Winged Moon

2020-01-03T06:19:43Z

CanuckMonkey: /* 2019 IDW continuity */ correcting grammar

[[File:OrionPaxFreeFall-WingedMoon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|That's no space station. It's a moon.]]

Imagine, if you will, a race of beings with the vision, the capacity, to reshape a moon into the greatest [[energon]] harvester in the universe. For those of you with no imagination, or are simply curious, the answer to that lies in the '''Winged Moon''', designed to filter energon from the very fabric of spacetime and keep [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] healthy.

==Fiction==
===2019 IDW continuity===
The Winged Moon was conceived by the [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] visionary [[Termagax]]; two thousand workers laboured for kilocycles on one of Cybertron's moons, strip-mining the planetoid and rebuilding the hollowed-out planetoid into a gigantic energon-production facility. Once the work was done, the Winged Moon was moved into a low geostationary orbit over [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and equipped with a thruster array to keep its position constant, ensuring that it only ever skimmed Cybertron's atmosphere. The great space elevator known as the [[Tether]], built from the ore harvested by the miners, connected the two worlds and allowed for the easy transport of workers and material to and from the Winged Moon. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

The moon first came online three hundred kilocycles before [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s murder, with both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] visiting it. As the moon began its inaugural harvest, Megatron opened their elevator to the vacuum so he could make a more convincing metaphor before he and Pax free-fell from the moon and back onto Cybertron. {{storylink|Orion Pax: Free Fall}} Though the moon represented a masterpiece of engineering, some would come to feel it was not particularly efficient at its job, finding the harvest of [[energon crystal]]s to be a better way of refuelling the planet.

On [[Rubble]]'s forty-second cycle of existence, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] brought him to meet [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] at the Tether where he was employed for the day. When evening fell, Bumblebee took his protege to a nearby rooftop so they could watch the moon commence its harvest, though Bumblebee felt compelled to point out some of the moon's criticisms. When the harvester sprung into operation however, its surface transforming to "wings" to allow for operation, Rubble declared it the most amazing thing he'd ever seen, a statement Bumblebee was hard pressed to challenge. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Two}}

When Bumblebee was teaching Rubble about [[alternate mode]]s, he found his protégé's attention had been captured by the moon finishing its harvest cycle. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}}

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[[Category:IDW (2019) locations]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) technology]]
[[Category:Generation 1 moons]]

Alternate mode

2020-01-03T06:15:43Z

CanuckMonkey: /* 2019 IDW continuity */ correcting grammar

{{disambig2|the non-robot mode of a Transformer|the line of super-deformed Transformers toys|Alt-Modes}}
An '''alternate mode''' (commonly shortened to "'''altmode'''", "'''alt mode'''", or "'''alt-mode'''", also known as a "'''trans-form'''", "'''transform'''", "'''changeform'''", or "'''alt-form'''"<ref>"Bot-form" and "alt-form" were used to describe a Transformer's two modes in [[Transformers: Exiles]].</ref>) is a term used to describe a [[Transformer]]'s non-robot form, whether it be vehicle, animal, or otherwise. Various more specific terms are also sometimes used—vehicle mode ("'''[[Alternate mode#Prime cartoon|v. mode]]'''"), gun mode, tank mode, etc.

[[File:G1Slammer toy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Slammer]]'s alt mode is a skyscraper. Ever seen the movie ''Big''?]]

Some Transformers don't have a humanoid form, so in those special cases, the altmode is perceived to be the mode which is more geared towards utility or disguise while their [[robot mode]] is the one geared more towards interaction with other Transformers. For example, for the G1 characters [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], their animal forms are their primary mode, and the cassettes their alternate modes. Even [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]], who transform from cassettes to vehicles, would be thought of as having a cassette alternate mode, as their vehicle forms—while not humanoid or animalistic—are at least self-mobile.

Transformers with more than two modes are usually considered to have multiple altmodes. ([[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] on the other hand has one altmode and two robot modes.)

In the cartoon episode "[[The Killing Jar (episode)|The Killing Jar]]", the Quintesson scientist refers to the Quintesson guard's transformation as his alternate mode, the first such use of this term in the official fiction.

The earliest recorded use in the fandom of the shortened term "alt mode" is an [[alt.toys.transformers]] post from March 1994.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/dcddbf79b470731c alt.toys.transformers, Fanfic: GoTP Plot Blurb!]</ref> From the context, it appears that the term was already understood by fans at that time, as the post's author does not explain what he means.

==Beast mode==
{{main|Beast mode}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
[[File:TFTM Starscream Jet.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
When a Transformer takes on an alternate mode for the purpose of disguise, they are ''mimicking'' that form, they don't actually ''become'' what that form represents. They are "robots in disguise". To accomplish this, they physically alter their forms, and when necessary, use [[hologram]]s to help maintain the disguise illusion, especially when battle damage or lack of a driver might otherwise give them away.<ref>This is true across all [[continuity|continuities]]. [[Hasbro Q&A/August 2009: Answers]].</ref>

====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:Too prime truckmode.jpg|thumb|200px|]]
After the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] was reactivated in [[1984]], [[Teletraan I]] rebuilt all the Autobots and Decepticons with terrestrial alternate modes. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] reversed the polarity of his windshield to clear his vision during a bad thunderstorm, indicating he sees out of his windows. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 2}}

====Marvel Comics continuity====
[[Getaway]] lost complete vision in his right headlights and partial vision in his left headlights during the [[Armornecking Incident]]. {{storylink|The Transformers Universe|Getaway's ''Universe'' profile}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
According to legend, alternate modes came about after [[Primus]] decreed that every Cybertronian should provide for their brethren and blessed his creations with secondary forms. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

In Forged Cybertronians, alt-modes develop naturally during the protoform stage. {{storylink|Silent Light}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}} {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} In those Constructed Cold, the alt-mode is determined by the pre-built nature of the chassis. {{storylink|Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|Stet}} {{storylink|Your First Mistake}} Some Cybertronians developed an irrational attachment to their current alternate mode, a condition known as [[mode attachment]], and resisted upgrades to or changing their alternate modes even if circumstances merited it. {{storylink|Spotlight: Kup}} {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} {{storylink|Signal to Noise}}

Alternate modes have long been highly significant in Cybertronian society and politics. In the days of the [[Thirteen]], the various tribes were often (but not exclusively) defined by their alt-mode such as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]'s bestial tribe of [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}}

Following the departure of the surviving [[Prime (rank)|Primes]] and the rise of [[Functionism]], {{storylink|The Crucible}} alternate modes determined one's position in society with common forms lowering your social class and rare ones elevating it. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} The [[Functionist Council]] painted themselves as interpreters of Primus' will, decreeing that everyone's alternate form was chosen by god to meet specific needs. They cultivated a stigma against certain alternate modes being employed in certain fields such as tanks being medics or microscopes being miners. {{storylink|Births, Deaths, and Interventions}}

Bestial Cybertronians were considered among the lowest ranked individuals and suffered extreme limitations. {{storylink|Soundwaves (issue)|Soundwaves}} [[Relinquishment Clinic]]s sprung up, allowing the rich to 'borrow' another body so they could enjoy another alt mode, with flying forms being among the most popular. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|Post Hoc}} A brave few like [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] were able to convince the Functionists to let them do a job that had nothing to do with what they transformed into, although this frequently led to underhanded retribution. {{storylink|Interiors}} Another group of Cybertronians, known as the [[Militant Monoform Movement]] rejected their alternate modes via the surgical removal of their [[transformation cog]]s. This condition resulted in them being victims of [[shapism]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

The iron grip of Functionism waned during [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s reign but the prejudice against certain alt-modes was still strong enough to blacklist some people for jobs such as [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] being banned from the sciences due to his aerial alternate mode. {{storylink|New Cybertron Part 2: A Lonely Pillar on the Plain|A Lonely Pillar on the Plain}} {{storylink|The Next Day, and the Next}}

In the post-Functionist era, alt-modes remained a touchy subject but people were now defined by their abilities more than their biology. It was now possible to freely change one's alt-mode using [[CR chamber]]s, regardless of their alternate mode of birth. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}} Owing to the pan-galactic nature of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], new alternate modes were regularly adopted by combatants to better blend in on alien planets. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infiltration|Infilitration}} {{storylink|Spotlight: Nightbeat}} {{storylink|Shining Armor issue 1|Shining Armor #1}}

=====The Functionist Universe=====
In a timeline where [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] was never born, the Functionists remained in control of Cybertron with alt-mode segregation growing ever stronger. Cybertronians from the lower rungs of society began attaching false [[kibble]] to themselves so they could pass themselves off as jets or microscopes and gain more [[energon]]. These people were dubbed the [[Pretender]]s. {{storylink|The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|The Custom-Made Now}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
The new generation of Cybertronians, the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]], inherited the vehicular alternate modes of their ancestors. The barren state of post-War Cybertron meant that they were victims to the energon supply lines of the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builders]]. {{storylink|Alone Together}} {{storylink|Head Games}} After [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] discovered that the [[mechanimal]]s were capable of metabolizing their own energon, he ordered his people to cast off their vehicle modes in favour of beast modes. {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
Cybertronians were not born with alternate modes, {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part One}} having to scan them during their rearing. On [[Rubble]]'s forty-second cycle of existence, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] educated him on alternate modes and brought several dummies for his protege to try only to find the youth's attention captured by the [[Winged Moon]]. Amused, Bumblebee pointed out [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]], herself having remained in her alternate mode for kilocycles. Before Rubble could try [[scanning]] an alt, [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] arrived telling Bumblebee to report to the [[Senate]] building while she took Rubble home. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Three}}

===Aligned continuity===
====Aligned novels====
Scanning new alternate modes whenever the mood struck was not a privilege all Cybertronians enjoyed prior to the toppling of the [[caste system]], some in fact took pride in retaining only one alternate mode throughout their lifetime. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

While on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Prowl (WFC)|Prowl]] briefly considered scanning a new alternate mode to better cope with the rough terrain. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

====''Fall of Cybertron''====
The [[Lightning Strike Coalition]], formerly a collection of conventional war vehicles, were reformatted into alternate modes based on [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|alien creatures]] by [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

====''Prime'' cartoon====
Transformers rarely had alternate modes when they first arrived on Earth and would scan a new mode, usually from [[William Fowler|whatever vehicles were nearby]]. [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] retained their Cybertronian alternate modes.

After scanning an Earthly vehicle and reformatting accordingly, [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] referred to it as his "v. mode" {{storylink|New Recruit}} Being revived by the [[Forge of Solus Prime]] reset [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s alternate mode forcing him to scan a new one. {{storylink|Project Predacon}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
Soon after arriving back on Earth, [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] refused to allow the exposure of Cybertronian vehicles and made [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] and [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] scan Earth alertnate modes. Bumblebee by contrast had retained his Earth mode even while on Cybertron. {{storylink|Pilot (Part 1)}}

==Toys==
[[File:Bumblebeeg1toy.jpg|left|150px|thumb]]
In addition to toys having altmodes since [[Pre-Transformer|before they were Transformers]], there is a price point under the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' banner actually ''named'' "[[Alt-Modes]]". Figures in this line-up change from [[super deformed]] robots, with large {{w|Plume (feather)|plume}}-like Autobot or Decepticon [[insignia|faction symbols]] you can flip up on top of their heads, into chibi v. modes with their robot heads still on top.<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/in-hand-images-and-review-for-transformers-alt-modes-toys/35975/ In Hand Images and Review for Transformers Alt Modes Toys from Seibertron.com]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes]]
*[[Popular beast alternate modes]]
*[[Non-vehicle non-beast alternate modes]]
*[[Licensed vehicle alternate modes]]

[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Transformer anatomy]]

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Winged Moon

Alternate mode