MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

User talk:Banannixx

2025-10-30T02:09:29Z

Banannixx: Don't get rid of the bananas.

Bananas

{{previewbutton}}
While we're not going to revert your changes to the RID characters for now, please don't make unilateral formatting decisions across multiple articles like that without consulting anyone. While we already did so for RID Optimus and Megatron articles, that decision was made as a result of Car Robots taking place in the G1 continuity, and was meant to avoid reader confusion in writeups about stories where they interact with the originals. This sort of thing really should have been discussed prior, and continuing to make widespread changes without soliciting other editors' thoughts first may merit a temporary block from editing. Please keep this in mind in the future. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 21:59, 29 October 2025 (EDT)
: ''Where do I get clearance for such things then?'' I added the original character names to make it more convenient for people trying to research the characters than having to scroll all the way to the bottom of each character article to get their Japanese name if they watched Car Robots instead. I only did it for Car Robots/ RID01 because of how different both dubs are. I have no plans for doing this for the UT shows as they were first aired in English before being dubbed for the Japanese shows.

User talk:Banannixx

2025-10-30T02:06:31Z

Banannixx: response

{{previewbutton}}
While we're not going to revert your changes to the RID characters for now, please don't make unilateral formatting decisions across multiple articles like that without consulting anyone. While we already did so for RID Optimus and Megatron articles, that decision was made as a result of Car Robots taking place in the G1 continuity, and was meant to avoid reader confusion in writeups about stories where they interact with the originals. This sort of thing really should have been discussed prior, and continuing to make widespread changes without soliciting other editors' thoughts first may merit a temporary block from editing. Please keep this in mind in the future. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 21:59, 29 October 2025 (EDT)
: ''Where do I get clearance for such things then?'' I added the original character names to make it more convenient for people trying to research the characters than having to scroll all the way to the bottom of each character article to get their Japanese name if they watched Car Robots instead. I only did it for Car Robots/ RID01 because of how different both dubs are. I have no plans for doing this for the UT shows as they were first aired in English before being dubbed for the Japanese shows.

W.A.R.S.

2025-10-30T01:30:16Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
:''W.A.R.S. is an [[Autobot]] [[Spychanger]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:RID WARS biocard.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|What is he good for? Absolutely nothing.]]

Equipped with his thick armor, '''W.A.R.S.''' (aka '''Wars''') loves nothing more than bodily crashing into his enemies. Unusually belligerent for an Autobot, both friends and foes alike are shocked by his violent actions. He's pretty handy with his machine gun, too, and has no qualms with firing away when he needs to. When engaging his [[Spark Engine]] for "super mode", his armor becomes nigh-impenetrable, shrugging off heavy artillery with ease. This boost in durability also seems to affect his personality, making him much more calm and collected.

W.A.R.S.'s name stands for '''Wicked Attack Recon Sportscar'''. Whether that means W.A.R.S. is [[Rad White|wicked sweet]] is another discussion altogether.

==Fiction==
===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Riki Kitazawa]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[Jung Goo Lee]], [[Byeong-gwan Kim]] (Korean), [[Sohn Son-kun]] (Korean, episode 16), [[Herman López]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Alejandro Illescas]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Vittorio Stagni]] (Italian), [[Gutemberg Barros]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:Spychangers to the Rescue Wars.jpg|left|thumb|Substantially better than [[B.O.T. (G1)|B.O.T.]]]]
When the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] stole the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]] and attempted to escape along a beach, W.A.R.S., along with [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] and [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], cut them off by driving across the water. During the "Cyber-jousting", W.A.R.S. demonstrated his ability to do a wheelie with [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]] riding atop him. The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spychangers had swapped for the real one. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

After [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus]] was captured and tortured by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]], the Spychangers joined the [[Autobot Brothers]] in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft, Hot Shot ordering Mirage onto a nearby roof to shoot the Predacons if all else failed. When Mirage failed to fire, W.A.R.S. was the first to criticise him and watched with disbelief as his fellow Spychanger quit. Ironhide went to talk their teammate into returning, despite W.A.R.S. claiming that he was wasting his time. Although he was correct, Mirage's subsequent defection to the Predacons was a ruse resulting in the destruction of Megatron's [[Mega-Laser Cannon]]. W.A.R.S. did not apologise. W.A.R.S. is a dick. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

[[File:Wars srsly wtf.jpg|thumb]]
The Spychangers also took part in the [[International Grand Prix]] in an attempt to find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] and were blinded by Megatron a short time into the race. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}} On another occasion, the Spychangers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. Hot Shot rode on W.A.R.S. again. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

The Spychangers accompanied Optimus Prime to [[Montrose Island]] where Predacon activity was causing the volcano to become violent. They attempted to keep [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, the Spychangers used their [[Inferno Blast]] to divert its path. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], the Spychangers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

The Spychangers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with Skid-Z. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{CRnote|W.A.R.S.||Wars}}
=====''Super Spychanger Lottery''=====
[[File:SuperSpychangersCatalogArt.jpg|left|thumb|W.A.R.S.. W.A.R.S. never changes.]]

With [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] having departed Earth aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace suddenly arose to challenge them. In order to combat this threat, a plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spychangers with [[Spark Engine]]s, granting them Super Modes.

Super Wars obtained the capability to use his armor to barrel into his opponents and resist enemy fire. He also gained a more calming presence. {{Storylink|The Secret of the Birth of the Super Spychangers}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
According to a story heard by [[Vector Prime]] at [[Axiom Nexus]], the threat was [[Chainsaw]] and his [[Mutant (G1)|Mutants]]. Super Wars' armor was used to defeat [[Dirty Bomb]] in [[New Orleans]]. His calming presence came in handy when Chainsaw and the rest of his Mutants attempted to overrun the Autobot base. Using the power of teamwork, the Super Spychangers defeated and captured the villains. Though the [[Go-Brillium]] which powered them was used up and they were no longer Super, they retained [[To sell toys|new color schemes]]. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/01}}

====''Legends'' comic====
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and his [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] attacked the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]], the Super Spychangers were sent out to the front lines. Their damage to the [[Cyber Falcon-type spaceship|Combatrons' ship]] led to it crashing into the base. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy WARS-CR.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|So... you're sponsored by... wars. Just, wars in general? Okiedokie.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Wars''' (Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-007'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:A [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] [[Gearhead]] mold, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' Wars transforms into a Ford Thunderbird [[NASCAR]] stock car. He features a through-axle construction that allows him to zip quickly along smooth surfaces in car mode, and is compatible with many "[[Hot Wheels (franchise)|Hot Wheels]]" and "Matchbox" racetracks. His right front window has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original [[rubsign]]s.

:This mold was also used to make the ''Generation 2'' Go-Bot version of [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Soundwave]], and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Camshaft (G1)#Universe (2003)|Camshaft]] ([[#KB2|see below]]). It was planned for use as ''Generation 2'' [[Greasepit (G2)|Greasepit]], but that toy was ultimately canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/WARS/wars.htm More information on Wars at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|SC6pack}}
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Spychanger DX 6-Piece Set''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-011'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun

:All six Spychangers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece giftset as well. Each one was identical to their individual release, and the set included the bio cards for all six.

:[[Sonokong]] also released this giftset in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets in new windowless packaging, with each member lacking the heat-sensitive insignia.

::*''[https://cameboxs.tistory.com/337 Korean blog post detailing the Sonokong release]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|JuscoClear}}
[[File:RID-toy WARS-Jusco.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Wars''' (Original Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': August ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun

:An [[exclusive]] "Original Spychanger" [[redeco]] of Wars in clear-red and clear-yellow plastics, this version was only available from [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国, ''Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku''), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped blind-packed, getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearWars/wars.htm More information on JUSCO clear Wars at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|RID2-pack}}
[[File:RID-toy WARS.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''W.A.R.S.''' / '''Crosswise''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun

:Available only in a two-pack with [[Crosswise (RID)#RID2-pack|Crosswise]], the [[Hasbro]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' version of W.A.R.S. replaces the heat-sensitive insignia with a normal Autobot insignia [[tampograph]] on the roof of the car. The window-paint was changed to metallic-flake blue, and yellow stripes were added to the bottom edge of the vehicle sides.

:The initial releases of this set have W.A.R.S. packaged in robot mode with Crosswise in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/WARS/wars.htm More information on W.A.R.S. at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB1}}
[[File:RID WarsKB1-toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I keep losing my gun.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''W.A.R.S.''' (Spy Changer, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun

:All six original Spychangers were redecoed in clear plastics (keeping their normal paint applications, though), and released on individual cards through [[KB Toys]] and [[Target]] chains. W.A.R.S. was decoed similarly to the JUSCO except that the clear yellow was changed to clear orange. This packaging was the first to identify the team as "Spy Changers" in Hasbro's markets.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/KBWars/wars.htm More information on KB Toys clear W.A.R.S. at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB2}}
[[File:RID-toy WarsKB2 TFU-SG Camshaft.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Now in delicious grape flavor!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''W.A.R.S.''' (Spy Changer, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun

:A second round of KB Toys-exclusive "Spy Changers" was released on individual ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''-style cards. This time around, W.A.R.S. was done in clear-purple and clear-orange. This was the only deco of W.A.R.S. without his name (in either Japanese or English) on his body.

:This toy was re-released unmodified in a new packaging as ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Camshaft (G1)#Universe (2003)|Camshaft]]. It's a good thing he didn't have "W.A.R.S." written on him, isn't it? Much later, it was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Camshaft (SG)|Camshaft]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Wars/wars.htm More information on KB Toys purple W.A.R.S. at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|TinyTin}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''W.A.R.S.''' (Tiny Tins, July 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun, carrying tin

:The normal [[Hasbro]] version of W.A.R.S. was released as part of the first assortment of [[Tiny Tins]] Transformers, coming with a carrying tin.
{{G2GearheadMold}}
{{--}}

===''Super Spychanger Lottery''===
{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RID WARSsuper-toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Now you see me, now you don't... if you close your eyes.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Wars''' (Spychanger, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2003
:*''Accessories'': Machinegun

:Three years after the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually blind-boxed redecoes of the Spychangers, this time as part of the ''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]]'' line. These particular redecos represented [[Super Mode]] versions of the Spychangers. Wars was decoed in grey and white with dark blue, retaining the additional stripes from the Hasbro deco.

:In each case of twelve Super Spychangers, two were all-clear-plastic versions (but keeping their paint applications). All six Spychangers had a clear variant, but the toys were packaged in such a way that you did not know which two molds were "chase" versions until you opened them up.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SuperWars/wars.htm More information on Super Wars at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/ClearSuperWars/wars.htm More information on clear Super Wars at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The Japanese kanji on W.A.R.S.'s chest reads ''sen'' (戦), which means "match" or "competition". However, here it acts as the first character of ''sensō'' (戦争, "war").
* This mold is the only one of the original six [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]]/Spychangers to have a rifle that does not share plastics with the robot it comes with.
* In the Latin Spanish dub, W.A.R.S. speaks with a northern Mexican accent.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Wars''' (ウォーズ ''Wōzu'')
*''French:'' '''Voiture sport à attaque maléfique''' (Canada; "Evil attack sports car"), '''Voiture de sport à attaque maléfique''' (Europe; "Evil attack sports car", original release only)
*''Spanish:'' '''Auto deportivo con ataque malvado''' (Latin America; "Sports car with evil attack")
*''Dutch:'' '''Woeste Aanval Rally Sportwagen''' ("Ferocious Attack Rally Sports Car")
*''German:'' '''Aufklärungs-Sportwagen''' ("Recon Sports Car")
*''Korean:'' '''Wars''' (워즈 ''Wojeu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Voin''' (Воин, '"Warrior")

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wars}}
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Super Spychanger Lottery Autobots]]

Mirage (RID)

2025-10-30T01:29:35Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Mirage}}
:''Mirage is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:MirageRID02.jpg|right||thumb|Stealthy McNinja.]]
'''Mirage''' (aka '''Counter Arrow''') is one of the elite [[Spychanger]]s, and is their best marksman. As a Spychanger, he has the ability to drive on almost any surface, and can also cloak himself and thereby render himself invisible. Though he's generally a loner who prefers to work alone (which really grinds [[W.A.R.S.]]'s gears), he and his team-mate [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] go way back.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Wally Wingert]] (English), [[Ryō Naitō]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Wan-gyeong Seong]] (Korean), [[Sérgio Stern]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:Spychangers to the Rescue Mirage.jpg|left|thumb|You can make your own [[scale]] joke here, can't you? I was going to make one about {{w|Technical (fighting vehicle)|Somalian warlords}}, personally.]]

When the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] stole a plutonium energy generator and attempted to escape along a beach, Mirage along with Ironhide and W.A.R.S. cut them off by driving across the water. He climbed into Ironhide's truck bed for some "cyber-jousting". The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spychangers had swapped for the real one. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

After Optimus was captured and tortured by Megatron, the Spychangers joined the [[Autobot Brothers]] in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

[[File:Mirage's Betrayal Miragecannon.jpg|right|thumb]]
Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft, but the mission failed–partly because of Mirage's unwillingness to fire at the Predacons and risk hitting a chemical tank. Mirage would not explain himself, and "left" the Spychangers because he felt they should trust his motives, but when his friend Ironhide tried to convince him to come to his senses, he became aware that he was carrying a transmitter created by [[Gas Skunk]]. Mirage used this to his advantage, and deceptively alienated Ironhide, while at the same time deceiving the Predacons that he could be a potential ally. Ultimately, he carried the ruse to its full extent, leading his fellow Spychangers to the [[Mega-Laser Cannon|laser weapon]] the Predacons had created. Using hand signals, he helped them to understand his plan, and they successfully destroyed the weapon with help from [[T-AI]] and the [[Global Space Bridge]]. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

The Spychangers also took part in the [[International Grand Prix]] in an attempt to find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] and were blinded by Megatron a short time into the race. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice|Skid Z's Choice}} On another occasion, the Spychangers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. Mirage rode on Ironhide again. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

The Spychangers accompanied [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] to [[Montrose Island]] where Predacon activity was causing the volcano to become violent. They attempted to keep [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]] ordered Mirage to keep Scourge away from Optimus, but the Decepticon simply took a flying leap over the Spychanger. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, the Spychangers used their [[Inferno Blast]] to divert its path. Mirage gave some encouraging words when [[Crosswise (RID)|Crosswise]] was concerned his engine was overheating. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding Fortress Maximus, the Spychangers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

The Spychangers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. They marveled at the firepower of the ''[[Megastar]]'', and didn't really contribute much for the rest of the battle. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote|Mirage|[[Mirage (G1)|Generation 1 Mirage]]|Counter Arrow}}
=====''Super Spychanger Lottery''=====
[[File:SuperSpychangersCatalogArt.jpg|left|thumb]]

With [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] having departed Earth aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace, suddenly arose to challenge them. In order to combat this threat, a plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spychangers with [[Spark Engine]]s, granting them Super Modes.

Super Counter Arrow gained immense speed, to the point of being able to produce "images" and nobody being able to match his quickslinging. {{Storylink|The Secret of the Birth of the Super Spychangers}}

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
According to a story heard by [[Vector Prime]] at [[Axiom Nexus]], the threat was [[Chainsaw]] and his [[Mutant (G1)|Mutants]]. Super Counter Arrow used his illusions to defeat [[Jackhammer (G1)|Jackhammer]] when he attacked [[Antarctica]]. Later, when Chainsaw and the rest of his Mutants attempted to overrun the Autobot base, he helped repulse them. Using the power of teamwork, the Super Spychangers defeated and captured the villains. Though the [[Go-Brillium]] which powered them was used up and they were no longer Super, they retained [[To sell toys|new color schemes]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/01}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and his [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] attacked the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]], the Super Spychangers were sent out to the front lines. Their damage to the [[Cyber Falcon-type spaceship|Combatrons' ship]] led to it crashing into the base. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In the future of [[Viron 102.0 Beta]], Mirage was a victim of the extradimensional criminal [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] during the [[Spark War]]. However, he used the Genetronic Translink System to control a [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] body even with his spark in enemy hands! He traveled back in time to guide the [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Protector]] against [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] and decided to serve in the [[Elite Guard]] as "Mirage GT" while he was at it.

As part of the Guard, he helped face threats such as the [[Recyclon]]s, [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] in the [[Skeleton Nebula]], [[Jhiaxus (RID)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Destructicon (RID)|Destructicons]], and such bizarre threats as the [[Metabeast]]s of [[Zeotopia]], the [[Intruder|Intruder Empire]], and the [[Elder God]]s! {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/22}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Mirage-CR.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|"You'd think that the 'Transformers' on the spoiler would mean it's a Transformer, but there's no Autobot symbol on it, so clearly it can't ''oh wow you fooled me!''"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Counter Arrow''' (Spychanger, March 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-010'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2003
:*''Accessories'': "Laser sniper rifle"
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' product, "Counter Arrow" is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Double Clutch (G2)#Toys|Double Clutch]] mold, transforming into a Lola T94 Indy car. He features a through-axle wheel construction that allows him to zip quickly along smooth surfaces in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], and is compatible with many "[[Hot Wheels (franchise)|Hot Wheels]]" and "Matchbox" racetracks. The black portion of his hood has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original [[rubsign]]s.

:This mold was also used to make the ''Generation 2'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' versions of [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Mirage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/CounterArrow/counterarrow.htm More information on Counter Arrow at TFU.info]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|6set}}
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Spychanger DX 6-Piece Set''' (Multi-pack, March 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-011'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Laser sniper rifle"

:All six Spychangers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece giftset as well. The toys are identical to their individual releases, including all six individual bio cards.

:[[Sonokong]] also released this giftset in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets in new windowless packaging, with each member lacking the heat-sensitive insignia.

::*''[https://cameboxs.tistory.com/337 Korean blog post detailing the Sonokong release]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|JuscoClear}}
[[File:RID-toy Mirage-Jusco.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Counter Arrow''' (Original Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': August ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Laser sniper rifle"

:An [[exclusive]] "Original Spychanger" [[redeco]] of Counter Arrow in clear-blue and clear-green plastics, this version was only available from [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国 ''Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku''), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped blind-packed, getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearCounterArrow/counterarrow.htm More information on Counter Arrow clear version at TFU.info]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|RID2pack}}
[[File:RID-toy Mirage.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ironhide / Mirage''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:The [[Hasbro]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' version of "Mirage" was available only in a two-pack with [[Ironhide (RID)#RID2pack|Ironhide]], released in the first wave of "Basic" toys. This version replaces the heat-sensitive insignia was replaced with a normal Autobot insignia [[tampograph]], and adds more [[paint operation]]s, mainly red highlights. The red piping on his hood is also a brighter shade than the Takara vesion's.

:The initial releases of this set have Ironhide packaged in robot mode with Mirage in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Mirage/mirage.htm More information on Mirage at TFU.info]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|MirageGT}}
[[File:RID-toy MirageGT.jpg|right|300px|thumb|GT. We bring good things to life.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Nightcruz / Mirage GT / Scavenger''' (Mega Class 3-pack, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[July 31]], [[2002]]
:*''Accessories'': Left & right tailpipe-missiles, head-mounted blaster

:A [[redeco]] of the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] [[Mirage (BM)#Toys|Mirage]], ''Robots in Disguise'' "Mirage GT" transforms into a Cybertronic dragster similar in shape to an F-1 racer. In both modes he has pair of pressure-launch tailpipe-missiles; in car mode they attach to his spoiler, while in robot mode one is affixed to each arm. The small blaster-weapon attached to his head can also be removed and used as a hand-held weapon. He was available only in a 3-pack with [[Nightcruz (RID)|Nightcruz]] and [[Scavenger (RID)|Scavenger]].

:Mirage GT features a assembly error in that his legs are swapped. This is easily fixable by popping the legs off at the hip and switching them.

:This set was released in Japan as a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] "[[USA Edition]]" set.

:This mold was planned for use as a convention-[[exclusive]] version of [[Devcon (G1)#Toys|Devcon]], which was ultimately never made.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/MirageGT/miragegt.htm More information on Mirage GT at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|KBclear}}
[[File:RID-toy Mirage-KB1.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' (Spy Changer, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:All six original Spychangers were redecoed in colorless-clear plastics (keeping their normal paint applications, though), and released on individual cards through [[KB Toys]] and [[Target]] chains. This packaging was the first to identify the team as "Spy Changers" in Hasbro's markets.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/KBMirage/mirage.htm More information on Mirage at TFU.info]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KBclear2}}
[[File:RID-toy Mirage-KBclear2.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' (Spy Changer, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:A second round of KB Toys-exclusive "Spy Changers" was released on individual ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''-style cards. This time around, Mirage was done in clear-green and clear-blue, a seeming reversal of the JUSCO exclusive deco.

:This ''exact'' toy was later re-released as ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Mirage]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Mirage/mirage.htm More information on Mirage at TFU.info]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|TinyTin}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mirage''' (Tiny Tins, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, collectors' tin

:The normal Hasbro version of Mirage was released as part of the first assortment of [[Tiny Tins]] Transformers, coming with a carrying tin.
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}
{{-}}

===''Super Spychanger Lottery''===
{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RID-toy Mirage-Super.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Counter Arrow''' (Spychanger, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2003
:*''Accessories'': "Laser sniper rifle"

:Three years after the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually blind-boxed redecoes of the Spychangers, this time as part of the ''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]]'' line. These particular redecos represented [[Super Mode]] versions of the Spychangers. Counter Arrow was given a red and black deco.

:In each case of twelve Super Spychangers, two were all-clear-plastic versions (but keeping their paint applications). All six Spychangers had a clear variant, but there was no way to tell which toys in the case were clear without opening the boxes and the opaque plastic baggies within.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SuperCounterArrow/counterarrow.htm More information on Super Counter Arrow at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/ClearSuperCounterArrow/counterarrow.htm More information on clear Super Counter Arrow at TFU.info]''
{{G2DoubleClutchMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Until a 2015 entry of the Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]], nothing said if Mirage and Mirage GT were the same guy or different dudes. His depiction pays homage to GT's nature as a repaint of the ''Beast Machines'' [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] [[Mirage (BM)|Mirage]] (and that Mirage's accidental time travel in "[[Apelinq's War Journals]]"), as well as using the GT System from ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' that was itself inspired by... Mirage GT! Gotta love [[Hirofumi Ichikawa|fans turned pro]].
*Mirage speaks with a French accent in the Latin Spanish dub.
*Mirage from [[Transformers: Cyberworld (franchise)|Transformers: Cyberworld]] borrows of few design elements from ''Robots in Disguise'' Mirage, Particularly the chest, which has a red frame & black windshield.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Counter Arrow''' (カウンターアロー ''Kauntā Arō''), '''Mirage GT''' (ミラージュGT ''Mirāju GT'')
*''Korean:'' '''Countarrow''' (카운트아로 ''Kaunteuaro'')

[[Category:Elite Guard]]
[[Category:Japanese promotion exclusives]]
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Super Spychanger Lottery Autobots]]
[[Category:Tiny Tins]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]

Ironhide (RID)

2025-10-30T01:28:34Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Ironhide}}
:''Ironhide is an [[Autobot]] [[Spychanger]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:RID Ox Ironhide biocard.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"Go Bulls!"]]

'''Ironhide''' (aka '''Ox''') is normally a calm and reasonable bot, using his incredible strength and skill as the Autobots' transportation expert to keep the team well-supplied. The strongest of the [[Spychanger]]s, in his powered-up form his strength even rivals that of [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]].

However, an ''angry'' Ironhide is a dangerous Ironhide. His temper runs ''very'' hot, and he ends up using his strength to destructive ends. Perhaps experience will cool him down one day.

He's been friends with [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]] a long time, despite them both being bull-headed types.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Ōsuke Yoda]] (Japanese)|[[Jorge Ornelas]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Paulo Bernardo]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Sa Seong-woong]] (Korean)}}

[[File:Ironhide rid.jpg|left|thumb|Yosemite Sam decided to shave this week]]
When the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] stole a plutonium energy generator and attempted to escape along a beach, they were confronted with Mirage, Ironhide and [[W.A.R.S.]] driving across the water towards them. Ironhide gave Mirage a piggy-back ride in order to undertake the Spychanger "cyber-jousting" manouvre. The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spychangers had swapped for the real one. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

After [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus]] was captured and tortured by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]], the Spychangers joined the [[Autobot Brothers]] in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

[[File:Mirage's Betrayal Warsironhide.jpg|right|thumb|Did you just call me [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|"Arn-hahd"!?]]]]
Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft, but the mission failed—partly because of Mirage's unwillingness to fire at the Predacons and risk hitting a chemical tank. Ironhide was supportive of his friend, even when the other Spychangers considered dropping him from the team. Afterwards, Ironhide tried to persuade Mirage to come back and talk to the others but was rebuffed. Much to his shock and surprise, Mirage announced he'd be better off with the Predacons and Ironhide declared their friendship over. When Mirage lured the Spychangers to a location where the Predacons had built a "[[Mega-Laser Cannon]]", he revealed the fact that he'd been bugged to Ironhide, who finally understood his friend's odd behavior. After the destruction of the laser, Ironhide reaffirmed their friendship. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

The Spychangers also took part in the [[International Grand Prix]] in an attempt to find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] and were momentarily blinded by Megatron. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}} On another occasion, the Spychangers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. Mirage rode on Ironhide again. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

The Spychangers accompanied Optimus Prime to [[Montrose Island]] where Predacon activity was causing the volcano to become violent. They attempted to keep [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, the Spychangers used their [[Inferno Blast]] to divert its path. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], the Spychangers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

The Spychangers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. When the "[[Megastar]]" arrived at the battle, Ironhide opined that he thought they were in trouble. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote|Ironhide|[[Ironhide (G1)|Generation 1 Ironhide]]|Ox}}
=====''Super Spychanger Lottery''=====
[[File:SuperSpychangersCatalogArt.jpg|left|thumb]]

With [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] having departed Earth aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace suddenly arose to challenge them. In order to combat this threat, a plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spychangers with [[Spark Engine]]s, granting them Super Modes.

Super Ox obtained strength greater than even that of Fire Convoy. However, he didn't rely on it, as his gentle nature hadn't changed. {{Storylink|The Secret of the Birth of the Super Spychangers}}

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
According to a story heard by [[Vector Prime]] at [[Axiom Nexus]], the threat was [[Chainsaw]] and his [[Mutant (G1)|Mutants]]. Super Ox used his strength to defeat [[Woodchipper]] when he menaced the [[Palenque]]. Later, when Chainsaw and the rest of his Mutants attempted to overrun the Autobot base, he helped repulse them. Using the power of teamwork, the Super Spychangers defeated and captured the villains. Though the [[Go-Brillium]] which powered them was used up and they were no longer Super, they retained [[To sell toys|new color schemes]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/01}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and his [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] attacked the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]], the Super Spychangers were sent out to the front lines. Their damage to the [[Cyber Falcon-type spaceship|Combatrons' ship]] led to it crashing into the base. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

====Prevenge====
{{voiceactor|[[Michael McConnohie]] (English)}}
Ironhide and Hot Shot were fighting against [[Wind Sheer (RID)|Wind Sheer]] when Ironhide fell into a trans-dimensional portal and was transported to a labyrinth in another universe. There he encountered [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]]. Initially mistaking her for a Predacon, Ironhide begun attacking her. Sonar clarified that she was actually a [[Maximal]], and Ironhide realized that he had been trapped in a heavy-handed scenario about the dangers of prejudice and presumption. The pair then proceeded to delve further into the labyrinth they were trapped in, fighting off some [[alloygator]]s along the way. They eventually met with six other Cybertronians who had similarly been abducted from their home universes: [[Blades (RB)|Blades]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]], [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]], and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]]. A menacing voice then made itself heard, declaring itself to be responsible for bringing everyone together. The voice ordered the group to fight one another to the death, but (for the most part) the abductees would have none of it. The architect behind the whole plot revealed itself to be the [[Skuxxoid]], out for revenge after having been dismissed by the Transformers from his home dimension one too many times. The villain was easily disposed of, leaving the group to devise a way to get themselves back home. Ironhide suggested that everyone laugh together, as characters were prone to do in the cartoons Koji watched whenever an episode drew to a close. Strangely enough, this worked, and everyone was transported back to their point of origin. {{storylink|Prevenge}}

===Spychanger continuity===
[[File:Ironhide-Universe-OTFCC_2004-unpublished.jpg|150px|thumb]]
====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]], Ironhide was one of [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s thirteen Autobots on Earth who all became Spychangers after [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] poisoned Earth's energon supplies. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18}}

====''Universe'' comic====
During the [[Universe War]], Ironhide and his cohorts Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Prowl were abducted by [[Unicron]], but they, other abductees, and the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] fought off Unicron's [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions]].<ref>Ironhide has no lines in the story, but he does appear on the artwork advertising the script reading in the [[OTFCC 2004]] convention booklet.</ref> {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Shell Game===
The Ironhide of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] was pulled out of his home universe by [[Unicron]] to fight in the [[Universe War]] on the eve of a critical battle, leading to [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s defeat at the hands of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}} Thanks to the intervention of [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]], he wound up in [[Axiom Nexus]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/13}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Ironhide-CR.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|The hidden Autobot symbol means he's ''not'' one of the hundreds of other cow-deco'd pickup trucks you see every day.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ox''' (Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-009'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Shockwave Gun"
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' product, "Ox" is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] [[Motormouth#Toys|Motormouth]] mold, transforming into a Ford F150 Flareside pickup truck. He features a through-axle wheel construction that allows him to zip quickly along smooth surfaces in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], and is compatible with many "[[Hot Wheels (franchise)|Hot Wheels]]" and "Matchbox" racetracks. The black spot below his right window has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original [[rubsign]]s.

:This mold was also used to make the ''Generation 2'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] version of [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Generation 1 Ironhide]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/Ox/ox.htm More information on Ox at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|SC6pack}}
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Spychanger DX 6-Piece Set''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-011'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Shockwave Gun"

:All six Spychangers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece giftset as well. Each toy was identical to their normal individual release, plus all six bio cards were included.

:[[Sonokong]] also released this giftset in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets in new windowless packaging, with each member lacking the heat-sensitive insignia.

::*''[https://cameboxs.tistory.com/337 Korean blog post detailing the Sonokong release]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Juscoclear}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ox''' (Original Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': August ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Shockwave Gun"

:An [[exclusive]] "Original Spychanger" [[redeco]] of Ox in clear-green and clear-orange plastics, this version was only available from [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国, ''Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku''), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped blind-packed, getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearOx/ox.htm More information on Jusco Ox at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|RID2pack}}
[[File:RID-toy Ironhide.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|EET MOR CHIKIN]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ironhide / Mirage''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:The [[Hasbro]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' version of "Ironhide" was available only in a two-pack with [[Mirage (RID)#RID2pack|Mirage]]. This version replaces the heat-sensitive windshield insignia with a normal Autobot insignia [[tampograph]] on the truck roof, changes his windshield to metallic blue, and paints the truck's cargo bed in red.

:The initial releases of this set have Ironhide packaged in [[robot mode]] with Mirage in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Ironhide/ironhide.htm More information on Ironhide at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB1}}
[[File:RID-toy Ironhide-KB1.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Pick up truck, from the oooooold west!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ironhide''' (Spy Changer, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:All six original Spychangers were redecoed in colorless-clear plastics (keeping their normal paint applications, though), and released on individual cards through [[KB Toys]] and [[Target]] chains. This packaging was the first to identify the team as "Spy Changers" in Hasbro's markets.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2002/Autobot/KBIronhide/ironhide.htm More information on KB clear Ironhide at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB2}}
[[File:RIDIronhideKB2-UniHoist2.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ironhide''' (Spy Changer, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:A second round of KB Toys-exclusive "Spy Changers" was released on individual ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''-style cards. This time around, Ironhide was done in clear-blue, clear-orange and clear-colorless plastics, lacking his cow-pattern deco (making him look not unlike a clear incarnation of [[Motormouth]]).

:This ''exact'' toy was later re-released as a ''Universe'' incarnation of [[Hoist (G1)|Generation 1 Hoist]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Ironhide/ironhide.htm More information on KB clear Ironhide #2 at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|TinyTin}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ironhide''' (Tiny Tins, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, carrying tin

:The normal Hasbro version of Ironhide was released as part of the first assortment of [[Tiny Tins]] Transformers, coming with a carrying tin.
{{G2MotormouthMold}}
{{--}}

===''Super Spychanger Lottery''===
{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RID-toy Ironhide-Super.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Ox''' (Spychanger, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2003
:*''Accessories'': "Shockwave Gun"

:Three years after the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually blind-boxed redecoes of the Spychangers, this time as part of the ''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]]'' line. These particular redecos represented [[Super Mode]] versions of the Spychangers. Ox was given a black, white and deep-blue deco with shiny silver cow-spots, plus he retained the Hasbro deco's painted flatbed.

:In each case of twelve Super Spychangers, two were all-clear-plastic versions (but keeping ''most'' of their paint applications; clear Ox loses the flatbed paint). All six Spychangers had a clear variant, but there was no way to know what toys in the case were clear without opening the boxes and the opaque plastic bags within.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SuperOx/ox.htm More information on Super Ox at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/ClearSuperOx/ox.htm More information on clear Super Ox at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy IronhideWM.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Spelling? I don't go in for that book-larnin' stuff.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ultra Magnus & Ironhide''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:A [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Motormouth]], ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Ironhide transforms into a Ford F150 Flareside pickup truck. His truck deco is an obvious [[homage]] to the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] character [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and the toy had initially been named "Trailbreaker" in Walmart computer listings; this was likely one of many aborted attempts to get the character on shelves again stymied by [[trademark]] issues. The large [[tampograph]] on his vehicle mode's rear end sports the rather glaring typo "escort vehic'''al'''". He was only available in a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] pack with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#WMSC|Ultra Magnus]].

:This toy was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Generation 1 Trailbreaker]] by [[Ask Vector Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/TFUIronhide/ironhide.htm More information on Ironhide at TFU.info]''
{{G2MotormouthMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* At [[BotCon 2011]], Michael McConnohie stated that he tried to homage [[Peter Cullen]] when voicing Ironhide.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ox''' (オックス ''Okkusu'')
*''Korean:'' '''Ox''' (옥스 ''Okseu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Krepysh''' (Крепыш, "Stalwart")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Japanese promotion exclusives]]
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Super Spychanger Lottery Autobots]]
[[Category:Tiny Tins]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Crosswise (RID)

2025-10-30T01:27:49Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Crosswise}}
:''Crosswise is an [[Autobot]] [[Spychanger]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:RID XCar Crosswise biocard.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Some spell it Xwise.]]

'''Crosswise''' (aka '''X-Car''') is one of the elite [[Spychanger]]s, the Autobots' team of ninja-like warriors. The brains of the group, he busies himself with working on his teammates' maintenance and upgrading, researching the potential of the [[Spark Engine]]s. His specialty is the manipulation of gravity, using his gravity-beam gun to great effect; when he charges up into super mode, his gravity-manipulation powers expand to being able to bend his own personal gravity, allowing him to fly.

==Fiction==
===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Dan Woren]] (English), [[Junichi Miura]] (Japanese)| [[Vladimir Gerasimov|Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian), [[Wan-gyeong Seong]] (Korean), [[Ednaldo Lucena]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:Crosswise RiD Cartoon.JPG|left|thumb|Displaying about twelve points of articulation not found on the actual toy.]]

When the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] stole the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]], [[T-AI]] called in the Spychangers. [[Hot Shot (RID)|Hot Shot]], Crosswise and [[R.E.V.]] responded first, pursuing the Predacons onto the beach where they were joined by the other three Spychangers. During the "cyber-jousting", Crosswise gave R.E.V. a lift. The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spychangers had swapped for the real one. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

After Optimus was captured and tortured by Megatron, the Spychangers joined the [[Autobot Brothers]] in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft and Mirage's failure to take a shot resulted in the Predacons escaping. When Mirage pretended to defect and led the Spychangers to [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s [[Mega-Laser Cannon]], Crosswise was able to formulate a plan to destroy it using the [[Global Space Bridge]]. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

The Spychangers also took part in the [[International Grand Prix]] in an attempt to find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] and were blinded by Megatron a short time into the race. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}} On another occasion, the Spychangers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. R.E.V. rode on Crosswise again. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Volcano Wars Crosswise.jpg|right|thumb|Oddly enough, one of the few scenes you can replicate with the toys.]]
The Spychangers accompanied [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] to [[Montrose Island]] where Predacon activity was causing the volcano to become violent. They attempted to keep [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, Crosswise took point in the Spychangers' [[Inferno Blast]] to divert its path. He warned that his engine was in danger of redlining, but it survived long enough to complete the maneuver. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], the Spychangers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

The Spychangers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with Skid-Z. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{CRnote|Crosswise||X-Car}}
=====''Super Spychanger Lottery''=====
[[File:SuperSpychangersCatalogArt.jpg|left|thumb]]

With [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] having departed Earth aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace suddenly arose to challenge them. In order to combat this threat, a plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spychangers with [[Spark Engine]]s, granting them Super Modes.

Super X-Car had improved gravity abilities and now could fly using this power. In his free time, he researched methods to improve the Spark Engine. {{Storylink|The Secret of the Birth of the Super Spychangers}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
According to a story heard by [[Vector Prime]] at [[Axiom Nexus]], the threat was [[Chainsaw]] and his [[Mutant (G1)|Mutants]]. Super X-Car battled [[Gangrene]], who had attempted to disrupt the 2002 [[World Cup]] with shamanic magic. His improved abilities came in handy when Chainsaw and the rest of his Mutants attempted to overrun the Autobot base. Using the power of teamwork, the Super Spychangers defeated and captured the villains. Though the [[Go-Brillium]] which powered them was used up and they were no longer Super, they retained [[To sell toys|new color schemes]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/01}}

====''Legends'' comic====
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and his [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] attacked the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]], the Super Spychangers were sent out to the front lines. Their damage to the [[Cyber Falcon-type spaceship|Combatrons' ship]] led to it crashing into the base. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Crosswise-CR.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|A transparent concept car? That's almost ''too'' inconspicuous!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''X-Car''' (Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-008'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Gravity beam-gun"
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' product, "X-Car" is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] [[High Beam#Toys|High Beam]] mold, transforming into a concept car with an exposed rear engine that looks ''exactly'' like the [[Wikia:hotwheels:Speed Blaster|Speed Blaster]] car from [[Mattel]]'s ''[[Hot Wheels (franchise)|Hot Wheels]]'' line that was first released in 1991 under the names "Back Burner" and "Sonic Special". His car panels are colorless clear plastic with blue [[Paint operation|paint applications]] on the inside. He features through-axle construction, allowing for super-speedy racing on smooth surfaces, and his car mode is compatible with many tracks and playsets from ''Hot Wheels'' and ''Matchbox''. His left front window has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original [[rubsign]]s.

:This mold was also used to make the ''Generation 2'' Go-Bot versions of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Go-Bot|Bumblebee]] and BotCon-[[exclusive]] [[Nightracer (G2)#Toys|Nightracer]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/XCar/xcar.htm More information on X-Car at TFU.info]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|6pack}}
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Spychanger DX 6-Piece Set''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-011'''
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Gravity beam-gun"

:All six Spychangers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece giftset as well. The toys in the set were identical to their individual releases, and all six bio cards were included.

:[[Sonokong]] also released this giftset in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets in new windowless packaging, with each member lacking the heat-sensitive insignia.

::*''[https://cameboxs.tistory.com/337 Korean blog post detailing the Sonokong release]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Jusco}}
[[File:RID-toy Crosswise-Jusco.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Robin, no!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''X-Car''' (Original Spychanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': August ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Gravity beam-gun"

:An [[exclusive]] "Original Spychanger" [[redeco]] of X-Car in transparent blue and red plastics, this version was only available from [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国, ''Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku''), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped blind-packed, getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearXCar/xcar.htm More information on Clear X-Car at TFU.info]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|RID2pack}}
[[File:RID-toy Crosswise.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Well, the plainly-visible Autobot symbol just gives it all away, don't it?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''W.A.R.S.''' / '''Crosswise''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Gun

:The [[Hasbro]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' version of "Crosswise" was available only in a two-pack with [[W.A.R.S.#Robots in Disguise (2001)|W.A.R.S.]]. This version replaces the heat-sensitive insignia with a normal Autobot insignia [[tampograph]] on the roof of the car. He also features three extra red stripes: one on his spoiler and two underneath the doors.

:The initial releases of this set have W.A.R.S. packaged in robot mode with Crosswise in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Crosswise/crosswise.htm More information on Crosswise at TFU.info]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KBclear}}
[[File:RID-toy Crosswise-KBclear.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Crosswise''' (Spy Changer, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Gun

:All six original Spychangers were redecoed in clear versions of their normal plastic colors (while keeping their normal paint applications), and released on individual cards through [[KB Toys]] and [[Target]] chains. Crosswise's blue ended up a fair bit brighter than his normal release thanks to the plastic changes. This packaging was the first to identify the team as "Spy Changers" in Hasbro's markets.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2002/Autobot/KBCrosswise/crosswise.htm More information on Kay-Bee clear Crosswise at TFU.info]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB2}}
[[File:RID-toy Crosswise-KBclear2.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Crosswise''' (Spy Changer, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Gun

:A second round of KB Toys-exclusive "Spy Changers" was released on individual ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''-style cards, this time with (mostly) different colors in clear plastics. Crosswise got a candy-like clear red and purple coloration, and lost the overwhelming majority of his paint applications, including his "signature" X and all of the internal paint.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Crosswise/crosswise.htm More information on Kay-Bee Crosswise #2 at TFU.info]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|TinyTins}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Crosswise''' (Tiny Tins, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, carrying tin

:The normal Hasbro version of Crosswise was released as part of the first assortment of [[Tiny Tins]] Transformers, coming with a carrying tin. The actual toy was identical to the normal retail release.
{{G2HighBeamMold}}
{{-}}

===''Super Spychanger Lottery''===
{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RID-toy Crosswise-Super.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super X-Car''' (Spychanger, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': March ??, 2003
:*''Accessories:'' "Gravity beam-gun"

:Three years after the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually blind-boxed redecoes of the Spychangers, this time as part of the ''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]]'' line. These particular redecos represented [[Super Mode]] versions of the Spychangers. Crosswise was done in clear-green (without the internal paint) with light gray inner parts. He also retained the Hasbro-added faction symbol on his roof, rather than using the Takara heat-sensitive windshield.

:In every case of twelve Super Spychangers, two were done in entirely colorless-clear plastics with their normal paint applications remaining. All six Spychangers were done in these "chase" clears, and while you knew which model you were getting thanks to numbers on the packaging, you did not know if you got a clear version until you opened the baggie inside.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SuperX-Car/xcar.htm More information on Super X-Car at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/ClearSuperX-Car/x-car.htm More information on clear Super X-Car at TFU.info]''
{{G2HighBeamMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:Mirage's Betrayal Crosswisebillboard.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb]]
* When ambushing the Predacons in "Mirage's Betrayal", Crosswise cunningly concealed himself on a billboard advertising his alternate mode, with his license plate number and ''name'' (albeit his Japanese name) prominently displayed.
*Crosswise's preliminary Hasbro name was '''X-Tech'''.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010907070945/media.hasbro.com/release.cfm?release=17 Toy Fair 2001 Press Release]</ref>
*In the Latin Spanish version of the show, Crosswise seems to have a German [[accent]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''X-Car''' (エックスカー ''Ekkusu Kā'')
*''Korean:'' '''X-Car''' (엑스카 ''Ekseu Ka'')
*''Russian:'' '''Umnik''' (Умник, "Know-All")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Super Spychanger Lottery Autobots]]

Hot Shot (RID)

2025-10-30T01:26:23Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambigm|Hot Shot (disambiguation)|Artfire}}
:''Hot Shot is the leader of the [[Autobot]] [[Spychanger]]s from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Hotshotrid.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|thumb|The heat is on. It's on the street.]]

'''Hot Shot''' (aka '''Art Fire''') has served with [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] for many years. The leader of the ninja-like [[Spychanger]]s, Hot Shot lives up to his name by using his special pyrokinetic abilities to make fire dance at his will. Though he puts on a show of being a gruff, no-nonsense duty-first sort, in the end it's the safety of those under his command that push him in his fight against the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s.

==Fiction==
===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Michael McConnohie]] (English), [[Eiji Takemoto]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Alfredo Martins]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Kim Seung-tae]] (Korean)}}

[[File:Mirage's Betrayal Hot shot.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|This Hot Shot looks in anger, watching the bot who took his name.]]

When the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] stole the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]], [[T-AI]] called in the Spychangers. Hot Shot, [[Crosswise (RID)|Crosswise]] and [[R.E.V.]] responded first, pursuing the Predacons onto the beach where they were joined by the other three Spychangers. Hot Shot suggested a spot of "cyber-jousting", and climbed onto [[W.A.R.S.]]. The Predacons eventually escaped with a fake generator which the Spychangers had swapped for the real one. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

After Optimus was captured and tortured by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]], the Spychangers joined the [[Autobot Brothers]] in rescuing their leader and seeing off the Predacons. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

Later, the team tried to protect a ruby from Predacon theft, Hot Shot ordering Mirage onto a nearby roof to shoot the Predacons if all else failed. Mirage failed to take the shot and the Predacons got away. Though Hot Shot personally felt responsible, he was disturbed by Mirage's actions, especially when the Autobot failed to explain why he hadn't fired and even moreso when he appeared to have joined the Predacons. As it turned out, Mirage was undertaking a deception as he'd been bugged by [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], and Hot Shot welcomed him back to the team. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

The Spychangers also took part in the [[International Grand Prix]] in an attempt to find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]]. Hot Shot was saved from Megatron's blinding blast by a warning from [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], and attempted to tackle Megatron on his own, but failed. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}} On another occasion, the Spychangers were called back to base to watch footage of various battles, but had to wrap up a fight with the Predacons first. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Hotshot fireblaster.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, my toy can do that!]]

The Spychangers accompanied [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] to [[Montrose Island]] where Predacon activity was causing the volcano to become violent. They attempted to keep [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and Sky-Byte busy while Optimus went to use his blizzard storm on the volcano. When the volcano was ruptured and lava threatened the nearby resort, the Spychangers used their [[Inferno Blast]] to divert its path. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

Sent to stop the Decepticons from finding [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], the Spychangers jumped out in front of the foe and were soundly trounced by [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

The Spychangers took part in the ambush of the Decepticons after the Autobot base was discovered. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron's defeat, they celebrated by racing with Skid-Z. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{CRnote|Hot Shot||Art Fire}}
====''Super Spychangers Lottery''====
[[File:SuperSpychangersCatalogArt.jpg|left|thumb]]

With [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|God Magnus]] having departed Earth aboard [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]], the Autobots were unable to call upon his power when a new menace, suddenly arose to challenge them. In order to combat this threat, a plan was put into motion to upgrade the Spychangers with [[Spark Engine]]s, granting them Super Modes.

Super Art Fire gained the ability to manipulate blue, high-temperature flames and carried a more dignified presence of leadership. {{Storylink|The Secret of the Birth of the Super Spychangers}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
According to a story heard by [[Vector Prime]] at [[Axiom Nexus]], the threat was [[Chainsaw]] and his [[Mutant (G1)|Mutants]]. Super Art Fire used his pyrokinesis to thwart [[Meathook]] on [[Kilimanjaro]], then used his enhanced leadership when Chainsaw and the rest of his Mutants attempted to overrun the Autobot base. Using the power of teamwork, the Super Spychangers defeated and captured the villains. Though the [[Go-Brillium]] which powered them was used up and they were no longer Super, they retained [[To sell toys|new color schemes]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/01}}

====''Legends'' comic====
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and his [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] attacked the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]], the Super Spychangers were sent out to the front lines. Their damage to the [[Cyber Falcon-type spaceship|Combatrons' ship]] led to it crashing into the base. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

===Prevenge===
{{voiceactor|[[Michael McConnohie]] (English)}}
Hot Shot and Ironhide fought against [[Wind Sheer (RID)|Wind Sheer]], who was attempting to take hold of an O-part hidden away within a breakfast cereal box at a packing-plant. During the fight, a storage tank was ruptured, and thirty tons of Shredded Wheat poured out over the two Autobots. Ironhide was sucked away into a trans-dimensional portal during the confusion, and he yelled out to Hot Shot to avenge him, should he not return in time for the "third act". {{storylink|Prevenge}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy HotShot-CR.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|The incredibly [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Stepper]]-looking Art Fire.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Art Fire''' (Spychanger, March 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-005'''
:*''Accessories'': Rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' product, "Art Fire" is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] [[Blowout (G2)|Blowout]] mold, transforming into a sports car styled similarly to the Porsche 959. He features a through-axle construction that allows him to zip quickly along smooth surfaces in car mode, and is compatible with many "[[Hot Wheels (franchise)|Hot Wheels]]" and "Matchbox" racetracks. His roof has heat-sensitive paint that reveals an Autobot insignia, in a method similar to the original [[rubsign]]s.

:This mold was also used to make the ''Generation 2'' Go-Bot versions of [[Frenzy (G1)#Generation 2|Frenzy]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Go-Bot|Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/Artfire/artfire.htm More information on Art Fire at TFU.info]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|SC6pack}}
[[File:RID-toy SpyChanger6pack.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Spychanger DX 6-Piece Set''' (Multi-pack, March 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-011'''
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:All six Spychangers were not only sold as individuals in Japan, but in a six-piece giftset as well, also released in the first wave of the line. All of the toys within are identical to their individual releases, including their individual bio cards.

:[[Sonokong]] also released this giftset in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets in new windowless packaging, with each member lacking the heat-sensitive insignia.

::*''[https://cameboxs.tistory.com/337 Korean blog post detailing the Sonokong release]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Juscoclear}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Art Fire''' (Original Spychanger, August 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:An [[exclusive]] "Original Spychanger" [[redeco]] of Art Fire in clear-red and clear-green plastics, this version was only available from [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores in Japan as a direct-mail premium to members of their "Peppy Kids Republic" (元気キッズ共和国, ''Genki Kidzu Kyōwakoku''), a sort of subsidiary/offshoot for selling baby goods and children's clothing. Since membership was open only to kids 12 and under and this version was shipped [[blindpacking|blind-packed]], getting the entire set of six was extremely difficult.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearArtfire/artfire.htm More information on JUSCO clear Art Fire at TFU.info]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|RID2-pack}}
[[File:RIDHotShot-RIDtoy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Ability to stick to any surface not included.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Hot Shot / R.E.V.''' (Basic Class two-pack, July 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:The [[Hasbro]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' version of "Hot Shot" was available only in a two-pack with [[R.E.V.#Robots in Disguise (2001)|R.E.V.]], released in the first wave of "Basic" toys. This version replaces the heat-sensitive insignia with a normal Autobot insignia [[tampograph]] on the roof of the car. The window-paint changed to metallic blue, plus the toy was slighty [[retool]]ed to have a locking tab on the windshield bottom to keep the car front end in place.

:The initial releases of this set have Hot Shot packaged in robot mode with R.E.V. in vehicle mode, pointed straight upward. Later releases have both toys in vehicle mode, tilted to a 1 o'clock position.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/HotShot/hotshot.htm More information on Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB1}}
[[File:RIDHotShot-KB1.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|That moment when [[Hot Shot (Armada)|someone who took your name]] is more popular than you are.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Hot Shot''' (Spy Changer, August 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

: All six original Spychangers were redecoed using clear versions of their normal plastic colors (keeping their normal paint applications, though), and released on individual cards through [[KB Toys]] and [[Target]] chains as [[exclusive]]s. This packaging was the first to identify the team as "Spy Changers" in Hasbro's markets.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/KBHotShot/hotshot.htm More information on KB Toys clear Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|KB2}}
[[File:RIDHotShot-KB2.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Would be invisible if not for the fact that he's on fire.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Hot Shot''' (Spy Changer, June 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:A second round of clear-plastic KB Toys-exclusive "Spy Changers" was released on individual ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]''-style cards. This time around, Hot Shot was done in colorless, blue and red clear-plastics.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/HotShot/hotshot.htm More information on KB Toys clear white Hot Shot at TFU.info]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|TinyTin}}
[[File:RID-toy HotShot-TinyTin.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Hot Shot''' (Tiny Tins, July 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, carrying tin

:The normal Hasbro version of Hot Shot was rereleased as part of the first assortment of [[Tiny Tins]] Transformers, coming with a carrying tin. There are no notable changes to the actual toy from the normal Hasbro release.
{{G2BlowoutMold}}
{{--}}

===''Super Spychanger Lottery''===
{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RIDHotShot-Super.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|One of these Hot Shots was washed in Tide.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Art Fire''' (Spychanger, March 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:Three years after the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line ended in Japan, Takara put out individually blind-boxed redecoes of the Spychangers, this time as part of the ''[[The Transformers: Super Spychanger Lottery|Super Spychanger Lottery]]'' line. These particular redecos represented [[Super Mode]] versions of the Spychangers. Art Fire was given a reversed white and black deco, with clear-green inner robot parts. His flames are painted a shiny metallic blue.

:In each case of twelve Super Spychangers, two were all-clear-plastic versions (but keeping their paint applications). All six Spychangers had a clear variant, but there was no way to tell which two were clear without opening the boxes and opaque plastic bags within.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SuperArtfire/artfire.htm More information on Super Art Fire at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/ClearSuperArtfire/artfire.htm More information on clear Super Art Fire at TFU.info]''
{{G2BlowoutMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1-toy Stepper.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Brother from another toyline.]]
*The color scheme and deco of the original Spychanger toy is an [[homage]] to [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Stepper]], an originally Japanese exclusive [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] redeco of the 1984 [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]] toy that's now better known as "Ricochet" outside Japan. Hot Shot's ''Car Robots'' name is "Art Fire" (アートファイヤー ''Ātofaiyā''), similar to Stepper's fellow Japan-exclusive Targetmaster, [[Artfire]] (アートファイアー ''Ātofaiā''), although their names are spelled and pronounced differently in Japanese. (Art Fire's particular pronunciation may just be consistency with the pronunciation of "fire" in [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Fire Convoy]]'s name.)
*In Japan, Art Fire is a [[Relatives|relative]] of Fire Convoy. The exact nature of the relation is unknown; Hasbro sources have made no such connections between Hot Shot and Optimus Prime.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Art Fire''' (アートファイヤー ''Āto Faiyā'')
*''Korean:'' '''Art Fire''' (아트파이어 ''Ateu Paieo'')
*''Russian:'' '''Sorvigolova''' (Сорвиголова, "Daredevil")

[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Ninjas]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Super Spychanger Lottery Autobots]]
[[Category:Tiny Tins]]

Build Team (RID)

2025-10-29T20:57:29Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Build Team}}
:''The Build Team is an [[Autobot]] [[combiner]] team from the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 Robots in Disguise]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Wedge's Short Fuse Buildteam.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|We inexplicably follow a young boy for reasons we are not entirely clear on!]]

The '''Build Team''' (aka '''Buildmasters''') is a team of Autobot engineers and architects, responsible for building the [[Global Space Bridge]] on Earth. They can also combine into the super robot [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]]. [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] values them as builders, but would generally prefer to keep them away from the battlefield. It's easy to see why: They are the worst fighters on his team, bar none. (They got their asses handed to them by the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], of all beings). Unfortunately, the Build Team has a tendency to charge recklessly into battle, often with very painful results for them.

This team consists of:

*[[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] (Leader)
*[[Grimlock (RID 2001)|Grimlock]]
*[[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]]
*[[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]]

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:Wedge'sShortFuse Build Team intro pose.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Ginyu Force ?]]
The Build Team accompanied [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s team to Earth, and were responsible for constructing the [[Global Space Bridge]]. While they worked hard to build and maintain the Autobots' infrastructure, they ''really'' wanted to prove themselves as warriors, especially [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]]. They eventually got the opportunity to do just that when the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s attempted to steal a massive load of diamonds in [[Antarctica]]. With the tunnel connecting [[Metro City]] to Antarctica incomplete, the team demanded that they be the ones to take on the Predacons, threatening not to complete the tunnel unless they got permission. Optimus Prime and [[T-AI]] reluctantly agreed.

The team quickly built the tunnel and attempted to engage the enemy, but it turned out to be a trap set by [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] as part of a poorly thought out scheme to gain favor with [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]. Nonetheless, the Build Team rushed in recklessly, and got totally creamed. Wedge was taken prisoner, and so Heavy Load offereda complete map of the Global Space Bridge in exchange for the commander's life. Sky-Byte eagerly accepted, at which point the [[Decepticon#2001 Robots in Disguise|Decepticons]] showed up and the villains started fighting among themselves. Optimus Prime and the [[Autobot Brothers]] arrived to bail them out, but the villains ended up escaping. Fortunately, it turned out the disk Heavy Load had traded for Wedge's life was a fake, containing useless data. Even though Build Team had screwed up royally, Optimus Prime considered that they had strong potential and could be mighty warriors with the right training. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

[[File:Landfill RiD Cartoon.JPG|thumb|240px]]
Later, shortly after completing the Arctic tunnel link, the team was trailed by [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] to the Global Space Bridge server bunker. The Decepticons were thus able to screw around with the network, throwing the Autobots into complete disarray. After being read the riot act by [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]], Build Team searched in vain for the source of the malfunctions. The tampering was eventually detected by T-AI, allowing the team to restore functionality and then join the rest of the Autobots in attacking Scourge's operation in the Arctic. In an effort to make up for their screw-up, Build Team charged ahead of their comrades and combined into [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] for the first time, defeating both Scourge and Megatron. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[File:TestOfMetal Build Team stand defiant.jpg|thumb|left|230px]]
They would next be seen at the [[CGA Tower]], when a Predacon general destruction operation accidentally turned into a hostage situation. Wedge managed to negotiate, offering Sky-Byte whatever he wanted in exchange for the humans' safety. They were able to build a stable foundation to save the hostages, and later combined once again into Landfill to drive off Scourge. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}} After that, they took back a shipment of energy the Decepticons had stolen, and Scourge ordered that they be destroyed to deprive the Autobots of their Space Bridge advantage. When the Decepticons attacked various construction sites to draw out the Build Team, Optimus Prime initially kept them in the dark so that they could focus on expanding and maintaining the Global Space Bridge. When Wedge found out what was going on, he decided to deliberately sabotage the Bridge so that they would take on the Decepticons themselves. Build Team managed to win by blowing up a cavern full of oil. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

Some time later, the team was sent to excavate some ruins that [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]] was investigating. Despite trouble with hallucinations, they dug up the chamber, {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} revealing the burial site of [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. They then built him a rather dodgy hiding place to prevent the Predacons getting their hands on him. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:HumanElement Build Team with kids.jpg|thumb|260px]]
Around the same time, Dr. Onishi was rescued, and the Autobots searched for the [[O-Part]]s in earnest. When Wedge and Side Burn's ambitions got the better of them, Build Team challenged the Autobot Brothers to see who could find the most O-Parts. Build Team won. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}}

Build Team were later responsible for diggin up the ruins where [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] was buried; when he was stolen by the Decepticons, they were among the Autobots who helped get him back. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When the Decepticons managed to activate Fortress Maximus in the desert, the Build Team cooperated with [[Team Bullet Train]] to bring in 1,000 children to regain control. {{storylink|The Human Element}} They also took part in the final battle against Galvatron. Though they formed Landfill to attack the [[Megastar]], the combiner was quickly blown apart by the battle station's firepower. Wedge didn't fare much better on his lonesome. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} They formed Landfill again to fight Ruination, however when Galvatron used [[cyber-bat]]s to take the world's children hostage, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge, which Galvatron flooded with lava. The Autobots dug their way out, only to face Galvatron again. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The Build Team battled on in the form of Landfill, but Galvatron held them in an energy field until his defeat at the hands of Omega Prime.

Afterward, the Build Team returned to their tunnel-building duties. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====''Universe'' comic====
In [[Viron 903.0 Beta]], the Build Team joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]] {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/13}} and were abducted by [[Unicron]], becoming briefly involved in a battle between the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] and the [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] used the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to convert the Build Team into the [[Constructicon (RID)|Constructicon]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

==Toys==
:''See [[Landfill (RID)#Toys]]''

==Notes==
* The English bios for the Hasbro toys of the individual Build Team members refer to the group instead as both the "construction Autobots" and the "Construction Team".
* A [https://web.archive.org/web/20210308084808/https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/145413-the-second-annual-petes-robot-convention-and-dab-academy-june-9-10-2018/page-14#entry3744333 set of alternate heads] for ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Devastator (G1)#Combiner Wars|Devastator]] based on the Build Team was pre-tooled, but never released. The team would have been supplemented with the Generation 1 Autobot [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]; the remaining Autobot "Double Targetmaster", [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]], would have been homaged in the [[Landfill (RID)|combined mode]] of the same name.
* Either by coincidence or intention, the Build Team [[homage]] a group of robots with the same name from ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave Police J-Decker]]'', with a crane, dump truck and excavator, though the RID version differs with a bulldozer instead of a flying drill tank. Additionally, the ''J-Decker'' Build Team can also combine with just three members, something Landfill is unable to do.
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Buildmaster''' (ビルドマスター ''Birudomasutā'')
*''Italian:'' '''Super Costruttori'''

[[Category:Autobot subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) subgroups]]

Omega Prime

2025-10-29T20:42:22Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{featured}}
:''Omega Prime is an [[Autobot]] [[combiner]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:Omega Prime official.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|He can get any girl he wants... even ''your'' girlfriend.]]

[[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] was bitter and envious that his brother [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] had been granted the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. After tricking Optimus into lowering his guard, Magnus forced him into a combination with the goal of draining all his power and the Matrix with it. But to each of their surprise, the result of this combination was '''Omega Prime''' (aka '''God Fire Convoy'''), a unique individual bringing out the best of each brothers' abilities but not hampered by their disagreements. A true [[combiner]] rather than a mere [[Super Mode|super mode]], Omega Prime possesses neither Magnus's temper nor Optimus's reserve. He is a jocular superman with all the power to back up his quips, limited only by the capacity of the two brothers to cease bickering inside his head long enough to push in the same direction.

More powerful than the sum of his component parts, Omega Prime's importance in the fight against evil cannot be over-estimated, stretching beyond even his own universe.

He's also got a [[Matrix Blade|really big sword]].

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Daniel Riordan]] (English), [[Satoshi Hashimoto]] (Japanese)|[[Mauro Ramos]] (Brazil), [[Vladimir Gerasimov|Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian), [[Gerardo Reyero]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Yamil Atala]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}
[[File:Omega Prime closeup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|He's neither making a list, nor checking it twice!]]
Convalescing on an island after a brutal fight with Ultra Magnus, Optimus was attacked by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and the [[Decepticon]]s. Ultra Magnus showed after having followed [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] via a hidden tracking device. Feigning compassion and understanding his brother's heavy burden in carrying the Matrix, Ultra Magnus pretended to offer Prime his helping hand, only to seize it and force the two of them to combine. What he didn't expect, though, was that Optimus had as much control over their new body as Magnus did. His plan to steal the power of the Matrix backfired and he had to cooperate with Prime to defeat the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:MistakenIdentity Omega Guns stock.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Can one ever truly have too many guns?]]
Despite this setback from Magnus's point of view, the pair would regularly combine, issuing Megatron and his men with a string of defeats. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}} {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}} {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Eventually, Omega Prime was able to definitively defeat the Predacon leader in the [[Sahara]]. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} However [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] was able to activate [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] and Megatron returned in a new form as Galvatron. Even Omega Prime's great power was unable to overcome such odds. Luckily, the human boy [[Koji Onishi]] was able to stop Fortress Maximus's rampage. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

A rematch saw Omega Prime pitting his arsenal against Maximus in a desert without leaving a scratch on the gigantic Transformer, {{storylink|The Human Element}} but he proved more than capable for seeing off Galvatron and Sky-Byte. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}} When Galvatron brought his immense ''[[Megastar]]'' spaceship directly into a battle, Omega Prime attacked it and was promptly "blown away like a tumbleweed on the prairie", as X-Brawn put it. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

After the defeat of the ''Megastar'', Omega Prime attempted to confront Galvatron, but the evil Decepticon unleashed hordes of [[cyber-bat]]s which took control of the world's children. Prime was forced to call a retreat. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Optimus managed to persuade Magnus to combine with him one last time. Omega Prime challenged Galvatron to a duel at the [[Earth's core]], and the power of [[burning spirit|Earth's children]] provided him with the [[Matrix Blade]], with which he was able to defeat Galvatron for good. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{--}}

====3H and Fun Publications comics====
[[File:Universe 3 Oracle Omega Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's the guy they make those portals so big for.]]
Some time after the defeat of Galvatron, Optimus Prime formed the [[Dimensional Patrol]] from the ranks of the Autobots who had stayed behind on Earth (apparently including Side Burn and Prowl), as well as additional experts in transwarp technology, to defend the planet from those who would do it harm via the "temporal and spatial nexus" in Earth's proximity. Unfortunately, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and several members of the Dimensional Patrol were abducted by [[Unicron]]. Here Omega Prime and the others were to battle each other in the [[Cauldron]], where their energy would feed and repair the shattered body of the Chaos Bringer. {{storylink|The Official Transformers Collectors' Club Magazine issue 1|Sam's Club exclusive Optimus Prime profile}}

[[File:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.6|"In you go, Side Burn!" ''"You suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu-"'']]

Thanks to the efforts of [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], Omega Prime and the other abductees were able to escape. {{storylink|Escape (Universe)|Escape}} In the core of Cybertron, [[Primus]] and [[Alpha Trion]] summoned Omega Prime to help [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] in his struggles against [[Unicron]] and the [[Cauldron]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}

As the [[Universe War]] continued, Omega Prime fought alongside Autobot and Maximal alike against the Chaos-Bringer's generals. When the Cauldron suddenly began dissipating, Omega Prime did his best to guide as many Children of Primus as possible through the vortex to Primal's technorganic Cybertron, personally hurling Side Burn and Prowl (not the ones of his home universe) through the portal. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

During his own transit, however, he was swept up in an inter-dimensional matter interlink by the former Mini-Con named [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]], deposited on the Cybertron of [[Aurex 405.0 Epsilon|a dimension]] threatened by a gigantic black hole which marked Unicron's passing. Omega Prime arrived in time to use his boot of justice to stop [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]] from using the [[Dead Matrix]] to kill Primus and revive Unicron. {{storylink|Revelations Part 1}}

Omega Prime later joined [[Sentinel Maximus]], [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], and [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] in fighting the [[Mini-Con Civil War]], on the asteroid colonies surrounding Cybertron. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}} Gatling lasers, rocket storms, Omega arsenal blasts...all proved fruitless when Unicron himself joined the fray. {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} Omega Prime and Sentinel Maximus did their best to hold off the Chaos-Bringer, until Primus himself emerged from the core of Cybertron, transforming his planetary form into a [[robot mode]]. Unicron fled, and Optimus, Magnus, and Sentinel Maximus planned to pursue him through space. {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Viron 704.08 Gamma]], Omega Prime and [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] put an end to the universal consumption campaign of [[Unicron]], a (seemingly non-singularity) warlord who had united his consciousness with [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/28}}
{{--}}

====''Legends'' comic====
[[File:Legends Devil God Fire Convoy.jpg|thumb|350px|"Alright, Gigatron, let's ''give them a hand.''" "...I change my mind; I'm evil again."]]

{{CRnote|Omega Prime||God Fire Convoy}}

With Devil Gigatron reformed and working with the [[Dimensional Patrol]], God Magnus and Fire Convoy eventually learned to merge with him as well, going even further beyond God Fire Convoy to create '''Devil God Fire Convoy'''. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Shell Game===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Omega Prime defeated Megatron, but [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] subsequently rose to power and killed both Optimus Prime and [[Ultra Trion]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#FAcebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:Omega Prime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He's a man with the lights and sounds of three men!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Fire Convoy''' (2000) / '''Optimus Prime''' (Super Class, 2001)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''God Magnus''' (2000) / '''Ultra Magnus''' (Super Class, 2001)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''God Fire Convoy''' (Gift set, 2000)}}</ul>
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] and [[Junichi Akutsu]] (concept art)}}

:A combination of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Car Robots'']] Super Fire Convoy and God Magnus (brought to [[Hasbro]] markets as [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'']] [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Ultra Magnus]]), God Fire Convoy (Omega Prime in Hasbro markets) is available in a two pack of the two smaller robots. However, the two-pack was short-lived and the easiest way to get it was to buy the two separate toys individually.

:The two figures feature several lights and sounds devoted to the combination, including a separate set of sounds from Ultra Magnus's "[[Blue Bolts (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Blue Bolts]]" weapon and light up eyes for the Omega Prime head. Though theoretically the figure has enough articulation for posing (even including ankle articulation his components lack), it is top-heavy and prone to slumping backwards under its own weight, and best left standing in a static A-frame posture.

:The figure has some holes in its hands that happen to line up with pegs on Gigatron ([[Megatron (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Megatron]]), allowing the [[Emperor of Destruction]] to be used as a giant gauntlet. This was [[Canon|canonized]] in the [[Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|final chapter]] of the [[Transformers Legends (comic)|''Legends'' comic series]] with the Devil Gigatron ([[Megatron (RID)#Galvatron|Galvatron]]) version, though Omega obviously cannot hold up an entire Ultra Class figure unaided.

: [[Sonokong]] released both figures individually in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with Hasbro's light retooling and English-language internals and modified Takara packaging. A single unique deco change was made with Optimus Prime's Japanese "Fire Department" (消防庁) tampograph (present on both Hasbro and Takara versions) being replaced with the number "113."

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/OmegaPrime/omegaprime.htm More information on Omega Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SpecialClear}}
[[File:Clear God Fire Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Clear plastic only makes him ''more'' load-bearing!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''God Fire Convoy Special Clear Version''' (2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date:'' [[2000]] [[November 23]]
:*''Accessories:'' [[Matrix Blade#SpecialClear|Super God Sword]]

: Released as a [[Toys"R"Us]] Japan [[exclusive]], the God Fire Convoy Special Clear Version (ゴッドファイヤーコンボイスペシャルクリアバージョン) set featured [[Optimus Prime (RID)#GodFireClear|Super Fire Convoy]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#GodFireClear|God Magnus]] cast in metallic speckled translucent plastics with color changes. The main draw of the set is the [[Matrix Blade#SpecialClear|Super God Sword]] from the show's finale, previously only available in very limited numbers as part of a mail-away contest with ''[[TV Magazine]]''. This sword was a blue redeco of the [[Master Sword#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers|Master Sword]] from the Japanese version of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#The Transformers|Fortress Maximus]] in the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1987 (The Headmasters)|original Generation 1 toyline]] with a new (floppy) long handle.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearGodFireConvoy/gfc.htm More information on God Fire Convoy Clear Version at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|GodFireBlack}}
[[File:CR-Black-God-Fire-Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He is his own [[Black redeco|sexy black repaint]]!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Black Super Fire Convoy''' (Super Class, 2000/2001)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Black God Magnus''' (Super Class, 2000)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Black God Fire Convoy''' (Giftset, 2000)}}</ul>

:These hideously rare [[Black redeco|black redecoes]] were produced in three separate campaigns both individually and as a gift set. [[Optimus Prime (RID)#BlackSuper|Black Super Fire Convoy]] is the most common, offered through three different contests by ''[[TV Magazine]]''. [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#BlackGod|Black God Magnus]] is the most rare, with only ten units known to have been produced under murky circumstances. The two-figure giftset includes both figures, now together combining to form Black God Fire Convoy. It was just as limited in its availability as Black Magnus, with the only ten units known to exist being offered as prizes in a scratch-card contest that ''[[TV Magazine]]'' ran until early November 2000.

:Evidence exists that an additional combination was advertised, namely Black God Magnus combined with a retail Fire Convoy, still simply named "Black God Fire Convoy."<ref>[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1795/Car+Robots/Black+God+Magnus Black God Magnus gallery including an ad for the red Black God Fire Convoy] at Transformers at the Moon</ref>

::*''[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/content.php?/transformers-toys/toy-gallery/1795/Car+Robots/Black+God+Magnus More information on Black God Magnus and Black God Fire Convoy at Transformers at the Moon]''
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:Universe2003toy RID Omega Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|He can be [[Yellow Splendid Convoy|any gender she wants!]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1| '''Optimus Prime''' (Sam's Club exclusive, 2003)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ultra Magnus''' (Sam's Club exclusive, 2003)}}</ul>

:Both of Omega Prime's components were redecoed into the 2003 [[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|''Universe'' toyline]]: the opaque red plastic sprues on [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Universe (2003)|''Universe'' Optimus Prime]] were replaced with yellow (most paint apps including the inner "cab" robot's red chest remained identical, as did the lightbars), and much of [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Universe (2003)|''Universe'' Ultra Magnus's]] lighter blue was replaced with a very dark blue, often confused as black.

:Notably, this version of Optimus Prime was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] into [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Universe (2003)|Shotimus Prime]] in [[Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts issue 2|issue #62]] of the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|official magazine]] for the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] and later [[Yellow Splendid Convoy]] in the [[God Neptune comic 1|ninth issue]] of the [[Generations Selects Special Comic|web comic]] for the [[Generations Selects (toyline)|''Generations Selects'' toyline]]. [[Personal canon|Draw your own conclusions]] as to what that means for Omega.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/TFUOmegaPrime/omegaprime.htm More information on ''Universe'' Omega Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Cybertron''===
[[File:Cybertron Omega Prime.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|You'll just have to trust us this isn't the first one again.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ultra Magnus & Optimus Prime''' (Costco exclusive giftset, 2006)}}</ul>

: This reissue-adjacent exclusive set unceremoniously plonked into the then-current [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]] packaged the duo together in one giant box. [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Cybertron|''Cybertron'' Optimus Prime'']] utilized that figure's ''Universe'' paint applications with the yellow colors flipped back to red, producing a deco nigh indistinguishable from the original ''Robot in Disguise'' release save for Optimus' knees and waist red paint applications instead of yellow, and a black bandolier in Super Mode. [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Cybertron|''Cybertron'' Ultra Magnus]] meanwhile retained his (also difficult to spot) ''Universe'' deco in full. In the [[United States of America|United States]], the box set was only available in [[Costco]] for slightly less than the two individual figures. In [[Australia]], it was carried by Myer, costing less than two leader class ''Cybertron'' figures, but slightly more than the cost of ''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime and ''Robots in Disguise'' Ultra Magnus at 2001 prices.

:The ''Cybertron'' branding left it rather up in the air whether this Omega Prime constituted a new iteration of the character in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|''Cybertron'' franchise's fiction]] or what until the Facebook edition of [[Ask Vector Prime]] settled the issue in [[2015]] by seizing on the resemblance to his original ''Robots in Disguise'' deco to [[Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 26, 2015|rule it the appearance of the original guy]] in his various [[#3H and Fun Publications comics|convention comic adventures]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Autobot/CostCoOmegaPrime/omegaprime.htm More information on ''Cybertron'' Omega Prime at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Encore''===
[[File:TF-Encore-God-Fire-Convoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|QC errors so strong Takara returned him for you!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''God Fire Convoy''' (Giftset, [[2018]]-[[March 24|03-24]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Super God Sword blade, Super God Sword guard, Super God Sword handle (God Fire Convoy), Super God Sword handle (Brave Maximus)

:In this reissue giftset, [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Encore|Super Fire Convoy]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Encore|God Magnus]] have slightly different plastic colors in the name of [[Show-accuracy|cartoon accuracy]] and the chrome has been replaced by metallic paint. The tip of the [[Matrix Blade#Encore|Super God Sword]] is now a smoky translucent purple to better match its appearance in [[The Final Battle (RID)|the show's final duel]]. God Fire Convoy also comes with a collector card based on his packaging art.

:This set is riddled with [[quality control]] errors, from poorly-aligned parts of the robots themselves, to electronics that play the wrong sounds, to even inaccurate callouts and pictures on the packaging. [[TakaraTomy]] took the unprecedented step of issuing a public apology and a refunded recall of the set.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/encore-god-fire-convoy-lg64-seaspray-and-rione-lg65-targetmaster-twin-twist-lg66-targetmaster.1124163/page-60#post-15674212 TakaraTomy apology and recall notice]</ref>

::*''[https://ridforever.info/toys/other-toys/encore-toys/god-fire-convoy-2 More information on ''Encore'' God Fire Convoy at RID Forever]''
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:Legacy Omega Prime.jpg|upright=2.7|thumb|Way more deserving of nostalgia than Y2K, ''Survivor'', and hanging chads.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Omega Prime''' (2025)}}</ul>
:*''Series'': ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise 2001]]'' / ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]''
:*''TakaraTomy name:'' '''God Fire Convoy''' (ゴッドファイヤーコンボイ)
:*''Accessories'': Blaster, [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Legacy|Matrices of Leadership]] (2), [[Matrix Blade#Legacy|Matrix Blade]] (Tier 1 Unlock), combinable [[Global Space Bridge#Legacy|Global Space Bridge]] display stands (Tier 2 Unlock), missiles (2)
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[January 30]], [[2024]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sodl6lRkifQ Hasbro Pulse | Transformers: Legacy RID 2001 Omega Prime HasLab Fanstream | January 2024] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]] and [[Evan Brooks]].</ref>|[[Hiroyuki Taiga]] (concept artist),<ref>[https://youtu.be/PdsHMGVDZFg?si=7IIIhq2AU8jwMnSx Interview] with [[Hasbro]] designer [[Evan Brooks]] on the Triple Takeover podcast, from their YouTube channel</ref> [[Studio DTW|Dave White]] (product photography), [[Nick (Hasbro)|Nick]] and [[Tony Colella]] (sculptors),<ref name = "Missile Stream">[[March 7]], 2024's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pkz6oTI7W4 Hasbro Pulse | Transformers 40th Anniversary Fanstream | March 7, 2024] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]] and [[Mark Maher]].</ref> [[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)<ref>[[January 10]], [[2025]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDy2WuiQumE Transformers: Legacy Robots in Disguise 2001 Omega Prime HasLab - Official Unboxing!] with [[Emily Bader]] and [[Evan Brooks]].</ref>
}}

:The fourth [[HasLab]] crowdfunded figure in the ''Transformers'' brand, the 13-inch ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Omega Prime is an incredibly cartoon-accurate representation of the character and is also an update of the original toy (handshake combination included). He now features improved articulation, including a waist swivel, and better overall stability. Just like the original, he is composed of co-packed new ''Legacy'' incarnations of [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Legacy|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Legacy|Ultra Magnus]]. His eyes, chestplate, and antennae retain their [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallization]]. Like the original, Omega Prime can once again boost his firepower by plugging Ultra Magnus's "[[Blue Bolts (RID)#Legacy|Autobot Bluebolts]]"—now a fully-transforming [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|Weaponizer]] toy in its own right—onto his shoulders.

:Omega Prime was revealed on [[January 30]], [[2024]], with the crowdfunding campaign lasting until [[March 14]]. Its shipment date is set to be Q4 2025, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of ''Car Robots''. The primary goal was 10,000 backers. At 13,000 backers, the set would include a 23.5" [[Matrix Blade#Legacy|Matrix Blade]] sword. 16,000 backers would unlock a pair of [[flight stand]]s that could either separately hold each robot or be clipped together to represent the roadway inside the [[Global Space Bridge]]. The core set reached 50% funding in only 24 hours and was funded overall within 10 days ([[February 9]])—vastly outperforming the records of all prior Transformer HasLab projects.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Exciting news! The #HasLab campaign for #Transformers: Legacy #RobotsInDisguise 2001 #OmegaPrime has achieved its goal with 10,000 backers! A massive thank you to all the incredible fans who made this possible – your support has truly brought Omega Prime to life!|link=https://twitter.com/HasbroPulse/status/1756013964993991002|site=Twitter|name=Hasbro Pulse|year=2024|month=2|day=9}}</ref> The Matrix Blade tier was unlocked on [[February 16]], 2024.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=What a way to start the weekend! Congrats #Transformers fans! You have unlocked the #MatrixBlade for #HasLab Omega Prime. This almost 2 foot blade accessory is now included in you offering! Was there every really any doubt? 😉|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/C3as94QOMLc/|site=Instagram|name=Ben MacCrae|year=2024|month=2|day=16}}</ref> The Global Space Bridge tier was unlocked on [[February 28]], 2024.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Exciting News! Tier 2 has been unlocked for Transformers HasLab: Legacy Robots In Disguise 2001! Backers now get 2 Combinable Global Space Bridge Display Stands, faithfully recreating the Cybertronian network for Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Omega Prime figures. Pose separately or combine for the ultimate display!|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/C356emOOhjF/|site=Instagram|name=Hasbro Pulse|year=2024|month=2|day=9}}</ref>

:On [[March 7]], HasLab designer [[Evan Brooks]] revealed in a Hasbro Pulse livestream that due to widespread fan demand (and more importantly a patch of unused space he and [[Hisashi Yuki]] found in the set's white plastic [[sprue]]), Omega Prime would now include Bluebolts's traditional paired white missiles to replicate Omega's second pair of shoulder cannons, amongst the original weapon's many, ''many'' other modes.<ref name = "Missile Stream"/> The non-firing missiles are essentially continuous lengths of [[5 mm post|5mm wide pipe]] with a 3 mm connection point for ''Generations'' standard-issue [[Fire Blast effect]]s on one end. Additional tabs along their width allow the missiles to stow on Bluebolts's back in robot mode.

:[[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2024 revealed a surprise addition to the set, months after the campaign ended - a [[Titan Master]] [[Cerebros (RID)#Legacy|Cerebros]], compatible with the command chair on Optimus Prime's truck ladder.

:At the closing bell on March 14, the set clocked in at 28,230 backers, beating the previous Transformers record by quite a fair margin (Deathsaurus, with 27,442) and coming in second only to ''Marvel Legends'' Galactus as the most successful project in HasLab history.<ref>[https://hasbropulse.com/collections/haslab/products/transformers-legacy-robots-in-disguise-2001-omega-prime The Omega Prime HasLab campaign] at [[Hasbro Pulse]]</ref> . Omega Prime first started shipping to backers, beginning with those living in New Zealand, in March 2025.

:The set turned out to have a serious [[design flaw]]: the tip of Optimus Prime's spine is too big for his upper torso to make the necessary moves around it, leaving many specimens with large vertical cracks on the abdomen either directly out of the box or after any number of attempted transformations. This can be alleviated by unscrewing the upper body and sanding down the slider edges.<ref>[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/haslab-rid-2001-omega-prime-fanstream-30th-january-2024.1258500/page-990#post-23310274 Guide for modifications]</ref>. Fans who sent their Primes back to Hasbro over this defect received replacement figures in October 2025, with the new figures having had the same manual fix performed on them.

:It is possible to attach Optimus Prime's additional parts to Omega Prime, but there's currently no official way to do so.
::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/C2vNqMmuIwP/ Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Omega Prime from Evan Brooks on Instagram]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:God Fire Convoy similar poses.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
*It would appear that God Fire Convoy, Omega Prime's Japanese counterpart, is treated as more as an extension of Fire Convoy's persona (as is more common in Japanese media for combined forms), including having the same voice actor ([[Satoshi Hashimoto]]) for both. Omega Prime, on the other hand, is granted a different actor ([[Daniel Riordan]]) to Optimus Prime ([[Neil Kaplan]]) and is performed as a distinct consciousness to Optimus himself.
*Omega Prime's combination [[stock footage]] (seen right) incorporates movements from the full-length versions of the individual transformation sequences for both Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus.<ref>Screen captures taken from "[[Battle Protocol!]]" (Optimus Prime), "[[Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus]]" (Ultra Magnus), and "[[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]" (Omega Prime), respectively.</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''God Fire Convoy''' (ゴッドファイヤーコンボイ ''Goddo Faiyā Konboi'')
*''Korean:'' '''God Fire Convoy''' (갓 파이어 콘보이 ''Gas Paieo Konboi'')

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Omega Prime model.jpg|''Car Robots'' character model
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Children of Primus]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Cybertron Autobots]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Encore]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Midnight Express (RID)

2025-10-29T20:37:24Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the ''Robots in Disguise'' Autobot|the ''Universe'' Micromaster Railbot|Midnight Express (Universe)}}
:''Midnight Express is an [[Autobot]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Midnight Express Robot.jpg|right|upright=1.3|thumb|Yes, he has legs, and yes, he knows how to use them.]]
'''Midnight Express''' (aka '''J-Four''') is a member of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. Fussy and easily flustered, he has a habit of getting lost and separated from his fellow trains. Of the three members of his team, he has the most empathy with other trains, often treating them as sentient entities even when it's clear they're not.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[David Lodge]] (English), [[Naomi Matamura]] (Japanese)| [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian), [[Leonardo García]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Lee Yoon-sun]] (Korean), [[Romeu D'Angelo]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:Secret of the Ruins Midnight Express.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?]]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Midnight Express was at a location eight hours away, about to haul a private wedding party. [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] was not impressed with his plan to slow the bullet train by coating the tracks with glue, but the team was able to link up and stop the train before it plunged over a bridge destroyed by the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. They then merged into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in order to see the Predacons off. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. Negotiating the city streets was not easy for the large Bullet Trains, and at one point Midnight Express started down the wrong street. After a pitched battle with the Predacons, the team merged into Rail Racer and chased them off. Although as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some important ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins|The Secret of the Ruins}}

[[File:Secret Weapon D-5 Midnight Express.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Such villainous nonsense.]]
Midnight Express seemed to believe that "Grandpa", a steam train which the Autobots were protecting, was somehow alive; he referred to it as "he", admonished Rapid Run for calling it an old crate and claimed the steam train was mad at the insults of the other bullet trains. When [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] attempted to commandeer the steam engine, Midnight Express knocked him off and beat him to the ground. You do not want to get Midnight Express angry. After Grandpa dropped off his passengers, the Predacons hijacked him and Midnight Express set off in pursuit, continuing to plead with Grandpa to put on the brakes. He followed the old steam engine off a cliff into the ocean, hauling it out of the sea and out of Megatron's clutches. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Midnight Express and the rest of team Bullet Train was standing idle at Autobot headquarters when Koji voiced his concern that the Predacons would attempt to steal the world's largest ruby, currently on display in the city. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Ultimate Robot Warrior Midnight Express.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Where's Jim Cornette when you need him?]]
Called in to help scare the Predacons away from the [[Cave of the Dragon]], Midnight Express provided the lower half of a statue to [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s upper half. It did not go well—Midnight Express overbalanced and brought the guise crashing to the ground, but the Predacons were able to be frightened off anyway. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future|Hope for the Future}} Following the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons and fight them off, often forming Rail Racer to do so. Such as the instance when they arrived at [[Pier 7B]] just in time to dissuade the Decepticons from taking on the Autobots, after they had rampaged across the countryside following Side Burn. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

With the Autobot Brothers having been “duped” by Sky-Byte to go to the [[Bayshore power plant]] while the Decepticons attacked the [[Crestline power plant]] instead, it was up to Team Bullet Train to take on Scourge and the Commandos. Midnight Express, Railspaike and Rapid Run combined into Rail Racer shortly after their arrival at the plant, and drove off the aggressors.{{storylink|The Fish Test}}

The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Midnight Express was terribly unsettled. A second attempt to use the space bridge left him dizzily trapped in a loop. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]], who asked them to let the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the [[Autobot Brothers]], who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[File:Koji Gets his Wish Midnight Express.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, a Mini-Con!]]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Midnight Express became disoriented in the maze of tunnels, only being reunited with the other Bullet Trains when he was swept along by flood-waters released by Ultra Magnus. The trio were carried to the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and subsequently draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide him. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] managed to successfully activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[cyber-bat]]s to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Midnight Express attempted unsuccessfully to execute a speed turn in order to face the enemy. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were promptly seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Combined into Rail Racer, Midnight Express was off on a mission that had the Autobots' forces spread thin. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{CRnote}}
As a member of the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Midnight Express was brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to defend it against the attack of [[Majin Zarak]] and the [[Zamojin]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

As part of Rail Racer, Midnight Express's adventures with the [[Dimensional Patrol]] continued under the command of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In several realities such as [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Midnight Express was brainwashed by using the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] and reformatted into [[Loco (RID)|Loco]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/13}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|''Optimus Prime'' #1]]}}
[[File:NewCybertronPart1-BumpMidnightExpress.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bump|He]] took the midnight express going anywhere...]]

Hailing from [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Midnight Express was a devout Cybertronian whose [[Way of Flame|religion]] revered the [[Thirteen]]. Spurred on by his planet's recent deification of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], Midnight Express travelled to [[Earth]] after the defeat of [[Baron Karza]] to join the [[Autobot]]s. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}} The formation of the [[Council of Worlds]] had allowed for his impoverished homeworld to receive the aid and support that it had gravely required, and as a result Midnight Express had privately come to believe that Caminus and the other Transformer colonies no longer required the support of their ruined [[Cybertron (planet)|ancestral homeworld]]. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}} Like the other [[Colonist Soldiers|colonists]] that had travelled to Earth to be close to the sacred Prime, Midnight Express modified his own face with a [[mouthplate]] to better emulate Optimus Prime.

On one of their first missions, the new recruits were sent to [[Mexico City]] with [[Aileron]], to uphold the [[Tyrest Accord]] by tracking down a cache of illegal Cybertronian weaponry. Their presence provoked an anti-Transformer protest that soon degenerated into a riot; as the Autobots transformed to perform crowd control, Midnight Express was shot by a human protester wielding one of the weapons they had been sent to find. Optimus deployed reinforcements from [[Metrotitan (G1)|Autobot City]] while [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] helped evacuate him. Back aboard Metrotitan, Aileron and [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] tended to his injuries. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|To Walk Among the Chosen}}

[[File:WhatItsReallyLike-ColonistConstructionCrew.jpg|thumb]]

Midnight Express made a full recovery in time to attend Optimus Prime's first diplomatic meeting with the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]] leaders [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Rum-Maj]]. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}} He knelt by the [[space bridge]] with his teammates as Optimus returned to Earth from Cybertron, and watched Optimus argue with [[Pyra Magna]] about Prime's agnosticism. The Earth-bound Transformers later attended Optimus Prime's summit, held for the benefit of several human leaders, which was interrupted by a [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] attack on the part of the Junkions. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 4: Dance Among the Shadows|Dance Among the Shadows}} Midnight Express fought to keep the Junkion forces away from the human dignitaries, battling alongside [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] and [[Slide]]. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 5: Future Glories Lost|Future Glories Lost}}

When Optimus Prime brokered a new peace between the Cybertronians and Junkions, Midnight Express and the other Autobots relocated to the [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]] to help the Junkions build a [[Little Cybertron|refugee colony]] for themselves. {{storylink|New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|Feel Safe Without Regrets}} As work continued, the colonists attended [[Oiler]]'s funeral. Midnight Express attempted to offer some words of comfort to Oiler's sister [[Slide]], but she angrily brushed off his attempts to console her. {{storylink|The Next Day, and the Next}}

A few days later, the colonists were growing bored with life on the island. After an evening's work, Midnight Express and the colonists drove off to hang out on the beach, blowing off the Junkion representative they'd been working with and leaving Slide, who could no longer transform, behind. {{storylink|What It's Really Like}}

[[File:PrimelessPart1-ScaredColonists.jpg|thumb|left]]

As Optimus Prime and his inner retinue travelled to Cybertron to commemorate Earth officially joining the Council, the ceremony was interrupted by [[Joe Colton|Baron Ironblood]]'s attack on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], deactivating the space bridge and cutting Earth off from Cybertron. In the chaos, Aileron took charge and brought the colonist soldiers with her on a mission to find [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]]. The team tracked him to [[Oaxaca]], where they encountered more humans wielding Cybertronian weapons. Retreating to the city outskirts to regroup, Midnight Express watched Aileron argue with Slide, the latter having grown disillusioned with Optimus' leadership. The group headed north, and as they drove the colonists began coming around to Slide's way of thinking. As Midnight Express wondered why Jazz couldn't take care of himself, an explosion alerted them to Jazz, under fire by more humans. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 1}}

[[File:PrimelessPart2-MidnightExpress.jpg|thumb|Every 90 minutes, someone in this country is hit by a train. A train, okay? Trains are on tracks. They can't come and get you. They can't surprise you when you step off a curb. You have to go to them. Got that?]]

In the ensuing confrontation, Midnight Express used his locomotive mode to run one of the human's vehicles off the road. The timely arrival of the colonists forced the humans to retreat except for [[Mateo Chavez]], who with some intimidation, was able to arrange a meeting with his "suppliers" in a nearby ghost town. The perpetrators were soon unmasked as the [[Decepticon]]s [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], who had been conducting a gunrunning trade for months in the hopes of making a fast buck. The Autobots took custody of the guns and loaded them into a train car for Midnight Express to tow away. Though [[Gimlet]] was all to eager to throw the two 'Cons behind bars, Aileron realized that any further actions would jeopardize an already fragile political situation and they would have to cover up the situation entirely. The colonists returned to Autobot City with the stolen weaponry with none of the other Autobots any the wiser. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}}

[[File:TimeWillRust-colonistsvsdinobots.jpg|thumb|left]]

When the crisis had passed and the space bridge had returned to functionality, Midnight Express and the other colonists went to Cybertron to attend [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]]'s funeral. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} While Optimus presided over the opening ceremony of an Ore-13 mine in [[Kentucky]], Midnight Express and the other colonists argued with Slide about Prime's true intentions aboard Metrotitan before Aileron intervened. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}} While the colonists were on the ground, Metrotitan abruptly took his leave to deal with a new crisis on Cybertron, spacebridging away and leaving the colonists stranded. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}} Eventually, the team returned to Little Cybertron to wait for new orders; only to learn from the Junkions that Cybertron had abruptly lost contact with the planet [[Velocitron]]. A subsequent broadcast from Circuit revealed that the entire planet had been ''destroyed'' by [[Unicron/Generation 1|an unknown force]], as had [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]] and [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]]. News that Optimus planned to forestall the threat by sacrificing Midnight Express's homeworld of Caminus prompted Slide to announce that they were going rogue to end Prime's reign. {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}}

Roping [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] into their mission, Slide led her team to [[Mount Rushmore]] to rescue the recently imprisoned Jazz from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] custody, but was unaware that Jazz had willingly surrendered himself—and that [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s had also set up shop there, joining the battle to defend the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]'s new cargo of [[spark]]s from the colonists. In the crossfire, Gimlet was sliced in half by Slug after killing [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] in anger; the battle was only interrupted when Unicron himself appeared over the planet, having destroyed both Caminus and Cybertron in the interim and now intent on finishing off Earth, the final Cybertronian world. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} The presence Wreck-Gar, Rum-Maj, and their Sharkticons, combined with Soundwave's overwhelming grief at losing his human friend, and the abrupt arrival of [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] allowed the various warring factions to temporarily put their differences aside to focus on stopping the true threat: Unicron. {{storylink|A Sunrise Dark}}

[[File:Ceremony-colonists.jpg|thumb]]

Midnight Express and the other colonists returned to [[Victoria Falls]], now home to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and the other Cybertronian refugees, to formulate a new plan, one that involved using the alien [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] that had birthed the planet-eater to breach his impenetrable defenses and kill him. The next morning, as Unicron's [[Maximal]] swarms descended on the planet, Midnight Express was among the Cybertronians teleported into low Earth orbit by Metroplex and Trypticon to meet the planet-eater and his legions head-on. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}} In the ensuing fight, Midnight Express and the other surviving colonists tried to spur a recalcitrant Slide into action, finally teaming up with the Dinobots to pursue [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Worldsweeper]] flagship into Earth's atmosphere. He, Roulette, and Bump watched as Slide joined forces with the surviving [[Torchbearer]]s, absorbing the energies of the Enigma of Combination to become [[Victorion]]'s new limb. {{storylink|Ceremony}} Following Unicron's demise, thanks to Prime's sacrifice, Midnight Express joined Aileron, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]], and the other colonists on a deep-space exploration mission. {{storylink|Post}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID Midhight Express Toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|And I'll be with him / On that midnight train to Georgia ''(Hasbro gray-windows release pictured)'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''J-Four''' (2000) / '''Midnight Express''' (Mega Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-014'''
:*''Accessories'': Linkage missile launcher, missile
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Midnight Express transforms into an {{w|E4 Series Shinkansen|E4 Series}} "Max" bullet train. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form one long locomotive (albeit one made up entirely of engines with no passenger cars). His back-end link-section can be re-assembled to form a spring-loaded missile launcher for use in robot mode. He can also form the legs to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)#Toys|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Midnight Express. The Takara "'''J-Four'''" version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily applied decoes.

: The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. An Autobot [[insignia]] was also added to the roof of the train mode, plus the yellow detail paint was replaced with a metallic gold. Midnight also gained a pair of gold stripes on the top of his train mode, and gold paint on his robot mode "abs". Early versions of the toy had gray-painted windows (the only one of the three trains to have painted windows in the first release, as unlike the other two his windows were not bordered by accent paint), but later runs changed the color to metallic blue paint to match the now-with-painted-windows versions of his teammates.

: The Turkish release of Midnight Express uses the same packaging as the standard European release, except that a sticker with the name "Euro Express" has been slapped over the name on the box, as the film ''{{w|Midnight Express (film)|Midnight Express}}'' is a bit of a sore point in that country. [http://pleasesavemerobots.blogspot.com/2008/02/places-ive-lived-have-been-less-seven.html] The toy itself is identical to the American release.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/MidnightExpress/midnightexpress.htm More information on Midnight Express at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|JRX}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-015'''
:*''Accessories'': Linkage missile launcher, missile

: All three members of Team Bullet Train—[[Railspike (RID)#JRX|J-Five]], J-Four, and [[Rapid Run (RID)#JRX|J-Seven]]—were also available in a complete box set in Japan. All three toys were identical to their individual releases.

: While the individually packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

==Notes==
[[File:MidnightExpressProto.jpg|right|thumb|I say, are you calling me yellow?]]
* Midnight's portrayals in the Japanese and English versions of the cartoon differed considerably more than those of his teammates. In Japan, he was given the voice and mannerisms of a well-mannered little kid, high-pitched wail and all. For the English version, he was an older, fussy [[C-3PO]]-type with a bit of an aristocratic air. However, no matter what the version, he's still basically a doof.
**Additionally, the on-package bio for the Hasbro toy is based on Midnight's Japanese portrayal, describing him as his team's uplifting, fun-loving junior member with a preference for colder climates.
* A version of Midnight Express (well, J-Four) with different robot mode deco appeared in the original ''Car Robots'' toy catalog. It featured significantly more yellow than the final version, along with other various color differences.
* Midnight Express's transformation and ability to form the bottom half of Rail Racer are based on that of the Earth Liner from ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn]]''.
* Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very ''flexible'' pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-class costs.
* While the original incarnation of Midnight Express transformed into an {{w|E4 Series Shinkansen}}, he was given an {{w|E7 Series Shinkansen|E7 Series}} alt-mode for ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' by [[Kei Zama]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''J-Four''' (ジェイフォー ''Jeifō'')
*''Korean:'' '''J-Four''' (제이포 ''Jeipo'')
*''Russian:'' '''Express''' (Экспресс ''Ekspress'')
*''Turkish:'' '''Euro Express'''

[[Category:Camiens]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]

Rapid Run (RID)

2025-10-29T20:36:48Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Rapid Run}}
:''Rapid Run is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Rapid Run Robot.jpg|right|upright=1.0|thumb|Agent Jay-Seven]]
'''Rapid Run''' (aka '''J-Seven''') is a member of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. The physically strongest member of the team, Rapid Run is always eager for action, cool-headed and sarcastic. You don't have to ask him twice to tackle the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] or [[Decepticon]]s... in fact, more often than not he's already firing away before you could ask once. And, with the ability to generate an almost impenetrable force-field, he can take just about any punishment they throw back at him.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Keith Diamond]] (English), [[Mike Reynolds]] ("[[The Ultimate Robot Warrior]]", one line dubbing error), [[Eiji Takemoto]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Wan-gyeong Seong]] (Korean), [[Alejandro Illescas]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Reginaldo Primo]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:Secret of the Ruins Rapid Run.jpg|left|thumb|Just chillin']]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Rapid Run was forced to abandon a trainload of commuters, including an indignant [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]. He was keen to test the Linear RFG's speed in a race and almost got his chance when the experimental train's control was overridden by the Predacons. He and the rest of Team Bullet Train linked up and used their brakes to halt the Linear RFG and, once it was safe, combined into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in order to drive off the Predacons. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. After clumsily traversing narrow streets, the team found the Predacons and engaged them in combat. Rapid Run was extremely impressed by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]]'s experience and tactics. After a pitched battle with the Predacons, the team merged into Rail Racer and chased them off. Although, as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Rapid Run was less than impressed with the smoky and aging steam engine nicknamed "Grandpa" when Team Bullet Train was detailed to protect it, and even less impressed with Midnight Express' insistence that the train was somehow self-aware and could understand what they said. The team successfully got Grandpa safely to his destination, but the steam train was promptly hijacked by the Predacons. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Rapid Run and the rest of team Bullet Train was standing idle at Autobot headquarters when Koji voiced his concern that the Predacons would attempt to steal the world’s largest ruby, currently on display in the city. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock-slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Tow-Line Goes Haywire Rapid Run.jpg|right|thumb|He's just worried that the diseasel will magic him away.]]
Another new arrival, [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], was reprogrammed by the Predacons, forcing him to tow away the other Autobots. Rapid Run found himself being carried through the middle of Metro City, scraping along the sides of buildings. He was then unceremoniously dumped down a pit with [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[X-Brawn]]. Tow-Line was eventually brought back to his senses and rescued the trio, apologizing profusely. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

Rapid Run interrupted [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] interfering with a statue and chased him off. The Autobots subsequently realised that the [[Cave of the Dragon]] was likely the Predacons' target, and Rapid Run and Railspike disguised themselves as a dragon as part of a ruse to make the Predacons think it was home to a giant transforming robot. Rapid Run resented being the hind-end of the dragon and didn't think much of the [[Autobot Brothers]]' acting. After Railspike fired on the enemy, the pair returned to the cave to let [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Midnight Express take over as the dragon's statue "robot mode". {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

[[File:Landfill Rapidrunballgame.jpg|left|thumb]]

After practicing their link-up maneuver, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons to fight the enemy off, often forming Rail Racer to do so. Such as the instance when they arrived at [[Pier 7B]] just in time to dissuade the Decepticons from taking on the Autobots, after they had rampaged across the countryside following Side Burn. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

With the Autobot Brothers having been “duped” by Sky-Byte to go to the [[Bayshore power plant]] while the Decepticons attacked the [[Crestline power plant]] instead, it was up to Team Bullet Train to take on Scourge and the Commandos. Rapid Run, Railspike, and Midnight Express combined into Rail Racer shortly after their arrival at the plant, and drove off the aggressors. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Rapid Run blamed the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] for the incident and was only prevented from coming to blows with [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] by Railspike. A second attempt to use the space bridge dropped him in Metro City stadium, where he caught a baseball. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by Wedge, who asked them to let the Build Team defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

[[File:Test of Metal Rapidrunrotor.jpg|thumb|Copterfu?]]
On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the Autobot Brothers, who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[File:Fortress Maximus Railspikerapidrun.jpg|left|thumb]]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Railspike and Rapid Run battled [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]] in the confined space until Ultra Magnus showed up to lend a hand. Magnus accidentally flooded the subway and the two trains were swept away in the resulting torrent. Reunited with Midnight Express, they arrived in the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and later tried to draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] managed to successfully activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge then magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[cyber-bat]]s to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Combined into Rail Racer, Rapid Run was off on a mission that had the Autobots' forces spread thin. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{CRnote}}
As a member of the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Rapid Run was brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to defend it against the attack of [[Majin Zarak]] and the [[Zamojin]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

As part of Rail Racer, Rapid Run's adventures with the [[Dimensional Patrol]] continued under the command of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In several realities such as [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Rapid Run was brainwashed by using the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] and reformatted into [[Steamhammer (RID)|Steamhammer]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30 and 2015/09/13}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy RapidRun.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|(''Hasbro unpainted-windows version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''J-Seven''' (2000) / '''Rapid Run''' (Mega Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-013'''
:*''Accessories'': Roof/shield/launcher, coupler/missile/rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Rapid Run transforms into a {{w|700 Series Shinkansen|700 Series}} ''{{w|Hikari (train)#Hikari Rail Star|Hikari Rail Star}}'' bullet train. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form a three-locomotive lash-up (despite all of them being engines and not passenger cars, oh well!) . In robot mode, a portion of his train-mode forms a shield with spring-loaded missile launcher; the missile is also the train's coupler, and the coupler peg that connects to the other bullet trains doubling as a handle so it be hand-held like a rifle. He can also form the midsection/backpack to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)#Toys|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Rapid Run. The Takara "'''J-Seven'''" version, released in the third wave of ''Car Robots'' product, has several large portions of his body cast in transparent-blue plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The robot mode's head was also painted a golden yellow. The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decoes.

: The Hasbro version, released a year later in the second wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Megas, replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications (and make the robot mode look a bit more cohesive). However, this enabled them to add several other pieces of deco, including an Autobot sigil on the roof, golden stripes on the robot-mode shins and gold on the very tip of the train's "nose". All of J-Seven's yellow paint was also replaced with metallic gold. Early versions of the Hasbro Rapid Run had unpainted windows; later runs added sky blue paint to both them and the headlight wells under his windshield.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/RapidRun/rapidrun.htm More information on Rapid Run at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|JRX}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-015'''
:*''Accessories'': Roof/shield/launcher, coupler/missile

: All three members of Team Bullet Train — [[Railspike (RID)#Toys|J-Five]], [[Midnight Express (RID)#Toys|J-Four]], and J-Seven — were also available in a complete box set in Japan. All three toys are identical to their individual releases.

: While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set is completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

==Notes==
*Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.
*[[Aaron Archer]] confirmed that the Rapid Run trademark came from the Rapid Run Park and Rapid Run Road in [[Cincinnati]], [[Ohio]]. He thought the name would work for a Transformer and decided to try to trademark it for Transformers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''J-Seven''' (ジェイセブン ''Jeisebun'')
*''Korean:'' '''J-Seven''' (제이세븐 ''Jeisebeun'')
*''Russian:'' '''Sprinter''' (Спринтер)

[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]

Team Bullet Train

2025-10-29T20:36:13Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Team Bullet Train is an [[Autobot]] subgroup from the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TeamBulletTrain.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I hear them trains a comin'. They's rollin' 'round the bend... Left to right: Rapid Run, Midnight Express, Railspike]]

'''Team Bullet Train''' (aka '''Team Shinkansen''') is a trio of... well, bullet trains. Deep-cover Autobot protectors sent to [[Earth]], they shuttle [[human]] passengers around until duty calls. When called into battle, the trio is capable of holding their own against the [[Megatron (RID)|best]] [[Ruination (RID)|of]] [[Scourge (RID)|them]].

The members of Team Bullet Train are...

*[[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]], the leader
*[[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]]
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]]

The three can also combine to form the mighty [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:BulletTrainRescue single file link-up.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.]]
Team Bullet Train were first called on when the [[Linear RFG]] bullet train was under threat from the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s. Dumping their carriages, some of which contained indignant commuters, the trio caught up with the Linear RFG. With the train out of control thanks to [[Dark Scream]]'s sabotage, they set about working out a way to stop it. They used their single file link-up maneuver and, with [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s help, brought the train to a halt just short of a bridge that the Predacons had destroyed. When [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] arrived to show his men how it was done, the team combined into Rail Racer and battered him into a retreat. The train saved, Team Bullet Train returned to their regular civilian duties. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

[[File:SecretoftheRuins RapidRun Railspike thumbsup.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
The team was called in to [[Metro City]] when Megatron and his three goons attacked it. Though they found the streets difficult to negotiate in their large robot modes, the team located the Predacons and started battling them. Megatron eventually joined the fight as well, and the Autobots combined into Rail Racer, at which point Megatron simply left. The fight had only been a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated the [[Payuma ruins]]. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

When the aging steam train "[[Grandpa]]" needed protecting, Team Bullet Train was the obvious choice, though Midnight Express seemed to believe the train was sentient. They successfully fended off a series of attacks from Sky-Byte and his three Predacon cohorts, but once the train reached its destination, the Predacons successfully snatched it. Team Bullet Train gave chase, and Midnight Express snatched the train back right before Megatron could grab hold of it. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Team Bullet Train was standing idle at Autobot headquarters when Koji voiced his concern that the Predacons would attempt to steal the world’s largest ruby, currently on display in the city. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

In an attempt to track down the rogue Autobot [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]], Team Bullet Train entered the [[International Grand Prix]], but their contribution to the mission came to a halt when a Predacon-induced rock slide blocked their path. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}} [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], another new Autobot, was corrupted by a Predacon disk, and began towing away the other Autobots including Rapid Run. After Rapid Run suffered the indignity of being scraped along buildings and was dumped down a hole with [[X-Brawn]] and [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], Tow-Line was brought to his senses, and the three bots rescued in time to enact some revenge on the Predacons. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

[[File:Ultimate Robot Warrior Railspike Rapidrun.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Rapid Run caught [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] interfering with a [[Buddha|Buddhist]] statue, leading the Autobots to discover the Predacons believed that the [[Cave of the Dragon]] harbored a statue that transformed into a [[dragon]]. In an attempt to scare the Predacons off, Rapid Run and Railspike disguised themselves as a dragon, while Optimus and Midnight Express played the part of the statue, but it all went a bit topsy turvy when Midnight fell over. The plan succeeded nonetheless. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the [[Decepticon]]s by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} When the Predacons were following Side Burn around in an attempt to find the Autobot base, Team Bullet Train took part in an ambush at [[Pier 7B]], though they largely stood back while Optimus fought [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}} In their Rail Racer form, they fought off the Decepticons at [[Crestline power plant]]. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

[[File:Landfill Bullet Trains exit bridge.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.34|''Got bad grades?'' 
''I like trains!'' 
''Awkward date?'' 
''I like trains! 
''Don't like trains...? 
''I like trains!'']]
Due to a [[Global Space Bridge]] malfunction engineered by the Decepticons, Team Bullet Train accidentally ended up on a busy city street. Rapid Run later got into a fight with [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] over whose fault it was, and the other team members had to restrain him. A later attempt to use the bridge resulted in the three trains ending up in similarly unlikely places. Once the Global Space Bridge was fixed, they accompanied the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] and other Autobots to the north energy research facility to fight the Decepticons, though they allowed [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] to deal with Megatron as a matter of honor. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[File:TwoFacesUltraMagnus Bullet Trains searching.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|"They must be somewhere in this completely empty field."]]
On one occasion, Rail Racer kept Ruination busy while [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] stole back the energy which the Decepticons had been pilfering. The Decepticons were mighty angry at the Build Team and began attacking construction sites, promptly fleeing whenever the other Autobots, including Team Bullet Train, turned up. After the whole matter was sorted, the Autobots enjoyed a hot oil bath on an island. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} The team helped the rest of the Autobots test the Global Space Bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}} They were also sent looking for the [[Autobot Brothers]], who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. While Midnight Express became disorientated in the tunnels, Rapid Run and Railspike faced [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]]. Ultra Magnus's misguided attempt to help unleashed a flood which washed all three Team Bullet Train members into the huge cavern housing Maximus. They formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} They later battled Ruination while the Build Team concealed Maximus. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:FortressMaximus Rail Racer stockfootage.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4]]
Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. Scourge managed to successfully activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[cyber-bat]]s to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Rail Racer was seen via [[T-AI]]'s viewscreen, presumably on a mission since the Autobots had spread their forces thin. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}
{{-}}
====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
As a member of the [[Dimensional Patrol]], the members of Team Bullet Train were brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to defend it against the attack of [[Majin Zarak]] and the [[Zamojin]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

Rail Racer's adventures with the [[Dimensional Patrol]] continued under the command of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In some [[universal stream]]s, such as [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], the members of [[Dominus Trannis]] were the result of Team Bullet Train being reformatted by the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RIDtoy-Railspikeblankwindows.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Railspike]]
[[File:RID Midhight Express Toy.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Midnight Express]]
*'''Team Bullet Train''' (Mega, 2000/2001)
<ul="iconlist">
:{{Bp-a1|[[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]]}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]]}}
:{{Bp-a1|[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]]}}
</ul>
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:The Team Bullet Train members were only sold separately in Hasbro markets, whilst in Japan they were also available as a box set.

{{-}}

==Notes==
*The box bios for the Hasbro toys of the individual Team Bullet Train members refer to the group as the "Bullet Train team".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Team Shinkansen''' (チーム新幹線)
*''Italian:'' '''Turbotreni'''

[[Category:Autobot subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) subgroups]]

Railspike (RID)

2025-10-29T20:35:31Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Railspike}}
:''Railspike is an [[Autobot]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Railspike Robot.jpg|right|upright=1.2|thumb|If I had a hammer...]]
'''Railspike''' (aka '''J-Five''') is the leader of [[Team Bullet Train]], a trio of Autobots who patrol the railways. An experienced and battle-tested veteran, he is often frustrated by his younger teammates and tries to set a good example for them.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Mike Reynolds]] (English), [[Hisashi Izumi|Shōji Izumi]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian, from [[Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus]]), [[Paco Mauri]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Sa Seong-woong]] (Korean), [[Malta Júnior]] (Portuguese)}}

[[File:Secret of the Ruins Railspike.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Don't you just love being in control? *click*]]
When Team Bullet Train was called in to help protect the Linear RFG, Railspike was able to contact [[Koji Onishi]] on board the advanced train to let him know the Autobots were there to help. His plan for the team to link up and slow the Linear RFG with their brakes saved the train from plunging over a bridge which the Predacons had blown up. Once the train was safe, the team merged into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] to see off the Predacons. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

The team was called into [[Metro City]] to thwart another attack on the part of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and his Predacons. Negotiating the city streets was not easy for the large Bullet Trains, and at one point Railspike had to steer [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] back on course. In battle against the Predacons, he demonstrated the benefit of his experience by igniting [[Gas Skunk]]'s acid breath, causing chaos in the opposition ranks. Eventually the team merged into Rail Racer and chased the Predacons off. Although as it turned out, the attack was a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] investigated some ruins. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Detailed to protect the aging steam engine "Grandpa" from the Predacons, Railspike was bemused by Midnight Express insisting that the train was in some way alive. The team successfully got Grandpa safely to his destination, but the steam train was promptly hijacked by the Predacons. Despite Railspike's warnings, Midnight Express pursued them and ultimately saved the train. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Railspike and the rest of team Bullet Train was standing idle at Autobot headquarters when Koji voiced his concern that the Predacons would attempt to steal the world's largest ruby, currently on display in the city. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

Team Bullet Train helped to try to track down [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] after the Autobot scanned a racing car and was possessed by an urge to engage in races. They entered the Great Race, but were halted partway by a rock-slide they were unable to pass. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Ultimate Robot Warrior Railspike Rapidrun.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|He who smelt it dealt it.]]
Called in to help scare the Predacons away from the [[Cave of the Dragon]], Railspike provided the front end of a dragon while [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] provided the rear end. After firing on the Predacons (and Autobots, since Railspike realised it would look suspicious otherwise), the pair returned to the cave to let [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Midnight Express take over as the dragon's statue "robot mode". {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

After practising their link-up manoeuvre, Team Bullet Train returned to the Autobot base to review footage of previous adventures in an attempt to find the Predacon base. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}} After the creation of the Decepticons by Megatron, the team was sent to [[Sherman Dam]], where they combined into Rail Racer and fought [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}} They would subsequently spend a lot of time using the [[Global Space Bridge]] to arrive at locations under attack from the Decepticons to fight the enemy off, often forming Rail Racer to do so. Such as the instance when they arrived at [[Pier 7B]] just in time to dissuade the Decepticons from taking on the Autobots, after they had rampaged across the countryside following Side Burn. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

With the Autobot Brothers having been “duped” by Sky-Byte to go to the [[Bayshore power plant]] while the Decepticons attacked the [[Crestline power plant]] instead, it was up to Team Bullet Train to take on Scourge and the Commandos. Railspike, Midnight Express, and Rapid Run combined into Rail Racer shortly after their arrival at the plant, and drove off the aggressors. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

The Autobots' ability to get to remote locations quickly did not go unnoticed by the Decepticons, who managed to sabotage the space bridge, depositing Team Bullet Train on a busy motorway. Railspike subsequently had to restrain Rapid Run from coming to blows with [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] leader [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]], whom the team initially blamed for the problems. A second attempt to use the space bridge deposited Railspike firstly in a shopping mall, and then on the side of a hill. Once the space bridge was repaired, the three bullet trains arrived at the North Energy Research Facility and prepared to form Rail Racer. They were stopped by Wedge, who asked them to let the Build Team defeat Megatron as a matter of honour. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}}

[[File:Test of Metal Railspike.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] has been bulking up, big time.]]
On another occasion, the team formed Rail Racer to prevent the Decepticons stealing some energy, and kept Ruination busy while the Build Team recovered the stolen energy. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}} They were also sent looking for the Autobot Brothers, who had disappeared while tracking [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], a recent arrival to Earth. They were approached by Magnus himself, who informed them that Optimus was being led into a trap, and the three trains rushed to help the Autobot leader. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[File:Fortress Maximus Railspike.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"[[John Stephenson|Naw, my name's Teaspoon! And I'm Cybertron's chief dishwasher.]]"]]
When the Autobots were on the verge of locating [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], Team Bullet Train were dispatched to the location under Metro City to protect the Build Team. Railspike and Rapid Run battled [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] and [[Movor]] in the confined space until Ultra Magnus showed up to lend a hand. Magnus accidentally flooded the subway, and the two trains were swept away in the resulting torrent. Reunited with Midnight Express, they arrived in the cavern where Maximus was located and formed Rail Racer to defend the giant robot from the Decepticons, and later tried to draw them away from where the Build Team were trying to hide Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Team Bullet Train also attempted to defend Maximus from the Decepticons once his location was exposed. [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] successfully managed to activate Maximus, but proved unable to control him. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}} When Scourge then magnified the human portion of his bio-signature in another attempt to control Maximus, Team Bullet Train was sent into the desert with Build Team and a thousand children to halt the titan. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Gathering at a predetermined location, the Bullet Trains and the rest of the Autobots ambushed the Decepticon forces. The team combined into Rail Racer to fight Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'', but the battle station was eventually felled by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} After Galvatron used [[cyber-bat]]s to gain control of the world's children, the Autobots were forced to retreat into the space bridge and were followed by the Decepticons. Galvatron ruptured the tunnel during the battle which followed, flooding it with molten lava which the Autobots were only narrowly able to escape. They were prompt seized by a powered-up Galvatron. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Team Bullet Train reformed Rail Racer in order to protect Optimus Prime, and were subsequently held in a paralysed state by Galvatron until the Decepticon leader's defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Combined into Rail Racer, Railspike was off on a mission that had the Autobots' forces spread thin. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{CRnote}}
As a member of the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Railspike was brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to defend it against the attack of [[Majin Zarak]] and the [[Zamojin]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

Railspike's adventures with the [[Dimensional Patrol]] continued under the command of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
Railspike was a crewmember aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'' who transformed into the Cybertronian equivalent of a train. {{storylink|Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|More than Meets the Eye #19 letters pages}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In several realities such as [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Railspike was brainwashed by using the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] and reformatted into [[Astrotrain (RID)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 30 July 2015 and 13 September 2015}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RIDtoy-Railspikeblankwindows.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|A TRAIN. He turns into a TRAIN. ''(Hasbro unpainted-windows release pictured)'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''J-Five''' (2000) / '''Railspike''' (Mega Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-012'''
:*''Accessories'': Light-up cannon
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Railspike transforms into a {{w|500 Series Shinkansen}}. In this form, he can link up with the other Bullet Trains to form a three locomotive lash-up. In robot mode, his train coupler forms an electronic light-up (non-firing) blaster. He can also form the head, torso, and arms to the team's combined form [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].

: There are significant differences between the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Railspike. The Takara ''Car Robots'' "'''J-Five'''" version has several portions cast in transparent plastic to give him clear windows, requiring extensive [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decoes.

: The Hasbro version released in 2001 replaced the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the number of needed paint applications. An Autobot [[insignia]] was also added to the left side of the train mode, and the barrel of his gun was lengthened for unknown reasons, impeding proper storage of it in train mode. Early versions of the toy had unpainted windows, but later runs added metallic blue paint to them.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Railspike/railspike.htm More information on Railspike at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|JRX}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-015'''
:*''Accessories'': Light-up cannon

: All three members of Team Bullet Train—J-Five, [[Midnight Express (RID)#JRX|J-Four]], and [[Rapid Run (RID)#JRX|J-Seven]]—were also available in a complete box set in Japan.

: While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

==Notes==
* Railspike was portrayed slightly differently in the two different versions of the cartoon. Though both were rather polite, Railspike was portrayed as being much older and gruffer than J-Five. Though, the on-package bio for the Hasbro toy appears to be more based on the Japanese version, emphasizing that version's politeness and gentlemanly manners.
* The Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.
* When asked by a reader if Railspike could be part of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' crew on the letters page of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|#19]], [[James Roberts]] basically replied "eh, sure, why not?" With no evidence to the contrary, this wiki considers this to be true for now.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''J-Five''' (ジェイファイブ ''Jeifaibu'')
*''Korean:'' '''J-Five''' (제이파이브 ''Jeipaibeu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Pika''' (Пика, "Pike")

[[Category:Elderly Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:Lost Light crew]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]

Rail Racer (RID)

2025-10-29T20:35:01Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the ''Robots in Disguise'' Autobot combiner|the ''Universe'' Railbot combiner|Rail Racer (Universe)}}
:''Rail Racer is an [[Autobot]] [[combiner]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Rail Racer-anim.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|Train, train, take me on out of this town....]]
'''Rail Racer''' (aka '''JRX''') is the combined form of [[Team Bullet Train]]. He's basically kickass and you can't hope to beat him.

Rail Racer is composed of:

*[[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] (leader)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]]
*[[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]]

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[David Lodge]] (English), [[Hisashi Izumi|Shōji Izumi]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Jorge Ornelas]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

[[File:Bullet Train Rescue Optimusrailracer.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Optimus shows Rail Racer the secret combiner handshake.]]
Team Bullet Train formed Rail Racer for the first time to fight [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] after saving the Linear RFG train. As the [[Autobot Brothers]] watched in awe, Rail Racer proceeded to see Megatron off, stating that he can't stand anyone who blows up railway tracks. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} Rail Racer saw Megatron off again when the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] leader attacked [[Metro City]], although on that occasion it turned out that the attack had been a diversion while [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] carried out a mission elsewhere. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

Team Bullet Train formed Rail Racer for the highly important task of watching Grandpa steam off into the distance. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

When Rail Racer attempted to fight the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]], they responded by forming [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]], much to the surprise of all Autobots present. Ruination quickly took the upper hand, but the Autobot Brothers lent a hand and Rail Racer was then able to use their Ultra Blast to blow Ruination apart. {{storylink|Commandos}}

[[File:The Fish Test Rail Racer.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|DOOJ!]]
Rail Racer also defended a power plant against the Decepticons, {{storylink|The Fish Test}} but the second time he faced Ruination was when the Commandos stole some energy from the East Power Station. While the pair were grappling, the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] siphoned off the stolen energy and let Rail Racer know it was safe to retreat. The Decepticons were not pleased. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

After the Autobot Brothers had been taken hostage, Optimus was led to a remote location, where the Decepticons told him his troops were being held. Predictably enough, it was a trap, and the Decepticons attacked the Autobot leader once he was alone. Team Bullet Train rushed in to help their leader, combining into Rail Racer once on location. However, Scourge warned that if the Autobots were to resist, harm would come to the three brothers. Rail Racer was forced to do nothing as he and Optimus took the full brunt of the Decepticons' assault. Thankfully, Ultra Magnus rescued the brothers and came in to help fight Megatron and his troops.{{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Rail Racer.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"I can't see my own feet."]]
Landfill and Rail Racer finally fought side by side in order to protect [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] from the Decepticon forces {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} and later fought Ruination at length while the Build Team hid the giant robot in Metro City. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}} They again fought a protracted battle when the Decepticons located [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] and activated Maximus. The Autobot forces were finally able to see the Decepticons off when [[Koji Onishi]] commanded Maximus to halt. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:Final Battle Landfill Rail Racer.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|"Wait, is that an explosion or just streaky anime lines?"]]
After the Decepticons located the Autobot base, they were lured to a predetermined location where the entire Autobot force was waiting in ambush. The arrival of the "[[Megastar]]" turned the tide in favour of the Decepticons, and Rail Racer attempted to attack it from below but was blown back by a barrage of missiles. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} His attempts to prevent Galvatron drain energy from Fortress Maximus also failed, and Team Bullet Train separated in order to beat a hasty retreat. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The final formation of Rail Racer came when the Autobots moved to defend [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] from the Decepticons. They were able to shield Optimus from Galvatron's paralysing ray long enough for their leader to recover and return with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|reinforcements]]. During the decisive battle between [[Omega Prime]] and Galvatron, all of the Autobots were held in a paralysed state by the Decepticon leader, but were freed when Galvatron was defeated by Omega Prime. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Rail Racer was seen via [[T-AI]]'s viewscreen, presumably on a mission since the Autobots had spread their forces thin. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}
{{-}}
====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
Rail Racer's adventures with the [[Dimensional Patrol]] continued under the command of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In some [[universal stream]]s, such as [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], [[Dominus Trannis]] was the result of Rail Racer being reformatted by the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RIDRailRacer Toy.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|I'm the Hasbro guy, not the Takara guy. I got a proper name and all.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''J-Five''' (2000) / '''Railspike''' (Mega Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-012'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''J-Seven''' (2000) / '''Rapid Run''' (Mega Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-013'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''J-Four''' (2000) / '''Midnight Express''' (Mega Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-014'''
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Rail Racer is the combination of the three Team Bullet Train toys: [[Railspike (RID)#Toys|Railspike]] forms the upper torso and arms, [[Rapid Run (RID)#Toys|Rapid Run]] is the mid-torso and backpack, and [[Midnight Express (RID)#Toys|Midnight Express]] forms the legs and hips (thus his weird individual-robot-mode proportions). He carries Rapid Run's shield/launcher, as well as a large cannon formed from both Railspike and Midnight Express' weapons.

: There are significant differences between the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Hasbro]] versions of Team Bullet Train. The Takara versions have several portions of their train modes cast in transparent plastic to give them clear windows, requiring ''extensive'' [[Paint operation|paint applications]] to blend in. The Hasbro versions released in 2001 replaced most of the transparent plastics with opaques to cut back on the sheer amount of paint needed to complete the train modes; on top of that, there are versions of each train with both painted and unpainted windows (or in Midnight Express's case, gray-painted windows and metallic-blue-painted windows). There were also numerous other, smaller changes made to each of the individual components for the Hasbro releases, detailed on their individual pages.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/RailRacer/railracer.htm More information on Rail Racer at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|multipack}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''JRX''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': August ?? 2000
:*''ID number'': '''C-015'''
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: In Japan, JRX was available both by purchasing the individual components, and as a complete box set. However, this set only came with the bio card for JRX, and did not include the individual components' bio cards.

: [[AEON|JUSCO]] stores offered the [[Skid-Z (RID)#Super|Super Indy Heat]] toy as a [[campaign item|freebie]] with the purchase of the JRX box set.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences to the Takara release other than the packaging.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*The Takara versions of the Bullet Trains appear to have had a particularly bad run of quality control regarding the paint applications, with many having sloppily-applied decos. While the individually-packaged Bullet Trains came in clear-window packages to see the toys, the box set was completely windowless, so it was kind of a crap shoot as to the quality of paint you got with the set.
*Reportedly, the Bullet Trains, which were developed with Takara's very flexible pricing structure, really did not fit into Hasbro's more rigid existing price-points, budget-wise. They cost too much to be sold as Deluxes, but weren't really up to Mega-costs.
*Rail Racer's head design seems to be based on the title mecha from ''Blue Comet SPT Layzner'', which also has its eyes behind a green glass dome with a blue frame.
*In the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|cartoon]], Rail Racer sometimes refers to itself as "we", which opens up questions on how much of an emergent personality this combined form has compared to previous Generation 1 [[combiner]]s.
*His individual component's names (J-5, J-7, and J-4) are based on their respective bullet train models ({{w|500 Series Shinkansen|500 Series}}, {{w|700 Series Shinkansen|700 Series}}, and {{w|E4 Series Shinkansen|E4 Series}}).
*An abandoned [[OTFCC 2004]]-[[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''Robots in Disguise'' Rail Racer would have been named "[[Dominus Trannis]]". While not the same character as the original [[Trannis]], his name was inspired by that character. "[[Astrotrain (RID)|Astrotrain]]" and "[[Steamhammer (RID)|Steamhammer]]" were decided upon as names for two of the components and "[[Loco (RID)|Loco]]" or "Cowcatcher" were considered for the third. Both [[Steamhammer (Energon)|Steamhammer]] and [[Starcatcher (Cybertron)|Cowcatcher]] went on to inspire names for later official toy releases.
**In 2015, the Facebook version of [[Ask Vector Prime]] would canonize these characters in fiction.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''JRX'''<ref>Acronym for "Japan(ese) Rail Express".</ref> (''Jei Āru Ekkusu'')
*''Korean:'' '''J.R.X''' (제이.알.엑스 ''Jei.Al.Ekseu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Sprinter''' (Спринтер)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]

Commando (RID)

2025-10-29T20:33:26Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|decepticon|maximal}}
{{disambig3|Commando}}
:''The Commandos are a [[Decepticon]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:RID dcons.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|"We eat Autobots for breakfast. And right now, we're very hungry!"]]

The '''Commandos''' (aka '''Combatrons''') are an elite group of Decepticon warriors. Formerly [[Autobot]] [[protoform]]s corrupted by the dark energies of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s [[spark]], they now fight for evil. The five members can also combine to form the behemoth [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]].

The Commandos are...

* [[Mega-Octane]] the cannon-truck and leader
* [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] the helicopter
* [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] the tank
* [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]] the off-road vehicle
* [[Movor]] the Space Shuttle

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:Commandos Movor RoTor firing.jpg|thumb|left|"You're a funny guy, Side Burn. We like you. That's why we're going to kill you last."]]
Originally [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s crew were on a mission to locate [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] when their ship crashed on [[Earth]]. The Commandos' protoforms were stolen by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]], who used his [[spark]] energies to turn them into Decepticons. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} After proving their worth by destroying a minor dam, the Commandos were sent to attack [[Sherman Dam]]. After both the [[Autobot]]s and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] interfered with their [[pulsar bomb]]s, the Commandos had to resort to trying to blow it up themselves. The arrival of [[Team Bullet Train]] forced them to combine into Ruination, but teamwork by the Autobots had them retreating before long. {{storylink|Commandos}}

The Commandos were sent to [[Montrose Island]] to aid Scourge and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], though in their Ruination form they were easily taken down by the [[Spychanger]]s. They recovered and managed to unleash a lava flow that threatened everyone, including themselves and the day was ultimately lost for their side. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} In an attempt to find the Autobot base, they had Movor launched into space to spy on the Autobots from orbit. Unfortunately the Autobots were quickly clued in and led the Decepticons on a merry chase ending in an ambush at [[Pier 7B]], at which point the Commandos realized that without Movor, they couldn't form Ruination. In the aftermath of their defeat, Movor returned to Earth. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:WedgesShortFuse Commandos firing in vehicle mode.jpg|thumb|These guys eat too much red meat.]]
The Decepticons made an attempt to make the Autobots believe they were willing to defect. Though the Commandos threw themselves into the act, Scourge was the weakest link, and ultimately gave them away. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}} A series of raids on power plants by the Decepticons were hampered by the efforts of Sky-Byte to prove himself relevant. {{storylink|The Fish Test}} The Decepticons got their own back by interfering in one of Sky-Byte's plans in [[Antarctica]], almost snatching a disk with potentially valuable information on it. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}} Frustrated by the Autobot [[Global Space Bridge]], Scourge and the Commandos discovered its control center after Ro-Tor followed one of the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]]. They sabotaged the space bridge to send the Autobots who used it to random locations, taking advantage of the consequent confusion to wreak havoc until the Build Team worked out what was wrong, and the Decepticons were sent flying as the Autobots retook the control center. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

Scourge and the Commandos attempted to intercept [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] wile he was on his way to deliver the [[O-Part]]s to Sky-Byte, only for the Autobot leader to demolish them in a few seconds. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}} After the Commandos' raid on an energy station was foiled by the Build Team, the Commandos tried to lure them out to get revenge by attacking building sites. This eventually worked, but though they had the Build Team outclassed combat-wise, the battle between Ruination and [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] ended in a massive explosion that fired the Commandos into the sea. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

[[File:UltraMagnusFusion Commandos transform.jpg|thumb|left|"Leave anything for us?" "Just bodies."]]
Their raid on [[Metro City]]'s [[oil]] stores was interrupted by the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], but they got away while he was confronting the [[Autobot Brothers]]. Some time later, the Decepticons tried to set up an ambush for the Autobots, only to instead encounter Ultra Magnus, who fought them off with Optimus Prime's help. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Movor spied on the two Autobots from orbit as they fought, and afterwards the Decepticons accompanied Megatron to the island where Optimus was recuperating. Their intent was to finish him off, but instead Optimus combined with Magnus into [[Omega Prime]] and almost finished ''them'' off. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

After capturing the Autobot Brothers, the Decepticons were able to beat up Optimus and Team Bullet Train without fear of retribution, at least until Ultra Magnus spoiled things by rescuing the three brothers. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Another attempt to sway Ultra Magnus to their side also resulted in the Commandos getting pounded. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}} Assigned with the task of investigating the ground beneath Metro City, the Decepticons were forced to split up to deal with the Autobots. They proved more than capable of holding their own against the Spychangers and Team Bullet Train, and eventually found the cavern containing Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} The Autobots forced them into a retreat, and when they attempted to return later, Ruination ended up fighting [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. They again retreated after Sky-Byte inadvertently released [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:FinalBattle imprisoned Commandos.jpg|thumb|"Let off some steam, Decepticons."]]

Their attempts to find the O-Parts before the Autobots largely ended in failure. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Megatron took them with him to find the [[Orb of Sigma]], though that expedition also ended in an Autobot victory and the loss of Megatron. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} With Scourge now in charge, the Decepticons managed to obtain [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] and find where the Autobots had hidden Fortress Maximus. Their attempt to seize the giant ended in disaster when Maximus proved impossible to control. On the up-side, they got Megatron back in a new upgraded form as Galvatron. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

Scourge began a series of attempts to control Fortress Maximus with the Commandos as loyal backup. An attempt in the desert ended in failure, {{storylink|The Human Element}} leading them to attempt to capture [[Koji Onishi]], as the boy seemed to be able to control Maximus no problem. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}} After Scourge attempted to overthrow Galvatron, their leader recalibrated their programming to turn them back into loyal servants. They were placed under the command of Sky-Byte, who promptly led them into a trap in which they faced ''all'' of the Autobots. Luckily for them, Galvatron turned up with the [[Megastar]] to lend a hand. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

Despite Galvatron's apparent defeat, their leader still lived, and the Decepticons kept the Autobots busy while he recharged. When the Autobots fled into the Global Space Bridge, Galvatron sent Scourge and the Commandos in as well, before flooding the tunnel with lava in an attempt to kill two birds with one stone. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Ruination and Scourge somehow survived this and emerged from the ground, only to be finally defeated by the Autobots. They, along with Galvatron and most of the Predacons, were shipped off to an [[asteroid prison colony]]. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{--}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
=====''Unite Warriors''=====
[[File:BaldigusChapter1 CombatronNewBodies.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|"We're not going to shoot you between the optics!! We're going to shoot you between the gearbox!!"]]
Following their capture, the combining members of the Combatrons were brought to a future [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and sentenced to be reverted into [[protoform]]s to cleanse them of their evil programming and, to their horror, identities. They were brought to safety by the [[Unicron]] of [[2021]], who transported them into the past and granted them freedom and new bodies in exchange for helping him attach his disembodied head to the planet's surface. They held the local [[Autobot]] forces at bay and completed their mission, only to learn that the dark god had no intention of letting them go free, but rather planned to undo the future they hailed from by changing the past! In order to avoid being erased from existence, the team combined into Ruination and turned on Unicron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} After Unicron was defeated thanks to the efforts of Ruination and other combiners, the Commandos returned to the future with Scourge and Sky-Byte, seeking to rescue their leader, Devil Gigatron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

The Combatrons stopped by Earth, where they occupied a bathhouse and washed up while discussing their next move. {{storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
After recovering the ship they once arrived on Earth with, Scourge led the Combatrons in an on attack [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Devil Gigatron was being held. While they managed to infiltrate the ship, the Combatrons were shocked to learn that their leader had joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]] in the meantime. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}} With Scourge forcibly reverted into a heroic protoform by Gigatron, the remaining Combatrons fled to the [[Legends World]], only to be hunted down by their former commander and turned into protoforms themselves. Fortunately, [[Dark Ai]] held backup data of the Combatrons' evil personalities and was able to restore them after Scourge turned on the Patrol. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}
{{--}}

===''Universe'' comic===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], the Commandos came under the command of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] after the death of Megatron. However, the Commandos, [[Constructicon (RID)|Constructicon]]s, [[Megabolt]], and several Autobots were abducted by [[Unicron]] for the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

Forming Ruination, the Commandos were sent by Unicron along with [[Reptilion]], [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]], and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] to intercept some extra-dimensionals Unicron wanted for the [[Cauldron]]. Ruination's group was successfully fought off by the dimensionally-displaced Autobots and the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
During the [[Grand Uprising]], the Commandos volunteered for augmentation. Movor had hoped they'd be made into [[Pretender]]s or maybe even a [[Combiner]], but all but Mega-Octane (who was too large for the process) were ultimately made into [[K-Class]] bombs. Deemed only a last resort, the Commandos were retrofitted to transform into massively destructive weapons of annihilation, with the core bombs inside them linked to their very sparks. At maximum detonation, a K-Class could effectively end the world.

The [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] enjoyed stellar cycles of victory that made any use of the K-Class troopers seem unrealistic. That all changed with the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. These anti-spark drones assimilated other proto-formers on contact, spreading their nano-plague exponentially. Two Resistance city-states had already fallen before High Command learned of the third. Ro-Tor and three fellow Commandos ([[Rollbar (RID)|Jeepers]], [[Armorhide (RID)|Dangar]], and [[Movor]]) were selected to cauterize the infection, wiping the cities off the map before the plague spread. Movor missed his target, however, and the Vehicons of [[Protihex]] survived.

[[Lio Convoy]] marched the entire army of the Resistance on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], hoping to force the [[Builder Assembly]] to surrender and deactivate the Vehicons. When the Vehicons turned on their masters and began assimilating Builders as well, however, any hope of stopping the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] seemed lost. Out of options, Lio Convoy summoned Ro-Tor and prepped him for detonation, a desperate action designed to destroy the planet before the Vehicons could spread to other worlds. At a Level 10, Ro-Tor would tear a hole through the heart of Cybertron itself.

Before he could be activated, however, [[Eject (G1)|Eject]] and [[Raikuru|Riker]] arrived from the Builders with intel on the Vehicons and their staging ground in the [[Grand Mal]] of [[Nova Cronum]]. In defiance of a reluctant Lio Convoy, Ro-Tor insisted they take advantage of this chance, rather than allow himself to be used to destroy his homeworld. Lio Convoy was chagrined, and agreed to make for Nova Cronum with Ro-Tor and a small team at his side.

The Resistance made for the Grand Mal, with Ro-Tor joining Lio Convoy on the mission as a last resort. Furthermore, he insisted Lio Convoy reset him to Level 2, ensuring he could not be used as a world-killer anymore. A small commando unit infiltrated the fortress and separated. As Lio Convoy slipped away with Blackarachnia to confront [[Galva Convoy]], creator of the Vehicons, Ro-Tor went with [[Razorbeast]] and [[Apexus]] to cause a distraction and lure the Vehicon hordes away from their commanders. Lio Convoy defeated Galva Convoy, at great personal cost, but the wizard behind the curtain peeked out, and [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] seized control of the Grand Mal when his puppet had fallen. Blackarachnia sent the last of the commandos to carry the prone Lio Convoy to safety while she and Ro-Tor made their way towards engineering. Ro-Tor intended to use his K-Class mode to destroy the engineering section, but his sacrifice was stopped by the [[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bot]] called [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]. Having his own score to settle with Delirious, Rampage ripped the core bomb out of Ro-Tor and tore open his own chest, affixing the bomb to his spark. Rampage insisted on no more sacrifices, and urged Ro-Tor and Blackarachnia to the exits. Quickly. The [[Point One Percenter]] detonated the core bomb, allowing Ro-Tor to live on. {{storylink|Derailment}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
The Commandos were an ultra-violent team of Decepticons created from five Autobot protoforms, each imbued with a fragment of Megatron's own spark. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
:''See: [[Ruination (RID)#Toys]]''

==Notes==
*In Hasbro material, the Commandos are represented by the classic [[Decepticon]] [[insignia]], whereas in the original Japanese series, the Combatrons used [[Insignia|a different one]] that was recolored from that of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' [[Autobot]]s. This is because the original [[Scourge (RID)#Toys|Black Convoy]] toy was a retool of ''Generation 2'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Laser Optimus Prime]], which included the symbol moulded onto some of its accessories.
*''Car Robots'' designer [[Hironori Kobayashi]] elaborated that the reason they specifically opted to turn the insignia upside down and color it black was that it kinda looks like [[Darth Vader]] if you squint.<ref>Interview with [[TakaraTomy]] designer [[Hisashi Yuki]] in the ''[[Transformers Generations 2015]]'' guidebook.</ref>
*The Commandos' character models are heavily based on their toys, much more so than the Generation 1 [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]].
*Whereas on the Hasbro ''Robots in Disguise'' side of things, "Commando" refers strictly to the five combining members of Ruination, excluding Scourge, in Takara's ''Car Robots'' story, the five members of Baldigus are "Combatrons" along with Black Convoy, with no special name for their combining quintet.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Combatron''' (コンバットロン ''Konbattoron'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Maximal subgroups]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game subgroups]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) subgroups]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors subgroups]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]

Mega-Octane

2025-10-29T20:31:47Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|decepticon|unicron|maximal|autobotg2}}
{{disambig2|the combining Decepticon from ''Robots in Disguise''|the Decepticon Triple Changer from Generation 1|Octane}}
:''Mega-Octane is a [[Decepticon]] [[Commando (RID)|Commando]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Mega-octanerid.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] called. He wants his head back.]]
'''Mega-Octane''' (aka '''Dolrailer''' and '''Mega-Dolrailer''') is the cool-headed commander of the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]]. He orders his troops into battle with militaristic stoicism, as if they were his own limbs, but actually spends more of his time keeping the hot-headed [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] in check. Scourge claims to be leader of the small Decepticon faction, but in reality it is Mega-Octane who holds the group together. But all great bots have their personal quirks—Mega-Octane is not satisfied unless he takes his bath before everyone else.<ref>No joke. This is from Mega-Octane/Dolrailer's ''Car Robots'' bio.</ref>

He merges with the other Commandos to form [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]], who he completely controls. Having lost command of the Decepticons to Scourge, he ''revels'' in commanding the power of this mighty gestalt.<ref>Commandos [[bio]] on the R2 DVDs</ref>

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Bob Papenbrook]] (English), [[Holly Kaneko]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]] only), [[Gerolamo Alchieri]] (Italian), [[Byeong-gwan Kim]] (Korean), [[Salvador Delgado]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Carlos Seidl]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Sohn Son-kun]] (Korean)}}

Mega-Octane was originally part of a small Autobot crew sent to Earth to reactivate the legendary Autobot battle station, [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. As they were stored in a [[protoform]] state, the Autobots were unable to prevent their spaceship from malfunctioning and crashing somewhere in the United States in the mid-20th century. The ship was later discovered by [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]] during his work as an archaeologist and, later still, the information was obtained by [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] through scans of the doctor's mind. Megatron was able to steal the six Autobot protoforms and take them to a [[McKinley Army Base|nearby military base]], where he infused them with his own spark energy, turning them into Decepticons. The first of the Decepticons to be reformatted was Mega-Octane. Although [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] optimistically tried to welcome Mega-Octane to Earth, he was rebuffed and the Decepticon set about covering the Predacons as they scanned new forms for the rest of the Decepticons. Although Mega-Octane regarded himself as the leader, Scourge, the last to be reformatted, asserted his own leadership over the five [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]]. {{storylink|The Decepticons}}

[[File:Commandos Megaoctane.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Boosh!]]
On their first mission, the Decepticons mounted an attack on [[Sherman Dam]], abseiling up the side of it in order to plant [[pulsar bomb]]s. When Scourge attempted to detonate the bombs, they found that [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] had tampered with them, forcing them to attempt to destroy the dam through other means. The arrival of [[Team Bullet Train]] resulted in Mega-Octane ordering the Commandos to combine into Ruination for the first time, although the huge robot was soon defeated by [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] and the [[Autobot Brothers]]. {{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. The Commandos were relegated to against the [[Spychanger]]s when they arrived with Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} In an attempt to restore themselves in Megatron's eyes, they hatched a new plan to launch [[Movor]] into space to try to track the Autobots to their lair. With mounting irritation, Mega-Octane led his team from target to target, none of them the Autobot base, until they were eventually led into a trap. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:The Test Meeting.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Scale|My toy is not this tall.]]]]
Mega-Octane soon came up with a new plan to find the Autobot base — the Decepticons would pretend to switch sides. He met with Optimus Prime under a white flag, claiming that the Decepticons had rediscovered their Autobot nature and no longer followed Megatron. The Autobot brothers subjected the six Decepticons to test after test to prove their loyalty, with Mega-Octane barely keeping Scourge's temper in check. Unfortunately, right on the verge of success, Scourge gave the plan away and the Decepticons were forced to retreat. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

A new plan was hatched 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}} 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 Global Space Bridge, the Decepticons tracked one of the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] to the space bridge control center, allowing them to break in and sabotage the controls, sending any Autobots using the space bridge to a random destination. Mega-Octane remained in the control center while Scourge joined Megatron at the North Energy Research Center, and the other Commandos caused havoc in other parts of the city to draw the Autobots away. When the Autobots discovered the sabotage, the Commandos attempted to prevent them reaching the control center but were fought off. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[File:A Test of Metal Megaoctane vehicle.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Two guns are better than one!]]
The Decepticons attempted to curry favour with Megatron by intercepting Optimus Prime to obtain the [[O-Part]]s, but were ultimately unsuccessful. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}} The Commandos made another attempt to please Megatron, stealing energy from a power plant, only to have it swiped by the Build Team while they were busy fighting Rail Racer. Annoyed, the Decepticons began to randomly attack construction vehicles in order to draw the Build Team out. Eventually the Build Team learned of the attacks and faced the Commandos, defeating Ruination. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

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. Instead of the expected Autobots, they were confronted by [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. They attempted to fight the newly arrived Autobot, 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 them to know why one Autobot had done what the Decepticons had failed to do. 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}} Mega-Octane joined Scourge, Sky-Byte, Megatron, and the rest of the Commandos in watching archival footage of Ultra Magnus in order to get a better understanding of their newly arrived enemy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} Seeing an opportunity, Scourge met with Ultra Magnus 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!}}

[[File:Koji Gets His Wish Megaoctane.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|You see how awesome this sticker is?]]
With information extracted from Doctor Onishi, the Decepticons were led to venture beneath [[Metro City]], following the tunnels to find a huge underground cavern housing Fortress Maximus. After fighting the Autobots, Maximus' defences forced them to retreat. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} While Scourge undertook a mission to find Maximus, the Commandos kept Rail Racer busy as Ruination. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

The Decepticons attempted unsuccessfully to prevent the Autobots from finding the rest of the O-Parts {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} and were led by Megatron to the [[Sahara]], where the Autobots were looking for the [[Orb of Sigma]]. Despite breaching the pyramid in which the Orb was stored, they were unable to prevent the Autobots from making off with it, and Megatron himself was lost. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}}

With Scourge now leading, the Decepticons tracked the Autobots to a temple, where [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] was recovered. Mega-Octane warned Scourge that they might not be able to command Cerebros, but Scourge was confident that the Autobot portion of his bio-signature would be sufficient. Sure enough, Cerebros led them to Maximus' hiding place and activated the giant robot. Once activated, Scourge was unable to control Maximus, and the Decepticons were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:Human Element Megaoctane.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|What? Nothing! Mind your business!]]
With the return of Megatron with a new form and name, Galvatron, Scourge made a few more attempts to control Fortress Maximus. Before once such attempt, Mega-Octane suggested either delete or altering Cerebros's command block program. Scourge insisted on using deception however, and used his human bio-signature in order to seize control of the titan. Mega-Octane and his Commandos served as Scourge's reinforcements on the battlefield, but left as soon as Scourge appeared in control of the situation. Just as the first attempt at controlling Fortress Maximus, this second attempt ended in failure. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

Mega-Octane and Scourge attempted to abduct Koji to get him to control Fortress Maximus for them. Their kidnapping attempt was stopped by the Autobot Brothers, and Mega-Octane was forced to retreat. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

Eventually, Scourge gave away the fact that he was betraying Galvatron. Furious, Galvatron reprogrammed absolute loyalty into all six of the Decepticons and put them under Sky-Byte's command. They were soon led into a trap. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Despite their proven loyalty, Galvatron sent the Decepticons into the Global Space Bridge after the Autobots, then flooding the tunnel with molten lava to kill two birds with one stone. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The Decepticons, like the Autobots, survived but contributed little to the ensuing battle. After Galvatron's eventual defeat at the hands of [[Omega Prime]], the Decepticons were taken aboard Fortress Maximus to the asteroid prison colony. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{--}}

====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''====
{{CRnote}}
Following their capture, Mega-Octane and his Combatrons were taken to a future Cybertron and sentenced to be reverted into [[protoform]]s to cleanse them of their evil programming. He hoped that Scourge would save them, but settled for [[Unicron]]'s help when the Chaos-Bringer contacted him from the year [[2021]] and offered him freedom and coffee milk in exchange for his help in attaching Unicron's head to Cybertron. Transported to the Cybertron of 2021, the Combatrons were [[Reformatting|reformatted]] into powerful new bodies and fought the local Autobots, with Mega-Octane taking on [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and finding his strength disappointing compared to Fire Convoy. On successfully combining Unicron with Cybertron, however, Mega-Octane learned that the dark god had deceived him and was planning to erase the Combatrons from history by changing the past. Outraged, he declared his intent to return to Scourge's side and attacked Unicron in the form of Ruination. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} After Unicron was defeated thanks to the efforts of Ruination and other combiners, the Combatrons returned to the future with a returned Scourge and Sky-Byte, seeking to rescue their leader Devil Gigatron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

The Combatrons stopped by Earth, where they occupied a bathhouse and washed up while discussing their next move. {{storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

After recovering the ship they once arrived on Earth with, Scourge led them in an on attack [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Devil Gigatron was being held. While they managed to infiltrate the ship, the Combatrons were shocked to learn that their leader had joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]] in the meantime. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}} With Scourge forcibly reverted into a heroic [[protoform]] as well, the Combatrons fled to the [[Legends World]] where their former commander began to hunt them down. Having watched his teammates get converted into protoforms, Mega-Octane urged [[Dark Ai]] to save herself just before he was caught and converted by Dimensional Patrol [[Black Convoy Mass Production Type Drone|drones]]. Fortunately, Dark Ai held backup data of the Combatrons' evil personalities and was able to restore them after Scourge turned on the Patrol. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Scourge and the other Combatrons continued traveling together with Dark Ai, seeking their own destiny. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===''Universe'' comic===
The Mega-Octane of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] came under the command of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] after the death of Megatron. However, the Commandos, [[Constructicon (RID)|Constructicon]]s, and [[Megabolt]] were abducted by [[Unicron]] for the [[Universe War]]. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

As part of Ruination, Mega-Octane was sent by Unicron along with [[Reptilion]], [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]], and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] to intercept some extra-dimensionals Unicron wanted for the [[Cauldron]]. Ruination's group was successfully fought off by the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] selected a Viron Ruination from [[Greengard]] to be one of his [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]]. Presumably Mega-Octane was part of this Ruination. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/27}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
'''Mega-Dolrailer''' and his Commandos were soldiers serving in the Resistance during the [[Grand Uprising]]. When [[Lio Convoy]] asked for volunteers, they stepped forward to submit to K-Class conversion. Mega-Dolrailer was too large for the process, but his men were modified so their alternate modes became bombs of nearly unclassifiable potential, a final solution should the war against the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]]s become too dark. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
Mega-Octane was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Mega-Octane was the leader of the Decepticon Commandos. Although he was a canny tactician and a capable fighter, he spent most of his time keeping his own unruly troopers in line. {{storylink|Transformers Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook|Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy MegaOctane-Dolrailer.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|(''Car Robots'' Dolrailer)]]
[[File:RID-toy MegaOctane.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|(''Robots in Disguise'' Mega-Octane)]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Dolrailer''' (2000)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Mega-Octane''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''D-010'''
:*''Takara release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, chestplate, ramp, Ruination parts (head, chestplate, left & right fists, left & right footplates)

: A [[redeco]] and minor [[retool]]ing of the "[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]" [[Onslaught (G1)#The Transformers|Onslaught]] toy, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Mega-Octane transforms into a flatbed truck and trailer with a twin-barreled cannon. He also has a third "battle station" mode with a ramp for carrying smaller Decepticons in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s. As the toy uses the "[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Scramble City]]" style of connection, he can form the torso to any combination of similar robots, though naturally he is normally the torso to the combined robot [[Ruination (RID)#Toys|Ruination]]. He also came with the combiner [[kibble]] parts necessary to complete Ruination.

: This toy was first released as "Dolrailer" in the fifth assortment of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Car Robots'' line, and received many small but significant retoolings from the prior versions of the toy. The twin-barreled cannon now has a [[5 mm post|5 mm hole]] to store his large rifle in vehicle/base mode alongside the smaller hole from the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Onslaught (G1)#Generation 2|tooling of the toy]]. (You can use the smaller hole to store the small weapons from the other members of Ruination if you want. Why not?) The ramp was also given a 5 mm post, which lets it store on the cannon-base, or be hand-held (awkwardly) as a shield in robot or super [[robot mode]]s. His large rifle also had one of the small circular holes cut all the way through, making it easier to attach the smaller components' rifles to it. (You could still do this with the original [[sonic stun-gun]], but the shallower pegs made the connections kinda loose.) Odd for a toy from this era, Dolrailer makes use of multiple [[sticker]]s for large parts of his deco. Like [[Great Cannon#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform_Transformers|Great Cannon]], he uses the Hasbro assembly that inserts a plastic filler where the spring-loaded vehicle launcher would be in base mode.

: The later [[Hasbro]] release as "Mega-Octane" in the fourth wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Deluxes (the only new toy in that assortment) made many further changes. The most immediately-noticeable are in its deco; Dolrailer's lighter olive turned dark forest-green, his metal-flake mustard-yellow turned a flat stony-blue, and the slightly-shiny reddish-orange became a flatter more orangeish-red. (Yes, there is a difference.) Mega-Octane does not use any stickers, leaving all of those areas blank. His camo [[paint operation]]s are the same pattern, but the black-with-copper has been changed to a light-olive-with-black. And, of course, there is now a great big Decepticon emblem on his roof, rather than the "Anti-Cybertron" badge on the truck-door stickers that aren't there anymore. Mega-Octane also got some further retooling, most notably his rifle barrel was shortened considerably (likely [[for safety reasons]], possibly breakage potential?), but furthermore his cannon/backpack now attaches via larger 5 mm pegs, plus a new rectangular peg was added to the cannon-stand to better secure it in "battle station" mode. The cannon's twin barrels are also filled in all around, presumably for aesthetic reasons. His shoulders were also changed from clicky ratchet joints to friction-based ones that pop apart if excessive force is applied. All subsequent releases of this toy from Hasbro or Takara/[[Sonokong]] (including the "Generation 1" Combaticon reissue) used this version of the tooling as the base.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Decepticon/Mega-Octane/mega-octane.htm More information on Mega-Octane at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Baldigus}}
[[File:RID-toy Baldigus-Boxed.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Baldigus''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-011'''
:*''Release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, chestplate, ramp, Ruination parts (head, chestplate, left & right fists, left & right footplates)

: In Japan, Dolrailer was also made available as part of a complete team multi-pack with his teammates [[Armorhide (RID)#Toys|Dangar]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Toys|Greejeeber]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Toys|Hepter]], and [[Movor#Toys|Shuttler]]. All toys were identical to their individual Japanese releases, but the set only came with a bio card for the combined form.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

{{-}}{{anchor|Urban}}
[[File:RID MegaOctane Urbancamo toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|"Boombox and Spinners Not Included"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[September 26]], 2003
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, chestplate, ramp, Ruination parts (head, chestplate, left & right fists, left & right footplates)

: The entire Commando team was redecoed in various shades of gray with "urban camo" patterns and rather extensive amounts of robot-mode paint detailing as part of a [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] gift set, oddly released well after the end of the ''Robots in Disguise'' line in packaging that was in the style of the then-running ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toyline.

: This set was made available in Japan as a "[[USA Edition]]" release, available only to retailers participating in [[Toy's Dream Project]]'s "Toy Card" program. This release uses the same packaging as the Hasbro version, only with some added stickers for "USA Edition" branding and other legal information.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Mega-Octane/mega-octane.htm More information on Wal-Mart Mega-Octane at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy MegaOctane.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|[[Octane]]'s Octanite is reacting to Takara's Mega Ring!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, chestplate, ramp, Ruination parts (head, chestplate, left & right fists, left & right footplates)

: The entire Ruination team, using the urban camo molding, was redecoed ''again'' to make ''another'' Walmart-exclusive set, this time with a unified "desert camo" theme, under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner. It came out at the same time as five ''other'' Walmart ''Transformers'' exclusives, which led to a glut. Ruination seemed a particularly slow mover in this batch.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/Mega-Octane/mega-octane.htm More information on ''Universe'' Mega-Octane at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}
{{-}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:UW-toy Dolrailer.jpg|thumb|300px|upright=1.67|[[Pokeformers|Octane has Mega Evolved into Mega-Octane!]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Baldigus''' (Giftset, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[March 31]], 2017
:*''Accessories:'' Left & right turret-cannons, 2 rifles, left & right Baldigus fists, 2 Baldigus feet

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Dolrailer is a redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]], transforming into a vague anti-aircraft military truck-thing. While it may seem as if his turret cannot rotate, folding the combiner chestplate parts at the side of the truck mode up will allow it to do so. He comes with both the mold's regular guns and redecoes of ''Unite Warriors'' [[Scattershot (G1)#Unite Warriors 2|Scattershot]]'s guns, which are designed to combine into a long rifle, or be added to the vehicle-mode's cannons to form ''super''-ridiculously long cannons.

: Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager mold, he can combine with any four compatible Deluxes, though he is meant to combine with his fellow box-set-mates —[[Armorhide (RID)#Unite Warriors|Dangar]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Unite Warriors|Greejeeber]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Unite Warriors|Hepter]], and [[Movor#Unite Warriors|Shuttler]]— to form [[Ruination (RID)#Unite Warriors|Baldigus]]. While the combined form's hands and feet are separate accessories, its head and chestplate are built into Dolrailer. In this mode, his "new" rifles form the core of one of Baldigus's two multi-weapons.

: This set was the sixth [[TakaraTomy Mall]] [[exclusive]] set in the line, and the final ''Unite Warriors'' release. It was also the fourth toy to have the "UW-EX" ID "number", shared with [[Grand Scourge#Unite Warriors|Grand Scourge]], [[Sky Reign#Unite Warriors 2|Lynxmaster]], and [[Megatronia#Toys|Megatronia]].
{{CWHotSpotMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*A Japanese model sheet of Mega-Octane's cartoon model features his Japanese name as "Doltrailer" (ドルトレイラー ''Dorutoreirā'').<ref>[http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/UndertakerPrime/media/cGF0aDpNb2JpbGUgVXBsb2Fkcy9pbWFnZV96cHNidWtycTB1dC5qcGVn/?ref= ''Car Robots'' "Doltrailer" model sheet]</ref> As his finalized Japanese name lacks the ''to'' (ト) character seen in this rendering, this name is either a typo, or a preliminary name for the character before Takara settled on "Dolrailer".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Dolrailer''' (ドルレイラー ''Dorureirā''), '''Mega-Octane''' (メガオクテイン ''Mega Okutein'')
*''Italian:'' '''Mega-Ottano''' ("Mega-Octane")
*''Korean:'' '''Dolrailer''' (돌레이러 ''Dolleireo'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Mega-Octano''' (America, "Mega-Octane")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Resistance]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Universe combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Ro-Tor (RID)

2025-10-29T20:30:55Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|decepticon|unicron|maximal|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Ro-Tor}}
:''Ro-Tor is a [[Decepticon]] [[Commando (RID)|Commando]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Ro-TorRID01.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"The samurai of sincerity!"]]
Sneering from his place in the sky, '''Ro-Tor''' (aka '''Hepter''') literally and figuratively looks down on everyone else. Smarmy and arrogant, he enjoys sniping at the largely ground-based [[Autobot]]s with both words and plasma fire. Capable of near-silent flight and incredible maneuverability, he loves a good sneak attack. In robot mode, he can use both rotor blades as deadly cutting weapons; the rotor on his back detaches to become a massive ''shuriken'', while the attached blade on his right arm gives him an extra edge in up-close melee combat. He forms half of the Decepticon [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]]' air force, though he'd probably say he's the only ''good'' part of it... a position the ground forces are quite likely to agree with.

In his downtime, he enjoys taking a nice, hot, open-air bath with a good view.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Neil Kaplan]] (English), [[Masao Harada]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, till [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, from [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[José Luis Orozco]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

[[File:Commandos Movor RoTor firing.jpg|thumb|left]]
Ro-Tor was originally one of a group of Autobots led by [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], who traveled to [[Earth]] in a [[protoform]] state. Their ship crashed, and years later was dug up by a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s under [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s leadership. Taken to [[McKinley Army Base]], the Predacons scanned army vehicles as Megatron infused them with his spark energy. [[Dark Scream]] had Ro-Tor's protoform scan a helicopter, to give their forces some air support. Though the newly born-Decepticons were ready to fight, Megatron ordered them to retreat so they could re-power. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} The new troops' first mission was to destroy a dam, allowing Ro-Tor to utilise his sting blades. They planted [[pulsar bomb]]s on [[Sherman Dam]], however when [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] took control of the bombs, preventing them from firing, the ground-based Commandos blasted a hole in the dam and ended up grappling with the freed [[Autobot Brothers]]. Ro-Tor and [[Movor]] attempted to provide air support, but were attacked by the newly arrived [[Team Bullet Train]]. When the trains formed [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]], the Commandos responded by forming [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]], however the combined power of the Autobots was too much for them and they were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Commandos}}

The Commandos unsuccessfully fought against the [[Spychanger]]s on [[Montrose Island]] {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} after which they substituted Movor for a real space shuttle, shooting the Decepticon into orbit so he could try to find the Autobots' secret base. Although Ro-Tor was pleased at the brilliance of the plan, they had little success. Eventually Movor sent the Commandos to [[Pier 7B]], where the Autobots sprung a trap. Things went downhill from there. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:TheTest Rollbar RoTor sweeping.jpg|thumb|right|Toy accurate and helpful around the house!]]
The next cunning plan was to try to make the Autobots think that the Decepticons were defecting. The Autobot Brothers tested them by forcing them to do various menial tasks, which they threw themselves into in an attempt to lull the Autobots into a false sense of security. Ro-Tor went along with the plan, announcing happily he could sweep the forest all day long, and that beautifying [[Metro City]] was hugely rewarding. His efforts were all for naught, as Scourge lost his temper at the last minute, giving the game away and resulting in [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] chasing the Decepticons off. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}} The Decepticons later interrupted one of Sky-Byte's plans, and Ro-Tor was able to snatch a disk which appeared to be a map to the [[Global Space Bridge]] system. Unfortunately when they used it, it turned out to be a map of the local ''sewer'' system, and the Decepticons found themselves on the business end of Optimus's blizzard storm. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

When once again, [[X-Brawn]] slipped through the Decepticons' fingers using the Global Space Bridge, Ro-Tor was able to track [[Grimlock (RID 2001)|Grimlock]], one of the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]], to the space bridge control center. The Decepticons broke into the center and Scourge sabotaged it to send the Autobots to random locations. Soon Ro-Tor was trashing a rail bridge somewhere Metro City, in an attempt to lure the Autobots into using the space bridge. It wasn't long before the Build Team realised what had happened, defeated the Commandos and repaired the space bridge. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} Later the Decepticons attempted to intercept Optimus Prime, who they believed was taking the [[O-Part]]s to Sky-Byte, however even combining into Ruination didn't help them and the Autobot leader was barely slowed down. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

[[File:TestOfMetal Heavyload slams RoTor.jpg|thumb|left|This happens in lots of anime, but the offending chest is usually much softer.]]
After their raid on the [[East Power Station]] was foiled by the Build Team, the Commandos resolved to get their revenge on the Autobots. To this end, they started attacking construction sites in an attempt to goad the Build Team into fighting them. Eventually they drew the Build Team out and engaged them in combat. [[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]] was able to pin Ro-Tor to the ground, however [[Mega-Octane]] took [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] hostage, turning the battle in the Decepticons' favour. At least until Landfill led Ruination into an oil-filled cavern and ignited it, blasting the Commandos into the ocean. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

A later raid on an oil refinery went better—while the Autobot Brothers did turn up, they were prevented from stopping the Decepticons by the arrival of [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. Still, the Decepticons only got a portion of the fuel and, at Megatron's orders, set up a trap for the Autobot Brothers. Instead they got Ultra Magnus, whose fighting skills outclassed theirs. Even forming Ruination didn't help, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat with the arrival of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Back in the ''[[Megastar]]'', they watched the fight between Optimus and Ultra Magnus, as Movor spied on it from orbit. Though Optimus lost, he was taken by the other Autobots to an island to recuperate, and Megatron and his troops went there to finish the job. Despite the Commandos forming Ruination, they were no match for [[Omega Prime]], the combined form of Optimus and Ultra Magnus, and retreated hastily. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:PowerToBurn Movor RoTor airattack.jpg|thumb|right]]
During a meeting between Sky-Byte and Ultra Magnus, Ro-Tor fired a net at the Autobot Brothers, and missed. Luckily [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]] was able to pick up the slack and capture the three Autobots, but you can bet Ro-Tor was hearing about it for a long while afterward. With the Autobot Brothers captive, the Decepticons and Megatron were able to inflict some punishment on Optimus and Rail Racer, who were unable to fight back. Unfortunately Ultra Magnus rescued the three brothers, and Megatron's forces were soon in retreat once again. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Ro-Tor joined Scourge, Sky-Byte, Megatron, and the rest of the Commandos in watching archival footage of Ultra Magnus in order to get a better understanding of their newly arrived enemy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} Scourge attempted to get Ultra Magnus to join him in destroying Optimus, but Magnus turned him down, resulting in the Decepticons springing a trap on the Autobot. Though [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] attempted to help Magnus, the renegade Autobot promptly left them to it, and they were little match for Ruination. Of course, the arrival of Optimus and return of Magnus turned things pretty firmly back in the Autobots' favour, and the Decepticons retreated once again. {{Storylink|Power to Burn!}}

More information was gleaned from the captured [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]'s mind—there were strange ruins beneath Metro City which emanated powerful energy. The Decepticons set out to find the ruins and promptly ran into the Spychangers. While [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and Rollbar were left to take care of them, the rest of the Decepticons went on and ran into [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] and [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] in a subway tunnel. Movor and Ro-Tor stayed to keep them pinned down while Scourge and Mega-Octane continued on, however Ultra Magnus turned up and accidentally flooded the tunnel. The two Decepticons found themselves being washed away along with Team Bullet Train, eventually being flushed into the cavern containing the ruins where they were reunited with the other Decepticons. They combined into Ruination to fight the Autobots while Scourge headed for the ruins, unleashing [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} Chased off by Fortress Maximus's defense systems, the Commandos formed Ruination to keep Rail Racer busy while Scourge made a second attempt to access Maximus. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:FriendlyContest RoTor and Movor.jpg|thumb|left|"Movor is such a dork he... He's behind me isn't he?"]]
With the hunt for the O-Parts on, the Decepticons confronted the Autobot Brothers and Build Team, who had found an O-Part, and demanded they hand it over. The Autobots promptly disappeared through the Global Space Bridge, starting a game of cat and mouse. The Decepticons eventually cornered them in [[Egypt]], however Sky-Byte's bungling made recovering the O-Parts impossible. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Spying from space, Movor spotted the Autobots in the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]], and Megatron and the Decepticons arrived in time to attack Side Burn. Venturing into the subterranean ruins, they found the Autobots had located the [[Orb of Sigma]], and the Decepticons fought them while Megatron went for the Orb. Ultimately they were unsuccessful and, with the loss of Megatron, the Decepticons retreated back to the ''Megastar''. {{Storylink|Peril from the Past}}

Without Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons had a lot more freedom to do what they wanted. They tracked the Autobots to an old temple, where they were able to snatch [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the key to controlling Fortress Maximus, away with the help of the Predacons. Rollbar and Ro-Tor were able to locate Maximus himself in Metro City and, despite the Autobots attempting to defend the giant, Scourge was able to use Cerebros to activate him. The Commandos combined into Ruination during the following battle, however Scourge's lack of ability to control Maximus and the return of Megatron as Galvatron resulted in the Decepticons retreating. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:SurpriseAttack RoTor attackcopter.jpg|thumb|right]]
A second attempt in the desert to control Maximus, with Ruination providing backup, didn't go any better {{storylink|The Human Element}} and during a third attempt, Scourge's treachery was revealed to Galvatron. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}} This resulted in Galvatron forcibly reprogramming all of the Decepticons to obey his will, and putting them under the command of Sky-Byte for an assault on Autobot headquarters. Pursuing the fleeing Optimus Prime, the Decepticons and Predacons were led into a trap, though the arrival of the ''Megastar'' and Fortress Maximus rendered them superfluous anyway. They watched as Maximus defeated the ''Megastar'', and Galvatron fell lifeless to the ground. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Galvatron was not out, however, and the Decepticons defended him while he drained energy from Fortress Maximus. He sent Ruination and Scourge into the Global Space Bridge after the retreating Autobots, before himself flooding the tunnel with lava by rupturing the tunnel wall. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} They survived the lava, only to be swiftly defeated by the Autobot forces. After Galvatron's defeat, they were shipped off to the [[asteroid prison colony]] with Galvatron and the Predacons. {{Storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{-}}
====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
=====''Unite Warriors''=====
Following their capture, Ro-Tor and the other combining Combatrons were brought to a future [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and sentenced to be reverted into [[protoform]]s to cleanse them of their evil programming and, to their horror, identities. They were brought to safety by the [[Unicron]] of [[2021]], who transported them into the past and granted them new bodies in exchange for helping him attach his disembodied head to the planet's surface. During the battle with the local [[Autobot]] forces, Ro-Tor cut through enemy ranks with his "Hepter Cross", a rotor attack that flung energy blades all over the place. Upon connecting Unicron's head to the planet, the Combatrons learned that the dark god had no intention of letting them go free, but rather planned to change this past and undo the future they hailed from! In order to avoid being erased from existence, the team combined into Ruination and turned on Unicron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} After Unicron was defeated thanks to the efforts of Ruination and other combiners, the Combatrons returned to the future with Scourge and Sky-Byte, seeking to rescue their leader Gigatron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

Stopping by Earth, the group occupied a bathhouse to discuss their strategy while enjoying a bath. Movor, Ro-Tor and Sky-Byte were embarrassed to find [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]] peeking at them. {{storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
They recovered the starship they'd once arrived on Earth with and used it to attack [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Gigatron was being held. To the Combatrons' shock, however, Gigatron had turned to the side of good and drained Scourge of his evil essence. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

Ro-Tor and the remaining Combatrons fled to the [[Legends World]]. The militant and determined Scourge, now dedicated to the Autobot cause, pursued the Combatrons. One by one, the Combatrons were captured and forcibly reformatted like Scourge to serve the [[Dimensional Patrol]]. [[Dark Ai]] escaped their dragnet, prompting Scourge and the Dimensional Patrol to insist on staying in the Legends World indefinitely, to the chagrin of its inhabitants. The [[Axalon Trading Company]] helped Dark Ai restore Scourge based on a copy of his original personality in order to get rid of the occupying armed forces. When Scourge was restored, he went on to restore Ro-Tor and the others as well. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Scourge and the other Combatrons continued traveling together with Dark Ai, seeking their own destiny. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===''Universe'' comic===
The Ro-Tor of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] came under the command of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] after the death of Megatron. However, the Commandos, [[Constructicon (RID)|Constructicon]]s, and [[Megabolt]] were abducted by [[Unicron]] for the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

As part of Ruination, Ro-Tor was sent by Unicron along with [[Reptilion]], [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]], and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] to intercept some extra-dimensionals Unicron wanted for the [[Cauldron]]. Ruination's group was successfully fought off by the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] selected a Viron Ruination from [[Greengard]] to be one of his [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]]. Presumably Ro-Tor was part of this Ruination. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/27}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Ro-Tor and his team of [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] Commandos volunteered for augmentation into [[K-Class]] living bombs. Deemed only a last resort, the Commandos were retrofitted to transform into massively destructive weapons of annihilation, with the core bombs inside them linked to their very sparks. At maximum detonation, a K-Class could effectively end the world.

The Resistance enjoyed stellar cycles of victory that made any use of the K-Class troopers seem unrealistic. That all changed with the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. These anti-spark drones assimilated other proto-formers on contact, spreading their nano-plague exponentially. Two Resistance city-states had already fallen before High Command learned of the third. Ro-Tor and three fellow Commandos ([[Rollbar (RID)|Jeepers]], [[Armorhide (RID)|Dangar]], and [[Movor]]) were selected to cauterize the infection, wiping the cities off the map before the plague spread. Movor missed his target, however, and the Vehicons of [[Protihex]] survived.

[[Lio Convoy]] marched the entire army of the Resistance on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], hoping to force the [[Builder Assembly]] to surrender and deactivate the Vehicons. When the Vehicons turned on their masters and began assimilating Builders as well, however, any hope of stopping the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] seemed lost. Out of options, Lio Convoy summoned Ro-Tor and prepped him for detonation, a desperate action designed to destroy the planet before the Vehicons could spread to other worlds. At a Level 10, Ro-Tor would tear a hole through the heart of Cybertron itself.

Before he could be activated, however, [[Eject (G1)|Eject]] and [[Raikuru|Riker]] arrived from the Builders with intel on the Vehicons and their staging ground in the [[Grand Mal]] of [[Nova Cronum]]. In defiance of a reluctant Lio Convoy, Ro-Tor insisted they take advantage of this chance, rather than allow himself to be used to destroy his homeworld. Lio Convoy was chagrined, and agreed to make for Nova Cronum with Ro-Tor and a small team at his side.

The Resistance made for the Grand Mal, with Ro-Tor joining Lio Convoy on the mission as a last resort. Furthermore, he insisted Lio Convoy reset him to Level 2, ensuring he could not be used as a world-killer anymore. A small commando unit infiltrated the fortress and separated. As Lio Convoy slipped away with Blackarachnia to confront [[Galva Convoy]], creator of the Vehicons, Ro-Tor went with [[Razorbeast]] and [[Apexus]] to cause a distraction and lure the Vehicon hordes away from their commanders. Lio Convoy defeated Galva Convoy, at great personal cost, but the wizard behind the curtain peeked out, and [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] seized control of the Grand Mal when his puppet had fallen. Blackarachnia sent the last of the commandos to carry the prone Lio Convoy to safety while she and Ro-Tor made their way towards engineering. Ro-Tor intended to use his K-Class mode to destroy the engineering section, but his sacrifice was stopped by the [[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bot]] called [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]]. Having his own score to settle with Delirious, Rampage ripped the core bomb out of Ro-Tor and tore open his own chest, affixing the bomb to his spark. Rampage insisted on no more sacrifices, and urged Ro-Tor and Blackarachnia to the exits. Quickly. The [[Point One Percenter]] detonated the core bomb, allowing Ro-Tor to live on. {{Storylink|Derailment}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
Ro-Tor was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Ro-Tor was a member of the Commandos. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy RoTor-Hepter.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|''Car Robots'' Hepter]]
[[File:RID-toy RoTor.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|''Robots in Disguise'' Ro-Tor]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Hepter''' (2000)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Ro-Tor''' (Basic Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''D-009'''
:*''Takara release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right vehicle cannons, pistol

: A [[redeco]] of the "[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]" [[Vortex (G1)#Toys|Vortex]] toy, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Ro-Tor transforms into a {{w|SH-2 Seasprite|Kaman Aerospace SH-2 Seasprite helicopter}}. He has a pair of large, non-firing cannons that clip onto the back end of his copter mode, plus a pistol that becomes a nose-mounted gun. While his rotor blade assembly is removable, there's not really much of anything he can ''do'' with it once popped off. As the toy uses the "[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Scramble City]]" style of connection, he can form any limb to any combination of similar robots, though naturally, he normally forms a limb to the combined robot [[Ruination (RID)#Toys|Ruination]]; as the left arm in the more-common "Flight Mission" mode, or the right leg for "Land Mission" mode.

: He was first released in the fifth assortment of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Car Robots'' line in 2000 as "Hepter".

: In 2001, [[Hasbro]] released the toy in the third wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' "Basic" toys as "Ro-Tor", with a host of deco changes. The Takara Hepter's metallic blue plastic was replaced with a flatter, richer dark-blue. Ro-Tor lost Hepter's white "underbelly" paint spray, added red arrow-markings to the vehicle sides, and replaced the "Anti-Cybertron" symbol with the Decepticon emblem. Hasbro's [[stock photography]] shows red paint on the ends of the large rotor blades, but these were ultimately lacking in the final product.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2001/Decepticon/Ro-Tor/ro-tor.htm More information on Ro-Tor at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Baldigus}}
[[File:RID-toy Baldigus-Boxed.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Baldigus''' (Multi-pack, July 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-011'''
:*''Release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right vehicle cannons, pistol

: In Japan, Ro-Tor/Hepter was also made available as part of a complete team multi-pack with his teammates [[Armorhide (RID)#Toys|Dangar]], [[Mega-Octane#Toys|Dolrailer]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Toys|Greejeeber]], and [[Movor#Toys|Shuttler]]. All toys were identical to their individual Japanese releases, but the set only came with a bio card for the combined form.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

{{-}}{{anchor|Urban}}
[[File:RID-toy RoTor-Urban.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[September 26]], 2003
:*''Accessories'': Left & right vehicle cannons, pistol

: The entire Commando team was redecoed in various shades of gray with "urban camo" patterns as part of a [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] gift set, with an extensive number of robot mode paint applications. This set was oddly released well after the end of the normal ''Robots in Disguise'' line in packaging that was in the style of the then-running ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toyline.

: This set was made available in Japan as a "[[USA Edition]]" release, available only to retailers participating in [[Toy's Dream Project]]'s "Toy Card" program. This release uses the same packaging as the Hasbro version, only with some added stickers for "USA Edition" branding and other legal information.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Ro-Tor/ro-tor.htm More information on Walmart Ro-Tor at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy RoTor.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Left & right vehicle cannons, pistol

: The entire Ruination team was redecoed ''again'' to make ''another'' Walmart exclusive set, this time with a unified "desert camo" theme under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner. It came out at the same time as five ''other'' Walmart ''Transformers'' exclusives, which led to a glut. Ruination seemed a particularly slow mover in this batch.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/Ro-Tor/ro-tor.htm More information on Universe Ro-Tor at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}
{{-}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:UW-toy Hepter.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|I BELIEVE I CAN FLY]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Baldigus''' (Giftset, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[March 31]], 2017
:*''Accessories:'' Chaingun, pistol

: ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Hepter is a redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxe Class [[Vortex (G1)#Combiner Wars|Vortex]] (makes sense!), transforming into a helicopter that resembles an Aerospatiale Dauphin, though this release uses the four-bladed rotor retool from Vortex's ''Unite Warriors'' release rather than the Hasbro version's two-bladed rotor. Along with the mold's standard chaingun, he also comes with a redeco of ''Unite Warriors'' [[Mixmaster (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Mixmaster]]'s gun.

: As a ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe-sized figure mold, he can combine with any compatible Voyager Class torso to form a super-robot limb, though once again he is meant to combine with his box-set-mates [[Armorhide (RID)#Unite Warriors|Dangar]], [[Mega-Octane#Unite Warriors|Dolrailer]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Unite Warriors|Greejeeber]], and [[Movor#Unite Warriors|Shuttler]] to form [[Ruination (RID)#Unite Warriors|Baldigus]].

: Reportedly, some samples of this toy come with two left arms, so it's bit of a crapshoot if you want a perfect Hepter.
{{CWAlphaBravoMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Ro-Tor has the most He-Manny/[[GoBots|GoBotty]] name in Transformersdom.
*When providing Ro-Tor's English dub voice, actor [[Neil Kaplan]] sounds like he's doing an impression of [[Jerry Houser]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Hepter''' (ヘプター ''Heputā''), '''Ro-Tor''' (ローター ''Rōtā'')
*''Korean:'' '''Hepter''' (헵터 ''Hepteo'')

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Resistance]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Universe combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Rollbar (RID)

2025-10-29T20:30:09Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|decepticon|unicron|maximal|autobotg2}}
{{disambigm|Rollbar (disambiguation)|Greejeeber}}
:''Rollbar is a [[Decepticon]] [[Commando (RID)|Commando]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:RollbarRID.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"If you look into his eyes real hard, you can see your own death!"]]
'''Rollbar''' (aka '''Greejeeber''' and '''Jeepers''') is a member of the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]], the team that combines into [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. Though just as dedicated to fighting [[Autobot]]s as the rest of his team, he's more restrained, especially in comparison to his fellow land-based Decepticon, [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]], though this is not hard. He's a practitioner of [[Crystalocution]], as well as jiu-jitsu and other forms of Earthly martial arts. Curiously, he enjoys sauna baths and rainy days.

Also, he sounds vaguely Southern.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Michael Lindsay]] (English), [[Riki Kitazawa]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, till [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, from [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Benjamín Rivera]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Kim Seung-tae]] (Korean)}}

[[File:Commandos XBrawn grabs Rollbar.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Awww, someone needs a hug]]
Rollbar was originally one of a group of Autobots led by [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], who travelled to [[Earth]] in a [[protoform]] state. Their ship crashed, and years later was dug up by a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s under [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s leadership. Taken to [[McKinley Army Base]], the Predacons scanned army vehicles as Megatron infused them with his spark energy. For Rollbar's protoform, [[Gas Skunk]] selected a jeep, on the grounds its cannon would "make scraplets out of the Autobots". Though the newly born-Decepticons were ready to fight, Megatron ordered them to retreat so they could repower. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} The new troops' first mission was to destroy a dam, during which Scourge described Rollbar as "all-terrain terror". They planted [[pulsar bomb]]s on [[Sherman Dam]], however when [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] took control of the bombs, preventing them from firing, [[Mega-Octane]], Armorhide and Rollbar blasted a hole in the dam. This released the [[Autobot Brothers]] from their watery prison, and Rollbar was grabbed by [[X-Brawn]]. The subsequent arrival of [[Team Bullet Train]] led the Commandos to undergo their first merging into Ruination, tangling with [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. The combined power of the Autobots was too much for them, however, and they retreated. {{storylink|Commandos}}

The Commandos unsuccessfully fought against the [[Spychanger]]s on [[Montrose Island]] {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} after which they substituted [[Movor]] for a real space shuttle, shooting the Decepticon into orbit so he could try to find the Autobots' secret base. Eventually he sent the Commandos to [[Pier 7B]], where the Autobots sprung a trap. Mega-Octane ordered the Commandos to form Ruination, but Rollbar rightly pointed out that they were a man down. Things went downhill from there. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:TheTest Rollbar RoTor sweeping.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1]]
The next cunning plan was to try to make the Autobots think that the Decepticons were defecting. The Autobot Brothers tested them by forcing them to do various menial tasks, which they threw themselves into in an attempt to lull the Autobots into a false sense of security. Having to act positive all the time was getting on Rollbar's nerves by the time they came to cleaning up a canal, and he told his teammates to can the act, as the Autobots wouldn't be able to hear them anyway. Despite all their hard work, Scourge ended up giving the plan away at the last minute, and [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] fought them to a retreat. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

Scourge, Mega-Octane, Armorhide and Rollbar attacked a power plant, only for Sky-Byte and his three sidekicks to show up disguised as Autobots, followed by the actual Autobots. Attacks at several other power plants didn't go much better, despite Megatron lending a hand. {{storylink|The Fish Test}} The Decepticons later interrupted one of Sky-Byte's plans, and obtained a disk which appeared to be a map to the [[Global Space Bridge]] system. Unfortunately when they used it, it turned out to be a map of the local ''sewer'' system, and the Decepticons found themselves on the business end of Optimus's blizzard storm. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

[[File:Landfill Rollbar crouch.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|It's a little known fact that some episodes of ''Robots in Disguise'' were animated by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]].]]
When once again, X-Brawn slipped through the Decepticons' fingers using the Global Space Bridge, the Decepticons tracked down the space bridge control center. Rollbar was a proponent of the idea to sabotage the Global Space Bridge computer and accused Armorhide of having a "half-track mind" when his fellow displayed enthusiasm for simply blowing it up. He admitted smashing a wall down is one way to get into a room, but "I myself woulda used the door". Once the space bridge was sabotaged, the Commandos caused havoc in [[Metro City]] to trick the Autobots into using it, but [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] soon realised what had happened, defeated the Commandos and repaired the space bridge. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} Later the Decepticons attempted to intercept Optimus Prime, who they believed was taking the [[O-Part]]s to Sky-Byte, however even combining into Ruination didn't help them and the Autobot leader soon defeated them. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

After their raid on the [[East Power Station]] was foiled by the Build Team, the Commandos resolved to get their revenge on the Autobots. To this end, they started attacking construction sites in an attempt to goad the Build Team into fighting them. Eventually they drew the Build Team out and were able to dominate them in combat, at least until Landfill led Ruination into an oil-filled cavern and ignited it, blasting the Commandos into the ocean. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

A later raid on an oil refinery went better—while the Autobot Brothers did turn up, they were prevented from stopping the Decepticons by the arrival of [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. Still, the Decepticons only got a portion of the fuel and, at Megatron's orders, set up a trap for the Autobot Brothers. Instead they got Ultra Magnus, whose fighting skills outclassed theirs. Even forming Ruination didn't help, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat with the arrival of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Back in the ''[[Megastar]]'', they watched the fight between Optimus and Ultra Magnus, as Movor spied on it from orbit. Though Optimus lost, he was taken by the other Autobots to an island to recuperate, and Megatron and his troops went there to finish the job. Despite the Commandos forming Ruination, they were no match for [[Omega Prime]], the combined form of Optimus and Ultra Magnus, and retreated hastily. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:TwoFacesUltraMagnus Rollbar vehiclemode.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Are ya feeling lucky, punk?]]
After Rollbar captured the Autobot Brothers in a net, the three Autobots were held captive, allowing the Decepticons and Megatron to inflict some punishment on Optimus and Rail Racer, who were unable to fight back. Unfortunately Ultra Magnus rescued the three brothers, and Megatron's forces were soon in retreat once again. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Rollbar joined Scourge, Sky-Byte, Megatron, and the rest of the Commandos in watching archival footage of Ultra Magnus in order to get a better understanding of their newly arrived enemy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} Scourge attempted to get Ultra Magnus to join him in destroying Optimus, but Magnus turned him down, resulting in the Decepticons springing a trap on the Autobot. Though [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] attempted to help Magnus, the renegade Autobot promptly left them to it, and they were little match for Ruination. Of course, the arrival of Optimus and return of Magnus turned things pretty firmly back in the Autobots' favour, and the Decepticons retreated once again. {{Storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[File:Fortress Maximus Rollbarskybyte.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|I didn't think it was possible, but Armorhide just got even uglier.]]
More information was gleaned from the captured Doctor Onishi's mind—there were strange ruins beneath Metro City which emanated powerful energy. The Decepticons set out to find the ruins and promptly ran into the Spychangers. Armorhide and Rollbar were left to do battle and easily dispatched the six Autobots, before rejoining the other Decepticons in a tunnel dug by the Build Team. As they neared the source of the power, Rollbar started hallucinating Armorhide was Sky-Byte and accused him of being send by Megatron to spy on them. Scourge settled the matter by swatting Rollbar in the head, freeing him from the illusion. Finally they reached the ruins, and combined into Ruination to fight the Autobots. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} Chased off by Fortress Maximus's defense systems, the Commandos formed Ruination to keep Rail Racer busy while Scourge made a second attempt to access Maximus. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

With the hunt for the O-Parts on, the Decepticons confronted the Autobot Brothers and Build Team, who had found an O-Part, and demanded they hand it over. The Autobots promptly disappeared through the Global Space Bridge, starting a game of cat and mouse. The Decepticons eventually cornered them in [[Egypt]], however Sky-Byte's bungling made recovering the O-Parts impossible. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Spying from space, Movor spotted the Autobots in the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]], and Megatron and the Decepticons arrived in time to attack Side Burn. Venturing into the subterranean ruins, they found the Autobots had located the [[Orb of Sigma]], and the Decepticons fought them while Megatron went for the Orb. Ultimately they were unsuccessful and, with the loss of Megatron, the Decepticons retreated back to the ''Megastar''. {{Storylink|Peril from the Past}}

[[File:MaximusEmerges Rollbar Armorhide stocktransform.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Please ignore the floating tree.]]
Without Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons had a lot more freedom to do what they wanted. They tracked the Autobots to an old temple, where they were able to snatch [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the key to controlling Fortress Maximus, away with the help of the Predacons. Rollbar and [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] were able to locate Maximus himself in Metro City and, despite the Autobots attempting to defend the giant, Scourge was able to use Cerebros to activate him. The Commandos combined into Ruination during the following battle, however Scourge's lack of ability to control Maximus and the return of Megatron as Galvatron resulted in the Decepticons retreating. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:SurpriseAttack Rollbar laseroptic.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
A second attempt in the desert to control Maximus, with Ruination providing backup, didn't go any better {{storylink|The Human Element}} and during a third attempt, Scourge's treachery was revealed to Galvatron. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}} This resulted in Galvatron forcibly reprogramming all of the Decepticons to obey his will, and putting them under the command of Sky-Byte for an assault on Autobot headquarters. Pursuing the fleeing Optimus Prime, the Decepticons and Predacons were led into a trap, though the arrival of the ''Megastar'' and Fortress Maximus rendered them superfluous anyway. They watched as Maximus defeated the ''Megastar'', and Galvatron fell to the ground. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Galvatron was not out, however, and the Decepticons defended him while he drained energy from Fortress Maximus. He sent Ruination and Scourge into the Global Space Bridge after the retreating Autobots, before himself flooding the tunnel with lava by rupturing the tunnel wall. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} They survived the lava, only to be swiftly defeated by the Autobot forces. After Galvatron's defeat, they were shipped off to the [[asteroid prison colony]] with Galvatron and the Predacons. {{Storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
Rollbar along with Armorhide was assigned to help Scourge steal an experimental nuclear generator from a facility in [[Arizona]]. As they stormed the base, he accidentally stood on [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]]'s tongue. After Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus turned up, his warning to Armorhide came too late, as Magnus peppered his comrade with laser fire. Rollbar himself was then delivered an "ultra kick" to the head which put him out of action for the rest of the confrontation, until Scourge ordered his men to pursue the Predacons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''====
{{CRnote|Rollbar|[[Rollbar (G1)|Generation 1 Rollbar]]}}
Following their capture, Rollbar and the other combining Combatrons were brought to a future [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and sentenced to be reverted into [[protoform]]s to cleanse them of their evil programming... and identities. They were brought to safety by the [[Unicron]] of [[2021]], who transported them into the past and granted them new bodies in exchange for helping him combine with the planet. During the battle with the local [[Autobot]] forces, Rollbar's finely tuned martial artist senses allowed him to sense the invisible [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] sneaking up on him and dispatch the Autobot with a crystalocution kick. Upon connecting Unicron's head to the planet, the Combatrons learned that the dark god had no intention of letting them go free, but rather planned to undo the future they hailed from! In order to avoid being erased from existence, the team combined into Ruination and turned on Unicron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} After Unicron was defeated thanks to the efforts of Ruination and other combiners, the Combatrons returned to the future with Scourge and Sky-Byte, seeking to free their leader as well. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

The Combatrons occupied an Earth bathhouse to discuss strategy, and Rollbar took this opportunity to have a bath and a sip of oil. {{storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

After recovering the ship they once arrived on Earth with, the group attacked [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Devil Gigatron was being held. They managed to infiltrate the ship, only to learn that their leader had abandoned his evil ways and joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]]. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}} With Scourge forcibly reverted into a heroic [[protoform]] by Gigatron, the Combatrons fled to the [[Legends World]] where their former commander hunted them down. Rollbar was the first to fall: converted back into a protoform and cleansed of his evil, he immediately turned on his fellow Combatrons and converted everyone but Mega-Octane. Fortunately for them, [[Dark Ai]] was managed to undo the conversion using backup personality data, and the Combatrons returned home with Scourge. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Scourge and the other Combatrons continued traveling together with Dark Ai, seeking their own destiny. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===''Universe'' comic continuity===
The Rollbar of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] came under the command of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] after the death of Megatron. However, the Commandos, [[Constructicon (RID)|Constructicon]]s, and [[Megabolt]] were abducted by [[Unicron]] for the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

As part of Ruination, Rollbar and the Decepticons were sent by [[Unicron]] along with [[Reptilion]], [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]], and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] to intercept some extra-dimensionals Unicron wanted for the [[Cauldron]]. Ruination's group was successfully fought off by the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] selected a Viron Ruination from [[Greengard]] to be one of his [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]]. Presumably Rollbar was part of this Ruination. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/27}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
'''Jeepers''' was a member of the Commandos. Working with the Resistance, he volunteered to be converted into a [[K-Class]] bomb, an alternate mode which tapped into the power of his spark to create almost unfathomable explosive force. Jeepers, Movor, and their comrades were to be a weapon of last resort in the Uprising, should the threat of the [[Builder]]s prove unsurpassable.

That time came when the Builders unleashed the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]] nano-vector, a virus which transformed protoformers into mindless slave drones able to assimilate others into their ranks. Three Resistance held cities were compromised, and the Commandos were called into action for [[Operation Amputation]]. Jeepers was deployed over [[Damaxus]], and his K-Bomb explosion destroyed the city-state and the Vehicon plague that had arisen within it. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
Rollbar was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Rollbar was a member of the Commandos. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Rollbar-Greejeeber.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|In Ireland, they drive on the left of the road... ''(Takara Version Pictured)'']]
[[File:RID-toy Rollbar.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|...in Louisiana, we drive on what's left of it! ''(Hasbro Version Pictured)'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Greejeeber''' (2000)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Rollbar''' (Basic Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''D-006'''
:*''Takara release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Pistol, large cannon

: A [[redeco]] of the "[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]" [[Swindle (G1)#Toys|Swindle]] toy, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Rollbar transforms into an FMC XR311 combat support vehicle. He has a pair of non-firing weapons that form a gun turret for his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. As the toy uses the "[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Scramble City]]"-style of connection, he can form any limb to any combination of similar robots, though naturally, he normally forms a limb to the combined robot [[Ruination (RID)#Toys|Ruination]]; as the right leg in the more-common "Flight Mission" mode, or the left arm for "Land Mission" mode.

: He was first released as part of the fifth assortment of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''Car Robots'' product as "Greejeeber" in 2000. This version of the mold has one minor [[retool]]ing done to it, adding a small peg to the top of the large cannon. While this has no real practical applications by itself (you could make him hold his gun upside-down, whoopeeeee), it is actually a mounting point for [[Armorhide (RID)#Toys|Dangar]]'s large double-cannon, forming the core of a super-weapon for the team's combined mode.

: In 2001, [[Hasbro]] released the toy as part of the ''Robots in Disguise'' series in the third wave of "Basic" toys, with quite a list of deco changes. Greejeeber's dark metal-flake green plastic changed to a lighter forest-green (very close to [[Mega-Octane#Toys|Mega-Octane's]] green), and the dark brown chestplate plastic turned dark gray. The white star and "GV" on Greejeeber's chest was completely removed, with a greenish-tan spray replacing it. The black windshield became silver, the black seats are dark gray, and the "Anti-Cybertron" symbol on his leg was replaced with a Decepticon emblem. For reasons unknown, the large cannon also got some extra retooling, extending a meaningless detail on the left side of the barrel.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Decepticon/Rollbar/rollbar.htm More information on Rollbar at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Baldigus}}
[[File:RID-toy Baldigus-Boxed.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Baldigus''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-011'''
:*''Release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Pistol, large cannon

: In Japan, Greejeeber was also made available as part of a complete team multi-pack with his teammates [[Armorhide (RID)#Toys|Dangar]], [[Mega-Octane#Toys|Dolrailer]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Toys|Hepter]], and [[Movor#Toys|Shuttler]]. All toys were identical to their individual Takara releases, but the set only came with a bio card for the combined form.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

{{-}}{{anchor|Urban}}
[[File:RID-toy Rollbar-Urban.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|How can you say no to that smile?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[September 26]], 2003
:*''Accessories'': Pistol, large cannon

: The entire Commando team was redecoed in various shades of gray with "urban camo" patterns, an extensive amount of [[robot mode]] paint and dirt-wash, as part of a [[Walmart]]-[[exclusive]] gift set, oddly released well after the end of the ''Robots in Disguise'' line. This version of Rollbar also has a bright white smile painted on his mug. ''Awesome''.

: This set was made available in Japan as a "[[USA Edition]]" release, available only to retailers participating in [[Toy's Dream Project]]'s "Toy Card" program. This release uses the same packaging as the Hasbro version, only with some added stickers for "USA Edition" branding and other legal information.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Rollbar/rollbar.htm More information on Walmart Rollbar on TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy Rollbar.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pistol, large cannon

: The entire Ruination team was redecoed ''again'' to make ''another'' Walmart exclusive set, this time with a unified "desert camo" theme, under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' banner.

: It came out at the same time as five ''other'' Walmart ''Transformers'' exclusives, which led to a glut. Ruination seemed a particularly slow mover in this batch.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/Rollbar/rollbar.htm More information on Universe Rollbar on TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}
{{-}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:UW-toy Greejeeber.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|No, it's counterfeit, not stolen. I'm a Greejeeber, not a gleeper, you sprocket-head.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Baldigus''' (Giftset, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[March 31]], 2017
:*''Accessories:'' Minigun, cannon

: ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Greejeeber is a redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Swindle (G1)#Combiner Wars|Swindle]] (naturally), transforming into a teched-out military SUV. His "standard" gun uses the new tooling from ''Combiner Wars'' [[Hound (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Hound]] that adds two small nubs onto its rear, which allows it to attach to his backpack as an over-shoulder blaster. He also comes with a redeco of ''Unite Warriors'' [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors 2|Long Haul]]'s gun as a subtitute for the original Greejeeber's large cannon.

: As a ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe-sized figure mold, he can combine with any compatible Voyager Class torso to form a super-robot limb, though once again he is meant to combine with his box-set-mates [[Armorhide (RID)#Unite Warriors|Dangar]], [[Mega-Octane#Unite Warriors|Dolrailer]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Unite Warriors_2|Hepter]], and [[Movor#Unite Warriors|Shuttler]] to form [[Ruination (RID)#Unite Warriors|Baldigus]]. Greejeeber's weapons are both incorporated into Baldigus's two handheld multi-guns.

:As a redeco of the Swindle mold, Greejeeber is likely to suffer from the same flaws from that toy, as repeatedly transforming him will eventually create horizontal scratch marks across the hip parts of his thighs, due to the internal molding of his shins.

: This set was the sixth [[TakaraTomy Mall]] [[exclusive]] set in the line, and the final ''Unite Warriors'' release period. It was also the fourth toy to have the "UW-EX" ID "number", shared with [[Grand Scourge#Unite Warriors|Grand Scourge]], [[Sky Reign#Unite Warriors 2|Lynxmaster]], and [[Megatronia#Toys|Megatronia]].
{{CWRookMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Greejeeber''' (グリジバー ''Gurijibā''), '''Rollbar''' (ロールバー ''Rōrubā'')
*''Korean:'' '''Greejeeber''' (글리지버 ''Geullijibeo'')

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Resistance]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Universe combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Scourge (RID)

2025-10-29T20:26:49Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{featured}}
{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|predacon|decepticon|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3.5|the evil, black Optimus Prime clone from ''Robots in Disguise''|the other evil, black Optimus Prime clones|Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Scourge}}
:''Scourge is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Black Convoy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I see a [[Optimus Prime (RID)|red truck]] and I want it [[Black repaint|painted black]].]]

One of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s twisted schemes involved corrupting a stolen [[Autobot]] [[protoform]] with Decepticon programming. In the process, the protoform scanned some attributes of [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], but the Decepticon programming held—and Prime's dark doppelgänger '''Scourge''' (aka '''Black Convoy''') was born. Scourge is arguably Megatron's second in command, leading the new Decepticon forces, a much more effective unit than [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]'s [[Predacon (BW)|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.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Barry Stigler]] (English), [[Taitem Kusunoki]] (Japanese)|[[Fabrizio Vidale]] (Italian), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, till [[Koji Gets His Wish]]), [[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian, from [[Koji Gets His Wish]]), [[Alfonso Mellado]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Júlio César]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Kim Tae-woong]] (Korean)}}

[[File:TheDecepticons-Scourge.jpg|left|upright=1.2|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]]s 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]]s, the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] components that held the key to reawakening Maximus. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}} {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} 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]]s 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 [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s 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 (RID)|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]]s", he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. {{storylink|The Decepticons}}

[[File:Commandos Scourge.jpg|right|upright=1.2|thumb|I look more like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|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 [[Spychanger]]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 Spychangers 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 (episode)|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}}

[[File:TheTest Scourgecar.jpg|left|upright=1.2|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 (RID)|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}}

[[File:Sky-Byte Saves the Day Scourge Battle Station.jpg|right|upright=1.2|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}}

[[File:Ultra Magnus Scourge Megaoctane.jpg|left|upright=1.2|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!}}

Scourge joined Sky-Byte, Megatron, and the Commandos in watching archival footage of Ultra Magnus in order to get a better understanding of their newly arrived enemy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} 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!}}

[[File:Fortress Maximus Scourge.jpg|right|upright=1.2|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}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Scourge.jpg|left|upright=1.2|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, [[Carl (RID)|Carl]], instead, but when Carl 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 {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} 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}}
{{--}}

====''Legends''/''Unite Warriors''====
{{CRnote|Scourge|[[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]]}}

[[File:Transformers Legends EX Black Convoy has Optimus Minor.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Scourge escaped from the Autobot prison on Cybertron, modified his body into a new form incorporating an [[Energon Matrix]] stolen from [[Vector Sigma]], and somehow ended up in the [[Legends World]] where he attacked the [[Tokyo Toy Show]], defeating an actor portraying [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|another Optimus Prime]] and taking [[Optimus Minor|Minor]] hostage. He then encountered Sky-Byte, another visitor to this strange universe, but found his offer to join forces rebuffed when the shark was provoked by his treatment of Minor and challenged him to a fight. After a short battle, Scourge defeated Sky-Byte with his new "Matrix Dead Maser" attack, but was impressed enough by his willingness to fight that he let Minor go and restated his offer, this time explaining that he sought to free Gigatron from prison as his power would be needed if Scourge were to truly achieve galactic conquest. This time Sky-Byte accepted, and the two returned to their home dimension together. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

[[File:BaldigusChapter2 BlackConvoyGelshark.jpg|thumb|left|300px| "I'm the coolest!"]]

Scourge and Sky-Byte made their way to Cybertron in [[2021]], where they exposed the true identity of [[Grand Scourge]], who had tricked [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] into thinking ''he'' was Scourge. Sensing that Scourge possessed a Matrix, Grand Scourge crossed blades with him, but Scourge came out on top by calling on Ruination to blow his enemy away. Following a battle with Grand Scourge's master, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], Scourge recruited Ruination to his cause and traveled to the future era in which Gigatron was imprisoned. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}} Their journey to rescue their leader was put on hold while the other Combatrons enjoyed their baths, to Scourge's annoyance. {{Storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

Recovering the ship he once arrived on Earth with, Scourge led his troops in an attack on [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Gigatron was held, crashing the ship into Maximus and using [[Dark Ai]] to hack [[T-AI]]. As he confronted Fire Convoy to demand the release of his leader, Gigatron himself appeared, revealed that he had given up on his evil ambitions and asked Scourge to do the same. He refused, having embraced his evil programming as his true self, and instead attempted to absorb Gigatron's power for himself. He was held back by Sky-Byte, allowing Gigatron to extract the evil he once infused him with, and he reverted to an Autobot protoform. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

As the heroic Autobot he had been meant to be, Scourge joined the Dimensional Patrol and was placed in command of a squadron of fellow protoforms as well as drones based on his previous body. A mission to capture his fellow Combatrons saw him return to the Legends World, where he and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] detained the local [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]' [[transtector]]s for safety reasons until they got their hands on the final fugitive, Dark Ai. The Autobot Headmasters took this poorly and joined forces with Dark Ai, modifying captured Patrol drones into transtectors as part of a plan to trick Scourge into adopting a Headmaster form himself in order to combat them. When he did so, Dark Ai interfaced with his transtector and installed backup data of his previous identity, restoring his evil programming. Scourge promptly turned on the Dimensional Patrol and chased them off, then restored the captured Combatrons. As he prepared to return home with his new drone forces in tow, he played with the idea of conquering the Legends World, but was dissuaded by the Autobots and scolded by Dark Ai for considering it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Scourge and the other Combatrons continued traveling together with Dark Ai, seeking their own destiny. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:UltraMagnustotheRescue Scourge.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|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 realized 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?}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' toy bios===
A no-nonsense field commander, Scourge was created when Megatron scanned both a tanker truck and Optimus Prime; consequently, Scourge especially resented the Autobot leader. {{storylink|#Robots in Disguise (2001)|''Robots in Disguise'' Super Class Scourge toy bio}}

Galvatron placed [[Axer (G1)|Axer]] under Scourge's leadership, but Axer resented Scourge. {{storylink|Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|''Robots in Disguise'' Axer toy bio}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Scourge challenged Megazarak for leadership of the Predacon/Decepticon forces following the death of Megatron. Megazarak appeared to back down only to poison his rival with [[Tox-En]]. He then recycled Scourge's chassis with a new mind, creating [[Toxitron (Universe)|Toxitron]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[File:RiD2001 DestructiconScourge CardArt.jpg|left|thumb|Confused by his sword-less hand.]]
In [[Viron 403.0 Beta]], the [[Destructicon (RID)|Destructicon]]s, including Scourge, [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|Bludgeon]], [[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]], and [[Smokejumper]], were the subordinates of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], their God Emperor Supreme. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/11}} They fought against the [[Dinobot (Dinobots)|Dinobots]], the sole remaining Autobot resistance in their universe. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/29}} When Megazarak decided to conquer other universes, Scourge and his comrades accompanied their master to [[Aurex 304.0 Epsilon]], where they proceeded to curb-stomp all opposition. The victorious Destructicons were then abducted by [[Unicron]] for the [[Universe War]], but Scourge and Bludgeon's fate is unknown. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/11}}

===Spychanger continuity===
In [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]], [[Optimus Prime (Universe)#Spychanger continuity|Optimus Prime]] and Scourge were female. After Earth's energon was rendered toxic and the Predacons' stash blown up, only energy-saving Spychangers could stay active. Scourge was the only villain who could convert and unluckily found herself up against thirteen Autobots! {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18}}

===''Legacy VS500 Collection Special Comic''===
The Scourge of the "RID Universe" competed in the [[Speedia 500]] for the chance to become leader of [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 1}} His evil antics, including using his tanker's internal weapons and knocking [[Hauler|Road Hauler]] aside, forced [[Miko Tezuka]] and [[Clampdown (G1)|Clampdown]] to intervene in the race. Ultimately, it was all for naught as [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] won the race, to Scourge's dismay. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}

In the second week of the Speedia 500, the racers were confronted by a trio of new racers; one of which was [[Shadowstrip]], who shot out the lights in the tunnel he and Scourge were travelling through and disorientating the larger Decepticon. Scourge managed to reach the finish line again, but the winner was [[Galaxy Shuttle]] this time around. {{storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 3}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsScourgeRID.jpg|250px|thumb|This [[sword]] is so hard to lug around!]]
Scourge participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Super Rare character who was available in the first Daily Campaign in May and could be recruited after collecting 20 Alpha cores, 20 Beta cores, 20 Omega cores, and 10 cores of this character. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:CarRobotsBlackConvoy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Inverted G2 Black Laser Convoy Prime Clone. ''(Takara version pictured)'']]
[[File:RID-toy Scourge Ultra.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|This toy almost makes the black repaint craze worth it. ''(Hasbro version pictured)'']]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Black Convoy''' (2000)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Scourge''' (Super Class, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''D-012'''
:*''Takara release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': "[[Sword of Fury#Toys|Black Sword/Sword of Fury]]", "Plasma Gun", 5 discs, 10 small missiles, 2 large missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: First released in the fifth wave of Takara's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' toyline, "Black Convoy" is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LaserOptimusPrime|Laser Optimus Prime]] mold, transforming into a Western Star 4964EX truck with black and teal paint apps, thick foil stickers, and pink transparent plastic that works exceptionally well for [[light-piping]]. The toy lacks all of Laser Prime's electronics to keep costs down, the entire back of the cab is now covered with a black sticker to hide the empty battery compartment.

: The chromed oil-tanker trailer has a top-mounted disc launcher, and opens up into a battle station. In this mode it has the disc launcher, a spring-loaded five-missile launcher (which can also be held in the robot's hand), a large air-pressure rocket launcher, plus the robot's double-barreled Plasma Gun can be mounted at the top of the tower. All of these weapons can be stored inside the trailer mode. Care should be taken when opening the trailer into base mode, as the springs in this version are very strong compared to other releases, and will scratch the chrome sides by slamming them into the ground. The toy also suffers from mild mold wear in that the Plasma Gun's rear clip is somewhat warped and the figure's shoulders have a harder time staying upright than Laser Prime's. Due to the ''Generation 2'' Autobot symbols sculpted on Black Convoy's launcher discs, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] made Black Convoy's faction symbol the ''Generation 2'' Autobot one, but upside down. By extension, this also explains the faction symbol for the [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]].

: The later Hasbro ''Robots in Disguise'' release of the toy, under the name "Scourge", was sold [[exclusive]]ly at [[Toys"R"Us]] in the USA, released in May of 2002. The clear pink plastic has been replaced with blood red, the metallic gray plastics are a darker shade, the stickers are now matte gray with Decepticon logos instead of silver foil with "negative-Autobot" logos, the sword tip is blunted, and the discs are [[retool]]ed to remove the faction symbol altogether (save the small hole in the crest) with thicker edges. Notable paint changes are that Scourge has Decepticon sigils [[tampograph]]ed on his doors, while lacking Black Convoy's teal stripes along the sides of the cab's nose. The license plate sticker on the tanker now states "SCOURGE D-012" (a reference to Black Convoy's ID Number). The toy lacks electronics like the Takara release, but instead of having a large sticker over the battery compartment, the battery lid is simply glued shut.

: Early specimens of Scourge sold via the Toys"R"Us website had the Hasbro stickers and mold changes, but retained the Japanese cab [[paint operation]]s and pink plastic. A later [[variant#running changes|running change variant]] leaves the bottom finger of both hands unpainted for whatever reason.

: This toy was later released by [[Sonokong]] as ''Car Bot'' Black Convoy in [[South Korea]], with the Hasbro Scourge paint and retooled discs but with Takara Black Convoy's foil stickers and pointy sword.

: Scourge's box has one of the [http://www.tfarchive.com/toys/mistransformed/images/rid_scourge_box.jpg worst stock photos ever], depicting the figure about half transformed—his shoulders are folded down oddly and his legs haven't been extended at all, making him hilariously stubby. Considering how simple the figure is and how bad the crude early photoshoppery looks, one can only assume there was a hell of a tight deadline. Similar errors would continue to make their way into other stock images of the toy.

::* ''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Destron/BlackConvoy/blackconvoy.htm More information on Black Convoy at TFU.info]''
::* ''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/Scourge/scourge.htm More information on Scourge at TFU.info]''
{{G2LaserOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Spychanger}}
[[File:RID-toy ScourgeSpyChanger.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Sword-less fury!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''X-Brawn / Scourge''' (Basic Class, 2002)}}</ul>

: Released in the fourth wave of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Basic figures, Scourge is a simplified [[Spychanger]]-styled version of his larger toy. Aside from being the only all-new tooling toy of the character, he features high speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly. He was only available in a 2-pack with a similarly-styled version of [[X-Brawn#Spychanger|X-Brawn]].

: 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.

: This mold was later redecoed ''both'' as Generation 1 "Spy Changer" [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Optimus Prime]] in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' toyline, and as "Movie" [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Optimus Prime Figure|Optimus Prime]] for a Japanese pack-in DVD exclusive.

: This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Nemesis Prime]] in [[Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric]].

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

{{-}}{{anchor|Destructicon}}
[[File:RID-toy ScourgeDestructon.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Not very heroic anymore.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Destructicon Scourge''' (Deluxe Class, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[February 20]], 2003
:*''Accessories:'' Gun, 2 rockets
:*''Known designers: [[Andrew Frankel]] (Hasbro, deco artist)

: [[Destructicon (RID)|Destructicon]] Scourge is a black redeco of ''Generation 2'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#HeroOptimusPrime|Hero Optimus Prime]], transforming into a sleek longnose Kenworth truck with a very large rocket launcher/bellows assembly on the back end. In either truck or [[robot mode]], this launcher fires the two large rockets with air power from the bellows; the quicker/harder it's slammed, the further the rocket flies. The launcher is "permanently" affixed to the truck bed/Scourge's right arm. The two rubber-tipped rockets can be stored on clips on the sides of the truck bed, which end up on his back in robot mode.

: By the time this toy was released, its tooling had degraded somewhat since Hero Optimus Prime's original production run. As a result, neither robot nor [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] hold together very well on many specimens. Keeping his missiles stored can be difficult, as they may 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.

: Over time, the rubber portions on the missiles and hose degrade also considerably faster than previous versions.

: Scourge and his fellow Destructicon [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Bludgeon]] were [[exclusive]] to [[KB Toys]] in the United States, released under the ''Robots in Disguise'' banner in May of 2003, long after the series had been replaced with ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', which explains why they used the same packaging style. Additionally, they were also available at retail in the United Kingdom four months after their release in the United States, complete with [[multilingual packaging|European packaging]], but instead exclusive to [[Toys"R"Us]]. Both were also Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives, sold as "[[USA Edition]]s" in slightly-altered US packaging (basically just some Japanese-language stickers for legal info was applied to them).

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

===''Timelines''===
[[File:TL-toy ScourgeTFSS.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Now with bigger shoulders!]]
*'''Scourge''' (TFSS 1.0, 2013) 
:*''TFSS1 number'': '''1'''
:*''Accessories'': [[Sword of Fury#Timelines|Sword of Fury]]

: A black and teal [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#RTS|Reveal the Shield]]'' Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Optimus Prime]], ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Scourge transforms into a longnosed "racing" truck cab, adorned with the Japanese-style "Anti-Cybertron" symbols rather than Decepticon branding. He comes with a sword that he can wield with both hands, and is folded up and stored between his legs in truck mode, forming the fifth wheel. Scourge also has a (non-detachable) matrix gimmick in robot mode formed by a relief pattern on the inside of the cab's side windows, and is visible through the windshield/chest in robot mode. He is also very articulated and poseable, even featuring ankles and wrists that are both ball-jointed and hinged.

: Scourge was the first of six [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] [[exclusive]] figures to be shipped out via the "[[Transformers Figure Subscription Service]]" in 2013. The final version lacks the heat-sensitive [[rubsign]] seen in the promotional mockup for the toy, which used a Photoshopped image of the rubsign-having original toy as its base.

: This toy was also used to make [[BotCon 2012]] [[Optimus Prime (SG)#BotCon2012|''Shattered Glass'' Optimus Prime]], and was retooled into [[Ultra Magnus (SG)#Timelines|''Shattered Glass'' Ultra Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/TFSSScourge/scourge.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Scourge at TFU.info]''
{{2010DeluxeOptimusPrimeMold}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-legends-LG-EX-Black-Convoy.jpg|300px|thumb|Now with less SYMBOLISM.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-cm|'''Black Convoy''' ([[2015]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''LG-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[June 21]], 2015
:*''Accessories'': [[Sword of Fury#Legends|Black Sword]]

:Debuting as a [[Tokyo Toy Show]] 2015 exclusive, ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Black Convoy is another redeco of ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#RTS|Reveal the Shield]]'' Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Optimus Prime]]. While it broadly resembles ''Timelines'' Scourge, its plastic colors and painted deco more specifically match the original ''Car Robots'' Black Convoy figure, with such details as the teal striping on the truck cab and "Anti-Autobot" Combatron symbols on the robot shoulders.

:Interestingly, though this toy was announced to the public less than one month before its release, that was still enough time for a change to the painted deco: the packaging and widespread [[Stock photography|stock photographs]] show silver paint on the robot's inner forearms, but this paint was absent from the final toy.

:Unlike all other ''Legends'' releases, both this and the Voyager Class figure below buck the trend of using both the character's Japanese Takara name ("Black Convoy") in katakana and its English Hasbro name ("Scourge") in Latin script by instead using only the Japanese Takara name in both Japanese and English text.
{{2010DeluxeOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Voyager}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LGEX-Headmaster-Black-Convoy.jpg|300px|thumb|The Return of Dark Laser.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-cm|'''Black Convoy''' ([[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''LG-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[June 3]], 2017
:*''Accessories'': [[Sword of Fury#Voyager|Black Sword]], Double-barreled rifle, Headmaster

:Debuting as a [[Tokyo Toy Show]] 2017 exclusive, this Black Convoy is a redeco of ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#TRVoyager|Optimus Prime]], transforming from robot to tanker truck to plane and back. His deco is heavily based on his [[#Toys|original ''Car Robots'' toy]]. He comes with a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] redecoed from [[Diac#Generations|Diac]] which transforms from a small robot representing his original identity as a heroic Autobot protoform, into his own post-scanning head (but any [[Titan Master]] or ''Legends'' Headmaster is compatible) and he has built-in spring-loaded pylons to "bulk up" his noggin, although this step was optional according to the stock photos.

:The [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Black Convoy 2)|included mini-manga]] also depicts a fourth mode the toy can be transformed into, a base mode inspired by the [[#Car Robots|original Black Convoy toy]]'s trailer base. The manga also features [[Black Convoy Mass Production Type Drone]]s that can be recreated using the toy by repurposing the jet mode engine as a one-eyed head.

:Due to unexpectedly high demand, TakaraTomy took the unusual step of producing a second run of this figure, which were made available from [[TakaraTomy Mall]] on [[November 30]], 2017.<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/tokyo-toy-show-2017-exclusive-legends-black-convoy.1106395/page-25#post-14744370</ref>

:This mold was also retooled into [[Octane#Titans Return|Octone]].
{{TRDiacMold}}
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Velocitron-Speedia-500-Scourge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Scourge of the Universe/Universal Collapse]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-cm|'''Robots in Disguise 2000 Universe Scourge''' (Leader Class, [[2022]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''TL EX-08'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[February 25]], [[2023]]
:*''Accessories'': Energon axe, Energon sword, Matrix
:*''Known designers'': [[Sam Smith]] (Hasbro)<ref>Sam Smith's [https://www.instagram.com/p/CfJ_6pIu02K/ Instagram] [https://www.instagram.com/p/CfKAH2rOZR3/ posts] [https://www.instagram.com/p/CfKATvXOpqx/ about] Legacy Scourge</ref>

: ''[[Transformers: Legacy]] [[Transformers: Legacy#Walmart|Velocitron Speedia 500 Collection]]'' "Robots in Disguise 2000 Universe Scourge" (phew!) is a [[redeco]] of ''Legacy'' Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Legacy|Laser Optimus Prime]], transforming into a mid-1990s Western Star 4964EX tanker truck. Though he keeps his Hasbro "Scourge" name, the flipped Autobot symbols are from the Takara ''Car Robots'' Black Convoy deco. In fact, this toy's [[case|shipping case]], advance listings on many online dealer sites, and [[Walmart]] shelf tags had the name "Black Convoy", suggesting a late-stage name change.

: Scourge's tanker trailer can convert into a battle station, complete with adjustable turret. Scourge also has a deep magenta (in contrast to Scourge's usual blood red or Black Convoy's lighter pink) transparent Energon axe and sword, which can store inside his trailer when not used and can combine to create a larger sword. The axe and sword can store either inside the trailer or on the cab, with the sword storing underneath the rear section of the cab like the original and the axe slotting in over the trailer hitch. In tanker mode, the trailer's claw arm can be folded down to act as a jack to allow it to stand freely. He also includes a magenta and silver Matrix, with the casing of the Matrix core left unpainted. The Matrix can be attached to the axe or the combined sword, using the rectangular peg near the axe's haft (normally meant to keep the handle folded neatly for storage). However, it doesn't stand out much due to using mostly the same color scheme. His signature shoulder pylons can open outwards to reveal missile pods. The chest slot where the Matrix plugs in is open in the back, seemingly meant to allow for [[light piping]] in robot mode. Unlike Laser Optimus Prime, Scourge's head light-piping is left intact.

:As the sword accessory is designed for this mold's open hands, it cannot be wielded by other figures with closed 5mm hands due to the protruding tab on the handle.

: Scourge's robot mode features a new deco compared to previous versions, making almost the entire torso black. This is a deliberate choice, as Hasbro designer [[Sam Smith]] cited his unfamiliarity with the character, as well as the desire to better match the truck cab's appearance of black framing pink windows.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=the chest color was an intention design decision on my part. The upper chest is molded in the clear pink, so we had reign over the color that was painted. I chose black vs gray due to the windshield frame of the truck being black (I always assume they should match) but I’m hearing otherwise on this guy|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CfJ_6pIu02K/|name=Sam Smith|site=Instagram|title=SPEEDIA 500 VELOCITRON RID SCOURGE|year=2022|month=06|day=23}}</ref> Moreover, [[Mark Maher]]'s request to paint the tanker silver meant that they could not afford to paint the shoulders. Scourge's truck mode's usual teal accent lines have also been reimagined as more elaborate pinstriping. The resulting deco coincidentally makes this Scourge reminiscent of [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. Some stock pictures feature his cab mistransformed, not having his gas canisters on the sides flipped out. His instruction booklet uses the G2 Autobot symbol correctly oriented as opposed to upside-down ones the toy has.

: The ''Velocitron Speedia 500 Collection'' was exclusive to [[Walmart]] in the US, with [[Hasbro Pulse]] receiving limited quantities of the figure. The series went up for pre-order on [[July 21]], 2022, and started arriving in stores by [[August 1]]. The series was a [[TakaraTomy Mall]] exclusive in Japan, and a Farmers department store exclusive in New Zealand.

: This mold was also used to make [[Toxitron (Universe)#Legacy|Toxitron]].

==Notes==
* While the honor of ''first'' evil black clone of an heroic leader goes to [[Black Lio Convoy]], Scourge's snazzy color scheme set the tone for future [[black redeco]]s representing evil doppelgängers that continues to this day.
* An unrealized ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'' story would have featured Scourge, based on his TFSS toy, as one of [[Jhiaxus (G2)#Wings Universe|Jhiaxus]]'s clones. A conflicted Scourge would have led Jhiaxus's forces in taking down [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]].<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/128200-new-tcc-prose-counterpunch-story-the-truth-we-make/?p=3229535 Post on the Allspark Forums by Pete@BotCon (Pete Sinclair), 2016/05/12]</ref><ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/135573-wings-universecannonball-loose-ends/?p=3406634 Post on the Allspark Forums by NightViper (Jesse Wittenrich), 2016/12/23]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Black Convoy''' (ブラックコンボイ ''Burakku Konboi''), '''Scourge''' (スカージ ''Sukāji'')
*''Korean:'' '''Black Convoy''' (블랙콘보이 ''Beullaek Konboi'')

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Transformers Legends EX Black Convoy.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Convoys]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Destructicons]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:E-HOBBY exclusives]]
[[Category:Evil clones]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:KB Toys exclusives]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Variable gender characters]]

Movor

2025-10-29T20:26:23Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|decepticon|unicron|maximal|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Shuttler}}
:''Movor is a [[Decepticon]] [[Commando (RID)|Commando]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:MovorRID01.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|"Curse those pesky power-brats!"]]
One would think that '''Movor'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s (aka '''Shuttler'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s) ability to achieve orbit under his own power and rain fire from above would make him a valuable soldier. In theory, yes, but in practice, his aim leaves something to be desired. He's just as likely to hit one of his teammates as he is his intended target. Or an unoffensive rock or tree, for that matter. His combat prowess only slightly improves in an atmosphere at closer range.

While he might be quiet on the ground, letting [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Mega-Octane]] do the talking, up in space this somewhat sarcastic, complaining whiner runs an endless commentary to himself, criticizing the tactics of both enemy and ally alike, all the while making pop culture references to keep himself amused in the void.

He prefers baths in lukewarm water and likes heavy metal music.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Robert Axelrod]] (English), [[Hidenori Konda]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Víctor Delgado]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Stefano Mondini]] (Italian), [[Sa Seong-woong]] (Korean), [[Marcelo Sandryni]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Commandos Movor RoTor firing.jpg|thumb|left|Get them! Uh, I mean, seize them!]]
Movor was originally one of a group of [[Autobot]]s led by [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], who travelled to [[Earth]] in a [[protoform]] state. Their ship crashed, and years later was dug up by a group of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s under [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s leadership. Taken to [[McKinley Army Base]], the Predacons scanned army vehicles as Megatron infused them with his spark energy. While attempting to choose a vehicle mode for the protoform to scan, Sky-Byte tripped and set off the scanner. The beam nearly hit an eagle (which would have made him a Predacon), but instead, it hit a low flying space shuttle. Though the newly born-Decepticons were ready to fight, Megatron ordered them to retreat so they could re-power. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} The new troops' first mission was to disrupt the [[human]]s by attacking [[Sherman Dam]]. They planted [[pulsar bomb]]s on the dam, however when [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] took control of the bombs, preventing them from firing, the ground-based Commandos blasted a hole in the dam and ended up grappling with the freed [[Autobot Brothers]]. Ro-Tor and Movor attempted to provide air support, but were attacked by the newly arrived [[Team Bullet Train]]. When the trains formed [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]], the Commandos responded by forming Ruination, however the combined power of the Autobots was too much for them and they were forced to retreat. {{storylink|Commandos}}

[[File:AttackFromSpace Movor attackmode.jpg|thumb|right|Hey, I think my tailfin perspective is screwed.]]
The Commandos unsuccessfully fought against the [[Spychanger]]s on [[Montrose Island]] {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} after which the Decepticons came up with a new plan—take a space shuttle hostage and replace it with Movor. Once in orbit, Movor attempted to track numerous Autobots (including [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]], [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], and [[X-Brawn]]) with the intention of finding the Autobots' hidden base, but ultimately, he found himself wasting time watching them go about their everyday activities. Once he set his sights on [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], who was in the process of chasing [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]'s red convertible (yet again), Movor began leading the other Decepticons to numerous erroneous locations, which were all destroyed.

The Autobots caught wise to the scheme, and lured Side Burn—and by extension, the Decepticons—to [[Pier 7B]]. The other Decepticons were led into an ambush while Movor remained high in orbit. When the shuttle attempted to help his comrades, he inadvertently shot Scourge (twice!) while trying to take out [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], making the whole plan a bust. Once it was over, Movor was knocked out of orbit by a satellite. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:TheTest Rollbar Movor seated.jpg|thumb|left|[[Aron Kincaid|...It was a Big Rock]].]]
The next cunning plan was to try to make the Autobots think that the Decepticons were defecting. The Autobot Brothers tested them by forcing them to do various menial tasks, which they threw themselves into in an attempt to lull the Autobots into a false sense of security. Movor had misgivings, expecting Scourge's temper to be their undoing. Sure enough, Scourge ended up giving the plan away at the last minute, and Optimus Prime fought them to a retreat. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}} The Decepticons later interrupted one of Sky-Byte's plans, and obtained a disk which appeared to be a map to the [[Global Space Bridge]] system. Unfortunately when they used it, it turned out to be a map of the local ''sewer'' system, and the Decepticons found themselves on the business end of Optimus's blizzard storm. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

When the Decepticons located the control center to the Global Space Bridge and sabotaged it so that the Autobots would be sent to random locations, Movor joined in causing havoc in [[Metro City]]. The [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] soon realised what had happened, defeated the Commandos and repaired the space bridge. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} Later the Decepticons attempted to intercept Optimus Prime, who they believed was taking the [[O-Part]]s to Sky-Byte, however even combining into Ruination didn't help them and the Autobot leader soon defeated them. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

[[File:TestOfMetal Movor landing.jpg|thumb|right]]
After their raid on the [[East Power Station]] was foiled by the Build Team, the Commandos resolved to get their revenge on the Autobots. To this end, they started attacking construction sites in an attempt to goad the Build Team into fighting them. Eventually they succeeded in drawing the Build Team out and were able to dominate them in combat, at least until [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] led Ruination into an oil-filled cavern and ignited it, blasting the Commandos into the ocean. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

[[File:MagnusForcedFusion Rotor and Movor.jpg|thumb|left|Why are our heads so small?]]
A later raid on an oil refinery went better—while the Autobot Brothers did turn up, they were prevented from stopping the Decepticons by the arrival of [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. Still, the Decepticons only got a portion of the fuel and, at Megatron's orders, set up a trap for the Autobot Brothers. Instead they got Ultra Magnus, whose fighting skills outclassed theirs. Even forming Ruination didn't help, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat with the arrival of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Movor quickly went back into orbit in order to do some more spying. He was able to observe Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus fighting and, when Optimus subsequently lost, Movor was able to track Sky-Byte, who had found the hiding place Optimus had chosen to recuperate in. He returned from orbit to join the other Decepticons, as they launched an attack on the Autobot leader in order to finish the job. Despite the Commandos forming Ruination, they were no match for [[Omega Prime]], the combined form of Optimus and Ultra Magnus, and retreated hastily. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:PowerToBurn Movor RoTor airattack.jpg|thumb|right]]
Some time later, the Decepticons were able to take the Autobot Brothers captive, allowing the Decepticons and Megatron to inflict some punishment on Optimus and Rail Racer, who were unable to fight back. Unfortunately Ultra Magnus rescued the three brothers, and Megatron's forces were soon in retreat once again. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Movor joined Scourge, Sky-Byte, Megatron, and the rest of the Commandos in watching archival footage of Ultra Magnus in order to get a better understanding of their newly arrived enemy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} Scourge attempted to get Ultra Magnus to join him in destroying Optimus, but Magnus turned him down, resulting in the Decepticons springing a trap on the Autobot. Though Side Burn and Prowl attempted to help Magnus, the renegade Autobot promptly left them to it, and they were little match for Ruination. Of course, the arrival of Optimus and return of Magnus turned things pretty firmly back in the Autobots' favour, and the Decepticons retreated once again. {{Storylink|Power to Burn!}}

More information was gleaned from the captured [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]'s mind—there were strange ruins beneath Metro City which emanated powerful energy. The Decepticons set out to find the ruins and promptly ran into the Spychangers. While [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]] and [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]] were left to take care of them, the rest of the Decepticons went on and ran into [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] and [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] in a subway tunnel. Movor and Ro-Tor stayed to keep them pinned down while Scourge and [[Mega-Octane]] continued on, however Ultra Magnus turned up and accidentally flooded the tunnel. Movor and Ro-Tor found themselves being washed away along with Team Bullet Train, eventually being flushed into the cavern containing the ruins where they were reunited with the other Decepticons. They combined into Ruination to fight the Autobots while Scourge headed for the ruins, unleashing [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} Chased off by Maximus's defense systems, the Commandos formed Ruination to keep Rail Racer busy while Scourge attempted to access Maximus again. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:FriendlyContest Movor stockattack.jpg|thumb|left]]
With the hunt for the O-Parts on, the Decepticons confronted the Autobot Brothers and Build Team, who had found an O-Part, and demanded they hand it over. The Autobots promptly disappeared through the Global Space Bridge, starting a game of cat and mouse. The Decepticons eventually cornered them in [[Egypt]], however Sky-Byte's bungling made recovering the O-Parts impossible. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Spying from space, Movor spotted the Autobots in the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]], and Megatron and the Decepticons arrived in time to attack Side Burn. Venturing into the subterranean ruins, they found the Autobots had located the [[Orb of Sigma]], and the Decepticons fought them while Megatron went for the Orb. Ultimately they were unsuccessful and, with the loss of Megatron, the Decepticons retreated back to the ''[[Megastar]]''. {{Storylink|Peril from the Past}}

Without Megatron's leadership, the Decepticons had a lot more freedom to do what they wanted. They tracked the Autobots to an old temple, where they were able to snatch [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the key to controlling Fortress Maximus, away with the help of the Predacons. Maximus himself was soon located and, despite the Autobots attempting to defend the giant, Scourge was able to use Cerebros to activate him. The Commandos combined into Ruination during the following battle, however Scourge's lack of ability to control Maximus and the return of Megatron as Galvatron resulted in the Decepticons retreating. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:SurpriseAttack Movor firing.jpg|thumb|right|So how many pictures of me shooting at things off-screen can we fit on this page?]]
A second attempt in the desert to control Maximus, with Ruination providing backup, didn't go any better {{storylink|The Human Element}} and during a third attempt, Scourge's treachery was revealed to Galvatron. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}} This resulted in Galvatron forcibly reprogramming all of the Decepticons to obey his will, and putting them under the command of Sky-Byte for an assault on Autobot headquarters. Pursuing the fleeing Optimus Prime, the Decepticons and Predacons were led into a trap, though the arrival of the ''Megastar'' and Fortress Maximus rendered them superfluous anyway. They watched as Maximus defeated the ''Megastar'', and Galvatron fell to the ground. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Galvatron was not out, however, and the Decepticons defended him while he drained energy from Fortress Maximus. He sent Ruination and Scourge into the Global Space Bridge after the retreating Autobots, before himself flooding the tunnel with lava by rupturing the tunnel wall. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} They survived the lava, only to be swiftly defeated by the Autobot forces. After Galvatron's defeat, they were shipped off to the [[asteroid prison colony]] with Galvatron and the Predacons. {{Storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''====
{{CRnote}}
Following their capture, Movor and the other combining Combatrons were brought to a future [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and sentenced to be reverted into [[protoform]]s to cleanse them of their evil programming and, to their horror, identities. They were brought to safety by the [[Unicron]] of [[2021]], who transported them into the past and granted them new bodies in exchange for helping him attach his disembodied head to the planet's surface. During the battle with the local [[Autobot]] forces, Movor gleefully blasted the enemy forces from above with his Pulse Laser, then covered the landbound Combatrons as they connected Unicron to the planet. However, the Combatrons learned that the dark god had no intention of letting them go free, but rather planned to change this past and undo the future they hailed from! In order to avoid being erased from existence, the team combined into Ruination and turned on Unicron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} After Unicron was defeated thanks to the efforts of Ruination and other combiners, the Combatrons returned to the future with Scourge and Sky-Byte, seeking to rescue Gigatron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

Stopping by Earth, the group occupied a bathhouse to discuss their strategy while enjoying a bath. Movor, Ro-Tor and Sky-Byte were embarrassed to find [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]] peeking at them. {{storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

They recovered the starship they'd once arrived on Earth with and used it to attack [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Gigatron was being held. To the Combatrons' shock, however, Gigatron had turned to the side of good and drained Scourge of his evil essence. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

Movor and the Combatrons fled to the [[Legends World]]. The militant and determined Scourge, now dedicated to the Autobot cause, pursued the Combatrons. One by one, the Combatrons were captured and forcibly reformatted like Scourge to serve the [[Dimensional Patrol]]. [[Dark Ai]] escaped their dragnet, prompting Scourge and the Dimensional Patrol to insist on staying in the Legends World indefinitely, to the chagrin of its inhabitants. The [[Axalon Trading Company]] helped Dark Ai restore Scourge based on a copy of his original personality in order to get rid of the occupying armed forces. When Scourge was restored, he went on to restore Movor and the others as well. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

Scourge and the other Combatrons continued traveling together with Dark Ai, seeking their own destiny. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===''Universe'' comic===
The Movor of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] came under the command of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] after the death of Megatron. However, the Commandos, [[Constructicon (RID)|Constructicon]]s, and [[Megabolt]] were abducted by [[Unicron]] for the [[Universe War]]. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

As part of Ruination, Movor and the Decepticons were sent by Unicron along with [[Reptilion]], [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]], and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] to intercept some extra-dimensionals Unicron wanted for the [[Cauldron]]. Ruination's group was successfully fought off by the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] selected a Viron Ruination from [[Greengard]] to be one of his [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]]. Presumably Movor was part of this Ruination. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/27}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
[[Image:Derailment Operation Amputation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]
Movor, along with his fellow Commandos Ro-Tor, Jeepers, and Dangar, volunteered to become a devastating [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] weapon, one so terrible that it might never be used. They were rebuilt into [[K-Class|K-Bombs]], living weapons capable of obliterating cities or even planets. They were a weapon so terrifying that only [[Lio Convoy]] himself had the activation codes. Fortunately, though the [[Grand Uprising]] was a huge, world-spanning conflict, Lio Convoy managed to fight the war without ever having to use these weapons.

Hahahaha. Just kidding. When the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] threatened Cybertron, Movor and Jeepers were packed into the ''[[Dreadrock]]'' and fired off to [[Damaxus]] and [[Protihex]], Resistance-held cities that had been overrun by [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]]. Dangar was shot off towards [[Carpessa]] and Ro-Tor was held in reserve. Movor had some moral qualms about being used to blow up a friendly city and was about to refuse the order when an [[Aero Drone]] attack forced him to look at Vehicon handiwork with his own eyes. He voluntarily deployed, sacrificing himself. Unfortunately for Cybertron, the attack had knocked the ''Dreadrock'' off course, and Protihex was only partially destroyed, allowing the Vehicon infestation to spread. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===Velocitron Speedia 500===
Movor was one of many spectators for the [[Speedia 500]] race on [[Velocitron]]. {{Storylink|Velocitron Speedia 500 Part 2}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Movor was a member of the Commandos. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Movor-Shuttler.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|(''Takara version pictured'')]]
[[File:RID-toy Movor.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|(''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Shuttler''' (2000)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Movor''' (Basic Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''D-008'''
:*''Takara release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right cannons, pistol

: A [[redeco]] of the "[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]" [[Blast Off (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Blast Off]] toy, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Movor transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle|Space Shuttle]]. He has a pair of large non-firing cannons that clip onto the back of his shuttle mode or on the pegs under his wings. As the toy uses the "[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Scramble City]]" style of connection, he can form any limb to any combination of similar robots, though naturally he normally forms a limb to the combined robot [[Ruination (RID)#Toys|Ruination]]; as the right arm in the more-common "Flight Mission" mode, or the left leg for "Land Mission" mode.

: He was first released in the fifth assortment of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''Car Robots'' line in 2000 as "Shuttler".

: In 2001, [[Hasbro]] released the toy in the third wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' "Basic" toys, and while he did get a few deco changes, he has the least number of changes from his Japanese counterpart out of the whole team. The most immediately noticeable being that the Hasbro version uses Decepticon sigils instead of the old "Anti-Cybertron" badges. The Hasbro version also uses silver paint for the windshield rather than Takara's metallic purple and has a more extensive "re-entry burn" paint-wash on his white parts.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Decepticon/Movor/movor.htm More information on Movor at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Baldigus}}
[[File:RID-toy Baldigus-Boxed.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Baldigus''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-011'''
:*''Release date'': July ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right cannons, pistol

: In Japan, Movor/Shuttler was also made available as part of a complete team multi-pack with his teammates [[Armorhide (RID)#Toys|Dangar]], [[Mega-Octane#Toys|Dolrailer]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Toys|Greejeeber]], and [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Toys|Hepter]]. All toys were identical to their individual Japanese releases, but the set only came with a bio card for the combined form.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences other than the packaging.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Decepticon/Ruination/ruination.htm More information on Ruination/Baldigus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Urban}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[September 26]], 2003
:*''Accessories'': Left & right cannons, pistol

: The entire Commando team was redecoed in various shades of gray with "urban camo" patterns as part of a Wal-Mart-[[exclusive]] gift set, oddly released well after the end of the ''Robots in Disguise'' line. Movor was also slightly [[retool]]ed, blunting his nosecone significantly [[for safety reasons]].

: This set was made available in Japan as a "[[USA Edition]]" release, available only to retailers participating in [[Toy's Dream Project]]'s "Toy Card" program and features the original un-blunted nose. This release uses the same packaging as the Hasbro version, only with some added stickers for "USA Edition" branding and other legal information.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Movor/movor.htm More information on "urban camo" Movor at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy Movor.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Ultra Class multi-pack, [[2004]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Left & right cannons, pistol

: The entire Ruination team was redecoed ''again'' to make ''another'' Wal-Mart-exclusive set, this time with a unified "desert camo" theme, under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner. It came out at the same time as five ''other'' Wal-Mart ''Transformers'' exclusives, which led to a glut. Ruination seemed a particularly slow mover in this batch.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/Movor/movor.htm More information on Universe Movor at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:UW-toy Shuttler.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|Thank Primus I don't have a beer gut.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Baldigus''' (Giftset, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[March 31]], 2017
:*''Accessories'': Pistol, rifle

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Shuttler is a redeco, retooling and re-assembly(!) of ''Unite Warriors'' [[Blast Off (G1)#Unite Warriors 2|Blast Off]], transforming into a not-quite-a-Space-Shuttle. He comes with both the mold's original pistol weapon and a redeco of ''Unite Warriors'' [[Scrapper (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Scrapper]]'s rifle. His arms have been switched around from Blast Off's assembly in order to have the shuttle's nosecone on the robot mode's back and better replicate Shuttler's toy-based animation model. He was also slightly retooled to make his head less susceptible to popping off when transforming or just generally handling him, but it's only slightly effective and the assembly still pops off a lot.

: As a ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe-sized figure mold, he can combine with any compatible Voyager Class torso to form a super-robot limb, though once again he is meant to combine with his box-set-mates [[Armorhide (RID)#Unite Warriors|Dangar]], [[Mega-Octane#Unite Warriors|Dolrailer]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Unite Warriors|Greejeeber]], and [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Unite Warriors|Hepter]] to form [[Ruination (RID)#Unite Warriors|Baldigus]]. Shuttler's weapons are both incorporated into Baldigus's two handheld multi-guns.

: This set was the sixth [[TakaraTomy Mall]] [[exclusive]] set in the line, and the final ''Unite Warriors'' release period. It was also the fourth toy to have the "UW-EX" ID "number", shared with [[Grand Scourge#Unite Warriors|Grand Scourge]], [[Sky Reign#Unite Warriors 2|Lynxmaster]], and [[Megatronia#Toys|Megatronia]].

: Shuttler's tooling was used for Hasbro's [[Blast Off (G1)#Combiner Wars|"Special Edition" version of ''Combiner Wars'' Blast Off]], rather than using Takara's version of Blast Off.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TheDecepticons predacon bird.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Somewhere, there's a universe where the beam hit the bird.]]
* According to [[Aaron Archer]] at [[BotCon 2002]], Movor's name is simply indicative of the fact he... moves. Move-or. Yes, really. Shut up.
* The episode "[[Attack from Outer Space]]", which featured Movor's bumbled attempts at orbital bombardment, was not aired on [[Fox Kids]], due to post-[[September 11]] sensitivity.
* In "[[The Decepticons]]", when it appears Movor's protoform beam is about to hit a bird, a short sequence in which Sky-Byte imagines what a Predacon bird would look like (pictured) is edited out of the ''Robots in Disguise'' version. (The reason for this edit is unclear, since it's doubtful that it was a [[An Explosive Situation|post-9/11 edit]] due to the fact it does not entail buildings getting damaged or destroyed.) The wings of the "Predacon bird" slightly resemble Megatron's own bat-wings. Considering the small number of Predacons introduced in the show, this is the first and only glimpse of another Predacon character (albeit one who doesn't actually exist).
* The ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' incarnation of Movor's K-Bomb body is a "virtual redeco" of the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Shockwave (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Shockwave]] mold.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Shuttler''' (シャトラー ''Shatorā''), '''Movor''' (ムーバー ''Mūbā'')
*''Korean:'' '''Shuttler''' (셔틀러 ''Syeoteulleo'')

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Maximals]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Resistance]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) combiners]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Universe combiners]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Gas Skunk (RID)

2025-10-29T20:24:56Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|predacon}}
:''Gas Skunk is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:GasSkunkAnime.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I just love those little boats!]]
'''Gas Skunk''' (aka '''Gaskunk''') is one of the Predacons under the command of [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] who has come to [[Earth]] to rob it of energy and perform other evil deeds. He is most often seen with his fellow Pred stooges [[Dark Scream]] and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]]. He's the smartest of the trio—and while that doesn't take much, he actually is pretty clever. A Special Operations man,<ref>Region 2 DVD bio</ref> he's a skilled inventor able to create new weapon technology when needed, and also has extensive knowledge of Cybertronian law and computer programming. But he's not as smart as he thinks he is: he tends to mangle large words he tries to use (and some not-so-large ones), and sometimes tends not to ''think'' about whatever he's doing beyond the very-short-term. Plus, he's a bully and a craven coward at heart, and as soon as he's up against a show of force, that aspect of his personality comes screaming to the forefront while he goes screaming to the rear of the battlefield.

Gas Skunk and his fellow stooges are also pretty good at shifting blame for the trio's failures onto their commander [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]...though he definitely shares Sky-Byte's hatred of the new [[Decepticon]] forces, who are a real threat to their jobs!

In battle, his bicep-mounted "Left Laser" blaster and serrated tail can do impressive damage. In both modes he can also cough up huge, billowing clouds of foul-smelling smoke that blind and disorient opponents and can corrode structures. Unfortunately for Gas Skunk and his fellow Predacon stooges, [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] discovered that this gas is rather flammable.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jerry DeCapua]] (English), [[Norio Imamura]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[Wan-gyeong Seong]] (Korean), [[Martín María Soto Portilla|Martín Soto]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Leonardo Serrano]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Battle Protocol Gas Skunk.jpg|left|thumb|No! I'm NOT surrendering! Those are my [[beast mode]] legs!]]
[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] invited the Predacon trio to the battlefield in New York, where they fought over who was going to defeat [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]. When the [[Autobot Brothers]] arrived, Gas Skunk reflected on how a nice day can "turn into such a bummer" after feeling [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]]'s fusion flame. [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]] was captured by Megatron, but the trio were seen off with a missile. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

When the Predacons brought back a pile of small batteries to use as energy, Megatron was not impressed. He placed Sky-Byte in charge of them for a mission to retrieve an explosive device. The trio found the car and prepared to take it to Megatron, but Sky-Byte destroyed the car and took the bomb. The shark was himself intercepted by X-Brawn, who inadvertently activated the device, causing the three Predacons to flee. Back at base, they observed Sky-Byte trying to work out how to understand humans by reading their literature. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

After Gas Skunk destroyed a freight train, he was mocked by Sky-Byte for being useless. Sky-Byte, on the other hand, was aiming to attack the highly advanced Linear RFG train. To that end, Slapper and Gas Skunk planted a [[pulsar bomb]] on a bridge ahead of the train, and found themselves fighting both the [[Autobot Brothers]] and Optimus Prime. Although they were eventually chased off, they succeed in destroying the bridge, forcing the Autobots to save the train. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

After a failed attempt to steal a plutonium energy generator from a building, the Predacon trio tried again while the generator was being transported by truck. After chasing off the truck drivers, Slapper and Gas Skunk picked up the generator (and Dark Scream) and made off with it. They ended up on the beach where the [[Spychanger]]s ran rings around them. Sky-Byte turned up and managed to blast the Spychangers, allowing Slapper and Gas Skunk to spirit away the generator (lamenting that Sky-Byte never seemed to do the heavy lifting himself). Unfortunately when they got back to base, it turned out that the generator had been switched for a statue. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

[[File:Secret of the Ruins Gas Skunk.jpg|thumb|His worst idea ever? Yes.]]
Slapper and Gas Skunk worked on tapping some deep-sea power lines, though Gas Skunk was convinced Sky-Byte would take the credit for the victory. Sure enough, when the Autobots turned up to do battle, Sky-Byte was around to stick his fins in. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}} To distract the Autobots from Megatron's real plan, the Predacon trio attacked [[Metro City]] and kept [[Team Bullet Train]] busy. Gas Skunk attempted to use his acid breath, which backfired when [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] ignited the acid and he ended up frying Slapper and Dark Scream. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

After [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] was captured by Megatron, Sky-Byte and the Predacon trio ended up guarding the Autobot. Gas Skunk took the opportunity to take out a few frustrations by kicking their captive. After the inevitable failure of the plan, Sky-Byte managed to deflect the blame onto Gas Skunk and Dark Scream and Megatron announced the pair would be punished severely. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

[[File:Secret Weapon D5 Gas Skunk.jpg|left|thumb|What do you mean, too anime-ish, Oni-chan?!]]
The three Predacons investigated a laboratory pointed to by information extracted from Doctor Onishi and stole a disk. The disk contained information which the Predacons interpreted to indicate that a steam train was some sort of weapon and set about trying to steal the train. Gas Skunk's contribution was an ion beam weapon capable of disrupting electrical systems—it was extremely effective against the Autobots, but against "Grandpa", not so much. After it was successfully stolen, Slapper and Gas Skunk redirected the steam train via a secondary rail line towards Megatron. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Gas Skunk's next invention was a combination tracker/bugging device which he slipped onto [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]] when the Spychangers foiled the theft of a ruby. The Predacons listened keenly as Mirage appeared to fall out with the other Autobots and convinced Megatron that they should let Mirage join them, although to Gas Skunk's annoyance, Sky-Byte managed to take the credit again. Unfortunately for them, the defection turned out to be a ruse anyway. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

The Autobots entered the Great Race to locate one of their comrades who'd gone missing. The Predacon trio attempted to drop a rock-slide on the Autobot forces, and were taken aback when Optimus leapt from boulder to boulder to reach the cliff-top they were on. The trio swiftly fled. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Ultimate Robot Warrior Gas Skunk beast.jpg|thumb|Dude... My hands are HUGE!]]
After spying new Autobot [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]] and his overzealousness in towing illegally parked vehicles, the Predacon trio captured the Autobot and set about trying to brainwash him. After Slapper's attempt failed, Gas Skunk recommended using a metronome... which also put Slapper to sleep. Eventually they managed to brainwash Tow-Line with a disc, and sat back while he began abducting Autobots from around the city. Unfortunately a malfunction meant Tow-Line dropped off the captives at the wrong location, and by the time the Predacons located him, Optimus Prime and Prowl had already cured him of the rogue programming. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

After Doctor Onishi revealed something about the [[Cave of the Dragon]] to the Predacons, Gas Skunk saw a report on television about a statue transforming into a dragon (in reality a movie effect), which led them to try to find the cave. Sky-Byte and the Predacon trio found the Cave of the Dragon finally, and were frightened off by a ruse of the Autobots to make them believe that the transforming robot was hostile. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

Gas Skunk, Slapper, Night Scream and Sky-Byte faced off against the Spychangers once more on the beach. The battle ended with an [[Stock footage|all-too-familiar]] retreat on the Predacon's part. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Optimus GasSkunk02.JPG|left|thumb|I AM OPTIMUS PRIME...tee-hee!]]
Not all of Doctor Onishi's information was unhelpful. The Predacons were sent to [[Castle Peak]] in [[United States of America|America]], where they began digging and unearthed a crashed Autobot spaceship. After Megatron retrieved the six [[protoform]]s from inside it, the Predacons began scanning new [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s for the protoforms, creating the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Decepticons|The Decepticons}} Unfortunately this development left the Predacons as second-stringers to the new troops. Sky-Byte came up with the idea to disguise themselves to get the Decepticons and Autobots to destroy each other. With typical finesse all four of them picked Optimus Prime to dress up as, but the Decepticons and Autobots ended up fighting anyway. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Digging under the volcano on [[Montrose Island]], the three Predacons were first assaulted by some bats, then chased by molten lava. They eventually reached the ocean, and were forced to dive when the lava followed them over the cliff. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} On a later mission, Sky-Byte had the trio attempt to draw Megatron's face in the ground to indicate a rendezvous point. They did get to fight X-Brawn though. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space|Attack from Outer Space}}

Gas Skunk was next seen kneeling before Megatron as Sky-Byte made his apologies for his latest fumble, this time claiming that Scourge had betrayed the Predacon cause. Turns out, Scourge was only pretending to be a traitor as part of an elaborate plan orchestrated by Megatron. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:The Fish Test Gas Skunk Prowl.jpg|thumb|Why he even wants to follow Sky-Byte's orders is a mystery.]]
Roped into another of Sky-Byte's plans, Gas Skunk disguised himself as Prowl in another attempt to get the Decepticons and Autobots to fight. The plan did not go well, nor did the next plan, to let the Autobots know where the Decepticons were going to strike. Gas Skunk's retort to Slapper's assertion that it was worth it to see Sky-Byte "bark like a seal" was simply to tell him to get a life. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

Sky-Byte and the three Predacons raided a diamond mine in Antarctica in order to lure the Autobots into a trap. The [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] turned up instead of the expected Autobot Brothers, but Sky-Byte took their leader [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] captive. The Build Team tried to exchange him for a disk with a map of the [[Global Space Bridge]] and, after a chase with a penguin, the Predacons obtained their prize. Unfortunately it turned out to just be a map of some sewers. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

Sucked into another of Sky-Byte's plans to attack the [[CGA Tower]], the Predacon trio instead found themselves holding the building up after the shark had an abrupt change of plans and insisted everyone save the hostages. Much complaining ensued. In the end the tower was saved, but the Predacons realized they still hadn't gotten the [[O-Part]]s Sky-Byte was after. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

The Predacon trio were put in charge of guarding the Autobot Brothers after their capture. They didn't last very long when the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] came to the Autobots' rescue. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

Hiding in some bushes, the Predacons observed the failure of one of [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s plans and observed that he was still Megatron's favourite. They attempted to join the battle only to flee when Optimus and Ultra Magnus merged to become [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Darkscream gasskunk.jpg|left|thumb]]
The Predacon trio accompanied Megatron and the Decepticons to the [[Sahara]] to recover the [[Orb of Sigma]]. Their main contribution was to attempt to flee when the cavern in which the Orb was located began to collapse, and subsequently became buried under rubble. They were able to dig themselves out, only to find their energy being drained by a mysterious force. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} This didn't seem to slow them down, as they were hanging out with Sky-Byte again soon after the Autobots found [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], and were able to snatch the 'bot while the Decepticons kept the Autobots busy. Although they turned up to the battle in Metro City to claim [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], their contribution to the fight was minimal. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

With the Decepticons' treachery taking them out of favor with Galvatron (as Megatron had become), the Predacons found themselves moving up in the hierarchy finally. They took part in the attack on the Autobot base, and were lured into a trap by Optimus Prime. The trio wisely took shelter once the ''Megastar'' turned up to add its fire-power to the fight, but the battle station was soon destroyed by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} They continued to contribute little to the ongoing battle, and ended up following Sky-Byte into the space bridge when he and the Decepticons pursued the retreating Autobots in. Thus they were subsequently also trapped when Galvatron flooded the tunnel with molten lava. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Fortunately for them, they survived and went on to face the Autobots again (and were swiftly trampled into the dirt).

After the defeat of Galvatron and his Decepticons, Slapper, Gas Skunk and Dark Scream were rounded up and shipped off to an asteroid prison colony on board Fortress Maximus. As all the other villains argued and shrieked vengeance from within their ''Phantom Zone''-like prison cells, the Predacon trio lamented that Sky-Byte had been left stranded on Earth; a fate they considered worse than incarceration. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:UltraMagnustotheRescue DecepticonsPredacons.jpg|thumb]]
Gas Skunk and the Predacons went looking to acquire an experimental nuclear generator under the bickering leadership of Scourge and Sky-Byte. Their efforts were interrupted first by Optimus Prime, then by Ultra Magnus who sent Gas Skunk flying. After a brief exchange of blows, Scourge halted the fight by threatening the nearby human workers. Sky-Byte wasn't in favor of killing innocent humans, though, and he sent Slapper and Gas Skunk to get in Scourge's way at a critical moment. The humans were saved, the Decepticons were left beaten and empty-handed, and the Predacons were able to return to Megatron with the generator in tow. All was right with the world. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}
{{-}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
=====''Unite Warriors''=====
While in the process of reformatting the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] back to their original programming, the Autobots of the post-[[Cybertron Alliance]] era explained how they were corrupted by Gigatron and his Predacons. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Gigatron and Sky-Byte ended their evil ways and joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Dark Scream, Gas Skunk and Slapper were released from prison and followed suit. As part of the Patrol, they helped defend the [[Legends World]] from a [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] army and rather enjoyed being heroes. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

====''Regeneration One''====
[[File:Gas skunk blackarachnia jetstorm leobreaker starscream war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
As the [[Dark Matrix]] creature tortured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] with visions of his [[Sparkplug Witwicky|dead father]] in [[Zero Space]], cracks began to appear in the membrane of infinite worlds. Gas Skunk could be seen through one alongside [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{-}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Sky-Byte rescued Gas Skunk, Dark Scream, and Slapper from having to serve the megalomaniacal [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. They later came to the aid of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] during the last Autobot's final battle with Megazarak. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

===Legends World===
Gas Skunk worked at a "little brother cafe" and was there when the manager, [[Starscream (BW)|Starscream]], explained to another worker, who was [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|another Starscream]], just what kind of cafe they were. {{storylink|LG-18 Armada Starscream Super Mode Prologue}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Gas Skunk was a member of the [[First Church of Primus]], attending the congregation in [[Dodecahex]] held by [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]. Left alone by the [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] after their conquest of the city-state, the Church had no such protection from the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s' counter-strike. Gas Skunk presumably escaped with other members of the congregation through the basement tunnels while Sunstorm ignited his reactor to cover their escape. {{Storylink|Derailment}}

==Toys==
{{anchor|Car Robots}}
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:Car Robots-Gaskunk-toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If that was me, you'd be dead!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Gaskunk''' (Basic, [[2000]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''D-002'''
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Released in the first wave of Takara's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' product, Gaskunk is a [[repaint]] of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] Basic Class [[Maximal]] [[Stinkbomb#Toys|Stinkbomb]] (they use the same base plastic colors), transforming into a techno-organic monstrous skunk. His tail features a separate swinging scissor-blade at the tip. The hinged lower tail blade is installed upside-down compared to Stinkbomb's. He has a hidden [[spark crystal]] in his right rear leg in [[beast mode]] (left bicep in [[robot mode]]) revealed by a simple flip-up panel. His other leg/arm also has a flip-up panel, but there's nothing special under that one.

: This mold was likely supposed to be used for the unreleased ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Spiketail#Toys|Spiketail]] toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Predacon/GasSkunk/gasskunk.htm More information on Gas Skunk at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RID}}
[[File:RID-toy GasSkunk.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|"Stinkbomb is the preferable name" is a phrase we thought we'd never say...]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Dark Scream / Gas Skunk / Slapper''' (Mega Class 3-pack, [[2001]])}}</ul>

:For his [[Hasbro]] release, Gas Skunk was only made available in a Mega-sized 3-pack with [[Dark Scream#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Dark Scream]] and [[Slapper (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Slapper]]. This set was released in the first wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Megas.

: Gas Skunk has the mildest of differences from the Takara release of the three Predacons in the pack: the yellow paint on Gas Skunk's back is ''slightly'' darker than on Gaskunk, and the translucent plastic of his spark crystal has a more clouded appearance.

==Notes==
*In the Japanese version, Gas Skunk speaks in effeminate Japanese. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
*According to the ''Car Robots'' toy catalog, [[Dark Scream]], Gas Skunk, and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] make up a subgroup known as the "3 Metal Beast Brothers" (メタルビースト３兄弟 ''Metaru Bīsuto San Kyōdai''). Apparently, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s intent was to have them parallel the "3 Car Robo Brothers" (as [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[X-Brawn]] were called in Japan), but this subgroup name was never used in the show's Japanese version, nor was any familial relationship implied between the three.
*On the (now defunct) [[Fox Kids]] website was a bio for Slapper that referred to his, Gas Skunk's, and Dark Scream's three-member team as the "[[Predacon Field Squadron]]".<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20020124195705/http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/transformers/characters.asp</ref> This bio (like the others from that site) was derived from a longer bio for Slapper given in the [[production bible]] for the ''Robots in Disguise'' English dub. While Gas Skunk's own production bible bio did not specify his numerical member status in the group, Dark Scream was described as the second member and Slapper the third, making Gas Skunk the first member by process of elimination.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20150911173834/http://www.allspark.com/2014/04/rid-character-bible/ RID Character Bible, at The Allspark] (archived)</ref> However, this team name was never used in the show itself.
*In "[[Wedge's Short Fuse]]", Gas Skunk reveals that the diamond is his {{w|birthstone}} (which should mean he was "born" in [[Calendar|April]]; how this works for Cybertronians isn't entirely clear).

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gaskunk''' (ガスカンク ''Gasukanku'')
*''Russian:'' '''Skuns''' (Скунс, "Skunk")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Transformers]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Predacons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]

Ruination (RID)

2025-10-29T20:24:20Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|{{factions/icons|custom=Car Robots Destron.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Commando (RID)|cPretty=Combatron}}|decepticon|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Ruination}}
:''Ruination is a [[Decepticon]] [[combiner]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Ruination.jpg|right|upright=2.2|thumb|"Movor, [[Animation error|stop distorting space and get back in proper!]]"]]
'''Ruination''' (aka '''Baldigus''') is the [[combiner|combined]] form of the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]], the Decepticons' military squad. While the minds and bodies of all five Commandos come together to make him, [[Armorhide (RID)|Armorhide]], [[Movor]], [[Rollbar (RID)|Rollbar]], and [[Ro-Tor (RID)|Ro-Tor]] cede all control to their leader [[Mega-Octane]] to make Ruination a more coordinated, intelligent and deadly warrior, whose only interest is in fighting.

Making things worse for his opponents is his ability to swap his limbs around to adapt to whatever combat situation he finds himself in. "Flight Mission" mode puts Ro-Tor and Movor in the arm sockets, enabling Ruination to fly. "Land Mission" mode has Armorhide and Rollbar in arm mode, giving him increased power on the ground. This deadly combination of brains and brawn makes Ruination so fierce and powerful that even [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] is wary around him.

On an unrelated note, Ruination is powered by coffee milk.<ref>''Car Robots'' Baldigus's bio card.</ref>

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Bob Papenbrook]] (English), [[Holly Kaneko]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]] only), [[Alejandro Villeli]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Stefano Mondini]] (Italian), [[Sohn Son-kun]] (Korean), [[José Augusto Sendim]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

The Decepticon Commandos were in the process of sabotaging [[Sherman Dam]], when they were interrupted by the [[Autobot]]s. Quickly subduing them, they were further interrupted by [[Team Bullet Train]], who, being faced with the superior firepower of the Decepticons, combined to form [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. Anticipating this turn of events, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] ordered his unit to merge into Ruination.

The shock of their ability to combine, combined with Ruination's firepower and strength, had Rail Racer on the defense until the [[Autobot Brothers]] distracted Ruination with laser fire and less than snappy one-liners. Rail Racer used this opportunity to defeat Ruination, forcing the Decepticons into a tactical retreat. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Ruination attempted to fight the [[Spychanger]]s on [[Montrose Island]] and was promptly tipped over. He quickly recovered and blew a chunk out of the side of the volcano, causing lava to flood out. He was subsequently restrained by [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] while the Spychangers dealt with the lava. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}}

[[File:The Test Scourgeruination.jpg|thumb|left|There's someone I'd like you to meet. His name is Depth Perception.]]
As part of a ruse to make the Autobots believe they'd defected, the Commandos formed Ruination to fight [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]. However the game was blown by Scourge, and Ruination was forced to retreat under fire from an outraged Optimus Prime. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

In an attempt to stop Optimus Prime delivering the [[O-Part]]s to Sky-Byte, Ruination and Scourge confronted the Autobot en route. Optimus kicked Ruination into the air and blew him to pieces with one shot from his blaze blaster. How the mighty have fallen. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

During an attempted energy heist, Ruination fought with Rail Racer a second time. Unfortunately the fight was used as a diversion by the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] to steal back the Commandos' hard-worn energy, a fact they didn't discover until after the Autobots retreated. The Commandos goaded the Build Team into facing them in person and easily gained the upper hand, even after both teams merged into their respective combiner modes. [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] frantically dug a tunnel into the ground to escape but Ruination followed him in and slammed him against a wall. The impact caused the tunnel to begin filling with oil. Ruination pleaded with Landfill to refrain from firing but Landfill fired anyway. The explosion blew Ruination into his component parts which crashed blazing into the sea. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

[[File:Forced Fusion Omegaruination.jpg|thumb|And that settled the matter of children.]]
Scourge and the Commandos confronted [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], who was newly arrived on Earth. The act of the Commandos combining merely amused Magnus and he promptly blew Ruination into bits. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Their second battle, facing Magnus and the energy-depleted Optimus on an island, went little better. After igniting the island's [[oil]] deposits, Ruination was witness to the first merging of [[Omega Prime]] and soon retreated under the Autobot's awesome firepower. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

Ultra Magnus refused Scourge's offer to join the Decepticons, leading Scourge and Ruination to fight [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], whom Magnus had abandoned to their own devices. The brothers were no match for the Decepticons, even when [[X-Brawn]] joined in. The arrival of Optimus Prime, however, turned the tide of the fight when he swiftly defeated Ruination. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

When [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] was finally found in a cavern beneath [[Metro City]], the Commandos combined into Ruination to wrest control of the location from the Autobots, but was soon repelled by the power of Maximus's defenses. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} Scourge made another attempt to access Maximus, while Ruination kept Rail Racer busy. The two combiners had a prolonged battle in the middle of the city until Scourge called a retreat. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Ruination.jpg|thumb|left|Doggy mode!]]
After the loss of Megatron and the obtaining of [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the Decepticons located the place where the Autobots had concealed Maximus. An attack was launched, with Scourge and Ruination facing the majority of the Autobot forces. Despite being outnumbered, the battle went reasonably well, especially after the arrival of a resurrected Megatron in a new form, now calling himself Galvatron. Once Maximus was activated, he proved impossible to control—for the Decepticons at least. After [[Koji Onishi|Koji]] stopped Maximus, the Autobots fired on Ruination and the combiner retreated with Megatron. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

Ruination later held off the Autobots in the desert long enough for Scourge to take control of Fortress Maximus. The battle went well until the arrival of Team Bullet Train and the Build Team with a large number of children who commanded Maximus to stop. Defeated once more, Ruination fled with Scourge. {{storylink|The Human Element}}

[[File:Surprise Attack Ruination.jpg|thumb|His guns have guns on them.]]
Following the revelation of Scourge's betrayal, Galvatron reprogrammed the Commandos and, by extension, Ruination to obey his will. Ruination subsequently joined the attack on the Autobot base, which Sky-Byte had located. When their firepower drew out Optimus Prime, the Commandos separated to pursue the Autobot leader and found themselves led into a trap. They combined again to fight the Autobots. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Despite the loss of the ''[[Megastar]]'', the Decepticons gained the upper hand and the Autobots were forced to retreat into their space bridge. Galvatron blew the entrance to the space bridge open, allowing Ruination and Scourge to enter the tunnel in pursuit. Their leader saw it as a chance to get rid of two birds with one stone and ruptured the tunnel wall to flood it with lava. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Ruination and Scourge, like the Autobots, survived the lava but still retained their loyalty to Galvatron. They again faced the Autobots in battle and were overcome by superior firepower, eliminating them from the rest of the battle.

The Commandos were later taken to the [[asteroid prison colony]] by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====''Unite Warriors''/''Legends''====
[[File:BaldigusChapter1 BaldigusFlightMission.jpg|thumb|left]]

{{CRnote}}

The Combatrons were freed from captivity and brought to the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] of [[2021]] by [[Unicron]], who also [[reformatting|reformatted]] them into new, stronger bodies. When it turned out Unicron was intending to wipe them from existence once they were no longer useful to him, they combined into the upgraded Ruination and attacked the Chaos-Bringer. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Ruination let his guard down with the arrival of [[Grand Scourge]], who claimed to be Scourge, allowing Grand Scourge to strike him and force him to start disappearing again. Fortunately, the real Scourge showed up and interrupted the process by attacking Grand Scourge, allowing Ruination to send the impostor flying with a mighty barrage. Turning his attention towards Unicron again, he successfully disconnected the Chaos-Bringer's head from Cybertron, allowing other combiners to defeat him and preventing him from undoing the future the Combatrons hailed from. Together with Scourge and Sky-Byte, Ruination then traveled into that future to save their leader, Devil Gigatron. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

The five Combatrons formed Ruination during the attack on [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Devil Gigatron was being held, only to learn he had no intention of being saved. Devil Gigatron instead cleansed Scourge of his evil programming, leaving a horrified Ruination holding the small [[protoform]] his commander had reverted to. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

After Scourge was restored to his evil self in the [[Legends World]], the Combatrons accompanied him home in the form of Ruination. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Scourge and the other Combatrons continued traveling together with Dark Ai, seeking their own destiny. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===''Universe'' comic===
{{voiceactor|[[Clive Ramroop]] (English)}}
The Ruination who was a [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion of Unicron]] was one of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]'s soldiers, abducted from [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]]. Before being abducted, he had rendered [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]] inert by killing the [[Emissary (RID)|Emissary]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

Ruination was sent by [[Unicron]] along with [[Reptilion]], [[Sunstorm (Universe)|Sunstorm]], and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] to stop a team aiming to help victims who Unicron had transported from other dimensions. Ruination's group was successfully fought off by the Autobot and Maximal forces. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[File:RiD2001 Wal-Mart Ruination CardArt.jpg|thumb]]
From [[Greengard]] in a [[Viron]] universe, [[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] collected Ruination for the [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/27}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Ruination was a unique combiner with the ability to reconfigure his components at will to optimize his combat efficiency. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}} Runination had an anti-grav unit that allowed him to fly in addition to his fearsome strength. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{anchor|Car Robots}}
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Baldigus.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|One way, or another, I'm gonna find ya, I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Baldigus''' (Multi-pack, July 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''D-011'''
:*''Accessories'': Two multi-part handguns (made from individual component weapons), ramp/shield

: Released in the fifth assortment of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' product, Baldigus is a [[redeco]] and slight [[retool]]ing of the [[Combaticon (G1)#Generation 1|Combaticon]] molds from [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]. As the original mold set is a "[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Scramble City]]" style of combiner, team leader [[Mega-Octane#Toys|Dolrailer (Mega-Octane)]] forms the super robot torso, while the four other robots—[[Armorhide (RID)#Toys|Dangar (Armorhide)]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Toys|Greejeeber (Rollbar)]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Toys|Hepter (Ro-Tor)]], and [[Movor#Toys|Shuttler (Movor)]]—can form any limb. There is, of course, a "default" configuration, or in this instance, two:
:*'''Flight Mission—''' ''Right arm'': Movor, ''left arm'': Ro-Tor, ''right leg'': Rollbar, ''left leg'': Armorhide
:*'''Land Mission—''' ''Right arm'': Armorhide, ''left arm'': Rollbar, ''right leg'': Ro-Tor, ''left leg'': Movor
: In the cartoon, he is usually depicted in the Flight Mission configuration.

: The main retooling to Baldigus involves him now being able to assemble two hand-held super-weapons using ''all'' of the weapons and accessories from all of the component robots. He also has a full back now owing to the ability to store his ramp on his cannon-backpack thanks to a new [[5 mm post]]-hole in the cannon-base and new 5 mm post on the ramp underside. It's spiffy. This same functionality also lets him use the ramp as a (somewhat awkward) hand-held shield.

: In the ''Car Robots'' line, the five Baldigus components were available both as individual releases, or in a five-robot multi-pack. However, the multi-pack version came only with the bio card for the combined form, available nowhere else, and had none of the individual cards. [[Sonokong]] also released the gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets, using the Takara color scheme with the Hasbro mold changes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Destron/Baldigus/baldigus.htm More info on Baldigus at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|RobotsInDisguise}}
[[File:RID-toy Ruination.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Flight Mission configuration on the left, Land Mission configuration on the right.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Mega-Octane''' (Deluxe, 2001)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Armorhide''' (Basic, 2001)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Movor''' (Basic, 2001)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Rollbar''' (Basic, 2001)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''Ro-Tor''' (Basic, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Two multi-part handguns (made from individual component weapons), ramp/shield

: For the normal-retail [[Hasbro]] ''Robots in Disguise'' line, "Ruination" could only be assembled by buying the individual robots, all of which have deco differences from the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] versions. Most strikingly, Ruination has stone-gray combiner kibble, and tank component "Armorhide" is now mainly light-blue. There are several other smaller deco and molding differences between the two releases, but we cover those on the individual components' pages.

: Although the Korean release of Ruination used the Japanese color scheme, it was made with the tweaked molds used for the U.S. version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Decepticon/Ruination/ruination.htm More info on Ruination at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|UrbanCamo}}
[[File:Walmart-exclusive-Ruination.JPG|upright=1|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Takara release date'': [[September 26]], 2003
:*''Accessories'': Two multi-part handguns (made from individual component weapons), ramp/shield

: The Ruination molds were redecoed into an "urban camouflage" scheme, primarily shades of gray and stony-blue. This set also features some slight retooling to a few members, most notably Movor's more rounded-off nosecone.

: This version of the team was only sold as a complete set of five robots, a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] released in January of 2003. While still branded as a ''Robots in Disguise'' toy, the packaging was in the style of the then-running ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toyline.

: This set was made available in Japan much later as a "[[USA Edition]]" release, available only to retailers participating in [[Toy's Dream Project]]'s "Toy Card" program. This was a straight release of the toy in Hasbro packaging, with some extra stickers added for "USA Edition" branding and legal information.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Decepticon/Ruination/ruination.htm More info on Wal-Mart Ruination at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy Ruination.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|And you thought I couldn't get any uglier!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Ruination''' (Multi-pack, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Two multi-part handguns (made from individual component weapons), ramp/shield

: The entire Ruination team, using the urban camo molding, was redecoed ''again'' to make ''another'' Walmart exclusive set, under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner. The deco was seemingly inspired by Ruination's original Takara colour scheme, with gold combiner [[kibble]] and beige "desert camo" not unlike Armorhide's original plastic (albeit with a different pattern), allowing fans to Frankenstein together a show-accurate Ruination.

: It came out at the same time as five ''other'' Walmart ''Transformers'' exclusives, which led to a glut. Ruination seemed a particularly slow mover in this batch.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Decepticon/Ruination/ruination.htm More info on ''Universe'' Ruination at TFU.info]''
{{G1CombaticonMold}}
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:UW-toy Baldigus.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Both flavors taste amazing!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Baldigus''' (Giftset, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[March 31]], 2017
:*''Accessories'': Two multi-part handguns (made from individual component weapons)

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Baldigus is a redeco of the ''Unite Warriors'' [[Bruticus (G1)#Unite Warriors|Bruticus]] set, made up once again of [[Mega-Octane#Unite Warriors|Dolrailer]], [[Armorhide (RID)#Unite Warriors|Dangar]], [[Rollbar (RID)#Unite Warriors|Greejeeber]], [[Ro-Tor (RID)#Unite Warriors|Hepter]], and [[Movor#Unite Warriors|Shuttler]]. However, this box set has a few notable differences from Bruticus beyond new colors.

: First, the combiner mode's hands and feet, rather than being the standard multi-function hand/foot/gun accessories found with most ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]''/''Unite Warriors'' releases, are redecoes of the dedicated hand and foot molds that originally came with the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Computron (G1)#Combiner Wars|Computron]] set. The individual robots also come with extra weapons, molds found in the ''Unite Warriors'' releases of [[Scattershot (G1)#Unite Warriors|Scattershot]], [[Scrapper (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Scrapper]], [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Long Haul]], [[Scavenger (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Scavenger]], and [[Mixmaster (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|Mixmaster]]; these guns combine with the already-existing guns to form two hand-held multi-weapons, similar to the original Baldigus's multi-weapons.

: This set was the sixth [[TakaraTomy Mall]] [[exclusive]] set in the line, and the final ''Unite Warriors'' release. It was also the ''fourth'' toy to have the "UW-EX" ID "number", shared with [[Grand Scourge#Unite Warriors|Grand Scourge]], [[Sky Reign#Unite Warriors 2|Lynxmaster]], and [[Megatronia#Toys|Megatronia]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:RID dcons.jpg|right|upright=2.2|thumb|Swindle: Hey! We actually look like our toys right now. Anybody wanna buy our old bodies?]]
*''Robots In Disguise'' has been the only time that the original Combaticon molds have appeared onscreen using animation models that look very close to their toy bodies. (''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]]'' is close, but the toys in question are always shown in combined mode, never as individuals. Plus, well, that was never animated.) In the original Generation 1 television series, the animation models of the individual Combaticons, as well as [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], were quite different from the actual toys.
*Ruination is a rare example of a Combiner actually making use of different combination setups within animation. The default combination patterned after his mold origin Bruticus allows him to fly, while swapping his arms and legs makes use of the firepower provided by his land-based vehicles. Although Superion and Menasor demonstrated the ability to change limbs assignments among their respective teams in the ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'' OVA, they did not demonstrate any specific benefits from doing so.
*His original Japanese name, "Baldigus" (バルディガス ''Barudigasu''), likely derives from "Bruticus" (ブルーティカス ''Burūtikasu''). The two names have similar pronunciation in Japanese. For years, the correct [[Japanese language|Romanization]] of said name was up in the air, with "Baldigus" and "Valdigus" being the most popular fan spellings, until his ''Unite Warriors'' release provided an official Romanized spelling. Though, a Japanese model sheet did feature his name spelled, rather unfortunately, as "BARDIGAS".<ref>[http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/UndertakerPrime/media/cGF0aDpNb2JpbGUgVXBsb2Fkcy9pbWFnZV96cHNjMzk3bzB1Ny5qcGVn/?ref= ''Car Robots'' "BARDIGAS" model sheet]</ref>
*His English name is the most awesome name of any combiner, ever. Well, technically, he's tied with the ''other'' [[Ruination (FOC)|combiner named Ruination]] on that front, but he had the name first. How he ranks compared to [[Slayride]], [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]], and [[Shreddicus Maximus]] in terms of best name ever is debatable, but he's up there.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Baldigus''' (バルディガス ''Barudigasu''), '''Ruination''' (ルイネーション ''Ruinēshon'')
*''Korean:'' '''Baldigus''' (벌디가스 ''Beoldigaseu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Decepticon''' (Десептикон ''Deseptikon'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Minions of Unicron]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Decepticons]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Slapper (RID)

2025-10-29T20:23:43Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|predacon}}
{{disambig3|Slapper}}
:''Slapper is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:SlapperAnime.jpg|right|upright=1.5|thumb|Gene Simmons, eat your heart out.]]

'''Slapper''' (aka '''Goosher''') is a dim-witted thug, even by Predacon standards. He's just about smart enough to have a cruel sense of humor, enjoying the failures and injuries inflicted on his own teammates. Slapper manages to combine stealth and stupidity; his prowess in amphibious assaults makes it easy for him to sneak up on foes, but he's so gullible that once he gets there, he can just about be talked out of fighting.

His official role is Marshland Trooper,<ref>R2 DVD bio</ref> in a campaign that never once went to a marsh.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Lurie]] (English), [[Ryō Naitō]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Davide Lepore]] (Italian), [[Carlos del Campo]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Carlos Marques]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Lee Yoon-sun]] (Korean)}}

[[File:Explosive Situation Slapper.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|A sweating toad...don't lick him now!]]

[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] invited the Predacon trio to the battlefield in New York, where they fought over who was going to defeat [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]. When the [[Autobot Brothers]] arrived, Slapper attempted to fight [[X-Brawn]] and was told to measure his tongue while the Autobot ascended to the top of a building and strafed him from above. Once [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]] was in Megatron's grasp, the trio were blown into the sky by [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s missile. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

When the Predacons brought back a pile of small batteries to use as energy, Megatron was not impressed and put [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] in charge of them on a mission to retrieve an explosive device. The trio found the car and prepared to take it to Megatron, but Sky-Byte destroyed the car and took the bomb. The shark was himself intercepted by X-Brawn, who inadvertently activated the device, causing the three Predacons to flee. Back at base, they observed Sky-Byte trying to work out how to understand humans by reading their literature. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

Slapper destroyed a freight train and found himself mocked by Sky-Byte for being useless. Sky-Byte aimed to attack the super-advanced [[Linear RFG]] train instead. To that end, Slapper and [[Gas Skunk]] planted a [[pulsar bomb]] on a bridge on the bullet train's course, and found themselves fighting both the Autobot Brothers and Optimus Prime. Although they were eventually chased off, they succeeded in destroying the bridge, forcing the Autobots to save the train. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

[[File:Spychangers to the Rescue Slapper.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|OK, OK, "Throw axe at ogre".]]

After a failed attempt to steal the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]] from a building, the Predacon trio tried again while the generator was being transported by truck. Slapper hacked into the traffic control computer and caused a city-wide traffic jam. After chasing off the truck drivers, Slapper and Gas Skunk picked up the generator (and [[Dark Scream]]) and made off with it. They ended up on the beach where the [[Spychanger]]s ran rings around them. Sky-Byte turned up and managed to blast the Spychangers, allowing Slapper and Gas Skunk to spirit away the generator (lamenting that Sky-Byte never seemed to do the heavy lifting himself). Unfortunately when they got back to base, it turned out that the generator had been switched with a statue. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

Slapper and Gas Skunk worked on tapping some deep-sea power lines, with Slapper spoiling for a fight. As it turned out, when the Autobots turned up to foil their plan, Slapper didn't get to do any fighting anyway. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}} To distract the Autobots from Megatron's real plan, the Predacon trio attacked [[Metro City]] and kept [[Team Bullet Train]] busy. Slapper's suggestion for Gas Skunk to use his acid breath backfired when [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] ignited the acid and Slapper and Dark Scream got flambéed. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

After [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] was captured by Megatron, Sky-Byte and the Predacon trio ended up guarding the Autobot. Slapper asked Side Burn about his affection for red sports cars, and was suckered in by the Autobot's tall tales. Unsurprisingly he was also fooled by the vehicle disguises worn by [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and X-Brawn when they arrived to rescue Side Burn. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

The three Predacons investigated a laboratory pointed to by information extracted from Doctor Onishi and Slapper stole a disk with his tongue. The disk contained information which the Predacons interpreted to indicate that [[Grandpa|a steam train]] was some sort of weapon and set about trying to steal the locomotive. Slapper jumped on the train after the failure of his two comrades, and was promptly jumped and pummelled by [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]], who had formed an attachment to "Grandpa". After the train was successfully stolen, Slapper and Gas Skunk redirected it via a secondary rail line towards Megatron. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

[[File:Mirage's Betrayal Slapper ruby.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Wa'th tha'? 'Umething on my 'ongue?]]

Although the Spychangers managed to foil the Predacons' attempted theft of a ruby, Gas Skunk managed to sneak a bug onto [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]]. The Predacons listened keenly as Mirage appeared to fall out with the other Autobots and convinced Megatron that they should let Mirage join them. Unfortunately, the defection turned out to be a ruse anyway. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

The Autobots entered the Great Race to locate one of their comrades who'd gone missing. The Predacon trio attempted to drop a rock-slide on the Autobot forces, and were taken aback when Optimus leapt from boulder to boulder to reach the cliff-top they were on. The trio swiftly fled. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Slapper beast.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|I slapp'a you good!]]

After spying new Autobot [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]] and his overzealousness in towing illegally parked vehicles, the Predacon trio captured the Autobot and set about trying to brainwash him. Slapper attempted to hypnotise Tow-Line with a swinging pendant, but only succeeded in putting himself to sleep. Gas Skunk recommended using a metronome... which also put Slapper to sleep. Eventually they managed to brainwash Tow-Line with a disc, and sat back while he began abducting Autobots from around the city. Unfortunately a malfunction meant Tow-Line dropped off the captives at the wrong location, and by the time the Predacons located him, Optimus Prime and Prowl had already cured him of the rogue programming. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

The Predacons were again misled by information obtained from Doctor Onishi, leading them to think there was a transforming statue. Slapper attempted to get a statue to transform, but was chased off by the Autobots. Sky-Byte and the Predacon trio found the Cave of the Dragon finally, and were frightened off by a ruse of the Autobots to make them believe that the transforming robot was hostile. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

Slapper, Gas Skunk, Dark Scream, and Sky-Byte faced off against the Spychangers once more on the beach. The battle ended with an [[Stock footage|all-too-familiar]] retreat on the Predacons' part. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Optimus Slapper04.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I AM NOT OPTIMUS PRIME, BUT I DID STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS LAST NIGHT!]]

Not all of Doctor Onishi's information was unhelpful. The Predacons were sent to [[Castle Peak]] in America, where they began digging and unearthed a crashed Autobot spaceship. After Megatron retrieved the six [[protoform]]s from inside it, he impressed the Predacons with his plan to imbue them with code from his own spark, although Slapper got somewhat ''too'' carried away with the adjectives. The Predacons began scanning new [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s for the protoforms, creating the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} Unfortunately this development left the Predacons as second-stringers to the new troops. Sky-Byte came up with the idea to disguise themselves to get the Decepticons and Autobots to destroy each other. With typical finesse all four of them picked Optimus Prime to dress up as, but the Decepticons and Autobots ended up fighting anyway. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Digging under the volcano on [[Montrose Island]], the three Predacons were first assaulted by some bats, then chased by molten lava. They eventually reached the ocean, and were forced to dive when the lava followed them over the cliff. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} On a later mission, Sky-Byte had the trio attempt to draw Megatron's face in the ground to indicate a rendezvous point. They did get to fight X-Brawn though. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

Slapper was next seen kneeling before Megatron as Sky-Byte made his apologies for his latest fumble, this time claiming that Scourge had betrayed the Predacon cause. Turns out, Scourge was only pretending to be a traitor as part of an elaborate plan orchestrated by Megatron. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:The Fish Test Slapper Side Burn.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|When I told the barber to leave the side burns, that's not what I meant!]]

Slapper caught Sky-Byte hogging the computer to do on-line fish tests, and pointed out that frogs eat jellyfish (to which the retort was that sharks eat brainless toads). Sky-Byte's latest plan involved the Predacons disguising themselves as Autobots so Slapper disguised himself as Side Burn. When this plan failed, Slapper jokingly suggested Sky-Byte should tell the Autobots where the Decepticons were planning to attack, and was taken seriously. The Autobots distrusted Sky-Byte, naturally, until Slapper got the shark to do the "Universal Greeting Dance". Although the new plan ultimately failed as well, Slapper decided it was worth it to see Sky-Byte bark like a seal. Gas Skunk ventured the opinion that he needed to get a life. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

Sky-Byte and the three Predacons raided a diamond mine in Antarctica in order to lure the Autobots into a trap. The [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] turned up instead of the expected [[Autobot Brothers]], but Sky-Byte took their leader, [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] captive. The Build Team tried to exchange him for a disk with a map of the [[Global Space Bridge]] and, after a chase with a penguin, the Predacons obtained their prize. Unfortunately it turned out to just be a map of some sewers. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

[[File:Sky-Byte Saves the Day Slapper.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|LIGHT RASER! RIGHT RASER! Ah, just die, Autobot!]]

Sucked into another of Sky-Byte's plans to attack the [[CGA Tower]], the Predacon trio instead found themselves holding the building up after the shark had an abrupt change of plans and insisted everyone save the hostages. Much complaining ensued. In the end the tower was saved, but the Predacons realised they still hadn't gotten the [[O-Part]]s Sky-Byte was after. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

The Predacon trio were put in charge of guarding the Autobot Brothers after their capture. They didn't last very long when the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] came to the Autobots' rescue. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

Hiding in some bushes, the Predacons observed the failure of one of [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s plans and observed that he was still Megatron's favourite. They attempted to join the battle only to flee when Optimus and Ultra Magnus merged to become [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[File:Friendly Contest Slapper.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Eeeeeexcellent...]]

During the Autobots' hunt for the O-Parts, Slapper helped Sky-Byte attempt to hide fake O-Parts. The toad was not of a lot of help, not being able to tell the fake ones from the real ones. He asked if he could keep the fake ones anyway, since they were kinda cool. He sensibly sat out the rest of the plans and let Sky-Byte make a fool of himself on his own. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}}

The Predacon trio accompanied Megatron and the Decepticons to the [[Sahara]] to recover the [[Orb of Sigma]]. Their main contribution was to attempt to flee when the cavern in which the Orb was located began to collapse, and subsequently became buried under rubble. They were able to dig themselves out, only to find their energy being drained by a mysterious force. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} This didn't seem to slow them down, as they were hanging out with Sky-Byte again soon after the Autobots found [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], and were able to snatch the 'bot while the Decepticons kept the Autobots busy. Although they turned up to the battle in Metro City to claim [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], their contribution to the fight was minimal. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

With the Decepticons' treachery taking them out of favour with Galvatron (as Megatron had become), the Predacons found themselves moving up in the hierarchy finally. They took part in the attack on the Autobot base, and were lured into a trap by Optimus Prime. The trio wisely took shelter once the Megastar turned up to add its fire-power to the fight, but the battle station was soon destroyed by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} They continued to contribute little to the ongoing battle, and ended up following Sky-Byte into the space bridge when he and the Decepticons pursued the retreating Autobots in. Thus they were subsequently also trapped when Galvatron flooded the tunnel with molten lava. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Fortunately for them, they survived and went on to face the Autobots again (and were swiftly trampled into the dirt).

After the defeat of Galvatron and his Decepticons, Slapper, Gas Skunk and Dark Scream were rounded up and shipped off to an asteroid prison colony on board Fortress Maximus. As all the other villains argued and shrieked vengeance from within their ''Phantom Zone''-like prison cells, the Predacon trio lamented that Sky-Byte had been left stranded on Earth; a fate they considered worse than incarceration. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:UltraMagnustotheRescue SkyByte haiku.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
When Megatron ordered Sky-Byte and Scourge to steal an experimental nuclear generator from the humans, it became a competition between the Predacons and Decepticons to see who could grab the glory for the mission. Despite this, Slapper still managed to be rather bumbling, letting his tongue out too far for other 'Cons to step on or trip over. Once the Autobots arrived, at battle was joined, but Slapper's swollen tongue was no match for Optimus Prime. Eventually, Scourge called off the fight by threatening an innocent human life dangling from a ledge. Not wanting to see innocents hurt, Sky-Byte ordered Slapper and Gas Skunk to "innocently" carry the generator past Scourge at a critical moment, spoiling his aim and giving Prime and Ultra Magnus a chance to punch his clock. Slapp then flew off on Sky-Byte's fin, the Predacons having successfully stolen the generator while Scourge was fooling around with the Autobots. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}
{{-}}
====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
=====''Unite Warriors''=====
While in the process of reformatting the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] back to their original programming, the Autobots of the post-[[Cybertron Alliance]] era recounted how they were corrupted by Gigatron and his Destrongers. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Gigatron and Sky-Byte ended their evil ways and joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Dark Scream, Gas Skunk, and Slapper were released from prison and followed suit. As part of the Patrol, they helped defend the [[Legends World]] from a [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] army and rather enjoyed being heroes. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

===3H comics===
Slapper was part of the coalition army which fought back the [[Quintesson]] invasion of the recently reformatted [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He and [[Stampy (BW)|Stampy]] leapt onto an escaping dropship and planted bombs on it, leaping to safety before the bombs exploded and brought the ship back down to the surface. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:ACommonFoe-Slapper.JPG|thumb|117px]]
After the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] retrieved many [[stasis pod]]s from [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s laboratory to create a new [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] army with the original [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Slapper and [[Dark Scream]] were among the first to emerge. {{Storylink|A Common Foe}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Sky-Byte rescued Gas Skunk, Dark Scream, and Slapper from having to serve the megalomaniacal [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. They later came to the aid of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] during the last Autobot's final battle with Megazarak. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Slapper possessed an amphibian alternate mode. {{storylink|Technorganic Secrets}}

==Toys==
{{anchor|Car Robots}}
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:Car Robots-Goosher-toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Goosher''' (Basic, [[2000]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-004'''
:*''Accessories'': Tongue-mace
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: A [[redeco]] of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] Basic Class [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Spittor (BW)#TM2|Spittor]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' Goosher transforms into a monstrous techno-organic toad. His [[beast mode]] tongue acts as a hand-held flail weapon for [[robot mode]], and can also be stored on his back. He also has a flip-up claw on his toad back, usable (if awkwardly so) in both modes.

: His Predacon [[spark crystal]] is hidden on the roof of his toad-head's mouth, which can be flipped up to simulate his in-show "Right Laser" attack.

: Both Goosher and Slapper (below) use the resculpted round robot mode chin variant of the Transmetal 2 Spittor.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/view/beast-wars/spittor/3383/2/58/ Transmetal 2 Spittor gallery on Seibertron.com]</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|RID}}
[[File:RID-toy Slapper.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I live to serve you, Magneto!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Dark Scream / Gas Skunk / Slapper''' (Mega Class 3-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tongue-mace
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: For his [[Hasbro]] ''Robots in Disguise'' release, Slapper was only available in a Mega-sized 3-pack with his fellow stooges, [[Dark Scream#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Dark Scream]] and [[Gas Skunk#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Gas Skunk]].

: The Hasbro version of Slapper has only a slight difference from the Takara release, having a much richer emerald-green [[Vacuum metallizing|chrome]] on his beast-mode eyes, rather than the paler green of ''Car Robots'' Goosher. (Oddly, Goosher's packaging shows him with the richer green found on the later Hasbro release.)

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Predacon/Slapper/slapper.htm More information on Slapper at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:SlapperWrecker.jpg|right|thumb|Amusingly enough, his Robots in Disguise fate was more dignified than what he would have had as a Wrecker.]]
*Slapper's Japanese name, Goosher (グッシャー ''Gusshā''), is a play on ''gusha'' (愚者, "goofball") and ''gushagusha'' (ぐしゃぐしゃ), onomatopoeia for a wet or crushing noise, much like what happens to frogs if they get stepped on.
* According to the early ''Car Robots'' bible, Goosher has the following statistics:
:Height: 4 meters
:Weight: 3 tons
* Slapper's [[tongue]] is 42 feet, 3 inches long. He measured it himself in "[[Battle Protocol!]]".
* According to the ''Car Robots'' toy catalog, [[Dark Scream]], [[Gas Skunk]], and Slapper make up a subgroup known as the "3 Metal Beast Brothers" (メタルビースト３兄弟 ''Metaru Bīsuto 3 Kyōdai''). Apparently, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s intent was to have them parallel the "3 Car Robo Brothers" (as [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[X-Brawn]] were called in Japan), but this subgroup name was never used in the show's Japanese version, nor was any familial relationship implied between the three.
* The now-defunct [[Fox Kids]] website had a bio for Slapper that referred to his, Dark Scream's, and Gas Skunk's three-member team as the "[[Predacon Field Squadron]]".<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20020124195705/http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/transformers/characters.asp</ref> This bio (like the others from that site) was derived from a longer bio for Slapper given in the [[production bible]] for the ''Robots in Disguise'' English dub.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20150911173834/http://www.allspark.com/2014/04/rid-character-bible/ RID Character Bible, at The Allspark] (archived)</ref> However, this team name was never used in the show itself.
* In the United Kingdom, "slapper" is a very rude thing to call a woman, having the same meaning as "[[Slag (G1)|slag]]". Unlike Slag, Slapper's name has continued to see use [[Slapper (Animated)|as recent as 2010]], but it probably won't last if a new toy is made.
*'''Wartoad''' was a preliminary name considered by Hasbro before finalizing "Slapper".<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20010907070945/media.hasbro.com/release.cfm?release=17 Toy Fair 2001 Press Release]</ref>
* In the Japanese version, Slapper speaks with a Kansai dialect, sort of the Japanese equivalent of "old-fashioned, backwoods goofus". Think hillbillies in the US with a fixation on money.
* Early plans for ''The Wreckers'' comic called for Goosher to join their ranks. However, these plans predated the importing of ''Car Robots'' to the West, and when those plans were made known, [[3H Productions|3H]] replaced Goosher with the original version of the toy mold, [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]]. This also mandated a hasty change to the coloration of the promotional group-shot. Traces of the original coloration can still be seen in the final version, such as Spittor's hands being a lighter blue than the rest of his arms. Ultimately, Slapper ''did'' make an appearance in ''The Wreckers'', though not as part of the title group.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Goosher''' (グッシャー ''Gusshā'')
*''Russian:'' '''Yashcher''' (Ящер, "Lizard")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Predacons]]
[[Category:Sea specialists]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Predacons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Universe Predacons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Predacons]]

Dark Scream

2025-10-29T20:23:08Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{faction|predacon}}
:''Dark Scream is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:DarkScreamAnime.jpg|right|upright=1.3|thumb|Someone's in the kitchen with Daaaaaaaaaark Screeeeeeeeeam!]]
Like the rest of the Predacon Trio, '''Dark Scream''' (aka '''Guildo''') is a bumbling oaf. And of course, he's evil. But apart from that, he's really not so bad. He has an almost innocent sense of humor, enjoys singing, and actually attempts to help out his commander, [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] (though he'll join [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] and [[Gas Skunk]] in heckling him from time to time).

Dark Scream tries to help his teammates in battle with his sword and central freeze ray—but while he's got ''some'' skill with that sword, he's not strong enough to be a real threat to most opponents. He's basically useful for aerial transport and reconnaissance—but even there, his flight skills are rather poor. If it weren't for his willingness to obey orders to attack shipping vehicles and plant bombs in major civilian centers, he'd be about as inoffensive as a Predacon can get.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Hiroki Takahashi]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, till [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, from [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Roberto Draghetti]] (Italian), [[Romeu D'Angelo]], [[Pedro Eugênio]] (Portuguese), [[Mario Sauret]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Kim Seung-tae]] (Korean)}}

[[File:Battle Protocol Dark Scream.jpg|left|thumb| Like a vast predatory flying squirrel doesn't have the same ring to it...]]
[[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] invited the Predacon trio to the battlefield in New York, where they fought over who was going to defeat [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]. When the [[Autobot Brothers]] arrived, Dark Scream managed to scratch [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]]'s paintwork and was rewarded with a missile, which chased him until Megatron made off with [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. The missile finally exploded, sending the three Predacons into the sky. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

When the Predacons brought back a pile of small batteries to use as energy, Megatron was not impressed. He put Sky-Byte in charge of them on a mission to retrieve an explosive device. The trio found the car and prepared to take it to Megatron, but Sky-Byte destroyed the car and took the bomb. The shark was then himself intercepted by X-Brawn, who inadvertently activated the device, causing the three Predacons to flee. Back at base, they observed Sky-Byte trying to work out how to understand humans by reading their literature. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

As part of a plan to attack the Linear RFG train, Dark Scream destroyed the control systems for the bullet train before joining his Predacon cohorts at a bridge they were attempting to destroy. Although they were eventually chased off, they succeeded in destroying the bridge, forcing the Autobots to save the train. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}}

After a failed attempt to steal a plutonium energy generator from a building, the Predacon trio tried again while the generator was being transported by truck. After chasing off the truck drivers, Dark Scream jumped on top of it, leaving Slapper and Gas Skunk to pick it and him up. They ended up on the beach where the [[Spychanger]]s ran rings around them. Sky-Byte turned up and managed to blast the Spychangers, allowing the Predacons to flee with the generator. Unfortunately when they got back to base, it turned out that the generator had been switched for a statue. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

[[File:Secret of the Ruins Darkscream.jpg|right|thumb| Not "pew, pew, pew!", "Bween, bween, bween!"]]
When a civilian ship turned up while the ''[[Megastar]]'' was underwater at the Black Pyramid, Dark Scream and Sky-Byte attacked it. Autobot ally [[Koji Onishi]] was on board to call in the Autobots. Optimus made short work of Dark Scream shortly after arriving. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}} To distract the Autobots from Megatron's real plan, the Predacon trio attacked [[Metro City]] and kept [[Team Bullet Train]] busy. Dark Scream found himself fried by Gas Skunk's acid breath, which had been ignited by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]], and then frozen by his own freeze beam which [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] deflected back at him. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

After [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] was captured by Megatron, Sky-Byte and the Predacon trio ended up guarding the Autobot. Dark Scream practised his supervillain gloating on their captive. After the inevitable failure of the plan, Sky-Byte managed to deflect the blame onto Gas Skunk and Dark Scream, and Megatron announced the pair would be punished severely. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

[[File:Secret Weapon D5 Dark Scream coal.jpg|left|thumb|I've been working on the railroad, all the live long day!]]
The three Predacons investigated a laboratory pointed to by information extracted from Doctor Onishi and Slapper stole a disk with his tongue. The disk contained information which the Predacons interpreted to indicate that a steam train was some sort of weapon and set about trying to steal the train. After landing on "Grandpa", Dark Scream was subjected to a smoky ride through a tunnel before falling off and subsequently being flattened by Team Bullet Train. Once the train had disgorged its passengers, Dark Scream simply hopped aboard and began stoking the furnace, successfully stealing the locomotive. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

Although the Spychangers managed to foil the Predacons' attempted theft of a ruby, Gas Skunk managed to sneak a bug onto [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]]. The Predacons listened keenly as Mirage appeared to fall out with the other Autobots and convinced Megatron that they should let Mirage join them, although to Gas Skunk's annoyance, Sky-Byte managed to take the credit again. Unfortunately for them, the defection turned out to be a ruse anyway. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}}

[[File:Darkscream beast.gif|right|thumb| Dark Scream immediately starts looking for the sniper rifle on the new map.]]
The Autobots entered the Great Race to locate one of their comrades who'd gone missing. The Predacon trio attempted to drop a rock-slide on the Autobot forces, and were taken aback when Optimus leapt from boulder to boulder to reach the clifftop they were on. The trio swiftly fled. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

After spying new Autobot [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]] and his overzealousness in towing illegally parked vehicles, the Predacon trio captured the Autobot and set about trying to brainwash him. After some failed attempts at hypnotism, they managed to brainwash Tow-Line with a disc, and sat back while he began abducting Autobots from around the city. Unfortunately a malfunction meant Tow-Line dropped off the captives at the wrong location, and by the time the Predacons located him, Optimus Prime and Prowl had already cured him of the rogue programming. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

The Predacons were again misled by information obtained from Doctor Onishi, leading them to think there was a transforming statue in the [[Cave of the Dragon]]. Sky-Byte and the Predacon trio found the cave eventually, and were frightened off by the Autobots disguised as the statue. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

Dark Scream, Gas Skunk, Slapper and Sky-Byte faced off against the Spychangers once more on the beach. The battle ended with an [[Stock footage|all-too-familiar]] retreat on the Predacon's part. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Optimus Darkscream03.JPG|left|thumb|I AM OPTIMUS PRIME!]]
Not all of Doctor Onishi's information was unhelpful. The Predacons were sent to [[Castle Peak]] in America, where they began digging and unearthed a crashed Autobot spaceship. After Megatron retrieved the six [[protoform]]s from inside it, the Predacons began scanning new vehicle modes for the protoforms, creating the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} Unfortunately this development left the Predacons as second-stringers to the new troops. Sky-Byte came up with the idea to disguise themselves to get the Decepticons and Autobots to destroy each other. With typical finesse all four of them picked Optimus Prime to dress up as, but the Decepticons and Autobots ended up fighting anyway. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Digging under the volcano on [[Montrose Island]], the three Predacons were first assaulted by some bats, then chased by molten lava ("It's alive!"). Once they reached the open, Dark Scream was able to glide above the lava, which chased his two companions into the ocean. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} On a later mission, Sky-Byte had the trio attempt to draw Megatron's face in the ground to indicate a rendezvous point. They did get to fight X-Brawn though. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

Dark Scream was next seen kneeling before Megatron as Sky-Byte made his apologies for his latest fumble, this time claiming that Scourge had betrayed the Predacon cause. Turns out, Scourge was only pretending to be a traitor as part of an elaborate plan orchestrated by Megatron. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

[[File:The Fish Test Dark Scream X-Brawn.jpg|right|upright=0.95|thumb|Wait, no, I'm X-Brawn! I'm so confused.]]
Dark Scream managed to discover what the Decepticons were up to - raiding power plants, which gave Sky-Byte the idea for another plan. This resulted in Dark Scream getting dressed up as X-Brawn. The plan failed anyway, and Dark Scream's subsequent information about which power plant was going to be attacked next turned out to be incorrect, leading to problems when Sky-Byte leaked the information to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

Sky-Byte and the three Predacons raided a diamond mine in Antarctica in order to lure the Autobots into a trap. The [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] turned up instead of the expected [[Autobot Brothers]], but Sky-Byte took their leader, [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] captive. The Build Team tried to exchange him for a disk with a map of the [[Global Space Bridge]] and, after a chase with a penguin, the Predacons obtained their prize. Unfortunately it turned out to just be a map of some sewers. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

[[File:Sky-Byte Saves the Day Dark Scream.jpg|left|thumb|{{w|Mazinger Z|BURESTO FAIYAA!!!}}]]
Sucked into another of Sky-Byte's plans to attack the [[CGA Tower]], the Predacon trio instead found themselves holding the building up after the shark had an abrupt change of plans and insisted everyone save the hostages. Much complaining ensued. In the end the tower was saved, but the Predacons realised they still hadn't gotten the [[O-Part]]s Sky-Byte was after. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

The Predacon trio were put in charge of guarding the Autobot Brothers after their capture. They didn't last very long when the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] came to the Autobots' rescue. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}}

Hiding in some bushes, the Predacons observed the failure of one of [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s plans and observed that he was still Megatron's favourite. They attempted to join the battle only to flee when Optimus and Ultra Magnus merged to become [[Omega Prime]]. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Dark Scream beast.jpg|right|thumb|I saw a squirrel! It was going like this.]]
The Predacon trio accompanied Megatron and the Decepticons to the [[Sahara]] to recover the [[Orb of Sigma]]. Their main contribution was to attempt to flee when the cavern in which the Orb was located began to collapse, and subsequently became buried under rubble. They were able to dig themselves out, only to find their energy being drained by a mysterious force. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} This didn't seem to slow them down, as they were hanging out with Sky-Byte again soon after the Autobots found [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], and were able to snatch the 'bot while the Decepticons kept the Autobots busy. Although they turned up to the battle in Metro City to claim [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], their contribution to the fight was minimal. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

With the Decepticons' treachery taking them out of favour with Galvatron (as Megatron had become), the Predacons found themselves moving up in the hierarchy finally. They took part in the attack on the Autobot base, and were lured into a trap by Optimus Prime. The trio wisely took shelter once the ''Megastar'' turned up to add its firepower to the fight, but the battle station was soon destroyed by Fortress Maximus. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} They continued to contribute little to the ongoing battle, and ended up following Sky-Byte into the Global Space Bridge when he and the Decepticons pursued the retreating Autobots in. Thus they were subsequently also trapped when Galvatron flooded the tunnel with molten lava. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Fortunately for them, they survived and went on to face the Autobots again (and were swiftly trampled into the dirt).

After the defeat of Galvatron and his Decepticons, Slapper, Gas Skunk and Dark Scream were rounded up and shipped off to an asteroid prison colony on board Fortress Maximus. As all the other villains argued and shrieked vengeance from within their ''Phantom Zone''-like prison cells, the Predacon trio lamented that Sky-Byte had been left stranded on Earth, a fate they considered worse than incarceration. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:UltraMagnustotheRescue DecepticonsPredacons.jpg|left|thumb]]
Dark Scream and the Predacons participated in an [[Arizona]] raid on a human research plant, looking to steal an experimental nuclear generator. The Predacons and Decepticons were both on the mission, and the bickering between Scourge and Sky-Byte put the two groups at odds with each other. When Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus arrived, a battle broke out, but Scourge forced a stalemate by threatening some innocent humans. The Predacons managed to stop him from hurting innocents, and Dark Scream then flew off with his friends, successfully carrying the generator behind him. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}
{{-}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
When Gigatron and Sky-Byte ended their evil ways and joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Dark Scream, Gas Skunk and Slapper were released from prison and followed suit. As part of the Patrol, they helped defend the [[Legends World]] from a [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] army and rather enjoyed being heroes. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:ACommonFoe-DarkScream.JPG|thumb|upright=0.85]]

After the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] retrieved many [[stasis pod]]s from [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s laboratory to create a new [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] army with the original [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Dark Scream and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] were among the first to emerge. {{Storylink|A Common Foe}}

===Shell Game===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Sky-Byte rescued Gas Skunk, Dark Scream, and Slapper from having to serve the megalomaniacal [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. They later came to the aid of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] during the last Autobot's final battle with Megazarak. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Dark Scream was a soldier in the [[Independent Predacus States]] during the waning days of the [[Grand Uprising]]. When the Predacons joined forces with the [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]], Dark Scream fought on the front lines of [[Proximax]] with the [[Legion of the Inferno]], pushing into [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] territory. He was held back from reveling too much in the destruction, however, when [[Guiledart]] and the [[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]] warned him off demolishing a building with innocents inside.

The war pushed on to [[Nova Cronum]] after the betrayal of the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s, and Dark Scream found himself fighting alongside Maximal and Predacon, Micromaster and Resistance alike. Still, the relentless Vehicon enemy proved too much, and their position was being overrun. When his commander [[Autolauncher]] fell, Dark Scream lost his nerve and nearly deserted. Before he did, Dark Scream was found and comforted by [[Preditron]], founder of the Predacon faction. Preditron inspired the troops like none other. The Predacons were reminded of their great heritage and began to advance once more. Dark Scream soon died in glorious battle against the [[Grand Mal]], doing his ancestors proud. {{storylink|Derailment}}

==Toys==
{{anchor|Car Robots}}
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:Car Robots-Guildo-toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Guildo''' (Basic, [[2000]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''D-003'''
:*''Accessories'': "Dark Sword"
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: A [[redeco]] of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] Basic Class [[Maximal]] [[Nightglider#Toys|Nightglider]], ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' Guildo transforms into a techno-organic monstrous flying squirrel. His tail acts as a scabbard for his sword accessory.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Predacon/DarkScream/darkscream.htm More information on Dark Scream at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RID}}
[[File:RID-toy DarkScream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Nuts to ME! Please.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Dark Scream / Gas Skunk / Slapper''' (Mega Class 3-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Sword

: For his [[Hasbro]] ''Robots in Disguise'' release, Dark Scream was only available in a Mega-sized 3-pack with his fellow stooges [[Gas Skunk#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Gas Skunk]] and [[Slapper (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Slapper]]. This set was part of the first wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Megas.

: Dark Scream has a number of small differences from ''Car Robots'' Guildo. His gray plastic has been replaced with shinier silver-colored plastic, his [[vacuum metallizing|chrome]] is a lighter champagne-gold rather than yellow-gold, and his purple paint is much more violet than the reddish-purple of the Takara release.
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:CRCatalogDarkScream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Pimp My Flying Squirrel.'']]
*According to the ''Car Robots'' toy catalog, Dark Scream, [[Gas Skunk]] and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] make up a subgroup known as the "3 Metal Beast Brothers" (メタルビースト３兄弟 ''Metaru Bīsuto 3 Kyōdai''). Apparently, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s intent was to have them parallel the "3 Car Robo Brothers" (as [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[X-Brawn]] were called in Japan), but this subgroup name was never used in the show's Japanese version, nor was any familial relationship implied between the three.
*A pre-production version of Dark Scream (well, Guildo) with brighter gold chrome appeared in the original ''Car Robots'' toy catalog.
*On the (now defunct) [[Fox Kids]] website was a bio for Slapper that referred to his, Dark Scream's, and Gas Skunk's three-member team as the "[[Predacon Field Squadron]]".<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20020124195705/http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/transformers/characters.asp</ref> This bio (like the others from that site) was derived from a longer bio for Slapper given in the [[production bible]] for the ''Robots in Disguise'' English dub. A similar bio for Dark Scream featured in the bible identified him as the field squadron's second member.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20150911173834/http://www.allspark.com/2014/04/rid-character-bible/ RID Character Bible, at The Allspark] (archived)</ref> However, this team name was never used in the show itself.
*Dark Scream was noted to have a [[Sciuridon]] beast mode in ''Beast Wars: Uprising''.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Guildo''' (ギルドー ''Girudō'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Àn Xiào''' (China, 暗啸, "Dark Scream")
*''Russian:'' '''Vampir''' (Вампир, "Vampire")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Predacons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Predacons]]

Sky-Byte (RID)

2025-10-29T20:21:07Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|predacon|quintesson|decepticon|cybEmpireG2|hofsilver}}
{{featured}}
{{disambig3|Sky-Byte}}

:''Sky-Byte is a [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:SkyByteAnime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Who's the greatest shark around?]]
Deep within '''Sky-Byte''' (aka '''Gelshark''') beats the [[spark]] of a poet, a scholar, a brilliant and cultured military general who can command armies capable of conquering worlds. But without aptitude and patience, that means jack squat, and Sky-Byte lacks both. Still, he soldiers on, for he is driven...by a desperate need for approval. He ''needs'' the blessings of his commander, [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]], quite possibly more than he needs [[energon]]. And Megatron, being Megatron, doesn't dole out praise much, so Sky-Byte tries harder and harder, getting more and more desperate.

This drive is the root of all his problems. He's actually quite intelligent and physically powerful, but he pushes himself to extremes to impress his leader. When he's in control of a situation, he's a deadly, effective foe. But as soon as the situation begins to slip even the smallest bit, he starts to panic and usually ends up doing something to mess things up and lose the upper hand, which makes him panic ''more'', so he overreacts, and gets in ''more'' trouble, etc., etc., etc. It doesn't help that while he's ruthless towards [[Autobot]]s, [[human]]s seem quite safe from his ire. Maybe he sees a little something of himself in these underdogs. After all, they developed his new favorite form of expression, the haiku. And they ''do'' seem rather impressed by him...

Sky-Byte is in charge of the Predacon lackeys [[Dark Scream]], [[Gas Skunk]], and [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]], not that they give him any modicum of respect. In fact, they're more likely to try and shuffle the blame for their failures onto the shark, a gambit that's actually moderately successful, since Sky-Byte is so very ''good'' at making things worse for himself. He has a hate-hate relationship with the new [[Decepticon]]s, especially [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]], whom he sees (rightly) as being a huge threat to his position as Megatron's second-in-command.

:''Poor frustrated shark.''
:''Megatron is a dumbass.''
:''Why do you bother?''

<center>
{{quote|Who's the baddest shark around? Who's the smartest shark in town? Sky-Byte, that's me! Who'll drive Scourge into the ground? And never let old Megatron down? Sky-Byte, that's me!|Sky-Byte, that's him!}}</center>

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Spellos]] (English), [[Konta]] (Japanese)|[[Alexander Novikov]] (Russian), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, "[[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]" onwards), [[Vittorio Guerrieri]] (Italian), [[Hwan-jin Kim]] (Korean), [[Ricardo Mendoza]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Alejandro Villeli]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Clécio Souto]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

{{bigquote|Come back, please, little dot! Please don't go away now.... That little red dot meant so, so much to my promising career. I'm just chum. Optimus! Optimus Prime! I'll find you! I'll find you! I swear! You're mine! I'll get you! You're mine! I'm...much better now.|Sky-Byte|"[[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]"}}

[[File:Explosive Situation Skybyte book.jpg|left|thumb|Finding the O-Parts was no challenge compared to finding Waldo.]]
As Megatron was dressing down the Predacon trio for their latest failure, Sky-Byte suddenly appeared—demonstrating a skill for either invisibility or teleportation that he would never display again. Scoffing at the other Predacons' energy-gathering abilities, Sky-Byte revealed his own plan—to recover a bomb hidden in a red sports car somewhere in [[Metro City]]. He quickly tracked down the sports car in question, startling [[Kelly (RID)|its driver]] as he retrieved the bomb from its trunk. Before he could return to the ''[[Megastar]]'' though, the bomb was taken from him by [[X-Brawn]]. He tried his best to get the bomb back, but just as he was about to get hold of it, [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] blasted it and him into space with a Blizzard Storm. He survived the subsequent explosion, and returned to the ''Megastar'' to recuperate and research human culture. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

[[File:Spychangers Rescue Skybytegenerator.jpg|thumb|Senpaiiiiii~]]
After the other Predacons destroyed some goods trains, Sky-Byte came up with a loftier plan to destroy the [[Linear RFG]] bullet train. Though his mission succeeded in blowing up a bridge ahead of the train, [[Team Bullet Train]] saved the Linear RFG, and Sky-Byte was left trying to justify himself to Megatron. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} When the [[Spychanger]]s intercepted the Predacon trio in the process of stealing the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]], Sky-Byte came to their aid. When the situation seemed unsalvageable, Sky-Byte unleashed a [[Tsunami Blaster]] attack on the generator to destroy it, but hit the Spychangers instead. The Predacons took the generator back to the ''Megastar''... only to find it had been switched for a fake. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

{{quote|The cobalt ocean roils 
zephyrs blow cold, 
and another hapless foe is crushed beneath my heel.|Sky-Byte|"[[The Hunt for Black Pyramid]]"}}

[[File:SecretoftheRuins Sky-Byte with casket.jpg|thumb|left]]
While the Megastar was parked on the [[Black Pyramid]] in an attempt to extract power, Sky-Byte and Dark Scream were sent out to protect it against a civilian ship. The Autobots soon came to help the ship, and while fighting underwater, Sky-Byte was able to hold his own against Optimus Prime. Once the ship was righted, Sky-Byte found Prime a much more formidable opponent, and what's worse, the Autobot leader critiqued his poetry. The Predacons beat a hasty retreat. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}} Megatron and the Predacon trio distracted the Autobots while Sky-Byte went to the [[Payuma ruins]] to find information hidden by [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. Unfortunately he was spotted by [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[Koji Onishi]], who alerted Optimus to the shark's presence. Prime was unable to prevent Sky-Byte making off with a casket containing [[Doctor Onishi's microchip|a microchip]], however once out of the ruins, the Predacon was confronted by [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and X-Brawn, who blasted him. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

[[File:Skid Z's Choice Skybytecar.jpg|thumb|[[Mattel]] called: They want the [[fandom:hotwheels:Sharkruiser|Sharkruiser]] back.]]

Sky-Byte concocted another plan, to capture Side Burn and use him as bait to draw Prime into a trap. Though it was successful in ensnaring Prime, the rest of the Autobots turned up to rescue their comrades. Sky-Byte later successfully deflected the blame onto Gas Skunk and Dark Scream. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}} The Predacons extracted information from a stolen disk belonging to Dr. Onishi, leading them to believe that the steam engine "[[Grandpa]]" was a weapon of extraordinary power. Megatron sent Sky-Byte and the other Predacons to capture it. Sky-Byte made an unsuccessful attempt to infiltrate the engine via the smoke stack, and the other Predacons didn't have any better luck, though they temporarily gained possession of the steam engine after it had offloaded its passengers. The mission was ultimately a failure. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}}

After Dark Scream planted a bug in [[Mirage (RID)|Mirage]], the Predacons overheard him breaking up with [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]]. Mirage's words moved Sky-Byte to tears. He later suggested that they try and persuade Mirage to defect to their side. Although it seemed for a time that they'd succeeded, even to the point where Sky-Byte showed off the new [[Mega-Laser Cannon]], it was a ruse. Mirage and the Spychangers destroyed the cannon. {{storylink|Mirage's Betrayal}} Sky-Byte tried a similar trick on the rogue Autobot [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]] with no success. When the Predacons discovered that the Autobots had entered the [[International Grand Prix]], Sky-Byte cunningly disguised himself as a red racing car and entered as well. After being chatted up by a suspicious Side Burn, Sky-Byte was inadvertently fragged by Megatron in the early moments of the race. Then when he was able to catch up with the Autobots, he was mistakenly blasted by Megatron ''again''. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Sky-byte eye.gif|thumb|left|I spy, with my telescopically enhanced robot eye... a [[The Ultimate Robot Warrior|giant Buddha]]?]]
Still believing he could convert an Autobot into a Predacon, Sky-Byte captured new recruit [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]]. After suffering through the other Predacon's attempts to hypnotise the Autobot, he used a special CD to brainwash Tow-Line. Unfortunately it was only partially successful—Tow-Line started towing away the other Autobots, but he took them to the wrong place. By the time Sky-Byte worked out what was happening, the rest of the Autobots were alerted, and promptly battled him into retreat. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}} Investigations into reports of a transforming statue took Sky-Byte to the [[Cave of the Dragon]] in China. Luckily the Autobots were able to save the cave via an elaborate deception involving Prime and Team Bullet Train disguising themselves as a statue and dragon. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}} Despite these indignities, he was still viewed as "sneaky, clever and dangerous" by the Autobots. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Commandos Sky-Byte as Optimus.jpg|thumb|Freedom is the right of... LINE!]]
Sky-Byte led a mission to dig up some Autobot [[protoform]]s, and took them to [[McKinley Army Base]] with the other Predacons while Megatron kept the Autobots busy. There, they reformatted the protoforms into the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]]. Sky-Byte created [[Movor]] when he fell, aiming the [[stasis pod]]'s scanner at a space shuttle in orbit. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and the [[Decepticon]]s proved much more competent than the Predacons, and Sky-Byte was driven to desperate measures to try and regain his lost status in Megatron's eyes. He and the Predacon trio disguised themselves as Optimus Prime in an attempt to ruin the Decepticons' mission to destroy [[Sherman Dam]]. Though Sky-Byte attempted to gain Megatron's favor by blowing up the dam himself, he was unsuccessful. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Disappointed at the failure, Megatron assigned Sky-Byte and Scourge to guard a location on [[Montrose Island]] while the Predacon trio dug in search of geothermal energy. After Prime showed up with the Spychangers, Sky-Byte took advantage of the chaos in battle to try to slag Scourge. {{storylink|Volcano (episode)|Volcano}} While the Decepticons put another plan into action, they distracted Sky-Byte by getting him and the Predacon trio to mark out a rendezvous location. When the four Predacons finally tried to get in on the action, Sky-Byte barely had time to transform before Movor blasted him from orbit. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

Sky-Byte trashed an oil rig on Megatron's orders, only for Scourge to show up and attack him. After reporting to Megatron, the shark eavesdropped on [[Mega-Octane]] meeting with Prime as a prelude to defection. He continued to spy as the Decepticons attempted to prove themselves sincere to the Autobots, and eventually could stand it no more. Although his attack on the traitors was futile, he inadvertently caused Scourge to expose the entire ruse. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}} Sky-Byte's self-esteem was soon nonexistent (especially after an on-line Fish Personality Test told him he was a jellyfish), and he became desperate to gain Megatron's approval. He and the Predacon trio disguised themselves as Autobots and interfered in a Decepticon mission to raid a storage plant. Unfortunately this went disastrously wrong, resulting in him being chewed out by Megatron. His next attempt to set the real Autobots on the Decepticons went awry when he sent them to the wrong power plant. As he moped on a seaside cliff, the other Predacons talked him into attacking a power plant in an attempt to outdo the Decepticons. When this went badly as well, Sky-Byte took his frustrations out on the computer, only to get electrocuted for his troubles. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

[[File:The Fish Test Skybytepose.jpg|thumb|left|Another happy Charles Atlas customer]]

Determined to discredit the Decepticons, Sky-Byte came up with a new plan, having his henchmen attack a diamond mine in the Antarctic to lure the [[Autobot Brothers]] into a trap. When the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] turned up instead, Sky-Byte took [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] hostage, and [[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]] bargained for the young 'bot's return with a disk containing a map of the Autobot [[Global Space Bridge]]. Despite interference from the Decepticons, Sky-Byte and his cohorts used the map to enter the tunnel indicated on the map, only to discover that the disk only contained a map of the sewers. They were subsequently drenched by Optimus Prime's Blizzard Storm. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}}

[[File:Skybyte Saves the Day last support breaks.jpg|thumb|[[John DiMaggio|I call it... Aquaman's Rousing Song of Heroism!.]]]]
Eventually, to get attention, Sky-Byte led the Predacons in the attempted destruction of the new [[CGA Tower]] This plan would've worked, except the Autobots, thinking the humans in the tower were the Predacon's hostages, asked what demands he wanted met for their safety. Wanting to seem like he knew what he was doing, Sky-Byte made up a random demand on the spot that by sheer chance was interpreted as a demand for [[O-Part]]s. He'd achieved accidental success, only to take out the tower's last support by mistake and be forced to ''stop'' it collapsing so he'd still have his hostages. This single-minded desire to keep the tower up was interpreted by the hostages and TV news crews as the Predacon trying to save them for altruistic reasons, and when the hostages started to cheer him on, Sky-Byte gave his all to keep them safe out of an increasingly genuine desire to save them. ("My hostages need me!") It was only hours after the tower was saved and the Predacons were nursing their damaged backs that they remembered about getting the O-Parts... {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

Some time later, while spying on the Decepticons, this accidental heroism came back to haunt him, as he was pestered by a group of kids led by Koji Onishi, who wanted his autograph. A proud Predacon, Sky-Byte was bewildered by this attention, although he briefly thought of using it as a way to get his haikus published.

[[File:Forced Fusion Skybytedelusion.jpg|thumb|left|]]
Despite all his failures, Sky-Byte was still regarded as extremely loyal. As a result, Megatron sent him to get the remaining O-Parts...with Sky-Byte unaware he'd been fed false info and was being used by the Decepticons to draw the Autobots into an ambush. Poor Sky-Byte spent ages digging, finding only the detritus of Humanity and [[Rubber Ducky|war surplus]] {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}}, and was still digging long after Megatron thought he'd have stopped. In a stroke of luck, though, this allowed him to notice Optimus Prime was wounded and track him to where he was being repaired. He could now kill Optimus when he was weak and Megatron would reward him! Unfortunately, the Decepticons, Megatron ''and'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] had all tracked him, and poor Sky-Byte was left [[Furmanism|surplus to requirements]] once again. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:FortressMaximus a delicious cake.jpg|thumb|Referencing ''Portal'' before it even ''existed!'']]

Sky-Byte made an attempt to persuade Ultra Magnus to join the Predacon cause. When the Autobot Brothers interceded, they were promptly captured by the Decepticons, and Ultra Magnus continued to feign interest in Sky-Byte's offer. After extracting the location at which the Autobot Brothers were being held, Ultra Magnus turned on him along with Team Bullet Train. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Sky-Byte joined Scourge, Megatron, and the Commandos in watching archival footage of Ultra Magnus in order to get a better understanding of their newly arrived enemy. {{storylink|Mystery of the Ultra Magnus}} He and Megatron joined the Decepticons during another battle with the Autobots, though after Magnus and Prime formed [[Omega Prime]], he quickly ran and hid. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

More information extracted from Doctor Onishi led the Decepticons to venture into the subway system under Metro City. Sky-Byte followed them, but soon lost track of his quarry, and instead came upon a giant cake. Though it turned out to be stale (and actually a subway car), he caught up with the Decepticons and continued spying, only to be washed away by a torrent of water. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}}

Sky-Byte took Dr. Onishi out of the Predacon base to help search for [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], in an attempt to find it before Scourge. In the process, he ran into Koji, who appealed to him to help rescue his father or at least to pass on a birthday present. The Predacon actually felt bad for Koji and was reduced to a blubbering wreck by the boy's appeal, but was mortified to find Koji didn't believe he was a threatening villain any more. Sky-Byte later became so preoccupied with battle that he tossed Dr. Onishi to Koji, leading the youth to believe Sky-Byte had deliberately rescued his father out of the goodness of his heart. The Autobots believed this too and apologized to Sky-Byte for fighting him (after they'd already blown the tar out of him). {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:Koji Gets His Wish Skybyteonishi.jpg|thumb|left|Sky-Byte does his best impression of a football team logo.]]

When the Autobots and Decepticons set about finding the rest of the O-Parts, Sky-Byte came up with a series of cunning plans, including fake O-Parts, to ensure that he and Slapper would get to them first. Unfortunately the plans all backfired, and a last-ditch attempt to swap the fake O-Parts for the real ones left them all in Autobot hands. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Despite this failure, Megatron allowed Sky-Byte to take part in a mission to the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]] to find the artifact that the Autobots were after—the [[Orb of Sigma]]. His attempts to prevent Side Burn escaping with the Orb only resulted in him being run over by both the Autobot Brothers and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}} With Megatron gone, Sky-Byte and the Predacons found that Scourge was even more unpleasant to work for than their former leader. They attempted to get into Scourge's good graces by snatching [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] from the Autobots and greasing up to the Decepticon. In the following battle for Fortress Maximus, Sky-Byte was delighted by the arrival of his former leader, resurrected as Galvatron. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:PerilfromthePast Sky-Byte run over.jpg|thumb|Sky-byte's little known "Roadkill" mode.]]

During another attempt on Scourge's part to control Fortress Maximus, Sky-Byte watched nervously, as he knew every one of the Decepticon's victories would mean Galvatron ignoring him even more. During the fight after the arrival of the Autobots, Sky-Byte accidentally saved Koji's life and was horrified at the idea Galvatron would find out. {{storylink|The Human Element}} Later on, while talking to himself, he would admit to having a friendship with Koji, though it was nothing to getting into Galvatron's good books, and he still attempted to kidnap the boy to help control Fortress Maximus (being Sky-Byte, he grabbed the wrong person). He accompanied Megatron and Scourge as they attempted to get the boy [[Carl (RID)|Carl]] to control Maximus. When Scourge finally showed his true colors, turning on Galvatron, Sky-Byte unexpectedly found himself back in Galvatron's good books. His leader tasked him with carrying Scourge's stasis-locked body back with them. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

Galvatron remarked the Predacons had always been trustworthy and gave Sky-Byte command of the Decepticons. Proud to finally be where he belonged again, Sky-Byte even managed to locate the Autobot base by following Koji and led an assault on it. He and the Predacons pursued Optimus Prime into an Autobot trap. The array of Autobot firepower caused him to cower behind rocks, crying for his "blankie". {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

[[File:Skybyte happy at last.jpg|thumb|left|No, not the final scene from ''Free Willy''.]]
During the final battle, Sky-Byte was almost killed when he led the Predacons into the [[Global Space Bridge]] after the Decepticons—not realising Galvatron intended to kill them. Sky-Byte was left on his own {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} and escaped certain death just in time to be ordered to hold off the entire Autobot army. This did not go well for him, oh no.

Following Autobot victory, every Decepticon and Predacon was rounded up to be incarcerated, but the Autobots hadn't captured Sky-Byte. (Whether they'd forgotten about him or he was hiding well is unknown.) He was left to spend the rest of his life on Earth, a fate the other Predacons seemed to view as worse than death, though his own attitude as he swam off into the sunset singing suggests he felt quite differently... {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:UltraMagnustotheRescue SkyByte haiku.JPG|thumb|Where the heck is the ''rest of him?'']]
Sky-Byte and Scourge were sent on a joint mission, although they did nothing but bicker until Optimus and Ultra Magnus showed up. While Scourge battled them, Sky-Byte took advantage and made off with the goods, leaving Scourge with a haiku to keep him thinking. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====Hall of Fame bio====
Left behind on Earth after the final battle, Sky-Byte devoted his time to attacking illegal fishing vessels. Go, Sky-Byte! {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
Sky-Byte was grateful to Optimus Prime for allowing him to remain on Earth. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/04}}
{{--}}

====''TransTech''====
[[File:Ask Shark Sonnets.jpg|thumb]]

Sky-Byte somehow ended up at [[Axiom Nexus]] and was "processed". {{storylink|Transcendent: Part 1}}

This Sky-Byte or another one was given [[Vector Prime]]'s old column {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Shark Sonnets|Shark Sonnets, 2015/10/21}} in the hopes a charismatic ex-baddie would recapture the popularity of [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]]'s run but without using it to recruit a terrorist army. {{storylink|Axiom Nexus News Editor|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 2015/10/21}}

Sky-Byte was really eager to please and tended to waffle until he was encouraged to do more haikus. Among other answers, Sky-Byte told us:

*In peacetime, he lived a life of "unfilled yearning". Megatron gave him a chance to change that!
*Predacons have "too delicate a temperament" to become a [[combiner]] and have their minds hardwired together.
*He doesn't recognize the name Vector Prime (perhaps there's some relation to Optimus?).
*Arriving at [[Axiom Nexus]] left him disoriented, and it got worse when he went to a Predacon bar to recover and learned [[Predacon (BW)|it wasn't the right Predacons]], and he'd have to crouch to fit. "They served me energon, but I felt distinctly unwelcome." There aren't many [[Viron|true]] Predacons around and he feels lonely.
*Every Marxsol, Sky-Byte's down at [[Destron Pizza]]'s open mic night. His dream is to perform at [[the Blue Deployer]] ([[Cobratron]] can get him an in!).
*He thinks calling Slapper, Gas Skunk and Dark Scream "stooges" is hardly a fair characterization. They have skills and Dark Scream is a great tenor!
*He's seen both ''Finding Nemo'' and ''Jaws'' (and swears he didn't cry during the former).
*He thinks of himself as a strong warrior behind his more gentle poet facade.
*He's encountered a [[Klud]] before, and thinks of them as "magestic".
*He loves a nice glass of [[Old Corroder]].
*Even he doesn't know who's in the [[Predacon Council]] or their main agenda.
*The bad things he's done do weigh on him but "Second chances are most rare / I shall do my best"

He likes a ''massive'' list of poets, including (deep breath): [[Keats]], [[Tennyson]], [[Bashō]], [[Shiki]], the Brontes, [[Homer]], [[Ovid]], [[Emily Dickinson|Dickenson]], [[Hughes]], [[Bai]], [[Lord Byron]], [[Abī Sūlmā]], [[Percy Bysshe Shelley|Shelly]], [[Verlaine]], [[Rimbaud]], [[Victor Hugo|Hugo]], [[Hölderlin]], [[Dante Alighieri|Dante]], [[Mayakovsky]], [[Poe]], and the immortal bard, [[William Shakespeare]].

He quit the position when his haikus were insulted by the very audience that had asked for them, commenting that he had been hired by [[The Blue Deployer]]. He left with one last sonnet after thanking the audience for their (mostly) praise. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Shark Sonnets|Shark Sonnets}}
{{--}}

====''Legends''/''Unite Warriors''====
{{CRnote}}
[[File:SkyByte AOE Prime Cosplay.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.08|Who's the ''prime-est'' shark around?]]

[[2004|Four years]] after being left on Earth, Sky-Byte reemerged in a new body and attacked the Autobot base where [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and [[R-Blade]] were working with [[solitarium]] ore. When he blasted them with his Maser Storm, however, the explosion of the solitarium sent him to [[Legends World|another dimension]] inhabited by cartoony talking animals and where Transformers were but fictional characters. Initially assuming himself to be the #1 popular character, Sky-Byte was angered when the native [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] told him his popularity couldn't compete with that of another [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and set out to ruin the Prime's reputation by doing evil dressed as him. This scheme didn't last long: the local children were just so gosh-darn ''happy'' to see "Optimus Prime" that Sky-Byte quickly realized he couldn't bring himself to stomp all over their dreams. Instead he settled down in this world and began working odd jobs, including a stint as a scary shark attraction. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|Bonus Edition Vol. 6}}

Hired to act in a ''Transformers'' show at [[Tokyo Toy Show]] 2015, Sky-Byte ran into his not-so-good old friend, Scourge, who had ended up in the Legends world after escaping from prison. Though Scourge suggested they team up again, Sky-Byte was outraged to find that the Decepticon was holding [[Optimus Minor|one of the children]] in the audience hostage and challenged him to a fight to save the kid. He lost, but Scourge was impressed by his bravado and let the hostage go, then told Sky-Byte he was planning to return to the prison and save Gigatron and the others. Mention of his beloved leader was enough to convince Sky-Byte, and he tearfully left the children he'd befriended and returned to his home dimension with Scourge. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Scourge)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

[[File:BaldigusChapter2 BlackConvoyGelshark.jpg|thumb|right|250px| Not shown: Sky-Byte cheering to himself over Scourge falling off.]]
While in the process of reformatting the [[Commando (RID)|Combatrons]] back to their original programming, the Autobots of the post-[[Cybertron Alliance]] era recounted how they were corrupted by Gigatron and his Predacons. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}}

Following their departure from the Legends World, Sky-Byte and Scourge traveled to Cybertron in [[2021]] where Sky-Byte blasted [[Grand Scourge]], who was impersonating Scourge, just as he was about to kill [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. After he was done helping defeat [[Unicron]], Ruination joined the duo on their quest, and together they departed for the future era in which Gigatron was imprisoned. {{storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}} Their journey to rescue their leader was put on hold while the Combatrons enjoyed their baths, to Scourge's annoyance. {{Storylink|Strategy Meeting in an Earth Bath?!}}

Sky-Byte and the rest attacked [[Neo Brave Maximus]] where Gigatron was being held, only learn from the 'bot himself that he had given up on his evil ways and joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]]. When Scourge refused to join the side of good and attacked his former leader, the ever-loyal Sky-Byte intervened and held him back, allowing Gigatron to extract his evil essence. {{storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}} Sky-Byte subsequently joined the Dimensional Patrol himself, convincing them the Legends World wasn't the threat they thought it was and to release Dark Scream, Slapper and Gas Skunk, who also joined up. When the Legends World was attacked by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]], Sky-Byte and the rest of the Patrol traveled there to defend it from the Zamojin army. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

Sky-Byte continued serving with the Dimensional Patrol, and marveled at Devil Gigatron and God Fire Convoy's new combination technique during a battle in space. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:G2Redux-SkyByte.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|Here to you Dantes! This is for Pushkin!]]
Created as an agent of the [[Quintesson]]s, Sky-Byte was the commander of the new generation of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s. Unlike his dim-witted troops, Sky-Byte exhibited a scientific and creative nature, whether it be by making new advances in technology or writing haiku to express himself during tense and exciting moments.

In [[2010]], Sky-Byte was sent to Earth by the Quintessons as part of an alliance with the Decepticon outlaw [[Clench (G1)|Clench]]. His army of next-generation Sharkticons successfully empowered Clench's Decepticon Syndicate, and they were able to take control of the Large Hadron Collider in [[Switzerland]].

There, Sky-Byte worked with Clench to realize the potential of the low-grade fuel [[forestonite]]. He determined that bombarding the forestonite with high-energy particles allowed it to alter Transformers, granting them extraordinary power. Pyro teased Clench for hanging around with Quintesson flunkies, and Sky-Byte responded with pride about how his new forestonite fuel would tip the balance of power. Sky-Byte may have oversold the stuff, however, as Clench impulsively fed some to [[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]]—''and it wasn't meant to be taken orally!''—and then insisted that Sky-Byte himself be one of the next round of test subjects.

[[File:G2Redux-SkyBytealtmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
When the Autobots burst into the facility in an attempt to rescue [[Pyro (G1)|Spark]], Sky-Byte taunted them with a haiku and, when that was poorly received, then tried to zap them all with his "[[Tsunami Blaster]]", a new and deadly ability bestowed upon him by the forestonite. The battle was ultimately decided when a nervous Breakdown shot the canisters of forestonite, thinking they would explode. Instead, the chemical spread out in gaseous form all over the remaining Transformers, equaling the balance of power for the Autobots. [[Rapido]] gained the power to outrun Sky-Byte's shark missile attack, and soon the Decepticons were thoroughly routed. At this point, Sky-Byte fled the scene with his Sharkticons and a sample of forestonite. Without his additional muscle, Clench was forced to retreat as well.

And, yes, even while running for his life, Sky-Byte had the frame of mind to write a pretty haiku. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

[[File:Sky-ByteRampageandTantrum-ACommonFoe.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Two years later, Sky-Byte teamed up with [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], providing the Decepticon with large quantities of forestonite. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}} His duties included preparing the ship for takeoff to [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 3}} He was almost run down by [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] as the latter drove through the base, prompting him to shoot a furious haiku at the Autobot. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 5}} Following the destruction of Jhiaxus's base on [[Qre]], Sky-Byte and his associate watched the Autobots leave with several of the clones, and Jhiaxus confided in him that the whole experience had been a test. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 6}}

At some point, Sky-Byte secretly joined forces with the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|A Common Foe}} After the construction of a massive clone army and its prolonged siege on Cybertron, Sky-Byte accompanied Jhiaxus when he arrived on the planet to offer the native Autobot-Decepticon resistance and [[Megaplex|his wayward clone commander]] a final choice. {{storylink|Termination}} Despite Sky-Byte's assistance, the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] invasion lost the following battle. The Predacon fled and raided Jhiaxus's secondary laboratory of its stasis pods before the laboratory could be discovered by the Autobots and the Decepticons. The stasis pods were brought to the other Predacons so they could create [[Predacon (BW)|their own army]] in the aftermath of the [[Pax Cybertronia|peace treaty]] between the Autobots, Decepticons, and Jhiaxus's clones. Included in the batch were four mysterious capsules, one of which included [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]. {{Storylink|A Common Foe}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[A Better Tomorrow|''Robots in Disguise'' #5]]}}

[[File:ABetterTomorrow-reputation.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|Who's the most moderate shark in town?]]

More than four million years ago, Sky-Byte was a Decepticon, but atrocities committed by the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] on [[Varas Centralus]] convinced him to flee the war and his homeworld. Before Sky-Byte's retreat, he had a rivalry with [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} At some point during the war, a statue of Sky-Byte was made by the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]. {{storylink| The Not Knowing}}

In the current era, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was rebooted into a primordial state and [[Vector Sigma]] sent out a signal to its planet's scattered people to return. Sky-Byte heeded this call, but had reservations about the uneasy politics between the Autobots, the Decepticons, and the [[NAIL|nonaffiliated]]. The ex-Decepticon poet pursued some solitude, musing over a decapitated [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]], when he was interrupted by Ironhide. Sky-Byte expected a fight from his old rival, but Ironhide surprised him with his ease and candor. Still, Sky-Byte expressed his suspicions towards the Autobots, and so Ironhide suggested he check out the Decepticons as well to see if they were any better. Sky-Byte followed Ironhide's suggestion and met with the Decepticons, but he was followed by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]'s Autobots so that they could make arrests. Things quickly got out of hand and a battle erupted until Ironhide settled everyone down.

[[File:InterferencePatterns Jazz and Sky-Byte.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Kids these days and their music!]]
Later, Sky-Byte joined Prowl for a drink at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]], which Ironhide and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] had re-opened as a place where Transformers could meet in peace regardless of affiliation. Ironhide explained to them why he had changed—he had seen a vision of the distant future where he was alive but the war was dead... because so were Sky-Byte, Prowl, and the rest of the Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} Sky-Byte was later performing a musical/poetic duet with [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]] at Maccadam's Old Oil House. {{storylink|Interference Patterns}} Some time after sharing some poetry with [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], Sky-Byte joined a crowd of neutrals and Decepticons recruited by him in an attempt to pressure [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] into revealing one of his secret discoveries below ground on Cybertron. When they followed Starscream and Prowl into the cave, they witnessed a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] declare that Starscream was the Cybertronian destined to unite their whole race. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}}

When the Decepticon population began rioting in the wake of [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s return, Sky-Byte holed up inside Maccadam's alongside Jazz and some other neutrals. {{storylink|City on Fire}} They were eventually forced to abandon their hideout after the rioters burned it down, {{storylink|The Verge}} and relocated to [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]]'s med-center. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} During Megatron's subsequent conquest of the city, the med-center was the attacked by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and Sky-Byte offered to help his partner Jazz fight the giant. Jazz turned him down, telling him to get the injured to safety instead. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Together with some of his neutral friends, he later prevented [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] from killing [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] for helping injured Autobots. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

After the battle ended with Starscream claiming leadership of the neutrals and banishing both Autobots and Decepticons, Sky-Byte returned to Maccadam's to help rebuild it. {{storylink|Three Monologues}} When the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]] unleashed a destructive energy wave upon Iacon, Starscream used his body to shield several of his citizens, including Sky-Byte. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} In the wake of the destruction, the poet listened to [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] accuse Starscream of embodying a dark prophecy that would destroy them all. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} He was then injured during the Necrotitan's assault on the city and had to be carried to safety by Scoop and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]. {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} He recovered in time to celebrate the Titan's defeat alongside other survivors. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:WorldOfTomorrow-WaspySkyByte.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|TURN AROUND BRIIIIGHT EYES]]
Six months later, Sky-Byte was still hanging out at Blurr's bar. [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] didn't know what to make of him. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}} When Windblade and several neutrals were imprisoned by Starscream, he and Swindle aided [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] in breaking them out. {{storylink|Windblade issue 3|Windblade vol. 1 #3}} Around that time, having returned to a life of war, Jazz would fondly remember his duets with Sky-Byte. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 4: Full Fathom Five|Full Fathom Five}}

Sky-Byte continued frequenting Maccadam's and helped celebrate [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s return there. He and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] shared a song. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} A statue of Sky-Byte was present on the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s world when the ''[[Lost Light]]'' stopped there. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}} After the establishment of a Decepticon commune, [[Sanctuary Station]], near [[Jupiter]], Sky-Byte traveled there on the ''[[Peace Without Tyranny]]''. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} When [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] came aboard the commune and voiced his anger at [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s plans, Sky-Byte did not join his fellow Decepticons in aiming their weapons at the Autobot and merely looked on. After Soundwave ordered the Decepticons to stand down, Sky-Byte voiced his approval, stating that they would win because of their ideals and not because of their firepower. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|Lagrange}} When Sky-Byte learned the ''other'' Decepticons had raided the ''[[Ark-7]]'', possibly killed everyone on board, and pointed it at Earth to begin a new Decepticon invasion, he was...not as approving. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|Perihelion}}

[[File:ItsBeginningToAndBackAgain Sky-Byte.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Sky-Byte watched as Soundwave rejected Galvatron once and for all, reminding the former that they had all been duped as he was. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] came to Sanctuary Station to meet with Soundwave, Sky-Byte was one of the Decepticons to greet them. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|The Medium and the Message}} Sky-Byte then went with the combined Autobot and Decepticon battalion to lay siege to the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', delivering a poem at the start of the battle. [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] didn't appreciate it very much. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}} When [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] violently took down [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] at the end of the battle, Sky-Byte asked him not to mistreat the Decepticon too much since he'd merely been deceived by Galvatron. {{storylink|White Light}}

During a visit by Thundercracker to Sanctuary Station, Sky-Byte greeted the Seeker, and later composed a haiku about the conflict he believed was coming. {{storylink|Primeless, Part 2}} Sky-Byte found the time to appear in two films, playing the role of [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (film)|Starscream: The Movie]]'', and the role of a boat-eating metal shark in ''[[Dark Invasion]]''. {{storylink|Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie}}

When the [[Maximal]] Army heralding [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s arrival in Earth's solar system attacked Sanctuary Station, Sky-Byte joined [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], and [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] in a heroic delaying action to buy time for the commune to be evacuated. Sky-Byte was eventually surrounded and stabbed to death by numerous Maximals, his last words being a haiku about his own mortality. {{storylink|Road's End}} Sky-Byte's ethereal spirit was among the many deceased that Soundwave channeled through the [[Enigma of Combination]] as he sacrificed his own life to help defeat Unicron. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{--}}

===''Kre-O'' online comic===
[[File:Kreo fallen skybyte.JPG|thumb|300px]]

Sky-Byte was witness to the Predacons combining into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}

When [[Metroplex (G1)|Autobot City]] was repainted as Decepticon City, Sky-Byte repurposed [[T-AI]]'s swimming pool for his own use, playing with a beach ball. {{storylink|Two Giant Bases! Everybody Getting Along, Come On, Fight!}}

===Legends World===
In the [[Legends World]], a tiny Sky-Byte appeared in the hands of a bathing T-AI in a risqué TV show. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 3|Bonus Edition Vol. 3}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], Sky-Byte refused to serve the megalomaniacal [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], risking his life to ensure that Dark Scream, Gas Skunk, and Slapper could escape Megazarak's clutches. They later came to the aid of [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] during the last Autobot's final confrontation with Megazarak! What a ''legend!'' {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30 and 2015/09/07}}

===Spychanger continuity===
In [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]], Sky-Byte accidentally poisoned all of Earth's energon in a scheme and the Autobots all had to go [[Spychanger]]. He shamelessly pretended he'd meant to do it, only for [[Daytonus]] and [[X-Brawn]] to blow up the Predacons' only remaining energon stash; with them unable to go Spychanger, the war ended with a whimper. What a... ''something else'' that begins with L. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
When [[Preditron]] led the [[Legion of the Inferno]] in song as they rallied for battle, it reminded Dark Scream of his friend Sky-Byte. {{storylink|Derailment}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends SkyByte.jpg|thumb]]
Sky-Byte was part of a group of Decepticons who were sent to investigate a mysterious enemy. They teamed up with [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and Windblade to fight the [[Ammonite]]s, but soon fell out with their Autobot allies. Defeated by the pair, the Decepticons returned to their own starship. {{storylink|Into the Abyss}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Sky-Byte was a sensitive soul who sought to please his superiors and earn the respect of his subordinates. While powerful and intelligent, his need for validation undercut his effectiveness on the battlefield. {{storylink|Technorganic Secrets}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy SkyByte.jpg|right|upright=1.66|thumb|Love child of Peter Benchley and H.R. Giger. (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Gelshark''' (ゲルシャーク, [[2000]]) / '''Sky-Byte''' (Mega Class, [[2001]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''D-005'''
:*''Accessories'': Launcher, 2 missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: First available as part of the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' line in Japan, Gelshark is an ''extensive'' [[redeco]] of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal 2]] [[Maximal]] [[Cybershark#TM2|Cybershark]], transforming into a large, monstrous, bio-mechanical great white shark. His tail has a gear system that spins the fins like a propeller when a wheel in his side is turned; this mechanism can be locked in place by pushing a switch just behind the tail (which can be locked in place thanks to a slot in the robot-mode right arm nearby). This system becomes his left arm, forming a [[Shark Spike|spinning claw weapon]]. He also has a double spring-loaded missile launcher concealed in his shark mouth, which can be fired by pulling back the shark's nose and serves as a hand-held weapon in robot mode. His front fins can be removed and used as hand-held blade weapons.

: He was released in Hasbro markets as "Sky-Byte" in the first wave of Mega-sized toys, replacing the translucent blue plastic found in the upper arms, thighs, shoulder kibble, and shark head of his ''Car Robots'' release with an opaque blue of a slightly brighter shade. His instructions show an awkward "attack mode" variant to his beast mode that pulls out his side-panels along with exposing the missile launchers and opening up the claw on his tail. This can be safely ignored.

:Compared to Cybershark, Gelshark/Sky-Byte is much more stable, as his parts are less likely to pop off.

: [[Sonokong]] also released ''Gelshark'' in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets in a deco similar to that of the Hasbro toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Predacon/SkyByte/skybyte.htm More information on Sky-Byte at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-SkyByteG2Redux.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|This mold's not for [[Wings of Honor|Scourge]]? At the time we were confused. Now we understand.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Generation 2: Redux''' (Multi-pack, 2010)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2 missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Moore]] (concept artist)}}<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Skybyte was actually one of the first two things I ever proposed to the Club, I believe in 2005 right around the con time before I was asked to help out. It took 5 years, but he eventually got made. There were some changes between concept and release.|link=https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370248257180471302|site=Twitter|name=Joe Moore|year=2021|month=03|day=11}}</ref>

:''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Sky-Byte is a [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' Combat Class [[Sharkticon (Energon)#Toys|Sharkticon]] with a new head, transforming into a Cybertronic submarine/battleship with dimly animalistic styling. His small gun turrets can rotate and elevate their cannon-barrels, plus his side panels can extend outward to reveal spring-loaded missile launchers in both modes. The area where Sharkticon's spark crystal once resided is now considered Sky-Byte's "Tsunami Blaster".

: Sky-Byte is part of the [[BotCon 2010]] boxed set, alongside [[Breakdown (G1)#Timelines|Breakdown]], [[Pyro (G1)#Timelines|Autobot Spark]], [[Streetwise (G1)#Timelines|Streetstar]], and [[Clench (G1)#Timelines|Clench]]. A limited number of unboxed versions of this set, packed in a large plastic bag, were also made available to people who had purchased the boxed version.

: The original version of this mold was also used to make Sky-Byte's fellow BotCon 2010 exclusives, the [[Sharkticon (species)#Timelines|Sharkticons]], as well as ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' [[Axalon (BW)#United 2|Axalon]].

:The identity of Sky-Byte was the subject of the "Who is the Wildcard?" contest held by [[Fun Publications]] on their [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] forums, with ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyager [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Voyager Class toys 2|Megatron]] and [[Breakaway (ROTF)#Revenge of the Fallen|Breakaway]] as prizes to who guessed the character first. Other than the "wildcard" hint, the only other hint given was that the character was "never seen in Generation 2". TCC board member EmeraldBeacon guessed Sky-Byte soon thereafter, ending the contest, but whose among all the guesses that day was the correct guess was not known until the [[BotCon 2010]] brochure went online.

::*''[https://twitter.com/Joe_Toyark/status/1370248257180471302 Designer commentary on ''Timelines'' Sky-Byte from Joe Moore on Twitter]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/2010/Predacon/Sky-Byte/sky-byte.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Sky-Byte at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Gen-toy SkyByte.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I'm a shark, I'm a shaaaark...]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Sky-Byte''' (Voyager Class, [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''Series / Number:'' '''02 / 007'''
:*''Accessories'': Missile
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Tomoya Miyake]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

: Released in the fifth wave of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] [[Thrilling 30]]'' Voyager Class toys, Sky-Byte once again transforms into a bio-mechanical shark. He lacks the mouth-based missile launcher of his previous toy, instead having a single spring-loaded missile firing from the center of his (still gear-activated) spinning claw weapon. His [[beast mode]] articulation consists of an opening mouth and a tail that moves up and down. As with many ''Generations'' toys, he has a hexagonal peg-hole on his underside which is compatible with some collector display stands.

: In [[robot mode]] the missile launcher in his claw weapon still functions. Sky-Byte is much less of a [[shellformer]] than his original form, with many parts of his robot mode actually becoming parts of the shark mode, though much of it still piles up on his back. These parts can be arranged in a variety of ways to form a more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] or cleaner robot mode. He also features several design elements from his IDW design, most notably the small wrist-gun detail on his right arm.

:During the Hasbro designers' panel at [[BotCon 2009]], it was stated that if Sky-Byte were to get a toy in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, its bio would be written as a haiku in homage to his love of poetry. The bio on the back of this toy's box has a haiku at the very end.

: This mold was also used to make [[Transformers Cloud|''Cloud'']] [[Hellwarp#Cloud 2|Hellwarp]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Predacon/Sky-Byte/sky-byte.htm More information on ''Generations'' Sky-Byte at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:takara transformers legends skybyte bothmodes.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.66|The baddest shark in town deserves the most badass paint-job!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-p1|'''Gelshark (Sky-Byte)''' (ゲルシャーク, [[2014]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''LG06'''
:*''Release date'': [[2014]] [[December 27]]
:*''Accessories'': Missile

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' "Gelshark" is TakaraTomy's version of the ''Generations'' Voyager Class Sky-Byte mold. This version has considerably more paint applications than its Hasbro counterpart to create an overall more show accurate color scheme. It notably includes the two-colored chest, a much darker shade of blue, and less use of white. Some of the yellow plastic on the Hasbro version has also been replaced with dark blue.

: He comes with the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 6|''Legends'' "Bonus Edition Volume 6"]] mini-comic.

::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/i.php?ID=5608 More information on Gelshark at Transformers-Universe.com]''
{{--}}

===''Age of the Primes''===
[[File:TF-Age of the Primes-Sky-Byte.jpg|right|thumb|300px|I am going in- -to the big wetness, smooth li- -ons are eating me]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Sky-Byte''' (Voyager Class, [[2025]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy name:'' '''Sky-Byte (RID 2001 Universe)''' (スカイバイト (RID 2001ユニバース))
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''AOTP-15'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[2025]] [[October 25]]
:*''Accessories'': Twin missile launcher, left & right fin-blades
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shuhei Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viJopRdWtZA ''Transformers'' panel] at [[Megacon Orlando#2025|Megacon Orlando 2025]] with [[Emily Bader]] and [[Evan Brooks]], recorded at the "V-man" YouTube channel.</ref>

: Released in the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Age of the Primes|Age of the Primes]]'' Voyagers, Sky-Byte is an updated version of his original toy, designed to give the shark mode about as much posability as you could reasonably expect a shark mode to have. No longer sculpted with a permanent sideways curve in his back end, he now has a posable tail capable of moving side to side, a moving jaw, and even an articulated "neck" so he can look down. With the shark body no longer sculpted in a curve, the robot mode's shoulder pads are now more symmetrical and flat than prior releases, getting in the way of his arms far less.

: He comes with a non-firing version of the original toy's twin missile launcher, which can store in the shark-mode mouth as before. His pectoral fins can also detach to be blade-weapons in robot mode. Sky-Byte's shoulderpads and pectoral fins are detached in package and require user assembly; notably, the latter are attached to sprues.

: Oddly, the opaque dome in Sky-Byte's chest has a Predacon symbol carved in the rear, which is only visible if disassembled; perhaps at one point the intent was to give him a clear [[spark crystal]] like the original toy.

:*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/DF38_aSsm0S/ Designer commentary on ''Age of the Primes'' Sky-Byte from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===KT Figure Collection===
[[File:AI PVC.jpg|thumb|If you bought this... we have some bad news.]]

*'''Ai-chan''' (アイちゃん, [[2004]])
{{toydesigner|[[Yuki Ohshima]]}}

: This figurine was produced by [[KT Figure Collection]], and included in a set of four others. It is notable in that not only is this the only non-[[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] PVC in the entire set, but [[T-AI|Ai-chan]] is portrayed bathing in a hot spring, and is thus completely nude, aside from her hat. A [[super deformed]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Merchandise|Super Fire Convoy]] is seen peeking over the side, and a miniature Sky-Byte bath toy is in Ai-chan's hands.
{{--}}

===''Tiny Titans''===
[[File:TinyTitans-Series6-Sky-Byte.jpg|right|thumb|I am small and blue. I cannot transform at all. Curse you, Autobots!]]
*'''Sky-Byte''' (Tiny Titans, 2016)
**''Series'': '''6'''
**''Number'': '''2/12'''

: Part of the sixth [[Blindpacking|blind-bagged]] assortment of ''[[Tiny Titans]]'', this small, soft-plastic figurine of Sky-Byte is based on his original ''Robots in Disguise'' toy.

: He comes with a trading card, which renders him in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' series]] style. This card also has a scan-badge for the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (mobile game)|''Robots in Disguise'' mobile game]], which unlocks a random amount of Energon "currency" and a randomized bonus power-up item.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:BotCon-2010-Sky-Byte-profile art.jpg|thumb|right|200px|(BotCon 2010 ''Wings Universe'' profile art)]]
*Sky-Byte's Japanese name, "Gelshark" (ゲルシャーク), is pronounced with a hard G (as in "[[Megatron (RID)|Gigatron]]") rather than a soft one (as in "gelatin"). The name is ultimately derived from [[Wikia:kamenrider:Gel Shocker|Gel-Shocker]] (ゲルショッカー) from ''{{w|Kamen Rider (1971 TV series)|Kamen Rider}}''.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://tieba.baidu.com/p/9323408427?pn=5###|quote=Cr角色Gelshark的名字来源于假面骑士的盖尔修卡（gelshocker）|name=默默的钢丝|year=2024|site=Baidu|month=12|day=11}}</ref> Gelshark loosely shares the famous blue-and-yellow colors of the [[Wikia:kamenrider:Gel Shocker Combatmen|Gel-Shocker henchmen]]. ("Gel(dam)" has no meaning beyond "it sounds cool".)<ref>{{citesocial|name=阿部征司|site=『仮面ライダー1971-1984』|title=新組織の出現|year=2014|month=11|day=24}}</ref>
*Kreon Sky-Byte uses [[Sharkticon (species)#Kre-O|Sharkticon]] parts, alongside what looks to be some kind of backpack assembly and whatever it is that's plugged into his left wrist socket. It looks like one of the claw pieces like Scorponok uses, but smaller. Who knows for sure?

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gelshark''' (ゲルシャーク ''Gerushāku''), '''Sky-Byte''' (スカイバイト ''Sukaibaito'')
*''Korean:'' '''Gelshark''' (게르샥 ''Gereusyak'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tiān Shā''' (China, 天鲨, "Sky Shark")
*''Russian:'' '''Zubastik''' (Зубастик, "Toothy")

==See also==
{{OtherVersions
|charname=Sky-Byte
|disambig=Sky-Byte (disambiguation)
|body=
*[[Sky-Byte (Animated)|Sky-Byte]], the fearsome Decepticon poet from [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|''Animated'']].
*[[Sky-Byte (Cyberverse)|Sky-Byte]], the Decepticon shark from ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (franchise)|Cyberverse]]''.}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Age of the Primes Decepticons]]
[[Category:Age of the Primes Predacons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Predacons]]
[[Category:BotCon exclusives]]
[[Category:Car Robots Predacons]]
[[Category:Entertainers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 characters]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Legends Predacons]]
[[Category:Poets]]
[[Category:Quintessons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Predacons]]
[[Category:Sharkticons]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Predacons]]
[[Category:TransTech Predacons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors characters]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Predacons]]

Landfill (RID)

2025-10-29T20:20:06Z

Banannixx: /* Legacy */ Samurai helmets (what Bludgeon's head is based on) don't have antennae.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Landfill}}
:''Landfill is an [[Autobot]] [[combiner]] from the [[ Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:Landfill RiD Cartoon.JPG|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Arms: 3, Hands: 1?]]

A versatile powerhouse, '''Landfill''' (aka '''Build King''') is the combined form of the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]]. Like his sometime-nemesis [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]], he is controlled solely by the thoughts of his central component, with the other team members giving up their autonomy in the combined form. Also in common with the Decepticon combiner, he can switch his limb components into different configurations to optimize his combat abilities. His unique design lets any one of the subordinate team members form his arms, with the other two serving as the legs, and gives him access to different tools and weapons in each configuration.

Landfill is composed of:
* [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] (central component)
* [[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]]
* [[Grimlock (RID 2001)|Grimlock]]
* [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]]

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Michael Reisz]] (English), [[Yūki Tamaki|Yukiko Tamaki]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, till [[Lessons of the Past]]), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, from [[Lessons of the Past]]), [[Jorge Ornelas]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Daniel Abundis]] (Latin American Spanish, Episode 23 only), [[Sa Seong-woong]] (Korean)}}

The Build Team first combined into Landfill when fighting [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] and [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] at the Autobots' North energy research facility. Fighting the pair on a frozen lake, Landfill was easily able to send them packing. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

Landfill was also formed in order to clear buildings and create a new foundation for the [[CGA Tower]], which had been damaged by the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}

[[File:Test of Metal Landfill.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Landfill suddenly realised he was no longer in mint condition.]]
When the Build Team was in a battle with the [[Decepticon]] [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] and losing badly to them, they resorted to combining into Landfill. Unfortunately, the Decepticons responded by forming [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]] and maintained the upper hand. The battle eventually got both combiners blasted underground in a place that was quickly filling up with oil. Landfill opened fire on the combustible, resulting in an explosion that forced both combiner teams to split back into their respective components. The Build Team were saved from being burned to slag by [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|A Test of Metal|A Test of Metal}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Landfill.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Once the ruins containing [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] were located, Landfill fought successfully alongside [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] to protect them from Ruination. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} When the Decepticons subsequently exposed the place in which the Build Team had hidden Fortress Maximus, Landfill again attempted to protect the giant with the rest of the Autobots. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges|Maximus Emerges}}

During the battle after the Decepticons found Autobot headquarters, Landfill charged the ''[[Megastar]]'', only to be promptly blown into separate units by the station's firepower. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!|Surprise Attack!}} Landfill fought with the other Autobots against Ruination and Scourge while [[Omega Prime]] confronted Galvatron, until Prime was forced to order a retreat. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge|Galvatron's Revenge}} Landfill was formed for the last time during the battle against Galvatron. He helped battle against the Decepticons, and joined the other Autobots in shielding Optimus Prime from Galvatron's paralysing rays. He and the rest of the team were held in a state of paralysis until Galvatron's defeat at the hands (or [[Matrix Blade|sword]]) of Omega Prime. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{CRnote}}
As a member of the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Landfill was brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to defend it against the attack of [[Majin Zarak]] and the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}
{{--}}

====''Universe'' comic====
[[File:RiD2001 Wal-Mart Landfill CardArt.jpg|left|thumb|]]
From [[Viron 903.0 Beta]], the Build Team joined the [[Dimensional Patrol]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 13 September 2015}} Landfill was abducted by [[Unicron]] to become one of the latest combatants inside the [[Cauldron]]. Before his inter-dimensional trek could be completed, however, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] from the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] attempted to intercept the dimensional transition before Unicron claimed his latest victims. Pulled in two directions, Landfill and his comrades Side Burn and Prowl were instead deposited on a frozen planetoid in space. A rescue team of Children of Primus deployed to the planetoid, but so did a team of [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. Landfill worked together with the rescue team, a group of Autobots accidentally pulled in from the past by Rhinox's device, and his fellow victims to successfully defeat the Minions. Afterwards, the temporally-displaced Autobots were sent back to their proper spacetime {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}} while Landfill, Prowl, and Side Burn were sent back to their home reality without further participating in the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 13 September 2015}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] used the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to turn Landfill into the evil [[Devastator (Universe Ultra)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 30 July 2015}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
While contemplating the strategic advantages [[Enigma of Combination]], [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] considered a theoretical situation in which four unassuming Autobot builders could surprise their foes by merging into some kind of "Build King". {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID Landfill.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Can he can dig it? (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Build Boy''' (2000) / '''Wedge''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-018'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Build Hurricane''' (2000) / '''Grimlock''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-019'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Build Typhoon''' (2000) / '''Heavy Load''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-020'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Build Cyclone''' (2000) / '''Hightower''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-021'''
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Landfill is formed by combining [[Wedge (RID)#Toys|Wedge]], [[Heavy Load (RID)#Toys|Heavy Load]], [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]], and [[Grimlock (RID 2001)#Toys|Grimlock]]. Wedge forms the torso, while the other three can form either a single leg or both arms using a unique interlocking armature. With this system, Landfill can swap limbs around without needing to disassemble at all.

: Landfill's "hands" are simple claws formed from Heavy Load/Hightower's feet or Grimlock's treads, and each has a [[5 mm post|5 mm hole]] that allows for the "hand" to hold one of the three limb-bot's removable accessories. The third accessory then snaps onto Landfill's back in different locations depending on which figure forms the arms, a feature that was omitted from Hasbro's instructions. Wedge's double-barreled gun becomes Landfill's, er, codpiece.

: There are a number of small paint differences between the Takara and Hasbro versions of each toy, detailed on their individual pages, but the biggest tell between the two is the addition of Autobot symbols on the three limb-bots for the Hasbro releases.

: These molds were also used to make ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Devastator (Universe Ultra)#Toys|Devastator]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Landfill/landfill.htm More information on Landfill at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|multipack}}
[[File:Build King.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Yes, he can dig it. (''Takara version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Build King''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': August ??, 2000
:*''ID number:'' '''C-022'''

: In Japan, Build King was available both by purchasing the individual components, and as a complete box set. However, this set only came with the bio card for Build King, and did not include the individual components' bio cards.

: Daiei stores offered the [[Tow-Line (RID)#Super|Super Wrecker Hook]] toy as a [[campaign item|freebie]] with the purchase of the Build King box set.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this gift set in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences to the Takara release other than the packaging.

{{-}}{{anchor|WalmartYellow}}
[[File:RID Yellow Landfill.JPG|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Landfill''' (Multi-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': [[November 25]], 2003

: A mainly-yellow redeco of the entire Build Team was released as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] multi-pack on "[[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]", the day after Thanksgiving, the most hellishly-overcrowded shopping day of the year. The set cost considerably less than four individual deluxes.

: While still branded as a ''Robots in Disguise'' toy, the packaging was in the style of the then-running ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toyline.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Landfill/landfill.htm More information on Landfill at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:RID Landfill altconfigs.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Aesthetically-challenged, but functional]]
*Landfill's three possible configurations were not given official designations in English materials, but in Japan, they had specific monikers based on the character who formed the arms. The modes are:
**Heavy Load and Hightower as legs, while Grimlock provides arms. This is the most commonly used configuration. Known as "Hurricane Mode", Landfill's Japanese tech specs identify this mode as a multi-purpose form with the perfect balance of offensive and defensive power.
**Grimlock and Hightower as legs, with Heavy Load as arms. Used in "[[Sky-Byte Saves the Day]]". Referred to as "Typhoon Mode", this mode gives Landfill his highest offensive power.
**Grimlock and Heavy Load as legs, with Hightower as arms. Used in "[[Galvatron's Revenge]]" and "[[The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle]]". This form, going by "Cyclone Mode", excels in close-quarters combat.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Build King''' (ビルドキング ''Birudo Kingu'')
*''Korean:'' '''Build King''' (빌드킹 ''Bildeu King'')
*''Russian:'' '''Musorovoz''' (Мусоровоз, "Garbage Truck")

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Tow-Line (RID)

2025-10-29T20:19:13Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot|decepticon|straxus}}
{{disambig2|the ''Robots in Disguise'' Autobot tow truck|the ''Energon'' Autobot van|Tow-Line (Energon)}}
:''Tow-Line is an [[Autobot]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:RID TowlineWreckerhook biocard.jpg|right|upright=2.2|thumb|Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my car around!]]
"'No parking' means 'no parking'!" is '''Tow-Line'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s (aka '''Wreck Hook'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s) motto, and it allows for no exceptions. He is so single-mindedly fixated on this apparently senseless purpose that he has been known to tow fire engines away from hydrants, seize children's tricycles, and even impound other Autobots who violate human traffic laws in the course of a mission. Such extreme irrationality, coupled with such total predictability, makes him both a hindrance to his fellow Autobots and an easy target for his enemies.<ref>Depiction in the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon</ref>

In battle, he wields the Wrecker Gun and his mighty Wrecker Hook!

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:TowlineGoesHaywire-Towlinescreen.jpg|right|thumb|200px|My head's always hiding behind my chest at an angle.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Lex Lang]] (English), [[Masami Iwasaki]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[Oreste Baldini]] (Italian), [[José Arenas]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Eduardo Borgerth]] (Portuguese)}}
[[File:RID Towline botvehicle cartoon.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Heroic mindless fascist]]

One of Tow-Line's first acts on arriving on Earth was to tow [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], much to the latter's disgust. Under [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]]'s supervision, Tow-Line began towing away [[Metro City]]'s illegal parkers. Unfortunately his zealousness extended to towing away tricycles, wedding cars, mailmen named [[Moe (RID)|Moe]], and so on, leading Prowl to reprimand him.

Tow-Line's work was not lost on the Predacons, who ambushed him and dragged him away to do a bit of reprogramming with a disk. Soon Tow-Line considered the other Autobots as villains and began towing [[X-Brawn]]. After reasoning failed, X-Brawn attempted to use his grappling hook, causing damage to the other Autobot's circuits, and resulting in Tow-Line dumping him down a hole at the power plant.

Side Burn was also captured easily, but while carrying [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] through the city, Tow-Line was spotted by Prowl and [[Koji Onishi|Koji]]. Intercepted by [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] and Prowl, he was soon rescued from the disk's control and apologized profusely for kidnapping his fellow Autobots. Even after learning his lesson, Tow-Line still cheerfully hauled off Prowl for parking illegally. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

Tow-Line aided in a deception, helping to disguise [[Team Bullet Train]] and Optimus Prime as a transforming dragon in order to trick the Predacons into leaving some statues alone. When [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] and Optimus toppled over while operating the robot, Tow-Line was able to pull it back into an upright position using his grappling hook. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}}

[[Movor]] briefly tracked Tow-Line from space in an attempt to locate the Autobots' hidden base, but as Tow-Line was spending all of his time towing cars, it wasn't much help. Later Tow-Line and the other Autobots ambushed the Decepticons as they tailed Side Burn. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:Maximus Emerges Towlinesideburn.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Not the kind of hookup Side Burn was hoping for.]]
Tow-Line towed Side Burn to [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]' hiding place, so that the Autobot wouldn't get [[Kelly (RID)|distracted]] on the way. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

He was also called in as part of the contingency plan created for the event that [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]] learned of the location of the Autobot base. Assembling with the rest of the Autobots near a lake, he took part in the battle against the combined Decepticon/Predacon forces. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

Together with the other Autobots, he shielded Optimus from Galvatron's paralysing beam, allowing the Autobot leader to regroup and form [[Omega Prime]] with [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]]. After the final battle was over, Tow-Line towed some more cars just for the fun of it. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{--}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
=====''Robotmasters'' comic=====
[[Image:RM-packart WreckerHook.jpg|right|upright=1|thumb|Mailmen named Moe BEWARE.]]

Following his battles with [[Predacon (BW)|Destrongers]], Tow-Line somehow lost his memory. By the year [[2004]], with no clue of who he really was, Tow-Line sided with the Decepticons thinking doing so would help him to one day find answers to his past. As a Decepticon, he honed his skills as a mechanic, able to effect repairs on most anything and without complaint. He also formed a friendship with his fellow Decepticon, [[Wingstun]]. Armed with his new [[Boost Hammer]], Tow-Line was a danger to everyone around him on the battlefield.

Tow-Line followed the new Decepticon leader, Beast Megatron in an attack on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]]. However, they were foiled when the Autobots focused their firepower on Megatron and he ordered a retreat. {{Storylink|Clash! The Two Leaders}} With [[Psycho-Orb]] and [[Air Hunter]], Tow-Line later took the time to gang up on [[R-Blade]], but were sent scurrying away when Optimus Primal, fresh from the [[Blastizone]], came and defended the fallen [[Autobot]]. {{storylink|To War! Optimus Primal}} {{storylink|The New Battle Begins!}}

Along with [[Wingstun]], Psycho-Orb, and Air Hunter, Tow-Line was selected as one of the recipients of the [[Arsenal Force]] weapons [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] forged in a bid against Beast Megatron. Tow-Line himself received the [[Boost Hammer]]. {{storylink|Starscream Grins 3 Times...}} He was later present when Air Hunter announced the return of the original Megatron and joined the others in leaving their [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|base]]. {{storylink|Strategic Meeting: The Mysterious New Warrior}}

=====Metrowars=====
Tow-Line was still with the Decepticons after [[2035]], and fell under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s command. Tow-Line was part of Straxus's team piloting [[Metrotitan (G1)|Darkmount]] during the Decepticons' attack on [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]]. {{storylink|Metrowars}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
Tow-Line was present when Metroplex made his final confrontation with Metrotitan and Straxus. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Metroplex}}

===''Robotmasters'' 3D diorama comic===
With the [[Arsenal Force]], Beast Megatron powered up Tow-Line, along with his comrades. However, this did not last long, as [[Star Saber (G1)|Victory Saber]] appeared to foil the plot and dissipated the Arsenal Force energy. {{storylink|Robotmasters Vol. 3}}

{{--}}
===Precursor World===
[[File:HailstormTarantulasTerradive.jpg|right|upright=.66|thumb]]
[[Terradive (G1)|Terradive]], Tow-Line, and [[Hailstorm (G1)|Hailstorm]] took part in a training exercise for [[Megalligator]] and [[Convobat]]. Tow-Line had Megalligator cornered, but Convobat proceeded to trounce him. {{storylink|Cybertron Convobat prequel comic}}

===''Legends'' comic===
In the [[Legends World]], Megalligator and Convobat's exploits were known as fiction in the form of the ''[[Transformers: Convobat Amazon Showdown|Convobat Amazon Showdown]]'' film, created by [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]. [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|The native Silverbolt]] played Tow-Line, but was fond of ad-libbing his lines, frustrating Nightscream. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Convobat)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
In one of his ramblings, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] stated that a tow-bot named either Wrecker Hook or Tow-Line came to help Princess [[Adronitia]]. {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
At some point, Tow-Line posed in a group photo with many Cybertronians, including [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. {{storylink|Open Comms}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Wrecker Hook''' (Flipchanger, April ?? 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-017'''
:*''Accessories'': Grill/rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Released in the fourth wave of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' toyline, Wrecker Hook is an extensively-painted [[redeco]] of the ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' [[Hoist (G1)/toys#Machine Wars|Hoist]] and [[Hubcap (MW)#Toys|Hubcap]] mold. He changes from tow truck to robot mode with a single-step, spring-loaded transformation activated by lifting his towing hook up; pushing it back down and locking it into place reverses the process. His grill detaches to become the (non-firing) blaster weapon named "Wrecker Gun" in the cartoon.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/Wreckerhook/wreckerhook.htm More information on Wrecker Hook at TFU.info]''
{{MWHoistMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Super}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Wrecker Hook''' (Flipchanger, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Grill/rifle

: A limited-edition, clear-orange version of Wrecker Hook in "Super Mode" was made [[exclusive]]ly for Daiei stores in Japan, free with the purchase of the [[Build Team (RID)#Toys|Build Team]] [[Landfill (RID)#Toys|Build King]] gift set for a limited time.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearWreckerHook/wreckerhook.htm More information on Super Wrecker Hook at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RID}}
[[File:RID-toy Tow-Line.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|"Scooby Dooby Doo. Where are you... parked?"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Tow-Line / Skyfire''' (Deluxe 2-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Grill/rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' toyline included "Tow-Line" in a two-pack with the Decepticon [[Skyfire (RID)#Toys|Skyfire]], released in the second wave of Deluxe Class toys.

: Despite his Autobot wave-mate [[Skid-Z (RID)#Toys|Skid-Z]] undergoing some extensive deco alteration, the only notable difference between "Tow-Line" and "Wrecker Hook" is the size of the Autobot insignia on his hood: Tow-Line's is slightly smaller and closer to the grill than Wrecker's.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Towline/towline.htm More information on Tow-Line at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Robotmasters''===
{{anchor|Robotmasters 2}}
[[Image:RM-toy WreckerHook.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Not from some far-off [[universal stream]] where [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] joined the [[Wreckers]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Wrecker Hook''' (Destron, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''RM-04'''
:*''Accessories'': "Aiming Shot" grill-rifle, "Boost Hammer"

: As part of the first assortment of ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'', Wrecker Hook is once again a heavily-painted redeco of the same ''Machine Wars'' mold as before, only this time in an "evil" deco.

: Unique to this release of the mold is the [[solitarium]] weapon called the "[[Boost Hammer]]", a clear-plastic flail. It can be combined with the other Decepticons' solitarium weapons to form the "[[Arsenal Force]]" megaweapon.

: Despite this mold being [[gang-molding|gang-molded]] with other "Flipchanger" molds, Wrecker Hook does not actually share plastic colors with any of the other ''Robotmasters'' Flipchanger releases, as the prior-line uses of this mold set do. Presumably they either gated the molds or simply ran them in multiple colors and recycled the unused parts.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Destron/Wreckerhook/wreckerhook.htm More information on Wrecker Hook at TFU.info]''
{{MWHoistMold}}
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[Image:Transformers-Legacy-Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-Towline.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|No parking in this part of the apocalyptic wasteland. There should be some open spaces beyond Thunderdome.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Robots in Disguise 2000 Universe Tow-Line''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: Evolution]]''
:*''Accessories'': Tow-arm, tow hook, left & right exhaust pipes, wheel shield, 2 engine-blower blasters
:*''Known designers'': [[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro)<ref name ="SDCC2023">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBqMyy6HYxE San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Generations panel recording] at the "Memo's collection" YouTube channel</ref>

: A redeco and new-head [[retool]]ing of ''[[Transformers: Legacy#Evolution|Legacy: Evolution]]'' [[Scraphook#Toys|Scraphook]], ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' "Robots in Disguise 2000 Universe Tow-Line" transforms into a junk-armored tow truck of made-up model. He is outfitted with a large number of accessories which can all be integrated into both his truck and robot mode in a variety of ways, thanks to the large number of [[5 mm post]] holes on him. His wheels are separated from his stationary hubcaps, meaning any accessories plugged into the rims' post-holes similarly don't spin. Like Scraphook, his lower-elbow joints are made of a softer plastic, which often causes his arms to pop off when attempting to rotate or transform them, but are just as easily reattached.

: Tow-Line's [[Evo-Fusion]] function is analogous to the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|Weaponizer]] gimmick from the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' toylines: his body splits apart to form armor and weapon enhancements for his allies. Unlike previous figures of this nature, however, Tow-Line does not need to be disassembled to change from robot to truck and back.

:[[Hasbro]] marketer [[Ben MacCrae]] noted that Tow-Line was ''Legacy'' design lead [[Mark Maher]]'s number one priority from the beginning of the line, and "Mark says he can die happy now."<ref name ="SDCC2023"/>

: Hasbro officially announced the figure at the 2023 [[San Diego Comic-Con]].

: This mold was also more extensively retooled into [[Axlegrease#Toys|Axlegrease]] and ''Legacy: United'' [[Lockdown (G1)#Legacy|Star Raider Lockdown]], and later redecoed into ''Age of the Primes'' [[Jalopy]].
{{--}}

==Notes==
* There was initially some uncertainty among fans over whether or not the ''Robotmasters'' Wrecker Hook was the same character as the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' character Tow-Line, who was called "Wrecker Hook" in Japan and used the same mold. Clarity would come later when ''Car Robots'' (the Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'') was fully confirmed as being part of the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], rather than the continuity-standalone its English counterpart is. Wrecker Hook's brief cameo in "[[Metrowars]]", which had appearances from several faction-jumpers, further sealed the deal.
* It has been speculated that the new-mold weapons in ''Robotmasters'' are actually unused accessories from the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] "LED Powers" ''[[Microman]]'' series, which was abruptly canceled in late 2000. The last section of the line included transparent plastic weapons that could be combined to form armor or larger weapons for the individual Microman figures. The handle size is also identical between the [[solitarium]] parts and the "Shining Tector" Microman weapons.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Wrecker Hook''' (レッカーフック ''Rekkā Fukku'')
*''Russian:'' '''Tyagach''' (Тягач, "Tractor")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Japanese-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Precursor World characters]]
[[Category:Robotmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]

Skid-Z (RID)

2025-10-29T20:16:49Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Skids}}
:''Skid-Z is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:Skid Z-RID01.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb|Skid-Z is my name, and speed is my game.]]

'''Skid-Z''' (aka '''Indy Heat''') is really fast and really competitive. Some would say ''compulsively'' competitive. He's obsessed with speed, improving his speed, and ''proving'' his speed. It was perhaps annoying before, but having made it to [[Earth]], an errant alt-mode scan seems to have really pushed this urge to ridiculous extremes, much to his chagrin. Any kind of race, and he's in, pretty much always uninvited and unwanted. Road race, bike race, foot race, potato sack race... if there's a finish line, he compulsively has to be the first to cross it, whether he actually ''wants'' to or not.

Thankfully, some intervention from his fellow Autobots has curbed the worst of this behavior, and he's back to being a useful member of the team.

Mostly.

==Fiction==
===2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Michael Lindsay]] (English), [[Jin Nishimura]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[Gabriel Ortiz]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Marco Antônio Costa]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Sa Seong-woong]] (Korean)}}

After arriving on Earth, Skid-Z scanned an F-1 race car once belonging to the legendary (and now dead) driver [[Auggie Cahnay (RID)|Auggie Cahnay]] for his vehicle mode. Cahnay had joked that he was in the car so much that it had taken on his personality—a statement that rang bizarrely true when Skid-Z was possessed by Cahnay's residual psychotropic energy, apparently a result of Skid-Z forgetting to purge the vehicle with a high-frequency wave pulse before scanning it. Thereafter, Skid-Z began behaving increasingly erratically.

Whenever he saw a race, he instinctively joined it—never officially signing up for them, of course, which got [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] on his tail when he illegally entered the European [[Europa 400]] race. He won the race, but Prowl ended up in a pile of hay bales for his troubles.

[[File:Skid Z-RID02.jpg|left|thumb|"A personality quirk is still a personality, right?"]]
This single-mindedness quickly became a source of personal embarrassment for Skid-Z as he found himself outracing grade schoolers, and even the tortoise and the hare. No, really. Although he was aware enough of his situation to realize he was having problems, he was unable to do anything about them.

Skid-Z soon found himself in battle with [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] after he rebuffed the poetic [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]'s offer of power amongst [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s troops. The fight didn't last long—after dodging Sky-Byte's [[Tsunami Blaster]] attack, Skid-Z heard the start of a foot race, and ran off to join it.

Meanwhile, [[T-AI]], having researched Skid-Z's scanner log, learned the cause of his affliction and realized it would only get worse if he wasn't brought to base and decontaminated. As the Autobots debated what to do, [[Koji Onishi|Koji]] voiced that he had studied Cahnay's background and determined that Skid-Z would next show up at the [[International Grand Prix]], a free-for-all race for all kinds of wheeled vehicles—a race that Cahnay had never been able to win. Seeing the logic in Koji's words, Optimus Prime instructed all available personnel to join the race.

Skid-Z didn't show up until the race was well underway. Most of the other Autobots had been taken out of the race by Megatron—and those few remaining (Optimus Prime, Prowl, [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[X-Brawn]]) were trapped underneath a giant boulder, which would crush them when their strength ran out.

Optimus transmitted a call to Skid-Z for help. He was in the lead—he could win the race. He WANTED to win the race... didn't he? Skid-Z's desire to win struggled with his Autobot conscience. He had to make a choice—and so he did. Skid-Z drove back and saved his comrades, then helped them to beat Megatron away.

[[File:Skid Z-RID03.jpg|right|thumb|Victory is for the winners!]]

With evil vanquished for the day, Skid-Z rejoined the International Grand Prix, coming in first place. Finally, it was all over! He felt normal! He... mistook Koji's watch alarm for a starting signal, and was off again, eventually ending up in Africa looking for a race. Oh well. Prime knew he'd be back—sooner or later. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

And it ''was'' later... much, ''much'' later. When all Autobots were assembled for a counter-strike against their advancing enemies, Skid-Z fought in the final battle against the Predacon/Decepticon forces. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}}

In the Autobots' last visit to Earth following the total defeat of [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]] and his [[Decepticon]]s, he was racing with the [[Spychanger]]s, and T-AI yelled at him to slow down as he bashed his comrades aside to win. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

Oh, that nutty Skid-Z! Ha ha ha!

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
{{CRnote|Skid-Z|[[Skids (G1)|Generation 1 Skids]]}}
As a member of the [[Dimensional Patrol]], Skid-Z was brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] to defend it against the attack of [[Majin Zarak]] and the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy SkidZ-IndyHeat.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Indy Heat''' (Flip Changer, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-016'''
:*''Accessories'': 2-part "Indy Gun" rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Sold in the fourth wave of Takara's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)#Takara Car Robots toyline|Car Robots]]'' series, Indy Heat is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Machine Wars|Mirage]]/[[Prowl (G1)/toys#Machine Wars|Prowl]] mold. He transforms from a Penske PC-18 Indycar to robot mode via spring-loaded [[autotransformation]] by pulling up on his spoiler; pushing it back into place and locking it there returns him to car mode.

: His rifle splits into two parts, which store in the hollow portions of his lower legs in vehicle mode. However, the main body of the rifle still works as a blunt-barreled double-blaster without the extension piece attached.
{{MWMirageMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RID-toy SkidZ IndyHeatJUSCO.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Original Super Indy Heat''' (Flip Changer, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2-part "Indy Gun" rifle

: "Original Super" Indy Heat is a transparent-blue and white redeco of Indy Heat, which ends up making him look an awful lot like Generation 1 Mirage (again). Much of his extensive deco has been dropped, with the hood/chest text now replaced by a simple "20" in red, and "2000 EXCLUSIVE" printed across his spoiler.

: Super Indy Heat was part of a [[AEON|JUSCO]] department stores [[campaign item|promotional campaign]], given to customers as a free gift with the purchase of a [[Rail Racer (RID)#Toys|JRX]] giftset.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearIndyHeat/indyheat.htm More information on Super Indy Heat at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RID}}
[[File:RID-toy SkidZ.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Speed, I am speed. With a grape flavor.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Skid-Z / Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe Class two-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2-part rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' toyline included "Skid-Z" in a two-pack with the Decepticon [[Wind Sheer (RID)#Toys|Wind Sheer]], released in the second wave of Deluxe Class toys.

: Skid-Z's deco has been significantly changed from his [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] "Indy Heat" release, one of the more dramatically changed toys in the line. All of the bright-orange lettering has been removed, replaced with a simple Autobot logo on his hood/chest, his lavender paint has been changed to silver, and his hubcaps are now silver chrome rather than aqua-blue chrome.

: On top of that, his shoulders and the beam holding his spoiler in place are now a darker purple plastic, due to being [[gang-molding|gang-molded]] with the inner robot parts of his pack-in rival Wind Sheer. His head is also now painted metallic blue over gray plastic, as that part is gang-molded with [[Skyfire (RID)#Toys|Skyfire]]'s jet parts. (The original Indy Heat head is sparkly blue plastic, as the jet toys were not being produced in ''Car Robots'' so that part could be whatever color Takara wanted.)

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Skid-Z/skid-z.htm More information on Skid-Z at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to the ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon, Skid-Z's name is pronounced "Skids", rather than "Skid-Zee" or "Skid-Zed".
* While Skid-Z knew of the Autobots' strategy in case their base was found, his long absence from the main events of the series (having been gone from episode 11 to '''36''') does seem to imply he spent ''all of the intervening time'' looking for a race.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Indy Heat''' (インディヒート ''Indi Hīto'')
*''Italian:'' '''Skid'''

[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Scouts]]

X-Brawn

2025-10-29T20:16:16Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Brawn}}
:''X-Brawn is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:XBrawnModel.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|Function: Autobot Cowpoke.]]
The eldest of the three [[Autobot Brothers]], '''X-Brawn''' (aka '''Wildride''') is also the toughest and most adventurous. A rugged outdoorsman and cowboy type, he loves driving off-road... and uphill, and underwater, and on staircases. He's not easily impressed by fancy firepower, preferring straightforward guts. He's chivalrous enough to apologize to women drivers before he ejects them through his sunroof.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Bob Joles]] (English), [[Masahiro Shibahara]] (Japanese)|[[Oleg Kutsenko]] (Russian), [[René García]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Ricardo Juarez]] (Brazilian Portuguese), [[Lee Ho-in]] (Korean)}}

[[File:Battle Protocol XBrawn.jpg|left|thumb|EAT LEAD, PUNK!]]
When contacted by [[T-AI]] during [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s attack on [[New York City]], X-Brawn was acting as [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]'s SUV. He swiftly ejected her through his sunroof and joined the other two brothers at the [[Global Space Bridge]]. On arrival in New York, he saved [[Koji Onishi]] from being buried under rubble and proceeded to engage [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] in combat. Said combat involved asking Slapper to measure the length of his tongue, while X-Brawn drove to the top of a building so he could strafe Slapper from above. The battle ultimately ended with Megatron abducting Koji's father, [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

[[File:Explosive Situation XBrawn.jpg|right|thumb|Give me back my purse!]]
The Autobot Brothers were later assigned to intercept the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], who were prowling [[Metro City]] and stealing batteries from cars. X-Brawn scaled a tower in an attempt to spot the enemy and subsequently turned up late after [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] retrieved an explosive device from a car. He was able to steal the device from Sky-Byte with his grappling hook but accidentally triggered its detonation sequence. Proceeding with all haste, he swung from building to building with his grappling hook and carried the device to the top of a radio tower where he tossed it as high as he could. [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s power stream sent the device into orbit where it exploded without destroying anything (anything important, anyway). {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

Assigned to protect the [[Linear RFG]] bullet train, the Autobot Brothers found themselves tangling with the Predacons who were trying to blow up a rail bridge on the train's path. Ultimately they were unable to save the bridge, but the train was saved by [[Team Bullet Train]]. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} Together with Optimus, the brothers protected a [[Plutonium Energy Generator]] from the Predacons. They escorted the generator as it was transported across the city the next day, but were brought to a halt by a traffic jam engineered by Slapper. Fortunately the [[Spychanger]]s were able to lend a hand and the Autobot Brothers got to sit back and watch the Predacons' defeat. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

[[File:Hunt for Black Pyramid XBrawn.jpg|left|thumb|"Yep, looks like we got a leak."]]
X-Brawn was watching a Motocross race when T-AI told him to report to the Global Space Bridge as a ship was under attack by Predacons. Optimus joined the Autobot Brothers at the end of the space bridge, which was terminated some distance short of the troubled vessel. After a few attempts by his fellows to jump the distance, X-Brawn jumped into the water in vehicle mode and carried [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] out to the ship. While Optimus battled Sky-Byte, X-Brawn successfully repaired the ship, which returned to an even keel. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}}

When Megatron and the Predacon trio attacked Metro City, T-AI discovered that X-Brawn and [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] were both out hunting for Side Burn, who was exploring some ruins with Koji. The pair eventually reached the ruins and were in time to stop Sky-Byte making off with a box, which turned out to contain Doctor Onishi's microchip. This held much valuable information and would help the Autobots greatly in the struggle to follow. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

[[File:Sideburn's Obsession Prowl XBrawn.jpg|right|thumb|The sad part is this actually worked.]]
X-Brawn was once again acting as Kelly's car when he was assigned to quadrant 5, and had to unceremoniously dump her out a second time. As it turned out, Side Burn had been captured by the Predacons. Optimus, despite the remaining two brothers' protests that it was an obvious trap, went in and was captured as well. X-Brawn and Prowl heavily disguised their vehicle modes in order to creep close enough to get the drop on the Predacons, allowing them to rescue their comrades. During the ensuing battle, X-Brawn gave Side Burn a piggy-back ride to climb up a pile of junk. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

The brothers were assigned to protect "[[Grandpa]]", an aging steam train. In the end Team Bullet Train did most of the work protecting Grandpa, but X-Brawn was busy stopping Side Burn from chasing red sports cars anyhow. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}} All three brothers volunteered to enter the [[International Grand Prix]] in order to try and find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]], a recently arrived Autobot who had scanned a racing car and become possessed by the urge to compete in races. X-Brawn reveled in the mountainous terrain, but he, Optimus and the other two brothers found themselves holding up a huge rock dropped onto them by Megatron. Fortunately Skid-Z himself turned up and destroyed the rock, allowing them to chase Megatron off. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:X brawn.jpg|left|thumb|Canyonerooo! <WHIP!>]]
X-Brawn was the first Autobot to be towed away by [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]] after the latter was reprogrammed by the Predacons. He used his grappling hook to try to get free, but only succeeded in jarring Tow-Line's circuits, confusing the tow truck into taking him to the wrong place and dropping him down a pit. He was joined by Side Burn and [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]], and the trapped trio made some unsuccessful attempts to escape before they were rescued by a repaired Tow-Line and fought the Predacons once more. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

When the Predacons became convinced that the "[[Cave of the Dragon]]" harboured a powerful Transformer, X-Brawn and Prowl guarded it. All three brothers employed their acting skills to try to make the Predacons think that the disguises Optimus and Team Bullet Train were wearing were a giant transforming robot, and got fired on by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] for their trouble. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}} Called in to the Autobot Base, X-Brawn and the rest of the Autobots watched footage of their old adventures and speculated on where the Predacon base might be located. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

Optimus and the Autobot brothers went to [[Castle Peak]] to investigate what turned out to be a crashed Autobot spacecraft. Unfortunately they were unable to prevent Megatron stealing the six [[protoform]]s inside and taking them to a [[McKinley Army Base|nearby military base]] where the protoforms were reformatted into Decepticon warriors. {{storylink|The Decepticons|The Decepticons}} While subsequently on patrol near [[Sherman Dam]], X-Brawn stumbled on the Decepticons and opened fire, only to be tossed into the lake behind the dam by [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. Proving unable to swim, he sank to the bottom and was eventually joined by his two brothers for a game of underwater "I Spy". The trio were freed when the Decepticons blew a hole in the dam and, in the ensuing fight, they aided [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in fighting off [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}}

[[File:The Test XBrawn.jpg|right|thumb]]

X-Brawn was enjoying a spot of off-roading on a fine, sunny day when he stumbled on Sky-Byte and his three Predacon cohorts drawing a huge Megatron image in the ground. Outnumbered, he hastily returned returned to base. There, T-AI had just discovered that a recently launched space shuttle was actually [[Movor]]—the Decepticon was tracking Autobots in the hope one of them would lead him to the Autobot base. X-Brawn contacted Side Burn, currently in the process of being tracked, and told him the red sports car he was chasing was at [[Pier 7B]]. When Side Burn arrived at the pier with the Decepticons on his tail, the Autobots were ready to pounce. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[Mega-Octane]] met with Optimus claiming that the Decepticons had rediscovered their Autobot sides. Although the Autobot brothers were skeptical, they babysat the Decepticons who were forced to do all manner of menial tasks. The brother finally admitted that perhaps the six Decepticons were honest after all. Of course, it wasn't long before the plot was revealed and the brothers were alerted to a brawl between Optimus, Scourge and Ruination. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

The three brothers were called to a power plant where they chased off Sky-Byte and the Predacons. Later X-Brawn was once again acting as Kelly's mode of transport when he was "bushwhacked" by the four Predacons, who surrendered the information that Scourge was going to raid the [[Bayshore power plant]]. Rushing there with his brothers, X-Brawn was soon notified by T-AI that the Decepticons had actually attacked the [[Crestline power plant]] instead. The three brothers rushed to the correct plant to find the Decepticons had already been seen off by Rail Racer. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

[[File:Landfill XBrawn Vehicle.jpg|left|thumb|]]
Sent to a diamond mine, the three brothers were brought up short by an incomplete space bridge, and were introduced to the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]]. Keen to prove themselves in battle the Build Team took over the mission at the mine. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}} Shortly afterwards, X-Brawn had another narrow escape from the Decepticons, nipping into the space bridge at the last moment. This event drove the Decepticons to locate the control system for the space bridge and sabotage it - the next time X-Brawn tried to use it, he ended up on the top of a building. A second attempt deposited him in the middle of a desert. The Global Space Bridge was eventually repaired, and X-Brawn arrived in the Arctic, where [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] fought off Megatron. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

[[File:Test of Metal XBrawn.jpg|right|thumb|Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts!]]
In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}} After being duped out of stolen [[oil]] by the Build Team, the Decepticons began attacking construction equipment. X-Brawn turned up to one such attack only for the Commandos to leave as soon as he arrived. A second attempt to confront the Decepticons had the three Autobot Brothers turn up in the middle of nowhere — the Build Team had sabotaged the Global Space Bridge so they could confront the Decepticons alone. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

While attempting to stop the Decepticons raiding an [[oil]] refinery, the three brothers were interrupted by a [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|mysterious Autobot car carrier]], who argued with them as the Decepticons escaped. Later they encountered the Autobot again and this time he scrambled their circuits and deposited them in a junk yard. Once they'd recovered, Optimus called them back to base for a systems check. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Optimus confronted the Autobot named Ultra Magnus, himself and was soon overpowered. The Autobot Brothers rescued him from the battlefield and took him to an island to recuperate. A short time later, Optimus was attacked by the Decepticons, and the brothers found the portal at the end of the space bridge had been blocked by Sky-Byte. They eventually broke through only to witness Optimus and Ultra Magnus combining into [[Omega Prime]] for the first time. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:Two Faces Magnus XBrawn powerup.jpg|left|thumb|He blinds everybody with his super-high beams. He's a skunk-squashin', frog-smackin' drivin' machine!]]
Tracking Ultra Magnus, the Autobot Brothers spied him talking with Sky-Byte and assumed he was betraying them. The trio soon found themselves captured by the Predacons and were promptly freed by Magnus, who informed them he was pretending to defect in order to gain information. Returning to help Optimus against the Predacons, the three brothers found themselves being beaten on by Megatron. All three of them received a sudden power boost which was somehow channelled through Magnus, powering them up and enabling them to fight off the Predacons, with a little help from Omega Prime. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Some time later X-Brawn was sent to join his two brothers who were suffering an odd power drain and on the losing end of a fight with the Decepticons. X-Brawn joined in by kicking Ruination in the head. Once Optimus arrived, X-Brawn was able to carry his exhausted brothers to safety. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

The Autobot Brothers were sent to guard the subway below Metro City as the Build Team was searching for some mysterious ruins. The trio were confronted by the Decepticons, come to find the same ruins, and left them to the tender mercies of Team Bullet Train. Wandering further, they encountered Ultra Magnus and Side Burn was distracted by a hallucination of red sports cars, leading the group to the ruins themselves. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} To their surprise the ruins turned out to be [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], whom the Autobots set about concealing in Metro City. While patrolling to ensure the operation wasn't uncovered, the Autobot Brothers stumbled on Sky-Byte talking to Koji and confronted the shark. Koji discovered that the pod Sky-Byte had been carrying contained his abducted father and interrupted the fight to tell the Autobots that Sky-Byte had rescued his dad. The three brothers apologised to Sky-Byte, who realised his huge blunder and fled in panic. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:Peril from the Past XBrawn Kelly.jpg|right|thumb|Kelly, eject. Operation: Lose the Comic Relief.]]
Doctor Onishi and T-AI quickly worked out a way to locate the remaining [[O-Part]]s needed and soon the Autobot Brothers were locked in competition with the Build Team to find the most of the artefacts. Side Burn was particularly competitive and, when he was depressed at losing the competition, X-Brawn cheered him up by pointing out an approaching red car. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Back in the Autobot base, T-AI merged with the O-Parts. She soon sent Optimus and the Autobot brothers, with Koji tagging along, to a remote part of the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]] in search of the [[Orb of Sigma]]. The foursome located the Orb under the desert and fought Megatron and the Decepticons for possession of it, eventually returning it to base. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}}

With information extracted from the Orb, the brothers and Build Team visited a temple from which they extracted [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the control robot for Fortress Maximus. They were confronted on exiting the temple by the Decepticons and Predacons who stole Cerebros. T-AI was unimpressed at the loss and berated X-Brawn at length. The Autobots were forced to go on the defensive against the Decepticons and guard Maximus' hiding place. Scourge managed to activate Maximus anyway, and the giant was only stopped by the intervention of Koji Onishi. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

Scourge attempted to control Maximus in the desert by magnifying the human portion of his bio-signature. Again Optimus and the Autobot Brothers rushed there. While Side Burn looked after Koji and his Dad, X-Brawn and Prowl charged Ruination who swiftly defeated them. Maximus was subsequently halted by the arrival of the Build Team and Team Bullet Train with a thousand children. {{storylink|The Human Element}} Having thwarted one attempt by Scourge and Mega-Octane to kidnap Koji, the brothers were assigned to guard him. Koji wasn't keen on being guarded and swapped clothing with his friend [[Carl (RID)|Carl]], leading to Carl being kidnapped by the Decepticons in another attempt to control Maximus. Optimus and the Autobot Brothers were able to rescue Carl and retrieve Cerebros into the bargain. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

[[File:Galvatron's Revenge Side Burn XBrawn.jpg|left|thumb|Here we see the Super Car-io Bros. in their Fire Flower costumes.]]
When the Decepticons located and attacked Autobot headquarters, the Autobots led them into a trap and engaged them in a fierce battle. The arrival of Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'' turned the tide in the Decepticons favour, until the Autobots were able to activate Fortress Maximus and destroy the battle station. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Galvatron, however, was not through and began to drain energy from Fortress Maximus. The brothers attempted to shoot him down without success. After Galvatron managed to use [[cyber-bat]]s to control Earth's children, Omega Prime called a retreat, but the Autobots were followed into the space bridge by the Decepticons. Galvatron saw this as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, and flooded the tunnel with molten lava. The Autobots, with the help of some urging from Koji, were able to escape the lava and confront Galvatron once more. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The Autobots soon found themselves on the losing end of the battle, and shielded Optimus long enough for their leader to find Ultra Magnus and form Omega Prime. During the final confrontation between Galvatron and Prime, the rest of the Autobots were all held paralysed but provided Prime with moral support.

After Galvatron's defeat, X-Brawn treated himself to some off-roading. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:DWSummerspecial RID Autobrothers Megs.jpg|right|thumb|The Car Brothers and Megatron are too busy trying to escape the art.]]
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] led an attack on [[Arizona]] to drain the energy out of a vague and nondescript building in the middle of the desert, [[T-AI]] tried to call upon the Autobot brothers to help, but [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and X-Brawn were busy tangling with [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] in [[Oregon]].

Megatron eventually fled the battle, and X-Brawn arrived to help Optimus, only to find the situation resolved. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
{{CRnote}}
X-Brawn was present at the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] when it was attacked by the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] as part of [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s attempt to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]]. He watched as [[Dark Ai]] hijacked the Autobots' own [[T-AI]]. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

X-Brawn and the Dimensional Patrol later traveled to the [[Legends World]] at the request of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]. They helped defend the inhabitants from the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] army and the rampaging [[Majin Zarak]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} X-Brawn's adventures with the Dimensional Patrol would continue under the leadership of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Shell Game continuity===
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]], X-Brawn was one of Optimus Prime's loyal Autobot soldiers. On the eve of a critical confrontation with [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]], however, several of X-Brawn's comrades disappeared (as a result of [[Unicron]] abducting them to fight in the [[Universe War]]). Optimus and his remaining soldiers did all they could, but they ultimately fell to Megazarak's onslaught. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

===Spychanger continuity===
In [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]], when [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] accidentally poisoned all of Earth's energon, X-Brawn and the other twelve Autobots had to downsize into Spychangers. X-Brawn got the last laugh when he and [[Daytonus]] blew up the Predacons' energon stash! {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18}}

===''TransTech''===
When asked if she knew anyone in [[Axiom Nexus]] with a [[X-wing Fighter|X-Wing]] alt-mode, [[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] responded that she knew X-Brawn. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/04}}

==Toys==
===''Car Robots / Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Wildride.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|I sure hope nobody puts body colored tape over my headlights! (''Takara version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Wildride''' (2000) / '''X-Brawn''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-002'''
:*''Accessories'': Left & right running-rails/missiles, brushguard/knuckle

{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Part of the first wave of both the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' and [[Hasbro]] ''Robots in Disguise'' lines, X-Brawn transforms into a [[Mercedes-Benz]] ML320 SUV. In vehicle mode, X-Brawn features opening doors and a hood that reveals his engine block. In robot mode, his right fist contains a spring-loaded missile launcher; the lower "running rails" detach and serve as ammunition, or can be held in his left hand as melee weapons. Whichever missile isn't loaded can be mounted on his upper right arm; or both missiles can peg away on the underside of his roof, [[show-accuracy|as seen in the cartoon]], though doing so compromises the [[articulation]] of the [[kibble]]-heavy left arm. The chromed front brushguard also detaches to form a knuckle-blade weapon. Although the instructions suggest slotting this weapon over his fingers, doing so is a tight fit that also prevents his thumb from closing back down properly; it seems the bar was specifically molded to fit the opposite way to how the instructions depict it.

:[[File:RID-toy XBrawn.jpg|upright=1|left|thumb|Sadly, his oh-so-famous driver is not included. (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]

: There are several small but significant differences between the original 2000 Takara "Wildride" release of the toy and the 2001 Hasbro "X-Brawn" release. The most immediately obvious is the addition of an Autobot symbol to X-Brawn's hood. X-Brawn's engine is pure chrome silver, where Wildride's is more champagne-colored. X-Brawn's headlamps have been altered to be small circles, while the back taillights have been completely removed (so much for being street-legal!) in order to make him just legally-distinct enough from the SUV model it blatantly is otherwise. Both missiles have also been retooled [[for safety reasons]]; the "blade" has had its tip blunted and rounded off, and the "gun" has had the divots on the tip removed. This latter tooling poses a minor problem in vehicle mode, as this causes the missile to rest right up against the raised Autobot symbol on the car underside, pushing the railing down away from the car body. Turns out the gun's divots let it rest flush. Oops.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this figure in a gift set with his brothers in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets. This version of the toy is essentially a hybrid of the Hasbro and Takara releases, featuring the retooled lights and missiles of the Hasbro version with the deco of the Takara version. The packaging, like the rest of the Sonokong '' Car Bot '' line, is styled after Takara’s '' Car Robots '' packaging.

: This mold was used to make 2003's [[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|''Universe'']] [[Ratchet (Universe)#Toys|Ratchet]]. It was briefly planned to be used by [[3H Productions|3H]] as [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], but that never materialized.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/X-Brawn/x-brawn.htm More information on X-Brawn at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://robonin.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-151.html Japanese blog post comparing the Takara, Hasbro, and Sonokong releases of X-Brawn]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RID-toy XBrawn Super.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Okay. Like, this model isn't ''not'' an off-road vehicle, but... rally-worthy? Eeehhhhhn. (''Hasbro version pictured.'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Wildride''' (2000) / '''X-Brawn''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-024'''
:*''Takara release date'': September ??, 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right running-rails/missiles, brushguard/knuckle

: Released in the seventh and penultimate wave of ''Car Robots'' regular retail toys, Wildride now comes in a "[[Super Mode]]", featuring rally-deco [[Spontaneous recoloration|paint]] that is very similar to the deco that was used in Toyota's World Rally cars.[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Toyota_Celica_rally.jpg] While his running-rail and brushguard chrome are still silver, his hubcaps and engine are now a bright golden chrome.

: The 2001 Hasbro release of this toy, released in the fifth wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Deluxes, retains all of the retooling done to the mold for the prior Hasbro release, plus adds one important change: the "gun" missile has been retooled slightly, flattening part of the tip to allow it to sit flush against the raised Autobot symbol, so the running rail is properly aligned. Deco-wise, the only real difference between Super Wildride and X-Brawn is the same as with his non-Super versions: the Hasbro version paints over a significant portion of the headlights, and adds Autobot symbol to the vehicle mode, though this time to the roof. So yes, he retains the "Wild 24" text from his Japanese-market name and toy ID number.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/SuperX-Brawn/x-brawn.htm More information on Super X-Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SuperClear}}
[[File:RID-toy XBrawn WildrideClear.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|X-posed-Brawn]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''3 Super Car Robo Brother Set <Clear Version>''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-024-S''' (Wildride only)
:*''Release date'': [[September 24]], 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right running-rails/missiles, brushguard/knuckle

:As part of the "3 Super Car Robo Brother Set" ({{ruby|S|スーパー}}カーロボ3兄弟セット <クリアーバージョン>), a version of Super Wildride with clear-plastic car panels was available with clear-car-part versions of [[Side Burn (RID)#SuperClear|Super Speedbreaker]] and [[Prowl (RID)#SuperClear|Super Mach Alert]]; the toys still use their Super Mode detail paint, but not the car-panel base-paint, and no other plastic colors were changed.

: This [[exclusive]] set was first available at the Osaka Toys Land Show on [[September 24]]th, then again at Super Festival 19 on [[October 9]]th, both times for 6000 yen, with the set being limited to 1500 pieces total between the two shows. He was also available at [[BotCon Japan 2000]].

:*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearWildRide/wildride.htm More information on Clear Wildride at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Spychanger}}
[[File:RID-toy XBrawn-SpyChanger.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''X-Brawn & Scourge''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2002)}}</ul>

: A very simplified, [[Spychanger]]-styled version of X-Brawn's larger toy, he was only available in a Basic-sized package with a similarly-styled version of [[Scourge (RID)#Spychanger|Scourge]]. This toy is noteworthy for being one of only four ''totally'' new molds designed for Hasbro's ''Robots in Disguise'' line (most of the others that had not been released previously were designed for other earlier lines, but were canceled).

: This mold was used to make one version of ''Universe'' [[Hoist (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Hoist]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/X-BrawnGobot/x-brawn.htm More information on Spychanger X-Brawn at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*According to [[Aaron Archer]], the "X-" part of his name was not there for [[trademark]] reasons, as many fans hypothesized. They just thought adding it to "Brawn" sounded cool at the time.
*There is circumstantial evidence suggesting, like Goosher being "Wartoad" before "[[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]]" and X-Car being "X-Tech" before "[[Crosswise (RID)|Crosswise]]", that there was some uncertainty over just what Wildride's English name was going to be. Though Hasbro filed a [[trademark]] application for [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76222791 X-Brawn] in March 2001, they filed an application for "[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76234650 Strongarm]" in April 2001... ''three years'' before the first Transformer named [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]] would debut at retail. With X-Brawn's function being "Strong-Armed Fighter" and his gigantic arm, it is possible the name "Strongarm" was originally meant for him, though why it would have been applied for ''after'' his final retail name is difficult to say. On the other hand, in the same year, Hasbro did separately apply for the legally indistinguishable names [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76232057 Sideburn] and [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76283034 Side Burn], four months apart...
*Inexplicably, the One-Step changer version of [[Rollbar (AOE)#OneStepChanger|''Age of Extinction'' Rollbar]] has a robot mode that is directly based on X-Brawn.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Wildride''' (ワイルドライド ''Wairudoraido''), '''Super Wildride''' ({{ruby|S|スーパー}}ワイルドライド ''Sūpā Wairudoraido''), '''X-Brawn''' (Xブローン ''Ekkusu Burōn'')
*''Korean:'' '''Wildride''' (와일드라이드 ''Waildeuraideu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dà Hàn''' (China, 大汉, "Big")

[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]

Prowl (RID)

2025-10-29T20:15:37Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot|ozsa|hofsilver}}
{{picsneeded|Toys.}}
{{disambig3|Prowl}}
:''Prowl is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''
[[File:RIDProwlanime.jpg|225px|thumb|A complete and total wankus.]]

The middle of the three [[Autobot Brothers]], '''Prowl''' (aka '''Mach Alert''') is very much unlike his siblings in that he lives life "by the book," and wants to make sure everyone else does too. He's proud to be a police officer and works to maintain discipline both among humans and his fellow Autobots. Prowl usually speaks in a clipped firm manner as he informs all around him of what they have recently done wrong. His strict reliance on the rulebook often hinders him from thinking creatively, and he can also be so impressed by seeing someone else stick firmly to procedure that he won't analyze whether they're actually being helpful.

Not to give the impression he's a fool, though. He may be uptight, but his precaution has pulled the Autobots out of peril many times in the past. Not only that, but he's a solid hand-to-hand combat expert who won't back down from a fight... as long as protocol allows it.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Wayne C. Lewis]] (English), [[Takayuki Kondō]] (Japanese)|[[Alexandr Novikov]] (Russian, till [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Vladimir Gerasimov]] (Russian, from [[Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!]]), [[Luigi Ferraro]] (Italian), [[Wan-gyeong Seong]] (Korean), [[Gabriel Gama]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Marcelo Garcia]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}
[[File:Explosive Situation Prowl.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Someone move that voice actor list, I can't see!"]]
When contacted by [[T-AI]] and informed that [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] was attacking [[New York City|New York]], the first thing Prowl did was fetch his younger brother [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], who was chasing red sports cars as usual. Joining [[X-Brawn]], they used the [[Global Space Bridge]] to reach New York, where they engaged the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] in combat. Prowl proved particularly effective against [[Gas Skunk]], but the battle ultimately ended with Megatron abducting [[Koji Onishi|Koji]]'s father, [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

The [[Autobot Brothers]] were later assigned to intercept the Predacons, who were prowling [[Metro City]] and stealing batteries from cars. Prowl again interrupted Side Burn's red sports car hunt to point out that he was supposed to be patrolling. The pair soon spotted [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] attacking the very sports car Side Burn had just been chasing and Prowl ended up rescuing [[Kelly (RID)|the driver]] after the car was destroyed. Once X-Brawn retrieved the explosive device which Sky-Byte had been after, Prowl told him to take it to the top of the tallest structure in the city. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

Assigned to protect the [[Linear RFG]] bullet train, the Autobot Brothers found themselves tangling with the Predacons who were trying to blow up a rail bridge on the train's path. Ultimately they were unable to save the bridge, but the train was saved by [[Team Bullet Train]]. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} Together with [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], the brothers protected the [[Plutonium Energy Generator]] from the Predacons. They escorted the generator as it was transported across the city the next day, with Prowl becoming increasingly exasperated by Side Burn's endless complaining. They were brought to a halt by a traffic jam engineered by [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]]. Fortunately the [[Spychanger]]s were able to lend a hand and the Autobot Brothers got to sit back and watch the Predacons' defeat. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

[[File:Hunt for Black Pyramid Prowl vehicle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I can't tell if I'm going fast or just in front of anime streaks!]]
On another mission, Optimus joined the Autobot Brothers at the end of the Global Space Bridge, which was terminated some distance short of a ship under attack by Predacons. Prowl used his jet boosters in vehicle mode in order to try to jump out to the stricken vessel, but fell somewhat short and spent most of the battle reaching the target location. Once there he gave the repaired ship the final nudge to return it to an even keel. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}}

When Megatron and the Predacon trio attacked Metro City, T-AI discovered that X-Brawn and Prowl were both busy out hunting for Side Burn, who was exploring some ruins with Koji. The pair eventually reached the ruins and were in time to stop Sky-Byte making off with a box, which turned out to contain Doctor Onishi's microchip. This held much valuable information and would help the Autobots greatly in the struggle to follow. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

[[File:Sideburn's Obsession Prowl disguise.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Robots in disguise!]]
After having to stop Side Burn from chasing red sports cars (...again), Prowl became concerned when his brother disappeared. As it turned out, Side Burn had been captured by the Predacons. Optimus, despite the remaining two brothers' protests that it was an obvious trap, went in and was captured as well. X-Brawn and Prowl heavily disguised their vehicle modes in order to creep close enough to get the drop on the Predacons, allowing them to rescue their comrades. At the beginning of the resulting battle, Prowl used his "Jet Boosters" attack... and threw his only weapon at Megatron. That was pretty much all he did for the whole fight. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

The brothers were assigned to protect "[[Grandpa]]", an aging steam train. In the end Team Bullet Train did most of the work protecting Grandpa, but Prowl and X-Brawn were busy stopping Side Burn from chasing red sports cars anyhow. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}} Prowl unsuccessfully attempted to catch [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]], a recently arrived Autobot, during the [[Europa 400]]. Skid-Z had scanned a racing car and become possessed by the urge to compete in races. All three brothers volunteered to enter the [[International Grand Prix]], which it was believed Skid-Z would compete in—Prowl enjoyed the scenery, but not the difficult driving conditions. He, Optimus and the other two brothers found themselves holding up a huge rock dropped onto them by Megatron. Fortunately Skid-Z himself turned up and destroyed the rock, allowing them to chase Megatron off. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Tow-Line Goes Haywire Prowl towline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|And thus the student became the master.]]
Another new arrival, [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]] was also in the law enforcement business, so Prowl took him under his wing. Unfortunately Tow-Line was over-zealous with his towing and caused Prowl no end of headaches with his antics. Finally Prowl spotted Tow-Line towing [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]] and realised something was seriously wrong. He lured Tow-Line by parking in the middle of an intersection, and he and Optimus found that the Autobot had been tampered with by the Predacons. After some repairs, Tow-Line led them to the three hijacked Autobots and they chased off the Predacons. Later on, as Prowl enjoyed being washed by Koji, he was suddenly towed away by Tow-Line for illegal parking... {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

When the Predacons became convinced that the "[[Cave of the Dragon]]" harboured a powerful Transformer, X-Brawn and Prowl guarded it. All three brothers employed their acting skills to try to make the Predacons think that the disguises Optimus and Team Bullet Train were wearing were a giant transforming robot, and got fired on by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] for their trouble. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}} Called in to the Autobot Base, Prowl and the rest of the Autobots watched footage of their old adventures and speculated on where the Predacon base might be located. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

[[File:Commandos Prowl.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"You're jaywalking, citizen."]]
Optimus and the Autobot brothers went to [[Castle Peak]] to investigate what turned out to be a crashed Autobot spacecraft. Unfortunately they were unable to prevent Megatron stealing the six protoforms inside and taking them to a [[McKinley Army Base|nearby military base]] where the protoforms were reformatted into [[Decepticon]] warriors. {{storylink|The Decepticons}} Sent to [[Sherman Dam]] to investigate X-Brawn's disappearance, Prowl and Side Burn encountered the Decepticons and were both tossed into the lake behind the dam, at the bottom of which they were reunited with X-Brawn. The trio were freed when the Decepticons blew a hole in the dam and, in the ensuing fight, they aided [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in fighting off [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}}

After the Decepticon [[Movor]] was shot into space, he tracked Prowl in an attempt to locate the hidden Autobot base. Unfortunately Prowl was busy chasing a criminal along with a bunch of identical police cars, and Movor lost track of which one was the Autobot. After returning to base, Prowl was briefed on what was happening, and the Autobots used Side Burn, who Movor was presently tracking, to lead the Decepticons into a trap. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[File:The Test Side Burn Prowl.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Yep, forgot to shave this morning...]]
[[Mega-Octane]] met with Optimus claiming that the Decepticons had rediscovered their Autobot sides. Although the Autobot brothers were sceptical, they babysat the Decepticons who were forced to do all manner of menial tasks. The brother finally admitted that perhaps the six Decepticons were honest after all. Of course, it wasn't long before the plot was revealed and the brothers were alerted to a brawl between Optimus, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and Ruination. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

The three brothers were called to a power plant where they chased off Sky-Byte and the Predacons. Later X-Brawn was told by Sky-Byte that the Decepticons were going to raid the [[Bayshore power plant]]. The brothers rushed there, only to be told by T-AI that the Decepticons had actually attacked the [[Crestline power plant]] instead. They proceeded to the correct plant to find the Decepticons had already been seen off by Rail Racer. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

Sent to a diamond mine, the three brothers were brought up short by an incomplete space bridge, and were introduced to the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]]. Keen to prove themselves in battle, the Build Team took over the mission at the mine. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}} Using the Global Space Bridge some time later, Prowl found himself landing up in wet concrete and had to ask for assistance getting out. He was able to rendezvous with the other Autobots in the [[Arctic]], where they watched [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] fight off Megatron. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}} After being duped out of stolen oil by the Build Team, the Decepticons began attacking construction equipment. The Autobots attempted to stop them without involving the Build Team, but had little success. A final attempt to confront the Decepticons had the three Autobot Brothers turn up in the middle of nowhere—the Build Team had sabotaged the space bridge so they could confront the Decepticons themselves. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

[[File:Ultra Magnus Prowl.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Dead or alive, you're coming with me.]]
While attempting to stop the Decepticons raiding an oil refinery, the three brothers were interrupted by a [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|mysterious Autobot car carrier]], who insulted them as the Decepticons escaped. Later they encountered the Autobot again and this time he scrambled their circuits and deposited them in a junk yard. Once they'd recovered, Optimus called them back to base for a systems check. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Optimus confronted the Autobot named Ultra Magnus himself and was soon overpowered. The Autobot Brothers rescued him from the battlefield and took him to an island to recuperate. A short time later, Optimus was attacked by the Decepticons, and the brothers found the portal at the end of the space bridge had been blocked by Sky-Byte. They eventually broke through only to witness Optimus and Ultra Magnus combining into [[Omega Prime]] for the first time. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:Two Faces Prowl powerup.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|]]
Tracking Ultra Magnus, the Autobot Brothers spied him talking with Sky-Byte and assumed he was betraying them. The trio soon found themselves captured by the Predacons and were promptly freed by Magnus, who informed them he was pretending to defect in order to gain information. Returning to help Optimus against the Predacons, the three brothers found themselves being beaten on by Megatron. All three of them received a sudden power boost which was somehow channelled through Magnus, powering them up and enabling them to fight off the Predacons, with a little help from Omega Prime. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Prowl and Side Burn went out looking for Ultra Magnus and soon found him. Tailing the Autobot, they saw him talking with Scourge and confronted him, only for him to flee and leave them to fight Scourge and Ruination. Although the two brothers powered up for battle, they began to experience an odd energy drain and had to be rescued by Optimus and X-Brawn. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

[[File:Koji Gets His Wish Prowl koji.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey look, a Pokémon!!]]
The Autobot Brothers were sent to guard the subway below Metro City as the Build Team was searching for some mysterious ruins. The trio were confronted by the Decepticons, come to find the same ruins, and left them to the tender mercies of Team Bullet Train. Wandering further, they encountered Ultra Magnus and Side Burn was distracted by a hallucination of red sports cars, leading the group to the ruins themselves. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} To their surprise the ruins turned out to be [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], whom the Autobots set about concealing in Metro City. While patrolling to ensure the operation wasn't uncovered, the Autobot Brothers stumbled on Sky-Byte talking to Koji and confronted the shark. Koji discovered that the pod Sky-Byte had been carrying contained his abducted father and interrupted the fight to tell the Autobots that Sky-Byte had rescued his dad. The three brothers apologised to Sky-Byte, who realised his huge blunder and fled in panic. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

Doctor Onishi and T-AI quickly worked out a way to locate the remaining [[O-Part]]s needed and the Autobot Brothers and the Build Team had a competition to find the most of the artefacts. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Back in the Autobot base, T-AI merged with the O-Parts. She soon sent Optimus and the Autobot brothers, with Koji tagging along, to a remote part of the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]] in search of the [[Orb of Sigma]]. The foursome located the Orb under the desert and fought Megatron and the Decepticons for possession of it, eventually returning it to base with their prize. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}}

With information extracted from the Orb, the brothers and Build Team visited a temple from which they extracted [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the control robot for Fortress Maximus. They were confronted on exiting the temple by the Decepticons and Predacons who stole Cerebros. The Autobots were forced to go on the defensive against the Decepticons and guard Maximus' hiding place. Scourge managed to activate Maximus anyway, and the giant was only stopped by the intervention of Koji Onishi. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:Mistaken Identity Scourge Prowl.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Never ending fight, between black and white...]]
Scourge attempted to control Maximus in the desert by magnifying the human portion of his bio-signature. Again Optimus and the Autobot Brothers rushed there. While Side Burn looked after Koji and his dad, X-Brawn and Prowl charged Ruination, who swiftly defeated them. Maximus was subsequently halted by the arrival of the Build Team and Team Bullet Train with a thousand children. {{storylink|The Human Element}} Having thwarted one attempt by Scourge and Mega-Octane to kidnap Koji, the brothers were assigned to guard him. Koji wasn't keen on being guarded and swapped clothing with his friend [[Carl (RID)|Carl]], leading to Carl being kidnapped by the Decepticons in another attempt to control Maximus. Optimus and the Autobot Brothers were able to rescue Carl and retrieve Cerebros into the bargain. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

[[File:Galvatron's Revenge Prowl.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Prowl fights the urge to start chasing his brother.]]
When the Decepticons located and attacked Autobot headquarters, the Autobots led them into a trap and engaged them in a fierce battle. The arrival of Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'' turned the tide in the Decepticons' favour, until the Autobots were able to activate Fortress Maximus and destroy the battle station. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Galvatron, however, was not through and began to drain energy from Fortress Maximus. The brothers attempted to shoot him down without success. After Galvatron managed to use [[cyber-bat]]s to control Earth's children, Omega Prime called a retreat, but the Autobots were followed into the Global Space Bridge by the Decepticons. Galvatron saw this as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, and flooded the tunnel with molten lava. The Autobots, with the help of some urging from Koji, were able to escape the lava and confront Galvatron once more. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The Autobots soon found themselves on the losing end of the battle, and shielded Optimus long enough for their leader to find Ultra Magnus and form Omega Prime. During the final confrontation between Galvatron and Prime, the rest of the Autobots were all held paralysed but provided Prime with moral support.

After Galvatron's defeat, Prowl resumed his duties stopping Side Burn from chasing red sports cars. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{--}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:DWSummerspecial RID Autobrothers Megs.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Worst panel ever? Probably.]]
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] led an attack on [[Arizona]] to drain the energy out of a vague and nondescript building in the middle of the desert, [[T-AI]] tried to call upon the Autobot brothers to help, but Prowl, [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]] and [[X-Brawn]] were busy tangling with [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] in [[Oregon]].

Megatron eventually fled the battle, and Prowl arrived to help Optimus, only to find the conflict resolved. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====''Universe'' comic====
[[File:Prowl-large-Universe-OTFCC-2004-unpublished.jpg|left|thumb|Hollow-point missiles are standard police gear, right?]]
{{voiceactor|[[Daniel Ross]] (English)}}

During the [[Universe War]], Child of Primus scientist [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] built a device to counteract [[Unicron]]'s attempts to abduct Transformers from across the multiverse. Two such attempts were only partially successful, sending the would-be abductees, including [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], Prowl, and [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] from [[Viron 903.0 Beta|some universe]], to a barren, icy planetoid and necessitating the deployment of a rescue team. Unfortunately, Unicron also sent a team of [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion]]s to the planetoid to "recruit" the victims. Prowl worked with the Child rescue team and Unicron's other victims as well as a group of Autobots accidentally pulled in from the past by Rhinox's device to successfully defeat the Minions. During the clash, he was very confused to run into a [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Spychanger continuity|tiny female Optimus Prime]]. She wished Prowl would stop yelling the attacks that he was about to do.

The anti-Unicron forces emerged victorious. The temporally-displaced Autobots were sent back to their proper spacetime {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}} while Prowl, Side Burn, and Landfill were sent back to [[Viron 903.0 Beta|their home reality]] without ever participating in the Universe War. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/13}}
{{--}}

====''Legends'' comic====
{{CRnote|Prowl|[[Prowl (G1)|Generation 1 Prowl]]}}
Prowl was present at the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] when it was attacked by the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] as part of [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s attempt to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]]. He took the time to explain what happened to the old [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Brave Maximus]]. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

Prowl and the Dimensional Patrol later traveled to the [[Legends World]] at the request of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]. They helped defend the inhabitants from the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] army and the rampaging [[Majin Zarak]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}}

===Shell Game continuity===
[[File:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|thumb|This is not a dignified withdrawal procedure!]]
====Ask Vector Prime====
Prowl was pulled from his home universe of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] by [[Unicron]] to fight in the [[Universe War]] on the eve of a critical battle, leading to [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s defeat at the hands of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
Eventually, both Prowl and Side Burn ended up fighting alongside their comrades [[Ratchet (Universe)|Ratchet]] and [[Fireflight (Universe Deluxe)|Fireflight]] in the Universe conflict, as members of [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]]'s [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] against the [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. In the final battle against the Minions, the Chaos Bringer began to dissolve below them just as the Children's victory was achieved. To save themselves, Primal led his troops (presumably) back to his [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] through a transwarp portal. Side Burn and Prowl were personally thrown by [[Omega Prime]] (not the one of their home universe) through the portal. Prowl presumably made it to safety on Primal's technorganic Cybertron, but Omega Prime was diverted to [[Aurex 405.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}
{{--}}

===Spychanger continuity===
====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:WorldsCollide4 Viron universe portal.jpg|thumb|left|I'm actually here to detain one [[Pat Lee]] for financial crimes.]]
When the [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] destabilized the [[space bridge nexus]] in [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma]], causing the space bridges to become windows to other dimensions, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] caught a glimpse of the Optimus Prime and Prowl of [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
[[File:Prowl-Spychanger-Universe-OTFCC_2004-unpublished.jpg|200px|thumb|Nobody move or I shoot the text next to me!]]
When the [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] of this world accidentally turned all of Earth's energon toxic, Optimus Prime and her troops had to downsize into new Spychanger forms to survive, much to the amusement of the Predacons... until the Autobots blew up the Predacons' pure energon and the bad guys ran out of energy. Optimus's nemesis [[Scourge (RID)#Ask Vector Prime|Scourge]] was the only villain that made the shift to a Spychanger body, but she too was defeated by Prime's army. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18}}

====OTFCC Voice Actor Drama====
{{voiceactor|[[Clive Ramroop]] (English)}}

Prowl and his cohorts, [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]], and [[Ironhide (RID)|Ironhide]] were later plucked from their universe and stranded on a frozen planetoid, a side effect of [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]'s device that blocked [[Unicron]]'s attempt to kidnap Transformers from multiple dimensions. These stranded Autobots were targeted for 'recruitment' by [[Reptilion]] but rescued by the [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]].

While a group of old fogey Autobots that included [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] were sent back to their timeline, Optimus and her crew appeared to stick around for the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}}

===Legends World===
Responding to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]'s involuntary rampage in Tokyo, Prowl and T-AI could do little but watch as the heavily armed Maximal swung his weapons around, and decided to rely on the heroic [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]'s help. When Rattrap showed up, however, he transformed into a bizarre half-rat-half-robot form that scared Prowl and T-AI and sent them fleeing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 2|Bonus Edition Vol. 2}}

===''TransTech''===
[[File:Offworldercop-CMW.jpg|thumb|left|*Cue S.W.A.T. theme song*]]
Prowl was part of the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration|Offworlder Zone Security Administration]] and aided his fellow police officers in arresting [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]], [[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]], and [[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]]. {{Storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID-toy Prowl-MachAlert.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Initial "all clear" version shown here. (''Takara version pictured'')]]
[[File:RID Prowl Toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|(''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Mach Alert''' (2000) / '''Prowl''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-003'''
:*''Accessories'': Left & right "Booster Parts" thrusters, 2 flame-missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy),<ref>[[Transformers Generations 2015]], p.73</ref> [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

:Released first as part of the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' series, "Mach Alert" transforms into a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Diablo|Lamborghini Diablo]] police highway pursuit vehicle painted in Japanese police ministry colors. He also has rubber tires over silver vacuum-metalized wheels. In robot mode, he is armed with two pressure-launch missile launchers with flame-shaped projectiles. These launchers are mounted upon his right arm in robot mode, but can also be mounted on his sirens, to form a sort of jetpack. In vehicle mode, they can be mounted on two pegs located on his spoiler.

:Early versions of Mach Alert used an almost completely transparent colorless plastic for its windows and flame missiles, with semi-transparent paint on the flames. Later releases used a darker clear-plastic with brighter, more opaque flame-paint.

:Released a year later by [[Hasbro]] as "Prowl", this version uses the darker clear-plastics/opaque flame-paint combo, but also adds an Autobot [[Insignia|faction symbol]] to his hood. Yes, they kept the Japanese on the doors.

:[[Sonokong]] also released this figure in a gift set with his brothers in [[South Korea]]. This version of Prowl has "POLICE" in English instead of Japanese on the car doors, but otherwise has the same deco as the second Takara release.

:Prowl's car door/skirt flaps are entirely molded in painted translucent plastic, including the ball-joint housing. Unfortunately, the translucent plastic cannot deal with ongoing stress of housing the ball-joint, which only worsens with age, causing it to crack and be left unusable. Due to this, finding copies of this figure with intact skirt flaps is very difficult. This design flaw is unfortunately present in every one of his redecos, as they all made the same use of translucent plastic.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] and the ''Universe'' versions of [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Generation 1 Sideswipe]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Sunstreaker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Prowl/prowl.htm More information on Prowl at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://robonin.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-150.html Japanese blog post comparing both Takara variants and the Sonokong release of Prowl]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SuperProwl}}
[[File:RID-toy Prowl-Super.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Well, you'll know me when you see me, 'cause my door's painted white, With my siren a-screamin' and my flashin' red lights]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Mach Alert''' (2000) / '''Prowl''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-025'''
:*''Accessories'': Left & right thrusters, 2 "flame" missiles

: Mach Alert got a U.S.-police-inspired [[redeco]] as a "[[Super Mode]]". Now with extensive blue [[Spontaneous recoloration|paint]] across his body and blue-and-red lights on his lightbar (and in his shoulders), Prowl also features English "POLICE" text instead of Japanese, with "MACH ALERT" underneath. The toy retains all of its gimmicks from the first version.

:The Hasbro and Takara versions are nigh-identical, except that the Hasbro version yet again adds an Autobot symbol to the hood. While this version of the toy was simply called "Prowl" again with no modifier to denote his new "Super Mode" coloration, he was called "Super Mach Alert" in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/SuperProwl/prowl.htm More information on Super Prowl at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SuperClear}}
[[File:Beast Gens Clear Prowl.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''S(uper) Car Robo 3 ''Kyodai'' Set <Clear Version>''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-025S''' (Prowl only)
:*''Release date'': [[September 24]], 2000
:*''Accessories'': Left & right thrusters, 2 "flame" missiles

:As part of the "3 S(uper) Car Robot Brother Set" (S<ref>"Super" (スーパー) is written in katakana next to the English letter "S" on the packaging, making exact transcription difficult.</ref> カーロボ3兄弟セット <クリアーバージョン>), Mach Alert and his brothers [[Side Burn (RID)#SuperClear|Speedbreaker]] and [[X-Brawn#SuperClear|Wildride]] were cast in mostly colorless-clear plastics (some of the [[unpaintable plastic]] "structural" bits remained opaque), given much of their normal super mode deco (Mach Alert lost his car mode blue), and sold in an [[exclusive]] three-pack. This [[exclusive]] set was first available at the [[Osaka Toys Land Show]] on September 24th, then again at [[Super Festival 19]] on October 9th, both times for 6000 yen, with the set being limited to 1500 pieces total between the two shows. He was also available at [[BotCon Japan 2000]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearMachAlert/machalert.htm More information on Clear Prowl at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Prowl2}}
[[File:RID-toy Prowl2.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|I am no one. And everyone.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Side Swipe & Prowl 2''' (Basic Class 2-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:Originally [[911|an unreleased]] ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] mold, ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Prowl 2]] transforms into a police car based on the 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Interceptor (although some details are closer in similarity to the same year's Chevrolet Impala). He has through-axle construction to allow for super-fast rolling in car mode, and is compatible with many "[[Hot Wheels (franchise)|Hot Wheels]]" and "Matchbox" racetracks. Like his fellow "new"-mold teammates, his rifle stores under his car mode. He was available in a two-pack with [[Side Swipe (RID 2001)|Side Swipe]]. This set was unique to the Hasbro line, and was never available in Japan.

:For information on the character status of Prowl 2, see the page on "[[Prowl 2]]".

:This mold was used to make the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' version of [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Generation 1 Prowl]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Prowl2/prowl2.htm More information on Prowl 2 at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TinyTin}}
[[File:RIDTinyTinsProwl2.jpg|thumb|upright=1|Metal coffin included!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Prowl 2''' (Tiny Tins, 2002)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle, carrying tin

:Prowl 2 was one of several ''Robots in Disguise'' toys to be sold as an individual in a [[Tiny Tins]] release, with a pocket-sized carrying case. The actual toy is unchanged from the two-pack version.
{{--}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:Universe2003toy-ProwlDeluxe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Like my new tattoo?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Prowl''' (Deluxe Class, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Left & right thrusters, 2 "flame" missiles, CD

:The original Prowl toy was [[repaint]]ed as one of a half-dozen Wal-Mart ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' exclusives put out in 2004. The robot mode is nearly identical to the original deco, with the vehicle mode using the same base colors and black "Japanese police" lower deco, but all the police markings have been removed. Instead, his doors have been adorned with stylized dragon [[tampograph]]s, his hood has a ''massive'' Autobot symbol, a large "1 0 5" crosses the top of his windshield, and random red boxes dot his spoiler and the lower portion of the doors. Wow.

:He also came with an ''[[Transformers: Universe CD-ROM|interactive CD-ROM!!!]]'' with all sorts of content.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/TFUProwl/prowl.htm More information on ''Universe'' Prowl at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|WMSC}}
[[File:TFU03-toy ProwlFireChief.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|He comes with tiny justice.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime with Prowl''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2003)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

: Spychanger Prowl is a [[redeco]] of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] Prowl 2, painted to match [[Red Alert (G1)|Generation 1 Red Alert]], transforming into a Chevrolet Caprice. His vehicle mode has through-axle construction so it zips along quickly on smooth surfaces. His robot-mode rifle stores beneath his rear axle in vehicle mode. He is also semi-compatible with race tracks and playsets from ''Hot Wheels'' or ''Matchbox'' sets.

: He was only available in a Wal-Mart [[exclusive]] multi-pack with [[Optimus Prime (RID)#WMSC|Optimus Prime]].

: This mold was also used to make the ''Universe'' "Spy Changer" incarnation of [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Generation 1 Prowl]]. This toy was also [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 [[Red Alert (G1)#Renegade Rhetoric|Red Alert]] in [[Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/TFUSpyProwl/prowl.htm More information on Prowl at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*Given that the original Prowl toy's Hasbro [[bio]] talks about his "new spark engine" and the enhanced attributes it gave him, while the bio of his super mode toy merely describes his personality and abilities, it seems that the two were accidentally swapped at some point in production. The same thing happened to Side Burn.
*Based on Prowl's law enforcement activities in car form, he appears to have official standing in the Metro City police (or at least his car mode does). This is especially notable in "[[Attack from Outer Space]]", where he joins a police chase, announces his callsign as "unit 3", and calls in a request for further back up.
*"[[Prowl 2]]" is wrapped up in some headache-inducing character ambiguity that has some excessively convoluted thing to do with an offhanded shout-out in the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' story, ''Car Robots'' being [[Retcon|retroactively]] brought into the Japanese Generation 1 uber-timeline, and probably the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' too, and the non-''Car-Robots'' Spychangers' lack of Hasbro bios. Thankfully, the Facebook version of [[Ask Vector Prime]] finally cleared things up in 2015!
*In ''Car Robots'', Prowl addresses X-Brawn using ''aniue'' (兄上), a formal way of saying "elder brother", in contrast to Side Burn's more casual ''aniki'' (兄貴) in the context of "big bro".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Mach Alert''' (マッハアラート ''Mahha Arāto''), '''Super Mach Alert''' (スーパーマッハアラート ''Sūpā Mahha Arāto'')
*''Korean:'' '''Mach Alert''' (마하앨러트 ''Maha Aelleoteu'')
*''Russian:'' '''Prol''' (Прол)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Children of Primus]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Tiny Tins]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]

Side Burn (RID)

2025-10-29T20:14:54Z

Banannixx: Adding the original names to help people who want to watch Car Robots.

{{factions|autobot|cybEmpireG2}}
{{disambig3|Side Burn}}
:''Side Burn is an [[Autobot]] originally from the [[Robots in Disguise continuity family]].''

[[File:SideBurnAnime.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ladies...]]
'''Side Burn''' (aka '''Speedbreaker''') is an adolescent speedster and turbo-revving young punk. His brain development has yet to catch up with his ego and robo-hormones, and if he gets bored or preoccupied he'll wander away from his assignment or get in the way of someone else's without a second thought. This is particularly annoying to his law-abiding brother [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]] and the fussbudget Autobot computer known as [[T-AI]]. Even the more easygoing [[X-Brawn]] can grow tired of his antics. They're no fun anyway, and he can always outrun them. He can outrun just about everybody and everything except his own foolishness.

His greatest folly is his fixation on red cars. Transformer or not, sentient or not, he can't resist chasing after a pretty little thing of the red persuasion, proclaiming loudly and often his libidinous designs. This is usually a bad idea, and occasionally a ''very'' bad idea, like that one time the red car turned out to be [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] in disguise. However, upon powering up his [[Super Mode|Supercharge Mode]], his own blue paint job [[Spontaneous recoloration|becomes]] bright red; make what you will of this development.

Side Burn is a good talker as well as a good racer. He can tell a real tearjerker of a story if he's in the mood. Ask [[Slapper (RID)|Slapper]] about it some time.

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Wally Wingert]] (English), [[Punch UFO]] (Japanese)|[[Mikhail Tihonov]] (Russian), [[Francesco Pezzulli]] (Italian), [[Seok Jeong Yang]] (Korean), [[Carlos Íñigo]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Jorge Destez]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Battle Protocol Side Burn.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"That's one good synopsis of Battle Protocol, alright."]]
As usual, Side Burn was chasing a red sports car when Megatron attacked [[New York City]]. So engrossed was he that Prowl had to interrupt him to answer T-AI's summons to the [[Global Space Bridge]]. The three brothers reached New York where Side Burn commented that he'd forgotten how ugly the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] were, and proceeded to see off [[Dark Scream]] with a missile. The battle ultimately ended with Megatron abducting [[Koji Onishi|Koji's]] father, [[Kenneth Onishi|Doctor Onishi]]. {{storylink|Battle Protocol!}}

The [[Autobot Brothers]] were later assigned to intercept the Predacons, who were prowling [[Metro City]] and stealing batteries from cars. Prowl again interrupted Side Burn's red sports car hunt to point out that he was supposed to be patrolling. The pair soon spotted [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] attacking the very sports car Side Burn had just been chasing and his heart was broken when the car was subsequently destroyed. {{storylink|An Explosive Situation}}

Assigned to protect the [[Linear RFG]] bullet train, the Autobot Brothers found themselves tangling with the Predacons, who were trying to blow up a rail bridge on the train's path. Ultimately they were unable to save the bridge, but the train was saved by [[Team Bullet Train]]. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} Together with [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], the brothers protected a [[Plutonium Energy Generator]] from the Predacons. They escorted the generator as it was transported across the city the next day, with Prowl becoming increasingly exasperated by Side Burn's endless complaining. They were brought to a halt by a traffic jam engineered by Slapper. Fortunately the [[Spychanger]]s were able to lend a hand and the Autobot Brothers got to sit back and watch the Predacons' defeat. {{storylink|Spychangers to the Rescue}}

[[File:Hunt for Black Pyramid Sideburnchicken.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Side Burn IS Spider-Man!]]
On another mission, Optimus joined the Autobot Brothers at the end of the Global Space Bridge, which was terminated some distance short of a ship under attack by Predacons. Side Burn was the first to attempt to jump out to the ship... but chickened out at the last moment. After Prowl and Optimus made their attempts, Side Burn hitched a ride with X-Brawn and provided protection while his older brother repaired the stricken ship. {{storylink|The Hunt for Black Pyramid}}

To help cheer Koji up, Side Burn took the boy on a visit to the [[Payuma ruins]]. The pair soon found themselves tangling with Sky-Byte, who was also exploring the ruins, and were forced to get higher in order to radio the other Autobots to alert them to the problem. Side Burn's brothers stopped Sky-Byte escaping with a box which turned out to contain [[Doctor Onishi's microchip]]. This held much valuable information and would help the Autobots greatly in the struggle to follow. {{storylink|The Secret of the Ruins}}

[[File:Sideburn's Obsession Sideburngasskunkdarkscream.jpg|left|upright=1.15|thumb|Once Zed arrives, the party can begin.]]
The Predacons finally hatched a trap—Megatron disguised himself as a red sports car and lured Side Burn to a junk yard where the Autobot was captured and tied up by the other Predacons. Slapper asked him why he liked red sports cars, and he spun a tale of lost love when he was just a young tricycle. Unfortunately the kidnapping lured Optimus Prime to the car crushing plant where Side Burn was being held, and the Autobot leader was also captured. The pair were soon rescued by X-Brawn, Prowl and the Spychangers, and fought off the Predacons. Though Side Burn announced he'd learnt his lesson, a few minutes later he was chasing another red sports car. {{storylink|Sideburn's Obsession}}

The brothers were assigned to protect "[[Grandpa]]", an aging steam train. In the end Team Bullet Train did most of the work protecting Grandpa, but Prowl and X-Brawn were busy stopping Side Burn from chasing red sports cars anyhow. {{storylink|Secret Weapon: D-5}} All three brothers volunteered to enter the [[International Grand Prix]] in order to try and find [[Skid-Z (RID)|Skid-Z]], a recently arrived Autobot who had scanned a racing car and become possessed by the urge to compete in races. Side Burn attempted to chat up a red sports car at the starting line, only to realise it was Sky-Byte when it talked back. Once the race began, Skid-Z failed to show up—but the Predacons did, and Optimus and the three brothers found themselves holding up a huge rock dropped onto them by Megatron. Fortunately Skid-Z himself finally turned up and destroyed the rock, allowing them to chase Megatron off. {{storylink|Skid Z's Choice}}

[[File:Tow-Line Goes Haywire Side burn.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ooooh, kinky!]]
Side Burn was parked happily ogling a red sports car in a showroom when he was abruptly towed away, protesting the whole time. Once Prowl had released him, he was introduced to the tow truck—the recently arrived Autobot [[Tow-Line (RID)|Tow-Line]]. A few hours later, Side Burn was back ogling cars (though disappointingly the red car had been replaced with a yellow one) and was towed again by Tow-Line. This time, however, the other Autobot had been brainwashed by the Predacons and was carrying out their bidding. Side Burn found himself dumped into a pit at a power plant along with X-Brawn and [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]]. The trapped trio made some unsuccessful attempts to escape before they were rescued by a repaired Tow-Line and fought the Predacons once more. {{storylink|Tow-Line Goes Haywire}}

When the Predacons became convinced that the "[[Cave of the Dragon]]" harboured a powerful Transformer, the three brothers employed their acting skills to try to make the Predacons think that the disguises Optimus and Team Bullet Train were wearing were a giant transforming robot, and got fired on by [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] for their trouble. {{storylink|The Ultimate Robot Warrior}} Called in to the Autobot Base, Side Burn and the rest of the Autobots watched footage of their old adventures and speculated on where the Predacon base might be located. {{storylink|Hope for the Future}}

Optimus and the Autobot brothers went to [[Castle Peak]] to investigate what turned out to be a crashed Autobot spacecraft. Unfortunately they were unable to prevent Megatron stealing the six [[protoform]]s inside and taking them to a [[McKinley Army Base|nearby military base]] where the protoforms were reformatted into [[Decepticon]] warriors. {{storylink|The Decepticons|The Decepticons}} Sent to [[Sherman Dam]] to investigate X-Brawn's disappearance, Prowl and Side Burn encountered the Decepticons and were both tossed into the lake behind the dam, at the bottom of which they were reunited with X-Brawn. The trio were freed when the Decepticons blew a hole in the dam and, in the ensuing fight, they aided [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]] in fighting off [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}}

[[File:Attack from Outer Space Side Burn.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Sideswipe is a guy?!]]
After the Decepticon [[Movor]] was shot into space, he tracked the Autobots in an attempt to locate the hidden Autobot base. Side Burn was, of course, doing some tracking of his own—[[Kelly (RID)|Kelly]]'s sports car to be exact—and led the Decepticons on a merry chase. Informed by X-Brawn that the love of his life was waiting at [[Pier 7B]], Side Burn raced there to find the other Autobots waiting to spring a trap on the Decepticons who were still tailing him. {{storylink|Attack from Outer Space}}

[[Mega-Octane]] met with Optimus, claiming that the Decepticons had rediscovered their Autobot sides. The Autobot brothers were skeptical, so Side Burn came up with the bright idea of testing their honesty by forcing them to do all manner of menial tasks. After watching them all day, the brothers finally admitted that perhaps the six Decepticons were honest after all. Of course, it wasn't long before the plot was revealed and the brothers were alerted to a brawl between Optimus, [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and Ruination. {{storylink|The Test (episode)|The Test}}

The three brothers were called to a power plant where they chased off Sky-Byte and the Predacons. Later X-Brawn was told by Sky-Byte that the Decepticons were going to raid the [[Bayshore power plant]]. The brothers rushed there only to be told by T-AI that the Decepticons had actually attacked the [[Crestline power plant]] instead. They proceeded to the correct plant to find the Decepticons had already been seen off by Rail Racer. {{storylink|The Fish Test}}

[[File:Landfill Sideburncrash.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"T-AI! Don't scream over the comm like that!" "That wasn't me, X-Brawn."]]
Sent to a diamond mine, the three brothers were brought up short by an incomplete Global Space Bridge, and were introduced to the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]]. Keen to prove themselves in battle, the Build Team took over the mission at the mine. {{storylink|Wedge's Short Fuse}} Using the space bridge some time later, Side Burn ended up first on an island in the middle of a lake, and then in the middle of an indoor go-kart track, due to Decepticon sabotage. He was eventually able to rendezvous with the other Autobots in the Arctic, where they watched [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] fight off Megatron. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}}

In between all their adventures, the Autobots still had to perform some of the more menial tasks, such as regularly testing out the global space bridge. {{storylink|Lessons of the Past}} After being duped out of stolen oil by the Build Team, the Decepticons began attacking construction equipment. The Autobots attempted to stop them without involving the Build Team, but had little success. A final attempt to confront the Decepticons had the three Autobot Brothers turn up in the middle of nowhere—the Build Team had sabotaged the space bridge so they could confront the Decepticons themselves. {{storylink|A Test of Metal}}

[[File:Ultra Magnus Forced Fusion Side Burn.jpg|left|upright=1.15|thumb| Few know that the bathing T-AI toy was originally intended for Side Burn. Hope Prime's not peeking over the rocks.]]
While attempting to stop the Decepticons raiding an oil refinery, the three brothers were interrupted by a [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|mysterious Autobot car carrier]], who insulted them as the Decepticons escaped. Later they encountered the Autobot again and this time he scrambled their circuits and deposited them in a junk yard. Once they'd recovered, Optimus called them back to base for a systems check. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus (episode)|Ultra Magnus}} Optimus confronted the Autobot, named Ultra Magnus, himself and was soon overpowered. The Autobot Brothers rescued him from the battlefield and took him to an island to recuperate. Side Burn kept Optimus company for a while, and learned that Magnus was the Autobot leader's brother. A short time later, Optimus was attacked by the Decepticons, and the brothers found the portal at the end of the space bridge had been blocked by Sky-Byte. They eventually broke through only to witness Optimus and Ultra Magnus combining into [[Omega Prime]] for the first time. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

[[File:Two Faces Ultra Magnus Side Burn powerup.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Kaioken times me!]]
Tracking Ultra Magnus, the Autobot Brothers spied him talking with Sky-Byte and assumed he was betraying them. The trio soon found themselves captured by the Predacons and were promptly freed by Magnus, who informed them he was pretending to defect in order to gain information. Returning to help Optimus against the Predacons, the three brothers found themselves being beaten on by Megatron. All three of them received a sudden power boost which was somehow channeled through Magnus, powering them up and enabling them to fight off the Predacons, with a little help from Omega Prime. {{storylink|The Two Faces of Ultra Magnus}} Prowl and Side Burn went out looking for Ultra Magnus and soon found him. Tailing the Autobot, they saw him talking with Scourge and confronted him, only for him to flee and leave them to fight Scourge and Ruination. Although the two brothers powered up for battle, they began to experience an odd energy drain and had to be rescued by Optimus and X-Brawn. {{storylink|Power to Burn!}}

The Autobot Brothers were sent to guard the subway below Metro City as the Build Team was searching for some mysterious ruins. The trio were confronted by the Decepticons, come to find the same ruins, and left them to the tender mercies of Team Bullet Train. Wandering further, they encountered Ultra Magnus, and Side Burn was distracted by a hallucination of red sports cars, leading the group to the ruins themselves. {{storylink|Fortress Maximus (episode)|Fortress Maximus}} To their surprise the ruins turned out to be [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]], whom the Autobots set about concealing in Metro City. While patrolling to ensure the operation wasn't uncovered, the Autobot Brothers stumbled on Sky-Byte talking to Koji and confronted the shark. Koji discovered that the pod Sky-Byte had been carrying contained his abducted father and interrupted the fight to tell the Autobots that Sky-Byte had rescued his dad. The three brothers apologised to Sky-Byte, who realised his huge blunder and fled in panic. {{storylink|Koji Gets His Wish}}

[[File:Sideburnhearts.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Tuxedo Mask is sooooo dreamy!"]]
Doctor Onishi and T-AI quickly worked out a way to locate the remaining [[O-Part]]s needed and soon the Autobot Brothers were locked in competition with the Build Team to find the most of the artefacts. Side Burn and [[Wedge (RID)|Wedge]] were especially competitive and Side Burn was depressed when his team lost. At least until X-Brawn pointed out the approaching red jeep driven by Kelly. {{storylink|A Friendly Contest}} Back in the Autobot base, T-AI merged with the O-Parts. She soon sent Optimus and the Autobot brothers, with Koji tagging along, to a remote part of the [[Sahara|Sahara Desert]] in search of the [[Orb of Sigma]]. The foursome located the Orb under the desert and fought Megatron and the Decepticons for possession of it, eventually returning it to base. {{storylink|Peril from the Past}}

With information extracted from the Orb, the brothers and the Build Team visited a temple from which they extracted [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]], the control robot for Fortress Maximus. They were confronted on exiting the temple by the Decepticons and Predacons who stole Cerebros. The Autobots were forced to go on the defensive against the Decepticons and guard Maximus' hiding place. Scourge managed to activate Maximus anyway, and the giant was only stopped by the intervention of Koji Onishi. {{storylink|Maximus Emerges}}

[[File:Human Element Side Burn vehicle.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Dude! We're cruisin' the fast track! Back to Transformers on <s>[[Fox Kids]]</s> <s>The Fox Box</s> <s>4Kids TV</s> <s>The CW4Kids</s> <s>Toonzai</s>, [[Vortexx]]... wait, I mean <s>Fox Kids</s> <s>ABC Family</s> <s>Jetix on ABC Family</s> <s>Jetix on Toon Disney</s> Disney XD... oh whatever, forget it.]]
Scourge attempted to control Maximus in the desert by magnifying the human portion of his bio-signature. Again Optimus and the Autobot Brothers rushed there. At Koji's insistence, Side Burn carried the boy closer to try to command Maximus to stop, but Koji was unable to override Scourge's control. Maximus was subsequently halted by the arrival of the Build Team and Team Bullet Train with a thousand children. {{storylink|The Human Element}} Having thwarted one attempt by Scourge and Mega-Octane to kidnap Koji, the brothers were assigned to guard him. Koji wasn't keen on being guarded and swapped clothing with his friend [[Carl (RID)|Carl]], leading to Carl being kidnapped by the Decepticons in another attempt to control Maximus. Optimus and the Autobot Brothers were able to rescue Carl and retrieve Cerebros into the bargain. {{storylink|Mistaken Identity}}

[[File:Galvatron's Revenge Side Burn.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Side Burn ponders if he could chase and harass himself.]]
When the Decepticons located and attacked Autobot headquarters, the Autobots led them into a trap and engaged them in a fierce battle. The arrival of Galvatron's ''[[Megastar]]'' turned the tide in the Decepticons' favour, until the Autobots were able to activate Fortress Maximus and destroy the battle station. {{storylink|Surprise Attack!}} Galvatron, however, was not through and began to drain energy from Fortress Maximus. The brothers attempted to shoot him down without success. After Galvatron managed to use [[cyber-bat]]s to control Earth's children, Omega Prime called a retreat, but the Autobots were followed into the space bridge by the Decepticons. Galvatron saw this as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, and flooded the tunnel with molten lava. The Autobots, with the help of some urging from Koji, were able to escape the lava and confront Galvatron once more. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} The Autobots soon found themselves on the losing end of the battle, and shielded Optimus long enough for their leader to find Ultra Magnus and form Omega Prime. During the final confrontation between Galvatron and Prime, the rest of the Autobots were all held paralysed but provided Prime with moral support.

After Galvatron's defeat, Side Burn returned to chasing red sports cars and being told off by Prowl. {{storylink|The Final Battle (RID)|The Final Battle}}
{{-}}

====Dreamwave ''Robots in Disguise'' comic====
[[File:DWSummerspecial RID Autobrothers Megs.jpg|thumb|"I've got the strangest feeling I'm being turned into something vague and nonsensical!"]]
When [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] led an attack on [[Arizona]] to drain the energy out of a vague and nondescript building in the middle of the desert, [[T-AI]] tried to call upon the Autobot brothers to help, but [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], Side Burn and [[X-Brawn]] were busy tangling with [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] in [[Oregon]].

Megatron eventually fled the battle and Side Burn arrived to help Optimus, only to find the conflict resolved. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus...to the Rescue?}}

====''Universe'' comic====
{{voiceactor|[[Michelle Carolus]] (English)}}
In order to build an army to counteract Unicron in the Universe War, [[Alpha Trion]] gave Optimus Primal the choice of any two Transformers from anywhere or anywhen. A Side Burn was one of these options. Ultimately, Primal chose [[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]]. {{storylink|Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming}}

Later during the Universe War, Rhinox built a device to counteract Unicron's attempts to abduct Transformers from across the multiverse. Two such attempts were only partially successful, sending these would-be abductees, including Side Burn, Prowl, and Landfill from [[Viron 903.0 Beta|a universe]], to a barren, icy planetoid and necessitating the deployment of a rescue team. Unfortunately, Unicron also sent a team of [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minion]]s to the planetoid. The rescue team worked together with Unicron's other victims as well as a group of Autobots accidentally pulled in from the past by Rhinox's device to successfully defeat the Minions. The temporally-displaced Autobots were sent back to their time {{storylink|Voice Actor Drama}} while Side Burn, Prowl, and Landfill were sent back to their home reality without ever participating in the Universe War. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/13}}
{{-}}
====''Legends'' comic====
{{CRnote}}
Side Burn was present at the [[Dimensional Patrol]]'s [[Neo Brave Maximus]] when it was attacked by the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] as part of [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]'s attempt to rescue [[Megatron (RID)|Devil Gigatron]]. He wondered if [[Emissary (RID)|Emissary]] would be as effective, since there were no [[human]] children nearby. {{Storylink|LGEX Scourge Prologue}}

Side Burn and the Dimensional Patrol later traveled to the [[Legends World]] at the request of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]]. They helped defend the inhabitants from the [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] army and the rampaging [[Majin Zarak]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part One}} Side Burn's adventures with the Dimensional Patrol would continue under the leadership of Devil God Fire Convoy. {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

===Shell Game continuity===
[[File:Optimusprimaluniverseend.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|Side Burn loves a good game of multiversal cornhole.]]
====Ask Vector Prime====
Side Burn was pulled from his home universe of [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon]] by [[Unicron]] to fight in the [[Universe War]] on the eve of a critical battle, leading to [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]]'s defeat at the hands of [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
Eventually, both Side Burn and Prowl ended up fighting alongside their comrades [[Ratchet (Universe)|Ratchet]] and [[Fireflight (Universe Deluxe)|Fireflight]] in the Universe conflict with [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]]'s [[Child of Primus|Children of Primus]] against the [[Minion of Unicron (Universe)|Minions of Unicron]]. In the final battle against Unicron, the Chaos Bringer began to dissolve below them just as the Children's victory was achieved. To save themselves, Primal led his troops (presumably) back to his technorganic [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] through a transwarp portal. Side Burn and Prowl were personally thrown by [[Omega Prime]] (not the one of their home universe) through the portal. The two presumably made it safely back to Optimus Primal's universe. However, Omega Prime was diverted to [[Aurex 405.0 Epsilon]]. {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}
{{-}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:SideburnTimelines-profile.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Side Burn, our eyes are up here.]]
Side Burn came from the same production run as [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]]; a glitch in the production run caused Side Burn to roll off the assembly line vastly different in appearance from the others, and especially different in personality from Prowl in specific. At the dawn of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the young Autobot joined the resistance movement against the growing [[Decepticon]] threat. The destruction of the production center that had created him was what had convinced him to join up. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 39|Side Burn's profile in Club magazine #39}}

In order to get sympathy from some [[Red waitress Transformer|sexy]] [[Road Rage (G1)|fembots]], Side Burn posed as the survivor of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]' raid on the [[Elite Guard]] headquarters. It seemed to be working until [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] showed up and called Side Burn by name. Since the real survivor's name was [[Dion (G1)|Dion]], the ladies became less interested. Reminding Side Burn that it was a felony offense to impersonate an Elite Guardsman, Prowl dragged Side Burn away to his real duties elsewhere at the [[Autobot High Council Citadel]]. Side Burn was among the Autobot warriors present when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] accepted his appointment as [[Supreme Commander|commander]] of the new Autobot military. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 1}}

Side Burn was absent from Optimus Prime's mission briefing. When asked about his absence, Prowl believed he knew where he was. It turned out, he was shadowing [[Magnum]] and the Elite Guard as they searched for [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} Side Burn interrupted their search, claiming to know where their target's newest base was located. Though Side Burn didn't really know, he was loud enough that the Decepticons homed in on them first. The Autobots were suddenly surrounded by an immense Decepticon army led by Deathsaurus' new lieutenant, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. Side Burn joined the Autobots in desperately fighting off their attackers, including grabbing [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. But at a crucial moment, he was distracted by [[Lyzack (G1)|a hot femicon with a sword]]. Blast Off took advantage of this by shooting Side Burn, lecturing the Autobot on the importance of paying attention. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 3}}

[[File:BattleLines3-mistakes.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Thankfully, Side Burn and the others were backed up by reinforcements composed of several of the Elite Guard previously thought dead. In the confusion, Side Burn was able to turn the tables on Blast Off by securing him with [[power bond]]s and sitting on him. Still, Side Burn remained distracted by Lyzack, especially when she started laying into Magnum with her sword, but his painting-her-red fantasies were cut off when [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] belted her. At that point he realized he was standing right next to [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and blasted the Decepticon. The Decepticons retreated and Side Burn returned with the other Autobots to their headquarters. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 4}}

One week later, Side Burn was in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with Magnum and Optimus Prime when the pair were interrupted by another Decepticon attack. As they rushed to the walls, they saw them being broken through by the newly created [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} The ensuing battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons was won in the Autobots' favor, but not without Autobot death. An initiative to gather energy had an Autobot crew formed for the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Side Burn was to be part of it, but a Decepticon attack blocked Side Burn and others from reaching the ''Ark''. Thus forced to wait on Cybertron, Side Burn, with the other Autobots remaining on the planet, went into [[stasis hibernation pod]]s, to preserve the little energy they had left till new sources were found. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

In [[2012]], [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] stumbled on Side Burn's pod and it opened, waking the Autobot. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}} As he turned out to be amnesiac, they took him to meet [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 3}} Jhiaxus took him to [[Qre]], where Side Burn got very bored and resorted to racing with the Battlechargers. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 4}} He attempted to hit on [[Nightracer (G2)|Nightracer]], only to be rebuffed with a comment that he was a little young for her. Undaunted and egged on by Runabout, Side Burn went after her. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 5}} When Jhiaxus's base was destroyed, Side Burn suddenly regained his memory. He was able to talk Nightracer into joining the Autobots, and persuaded the Battlechargers that they would be treated leniently if they turned themselves in. Back on Earth, he followed up that promise by speaking up for the pair to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 6}}

[[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]] and [[Prowl (TransTech)|Prowl]] saw Side Burn in 2012 on a computer screen as Rhinox noted that Side Burn's home universal stream, [[Primax 509.28 Epsilon]], was unaffected by the multiversal chaos triggered by [[Invasion (issue)|Primax 207.0 Epsilon's destruction]]. {{storylink|Invasion: Epilogue}}

Side Burn was present at the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. {{storylink|A Common Foe}}
{{--}}

===Spychanger continuity===
In [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]], when [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] accidentally poisoned all of Earth's energon, Side Burn and the other twelve Autobots had to downsize into Spychangers.<ref>Ask Vector Prime did not specifically mention Side Burn, but there were exactly thirteen Autobot Spychangers identified in the ''Robots in Disguise'' line, including Side Burn.</ref> {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/18}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsSideburn.jpg|thumb|upright=2.8|Guessed my reward is the red princess I dreamt of!]]
Side Burn participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a rare character that could be recruited by collecting 90 units of Cybermetal, 45 units of Transmetal, and 25 scout cores. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
[[File:RID Side Burn Toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Now where'd my little red sportscar get to?]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Speedbreaker''' (2000) / '''Side Burn''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''C-004'''
:*''Accessories'': "Exhaust Bowgun" rear bumper/missile launcher, tailpipe/missile, "Drag Knife" gun/knife
{{toydesigner|[[Hironori Kobayashi]] (TakaraTomy), [[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Released in the initial waves of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Car Robots'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' toylines]], Side Burn transforms into a blue, hot-rodded {{w|Dodge Viper}} with flame decos on the hood. His "Exhaust Bowgun" missile launcher (named only in the Japanese release), which can be stored on a hole on the inside of his front bumper in robot mode, is formed from his rear bumper, and the projectile launched is his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] tail pipe. His small silver "Drag Knife" gun/knife can be held in two different positions (depending on what weapon one wants) and can be stored in both modes via a peg on his back, which doesn't need to be removed for transformation.

: Side Burn is essentially a [[shellformer]], with very few of his car mode pieces being incorporated into his robot limbs. He is also particularly notorious for being difficult to transform, even for adult collectors, with few robot parts locking into place in car mode, making it harder for car-mode panels to line up properly. As most of his shell parts are made of painted translucent plastic with very small tabs, caution and care is recommended when transforming him.

: There are some minor differences between the Takara and Hasbro releases of the toy. The most immediately noticeable is that the Hasbro "Side Burn" adds an Autobot sigil to his car-mode roof that "Speedbreaker" lacks.

: [[Sonokong]] also released this figure in a gift set with his brothers in [[South Korea|Korean]] markets with no differences (to the Takara releases), other than the packaging.

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Roulette (Universe)#Toys|Roulette]] and [[Shadow Striker (Universe)#Toys|Shadow Striker]] and also provided inspiration for the non-toy characters [[NightViper]] and [[Spikestrip]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Sideburn/sideburn.htm More information on Side Burn at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://robonin.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-149.html Japanese blog post comparing the Takara and Sonokong releases of Side Burn]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Super}}
[[File:RIDSuperSideBurnToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"You must be a parking ticket! 'Cuz you've got 'fine' written all over you!"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Speedbreaker''' (2000) / '''Side Burn''' (Deluxe Class, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'' '''C-026'''
:*''Accessories'': "Exhaust Bowgun" rear bumper/missile launcher, tailpipe/missile, "Drag Knife" gun/knife

: "Super" Side Burn is a [[Spontaneous recoloration|fire-red]] [[redeco]] of his prior Deluxe toy, retaining all the functionality and frustration of the original.

: Again, there are differences between Takara's "Speedbreaker" (part of the seventh wave of ''Car Robots'') and the Hasbro's "Side Burn" (part of the fifth wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Deluxes), and again, it lies in car-mode sigils. Side Burn adds the Autobot emblem on his roof again, but also gains a small official Dodge Viper logo added to the front bumper, which had been added for [[Licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensing reasons]], and would end up on all future Hasbro uses of the mold.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/SuperSideburn/sideburn.htm More information on Super Side Burn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SuperClear}}
[[File:Beast Gens Clear Side Burn.jpg|thumb|upright=1|They call me Speedbreaker, on account of how fast I can break all my bones.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Super Car Robo 3 ''Kyodai'' Set <Clear Version>''' (Multi-pack, 2000)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''C-026-S''' (Speedbreaker only)
:*''Release date'': [[September 24]], 2000
:*''Accessories'': "Exhaust Bowgun" rear bumper/missile launcher, tailpipe/missile, "Drag Knife" gun/knife

:As part of the "Super Car Robot 3 Brothers Set <Clear Version>" ({{ruby|S|スーパー}}カーロボ3兄弟セット <クリアーバージョン>), a clear version of Super Speedbreaker was available as part of a giftset with clear versions of [[X-Brawn#SuperClear|Super Wildride]] and [[Prowl (RID)#SuperClear|Super Mach Alert]]. This exclusive set was first available at the [[Osaka Toys Land Show]] on [[September 24]], then again at [[Super Festival 19]] on [[October 9]], both times for 6000 yen, with the set being limited to 1500 pieces total between the two shows. He was also available at [[BotCon Japan 2000]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/ClearSpeedbreaker/speedbreaker.htm More information on Clear Speedbreaker at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Spychanger}}
[[File:RID-toy SideBurn-Spychanger.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I don't feel like myself at all.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Side Burn''' / '''Daytonus''' (Basic Class two-pack, 2001)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Masakatsu Saito]] (concept artist)}}

: Part of the second wave of ''Robots in Disguise'' Basic class two-packs, this [[Spychanger]] version of Side Burn transforms into a 1:64-[[scale]] [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|Dodge Viper]]. He features through-axle wheel construction that allows his super-speedy rolling on smooth surfaces. His gun fits in his underside in car mode, forming his tailpipe. He was only available in a two-pack with [[Daytonus]].

: This mold was initially planned for [[Black Viper Go-Bot|an unspecified character]] in the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] sub-line before it ended.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Autobot Jazz]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/SideburnGobot/sideburn.htm More information on Spychanger Side Burn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:Uni03-toy SideBurn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Black is the new blue. Orange is also there.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Side Burn''' (Deluxe Class, 2004)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Rear bumper/missile launcher, tailpipe/missile, gun/knife

: A [[Walmart]] exclusive, ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Side Burn was a particularly strange [[repaint]] of Super Side Burn. His base plastics are all the same, and the entire car mode retains Super Side Burn's gloss red base coat, but matte black has been applied over top of ''that'' everywhere except the bumpers and the rear wheel-well portions only visible on Side Burn's robot mode. A carbon fiber pattern has been added to the hood, as well as a giant Autobot insignia on the car roof. The gun/knife was painted silver instead of chromed. The Dodge Viper logo was also added to the front of the car, as it had been for both Shadow Striker and Roulette.

: Like many of Walmart's ''Universe'' exclusives, this kind of ended up as a massive [[shelfwarmer|pegwarmer]].

: This toy was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|''Shattered Glass'']] [[Side Burn (SG)|Side Burn]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/SideBurn/sideburn.htm More information on ''Universe'' Side Burn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Timelinestoy-SideBurn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|When he hits on [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], it's ''super'' creepy! [[Conjunx Endura|...or maybe not.]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Side Burn''' (Deluxe, 2011)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Thruster/missile launcher, "flame" missile

: ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Side Burn is a blue and white [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]], transforming into a heavily-altered {{w|Dome Zero}}. Side Burn's rear-mounted thruster engine becomes a hand-held weapon in [[robot mode]], launching a spring-loaded missile, or can remain attached to his back to act as a jetpack. His left arm hides a flip-out (non-spinning) buzzsaw.

: Side Burn is the [[2011]] [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] free figure, mailed to new or returning club members who got their registration in by [[March 16]], 2011. Due to customs delays, he was ultimately shipped to members in late July/early August. The remaining stock was put on sale at the Club store on [[August 17]], and sold out in under three hours. Due to insufficient packaging, many Side Burns arrived with their spoiler tips bent. Like many later versions of the Rodimus toy, Side Burn sadly suffers from a loose left arm and an unstable backpack.

:A noticeable percentage of Side Burns sent to international club members took an ''exceptionally'' long time to arrive, but most (or all) did eventually turn up... a full month or more after the advertised latest possible delivery date. Fun Publications won itself no praise by selling the excess stock of the figure through their store half a month before the actual delivery deadline was even up.

: This mold was also used to make ''Timelines/[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Rodimus (SG)#Toys|Rodimus]] and ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Gentei! Gentei!]]'' [[Wildrider (G1)#Gentei! Gentei!|Wildrider]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/TFCCSideBurn/sideburn.htm More information on Side Burn at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsRodimusMold}}{{-}}
===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-United-Deluxe-Side-Burn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Got here before a Roulette redeco.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Robots in Disguise 2001 Universe Side Burn''' (Deluxe Class, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': blaster, roof shield, bumper
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[April 25]], [[2024]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s06YE02e844 Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream | April 2024] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]] and [[Evan Brooks]].</ref>
:Released in the third wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy United]]'' Deluxes as part of the ''United'' [[subline imprint]], "Robots in Disguise 2001 Universe Side Burn" is a redeco of [[Shadow Striker (Cyberverse)#Legacy|Cyberverse Universe Shadow Striker]] with a new head, transforming into the latter's Cybertronic sports car mode.

: Side Burn's accessories draw from his original toy: a bladed blaster (complete with posts for both orientations), a car roof that serves as an arm-mounted shield, and a detachable rear bumper that pegs into the blaster to evoke the original toy's missile launcher. The blaster can be stored in robot mode via a hidden port under his backpack, while it is stored on the roof in vehicle mode. The roof shield is also detachable and fits into 5 mm ports. The bumper can also act as a smaller shield and [[partformer|removal is required for transformation]]. In an undocumented feature, the bumper can attach to a clip above his right shoulder to more accurately reflect his original toy.

:Side Burn was officially revealed on the [[April 30]], [[2024]], fanstream, with pre-orders going up later that day.

{{--}}

==Notes==
*In ''Car Robots'', Side Burn addresses X-Brawn using ''aniki'' (兄貴), a casual way of saying "big brother", and referring to Prowl with the more formal ''aniue'' (兄上), more in line with "elder brother". This, in turn, is a reflection of the personalities of his two brothers, in that X-Brawn is the more laidback, fun-loving brother while Prowl is more proper and takes his job very seriously.
*The [[alternate mode]] of Side Burn seems to be downgraded in horsepower, since there are eight exhaust pipes connecting to his engine block (which are clearly seen whenever he is in [[robot mode]]), indicating that his power comes from an eight-cylinder engine, rather than the V-10 engine all regular {{w|Dodge Viper}}s have. That is probably why he can never catch [[Kelly (RID)|Kelly's]] little red sports cars.
*Side Burn's original Japanese name, "Speedbreaker", is [https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/speed_breaker a synonym for "speed bump"]. It's unknown if the irony was intentional. What was certainly unintentional, however, was the accidental use of the Japanese name in Side Burn's first ''Robots in Disguise'' toy's bio.
[[File:G2Go-BotBlackViper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"Black Viper" - the hottest sequel series Chrysler sponsorship can buy! Coming to you Fall 1994.]]
*Given that the original Side Burn toy's English-language [[bio]] talks about his "new spark engine" and the enhanced attributes it gave him, while the bio of his super mode toy merely describes his personality and abilities, it seems that the two were accidentally swapped at some point in production. The same thing happened to Prowl.
*"Spychanger" Side Burn was the first official release of a mold [[Black Viper Go-Bot|originally intended]] to be released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]] sub-line. Presently, the original identity of the mold is unknown, if one ever existed.
*Super Speedbreaker/Side Burn's vehicle mode served as an inspiration for the Earthly car design adopted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] in the ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]'' segment of the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
*A generic Autobot appearing in [[Replay|''All Hail Megatron'' #14]] is colored to look like Side Burn.
*In the "[[Bee in the City]]" script-reading at [[BotCon 2008]], ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] mistakenly calls ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] "Side Burn", as part of a running gag where the kid-appeal 'bot is called by various other kid-appeal-bot names from the ''Transformers'' franchise's long history.
*Speedbreaker was the first Transformers toy designed by Hironori Kobayashi, and it kind of shows. In a later interview, he admitted that the development process was a "painful experience" and made an "admonition" to do better in the future.<ref name="Translated interview at ToyboxDX">http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Speedbreaker''' (スピードブレイカー ''Supīdobureikā''), '''Super Speedbreaker''' ({{ruby|S|スーパー}}スピードブレイカー ''Sūpā Supīdobureikā''), '''Side Burn''' (サイドバーン ''Saido Bān'')
*''Korean:'' '''Speedbreaker''' (스피드브레이커 ''Seupideubeureikeo'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Car Robots Autobots]]
[[Category:Children of Primus]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Fan Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Knights]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Robots in Disguise (2001) Autobots]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Wal-Mart exclusives]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Autobots]]

Abbreviations

2025-10-05T07:45:31Z

Banannixx: Seeing these pop up a lot in the HasLab pages on TFW. Been using them myself. Additions include God Fire Convoy, Planet-Destroying Fortress, and Living-Metal-Destroying Cannon, which are all mouthfuls.

[[File:TF2010-toy Deluxe Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|OMG WTF RTS G1 BB NOT MOSC!!]]

Sometimes [[fandom|Transformers fans]] use '''abbreviations''' to refer to certain Transformers series, toy lines, episodes, characters, or other elements without having to type out long terms every time. Or sometimes even short terms too.

Also included are some definitions which are not exclusive to Transformers, but may turn up in conversations about Transformers, especially online.

You're welcome.

==#==
;3H
*[[3H Productions]] / [[Jon Hartman]], [[Karl Hartman]], and [[Glen Hallit]]
;3P
*[[third party]] or "[[IP infringement|third party]]"
;5L
*Five languages
:A specific "worldwide" standard of [[multilingual packaging]] for Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toys that was introduced in late 2019 and features texts in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

==A==
;A3
*[[Alpha Trion]]
;AEC / A/E/C
*[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Armada, Energon, and Cybertron]]
;AFA
*[[Action Figure Authority]]
;AHM
*[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]
;A.I.R./A.I.R.Lock
*[[A.I.R. Lock System|Adaptable Interconnection Retrofitter Lock]]
;A.K.
*[[Alex Kurtzman]], at least according to [[SectorSeven.org]]
;Alt
*[[Alternate mode]], or "alt mode" for short
*[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]
;AM
*[[Action Master]]
*[[Alex Milne]]
*[[Arms Micron]]
*[[Automorph Technology|Automorph]]
;ANN
*[[Axiom Nexus News]]
;AOE
*[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]
;Arm
*[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]
;ASIN
*Amazon Standard Identification Number
:An inventory numbering system used by [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]].
;AST / ASST
*assortment
{{See also|size class}}
;AT
*[[Alpha Trion]]
*[[Astrotrain (disambiguation)|Astrotrain]]
;AT-AT
*[[AT-AT|All Terrain Armored Transport]]
;ATT
*[[alt.toys.transformers]]
;AVP
*[[Ask Vector Prime]]

==B==
;BAF
*[[Build a Figure]]
;B.A.T.
*[[Battle Android Trooper]]
;BB
*[[BB (BW)|BB]]
*[[Bumblebee (disambiguation)|Bumblebee]]
*Battle Blade(s)
:A prefix for toys of the live action movie [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#BattleBlades|Optimus Prime]] and [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BattleBlade|Bumblebee]] characters, effectively making the Bumblebee one "BBBB".
*[[Transformers: BotBots (franchise)|BotBots]]
*[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]
;BBM
*[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee movie]]
;BBTS
*[[BigBadToyStore]]
;BH
*[[Beast Hunters (disambiguation)|Beast Hunters]]
*[[B.H.]]
;BM
*[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]
*[[Beta Maxx (RID)|Beta Maxx]] or [[Beta Maxx (Armada)|Beta Maxx]]
*[[Brainmaster]]
*[[Battle Masters]] or [[Battle Master]]
;BOGO / BOGOF
*Buy One Get One / Buy One Get One Free
:A common sales practice to sell two items for the price of one.
;B.O.T.
*[[B.O.T. (G1)|Biotronic Operational Telecommunicator]]
;BS
*[[Bot Shots (franchise)|Bot Shots]]
;BT
*[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]
;BTA
*[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]
;BTR
*[[Built to Rule!]]
;BUTT
*[[Bi-directional Unified Transit Terminal]]
;BW
*[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]
;BWII / BW2
*[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars II|Beast Wars II]]
;BWN / BWNeo
*[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars Neo|Beast Wars Neo]]
;BWR
*[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars Returns]]
*[[Beast Wars Reborn]]
;BWSG
*[[Beast Wars Shattered Glass]]
;BWTF
*[http://www.bwtf.com Ben's World of Transformers], a popular Transformers fansite owned by [[Ben Yee]]

==C==
;CBC
*[[Cybertronian Broadcasting Company]]
;CBR
*{{w|Comic Book Resources}}, a comic book news website that regularly features news and previews for Transformers comics
*{{w|Comic book archive|CBR}} (a portmanteau of "comic book" and "{{w|RAR (file format)|RAR}}"), a file extension used for digitalized comic books, either pirated (boo! hiss!) or downloaded from a legitimate site like [https://www.comixology.com/ Comixology]
;CD
*[[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense]]
;CHOP
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#CombatHeroOptimusPrime|Combat Hero Optimus Prime]]
;[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG / CHUGGERTS / CHUGGUR / other variations]]
*[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]], [[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei]], [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]], [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]], [[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)#Gentei.21 Gentei.21|Gentei]], [[Exclusive]]s, [[Transformers United|United]], [[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]], [[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]
:(A number of toylines which overlap in terms of when they were available and what sculpts they used; essentially, they're all either direct successors to, different-market-counterparts of or supplements of one another. The term is most often used to describe modernized toys of characters from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]], and is sometimes used to describe toys [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as characters from said continuity, official or [[Personal canon|otherwise]].)
;CJ
*[[Cliffjumper (disambiguation)|Cliffjumper]]
:''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]] once referred to [[Cliffjumper (G1)#Classics|Cliffjumper]] as "CJ"
;C.L.U.T.C.H.
*[[C.L.U.T.C.H.|Cybertronian Linked Ultra Tactical Combat Helper]]
;CNA
*[[CNA|Cyber/Nano Algorithms and/or Cybernucleic Acid]]
:the fundamental genetic material of the Transformer species in some continuities
;COH
*[[Code of Hero]]
;C.O.M.B.A.T.
*[[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|Cybertronian Omnifunctional Modular Battlefield Assault Tech]]
;COP
*[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus]]
*[[Covenant of Primus]]
*[[Covenant of Primes]]
;C.P.L.
*[[Carbombian Protection League]]
;CR
*[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]
*[[CR chamber]] (Creation/Restoration, Cryonic Regeneration, Cryogenic Regeneration, or Cryogenic Restoration chamber)
;CS
*[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]
;CV
*[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]] or [[Transformers: Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]
;CW
*[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]
;Cyb
*[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]

==D==
[[File:Devilsduelogo.jpg|thumb]]
;DA
*[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]
;DC
*[[DC Comics]]
*[[Decepticharge]]
;DD / DDP
*[[Devil's Due Press]]
;D.J.D.
*[[Decepticon Justice Division]]
;DLC
*Downloadable content
:(additional content for [[video games]] that often requires an additional payment)
;DM
*[[Delta Magnus]]
*[[Don Murphy]]
;D.N.G.S. / Dingus
*[[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System]]
;D.O.L.T.S.
*[[Deuterium Orbital Laser Tracing System]]
;DOTM
*[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]
*[[Day of the Machines]]
;DP
*[[Dreamwave Productions]]
;DPCI
*Department Class Item
:An inventory numbering system used by [[Target]]. Frequently misspelled "DCPI".
;DW
*[[Darkwing (disambiguation)|Darkwing]] (no, not the [[Rubber Ducky|Duck]])
*[[Dreadwind (disambiguation)|Dreadwind]]
*[[Dreadwing (disambiguation)|Dreadwing]]
*[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]
*[[DreamWorks]]

==E==
;EAN
*European Article Number
:A type of barcode used on Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toy packaging available in Europe in place of the UPC barcode used for other regions. Became a worldwide standard for most new toylines by late 2019.
;EDC
*[[Earth Defense Command]]
;En
*[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]
[[File:Ertd logo.png|thumb]]
;ER
*[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]
;ERTD
*[[Extra-Terrestrial Response Division]] (No, we don't understand how that works, either.)
;ES
*[[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]]
;EU
*[[Energon Universe]]
;EW
*[[Transformers: Earth Wars|Earth Wars]]
*{{w|Entertainment Weekly}}, a news magazine that sometimes covers ''Transformers'' topics
;EX
*[[Exclusive]]
:Mostly used as part of [[List of Japanese ID numbers|Japanese ID number]]s.
;Ex-RID
*[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]
:(IDW comic series, formerly titled "Robots in Disguise" prior to issue 35)
;EZ / EZC
*[[EZ Collection]]

==F==
[[File:Family Home Entertainment logo.jpg|thumb]]
;FAB
*[[Fast Action Battlers]]
;FARTS
*[[Fully Automated Rapid Transit System]]
;F.H.E.
*[[Family Home Entertainment]]
;FE
*First Edition
:(See [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#First Edition (2011)|Transformers Prime: First Edition]] and Age of Extinction [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#"First Edition" toys|First Edition Optimus Prime]])
;FFoD
*"[[Five Faces of Darkness]]"
;FIBRIR
*"[[FIRRIB|Frenzy is Blue Rumble is Red]]"
;FIRRIB
*"Frenzy is Red Rumble is Blue"
;FM
*[[Fortress Maximus (disambiguation)|Fortress Maximus]]
;FoC / FOC
*[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]
;Fort Max
*Fortress Maximus
;F.O.S.S.I.L.
*[[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilized Osteo-Skeletal Shield Integration Loadout Technology]]
;FP
*Forbidden Planet, a UK-based retail chain that sells Transformers toys
*[[Fun Publications]]
; Fun Pub
*Fun Publications
;FSRLTF
*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]

==G==
;G1
*[[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]]
*[[GEEWUN]]
;G2
*[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]
;G4
*The excessively short-lived cable channel that aired "[[Action Blast!]]"
;GB
*[[G.B. Blackrock]]
*[[GoBots (disambiguation)|GoBots]]
*GoBox (see [[:Category:GB images]] for examples)
*[[United Kingdom|Great Britain]]
;GDO
*[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Asian market exclusives ("GDO")|Global Development Organization]]
;Gen
*[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]
;GF
*[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Galaxy Force]]
;GFC
*An abbreviation for God Fire Convoy, the Japanese name for [[Omega Prime]]
;GM
*[[General Motors]]
;GPS
*[[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]
;GT
*[[Genetronic Translink System]] or GT System
:([[Mirage (RID)|Mirage GT]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#GT|Smokescreen GT]] use the GT System)
*{{w|Gran Turismo}}
;GTS
*a suffix used for the three ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toys [[Brakedown (Cybertron)#GTS|Brakedown GTS]], [[Override (Cybertron)#GTS|Override GTS]] and [[Ransack (Cybertron)#GTS|Ransack GTS]]
:No meaning for this acronym has ever been officially provided, though none of them appear to have any relationship with the [[Genetronic Translink System]].

==H==
[[File:Hasbrooldlogo.jpg|right|thumb|I can has bro?]]
;HA
*[[Human Alliance]]
;[[Hasbro]]
*Hassenfeld Brothers
:(Though "Hasbro" is now an established company name by itself, it was originally an abbreviation.)
;HBS
*[[Hybrid Style]]
:(used in early solicitations, later changed to "THS")
;HC
*Hardcover, a bound book or (more commonly for the Transformers franchise) collection of comic books, as opposed to a trade paperback or softcover
;HFG
*Hand Foot Gun, also HandFootGun or Hand/Foot/Gun
:(multi-purpose accessory included with every ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Combiner Wars (2015-2016)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxe Class figure)
;HFTD / HftD
*[[Hunt for the Decepticons]]
;HM
*[[Headmaster (disambiguation)|Headmaster]]
*[[Hero Mashers]]
;HMW
*[[Heavy Metal War]]
;HOC / HoC
*[[Heroes of Cybertron (disambiguation)|Heroes of Cybertron]]
;HOF / HoF
*[[Transformers Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]
;H.O.P.E.
*[[Help Optimus Prime Escape]]
;HOS
*[[Hearts of Steel]]
;HP
*[[Hasbro Pulse]]
;HR
*[[Hot Rod (disambiguation)|Hot Rod]]
*hour (approximately 7 [[Units of time|breems]])
;HTS
*[[Hasbro Toy Shop]]
:(''[http://www.hts.com HTS.com]'', on the other hand, is an existing website completely unrelated to Hasbro, Transformers or toys in general, therefore using this abbreviation in combination with the .com top level domain is discouraged to avoid confusion. Just be glad it's safe for work.)

==I==
[[File:IDW Logo2.svg|thumb]]
;IDW
*[[IDW Publishing]] / the [[2005 IDW continuity]]
:Officially, the abbreviation stands for "Idea and Design Works, LLC".
;IDW2
*[[2019 IDW continuity]]
:Named as such for being the second "main" IDW continuity.
;I.I.I. / Triple-I
*[[Intelligence and Information Institute]]
;INSIRT
*[[INSIRT|Intelligence and Notable Surreptitious Information Recovery Team]]

==J==
;JAN
*Japanese Article Number
:A type of barcode used on TakaraTomy's ''Transformers'' toy packaging available in Japan in place of the UPC or EAN barcodes used for Hasbro's releases.
;JG1
*[[The Transformers (franchise)#Japanese release|Japanese Generation 1]]
;JRX
*the Japanese name for [[Rail Racer (RID)]] is an abbreviation for "Japan[ese] Rail Express"

==K==
;KB
*[[KB Toys]]
:(Originally an abbreviation for "Kaufman Brothers", previously also spelled "Kay-Bee".)
*[[Kickback (disambiguation)|Kickback]]
*[[Customizing|kitbash]]
;KO
*[[Knockoff]]
*knock out, but oddly not [[Knockout (disambiguation)|Knockout]]
;KP
*[[Kiss Players (disambiguation)|Kiss Players]]
;KSI
*[[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated]]

==L==
;LAM
*[[Live-action film series|Live-action movie]]
;LAMB
*Live-action movie boards
;LL
*the ''[[Lost Light]]'' or [[The Transformers: Lost Light|the comic book series named after it]]
;LMDC
*[[Living-Metal-Destroying_Cannon|Living-Metal-Destroying Cannon]]
;LoC / LOC
*[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]
;LP
*[[Linkin Park]]
;LSOTW
*[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]

==M==
;M2C
*[[Mini-Constructicon|Micro-Constructicon]]
;M.A.A.B.
*[[Mobile Anti-Assault Battlesuit]]
;M.A.R.B.
*[[Mobile Autobot Repair Bay]]
;M.A.R.S.
*[[M.A.R.S.|Military Armaments Research Syndicate]]
;M.A.S.K.
*[[M.A.S.K.|Mobile Armored Strike Kommand]]
;MB
*[[Michael Bay]]
:Sometimes used as a shorthand for the [[live-action film series]].
*[[Milton Bradley]]
[[File:Miniconstructicons.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb]]
;MC
*[[Mini-Con]]
*[[Mini-Constructicon]]
:The Mini-Constructicons referred to one another as "Emcee". {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}
;MD
*[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Legends of the Microns]]
;Meg / Megs
*[[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]]
;MF
*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Transformers: Super-God Masterforce|Masterforce]]
;MIB
*[[Mint in sealed box|Mint In Box / Bag / Bubble]]
*[[Men in Black]]
;MISB
*[[Mint in sealed box|Mint In Sealed Box / Bag / Bubble]]
;ML
*[[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]]
;MM
*[[Motormaster (disambiguation)|Motormaster]]
;M.M.M. / Triple M
*[[Militant Monoform Movement]]
;MOC
*[[Mint in sealed box|Mint On Card]]
;MOSC
*[[Mint in sealed box|Mint On Sealed Card]]
;MP
*[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]
*military police
;MPM
*[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]] [[Live-action film series|Movie]] Series
;MSRP
*manufacturer's suggested retail price
;MTMTE
*[[More than Meets the Eye (disambiguation)|More than Meets the Eye]]
;MV
*Movie
:A placeholder for anything relating to the [[live-action film series]] in lack of the respective films' final titles; for example, the fifth installment in the series, ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (franchise)|The Last Knight]]'', is "MV5".
;MW
*[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]

==N==
[[File:NEST insignia.png|thumb|upright=1.1|Take the plunge.]]
;NAIL
*[[NAIL|Non-Aligned Indigenous Life-form]]
;NBE
*[[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial]] / Non-Biological Entity
;NEST
*[[NEST|Non-biological Extraterrestrial Species Treaty]], although other meanings of this acronym also exist; see [[NEST#Notes]].
;NP
*[[Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Nemesis Prime]]
;NPC
*non-player character / non-playable character
;NRFP
*"never removed from package", sometimes used in lieu of [[Mint in sealed box|MIB/MISP/MOC]]
;NuRID
*New Robots in Disguise, i.e. the second [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]] franchise
{{-}}

==O==
;OAV
*{{w|Original video animation|original animated video}}
;OC
*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination|Operation Combination]]
*original character
:(in fan fiction and role-playing, refers to a non-[[canon]] character)
;OMAM
*[[Of Masters and Mayhem]]
;OP
*[[O.P.]]
*[[Optimus Primal (disambiguation)|Optimus Primal]]
*[[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]]
*original poster
:(refers to someone who posts a message/image which starts a conversation/thread online)
;OP/ED
*the OPening and EnDing [[theme song]]s of a TV show
;OpOp
*[[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimal Optimus]]
;OSKO
*Oversized [[knockoff]]
;OVA
*{{w|original video animation}}

==P==
;PARD
*[[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence]]
;PC / P.C.
*[[Peter Cullen]]
*player character or playable character
*[[Powered Convoy]] (see also [[Delta Magnus]])
;PCC
*[[Power Core Combiners|Power Core Combiner]]
;PCP / P/CP
*[[Punch (G1)|Punch-Counterpunch]]
;PD
*[[Parody Deformed]] (or [[super deformed]])
;PE
*[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]
*[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|Premier Edition]]
*Perfect Effect, a "[[IP infringement|third party]]" company
;PF
*[[Transformers Premium Finish|Premium Finish]]
;PG
*[[Powerglide (disambiguation)|Powerglide]]
*{{w|Motion Picture Association of America film rating system|Parental Guidance Suggested}}
*[[PlatinumGames]]
;PG-13
*{{w|Motion Picture Association of America film rating system|Parents Strongly Cautioned some content may be inappropriate for children under 13}}
;PDF
*{{w|PDF|Personal Document Format}} Most often abbriviated PDF
*[[Planet-Destroying_Fortress| Planet-Destroying Fortress]]
;PM
*[[Powermaster (disambiguation)|Powermaster]]
;PMOP
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]
;POTP / PotP
*[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]
;PR
*[[package refresh]]
:(a previously released toy released again in different packaging, with little to no changes to the toy itself. The new version is often released as part of a new [[subline imprint]], or the new packaging might be [[rebranding|rebranded]] as part of a different toyline. Also sometimes called "repack" by fans, which is not at all confusing.)
*[[Power Rangers (franchise)|Power Rangers]]
*[[Predacons Rising (disambiguation)|Predacons Rising]]
*public relations
;PRID
*[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Robots in Disguise (2012)|Transformers Prime: Robots in Disguise]]
;PS
*[[PlayStation]]
*[[Premium Series]]
;PVP
*Player versus player
*PrimeVsPrime
:(a somewhat controversial toy reviewer on YouTube who is accused of buying and reviewing stolen [[prototype|sample]]s from the factory.)

==Q==
;QC
*[[quality control]]
==R==
;RA
*[[R.A.]]
*[[Red Alert (disambiguation)|Red Alert]]
[[File:RAAT vehicle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Not to be confused with [http://www.therattpack.com/ RATT].]]
;R.A.A.T.
*[[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team]]
;RB
*[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (franchise)|Rescue Bots]]
*[[Roadbuster (disambiguation)|Roadbuster]]
;RC
*[[Arcee (disambiguation)|Arcee]]
*radio-controlled or remote-controlled
;R.E.D.
*[[Transformers R.E.D.|Robot Enhanced Design]]
;R.E.V.
*[[R.E.V.|Race Exertion Vehicle]]
;RG1
*[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]
;RGR
*[[Real Gear Robot]]
;RH
*[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]
;RIBFIR
*"[[FIRRIB|Rumble is Blue Frenzy is Red]]"
;RiD / RID
*[[Robots in Disguise (disambiguation)|Robots in Disguise]]
;RIRFIB
*"[[FIRRIB|Rumble is Red Frenzy is Blue]]"
;R.J.
*[[Ramjet (disambiguation)|Ramjet]]
:The Mini-Constructicons referred to Ramjet as "R.J.". {{storylink|Spotlight: Ramjet}}
;RM
*[[Robot Master (disambiguation)|Robot Master]]
;R.O.
*[[Roberto Orci]], at least according to [[SectorSeven.org]]
;ROC
*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Return of Convoy|Return of Convoy]]
;ROTB
*[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (franchise)|Rise of the Beasts]]
;ROTDS
*[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Rise of the Dark Spark]]
;ROTF
*[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]
;RP
*rating pending
*[[Rodimus (disambiguation)|Rodimus Prime]]
*role play, role-playing, or role-playing game
;RPG
*rocket-propelled grenade
*role-playing game
;RPM
*{{w|RPM|Revolutions per minute}}, commonly abbreviated RPM
*[[Robot Powered Machines]], almost certainly named to share the initials of the aforementioned
;RRP
*recommended retail price
;RS
*[[RadioShack]]
;RTS
*[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]]

==S==
[[File:Sector7logo.png|right|thumb|upright=1.1|What's the other stuff mean? Who cares?]]
;S7
*[[Sector Seven]]
;SASF
*[[Special Air Service|Special Air Service Forces]]
;SC
*Softcover (see: TPB)
;SCF
*[[Heroes of Cybertron (toyline)#Super Collection Figure|Super Collection Figures]]
;SD
*[[super deformed]]
;SF
*{{w|science fantasy}}
*{{w|science fiction}}
*[[Simon Furman]]
*[[Stealth Force]]
;SG
*[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]
;SGBW
*[[Beast Wars Shattered Glass]]
;S.H.A.R.C.
*[[S.H.A.R.C.|Submersible High-speed Attack and Reconnaissance Craft]]
;SKU
*Stock keeping unit
:An inventory numbering system used by several stores, with each store/chain using its own SKU system.
;SL
*[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Super Link]]
;S.N.A.K.E.
*[[S.N.A.K.E.|System: Neutralizer - Armed Kloaking Equipment]]
;SOTW
*[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]
;SRP
*suggested retail price
;SS
*[[Sector Seven]]
*Select Series
:An early working name for what would ultimate just be named "[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Selects (2019)|Selects]]".
*[[Sideswipe (disambiguation)|Sideswipe / Side Swipe]]
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Silverstreak]]
*[[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] or [[Six Shot (Energon)|Six Shot]]
*[[Smokescreen (disambiguation)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Speed Stars]]
*[[Star Saber (disambiguation)|Star Saber]]
*[[Starscream (disambiguation)|Starscream]]
*[[Steven Spielberg]], at least according to [[SectorSeven.org]]
*[[Studio Series]]
*[[Sunstorm (disambiguation)|Sunstorm]]
*[[Sunstreaker (disambiguation)|Sunstreaker]]
;SS86
*[[Studio Series]] figures representing characters from the animated [[1986]] film ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''
;ST
*[[Star Trek]]
;S.T.A.R.S.
*[[S.T.A.R.S.|Secret Transformer Autobot Rescue Squad]]
;S.T.O.P.
*[[Seek and Terminate Optimus Prime]]
;SUV
*[[Society of Ultimate Villainy]]
*sport utility vehicle
;SW
*[[Shockwave (disambiguation)|Shockwave]]
*[[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]]
*[[Sixwing]]
*[[Skywarp (disambiguation)|Skywarp]]
*[[Soundwave (disambiguation)|Soundwave]]
*[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]
;SWTF
*[[Star Wars Transformers]] or [[Star Wars/Transformers]]

==T==
;T30
*[[Thrilling 30]]
;TAAO
*[['Til All Are One (disambiguation)|'Til All Are One]], especially [[The Transformers: Till All Are One|the comic book series named after it]]
;T-AI
*[[T-AI|Tactical Artificial Intelligence]]
;TB
*[[Trailbreaker (disambiguation)|Trailbreaker]]
;TC
*[[Thundercracker (disambiguation)|Thundercracker]]
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]]
;TCC / TFCC
*[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]
;T.E.C.H.
*[[T.E.C.H.|Transformers Electronic Combat Hardware]]
;TF or TFs
*[[Transformer]](s)
;TF07
*[[Transformers (film)|Transformers (2007 film)]]
;TFA
*[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]
*[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers: Armada]]
*TFA does ''not'' refer to the [[New Avengers/Transformers|Transformers/Avengers crossover]].
;TFC
*[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]
*[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]
;TFE
*[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Transformers: Energon]]
;TFP
*[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]
;TFTM
*[[The Transformers: The Movie]]
;TFU
*any/all Transformers [[Universe (disambiguation)|Universe]](s)
*[http://www.tfu.info/ TFU.info, a reference website for Hasbro/TakaraTomy Transformers toys and Tonka Gobots]
;TFW
*[https://www.tfw2005.com Transformers World 2005], a popular Transformers fansite owned by [[Alex Weiner]]
*But not [[TFWiki.Net]].
;THS
*(Transformers) [[Hybrid Style]]
;Tit
*[[Titanium Series]]
:Usage of this abbreviation was heavily frowned upon during the line's run, for obvious reasons.
;TL
*[[Transformers Timelines (franchise)|Timelines]]
;TLK
*[[Transformers: The Last Knight (franchise)|The Last Knight]]
;TM
*[[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]
*[[Titan Master]]
*[[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Telemocha]]
*[[Trademark]]
*[[Transmetal]]
*[[Turbomaster (disambiguation)|Turbomaster / Turbo Master]]
;TM2
*[[Transmetal 2]]
;TMNT
*[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]
;TMUK
*[[Transmasters UK]]
;TPB
*Trade paperback - collected volume of comics into a book format, usually containing between 4 and 6 issues, also sometimes called a "softcover", as opposed to a bound hardcover
;TR
*[[The Rebirth]]
*[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Titans Return (2016–)|Titans Return]]
;TRA
*Transformers
:Found on Hasbro shipping boxes and on store shelf tags, also often used in (early) retailer and distributor listings
;TRoOP
*[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|The Return of]] [[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2|Optimus Prime]]
*But not [[Trent Troop]].
;TRU
*[[Toys"R"Us]]
;TT
*[[TakaraTomy]]
;TWW
*The [[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]

==U==
;UM
*[[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]
;UPC
*Universal Product Code
:A type of barcode used on Hasbro's ''Transformers'' toy packaging available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
;UT
*[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]
;UW
*[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]

==V==
;V.E.N.O.M.
*[[V.E.N.O.M.|Vicious Evil Network Of Mayhem]]
;VL
*[[Victory Leo]]
;VS
*[[Vector Sigma]]
*versus (sometimes abbreviated v. or vs. or vs)
*[[Star Saber (G1)|Victory Saber]]
;V.V.H.
*[[Variable voltage harness]]

==W==
;W.A.R.S.
*[[W.A.R.S.|Wicked Attack Recon Sportscar]]
:(Or "Woeste Aanval Rally Sportwagen" if you live in the Netherlands)
;WB
*[[Warner Bros.]]
;WC
*[[Windcharger (disambiguation)|Windcharger]]
;WfC / WFC
*[[War for Cybertron (disambiguation)|War for Cybertron]]
;WFC<nowiki>:</nowiki>E / WFCE
*[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]
;WFC<nowiki>:</nowiki>K / WFCK
*[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]
;WFC<nowiki>:</nowiki>S / WFCS
*[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]
;WFC<nowiki>:</nowiki>T / WFCT
*[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]
;WJ
*[[Wheeljack (disambiguation)|Wheeljack]]
;WM
*[[Walmart]]
*[[War Machine]]
;WoH
*[[Wings of Honor]]
;WST / WSTF
*[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]], erroneously called "World's Smallest Transformers" or "WSTFs" by fans
;WV
*[[wave]]
:Found on Hasbro shipping boxes, also often used in distributor listings
;WW
*[[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]
;WWI
*[[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]
*[[World War I]]
;WWII
*[[World War II]]
;WWIII
*[[World War III]]

==See also==
*[[Help:Franchise identifiers]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Lists]]

Bludgeon (G1)

2025-09-19T01:00:17Z

Banannixx: /* Legacy */ Samurai helmets (what Bludgeon's head is based on) don't have antennae.

{{factions|decepticon|mayhem|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Bludgeon}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Bludgeon is a [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:MarvelUK-282.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is pretty much the most metal cover in TF history.]]
'''Bludgeon''' is a ferocious warrior, skilled in the ancient Cybertronian martial art of [[Metallikato]]. He and his blade can cut through the battlefield as if everyone else is operating at a minimal speed setting. Bludgeon's feats in battle seem nearly supernatural, which is probably the effect he's going for, if he doesn't believe his own hype. Utterly vicious and aloof, Bludgeon is also highly religious, adhering to an arcane code of honor. Though his beliefs fuel his single-minded bloodthirstiness with dogmatic precision, they also cause him to be rather superstitious.

Bludgeon's confidence, skill, and grand words have often catapulted him to the upper ranks of the Decepticons. Who wouldn't fall in line behind him? He's charismatic! The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] is his usual host of cronies, but he's also been known to fill in as [[Decepticon leader]] if a power vacuum presents itself.

Bludgeon is (obviously) a [[Pretender]] who has adopted a shell which takes the appearance of a skeletal samurai. His signature weapon is an [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]], though he also carries a shield and a [[Electric cannon|high-voltage electric cannon]]. In accordance with his martial arts motif, generators in his shell's legs can create disorienting clouds of smoke, and he can generate electric fireballs from the torso of either his body or his shell.<ref>Bludgeon's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile says the electric fireballs are fired from either of his torsos. His original toy bio said they're fired from between his shell's antennas.</ref>

Sometimes Bludgeon combines with some of the members of the Mayhem Attack Squad to form [[Thunder Mayhem]].

{{bigquote|Prattling fool! Your warrior heart is tainted by an idiot's tongue! Perhaps I shall remove '''both''' for you!|Bludgeon takes on [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]|"[[The Primal Scream]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Bludgeonasavageplace.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The shoulder is a well-known [[Transformer]] instant-death spot.]]
''When Decepticons [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] defected to the [[Autobot]]s, a new Mayhem Attack Squad was formed which included Bludgeon, his Pretender cohorts [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], and [[Snarler]]. After a [[solid light simulation]] of a mission in [[Slaughter City]], their prey was authorized—they would hunt down and kill Catilla, Carnivac, and their new [[Wreckers|Wrecker]] friends.'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}} ''They found Carnivac outside [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], and Bludgeon, promising him a warrior's death, led the charge.'' {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} ''However, Carnivac managed to draw first blood, injuring Bludgeon's shoulder. The confrontation was then interrupted by the National Guard, and Carnivac escaped Bludgeon and the other Mayhems while they were distracted by the new arrivals.'' {{storylink|Survival Run}} ''After dealing with the fleshlings, the Decepticons tracked Carnivac down to [[Los Gravos]], [[Mexico]]. [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] was about to deal the killing blow, when Catilla rescued him. However, Bludgeon threw his [[sword]] into Catilla, killing Carnivac's savior. As the rest of the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon ordered a withdrawal. Carnivac swore that Bludgeon and the other Mayhems would pay for killing his friend.'' {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}

[[File:Bludgeonstrangleholdoctopunchmodelsheet.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|The [[Nelson Yomtov|colorist]] made me look hunchbacked.]]
He later took on the leadership of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s new [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], sent to slay the newly resurrected [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Alongside the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]], the [[Classic Pretender]]s were due to be teleported to [[Earth]], an operation Bludgeon attempted to interrupt by shoving his blade through the transportation machine. Instead, he and the Mayhems were transported with the Autobots to the center of Cybertron. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} Here, the Mayhems found the Autobots being told the story of Cybertron's origins by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. Despite being on holy ground, Bludgeon and his compatriots attacked, with Bludgeon gaining the upper hand against Jazz until Bumblebee managed to sneak up on him. Bludgeon was lured into a nearby canal, where Seawatch grappled him and hoisted him away with his boat mode. In his absence, the battle inadvertently awakened the slumbering [[Primus]]. Ultimately, the transportation was completed, and the Mayhems were sent to Earth along with the Autobots, {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} where they told [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s coming and joined his Decepticons on Earth. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok in order to facilitate an alliance against Unicron, Bludgeon helped the other Decepticons imprison the surrendered Autobots. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Bludgeon fought on Scorponok's side during the subsequent [[Decepticon Civil War]] {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} and was transported with all of them to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Primus]]. Primus (speaking through the body of [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]) told them of the history between himself and Unicron, while Bludgeon cleaned his sword. He was there also to quell the sudden [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultist]] uprising, remarking that to a master of [[Metallikato]], their moves were like slow motion. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} When Unicron himself arrived, though, the superstitious Bludgeon ran like hell. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Thankfully, Optimus Prime's sacrifice saved them all, and Bludgeon was there standing over Prime's body with a few others as he died. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance that emerged was shaky and the Decepticons leaderless, so Bludgeon and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] discussed a plan of their own. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[File:Bludgeonlastautobot.jpg|left|upright=1.55|thumb|It's a good thing the Battlechargers were dead then, or Bludgeon's shell would've been totally ganked.]]
Tensions came to a head when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] discovered that Cybertron was tearing itself apart in the aftermath of the Transformers' victory against Unicron. While Bludgeon openly kept the peace (like keeping [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] in line at meetings), he and Krok began to worry that some of the Decepticons were in ''favour'' of peaceful alliance and plotted to break it up. New Autobot leader Grimlock almost gave them an opening by beating the tar out of Fangry, until [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] stopped the fight; Bludgeon quickly exploited the situation anyway, demanding the full details of the Autobots' plans.

Now knowing they intended to start anew on another planet and live in peace, he sabotaged the Autobot ships and assumed command of the Decepticons. He gave the troops a rousing speech, condemning the Autobot plan as weak and advocating a return to conquest as was the Decepticon way. Having risen from the ranks to light their darkest hour, he was cheered on by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|Look at him go. What a skeleton!]]
With his Decepticons eager for conquest, Bludgeon randomly selected the planet of [[Klo]] as their first target. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The peaceful inhabitants of Klo were easily (and violently) subdued, and Bludgeon thought this planet did not meet the challenges befitting their warrior race. In turn, Krok pleased him with news that their ships were bugged and that they should be expecting the Autobots to be arriving soon. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

Indeed, when the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon's Decepticons were ready for them, luring them into an ambush—only five Autobots escaped their purge, and Bludgeon sent a small hunting party after them. Ultimate victory was snatched from Bludgeon only by divine intervention. The [[Last Autobot]] arrived with a resurrected Optimus Prime and the [[Neo-Knights]]. Bludgeon rejected this development on religious grounds; the Last Autobot, according to his beliefs, was the Ultimate Warrior, who was bent on conquest. He ordered his troops to attack the "unbelievers". Ultimately, the Decepticons were defeated. The Last Autobot was able to revive the fallen Autobots at will, and Bludgeon was forced to admit defeat and withdraw. As he and the Decepticons retreated, he promised a "solitary exile" to the Autobots—while saying that they were fleeing to fight another day to his subordinates. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Aspects of evil bludgeon.jpg|left|90px|thumb|GIVE ME YOUR THROAT.]]
In an alternate [[1990]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] was captured by the Decepticons and freed by an agent placed within their ranks. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] accused Bludgeon of being the culprit, and Bludgeon demanded the chance to prove himself through [[Trial by Combat]]. He was released and chased by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Stranglehold]] and [[Warmonger]]. Bludgeon easily dispatched the former two but was caught from behind by Warmonger, who couldn't bring himself to kill in cold blood. Realizing who the infiltrator was, Megatron destroyed Warmonger, then reflected that it would have simply been easier to kill all four of them. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:UKBludgeonEarthForce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|There wolf!]]
Following Catilla's death, the Mayhems set up a base on a deserted island, where Needlenose decided to test their response time in an emergency. Enraged, Bludgeon threatened to tear him apart, but was stopped by Snarler. As Needlenose returned to his quarters, he was ambushed by Carnivac, who had snuck in during the chaos caused by his "drill". His calls for help were ignored by Snarler and Bludgeon, who thought that their comrade was once more lying about the emergency. {{storylink|Cry Wolf!}} Carnivac decided to pick off Bludgeon next, finding him meditating. Bludgeon sensed him coming and took him on, and the other Mayhems responded to the commotion. Bludgeon wanted to finish this traitor with his blade as well, but Spinister decided to end it summarily by slagging Carnivac with his blaster instead. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Angry at losing his kill, Bludgeon was pleased to find [[Earthforce]] attacking them, in an attempt to rescue Carnivac. He and his fellow Pretenders were defeated, outnumbered by the Autobots. But before they could be executed, a shell-less Carnivac appeared and told the Autobots to spare them, denying them a warrior's death. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

Captives of Earthforce, Bludgeon and his Pretender partners were held in a cell together. To get free, Bludgeon arranged a most subtle escape attempt with his cellmates. At first, they all remained completely silent for an extended period of time, partly to unnerve their guard, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], but also to give Bludgeon time to make mental contact with his katana, locked away in the property vault. Once he found the weapon and began summoning it back to him through the hallways, Bludgeon signaled Stranglehold to begin pounding frantically on the floor. This sudden activity spooked Inferno into opening the cell door to pacify the prisoner, only to wind up with a floating sword in his backside. The Pretenders then simply walked out over his leaking body. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

Afterwards, Bludgeon and the others hooked up with Megatron and Shockwave, the deposed leaders of the Decepticons, and took on a bounty to assassinate their betrayers, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Assassins}} Though the Pretenders were only meant to eliminate whichever of their targets had survived an orchestrated battle between the pair, they found both Starscream and Soundwave functional upon their arrival. Unperturbed, Bludgeon and his teammates surmised that they could ask to be paid double for the hit once it had been completed. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The assassins outnumbered their prey, but they hadn't counted on the Autobots intervening on Starscream's behalf. It seemed the Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] was dying, and could only be saved by a systems boost from a compatible Transformer, namely Starscream. [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] joined the fight on Starscream's side, and the Mayhems were defeated. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:BludgeonStrangleholdOctopunch-AnotherTimeAndPlace.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Bludgeon: All skeleton, no spine.]]
After the defeat on Klo, Bludgeon decided the Decepticons needed some "old blood" back in charge. He traveled to Earth and retrieved the deactivated body of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from the wreckage of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Then, he seized upon an opportunity to follow Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to [[Hydrus Four]], the source of the miraculous energy known as [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] which had supercharged the Dinobot commander. Slipping ahead of the Dinobots as they made their way to the medical facility, Bludgeon and his Decepticons set up a [[Holocaust Trigger]] to trap the Dinobots, disabling them without firing a shot. Unfortunately for Bludgeon, he ignored [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]'s cries of "Let's just kill them already!" and instead planned on keeping Grimlock and the Dinobots alive long enough for them to witness the triumphant resurrection of Megatron. That didn't mean, however, that he kept his fellow Decepticons from aggressively torturing their fallen captives.

In a matter of hours, a full scale Autobot strike force had tracked the Dinobots down to Hydrus Four and assaulted Bludgeon's position. Fearing his rag-tag team of Decepticons wouldn't be enough, Bludgeon accelerated Megatron's revival, sending the half-mad, half-living monstrosity at Optimus Prime. He had no time to gloat, though—the heavily injured Dinobot known as Swoop had dragged himself to the control module for one of the [[repair spider|medical machines]] in the area, setting its spidery arms to work on Bludgeon, disassembling him in seconds down to his core components.

Bludgeon didn't even have time to scream. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeontalesofearth.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|G2, home of New Extreme Weapons.]]
Optimus Prime considered Bludgeon a defeated threat. When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Empire]] was discovered, he considered if "Bludgeon had lied about his plans" but decided that this was too advanced an operation. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Turns out Prime was dumb as what Bludgeon had actually meant by "solitary exile" was "build a slag-off big planet-like spacecraft called the [[Warworld]] and attack vessels for their cargo across the galaxy". {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} He also battled Optimus Prime and the Autobots over a store of ancient alien weapons, but an [[Guardian (G2)|alien entity]] drove him off. {{storylink|Ghosts}} After that, he went back to stealing resources—and finished the construction of a [[Bludgeon's new army|new generation of Decepticon warriors]], who just needed the Matrix to come back to life. That meant luring Prime to him... {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}}

[[File:Bludgeon-PowerAndTheGlory.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Also, so very much less.]]
To lure Prime out, Bludgeon launched a full-scale attack on Earth and did succeed in drawing Optimus Prime to Earth's defense, but not before Bludgeon was confronted by the newly rebuilt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who wanted command of the Decepticons for himself once more. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Bludgeon destroyed Megatron's gun with one swipe of his blade, but neglected to realize how enhanced the new Megatron was—the former Decepticon leader ripped Bludgeon's Pretender skull off with one hand. Undaunted, Bludgeon proclaimed himself an agent of chaos and transformed into his little-used tank mode to confront Megatron on his own terms. He briefly drove back Megatron, but ultimately the Decepticons' founder proved to be too much for their current leader, and his new railgun destroyed Bludgeon utterly. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

[[File:Megatron ignores Bludgeon's severed head.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|If you think this is harsh Bludgeon, Swindle would've sold your skull on eBay by now.]]
The victorious Decepticon leader subsequently displayed Bludgeon's severed head in the Warworld, though he did muse that he might have spared Bludgeon's life if he'd known how much the guy had achieved and envisioned with limited time and resources. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later on, the Decepticons would try not to say the word "bludgeon" around Megatron (even with the "to hit things" meaning) just in case it annoyed him. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeon-WarWithoutEndUK.jpg|thumb|upright=1|thumb|[[Robin Smith]], copying a [[character model]] pose??? [[Ravage (G1)|Never!]]]]
Intending to draw out Autobots to Earth and steal the Matrix to bring a new generation of Decepticons to life, Bludgeon attacked Earth in force—specifically [[London]]. Unfortunately for him, the Autobots were already there, and attacked just as his troops were low on fuel. Bludgeon fought Optimus in direct combat and lost. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}} When Megatron turned up afterwards to fight Optimus, Bludgeon's men actually ''attacked'' Megatron just in case it was Bludgeon he was stomping: [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] bluntly said that the Pretender was their boss, not the old guy.

Bludgeon sneaked away {{storylink|War Zone}} to try exactly the same tactic again. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}}—and learned if at first you don't succeed, Try #2 will get you killed by Megatron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Bludgeon Piranacon AtFightsEnd.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Is that you, {{w|Brainiac (character)|Brainiac}}?]]
Optimus Prime was reluctant to prolong the war by following Bludgeon and his followers across the galaxy, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] was more than happy to. Grimlock, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and a crew of others searched and fought Bludgeon's Decepticons in the fringes of known space, but to no known resolution. At some point the mysterious Decepticon, [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], joined Bludgeon's Decepticons, and Bludgeon put him in charge of his own subgroup. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

As Bludgeon became aware of Megatron's re-emergence, he began to prepare his forces to repel an attempted coup by the former Decepticon leader. Bludgeon and his Sub-Commander [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] were readying their battleplans when [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] brought to his attention their plans may have been compromised from within. They apparently identified the traitor working for Megatron, [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, and so Bludgeon confronted him with the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s. A fight broke out between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] as a result, but Bludgeon's loyal gestalt won, and so they returned to battle preparation. In the war room, Bludgeon became so intent on watching for Megatron's next move on the monitors that he failed to notice Seawing removing his sword. Only after the Seacons had formed Piranacon again did Bludgeon finally realize he had miscalculated. Piranacon's mass compression cannon destroyed the Pretender completely, leaving room for Megatron to swoop in and claim full leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:BludgeonVision DestinyPt3.jpg|thumb|"I will die naked and alone? Glorious!"]]
Bludgeon felt his warrior's honor was deeply tarnished on [[Klo]], when he faltered and retreated instead of fighting to his death. The various conquests and victories the Decepticons achieved since then did nothing to remove that stain. Deep in meditation, Bludgeon received a vision of his own glorious death at the hands of a worthy opponent back on Cybertron, and he began plotting to bring this future about. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}}

Twenty years after the defeat at Klo, the Autobots unaware of his location, Bludgeon was finally ready to take his revenge. He contacted [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] at the secret [[Fort Scyk]] base, revealing he had agents on Cybertron and even in the Neo-Decepticons, and requested Soundwave retrieve a valuable resource for him in exchange for aid against the Autobots. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}} The moment came when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and many of his warriors were occupied on Earth. Soundwave contacted Bludgeon as his men eliminated another bio-mechanical species on [[Torkulon]], telling him to expect delivery soon. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Soundwave successfully retrieved the Matrix-infused remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]], the "spark" Bludgeon needed to bring life to his [[Blitz Engine]]s—adaptable, self-regenerating war machines of tremendous power. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} The spark was lit, and Bludgeon and Soundwave observed a successful field test of the Engines' power on [[Cresta Superior]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Soundwave returned to Cybertron and used his Neo-Decepticons to orchestrate the total blinding of Cybertron's long-range sensors, allowing Bludgeon and the Warworld to come within striking distance unnoticed. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 BludgeonRoadbuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
As the siege began, Bludgeon dropped Blitz Engine troopers all over Cybertron, devastating Autobot defensive measures. The Warworld was transmitting Matrix-energy to power the Engines' sparks, and so it needed to be close to the assault, but Bludgeon initially refrained from bringing the Warworld's more awe-inspiring weapons to activation. Something needed to be left of Cybertron to rule, after all. Still, at his troops' encouragement, Bludgeon agreed to a symbolic strike. Hacking the Autobot surveillance feed, he made them watch as the Warworld's city-killer armaments were brought down on top of a single target: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. (Miraculously, Magnus survived by using the body of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] as a super-dense shield.) {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}}

[[File:RodimusVBludgeon DestinyPt5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"C'mon, beat me up! I'll even sing "[[The Touch]]" for you if need be."]]
Bludgeon sent his soldiers to join the Neo-Decepticon forces on the ground, but remained on board the Warworld in anticipation of his final battle. He easily dispatched the [[Wreckers]] commando unit sent to disable the Thunderwing link to the Blitz Engines, and was prepared to deliver the killing stroke to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] when his fated opponent arrived: ''[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'', freshly empowered by an alternate Creation Matrix and ascended to the name of Prime. Unimpressed at first, Bludgeon learned otherwise when Rodimus Prime caught his blade in mid-strike. The battle after that was swift but certain, as Rodimus threw Bludgeon out of the Warworld, letting him hurtle uncontrollably into the planet's surface below. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Adding insult to horrible, horrible injury, Rodimus found Bludgeon's still smoldering frame after the battle. Bludgeon lived, barely, and insisted Rodimus finish the job. Instead, Rodimus Prime refused to grant Bludgeon his "glorious death", and ordered Autobot medics to make sure Bludgeon survived to suffer the ignominy of imprisonment. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} His imprisonment probably didn't last long as he was most likely turned into a [[shadow-leech]] along with nearly every other Decepticon, presumably an even more ignominious end. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Decepticons purge secrets and lies 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
When [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] took over leadership of the Decepticons, he greatly increased their efforts to eliminate every surviving Autobot on the planet. Bludgeon was at the forefront of one of these brutal purges. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin Escalation Bludgeons vision.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|EPIC FORESHADOWING.]]
During the so-called [[Dark Ages]] of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, Bludgeon, alongside [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], formed the [[Chaos Trinity]], a group that sought to harness the dark forces of the universe and use them to their advantage. During one of their ceremonies in the [[Polities of Cybertron|Orbital Torus State]] of [[Kalis]], they were interrupted by the mysterious being known as [[The Fallen]], who applauded their amateur theatrics while mocking the lack of substance behind their words. He offered them [[Furmanism|power beyond measure]] in exchange for their servitude, a proposal that Bludgeon at first boldly refused, then agreed to once The Fallen changed the term for which they would be referred to. The Fallen tasked his new "disciples" with capturing a number of Transformers in order to perform a bizarre ceremony called The [[Unbinding]] in [[Well of All Sparks|Cybertron's core]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} Soon, Bludgeon began to chafe at being ordered around without any tangible reward, so The Fallen gave him a glimpse of the dark power, ensuring the Decepticon's loyalty. While the [[Wreckers]] and [[Ultracon]]s busied themselves with their civil war, unaware of the events unfolding, Bludgeon formulated a strategy to capture two of their targets: the Trinity would exploit [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s twisted sense of justice and have him deliver himself and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] into their trap. {{storylink|Escalation}}

[[File:WarWithin Confrontation BludgeonBlades.jpg|thumb|upright=2.4|And you call yourself 'Blades'? You don't even have a blade!]]
When Jetfire met with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the [[Neutral Territories]] to discuss their suspicions about an outside force influencing the current conflict, the Trinity sprung their trap, attacking the Decepticon Commander. Bludgeon declared that once he would have never dared face Shockwave in battle, but he had been given new insights into the [[dark science]] and his ability to see the bigger picture, the latter no longer stood a chance. Once Shockwave was taken care of, the Trinity captured Jetfire, but noticed that Grimlock hadn't taken the bait of Jetfire's supposed treachery. As they prepared to leave, Grimlock jumped them, forcing The Fallen to step in. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}}

With two of the targets secured, The Fallen ordered the Trinity to capture [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], leader of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], while he would take care of the fourth target personally. In the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], while the Protectobots were discussing their problems with maintaining their control while combined as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], Bludgeon and the Trinity attacked, taking down the other Protectobots with ease and capturing Hot Spot. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

[[File:BanzaitronBludgeonDWMTME.jpg|thumb|left]]
While The Fallen used the four prisoners to unlock the [[Seal of Primus]], Bludgeon and the others were forced to defend the access shaft to the underground chamber against the Decepticons. Though Bludgeon stood resolute, ordering his comrades to fight on, with the faith that they would be rewarded for their loyal service, his resolve soon crumbled when the Autobots and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] joined forces with Shockwave and eliminated Bugly and Mindwipe. Bludgeon escaped underground to seek his master, only to be gunned down by a teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

At some point, Bludgeon in his Pretender shell faced off against [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] in presumably training or a tournament. This moment was recorded into [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #8|More than Meets the Eye #8}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe ultimately destroyed by [[Unicron]], Bludgeon joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s team of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] to serve [[Last Autobot|the Ultimate Warrior]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 19, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 19/09/2015}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:DWDropshot sliced.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Silent but deadly.]]
Bludgeon, Galvatron, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] were sent to prepare [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|this universe]]'s Cybertron for Unicron's arrival, starting with capturing the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After the group had activated all the [[space bridge]]s in the [[space bridge nexus]] in order to destabilize local space-time, Bludgeon was left to guard the nexus while the other three went to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} He attacked [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]'s unit when they arrived to investigate and put up a formidable assault (as [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] could attest), though the Autobots eventually realized the secret to his technique and forced him to retreat, leaving behind his Pretender shell. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} He returned when Jetfire attempted to use the space-bridge portal, but like the rest of the Heralds was shortly blown up when the Autobot detonated the entire base. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bludgeon Robot GIJoe.jpg|upright=0.8|right|thumb|Bludgeon always secretly dreamed of being a [[Visionaries|Visionary]].]]
Eons ago, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was given the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bludgeon attempted to kill him, but failed.

Along with the [[Pretender Monster]]s, Bludgeon traveled to Earth, seeking to be present at the planet's destruction by Unicron. The group was shot down by the [[China|Chinese]] Air Force, however, and damaged in the process. An alliance with the underground kingdom of [[Cobra-La]] provided them with life-sustaining [[Pretender]] shells in exchange for protecting the kingdom. He was responsible for the death of [[Atomic Man]] in 1978, when the [[Adventure Team]] came snooping too close to Cobra-La's hidden lair in the caves beneath [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

Decades later, Bludgeon engaged Optimus Prime in battle as the Autobot attempted to infiltrate Cobra-La's caves. After being burned by Bludgeon, Optimus ripped the chest from Bludgeon's Pretender shell. In his anger, Bludgeon lost his edge and fell off a cliff. Although Optimus had caught him, Bludgeon chose to fall, standing by his philosophy of "merciless death and destruction." {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{First|[[Stormbringer issue 1|''Transformers: Stormbringer'' #1]]}}

[[File:Bludgeon Thundercracker SLOrionPax.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|left|I seek glory, power, enlightenment, and my lower jaw.]]
In the earliest days of the war, Bludgeon was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] to capture [[Alpha Trion]] so that the Decepticons could use him to find [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. To this end, he kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and organized a hostage exchange in the [[Rust Sea|Rust Spot]], knowing that the Autobots would have to use Alpha Trion to find their way through the area. The plan worked up until that point, but Alpha Trion escaped his clutches thanks to the efforts of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], one of the hostage exchangers. As payback, Bludgeon had him strapped to a shuttle programmed to crash into the nearest settlement, and though Orion tried to stall for time by telling him he'd go far in life only to overreach and become a symbol of failure, Bludgeon didn't really care and launched his captive into the sky. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}}

[[File:Bludgeon altmode TheHuntingParty.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ancient Metallikato secret... the flying tank.]]
Following Metroplex's departure from Cybertron, Bludgeon continued his hunt for the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] using the starship ''[[Empirion]]''. One of his subordinates, [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], tracked their prey to a desolate planetoid inhabited by some pesky [[Urtuskian|aliens]], so Bludgeon commenced planetary bombardment to get them out of the way. The assault attracted the attention of a group of Autobots who rammed and crippled the ''Empirion'', forcing Bludgeon to abandon ship and fight them until Thundercracker reported that Metroplex was nowhere to be found. As the Decepticons retreated to continue their hunt elsewhere, Bludgeon had Thundercracker transferred out of his unit for seemingly having led them into an Autobot trap. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}}

During the war, Bludgeon formed an army of "deviants and half-forms", an event that would be remembered as one of the most horrible things the Decepticons did. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

[[File:SpotlightSoundwave Bludgeon defeatsLaserbeakRavage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Wait, does this mean that Piranacon [[Bludgeon (G1)#Classics|is stealthier]] than ''Ravage''?]]
Bludgeon was the leader of a team of Decepticons (including [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], [[Finback]], [[Skullgrin]], and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]) who were assigned by Megatron to look into what [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s various projects were when he disappeared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Megatron also sent [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] to spy on them. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During this time, Bludgeon discovered Shockwave's work on [[Regenesis]]. Eventually, however, they discovered the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], the Decepticon scientist who became the cause of the Cybertronian cataclysm. Bludgeon came to believe that Thunderwing was an avatar of the apocalypse, and became bent on restoring the wasted Cybertron to its former glory by resurrecting him. He and his team of Decepticons believed that in reawakening Thunderwing and turning him loose, the mass sacrifice of worlds would allow the rebirth of Cybertron. They also delved into the outlawed [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]] experiments pioneered by Thunderwing, in an attempt to create super-shells of their own.

In [[1984]] they went to [[Earth]] to extract a load of [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]], establishing a base within Mt. St. Helens. Soundwave naturally followed them. He eventually came to them asking for a cut of their profits, believing that they meant to sell the energon, but when he realized that they meant to resurrect Thunderwing he tried to stop them. They used one of Shockwave's devices to lock him in his alt-mode, then caused a volcanic eruption and returned to Cybertron via an [[orbital jump|orbital bounce]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:IDWBludgeonShell.jpg|thumb|Yes... I feel it, the power... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am... I am a part of the cosmos! Its energy flows... flows through me! Of what consequence are you now?]]
Twenty-three years later, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], detecting the Ultra-Energon from orbit, went to investigate, and were taken by the cult, planning to use them as raw materials for their shells. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} Bludgeon wanted Jetfire to witness Thunderwing's awakening, to make him see that Thunderwing had been right to experiment, but Jetfire eventually annoyed him too much. Connecting his mind to an [[axis cradle]] that controlled Thunderwing's blank neuroscape, Bludgeon sent Thunderwing to destroy [[Nebulos]], then engaged the auto-drive to inspect his own shell's progress. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Wreckers attacked Bludgeon's base on Cybertron by surprise, Iguanus escaped to the bio-graft chamber to find Bludgeon—only to find the cult leader having donned full polydermal armor. However, in Bludgeon's rush, the shell was not mentally aligned, causing a psychic backlash that took down the Decepticon before the Wreckers even found him. It was unclear at the time whether Bludgeon's mind survived, though it was believed to be in torment if it had. Prime felt that he got off lightly for having unleashed Thunderwing. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

[[File:SpotlightSideswipe Bludgeon attacks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.95|"I can tell you're happy to see me, Craig... IN YOUR PANTS!"]]
After the defeat of Thunderwing, Bludgeon was transferred to [[Garrus-9]], where [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] stored his extracted [[spark]] in the Rig. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} However, during [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]]'s attempt to bring forth the [[Expansion]], Bludgeon was reactivated inside his cell by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stop Jetfire from attempting to take control of Thunderwing. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} The remote-controlled Bludgeon sliced its way into Jetfire's lab and Jhiaxus planned to have it kill the Autobot. However, multiple fronts of Autobot resistance at each [[Nega-Core]] kept Jhiaxus from focusing his full attention on controlling Bludgeon, and he was forced to abandon his effort to kill Jetfire. [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] and [[Fastlane]] arrived and quickly disarmed the now-inert Bludgeon, and Jetfire borrowed the Pretender's [[sword]] to go aid Optimus Prime in his fight against Nemesis Prime. Bludgeon's body was presumably returned to confinement afterwards. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:AHM bludgeoniseeevill.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|Another inconsistency [[John Barber]] has to fix.]]
Somehow freed from Garrus-9 and again in possession of his full faculties (such as they were), Bludgeon was given command of the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]. Still displaying cultish fanaticism and a cruel streak a mile wide, he urged his crew onward in pursuit of the maverick Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]]. Downing the Autobot's shuttlecraft, Bludgeon had his ship land and crew disembark to sacrifice Hot Rod for the greater purpose of restoring Cybertron. With the untimely arrival of the crew of the battleship ''[[Trion]]'', Bludgeon ordered his acolytes to form Monstructor and crush the Autobots. However, his forces were put to rout by a precise shot from [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s sniper rifle, which hit the vulnerable connecting joint of the large combiner. Appearing to realize what he was up against, Bludgeon sounded the retreat. {{storylink|Lost & Found}} In actuality, he was leading the pursuing ''Trion'' to Cybertron, where several Decepticon battlecruisers staged an ambush, sending the Autobot craft plummeting to the planet below. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

[[File:Bludgeon Wheelie Syndromica1.jpg|left|upright=0.65|thumb|Annnnnd ''fixed''. Thanks, John!]]
With Bludgeon still in command, the ''Torment'' later arrived in the nick of time to rescue Shockwave from the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who opted to retreat rather than face him and the Monstructor Six. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

Several years later, learning that Jhiaxus had returned and was the captive of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|his]] [[Garnak|crew]], Bludgeon, following the orders of Shockwave, put into motion a plan to liberate him. Taking Monstructor to the planet [[Arduria]], he sent out a phony distress call that lured Hardhead's crew—joined now by Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime—to the frozen world. While Monstructor kept Hardhead and Orion busy, Bludgeon penetrated their ship, easily cutting his way through [[Garnak]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and liberating Jhiaxus. Together, the villains set off to track down the other planets that had been targeted by the Regenesis program crafted by Shockwave, who had been Jhiaxus's greatest student. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

Bludgeon arrived on planet [[LV-117]], which thanks to the Regenesis missile that had landed there, existed in a constant state of chronal flux. After they both separately came in contact with the time machine aboard [[Turmoil]]'s stolen ship, Bludgeon and Orion Pax were sent adrift across different eras of the planet, moving in opposite directions through time in relation to each other. Bludgeon managed to steal the device that allowed LV-117's inhabitants to control their planet's journey through time and slew Wheelie's friend [[Varta]] in the process, before he and Jhiaxus escaped aboard Turmoil's ship. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

The villains tracked down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], one of Bludgeon's old [[Titan Hunter]] subordinates, who had once managed to control a Titan. After duping Orion Pax into raising a deactivated Titan on [[Gorlam Prime]], they used Waspinator to seize control of it. The Titan's [[space bridge]] was used to teleport it back to Cybertron, and Jhiaxus' group followed in their own ship. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} They arrived on Cybertron to join with Shockwave shortly thereafter. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Bludgeon watched silently as Jhiaxus prepared to undertake Shockwave's master plan. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The completion of the chronal drive came just in time for the invasion of Cybertron by Shockwave's allies, the [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:BlackPlanet SkidsVBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|right|Add these two together and you basically get {{w|Taskmaster (comics)|Taskmaster}}.]]
Bludgeon began expressing some small doubts of the plan, as he came to realize that his master, Jhiaxus, was actually subservient to Shockwave. Still, he remained at their side, striking out against the Autobots and Decepticons who invaded Crystal City to stop Shockwave's plot. He struck down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and laughed at [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and his copied Metallikato moves. As he prepared to execute [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], however, Bludgeon was blasted by Optimus Prime, as the Autobot leader and his team re-emerged from the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Bludgeon was last seen as Ultra Magnus checked the fallen warrior for signs of life, but ultimately left him behind. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Managing to escape from the Crystal City before it was consumed into a singularity, Bludgeon set up residence in the Sea of Rust, and in the following months, he discovered that the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] in [[Alyon]] had reignited with Sparks. He proceeded to perform horrifying experiments upon some of them, including placing some of the sparks within the remains of fallen [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] and mutant [[Turbofox]]es, as well as messing with the corrupted energon emanating from the fallen [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

[[File:BludgeonslicesBarricade Redemption.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], eat your heart out.]]
Upon discovering a convoy protected by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] which contained sparks from the colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Bludgeon set some of his Sweeps upon them, but when they were driven off by a [[Torchbearer|second group]] he instead had them followed. Taking advantage of an attack from the [[Badgeless]], Bludgeon attacked the truck himself, destroying it, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] and the sparks. Easily disregarding the attack from [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]], Bludgeon hurled her into the corrupted energon, curious to see what it would do as it began mutating her. However the equally distraught [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], upset at Barricade's death, damned him for robbing himself of his "future" by destroying the sparks. Disgusted with the amoral scientist, she pushed Bludgeon over a cliff into a pool of the contaminated energon, only narrowly saved from joining him when [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] caught her by the wrist. Doubting that Bludgeon had perished, Strafe and the Dinobots decided to seek him out and make sure he suffered. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

[[File:Salvation BludgeonFlatline.jpg|thumb|right|Your armor shall be mine, Ryo of the Wildfire!]]
Bludgeon did indeed survive his plunge, altering his outer shell and putting a new plan into action. Having discovered that Trypticon was in fact a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], Bludgeon intended to use the beast's internal [[space bridge]] to conquer the galaxy in the name of Cybertron. He used the corrupted Sweep sparks to reactivate Trypticon's [[brain module]], which he then took control of using a replica of the [[Void Scepter]] said to have created the Titan. Next he raided the Alyon hot spot, killing the [[Badgeless]] guarding it and only leaving [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] alive before harvesting the remaining sparks, intending to use Trypticon's energon to corrupt them into an army under his control. As he demonstrated Trypticon's power by having the monster march on Iacon, Bludgeon was confronted by the Dinobots, and while he had expected Sandstorm to keep them busy, Sandstorm instead joined forces with them and destroyed the Void Scepter. His control over Trypticon broken, Bludgeon found himself forcibly teleported out of the vengeful Titan, who melted his body with a powerful beam from his mouth. Unbeknownst to most however, he survived, though not without grievous injuries including losing most of his limbs, and was secretly taken into custody by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who held an interest in his spark experiments. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}}

[[File:TheDeadComeHomePt1 BludgeonVoidSceptor.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left|Darkest soul, evil's courier, serve me as a Skeleton Warrior!]]
Starscream eventually locked the crippled Bludgeon up in a back room and gave him a repaired Void Scepter with which he would carry out Starscream's bidding. After the Seeker had lent [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] so they hunt for the missing [[protoform]]s, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} he had Bludgeon control the Dinobot via the Scepter. When Slug reunited with the Dinobots, Bludgeon had him attack his friends, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} to make ready the coming of his "master". Starscream eventually caught wind of this and shattered the Scepter. Though Bludgeon tried to goad the Seeker into killing Optimus, Starscream refused to bite and reminded Bludgeon of his house arrest. Though disappointed at how things turned out, Bludgeon was confident that these events would not impede his master's return. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

Anticipating a large existential threat, Starscream eventually repaired Bludgeon and sent him out into the galaxy so that he could gather all the Decepticons who had failed to return to Cybertron following the war's end. Bludgeon readily accomplished this task, forming the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], a massive fleet of Decepticon capital ships capable of destroying whole planets with ease. Though Starscream, {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} and Shockwave each believed they commanded Bludgeon's loyalty, {{storylink|Road's End}} Bludgeon's fetish for the apocalypse had already led him to pledge loyalty to [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. When the Chaos Bringer began attacking the [[Cybertronian colonies]], Starscream dispatched the DVD to [[G Nebula 89]] to destroy him, with Bludgeon duping Starscream and his troops into believing Unicron could be felled by their firepower and a dud [[stasis web]]. In reality, Bludgeon had brought the fleet to Unicron as part of their plan. After its combined firepower failed to damage the monster planet, Unicron unleashed the [[Maximal]]s onto Bludgeon's [[Worldsweeper]], warping the Decepticons into Maximal-like forms. Unicron then teleported to Cybertron, bringing the DVD and its converted Decepticon crews along to act as his heralds. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:RoadsEnd BludgeonMonstructor.jpg|upright=1.9|right|thumb|Trusting the skull-faced fanatic was a bad idea...who'da thunk?]]
As Unicron began attacking Cybertron, Bludgeon commanded his ship to open fire on [[Vigilem|Carcer]], crippling the Titan. His attack drew the attention of [[Victorion]] who attempted to kill him and destroy his ship. Anticipating this, Bludgeon unleashed [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] who defeated the Camien combiner. {{storylink|Our Finest}} Once Unicron had destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the fleet quantum jumped to [[Jupiter]], Bludgeon loudly proclaiming their loyalty to Unicron as the fleet destroyed [[Sanctuary Station]]. {{storylink|Road's End}}

After Shockwave had located the errant [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], he contacted Bludgeon, ordering him to have the device retrieved and used to slay Unicron. Bludgeon chose that moment to inform Shockwave of his loyalty to Unicron, dispatching his troops to retrieve the device... only so it would pose no threat to Unicron. When Starscream, Thundercracker, and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] charged the fleet, Bludgeon casually ordered Monstructor to slay the Decepticon leader, before Metroplex and Trypticon space bridged in and unleashed an army on the DVD. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

Caught off guard, the DVD fell to the Titans with only Bludgeon's ship surviving the attack. As the Worldsweeper descended into Earth's atmosphere, Shockwave tried to reassert control over Bludgeon to no avail. As the warship rained destruction on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, it was boarded by the Dinobots who stormed the bridge. Though managing to slay Snarl and Sludge, Bludgeon soon found himself locked in mortal combat with Slug. Their battle caused Bludgeon to lose control of his Void Scepter, sending the Worldsweeper crashing into the [[White House]] and killing both Bludgeon and Slug. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
After [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] asked him why his Pretender shell had a skeleton's face, Bludgeon explained that it once looked human, but its face was melted off after witnessing [[w:Raiders of the Lost Ark|the opening of the Ark of the Covenant]]. The incident totally ruined his chances at being that year's prom king. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===A Tale of the Pretenders===
[[File:Tale of Pretenders Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"''Nyeh-heh-heh!'' Soon the secrets of Castle Greyskull will be mine!"]]

With other Decepticon Pretenders, Bludgeon was active in ancient [[Japan]]. One day, they came across three [[human]] siblings and threatened them. The oldest managed to escape and both [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] pursued the remaining two while the other Decepticons followed. Bludgeon found the entire thing beneath their notice, but was rebuked by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], who desired to play with the humans. Octopunch was about to step on the two when [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] leapt to the rescue. Impressed by this apparent human, Bludgeon challenged him to a duel, but he ultimately proved lacking. Despite the rescuees trying to defend Metalhawk, Bludgeon was about to go in for the kill when other Autobot Pretenders appeared and fought off the Decepticons. Bludgeon and Metalhawk continued their duel, which Metalhawk managed to end by sending Bludgeon falling into a lava pit. {{storylink|A Tale of the Pretenders}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-9-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Bludgeon was tasked with leading a group of Decepticons to find the legendary [[Red Bucket]], which they did. While he was bragging about how the Decepticons would use the bucket to conquer the world, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] appeared out of nowhere and kicked him in the chest, shattering the armor passed down to him by his ancestors. Bludgeon retaliated by having [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] tip the bucket over on Bluestreak and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], burying them in blocks, but the Autobots were able to use the blocks to build a giant robot that neutralized Bludgeon by picking him by one leg. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Kre-O'' bio===
A proud practitioner of [[Metallikato]], Bludgeon lived by the code of [[Brickshido]] and regarded the other prattling Kreons as fools. Especially [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]], whom Bludgeon intended to attack with his [[energo weapon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12 BludgeonVectorStigmata.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|"And what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"]]
The otherworldly guardian of the entrance to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]], Bludgeon blocked the path of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s souls on their journey to the great beyond, demanding they present the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" before they could pass. While Prime revealed the key and was granted passage by the gatekeeper, Grimlock could not produce one and was refused entry until Prime let him have his key. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}
{{-}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:OMAMHistory MayhemAttackSquad.jpg|right|upright=2.1|thumb]]

Bludgeon's [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] was selected by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to form the ultimate combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Their power amplified and the combiner's personality solidified by the [[Matrix of Malice]], the Mayhem Attack Squad's destructive ability proved uncontrollable. The Squad captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and restrained him within their ship, forcing him to watch as Thunder Mayhem went on an apocalyptic rampage across Cybertron, nearly driving the Cybertronian race to extinction. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}}

Years later, Bludgeon and the rest of the Mayhem Attack Squad were drawn to a cavern on Earth by a Decepticon signal, finding upon their arrival that the extra-dimensional [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] was the one broadcasting it. Though other members of his team were eager to simply off the stranger, Bludgeon allowed their new acquaintance to speak first. Ramjet was quick to comment on the dark energies he sensed within Bludgeon, who rebutted that if Ramjet was simply after his Matrix of Malice, it would not be easily pried from his frame. Ramjet reassured him that he had no interest in the artifact, and instead made a quick demonstration of his power to convince the Squad that he would make a valuable ally. Impressed by Ramjet's eldritch energies, Bludgeon and his team agreed to join forces with him, and together they begun to plot the destruction of the universe. {{storylink|History}}

The Mayhem Attack Squad turned Thunder Mayhem loose on the city of [[Merida]]. {{storylink|Divination}} They were confronted by [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s team of Autobot [[Pretender]]s and the exiled Optimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}} Thunder Mayhem had little trouble keeping them at bay, but when the [[Wreckers]] arrived and unveiled their new combined form [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the Mayhems had a true fight on their hands. The superpowered human [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] fired an energy blast that damaged Thunder Mayhem's chest, allowing Wreckage to expose the Matrix of Malice. Together, all parties focused their fire and destroyed the Matrix, causing the Squad to de-combine and ending Thunder Mayhem for good. In the aftermath, the Wreckers took the Mayhem Attack Squad into custody when they left the planet. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

===Precursor World===
[[File:EHOBBY Bludgeon front.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In an unknown location, an enigmatic Bludgeon observed different scenes throughout the multiverse with [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]], taking special note of [[Magna Convoy]] joining forces with [[Convobat]] as the awakening of the "Blue". With the warriors who inherited the "[[Star Power|Seven Lights]]" from [[The One]] beginning to play their parts, Bludgeon declared the coming of a new era. {{storylink|Cybertron Magna Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-BludgeonQuintusPrime-CardArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]

Bludgeon was a [[Prime Master]] who housed the spark energy of [[Quintus Prime]]. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Decepticon Bludgeon / Quintus Prime online bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Bludgeon, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:LightStar BludgeonAttacksAfterburner.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A rumored assassin with personal beliefs (delusions, some said) rooted in the supernatural, Bludgeon was placed in punitive stasis no less than four times over the years. Somehow, he always managed to be released, escaping more serious consequences for his alleged crimes. [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] hired him to act as his chief enforcer on the asteroid colony of [[Hexagon]]. After [[Vigilem]] docked at Hexagon, Thunderwing provided him with repairs, and [[Colonial Security]] arrived aboard [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] shortly thereafter to apprehend the renegade [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] boarded Hexagon and were greeted by Bludgeon, whom they weren't too pleased to see up-and-about. The tension only grew as the Technobots met with Thunderwing and he begrudgingly allowed them to inspect his colony. Bludgeon stayed at Thunderwing's side, with the two of them being guarded by [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] while the other Technobots had a look around. When it became clear that Thunderwing was engaging in illegal operations, communications between the Technobots were jammed and Bludgeon attacked Afterburner. The two engaged in a running battle across Hexagon, with Bludgeon nearly overwhelming his opponent. However, Bludgeon was defeated when [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] unexpectedly burst through a wall and pierced the assassin's armor with his drill bit. {{storylink|Light/Star}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Surely everyone waited for ''official'' permission to [[repurposing|repurpose]] this design, right?]]
Early in the war, Bludgeon was to meet with the Autobots Orion Pax, Alpha Trion, and Nightbeat to perform a prisoner exchange for the safe return of Rack'n'Ruin. This turned out to be a Decepticon ploy, however, and the Decepticons ambushed the group, capturing Alpha Trion in the process. {{storylink|Orion's Gambit}} Bludgeon and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

Bludgeon was later part of Thunderwing's squad of Decepticons. They attacked a [[Sun-Farming facility]] run by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], only to discover that the Autobots were more formidable than they had counted on. Bludgeon headed for the main building, fending off [[Fastlane]] and cleaving guards with his [[Energo weapon|Energo-Sword]], until he was able to secure the [[Energon]] stored inside. The Autobots subsequently retreated. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}} Bludgeon was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|King Pig#As Bludgeon}}
Bludgeon appears as one of the first unlockable Characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:BludgeonEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8| [[Starscream (G1)|Who]] said I was a "Disturbing sword guy?"]]Mysterious, stealthy, and deadly, Bludgeon is a master of the ancient Cybertronian martial art of Metallikato, a combat style that borders on the mystical. The consummate assassin, Bludgeon locks on to his victim like a silent guided missile, and won't stop or deviate until he's claimed his scalp. A master swordsman, Bludgeon hides his true robot self behind an outer shell designed to strike icy dread into his victims. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bludgeon Bio}}

Bludgeon was brought through the Space Bridge by Starscream, and he had a transmission for Starscream from Megatron: Get Megatron to Earth, or be stuck on the dreary mudball for eternity. Seeing as Starscream didn't want to be abandoned with Bludgeon and Autobots, he and Bludgeon got a crystal powerful enough to get Megatron through. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Get Megatron! Campaign}}

Bludgeon received orders from Megatron to spy on and observe Starscream. Starscream headed to the Space Bridge and brought out [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and Scrapper. Bludgeon followed the trio to an Autobot outpost, where Bludgeon stopped them from getting another piece of the [[Fractal Map]] to make sure Starscream didn't get any credit and would be humiliated by Megatron. Which Starscream was. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Power Play Campaign}}

Bludgeon helps out in the final battle for the Codex Key, helping to destroy the opposing Autobot outpost to the ground. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

He then witnessed the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] arrived and complained about Space Bridge travel being unpleasant, Bludgeon noted that the Bridge's calibration was way off.

Bludgeon heard of Cyclonus's movement and scouting in the Frozen wastes of the Arctic. Bludgeon was oddly missing from the battle for the Frozen Fortress, even though prior to, Megatron orders him to rally the troops to attack. Maybe he was assigned baby sitting duty of the outpost to ensure Autobots didn't randomly attack. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Arctic Saga}}

*'''Class:''' Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''' - He targets a building with his gun, then engages and slices it with his sword.
*'''Ability: Electromagnetic Charge''' - Gains a protective shield that reduces 80% damage for several seconds and rushes into combat damaging walls and disabling targets along way that deals electric damage. Upon reaching the target other defenses are attracted to him.
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:bludgeon Bludgeon at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
Even Bludgeon was impressed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s mastery of warfare in contests of strength. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero15.shtml Brawn on the Transformers Online website]</ref>

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Bludgeon-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|Shouldn't you rather be repurposing [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|the latest version]] of Bludgeon for this game?]]
Bludgeon was one of the Decepticons pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|his universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight#Chapter 1: Realities Collide| The Way of the Blade}}

{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBludgeon.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Bludgeon commands the fourteenth Decepticon base destroyed by the Autobots. He appears once the player reaches 15,800,000 points. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He's an electric warrior. He is not, however, a Jeepster for your love.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Pretender, [[1989]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pretender shell, helmet, "laser rifle" (large gun), tank turret/shield, "[[electric cannon]]" (small gun)
{{toydesigner|[[Tetsuya Ikeda]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Richard Marcej]] (packaging)}}

: Released in the sixth year of ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'', Bludgeon's inner-robot transforms into a green and lilac quad-tread tank of undetermined, possibly-made-up model. Oddly, unlike most ''Transformers'' tanks, he does ''not'' have wheels inside the static tank tracks for any sort of rolling movement. The main tank turret separates into two separate pieces; the turret section can form a shield for the [[Pretender]] shell, while the barrel of the tank becomes the robot mode's "electric cannon". Like all of the 1989 Pretenders, the "electronic cannon" can store inside the shell in a port located in the leg. Alternatively, one can copy his [[:File:MTMTE-Dreamwave-Bludgeon-Pretender.jpeg|Dreamwave character profile artwork]], and have the entire combined turret mounted on the arm of his shell—which is pretty kickass! The shell itself is also armed with a white "laser rifle".

: Speaking of the Pretender shell, it continues the Decepticon trend of monstrous or war-like shells, being an orange and maroon humanoid samurai with a human skull for a head. Removing the helmet reveals great attention to detail on the skull, with cranium fusion seams and well-defined teeth, among other sculpting. Unfortunately, Bludgeon does not include a katana accessory like the one depicted in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics.

: No version of this mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More info on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:ROTFtoy-BludgeonVoyager.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Behold, I am Yoshimitsu the Second!"]]
[[File:ROTFBludgeon japanese instructions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''RD-20'''
:*''Accessories:'' {{w|katana}}, {{w|tantō}}
{{note|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Bludgeon in multiple video games.}}

: Released in the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyagers, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]] transforms from a green and orange Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a skeletal samurai robot mode which homages his original [[Pretender]] shell, in colors that homage both the shell and the original inner robot. Bludgeon features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and that pulling his turret open makes a gray sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

: The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:There is a paint application error on Bludgeon's rear wheels/thighs, wherein the black [[paint operation]]s, which were meant to help blend his rear wheels in with the black center wheels, are placed on the ''wrong side'', keeping them out of sight in vehicle mode, and behind his thighs in robot mode. The ratcheting hip joint is also flipped 180 degrees from what it should be, with two further ratchet divots on top of the hip than inside of it, meaning the mechanism in the upper leg is trying to click into a smooth surface. The toy seems to have been originally designed to feature light-piping in the head, though this feature is rendered useless with it being cast in the same solid gray plastic used for his arms, weapons, shoulders and Mech Alive features.

: The [[TakaraTomy]] release of Bludgeon has a different [[instructions|instruction sheet]] that actually labels the weapons as a {{w|katana}} and {{w|tantō}}, whereas the Hasbro release doesn't label them at all.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Toys|Banzaitron]], and [[retool]]ed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron_(G1)/Generations_toys#GDO|Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Voyager Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BludgeonKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's not the [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|first time]] he's had Megatron's head.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Micro-Changer, [[2012]])}}
:*''Bag number'': '''22851 51'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first normal wave of ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]] [[Kreon]]s, Bludgeon is a [[blindpacking|blindpacked]]-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts which turn him into a kinda-sorta-tank. He also comes with a 2x4 block stand with the Kre-O logo on the side.

: He uses [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s helmet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|2016}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''1'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, sword

: In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released ''Kre-O'' sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Bludgeon's torso [[tampograph]] has also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarstoy-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The samurai skeleton look was going out of fashion.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Voyager, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Twin "high-voltage" cannons, 2 "cyber-blade" swords.

: Part of the [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service#Series 4.0 (2016)|Figure Subscription Service 4.0]], ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Bludgeon is a [[retool]] of Voyager Class [[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]] with a new robot head, a new combiner head, and two additional swords from [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Exprime|''Go!'' Optimus Exprime]]. Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager, he can combine with any four of that line's Deluxes, though he is meant to combine with his fellow [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to form [[Thunder Mayhem#Generations|Thunder Mayhem]]. Like other ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager Class toys, Bludgeon's head and torso kibble is incorporated into the toy itself, rather than being add-on parts. Bludgeon's two rifles combine into a longer rifle for the combined robot, which can also wield the twin swords.

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon features misassembled knee struts, but the backs of his feet can flip out heels to provide better support.

:Bludgeon's mold was originally retooled from [[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Hot Spot]], who was retooled differently as [[Pyra Magna#Toys|Pyra Magna]].
{{CWHotSpotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Quintus-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Uh, nevermind.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Quintus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-20'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 25]], 2018
:*''Accessories'': Decepticon Bludgeon decoy armor, {{w|kanabō}}/gun
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the third and final wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Prime Master]]s, [[Quintus Prime#Power of the Primes|Quintus Prime]] comes with Bludgeon decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell. Quintus Prime/Bludgeon is a [[Retool|partial tooling]] of [[Vector Prime#Power of the Primes|Vector Prime]]/[[Metalhawk (G1)#Power of the Primes|Metalhawk]], swapping that toy's grey sprue for yellow parts with new detailing. The new weapon piece is modeled after a kanabō (a metal stick), and uniquely can be wielded as such with the alternate 3 mm plug on the end.

:This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[you]]r imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Voyager-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Honor died on the beach! The Khan deserves to suffer!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Comic Universe Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tank turret base, 2 tank barrels, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[June 20]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]]</ref>

: Part of the seventh wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Voyagers, ''Legacy: Evolution'' Bludgeon is a redeco and new-head retool of ''Legacy'' [[Tarn (G1)#Legacy|Tarn]], based on his appearance in the [[Light/Star|2021 IDW comic annual]], transforming into a Cybertronian tank. Like Tarn, Bludgeon's tank turret can detach as part of the [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick, and the barrels can split off and peg into the turret itself to make an extra-long [[fusion cannon]]. His hands feature hinged knuckles, allowing them to open and close, but are unfortunately exposed on the tank mode's rear end. Unlike Tarn, Bludgeon includes a new sword accessory, which is based on the sword from [[Don Figueroa]]'s [[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]] design for [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|IDW G1 Bludgeon]] to add samurai action, with a [[5 mm post]] that allows for storage in both modes.

:In an undocumented feature, Bludgeon’s smaller back turrets are removable.<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?hl=en</ref> Detaching them reveals two 5 mm ports at the base and beginning of the turret, allowing them to be held as small guns or batons respectively. Doing this can be quite difficult given how tight they are in the back, so exercise caution when removing them as his backpack is made from very thin clear plastic and can snap easily.

: The tips of Bludgeon's head crest are a bit too long for the head to fit easily into the torso cavity during transformation, and it may take quite a bit of finagling to avoid this (pushing the head to either side of the cavity is particularly helpful). Exercise caution when transforming.

:The original version of the mold was redecoed into [[Tarn (Cyberverse)#Toys|Cyberverse Universe Tarn]], retaining Bludgeon’s sword.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Bludgeon from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|LegacyUnited}}
[[File:TF-Legacy-United-Voyager-DND-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Hey baby, you dropped something... MY JAW.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-mas|'''Decepticon Bludgeon/Decepticon Rukus''' (Multi-pack, [[2024]])}}</ul>
:*Accessories: Tank turret base, 2 tank barrels, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Shuhei Umezu]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Amy Bence]] (packaging)<ref>[[June 10]], [[2025]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEAkXHAU034 Transformers Fanstream | June 2025 | Hasbro Pulse] on YouTube, with [[Nate Purswell]] and [[Mark Maher]].</ref>, [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (original tooling), [[Don Figueroa]] (original concept)}}<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C-OmBloMBP3/ Design notes] on ''Doom <nowiki>'</nowiki>n Destruction '' Bludgeon from [[Hasbro]] designer [[Mark Maher]] on Instagram</ref>

: Part of the [[Amazon]] exclusive ''Doom <nowiki>'</nowiki>n Destruction '' subline, "Decepticon Bludgeon" is a recolor and retool of the figure above, giving it a new head, chest, and waist armor based on Don Figueroa's inner-robot design for the character from ''Stormbringer''. Additionally, all the transparent clear plastic parts have been replaced with regular opaque plastic, making the figure more sturdy overall and less prone to breakage. Unlike other figures in the Doom <nowiki>'</nowiki>n Destruction line, Bludgeon lacks a Mayhem Attack Squad insignia.

:Bludgeon is packaged with [[Ruckus (G1)#Legacy|Decepticon Rukus]]. The 2-pack was first spotted on display at San-Diego Comic Con 2024 on [[July 25]], [[2024]].

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/C-OmBloMBP3/ Designer commentary on Stormbringer Bludgeon from Mark Maher on Instagram]
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===First 4 Figures===
*'''Bludgeon''' (<s>2006/2007</s> unreleased)

:Intended for release in [[First 4 Figures]]' "Generation One" series, this would have been a full body resin statue of Bludgeon. When his digital sculpt was shown to ASM website staff at New York [[Toy Fair]] in February 2006, they specifically noted that he included his sword.<ref name=ASM>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070806062058/http://toyfair06.asmzine.com/first4figures/report.html "First4Figures Limited Transformers Statues and Busts Info!"] at ASMzine.com (archived)</ref> First 4 Figures allowed [[BigBadToyStore]] to solicit him for sale the same month.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/update-from-bigbadtoystorecom-transformers-and-gij/6539/ "Update from BigBadToyStore.com: Transformers and G.I.Joe Statues and Busts!!!"] on Seibertron.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426030454/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=527&company=130 BigBadToyStore's listings for First 4 Figures' statues] (archived)</ref>

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon and the rest of the "Generation One" series were casualties of the general discontinuation of First 4 Figures' ''Transformers'' output, which was attributed to a challenging market and a lack of retailer support.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' ([[2013]])
[[File:SDCC2013Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|"To a master of Metallikato, your kung-fu grip is slow-motion!"]]
:*''Accessories'': {{w|kabuto}} (helmet), {{w|Dō (armour)|dō}} (breastplate), jinbaori (cloak), {{w|Japanese sword|daitō}} (long sword), shōtō (short sword)

:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this is a 3.75" figure depicting Bludgeon in his Pretender shell. He's constructed from the torso, waist, and upper legs of 2011's ''30th Anniversary'' [[Storm Shadow]], the lower legs and feet of the 2012 ''Retaliation'' Red Ninja, new arms, a new robo-skull head, and various rubberised bits of samurai armour such as his helmet, breastplate, cloak, and a non-removable {{w|Sangu (armour)|haidate}} (thigh armour). (Interestingly, this means he's only a head and kabuto away from being [https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/budo3.shtml ''Retaliation'' Budo] and, given that the ''Retaliation'' toyline had to be reshuffled when the {{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation#Theatrical|movie}} was delayed nine months, it's uncertain which samurai was designed first.) He is armed with two swords derived from his original character model in two different lengths, as was the {{w|Daishō|style at the time}}.

:The set also includes a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], a G.I. Joe [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Hound]], a new [[Snake-Eyes#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Snake-Eyes]] figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a [[Baroness#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Baroness|Ravage]] on a leash, and an [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Autobot Blaster]] boombox accessory with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Eject]].

:The box set was announced via a ''USA Today'' [http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusives/2392295/ article] on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/SDCCBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/bludgeon.shtml More information on Bludgeon (v1) at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Bludgeon.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon, Electric Warrior''' ([[2020]])
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T09/T46'''
**''Stars: ''11
:Bludgeon, Electric Warrior is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]. The Alt Mode artwork is based on the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] Voyager-class toy, while the Bot Mode artwork is based on Bludgeon's idiosyncratic appearance in the [[e-HOBBY]] comic [[Cybertron Magna Convoy]] with a new color scheme to marry the two.

:This card's set was originally scheduled for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

===e-HOBBY===
====''Transformers Character Card''====
[[File:Transformers Character Card Bludgeon and Stranglehold.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold Set''' ([[March 14]], [[2022]])
**''ID number:'' '''09 & 10'''

:Released as part of the second wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon and [[Stranglehold]] along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#09|Translation of Bludgeon's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}

====Rubber strap series====
[[File:E Hobby rubber keychain Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold & Octopunch Set''' ([[January]] [[2023]])

:Released as part of the first wave of an [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive series, this trio of rubber keychains depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon, [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]].
{{-}}

===ULTIMATES!===
*'''Bludgeon''' (ULTIMATES!, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Toy-style head with removable helmet, comic-style head with removable helmet, severed neck wires, tank turret, tank cannon, katana with working sheath, wakizashi with working sheath, gun, 6 hands

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Super7|Transformers ULTIMATES!]]'' from [[Super7]], Bludgeon is a 7-inch-tall non-transforming action figure. Despite his retro look, he has ''way'' more articulation than the original, including multi-directional joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles; plus swivel biceps, elbows, knees, and a bit of ab crunch. His hands pop out at the wrists so they can be replaced with his additional spare hands, some in sculpted martial arts poses. He includes a tank turret that can be worn on his arm as a shield, both of his traditional swords that can plug into their sheaths, as well as two different styles of heads and helmets (comic- or toy-accurate), and a piece to represent the tangled wires left on Bludgeon's severed neck after [[The Power and the Glory|he was decapitated]] by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].

: Preorders for Bludgeon (and the rest of Wave 2) opened on [[July 29]] 2021, and closed on [[August 27]], with the toys slated for shipping in summer 2022, but wound up delayed by a full year.
{{--}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Bludgeon''' (?)
: To be released as part of the ''Furai Model'' line by [[Flame Toys]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[File:1989ToyFairCatalogBludgeon.jpg|thumb|Like a Rosetta Stone, but for samurai skeletons.]]
*Bludgeon's color scheme in the Marvel comics was based on a non-final prototype toy (as seen in the 1989 [[Toy Fair]] catalog and various toyline photography), explaining the absence of grey down the sides of his torso. This alternate color layout was far more noticeable on his rarely-depicted inner robot, revealing the origins of his differently-colored tank turret and the random patch of color on his chest in "[[The Last Autobot?]]". The shape of the prototype inner robot's head also aligns more closely with how [[Andrew Wildman]] and other artists drew it than the finalized toy design.
**While Bludgeon's Pretender shell prototype did have shoulderpads that matched its front "skirt" (visible on the pack-in flier and cardback photo), the angle and lighting of his shoulders in the Toy Fair catalog rendered this area's colors indistinct, which might explain why Bludgeon's shoulder armor was often the same color as his chest in the comics.
**The Toy Fair prototype was furthermore armed with a copy of [[Apeface]]'s sonic boomer gun painted white instead of the mold's normal pistol, but this doesn't appear to have affected any of his media portrayals.
*Like [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], Bludgeon's [[character model]] portrays him with a specialized melee weapon. Bludgeon is consistently drawn with the character model's sword, which has become a trademark, despite his toy lacking one. Thus far, Bludgeon's San Diego Comic-Con release is the only toy to include this design. The character model also seems to include a scabbard for the sword, though that is not included nearly as often. Why all three of these characters are given weapons that don't exist is unknown.
*The only time we see his character model is when it's copied faithfully by [[José Delbo]] in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]". (However, [[Robin Smith]] takes another crack at it in [[Fleetway]]'s ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Generation 2]]'' series, but a tiny few liberties were taken, style-wise.)
*The sword in his character model has unique detailing at the base of the front of the blade. In Delbo's rendition, it looks kind of like a dong. Elsewhere, not so much. Thankfully.
*Bludgeon's outer shell is a "Warrior-Grade Pretender Shell" equipped with an ambient stealth field.<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', by [[Simon Furman]]</ref>
[[File:Bludgeon-IDW-Alex Milne-concept.jpg|thumb]]
*Clamor for a new Bludgeon toy – in part [[Bludgeon effect|caused by appreciation of the character in fiction]] – led to him ''nearly'' seeing a new release in the mid-2000s. Firstly, a figure was alleged to be planned for the ''[[Titanium Series]]'' line, supposedly a 6" "Cybertron Heroes" toy,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/titanium-13/cancelled-titanium-bludgeon-revealed-in-tfw2005-toy-database-164105/ Cancelled Titanium Bludgeon Revealed in TFW2005 Toy Database]</ref> though for his part, the line's designer [[Don Figueroa]] does not remember working on one.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I don’t remember Bludgeon being on the docket, but I might have used his Stormbringer design albeit tweaked a little|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1562213645555097602|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=08|day=24|}}</ref> What Figueroa ''did'' work on was a concept for a [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] Bludgeon toy, which he submitted way back during the development of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' or ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toylines. The concept wasn't put into production as a toy at the time, so Figueroa used it as inspiration for his [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|rendition of Generation 1 Bludgeon]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=An unused #Doncept of Bludgeon which elements from it eventually ended up in a produced toy. Also the base for the #Stormbringer version #Transformers|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1540344692604227585|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=06|day=24}} {{citesocial|quote=Finally found the Alt-mode😛|link=https://twitter.com/SketchyFig/status/1640049069103149057|name=Don Figueroa|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=03|day=26}}</ref> Hasbro considered releasing a Bludgeon in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line, but put it on hold because of the large number of tanks and tank-like vehicle modes being released at the time.<ref>[[Bill Rawley]] in an interview for the Transformers Collector's Club magazine: ''"One that comes to mind right away is Bludgeon. We even started early design sketches for him but the fact that he would transform into a tank, in a line that had a lot of tank-like vehicles in it, meant that he would have to be put on hold... for now."''</ref> This plan was evidently resurrected for the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager Class|Bludgeon]] toy. Figueroa notes that his contribution on this toy is very small, as his work on it ended when he submitted the concept to Hasbro way back when.
*Bludgeon's [[e-HOBBY]] appearance is a "[[Redeco#"Virtual" redecos|virtual redeco]]" composed of a veritable rat king of references.
**His body is ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hardhead (G1)#Generations|Hardhead]].
**His head is ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Rev#Generations|Throttle]].
**His sheathed sword comes from 2016 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Warrior Class [[Windblade (RID)#Warrior|Windblade]].
**His projection drone, meanwhile, is modeled on the vehicle partner of ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]].
**Finally his actual color scheme is patterned after his original ''Generation 1'' Pretender shell, but with the white shoulder stripes of 2003 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|Destructicon Bludgeon]], while his drone and Titan Master partner are both in the colors of his tank inner robot.
*The [[2019 IDW continuity]] incarnation of Bludgeon (at right) was broadly patterned by [[Alex Milne]] on the [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' animated design]], itself inspired by the 2017 [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bludgeon''' (ブラジオン ''Burajion'')
*''French'': '''Ossement''' (France, "Bones"), '''Gourdin''' (Canada, "Club", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Husáng''' ("Stick", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Italian:'' '''Teskior''' ("Skullor")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Wùyǐn Ànzhàng''' (China, 雾隐暗丈, "Shadow Elder Hidden in Mist"), '''Léi Zhèn''' (China, 雷震, "Thunder Quake")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mayhem Attack Squad]]
[[Category:Precursor World characters]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card Decepticons]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

Talk:Ron Mitchell

2024-10-20T19:21:16Z

Banannixx: forgot to sign

==Ron's fate?==
Now, DID bay put him in ROTF?--[[User:Sunjumper|Sunjumper]] 14:50, 8 July 2009 (EDT)
:According to this article, he wasn't seen. Maybe more solid proof will be given within the DVD release? That's gonna be fun to freeze-frame. [[User:Malunis T|Malunis T]] 14:38, 23 August 2009 (EDT)

==Is this page really needed?==
I'm considering flagging this page for deletion, because I have found NO evidence whatsoever that this character is anything more than an extra.

Hell, the lack of citations regarding Bay's comments regarding his inclusion in future movies is nearly enough for me to do it regardless.

Thoughts?

[[User:Carprillo|Carprillo]] ([[User talk:Carprillo|talk]]) 22:12, 28 July 2015 (EDT)
:A site admin was the one who added it in the first place, and everything in the page is accurate (watch the commentaries). I see no reason not to. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 01:14, 18 October 2015 (EDT)
::We have articles for people who worked on Transformers. This is not odd, so I'm not sure why we'd delete this article. --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 02:46, 18 October 2015 (EDT)

== Further laboration and last name. ==

This article seems to be talking about the same guy who cameoed in the film, acknowledging that he knows film people and has been in several himself during his travels.

https://thelandmag.com/ron-mitchell-patty-jenkins-dan-gilroy-forrest-gump/

I can't seem to find a date on when the article was written though, which is rather frustrating.

In regards to the last name, he's still just known as Ron by everyone, so idk. [[User:Banannixx|Banannixx]] ([[User talk:Banannixx|talk]]) 15:21, 20 October 2024 (EDT)

Talk:Ron Mitchell

2024-10-20T19:20:54Z

Banannixx: /* Further laboration and last name. */ new section

File:One-crowd-cameos.jpg

2024-09-21T15:14:52Z

Banannixx: Fixed character links to proper pages.

{{Onecap|[[Sunstreaker (One)|Sunstreaker]], [[Ironhide (One)|Ironhide]], [[Arcee (One)|Arcee]], [[Jackpot (One)|Jackpot]], [[Greenlight (One)|Greenlight]], [[Ratchet (One)|Ratchet]] and [[Sideswipe (One)|Sideswipe]] assist the [[Iacon 5000]] race among the crowd.}}

Rairyu

2024-09-13T17:49:02Z

Banannixx: /* Notes */ Snarl does 'shoot' his sword in Heavy Metal War.

{{factions|decepticon}}{{picsneeded|Fictional appearances}}
:''Rairyu is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Rairyu.jpg|275px|thumb]]

Slow and steady, that's how '''Rairyu''' (ライリュウ ''Rairyū'') works. Patient, straightforward and unflinchingly honest, he strides into battle ready to take any [[Autobot]] head-on, confident in his strength and determination. He's possibly the most reliable of the [[Dinoforce]] members, though that's certainly damning him with faint praise. He's not smart, but he's not prone to the rashness most of his fellow not-smart Dinoforcers are, so his measured methods tend to mitigate his low intelligence and make him somewhat less failure-prone. ''Somewhat''.

When merged with his semi-autonomous ''Brontosaurus'' shell, his already-impressive strength is amplified to incredible degrees. He can create localized earthquakes that leave massive cracks in the ground, throwing enemies off-balance and sending them plummeting, a move he calls the "Rai-Bronto Hole". He's also the Dinoforce's aquatic specialist, capable of surprisingly quick movement when submerged; he can even spin his body in a devastating high-speed corkscrew-torpedo attack. The shell is also armed with a multi-missile rack as well as shoulder-cannons that fire stored-up water at intensely high pressures, quickly eroding and punching through enemy armor.

Where Rairyu falters, however, is his temper. He tries to keep it cool at all times, but once he's had enough, ''he's had enough'', and launches into an uncontrollable rampage. Which means his incredible strength and devastating attacks are just as likely to take out his teammates and himself as they are any unfortunate Autobots in range. Rairyu combines with the rest of his team to form [[Dinoking]].

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===''Victory'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Shinobu Satouchi]] (Japanese)}}
[[Image:Victory ep4 dinochase.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Why, hell-o there...]]
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber}} {{storylink|Sneak Attack! Dinoking}} {{storylink|Attack! Leozack}} {{storylink|Unite!! Multiforce}} {{storylink|Move Out! Rescue Team}} {{storylink|Infiltration... The Uranium Mine}} {{storylink|Explosion!! The Energy Base}} {{storylink|Tanker Hijack Operation}} {{storylink|Rescue Jan!!}} {{storylink|A Fierce Battle!! The Asteroid}} {{storylink|Resurrection!? The Decepticon Fortress}} {{storylink|Battle Up of Wrath!!}} {{storylink|Crisis! Ambush in the Desert}} {{storylink|Ginrai Dies!!}} {{storylink|Fight!! Victory Leo}} {{storylink|The Tide Is Turned! The Ultimate Weapon, the Victory Unification}} {{storylink|Jan - Defend the Campus!!}} {{storylink|The Terror of the Giant Tidal Waves}} {{storylink|The Wrath of the Resurrected Giant Fortress!}} {{storylink|Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification}}}}

===''Victory'' comic===
[[File:Goryu and his little guy.jpg|thumb|250px]]
Rairyu and the Dinoforce rode their shells into battle, ransacking the planet Earth. They attempted to escalate the devastation by forming [[Dinoking]], but were stopped cold by the power of [[Landcross (G1)|Landcross]]. {{storylink|So Cool! Our Ally, Star Saber!}}

Rairyu stood watch as [[Kakuryu (G1)|Kakuryu]] went through his daily fitness routine. {{storylink|Star Saber, Warrior of Love!}}

As the Autobots infiltrated the Decepticon Space Stronghold, their sudden appearance scattered Rairyu and the Dinoforce. The fighting soon ceased as the Decepticons revealed they only sought energy for their families, including the adorable [[Baby Dinoforce|Dinobabies]]. {{storylink|The Grand Victory War}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:ThePermanentRevolution-Dinoforce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left]]

Rairyu was part of [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s contingent of Decepticons stationed in their [[Warworld]]. In agreement with [[Tarn (G1)|Tarn]], Deathsaurus and his forces joined with the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] to continue the Decepticon dream and eliminate [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|Victory}}
[[File:Victory-toy Rairyu.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|It's a giraffe!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Rairyu''' (''Dinoforce'', [[1989]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-327'''
:*''Accessories'': ''Brontosaurus'' shell, shell-back, "Bronto Gun", Dinoking hip
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: A [[redeco]] of the [[Pretender Monster]] [[Birdbrain#Toys|Birdbrain]], ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Victory|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers]]'' Rairyu transforms into a quadrupedal monster-thing. He can also form the middle torso to the team's combined mode [[Dinoking#Toys|Dinoking]].

: He comes with a rubbery, cyborg ''Brontosaurus'' shell he hides inside. The back of the shell can also store his rifle and the Dinoking hip assembly. This shell, like all the Dinoforce shells, has a pair of QC flaws that appear nearly universal: the shell has a nasty tendency to "sweat" an oily residue, plus the metallic paints age poorly, with the gold famously developing a green patina. While some water and a little bit of hand-soap should take care of the slime, there's not much to be done about the green discoloration.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Destron/Rairyu/rairyu.htm More information on Rairyu at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Dinoking}}
[[File:Victorytoy dinoking giftset.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Dinoking''' (''Dinoforce'' giftset, 1989)}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''D-328'''
:*''Accessories'': ''Brontosaurus'' shell, shell-back, "Bronto Gun", Dinoking hip
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: All six members of the [[Dinoforce]] were available both in individual boxes, and in a complete six-piece giftset. While there are no differences in the toys themselves, the giftset lacks any [[bio]] or [[Tech Spec]] cards for the individual components, only having cards for the combined mode.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Destron/Dinoking/dinoking.htm More information on Dinoking at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-United-Rairyu.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Dinoking''' (Gift set, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Left & right missile pods
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Shuhei Umezu]] and [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CjNwidkuAN4/ Design notes on the ''Legacy Evolution'' Dinobots] from [[Hasbro]] designer [[Evan Brooks]] on Instagram.</ref>

: Finally achieving the form this mold was clearly meant to be from the beginning, ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy: United]]'' Rairyu is a [[redeco]] and new-head [[retool]]ing of ''Legacy: Evolution'' Core Class [[Sludge (G1)#Legacy|Sludge]], transforming into a robotic ''Brontosaurus'', with his deco heavily favoring his anime portrayal; which actually works out better for him than most of the team since his bestial "shell" mode was already functionally off-white. He comes with a pair of all-new, massive non-firing missile pods that clip into his dino-mode back, or onto his arms in robot mode. His Brontosaurus head has also been retooled slightly to fix the unintentionally asymmetrical sculpting that was present on Sludge.

: Gairyu also forms the lower torso to [[Dinoking#Legacy|Dinoking]]. The twin missile pods clip into the "feet" of [[Goryu (G1)#Legacy|Goryu]] and [[Doryu (G1)#Legacy|Doryu]] in their leg modes as foot-plates, with the connectors having an ankle-tilt joint for extra stability.

: He was only available in a [[Hasbro PulseCon 2024]] box set of six Dinoforce members, along with Doryu, [[Gairyu#Legacy|Gairyu]], Goryu, [[Kakuryu (G1)#Legacy|Kakuryu]], and [[Yokuryu#Legacy|Yokuryu]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
*''Rairyū'' corresponds with 雷竜, meaning "Thunder Dinosaur". The term is a Japanese adaptation of "''{{W|Brontosaurus}}''", which means "thunder lizard" in Greek.
*The ''Victory'' anime depicted the Dinoforce members as carrying melee weapons, rather than the blasters the toys actually came with. Rairyu brandishes a sword, though he can shoot energy from its tip like it was a gun. [[Snarl_(G1)| Sounds familiar.]]

===Foreign names===
*''English:'' '''Birdbrain''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Chángjǐngguài''' (China, 长颈怪, "Long-necked Monster")

[[Category:Dinoforce]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]

Astoria Carlton-Ritz

2024-08-17T12:20:23Z

Banannixx: /* Energon Universe */ removed spoiler tag

: ''Astoria Carlton-Ritz is a [[human]] from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:G1 Astoria Carlton-Ritz.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|"Didn't I say I never hang out with the Hilton sisters?"]]
After the death of her father, '''Astoria Carlton-Ritz''' inherited his vast fortune as well as his company, [[Hybrid Technologies]]. Spoiled rotten, Astoria is mostly a figurehead with little control over the company's goings-on. Instead, she spends most of her time throwing herself lavish parties and wondering why nobody wants to be her friend. She has the bizarre ability to jinx any mechanical device just by coming into contact with it, which is just one more reason why she keeps away from her father's company and its equipment. Her father gave her a necklace with a top secret formula and requested she never take the necklace off. Astoria also has a thing for [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]].

She probably spends her time with the Hilton sisters.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Laurie O'Brien]] (English), [[Run Sasaki]] (Japanese)|[[Maria Böhme]] (German), [[Mônica Rossi]] (Brazilian Portuguese)}}

[[File:Astoria kisses Powerglide.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The original Kiss Player.]]

While Astoria was throwing herself a birthday party (being attended by the board of her late father's company), the [[Conehead]]s came trying to kidnap her, as [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] believed that she had her father's energy formula. Powerglide, who was passing by, rescued her and took her to the [[Autobot]]s' [[New York City]] base. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], believing that the [[Decepticon]]s wanted access to the company's industrial capabilities, ordered Powerglide to escort her back home. However, the Coneheads again attacked, this time succeeding in capturing Astoria and leaving Powerglide damaged.

Astoria was taken to the [[Sky Platform]], the Decepticons' new power-gathering facility, where [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] attempted to interrogate her about her father's formula with the [[psycho-probe]], but got nowhere. Megatron then tried his own hand at interrogating her. What he experienced was frustration beyond anything [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] could hope to cause. Finally, Powerglide arrived and managed to rescue her. While no one was looking, Astoria destroyed the gem in her necklace, which contained the formula Megatron sought. She was then sent home, while Powerglide seemed to experience some sort of strange reaction in his circuits. {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}}
{{-}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
In [[2012]], she visited [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and encountered [[Dirk Manus]]. {{storylink|A Flash Forward, Part 2}}

====''Legends'' comic====
Astoria was one of the many women brought to the [[Legends World]] by [[Tigatron]] using the [[10.2 ultra-drill|ultra-drill]] in an attempt to get women who liked him better than [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. It did not work out, as all of the women brought over eventually swooned over Springer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}}

===Energon Universe===
Astoria, as the new head of Hybrid Technologies, decided to visit the Bi-Annual Security Innovation Defense Expo in the newly "liberated" nation of [[Darklonia]]. She found herself impressed by the sunny Darklonian summer, but wasn't expecting much from the convention. Mingling with the other guests, talk drifted to how [[Extensive Enterprises]] had opted to no-show. It was then that Astoria ran into [[Destro]], a friend of her late father's and host of the Expo. Things got "interesting" when unmanned drones started bombing the convention. While the other guests evacuated and the situation grew chaotic, Astoria was transfixed by the beauty of the chaos and destruction around her. She was so entranced that Destro had to shove her out of the way of a falling bomb. Thankfully, the explosive turned out to be a dud. {{storylink|Destro issue 1|Destro #1}}

==Notes==
[[File:Astoria strength.JPG|upright=0.85|thumb|She is probably stronger than [[:File:RollForIt FloppyDisk destruction.jpg|Chip Chase]].]]
* The name "Astoria Carlton-Ritz" is a play on two famous hotels, the {{w|Waldorf Astoria New York|Waldorf Astoria}} and {{w|The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company|Ritz-Carlton}}.
* When her mind was being probed, the psycho-probe said that Astoria's mind was "completely empty". Let's not speculate what this means. Let's also not dwell on the fact that sending 90,000 volts through her brain simply made her laugh.
* She was slammed by Powerglide a few times without getting hurt. (Not that way.) Not to mention, practically thrown out of the room for "jinxing" the controls and pushed off when the Sky Platform was falling.
* She can tear a metal cover with her bare hands.

===Foreign names===
* ''Japanese:'' '''Astoria Carlton-Ritz''' (アストリア・カールトン=リッツ ''Asutoria Kāruton-Rittsu'')

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carlton-Ritz, Astoria}}
[[Category:Energon Universe humans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon humans]]
[[Category:Legends humans]]
[[Category:Wings Universe humans]]

Bumblebee (G1)/toys

2024-08-06T00:14:30Z

Banannixx: /* Buzzworthy Bumblebee */ Fixed Origins Bee broken thumb. I think.

{{suite}}
[[File:Bumblebeeg1toys.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Sure, just one Bumblebee's pretty nonthreatening. But get a hive...]]
'''[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]''' gots lots of toys!

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1-toy Bumblebee1984.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeSpfUHqxG8 The original sweet boy.]]][[File:G1-toy BumblebeeChina.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Chinese-release Bumblebee. Note the unpainted rear bumpers.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1984]]-[[1986]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara name'': '''Bumble'''
:*''Takara ID number'': '''11''', '''C-56'''
{{toydesigner|[[Masaki Maruyama]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Bumblebee's original toy, released in 1984 and in Japan in 1985, originally hails from the ''[[Micro Change]]'' series, transforming into a "penny-racer"-proportioned Volkswagen Beetle. He was available through the first three years of the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]]'' series, the entire duration of the [[Mini Vehicle]] assortment, the only 1984 Mini Vehicle to do so.

: 'Bee has a ''lot'' of minor variations. Throughout 1984 and 1985, Bumblebee was produced in both yellow and red (as was [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Cliffjumper]]), a move meant to "make the line look bigger" according to former [[Hasbro]] R&D Vice President [[George Dunsay]].<ref name="dunsay">[http://www.tfarchive.com/fandom/interviews/george_dunsay/george_dunsay_interview.php Interview with George Dunsay at TFArchive.com]</ref> For his 1984 release, both color versions had an Autobot sigil on the roof/chest. In 1985, this was replaced by a [[rubsign]]. The rubsign remained on the 1986 release, though he was only released in yellow that year. The original version of Bumblebee also features the "Dunlop" brand name stamped on his tires.

: Packaging-wise, there are several more variations. In 1984, the Mini Vehicles were packaged in vehicle mode. Come 1985, a picture of the toy in vehicle mode was added to the front of the card, and ''later'' the toys proper were packaged in robot mode. From this point on, the Mini Vehicles were also part of two different pack-in promotions; the [[Mini-spy|Mini-spies]] and iron-on reflective patches. The Mini-spies packed in with Bumblebee and Cliffjumper only came in white, one of the three possible colors for the add-ons.

: For his 1985 Japanese release, Bumblebee came in a small box rather than on a card. He was available in both red and yellow, both versions having the rubsign rather than the foil faction symbol. He was also released in the 1986 assortment, but only in yellow. This is why he has two ID numbers in Japan; in 1986, the line switched from a single-series number listing to splitting it up between "C" (Cybertron/Autobot) and "D" (Destron/Decepticon) groupings.

: Bumblebee was released in a wide variety of colors in markets south of the border, which will be covered in separate entries below (as to not make this entry unreadably long; there's a ''ton'' of variants and more keep popping up!).

: In the early 1990s, Bumblebee was one of many Transformers ''finally'' released in China. He comes on a card nigh-identical to the original Hasbro packaging, with a few Chinese-language stickers added. The toy itself has some notable differences from the original, however: aside from an unpainted rear bumper (the most obvious difference), this Bumblebee has a paler, less-saturated yellow plastic. He also only came in yellow, and only came with a rubsign. This toy, along with many other Chinese-market Transformers at the time, somehow made their way to UK stores, most notably Woolworths.

: This mold was later [[retool]]ed into a [[#Keychain|keychain version of Bumblebee]], as well as for a [[#TFCollection|''Transformers Collection'' multipack]] (see below).

: The original mold is also used by the [[Optimus (faction)|Optimus-faction]] [[Volks (G1)|Volks]]. Later [[retool]]ings of this mold were used to make [[Glyph (Universe)#Toys|Glyph]] and [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Toys|Bug Bite]].

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-bumblebee/19/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Bumblebee at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{G1BumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|IGA}}{{anchor|Mexican}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Mini Vehicle, [[1985]])}}</ul>

: When he was released in Mexico by [[IGA]], Bumblebee came in five decoes: both the original red and yellow, as well as blue, silver, and white. The silver and white versions are particularly notable (and significantly rarer), as they have red-painted faces (similar to that of probably-[[Hubcap (G1)#IGA|Hubcap]]). The sticker on the back of Mexican Bumblebee's head is also slightly different from the Hasbro/Takara release, being the same general design, but smaller and with thicker, simpler lines.

: Years later, large numbers of Mexican Transformers somehow made it to various European markets.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini_frame.php?art=bluemexbee More information on blue Mexican Bumblebee at TF-1.com]''
::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini_frame.php?art=whitemexbee More information on white Mexican Bumblebee at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
[[File:G1toy silver volks.jpg|thumb|''"Eu vou a pé eu vou de fusca / Eu vou em busca de um amor..."''|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Volks''' (Robocar, 1985)}}</ul>

: Bumblebee was released in Brazil by [[Estrela]] in 1985 as the Robocar "Volks", initially available in two color schemes: his original yellow and black, and slick-looking silver and black with a gold face, both decorated with a new thin tech-detailing sticker on their chests based on the original ''[[Micro Change]]'' decals. The design of the sticker on the back of his head was also changed to a more complex grid pattern. The raised "DUNLOP" branding on the tires was also removed.

:Later, Estrela released red and orange versions of Volks sporting the new "[[Optimus (faction)|Optimus]]" faction insignia; given this new factional alignment, for the purposes of this wiki, the Optimus-aligned Volks is considered a [[Volks (G1)|separate character]] from Bumblebee.

::*''[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini_frame.php?art=silverbee More information on Silver Bumblebee/Volks at TF-1.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Antex}}
[[File:AntexVolks.jpg|thumb|''"... Eu vou a pé vou de fusca / Aonde tem amor eu vou!"''|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Volks''' (Robocar, 1985)}}</ul>

: The aforementioned red and orange versions of Volks were released in Argentina by [[Antex]] in 1985, both sporting the Estrela stickers and "DUNLOP"-less tires. Later releases of the orange version have been found with different paper stickers: the one on his chest/roof being one that was originally applied to [[Salt-Man Z]]'s groin. (The back-of-the-head decal was ''probably'' also changed, but right now we don't know for sure.)

:The card's toy photography depicts the Estrela yellow and silver versions, but it is believed this was merely a holdover from the Estrela-designed packaging, and that neither coloration was ever sold in Argentina.

:These toys are more readily available on the secondary market than their Estrela predecessors. They also have lower quality control.

{{-}}{{anchor|Rubiplas}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Mini Vehicle, 1985)}}</ul>

: As far as foreign Mini Vehicle variants go, the Venezuelan release of Bumblebee by [[Rubiplas]] is pretty tame. He came in both the Hasbro yellow and red versions, and retains the Hasbro stickers. However, his head lacks both the silver paint on his face, and the [[Vacuum metallizing|chrome silver]] on the "plate" part of the head, leaving it as black plastic.

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)}}</ul>

: Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, this version of Bumblebee is similar to the Rubiplas release, lacking any paint or chrome, but this version also has plastic tires instead of rubber. So far, three different colorations have been confirmed: the original yellow-and-black, red-and-black, and peachy-orange-and-black. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Bumblebee all told, with the three others being unique to that market, but no-one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Goldbug}}
[[File:Goldbugg1toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Older, squatter, faster.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Goldbug''' (Throttlebot, [[1987]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara name'': '''Goldback'''
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''C-97'''
{{toydesigner|[[Takayuki Ishizawa]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Takashi Matsuda]] (initial concept)}}

: The [[Throttlebot]] Goldbug was released in 1987, and like the other Throttlebots, he has a pull-back motor and a simple transformation. The vehicle mode was not designed to look like a penny racer, as the original toy was, so its variation on the Volkswagen Beetle was much more realistically-proportioned. Though the other Throttlebots seem to have always been intended to be new characters, Goldbug's head was based directly on that of Bumblebee's original toy. Bumblebee was the second Transformer to be given a second toy (as both [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] and Rodimus Prime had been released the previous year).

: The Throttlebots were part of the [[Decoy]] promotion in 1987, where the carded toys came with a soft-rubber figurine. The Throttlebots were the only team to come with either Autobot or Decepticon Decoys; the other toys in the promotion only came with Decoys of the same faction they belonged to.

: In Japan, they were also the focus of the "Throttlebot Promotional Sales Campaign", where buying a Throttlebot at select Japanese retailers (sadly, we do not know which retailers these were) got the buyer one of six random all-white [[Autobot Master Warrior#Toys|Autobot Master Warrior]]s free. These [[campaign item|promotional toys]] are now among the most expensive ''Transformers'' toys ever "mass"-released, if not ''the'' most expensive (especially when size is taken into account).

: This toy also doubles as the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnation of [[Goldbug (IDW)|Goldbug]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Goldbug/goldbug.htm More information on Goldbug at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/autobot/1987/instr_goldbug.jpg Instructions for Goldbug at Botchthecrab.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Pretender}}
[[File:G1toy pretender bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Still not Herbie.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Classic Pretender, 1989)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pretender shell, helmet, [[sonic blaster]], [[laser pistol]]

: As part of the sixth year of ''Transformers'', Bumblebee was released as a "[[Classic Pretender]]", expanding the range of [[Pretender]]s toys. This version of Bumblebee is still a Volkswagen Beetle, but now has what look like off-road tires. His vehicle mode has a realistically-proportioned front end, but the cab area is more relatively compact than on the Goldbug toy (though not quite as deformed as the original Bumblebee). He came with a gun for his robot mode that could be mounted on his roof and another gun for his human shell.

: Oddly, the robot's head is modeled after [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys|Cliffjumper]]'s toy head.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1989/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Pretender'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/autobot/1989/instr_bumblebee_(pretender).jpg Instruction booklet for ''Pretender'' Bumblebee at Botchthecrab.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|G1Legend}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Legends, 1989)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Laser pistol

: The inner robot to Pretender Classics Bumblebee was sold without the shell in the [[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] [[Legends (G1)|Legends]] figure assortment, the first store-exclusive Transformers in the Hasbro line. Oddly, he came with the inner-robot gun to his teammate [[Jazz (G1)/toys#G1Legend|Jazz]], who had Bumblebee's small gun in exchange.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1989/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Legends'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]'' (scroll down)
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/autobot/1989/instr_bumblebee_(legends).jpg Instructions for ''Legends'' Bumblebee at Botchthecrab.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Hero Set}}
[[File:G1toy japanese legends giftset.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Hero Set''' (Multi-pack, 1989)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Laser pistol

: In Japan, Legends Bumblebee was only available in a boxed "Hero Set" with the Legends versions of [[Jazz (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Jazz]], [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#HeroSet|Grimlock]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Heroset|Starscream]]. Bumblebee was identical to the Hasbro release.

: In Italy, [[GiG]] released their own version of the Hero Set, named "Set Commandos", instead of the Classic Pretender versions of the toys. Bumblebee was given the name "Saetta", which was originally the Italian name of [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]]. The "Set Commandos" toys were identical to the Japanese "Hero Set" versions.

{{-}}{{anchor|ActionMaster}}
[[File:G1toy action master bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Sadly, despite its charm, Hasbro's crossover attempt with [http://data.whicdn.com/images/133507565/large.png Doraemon] wouldn't be enough to save the Action Masters from flopping.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee with Heli-pack''' (Action Master, 1990)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Heli-pack, [[astral exploder rifle]]

: Part of the second wave of single-carded [[Action Master]] figures in the line's final year (in the US, at least), Bumblebee is a non-transforming action figure that mixed his cartoon model with toy-based detailing. His construction is broadly similar to that used by the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' figures of the time, having a swivel neck, shoulders and knees, plus ball-jointed hips attached via a steel rod internally secured by a rubber "o-ring". His hands have standard 3 mm holes which allow him to hold any other accessory in the Action Master line, plus his feet have holes in the bottom to secure him to larger vehicles.

: He comes with the [[Heli-pack]], which transforms into a large "high-powered [[air rifle]]" with spring-loaded deploying barrel. Bumblebee and his Heli-pack are cross-compatible with any other Action Master figure, vehicle or accessory; plus the hole in his back is compatible with [[5 mm post]]s.

: This release makes Bumblebee the only character to have a toy of ''some'' kind available throughout the entire original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]]'' production run, from 1984 up to 1990.

::*''[http://tfu.info/1990/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Action Master'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/autobot/action_masters/instr_bumblebee.jpg Instructions for ''Action Master'' Bumblebee at Botchthecrab.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EuroClassic}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Goldbug''' (Classic Throttlebot, 1991)}}</ul>

: Goldbug, and the rest of the Throttlebots, were reissued in Europe in 1991 as part of the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] reissues.

: It was [[retool]]ed to remove the [[rubsign]] indent, and the heat-sensitive decal was replaced with a glossy-paper faction symbol.

{{-}}{{anchor|Keychain}}
[[File:G1toy bumblebee keychain.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.67|If you're feeling bitter, you might need a sweet boy in your pocket!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Keychain, 2001/2003/2007)}}</ul>

: A keychain version of Bumblebee was released by [[Fun4All]] under license from [[Hasbro]] in the US in 2001. Though based on the original toy, this is an entirely new set of molds, with a number of small differences throughout (minor proportion differences and generally softer edges), but the most immediately obvious one is the small plastic ring added to the rear bumper to accommodate the chain. The toy also returned to its original sticker set-up, doing away with the rubsign and restoring the Autobot symbol on his chest.

: In 2003, Takara released all four of the keychain Minibots ([[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Keychain|Cliffjumper]], Bumblebee, [[Windcharger (G1)#keychain|Windcharger]], and [[Brawn (G1)/toys#keychain|Brawn]]) as [[7-Eleven]] [[exclusive]]s. They came in [[blindpacking|blind-packed boxes]] so you don't know which one you got until you open 'er up, plus each one could also come in a "[[Chase figure|chase]]" all-black version exclusive to this release. The black deco was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Black Bumble|an evil clone]] of Bumblebee.

: All four keychains were re-released in 2007 under the ''[[Heroes of Cybertron (toyline)|Heroes of Cybertron]]'' banner by [[Basic Fun]] (Fun4All having gone bankrupt in 2004). Sold on new cardbacks with the ''Heroes'' look, these releases are functionally identical to the originals (just the company stamping has changed) except for the actual chain part, which is a different style with an additional black plastic tab attached.

:This mold was also used to make [[Glyph (Universe)#Toys|Glyph]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/BlackBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on the black keychain Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{G1BumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|BUMP}}
[[File:TF-toy Bumblebee SonicBlue.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Glyph (Universe)|So]] [[Freeway (G1)|close.]]]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''SonicBlue Bumble & Exo Suit Chama'''{{sic}} (2019)}}</ul>

: Released as part of the collaboration between the ''Transformers'' franchise, the [[Bump of Chicken]] rock group, and [[Studio Trigger]]'s [[Sushio]], this Bumblebee is a redeco of the ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' release of the ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Bumblebee mold]] (see below), complete with translucent windows. He transforms into a sports coupe of made-up model, which features an opening canopy for his cockpit, which allows any [[Titan Master]]/[[Prime Master]] figure to ride inside him; in this case, the included Headmaster of Bump of Chicken's bassist [[Chama#Toys|Chama]].

: Also included is a [[pack-in material|pack-in]] mini-comic, "[[Transformers × Bump of Chicken EX Episode]]", written by Chama himself and illustrated by [[Akira Amemiya]].

: The figure was exclusively released as one of the band's [https://bumpofchicken.com/goods/list/detail?id=14&item_id=46 online shop items], though customers had to register as an EMTG (Entertainment Music Ticket Guard) member to purchase it. Collectors first had an opportunity to purchase the figure in-person at an event at Tokyo Dome from [[November 3]]–4, 2019, starting at 8:30 AM JST. In-person purchasers needed to have a ticket to the band's concert in order to purchase the figure. Online orders were also available at noon on [[November 8]], 2019, and quickly sold out. Due to demand, a second run of the toy was made available on [[November 11]], 2019, with the second run shipping in March 2020.
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2Bumblebee Minicar toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A gold bug, but not Goldbug.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Mini Autobot, 1993)

: Bumblebee's first ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toy was a [[redeco]] of his original toy, transforming into a "Penny Racer"-proportioned Volkswagen Beetle. However, this version has yellow chrome on the previously matte-yellow plastics. Thankfully, there seem to be few to no reports of chrome flaking on any of the ''Generation 2'' Mini Vehicles.

: The only symbol on the figure is the Generation 2 Autobot insignia stamped on the bottom of his foot, followed by the word "Autobot".

::*''[http://tfu.info/1993/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Generation 2 Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{G1BumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Go-Bot}}
[[File:G2-toy Bumblebee GoBot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Now he's just gold.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
**''Accessories'': Rifle

:Part of the third wave of ''Generation 2'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]]s, this version of Bumblebee is a [[redeco]] of wave 1's [[High Beam#Toys|High Beam]], transforming into a concept race car with exposed rear engine... that looks ''exactly'' like the "[[Wikia:hotwheels:Speed Blaster|Speed Blaster]]" car from [[Mattel]]'s ''[[Hot Wheels]]'' line that was first released in 1991 under the names "Back Burner" and "Sonic Special". He features through-axle construction for incredibly fast zipping on flat, smooth surfaces, and is compatible with many tracks and playsets from ''Hot Wheels'' and ''Matchbox''.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Crosswise (RID)#Toys|Crosswise]] and [[Nightracer (G2)#Toys|Nightracer]]. It was later [[repurposing|repurposed]] to be a [[Bumblebee (G2)|"next-generation" clone of Bumblebee]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/1995/Autobot/Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Go-Bots Bumblebee at TFU.info]''{{G2HighBeamMold}}
{{-}}

===''Smallest Transforming Transformers''===
[[File:Smallest transforming bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|50% smaller, still 100% sweet.]]
*'''Bumble''' (2003)
**''ID number:'' '''GTF 04'''

: Not much more than an inch tall, ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' Bumblebee is a scaled-down version of his original toy, retaining the larger figure's [[transformation]] scheme but losing its rolling wheels by sheer necessity of size. Bumblebee was sold as part of the line's first wave and, like all the figures, came [[blindpacking|blindpacked]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SmallestBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Smallest Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|SmallestRed}}
*'''Bumble (Red)''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GTF X-2'''

:Bumblebee also came in red! A red variant of the toy was one of two [[chase figure]]s sold in the first ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' wave.
{{-}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
{{anchor|TFCollection}}
[[File:G1toy reissue Bumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Sweet Boy: Upgraded!]]
*'''Minibot Team''' (6-pack, 2004)
**''ID number'': '''12'''

:"Bumble" was again reissued in Japan as part of ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' "bookbox" series in a six-toy multi-pack, with [[Huffer (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Drag]], [[Cosmos (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Adams]], [[Gears (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Gears]], [[Powerglide (G1)/toys#The Transformers Collection|Powerglide]], and [[Warpath (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Warpath]]. This time around, Bumblebee was [[retool]]ed to have a new [[Show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] head. Additionally, this version of the figure gave Bumblebee both an Autobot symbol ''and'' a rubsign, keeping the former in its traditional placement on his chest, and relocating the rubsign to the back of his head, replacing the original tech-detailing sticker that had previously been there.

:The entire set was redecoed to make the [[G1 GoBots|"G1 GoBots"]] set; this version of Bumblebee became [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Toys|Bug Bite]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/ReBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Transformers Collection Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{G1BumblebeeMold}}

===''Alternators/Binaltech''===
[[File:AlternatorsBumblebeeDesign.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The cool sweet boy you'll never get.]]

: One of the earliest proposals in the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators/Binaltech]]'' line was for Bumblebee as a Volkswagen New Beetle, with [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Cliffjumper]] as the redeco. Unfortunately, VW evidently did not want to be associated with "war toys" [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#MP21|at that time]], and therefore the design never made it past the control drawing stage. Control drawings for both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper have been published in the Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Binaltech & TF Collection Complete Guide]]'' book. The design did, however, end up appearing fictionally as Bumblebee's form in the "[[Descent into Evil]]" comic.
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:Titanium bumblebee.jpg|thumb]]
*''' ''War Within'' Bumblebee''' (Cybertron Hero, unreleased)
**''Accessories:'' Unknown, likely display stand

:Prior to the line's cancellation, a 6-inch resin copy depicting a transformable Bumblebee was seen at [[BotCon 2006]]. His alternate mode was the saucer-like car seen the Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' (which was itself based on the first cartoon appearance of Bumblebee). An alternate head of Cliffjumper was seen as well, indicating a retool. Unfortunately these never made it into production.
 
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:Bumblebeeclassicstoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Flight-enhancement buddy #2]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Wave Crusher trailer/backpack
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:The Deluxe ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Bumblebee transforms into a yellow hatchback sports car (labeled as a "cruiser" on the package) that's basically Hasbro's typical cross between several existing car models: The car closely resembles a Peugeot 206 WRC, however some people see strong cues from other vehicles, such as the general shape of the car being based on a heavily customized one-of-a-kind 1992-1995 {{w|Honda Civic (fifth generation)|fifth generation Honda Civic hatchback}} with lots of aftermarket add-ons (such as a large front bumper, large fenders and a large rear wing).<ref name="ricercivic">[http://www.tuningfever.fr/fr/pics/gal-1596-stephan/pic-33883-honda-civic.php Photos of 1992-1995 Honda Civic], photos taken from an eBay auction posted before September 2005.</ref> The front section takes some design cues from various models of the {{w|Subaru Impreza WRX}}, namely the hood vent present on all models, the front grille of the 2004-05 WRX and the headlights and the midsection of the front bumper from the 2006-07 WRX STi.<ref name="wrxsti06">[http://www.insideline.com/subaru/impreza-wrx/2006/first-drive-2006-subaru-impreza-wrx-and-wrx-sti.html 2006-2007 Subaru WRX STi], officially unveiled in September 2005.</ref> The shape of the rear fenders is also vaguely inspired by the [[Volkswagen]] {{w|Volkswagen New Beetle|New Beetle}}.

:Bumblebee comes with a single accessory, a jet ski called "[[Wave Crusher]]" on a trailer. This is a bit similar to his Action Master toy's transforming heli-pack. His robot mode is designed to look like a typical teenager, dressed in a hoodie with pockets and wearing big chunky trainers.<ref>[http://pingmag.jp/2007/06/29/transformers/ Interview] with [[Alex Kubalsky]]</ref> He is articulated with ball joints at the head, shoulders, elbows, hips, and has hinge knees. Wave Crusher converts into a [[jet pack]] that mounts onto his back.

:Later versions [[retool]]ed the area the [[rubsign]] rests on to be larger.

:This retooled version of this mold was also used to make ''Classics'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Classics|Cliffjumper]], and an unreleased blue deco.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Classics Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsBumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|LOC}}
[[File:Classics LegendsBumblebee toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Hot Bee? Bumbleshot?]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Legends, 2007)
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (deco artist)}}

:This ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Bumblebee toy is a redeco of ''[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#CyLOC|Hot Shot]], transforming into a modified Chrysler ME Four Twelve concept car. In either mode he has flip-out "wings". We have gone full circle.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Red Alert]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2007/Autobot/ClassicsLegendsBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Classic Legends Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2007)===
{{anchor|Legacy3pack}}
[[File:Movietoy legacyofbumblebee classic.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.66|Do I need to have these black stripes? the white ones were fine.]]
*'''Legacy of Bumblebee''' (Deluxe class multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Wave Crusher trailer/backpack
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (deco artist)}}

:A [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] three pack, the ''Legacy of Bumblebee'' collector's set comes with [[#Classics|''Classics'']], [[Premium Series]] [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Premium|live-action movie]], and ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]] figures. While the ''Movie'' and ''Animated'' Bumblebees are identical to their original, single carded releases, the "''Classic'' Bumblebee" {{sic}} has been redecoed to more closely resemble his ''Movie'' and ''Animated'' counterparts, changing his white stripes to black, his gray/silver plastic to yellow (similarly to ''Henkei! Henkei!'' Bumble, see immediately below), and the clear parts from a very faint blue-ish tint to deeply saturated clear blue plastic. In addition, the shoulder straps are no longer painted yellow, instead showing the clear blue plastic they are cast in; the head is no longer painted over in yellow, due to the change of the plastic color from gray to yellow; and the [[Wave Crusher]] replaces the white paint with black paint for the upper half and an unpainted yellow lower half, and the orange stripe with a yellow one.

:This three-pack was available in ''Movie'' style packaging.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2008/Autobot/WMClassicBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on "Classic Bumblebee" at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei Bumble toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The difference is mind blowing.]]
*'''Bumble''' (Deluxe, 2008-[[March 13|03-13]])
**''ID number:'' '''C-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Wave Crusher trailer/backpack

:''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Bumblebee is a redeco of [[#Classics|''Classics'' Bumblebee.]] Bumblebee swaps some of his black plastic for dark gray, and his light gray plastic for yellow. His yellow plastic is almost entirely covered in yellow paint to deal with the common problem of yellow plastic being near-translucent against darker plastics and the inconsistency between bare plastic parts and painted clear parts. His eyes are painted blue despite being molded in translucent plastic. As with all ''Henkei'' toys, he lacks the ''Classics'' heat-sensitive rubsign, but has some [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] parts: his hood-mounted scoop and his spoiler.

:This mold was also used to make ''Classics'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Classics|Cliffjumper]].
{{ClassicsBumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}
{{anchor|HenkeiGlyph}}
[[File:TF-Henkei-Deluxe-Glyph.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Are you sure that the little blue sweet boy isn't [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]]?"]]
*'''Bumble'''? (Deluxe Class, unreleased)

:A redeco of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classic]]'' Deluxe [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|Bumblebee]] in a color scheme very reminiscent of the blue variant of the original ''Micro Change'' Volkswagen. Several samples of this figure were leaked in 2010, with [[fandom|fans]] arguing over whether it was a legitimate Hasbro or TakaraTomy product (with the [[vacuum metallizing|chromed]] spoiler and hood vent strongly hinting towards TakaraTomy) or a [[knockoff]]. At least one [[eBay]] seller claimed it was a very rare [[Lucky Draw figure|lucky draw figure]].<ref name="united1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/universe-classics-20-29/unknown-classics-bumblebee-repaint-glyph-169500/ "Unknown Classics Bumblebee Repaint - Glyph?"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="united2">[http://tformers.com/transformers-classics-bumblebee-repainted-blue-forsomething-updated/13356/news.html "Classics Bumblebee Repainted Blue For...Something - UPDATED"] at TFormers.com.</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTND3tAqTdo&ab_channel=peaugh Review of the blue Bumblebee repaint]</ref> At [[BotCon 2010]], Hasbro representatives stated that the figure was "not a Hasbro product".<ref name="bc2010">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-hasbro-designers-panel-170066/ Botcon 2010 Hasbro Designers Panel] at TFW2005.</ref> Ultimately, the toy was never officially acknowledged by TakaraTomy until 2014, when it was included in an exhibit at Transformers Expo, albeit this time with the hood vent covered in gold rather than silver chrome.<ref name="tfexpo1">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-masterpiece-star-saber-in-color-and-more-180923/ "TF Expo Pics - Masterpiece Star Saber In Color and More!"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="tfexpo2">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-part-2-g1-prototypes-movie-props-and-more-masterpiece-180925/ "TF Expo Pics Part 2 - G1 Prototypes, Movie Props, and More Masterpiece!"] at TFW2005.</ref><ref name="tfexpo3">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tf-expo-pics-part-4-prototypes-and-figure-displays-from-diaclone-g1-g2-beast-wars-180933/ "TF Expo Pics Part 4 - Prototypes and Figure Displays from Diaclone, G1, G2, Beast Wars"] at TFW2005.</ref>
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Encore''===
[[File:G1toy encore bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Hey, I can see!]]
*'''Bumble & Minibots''' (5-pack, 2008)
** ''ID number'': '''10'''

:The ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' series of reissues featured a set similar to the 2004 ''The Transformers Collection'' Minibots set; this time, rather than a mix of 1984 and 1985 Mini-Vehicles, it included mostly figures from 1986 plus Bumblebee (whose original toy had still shipped in 1986), bundling him with [[Outback (G1)#Encore|Outback]], [[Pipes (G1)#Encore|Pipes]], [[Swerve (G1)#Encore|Swerve]], and [[Tailgate (G1)#Encore|Tailgate]]. ''Encore'' Bumblebee retains the [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] head sculpt from the ''Transformers Collection'' release, but now sports several additional paint operations: his eyes are blue, his brake lights are red, and his bumpers and headlights are silver.
{{G1BumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:TF-Universe-(2008)-Legends-Class-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Stingers and plasma cannon not included. (Neither is a laser pistol.)]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Legends, 2008)
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends class Bumblebee has a vehicle mode that is something of an amalgamation of the vehicle forms recent Bumblebees have adopted. While he forms a modern hatchback like the ''Classics'' Bumblebee and ''Animated'' Bumblebee toys, the more aggressive design with large flared wheel arches, and small windows evoke the look of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]] version of [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]. He transforms similarly to, but not exactly the same as, his [[#Generation 1|Generation 1 toy]].

:Care must be taken while rolling the vehicle: pushing down while moving the vehicle forward can chip the paint underneath the hip section.

:This mold was redecoed into a whole ''swarm'' of Bumblebees, as well as a couple of Cliffjumpers. See the box below for more information.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Universe Legends Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Alternity''===
[[File:Alternity bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Bee not included]]
*'''Bumble [Champion Yellow]''' (2009)
**''ID number:'' '''A-03'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 "chrono-venom stinger guns"

:''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' Bumble transforms into a licensed 1:32 scale Suzuki Swift Sport featuring die-cast metal parts and rubber tires, as well as an opening hood, trunk and doors. In robot mode, the figure can hold twin pistols that are normally stored in the legs, and features light-piped eyes.

:Bumblebee was [[retool]]ed to make ''Alternity'' "[[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Alternity|Cliff [Supreme Red Pearl]]]".

::*''[http://tfu.info/2009/Cybertron/Bumble/bumble.htm More information on ''Alternity'' Bumble at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|AlternityBug}}
[[File:Alternity Gold Bug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Now for the rest of the Throttlebots. Cancelled? Oh well.]]
*'''Gold Bug [Throttle Gold]''' (2011/2012)
**''ID number:'' '''A-03G'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 guns

:''Alternity'' Gold Bug is a redeco of the above mold. He features an extensive glittery metallic gold paint scheme for his vehicle parts and knee panels, and has blue arms, hands, legs, and head. He comes packaged in a box that is similar to the one used by ''Alternity'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Alternity|Ultra Magnus]].
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2010)===
[[File:TF2010-toy Legends Gold Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I feel like a Gold... Bumblebee!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gold Bumblebee''' (Legends Class, 2011)}}</ul>

: Released in the first wave of 2010's ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers:]] [[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]]'' Legends Class toys, "Gold Bumblebee" is a [[redeco]] of [[#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Legends Class Bumblebee]], now in very [[#Goldbug|Goldbuggy]] colors. As part of the "Reveal the Shield" promotion, he sports a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]].

: The [[prototype|sample]] used for Hasbro's official [[stock photography|stock photos]] sported unpainted gold legs, but the final toy has the legs painted over in blue. So far, no gold-legged specimens have been found in the wild. Conversely, the vehicle mode stock photo on the back of his packaging implies that the ''entire'' leg pieces (or at least his ankle joints) have been painted blue, as there are two very obvious blue patches on his hood.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2011/Autobot/RTSLegGoldBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Gold Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|2010Deluxe}}
[[File:TF2010-toy Deluxe Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"... I'm always going to have these black stripes from now on, aren't I?"]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, 2011)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Wave Crusher trailer/backpack

: Released in the second (and final) wave of ''Reveal the Shield'' Deluxes, this Bumblebee is a redeco of [[#Classics|''Classics'' Deluxe Class Bumblebee]] in a [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action movie-inspired]] paint scheme. He also features a rubsign, this time on his roof/chest.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2011/Autobot/RTSBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on 2010 Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsBumblebeeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|DollarLegends}}
[[File:TF2010-toy BumblebeeDollarStore.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Wear your allegiance on your sleeve.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Legends Class, 2012)}}</ul>

: A minor redeco of "[[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BeeStarscream|Cybertronian Bumblebee]]" from the ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]] Bumblebee/[[Starscream (Movie)/toys#BeeStarscream|Starscream]] four-pack (itself a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class Bumblebee) was released as a "dollar store" exclusive (available at stores such as Dollar General and Big Lots!) in generic 2010 ''Transformers'' packaging alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Optimus Prime]], [[Starscream (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Starscream]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Megatron]].

: While the overall deco is similar to that of ''Dark of the Moon'' Cybertronian Bumblebee, some of the [[paint operation]]s are different: The Autobot [[insignia|logo]] is now placed on the side of his right arm/passenger door of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] (the official [[stock photography|stock photos]] on the back of the packaging are flipped, depicting it on the opposite side instead) rather than on the robot mode's chest/vehicle mode's roof, and the red stripes on the "running boards" on the sides of his vehicle mode have been omitted.

: In addition, this release of the sculpt also sports a very minor [[retool]] compared to all previous releases, namely additional pegs and holes that allow for his arms to attach more securely to the torso in vehicle mode.<ref name="legendspegs">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/575525-rts-legends-dollar-general-generic-packaging-11.html#post7646534 Comparison of ''Reveal the Shield'' Legends Class Gold Bumblebee and ''Generations'' Legends Class Bumblebee, with newly-sculpted pegs.]</ref>
::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/FDBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Dollar Store/Big Lots Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''United''===
{{anchor|UnitedCybertron}}[[File:Unitedtoy cybertron bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Meet my steak knives... OF <s>MURDER</s> <s>DEATH</s> JUSTICE!!]]
*'''Bumblebee Cybertron Mode''' (Deluxe, 2010-[[December 25|12-15]])
**''ID number'': '''UN-02'''
**''Accessories'': "Energy gun"

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' product, Bumblebee is a [[redeco]] of the [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Toys|''War for Cybertron'' Bumblebee toy]], transforming into a "[[Cybertronian courier]]." He comes with a handgun and features two wrist-mounted flip-out blades. The handgun can be stored inside his rear bumper in either robot or vehicle mode. Like the original mold, His legs are generally loose at the mid-thigh joint due to being used for transformation.

:TakaraTomy's release features an extensive metallic paint job on the car mode panels as well as some of the robot's parts (such as the head and forearms). In addition to some painted detail differences from the Hasbro release, United Bumblebee features a lighter gray as well as a brighter pink than the Hasbro version.

:This mold was also used to make [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Toys|''War For Cybertron'' Cliffjumper]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#United|''United'' Cliffjumper Cybertron Mode]].

{{-}}{{anchor|UN07}}{{anchor|UnitedEarth}}
[[File:Unitedtoy bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Bumblebling.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe, 2010-[[December 25|12-25]])
**''ID number:'' '''UN-07'''
**''Accessories:'' Wave Crusher trailer/backpack

:Another redeco of the ''Classics'' Deluxe toy, ''United'' Bumblebee is painted mainly in chromed golden yellow with silver bumpers. He was sold alongside his Cybertron Mode (see above) in the first assortment of ''United'' product.

:While very similar in appearance, this version of Bumblebee is cast in a lighter yellow plastic than the ''Henkei'' release, with most of his car mode parts (along with his robot mode head and forearms) painted over in gold. As noted above, he also features a silver front bumper and other painted details different from his previous TakaraTomy release.

:Unfortunately, because he is packaged in robot mode and his vehicle shell is entirely coated in paint, quite a number of Bumblebees have the gold paint between their jointed leg/hood panels and feet scratched off ''out of the box'', resulting in ugly scored lines on the hood in vehicle mode.
{{ClassicsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Chronicle''===
[[File:EZCollectionChronicleBumbleToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Now 85% creamier!]]
*'''Bumble''' (EZ Collection, 2011)

:''[[Transformers Chronicle (toyline)|Chronicle]]'' EZ Collection Bumble is a redeco of the ''Universe'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Bumblebee toy, featuring sky blue windows, and his inner arms are entirely painted black. His vehicle front grill and the lower robot legs' paint applications are also removed. Like other ''Chronicle'' Legends toys, he was sold in a blindpacked box.
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
{{Note|This section only lists Generation 1-inspired Bumblebee Kre-O toys.}}
[[File:Kre-o-G1-Bumblebee-Kreon.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb]]
* '''Bumblebee''' (2011)
**''Set number'': '''36421'''
** ''Pieces'': '''336'''
** ''Kreons'': Bumblebee, [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Red Alert]], Driver
** ''Accessories'': Small pistol

: While the [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Kre-O|larger Bumblebee]] ''[[Kre-O]]'' kit is mostly based on the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action movie version of the character]] (though the noggin is a moosh of movie and Generation 1), the accompanying Bumblebee [[Kreon]] is unquestionably based on the Generation 1 Bumblebee.

{{-}}{{anchor|74pc}}
[[File:KREOtoy-Bumblebeesmall.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hey everybody! Do the Bumblebee!]]
* '''Bumblebee''' (2011)
**''Set number'': '''31144'''
**''Japanese release date'': '''2013-[[March 20|03-20]]'''
**''Pieces'': '''74'''

: The smaller Bumblebee ''Kre-O'' kit is loosely based on the [[Bumblebee (G1)|original Bumblebee]], with a head that's a straight copy of that Bumblebee's ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' toy head. He can be rebuilt into a hatchback and comes with no Kreons. Since his vehicle mode is basically a solid brick that can't hold any Kreons, this isn't such a big thing.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Kre-OSmallBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on "small" Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Energon}}
[[File:KreO-toy Bumblebee Energon.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Razzlebee Blast!]]
* '''Energon Bumblebee''' (2012, NYCC Exclusive)
**''Accessories'': Small pistol

: A [[redeco]] of the Bumblebee Kreon in clear blue plastic, [[exclusive]] to [[New York Comic Con]] 2012, Energon Bumblebee comes in its own special little window box with an outer sleeve.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/Kre-OEnergonBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Energon Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|FigurePack}}
* '''Kreon Figure Pack''' (2013)
**''Set number'': '''A4642'''
**''Accessories'': Small pistol

: A boxed set of five Kreons, with Bumblebee, [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Red Alert]], [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]] and a fifth "mystery" Kreon; a randomly-packed robot Kreon from the first year of the line.

{{-}}{{anchor|Custom}}
[[File:KreO-Toy BumblebeeCustomKreon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Don't even think about how would these things make good prank tools.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Custom Kreon, 2013)
**''Set number'': '''A6087'''
**''Pieces'': '''40'''
**''Accessories'': Rack, rifle, large gun, axe, [[jet pack|rocket-pack]]

: Part of the first assortment of "Custom Kreons", this version of Bumblebee comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. His [[tampograph]]s are much more heavily-detailed than the original Kreon, based on the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|original Bumblebee toy]]. His "normal" helmet and large rifle are [[chrome]]d, plus he comes with an extra clear-plastic helmet, torso and legs. He also has a pair of extra arms (originally from the ''Kre-O Battleship'' aliens), plus a buildable hand-cannon, rocket-pack and energon axe.

: Bumblebee's tampos were also used to make Custom Kreon [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Custom|Cliffjumper]].

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:KreO-toy Bumblebee Class84.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In his younger days, he used to be a Sweet Boy before becoming a prankster.]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Voted'': Best Spark
**''Accessories'': Scoped pistol

: This version of Bumblebee, part of the [[Kreon Class of 1984]], has much more toy-based [[tampograph]]s than his prior versions, including visored-and-masked face. He uses the [[Prowl (Kre-O)|Prowl]] style door-wings, which is really odd considering the toy he's based on does not have said feature.

:He was only available in a pack of 30 Kreons dubbed "Class of 1984", [[exclusive]] to [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014. Remaining stock was be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, but the set actually sold out at the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Class of 1984 Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BrickBox}}
[[File:KreO-toy Bumblebee BrickBox.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|]]
*'''Brick Box'''
**''Set number'': '''B2962'''
**''Pieces'': '''77'''
**''Accessories'': Scoped pistol

: Sold only at discount chains like Family Dollar, this version of Bumblebee uses the new 2015 style of Kreon hips and torso, with a hollow hip-peg and a central post inside the torso for increased grip... which also makes the torso incompatible with about four years' worth of Kreons. Nice. His face tampograph is new, but his torso uses the "Class of '84" deco.

: The set comes with two bags of Kre-O parts, one coming from the first-year large Bumblebee (mostly all the small bits and the now-useless neck joint), the other "new" with some basic bricks and plates, as well as a set of axles, rims and tires. The set has no instructions, as it's just a box of bricks to makes whatever with.

{{-}}{{anchor|BattleChangers}}
[[File:Kre-O-Battle-Changers-Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|Prank first, then convert to run away.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Battle Changers, 2014)
**''Set number'': ''' B0716'''
**''Pieces'': ''81''
**''Accessories'': 2 pistols

:Part of the new Battle Changers line, Battle Changers Bumblebee transforms from a vehicle that vaguely resembles a sports car with a proportions of a Volkswagen Beetle into a robot and back without removing any parts!

:All of the 2015 ''Transformers [[Kre-O]]'' product was skipped by retailers in the US (at first), seeing release in Canada, Australia and various Asian markets. In late 2015, much of the line was finally released at discount in the US through TJ Maxx and Marshalls stores, including this set. The CG render noticeably features a windshield sticker on Bumblebee's chest, which was removed from the final toy for unknown reasons.

{{-}}{{anchor|MiniConCombiner}}
*'''Bumblebee''' (Mini-Con Combiners, unreleased)
**''Accessories'': Rifle, scoped pistol, grenade launcher, clip-on gatling gun, blaster

:"Mini-Con Combiner"' Bumblebee comes with one standard Kreon and four ''Cityville''-syle mini-Kreons of the same character, each one a different incarnation from various franchises. With some extra parts, the mini-Kreons become limbs to make a larger combiner-bot.

: The torso-Kreon and one Mini-Con are based on versions of Generation 1 Bumblebee: [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|''Classics'']] (with an arm-cannon instead of a hand-held blaster, oddly) and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Deluxe|"Thrilling 30" Bumblebee]] (Prowl helmet) respectively. The remaining three Mini-Con Bumblebees are based on [[Bumblebee (WFC)|"Aligned" Bumblebee]] bodies: ''[[Bumblebee (WFC)#Transformers: War for Cybertron (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' (Bumblebee helmet), ''[[Bumblebee (WFC)#Prime cartoon|Prime]]'' (Ratchet helmet), and ''[[Bumblebee (WFC)#Rescue Bots cartoon|Rescue Bots]]'' (Jazz helmet).

:[https://www.seibertron.com/events/fullsize.php?event_id=400&size=1&image=29 First shown at New York Toy Fair 2015], the Mini-Con Combiners were apparently cancelled without fanfare... a decision that must have come late in the day, as they went on to star in their own promotional animation, "[[Stuck in a Tree]]", released about eight months after the trade show.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:Bot Shots S1 B001 Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''B001'''
{{toydesigner|[[Hisao Nishimoto]] (TakaraTomy)}}
::*''Fist strength'': '''110'''
::*''Blaster strength'': '''630'''
::*''Sword strength'': '''970'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 1 single-packs, Bumblebee is a teeny little sports car ''vaguely'' like a Camaro, with a [[Autotransformation|spring-loaded automatic transformation]] to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. He is heavily based on the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action movie Bumblebee]], with his head based on the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' version of [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Bumblebee (G1)#Classics|Bumblebee]].

: Bumblebee's main car body, arms, and legs are also used by many ''many'' other car Bot Shots, such as [[Barricade (Movie)/toys|Barricade]], [[Mirage (G1)/toys|Mirage]], [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]], [[Topspin (DOTM)|Autobot Topspin]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Autobot Jazz]], [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|Leadfoot]], [[Roadbuster (DOTM)|Roadbuster]], ''[[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (toyline)|Go!]] [[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' [[Kenzan#BeCool|Kenzan]], and their numerous [[redeco]]s.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Bot Shots'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SuperBot}}
[[File:Bot Shots S1 Super Bot 002 Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': ''' Super Bot 002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''910'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''460'''
***''Sword strength'': '''270'''

:Part of the second wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 1 single-packs, this redeco of Bumblebee is cast in clear-orangey-yellow plastics with minimal paint. As this wave's Super Bot, he has more lopsided stats, but is [[Shortpacking|shortpacked]] to one a case.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSSBBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Super Bot Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3Pack}}
[[File:Bot Shots S1 BP001 Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sentinel Prime / Prowl / Bumblebee''' (Multi-pack, 2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''BP001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''765'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''530'''
***''Sword strength'': '''325'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 1 three-packs, this version of Bumblebee has a metallic shade of orange-yellow plastic, black painted windows instead of blue, light gray tires, and extra silver paint on his torso and grill. He comes with [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#BotShot3Pack|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BS3pkBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on three-pack Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotBattleForMatrix}}
[[File:BStoy-BattlefortheMatrix-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Battle for the Matrix''' (Ultimate Battle Set, 2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''UB002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''200'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''640'''
***''Sword strength'': '''780'''

: Part of a large multi-pack, this Bumblebee is redecoed in lighter yellow plastic and gray tires compared to his original release, features a painted grille on both his chest and bumper, and has silver windows.

: The set also comes with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#BotShotBattleForMatrix|Megatron with his launcher]], [[Brawl (Movie)#BotShotBattleForMatrix|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#BotShotBattleForMatrix|Optimus Prime with his launcher]], as well as a [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Bot Shots|Matrix]] prize.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSBFTMBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on "Battle for the Matrix" Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotBattlemask}}
[[File:Bot Shots Battlemask Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''B019'''
***''Fist strength'': '''610'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''390'''
***''Sword strength'': '''620'''

:Part of the fifth wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 1 single-packs, this [[retool]] of Bumblebee features a remolded head to give him a battle mask not dissimilar to the face of the original [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Bumblebee's toy]], rather than the one based on that Bumblebee's character model.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSB019Bumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on battle mask Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotFlipShot}}
[[File:BotShots FlipShot Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''B001'''
{{toydesigner|[[Hisao Nishimoto]] (TakaraTomy)}}
::*''Fist strength'': '''160'''
::*''Blaster strength'': '''705'''
::*''Sword strength'': '''740'''

:Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 single-packs, Bumblebee transforms into a muscle car. As a Flip Shot, an impact to the front of his vehicle mode causes him to flip up when autotransforming. This mold was redecoed into [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#3packFlipShot|Flip Shot Cliffjumper]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSFSBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Flip Shot Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotLauncher}}
[[File:BotShots Launcher Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee Launcher''' (Launcher, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''BL001'''
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, 3 Cyber pin targets
***''Fist strength'': '''380'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''745'''
***''Sword strength'': '''480'''

:Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 launchers, this version of Bumblebee is a Jump Shot, and an impact to the front of his vehicle mode causes him to spring up and autotransform into a robot armed with a pistol. He comes with a launcher used to propel him to great speeds, as well as three targets for him to knock over. The targets feature an assortment of pegs and peg-holes, allowing them to peg into each other to form various structures, although since you only get three of them, there's not a lot to make out of them.

:This version of the Bumblebee mold was retooled into [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Super Bot Cliffjumper]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSLBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on launcher Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3pack2}}
[[File:BotShots S2 3pack Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee / Shockwave / Skyquake''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''BP004'''
***''Fist strength'': '''795'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''335'''
***''Sword strength'': '''485'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 three-packs, Bumblebee is a redeco of Super Bot Cliffjumper in the same shade of orange-yellow as the original Jump Shot Bumblebee toy (see above). He features purple windows, black robot details, and a painted spoiler. He comes with [[Shockwave (WFC)#BotShot3pack2|Jump Shot Shockwave]] and [[Skyquake (Prime)#BotShot3pack2|Super Bot Skyquake]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BS3pkBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on second three-pack Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotPolarAssaultTeam}}
[[File:BotShots PolarAssault Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Well, that's different.]]
*'''Polar Assault Team''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''T002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''595'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''615'''
***''Sword strength'': '''410'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 five-packs, this is a redeco of the original Bumblebee toy in white with blue details that resembles [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]'s colors. He comes with similarly-themed redecos of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Optimus Prime]], [[Mirage (G1)#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Mirage]], [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Ironhide]], and [[Jetfire (G1)#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Jetfire]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSPABumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Polar Assault Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|3packSuperBot}}
[[File:BStoy-3packSuperBotBumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Ever feel like you're going in circles?]]
*'''Twinstrike / Skystalker / Bumblebee''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 010'''
***''Fist strength'': '''438'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''984'''
***''Sword strength'': '''199'''

: Part of the third wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 three-packs, the second Super Bot Bumblebee is another redeco of the original Bumblebee toy, this time cast in clear-golden-yellow plastics. He comes in a three-pack with [[Twinstrike (Prime)#3pack|Flip Shot Twinstrike]] and [[Skystalker (Prime)#3pack|Jump Shot Skystalker]].

{{--}}

===''BeCool''===
[[File:BeCool YellowSportsCar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Yellow Sports Car (Bumblebee)''' (2012)
**''ID number'': '''B04'''

:''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' "Yellow Sports Car" is a slight [[repaint]] of the ''Bot Shots'' battle-masked Bumblebee toy, featuring silver paint on his grill and windshield instead of black. Rather than power levels, the stickers in his chest spinner feature drawings of his vehicle mode racing, a checkered flag and a crying face.

{{-}}{{anchor|ClearColor}}
[[File:BeCool SpecialSportsCar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Special Sports Car (Bumblebee Clear Color)''' (2012)
**''ID number'': '''B12'''

:"Special Sports Car" is practically identical to the first ''Bot Shots'' Super Bot Bumblebee, the only difference being that his chest stickers are now pictures of his vehicle mode, a star and a parking sign. This toy was only available for purchase for three months, during which it was sold at a lower price than other ''BeCool'' toys as an incentive. After getting taken off shelves it was replaced by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Garbage Truck|Garbage Truck]], a new, full-price B12.
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
{{anchor|Thrilling 30}}
[[File:Generationstoy-BumblebeeBlazemaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Just walk into the spinning blades; it'll be fun!]]
*'''Bumblebee & Blazemaster''' (Legends Class, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #002'''
**''Accessories'': Rotors
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the third wave of [[2012]]-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' Bumblebee is roughly the same size as a ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class toy. He transforms from an Earth-style car into a robot styled after [[Andrew Griffith]]'s design for the character in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' (which is in turn modified from ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (games)|War for Cybertron]]'' [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]]), and features [[5 mm post|5mm-compatible]] front wheels, back/roof, and hands.

:He comes with [[Blaze Master#Generations|Blazemaster]], who can transform into a helicopter, a robot with [[C joint|3 mm-compatible]] hands, and a weapon with a 5 mm handle. In weapon mode, his rotors detach and mount onto Bumblebee's forearm wheel peg-holes.

:There are two packaging [[variant]]s of this two-pack: One version (which is also reflected by the official [[stock photography|stock photo]] of the toy in packaging) features the same layout for the cardboard name insert as its [[wave]]mate [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Thrilling 30|Optimus Prime]] & [[Roller (G1)#Generations|Autobot Roller]], while the other version has various texts and logos rearranged and relocated, and is lacking both the difficulty level and the [[Hasbro]] company logo.<ref name="genvar">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/generations-classics-44/generations-legends-bumblebee-with-blazemaster-packaging-variant-177748/ Comparison] between both variants of ''Generations'' Bumblebee & Blaze Master's packaging</ref>

:This mold was also used to make ''Generations'' Legends Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generations|Cliffjumper]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2013/Autobot/GenLegBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More informations on ''Generations'' Legends Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|T30Deluxe}}{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:Generationstoy-Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #004'''
**''Accessories'': 2 stinger blasters
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the fifth wave of 2012-onwards ''Generations'' Deluxe Class toys, this ''Thrilling 30'' Bumblebee is based on the character's body from IDW's [[The Transformers (IDW)|''The Transformers'' vol. 1]] ongoing series; more specifically, it is the version used by [[Guido Guidi]] in [[Space Opera—Final Tableaux: Orphans of the Helix|issue #21]]. He transforms into a muscle car that resembles a fifth generation [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Ford Mustang|Ford Mustang]], and comes with two "stinger blasters" which peg via 5mm post into his hands, forearms, and rear vehicle sides, and can also combine into a large weapon.

:The American release is packed in with a copy of ''[[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]'', with a cropped version of the [[Clayton Crain]] RI cover that is called out as a '[[Hasbro]] Exclusive Cover'. In European and Canadian markets the figure is packed without the comic.

:For some reason, Hasbro's official [[stock photography|stock photos]] provided to retailers which depict a [[prototype|(pre-)production sample]], including a photo of the toy in [[packaging]], feature a Bumblebee that lacks the [[paint operation|painted]] stripes on the [[kibble#"Faux-parts"|fake]] car hood on his robot mode chest. The same applied to the packaged sample on display at [[BotCon 2013]]. Fortunately, the final toy sports the stripes after all. For their own official website, Hasbro remedied this with a new set of stock photos that are more representative of the final product... which were later replaced with the inaccurate photos.

:This mold was retooled into ''Generations'' [[Nightbeat (G1)#Generations|Nightbeat]] and [[Goshooter#Generations|Goshooter]] as well as ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Carzap (BT)#Timelines|Carzap]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2013/Autobot/GenBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Deluxe ''Generations'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2013}}{{anchor|SDCCMetroplex}}
*'''Metroplex''' (Titan Class, 2013)
**'''01 OF 30'''

:An [[exclusive]] version of Titan Class [[Metroplex (G1)#SDCC2013|Metroplex]] was made available at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013. He comes with 12 [[Slug figure|small, non-transforming figurines]] of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#SDCC2013|Orion Pax]], [[Megatron (G1)/toys#SDCC2013|Megatron]], Bumblebee, [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|Thundercracker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#SDCC2013|Trailcutter]], and [[Hoist (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|Hoist]], all in both modes. The figurines are based on their ''Thrilling 30'' Deluxe Class toys, and similarly to [[Decoy]]s, the Autobot figurines are cast in red plastic, and the Decepticons in purple.

{{-}}{{anchor|ACGHK2013}}{{anchor|HKACGCONMetroplex}}
[[File:Generationstoy-T30-Metroplex-Bumblebee-HKACGCON.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|There's been a walnut uprising.]]
*'''Metroplex''' (Titan Class, 2013)
**'''05 OF 30'''

:Another exclusive version of Titan Class [[Metroplex (G1)#ACGHK2013|Metroplex]] was made available at [[Anime-Comic-Game Hong Kong]] 2013. This Metroplex also has the 12 figurines of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#ACGHK2013|Orion Pax]], [[Megatron (G1)/toys#ACGHK2013|Megatron]], Bumblebee, [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#ACGHK2013|Thundercracker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#ACGHK2013|Trailcutter]], and [[Hoist (G1)/toys#ACGHK2013|Hoist]], but casts the Autobot figurines in gold plastic, and the Decepticons in silver.

{{-}}{{anchor|Goldfire}}
[[File:Generationstoy-Goldfire.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Yeah, he's gonna live a long, full life.]]]]
*'''Goldfire''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #010'''
**''Accessories'': 2 hand-held blasters
{{toydesigner|[[Joe Kyde]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the seventh wave of 2012-onwards ''Generations'' Deluxe Class toys, ''Thrilling 30'' Goldfire is a [[retool]] of ''Generations'' Bumblebee in Goldbug-inspired colors, using a new head that draws upon both Bumblebee/Goldbug's original faceplated design and the "speaker mouth" of the modern [[Movie (franchise)|movie]] and ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' versions of the character.

:He is packed in with a copy of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Second Exodus|#18]].

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/GenGoldfire/goldfire.htm More information on Goldfire at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Construct-Bots''===
[[File:Construct_bot_bumblebee_triple.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|You guess this is the Triple-Changer one?]]
* '''Bumblebee''' (Triple-Changer, 2013)
**''Pieces: '''69'''

: Part of Wave 1 of [[Construct-Bots]] Triple-Changers, Bumblebee can transform into a sports car-like thing or a jet-like thing. He is heavily armed with two large shoulder-mounted launchers, a third launcher hidden in his jet mode nosecone as well as two large swords.

:Many of his parts were used to make himself again (see below) as well as [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Cliffjumper]].

{{-}}
[[File:ConstructBots_ArsenalPackBumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"I feel lighter."]]
* '''Bumblebee''' (Scout, 2013)
**''Pieces: '''45'''
: Part of Wave 2 of Construct-Bots Scouts, Bumblebee can transform into a car. He uses largely the same part scheme as Triple Changer Bumblebee, except his head is remolded to have his battle mask up, and he uses Ironhide's shoulder and thigh armor pieces. He also lacks the two shoulder-mounted launchers as well as his rear wheel wells and spoiler attachments, making his vehicle mode appear much smaller. He swaps out his dual longswords for the fork blade originally included with Optimus Prime. His color scheme changes the original's orange to a neon yellow and most of his black details to a lighter blue.

{{-}}
* '''Arsenal Pack Bumblebee''' (Scout, 2014)
**''Pieces: '''51'''
: Arsenal Pack Bumblebee turns into a car. He is almost identical to the previous Scout release, but would have included several additional armor and weapon pieces. Like all Arsenal Pack toys it was canceled and you'll never own one.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''EZ Collection'' (2013)===
[[File:TF-EZ-Collection-EG-02-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=0.99|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (EZ Collection, [[April 27]], 2013)
**''ID number'': '''EG-02'''

:Another [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class Bumblebee, this individual carded release of ''EZ Collection (2014)'' Bumblebee features slightly darker yellow plastic and black windows while retaining most of the paint applications from the ''Chronicle'' release. While his stock photography retains the G1 Autobot symbol and the original arms, though the toy proper has the movie variant, and also uses the retooled arm pegs used for the ''Transformers (2010)'' release.
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Generations'' (Japan)===
{{anchor|TG24}}{{anchor|OPandBee}}
[[File:TTGenerationsTG24BumblebeeBlazemaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Bumblebee has become the legendary SUPER SAIYAN!]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Bumblebee''' (Multi-pack, [[September 28]], 2013)
**''ID number:'' '''TG-24'''
**''Accessories'': Rotors

:The Japanese [[Transformers: Generations (Japan)|''Generations'']] release of ''Thrilling 30'' Legends Class Bumblebee [[redeco]]es him in an extensive metallic gold paint job. He comes in a [[TakaraTomy]] four-pack with [[Blaze Master#TG24|Blazemaster]], as well as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#TG24|Optimus Prime]] and [[Roller (G1)#TG24|Roller]].
{{-}}

{{anchor|TG26}}{{anchor|BumblebeeGoldbug}}
[[File:Transformers-Generations-TG26-Bumblebee-Goldbug.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Blingin' Sweet Boy feeling a little blue today.]]
*'''Bumblebee Goldbug''' ([[November 30]], [[2013]])
**''ID number:'' '''TG-26'''
**''Accessories'': 2 stinger blasters

:Part of the eleventh wave of TakaraTomy's [[Transformers: Generations (Japan)|''Generations'']] line, "Bumblebee Goldbug" is a redeco of the Hasbro ''Generations'' Deluxe Bumblebee in a more orange shade of yellow, with blue translucent plastic and black limbs. His head is painted metallic blue in homage to Goldbug (though it's still Bumblebee's head instead of Goldfire's), and he also features metallic gold paint on his bumper, torso, forearms, and feet.
{{-}}

===''Age of Extinction''===
[[File:AoE now & then Bumblebee 1984.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If Cybertronians have a sense of smell, Bee must've wondered why does he smell like lemons by now.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Evolution 2-Pack, [[2014]])
**'''22 OF 30'''
**''TakaraTomy Release Date'': [[August 3]], 2014
**''Accessories:'' Blaster/Hand Cannon

: Available only at [[Toys"R"Us]] stores in the US, Canada, the UK, and Germany, this two-pack includes a "Classic" Bumblebee [[redeco]]ed from the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Legends Class Bumblebee, cast in a slightly lighter yellow with blue headlights and taillights and armed with a black and yellow redeco of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Jolt (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys 3|Deluxe Jolt]]'s [[MechTech]] weapon that turns into a hand cannon when the scope is pulled. This weapon can either be plugged via 5mm post on his roof/back or held in hand. As with almost all other ''MechTech'' Deluxe weapon accessories, the converted weapon cannot lock into place.

: The two-pack was one of the three Evolution 2-packs available as a Toys"R"Us exclusive in Japan, with no changes on the figures with an exception of the packaging, which the front box features Japanese translated versions of the English text, and a sticker on the back confirming that this was a Japanese release.
{{-}}

===''Hero Mashers''===
[[File:HM-toy BumblebeeG1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Bumblebee''' (Basic, 2014)
**''Pieces'': '''9'''
**''Accessories'': Blaster

: Part of the first wave of ''Transformers [[Hero Mashers]]'' basic Action Figures, Bumblebee is a non-transforming action figure with ratchet-joints, about six inches tall. His robot mode takes many design cues from his Deluxe Class ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]] [[Thrilling 30]]'' toy. He has multiple peg-holes all over that can be used to mount any ''Hero Mashers'' accessory. As a first-wave figure, he has extra ankle articulation that is not present in later waves (a cut that was made to all ''Hero Mashers'' lines, not just the ''Transformers''-branded ones).

: He is designed with a removable head, forearms, thighs, and lower legs, all of which use the same clip-peg/hole joint. This means his pieces can be swapped around in any order, as well as swapped with any other ''Hero Mashers'' figure... which includes figures from [[Marvel Comics]], ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'', and ''[[Jurassic Park|Jurassic World]]'', meaning you can make some pretty freaky combinations.

: His left forearm was [[redeco]]ed to make [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Hero Mashers|Cliffjumper]]'s arm in the [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Hero Mashers|Battle Upgrade Bulkhead]] set.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/HMBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Hero Mashers'' Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|HMStrafe}}
[[File:HM-toy BumblebeeStrafe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|But he's got a new <s>hat</s> missile launcher!]]
* '''Bumblebee & Strafe Team Pack''' (Team Pack, 2014)
**''Pieces'': '''23'''
**''Accessories'': Jetpack, axe/missile launcher, 2 "Dino Claw Missiles", buzzsaw, 2 twin-blasters

: Part of a "Team Pack" with [[Swoop (G1)/toys#Hero Mashers|Strafe]], this release of Bumblebee is basically identical to his individual release, but lacking his silver blaster. Instead, he can be equipped with any of the pack's various accessories (which can be argued also belonging to Strafe but whatever), including a winged jetpack and a spring-loaded "Dino Claw Missile" launcher that doubles as an axe. The spare missile can be pegged to any standard ''Hero Mashers'' peg-hole, though it sits pretty shallowly.

: There are two different releases of this set, each one containing the same parts, but arranged differently. One has Strafe much more visibly pulled apart, with the resulting part-spread meaning the jetpack ends up hidden under the packaging photo on the lower-left corner under Bumblebee's feet.
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2014)===
[[File:Transformers-2014-Legion-Class-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|(Black insignia version pictured)]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Legion Class, 2014/2015/2017)

:Another release of the 2014 ''Universe'' sculpt, this version's deco is a hybrid between the [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' Cybertronian [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#BeeStarscream|Bumblebee]] release of the sculpt and the ''Transformers'' release from 2012: The Autobot insignia is placed on the chest/roof again (like on the ''Dark of the Moon'' version), but the "running boards" on the sides of the vehicle mode are still unpainted (like on the 2012 release). The toy also now sports a large "CE" mark and number on the soles of its feet, declaring the toy meets European product safety requirements. Bizarrely, the [[package art]] is lifted directly from the ''Generations'' Legends Class Bumblebee/Blazemaster two-pack's packaging, whereas the [[stock photography|stock photos]] depicted on the back of the packaging are taken from ''Universe'' Bumblebee's packaging and only slightly altered, sporting a highly inaccurate deco and even advertising a "[[Reveal the Shield]]" [[rubsign]] [[gimmick]] the toy doesn't actually have. Meanwhile, Hasbro's official stock photos provided to online retailers (including an in-packaging photo) depict the sculpt's 2012 release's deco.
:[[File:Transformers-2014-Legion-Class-Bumblebee-packaging-variants.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|left|2014 packaging left, 2015 packaging right.]]

:Legion Class Bumblebee has been found at Family Dollar and Dollar General stores in the United States. A later [[variant]] replaced the red Autobot insignia with a black version. This later version was also released at general retail in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. In addition, the version with a black insignia was later re-released in 2015, this time in packaging mimicking the then-current ''Generations'' packaging design, but replacing the name "Generations" with "Authentic Transformers". It was also given a new Hasbro product code number and UPC barcode, thereby technically making it a separate product. In 2017 (or 2016?), it was re-released ''again'', this time in a minor variant of the 2014 version's packaging (including the original product code number and barcode) that now lacked the reference to the non-existing "Reveal the Shield" gimmick.

:Like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Starscream]], the black insignia variant of the toy (in the later packaging variant lacking the "Reveal the Shield" call-out) ended up being dumped to some hobby shop dealers in Asia, and even returned to discount stores like Five Below and 99 Cents Only in the US in 2020. For unknown reasons, most of them were mistransformed in packaging.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/FDBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{UniverseLegendsBumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''Bearbrick''===
[[File:Bearbrick Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Finally, a bear that can make its own honey.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (2014)

: A special edition [[Bearbrick]] released in celebration of the ''Transformers'' 30th anniversary, Bumblebee is a [[retool]] of the Bearbrick [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Bearbrick|Optimus Prime]]/[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Bearbrick|Megatron]] mold with a new chest and head, transforming from a Bearbrick painted up like himself to a bear-eared robot. He has no accessories, but holes in his robot mode hands can accommodate other toys' weapons.

: The chest used for this mold was also used to make the simultaneously released Bearbrick [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Bearbrick|Starscream]]. This mold with the alternate chest was also used to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Bearbrick|Nemesis Prime]].
{{-}}

===''Masterpiece''===
{{anchor|MP21}}
[[File:Bumble Bee Masterpiece.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I've been all around the world, seen all the sights; but this is the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen.]]
*'''Bumble''' ([[November 29]], [[2014]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-21'''
**''Accessories'': "Laser Gun" pistol, rear-view mirrors, [[Exosuit#Masterpiece|Excelsuit]], spare tire cover, license plate, neutral face, smiling face, "Battle Face" ([[Amazon (website)|Amazon.co.jp]] exclusive)
{{toydesigner|[[Shogo Hasui]] and [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Bumble transforms into an officially-licensed Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle. As with other figures in the ''Masterpiece'' line, he is intended to be an accurate representation of his cartoon model. Roughly as tall as a [[Size class|Deluxe Class]] figure, he is also in [[scale]] with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP10|MP-10 Optimus Prime]] in robot mode (making his car mode very out of proportions with the other ''Masterpiece'' cars), and can fit inside [[Combat Deck (G1)#MP10|Prime's trailer]] in vehicle mode. In contrast to larger entries in this line, Bumblebee lacks [[die-cast]] parts, and his tires are cast in hard, non-rubberized plastic. Additionally, following the trend started with [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Wheeljack]], his side mirrors come detached out of the box, and can be found separately packaged inside the instruction bag. Accurate to the real-life Type 1 Beetle, he only has one mirror, on the driver's side; an extra is included in case of loss or breakage.

:For accessories, he comes with his gun (called ''Lazer Gun'' {{sic}} in the instructions), a second interchangeable face with [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|an open-mouth smile]] to replace his regular neutral face, and a spare tire cover that can be plugged on the rear of his vehicle mode by pulling away the license plate, which then fits inside the cover. The cover mounts on his back in robot mode; indeed, it only ''exists'' in order to replicate the large yellow circle on the back of Bumblebee's [[character model]], a visual adaptation of some molded circular detail on his original toy. Illustrating its non-essential vehicle mode role, it can also be stored out of view on the car's underside.

:To make up for the smaller size of Bumblebee when compared to other figures in the Masterpiece line (and to keep up with the price tag), MP-21 comes with an Exosuit figure, which can transform into its vehicle mode as seen in ''The Movie''. The figure itself is referred to only as "Excelsuit" (the Japanese G1 dub name) on the instruction book, but according to the line-art included in ''The Transformers Masterpiece Official Guide'', it's supposed to be [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Daniel Witwicky]], though the back of the box refers to it as Spike.

:If purchased in Japan through [[Amazon (website)|Amazon.co.jp]], one additionally gets an interchangeable "Battle Face" based on the original G1 toy's one. If purchased in other Asian markets outside of Japan, a [[collector coin]] is included instead of or in addition to the face. The coin package is shaped like his head, and identifies him as "Bumblebee Autobot".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/MPBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Masterpiece'' Bumble/Bumblebee at TFU.info]''
{{MPVolkswagenBeetleMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G2Masterpiece}}{{anchor|MP21G}}
[[File:Bumble Bee Masterpiece G2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|With all the cash from my multi-million dollar movie promotions, I got myself coated in solid gold, baby!]]
*'''Bumble G-2 Ver.''' ([[July 25]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-21G'''
**''Accessories'': Laser gun, spare left-side rearview mirror, 3-piece jetpack, spare tire cover, "normal" and "smile" extra faces

:A redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Bumble in [[#Generation 2|shiny ''Generation 2'' gold]], this version does not come with an Exosuit figure. Instead, he comes with a three-piece jetpack, as worn by Bumblebee in the cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]". The toy-inspired "battle face" from the normal version's Amazon Japan special release is included as the default face, along with the two cartoon-based faces from the original release.

: He also comes with an extra [[sticker|sticker sheet]] for customization. The sheet includes both Generation 1 and ''Generation 2'' style Autobot insignias in two different sizes, two yellow ''Generation 2'' style "AUTOBOT" logos (as was stamped on the original toys), ''180 Deceps'' and ''I♥Cybertron'' (from his appearance in the [[The Planet-Eater!|Marvel Comics adaptation of ''Transformers: The Movie'']]), and the "'''I♥NY'''" license plate decal as seen in the episode "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]".

:The non-Japanese Asian market version came with a special collector's coin. The coin package is once again shaped like Bumblebee's head (with the "battle face" faceplate on the front), but actually identifies him as Goldbug. Go figure.

{{-}}{{anchor|MasterpieceRedBumble}}{{anchor|MP21R}}
[[File:MP21R-RedBumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And Takara will forever use this as an excuse not to make a ''Masterpiece'' Cliffjumper.]]
*'''Bumble Red Body''' ([[December 26]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-21R'''
**''Accessories'': pistol, rear-view mirrors, spare tire cover, license plate, neutral face, smiling face

:Another redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Bumble, in red colors (based on his original G1 toy variant) and chromed bumpers. ''Masterpiece'' Bumble Red Body was released as a Cybertron Satellite exclusive.

:As usual, the version supplied from Hasbro Asia came with a special collector's coin. This time, the package is shaped like the Beetle's front hood, and the coin identifies him as "Bumblebee Red Boby". {{sic}}

{{-}}{{anchor|HasbroMP}}
[[File:Hasbro MP Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|With added skirt flap]]
*''' Bumblebee & Exosuit Spike Witwicky''' ([[2016]])
**''ID Number'': '''MP-08'''
**''Accessories'': Blaster, rear-view mirrors, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (Exosuit), spare tire cover, license plate, neutral face, smiling face

:This Hasbro version of [[#MP21|''Masterpiece'' MP-21 Bumblebee]] is virtually unchanged from its Takara counterpart. All accessories included with the MP-21 version (minus the retailer-exclusive battle mask) are present in this release. Unlike the Takara version which (confusingly) identifies the Exosuit figure as Spike or Daniel, this version identifies him as just Spike.

:Oddly, the instruction manual and package have a couple of quirks—first, stock photos of Bumblebee's robot mode show his hood vent flap exposed and his backpack untransformed, where the flap should be tucked into its compartment in his pelvis and the backpack rotated, then the bumper folded in. The instructions also show this, but they show the steps for tucking in the flap and transforming the backpack. Second, the instructions for the swappable face gimmick have two errors: The regular face is shown twice instead of the smiling face being swapped, and the battle mask is shown in the instructions, despite not being included with the actual toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/MPBumblebee/bumblebee.htm More information on ''Masterpiece'' Bumble/Bumblebee at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MP45}}
[[File:TF-Masterpiece-MP-45-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now with far less cool and far more gremlin face.]]
*'''Bumble (Ver. 2.0)''' ([[November 23]], [[2019]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-45'''
**''Hasbro release name:'' '''Bumblebee and Spike 2.0'''
**''Accessories'': 2 faces, firing effect, small blaster, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#MP45|Spike Witwicky]] figure, I (heart) NY license plate

:The second version of ''Masterpiece'' Bumble transforms from a show-accurate robot into a show-and-toy-accurate Penny Racer-proportioned Volkswagen Beetle. He comes with his handgun, now with its own blast effect, 2 faces, a license plate from the episode "[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]", and a small posable figure of Spike, which can fit in his vehicle mode. While the car mode can be displayed with the doors open, sitting the mini-figure in requires separating its front halves and folding up the windscreen/car hood assembly. Like the other ''Masterpiece'' Autobot cars, Bumble can fit in Convoy's (MP-10 and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP44|MP-44]]) Trailer. Bumble comes with a sheet of optional stickers: Two hearts for his license plate, the ice cream splotches for his shoulders seen in "[[Child's Play (episode)|Child's Play]]", the brown [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|disease patches]] seen in "[[Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust]]", and the [[Morphobot]] tentacle seen in "[[Quest for Survival]]".

:Unfortunately, due to the sake of show-accuracy, this Bumblebee ends up having most of his kibble present on his rear ankles and a glaring backpack when viewed at any angle other than his front, which also collides with his lower waist, effectively neutering the usage of his waist swivel.

:After the official images' reveal, Hasbro requested a number of sites (including a few listings like Amazon Japan) to take down the pictures, until they were allowed to post them again, several hours later. Initially set for a late September release, Bumblebee was pushed back to [[November 24|late November]].

:Bumble comes with a die-cast token modeled after the Matrix of Leadership, and like the collector coins, the token had Bumblebee's head, the ''Masterpiece'' logo and the ID number engraved on it. Strangely enough, the box used for imported releases omits Bumble's name and just refers him as "Cybertron Espionage" while the box itself retains Bumble's (Japanese) name.
{{-}}

===''Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q''===
[[File:NanoblockChoroQBumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumble''' ([[December 11]], 2014)

:Produced as a collaboration between toylines ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' and ''[[Choro-Q]]'', this Bumblebee is a building block toy providing pieces to build both Bumblebee's super deformed robot mode and, separately, his car mode (or something else, given it's blocks and all). His car mode is built on a generic ''Choro-Q'' chassis outfitted with an electric motor and can be remote-controlled using a smartphone app. While the chassis is physically generic, its firmware identifies it as belonging to the Bumblebee kit, and the smartphone app's controls adopt a yellow and black theme to match, complete with Autobot logo on the steering wheel hub.
{{-}}

===''Q-Transformers''===
[[File:QTransformers Bumble.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumble''' ([[December 26]], 2014)
**''ID number:'' '''QT-08'''

:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Bumble transforms from a licensed [[super deformed]] Daihatsu Copen to a cute little robot. In spite of his new vehicle mode, molded detail on his feet still evoke the traditional Volkswagen Beetle hood. He comes with a code for unlocking Generation 1 Bumblebee as a playable character in the ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns]]'' game.

:Bumblebee was retooled into ''Q-Transformers'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Q-Transformers|Cliff]].
{{-}}

===''Cyber Series''===
[[File:Generations-Cyber-Battalion-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Cyber Battalion, [[2015]])

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#PrimeWarsTrilogyAsian|Generations: Cyber Series]]'' Cyber Battalion figures, Bumblebee is a roughly Voyager-sized figure that changes from muscle car to robot in just 5 simple steps. The figure's transformation engineering takes cues from the ''Prime'' Cyberverse Bumblebee figure. Bumblebee also features 5mm-compatible hands.

:Like every Cyber Series figures, Bumblebee was available in limited quantities from online retailer BigBadToyStore.com, initially not hitting mass retail anywhere besides Asia and Latin America. However, alongside Starscream and Optimus Prime, it eventually saw a limited release in the Universal Studios Theme Park, and was later widely available as a Walgreens exclusive.

{{-}}
[[File:Generations-Cyber-Commander-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Cyber Commander, 2015)

:Released in the first wave of Cyber Commander figures, Bumblebee changes from muscle car to robot in a few easy steps. His transformation scheme is largely based on that of [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Legion Class|Robots in Disguise Legion Bumblebee]]. His arms feature a decent range of articulation as well as 5mm-compatible hands. His robot mode stands taller than most modern Leader class figures.

{{-}}{{anchor|HeroesAndVillains}}
[[File:TF-Heroes-and-Villains-Bumblebee-Starscream-2-pack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee / Starscream''' (Heroes & Villains, 2021)

:In 2021, the ''Cyber Series'' Batallion Bumblebee and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Cyber Series|Starscream]] figure were reissued as a 2-pack exclusive to Amazon.com.
{{--}}

===''Alt-Modes''===
[[File:Alt-Modes Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Alt-Modes, [[2016]])
**''Series'': '''1, 2'''
**''Collection'': '''2, 3''' (Series 1), '''1''' (Series 2)

:''[[Alt-Modes]]'' Bumblebee is a super deformed toy whose body transforms into a car when the Autobot faction symbol on his head is flipped. He was [[Blindpacking|blind-boxed]] and available in two cases of the first series and the only case of the second series.

:This mold was redecoed into ''Alt-Modes'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Alt-Modes|Cliffjumper]].
{{-}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Legends-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Don't expect him to shelfwarm like his [[Bumblebee (Movie)|''Movie-verse'' counterpart]] anytime soon.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Legends Class, [[2016]])
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Bumblebee is a Legends Class mold who transforms from a robot to car, with a vehicle mode based on his alt mode in ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]''. As with some of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class figures, Bumblebee features an opening canopy for his cockpit, which allows any Titan Master figures to ride inside him. He also features 5mm-compatible hands, although the yellow piece can prevent any weapon's slightly longer posts to peg down through his hands. Also, take note that the vehicle back wings/shoulder kibble can sometimes block the way for wielding weapons; however the shoulder parts can be swapped for better tolerance, but prevents him from fully transforming into vehicle mode. Oddly, his molded license plate reads "100 STRA" which is a variation of his movie counterpart's "900 STRA" plate.

:Although the instructions tell [[you]] to immediately swing down the chest/vehicle roof to his shoulders/vehicle rear, you have to give a slight opening gap on the shoulder parts in vehicle form before you swing the roof piece down, and squeeze the shoulders against the piece until it clicks properly (make sure the rear vehicle's pegs and the shoulder's rectangle holes are in place first). Take note that the tail-end of the chest/roof hinge piece is prone to paint chipping due to the friction between both hinged vehicle rear pieces.

:This mold was also used to make [[Chase (G1)#Generations|Roadburn]].
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-54-Bumble.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I have clear windows! Buy me again!]]
*'''Bumble & Excelsuit Spike''' ('''Bumblebee & Exo-suit Spike''') ([[December 30]], [[2017]])
**''ID Number'': '''LG-54'''

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Bumble is an extensive redeco of the [[#Titans Return|''Titans Return'' Legends Class figure]], with most of the yellow parts now recast in transparent plastic with yellow paint applied. This allows his windows to be transparent.

:Bumble comes with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Legends|Excelsuit Spike]]. This version of the mold was redecoed into ''[[The Transformers (franchise)|The Transformers]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#The Transformers|SonicBlue Bumble]] (see above).
{{-}}

===''au x Transformers''===
[[File:INFOBAR-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|... some joke about a bee-line.]]
*'''INFOBAR Bumblebee (ICHIMATSU)''' (2017)
**''Accessories:'' Mini flip-phone, display stand, swappable display cards
{{toydesigner|[[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Released in conjunction with Japanese cellphone maker au,<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/product_release/pdf/p170201.pdf TakaraTomy au x Transformers Project press release]</ref> ''au x Transformers'' INFOBAR Bumblebee is a retool of the same line's [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#au x Transformers|INFOBAR Optimus Prime]], with a new head and decoed in black and yellow.

:The INFOBAR figures celebrate 15 years since the 2002 au Design Project that resulted in the INFOBAR cellphone, as well as the 10th anniversary of the [[Live-action film series|live-action films]]. He transforms into a (non-functional) scaled-down replica of the 2002 au INFOBAR, and in lieu of cellphone functions, the figure can be paired via Bluetooth with a smartphone, such as an iPhone, to act as a notification alarm in either robot or INFOBAR mode. The screen is also non-functional, but pre-printed cards are included which can be slid into the screen to show an Autobot logo, Decepticon logo, a mockup of a cellphone home screen, or a technical "Transformers INFOBAR" design. He features articulated hands for grasping the included tiny flip-phone accessory (which can flip open) that is stored in the bottom of the cell phone mode. The figure also includes a display stand.

:The project was crowdfunded through Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake.<ref>[http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/01/31/transformers-x-au-transforming-phones-launch-crowdfunding-campaign-332289 Transformers x au Transforming Phones Launch Crowdfunding Campaign at TFW2005.com]</ref> Both Bumblebee and Megatron could only be obtained by contributing 16,200 yen to the project to receive a package of all three INFOBAR figures; at the 5,400 yen level, contributors received only INFOBAR Optimus Prime. The project received one million yen in the first 24 hours, ultimately topping out at over 32 million yen.

:This figure was differently retooled, with another head, and redecoed into [[Megatron (G1)/toys#au x Transformers|INFOBAR Megatron]].

::*''[https://time-space.kddi.com/au-transformers/ More information on au x Transformers website (Japanese)]''
::*''[https://www.makuake.com/project/au-transformers/ More information on INFOBAR Bumblebee at Makuake crowd-funding site (Japanese)]''
{{-}}

===''Authentics''===
[[File:Authentics_5inch_Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Somebody give him a [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|walking stick]].]]
*'''Autobot Bumblebee''' (Bravo, 2017)
{{toydesigner|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of the [[Transformers Authentics|''Authentics'']] toyline, "Autobot Bumblebee" is the size of a 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)#Mini-Con Battle Packs|''Robots in Disguise'' Battle Pack]] toy. In just four steps, he changes from an [[evergreen]]-inspired robot into a car reminiscent of his [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|''Classics'']] iteration, and he features ''very'' limited articulation consisting of his head and his shoulders.

{{-}}{{anchor|5 inch 2024}}
[[File:TF-Authentics-Bravo-2024-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Bravo, 2024)

:Released in the seventh wave of ''Authentics'' Bravo figures, Bumblebee transforms into a sports car, with molding and details based off his Titan Changer toy from the same line. Unlike the prior 2017 figure, this version of Bumblebee has ball-jointed hips.

:This figure was first listed by the [https://hasbrostore.cl/product/transformers/9539-figura-de-accion-transformers-authentics-bravo-bumblebee-5010996196125.html Chilean Hasbro store] website without prior announcements.

{{-}}{{anchor|7 inch}}
[[File:Authentics_7inch_Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Bumblebee''' (Alpha, 2017)

:Around the height of the average Voyager figure, "Autobot Bumblebee" is nigh-identical to his smaller equivalent. He features the same four-step transformation, while adding some sideways-oriented elbows and additional paint. His legs are stiff as ever.

{{-}}{{anchor|Super20inch}}
[[File:TF-Authentics-Super-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Super Bumblebee''' (20 Inch, 2018)

:4 inches below the size of a Titan Class figure, "Super Bumblebee" is a retool of the [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Super Class|Super Bumblebee]] toy from the ''Robots in Disguise (2015)'' line, with a new upper body and head with the arms, legs, and vehicle body unchanged. He is packed with 15 sounds and phrases that activate when his [[Autobot]] symbol is pushed on his chest. He transforms in 3...no, just a single step by pulling his arms.

{{-}}{{anchor|TitanChanger}}
[[File:TF-Authentics-Titan-Changer-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Titan Changer, 2019)

:This Bumblebee is a Titan Hero-sized mold, utilizing a different transformation scheme compared to his previous ''Authentics'' figures.
{{-}}
{{anchor|MBR}}
[[File:RBA Mini Bot Racers Bumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Mini Bot Racers, 2022)
[[Package refresh]] or [[Rebranding]] of [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#MBR|Mini Bot Racers Bumblebee]] From [[Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy (toyline)|Rescue Bots Academy]]
{{charstubtoys}}
{{--}}

===''Vintage G1''===
[[File:VG1-toy Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Sweet boy will outlive us, mere mortals, with periodical re-releases on a per decade basis. As it should be.]]
*'''Bumblebee''' ("Legion Class" reissue, 2018)

: Part of the first wave of the ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'' line, Bumblebee is a largely-identical reissue of ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' Bumble, using the "newly"-tooled head introduced in ''[[#The Transformers Collection|The Transformers Collection]]'' and also sharing many of the deco alterations.

:There are a number of small differences between the ''Encore'' and ''Vintage G1'' versions, though:
:#The screw in the center of Bumblebee's back; now replaced with a pin, much like the original toy. This is also likely down to [[Hasbro]]'s current stance on using pins in place of screws as much as possible.
:#He has extra production information tampographed on the sole of his right foot—something that has become fairly common on ''Transformers'' products that wasn't around during his last reissue.
:#The original sticker detail on the back of his head has also returned, whereas the ''Encore'' version had a [[rubsign]] placed there instead. This also happens to be the only ''Vintage G1'' Minibot to not have a rubsign.

: Despite these differences from the original, card still displays the original toy-based package art. Of particular note is that this is the first ever release of this figure that's identified on its packaging as being an "official licensed product" approved by Volkswagen.

:Like all ''Vintage G1'' figures, Bumblebee was [[exclusive]] to [[Walmart]] in the United States and Canada. He was also available at general retail in Hong Kong, and exclusive to the website of Australian fashion chain Cotton On. Oddly, the Australian release came in [[multilingual packaging]] intended for the European market, a rare but not entirely unheard of occurrence. Due to the limited space on the back, this, unfortunately, means the iconic [[Tech Spec]] card is omitted, replaced by parental warnings in 24 languages about the possibility of breakage due to excessive force, and that parts are not designed to reattach. In Singapore, Bumblebee was released as a giveaway for their screenings of the [[Bumblebee (film)|''Bumblebee'' live-action movie]].
{{G1BumblebeeMold}}
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-WFC-Trilogy-Deluxe-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Wait I'm a retool of Cliffjumper now? This must be Shattered Glass or something...]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''WFC-09'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[January 20]], [[2021]]
**''Accessories:'' Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk/shield

:Part of the second wave of ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Deluxe Class toys, concurrent with the ''Earthrise'' toyline and season of [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|the Netflix cartoon]], Bumblebee is a retool of [[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'']] [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], having all of the original figure's vehicle mode parts replaced with those of a [[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]] Volkswagen Beetle without the "penny racer" proportions, along with a new head sculpt. Almost ''all'' of Bumblebee's yellow coloring is painted, with only his head and forearms being bare yellow plastic, which avoids color disparity, particularly in vehicle mode. On both of his ends, the bumpers/fenders are made of soft rubbery plastic. Bumblebee also has molded high-performance brake discs. Much like Cliffjumper's other mold-mates, Bumblebee's depiction as being rather small in most ''Transformers'' media means this figure is much shorter than a typical Deluxe-priced figure and is closer to being a particularly large Legends-priced figure. Like all Deluxe Class figures of the ''War for Cybertron'' subline, Bumblebee includes numerous 3 mm posts and [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] for attaching other accessories as part of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], but due to his small size he cannot easily accommodate an entire Weaponizer or [[A.I.R. Lock System|Modulator]] figure. Additionally, he is highly articulated for a mainline Legends-sized Transformer, with over 90-degree ankles and two-way elbows, and a complex transformation scheme. Undocumented in the instructions, Bumblebee's neck is actually mounted on a ball-joint, and when popped out of its housing offers a larger range of articulation. The housing has also been updated for seemingly no reason, with a taller "collar" section compared to Cliffjumper and Hubcap.

:The rest of his price-point is made up for with Cliffjumper's bazooka, now painted in slightly darker gunmetal color and lacking the paint on the rear piece. The entire cannon can split into two smaller blasters and a pair of skis that can attach under his front wheels. The backend of the cannon folds out to fit in his car mode's underside to help balance when skis are deployed. It can also mount on either his thigh or on the side or top of his shoulder meaning you can put the entire cannon in these spots. Unlike his mold-mates, 5 mm port holes are absent in Bumblebee's vehicle parts, meaning displaying the bazooka in vehicle mode requires the rear of the car mode to be transformed differently so the car trunk post has space to flip out and connect to the back-end of the cannon.

: Similarly, his [[partformer|detaching]] car back-end can either be put onto the robot mode's back or be used as a shield with help of a flip-out peg. This peg and the backend of the cannon use a unique post and port to connect to each other. Also unlike his mold-mates, the pegs that connect the car trunk with the robot fists in vehicle mode are now complete circles instead of half circles. These larger pegs are a very tight fit in the fists; detaching the trunk requires using excessive force on a small, thin, painted plastic piece. Filing or sanding the pegs down can make transformation more feasible.

:[[For safety reasons|As per the norm]], the stock renders depict him with sharp head-horns, but the final product has them rounded off.

: Like the rest of the [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Netflix-branded]] subset of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toyline, Bumblebee is exclusive to [[Walmart]] in Canada and the US but was released at standard retail in Asia.

: His G1 cartoon-accurate blaster is sold separately as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Centurion droid#Toys|Deluxe Centurion Drone Weaponizer Pack]]. However, there is no way to store this blaster while Bumblebee is in vehicle mode.

: This contained a portion of a cardstock background of [[Teletraan I]]. Bumblebee's part has tab N and slot A.

: Bumblebee is one of two puzzling Netflix-branded figures that have become extra rare and valuable for a mutual set of confusing reasons; the other is [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Soundwave]]. Most Netflix figures try to depict characters as they appeared on the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon, favoring Cybertronian alt modes and extra battle damage, but that was not the goal for Bumblebee and Soundwave. Instead, with clean paint jobs and never-seen-on-Netflix Earth alt modes, they might be the most G1-faithful available versions of their characters in the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations toyline]] era.

:If you actually want a toy that resembles Bumblebee from Netflix TV, then you might be looking for one of the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Buzzworthy Bumblebees]].

: The original Cliffjumper version of the mold was given two new head toolings to make ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hubcap (G1)#Generations|Hubcap]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Generations|Goldbug]] respectively, and was also given Bumblebee's head to make ''Selects'' [[Bug Bite (GoBots)#Generations|Bug Bite]].
{{WFCEarthriseCliffjumperMold}}
{{--}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-BB-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We all made that face trying to decipher that packaging.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee / Spike Witwicky''' (Core Class, [[2021]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': ''War for Cybertron Trilogy''
:*''Accessories'': Blaster

: Part of the cross-franchise ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' subline, and among its very first releases, this iteration of ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Bumblebee is a Core Class mold that converts from a robot into a car based upon [[Bumper (G1)#The Transformers|Bumper]]'s [[Choro-Q]] {{w|Mazda Familia}} alt-mode (complete with rear plate detailing!). He comes with a cartoon-inspired blaster that he holds via a 3 mm post which stores in his vehicle mode's rear underside, doubling as an exhaust pipe of sorts. Unlike most of the figures on this page, this Bumblebee features a matte finish on his vehicle tires ''and'' his gun.

: As seen in the rear packaging's stock render, Bumblebee's "wing" kibble/back fenders can be folded back for a cleaner robot appearance. As a result of sharing similarities to the original toy's transformation scheme, Bumblebee's arms sit slightly lower in robot mode.

: Bumblebee also comes with a (minimally-)transforming [[Exosuit#War for Cybertron Trilogy|exosuit]] [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Buzzworthy|Spike Witwicky]] figure, although the exosuit features a silver-painted head dome with no indications of whoever may be inside, making it more a generic exosuit figure than any specific human character. This raised the MSRP from Core Class's normal ten to fifteen US dollars, though some Target stores seemingly at random charged ''seventeen'' for the set. Despite the store exclusivity, the set became a [[shelfwarmer|pegwarmer]], often leaving entire pegs full of unsold stock.

: Much like the rest of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, the box is in the style of the 2018 ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee (toyline)|Bumblebee]]'' toyline, with additional renders of the [[evergreen]] Bumblebee design. Additionally, the toy features ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]''-style [[package art]] with the ''War for Cybertron'' logo present.

{{-}}{{anchor|BuzzworthyOrigin}}
[[File: Buzzworthy_Bumblebee_Origin.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|We simply could not function without his tireless efforts. So, a round of applause for this inanimate carbon rod!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Origin Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, 2021)}}</ul>
:*''Series'': ''War for Cybertron Trilogy''
:*''Accessories'': Blaster, [[jet pack#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|jet pack]], five [[conductor#Toys|conductor]]s
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)|[[John Warden]] (initial concept), [[Ken Christiansen]] (concept art)}}<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg3A2s-MLM5/ Design notes] on Origin Bumblebee from [[Hasbro]] designer [[Mark Maher]] on Instagram</ref>

: ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''{{'}}s second all-new mold, "Origin Bumblebee" is a diminutive Deluxe Class figure, once again branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy''. For the first time in toy form, Bumblebee transforms into the "flying saucer" vehicle seen in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" in 23 steps. His robot mode is based on [https://www.instagram.com/p/CLo1eYQASuE/ concept art] by [[Ken Christiansen]], which had earlier influenced Bumblebee's look in the [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 IDW comic series]] and the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' animated series.

: As part of the ''War for Cybertron'' play pattern, Bumblebee features multiple 5 mm ports and 3 mm posts compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]/[[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology]] and [[Fire Blast effect|"fire blast" effects]]. Being a modern, smaller-scale Deluxe Class figure, Bumblebee includes multiple accessories to fill out the price point, consisting of a 5 mm handheld blaster, five [[conductor#Toys|conductor rods]] as seen in "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1" that Bumblebee cannot actually hold (and in reality, Bumblebee only holds four of these rods in the episode), and a [[jet pack#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|jet pack]] as seen in "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1]]". The jet pack is 5 mm compatible but is also specifically shaped to fit the back kibble of the ''Earthrise'' Cliffjumper mold. Kunihiro originally wanted to have slots on the jetpack for the rods to slide into, but Maher cut it out due to it affecting the visual look of the jetpack.

: A small number of copies is reported to have the ''paintable'' yellow plastic being prone to fading into a very pale color. In addition to this, despite appearing to be silver on the box, both Bumblebee's gun and jetpack are molded in unpainted black plastic.

: [[Wheeljack_(G1)/toys#Legacy|A 2024 Wheeljack toy]] was eventually made as a companion to this figure, featuring a storage bay for Bumblebee to fit inside, and clips to hold Bumblebee’s conductor rods.

: Bumblebee was revealed by [https://www.facebook.com/indemandtoys/posts/2957071774536721 In Demand Toys on Facebook] in advance of any announcement by Hasbro or Target.

{{-}}{{anchor|WorldsCollide}}
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Buzzworthy-Worlds-Collide-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He both is and is not Bumblejumper.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Worlds Collide''' (4-pack, 2021)}}</ul>
:*''Series'': ''War for Cybertron Trilogy''
:*''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk, [[AllSpark#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Allspark]]

: Released as part of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' "Worlds Collide" 4-pack, this Bumblebee features the body of ''Earthrise'' Cliffjumper, while retaining the Bumblebee head from the Netflix-branded [[#War for Cybertron Trilogy|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' toy]]. Essentially a redeco of ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Bug Bite, Bumblebee transforms into a custom 1980s sports coupe; hybridizing the Porsche 924 Turbo and {{w|Mitsubishi Starion}} models. He retains the bazooka included with all versions of the mold, this time painted green to resemble the bazooka [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] used in "[[Transport to Oblivion (episode)|Transport to Oblivion]]." He also comes with the [[AllSpark#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Allspark]], redecoed from the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#2021Netflix|Megatron]]/[[Skelivore#Toys|Fossilizer Skelivore]] Spoiler Pack.

: Included in the set alongside Bumblebee is [[Nemesis Primal#Toys|Nemesis Primal]], [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Blackarachnia]], and [[Fangry (G1)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Fangry]] with [[Brisko#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Brisko]]. While outwardly branded as part of the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' on the packaging, the instructions label the set as part of ''[[Studio Series]]'', under the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie. The instructions also show the Cliffjumper head instead of the Bumblebee version.

: The set was found in a Walmart in the U.S.<ref>''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Worlds Collide found at Walmart by [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/buzzworthy-worlds-collide-set-found-at-walmart-but-not-in-system-more-pics/46101/ Seibertron.com]</ref> before an official reveal from Hasbro, possibly due to a shipment error. As with other ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' toys, it is exclusive to [[Target]] in the U.S.
{{WFCEarthriseCliffjumperMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|CreaturesCollide}}
[[File:Buzzworthy Creatures Collide Goldbug.JPG|upright=1.66|thumb|SLUGBUG!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Creatures Collide''' (4-pack, 2022)}}</ul>
:*''Series'': ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]''
:*''Accessories'': Three-piece blaster, 2 skis, car trunk/shield
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' "Creatures Collide" 4-pack, "Autobot Goldbug" is a chimera of molds, matching the vehicle mode parts from ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] with the headsculpt from ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Shattered Glass Collection|Shattered Glass Collection]]'' [[Goldbug (SG)#Shattered Glass Collection|Goldbug]]; it also makes use of the interior chest parts from the original ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]], as the "popped collar" of the Bumblebee version of the toy would cause clearance issues with the shape of the Goldbug head. All this results in a robot loosely accurate to Goldbug's original character model that transforms into a licensed, goldy-caramel-coloured [[Volkswagen]] Beetle. He retains the same accessories and functionality as his prior ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' release.

: Alongside Goldbug, the set also includes [[Scorponok (BW)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Predacon Scorponok]], [[Ransack (G1)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Ransack]], and [[Skywasp#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Skywasp]]. The ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' line was exclusive to Target in the U.S., though this set was stocked by In Demand Toys in the UK before any official announcement by Hasbro.

{{WFCEarthriseCliffjumperMold}}
{{-}}

===''Classic Heroes Team''===
[[File:Classic Heroes Team Rescan Bumblebee toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (All Star Rescan, [[2022]])
{{toydesigner|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

: A redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|Rescue Bots]]'' Rescan Series [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#RescanCar|car-mode Bumblebee]] figure, ''[[Transformers: Classic Heroes Team|Classic Heroes Team]]'' Bumblebee features a slightly different deco from the original release, including new black paint applications on the crotch and legs, altered silver highlights on the chest, and a little less black paint on the hands. The vehicle mode resembles the [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#RescanCar2018|2018 redeco]] of the same figure, with two stripes on the hood instead of just one, but also features a new Autobot insignia at the center of the hood.

:This toy was also released in a ''Rescue Bots Academy'' packaging with the ''Classic Heroes Team'' branding as a subline, arguably making it into [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#CHT|another incarnation of the character]].
{{-}}

===''Collaborative''===
[[File:Collab-toy-Bumblebee-A-W-E-Striker.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He stole [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]'s alt mode!]]
*'''Bumblebee A.W.E. Striker with Sgt. Stalker''' ([[2023]])
**''Accessories'': [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)#Collaborative|Sgt. Stalker]], turret, rifle, two antennae
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (original concept)<ref>{{citesocial|quote=As for the A.W.E. striker, it was based off a sketch I did but handled by a different designer who works on our collabs.|link=https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/1054137200436060301/1082807311610945587|name=Evan Brooks|site=Instagram in correspondence with Onyxstrike|year=2023|month=03|day=07}}</ref>}}

:The eleventh figure released in the ''[[Transformers Collaborative]]'' line, "A.W.E Striker Bumblebee" is a 9-inch figure that transforms into the [[A.W.E. Striker]] vehicle used by the Joes (which in itself resembles a 1982 M1040 Chenowth "Hellfire" Fast Attack Vehicle, aka [[Beachcomber (G1)#Toys|Beachcomber]]'s altmode), serving as a counterpart to the [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S Tank Megatron]] released beforehand. He includes a blaster that can be attached to the top of the alt mode as well as over Bumblebee's head. He requires mild assembly out of box, as his roll cage and antennae must be attached to his body to complete his alternate mode. His stock photography depicts his thighs and fists as green, though the final toy has those parts cast in black.

:The set also includes a reproduction of the vintage [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Sgt. Stalker]] figure that can ride in Bumblebee's alternate mode or operate the aforementioned blaster in Bumblebee's robot mode. This figure comes packaged on a ''G.I. Joe Retro Collection'' style card included in the set.

{{--}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:LegacyEvo CoreClass2PackBumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's not so Buzzworthy playing second fiddle to a [[Combat Deck (G1)#Legacy|box]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Optimus Prime & Bumblebee''' (2-pack, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID Number'': '''TL-EX'''
:*''Accessories'': Pistol, "Stinger Blaster" pistol
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Ittoku Kuwazu]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[June 20]], 2023's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]]</ref>

: Packaged with his fellow Core Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#LegacyEvolutionCore2pack|Optimus Prime]] and his trailer, this Bumblebee is a redeco of the above ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Core Class figure, featuring a more orange-y shade of yellow plastic, and the unpaintable black-plastic parts are now dark gray. In addition, the headlights are now painted with mustard gold, his black front bumper is now the same shade of grey used for the unpaintable joints, and his pair of sculpted hands are now painted. While he retains the same small blaster from before, Bumblebee also comes with his additional "Stinger Blaster" molded after a generic Autobot pistol.

: This 2-pack was revealed and put up for preorder on the [[June 20]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Fanstream], exclusively on [[Hasbro Pulse]]. The set is also sold as a TakaraTomy Mall exclusive.
{{-}}

===Robosen===
*'''Bumblebee G1 Performance''' (2023)
**''Accessories:'' blaster, wall charger, USB-C to USB 2.0 cable
:Robosen's follow-up to their [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Robosen Collector's Edition|auto-converting G1 Optimus Primes]], "Bumblebee G1 Performance" is a highly-interactive, programmable robot based on Bumblebee's appearance in the G1 cartoon. Unlike the two Optimus Primes, Bumblebee does ''not'' transform, leaving him stuck in robot mode... though this does contribute to his ''significantly lower'' $399 price point. He's nevertheless still a vague in-between of "toy" and "high-end showroom tech", with 45 custom microchips, 17 servo motors, [[Light-emitting diode|LEDs]] in his eyes, foot headlights, and his blaster accessory, 69 classic soundbytes on top of newly-recorded voice lines by [[Dan Gilvezan]] (or a ''very good'' impersonator), and his own dedicated iOS/Android bluetooth app interface (separate from either of the two Optimus Primes' apps). Bumblebee stands at 13.5 inches in height, meaning he scales a bit better with the taller "Flagship" Optimus Prime.

:Bumblebee is primarily powered by an internal rechargable lithium ion battery, with his USB-C port located in an added notch on his lower back. His speaker/vent is located just above that, on a raised circular outdent on the center of his back.

:There are a variety of ways to interact with Bumblebee, including pre-programmed voice commands, pre-programmed app controls, and user-created movement scripts. The former two have a long list of scripted actions to pull from, including action poses, fighting scenes, greetings, and a variety of silly actions; if Robosen's continual rollout of new actions for Prime months after his release is anything to go by, Bumblebee will likely have more actions added in the months to come. New to Bumblebee is a "Mini-Theater" mode, essentially longer pre-programmed action sequences with appropriate backing music, sound effects, and voice lines, with scenes featuring Bumblebee by himself and alongside Optimus Prime available to pick from. And if all that weren't enough, you can program any number of poses and movement sequences using the app.

:The lack of transformation allowed Robosen to slightly beef up Bumblebee's flexibility and movement compared to Prime, with them advertising a state-of-the-art gait algorithm that allow's Bumblebee's two walking speeds to appropriately match your movements, as well as a built-in 6-axis IMU (internal measuring unit) to detect your posture, enabling Bumblebee to perform more difficult poses and automatically stand back up if he falls. Although he still lacks wrist and foot rotation like Prime, Bumblebee ''does'' have partial neck rotation, allowing him to look to his left or right without rotating his body. He can also stand up without being powered on; although he will hunch forward a bit on his knees when powering off, his legs can be straightened out a bit more with no worry of him falling over afterwards, likely thanks to his large feet.

:Bumblebee was first shown off at the Middle East Film and Comic Con in March 2023, with Robosen later uploading a promotional video to Weibo in May. He was made available to buy from Robosen's online store on June 20, 2023 without any advance warning, with orders shipping out from that date on.
{{--}}

===''Reactivate''===
[[File:RiseBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Warrior of the lost world!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1| '''Starscream & Bumblebee''' (2024)}}</ul>

:*''Accessories'': 2 submachine guns
{{toydesigner|[[Lenny Panzica]] (Hasbro), [[Ittoku Kuwazu]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[November 14]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClqPbfd2hcg Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], and [[Evan Brooks]]</ref>

: ''[[Transformers: Reactivate|Reactivate]]'' Bumblebee is a Deluxe-sized figure that transforms into an armored post-apocalyptic buggy. He comes with a pair of handheld submachine guns, which can be plugged into his vehicle mode hood. Bumblebee was only available with [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Reactivate|Starscream]].

: This boxset was abruptly revealed by [[Toys"R"Us]] Canada on October 18, 2023, after nearly ten months of silence regarding the upcoming ''[[Transformers: Reactivate]]'' online game. Notably, stock photography of the box and the official product copy use "Rise", an earlier name for the game. The game's final name was shown on the box during the Hasbro Pulse Fanstream on November 14th, 2023.
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:TF-SS86-Deluxe-Bumblebee.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Bee'' glad he's not an exclusive!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumblebee''' (Deluxe Class, [[2024]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-29'''
:*''Accessories'': blaster, "The Depths Of Unicron" backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro),<ref>[[April 25]], [[2024]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s06YE02e844 Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream | April 2024] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]] and [[Evan Brook]]s.</ref> [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[May 14]], 2024's [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOXZGDHebTk Hasbro Pulse | Transformers Fanstream | May 2024] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Evan Brooks]] and [[Kelly Rose]].</ref>}}

:Released as part of the ''[[Studio Series]]'' A-Level distribution, Bumblebee transforms into a vaguely VW Beetle-ish, Penny Racer proportioned car (with the roof and rear of a Mazda Familia 1500XG) in 23 steps. He includes a blaster which can be pegged onto the back of both modes.

:As with other ''Studio Series'' toys, the interior of the package forms a diorama display for the figure. In this case, it is the movie's ending scene, where Bumblebee and the rest of the Autobots escape from the depths of Unicron.

:Due to portions of his windows being made of black [[unpaintable plastic]] parts, the rest of the windows were also colored black for consistency instead of a screen-accurate blue. But hey, now it's an [[#The Transformers|original toy]] reference!

{{-}}{{anchor|SSReactivate}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gamer Edition Reactivate Bumblebee''' (2024)}}
:*''Game'': '''''Transformers: Reactivate'''''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''+10'''
:*''Accessories'': 2 submachine guns, backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Lenny Panzica]] (Hasbro), [[Ittoku Kuwazu]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[November 14]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClqPbfd2hcg Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], and [[Evan Brooks]]</ref>

:{{toystub}}
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{--}}

===''Missing Link''===
[[File:TF-Missing-Link-C-03-Bumble.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Sweet Boy is back, and he's now more articulated than ever!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Bumble''' ([[2024]])}}</ul>
:*''ID Number'': '''C-03'''
:*''Accessories'': laser pistol

:Commemorating the 40th anniversary of ''The Transformers'' brand, ''[[Missing Link]]'' Bumble is a direct recreation of the original ''The Transformers'' figure. Though near-identical to the original on the surface (complete with "battle-mask" face!), this figure uses modern toy engineering advances to give the toy a mechanical overhaul, granting it a ''significantly'' wider range of [[articulation]], including shoulders, elbows, knees, "neck" rotation, outward leg motion, and an ankle tilt. In terms of weaponry, Bumble wields a metallic chrome laser pistol, styled after his weapon from the cartoon, which can be stowed away in his (officially-licensed) "penny-racer" style Volkswagen Beetle alt-mode. Bumble also comes with a collector's card and a sticker sheet, with both the standard Autobot insignia and a pair of stickers designed to make Bumble resemble his original ''The Transformers'' package art available to use. As with ''Missing Link'' Convoy, Bumble and all his pack-ins are neatly inserted into a polystyrene tray.

:''Missing Link'' Bumble was officially revealed in early May 2024, and shortly afterwards went up for pre-order on Japanese retail sites for a November 2024 release.

:As you might expect, the tooling for this figure was also used to make a simultaneously-released ''Missing Link'' [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Missing_Link|Cliffjumper]].
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===''LEGO''===
[[File:Lego-toy Bumblebee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
*'''Bumblebee''' (Lego ''Icons'' set, [[2024]])
**''Release date'': [[July 4]], 2024
**''Set Number'': '''10338'''
**''Pieces'': '''950'''
**''Accessories'': blaster, display plaque, 2 license plates, brick separator
{{toydesigner|[[Samuel Liltorp Johnson]] ([[LEGO]])|[[Nathan Davis]] and [[Ashwin Visser]] (prints/stickers), [[Yoel Mazur]] (new elements), [[Joe Kyde]] (initial concept)}}<ref>[[https://twitter.com/Spider_Sam_/status/1801317746422202837 Credit reel for LEGO Bumblebee] from [[LEGO]] designer [[Samuel Liltorp Johnson] on Twitter</ref>

: Bumblebee is the second collaboration between [[Hasbro]] and [[LEGO]] released under LEGO's ''[[fandom:Brickipedia:Icons|Icons]]'' subtheme, following [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]], and is designed to be in scale with the aforementioned model of the Autobot leader. Like Optimus, he can transform from a fully brick-built G1-style robot to a vaguely-Beetle-esque car with opening doors (but no interior) without needing to be disassembled and reassembled... ''mostly,'' as his front windshield [[Partformer|must be removed for transformation]]. The removed windshield can be folded in half and stored by pegging onto the studs on the spare tire on Bee's back, like a little winged jetpack that can ''arguably'' serve as a homage to the door-wing design seen on the [[Bumblebee (Movie)|live-action]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Aligned versions]] of the character. In addition to optional stickers depicting "I ♡ Cybertron" and "[[Roll out|ROLL OUT]]" bumper stickers, Bumblebee includes two choices of stickered license plates, each reading "BMBL84" and "[[Goldbug (G1)|GLDBUG]]". Both license plates include a tiny, simplified illustration of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and a small reference to the premiere date of the G1 cartoon: [[September 17]], [[1984]].

: He is armed with a likewise brick-built blaster (which cannot be stored or attached in vehicle mode, sadly), and just like Optimus, also includes an ''Ultimate Collector's Series''-styled display plaque featuring Bumblebee's name (in both English and Ancient Autobot), function, motto, and Tech Specs. The display plaque is designed to have exposed studs on its backside, allowing the unused license plate to be stored there.

: Unfortunately, also like Optimus, stability concerns over Bumblebee's top-heavy robot mode mean that he too lacks any knee articulation... but ''un''like Optimus, Bee doesn't have any thigh swivels or ankle tilt either. Also, his crotch plate cannot hinge up if assembled as designed, which heavily restricts any forward motion of his legs unless the torso is creatively mistransformed or modified. Bummer.

::*''[https://twitter.com/Spider_Sam_/status/1801317736603177062 Designer commentary on LEGO Bumblebee from Samuel Liltorp Johnson on Twitter]
{{-}}

===Transformers Fan Book===
[[File:TF Fan Book 2024 Bumblebee Shining Thunder Ver.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|]]
*'''[[Transformers Fan Book 2024]]''' (TV-Magazine Mook, 2024)
**''Release Date'': July 19, 2024
:*''Accessories'': Blaster

:The fifth ''[[Transformers Fan Book (series)|Transformers Fan Book]]'' comes with the "Bumblebee Shining Thunder Ver" toy, another redeco of the above [[#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'' Core Class mold]], now run in translucent yellow for a lightning-charged [[Super Mode|super mode]], as dramatized in the included comic.
{{comingsoontoy}}

{{-}}

==Fictional toys==
===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Bumblebee Fictional Toy Power Struggle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Action Master Bumblebee, four years early.]]
[[Anthony Duranti]]'s toy Bumblebee was articulated in the knees and probably the shoulders and elbows. {{storylink|Power Struggle}}

[[File:Bumblebee christmas toy marvel uk 250.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6|[insert obligatory innuendo about "''playing with yourself''"]]]
''At the [[1989]] [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party, Bumblebee was given a box containing a toy of himself in his alternate mode.'' {{storylink|:File:MarvelUK-250.jpg|''The Transformers'' #250 cover}}
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Authentics]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Collaborative Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:Encore]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Go-Bots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Hero Mashers Autobots]]
[[Category:Kmart exclusives]]
[[Category:Legacy Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Studio Series Autobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers (2010) Autobots]]
[[Category:Triple Changers]]
[[Category:Sea specialists]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]

Predaking (G1)

2024-07-26T07:30:35Z

Banannixx: There seem to be more consistent appearances of this set up, both cartoon and at least POTP.

{{disambig3|Predaking}}
{{factions|decepticon|quintesson|hofsilver}}
:''Predaking is a [[Decepticon]] [[combiner]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Predakingg1.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Sucks to be Defensor and Superion... and every Autobot combiner ever.]]
'''Predaking''' is the ferocious fusion of all five of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. Predaking is highly unusual among [[combiner]]s by the successful merging of each of his component robots' physical abilities and personalities. Most others of his kind are rendered [[Devastator (G1)|stupid]], [[Bruticus (G1)|suggestible]], or borderline [[Menasor (G1)|insane]] by the merging of minds, but the five Predacons are united by their shared love of the hunt, and produce a single complete persona. Between his physical prowess, unexpected mental acuity, and animalistic, almost instinct-fast hunting actions, Predaking is one of the most dangerous and intimidating weapons ever added to the Decepticon ranks. [[Victor Caroli|As a weapon he is without equal; as a warrior he is without restraint. He can lift five hundred tons without straining a circuit]]. When Predaking is on your trail, all hope is lost.

Unless your name is [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].

Predaking is composed of:

*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (torso)
*[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]] (right arm, wings)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (left arm)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (left leg)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (right leg)

{{bigquote|Predaking has the power! He needs nothing more!|Predaking has the power to survive|"[[Nightmare Planet]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Bud Davis]] (English), [[Minoru Inaba]] (Japanese)|[[Yuan Guoqing]] (Chinese), [[Edgar Fruitier]] (Canadian French), [[Francis Lax]] (European French), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, "Five Faces of Darkness"), [[Gernot Duda]] (German, "Chaos"), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, "Nightmare Planet"), [[Ulf Jürgen Söhmisch]] (German, "The Quintesson Journal"), [[Holger Schwiers]] (German, "Call of the Primitives"), [[Dario de Castro]] (Portuguese), [[Sílvio Navas]] (Portuguese, "Nightmare Planet"), [[André Luiz Chapéu]] (Portuguese, "The Quintesson Journal")}}
[[File:FFOD5 Predaking.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Never argue with a guy with horns on his knees.]]
Predaking first saw action during the short-lived Decepticon-[[Quintesson]] alliance in the year 2005. The Predacons attempted to prevent [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], the human [[Marissa Faireborn]] and the magnificent [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] from escaping Jupiter's moon of [[Io]] with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]]. When the individual Predacons failed, they merged into Predaking, but were quickly defeated by Sky Lynx. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Soon afterward, the Decepticons took over the slave mining planet of [[Dread (planet)|Dread]], forcing [[Dread slaves|the hapless prisoners]] to mine the super-hard [[death crystal]]s in a scheme by [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] to destroy Cybertron with a [[Death crystal cannon|giant death crystal firing cannon]]. When several slaves were frightened out of the mine by the monster [[Chaos (alien)|Chaos]], Predaking swooped down to recapture the escapees. Later, during an Autobot attack that saw Sky Lynx buried under tons of rock, Predaking separated Blurr, [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], Wheelie and [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] from [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] by blocking off the mine entrance with his laser [[sword]]. He continued to force the Autobots back to Sky Lynx (who had managed to escape the landslide) while shrugging off their laser fire. Meanwhile, Kup lured Chaos out of the volcano, causing another landslide that this time buried Predaking under tons of rock. {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}}

[[File:Nightmare-planet-predaking-goodart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Do you like Predaking?" "I don't know - I've never Predaked."]]
During an assassination attempt on the Autobots, the Predacons formed Predaking right before the Quintessons unleashed a nightmare effect on the Transformers. They were all confronted with solidified dream images taken from the mind of [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]]. Predaking was quickly overpowered by the creatures and, after he split up, a dragon kidnapped Razorclaw to a distant castle, leaving the Predacons unable to combine again. After the dream-inducer was destroyed and the Predacons were reunited, Razorclaw was ready to resume the battle with the Autobots and ordered the transformation into Predaking. Unfortunately, Headstrong's leg had been injured fighting a giant dream Galvatron, and he was unable to join into their combined form. Without the might of Predaking, the Predacons chose to flee. {{storylink|Nightmare Planet}}

[[File:Predaking primatives.jpg|left|thumb|Schrödinger's Cel: Simultaneously well-drawn and poorly-drawn.]]
Predaking was patrolling space when he picked up on a Quintesson transmission. Tracing it to a jungle-like planet, he split into his component parts to locate the source of the signal more easily. Once Sky Lynx and the Autobots beat the Predacons to the transmitting journal canister, they reformed as Predaking to renew their vendetta against Sky Lynx. Galvatron and [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] soon joined Predaking, but his interest in revenge on Sky Lynx outmatched their interest in the journal, and Galvatron had to remind Predaking repeatedly and forcefully to keep his mind(s) on the mission. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}} Later on, Predaking fought alongside Galvatron and the Decepticons in Europe, but soon vanished before the whole "[[Ultimate Weapon]]" scheme was finished. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

On [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]], Predaking fought alongside the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]] combiner [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] until they, along with the other "primitive" animal-based Transformers, were called away by [[Oracle (G1)|Primacron's assistant]]. They were led to an ancient world, in the hopes their primitive instincts would defeat [[Primacron]]'s latest creation, the energy-draining [[Tornedron]]. After the defeated [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s corpse seemingly crushed Grimlock, the primitives split up and ran for their lives. The Predacons continued to run until Headstrong declared he would rather stand and fight than die running. Concurring, his fellow Predacons merged with him to form Predaking, but were quickly put into stasis lock by Tornedron. {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

As part of a series of Decepticon attacks on [[Japan]], Predaking and [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] pursued [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] in the Sea of Japan. He was later part of the strike force led by the Matrix-possessed [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]]. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

After the [[Hate Plague]] spread throughout the galaxy, Predaking was seen hunting down Galvatron with Scourge and Cyclonus. How robots infected with homicidal madness could work together as a hunting party, much less share a combined form, is anybody's guess. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}

{{--}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Transformers 2010'' story pages=====
The Predacons were built through cooperation between the Decepticons and the [[Quintesson]]s. Though they worked for the Decepticons, they were commanded by the Quintessons. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (story page)|Part 3 and Part 4}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:MysteryPlanetMaster Hot Rod stops Predaking combination.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Hot Rod forgets [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|whose chestplate]] he's supposed to form.]]
[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] stopped the Predacons from merging into Predaking once by ramming Razorclaw in the gut before the combination was complete. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Predaking later helped [[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] try to steal the [[Sol 1]] satellite. He was defeated by [[Raiden]] and the Headmasters. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Predaking was defeated by Raiden and the Headmasters again when he confronted them over an erupting volcano in [[Peru]]. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} And again by the Headmasters alone on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}}

[[File:HM14 Headmasters vs Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Predaking joined the Decepticons on their space mission to gather energy from throughout the universe. He battled Raiden on the [[Twin Star]] planets. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} Predaking later struggled with [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] on [[Paradise]]. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}

Back on Earth, Predaking and [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] fought Raiden on the Kamchatka Peninsula. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}}

Predaking and Bruticus sank the ocean liner ''[[Queen World]]''. Predaking later protected a [[Death Tower]] in [[Santiago]], [[Chile]] against the Throttlebots. Then the Autobot Targetmasters arrived and [[Pointblank]] downed him with ONE SHOT. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} The combiner took part in a final great battle against the Autobots at the North Pole, however his rematch with Raiden was interrupted when Scorponok threw Fortress Maximus at them. After the Autobots used their [[Head Formation]] to end the Decepticon plan, Predaking and the other Decepticons fled Earth. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
{{--}}

=====''Zone'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Yukimasa Kishino]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:PredakingZone1.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Look out, he's dressed as Bootsy Collins!]]

Years later, after several more Decepticon leaders had come and gone, the faction came under the rulership of the supernatural entity [[Violengiguar]], who assembled a team of [[Nine Great Demon Generals]] from Decepticon history. Predaking was enlisted as his "Beast General" and outfitted with new armor and weaponry to make him even more powerful than before, and sent forth to conquer planets in pursuit of Violengiguar's goal of creating a [[Decepticon Zone]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} At some point, Predaking and the other generals later schooled [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] and the [[Metrosquad]] in the ways of evil, making them more than formidable foes for the Powered Masters. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 7}}

[[File:PredaBrain1.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|Now that's what I call a splitting headache!]]
Arriving in Japan at the base of Mount Fuji, Predaking almost crushed local boy [[Akira Serikawa]], but the human was snatched to safety by the Autobot Micromaster [[Whisper (Zone)|Whisper]]. Predaking then came under fire from the Micromaster forces who arrived in the [[Galaxy Rocket]], and was soon joined in battling the little Autobots by Trypticon. Together, they almost destroyed the Galaxy Rocket, until the timely arrival of Dai Atlas and Sonic Bomber. Predaking proceeded to engage Dai Atlas, but the Autobot soon broke off their fight when Devastator arrived on the scene and made a play for the Zodiac's hiding place underground. Through Devastator and King Poseidon's combined efforts, the Zodiac was discovered; King Poseidon attempted to toss it to his comrades, but Predaking and Trypticon wound up crashing into one another in their eagerness to grab the Zodiac, allowing Dai Atlas to seize it. Predaking could only watch as the Autobots used the "Zone Mode" forms the Zodiac granted them to destroy King Poseidon and Trypticon; attempting to flee, he was thwarted in his efforts by Dai Atlas, who sliced him into two from head to crotch. Predaking's vaguely organic-looking brain was momentarily exposed before he died, his bisected halves exploding impressively. {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====Ask Vector Prime=====
Predaking possessing what appeared to be an organic brain led [[Vector Prime]] to speculate that "the [[Violengiguar|Violent Chigger]]" had access to [[GoBot]] technology. He noted that the [[Chronarchitect]] was to be consulted regarding this and the GoBot infiltration outside of [[Gargent]] universes. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/02}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
[[File:Volcanicuscomic1-Predaking.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Grimlock doesn't appreciate the "Predacon Stomp".]]
Decades after Predaking was destroyed fighting [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]], the Quintessons used their [[Recreator]] to bring the Predacons back to life. Under Quintesson control, Predaking confronted the Dinobots on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]]. The newest Dinobot, [[Kakuryu (G1)|Grimmaster]], combined with his drones and tried to fight back, but alone he wasn't strong enough to defeat the ultimate Primitive warrior. Instead, Grimmaster passed his [[Energon Matrix]] to Grimlock, who used it to merge the classic Dinobots into [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]. Predaking was overwhelmed by Volcanicus's Magma Blade attack, and broke apart into the individual Predacons, who retreated. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}
{{--}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
[[File:SRLTManga5 Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
During an attack on the planet [[Feminia]], Predaking took out a distracted [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], only to suffer an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]]. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

=====''The Headmasters'' comic=====
During the Decepticons' second attempt to overtake planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], Predaking joined [[Alligatron]] and a unit of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] in attacking a squad of Autobot [[Beastformer]]s. [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] managed to save the Beastformers, though they allowed themselves to be captured in the process. {{storylink|The Decisive Battle of Planet Beast!}}

=====''Super-God Masterforce'' comic=====
Predaking appeared to make a triumphant comeback with a squadron of other legendary Decepticons, attacking the Autobot [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]]s on Earth. However, "Predaking" was revealed to have been nothing more than an illusion created by [[King Poseidon]], who was subsequently defeated. {{storylink|Burn, Chokon! New Commander Super Ginrai!}}

=====''Zone'' comic=====
The Decepticons came under the rulership of the supernatural entity [[Violengiguar]], who assembled a team of [[Nine Great Demon Generals]] from Decepticon history. Predaking was enlisted as his "Beast General" and outfitted with new armor and weaponry to make him even more powerful than before, and sent forth to conquer planets in pursuit of Violengiguar's goal of creating a [[Decepticon Zone]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} At some point, Predaking and the other generals later schooled [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] and the [[Metrosquad]] in the ways of evil, making them more than formidable foes for the Powered Masters. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 7}}

One the first worlds to fall to the [[Nine Great Demon Generals]]' wrath was Predaking's old stomping ground, planet Feminia, which the generals destroyed utterly. One month later, following the generals' theft of the new power source [[Energon Z]] from the Autobot base on [[Micro|planet Zone]], Predaking, [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]], [[King Poseidon]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] launched an assault on the Earth in order to obtain the [[Zodiac]], the mystical final component in Violengiguar's plan which lay hidden on the planet. Predaking attacked Japan, centering on [[Mount Fuji]], and was soon joined there by the other generals, where they came under attack from the Autobot [[Micromaster]]s. The tiny 'bots were no match for the giant generals, but the fight was then taken up by the Autobot [[Powered Master]]s [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] and [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]]. In the course of the battle, the Zodiac was unearthed from its subterranean hiding spot, and everyone began grappling over it. Unfortunately for the generals, when Trypticon tried blasting the Autobots with an Energon Z beam, it reacted with the Zodiac and granted the Powered Masters new "Zone Mode" alternate forms, the power of which allowed them to soundly defeat the generals and drive them off. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}}

Later, Predaking, a self-professed master of aerial combat, challenged the Powered Masters to battle. Dai Atlas and [[Sonic Bomber (G1)|Sonic Bomber]] combined into [[Sky Powered]] and beat him swiftly and soundly. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 6}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Predaking participated in a tumultuous battle on a moon base. As he descended upon the battlefield, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] stood united against him. {{storylink|Decipher the Decepticon}}

===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
[[File:Predaking optimus prime prey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| "''Fear''"]]
{{noteukonly}}

''Predaking's first outing on [[Earth]] was in the course of a hunt by the Predacons against the [[Autobot]] leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Prime having foiled the Predacons' initial attacks individually, they merged into Predaking and resumed the chase. Essentially Predaking's role in that hunt concluded once he had flushed Prime out into the open and worn him down, thus rendering him vulnerable to the attack of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. The Predacons returned over the [[space bridge|Space Bridge]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:Predaking gone but not forgotten.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1| "''Fear'' my slightly pronouncing crotch!"]]
Predaking's ''next'' foray on Earth was part of a scheme by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] to destabilise Megatron's sanity to such an extent that the way would be clear for Shockwave to take command. Shockwave supplied fake [[Insignia|Autobrands]] to the Predacons (and thus Predaking by extension) and the Predacons ambushed Megatron in the swamps of Florida. ''Megatron did not recall who the Predacons were thanks to a bout of amnesia connected to his earlier involvement with them.'' The Predacons had similar difficulties subduing Megatron in their individual forms and merged to become Predaking. Predaking fared little better against Megatron and was rendered unconscious by a blast from the deranged Decepticon's [[fusion cannon]]. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

''Divebomb found life on Earth so dull he contemplated buggering off back to Cybertron, but knew he couldn't because it would leave the other Predacons unable to form Predaking.'' {{storylink|Grudge Match!}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Predaking Combaticons screwed.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Starscream thanks Primus he had the sense to finish his will this morning.]]
Eons ago, the Predacons were banished from Cybertron to [[Beast (planet)|Beest]], where their higher functions degraded, rendering them feral. Megatron, who had been overthrown by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (well, thrown out of a shuttle), tracked down the Predacons, then modified them to become combiners, creating Predaking. {{storylink|Welcome to the Jungle}}

Starscream and his [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were in training (with Sky Lynx of all people as a target) when Predaking suddenly arose from the sea, seeking to capture the treacherous Decepticon [[Air Commander]]. The Combaticons quickly formed into (the much-less intelligent) [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and counter-attacked by destroying Predaking's shoulder-mounted guns. Forced back, Predaking quickly put down his opponent by firing one of his foot cannons at Bruticus' head, blasting off part of his face.

When Starscream fled, lamenting Bruticus' latest defeat, Predaking attempted to follow until Bruticus crushed one of his wings and threw him onto the island. Damaged, but not defeated, Predaking easily dodged the slow-witted Combaticon combiner's rifle blast, then erected a defensive energy field around himself to deflect the follow-up shot. As Bruticus pondered a possible rifle malfunction, Predaking punched his rival in the face with a spiked knuckle, then impaled the crippled Bruticus upon Headstrong's horn, finally deactivating the Combaticons.

This was the first time he won a fight. And it was against a fellow [[Decepticon]]. Oh well, better than nothing. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}
{{--}}

===''The Beast Within''===
As the Dinobots unleashed the [[Beast (G1)|Beast]] on the Decepticons, the Predacons attempted to form Predaking as a counter to this awesome force. The Beast barely broke its stride, destroying Predaking utterly, to the absolute shock of the assembled Decepticons. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:ArtOfWar2 Predaking vs Piranacon.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Someone hasn't read the rest of this page.]]
The Predacons and [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] got into a territorial argument after Megatron's death, which led to a face off between Predaking and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]. Predaking emerged the victor but was stopped by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] before he could finish the aquatic combiner off. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} After Serpent O.R. recruited the Predacons into his new Decepticon army, he was tracked down by a group of Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]], but Predaking protected his new leader by stomping [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] unconscious. The Decepticons then organized an attack on an Autobot peace ceremony, during which Predaking, Piranacon and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] took out [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} He then spent the remainder of the battle hunting down civilians. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}
{{--}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] unleashed Predaking, boasting that the gestal's combined animal strength was unparalleled, an ensemble of Battle Beasts stood united to prove him wrong. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:Kre-O JP comic 08 - Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Then he used his fight money to buy two of every animal on Cybertron. And then he herded them onto a boat, and then he beat the scrap out of every single one!]]
Predaking was defeated by his lack of cuteness! {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}} He later teamed up with [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] to fight [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], who defeated the trio by rolling into their legs. {{storylink|Kre-O Micro-Changers Combiners comic}}
{{--}}

===2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity===
Predaking was put under the command of a younger soldier in the Decepticon army by the tail-end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. After Optimus Prime and Galvatron both met their ends on the battlefield, the leader of Predaking's squad took the name "[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]" and sought to take advantage of the Autobot army's state of disarray. To this end, he unleashed Predaking upon a [[Tigatron|peace negotiator]] who visited his camp, and then set out to attack the Primal Council himself. Predaking slew many enemy units before being confronted by the Tripredacus Council and their allies. To further their own goals, these 'bots combined into [[Predacus]], beat down Predaking, and skewered him with his own sword, killing him. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Predaking was among the Decepticons forces nestled safely behind [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s force field when the combined forces of the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] came to stop them from absorbing the [[sun]]. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:TheIronKlaw-Predaking.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|He breathes fire! Just like [[Predaking (Prime)|the other Predaking-]] wait is that coming out of his '''KNEE'''?!]]
The Predacons had attempted to combine in the past, but Predaking was not born until after the Predacons were forcibly brainwashed into serving as [[Iron Klaw|Count "Iron Klaw" van Rani]] by [[Merklynn|Garrison Kreiger]], using a copy of the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to improve upon their prior combiner technology and grant them the power of true combination, allowing them to form the mighty Predaking.

[[File:Unicron6 Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"I have a [[Predaking (G1)#Generations|new toy]], too, but all I get is this single tiny panel? [[To sell toys|This is unfair]]."]]
As Predaking, van Rani deployed the team in his [[Iron Castle]] in [[Kalistan]] to defend the interests of the [[Iron Ring]], and the combiner wound up battling [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]], [[Action Man]] and [[Ayana Jones|Mayday]], who could do little but just stay alive until [[Snake-Eyes]] destroyed Kreiger's Talisman emulator inside the castle. Without the Talisman's energy, the individual personalities of the argumentative Predacons reasserted themselves and Predaking collapsed into his components, with Kup blowing up Razorclaw's head soon afterwards in the hopes that Predaking would never return. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}}

Even that didn't keep Predaking down for long, though, as the repaired combiner joined van Rani, [[Miles Mayhem]], and [[Doctor X]] in [[Venice]], defending the planet from an army of invading [[Maximal]]s alongside some [[Red Shadows]]. {{storylink|Ceremony}}
{{--}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
{{voiceactor|[[Samoa Joe]] (English)}}

[[File:Machinima-POTP-Predaking-fires.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7|Deal the cards, that's what he does now.]]
[[File:POTP-Ep10-Saga's-End-Fallen-decapitates-Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFoC3TR5rzI|"But then you take my 75% chance of winning if we was to go one on one, and then add 66 and 2/3ds%, I got a 141 and 2/3rds chance of winning! Samoa Joe, the numbers don't lie, and they spell disaster for you at Sacrifice!"]]]

As [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]] was fighting [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Victorion]] in [[Primal Swamp]], Predaking interrupted their battle and demanded Victorion hand over the [[Enigma of Combination]]. When she failed to produce it, Predaking began attacking her in a rage. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} As he clutched Victorion and tussled with Windblade, Predaking was distracted by Perceptor, letting the others attack and temporarily stun him before escaping. However, he got to his feet and went after them, himself pursued by Volcanicus. Everyone stopped, however, when they came across [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] entering a mysterious dome. {{storylink|Without Warning}}

He continued to ignore Victorion's insistence that she did not have the Enigma, believing he would need it to survive the coming events. He took down Volcanicus, Perceptor and Windblade, but before he could attack Victorion, Megatron reemerged and threatened him with the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]. Though he declared he was no longer bound to Megatron's orders, he accepted his former leader's claims that they would notify him should they find the Enigma, and he departed for parts unknown. {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}} Megatron ultimately made good on his promise, and Predaking soon arrived in the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] to attack Megatronus and attempt to take the Enigma. This ultimately proved short-lived, as Megatronus overpowered the Combiner and ripped his head off, killing him. {{storylink|Saga's End}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
When [[Gozer]] attacked Cybertron, Predaking formed to fight back against the entity and tried to attack from behind only for Gozer to land a devastating punch on the combiner's chest, critically damaging him. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
Predaking was among the many Decepticons who fought against the Autobots as both sides drained the universe of its resources. {{Storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

==Commercial appearances==
*The Predacons came to the aid of a trio of [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] who found themselves unable to handle the Dinobots. After rushing into battle, the Predacons combined into Predaking, and fought the Dinobots from the air. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Predacons|Predacons commercial}}
*Predaking found [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] walking alone through a field, and came swooping down from the skies to attack them. He was thwarted by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who blasted him back before unleashing his flame-breath onto Predaking. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sky Lynx|Sky Lynx commercial}}
*During a massive battle between Kreons, Predaking's components assembled themselves into his gestalt form. He and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] then proceeded to send the Autobots fleeing for their tiny lives. {{storylink|Commercial#Kre-O|KRE-O Transformers Micro Changers and Combiners Construction Sets commercial}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TheTransformersPS2 Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|So... he has two goals then?]]
{{voiceactor|???}}

Right when the Jewel of Mystery was within sight of the Autobots, Predaking roared (which sounded more like a moan), stating that the Autobots would not have the Jewel. Dropping in front of them, Predaking stated his mission: "Destroy...Autobots! Keep...Jewel! My...Only...Goal!" Rodimus Prime recognized the hulking combination of the Predacons and warned the Autobots that he was tough. Predaking fought the Autobots, but despite being aided by a mass of Decepticon foot soldiers, the Predacon gestalt was defeated. Deciding to go back to base, Predaking turned around and flew away. Once Rodimus was sure Predaking was out of hearing range, he expressed gratitude for the fact that Predaking was an idiot. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:Earth Wars Predaking.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb| Fear my HIGH HEELS!!!!! And my sword!]]
Predaking is the fearsome combination of the likemindedness of all the Predacons along with some developmental technology in the form of the Quintesson Hive mind. Seeing as they revel in the hunt, Megatron was impressed with Predaking's singlemindedness.

The Predacons were deployed once the Dinobots came to find the Enigma Of Combination. Using Bombshell's Cerebro-shells on an unknowing Jetfire, the Predacons led the Dinobots into a trap. Knowing they were so close, the Dinobots broke role and started to attack!

Optimus, hearing the news, sent Superion to handle the situation, while likewise, Megatron sent Bruticus as back up for the Predacons. Both Superion and Bruticus battled until Volcanicus and Predaking emerged.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

Predaking can be formed once all 3 to 4 star Predacons have been collected. You can even sub in a 5 star Divebomb, if available.

*'''Class''' - Combiner
*'''Weapons''': Predaking jumps on to his opponents, stomps on defenses, and deals massive damage with his giant sword. He can also has a built in Flamethrower, and can send a beam into the air that will come back down as meteors that deal high damage.
*'''Abilities''':
**'''Infernum Blade''' - Jump and strike with the Infernum Blade! Deals Heavy damage to the target and anything directly behind it.
**'''Fire And Brimstone''' - Set a wide area on fire dealing as average of 2,280 damage over 8 seconds.
**'''Extinction''' - A shower of meteors bombards a very large area dealing an average damage over 10 seconds. Quadruple damage to walls.
*'''Cooldown''': 15 seconds to 20 seconds.

{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Predaking was the combined form of the Predacons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1 Predaking toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's your own fault if you ignored this when it was reissued, you know.]]
*'''Predaking''' ([[1986]]/[[2004]])
**''Takara ID number'': '''D-78'''
**''Accessories'': [[X-ray laser cannon]], [[Sonic sword#Toys|sonic sword]], 4 combiner extremities, head
:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' Predaking is, by far, the largest of the traditional central component-leader-type combiner toys. He is formed by combining all five Predacons together. Unlike the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|Scramble City]]-style toys such as [[Bruticus (G1)#Toys|Bruticus]] or [[Defensor (G1)#Toys|Defensor]], Predaking's arms and legs are not interchangeable, but can switch sides allowing the construction of a more [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] toy, allowing for four different combinations. Razorclaw's sonic sword and [[beast mode]] cannon serve as Predaking's primary weapons, with Tantrum and Headstrong's back-mounted cannons as his feet.

:Like Defensor and Bruticus, Predaking's components were released in both plastic and metal versions. In his combined mode featuring each member in [[die-cast]] form, Predaking is rather heavy for a Transformer. A complete combiner weighs in at exactly 1 kilogram (2.2lbs). This however does not upset the balance of the toy, as Headstrong and Tantrum have the bulk of the die-cast. Japan only received the plastic versions during the original run of the Generation 1 toylines.

:Hasbro only released the individual Predacons, but a [[giftset]] was available in Japan. In late 2004, Predaking was reissued to much rejoicing of people who could not afford the after market prices on a vintage piece. This reissue used metal parts, and the pieces that were originally soft plastic were now hard plastic.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Predaking/predaking.htm More information on Predaking at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Welcome to Transformers 2010''===
{{anchor|Transformers (2010)}}
[[File:Predaking-2010-reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Predaking''' ([[2010]]/[[2017]])
**''Accessories'': Razorclaw's sword and cannon, 4 combiner extremities, head
{{toydesigner|[[Noritaka Suzuki]] (packaging artist)}}

:Released on [[November 27]], 2010 as part of [[TakaraTomy]]'s ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#TakaraTomy Welcome to Transformers 2010 campaign|Welcome to Transformers 2010]]'' line, Predaking featured significant differences from the previous releases. His yellow plastic was replaced with gold plastic, most of which was painted over gold. The orange, red, black, and gray plastic was replaced with metallic fleck equivalents. Nearly every [[sticker]] has been redesigned from the original, and an optional label sheet to be applied to the robot, beast, and combined mode eyes has been included. Like the previous reissue, this version featured die-cast parts.

:Many of the individual figures featured changes to their face paint in either overall color or application to better match their cartoon appearances. The metallic coloration appears to also have been inspired by episodes like "[[Nightmare Planet]]" and "[[Call of the Primitives]]" where their colors are much darker and feature "black" cel streaks, which are generally only applied to something for mood-lit shading or metallic/chromed parts. This version of the mold also bears the die-cast parts of the previous Takara reissue.

:This figure comes with 3 points towards the 2010 Sound Station Redemption campaign, they can be found hidden in the upper right corner front flap of the packaging.
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:Kre-O-Micro-Changers-Combiner-G1-Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And from that day forward, anytime a bunch of animals are together in one place, it's called a ZOO! Unless it's a farm!]]
*'''Predaking''' (Micro-Changer Combiner, [[2013]])
**''Set number'': '''A2227'''
**''Pieces'': '''79'''
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

:One of the first [[Kreon]] [[Micro-Changer]] combiner sets. The four component Kreons, [[Razorclaw (G1)#Kre-O|Razorclaw]], [[Headstrong (G1)#Kre-O|Headlock]], [[Tantrum (G1)#Kre-O|Torox]], and [[Divebomb (G1)#Kre-O|Divebomb]], can be rebuilt into their alternate modes. They can also be rebuilt into Predaking by taking them apart and combining their pieces.

:Like all of the Micro Changer combiner sets, Predaking comes with only one ''Kre-O'' display brick, and a sticker sheet composed of his leg detailing and a ''Kre-O'' logo. Due to the leg stickers being slightly transparent, applying them to the black-colored leg parts can render the details being semi-transparent. The instructions also did not mention where the ''Kre-O'' logo sticker should be placed. Also, Predaking's combined mode's waist part is somehow prone to falling off the assembly while posing, and he has a problem standing straight due to how the legs are constructed.

:The packaging accidentally switches Headstrong and Tantrum's new trademark-friendly names, labeling the former as "Torox" and the latter as "Headlock".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OPredaking/predaking.htm More information on Predaking at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Platinum Edition''===
[[File:Platinum-Edition-Predaking.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Predaking''' (2013)
**'''10 OF 30'''
**''Accessories'': Predaking's sword, Razorclaw's sword and cannon, 4 combiner extremities, head

:''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' Predaking is similar to the 2010 release, complete with die-cast metal parts. New to this release is a gold [[redeco]] of the [[Star Saber (Prima)#Beast Hunters|Star Saber]] of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Beast Hunters (2013)|Beast Hunters]]'' [[Optimus Prime (WFC)#Beast Hunters|Voyager Class Optimus Prime]]. In addition to several pre-applied stickers, five sheets of labels from the 2010 release are also included. Finally, he has a designated number as part of the ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' line.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/PlatinumPredaking/predaking.htm More information on ''Platinum Edition'' Predaking at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Titan-Predaking-set.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|I‘ve come to slay [[Predaking (Prime)|a dragon]].]]
*'''Predaking''' (Titan Class, [[2018]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-31'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[September 29]], 2018'''
**''Accessories'': [[Onyx Prime#Power of the Primes|Onyx]] Prime Master, [[Onyx Matrix]] frame, 4 combiner extremities, 2 shoulder cannons, arm cannon (formed by two guns)
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] and [[Lynsey Urban]] (Hasbro)|[[Robby Musso]] (concept artist)}}

:''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Predaking is a Titan Class-sized combiner composed of [[Razorclaw (G1)#Power of the Primes|Razorclaw]], [[Tantrum (G1)#Power of the Primes|Torox]] (a renamed Tantrum due to trademark availability issues), [[Rampage (G1)#Power of the Primes|Rampage]], [[Headstrong (G1)#Power of the Primes|Headstrong]], and [[Divebomb (G1)#Power of the Primes|Divebomb]]. He also comes with the Onyx Matrix, containing [[Onyx Prime#Power of the Primes|Onyx Prime]], a [[Prime Master]]. The Matrix can be attached inside Predaking's chest, under Razorclaw's beast head. Much like his ''G1'' toy, Predaking's limbs can switch orientation, but this isn't recommended as it leaves the plastic screwholes at the front.

[[File:POTPPredakingSword.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Challenge accepted, 3P-ers!]]
:In July 2018, 5 Predakings with packages signed by [[Shogo Hasui]] were released as a giveaway prize for Toys"R"Us Taiwan's sale campaign (which ran July 15–31.).<ref>https://www.facebook.com/TransformersNeverDie/photos/a.629496500464227.1073741828.478564562224089/1770291019718097/?type=3&theater</ref>

:Despite being in the same size class, due to being made of five component robots instead of six, he stands a few millimeters short of ''Combiner Wars'' Devastator.

:On November 11, 2018, Hasbro's official Tmall store provided a free [[Sonic sword#Power of the Primes|sonic sword]] for every Predaking purchased, as a promotional item for China's Singles Day (the Chinese equivalent of [[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]).<ref>https://detail.tmall.com/item.htm?spm=a21m2.8958473.0.0.40f5639167zksJ&id=580472727102&skuId=3865613613064</ref> The sword "blade" is made of very soft rubbery plastic, with a hidden rod inside it containing a wooden ballpoint pen. Unfortunately, even with the rod inside, many collectors found the sword to be unstable and prone to drooping or falling apart under its own weight.
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Forms Robo''===
*'''Predaking''' ([[1987]])

:Predaking was also among the ten characters who were rendered as part of the ''[[Forms Robo]]'' line of oversized ''keshigomu'' figures. He came individually packaged in a plastic baggie, and was available in red, yellow, green, or blue. Of the various ''Forms Robo'' figures, Predaking is easily the hardest to find, rarely appearing on the secondary market.
{{-}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:Titanium Predaking.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Squattie]]
*'''Predaking''' (3" Robot Masters, [[2006]])
**''Accessories:'' Display stand, sword

:As part of the ''Titanium'' series 3" line, Predaking is constructed of mostly [[die-cast]] metal and plastic parts, but cannot transform and has very limited articulation. His sculpt and colour scheme is based upon the original G1 toy, but has Rampage and Divebomb occupying each other's positions, like the cartoon and comic model.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Decepticon/TitPredaking/predaking.htm More information on ''Titanium Series'' Predaking at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroesricochetpredaking.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|As if Predaking could get any cuter. Valiant effort, though.]]
*'''Ricochet & Predaking''' (Two-pack, [[2009]])
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist)}}

:''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'' Predaking is a small, [[super deformed]] and absolutely adorable figurine with articulated shoulders. He was only available in a two-pack with [[Ricochet (Headmasters)#Robot Heroes|Ricochet]].

:The United States release of this two-pack has been cancelled, but it has been found in other markets such as Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Germany.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/RHPredaking/predaking.htm More information on ''Robot Heroes'' Predaking at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W2Predaking.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If you have "Right Leg of the Ferocious Hunter", "Left Leg of the Ferocious Hunter", "Right Arm of the Ferocious Hunter" and "Left Arm of the Ferocious Hunter" in addition to this card in your hand, you win the Duel.]]
*'''Predaking, Ferocious Hunter''' (2019)
**[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]], Aerial Assault
**[[Headstrong (G1)|Predacon Headstrong]], Ground Assault
**[[Rampage (G1)|Predacon Rampage]], Savage Hunter
**[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]], Predacon Leader
**[[Tantrum (G1)|Torox]], Fueler
**'''Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners'''
**''Stars: ''25

:One of the titular [[combiner]]s from the ''[[Transformers Trading Card Game]]'' Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners, Predaking, Ferocious Hunter can be formed by playing the Action card [[Enigma of Combination|Predacon Enigma]] while the Character cards for all five [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] are in Bot Mode while on the battlefield and/or the KO area.

:Predaking, Ferocious Hunter's artwork is reused from the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' Predaking packaging art.
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:1986protopredacons.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|You'd cover that face, too.]]
[[File:PredakingChaosLightsaber.jpg|upright=0.8|thumb|This weapon is your DEATH.]]
*One of Predaking's preliminary names was '''Giganticon'''.
*Razorclaw's head was originally designed to transform into Predaking's. This was dropped for unknown reasons.
*Predaking was designed by toy and anime mechanical designer [[Akitaka Mika]],<ref>[http://www.ex.org/ex/3.4/09-feature_akitaka2.html Interview with Akitaka Mika]</ref> and was the only one of his proposed designs to actually be produced as a toy. This possibly explains why the Predacons do not conform to the then-contemporary [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|Scramble City]]-style of combining.
*As a result of what can only be assumed to be a poor perspective of the Generation 1 toy in photographs given to the animation team, both Predaking's pre-final and final [[character model|cartoon models]] appear to mistake his antenna as being behind his wings, protruding from his back, and the sides of his enormous toy head being a popped-collar.<ref name="DM">[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/d-m-s-most-accurately-coloured-g1-animation-models-online.1201950/ Accurately colored recreations of the Generation 1 cartoon character models using original color charts and other production materials] - TFW2005</ref>
**Despite the flub made when designing his animation model, the rest of his head appears to be accurately recreated. On the other hand, the design is frequently lost in translation, resulting in plenty of [[:File:Predaking_primatives.jpg|feature-less]], [[:File:Nightmare-planet-predaking-goodart.jpg|slate faced]] Predakings, to the point where this discrepancy shows up as late as the ''[[:File:HM14 Headmasters vs Predaking.jpg|Headmasters]]'' cartoon. This might account for his slightly oddball head redesign in ''Zone'', where it seems Predaking's forehead protrusions were misinterpreted as two separate eyes.
**Predaking's antenna ended up becoming a pair of sheathed "[[lightsaber]]" hilts on his back, which became the character's primary weapons in the cartoon. It's possible the animators weren't aware that the [[Sonic sword]] was ''also'' Predaking's weapon, as it was only present on [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]'s model sheets, leading the design team to make something up.<ref name="DM"/>
*Predaking's debut in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" uses his pre-final model, which is hardly surprising since [[AKOM]] was known to use out-of-date models in their episodes.
*A Predaking [[Action Master]] was planned at one point, but apparently went no further than a concept sketch. It was intended to be the included rider of a transforming dirt bike.<ref>''[[Transformers Generations|Transformers Generations Deluxe]]'', p111</ref> While Predaking was scrapped, the bike was refined and included with the Action Master [[Axer (G1)#Generation 1|Axer]].
*Incidentally, the aforementioned concept art was found in an [http://web.archive.org/web/20110809212038/http://www.worlds-worst.com/worldsworst/wwnp_article.php?69 Arby's parking lot] after the end of [[BotCon 2000]], where it had presumably come unstowed.
*''Kre-O'' Predaking was originally announced as '''Predicus''' at [[San Diego Comic-Con]]. The name was corrected for the toy release but remains "Predicus" on the Micro Changers Combiners bio-poster available on the Kre-O website.
*''Kre-O'' [[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]], who misses out being part of the gestalt, instead comes separately in a blind-packed bag.
*A proposed but unrealized [[Fun Publications]] [[BotCon]] [[exclusive]] was a redeco of [[Tigerhawk]] into a non-combiner ''Beast Wars''-style Predaking.<ref>[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc14/bc14br.html BotCon 2014 attendee report]</ref>
*Predaking in ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'' takes many cues from the G1 animation model, but also the "[[IP theft|third-party]]" Mastermind Creations version of Predaking.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Predaking''' (プレダキング ''Puredakingu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Chōng Yúnxiāo''' (China, 冲云霄, "Rush to the sky")
*''Russian:'' '''Vreditel'''' (Вредитель, "Wrecker")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Quintessons]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Zone Decepticons]]

Talk:Rails

2024-07-24T05:12:53Z

Banannixx:

I don't really know anything about the RPG, or whether or not Rails actually has an image in those books, but shouldn't the rediscovered concept art at least be included in the notes section or something? [[User:Banannixx|Banannixx]] ([[User talk:Banannixx|talk]]) 00:17, 24 July 2024 (EDT)
:I think the pic of Rails you're thinking of is simply fanart, so I doubt we can use it ..[[User:Poliwag06|Poliwag06]] ([[User talk:Poliwag06|talk]]) 00:20, 24 July 2024 (EDT)
::Correct, that Rails pic was an artist's interpretation created for the original panel where the unearthed first draft was shown off. It's not official, nor is there any art of Rails in the RPG book. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 00:26, 24 July 2024 (EDT)
::: Ah, alright, I didn't know that. I thought that it there was existing line art, and the fan interpretation was a colored in variant.[[User:Banannixx|Banannixx]] ([[User talk:Banannixx|talk]]) 01:12, 24 July 2024 (EDT)

Talk:Rails

2024-07-24T04:17:44Z

Banannixx: Rails image

Brawn (G1)/toys

2024-07-19T09:05:30Z

Banannixx: Better fit to Percy's function.

{{suite}}

[[File:G1 boxart Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]

'''Brawn''' has many toys. All of them are invincible.

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oh no, he's a Cylon!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Mini-Vehicle, [[1984]]/[[1985]]/[[1986]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''15'''
{{toydesigner|[[Masaki Maruyama]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Brawn was part of the original assortment of Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s released in 1984. He transforms into an off-road SUV of indeterminate, probably-made-up model, with a non-removable spare tire on the roof.

: Brawn inexplicably has the most confirmed variants out of the 1984 Mini Vehicles, due to a change in his robot mode construction, ''three'' different company stamping arrangements on his vehicle back end, and of course the change from foil insignias on the vehicle mode to a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]] in 1985:
:* V1 - Helmet with faceplate & top portions separate from robot chest, "Takara Japan" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V2 - Helmet with faceplate & top portions separate from robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V3 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V4 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, rubsign on left door
:* V5 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Hasbro 1974-1983" stamp added to window, rubsign on left door

: The 1985 Japanese release of "Gong" was sold in a small box instead of on a bubble-card. Only the rubsign variant was available in this market (presumably the final mold variant with the single-piece helmet and Hasbro stamp, but that is not confirmed).

: There are a large number of [[redeco]]es of Brawn in various markets south of the border, which are covered in individual entries below (to reduce the clutter in this one). ''Mostly'' unchanged versions of Brawn were sold in Mexico by [[IGA]] and in Venezuela by [[Rubiplas]]: it's very likely that there are small differences in plastic hues and copyright stampings, and, of course, quality control.

: The mold was first released in 1983 as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, but evidence exists to suggest it was originally designed by defunct American toy company Knickerbocker for the cancelled toyline, ''[[Mysterians]]''. Notably, the ''Micro Change'' version was olive green, the same color depicted in his instructions and used for Brawn's animation design, while his actual ''Transformers'' release is forest green.

: The Brawn mold was also used to create the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Jipe (Malignus)#Toys|Jipe]], and [[retool]]ed to make [[Outback (G1)#Toys|Outback]] (except in Mexico, where Outback was a straight redeco of Brawn).

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-brawn/15/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Brawn at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on G1 Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{G1BrawnMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Jipe''' (Robocar, 1985)}}</ul>

: Released by [[Estrela]] in Brazil, "Jipe" was available in two different colorations: the original toy's green-and-yellow, or tan-and-sand. This release lacks the Autobot symbols, and the remaining robot-detail stickers are of considerably cheaper quality, and rarely left on loose samples.

: Whether or not he is the same character as either the [[Eletrix]] [[Jipe (Eletrix)#Toys|Jipe]] or the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Jipe (Malignus)#Toys|Jipe]] is unknown.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Jipe/jipe.htm More information on Estrela Jipe at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)}}</ul>

: Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, Peruvian Brawns lack [[vacuum metallizing|chrome]]. Two different colorations have been confirmed: olive-green-and-cream, and an inverted cream-and-olive-green. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Brawn all told, with the four others being unique to that market, but no-one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Keychain}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Keychain, [[2002]]/[[2003]]/[[2007]])}}</ul>

: A keychain version of Brawn was released by [[Hasbro]] licensee [[Fun4All]] as part of the second wave of ''Transformers'' keychains alongside [[Windcharger (G1)#Keychain|Windcharger]]. Though based on the original toy, this is an entirely new set of molds, with a number of small differences throughout (minor proportion differences and generally softer edges), but the most immediately obvious one is the small plastic ring added to the front bumper, which the metal key chain attaches to. The keychains came on pretty close reproductions of their original cardbacks from 1984. These were originally sold in chains like Hot Topic and video game stores, but over the course of several years, found their way even to the racks of Wal-Mart.

: In 2003, Takara released all four of the keychain Minibots ([[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Keychain|Cliffjumper]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Keychain|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger (G1)#keychain|Windcharger]], and Brawn) as [[7-Eleven]] [[exclusive]]s. They came in [[blindpacking|blind-packed boxes]] so you don't know which one you got until you open 'er up, plus each one could also come in a "[[Chase figure|chase]]" all-black version exclusive to this release. The black deco was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Black Gong|an evil clone]] of Brawn.

: All four keychains were re-released in 2007 under the ''[[Heroes of Cybertron (toyline)|Heroes of Cybertron]]'' banner by [[Basic Fun]] (Fun4All having gone bankrupt in 2004). Sold on new cardbacks with the ''Heroes'' look, these releases are functionally identical to the originals (just the company stamping has changed) except for the actual chain part, which is a different style with an additional black plastic tab attached.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on keychain Brawn at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/BlackBrawn/brawn.htm More information on black keychain Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
{{anchor|uni2003}}
[[File:OTFCC unreleased Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now we'll never get a new Brawn toy!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Brawn''' (<s>[[2005]]</s>)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Crane/cannon, 2-part spare tire/blades, energon star, energon gauntlet

: A [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Energon Class [[Strongarm (Energon)#Toys|Strongarm]] as ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Brawn was part of [[3H Productions]]' proposal for an [[BotCon#Proposed.2FUnreleased exclusives|OTFCC 2005]] convention exclusive set. However, with the financial collapse of 3H Productions in late 2004 and the subsequent transfer of the ''Transformers'' convention license to [[Fun Publications]], all plans for this toy (and its companion piece [[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2003)|Roadbuster]]) were scrapped. It would have featured a new head and new snap-on [[Energon weapon]] fists.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:TFU08-toy Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|...whoops, scratch that.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Legends Class, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': G1 Series
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)}}

: Released in the fourth wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] toys, Brawn is a new-sculpt toy of the original Brawn inspired by his [[character model]], transforming into a generic SUV that takes some design cues from a {{w|Land Rover Discovery|Land Rover Discovery}} Series II and a {{w|Jeep Cherokee (XJ)|Jeep Cherokee XJ}} with a bullbar mounted on the front. His spare tire, mounted on his back end in vehicle mode, is actually a free-spinning wheel just like the normal four, and the same size as the front wheels... meaning that, in theory, it could be used as an ''actual'' spare tire.

: Amusingly enough, his [[robot mode]] arms are upside-down inside the packaging, with his shoulders somewhere around hip-level.

: Official [[stock photography|stock photos]] depicting a [[prototype|pre-production sample]] in and out of packaging featured the tires in the same green plastic color as the vehicle shell. They were changed to black plastic for the mass production version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Legends Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei Minibot Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now available in puke green.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

: The ''Universe'' Legends Class Brawn was redecoed into ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Gong, using a much more desaturated olive-green base plastic, with brighter yellow chest paint, yet keeping the black face paint due to having the same paint layout as the ''Universe'' version. This is apparently meant more as an homage to his ''[[Micro Change]]'' roots than "just" TakaraTomy wanting to do something different than Hasbro.<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=4529 The many colors of Brawn] at the NTFA forums</ref>

: Gong was only available in a 3-pack set with [[Beachcomber (G1)#Henkei! Henkei!|Beachcomber]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Cliff]].
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-BrawnGDO.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|"Could've had the body of my dreams, but ''nooo'', Megatron took me down ''again'', while the other guy proceeded to [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Beast Hunters|steal my colors.]] There's a reason why I'm so grumpy."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Voyager Class, [[2012]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Energon Battle Mace

: Initially created for release [[exclusive]]ly in China and other Hasbro Asia markets, ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Brawn was to have been a retool and redeco of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#FE|Prime: First Edition]]'' Voyager Class [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Toys|Bulkhead]], and would have featured an all-new Generation 1 Brawn head and green/bronze paint scheme. He would have transformed into a truck, and would have come with an "energon battle mace" that could have either [[5 mm post|peg]]ged into his hands, or replaced one of his hands when either was flipped into his arm, thus switching it out for a wrist peg-hole. The mace itself would have also featured a plain peg-hole at the top, and would have stored in vehicle mode by pegging it onto the trunk.

: This was the only toy that was not included in the massive group of [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives for US market release in 2012. He was eventually dropped<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/brawn-dropped-from-the-transformers-generations-gdo-voyager-assortment/25764/ "Brawn Dropped from the Transformers Generations GDO Voyager Assortment?" at Seibertron.com]</ref> from the Asian-market case assortments, and his spot was taken by [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

: This version of the mold was eventually released, albeit in different colors, as ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' [[Brawn (Cloud)|Brawn]].
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BrawnKreon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)}}</ul>
:*''Bag number'': '''33501 35'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, large rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the fourth assortment of [[blindpacking|blind-bagged]] [[Kreon]] [[Micro-Changer]]s, Brawn can be rebuilt from a humanoid mode to a kinda land-rovery thing.

: His chest deco is ridiculously detailed and shaded.

: He uses the [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]] helmet.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/Kre-OBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:Kreon-Class-of-1984-Brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)}}</ul>
:*''Set number'': '''B0090'''
:*''Voted'': Class Jock
:*''Accessories'': Scoped pistol

: This version of Brawn is in a more toy-accurate olive plastic. He has toy-based [[tampograph]]s like his prior version, but somehow these ended up ''less'' detailed than the Micro-Changer's deco. This version does have the original toy's visor-face, though.

: He was only available in a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014 [[exclusive]] pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "[[Kreon Class of 1984]]". Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, only there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Class of 1984 Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's see how ''this'' guy can fight against the larger Soundwave.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Titan Master, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Hoverbike/jeep/rifle vehicle
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Brawn is a miniature [[Titan Master]] figure that can transform from a robot into Brawn's head, which can then be attached to Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader Class ''Titans Return'' figures. He is packaged with a hoverbike-ish vehicle that he can ride, which can also transform into a 5 mm gun accessory for a larger figure or combine with Brawn into a caterpillar-tracked jeep. His head in robot mode is based on the faceplated face of his original toy, while the face in his head mode resembles his animation model. Brawn provides the abilities of enhancing the bot's armor, though whether or not he will apply this to their shoulders too is unknown.

:Brawn's vehicle was redecoed into [[Synapse (Legends)#Legends|Synapse]], which came with ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Brainstorm (G1)#LG39|Brainstorm]]. The head was also [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Muscles]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRBrawn/brawn.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Titan Master Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TRLegends}}{{anchor|TitansReturnLegends}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Legends-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"The shield? Hey, I needed ''something'' to help protect my [[shoulder]]."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Legends Class, 2017)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Shield/Roof
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: The second ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Brawn is a Legends Class mold who transforms from a robot to jeep, inspired by [[#Generation 1|his original Generation 1 toy]]. His roof can detach to become a shield in robot mode, or peg into his back to maintain symmetry, and features a 3 mm port in the centre of the wheel. As with some of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class figures, Brawn features an opening canopy for his cockpit, which allows any Titan Master figure to ride. You can actually let his Titan Master counterpart ride himself. ''Kinky!'' Due to his construction, Brawn is the only ''Titans Return'' Legends class figure that can transform without needing to remove a Titan Master from his cockpit.

: In a clever touch, unpainted windows are sculpted beneath the vehicle mode storage of the shield, so that the vehicle mode will still look complete even if the accessory [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|is lost]].

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Outback (G1)#Generations|Outback]].
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
{{anchor|HeadmasterSet}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-EX-Headmaster-Set-Gong.jpg|thumb|Just wait. They will release my Legends Class figure some day...]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Headmaster Set''' (Multi-pack, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID Number'': '''LG-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[February 19]], 2017

: Released as a Wonder Festival 2017 exclusive, this Headmaster version of Brawn/Gong is a redeco of the [[#Titans Return|Hasbro head mold]], without the vehicle accessory, and features extensive paint apps.

: Gong was released along with [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Legends|Grimlock]], "[[Stylor#Legends|Chromedome]]", "[[Duros#Legends|Hardhead]]", [[Flywheels#Legends|Flywheel]], and "[[Arcana#Legends|Brainstorm]]".

{{-}}{{anchor|LG48}}
[[File:LG48-Gong.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|..."some day" being eight months later.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gong & Repug''' ('''Brawn & Repugnus''')<ref>The packaging says "ゴング&リパッグ" (Gong & Repug) in Japanese, but the accompanying English subtitle is "Brawn & Repugnus".</ref> (Two-pack, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID Number'': '''LG48'''
:*''Release date'': [[October 28]], 2017
:*''Accessories'': Shield/roof

:The second ''Legends'' Gong is a redeco of the [[#TitansReturnLegends|Hasbro Legends Class]] toy to resemble his appearances in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, and he's packaged with [[Repugnus (G1)#Legends|Repug]], who can ride inside Gong.

:Printed on his instructions is the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 48|Bonus Edition Vol. 48]] of the [[Transformers Legends (comic)|''Legends'' manga]].
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:TF-StudioSeries86-Deluxe-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|12 Frames Of Fame.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''The Transformers: The Movie'''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-22'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-112'''
:*''Accessories'': Blaster, spare wheel, "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[May 16]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPFnqhvXhTs Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Evan Brooks]], [[Ben MacCrae]], and [[Sixo]].</ref>|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:''[[Studio Series]]'' Brawn is a Deluxe-scale figure based on his short-lived appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', transforming into a small off-road SUV. He includes a small blaster accessory that can be attached to the spare wheel atop his alt mode's roof, which itself is removable via a 5mm peg but serves no real purpose once removed.

:As mentioned on the May 16, 2023 Transformers Fanstream, the way Brawn transforms allows you to recreate the "stilt legs" of his original 1984 toy. So you can do that if you want to. Which you will.

{{-}}{{anchor|SStwopack}}
[[File:TF-SS-Deluxe-Dead-Brawn.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.66|[https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:G1_cartoon_Perceptor_Pencil_sword.JPG This] is the consequence of pushing your team's scientist [[Microbots|too far]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn / Autobot Ratchet''' (Multi-pack, [[2024]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': '''''Studio Series'''''
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
:*''ID number'': '''86-27'''
:*''Accessories'': blaster, 2 large 3-part Fire Blast effects, "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" backdrop

:A redeco and partial retool of the above Deluxe Class ''Studio Series'' Brawn figure, Brawn is a morbidly hilarious version of the character during his death in the 1986 movie. In addition to a new, distressed headsculpt, his chest has been retooled to include some pretty nasty battle damage, and a blast effect compatible hole on his collarbone area. The silver paint on his face is swapped for a cartoon-based gray while his blaster is coated in silver.

:He was available in a 2-pack with a similarly morbid [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#SStwopack|Ratchet]] retool, along with two purple recolors of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Jetfire]]'s [[Fire Blast effect]]s and a larger version of the "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" backdrop. The set first popped up for pre-order on In Demand Toys' website, prior to any official acknowledgement by Hasbro.
{{WFCSiegeJetfireFireBlastMold}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
[[File:Greenbrawn.JPG|thumb]]
*'''Brawn''' (St. Louis McDonald's promotion, 1985)
{{charstubtoys}}

===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:TFcaramel brawn.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Gong''' (1985)

: A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''— of Brawn was released as part of the first wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' [[candy toy]] range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in white, blue, sky blue, yellow, green, and orange. Curiously, the figure was not based on either his toy or [[character model|animation model]] robot mode designs; instead, it depicted him in an entirely different robot form, based on his 4WD alternate mode as it would appear if it transformed in the same manner as Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, going so far as to give him Bumblebee's head! The origin of this strange design is unknown, but it would be seen again in a model kit released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Seven]] the following year.
{{-}}

===''Transformers Choco''===
[[File:TFchoco brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Gong''' (1985)

: A solid-color, snap-together model kit of Brawn was released by Kabaya as part of their ''[[Transformers Choco]]'' line of candy toys. Essentially a downsized but otherwise broadly identical version of his original toy, the Brawn kit was available in various colors, and came with candy-coated chocolates.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:G1-toy DecoyBrawn.jpg|thumb|Toy-accurate in one hand, show-accurate in the other.]]{{anchor|TakaraDecoy}}
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)

: Brawn was among the many characters rendered by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their series of 1.5" ''keshigomu'' figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Brawn was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his [[Tech Spec]]s, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Brawn mixes the cartoon model with elements from the original toy (most notably giving him a claw for a right hand).

: Brawn was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.

{{anchor|HasbroDecoy}}
*'''Brawn''' (Decoy, [[1987]])
**''Decoy number'': '''24'''

: The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on Decoy Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Pachi-pla kit===
[[File:Seven modelkit brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team.]]
*'''Charger and Gong''' (model kit multi-pack, 1986)

:This two-pack of fully-transformable Brawn and Windcharger snap-together model kits were released by Takara and Seven; "pachi" is Japanese onomatopoeia for things which snap together, while "pla" is short for plastic, hence the kit's name. The figures are made from red and black plastic, and were available in two variations that alternated which of the colors was predominant. About the same size as the original figures, the kits are speculated to be unused molds created for ''[[Micro Change]]''. Most notably, this set again makes use of the strange alternate design for Brawn seen previously in the ''Milk Caramel'' line, based on the Bumblebee body complete with Bumblebee's head.

::*''[http://tf-1.com/articles/jtf_frame.php?art=windbrawnkit More information about Brawn and Windcharger at TF-1.com]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Brawn, Demolitions''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T11/T46'''
**''Stars: ''5

: Brawn, Demolitions is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

: The card's artwork is based on the ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]'' Legends-class Brawn toy, with Bot Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art, and original Alt Mode line-art by [[Ken Christiansen]].

: This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

==Notes==
* Leaked product listings for the ''Thrilling 30'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#T30|Generations]]'' included a "Brawn & [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]" entry, indicating that a new Legends Class toy of Brawn was in the works prior to cancellation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown] by Monzo ([[Matthew Karpowich]]) on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)</ref> It is unknown if this ''Thrilling 30'' toy eventually evolved into the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Brawn figure, or if the latter is a separate design project.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Studio Series Autobots]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Brawn (G1)/toys

2024-07-19T09:00:13Z

Banannixx: /* Studio Series */ dead Brawn caption

{{suite}}

[[File:G1 boxart Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]

'''Brawn''' has many toys. All of them are invincible.

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oh no, he's a Cylon!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Mini-Vehicle, [[1984]]/[[1985]]/[[1986]])}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number'': '''15'''
{{toydesigner|[[Masaki Maruyama]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Brawn was part of the original assortment of Autobot [[Mini Vehicle]]s released in 1984. He transforms into an off-road SUV of indeterminate, probably-made-up model, with a non-removable spare tire on the roof.

: Brawn inexplicably has the most confirmed variants out of the 1984 Mini Vehicles, due to a change in his robot mode construction, ''three'' different company stamping arrangements on his vehicle back end, and of course the change from foil insignias on the vehicle mode to a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]] in 1985:
:* V1 - Helmet with faceplate & top portions separate from robot chest, "Takara Japan" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V2 - Helmet with faceplate & top portions separate from robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V3 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, foil insignia on hood
:* V4 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Takara Co Ltd / Japan 1974, 1983" stamp, rubsign on left door
:* V5 - Entire helmet part of robot chest, "Hasbro 1974-1983" stamp added to window, rubsign on left door

: The 1985 Japanese release of "Gong" was sold in a small box instead of on a bubble-card. Only the rubsign variant was available in this market (presumably the final mold variant with the single-piece helmet and Hasbro stamp, but that is not confirmed).

: There are a large number of [[redeco]]es of Brawn in various markets south of the border, which are covered in individual entries below (to reduce the clutter in this one). ''Mostly'' unchanged versions of Brawn were sold in Mexico by [[IGA]] and in Venezuela by [[Rubiplas]]: it's very likely that there are small differences in plastic hues and copyright stampings, and, of course, quality control.

: The mold was first released in 1983 as part of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, but evidence exists to suggest it was originally designed by defunct American toy company Knickerbocker for the cancelled toyline, ''[[Mysterians]]''. Notably, the ''Micro Change'' version was olive green, the same color depicted in his instructions and used for Brawn's animation design, while his actual ''Transformers'' release is forest green.

: The Brawn mold was also used to create the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Jipe (Malignus)#Toys|Jipe]], and [[retool]]ed to make [[Outback (G1)#Toys|Outback]] (except in Mexico, where Outback was a straight redeco of Brawn).

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-mini-vehicles-brawn/15/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Brawn at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on G1 Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{G1BrawnMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Estrela}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Jipe''' (Robocar, 1985)}}</ul>

: Released by [[Estrela]] in Brazil, "Jipe" was available in two different colorations: the original toy's green-and-yellow, or tan-and-sand. This release lacks the Autobot symbols, and the remaining robot-detail stickers are of considerably cheaper quality, and rarely left on loose samples.

: Whether or not he is the same character as either the [[Eletrix]] [[Jipe (Eletrix)#Toys|Jipe]] or the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] [[Jipe (Malignus)#Toys|Jipe]] is unknown.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Jipe/jipe.htm More information on Estrela Jipe at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Lynsa}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Mini Vehicle, 1986)}}</ul>

: Manufactured by Argentinean company [[Lynsa]] but sold in Peru, Peruvian Brawns lack [[vacuum metallizing|chrome]]. Two different colorations have been confirmed: olive-green-and-cream, and an inverted cream-and-olive-green. It is claimed that there may be ''six'' different versions of Peruvian Brawn all told, with the four others being unique to that market, but no-one has been able to find and confirm the others so far.

{{note|Peruvian company BASA (which eventually changed to HUDE) apparently also (briefly) sold ''Transformers'' in Peru, but these were straight imports of Hasbro Mini Vehicles with a company sticker applied to the packaging.}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Keychain}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Keychain, [[2002]]/[[2003]]/[[2007]])}}</ul>

: A keychain version of Brawn was released by [[Hasbro]] licensee [[Fun4All]] as part of the second wave of ''Transformers'' keychains alongside [[Windcharger (G1)#Keychain|Windcharger]]. Though based on the original toy, this is an entirely new set of molds, with a number of small differences throughout (minor proportion differences and generally softer edges), but the most immediately obvious one is the small plastic ring added to the front bumper, which the metal key chain attaches to. The keychains came on pretty close reproductions of their original cardbacks from 1984. These were originally sold in chains like Hot Topic and video game stores, but over the course of several years, found their way even to the racks of Wal-Mart.

: In 2003, Takara released all four of the keychain Minibots ([[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Keychain|Cliffjumper]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Keychain|Bumblebee]], [[Windcharger (G1)#keychain|Windcharger]], and Brawn) as [[7-Eleven]] [[exclusive]]s. They came in [[blindpacking|blind-packed boxes]] so you don't know which one you got until you open 'er up, plus each one could also come in a "[[Chase figure|chase]]" all-black version exclusive to this release. The black deco was later [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Black Gong|an evil clone]] of Brawn.

: All four keychains were re-released in 2007 under the ''[[Heroes of Cybertron (toyline)|Heroes of Cybertron]]'' banner by [[Basic Fun]] (Fun4All having gone bankrupt in 2004). Sold on new cardbacks with the ''Heroes'' look, these releases are functionally identical to the originals (just the company stamping has changed) except for the actual chain part, which is a different style with an additional black plastic tab attached.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on keychain Brawn at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/BlackBrawn/brawn.htm More information on black keychain Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
{{anchor|uni2003}}
[[File:OTFCC unreleased Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now we'll never get a new Brawn toy!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Brawn''' (<s>[[2005]]</s>)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Crane/cannon, 2-part spare tire/blades, energon star, energon gauntlet

: A [[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' Energon Class [[Strongarm (Energon)#Toys|Strongarm]] as ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Brawn was part of [[3H Productions]]' proposal for an [[BotCon#Proposed.2FUnreleased exclusives|OTFCC 2005]] convention exclusive set. However, with the financial collapse of 3H Productions in late 2004 and the subsequent transfer of the ''Transformers'' convention license to [[Fun Publications]], all plans for this toy (and its companion piece [[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2003)|Roadbuster]]) were scrapped. It would have featured a new head and new snap-on [[Energon weapon]] fists.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
[[File:TFU08-toy Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|...whoops, scratch that.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Legends Class, [[2008]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': G1 Series
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)}}

: Released in the fourth wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] toys, Brawn is a new-sculpt toy of the original Brawn inspired by his [[character model]], transforming into a generic SUV that takes some design cues from a {{w|Land Rover Discovery|Land Rover Discovery}} Series II and a {{w|Jeep Cherokee (XJ)|Jeep Cherokee XJ}} with a bullbar mounted on the front. His spare tire, mounted on his back end in vehicle mode, is actually a free-spinning wheel just like the normal four, and the same size as the front wheels... meaning that, in theory, it could be used as an ''actual'' spare tire.

: Amusingly enough, his [[robot mode]] arms are upside-down inside the packaging, with his shoulders somewhere around hip-level.

: Official [[stock photography|stock photos]] depicting a [[prototype|pre-production sample]] in and out of packaging featured the tires in the same green plastic color as the vehicle shell. They were changed to black plastic for the mass production version.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Legends Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei Minibot Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Now available in puke green.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Minibot Attack Team''' (Multi-pack, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''C-18'''

: The ''Universe'' Legends Class Brawn was redecoed into ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Gong, using a much more desaturated olive-green base plastic, with brighter yellow chest paint, yet keeping the black face paint due to having the same paint layout as the ''Universe'' version. This is apparently meant more as an homage to his ''[[Micro Change]]'' roots than "just" TakaraTomy wanting to do something different than Hasbro.<ref>[http://www.ntfa.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=4529 The many colors of Brawn] at the NTFA forums</ref>

: Gong was only available in a 3-pack set with [[Beachcomber (G1)#Henkei! Henkei!|Beachcomber]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Cliff]].
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
[[File:Generationstoy-BrawnGDO.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|"Could've had the body of my dreams, but ''nooo'', Megatron took me down ''again'', while the other guy proceeded to [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Beast Hunters|steal my colors.]] There's a reason why I'm so grumpy."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Voyager Class, [[2012]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Energon Battle Mace

: Initially created for release [[exclusive]]ly in China and other Hasbro Asia markets, ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' Brawn was to have been a retool and redeco of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#FE|Prime: First Edition]]'' Voyager Class [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Toys|Bulkhead]], and would have featured an all-new Generation 1 Brawn head and green/bronze paint scheme. He would have transformed into a truck, and would have come with an "energon battle mace" that could have either [[5 mm post|peg]]ged into his hands, or replaced one of his hands when either was flipped into his arm, thus switching it out for a wrist peg-hole. The mace itself would have also featured a plain peg-hole at the top, and would have stored in vehicle mode by pegging it onto the trunk.

: This was the only toy that was not included in the massive group of [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusives for US market release in 2012. He was eventually dropped<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/brawn-dropped-from-the-transformers-generations-gdo-voyager-assortment/25764/ "Brawn Dropped from the Transformers Generations GDO Voyager Assortment?" at Seibertron.com]</ref> from the Asian-market case assortments, and his spot was taken by [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

: This version of the mold was eventually released, albeit in different colors, as ''[[Transformers Cloud|Cloud]]'' [[Brawn (Cloud)|Brawn]].
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BrawnKreon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2014)}}</ul>
:*''Bag number'': '''33501 35'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, large rifle
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the fourth assortment of [[blindpacking|blind-bagged]] [[Kreon]] [[Micro-Changer]]s, Brawn can be rebuilt from a humanoid mode to a kinda land-rovery thing.

: His chest deco is ridiculously detailed and shaded.

: He uses the [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Mirage]] helmet.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/Kre-OBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:Kreon-Class-of-1984-Brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-multi|'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)}}</ul>
:*''Set number'': '''B0090'''
:*''Voted'': Class Jock
:*''Accessories'': Scoped pistol

: This version of Brawn is in a more toy-accurate olive plastic. He has toy-based [[tampograph]]s like his prior version, but somehow these ended up ''less'' detailed than the Micro-Changer's deco. This version does have the original toy's visor-face, though.

: He was only available in a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014 [[exclusive]] pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "[[Kreon Class of 1984]]". Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, only there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

::*''[http://tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OBrawn/brawn.htm More information on Class of 1984 Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's see how ''this'' guy can fight against the larger Soundwave.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Titan Master, 2016)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Hoverbike/jeep/rifle vehicle
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Brawn is a miniature [[Titan Master]] figure that can transform from a robot into Brawn's head, which can then be attached to Deluxe, Voyager, and Leader Class ''Titans Return'' figures. He is packaged with a hoverbike-ish vehicle that he can ride, which can also transform into a 5 mm gun accessory for a larger figure or combine with Brawn into a caterpillar-tracked jeep. His head in robot mode is based on the faceplated face of his original toy, while the face in his head mode resembles his animation model. Brawn provides the abilities of enhancing the bot's armor, though whether or not he will apply this to their shoulders too is unknown.

:Brawn's vehicle was redecoed into [[Synapse (Legends)#Legends|Synapse]], which came with ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Brainstorm (G1)#LG39|Brainstorm]]. The head was also [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' character [[Muscles]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRBrawn/brawn.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Titan Master Brawn at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TRLegends}}{{anchor|TitansReturnLegends}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Legends-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"The shield? Hey, I needed ''something'' to help protect my [[shoulder]]."]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Legends Class, 2017)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Shield/Roof
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: The second ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Brawn is a Legends Class mold who transforms from a robot to jeep, inspired by [[#Generation 1|his original Generation 1 toy]]. His roof can detach to become a shield in robot mode, or peg into his back to maintain symmetry, and features a 3 mm port in the centre of the wheel. As with some of the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class figures, Brawn features an opening canopy for his cockpit, which allows any Titan Master figure to ride. You can actually let his Titan Master counterpart ride himself. ''Kinky!'' Due to his construction, Brawn is the only ''Titans Return'' Legends class figure that can transform without needing to remove a Titan Master from his cockpit.

: In a clever touch, unpainted windows are sculpted beneath the vehicle mode storage of the shield, so that the vehicle mode will still look complete even if the accessory [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|is lost]].

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Outback (G1)#Generations|Outback]].
{{-}}

===''Legends''===
{{anchor|HeadmasterSet}}
[[File:TF-Legends-LG-EX-Headmaster-Set-Gong.jpg|thumb|Just wait. They will release my Legends Class figure some day...]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Headmaster Set''' (Multi-pack, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID Number'': '''LG-EX'''
:*''Release date'': [[February 19]], 2017

: Released as a Wonder Festival 2017 exclusive, this Headmaster version of Brawn/Gong is a redeco of the [[#Titans Return|Hasbro head mold]], without the vehicle accessory, and features extensive paint apps.

: Gong was released along with [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Legends|Grimlock]], "[[Stylor#Legends|Chromedome]]", "[[Duros#Legends|Hardhead]]", [[Flywheels#Legends|Flywheel]], and "[[Arcana#Legends|Brainstorm]]".

{{-}}{{anchor|LG48}}
[[File:LG48-Gong.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|..."some day" being eight months later.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Gong & Repug''' ('''Brawn & Repugnus''')<ref>The packaging says "ゴング&リパッグ" (Gong & Repug) in Japanese, but the accompanying English subtitle is "Brawn & Repugnus".</ref> (Two-pack, [[2017]])}}</ul>
:*''ID Number'': '''LG48'''
:*''Release date'': [[October 28]], 2017
:*''Accessories'': Shield/roof

:The second ''Legends'' Gong is a redeco of the [[#TitansReturnLegends|Hasbro Legends Class]] toy to resemble his appearances in the ''Generation 1'' cartoon, and he's packaged with [[Repugnus (G1)#Legends|Repug]], who can ride inside Gong.

:Printed on his instructions is the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 48|Bonus Edition Vol. 48]] of the [[Transformers Legends (comic)|''Legends'' manga]].
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:TF-StudioSeries86-Deluxe-Brawn.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|12 Frames Of Fame.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''The Transformers: The Movie'''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-22'''
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SS-112'''
:*''Accessories'': Blaster, spare wheel, "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)<ref>[[May 16]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPFnqhvXhTs Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Evan Brooks]], [[Ben MacCrae]], and [[Sixo]].</ref>|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:''[[Studio Series]]'' Brawn is a Deluxe-scale figure based on his short-lived appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', transforming into a small off-road SUV. He includes a small blaster accessory that can be attached to the spare wheel atop his alt mode's roof, which itself is removable via a 5mm peg but serves no real purpose once removed.

:As mentioned on the May 16, 2023 Transformers Fanstream, the way Brawn transforms allows you to recreate the "stilt legs" of his original 1984 toy. So you can do that if you want to. Which you will.

{{-}}{{anchor|SStwopack}}
[[File:TF-SS-Deluxe-Dead-Brawn.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.66|[https://tfwiki.net/wiki/File:G1_cartoon_Perceptor_Pencil_sword.JPG This] is the result of pushing your chemist [[Microbots|too far]].]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Brawn / Autobot Ratchet''' (Multi-pack, [[2024]])}}</ul>
:*''Series'': '''''Studio Series'''''
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
:*''ID number'': '''86-27'''
:*''Accessories'': blaster, 2 large 3-part Fire Blast effects, "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" backdrop

:A redeco and partial retool of the above Deluxe Class ''Studio Series'' Brawn figure, Brawn is a morbidly hilarious version of the character during his death in the 1986 movie. In addition to a new, distressed headsculpt, his chest has been retooled to include some pretty nasty battle damage, and a blast effect compatible hole on his collarbone area. The silver paint on his face is swapped for a cartoon-based gray while his blaster is coated in silver.

:He was available in a 2-pack with a similarly morbid [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#SStwopack|Ratchet]] retool, along with two purple recolors of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Jetfire]]'s [[Fire Blast effect]]s and a larger version of the "Decepticon Shuttle Ambush" backdrop. The set first popped up for pre-order on In Demand Toys' website, prior to any official acknowledgement by Hasbro.
{{WFCSiegeJetfireFireBlastMold}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===McDonald's===
[[File:Greenbrawn.JPG|thumb]]
*'''Brawn''' (St. Louis McDonald's promotion, 1985)
{{charstubtoys}}

===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:TFcaramel brawn.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Gong''' (1985)

: A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''— of Brawn was released as part of the first wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' [[candy toy]] range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in white, blue, sky blue, yellow, green, and orange. Curiously, the figure was not based on either his toy or [[character model|animation model]] robot mode designs; instead, it depicted him in an entirely different robot form, based on his 4WD alternate mode as it would appear if it transformed in the same manner as Bumblebee and Cliffjumper, going so far as to give him Bumblebee's head! The origin of this strange design is unknown, but it would be seen again in a model kit released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] and [[Seven]] the following year.
{{-}}

===''Transformers Choco''===
[[File:TFchoco brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Gong''' (1985)

: A solid-color, snap-together model kit of Brawn was released by Kabaya as part of their ''[[Transformers Choco]]'' line of candy toys. Essentially a downsized but otherwise broadly identical version of his original toy, the Brawn kit was available in various colors, and came with candy-coated chocolates.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:G1-toy DecoyBrawn.jpg|thumb|Toy-accurate in one hand, show-accurate in the other.]]{{anchor|TakaraDecoy}}
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)

: Brawn was among the many characters rendered by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their series of 1.5" ''keshigomu'' figurines. Like all the Autobots in the series, Brawn was molded in soft red rubber, and featured a number sculpted into his back that was the sum total of his [[Tech Spec]]s, for use in the various games that could be played with the figurines. Brawn mixes the cartoon model with elements from the original toy (most notably giving him a claw for a right hand).

: Brawn was available as part of a 22-piece box set of Autobot figures, and later, in a peach coloration randomly packed as part of various other box sets.

{{anchor|HasbroDecoy}}
*'''Brawn''' (Decoy, [[1987]])
**''Decoy number'': '''24'''

: The figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number. Like all Autobot Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/Decoys/Brawn/brawn.htm More information on Decoy Brawn at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Pachi-pla kit===
[[File:Seven modelkit brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them....maybe you can hire The A-Team.]]
*'''Charger and Gong''' (model kit multi-pack, 1986)

:This two-pack of fully-transformable Brawn and Windcharger snap-together model kits were released by Takara and Seven; "pachi" is Japanese onomatopoeia for things which snap together, while "pla" is short for plastic, hence the kit's name. The figures are made from red and black plastic, and were available in two variations that alternated which of the colors was predominant. About the same size as the original figures, the kits are speculated to be unused molds created for ''[[Micro Change]]''. Most notably, this set again makes use of the strange alternate design for Brawn seen previously in the ''Milk Caramel'' line, based on the Bumblebee body complete with Bumblebee's head.

::*''[http://tf-1.com/articles/jtf_frame.php?art=windbrawnkit More information about Brawn and Windcharger at TF-1.com]''
{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W5Brawn.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Brawn, Demolitions''' (2020)
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T11/T46'''
**''Stars: ''5

: Brawn, Demolitions is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

: The card's artwork is based on the ''[[Titans Return (franchise)|Titans Return]]'' Legends-class Brawn toy, with Bot Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art, and original Alt Mode line-art by [[Ken Christiansen]].

: This card's set was originally set for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

==Notes==
* Leaked product listings for the ''Thrilling 30'' subline of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#T30|Generations]]'' included a "Brawn & [[Mudslinger (G1)|Mudslinger]]" entry, indicating that a new Legends Class toy of Brawn was in the works prior to cancellation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160329075047/http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/96540-monzos-mega-hasbro-customer-service-listing-breakdown/ Hasbro customer service listings breakdown] by Monzo ([[Matthew Karpowich]]) on the Allspark Forums, 2013/11/01 (via the Internet Archive)</ref> It is unknown if this ''Thrilling 30'' toy eventually evolved into the ''Titans Return'' Legends Class Brawn figure, or if the latter is a separate design project.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:Mini Vehicles]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Studio Series Autobots]]
[[Category:Titan Masters]]
[[Category:Titans Return Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Transformers (2023) issue 10

2024-07-12T08:07:06Z

Banannixx: Reference to an oldie but a goodie.

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #10
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 9
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 11
|image=Transformers 2023 10 Cover B.jpg
|caption=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKkgzhIA2IQ "Let's go on an awesome adventure!"]
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[July 10]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=July 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Two Transformers discover the beauty of Earth's nature. Their reactions are very different.'''

==Synopsis==
''Millions of years ago, the [[Decepticon]]s attack the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' as it reaches [[Earth]] orbit. During the battle, [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] is thrown out of the ship by [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and lands on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. As he looks up, he sees the Earth; overwhelmed with its beauty, he spends the next million years staring at it until [[July 20]], [[1969]], when the [[Apollo 11]] moon mission arrives. Hitching a ride on their return flight, he makes his way to Earth, finding the planet’s surface just as wondrous as he imagined. While exploring, he finds the ''Ark'' and its off-line passengers. Though he begins to activate [[Teletraan I|Teletraan-1]]'s repair function, he hesitates. Fearing the devastation that could come if the [[Transformer]]s' war began again on Earth, he abandons them, allowing them the peace of sleeping forever.''

Beachcomber tells his tale to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], having rescued him from [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], who Beachcomber has chained up to prevent him from attacking. However, he still offers the [[Triple Changer]] some of the [[energon]] he took from the ''Ark''{{'}}s reserves as a peace offering. Astrotrain reveals to Beachcomber that [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] has come to Earth with the intent of harvesting its resources. Though Beachcomber knows the destruction Shockwave will bring, he also vowed never to hurt anyone or anything again and wants no part in the war.

On the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', where the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s have finished repairing the portal to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Shockwave finds [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] trying to repair [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Shockwave balks at his sentimentality, suggesting he instead recycle his pet, but is then distracted by the sight of humpback whales in the ocean, marvelling at the creatures. At that moment, [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] informs him that "the [[feeder]]" is ready. Upon its activation, it sucks the ocean - whales and all - into its maw, as Shockwave looks on and cheers maniacally.

Back at the dam, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] puts the finishing touches on his [[Energon turbine]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] returns with [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] in tow. [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] is shocked to see her old [[mentor]], believing him dead. Wheeljack reassures Magnus that Ratchet will fix him right up, leading Optimus to reveal that Ratchet didn't survive the battle. Wheeljack excuses himself to grieve. Optimus regrets also leaving [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] behind, with Elita telling him that Shockwave will likely do to them what he did to Magnus. She then chastises him for leaving Cybertron and letting it fall to the Decepticons; Shockwave stripped their home for everything it had, and now he’ll do the same to Prime’s new paradise.

[[File:TF2023 no 10 Space Bridge Cybertron.jpg|right|thumb|"Is anyone else getting a sense of [[The Ultimate Doom|dèjá]] [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|vu]]?"]]In the depths of the ''Nemesis'', Jazz and Cliff are in chains as Shockwave arrives, eager to begin "experimenting" on them. [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], who finds Shockwave's actions dishonorable, is led outside by Soundwave to discuss their next steps, and though they may not like it, they need Shockwave. Thundercracker then argues they should mount an assault on the ''Ark'' to rescue Skywarp, but Soundwave shoots it down. Shockwave then gathers the Decepticons. He announces that time is of the essence if they want to save their world and, using the Energon converted by the feeder, reactivates the [[space bridge]], though now on a much larger scale in order to bring Cybertron into Earth's orbit. Beachcomber and Spike look on in horror as the Transformers' home fills the sky.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (1)
* ''[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'' (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* ''[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'' (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (16)
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] (19)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (20)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (21)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (22)

|c2=
* ''[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]'' (2)
* ''[[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]'' (3)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (7)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (10)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (11)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (12)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (23)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (24)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (25)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (26)
* [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (27)

|c3=
* ''[[Neil Armstrong]]'' (8)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (9)
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (17)
* [[Farmingham militia]] soldier (18)
}}

==Quotes==
"I promised myself I would never hurt anyone or anything again. That mindset doesn't exactly help in a war. And I want no part of it."
:—'''Beachcomber'''

"I had to make a choice. What I did was for the good of Cybertron." 
"There's not much good left there, Prime. No energon. Decepticon rule. Our people starving and enslaved. And here you are, in your new paradise. Shockwave has seen this place now. He won't leave it untouched. He's going to take what is here to fuel our home and the Decepticon army."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' is rebuffed by '''Elita One'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* So that’s how Beachcomber got to Earth. The opening scene of the Decepticons attacking the ''Ark'' was previously depicted in the ''[[Transformers Energon Universe Special story|Energon Universe Special]]'', where we learned what became of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in the same battle.
** While previous issues had the characters reference that the war had been going for "two centuries", Beachcomber's flashback confirms the ''Ark'' crashing as happening "millions of years ago." This is consistent with ''[[Void Rivals]]''{{'}} presenting [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] as being in stasis for millennia, as well as with the Energon Universe's continued use of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] as its main inspiration.
* Ravage was wounded by Optimus back in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|issue #1]].
* Brawl was cut in half by the space bridge [[Transformers (2023) issue 9|last issue]]. His operational status is unclear, though Onslaught's dialogue suggests that he's still alive.

===''Transformers'' references===
* Beachcomber's love of Earth and staunch opposition to the war are long-time character traits of his, best highlighted in the Generation 1 cartoon episode “[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]”.
* This issue features the Decepticons using a space bridge to teleport Cybertron into Earth orbit, a plot that first appeared in the Generation 1 cartoon episode “[[The Ultimate Doom]]” and would later be used again in ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'' (which, funnily enough, also featured a Moon landing sequence.)

===Real-world references===
* In a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZp2ZlpIW98 "director's commentary" for issue #9], Daniel Warren Johnson compared his writing of Astrotrain to the character of Donny "the Bear Jew" Donowitz from ''{{w|Inglourious Basterds}}'', something that becomes much more pronounced in his speech with this issue.

===Errors===
*The Lunar Excursion Modules used during the Apollo missions had to account for the weight of whatever they brought back to Earth, to the extent of leaving behind handheld cameras to meet the narrow weight margins.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=both cameras with lenses were left behind on the Moon in order to meet narrow weight margins for successful return. The journeys home from the Moon made very special demands on what could return regarding weight; from Apollo 11 to the final Apollo 17 mission, a total of twelve camera bodies were left behind on the lunar surface. Only the film magazines containing the momentous images were brought back.|link=https://www.hasselblad.com/about/history/hasselblad-in-space/|title=HASSELBLAD IN SPACE|site=hasselblad.com}}</ref> How did they not notice Beachcomber hitching a ride all the way to Earth?
*Additionally, when launching back into lunar orbit, the LEM separates the aluminum ascent stage and leaves behind the gold foil-covered descent stage when leaving the moon. It is drawn on page 4 launching with both modules still together.
*On the two-page spread of Shockwave bringing Cybertron to Earth, the moon is in the foreground with a US flag planted. The flag should've been bleached white from exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays after being on the moon for over 50 years.<ref>[https://www.nasa.gov/history/alsj/ApolloFlags-Condition.html Six Flags on the Moon: What is Their Current Condition? - NASA.gov]</ref>

===Other trivia===
*

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Carly and Arcee gaze at the stars, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Beachcomber and Spike, by Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover featuring [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], by [[Karen S. Darboe]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Shockwave disposes of Ravage, by [[Jonathan Wayshak]] and [[David Baron]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' The 'waves look over Cybertron, by [[David Baldeón]] and [[Rex Lokus]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 10 Cover A.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 10 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 10 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 10 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 10 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* Explore the Energon Universe in ''[[Scarlett (comic)|Scarlett]]'' [[Scarlett issue 2|#2]], ''[[Destro (comic)|Destro]]'' [[Destro issue 2|#2]], and ''[[Void Rivals]]'' [[Void Rivals issue 11|#11]].
* Codename: [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] continues in ''Scarlett''!
* The [[Cobra]] threat continues in ''Destro''!
* Experience the Energon Universe in the trade paperbacks for ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'', ''Void Rivals'', ''Transformers'', and ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]''
* ''Invincible: The Hero-Building Game''
* Skybound Insiders

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' ([[November 27]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534345272 / ISBN 978-1534345270 
** Collects issues #7–12.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V2.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Transport to Oblivion''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Grimlock (Animated)

2024-07-08T07:15:21Z

Banannixx: First mention on Grimlock's page/ linked to appropriate article.

{{Factions|autobot|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Grimlock}}
:''Grimlock is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Animated continuity family]].''

[[File:TFAnimated Grimlock.jpg|right|256px|thumb|Some people got collar and cuffs, me Grimlock got collar and brass knuckles.]]
'''Grimlock''' is a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' in charge of a small, three-mech group of dinosaur transformers known as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]]. Born from a fusion of Earth and Cybertronian technology, with some [[AllSpark]] intervention thrown in, he's a force to be reckoned with. A little short on brains (at first he didn't actually realise he was a Transformer) and a lot short on temper, Grimlock's answer to a problem is usually the simplest: squash it, slash it, bite it, burn it, or eat it.

Physically, Grimlock is one of the most powerful Transformers, with enough brute strength to give even the likes of Megatron pause for thought. In his [[beast mode]], his powerful jaws and [[Fire-breath|flame breath]] give him excellent short- and long-range combat abilities, while his flaming sword is an effective weapon in [[robot mode]]. Factor in his temper, and facing Grimlock can be a terrifying experience.

Currently, Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots are living on [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|an island]] in Lake Erie, hidden there by [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] from the rest of the world. But don't think he's not willing to come to the mainland, find the biggest 'Con around and feed 'em their own chassis after he's eaten his fill of it. After all, him Grimlock badass.

{{bigquote|No one tell me Grimlock how to fight!|Grimlock, rebel without a cause|"[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[David Kaye]] (English), [[Keiji Fujiwara]] (Japanese)|[[Alexander Kovriznyh]] (Russian), [[Dieter Memel]] (German), [[Mario Zucca]] (Italian), [[Ricardo Soto]] (Latin-American Spanish, seasons 1 and 2), [[Leonardo Salas]] (Latin-American Spanish, season 3), [[Maciej Walentek]] (Polish, episodes 6, 12, 15, 17, 23, 26), [[Juha Paananen]] (Finnish), [[Sylvain Lemarié]] (French), [[Faduli Costa]] (Portuguese, seasons 1 and 2), [[José Carlos Guerra]] (Portuguese, season 3)}}

[[File:Grimlockanimatedinskin.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Cars shot me T-rex, out come me Grimlock! Him [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]] sure blew it.]]
Grimlock, [[Snarl (Animated)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (Animated)|Swoop]] were originally theme park animatronic displays that [[Isaac Sumdac (Animated)|Isaac Sumdac]] upgraded with the help of [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] and a flash of [[spark]] from the [[AllSpark Key]]. When they came online, Grimlock dubbed himself the Dinobot leader, despite Megatron's commands. However, [[Tutor Bot]] brought up videos on how cars use fossil fuels. Grimlock believed this to mean that cars ate [[dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]], and Megatron convinced them to destroy the "fossil feeders", including the only thing worse than cars...cars and trucks that turn into robots.

[[File:Grimlockanimatedbeastmode.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Me Grimlock beginning to [[Repeat Performance!|hate black sticky stuff!]]]]
As the Dinobots raged against the machines, the Autobots drew them away from the city towards a park. Finally getting out of his funk, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] managed to throw them into a parking lot that their fire breath had melted into tar, trapping the Dinobots. After their defeat, they were imprisoned in an energy cage and were scheduled for meltdown. Believing they had life and were not just some mindless machines, [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] freed the Dinobots with the help of Bulkhead and secretly relocated them to an island.

Dwelling within the peaceful forest, Grimlock dubbed cars and trucks bad, but nature good—until two birds pooped on him. Redubbing
nature stupid, Grimlock expected the two birds to fight like Dinobots, but they escaped! Tail twitching and stomach opening, Grimlock [[Transformation|transformed]], shocking Snarl and Swoop. He drew a [[Sword|huge, blazing sword]] and decided he liked the results. {{storylink|Blast from the Past}}

He was later forced by the villain [[Meltdown (Animated)|Meltdown]] to attack Sari's would-be rescuers, Prowl and Bulkhead. Once Meltdown was trapped and unable to hurt him, he demonstrated he'd learned to transform and joined his fellow Dinobots in threatening the acid-thrower. However, before Meltdown could be hurt, Grimlock's attention was diverted to [[Colossus Rhodes]] and two of Meltdown's mutants, and he and the other Dinobots beat up on them instead. {{storylink|Survival of the Fittest}}

Shortly after this, the Autobots learned that the [[Decepticon]]s were mobilizing, and Bulkhead spilled the beans on the Dinobots' location. Seriously pissed, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Prime]] had them take him to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]], where he tried to convince the Dinobots to help them fight the Decepticons. Grimlock was...uninterested, to say the least. He told Prime that Dinobots didn't need robots to fight, but that they would destroy robots. When Prime pointed out that the Dinobots ''were'' robots, this seemed to compel them to fight each other. When Grimlock gives an order, the Dinobots carry it out without question. {{storylink|Megatron Rising - Part 1}}

[[File:Animated cartoon Grimlock Sentinel Prime.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Me Grimlock say you jerk!]]
When Optimus brought [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel]] to see [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|his damaged ship]], which had crashed into Dinobot Island as a result of [[Megatron Rising - Part 2|a recent Decepticon attack]], the Dinobots showed up. Optimus advised the [[Elite Guard|Elite Guardsbots]] that as long as the Dinobots weren't provoked, they wouldn't attack. Sentinel thought they were just primitive scrap heaps and acted like it. Grimlock responded by transforming, taking out his sword and knocking the jerk flying. Alas, neither he nor the other Dinobots could withstand the elemental lightning summoned by Ultra Magnus, Bot of Thunder. {{storylink|The Elite Guard}}

[[File:T-Rex Ambush Predator.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Prowl learned T-rex defensive tactics from ''[[Jurassic Park]]''. Sadly, Grimlock never watched that movie.]]
Later, reports reached the Autobots of rampages on Dinobot Island, and Optimus sent Prowl and Bulkhead, the only two Autobots the Dinobots accepted, to investigate. Prowl's disbelief at the idea that the territorial but relatively peaceful Dinobots would be going on rampages was quickly dispelled when a furious Grimlock burst from the bushes and charged. He easily thrashed the two Autobots, and in his rage would have roasted a nest full of baby birds if Prowl hadn't used [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s loaned [[Electromagnetic pulse|EMP]] generator to drop the massive beast. But a blast that would have knocked out an Autobot for a while merely dropped Grimlock for a moment, and a few seconds later, he began to wake up. Upon examination, it was revealed that Grimlock had a large piece of metal embedded in his foot, and the pain had driven him mad. Prowl used the EMP generator to loosen the shard while Bulkhead yanked it out, and an exhausted Grimlock collapsed and allowed the Autobots to fix him up. {{storylink|A Fistful of Energon}}

[[File:TFA Black Friday ME GRIMLOCK IN LOVE.jpg|left|thumb|I, Grimlock, am hot-headed when in love, wot.]]
When [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] washed ashore after the defeat of Megatron, the Dinobots took her in as one of their own. Ever the {{w|Alpha (biology)|alpha male}}, Grimlock was quick to remind Swoop and Snarl that "Spider-Lady like me Grimlock best" (he was taller than them), and was not above using violence to drive the point home. After Blackarachnia discovered Meltdown's genetic research, she had the Dinobots take Meltdown from prison. When the Autobots arrived to investigate, Prowl and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] were poisoned with venom, and Grimlock accompanied Optimus Prime to the mainland to help him find the [[Genetic modifier|genetic thingy]] that Meltdown needed.

[[File:Animated Black Friday Grimlock Prime Powell.jpg|right|thumb|Me Grimlock will love you and hug you and feed you and pet you and hug you and love you and call you George.]] Grimlock refused to listen to Prime's claims that Blackarachnia was using them, and he tore through the city to show the "puny humans" that "Dinobots rule". Arriving at [[Sumdac Tower]], Grimlock threatened [[Porter C. Powell]] with becoming lunch, which convinced the businessman to surrender the modifier. When the two Autobots returned to the island, Meltdown turned the tables on them, planning to remove Blackarachnia's technological half and leave him with an organic Transformer. To delay Grimlock and Prime, Meltdown sicced [[Fusion creature|his experiments]] on them. Grimlock nearly burned down half the forest while fighting "bad bat", but the other Dinobots arrived and helped them defeat the monsters while Prime put out the fire. After Prime defeated Meltdown, Blackarachnia urged him to hold her, causing Grimlock to attack Prime in jealousy. However, it was a trick to allow Blackarachnia time to escape, as Prime had predicted. Practically in tears, Grimlock begged Blackarachnia to return, saying he loved her, but all for naught. {{storylink|Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday}}

He later looked on as an oil rig with the Constructicons appeared out of nowhere and exploded off Dinobot Island. {{storylink|Three's a Crowd}}

Grimlock and the Dinobots once again fell under Blackarachnia's sway. After having Swoop abduct [[Wasp]], she ordered the Dinobots to stand guard. Sentinel Prime, along with [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]], snuck onto Dinobot Island to retrieve Wasp. Sentinel told the Jet twins to create a diversion to get the Dinobots away from the entrance so he can sneak into Blackarachnia's lab. Grimlock was tricked into chasing Jetstorm and was [[to sell toys|defeated off camera]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

Later when Sari went to get the help of the Dinobots to fight [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]], Grimlock and Swoop refused to help her. When she asked about Snarl, Grimlock told her they kicked him out after he decided to become [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]'s pet. {{storylink|Human Error, Part II}}

===Titan ''Animated'' comic===
[[File:Titan23 Grimlockvsswoop.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|ONLY ME GRIMLOCK have speaking parts!]]

One day, it was raining really badly and making Grimlock's joints all stiff. Grimlock hate that! Then [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|that small girl thing]] came to Dinobot Island; Grimlock almost ate her as a trespasser, but then she said the Dinobots could stay in the Autobots' base until it stopped raining and all they had to do in return was hit [[Starscream (Animated)|some annoying guy]] and [[Starscream clone (Animated)|his clones]]. Plus, he got a souvenir in the form of a ripped off clone arm. Sari Grimlock's friend!

[[Simon Furman|Grimlock]] thinks there should be clones of ''him'' as the world needs more Grimlock! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 17|Dino-MIGHT!}}

Another day, the other Dinobots were sick and it made them attack Grimlock! Grimlock get hurt! Grimlock send an distress signal to other Autobots by means unknown! Small girl thing save him with [[AllSpark Key|even smaller glowy thing]], so he not eat her. {{storylink|Animated Comic issue 2|Ratchet & Grimlock Are DEAD?}}

Bah! Swoop keep questioning Grimlock! ''HOW DARE'' he disagree with Grimlock! Grimlock kick Swoop out of Dinobots! Bah! How dare Swoop... oh, cows ''do'' give milk like Swoop said? Well... Swoop still sucks, shut up Snarl! {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Divebomb}}
{{--}}

===Animated shorts===
[[File:BulkheadandGrimlock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.15|Me Grimlock like fetch, let's play again. Did me Grimlock really just say that?]]

Grimlock eagerly played fetch with Bulkhead using a tree. [[Animation error|Then it disappeared]]. {{storylink|Catch}}

{{-}}

===''The Cool'' comic===
[[File:TheCoolPrimeGrimWrestle01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left]]

When [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] and [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] attacked Dinobot Island, the Dinobots responded immediately to the threat. Grimlock was particularly annoyed by Soundwave's sonic attacks and smashed the villain with his tail. The Decepticons were quickly driven off. [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] attempted to greet the Dinobots and thank them for their aid, but Grimlock responded simply by attacking Prime and demanding he leave as well. After a while, the two resolved their differences, the Dinobots promising to help the Autobots in time of battle, and parted as friends. {{storylink|The Cool Episode 3}}

{{-}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] had speculated that [[Ben 10]]'s universe, located somewhere [[Omniverse|beyond the multiverse]], may have interacted with a [[Malgus]] Cluster universe at some point, allowing the alien bounty hunter [[Khyber]] to collect a number of Cybertronian artifacts, including Grimlock's sword. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#June 10, 2015|Ask Vector Prime}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Animated''===
====Voyager Class====
[[File:Toy Grimlock Animated.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Me Grimlock like. But want crown accessory. (''Hasbro version pictured'')]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Grimlock''' (Voyager, 2008 / 2010)}}</ul>
:*''Takara ID number:'' '''TA-17'''
:*''Takara release date'': [[May 22]], 2010
:*''Accessories'': Flaming sword
{{toydesigner|[[Eric Siebenaler]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Part of the third wave of Hasbro's ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Transformers Animated]]'' Voyagers, Grimlock transforms into a robotic [[Popular beast alternate modes|''Tyrannosaurus rex'']] with a spring-loaded chompy-jaw. Notably, the dinosaur mode is designed to run rather than drag, following the more modern view of the ''T. rex''. A mechanized switch in the right [[robot mode]] wrist interacts with a spring-loaded feature in his fiery sword, revealing pop-out flames when the wrist is tilted. Purely by coincidence, a peg on his left leg is the exact [[5 mm post|right size]] to serve as a [[Powerlinx]] port for any [[Mini-Con]].

: The [[Instructions|instruction sheet]] for this toy has an error in step two, in which his mid-back region (with the three hash marks on either side) is shown as both unfolding backwards to form part of his feet ''and'' staying where it is. Also, despite a claim on the packaging that Grimlock's sword can be fitted into his [[beast mode]]'s mouth to simulate breathing fire, it does not actually tab in anywhere; however, you can still cram it in his mouth to get the same effect.

: Some Grimlocks have been reported with legs that are impossible to shorten into arms for robot mode. Others contract, but the two halves of the thighs/shoulders start to separate when they do. Others still have no problem. It looks like a quality control issue rather than a running change to fix the problem, as the most recently bought Grimlocks still suffer with this issue. This issue can be seen in the stock photo.

: Grimlock was released in the third wave of TakaraTomy's [[Transformers Animated (toyline)#TakaraTomy Animated toyline|''Animated'' toyline]]. He has a much brighter overall deco, with a silvery metallic overspray on his gray-plastic parts, plus brighter red paint and brighter, yellower gold paints... which do not match his unchanged, burgundy-red and desaturated-orange-ish-gold plastics. Oops.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/Grimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Grimlock at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|Goldfire}}
[[File:Animated-toy Goldfire Grimlock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.67|Recession? What recession? Me Grimlock just Goldman-Sachs executive.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Goldfire Grimlock''' (Voyager, <s>2010</s>)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Flaming sword

: A planned, but ultimately unreleased [[redeco]] of his Voyager toy, "Goldfire Grimlock" sports a gold and black color scheme, with a few silver parts too. Me, Grimlock, King!

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

====Activators====
{{anchor|Activator}}
[[File:Ani-toy Grimlock Activator.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Tonight, on Jurassic Fight Club: Nanotyrannus!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Grimlock''' (Activator, 2008)}}</ul>
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro), [[Takio Ejima]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Part of the third assortment of [[Activators]], this is a smaller, simplified version of the larger Grimlock toy. He features a spring-loaded partial [[Autotransformation|auto-transformation]] from beast to robot mode, activated by pressing the gold button on his dino-mode butt. His arms and legs still need to be repositioned manually between modes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/ActGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Activators Grimlock at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|Fireblast}}
[[File:Animated-toy FireblastGrimlock.JPG|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Pyrosaurus Rex]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Fireblast Grimlock''' (Activator, 2009)}}</ul>

: A fiery redeco of Activators Grimlock, with details based on cracked volcanic rock, was released in the sixth wave of Activators.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/ActFireblastGrimlock/grimlock.htm More information on Fireblast Grimlock at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|AnimatedSuperCollection}}
[[File:AnimatedSuperCollectionVol2Grimlock.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1d1|'''Animated Super Collection Vol. 2''' (Multi-pack, 2010)}}</ul>
:*''Release date'': [[October 2]], 2010
{{toydesigner|[[Alex Androski]] (deco artist)}}

: Released in the ninth wave of TakaraTomy's [[Transformers Animated (toyline)#TakaraTomy Animated toyline|''Animated'' toyline]], the "Animated Super Collection Vol. 2" giftset contains slight redecos of Activators Grimlock, [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Activators|Bulkhead]], [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Activators|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (Animated)#Activators|Starscream]]. The Autobot insignia on Grimlock's left flank went from silver to a more traditional red and white.

: While the [[stock photography]] of the individual toys showed Animated Super Collection Grimlock as being darker grey and bronze than its Hasbro counterpart, this seems to have been a trick of the lighting, as the released toy remained its standard colors.
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:Ben 10 Grimlock's Sword.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
* Grimlock took his name by forming a portmanteau out of a sentence spoken by Megatron: "My prospects are '''grim''', '''lock'''ed in this prison of a lab." Who knew he had it in him? For the entirety of seasons 1 and 2, he was the only Dinobot in the cartoon to have a name. This changed when Snarl finally received his name from Scrapper in mid-season 3. (Swoop wasn't named in the show at all.)
* He's still the only ''Animated'' Dinobot actually to speak. He may not talk pretty, but maybe he deserves some credit for making it THAT far.
* "Megatron Rising, Part 2" almost had a scene where Megatron fought (and thrashed) the Dinobots on Dinobot Island. It was cut for time.
* Grimlock's [[Mario Zucca|Italian voice actor]] is the same as [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]'s; a deliberate casting choice.
* And likewise goes for his [[Keiji Fujiwara|Japanese voice actor]]! Grimlock even shares the same verbal tic as Japanese Dinobot; a habit of saying "dā" at the end of his sentences.
*The Ask Vector Prime entry is a nod to how [[Derrick J. Wyatt]] would move on to produce ''Ben 10 Omniverse'', which features Grimlock's sword as an [[Easter egg]] in several episodes.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grimlock''' (グリムロック ''Gurimurokku'')

[[Category:Animated Autobots]]
[[Category:Dinobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]

Talk:Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers

2024-05-30T06:35:35Z

Banannixx: /* Where did the Dark of the Moon section go? */

How about the statement that Metrotitan is made of the ghosts of dead Decepticons? I know I've heard that thrown around a time or two back in the day.... [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 20:23, 24 July 2007 (UTC)

Thats Violinjyger and it's true.

Alright, how about something about how G2 is G2 and everything after the movie, while technically a second generation, is not "G2" (although I recall hearing that Pat Lee regarded it as such).--[[User:Zodberg|Zodberg]] 22:37, 24 July 2007 (UTC)

== Addition to the Beast Wars Section: Black Arachnia was inspired by an Asian stripper ==

Can some please add this? The guy from Mainframe said (you can find his post on A.T.T.) that their animator, WHO IS OF ASIAN DESCENT, was taken to a strip club before he worked on BA's animation model. There was NEVER any mention of an Asian stripper by ANYONE from Mainframe, EVER!
:I had forgotten this one, but it DID have a serious amount of play in the late 90's fandom... [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 07:42, 8 November 2010 (EST)
::90's fandom? I was hearing it through a good chunk of the 2000s. [[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] 18:29, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
:::I just heard it a few days ago. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 18:38, 7 May 2013 (EDT)

== French Starscream ==

I went ahead and removed the entry about Starscream. First of all, while I don't know about Bigbot's reliability... the sound clips ARE legit. And the French source you pulled from TFW2005 referred to Starscream being male in the CARTOON (ie "episodes") rather than the movie itself, which used an entirely different dub team.

I'm French Canadian, all my ancestors came to Canada from France, between the ages of three and ten, I rented the movie in French every single time I was at my grandparents' house. So I know what I'm talking about here. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 22:04, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
:I would also assume that the French fans interviewed to dispell that theory ALSO knew what they were talking about. And [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhOCYZRxypM this Youtube clip] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAodylu8rWw this other Youtube clip] don't make him sound very female to me. It's your word against both other French fans and evidence I just watched with my own eyes, man. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 22:25, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
::I dunno how many more bloody times I must say this, the French movie used a different dub team from either French dubs of the cartoon. I even pointed it out in Starscream's article. Yes, in the TV show he was a guy, but in the movie, the new dub team made him and Shrapnel girls. [http://www.bigbot.com/mp3/transformers_mp3.shtml#Femmes Listen to those clips for proof.] Those are legit from the TFTM I watched growing up. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 22:36, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

::::I tried to get Nevermore to clarify on this when he made the changes, but he was unable to provide more info. Can you confirm that Starscream was characterized / referred to as female in the movie, along with the feminine voice? I think it's important that we clarify the myth as "partly true" rather than just delete it, but I want to be sure we have it all nailed down. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 22:40, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
:::::Well, aside from the obvious voice, Megatron says to Starscream "Tu es une imbécile." In English, "an idiot" would be used to refer to a male or a female idiot, but in French the article varies in gender, were Starscream a male he would have said "Tu es un imbécile." instead of "une imbécile". ([[Wiki:French_articles_and_determiners#The_indefinite_article|French articles and determiners]])
:::::Shrapnel being female is OBVIOUS from the fact that Kickback calls him/her "Mademoiselle Shrapnel", which translates to "Miss Shrapnel".
:::::I'm trying to locate video clips of the French dub of TFTM to have more than just sound clips but so far I haven't found any... not sure where I could find a VHS tape in this day and age either... --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 22:55, 14 September 2007 (UTC)
::::::For those wondering why Shrapnel's being mentioned here, you can read [[Talk:Shrapnel_(G1)|this link]], which is how this whole issue was brought up in the first place. But note that I've never questioned (for I've had no reason to do so) movie Shrapnel's femininity.--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 23:17, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

==Repackaged old toys==
I think we should also have something on the notion that new-packaging releases of older toys are old unsold items taken back from store shelves, pulled from their cards, and RE-packaged onto new cards. I mean, this HAS to be bullshit. But I'm not sure of the best way to phrase it, since it's not a ridiculous argument that comes up very often. I wonder if Kyde has any insights on this. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 20:20, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
:I don't know that I've ''ever'' heard somebody claim that, but admittedly, I have been out of online TF discussions for a year or two, and have never read the web boards regularly. I think that unless this is something that actually comes up semi-frequently, there's not much reason to bring it up in the article. --[[User:Steve-o|Steve-o]] 22:19, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
::I've heard it said repeatedly that REDECOs are unsold toys that are sent back to Hasbro and repainted. Of course, I've only ever heard it said on Tformers. Those posters probably aren't competent enough to be held accountable for their actions. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 00:29, 14 December 2007 (UTC)
::I've seen it several times over the course of years. Certainly more than I've seen "Shrapnel's a girl in France" and "Geman movie omitted Starscream's death"... which is never before the wiki. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 23:07, 12 November 2007 (UTC)
:::Yeah, what Siph said. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 00:48, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
::::I've recently had a discussion with a common friend of ours, who is a longtime hardcore collector with inside contacts, and even ''he'' believed in the "repackaged toys are REpackaged in the literal sense" theory until I pointed out to him how expensive that would be. So I agree with Sipher here that it deserves a place on this page.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 00:25, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

==Featured Article?==
If we can get a few pictures... like the catalog image of blue-sided Bluestreak, Raiden in the Headmasters cartoon, a few other things... I think this page should have Featured status. It's important shit. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 22:54, 24 November 2007 (UTC)
:I'd say all the reference links are going to need alternate text before we can safely call this a featured article.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 00:03, 25 November 2007 (UTC)

=="Confirmed" myths?==
Would it be worth it to add urban legends that are actually true? (I'm thinking here things like "Sunstreaker and Sideswipe's/Starscream and Skywarp's tech specs were swapped, there was a Unicron toy planned during G1 that had an Orson Welles voice chip, etc.) Some of those things almost reach the status of urban legends in the fandom (not as much as they used to, now that information is easier to come by, but still.) Also, we need to add "Armada was supposed to tie together all previous TF continuities" or whatever the dumb rumor was. Also, maybe something to explain exactly what the RTV dubs really are (made in Malaysia, not Singapore, did they REALLY air in Hawaii/Mexico/wherever as I've seen people claim, etc.) [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 13:40, 26 November 2007 (UTC)
: Also, "There was a Transformers breakfast cereal with Bumblebee-shaped marshmallows and when you poured milk on it, they changed from car mode to robot mode." A kid at my school SWORE he had eaten this. [[User:Hooper X|-hx]] 13:42, 26 November 2007 (UTC)
::I have no evidence for it but I DO remember seeing a Commemorative Sideswipe at TRU. Having no interest in G1 at the time I didn't buy it (though it might;ve been some other commemorative Autobot; I dunno for sure but my memory genuinly has the image of sideswipe).--[[User:BlackStarscream|BlackStarscream]] 01:27, 7 June 2011 (EDT)

==TF:TM soundtrack evidence of "lost" scene==
The 10 seconds in question are from 02:29 to 02:39 in "Death of Optimus Prime" on the original soundtrack CD. There was at least one other release of the soundtrack, right? Can anyone check and see if the mysterious sequence is there too? Or, hell, if anyone has heard of DiCola giving an alternate explanation, please disabuse me of the whole notion. - [[User:Jackpot|Jackpot]] 19:39, 16 December 2007 (UTC)
:I'll have to dig out my copy of [[Lighting Their Darkest Hour: The Complete Music Score for TFTM]], but I seem to recall ''the entire album'' clocking in at several full minutes longer than the entire movie, and that's before one considers [[The Touch]] or any of the other songs. I recall from somewhere that DiCola once did an interview in which he talked about it being unusually difficult to score the film, and IIRC it was because he had to score based off of the storyboards rather than the finished footage. If so, it could be that DiCola simply over-estimated how long certain scenes would run and so scored for every sequence start-to-finish like that, at which point the score was trimmed to fit the actual timing for the sequences and to fit in around the other songs. [[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] 18:19, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
::I just had a thought. We know that there were a number of scenes which made it as far as the storyboard stage before being cut. Could DiCola have been given these scenes to score as well? If so, then the combination of "DiCola scoring scenes that were cut" and "DiCola misjudging the length of each scene" could easily explain why the full score is so much longer than the actual movie. [[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] 21:09, 10 July 2013 (EDT)

== Misconception? ==

"A misconception usually held by casual fans or nostalgic adults is that of the original 1980's cartoon being the best fiction and most influential/successful line to date, with all other successors being unpopular and/or unsuccessful ventures.
Some of this misconception is based on the fact that most of the original audience stopped watching and following the franchise after its cancellation, or even before (as it wasn't "cool" to be kiddy once the puberty hit). Without any exposure to the market, the toyline and the new cartoons, they simply assume that Transformers has sunk in both popularity, quality and sales, since it's not what they remember."

Any facts/sources to back this up? I'd bet that actual sales between the demise of G1 and Micheal Bay stepping in were significantly lower, which would seriously contradict what's being said here.

:According to lists that used to be published in Tomarts(?) magazine, Transformers has consistently placed in the top 3 boys toys properties since the beginning of Beast Wars. Robots in Disguise and Armada both reported record profits, though Energon and Cybertron didn't seem to match Armada's success. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 03:56, 16 March 2008 (UTC)
::How ''did'' Energon and Cybertron sell, anyway? It seems widely known that Armada sold like hotcakes, but nobody ever brings up the two sequels in that regard. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 20:44, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

==Team names and vowel breaks==
While I'm good with the "Seacons" inclusion... well, bot every Decepticon team had an "i" vowel break... like the Predacons. And not every team had a vowel break at all... like the Triggercons, and arguably the Firecons. On the other hand... were the Seacons the only ''two-syllable name'' team, where everyone else had three? Nothing else is springing to mind... --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 19:51, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
:Whether it's a "a" or an "i" is kinda moot; the point is that there ''was'' a break in all the teams before them. (FWIW, to a lazy Southern tongue like mine, the "i" and "a" are almost indistinguishable. It all comes out "uh-cons" regardless.) As for the contemporaneous Triggercons, there's no ambiguity in their name, as there's no vowel there to be misappropriated. Right or wrong, the extraneous "uh" in "see-uh-cons" comes from the "a" in "Sea". Last question: "Firecon" is only two syllables, innit? -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 20:03, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
::It's only two syllables if you're a dirty southerner. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 20:08, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
::I'm a Southerner, and I say it "Fie-er". Any rate, the point is the current entry says "all teams had 'i' vowel breaks". Which ain't true... I'm more inclined to believe it's a "three-plus syllables" pattern. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 20:11, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
:::(D'oh. Terrorcons!) --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 20:12, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
::::See, I think we should start calling the Pretender Monsters the Pretendicons, just to keep with the pattern. [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] 08:38, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

==Soundwave's buttons==
I think there are actually two separate issues at work here. I'd always been under the impression that G1 Soundwave underwent a running change in both the U.S. and Japan--going from the distinct, inset early buttons to the big protruding single chrome block later. After that change occurred, the mold was altered to turn it into Soundblaster. That was why Hasbro said at first they couldn't use the tooling anymore--because the door had been changed. The Takara bookbox reissue solved this by making a new version with a hybrid single door / late chrome button style, and also keeping another version with all of Soundblaster's features still around. Have I completely misunderstood the issue? --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] 14:35, 3 April 2009 (EDT)

== R-rating ==

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=40510

Huh.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 07:13, 8 June 2009 (EDT)
:Didn't they clarify that he was actually talking about Disturbia, Shia's OTHER PG-13 movie that came out that summer? - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 14:19, 8 June 2009 (EDT)

== Plagiarizing ==

Yeah. [http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/blog/9107] [http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/blog/9113] [http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/blog/9160] [http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/blog/9169] Awesome work stealing our content and adding your poorly written own stuff, sucker!--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 16:56, 13 July 2009 (EDT)
:I like how he added his own dumb "conclusions", which mostly contradict the copy+pasted text and are just completely wrong too. -[[User:Mazenoise|Mazenoise]] 17:38, 13 July 2009 (EDT)
::I've talked with some Brian guy over at that site, and he says he'll be deleting the blogs. Victoly? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 17:46, 13 July 2009 (EDT)
:::Hasn't happened yet.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 06:58, 14 July 2009 (EDT)
::::Surprise! --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 09:48, 14 July 2009 (EDT)
:::::Looks like it's been removed.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 13:10, 31 July 2009 (EDT)

== "Companies" section? ==

I've seen the misconception that Tomy bought Takara (rather than merging with them on equal terms) thrown around quite a few times...What else could go into such a section?

Additionally, thise page has grown quite large. Should we split it?--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 19:12, 26 July 2009 (EDT)

==Variations in Europe==

''Some toys were exclusively (or predominantly) available in the United Kingdom (sometimes also the Netherlands)''

As I understand it, one of the reasons why this one may have taken root is because when the franchise began Hasbro in the UK and continental Europe were not yet integrated and so the releases were separate - I think the UK may have even begun the toys in late 1984 (which would explain why the comic began in September that year rather than waiting for the toys advertised to arrive the next). Most of the sightings of toys being available in one market but not the other, though in my experience tend to be cases of the UK not getting toys seemingly available on the continent - e.g. issue #60 of the UK comic reports Blaster being available in Germany with German tech specs - rather than the other way round. [[User:Timrollpickering|Timrollpickering]] 08:04, 26 September 2009 (EDT)

Agreed. I saw Trypticon and Bruticus box-set on sale in Greece, and Deluxe Insecticons and Shockwave in France circa 1986. None of these were ever available in the UK. [[User:J'mie|J'mie]] 08:18, 26 September 2009 (EDT)
:But this section is not referring to European releases of regular US toys. It's referring to Euro-exclusive toys like the "Classic" reissues, Turbomasters etc.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 02:52, 9 May 2010 (EDT)

==Here's an old one I just remembered==
Since the Diaclone & Microchange molds have copyright dates from the 70s on them, the original toys are from the 70s as well. That one's been pretty well debunked by actual release date info, but we should probably have something on the wiki explaining the reason that toys from '82 were marked '78 or whenever. It's something to do with how Japanese patent or copyright law or whatever worked at the time, IIRC - since Microchange STARTED in the late 70s, all the toys, no matter whne they dropped, had the copyright date of the initial product. At least, I think that's how it worked. [[User:Hooper X|Hooper_X]] 10:51, 30 September 2009 (EDT)
:Correct. Japanese copyright stamping at the time went by year of the brand's inception, not the year the toy per se was created. (I'm not sure if that's still the case in Japan. For any toys produced for non-Asian markets, it seems they're adhering to the date of manufacture rather than brand inception. At least, I can't recall the last time I saw a new TakaraTomy or Bandai toy with an old copyright date on it.)--[[User:Apcog|Apcog]] 11:01, 30 September 2009 (EDT)
::Right. and shortly after posting this, I see it's already on there. It seems like we might need a more logical organizing process for this thing - maybe a "pre-Transformers" section before G1 to cover stuff like this exactly. Kind of track it through the history of the series, rumors about pre-TF toylines first, then rumors about TF development (John Romita drawing the character models, f'rinstance) and then kind of an era-by-era as appropriate. [[User:Hooper X|Hooper_X]] 11:40, 30 September 2009 (EDT)

== Blue Bluestreak ==

My brain is too fried from using Linux to make the appropriate edit right now and have it come out not terrible, but I think it's weird that the article acts like we have absolutely no idea why the rumor of a blue '''''Blue'''''streak would be more widespread than the rumor of a dark gray Astrotrain. (And this is the part where someone assumes I don't know what his name means.) --[[User:Andrusi]]

Because it DID exist as a Diaclone, and some rumors existed of a VERY FEW making it out in TF boxes, including an ex-Hasbro employee. See: http://tfsource.com/blog/diaclone-car-robots-part-1/ --[[User:Chrusher]]

== Can we get this page locked down? ==

Pages of this nature should never be open to anonymous edits, because somebody, somewhere, will take offense to us "lecturing them" on why they're wrong. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 20:51, 4 July 2010 (EDT)
:That probably won't stop them from making an account just to do the exact same thing anyway. --[[User:LokitheGrammarNazi|LokitheGrammarNazi]] 16:49, 18 September 2010 (EDT)

== Japanese dub of Animated ==

Japanese Animated is a separate continuity from the Movieverse, right? But there was some early coverage that claimed otherwise, which still has people fooled? Is that correct?--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 16:41, 30 October 2010 (EDT)

== "Transformers was nearly rated R by the MPAA." ==

It sounds like this is true, so does it belong here as a misconception or urban legend? - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 02:00, 8 November 2010 (EST)
:Because it's Shia's OTHER film, Disturbia, that was almost rated R. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 02:08, 8 November 2010 (EST)

== Neo/Car Robots Connection- ==

While I am not disputing that it is not a direct sequel, it might be worth noting that this one does have *some* vague credence, as it does include time-travelling Predacons/Destron(gers) as well as the semi-cameo by Heinlad in the pilot. I would imagine that these elements were included, in part at least, to help the transition from the "Beast Era" fiction to generation-spanning mash-up land. Which, still, a sequel does not make, I grant you. But it might be worth mentioning that there are elements beyond "animation style" that point towards this misconception, the Heinlad 'cameo', especially--[[User:Destrongerlupus|Destrongerlupus]] 15:44, 12 November 2010 (EST)

== War for Cybertron is a prequel to the G1 cartoon/War for Cybertron is part of G1 ==

This section comes across as very pedantic, almost like "Hasbro declared it part of Prime, therefore it is. All the contradictions with the Prime cartoon and the similarities with G1 mean nothing, as they are overruled by Hasbro's official verdict". Yes, I know Hasbro has the last word, but seriously...--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 09:32, 28 November 2010 (EST)
:But that is the case. WFC has superficial similarities to G1 so casual fans automatically ASSume that it is part of that continuity. Hell, many of them don't realize that there are multiple G1 continuities. As the Prime franchise integrates and synthesizes elements from all previous continuity families, there are bound to be similarities to G1. However, the franchise is so new that it is hard to get a feel on what it is. Hasbro's statements as to what belongs where is all that we really have to go on as of yet. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 09:38, 28 November 2010 (EST)

::I think the section as it is currenty described is pointless. It is G1 cartoon-centric and the reasons why WFC is not G1 also apply to nearly all the G1 comics! [[Special:Contributions/82.15.221.203|82.15.221.203]] 11:56, 29 November 2010 (EST)
:::Except people don't seem to think that WFC is in Marvel or IDW continuity. When people think it's G1, they think it's cartoon G1. The only other G1 universe I ever see people try to fit it into is War Within, and the section discusses that as well. The reason for it being cartoon-centric is because most people are under the belief that it is part of the cartoon. WFC cannot fit into any G1 universe and it's confirmed to not be a new one. The comics, while presenting different views, are G1. WFC may seem like another interpretation, but that's been debunked. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 12:19, 29 November 2010 (EST)
:As I understand it, the creators were creating it as part of G1, as far as they were concerned. As far as I am concerned, creators of a licensed Transformers product made a G1 story, so it is a G1 story. The wiki's position on the matter really does boil down to "Hasbro declared it part of the modern continuity, therefore it is." - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 12:52, 29 November 2010 (EST)
::It was ''specifically a sequel to the original cartoon'', as far as the video game folks were concerned, despite the Jetfire and the Aerialbots and the Stunticons and the totally new origin for Optimus prime. The video game folks can be wrong. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 12:59, 29 November 2010 (EST)
:::So it had a sloppy/loose, video-game-level of attention to continuity. The cartoon itself has conflicting origins. Anyway, the section should probably say something about the video game folks and their press statements, since the "War for Cybertron is G1" myth didn't come out of nowhere. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 13:08, 29 November 2010 (EST)
Here's a possible rephrasing: "High Moon Studios, the creators of the WFC game, intended for it to be a prequel to the G1 Sunbow cartoon, and the two share some broad similarities (though they are irreconcilable in detail). However, Hasbro has declared that WFC is a micro-continuity in the Prime franchise, not G1, and ''ex cathedra'' pronouncements from Hasbro trump authorial intent." [[User:JW|JW]] 14:23, 29 November 2010 (EST)
:I think it's more likely that they advertised it as being part of the cartoon, because that's the most well-known Transformers fiction and would appeal to 80s kids. I don't know how it can be developed as a prequel considering the blatant inconsistencies. --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 14:36, 29 November 2010 (EST)
::War Within is a "G1 prequel" even though it clashes with the cartoon. The difference is that there's actual "G1" fiction that is in continuity with War Within (namely, Dreamwave G1). Besides, War for Cybertron clashes with the Prime cartoon just as much as it clashes with the G1 cartoon, so the only thing we have is Hasbro's official word overruling it. Aaaaaaaand then we have the recent case of Hasbro stating that various characters aren't in the movieverse despite official fiction placing them there. So yeah.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 07:17, 2 December 2010 (EST)
:::Thinking about it again, I think the main problem I have is that pretty much everything else on this page is blatantly false and directly disproven by factual evidence. In the case of WFC, all we have is Hasbro in their ever-vague continuity mish-mash official-speak declaring it part of the Prime continuity. Since this is the same Hasbro that claims Hunt for the Decepticon toys who appeared in movieverse fiction or who are tied to movieverse characters via their bios aren't part of the movieverse, I'd say we require more substantial evidence for this to actually belong on this page as a cut-and-dry "misconception". The only other comparable case I can think of is "Car Robots is a Beast Wars Neo sequel", where we list all the arguments disproving it and then only mention the official Takara retcon-via-official-timeline in a postscript sentence.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 10:45, 2 December 2010 (EST)
::::Yea, I don't see how anyone can say "WFC is G1" is blatantly false after watching [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctkjNF9JSPE this commercial]. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 11:36, 3 December 2010 (EST)
:::::I don't see how that commercial proves which continuity the game fits in. Yes, it is obviously HOMAGING G1, but that doesn't make it G1. The Prime franchise draws inspiration from everything that came before. If anything, Starscream's comment "Again?" would point to it NOT being G1. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 11:05, 4 December 2010 (EST)
::::::You are assuming WFC is part of Prime's continuity and then saying WFC homages G1 because Prime's continuity draws from everything that came before. The question is whether WFC is part of Prime. I think the commercial is promoting WFC as G1. Hasbro says WFC is part of the "modern continuity". I used to think that meant something close to "in continuity with the Prime cartoon", but after the latest Q&A, I'm not exactly sure what "modern continuity" and "[[Hasbro Q&A/November 2010: Answers|modern world continuity]]" are supposed to mean. Hasbro just doesn't think in the same terms regarding categories.
::::::I think if the wiki just looked at WFC itself and how it was promoted, it could easily be put in the G1 continuity family, at least as much as IDW. IDW has different origins for Galvatron, Cyclonus, Goldbug, Headmasters. It homages Pretenders and female Transformers and easter-eggs Action Masters ("[[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|altmodes are for wimps]]") without any actual (confirmed?) Action Masters. The Micromasters aren't even Cybertronian Transformers. Then there's [http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=143991#143991 this]:
::::::{{quote|I don't consider IDW's take as "G1". the stories are not a continuation of the ones from the 80's cartoon or the Marvel stuff. they didn't crash on earth 4 millions years ago and get lodged in a volcano, it doesn't even fit into Beast wars. sure it's got the same names and elements from G1, but that can also be said with every other series that came and went since G1. Armada, Energon, Cybertron, Animated, the Movie.. All have elements of G1 in them, all have an Optimus who's a red truck and there's a Yellow car that younger people can relate to. references to Matrixes, Unicrons..etc, but they're not G1.|DonFig}} Don's reasoning for IDW not being G1 is the exact same sort of stuff in this article about WFC not being G1, yet IDW is still classified as G1. I'm not saying the wiki should reclassify IDW. I'm just saying that saying "WFC is part of G1" isn't some obvious myth. Maybe the wiki should just classify War for Cybertron as its own thing with notes saying the developers considered it in the spirit of Generation 1 and Hasbro kinda sorta lumped it in with modern stuff. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 12:03, 4 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::Actually that's not what I was saying, I'll try to clarify. That commercial has a design sense that is clearly influenced by G1. Starscream's "again?" comment shows that it is not actually G1, and is thus an homage. Other elements of the game are homages of other parts of TF history (Demolishor and Slipstream for Armada and Animated for example). This mix of homages to various eras is similar to that seen in the Prime cartoon. Hasbro's comments that WFC is part of Prime's continuity family clarifies all of the above. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:19, 4 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::Except that Hasbro ''also'' says that certain characters ''aren't'' part of the movieverse but belong to the "modern-world continuity" even though they appeared in official movieverse fiction. So if Hasbro is giving out contradictory information, how can we consider something that hinges entirely on Hasbro's official world "definite"?--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 13:33, 4 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::I think you are reading too much into Starscream's "Again?". I didn't think that when I heard it. It is just Starscream upset because Shockwave is going to request "The Touch" again or something. - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 14:17, 4 December 2010 (EST)

Pretty much the entire purpose of Exodus is to lay the foundation for this new "modern continuity" by taking War for Cybertron's story and differentiating it from G1. This is a ''conscious effort'', folks. It's not like we're just taking one statement and running with it.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 16:21, 4 December 2010 (EST)
:So if Exodus took the War for Cybertron story and de-G1-ified it, where does that leave War for Cybertron itself? - [[User:Starfield|Starfield]] 16:38, 4 December 2010 (EST)
::As the backstory to Prime. WFC may not have originally been ''intended'' as that, but Exodus is the link that establishes it as the first bit of Hasbro's ''new'' continuity rather than a continuation of a prior continuity.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 21:51, 4 December 2010 (EST)
:::There's also their identical Cybertron designs: [[Cybertron_(planet)#Prime]] --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 09:23, 7 December 2010 (EST)
The current rewrite pleases me. [[User:JW|JW]] 10:11, 6 December 2010 (EST)
:''Some have taken this misconception further and believed War for Cybertron is an actual prequel for the original cartoon.'' ... for example, the game developers themselves! --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 10:20, 6 December 2010 (EST)
::Much better now. The only thing missing as far as I'm concerned is a note on Hasbro's own murky attitude towards "continuity" (PCCs and HftD characters allegedly not being part of the movieverse) and the whole wibbly-wobbly nature of the whole shebang.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 06:51, 7 December 2010 (EST)
::: That'd be a whole 'nother topic heading, and I'm not sure "The notion of separate and well-defined continuities is far more developed in fandom and on this wiki than within the walls of Hasbro, and thus we are obsessively mapping boundaries that don't really exist," is a topic we'd have much fun visiting. [[User:JW|JW]] 07:08, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::: [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-prime-discussion/346862-seems-hasbro-changed-their-mind.html MY BRAIN HURTS]--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 14:00, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::Well of course they're not in continuity. BUT that doesn't mean they don't belong to the same continuity family. --[[User:Detour|Detour]] 14:08, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::Hasbro ''UK''. Who has all of ''no'' say in anything along those lines. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 14:11, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::Why would Hasbro UK have any less say about continuity than, say, Takara, whose pronouncements we document?--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] 15:28, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::PS: I'm not saying that we should take it too seriously, there's the whole 'private correspondence' thing, I'm just finding the idea that Hasbro UK has no say in the matter odd.--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] 15:30, 7 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::The massive ineptitude and halfassery that they carry themselves with in everything they do, say or have any part of. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] 15:32, 7 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::Takara creates things. Hasbro US creates things. They are both proactive partners in creating Transformers IP. Hasbro UK is their dumb unemployed cousin who can't keep his thumb out of his own ass. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 15:34, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=75073&st=0 Hasbro US agrees.] --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 10:12, 8 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::Can we at least agree that this whole thing is vastly confusing, Hasbro's official stance has flaws and there's been contradictory information given out by the dumb unemployed UK brother?--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 11:03, 8 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::Also: [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-prime-discussion/346862-seems-hasbro-changed-their-mind-8.html#post5453604] From Pete Sinclair: {{quote|What I have been told is one continuity, the modern continuity, containing these 3 stories. Hasbro does not deal with Universal streams or continuity families. They only deal with, and are concerned with, the modern continuity...}}--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 14:24, 8 December 2010 (EST)
::::::HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
::::::HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
::::::HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 14:17, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::Yes, because e-mail correspondences with marketing guys (from Hasbro UK, no less) are reliable arbiters of Transformers information. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 14:58, 7 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::More insanity: [[Cliffjumper (Prime)]] has a link in his toy entry to [[Cliffjumper (G1)]], implying that Takara's United version of Generations Cliffjumper represents an incarnation of G1 Cliffjumper. Is there any evidence supporting this, or are we automatically assuming that all Takara toys represent incarnations of G1 characters unless explicitly stated otherwise? To make matters more complicated, G1 Cliffjumper's page contains no entry for United Cliffjumper.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 08:25, 8 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/products/united/un01.html The website links between "Earth Mode" and "Cybertron Mode" toys.] Takara doing their own thing is not a new occurrence. [[User:Interrobang|—Interrobang]] 08:34, 8 December 2010 (EST)
:::::::::For what it's worth, [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74770 Figure Oh!] explicitly advertises Cliffjumper as appearing in the DS version of WFC.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 10:29, 8 December 2010 (EST)
::::::::::Not worth a lot. They're simply pointing out the real-world genesis of the toy. Frankly, IF we see any kind of fiction-use of said models, it'll likely be in some manga set in some continuity that is just as irreconcilable (or blatantly new) as Henkei was... if it's not set in Henkei's timeline anyway. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 14:15, 8 December 2010 (EST)

== Transformers Prime Toyline existence==

Should the persistent belief that Transformers: Prime will not have a toyline be added here, or is it only TFW that gets like five threads devoted to that topic on a daily basis? -[[User:Ratbatman|Ratbatman]] 11:05, 30 November 2010 (EST)
:Until there is an announced toyline, instead of the "We're not making toys" one we got, it's not a misconception or an urban legend. It's fact based on the available information [[User:Eire]] 16:18 30 Nov 2010.
:: THEY NEVER SAID THEY WEREN'T MAKING TOYS. NEVER EVER. Jesus Christ, in the exact same panel in which people THOUGHT Hasbro said they weren't making toys, Eric Siebenaler even said that he couldn't wait for people to see Bulkhead Prime's action figure! ALL THEY SAID WAS THAT THEY WERE '''NOT TALKING ABOUT TOYS RIGHT THIS MOMENT''', not that there would NEVER BE TOYS. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 11:22, 30 November 2010 (EST)
:::That's the thing, some people still believe that Hasbro isn't going to make any toys for the Prime franchise. I'd support the addition of a section clarifying this for those people. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 12:14, 30 November 2010 (EST)
::::Seems like the sort of thing that's going to have a relatively short lifespan, as we're probably going to see the Prime toys at Toyfair.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 12:31, 30 November 2010 (EST)
:::::At that point, the "Hasbro said they weren't making any Prime toys and they're liars!" begins. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 13:22, 30 November 2010 (EST)
::::::What are you getting so worked up about? If they said there are no toys in the works at the moment, it one doesn't contradict my statement of no sign of toys to come, because there isn't because they haven't revealed any, and two if it does contradict me, so what? It's exactly...nothing. Certainly nothing to get remotely excited about. Or is this mainstream forum backlash. I should point out, I avoid the big forums, so if this has been kicked up fifty billion times over there, I wouldn't know about it. [[User:Eire]] 18:31 30 Nov 2010.
:::::::I'm pretty sure someone from Hasbro (Aaron Archer?) said that there would be Prime figures, but they were holding off until after the current blitz of 2010/Generations/PCC and (possibly) the upcoming DOTM line. Can anyone back me up on this with a reference? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 13:44, 30 November 2010 (EST)
:::::::They never said "there are no toys in the works at the moment," they said they weren't talking about it.--[[User:Carrion|Carrion]] 14:31, 30 November 2010 (EST)
::::::::This. This this this this this. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 14:59, 30 November 2010 (EST)
Now that you say it, I do think you're right, Walky. I'm probably always going to want to stab ''someone'' in the eyeball with a nail file over this. Which, I guess, is our criteria for this article, come to think of it.--[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 04:23, 1 December 2010 (EST)

==Nimoy Unicron lines?==
I know it's been debunked over the years, but we probably ought to put the "Leonard Nimoy dubbed some of Orson Welles' lines because they were unusable" rumor to bed on this page somewhere. -hx at work

==Targets for bloat removal==
Okay, I'm putting together a list of items of dubious existence on this page. There's a lot of stuff that just seems... small. Certainly trivia-worthy on relevant pages, but not big enough to really warrant being here. Let's hear some arguments for keeping...
* Powermaster Optimus Prime was the first, original Optimus Prime toy.
* A "giant"-sized Optimus Prime toy was available during Generation 1.
* A winged variant of Sludge was available during Generation 1.
* The reissue Soundwave toys released by Takara are reverse-engineered from Soundblaster because the original molds are lost.
* Commemorative Series Side Swipe was found at Toys"R"Us stores in the USA.
* Some toys were exclusively (or predominantly) available in the United Kingdom (sometimes also the Netherlands).
:There's certainly some confusion about the way releases were handled on this side of the Atlantic, not least because it took time for the various markets and even companies to be aligned, and this has created confusion in later years when everything's been gathered under a single listing called "Europe". I'm not sure the current paragraphs really convey this well - indeed the myths in the 1980s and early 1990s (mainly through the UK letterspage) tended to be based around the continent getting toys the UK didn't rather than the other way round and some of this got reproduced in the internet era. But would "All countries in Europe received a single set of releases in the 1980s" be obscure in itself and/or oversummarising the mess? [[User:Timrollpickering|Timrollpickering]] 15:48, 9 May 2013 (EDT)
* Transformers were meant as a "genderless" race. Arcee and the other female Transformers were added to the brand because feminists complained about the Transformers all being male. (''When the fuck was this ever proposed?'')
:I actually heard this from someone else a few years ago, so it's been making the rounds. Given that the G1 cartoon seemingly went out of its way to avoid adding female characters at first (no recurring female characters for 1984, and Carly not appearing until several episodes into the 1985 season) while other franchises were gender-integrated from the get-go (such as with G. I. Joe or He-Man), I can see where this misconception might have first started. [[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] 18:28, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
* The Transformers: The Movie/Scatman Crothers coined the term "ginormous", which has since been added to several dictionaries.
* An Earthforce story was written to promote the non-combining Constructicon toys.
:--[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 03:35, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
:Also, several of the entries not on this list can really use some trim. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 04:53, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
::"A "giant"-sized Optimus Prime toy was available during Generation 1." seems particularly unneeded since it directly follows the bit about 20th Anniversary Optimus, which is pretty much the same misconception. The only part that is really new is the the giant bootleg thing, and that could just be added to the 20th Anniversary section if needed. [[User:Soundwarp SG-1|Soundwarp SG-1]] 12:37, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
::For me this has been one of the most interesting pages over the years, so I'm sad to see anything go, but yeah, some like the Alternators Windcharger thing would make more sense just on individual character pages. On "Winged Sludge": was that really more of a source of confusion than any other Four Star knock-off? Should that myth possibly be expanded to something like, "Four Star's toys using Transformer molds were legit Diaclone variants sold at the same time as their TF counterparts," since some listings of their toys throw up "Diaclone" as a keyword? [[User:Bumblevivisector|Bumblevivisector]] 20:01, 7 May 2013 (EDT)
::I think this page should focus on the large scale, line wide myths. Things particular to one character (or one actor, in the case of Scatman Crothers) should be moved to the specific page. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] 17:55, 9 May 2013 (EDT)

==The G1 series being dubbed anime==
I remembered something when I read this entry in the list. Back when Rhino was releasing the 1986 movie and the first few batches of episodes on VHS, the local chain of the Suncoast video retailer had everything "Transformers" stocked in their anime section. Back then I honestly took it to mean that Transformers was anime, and another collector I spoke with at the time thought the same.

For those who had Suncoast chains in their area during the Rhino years, did your chain similarly stock G1 in the "anime" section? If so, then Suncoast might have inadvertently contributed to the propagation of this myth. [[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] ([[User talk:Ironhold|talk]]) 13:24, 5 May 2014 (EDT)
:I'm pretty sure being a cartoon with a lot of behind-the-scenes associations with Japan had much more to do with the "the propagation of this myth" than your local overpriced retailer. [[User:Mimi|Mimi]] ([[User talk:Mimi|talk]]) 14:58, 5 May 2014 (EDT)

== "Megatron is named from Megas" ==

Does this count as a misconception? This was written on Wikipedia about fans missauming it but Megatron is actually a portemeau of megaton and tron.

== IDW Hasbroverse ==

Though I'm not going to argue against the point that the existing IDW TF continuity getting rebooted isn't the fault of the Hasbroverse, the phrase "unsustainable downwards spiral" regarding pre-Hasbroverse sales is pretty hyperbolic and somewhat ignorant of the general comics industry. The graph linked to in the footnote shows sales steadily declining at about 1k a year. Across the 4 years from DoOP to Revolution, that's a drop of about a third. That may sound bad, but that's actually better than average. Pretty much every American monthly comic (apart from the Walking Dead) loses readers as it goes. Many from Marvel and DC will see bigger percentage drops in readership than that in the space of one year, let alone four, and not only keep on going, but be considered successes. If a phrase as overblown as "unsustainable downwards spiral" is apt for anything, it's the post-Revolution sales, which see that level of decline within about a year, which, more supports the "misconception" being argued against here. If this is going to be "debunked" it needs to be with first hand evidence (a quote from someone at IDW) rather than tenuous supposition from sales charts. [[User:Danja|Danja]] ([[User talk:Danja|talk]]) 11:00, 2 April 2018 (EDT)

== Bay's Opinion on the 1986 movie ==

I suddenly remembered someone said that Michael Bay hated the 1986 Animated movie. Don't know who said that, but I can consider this as a rumor since there is no official word about him genuinely hating the flick. [[User:FigureGunplaFan|FigureGunplaFan]] ([[User talk:FigureGunplaFan|talk]]) 12:53, 22 May 2018 (EDT)

== Cliffjumper's deaths in "every" continuity ==

Uh, yeah. There are some people who still think that Cliffjumper dies in every show or comic that existed. Is it worth mentioning? [[User:FigureGunplaFan|FigureGunplaFan]] ([[User talk:FigureGunplaFan|talk]]) 01:56, 28 July 2020 (EDT)

== Bumblebee Not Confirmed as Reboot ==

I'm not entirely sure what's not clear about a 'new storytelling universe' meaning a reboot of some sort. It surely means other than the existing Bayverse even if it borrows elements from it. {{unsigned|Myouens78}}

== Lorenzo sabotaged Peter Cullen's Audition ==

I see this brought up on various fan sites, in discussions about why fans hate Lorenzo di Bonaventura. The source of this comes from an interview with Don Murphy, someone who is from what I've read is pretty biased himself. The basic story is Mr. Murphy refers to Mr. Bonaventura as Scorponok, who wanted Liam Neeson as Optimus Prime, for starpower, while Mr. Murphy believed they should get Cullen back in the role. There is a story that Lorenzo sabotaged Mr. Cullen's audition, by making sure the other person who was supposed to read the lines not show up, but Peter Cullen managed to play both characters (Optimus Prime and Ironhide) and impressed Michael Bay to reprise the role for the live action theatrical film. I see this story repeated verbatim in the fandom without a source should this warrant a place on this page? And does anyone have a refutable source for this story?

[[User:96megatron|96megatron]] ([[User talk:96megatron|talk]]) 11:16, 14 November 2020 (EST)

== bumblebee losing his voice at the end of fall of cybertron. ==

Funny enough, there exist some people who think bumblebee lost his voice to Megatron WHILE protecting optimus prime, despite earlier dialogue from ratchet stated that he in fact lost his voice even before bumblebee protect optimus from Megatron's blast. If anything, it's basically already confirmed in prime that he indeed lost his voice between war for cybertron and fall of cybertron. Should I add it? Mikey. 11:02, 18 November 2020 (EST)

== How about actually explaining this one... ==

"Chris Ryall was kicked out of IDW because he conspired to break Hasbro mandates. He really wasn't, guys. In fact, he was outright surprised by the idea that this was a rumor going around"

Anyone else find this decidedly unhelpful? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 12:12, 30 November 2020 (EST)

== The Vok ==

Okay, I've read this section several times and I'm a bit confused. If I'm understanding things properly, the concept of the Vok serving the One wasn't what was meant at the time but it is what various retcons have made it mean after the fact. Is that right? If so, that doesn't seem like it belongs on a page of misconceptions. It seems more like it belongs on a list of [[canonization|canonized]] fan concepts. Or am I still misunderstanding what the section is saying? --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 13:52, 4 November 2021 (EDT)
:The bigger problem is that it's not a wide-spread misconception. Nobody outside the wiki knows or cares about this. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 13:56, 4 November 2021 (EDT)
::No, they do not serve the Vok. That was the misconception. I was trying to explain why it was ''thought'' to be the case when it really wasn't. The sharing of the same author and the close release of PD Part 3 to The Ultimate Guide helped to confuse people into thinking that both were talking about the same thing (as in, the same "One") when they weren't. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 13:58, 4 November 2021 (EDT)

==Heavy editing==
Clearly a huge amount of time and effort was put into this page, so I feel a little bad saying this but... pretty major chunks of it should be removed. "There was a Blue Bluestreak and Prime's body crumbled" were urban legends. The role of High Moon Studios in game development and tracking the minutia of when Overbite was named Jawbreaker and critiquing DOTM Prime's strategy during the battle of Chicago are not. The opening paragraph even states "some of these urban legends were short lived but we are archiving them forever anyway" - no, we shouldn't do that, we should only be archiving corrections for mistakes that still exist or at least that existed for solid decades. I feel like almost everything about BW2 and Neo, and much on the live-action movies, and basically everything about packaging variations, can just go. But again, given how much time was spent in writing it, it would be fair to talk about that here first before actually doing it. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 07:48, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
: This has been on my mind the last day or so (thus the pruning) but I've been bounced around with way too much stuff offline to devote a lot of time to it or even really work up a proposal. But since you've opened that door... yes. I think there's a lot in here that feels like overelaborated "someone was wrong on the internet once" rather than stuff that had a noteworthy combination of ''reach, longevity, and just general importance''. "This specific Optimus toy has more die-cast than that specific Optimus toy" is... uh... ''niche''.
: I'm not willing to say "it must have been around for decades" is enough to drop something from the page because, like, I think some of the live-action movie stuff certainly has the ''reach'' angle. The "R-rated cut" of the 2007 movie? Yeah, I think that's worth keeping. "Bumblebee was a reboot"? That's all over the place and probably ''will'' be even after this latest movie likely avoids addressing the issue. High Moon? The "the games are G1" claim got reach. The BWJ stuff, I wouldn't delete most of it as quite a bit of it ''was'' widespread (other than the "Blentrons are made from angolmois", that's... both minor and I'd certainly never heard that one). But I WOULD say some of what gets kept could REALLY stand being condensed. Even with stuff that ''does'' feel like it fits, there's a lot of massive blocks of text here that the eye starts to slide off of after a point.
:Honestly, I feel like any new additions to this page need ''serious'' discussion as to whether or not they should be added, as with "Ruined FOREVER." (I actually have a possible addition I'm on the fence about, but let's focus on the cuts first.) --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 08:36, 3 September 2022 (EDT)

As the person who reorganized this page's structure, I agree that a lot of these misconceptions are either bogus or severely outdated and make this page less useful.
Here is my personal list of misconceptions I think should be pruned:

-''Hasbro lost the rights to a lot of G1 Transformers names. That is why you see toys named "Autobot Jazz" or "Decepticon Brawl" these days. Takara is more competent than Hasbro and doesn't need to change their toys' names.''

-''The racing number on Diaclone and Generation 1 Smokescreen's doors was changed to "38" for legal reasons, just like "Martinii", "Citanes", "Marlboor" and "Alitalla".''

-''The reissue Soundwave toys released by Takara are reverse-engineered from Soundblaster because the original molds are lost.''

-''The Generation 1 Seacon Overbite was released under the name "Jawbreaker" in some European markets, and the Sparkabots were sold as "Sparkler Mini-Bots".''

-''A green variant of Trailbreaker was available in some European countries.''

-''The Generation 2 Autobot and Decepticon insignias were originally created by Hasbro UK, whose license for using the original faction insignias owned by Hasbro US had expired.''

-''The orange Generation 2 Constructicons were exclusive to KB Toys''

-''A yellow version of Alternators Tracks was released to North American stores (but then recalled by Hasbro).''

-''Masterpiece Convoy 1.0 has more diecast parts than 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece Convoy is made almost entirely out of diecast/20th Anniversary Optimus Prime is made entirely out of plastic.''

-''Hasbro omitted Alternators Windcharger's gun barrel for safety reasons.''

-''The original The Transformers series was redubbed anime which originated in Japan, just like Battle of the Planets, Voltron, Robotech and other such shows screened in the '80s.''

-''Transformers were meant as a "genderless" race. Arcee and the other female Transformers were added to the brand because feminists complained about the Transformers all being male.''

-''Some portions of Unicron's dialogue were recorded by an actor other than Orson Welles''

-''The Transformers: The Movie/Scatman Crothers coined the term "ginormous", which has since been added to several dictionaries.''

-''Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus are both members of a "Space Mafia".''

-''Metrotitan is a zombie version of Metroplex''

-''The German version of The Transformers: The Movie was edited and didn't depict Starscream's death scene.''

-Anything in the "early internet misconceptions" category

-''The Robots in Disguise toyline was known as "Transformers 2000" in Japan.''

-''Unlike the English version, Gigatron (Megatron) has multiple personalities, a different one for each of his modes.''

-''John Romita designed the Generation 1 character models.''

-''Chris Ryall was kicked out of IDW because he conspired to break Hasbro mandates.''

: A few counters to some of these:
:*''Hasbro lost the rights to a lot of G1 Transformers names.'' - The core ''idea'' of this is sound and fits (and Hasbro ''did'' lose the rights to some), as a lot of people don't understand how Trademark works. But it should probably be reworked and tightened to be a (brief) primer on the name rights situation that links to the way more elaborate Trademark page.
:*''A yellow version of Alternators Tracks was released to North American stores'' - I'm iffy on this, just because it was, for a while, a bit of a "holy grail" item that didn't actually exist. Not married to keeping it though.
:*''The original The Transformers series was redubbed anime which originated in Japan'' - No, I think this is probably worth keeping.
:*''Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus are both members of a "Space Mafia".'' - This was around ''forever'', and was kind of a big "omg so wacky" point to boot. It had legs. Should be kept.
:*''Metrotitan is a zombie version of Metroplex'' - I think a case can be made for keeping.
:*''The Robots in Disguise toyline was known as "Transformers 2000" in Japan.'' - Another one that's had staying power, and probably should stay here. Possibly reworked slightly though.
:Possibly others (the Ryall thing is a maybe but it's not an area of TF I really have much knowledge of or interest in). --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 17:06, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
::Speaking as the one who added the Ryall thing, yeah, drop it - it hasn't been relevant in years and everyone who was Mad Online about the Hasbroverse has forgotten about it anyway. --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 20:18, 3 September 2022 (EDT)

The early misconceptions category was a workaround for a bunch of things I thought were too bogus to keep but I had no authority to remove, so those are specially prunable in my book.[[User:MrRald|MrRald]] ([[User talk:MrRald|talk]]) 10:08, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
::Unicron's dialogue legend should stay, I see that all over the place to this day and one of the VAs themselves (I think John Moschitta) was spreading it. That is much more worthy than "The BW2 characters were actually from the BW timeline," which... is honestly understandable as an error but doesn't seem to have gotten much prominence then or now. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 10:13, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
:::No, I'd argue at the very least that the BW2 timeline thing (and not really anything else) should stay, because that influenced IDW's first series at the very least. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 10:17, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
A lot of these are things that should be on specific pages, this page should focus on broader misconceptions.--[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 11:01, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
:A lot of people to this day still believe and insist that most of the Japanese Beast Wars-related misconceptions are true and always have been. I still see people claiming such on TFW, Facebook, and various Discord servers (including our own!). Specifically the ones about BWII/Neo taking place before Beast Machines, Optimus Primal appearing in the BWII movie right after he crashed into the alien machine, and Unicron being resurrected in Galvatron's corpse (literally ''just'' had an in-person conversation with Tony Preto about that one at BotCon last week).
:As for the others, Optimus Primal and Megatron being G1 Optimus Prime and Megatron in Japan was '''''all over''''' ATT back in the day. Before Season 2 finally aired in Japan, several folks were wondering just how the Japanese dub was possibly going to handle the events of "The Agenda", and the BWII movie treating them both as legendary war heroes sure didn't help things.
:Apache being a drunk Native American stereotype? Just as widely believed as the Jointrons being an intentionally racist dig at Mexicans (Spengler even incorporated the "heavy drinker" aspect of Apache into his JBW character profiles that are still on [https://tfarchive.com/cartoons/japanese/beast_wars_2.php#Apache several] [https://www.seibertron.com/database/character.php?version_id=665#cartoon_appearances fansites] to this day).
:The Blentrons being made of Angolmois Energy, and the characters traveling to Gaia via transwarp? Well, both of those come from, at the very least, our very own Wiki! WE used to claim both of those back in the day, and didn't correct ourselves on either until BWII was finally fansubbed [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Yukikaze_(BW)&diff=1198428&oldid=1086888 in 2017] (the Blentron claim lasted [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Blentron&diff=1350727&oldid=1335134 as late as 2019] when Neo got subbed). And I remember first reading about the Blentron claim on other fansites as far back as the early 2000s.
:And while it's not technically JBW, Car Robots Gigatron having multiple personalities came from us as well, and remained uncorrected [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Megatron_(RID)&diff=1089351&oldid=1089347 until 2016]. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 11:56, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
::As someone who ''wrote'' a lot of this stuff, my suggestion would be this: Everything that is mostly a "people once thought this incorrect thing about this particular subject" trivia point should have the writeup moved to the "Notes" section (or another relevant section) of said subject's own page. If it's already mentioned there, the writeup there might be expanded on to make sure no relevant information is lost. All the "outdated" points from the main misconceptions page could then get summed up in a conside "for those ''really'' curious, here are some additional misconceptions some people once had which are too niche for this page, but if you have a lot of time on your hands, here are the links to the relevant sections from the subjects' main articles where you can find more information" list. That way, we still have everything collected on this page without cluttering it with redundant, lengthy writeups that already exist elsewhere.--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] ([[User talk:Nevermore|talk]]) 16:40, 3 September 2022 (EDT)
:::Also, regarding the Vok one that Sipher removed, I added that because our own article for [[The One]] claimed that to be true for pretty nearly the entirety of that article's existence, all because a couple of users believed it and helped to propagate it by making the article into a big mess of [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=The_One&diff=prev&oldid=1558474#3H_comics blog-style speculative text]. It also led to someone asking Vector Prime about the Vok's relation to The One back in [https://tfwiki.net/wiki/Source:Ask_Vector_Prime/Facebook#June_16.2C_2015 2015] (a question that Vector thankfully skirted around answering). --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 18:29, 3 September 2022 (EDT)

==Beastformers==
Now that we've had some pruning and whatnot and there's been some distance, I want to toss this one up for discussion of addition: A brief look at some early misconceptions (that the wiki did propagate) concerning how ''Beastformers'' was sold in Japan. Like them having Autobot/Decepticon rubsigns, them all being sold under the TF banner (which the TF-era posters & such implied but this did not happen). It'd be a short section but still, I think it's worth adding, and this is one of those pages that I think ANY new additions should be discussed first. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 02:12, 15 December 2022 (EST)
:Sounds good to me. I say go for it. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 02:15, 15 December 2022 (EST)

==Heavy heavy editing is long long overdue==
As years of discussion above point out, this article is severely bloated with coverage of "misconceptions" that were mild and short-lived. Many people have agreed that it needs a trim, but no one seems to want to take the plunge. I just went through and cut out a few dozen examples of things that looked like they did indeed provoke argument on a TFArchive thread for two days in 2008 but are no longer issues that could possibly confuse anyone to the point that a long-form debunking is necessary. I do not believe "There was a misconception that Car Robots Devil Gigatron was trying to DRAIN minds instead of CONTROL minds" needs a long-form write-up next to "There was a misconception that MP1 Convoy is the 1984 toy." If people think these edits are too radical, feel free to revert them, I won't war over it. But please, really, look through every example and ask yourself if it represents a case with any currency, with widespread belief, that ''needs'' us to debunk it in a page that is already expanded beyond reader convenience. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 09:47, 6 February 2024 (EST)
:I'm fine with your trims and we could use more. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 10:52, 6 February 2024 (EST)
::It was previously suggested in a section above that number of these could be folded into the Notes sections of each respective subject's article. If nothing else, that seems like a reasonable suggestion in order to trim things down a bit while preserving the history of each. I myself even plan to do some major work on our main JBW article in the future, which would likewise further trim down a lot of the JBW misconceptions on this article and put more focus on the main article as a hub for more JBW info. (And as for the Devil Gigatron one, that one was believed to be true for a full ''fifteen years''. And I only added it to the page just last year because, when our JG1 timeline article was recently overhauled last year, the newly-written revisions were still claiming that to be true, when the previous version of the timeline article had said nothing of the sort. It was only corrected when I stepped in and ''re''-rewrote the bottom of the 2000 section, so somebody was still under that false impression as late as 2023). --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 12:37, 6 February 2024 (EST)

Okay so, went back to take a look at this, and let's see if anyone can justify the continued existence of:
* '''Smokescreen's racing number''' — What? Who even knew enough about racing to know the number was "off"? I contest the idea this was ever a concern for more than like three people. This is at ''best'' a trivia note on Smokescreen's page (and preferably way shorter than what's here now).
* '''Masterpiece Prime's metal content''' — Don't remember this one at all.
* '''Powermaster/Masterpiece Prime was the first Optimus toy''' — Really doubt this one ever had any reach whatsoever.
On top of that, there's still a fair chunk of pruning to be done ''within'' things that should be kept. Some of the JBW sections are eye-wateringly huge blocks of text that really are hard to slog through, surely we can trim there. I'm also seeing a few instances of subheader abuse/TOC bloat, like with RID2K having "Toys" and "Fiction" subheaders but only one item per, seems kinda silly. Thoughts? --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 02:17, 22 February 2024 (EST)
:Whoops, and looking further, a super-condensed version of the Smokescreen note is already on the original toy's writeup, adding more weight to its removal from this page as far as I'm concerned. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 02:57, 22 February 2024 (EST)
::Cut 'em. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 08:53, 22 February 2024 (EST)

==Bullet points==
So, a small thing, but... in huge text-heavy pages like this, especially when most everything is right of a bullet point... the default bullets really kinda get lost, something about the multi-paragraph entries makes them less noticeable. Maybe on this one page, we should move to using, say, the larger rubsign insignia bullet point? I dunno. Late-night musing. Not sure I'd want to do this for more bullet-heavy pages (like nay timeline-like page), which IS an argument against doing so. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 04:27, 22 February 2024 (EST)

== Generation 1 obviously has the best toys, cartoons and characters ==

Unlike some of the similar entries in this section, like "Hasbro should cater to adult collectors because they buy more toys," it doesn't feel like there's any element of misconception in this one; it's just flat-out an opinion. It's certainly not objectively true, but it's also not something that can actually be "wrong" per se so there's no misinformation to correct here. Feels like it should probably just be removed, or at least rewritten to more overtly address the "Generation 1 was the most successful" idea. -- [[User:Dark T Zeratul|Dark T Zeratul]] ([[User talk:Dark T Zeratul|talk]]) 14:29, 8 April 2024 (EDT)

== Where did the Dark of the Moon section go? ==

Kinda weird that it's just gone now, especially with how a lot of people seriously think (or thought, in the past tense) that Prime was just going to let a whole city get massacred as some sort of gotcha to humanity.

That note of how far Cape Carnival and Chicago are from one another (a roughly 18 hour drive, "even if the Autobots were hauling ass") helped to put that into perspective.

And since I can't seem to find its removal in the history logs, why was it deleted?[[User:Banannixx|Banannixx]] ([[User talk:Banannixx|talk]]) 21:49, 29 May 2024 (EDT)

:[https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Misconceptions_and_urban_legends_about_Transformers&diff=1745519&oldid=1745489]
:It's not really that noteworthy and we can't make an entry for every time some people online don't understand a movie (which is true for pretty every single movie at this point). [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 21:32, 29 May 2024 (EDT)

::I mean, I get that you can't explain every little plot hole or contrivance for the movies, but nah, this is still one of the biggest misconceptions regarding the films in general. Other than Optimus executing Sentinel and Megatron, it's what often comes up when DOTM is mentioned; you ''still'' have people parroting, "He only did it to prove a point/ show he was right". Like, this is less about people bashing on this films and more, people are just objectively wrong on that particular point, and still spread it around. What is that if not a misconception about Transformers? [[User:Banannixx|Banannixx]] ([[User talk:Banannixx|talk]]) 21:49, 29 May 2024 (EDT)

:::This page is not supposed to be an archive of every mistake ever said about this large old franchise, forever highlighting the time for a few weeks when people were sure TF:Animated was going to have everyone doing the Tasmanian Devil spin because of the very first promo reel. If you're really confident that this false claim about DOTM was both widespread and long-lasting, then feel free to re-enter a mention of it. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 22:29, 29 May 2024 (EDT)

:::: I think that just reinstating the initial posting is enough; it's worded fine as is. I'm confident because when I first saw the movie as a youngin', that was my initial read until I payed closer attention on subsequent rewatches. It's contentious enough plot point that even within the last year, there are still people debating it, and DOTM is over a decade old, so I'd argue that it's significant enough misconception about the film it's attached to. [[User:Banannixx|Banannixx]] ([[User talk:Banannixx|talk]]) 23:25, 29 May 2024 (EDT)

::::: I've not seen this misconception repeated with any real frequency, at least not to the same extent as other stuff on this page. We've been trying to cull it down to "the big ones" for a long time, and I don't think this ranks to the same degree. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 00:47, 30 May 2024 (EDT)
:::::: I'm also going to chime in with a "no" here. This just isn't persistent/"important" enough. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 00:52, 30 May 2024 (EDT)

::::::: Having chilled out and reread the headlining paragraph, I can see that it might not fit with the new criteria. But As I have seen it relatively recently and still view the removal as unnecessary, I felt passionate enough to raise a stink about it. "Did Optimus let the humans die to prove a point?" is right up there with "Was Optimus right to execute Sentinel" as far as the "big" story beats pertaining to DOTM that are discussed, and there are still people around saying that he did. Regardless, I'll concede and rest my case.

Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers

2024-05-30T04:36:08Z

Banannixx: Undo revision 1766301 by Cyberlink420 (talk) No, absolutely not.

Over the years, many '''misconceptions and urban legends''' have sprung up within ''Transformers'' [[fandom]], often resulting from such factors as fuzzy childhood memories, inaccurate catalog illustrations, mistranslations of foreign material, and the occasional outright lie.

As time has gone on, most of these have faded from the general fandom consciousness, as access to information has grown exponentially, both in terms of what we have learned from official sources, and the ease with which such information can be spread (like, say, via this very wiki). Still, we present them here alongside some that are still fairly persistent, as some were "common knowledge" for years, if not ''decades'', before being corrected. And you never know when something old and wrong will get a weird surge of believers.

==General misconceptions==
*'''''Transformers'' is (only) a cartoon from the Eighties that was brought back into vogue with the 2007 movie.'''

: A misconception usually held by casual fans or nostalgic adults is that ''Transformers'' went away some time around 1986 (or 1987, or 1988—pick your year). People who stumbled across a newer incarnation of the ''Transformers'' franchise before 2007 commonly assumed that it had only recently popped back up as an attempt to cash in on '80s nostalgia. From 2007 onwards, people who were (obviously) aware of the [[live-action film series]] commonly believed that it was the [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] that brought the franchise back from limbo. Neither assumption is correct.

:In fact, the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] has been continuous since 1984 (there was a brief gap between 1990 and 1993 as far as the United States market was concerned, but the brand still continued with new products in other markets). It includes many [[Franchises|lines of toys, cartoons and comics]] that span four decades now, with no sign of stopping, as Hasbro considers it a core brand. Each line has experienced varying degrees of success, rebooting when its target audience gets too old or uninterested in the toyline and fiction.

:Some of this misconception is based on the fact that most of the original audience stopped watching and following the franchise long before its initial US cancellation (as it wasn't "cool" to be kiddy once puberty hit). Without any exposure to the market, the toyline and the new cartoons, they simply assume that ''Transformers'' has sunk in popularity, quality and/or sales, since it's not what they remember.

:It ''is'' true that ''Transformers'' hit a low point of popularity in the early 1990s, with the cancelation of Generation 1 and the unremarkable sales of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''. But the successor ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' line re-established the brand for a new generation beginning in 1996, and ''Transformers'' has been a dominant toy franchise ever since. While it's true that the live-action movies caused a major hike in popularity for the brand, they didn't revive a long-forgotten franchise; rather, they merely turned a steadily successful toy series into a major worldwide multimedia phenomenon.

{{-}}{{anchor|G1best}}
*'''Generation 1 obviously has the best toys, cartoons and characters.'''

:Casual fans likewise tend to assume automatically that the original 1980s iteration of ''Transformers'' is the best and most successful line to date, with all other successors being unpopular and/or unsuccessful ventures.

:While it's hard to measure the overall success of every line in all its aspects, the original line has been surpassed in both quality and sales multiple times over (if not for warm-fuzzy nostalgia-feels in 80s kids). In factors such as realistic alternate forms, durability, articulation, action features, and complexity, various later toylines have all exceeded Generation 1. And while fiction can't be measured objectively, many fans will swear up and down by some of the later incarnations of ''Transformers''.

:Arguably, ''Transformers'' is in an endless cycle of creating [[true fan|new fans who share new opinions on what is "teh greatest"]].

{{-}}{{anchor|repacking}}
[[File:SteamhammerEnergonUniverse.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Not literally a waste of packaging material.]]
*'''"Repackaged" toys are ''literally'' unsold toys sent back to Hasbro, taken out of the old packaging, put into new packaging and then sent back to stores.'''

:Every so often, a ''Transformers'' toy line features seemingly identical toys in multiple different [[packaging]] versions, such as multi-packs containing toys that were previously available separately. In addition, some toy lines also feature [[rebranding|rebranded]] items, namely toys that were originally released under one line, but are later re-released as part of another line with virtually no changes to the toy itself, only the packaging it is available in. The final stages of the original ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line took the concept of "rebranding" to a new level, featuring numerous straight re-releases of toys from the since-ended ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' lines, among many others. Since then, it has been repeated with the 2006 ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' line, the 2008 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the 2010 ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers]]'' line and many others. Because a common [[fandom]] term for those releases is "repackages", a popular misconception claims that those toys are ''literally'' "repackages": namely, unsold toys sent back to Hasbro, taken out of their old packaging, put into new packaging and then sent back to (different) stores. (The same train of thought also—very rarely—suggests that "repaints", another common fan term for [[redeco]]s, are ''literally'' "[[repaint]]s", i.e. existing toys painted over in new colors, rather than new production runs from the same toolings using new plastic colors.)

:Needless to say, this theory is dubious for various reasons. Generally, old unsold toys are ''not'' sent back to Hasbro. They either [[Shelfwarmer|remain in the store]] until someone finally decides to buy them, or the store somehow dumps them, such as by selling them off to closeout chains. And even ''if'' Hasbro did regularly get sent back huge shipments of unsold toys, they'd be highly unlikely to go through the effort (and additional cost) of literally repackaging them. Hasbro confirmed this in January of 2009, stating that due to the toys being manufactured in Asia, it would be a waste of time and money to repackage them only to sell them at the same price-point.<ref>[http://www.sirstevesguide.com/index.php?categoryid=13&p2_articleid=1934 SirStevesGuide.com, Tri-Weekly Hasbro Q&A - January 30th]</ref> Thus, they are ''not'' repackaged old product, but new production runs of previous product. These days, this misconception should be much easier to dispel: Every toy now features a manufacturing date stamp etched into the figure, as well as a product code [[tampograph]]ed onto the figure, thus proving that a figure was manufactured more recently than its superficially identical predecessor.

{{-}}{{anchor|NotRetool}}
[[File:SmokesniperStarscream.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|The similarities are astounding. Especially those that aren't there.]]
*'''A new toy that is vaguely reminiscent of an older toy is a retool of said toy.'''

:Hasbro likes to [[redeco]] toys a lot (usually to recoup the R&D costs for developing the original [[mold]]). They also like to release redecos of toys from older lines in newer lines. In some instances, Hasbro also don't just redeco a toy, they [[retool]] it (or create new toolings for new parts that replace parts of the old version of the toy)—sometimes to improve a feature or fix an error, but sometimes also to give the toy new features or [[gimmick]]s, or simply to make it different enough from the original version so owners of the original version would be interested in buying the "retool" as well.

:Some of those retools are comparably minor (such as [[Jazz (Movie)|Final Battle Jazz]] from the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 Movie line]]), whereas others can be pretty elaborate. Sometimes the retools are so elaborate that the line between "retool" and "new [[mold]]" gets blurred. The most drastic instances in this regard would be [[K-9]] from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' (based on [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] from the same line) and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Dark Crumplezone]] from ''Cybertron'' (based on the original ''Cybertron'' Crumplezone toy), both of which have most, if not ''all'' of their parts entirely retooled. Another borderline case would be the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]]s [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] and [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], which were released around the same time and are based on the same basic design, share a similar body structure and have very similar [[alternate mode]]s.

:However, sometimes fans ''definitely'' get too far decrying a new toy a "retool" (or "remold"). Toys that share some superficial design similarities, coupled with similar transformation schemes, are often mistaken for retools even though they're simply that: Similar toys based on the same general design, maybe even directly influenced by the older toy, but nothing more. For more examples, see: [[retool#Not actually a retool|retool]].

{{-}}{{anchor|distribution}}
*'''Hasbro is responsible for your local store not having the newest toys right now.'''

: Hasbro actually has almost nothing to do with distribution (when Product A arrives in Store B) beyond making sure the manufactured product leaves the factories and shipyards of China at the desired time, and even ''that'' is something their control over is limited at best. Once the items arrive on US shores, they are almost immediately sent from the ships to the distribution centers for the retail chains that ordered them. From there, it's more truck rides to various regional warehouses, which is all controlled by the retailers, not Hasbro. After that, the schedule for taking product from those warehouses and putting it on shelves is dictated by each chain's inventory system.

: It's ''conceivable'' that Hasbro could take more control of the situation, but that would require chains like [[Walmart]] to release the vise-like death grip they have on manufacturers' nards that lets them dictate how the system works—and they're sooooooo not doing that.

{{-}}{{anchor|Older collectors}}
*'''Hasbro should totally cater to the wishes of older collectors, as they purchase the most ''Transformers'' product.'''

: Fans would like to think they've got some sway over the direction of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]]. After all, they've been buying toys for many years (as opposed to the limited purchasing span of most children), and they buy many ''more'' toys than any individual child. And in truth, Hasbro does pay attention to the desires and discussions of its older buyers, even designing certain line segments like ''Alternators'' or ''Classics'' and its successors with collectors as the primary target audience.

: Collectors, however, simply can't compare to the vast numbers of children out there whose parents buy [[Transformer]]s for them. The bulk of ''Transformers'' product is purchased for and/or by young children, and if a company like Hasbro wants to stay in business and keep making money (and by extension, more toys), it must design and market its products accordingly. No accurate figures exist on the collector/children ratio, but estimates mentioned at BotCon panels range from around 10% to 20% of all purchases coming from older collectors—enough to be worth listening to, but not at all the driving force behind the brand. Past toylines have shown that betting ''too much'' on sales from adult collectors can be disastrous.

: Furthermore, it's not as though the [[fandom|fans]] speak with a unified voice. More often, for every fan pushing for one particular idea, there's another fan who thinks that same idea is boring or [[Ruined FOREVER|awful]].

{{-}}{{anchor|licensees}}
*'''Hasbro pays its licensees to publish comics for them, and profit directly from the comics selling well.'''

:Presumably stemming from the fact that most Transformers ''cartoons'' are commissioned by Hasbro in order to advertise their toys, a lot of fans are under the impression that Hasbro pays comic publishers like [[IDW Publishing]] and [[Skybound Entertainment]] to produce ''Transformers'' comics for them. This is the exact opposite of how licensed comics work; these companies pay Hasbro for the privilege of publishing ''Transformers'' comics, and they keep all the profits outside of that licensing fee. As such, Hasbro doesn't have any particular investment in the comics selling well, other than their indirect effects on toy sales and potential negative press caused by "failing" comics; all that matters to Hasbro is that they sell well enough that they keep paying for the license.
{{-}}

===Takara vs. Hasbro===
[[File:Cybertrontoy hasbro and takara vector primes.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Vector Prime]] features different color applications dependent on whether it was released in [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] or [[Hasbro]]'s market.]]
*'''Takara (alternatively, Hasbro) are ''solely'' responsible for designing, developing and manufacturing (all, or certain specific) ''Transformers'' toys.'''

: This was true only for the first few years of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|original ''Transformers'' toyline]]. Most of the toys from 1984 to 1986 were imported (and, occasionally, slightly altered) versions of already-existing Japanese toys originally designed and released by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]. Following that, Takara developed new toys both for the Japanese and the Western market, now specifically with ''Transformers'' in mind. The primary exceptions are a handful of toys licensed from other Japanese companies ([[Jetfire (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Jetfire]], the Autobot [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s and [[Insecticon (G1)#Toys|Deluxe Insecticon]]s, among others), and the 1986 toys for the [[The Transformers: The Movie|animated movie]], which were mostly based on designs by [[Floro Dery]].

: However, ever since 1988,<ref name="dunsay">[http://obscuretf.com/hhk/images/full/BC04Dunsay.jpg BotCon 2004 program guide interview with George Dunsay]</ref> most "main" line toys released both in Japan and the Western hemisphere have been designed and developed in cooperation between [[Hasbro]] (or its subsidiary [[Kenner]]) and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] (now TakaraTomy). (For the specifics of this joint venture development process, see the article about [[toy]]s.)

: Still, numerous reasons have led some people to assume incorrectly that ''all'' ''Transformers'' toy lines were ''solely'' developed by only one of the two companies:

:* The Western public and mainstream media, naturally, tend to be unaware of the existence of Takara (TakaraTomy these days). It's therefore logical to assume that Hasbro, the company responsible for distributing Transformers toys outside Japan, is also solely responsible for developing and manufacturing the toys. The fact that Hasbro regularly chooses not to mention their Japanese business partner in official press releases and interviews hasn't exactly helped matters, either.

:* On the other hand, Western anime fans are used to Japanese companies being solely responsible for designing robot toys, which are then imported and sold by Western companies. For lack of better knowledge, those people then simply assume the same also applies to ''Transformers'' toys — namely, that Takara does ''all'' the design and engineering work on their own, and Hasbro is merely the Western ''distributor'' of those toys. The fact that the back of Hasbro's packaging for ''Transformers'' toys sports a small note saying "Manufactured under license from Takara Co., Ltd." (changed to "TOMY Company, Ltd." on more recent toys) is occasionally cited as "proof" that Takara is the sole manufacturer of ''Transformers'' toys as well. A long paper trail of evidence to the contrary<ref name="Hasbro Tour">[http://www.seibertron.com/events/gallery.php?event_id=70&size=0&start=272 Exemplary rundown] of the development process of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Leader Class [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]], shown during the Hasbro tour at [[BotCon 2007]]. Of course, Hasbro just replaced the name "Takara" in some of the steps with "Hasbro" in order to convince fans that... yeah, riiiight.</ref> has not been able to convince those people of the flaws in their conspiracy theory — rather, some of them have even postulated the existence of a so-called "Hasbro PR machine", whose sole purpose is to convince ''Transformers'' fans that Hasbro has a larger part in the development of ''Transformers'' toys than is actually the case.<ref name="Propaganda">[http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?1,88668 ToyBoxDX thread with anime fanboys arguing that "Takara is an enormous toy '''manufacturing''' company. Hasbro doesn't manufacturer anything. The sole reason for its existence is for marketing the products of their partners and wholly-owned subs. Just to be clear here - Takara is bigger than Hasbro."] They wouldn't even believe that [[Joe Kyde]] actually worked at Hasbro. No kidding.</ref>

: That being said, there ''are'' indeed a few toys originally developed by either Hasbro or Takara without the other one's involvement, and then later picked up by the other company, but they're fewer than usually assumed: For Takara, those include the new molds for ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1998 (Beast Wars II)|Beast Wars II]]'', ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1999 (Beast Wars Neo)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'', plus various mostly short-lived, collector-aimed, niche market lines (such as the new ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' molds, the ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'', the ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' toys etc.); for Hasbro, those are mostly either toys originally based on fiction-based franchises that did not originate with Hasbro (such as ''[[Animorphs]]'' or the ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars Transformers]]'' and their later successor, ''[[Transformers: Crossovers]]''), cross-brand lines ''within'' Hasbro where the Transformers toys only make up one part of the overall lineup (such as the [[Titanium Series]] and the [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] figures) and a few very rare "main" line Transformers toys such as [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]], [[Swoop (Energon)|Swoop]], [[Alpha Quintesson]], [[Kicker Jones#Toys|Energon Kicker]] and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] from ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''.

{{-}}{{anchor|TakaraBetterThanHasbro}}
* '''Takara's Japanese-market releases are always of intrinsically better quality than their U.S. counterparts. (E.g., they have sweeter exclusives, and are always more show-accurate, have more accessories, and have tighter quality control.)'''
[[File:RMConvoy toy.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Let's never forget that Takara made ''this'' on their own.]]

: This one depends a bit on the speaker, as it can either be a genuine misconception, a matter of opinion, or at worst, [[Personal canon|willful]] [[True fan|snobbery]]. But, like many broad generalizations, it does have ''some'' basis... but it's also worth noting that since the later 2010s, Takara's "mainline" retail releases have largely been identical to the Hasbro versions outside of packaging, so a lot of this is basically past-tense.

:* "Better quality" often comes down to very subjective personal preferences. A small handful of Takara toys have clear-plastic windows where Hasbro's use painted opaque plastic ([[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Deluxe Class toys|the first Deluxe movie Bumblebee]]), or have vac-metallized parts where the equivalent U.S. release doesn't ([[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|''Energon'' Optimus Prime/Grand Convoy]]). Or, "better" "quality" can refer to the fact that Japan has different toy safety laws, thus Takara can give [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Prime]] toys old-school long smokestacks, which are now shortened in the U.S. [[for safety reasons]], or can release [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron toys that turn into realistic firearms]] where Hasbro ''absolutely'' cannot.

:: In many lines, Takara releases can often boast more paint applications. For example, many ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' figures have painted rims, while their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' counterparts went without. The paint issue is at least in part due to differences in how Hasbro has to budget an entire "wave" of figures at once for retailers (not just the new toys in the wave, ''everything'' in the shipping case!) while Takara operates within a less restrictive, individual-item-based pricing structure. And like the distribution issue above, this is a factor of their respective retail environments that the companies have no control over. This is also not universal: most notably Takara's version of the [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|''Prime'' toyline]] severely cut back on paint in favor of customer-applied decals.

:* "More [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] decos" does have some basis, as Takara frequently releases its toys later than Hasbro does Stateside, and thus can sometimes better reflect the character's in-show coloration (such as with the original [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#Toys|Rattrap]] or [[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Toys|''Armada''{{'}}s Tidal Wave]]). The most extreme example of this was ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)#2005 (Beast Wars Returns)|Beast Wars Returns]]'', the Japanese release of ''Beast Machines'', which was ''years'' later than in the U.S., allowing Takara to make some figures much closer to their show models, though how ''truly'' accurate any given deco was varied from figure to figure. On the other hand, Takara sometimes goes ''massively'' overboard with "show-accurate" decos on toys that weren't actually designed with the original [[character model|animation model]]s in mind, leading to weird blocks of color meant to represent major details from the show models that simply do not exist in any way on the toys' sculpts. Just ask ''Unite Warriors'' [[Fireflight (G1)#Unite Warriors|Firebolt]], [[Slingshot (G1)#Unite Warriors|Sling]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)#Unite Warriors|Drag Stripe]]. And of course, whether you think fidelity to certain character models is a plus or minus is a personal opinion: do you prefer [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys|Cyclonus]] in [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|dark purple]] (original toy) or [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys#Unite Warriors|light lavender/powder-blue]] (original cartoon)?

:* "More accessories" mostly comes from the fact that ''some'' of Takara's releases have some extra accessories, but this is far, ''far'' from the norm. In the original line, the [[Mini-Cassette]]s had extra tape cases, and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] had two [[sword]]s his Hasbro version lacked. Some late-run ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Super Link]]'' releases came with [[redeco]]ed [[Energon weapon]]s as well. ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' [[Hot Shot (G1)|Hot Rod]] came with two missile launchers and missiles not included with ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Universe (2008)|Hot Shot]] due to budget constraints, and featured the original tooling for the rear bumper for their inclusion. Part of this is, like the paint applications, thanks to Takara's ability to be more flexible when budgeting individual toys.

:: However, sometimes the Takara versions have ''fewer'' accessories. The original Takara [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Megatron]] may have had a sword and bullets the Hasbro version lacked, but he lacked the barrel, scope and stock extensions that he was always depicted with! ''Henkei! Henkei!'' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Lambor]] was ''lacking'' the supercharger engine accessory ''Universe'' Sideswipe came with—[[Hisashi Yuki]], the toy's designer, claims the intent was for only Sunstreaker to have it, with it being meant to differentiate the two, but Hasbro chose to give it to both.<ref name="generations2009">Interview with Hisashi Yuki in [[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 1|''Transformers Generations 2009'' vol. 1]], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/223379-takaratomy-staff-interview-generations-2009-vol-1-translation.html English translation] at TFW2005.</ref>

:* "Sweeter exclusives" is more or less a mix of "the grass is always greener" and some occasional hits. The truth is, there ''are'' a lot of popular molds, characters, and entire toylines that only show up on Japanese shores or as part of special promotions. However, ''many'' Hasbro toys don't get released by Takara and never reach Japanese fans who don't go the import route. American fans who are willing to pay import fees simply don't tend to notice when Japanese fans miss out unless they pay ''very'' close attention to what's being released there, and due to the simple way that news and hype works, flawed Japanese exclusives tend to simply fly under the radar.

:* "Tighter [[quality control]]" is a total myth. Takara products are manufactured under much the same production conditions as Hasbro's: pretty much everything for both markets is made in China—in fact, according to Hasbro [[Australia]] representatives and Hasbro designer [[Eric Siebenaler]], ''all'' of the ''Transformers'' toys jointly developed between Hasbro and Takara/TakaraTomy are manufactured at factories contracted to the Japanese toy company. This means Takara is (at least indirectly) responsible for whatever quality control problems occur with Hasbro-released toys. Takara's standards of quality control for their domestically-released toys are just as likely to let mistakes creep through. Just ask any buyer of ''Henkei! Henkei!'' [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#Henkei! Henkei!|Thundercracker]] how well his weapons stay attached to the arms. And let's not even get started on ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Rodimus Convoy's]] first production run.

[[File:ER-toy Allicon TakTom stock.jpg|thumb|upright=1|''I SAY HEY! WHAT'S GOIN' ON!!'']]
:* The fields in which Takara genuinely excels Hasbro are comparably minor: Takara's [[stock photography]] has historically tended to be more impressive than Hasbro's, without obvious mistransformations and awkward poses, and at the same time looks more representative of the actual toy due to less reliance on blatant digital touch-ups. But again, this is a trend, not a rule, as evidenced by whatever the hell is going on with Takara's pre-release images of the ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' [[Allicon#Toys|Allicon]]. Also, while Hasbro's stock photos were pretty error-prone and used unfinished toys through the early/mid 2000s, the quality has improved over time... plus they've largely moved to using CAD imagery the final toys are made from for stock imagery, which definitely cuts back on room for pre-final changes in the toys and posing/transformation by people unfamiliar with the toys.

:: Likewise, Takara's [[instructions]] generally have tended be more detailed and useful than Hasbro's, though this largely started during ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' and continued up until around the latter 2010s, when Takara started to align its products more with Hasbro's packaging and presentation. With ''Beast Wars'' in particular, this was because Hasbro had to print instructions for the carded toys on the back of the card, which had limited real estate to work with. Folded-up paper instructions only came with larger boxed toys in the Hasbro ''Beast Wars'' line, while virtually ''all'' Takara ''Beast Wars'' toys came in boxes, and had packed-in instructions. But like the stock photography, the divide has shrunk considerably in recent years as the two companies aligned the look and packaging of their product together.

{{-}}{{anchor|NameLoss}}
* '''Hasbro lost the rights to a lot of G1 Transformers names. That is why you see toys named "Autobot Jazz" or "Decepticon Brawl" these days. Takara is more competent than Hasbro and doesn't need to change their toys' names.'''

: That's not quite how name rights —aka [[trademark]]— work. There are indeed instances where another company has snatched a trademark, making it unavailable for Hasbro's use. The reason is because trademarks need to be consistently used in commerce (roughly once every year or so), or it could be considered "abandoned", making it open for grabs should another company try to claim it. "[[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]]" was unavailable to [[Hasbro]] because [[Mattel]] held several similar trademarks, "[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys|Bluestreak]]" was too similar to Gendron's "Toledo 'Blue Streak'" trademark, and a company named Lanard held the trademark "Shockwave" until 2005. This prompted Hasbro to use substitute names for toys based on these characters, such as "Rodimus Major" and "Rodimus" for Hot Rod, "Silverstreak" for Bluestreak and "Shockblast" for Shockwave (Hasbro has since managed to reacquire all three aforementioned trademarks).

: Meanwhile, the names with prefixes such as "Autobot" or "Decepticon"? Those are usually non-compound single real words from the English language. Hasbro's legal department considers them too "generic" to be easily defensible as trademarks, hence the addition of prefixes such as "Autobot Jazz", "Decepticon Brawl "or "Constructicon Devastator" for better protection. This does ''not'' work with names already trademarked by another company–otherwise, [[Bandai]] could release a toy named "Gunpla Optimus Prime" tomorrow, and Hasbro couldn't do anything about it.

: For a while, it seemed like these trademark quibbles were limited to Hasbro, and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] was somehow exempt due to a different market situation. However, the ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' line saw the emergence of quite a few "Cybertron", "Destron" and "[[Stunticon (G1)|Stuntron]]" prefixes, implying that the trademark situation on the Japanese market was changing, and starting with the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|''Movie'' line]], TakaraTomy (now adopting Hasbro names instead of their established Japanese-market names) began to use "Autobot" and "Decepticon" prefixes. With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[Transformers United|United]]'', TakaraTomy even used prefixes for names Hasbro has been able to use ''without'' prefixes.
{{-}}

==Generation 1 misconceptions==
===Toys===
====Generation 1 (1984-1990)====
{{anchor|JapaneseCopyright}}
*'''Some Generation 1 toy molds were in use as long ago as 1974.'''

:Some ''[[Micro Change]]''-derived toys have the text "©1974, 1983" or variations thereof stamped on them, with the actual ''Micro Change'' releases of the earlier figures even featuring blatant a "©Takara 1974" printed on the front of their packaging, and as a result are occasionally sold on eBay with descriptions such as "original 1974 [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]]". Likewise, the ''[[Diaclone]]''-derived toys also have two dates as part of their copyright markings, with the earlier one being invariably "1980".

:In reality, though, the first ''Micro Change'' toys weren't even designed until the early 1980s. Those confusing double copyright dates are a result of the way Japanese IP law worked at the time. The earlier copyright date in question refers to the year the toyline in general, as well as its fictional backstory, was first launched (1974 in the case of the original ''[[Microman]]'' franchise, 1980 in the case of Diaclone), while the second one refers to the date the toy itself was created.

{{-}}{{anchor|BlueBluestreak}}
[[File:G1 Bluestreak boxart.jpg|upright=1|thumb|You had this as a kid. The picture, that is. Not the toy.]]
*'''A super-rare blue variant of Bluestreak was available during Generation 1.'''

: The very earliest [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] toy [[catalog]]s used a photo of a blue-sided ''[[Diaclone]]'' Fairlady Z to represent [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys|Bluestreak]]; photographs of the same toy were used for Bluestreak's own [[Instructions|instruction booklet]]. The same blue-sided color scheme was also used on his [[Package art|box art]]; which was in turn shown on ''every'' 1984 instruction booklet as a sample tech spec.

: All this gave rise to a long-standing myth that a blue Bluestreak toy was sold under the ''Transformers'' brand during Generation 1, with some people going so far as to "remember" owning blue Bluestreaks as children, or at least knowing someone else who did. Adding to the confusion, ''{{w|ToyFare}}'' magazine had a long history of listing the supposed blue Bluestreak as a "foreign [[variant]]" in its monthly price guide.

: However, actual samples of a blue-sided Bluestreak in a sealed ''Transformers'' box have ''never'' appeared, and the [[Karl Hartman|collectors who have been at it since the very beginning]] and [[Jon Hartman|amassed ''insane'' numbers of rare Transformers]] have never seen one. After literal decades of no samples ever being found, it is certain that this holy grail is just a legend.

: Oddly enough, numerous other Transformers toys from that era were depicted in both catalogues, packaging art, and even cartoon character models with colors they were never released in —[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], for example— yet Bluestreak is the only one to be (mis)remembered in this manner, perhaps because his name is ''Blue''streak, so he had to have been blue, right?

{{-}}{{anchor|Bumper}}
[[File:G1-toy Bumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Bumblejumper", who later would be known as "Bumper".]]
*'''"Bumblejumper" is just a yellow Cliffjumper.'''

: In 1984, Hasbro released three different similar-form toys as part of the [[Mini Vehicle|Minicar]] assortment: [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys|Cliffjumper]], and a [[Bumper (G1)|third unnamed toy]] that was not advertised in any capacity, sold ''only'' on Cliffjumper cards (at least, no samples on a Bumblebee card have ever surfaced). This third mold was a "leftover" from the ''[[Micro Change]]'' line, based on a Mazda Familia 1500XG sedan, and was very quickly phased out (resulting in him becoming the first of the "holy grail" super-costly Transformers on the secondary market). The exact nature of how and why this toy got released is still unclear. Fans took to calling this third mystery mold portmanteau names such as "Bumblejumper", "Cliffbee", and "Bumper"; that last one eventually becoming his official name when he appeared in the ongoing [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|''Generation One'' Volume 1]] comic series by [[Dreamwave Productions]].

: Adding to the confusion is that both Bumblebee and Cliffjumper were available in two color schemes: their fiction-supported colors (Bee in yellow, Cliff in red) and in reversed colors (Bee in red, Cliff in yellow) up through 1985. And since Cliffjumper and Bumper are both similarly boxy in vehicle form, and Bumper was only available in yellow, and only on Cliffjumper cards for a very short time, and was not in any catalogs and had no name and didn't appear in any cartoons or comics....

: Further adding to the mistaken memory pile is [[Hubcap (G1)#toys|Hubcap]], a yellow [[retool]] of Cliffjumper released in 1986. Fun!

{{-}}{{anchor|SkyfireToy}}
[[File:Jetfire-SkyfireModels.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Patience. You just have to wait 22 years.]]
*'''A show-accurate Skyfire toy was available during Generation 1.'''

: Due to some legal entanglements, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] was renamed "Skyfire" for the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]], with a [[character model]] that bore only a vague resemblance to the toy. Some confused viewers seem to have come away assuming that there had to be a [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] Generation 1 toy by the name of Skyfire. There was not. Not a lot more to elaborate on here.

: Of course, ''later'' toys are another story. The ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Jetfire toy is actually designed as a mix between the original toy and the cartoon character model, and many later toys of the character have aspects of/are based on the cartoon model.

{{-}}{{anchor|UnicronToy}}
[[File:Unicron Proto.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Seriously, aren't you glad your poor parents didn't have to waste like a hundred bucks on this back in '86?]]
*'''A Unicron toy was available during Generation 1.'''

: No toys of [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]] were available (or even produced beyond [[prototype]]) until 2003. In fact, the mere ''existence'' of those prototypes wasn't actually officially confirmed until many years later. The first [[Unicron/toys|official Unicron toy]] to be released came out as part of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' line in 2003 and was a brand new mold, not based on an old, unused prototype.

: The fictional existence of a ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' Unicron toy is likely based on schoolground one-upmanship: if one kid had a larger toy such as [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] or [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], a rival kid would claim to have a Unicron toy in order to appear cooler, but would most likely retire to his bed a sobbing mess, knowing in his heart that one day God would punish him for being a HUGE FIBBER.

: What ''might'' also have attributed to this misconception was the voice actor for Unicron himself, Orson Welles. He died before the movie's release, and the part in the 1986 movie was his last role before his death in 1985. He loathed the part and could not even remember his character's name; he was quoted as saying, "I play a big toy who attacks a bunch of smaller toys," mistakenly assuming that there was a toy of his character (an understandable assumption)... though at the time, the number of children who would have heard this quote would likely be vanishingly tiny.

{{-}}{{anchor|Soundwavebuttons}}
[[File:G1toy tfc soundwave and soundblaster.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Individual buttons. It's a lost art.]]
*'''The reissue Soundwave toys released by Takara are reverse-engineered from Soundblaster because the original molds are lost.'''

:Both the ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' and ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Soundwave]] releases have different tape buttons and hinges than the ones found on the vintage Hasbro release. While the vintage Hasbro Soundwave had inset controls and an internal tape deck hinge, the Takara reissues have a large button block that serves as a pivot point for an external tape deck hinge. The supposed reason for this is the mold for the original versions of the buttons and door are lost or worn out, so a new single tape door was made to work with the Soundblaster mold.

:In fact, the buttons and hinge used on the reissue Soundwaves were originally a [[retool]]ed running change [[variant]] of Takara's original 1985 release of Soundwave. The further Soundblaster retool was based on the later Japanese version of Soundwave, as were the reissues. Presumably, the original mold in its original condition ''is'' lost - but this happened ''long'' before Takara retooled Soundwave into Soundblaster.

{{-}}{{anchor|Beastformers}}
[[File:SnakeBomb-MIB.jpg|upright=1|thumb|This led to more confusion than you'd think.]]
*'''Various misconceptions about ''Beastformers.'''

: While it has been common knowledge since the early days of online fandom that the Hasbro ''Battle Beasts'' toys were sold in Takara's markets in 1987 under the ''Transformers'' banner as ''[[Beastformers (franchise)|Beastformers]]'', many of the details of ''how'' they were sold were misreported. Given it's a somewhat niche piece of Generation 1 history, the early online fandom's general lack of access to Japanese sources, ''and'' the fact that few/no Japanese sources kept track of the rather complicated release history of the toys (outlined on their own page, linked above), it's not hard to see how some of this propagated and persisted for decades since.

: For a while, it was often said that the Beastformers had Autobot/Decepticon [[rubsign]]s, as the characters had been split up into Autobot/Decepticon-allied sides. But the Beastformers had the same Fire/Wood/Water rubsigns as their Hasbro counterparts (their rubsigns were also significantly smaller than those on the Transformers!), it's just that the ''Transformers'' media they (briefly) appeared in made no mention of this play gimmick for whatever reasons; the packaging certainly made note of it.

: Not all of the ''Beastformers'' toys were actually released under the ''Transformers'' umbrella, at least directly. This is an easy one to see how it got spread, as all of Takara's ''Transformers'' catalogs and advertisements in 1987 showed the entire lineup of 76 figures found in ''Battle Beasts''. Even many of Takara's ''modern'' retrospectives do this! But in reality, only 54 figures and only one of the vehicles, the [[Red Phoenix#Toys|Red Phoenix]] [[Fortress (Beastformers)|Fortress]], actually came in ''Transformers''-branded boxes. In 1988, ''Beastformers'' was spun off into its own series without the ''Transformers'' branding as a sequel set after the war with the Cybertronians, and even really played up the Fire/Wood/Water gimmick. It is in this line that 20 of the missing 22 figures (yes, there are two ''Beastformers'' shown in numerous sources that ultimately were never released in Japan), the remaining five vehicles, as well as the entire run of [[Laser Beast]]s, finally reached Japanese toy shelves. Many of the toys from the ''Transformers''-branded part of the line were re-released in this sequel series, but not ''all'' of them... though again, Takara's marketing materials continued to show all 76. Confused? We don't blame you.

{{-}}{{anchor|OrensteinCreatedTF}}
[[File:Henry Orenstein old.jpg|thumb|upright=1|right|Arguably one of the most fascinating people involved with the creation of the ''Transformers'' brand.]]
*'''In 2005, a crazy old man claimed he had created the original ''Transformers'' toys.'''

: In 2005, the ''Transformers'' [[fandom]] learned, by way of a newspaper article posted by an internet fan site, of the existence of [[Henry Orenstein]], a former toymaker. Although the main focus of the article was Orenstein's then-current achievements in the field of poker, it also implied that Orenstein had "created" the original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Transformers]]'' toys, and even featured a photo that depicted a somewhat confused-looking Orenstein holding [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]. Many fans subsequently assumed that this was a deluded old man who believed he had created the concept of ''Transformers'' toys, even though the fandom knew full well by this point that the original toys were originally created in Japan. His status as the "creator" of the ''Transformers'' toy line was subsequently repeated in several other articles about the man, last with the news of his passing in 2021.

: The ''fact'' is that Orenstein had worked for [[Hasbro]] during the 1980s, and was the person who had convinced [[George Dunsay]], then Hasbro's Vice President of R&D, to acquire the rights to a (more or less) innovative type of Japanese toys, which would eventually become known as the original ''Transformers'' toys. Aside from that and the original patent for the [[rubsign]]s, which he shares with Dunsay, Orenstein has made no known contribution to the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]]. Obviously, the writer of said newspaper article had only marginal knowledge of the history of the ''Transformers'' brand, was told what was most likely nothing more than an anecdote by Orenstein (his biography, by the way, is so fascinating that his involvement with the ''Transformers'' brand is arguably one of the ''less'' noteworthy details), and subsequently inflated it massively with hyperbole, possibly in an attempt to gain more attention to his article due to the popularity of the brand, even before the [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]]. The only question is, where did the photographer get the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime toy from?
{{-}}

====''Generation 2''====
{{anchor|NotGeneration2}}
*'''"Generation 2" means "after ''The Transformers: The Movie''."'''

: This common but explicitly false idea probably stems from the many casual fans who grew up with the original ''Transformers'' line but stopped paying much attention around 1986, when the animated ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' debuted and the ''Transformers'' craze began to die down. Many such fans regained some interest in ''Transformers'' many years later, particularly with hype surrounding the [[Transformers (film)|2007 live-action movie]]. Seeing the phrase "Generation 2" batted around in fandom, it might seem natural to assume it refers to the big changeover that happened with the animated film. It certainly didn't help that, early in the life of [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]], [[Pat Lee]] shared in this misconception, leading other new arrivals to the fandom to ape his use of the term.

: While the original animated movie certainly marked a change from one "generation" of toys to another, along with some new design trends, the phrase "Generation 2" refers to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|a very specific franchise]], marketed from 1992 to 1995—years after the animated film had come and gone. Its relative obscurity probably contributes to the mis-attribution of the term, as ''Generation 2'' marks a low point in popularity for ''Transformers'' as a whole.

{{-}}{{anchor|KBG2Devastator}}
[[File:G2Devastator toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Its a exclusive!?{{sic}}]]
* '''The orange ''Generation 2'' Constructicons were exclusive to KB Toys.'''

: In 1993, Hasbro reissued the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] under the ''Generation 2'' line. The initial (and more common) versions saw the original ''Generation 1'' figures' green plastic changed to yellow, while a later, rarer version featured an orange plastic color for the entire team instead. A popular rumor, which is also propagated by many an [[eBay]] seller, claims that the orange versions were [[exclusive|exclusively]] available at [[KB Toys]] (formerly "Kay Bee") in the United States.

: No substantial evidence supporting this rumor has ever surfaced. It should be pointed out, though, that store exclusives were still fairly uncommon prior to ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', with the only confirmed example being the [[Classic Pretender]]s being sold without their [[Pretender]] shells under the name "[[Legends (G1)|Legends]]", exclusive to [[Kmart]].

: Since the packaging for the orange versions is identical to that used for the yellow versions, down to the UPC barcodes, it is very likely that Hasbro didn't actually consider the orange versions as separate products, but as mere [[variant#Running changes|running change color color variants]], just like the ''Generation 2'' versions of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s had been available in there different colors each.

: Also, since some people insist having purchased the orange Constructicons at other stores such as Mills Fleet Farm, the most likely explanation is that KB Toys was merely the chain that ordered the largest bulk of them, thus leading to the faulty perception that they were "only" available at KB Toys. Additionally, one has to understand that in the early days of the online Transformers [[fandom]], when the latter consisted entirely of the text-only usenet news group [[alt.toys.transformers]] and long before official announcements of new toys by Hasbro via social media, it was anything but uncommon for people to assume every other newly-found figure to be "exclusive" to whatever chain they were first discovered at by default.
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====''Alternators''====
{{anchor|AltYellowTracks}}
*'''A yellow version of ''Alternators'' Tracks was released to North American stores (but then recalled by Hasbro).'''
[[File:YellowTracks.jpg|upright=0.6|thumb|Only in Japan, baby.]]
:When [[Hasbro]] (and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]) originally announced the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' version of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in 2004, the toy's [[Alternate mode|vehicle mode's]] primary color was yellow. This caused the ire of a significant portion of the fandom, which insisted that the toy had to be ''blue'', like its [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] predecessor.

:Hasbro eventually confirmed at [[OTFCC 2004]] that the initial idea had been to release the toy in yellow first, and then later as a running change [[variant]] in blue, like Takara would ultimately do. However, Hasbro had encountered problems at the test shot stage, where it became evident that some of the toy's innards were shining through the yellow plastic. As a result, plans for a release of the yellow version were scrapped, and it was decided to release the blue version from the get-go.

:Rumors started circulating that some stores (usually [[Walmart]]) had indeed received a shipment of the toy, but were then asked by Hasbro to send back the entire batch. Naturally, no substantial evidence has ever surfaced to back up these claims. And while toys may occasionally be recalled [[for safety reasons]], it's highly doubtful that "aesthetics" would be enough of a reason to warrant an expensive product recall.
:The only "packaged" versions of a yellow ''Alternators'' Tracks we ever got to see were internet pranks of the "yellow ''Binaltech'' Tracks in photoshopped Hasbro box" variety. Which, of course, didn't help matters at all.
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{{anchor|AltWindchargerbarrel}}
*'''Hasbro omitted ''Alternators'' Windcharger's gun barrel for safety reasons.'''
[[File:WindchargerOverdrive.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Castrated at the request of Honda.]]
: When the first stolen [[Prototype|test shots]] of ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Windcharger (G1)#Alternators|Windcharger]] surfaced in 2004, the toy sported an extraordinarily long gun barrel (which doubled as the [[Alternate mode|vehicle mode]]'s drive shaft). The toy was ultimately released without the barrel, which was not shown or mentioned anywhere on the packaging or in the instructions. Indeed, Windcharger's weapon accessory was officially identified as a "shield" on the back of the packaging (in addition to the actual, ragtop roof shield). [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], on the other hand, later released their own ''Binaltech'' version of the toy (named [[Overdrive]]) with the full barrel, prominently shown in the official promotional photos.

: The initial fan theory upon seeing the barrel-less toy was that Hasbro had gutted it for safety reasons, under the notion that the long barrel might pose a choking hazard. Even though this was refuted by actual experts on toy safety standards, the rumor still persisted. An official response from Hasbro's customer service department to an e-mail inquiry (published on a fan site's message board) confirmed that the reason for the barrel's omission was "so the accessory would not look like a weapon".<ref name="Windcharger gun barrel">"http://forums.tformers.com/talk/index.php?showtopic=13088 Response from Hasbro's customer service department regarding the lack of Alternators Windcharger's gun barrel.</ref> Eventually, Hasbro (in the presence of Takara representatives) would confirm the full story at [[BotCon 2005]]: It had indeed been Honda, specifically their North American branch, that had asked to remove the gun barrel and all references to "weapons" from the toy, its packaging and included paperwork. Honda's Japanese department, on the other hand, had no such concerns, which is why Takara were able to release the ''Binaltech'' version with the barrel intact.

: Despite this official statement by Hasbro, the myth still persists, and has actually since evolved into a conspiracy theory, which postulates that Hasbro ''deliberately lied'' to its fans in order to shift blame to Honda rather than admitting to have made that decision themselves in order to conform to safety standards. Which is mindbogglingly absurd.
{{-}}

====''Transformers Collection''====
[[File:G1 Vol.1 Issue2 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.55|A solicitation of then upcoming Takara reissues? Not really.]]
*'''Takara's ''Transformers Collection'' had something to do with Dreamwave.'''

:In 2002, Takara launched their series of [[Generation 1 reissues]] named ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'', also commonly referred to as "bookbox reissues" or even "Dreamwave reissues" among fans. The reason for that is simple: The [[package art]], especially for early releases such as [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Transformers Collection|Meister]] or [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Transformers Collection|Prowl]], was often directly taken from the covers of and promotional posters for [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] first ''[[Prime Directive|Generation One]]'' mini-series drawn by [[Pat Lee]]. A common misconception among fans at that time was that Takara was coordinating their reissues with Dreamwave. Some even tried to predict upcoming reissues based on the existing Dreamwave covers. Yet [[Mirage (G1)#Toys|Mirage]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]] reissues never materialized.

:In fact, probably the main reason why Takara recycled Pat's Dreamwave artwork of those characters for the [[packaging]] of their reissues was its coincidental availability: The artwork had already been created and paid for, so why commission new art when they could just use what already exists? Furthermore, only about half of the ''Collection'' reissues actually sported "Dreamwave" package art, whereas the rest used newly-commissioned art drawn by Japanese artist [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], who has never in his life worked for Dreamwave, and had been drawing in a heavily-toy-based style long before Pat Lee rose to his brief "superstar artist" fame.
{{-}}

===Fiction===
====''The Transformers cartoon''====
*'''The original ''The Transformers'' series was redubbed anime which originated in Japan, just like ''Battle of the Planets'', ''Voltron'', ''Robotech'' and other such shows screened in the '80s.'''
[[File:TFG1.JPG|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Toransufōmā!]]
: Although most moderate-to-hardcore fans are well aware that this is a fallacy, there are those more casual fans (or those who have not rewatched the original ''Transformers'' cartoon since childhood) who are under the misconception that [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'']] was an anime.

: Although the original toyline and thus the characters' basic visual designs were taken from Japanese-originated products, the original characters, names, factions and entire story premise of the whole ''Transformers'' franchise were developed in the United States by [[Hasbro]], [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] and eventually [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]]. Although the animation was farmed out to [[Toei|Japanese]] (and later also [[AKOM|Korean]]) [[TMS Entertainment|studios]], the writing and original voice recording of [[The Transformers (cartoon)|all four seasons of the original series]] plus ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|The Movie]]'' was entirely done in America.

: This misconception probably stems from distant childhood memories of the cartoon, the fact that shows like the aforementioned ''Robotech'' were redubbed anime and the ''Transformers''' obvious Japanese influences. This ''may'' also be due to passing exposure to [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]] and the [[Unicron Trilogy]] shows which, viewed as an adult, are ''very'' obviously redubbed anime.

: This is in part related to the misconception that '''all''' ''Transformers'' toys are ''solely'' designed, developed and manufactured by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], and all [[Hasbro]] ever does is to put them in new packaging and distribute them in the Western market (see above). Because this is true for other Japanese robot toylines, and therefore it must also apply to ''Transformers''.

: However, there's actually a ''little'' bit of truth to this misconception; since the G1 cartoon is an animated series made by Japanese studios, one could feasibly call it an anime; as "anime" is only a word to describe any form of animation in Japan, much like the word "cartoon" is here in the West, and ''not'' a term for a specific genre.

{{-}}{{anchor|NemesisVictory}}
[[File:G1 cartoon Decepticon underwater base.JPG|upright=1.33|thumb|This wrecked ''Victory'' was never the ''Nemesis''.]]
*'''The Decepticons' undersea base in the Generation 1 cartoon was the ''Nemesis'', the ship that originally brought them to Earth.'''

: In the [[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|three-part pilot mini-series]] of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], the Decepticons traveled to Earth aboard a starship that, years later, would be given the name of ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' by the [[Nemesis Part 1|final two]] [[Nemesis Part 2|episodes]] of the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]]. For the rest of the Generation 1 cartoon's first two seasons, the Decepticons were stationed on Earth in an [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|underwater headquarters]] that was originally another spacecraft that they had constructed on Earth during the pilot mini-series. The ship was supposed to take the Decepticons back to Cybertron, but it crashed into the ocean after a battle aboard its bridge. This ship would later be named ''[[Victory (G1)|Victory]]'' in [[2009]].

: However, a combination of faulty memories, lack of proper access to the full G1 cartoon during the early 2000s, and the ''Nemesis'' being found at the bottom of the sea in ''Beast Wars'', led a good number of fans to misremember the Decepticons' underwater base as having originally been the ''Nemesis'' instead of the ''Victory''. It certainly didn't help that the ''Victory'' originally had no name for twenty-five years, and that its design was always rather similar to that of the ''Nemesis''. Nonetheless, the ''Nemesis'' eventually did show up in the second season episode "[[Microbots]]" as a completely separate vessel from the undersea base, buried inside a mountain in [[South America]], complete with Megatron confirming it to be the very same ship that originally brought him and his Decepticon crew to Earth.

: And yet, this misunderstanding persisted just long enough to influence a few pieces of ''Transformers'' media of the 2000s. Namely the [[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation 1 comics]] published by [[Dreamwave Productions]], and [[Redemption Center|one story]] from the ''[[Transformers Legends (book)|Transformers Legends]]'' anthology book featured the ''Nemesis'' as the Decepticons' Earth-based undersea headquarters.

{{-}}{{anchor|JazzDeath}}
*'''Jazz was written out of the series due to the death of his voice actor.'''

: [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]] conspicuously survives the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', yet went on to make no speaking appearances in the third season of the cartoon. As his voice actor, [[Scatman Crothers]], passed away of lung cancer in 1986, it is common for fans to assume that the latter caused the former. This isn't hurt by the fact that fellow Autobot and film survivor [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cliffjumper]] also vanished due to issues involving [[Casey Kasem|his own voice actor]], nor by the fact that one of Jazz's only appearances involved him seemingly being referred to as "[[Munka Spanka]]."

: However, the dates simply don't match up: Crothers's death happened on November 22, long after the third season had begun airing. In fact, by that point, the only remaining episodes were the two parts of "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1|The Return of Optimus Prime]]", both of which aired months after the rest of the season. Add in the fact that any dialogue for the episodes would have been recorded months in advance, and the idea that Crothers dying affected the writing process becomes borderline impossible. The more likely answer is that Jazz stopped appearing, like much of the Season 1 and 2 cast, because his toy was no longer on shelves.

{{-}}{{anchor|HeadmastersUSADub}}
*'''''The Headmasters'' was going to be dubbed into English and shown in America.'''

: In America, "Season 4" consisted of "The Rebirth", a 3-episode mini-series. In Japan, "The Rebirth" was ignored, and a full-fledged series titled ''The Headmasters'' continued the story instead. Rumors once swirled in the fandom of an American-led dub of ''The Headmasters'' series; the dub was largely finished, goes the story, till the materials were lost in a warehouse fire.

: Given the meandering, continuity-heavy pace of the series (common for Japanese shows but anathema to American sensibilities of the time), the presence of numerous characters who had no toy equivalent on US shelves, the incompatibility with the "[[Nebulan]]" head characters, the number of Japanese cultural references, and the very existence of "[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The Rebirth]]", this rumor seems unlikely on the surface.

: More to the point, no official confirmation or other evidence has ever surfaced to back it up. In all likelihood the rumor was probably a {{w|Chinese whispers|Chinese Whisper}} from the fact that the laughably-bad English language [[Omni Productions]] dub was screened on UK satellite TV during the 1990s.

{{-}}{{anchor|Genderless}}
*'''Transformers were meant as a "genderless" race. Arcee and the other female Transformers were added to the brand because feminists complained about the Transformers all being male.'''

: When [[Bob Budiansky]] was assigned to work out the character details for the toys, he initially intended some of them to represent female characters, like [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. However, he was not given permission by [[Hasbro]] to include females because the company feared it would have a negative impact on the sales of those toys.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass interview]</ref> Budiansky complied, and in later years, would even pen [[Recipe for Disaster!|a story]] for the Marvel comic in which the Transformer race was stated to have no concept of gender.

:[[The Transformers (cartoon)|The cartoon]] was a different story. Since television requires a bigger investment than comics, but also offers the potential for a much better payoff, it is of interest for a TV network to broadcast material that reaches the highest possible demographic. To this end, very early in its development, writer [[Jeffrey Scott]] penned a [[production bible]] which included original female Transformer characters as part of an effort to sell the series to TV Network [[CBS]]. When it was decided to produce the series for syndication rather than for a network, new story editors [[Bryce Malek]] and [[Dick Robbins]] dropped this idea, and the series went on to star an exclusively-male cast of robots. However, in late 1984, while working on the early story development for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', writer [[Ron Friedman]] argued for the inclusion of a female Autobot in the story, on the basis that he "had a daughter who love[d] this stuff." Friedman won his argument, Arcee was added to the movie, and in 1985, female Autobots were incorporated into the series in advance of the film's release, with the introduction of [[Elita One]] and her [[Female Autobots]] in the episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]."

:In other Transformers cartoons, [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari Sumdac]] and the English dub gender flip of [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] have also been added to their respective series because of network demands, whereas [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] and [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] were a request from the writers to Hasbro.

: Despite persistent stories, there is no documented instance of feminists demanding the inclusion of female Transformers (and likely, they've got something better to do than complain about another generic boys show like there are hundreds of). There is, however, a comic story called "[[Prime's Rib!]]" which presents Arcee's introduction to the Autobot ranks as an attempt by Optimus Prime to appease [[Feminist mob|human feminists]]. While the story is obviously satire, through hearsay it has become believed by some that it is what actually happened.
{{-}}

====''The Transformers: The Movie''====
{{anchor|TFTMextreme}}
[[File:TFTM dead gray Prime.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb|Traumatizing enough as it is, frankly.]]
*'''There exists an "uncut version" of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' containing all sorts of non-kid-friendly content.'''

: These stories stem mainly from the fact that many home-video releases of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' omit two relatively minor instances of characters using profanity, which during the 1990s resulted in some [[alt.toys.transformers]] posters advertising "uncut" VHS copies of the movie for sale, thus either intentionally or unintentionally creating the myth of a really foul-mouthed and ultra-violent alternate version of ''The Transformers: The Movie''. At least one poster claimed to have uncut reels of the original film showing a number of violent scenes,<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/07464cbfbb5d0cc9/8aee0b30765b2b4a?hl=en#8aee0b30765b2b4a THE UNCUT JAPANESE TRANSFORMERS MOVIE]</ref> but, unsurprisingly, was unwilling to provide any form of proof.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/799fec40c1aa285e/6af42e4099affa04?hl=en# Doth the Canadian protesteth too much?]</ref> So have ended all claims of uncut footage from the film.

: A much stranger rumor, whose origins are unclear, claims that the original theatrical cut of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' depicted [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] crumbling into dust after dying, and that that scene was cut by the distributor in mid-release because children were traumatized by the imagery. Interestingly, the "[[Death of Optimus Prime]]" track on the original soundtrack album does contain ten extra seconds of music. At the end, just before the song's final low-octave percussion sequence, there is a very distinct series of notes that appears nowhere else in the song and is not in the onscreen version. However, no other evidence of this "lost" animation sequence exists among the many storyboards, preliminary animations, interviews, varying formats, etc., that have come to light. The myth could be related to the death of Starscream, a few scenes later, where Starscream '''does''' indeed crumble to dust after being shot by Galvatron; time and distance could lead fans to confuse the two scenes.

: These claims should not be confused with the extra storyboarded scenes and early script revisions which have come to light over the years, which do in fact contain a lot more violence. But no evidence exists that any of these sequences, even those that made it to storyboard, were ever animated. Especially given the expense of producing full animation.

::''See also: [[The Transformers: The Movie#Edits]].''

{{-}}{{anchor|UnicronNimoy}}
*'''Some portions of Unicron's dialogue were recorded by an actor other than Orson Welles.'''

: A common rumor in the Western fandom claimed that Unicron's final lines ("Destiny... you cannot destroy my.. destiny!") were recorded by [[Leonard Nimoy]], based on claims that those lines sounded "different" from the rest of [[Orson Welles]]' lines.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092106/trivia IMDB.com reference to the Leonard Nimoy-as-Unicron rumor.]</ref> Compounding the rumor is the fact that Welles died shortly after recording his ''TF:TM'' lines<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/This-Orson-Welles/dp/030680834X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6174389-3113623?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182349938&sr=8-1 According to one biography, Welles recorded his ''TF:TM'' lines on October 5, 1985 and died five days later.]</ref> (and indeed, one version of the rumor has Welles actually dying ''before'' completing his lines). Despite being debunked repeatedly (including by [[Susan Blu]] and [[Wally Burr]], both of whom should know), this one still pops up from time to time.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-news-rumors/387399-leonard-nimoy-officially-announced-voice-sentinel-prime-13.html#post5858748 Nimoy-as-Unicron rumor repeated by TFW2005 user "RedAlert Rescue".]</ref><ref>[http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2007/07/when_orson_welles_was_a_transformer.single.html Slate.com discusses the Unicron rumor.]</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|BrawnKilled}}
[[File:TFTM - Brawn's death.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Brawn can't shoulder the blame on this one.]]
*'''Brawn was killed in the movie by a single shot to the shoulder.'''

:A long-running joke in the fandom is that the tough-as-nails Brawn was killed by taking a single shot to his shoulder. While it's true Brawn was killed by a single shot from Megatron in gun mode, there is a single frame showing the shot actually hitting him in the upper flat portion of his chest, with the massive explosion that follows obscuring exactly where he was hit. In the following shot as he falls, a entry wound can be seen lower on his chest, with a large exit wound seen on his back.

{{-}}{{anchor|Ginormous}}
*'''''The Transformers: The Movie''/Scatman Crothers coined the term "ginormous", which has since been added to several dictionaries.'''

: In ''The Transformers: The Movie'', [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], voiced by [[Scatman Crothers]], described [[Unicron]] as "a ginormous, weird-looking planet". The word "ginormous", a portmanteau of "gigantic" and "enormous", was officially added by the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary in 2007.<ref name="webster">[http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/newwords07.htm Merriam-Webster adding the word "ginormous]</ref>

: Some fans believe that Crothers had coined the term, which is incorrect for several reasons. Even putting aside the notion that under this theory, Crothers is assumed to have ad-libbed the line (rather than simply reading it from [[Ron Friedman]]'s script), the term has actually been around for much longer, being listed in the Oxford English Dictionary as a "British informal" word that has existed since at least the 1940s, and was originally military slang.<ref name="oxford">[http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/ginormous Oxford dictionary entry for "ginormous"]</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|GutUltraMagnus}}
*'''Scourge was the one who asked Galvatron "You want me to gut Ultra Magnus?"'''

: During the Decepticons' second attack on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] rode inside [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus's]] cockpit, piloting him in vehicle mode. At one point, [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] flew up alongside them, also in vehicle mode, and his robot mode head popped up when the line "You want me to gut Ultra Magnus?" was spoken to Galvatron. Ever since the movie's release, fans have debated over who said this line, with the majority insisting it was Scourge.<ref>The fact that Scourge's sole line in the movie ("But remember, we belong to ''[[Unicron/Generation 1|him]]!'') was spoken in a much higher-pitched voice than the deeper-pitched voice Scourge would have during Season 3 of the cartoon also led many to mistakenly believe that that line was spoken by a [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] instead of Scourge himself.</ref> The [[Transformers: The Animated Movie|IDW adaptation of the movie]] even gave the line to Scourge in its [[To the Death—and Beyond!|second chapter]]. However, a closer examination of the voice that spoke the line reveals it was actually [[Roger C. Carmel]] (Cyclonus's actor), not [[Stan Jones]] (Scourge's actor): The voice is similarly guttural to how Carmel sounded when voicing the [[Quintesson Prosecutor]] later in the movie, and to how he would sound when voicing Cyclonus in certain episodes of the subsequent third season of the cartoon (such as when Cyclonus spoke the line "Your contributions will not be in vain, brothers," in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]"). The movie's [https://www.tfraw.com/p/transformers-movie-dialog-script.html final dialogue script] even confirms that it was Cyclonus who spoke the line.

{{-}}{{anchor|MovieNotInJapan}}
*'''''The Transformers: The Movie'' was never released in Japan.'''

: It is true that ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was not released in Japan at the same time it was released in [[Hasbro]]'s markets, with Japanese fans instead getting the ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'' OVA prior to the release of the third season of the show (second for Japan). But ''The Movie'' ultimately made it to Japanese theaters in August 1989. The various discrepancies between it and subsequent Japan-only Generation 1 fiction (such as who [[Prowl (G1)#The Headmasters cartoon|didn't]] [[Wheeljack (G1)#Victory cartoon|survive]] the movie) are largely a matter of the Japanese animators and writers being unaware of the precise details of the film. This also led to a similar rumor that ''Scramble City'' was an out-and-out ''replacement'' for the film, similar to how ''The Headmasters'' replaced "The Rebirth." Actually viewing the OVA reveals that it has nothing to do with the events of ''The Movie'', other than that both feature [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and take place between the second and third seasons; at no point does it significantly contradict the film, and pretty much the only third-season change the film explains is where [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] came from. There were indeed attempts to summarize what had happened in the movie, including a narration added to "Five Faces of Darkness" and scans in ''[[TV Magazine]]'', but ''Scramble City'' served much more as an advertisement for its subline than a major turning point of the continuity.<ref>http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=216153#post216153</ref><ref>http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?s=&postid=216478#post216478</ref><ref>http://tfarchive.com/community/showthread.php?threadid=30800</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|MatrixForever}}
*'''''The Transformers: The Movie'' was released in Japan under the title "Matrix Forever".'''

: "[[The Transformers: The Movie - Apocalypse: Be Eternal, Matrix|Matrix Forever]]" is actually the shortened and slightly mistranslated title of a 20-minute video created to promote the Japanese release of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', but some Western fans have been confused into thinking that ''The Transformers: The Movie'' itself was renamed "Matrix Forever".<ref>http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/a5d29844863d2c29</ref>
{{-}}

====Japanese Generation 1 fiction====
{{anchor|PlanetDestron}}
*'''In Japanese continuity, the Destrons (Decepticons) were invaders from a planet called Destron.'''

: The [[Autobot]]s were renamed "Cybertrons" in the Japanese translation, resulting in a misconception that the Destrons ([[Decepticon]]s) must hail from somewhere other than the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. However, the Japanese translation also used slightly different spellings for the faction, "Cybertron" (literally: サイバトロン, "Sa-i-ba-to-ro-n"), and the planet, (literally: セイバートロン, "Se-i-baa-to-ro-n"), commonly interpreted as "Seibertron" by Western fans, in order to avoid confusion, even though both words originally started out based on the English name "Cybertron".<ref name="tfa522">[http://tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=522 The Transformers Archive essay about various urban legends surrounding the Transformers franchise]</ref>

: This rumor presumably originates from an article a Thomas Wheeler had written for ''Attic's Collectible Toys and Values Monthly'' during the hiatus between the [[The Transformers (toyline)|G1]] and [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|G2]] toylines. According to that article, Hasbro chose not to follow this element of the story because of the similarity between the term "Destron" and ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]''{{'}}s "[[Destro]]" character. Of course, seeing as the story originated in America to begin with and was only dubbed into Japanese later on, this doesn't make a lot of sense. In later years, Wheeler wrote toy reviews for Master Collector's website, which occasionally also display a certain lack of knowledge about various toys and the ''Transformers'' brand's overall history, so it doesn't seem entirely out of place for him.

: Interestingly, an earlier draft for "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]" ''would'' have established the Decepticons as "evil machines from another world"<ref name="dotd2draft">{{citesocial|quote=the original script for 'Desertion Of The Dinobots' had the Decepticons described as coming from another planet other than Cybertron. (1985) https://t.co/FJcCqm5Gdl|link=https://twitter.com/TF_Moments/status/1561586703265153024|name=TF_Moments|site=Twitter|year=2022|month=08|day=22|(defunct=)}}</ref>, but this was not used in the final episode, which simply stated that "Decepticons, lusting for power, began a terrible war". "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" then established the ''true'' origin of the Cybertronian race, which was kept unchanged for the Japanese dub.

{{-}}{{anchor|MegatronNotGalvatron}}
*'''In Japanese continuity, Megatron and Galvatron are two separate characters.'''

: There are a few instances of Japanese fiction (and advertising) that would seem to support this notion, all of which can be attributed to a lack of communication between [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] prior to the release of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. All of them were ultimately ignored by the "primary" fiction, namely the (dubbed) third season of the cartoon (named ''Transformers: 2010'' in Japan) and the accompanying manga, which followed the Western story concept of Galvatron being a reformatted [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]].

: The [[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 2|second issue]] of ''[[The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers]]'' [[manga]] depicts [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] commanding [[Megatron Corps|a legion of automatons]] created in [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s image, which some non-Japanese-speaking fans misinterpreted as depicting Galvatron and Megatron co-existing. This even extended into ''[[The Battlestars]]'', where the appearance of Super Megatron solidified the idea to those fans; after all, surely if he were upgraded from Galvatron, he would be named Super Galvatron, right? One particularly sturdy rumor claimed that he was trying to hunt Galvatron down (possibly conflating him with [[Gilthor]]).<ref>http://tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=179</ref>

{{-}}{{anchor|MarsExplodes}}
[[File:ExplosionMarsMegaZarak MarsExplodes.jpg|upright=1|thumb|"What will you do?" "Rebuild it. Just the way it was, brick for brick."]]
*'''Mars was destroyed in ''The Headmasters''. Therefore, all of its later Japanese G1 appearances are continuity errors.'''

: The planet [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] was blown up by the Decepticons in the [[Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears|fifteenth episode]] of the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|Transformers: The Headmasters]]'' cartoon. Yet, it made later appearances in both the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' cartoons as a fully-intact, definitely-not-destroyed planet. For decades, fans in the West took these later appearances of Mars following its destruction to be, well, a glaring continuity error. However, it actually isn't.

: In the [[The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)|final episode]] of ''The Headmasters'', the Autobots succeeded in finally driving the Decepticons off the Earth for good, and prepared to leave the planet themselves. When saying goodbye to the [[Witwicky (surname)|Witwicky]]s, the Autobot leader [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] stated that, among many other tasks ahead of them, the Autobots planned to rebuild Mars as part of their efforts to bring peace to the universe. Evidently, they succeeded, given Mars's aforementioned later appearances.

: The Western fandom's perception that Mars's appearances post-''The Headmasters'' were in error stemmed from the fact that, in all official ''and'' unofficial English-subtitled releases of ''The Headmasters'', Fortress's line about rebuilding Mars was completely overlooked and left out of the subtitle translations. It ''was'', however, mentioned in the English dub produced by [[Omni Productions]], but for the longest time, that was believed to have been an invention of the dub, rather than a (surprisingly) accurate translation of the Japanese dialogue.

: In truth, Mars being rebuilt was mentioned in the Japanese dialogue from the very beginning, and the Western fandom at large simply failed to notice.

{{-}}{{anchor|SpaceMafia}}
*'''Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus are both members of a "Space Mafia".'''

: [[Black Shadow (G1)|Black Shadow]] of ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Victory|Victory]]'' has his function listed as "Space Gangster". An early fan translation of his on-package [[bio]] misinterpreted the Japanese word for "gangster" to mean "Mafia", hence the belief that a "Space Mafia" exists in the Japanese Generation 1 universe. This was naturally extended to his partner, [[Blue Bacchus]], whose function is "Space Gunman."

{{-}}{{anchor|MetrotitanZombie}}
[[File:Roadfire1.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Maybe it's the way [[Ban Magami]] drew his mouth?]]
*'''Metrotitan is a zombie of Metroplex.'''

: [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] was a Destron [[redeco]] of [[Metroplex (G1)#Toys|Metroplex]] from the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1990 (Zone)|Zone]]'' portion of the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|original Japanese toyline]]. In the earliest years of the online fandom, some Western fans propagated the idea that Metrotitan was a "zombified" version of Metroplex, who had died somehow, sometime. (The details have never been specified.) A stranger variation on this rumor holds that Metrotitan was somehow "regrown" from one of Metroplex's legs.<ref name="tfa522" />

: This has long since been debunked, as Metrotitan is just a big Decepticon who showed up one day, as big Decepticons are wont to do. It is... ''unclear'' how the zombie rumor got started, but given the general sparsity of both reliable translations of Japanese material at the time, and of ''Zone'' fiction overall, it's kind of easy to see how it stuck around as long as it did.

{{-}}{{anchor|Robotmasters}}
[[File:RobotMasters relation chart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Only those from the Beast Era and ''Victory'' travel through the Blastizone.]]
*'''''Robotmasters'' is a multiversal crossover with characters dimension-hopping into Generation 1 from other universes.'''

: Takara's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' series was released in [[2004]] to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' brand. As such, it featured a big crossover storyline that brought together several famous characters from across the brand's history: Characters from ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory|Victory]]'' and ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers#Beast Wars II|Beast Wars II]]'' traveled through time and space across a dimensional fissure known as the [[Blastizone]], arriving on Earth in the year 2004 to team up with Generation 1 characters. This all happened around the same time as Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' series, which similarly featured its own big crossover story that saw characters from across the [[multiverse]] coming together from different universes to fight a [[Universe War|war]] over Unicron's return.

: Since the toylines of both ''Robotmasters'' and ''Universe'' consisted primarily of redecos of existing toy molds, and because both series were big crossover events that brought together different characters from different series across time and space, fans in the West considered ''Robotmasters'' to be the Japanese equivalent of ''Universe'', and so initially mistook the events of ''Robotmasters'' for a multiversal conflict analogous to that of ''Universe'', with some of its characters crossing over from other realities. Namely, both [[Tow-Line (RID)|Wrecker Hook]] and [[Sideways (RM)|Double Face]] were key suspects of ''Robotmasters'' characters speculated to have come from other universes (but that is a whole other [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)#The continuity kerfuffle|can]] of [[Circular reporting#Sideways|worms]]).

: However, a closer examination of the ''Robotmasters'' fiction reveals all this to have ''not'' been the case at all. Unlike ''Universe'', ''Robotmasters'' did not actually feature any dimension-hopping whatsoever. Both the [[Robotmasters (comic)|comic series]] and the relation chart (pictured right) found on [https://web.archive.org/web/20070618040111/www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/robotmasters/main2.htm Takara's official website] specified which particular characters did and did not travel through the Blastizone, and the only ones who did were just time-travelers: [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]], [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Psycho-Orb]], [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]], [[Ginrai (robot)|Victory Leo]], [[Gigant Bomb]], and [[Lio Convoy]]. None of the other ''Robotmasters'' characters were ever indicated to be anything but native to the [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Japanese Generation 1 universe]] in the years 2004–2005 (''including'' the aforementioned Wrecker Hook and Double Face).

: Oddly though, the [[Robotmasters (3D diorama comic)|''Robotmasters'' 3D diorama comics]] didn't even feature the Blastizone or any other signs of spacetime travel. All of the time-displaced warriors from ''Beast Wars'', ''Victory'', and ''Beast Wars II'' were just already there in the present, with no explanation given for how any of them got there. Even the [[Robotmasters Vol. 11|final chapter's]] guest appearance of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]—the sole anomalous instance that ''could'' have been considered a universe-hop in ''Robotmasters'' fiction—was completely unexplained: He just showed up without any kind of portal or means of arrival, as if he, bizarrely, was also just a native to the ''Robotmasters'' world (From a real-world standpoint, his appearance was simply to advertise his then-new ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Hybrid Style|toy]]).
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====European Generation 1 fiction====
*'''Starscream and Shrapnel are female characters in the French dub of Generation 1.'''
: This rumor is only partly true. The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''Transformers'' cartoon]] used three different dub teams for the French version: one for the TV show's dub broadcast in Quebec, one for the TV show's dub broadcast in France and one for the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] used in both countries. Neither of the TV show's dubs depict [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] as a female as he uses a distinctively male voice;<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhOCYZRxypM YouTube: Doublage de France: Combaticons et Égo]</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMXCeXw5Vdo Doublage Québécois: Égo et Dr. Croc-en-ville]</ref> however, the movie's dubbing team used a female voice for Starscream, and at one point [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] calls Starscream "une imbécile" (articles in French are gender-specific), clearly cementing Starscream's movie status as a female.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20080612225831/http://www.bigbot.com/mp3/transformers_mp3.shtml#Femmes</ref> All the same is also true for [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]], who is even referred to as "Mademoiselle Shrapnel" by [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] in the movie.
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*'''The German version of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' was edited and didn't depict Starscream's death scene.'''
: German TV didn't air a dubbed version of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] until 1989. ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was aired for the first time on German TV in 1994, with only one repeat. For unknown reasons, a rumor was circulating for several years claiming that [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream's]] death was considered too "violent" for German TV standards for children's programs and had therefore been edited out.<ref>[http://www.ofdb.de/view.php?page=fassung&fid=7489&vid=38680 German movie database ''still'' listing the rumor about Starscream's "edited death" in TF:TM]</ref> However, recordings of the TV airing still exist, which don't feature any obvious edits other than [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike's]] infamous "swear" line. Furthermore, a German DVD edition of the movie released in 2004 that features an entirely different dub also depicts Starscream's death in all its glory.
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====Other====
* '''Cliffjumper dies in every ''Transformers'' series he appears in, or is part of a franchise-wide running gag where he is killed over and over again.'''

[[File:Transformers2-Cliffjumper.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|I lived, bitch!]]

: The [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|series premiere]] of ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' is well-remembered for its opening act, in which [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] brutally kills [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]]. Several years later, [[Cliffjumper (Movie)|Cliffjumper]] made a prominent appearance in 2018's ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' film, where he is tortured and killed by the Decepticons [[Shatter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]]. By sheer coincidence, [[Cliffjumper (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Cliffjumper]] had recently perished in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s concurrent ''[[Transformers: Unicron|Unicron]]'' miniseries; from these data points (sometimes adding in the fate of his [[Cliffjumper (SG)|mirror-universe self]] in ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' and a brief cameo in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Siege]]'' that leaves his fate uncertain), some fans have extrapolated the idea that Cliffjumper must "always" die in ''Transformers'' stories, or that writers have somehow singled him out to die over and over again for the sake of comedy, not unlike the perpetually unlucky [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]].

:The truth of the matter is a bit more nuanced. Named ''Transformers'' characters die all the time—across different works of ''Transformers'' fiction, characters named "[[Wheeljack (disambiguation)|Wheeljack]]" and "[[Blurr (disambiguation)|Blurr]]" have died just as often as Cliffjumper, and Bumblebee himself has died or otherwise suffered terminal damage onscreen just as often as Cliffjumper! Some of Cliffjumper's deaths were part of climactic "massacre" storylines that killed off dozens of named characters; his appearances in ''Bumblebee'' and ''Siege'' probably came down to the fact that it was easier to finagle another pre-existing character from their limited pool of robot parts by simply recoloring Bumblebee's pre-existing CGI model, rather than any kind of ulterior commentary on the character.

: In contemporary comics, Cliffjumper spent years as the POV character in [[Fun Publications]]' ''Shattered Glass'' comics; more recently, he got an entire two-part adventure to himself in 2020's ''[[Transformers: Galaxies]]'' series, where he turned out just fine. As of {{CURRENTYEAR}}, he's received a starring role in [[Skybound Entertainment|Skybound]]'s [[Energon Universe]] comics, taking the usual "human ally" role from ... ''Bumblebee'', who died in [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|the very first issue]]. (See what we mean?)
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==Beast Era misconceptions==
===Toys===
*'''Beast Wars didn't originally have the Transformers branding.'''
[[File:BW Waspinator packaging variants.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Let's play the "spot the ''Transformers'' logo" game.]]
:While the early design of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toy packaging had the ''Transformers'' brand name in a smaller typeface than the main ''Beast Wars'' logo, the toy range was ''always'' officially titled ''Beast Wars: Transformers'' in the United States from day one (while the back of the packaging typically added a definite article, ''Beast Wars: '''The''' Transformers'', presumably in order to keep the [[trademark]] for the original toyline). The ''Beast Wars'' name was first reduced in size with the shift from rock bubble to smooth bubble cards, and again in 1998 with the release of the [[Transmetal]]s and [[Fuzor]]s subranges, which also saw the order of the two parts reversed to ''Transformers: Beast Wars'', thus considerably increasing the prominence of the ''Transformers'' title.

:In Canada and Latin America, the use of [[multilingual packaging|trilingual packaging]] necessitated that the triple ''Beast Wars/Guerre des Bêtes/Guerra de Bestias'' title was rendered in a smaller font than on United States packaging to begin with, resulting in the ''Transformers'' name being more prominent as well. The order of the two parts was switched analogously with United States packaging.

:In Europe, things were a little less cut-and-dry: Initially, early production runs of trilingual English/Spanish/Italian packaging featured only the ''Beast Wars'' title in around the same size featured on United States packaging at the time, while the ''Transformers'' branding was placed in the lower right corner of the packaging. In the case of carded figures, that meant it was hidden far away from the ''Beast Wars'' title, while on boxed figures, it was simply much smaller than, and not at all aligned with, the main title. On top of that, it was rendered in red on an already red background (and, for some reason, also included a ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]''-style [[Autobot]] [[insignia]]!). The same was done with early trilingual French/Dutch/German packaging, which featured the double title ''Beast Wars/Ani Mutants''.

:Eventually, English/Spanish/Italian also adopted a second title, becoming ''Beast Wars/Biocombat'', and the ''Transformers'' name was placed directly below it, with the color changed from red to white and the ''Generation 2'' Autobot insignia dropped, just like on American packaging. Unlike English/Spanish/Italian packaging, this packaging design was continued all the way through 1997. Finally, the introduction of the Transmetals and Fuzors subranges in 1998 also saw another change: While English/Spanish/Italian packaging simply reduced the size of the entire title on Basic and Deluxe blister cards, but still kept the ''Transformers'' portion as the secondary title for the remainder of the toyline's run, French/Dutch/German packaging followed the example of American packaging and moved the ''Transformers'' name on top, while keeping the title itself in the same font size also featured on each packaging's English/Spanish/Italian counterpart.

:Lastly, when British commercial broadcaster ITV aired the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' television series]] on their morning show (GMTV), the ''Transformers'' name was edited out of the title sequence entirely.
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===Fiction===
====Japanese ''Beast Wars''====
*'''Preface'''
:To give a better idea of how the following misconceptions came about, many of them stem from how little access the Western fandom had to understandable forms of the Japanese ''Beast Wars'' media at the time. After all, when the series were first released, the internet was still a relatively "new" thing, where [[alt.toys.transformers|USENET forums]] were still a major outlet for fan information and websites were... rudimentary. For about two decades since that time, the most that the West had access to were a small number of fan-subtitled episodes of ''[[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars II]]'' and ''[[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (cartoon)|Beast Wars Neo]]'', a fansubbed version of the theatrical feature segment ''[[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!]]'', a translation of the first ''Beast Wars II'' [[Catalog#Beast Wars II|toy catalog]], and second-hand accounts from those who had seen the untranslated episodes of either series or had read each's respective [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga]] [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (manga)|series]]. Over time, those who lacked an understanding of the Japanese language would misinterpret much of these series' specifics. The following are a few of the most well known misunderstandings.
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[[File:Optimusx2.JPG|thumb|Well, that's just Prime.]]
*'''In Japanese ''Beast Wars'' continuity, Optimus Primal and Megatron were the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes.'''
:In hindsight, it sure seems like this was originally going to be the case. When the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toyline first debuted in the West, both [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] were identified in their earliest toy bios as being new iterations of Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], respectively. This was most evident in the bios of the very first toys of the two: the Basic class bat Optimus Primal and crocodile Megatron toys. But when the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] started up later, it did away with that idea entirely, by firmly establishing that the two leaders were instead completely separate individuals from their Generation 1 namesakes.

:When ''Beast Wars'' was first brought over to Japan, Takara evidently thought that the original notion was still in effect: Optimus Primal was renamed "Convoy", the same Japanese name as Optimus Prime, and the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] factions were given the same Japanese names as those of the Autobot and Decepticon faction—"Cybertron" and "Destron", respectively. Optimus and Megatron's Ultra and Basic class toys were each given Japanese bios loosely based on their respective Basic class toys' English bios, with their Ultra class toy bios even giving them the same functions as their Generation 1 namesakes ([[Supreme Commander]] and [[Emperor of Destruction]], respectively); the one for Optimus even indicated him to be the very same Optimus of old. Both of their Basic class toys were even given special redecos with new bios that ''explicitly'' claimed the two had previously been a tractor trailer and a Walther P-38, the very same altmodes of the Generation 1 Optimus Prime and Megatron.

:When the first season of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon began airing in Japan, it was initially ambiguous on the matter, never actually saying one way or the other if Optimus and Megatron were meant to be new characters like their English counterparts, or the same characters as their Generation 1 namesakes. This was because, despite the ''many'' adlibs that were added to the Japanese dub, it was still largely dubbed in accordance to the English version, which rarely ever touched upon the subject in its first season (because it never ''needed'' to, since it was abundantly clear in that version that Optimus Primal and Megatron were not their G1 namesakes). This initial ambiguity would later prove to be the Japanese dub's saving grace from what all came next.

:When Takara made the first Japanese-original spin-off series, ''Beast Wars II'', Optimus Primal made a few guest appearances in both its [[Beast Wars II: Super Lifeform Transformers (manga)|manga]] and its [[Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!|movie]]. A short bio for him was printed at the end of the [[Free the Captured Matrix!|third chapter]] of the manga, which described Optimus as "A fierce fighter who has fought against the Destron army for thousands of years."<ref>数千年にわたり、デストロン軍と戦いつづけで猛者。コンボイの称号を与える軍の評議会の一員でもある。エネルゴン探索の任務遂行中に消息をたったともいわれていたが...!?</ref> The same chapter also depicted him as a sitting member of [[Convoy Council|council]] that oversaw the military operations on Cybertron, presenting Primal in a lofty position of authority. Then, three months later, Optimus made a big-screen animated appearance in ''Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!'', in which he was presented as a "legendary Supreme Commander", complete with his own [[Matrix (disambiguation)|Matrix]]; a ''stark'' contrast to his American cartoon depiction as merely the young and untested captain of a lowly science vessel. Likewise, the Predacon leader [[Galvatron (BW)|Galvatron]] referred to a "Megatron" as "the greatest and most vicious legendary Transformer in history." But, it was never clarified if this grandiose description was in reference to Generation 1 or ''Beast Wars'' Megatron... likely because, at the time, the movie treated the two as if they were the same person, just as it seemed to do for Optimus.

[[File:G1Megatron MasterBlaster stasislock.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left|Hello there, past self who is a completely different individual.]]
:Despite this initial impression, however, new information would come to light in ''Beast Wars Metals'', the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon's second and third seasons. These two seasons had been held back from airing on Japanese television until after both had been completed by [[Mainframe Entertainment|Mainframe]], and thus did not reach Japanese audiences until after ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo'' had come and gone. In short, ''Metals'' remained consistent with the original English version by treating the Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' namesakes as separate characters: The Japanese dub of "[[The Agenda (Part 2)]]" even had ''Beast Wars'' Megatron refer to Generation 1 Megatron as "My ancestor Megatron" (我先祖のメガトロン, ''Waga senzo no Megatron'') when relating the history of the Golden Disk to Ravage.

:Consequently, ''Metals'' choosing to remain faithful to the English version on this matter suddenly rendered all of the above Japanese-original media that had previously linked ''Beast Wars'' Megatron and Optimus Primal to their Generation 1 counterparts no longer applicable for the cartoon's continuity. The first-year toy bios were relegated to a [[micro-continuity]], while the ''Beast Wars II'' manga was always its own continuity separate from its counterpart cartoon to begin with. Though, both it and the subsequent [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Neo (manga)|''Beast Wars Neo'' manga]] were followed by a [[Super Lifeform Transformers: Beast Wars Metals (manga)|''Beast Wars Metals'' manga]] whose [[Beast Wars Metals issue 6|final chapter]] would link it back to the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, while also retaining the American cartoon's depiction of the ''Beast Wars'' and Generation 1 Optimuses and Megatrons as separate individuals, despite all the aforementioned implications made previously about Optimus Primal in the ''Beast Wars II'' manga. So... it's not perfect.

:As for the "legendary" status of ''Beast Wars'' Optimus and Megatron in the animated movie, that can easily be brushed aside as merely an aspect of long-running Japanese children's series that have multiple shows (e.g. – ''Kamen Rider'', ''Super Sentai'', etc.), in that the main hero of a previous series is treated with awe and reverence by the cast of the next series in any crossover team-ups. Optimus Primal was the leader of the good guys from the series preceding ''Beast Wars II'', so the cast of that series revered him with due respect. Later, the cast of ''Beast Wars Neo'' did the same for Lio Convoy of ''Beast Wars II'', calling him a "legendary warrior" in [[Illusion? Lio Convoy|Episode 29]]. Heck, even [[Big Convoy]] was called a "legendary warrior" multiple times in ''Neo'', even as early as the [[Big Convoy, Move Out|first episode]]. To put it simply, being "legendary" in Japanese ''Beast Wars'' fiction isn't as special as it sounds.

:Incidentally, it would later be confirmed that the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon actually took place eons ''after'' the later-made ''Beast Wars'' sequel series ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' (see below for more). This meant that ''Beast Wars'' Optimus Primal and Megatron actually ''were'' figures of the distant past from the ''Beast Wars II'' cast's point-of-view. In hindsight, this legendary status of the two in the movie fits rather well with how, in ''Beast Machines'', Megatron singlehandedly conquered all of Cybertron and "viciously" captured the sparks of its entire population, while Optimus "legendarily" saved the whole planet from Megatron at the cost of his own life. As Japan would not receive that series until [[2004]]—six years after the movie's release—this all proved rather fortuitous in the end.
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*'''Optimus Primal was sent to Planet Gaia in the ''Beast Wars II'' movie when he flew into the alien machine at the end of "Other Voices, Part 2".'''
:The ''Beast Wars II'' feature film, ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers]]'', was initially released in Japanese theaters before the second season of the American ''Beast Wars'' cartoon first aired in Japan. During the ''Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!'' segment of this film, Optimus Primal made a guest appearance to team up with the cast of ''Beast Wars II''. At the end of the segment, he declares that he must "return to Energoa"; this was the name given to prehistoric Earth in the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, before its true identity as Earth was revealed. This meant that he had been transported to Planet [[Gaia]]—future Earth—from prehistoric Earth during the time of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]].

:The final episode of the first season of ''Beast Wars'', "[[Other Voices, Part 2]]", ends with Optimus Primal flying up into the [[Vok]]'s [[Planet Buster|planet-destroying weapon]], sacrificing himself to save the planet. [[Aftermath|Three]] [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)|episodes]] [[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)|later]], he is restored to life after a difficult resurrection process. Since Primal's appearance in the movie was screened in Japan between the Japanese airings of Seasons 1 and 2 of ''Beast Wars'', some took this release order as a literal chronology for Optimus Primal's Japanese cartoon appearances, thinking that his final moment in "Other Voices, Part 2" was the exact moment he was pulled into the future and brought to Gaia. A statement given in the ''[[Beast Wars Special Super Lifeform Transformers Film Book]]'' even seemed to confirm this theory.<ref>Page 7: エイリアンマシンに激突した際、時空を超えて惑星ガイアにやってきた。("When he crashed into the [[Planet Buster|Alien Machine]], he crossed space-time and came to the planet Gaia.")</ref>

:Some even took his presence in the movie as an explanation for why the Maximal [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] had great difficulty locating Primal's [[spark]] within "the other side of the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]]" in "[[Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)]]", as if to mean that it ''wasn't'' there at the time. ''Lio Convoy in Imminent Danger!'' is even bookended by sequences that recap the events of Primal's death and rebirth in ''Beast Wars''. And most of all, when Optimus is brought to Gaia, he initially appears in a glowing, yellow, ghost-like form, which ''wasn't'' the case for the story's main antagonist, [[Majin Zarak]], who had arrived on Gaia through the exact same means as Optimus. He even returns to this glowing, yellow, spectral form upon his departure near the end of the movie.

:However, despite the longevity of this theory, the opening narration of the very next part of the movie—the Japanese dub of the ''Beast Wars'' season 2 episode "[[Bad Spark]]"—actually seems to debunk it by essentially reiterating what was true of Primal's fate in the English version of ''Beast Wars''. In this narration, Rhinox and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] claim that Optimus Primal did indeed die in the [[unspace|transwarp]] explosion at the end of "Other Voices, Part 2", and that Rhinox had brought his spark back from the dead in "Coming of the Fuzors (Part 2)".

:While this apparently renders the ''Film Book''{{'}}s statement in error, it does seem like there was originally ''some'' intention for it to be true, given Primal's arrival and departure in the movie depicting him in his aforementioned ghostly form. But, while a neat idea, it raises too many questions and relies on too many assumptions in order for it to sensibly fit with Primal's onscreen resurrection. And since Rhinox and Rattrap claim otherwise, this would mean that Optimus was brought to the future from a different point during the Beast Wars, ''before'' the end of Season 1 due to Primal having his Season 1 body in the movie. Exactly when during Season 1, however, has never been disclosed.
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{{anchor|JBWchronology}}
[[File:PrimalLioConvoyCatalog01.jpg|thumb|Everything you know is a lie!]]
*'''The characters of the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoons hail from the same time-period as the cast of ''Beast Wars'', at a point set prior to ''Beast Machines''.'''

:It's barely even correct to call this a misconception; by all appearances, this ''was'' the intent for the Japanese-original ''Beast Wars'' series. The first catalog packed in with the ''Beast Wars II'' toys presented Lio Convoy and Galvatron as contemporaries of ''Beast Wars'' Optimus Primal and Megatron, and this scenario was reflected in both the ''Beast Wars II'' manga and [[Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|handheld video game]].

:But in the course of their run, the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoons introduced a few notable inconsistencies with the original ''Beast Wars'' series. ''Beast Wars II'' would [[Emissary of the Fourth Planet|introduce the idea]] that it took place at a point in time when humans hadn't lived on Earth for tens of thousands of years, when ''Beast Wars'' had [[Dark Designs|previously established]] that its cast hailed from only three centuries after a time when Earth was still populated. ''Beast Wars Neo'' would also depict the Maximals and Predacons as having been at war for some time, which contradicted the American series, in which the two factions had been at peace for centuries. ''Neo'' also featured the computer [[Vector Sigma]] in a way that would go on to be completely contradicted by its appearance in the ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' cartoon (though that one's more forgivable, as the Japanese staff could hardly predict the future).

:These discrepancies were likely unintentional, rather than actual, intentional deviations from continuity; the "three centuries" statement from ''Beast Wars'' had even been omitted from the Japanese dub, so there was originally no issue there. But when TakaraTomy published a massive [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Generation 1/Beast Era timeline]] between 2006 and 2007, they chose to acknowledge and lean ''into'' the English version's "three centuries" statement, and used it to "correct" the ''other'' discrepancies by plainly stating that the wartime era of ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Beast Wars Neo'' did indeed take place tens of thousands of years into the future, long ''after'' the peacetime era of ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' that was set only three centuries into the future. This caused a bit of consternation among English-speaking fans at the time, as they hadn't even been aware of the continuity issues, due to the two series having not yet been translated in full.

:This tactic did create a ''new'' discrepancy, though: In ''Beast Wars Neo'', Cybertron was depicted with its traditional appearance as a metallic planet, while, at the end of ''Beast Machines'', it was converted into a [[technorganic]] form. It would be [[2019]] before this last gap in the timeline was plugged, when a ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Transformers Legends]]'' [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Blue Big Convoy)|pack-in comic]] explained how and why Cybertron was turned back into a metallic world eons after its [[Great Transformation|technorganic reformatting]].

:While these efforts have helped to tidy things up, the original understanding of the timeline has influenced several pieces of American media over the years, with the characters and events of the Japanese series often being presented as contemporaneous with the original ''Beast Wars'' cast, perhaps most notably in the [[IDW Publishing]] comic series ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' and its sequels and spin-offs. Even after the release of the Japanese Generation 1/Beast Era timeline, new media set in other continuities have knowingly chosen to continue depicting characters from the Japanese series as existing side-by-side with the American cast, with such series as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'',''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Transformers Legends]]'', and even IDW's second ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars|Beast Wars]]'' comic series each presenting all of them living together in societies and scenarios unique to those series.
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*'''The characters in ''Beast Wars II'' travel forward in time to Future Earth just like how the characters of ''Beast Wars'' travel back in time to Prehistoric Earth.'''
:Seemingly an offshoot of the above misconception, this appears to have been born out of a misinterpretation of a scene in the [[The New Forces Arrive!|first episode]]. When the Maximal starship ''[[Yukikaze (BW)|Yukikaze]]'' takes off into space, there is a shot where it vanishes in a flash of light and reappears elsewhere within the vicinity of Gaia. Some have mistaken this flash of light to mean that the ''Yukikaze'' traveled through [[unspace|transwarp space]] forward in time to arrive in the future, as if to echo the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]''{{'}}s own time-jump to the past in ''Beast Wars''.

:This feels like an attempt to hold on to the belief of the ''Beast Wars II'' cast originating from the same home-time of the ''Beast Wars'' cast, while also aligning with the revelation of Gaia being Earth several tens of millennia after humanity left the planet.

:In truth, however, what really happens during the scene in question is that the ''Yukikaze'' simply travels to Gaia with no time travel involved. The ship's disappearance and reappearance in a flash of light was merely the ship going to warp speed, just like many other spacecraft of science fiction.
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{{anchor|Drunk Apache}}
*'''In ''Beast Wars II'', Apache is a drunkard as part of a Native American stereotype.'''
:[[Apache]] did indeed get drunk in the first episode of the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon, but only in grief, believing (erroneously) that his earlier actions had caused the death of [[Lio Convoy]] (which didn't happen). He did not get drunk again for the duration of the cartoon, nor did he ever do so in the manga. Outside of that, the Native American stereotype "common" to Japanese fictions is a stoic, silent, and often mystical warrior—none of which could be used to accurately describe Apache at all.

:Amusingly enough, in the sixth installment of the ''Beast Wars II'' manga, ''Lio Convoy'' gets drunk for no apparent reason and ends up trashing Apache's room.
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[[File:BWNeo Unicron.JPG|thumb|Looks can be deceiving.]]
*'''In ''Beast Wars Neo'', Unicron was resurrected by possessing the corpse of Galvatron.'''
:This misunderstanding is pretty understandable. In [[Illusion? Lio Convoy|Episode 29]], the coveted [[Angolmois Energy]] is revealed to be the lifeforce of [[Unicron]], who is successfully resurrected in [[Unicron Revived!?|the very next episode]]. Yet, when he makes his debut, he appears in the form of Galvatron, who had seemingly perished in the [[Farewell! Lio Convoy|final episode]] of ''Beast Wars II''. At first glance, it looks as though Galvatron's corpse had been recovered and used as a vessel to house Unicron's Angolmois Energy, and those who did not understand the Japanese dialogue simply assumed this to be the case.

:However, the Japanese dialogue actually states otherwise. Unicron's resurrected form is not Galvatron's physical body, but is actually a body made of Angolmois Energy that Unicron has deliberately shaped into Galvatron's likeness in an attempt to trick Magmatron into thinking that he ''is'' Galvatron, before revealing his true identity. After which, Unicron simply decided to keep using Galvatron's likeness as his default appearance, even using Galvatron's name when transforming between dragon and robot mode.

:Ironically, the misconception of Galvatron's body absorbing the Angolmois Energy as a resurrection vessel is almost exactly what Unicron ''wanted'' Magmatron to think, with the difference being that Unicron wanted Magmatron to think that the absorption was specifically for Galvatron's revival instead of Unicron's.
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====''Beast Machines''====
*'''A ''Beast Machines'' writer said, "Real heroes don't use guns."'''
:''Beast Machines'' was the first (but not the last) ''Transformers'' series to explicitly avoid all hand-held projectile [[weapon]]ry. While the [[Vehicon (BM)|villains]] still had traditional "blasters" mounted on their bodies, some of the [[Maximal|heroes]]' weapons were more esoteric (such as [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'s energy-web attack, activated by putting her hands on the ground, or [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]]'s gauntlets, powered by absorbing enemy fire). According to story editor [[Bob Skir]], this creative decision was agreed upon between the story editors, [[Fox Kids]], [[Mainframe Entertainment]], and [[Hasbro]],<ref name="Skir">[http://web.archive.org/web/20080222040119/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Sat_06_Nov_1999.html Archived Q&A from Bob Skir's now-defunct website,] where Skir responds to the gun controversy (question 7).</ref> and it is indeed reflected in the toys as well.

:Note that many Maximals had weaponry that was functionally no different from a "gun"—compare [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]]'s hip-mounted energy cannons, [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]'s back-mounted sonic blaster, or Optimus Primal's chest-mounted energy disc launcher to [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]]'s shoulder-mounted ray guns or [[Strika (BM)|Strika]]'s wrist-mounted energy... tossing thingies.

:On his website, Skir also elaborated on his own position as a writer choosing if or how to portray gun use, including this statement: "Our heroes use their wiles and resourcefulness, plus a few cool weapons. Guns? I've never been a fan of them myself, and do not write heroes who need them."<ref>[http://members.aol.com/zobovor/guns.html Article on the fan Dave "Zobovor" Edwards' personal site,] quoting Bob Skir's original gun statement.</ref> Some fans interpreted Skir as condemning ''all'' gun use, even in the real world, no matter the circumstances. This led to the misquote, "Real heroes don't use guns,"<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_thread/thread/be5e55a90df944bb/b748601b997b3508#b748601b997b3508 Alt.toys.transformers thread] with the misquote and attendant assumptions right at the start.</ref> which remains a notoriously persistent error in the fandom. Skir, responding to the controversy, said on his site that "there '''are''' heroes who '''do''' need guns (such as the [[Punisher]]). Spider-Man doesn't need guns. Neither does the [[Hulk]]. And neither do Optimus, Cheetor, Black Arachnia{{sic}}, et al."<ref name="Skir" />

:Notably, the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|series]] [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|immediately]] [[Movie (franchise)|following]] ''Beast Machines'' did return to classic hand-held gun use among both heroes and villains. However, the later ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' series once again eschewed guns, probably because of its younger target audience.
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==2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' misconceptions==
===Toys===
[[File:TF-Car-Robots-Logo.png|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Do you see a "2000" anywhere in this logo?]]
*'''The ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline was known as "Transformers 2000" in Japan.'''
:As information about the then-new [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Car Robots'' toyline]] began to trickle out of Japan in 2000, early rumors purportedly from Japanese sources indicated that it was officially named "Transformers 2000".<ref name="Transformers 2000">http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/e6436b92178f0c0a</ref> It's possible those Japanese sources were also going by early, inaccurate rumors or perhaps a soon-to-be-discarded working title for the line. The idea persisted with many Western fans well after the true name of the show was revealed, encouraged by online import retailers (who were equally misinformed) using the title to promote pre-orders on their sites.
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===Fiction===
[[File:RID Megatron toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|He's got only one voice in his head, not six.]]
*'''Unlike the English version, Gigatron (Megatron) has multiple personalities, a different one for each of his modes.'''
:This originates from a statement given in the first ''Car Robots'' toy catalog, wherein text describing [[Megatron (RID)|Gigatron's]] six-mode transformations speculates that he has developed multiple personalities from transforming too much. However, this was only loosely reflected in the Japanese version of the cartoon, in that Gigatron's bat and dragon modes each had their own unique-sounding voice and mannerisms. The Gigabat voice was higher-pitched, a bit dim-sounding, and spoke like how older people used to speak during Japan's Edo period, ending most of its dialogue with "deansu" (であんす). For the Gigadragon mode, Gigatron's voice became much deeper, angrier, and overall more aggressive-sounding. Both of these differed from his much calmer and more "normal" sounding voice in robot mode (which he also used in each of his other modes), and were most noticeable in the first episode, in which Gigatron made heavy use of both his Gigabat and Gigadragon modes. But without the necessary context provided by the catalog, the notion of his having multiple personalities doesn't come across as clearly by Gigatron's cartoon portrayal alone, as only his voice changes between those two modes rather than his entire persona. And ''only'' for the bat and dragon modes rather than all of his modes; when he later becomes Devil Gigatron, his new modes likewise all retained the same ordinary voice used for his robot mode.

:By contrast, the English ''Robots in Disguise'' version gave Megatron one voice for all of his modes, and rewrote his personality to be much more theatrical and ill-tempered. This in turn made his English voice sound like a combination of the two unique Japanese voices, combining the over-the-top aspects of the Gigabat voice with the seething aggression of the Gigadragon voice. But despite both having unique ways of speaking in the Japanese version, neither form had its own separate personality. All of Gigatron's forms in ''Car Robots'' had the same single personality, just as Megatron did in ''Robots in Disguise''.

:Interestingly, the later ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'' cartoon ''would'' go on introduce the concept of a multi-changer with multiple personalities in the form of [[Blitzwing (Animated)|Blitzwing]], who had [[Triple Changer|three modes]] and three personalities: His "Icy" persona controlled his jet mode, his "Hothead" persona controlled his tank mode, and his robot mode was shared more equally between those two and his third "Random" persona.
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==Live-action film series misconceptions==
====''Transformers'' (2007)====
[[File:Japaneseflowchart.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Look! No 2007 movie!]]
*'''The movie series takes place in the Generation 1 timeline in Japan.'''
: This is another one of those instances where one TakaraTomy thing, very early in the life cycle of a new ''Transformers'' [[franchise]], will say one thing about said franchise, and then literally ''everything else ever'' will say another.

: When the live-action movie series was getting started, TakaraTomy went live with their "World of Transformers" website. The website timeline appeared to make the rather bizarre claim that the 2007 live-action movie also somehow took place in the Japanese Generation 1 continuity, between ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and ''Transformers 2010'' in the year 2007. However, this was ''not'' reflected by the site's accompanying flow-chart, and was established to not be the case by the [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|''Kiss Players'' timeline]] (which noted that the movie-verse Autobots and Decepticons came from another universe when they appeared in [[Transformers: Beast Wars Diorama Story|''Beast Wars Diorama Story'']]). And of course, nothing else ever attempted to make the connection.
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*'''''Transformers'' was nearly rated R by the MPAA.'''
: In the spring of 2007, it was reported that ''{{w|Disturbia (film)|Disturbia}}'', a then-upcoming [[DreamWorks]] film starring [[Shia LaBeouf]] and produced by [[Steven Spielberg]], had received an R rating from the {{w|Motion Picture Association of America}}. That film's rating was eventually lowered to PG-13 on appeal, but in the meantime some ''Transformers'' fans became confused and believed that it was ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' that had been rated R, leading to some heated discussion on ''Transformers'' message boards.
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[[File:MovieCreditsNoBrawl.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Invisible credit.]]
*'''Brawl is named in the credits.'''

: The Decepticon tank, who was named "Devastator" in a subtitle in the movie, ended up being named "[[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]" in [[Hasbro|Hasbro's]] [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|toy line]]. Both Hasbro and the screenwriters, [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]], have expressly favored the toy's name, referring to the name in the movie as an "error".

: Since the character has a "speaking" line in the movie, some fans claim that the voice actor is named in the ending credits, and the character's name is stated as "Brawl" there. In fact, however, there's no credit ''at all'' for the character, under either name, as he has no voice actor, his "speaking role" being little more than echo-y electronic gibberish.
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[[File:BanachekMustacheMan.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|One of these is not like the others.]]
*'''The Decepticons' hologram is Tom Banachek.'''

: Several Decepticons in the movie are seen using a holographic "pilot"/"driver" based on the same short-haired, mustache-clad human with an intense stare, only wearing different clothes to match their respective [[alternate mode]]s. Since [[Tom Banachek]], the head of [[Sector Seven]]'s Advanced Research Division, also sports a mustache, a short-cropped hairstyle and a pretty intense stare, many fans mistakenly believe that the Decepticons' hologram is meant to look like him.

: There are two problems with that. One, the Decepticons' hologram, dubbed "[[Moustache Man]]" in the credits, is played by real-life United States Air Force Major [[Brian Reece]], whereas Tom Banachek is portrayed by established actor [[Michael O'Neill]].

:Two... how would the Decepticons know who Banachek even ''was'' to model a hologram after him?
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====''Revenge of the Fallen''====
*'''Barricade's return?'''
:A common misconception among fans is that [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade's]] Saleen Mustang alternate mode was spotted on the set of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', possibly as part of the alleged "disinformation campaign" director [[Michael Bay]] repeatedly insisted he had initiated. In fact, however, a truck transporting three "Barricade" prop vehicles was spotted in Culver City, California, in March 2008, more than ''two months'' before principal shooting for ''Revenge of the Fallen'' started.<ref name="vehspotted">[http://www.superherohype.com/news/transformersnews.php?id=6980 Superhero Hype reporting on the spotting of Barricade vehicles in March 2008]</ref> There's been no indication that this had any significance other than moving the prop cars... someplace. Barricade would not make his reappearance until the ''next'' movie, ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]''.

*'''Decepticon [blank space] popsicle!'''
[[File:ROTF Skids Mudflap popsicle.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Our ice cream is uncensored.]]
:This rumor claims that a censored version of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' exists in which the rude "[[File:Symbol decept reg.png|15px]] suck my popsicle!" decal on the side of [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]'s ice cream truck [[alternate mode]] is edited to remove the words "suck my", resulting in the somewhat nonsensical version "[[File:Symbol decept reg.png|15px]]           popsicle!" This version was supposedly shown in some theaters in several countries, even though other theaters in the those very same markets apparently showed the "uncensored" version.<ref name="popsicle">[https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/decepticon-popsicle.254257/ Contemporary discussion] of the allegedly "censored" decal on the ice cream truck seen in ''Revenge of the Fallen'' at TFW2005.</ref>

:In reality, the most likely explanation for this is much more mundane: Whereas the Decepticon insignia and the word "popsicle" are both rendered in white, resulting in a high color contrast with the dark background of the decal, the words "suck my" are instead kept in dark red. Depending on the specific brightness and color contrast settings of a particular theater, this, combined with the overall darkness of the scene (which was shot "day for night"), could easily lead to those two words becoming pretty much "invisible" by pure coincidence, with no actual intention of "censorship" behind it.
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====''Dark of the Moon''====
*'''Optimus Prime let the Decepticons take over Chicago.'''
:Given the comparatively darker tone—and a decidedly more ruthless interpretation of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]—of the first five live-action films when compared to the majority of the ''Transformers'' franchise, one common criticism of ''Dark of the Moon'' was Prime's apparent complacency in the face of the Decepticon attack on [[Chicago]] after the destruction of the ''[[Xantium (DOTM)|Xantium]]''—sometimes interpreted by some fans and critics as him "teaching Earth a lesson" after humanity unanimously agrees to exile Prime's Autobots in the hopes of appeasing [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|Sentinel Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]]. This reading of the film seems to misinterpret Prime's line of "now your leaders will understand" and "we needed them to believe that we had gone" as Prime having engineered the entire crisis for his own political gain; the second line assuredly refers to the ''Decepticons'', as Optimus and company faking their deaths allowed the heroes to sneak to Chicago and catch Megatron's forces by surprise. Even without the script, Cape Canaveral and Chicago are ''very'' far apart; if we assume that the Autobots hightailed it to Chicago seconds after splashing down in the Atlantic, it would ''still'' take them about eighteen hours to get there, a time discrepancy that more or less matches up with the way events play out onscreen.
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====''Bumblebee''====
*'''''Bumblebee''''' '''and''' '''''Rise of the Beasts''''' '''are reboots that are separate from the rest of the "Bayverse"'''.
: ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' was initially conceived as a straight prequel to the ''Transformers'' films, chronologically falling between the [[World War II]] flashback sequences seen in ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' and the 2007 ''Transformers'' film. However, the movie was hastily retooled relatively late into production, tweaking the film's opening to show Bumblebee arriving on Earth in the 1980s, and, as a result, became more-or-less irreconcilable with both the information given by the ''The Last Knight'' and the various prequel comics that had gone before. Due in part to these reshoots—which were almost certainly added as a way to distance the film from the financial and critical failure that was ''The Last Knight''—some fans jumped on the idea that ''Bumblebee'' was now a "hard reboot" of the film series as a whole, similar to the {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe}}'s interpretation of [[Spider-Man]] vs. his prior two cinematic outings. Around the time of ''Bumblebee''{{'}}s release, both [[Hasbro]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] were fairly mum on just how it and the five prior Bay films would fit together moving forward: the closest we were given to a conclusive answer was that the film represented the start of a "new storytelling universe," <ref>[https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2467064/looks-like-bumblebee-is-officially-the-start-of-a-new-transformers-movie-universe "Looks Like Bumblebee is Officially The Start Of A New Transformers Movie Universe]</ref>, but Di Bonventura explained that this only meant that the creators had freedom to tell new stories that didn't necessarily follow the rules of the other films. Other fiction, such as the ''[[Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome]]'' comic included with the home media release of the film, continued to tie the events of ''Bumblebee'' to the rest of the live-action film series, putting another notch in the "prequel" column.

: The vaguery only continued in the lead-up to the subsequent film, ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'', which is set in 1994. Producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] was fairly adamant about its prequel status, claiming that ''Rise of the Beasts'' charts Optimus's growth into the character seen in the 2007 film.<ref>[https://collider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-michael-bay-movies-producer-comments/ 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' Producer on How It Differs From Michael Bay's Movies — Collider]</ref> Director [[Steven Caple Jr.]] was more on the fence; in one interview, he called it a "reboot for sure," only to moments later backpedal and instead call it a "refresher" and a "new direction," adding that you "could call it a reboot" but that that there were still aspects of it that could be tied to the existing films.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MfMFxvT_-Q&t=2446s Steven Caple Jr. interview on The Alfonso Nation]</ref> The film itself splits the difference, with several allusions made to the other films, but the whole "[[Unicron]] is Earth" thing from ''The Last Knight'' going wholly unaddressed, despite Unicron playing a major role.

: When asked point-blank about this after the film released, Caple stated that while they tried to hew as close as they could to not mess up the Bay movies' events, knowing ''Bumblebee'' had previously taken its own liberties meant that he felt okay changing things in service of telling a better story and helping the prequels find their own way, something which Hasbro and Paramount fully agreed with.<ref>[https://www.insider.com/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-director-timeline-inconsistencies-2023-6 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' producers cared more about telling 'the best story' than keeping the timeline consistent, says director — Insider]</ref> In particular, Caple stated he largely treats the original trilogy as gospel when it comes to continuity, but less so with ''Age of Extinction'' and ''The Last Knight'', feeling like the creative teams behind those movies had less idea where they were actually going with their stories at the time.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/rise-of-the-beasts-director-confirms-that-continuity-is-not-a-concern-within-the-transformers-film-franchise/47813/ Extract from an interview with Caple Jr. on the ''Empire Spoiler Specials'' podcast, via Seibertron.com]</ref> So basically, despite all the incongruities, Hasbro and Paramount are still treating ''Bumblebee'' and any subsequent films as being in continuity with the preceding entries, which makes total sense, as it means not alienating the audiences who ''did'' enjoy those movies. Plus, by continuing to set films before 2007, it not only minimizes the amount of prior knowledge the audience requires to enjoy the movie, but it means that they simply don't have to deal with the implications of the prequel timeline and the Bay movies' timeline intersecting.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-director-steven-caple-jr-1235484272/ ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ Director Steven Caple Jr. on Michael Bay’s Support, ’90s Rap Soundtrack and Reuniting with ‘Creed’ Directors — The Hollywood Reporter]</ref> Indeed, di Bonoventura has described continuing to use the prequel setting as "kicking the can down the road" when it comes to confronting the pre-existing continuity, acknowledging that they've "maybe" contradicted things despite their best efforts.<ref>[https://www.fandom.com/articles/transformers-rise-beast-wars-optimus-prime Transformers: Rise of the Beasts Shows a Different Side of Optimus Prime" on Fandom.com]</ref> Ultimately, it's best just to enjoy the films on their own and not to sweat the continuity hiccups; after all, it's not like the Bay movies' stories were internally consistent with each other anyway. (If anything, just [[personal canon|ignoring]] ''The Last Knight'' pretty much fixes most of the issues on its own.)
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====''Rise of the Beasts''====

*'''All of the generic Terrorcons are named "Freezer".'''

:When [[Freezer]] was first revealed during the marketing campaign for ''Rise of the Beasts'', it was initially believed that he was simply a type of mass-produced drone, similarly to the various types of [[Vehicon (disambiguation)|Vehicon]] from past Transformers series, with the name belonging to both the two smaller [[Terrorcon (ROTB)|Terrorcons]] deployed by [[Scourge (ROTB)|Scourge]] and the vast horde of generics seen in the final battle. This was seemingly supported by a note in Scourge's character profile on social media<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Helping him in his relentless pursuit, Scourge keeps a collection of six-legged Terrorcon Freezers — mechanical insectoids he can send out to sniff out his prey.|link=https://www.facebook.com/transformersmovie/photos/pcb.6313444875357573/6313441462024581/|name=Transformers|site=Facebook|year=2023|month=05|day=12}}</ref> and was generally believed to be the case for the first few weeks after the film's release. However, when the film was released on home media, it was revealed in the "Villains" behind-the-scenes featurette that all of the generic Terrorcons were actually named "[[Sweep (ROTB)|Sweeps]]", in a homage to the [[Scourge (G1)|original Scourge]]'s [[Sweep (G1)|minions]], and that the name "Freezer" actually only belonged to one of Scourge's smaller minions, with the second being named "[[Novakane]]".

:This misconception may have also been the result of an animation error regarding the Sweeps' designs. The CGI models indicate that Freezer and Novakane were meant to have unique head designs, with Freezer having two scars on his forehead and Novakane having his left antennae cut off. However, for one reason or another, the two designs wound up being used interchangeably, not only between the two smaller Sweeps, but also between many of the larger Sweeps as well.

:Interestingly, the tie-in book "[[Mission at the Museum]]" actually referred to the pair as Sweeps, but this was initially dismissed as a preliminary working name for Freezer, especially with the next book, "[[The Search Is On]]", using his finalized name instead. However, the difference between the two Sweeps was later confirmed by the aforementioned featurette, a set of Chinese trading cards, and the eventual release of Novakane's ''[[Studio Series]]'' toy, long after the reveal of Freezer. Based upon this information, it can be deduced that Freezer is the Sweep who chases the humans and dies in the Peruvian cave, while Novakane is the Sweep who survives until the final battle before meeting his end in the lava.
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==''Animated'' misconceptions==
===Toys===
*'''Hasbro can't make new toys based on Animated characters without Cartoon Network's approval.'''
[[File:WMTheLegacyOfBumblebee.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|This set should not be possible.]]
: While not rooted in any specific source, there has been a longstanding misconception that because they produced the cartoon and collaborated with Hasbro on the toy designs, [[Cartoon Network]] maintains partial (if not complete) ownership over the character designs in ''Transformers Animated'', and is thus the reason why no new toys of the characters were released for almost 15 years.

: In truth, Hasbro owns ''Animated'' lock, stock, and barrel. A quick glance at the legal jargon on the back of any ''Animated'' toy packaging will show Hasbro as the sole [[copyright]] holder listed. In fact, the only legalese mentioning Cartoon Network is the [[trademark]] for their own name and logo, due to printing "AS SEEN ON CN!" on the box. A handful of ''Animated'' toys were also released after the show ended via [[Fun Publications]], which also listed Hasbro as the sole copyright holder. Furthermore, toys of several ''Animated'' characters were also sold under different ''Transformers'' toylines concurrently with the ''Animated'' line itself, such as the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Universe (2008)|Optimus Prime]], [[Bumblebee (Animated)/toys#Universe (2008)|Bumblebee]], [[Prowl (Animated)#Universe (2008)|Prowl]] and [[Starscream (Animated)#Universe (2008)|Starscream]] sold under the [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'' line]], or the Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Animated)/toys#Transformers (2007)|Bumblebee]] sold as part of the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie toyline]]'s "The Legacy of Bumblebee" three-pack. Again, Cartoon Network is mentioned nowhere on the packaging. Similarly, Cartoon Network goes unmentioned in the copyrights for other merchandise like DVDs and tie-in comics. In Japan, the [[Blackarachnia (Animated)#Toys|''Animated'' Blackarachnia toy]] was even retooled years after ''Animated'' ended to create the [[Blackarachnia (BW)/toys#Legends|''Legends'' toy for ''Beast Wars'' Blackarachnia]], again with no mention of Cartoon Network anywhere.

: The only place you'll find a Cartoon Network copyright is in the credits of the episodes themselves, but Hasbro appears to have long since bought out whatever rights Cartoon Network retained, hence their ability to freely upload ''Animated'' episodes for streaming alongside their other ''Transformers'' cartoons on services like YouTube and [[Tubi]] (very much unlike [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)#Production|the one show we know they ''don't'' have all the rights to]]). And in either case, as mentioned above, it wouldn't prevent them from making new toys using those characters or designs. A much more likely explanation is Hasbro simply wanting new toys to fit a certain aesthetic, one that ''Animated''{{'}}s designs don't quite fit. So instead, they simply choose to adapt the characters to fit the new medium, such as with [[Bulkhead (Prime)|''Prime'' Bulkhead]] or [[Clobber (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' Clobber]]. The most overt case of this is the [[2015]] Japanese release of the [[Slipstream (Animated)#Legends|''Legends'' Slipstream toy]], retooled by TakaraTomy from the non-''Animated'' [[Windblade (G1)#Generations|''Generations'' Windblade toy]] to be more ''Animated''-like, and ''explicitly'' spelled out to be the ''Animated'' character via the [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|accompanying issue]] of the [[Transformers Legends (comic)|''Legends'' comic]], which itself likewise featured multiple cameos by ''Animated'' characters.

: At [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2022, Hasbro designer [[Evan Brooks]] confirmed that any rumors of ''Animated'' characters not being available for Hasbro's use are incorrect, and that Hasbro has all rights to all Transformers characters.<ref name="evansdcc">[https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/07/25/sdcc-hasbro-kotobukiya-show-floor-qa-461912 "SDCC Hasbro & Kotobukiya Show Floor Q&A"] at TFW2005</ref> This was proven pretty definitively with the release of [[Prowl (Animated)#Legacy|Prowl's ''Legacy'' toy]] the following year, once again absent any sort of Cartoon Network related branding, and thankfully seems to have put the misconception to rest for good.
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===Fiction===
*'''The Japanese dub of ''Transformers Animated'' presents it as a prequel to the live-action movies.'''

: This appears to have ''some'' basis: back in March 2010, the then-recent edition of ''[[TV Magazine]]'' published some early pre-release information about the Japanese dub of the [[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Animated'' cartoon]]. Among the details announced was the name-change of [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] to "Ironhide", and changing his character to be closer in personality to [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] from the [[live-action film series|live-action movies]]. The article allegedly also claimed that because [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] was not Supreme Commander of the Autobots in ''Animated'', the cartoon would be "set chronologically before the live action movies".<ref name="tvmagani">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/animated-8/latest-edition-of-tv-magazine-reveals-new-transformers-animated-japan-details-169265/ TFW2005 reporting on ''TV Magazine'' article about the Japanese dub of the ''Transformers Animated'' cartoon], March 2010.</ref>

: In actuality, however, not much of this has been reflected in the dub itself: aside from the aforementioned renaming of Bulkhead into "Ironhide", there's nothing in the Japanese dub that ties the ''Animated'' cartoon any closer to the live-action movies than its American counterpart.

: While TakaraTomy chose to use the movie-style branding for ''Animated'' products, rendering the "Transformers Animated" logo in the gray steel look used for the movies, this appears to simply be a matter of wanting to associate the brand with the big successful money-making movie franchise rather than any reflection of fictional details.

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==Aligned Continuity misconceptions==
===Toys===
*'''''Transformers: Prime'' was not initially planned to have any toys.'''
:The [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toy line]] for ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' was ''very'' delayed, debuting roughly a year after the associated cartoon had premiered. Previously, at a [[BotCon 2010]] panel about the then-upcoming ''Prime'' cartoon, a Hasbro representative had made a statement that they weren't talking about toys just then. ''Transformers'' fandom being [[Red Alert (G1)|what]] [[Breakdown (G1)|it is]], a widespread belief developed that Hasbro was never going to make ''Prime'' toys ''at all.'' As additional information gradually surfaced, this evolved into a rumor that ''Prime'' would only have a small number of toys, with some further speculating that they would also be limited to the Deluxe [[size class]] (since initially only Deluxes had been seen). The eventual revelation of a full ''Prime'' toyline caused the belief to evolve once more, with the new theory being that there wasn't ''originally'' going to be a ''Prime'' toyline, but Hasbro changed their minds due to demand.

:The reality, as usual, was much less apocalyptic. The statement from the Hasbro Studios panel was never intended to refer to anything except the panel itself—the people ''in that room'' weren't going to be discussing toys ''at that panel''. (In fact, [[Eric Siebenaler]] expressed excitement about [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]'s toy at the very same panel.) As for the delay in the line's launch, put simply, this was for appearance's sake. Hasbro wanted to establish ''Prime'' as a strong ''fictional'' franchise, rather than merely [[To sell toys|a glorified toy commercial]], and reasonably concluded that launching a toyline immediately would detract from that goal. There ''was'' a point when a few ''Prime'' toys were planned to be released under the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Transformers: Generations]]'' banner, but since ''Generations'' was at that time exclusively Deluxes, the aforementioned Bulkhead (a Voyager) indicates that this idea had already been abandoned when the rumors started.

:In short, this is just a matter of fans jumping to conclusions based on misinterpreted statements.
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===Fiction===
*'''The High Moon Studios games are part of G1.'''
{{quote|We really did look very closely at Generation 1 stuff and tried to capture what for us was the essence of the characters.|[[Sean Miller]], Director Character and Animation|[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/21/transformers-art-video.aspx Gameinformer interview]}}
[[File:FOC-GameInformerPrimeBumblebee.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|It's the prequel to that version of G1 which never existed!]]
:With its designs aiming at a video gamer audience who grew up with [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]], the development team for ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'' took a great deal of inspiration from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] for such things as characters and the design aesthetic for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]].<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/12/21/transformers-art-video.aspx Gameinformer interview]</ref> A [[Commercial#War for Cybertron|commercial]] even depicted Shockwave ordering Soundwave to play [[The Touch|a song]] made famous by the [[The Transformers: The Movie|original animated movie]]. Furthermore, War for Cybertron toys were sold as part of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' toyline that featured Generation 1-styled characters. These factors led many to believe the game was actually part of Generation 1.

:To be fair, there was and is virtually no information available to the average fan that ''War for Cybertron'' is not part of Generation 1. Hasbro essentially folded ''War for Cybertron'' into the [[aligned continuity family|aligned continuity]], and informed dedicated fans of this fact through [[Hasbro Q&A|question and answer sessions]].<ref>"The official story of the original 13 and specifically Alpha Trion has not been explored fully in the modern continuity that Transformers War for Cybertron, Exodus, and Prime are a part of." [[Hasbro Q&A/September 2010: Answers]]</ref> The [[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|''War for Cybertron'' comic adaptation]] and [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/play/details.cfm?guid=7fd5ecd9-19b9-f369-1041-a7635be83172 online timeline] actually are adaptations from ''[[Transformers: Exodus]]'', which is the basis for the new modern continuity fiction.

:Canonically, both WfC and its sequel ''Fall of Cybertron'' are in the Aligned continuity, but beyond suggestions and mandatory changes from Hasbro, High Moon Studios didn't seem to care about Hasbro's declarations of canon. In the art book for the sequel to WfC, ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', the only influences of the concept art and designs mentioned are G1 related. Dreamwave, the original cartoon, and other concepts and ideas from Generation 1 are cited, but the fact that Cliffjumper's head is based off of ''Prime'' Cliffjumper's is not mentioned, nor are the modifications to Optimus Prime's gun, Megatron's new body, [[Tox-En]], or the other assorted influences from ''Prime''.

:[[High Moon Studios]] often described the games as prequels to the G1 cartoon. More savvy fans would recognize that the game is generally irreconcilable with the cartoon (or any other Generation 1 continuity for that matter): the circumstances of [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s rise to power would contradict "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]", and Optimus's [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|predecessor]] does not possess the Matrix, unlike his [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#The Transformers cartoon|cartoon counterpart]]. The Autobots left Cybertron because the [[Core]] shut down, not because energy sources were depleted, and characters like [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]], [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]], the [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]], and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] wouldn't be on Cybertron or even ''exist''. Additionally, the game draws inspiration from other continuities, including characters not from Generation 1 like [[Slipstream (WFC)|Slipstream]] and [[Demolishor (WFC)|Demolishor]]. The game does share a lot of similarities with Dreamwave's ''[[War Within (franchise)|War Within]]'' series (where Jetfire and Trypticon are present), but it cannot take place in that continuity either.
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==Companies==
===Marvel Comics===
*'''John Romita designed the Generation 1 character models.'''
:The rumor here comes about through a misreading of the credits to ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|The Transformers Universe]]''. Legendary Marvel Comics artist John Romita, Sr. was listed as "Art Director", leading readers to assume that he was in charge of designing or developing the various [[character model]]s used in the series (and reprinted in said comic). However, Romita was actually the Art Director for Marvel Comics as a whole at the time, which means he was being credited for the art direction done when making the ''Universe'' issues themselves. The majority of the character models were in fact done by [[Floro Dery]], who went uncredited.<ref>See [http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/01/11/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-85/ Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed] for more information.</ref>
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===TakaraTomy===
*'''Takara was taken over by Tomy.'''
[[File:Takaratomy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|We are one.]]
:In 2005, it was announced that Takara, longtime Japanese manufacturer/distributor of Transformers toys, and former competitor Tomy would merge into a new company, named [[TakaraTomy]], as of [[March 1]], 2006. Some fans misinterpreted the media coverage, believing that Takara had been bought out by rival Tomy. This was not helped by official press releases declaring Tomy the "surviving company", Tomy having the majority of shares, and the merged company simply going by the name "Tomy" outside Japan.

:The name issue is easily explained, as it was done for purely pragmatic reasons. "Tomy" is an internationally established brand, since the company already had divisions in many other countries prior to the merger, and distributed their toys under their own name there. Takara, meanwhile, had mostly abandoned its ventures into international markets years ago, and had its products distributed through other companies (such as [[Hasbro]]) instead. Therefore, the merged company decided to use the better-known name for its international business, while it would continue as "TakaraTomy" within Japan itself.

:Now, as for the specifics of the merger... Although the merger ratio was set at 0.356 of a Tomy share for each Takara share (including a split of Tomy's stock), and the companies announced a layoff of 15% of their combined workforce mostly on the Takara side, the term "merger" (as compared to "take-over") was prominently used in all the official announcements by the two companies, and twisting tiny details into a de facto "takeover" of Takara by Tomy is effectively splitting hairs.

*'''e-Hobby is owned by Takara (TakaraTomy).'''
:The [[e-HOBBY]] shop is owned by Part One, Ltd. Although the company has had close ties with Takara for decades, the online store also sells toys by other companies, primarily TakaraTomy's rival [[Bandai]].

:The online store ''directly'' owned by TakaraTomy, meanwhile, is [[TakaraTomy Mall]] (formerly Toy Hobby Market).
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===IDW Publishing===

*'''The [[Hasbro Universe]] was pushed on IDW by Hasbro.'''
:While Hasbro is mostly hands-off with IDW's comics, one of the terms of the license is that IDW needs to work with Hasbro to do [[To sell toys|occasional promotion]] for new and upcoming toys; this most obviously took place with events such as [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]], [[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]] and [[Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return]] — and, if we're being honest, has resulted in some of the less popular arcs from "phase 2" of IDW.<ref>[[James Roberts]] has apologised on multiple occasions for Dark Cybertron, which says a lot.</ref> As such, when IDW announced that they were bringing [[G.I. Joe (franchise)|several]] [[Rom|other]] [[Action Man|Hasbro-]][[M.A.S.K. (franchise)|owned]] [[Micronauts|franchises]] into their [[2005 IDW continuity|acclaimed Transformers universe]], a lot of fans assumed that this was the result of another Hasbro mandate, especially given their stated desire to have a "Transformers {{w|Marvel Cinematic Universe|Cinematic Universe}}." It also bore a startling resemblance to the shuttered plans to use the [[Aligned continuity family]] to launch a shared universe, even sharing the name of [[Unit:E]]. However, the creative teams involved were open from the start about the decision being an internal one that IDW had to ask Hasbro for permission to do.

:Reportedly, the decision stemmed from IDW obtaining multiple additional Hasbro licenses, and [[Chris Ryall]] and [[Christos Gage]] suggesting that G.I. Joe appear in their ''ROM'' comic; this led to [[John Barber]] bringing up [[Andrew Griffith]]'s suggestion that IDW's ''G.I. Joe'' universe could fit "between" big ''Transformers'' events, which led to all of them suggesting to [[Cullen Bunn]] that the Earth that the [[Micronaut]]s visited be the ''ROM''/''Transformers''/''G.I. Joe'' one... and, well, it all spiralled from there. Hasbro were apparently very on board with the idea, but it was far from something that they pushed onto unwilling creators.

*'''The Hasbro Universe comics are responsible for the ending of the 2005 IDW continuity.'''
:Given that IDW announced that they were concluding their [[2005 IDW continuity|main continuity]] less than two years after the VERY controversial Hasbro Universe was first announced, a lot of fans were under the impression that the shared universe, and the relaunch of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'']] and [[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More than Meets the Eye'']] into ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' and [[The Transformers: Lost Light|''Lost Light'']], were responsible for tanking sales to the point that IDW decided that it would be more profitable to reboot.

:However, the reason that those titles were relaunched in the ''first'' place is that their sales were on an unsustainable downwards spiral; and, other than a brief sales spike for the [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|first]] [[New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|issues]] of the relaunched series, the relaunch did pretty much nothing to the sales trends, which continued to decrease at the same level as they had from around the 51st issues to the relaunch.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/670-general-comics-discussion/page-60#entry3661883 Sales chart of the Phase 2 IDW ongoings]</ref> While the Hasbro Universe titles generally didn't sell ''great'', they didn't affect the sales of the ongoing ''Transformers'' series.
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==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20121116134912/http://tfarchive.com/creative/showentry.php?s=522 Ten popular but incorrect rumors about Japanese Transformers, retrieved November 16, 2012] (archived)

[[Category:Fandom]]
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Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers

2024-05-30T03:29:51Z

Banannixx: */ Dark of the Moon */ I brought it up in the talk page, but there really are people who still think Optimus just let Chicago happen to prove a point.

Talk:Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers

2024-05-30T03:25:22Z

Banannixx: /* Where did the Dark of the Moon section go? */