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Apache (BW)

2010-07-11T18:37:40Z

82.33.172.183: /* Notes */

{{factions|maximal}}
:''Apache is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Wars II (franchise)|Beast Wars II]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:NewForces Apache.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Mandrill Sergeant]]
'''Apache''' is second-in-command to [[Lio Convoy]]. He is a grizzled, seasoned warrior who fights with every drop of emotion he can muster. Apache respects his commander like he was family, and will defend any decision he should make. He is also a very demanding officer and will accept nothing but the best from his soldiers. This no-nonsense attitude of his often brings him frustration with the fun-loving [[Jointron]] Brothers. Though an experienced, capable warrior and leader, Apache doubts his own usefulness at times. This self-doubt leads him to question his own instincts and decisions and makes him more comfortable as a second-in-command than as the leader he could otherwise be. Though he tends to get depressed, he is still a powerful soldier who has yet to realize his true courage and power. He readily uses his strength in his special third mode, a sort of artillery platform called "Angry Combat Mode", but assuming this form also alters his personality, turning him into a berserker. This may account for some of his reticence and self-doubt.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars II'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Sanryō Odaka]] (Japanese)

[[Image:Bwiie06 apache fuel.jpg|right|180px|thumb|He's dead Jim]]
As a trainee, Apache fell on the battlefield during a live-fire exercise. A fellow trainee, [[Lio Convoy|Convoy]], ignored their hot-blooded instructor's command to leave behind their fallen comrades, who had washed out of the program and should be left to die. Despite being almost out of fuel himself, Convoy shared what he had with Apache, and the two of them, greatly weakened, supported one another through the final leg of the exercise. Both warriors made it to the checkpoint and neither washed out. Since then, Apache has vowed to protect Convoy as his deputy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ancient Ruins|Mystery of the Ancient Ruins}}

[[Image:ApacheAnime1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|What is your major malfunction!?!]]
Having received a mysterious SOS signal from within an asteroid field, Apache and Convoy went to investigate in small, one-man scout ships. Confident in his ability, Apache split off on his own, only to encounter a massive planetoid-ship on a collision course with his vessel. Convoy opened fire on the planetoid, causing a massive explosion that sent Apache's ship hurling through space while Convoy himself vanished.

Returning to the Maximal Space Station where he and his friends were stationed, Apache blamed himself for their commander's disappearance and drowned his sorrows in cheap [[oil]]. When the other Maximals voiced their concerns that Convoy probably wasn't coming back, Apache assured them that he would, then named himself commanding officer in Convoy's absence and passed out. [[Bighorn]] took command instead and took the team with him to investigate an abnormal energy reaction on the planet [[Gaea]]. They flew off in the ''[[Yukikaze (BWII)|Yukikaze]]'' before Apache had a chance to wake up, leaving him to freeze in space as he held onto the outside of the vessel.

[[Image:ApacheMexican1.jpg|right|150px|thumb|¡Vamonos, Muchachos!]]
When the Maximals arrived at Gaea via [[transwarp]], the ''Yukikaze'' was shot down by [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], so Apache and his team had to flee to Gaea's surface in escape pods. The planet's atmosphere proved lethal to Transformers, however, so Apache [[Scanning|scanned]] a local mandrill to protect himself. After joining up with the rest of the team, Apache went to investigate a mysterious black fog that was killing the flora and fauna around them. They discovered [[Galvatron (BWII)|Galvatron]] and his troops, who had earlier blasted the ''Yukikaze'' out of the sky. Unfortunately, the Predacons rather easily paralyzed Apache and his friends, and were prepared to kill them when a white lion came to their rescue. {{storylink|The New Forces Arrive!|The New Forces Arrive!}}

The lion led them back to the crashed ''Yukikaze'' and revealed itself to be Convoy, now going by the name of "Lio Convoy". While the other Maximals were taken aback by the lion's true identity, Apache had already figured it out. Nevertheless, he was delighted to have his commander back, and he cried tears of happiness when Convoy took back control of the troops. {{storylink|White Lion, Run!|White Lion, Run!}}

When the Maximals went to investigate a strange energy reading, Apache rigged a "draw straws" competition so that he could go with Lio Convoy. To his embarrassment, his commander noticed him cheating, and Apache confessed of his private vow to protect Lio Convoy ever since they were trainees together. When [[BB]] carpet-bombed the jungle to flush out the Maximals, Apache took a near-hit and collapsed, forcing Lio Convoy to drag him into the nearby ruins for safety. Apache lamented he was nothing but a burden, but Lio Convoy disagreed— pointing to a tunnel leading deeper into the ruins which they otherwise would never have found. Exploring deeper they were separated when Apache triggered a trap and was attacked by the [[Insectron]] [[Mantis]], who strung him up as bait for his commander. Mantis attacked Lio Convoy and was about to kill him when Apache called upon [[Burning Justice|previously-undiscovered inner strength]] to transform into a powerful weapons platform which caused the ruins to collapse. Afterward Apache had no memory of what he had done, but was pleased that Lio Convoy credited his performance. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ancient Ruins|Mystery of the Ancient Ruins}}

{{-}}
{{charstubfiction}}

====''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoon====
===''Beast Wars II'' comic===
===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
He looks almost identical to [[B'Boom|another guy]].

[[Image:Ascending3 apache bboom.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Apache (lower left) and the near-identical B'Boom (upper right). ''I think I'm a clone now...'']]
Lio Convoy's deputy officer even back before the [[Pax Cybertronia]] was signed, Apache continued to serve him as a member of the covert special ops unit known as the [[Pack]]. When Lio received [[Razorbeast]]'s distress signal, he ordered Apache and the other Pack members to prepare to travel to Earth. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2|The Ascending #2}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
[[Image:BW BBoom toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Tonto! Jump on it! Kemosabe! Jump on it!]]
*'''Apache''' (Mega, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-12'''
**''Accessories'': Spring-loaded missile launcher, 2 missiles

: This toy is identical to [[B'Boom]], transforming into a mandrill. His beast mode face has spring-activated features, with a revealed spring-loaded missile launcher in his mouth. This launcher becomes a hand-held weapon in robot mode. He has a third "artillery station" mode that a Basic-sized toy can pilot.

*'''Showdown of Artillery: Apache VS Megastorm''' (Vs pack, 1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-12'''

: Apache was also available in a two-pack with the Predacon [[Megastorm]]. Both toys in this set are identical to their individually-packaged versions.

*'''Apache''' (Mega, 1998)

: A special contest-prize version of Apache in a kind of camo-green was given away as a prize from ''Comic Bom Bom'' magazine, as part of a "design a Cybertron" contest, along with new-color versions of all five main Maximals from the series. How many of these Apaches were awarded is unknown.

==Notes==
* The notion that Apache is a drunkard as part of a Native American stereotype is [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|untrue]]. While ''Beast Wars II'' is not above having [[Starscream (BWII)|horrible]] [[Jointron|stereotypes]], this isn't one of them. Apache does get drunk in the first episode of the cartoon... but that's in grief because he believes his actions have caused the death of Lio Convoy. He never gets drunk again in the cartoon, and never ''at all'' in the manga.

* As B'Boom had already been well established in ''[[The Gathering]]'', when Apache was set to appear, [[Don Figueroa]] drew Apache with the shoulder cannons retracted, further more he was given a lighter colouration and made less stocky to distinguish him from B'Boom. This is especially apparent in the scene where both have to help secure an [[Angolmois]]-infected Razorbeast. This was not the only time a [[Injector|design]] [[Rartorata|adjustment]] was necessary.

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Maximal/B%27Boom/b%27boom.htm Apache (well, B'Boom) at TFU.info]

[[Category:Beast Wars II characters]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Neo characters]]
[[Category:Japanese-original characters]]
[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:Pack]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]

Triple Changer

2010-07-11T18:35:51Z

82.33.172.183: /* Retroactively labeled as Triple Changers */

:''The Triple Changers are Transformers that are mostly from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:5 blitzwing new world order.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Blitzwing demonstrates his triple-changing abilities, transforming from an ''incredibly'' unconvincing jet into a tank that's only ''slightly'' unconvincing.]]
In their quest for ever-greater machines of war, the [[Decepticon]]s developed warriors with two distinct alternate forms. These '''Triple Changers''' can travel by land and air with equal ease, and in the heat of battle they can rapidly change form to confuse and outflank the enemy. To counter this threat, the [[Autobot]]s also developed their own group of Triple Changers.

The Triple Changers are:

{{collist|2|
* Decepticons:
** [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
** [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
** [[Octane]]

* Autobots:
** [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
** [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
** [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
}}

{{note|In Transformers fiction, the term "Triple Changer" refers almost exclusively to these two subgroups, which are the only such characters ever shown as cohesive teams. However, other official sources such as toy packaging, catalogs, Hasbro spokespersons, and commercials have applied the term "Triple Changer" rather haphazardly to many other characters from various continuities. Further muddying the waters, a few characters with three distinct modes have never been labeled as Triple Changers in toys or fiction, even in cases where it would really make sense to do so.}}

:''Japanese name (Autobots):'' '''Triplebot'''
:''Japanese name (Decepticons):'' '''Tripletron'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Triplaváltozók'''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Cartoon continuity====
Triple-changing is an [[ability]] shared by some Transformers.
{{stub}}
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Generation 1=====
{{noteukonly}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Didja ever wonder what guys like Astrotrain do if they have an itch in the middle of their back? That's gotta ''suck'' for 'em. There is ''no way'' he can reach back there.]]

''The Decepticon Triple Changers existed for an unknown length of time, and Octane and Blitzwing developed a reputation as two of Cybertron's deadliest killers: key targets in [[Operation: Volcano]]. {{storylink|Target: 2006}} The deadly killer Octane would later oversee a slave camp and run away screaming from Autobots.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

The Decepticon Triple Changers were called into service by Ratbat when a freighter that he had sent to Earth failed to make contact upon its arrival. The three Triple Changers traveled to Earth via space bridge and located the crashed freighter at the bottom of an impact crater. They quickly discovered that the pilot had become infected with [[scraplet]]s...which immediately infected ''them'' as well. Despite the rapidly spreading disease, they were happy to attack two Autobots who arrived to investigate the crater. One of the Autobots fled, while the other proved to be a fair match for the trio. {{storylink|Crater Critters}}

Eventually, they overpowered and captured [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], taking him prisoner. Astrotrain contacted Ratbat on Cybertron, requesting a cure. Instead, Ratbat dispatched a group of captured Autobots with orders to destroy all the infected Transformers on Earth with canisters of acid...including his own troops! Weakened by the disease, the Triple Changers could do little but sit around in the crater and wait for the end to come, whether by acid melting or scraplet consumption.

Luckily for the Triple Changers, the other Autobot, Goldbug, had managed to find a cure for the disease. Though Blaster demanded that Goldbug kill him along with the Decepticons rather than curing them, Goldbug's hand was forced the other way when the scraplets merged into a titanic combined form. He sprayed [[water|the cure]] on all the crater's occupants, including the Decepticons. Quickly recovering, the Triple Changers rallied to the attack, bringing down the combined scraplet monster with their weapons. Subsequently, they grabbed the cargo of the crashed freighter and made good their escape. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

The Triple Changers subsequently joined the main force of Decepticons on Earth, initially under Shockwave's command, then later Ratbat's. They participated in the great battle against the Autobots on the Moon {{storylink|Totaled!}}, played host to human guests at [[Club Con]] {{storylink|Club Con!}}, and battled Scorponok's forces in the Arctic, a battle in which they fared particularly well. {{storylink|Cold War!}} They didn't fare so well against the Underbase-powered Starscream, however, who slaughtered all three of them in a single blast.

''During the [[Earthforce]] conflict of... er, whenever it was, the Triple Changers would serve under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} Their great highlights were helping beat the snot out of Megatron {{storylink|Secrets}} and joining the massed attack on Autobot Earthbase. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} Their lowlight was Octane getting stuck on a military firing range while full of fuel, and Astrotrain and Blitzwing leaving him behind out of annoyance. {{storylink|Manoeuvres!}}

In a dystopian future, they served under Galvatron and killed [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

[[Image:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]

''The Autobot Triple Changers first came to prominence in the days leading up to [[Operation: Volcano]]; they were called into service by [[Emirate Xaaron]] to fill in for Ultra Magnus, should the latter not return from Earth in time to participate in the mission. They convinced the Wreckers' leader, [[Impactor]], that they would be up to the challenge by beating the stuffing out of him before rocketing back to the Autobot base, [[Debris]]. When Impactor was killed in the aborted mission, Triple Changer Springer took over as Wrecker leader, with the other two becoming part of the force as well.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''The Triple Changers participated in several of the Wreckers' missions on Cybertron {{storylink|City of Fear!}} and Earth. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} After the latter mission turned into a near-disaster, Sandstorm and Broadside were sent to Earth along with Inferno as an advance guard.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}} {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}}

''They were still with the Wreckers during the catastrophic battle against Megatron and Galvatron, which saw Sandstorm destroyed. Broadside and Springer survived {{storylink|Time Wars}}, eventually going on to form the Survivors group {{storylink|Survivors!}} and later hooking up with Grimlock's [[Earthforce]]'' {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}}.

''In a possible future, Springer and Sandstorm would be two of the last Autobots when the war ended in 2510. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] made Springer his successor, only for fighting to break out over it; Sandstorm fired the second shot, killing [[Triton]].'' {{storylink|Peace}}

=====Generation 2=====
Broadside was part of a team of "Firestormers" that raided various Decepticon outposts across the galaxy. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Springer, meanwhile, had apparently joined Optimus Prime's main force of Autobots and participated in a counter-Decepticon raid on [[Ethos]] {{storylink|Escalation!}} as well as the final battle against the Swarm on Earth. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

Octane was also present in the conflict, but [[Death|not for long]]. {{storylink|Total War!}}

====Dreamwave Comics====
[[Image:BlitzwingDissectionDreamwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This detailed, scientific cut-away view reveals that underneath all that armor, Blitzwing is... made of mechanical stuff.]]

Triple Changers Blitzwing, Octane and Astrotrain were involved in Decepticon battle operations around the time that Optimus Prime rose to command the Autobots. They participated in a major attack on Iacon. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3}}

Later, Blitzwing spontaneously began to grow new parts, perhaps heralding his evolution into a Triple Changer. <small>Yes, we know this makes no sense.</small> {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}}

{{note|As a Triple Changer, the subject can change between modes three times as fast as a normal Transformer.}}

====IDW Comics====
Astrotrain and Blitzwing were part of Starscream's [[Infiltration protocol|Infiltration Unit]] on Earth. {{storylink|Infiltration}} They survived attacks by the [[Reaper]]s and Autobots before the Autobots were driven from the planet. {{storylink|Devastation (IDW)}} When the Autobots returned with Omega Supreme, the Decepticons retreated into space, ferried by Astrotrain. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron}}
{{note|Broadside, Sandstorm, [[Octane|Tankor]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] have not been shown to transform into their second alternate mode, if they have one in this continuity. }}

{{-}}

===Live-action film continuity===
====Vector Sigma data tracks====
According to hypothesis, the ability to have two alternate modes may be connected to the Transformer's genetics.<ref>Hasbro's online [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/TRANSFORMERS-Glossary.cfm Transformers glossary].</ref>

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Blitzwingg1toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|In a line cut from The Transformers: The Movie, Blitzwing says that as a Triple Changer, he's worth any two of his comrades. But it turns out that he retailed for a bit less than the Seekers.]]
* '''Decepticon Triple Changers''' (1985)
**[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
**[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]

* '''Autobot Triple Changers''' (1986)
**[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
**[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
**[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]

* '''Decepticon Triple Changers''' (1986)
**[[Octane]]

:The original Triple Changers were released in the second year of Generation 1, and were sufficiently popular to inspire 4 more in 1986.

===Classics===
* Astrotrain (2006)

===Universe (2008)===
* [[Octane|Tankor]]
: Octane with a new name.

{{note|This list includes only toys that actually have three modes. Several of the Triple Changer characters have had later releases in other toy molds, most notably Sandstorm and Springer, but these forms lacked the third mode required to qualify as Triple Changers.}}

===Subsequent toys labeled as "Triple Changers"===
;Generation 1
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (called a "Headmaster Triple Changer base" in a commercial and in "[[Doomsday for Nebulos]].")

;Generation 2
* [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] (1994)
: The bomber/tank/robot describes himself as "triple-changing Dreadwing" in a television [[commercial]]. Another commercial has the announcer saying "Dreadwing is a Triple Changer."

;Beast Wars
[[Image:BW-toy Depthcharge.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]: a triple-changing [[Transmetal]] from the ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'']]
* [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] (1998)
* [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (1998)
:Although the packaging says "3 mode conversion", the commercial announcer says that each of these characters "triple changes".

;Armada
[[Image:Armada Laserbeak toy.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The only Triple Changer from [[Armada (franchise)|''Armada'']]: [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]]]]
* [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] (2002)

;Energon
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] (2004)
* [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]] (2004)
* [[Six Shot |SixShot]] (2005)
;Cybertron
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (2005)
* [[Anti-Blaze]] (2006)
* [[Checkpoint (Cybertron)|Checkpoint]] (2006)
* [[Scythe]] (2006)
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Cryo Scourge]] (2006)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (2006)

;Animated
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (2008)

;Revenge of the Fallen
[[Image:Soundwaverotfpreviewtoy.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Triple-changing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], superior!]]
* [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (2009)
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] (2009)
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]<ref>Megatron was identified as a Triple Changer in [[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]] and was shown with two alternate modes in [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation]]. He did not display this ability in [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|the film]] or [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|his toys]].</ref> (2009)
;Unreleased
* ''[[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]]''
* [[Jet-helicopter Decepticon|A helicopter/plane Triple Changer]]
*ATB Megatron (called a Triple Changer by a Hasbro pitch man.)

===Retroactively labeled as Triple Changers===

* Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile book series identifies [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon]] as Triple Changers.

* Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)|More Than Meets The Eye: Armada]]'' book labels [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] as a Triple Changer, also stating that other Mini-Cons with a third mode are Triple Changers.

* IDW's ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' labels [[Apache]] as a Triple Changer, but not B'Boom

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Triple Changers| ]]

Triple Changer

2010-07-11T18:34:29Z

82.33.172.183: /* Retroactively labeled as Triple Changers */

:''The Triple Changers are Transformers that are mostly from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:5 blitzwing new world order.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Blitzwing demonstrates his triple-changing abilities, transforming from an ''incredibly'' unconvincing jet into a tank that's only ''slightly'' unconvincing.]]
In their quest for ever-greater machines of war, the [[Decepticon]]s developed warriors with two distinct alternate forms. These '''Triple Changers''' can travel by land and air with equal ease, and in the heat of battle they can rapidly change form to confuse and outflank the enemy. To counter this threat, the [[Autobot]]s also developed their own group of Triple Changers.

The Triple Changers are:

{{collist|2|
* Decepticons:
** [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
** [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]
** [[Octane]]

* Autobots:
** [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
** [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
** [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]
}}

{{note|In Transformers fiction, the term "Triple Changer" refers almost exclusively to these two subgroups, which are the only such characters ever shown as cohesive teams. However, other official sources such as toy packaging, catalogs, Hasbro spokespersons, and commercials have applied the term "Triple Changer" rather haphazardly to many other characters from various continuities. Further muddying the waters, a few characters with three distinct modes have never been labeled as Triple Changers in toys or fiction, even in cases where it would really make sense to do so.}}

:''Japanese name (Autobots):'' '''Triplebot'''
:''Japanese name (Decepticons):'' '''Tripletron'''
:''Hungarian name'': '''Triplaváltozók'''

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Cartoon continuity====
Triple-changing is an [[ability]] shared by some Transformers.
{{stub}}
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Generation 1=====
{{noteukonly}}

[[Image:Ratbatcratercritters.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Didja ever wonder what guys like Astrotrain do if they have an itch in the middle of their back? That's gotta ''suck'' for 'em. There is ''no way'' he can reach back there.]]

''The Decepticon Triple Changers existed for an unknown length of time, and Octane and Blitzwing developed a reputation as two of Cybertron's deadliest killers: key targets in [[Operation: Volcano]]. {{storylink|Target: 2006}} The deadly killer Octane would later oversee a slave camp and run away screaming from Autobots.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

The Decepticon Triple Changers were called into service by Ratbat when a freighter that he had sent to Earth failed to make contact upon its arrival. The three Triple Changers traveled to Earth via space bridge and located the crashed freighter at the bottom of an impact crater. They quickly discovered that the pilot had become infected with [[scraplet]]s...which immediately infected ''them'' as well. Despite the rapidly spreading disease, they were happy to attack two Autobots who arrived to investigate the crater. One of the Autobots fled, while the other proved to be a fair match for the trio. {{storylink|Crater Critters}}

Eventually, they overpowered and captured [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], taking him prisoner. Astrotrain contacted Ratbat on Cybertron, requesting a cure. Instead, Ratbat dispatched a group of captured Autobots with orders to destroy all the infected Transformers on Earth with canisters of acid...including his own troops! Weakened by the disease, the Triple Changers could do little but sit around in the crater and wait for the end to come, whether by acid melting or scraplet consumption.

Luckily for the Triple Changers, the other Autobot, Goldbug, had managed to find a cure for the disease. Though Blaster demanded that Goldbug kill him along with the Decepticons rather than curing them, Goldbug's hand was forced the other way when the scraplets merged into a titanic combined form. He sprayed [[water|the cure]] on all the crater's occupants, including the Decepticons. Quickly recovering, the Triple Changers rallied to the attack, bringing down the combined scraplet monster with their weapons. Subsequently, they grabbed the cargo of the crashed freighter and made good their escape. {{storylink|The Cure!}}

The Triple Changers subsequently joined the main force of Decepticons on Earth, initially under Shockwave's command, then later Ratbat's. They participated in the great battle against the Autobots on the Moon {{storylink|Totaled!}}, played host to human guests at [[Club Con]] {{storylink|Club Con!}}, and battled Scorponok's forces in the Arctic, a battle in which they fared particularly well. {{storylink|Cold War!}} They didn't fare so well against the Underbase-powered Starscream, however, who slaughtered all three of them in a single blast.

''During the [[Earthforce]] conflict of... er, whenever it was, the Triple Changers would serve under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} Their great highlights were helping beat the snot out of Megatron {{storylink|Secrets}} and joining the massed attack on Autobot Earthbase. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}} Their lowlight was Octane getting stuck on a military firing range while full of fuel, and Astrotrain and Blitzwing leaving him behind out of annoyance. {{storylink|Manoeuvres!}}

In a dystopian future, they served under Galvatron and killed [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]]. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

[[Image:Triplechangerstarget2006.jpg|thumb|right|250px| ]]

''The Autobot Triple Changers first came to prominence in the days leading up to [[Operation: Volcano]]; they were called into service by [[Emirate Xaaron]] to fill in for Ultra Magnus, should the latter not return from Earth in time to participate in the mission. They convinced the Wreckers' leader, [[Impactor]], that they would be up to the challenge by beating the stuffing out of him before rocketing back to the Autobot base, [[Debris]]. When Impactor was killed in the aborted mission, Triple Changer Springer took over as Wrecker leader, with the other two becoming part of the force as well.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

''The Triple Changers participated in several of the Wreckers' missions on Cybertron {{storylink|City of Fear!}} and Earth. {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} After the latter mission turned into a near-disaster, Sandstorm and Broadside were sent to Earth along with Inferno as an advance guard.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}} {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}}

''They were still with the Wreckers during the catastrophic battle against Megatron and Galvatron, which saw Sandstorm destroyed. Broadside and Springer survived {{storylink|Time Wars}}, eventually going on to form the Survivors group {{storylink|Survivors!}} and later hooking up with Grimlock's [[Earthforce]]'' {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}}.

''In a possible future, Springer and Sandstorm would be two of the last Autobots when the war ended in 2510. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] made Springer his successor, only for fighting to break out over it; Sandstorm fired the second shot, killing [[Triton]].'' {{storylink|Peace}}

=====Generation 2=====
Broadside was part of a team of "Firestormers" that raided various Decepticon outposts across the galaxy. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Springer, meanwhile, had apparently joined Optimus Prime's main force of Autobots and participated in a counter-Decepticon raid on [[Ethos]] {{storylink|Escalation!}} as well as the final battle against the Swarm on Earth. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

Octane was also present in the conflict, but [[Death|not for long]]. {{storylink|Total War!}}

====Dreamwave Comics====
[[Image:BlitzwingDissectionDreamwave.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This detailed, scientific cut-away view reveals that underneath all that armor, Blitzwing is... made of mechanical stuff.]]

Triple Changers Blitzwing, Octane and Astrotrain were involved in Decepticon battle operations around the time that Optimus Prime rose to command the Autobots. They participated in a major attack on Iacon. {{storylink|The War Within issue 3}}

Later, Blitzwing spontaneously began to grow new parts, perhaps heralding his evolution into a Triple Changer. <small>Yes, we know this makes no sense.</small> {{storylink|Recipe for Hate}}

{{note|As a Triple Changer, the subject can change between modes three times as fast as a normal Transformer.}}

====IDW Comics====
Astrotrain and Blitzwing were part of Starscream's [[Infiltration protocol|Infiltration Unit]] on Earth. {{storylink|Infiltration}} They survived attacks by the [[Reaper]]s and Autobots before the Autobots were driven from the planet. {{storylink|Devastation (IDW)}} When the Autobots returned with Omega Supreme, the Decepticons retreated into space, ferried by Astrotrain. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron}}
{{note|Broadside, Sandstorm, [[Octane|Tankor]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] have not been shown to transform into their second alternate mode, if they have one in this continuity. }}

{{-}}

===Live-action film continuity===
====Vector Sigma data tracks====
According to hypothesis, the ability to have two alternate modes may be connected to the Transformer's genetics.<ref>Hasbro's online [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/TRANSFORMERS-Glossary.cfm Transformers glossary].</ref>

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Blitzwingg1toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|In a line cut from The Transformers: The Movie, Blitzwing says that as a Triple Changer, he's worth any two of his comrades. But it turns out that he retailed for a bit less than the Seekers.]]
* '''Decepticon Triple Changers''' (1985)
**[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]
**[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]]

* '''Autobot Triple Changers''' (1986)
**[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]
**[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]
**[[Springer (G1)|Springer]]

* '''Decepticon Triple Changers''' (1986)
**[[Octane]]

:The original Triple Changers were released in the second year of Generation 1, and were sufficiently popular to inspire 4 more in 1986.

===Classics===
* Astrotrain (2006)

===Universe (2008)===
* [[Octane|Tankor]]
: Octane with a new name.

{{note|This list includes only toys that actually have three modes. Several of the Triple Changer characters have had later releases in other toy molds, most notably Sandstorm and Springer, but these forms lacked the third mode required to qualify as Triple Changers.}}

===Subsequent toys labeled as "Triple Changers"===
;Generation 1
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (called a "Headmaster Triple Changer base" in a commercial and in "[[Doomsday for Nebulos]].")

;Generation 2
* [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] (1994)
: The bomber/tank/robot describes himself as "triple-changing Dreadwing" in a television [[commercial]]. Another commercial has the announcer saying "Dreadwing is a Triple Changer."

;Beast Wars
[[Image:BW-toy Depthcharge.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]: a triple-changing [[Transmetal]] from the ''[[Beast Wars (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'']]
* [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] (1998)
* [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] (1998)
:Although the packaging says "3 mode conversion", the commercial announcer says that each of these characters "triple changes".

;Armada
[[Image:Armada Laserbeak toy.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The only Triple Changer from [[Armada (franchise)|''Armada'']]: [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]]]]
* [[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] (2002)

;Energon
* [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] (2004)
* [[Shockblast (Energon)|Shockblast]] (2004)
* [[Six Shot |SixShot]] (2005)
;Cybertron
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] (2005)
* [[Anti-Blaze]] (2006)
* [[Checkpoint (Cybertron)|Checkpoint]] (2006)
* [[Scythe]] (2006)
* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Cryo Scourge]] (2006)
* [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] (2006)

;Animated
* [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]] (2008)

;Revenge of the Fallen
[[Image:Soundwaverotfpreviewtoy.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Triple-changing [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]], superior!]]
* [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]] (2009)
* [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] (2009)
* [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]<ref>Megatron was identified as a Triple Changer in [[Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]] and was shown with two alternate modes in [[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation]]. He did not display this ability in [[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|the film]] or [[Megatron (Movie)/toys|his toys]].</ref> (2009)
;Unreleased
* ''[[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]]''
* [[Jet-helicopter Decepticon|A helicopter/plane Triple Changer]]
*ATB Megatron (called a Triple Changer by a Hasbro pitch man.)

===Retroactively labeled as Triple Changers===

* Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|More Than Meets The Eye]]'' profile book series identifies [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon]] as Triple Changers.

* Dreamwave's ''[[More Than Meets The Eye (Armada)|More Than Meets The Eye: Armada]]'' book labels [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] as a Triple Changer, also stating that other Mini-Cons with a third mode are Triple Changers.

* IDW's ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' labels [[Apache]] as a Triple Changer, but not [[B'Boom]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Cybertron]]
[[Category:Energon]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Subgroups]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Triple Changers| ]]