Downshift (G1)

2011-10-16T06:10:15Z

Crowquill: /* Generation 1 */

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Downshift}}
:''Downshift is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1DownshiftMTMTE.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''[[Runabout (G1)|Those]] [[Runamuck (G1)|punks]] will rue the day they [[Decepticon Graffiti!|made trouble]] on MY watch.'']]

'''Downshift''' is an [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] who's dedicated to his job, but sometimes his superiors wish he wasn't so ''much'' so. As a both a security agent<ref name="flyer">"[[You Have Been Chosen.]]" [[Pack-in material#Mail-order_flyers|pack-in flyer]]</ref><ref name="Dreamwave">Downshift's [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]] profile</ref> and a scout,<ref name="Takara">Downshift's [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] bio, in the [http://megazarak.hp.infoseek.co.jp/japaspe/tf2010/rp05.html original Japanese] and [[User talk:Apcog#Translating_the_Omnibot_bios|fan-translated English]]. Note that "Camshaft" is the relevant one, since their names were switched in Japan.</ref> he tends to think that guarding something means not just securing the object of his duty, but also actively seeking out foes ''before'' they strike, whatever entanglements this may produce and however vulnerable this may actually leave his charges.

He keeps up-to-date on all the latest law enforcement and military security tactics, and his disarmament techniques are at an expert level.<ref name="Dreamwave" /> He takes great pride in being on the cutting edge of anti-Decepticon spy warfare, but his excitability can lead to mistakes.<ref name="Takara" />

He and the other Omnibots are [[:Category:Dimension hoppers|dimension-hoppers]],<ref name="flyer" /><ref name="Binaltech">Overdrive's ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' toy pack-in bio in [http://www.fantofan.jp/photo%20gallery/binartech/bt-12/bt-12a.jpg fan-translated English.]</ref> so it's unclear whether his appearances in various [[Continuity|realities]] are separate entities or the same individual.

==Fiction==
===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[Image:Lookinsideforaspecialoffer.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"Everybody STAND BACK. This mall looks like it's been ''improperly securitized."'']]

Downshift and the other two Omnibots were featured in several [[S.T.A.R.S. continuity|recruitment messages]] directed at [[human]] allies. The first message detailed the Omnibots' arrival on [[Earth]]: The [[Autobot]]s marooned on that planet had sent an S.O.S. to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], despite not knowing if anyone would be there to receive it. Luckily, their plea was answered in the form of the Omnibots, [[Powerdasher]]s, and [[Time Warrior]]s. The Omnibots quickly adapted to Earth's highways, scouting for and attacking [[Decepticon]]s. {{storylink|Reinforcements from Cybertron!}} This message was later repeated almost verbatim, with minor changes made to accommodate a recruitment drive for [[S.T.A.R.S.]] {{storylink|The battle is far from over!}}

The Omnibot [[Overdrive]] personally narrated the next message, describing how he and his comrades had turned the tide in the Autobots' favor and were gearing up to strike at hidden Decepticon bases. However, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was holding back until human allies had been mobilized. Overdrive seemed to be speaking specifically to military personnel, and his message segued into the activities of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and [[Cobra]]. {{storylink|Earthlings: THE S.T.A.R.S. need your help now!}}

The next pair of messages told the story of [[Johnny]], a young S.T.A.R.S. member whose town came under [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]]'s energy-draining attack. He summoned a squad of [[Autobot Cars|Autobot cars]] as well as the Omnibots, but it is unknown how the presumed battle unfolded. {{storylink|Have the Decepticons defeated us once and for all?}}{{storylink|Can one boy, alone, hold back the evil Decepticons?}}

The final message involving the Omnibots was delivered from [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to the potential new S.T.A.R.S. Commander. Magnus provided the first glimpse into Downshift's personality (that he was a security agent), then claimed that the Omnibots were "destined to fight a war in another universe on March 31, 1987" if the S.T.A.R.S. Commander did not requisition them. {{storylink|You Have Been Chosen.}} And, indeed, they were absent from all future messages.

{{-}}

===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''===
[[Image:Omnibots_group.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Downshift is the one pointing at his crotch. With ''that look'' on his face.]]

During a massive battle on Cybertron, Galvatron introduced his latest combining warrior, [[Predaking]]. Predaking simultaneously took out [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] with a single punch, causing much worry for the Autobots, as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was already engaged in battle on Earth.

[[Image:Downshift_vehicle.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Upshift?]]

From out of nowhere came [[Camshaft (G1)|Camshaft]], Downshift and Overdrive. They swiftly shifted into vehicle mode(s) and circled Predaking, tying up his legs with cable. Predaking swatted at them to no avail!

Then the Omnibots transformed into their battle modes and...''drove'' at Predaking, which caused him to topple backwards onto [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], taking them all out.

The assembled Autobots cheered for these three mighty warriors of great justice, who were subsequently never seen or heard of again. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

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===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' comics===
After [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] unleashed Menasor on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Downshift and his fellow Omnibots were sent by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] to stop him. They did not succeed and may have been killed by the rampaging giant. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

===IDW Generation 1 comics===
Downshift hung out with fellow Omnibot Overdrive on the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]] under the command of Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1}} He remained on he Hub under [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]'s command, when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] was brought to them by [[Ku'arn]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}} When [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] broke into the Hub, Downshift was part of the defensive line to keep him at bay, but he and his teammates were called off the assault by Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}}

[[Image:Downshift punched IDW24.jpg|left|thumb|300px|]]
He later served as the security chief at the [[Kimia]] facility, and was quite proud of the "top-notch" defenses he oversaw. When [[Cloudburst]] and [[Grotusque]] arrived for a routine inspection of the space station, Downshift took personal offense to their presence, assuming his job performance was under scrutiny. He was in the midst of telling the two to take a hike when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and an army of [[Sweep|Sweeps]] began laying siege to the place. Downshift managed to lament the cruel irony of the situation right before Cyclonus caved his face in. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations}}

{{-}}

==Toys==
{{picsneeded|Toy photos}}

===Generation 1===
* '''Downshift''' ([[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]], 1985)
:* ''Accessories'': 2 "Magnetic-Guided Rocket Launchers", "[[Rust-ray rifle|Rust Rifle]]"

: Downshift transforms into a white Toyota Celica Supra (or as it was known in Japan at the time, Celica XX) sports car. He also has a third "flight/attack" mode, which flips down his side panels, revealing mounting points for his "Magnetic-Guided Rocket Launchers", plus reveals a rooftop double-barreled blaster (which can also serve as a clip for his "Rust Rifle").

: Early releases of Downshift have "CELICA" printed on his license plate decal. Later releases blanked this out for obvious reasons.

: Both [[Hasbro]] and [[Takara]] released him only through mail-order promotions rather than at regular retail (though in the US, some grocery store chains ultimately got bins full of them at discount). In the US, Downshift cost $5 and 4 [[Robot points]]. In Japan, he cost 980 yen and 2 robot points.

::* [http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Downshift/downshift.htm More information on Downshift at TFU.info]

==Notes==
* The road to having a personality has been a long and rocky one for Downshift.
** The bio included with his North American toy was buried in his instructions, and all it said was that the Omnibots were in the early stages of their evolution and had not yet been tested.<ref>[http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/decoder.asp?CharName=Downshift&ImgURL=/archive/instructions/autobot/1985/instr_downshift.jpg Downshift's original English-language instruction-sheet bio] (such as it is; see third panel)</ref>
** He was given his "Security Agent" function in the [[You Have Been Chosen.|last mail-in flyer that offered him]], just in time for him to venture off into "another dimension." That would be the long and short of his official English-language characterization for almost twenty years.
** In Japan, [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''did'' release a bio with the toy, though his function of "Scout" did not match up with the American one.<ref name="Takara" />
** None of this reflected the profile found in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] [[Production bible|bible]], which was written in both [[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|''Transformers Universe'']] form and in the pared-down style of an on-package bio (with [[Tech Spec|Tech Specs]], even!), giving him a very different personality from any other portrayal: His function wasn't "Security Agent" or "Scout," but rather "Air Defense," and he was said to be depressed and war-weary, only grudgingly following orders. His one joy came from Earth and human children, since they were something fresh and new that had nothing to do with the millennia of war he had known.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071230230833/http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40992 Downshift's Marvel comic bible profile]</ref> This was never officially released to the public.
** The English-speaking public finally got an official profile for Downshift in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s 2003 [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]]. This naturally presented ''another'' personality, which seemed to take Takara's overeagerness and apply it to Hasbro's security-agent function.
* Downshift was originally a ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Double Changer Celica XX". There are no notable differences between the ''Transformers'' and ''Diaclone'' versions, save the obvious addition of [[faction symbols]] and the aforementioned sticker variation.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Camshaft''' (カムシャフト ''Kamushafuto'')

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Downshift (G1)