} {{storylink|Roll for It}} {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}} {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} Trailbreaker and [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] were going for a drive one day, only to find two [[Thundercracker (G1)|suspicious-looking]] [[Starscream (G1)|jets]]. The jets revealed themselves as Decepticons who had come to a nearby refinery to make off with its steel to build a weapon. Brawn and Trailbreaker interrupted them, but Starscream blasted missiles at them, destroying the refinery, and made his getaway. The Autobots reported the incident back to Optimus Prime. Toward the end of the ensuing battle in [[Peru]], Trailbreaker pitched in to fire at the new weapon. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}}

When the Autobots began studying a meteorite that had fallen to Earth, Wheeljack discovered the sample fragment was highly unstable and summoned Optimus and Trailbreaker to his laboratory. On command, Trailbreaker unleashed his force field around the meteorite to contain the explosive blast. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

{{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 1}} {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)}} {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

{{storylink|Autobot Spike}}

One time, when Megatron temporarily reprogrammed [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] to be a happy-go-lucky kind of Autobot, Trailbreaker was the one who voiced what everyone was thinking and said maybe they should just leave him that way. {{storylink|Changing Gears}}

{{storylink|City of Steel}} {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots}}

Trailbreaker witnessed the demonstration of the [[Wheeljack Instant Immobilizer]], and protected his comrades with a force field when the Decepticons attacked. Though they managed to steal the Immobilizer, the Decepticons fell into a river and Trailbreaker lightened the situation with a healthy joke. {{storylink|The Immobilizer}} {{storylink|The Autobot Run}} {{storylink|Atlantis, Arise!}}

Trailbreaker was also a guard when [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist]] revealed his [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]], though when Decepticons inevitably attacked, they blasted through the door Trailbreaker was standing in front of, sending him across the room. {{storylink|Enter the Nightbird}} {{storylink|A Prime Problem}}

When the Dinobots attempted to demonstrate their newfound "finesse" to the other Autobots, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] accidentally set fire to the ''Ark'', threatening Teletraan I. Thinking quickly, Trailbreaker projected his force field over the Autobot supercomputer, allowing [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] time to extinguish the blaze. {{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 1}}

{{storylink|Dinobot Island, Part 2}}

On another occasion, the Autobots were forced to abandon Earth by Megatron aboard a spacecraft set on a course into the sun. After the Autobots discovered they couldn't alter their course, their ship exploded. Trailbreaker cast a massive force field large enough to contain the entire Autobot force safely; from within the field, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] towed the group back to Earth. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}}

{{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}} When radio transmissions were down during a blizzard, Trailbreaker's force fields proved to be a valuable asset, protecting humans and Autobots alike from snowfall. {{storylink|Blaster Blues}}

{{storylink|The Golden Lagoon}} {{storylink|Make Tracks}} {{storylink|Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play}}

After that, a Decepticon coup by [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] resulted in a city being flooded. Trailbreaker used his force field to protect himself and a small group of Autobots from a large tidal wave. {{storylink|Triple Takeover}}

{{storylink|Prime Target}} {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}} {{storylink|Masquerade}}

{{note|In storyboards for the movie, Trailbreaker's dead body is seen at the end of the Autobot City battle. However, this didn't make it into the final film, leaving his status after the battle up in the air.}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====

When [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] sent [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] to raid [[Tokyo]] for energy, Trailbreaker accompanied [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and a unit of Autobot vehicles to defend the city. Trailbreaker didn't perform very well, cowering in fright beneath Menasor's size and taking the [[combiner]]'s humongous fist to the face. Luckily, his pummelling made the perfect distraction for Optimus Prime, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], who drove up a ramp and slammed Menasor and the Seekers directly in their faces, sending them into retreat. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 1}}

As a member of the [[4-Wheel-Drive Brigade]], Trailbreaker accompanied [[Kenji]] and the rest of the team to a crater in Kyushu where Decepticon activity had been discovered. Entering the crater, however, Trailbreaker and the Brigade were caught off-guard by numerous landmines that had been planted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. As they sunk toward as steaming pit of magma, the other four members of the Brigade managed to defeat the Decepticons by forming a human pyramid and using their "4-Wheel-Drive Robo Combination Scrumbuster" attack. Trailbreaker, unfortunately (or perhaps ''fortunately''), had to sit that one out because he was escorting Kenji within himself and couldn't transform to robot mode. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3}}

====''Story of Binaltech''====
Trailbreaker was one of many Autobots who suffered from an outbreak of the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] virus after the Decepticons unleashed it on Earth. He was supposed to receive a new body thanks to the [[Central City (G1)|Central City]] Institute of Technology, but the Decepticons managed to infiltrate the Binaltech Project. Through the use of [[hypno-chip]]-controlled spies and pawns, Trailbreaker's new body was hijacked and used to upgrade the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] known as [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] instead. {{storylink|Expose All of Evil's Designs!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
Trailbreaker was present under the command of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] at the battle of [[Altihex]] when the Decepticons destroyed a building full of neutral Cybertonians. Unable to save the city, the Autobots helped evacuate civilians before retreating. {{storylink|The War Within issue 1}} When Decepticon Military Operations Commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] led a force of Decepticons against the Autobot capitol of [[Iacon]], Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who defended the capital. {{storylink|The War Within}}

When Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] disappeared in an accident with a [[space bridge]], the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Trailbreaker stayed with the Autobots under the leadership of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]. He was part of the group of reinforcements that helped battle the giant [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. They were attacked by Megatron's ship, the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. After being boarded, the ''Ark'' crash-landed on [[Earth]], where all on board were preserved in emergency stasis. In 1984, a volcanic eruption awakened the ''Ark'''s computer, Teletraan I, and it repaired all on board.

Eventually, the combined forces of the Autobots on Earth and their human allies were able to capture the Decepticons. In 1999, a ship called the ''[[Ark II]]'' was built to take the Cybertonians back to Cybertron, along with some human companions, but the ship exploded shortly after takeoff. The human allies were killed, but the Cybertonians were lost in the ocean, again in stasis lock. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1}} Three years later, Spike Witwicky assisted the US "Defense Ministry" in reactivating Optimus Prime by placing a piece of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] into his chest. Optimus traveled to the remote Arctic shoreline where he'd been found after the crash and used the Matrix to revive Jazz, Mirage, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], Trailbreaker and Wheeljack from where they lay under the waves. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2}}

Shortly afterwards, the Autobots assisted the US military in rescuing the survivors of the Smitco Oil Refinery attack. When Optimus Prime learned the attackers were Autobots and Decepticons under the control of terrorist arms dealer [[Adam Rook]], he asked his Autobots to accompany him to fight for '''Great JUSTICE.''' Trailbreaker was among the Autobots who agreed to come along, stating that Prime only needed to point him in the right direction. Trailbreaker participated in the battle at Rook's destroyed base when [[General Hallo]] double-crossed them and attempted to destroy all the Transformers with a low-yield nuclear weapon. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3}}

[[Image:DW Trailbreaker Devastatorstomp.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Devastator crush puny Autobot... and make scale joke while crushing. Har har har!]]
After the Autobots extricated themselves from the nuke-absorbing hardened virus shell, Trailbreaker helped rescue the captive Autobots Megatron was using to fuel his technovirus. After Ironhide informed the other Autobots of Megatron's imminent attack on [[San Francisco]], they flew there and engaged the Decepticons. Trailbreaker smashed Grimlock in the face with a steel girder and informed the former Dinobot commander that he'd made the wrong choice in leaving the Autobots and was now going to pay. Unfortunately, Superion was taken down by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], prompting Trailbreaker to join Optimus Prime, Sideswipe and Megatron in a moment of [[dull surprise]], gaping at Devastator as if they had never seen him before. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4}}

As Jazz and the Autobots in [[Canada]] were preparing to deal with the technovirus, Trailbreaker frantically radioed them for backup, reporting that Superion was down. As he was distracted, Devastator attempted to stomp on the Autobot. Trailbreaker caught the foot in time, but was crushed into the pavement. He was later retrieved and placed into restraint by the Decepticons as Megatron attempted to convince Optimus Prime to join his cause to wipe out the humans and rule the universe. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5}} Once Prime managed to free the Autobots with assistance from human firefighters, Trailbreaker resumed his assault on Grimlock by sending him flying with a punch. After Superion sacrificed himself to save San Francisco from General Hallo's unauthorized nuclear strike, Trailbreaker called Optimus over when he and Sideswipe discovered the abandoned Grimlock under rubble. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6}}

''While the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] were invading Earth, the Transformers also had to deal with an over-reaching American President who wanted to destroy all the Cybertronians. He offered the Autobots his help in setting up an ambush for the Decepticons, but Prime and his advisors quickly realized the President planned to eliminate all of them. Taking what seemed to be the lesser of two evils at the moment, the Autobots forged an alliance with the Decepticons before travelling to the ambush site. Trailbreaker was among the Autobot soldiers Optimus chose for the battle. He fought against the military forces and apparently survived the attack of the [[deconstructionite]]s relatively unharmed. {{storylink|Fusion (novel)|Fusion}}''

Months later, the united Cybertronian army arrived on Earth, demanding the surrender of all combatant Autobots and Decepticons. Trailbreaker suffered serious injuries battling [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and the Seekers and had to be placed in a [[CR chamber|CR chamber]] for repairs on the flight back to Cybertron. He fought alongside the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s crew and the various insurgency groups on Cybertron to reclaim [[Iacon]] for the Autobots and force Shockwave out of power. {{storylink|War and Peace}} Afterwards, he joined Prowl and the rest of the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s old crew in returning to Earth to work on the construction of a new Autobot City.

===''Universe''===
[[Image:Rattrap legs.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Gah! Someone call an exterminator!]]
Hundreds of years later, Trailbreaker and fellow Autobots [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], [[Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)|Shadow Striker]] arrived on the newly technorganic Cybertron roughly one year after the defeat of [[Megatron (BW)|this era's Megatron]]. They were welcomed by the surviving members of [[Optimus Primal]]'s band of [[Maximals]], including [[Rattrap]], who offered to share a vintage keg of [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's Old Oil]] with the Autobot veteran. Unfortunately, Trailbreaker did not have an opportunity to take Rattrap up on his offer, because immediately afterwards, he and his associates were abducted by [[Unicron]] and teleported to the [[Cauldron]]. There, they were rebuilt against their will into new bodies... except Trailbreaker, because why mess with success? {{storylink|Abduction}}

[[Image:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|left|150px|thumb|You've got me? Who's got you?!]]
{{storylink|Escape (issue)|Escape}}
[[Optimus Primal]] led the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]], which included Trailbreaker, into a final fight with the [[Minion of Unicron|Minions of Unicron]] on the surface of Unicron himself. However, as their victory was imminent, Unicron began to dissolve beneath their very feet, and [[King Atlas]] had to carry Trailbreaker and [[Roulette]] to safety, through a transwarp portal back to their native Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

{{-}}
===Devil's Due G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity===
[[Image:GIJoevsTF5_Autobots.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
Trailbreaker was among the Transformers discovered on Earth by [[Cobra]], and reworked into a piloted death mechanism known as a [[Stinger (G.I. Joe)|Stinger]]. The Transformers were eventually freed, and the Autobots fought both their Decepticon enemies and their Cobra oppressors. During the battle, Trailbreaker and several other Autobots located [[Cobra Commander]] and tried to capture him, but he was protected by Cobra troops in robotic [[S.N.A.K.E.]] suits. Unfortunately, the Autobots underestimated their human opponents, and Trailbreaker was decapitated by [[Storm Shadow]] during the battle. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

This was apparently not as fatal as it seemed, however, as Trailbreaker was up and fighting again shortly afterwards. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #6}}

{{-}}

===IDW comics continuity===
{{ongoing}}
[[Image:MegsOrigin4 Trailbreaker.jpg|left|150px|thumb|I STILL SUPPORT THE RAILING SYSTEMMMMmmmmm!]]
Trailbreaker (along with nearly every other Autobot, apparently) served in the Autobot Security Forces under the command of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. He participated in the battle of [[Kaon]] where the criminal known as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] began a rampage with his army of convicts. Trailbreaker grabbed [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] as the criminal was flying away, only to be kicked off for his trouble, falling to his apparent demise... {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

[[Image:SpotlightKup Trailbreaker.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Mommy told me never to open the door to strangers.]]
Except he survived. Many years later, Trailbreaker was a specialist called in by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] to extract a deranged [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] safely from the planet where he had crash-landed. The planet possessed a radiation which was dangerous to Transformers without special protective covering, causing Kup, in his delusions, to believe his rescuers were monsters trying to attack him. Trailbreaker's force fields allowed him to walk on the planet without any protective gear, and his appearance shocked Kup for long enough that he could save the old bot's spark core from meltdown. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}}

Later, he was one of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s old friends who took time off duty to greet the return of "The Voice". {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

A year later, Trailbreaker had joined [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s team of Autobots on [[Earth]]. They made a plan to drive the Decepticons off the planet once and for all, but fell into a trap and were defeated by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Trailbreaker and the rest were subsequently dumped on the ruined [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to be finished off by the [[Insecticon swarm]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} His primary role appeared to be playing bodyguard to [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], making sure nobody lynched the guy for being a suspected traitor. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 4|All Hail Megatron #4}} After the Autobot starship ''[[Trion]]'' crashlanded on the planet, Trailbreaker and the others listened to [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s story about what happened. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}} They proceeded to mingle with the rest of ''Trion''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> crew. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}} Trailbreaker later oversaw the process of putting a giant cannon in place on the Autobots' temporary base. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 9|All Hail Megatron #9}}

Two years later, after the Autobots had returned to Earth and driven the Decepticons away, Trailbreaker watched as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and several other Autobots got sick of the planet and defected. {{storylink|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

{{-}}

===3D Battle-Card Game===
Trailbreaker was one of [[Optimus Primal]]'s many Autobot allies in a fight against [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s Decepticon forces, in what might possibly have been an inter-universe battle. {{storylink|3D Battle-Card Game#Energon Wars expansion|Energon Wars Expansion Set}}
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==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:G1Trailbreaker toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|If your vehicle mode looks like this, you might be a redneck! You also happen to be indestructible]]
* '''Trailbreaker''' (1984, 2001, 2008)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''25'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "Twin Blasters", 2 missiles, radar scanner, 2 fists (left & right)

: Trailbreaker transforms in a Toyota 4WD Hi-Lux camper truck. In robot mode, both of his lower arms are projectile launchers, able to load and fire either his fists or his projectiles, which consist of two [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] silver missiles and two silver "twin blasters". The [[Hasbro]] version of the toy severely weakened the springs [[for safety reasons]].

: This mold was later [[retool]]ed to make [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]].

: In 2001, Trailbreaker was given a short-run reissue (limited to only 1,000 pieces) by Takara as a convention-exclusive item, bundled together with Hoist. Since this toy was never reissued by Hasbro, it remained one of the more elusive reissues by Takara, until his 2008 ''[[Encore]]'' reissue. While the original had a red visor, the Encore reissue was notable for having a blue visor.

===Other attempts===
There are quite a few Transformers toys that were at one point in their development supposed to be a new form for (or tribute to) Trailbreaker, but so far all of these have become other characters with other names, most likely due to [[Hasbro]]'s inability to secure the [[trademark]].

Trailbreaker's appearance in the [[3H Productions|3H]] [[Universe (2003 comic)|Universe comics]] stems from early plans to release a Trailbreaker redeco of the [[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]] [[X-Brawn]] mold as a convention exclusive in 2003. Reportedly, Hasbro themselves also had the same idea for the mass retail Universe Deluxe assortment, but due to the aforementioned reasons, the toy was ultimately given a different deco and released as [[Ratchet (Universe)|Autobot Ratchet]] instead.

Later, a [[redeco]] of the [[Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]] [[Spychanger]] [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] was released as a Wal*Mart exclusive under the [[Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]] banner, a black pickup truck with the distinctive red and yellow stripes from Trailbreaker's original toy. Ultimately, this toy would be released as [[Ironhide (Universe)|Ironhide]] instead.

The next attempt was in the [[Alternators]] line, the toy that would eventually become [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and later [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]]. A [[retool]] of the [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] Jeep Wrangler toy, its head is a cross between the original Trailbreaker toy's helmet and the cartoon model's face, surprisingly similar to [[Dan Khanna]]'s rendition of the character in 3H's Universe comics. A black and white version of a proposed color guide for the unreleased Trailbreaker version of the mold was depicted in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book.

Finally, the [[Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]] Autobot [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] was originally going to be called "Trailbreaker", and the head mold was to have more elements from the Generation 1 character's design. These plans were again scrapped, but the character's upgraded form, '''Leobreaker''', retains the "breaker" portion of the name, since "Leohaul" sounds really silly.

==Merchandise==
[[Image:MovieTrailbreaker3DCard.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Admit it. That head peeking up from the truck mode is hilarious.]]
===3D Battle-Card Game===
*'''Trailbreaker''' (2007)

: A 26-point "common" character in the [[3D Battle-Card Game|3D Battle-Card Game]]'s "Energon Wars" expansion, Trailbreaker "transforms" into a black pickup truck with a camper shell. He uses the same parts layout as [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] and [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]].

:The Battle-Card may or may not actually represent [[Trailbreaker (Movie)|the live-action movie version of Trailbreaker]], as the design is clearly in the live-action movie aesthetic (and a version of the Trailbreaker character exists in the "movie" universe anyway). The card's listed abilities {{m-}} an Invisible Force Field and a Radio Jammer {{m-}} line up with Trailbreaker's G1 abilities, however, so who knows.

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[Image:DiacloneTrailbreaker.jpg|thumb|250px]]
* Trailbreaker's mold was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "4WD Hi-Lux", available in three different colors; black, blue or yellow. The blue version was sold by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] in North America as the ''[[Diakron]]'' "DK-3" Car/Robot in 1983, seemingly just a few months before the toy would be rebranded as a Transformer.

* Trailbreaker laid some serious smackdown on [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] in the [[Dreamwave Productions]] ''[[Prime Directive]]'' miniseries. He was shown laying the Dinobot commander out with a steel girder, went on to survive being stood on by Devastator, and then resumed kicking Grimlock's skid plate, knocking him off his feet with a single punch, and then leaving him buried in rubble only to be left behind by Megatron. So much for being a liability. Shockwave was incredibly lucky that he didn't face him in the next volume.

* In "[[A Prime Problem]]", [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (the ''real'' one, that is) mistakenly refers to Trailbreaker as "'''Trailblazer'''".

* Originally, ''[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]'' was going to be used in ''Spotlight: Kup'', but Roche put Trailbreaker in after re-looking at the guy's tech spec and thought his power and cheery personality would work better. "It's nice to use a character who gets no love." <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIkqheta3GE Nick Roche interview with Moonbase Two]</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Trailbreaker/trailbreaker.htm Trailbreaker at TFU.info]
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Trailbreaker Trailbreaker's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:3D Battle-Cards]]
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[[Category:Generation 1 characters]]
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