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Oilmaster

2026-04-16T04:59:01Z

MBG: I decided to look up as many pictures of Oilmaster

{{faction|decepticon}}
:''Oilmaster is a [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Badlands-oilmastershell.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Gorilla my dreams.]]

'''Oilmaster''' (オイルマスター ''Oirumasutā'') is one of the Decepticons' most feared bounty hunters. His Pretender shell is a heavily armed gorilla, dripping with acidic oil, and as a [[Double Pretender]], he also has two separate robot bodies capable of combination, all of which share a mind. That said, despite his complex mental arrangement, he's a none-too-bright thug at heart, and prone to rage whenever his shell is damaged.

==Fiction==
===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:Badlands-Oilmasterrobot.jpg|left|thumb|250px|TRUKK '''AND''' MUNKY!!!!!]]
In [[2034]], Oilmaster tracked the Decepticon fugitive [[Magnificus (G1)|Magnificus]] (and his tiny pal [[Ga'mede]]) to [[Iron Town]], a remote hideout for outlaws. Magnificus was able to briefly halt the bounty hunter's advance by tossing a warhead at him, but the subsequent damage done to Oilmaster's shell only made him angrier. As he leapt out of his Pretender shell, sword in hand and ready for the killing blow, he was blasted by a strange interloper who called himself "[[Eagle Eye (G2)|Hawk]]". {{storylink|Badlands (issue)|Badlands}}
{{--}}

===''Wings Universe''===
[[File:Oilmastersmashestinymetalmen-ACommonFoe.jpg|thumb|upright=1|right|''Monkey hate technology Robot hate the monkey They will fight eternally'']]

Oilmaster was part of the Decepticon forces that repelled back the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] invasion of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He was miniaturized, kept in [[Magnificus (G1)|Magnificus]]'s chest, and then enlarged by his partner once they hit the battlefield. {{storylink|A Common Foe}}
{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
[[File:Oilmasteraerialcomponent-CMW.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Why can't we all get along Would that be oh so wrong? Why can't we all love each other Monkey and a robot brother'']]
A bounty hunter in his universe of origin, Oilmaster continued his craft in [[Nexus 208.0 Epsilon]] though all his bounties were paid by [[Cryotek (TransTech)|Cryotek]]. He landed himself as number 6 on Cybertron's most wanted list. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/06/10}}

Oilmaster was eventually caught and jailed in [[Axiom Nexus]]'s offworlder maximum security prison, where only two of his three components were fitted with restrainers due to the [[Transcendent Technomorph|TransTech]]s' unfamiliarity with Double Pretenders. This resulted in some interference in his processors, rendering him somewhat "quirky". His cellmate [[Packrat]] took advantage of Oilmaster's newfound persuasiveness, and goaded him into picking a fight with the new arrivals [[Megatron (Movie)|C-81]], [[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]], [[Ricochet (SG)|Ricochet]], and [[Nebulon (SG)|Nebulon]]. Oilmaster was then "talked down" by Packrat in order for them all to become allies.

[[File:OilmasterShellandGroundcomponents-CMW.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Monkey Versus Robot Monkey Versus Robot'']]

Then, Packrat concocted an escape plan to get the whole group back on the outside. Oilmaster's aerial component was given a [[magne-current amplifier]], tasked with sneaking by the security systems, and clamp the device onto the prison's generator. Oilmaster completed his task, but whether or not Packrat's plan would have worked is unknown; at that moment the power went out for the entirety of Axiom Nexus.

Oilmaster's aerial component rejoined his Pretender shell and his ground component as the entire group were making their way out of the prison. It then converted into its "Alley Cleaner" trionic blaster mode to be wielded by his ground component, and blast away the guards that stood in their way. Oilmaster's Pretender shell took care of its own share of [[Autorooper]] guards with its brute physical strength. When Cybertron's most wanted finally made their way out of the prison, they took advantage of the planet-wide power outage to take refuge in the city's underground tunnel network. There, they encountered [[Burn Out (Diaclone)|Burn Out]] and [[Lift-Ticket (Diaclone)|Lift-Ticket]], who took off upon seeing them. Fearing that these two might report them to the authorities, the criminal gave chase. Losing the duo's trail, Oilmaster and the others walked into a [[Waruder]] nest. Oilmaster was the first to be attacked, a Waruder [[Storm Rider]] tackling his two smaller components right out of his Pretender shell! As more Waruder soldiers arrived, Oilmaster retaliated by spraying them with corrosive oil, as well as blasting them. However, the Waruders had plenty of soldiers to spare, and their sheer numbers forced the criminals to flee.

In the chase that ensued, Oilmaster was severely damaged, and was unable to help his comrades even as reinforcements arrived in the form of [[Optimus Prime (G1)#General Optimus|General Optimus Prime]] and [[Hound (G1)#TransTech|Sergeant Hound]], as well as the returning Lift-Ticket and Burn Out. Thankfully, the battle soon came to an end when C-81 managed to grab hold of the Waruders' leader, and forced the bug into negotiating. Oilmaster was repaired and allowed to "slip away" as thanks for his involvement in repelling the Waruder invasion. {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1-toy Double Pretender Gorilla protos.jpg|right|thumb|300px|This ape's not for you. He's not comin' atcha.]]
* '''"Oilmaster"''' (Double Pretender, <s>1989?</s>)

: The toy that would decades later be named Oilmaster was an abandoned, unreleased toy from a discarded expansion to [[The Transformers (toyline)#1989: Pretenders and Micromasters|the Pretender subline]]. "Oilmaster" had a gorilla-like shell, from which two robots would emerge.

: Two different prototypes of the outer shell have been uncovered, with two different color schemes, but nothing on what the inner robots would have been like has been found. The grey-furred/red armored shell was put on display at [[BotCon 1996]]. Fandom rumor held that this toy was supposed to become a Pretender form for [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], but what that rumor was based on has been lost to time. This ''would'' result in an [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#DoublePretender|actual gorilla-shell-Pretender Optimus Prime]] decades later, however.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:TL-toy Oilmaster.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''This'' ape's for you. He wants to love you.]]
*'''Cybertron's Most Wanted''' ([[BotCon 2015]] box set)
**''Accessories'': gun, sword, friggin' Pretender shell

: ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' Oilmaster is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#T30|Generations]]'' Legends Class [[Swerve (G1)#Thrilling 30|Swerve]] and [[Sky High (Micromaster)#Generations|Flanker]], which fit together into a newly-sculpted Pretender shell designed by [[Boss Fight Studio]] after the original unreleased Oilmaster toy. The Swerve redeco is colored to resemble Oilmaster's inner robot from "[[Badlands (issue)|Badlands]]". The shell has shoulder and neck rotational joints (the neck being a first for Pretender shells), [[5 mm post]]-holes in its wrists, plus two 5 mm holes on its back for weapon storage. Unlike most Pretenders, the shell does not split in half to store the inner robots: instead the backpack swings up on a hinge for access to the inner cavity, with the truck slotting into the backpack-part proper, and the jet pegging into a post-hole inside the body.

: His shell weapons are from ''[[Construct-Bots]]'' sets, notably [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Optimus Prime]]'s sword and [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Megatron]]'s blaster rifle.

: Oilmaster was available [[exclusive]]ly in the [[BotCon 2015]] five-figure box set, packaged with [[Battletrap (G1)#Timelines|Battletrap]], [[Packrat#Timelines|Packrat]], [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#Timelines|Megatron]], and [[Stepper (SG)#Toys|Stepper]].

: Unfortunately, quite a few samples of Oilmaster are victims of poor [[quality control]], with the legs being glued on incorrectly. This means he tends to have difficulty standing flat on his feet.

:This set of molds was used to make [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|TFSS]] 5.0 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#DoublePretender|Optimus Prime]] and [[Hi-Q#Timelines|Hi-Q]]. The jet robot mold was also used to make TFSS 5.0 [[Quickslinger (G1)#Generations|Quickslinger]]. It also served as the model for the non-toy ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' incarnation of [[Swerve (SG)|Swerve]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Decepticon/BCOilmaster/oilmaster.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Oilmaster at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
* Oilmaster is named in homage to [https://robonin.blog.fc2.com/|Japanese fan blogger "Abura Chojin"] ("Oil Master"), who's a noted gorilla enthusiast in addition to being an extreme super-robot fan!
* The [[Double Pretender]] gimmick of being two robots within a single shell was not apparent in his first fictional appearance.
* Oilmaster's jet component was originally intended to be an updated form of [[Airwave (Micromaster)|Airwave]] before it was decided that the jet form would be another extension of Oilmaster's mind like the larger robot and Pretender shell. As a result, the jet module still possesses a color scheme similar to that of Airwave.

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SEgNCLSFaM BotCon 2015 Oilmaster reveal video]

[[Category:Bounty hunters]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Partformer

2026-04-15T06:07:39Z

MBG:

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips, with modern figures of those characters often utilizing the same features. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] boast removable fists, with their arms being unable to fit into their vehicle modes unless their fists are first removed. This doubles as a gimmick, as the fists are spring-loaded and the figures come with missiles that can fit into the same slots.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is one of the most significant cases, as his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.
* ''[[Age of the Primes]]'' [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] form [[Mirror]]'s upper body and lower body, respectively, and when not combined or serving as Headmaster-style heads, can also turn into two separate robots... well, half of two separate robots. Rook's legs and pelvis and Crosswise's arms and head are entirely separate plastic pieces that must be attached to complete them. These pieces can plug onto [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] when not in use.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons (see [[Partformer#Partforming lite|partsforming lite]] below), but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be partformed into their respective robot modes. With that said, you can always keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands and pretend that they're spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
*** Tragically though, LEGO's next Transformers set - [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#LEGO|10338 Bumblebee]] - would not escape this fate so easily, as the assembly that makes up his windshield needs to be fully removed for transformation. It can, however, be folded open and reattached into the back of a figure as a small optional winged jetpack, therefore making it more in line with the ''partsforming lite'' of the section below rather than it being a case of full-on classic partsforming.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the most notable exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick already present in the original toy), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather simple figure engineering-wise. Other notable examples of Kabaya toys that do not partform include [[Ginrai (human)#Transformers Gum|Ginrai]], [[Optimus_Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Star Convoy]], [[Laster#Transformers_Gum|Laster]], [[Braver#Transformers_Gum|Braver]], and most members of [[Gaia Guardian]], again; owing to the relative simplicity of the original figures that these are based on.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege'', and ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s. Come ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'', however, and this stops being the case: with [[Evo-Fusion]] as the successor of these systems (and subsequently the [[Armorizer|Armorizers]]), the figures actually became fully capable of transforming without requiring disassembly.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".
* While [[Transformers Collaborative#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .C3.97 Transformers|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles × Transformers]] [[Party Wallop]] can technically transform into robot mode without partsforming, the entire front of his truck must be detached to reveal the cartoon-accurate turtle chest. The leftover chunk then becomes a "shield" that can be attached to Party Wallop's arms.
* [[Transformers One (toyline)|''Transformers One'']] [[Optimus_Prime_(One)#PowerFlip|Power Flip Optimus Prime]] features a truck roof that needs to be attached/detached during transformation to/from truck mode. The piece also doubles as Orion Pax/Optimus Prime's shield in robot mode.

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* All of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' "transform" by turning into a pile of floating silver bricks and then reassembling themselves while morphing fluidly from one mode to the other. (Unsurprisingly, this has made them rather difficult to render in toy form.)

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Partformer

2026-04-15T06:07:18Z

MBG:

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips, with modern figures of those characters often utilizing the same features. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] boast removable fists, with their arms being unable to fit into their vehicle modes unless their fists are first removed. This doubles as a gimmick, as the fists are spring-loaded and the figures come with missiles that can fit into the same slots.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is one of the most significant cases, as his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.
* ''[[Age of the Primes]]'' [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] form [[Mirror]]'s upper body and lower body, respectively, and when not combined or serving as Headmaster-style heads, can also turn into separate robots... well, half of two separate robots. Rook's legs and pelvis and Crosswise's arms and head are entirely separate plastic pieces that must be attached to complete them. These pieces can plug onto [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] when not in use.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons (see [[Partformer#Partforming lite|partsforming lite]] below), but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be partformed into their respective robot modes. With that said, you can always keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands and pretend that they're spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
*** Tragically though, LEGO's next Transformers set - [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#LEGO|10338 Bumblebee]] - would not escape this fate so easily, as the assembly that makes up his windshield needs to be fully removed for transformation. It can, however, be folded open and reattached into the back of a figure as a small optional winged jetpack, therefore making it more in line with the ''partsforming lite'' of the section below rather than it being a case of full-on classic partsforming.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the most notable exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick already present in the original toy), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather simple figure engineering-wise. Other notable examples of Kabaya toys that do not partform include [[Ginrai (human)#Transformers Gum|Ginrai]], [[Optimus_Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Star Convoy]], [[Laster#Transformers_Gum|Laster]], [[Braver#Transformers_Gum|Braver]], and most members of [[Gaia Guardian]], again; owing to the relative simplicity of the original figures that these are based on.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege'', and ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s. Come ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'', however, and this stops being the case: with [[Evo-Fusion]] as the successor of these systems (and subsequently the [[Armorizer|Armorizers]]), the figures actually became fully capable of transforming without requiring disassembly.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".
* While [[Transformers Collaborative#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .C3.97 Transformers|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles × Transformers]] [[Party Wallop]] can technically transform into robot mode without partsforming, the entire front of his truck must be detached to reveal the cartoon-accurate turtle chest. The leftover chunk then becomes a "shield" that can be attached to Party Wallop's arms.
* [[Transformers One (toyline)|''Transformers One'']] [[Optimus_Prime_(One)#PowerFlip|Power Flip Optimus Prime]] features a truck roof that needs to be attached/detached during transformation to/from truck mode. The piece also doubles as Orion Pax/Optimus Prime's shield in robot mode.

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* All of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' "transform" by turning into a pile of floating silver bricks and then reassembling themselves while morphing fluidly from one mode to the other. (Unsurprisingly, this has made them rather difficult to render in toy form.)

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Partformer

2026-04-15T06:06:31Z

MBG: /* Individual figures */

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips, with modern figures of those characters often utilizing the same features. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] boast removable fists, with their arms being unable to fit into their vehicle modes unless their fists are first removed. This doubles as a gimmick, as the fists are spring-loaded and the figures come with missiles that can fit into the same slots.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is one of the most significant cases, as his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.
* ''Age of the Primes'' [[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] form [[Mirror]]'s upper body and lower body, respectively, and when not combined or serving as Headmaster-style heads, can also turn into separate robots... well, half of two separate robots. Rook's legs and pelvis and Crosswise's arms and head are entirely separate plastic pieces that must be attached to complete them. These pieces can plug onto [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] when not in use.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons (see [[Partformer#Partforming lite|partsforming lite]] below), but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be partformed into their respective robot modes. With that said, you can always keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands and pretend that they're spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
*** Tragically though, LEGO's next Transformers set - [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#LEGO|10338 Bumblebee]] - would not escape this fate so easily, as the assembly that makes up his windshield needs to be fully removed for transformation. It can, however, be folded open and reattached into the back of a figure as a small optional winged jetpack, therefore making it more in line with the ''partsforming lite'' of the section below rather than it being a case of full-on classic partsforming.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the most notable exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick already present in the original toy), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather simple figure engineering-wise. Other notable examples of Kabaya toys that do not partform include [[Ginrai (human)#Transformers Gum|Ginrai]], [[Optimus_Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Star Convoy]], [[Laster#Transformers_Gum|Laster]], [[Braver#Transformers_Gum|Braver]], and most members of [[Gaia Guardian]], again; owing to the relative simplicity of the original figures that these are based on.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege'', and ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s. Come ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'', however, and this stops being the case: with [[Evo-Fusion]] as the successor of these systems (and subsequently the [[Armorizer|Armorizers]]), the figures actually became fully capable of transforming without requiring disassembly.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".
* While [[Transformers Collaborative#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .C3.97 Transformers|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles × Transformers]] [[Party Wallop]] can technically transform into robot mode without partsforming, the entire front of his truck must be detached to reveal the cartoon-accurate turtle chest. The leftover chunk then becomes a "shield" that can be attached to Party Wallop's arms.
* [[Transformers One (toyline)|''Transformers One'']] [[Optimus_Prime_(One)#PowerFlip|Power Flip Optimus Prime]] features a truck roof that needs to be attached/detached during transformation to/from truck mode. The piece also doubles as Orion Pax/Optimus Prime's shield in robot mode.

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* All of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' "transform" by turning into a pile of floating silver bricks and then reassembling themselves while morphing fluidly from one mode to the other. (Unsurprisingly, this has made them rather difficult to render in toy form.)

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Partformer

2025-11-08T03:26:14Z

MBG:

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips, with modern figures of those characters often utilizing the same features. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] boast removable fists, with their arms being unable to fit into their vehicle modes unless their fists are first removed. This doubles as a gimmick, as the fists are spring-loaded and the figures come with missiles that can fit into the same slots.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is one of the most significant cases, as his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons (see [[Partformer#Partforming lite|partsforming lite]] below), but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be partformed into their respective robot modes. With that said, you can always keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands and pretend that they're spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
*** Tragically though, LEGO's next Transformers set - [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#LEGO|10338 Bumblebee]] - would not escape this fate so easily, as the assembly that makes up his windshield needs to be fully removed for transformation. It can, however, be folded open and reattached into the back of a figure as a small optional winged jetpack, therefore making it more in line with the ''partsforming lite'' of the section below rather than it being a case of full-on classic partsforming.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the most notable exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick already present in the original toy), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather simple figure engineering-wise. Other notable examples of Kabaya toys that do not partform include [[Ginrai (human)#Transformers Gum|Ginrai]], [[Optimus_Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Star Convoy]], [[Laster#Transformers_Gum|Laster]], [[Braver#Transformers_Gum|Braver]], and most members of [[Gaia Guardian]], again; owing to the relative simplicity of the original figures that these are based on.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege'', and ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s. Come ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'', however, and this stops being the case: with [[Evo-Fusion]] as the successor of these systems (and subsequently the [[Armorizer|Armorizers]]), the figures actually became fully capable of transforming without requiring disassembly.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".
* While [[Transformers Collaborative#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .C3.97 Transformers|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles × Transformers]] [[Party Wallop]] can technically transform into robot mode without partsforming, the entire front of his truck must be detached to reveal the cartoon-accurate turtle chest. The leftover chunk then becomes a "shield" that can be attached to Party Wallop's arms.
* [[Transformers One (toyline)|''Transformers One'']] [[Optimus_Prime_(One)#PowerFlip|Power Flip Optimus Prime]] features a truck roof that needs to be attached/detached during transformation to/from truck mode. The piece also doubles as Orion Pax/Optimus Prime's shield in robot mode.

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* All of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' "transform" by turning into a pile of floating silver bricks and then reassembling themselves while morphing fluidly from one mode to the other. (Unsurprisingly, this has made them rather difficult to render in toy form.)

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

FIRRIB

2025-10-13T20:22:29Z

MBG: /* Similar cases */

{{quote|Yes, in AHM Rumble is RED.|[[Joana Lafuente]]<ref>[http://khaamar.deviantart.com/art/All-Hail-Megatron-9-cover-112520321 Joana LaFuente's response.]</ref>|center=true}}
{{quote|Okay guys, let's get this right this time. Rumble is BLUE, Frenzy is RED!|[[Derrick J. Wyatt]]<ref>[http://derrickjwyatt.blogspot.com/2008/12/first-we-crack-shell.html Derrick Wyatt's opinion]</ref>|center=true}}
{{quote|[Frenzy]'s blue because Hasbro said so.|[[Shane McCarthy]]<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvrLk_6Seo#t=28s Shane McCarthy's response during IDW's panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2008.]</ref>|center=true}}
{{quote|Now it’s up to [[you]] to decide which Decepticon is red or blue!|Product description for [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations Selects]] Soundwave Spy Patrol (3rd Unit)<ref>[https://hasbropulse.com/collections/transformers/products/transformers-generations-selects-micromaster-wfc-gs10-soundwave-spy-patrol-3rd-unit-4-pack Hasbro Pulse listing for "Transformers Generations Selects Micromaster WFC-GS10 Soundwave Spy Patrol (3rd Unit) 4-Pack".]</ref>|center=true}}
[[File:FIRRIB.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Soundwave, moments before being sent back to workplace sensitivity training.]]
An [[Abbreviations|acronym]] sometimes bandied about by fans, '''FIRRIB''' means "[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] is red, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] is blue". The phrase originated on [[alt.toys.transformers]] circa [[1994]], essentially as a (largely joking) rallying cry for those who favored [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]] over various other media portrayals of the Transformers. In time, the counterpoint '''FIBRIR''' emerged, standing for "Frenzy is blue, Rumble is red". The forms '''RIBFIR''' and '''RIRFIB''' are also known.

The debate revolves around the colors of the [[Decepticon]] [[Mini-Cassette]]s, Rumble and Frenzy. It was [[Hasbro]]'s intent that Rumble be black and red, and Frenzy be two shades of blue. These color schemes are used in the toyline, [[Marvel Comics]] and many storybooks and ancillary media from the early years of [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]], and naturally, it was intended for the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon series]] to render the characters in this manner as well (as proven by the show's [[production bible]], which identifies Rumble as the "red robot"). However, as a result of some unspecified error somewhere in production, the two robots had their color schemes swapped, leaving the animated incarnation of Rumble blue, and Frenzy red. Contrary to this, even the season 3 show bible still identifies Rumble as "red robot" and Frenzy as "blue robot" as part of the 1986 toy lineup.<ref name="s3bible">[https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/transformers-1986-character-binder.html Transformers: 1986 character binder] a the Sunbow Marvel Archive.</ref>

The blue robot received many appearances early in the cartoon, often introducing himself in rhyme ("[[Divide and Conquer|So, you wanna rumble with Rumble, eh?]]"), while the red robot only appeared in a handful of episodes. Thanks to the widespread recognition the cartoon received, the concept of Rumble being blue was therefore ingrained into the minds of many viewers. As such, years later, [[Fandom|fans]] would argue vehemently (though often tongue-in-cheek) over which coloration was "correct", based mainly on their personal preference for the cartoon or comic.

The FIRRIB movement was codified by a cartoon fan named Scott Wells in 1994,<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/7f7aa2ec041325c4/d066fdb5fb0bdaf9?lnk=gst&q=FIRRIB#d066fdb5fb0bdaf9 ATT FAQ file, 1994]</ref> who coined the acronym FIRRIB. The FIRRIB idea quickly caught on with other cartoon fans on alt.toys.transformers, frequently appearing in signature files; its counterpoint, the comic- and toy-based FIBRIR, soon appeared as well. After endless discussion threads fueled by little more than personal preference, the subject eventually landed in the group's FAQ file as a do-not-ask question.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/75181b5ca5175ca3?&q=FIRRIB+FAQ ATT FAQ file, 1998]</ref> Almost three decades later, it's still a topic that will inevitably result in dozens of posts arguing back and forth with the same arguments over and over again every time it's brought up.

The Japanese dub of the Generation 1 cartoon rectifies the error, making the animation match the toys by simply switching the characters' names around. Japanese-originated media and releases generally take the FIBRIR position, though exceptions exist.

As later incarnations of the characters draw on both the cartoon and toys as influences, the waters have become muddier still:

Items in the following table are listed in release order. E.g., the original toys came first.

{|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" style="text-align:left"
!
!Frenzy
!Rumble
|-
![[The Transformers (toyline)|Original toys]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"| Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"| Red
|-
![[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"| Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"| Red
|-
![[The Transformers (cartoon)|US cartoon]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|-
![[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|Japanese cartoon]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Ladybird Books]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Kid Stuff]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Dreamwave Generation One continuity]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers continuity]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|-
![[2005 IDW continuity]]
|'''[[#2005 IDW continuity|SEE BELOW]]'''
|-
![[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]] toys
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Diamond Select Toys|Diamond Select]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|-
![[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]] earphones
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Transformers G1: Awakening|G1: The Awakening]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Transformers (2010 toyline)]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue (canceled)
|-
![[Transformers United]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Transformers: Devastation]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Transformers: Earth Wars]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|-
![[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"| none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"| Red
|-
![[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"| Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"| Red
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"| '''(See the notes, though)'''
|-
![[2019 IDW continuity]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"| Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"| Red
|-
![[World of Warships: Transformers]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"| none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"| Red
|-
![[My Little Pony/Transformers: Friendship in Disguise!|My Little Pony/Transformers]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"| Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"| none
|-
![[Transformers/Back to the Future]]
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|-
![[Transformers Roleplaying Game]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|Both
|-
![[Studio Series]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|-
![[Energon Universe]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|-
![[Transformers Go! Go!|Go! Go!]]
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|style="color:#000;background:#fff;"|none
|-
![[Transformers: Worst Bot Ever|Worst Bot Ever]]
|style="color:#000;background:#f00;"|Red
|style="color:#fff;background:#00f;"|Blue
|}

It is generally agreed that pointing out that Rumble was actually ''purple'' in the original cartoon is not helpful.

==2005 IDW continuity==
The treatment of Rumble and Frenzy in IDW comics bears special mention. Some might believe that this "controversy" is not to be taken seriously, but IDW comics show that FIRRIB/FIBRIR is being fought to this day on the battlefields of the publisher's art and editing rooms. Whereas most entries on this list at least remain consistent within a given continuity, FIRRIB/FIBRIR changed ''repeatedly'' back-and-forth in IDW comics over the years.

Rumble and Frenzy first appeared in IDW's early limited series, ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]''. Seen in their toy colors of one blue and one red-and-black, the duo went the entire series without being individually addressed by name. Although the red robot used piledrivers on occasion, at the time this was potentially ambiguous thanks to prior media, such as the Generation 1 cartoon, depicting both Rumble and Frenzy with those weapons. However, IDW's stance on the matter appeared to be cemented in their next appearance, ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', which firmly established Rumble as a red robot with piledrivers and Frenzy as a blue robot with sonic powers and drills. This setup continued into the era of [[The Transformers (IDW)|the new ongoing series]], with Frenzy's appearance in companion miniseries ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee|Bumblebee]]'' coloring him blue.

''However'', when the duo were reunited to appear in the ongoing series itself, they were switched to their cartoon configuration; the sonic-blasting Frenzy was now red-and-black, while piledriving Rumble was distinctively cartoon purple. After the ongoing series' conclusion, the FIRRIB layout returned in the digital series ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', set during the early days of the war.

Subsequently, as cast members of the ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' series, the duo underwent yet more color switches. After an unnamed cameo for the red-and-black robot in [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|issue 1]], Rumble and Frenzy reappeared in the [[Priscilla Tramontano]]-colored [[The End of the Beginning of the World|issue 11]] with Rumble firmly back as the red-and-black cassette and Frenzy, for the first time ever, colored cartoon purple. For their subsequent, [[Josh Perez]]-colored appearances during the Decepticon uprising, the duo had new tank bodies built for them, and Frenzy was toy blue instead of cartoon purple. When Tramontano returned to color issues [[Shockpoint|21]] and [[Soundwaves (issue)|22]], she once again utilized red-and-black and cartoon purple color schemes, only now pile-driving Rumble was purple and Frenzy was red!

Quite which of these numerous color changes were the result of deliberate artistic choice, innocent mistake, or even Hasbro mandate is wholly unclear.

==Similar cases==
[[File:AutoBerserk-Grapple.jpg|thumb|Rare toy-accurate Grapple cartoon appearance!]]
While the coloration of Frenzy and Rumble is the most well-known instance of the original cartoon's color choices not matching the [[toy]]s its [[character]]s are based on, there are similar cases, some of which have also resulted in fan dissent regarding the question which is to be considered the "correct" coloration for the character in question:
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]'s toy sported a black head, but possibly in order to differentiate him further from his [[mold]]-mate [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys|Sideswipe]], the cartoon changed the head's color to red. His comic appearances usually use the toy's black head, while new toys are a mixed bag ([[TakaraTomy]] leans more towards a [[show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] red head, while [[Hasbro]] appears to prefer the original toy's black head). Thus far, however, none of Takara's [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]] of the original toy have featured a show-accurate red head (as the headpiece is molded together with other components of the figure, such as the fists, front calf plates, and front bumper, as evidenced on [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|G2]] Sideswipe having these components in red).
[[File:TF-WFC-E-Voyager-Grapple.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Cartoon-accurate Grapple toy!]]
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]'s original toy sported a black head, but the cartoon changed it to orange, possibly to differentiate him further from his mold-mate [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. The episode "[[Auto Berserk]]", however, consistently gave him a (mostly) toy-accurate black head. The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]] once again followed the toy's coloration.
*[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys|Bluestreak]] is a huge mess: While early catalogs depicted him in a blue and silver deco based on his original [[Diaclone]] colors, which is also used for the [[instructions]] and the toy's [[package art]], the toy itself sports an entirely silver deco for the vehicle mode. The cartoon, on the other hand, gave him a silver and black vehicle mode deco based on ''another'' Diaclone color scheme. Later toys have alternatively used variations of any of the three color schemes, although only Takara have thus far released a reissue of the original toy in "show colors" through [[e-HOBBY]], and there has been no reissue in the "blue" Diaclone deco at all yet. [[Hasbro]] would eventually play into the confusion around Bluestreak's name by naming the ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' release of Bluestreak based on his "original" blue Diaclone color scheme "[[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|''Silver''streak]]". Comedy friggin' gold.
*Although [[Ratchet (G1)/toys|Ratchet]]'s toy doesn't really ''have'' a head (simply a "face" [[sticker]] on a seat), he was given a proper head for his character model. However, said head is colored differently across various media: Whereas the cartoon features a white helmet with a black crest, the Marvel comics instead feature a red helmet with a white crest with [[Nelson Yomtov|surprising consistency]]. The [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave comics]] alternate between the two versions, with the ''[[Transformers: The War Within|War Within]]'' comics using the Marvel colors and the various ''[[Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave)|Generation 1]]'' titles favoring the cartoon color scheme. The [[2005 IDW continuity]] follows the Marvel red-with-white-crest helmet in the present day, with flashbacks to a "young" [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' giving him a red helmet with ''black'' crest, similar to the way [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] has been shown to have "greyed". Modern toys mostly follow the cartoon version again, with the exception of the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Deluxe Class figure]], which ''inverts'' the Marvel colors, sporting a white helmet with a ''red'' crest. Some other figures (such as ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Ratchet]] and ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' [[Ratchet (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Ratchet]]) have followed suit, and in addition, the latter version also [[:File:Devastation5 Ratchet Jazz.jpg|appeared in error]] in [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]'' limited series, but was corrected for the trade paperback collection to his standard red-with-white. Following his return to ''More than Meets the Eye'' after a brief absence, his helmet colors were changed without explanation to white with a red crest, which he wore until the end of the series.
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]'s cartoon color scheme is based on his blue-chested ''Diaclone'' predecessor rather than his red-chested ''Transformers'' release. This became an issue during ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'', when that toyline's [[Swoop (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Swoop]] figure used a cartoon-based color scheme, though Hasbro later released a "[[Swoop (G1)/toys#POTPGS|Red Swoop]]" redeco as one of the first ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' figures.
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell's]] toy has a purple chest with a yellow front. His cartoon model got an odd case of this, in that the purple parts became gray in his robot mode, but not his beetle mode. Due to this, most modern Bombshell figures tend to favor toy colors, given that they're accurate to one of his modes in the cartoon and avoid the difficulty of figuring out how to finagle the color change into his transformation.
*[[Abominus (G1)|Abominus's]] toys originally only used a purple face aside a white helmet; his ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' figure was the first to apply an animation-accurate head coloration.
*Then there's the thing with [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s [[character model|animation model]] using the colors of an early [[prototype]] (as shown in early [[stock photography|catalogs]]), while the actual toy sports an entirely different deco... and Takara released a variation of the toy in yet ''another'' different deco. Takara later released a reissue of the original toy in a color scheme resembling (but not identical to) the prototype through e-HOBBY, while other toys by Hasbro and Takara have been alternatively based on any of the three decos.
*On a smaller, but far more widespread scale, the cartoon tended to color-code the eyes of characters by faction, especially in the first two years: Autobots had blue eyes, Decepticons had red eyes. Meanwhile, in the toyline, many of the larger toys in both factions had yellow eyes, a lot of the smaller ones had silver eyes, and it wasn't uncommon to see red-eyed Autobots (most notably [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]). Modern figures tend to stick to the cartoon rules, but there are exceptions; Grimlock's toys and modern designs overwhelmingly favor red eyes, and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] is known to have yellow eyes on occasion.
*Very much in the same fashion as FIRRIB, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Skyjack (RID)|Skyjack]] and [[Cyberwarp (RID)|Cyberwarp]] have inverted color schemes in their toy designs; Skyjack has green stripes in her artwork with yellow stripes on her toy, and vice versa for Cyberwarp.
*[[Double Punch (ROTB)|Double Punch]]'s concept art depicts him with blue accents, his toy would ultimately use red accents.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8bReL6|name=Fred Pashe|quote=In 2021, I was given the opportunity & privilege to work with MPC LA on this Feature, creating some the Previs models.|site=Artstation|year=2023|month=06|day=11}}</ref>
*Due to his nature as a redeco of [[Flywheels#War for Cybertron: Siege|Skytread]], ''Siege'' [[Slamdance (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Slamdance]] features an inverted color scheme in comparison to his original toy.

==Notes==
[[File:RumbleisRed.jpg|thumb|Product #5731 also includes [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]].]]
*In the season 1 episode "[[Heavy Metal War]]", [[Teletraan I]] displays files on the Decepticons. The texts are, for the most part, lifted directly from the show's [[production bible]], including Hasbro's product code numbers for the toys (which are listed on the toys' [[packaging]]). As a consequence, Rumble (misspelled "Runble") is given the detail "red robot".
*The ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)#Hasbro Reveal the Shield subline|Reveal the Shield]]'' "[[Rumble (G1)/toys#Transformers .282010.29|Demolition Rumble]]" toy, which was ultimately [[unreleased toy|never released]] due to the cancellation of the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toy line]], would have been the first Hasbro-released toy to follow the cartoon coloration. Even more oddly, though, the deco was specifically based on the gold weapon [[variant]] of the Generation 1 Frenzy toy available in 1986.
*Hasbro's [[Aligned continuity family]] material, such as ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'', the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]], and the ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' portion of the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'' toyline]], uses the G1 cartoon's "FIRRIB" color choices for its [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]] characters, whilst Takara continued to use "FIBRIR" for their version of the ''Prime'' and ''Generations'' toylines. Though clearly patterned after their Generation 1 predecessors, they represent different-universe versions of these [[character]]s, so they're listed here instead of the chart above.
*Similarly, the ''[[Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers]]'' incarnations of [[Frenzy (AB)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (AB)|Rumble]] use the cartoon's "FIRRIB" color choices, but are technically considered separate entities from the above, having started as pigs before being turned into [[Deceptihog]]s.
*''[[Transformers: EarthSpark (franchise)|EarthSpark]]'' dodges the question entirely by leaving Rumble absent and coloring its incarnation of [[Frenzy (ES)|Frenzy]] purple, technically making her red ''and'' blue at the same time.
*The ''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Rumble (ROTF)#Studio Series|Concept Art Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (Movie)#Studio Series|Concept Art Frenzy]] go with the cartoon colors.
*While the ''War for Cybertron Trilogy''{{'}}s toy names follow the "FIBRIR" pattern as marked above, the official product description for the set that includes the blue robot takes a more 'laissez-faire' approach — the first recorded example of Hasbro directly embracing the chaos, and subsequently quoted at the top of this article. The ''[[Studio Series]]'' toys, meanwhile, went for [[show-accuracy|cartoon-accurate]] colors, but explicitly pointed out the unusual nature of these colors-and-names combinations by officially calling the toys "Rumble (Blue)" and "Frenzy (Red)".

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Fandom]]

Long Haul (G1)

2025-09-26T01:12:55Z

MBG: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ultracon}}
{{disambig3|Long Haul}}
{{suite}}
:''Long Haul is a [[Decepticon]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:LongHaulG1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Knows the importance of not complaining about his job, but is known entirely for complaining about his job.]]
The problem, as '''Long Haul''' sees it, is that he gets all the work and very little of the excitement and the glory that goes with being a Decepticon. He knows his job is important; he'd just much rather be on the front lines fighting shoulder to shoulder with fellow warriors than moving supplies and building installations to make sure those warriors continue fighting. Long Haul keeps these secret desires to himself though, as he's smart enough to know [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is not likely to be sympathetic and has no patience for grunts who question their orders.

He also serves as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s crotch. Tough break.

{{bigquote|REMOVE! REMOVE! ALWAYS REMOVE! I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!|Long Haul's unfortunate fate|"[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese), [[Toshiro Ishii]] (Japanese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "The Core"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Autobot Run"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, ''2010'')|[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''The Autobot Run''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4''), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, Generation 2 Dub), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Albert Augier]] (European French), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Júlio Chaves]] (Portuguese), [[Older Cazarré]] (Portuguese, "The Master Builders")}}

Some time in the past, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were responsible for creating Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Roughly nine million years ago, Long Haul and the Constructicons were friends of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] in [[Crystal City]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their engineering skills were permanently turned to evil, however, once [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] reprogrammed them into Decepticons. They were also given the combined form of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], making them the physical equal of Omega Supreme in combat. After they destroyed Crystal City at Megatron's command, the Constructicons earned the everlasting ire of their former friend. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[File:CityofSteel DisassemblingPrime.jpg|left|thumb|The crankiest operating table in existence.]]
Long Haul was eventually summoned to Earth ([[Constructicon (G1)|built on Earth?]]) by Megatron and the Decepticons, and joined them in trying to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. Their first scheme was to supercharge Megatron with the [[power chip rectifier]]s of his fellow 'Cons, so that he could defeat Prime in personal combat. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Though they failed, the Constructicons would be involved in many of Megatron's schemes from then on, such as constructing of [[New Cybertron]] in [[New York City|Manhattan]], where Long Haul got to carry around debris and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|paralyzed Autobot leaders]]. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

Long Haul was the most long-suffering members of the Constructicons, possibly even more so than [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. He was constantly complaining about wanting a greater role in the group, either as a warrior or an engineer, but was inevitably relegated to "go fetch" work for [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] or [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]. It didn't help his mood any. At one point the Constructicons later built the [[Transfixatron]] to paralyze the Autobots in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, along with a metal-munching machine to devour them. Long Haul complained loudly about his job, but was cheered up when he got to feed [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] to the machine. He didn't even mind when the Autobots got loose, since it meant finally getting some action. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron later had the Constructicons build a giant drill, planning to collect energy from the [[Earth's core]]. When an accident was caused by Scavenger's faulty sensors, Long Haul was tasked with loading [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s mixing drum full of chemicals so that the crazed chemist could do a quick repair job. He didn't enjoy it one bit. A group of Autobots soon discovered the Decepticons, only to be chased off by Devastator. However, they soon returned with a plan—using [[dominator disk]]s to take control of Devastator for their own needs. The Autobot [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] shot a pair of disks at Long Haul and Mixmaster when they weren't looking, and as soon as the Constructicons formed Devastator shortly afterwards, the Autobots took control of him. Megatron's attempts at regaining his troops eventually led to Devastator going crazy and wrecking the controls to the drill, so Long Haul had to help stop it from breaching the Earth's core and shattering the planet. {{storylink|The Core}}

When the Constructicons deceived [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] into building a [[Solar Power Tower]] for them to take over, Long Haul thought he was finally going to get to build something. Hook sent him to carry solar panels around. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Following the Autobot's forced departure from Earth when edited propaganda of them raiding an oil field was broadcast by Megatron, Long Haul brought up the rear of the [[Decepticon Day]] parade. {{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} When the other Decepticons were suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion, Long Haul and the other Constructicons unloaded a shipment of Cybertonium sent by Shockwave. They failed to stop the Dinobots from using the space bridge to go to Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon LongHaul Dirge.jpg|thumb|Death comes to he who stands behind a dump truck emptying its load.]]
Long Haul's greatest claim to fame was abandoning his job of guarding the recently discovered pool of [[electrum]], forcing [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to do it by himself. Dirge was then promptly beaten up by [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and the Autobots gained control of the electrum. Oops. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Long Haul later went into space with the other Constructicons in order to mine energy from an asteroid. When the Autobots found out, the Constructicons found themselves facing their old pal, Omega Supreme, who broke the entire asteroid in half in his attempts to exterminate Long Haul and the others. Ignoring the [[asteroid scorpion|strange alien]] that "hatched" from the asteroid, the Constructicons merged into Devastator and kept fighting Omega Supreme on Earth, but were eventually defeated. Before Omega Supreme could finish them off, however, he had to leave and deal with the alien. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

Long Haul pitched in to build an over-sized maze for Blitzwing {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} and an [[energy transductor]]. {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} Long Haul also watched Megatron announce their attack on Starscream and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. During the battle, Long Haul combined into Devastator, then got his exhaust pipe handed to him by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} The Constructicons later helped Megatron construct one of the most devastating weapons of all time. Pleased with their work, Megatron dismissed the Constructicons for the day. Long Haul and his crew departed quickly, before Megatron realized they had built the ultimate weapon at the bottom of a deep canyon, making it virtually impossible to aim it at anything worthwhile. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:TFTM LongHaulwithKickback.jpg|left|thumb|"Remove, remove... always remove!"]]
In [[2005]], Long Haul and the Constructicons joined in the assault on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], and their power as Devastator was key to breaching the city's defenses. After the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived, however, Devastator was effectively nullified as the two groups kept each other too busy and out of the rest of the fighting. They joined the other Decepticons in beating a hasty retreat after Megatron fell in battle, and Long Haul was seen carrying the damaged [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] with him. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Long Haul’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], the Decepticons sought refuge on the planet of [[Chaar]], where the Constructicons began squabbling over who would take Astrotrain's latest shipment of energon. They combined, but were broken up by Menasor and slinked away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Constructicons were tasked with modifying an Earth city into the Decepticons' new battle station, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and Long Haul got [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|a new colour scheme]] just for the occasion, cackling about the rude awakening the humans were about to receive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} He then shot at [[Sky Lynx (G1)|an Autobot shuttle]] when it arrived on Earth with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[Transformation cog (biology)|transformation cog]], and was petrified by a [[Large switch|device]] that froze all Transformers. Long Haul was freed when [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a human]] destroyed the device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Long Haul participated in building a new engine for Galvatron, only for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and his squad of Autobots to crash the party. Despite merging into Devastator, the Constructicons were no match for the enormous [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]. After a crash on [[Eurythma]], Long Haul fought Perceptor and Hot Spot with his teammates. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} He accompanied Galvatron to [[Paradron]] and took part in the crossfire, {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} and as part of Devastator, got his revenge on Broadside during a battle in Japan. Later on, Long Haul witnessed Galvatron and Cyclonus be defeated by a mutated Scourge. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
{{voiceactor|[[Toshiro Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

When the Decepticons learned of the Scramble City project being secretly assembled by the Autobots, Megatron sent his henchmen to interfere with their work. The Constructicons joined Starscream and his flying partners in an attack on the Autobots. Optimus Prime and a task force of Autobots held their position until Long Haul and the Constructicons inevitably joined forces into Devastator. The Aerialbots gave Devastator a good whippin', though, and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Hm1 Constructicons Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Long Haul and the Constructicons were stationed on Earth in 2011, under the command of [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. They attempted to prevent Ultra Magnus from sending reinforcements to Cybertron to help the Autobots fend off Galvatron's siege on [[Vector Sigma]]. Long Haul and his squad were ganging up on the [[Trainbot]]s until [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived and shooed them off with his superior firepower. Having failed to stop the Autobot reinforcements from departing, the Constructicons followed them to Cybertron. As Devastator, they tried to shoot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in the back, but Optimus Prime foiled their aim, making them hit [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] instead. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Devastator was involved in a combiner shootout on Cybertron until the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]] arrived and annihilated the Decepticon combiners. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Long Haul and the Constructicons were guarding the Decepticon [[space bridge]] on Earth, but failed miserably when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] single-handedly fought them off and stole a ride on the bridge. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
Long Haul and the other Constructicons tricked Grapple into helping them rebuild the Crystal City on Earth, and were joined by Omega Supreme and [[Hauler]] as well, but was unhappy to have been reduced to the role of material carrier again. {{storylink|Crystal City Reconstruction Project!}}

=====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Long Haul was among those summoned, but only in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Megatron traveled into the [[Legends World]], the [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] of that universe recounted his life story to the local [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], starting with his creation at the hands of Long Haul and the Constructicons. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
On an island paradise, Long Haul and the Constructicons were performing excavation work for Megatron's new fortress, at the cost of the natural resources and precious animals. The Autobots arrived to stop the Decepticons. Despite their vast power, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the combined Devastator failed to defeat the Autobots due to their lack of teamwork, and the Constructicons were knocked back into their component parts. The Autobots forced Long Haul and his comrades to undo the damage they had done to the island. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
In the year [[2010]], Long Haul participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Devastator in order to battle alongside Bruticus and Menasor against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Devastator and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{note|Long Haul only appears as a component of Devastator}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, Long Haul was a member of the construction team that built [[Crystal City]]. It was during this project that he and his fellow Constructicons were introduced to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} The Constructicons rose to prominence thanks to their immense architectural skills, and formed their own faction under the leadership of Hook. They were forced to align themselves with the Decepticons in order to maintain access to Kaon's smelting pools, which granted him access to the raw building material they needed to continue their work. Unhappy with this arrangement, seven renegade Constructicons went underground, building Megatron in an attempt to take power for themselves. Unfortunately for them, Megatron turned on them and formed his own group of Decepticons, eventually brainwashing Long Haul and the others into his service with the Robo-Smasher. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Devastator's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} Among their first acts as Decepticons, the Constructicons destroyed Crystal City. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}}

Long Haul was part of Hook's team when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} During the third Cybertronian war, the Constructicons were ambushed at [[Elevation Recostalus]] by a group of Autobots including ex-Constructicons [[Hauler]] and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], who disabled them before they could form Devastator. The group remained offline until [[1984]], when Megatron rebuilt them on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}

During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Devastator was blasted apart by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s team. Long Haul announced the Autobots' luck had run out, and he and the other Constructicons began pursuing them, gunning down [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in the process. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

====''Cloud''====
The Long Haul of "OG001 Spacetime" was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to combine with his fellow Constructicons into Devastator to face off against the [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]]. The foreign Decepticon easily defeated the combiner, sending his components fleeing in terror. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe created by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the Constructicons participated in the siege of [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] City by forming Devastator. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In a reality where Optimus killed Megatron in 2005, Long Haul was one of the many Decepticons who retreated aboard Astrotrain. He was shocked to learn that his leader hadn't made it out alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Long Haul is the green and purple one.]]
Long Haul was created on Earth by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], combining the engineering material of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s hostilely-occupied aerospace plant with the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that had been pilfered from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head. The Constructicons were not only given individual life, but also the power to merge into Devastator. Their first mission was to construct and operate an intergalactic transceiver which, combined with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s broadcasting abilities, would enable the Decepticons to make contact with Cybertron for the first time in millions of years. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Despite some Autobot intervention, the transceiver was successful enough to open communications between [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] and the Decepticons of Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[File:Soundwave long haul devastation derby.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
''Long Haul and the Constructicons, after troubleshooting their union as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], were sent by Shockwave to abduct [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After tracking the boy down to a demolition derby, and merging into Devastator to fend off the Autobots they found there, the Constructicons' attack was suddenly called off. While Devastator battled, Soundwave had discovered that Buster held the rest of the Creation Matrix in his head, and considered this too great a revelation to proceed as initially planned.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

After [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] took back Decepticon command, Long Haul and his comrades were charged with building perimeter defences around [[Wyoming base|their headquarters]] located at the base of a coal strip mine in eastern [[Wyoming]]. Devastator's services were again required when the Autobots staged a surprise attack, but they retreated once they had what they needed; data on the Constructicons' combining capabilities. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Long Haul and his fellow Decepticons followed a tracer signal to find the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who were sheltering [[Joy Meadows]], her camera crew, and their footage debunking the Decepticons' ''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'' propaganda. A battle ensued, with [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and Long Haul double-teaming [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], and eventually bringing him down with sheer firepower. The Decepticons maintained control of the battlefield until the arrival of [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] turned the tide against them. Soundwave decided to bring the situation to a conclusion by incinerating the humans' footage, which dispirited the Dinobots and humans and the Decepticons left victorious.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}}

''The Constructicons were sent into frigid [[Yukon]] territory to work on a secret project. They were discovered by [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], only for the two Autobots to accidentally betray their presence with an accidental weapons discharge. The Constructicons chased down the interlopers, blasting at them through a nearby forest. During the chase, they merged into Devastator in an attempt to overtake the pair. While in this form, they were duped into blasting a hydro-electric dam. Realizing what was coming, the Constructicons only had time enough to separate before the concrete structure collapsed, unleashing a torrent of water. The Constructicons were submerged in the flood, allowing the Autobots to escape.'' {{storylink|The Mission}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived from the future and removed Megatron from command, the Constructicons began serving the future Decepticon without much question, and built a massive space cannon for him. For some reason, Megatron didn't consider this enough of a treachery to annihilate Long Haul and his partners as traitors after regaining control.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
Long Haul and the other Constructicons were called upon to defend the Decepticons' [[Club Con|base in the Florida Keys]] from a joint attack by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the Autobots. Forming Devastator once again, they brawled with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] until a blast from Superion's rifle caused a malfunction in Devastator's coupling links and he broke up into his components. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:Scrapper hook long haul toy soldiers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Megatron would later be deposed entirely by Shockwave, who was then replaced in turn by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], but the Constructicons remained operational with the Decepticon army. During Ratbat's command, Long Haul and the other Constructicons (except Mixmaster) raided a building site in downtown [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] for raw materials such as girders. They loaded up their loot onto Long Haul, who in turn was carried away by Blitzwing back to their base. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} Later, Long Haul and the others were instrumental in one of Ratbat's schemes, where the Decepticons engaged the Autobots away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] long enough for the Constructicons to sneak on board and recover the deactivated remains of their comrades who had been captured by Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

{{note|For unknown reasons, the Constructicons stopped making appearances after the [[Underbase Saga]]. It's possible they were deactivated behind the scenes in the [[Decepticon Civil War]] or [[Dark Star|battling]] the super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]].}}

=====Movie future timeline=====
When Megatron launched an all-out offensive against [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in the year [[2005]], Long Haul was among the troops who besieged the outpost. He and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator at Megatron's command to breach Autobot City's outer defenses. When the Decepticons were eventually forced to retreat inside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the Constructicons were relatively unscathed from the battle. As such, they voted that all injured Transformers be jettisoned when Astrotrain complained he didn't have the energy necessary to carry them all back to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Prowl long haul mixmaster starting over.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.95]]
When the Decepticon forces of Earth split, Long Haul and most of the Constructicons chose to work with Megatron instead of Shockwave. While patrolling the site of Megatron's [[Global warming satellite|ozone rocket]], Long Haul and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] came across a pair of snooping Autobots. Despite being initially caught off guard, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] quickly disposed of the two Constructicons. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Later, at the [[Enclave]], Long Haul was seen talking to [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] before the "festivities" broke up the quiet little party; the Autobots faked an assassination attempt on Megatron, and the two Decepticon sub-factions began fighting one another with renewed fervor. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} When Soundwave led the Decepticons in an attack on Autobot Earthbase, Long Haul took some heat from [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'s bombing run. The whole offensive proved ultimately to be fruitless, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
Long Haul made a brief appearance at the climax of the battle with the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], helping the united Autobots and Decepticons construct trenches filled with thermal mines. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dreadwindgod.jpg|thumb|"I told you I didn't drink your so-called-expensive drink!"]]
Long Haul was among Megatron's soldiers when the Decepticon leader resurfaced on Earth. Like most of Megatron's inner circle, Long Haul and the Constructicons were presumably destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during the Underbase Saga, and restored by Megatron using the cache of back-up personality engrams collected by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. This has not been expressly confirmed, however.

Long Haul was present on the Ark when Megatron questioned the mysterious traveller named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. The Decepticons then flew off to the Southern Hemisphere to explore an energy spike somehow related to Landquake. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} When confronted by the Autobots, the five remaining Constructicons formed their modified Devastator configuration, until the ground collapsed beneath their feet. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} Falling to pieces, Long Haul and the Constructicons tried to overpower [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] with sheer numbers instead of strength. It didn't work, so they ran screaming from the battlefield. That ''also'' didn't work, as Grimlock caught up with them and continued to beat them senseless. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

Later on, Long Haul got caught in a struggle between Megatron's faction and a detachment from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s army led by [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. He and the other Constructicons were assaulted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
[[File:Constructicons-ASW.jpeg|thumb|left|]]
Under the guise of the [[Global Corporation]], Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons created sophisticated buildings all around the world. Within each building, however, was hidden a mechanism that would trap underground all within the structure. When the scheme was put into motion and the Autobots responded with an attack, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons merged to become The Devastator. Though in this form, the Constructicons were able to overpower the Autobots, that changed when the Dinobots arrived. After the rest of the Constructicons had been butchered by Swoop, Long Haul and Bonecrusher were fused into a helpless mess by Grapple's welder rifle. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

As Devastator, Long Haul and the other Constructicons stumbled upon [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] admiring his reflection in the wilderness, and managed to capture the vain Autobot. The group revealed their individual components to their prisoner once he was safely locked up within Decepticon headquarters. They rejoined forces to combat an Autobot rescue party that attempted to storm Decepticon base, and captured [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] as well, putting them in Sunstreaker's cell. The Constructicons were once more prompted to combine into Devastator to contemplate an Autobot peace offering; a life-sized statue of the gestalt! The peace offering turned out to be an Autobot ruse, and reinforcement burst forth from within the statue. The Autobots forced Devastator to break up into his component pieces by thoroughly dividing his attention, and so Long Haul joined the fight against the Autobots as an individual. The Decepticons ultimately lost the battle to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Shockwave led the Constructicons in an attack on a human village, intent on razing the town and building a fuel plant in its place. Long Haul served as Shockwave's mobile podium as he dispensed orders to the rest of the troops under his command, until he was tasked with clearing rubble out of the way so construction could begin on the installation. Little did the Decepticons know, they were being spied upon from orbit by the Autobot [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. Cosmos relayed what was happening to his teammates, who rolled into action to put an end to the Decepticons' plot. Long Haul and his allies were beaten up, shoved down into a pit, and had quick-drying cement poured over them to hold them in place. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
In order to steal an oil truck filled with precious fuel, Megatron arranged for [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to short-circuit the truck's wiring, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to cerebro-shell the drivers into complying, and Long Haul to siphon out the fuel. Autobot intervention, however, allowed the truck and its drivers to escape with their cargo. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

===Autobot Alert!===
{{notemultipath}}
In one possible scenario, the Constructicons were responsible for building the Decepticons’ command centre in the evil robots’ latest plot of taking over the Earth. They also were responsible for stocking Astrotrain with explosives and weapons before the Decepticon shuttle launched into space to further sabotage Earth's satellites.

In a different possible scenario, the Constructicons joined Galvatron on his campaign to retrieve an ancient cybertite sphere containing the secret of an ancient Autobot power-booster. Discovering that the sphere was within a sunken ship off the California coast, the Constructicons merged into Devastator in order to retrieve it. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Long Haul, Mixmaster, and Bonecrusher were driving through a desert when they crossed paths with Sideswipe and Jazz! Boasting that he would see to Earth's destruction, Long Haul tackled Sideswipe in a clash that would be heard "around the world!" {{storylink|Sweepstakes Offer!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Enemytww.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Well, who were you expecting? The Spanish Inquisition?"]]
Soon after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had become leader of the Autobots, Long Haul worked alongside his fellow Constructicons in readying Cybertron to function as an interstellar "warworld" for Megatron, propelled out of orbit and through space using massive planetary engines they had uncovered. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} He was working on this project when the Decepticons spotted some Autobots spying on them. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Though the Decepticons had their opponents outnumbered, the Autobots managed to hold them back until reinforcements arrived in the form of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus Prime. The Constructicons' efforts were ultimately foiled, forcing them to retreat as the planetary engines were destroyed in a spectacular explosion. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Sometime later, the Constructicons created the first set of gestalt programming directives, and tested the directives on themselves to create Devastator. The inevitable spread of [[combiner]] technology, however, proved to be more than Cybertron could handle, as the massive super-robots ran the risk of damaging the planet's very infrastructure if left to battle unchecked. As a result, by the time of the Dark Ages these "[[Special Teams]]" were banned from operating as a unit in any one faction by the universally agreed upon [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. Long Haul and the Constructicons were the first to break these accords, and become active again as Devastator as part of the [[Ultracon]]s. {{storylink|Escalation}} Devastator was unleashed upon the [[Wreckers]] in the [[Tagan Heights]], but was defeated by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] who overloaded him with electricity. This not only shut Devastator down, but also forced him to split into his individual components. {{storylink|Devastation}}

In the modern era, the Constructicons somehow joined Megatron on Earth after the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left Cybertron millions of years ago. Long Haul and the others were operating as Devastator in [[California]] battling the Autobots when they suffered serious damage and were believed destroyed. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''The Constructicons were later revived by Starscream, and used as the groundwork for his new power base after Megatron vanished during a battle in [[Tokyo]] with the Autobots. Long Haul and the other Decepticons who chose to serve Starscream invaded the city of [[Las Vegas]], making deals with the populace to make them voluntarily annex themselves as part of a new Decepticon government. Although most problems from within were dealt with by bribery or the occasional murderous beating, the Decepticons still faced plenty of problems from without. Grimlock of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had made a secret deal with the President to acquire a "rogue" military force and retake [[Las Vegas]], alongside his fellow Autobots [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. The Constructicons were the first to face these invaders as they entered the city, attacking them in waves. Long Haul was in the process of easily overpowering Bumblebee when his comrades were all taken down fighting Grimlock and Prowl. This made Long Haul the center of attention, and he definitely suffered for it. While attempting to blast the 'Bee with a heat-seeking missile, Long Haul was skewered through the shoulder by a makeshift spear Prowl had forged out of a giant neon cowboy. Only in Vegas. With three Autobots and several Apache helicopters on his rear axle, Long Haul beat a hasty retreat deeper into the city, looking for back-up.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

''Megatron eventually returned to Earth, but Long Haul and the Constructicons owed Starscream for reconstructing them, and so remained loyal to him when the Decepticons split into two factions. Of course, this only meant they were among the first to be captured by the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] when those aliens took over Las Vegas and turned Starscream into their puppet. Trapped behind an impenetrable force dome, Long Haul and the Constructicons attempted to batter their way out as Devastator using sheer brute force, until [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] offered a better idea. Reconverting into their separate modes, the Constructicons dug a tunnel out beneath the force field, enabling Starscream's faction to join the final battle against the Keepers. Acting as Devastator, they were too far away from Optimus Prime and his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced force shield when the American nuclear assault was dropped on the Keepers, and were blasted into pieces.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

''The nuclear blast left Devastator fused into his singular [[robot mode]], leaving him unable to split back into Long Haul and his other components. Eventually, Devastator fell into the Void along with [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] in the final conflict with the Keepers, and was left in stasis lock, drifting in the vacuum of space, after the Sentinel destroyed the Keepers' power source and shattered the Void back into real space-time. The starship ''[[Bounty]]'', on a secret space mission from Earth, came across Devastator's remains and planned to tow him back to Earth.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

The pieces of Long Haul and the Constructicons fell under the control of [[Earth Defense Command]], and were held in their [[Roswell]] facility for study. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
The ruthless terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] dug dozens of Autobots and Decepticons out of their four-million-year resting place and began rebuilding them into a Cobra-controlled army. However, with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s help, the mind-controlled Transformers were awakened, and the very cheesed-off Constructicons, including Long Haul, descended upon their previous captor, [[Doctor Mindbender]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave stopped them from killing the doctor, however, as he was needed for other purposes. Instead, the Constructicons were ordered to protect the [[SPS Satellite]] controls from the attacking Autobot and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} To do so, Long Haul combined with the others to form Devastator, but the giant was soon defeated by the attackers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During an all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons Hook, Mixmaster and Bonecrusher ganged up on Sideswipe. He and his fellow Constructicons were blown away by an explosion. Then, Long Haul joined with the other Constructicons to form Devastator in order to combat [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], the Dinobots’ combined form. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''Transformers: All Hail Megatron'' #1]] (modern era)

[[File:MegsOrigin2 Constructicons.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"After more than 20 years, I finally get to build something!"]]
Roughly nine million years ago, after losing their engineering jobs during the automation of manual labor on Cybertron, Long Haul and the Constructicons began associating with the [[Gladiatorial combat|deathsport tournaments]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Instead of directly participating, Long Haul and his partners put their construction skills to work by building a new arena from scratch before each match. This enabled the gladiators to remain one step ahead of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s security services, as they never operated in the same spot twice. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} The Constructicons also worked with repairing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and other injured pit fighters. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, Long Haul and the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron. They were working at the slagwerks of [[Galaxxon]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] rose to leadership of the Autobots. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Four million years ago, Long Haul was part of a convoy along with [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Octane]] and his fellow Constructicons bringing energon to the war effort. They were intercepted and captured by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} At one point they were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]] alongside [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], where they committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

[[File:AHM1 Longhaul.jpg|left|thumb|A dozen cogs in the Decepticon empire descend upon you. Our soldiers will blot out the sun!]]
In the modern era, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were given the ability to combine, and ended up as part of Megatron's forces on Earth. As Devastator, they easily took out the local Autobots, allowing for Decepticon conquest of the planet. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} During said conquest, Long Haul almost ran over pedestrians in [[New York City|New York]], prompting angry responses from the natives, until he and the other Constructicons transformed. The humans thought this was really cool, until the alien construction robot killing machines blew them up. Wishy-washy flesh creatures. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} Long Haul then merged with his fellows to form Devastator, who started destroying the tunnels leading out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}}

For reasons only known to themselves, the Constructicons joined [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] when he rebelled against Megatron, and attacked their former leader in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} However, Devastator soon found himself forced to battle human jets from [[Europe]] instead, which was then followed by the return of the Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Constructicons were taken out of the battle when Devastator was blasted straight through the midsection by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but it's unknown how much damage this caused to Long Haul. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Megatron would later use [[space bridge]] technology built into in his new body to summon Long Haul and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. To battle the Autobots, Long Haul and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator, but ultimately lost because the combiner's right leg was paralyzed due to combining with a dead Scrapper. They were soon mind-controlled by [[D-Void]] (through [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]) into combining with Galvatron's [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army and forming a huge monster. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

[[File:World&EverythingInIt LongHaul and Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's as stealthy as a bright green and purple dump truck.]]
Following the defeat of the "[[Deceptigod]]", the Decepticons were imprisoned by the Autobots, though [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] soon took charge of the situation and hatched a plan to assassinate Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He sent Long Haul to follow Starscream and make sure he didn't mess it up, but Long Haul wasn't sure whether or not to be loyal to Ratbat and opted not to tell him that Starscream paid visit Autobots. He approached Starscream at the time the assassination was supposed to take place, but nothing happened. Starscream advised the Constructicon to report to Ratbat that Bumblebee was dead anyway, which he did. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} After spending their time building things for the Autobots, the Constructicons came to the aid of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] when he was being chased down by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. They beat up Blurr and fought [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] before being confronted by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], who seemingly executed the whole team by detonating their [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. {{storylink|Devisive}}

However, Prowl was in fact under the control of Bombshell, who had merely faked the Constructicons' deaths for the purpose of secretly improving Devastator, rebuilding him in a modular form featuring Prowl or Megatron as the combiner's head. Once Megatron returned to conquer Cybertron, he ordered the Constructicons to combine with Prowl and assault Iacon. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} When Bombshell was removed from the equation, Long Haul and the other Constructicons felt Prowl's feelings and recognized his grudge against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], a human they too hated for his murder of Scrapper. Their unified hatred caused Devastator to develop a mind of his own and go on a rampage. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Once Devastator and Megatron were defeated, the Constructicons were banished from Iacon alongside most other Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Outside the city, Long Haul and his mates left the other Decepticons to hang out with the Autobots, explaining that they wanted to be on Prowl's side after having shared minds with him and being very impressed by his terrible secrets. After a scuffle with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] they were allowed to stay at the Autobot camp, where they had a rematch with Arcee before the Dinobots broke it up and treated the Decepticon team to a drink. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} The Constructicons fell victim to the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]'s corrosive "death wave", but were healed from its effects upon its defeat at the hands of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The team spent the ensuing period of celebrations following Prowl around and showering him with praises, to the Autobot's discomfort. When Prowl clashed with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], Long Haul stood up to Magnus and threatened to form Devastator if he didn't back off. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} Cybertron was then invaded by an army of [[Ammonite]]s sent by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], and during the battle the Constructicons convinced Prowl to form Devastator again for the sake of defeating [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} In the wake of Shockwave's defeat, Long Haul witnessed Megatron's revelation that he'd joined the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-Constructicons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|I don't know what everyone's complaining about; I just ''do not'' see any downsides to this "steroid" thing!]]
Having realized how useful access to Devastator was, Prowl fashioned the Constructicons into his own private unit, loyal only to him, and brought them with him on a mission to Earth. On arrival they saved the ''[[Ark-7]]'' from a human missile assault and formed Devastator to fight Galvatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} After sending the Decepticons packing, Long Haul and the others returned to the ''Ark-7'' to celebrate. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} During the Autobot attack on an [[Earth Defense Command]] base, Prowl had the team coated in stealth paint with orders to join the battle midway, after which they formed Devastator with him and wrecked the base. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} They later stood by Prowl as he spied on Optimus Prime's secret meeting with [[Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

When the Autobots began hunting for the [[Enigma of Combination]], Prowl and the Constructicons went in search of Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} Their search took them to [[Tokyo]], where they secured their asset but ran afoul of Galvatron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} Feigning a truce with their mutual nemesis, the team stormed the [[Onyx]] facility by forming Devastator. Devastator ultimately went berserk due to his loathing of Spike and ruined the mission, allowing [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to abscond with the Enigma. The team was forced to retreat back to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

After Prowl learned that Optimus Prime had helped Starscream form a permanent [[Council of Worlds|alliance]] with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the team hijacked the ship's new spacebridge to travel to Cybertron {{storylink|The Possible Light}}, where they formed Devastator. Superion and Defensor ultimately brought down Devastator, and the Constructicons were sent to a secret prison - Starscream wasn't done with them yet. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Seeking a new edge, Starscream drafted [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] into the team, knowing that Scoop's fanaticism would force Devastator to obey his orders. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Ultimately, however, Devastator wound up losing control. After [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] defeated Devastator, the Constructicons were locked up once again. {{storylink|All That Remains}}

Although the individual Constructicons were still considered criminals, Starscream made allowances for releasing his own loyal combiner when necessary. The Constructicons reformed Devastator at Starscream's command to thwart a group of Decepticons commandeering the space bridge, {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} and to siege the colony ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] when [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-One]] refused to transform her Titan in defense of Cybertron from [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s [[zombie]] fleet. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}}

Following the impeachment and arrest of Starscream, the Constructicons received pardons, and later watched from a nearby rooftop as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived on Cybertron and joined Optimus and his retinue for a meeting in the [[Spire]]. Though the other Constructicons initially laughed off off Scoop's renewed faith in his "Chosen One," who had seemingly foreseen this series of events, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} the team wound up forming Devastator to break an indignant Starscream out of prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

With Onyx Prime unmasked as none other than [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], the Constructicons wound up battling against [[Victorion]] on Starscream's orders. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though they were initially able to withstand her gravity powers, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} this was soon revealed to be the work of Liege Maximo, using supplies of [[Ore-4]] to buffer them against Victorion's attacks. When [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] destroyed this ore, Victorion was able to unleash a devastating gravitational onslaught which fatally crushed Long Haul and the other Constructicons. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Long Haul and the other Constructicons formed Devastator to attack the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', successfully destroying one of its two modules. Devastator was blown back into his components when [[Wild Bill]] rammed the other module straight into him. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Long Haul was later revealed to have been killed by the impact. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Long-Haul-cleaning-up.jpg|thumb|300px|Well look on the bright side. You look leaner than your toy for this trilogy.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Todaro]] (English)}}
Long Haul, Scrapper and Scavenger all battled Megatron in the ruins of an old coliseum, but he easily overpowered them all. Upon overhearing Windblade say that Starscream possessed the [[Enigma of Combination]], Long Haul signaled a plan to the other Constructicons, and they later formed Devastator in an attempt to take the Enigma for themselves. {{storylink|Unforgotten}} In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], Long Haul was among those assisting with the reconstruction efforts. He didn't appreciate [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] jokingly dropping a giant rock on top of him. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} He presumably died when Devastator was killed by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Half of the original Constructicon team survived the Great War, including Long Haul. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] helped reform the team in the days after the [[Armistice]], creating a 2/3rds Autobot roster and convincing the Constructicon to undergo [[Micromaster]] downsizing, losing social hierarchy among the Builders but retaining their mobility in the energon-depleted era. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Long Haul and the Constructicons served the Builders against the [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]]. They ran a prisoner transport through [[Proximax]] to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when they were attacked by Resistance fighters. The prisoner, [[Snapper]], escaped, but Long Haul's team found themselves in a prolonged battle with the Resistance which lasted over a day. They retreated to the [[Sights & Sounds]] casino for defense. Meanwhile, one of their members—[[Buckethead]]—had formed an alliance with Snapper and a motley crew of other bots to deal with the alien threat of the [[Monster GoBot|Antares Eight]]. Buckethead and [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] of the Resistance eventually reached both sides and got them to join forces against the Renegade invaders.

At the trans-hyperwave caster the Renegades seized, Long Haul and the Constructicons joined Buckethead's "[[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]]" in attacking the invaders. The Constructicons formed Devastator, fighting the Monster Renegade combiner [[Monsterous]]. After the fight, all Cybertronians retired to Sights & Sounds for a summit. The Ex-Bots ultimately convinced Long Haul and the Constructicons to leave the Builders and act as part of an independent faction to protect the innocents of Proximax and defend the city from the horrors of war. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

The Constructicons and the Ex-Bots prevented [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] from using a [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to brainwash all the people of Proximax. They also recovered the Autobot-turned-Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from his control. As the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] began, the Ex-Bots chose to get involved with the other armies of the proto-races. Long Haul and the Constructicons salvaged a lobotomized [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] and retrofitted and detailed it as the team's new [[Ex-Jet]].

On the march to [[Nova Cronum]], the Constructicons formed Devastator to wade through the hordes of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. At the [[Grand Mal]] itself, Devastator joined forces with the Maximal combiner [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]. Their combined assault weakened the Grand Mal's force field enough for [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] to take note of them, and fire the massive optic ray at the combiners. Devastator pushed Magnaboss out of the way. Magnaboss lost an arm, a fifth of his gestalt mind, but Devastator suffered worse. Half his components were damaged beyond repair, and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|''Galaxies'' #1]]}}
[[File:ConstructiconsRisingPart1-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Long Haul was forged at or around the end of the War of the Threefold Spark. An era of rebuilding and renewal, Long Haul came together with five other newly forged 'bots to form the Constructicons and help shape the Cybertron to come. A pragmatist, Long Haul monitored supply inventory and transport, believing himself the unsung hero of the construction site next to the flashier engineers and architects. They were recruited by the visionary architect [[Termagax]] to help build in the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Eager to make a name for themselves, the team promptly clashed with Termagax's conservative second-in-command [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]—for while Wheeljack sought to merely ''rebuild'' Iacon, Termagax saw the potential for something bigger and better to take its place. While excavating in [[Rivets Field]], the team inadvertently discovered the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Urged on by Termagax, Long Haul and his team agreed to expose themselves to the energies of the artifact, transforming themselves into a new combiner: raw power which Termagax hoped to harness and reshape into the ultimate building tool. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

Despite this new strength and power, Long Haul and his team struggled to master their combination, fighting against a seventh, destructive personality that surfaced whenever the team combined... and whose love of indiscriminate destruction jeopardized their reconstruction efforts. Finally, however, Termagax encouraged the team to work ''with'' this anger, rather than against it, and harness the powerful emotion to unite them in their shared purpose of rebuilding Iacon. Although the team would eventually complete their goal of turning the ravaged cityscape into a beautiful metropolis, they would not enjoy the fruits of their labor for long—Wheeljack brought his concerns to the attention of [[Nominus Prime]], and the Prime arranged matters so that the team would be reassigned to the distant colony of [[Mayalx]] to oversee the construction of a new [[energon]] refinery. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} There, the Constructicons labored for many years, deliberately kept under-fueled and tired so they couldn't combine, while they grew increasingly resentful of the world that had abandoned them while reminiscing about their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

With their future on Cybertron uncertain, Scrapper eventually came to believe that the team's future lay elsewhere and began training his teammates in the ways of combat, holding regular sparring sessions in an improvised gladiatorial arena. Long Haul and Scavenger struggled to adjust to being warriors, mixing with Scrapper's patient advice and Bonecrusher's brutality in the ring. During one particular session, the team was interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who, after a brief misunderstanding, told them ''his'' story: like the Constructicons, Nominus Prime had ''also'' banished the Insecticons for fear of their unique matter-eating abilities. Knowing that the team could be of use to [[The Rise]], Bombshell manipulated the team into unknowingly aiding the cause, encouraging them to recapture their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}}

[[File:FateOfCybertron-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
After some deliberation, the six builders agreed to help the Insecticons, and after filling up on Bombshell's provided [[energon cube]]s the team combined for the first time since their banishment—but instead of uniting based on their shared urge to create, the Constructicons combined to destroy Mayalx and everything it represented to them, a spiteful, destructive rampage that ended with every 'bot in the colony slaughtered and the statue of Nominus Prime toppled. Unaware that the Insecticons had deliberately goaded them into such wanton slaughter so that the energon they processed from the many remains could be secretly shipped back to Cybertron to fuel the rise, Scrapper told his team that, for the first time in their lives, they were finally free to do and build whatever they wanted. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

Eventually, Shockwave called the Constructicons back to Cybertron and the Rise. When they arrived, however, Shockwave's former superior [[Exarchon]] had laid claim to the Rise and their bases. The Threefold Spark was eager to take a new body as powerful as Devastator, and tried to usurp the combiner. Together, Long Haul and the Constructicons were strong enough to prevent Exarchon from possessing their collective spark or sparks, though the effort forced them apart and left them out of action. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}} With Exarchon soon destroyed, the Rise were fully absorbed into the Decepticons, and Shockwave provided the Constructicons to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s cause. Long Haul and the others were happy to be home, and to be wanted as Devastator. They saw themselves as heroes destined to end the war, and were happy to oppose the legacy of Nominus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}}}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Long Haul rams Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25]]
Long Haul was among countless Decepticons lying dormant in the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after it crash-landed on Earth. However, due to a shortage of energy and raw materials, as well as [[Teletraan I|Teletraan One]] being damaged, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] was unable to revive him and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)#Energon Universe|Constructicons]] for some time.

Eventually though, he was able to do so, and when the Autobots attempted a counteroffensive to recapture the ''Ark'', Long Haul made his presence known by ramming [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] with his considerably larger vehicle mode. Starscream then ordered him and the other Constructicons to merge into [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Optimus Prime eventually threw Devastator off a cliff, separating him into his components, Long Haul crashed into the ground and carried Starscream away as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}

Retreating to a volcanic area, Long Haul witnessed [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] successfully challenge Starscream for leadership, bowing with his fellows to the new [[Decepticon leader]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 7|Transformers #7}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Long Haul and his teammates were masquerading as construction vehicles, when they suddenly decided to horrify their human operators by revealing their true nature. As their human drivers bailed out and fled, the team combined into Devastator, who crashed his fists together, creating a surge of energy that crackled all the way through his gigantic body. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Constructicons|Constructicons commercial}}
*After being upgraded into their "Generation 2" bodies, the Constructicons went about causing "really big destruction" by driving through a construction site and then merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their fun came to an end when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] emerged from the ground and trounced the combiner. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Constructicons and Dinobots|Generation Constructicons and Dinobots commercial}}

==Games==

===Transformers Generation 2 (Handheld game)===
Long haul is the boss of Stage 1 of the game.

===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Long Haul is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
===''Transformers Legends''===
At some point [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] was friends with the Constructicons, but they had a falling out. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

While Megatron kept Optimus busy, Long Haul and the rest of the Constructicon team to attempt to infiltrate the Autobot base and strike directly at [[Teletraan I]]. They mowed through [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s initial attempt at defenses. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War - Part 1}} Long Haul was among the Decepticons who attacked Cybertron during an alliance with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

The Decepticon team took over an asteroid orbiting Earth, however when Omega Supreme got wind of it, he launched a massive attack and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]]}}
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul.jpg|thumb|400px|This slagging job ain't glamorous, but who cares? ''No one''! '''That's who'''!]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px| You know why I got a G2 homage in this game? ''Because I'm a darn useful bot''. You know why I have better abilities than the rest? '''Because I'm a DARN USEFUL BOT !!!''']]
Long Haul participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Long Haul''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Long Haul (G2)''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:LongHaulEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Now with 80% more grenade launcher. I hate this.]]
It may not be the most glamorous role a Decepticon warrior could wish for, but every army needs its supply line, and Long Haul's lot is to keep the flow of raw materials coming. Then - along with his fellow Constructicons - build the massive energy-recovery installations necessary for conquest.
But Long Haul's unhappiness can blunt his effectiveness, and he's very sensitive to teasing about the mundane nature of his job. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Long Haul bio}}

Long Haul was joined by the other Constructicons through the Space Bridge and helped move a few things in the base. When Megatron found the [[Enigma of Combination|Enigma]], He eagerly used it to activate Devastator, which fared no better for Long Haul because, Once again, he has big wheels on his thighs, again. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

Long Haul and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s arrived at the Frozen Fortress by the orders of Megatron, and had them immediately start drilling, which meant poor Long Haul had to do more moving and tunneling. Brawl was shouting continually for astro-cycles much to his annoyance, but his audio-receptors were finely-tuned. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|What Lies Beneath}}

For once, he complained to Megatron that he and the other Constructicons are tired of being his work horse, and that they're the strongest Combiner yet do the most work. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Breaking Point}}

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' He uses a standard grenade launcher that bombards defenses from long distances.
*'''Ability: Rocket Barrage''' - Shoots 4 rockets from long range dealing high damage over a medium area around the target.
**'''Cost:''' 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:long-haul Long Haul at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Long Haul was a member of the Constructicons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Battle-for-earth longhaul.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And now I'm mistransformed, too? Forget my job-I hate my ''life''.]]
*In what can only be called "unfortunate hilarity", Long Haul's original [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] [[character model]] was drawn using toy references that still had his toy's [[robot mode]] head still flipped up and the arms folded straight forward without the hands folded in.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OSbNSWxwEihhwWRKWQVq-qD773U6fK3s/view 1985 Hasbro briefing binder scans]</ref> Thus, in any fictional appearance using this model, Long Haul is a dump truck with a robot head sitting next to the driver's cab and cylindrical shapes sitting at the front of his vehicle mode. This was especially awkward in the cartoon, when his "vehicle mode head" would disappear when he transformed, and his "robot mode head" would come from... somewhere else.
*Animation company [[AKOM]] seems to have gotten Long Haul's color layout mixed up with that of the similarly named "[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]" from "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]", as Long Haul appeared with that robot's orange-and-blue color scheme in both "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]".
*In the cartoon, when Long Haul is carrying a load in his dump truck and transforms, the load disappears. It reappears when he transforms back into a dump truck. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Could it have been stored in [[subspace storage pocket|subspace]]?

[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]

*Long Haul's vehicle mode, a Hitachi DH321, isn't especially large for a construction vehicle, being about seven meters long: fairly close in size to the vehicle modes of his teammates. However, due to the obscurity of the real truck and the tendency for G1 combiner teams to feature [[Groove (G1)|oversized]] or [[Blast Off (G1)|undersized]] members, it was common for fans to associate him with trucks several times his original size, assuming the discrepancy to be an error of [[scale]] (in reality, Devastator seems to be one of the few G1 combiners whose scale isn't far out of proportion). Some official material has run with the idea, depicting Long Haul as a giant next to his teammates.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Long Haul''' (ロングハウル ''Rongu Hauru'')
*''French:'' '''Costo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Hosszú Pofa'''
*''Italian:'' '''Macigno''' ("Boulder")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tuōdǒu''' (拖斗, "Trailer")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Doloroso''' (Portugal comic), '''Puxador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bol'shegruz''' (Большегруз, "Heavy Truck")

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:IDW-AHM-Long Haul-Scrapper-Guidi.jpg|IDW ''All Hail Megatron'' concept art
File:EW-skin-Long Haul-G2.jpg|''Generation 2''-themed skin in ''Earth Wars''
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Earth Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Energon Universe Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromaster combiners]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Constructicon (G1)

2025-07-06T05:51:46Z

MBG: /* Origin inconsistency */

{{disambig3|Constructicon}}
{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ultracon}}
:''The Constructicons are a [[Decepticon]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:ConstructiconRollCall.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|In Decepticon Kaon, union busts YOU!]]
The '''Constructicons''' are the Decepticons' foremost designers, engineers and builders. They are also particularly notable for their status as the very first combining subgroup of Transformers. The individual members of the team are:

*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (front-end loader)—a modest but masterful designer
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (bulldozer)—a destructive berserker
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (excavator)—a materials detector with self-esteem issues
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (cement mixer)—a maniacal chemist
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (crane)—a snobbish perfectionist
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (dump truck)—a worker who longs for battle

They are able to merge their bodies and minds together to form the gigantic [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]].

In some universes, there are more Constructicons in addition to or in lieu of the primary six. The named ones include:

*[[Gravedigger]]—the younger brother of Bonecrusher
*[[Hauler]] (crane)—an Autobot ex-Constructicon
*[[Erector (G1)|Erector]] (crane cab)—an Autobot ex-Constructicon
*[[Hightower (Classics)|Hightower]] (crane)—a substitute member with traits of both Mixmaster and Hook
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (front-end loader)—a religious fanatic drafted by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] as a stand-in for Scrapper

In the world of ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'', the Constructicon roster changes over time as members die, until the team consists of:

*[[Buckethead]] (front-end loader)—a late-model Decepticon who joined shortly before the [[Micromaster]] Upgrade
*[[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]] (crane)—a former Autobot placed in charge of the group
*[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] (cement mixer)—a former Autobot chemist
*[[Wideload (G1)|Wideload]] (dump truck)—a former Throttlebot who joined the Decepticons in defiance of Rodimus's poor leadership
*[[Steam Hammer]] (steam shovel)—a surprisingly gifted laborer
*Skavenger—the sole surviving member of the original team, not to be confused with [[Scavenger (BW)|Scavenger]]

Members' color schemes are [[:File:G2Devastator toy.jpg|required]] to include green.<ref>[[Erector (G1)|Erector]]'s [[Transformers Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] [[bio]]</ref>

{{bigquote|Really. That has to be the ''stupidest'' color for a 'disguise'...|[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]]|"[[Scrapper (issue)|Scrapper]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|thumb|"I'm green!" "I'm green!" "I'm green!" "I'm green!" "I'm green!" "I'm green!"]]
Seeking to bolster the size of his forces on Earth in [[1985]], Decepticon Commander [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] arranged for the construction of six new Decepticon bodies, which were then infused with life by the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], tapped from the head of the imprisoned [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. Thus, the Constructicons were born, and were immediately put to work building a massive radio transmission dish that [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] used to beam a message to Cybertron. When the Autobots attempted to interfere, the Constructicons revealed their hidden power and merged into Devastator to fight them off, allowing the message to successfully go through. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

The Autobots, intrigued by Devastator's unique combining power, attempted to replicate it with the construction of Omega Supreme. However, Omega was composed of only three components, unlike the six Constructicons that made up Devastator. The Autobots, needing additional data on combiner technology, conducted a raid on the [[Wyoming base|Decepticon base]], luring out Devastator so that they could study him further. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} This led to the construction of the new combiner team, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], capable of forming [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} ''The Constructicons were later charged with hunting down [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]],'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

''The Constructicons were sent into frigid [[Yukon]] territory to work on a secret project. They were discovered by [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], only for the two Autobots to accidentally betray their presence with an accidental weapons discharge. The Constructicons chased down the interlopers, blasting at them through a nearby forest. During the chase, they merged into Devastator in an attempt to overtake the pair. While in this form, they were duped into blasting a hydro-electric dam. Realizing what was coming, the Constructicons only had time enough to separate before the concrete structure collapsed, unleashing a torrent of water. The Constructicons were submerged in the flood, allowing the Autobots to escape.'' {{storylink|The Mission}}''
[[File: Target2006pt1_constructicolours.jpg|thumb|”A gigantic laser cannon, you say? Yeah, I probably won't be able to get the parts I need for two or three weeks, and that's if I order them today—which I won't.”]] They were called upon once more when the time-travelling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] co-opted their services to build a gigantic laser cannon.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

Devastator battled Superion during the Transformers' adventure alongside [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

The team's special talents were not required again until they and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] stole large amounts of rocket fuel and raw materials, with which the Constructicons rebuilt the Decepticons' mobile island headquarters as a spaceship. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} With the entire Earth-based Decepticon army aboard the ship, under the command of [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], they attacked an Autobot congregation on the moon. While the battle raged, the Constructicons penetrated the Ark and recovered the deactivated bodies of several Decepticons defeated in an earlier clash with Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In an alternate [[2008]], Mixmaster was briefly indicated to have ascended to leadership of the Constructicons.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
At one point the team had lost the ability to combine, and attempted to rebuild Devastator as a singular, separate entity. The Autobots [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] arrived on the island to investigate, and Ironhide was able to bypass the security grid and plant explosives to destroy the site, and Devastator with it. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}}

The main Constructicon team worked for [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] during the [[Decepticon Civil War]], and Mixmaster happily dealt [[Syk]] to everyone - happily until Soundwave happily blackmailed him over it... {{storylink|Secrets (G1)|Secrets}}

{{note|Bonecrusher is the only member of the Constructicons who did not appear in the [[Earthforce]] stories.}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
The Constructicons resurfaced among the Decepticons after Megatron reclaimed the army from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. Bonecrusher appeared with the Cons who confronted [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] when he arrived on Earth. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

Scavenger and Hook stood with the assembled Decepticons as Megatron rallied them for war with the Cybertronian Empire. {{storylink|New Dawn}}

In preparation for the final battle with the Swarm, Scrapper, Bonecrusher, and Long Haul helped establish fortifications at the combined Autobot and Decepticon base. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:CrossingOverGrimlockConstructicons.jpg|thumb|]]
The Constructicons were among the troops that Megatron covertly rebuilt on Earth after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s defeat and exile. Both Hook and Mixmaster were curiously absent from the team, with the enigmatic Hightower in their place. It's unclear why this was, but Hightower himself joked about stripping enough spare parts off of [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] to "build a new Hook." {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}
{{-}}

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:Megatronffod.jpg|left|thumb|And so, one night, over pizza and beer, far below the city... continuity nightmares were born.]]
The Constructicons' origins are clouded. They were reportedly on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] millions of years ago, though the accounts gel poorly. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] took a near-death trip into the [[Matrix of Leadership]], he saw a vision of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s creation - by eight(!) apparent Constructicons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} But according to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], at the time that Megatron was building up his Decepticon army, the Constructicons were ''not'' Decepticons at all (though they were seen bearing the Decepticon symbol). They were the peaceful creators of the beautiful [[Crystal City]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and Omega was both its guardian and their friend. However, Megatron secretly used the [[Robosmasher]] to reprogram the Constructicons into Decepticons, then he had them send Omega away on a fool's errand so they could demolish Crystal City.

[[File:Robo-Smasher and Omega Supreme.jpg|thumb|Omega Supreme battling Devastator with the Robo-Smasher on his back.]]
The enraged Omega tracked the Constructicons down and reprogrammed them again, intending to return them to their previous state. But as the group returned to rebuild Crystal City, they attacked Omega while his back was turned. Megatron's programming was not to be undone, and he had also given them the ability to merge into Devastator. As they wrestled with Omega in their combined form, the Robosmasher latched onto Omega Supreme's head. Omega was able to fend off both his attackers, but his mental brush with the Robosmasher left him filled only with hate for the Constructicons, whom he pursued across the galaxy for millions of years. While this tale was only conveyed second-hand, some details would be corroborated in conversation between Omega and the Constructicons in the modern day. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

{{note|Immediately after the crew of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] reawakened on Earth, a [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]-lookalike named "Hauler" was briefly seen among them. He would be [[retcon]]ned into "[[Hauler|RoadHauler]]" nearly 20 years later by that toy's on-package [[bio]], which confirmed the Crystal City origin and made him a Constructicon who had escaped the Robosmasher and joined the Autobots.}}

[[File:Heavymetalwar constructicons target teletraan.jpg|left|thumb]]
In [[1984]], the Constructicons bolstered Megatron's forces on Earth (and Megatron referred to "the time we spent building them in these caverns," adding to the origin ambiguities). Scrapper designed a machine to transfer the other Decepticons' offensive powers to Megatron. While Megatron battled [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], holding the attention of the Autobots, the Constructicons invaded the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to destroy [[Teletraan I]]. Unfortunately for them, the Ark was protected by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], but by merging into Devastator, they became more than a match for their prehistoric foes. The return of the other Autobots and the discovery of Megatron's deception spelled the end of the battle, however. [[Hound (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hound]] distracted Devastator with a gigantic hologram, and Optimus Prime blasted the giant at just the right spot to force the Constructicons to disengage. They and the other Decepticons were then forced into a river of lava. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

[[File:Autobotrun ironhide carcrusher.jpg|right|thumb]]
The Constructicons all managed to survive their magma bath mostly unscathed, except possibly for Mixmaster, who developed a manic personality and a fondness for repeating his words, which he had not displayed before. Regardless, the team was soon back at work again, performing such varied tasks as assisting in Megatron's reconstruction of [[New York City]] (which also involved turning Optimus Prime's scrapped remains into a [[Alligaticon|robotic alligator]]) {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}} and building [[Transfixatron|a device to paralyze Transformers in their vehicular modes]], as well as another to crush them. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

[[File:TheCore ConstructiconsMegatronPoint.jpg|left|thumb]]
The Constructicons' history of mental manipulation continued when the Autobots planted [[dominator disk]]s on them, which the Autobots activated when the Constructicons merged into Devastator. He instantly began fighting against the Decepticons, and Autobots took him back to their base. However, Megatron was secretly aware of the whole plot, even spying on the Autobots ''through the Constructicons' own eyes.'' Meanwhile, the Constructicons contentedly helped fix the battle-damaged Autobots and then accompanied them on a raid against the Decepticons, who were trying to drill into the [[Earth's core]]. During the battle, Megatron used a "control switch" to deactivate the disks, and as Devastator turned back against the Autobots, Wheeljack boosted the disks' power. This drove Devastator mad, and he began attacking everyone indiscriminately. The only thing that brought him back to sanity was the threat of the Decepticons' drill, which was seconds away from destroying the planet. He dove into the drilled hole and wrenched the bit to a standstill, saving the world. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[File:MasterBuilders devastator under attack.jpg|right|thumb]]
Afterwards, the Constructicons returned to their Decepticon roles, but treachery remained a running theme. Upon learning of the Autobot [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]'s solar power tower design, Scrapper and the Constructicons pretended to have defected from the Decepticons in order to help him and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] construct it. But upon its completion, they turned it and the two Autobots over to Megatron. In a demonstration of Scrapper's motto, Grapple and Hoist were imprisoned in the very structure of their tower. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}}

Later, when the other Decepticons began to suffer from [[Cybertonium]] degeneration, the Constructicons, apparently working fine, took delivery of a shipment of the mineral via the [[space bridge]], and as Devastator, failed to stop [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike]] and [[Carly]] from getting by them and traveling to Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}}

[[File:SecretofOmega devastator vs omega.jpg|left|thumb]]
When Omega Supreme learned that the Constructicons were active on Earth, he arrived on the planet and joined Optimus Prime's forces, biding his time until he could face his former friends again. That chance arose when the Constructicons were discovered mining an asteroid, and Omega was dispatched to investigate. Ignoring Optimus Prime's orders, Omega Supreme engaged the Constructicons, and in the battle, split the asteroid in two, revealing that it was an egg of sorts, incubating a monstrous alien creature, which promptly attacked [[San Francisco]] while Omega, ignoring the plight of the city, continued to battle the Constructicons. Optimus Prime then entered the fray, convincing Omega that saving the city was more important than revenge, and forcing the Constructicons to retreat. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[File:TFTM Devastator.jpg|right|thumb]]
The building skills of the Constructicons remained in demand; other creations around this time included an army of drone Transformers created from common Earth cars; {{storylink|Make Tracks}} various constructs for [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], including a throne constructed from deactivated Autobots and a massive maze; {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} and a giant ruby-powered laser cannon. {{storylink|Masquerade}} It's unclear how unique their combining ability actually was (especially if Devastator had been around since the [[Golden Age]]), but their gestalt-monopoly on Earth was undone with the creation of the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and their Autobot counterparts, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. These were soon followed by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], the latter even defeating Devastator in battle as their merged form, [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

[[File:TFTM Constructicon trumpets.jpg|left|thumb]]
Still, twenty years later in the Earth year [[2005]], Devastator was the Decepticons' primary weapon in the great [[Battle of Autobot City]], tearing through the defenses and walls of the city and battling the Dinobots once more. On the return trip to Cybertron, it was Bonecrusher who advocated the "survival of the fittest" policy that saw many wounded Decepticons ejected from the shuttle, among them Megatron, prompting Scrapper to vote for the Constructicons as the new leaders of the Decepticons, arguing that Devastator was the most powerful robot. Hook took great offense to the notion that [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] would make a better leader than them. In the end, [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] became the new leader of the Decepticons, and the Constructicons, as a sign of no hard feelings, provided the music by playing horns at his coronation. Starscream, desperate to get on with the ceremony, eventually shot their horns, showing that he still had hard feelings. How they were able to play the horns, as a number of them don't have mouths, is unknown. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

[[File:FightorFlee Constructicon vehicle.jpg|thumb|The Constructicons got an [[Action Master]] vehicle before it was fashionable!]]
In the remainder of this year and throughout [[2006]], the Constructicons maintained a smaller, but still present, role in the Decepticon army, lending their talents to the Decepticon/[[Quintesson]] alliance by constructing [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] out of a populated human city in only one night. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|FFOD, Part 4}} Later, they built a planetary engine on an asteroid and battled on the planet [[Eurythma]], {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} aided in the overthrow of [[Paradron]] {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} and took part in an attack on [[Japan]]. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Although brief, the Constructicons even played a part in the battle for the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] in [[2007]], seen firing on Autobots with the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

=====Origin inconsistency=====
As seen above, the cartoon presented several conflicting origins for the Constructicons. The series bible described the Constructicons as having "no explained origin",<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#057 Cartoon series bible page on the Constructicons]</ref> but this only seemed to promote variant portrayals. Notably, it appears that the role of the Constructicons in Megatron's creation was not part of the plan for "Five Faces of Darkness", as the script only described them as "Decepticons."

A straight reading of the "facts" appears to go: the Constructicons started out Decepticons, built Megatron, left the Decepticons, built the Crystal City, were Robosmashed back into Decepticons, ran around the galaxy for umpteen million years, ended up on Earth, and were (re)built by Megatron. However, there are issues with that narrative:

*There was no hint in Omega's flashback that they had ever been Decepticons before; their treachery was entirely unexpected. On the other hand, they ''did'' have Decepticon symbols throughout. Another possibility is that the Constructicons had built Megatron without realizing how evil he would be, which allows their early insignia to be chalked up as the animation error they most likely are.
*Even if Megatron's claim of "building" them just means "rebuilding", their Crystal City flashback showed them anachronistically ''already'' in their Terran vehicle forms, so what would he have rebuilt them into? On the other hand, that's just one more reason to doubt the veracity of Omega's flashback.

Making the issue either simpler or more complicated, depending on your view, the {{w|unreliable narrator}} rationale could negate much of the Constructicons' supposed history, between the vengeance-driven Omega's tale and the tripping Rodimus' near-death mystical vision. But the real-world truth of the matter is that different writers and haphazard animators gave us a mix of possibilities with no clear [[canon]] answer.

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
=====eHobby RoadHauler bio=====
[[Hauler]] was originally one of the Constructicons during their days on Cybertron. He eventually defected from his comrades and joined the Autobots, taking on a new color scheme in the process.

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga=====
The Constructicons helped Megatron secure an island paradise as the staging ground for their new fortress, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. When [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and the Autobots arrived to kick them off the island, the Constructicons formed Devastator to fight back, but were swatted aside by Trypticon who wanted the kill for himself. After the Autobots tricked Trypticon into defeating himself, they forced the Constructicons to rebuild the forest they destroyed. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
[[File:FSRLstorypage devastator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
The Constructicons formed Devastator and confronted the Autobots in the skies over Cybertron. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)|F!SRL Transformers Part 6}} Later, the Constructicons teamed up with the Stunticons in the form of Devastator and Menasor to make trouble for the Autobots. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, the Autobots unleashed their new combiner warrior: [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]! Defensor quickly sent the bad robots packing. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (story page)|F!SRL Transformers Part 12}}
{{-}}

=====''Scramble City'' cartoon=====
[[File:Constructicons mode2.jpg|left|thumb|Can we break it, then rebuild it into a device of hideous destructive power? YES WE CAN.]]
The Constructicons were among the first Decepticons dispatched to destroy an Autobot factory building [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. In the form of Devastator, they were also among the first Decepticons defeated. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}
{{-}}

=====''The Story of the Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' manga=====
In 2010, on the planet [[Feminia]], Devastator joined with all the other Decepticon Combiner warriors in an assault on the [[Prime Energy Tower]]. Their victory seemed assured until the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]]s showed up and caused all the Combiners to trip into one another and disassemble. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
[[File:Hm1 Constructicons Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
In [[2011]], the Constructicons were among those assembled by Galvatron for an all-out assault on Cybertron. After arriving individually through the space bridge, they joined the fight as Devastator. The once mighty Combiner would appear to have fallen on hard times, however, as he was defeated by Optimus Prime, who dispatched him with a single jump-kick. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}}

The Constructicons would have many more embarrassing skirmishes as Devastator, until their intellect would finally be exploited to oversee the production of [[crysmagnetal]] in [[Lemuria (myth)|Lemuria]], a component needed to blow up the Earth. They would be thwarted and driven off into space alongside the other Decepticons. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
In [[2021]], the Constructicons tricked [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] into helping them rebuild Crystal City on Earth. {{storylink|Crystal City Reconstruction Project!}}

=====''Zone'' catalog storypage=====
[[File:DarkEmperorDeathsaurusZone01.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
Along with other Combiners, Devastator joined the newly revived "[[Emperor of Destruction|Dark Emperor]]" [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] for an attack on the Autobots. This time, it was a full-on assault on planet [[Micro|Zone]] in an attempt to seize the Micro Zone's [[Energon Z]]. The [[Micromaster]]s repelled his attack and sent the Decepticons into retreat.{{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)#Catalogue story page 1|Zone Project Story}}

=====''Zone'' cartoon, manga, and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. The Constructicons were among those summoned, but only in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}}

While in some accounts of their fateful battle with [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] for the power of [[Energon Z]], the Constructicons survived the altercation,{{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} other accounts were less generous, having Devastator killed in a flood of lava. {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''United EX'' storyline=====
Seeking to restore his older brother Bonecrusher to life, long-forgotten Constructicon [[Gravedigger]] gained control of [[Power Core Combination]] technology and combined with several Constructicon drones to become Buildmaster. During one encounter with the Autobot Power Core Combiners, he defended a Decepticon base alongside [[Onslaught (G1)|Combatmaster]] and discovered a strange [[Predacon (BW)|relic]] from the future left buried in the past. {{storylink|Unearthed Future}}

=====eHobby post-''G-2'' storyline=====
The Constructicons were eventually revived, by the looks of things. Hook and Bonecrusher were stationed on an undersea research facility being commanded by Megatron (who himself was being commanded by [[Galvatron II]]). Things went sour when strange monsters attacked the facility, shortly before the Autobots and an [[Eldedroid]] arrived to clean up their mess. {{storylink|MP-1B Cybertron Commander / Convoy Black Ver.}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years before the Transformers came to Earth, the Cybertronian "race" known as the Constructicons decided to side with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Flames of Yesterday}}

Hook, leader of the Constructicons, had a seat at the council table of [[Decepticon Warlord]]s. The Warlords had an acrimonious relationship with each other at best, but agreed to meet for War Councils to discuss the Decepticon movement and, particularly, the rising threat of the [[Elite Guard|Autobot Elite Guard]] to all of them. He and [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]], leader of the [[Photon]]s, carried a motion for the assembled Warlords to share their plans and information with each other, for the greater glory of the Decepticons.

Or, rather, for the greater glory of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. By the next council meeting, Hook, Reflector and Megatron's representative [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwave]] were no longer present, having united under Megatron's banner after claiming the Warlords' secrets. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}

A group of Constructicons worked for [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] on the repairs of the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 2}} Following Megatron's conquering of Deathsaurus's territory, Deathsaurus's [[Combiner]] technology was applied to Hook and his team to create Devastator, who joined in an attack on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} The Autobots were able to take down Devastator using a combination of live cables and shooting him in the knees. {{Storylink|Battle Lines, Part 6}}

Millennia later, during the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Devastator breached a wall and faced [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] with a small group of Autobots. The Autobots used a barrage of rockets to separate the Constructicons, who began fighting back, taking out [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] as the Autobots retreated. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

During the third Cybertronian war, the Constructicons were ambushed at [[Elevation Recostalus]] by a group of Autobots including [[Hauler]] and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], who disabled them before they could form Devastator. The group remained offline until 1984, when Megatron rebuilt them on Earth and appointed Scrapper as leader in Hook's place. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}

====''Cloud''====
When [[Cloud World]]'s [[Megatron (G1)#Cloud|Megatron]] interrupted Megatron's battle with Optimus Prime, he was annoyed and unleashed Devastator on the intruder, only for the combiner to be blasted back into his components by the raging, [[SARA]]-powered Megatron's tank mode. The Constructicons subsequently fled out of fear. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Primax 1185.04 Alpha]], the Constructicons entered the war Megatron waged against [[Cobra]] on Earth. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/13}}

In a different universe manipulated by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the Constructicons participated in the siege of [[Autobot City (G1)|Guardian City]] by forming Devastator. Later after history blipped again, the Constructicons were replaced by the [[Puzzler]] team. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Constructicons GIJoevsTFs4.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
The Constructicons were among the Transformers aboard the ''Ark'' when it crashed on Earth at some point in the past. In the present, it was discovered by the terrorist organization [[Cobra]], who reprogrammed the Transformers for their own needs. Naturally, the Constructicons were used for construction on [[Cobra Island]], until [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] hacked Cobra's computers and freed everyone. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}} After enacting some revenge on their former captors, the Constructicons were ordered to defend the [[SPS Satellite]] controls from the Autobot and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] troops attacking the island. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} However, not even Devastator's strength was enough to stop the attackers, and the combiner was defeated. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:DW devastator.jpg|left|thumb|"Devastator use ocean as bathtub!"]]
Eight million years before the modern era, the Constructicons were tasked by Megatron to activate Cybertron's planetary engines. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} When Megatron disappeared into the depths of the planet fighting [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Starscream temporarily took command and had Scrapper prepare a process for the resurfacing of Cybertron, which would transform it into a mobile war-world. Scrapper cautioned against such an action, but Starscream ignored him, and prevented him from stopping it when the process was underway. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} After this, the Constructicons worked on the theory of [[mass intellect]], and succeeded in stabilizing the neural-meshing, creating Devastator. However, the process was not as efficient as the Constructicons believed, as the technical geniuses of the Constructicons did not translate into Devastator, causing him to suffer from a serious "dumbing down" problem. Despite the drawbacks, Megatron was impressed with Devastator's destructive potential. Besides, being intelligent ''and'' powerful was overrated in Megatron's opinion. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}} When Megatron and Optimus Prime were thought to have died in an early test of the [[space bridge]] transport system, and the Autobots and Decepticons splintered into several smaller factions, the Constructicons broke the treaty that had downgraded the combining teams to non-combat status by siding with Ratbat's [[Ultracon]]s and battling [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. {{storylink|Escalation}}

It is apparent that the Constructicons were not aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] when it crashed on Earth four million years before the modern era, but they did eventually find their way to Earth and joined Megatron's forces there after they awoke in 1984. All the Transformers were rendered inactive in the explosion of the ''[[Ark II]]'' in 1999, but when they reactivated in 2001, Devastator was the main weapon in Megatron's attack on [[San Francisco]]. Rampaging through the city, he battled and defeated [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} but was defeated by Optimus Prime who blasted the titan point-blank in the face, sending him plunging into the ocean. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 5|Prime Directive #5}}

''Over the following months, Starscream had the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] secretly rebuild Devastator and the Constructicons without Megatron's knowledge. When Megatron vanished off the face of the Earth, Starscream took the opportunity to bring his secret weapon back into the light. Devastator made his return debut in the canyons of Nevada, where Starscream led the unwitting Autobot named [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] right into a blast from Devastator's [[Solar energy beam rifle|solar energy rifle]]. He was a major force in Starscream's control of [[Las Vegas]] as well, and battled [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] when the Dinobot commander attempted to free the city from Decepticon domination. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}''

''When Megatron returned from deep space, Devastator unhesitatingly remained at Starscream's side, and was prepared to tear his former leader limb from limb at Starscream's command. When the Decepticons split into two factions between Megatron and Starscream, the Constructicons were steadfastly loyal to Starscream. They were captured, along with the rest of Starscream's men, when the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] settled in Las Vegas. Trapped inside an energy net, Devastator tried to bludgeon his way out at first, until [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] convinced the Constructicons to separate so they could dig their way out from underneath the field. Once they were freed, the Constructicons reformed Devastator as the Autobots and Decepticons united in an attempt to destroy the Keepers before the American government carried out the final solution and nuked Las Vegas off the map. Didn't work—the xenophobic [[President of the United States|President]] jumped the gun and fired off the nuclear missile early in the hopes of eliminating the Transformers as well as the Keepers. Still, the impending nuclear holocaust wasn't enough to deter Devastator's one-track mind, and he continued to hunt down the Keeper-possessed [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (since that was the one Autobot [[Starscream (G1)|mommy]] and [[Megatron (G1)|daddy]] would let him destroy at the moment). During the fight, the Keepers managed to trap Devastator and his massive comrade [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] outside a protective field, while they engaged the smaller Transformers inside. This eventually meant that Devastator was too far away to be protected by Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-constructed shields when the nuclear missiles finally struck. The combined Constructicons suffered massive damage as a result. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}''

''In the aftermath of the nuclear assault on Las Vegas, the Constructicons were trapped permanently in their Devastator form as a result of their injuries. Devastator was present in the Nevada desert when the American military forces ambushed the Autobots and Decepticons. After that, Megatron sent him and Omega Sentinel to keep watch on the Void gateway being built on [[Allister Greaves]]' property to allow the Keepers back into normal space. Optimus Prime and Megatron soon joined them there, and began the final battle against the Keepers' pawn, [[Franklin Townsend]], and his puppets Bluestreak and Starscream. Devastator attempted to swat Starscream out of the sky, but eventually stopped when the Keepers' power faded and Starscream returned to his ever-so-likeable self. Instead, he was forced to contend with the far more formidable Omega Sentinel, who had broken free from Megatron's control and returned to his original Guardian programming. Ultimately, the Omega Sentinel sacrificed himself to stop the Keepers by plunging into the Void, and pulled Devastator with him. When the Keepers' control crystal was shattered, the Void was destroyed and Devastator fell back out into real space. He floated in the vacuum between Mars and Jupiter, in deep stasis lock. A secret American space venture, the starship ''[[Bounty]]'', happened across the gigantic Decepticon on their mission, and made plans to bring him back to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}''

Devastator eventually came to be possessed by the [[Earth Defense Command]], and he was dissected and studied in their underground base. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:MegsOrigin2 Constructicons.jpg|upright=2.0|thumb]]
The Constructicons started out as the builders of the [[Forge]], the arena for the illegal [[gladiatorial combat]] that [[Clench (G1)|Clench]] ran, and continued in that role when [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] took over. They did not move the parts for the arena between venues, but rather built them on site, using any materials available—and that included [[Empty|Empties]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} After Megatron began his preparations for the [[Decepticon]] insurrection, the Constructicons turned their talents to modifying the gladiators into warriors. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}} Once the rebellion began in full, the Constructicons helped conquer [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 4|Megatron Origin #4}}

The Constructicons participated in an attack on [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]]'s [[Citadel (building)|Citadel]] during a temporary alliance between the Decepticons and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]]'s Autobots. {{storylink|Overthrown}} They were later stationed in the industrial slagwerks of [[Galaxxon]], where they watched a broadcast in which Orion Pax, now Optimus Prime, asked all Cybertronians to unite and fight against the new Decepticon rule. {{storylink|Broadcast}}

[[File:AHM10 Constructicons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left]]
As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron. At one point they were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]] alongside [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], where they committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} Four million years ago, several Constructicons were part of a convoy bringing energon to the war effort, but the shipment was intercepted and captured by Optimus Prime and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}}

Millions of years later, the Constructicons were granted the ability to combine into Devastator by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who had completed [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s combiner research. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} They joined Megatron on Earth, where they used their new combined form to defeat the local Autobot troops. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} The Decepticons subsequently attacked [[New York City]], where the Constructicons briefly pretended to "come in peace" before they started killing everybody. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} As Devastator, they made sure to destroy all the tunnels leading in and out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}} [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] subsequently convinced the Constructicons to join him in his rebellion against Megatron, and they attacked their former leader in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} The battle was interrupted by incoming human jets and the returning Autobots, and Devastator was faced with the mighty [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Constructicons were defeated when Omega blasted a hole in Devastator's torso. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

As the battered Decepticons fled Earth, the Constructicons seemed to have been left behind. Two years later, Scrapper joined a few other Decepticons trying to get off the planet {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}, while Scavenger was targeted for capture by [[Skywatch]] and the Autobots. {{storylink|The Hanging Sword}} He managed to stay hidden and think of a plan to get out of the country. {{storylink|The Impossible Knot}} Unlike Scavenger, Hook and Mixmaster ended up captured by Skywatch, but were rescued by Scrapper's group who had allied themselves with some rogue Autobots. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|A Rude Awakening}} The three reunited Constructicons then started building a starship for everyone to leave Earth with. [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] wanted to speed things up by collecting some more of the construction experts, but [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus Prime]] refused as his Autobots feared that they might form Devastator again. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"|Seasons in Flight}} The Decepticons eventually betrayed the Autobots and tried to take the ship for themselves (with help from [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] instead of Devastator), but were defeated. Skywatch captured most of them, but several Constructicons got away. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}} Among them was Scrapper, but he was soon hunted down and executed by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], who was intent on ending the threat of Devastator forever. {{storylink|Scrapper (issue)|Scrapper}}

[[File:Kings Constructicons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|right|Get the leg out!]]
As the Decepticon army returned to Earth in full force under Megatron's command, one of their first acts was to lay siege to Skywatch and recover all the imprisoned 'Cons on the premises, including Scrapper's deactivated body. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 1: The Demolished Man|The Demolished Man}} Hook and Mixmaster were later seen among Megatron's assembled troops before he faced off against Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 5: Enemy Mine|Enemy Mine}} After Megatron and the Autobots traveled to Cybertron for war against [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]'s army, the Decepticons eventually followed via [[space bridge]]. The Constructicons traveled with Scrapper's deactivated form and, despite his current state, were still able to combine and form Devastator, albeit with a dead limb. Devastator was still a force to be reckoned with, and so [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] armed his hoverchair with a copious amount of explosives, tricking Devastator into stepping on it. After a titanic blast, Devastator prepared to take revenge on the little Autobot when [[D-Void]] pulled him and the other Decepticons present into the mass of its "[[Deceptigod]]" construct. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

[[File:Devisive ConstructiconsVWOOMP.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|left]]
The monster was defeated by Megatron, but the Decepticons were left weakened from the experience, and the Autobots soon captured and contained them. Fitted with [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s to keep them under control, they were used to reinforce the Autobots during a [[NAIL]] riot. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}} The Constructicons later helped look for survivors in a blast crater after a mysterious explosion happened there. {{storylink|Stick Together}} They were then put to work building things for the Autobots and working in the reclamation tunnels, but eventually turned on them to aid Bombshell, who was on the run. After beating up his pursuer, [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], the Constructicons fought with [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] until [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] showed up and threatened to detonate their I/D chips. They just taunted him since [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] had made sure their chips didn't work down in the tunnels, only for Prowl to use a secret passcode to reactivate them, seemingly blowing the Constructicons' heads off. {{storylink|Devisive}}

However, Prowl was in fact under the control of Bombshell, who had merely faked the Constructicons' death and hidden them away for the purpose of improving Devastator. He fixed the problem of Scrapper's death by modifying their combination into a modular design that moved Hook to Scrapper's old position as right leg and would allow others built with compatible forms to serve as the combiner's head. After Megatron returned to conquer Cybertron, he had the Constructicons combine with the mind-controlled Prowl, using him as the new head for Devastator. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} Devastator was initially under Bombshell's direct control, but after the Insecticon's death, Prowl's mind was freed and happened to stray to thoughts of Spike Witwicky. Since the Constructicons shared his hatred of Witwicky for his murder of Scrapper, this caused Devastator's mind to unify under his own control, and he went on a rampage. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Prowl was eventually able to separate from the Constructicons, only for Megatron to reveal his ultimate plan: turning ''himself'' into Devastator's head. Fortunately he was prevented from doing so, and in the aftermath the Constructicons were banished from Iacon alongside most other Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-Constructicons.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|We are green and very, very mean!]]
Outside the city, the Constructicons approached the exiled Autobots and, after a brawl with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], explained that they wanted to be on Prowl's side, having seen into his mind during their time as Devastator and having been ''very'' impressed by what they saw. They were allowed to stay at the Autobot camp, where they had a rematch with Arcee before it was broken up by the Dinobots, who made peace with the Constructicons after realizing they had a lot in common (namely violence and chugging energon). {{storylink|Second Exodus}}

The team fell victim to the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]'s corrosive "death wave", but were cured from its effects when the Titan was brought down by [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} After that they continued to follow their new idol Prowl around, praising him at every opportunity and cheering him on during a fight with [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]]. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} When Cybertron was invaded by Shockwave's army of [[Ammonite]]s, the Constructicons talked Prowl into willingly forming Devastator and fighting [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} They were victorious and went on to witness Megatron defect to the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

The Constructicons were subsequently fashioned by Prowl into his own private unit, the Autobot having realized how useful Devastator could be. He brought the team with him on a mission to Earth, where they saved the ''[[Ark-7]]'' from burrowing human missiles and formed Devastator to fight the Decepticons under Galvatron's command. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} After the battle they returned to the ''Ark-7'' alongside the Autobots, though Scavenger sneaked off to leak information to the Decepticons {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} on Prowl's orders, who wanted to lure the Decepticons to the [[Marshall Islands]]. Prowl then had the Constructicons coated in stealth paint, allowing them to show up out of nowhere at the battle's climax and form Devastator, who destroyed the [[Earth Defense Command]] base on the island. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} When the Autobots began hunting for the [[Enigma of Combination]], Prowl was all too eager to mobilize the Constructicons so that they could hunt down Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} Their search took them to [[Tokyo]], where they secured their asset but ran afoul of Galvatron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} Prowl and Spike entered into a temporary truce, and with the help of [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] the team stormed the [[Onyx]] facility by forming Devastator. Devastator revealed that the alliance was a lie, and that Prowl still hated the human. Devastator ultimately went berserk and ruined the mission, allowing [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to abscond with the Enigma. Defeated and angry with each other, Prowl ordered his team to retreat back to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

[[File:CombinerWars5-disappointed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"You are GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED GROUNDED."]]
After Prowl learned that Optimus Prime had helped Starscream form a permanent [[Council of Worlds|alliance]] with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the team hijacked the ship's new spacebridge to travel to Cybertron {{storylink|The Possible Light}}, where they formed Devastator. Prowl threatened to destroy the space bridge to keep Cybertron and its warlike inhabitants isolated from the rest of the galaxy; he was ultimately challenged by Superion. Devastator managed to best the combiner, but was defeated after Starscream created Defensor from a group of bystanders. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Seeking a new edge, Starscream drafted Scoop into the team, knowing that Scoop's fanaticism would force Devastator to obey his orders. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Ultimately, however, Devastator wound up losing control in a fight with [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]; the Constructicons and Scoop were defeated and quickly re-imprisoned. {{storylink|All That Remains}}

The Constructicons were later released and allowed to recombine so that they could be safely extricated off Cybertron, with Optimus Prime noting that the group had to regularly combine. {{storylink|Now and On Earth}} They were later called on to deal with a violent riot at the spacebridge but Devastator's violent solution only exacerbated the problem. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}}

Some months later, the Constructicons formed Devastator to act as a distraction during an attempt to seize control of [[Vigilem|Carcer]]. {{storylink|Desperate Times}}

After Starscream had been arrested and Windblade became ruler of Cybertron, [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] returned to Cybertron. Scoop eagerly informed his teammates of Starscream somehow becoming aware of this but they were less than impressed and frankly they agreed with Onyx's anti-[[human]] attitude. The world was ending so they were off to get drunk. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} When Onyx proved to be another elitist Prime, the Constructicons rallied around Scoop and formed Devastator to break Starscream out of prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}} At Starscream's command, Devastator then engaged [[Victorion]] in combat, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} only to wind up ripped to atoms by her gravikinesis, ending the Constructicons. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}
{{-}}

===Hall of Fame bios===
[[Erector (G1)|Erector]] was kicked out of the Constructicons for not being green. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
The Constructicons took heavy losses during the Great War; in the era of the [[Pax Cybertronia]] and the [[Builder Assembly]], the surviving members joined [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] in his quest to reform the corrupt and stagnant [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]] society from within. Hot Rod rebuilt the team, instituting a one-third Autobot roster, appointing [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]] as team leader, and convincing the group to downsize into fuel-efficient [[Micromaster]] bodies. {{Storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

By the time of the [[Grand Uprising]], the Constructicons found themselves embroiled in a new war as [[Buckethead]] joined with [[Overshoot]]'s motley team on a mission to defend Cybertron from the [[Monster GoBot|Antares Eight]]. The other Constructicons came to her aid as the fighting spilled over into [[Proximax]], forming Devastator and battling [[Monsterous]]. In the aftermath, the Constructicons abandoned the Builders and decided to join [[Stiletto (BW)|Stiletto]]'s new team of "[[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]]". {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}} Buckethead took command of the team from Hightower; when the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] threatened Cybertron, they headed to [[Nova Cronum]], where they joined the forces of Cybertron as they marched on the [[Grand Mal]]. As Devastator, they battled [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] until their combined form suffered critical damage, killing half of the team and knocking the gestalt unconscious from the backlash. {{storylink|Derailment}}

As soon as peace had been declared, Buckethead set about recruiting new Constructicons to fill their losses. Though [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bone Crusher]], [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], and Hightower had perished, Buckethead found fresh talent in [[Steam Hammer]], [[Wideload (G1)|Wideload]], and [[Hauler|Road Hauler]], who underwent the combination process to become the newest incarnation of Devastator. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

10,000 years after the Grand Uprising, they were misremembered as a [[Resistance (BWU)|Resistance]] combiner group under [[Lio Convoy]]'s command. {{storylink|Lio Convoy: Unity Through Tyranny}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Constructicons-cleaning-up.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
After the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] had ended, the exiled Megatron tossed the Constructicons around in a gladiator pit on an alien planet. {{storylink|Unforgotten}}

In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], the Constructicons helped clean up the rubble. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}}

They presumably died when Devastator was killed by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}
{{-}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
[[File:GoForTheGold-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] press-ganged the Constructicons into excavating a fallen [[cybertonium]] meteorite. After taking a beating from [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], the Constructicons formed Devastator in order to grab a fragment of the meteor before the substance went critical, but the explosion knocked the combiner apart and the team made an embarrassing retreat aboard Astrotrain, bickering with Starscream all the while. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold}}

{{-}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
[[File:MazingerZVsTransformers-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Devastator and Mazinger re-enact the 2022 Oscars presentation for Best Documentary Feature.]]
Transported to the Japan of an alternate universe, the Constructicons rolled out to take part in Megatron and [[Doctor Hell]]'s combined attack on the [[Photon Power Laboratory]] where they were first pummeled by Grimlock and [[Boss Borot]]. The team then formed Devastator to take on [[Kōji Kabuto]] inside the [[Mazinger Z]], and although Devastator's raw strength nearly overpowered the heroic super robot at first, the Mazinger's rocket punch ultimately knocked Devastator back into his components. {{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Ghostbusters''===
As Devastator, the Constructicons joined the rest of the Decepticon army in their desperate battle to stop [[Gozer]] from destroying their homeworld, but quickly fell to the extradimensional deity. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:ConstructiconsRisingPart1-EngimaOfCombination.jpg|thumb|left|300px|By your powers combined...]]

The Constructicons were a team of architectural prodigies who left their mentors just after the end of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]] to help with the rebuilding of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] under the supervision of [[Termagax]]. An accomplished philosopher, engineer, and architect in her own right, Termagax saw that this new generation of fresh minds shared a goal—not just to ''rebuild'' the ravaged city as it had been, but to create something new and better in its place, even though this new approach alienated Termagax's own second-in-command [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]].

While digging for resources in what remained of [[Rivets Field]], the team came across the mythical [[Enigma of Combination]], their sense of purpose resonating with the artifact. At Termagax's urging, the six 'bots allowed the Enigma to change their bodies, merging them into a new [[Devastator (G1)|combiner]]; united in their common goal of creation, Termagax hoped that her new students would, despite their struggles, pool their minds and bodies together to create the ultimate building tool. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} The team took time to master this new form, however, and struggled with the combiner's own urges to indiscriminately destroy—a struggle that eventually led Wheeljack to bring the problem to the Cybertronian [[Senate]]. Although Termagax's coaching eventually helped the team ''embrace'' this indiscriminate anger and use it to fuel the power of the combiner, [[Nominus Prime]] worried that Termagax's pet experiment might pose a threat to a still-recovering Cybertron and decided that the Senate would arrange a means by which the Constructicons could safely contribute to the planet's well-being. Not long after the Constructicons had rebuilt Iacon into a beautiful metropolis, Nominus Prime arranged a half-hearted ceremony to honor their contributions and told them that their next assignment would be on the barren world of [[Mayalx]] to work on the colony's [[energon]] refinery. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}}

[[File:ConstructiconsRisingPart1-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The Constructicons tried to make the best of their bad situation, even reconstructing the colonial refinery into an effigy of old Iacon, but the menial work and heavily rationed energon supplies quickly took a toll on their morale, and the group spent most of their time off-hours pining for their glory days while grousing about their current working conditions. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} After eventually coming to the realization that Cybertron might have forgotten them entirely, Scrapper—worrying that the future might not include a stable Cybertron to return to—began training his team for combat while Hook devised a foul but functional energon recycler. It was at this point that the team encountered [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and his [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s, who had been similarly exiled from Cybertron by Nominus Prime. Unbeknownst to Scrapper and his team, the Insecticons had been sent to Mayalx deliberately by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the hopes that the Constructicons could be turned to the side of [[The Rise]] and contribute to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s burgeoning [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] faction. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}}

Encouraged to recapture their past glory by striking back at the [[Autobot]]s responsible for their banishment, the Constructicons overcharged themselves on the Insecticon's energon, combined for the first time since their banishment, and tapped into their shared resenment to become an unstoppable engine of destruction. The newly christened "Devastator" razed the colony to the ground, while the Insecticons feasted on the ruins and converted it all into usable energon to be shipped back to The Rise. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

[[File:FateOfCybertron-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

The Constructicons left Mayalx at some point afterwards and spent time aimlessly wandering the galaxy on a drifting asteroid. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} Eventually, however, Shockwave summoned the Constructicons back to Cybertron and sent [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to tow their asteroid back into low Cybertronian orbit. {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} Although Shockwave had brought the Constructicons back to the fold with the intent of serving their new ally [[Exarchon]], the treacherous conqueror decided to use his parasitic [[spark]] to usurp the mighty combiner. {{storylink|War's End Part Three}} However, Devastator's unique physiology allowed his individual components to fight back and reject the infection, but the strain knocked them unconscious. By the time they had recovered, Exarchon was dead, and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] brought the team back to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}}

As the Decepticon convoy drove to Iacon, they were redirected to [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] to take part in the final push against the Autobots. Confident that they'd finally receive the adoration and recognition they'd been denied for so long, the Constructicons formed Devastator and easily trounced both [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]] and the Autobot combiner [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. However, [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] used his innate connection to the [[Combination Core]] to instantly reform Computron as a ten-bot combiner, and through this power boost Computron overpowered Devastator and forced the Constructicons to decombine before the Autobot could destroy them. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:Inspiring-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While most of the Autobots and Decepticons were stranded in [[Equestria]], the Constructicons launched a sneak attack on the crashed ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' on Earth. Although [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] easily trounced the individual Decepticons, he couldn't stand up to their combined form. Fortunately, [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] the baby dragon found a way to trigger the starship's engines and blast Devastator back into his components. {{storylink|Inspiring}}

During [[King Sombra]]'s invasion of Cybertron, [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], unaware that [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] had already been captured and brainwashed, requested he send the Constructicons to rescue him from a pile of collapsed girders. {{storylink|Sick Beats}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers/Back to the Future''===
[[File:TFBTTF3-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

After the Decepticons had conquered Earth, the Constructicons were assigned to patrol [[Hill Valley]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 1|Transformers/Back to the Future #1}} In 2015, Scrapper was chastising [[Lorraine Baines-McFly|Lorraine]] and [[George McFly]] before he was knocked out by [[Doc Brown]]'s [[alpha-wave ionic nullifier]]. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 2|Transformers/Back to the Future #2}}

Pointing fingers, the Constructicons decided to blame [[Biff Tannen]]. When Bonecrusher attempted to inflict punishment, he too was disabled by Doc Brown before Biff turned on his fellow humans and brought them to the four remaining Constructicons and Starscream. When the Autobots arrived to stop the execution, the Constructicons attempted to swat [[Marty McFly]] and [[Skilz]] out of the sky but fell victim to either Marty's expert aim with the nullifier or Bumblebee. {{storylink|Transformers/Back to the Future issue 3|Transformers/Back to the Future #3}}
{{--}}

===Energon Universe===
[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Meet the Constructicons.jpg|thumb|right|250px|At least [[To sell toys|they're honest about it]].]]
The Constructicons were among the numerous Decepticons lying in the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after it crashed on Earth. Eventually both Autobots and Decepticons would revive, but it would be some time before [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] obtained the energy and raw material to get around to the Constructicons.

Once he did though, the Constructicons were lying in wait for the Autobots when they tried to retake the ''Ark''. After they menaced the Autobots some, Starscream ordered them to form [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Though Devastator initially held the edge against the Autobots, he was ultimately sent falling over a cliff by Optimus Prime, collapsing back into the individual Constructicons in the process. When they awoke on the ground, the Constructicons found that Devastator had clipped Starscream. Damaged and with their leader unresponsive, the Constructicons made the executive decision to retreat. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}

The Decepticons retreated to a volcano where Soundwave challenged Starscream for leadership. With the communications chief emerging as the victor, the Constructicons joined the rest in bowing to their new leader. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 7|Transformers #7}}

With Soundwave's first order being that the Decepticons obtain a new base, he sent the Constructicons ahead to find the crash site of the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. Finding the craft at the bottom of the [[Pacific Ocean]], the Constructicons raised it to a flat surface before harvesting the nuclear reactor the recently sunk [[USS Henry Harrison|U.S.S. ''Henry Harrison'']] to reenergize the ship. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 8|Transformers #8}}

After Soundwave had made contact with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] on Cybertron, the Construticons operated the [[space bridge]] to allow reinforcements through. Though the Autobots attempted to stop this, the Decepticons' numerical superiority proved too much, [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] destroying the space bridge's terminal to cover their escape. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 9|Transformers #9}}

After the Constructicons repaired the space bridge, Shockwave ordered them to construct a [[feeder]] to quickly metabolize a large amount of [[energon]], [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] using the machine to harvest a large bounty out of the local sea life. With enough fuel, Shockwave opened the space bridge once again, bringing Cybertron into Earth's orbit so that the Decepticons could efficiently harvest Earth's resources. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 10|Transformers #10}}

When the Autobots returned to destroy the space bridge and retrieve their captured comrades, Shockwave commanded them to combine once more to destroy the invaders. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 11|Transformers #11}} Their combined form was eventually toppled by Optimus Prime and Elita One, with the giant landing on and destroying the feeder. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 12|Transformers #12}}

Trying to bounce back from the loss of the connection to Cybertron, the Constructicons participated in razing [[Tacoma]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. They then followed Soundwave to the Autobot's dam, but came into conflict with Starscream's group of Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 15|Transformers #15}} With Starscream's Combaticons having combined into Bruticus, the Constructicons followed suit, combining and facing off against each other at the dam. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 16|Transformers #16}} Their brawl continued into [[Seattle]], devastating the city,{{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 16|Transformers #16}} before ending when Devastator RKO'd Bruticus off a skyscraper.{{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 18|Transformers #18}}

With [[Megatron (G1)#Energon Universe|Megatron]]'s reappearance, the Constructicons fell back under his command, helping to bring Starscream and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Energon Universe|Astrotrain]] to the Beacon of the Ancient on the chunk of Cybertron in the ocean for punishment. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 20|Transformers #20}}

{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Devastation''===
The Constructicons joined the other Decepticons in investigating the reactivation of the ''[[Proudstar]]'' in [[New York City]]. Upon their arrival, Megatron ordered them to construct a perimeter around the area using kinetic shields. When the Autobots arrived, the Constructicons were waiting for them as Devastator. The combiner briefly brawled with the Autobots before they were contacted by Megatron, who ordered them to assist elsewhere. Soon after, Megatron escaped into the ship's interior, the security system to which was powered by three sub-generators around the city. Each generator was guarded by two Constructicons, though the Autobots defeated them all in short order. Refusing to accept the loss, the Constructicons beat the Autobots back to the primary generator and formed Devastator once more, but the Autobots once again emerged victorious.

When the ''Proudstar''{{'}}s [[Plasma Core]] began leaking and became unstable, the Decepticons took it back to Cybertron to be repaired at a [[Plamsma Energy Interface]]. The Constructicons succeeded in patching the leak and escaped just before the Autobots arrived, returning to Earth and reinstalling the core. However, due to rushing their work, the patch ruptured and the core was once again on the verge of detonation. The Autobots raced through the ''Proudstar'' in pursuit of Megatron and the [[Ferrotaxis]] computer to shut the core down, catching up to him in [[Teletraan Alpha]]'s chamber, only for him to order the Constructicons to attack before escaping. The Constructicons battled the Autobots all together before reforming Devastator, with Menasor joined the fight soon after, but the two combiners were ultimately knocked from the platform, falling to their destruction. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Long ago, [[Termagax]] mentored the original six Constructicons. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}} Over time, the team grew to incorporate a large roster of stand-in members, {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}} which included [[Gravedigger]], [[Hightower (Classics)|Hightower]], [[Buckethead]], and [[Sledge (RPG)|Sledge]]. According to various unconfirmed reports, several Autobots have worked with the Constructicons to form Devastator in the past; despite this switching roster, Devastator himself remained more-or-less the same being, regardless of who might be forming him at the time. {{storylink|The Enigma of Combination}}

During the war on Earth, the Constructicons collaborated with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to build the ''[[Victory (G1)|Victory I]]'', which incorporated a mixture of cannibalized components from the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' and locally fabricated materials. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Commercial appearances==
The Constructicons were contentedly allowing gullible humans to operate them on a construction site in the desert, until they abruptly decided to transform and merge into Devastator, sending the humans fleeing. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Constructicons|Constructicons commercial}}

Years later, the Constructicons barreled into a power plant facility and started smashing stuff. Unfortunately, when they merged into Devastator and smashed open the ground, they prompted the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to come out of the earth's depths and attack. Grimlock grabbed Devastator in his jaws and tossed him aside. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2|G2 Constructicons commercial}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:Mixmaster toy.JPG|thumb|upright=1.6|Generation 1 Mixmaster]]
*'''Constructicons''' ([[1985]]/[[1986]])
**[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]
**[[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
**[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
**[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
**[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
**[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Mark Watts]] (packaging artist)}}

:The Constructicons are the first ever Combiner team in the history of the Transformers toyline. The Constructicons were originally from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s [[Pre-Transformer]]s ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline, specifically the Construction Vehicle Robot subset. In the [[The Transformers (toyline)|''The Transformers'' toyline]], they were sold individually as carded figures at the $6 price point, and also as a six-figure [[giftset]]. Each carded figure came with one or two pieces of combiner kibble for Devastator, which could also attach to the figure's [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] to form an attack mode.

:The individual figures feature limited articulation, typical of smaller G1 figures; most can only swivel their arms at the shoulder, and cannot move their legs at all. Each came with a small [[laser pistol]] for the individual robot to use in addition to various Devastator pieces.

:In the [[United States of America|United States]], [[Canada]] and [[Japan]], the Constructicon toys were originally available both individually on blister cards (with the additional Devastator parts split up between them) and as a boxed Devastator [[Giftset|gift set]] that contained all six Constructicons and their accessories. On the [[Europe]]an continent, the individual Constructicons were initially released individually by Hasbro's subsidiary [[Milton Bradley]] (MB) in 1985. Rumors are that an MB-branded Devastator giftset was also released in continental Europe, but thus far no packaged sample has surfaced.<ref name="mbredtr">[http://www.tf-1.com/articles/eurous/mb_template.html "Milton Bradley and the red TF Tracks"] at TF-1.com.</ref><ref name="mbcollection">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/transformers/mb-transformers-collection/ "MB Transformers Collection"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref> In 1986, the Constructicons were re-released in Europe, albeit this time in "Hasbro"-branded packaging (but manufactured by [[Joustra]]). The main difference with all other releases thus far was that the Constructicons' main color was now ''yellow'' instead of green.<ref name="frenchcon">[http://tfsource.com/blog/french-connection/ "French Connection"] at the TF Source blog.</ref><ref name="europestrange">[http://tfsource.com/blog/europes-strangest-attractions/ "Europe's Strangest Attractions"] at the TF Scource blog.</ref><ref name="frenchconst">[http://www.fredsworkshop.com/vjap6.html "French TFs: G1 Yellow Constructicons"] at Fred's Workshop.</ref> These are ''not'' to be confused with the later, ''non''-combining yellow European Constructicons, nor with the yellow ''Generation 2'' Constructicons (see below).

:The original Constructicons have the dubious honor of being the most heavily [[Knockoff|bootlegged]] Transformers toys in existence. Individually carded and packaged sets have persisted at Walgreens and other [[market six]] stores for years, both in the original green and purple and in entirely new decos, often without the kibble required for their combined form. Occasionally they receive delightfully creative new names like "[[Scrapper (G1)|Building]]", "[[Long Haul (G1)|Feeding]]", "[[Scavenger (G1)|Picking]]", "[[Hook (G1)|Sanitation]]", "[[Mixmaster (G1)|Disguise]]", and "[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Ravage]]". Sometimes, they are bootlegged at a different scale, oversized or downscaled for whatever inscrutable reason.
{{-}}

[[File:ActionMaster Devastator.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Action Master Devastator]]
*'''Devastator with Scorpulator''' ([[Action Master]], [[1990]])
{{main|Devastator (G1)#Action Master}}
:A non-transforming action figure of the Constructicons' combined form was released in the second wave of carded Action Master figures. Devastator came with his small animal [[Action Master partner|partner]], [[Scorpulator]], who transformed into an acid spray gun that Devastator could wield and a "Gripper Backpack" that plugged into Devastator's back.
{{-}}

{{anchor|euro92}}
[[File:G1 euro Long Haul.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|European Yellow Long Haul]]
*'''Constructicons''' ([[1992]])

:Another yellow set of European exclusive versions of the Constructicons, in colors very similar to the previous yellow European releases. The main differences were that these versions came with no Devastator parts, Hook and Scavenger were [[retool]]ed so they could neither connect to each other nor to Bonecrusher, and several of them featured gray plastic parts exclusive to these versions (although there were [[variant]]s for some of them that changed those gray parts back to yellow).<ref name="eurovar">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/595256-1992-european-yellow-constructicons-variant.html "1992 European Yellow Constructicons Variant"] at TFW2005.</ref> These toys were also not individually named, as they came on standardized cards used for all six team members.
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:Scavenger_Generation_2_toy.gif|upright=1.6|thumb|''Generation 2'' Yellow Scavenger]]
*'''Constructicons''' ([[1993]])
:[[Redeco]]s of all six Constructicons were released individually as part of the first assortments of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' products. The first—and seemingly more common—versions were yellow like the European version from 1986, but featured a lighter purple plastic, had all spring-loaded accessories (such as Devastator's forearms and fists) [[retool]]ed to remove the firing [[gimmick]], Mixmaster didn't include the single-tabbed missile, and all six Constructicons featured a ''Generation 2''-style Decepticon [[insignia|logo]] and the word "DECEPTICON" [[tampograph]]ed on them. Aside from that, the ''Generation 2'' Constructicons were functionally identical to their Generation 1 predecessors.

:A later and seemingly less common run changed the yellow plastics to rich orange. It has been [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|rumored]] that this release was only available in [[KB Toys]] stores, but this is supposedly incorrect, and KB Toys might have just been the chain that stocked them in larger quantities than everyone else.

:Neither color version was available as a gift set.
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:TFU03-toy DevastatorMicro.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb|If there's only one original Constructicon left, does it ''really'' count?]]
*'''Constructicons''' (Micromasters, 2004)
{{note|The ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Constructicon (Universe)|Constructicons]] were [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as the ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' version of the G1 Constructicons in "[[Cultural Appropriation]]".}}
:A [[redeco]] of [[Sixbuilder]] in [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] Constructicon-inspired colors. While similar to the [[Decepticon Sixbuilder|Destron Sixbuilder]] redeco, this version is molded in distinctly different colors with far more purple and black paint applications. When separated into his component robots, the leftover combiner [[kibble]] can combine to form a single-pilot jet.

:The six component Constructicons were packaged separately, available originally as [[KB Toys|K•B Toys]] [[exclusive]]s, but later appearing in {{w|Sears, Roebuck and Company|Sears}} stores during the Christmas season. (K•B partnered with Sears, a chain that usually doesn't have a toy department.) They were also sold on [[Kmart|K-Mart]]'s web site.

===''Energon''===
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' (Micromasters, 2004)

:Devastator was also released under the ''Energon'' line in Europe, albeit with modified packaging and instructions to reflect the different line.
{{-}}

===''Classics''===
*'''Constructicon Devastator''' ([[2007]])
[[File:Devastatorclassics.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|And then there were five.]]
{{main|Devastator (G1)#Classics}}
:Redecos of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Construction Team]] released as a [[Walmart]] exclusive gift set, with the individual components named Scrapper, Bonecrusher, Long Haul, Scavenger, and [[Hightower (Classics)|Hightower]]. The combined form is named "Constructicon Devastator" for [[trademark]] reasons.
{{-}}

===''United EX''===
[[File:UnitedEXtoy buildmaster.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.6|''United EX'' Buildmaster Prime Mode]]
*'''Buildmaster Prime Mode''' ([[2012]])

: Buildmaster is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' [[Steamhammer (PCC)#Power Core Combiners|Steamhammer]].

: He comes with four construction vehicle drone-limbs:

:* '''Decimator Drone''' (drill)
:* '''Dominator Drone''' (front end loader)
:* '''Eradicator Drone''' (plow)
:* '''Annihilator Drone''' (steamroller)
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarsBonecrusher.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|''Generations'' Bonecrusher]]
*'''Devastator''' (Gift Set, [[2015]]/[[2021]])
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Hirofumi Ichikawa]] (detailing), [[Mark Maher]] (deco artist)}}
:''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Devastator is an all-new mold combiner formed from six Voyager sized Constructicons. All his components are sold together in a massive box. He holds the record of being the tallest combiner toy.

:As a part of a promotion in Hasbro's Asian markets, a free sticker sheet for the Constructicons was given out when purchasing the set. As such, Devastator was given Generation 1 toy-esque stickers for the owner to apply if they wanted.

: Devastator was reissued and sold exclusively through [[Amazon]] in 2021.
{{-}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:TakaraTomy-Unite-Warriors-Devastator.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Devastator]]
*'''Devastor''' (giftset, [[December 12]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-04'''
**''English name:'' '''Devastator'''
{{toydesigner|[[Hisashi Yuki]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Devastor is a redeco and slight retool of Hasbro's version, the most notable differences being the inclusion of individual handguns for the Constructicons and a new combiner head that can switch between visored and non-visored faces. Every member has been retooled in some manner from the Hasbro versions: Hook, Mixmaster, Long Haul, and Scrapper have been remolded to sport better elbows, and Bonecrusher and Scavenger have been remolded to sport better knees. In addition to this, Devastator utilizes ratchet joints in his shoulders. Each Constructicon features a G1 style gun that pegs into an existing slot or hole.
{{-}}

===''Vintage G1''===
[[File:Walmart-Vintage-G1-Constructicons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Devastator''' (Walmart exclusive reissue, 2018)
:The original Devastator toy was once again available, this time in the [[Walmart]] exclusive ''[[Vintage|Vintage G1]]'' series. The set features numerous small changes in molding, assembly, and deco; see the individual toys' articles for details.
{{-}}
===''Studio Series''===
[[File:TF-SS-TFTM-Voyager-Scrapper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|''Studio Series'' Scrapper]]
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|'''1 of 5: [[Scrapper (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Scrapper]]''' (Voyager Class, [[2025]])}}
{{Bp-d1|'''2 of 6 {{sic}}: [[Bonecrusher (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Bonecrusher]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2025)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''3 of 5: [[Hook (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Constructicon Hook]] <nowiki>|</nowiki> [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Constructicon Long Haul]]''' (Commander Class, 2025)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Mixmaster (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Mixmaster]]''' (Voyager Class, 2025)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Scavenger (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Scavenger]]''' (Deluxe Class, 2025)}}
</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Shogo Hasui]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfy3IcQd3g4 The Hasbro ''Transformers'' Panel] at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2024|San Diego Comic-Con 2024]] with [[Mario Carreiro]], [[John Warden]], [[Evan Brooks]] and [[Nate Purswell]], recorded at the "Memo's Collection" YouTube channel.</ref>

: Announced at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2024|San-Diego Comic-Con 2024]] and revealed in full at the Hasbro Pulse Premium 1027 Event, Devastator is slated for release via his single-packed components in the ''The Transformers: The Movie'' themed arm of the [[Show-accuracy|screen accuracy]]-focused ''[[Studio Series]]'' toyline throughout [[2025]]. In the name of scale with ''Legacy'' [[Menasor (G1)#Legacy|Menasor]], the combined form is shorter than the [[#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' version]]. However, unlike said contemporary combiners, his components do not mount onto a skeletal body frame. All six Constructicons are roughly Deluxe-sized in robot mode, though Scrapper and Mixmaster were upgraded to Voyager class to allow for ratcheted combiner ankles. Hook and Long Haul are also roughly Voyager Class, but sold together as a single Commander Class release with the majority of the kibble needed to form the combined mode (which can combine into a trailer Long Haul can tow).

{{comingsoontoy| Hook & Long Haul, Scavenger, Mixmaster}}
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Kids Nations===
*'''Constructicons''' (2015)
**''ID Number:'' '''TF04'''
**''Accessories:'' Batteries.

[[File:tf04-constructicons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

:The Kids Nations Constructicons is a set of approximately 3" tall [[super deformed]] figures including all six classic Constructicons: Scavenger, Scrapper, Mixmaster, Long Haul, Hook and Bonecrusher. While they are largely static figures with limited articulation and neither transform nor combine, they include LED light up eyes.

{{--}}

===Mecha Nations===
[[File:Mn08-devastator.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Devastator''' (2016)
**''ID Number:'' '''MN07'''
**''Accessories:'' Alternate hands, gun, 6 x magnetic infrared LED modules, display stand.

:Created by [[Kids Logic]], this [[super deformed]], non-transforming and non-separating G1 Devastator stands approximately 8" tall and is articulated, featuring a shiny metallic color scheme, articulated hands, LED light up eyes, Decepticon insignia on his chest, and windows in his component vehicle modes. He includes a flip-down visor for if you prefer this look over separate eyes. Pressing the button on Devastator's gun causes all his LEDs to light up simultaneously (achieved via infrared receivers), accompanied by the classic transformation sound.

:While he was released as part of the Mecha Nations line of larger sized figures, he is intended to tower over the smaller Kids Nations 3" figures, and can be regarded as the combined form of the contemporaneously released Kids Nations TF04 Constructicons mini-figures set (above).

{{-}}

===''Transformers Character Card''===
[[File:Transformers Character Card Devastator and Omega Supreme.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Omega Supreme & Devastor Set''' ([[August 14]], [[2023]])
**''ID number:'' '''55 & 56'''

:Released as part of the eighth wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and "[[Devastator (G1)|Devastor]]" (with his components [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]], [[Hook (G1)|Hook]], [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]], [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]) along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#56|Translation of Devastator's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}
===''Blokees''===
====Galaxy Version====
[[File:Blokees-TF-GV-02-Mixmaster.jpg|thumb|250px|''Galaxy Version'' Mixmaster]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Long Haul''' (Galaxy Version, 2024)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Mixmaster''' (Galaxy Version, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version 02 - S.O.S.'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Scavenger''' (Galaxy Version, 2024)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bonecrusher''' (Galaxy Version, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version 03 - The Autobot Run'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Scrapper''' (Galaxy Version, 2024)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Hook''' ((Galaxy Version, 2024))}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version 04 - Fractured Space Time'''

:All 6 Constructions were released in three of ''[[Blokees]]''' "Galaxy Version" series of blind-box kits, with 2 characters split on each of the three waves.

{{-}}
====Defender====
[[File:Blokees-TF-GV-Defender-02-Bonecrusher.jpg|thumb|250px|''Defender'' Bonecrusher]]
[[File:Blokees-TF-GV-Defender-2-Hook-Vehicle.jpg|thumb|250px|''Defender'' Hook (Vehicle)]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Scavenger''' (Defender Version, 2024)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Scavenger (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 2024)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version Defender 01 - Shattered Alliance'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bonecrusher''' (Defender Version, 2025)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bonecrusher (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 2025)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Hook (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 2025)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version Defender 02 - The Overthrow'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Mixmaster (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 202?)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Scrapper (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 202?)}}</ul>
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Long Haul (Vehicle)''' (Defender Version, 202?)}}</ul>
:*''Series:'' '''Galaxy Version Defender 03 - Heavy Metal War'''
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Devastator Combining Accessory''' (Blokees Figure Club exclusive add-on, 2025)}}</ul>

:The Constructicons are also sold as a smaller but similarly articulated Defender Series subline. So far, at least each wave includes one robot mode kit (only Scavenger and Bonecrusher at the time of writing) and all of their vehicle modes. The Constructicon vehicles also include a few peg holes and ball joint sockets, allowing them to combine into Devastator with the Combining Accessory set sold exclusively at the Blokees Figure Club in China, where they can be accessed by scanning the QR code from the lineup's collector cards.

{{--}}

==Notes==
*About a billion freaking other toys have been [[redeco]]ed in the Constructicons' familiar green-and-purple livery. Pretty much every construction vehicle mold to come down the pike has at some point been given a Constructicon-themed color scheme, been turned into some alternate universe version of a Constructicon, or has been subject to regular clamoring by the [[fandom]] for a Constructicon-themed rerelease. "Constructicon colors" is up there with "[[black repaint]]" as popular choices for redecoes go.
*The Constructicons are the only Decepticons to appear in all four seasons of the American G1 cartoon.
*The character [[profile]]s written for the Constructicons do not identify any of them as the team leader, which has led to the role being filled by different characters in different pieces of media.
**Scrapper was, by all appearances, always intended to be the leader. His [[Tech Spec]]s give him the highest "Rank" of the team, and he is unambiguously depicted as their leader in the Generation 1 cartoon, the influence of which has resulted in him filling the role in most modern media.
**However, because Hook forms the head and much of the torso of Devastator, a trait shared by other combiner leaders, there's been a tendency among fans to believe he "should" be the leader, just because. This resulted in the [[Transformers: Wings Universe|''Wings Universe'']] identifying him as the group's ''former'' leader, replaced by Scrapper on Megatron's orders.
**In the [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|issue #10]] of the Marvel comic, Shockwave gives the Constructicons' orders to Scavenger as if he were the leader. However, in [[Toy Soldiers!|issue #38]], Hook is shown giving the orders, then in [[Totaled!|issue #41]], it is Bonecrusher who leads the team on their mission to recover fallen Decepticons from the Ark. Then, in the UK-exclusive story "[[Space Pirates!]]", the Constructicons are represented by Mixmaster at a gathering of combiner-team leaders; he was also seen giving the orders in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5]]" as well.
**Sorry, Long Haul, you lose again...
*In ''[[Transformers: Devastation]]'', Scrapper and Long Haul are the only two Constructicons whose voice actors from the original cartoon, [[Michael Bell]] and [[Gregg Berger]] respectively, reprised their roles. Despite the fact [[Frank Welker]] returned to voice Megatron and Soundwave, he did not reprise his role as Mixmaster.
* Many box set releases of the original Constructicon toys, including the original G1 release of the Devastator set feature reversed art of the team save for Hook. This was fixed for Encore but still present on later releases of the team bundled together. This seems to originate from someone flipping the original carded release art of the team to arrange them on Devastator's box. Hook's chest sticker has always been backwards though.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Buildron''' (ビルドロン ''Birudoron''), '''Constructicon''' (コンストラクティコン ''Konsutorakutikon'')
*''French:'' '''Constructican''' (France, TV series dub), '''Constructitor''' (France, ''The Movie'' dub)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Szerkesztettek''' (Marvel Comics), '''Konsztruktorok''' (second ''The Movie'' dub)
*''Italian:'' '''Excavators''' (toys), '''Escavator''' (cartoon)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Wā Dì Hǔ''' (挖地虎, "Earth-digging Tiger")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Constructors''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Конструктиконы''' (''Constructicons'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising subgroups]]
[[Category:Classics subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Constructicons| (G1)]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons| ]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 2 subgroups]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) subgroups]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Roleplaying Game subgroups]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors subgroups]]
[[Category:Wings Universe subgroups]]

Army-building

2025-05-07T01:32:12Z

MBG:

{{cleanup|July 2021|Inconsistent structure. Should be ''either'' toy-centric ''or'' fiction-centric. Right now, it's both, with little rhyme or reason.}}
[[File:Armies of Terrorcons Seacons Sparkdashers Guardminders Autoroopers Guardians Overcharges.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|You don't wanna know how much this costs.]]
'''Army-building''' (also '''troop-building''') is a nickname for a toy-collecting habit that involves buying multiple identical toys which represent generic or mass-produced characters (for example, [[Cobra]] soldiers or ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' [[stormtrooper (SW)|stormtroopers]]), with the intent of displaying them as an imposingly large cohesive unit. Some army-builders have hundreds of figures, arranged in elaborate dioramas or military-style formations.

The practice is somewhat less-common in ''Transformers'' fandom than in other fandoms, primarily due to the relative lack of mass-produced, identical, "generic" units, but there are notable exceptions. Perhaps due to the relative dearth of toys representing multiple generic characters, some fans amass armies of non-generic characters (like the [[Jumpstarter]]s).

==Generation 1==
===''The Transformers'' cartoon===
Generation 1 offers many possibilities for army building, usually by using multiple figures of named characters to represent an army of similarly designed drones.

[[File:Scourge and Sweeps.jpg|thumb|A typical example of the victim of [[Hasbro|somebody's]] [[To sell toys|evil plan]].]]
*The [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1|pilot mini-series]] featured a fleet of nameless [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] colored differently from [[Starscream (G1)|the]] [[Thundercracker (G1)|primary]] [[Skywarp (G1)|three]]. Two decades later, [[Air Warrior|toys of these "Air Warriors"]] were finally made in the form of ''[[Heroes of Cybertron]]'' [[Plastic|PVC]] figures. They were sold in multi-packs featuring three identical Air Warriors alongside the aforementioned three named Seekers.
**Additionally, generics with identical colors to the original three would sometimes appear within the SAME SCENE as the original three, technically making Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker army builders as well.
**[[Hotlink (G1)|Hotlink]] and [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]] are also a good match for plenty of Air Warriors, though that would be somewhat pricey.
*The [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] can be represented by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] and [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]]. This is probably the cheaper option than using multiples of the ''actual'' drone-unit Insecticon toys [[Salvo (G1)|Salvo]], [[Zaptrap]], and [[Shothole]] (especially since the orignal Insecticons are frequently reissued), and more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] to boot.
*Multiple [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] toys can represent the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]. Similarly, multiple [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] toys can represent [[Cyclonus's Armada|his armada]]. In both cases, the main character and his nameless henchmen may be represented by different releases.
*Multiples of [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] can be used to represent the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]]. This works particularly well with this figure, as Gnaw received very little characterization in most official fiction.
[[File:RTS-WreckGar-RidingHimself.jpg|thumb]]
*The [[Guardian robot]]s/[[Dark Guardian]]s are potential army builders, though as an [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] they would be costly ones.
*[[Kremzeek]] could be considered an army builder, albeit a costly one, as he has only been released as a pack-in with the large [[Autorooper]], the [[Reflector (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Reflector]] three-pack, and ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] toys.
*Though there are multiple [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]], each one has a different [[character model]], and thus using multiple [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] figures to represent them is not common. While Wreck-Gar's original toy can't really ride himself well, his [[Wreck-Gar (G1)#Transformers .282010.29|Reveal the Shield toy]] can and is designed for it, as are its retools [[Scrapheap (G1)|Scrapheap]] and [[Junkyard (G1)|Junkheap]].

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
In ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] demonstrated the ability to create temporary duplicates of himself.

===''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon===
''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' was good to army builders, as it provided several good opportunities.

*The [[Seacon (Masterforce)|Seacons]] had multiples of all the limb-units; [[Turtler]] was the only non-cloned individual of the group. Thankfully, the [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] versions of the original toys are identical to the [[Hasbro]] versions, reducing the need for costly importing.
*The [[Sparkdash]] [[Javil]], [[Guzzle (Masterforce)|Guzzle]], and [[Sizzle (Masterforce)|Sizzle]] are all drones with multiple copies. Though Javil and Guzzle's toys are colored differently from their [[Firecon]] doppelgangers, the ''Masterforce'' cartoon gave all three Sparkdash the Hasbro colors, making for cheap army-building for those who'd rather be [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] with their hordes.
*Legions of black [[Guardminder]] drones appeared, led by a single golden one. The black drones can be represented by [[Fasttrack (G1)|Fasttrack]], while the leader can be his redeco [[Black Roritchi]]. However, while collecting a single Black Roritchi wouldn't be too hard, as he comes with BlackZarak ([[Gold Plastic Syndrome|just be careful, okay?]]), collecting an army of Fasttrack toys, which were only sold packaged with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], would be expensive. Fortunately, the ''Earthrise'' toyline would release Fasttrack as an individual deluxe class figure, with a subsequent gold repaint in the ''Generations Selects'' line as head honcho Black Roritchi.

===2005 IDW continuity===
*The [[Centurion droids]] are a fairly classic army-builder, though, as usual, an expensive one that comes with a lot of accessories you don't really want multiples of.
*During [[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]], the [[Machination]] sent multiple [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] clones after [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]]. However, there is no toy of Sunstreaker in that particular form, let alone as a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], requiring a substitution. There are also multiple Sunstreaker bodies in black, white and red; though there are no ''Transformers'' toys of these, if one were so inclined they could track down the ''[[Diaclone]]'' red and white <s>Sunstreakers</s> Countach LP500S. Alternatively, the [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]] [[retool|version]] of Sunstreaker's ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' toy ''has'' been produced in [[Sideswipe (G1)#Universe (2008)|those]] [[Red Alert (G1)#Generations|three]] [[Sideswipe (G1)#Timelines|colors]], although the prospect of an army of [[BotCon 2010]] Sideswipes takes this page to an entirely new level of prohibitively expensive. The ''Masterpiece'' version of Sunstreaker has made this a little easier, between himself, [[Cordon]], [[Spin-Out (G1)|Spin-Out]] and the G2 version of Sideswipe—if you don't mind the latter staying in vehicle mode all the time. Also, the [[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'']] version of Sunstreaker was redecoed as Cordon and Spin-Out in the [[Generations Selects (toyline)|''Selects'']] toyline.
*[[:File:MTMTE24 cvrA.jpg|Cover A]] of ''[[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4]]'', as well as various other panels, draw the [[Ammonite]]s as using the designs of the [[Mini-Con Assault Team]], making the team an army-builder.
*''[[Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires]]'' features [[Seeker clone|an army of clones]] of [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust.]]

[[File:Army of Ravage clones.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II]]'' [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|#3]] features a pack of [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] units.

===''Timelines''===
{{Note|''Timelines'' toys are all [[BotCon|convention]] or [[Transformers Collectors' Club|collectors' club]] exclusives, which can give attempts to army build with them a rather prohibitive pricetag.}}
[[File:Timelinestoy-BC2010Sharkticons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
*The [[Virulent Clone]] [[exclusive]]s of [[BotCon 2005]] were army builders, and in fact were only sold in pairs.
*[[BotCon 2009]] featured an [[Sweep (G1)#Timelines|exclusive three-pack]] of Sweeps.
*Similarly, [[BotCon 2010]] featured an [[Sharkticon (species)#Timelines|exclusive three-pack]] of Sharkticons.
*[[BotCon 2013]]'s comic showed [[Starscream (MW)|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (MW)|Thundercracker]], [[Skywarp (MW)|Skywarp]], [[Prowl (MW)|Prowl]], and [[Sandstorm (MW)|Sandstorm]] leading hordes of drones based on their Generation 1 counterparts' ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' toys.
*As a shared bodytype, [[BotCon 2014]]'s 2-pack of [[Pounce#Timelines|Pounce-type]] and [[Wingspan#Timelines|Wingspan-type]] clones can be army built as the named and unnamed [[Dread Pirate Crew]] from [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball's]] ''[[Tidal Wave (G1)|Tidal Wave]]''. Or indeed unnamed cannon-fodder resulting from the blueprints being sold on the black market.
*The [[BotCon 2015]] comic showed hordes of [[Waruder]] mechs: [[Parasite]]s, [[Mudfighter]]s, [[Storm Rider]]s, and [[Paralyzer]]s.

===''Kiss Players''===
The [[Earth Defense Command]]'s [[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|Kiss Players]] had 48 of the human-created [[Autorooper]] models in service. In what can only be a move designed to encourage army-building, the large Autorooper toy came with a decal sheet with specialized markings for ''all 48 units'', not simply the ones given to pack-in pilot character [[Atari Hitotonari|Atari]]'s Autorooper.

===''Alternators''/''Binaltech''===
With the introduction of the [[Genetronic Translink System|GT System]] in that series' fiction, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] can inhabit four bodies in unison, so some collectors might take to buying all four Smokescreen [[variant]]s (or, more precisely, both Smokescreen variants and both Smokescreen GT variants) to represent him in his four bodies at once.

===e-HOBBY toy bios===
*E-HOBBY exclusive [[Overcharge (G1)|Overcharge]] is a [[Quintesson]] military product with multiple units available. This back story, along with the multiple different faction [[insignia]]s he is packaged with, encourages army building, though like the Guardian Robots he would be costly to collect.
*[[Megaplex]]'s Collector's Edition bio describes him as "one of a series" of Megatron clones, making him a possible army-builder. Naturally, though, the e-HOBBY Megaplex toy, similar to Overcharge, would not be easy to army-build. On the other hand, it's pretty dang similar to G1 Megatron, meaning one could use him, and the original ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' Megaplex shouldn't be too hard to find.

===''Legends Spin-Off''===
*''[[Transformers United|United EX]]'' [[Straxus (G1)#United EX|Rollermaster]] was used to represent the entire [[Rollermaster Corps]], a legion of spare bodies and slaves and for the twin Straxuses to use for their own evil deeds.

===''Golden Lagoon''===
*''Golden Lagoon'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Golden Lagoon|Starscream]]'s lack of any Starscream-specific features makes the figure suitable - but expensive - for army-building ''Golden Lagoon'' Skywarp and Thundercracker.

===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers'' manga===
*You can build up the [[Megatron Corps]] by purchasing six of any version of Megatron.

===''Generations Selects'' comic===
*Some of the [[Battle Masters]] such as [[Soundbarrier]], [[Smashdown]], [[Ironworks (facility)|Ironworks]], and [[Doublecrosser (Earthrise)|Doublecrosser]] can be purchased in bulk to represent the [[Selector]]s in the comic.
**The [[Pteraxadon]] Battle Masters can be similarly bought in bulk as well, to represent the pack seen in [[Abominus comic 1]].

==Beast Era==
===''Beast Wars Metals'' manga===
The [[Scorpion Corps]] could be built with numerous [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] toys, if one considers the minor differences between the two characters to be simply due to an artistic interpretation of the character model. Considering how other characters have been... stylized in these mangas, it might not be much of a stretch.

===''Beast Wars Neo'' cartoon===
Multiple ships in the Cybertron fleet share a design with [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], which would undoubtedly make him the most expensive army builder of them all.

===''Beast Wars Neo'' comic===
The [[Blentron]]s [[Elphaorpha]], [[Drancron]], and [[Latolata]] have many duplicates.

===''Beast Machines''===
[[File:BM-toy TankDrone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' are undoubtedly the most popular army builders from the Beast Era, possibly from all of Transformers, with virtually every Vehicon representing thousands of identical drones. ([[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] was the main exception.)

The [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' cartoon]] featured legions of [[Thrust (BM)|Thrust]], [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]], [[Jetstorm (BM)|Jetstorm]], [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]], and [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] drones, each commanded by a general. Note that the [[character model]] for Tankor was much closer to the [[Tank Drone]] toy.

''The Wreckers'' comic "[[Departure]]" further featured drones of [[Scavenger (BM)|Scavenger]], [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], [[Spy Streak]], and [[Mirage (BM)|Mirage]]. Additionally, an on-model depiction of the original toy for Tankor was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] to represent [[Quake's drones|drones]] for [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (who had the same bodyform, but in different colors).
{{-}}

==''Universe''==
The 2003 ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' comic "[[Homecoming (Universe)|Homecoming]]" featured multiple [[Piranacon (Universe)|Piranacons]], toys which would be eventually released by [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] as new decos of the original [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]].

==Unicron Trilogy==
The Unicron Trilogy offers multiple possibilities for army building.

===''Armada''===
[[File:Deadend Drone General Armada Toys.jpg|thumb|Corner pocket.]]
In ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', [[Unicron]]'s interior is patrolled by swarms of [[Dead End Drone]]s, commanded by [[Dead End General]] units. This was originally an expensive toy to army-build, being a pack-in with the [[Unicron|$50 Unicron toy]] (though eventually some Target stores clearanced them for as little as $13). In the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Galaxy Force]]'' toy line though, the fourth [[Micron Booster]] assortment featured "Bug Drones" at a mere 300 yen a pop (very roughly $3). Unfortunately, the [[Blindpacking|blindpacked]] boxes meant you either had to buy opened samples, or an entire case of twelve toys to ensure getting a single Dead End Drone... and the General came only one per every ''two'' cases.

===''Energon''===
''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' offers the largest number of potential army builders of the Unicron Trilogy.

*In both the ''Energon'' [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|cartoon]] and [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|comic]] continuities, the Decepticons send thousands of [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] drones to combat the Autobots and steal raw energon ore. In the comic continuity, these drones were based on four living, fully-sparked Decepticons: [[Battle Ravage]], [[Cruellock]], [[Divebomb (Energon)|Divebomb]], and [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]. In the cartoon continuity, the four drone-types also had color-changed variants sold as limited-retail toys. Hasbro would introduce another small Terrorcon to the mix: [[Doom-Lock (Energon)|Doom-Lock]], who was later established as a mass-produced drone via [[Ask Vector Prime#Swindle's Spiel|Swindle's Spiel]].
*In the cartoon, there were also countless identical [[Omnicon]]s split among the three body types; [[Strongarm (Energon)|Strongarm]], [[Skyblast (Energon)|Skyblast]] and [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]. The fourth Omnicon type from the cartoon, [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]], however, was a unique being, serving as the Omnicons' "queen bee". In the comic series, the Omnicons never became mass-produced Transformers.
*The [[bio]] for [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|Omega Sentinel]] says he is the commander of the "[[Guardians of Cybertron]]", though nothing has ever come forward to indicate just what that group is made up of. Hasbro representatives at [[OTFCC 2004]] indicated that they had intended for groups of Omega Sentinels to appear in the cartoon, but ultimately not even ''one'' did, just the original iteration of the mold, [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]]. No canon has specifically made the Omega Sentinel toy, a clear [[homage]] to the [[Guardian robot|Guardian Robots]] of Generation 1, an army-builder. However, Hasbro's original intent and the Generation 1 allusion has led some fans to collect several of him.

===''Cybertron''===
''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' offers a few good army building opportunities.

[[File:Scrapmetal Cybertron Toys.jpg|thumb|Joe's Apartment 2099]]
*Technically a Terrorcon, [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal]] is an excellent army builder from the ''Cybertron'' franchise. In the Takara line, it was available in three different colorations; red, yellow, and blue. Hasbro would later release both the red and yellow versions in their own line, but blue remained exclusive to the ''Galaxy Force'' toyline, ramping up his secondary market value outside of Japan.
*The inhabitants of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] are represented by hundreds of [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version|gray clones of Sideways]] and [[Laserbeak drone (Cybertron)|attack bird-bots]]. Both are cost-prohibitive army-builders, as the "Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version" was a DVD pack-in exclusive in Japan (and DVDs are not cheap there even without limited-edition toys packed in), and the only way to collect a horde of Laserbeak drones was by buying multiples of the Voyager-class [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] toy (which is still less expensive than the Noisemazes).
*Throughout the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|cartoon series]], "clones" of the [[Blurr (Cybertron)|Blurr]] toy are seen both as part of the civilian Autobot ranks hiding on [[Earth]] and inhabiting [[Velocitron]]. These were never seen in robot mode, and sometimes came in red and yellow varieties as well as the toy's blue (no red or yellow versions of the toy exist, though the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Swerve (Universe)|Swerve]] toy ''is'' a red-colored pre-''Cybertron''-[[retool]] version of the mold). This doesn't exactly inspire too many to army-build him, but the canon is there to support it.

{{-}}
==Live-action film series==
[[File:Movie-Payload-Toy.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
The video games and subsequent comics for the [[Transformers (2007 franchise)|live-action movie universe]] feature numerous models of [[Drone|mass-produced robots]] for both the Decepticons and Autobots. Though there are several toys based on these models (designed primarily for the version of the game for the [[PlayStation]] 2 and 3, [[Xbox]] 360, [[Wii]], and PC), the accuracy of the toys' coloration and head design ''to'' the game models varies, but most are geared towards being the Decepticon drones. Interestingly enough, the toys that got [[redeco]]ed were given original decos, not opposite-side game-decos.

*[[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]]'s toy is nearly-accurate to the console game's Decepticon Swindle drones.
*[[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]]'s toy has the Decepticon drones' deco, but the face is only somewhat like the Autobot face, leaning towards a more unique design.
*[[Longarm (Movie)|Longarm]]'s toy is only barely accurate to the drone design, owing to timing issues. In the game, both Autobot and Decepticon versions are primarily white. The non-lenshead makes it a little more Autobotty, though.
*[[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] is fairly accurate to the [[Class Alpha drone unit|Decepticon version]] of the drone.
*Both versions of [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] are similarly very close to the Decepticon [[Class Beta drone unit|Class Beta]] and [[Constructicon Warrior]] drones' designs.
*In the movie comics, [[Landmine (Movie)|Landmine]] lent his form to a series of L.M.-1 drones.

{{note|[[Dirt Boss (ROTF)|Dirt Boss]] and [[Deadlift]] have identical bodytypes to the [[Scrapper (Movie)|Scrapper]] drones. However, since they have different names and bios, they don’t technically count as [[canon]]ical army-building candidates. But if you want to build armies of Dirt Bosses and Deadlifts or unofficially repurpose them as Scrappers, go ahead. We're not stopping you.}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
Potentially, every [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]] from the movie is an army builder, because multiple characters with the same body model are either destroyed, merged into Devastator, or are fighting the army at the same time.

===''Dark of the Moon''===
*Multiple Autobots of [[Roller (DOTM)|Roller]]'s design are seen aboard the ''[[Ark (DOTM)|Ark]]''. Like many of the potential army builders on this page, having to actually army-build Roller is an expensive proposition since Roller was only sold as a pack-in with the ''Ark'' playset.
*The tiny [[Lensmeter Decepticon]]s seen attending to [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in the movie share their design with [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]].
*The [[Dread (DOTM)|Dreads]] can be portrayed by multiple [[Crankcase (DOTM)|Crankcase]]s with the metal hair in different positions. They're later joined by ''The Last Knight'' [[Berserker]], and ''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Crowbar]] and Crankcase.
*A fleet of [[Orbital Assault Carrier]]s is shown invading [[Chicago]].

===''Age of Extinction''===
[[File:Studio-Series-MV4-Deluxe-Shadow-Raider.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|"You're going to pull my head off and give it to Lockdown, aren't you?"]]
*The [[Knight Ship]] is guarded by a pack of [[Steeljaw (AOE)|Steeljaws]]. ''[[Studio Series]]'' would later give us the [[Shadow Raider]]s, despite them being redecos of their boss [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]].
*An army of [[Vehicon (AOE)|Vehicon]] toys can be used to represent many of the vehicles used by [[Cemetery Wind]]. However, that would be rather difficult, seeing as the only toys are either part of a rather expensive [[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]] multi-pack or a hard to find [[tail-ender]].
*Multiple [[Insecticon (Movie)|Insecticons]] were seen in the KSI headquarters.
*Multiple [[Stinger (AOE)|Stingers]] can be used to represent the mass-produced units seen in the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (mobile game)|Mobile Game]].
*The Vehicons can also bolster [[Megatron (Movie)|Galvatron]]'s ranks, but we have already mentioned that would be difficult. Fortunately, ''Studio Series'' would give us [[KSI Boss]]es redecoed from [[Nitro Zeus]]. And while their toys do not necessarily match their on-screen portrayals due to being redecoed from Stinger, the [[KSI Sentry|KSI Sentries]] can make useful army-builders nonetheless.

===''Bumblebee''===
*''Studio Series'' [[Thrust (Movie)#Generations|Thrust]] can be used to represent any of [[generic]] Seekers in addition to the official character.

===''Rise of the Beasts''===
*''Studio Series'' [[Freezer#Studio Series|Freezer]] and [[Novakane#Studio Series|Novakane]] can be bought in bulk to stand in for the many [[Sweep (ROTB)|Sweeps]] that appear as part of [[Unicron]]'s army.
*Multiple [[Scorponok (ROTB)|Scorponok]] can be seen scurrying around in the film's introduction and final battle.

==''Animated''==
[[File:TL-toy Autotrooper.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] had multiple [[Starscream clone (Animated)|clones]] of varying colors. In "[[Transformers Comic issue 17#Dino-MIGHT!|Dino-MIGHT!]]", they were all colored like him, making him an army builder. There were also sparkless, inanimate clone bodies colored like him in "[[A Fistful of Energon]]".
*[[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]]'s multiple VR clones from "[[Human Error, Part II]]" make Electrostatic Soundwave an army builder.
*[[Autotrooper (Animated)|Autotrooper]]s are an all-identical Autobot police force. Figures were made available at [[BotCon 2011]], featured in an exclusive three-pack.
{{-}}

==Aligned continuity family==
===''Prime''===
[[File:PrimeVehiconToys.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The Steve Convention]]
*The ''Prime'' toyline has a plethora of [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] toys, based on the generic Decepticon model in the cartoon.
*The [[MECH Commando|MECH Trooper]] that came with the Bumblebee vs. Starscream Entertainment Pack is technically an army builder, since you see multiples in the show, but you'd have to buy multiple Bumblebees and Starscreams to get more than one of them.
*Any of [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]]'s ''Prime'' figures can be used to represent the [[Starscream clone (Prime)|Starscream clone]]s from the show.
*The [[Arms Micron]] [[Unicron/toys#Prime|Gaia Unicron]] is an army-builder, because Unicron had the ability to multiply himself in the show.
*[[Cyberverse (toyline)#Commander Class 2|Cyberverse Commander]] [[Hardshell#Prime|Hardshell]] can be used to build an [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]] army.

===''Rescue Bots''===
[[File:Morbot rescan rb2016.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The only Con in the village.]]
*[[Doctor Morocco]] produced multiple [[MorBot]]s in ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'', making any of the resulting MorBot figures potential army-builders. However, the transforming Rescan figure is the most viable, being the only one not packed as part of a set. (''Nobody'' needs to army-build Bumblebee or Graham Burns...)

===''Robots in Disguise'' (2015)===
*Many [[Caretaker Mini-Con]]s sharing [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]]'s design were shown aboard ships, particularly in the episodes "[[Deep Trouble (RID)|Deep Trouble]]", "[[Portals]]", "[[Decepticon Island (Part 1)]]" and "[[Decepticon Island (Part 2)]]". This makes any version of Fixit an army-builder.
*Multiple [[Major Mayhem]]s were shown under the command of [[Stockade (RID)|Stockade]], essentially making him an army-builder. There's also a command unit who bears a slight resemblance to [[Volcano (RID)|Volcano]]...who is an Autobot. However, Major Mayhem is in a two-pack with [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], and may be expensive because you have to buy multiple Bumblebees to get multiple Major Mayhems.

==''Generations''==
===''Combiner Wars''===
*At [[Toy Fair 2015]], a member of the ''Transformers'' design team commented that [[Viper#Toys|Viper]] was designed to be a generic-style Transformer like the [[Omnicon]]s with the intent that fans army-build him. Whilst he has no fiction of his own, this army-building reputation comes from the fact that he is based upon both the [[Cobra Viper]] troopers and the Cobra Rattlers that they often pilot from ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]''. However, Viper ended up being the [[shortpacking|shortpacked]] figure in his [[wave]] (two of him per case compared to three [[Groove (G1)#Generations|Grooves]] and three [[Warpath (G1)#Combiner Wars|Warpaths]]), and was ''also'' omitted from the subsequent wave (unlike his two wave-mates), which made finding him rather difficult to begin with, let alone collecting multiple specimens. On top of that, several international markets (such as Australia and the United Kingdom) skipped the only wave he shipped in entirely.

===''Titans Return''===
[[File:Legends-toy Sharktron.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
*''Titans Return'' Legends Class [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]] and ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Sharkticon (species)#Legends|Sharktron]] can be army-built into hordes of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s.
*In the spirit of army-building, the aforementioned ''Legends'' Sharktron also includes a [[Sweep (G1)#Legends|Sweep Titan Master/Headmaster]] that differs from that of [[Scourge (G1)/toys#Legends|Scourge]]/[[Scourge (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Fracas]], intended as a replacement to help differentiate your "real" Scourge from his minions.

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
*Multiple ''War for Cybertron: Siege'' [[Reflector (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Refraktors]] can be used to fill out an army, since their model was used for this purpose in the cartoon. Hasbro even encourages it, by allowing three copies of the figure to combine into their camera mode.

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-WFC-Trilogy-Centurion-Drone.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
*The ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' [[Centurion droid#Generations|Centurion Drone]] can be reasonably army-built. However, doing so comes with a downside: while multiple pistols and energon cubes—and even backpacks usable with [[Tigertrack#Generations|Tigertrack]] and [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Red Alert]]—would certainly be useful, most of the remaining accessories in the included Weaponizer Pack are character-specific. Soon to flood [[eBay]].
*The ''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' [[Deseeus Army Drone]]s can be bought in bulk to display alongside [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s and [[Allicon]]s, although their exclusivity to [[Walmart]] means they aren't as widely available for purchase.

===''War for Cybertron: Earthrise''===
* Like Gnaw, above, the Deluxe Class ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' "[[Allicon#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Quintesson Allicon]]" army-builds nicely, being sold singly at regular retail in the U.S. The Quintesson Judge is also an army builder.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
* The Predacon ship has an army of generics based on Scorponok, so the Deluxe Class ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' "[[Scorponok (BW)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Scorponok]]" works as an army builder.

===''Studio Series''===
* ''[[Studio Series]]'' [[Gnaw (G1)#Studio Series|Gnaw]] is perfect for building [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] armies, though at the Deluxe Class scale it is slightly more costly than the ''Titans Return'' version.
* ''Studio Series'' [[Sweep (G1)#Studio Series|Sweep]] is another ideal army-builder. The Voyager Class Sweeps have a more saturated color scheme than ''Studio Series'' [[Scourge (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Scourge]], making it easier to distinguish the troops from their master in this case.
* ''Studio Series'' [[Soldier (unit)#Studio Series|Gamer Edition Decepticon Soldier]] is there to help you army-build a bunch of Decepticon troops to reenact playing the Autobot maps of Escalation in ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]''.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
* ''[[Legacy]]'' (specifically its [[subline imprint]] ''Evolution'') features a cross-continuity multipack that consists of four trooper characters. Exclusive to Target's ''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' subline, this set is notable for being purchased with the explicit purpose of army-building, with three of the four figures including alternate heads meant to be swapped out at the owner's wish. The set features:
**[[Autotrooper (Animated)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Animated Universe Autotrooper]]
**[[Air Warrior#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Decepticon Seeker]]
**[[Cybertronian (faction)#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|G2 Universe Cybertronian Trooper]]
**[[Quintesson Bailiff#Buzzworthy Bumblebee|Quintesson Trooper]]
* ''Legacy'' (specifically its subline imprint ''United'') also features a cross-continuity multipack that contains trooper characters. Of this Target exclusive set, two of the four figures excluding [[Cliffjumper (WFC)#Legacy|Prime Universe Cliffjumper]] and [[Squeezeplay (G1)#Legacy|G1 Universe Squeezeplay]] work as army builders:
**[[Tarantulas (BW)/toys#United|Beast Wars Universe Tarantulas]] as [[Tyrantulas]].
**[[Tarn (Cyberverse)#Legacy|Cyberverse Universe Tarn]] as generic [[Decepticon supersoldier]].
{{-}}

==''Cyberverse''==
[[File:Cyberverse-Scout-Scraplet.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
*In the second season of ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'', [[Starscream (Cyberverse)|Starscream]] used [[Vector Sigma]] to reprogram the [[AllSpark]], creating an army of his "children," the [[Scraplet]]s. The ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' Scout Class [[Scraplet#Cyberverse|Scraplet]] toy, while far larger than the on-screen Scraplets, is practically made for army-building.
*Warrior Class [[Gnaw (Cyberverse)#Toys|Gnaw]], while looking nothing like his statue in the show, has an alternate mode that ''somewhat'' looks like the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]], without all the tribal markings, of course. Smaller tribal marked versions were released in the Sharkticons attack pack.
*[[Tarn (Cyberverse)|Tarn]] led an army of identical super-soldiers. Though Tarn never received a Cyberverse toy, one could theoretically use his ''[[Legacy]]'' toy instead.

==''Collaborative''==
*Though he's never appeared in any actual fiction, per se, [[Party Wallop]] is based on the designs of the [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]], who are historically a four-man team. He also comes with all their weapons and four different "bandanna" pieces, which encourages collectors to buy four of him and give each one a given Turtle's bandanna and weapons.
[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Articulation

2025-05-02T20:36:48Z

MBG:

[[Image:Animatedtoy-FreewayJazz_Breakdance.jpg|thumb|250px|Try doing ''this'' with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].]]
'''Articulation''' commonly describes the number, position, and type of a [[Toy|Transformers toy]]'s joints. '''"Posability"''' is a neologism often found in conjunction with mentions of articulation, although they are not necessarily interchangeable (see [[#Articulation vs. posability|articulation vs. posability]]).

==Levels of articulation==
[[File:G1Hun-Gurrr toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Hun-Gurrr is one of the few ''The Transformers'' toys to possess knees, giving him articulated beast mode heads.]]

While modern collectors take it for granted, a high level of functioning joints for robot movement was by no means the standard in the early years of the ''Transformers'' franchise. Many ''Transformers'' toys up through the 1990s made do with simple swivel joints at their shoulders or elbows so they could at least point their guns at other toys. There were quite a few toys available at mass retail that had effectively ''zero'' points of articulation at all, including the [[Battlecharger#Toys|Battlechargers]], [[Throttlebot#Toys|Throttlebots]], and [[Duocon#Toys|Duocons]]. Such toys are colloquially referred toy by fans as "[[Brick (term)|bricks]]"... though the term has been applied to even those "just the arms" toys as well.

In the latter half of 1993's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline, Hasbro began to push extra robot-mode articulation, soon settling on [[ball joint]]s as a simple yet versatile standard for smaller toys, with the [[Cyberjet#Toys|Cyberjets]] being the prime example. Ball joints would be used for many many ''many'' toys over the following decades at many scales, though the larger the toy, the more likely ball joints would be replaced with more sturdy multi-directional swivels.

Articulation is best understood as one of many potential toy [[gimmick]]s, and like all gimmicks they come with budgetary trade-offs: the higher parts count dedicated to jointed movement means that those same number of parts cannot go towards launching missiles or chomping mouths. [[Hot Shot (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Hot Shot]]'s shoulders, for example, are limited by how he transforms. A different transformation may have allowed his arms to move on an additional axis... however, as noted above, this would have also increased the toy's complexity and cost. Even when the needed articulation is present, posability can also be limited by [[kibble]] blocking a part's motion.

Conversely, sometimes a toy's posability is improved by its transformation, when the toy's required axes of movement wind up granting the robot mode extra flexibility. The original [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Galvatron]] toy has far higher articulation than typical for [[1986]] (or any other year in G1) because the transformation steps required movement at the waist, elbows, wrists, and ankles.

Articulation can have a drawback if the figures are not properly balanced and have difficulty maintaining a pose or even standing upright at all (such as the original [[Omega Prime#Toys|Omega Prime]]). Much-loved ball joints are especially susceptible to weight and play wear problems, and as such are generally not used on larger figures. A similar level of flexibility can be created with a combination of two swivels or ratcheted swivels.

==Articulation as a feature==
As mentioned, for most of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] era, articulation tended to be on the low side. Due to the relatively primitive engineering of the era, most toys featured what was necessary for their transformation and nothing more, which resulted in levels of articulation being highly inconsistent. Compare, for instance, [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Soundwave]] (useful movement at the neck, shoulders, elbows, and hips) to [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Megatron]] (basically just the shoulders). Many toys had just enough mobility to point their weapons forward.

{{anchor|Super Posable!}}In the mid 90s, Hasbro began introducing highly articulated toys and promoting their posability as a [[gimmick]] and selling point. In 1994, the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Laser Rod]] cards advertised the toys as "Super Poseable!", and the [[Dreadwing (G2)#Generation_2|Dreadwing]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)#Generation_2_2|Smokescreen]] box described the toys as "Super Poseable Robots". [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation_2|Laser Optimus Prime]]'s box notes the toy's "Fully poseable Laser Optimus Prime robot" mode. Other highly posable toys from the G2 era include the [[Cyberjet#Generation_2_2|Cyberjet]]s. ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' (1996) was the first Transformers line to make a high degree of articulation standard across the toyline.

==Posable figures and safety==
[[File:RM-toy XGunner.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Cyberjet]]s were safer to play with than a brick?]]
Unlike what most people think, an articulated action figure passes the [[For safety reasons|safety regulations]] better than a [[Brick (term)|brick]]. During the time Hasbro started to make its own molds to represent characters as toys instead of importing from other toy lines, the company noticed that safety standards required a toy to withstand a pulling force of 20 pounds to deem them safe. Because most toys in those days had little to no outward movement in their legs or arms, they would rather quickly break with little force, so most figures were made with fused legs, preventing kids from pulling the legs apart. Because of this, most of the toys dropped articulation to make the figures stronger, turning a large amount of them into "bricks". During the time [[Takio Ejima]] started working on the brand, he noted that they could make the toys safer by the use of [[ball joint]]s, making it easier for the toy to pass the test (ball joints simply pop off under stress and can subsequently be snapped back on, resulting in no breakage and thus no safety hazard), and have a full range of motion at the same time. This idea would even change the standard of articulation ''outside'' the Transformers brand.

==Articulation vs. posability==
Official Hasbro sources have used the neologism ''posability'' (also spelled ''poseability'') and the adjective form ''[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/poseable#poseable_1 poseable]'' at least as early as 1994 to describe highly articulated figures.<ref>Underwood, Bill. "Go Joe! // Doll Celebrates 30th Birthday". ''Tulsa World'', 29 June 1994.</ref> The [[fandom]] often uses the term ''posability'' interchangeably with ''articulation''; where a distinction is drawn, articulation refers to the number of joints and range of motion, while posability refers to a figure's ability to assume and hold poses (for instance, for display purposes). To illustrate the difference, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast_Machines|Beast Machines Mega Cheetor]] has high articulation but poor posability due to its difficulty standing up and its arm gimmick.

==See also==
*[[Ball joint]]
*[[Ratchet (mechanism)]]
*[[Slide joint]]
*[[Swivel joint]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Toys]]

Articulation

2025-05-02T20:26:23Z

MBG:

[[Image:Animatedtoy-FreewayJazz_Breakdance.jpg|thumb|250px|Try doing ''this'' with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].]]
'''Articulation''' commonly describes the number, position, and type of a [[Toy|Transformers toy]]'s joints. '''"Posability"''' is a neologism often found in conjunction with mentions of articulation, although they are not necessarily interchangeable (see [[#Articulation vs. posability|articulation vs. posability]]).

==Levels of articulation==
[[File:G1Hun-Gurrr toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Hun-Gurrr is one of the few ''The Transformers'' toys to possess knees, giving him articulated beast mode heads.]]

While modern collectors take it for granted, a high level of functioning joints for robot movement was by no means the standard in the early years of the ''Transformers'' franchise. Many ''Transformers'' toys up through the 1990s made do with simple swivel joints at their shoulders or elbows so they could at least point their guns at other toys - and nothing else that wasn't tied into their transformation. There were quite a few toys available at mass retail that had effectively ''zero'' points of articulation at all, including the [[Battlecharger#Toys|Battlechargers]], [[Throttlebot#Toys|Throttlebots]], and [[Duocon#Toys|Duocons]]. Such toys are colloquially referred toy by fans as "[[Brick (term)|bricks]]"... though the term has been applied to even those "just the arms" toys as well.

In the latter half of 1993's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' toyline, Hasbro began to push extra robot-mode articulation, soon settling on [[ball joint]]s as a simple yet versatile standard for smaller toys, with the [[Cyberjet#Toys|Cyberjets]] being the prime example. Ball joints would be used for many many ''many'' toys over the following decades at many scales, though the larger the toy, the more likely ball joints would be replaced with more sturdy multi-directional swivels.

Articulation is best understood as one of many potential toy [[gimmick]]s, and like all gimmicks they come with budgetary trade-offs: the higher parts count dedicated to jointed movement means that those same number of parts cannot go towards launching missiles or chomping mouths. [[Hot Shot (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Hot Shot]]'s shoulders, for example, are limited by how he transforms. A different transformation may have allowed his arms to move on an additional axis... however, as noted above, this would have also increased the toy's complexity and cost. Even when the needed articulation is present, posability can also be limited by [[kibble]] blocking a part's motion.

Conversely, sometimes a toy's posability is improved by its transformation, when the toy's required axes of movement wind up granting the robot mode extra flexibility. The original [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Galvatron]] toy has far higher articulation than typical for [[1986]] (or any other year in G1) because the transformation steps required movement at the waist, elbows, wrists, and ankles.

Articulation can have a drawback if the figures are not properly balanced and have difficulty maintaining a pose or even standing upright at all (such as the original [[Omega Prime#Toys|Omega Prime]]). Much-loved ball joints are especially susceptible to weight and play wear problems, and as such are generally not used on larger figures. A similar level of flexibility can be created with a combination of two swivels or ratcheted swivels.

==Articulation as a feature==
As mentioned, for most of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] era, articulation tended to be on the low side. Due to the relatively primitive engineering of the era, most toys featured what was necessary for their transformation and nothing more, which resulted in levels of articulation being highly inconsistent. Compare, for instance, [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Soundwave]] (useful movement at the neck, shoulders, elbows, and hips) to [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Megatron]] (basically just the shoulders). Many toys had just enough mobility to point their weapons forward.

{{anchor|Super Posable!}}In the mid 90s, Hasbro began introducing highly articulated toys and promoting their posability as a [[gimmick]] and selling point. In 1994, the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Laser Rod]] cards advertised the toys as "Super Poseable!", and the [[Dreadwing (G2)#Generation_2|Dreadwing]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)#Generation_2_2|Smokescreen]] box described the toys as "Super Poseable Robots". [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation_2|Laser Optimus Prime]]'s box notes the toy's "Fully poseable Laser Optimus Prime robot" mode. Other highly posable toys from the G2 era include the [[Cyberjet#Generation_2_2|Cyberjet]]s. ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' (1996) was the first Transformers line to make a high degree of articulation standard across the toyline.

==Posable figures and safety==
[[File:RM-toy XGunner.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Cyberjet]]s were safer to play with than a brick?]]
Unlike what most people think, an articulated action figure passes the [[For safety reasons|safety regulations]] better than a [[Brick (term)|brick]]. During the time Hasbro started to make its own molds to represent characters as toys instead of importing from other toy lines, the company noticed that safety standards required a toy to withstand a pulling force of 20 pounds to deem them safe. Because most toys in those days had little to no outward movement in their legs or arms, they would rather quickly break with little force, so most figures were made with fused legs, preventing kids from pulling the legs apart. Because of this, most of the toys dropped articulation to make the figures stronger, turning a large amount of them into "bricks". During the time [[Takio Ejima]] started working on the brand, he noted that they could make the toys safer by the use of [[ball joint]]s, making it easier for the toy to pass the test (ball joints simply pop off under stress and can subsequently be snapped back on, resulting in no breakage and thus no safety hazard), and have a full range of motion at the same time. This idea would even change the standard of articulation ''outside'' the Transformers brand.

==Articulation vs. posability==
Official Hasbro sources have used the neologism ''posability'' (also spelled ''poseability'') and the adjective form ''[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/poseable#poseable_1 poseable]'' at least as early as 1994 to describe highly articulated figures.<ref>Underwood, Bill. "Go Joe! // Doll Celebrates 30th Birthday". ''Tulsa World'', 29 June 1994.</ref> The [[fandom]] often uses the term ''posability'' interchangeably with ''articulation''; where a distinction is drawn, articulation refers to the number of joints and range of motion, while posability refers to a figure's ability to assume and hold poses (for instance, for display purposes). To illustrate the difference, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast_Machines|Beast Machines Mega Cheetor]] has high articulation but poor posability due to its difficulty standing up and its arm gimmick.

==See also==
*[[Ball joint]]
*[[Ratchet (mechanism)]]
*[[Slide joint]]
*[[Swivel joint]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Toys]]

Articulation

2025-03-17T07:01:22Z

MBG: /* How to make toys well articulated */

[[Image:Animatedtoy-FreewayJazz_Breakdance.jpg|thumb|250px|Try doing ''this'' with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].]]
'''Articulation''' commonly describes the number, position, and type of a [[Toy|Transformers toy]]'s joints. '''"Posability"''' is a neologism often found in conjunction with mentions of articulation, although they are not necessarily interchangeable (see [[#Articulation vs. posability|articulation vs. posability]]).

==How to make toys well articulated==
[[File:G1Hun-Gurrr toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Hun-Gurrr is one of the few ''The Transformers'' toys to possess knees, giving him articulated beast mode heads.]]
The more joints on a figure (in either form), the more articulated it is. This generally includes movement at the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, with wrist, ankle, and waist movement showing up less frequently. Particularly large or elaborate figures can boast things like individually articulated fingers. Posability in ''Transformers'' ranges from the [[Spychanger]]s, who are limited to rotating their arms up and down (shoulder [[Swivel joint|swivel]] articulation only), to the non-transforming [[Revoltech]] line, the entire selling point of which is the high amount of articulation per figure. Possibly the only Transformer toys that have ''no'' real articulation but can still be said to transform are the [[Battlecharger]]s, the [[Throttlebot]]s, the [[Duocon]]s, [[Under-3]], and arguably [[Freedom Fighter]] and [[Enemy (G1)|Enemy]].

Articulation is one of many factors that fans weigh when evaluating a toy, and naturally is of subjective value. To some, if a toy has unusually good posability, they will buy it over another figure that looks "better", but can not move as much. Toys with very few points of articulation are often referred to as [[Brick (term)|brick]]s. Beginning with the [[Beast Era]], [[ball joint]]s became more common, lending toys a higher level of posability.

Unfortunately, there is a trade-off between articulation and production cost — the more complex the figure, the more parts that must be assembled and therefore produced, and the higher the retail price. For example, [[Megatron (Armada)|''Armada'' Megatron]] could easily have been given knees, but instead has a plethora of other [[gimmick]]s. Many [[customizing|customizers]] have taken to altering the figure to be more posable, and while some fans claim this is how Hasbro "should" have made the original, doing so would likely have sent the figure over budget.

Some figures are hampered in how well they can pose by their transformation or [[alternate mode]]. [[Hot Shot (Armada)|''Armada'' Hot Shot]]'s shoulders, for example, are limited by how he transforms. A different transformation may have allowed his arms to move on an additional axis... however, as noted above, this would have also increased the toy's complexity and cost. Even when the needed articulation is present, posability can also be limited by [[kibble]] blocking a part's motion.

Conversely, sometimes a toy's posability is improved by its transformation. Or, perhaps more accurately, the designers managed to place the transformation-related articulation in places that would also serve the robot mode's articulation. The [[Unicron]] toy released during ''Armada'' is an example of this. His neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, hips, ankles, and feet must all be moved to change him from planet to robot and back.

Articulation can have a drawback. If a figure is overloaded with joints, especially in the legs and waist, this can result in the figure having problems supporting its own weight, holding a pose, or even standing. This is a common complaint with [[Omega Prime]]. He is loaded with exciting and dramatic articulation, but is so top-heavy that it is hard to get him to do anything beyond "standing up straight". The much-loved ball joints are especially susceptible to weight and play wear problems, and as such are generally not used on larger figures. A similar level of flexibility can be created with a combination of two swivels or ratcheted swivels.

==Articulation as a feature==
For most of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] era, articulation tended to be on the low side. Due to the relatively primitive engineering of the era, most toys featured what was necessary for their transformation and nothing more, which resulted in levels of articulation being highly inconsistent. Compare, for instance, [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Soundwave]] (useful movement at the neck, shoulders, elbows, and hips) to [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Megatron]] (basically just the shoulders). Many toys had just enough mobility to point their weapons forward.

{{anchor|Super Posable!}}In the mid 90s, Hasbro began introducing highly articulated toys and promoting their posability as a [[gimmick]] and selling point. In 1994, the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Laser Rod]] cards advertised the toys as "Super Poseable!", and the [[Dreadwing (G2)#Generation_2|Dreadwing]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)#Generation_2_2|Smokescreen]] box described the toys as "Super Poseable Robots". [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation_2|Laser Optimus Prime]]'s box notes the toy's "Fully poseable Laser Optimus Prime robot" mode. Other highly posable toys from the G2 era include the [[Cyberjet#Generation_2_2|Cyberjet]]s. ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' (1996) was the first Transformers line to make a high degree of articulation standard across the toyline.

Moving into the 2010's and early 2020's, Hasbro continues to make increasing articulation a selling point as engineering improves and the collectors' market grows. By the time of the [[War for Cybertron Trilogy]] and [[Studio Series]] toylines, articulation points such as waist rotation, ankle tilts, and wrist swivels have become commonplace even among smaller characters such as [[Warpath (G1)#Generations|Warpath]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generations|Cliffjumper]].

==Posable figures and safety==
[[File:RM-toy XGunner.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Cyberjet]]s were safer to play with than a brick?]]
Unlike what most people think, an articulated action figure passes the [[For safety reasons|safety regulations]] better than a [[Brick (term)|brick]]. During the time Hasbro started to make its own molds to represent characters as toys instead of importing from other toy lines, the company noticed that safety standards required a toy to withstand a pulling force of 20 pounds to deem them safe. Because most toys in those days had little to no outward movement in their legs or arms, they would rather quickly break with little force, so most figures were made with fused legs, preventing kids from pulling the legs apart. Because of this, most of the toys dropped articulation to make the figures stronger, turning a large amount of them into "bricks". During the time [[Takio Ejima]] started working on the brand, he noted that they could make the toys safer by the use of [[ball joint]]s, making it easier for the toy to pass the test (ball joints simply pop off under stress and can subsequently be snapped back on, resulting in no breakage and thus no safety hazard), and have a full range of motion at the same time. This idea would even change the standard of articulation ''outside'' the Transformers brand.

==Articulation vs. posability==
Official Hasbro sources have used the neologism ''posability'' (also spelled ''poseability'') and the adjective form ''[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/poseable#poseable_1 poseable]'' at least as early as 1994 to describe highly articulated figures.<ref>Underwood, Bill. "Go Joe! // Doll Celebrates 30th Birthday". ''Tulsa World'', 29 June 1994.</ref> The [[fandom]] often uses the term ''posability'' interchangeably with ''articulation''; where a distinction is drawn, articulation refers to the number of joints and range of motion, while posability refers to a figure's ability to assume and hold poses (for instance, for display purposes). To illustrate the difference, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast_Machines|Beast Machines Mega Cheetor]] has high articulation but poor posability due to its difficulty standing up and its arm gimmick.

==See also==
*[[Ball joint]]
*[[Ratchet (mechanism)]]
*[[Slide joint]]
*[[Swivel joint]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Toys]]

Articulation

2025-03-17T07:01:01Z

MBG: /* How to make toys well articulated */

[[Image:Animatedtoy-FreewayJazz_Breakdance.jpg|thumb|250px|Try doing ''this'' with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]].]]
'''Articulation''' commonly describes the number, position, and type of a [[Toy|Transformers toy]]'s joints. '''"Posability"''' is a neologism often found in conjunction with mentions of articulation, although they are not necessarily interchangeable (see [[#Articulation vs. posability|articulation vs. posability]]).

==How to make toys well articulated==
[[File:G1Hun-Gurrr toy.jpg|thumb|300px|Hun-Gurrr is one of the few ''The Transformers'' toys to possess knees, giving him articulated beast mode heads.]]
The more joints on a figure (in either form), the more articulated it is. This generally includes movement at the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips and knees, with wrists, ankles, and waist movement showing up less frequently. Particularly large or elaborate figures can boast things like individually articulated fingers. Posability in ''Transformers'' ranges from the [[Spychanger]]s, who are limited to rotating their arms up and down (shoulder [[Swivel joint|swivel]] articulation only), to the non-transforming [[Revoltech]] line, the entire selling point of which is the high amount of articulation per figure. Possibly the only Transformer toys that have ''no'' real articulation but can still be said to transform are the [[Battlecharger]]s, the [[Throttlebot]]s, the [[Duocon]]s, [[Under-3]], and arguably [[Freedom Fighter]] and [[Enemy (G1)|Enemy]].

Articulation is one of many factors that fans weigh when evaluating a toy, and naturally is of subjective value. To some, if a toy has unusually good posability, they will buy it over another figure that looks "better", but can not move as much. Toys with very few points of articulation are often referred to as [[Brick (term)|brick]]s. Beginning with the [[Beast Era]], [[ball joint]]s became more common, lending toys a higher level of posability.

Unfortunately, there is a trade-off between articulation and production cost — the more complex the figure, the more parts that must be assembled and therefore produced, and the higher the retail price. For example, [[Megatron (Armada)|''Armada'' Megatron]] could easily have been given knees, but instead has a plethora of other [[gimmick]]s. Many [[customizing|customizers]] have taken to altering the figure to be more posable, and while some fans claim this is how Hasbro "should" have made the original, doing so would likely have sent the figure over budget.

Some figures are hampered in how well they can pose by their transformation or [[alternate mode]]. [[Hot Shot (Armada)|''Armada'' Hot Shot]]'s shoulders, for example, are limited by how he transforms. A different transformation may have allowed his arms to move on an additional axis... however, as noted above, this would have also increased the toy's complexity and cost. Even when the needed articulation is present, posability can also be limited by [[kibble]] blocking a part's motion.

Conversely, sometimes a toy's posability is improved by its transformation. Or, perhaps more accurately, the designers managed to place the transformation-related articulation in places that would also serve the robot mode's articulation. The [[Unicron]] toy released during ''Armada'' is an example of this. His neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, hips, ankles, and feet must all be moved to change him from planet to robot and back.

Articulation can have a drawback. If a figure is overloaded with joints, especially in the legs and waist, this can result in the figure having problems supporting its own weight, holding a pose, or even standing. This is a common complaint with [[Omega Prime]]. He is loaded with exciting and dramatic articulation, but is so top-heavy that it is hard to get him to do anything beyond "standing up straight". The much-loved ball joints are especially susceptible to weight and play wear problems, and as such are generally not used on larger figures. A similar level of flexibility can be created with a combination of two swivels or ratcheted swivels.

==Articulation as a feature==
For most of the [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] era, articulation tended to be on the low side. Due to the relatively primitive engineering of the era, most toys featured what was necessary for their transformation and nothing more, which resulted in levels of articulation being highly inconsistent. Compare, for instance, [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Soundwave]] (useful movement at the neck, shoulders, elbows, and hips) to [[Megatron (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Megatron]] (basically just the shoulders). Many toys had just enough mobility to point their weapons forward.

{{anchor|Super Posable!}}In the mid 90s, Hasbro began introducing highly articulated toys and promoting their posability as a [[gimmick]] and selling point. In 1994, the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Laser Rod]] cards advertised the toys as "Super Poseable!", and the [[Dreadwing (G2)#Generation_2|Dreadwing]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)#Generation_2_2|Smokescreen]] box described the toys as "Super Poseable Robots". [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation_2|Laser Optimus Prime]]'s box notes the toy's "Fully poseable Laser Optimus Prime robot" mode. Other highly posable toys from the G2 era include the [[Cyberjet#Generation_2_2|Cyberjet]]s. ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' (1996) was the first Transformers line to make a high degree of articulation standard across the toyline.

Moving into the 2010's and early 2020's, Hasbro continues to make increasing articulation a selling point as engineering improves and the collectors' market grows. By the time of the [[War for Cybertron Trilogy]] and [[Studio Series]] toylines, articulation points such as waist rotation, ankle tilts, and wrist swivels have become commonplace even among smaller characters such as [[Warpath (G1)#Generations|Warpath]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generations|Cliffjumper]].

==Posable figures and safety==
[[File:RM-toy XGunner.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Cyberjet]]s were safer to play with than a brick?]]
Unlike what most people think, an articulated action figure passes the [[For safety reasons|safety regulations]] better than a [[Brick (term)|brick]]. During the time Hasbro started to make its own molds to represent characters as toys instead of importing from other toy lines, the company noticed that safety standards required a toy to withstand a pulling force of 20 pounds to deem them safe. Because most toys in those days had little to no outward movement in their legs or arms, they would rather quickly break with little force, so most figures were made with fused legs, preventing kids from pulling the legs apart. Because of this, most of the toys dropped articulation to make the figures stronger, turning a large amount of them into "bricks". During the time [[Takio Ejima]] started working on the brand, he noted that they could make the toys safer by the use of [[ball joint]]s, making it easier for the toy to pass the test (ball joints simply pop off under stress and can subsequently be snapped back on, resulting in no breakage and thus no safety hazard), and have a full range of motion at the same time. This idea would even change the standard of articulation ''outside'' the Transformers brand.

==Articulation vs. posability==
Official Hasbro sources have used the neologism ''posability'' (also spelled ''poseability'') and the adjective form ''[http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/poseable#poseable_1 poseable]'' at least as early as 1994 to describe highly articulated figures.<ref>Underwood, Bill. "Go Joe! // Doll Celebrates 30th Birthday". ''Tulsa World'', 29 June 1994.</ref> The [[fandom]] often uses the term ''posability'' interchangeably with ''articulation''; where a distinction is drawn, articulation refers to the number of joints and range of motion, while posability refers to a figure's ability to assume and hold poses (for instance, for display purposes). To illustrate the difference, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast_Machines|Beast Machines Mega Cheetor]] has high articulation but poor posability due to its difficulty standing up and its arm gimmick.

==See also==
*[[Ball joint]]
*[[Ratchet (mechanism)]]
*[[Slide joint]]
*[[Swivel joint]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Toys]]

Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4

2025-03-05T06:38:34Z

MBG:

{{episode
|series=G1toon
|ep=69
|series2=2010
|ep2=4
|prev2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3
|next2=Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5
|image=FFOD4 Rodimus journey.JPG
|caption=What the hell did [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] give me?
|title="Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4"
|season=3
|season ep=4
|production code=#700-89
|production company=[[Sunbow Productions]]
|animation studio=[[AKOM]]
|airdate=[[September 18]], 1986
|written by=[[Flint Dille]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]
|video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE49Ym3jhVE
|videosite=YouTube
}}
'''Seeking answers about their mysterious new foes, Rodimus Prime takes a journey through the Matrix to learn the truth about the Quintessons... and the origins of the Transformers.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:FFOD4 Autobots no hit.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|It's like they're being shot at by Decepticon Targetmasters.]]

On [[Goo 8739-B|Goo]], the [[Decepticon]]s open fire on the [[Autobot]]s (and miss spectacularly). [[Deliberata|Judge Deliberata]] cheers them on, until Grimlock slams him into the goo. As they get closer, Galvatron arrives, intending to punish the Decepticons for their "disloyalty". Upon seeing (and being shot by) their long-lost leader, the Decepticons repledge their loyalty to Galvatron and tell him that they were bribed into following the [[Quintesson]]s for [[energon]]. Galvatron is not happy and decides to punish the Quintessons for their usurpation.

On Goo, the Autobots find the control center, and Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus find out that the planet is a garbage collection system for the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. Contacting Wreck-Gar, they request assistance after managing to "talk [[Television|Teevee]]".

On [[Io]], Blurr and Wheelie are under attack by the [[lightpole]]s, who are ferociously flapping their wings in the two Autobots' faces. Wheelie is overtaken, but tells Blurr to leave him and take Metroplex's [[transformation cog]]. Instead of leaving his comrade to die, Blurr heads right into the thick of the swarm. [[Marissa Faireborn]] arrives and manages to drive off the lightpoles, but a number of them transform into missiles and destroy her ship. The three begin a search through the ship's wreckage, hoping that the communications are still working.

[[File:FFOD4 Autobots lightpoles.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"I'm Batman." "No, I'm Batman." "Hey, I'm Batman!" "I'm Man-bat."]]

Galvatron introduces himself by firing on the Quintesson ship. Realizing that Galvatron must be handled differently, the Quintessons offer an alliance with the Decepticons against the Autobots, but Galvatron says he never asked for their help. They offer Galvatron the [[Decepticon Matrix|Decepticon Matrix of Leadership]], but Galvatron simply demands it in exchange for letting them live. The Quintessons say that their lives are not enough, and that the Autobots must be destroyed.

Galvatron attacks the Autobots, but the Junkions arrive and melt the goo out from under the Autobots, sucking them right through the planet. Judge Deliberata winds up getting ejected in the process. Galvatron destroys Goo, but by the time he's done, the Junkions and Autobots have fled.

Heading back to the ship, Galvatron rants at the Quintessons, who counter that they would be powerful allies. Galvatron demands to know why the Quintessons haven't destroyed the Autobots themselves. They explain that the Autobots have been made unpredictable by their interactions with the [[human]]s. Sneering at the Quintessons' fear of the flesh creatures, Galvatron agrees to an alliance. The Decepticons cry "Hail Galvatron!" to affirm their support of their leader, and even the Quintessons give out a shout.

[[File:RodimusBack.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|No thanks, I can hold down this pile by myself.]]

On [[Junkion (planet)|the Planet of Junk]], Wreck-Gar restores Springer to life. However, Rodimus is not as cheered up as expected. He has questions about the Quintessons—about their hostility towards the Autobots, how they know so much about them, and about their intentions. Rodimus has become convinced that the answers behind the Quintessons lie in the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], but he still doesn't know how to consult the wisdom of the ages. Springer makes a sarcastic suggestion, saying that he should just come close to death again. Although Arcee says not to do that, Springer assures her that Rodimus is not as stupid as he looks. Wandering off, the [[Supreme Commander|Autobot commander]] short-circuits himself and falls unconscious.

[[File:Ancientrobot ffod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Luke, you must go to the Dagobah system.]]

Rodimus enters the Matrix, where he is greeted by the spirits of the [[Ancient Autobots]], who show him the face of the creators of the Transformers... the Quintessons! Eons ago, the Quintessons used [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as a factory to build two lines of robots: consumer goods and military hardware, who evolved into the Autobots and the Decepticons, respectively. Millennia of torturous abuse led the Autobots to rebel and drive the Quintessons off Cybertron. Afterwards, the Cybertronians warred with each other for control, which was ended when the Autobots developed the art of [[transformation]]. A [[Golden Age]] followed, which was ended when the Decepticons mastered transformation and created a new leader: [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. He killed the [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Matrix-bearer]], who passed the Matrix to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], one of the oldest among them. However, Alpha Trion did not take the Matrix for himself, but gave it another who would challenge Megatron. This was [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], who became the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]] for the [[Great War (G1)|Third Cybertronian War]], which has raged for nine million years and continues to rage even now.

Rodimus reactivates to find Springer and Arcee seriously freaked out. Dismissing their concerns, he tells them that they need to get to Cybertron as soon as possible.

[[File:FFOD4 Trypticon lives.JPG|left|upright=1.1|thumb|When a guy has cannons for a tongue, it's time to panic.]]

Near Cybertron, Galvatron and the Quintessons plot their strategy. They will attack on two fronts: [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and Cybertron. On [[Earth]], the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] are making changes to a human city. At dawn, they activate a transformation sequence, and the city begins to change. As the humans flee, the dust settles to the ground. In the place of the city now stands... Trypticon!

On Cybertron, an [[Earth Defense Command]] ship requests emergency landing clearance. Perceptor warns that it might be a trick, but Kup refuses to allow a ship full of innocents to perish, giving them clearance to land. But the ship instead crashes into [[Cybertron Central Power Facility]], shutting down the planet's defenses. Storming from the Quintesson ships, Galvatron leads the Decepticons in an attack. Aboard the vessels, the Quintessons are pleased, for soon the Autobots will be destroyed, and then they will deal with the Decepticons.

[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5|To be concluded...]]

{{-}}

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in the episode's Matrix-guided history flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (5)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] (8)
*[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] (10)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (11)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (18)
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (19)
*[[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] (21)
*[[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]] (22)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (23)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (25)
*[[Hood Transformer]] (26)
*[[Pole vault Transformer]] (27)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (30)
*''[[Primon|Ancient Robot]]'' (31)
*''[[Prima|Powerful Robot]]'' (32)
*''[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]'' (33)
*''[[Prime Nova|Brooding Robot]]'' (34)
*''[[Guardian Prime|Pre-Transformer]]'' (36)
*''[[Zeta Prime (G1)|New Narrator]]'' (38)
*''[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]'' (48)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (49)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Perceptor]] (52)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (53)

|c2=
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (1)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (2)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (3)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (12)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (13)
*[[Scourge (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Scourge]] (14)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] (15)
*[[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] (16)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (17)
*[[Octane]] (28)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] (29)
*''[[Trannis|Early Decepticon leader]]'' (35)
*''[[ASD-324-ddd-3e3c1 model Decepticon|Ancient Decepticons]]'' (37)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (39)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (40)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (41)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (42)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (43)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (44)
*''[[Hauler]]?'' (45)
*''[[Gravedigger]]?'' (46)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'' (47)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (50)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (51)

|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (4)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (20)

|c4=
*[[Deliberata]] (9)
*Various [[Quintesson]]s (24)
}}

==Quotes==
"Last big party of the summer, folks! Let's go out with a bang!" 
"Just once, couldn't your attitude reflect the gravity of the situation?!" 
"Not if I can help it!"
:—'''Rodimus Prime''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' have rather different leadership styles.

"Yes! Yes! Even if it means my life is forfeit, destroy them! Destroy th—ooh!" 
''[Tail smack]'' 
"Me Grimlock say shut your faces!"
:—'''Judge Deliberata''' annoys '''Grimlock'''.

'''Galvatron''': Now, Decepticons, learn the price of your disloyalty! Attack! 
'''Cyclonus''': Attack whom? 
''[Galvatron shoots Cyclonus]'' 
'''Galvatron''': EVERYONE!
:—Galvatron isn't so good with specifics.

'''Wreck-Gar''': Bulletin: You are in danger of being canceled or losing your time slot. 
'''Ultra Magnus''': What's he talking about? 
'''Rodimus Prime''': We're gonna get killed.
:—Rodimus shows the value of knowing a second language.

"He ran right back into the danger! My digital watch is smarter than that!"
:—'''Marissa Faireborn''' isn't impressed with Blurr's tactics.

"If you're going to panic, panic productively."
:—'''Marissa Faireborn''', life coach.

[[File:Ffod4 rodimus in matrix.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
"Through all these centuries, they have waited for the proper moment to strike, to reclaim the planet that we Transformers took from them." 
"And now they're going for the gusto, right?"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' is an iconic figure. '''Rodimus Prime''' is the one you'd have a beer with.

"Are you crazy?! Why'd you short-circuit yourself?! Wake up, you - you ''moron''!" 
"It was the only way... into the Matrix." 
"I was wrong. He ''is'' as dumb as he looks." 
:—'''Springer''' has a love-hate thing goin' on with '''Rodimus Prime'''

'''Mixmaster''': Trypticon ''lives!'' 
'''Galvatron''': And Autobot City ''dies!''

==Season 5==
{{note|When this episode was rebroadcast in [[The Transformers (cartoon)#Season 5|the fifth season]] of ''The Transformers'', it contained new bookending segments with original story material.}}

[[File:SadTommy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right]]

[[Tommy Kennedy|Tommy]] and [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] meet in the barren wasteland and Tommy seems troubled. He asks Prime if he's remembering the story correctly. Prime thinks Tommy's calling him a liar, but Tommy elaborates, saying that the odds are so stacked against the Autobots that there's no way they could've come out on top. Prime tells him that he hasn't exaggerated or misremembered a thing; times really ''were'' that bad...

{{bigquote|And Springer... was he ''really'' ground up into little pieces?}}
{{bigquote|Yes, Tommy.}}

After hearing the tale, Tommy is more disturbed than ever; he can't fathom how the Autobots will make it out alive. Optimus tells him that things will look up, as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] enters the fray. Unfortunately, the Autobots on Earth still have to deal with [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], so it doesn't look ''that'' hopeful after all. Prime tells Tommy not to lose all hope, as the Autobots still have an ace up their sleeves... which he'll learn next time, when Optimus returns to transform his day into an adventure.

{{--}}

==Notes==
===Production information===
* Miniseries outline revised: 18th February 1986 (edited by [[Steve Gerber]])
* Revised script submitted: 22nd April 1986
* Final script approved: 24th April 1986
* Dialogue recording: 29th April 1986

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Pretransformer ffod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Some looks never go out of style!]]
*This episode's act-long history lesson fills us in on the history of the Transformers in general and the Great Wars in particular. It jibes pretty well with the (extremely vague) history we saw in "[[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2]]".
*It also gives us good, long looks at lots of early Transformers and Autobot leaders. Apart from Optimus Prime and Alpha Trion, these ancient (pre-)Autobots were only given descriptive names in the episode's shooting script. More than 20 years later, ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The Allspark Almanac II]]'' would assign them identities derived from the many past Primes mentioned in various different continuities. Those descriptors and their ''Almanac''-assigned names are:
**[[Primon|Ancient Robot]] (Primon)
**[[Prima|Powerful Robot]] (Prima)
**[[Prime Nova|Brooding Robot]] (Prime Nova)
**[[Guardian Prime|Pre-Transformer]] (Guardian Prime)
**[[Zeta Prime (G1)|New Narrator]] (Zeta Prime)
**[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]] (Sentinel Prime)
*It also portrays the origin of Megatron, though all we really learn is that he was created after the Decepticons had figured out how to transform.
*Trypticon is seemingly brought to life without the use of [[Vector Sigma]], which we were [[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1|previously assured]] is the only way to grant life and/or sentience and/or "cybernetic personalities" to new Transformers. Of course, it's not as if he is unique in that respect: the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were also made without the use of the computer, and Trypticon wound up being as dim as they are. The Technobots would likewise be created without Vector Sigma.
*A green Grapple and another Constructicon coloured vehicle can be seen helping the Autobots on building work prior to the War starting. This green Grapple could be interpreted as being [[Hauler]].
*This episode features the second and final instance of Rodimus referring to Springer with the nickname "Springo".

===Real-world references===
*''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' sound effects:
**The [[Prima|Powerful Robot]] attacks the [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]] with the sound of [[Obi-Wan Kenobi|Ben Kenobi]] and [[Darth Vader]]'s [[lightsaber]]s clashing aboard the [[Death Star]], and [[Luke Skywalker]]'s lightsaber deflecting seeker bolts aboard the ''[[Millennium Falcon]]''.
**The Powerful Robot launches against his Quintesson overseers with the same Death Star firing/Alderaan exploding sound effect that Galvatron used in Part 2.
*Wreck-Gar's lines are mostly based on generic sales pitches ("Batteries not included", "for a limited time, your money back," "Doors closing at midnight!" hilariously timed to coincide with Galvatron confronting a closing donut hole of goo). A few lines have more specific origins, though:
**"Glad you used the dial, wish everybody would." parodies the "Aren't you glad you used Dial?" soap ad campaign.
**"Why'd you come on down to Goo?" is based on the famous "Come on down, you're the next contestant on..." catch phrase of ''The Price is Right''.
**"Wild Bill, wait for me!" is a reference to the opening of the 1951-58 Western TV series ''[[w:The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok|The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok]]''.
**"Wreck-Gar will put you in good hands" references the "You're in good hands with Allstate" insurance ad campaign.
**"You'll have Springer back faster than Snap Crackle Pop", the mascots of Rice Krispies cereal.
**"I believe in me" would reoccur as a Junkion mantra in "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]".
*Rodimus Prime's own fluency in TV/Junkion-speak is likewise mostly generic, however his request to "let's all be there?" references [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhk7Vw1PROA a mid-80s NBC television network slogan].
*Galvatron gives the thumbs-down as he declares war on the Junkions, a gesture used by Roman gladatorial audiences to decide a defeated gladiator's fate.

===Animation and technical errors===
*[[Victor Caroli]]'s opening recap narration says that Quintessa "was detonated by the deadly Quintesson". Maybe a single Quint really did push the button all by himself, but the use of the singular is a bit odd.
*Like all AKOM episodes, this one features some incorrect color models:
**Rodimus and Galvatron are both consistently colored using outdated color models; Rodimus's shoulder indentations are red instead of white, his pelvis-windshield details are white instead of light burgundy, and his gun is red instead of black, while Galvatron has pale purple "underpants."
**The characters introduced in the Movie almost all have colored mouth interiors: Blurr and Magnus's mouths are blue, Galvatron and Cyclonus's are purple, Wreck-Gar's is red, Springer's is (very dark) green, and Kup's is slate blue.
[[File:FFOD4 mass mistakes.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|"Dead End, are we the only ones here NOT colored wrong?" "Who cares? We're doomed either way."]]
[[File:Generic palette swap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Hey, I don't remember seeing two Shockwaves and a seeker with Onslaught's color scheme, are they new recruits?"]]
*The [[generic]] Decepticon army:
**The first two shots, of the Decepticons pouring out of the Quintesson ship and firing at the Autobots, are loaded with too many screwups to count, as a mixture of made-up characters and off-model characters with the wrong color scheme pads out the background. An off-model Blitzwing colored like Air Raid is just one example.
**A subsequent shot gives us a better look at the crowd-filler Decepticons. In addition to Air Raid/Blitzwing, we have Ramjet missing most of his wings, with a black head, and one of his lasers on backwards. Every other character in the shot is entirely made up, though two of them appear to be using Octane's wing design.
**In the next shot, as [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] and [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] are discussing how easy it is to destroy the Autobots, [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] is colored like Kup, [[Octane]] is colored like Grimlock, and an off-model [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] shows up colored like Rodimus Prime. Also there is an early version of [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]]'s [[character model]] with Cyclonus' color scheme right behind Kup-colored Motormaster. What's more, standing near the miscoloured Snarl is a Decepticon coloured like Wheelie. Yikes.
**As the wimpy-sounding Decepticons hail Galvatron, two [[Shockwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Shockwaves]] are shown colored like [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], alongside a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] colored like [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]].
**More Decepticon generics and off-models after Galvatron arrives. A shot of the tail end of the mob includes Soundwave, Scavenger, Swindle, and Onslaught all in white, a generic with Octane's wings, a generic with what looks like Rodimus's spoiler, and several totally made-up generic guys.
**When Motormaster is blasted by Galvatron, Onslaught is in the background, with Six Gun's white-and-red color scheme.
**The horde of miscolored generic Decepticons is recycled for the attack on Cybertron.
*In the wide shot of the Autobots, Kup, Magnus, Arcee, and Rodimus are in front. Grimlock and Deliberata are in back, and behind them are two guys that don't look like any of the Aerialbots (who remain AWOL throughout the sequence.)
*Just before Magnus starts to chastise Rodimus, Rodimus's torso is orange instead of red, and his waistline has climbed half way up his stomach, kinda like an old man being swallowed by his trousers.
*In the closeup shot of Rodimus and Magnus, yellow lasers are flying past them, despite the Decepticon lasers being pink in all the other scenes.
*How long do the Autobots intend to stand there without shooting back at the Decepticons? Why are they just strolling along without defending themselves?
*When Judge Deliberata is celebrating the impending destruction of the Autobots, [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] is shown with them, despite not being part of the group that landed on Goo.
*Coloring errors:
**Galvatron's lower helmet rim is gray instead of purple as he first appears. Man, AKOM sure does that a lot.
**Rodimus's spoiler ridge is so often colored yellow instead of orange that it's almost more noteworthy when they get it ''right''.
**Galvatron is colored with a gray "goatee" after he blasts the Decepticon ship, and again as he climbs aboard. As he scoffs at the Quintessons, the whole area around his mouth is gray; the gray disappears as he turns and fires. The goatee returns as he rants at the Quintessons after destroying Goo. Then the beard returns as well.
**As Galvatron accepts the Quintessons as allies, his left hand goes from purple to gray and back.
**When Rodimus deactivates himself, the Matrix is all-gray rather than silver and gold.[[File:FFODHaul.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Not the A-list animation team. Not the B-list either. In fact they'd run out of letters by this point.]]
**When the Decepticons assemble Trypticon, [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] is colored like Octane and [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] is colored like the [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]. Seriously. Just Long Haul. Surrounded by the other, correctly colored Constructicons. How did AKOM miss that?
**When the Constructicons celebrate Trypticon's awakening, they're drawn as generics and colored like the core Movie Autobots: Magnus, Kup, Wheelie, and Arcee's color schemes are all visible.
**As Kup, Perceptor and Cosmos watch the incoming ship, Perceptor is colored like Grimlock, and Cosmos's arms are on backwards.
**The Aerialbots who fly to intercept the ship are all colored the same light gray and medium blue. Only Silverbolt and Skydive are on-model.
*Galvatron ''literally'' jogging through space right after the above shot.
*The audio of Motormaster reacting to Galvatron's return has been replaced with audio from the next (deleted) scene of Galvatron delivering a mocking imitation of Motormaster's statement. He has the right voice in his next line ("Spare me and I'm yours to command!")
*When Swindle and Motormaster fly up to pledge their allegiance to Galvatron, the Autobot [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] is with them for two different consecutive shots.
*During his "Sloppiness. Disorganization." line, Magnus has much smaller eyes than usual.
*After the Decepticons break off their assault, Rodimus and Magnus once again just walk right out of the inescapable goo.
*As Marissa's ship enters the Jovian system, it passes over what looks like a post-Movie Cybertron!
*Improbable viewpoints:
**Marissa's screen shows Blurr and Wheelie from a surface point of view, even though she's still high above the moon's surface. She reacts to this full-screen image of the two by saying "I think I've spotted them", as if there were some doubt.
*As Blurr charges back into the lightpole swarm, most of the creatures aren't animated, despite being in the air.
*No wing-flapping in the shot of the lightpoles surrounding Wheelie, either. They just magically bob up and down in the air.
*How does Marissa's [[jet pack]] support her in mid-air when she's upside-down?
*The jetpack's flames change from non-existent, to blue, to orange when Marissa lands.
*Marissa loses her Mid-Atlantic accent for one line, when she says "Help me find out if the radio's still working!"
*"Tell me? What?" The Quintesson in this shot is missing his energy beam.
*The Quintessons are pretty clearly mechanical, yet one of them makes a squishy noise when Galvatron slams him into the ship's deck, and again when Galvatron smacks Deliberata out of his way.
*Deliberata is missing his energy beam as Kup takes aim at Galvatron.
*As Kup and company open fire on Galvatron, Bonecrusher is firing with them! In the background are two pipe-cleaner-thin generics.
*Galvatron rises back into the frame after destroying Goo, as if he just returned to [[robot mode]], but there's no transformation noise.
*We see seven Sweeps aboard the Quintesson ship, the most we've seen so far in the whole mini-series. Some previous shots have indicated that there are as few as three.
*Seriously. No combination of known Decepticon voices would result in that lame-o chorus of "Hail Galvatron."
*And while they hail him, Galvatron's Decepticon logo is just a red square.
*On Junkion, Arcee continues to be without the bridgeline of her nose.
*When Arcee and the repaired Springer speak with Rodimus, the latter is drawn in his [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] form.
*The sprawled, unconscious Rodimus changes positions between the end of Act 2 and the opening of Act 3; specifically, his arms move from eagle-spread to down by his sides.
*The [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]'s barbed mace phases through the foot of the [[Prima|Powerful Robot]] after it hits the ground.
*Vehicles based on Hook and Scavenger are used as generic construction vehicles during a shot showing the Transformers' freedom from the Quintessons (prior to inventing transformation). Or maybe all construction vehicles are green and purple on Cybertron.
*The "Matrix" Alpha Trion holds looks like a giant gold football rather than the sphere with handles; it was shown correctly earlier in the flashback.
*When he wakes up, Rodimus says that "''Ctyber''tron's in deadly danger."
*As Rodimus gets up and walks away, Arcee's Autobot symbol is missing (with only the outline of a square in its place).
*Cosmos's voice lacks its usual reverberated echo.
*Really makes you wonder how [[AKOM]] actually gets work, doesn't it?

===Continuity errors===
[[File:Lightpole missiles from Five Faces of Darkness.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Dead End and Blast Off's conversation is screwed up more ways than one:
**"We owe this grand opportunity entirely to our new allies" is about as obvious a statement as one could make, yet Blast Off has to ask for an explanation.
**The explanation seems to come from Swindle, but he's not in the shot.
**The pointless explanation ("He means what other opportunities—") is suddenly truncated by Galvatron's arrival. Maybe he sensed the scene was going nowhere.
*The lightpoles have totally changed size since the last episode. Instead of a deep-throated growl, they now give off high-pitched squeaks. They aren't glowing anymore, either.
*The animation does absolutely nothing to tell us what's so bad about being swarmed by lightpoles. From what we see in this episode, it would seem to be little more than a mild annoyance.
*Why doesn't Wheelie transform and drive to escape the lightpoles?
*The animators and writers alike seem to have forgotten that Blurr's defining physical trait is that he's ''fast''. In this episode, he runs like a grandmother.
*Marissa's space suit has no visor or anything covering her face.
*Speaking of which, how can these creatures fly by flapping their wings when Io has only the thinnest of atmospheres?
*Marissa's demand that the lightpoles "eat null rays" doesn't make much sense, as an actual [[null-ray]] affects electronic circuits. Marissa's gun instead causes the lightpoles to violently explode.
*On the other hand, her assertion that they are "bags of protoplasm" doesn't make much since either, since they can ''transform'' (complete with the transforming noise) into ''rocket-propelled missiles''.
*There appears to be some missing lines in the [[Primon|Ancient Robot]]'s monologue: "Now, the machines could manufacture themselves. And before long, they grew too lazy and greedy even for that. There were simpler ways to wring performance out of their slaves." The "they" in the second sentence clearly refers to the Quintessons, not the machines.
*How does one recycle a robot by dumping it into a molten vat?
*Where did those dancing robots get the cloth sheet things they're waving around?
*The ancient Autobot that gets knocked off of the motorcycle is a recycled character model; he was last seen standing alongside Wreck-Gar on the Junkion ship, just a few scenes ago!
[[File:Megatronffod.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Ve must have ze brain on ze table! Chop chop!]]
*One of the most famous continuity gaffs of the entire series comes as the Matrix journey wraps up. A scene showing Megatron's creation millions of years ago is illustrated with him surrounded by Constructicons. It's problematic because, according to "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]", the Constructicons weren't actually ''evil'' until ''Megatron himself'' reprogrammed them to be Decepticons. And according to a one-off line in "[[Heavy Metal War]]", Megatron and the other Decepticons built the Constructicons on Earth in 1984! The shooting script for the episode merely describes them as "Decepticons" without calling out any specific characters.
*On top of that, there's eight Constructicons! None of them are really on-model; three appear to be entirely made up. Many years later, Japanese continuity would retroactively assign the identities of [[Hauler]] and [[Gravedigger]] to the two extra members of the group, while [[Fun Publications]]' "[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]" would present all eight as being new, unnamed characters who belonged to the same pre-Decepticon faction as the main six.
[[File:Alphatrionagesbackwards.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
*Somebody forgot that we'd already seen a 9-million-years-younger Alpha Trion, back in "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]"... and he looked visibly different than the elderly Trion of 1985! He is shown in his "elderly" design when he receives the matrix from the dying Autobot leader; chronologically, the events of "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]" happen after this, but in that episode he's portrayed with a much younger look.
*The Constructicons build (or rebuild, depending on whether you're watching ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers 2010 (franchise)|2010]]'', see below) [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] out of a human city overnight. And no one notices.
*Vortex's appearance among the Constructicons remaking the human city was called for in the [[dialogue script]]. Vortex, the Combaticon interrogator, known for... his building skills...?
*The idea of rebuilding a human city into a Transformer only makes any sense if the city was made ''entirely of metal''.
*Cybertron appears to have gotten a remodel since we saw it in the Movie. Who had time to patch up all those holes?

===Trivia===
*The [[dialogue script]] for the episode spells out TV gibberish that should play when Rodimus Prime and Ultra Magnus enter the Goo control center. Lines include "hurry on down to Merv Forlosh Motors for a great deal" (seemingly not a reference), then the "[[w:Veg-O-Matic|Vegematic]]" and "the magic of [[w:Gheorghe Zamfir|Zamfir]]". Between the music and character dialogue, none of the gibberish is actually intelligible.
*The original video cassette release of this episode featured some odd audio edits to the final scene: all of Cosmos's lines were missing, as were the fake pilot's claim that their "engines have just gone critical", and the Quintesson's declaration that their decoy worked and that Cybertron is helpless. The [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]] DVD of this episode restores all the missing lines, but they are all once again missing on the subsequent [[Shout! Factory]] release.

===Foreign localization===
'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Les cinq visages du mal, partie 4'''" ("The Fives Faces of Evil, Part 4")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*This episode is one of those that has never been released on DVD in French.
::*Concerning the European French dub:
:::*The narrator still does not want to talk about Blurr and Wheelie, his first phrase is "In previous episodes of ''Five Faces of Darkness'', we saw what difficulty the Autobots were struggling with".
:::*Despite usually not translating names (almost not using them at all, actually), the Autobots call Wreck-Gar "Attilus" in this episode. This name will most likely never be used again in other episodes.
:::*While in the original version, Blurr hesitates about what he should do for Wheelie, the French dub says "So what is he waiting for over there? Hurry up, I don't want to stay here".
:::*Marissa's line "My digital watch is smarter than that!" is dubbed by "Even my coffee maker has more brains than him!".
:::*For some reason, the Quintesson's probability of 79.9% becomes 82% in the dub.
:::*In order to not pronounce Springer's name, Arcee says "Is that you? Oh yes, it's you!".
:::*Mixmaster's line "Constructicons to Galvatron! Trypticon is ready!" is dubbed by "Earth vanguard to Galvatron! We are ready, whenever you want!". Constructicons used to be one of the few exceptions to be named in previous seasons.
:::*The second part of the human message is missing ("Cybertron, do you read? Our engines have just gone critical!").
:::*Cosmos' panic lines are missing.
:::*Consequently, instead of answering him, Silverbolt says "It's a trick! It's too late, the shuttle is about to crash on-" before the explosion.

'''German'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Die fünf Gesichter der Finsternis, Teil 4'''" ("The five Faces of Darkness, Part 4")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Italian'''
:*''Title (first dub):'' "'''I cinque volti del male, Parte 4'''" ("The Five Faces of Evil, Part 4")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?
::*For some reasons, in this episode Springer speaks in rhymes. This would later happen in other episodes too, while Wheelie never does.
::*The dialogue between Rodimus, Arcee and Springer before the first one tries to almost kill himself to enter the Matrix sports a lot of majour differences, the biggest one being that Springer never actually suggests to almost die to enter the Matrix, making the next scene pretty weird. Springer also says that Optimus "died years ago", while in reality not much time should have passed.
:*''Title (second dub):'' "'''Le cinque facce dell'oscurità, Parte 4'''" ("The Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Japanese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Matrix no Himitsu'''" (マトリクスの秘密, "The Secrets of the Matrix")
:*''Original airdate:'' [[December 5]], [[1986]]
::*Optimus Prime mentions the [[Unicron War]] during his appearance in Rodimus' Matrix vision instead of the Third Cybertronian War.
::*The scene of Trypticon's creation includes some extra lines from the narrator that vaguely describe the city-bot as being "revived" or "resurrected," as a way to paper over the continuity error introduced earlier in the year when ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization|Scramble City]]'' showed him to be active in the 1980s. It would take over twenty years before the specifics of what had happened to Trypticon and why he ''needed'' to be "revived" would be explained by the [[LG-43 Trypticon Project Chapter|''Transformers: Legends'' manga]].

'''Mandarin'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Wǔmiànguài (4)'''" (五面怪 (四), "Five-Faced Monsters (4)")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

'''Brazilian Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''A Desforra, Quarta Parte'''" ("The Rematch, Fourth Part")
:*''Original airdate:'' ?

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness ([[Family Home Entertainment]])
;{{w|LaserDisc}}
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 1990 — ''The Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness (Family Home Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 1999 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' ([[Geneon Universal Entertainment|Pioneer LDC]]) — Japanese audio only.
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2001 — ''The Transformers: 2010'' — DVD Box (Pioneer LDC) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2002 — ''Transformers'' — Five Faces of Darkness: Parts 1-5 ([[Maverick Entertainment|Sony Wonder]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1 ([[The Original Transformers|Rhino Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 — ''The Original Transformers'' — Season 3 Part 1: Vol. 1 (Rhino Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Season 3 and Season 4 ([[Metrodome]]) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2004 — ''Transformers'' — Collection 4: Series 3.1 ([[Madman Entertainment]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers'' — The Complete Generation One Collection (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2007 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2009 — ''Transformers'' — Season's Three & Four {{sic}} (Metrodome) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — Complete Collection: Decepticon Edition (Madman Entertainment) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2009 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Series: 25th Anniversary "Matrix of Leadership" Collection ([[Shout! Factory]]) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2010 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 25th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2011 — ''The Transformers'' — The Complete Original Series (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''The Transformers'' — Seasons Three & Four: 30th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2014 — ''Transformers'' — The Classic Animated Series (Metrodome)

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20230326215356/http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/cartoon-dossier/season-3/synopses/700-89.html Episode Dossier at The Cybertron Chronicle]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bid3TK_q2HxH7NR5MDAlGsKe5AlcbBnU/view?usp=sharing Miniseries outline, covering parts 3 to 5]
*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j8_MSI8-eiVlZ-bCLgS4KnHrTYQ4it8j/view?usp=sharing Full episode script]
[[Category:The Transformers episodes]]

To sell toys

2024-11-27T10:50:31Z

MBG: /* Power levels */

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers. Japanese-original shows such as ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'', ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'', and the various instalments of the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] often structure their casts and storylines around a single specific play feature, which is highlighted in just about every episode.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy. Then, when it looked like Tigerhawk's toy would be canned, he was almost immediately killed off.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They did end up getting increased roles in IDW fiction later, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
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==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This even gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

*The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] was as ''a giant hand punching through a building for no apparent reason''. The series would also make it routine for him to use different modes for specific purposes: He would arrive to battles in Jet Mode, observe fights and command his troops in Robot Mode, personally engage his foes in Dragon Mode, and retreat from battle in Bat Mode. His Car Mode and Hand Mode would be used far less often than those four, but situations that deliberately called for their use ''would'' still crop up. Things got even sillier when he turned into Galvatron and gained four ''more'' modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turned into his "Iron Mammoth" form to brace himself against a hostile [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]]... only for the form to prove ''useless'' when Maximus called off his attack. His griffin form was later made out to be his most powerful form, which he used prominently during the series' [[The Final Battle (RID)|final episode]], while his Pteranodon and hydrofoil modes would each only be used once, in cases where Galvatron barely did ''anything'' in those modes (much like the case with his mammoth mode).
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
*The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" — the last episodes of the entire series — was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*In [[Spotlight: Trailcutter]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Trailbreaker]] has an existential crisis, and worries that everyone only sees him as 'the forcefield guy'. Deciding to revamp his image, he decides that he'll now go by the much slicker(?) "Trailcutter"... just as [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Generations|Thrilling 30 Trailcutter]] hit store shelves.
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around — [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradictions ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
{{-}}

===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s first action was to turn Starscream into a pile of ash in a single shot from his cannon mode, and he accomplishes an even more impressive feat upon his reintroduction in "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2]]" when he destroys the entire planetoid of Thrull. In later episodes, his attacks seem to be, at most, somewhat stronger than those of the other Decepticons, and characters can withstand shots from him in cannon mode without any serious injuries.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
{{-}}

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[burning spirit]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
{{-}}

==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters.
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].)
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]! Like the prior comics, ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]'' also wipes out a lot of characters not due for an appearance in ''Dark of the Moon'' like [[Jolt (ROTF)|Jolt]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]], though some stragglers like the Twins, Arcee, and Chromia survive.
*Another odd case of this in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] — the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
{{-}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Marvel)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before — or even after — being killed off. Examples from ''More than Meets the Eye''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before dying again years kater.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk|title=Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004|month=08}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
* In ''Beast Wars'', [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the [[Size class#Beast Wars|Ultra-sized toy]] would actually be produced.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). Even more egregious than that would be [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]], who would be killed off in the show just ''one day'' before his toy hit shelves.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the UK comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers: Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the 2015 [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing '''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys until Mohawk got a ''[[Studio Series]]'' figure ''seven years later''. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Partformer

2024-10-10T21:18:43Z

MBG: /* Individual figures */

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips, with modern figures of those characters often utilizing the same features. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Teh Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] also have removeable fists, but unlike Prime and Magnus, this is because their fists can be swapped with missiles. And also because their arms won't fit into their vehicle mode until their fists (and/or missiles) are first removed.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is one of the most significant cases, as his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons (see [[Partformer#Partforming lite|partsforming lite]] below), but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be partformed into their respective robot modes. With that said, you can always keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands and pretend that they're spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
*** Tragically though, LEGO's next Transformers set - [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#LEGO|10338 Bumblebee]] - would not escape this fate so easily, as the assembly that makes up his windshield needs to be fully removed for transformation. It can, however, be folded open and reattached into the back of a figure as a small optional winged jetpack, therefore making it more in line with the ''partsforming lite'' of the section below rather than it being a case of full-on classic partsforming.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the few exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick already present in the original toy), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather simple figure engineering-wise. Other notable examples of Kabaya toys that do not partform include [[Ginrai (human)#Transformers Gum|Ginrai]], [[Optimus_Prime (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Star Convoy]], [[Laster#Transformers_Gum|Laster]], and [[Braver#Transformers_Gum|Braver]], again; owing to the relative simplicity of the original figures that these are based on.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege'', and ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s. Come ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'', however, and this stops being the case: with [[Evo-Fusion]] as the successor of these systems (and subsequently the [[Armorizer|Armorizers]]), the figures actually became fully capable of transforming without requiring disassembly.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".
* While [[Transformers Collaborative#Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles .C3.97 Transformers|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles × Transformers]] [[Party Wallop]] can technically transform into robot mode without partsforming, the entire front of his truck must be detached to reveal the cartoon-accurate turtle chest. The leftover chunk then becomes a "shield" that can be attached to Party Wallop's arms.
* [[Transformers One (toyline)|''Transformers One'']] [[Optimus_Prime_(One)#PowerFlip|Power Flip Optimus Prime]] features a truck roof that needs to be attached/detached during transformation to/from truck mode. The piece also doubles as Orion Pax/Optimus Prime's shield in robot mode.

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* All of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' "transform" by turning into a pile of floating silver bricks and then reassembling themselves while morphing fluidly from one mode to the other. (Unsurprisingly, this has made them rather difficult to render in toy form.)

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Scale

2024-09-22T06:34:33Z

MBG:

{{disambig2|the controversial size difference|the Mini-Con from Rescue Bots|Scale (RB)}}
[[File:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|And the truck's how big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

The overwhelming majority of franchises, fictions, [[toy]]lines, or other incarnations of ''Transformers'' simply don't present scale in a logical or believable fashion (there are, of course, a few [[#Intentional attempts at a consistent scale|rare exceptions]], detailed below). Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process [[fanon|fanwank]] themselves into oblivion.

However, the considerable and varied scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

{{bigquote|Clearly, the pitiful humans at Hasbro are so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of Cybertronian life forms that they can't get the scale right.|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]|[[Transformers Comic issue 23|Star Screams #23]]}}

==Scale within toylines==

===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
[[File:DiacloneScale.jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]
The early [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toy line]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] releases, were [[rebranding|rebranded]] and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toy lines. The crucial point is that the toy lines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale with each other as they all have real-world [[alternate mode]]s that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale with each other (though problems already arise with [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys|Sideswipe]], whose alternate modes are based on ''the same car'' yet are not quite the same size), but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 924]] ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 935]] ''Diaclone'' toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with Mini Vehicles such as [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (a hovercraft), who should be many times their actual size. Notably, the {{w|GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8/A Avenger}} gatling cannon mounted to the front end of the {{w|Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt II}} ([[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]'s alternate mode) alone is about the same size as a [[Volkswagen]] {{w|Volkswagen Beetle|Beetle}} ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]).<ref name="airvec">[http://www.airvectors.net/ava10_1.html Development history of the A-10 Thunderbolt II], including a side-by-side comparison between the GAU-8/A Avenger and a Volkswagen Beetle.</ref>

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 19.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Though their toys are some of the larger G1 toys, correctly scaled, this would make their [[robot mode]]s several times the height of most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

Transformers are currently formalised to a variety of [[size class]]es, which dictate the approximate cost and dimensions of a figure. Consequently, if the powers that be release toys of two characters in the same line in the same size class, they're going to come out in the same size. Even if one character's a [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|twenty-metre fighter jet]] and the other's a [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys|five-metre pickup truck]]. So don't expect this one to go away any time soon.

===Toys slightly out of scale with others in the same assortment===
Sometimes toys that ship in the same assortment or [[size class]] have similar alternate modes (i.e. two cars or two planes), but are not ''quite'' in scale with each other. One possible reason for this is that one of them would be considerably smaller than the other one in real life if they were perfectly in scale. For example, ''[[Transformers (2007 toyline)|Movie]]'' [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]'s Pontiac Solstice alternate mode is a ''tiny'' car, and any size class that includes both him and [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] (a Chevrolet Camaro) will result in scale problems between the toys. Hasbro ''could'' have made Jazz smaller, but since the main limit for a size class is the ''weight'' of a toy, not its size (as long as it fits into the standardized packaging, that is), they decided that scale problems are more acceptable than selling a tiny Deluxe Class toy when there's still room in the budget for more plastic. With the [[Human Alliance]] assortment, Hasbro have taken a different approach by trying to keep the vehicles in scale (roughly 1:24) and adding accessories and other characters that turn into motorcycles for smaller cars such as Jazz, [[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]].

Other toys with comparable alternate modes that are slightly out of scale with each other are ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sideswipe]] (mentioned above), who have the ''same'' basic alternate mode (with a few differences), and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Autobot Jazz]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Rodimus]]. Likely the first major example of this is [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Wheeljack]], who is about the same size as the other Autobot Cars, if not a bit bigger, despite his altmode, a modified Lancia Stratos, being a ''very'' small car.

===Toys out of scale within teams===
[[File:Bruticus toy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7|[https://imgur.com/a/yfDTE7A Wait till you see the artist's rendition of a scale-accurate version].]]
Even toys specifically [[combiner|designed to interact with each other]] suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are wildly out of scale to each other—[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]'s [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]] mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Concorde|Concorde jet]]) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

Don't even ask about the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] with their [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] limbs...

This problem isn't just limited to the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' combiners either: ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Supreme [[Devastator (ROTF)|Constructicon Devastator]] has a massive [[Scavenger (ROTF)|mining excavator]] form the lower portion of the torso, with your everyday type of [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|cement mixer truck]] that's ''almost the same size'' forming the upper portion of the torso. An [[Long Haul (ROTF)|"earth mover"-type dump truck]] that should be about the same size as the excavator forms one tiny leg, while the other leg is formed by a [[Rampage (ROTF)|bulldozer]] that should be slightly smaller. The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]] circumvents this problem by adding additional construction vehicles in the mix, which are ignored by the toy line. The [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] version of Devastator only adds another [[Overload (ROTF)|dump truck]] for the torso, which doesn't really improve things since all the individual components are still more or less the same size.

The ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' releases of the classic crews made varying efforts to avoid this. Among other changes, Blast Off's initial release was a significantly smaller jet, Swindle's tiny steering wheel suggests him to be around the same size as Brawl, Long Haul is significantly bigger than his team, and Groove is a much smaller Legends Class figure, while newcomer [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] takes his place as one of Defensor's limbs. That said, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] molds don't scale well with anyone else bar Groove, and Silverbolt remains tiny; seemingly the only character in-scale with his mold is maybe [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Newcomer [[Alpha Bravo]] is also undersized if his windows are anything to go by. There's also [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], both of whom are smaller than their teammates when the former should be the same size and the latter larger. Aaaand then a Deluxe-sized Groove and a new Blast Off figure with a space shuttle alternate mode are added to the line in order to revert their teams to their "classic" configurations.

This also presents clear problems with similar figures whose gimmick suggests interaction, such as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] or [[Mini-Cons]]. In both cases, part of the gimmick is the interchangeability of their accessories, who represent whole characters in their own right, suggesting the toys are indeed meant to have some kind of scaling with each other. However, that presents problems with some characters, such as [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (motorcycle) being the same size as [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (jet), especially if you assume [[Mirror]] is meant to be the size of a human. The biggest case by far is [[Unicron]]. His ''Armada'' toy is notoriously covered in Mini-Con ports, despite the fact that Unicron's very nature as a character suggests that any Mini-Con large enough to Powerlinx with him would have to be about the size of Argentina.
{{-}}

===Same alternate mode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) [[alternate mode]]s, but whose toys are different sizes. For example, [[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|the original Air Raid]] transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]], but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)/toys|the original Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Countach|Lamborghini Countach]] [[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Multiple scales of same character===
[[File:Animated-toy MultipleSizeOptimusPrimes.jpg|right|upright=1.5|thumb|Oh great. And I thought ''Bulkhead'' was confused...]]

Starting with ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'', many franchises have released multiple versions of the same character in different [[size class]]es, most often the leader characters. Originally, the intent was apparently to make the popular [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] characters available at lower price points than just the large and expensive "Leader" class, so that children with less money would not miss out, and perhaps persuading [[completist]]-minded [[User:ItsWalky|collectors]] to buy multiple versions of one character.

While this introduces a nice range of options for the discerning collector, it can also lead to some problems. ''Beast Machines'', for example, featured three different [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor toys]]. The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Supreme size toy]] was so large it could not interact with most of the other toys from the line (based on [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon]], he's maaaaybe in scale with [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|Nightscream]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], the latter of whom wasn't released until three years later). The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Deluxe Cheetor]], on the other hand, was too ''small'' to match scales with most of the other toys (again, using the cartoon as a yardstick). Anyone looking ''within'' the toyline for notions of a "correct" scale between the characters would be stymied by the multiple size classes and the lack of real-world scale references. That said, it does also mean that fans attempting to create "scale-accurate" collections have more options: for instance, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s releases at the Voyager pricepoint struggle to scale with the standard Deluxe-class cars, but his [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Leader-class incarnation]] is much closer.

Other instances of multiple-size characters are more clear cut; the [[Spychanger]] incarnations of various [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] characters, for instance, are simply scaled-down representations of the same characters in the same bodies, not meant to interact with the much larger "main" toys, as are the later "Legends of Cybertron" toys in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''. Other multiple-toy scale differences include intentionally simplified forms, such as the [[Fast Action Battlers]], which simply make all the characters the same size, with no attempt at matching scales.

Multiple-scale characters usually aren't meant to cross-interact. A rare exception is [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|live-action]] [[Blackout (Movie)#Voyager Class toys|Blackout]], who came with a [[Scorponok (Movie)#Voyager Class Blackout companions|tiny (and correctly scaled) version of Scorponok]]. A much larger [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Deluxe version of Scorponok]] is ''also'' meant to interact with the same Blackout toy, despite the ridiculous scale disparity (and the fact that this means Blackout can have ''two'' Scorponoks of radically different size clipped to him simultaneously).

Multiple toy sizes are generally irrelevant to the fiction, though the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] inflating to planetary size, presumably in response to the [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Supreme|super-large "King Starscream" toy]] available at the time.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[File:G1 Broadside toy.jpg|right|thumb|Kill me. Just... kill me now.]]

[[Triple Changer]]s create a whole new set of problems. The original [[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] transforms from a 21-meter (70-foot) locomotive to a 37-meter (122-foot) [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]]. [[Octane#Toys|Octane]]'s original body transforms from a 20-meter (60-foot) tanker truck into a 65-meter (200-foot) jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth fighter jet of indeterminate model (let's pretend for the sake of argument that he's supposed to be an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] and say he's 18 meters (61 feet) long) into an entire ''aircraft carrier'', approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) long.

The newer versions of Astrotrain and Octane (aka "[[trademark|Tankor]]"), while changing the specifics of their alternate modes, really don't improve on the general size disparity all that much. The ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' version of Broadside actually makes it ''worse'': The figure includes tiny versions of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] (styled specifically after their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' alternate modes) to place on various spots on his aircraft carrier mode, but at the same time this Broadside is also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] figure that can ride inside his jet mode's cockpit, arguably making the Titan Master alone larger than the ''Combiner Wars'' Aerialbots' [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] gestalt form if scale were to be taken at face value... and yet the entire [[play pattern]] of the ''Titans Return'' line explicitly calls for Broadside and his Titan Master [[Blunderbuss]] to be compatible and interchangeable with any other figure and Titan Master in the line, most of whom are supposed to be ''much'' smaller in scale. Transformers Legends even acknowledges this by having Broadside becoming a gigantic Headmaster large enough to fight level with [[Grand Scourge]], and piloting a larger Transtector who seems to be on a similar scale to most versions of Metroplex.

Even a two mode toy can have this problem. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]] has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions. The original G1 Optimus Prime toy also has scale issues. His cab is 1/48 scale, but his trailer is closer in scale to the Autobot Cars, which fall more in the neighborhood of 1/35 to 1/40 scale-wise.
{{--}}

===Toys with roleplay alternate modes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)#Toys|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be real-world [[human]]-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster (G1)#Toys|Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with the original [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceMegs|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Masterpiece Optimus Prime]]. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing... not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica".

===Fanciful altmodes===
Characters with alternate modes that are not meant to be replicas of real-world things (or at least, close enough while being legally-distinct from said things) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertronian vehicles whose size we don't really know... or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all. The scale of characters such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|original Dinobots]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] or [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters within the fiction, although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard (see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for [[human]]-sized passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]] with [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]] suggests the scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] and planetformer toys (such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge [[Hasbro]] not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

Additionally, Fortress Maximus's main adversary [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is considerably smaller as a toy. Whereas Fortress Maximus includes a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Generation 1|Spike]], who turns into the head of [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (whose toy is roughly the same size as the regular 1987 Headmasters toys), who in turn becomes the head of Fortress Maximus, Scorponok merely comes with [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (whose figure is the same size as Fortress Maximus's Spike), who turns into a tiny head for Scorponok, covered up by a large helmet. So either Fortress Maximus is supposed to tower over Scorponok, or Zarak [[size changing|grows in size]] during his transformation into Scorponok's head.

===Action Masters===
[[File:Turbo Racer art.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|A car riding inside a car. Wheeljack, you are either a genius or completely nuts.]]

The [[:Category:Action Master vehicles|Action Master vehicles]] were designed to take advantage of the fact that the [[Action Master]] figures were all the same size. They can each pilot each other's vehicles or ride as a passenger. With the vehicles as a frame of reference, it seems we should take it as fact that all of the Action Masters are literally the same size, even characters such as [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Did Devastator shrink?

Then again, the vehicles pose even more problems: [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], who still sports car [[kibble]], rides a [[Turbo Cycle (G1)|motorcycle]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]] (who used to transform into a car himself) drives a [[Turbo Racer|sports car]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] steers a massive [[Armored Convoy|18-wheeler truck]], despite his own chest still being the front end of a truck cab. Did [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] shrink the Transformers to ''[[human]]'' size, or are these just ''gargantuan'' vehicles?

Of particular note, Wheeljack's Turbo Racer is based on a Ferrari Testarossa, and the Action Master [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] figure (a new [[character]] created specifically for the Action Masters lineup) sports kibble that indicates he once used to transform into a Ferrari Testarossa himself!
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===Size class cross-compatibility===
[[File:ROTF-toy FuryOfFearswoopBox.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Finally, toys that are more or less in scale with each other... yet Hasbro insists they are ''not''.]]

With standardized [[size class]]es and mixed-faction assortments being the norm these days, scale issues are a given. For example, the first [[wave]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxes featured Autobots [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|Bumblebee]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]], two cars, as well as Decepticons [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]], a modified F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Classics 2|Astrotrain]], a [[Triple Changer]] who turns into a bullet train locomotive and a modified NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, all roughly the same size in robot mode but obviously not the same scale in their alternate modes.

However, with the increasing prevalence of multiple toys of the same [[character]] in different size classes, particularly enforced by the [[live-action film series]], it is technically possible to have somewhat more accurate scale combinations. The [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] and its successor, the Legion Class (part of the ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' range for a few years), allow Autobots with cars as their alternate modes to be roughly in scale with Deluxe or Voyager-sized Decepticons that turn into aircraft. Likewise, the Legends Class version of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Arcee (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Arcee]], a motorcycle, is more or less in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes.

Hasbro does not often take advantage of this possible compatibility with store [[exclusive]] [[giftset]]s and "bonus" packs. Even when toys with considerable size differences are sold in the same pack, combinations such as a Leader-sized [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Optimus Prime]] (which would be in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes) with the ''much'' smaller Legends Class versions of [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Jazz]] or the large Ultimate Bumblebee toy with the much smaller Deluxe-sized toys of [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Scorponok]] (who should be roughly the same size as Bumblebee) and [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]] (who should be considerably larger than either of them) are fairly common. The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "Shanghai Showdown" multi-pack with [[Demolishor (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|Demolishor]]'s Voyager-sized toy and the ice cream truck versions of [[Skids (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Mudflap]] (whose combined alternate mode is Deluxe-sized) is closer, but truly scale-accurate multi-packs like the ([[unreleased toy|unreleased]]) [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] "Sideways Sneak Attack" pack with a Deluxe-sized [[Sideways (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Sideways]] (who transforms into a car) and the aforementioned Legends Class version of Arcee and two [[redeco]]s of hers as [[Chromia (ROTF)#Transformers (2010)|Chromia]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)#Transformers (2010)|Elita-1]] are rare exceptions. A particularly odd example is the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "[[The Fury of Fearswoop]]" three-pack, which features a Deluxe-sized [[Fearswoop (ROTF)|Fearswoop]] (who transforms into a plane) and Legends Class versions of [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Fearswoop|Sideswipe]] and Mudflap (who turn into cars), making them more or less in scale with each other... yet the on-packaging [[bio]] states that Fearswoop has "grown to immense size".

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===Drivers===
[[File:DOTM Tailpipe Pinpointer SgtNoble.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|That sure is one big motorcycle...]]

A recurring [[play pattern]] in the line's history is that of the driver figure: a small figure, usually a human or one of the various -Master configurations, who is capable of fitting inside a larger figure's vehicle mode and "driving" it. However, given that a working interior that can fit an entire to-scale humanoid would likely compromise a lot of the engineering, many figures designed with this play feature in mind have the driver be far too small in comparison to their vehicle. This was first evident in the pre-''Transformers'' days, with the various ''[[Diaclone]]'' mechs all coming with pilot figures that, if to scale with the cars, would probably be the size of hobbits. The ''[[Masterpiece]]'' line, seemingly partly in homage to the heady days of ''Diaclone'', also frequently includes characters like [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] that end up not too far off the ''Diaclone'' drivers in scale next to the vehicles they're meant to be driving.

In the case of the [[Headmaster]] figures, the Headmasters set a consistent scale to their toys, but one that raises a lot of questions. Notably, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], if his driver is meant to be about the size of a human, is a rather oversized car, while the issues of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] being way too small for a city are magnified. It also creates issues since most incarnations of Headmasters are shown as interchangeable, suggesting that the toys are indeed meant to be about the same size, even if one is a car and the other is [[Highbrow (G1)|a dual-rotor copter]]. The cartoon somewhat got around this by depicting the heads of the Headmasters as significantly larger than their human and [[Nebulan]] pilots, though this may make Chromedome's issues even worse. These scale issues are largely inherited by similar lines, such as the [[Brainmasters]] and [[Titan Masters]].

''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' made use of ''Alternators'' sculpts, only with added [[human]] female driver figures... which were woefully small compared to the cars they came with. This would repeat itself with the "[[Human Alliance]]" toys for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'': The cars/robots are all roughly the right size compared to each other ([[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]] are even smaller, squatter toys and come with sub-[[size class|Scout]]-sized [[Arcee (Movie)#Human Alliance|motorcycle]] and [[Chromia (ROTF)#HumanAlliance|robots]] to make up for it), but their human drivers are all too small (amusingly, [[Frenzy (Movie)#Human Alliance|Frenzy]] seems to be about right). In fact, the size differences have even ''increased'': The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] line introduced an even ''smaller'' scale for the driver figures, including new versions of [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] that are smaller than their ''Revenge of the Fallen'' predecessors. The new scale for the driver figures continued with ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', which introduced Scout-sized robot figures that had one-man [[alternate mode|vehicle modes]] in a slightly larger scale, resulting in [[Sergeant Noble|undersized drivers]] riding [[Tailpipe (DOTM)|oversized motorcycles]]. Conversely, the [[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] ''Dark of the Moon'' "Autobot Daredevil Squad" multi-pack couples a redeco of the original ''Revenge of the Fallen'' version of Sam with a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee]], resulting in a large human with a small Chevrolet Camaro he couldn't possibly fit into even if the Bumblebee toy had its crude interior redesigned to house a driver.

===Intentional attempts at a consistent scale===
[[File:TF2010-toy Jazz HumanAlliance.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In the films, Jazz is only about 15 feet tall. Josh Duhamel (Lennox) is 6'4" (!). That's one tiny Lennox there.]]
There have been a few toy lines that attempt to address this weirdness and try to present scale in a much more consistent manner, however... though issues still pop up in virtually every one.

The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus in perfect scale with each other, was the first to buck the trend. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limited the choice of altmodes. A [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (Space Shuttle) toy in scale with the ''Alternators'' toys would be 1.6 meters (5.1 feet) long, while a [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (aircraft carrier) toy at that scale would be over 12 meters (40 feet)! Hasbro actually displayed [[Prototype|mock-ups]] for an unproduced line of "military" Transformers in scale with ''Alternators'' during the [[BotCon 2007]] Hasbro Tour; two of them recycled parts of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], and were thus [[Size class|Supreme-sized]], which made said potential toyline not particularly commercially viable for Hasbro.

The direct—and indirect—successors to ''Alternators'' (''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]'', ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'', [[Human Alliance]]) also maintained a mostly consistent internal scale with their car figures. Indeed, given that the lines all share a 1:24 scale, they actually scale well with each other. But as noted above, these lines include "human" drivers that needed to be comparatively ''tiny'' to fit inside their partner's vehicle mode. ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' would follow in ''Alternators''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s footsteps with a series of smaller 1:32-scale licensed cars... as well as stuffing [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Alternity|characters who traditionally don't have automobile alternate modes]] into modern-day civilian vehicles. That these toys represent [[Alternity (species)|hyper-evolved beings]] most of the time make it all the more head-scratch-inducing. The follow-up to that line, ''[[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Transformers GT]]'', packed each 1:32-scale toy with a 3 3/4-inch ''[[Microman]]'' "[[GT Sister]]" figure, making the girls positively ''giant'' when compared to the cars. (Admittedly the GT Sisters are non-human Cybertronians, despite appearances, but this definitely smacks of fiction working to explain the toyline's scale issue.)

The ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line, from roughly [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|MP-10]] onward, has gone in the opposite direction, making heavy use of the in-fiction scale of the G1 cartoon - but only in robot modes. Thus, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] comes up to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s waist, which is show-accurate, but results in Bumblebee turning into a very small Volkswagen Beetle; were vehicle mode scale used, Bumblebee would actually be slightly larger. [[Star Saber (G1)|Saber]] is also correctly the height of the Autobot cars, resulting in him being smaller than the original toy (despite the Star Saber mode being bigger). The robot mode scaling is generally very consistent to the chosen source, but there are still a few oddities, particularly when dealing with older figures being reissued or redecoed after MP-10. The [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] are about right (going by robot mode, anyway, as ever), but [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s reissue is a little shorter than MP-10 Optimus, when he should be about a head taller. And, much like ''Human Alliance'', the various human figures released alongside them are far too small - going by the [[scale charts]], Spike, for instance, should come up to Optimus's knee, rather than the middle of his shin.

In recent years, the "collector-aimed" mass-retail lines have made attempts to stick to an internally consistent scale (while still adhering to price points), largely based on the characters' robot mode depictions in media. The 2018 ''[[Studio Series]]'' line was the first to do so: Deluxe [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Bumblebee]] is shorter than Deluxe [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Ratchet]], but taller than Deluxe [[Jazz (Movie)#Studio Series|Jazz]], with Deluxe [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Generations|Lockdown]] being taller than all three. Sadly, the scale for this line doesn't translate as well for vehicle modes even within a single price point, plus Voyager-and-up toys of larger characters ''still'' have vehicle modes far too small compared to the cars. (And they were ''never'' gonna make a properly screen-accurate-scale [[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]], though a Commander Class figure ''was'' in the works, but was canned, bummer.)

The following year, the Generation-1-based ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' continued the robot-mode scale trend, with the opening series ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' roughly scaling characters according to the original cartoon's animation models. Non-show characters such as [[Spinister (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Spinister]] used other media, namely [[IDW Publishing]]. The vehicle modes were (supposedly) Cybertronian vehicles which also helped ignore vehicle-mode scale issues. The following line, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', even went so far as to make Deluxe [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]] considerably smaller all around than the other Deluxes, but filled out his price tag with his giant bazooka accessory. Of course, with much of the line now using Earth-based vehicle modes, those scale issues return. The final line in the trilogy, ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' introduced ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' characters into the mix, which hoooo boy. The line attempts to maintain media-based robot-mode scale between the respective casts, but just kind of ignores the obvious scale issues between putting Generation 1 characters alongside ''Beast Wars'' characters. The reintroduction of the ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]'' Legends Class (under the name "Core Class") is another barrel of monkeys, with the majority of them being smaller takes of "G1" characters based on larger toys, which only scale amongst their own. Meanwhile, the beast Core toys do not adhere to any scale besides being smaller than the rest of the cast.
{{-}}

== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation error]]s, such as layering problems,[[:File:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:File:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:File:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]] but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[File:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|thumb|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]
[[File:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|right|thumb|Actually, disturbing ''fiction'' is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

The original ''Transformers'' fictions often depict characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] as about the same height, [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics portrayed the [[Pretender]]s as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full-scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]] encounter [[Femax|giant, transformer-sized humanoids on an alien planet]] which made them appear to be of a "normal" scale.

[[File:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|right|thumb|I know he's meant to be big, but holy ''crap'', dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most Minibots, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|toy Galvatron]] is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realize that a [[redeco]] of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode. G1-era media also consistently depicts the members of the [[Special Teams]] as being about the same size as each other, even though the toys consistently had the leader be about twice the size of the limbs.

[[File:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|thumb|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]], who has an Ultra toy (the "level four" size, almost twice the size of the "level three" Mega next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (both of whom are "level two" Deluxe sized toys). Further, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron]]'s toys use the same (Deluxe) mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys. This problem was magnified when the Generation 1 characters cameoed in the series. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' but is shown in "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", as being much smaller than Optimus Prime.
[[File:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|An example of how small Beast Wars Megatron is compared to Optimus Prime.]]

The ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the [[Maximal]]s featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], is [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)#Beast Machines|the ''shortest'' toy]], while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|massive Ultra-class toy]]. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the [[King Kong]]-like size of this toy became [[canon]] in one specific [[micro-continuity]]. {{storylink|Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark}})

[[File:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]
In the otherwise fairly toy-scale-savvy [[Unicron Trilogy]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes (they do at least scale decently to each other, though). Within the animation, this causes problems with their [[Mini-Con]] partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' release of [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]], dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MegaloConvoy|Optimus Prime toy]] to indicate the "correct" scale. The [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'']] update of ''Cybertron'' Metroplex in the [[Transformers: Legacy|''Legacy'']] toyline similarly accomplished broadly show accurate scaling with regular Deluxe and Voyager class figures by bumping him up a size class or three with a new [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Legacy|Titan class toy]].

The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' franchise has its share of scale problems when comparing its toyline to the cartoon (not helped by multiple releases of some characters in different sizes—see above), with several characters seeming roughly one [[size class]] too small, such as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] being a mix of one Voyager size and two Deluxes, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Toys|Sentinel Prime]] looking rather diminutive as a Deluxe, and, most egregiously, [[Lugnut (Animated)#Toys|Lugnut]] as a ''very'' squat Voyager who's shorter than even some Deluxes (as with [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Toys|Voyager-class Bulkhead]], more of his mass went into his width, plus his weapon takes away some from his robot mode). Conversely, the traditionally stunted [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]] is marginally too tall and bulky to be in correct scale to his otherwise fairly accurate core teammates, assuming one includes [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Voyager|Voyager Optimus]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Leader|Leader Bulkhead]] in their lineup. In fact, ''Animated'' is one of those toylines where you're not quite sure who you're supposed to base correct scale on.

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[File:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|left|thumb|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll...]]
[[File:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|right|thumb|...too late.]]
Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes. [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] is another serial offender, particularly given his frequent appearances in episodes animated by [[AKOM]]; his size ranges from shot to shot in "[[The Core]]" from being about twice as tall as Optimus to being so large that Prowl's head doesn't even come up to the top of his foot.

The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] vary in height relative to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. A [[:File:TimeWars2-TakeUp.jpg|panel]] in the "[[Time Wars]]" arc shows [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his original appearance, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer. Super mode Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was originally about Fortress Maximus-sized, until he too shrunk to the size of his inner robot—which was never seen again.

Scale can even be inconsistent within the same story thanks to changing artists: In the Marvel UK story "[[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]]", a ginormous [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] picks up a tiiiiny military Jeep with one hand, implying that he grew to humongous proportions when he transformed (as his alternate mode is ''also'' depicted as a Jeep in fiction), but in the second part of the story, Swindle is hit by a burning Jeep (possibly even the same one) that is [[:File:LadiesNightSwindleJeepScale.jpg|now in scale with his robot mode]]. {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}} It can even happen within the same issue without an artist change: In [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]'', there's a scene where a [[Hiro|human]] picks up [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] in his tape deck mode, which is smaller than a thick comic book slipcase in his hands. A few pages later, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] picks up Soundwave out of the human's hands, being barely able to hold the tape deck in his mouth, making Laserbeak about the size of a large dog (not counting the wings). Yet when [[Skywatch]] discovers Laserbeak at the end of the story, his ''head'' alone is suddenly the size of an adult human. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime's in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blastizone adds on a few tons to Beast Era characters.]]
Between the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably downgraded in size at the [[Great Upgrade]]. When entering the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the Ark and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the [[Maximal]]s are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet the Ark also seems to feature some human-sized computer control panels. {{storylink|Master Blaster|Master Blaster}} Without any height booster, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] can interface well with these controls.

[[File:Cosmos MTMTE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Finally, drawn in alternate mode scale!]]On the other hand, ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blastizone]] may somehow {{w|Boom tube#Later additions to the concept|account for this discrepancy}}. On the other hand, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'' characters were retconned to be time travelers from the Maximal/Predacon-dominated era of the future, yet the amnesiac [[Tow-Line (RID)|Wrecker Hook]] is the same size as his 21st century Decepticon comrades. Similarly, the ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'' comic "[[Hoist the Flag]]" features 21st century Cybertronians (including several ex-Decepticons) alongside 30th century Cybertronians (including Maximals as well as long-lived Autobots), all at the same size. And this continuity is ''supposed'' to contain a near-identical version of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.

[[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] [[2005 IDW continuity|original continuity]] frequently took liberties with scale as well: notably, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] is consistently drawn positively ''huge'' in robot mode when standing side by side with his fellow Autobots while appearing as a regular member of the (background) cast in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', but as soon as he transfers over into the sister title ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'', his size is considerably scaled down a bit (although he's still a few heads taller than the average Autobot).
{{-}}

===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] becomes a human-scale radio; [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] shrinks into a handgun scaled for either Transformer or human hands, depending on the situation. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the audience to attribute it to advanced alien technology.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the [[Pretender]]s are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized or Powermaster Optimus Prime is the size of Devastator. ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size in a less explicit fashion when transforming. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size-changing by that portion of the fan base who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice. It can also be supposed that they are hiding their mass somewhere (car style Transformers storing mass in their passenger compartments when in humanoid form, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] folding his wings flat, the buildings in a Titan collapsing to eliminate the spaces normally occupied by humans, boat-bots filling up or getting rid of the vast empty areas used to provide buoyancy) or puffing up with empty space, but at a certain point, things just get silly. Some Transformers are smaller than solid blocks of the mass contained in their alt-modes: [[Unicron]] would have to be about as thick as the [[Earth]]'s crust while in planetary form, and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] would probably be blown away by a stiff breeze in his larger incarnations.

====Transport characters====
[[File:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|thumb|right|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]
[[File:Ironhide carried into Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|...And not to [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|mention]] [[Ratchet (G1)|this]].]]

In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode. Likewise, a whole squad of Decepticons can fit into Astrotrain's shuttle mode easily (including the combined-form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]!), yet he's an ordinary-sized trooper in his robot form.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] or [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In one story, the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' series of [[bio]] comics tried to explain this for characters such as Astrotrain and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] by saying they're able to expand themselves to increase cargo space in vehicle mode, though their armor becomes thinner as it is spread out more. Conversely, the series notes, in robot mode, all that armor and structure being compressed into a smaller form makes that mode stronger and more durable for combat.

This concept is lampshaded in the credits of ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'', where [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] pulls up, and the entire Autobot cast of the game step out of his passenger door, clown car style.

====Combiner characters====
[[File:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|thumb|Since when is a Formula-1 car nine stories tall?]]
[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner).

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be slightly less than three times as tall as a one-car Transformer, even when taking the alteration of their body parts into account, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades. In the video game ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]] towers at least ten times as tall as any Protectobot, crushing them under his feet. In fact when the Combaticons form him in Chapter X they are clearly swelling in size. The same is later repeated with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] in ''[[Transformers: Devastation]]''.

Sometimes, they are even out of scale in their own team; [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s torso is an [[Onslaught (G1)|anti-aircraft truck]], while one of his limbs is a [[Blast Off (G1)|Space Shuttle]] and another is a [[Swindle (G1)|two-person offroad vehicle]]. For this to work, either Blast Off has to shrink, or Swindle needs to grow. Likewise, [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] features a [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and a [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] as limbs that are inexplicably the same size.

On occasion, characters are shown explicitly changing size when forming a Combiner. For example, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] was shown to grow several times his normal size when forming the head of Devastator in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots In Disguise]]''.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for e.g. the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.

===Undersized alternate modes===
Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. [[Mini Vehicle]]s [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] are usually depicted as smaller than other Transformers in fiction, even though their alternate modes should have them towering over other characters. This often results in minuscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows. Conversely, if a new toy based on such a [[character]] is designed to be more in scale with other toys, such as [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Ultra Class Powerglide or [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Voyager Class [[Sea Spray (TF 2010)|Sea Spray]], some [[fandom|fans]] complain ''because they expect those new toys to reflect the original toys' sizes'' and, by extension, the [[show-accuracy|depiction in fiction]].

[[File:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|left|thumb|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]
The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot mode, but they transform into equally tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes. The animated segments featured in the television [[commercial]]s for the toys generally play fast and loose with scale: One of them features Micromasters small enough for [[Action Master]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] to hold several of them (in alternate mode) in the palm of his hand (see the image to the left), which would mean the toys are supposed to be roughly life-sized, while others feature an entire Micromaster ''city'' that's small enough for [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime to hold it in the palm of his hand, which would make the toys massively ''oversized''!

Conversely, the Marvel Comics depict the Micromasters merely as a little smaller than the likes of Bumblebee or Cliffjumper. One story even features [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized car. Furthermore, the Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to interact more easily with "smaller beings". Whether that meant creatures of human scale or even smaller stature is never clarified, but the Micromasters' passenger compartments are presumably too small to accommodate human passengers.

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers (notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]], and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances). This results from the Mini-Cons scanning normal vehicles and then resizing them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing or that their cockpits are kinda cramped. Though the Recon Team all originate from Gigantion, and seeing how partnered Mini-Cons seem to change size to fit their larger companions, a little size shift to accommodate a passenger doesn't seem too far-fetched compared to other scale issues.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[File:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|left|thumb|If you were ever this big in the cartoon, then we might call you a city.]]
[[File:HeadmastersScale.jpg|right|thumb|See above. Way, way, way above.]]
[[Titan (group)|A few characters]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a Titan that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' Transformers, should have a robot mode that'd make [[Godzilla]] look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. Even so, it would take something along the lines of the grossly undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) to even begin to reasonably represent the colossal size of a transformed city. Thus, in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These Titans often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]], [[Six-Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus, and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters. However, Metroplex, during his one, brief appearance, was depicted as being immensely larger, crushing Quintesson attack cruisers under foot without batting an eyelid. He was still considerably smaller than a city, however, but this was justified by him merely serving as the 'transformation core' for Autobot City: Earth, not the actual city itself.

In IDW's 2005-2018 comics, Metroplex's size warrants further exploration. In "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" he's shown to be about the same size as the ''[[Lost Light]]''. If one takes James Robert's measurements into account (but then, the ''Lost Light'' has its own fair share of scaling problems), this would make him and [[Quintessa (IDW)|some]] of the other [[Titan (group)|Titans]] approximately 15 miles high in [[robot mode]] — taller than Manhattan Island is long! In panel art, characters are usually visible (albeit small) compared to him... but even if they only came up to his foot, they'd still have to be dozens of meters taller than they really are to even ''show up'' on panel. Other Titans, such as the numerous dead Titans on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] or [[Chela]], seem to be smaller, roughly the size of a single large building. Metrotitan, the Titan that ended up on Earth, was stated by military sources to be two miles tall. It may just be that Titans vary in size like many other Transformers.

Likewise, Metroplex's internal workings are portrayed as much smaller than they'd realistically have to be. His brain module, for instance, is consistently depicted as being only a few times bigger than [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] as opposed to the city block-sized machine it would "realistically" be. These visual cheats are of course done for the sake of narrative convenience and good storytelling, so we can't really begrudge the writers and artists for this.<ref>But we'll certainly bring it up.</ref>

In ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]] is portrayed not so much as the city, but a part of the city; with one hand being large enough to carry Optimus or crush Megatron.

====Planets and planetbots====
[[File:Planet_scale.jpe|center|upright=2.4|thumb|From left to right: [[Unicron]], [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]], [[Moonbase One]], [[Moonbase Two]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], [[Earth]]]]
[[File:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is 'only' the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge France into that gash (which would probably improve both Cybertron and France).]]
Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout Generation 1 with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.''-style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150 km (100 miles) across, far smaller than even the smallest known (or even physically possible) dwarf planets. The rather [[wikia:starwars:Coruscant|Coruscant]]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable (some people reason that the Transformers' advanced technology, along with their large size and their not needing to breathe, means that buildings actually CAN be that big).

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. [[File:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|thumb|Either Galvy is humungo, or Lithone is tiiinyyy!!!]]Scenes in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm (G1)#Marvel Comics continuity|Brainstorm]] on his fingernail, {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. Not to mention that he's described as a "''ginormous'' weird-lookin' planet," which would lead one to assume that he is ''significantly'' larger than your average-sized weird-lookin' planet. Thank you, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]]. Thank you so much.

If Cybertron is the size of Earth's moon (and that's generous), and Unicron is about the size of Cybertron, his hands would be about the size of Europe and Galvatron (to the right) would be about the size of Denmark.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

The depiction of Unicron in ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' is another improvement - he is explicitly said to be the [[Earth's core|''core'' of the planet Earth]], which would be about 3470 km. Furthermore, only manifestations of him are seen (these vary in size), and his eyeball, which is in comparison to the Transformers about the size of a small town. It also helps that there are no regular transformers in the shot of his eyeball. It's not perfect but hey, what're you going to do?

As a side note, Unicron has been established in some continuities as having already devoured approximately 22.56% of known universes which is truly ridiculous if one takes actual planetary/galactic scale into consideration. Assuming that Unicron is ''generously'' close to the size of our moon, when compared to other stellar bodies he shows up as an all-but-invisible speck. Imagine him trying to devour a star the size of [http://www.kiroastro.com/writings/perspective.html Betelgeuse!]

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[File:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|right|thumb|I'm tellin' ya, all da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]
Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other (a consistency made more easy to achieve thanks to CGI used to animate), their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, other characters are more subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros (he's roughly the correct size for a Sumatran rhinoceros, but seriously undersized for a white rhinoceros, the two living species of rhinos with two horns and more or less the same head shape as his beast-mode), and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal gorilla. However, despite being by far the shortest of the Maximals, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] is still a monstrously huge rat, the size of a Labrador dog (indeed, the writers stated that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref>). Likewise [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real ''Velociraptor''. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], however, is a pitifully tiny specimen of a ''T. rex''. In their interactions with adult [[anthropoid]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

However, thanks to the scaling up of the arthropod characters, it is relatively safe to assume that the Transformers generally scanned only animal ''forms'' and then rescaled them to fit their own size - additionally, they were not so much attempting to ''disguise'' themselves, as to ''protect'' themselves from an excess of Energon. This is actually slightly more believable than all other series, in which the Transformers use mass shifting to make their alt-modes the ''right'' size.

The movie universe characters aren't immune to scale issues, either; the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]] are way out of proportion compared to their real-life counterparts; such as [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]] (who is ''far'' too big for a ''Pteranodon'' compared to his allies), and [[Scorn]] (who isn't quite as problematic; though a real ''Spinosaurus'' had shorter legs, making his ''proportions'' more of an issue than actual scale). Interestingly, despite being markedly out of scale compared to each other, the Dinobots are actually quite well-scaled towards the other characters (with the exception of Strafe, as noted above); for example, [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] is the same scale to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] as a real ''Tyrannosaurus'' is to a human.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[File:Prime has a huge head.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|With 20th Anniversary Prime and Smallest Transformers Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]
Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character. Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|he's 15' tall]] {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair (and also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult). [[Animated]] departs from this, where Decepticons are sometimes depicted larger than the Autobots to emphasize the rookie nature of the team handling imposing and dangerous enemies.

In a related vein, sometimes Transformers are able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and running up their staircases without crashing through. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things. In another variation of this, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] is a colossal monster in [[beast mode]] that even the upgraded [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] can barely look in the chest, but transforms into a beefy robot a head or two taller than [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Since for the majority of his presence on the show he is a loyal servant of Megatron, this was likely intentionally fudged so that he could have scenes inside the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', which is also where one of his biggest and most plot-important [[Synthesis|fight scenes]] takes place.

{{-}}

====Intentionally strange scale====
[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|right|thumb|One side makes you larger, one side makes you small (Op's been noshing on the first side too much).]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size [[Authorial intent|intentionally]]. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original ''Transformers'' comics series]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too). This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[[World of the Transformers]]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere (except for ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'').

Artwork for the [[:File:VaderVsPrime.jpg|''Star Wars'']] subline features [[:File:Megatronvsluke.jpg|humans from another galaxy]] standing at the same height as Transformers, although this is simply because most of the figures in [[Attacktix|the tabletop game advertised by this artwork]] are the same size.

[[File:World of the Transformers ent.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Meet the Supreme class <s>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</s> Optimus Primal.]]
{{-}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Moviescale1.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]
The creators of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues (well, greater than previous franchises). This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode, although [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]] would later give Prime his more classic flat-nosed truck mode without any notecable change of mass of his robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30 cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience, and other visual cheats to make the robots seem shorter or taller were used in the movies. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]] is particularly confusing; while official sources state that there is only a two-foot height difference between Megatron and Optimus Prime, Megatron seems to tower over Prime in the shot where he steals Quintessa's staff, yet is almost exactly the same size as Optimus throughout the rest of the film. The [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|movie-franchise toys]], meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), with the largest contrast among the "primary" toys being between Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], a motorcycle, and Voyager Class Decepticons with helicopters as their [[alternate mode]]s, such as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. Many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale, although Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and Classic Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] are obviously not the same scale, as noted above.

[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s size is particularly confusing. In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', his size is based on the actual sizes of his components; the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|''ROTF'' game]] inflates his overall scale to a far larger size. The movie tries to circumvent the size differences between Devastator's individual components by adding [[unknown Constructicon dump truck|more]] [[unknown Constructicon shovel|construction vehicles]] into the Devastator combination. The toy line, on the other hand, [[Overload (ROTF)|mostly]] ignores those additional components, resulting in massive scale discrepancies ([[#Toys out of scale within teams|see above]]) - [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], who forms Devastator's right leg, is a massive Caterpillar 773B mining dump truck, which should make him considerably larger than [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], a Caterpillar D9L bulldozer who forms the left leg.

Another interesting example is [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]]. Despite transforming into a Lamborghini Aventador (a smallish vehicle at less than four feet in height and fifteen feet in length), Lockdown unfolds into a massive robot mode that stands at least 24 feet tall. Robot mode Lockdown is pretty much the same size as Optimus, at most only a few feet shorter than him, even though Optimus is a massive Western Star Truck concept. In toy form, Lockdown's small alternate mode means you can either set his Deluxe-sized toy against a Voyager-or-smaller Prime for correct robot mode scale, or against a Leader-sized Prime toy for correct vehicle mode scale - but obviously not both!

At the time of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', scaling concerns in relation between robot and vehicle modes were seemingly absent, at least in regards to airborne vehicles. Seekers, most notably Blitzwing (who later scans an Earth-based fighter jet) are mostly the same size as bots like Optimus, who maintains his truck mode. [[Shatter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]] were introduced as the first Triple Changers in the film franchise with two Earth-based vehicle forms (with [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] having a Cybertronian helicopter mode alongside his car mode). While the two initially have their own customized muscle car alt-modes with no scaling issues, inconsistencies begin to appear as soon as they scan secondary airborne vehicle modes. Most notably, the additional [[kibble]] added to their bodies shows in glaring contrast to already-existing car parts, indicating that their aerial forms are quite undersized. While they're not shown next to humans in their jet and helicopter modes, their on-screen transformations do not indicate any notable size increase. In fact, they actually seem to ''increase'' their mass when changing from aerial vehicles ''into'' muscle cars.

And then there's [[Mirage (ROTB)|Mirage]] in ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts|Rise of the Beasts]].'' Throughout most of the film he transforms into a Porsche 911 that's marginally smaller than the '78 Camaro that Bumblebee turns into, but both 'bots end up around the same height in robot mode. In one scene Mirage turns into a Lamborghini and a Formula One car, both of which are considerably larger yet shorter than the 911, without any visible changes in mass, but a few scenes later he turns into a dump truck that easily dwarfs the Freightliner cabover that Optimus transforms into. And ''then'' at the end of the movie, Mirage is able to disassemble himself and turn into a suit of armor that comfortably fits around Noah like an [[Iron Man]] suit. Yeah.

In terms of toys, the [[Studio Series]] line is designed to more-or-less avert these scale issues, as each figure is sized in relation to other toys, even in the same [[size class]]; Deluxe #18 Bumblebee is shorter than Deluxe Jazz and #01 Bumblebee, who are in turn shorter than Deluxe Ratchet and Lockdown.

{{-}}

==Official scale guides==
'''See: [[Scale charts]]'''
[[File:Tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|thumb|Official Scale Guides of ''The Transformers'']]
[[File:Beastwarsscalepreliminary.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|''Beast Wars'' Season 1 scale guide]]
Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guides ''[[Transformers: The Ark|The Ark]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]''. Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.

''Beast Wars'' likewise had an official scale guide, which appeared as a bonus on the DVD set of Season 2. Despite this guide, the series writers have indicated some measure of disregard for relative scale when it suited the needs of dramatic tension.<ref>[http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html BotCon 98 report - see "ON THE SIZES OF CHARACTERS"]</ref> Thus, Optimal Optimus is ''ungodly'' tall in his first appearance, later reduced to perhaps two times the height of the rest of the cast.

[[File:ROTF Autobot scale guide 1.jpg|thumb|right|''ROTF'' scale guide]]

''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' had scale guides featured in the ''25 years of Transformers'' feature for the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video|DVD release]] which showed official heights for both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Notably, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] gains an extra twelve feet when he wears [[Jetfire (Movie)|a corpse]].

{{-}}

==Alternate meanings of the term "scale"==
In recent years, Hasbro has actually started using the term "scale" in the context of their ''Transformers'' toys more frequently. However, the term is ''not'' used, as one might assume, to refer to the size ''ratio'' between different characters and their surroundings, but to refer to [[size class]]es. Terms like "[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends scale]]", "Deluxe scale", "Voyager scale", etc. are used in official product descriptions and press releases, and have since been adopted by the [[fandom]]. So in Hasbro terms, a Deluxe-sized fighter jet and a Deluxe-sized motorcycle are both considered the ''same'' "scale".

Even worse, [[Hasbro Pulse]] refers to a figure's ''height measurements'' as "figure scale".

If one were <s>a cynic</s> decidedly snarky, one might argue that the reason Hasbro has no sense of scale with regards to Transformers is because they don't even know what the term actually ''means''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

Scourge (G1)

2024-09-08T03:15:20Z

MBG: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon|unicron|convoy}}
{{disambig3|Scourge}}
{{suite}}
:''Scourge is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:DreamwaveMTMTE5-ScourgeFracas.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Looks just like daddy.]]
'''Scourge''' is [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s implacable tracker and leader of his own cadre of huntsmen, the deadly [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]]. He was created by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] from the remains of a dead [[Decepticon]]. Immensely powerful like all the Unicronian Decepticons, arrogance is his only true weakness. Despite being quite powerful in his own right, Scourge generally acts as a near subordinate to [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and, despite his leadership of the Sweeps, is generally content to take orders from others. Scourge tends to grumble and complain a bit (a habit sometimes shared by his Sweeps).

But then again, you'd also complain if your boss spent so much time beating you up, wouldn't you?

{{bigquote|What kind of Decepticon are you, ugly?}}
{{bigquote|The ''ultimate'' kind!|[[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and Scourge|"[[The Burden Hardest to Bear]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Stan Jones]] (English), [[Yū Shimaka|Yutaka Shimaka]] (Japanese), [[Masashi Hirose]] (Japanese, "The Rebirth")|[[Lin Dongfu]] (Chinese), [[Zhang Lin]] (Chinese, "The Rebirth"),[[Víctor Mares]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Holger Schwiers]] (German), [[Thomas Rau]] (German, "Dark Awakening", "Surprise Party", "The Rebirth"), [[Gernot Duda]] (German, "Starscream's Ghost", "Ghost in the Machine"), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, "Webworld", "The Quintesson Journal"), [[Thomas Albus]] (German, "The Movie" TV dub), [[Peter Zilles]] (German, ''Generation 2''), [[Albert Augier]] (European French, "Dark Awakening" & "The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2"), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "Starscream's Ghost"), [[François Leccia]] (European French, "Surprise Party" & "Webworld"), [[Philippe Roullier]] (European French, "The Dweller in the Depths"), [[Serge Bourrier]] (European French, "The Rebirth" episodes), Unknown (European French, "Five Faces of Darkness" episodes), [[Magalhães Graça]] (Portuguese, "The Movie" VHS dub), [[Ayrton Cardoso]] (Portuguese, season 3), [[Lauro Fabiano]] (Portuguese, "Ghost in the Machine")}}

[[File:TFTM Decepticonshipbridge.jpg|thumb]]
Following the [[Battle of Autobot City]] in 2005, Scourge was created from [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]]'s corpse by [[Unicron]]. Scourge was designated commander of his legion of huntsmen, the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s, and traveled with his new leader, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Galvatron, Scourge and [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]] then returned to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and sent the remaining Autobots fleeing into outer space.

After blasting their ship, the Decepticons believed the Autobots dead. Unicron sent a painful message to Galvatron, informing him he was wrong. Galvatron argued the point until Scourge reminded his leader "we belong to him". The Decepticons then tracked the Autobots to the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] where Scourge and the Sweeps dismembered [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Unicron learned of Galvatron's intended rebellion and attacked Cybertron. Whether Scourge, who was vocally loyal to Unicron, fought to protect Cybertron is unknown. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Scourge’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'', the storybook "[[Transformers the Movie (Ladybird adaptation)|Transformers the Movie]]" and the "Special Edition The Transformers: The Movie extra page" of "[[Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe]]".}}

[[File:FFOD1-Scourgeface.jpg|left|thumb|Van-Dyck of destruction.]]

After the Decepticons were sent packing to [[Chaar]], Cyclonus and Scourge went on an expedition to track down their lost leader, Galvatron, who hadn't been seen since Unicron went kablooey. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}} They found Galvatron soaking in a lava pit on [[Thrull]], and much to their disappointment, discovered their leader had gone totally nuts. Galvatron was set to plow his way through his minions before Scourge took to bended knee and appealed to Galvatron's ego to stop. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} Scourge and Cyclonus took their leader back to Chaar to command the Decepticon army, only to find the planet all but deserted. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}} It turned out that the other Decepticons had allied with the [[Quintesson]]s, which after some negotiation led to a Decepticon-Quintesson joint attack on Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Scourge participated in this attack, but the Decepticons were eventually driven away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Scourge and his Sweeps were working with Galvatron and Cyclonus to hunt Rodimus Prime, when they came across the [[Autobot Mausoleum]] in deep space. Infiltrating the space barge, they continued their attack on the Autobots until [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] himself rose from the grave to fight back. Scourge and his huntsmen fled before the former Autobot leader, forcing Galvatron and Cyclonus to withdraw as well. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}}

[[File:Fightorflee Cyclonus Scourge Superion.jpg|thumb|Scouurrge iiiin spaaaaace.]]

Scourge and Cyclonus were hunting the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] called [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] for sport, but were caught in an ambush when the other Aerialbots jumped them in an asteroid field. The two Decepticons fled through a nearby vortex and crashed on the peaceful planet known as [[Paradron]]. Finding the world rich with energon resources, Scourge and Cyclonus immediately alerted Galvatron to their find and began to plunder the world of energy. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}}

When [[Octane]] took [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] to [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] without permission, Scourge came with Galvatron and the other Decepticons to chastise the fueler for disobedience. His discovery of super-energon made from Carbombyan oil temporarily assuaged Galvatron's anger, but once the Decepticons were forced out of Carbombya by the Autobots, Galvatron expelled Octane as a traitor to the cause. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}} Sometime later, Scourge was hunting Octane on Cybertron with Cyclonus and the Sweeps, when their prey fled underground into the [[Decepticon Crypt]]. Scourge would prove to be a very poor leader, with his followers, the Sweeps, refusing his order to follow Octane below (though they were scared to death of Cyclonus). {{storylink|Starscream's Ghost}}

Scourge stood with Cyclonus and Galvatron as they eavesdropped on the Autobots, who were preparing for a galactic Peace Conference. Foolish Autobots, thinking there can be peace! Galvatron ordered Cyclonus, Scourge, and the Sweeps to intercept a shuttle commandeered by [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]]. {{storylink|Surprise Party}}

[[File:GhostintheMachine-Scourgealt.jpg|thumb|left|Y'know how dogs like to stick their heads out the window of moving cars?]]

He was later possessed by the disembodied [[Spark|ghost]] of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], though this eventually became a mutual partnership. Starscream intended to help Unicron turn Cybertron into his new body in exchange for a new body of his own. Scourge began to have second thoughts about this until Unicron reminded him that "what I have given you, I can also take away". Scourge eventually left Unicron and rejoined the Decepticons. Why Galvatron accepted his return instead of, oh...reducing him to composite particles is unknown. {{storylink|Ghost in the Machine (G1)|Ghost in the Machine}}

After [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] detected a Quintesson transmission, Scourge joined a Decepticon party in attempting to retrieve the secrets of the Quintessons' journal, but ultimately lost out to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Quintesson Journal}}

[[File:VampireDepth.jpg|thumb|I'm not a monster, Tom. Well, technically I am.]]

While searching for a new source of [[anti-electron]]s, the Decepticons attempted to raid Unicron's brain. Galvatron and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] occupied the Autobots while Scourge and Cyclonus went after the prize. They found a flask of anti-electrons just waiting to be drained, but upset Unicron in the process and were blasted by his internal defenses. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

[[File:Matrix burden 2.jpg|thumb|left|If that's "the touch", you don't want to get it!]]
At one point, Autobot commander [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] was separated from the Matrix of Leadership by Galvatron. Galvatron, who was haunted by the spirits within it, instructed Scourge to dispose of the Matrix. Scourge decided to use the power of the Matrix to his advantage and installed it within his chest. ''Very'' bad idea. The Matrix proved incompatible with Scourge's programming (perhaps as a result of his [[Unicron|origin]]), causing him to morph into a hideous freak with the power driving him mad. Scourge attempted to seize control of the Decepticons until Hot Rod took back the Matrix. Scourge was left at the mercy of a very unhappy Galvatron, but somehow beat the reaper yet again. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}

[[File:Rebirth 1 Plasma energy Scourge.JPG|thumb]]

In 2007, the Decepticons stole the [[Key to the Plasma Energy Chamber|key]] to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] on Cybertron, and Scourge was set with infiltrating the chamber whilst the other Decepticons performed a full-scale assault on the planet as a diversion. He succeeded, but inserting the key into the chamber led to a plasma energy burst that very nearly killed him. He was saved by an [[Energon infuser|energon infusion]] from Cyclonus, and was subsequently sent to find the Autobots who had taken the key back while Scourge was unconscious. Together with Cyclonus, [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]], [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]], and [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]], Scourge tracked the Autobots to [[Nebulos|Nebulon]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}}

After clashing with the brand new Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and losing badly, Scourge and the others were kidnapped by the Nebulon group known as the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], who offered to [[Binary bonding|binary-bond]] with the Decepticons and increase their power. Scourge chose to become a [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], getting the loud Nebulan [[Fracas]] as his partner, and the Decepticon Headmasters and Targetmasters subsequently attacked and defeated the Autobots. Scourge got the key to the Plasma Energy Chamber back and voiced his desire to destroy the Autobots completely before moving on, only for Fracas to threaten to shoot him unless the Decepticons went back to the Hive as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the Autobots copied their Targetmaster technology and went back into battle, and [[Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Arcee]] managed to knock Scourge down and steal the key back. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Webworld}} {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}} {{storylink|The Dweller in the Depths}} {{storylink|Call of the Primitives}} {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}} {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Macrocosmic Seekers''=====
When the Decepticons intercepted an Autobot transmission detailing the acquisition of a "great treasure," Galvatron led Cyclonus and Scourge on a raid to intercept Rodimus Prime's ship. The Autobot vessel was brought down, and under heavy weapons-fire, Kup, [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Scrapheap (G1)|Scrapheap]] fled the battleground. Cyclonus and Scourge pursued them, but were unable to hault the Junkions' progress as they would swap places as vehicle and rider every time they took a hit. {{storylink|Unending Battle}} The battle was interrupted by the appearance of the [[Seeker (United)|Seeker]], who abducted all of the combatants into his crystalline spaceship. Scourge, alongside Cyclonus, Galvatron and Rodimus, were put into suspended animation by the Seeker. {{storylink|A Treasure Lost}} These four transformers intrigued the Seeker, as they had undergone "miraculous" reformattings; Rodimus due to the Matrix of Leadership, and the three Decepticons due to the power of Unicron. Using his advanced technology, the Seeker turned back his captives' internal clocks, and held them in time at the very moment of their reformatting, intending to perpetually keep them in this state as items in his collection. {{storylink|Eternal Moment}} Rodimus was rescued by Junkheap, and in the conflict that followed, stray shots freed Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge from their stasis as well. However, all three were caught in between their former and current identities, leaving them quite confused. Despite his transitional state, Galvatron managed to put a halt to the Seeker's attacks. The group then mobilized to make their escape. {{storylink|Time to Move}} Though the Seeker resumed his assault in short order, Scourge found out that he and the others trapped in a transitional state benefited from increased strength and firepower. Additionally, the supersonic powers he had as Thundercracker were restored. He put them to good use fighting back against their captor alongside the Autobots. With their combined might, the robots were able to bring the Seeker offline. {{storylink|Those Who Resist}} With the energy of the Seeker's experiment depleted, Scourge reverted to his normal state. Upon discovering that the Autobots' treasure was an old piece of armor of Optimus Prime, purely sentimental in value, Galvatron sounded a retreat. The Decepticons left without provoking further conflict. {{storylink|A Treasure's True Worth}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic'' (1)=====
Scourge was present when the [[Quintesson]]s first lent the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s to the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}

In [[2011]], Scourge was involved in the battle against the reforming Unicron before he was banished to the [[Triple Z Point]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale|Finale}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese), [[Simon Broad]] (English)}}

[[File:MysteryofPlanetMaster-ScourgeCyclonus.jpg|left|thumb|"Hey, Cyclonus, wouldn't it be great if our weapons could turn into little men?"]]

Scourge assisted Galvatron in the attack on Cybertron to seize control over [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} As part of their attack, Scourge and Cyclonus met Optimus Prime in the chamber of Vector Sigma. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} Scourge participated in the Decepticon operations on Planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]], but was largely ineffective in Galvatron's fight with Rodimus Prime. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} Scourge later called the Sweeps to help occupy the Autobots until Galvatron's gravity-warping meteorite could reach [[Athenia]]. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}} He later informed Galvatron that [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] had arrived for a meeting. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}

Scourge and Cyclonus attempted to prove their worth by stealing [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and using him to hunt down a mysterious Six Changer. However, that plan failed miserably when that Six Changer turned out to be their own ally, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. Both Scourge and Cyclonus ditched Trypticon in battle, leading to the Decepticon city's destruction (though he was eventually repaired). {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}} After Galvatron vanished during Cybertron's destruction, and the unfamiliar [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] took over as Emperor of Destruction, Scourge and Cyclonus felt even less secure in their positions. When [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundblaster]] proudly sucked up to Scorponok, reporting on a new energy-absorbing satellite named [[Sol 1]] set for launch, Scourge vowed to steal the satellite in order to gain favor in Scorponok's eyes. Joined by Cyclonus and [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], he attacked the launch pad, but was repelled by [[Raiden]] and the Headmasters. [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] did some aerial dogfighting with Scourge, and the Decepticons were forced to leave empty-handed. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}}

Scourge and Cyclonus were concerned that Scorponok's latest series of attacks on Earth were more likely to destroy the planet than allow the Decepticons to gather energy. Scorponok told to them that the awe-inspiring [[plasma energy]] was released from Cybertron in its destruction. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} In his next scheme, Scorponok explained to the duo that he planned to detonate a series of bombs to destroy the planet [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], and harvest the plasma energy its destruction would surely generate. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}}

[[File:ReturnoftheImmortalEmperor-CyclonusScourge.jpg|thumb|When did we become Bebop and Rocksteady?]]

Later, Scourge and Cyclonus made arrangements for Scorponok's official debut as leader of the Decepticons. The Autobots attacked during the proceedings on the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], but all combatants were interrupted by the triumphant return of Galvatron. Scourge was quick to redirect his boot-licking towards his old commander, as Scorponok's leadership was immediately overruled. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Scourge and Cyclonus would later field an SOS call from the planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]], and reported their findings to Galvatron. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}

After Galvatron returned from an energy-plundering journey in space, Galvatron heaped praise on Sixshot, telling Scourge and Cyclonus that they could learn a thing or two from the Ninja Commander. Grumbling to themselves, the duo noticed [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] acting shifty, but were too caught up in their own problems to think too much about it. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}}

Much later, Scourge attended to Scorponok in [[Lemuria (myth)|Lemuria]]. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
In [[2021]], Scourge participated in a battle with the Autobots that ended with both sides being infected with [[black ball]]s, forcing him and the Sweeps to abandon their bodies and become [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]. {{storylink|Headmaster Chapter Prologue}} The Decepticons then traveled to the [[Legends World]] and joined forces with [[Tera-Kura Co.]] to get them [[transtector]]s, and Scourge was reunited with a version of Galvatron. During a lineup of the Sweeps, Scourge explained to Galvatron that [[Sweep No. 4]] was long dead. {{storylink|LG-26 Scourge Prologue}} While he and the Sweeps were working at janitors at Tera-Kura, they were approached by [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]], who offered them new bodies and a place at his side in exchange for kidnapping [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] and used his Matrix powers to take over the company. Scourge had other ideas and turned on Terrorsaur as soon as he acquired the Matrix, claiming sole leadership of Tera-Kura. Unfortunately for him, the Sweeps wanted a piece of the action and crowded over him, combining with his body and causing it to explode from an overload of Matrix energy. He returned being a janitor, but already had his eyes on another energy source: the [[Zodiac]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 26|Bonus Edition Vol. 26}}

Somehow acquiring the Zodiac, Scourge was transformed by its power into a giant two-headed monster and went on a rampage through [[Tokyo]] until [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] took the energy source from him and defeated him with a barrage from his new base mode. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 27|Bonus Edition Vol. 27}} Scourge's body was later briefly stolen by a Legends native transformed into a Headmaster through mass-produced [[Master-Brace]]s. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 28|Bonus Edition Vol. 28}} During a rampage by [[Devil Z]], the new boss of Tera-Kura Co., Scourge hid behind Megatron. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 36|Bonus Edition Vol. 36}} He later handed [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] some [[energon cube]]s to carry, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} and was present when the other Scorponok loyalists were finishing their [[Godbomber]] {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 42|Bonus Edition Vol. 42}} and when the [[Dimensional Patrol]] confiscated everyone's transtectors. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Black Convoy 2)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Scourge was probably with the Sweeps when they attacked Metroplex for his transformation cog and fought with [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] clones. {{storylink|LG43 Trypticon Mobilization Chapter: Decepticon Civil War|Decepticon Civil War}}

While having his Sweeps search for another Zodiac, Scourge instead discovered the lost [[Blowpipe (G1)|Blowpipe]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} Finding that the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] had the ability to clone Transformers, the Sweeps tried to create an army of loyal [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] until Hot Rod and [[Shaoshao Li]] put an end to their plan. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 44|Bonus Edition Vol. 44}} Scourge evaded capture, used Blowpipe to create two-headed monster clones of himself and attacked Tokyo until Hot Rod came after him again. He turned the Targetmaster on Hot Rod and created evil clones of him, only to be defeated by a blast from Shaoshao's own Targetmaster mode. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 45|Bonus Edition Vol. 45}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic'' (2)=====
Under undisclosed circumstances, Scourge had reverted to being Thundercracker by the [[Selector]] revolt of [[2050]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

=====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity=====
=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
Scourge took part in one of Galvatron's schemes alongside Cyclonus and [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]]. The Autobots intervened when their mechanized space monster captured a human vessel. The Decepticons almost managed to snare Rodimus Prime, but he tricked Galvatron into blasting him an exit, leaving behind an explosive device that ended the Decepticon threat. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 1|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #1}} Later on, Scourge and his Sweeps joined the assault on the [[Prime Energy Tower]] on [[Feminia]]. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}

=====''The Great Transformer War''=====
After the resurrection of Optimus Prime, Scourge battled [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and the other Autobots in deep space. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 3|The Great Transformer War #3}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
Among the many momentous events witnessed by [[Vector Prime]] across the [[multiverse]] was the moment Optimus Prime unleashed the wisdom of the Matrix on a Hate Plague-infected Galvatron, Scourge, and Cyclonus. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

====Rodimus vs. Cyclonus====
After Galvatron had blasted apart Ultra Magnus on the Planet of Junk, Scourge pledged his loyalty to him rather than to Unicron, seeing as Galvatron now possessed that which their dark master feared most. Galvatron sent out both Scourge and Cyclonus to terminate as many Autobots as they could, promising whichever one came back with the higher head-count a position as his second-in-command. This competition brought Scourge to the [[Rayzor Nebula]], where he picked up an Autobot emergency signal emanating from within. In truth, this was a false trail created by Cyclonus. While Scourge and his Sweeps searched through the gaseous mass for enemy units to destroy, Cyclonus happened upon a Quintesson ship carrying Hot Rod and his allies. Kup, also aboard the Quintesson ship, made contact with another nearby Autobot vessel, and had them draw Scourge's attention before coming about to meet them. Scourge took the bait and, upon seeing Cyclonus, attacked his comrade to ensure his own victory in their contest. This wound up undermining ''both'' of the Decepticons' efforts in racking up kills, and all of the Autobots escaped from them safely. {{storylink|Rodimus vs. Cyclonus}}
{{-}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
[[File:WingsofHonor-CyclonusScourge.jpg|thumb|My weird pink flower thing will destroy you!]]

In [[2007]], after the [[The Rebirth|Rebirth]], Galvatron and Lord Zarak led Cyclonus, Scourge, and the rest of the Decepticons to further the war on Nebulos and other civilized worlds. {{storylink|Generation 2: Redux}}

[[File:RapidoandScourgeshake-ACommonFoe.jpg|thumb|left]]
In [[2010]], Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps surrounded an [[Autobot shuttle]] during a surprise attack. They lost track of the shuttle when it disappeared into a nebula. Eventually they found it and attacked its crew, which consisted of Rodimus, Kup, and the Dinobots. Scourge was defeated when Kup threw his blaster, which he'd set to overload, at Scourge. At first Scourge laughed at what seemed to be a pathetic tactic by the elder Autobot, but then suddenly stopped when his torso was blown open. {{storylink|Wings of Honor}}

Scourge was present at the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]. He planned to have Cyclonus inform Galvatron about the peace treaty when he came out of stasis lock. {{storylink|A Common Foe}}

====''TransTech''====
In [[Primax 1086.01 Alpha]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s corpse was vaporized when he sacrificed himself to stop a [[Quintesson]] plot. Possibly because Optimus's essence was more firmly incorporated into the Matrix, Scourge was thus able to defeat [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and retain possession of the Matrix, thereafter becoming undisputed leader of the Decepticons. Over the centuries, the influence of the Matrix inspired him to broker a peace deal between Autobot and Decepticon, and the two factions united when [[Unicron]] returned. In the ensuing battle, the Chaos-Bringer tried to blast Scourge, but the Matrix shielded him, allowing him to survive by being shunted into [[unspace|transwarp space]]. [[Rhinox (TransTech)|Rhinox]] plucked him out of unspace into [[Axiom Nexus]], where he became a member of the [[Convoy (group)|Convoy]]. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/02/07}}

Scourge's name was among the classified data stolen by [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]]'s Renegades and publicly released by [[Crasher (GoBots)|Crasher]] and [[Cop-Tur (GoBots)|Cop-Tur]] in a hacked broadcast of [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2016/01/16}} [[Andromeda (TransTech)|Andromeda]] tracked him down but was too intimidated to ask him for a quote. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/02/07}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In one particularly weird version of the [[Unicron War]] engineered by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], [[Deadlift]] replaced Scourge as Galvatron's lead hunter created by Unicron. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

===Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics===
{{noteukonly}}
After the Decepticons were beaten back into a retreat, following a failed attack on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], they boarded [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and headed back towards [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. But Astrotrain didn't have the energy necessary to make the trip with all the Decepticons inside him, so the injured were jettisoned into the vacuum of space. These soldiers were drawn to Unicron, who reforged the lot into new, powerful soldiers to do his bidding. Among these creations was Scourge, who was given an army of Sweeps to aid him in his hunting. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

Scourge, Cyclonus, and Galvatron then went forth, stopping by Cybertron first so that Galvatron could eliminate [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and secure his position as Decepticon leader. After this deed was done, Unicron began devouring Cybertron's moons, enraging Galvatron. Galvatron claimed that Cybertron and all its moons belonged to him, though Scourge retorted that they, in turn, belonged to Unicron. The Decepticons then made their way to [[Earth]], and attacked the Autobots as they were readying to make their way off the planet. {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Scourge marvel uk 83.jpg|thumb|"I CAN'T GET OUT OF THIS CONFOUNDED MAZE!!"]]
''Afterwards, Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scourge [[Time travel|traveled back in time]] from [[2006]] to [[1986]] as part of a plan to free themselves from Unicron's control by constructing a massive cannon that would destroy him upon their return to the future. The three Unicronian Decepticons proved themselves almost invincible in the face of the Autobots' attacks, though a lucky shot destroyed Scourge's [[acid ray]] after he had incapacitated [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]], and Scourge was relatively weaponless (most of his weapons could only be used in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]). Though he also took down [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] managed [[Anti-grav manacles|to down]] Scourge and use him as a bargaining chip. The future Decepticons were finally defeated when Galvatron was duped into believing he was trapped in a temporal paradox, and returned to his own time to live out the remaining events of 2006.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:Cyclonuspullsthebeardy.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Yeouch!! That's my secret weakness you're pulling at, Cyclonus!"]]
''Following the destruction of Unicron at the hands of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], Galvatron transported himself back in time to [[1987]], leaving Cyclonus and Scourge in the future, under [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]’s command. The duo were attacked by the freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], who was seeking the bounty on Galvatron’s head, and Cyclonus revealed Galvatron’s whereabouts to him.'' {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} ''Later, Shockwave hired Death’s Head to kill Rodimus Prime, but Cyclonus and Scourge interfered with the job as they sought to kill Rodimus first, in order to reclaim their lost standing amongst the Decepticons.'' {{storylink|Headhunt}} ''This did not please Death’s Head, and consequently, he willingly accepted a contract from Rodimus to hunt down Cyclonus and Scourge, eventually tracking them down to the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]] as [[2008]] dawned. Before he could finish the job, however, all three of them fell under the mind-controlling influence of Unicron, whose disembodied head had survived the destruction of his body and had landed on the planet, where he was having the native [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] construct a new body for him.''

''Under Unicron's control, Cyclonus and Scourge killed Shockwave and became Decepticon leaders, reigniting the stalemated Cybertronian war to a furious degree to cover Unicron's actions. Death's Head, however, was able to fight the mind control and work with the Autobots long enough to stop the chaos-bringer's plan. As explosions destroyed Unicron, Death's Head tackled Cyclonus and Scourge, pushing them through a [[time portal]] Unicron had built, promising to kill them another time. The two Decepticons were hurled into the past of Cybertron by the portal, where they came under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]].'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

[[File:Scourge scorponok cyclonus marvel uk 151.jpg|thumb|"I just don't get why we never do anything but attack Qatari villages, that's all." "SHUT UP AND KEEP FIRING!"]]
Cyclonus and Scourge traveled with Scorponok and several other Decepticons to the peaceful planet [[Nebulos]] in pursuit of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]'s Autobots. After Scorponok and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] were defeated by the new Autobot [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], the Nebulan [[Vorath]] attempted to duplicate the technology on the Decepticons. Scourge was partnered with [[Fracas]], a Nebulan recruit who had been bio-mechanically engineered to be able to transform into his weapon. Scourge was soon presented with an opportunity to test his new Targetmaster abilities when some Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] prisoners escaped. The fury of the battle destroyed the city of [[Koraja]], culminating in Fortress Maximus knocking down Scourge and the other Decepticon Targetmasters with part of a beloved fountain. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

''At some point afterwards, Scourge and the other Decepticon Targetmasters lay in ambush for the Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] at the [[Fortress of Despair]] where they had the Autobot Targetmasters held captive. However, once Scorponok had abducted [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] to study the Headmaster process further, the remaining Headmasters were able to free their Targetmaster comrades and turn the tables on the Decepticons. During the fight, Scourge attempted to sneak up on [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], only for [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] to warn his teammate of the Decepticon's approach. Scourge was blasted away by his intended victim, and the Autobots emerged victorious.'' {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}}

Ultimately, Scourge and Scorponok's Decepticons followed the Autobots off Nebulos to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

''Once there, Scourge and Cyclonus sought out Galvatron, and arranged a meeting with their former leader. En route to the meeting grounds, Scourge and Cyclonus were accosted by a squad of human-piloted jet fighters. Though the pair enjoyed using the crafts as target practice initially, Cyclonus was lured into crashing into a rock peak and they were forced to retreat from the skirmish. Scourge noted that being defeated by organics bode ill for upcoming events; no longer willing to serve Galvatron, Scourge and Cyclonus were planning to instead force him to hand over his [[Time-jump trigger device|time travel device]]. With it in hand, they would return to the future and their position as Decepticon leaders. Though Scourge and Cyclonus were able to take Galvatron by surprise thanks to their Targetmaster partners, the confrontation was disrupted by the sudden appearance of the Autobot commando squad, the [[Wreckers]]. Scourge took on both [[Twin Twist]] and [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] until he realized that the whole thing had become counter-productive to his own goals. He sent Fracas to go and fetch Cyclonus so they could both retreat. Springer, putting into motion his own plan to draw the battle away from the human settlement, professed to have stolen Galvatron's time jump mechanism, when in reality, the Decepticon no longer even had it for him to take. Scourge and Cyclonus went after him, and learned of Springer's bluff just in time for the rest of the Autobots to catch up to him. Unwilling to take them all on at once, Scourge and Cyclonus flew off.'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}

''Having met with failure again, Cyclonus and Scourge decided to cut their losses and team up with Shockwave's present-day Earth-based Decepticon forces.''

[[File:Cyclonus scourge marvel uk 189.jpg|left|thumb|"Cyclonus, remember that thing that we absolutely, positively, definitely shouldn't say to Shockwave?" "Yep." "You're sure?" "Yep." "You're not going to mention it at all, are you?" "Nope."]]
''Unfortunately, Cyclonus accidentally let slip that they would kill Shockwave in the future. Naturally wanting to ensure his continued existence, Shockwave unleashed a brainwashed [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron clone]] upon the two. As Megatron killed [[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] and grappled with Cyclonus, Scourge took aim at the clone... but stopped. He realized that killing Megatron in [[1988]] would likely prevent Galvatron's creation in 2006, and possibly his own as well. Unwilling to take the chance, he abandoned his comrade and fled.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}}

[[File:Shockwavetimewars.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Oh no!! I've told Shockwave about me and Cyclonus killing him. Should I kill him? I... can't... resist..."]]
''Scourge ended up falling back in with Galvatron for unspecified reasons, even as Galvatron brought Megatron in as an unexpected ally. What none of them realised until too late was that Cyclonus and Scourge's displacement into the past had circumvented the normal [[Mass substitution|mass-replacement method]] used by time travel, and had hence unbalanced the space-time continuum, causing a [[Time rift|rift]] to appear in the fabric of space and time. Cyclonus's death, eighteen years before he was even created, proved to be the final straw, accelerating the rift, which soon threatened to consume Earth and Cybertron.

''[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] used this fact to distract Scourge during a Wreckers/[[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] raid and while Scourge survived, he knew realized that the only way to stop the rift was to return them and Cyclonus to their original time. He thus attempted to recover Cyclonus’ body from Shockwave but was attacked by the deranged Decepticon, who had lost his mind due to the illogical nature of the situation, and had strung Cyclonus' remains up like a twisted trophy. Scourge staggered back to the time rift and allowed it to take him, hoping that that would have some effect on the situation. It didn't. [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], however, succeeded where Scourge had failed, and was able to bring Shockwave back to sanity enough for him to deposit Cyclonus's remains after Galvatron and Scourge, and then seal it with an x-ray blast.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''After the war, time-traveller [[Dicet Alpha-zero]] peeked on nine key events in the Transformers' war for a history project. After stepping on the proverbial butterfly at [[Mount Verona]], Dicet saw a Time Wars where Optimus threw the remains of a beaten Scourge into the rift.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

====The Big Broadcast of 2006====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
In an alternate future of 2006, Scourge participated in a battle on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] where he was tossed around by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] and misidentified as "Sweeps" by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. He later agreed with [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], who said Junkion should be off-limits to Decepticons. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

====Rhythms of Darkness!====
[[File:Cyclonus scourge marvel 67.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The deadliest bathtub in the skies.]]
A version of Scourge inhabited [[Primax 490.0 Gamma|an alternate timeline]] where he helped hunt down and destroy a group of Autobots led by Rodimus Prime on the planet Junkion. As Rodimus Prime was briefly distracted, Scourge and Cyclonus were able to shoot the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] away from Rodimus, giving [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] the opening to finish off the last of the Primes.

Unknown to any of these Decepticons, though, they were observed by a Hot Rod originating from [[Primax 512.5 Gamma|another time and place]]. They were probably unaware that this Hot Rod had been the one who inadvertently distracted their Rodimus, and chances are they didn't notice that the Matrix had landed at this Hot Rod's feet before they both disappeared. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

By [[2009]], Cybertron had been destroyed, along nearly all resistance in the Americas. With only seven Autobots left alive, the governments of the remaining free nations planned to launch nuclear weapons towards the United States in a bid to eliminate the Decepticons themselves. Anticipating this move, Galvatron equipped a fortress with the necessary machinery to convert the fallout into energon. Scourge and Cyclonus were posted to guard the [[Decepticon Powerbase]], and the pair passed the time gripping over how conquering the Earth wasn't as fun without any Autobot opposition. They were suddenly ambushed by [[Getaway]], [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]], and [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]], who distracted them while the rest of their team made a last desperate raid on the Powerbase. Scourge was killed by the combined might of these warriors. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

====''Transformers '84''====
An aerial warrior under [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s command, Scourge was part of a bombing run against [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]'s troops after the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] had been lost. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
{{voiceactor|[[Peter Marinker]] (English)}}
[[File:Scourgeinoil-ASO.jpeg|thumb|upright=1.5|"It's your eyebrows! He's jealous of your capacity for self-expression!"]]
Scourge was part of a flight of Decepticons that interrupted an Autobot salvage expedition. {{storylink|Galvatron's Air Attack}}

On Nebulos, the Decepticons learned that the majority of cosmic energy for the planet came from pulsar strikes at the north pole, and planned to build an energy interceptor there to capture limitless power. When the first interceptor was sabotaged by the Autobots, Cyclonus appointed Scourge head of security for the next project. Scourge suggested they move the entire Decepticon base, Scorponok, to the pole as a deterrent against Autobot aggression. Unfortunately, the Autobots then used Scorponok's vast bulk against the Decepticons by melting the ice out from under him, leaving them thrashing in the slush. {{storylink|Decepticons at the Pole}}

When the Autobots planned a pipeline to tap into a Nebulan oil reservoir, the Decepticons turned the tables and sabotaged them. Scourge was standing by with a team of hunters to eliminate any Autobots that came to fix the pipeline, but the Autobots doubled back on him and let Scourge's team thrashing in the oil released in their own sabotage efforts. {{storylink|Autobots Strike Oil}}

===Marvel coloring books===
{{charstubfiction| {{storylink|The Invasion of the Decepticon Camp}}}}

When the Decepticons learned that the Autobots had long ago lost a large shipment of Energon cubes at the Ark's original crash site, Galvatron ordered them to head to Mt. St. Hillary to uncover it. There, Scourge fought the Autobots over possession of it. The brawl ended when Starscream scarfed down all of the Energon, and proceeded to pick a fight with Galvatron. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Hot Rod's Escape}}}}
{{-}}

===Toy pack-in material===
The Decepticons having successfully stolen the Creation Matrix from the Autobots, Scourge was one of the soldiers posted to prevent their enemies from retrieving it. He was fooled by an army of Autobot [[decoy]]s, and the Autobots retook possession of the relic. {{storylink|Start Your Own Decoy Collection}}
{{-}}

===Autobot Alert!===
{{notemultipath}}
[[File:AutobotAlertBumblebeedisguise.jpg|left|thumb]]
Scourge is a Decepticon scanner, capable of detecting Autobots even when they are in disguise. He was tasked with patrolling the space-bound Astrotrain as the Decepticon shuttle was making a munitions delivery to the Decepticons’ ship out in orbit.

In one possible scenario, Scourge happened upon Bumblebee and Hot Rod who had infiltrated Astrotrain by disguising themselves in Decepticon space gear. Not fooled by the Autobots’ disguise, he confronted the pair as they were about to commandeer Astrotrain's military controls. Though he was unable to stop the Autobots from firing Astrotrain weapons towards Cyclonus, Scourge quickly overpowered the pair and flung them out into the blackness of space. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
[[File:TheTest-Scourge.jpg|thumb|''You're'' the leader in the Marvel Comics stuff?]]
Scourge was part of a Decepticon mission to track down the source of an [[Energon]] reading on an asteroid. As [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] returned to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Scourge warned him that Galvatron was in a particularly foul mood. As it turned out, the [[little informant|creature]] Cyclonus had brought back was the source of the Energon, however the situation escalated when they detected they were being spied on by [[Searchlight (G1)|Searchlight]]. Scourge and Cyclonus gave chase, only to find themselves running into [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], who were chasing [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] in the other direction. The usual chaos ensued. {{storylink|The Test (issue)|The Test}}

Scourge and several Sweeps took part in an assault on [[Tau-Ursa]], when Galvatron acquired a component for his latest weapon. Galvatron ordered them to destroy everything, but to let the Tau-Ursans live. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:ColdWar-Scourge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Pssst, Scourge, "then you crack the nuts inside."]]
Millions of years ago, as [[Unicron]] entered a stage of hibernation, the first wave of his herald drone fleet was launched to scour the galaxy, looking for Cybertron. The Alpha drone designated Scourge managed to find Cybertron during the [[Great Shutdown]], an enforced shutdown of all Transformers on the planet, and managed to reactivate [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] for the purpose of observing the Decepticon from afar. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}} However, Shockwave was soon attacked by the [[Quintesson]] [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] extermination units left behind on this world. Forced to intervene, Scourge easily destroyed a number of Sharkticons and drove off the rest, saving Shockwave's life. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} As a way a saying thank you, Shockwave shot Scourge in the back, took him prisoner, dissected him and studied the Unicronian Transformer, gaining great knowledge of Cybertron's origin and its inhabitants. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

[[File:OriginalSin-Scourge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Later I look like my toy!]]
Scourge escaped to Earth and attacked [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s shuttle just as it arrived on its mission to search for the missing [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Tricking the drone into pursuing an escape pod, Jetfire managed to shutdown the advanced Transformer's systems and was dragging him back to their crashed ship when they were both buried in an avalanche. {{storylink|Original Sin}}

Thousands of years later, the Autobots were drawn to the [[Alaska]]n shore, right into a trap set by the Decepticons. The Autobots fought desperately to keep the Autobot escape pod out of Megatron's hands, and during the fighting, it was inadvertently activated. Just as the Autobots gained the upper hand, Scourge ordered the combatants to stand down, informing them that the war was over, the factionalism that had divided their race had ended, and Cybertron was now unified under a new leader. Before he could speak further, Shockwave shot him in the back, declaring both Autobots and Decepticons to be war criminals. {{storylink|New World Order}}

Evidently Shockwave never bothered to recover Scourge's body, as he was retrieved by the [[Earth Defense Command]] and taken to their secret base for reverse-engineering. Unfortunately for the humans, Scourge was such an advanced Cybertronian that they were having serious problems figuring out his systems. {{Storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} [[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] were still working on Scourge when [[Marissa Faireborn]] enlisted the aid of the Autobots under [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]'s command in investigating the mystery of [[San Desto]]. {{Storylink|Infestation (Dreamwave)|Infestation}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
Scourge was rescued from the EDC facility by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 13|Generation 1 #13}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===
[[File:WorldsCollide2-Scourge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|"How do you feel, mighty not-Megatron?" ''*kick*'']]

====Ask Vector Prime====
A version of Scourge, created alongside [[Galvatron (G1)#Dreamwave Armada continuity|Galvatron]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)#Ask Vector Prime|Cyclonus]], served as one of [[Unicron]]'s dimension-hopping [[Herald of Unicron|heralds]]. Cyclonus was eventually decapitated by a version of Megatron seeking in vain to protect his home reality. Cyclonus was eventually replaced with versions of [[Thunderwing (G1)#Dreamwave Armada continuity|Thunderwing]], [[Bludgeon (G1)#Dreamwave Armada continuity|Bludgeon]], and [[Dirge (G1)#Dreamwave Armada continuity|Dirge]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/19}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
Unicron sent his heralds ahead of him to prepare [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|this particular reality]]'s Cybertron for his imminent arrival. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After effortlessly conquering [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]] on Cybertron and taking control of its [[space bridge nexus]], they found that the local [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] was nowhere to be found, and moved on to search for him on [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} At [[Silver Ridge]], Scourge detected [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] in the vicinity, and the Heralds chose to interrogate him in regards to Megatron's whereabouts. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} Thrust ended up being useless to them, but the Heralds suddenly learned of something else to worry about—the space bridge nexus was under attack. They immediately returned to Cybertron, where [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and his team had already placed bombs throughout the Decepticon base. Upon arrival, Scourge ordered the others to kill Jetfire... and was promptly killed when the whole building was blown to kingdom come. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
Whlist serving under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] on Cybertron, Scourge and Cyclonus were shocked when one of their Decepticon comrades was suddenly teleported across space and time by [[Teletran 3]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 1|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #1}} Shortly afterwards, he and many other flying Decepticons gathered around the computer and waited for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s force field to go down. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 2|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #2}}

In a dystopian future where the Decepticons had conquered Earth, Scourge and his Sweeps patrolled the ruins of [[New York City]]. They attacked a team of [[G.I. Joe (team)|Joes]] and [[Cobra]]s who arrived from the past, but were chased off by the [[Dreadnok]]s. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}} {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #4}}

While this future was eventually averted, Scourge and the Sweeps existed in the present, as part of [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]]'s forces on Cybertron. They fought back against a major Autobot/G.I. Joe assault on Serpent O.R.'s headquarters. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

====''TransTech''====
In [[Primax 806.30 Gamma]], Scourge and his comrades came to ally with the [[Kalistan]]ian terrorist organization [[S.K.A.R.]] As part of this alliance, Scourge was binary-bonded to the S.K.A.R. member [[Red Scream]], using technology derived from the old [[I.R.O.N. Army]]. A globe-spanning conflict ensued between the Decepticons and S.K.A.R. against the Autobots and their [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] allies. Ultimately, the Decepticons and their human allies were defeated by [[Sgt. Savage]]'s [[Screaming Eagle]]s and the Autobots. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2016/05/01}}

===''Hearts of Steel''===
[[File:Hearts of Steel Scourge.JPG|thumb|Red Zeppelin]]
While traveling in the Astrotrain convoy, Scourge transformed into a blimp (with a familiar-shaped gondola) and dropped bombs on the Autobot freight. [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (or possibly [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]) popped his airbag, causing him to crash, then explode. {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 4|Hearts of Steel #4}}

{{IDW HOS}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Rebirth|''All Hail Megatron'' #14]]}}

While accusing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] of having no plan or goal beyond the conquest of Earth, Starscream wondered aloud who might be the Decepticon to take action, and suggested Scourge as a possibility.<ref>[[Shane McCarthy]] originally envisioned Scourge as being the Decepticon equivalent of Kup. Hasbro vetoed this idea, but this reference remained.</ref> {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 6|All Hail Megatron #6}}

[[File:AHM14Rebirth-Scourge.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|"How have I gone so long without a manicure?"]]
Scourge, a Cybertronian who lived during the era of [[Nova Prime]], first met [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] in a basement bar on Cybertron. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} The two would later become part of the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', which was lost in the [[Benzuli Expanse]] and ended up in the [[Dead Universe]].

After the failure of the [[Expansion]], Cyclonus gathered the remains of his comrades on [[Gorlam Prime]] and prepared to melt them down as a warrior's burial. Scourge was barely alive, and Cyclonus sadly said this was the last thing he could do for him. However, [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] emerged from the [[solar pool]] and blasted Scourge and the others. Though Cyclonus thought him crazy, Galvatron explained the [[Darkness (G1)|Darkness]] would not let Scourge die. Scourge recovered, and Galvatron again flung him into the slag, from which he emerged in pain but fully restored. Soon, the other warriors were transformed into clones of Scourge (though Galvatron complained they should have been made in ''his'' image). The clones, known as the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]], were bonded to Scourge, who was to keep them in line. Scourge asked Cyclonus what they should do, and Cyclonus responded that as [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s, they should follow Galvatron's bidding. {{storylink|Rebirth}}

[[File:Scourge asks a question Heart of Darkness 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right]]
At Galvatron's command, the Seekers searched all over Gorlam Prime for signs of life, as the planet's entire population had apparently vanished at some point while they had been wasting away. Scourge and his Sweeps found nothing, so Galvatron opted to track down their ally [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and the portal to the Dead Universe. They found him as a crushed and dismembered wreck, but Galvatron easily undid his injuries using the Darkness. Jhiaxus took them to the portal, which was different from before, but upon arrival they were attacked by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] and [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 1|Heart of Darkness #1}} Scourge and Cyclonus took on Hardhead, but even the two of them together were overpowered by the much larger and stronger Autobot. They were saved by Galvatron's mighty firepower, and were sent by him to chase after Arcee as she tried to flee. After sending her tumbling into an abyss, they returned to Galvatron's side and watched him enter the Dead Universe, where he met the malevolent entity known as "the [[D-Void]]". He emerged rather panicky, telling his troops that they needed to raise an army to stand against this threat. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 2|Heart of Darkness #2}}

Scourge and his Sweeps accompanied Galvatron as he traveled to a wide variety of planets, reviving and recruiting robotic lifeforms to stand with him against the D-Void. At one point they visited [[Spindrift]], where they added [[Thinkbox]] and the corpses that inhabited the [[Realm of Wrecks]] to their cause. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 3|Heart of Darkness #3}} Scourge was also part of a scout party sent to [[Dykayra]], where Galvatron was attacked by [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]], revived by the D-Void. He and the others defended their leader, but failed to harm Nemesis, who was then possessed by the D-Void and transformed by its power into a huge beast. Several of Scourge's Sweeps were destroyed by the monster, but it was eventually defeated with the arrival of Galvatron's army. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}}

[[File:Scourge and Cyclonus The Transformers Infestation 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
Seeking to add [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s Autobots to his army, Galvatron travelled towards [[Earth]]. On the way, his ship encountered a space-time anomaly containing a frozen block of corpses, both organic and robotic. The crew brought in on board to investigate it, only to be faced with a [[zombie]] outbreak once the ice was thawed. Scourge and the others battled the undead, including several of his infected Sweeps, until their ship was sabotaged and crashed in [[Las Vegas]], Earth. There, they attempted to team up with the local Autobots to contain the outbreak. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 1|The Transformers: Infestation #1}} After some initial distrust between the two factions, they managed to stop bickering long enough to defeat the zombie mastermind, [[Britt]]. The Autobots still wouldn't join Galvatron, though, so Scourge and the others left Earth via a portal. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infestation issue 2|The Transformers: Infestation #2}}

Galvatron then took his entire army with him to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], declaring the planet their first line of defense against the D-Void. {{storylink|Heart of Darkness issue 4|Heart of Darkness #4}} Scourge (or a chatty Sweep, it's hard to tell) was in charge of [[Kimia Facility]] once Galvatron conquered it, and on his orders transformed it into its cannon mode. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}}

Scourge was killed at an unknown point during the Chaos Event.<ref>"Poor Scourge. He's been dead in the other IDW comics as long as I've been writing them."—[[John Barber]] in [[Targetmasters (issue)|''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe'' #2]] story commentary</ref> Cyclonus, however, believed that he had detected Scourge's life sign while flying around on a reformatted Cybertron—this turned out to just be some mutilated Sweep corpses. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:FierceFightingOnPlanetNebulos-StraxusDecepticons.jpg|thumb|Peekaboo.]]
At some undetermined point in time, Scourge stood in close proximity to [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] and [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]]. {{storylink|A New Battle!}}

A [[nano-virus]] that afflicted most Autobots save the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s and the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] required [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] to lead a team to [[Nebulos]] for an anti-virus. However, the nano-virus was merely a ploy by the Decepticons to draw out the Targetmasters and Headmasters to abduct their [[Nebulan]] partners, so when the Autobots arrived on Nebulos, Scourge and several other Decepticons were waiting for them! Once Scourge noticed their leader, [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]], had been defeated, he and the others quickly fell into disarray. {{storylink|The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos}}

===''Generations'' toy bio===
Little was known about the powerful hunter Scourge's origins, and he himself preferred not to speak of them. {{storylink|Scourge (G1)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Scourge toy bio}}

===''Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe''===
[[File:ScourgeAligned-UltimatePopUpUniverse.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|left]]
Scourge was one of the many Decepticons who pursued the [[AllSpark]] to Earth. He participated in an enormous battle against the Autobots in a human settlement. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe|The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe}}

===''Kre-O'' comic===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-13-CyclonusScourge.jpg|right|thumb]]
Scourge was among the Decepticons terrified by the newly created [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s violent rampage. {{storylink|Enter the New Emperor of Destruction!? Stop Galvatron's Rampage!}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Scourge was among the Decepticons unleashed upon [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'s ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'' in response to its attack on [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], but instead of capturing any of the aliens they returned to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] with two captured Autobots, [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]. Megatron was unconcerned about Autobots, however, and shot Scourge through the chest for wasting his time. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Despite the seemingly fatal injury, he was later repaired and standing ready to fight the Autobot/G.I. Joe alliance beneath [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s forcefield. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}

===''Titans Return'' marketing material===
Scourge and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Crashbash]] tracked [[Haywire (Targetmaster)|Hyperfire]] to [[Velocitron]], and attempted to abduct Blurr's [[Titan Master]] on the final lap of the planet's biggest race. They didn't get far before having to fight [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], Hardhead, and Optimus. {{storylink|Titans Return: The Power of the Titan Masters}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Scourge was one of Galvatron's chief lieutenants during the Great War. On [[Nebulos]], he was instrumental in bringing Targetmaster technology to the Decepticons when Fracas and Nightstick of the Autobot / [[World Watcher]] alliance defected to the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]] / Decepticon alliance, becoming binary-bonded with Scourge and Cyclonus.

After the [[Scouring of Nebulos]] and the [[Armistice]], the Decepticons moved on to the colony world of [[Master (planet)|Rebirth]]. Galvatron allied with the [[Malignus (G1)|Malignus]] revolutionaries of the [[Cyberdroid]] population to recreate Master technology with non-organics. As Galvatron became a [[Triple-Threat Master]], Scourge also adopted a Cyberdroid Headmaster partner named [[Krunix (G1)|Krunix]] to work with him and Fracas. Rebirth was conquered for the Decepticons and renamed [[Master (planet)|Master]]. Even [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] was unable to reclaim Master from the Decepticons, despite his "victory" on Nebulos.

Galvatron and Scourge next moved on to the [[Great Push]], attempting to break the Armistice and attack the [[Human Confederacy]] using a scheme known as the [[Grendel Gambit]]. They failed, apparently due to heroic actions by Cyclonus that betrayed their cause. Despite [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'s legal maneuvering, Galvatron and Scourge were found guilty and sentenced to die by a [[Quintesson]] court. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} {{storylink|Not All Megatrons}}

Krunix never got over Scourge's death. Centuries later, the Cyberdroid was running a bar called [[The Scourge of Athenia]] in his name, with a hologram eulogizing Fracas on display in the bar as well. {{storylink|Identity Politics}}

The Predacon [[Scourge (BW)|Skurge]] liked to spell his name à la the infamous Decepticon Scourge, though some bots like his superior Queen [[Rage (BW)|Rage]] refused to indulge his affectation. {{storylink|Broken Windshields}} {{storylink|Derailment}}

==Commercial appearances==
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], and Scourge faced off against [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] until Autobot reinforcements showed up in the form of [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. With the appearance of these new arrivals, Scourge declared that no one would escape his Sweeps. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, Rodimus Prime|Hot Rod, Kup, Blurr, Cyclonus, Scourge, and Rodimus Prime commercial}}
*Scourge aided Galvatron, Cyclonus battle the Autobots until [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] showed up, and begun taking care of the opposing team all on his own. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Sixshot|Sixshot commercial}}
*Scourge, [[Octane]], and Cyclonus launched an attack on the Autobots' base, only to be met with the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s, who gave them a good trouncing. Scourge was chased off through the skies by [[Grotusque]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Monsterbots|Monsterbots commercial}}
*Scourge and one of his [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] could be seen following Galvatron into combat while the war on Cybertron raged on, and Transformers of both factions left the planet to expand the war to the planet [[Nebulos]]. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Headmaster comic book|Headmaster comic book commercial}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
[[File:TF PS2 Scourge.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
{{voiceactor|[[Barry Gjerde]] (English)}}
Right before the Autobots found the giant jewel of the Atalstan mine, Scourge ambushed them. Announcing that the "Autofools" had reached the end of the road, he transformed to [[robot mode]]. Saying that the noise caused by the Autobots engines was going to destroy his transducers, Scourge declared that he was going to shut them up forever. After a fight, Scourge admitted defeat and begged the Autobots to spare his life. Before his enemies could do anything, he transformed back to his hovercraft form and flew away.

Scourge later challenged the Autobots to a rematch on their way to ELTA, and was later joined by Cyclonus, but the Sweep leader was defeated again. When Cyclonus fled in his fighter craft form, Scourge called out for Cyclonus to wait for him before also fleeing in his hovercraft form. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
{{-}}

[[File:TFLegendsApp-Scourge.jpg|thumb|left]]

===''Transformers: Legends''===
[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] was reformatted into Scourge at some point. He and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] served under [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Coronation of Starscream}} Cyclonus and Scourge were tasked with leading raids on an Autobot supply convoy and managed to deal the Autobots a heavy blow. {{storylink|Cold Delivery}} Following Megatron's demise, the pair opposed [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s bid for leadership. {{storylink|The Coronation of Starscream}} They later aided [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] after his rebirth in [[Unicron]]'s maw, but their might was insufficient and they were defeated by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]]'s forces. {{storylink|All Hail Galvatron}} Scourge was among a handful of Decepticons who ventured inside Unicron to search for [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. After encountering [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]], then falling foul of Unicron's internal defenses, the Decepticons resumed their search. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

Cyclonus and Scourge both fell under Starscream's control as the Air Commander attempted to supply Unicron with a new body in the form of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. They were intercepted by Autobots and defeated, forcing Starscream to relinquish control, however the pair had no memory of the events, and returned bewildered to base. {{storylink|Unicron Returns}}

Either Scourge, or one of his Sweeps, fell victim to a bear-like Trans-Organic when Galvatron was tricked into attacking the resting grounds of the Dweller. {{storylink|Dweller in the Depths (Legends)|Dweller in the Depths}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:BattleTacticsScourgeG1.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|You could use level 1-17 Scourges as Sweeps.]]
Scourge participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He was a Rare character who could be recruited after collecting 60 units of Cybermetal, 25 units of Transmetal, and 15 scout cores. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:ScourgeEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|So do I get my Sweeps back? Not at the same time I'm around apparently.]]

Scourge was accidentally brought to Earth because of a Space Bridge miscalibration and a space-time continuum error. Starscream complained that another air bot would get in his way, and Scourge threatened to turn him into a 100-piece puzzle for Hook to assemble if he didn't watch his mouth. He then searched for a raiding party.

He bemoaned that they had lost the future, but Cyclonus pointed out he has the chance to hunt down the Autobots he had deleted again. But Scourge said the worst part is that they're expected to serve Megatron instead of Galvatron. He began to change his mind when Megatron gave him the task to lure any Autobot into an ambush.

Sometime later he encountered [[Swoop (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Strafe]] and was about to duel, but a transmission came from Galvatron and he ordered him to cease and desist, for they have evolved. Scourge started to agree with Divebomb that Galvatron is a total killjoy.

But Scourge wouldn't, so Galvatron declared that he would stand alone without his help. While he and Ultra Magnus pursue their vendetta, Scourge called his Sweeps to hunt for prey. Strafe retorted that he would be more impressed if hadn't been built from bits of old Insecticons, which Scourge would never live down.

*'''Class:''' Aerial
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' Scourge uses his double-barreled blaster to fire at the target.
*'''Ability:''' '''Fire Mission:''' Sets out to damage targets in an area, striking them up to 18 times.
**'''Cost:''' 5 ability points +5 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:scourge Scourge at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Scourge (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Scourge (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:ScourgeG1-charactermodels.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hooked On Steroids worked for me!]]
*Like most of the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 animated film]] characters, Scourge has two [[character model]]s. The first one was designer [[Floro Dery]]'s original, which inspired the action figure and was used prominently in the Marvel Comics stories. The second was revised from Dery's to have more standard, "heroic" proportions and was used in the original cartoon, though not 100% consistently. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of Dery's Scourge was the revealed head in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. This was removed entirely for the revised version, probably because it looked extremely dorky.
*When asked why Scourge and the Sweeps stick their heads out while they're in vehicle mode, Floro Dery replied: ''"The heads stick out because the idea is like a regular fighter plane. You can see just the head of the fighter pilot. If you have seen my [http://archive.is/kR3lr "Egg" design] on my web site, I based Scourge on it."''<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060625115408/http://members.aol.com/tfencyc/interview_dery.html Zobovor's Interview with Floro Dery]</ref>
*Early drafts of ''The Transformers: The Movie'' script also portray Scourge as propping his head out in vehicle mode to serve as sort of the "eyes" of the expedition. More interestingly, his alt mode was originally land based with Cyclonus and his armada being the only jets. There's a remnant of this in his ''[[The Transformers Universe]]'' profile where it states that Scourge has a "marauding automotive mode which handles any terrain", a technically true but still very odd description of a flying alt-mode.
*A close examination of Scourge's character model (both final and early versions) reveals that his animation model transforms somewhat ''backwards'' from the way his toy representations do. Whereas the toys have the upward-facing torso concealed fully within the wings, the animation model actually has nearly ''all'' of the chest and body front details visible on the ''underside'' of the vehicle mode. This further implies that the robot head twists 180 degrees and folds backwards to complete formation of the vehicle mode rather than just staring at his own chest.
*It's not known how much (if any) communication there was between Marvel's US office and the UK offices where Simon Furman was churning out his behind-the-scenes stories, but regardless, Cyclonus and Scourge completely disappeared from the US book after ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]''—leaving Furman free to send them off to find Galvatron in "[[Wrecking Havoc]]".
*For some reason, Scourge's head-mounted cannon was implied to not be a cannon in the comics, as the loss of a handgun in "[[Target: 2006]]" apparently left Scourge completely weaponless in [[robot mode]], making transformation a complete necessity.
*Scourge's history in the franchise has been decidedly ignominious compared to his fellow movie characters. Despite it and other contemporary media playing him and Cyclonus up as equals, Season 3 of the cartoon would mostly only focus on the latter as Galvatron's lieutenant, with Scourge only being focused on in a handful of episodes, a dynamic which would be reflected in most G1 media over the next 20 years. He was only introduced in the original 2005 IDW continuity via [[Rebirth|a retcon]], wherein he would end up doing very little before [[Liars,_A_to_D_Part_1:_How_to_Say_Goodbye_and_Mean_It|dying off-screen]], after which he wouldn't appear or be mentioned ''once'' in the multiple flashbacks expanding on Nova Prime's era, whilst Galvatron and Cyclonus became main characters. And then, in the 2019 IDW continuity, Cyclonus would once again be a major character while Scourge once again never showed up. To top it off, Scourge's final major appearance in media to date would be in ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'', wherein he didn't even last an issue before being shot and (seemingly) killed by Megatron. Moral of the story: No one likes Scourge.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Scourge''' (スカージ ''Sukāji'')
*''Czech:'' '''Bič''' ("Whip")
*''French:'' '''Fléo''' (Canada, altered spelling of ''fléau'', which means "scourge")
*''Italian:'' '''Sheriff'''
*''Hungarian:'' '''Ostor''' ("Whip"), '''Korbács''' (first ''The Movie'' dub, "Scourge")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tiānqiǎn''' (Taiwan, 天譴, "Scourge"), '''Wēnyì''' (China, 瘟疫, "Plague")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Aperto'''
*''Russian:'' '''Knut''' (Кнут, "Whip")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Kara''' (ICTV, Кара, "Punishment")

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Dead Universe]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generations Selects Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Sweeps]]
[[Category:Targetmasters]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Trackers]]
[[Category:TransTech Decepticons]]
[[Category:United Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Prowl (TM2)

2024-04-13T23:27:52Z

MBG:

{{factions|maximal|autobot|ozsa|liegemaximo|jungleplanet}}
{{disambig3.5|the owl|the lion|Prowl (Magnaboss)|Prowl}}
:''Prowl is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:Prowl2-bw-packageart.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Give a hoot! Read a book!]]
'''Prowl''' is not a verbose [[Maximal]], preferring instead to listen. He gathers information, analyzes it, and instantly suggests an appropriate course of action. His logical mind is without match among his Maximal brethren, who rank him among their best military strategists. Prowl feels that he fulfilled that same role in a previous life.<ref>''Beast Wars'' Prowl pack-in bio card</ref>

{{bigquote|Logic provides the structure to be filled by the soul of creativity.|Prowl|''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' #3}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Wars'' toy bio===
Prowl appeared to have lost all specific memories of his prior existence. He remained convinced that he was a great military strategist in a previous life. {{storylink|#Toys|''Beast Wars'' Transmetal 2 Prowl toy bio}}

===Japanese cartoon continuity===
====''Story of Binaltech''====
Offered a glimpse of the fast-approaching future by the time-traveling [[Decepticon]] [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] was witness to the death of [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] and various other Autobots in the year [[2005]]. In an attempt to alter the course of these events, he began [[Project Bodyshop (project)|Project: Bodyshop]], developing new [[Binaltech (technology)|Binaltech]] bodies for his comrades that they would be able to control via the [[Genetronic Translink System|GT System]]. A body was developed to be used as a secondary unit by Prowl and was designated "Prowl 2" (プロール2 ''Purōru Tsū'').

When Prowl came under attack from Decepticons on a mission in the vicinity of Saturn, Wheeljack made a desperate attempt to preserve Prowl's life by attempting a long-range transfer of his spark into his new body via [[unspace|subspace]]. Unfortunately, the process malfunctioned and Prowl's spark was lost. The body, however, had already been programmed with Prowl's [[datatrax]], and [[Chip Chase]], recalling [[Roll for It|the time years before]] when he had taken control of Prowl's body, volunteered to have his own mind transferred into the shell, bringing it to true life as "Prowl 2". {{storylink|Prowl & Chase}}

Thanks to Prowl 2 and Overdrive's efforts, the Ravage with knowledge of the future was eventually captured and made to reveal some of his secrets to the Autobots. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (prose)|Darkest Hour}}

After Unicron's defeat at the hands of Ultra Magnus, Prowl 2 remained vigilant knowing that Ravage still held an advantage over the Autobots with his knowledge of the future. He rallied the Autobot forces off Cybertron to better avoid whatever future catastrophe might await them. During the Autobots' absence, Shockwave returned Megatron to the timestream, and the Decepticon leader took full control of the Transformers' homeworld. {{storylink|Binal Time}} Optimus then summoned Prowl II and many other Autobots and told them that scientists had been able to retrieve some of the data about the future. Most pertinent was the existence of a "[[Large switch|kill switch]]" which would immobilize all Transformers once pulled. The Autobots used the device as a last resort, but as it turns out, all those in Binaltech bodies were unaffected by its power. With most of the Autobots in Binaltech bodies, they secured an easy victory over the Decepticons. {{storylink|Kill Switch}}

Eventually, Prowl's lost spark was discovered, having traveled through subspace into [[G1 World|another timeline]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 1}} Prowl's spark was deemed too weak to make the dimensional crossing back to his [[BT World|own timeline]] unprotected, so Chip allowed his lifeforce to be transferred back into his human body, so that "Prowl 2" could cease to be and the body be used to house the true Prowl's spark at last. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 2}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
When Prowl and Wheeljack traveled from [[BT World]] to [[G1 World|OG World]] and subsequently took up permanent residence in the latter dimension, they transferred their sparks into new, non-Binaltech bodies, leaving the old bodies in storage. Years later, when the elderly Chip Chase fell ill, Wheeljack remembered the time his essence had powered Prowl's Binaltech body back in Wheeljack's home universe, and repeated the process using the [[Cortexitron]] and Prowl's Alpha BT unit in hopes of preserving Chip's lifeforce. Unfortunately, the process was not entirely successful, and the new Chip/Prowl fusion was put into stasis until eventually, [[Maximal]] technology enabled it to be reactivated. Some memories were lost, but Prowl II was once again alive. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 10 September 2015}}

===2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity===
[[File:Gathering4-Prowl.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"Problem, Razorbeast?" "Yeah. We have no idea who the hell you are."]]

During the Great War, many Autobots fell victim to an infection that destroyed their bodies. To help boost the defense against the Decepticons on Earth, humans and Autobots combined their technology to create new Transformer bodies. One result of this cooperation was a warrior that was the combination of a human's essence and a robotic body. This warrior took on the mantle of "Prowl" for a short time and lived to the era of Maximals and Predacons. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #3}}

Prowl was one of the [[protoform]]s left behind by the crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' on prehistoric [[Earth]]. He was activated and put in [[chronal phase]] by [[Razorbeast]] at [[Magmatron]]'s request, but was protected from Magmatron's [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] shell-program by Razorbeast's viral code.

[[File:BWAscendProwl2RazorbeastWolfang.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|"Hey, Prowl. Someone told me you sound like an owl." "Who?"]]
Accompanied by [[Nightglider|Night Glider]], [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], and [[Air Hammer (BW)|Air Hammer]], Prowl sped to meet up with Razorbeast. {{Storylink|The Gathering issue 2|The Gathering #2}} These fliers and a phalanx of other Maximals finally reached Razorbeast's team just in time to fight off [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]'s Predacon militia. In the battle that ensued, Prowl battled [[Sky Shadow (BW)|Sky Shadow]]. After the skirmish, Razorbeast had a spark-to-spark conversation with Prowl, telling him how tempted he was to end [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s life while he was in the captivity of Magmatron. Prowl assured him that he made the right decision, as it was what happened in the here and now that mattered, not what could happen in there and then of the future. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 4|The Gathering #4}}

Prowl would serve as an adviser and sounding board for the anxious Razorbeast in the following weeks, alongside [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]], and the two would reassure him that the situation was under control at the moment. Of course, the Predacons decided to launch a full-tilt assault during one of these group chats and Prowl scrambled to counterattack alongside his comrades. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 1|The Ascending #1}} During the attack, Ravage learned from a temporally-displaced Magmatron that [[Shokaract]] was the real threat, and a truce was called. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2|The Ascending #2}} Prowl was one of several Maximals who were taken back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the present day, as it was under attack from Shokaract and [[Unicron]]'s acolytes. Prowl airlifted [[Snarl (BW)|Snarl]] (who invisibility-cloaked them both) in an effort to put a [[chronal phase facilitator]] on Shokaract. However, when Snarl jumped off, Prowl was visible once again and was blasted out of the sky. Fortunately, his sacrifice was not in vain, as the monster was taken to Magmatron's limbo and convinced to end this madness before Unicron consumed them all. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 4|The Ascending #4}}
{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
[[File:Blastcharge withered hope.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|His only fictional appearance that ''isn't'' headache-inducing.]]
A Prowl with black feathers was a member of the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration]]. He, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] were part of the group investigating the discovery of [[Comet]]'s body. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

On the day of the [[Waruder]] invasion of Cybertron, another Prowl, with white feathers, aided his fellow police officers (including yet another [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]]) in arresting [[Megatron (Movie)#TransTech|C-81]], [[Battletrap (G1)|Battletrap]], and [[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]]. {{Storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:Prowl2IDW2005.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|WHY WOULD [[IDW Publishing|YOU]] DO THIS TO [[Fandom|US]]??]]
Thousands of years ago, an owl [[Maximal]] was one of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]]'s followers present with him on [[Antilla]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 1: Surfeit of Primes|Surfeit of Primes}}

A Cybertronian Transformer with the same design was one of the many radicals who joined [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]]'s cell of [[Mayhem Attack Squad|Mayhem]] revolutionaries and underwent the [[Chimeracon]] upgrade. He was killed by the [[Wreckers]] shortly after the Autobot commandos invaded the [[Noisemaze (dimension)|Noisemaze]]. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

Yet another owl Transformer was a [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukarian]] colonist. When [[Unicron]] arrived to consume his homeworld, he was one of the many Eukarians dragged into the maw of the planet-eater and devoured. {{storylink|Our Darkest}}
{{--}}

==The Prowl II conundrum==
Due to the fact that ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (1986) was not released in Japan until 1989, the production staff of the assorted Japanese-exclusive series were apparently not aware that several characters died during the film. As a result, a few of these deceased characters continued to appear in subsequent Japanese series—[[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]''. Prowl was an especially erroneous instance, because he had been name-checked as being among the deceased in the Japanese dub of "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]", and yet... here he was, with a speaking line and everything.

The story accompanying ''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech|Binaltech]]'' (2003–2008) introduced the [[Genetronic Translink System]], a mechanism which allowed Transformers to simultaneously operate multiple bodies. This served as a possible explanation for the survival of many of these characters in Japanese continuity, but it did not explain how Prowl could still be around, since he had specifically been stated to be dead. Enter "Prowl 2", an identical clone (sort of) with Prowl's memories that seemingly [[retcon]]ned the appearances in ''The Headmasters'' into being "Prowl 2", rather than Prowl.

This continuity patch-job failed to stick, however—eighteen chapters in, the events of the ''Binaltech'' storyline were branched off into a parallel universe, leaving the appearances of Prowl in ''The Headmasters'' as an anomaly once more.

The anomaly continued in early 2008, when IDW's ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' profiled the [[Transmetal 2]] [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Warrior]] Prowl. Originally released in 1999, this Prowl's [[bio|toy bio]] featured many references to the original (they have the same function and motto, use the same weapon, and are described in almost identical terms) and noted that he "believes himself to have been a great military strategist in a former life," all of which seemed meant to imply he was the original, or at least had a strong connection. As the ''Sourcebook'' had already chosen to represent the [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]] component also known as [[Prowl (Magnaboss)|Prowl]] as an upgraded version of the original Generation 1 character, Transmetal 2 Prowl—here given the moniker of "Prowl II" to differentiate him—was established to be an upgraded version of the semi-clone from ''Binaltech''. This made little sense, however, given that the storyline of the ''Binaltech'' world was incompatible with the history of the ''Beast Wars'' universe, plus, a few months after the publication of the ''Sourcebook'', the ''Binaltech'' story restored the original Prowl to life and put Chip back in his own body.

All of this would be patched up with "[[Controverse]]" in 2014 and then a 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook post that was written with input from Ichikawa. Between the two works, Prowl (and Wheeljack) were shown leaving the [[BT World]] timeline and traveling to the [[G1 World|OG World]] timeline and switching to bodies reminiscent of their classic appearances. It was then explained that the original BT body, now lacking a spark, would eventually be reactivated with Chip's life force to form Prowl II. And thus was the problem solved, and there was much rejoicing.

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:Prowl tm2 fktoy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Pr'''OWL'''. Get it? Yuk yuk yuk. Oh, Hasbro.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-m1|'''Prowl''' (Deluxe Transmetal 2, [[1999]])}}</ul>
{{toydesigner|[[Yuichiro Hira]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Part of the second wave of fourth-year ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Deluxes, Prowl is a [[Transmetal 2]] bio-mechanical owl with a flip-around-reveal [[spark crystal]] in his owl-skull. In [[beast mode]], he has a spring-gear-activated spinning head-and-wing gimmick. Oddly, the ''advertised'' [[robot mode]] for this figure has limited range of motion, since its wings would prevent its arms from moving forward. However, box art suggests folding the wings over the shoulders, rather than sticking out sideways from the chest.

: His toy was released in two color schemes: the first one, available in the first wave of product with Prowl (aka "second wave"), features a white, turquoise, and red coloration. Come wave 3, however, he and [[Dinobot II#Toys|Dinobot]] were re-shipped as part of [[Hasbro]]'s early experiments in refreshing a line with same-character [[redeco]] [[variant]]s, with Prowl now colored black, blue, and red. As a running change variation, he was sold under the same individual SKU rather than as a completely new release, and his packaging makes no mention of this new color scheme.

: The white version of this toy was sold in Japan as an "import", in Hasbro packaging with a Japanese sticker for legal information, [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/Prowl/prowl.htm More information on Transmetal 2 Prowl (white) at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/ProwlBlack/prowl.htm More information on Transmetal 2 Prowl (black) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Binaltech''===
[[File:BinaltechProwl.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Chip Chase cosplaying.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Prowl''' (Binaltech, [[2005]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number'': '''BT-15'''
:*''Release date'': [[July 28]], 2005
:*''Accessories'': Engine/gun, traffic direction baton
{{toydesigner|[[Steve Bono]] (Hasbro)}}
{{note|Prowl II was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] from ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Prowl]].}}

: Part of the fourteenth wave of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' line, Prowl "Patrol Type" transforms into a fully-licensed 1:24-scale {{w|Acura RSX}} with opening doors, hood and trunk. His engine becomes a (non-firing) gun, while a clear-plastic nightstick is hidden under his car mode rear section.

: For his standard Japanese ''Binaltech'' release, Prowl received a [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] deco based on a real Japanese police car (the [[Hasbro]] [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Alternators|Prowl]]'s deco being based more on the original Generation 1 toy), a different spoiler mold, different rims, right-side steering, a Japanese police cherry blossom emblem instead of an Acura logo, and gray plastic instead of stony-blue. He was also labeled as a "Honda Integra Type-R", the model's make in Japan.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*The ''Beast Wars'' toy bio notes that Prowl fires "highly corrosive [[acid pellet]]s", a nod to the original Prowl's weapon, but this Prowl has no gun of any type. However, real owls ''do'' spit up hardened pellets of undigested bone, fur and other leftovers from recent meals... so basically, Prowl horks up hardened barf-bullets at his enemies. Delightful!
*There is another "[[Prowl 2]]" toy out there, the [[Spychanger]] from the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]]. No release of the toy included a [[bio]], and consequently, just exactly ''who'' this figure represents was debated for a long time. [[Ask Vector Prime]] would eventually clarify the mystery there as well.
*One idea [[Jim Sorenson]] had for a potential ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' convention comic (later solidified as the unrelated "[[Dawn of the Predacus]]" available at [[BotCon 2016]]) was Prowl as a villainous digital backup of Generation 1 Prowl.{{fact}}

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Prowl''' (プロール ''Purōru'')

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Maximals]]
[[Category:Jungle Planet]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Mayhem]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Toys"R"Us Japan exclusives]]
[[Category:Transmetals 2]]
[[Category:TransTech Maximals]]

Long Haul (G1)

2024-04-06T21:02:06Z

MBG: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ultracon}}
{{disambig3|Long Haul}}
{{suite}}
:''Long Haul is a [[Decepticon]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:LongHaulG1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Knows the importance of not complaining about his job, but is known entirely for complaining about his job.]]
The problem, as '''Long Haul''' sees it, is that he gets all the work and very little of the excitement and the glory that goes with being a Decepticon. He knows his job is important; he'd just much rather be on the front lines fighting shoulder to shoulder with fellow warriors than moving supplies and building installations to make sure those warriors continue fighting. Long Haul keeps these secret desires to himself though, as he's smart enough to know [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is not likely to be sympathetic and has no patience for grunts who question their orders.

He also serves as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s crotch. Tough break.

{{bigquote|REMOVE! REMOVE! ALWAYS REMOVE! I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!|Long Haul's unfortunate fate|"[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "The Core"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Autobot Run"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, ''2010'')|[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''The Autobot Run''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4''), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, Generation 2 Dub), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Albert Augier]] (European French), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Júlio Chaves]] (Portuguese), [[Older Cazarré]] (Portuguese, "The Master Builders")}}

Some time in the past, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were responsible for creating Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Roughly nine million years ago, Long Haul and the Constructicons were friends of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] in [[Crystal City]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their engineering skills were permanently turned to evil, however, once [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] reprogrammed them into Decepticons. They were also given the combined form of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], making them the physical equal of Omega Supreme in combat. After they destroyed Crystal City at Megatron's command, the Constructicons earned the everlasting ire of their former friend. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[File:CityofSteel DisassemblingPrime.jpg|left|thumb|The crankiest operating table in existence.]]
Long Haul was eventually summoned to Earth ([[Constructicon (G1)|built on Earth?]]) by Megatron and the Decepticons, and joined them in trying to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. Their first scheme was to supercharge Megatron with the [[power chip rectifier]]s of his fellow 'Cons, so that he could defeat Prime in personal combat. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Though they failed, the Constructicons would be involved in many of Megatron's schemes from then on, such as constructing of [[New Cybertron]] in [[New York City|Manhattan]], where Long Haul got to carry around debris and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|paralyzed Autobot leaders]]. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

Long Haul was the most long-suffering members of the Constructicons, possibly even more so than [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. He was constantly complaining about wanting a greater role in the group, either as a warrior or an engineer, but was inevitably relegated to "go fetch" work for [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] or [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]. It didn't help his mood any. At one point the Constructicons later built the [[Transfixatron]] to paralyze the Autobots in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, along with a metal-munching machine to devour them. Long Haul complained loudly about his job, but was cheered up when he got to feed [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] to the machine. He didn't even mind when the Autobots got loose, since it meant finally getting some action. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron later had the Constructicons build a giant drill, planning to collect energy from the [[Earth's core]]. When an accident was caused by Scavenger's faulty sensors, Long Haul was tasked with loading [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s mixing drum full of chemicals so that the crazed chemist could do a quick repair job. He didn't enjoy it one bit. A group of Autobots soon discovered the Decepticons, only to be chased off by Devastator. However, they soon returned with a plan—using [[dominator disk]]s to take control of Devastator for their own needs. The Autobot [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] shot a pair of disks at Long Haul and Mixmaster when they weren't looking, and as soon as the Constructicons formed Devastator shortly afterwards, the Autobots took control of him. Megatron's attempts at regaining his troops eventually led to Devastator going crazy and wrecking the controls to the drill, so Long Haul had to help stop it from breaching the Earth's core and shattering the planet. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon LongHaul Dirge.jpg|thumb|Death comes to he who stands behind a dump truck emptying its load.]]
When the other Decepticons were suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion, Long Haul and the other Constructicons unloaded a shipment of Cybertonium sent by Shockwave. They failed to stop the Dinobots from using the space bridge to go to Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} When the Constructicons deceived [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] into building a [[Solar Power Tower]] for them to take over, Long Haul thought he was finally going to get to build something. Hook sent him to carry solar panels around. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Long Haul's greatest claim to fame was abandoning his job of guarding the recently discovered pool of [[electrum]], forcing [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to do it by himself. Dirge was then promptly beaten up by [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and the Autobots gained control of the electrum. Oops. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Long Haul later went into space with the other Constructicons in order to mine energy from an asteroid. When the Autobots found out, the Constructicons found themselves facing their old pal, Omega Supreme, who broke the entire asteroid in half in his attempts to exterminate Long Haul and the others. Ignoring the [[Asteroid bird alien|strange alien]] that "hatched" from the asteroid, the Constructicons merged into Devastator and kept fighting Omega Supreme on Earth, but were eventually defeated. Before Omega Supreme could finish them off, however, he had to leave and deal with the alien. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

Long Haul pitched in to build an over-sized maze for Blitzwing, {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} and the Constructicons later helped Megatron construct one of the most devastating weapons of all time. Pleased with their work, Megatron dismissed the Constructicons for the day. Long Haul and his crew departed quickly, before Megatron realized they had built the ultimate weapon at the bottom of a deep canyon, making it virtually impossible to aim it at anything worthwhile. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:TFTM LongHaulwithKickback.jpg|left|thumb|"Remove, remove... always remove!"]]
In [[2005]], Long Haul and the Constructicons joined in the assault on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], and their power as Devastator was key to breaching the city's defenses. After the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived, however, Devastator was effectively nullified as the two groups kept each other too busy and out of the rest of the fighting. They joined the other Decepticons in beating a hasty retreat after Megatron fell in battle, and Long Haul was seen carrying the damaged [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] with him. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Long Haul’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], the Decepticons sought refuge on the planet of [[Chaar]], where the Constructicons began squabbling over who would take Astrotrain's latest shipment of energon. They combined, but were broken up by Menasor and slinked away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Constructicons were tasked with modifying an Earth city into the Decepticons' new battle station, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and Long Haul got [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|a new colour scheme]] just for the occasion, cackling about the rude awakening the humans were about to receive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} He then shot at [[Sky Lynx (G1)|an Autobot shuttle]] when it arrived on Earth with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]], and was petrified by a [[Large switch|device]] that froze all Transformers. Long Haul was freed when [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a human]] destroyed the device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Long Haul participated in building a new engine for Galvatron, only for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and his squad of Autobots to crash the party. Despite merging into Devastator, the Constructicons were no match for the enormous [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]. After a crash on [[Eurythma]], Long Haul fought Perceptor and Hot Spot with his teammates. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} He accompanied Galvatron to [[Paradron]] and took part in the crossfire, {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} and as part of Devastator, got his revenge on Broadside during a battle in Japan. Later on, Long Haul witnessed Galvatron and Cyclonus be defeated by a mutated Scourge. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
{{voiceactor|[[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

When the Decepticons learned of the Scramble City project being secretly assembled by the Autobots, Megatron sent his henchmen to interfere with their work. The Constructicons joined Starscream and his flying partners in an attack on the Autobots. Optimus Prime and a task force of Autobots held their position until Long Haul and the Constructicons inevitably joined forces into Devastator. The Aerialbots gave Devastator a good whippin', though, and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Hm1 Constructicons Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Long Haul and the Constructicons were stationed on Earth in 2011, under the command of [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. They attempted to prevent Ultra Magnus from sending reinforcements to Cybertron to help the Autobots fend off Galvatron's siege on [[Vector Sigma]]. Long Haul and his squad were ganging up on the [[Trainbot]]s until [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived and shooed them off with his superior firepower. Having failed to stop the Autobot reinforcements from departing, the Constructicons followed them to Cybertron. As Devastator, they tried to shoot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in the back, but Optimus Prime foiled their aim, making them hit [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] instead. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Devastator was involved in a combiner shootout on Cybertron until the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]] arrived and annihilated the Decepticon combiners. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Long Haul and the Constructicons were guarding the Decepticon [[space bridge]] on Earth, but failed miserably when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] single-handedly fought them off and stole a ride on the bridge. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
Long Haul and the other Constructicons tricked Grapple into helping them rebuild the Crystal City on Earth, and were joined by Omega Supreme and [[Hauler]] as well, but was unhappy to have been reduced to the role of material carrier again. {{storylink|Crystal City Reconstruction Project!}}

=====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Long Haul was among those summoned, but only in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Megatron traveled into the [[Legends World]], the [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] of that universe recounted his life story to the local [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], starting with his creation at the hands of Long Haul and the Constructicons. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
On an island paradise, Long Haul and the Constructicons were performing excavation work for Megatron's new fortress, at the cost of the natural resources and precious animals. The Autobots arrived to stop the Decepticons. Despite their vast power, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the combined Devastator failed to defeat the Autobots due to their lack of teamwork, and the Constructicons were knocked back into their component parts. The Autobots forced Long Haul and his comrades to undo the damage they had done to the island. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
In the year [[2010]], Long Haul participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Devastator in order to battle alongside Bruticus and Menasor against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Devastator and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{note|Long Haul only appears as a component of Devastator}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, Long Haul was a member of the construction team that built [[Crystal City]]. It was during this project that he and his fellow Constructicons were introduced to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} The Constructicons rose to prominence thanks to their immense architectural skills, and formed their own faction under the leadership of Hook. They were forced to align themselves with the Decepticons in order to maintain access to Kaon's smelting pools, which granted him access to the raw building material they needed to continue their work. Unhappy with this arrangement, seven renegade Constructicons went underground, building Megatron in an attempt to take power for themselves. Unfortunately for them, Megatron turned on them and formed his own group of Decepticons, eventually brainwashing Long Haul and the others into his service with the Robo-Smasher. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Devastator's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} Among their first acts as Decepticons, the Constructicons destroyed Crystal City. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}}

Long Haul was part of Hook's team when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} During the third Cybertronian war, the Constructicons were ambushed at [[Elevation Recostalus]] by a group of Autobots including ex-Constructicons [[Hauler]] and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], who disabled them before they could form Devastator. The group remained offline until [[1984]], when Megatron rebuilt them on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}

During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Devastator was blasted apart by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s team. Long Haul announced the Autobots' luck had run out, and he and the other Constructicons began pursuing them, gunning down [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in the process. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

====''Cloud''====
The Long Haul of "OG001 Spacetime" was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to combine with his fellow Constructicons into Devastator to face off against the [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]]. The foreign Decepticon easily defeated the combiner, sending his components fleeing in terror. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe created by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the Constructicons participated in the siege of [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] City by forming Devastator. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In a reality where Optimus killed Megatron in 2005, Long Haul was one of the many Decepticons who retreated aboard Astrotrain. He was shocked to learn that his leader hadn't made it out alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Long Haul is the green and purple one.]]
Long Haul was created on Earth by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], combining the engineering material of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s hostilely-occupied aerospace plant with the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that had been pilfered from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head. The Constructicons were not only given individual life, but also the power to merge into Devastator. Their first mission was to construct and operate an intergalactic transceiver which, combined with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s broadcasting abilities, would enable the Decepticons to make contact with Cybertron for the first time in millions of years. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Despite some Autobot intervention, the transceiver was successful enough to open communications between [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] and the Decepticons of Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[File:Soundwave long haul devastation derby.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
''Long Haul and the Constructicons, after troubleshooting their union as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], were sent by Shockwave to abduct [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After tracking the boy down to a demolition derby, and merging into Devastator to fend off the Autobots they found there, the Constructicons' attack was suddenly called off. While Devastator battled, Soundwave had discovered that Buster held the rest of the Creation Matrix in his head, and considered this too great a revelation to proceed as initially planned.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

After [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] took back Decepticon command, Long Haul and his comrades were charged with building perimeter defences around [[Wyoming base|their headquarters]] located at the base of a coal strip mine in eastern [[Wyoming]]. Devastator's services were again required when the Autobots staged a surprise attack, but they retreated once they had what they needed; data on the Constructicons' combining capabilities. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Long Haul and his fellow Decepticons followed a tracer signal to find the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who were sheltering [[Joy Meadows]], her camera crew, and their footage debunking the Decepticons' ''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'' propaganda. A battle ensued, with [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and Long Haul double-teaming [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], and eventually bringing him down with sheer firepower. The Decepticons maintained control of the battlefield until the arrival of [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] turned the tide against them. Soundwave decided to bring the situation to a conclusion by incinerating the humans' footage, which dispirited the Dinobots and humans and the Decepticons left victorious.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}}

''The Constructicons were sent into frigid [[Yukon]] territory to work on a secret project. They were discovered by [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], only for the two Autobots to accidentally betray their presence with an accidental weapons discharge. The Constructicons chased down the interlopers, blasting at them through a nearby forest. During the chase, they merged into Devastator in an attempt to overtake the pair. While in this form, they were duped into blasting a hydro-electric dam. Realizing what was coming, the Constructicons only had time enough to separate before the concrete structure collapsed, unleashing a torrent of water. The Constructicons were submerged in the flood, allowing the Autobots to escape.'' {{storylink|The Mission}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived from the future and removed Megatron from command, the Constructicons began serving the future Decepticon without much question, and built a massive space cannon for him. For some reason, Megatron didn't consider this enough of a treachery to annihilate Long Haul and his partners as traitors after regaining control.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
Long Haul and the other Constructicons were called upon to defend the Decepticons' [[Club Con|base in the Florida Keys]] from a joint attack by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the Autobots. Forming Devastator once again, they brawled with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] until a blast from Superion's rifle caused a malfunction in Devastator's coupling links and he broke up into his components. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:Scrapper hook long haul toy soldiers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Megatron would later be deposed entirely by Shockwave, who was then replaced in turn by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], but the Constructicons remained operational with the Decepticon army. During Ratbat's command, Long Haul and the other Constructicons (except Mixmaster) raided a building site in downtown [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] for raw materials such as girders. They loaded up their loot onto Long Haul, who in turn was carried away by Blitzwing back to their base. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} Later, Long Haul and the others were instrumental in one of Ratbat's schemes, where the Decepticons engaged the Autobots away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] long enough for the Constructicons to sneak on board and recover the deactivated remains of their comrades who had been captured by Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

{{note|For unknown reasons, the Constructicons stopped making appearances after the [[Underbase Saga]]. It's possible they were deactivated behind the scenes in the [[Decepticon Civil War]] or [[Dark Star|battling]] the super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]].}}

=====Movie future timeline=====
When Megatron launched an all-out offensive against [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in the year [[2005]], Long Haul was among the troops who besieged the outpost. He and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator at Megatron's command to breach Autobot City's outer defenses. When the Decepticons were eventually forced to retreat inside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the Constructicons were relatively unscathed from the battle. As such, they voted that all injured Transformers be jettisoned when Astrotrain complained he didn't have the energy necessary to carry them all back to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Prowl long haul mixmaster starting over.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.95]]
When the Decepticon forces of Earth split, Long Haul and most of the Constructicons chose to work with Megatron instead of Shockwave. While patrolling the site of Megatron's [[Global warming satellite|ozone rocket]], Long Haul and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] came across a pair of snooping Autobots. Despite being initially caught off guard, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] quickly disposed of the two Constructicons. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Later, at the [[Enclave]], Long Haul was seen talking to [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] before the "festivities" broke up the quiet little party; the Autobots faked an assassination attempt on Megatron, and the two Decepticon sub-factions began fighting one another with renewed fervor. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} When Soundwave led the Decepticons in an attack on Autobot Earthbase, Long Haul took some heat from [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'s bombing run. The whole offensive proved ultimately to be fruitless, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
Long Haul made a brief appearance at the climax of the battle with the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], helping the united Autobots and Decepticons construct trenches filled with thermal mines. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dreadwindgod.jpg|thumb|"I told you I didn't drink your so-called-expensive drink!"]]
Long Haul was among Megatron's soldiers when the Decepticon leader resurfaced on Earth. Like most of Megatron's inner circle, Long Haul and the Constructicons were presumably destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during the Underbase Saga, and restored by Megatron using the cache of back-up personality engrams collected by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. This has not been expressly confirmed, however.

Long Haul was present on the Ark when Megatron questioned the mysterious traveller named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. The Decepticons then flew off to the Southern Hemisphere to explore an energy spike somehow related to Landquake. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} When confronted by the Autobots, the five remaining Constructicons formed their modified Devastator configuration, until the ground collapsed beneath their feet. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} Falling to pieces, Long Haul and the Constructicons tried to overpower [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] with sheer numbers instead of strength. It didn't work, so they ran screaming from the battlefield. That ''also'' didn't work, as Grimlock caught up with them and continued to beat them senseless. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

Later on, Long Haul got caught in a struggle between Megatron's faction and a detachment from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s army led by [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. He and the other Constructicons were assaulted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
Under the guise of the [[Global Corporation]], Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons created sophisticated buildings all around the world. Within each building, however, was hidden a mechanism that would trap underground all within the structure. When the scheme was put into motion and the Autobots responded with an attack, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons merged to become The Devastator. Though in this form, the Constructicons were able to overpower the Autobots, that changed when the Dinobots arrived. After the rest of the Constructicons had been butchered by Swoop, Long Haul and Bonecrusher were fused into a helpless mess by Grapple's welder rifle. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

[[File:Constructicons-ASW.jpeg|thumb|]]
As Devastator, Long Haul and the other Constructicons stumbled upon [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] admiring his reflection in the wilderness, and managed to capture the vain Autobot. The group revealed their individual components to their prisoner once he was safely locked up within Decepticon headquarters. They rejoined forces to combat an Autobot rescue party that attempted to storm Decepticon base, and captured [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] as well, putting them in Sunstreaker's cell. The Constructicons were once more prompted to combine into Devastator to contemplate an Autobot peace offering; a life-sized statue of the gestalt! The peace offering turned out to be an Autobot ruse, and reinforcement burst forth from within the statue. The Autobots forced Devastator to break up into his component pieces by thoroughly dividing his attention, and so Long Haul joined the fight against the Autobots as an individual. The Decepticons ultimately lost the battle to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Shockwave led the Constructicons in an attack on a human village, intent on razing the town and building a fuel plant in its place. Long Haul served as Shockwave's mobile podium as he dispensed orders to the rest of the troops under his command, until he was tasked with clearing rubble out of the way so construction could begin on the installation. Little did the Decepticons know, they were being spied upon from orbit by the Autobot [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. Cosmos relayed what was happening to his teammates, who rolled into action to put an end to the Decepticons' plot. Long Haul and his allies were beaten up, shoved down into a pit, and had quick-drying cement poured over them to hold them in place. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
In order to steal an oil truck filled with precious fuel, Megatron arranged for [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to short-circuit the truck's wiring, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to cerebro-shell the drivers into complying, and Long Haul to siphon out the fuel. Autobot intervention, however, allowed the truck and its drivers to escape with their cargo. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

===Autobot Alert!===
{{notemultipath}}
In one possible scenario, the Constructicons were responsible for building the Decepticons’ command centre in the evil robots’ latest plot of taking over the Earth. They also were responsible for stocking Astrotrain with explosives and weapons before the Decepticon shuttle launched into space to further sabotage Earth's satellites.

In a different possible scenario, the Constructicons joined Galvatron on his campaign to retrieve an ancient cybertite sphere containing the secret of an ancient Autobot power-booster. Discovering that the sphere was within a sunken ship off the California coast, the Constructicons merged into Devastator in order to retrieve it. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Long Haul, Mixmaster, and Bonecrusher were driving through a desert when they crossed paths with Sideswipe and Jazz! Boasting that he would see to Earth's destruction, Long Haul tackled Sideswipe in a clash that would be heard "around the world!" {{storylink|Sweepstakes Offer!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Enemytww.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Well, who were you expecting? The Spanish Inquisition?"]]
Soon after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had become leader of the Autobots, Long Haul worked alongside his fellow Constructicons in readying Cybertron to function as an interstellar "warworld" for Megatron, propelled out of orbit and through space using massive planetary engines they had uncovered. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} He was working on this project when the Decepticons spotted some Autobots spying on them. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Though the Decepticons had their opponents outnumbered, the Autobots managed to hold them back until reinforcements arrived in the form of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus Prime. The Constructicons' efforts were ultimately foiled, forcing them to retreat as the planetary engines were destroyed in a spectacular explosion. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Sometime later, the Constructicons created the first set of gestalt programming directives, and tested the directives on themselves to create Devastator. The inevitable spread of [[combiner]] technology, however, proved to be more than Cybertron could handle, as the massive super-robots ran the risk of damaging the planet's very infrastructure if left to battle unchecked. As a result, by the time of the Dark Ages these "[[Special Teams]]" were banned from operating as a unit in any one faction by the universally agreed upon [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. Long Haul and the Constructicons were the first to break these accords, and become active again as Devastator as part of the [[Ultracon]]s. {{storylink|Escalation}} Devastator was unleashed upon the [[Wreckers]] in the [[Tagan Heights]], but was defeated by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] who overloaded him with electricity. This not only shut Devastator down, but also forced him to split into his individual components. {{storylink|Devastation}}

In the modern era, the Constructicons somehow joined Megatron on Earth after the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left Cybertron millions of years ago. Long Haul and the others were operating as Devastator in [[California]] battling the Autobots when they suffered serious damage and were believed destroyed. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''The Constructicons were later revived by Starscream, and used as the groundwork for his new power base after Megatron vanished during a battle in [[Tokyo]] with the Autobots. Long Haul and the other Decepticons who chose to serve Starscream invaded the city of [[Las Vegas]], making deals with the populace to make them voluntarily annex themselves as part of a new Decepticon government. Although most problems from within were dealt with by bribery or the occasional murderous beating, the Decepticons still faced plenty of problems from without. Grimlock of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had made a secret deal with the President to acquire a "rogue" military force and retake [[Las Vegas]], alongside his fellow Autobots [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. The Constructicons were the first to face these invaders as they entered the city, attacking them in waves. Long Haul was in the process of easily overpowering Bumblebee when his comrades were all taken down fighting Grimlock and Prowl. This made Long Haul the center of attention, and he definitely suffered for it. While attempting to blast the 'Bee with a heat-seeking missile, Long Haul was skewered through the shoulder by a makeshift spear Prowl had forged out of a giant neon cowboy. Only in Vegas. With three Autobots and several Apache helicopters on his rear axle, Long Haul beat a hasty retreat deeper into the city, looking for back-up.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

''Megatron eventually returned to Earth, but Long Haul and the Constructicons owed Starscream for reconstructing them, and so remained loyal to him when the Decepticons split into two factions. Of course, this only meant they were among the first to be captured by the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] when those aliens took over Las Vegas and turned Starscream into their puppet. Trapped behind an impenetrable force dome, Long Haul and the Constructicons attempted to batter their way out as Devastator using sheer brute force, until [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] offered a better idea. Reconverting into their separate modes, the Constructicons dug a tunnel out beneath the force field, enabling Starscream's faction to join the final battle against the Keepers. Acting as Devastator, they were too far away from Optimus Prime and his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced force shield when the American nuclear assault was dropped on the Keepers, and were blasted into pieces.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

''The nuclear blast left Devastator fused into his singular [[robot mode]], leaving him unable to split back into Long Haul and his other components. Eventually, Devastator fell into the Void along with [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] in the final conflict with the Keepers, and was left in stasis lock, drifting in the vacuum of space, after the Sentinel destroyed the Keepers' power source and shattered the Void back into real space-time. The starship ''[[Bounty]]'', on a secret space mission from Earth, came across Devastator's remains and planned to tow him back to Earth.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

The pieces of Long Haul and the Constructicons fell under the control of [[Earth Defense Command]], and were held in their [[Roswell]] facility for study. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
The ruthless terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] dug dozens of Autobots and Decepticons out of their four-million-year resting place and began rebuilding them into a Cobra-controlled army. However, with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s help, the mind-controlled Transformers were awakened, and the very cheesed-off Constructicons, including Long Haul, descended upon their previous captor, [[Doctor Mindbender]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave stopped them from killing the doctor, however, as he was needed for other purposes. Instead, the Constructicons were ordered to protect the [[SPS Satellite]] controls from the attacking Autobot and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} To do so, Long Haul combined with the others to form Devastator, but the giant was soon defeated by the attackers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During an all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons Hook, Mixmaster and Bonecrusher ganged up on Sideswipe. He and his fellow Constructicons were blown away by an explosion. Then, Long Haul joined with the other Constructicons to form Devastator in order to combat [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], the Dinobots’ combined form. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''Transformers: All Hail Megatron'' #1]] (modern era)

[[File:MegsOrigin2 Constructicons.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"After more than 20 years, I finally get to build something!"]]
Roughly nine million years ago, after losing their engineering jobs during the automation of manual labor on Cybertron, Long Haul and the Constructicons began associating with the [[Gladiatorial combat|deathsport tournaments]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Instead of directly participating, Long Haul and his partners put their construction skills to work by building a new arena from scratch before each match. This enabled the gladiators to remain one step ahead of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s security services, as they never operated in the same spot twice. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} The Constructicons also worked with repairing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and other injured pit fighters. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, Long Haul and the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron. They were working at the slagwerks of [[Galaxxon]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] rose to leadership of the Autobots. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Four million years ago, Long Haul was part of a convoy along with [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Octane]] and his fellow Constructicons bringing energon to the war effort. They were intercepted and captured by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} At one point they were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]] alongside [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], where they committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

[[File:AHM1 Longhaul.jpg|left|thumb|A dozen cogs in the Decepticon empire descend upon you. Our soldiers will blot out the sun!]]
In the modern era, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were given the ability to combine, and ended up as part of Megatron's forces on Earth. As Devastator, they easily took out the local Autobots, allowing for Decepticon conquest of the planet. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} During said conquest, Long Haul almost ran over pedestrians in [[New York City|New York]], prompting angry responses from the natives, until he and the other Constructicons transformed. The humans thought this was really cool, until the alien construction robot killing machines blew them up. Wishy-washy flesh creatures. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} Long Haul then merged with his fellows to form Devastator, who started destroying the tunnels leading out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}}

For reasons only known to themselves, the Constructicons joined [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] when he rebelled against Megatron, and attacked their former leader in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} However, Devastator soon found himself forced to battle human jets from [[Europe]] instead, which was then followed by the return of the Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Constructicons were taken out of the battle when Devastator was blasted straight through the midsection by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but it's unknown how much damage this caused to Long Haul. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Megatron would later use [[space bridge]] technology built into in his new body to summon Long Haul and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. To battle the Autobots, Long Haul and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator, but ultimately lost because the combiner's right leg was paralyzed due to combining with a dead Scrapper. They were soon mind-controlled by [[D-Void]] (through [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]) into combining with Galvatron's [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army and forming a huge monster. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

[[File:World&EverythingInIt LongHaul and Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's as stealthy as a bright green and purple dump truck.]]
Following the defeat of the "[[Deceptigod]]", the Decepticons were imprisoned by the Autobots, though [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] soon took charge of the situation and hatched a plan to assassinate Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He sent Long Haul to follow Starscream and make sure he didn't mess it up, but Long Haul wasn't sure whether or not to be loyal to Ratbat and opted not to tell him that Starscream paid visit Autobots. He approached Starscream at the time the assassination was supposed to take place, but nothing happened. Starscream advised the Constructicon to report to Ratbat that Bumblebee was dead anyway, which he did. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} After spending their time building things for the Autobots, the Constructicons came to the aid of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] when he was being chased down by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. They beat up Blurr and fought [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] before being confronted by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], who seemingly executed the whole team by detonating their [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. {{storylink|Devisive}}

However, Prowl was in fact under the control of Bombshell, who had merely faked the Constructicons' deaths for the purpose of secretly improving Devastator, rebuilding him in a modular form featuring Prowl or Megatron as the combiner's head. Once Megatron returned to conquer Cybertron, he ordered the Constructicons to combine with Prowl and assault Iacon. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} When Bombshell was removed from the equation, Long Haul and the other Constructicons felt Prowl's feelings and recognized his grudge against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], a human they too hated for his murder of Scrapper. Their unified hatred caused Devastator to develop a mind of his own and go on a rampage. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Once Devastator and Megatron were defeated, the Constructicons were banished from Iacon alongside most other Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Outside the city, Long Haul and his mates left the other Decepticons to hang out with the Autobots, explaining that they wanted to be on Prowl's side after having shared minds with him and being very impressed by his terrible secrets. After a scuffle with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] they were allowed to stay at the Autobot camp, where they had a rematch with Arcee before the Dinobots broke it up and treated the Decepticon team to a drink. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} The Constructicons fell victim to the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]'s corrosive "death wave", but were healed from its effects upon its defeat at the hands of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The team spent the ensuing period of celebrations following Prowl around and showering him with praises, to the Autobot's discomfort. When Prowl clashed with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], Long Haul stood up to Magnus and threatened to form Devastator if he didn't back off. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} Cybertron was then invaded by an army of [[Ammonite]]s sent by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], and during the battle the Constructicons convinced Prowl to form Devastator again for the sake of defeating [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} In the wake of Shockwave's defeat, Long Haul witnessed Megatron's revelation that he'd joined the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-Constructicons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|I don't know what everyone's complaining about; I just ''do not'' see any downsides to this "steroid" thing!]]
Having realized how useful access to Devastator was, Prowl fashioned the Constructicons into his own private unit, loyal only to him, and brought them with him on a mission to Earth. On arrival they saved the ''[[Ark-7]]'' from a human missile assault and formed Devastator to fight Galvatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} After sending the Decepticons packing, Long Haul and the others returned to the ''Ark-7'' to celebrate. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} During the Autobot attack on an [[Earth Defense Command]] base, Prowl had the team coated in stealth paint with orders to join the battle midway, after which they formed Devastator with him and wrecked the base. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} They later stood by Prowl as he spied on Optimus Prime's secret meeting with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

When the Autobots began hunting for the [[Enigma of Combination]], Prowl and the Constructicons went in search of Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} Their search took them to [[Tokyo]], where they secured their asset but ran afoul of Galvatron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} Feigning a truce with their mutual nemesis, the team stormed the [[Onyx]] facility by forming Devastator. Devastator ultimately went berserk due to his loathing of Spike and ruined the mission, allowing [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to abscond with the Enigma. The team was forced to retreat back to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

After Prowl learned that Optimus Prime had helped Starscream form a permanent [[Council of Worlds|alliance]] with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the team hijacked the ship's new spacebridge to travel to Cybertron {{storylink|The Possible Light}}, where they formed Devastator. Superion and Defensor ultimately brought down Devastator, and the Constructicons were sent to a secret prison - Starscream wasn't done with them yet. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Seeking a new edge, Starscream drafted [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] into the team, knowing that Scoop's fanaticism would force Devastator to obey his orders. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Ultimately, however, Devastator wound up losing control. After [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] defeated Devastator, the Constructicons were locked up once again. {{storylink|All That Remains}}

Although the individual Constructicons were still considered criminals, Starscream made allowances for releasing his own loyal combiner when necessary. The Constructicons reformed Devastator at Starscream's command to thwart a group of Decepticons commandeering the space bridge, {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} and to siege the colony ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] when [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-One]] refused to transform her Titan in defense of Cybertron from [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s [[zombie]] fleet. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}}

Following the impeachment and arrest of Starscream, the Constructicons received pardons, and later watched from a nearby rooftop as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived on Cybertron and joined Optimus and his retinue for a meeting in the [[Spire]]. Though the other Constructicons initially laughed off off Scoop's renewed faith in his "Chosen One," who had seemingly foreseen this series of events, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} the team wound up forming Devastator to break an indignant Starscream out of prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

With Onyx Prime unmasked as none other than [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], the Constructicons wound up battling against [[Victorion]] on Starscream's orders. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though they were initially able to withstand her gravity powers, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} this was soon revealed to be the work of Liege Maximo, using supplies of [[Ore-4]] to buffer them against Victorion's attacks. When [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] destroyed this ore, Victorion was able to unleash a devastating gravitational onslaught which fatally crushed Long Haul and the other Constructicons. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Long Haul and the other Constructicons formed Devastator to attack the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', successfully destroying one of its two modules. Devastator was blown back into his components when [[Wild Bill]] rammed the other module straight into him. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Long Haul was later revealed to have been killed by the impact. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Long-Haul-cleaning-up.jpg|thumb|300px|Well look on the bright side. You look leaner than your toy for this trilogy.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Todaro]] (English)}}
Long Haul, Scrapper and Scavenger all battled Megatron in the ruins of an old coliseum, but he easily overpowered them all. Upon overhearing Windblade say that Starscream possessed the [[Enigma of Combination]], Long Haul signaled a plan to the other Constructicons, and they later formed Devastator in an attempt to take the Enigma for themselves. {{storylink|Unforgotten}} In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], Long Haul was among those assisting with the reconstruction efforts. He didn't appreciate [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] jokingly dropping a giant rock on top of him. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} He presumably died when Devastator was killed by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Half of the original Constructicon team survived the Great War, including Long Haul. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] helped reform the team in the days after the [[Armistice]], creating a 2/3rds Autobot roster and convincing the Constructicon to undergo [[Micromaster]] downsizing, losing social hierarchy among the Builders but retaining their mobility in the energon-depleted era. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Long Haul and the Constructicons served the Builders against the [[Resistance]]. They ran a prisoner transport through [[Proximax]] to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when they were attacked by Resistance fighters. The prisoner, [[Snapper]], escaped, but Long Haul's team found themselves in a prolonged battle with the Resistance which lasted over a day. They retreated to the [[Sights & Sounds]] casino for defense. Meanwhile, one of their members—[[Buckethead]]—had formed an alliance with Snapper and a motley crew of other bots to deal with the alien threat of the [[Monster GoBot|Antares Eight]]. Buckethead and [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] of the Resistance eventually reached both sides and got them to join forces against the Renegade invaders.

At the trans-hyperwave caster the Renegades seized, Long Haul and the Constructicons joined Buckethead's "[[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]]" in attacking the invaders. The Constructicons formed Devastator, fighting the Monster Renegade combiner [[Monsterous]]. After the fight, all Cybertronians retired to Sights & Sounds for a summit. The Ex-Bots ultimately convinced Long Haul and the Constructicons to leave the Builders and act as part of an independent faction to protect the innocents of Proximax and defend the city from the horrors of war. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

The Constructicons and the Ex-Bots prevented [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] from using a [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to brainwash all the people of Proximax. They also recovered the Autobot-turned-Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from his control. As the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] began, the Ex-Bots chose to get involved with the other armies of the proto-races. Long Haul and the Constructicons salvaged a lobotomized [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] and retrofitted and detailed it as the team's new [[Ex-Jet]].

On the march to [[Nova Cronum]], the Constructicons formed Devastator to wade through the hordes of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. At the [[Grand Mal]] itself, Devastator joined forces with the Maximal combiner [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]. Their combined assault weakened the Grand Mal's force field enough for [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] to take note of them, and fire the massive optic ray at the combiners. Devastator pushed Magnaboss out of the way. Magnaboss lost an arm, a fifth of his gestalt mind, but Devastator suffered worse. Half his components were damaged beyond repair, and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|''Galaxies'' #1]]}}

Long Haul was forged at or around the end of the War of the Threefold Spark. An era of rebuilding and renewal, Long Haul came together with five other newly forged 'bots to form the Constructicons and help shape the Cybertron to come. A pragmatist, Long Haul monitored supply inventory and transport, believing himself the unsung hero of the construction site next to the flashier engineers and architects. They were recruited by the visionary architect [[Termagax]] to help build in the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Eager to make a name for themselves, the team promptly clashed with Termagax's conservative second-in-command [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]—for while Wheeljack sought to merely ''rebuild'' Iacon, Termagax saw the potential for something bigger and better to take its place. While excavating in [[Rivets Field]], the team inadvertently discovered the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Urged on by Termagax, Long Haul and his team agreed to expose themselves to the energies of the artifact, transforming themselves into a new combiner: raw power which Termagax hoped to harness and reshape into the ultimate building tool. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

Despite this new strength and power, Long Haul and his team struggled to master their combination, fighting against a seventh, destructive personality that surfaced whenever the team combined... and whose love of indiscriminate destruction jeopardized their reconstruction efforts. Finally, however, Termagax encouraged the team to work ''with'' this anger, rather than against it, and harness the powerful emotion to unite them in their shared purpose of rebuilding Iacon. Although the team would eventually complete their goal of turning the ravaged cityscape into a beautiful metropolis, they would not enjoy the fruits of their labor for long—Wheeljack brought his concerns to the attention of [[Nominus Prime]], and the Prime arranged matters so that the team would be reassigned to the distant colony of [[Mayalx]] to oversee the construction of a new [[energon]] refinery. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} There, the Constructicons labored for many years, deliberately kept under-fueled and tired so they couldn't combine, while they grew increasingly resentful of the world that had abandoned them while reminiscing about their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

With their future on Cybertron uncertain, Scrapper eventually came to believe that the team's future lay elsewhere and began training his teammates in the ways of combat, holding regular sparring sessions in an improvised gladiatorial arena. Long Haul and Scavenger struggled to adjust to being warriors, mixing with Scrapper's patient advice and Bonecrusher's brutality in the ring. During one particular session, the team was interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who, after a brief misunderstanding, told them ''his'' story: like the Constructicons, Nominus Prime had ''also'' banished the Insecticons for fear of their unique matter-eating abilities. Knowing that the team could be of use to [[The Rise]], Bombshell manipulated the team into unknowingly aiding the cause, encouraging them to recapture their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}}

After some deliberation, the six builders agreed to help the Insecticons, and after filling up on Bombshell's provided [[energon cube]]s the team combined for the first time since their banishment—but instead of uniting based on their shared urge to create, the Constructicons combined to destroy Mayalx and everything it represented to them, a spiteful, destructive rampage that ended with every 'bot in the colony slaughtered and the statue of Nominus Prime toppled. Unaware that the Insecticons had deliberately goaded them into such wanton slaughter so that the energon they processed from the many remains could be secretly shipped back to Cybertron to fuel the rise, Scrapper told his team that, for the first time in their lives, they were finally free to do and build whatever they wanted. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

Eventually, Shockwave called the Constructicons back to Cybertron and the Rise. When they arrived, however, Shockwave's former superior [[Exarchon]] had laid claim to the Rise and their bases. The Threefold Spark was eager to take a new body as powerful as Devastator, and tried to usurp the combiner. Together, Long Haul and the Constructicons were strong enough to prevent Exarchon from possessing their collective spark or sparks, though the effort forced them apart and left them out of action. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}} With Exarchon soon destroyed, the Rise were fully absorbed into the Decepticons, and Shockwave provided the Constructicons to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s cause. Long Haul and the others were happy to be home, and to be wanted as Devastator. They saw themselves as heroes destined to end the war, and were happy to oppose the legacy of Nominus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}}}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 6|April 13, 2024}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Long Haul rams Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25]]
Long Haul was among countless Decepticons lying dormant in the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after it crash-landed on Earth. However, due to a shortage of energy and raw materials, as well as [[Teletraan One]] being damaged, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] was unable to revive him and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)#Energon Universe|Constructicons]] for some time.

Eventually though, he was able to do so, and when the Autobots attempted a counteroffensive to recapture the ''Ark'', Long Haul made his prescence known by ramming [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] with his considerably larger vehicle mode. Starscream then ordered him and the other Constructicons to merge into [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Optimus Prime eventually threw Devastator off a cliff, separating him into his components, Long Haul crashed into the ground and carried Starscream away as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Long Haul and his teammates were masquerading as construction vehicles, when they suddenly decided to horrify their human operators by revealing their true nature. As their human drivers bailed out and fled, the team combined into Devastator, who crashed his fists together, creating a surge of energy that crackled all the way through his gigantic body. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Constructicons|Constructicons commercial}}
*After being upgraded into their "Generation 2" bodies, the Constructicons went about causing "really big destruction" by driving through a construction site and then merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their fun came to an end when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] emerged from the ground and trounced the combiner. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Constructicons and Dinobots|Generation Constructicons and Dinobots commercial}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Long Haul is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
===''Transformers Legends''===
At some point [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] was friends with the Constructicons, but they had a falling out. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

While Megatron kept Optimus busy, Long Haul and the rest of the Constructicon team to attempt to infiltrate the Autobot base and strike directly at [[Teletraan I]]. They mowed through [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s initial attempt at defenses. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War - Part 1}} Long Haul was among the Decepticons who attacked Cybertron during an alliance with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

The Decepticon team took over an asteroid orbiting Earth, however when Omega Supreme got wind of it, he launched a massive attack and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]]}}
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul.jpg|thumb|400px|This slagging job ain't glamorous, but who cares? ''No one''! '''That's who'''!]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px| You know why I got a G2 homage in this game? ''Because I'm a darn useful bot''. You know why I have better abilities than the rest? '''Because I'm a DARN USEFUL BOT !!!''']]
Long Haul participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Long Haul''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Long Haul (G2)''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:LongHaulEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Now with 80% more grenade launcher. I hate this.]]
It may not be the most glamorous role a Decepticon warrior could wish for, but every army needs its supply line, and Long Haul's lot is to keep the flow of raw materials coming. Then - along with his fellow Constructicons - build the massive energy-recovery installations necessary for conquest.
But Long Haul's unhappiness can blunt his effectiveness, and he's very sensitive to teasing about the mundane nature of his job. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Long Haul bio}}

Long Haul was joined by the other Constructicons through the Space Bridge and helped move a few things in the base. When Megatron found the [[Enigma of Combination|Enigma]], He eagerly used it to activate Devastator, which fared no better for Long Haul because, Once again, he has big wheels on his thighs, again. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

Long Haul and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s arrived at the Frozen Fortress by the orders of Megatron, and had them immediately start drilling, which meant poor Long Haul had to do more moving and tunneling. Brawl was shouting continually for astro-cycles much to his annoyance, but his audio-receptors were finely-tuned. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|What Lies Beneath}}

For once, he complained to Megatron that he and the other Constructicons are tired of being his work horse, and that they're the strongest Combiner yet do the most work. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Breaking Point}}

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' He uses a standard grenade launcher that bombards defenses from long distances.
*'''Ability: Rocket Barrage''' - Shoots 4 rockets from long range dealing high damage over a medium area around the target.
**'''Cost:''' 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:long-haul Long Haul at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Long Haul was a member of the Constructicons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Battle-for-earth longhaul.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And now I'm mistransformed, too? Forget my job-I hate my ''life''.]]
*In what can only be called "unfortunate hilarity", Long Haul's original [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] [[character model]] was drawn using toy references that still had his toy's [[robot mode]] head still flipped up and the arms folded straight forward without the hands folded in.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OSbNSWxwEihhwWRKWQVq-qD773U6fK3s/view 1985 Hasbro briefing binder scans]</ref> Thus, in any fictional appearance using this model, Long Haul is a dump truck with a robot head sitting next to the driver's cab and cylindrical shapes sitting at the front of his vehicle mode. This was especially awkward in the cartoon, when his "vehicle mode head" would disappear when he transformed, and his "robot mode head" would come from... somewhere else.
*Animation company [[AKOM]] seems to have gotten Long Haul's color layout mixed up with that of the similarly named "[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]" from "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]", as Long Haul appeared with that robot's orange-and-blue color scheme in both "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]".
*In the cartoon, when Long Haul is carrying a load in his dump truck and transforms, the load disappears. It reappears when he transforms back into a dump truck. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Could it have been stored in [[subspace storage pocket|subspace]]?

[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2]]

*Long Haul's vehicle mode, a Hitachi DH321, isn't especially large for a construction vehicle, being fairly close in size to those of his teammates. However, due to the obscurity of the real truck and the tendency for G1 combiner teams to feature [[Groove (G1)|oversized]] or [[Blast Off (G1)|undersized]] members, it was common for fans to associate him with trucks several times his original size, assuming the discrepancy to be an error of [[scale]]. Some official material has run with the idea, depicting Long Haul as a giant next to his teammates.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Long Haul''' (ロングハウル ''Rongu Hauru'')
*''French:'' '''Costo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Hosszú Pofa'''
*''Italian:'' '''Macigno''' ("Boulder")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tuōdǒu''' (拖斗, "Trailer")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Doloroso''' (Portugal comic), '''Puxador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bol'shegruz''' (Большегруз, "Heavy Truck")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromaster combiners]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Long Haul (G1)

2024-04-06T21:01:40Z

MBG: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ultracon}}
{{disambig3|Long Haul}}
{{suite}}
:''Long Haul is a [[Decepticon]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:LongHaulG1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Knows the importance of not complaining about his job, but is known entirely for complaining about his job.]]
The problem, as '''Long Haul''' sees it, is that he gets all the work and very little of the excitement and the glory that goes with being a Decepticon. He knows his job is important; he'd just much rather be on the front lines fighting shoulder to shoulder with fellow warriors than moving supplies and building installations to make sure those warriors continue fighting. Long Haul keeps these secret desires to himself though, as he's smart enough to know [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is not likely to be sympathetic and has no patience for grunts who question their orders.

He also serves as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s crotch. Tough break.

{{bigquote|REMOVE! REMOVE! ALWAYS REMOVE! I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!|Long Haul's unfortunate fate|"[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "The Core"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Autobot Run"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, ''2010'')|[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''The Autobot Run''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4''), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, Generation 2 Dub), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Albert Augier]] (European French), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Júlio Chaves]] (Portuguese), [[Older Cazarré]] (Portuguese, "The Master Builders")}}

Some time in the past, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were responsible for creating Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Roughly nine million years ago, Long Haul and the Constructicons were friends of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] in [[Crystal City]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their engineering skills were permanently turned to evil, however, once [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] reprogrammed them into Decepticons. They were also given the combined form of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], making them the physical equal of Omega Supreme in combat. After they destroyed Crystal City at Megatron's command, the Constructicons earned the everlasting ire of their former friend. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[File:CityofSteel DisassemblingPrime.jpg|left|thumb|The crankiest operating table in existence.]]
Long Haul was eventually summoned to Earth ([[Constructicon (G1)|built on Earth?]]) by Megatron and the Decepticons, and joined them in trying to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. Their first scheme was to supercharge Megatron with the [[power chip rectifier]]s of his fellow 'Cons, so that he could defeat Prime in personal combat. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Though they failed, the Constructicons would be involved in many of Megatron's schemes from then on, such as constructing of [[New Cybertron]] in [[New York City|Manhattan]], where Long Haul got to carry around debris and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|paralyzed Autobot leaders]]. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

Long Haul was the most long-suffering members of the Constructicons, possibly even more so than [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. He was constantly complaining about wanting a greater role in the group, either as a warrior or an engineer, but was inevitably relegated to "go fetch" work for [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] or [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]. It didn't help his mood any. At one point the Constructicons later built the [[Transfixatron]] to paralyze the Autobots in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, along with a metal-munching machine to devour them. Long Haul complained loudly about his job, but was cheered up when he got to feed [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] to the machine. He didn't even mind when the Autobots got loose, since it meant finally getting some action. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron later had the Constructicons build a giant drill, planning to collect energy from the [[Earth's core]]. When an accident was caused by Scavenger's faulty sensors, Long Haul was tasked with loading [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s mixing drum full of chemicals so that the crazed chemist could do a quick repair job. He didn't enjoy it one bit. A group of Autobots soon discovered the Decepticons, only to be chased off by Devastator. However, they soon returned with a plan—using [[dominator disk]]s to take control of Devastator for their own needs. The Autobot [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] shot a pair of disks at Long Haul and Mixmaster when they weren't looking, and as soon as the Constructicons formed Devastator shortly afterwards, the Autobots took control of him. Megatron's attempts at regaining his troops eventually led to Devastator going crazy and wrecking the controls to the drill, so Long Haul had to help stop it from breaching the Earth's core and shattering the planet. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon LongHaul Dirge.jpg|thumb|Death comes to he who stands behind a dump truck emptying its load.]]
When the other Decepticons were suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion, Long Haul and the other Constructicons unloaded a shipment of Cybertonium sent by Shockwave. They failed to stop the Dinobots from using the space bridge to go to Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} When the Constructicons deceived [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] into building a [[Solar Power Tower]] for them to take over, Long Haul thought he was finally going to get to build something. Hook sent him to carry solar panels around. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Long Haul's greatest claim to fame was abandoning his job of guarding the recently discovered pool of [[electrum]], forcing [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to do it by himself. Dirge was then promptly beaten up by [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and the Autobots gained control of the electrum. Oops. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Long Haul later went into space with the other Constructicons in order to mine energy from an asteroid. When the Autobots found out, the Constructicons found themselves facing their old pal, Omega Supreme, who broke the entire asteroid in half in his attempts to exterminate Long Haul and the others. Ignoring the [[Asteroid bird alien|strange alien]] that "hatched" from the asteroid, the Constructicons merged into Devastator and kept fighting Omega Supreme on Earth, but were eventually defeated. Before Omega Supreme could finish them off, however, he had to leave and deal with the alien. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

Long Haul pitched in to build an over-sized maze for Blitzwing, {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} and the Constructicons later helped Megatron construct one of the most devastating weapons of all time. Pleased with their work, Megatron dismissed the Constructicons for the day. Long Haul and his crew departed quickly, before Megatron realized they had built the ultimate weapon at the bottom of a deep canyon, making it virtually impossible to aim it at anything worthwhile. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:TFTM LongHaulwithKickback.jpg|left|thumb|"Remove, remove... always remove!"]]
In [[2005]], Long Haul and the Constructicons joined in the assault on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], and their power as Devastator was key to breaching the city's defenses. After the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived, however, Devastator was effectively nullified as the two groups kept each other too busy and out of the rest of the fighting. They joined the other Decepticons in beating a hasty retreat after Megatron fell in battle, and Long Haul was seen carrying the damaged [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] with him. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Long Haul’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], the Decepticons sought refuge on the planet of [[Chaar]], where the Constructicons began squabbling over who would take Astrotrain's latest shipment of energon. They combined, but were broken up by Menasor and slinked away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Constructicons were tasked with modifying an Earth city into the Decepticons' new battle station, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and Long Haul got [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|a new colour scheme]] just for the occasion, cackling about the rude awakening the humans were about to receive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} He then shot at [[Sky Lynx (G1)|an Autobot shuttle]] when it arrived on Earth with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]], and was petrified by a [[Large switch|device]] that froze all Transformers. Long Haul was freed when [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a human]] destroyed the device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Long Haul participated in building a new engine for Galvatron, only for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and his squad of Autobots to crash the party. Despite merging into Devastator, the Constructicons were no match for the enormous [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]. After a crash on [[Eurythma]], Long Haul fought Perceptor and Hot Spot with his teammates. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} He accompanied Galvatron to [[Paradron]] and took part in the crossfire, {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} and as part of Devastator, got his revenge on Broadside during a battle in Japan. Later on, Long Haul witnessed Galvatron and Cyclonus be defeated by a mutated Scourge. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
{{voiceactor|[[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

When the Decepticons learned of the Scramble City project being secretly assembled by the Autobots, Megatron sent his henchmen to interfere with their work. The Constructicons joined Starscream and his flying partners in an attack on the Autobots. Optimus Prime and a task force of Autobots held their position until Long Haul and the Constructicons inevitably joined forces into Devastator. The Aerialbots gave Devastator a good whippin', though, and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Hm1 Constructicons Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Long Haul and the Constructicons were stationed on Earth in 2011, under the command of [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. They attempted to prevent Ultra Magnus from sending reinforcements to Cybertron to help the Autobots fend off Galvatron's siege on [[Vector Sigma]]. Long Haul and his squad were ganging up on the [[Trainbot]]s until [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived and shooed them off with his superior firepower. Having failed to stop the Autobot reinforcements from departing, the Constructicons followed them to Cybertron. As Devastator, they tried to shoot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in the back, but Optimus Prime foiled their aim, making them hit [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] instead. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Devastator was involved in a combiner shootout on Cybertron until the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]] arrived and annihilated the Decepticon combiners. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Long Haul and the Constructicons were guarding the Decepticon [[space bridge]] on Earth, but failed miserably when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] single-handedly fought them off and stole a ride on the bridge. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
Long Haul and the other Constructicons tricked Grapple into helping them rebuild the Crystal City on Earth, and were joined by Omega Supreme and [[Hauler]] as well, but was unhappy to have been reduced to the role of material carrier again. {{storylink|Crystal City Reconstruction Project!}}

=====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Long Haul was among those summoned, but only in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Megatron traveled into the [[Legends World]], the [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] of that universe recounted his life story to the local [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], starting with his creation at the hands of Long Haul and the Constructicons. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
On an island paradise, Long Haul and the Constructicons were performing excavation work for Megatron's new fortress, at the cost of the natural resources and precious animals. The Autobots arrived to stop the Decepticons. Despite their vast power, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the combined Devastator failed to defeat the Autobots due to their lack of teamwork, and the Constructicons were knocked back into their component parts. The Autobots forced Long Haul and his comrades to undo the damage they had done to the island. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
In the year [[2010]], Long Haul participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Devastator in order to battle alongside Bruticus and Menasor against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Devastator and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{note|Long Haul only appears as a component of Devastator}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, Long Haul was a member of the construction team that built [[Crystal City]]. It was during this project that he and his fellow Constructicons were introduced to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} The Constructicons rose to prominence thanks to their immense architectural skills, and formed their own faction under the leadership of Hook. They were forced to align themselves with the Decepticons in order to maintain access to Kaon's smelting pools, which granted him access to the raw building material they needed to continue their work. Unhappy with this arrangement, seven renegade Constructicons went underground, building Megatron in an attempt to take power for themselves. Unfortunately for them, Megatron turned on them and formed his own group of Decepticons, eventually brainwashing Long Haul and the others into his service with the Robo-Smasher. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Devastator's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} Among their first acts as Decepticons, the Constructicons destroyed Crystal City. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}}

Long Haul was part of Hook's team when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} During the third Cybertronian war, the Constructicons were ambushed at [[Elevation Recostalus]] by a group of Autobots including ex-Constructicons [[Hauler]] and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], who disabled them before they could form Devastator. The group remained offline until [[1984]], when Megatron rebuilt them on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}

During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Devastator was blasted apart by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s team. Long Haul announced the Autobots' luck had run out, and he and the other Constructicons began pursuing them, gunning down [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in the process. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

====''Cloud''====
The Long Haul of "OG001 Spacetime" was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to combine with his fellow Constructicons into Devastator to face off against the [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]]. The foreign Decepticon easily defeated the combiner, sending his components fleeing in terror. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe created by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the Constructicons participated in the siege of [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] City by forming Devastator. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In a reality where Optimus killed Megatron in 2005, Long Haul was one of the many Decepticons who retreated aboard Astrotrain. He was shocked to learn that his leader hadn't made it out alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Long Haul is the green and purple one.]]
Long Haul was created on Earth by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], combining the engineering material of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s hostilely-occupied aerospace plant with the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that had been pilfered from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head. The Constructicons were not only given individual life, but also the power to merge into Devastator. Their first mission was to construct and operate an intergalactic transceiver which, combined with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s broadcasting abilities, would enable the Decepticons to make contact with Cybertron for the first time in millions of years. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Despite some Autobot intervention, the transceiver was successful enough to open communications between [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] and the Decepticons of Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[File:Soundwave long haul devastation derby.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
''Long Haul and the Constructicons, after troubleshooting their union as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], were sent by Shockwave to abduct [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After tracking the boy down to a demolition derby, and merging into Devastator to fend off the Autobots they found there, the Constructicons' attack was suddenly called off. While Devastator battled, Soundwave had discovered that Buster held the rest of the Creation Matrix in his head, and considered this too great a revelation to proceed as initially planned.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

After [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] took back Decepticon command, Long Haul and his comrades were charged with building perimeter defences around [[Wyoming base|their headquarters]] located at the base of a coal strip mine in eastern [[Wyoming]]. Devastator's services were again required when the Autobots staged a surprise attack, but they retreated once they had what they needed; data on the Constructicons' combining capabilities. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Long Haul and his fellow Decepticons followed a tracer signal to find the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who were sheltering [[Joy Meadows]], her camera crew, and their footage debunking the Decepticons' ''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'' propaganda. A battle ensued, with [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and Long Haul double-teaming [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], and eventually bringing him down with sheer firepower. The Decepticons maintained control of the battlefield until the arrival of [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] turned the tide against them. Soundwave decided to bring the situation to a conclusion by incinerating the humans' footage, which dispirited the Dinobots and humans and the Decepticons left victorious.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}}

''The Constructicons were sent into frigid [[Yukon]] territory to work on a secret project. They were discovered by [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], only for the two Autobots to accidentally betray their presence with an accidental weapons discharge. The Constructicons chased down the interlopers, blasting at them through a nearby forest. During the chase, they merged into Devastator in an attempt to overtake the pair. While in this form, they were duped into blasting a hydro-electric dam. Realizing what was coming, the Constructicons only had time enough to separate before the concrete structure collapsed, unleashing a torrent of water. The Constructicons were submerged in the flood, allowing the Autobots to escape.'' {{storylink|The Mission}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived from the future and removed Megatron from command, the Constructicons began serving the future Decepticon without much question, and built a massive space cannon for him. For some reason, Megatron didn't consider this enough of a treachery to annihilate Long Haul and his partners as traitors after regaining control.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
Long Haul and the other Constructicons were called upon to defend the Decepticons' [[Club Con|base in the Florida Keys]] from a joint attack by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the Autobots. Forming Devastator once again, they brawled with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] until a blast from Superion's rifle caused a malfunction in Devastator's coupling links and he broke up into his components. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:Scrapper hook long haul toy soldiers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Megatron would later be deposed entirely by Shockwave, who was then replaced in turn by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], but the Constructicons remained operational with the Decepticon army. During Ratbat's command, Long Haul and the other Constructicons (except Mixmaster) raided a building site in downtown [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] for raw materials such as girders. They loaded up their loot onto Long Haul, who in turn was carried away by Blitzwing back to their base. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} Later, Long Haul and the others were instrumental in one of Ratbat's schemes, where the Decepticons engaged the Autobots away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] long enough for the Constructicons to sneak on board and recover the deactivated remains of their comrades who had been captured by Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

{{note|For unknown reasons, the Constructicons stopped making appearances after the [[Underbase Saga]]. It's possible they were deactivated behind the scenes in the [[Decepticon Civil War]] or [[Dark Star|battling]] the super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]].}}

=====Movie future timeline=====
When Megatron launched an all-out offensive against [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in the year [[2005]], Long Haul was among the troops who besieged the outpost. He and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator at Megatron's command to breach Autobot City's outer defenses. When the Decepticons were eventually forced to retreat inside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the Constructicons were relatively unscathed from the battle. As such, they voted that all injured Transformers be jettisoned when Astrotrain complained he didn't have the energy necessary to carry them all back to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Prowl long haul mixmaster starting over.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.95]]
When the Decepticon forces of Earth split, Long Haul and most of the Constructicons chose to work with Megatron instead of Shockwave. While patrolling the site of Megatron's [[Global warming satellite|ozone rocket]], Long Haul and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] came across a pair of snooping Autobots. Despite being initially caught off guard, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] quickly disposed of the two Constructicons. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Later, at the [[Enclave]], Long Haul was seen talking to [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] before the "festivities" broke up the quiet little party; the Autobots faked an assassination attempt on Megatron, and the two Decepticon sub-factions began fighting one another with renewed fervor. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} When Soundwave led the Decepticons in an attack on Autobot Earthbase, Long Haul took some heat from [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'s bombing run. The whole offensive proved ultimately to be fruitless, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
Long Haul made a brief appearance at the climax of the battle with the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], helping the united Autobots and Decepticons construct trenches filled with thermal mines. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dreadwindgod.jpg|thumb|"I told you I didn't drink your so-called-expensive drink!"]]
Long Haul was among Megatron's soldiers when the Decepticon leader resurfaced on Earth. Like most of Megatron's inner circle, Long Haul and the Constructicons were presumably destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during the Underbase Saga, and restored by Megatron using the cache of back-up personality engrams collected by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. This has not been expressly confirmed, however.

Long Haul was present on the Ark when Megatron questioned the mysterious traveller named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. The Decepticons then flew off to the Southern Hemisphere to explore an energy spike somehow related to Landquake. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} When confronted by the Autobots, the five remaining Constructicons formed their modified Devastator configuration, until the ground collapsed beneath their feet. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} Falling to pieces, Long Haul and the Constructicons tried to overpower [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] with sheer numbers instead of strength. It didn't work, so they ran screaming from the battlefield. That ''also'' didn't work, as Grimlock caught up with them and continued to beat them senseless. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

Later on, Long Haul got caught in a struggle between Megatron's faction and a detachment from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s army led by [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. He and the other Constructicons were assaulted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
Under the guise of the [[Global Corporation]], Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons created sophisticated buildings all around the world. Within each building, however, was hidden a mechanism that would trap underground all within the structure. When the scheme was put into motion and the Autobots responded with an attack, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons merged to become The Devastator. Though in this form, the Constructicons were able to overpower the Autobots, that changed when the Dinobots arrived. After the rest of the Constructicons had been butchered by Swoop, Long Haul and Bonecrusher were fused into a helpless mess by Grapple's welder rifle. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

[[File:Constructicons-ASW.jpeg|thumb|]]
As Devastator, Long Haul and the other Constructicons stumbled upon [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] admiring his reflection in the wilderness, and managed to capture the vain Autobot. The group revealed their individual components to their prisoner once he was safely locked up within Decepticon headquarters. They rejoined forces to combat an Autobot rescue party that attempted to storm Decepticon base, and captured [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] as well, putting them in Sunstreaker's cell. The Constructicons were once more prompted to combine into Devastator to contemplate an Autobot peace offering; a life-sized statue of the gestalt! The peace offering turned out to be an Autobot ruse, and reinforcement burst forth from within the statue. The Autobots forced Devastator to break up into his component pieces by thoroughly dividing his attention, and so Long Haul joined the fight against the Autobots as an individual. The Decepticons ultimately lost the battle to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Shockwave led the Constructicons in an attack on a human village, intent on razing the town and building a fuel plant in its place. Long Haul served as Shockwave's mobile podium as he dispensed orders to the rest of the troops under his command, until he was tasked with clearing rubble out of the way so construction could begin on the installation. Little did the Decepticons know, they were being spied upon from orbit by the Autobot [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. Cosmos relayed what was happening to his teammates, who rolled into action to put an end to the Decepticons' plot. Long Haul and his allies were beaten up, shoved down into a pit, and had quick-drying cement poured over them to hold them in place. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
In order to steal an oil truck filled with precious fuel, Megatron arranged for [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to short-circuit the truck's wiring, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to cerebro-shell the drivers into complying, and Long Haul to siphon out the fuel. Autobot intervention, however, allowed the truck and its drivers to escape with their cargo. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

===Autobot Alert!===
{{notemultipath}}
In one possible scenario, the Constructicons were responsible for building the Decepticons’ command centre in the evil robots’ latest plot of taking over the Earth. They also were responsible for stocking Astrotrain with explosives and weapons before the Decepticon shuttle launched into space to further sabotage Earth's satellites.

In a different possible scenario, the Constructicons joined Galvatron on his campaign to retrieve an ancient cybertite sphere containing the secret of an ancient Autobot power-booster. Discovering that the sphere was within a sunken ship off the California coast, the Constructicons merged into Devastator in order to retrieve it. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Long Haul, Mixmaster, and Bonecrusher were driving through a desert when they crossed paths with Sideswipe and Jazz! Boasting that he would see to Earth's destruction, Long Haul tackled Sideswipe in a clash that would be heard "around the world!" {{storylink|Sweepstakes Offer!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Enemytww.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Well, who were you expecting? The Spanish Inquisition?"]]
Soon after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had become leader of the Autobots, Long Haul worked alongside his fellow Constructicons in readying Cybertron to function as an interstellar "warworld" for Megatron, propelled out of orbit and through space using massive planetary engines they had uncovered. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} He was working on this project when the Decepticons spotted some Autobots spying on them. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Though the Decepticons had their opponents outnumbered, the Autobots managed to hold them back until reinforcements arrived in the form of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus Prime. The Constructicons' efforts were ultimately foiled, forcing them to retreat as the planetary engines were destroyed in a spectacular explosion. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Sometime later, the Constructicons created the first set of gestalt programming directives, and tested the directives on themselves to create Devastator. The inevitable spread of [[combiner]] technology, however, proved to be more than Cybertron could handle, as the massive super-robots ran the risk of damaging the planet's very infrastructure if left to battle unchecked. As a result, by the time of the Dark Ages these "[[Special Teams]]" were banned from operating as a unit in any one faction by the universally agreed upon [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. Long Haul and the Constructicons were the first to break these accords, and become active again as Devastator as part of the [[Ultracon]]s. {{storylink|Escalation}} Devastator was unleashed upon the [[Wreckers]] in the [[Tagan Heights]], but was defeated by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] who overloaded him with electricity. This not only shut Devastator down, but also forced him to split into his individual components. {{storylink|Devastation}}

In the modern era, the Constructicons somehow joined Megatron on Earth after the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left Cybertron millions of years ago. Long Haul and the others were operating as Devastator in [[California]] battling the Autobots when they suffered serious damage and were believed destroyed. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''The Constructicons were later revived by Starscream, and used as the groundwork for his new power base after Megatron vanished during a battle in [[Tokyo]] with the Autobots. Long Haul and the other Decepticons who chose to serve Starscream invaded the city of [[Las Vegas]], making deals with the populace to make them voluntarily annex themselves as part of a new Decepticon government. Although most problems from within were dealt with by bribery or the occasional murderous beating, the Decepticons still faced plenty of problems from without. Grimlock of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had made a secret deal with the President to acquire a "rogue" military force and retake [[Las Vegas]], alongside his fellow Autobots [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. The Constructicons were the first to face these invaders as they entered the city, attacking them in waves. Long Haul was in the process of easily overpowering Bumblebee when his comrades were all taken down fighting Grimlock and Prowl. This made Long Haul the center of attention, and he definitely suffered for it. While attempting to blast the 'Bee with a heat-seeking missile, Long Haul was skewered through the shoulder by a makeshift spear Prowl had forged out of a giant neon cowboy. Only in Vegas. With three Autobots and several Apache helicopters on his rear axle, Long Haul beat a hasty retreat deeper into the city, looking for back-up.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

''Megatron eventually returned to Earth, but Long Haul and the Constructicons owed Starscream for reconstructing them, and so remained loyal to him when the Decepticons split into two factions. Of course, this only meant they were among the first to be captured by the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] when those aliens took over Las Vegas and turned Starscream into their puppet. Trapped behind an impenetrable force dome, Long Haul and the Constructicons attempted to batter their way out as Devastator using sheer brute force, until [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] offered a better idea. Reconverting into their separate modes, the Constructicons dug a tunnel out beneath the force field, enabling Starscream's faction to join the final battle against the Keepers. Acting as Devastator, they were too far away from Optimus Prime and his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced force shield when the American nuclear assault was dropped on the Keepers, and were blasted into pieces.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

''The nuclear blast left Devastator fused into his singular [[robot mode]], leaving him unable to split back into Long Haul and his other components. Eventually, Devastator fell into the Void along with [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] in the final conflict with the Keepers, and was left in stasis lock, drifting in the vacuum of space, after the Sentinel destroyed the Keepers' power source and shattered the Void back into real space-time. The starship ''[[Bounty]]'', on a secret space mission from Earth, came across Devastator's remains and planned to tow him back to Earth.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

The pieces of Long Haul and the Constructicons fell under the control of [[Earth Defense Command]], and were held in their [[Roswell]] facility for study. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
The ruthless terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] dug dozens of Autobots and Decepticons out of their four-million-year resting place and began rebuilding them into a Cobra-controlled army. However, with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s help, the mind-controlled Transformers were awakened, and the very cheesed-off Constructicons, including Long Haul, descended upon their previous captor, [[Doctor Mindbender]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave stopped them from killing the doctor, however, as he was needed for other purposes. Instead, the Constructicons were ordered to protect the [[SPS Satellite]] controls from the attacking Autobot and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} To do so, Long Haul combined with the others to form Devastator, but the giant was soon defeated by the attackers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During an all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons Hook, Mixmaster and Bonecrusher ganged up on Sideswipe. He and his fellow Constructicons were blown away by an explosion. Then, Long Haul joined with the other Constructicons to form Devastator in order to combat [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], the Dinobots’ combined form. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''Transformers: All Hail Megatron'' #1]] (modern era)

[[File:MegsOrigin2 Constructicons.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"After more than 20 years, I finally get to build something!"]]
Roughly nine million years ago, after losing their engineering jobs during the automation of manual labor on Cybertron, Long Haul and the Constructicons began associating with the [[Gladiatorial combat|deathsport tournaments]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Instead of directly participating, Long Haul and his partners put their construction skills to work by building a new arena from scratch before each match. This enabled the gladiators to remain one step ahead of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s security services, as they never operated in the same spot twice. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} The Constructicons also worked with repairing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and other injured pit fighters. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, Long Haul and the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron. They were working at the slagwerks of [[Galaxxon]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] rose to leadership of the Autobots. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Four million years ago, Long Haul was part of a convoy along with [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Octane]] and his fellow Constructicons bringing energon to the war effort. They were intercepted and captured by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} At one point they were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]] alongside [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], where they committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

[[File:AHM1 Longhaul.jpg|left|thumb|A dozen cogs in the Decepticon empire descend upon you. Our soldiers will blot out the sun!]]
In the modern era, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were given the ability to combine, and ended up as part of Megatron's forces on Earth. As Devastator, they easily took out the local Autobots, allowing for Decepticon conquest of the planet. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} During said conquest, Long Haul almost ran over pedestrians in [[New York City|New York]], prompting angry responses from the natives, until he and the other Constructicons transformed. The humans thought this was really cool, until the alien construction robot killing machines blew them up. Wishy-washy flesh creatures. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} Long Haul then merged with his fellows to form Devastator, who started destroying the tunnels leading out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}}

For reasons only known to themselves, the Constructicons joined [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] when he rebelled against Megatron, and attacked their former leader in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} However, Devastator soon found himself forced to battle human jets from [[Europe]] instead, which was then followed by the return of the Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Constructicons were taken out of the battle when Devastator was blasted straight through the midsection by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but it's unknown how much damage this caused to Long Haul. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Megatron would later use [[space bridge]] technology built into in his new body to summon Long Haul and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. To battle the Autobots, Long Haul and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator, but ultimately lost because the combiner's right leg was paralyzed due to combining with a dead Scrapper. They were soon mind-controlled by [[D-Void]] (through [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]) into combining with Galvatron's [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army and forming a huge monster. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

[[File:World&EverythingInIt LongHaul and Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's as stealthy as a bright green and purple dump truck.]]
Following the defeat of the "[[Deceptigod]]", the Decepticons were imprisoned by the Autobots, though [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] soon took charge of the situation and hatched a plan to assassinate Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He sent Long Haul to follow Starscream and make sure he didn't mess it up, but Long Haul wasn't sure whether or not to be loyal to Ratbat and opted not to tell him that Starscream paid visit Autobots. He approached Starscream at the time the assassination was supposed to take place, but nothing happened. Starscream advised the Constructicon to report to Ratbat that Bumblebee was dead anyway, which he did. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} After spending their time building things for the Autobots, the Constructicons came to the aid of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] when he was being chased down by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. They beat up Blurr and fought [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] before being confronted by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], who seemingly executed the whole team by detonating their [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. {{storylink|Devisive}}

However, Prowl was in fact under the control of Bombshell, who had merely faked the Constructicons' deaths for the purpose of secretly improving Devastator, rebuilding him in a modular form featuring Prowl or Megatron as the combiner's head. Once Megatron returned to conquer Cybertron, he ordered the Constructicons to combine with Prowl and assault Iacon. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} When Bombshell was removed from the equation, Long Haul and the other Constructicons felt Prowl's feelings and recognized his grudge against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], a human they too hated for his murder of Scrapper. Their unified hatred caused Devastator to develop a mind of his own and go on a rampage. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Once Devastator and Megatron were defeated, the Constructicons were banished from Iacon alongside most other Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Outside the city, Long Haul and his mates left the other Decepticons to hang out with the Autobots, explaining that they wanted to be on Prowl's side after having shared minds with him and being very impressed by his terrible secrets. After a scuffle with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] they were allowed to stay at the Autobot camp, where they had a rematch with Arcee before the Dinobots broke it up and treated the Decepticon team to a drink. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} The Constructicons fell victim to the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]'s corrosive "death wave", but were healed from its effects upon its defeat at the hands of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The team spent the ensuing period of celebrations following Prowl around and showering him with praises, to the Autobot's discomfort. When Prowl clashed with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], Long Haul stood up to Magnus and threatened to form Devastator if he didn't back off. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} Cybertron was then invaded by an army of [[Ammonite]]s sent by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], and during the battle the Constructicons convinced Prowl to form Devastator again for the sake of defeating [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} In the wake of Shockwave's defeat, Long Haul witnessed Megatron's revelation that he'd joined the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-Constructicons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|I don't know what everyone's complaining about; I just ''do not'' see any downsides to this "steroid" thing!]]
Having realized how useful access to Devastator was, Prowl fashioned the Constructicons into his own private unit, loyal only to him, and brought them with him on a mission to Earth. On arrival they saved the ''[[Ark-7]]'' from a human missile assault and formed Devastator to fight Galvatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} After sending the Decepticons packing, Long Haul and the others returned to the ''Ark-7'' to celebrate. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} During the Autobot attack on an [[Earth Defense Command]] base, Prowl had the team coated in stealth paint with orders to join the battle midway, after which they formed Devastator with him and wrecked the base. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} They later stood by Prowl as he spied on Optimus Prime's secret meeting with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

When the Autobots began hunting for the [[Enigma of Combination]], Prowl and the Constructicons went in search of Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} Their search took them to [[Tokyo]], where they secured their asset but ran afoul of Galvatron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} Feigning a truce with their mutual nemesis, the team stormed the [[Onyx]] facility by forming Devastator. Devastator ultimately went berserk due to his loathing of Spike and ruined the mission, allowing [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to abscond with the Enigma. The team was forced to retreat back to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

After Prowl learned that Optimus Prime had helped Starscream form a permanent [[Council of Worlds|alliance]] with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the team hijacked the ship's new spacebridge to travel to Cybertron {{storylink|The Possible Light}}, where they formed Devastator. Superion and Defensor ultimately brought down Devastator, and the Constructicons were sent to a secret prison - Starscream wasn't done with them yet. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Seeking a new edge, Starscream drafted [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] into the team, knowing that Scoop's fanaticism would force Devastator to obey his orders. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Ultimately, however, Devastator wound up losing control. After [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] defeated Devastator, the Constructicons were locked up once again. {{storylink|All That Remains}}

Although the individual Constructicons were still considered criminals, Starscream made allowances for releasing his own loyal combiner when necessary. The Constructicons reformed Devastator at Starscream's command to thwart a group of Decepticons commandeering the space bridge, {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} and to siege the colony ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] when [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-One]] refused to transform her Titan in defense of Cybertron from [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s [[zombie]] fleet. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}}

Following the impeachment and arrest of Starscream, the Constructicons received pardons, and later watched from a nearby rooftop as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived on Cybertron and joined Optimus and his retinue for a meeting in the [[Spire]]. Though the other Constructicons initially laughed off off Scoop's renewed faith in his "Chosen One," who had seemingly foreseen this series of events, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} the team wound up forming Devastator to break an indignant Starscream out of prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

With Onyx Prime unmasked as none other than [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], the Constructicons wound up battling against [[Victorion]] on Starscream's orders. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though they were initially able to withstand her gravity powers, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} this was soon revealed to be the work of Liege Maximo, using supplies of [[Ore-4]] to buffer them against Victorion's attacks. When [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] destroyed this ore, Victorion was able to unleash a devastating gravitational onslaught which fatally crushed Long Haul and the other Constructicons. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Long Haul and the other Constructicons formed Devastator to attack the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', successfully destroying one of its two modules. Devastator was blown back into his components when [[Wild Bill]] rammed the other module straight into him. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Long Haul was later revealed to have been killed by the impact. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Long-Haul-cleaning-up.jpg|thumb|300px|Well look on the bright side. You look leaner than your toy for this trilogy.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Todaro]] (English)}}
Long Haul, Scrapper and Scavenger all battled Megatron in the ruins of an old coliseum, but he easily overpowered them all. Upon overhearing Windblade say that Starscream possessed the [[Enigma of Combination]], Long Haul signaled a plan to the other Constructicons, and they later formed Devastator in an attempt to take the Enigma for themselves. {{storylink|Unforgotten}} In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], Long Haul was among those assisting with the reconstruction efforts. He didn't appreciate [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] jokingly dropping a giant rock on top of him. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} He presumably died when Devastator was killed by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Half of the original Constructicon team survived the Great War, including Long Haul. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] helped reform the team in the days after the [[Armistice]], creating a 2/3rds Autobot roster and convincing the Constructicon to undergo [[Micromaster]] downsizing, losing social hierarchy among the Builders but retaining their mobility in the energon-depleted era. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Long Haul and the Constructicons served the Builders against the [[Resistance]]. They ran a prisoner transport through [[Proximax]] to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when they were attacked by Resistance fighters. The prisoner, [[Snapper]], escaped, but Long Haul's team found themselves in a prolonged battle with the Resistance which lasted over a day. They retreated to the [[Sights & Sounds]] casino for defense. Meanwhile, one of their members—[[Buckethead]]—had formed an alliance with Snapper and a motley crew of other bots to deal with the alien threat of the [[Monster GoBot|Antares Eight]]. Buckethead and [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] of the Resistance eventually reached both sides and got them to join forces against the Renegade invaders.

At the trans-hyperwave caster the Renegades seized, Long Haul and the Constructicons joined Buckethead's "[[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]]" in attacking the invaders. The Constructicons formed Devastator, fighting the Monster Renegade combiner [[Monsterous]]. After the fight, all Cybertronians retired to Sights & Sounds for a summit. The Ex-Bots ultimately convinced Long Haul and the Constructicons to leave the Builders and act as part of an independent faction to protect the innocents of Proximax and defend the city from the horrors of war. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

The Constructicons and the Ex-Bots prevented [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] from using a [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to brainwash all the people of Proximax. They also recovered the Autobot-turned-Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from his control. As the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] began, the Ex-Bots chose to get involved with the other armies of the proto-races. Long Haul and the Constructicons salvaged a lobotomized [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] and retrofitted and detailed it as the team's new [[Ex-Jet]].

On the march to [[Nova Cronum]], the Constructicons formed Devastator to wade through the hordes of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. At the [[Grand Mal]] itself, Devastator joined forces with the Maximal combiner [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]. Their combined assault weakened the Grand Mal's force field enough for [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] to take note of them, and fire the massive optic ray at the combiners. Devastator pushed Magnaboss out of the way. Magnaboss lost an arm, a fifth of his gestalt mind, but Devastator suffered worse. Half his components were damaged beyond repair, and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|''Galaxies'' #1]]}}

Long Haul was forged at or around the end of the War of the Threefold Spark. An era of rebuilding and renewal, Long Haul came together with five other newly forged 'bots to form the Constructicons and help shape the Cybertron to come. A pragmatist, Long Haul monitored supply inventory and transport, believing himself the unsung hero of the construction site next to the flashier engineers and architects. They were recruited by the visionary architect [[Termagax]] to help build in the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Eager to make a name for themselves, the team promptly clashed with Termagax's conservative second-in-command [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]—for while Wheeljack sought to merely ''rebuild'' Iacon, Termagax saw the potential for something bigger and better to take its place. While excavating in [[Rivets Field]], the team inadvertently discovered the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Urged on by Termagax, Long Haul and his team agreed to expose themselves to the energies of the artifact, transforming themselves into a new combiner: raw power which Termagax hoped to harness and reshape into the ultimate building tool. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

Despite this new strength and power, Long Haul and his team struggled to master their combination, fighting against a seventh, destructive personality that surfaced whenever the team combined... and whose love of indiscriminate destruction jeopardized their reconstruction efforts. Finally, however, Termagax encouraged the team to work ''with'' this anger, rather than against it, and harness the powerful emotion to unite them in their shared purpose of rebuilding Iacon. Although the team would eventually complete their goal of turning the ravaged cityscape into a beautiful metropolis, they would not enjoy the fruits of their labor for long—Wheeljack brought his concerns to the attention of [[Nominus Prime]], and the Prime arranged matters so that the team would be reassigned to the distant colony of [[Mayalx]] to oversee the construction of a new [[energon]] refinery. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} There, the Constructicons labored for many years, deliberately kept under-fueled and tired so they couldn't combine, while they grew increasingly resentful of the world that had abandoned them while reminiscing about their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

With their future on Cybertron uncertain, Scrapper eventually came to believe that the team's future lay elsewhere and began training his teammates in the ways of combat, holding regular sparring sessions in an improvised gladiatorial arena. Long Haul and Scavenger struggled to adjust to being warriors, mixing with Scrapper's patient advice and Bonecrusher's brutality in the ring. During one particular session, the team was interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who, after a brief misunderstanding, told them ''his'' story: like the Constructicons, Nominus Prime had ''also'' banished the Insecticons for fear of their unique matter-eating abilities. Knowing that the team could be of use to [[The Rise]], Bombshell manipulated the team into unknowingly aiding the cause, encouraging them to recapture their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}}

After some deliberation, the six builders agreed to help the Insecticons, and after filling up on Bombshell's provided [[energon cube]]s the team combined for the first time since their banishment—but instead of uniting based on their shared urge to create, the Constructicons combined to destroy Mayalx and everything it represented to them, a spiteful, destructive rampage that ended with every 'bot in the colony slaughtered and the statue of Nominus Prime toppled. Unaware that the Insecticons had deliberately goaded them into such wanton slaughter so that the energon they processed from the many remains could be secretly shipped back to Cybertron to fuel the rise, Scrapper told his team that, for the first time in their lives, they were finally free to do and build whatever they wanted. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

Eventually, Shockwave called the Constructicons back to Cybertron and the Rise. When they arrived, however, Shockwave's former superior [[Exarchon]] had laid claim to the Rise and their bases. The Threefold Spark was eager to take a new body as powerful as Devastator, and tried to usurp the combiner. Together, Long Haul and the Constructicons were strong enough to prevent Exarchon from possessing their collective spark or sparks, though the effort forced them apart and left them out of action. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}} With Exarchon soon destroyed, the Rise were fully absorbed into the Decepticons, and Shockwave provided the Constructicons to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s cause. Long Haul and the others were happy to be home, and to be wanted as Devastator. They saw themselves as heroes destined to end the war, and were happy to oppose the legacy of Nominus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}}}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 6|April 13, 2024}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Long Haul rams Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25]]
Long Haul was among countless Decepticons lying dormant in the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after it crash-landed on Earth. However, due to a shortage of energy and raw materials, as well as [[Teletraan One]] being damaged, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] was unable to revive him and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)#Energon Universe|Constructicons]] for some time.

Eventually though, he was able to do so, and when the Autobots attempted a counteroffensive to recapture the ''Ark'', Long Haul made his prescence known by ramming [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] with his considerably larger vehicle mode. Starscream then ordered him and the other Constructicons to merge into [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Optimus Prime eventually threw Devastator off a cliff, separating him into his components, Long Haul crashed into the ground and carried Starscream away as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Long Haul and his teammates were masquerading as construction vehicles, when they suddenly decided to horrify their human operators by revealing their true nature. As their human drivers bailed out and fled, the team combined into Devastator, who crashed his fists together, creating a surge of energy that crackled all the way through his gigantic body. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Constructicons|Constructicons commercial}}
*After being upgraded into their "Generation 2" bodies, the Constructicons went about causing "really big destruction" by driving through a construction site and then merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their fun came to an end when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] emerged from the ground and trounced the combiner. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Constructicons and Dinobots|Generation Constructicons and Dinobots commercial}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Long Haul is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
===''Transformers Legends''===
At some point [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] was friends with the Constructicons, but they had a falling out. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

While Megatron kept Optimus busy, Long Haul and the rest of the Constructicon team to attempt to infiltrate the Autobot base and strike directly at [[Teletraan I]]. They mowed through [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s initial attempt at defenses. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War - Part 1}} Long Haul was among the Decepticons who attacked Cybertron during an alliance with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

The Decepticon team took over an asteroid orbiting Earth, however when Omega Supreme got wind of it, he launched a massive attack and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]]}}
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul.jpg|thumb|400px|This slagging job ain't glamorous, but who cares? ''No one''! '''That's who'''!]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px| You know why I got a G2 homage in this game? ''Because I'm a darn useful bot''. You know why I have better abilities than the rest? '''Because I'm a DARN USEFUL BOT !!!''']]
Long Haul participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Long Haul''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Long Haul (G2)''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:LongHaulEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Now with 80% more grenade launcher. I hate this.]]
It may not be the most glamorous role a Decepticon warrior could wish for, but every army needs its supply line, and Long Haul's lot is to keep the flow of raw materials coming. Then - along with his fellow Constructicons - build the massive energy-recovery installations necessary for conquest.
But Long Haul's unhappiness can blunt his effectiveness, and he's very sensitive to teasing about the mundane nature of his job. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Long Haul bio}}

Long Haul was joined by the other Constructicons through the Space Bridge and helped move a few things in the base. When Megatron found the [[Enigma of Combination|Enigma]], He eagerly used it to activate Devastator, which fared no better for Long Haul because, Once again, he has big wheels on his thighs, again. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

Long Haul and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s arrived at the Frozen Fortress by the orders of Megatron, and had them immediately start drilling, which meant poor Long Haul had to do more moving and tunneling. Brawl was shouting continually for astro-cycles much to his annoyance, but his audio-receptors were finely-tuned. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|What Lies Beneath}}

For once, he complained to Megatron that he and the other Constructicons are tired of being his work horse, and that they're the strongest Combiner yet do the most work. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Breaking Point}}

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' He uses a standard grenade launcher that bombards defenses from long distances.
*'''Ability: Rocket Barrage''' - Shoots 4 rockets from long range dealing high damage over a medium area around the target.
**'''Cost:''' 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:long-haul Long Haul at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Long Haul was a member of the Constructicons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Battle-for-earth longhaul.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And now I'm mistransformed, too? Forget my job-I hate my ''life''.]]
*In what can only be called "unfortunate hilarity", Long Haul's original [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] [[character model]] was drawn using toy references that still had his toy's [[robot mode]] head still flipped up and the arms folded straight forward without the hands folded in.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OSbNSWxwEihhwWRKWQVq-qD773U6fK3s/view 1985 Hasbro briefing binder scans]</ref> Thus, in any fictional appearance using this model, Long Haul is a dump truck with a robot head sitting next to the driver's cab and cylindrical shapes sitting at the front of his vehicle mode. This was especially awkward in the cartoon, when his "vehicle mode head" would disappear when he transformed, and his "robot mode head" would come from... somewhere else.
*Animation company [[AKOM]] seems to have gotten Long Haul's color layout mixed up with that of the similarly named "[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]" from "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]", as Long Haul appeared with that robot's orange-and-blue color scheme in both "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]".
*In the cartoon, when Long Haul is carrying a load in his dump truck and transforms, the load disappears. It reappears when he transforms back into a dump truck. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Could it have been stored in [[subspace storage pocket|subspace]]?

[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2]]

*Long Haul's vehicle mode, a Hitachi DH321, isn't especially large for a construction vehicle, being fairly close in size to those of his teammates. However, due to the obscurity of the real truck and the tendency for G1 combiner teams to feature [[Groove (G1)|oversized]] or [[Blast Off (G1)|undersized]] members, it was common for fans to associating him with trucks several times his original size, assuming the discrepancy to be an error of [[scale]]. Some official material has run with the idea, depicting Long Haul as a giant next to his teammates.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Long Haul''' (ロングハウル ''Rongu Hauru'')
*''French:'' '''Costo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Hosszú Pofa'''
*''Italian:'' '''Macigno''' ("Boulder")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tuōdǒu''' (拖斗, "Trailer")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Doloroso''' (Portugal comic), '''Puxador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bol'shegruz''' (Большегруз, "Heavy Truck")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromaster combiners]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Long Haul (G1)

2024-04-06T21:00:38Z

MBG: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ultracon}}
{{disambig3|Long Haul}}
{{suite}}
:''Long Haul is a [[Decepticon]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:LongHaulG1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Knows the importance of not complaining about his job, but is known entirely for complaining about his job.]]
The problem, as '''Long Haul''' sees it, is that he gets all the work and very little of the excitement and the glory that goes with being a Decepticon. He knows his job is important; he'd just much rather be on the front lines fighting shoulder to shoulder with fellow warriors than moving supplies and building installations to make sure those warriors continue fighting. Long Haul keeps these secret desires to himself though, as he's smart enough to know [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is not likely to be sympathetic and has no patience for grunts who question their orders.

He also serves as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s crotch. Tough break.

{{bigquote|REMOVE! REMOVE! ALWAYS REMOVE! I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!|Long Haul's unfortunate fate|"[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "The Core"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Autobot Run"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, ''2010'')|[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''The Autobot Run''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4''), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, Generation 2 Dub), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Albert Augier]] (European French), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Júlio Chaves]] (Portuguese), [[Older Cazarré]] (Portuguese, "The Master Builders")}}

Some time in the past, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were responsible for creating Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Roughly nine million years ago, Long Haul and the Constructicons were friends of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] in [[Crystal City]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their engineering skills were permanently turned to evil, however, once [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] reprogrammed them into Decepticons. They were also given the combined form of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], making them the physical equal of Omega Supreme in combat. After they destroyed Crystal City at Megatron's command, the Constructicons earned the everlasting ire of their former friend. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[File:CityofSteel DisassemblingPrime.jpg|left|thumb|The crankiest operating table in existence.]]
Long Haul was eventually summoned to Earth ([[Constructicon (G1)|built on Earth?]]) by Megatron and the Decepticons, and joined them in trying to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. Their first scheme was to supercharge Megatron with the [[power chip rectifier]]s of his fellow 'Cons, so that he could defeat Prime in personal combat. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Though they failed, the Constructicons would be involved in many of Megatron's schemes from then on, such as constructing of [[New Cybertron]] in [[New York City|Manhattan]], where Long Haul got to carry around debris and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|paralyzed Autobot leaders]]. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

Long Haul was the most long-suffering members of the Constructicons, possibly even more so than [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. He was constantly complaining about wanting a greater role in the group, either as a warrior or an engineer, but was inevitably relegated to "go fetch" work for [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] or [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]. It didn't help his mood any. At one point the Constructicons later built the [[Transfixatron]] to paralyze the Autobots in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, along with a metal-munching machine to devour them. Long Haul complained loudly about his job, but was cheered up when he got to feed [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] to the machine. He didn't even mind when the Autobots got loose, since it meant finally getting some action. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron later had the Constructicons build a giant drill, planning to collect energy from the [[Earth's core]]. When an accident was caused by Scavenger's faulty sensors, Long Haul was tasked with loading [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s mixing drum full of chemicals so that the crazed chemist could do a quick repair job. He didn't enjoy it one bit. A group of Autobots soon discovered the Decepticons, only to be chased off by Devastator. However, they soon returned with a plan—using [[dominator disk]]s to take control of Devastator for their own needs. The Autobot [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] shot a pair of disks at Long Haul and Mixmaster when they weren't looking, and as soon as the Constructicons formed Devastator shortly afterwards, the Autobots took control of him. Megatron's attempts at regaining his troops eventually led to Devastator going crazy and wrecking the controls to the drill, so Long Haul had to help stop it from breaching the Earth's core and shattering the planet. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon LongHaul Dirge.jpg|thumb|Death comes to he who stands behind a dump truck emptying its load.]]
When the other Decepticons were suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion, Long Haul and the other Constructicons unloaded a shipment of Cybertonium sent by Shockwave. They failed to stop the Dinobots from using the space bridge to go to Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} When the Constructicons deceived [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] into building a [[Solar Power Tower]] for them to take over, Long Haul thought he was finally going to get to build something. Hook sent him to carry solar panels around. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Long Haul's greatest claim to fame was abandoning his job of guarding the recently discovered pool of [[electrum]], forcing [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to do it by himself. Dirge was then promptly beaten up by [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and the Autobots gained control of the electrum. Oops. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Long Haul later went into space with the other Constructicons in order to mine energy from an asteroid. When the Autobots found out, the Constructicons found themselves facing their old pal, Omega Supreme, who broke the entire asteroid in half in his attempts to exterminate Long Haul and the others. Ignoring the [[Asteroid bird alien|strange alien]] that "hatched" from the asteroid, the Constructicons merged into Devastator and kept fighting Omega Supreme on Earth, but were eventually defeated. Before Omega Supreme could finish them off, however, he had to leave and deal with the alien. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

Long Haul pitched in to build an over-sized maze for Blitzwing, {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} and the Constructicons later helped Megatron construct one of the most devastating weapons of all time. Pleased with their work, Megatron dismissed the Constructicons for the day. Long Haul and his crew departed quickly, before Megatron realized they had built the ultimate weapon at the bottom of a deep canyon, making it virtually impossible to aim it at anything worthwhile. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:TFTM LongHaulwithKickback.jpg|left|thumb|"Remove, remove... always remove!"]]
In [[2005]], Long Haul and the Constructicons joined in the assault on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], and their power as Devastator was key to breaching the city's defenses. After the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived, however, Devastator was effectively nullified as the two groups kept each other too busy and out of the rest of the fighting. They joined the other Decepticons in beating a hasty retreat after Megatron fell in battle, and Long Haul was seen carrying the damaged [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] with him. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Long Haul’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], the Decepticons sought refuge on the planet of [[Chaar]], where the Constructicons began squabbling over who would take Astrotrain's latest shipment of energon. They combined, but were broken up by Menasor and slinked away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Constructicons were tasked with modifying an Earth city into the Decepticons' new battle station, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and Long Haul got [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|a new colour scheme]] just for the occasion, cackling about the rude awakening the humans were about to receive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} He then shot at [[Sky Lynx (G1)|an Autobot shuttle]] when it arrived on Earth with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]], and was petrified by a [[Large switch|device]] that froze all Transformers. Long Haul was freed when [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a human]] destroyed the device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Long Haul participated in building a new engine for Galvatron, only for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and his squad of Autobots to crash the party. Despite merging into Devastator, the Constructicons were no match for the enormous [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]. After a crash on [[Eurythma]], Long Haul fought Perceptor and Hot Spot with his teammates. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} He accompanied Galvatron to [[Paradron]] and took part in the crossfire, {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} and as part of Devastator, got his revenge on Broadside during a battle in Japan. Later on, Long Haul witnessed Galvatron and Cyclonus be defeated by a mutated Scourge. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
{{voiceactor|[[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

When the Decepticons learned of the Scramble City project being secretly assembled by the Autobots, Megatron sent his henchmen to interfere with their work. The Constructicons joined Starscream and his flying partners in an attack on the Autobots. Optimus Prime and a task force of Autobots held their position until Long Haul and the Constructicons inevitably joined forces into Devastator. The Aerialbots gave Devastator a good whippin', though, and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Hm1 Constructicons Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Long Haul and the Constructicons were stationed on Earth in 2011, under the command of [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. They attempted to prevent Ultra Magnus from sending reinforcements to Cybertron to help the Autobots fend off Galvatron's siege on [[Vector Sigma]]. Long Haul and his squad were ganging up on the [[Trainbot]]s until [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived and shooed them off with his superior firepower. Having failed to stop the Autobot reinforcements from departing, the Constructicons followed them to Cybertron. As Devastator, they tried to shoot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in the back, but Optimus Prime foiled their aim, making them hit [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] instead. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Devastator was involved in a combiner shootout on Cybertron until the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]] arrived and annihilated the Decepticon combiners. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Long Haul and the Constructicons were guarding the Decepticon [[space bridge]] on Earth, but failed miserably when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] single-handedly fought them off and stole a ride on the bridge. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
Long Haul and the other Constructicons tricked Grapple into helping them rebuild the Crystal City on Earth, and were joined by Omega Supreme and [[Hauler]] as well, but was unhappy to have been reduced to the role of material carrier again. {{storylink|Crystal City Reconstruction Project!}}

=====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Long Haul was among those summoned, but only in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Megatron traveled into the [[Legends World]], the [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] of that universe recounted his life story to the local [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], starting with his creation at the hands of Long Haul and the Constructicons. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
On an island paradise, Long Haul and the Constructicons were performing excavation work for Megatron's new fortress, at the cost of the natural resources and precious animals. The Autobots arrived to stop the Decepticons. Despite their vast power, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the combined Devastator failed to defeat the Autobots due to their lack of teamwork, and the Constructicons were knocked back into their component parts. The Autobots forced Long Haul and his comrades to undo the damage they had done to the island. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
In the year [[2010]], Long Haul participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Devastator in order to battle alongside Bruticus and Menasor against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Devastator and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{note|Long Haul only appears as a component of Devastator}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, Long Haul was a member of the construction team that built [[Crystal City]]. It was during this project that he and his fellow Constructicons were introduced to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} The Constructicons rose to prominence thanks to their immense architectural skills, and formed their own faction under the leadership of Hook. They were forced to align themselves with the Decepticons in order to maintain access to Kaon's smelting pools, which granted him access to the raw building material they needed to continue their work. Unhappy with this arrangement, seven renegade Constructicons went underground, building Megatron in an attempt to take power for themselves. Unfortunately for them, Megatron turned on them and formed his own group of Decepticons, eventually brainwashing Long Haul and the others into his service with the Robo-Smasher. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Devastator's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} Among their first acts as Decepticons, the Constructicons destroyed Crystal City. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}}

Long Haul was part of Hook's team when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} During the third Cybertronian war, the Constructicons were ambushed at [[Elevation Recostalus]] by a group of Autobots including ex-Constructicons [[Hauler]] and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], who disabled them before they could form Devastator. The group remained offline until [[1984]], when Megatron rebuilt them on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}

During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Devastator was blasted apart by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s team. Long Haul announced the Autobots' luck had run out, and he and the other Constructicons began pursuing them, gunning down [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in the process. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

====''Cloud''====
The Long Haul of "OG001 Spacetime" was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to combine with his fellow Constructicons into Devastator to face off against the [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]]. The foreign Decepticon easily defeated the combiner, sending his components fleeing in terror. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe created by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the Constructicons participated in the siege of [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] City by forming Devastator. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In a reality where Optimus killed Megatron in 2005, Long Haul was one of the many Decepticons who retreated aboard Astrotrain. He was shocked to learn that his leader hadn't made it out alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Long Haul is the green and purple one.]]
Long Haul was created on Earth by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], combining the engineering material of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s hostilely-occupied aerospace plant with the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that had been pilfered from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head. The Constructicons were not only given individual life, but also the power to merge into Devastator. Their first mission was to construct and operate an intergalactic transceiver which, combined with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s broadcasting abilities, would enable the Decepticons to make contact with Cybertron for the first time in millions of years. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Despite some Autobot intervention, the transceiver was successful enough to open communications between [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] and the Decepticons of Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[File:Soundwave long haul devastation derby.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
''Long Haul and the Constructicons, after troubleshooting their union as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], were sent by Shockwave to abduct [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After tracking the boy down to a demolition derby, and merging into Devastator to fend off the Autobots they found there, the Constructicons' attack was suddenly called off. While Devastator battled, Soundwave had discovered that Buster held the rest of the Creation Matrix in his head, and considered this too great a revelation to proceed as initially planned.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

After [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] took back Decepticon command, Long Haul and his comrades were charged with building perimeter defences around [[Wyoming base|their headquarters]] located at the base of a coal strip mine in eastern [[Wyoming]]. Devastator's services were again required when the Autobots staged a surprise attack, but they retreated once they had what they needed; data on the Constructicons' combining capabilities. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Long Haul and his fellow Decepticons followed a tracer signal to find the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who were sheltering [[Joy Meadows]], her camera crew, and their footage debunking the Decepticons' ''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'' propaganda. A battle ensued, with [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and Long Haul double-teaming [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], and eventually bringing him down with sheer firepower. The Decepticons maintained control of the battlefield until the arrival of [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] turned the tide against them. Soundwave decided to bring the situation to a conclusion by incinerating the humans' footage, which dispirited the Dinobots and humans and the Decepticons left victorious.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}}

''The Constructicons were sent into frigid [[Yukon]] territory to work on a secret project. They were discovered by [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], only for the two Autobots to accidentally betray their presence with an accidental weapons discharge. The Constructicons chased down the interlopers, blasting at them through a nearby forest. During the chase, they merged into Devastator in an attempt to overtake the pair. While in this form, they were duped into blasting a hydro-electric dam. Realizing what was coming, the Constructicons only had time enough to separate before the concrete structure collapsed, unleashing a torrent of water. The Constructicons were submerged in the flood, allowing the Autobots to escape.'' {{storylink|The Mission}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived from the future and removed Megatron from command, the Constructicons began serving the future Decepticon without much question, and built a massive space cannon for him. For some reason, Megatron didn't consider this enough of a treachery to annihilate Long Haul and his partners as traitors after regaining control.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
Long Haul and the other Constructicons were called upon to defend the Decepticons' [[Club Con|base in the Florida Keys]] from a joint attack by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the Autobots. Forming Devastator once again, they brawled with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] until a blast from Superion's rifle caused a malfunction in Devastator's coupling links and he broke up into his components. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:Scrapper hook long haul toy soldiers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Megatron would later be deposed entirely by Shockwave, who was then replaced in turn by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], but the Constructicons remained operational with the Decepticon army. During Ratbat's command, Long Haul and the other Constructicons (except Mixmaster) raided a building site in downtown [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] for raw materials such as girders. They loaded up their loot onto Long Haul, who in turn was carried away by Blitzwing back to their base. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} Later, Long Haul and the others were instrumental in one of Ratbat's schemes, where the Decepticons engaged the Autobots away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] long enough for the Constructicons to sneak on board and recover the deactivated remains of their comrades who had been captured by Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

{{note|For unknown reasons, the Constructicons stopped making appearances after the [[Underbase Saga]]. It's possible they were deactivated behind the scenes in the [[Decepticon Civil War]] or [[Dark Star|battling]] the super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]].}}

=====Movie future timeline=====
When Megatron launched an all-out offensive against [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in the year [[2005]], Long Haul was among the troops who besieged the outpost. He and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator at Megatron's command to breach Autobot City's outer defenses. When the Decepticons were eventually forced to retreat inside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the Constructicons were relatively unscathed from the battle. As such, they voted that all injured Transformers be jettisoned when Astrotrain complained he didn't have the energy necessary to carry them all back to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Prowl long haul mixmaster starting over.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.95]]
When the Decepticon forces of Earth split, Long Haul and most of the Constructicons chose to work with Megatron instead of Shockwave. While patrolling the site of Megatron's [[Global warming satellite|ozone rocket]], Long Haul and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] came across a pair of snooping Autobots. Despite being initially caught off guard, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] quickly disposed of the two Constructicons. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Later, at the [[Enclave]], Long Haul was seen talking to [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] before the "festivities" broke up the quiet little party; the Autobots faked an assassination attempt on Megatron, and the two Decepticon sub-factions began fighting one another with renewed fervor. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} When Soundwave led the Decepticons in an attack on Autobot Earthbase, Long Haul took some heat from [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'s bombing run. The whole offensive proved ultimately to be fruitless, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
Long Haul made a brief appearance at the climax of the battle with the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], helping the united Autobots and Decepticons construct trenches filled with thermal mines. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dreadwindgod.jpg|thumb|"I told you I didn't drink your so-called-expensive drink!"]]
Long Haul was among Megatron's soldiers when the Decepticon leader resurfaced on Earth. Like most of Megatron's inner circle, Long Haul and the Constructicons were presumably destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during the Underbase Saga, and restored by Megatron using the cache of back-up personality engrams collected by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. This has not been expressly confirmed, however.

Long Haul was present on the Ark when Megatron questioned the mysterious traveller named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. The Decepticons then flew off to the Southern Hemisphere to explore an energy spike somehow related to Landquake. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} When confronted by the Autobots, the five remaining Constructicons formed their modified Devastator configuration, until the ground collapsed beneath their feet. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} Falling to pieces, Long Haul and the Constructicons tried to overpower [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] with sheer numbers instead of strength. It didn't work, so they ran screaming from the battlefield. That ''also'' didn't work, as Grimlock caught up with them and continued to beat them senseless. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

Later on, Long Haul got caught in a struggle between Megatron's faction and a detachment from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s army led by [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. He and the other Constructicons were assaulted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
Under the guise of the [[Global Corporation]], Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons created sophisticated buildings all around the world. Within each building, however, was hidden a mechanism that would trap underground all within the structure. When the scheme was put into motion and the Autobots responded with an attack, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons merged to become The Devastator. Though in this form, the Constructicons were able to overpower the Autobots, that changed when the Dinobots arrived. After the rest of the Constructicons had been butchered by Swoop, Long Haul and Bonecrusher were fused into a helpless mess by Grapple's welder rifle. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

[[File:Constructicons-ASW.jpeg|thumb|]]
As Devastator, Long Haul and the other Constructicons stumbled upon [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] admiring his reflection in the wilderness, and managed to capture the vain Autobot. The group revealed their individual components to their prisoner once he was safely locked up within Decepticon headquarters. They rejoined forces to combat an Autobot rescue party that attempted to storm Decepticon base, and captured [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] as well, putting them in Sunstreaker's cell. The Constructicons were once more prompted to combine into Devastator to contemplate an Autobot peace offering; a life-sized statue of the gestalt! The peace offering turned out to be an Autobot ruse, and reinforcement burst forth from within the statue. The Autobots forced Devastator to break up into his component pieces by thoroughly dividing his attention, and so Long Haul joined the fight against the Autobots as an individual. The Decepticons ultimately lost the battle to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Shockwave led the Constructicons in an attack on a human village, intent on razing the town and building a fuel plant in its place. Long Haul served as Shockwave's mobile podium as he dispensed orders to the rest of the troops under his command, until he was tasked with clearing rubble out of the way so construction could begin on the installation. Little did the Decepticons know, they were being spied upon from orbit by the Autobot [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. Cosmos relayed what was happening to his teammates, who rolled into action to put an end to the Decepticons' plot. Long Haul and his allies were beaten up, shoved down into a pit, and had quick-drying cement poured over them to hold them in place. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
In order to steal an oil truck filled with precious fuel, Megatron arranged for [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to short-circuit the truck's wiring, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to cerebro-shell the drivers into complying, and Long Haul to siphon out the fuel. Autobot intervention, however, allowed the truck and its drivers to escape with their cargo. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

===Autobot Alert!===
{{notemultipath}}
In one possible scenario, the Constructicons were responsible for building the Decepticons’ command centre in the evil robots’ latest plot of taking over the Earth. They also were responsible for stocking Astrotrain with explosives and weapons before the Decepticon shuttle launched into space to further sabotage Earth's satellites.

In a different possible scenario, the Constructicons joined Galvatron on his campaign to retrieve an ancient cybertite sphere containing the secret of an ancient Autobot power-booster. Discovering that the sphere was within a sunken ship off the California coast, the Constructicons merged into Devastator in order to retrieve it. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Long Haul, Mixmaster, and Bonecrusher were driving through a desert when they crossed paths with Sideswipe and Jazz! Boasting that he would see to Earth's destruction, Long Haul tackled Sideswipe in a clash that would be heard "around the world!" {{storylink|Sweepstakes Offer!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Enemytww.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Well, who were you expecting? The Spanish Inquisition?"]]
Soon after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had become leader of the Autobots, Long Haul worked alongside his fellow Constructicons in readying Cybertron to function as an interstellar "warworld" for Megatron, propelled out of orbit and through space using massive planetary engines they had uncovered. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} He was working on this project when the Decepticons spotted some Autobots spying on them. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Though the Decepticons had their opponents outnumbered, the Autobots managed to hold them back until reinforcements arrived in the form of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus Prime. The Constructicons' efforts were ultimately foiled, forcing them to retreat as the planetary engines were destroyed in a spectacular explosion. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Sometime later, the Constructicons created the first set of gestalt programming directives, and tested the directives on themselves to create Devastator. The inevitable spread of [[combiner]] technology, however, proved to be more than Cybertron could handle, as the massive super-robots ran the risk of damaging the planet's very infrastructure if left to battle unchecked. As a result, by the time of the Dark Ages these "[[Special Teams]]" were banned from operating as a unit in any one faction by the universally agreed upon [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. Long Haul and the Constructicons were the first to break these accords, and become active again as Devastator as part of the [[Ultracon]]s. {{storylink|Escalation}} Devastator was unleashed upon the [[Wreckers]] in the [[Tagan Heights]], but was defeated by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] who overloaded him with electricity. This not only shut Devastator down, but also forced him to split into his individual components. {{storylink|Devastation}}

In the modern era, the Constructicons somehow joined Megatron on Earth after the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left Cybertron millions of years ago. Long Haul and the others were operating as Devastator in [[California]] battling the Autobots when they suffered serious damage and were believed destroyed. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''The Constructicons were later revived by Starscream, and used as the groundwork for his new power base after Megatron vanished during a battle in [[Tokyo]] with the Autobots. Long Haul and the other Decepticons who chose to serve Starscream invaded the city of [[Las Vegas]], making deals with the populace to make them voluntarily annex themselves as part of a new Decepticon government. Although most problems from within were dealt with by bribery or the occasional murderous beating, the Decepticons still faced plenty of problems from without. Grimlock of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had made a secret deal with the President to acquire a "rogue" military force and retake [[Las Vegas]], alongside his fellow Autobots [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. The Constructicons were the first to face these invaders as they entered the city, attacking them in waves. Long Haul was in the process of easily overpowering Bumblebee when his comrades were all taken down fighting Grimlock and Prowl. This made Long Haul the center of attention, and he definitely suffered for it. While attempting to blast the 'Bee with a heat-seeking missile, Long Haul was skewered through the shoulder by a makeshift spear Prowl had forged out of a giant neon cowboy. Only in Vegas. With three Autobots and several Apache helicopters on his rear axle, Long Haul beat a hasty retreat deeper into the city, looking for back-up.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

''Megatron eventually returned to Earth, but Long Haul and the Constructicons owed Starscream for reconstructing them, and so remained loyal to him when the Decepticons split into two factions. Of course, this only meant they were among the first to be captured by the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] when those aliens took over Las Vegas and turned Starscream into their puppet. Trapped behind an impenetrable force dome, Long Haul and the Constructicons attempted to batter their way out as Devastator using sheer brute force, until [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] offered a better idea. Reconverting into their separate modes, the Constructicons dug a tunnel out beneath the force field, enabling Starscream's faction to join the final battle against the Keepers. Acting as Devastator, they were too far away from Optimus Prime and his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced force shield when the American nuclear assault was dropped on the Keepers, and were blasted into pieces.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

''The nuclear blast left Devastator fused into his singular [[robot mode]], leaving him unable to split back into Long Haul and his other components. Eventually, Devastator fell into the Void along with [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] in the final conflict with the Keepers, and was left in stasis lock, drifting in the vacuum of space, after the Sentinel destroyed the Keepers' power source and shattered the Void back into real space-time. The starship ''[[Bounty]]'', on a secret space mission from Earth, came across Devastator's remains and planned to tow him back to Earth.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

The pieces of Long Haul and the Constructicons fell under the control of [[Earth Defense Command]], and were held in their [[Roswell]] facility for study. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
The ruthless terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] dug dozens of Autobots and Decepticons out of their four-million-year resting place and began rebuilding them into a Cobra-controlled army. However, with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s help, the mind-controlled Transformers were awakened, and the very cheesed-off Constructicons, including Long Haul, descended upon their previous captor, [[Doctor Mindbender]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave stopped them from killing the doctor, however, as he was needed for other purposes. Instead, the Constructicons were ordered to protect the [[SPS Satellite]] controls from the attacking Autobot and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} To do so, Long Haul combined with the others to form Devastator, but the giant was soon defeated by the attackers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During an all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons Hook, Mixmaster and Bonecrusher ganged up on Sideswipe. He and his fellow Constructicons were blown away by an explosion. Then, Long Haul joined with the other Constructicons to form Devastator in order to combat [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], the Dinobots’ combined form. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''Transformers: All Hail Megatron'' #1]] (modern era)

[[File:MegsOrigin2 Constructicons.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"After more than 20 years, I finally get to build something!"]]
Roughly nine million years ago, after losing their engineering jobs during the automation of manual labor on Cybertron, Long Haul and the Constructicons began associating with the [[Gladiatorial combat|deathsport tournaments]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Instead of directly participating, Long Haul and his partners put their construction skills to work by building a new arena from scratch before each match. This enabled the gladiators to remain one step ahead of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s security services, as they never operated in the same spot twice. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} The Constructicons also worked with repairing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and other injured pit fighters. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, Long Haul and the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron. They were working at the slagwerks of [[Galaxxon]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] rose to leadership of the Autobots. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Four million years ago, Long Haul was part of a convoy along with [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Octane]] and his fellow Constructicons bringing energon to the war effort. They were intercepted and captured by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} At one point they were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]] alongside [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], where they committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

[[File:AHM1 Longhaul.jpg|left|thumb|A dozen cogs in the Decepticon empire descend upon you. Our soldiers will blot out the sun!]]
In the modern era, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were given the ability to combine, and ended up as part of Megatron's forces on Earth. As Devastator, they easily took out the local Autobots, allowing for Decepticon conquest of the planet. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} During said conquest, Long Haul almost ran over pedestrians in [[New York City|New York]], prompting angry responses from the natives, until he and the other Constructicons transformed. The humans thought this was really cool, until the alien construction robot killing machines blew them up. Wishy-washy flesh creatures. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} Long Haul then merged with his fellows to form Devastator, who started destroying the tunnels leading out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}}

For reasons only known to themselves, the Constructicons joined [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] when he rebelled against Megatron, and attacked their former leader in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} However, Devastator soon found himself forced to battle human jets from [[Europe]] instead, which was then followed by the return of the Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Constructicons were taken out of the battle when Devastator was blasted straight through the midsection by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but it's unknown how much damage this caused to Long Haul. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Megatron would later use [[space bridge]] technology built into in his new body to summon Long Haul and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. To battle the Autobots, Long Haul and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator, but ultimately lost because the combiner's right leg was paralyzed due to combining with a dead Scrapper. They were soon mind-controlled by [[D-Void]] (through [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]) into combining with Galvatron's [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army and forming a huge monster. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

[[File:World&EverythingInIt LongHaul and Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's as stealthy as a bright green and purple dump truck.]]
Following the defeat of the "[[Deceptigod]]", the Decepticons were imprisoned by the Autobots, though [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] soon took charge of the situation and hatched a plan to assassinate Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He sent Long Haul to follow Starscream and make sure he didn't mess it up, but Long Haul wasn't sure whether or not to be loyal to Ratbat and opted not to tell him that Starscream paid visit Autobots. He approached Starscream at the time the assassination was supposed to take place, but nothing happened. Starscream advised the Constructicon to report to Ratbat that Bumblebee was dead anyway, which he did. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} After spending their time building things for the Autobots, the Constructicons came to the aid of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] when he was being chased down by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. They beat up Blurr and fought [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] before being confronted by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], who seemingly executed the whole team by detonating their [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. {{storylink|Devisive}}

However, Prowl was in fact under the control of Bombshell, who had merely faked the Constructicons' deaths for the purpose of secretly improving Devastator, rebuilding him in a modular form featuring Prowl or Megatron as the combiner's head. Once Megatron returned to conquer Cybertron, he ordered the Constructicons to combine with Prowl and assault Iacon. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} When Bombshell was removed from the equation, Long Haul and the other Constructicons felt Prowl's feelings and recognized his grudge against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], a human they too hated for his murder of Scrapper. Their unified hatred caused Devastator to develop a mind of his own and go on a rampage. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Once Devastator and Megatron were defeated, the Constructicons were banished from Iacon alongside most other Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Outside the city, Long Haul and his mates left the other Decepticons to hang out with the Autobots, explaining that they wanted to be on Prowl's side after having shared minds with him and being very impressed by his terrible secrets. After a scuffle with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] they were allowed to stay at the Autobot camp, where they had a rematch with Arcee before the Dinobots broke it up and treated the Decepticon team to a drink. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} The Constructicons fell victim to the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]'s corrosive "death wave", but were healed from its effects upon its defeat at the hands of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The team spent the ensuing period of celebrations following Prowl around and showering him with praises, to the Autobot's discomfort. When Prowl clashed with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], Long Haul stood up to Magnus and threatened to form Devastator if he didn't back off. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} Cybertron was then invaded by an army of [[Ammonite]]s sent by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], and during the battle the Constructicons convinced Prowl to form Devastator again for the sake of defeating [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} In the wake of Shockwave's defeat, Long Haul witnessed Megatron's revelation that he'd joined the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-Constructicons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|I don't know what everyone's complaining about; I just ''do not'' see any downsides to this "steroid" thing!]]
Having realized how useful access to Devastator was, Prowl fashioned the Constructicons into his own private unit, loyal only to him, and brought them with him on a mission to Earth. On arrival they saved the ''[[Ark-7]]'' from a human missile assault and formed Devastator to fight Galvatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} After sending the Decepticons packing, Long Haul and the others returned to the ''Ark-7'' to celebrate. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} During the Autobot attack on an [[Earth Defense Command]] base, Prowl had the team coated in stealth paint with orders to join the battle midway, after which they formed Devastator with him and wrecked the base. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} They later stood by Prowl as he spied on Optimus Prime's secret meeting with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

When the Autobots began hunting for the [[Enigma of Combination]], Prowl and the Constructicons went in search of Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} Their search took them to [[Tokyo]], where they secured their asset but ran afoul of Galvatron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} Feigning a truce with their mutual nemesis, the team stormed the [[Onyx]] facility by forming Devastator. Devastator ultimately went berserk due to his loathing of Spike and ruined the mission, allowing [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to abscond with the Enigma. The team was forced to retreat back to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

After Prowl learned that Optimus Prime had helped Starscream form a permanent [[Council of Worlds|alliance]] with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the team hijacked the ship's new spacebridge to travel to Cybertron {{storylink|The Possible Light}}, where they formed Devastator. Superion and Defensor ultimately brought down Devastator, and the Constructicons were sent to a secret prison - Starscream wasn't done with them yet. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Seeking a new edge, Starscream drafted [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] into the team, knowing that Scoop's fanaticism would force Devastator to obey his orders. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Ultimately, however, Devastator wound up losing control. After [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] defeated Devastator, the Constructicons were locked up once again. {{storylink|All That Remains}}

Although the individual Constructicons were still considered criminals, Starscream made allowances for releasing his own loyal combiner when necessary. The Constructicons reformed Devastator at Starscream's command to thwart a group of Decepticons commandeering the space bridge, {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} and to siege the colony ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] when [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-One]] refused to transform her Titan in defense of Cybertron from [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s [[zombie]] fleet. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}}

Following the impeachment and arrest of Starscream, the Constructicons received pardons, and later watched from a nearby rooftop as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived on Cybertron and joined Optimus and his retinue for a meeting in the [[Spire]]. Though the other Constructicons initially laughed off off Scoop's renewed faith in his "Chosen One," who had seemingly foreseen this series of events, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} the team wound up forming Devastator to break an indignant Starscream out of prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

With Onyx Prime unmasked as none other than [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], the Constructicons wound up battling against [[Victorion]] on Starscream's orders. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though they were initially able to withstand her gravity powers, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} this was soon revealed to be the work of Liege Maximo, using supplies of [[Ore-4]] to buffer them against Victorion's attacks. When [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] destroyed this ore, Victorion was able to unleash a devastating gravitational onslaught which fatally crushed Long Haul and the other Constructicons. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Long Haul and the other Constructicons formed Devastator to attack the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', successfully destroying one of its two modules. Devastator was blown back into his components when [[Wild Bill]] rammed the other module straight into him. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Long Haul was later revealed to have been killed by the impact. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Long-Haul-cleaning-up.jpg|thumb|300px|Well look on the bright side. You look leaner than your toy for this trilogy.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Todaro]] (English)}}
Long Haul, Scrapper and Scavenger all battled Megatron in the ruins of an old coliseum, but he easily overpowered them all. Upon overhearing Windblade say that Starscream possessed the [[Enigma of Combination]], Long Haul signaled a plan to the other Constructicons, and they later formed Devastator in an attempt to take the Enigma for themselves. {{storylink|Unforgotten}} In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], Long Haul was among those assisting with the reconstruction efforts. He didn't appreciate [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] jokingly dropping a giant rock on top of him. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} He presumably died when Devastator was killed by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Half of the original Constructicon team survived the Great War, including Long Haul. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] helped reform the team in the days after the [[Armistice]], creating a 2/3rds Autobot roster and convincing the Constructicon to undergo [[Micromaster]] downsizing, losing social hierarchy among the Builders but retaining their mobility in the energon-depleted era. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Long Haul and the Constructicons served the Builders against the [[Resistance]]. They ran a prisoner transport through [[Proximax]] to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when they were attacked by Resistance fighters. The prisoner, [[Snapper]], escaped, but Long Haul's team found themselves in a prolonged battle with the Resistance which lasted over a day. They retreated to the [[Sights & Sounds]] casino for defense. Meanwhile, one of their members—[[Buckethead]]—had formed an alliance with Snapper and a motley crew of other bots to deal with the alien threat of the [[Monster GoBot|Antares Eight]]. Buckethead and [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] of the Resistance eventually reached both sides and got them to join forces against the Renegade invaders.

At the trans-hyperwave caster the Renegades seized, Long Haul and the Constructicons joined Buckethead's "[[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]]" in attacking the invaders. The Constructicons formed Devastator, fighting the Monster Renegade combiner [[Monsterous]]. After the fight, all Cybertronians retired to Sights & Sounds for a summit. The Ex-Bots ultimately convinced Long Haul and the Constructicons to leave the Builders and act as part of an independent faction to protect the innocents of Proximax and defend the city from the horrors of war. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

The Constructicons and the Ex-Bots prevented [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] from using a [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to brainwash all the people of Proximax. They also recovered the Autobot-turned-Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from his control. As the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] began, the Ex-Bots chose to get involved with the other armies of the proto-races. Long Haul and the Constructicons salvaged a lobotomized [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] and retrofitted and detailed it as the team's new [[Ex-Jet]].

On the march to [[Nova Cronum]], the Constructicons formed Devastator to wade through the hordes of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. At the [[Grand Mal]] itself, Devastator joined forces with the Maximal combiner [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]. Their combined assault weakened the Grand Mal's force field enough for [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] to take note of them, and fire the massive optic ray at the combiners. Devastator pushed Magnaboss out of the way. Magnaboss lost an arm, a fifth of his gestalt mind, but Devastator suffered worse. Half his components were damaged beyond repair, and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|''Galaxies'' #1]]}}

Long Haul was forged at or around the end of the War of the Threefold Spark. An era of rebuilding and renewal, Long Haul came together with five other newly forged 'bots to form the Constructicons and help shape the Cybertron to come. A pragmatist, Long Haul monitored supply inventory and transport, believing himself the unsung hero of the construction site next to the flashier engineers and architects. They were recruited by the visionary architect [[Termagax]] to help build in the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Eager to make a name for themselves, the team promptly clashed with Termagax's conservative second-in-command [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]—for while Wheeljack sought to merely ''rebuild'' Iacon, Termagax saw the potential for something bigger and better to take its place. While excavating in [[Rivets Field]], the team inadvertently discovered the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Urged on by Termagax, Long Haul and his team agreed to expose themselves to the energies of the artifact, transforming themselves into a new combiner: raw power which Termagax hoped to harness and reshape into the ultimate building tool. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

Despite this new strength and power, Long Haul and his team struggled to master their combination, fighting against a seventh, destructive personality that surfaced whenever the team combined... and whose love of indiscriminate destruction jeopardized their reconstruction efforts. Finally, however, Termagax encouraged the team to work ''with'' this anger, rather than against it, and harness the powerful emotion to unite them in their shared purpose of rebuilding Iacon. Although the team would eventually complete their goal of turning the ravaged cityscape into a beautiful metropolis, they would not enjoy the fruits of their labor for long—Wheeljack brought his concerns to the attention of [[Nominus Prime]], and the Prime arranged matters so that the team would be reassigned to the distant colony of [[Mayalx]] to oversee the construction of a new [[energon]] refinery. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} There, the Constructicons labored for many years, deliberately kept under-fueled and tired so they couldn't combine, while they grew increasingly resentful of the world that had abandoned them while reminiscing about their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

With their future on Cybertron uncertain, Scrapper eventually came to believe that the team's future lay elsewhere and began training his teammates in the ways of combat, holding regular sparring sessions in an improvised gladiatorial arena. Long Haul and Scavenger struggled to adjust to being warriors, mixing with Scrapper's patient advice and Bonecrusher's brutality in the ring. During one particular session, the team was interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who, after a brief misunderstanding, told them ''his'' story: like the Constructicons, Nominus Prime had ''also'' banished the Insecticons for fear of their unique matter-eating abilities. Knowing that the team could be of use to [[The Rise]], Bombshell manipulated the team into unknowingly aiding the cause, encouraging them to recapture their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}}

After some deliberation, the six builders agreed to help the Insecticons, and after filling up on Bombshell's provided [[energon cube]]s the team combined for the first time since their banishment—but instead of uniting based on their shared urge to create, the Constructicons combined to destroy Mayalx and everything it represented to them, a spiteful, destructive rampage that ended with every 'bot in the colony slaughtered and the statue of Nominus Prime toppled. Unaware that the Insecticons had deliberately goaded them into such wanton slaughter so that the energon they processed from the many remains could be secretly shipped back to Cybertron to fuel the rise, Scrapper told his team that, for the first time in their lives, they were finally free to do and build whatever they wanted. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

Eventually, Shockwave called the Constructicons back to Cybertron and the Rise. When they arrived, however, Shockwave's former superior [[Exarchon]] had laid claim to the Rise and their bases. The Threefold Spark was eager to take a new body as powerful as Devastator, and tried to usurp the combiner. Together, Long Haul and the Constructicons were strong enough to prevent Exarchon from possessing their collective spark or sparks, though the effort forced them apart and left them out of action. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}} With Exarchon soon destroyed, the Rise were fully absorbed into the Decepticons, and Shockwave provided the Constructicons to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s cause. Long Haul and the others were happy to be home, and to be wanted as Devastator. They saw themselves as heroes destined to end the war, and were happy to oppose the legacy of Nominus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}}}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 6|April 13, 2024}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Long Haul rams Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25]]
Long Haul was among countless Decepticons lying dormant in the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after it crash-landed on Earth. However, due to a shortage of energy and raw materials, as well as [[Teletraan One]] being damaged, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] was unable to revive him and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)#Energon Universe|Constructicons]] for some time.

Eventually though, he was able to do so, and when the Autobots attempted a counteroffensive to recapture the ''Ark'', Long Haul made his prescence known by ramming [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] with his considerably larger vehicle mode. Starscream then ordered him and the other Constructicons to merge into [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Optimus Prime eventually threw Devastator off a cliff, separating him into his components, Long Haul crashed into the ground and carried Starscream away as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Long Haul and his teammates were masquerading as construction vehicles, when they suddenly decided to horrify their human operators by revealing their true nature. As their human drivers bailed out and fled, the team combined into Devastator, who crashed his fists together, creating a surge of energy that crackled all the way through his gigantic body. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Constructicons|Constructicons commercial}}
*After being upgraded into their "Generation 2" bodies, the Constructicons went about causing "really big destruction" by driving through a construction site and then merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their fun came to an end when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] emerged from the ground and trounced the combiner. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Constructicons and Dinobots|Generation Constructicons and Dinobots commercial}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Long Haul is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
===''Transformers Legends''===
At some point [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] was friends with the Constructicons, but they had a falling out. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

While Megatron kept Optimus busy, Long Haul and the rest of the Constructicon team to attempt to infiltrate the Autobot base and strike directly at [[Teletraan I]]. They mowed through [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s initial attempt at defenses. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War - Part 1}} Long Haul was among the Decepticons who attacked Cybertron during an alliance with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

The Decepticon team took over an asteroid orbiting Earth, however when Omega Supreme got wind of it, he launched a massive attack and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]]}}
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul.jpg|thumb|400px|This slagging job ain't glamorous, but who cares? ''No one''! '''That's who'''!]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px| You know why I got a G2 homage in this game? ''Because I'm a darn useful bot''. You know why I have better abilities than the rest? '''Because I'm a DARN USEFUL BOT !!!''']]
Long Haul participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Long Haul''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Long Haul (G2)''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:LongHaulEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Now with 80% more grenade launcher. I hate this.]]
It may not be the most glamorous role a Decepticon warrior could wish for, but every army needs its supply line, and Long Haul's lot is to keep the flow of raw materials coming. Then - along with his fellow Constructicons - build the massive energy-recovery installations necessary for conquest.
But Long Haul's unhappiness can blunt his effectiveness, and he's very sensitive to teasing about the mundane nature of his job. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Long Haul bio}}

Long Haul was joined by the other Constructicons through the Space Bridge and helped move a few things in the base. When Megatron found the [[Enigma of Combination|Enigma]], He eagerly used it to activate Devastator, which fared no better for Long Haul because, Once again, he has big wheels on his thighs, again. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

Long Haul and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s arrived at the Frozen Fortress by the orders of Megatron, and had them immediately start drilling, which meant poor Long Haul had to do more moving and tunneling. Brawl was shouting continually for astro-cycles much to his annoyance, but his audio-receptors were finely-tuned. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|What Lies Beneath}}

For once, he complained to Megatron that he and the other Constructicons are tired of being his work horse, and that they're the strongest Combiner yet do the most work. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Breaking Point}}

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' He uses a standard grenade launcher that bombards defenses from long distances.
*'''Ability: Rocket Barrage''' - Shoots 4 rockets from long range dealing high damage over a medium area around the target.
**'''Cost:''' 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:long-haul Long Haul at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Long Haul was a member of the Constructicons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Battle-for-earth longhaul.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And now I'm mistransformed, too? Forget my job-I hate my ''life''.]]
*In what can only be called "unfortunate hilarity", Long Haul's original [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] [[character model]] was drawn using toy references that still had his toy's [[robot mode]] head still flipped up and the arms folded straight forward without the hands folded in.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OSbNSWxwEihhwWRKWQVq-qD773U6fK3s/view 1985 Hasbro briefing binder scans]</ref> Thus, in any fictional appearance using this model, Long Haul is a dump truck with a robot head sitting next to the driver's cab and cylindrical shapes sitting at the front of his vehicle mode. This was especially awkward in the cartoon, when his "vehicle mode head" would disappear when he transformed, and his "robot mode head" would come from... somewhere else.
*Animation company [[AKOM]] seems to have gotten Long Haul's color layout mixed up with that of the similarly named "[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]" from "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]", as Long Haul appeared with that robot's orange-and-blue color scheme in both "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]".
*In the cartoon, when Long Haul is carrying a load in his dump truck and transforms, the load disappears. It reappears when he transforms back into a dump truck. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Could it have been stored in [[subspace storage pocket|subspace]]?

[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2]]

*Long Haul's vehicle mode, a Hitachi DH321, isn't especially large for a construction vehicle, being fairly close in size to those of his teammates. However, due to the obscurity of the real truck and the tendency for G1 combiner teams to feature [[Groove (G1)|oversized]] or [[Blast Off (G1)|undersized]] members, it was common for fans to associating him with "earth-mover" trucks several times his original size, assuming the discrepancy to be an error of [[scale]]. Some official material has run with the idea, depicting Long Haul as a giant next to his teammates.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Long Haul''' (ロングハウル ''Rongu Hauru'')
*''French:'' '''Costo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Hosszú Pofa'''
*''Italian:'' '''Macigno''' ("Boulder")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tuōdǒu''' (拖斗, "Trailer")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Doloroso''' (Portugal comic), '''Puxador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bol'shegruz''' (Большегруз, "Heavy Truck")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromaster combiners]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Long Haul (G1)

2024-04-06T20:57:10Z

MBG:

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|cobra|ultracon}}
{{disambig3|Long Haul}}
{{suite}}
:''Long Haul is a [[Decepticon]] [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:LongHaulG1.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Knows the importance of not complaining about his job, but is known entirely for complaining about his job.]]
The problem, as '''Long Haul''' sees it, is that he gets all the work and very little of the excitement and the glory that goes with being a Decepticon. He knows his job is important; he'd just much rather be on the front lines fighting shoulder to shoulder with fellow warriors than moving supplies and building installations to make sure those warriors continue fighting. Long Haul keeps these secret desires to himself though, as he's smart enough to know [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] is not likely to be sympathetic and has no patience for grunts who question their orders.

He also serves as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'s crotch. Tough break.

{{bigquote|REMOVE! REMOVE! ALWAYS REMOVE! I didn't join this outfit to be a dump truck!|Long Haul's unfortunate fate|"[[City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]] (English), [[Masashi Ebara]] (Japanese), [[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Yū Shimaka]] (Japanese, "The Core"), [[Takurō Kitagawa]] (Japanese, "The Autobot Run"), [[Show Hayami]] (Japanese, ''2010'')|[[Chen Weiqun]] (Chinese), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''The Autobot Run''), [[Reinhard Brock]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1''), [[Bernd Simon]] (German, ''Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4''), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, Generation 2 Dub), [[Roberto Alexander]] (Latin American), [[Albert Augier]] (European French), [[Francis Lax]] (European French, "The Golden Lagoon"), [[Júlio Chaves]] (Portuguese), [[Older Cazarré]] (Portuguese, "The Master Builders")}}

Some time in the past, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were responsible for creating Megatron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Roughly nine million years ago, Long Haul and the Constructicons were friends of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] in [[Crystal City]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Their engineering skills were permanently turned to evil, however, once [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and the [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] reprogrammed them into Decepticons. They were also given the combined form of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], making them the physical equal of Omega Supreme in combat. After they destroyed Crystal City at Megatron's command, the Constructicons earned the everlasting ire of their former friend. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

[[File:CityofSteel DisassemblingPrime.jpg|left|thumb|The crankiest operating table in existence.]]
Long Haul was eventually summoned to Earth ([[Constructicon (G1)|built on Earth?]]) by Megatron and the Decepticons, and joined them in trying to destroy [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. Their first scheme was to supercharge Megatron with the [[power chip rectifier]]s of his fellow 'Cons, so that he could defeat Prime in personal combat. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Though they failed, the Constructicons would be involved in many of Megatron's schemes from then on, such as constructing of [[New Cybertron]] in [[New York City|Manhattan]], where Long Haul got to carry around debris and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|paralyzed Autobot leaders]]. {{storylink|City of Steel (episode)|City of Steel}}

Long Haul was the most long-suffering members of the Constructicons, possibly even more so than [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. He was constantly complaining about wanting a greater role in the group, either as a warrior or an engineer, but was inevitably relegated to "go fetch" work for [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] or [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]. It didn't help his mood any. At one point the Constructicons later built the [[Transfixatron]] to paralyze the Autobots in their [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]s, along with a metal-munching machine to devour them. Long Haul complained loudly about his job, but was cheered up when he got to feed [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] to the machine. He didn't even mind when the Autobots got loose, since it meant finally getting some action. {{storylink|The Autobot Run}}

Megatron later had the Constructicons build a giant drill, planning to collect energy from the [[Earth's core]]. When an accident was caused by Scavenger's faulty sensors, Long Haul was tasked with loading [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]'s mixing drum full of chemicals so that the crazed chemist could do a quick repair job. He didn't enjoy it one bit. A group of Autobots soon discovered the Decepticons, only to be chased off by Devastator. However, they soon returned with a plan—using [[dominator disk]]s to take control of Devastator for their own needs. The Autobot [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] shot a pair of disks at Long Haul and Mixmaster when they weren't looking, and as soon as the Constructicons formed Devastator shortly afterwards, the Autobots took control of him. Megatron's attempts at regaining his troops eventually led to Devastator going crazy and wrecking the controls to the drill, so Long Haul had to help stop it from breaching the Earth's core and shattering the planet. {{storylink|The Core}}

[[File:GoldenLagoon LongHaul Dirge.jpg|thumb|Death comes to he who stands behind a dump truck emptying its load.]]
When the other Decepticons were suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion, Long Haul and the other Constructicons unloaded a shipment of Cybertonium sent by Shockwave. They failed to stop the Dinobots from using the space bridge to go to Cybertron. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} When the Constructicons deceived [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] into building a [[Solar Power Tower]] for them to take over, Long Haul thought he was finally going to get to build something. Hook sent him to carry solar panels around. {{storylink|The Master Builders (episode)|The Master Builders}} Long Haul's greatest claim to fame was abandoning his job of guarding the recently discovered pool of [[electrum]], forcing [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to do it by himself. Dirge was then promptly beaten up by [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and the Autobots gained control of the electrum. Oops. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}}

Long Haul later went into space with the other Constructicons in order to mine energy from an asteroid. When the Autobots found out, the Constructicons found themselves facing their old pal, Omega Supreme, who broke the entire asteroid in half in his attempts to exterminate Long Haul and the others. Ignoring the [[Asteroid bird alien|strange alien]] that "hatched" from the asteroid, the Constructicons merged into Devastator and kept fighting Omega Supreme on Earth, but were eventually defeated. Before Omega Supreme could finish them off, however, he had to leave and deal with the alien. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

Long Haul pitched in to build an over-sized maze for Blitzwing, {{storylink|Triple Takeover}} and the Constructicons later helped Megatron construct one of the most devastating weapons of all time. Pleased with their work, Megatron dismissed the Constructicons for the day. Long Haul and his crew departed quickly, before Megatron realized they had built the ultimate weapon at the bottom of a deep canyon, making it virtually impossible to aim it at anything worthwhile. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

[[File:TFTM LongHaulwithKickback.jpg|left|thumb|"Remove, remove... always remove!"]]
In [[2005]], Long Haul and the Constructicons joined in the assault on [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], and their power as Devastator was key to breaching the city's defenses. After the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] arrived, however, Devastator was effectively nullified as the two groups kept each other too busy and out of the rest of the fighting. They joined the other Decepticons in beating a hasty retreat after Megatron fell in battle, and Long Haul was seen carrying the damaged [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] with him. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}
{{note|Long Haul’s involvement in these events, or events mostly similar, were also chronicled in the comic mini-series "[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]."}}

Following the defeat of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], the Decepticons sought refuge on the planet of [[Chaar]], where the Constructicons began squabbling over who would take Astrotrain's latest shipment of energon. They combined, but were broken up by Menasor and slinked away. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1}}

The Constructicons were tasked with modifying an Earth city into the Decepticons' new battle station, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], and Long Haul got [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|a new colour scheme]] just for the occasion, cackling about the rude awakening the humans were about to receive. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} He then shot at [[Sky Lynx (G1)|an Autobot shuttle]] when it arrived on Earth with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[transformation cog]], and was petrified by a [[Large switch|device]] that froze all Transformers. Long Haul was freed when [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|a human]] destroyed the device. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}}

Long Haul participated in building a new engine for Galvatron, only for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and his squad of Autobots to crash the party. Despite merging into Devastator, the Constructicons were no match for the enormous [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]. After a crash on [[Eurythma]], Long Haul fought Perceptor and Hot Spot with his teammates. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}} He accompanied Galvatron to [[Paradron]] and took part in the crossfire, {{storylink|Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee}} and as part of Devastator, got his revenge on Broadside during a battle in Japan. Later on, Long Haul witnessed Galvatron and Cyclonus be defeated by a mutated Scourge. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}}
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2}} {{storylink|The Girl Who Loved Powerglide}} {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{charstubfiction}}

=====Scramble City=====
{{voiceactor|[[Toshio Ishii]] (Japanese)}}

When the Decepticons learned of the Scramble City project being secretly assembled by the Autobots, Megatron sent his henchmen to interfere with their work. The Constructicons joined Starscream and his flying partners in an attack on the Autobots. Optimus Prime and a task force of Autobots held their position until Long Haul and the Constructicons inevitably joined forces into Devastator. The Aerialbots gave Devastator a good whippin', though, and the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
{{voiceactor|[[Ryōichi Tanaka]] (Japanese)}}
[[File:Hm1 Constructicons Attack.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Long Haul and the Constructicons were stationed on Earth in 2011, under the command of [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. They attempted to prevent Ultra Magnus from sending reinforcements to Cybertron to help the Autobots fend off Galvatron's siege on [[Vector Sigma]]. Long Haul and his squad were ganging up on the [[Trainbot]]s until [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] arrived and shooed them off with his superior firepower. Having failed to stop the Autobot reinforcements from departing, the Constructicons followed them to Cybertron. As Devastator, they tried to shoot [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in the back, but Optimus Prime foiled their aim, making them hit [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] instead. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Devastator was involved in a combiner shootout on Cybertron until the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]] arrived and annihilated the Decepticon combiners. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Long Haul and the Constructicons were guarding the Decepticon [[space bridge]] on Earth, but failed miserably when [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] single-handedly fought them off and stole a ride on the bridge. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}

=====''Unite Warriors''=====
Long Haul and the other Constructicons tricked Grapple into helping them rebuild the Crystal City on Earth, and were joined by Omega Supreme and [[Hauler]] as well, but was unhappy to have been reduced to the role of material carrier again. {{storylink|Crystal City Reconstruction Project!}}

=====''Zone'' OVA, manga and story pages=====
Seeking to create a [[Decepticon Zone]] to counter the [[Micro|Autobot Zone]], [[Emperor of Destruction|Decepticon Emperor]] [[Violengiguar]] gathered together the Nine Great Demon Generals, upgrading them with powerful new armor and weaponry, then sent them forth to conquer planets. Long Haul was among those summoned, but only in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (story page)|Zone Part 1}} {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Zone (manga)|Zone}} {{storylink|Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
When Megatron traveled into the [[Legends World]], the [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] of that universe recounted his life story to the local [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], starting with his creation at the hands of Long Haul and the Constructicons. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 13}}

====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic=====
On an island paradise, Long Haul and the Constructicons were performing excavation work for Megatron's new fortress, at the cost of the natural resources and precious animals. The Autobots arrived to stop the Decepticons. Despite their vast power, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the combined Devastator failed to defeat the Autobots due to their lack of teamwork, and the Constructicons were knocked back into their component parts. The Autobots forced Long Haul and his comrades to undo the damage they had done to the island. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

=====''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''=====
In the year [[2010]], Long Haul participated in a Decepticon attack on the planet Feminia. He and his team merged into Devastator in order to battle alongside Bruticus and Menasor against their Autobot counterparts Superion, Defensor and Omega Supreme. The fight was fairly evenly matched until Galvatron called up his ace-in-the-hole, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], whose power was unmatched by any of the Autobots... except for the [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibots]], who essentially tied Predaking's shoelaces together until he fell over, straight into Devastator and his chums, sending them all toppling to the ground and knocking them to bits. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{note|Long Haul only appears as a component of Devastator}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}
Nine million years ago, Long Haul was a member of the construction team that built [[Crystal City]]. It was during this project that he and his fellow Constructicons were introduced to [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} The Constructicons rose to prominence thanks to their immense architectural skills, and formed their own faction under the leadership of Hook. They were forced to align themselves with the Decepticons in order to maintain access to Kaon's smelting pools, which granted him access to the raw building material they needed to continue their work. Unhappy with this arrangement, seven renegade Constructicons went underground, building Megatron in an attempt to take power for themselves. Unfortunately for them, Megatron turned on them and formed his own group of Decepticons, eventually brainwashing Long Haul and the others into his service with the Robo-Smasher. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Devastator's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}} Among their first acts as Decepticons, the Constructicons destroyed Crystal City. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 42|Hauler's ''Wings of Honor'' profile}}

Long Haul was part of Hook's team when [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] ordered the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}} During the third Cybertronian war, the Constructicons were ambushed at [[Elevation Recostalus]] by a group of Autobots including ex-Constructicons [[Hauler]] and [[Erector (G1)|Erector]], who disabled them before they could form Devastator. The group remained offline until [[1984]], when Megatron rebuilt them on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers I.Q.#issue 45|Transformers I.Q. last issue review}}

During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], Devastator was blasted apart by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s team. Long Haul announced the Autobots' luck had run out, and he and the other Constructicons began pursuing them, gunning down [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] in the process. {{storylink|A Flash Forward}}

====''Cloud''====
The Long Haul of "OG001 Spacetime" was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to combine with his fellow Constructicons into Devastator to face off against the [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] of [[Cloud World]]. The foreign Decepticon easily defeated the combiner, sending his components fleeing in terror. {{storylink|Rampage (Cloud)|Rampage}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe created by [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] and [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], the Constructicons participated in the siege of [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] City by forming Devastator. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}

====''Deviations''====
In a reality where Optimus killed Megatron in 2005, Long Haul was one of the many Decepticons who retreated aboard Astrotrain. He was shocked to learn that his leader hadn't made it out alive. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Long Haul is the green and purple one.]]
Long Haul was created on Earth by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], combining the engineering material of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s hostilely-occupied aerospace plant with the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that had been pilfered from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head. The Constructicons were not only given individual life, but also the power to merge into Devastator. Their first mission was to construct and operate an intergalactic transceiver which, combined with [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s broadcasting abilities, would enable the Decepticons to make contact with Cybertron for the first time in millions of years. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Despite some Autobot intervention, the transceiver was successful enough to open communications between [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] and the Decepticons of Earth. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[File:Soundwave long haul devastation derby.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
''Long Haul and the Constructicons, after troubleshooting their union as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], were sent by Shockwave to abduct [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. After tracking the boy down to a demolition derby, and merging into Devastator to fend off the Autobots they found there, the Constructicons' attack was suddenly called off. While Devastator battled, Soundwave had discovered that Buster held the rest of the Creation Matrix in his head, and considered this too great a revelation to proceed as initially planned.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}}

After [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] took back Decepticon command, Long Haul and his comrades were charged with building perimeter defences around [[Wyoming base|their headquarters]] located at the base of a coal strip mine in eastern [[Wyoming]]. Devastator's services were again required when the Autobots staged a surprise attack, but they retreated once they had what they needed; data on the Constructicons' combining capabilities. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

''Long Haul and his fellow Decepticons followed a tracer signal to find the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], who were sheltering [[Joy Meadows]], her camera crew, and their footage debunking the Decepticons' ''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'' propaganda. A battle ensued, with [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and Long Haul double-teaming [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], and eventually bringing him down with sheer firepower. The Decepticons maintained control of the battlefield until the arrival of [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] turned the tide against them. Soundwave decided to bring the situation to a conclusion by incinerating the humans' footage, which dispirited the Dinobots and humans and the Decepticons left victorious.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}}

''The Constructicons were sent into frigid [[Yukon]] territory to work on a secret project. They were discovered by [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], only for the two Autobots to accidentally betray their presence with an accidental weapons discharge. The Constructicons chased down the interlopers, blasting at them through a nearby forest. During the chase, they merged into Devastator in an attempt to overtake the pair. While in this form, they were duped into blasting a hydro-electric dam. Realizing what was coming, the Constructicons only had time enough to separate before the concrete structure collapsed, unleashing a torrent of water. The Constructicons were submerged in the flood, allowing the Autobots to escape.'' {{storylink|The Mission}}

''When [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived from the future and removed Megatron from command, the Constructicons began serving the future Decepticon without much question, and built a massive space cannon for him. For some reason, Megatron didn't consider this enough of a treachery to annihilate Long Haul and his partners as traitors after regaining control.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

{{GIJoeTransformersfiction}}
Long Haul and the other Constructicons were called upon to defend the Decepticons' [[Club Con|base in the Florida Keys]] from a joint attack by [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], [[Cobra]], and the Autobots. Forming Devastator once again, they brawled with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] until a blast from Superion's rifle caused a malfunction in Devastator's coupling links and he broke up into his components. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

[[File:Scrapper hook long haul toy soldiers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
Megatron would later be deposed entirely by Shockwave, who was then replaced in turn by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], but the Constructicons remained operational with the Decepticon army. During Ratbat's command, Long Haul and the other Constructicons (except Mixmaster) raided a building site in downtown [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] for raw materials such as girders. They loaded up their loot onto Long Haul, who in turn was carried away by Blitzwing back to their base. {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} Later, Long Haul and the others were instrumental in one of Ratbat's schemes, where the Decepticons engaged the Autobots away from the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] long enough for the Constructicons to sneak on board and recover the deactivated remains of their comrades who had been captured by Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

{{note|For unknown reasons, the Constructicons stopped making appearances after the [[Underbase Saga]]. It's possible they were deactivated behind the scenes in the [[Decepticon Civil War]] or [[Dark Star|battling]] the super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]].}}

=====Movie future timeline=====
When Megatron launched an all-out offensive against [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in the year [[2005]], Long Haul was among the troops who besieged the outpost. He and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator at Megatron's command to breach Autobot City's outer defenses. When the Decepticons were eventually forced to retreat inside [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the Constructicons were relatively unscathed from the battle. As such, they voted that all injured Transformers be jettisoned when Astrotrain complained he didn't have the energy necessary to carry them all back to Cybertron. {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Prowl long haul mixmaster starting over.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.95]]
When the Decepticon forces of Earth split, Long Haul and most of the Constructicons chose to work with Megatron instead of Shockwave. While patrolling the site of Megatron's [[Global warming satellite|ozone rocket]], Long Haul and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] came across a pair of snooping Autobots. Despite being initially caught off guard, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] quickly disposed of the two Constructicons. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Later, at the [[Enclave]], Long Haul was seen talking to [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] before the "festivities" broke up the quiet little party; the Autobots faked an assassination attempt on Megatron, and the two Decepticon sub-factions began fighting one another with renewed fervor. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} When Soundwave led the Decepticons in an attack on Autobot Earthbase, Long Haul took some heat from [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'s bombing run. The whole offensive proved ultimately to be fruitless, and the Decepticons were forced into a retreat. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
Long Haul made a brief appearance at the climax of the battle with the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], helping the united Autobots and Decepticons construct trenches filled with thermal mines. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Dreadwindgod.jpg|thumb|"I told you I didn't drink your so-called-expensive drink!"]]
Long Haul was among Megatron's soldiers when the Decepticon leader resurfaced on Earth. Like most of Megatron's inner circle, Long Haul and the Constructicons were presumably destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during the Underbase Saga, and restored by Megatron using the cache of back-up personality engrams collected by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. This has not been expressly confirmed, however.

Long Haul was present on the Ark when Megatron questioned the mysterious traveller named [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]]. The Decepticons then flew off to the Southern Hemisphere to explore an energy spike somehow related to Landquake. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} When confronted by the Autobots, the five remaining Constructicons formed their modified Devastator configuration, until the ground collapsed beneath their feet. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} Falling to pieces, Long Haul and the Constructicons tried to overpower [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] with sheer numbers instead of strength. It didn't work, so they ran screaming from the battlefield. That ''also'' didn't work, as Grimlock caught up with them and continued to beat them senseless. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

Later on, Long Haul got caught in a struggle between Megatron's faction and a detachment from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s army led by [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. He and the other Constructicons were assaulted by [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}
{{-}}

===Marvel Storybooks continuity===
Under the guise of the [[Global Corporation]], Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons created sophisticated buildings all around the world. Within each building, however, was hidden a mechanism that would trap underground all within the structure. When the scheme was put into motion and the Autobots responded with an attack, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons merged to become The Devastator. Though in this form, the Constructicons were able to overpower the Autobots, that changed when the Dinobots arrived. After the rest of the Constructicons had been butchered by Swoop, Long Haul and Bonecrusher were fused into a helpless mess by Grapple's welder rifle. {{storylink|Battle for Earth}}

[[File:Constructicons-ASW.jpeg|thumb|]]
As Devastator, Long Haul and the other Constructicons stumbled upon [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] admiring his reflection in the wilderness, and managed to capture the vain Autobot. The group revealed their individual components to their prisoner once he was safely locked up within Decepticon headquarters. They rejoined forces to combat an Autobot rescue party that attempted to storm Decepticon base, and captured [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] as well, putting them in Sunstreaker's cell. The Constructicons were once more prompted to combine into Devastator to contemplate an Autobot peace offering; a life-sized statue of the gestalt! The peace offering turned out to be an Autobot ruse, and reinforcement burst forth from within the statue. The Autobots forced Devastator to break up into his component pieces by thoroughly dividing his attention, and so Long Haul joined the fight against the Autobots as an individual. The Decepticons ultimately lost the battle to the Autobots. {{storylink|The Autobots' Secret Weapon}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Shockwave led the Constructicons in an attack on a human village, intent on razing the town and building a fuel plant in its place. Long Haul served as Shockwave's mobile podium as he dispensed orders to the rest of the troops under his command, until he was tasked with clearing rubble out of the way so construction could begin on the installation. Little did the Decepticons know, they were being spied upon from orbit by the Autobot [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. Cosmos relayed what was happening to his teammates, who rolled into action to put an end to the Decepticons' plot. Long Haul and his allies were beaten up, shoved down into a pit, and had quick-drying cement poured over them to hold them in place. {{storylink|The Autobot Spy in the Sky}}

===''Big Looker'' storybooks===
In order to steal an oil truck filled with precious fuel, Megatron arranged for [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] to short-circuit the truck's wiring, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to cerebro-shell the drivers into complying, and Long Haul to siphon out the fuel. Autobot intervention, however, allowed the truck and its drivers to escape with their cargo. {{storylink|Decepticon Hijack}}

===Autobot Alert!===
{{notemultipath}}
In one possible scenario, the Constructicons were responsible for building the Decepticons’ command centre in the evil robots’ latest plot of taking over the Earth. They also were responsible for stocking Astrotrain with explosives and weapons before the Decepticon shuttle launched into space to further sabotage Earth's satellites.

In a different possible scenario, the Constructicons joined Galvatron on his campaign to retrieve an ancient cybertite sphere containing the secret of an ancient Autobot power-booster. Discovering that the sphere was within a sunken ship off the California coast, the Constructicons merged into Devastator in order to retrieve it. {{storylink|Autobot Alert!}}

===Toy pack-in material===
Long Haul, Mixmaster, and Bonecrusher were driving through a desert when they crossed paths with Sideswipe and Jazz! Boasting that he would see to Earth's destruction, Long Haul tackled Sideswipe in a clash that would be heard "around the world!" {{storylink|Sweepstakes Offer!}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
[[File:Enemytww.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"Well, who were you expecting? The Spanish Inquisition?"]]
Soon after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had become leader of the Autobots, Long Haul worked alongside his fellow Constructicons in readying Cybertron to function as an interstellar "warworld" for Megatron, propelled out of orbit and through space using massive planetary engines they had uncovered. {{storylink|The War Within issue 2|The War Within #2}} He was working on this project when the Decepticons spotted some Autobots spying on them. {{storylink|The War Within issue 5|The War Within #5}} Though the Decepticons had their opponents outnumbered, the Autobots managed to hold them back until reinforcements arrived in the form of [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and Optimus Prime. The Constructicons' efforts were ultimately foiled, forcing them to retreat as the planetary engines were destroyed in a spectacular explosion. {{storylink|The War Within issue 6|The War Within #6}}

Sometime later, the Constructicons created the first set of gestalt programming directives, and tested the directives on themselves to create Devastator. The inevitable spread of [[combiner]] technology, however, proved to be more than Cybertron could handle, as the massive super-robots ran the risk of damaging the planet's very infrastructure if left to battle unchecked. As a result, by the time of the Dark Ages these "[[Special Teams]]" were banned from operating as a unit in any one faction by the universally agreed upon [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]. Long Haul and the Constructicons were the first to break these accords, and become active again as Devastator as part of the [[Ultracon]]s. {{storylink|Escalation}} Devastator was unleashed upon the [[Wreckers]] in the [[Tagan Heights]], but was defeated by the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] who overloaded him with electricity. This not only shut Devastator down, but also forced him to split into his individual components. {{storylink|Devastation}}

In the modern era, the Constructicons somehow joined Megatron on Earth after the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' left Cybertron millions of years ago. Long Haul and the others were operating as Devastator in [[California]] battling the Autobots when they suffered serious damage and were believed destroyed. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

''The Constructicons were later revived by Starscream, and used as the groundwork for his new power base after Megatron vanished during a battle in [[Tokyo]] with the Autobots. Long Haul and the other Decepticons who chose to serve Starscream invaded the city of [[Las Vegas]], making deals with the populace to make them voluntarily annex themselves as part of a new Decepticon government. Although most problems from within were dealt with by bribery or the occasional murderous beating, the Decepticons still faced plenty of problems from without. Grimlock of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] had made a secret deal with the President to acquire a "rogue" military force and retake [[Las Vegas]], alongside his fellow Autobots [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]. The Constructicons were the first to face these invaders as they entered the city, attacking them in waves. Long Haul was in the process of easily overpowering Bumblebee when his comrades were all taken down fighting Grimlock and Prowl. This made Long Haul the center of attention, and he definitely suffered for it. While attempting to blast the 'Bee with a heat-seeking missile, Long Haul was skewered through the shoulder by a makeshift spear Prowl had forged out of a giant neon cowboy. Only in Vegas. With three Autobots and several Apache helicopters on his rear axle, Long Haul beat a hasty retreat deeper into the city, looking for back-up.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}

''Megatron eventually returned to Earth, but Long Haul and the Constructicons owed Starscream for reconstructing them, and so remained loyal to him when the Decepticons split into two factions. Of course, this only meant they were among the first to be captured by the [[Keeper (species)|Keepers]] when those aliens took over Las Vegas and turned Starscream into their puppet. Trapped behind an impenetrable force dome, Long Haul and the Constructicons attempted to batter their way out as Devastator using sheer brute force, until [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] offered a better idea. Reconverting into their separate modes, the Constructicons dug a tunnel out beneath the force field, enabling Starscream's faction to join the final battle against the Keepers. Acting as Devastator, they were too far away from Optimus Prime and his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced force shield when the American nuclear assault was dropped on the Keepers, and were blasted into pieces.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}}

''The nuclear blast left Devastator fused into his singular [[robot mode]], leaving him unable to split back into Long Haul and his other components. Eventually, Devastator fell into the Void along with [[Omega Sentinel (G1)|Omega Sentinel]] in the final conflict with the Keepers, and was left in stasis lock, drifting in the vacuum of space, after the Sentinel destroyed the Keepers' power source and shattered the Void back into real space-time. The starship ''[[Bounty]]'', on a secret space mission from Earth, came across Devastator's remains and planned to tow him back to Earth.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

The pieces of Long Haul and the Constructicons fell under the control of [[Earth Defense Command]], and were held in their [[Roswell]] facility for study. {{storylink|Generation 1 issue 0|Generation 1 #0}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
The ruthless terrorist organization known as [[Cobra]] dug dozens of Autobots and Decepticons out of their four-million-year resting place and began rebuilding them into a Cobra-controlled army. However, with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s help, the mind-controlled Transformers were awakened, and the very cheesed-off Constructicons, including Long Haul, descended upon their previous captor, [[Doctor Mindbender]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #3}}

Soundwave stopped them from killing the doctor, however, as he was needed for other purposes. Instead, the Constructicons were ordered to protect the [[SPS Satellite]] controls from the attacking Autobot and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] troops. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} To do so, Long Haul combined with the others to form Devastator, but the giant was soon defeated by the attackers. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

===''The Beast Within''===
During an all-out Decepticon offensive against the Autobots, Long Haul and his fellow Constructicons Hook, Mixmaster and Bonecrusher ganged up on Sideswipe. He and his fellow Constructicons were blown away by an explosion. Then, Long Haul joined with the other Constructicons to form Devastator in order to combat [[Beast (G1)|The Beast]], the Dinobots’ combined form. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Megatron Origin issue 2|''Megatron Origin'' #2]]; [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|''Transformers: All Hail Megatron'' #1]] (modern era)

[[File:MegsOrigin2 Constructicons.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"After more than 20 years, I finally get to build something!"]]
Roughly nine million years ago, after losing their engineering jobs during the automation of manual labor on Cybertron, Long Haul and the Constructicons began associating with the [[Gladiatorial combat|deathsport tournaments]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. Instead of directly participating, Long Haul and his partners put their construction skills to work by building a new arena from scratch before each match. This enabled the gladiators to remain one step ahead of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s security services, as they never operated in the same spot twice. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 2|Megatron Origin #2}} The Constructicons also worked with repairing [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] and other injured pit fighters. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

As the war began in earnest between the Autobots and Decepticons, Long Haul and the Constructicons remained loyal followers of Megatron. They were working at the slagwerks of [[Galaxxon]] when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] rose to leadership of the Autobots. {{storylink|Broadcast}} Four million years ago, Long Haul was part of a convoy along with [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], [[Octane]] and his fellow Constructicons bringing energon to the war effort. They were intercepted and captured by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]]. {{storylink|The Iron Age}} At one point they were stationed on [[Varas Centralus]] alongside [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], where they committed some atrocity that was enough to cause Sky-Byte to abandon the Decepticon cause. {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}}

[[File:AHM1 Longhaul.jpg|left|thumb|A dozen cogs in the Decepticon empire descend upon you. Our soldiers will blot out the sun!]]
In the modern era, Long Haul and the other Constructicons were given the ability to combine, and ended up as part of Megatron's forces on Earth. As Devastator, they easily took out the local Autobots, allowing for Decepticon conquest of the planet. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} During said conquest, Long Haul almost ran over pedestrians in [[New York City|New York]], prompting angry responses from the natives, until he and the other Constructicons transformed. The humans thought this was really cool, until the alien construction robot killing machines blew them up. Wishy-washy flesh creatures. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 1|All Hail Megatron #1}} Long Haul then merged with his fellows to form Devastator, who started destroying the tunnels leading out of the city. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 2|All Hail Megatron #2}}

For reasons only known to themselves, the Constructicons joined [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] when he rebelled against Megatron, and attacked their former leader in the form of Devastator. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}} However, Devastator soon found himself forced to battle human jets from [[Europe]] instead, which was then followed by the return of the Autobots to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Constructicons were taken out of the battle when Devastator was blasted straight through the midsection by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], but it's unknown how much damage this caused to Long Haul. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}}

Megatron would later use [[space bridge]] technology built into in his new body to summon Long Haul and the rest of the Decepticons to him on Cybertron. To battle the Autobots, Long Haul and the other Constructicons combined into Devastator, but ultimately lost because the combiner's right leg was paralyzed due to combining with a dead Scrapper. They were soon mind-controlled by [[D-Void]] (through [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]]) into combining with Galvatron's [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] army and forming a huge monster. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}}

[[File:World&EverythingInIt LongHaul and Starscream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He's as stealthy as a bright green and purple dump truck.]]
Following the defeat of the "[[Deceptigod]]", the Decepticons were imprisoned by the Autobots, though [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] soon took charge of the situation and hatched a plan to assassinate Autobot leader [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]. He sent Long Haul to follow Starscream and make sure he didn't mess it up, but Long Haul wasn't sure whether or not to be loyal to Ratbat and opted not to tell him that Starscream paid visit Autobots. He approached Starscream at the time the assassination was supposed to take place, but nothing happened. Starscream advised the Constructicon to report to Ratbat that Bumblebee was dead anyway, which he did. {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} After spending their time building things for the Autobots, the Constructicons came to the aid of [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] when he was being chased down by [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]. They beat up Blurr and fought [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] before being confronted by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], who seemingly executed the whole team by detonating their [[Inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]]. {{storylink|Devisive}}

However, Prowl was in fact under the control of Bombshell, who had merely faked the Constructicons' deaths for the purpose of secretly improving Devastator, rebuilding him in a modular form featuring Prowl or Megatron as the combiner's head. Once Megatron returned to conquer Cybertron, he ordered the Constructicons to combine with Prowl and assault Iacon. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} When Bombshell was removed from the equation, Long Haul and the other Constructicons felt Prowl's feelings and recognized his grudge against [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], a human they too hated for his murder of Scrapper. Their unified hatred caused Devastator to develop a mind of his own and go on a rampage. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Once Devastator and Megatron were defeated, the Constructicons were banished from Iacon alongside most other Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

Outside the city, Long Haul and his mates left the other Decepticons to hang out with the Autobots, explaining that they wanted to be on Prowl's side after having shared minds with him and being very impressed by his terrible secrets. After a scuffle with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] they were allowed to stay at the Autobot camp, where they had a rematch with Arcee before the Dinobots broke it up and treated the Decepticon team to a drink. {{storylink|Second Exodus}} The Constructicons fell victim to the [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]'s corrosive "death wave", but were healed from its effects upon its defeat at the hands of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The team spent the ensuing period of celebrations following Prowl around and showering him with praises, to the Autobot's discomfort. When Prowl clashed with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], Long Haul stood up to Magnus and threatened to form Devastator if he didn't back off. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} Cybertron was then invaded by an army of [[Ammonite]]s sent by [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], and during the battle the Constructicons convinced Prowl to form Devastator again for the sake of defeating [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} In the wake of Shockwave's defeat, Long Haul witnessed Megatron's revelation that he'd joined the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:DetonationBoulevard-Constructicons.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|I don't know what everyone's complaining about; I just ''do not'' see any downsides to this "steroid" thing!]]
Having realized how useful access to Devastator was, Prowl fashioned the Constructicons into his own private unit, loyal only to him, and brought them with him on a mission to Earth. On arrival they saved the ''[[Ark-7]]'' from a human missile assault and formed Devastator to fight Galvatron's Decepticons. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} After sending the Decepticons packing, Long Haul and the others returned to the ''Ark-7'' to celebrate. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} During the Autobot attack on an [[Earth Defense Command]] base, Prowl had the team coated in stealth paint with orders to join the battle midway, after which they formed Devastator with him and wrecked the base. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} They later stood by Prowl as he spied on Optimus Prime's secret meeting with [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]]. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

When the Autobots began hunting for the [[Enigma of Combination]], Prowl and the Constructicons went in search of Spike Witwicky. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|Signals, Calls, and Marches}} Their search took them to [[Tokyo]], where they secured their asset but ran afoul of Galvatron. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}} Feigning a truce with their mutual nemesis, the team stormed the [[Onyx]] facility by forming Devastator. Devastator ultimately went berserk due to his loathing of Spike and ruined the mission, allowing [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] to abscond with the Enigma. The team was forced to retreat back to the ''Ark-7''. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}}

After Prowl learned that Optimus Prime had helped Starscream form a permanent [[Council of Worlds|alliance]] with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], the team hijacked the ship's new spacebridge to travel to Cybertron {{storylink|The Possible Light}}, where they formed Devastator. Superion and Defensor ultimately brought down Devastator, and the Constructicons were sent to a secret prison - Starscream wasn't done with them yet. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Seeking a new edge, Starscream drafted [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] into the team, knowing that Scoop's fanaticism would force Devastator to obey his orders. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} Ultimately, however, Devastator wound up losing control. After [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] defeated Devastator, the Constructicons were locked up once again. {{storylink|All That Remains}}

Although the individual Constructicons were still considered criminals, Starscream made allowances for releasing his own loyal combiner when necessary. The Constructicons reformed Devastator at Starscream's command to thwart a group of Decepticons commandeering the space bridge, {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|Once Upon a Time on Earth}} and to siege the colony ship [[Vigilem|Carcer]] when [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-One]] refused to transform her Titan in defense of Cybertron from [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s [[zombie]] fleet. {{storylink|Desperate Measures (Till All Are One)|Desperate Measures}}

Following the impeachment and arrest of Starscream, the Constructicons received pardons, and later watched from a nearby rooftop as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] and [[Liege Maximo]] arrived on Cybertron and joined Optimus and his retinue for a meeting in the [[Spire]]. Though the other Constructicons initially laughed off off Scoop's renewed faith in his "Chosen One," who had seemingly foreseen this series of events, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine}} the team wound up forming Devastator to break an indignant Starscream out of prison. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}}

With Onyx Prime unmasked as none other than [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], the Constructicons wound up battling against [[Victorion]] on Starscream's orders. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} Though they were initially able to withstand her gravity powers, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 5: Endless Forever|Endless Forever}} this was soon revealed to be the work of Liege Maximo, using supplies of [[Ore-4]] to buffer them against Victorion's attacks. When [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] destroyed this ore, Victorion was able to unleash a devastating gravitational onslaught which fatally crushed Long Haul and the other Constructicons. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Long Haul and the other Constructicons formed Devastator to attack the [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] starship ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', successfully destroying one of its two modules. Devastator was blown back into his components when [[Wild Bill]] rammed the other module straight into him. {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} Long Haul was later revealed to have been killed by the impact. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

===''Transformers: All Spark''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Plans of the Emperor of Destruction}} {{storylink|Great Aspirations}}}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:TR-Ep1-Aftermath-and-Rebirth-Long-Haul-cleaning-up.jpg|thumb|300px|Well look on the bright side. You look leaner than your toy for this trilogy.]]
{{voiceactor|[[Frank Todaro]] (English)}}
Long Haul, Scrapper and Scavenger all battled Megatron in the ruins of an old coliseum, but he easily overpowered them all. Upon overhearing Windblade say that Starscream possessed the [[Enigma of Combination]], Long Haul signaled a plan to the other Constructicons, and they later formed Devastator in an attempt to take the Enigma for themselves. {{storylink|Unforgotten}} In the aftermath of the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]], Long Haul was among those assisting with the reconstruction efforts. He didn't appreciate [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] jokingly dropping a giant rock on top of him. {{storylink|Aftermath and Rebirth}} He presumably died when Devastator was killed by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}}
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars: Uprising''===
Half of the original Constructicon team survived the Great War, including Long Haul. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] helped reform the team in the days after the [[Armistice]], creating a 2/3rds Autobot roster and convincing the Constructicon to undergo [[Micromaster]] downsizing, losing social hierarchy among the Builders but retaining their mobility in the energon-depleted era. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Grand Uprising]], Long Haul and the Constructicons served the Builders against the [[Resistance]]. They ran a prisoner transport through [[Proximax]] to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] when they were attacked by Resistance fighters. The prisoner, [[Snapper]], escaped, but Long Haul's team found themselves in a prolonged battle with the Resistance which lasted over a day. They retreated to the [[Sights & Sounds]] casino for defense. Meanwhile, one of their members—[[Buckethead]]—had formed an alliance with Snapper and a motley crew of other bots to deal with the alien threat of the [[Monster GoBot|Antares Eight]]. Buckethead and [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] of the Resistance eventually reached both sides and got them to join forces against the Renegade invaders.

At the trans-hyperwave caster the Renegades seized, Long Haul and the Constructicons joined Buckethead's "[[Ex-Bot (BWU)|Ex-Bots]]" in attacking the invaders. The Constructicons formed Devastator, fighting the Monster Renegade combiner [[Monsterous]]. After the fight, all Cybertronians retired to Sights & Sounds for a summit. The Ex-Bots ultimately convinced Long Haul and the Constructicons to leave the Builders and act as part of an independent faction to protect the innocents of Proximax and defend the city from the horrors of war. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

The Constructicons and the Ex-Bots prevented [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] from using a [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smasher]] to brainwash all the people of Proximax. They also recovered the Autobot-turned-Maximal [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from his control. As the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]] began, the Ex-Bots chose to get involved with the other armies of the proto-races. Long Haul and the Constructicons salvaged a lobotomized [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]] and retrofitted and detailed it as the team's new [[Ex-Jet]].

On the march to [[Nova Cronum]], the Constructicons formed Devastator to wade through the hordes of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]s. At the [[Grand Mal]] itself, Devastator joined forces with the Maximal combiner [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]. Their combined assault weakened the Grand Mal's force field enough for [[Lord Imperious Delirious]] to take note of them, and fire the massive optic ray at the combiners. Devastator pushed Magnaboss out of the way. Magnaboss lost an arm, a fifth of his gestalt mind, but Devastator suffered worse. Half his components were damaged beyond repair, and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|Derailment}}

===''Win If You Dare''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}}}

===''Mazinger Z versus Transformers''===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Mazinger Z versus Transformers}}}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Constructicons Rising, Part 1|''Galaxies'' #1]]}}

Long Haul was forged at or around the end of the War of the Threefold Spark. An era of rebuilding and renewal, Long Haul came together with five other newly forged 'bots to form the Constructicons and help shape the Cybertron to come. A pragmatist, Long Haul monitored supply inventory and transport, believing himself the unsung hero of the construction site next to the flashier engineers and architects. They were recruited by the visionary architect [[Termagax]] to help build in the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Eager to make a name for themselves, the team promptly clashed with Termagax's conservative second-in-command [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]—for while Wheeljack sought to merely ''rebuild'' Iacon, Termagax saw the potential for something bigger and better to take its place. While excavating in [[Rivets Field]], the team inadvertently discovered the [[Enigma of Combination]]. Urged on by Termagax, Long Haul and his team agreed to expose themselves to the energies of the artifact, transforming themselves into a new combiner: raw power which Termagax hoped to harness and reshape into the ultimate building tool. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

Despite this new strength and power, Long Haul and his team struggled to master their combination, fighting against a seventh, destructive personality that surfaced whenever the team combined... and whose love of indiscriminate destruction jeopardized their reconstruction efforts. Finally, however, Termagax encouraged the team to work ''with'' this anger, rather than against it, and harness the powerful emotion to unite them in their shared purpose of rebuilding Iacon. Although the team would eventually complete their goal of turning the ravaged cityscape into a beautiful metropolis, they would not enjoy the fruits of their labor for long—Wheeljack brought his concerns to the attention of [[Nominus Prime]], and the Prime arranged matters so that the team would be reassigned to the distant colony of [[Mayalx]] to oversee the construction of a new [[energon]] refinery. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} There, the Constructicons labored for many years, deliberately kept under-fueled and tired so they couldn't combine, while they grew increasingly resentful of the world that had abandoned them while reminiscing about their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}}

With their future on Cybertron uncertain, Scrapper eventually came to believe that the team's future lay elsewhere and began training his teammates in the ways of combat, holding regular sparring sessions in an improvised gladiatorial arena. Long Haul and Scavenger struggled to adjust to being warriors, mixing with Scrapper's patient advice and Bonecrusher's brutality in the ring. During one particular session, the team was interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who, after a brief misunderstanding, told them ''his'' story: like the Constructicons, Nominus Prime had ''also'' banished the Insecticons for fear of their unique matter-eating abilities. Knowing that the team could be of use to [[The Rise]], Bombshell manipulated the team into unknowingly aiding the cause, encouraging them to recapture their glory days. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 2}}

After some deliberation, the six builders agreed to help the Insecticons, and after filling up on Bombshell's provided [[energon cube]]s the team combined for the first time since their banishment—but instead of uniting based on their shared urge to create, the Constructicons combined to destroy Mayalx and everything it represented to them, a spiteful, destructive rampage that ended with every 'bot in the colony slaughtered and the statue of Nominus Prime toppled. Unaware that the Insecticons had deliberately goaded them into such wanton slaughter so that the energon they processed from the many remains could be secretly shipped back to Cybertron to fuel the rise, Scrapper told his team that, for the first time in their lives, they were finally free to do and build whatever they wanted. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}}

Eventually, Shockwave called the Constructicons back to Cybertron and the Rise. When they arrived, however, Shockwave's former superior [[Exarchon]] had laid claim to the Rise and their bases. The Threefold Spark was eager to take a new body as powerful as Devastator, and tried to usurp the combiner. Together, Long Haul and the Constructicons were strong enough to prevent Exarchon from possessing their collective spark or sparks, though the effort forced them apart and left them out of action. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}} With Exarchon soon destroyed, the Rise were fully absorbed into the Decepticons, and Shockwave provided the Constructicons to [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s cause. Long Haul and the others were happy to be home, and to be wanted as Devastator. They saw themselves as heroes destined to end the war, and were happy to oppose the legacy of Nominus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

===''Transformers Go! Go!''===

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Warriors' Day Off}}}}

===Energon Universe===
{{spoiler|Transformers (2023) issue 6|April 13, 2024}}

[[File:TF2023 no. 5 – Long Haul rams Optimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.25]]
Long Haul was among countless Decepticons lying dormant in the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after it crash-landed on Earth. However, due to a shortage of energy and raw materials, as well as [[Teletraan One]] being damaged, [[Starscream (G1)#Energon Universe|Starscream]] was unable to revive him and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)#Energon Universe|Constructicons]] for some time.

Eventually though, he was able to do so, and when the Autobots attempted a counteroffensive to recapture the ''Ark'', Long Haul made his prescence known by ramming [[Optimus Prime (G1)#Energon Universe|Optimus Prime]] with his considerably larger vehicle mode. Starscream then ordered him and the other Constructicons to merge into [[Devastator (G1)#Energon Universe|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 5|Transformers #5}}

Optimus Prime eventually threw Devastator off a cliff, separating him into his components, Long Haul crashed into the ground and carried Starscream away as the Decepticons retreated. {{storylink|Transformers (2023) issue 6|Transformers #6}}
{{ongoing}}
{{--}}

==Commercial appearances==
*Long Haul and his teammates were masquerading as construction vehicles, when they suddenly decided to horrify their human operators by revealing their true nature. As their human drivers bailed out and fled, the team combined into Devastator, who crashed his fists together, creating a surge of energy that crackled all the way through his gigantic body. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Constructicons|Constructicons commercial}}
*After being upgraded into their "Generation 2" bodies, the Constructicons went about causing "really big destruction" by driving through a construction site and then merging into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their fun came to an end when [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] emerged from the ground and trounced the combiner. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 2#Constructicons and Dinobots|Generation Constructicons and Dinobots commercial}}

==Games==
===The Transformers (PS2)===
{{Note|Long Haul is a non-playable character. He appears among the legion of Decepticon duplicates in the Autobot campaign.}}
{{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}
===''Transformers Legends''===
At some point [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] was friends with the Constructicons, but they had a falling out. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

While Megatron kept Optimus busy, Long Haul and the rest of the Constructicon team to attempt to infiltrate the Autobot base and strike directly at [[Teletraan I]]. They mowed through [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s initial attempt at defenses. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War - Part 1}} Long Haul was among the Decepticons who attacked Cybertron during an alliance with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 3}}

The Decepticon team took over an asteroid orbiting Earth, however when Omega Supreme got wind of it, he launched a massive attack and Long Haul was among the casualties. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (Legends)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
{{voiceactor|[[Gregg Berger]]}}
{{charstubgames|{{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul.jpg|thumb|400px|This slagging job ain't glamorous, but who cares? ''No one''! '''That's who'''!]]
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Long-Haul-(G2).jpg|thumb|400px| You know why I got a G2 homage in this game? ''Because I'm a darn useful bot''. You know why I have better abilities than the rest? '''Because I'm a DARN USEFUL BOT !!!''']]
Long Haul participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! He appeared in two different bodies:
*''Long Haul''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
*''Long Haul (G2)''—This Epic character could be recruited by collecting 500 units of Cybermetal, 250 units of Transmetal, and 50 cores of this character.
{{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{charstubgame|{{storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[file:LongHaulEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Now with 80% more grenade launcher. I hate this.]]
It may not be the most glamorous role a Decepticon warrior could wish for, but every army needs its supply line, and Long Haul's lot is to keep the flow of raw materials coming. Then - along with his fellow Constructicons - build the massive energy-recovery installations necessary for conquest.
But Long Haul's unhappiness can blunt his effectiveness, and he's very sensitive to teasing about the mundane nature of his job. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Long Haul bio}}

Long Haul was joined by the other Constructicons through the Space Bridge and helped move a few things in the base. When Megatron found the [[Enigma of Combination|Enigma]], He eagerly used it to activate Devastator, which fared no better for Long Haul because, Once again, he has big wheels on his thighs, again. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

Long Haul and his fellow [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s arrived at the Frozen Fortress by the orders of Megatron, and had them immediately start drilling, which meant poor Long Haul had to do more moving and tunneling. Brawl was shouting continually for astro-cycles much to his annoyance, but his audio-receptors were finely-tuned. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|What Lies Beneath}}

For once, he complained to Megatron that he and the other Constructicons are tired of being his work horse, and that they're the strongest Combiner yet do the most work. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars/Events|Breaking Point}}

*'''Class:''' Gunner
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons:''' He uses a standard grenade launcher that bombards defenses from long distances.
*'''Ability: Rocket Barrage''' - Shoots 4 rockets from long range dealing high damage over a medium area around the target.
**'''Cost:''' 6 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:long-haul Long Haul at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]
{{-}}

===''Transformers Roleplaying Game''===
Long Haul was a member of the Constructicons. {{storylink|Decepticon Directive}}

==Toys==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys}}

==Merchandise==
{{main|Long Haul (G1)/toys#Merchandise}}

==Notes==
[[File:Battle-for-earth longhaul.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And now I'm mistransformed, too? Forget my job-I hate my ''life''.]]
*In what can only be called "unfortunate hilarity", Long Haul's original [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] [[character model]] was drawn using toy references that still had his toy's [[robot mode]] head still flipped up and the arms folded straight forward without the hands folded in.<ref>[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OSbNSWxwEihhwWRKWQVq-qD773U6fK3s/view 1985 Hasbro briefing binder scans]</ref> Thus, in any fictional appearance using this model, Long Haul is a dump truck with a robot head sitting next to the driver's cab and cylindrical shapes sitting at the front of his vehicle mode. This was especially awkward in the cartoon, when his "vehicle mode head" would disappear when he transformed, and his "robot mode head" would come from... somewhere else.
*Animation company [[AKOM]] seems to have gotten Long Haul's color layout mixed up with that of the similarly named "[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|U-Haul Robot]]" from "[[Five Faces of Darkness]]", as Long Haul appeared with that robot's orange-and-blue color scheme in both "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4]]" and "[[Fight or Flee (episode)|Fight or Flee]]".
*In the cartoon, when Long Haul is carrying a load in his dump truck and transforms, the load disappears. It reappears when he transforms back into a dump truck. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}} Could it have been stored in [[subspace storage pocket|subspace]]?

[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2]]

*Long Haul's vehicle mode, a Hitachi DH321, isn't especially large for a construction vehicle, being fairly close in size to those of his teammates. However, due to the obscurity of the real truck and the tendency for G1 combiner teams to feature [[Groove (G1)|oversized]] or [[Blast Off (G1)|undersized]] members, it was common for fans to assume this to be an error of [[scale]], associating him with "earth-mover" trucks several times his original size. Some official material has run with the idea, depicting Long Haul as a giant next to his teammates.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Long Haul''' (ロングハウル ''Rongu Hauru'')
*''French:'' '''Costo''' (Canada)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Hosszú Pofa'''
*''Italian:'' '''Macigno''' ("Boulder")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Tuōdǒu''' (拖斗, "Trailer")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Doloroso''' (Portugal comic), '''Puxador''' (Brazil comic)
*''Russian:'' '''Bol'shegruz''' (Большегруз, "Heavy Truck")

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars: Uprising Decepticons]]
[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Cloud Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 cartoon Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Constructicons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Go! Go! Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legends Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Micromaster combiners]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Decepticons]]
[[Category:Ultracons]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Decepticons]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

User talk:Saix

2024-04-06T18:30:19Z

MBG:

==Galen Witwicky==
Interesting that you think she's an Earthling... --[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] ([[User talk:Jimsorenson|talk]]) 20:24, 17 March 2015 (EDT)
:Well, "Galen Witwicky", so I assumed. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 20:38, 17 March 2015 (EDT)
::I'm wagering that this involves a human/Nebulon interspecies relationship! --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 21:43, 17 March 2015 (EDT)

==E-Hobby Starscream==
You guys share links from seibertron but if I want to share it from deviantart, that's bad? I mean the user that published those pages in deviantart is E-Hobby's official user page.(I think).--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 11:36, 19 March 2015 (EDT)
:It's not e-Hobby that's putting those pages on DeviantArt. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 13:16, 19 March 2015 (EDT)
::Hmm ok then, but still Seibertron is a fan site too, right?--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 12:16, 31 March 2015 (EDT)

==Joke about Legends Arcee==
If my joke offend you or simply not funny, sorry about that. I'm just joking about sexist tendencies of Japanese culture. In fact, most famous and badass woman transformer only doing cook and wipe Rattrap's ass in this comic.—[[User:MWM|MWM]] ([[User talk:MWM|talk]]) 11:01, 21 March 2015 (EDT)
:Don't worry, I'm not angry. I got what you meant with the joke, but it was still iffy, since it's hard for a reader to tell if it's serious or a criticism of the comic. I appreciate that you took the time to uploaded the image! [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 17:12, 21 March 2015 (EDT)

== 3-D Diorama? ==
Say, where did you find these? [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 21:30, 9 April 2015 (EDT)
:[http://www.tf-base.ru/comics_manga.html] [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 21:32, 9 April 2015 (EDT)
::Thanks![[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 21:50, 9 April 2015 (EDT)
::Ugh...they're all CBR files my computer can't access. Thanks for the link thought. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 21:50, 9 April 2015 (EDT)
:::They're just renamed rar files. Change the file extension to .rar and upzip them [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 22:39, 9 April 2015 (EDT)

== Magmatron ==

Thanks for the back up there. I THOUGHT I remembered it being the standard but didn't want to remove it without checking so I just cleaned up the grammar. Might possibly be put on the page for the toyline itself, but not sure if it is really worth noting.--[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 16:30, 28 April 2015 (EDT)

== About the Hero Mashers ==

So I guess while you were putting them where they would go, BotCon's official Andromeda's Facebook page went ahead and made it a seperate cluster from anything before. [https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1128571057169997&id=1099425733417863] [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 06:51, 10 May 2015 (EDT)

== Sequel series = splinter timelines? ==

Can you show me where this piece of information comes from? I have never heard of this idea before; doesn't it nullify the entire concept of continuities? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 13:10, 15 May 2015 (EDT)
:I'm not saying I necessarily agree with this interpretation, but it doesn't nullify continuity. Series A happens, then series B happens as a sequel to A. A is definitely the past of B, but that doesn't mean B is the future of A. We have several instances of this happening, notably the Marvel G1 continuity. G2, A Distant Time & Place, Regeneration One, and Classics are all explicitly sequels to Marvel US G1, but are mutually incompatible. Hell, Beast Wars (the cartoon) was implicitly a sequel to both Marvel US G1 AND the Sunbow Cartoon. --[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] ([[User talk:Jimsorenson|talk]]) 13:21, 15 May 2015 (EDT)
::So then the U.S. ''Cybertron'' cartoon is not part of [[Aurex 802.23 Alpha]]? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 13:23, 15 May 2015 (EDT)
:::It is when it is. The events of the US cartoon are completely relevant -if not fundamental- to the rest of the events on this page. Universal streams are not completely separate timelines. They blend and weave into each other and flow from larger sources, like, you know, '''streams'''. A single cartoon can be part of multiple streams AND its own all at the same time. I swear, people just look at "OOH NUMBERS" and forget the accompanying text that gives context to the numbers, and trip over themselves to be soooooooo clever in splitting up shit. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 13:33, 15 May 2015 (EDT)
::::Well said. And let's be wary of letting the tail wag the dog here. The primary source text should always be, well, primary. Or, in other words, which are you going to believe, your own eyes or something that was published in code in a source book (or in a Japanese Manga with a print run in the hundreds or the like.)--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] ([[User talk:Jimsorenson|talk]]) 13:47, 15 May 2015 (EDT)

== Mandarin Names ==

Hello, thanks for adding information. However, please do change the spelling for Taiwanese Mandarin Name because the spelling in Taiwan is different from the Hanyu Pinyin in China. Thanks. :D --'''[[User:TX55|TX55]]'''''[[User talk:TX55|TALK]]'' 10:17, 24 May 2015 (EDT)

== Universal streams ==

Looks like we're both working on the same parts of the wiki at the same time. I'll take a break, I have homework anyway. Thanks for fixing up my code. I appreciate the help. (Even if I think you're wrong about Zarak.) --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 18:47, 26 June 2015 (EDT)

== List of characters whose dimensional classification is unknown ==

There's also [[Gaiacross]] and his components. [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 15:07, 27 June 2015 (EDT)

== Shell Game characters ==

If this wiki now accepts that RID Optimus-redeco [[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]] is [[Viron]], then is it alright to do the same to the other "[[Shell Game]]" universe characters? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 13:36, 29 July 2015 (EDT)

==Regeneration One==

Regeneration One is explicitly a sequel to Marvel G1 continuity and belongs sequentially after it in write-ups. That's how the stories are presented, that's how it was branded, that's how the creators want it, and that's how we've written it up. If you want to rearrange things, make a case on a relevant talk page.--[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 08:44, 11 August 2015 (EDT)
:You're really imperious for somebody who just started editing two months ago. ("How the creators want it"? Do you have personal correspondence with Furman on wiki organization?) None of the pages you've reverted actually contain Marvel US G1, which Regeneration One is a sequel to. You are linking together fiction that has nothing to do with each other in regard to those characters. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:01, 11 August 2015 (EDT)
::Sorry, I didn't realize that my tenure wasn't long enough to disagree with a six-month veteran like yourself. It's bizarre to not acknowledge that ReGeneration One and Marvel UK don't spring from the same tree and put leagues of fiction between them. And, if I'm "imperious," what are you? You're constantly changing around organizational elements with no discussion, based on whatever new scheme you've come up with. For someone whose been here well under a year, you certainly have strong opinions. I at least lurked for a long while to get the culture. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 15:03, 11 August 2015 (EDT)
:::There's a difference between disagreement and acting like the authority on wiki organization and article writeups because apparently you're the only one who lurked. "Organizational elements" have frequently changed based on users' whims; section reorganization isn't anything new and the last major one was done purely by two users without input from others. In regards to MUK and RG1, it's not the job of character pages to establish points of continuity that aren't relevant to the actual subject of the article. The various versions of Jhiaxus have absolutely nothing to do with each other and putting them under one "continuity" is a ridiculous pretense with no benefit. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 15:26, 11 August 2015 (EDT)
::::Separating RG1 (and Classics) into their own sections would be a major change to a large number of pages and there's been no discussion about it. If you want to do it, there should be talk first so everyone else knows what's going on. [[User:Charles RB|Charles RB]] ([[User talk:Charles RB|talk]]) 21:28, 11 August 2015 (GMT)
::::: And I've asked about it on http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Transformers_Wiki_talk:Community_Portal#Reorganising_Regeneration_One to see what people think. If it's ayes, then it's off to the edits! [[User:Charles RB|Charles RB]] ([[User talk:Charles RB|talk]]) 23:15, 11 August 2015 (GMT)

==Characters with no confirmed universal origin==

Question... have we not specified [[Ramulus|Longhorn (Universe)]] and [[Sunstorm (Universe)]]? Just want to be sure I'm not missing something. --[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] ([[User talk:Jimsorenson|talk]]) 14:26, 17 August 2015 (EDT)
:No, I just forgot to update. Sorry! [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:27, 17 August 2015 (EDT)
::Thank you, your list is a handy reference.--[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] ([[User talk:Jimsorenson|talk]]) 14:34, 17 August 2015 (EDT)
Whilst this is being talked about, it's probably worth noting that RTS Strafe hasn't ''reeeaaaally'' had its universe confirmed - it was merged with G1 Strafe for some convoluted reason during the 'AOE Strafe is a counterpart of G1 Strafe' debacle and probably should've been unmerged after all that nonsense was undone. [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 16:16, 17 August 2015 (EDT)
:I'm mostly fine with just assuming he's G1 based on context, but I'd send in a question if you want confirmation. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:30, 17 August 2015 (EDT)
Hey, Saix, should ''Universe'' 2003 [[Smokescreen (Cybertron)|Smokescreen (unreleased)]] be on your list as well? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 16:21, 17 August 2015 (EDT)

== BW Metals manga ==

Do you still have the BW Metals manga scans? The links on the talk page are dead. --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] ([[User talk:FortMax|talk]]) 16:48, 13 September 2015 (EDT)
:[http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/0t4p8rcK/file.html], [http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/dWpVVb7v/file.html], [http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/ZXqkMXea/file.html], [http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/ch91fgKi/file.html], [http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/M6MwWTaV/file.html], [http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/jCLxuohn/file.html] [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 09:54, 14 September 2015 (EDT)

==Italics==
Hey, man, saw you unitalicizing [[Ask Vector Prime]]. I don't really care one way or the other, but I seem to see it italicized a lot. Is there a policy or system to this? --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 16:06, 24 September 2015 (EDT)
:AVP isn't a work or a franchise, so it doesn't get italicized. It's something like {{w|Dear Abby}}—a column. Chicago style of editing says columns don't get either quotation marks or italics. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:13, 24 September 2015 (EDT)
::That's fine for me going forward. There's a LOT of AVP where it's in italics though. If you're ever feeling like a quest, rooting them all out might be worth doing. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 16:15, 24 September 2015 (EDT)

==Gong==
Knock it off. It's fine the way it is now. Stop reverting each other. --[[User:Jimsorenson|Jimsorenson]] ([[User talk:Jimsorenson|talk]]) 12:43, 26 September 2015 (EDT)

You were right. I was wrong. Making all the Guardians and Renegades convinced me of that. I apologize to you for my childishness. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 13:01, 26 October 2015 (EDT)
:Not needed, but thank you nonetheless for the apology. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 15:30, 26 October 2015 (EDT)

== Stealth Bomber ==

I see that you put a redlink to [[Stealth Bomber]] on [[Stealth Saber]] and [[Victory Bomber]]'s pages. Did you intend that someone else would pick that redlink up to create a page for Stealth Bomber or did you think that Stealth Bomber didn't merit an individual page? I've wondered about such a thing as we have an individual page for RiD [[Dreadwing (RID)|Dreadwing]] but not for BWII [[Formation Scream]], G2 Megatron+Starscream, and G2 Dreadwing+Smokescreen. [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 23:31, 27 October 2015 (EDT)
:I think it warrants a page, hence the link. I was just too lazy to make that page in particular. Formation Scream should also get its own page. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 08:57, 28 October 2015 (EDT)

== Disagreements ==

I saw what you wrote on the Community Portal. I can't speak for others but, though we often disagree, I do value your input and perspective. Also, it makes the times we do agree that much more meaningful. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 16:58, 2 November 2015 (EST)
:Speaking of, there's a contentious GoBots issue on Community Portal, should screen captures be included for character pages or not. I would be interested to hear you weigh in. --[[User:Giggidy|Giggidy]] ([[User talk:Giggidy|talk]]) 09:07, 3 November 2015 (EST)

== Devisiun ==
I understand you may not like the speculative tone, but was it really necessary to also delete the plausible explanation that the secondary star may be encased in a [[wikipedia:dyson sphere|Dyson sphere]]? After all, the text clearly refer to a double star and one of the celestial body represented seems to produce a lot of light. (Besides having spot the same color than the "single" star of said same picture.) Damn... I was only trying to be thorough and objective. How could I contact Scott online so that the answer would be considered by this wiki? -- [[User:Xunk16|Xunk16]] ([[User talk:Xunk16|talk]]) 06:11, 16 December 2015 (EST)
:I'm not Saix, but to quote the [[Help:Contents|wiki's main help page]]: "Speculation to fill gaps should be minimized, and preferably eliminated entirely." It's fine to note the inconsistency, but an extended account of possible explanations is unnecessary. [[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 06:46, 16 December 2015 (EST)
:Understood. Thanks, I'll sleep better now. But I'm still going to run a Tranformers RPG campaign and feel that this question may deserve an answer. So the second part of my inquiry remains. Since I will try to ask, where and how such a thing should be done so that the information could validly be forwarded on this wiki? [[User:Xunk16|Xunk16]] ([[User talk:Xunk16|talk]]) 07:04, 16 December 2015 (EST)
::Scott has Twitter and Tumblr accounts you can engage her on. But, honestly? You're looking for complexity where there isn't any. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 09:08, 16 December 2015 (EST)
:::I have to agree. Most casual sci-fi fans don't know what Dyson spheres are, and the concept has never featured in ''Transformers'', as far as I'm aware. [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 09:15, 16 December 2015 (EST)

== Your JG1 timeline list ==

Hey, that list on your user page is awesome and really helpful. Though, the Prime AM-28 Leo Prime bio also contains some JG1 info, set post-BWN before he jumps over to Uniend (or over to Gargent, then Nexus, then finally Uniend, as claimed by AVP, but I digress). --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 13:36, 18 December 2015 (EST)
:Thanks for the reminder. I mostly constructed it so I would have something to check when organizating fiction sections. Let me know if I'm missing anything else. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:31, 18 December 2015 (EST)
::Will do. EDIT: Tale of the Pretenders is missing. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 14:53, 18 December 2015 (EST)
:The G1 GoBots thing might or might not come before Car Robots in a present day sense as the Spychangers came from the future anyway, so the GoBots bio would simply have to come before whatever point in time the Spychangers traveled back in time from. Though, given how things like Binaltech, RobotMasters, and Kiss Players all take place in the timeline at points contemporary to their releases in the real world, perhaps the G1 GoBots bio does as well, taking place somewhere in 2004 (in hindsight, I wish I had asked Sakamoto about this).
:On a different note, the bios for e-HOBBY New Years Lambor and Alert are missing, which should probably go after G-2 but before the two post-G-2 e-HOBBY manga. Also the bio for Magnificus and Ga'mede and the bio for Generations Magnificus, the latter of which would go prior to Badlands, while the former... somewhere years earlier (not sure where, though). And the bios for e-HOBBY Crosscut and Road Rage, which would most likely go after the Super Spychangers but before Binaltech. Any other missing e-HOBBY bios can be found [http://www.e-hobbymagazine.com/category/english/museun_en here] (barring those that lack links, that is). --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 17:19, 22 April 2016 (EDT)

== Italics in establishment names ==

From what I've researched, I have to agree that establishment names aren't capitalized. However, that's how [[The Blue Deployer]] is rendered in the ''TransTech'' text stories. Think that's worth noting under "Errors"? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 16:16, 19 December 2015 (EST)
:I guess. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:17, 19 December 2015 (EST)

== Just to avoid any edit wars over pastel horses... ==
I understand that the captions are about humor over anything else, but maybe the caption should at least be a ''little'' less confrontational in tone? I'm not against humor in the article itself, but that opening caption's not exactly ''good'' humor. It's more mean-spirited than simple jokeyness that this wiki thrives upon; so I decided that a joke about Bumblebee's kid-appeal nature (and thus perceptiveness to what's popular with kids) would be a bit less potentially divisive overall, and less likely to appear mean-spirited.

I expect that sort of tone in the articles for stuff like B.O.T, The Beast or Kiss Players, the really awful, terrible stuff we ''have'' to rip into pieces because of how bad they are, not an article on My Little Pony. It's kind of like opening, say, a Soundwave article by poking fun at his speech with a disabled joke in his first image caption because of his speech pattern; it's ''easy'' and can get a few laughs, but overall it's just not worth it because not everyone will find such jokes to be really funny. And above all else, I'd like to think that we as a community are above those sorts of cheap jokes just for a few laughs.

Not trying to come off as indignant here, honest. I'm just wondering if maybe the caption joke isn't really good in any capacity. And if a caption isn't funny, then really, we shouldn't defend it just because of longevity. We obviously need the funny to stay, but to ignore potentially valid points just for the sake of a joke seems...well, kind of odd for this Wiki. We're jokey, but nowhere unappropriate have I seen the wiki's captions actually being ''that'' harsh towards a subject.

It's also a jarring shift in tone to go from "Only the dead can know peace from this evil" as an opening caption to "Don't go looking for the Tooth Fairy without it!" as the next caption down the page. They're both aiming for humor, but one's more "Ha-ha look at this silly situation!" and the other is more "Ha-ha let's make a "ponies are evil" joke because it's teh funnies!".

Again, not wanting to look entitled; but I'm curious about why the edit was reverted so quickly. [[User:MaximalBroadjaw|MaximalBroadjaw]] ([[User talk:MaximalBroadjaw|talk]]) 00:48, 27 December 2015 (EST)

== SPOILERS ==

Please remember to use the Spoiler warning template when adding new material. I just stumbled across information you added to [[Lio Convoy]] about [[Sunrise]] before I had a chance to read it. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 08:56, 8 January 2016 (EST)
:I apologize. I'll try to remember not to do that again. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 09:08, 8 January 2016 (EST)

== Moving images ==

Sorry about that. I thought it was a more efficient use of space to align the tops of the images with the headers. [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 20:55, 12 January 2016 (EST)

==About Grimlock==
They're both from Viron universes, and both technically part of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 Robots in Disguise]] continuity.
Someone could be all like, "Wait, I though RID's Grimlock was a big green backhoe. Who's this Dinosaur?"
Imagine if there were two Optimus Primes in one continuity, even if they looked completely different, would it not be within reason to distinct the two from one another?{{unsigned|PsychoShark}}
:Your hypothetical is ridiculous. Explain to me the process in which this situation would arise. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 19:01, 25 January 2016 (EST)
:Plus the disambig link at the top already exists. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 19:05, 25 January 2016 (EST)

While going through my talk page, I noticed that PsychoShark mentioned that the [http://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Grimlock_(Dinobots)&diff=next&oldid=1048629 note] he added to [[Grimlock (Dinobots)]] was based on a similar note from [[Slapper (Dinobots)]]. Seeing as how we've deemed the other one unnecessary, I thought you might want to remove the one on Slapper's page. -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy the Sheep]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 07:44, 7 February 2016 (EST)

== Universal origins list ==

If it's of interest to you for your user page list, I've seen that [[Nitpick]], [[Comet]], [[Beamer (G1)|Beamer]], [[NightViper]], [[Kickstart]], [[Heavyfoot]], [[Ironclad]], [[Fastbreak]], [[Aston]], [[Miss-Q]], "[[Kamen Rider Amazon]]", [[Time Limit]], [[Clutch (GoBots)|Clutch]], and [[Warpath (GoBots)|Warpath]] all have indeterminate cluster origin, albeit that they're all intentionally ambiguous and/or their origins are unlikely to ever be revisited. [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 22:57, 27 January 2016 (EST)

== eptitle ==

With screencaps for episodes whose titles have been disambiguated, you can use the "eptitle" parameter to set the text of the link different from the actual link. For example, with [[Volcano (episode)]] from RID, you would put

'''<nowiki>{{RID2001cap|description.|Volcano (episode)|</nowiki>1|eptitle=Volcano}}'''.

Then, the link will show up like this:
[[Volcano (episode)|Volcano]]

Nice work on all that cleanup, by the way. Cheers! -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy the Sheep]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 20:33, 1 March 2016 (EST)

== Dinosaurs ==

Okay, examples to try and clarify:
*火星 means "Mars". The kanji, treated separately, are literally rendered as "Fire Planet", but still plainly mean "Mars". It's not just being used to "refer" to Mars, it's straight up the name the Japanese give to the celestial body the English call "Mars".
*固定電話 means "Landline Phone". The kanji, treated separately, render as "Hard-determined Electricity-talker".

As demonstrated in the dictionary entries I posted, Japanese dictionaries ''dont'' give readers the symbolic runaround that the Dinoforce pages were using -- they simply treat "Gairyuu" as the word for an Ankylosaurus. I suppose I may be being somewhat oversensitive, but choosing to render Japanese words in a symbolic breakdown like that, contrary to how it's intended to be interpreted, feels a lot like refusing to acknowledge that it even ''has'' words for these concepts, and feels kind of Tarzanesque? I don't feel it's removing information, since to a Japanese speaker, Gairyuu doesn't ''mean'' "Armored Dragon" -- it means Ankylosaurus, just like to an English speaker (or Greek, if you want), Ankylosaurus doesn't "fused lizard", it means a type of dinosaur with an armored back and club tail --fused lizard is just the root of the name.

In addition, while many Japanese names for Dinosaur use "ryuu" in a similar manner to how English uses "saur", "ryuu" itself does not mean dinosaur, nor are dinosaur called "ryuu" -- as with English, they are instead called "恐竜", or "Ferocious dragon". I mean, "-saur" would be a workable translation of "ryuu", no complaints, but as in English "saur" is used to refer to more than just dinosaurs (e.g. Pterosaurs, Plesiosaurs, etc.) And in fact, Pterosaurs and Plesiosaurs include 竜 in their Japanese rendering.

I definitely see the value in retaining the kanji meanings here, especially if that's a thing we're going to be doing with characters like Triceradon, too. But I think we should make it clear that those are the ''root'' of the names, rather than treating the Japanese names as if they don't have specific direct meanings that a Japanese speaker would recognize.[[User:KrytenKoro|KrytenKoro]] ([[User talk:KrytenKoro|talk]]) 01:11, 2 March 2016 (EST)

== Image of Comet ==

I see that you have uploaded good quality images from almost every Club story PDF. Is there any reason you haven't got the one of dead [[Comet]] in "[[Withered Hope]]"? [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 16:58, 15 March 2016 (EDT)

==Other Decepticons==
Why can't you just leave that link in, it works perfectly well, and dont forget they also are alchemor inmates. I dont see the problem with just having that there. - Junkheap117
:Stop fucking obsessing over this. They are not actual characters, and your overall antics are exhausting my patience. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 18:57, 21 March 2016 (EDT)

== Blackarachnia talk page ==

I understand talk pages are not chat rooms. The reason I posted that was because the article itself seems to question why the chest is transparent, so I thought that might explain it. I didn't just go and edit the page because I knew it would be undone. [[User:Avalanche|Avalanche]] ([[User talk:Avalanche|talk]]) 21:03, 10 April 2016 (EDT)

== Being last seen ==

Here's my take, for what it's worth. A ''good'' write-up is not a list of things that happened one after the other. A good write-up is a story unto itself. It is the story of that character, and it should read as "complete". And when the cartoon or comic adventures of that character stops abruptly - when a character's final appearance is as a face in a crowd and they receive no personal "finale" - then it's the job of the write-up to note that they "were last seen"/"last appeared"/"made their final recorded appearance", etc, to bring that write-up's "story" to its end, instead of, essentially, just stopping in what reads as mid-story. The complete BWII write-up of the Autorollers just stops mid-story. It does not read as complete. At best, a reader's reaction is "Oh, huh, I guess that's it, then," instead of knowing that they are reading an end - but really, an less-informed reader has no reason to assume there isn't more just because there's isn't a stub saying so. We don't always have stubs! There shouldn't be any expectation on the reader to know that storylinked title is the final episode, if it even is. The write-up needs to say this is "the end" for that character. Yes, they return for a cameo in BWN, but that's a separate header. The were "last seen" during the battle on Gaea in that moment. It's no more "out of universe" than describing art or writing errors as "anomalous accounts" or "erroneous reports" is. I'm not getting into an edit war or even fighting to make this change; I'm just saying, it's pretty standard "handbook" write-up terminology, how I write mine, and how I will continue to write them. - [[User:Chris McFeely|Chris McFeely]] ([[User talk:Chris McFeely|talk]]) 17:05, 25 April 2016 (EDT)

== Hey ==

Here's some more BotCon Diamond bios: http://postimg.org/gallery/7wuis1oc/27b9edf7/ [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 13:15, 1 June 2016 (EDT)
:Cool, thanks. I'll have a look when I get home. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 13:37, 1 June 2016 (EDT)

== Can you identify anyone else? ==

So regarding the new in-development Transformers Online, I stumbled across a trailer of some characters and skills in action. Right now, I can only make out Jazz, Bumblebee, and probably Swindle. Can you tell if the rest of the transformers in this video resemble any other character? Thanks! --[[User:The Seeker|The Seeker]] ([[User talk:The Seeker|talk]]) 19:01, 2 August 2016 (EDT)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qFTeBn-BS8

== Dinobot (RID) article ==

the dinobot were reference in prime season 3 were they not? RID 2015 is the sequel to prime is it not. so why are not adding prime to that page. Yes they were only reference. but still though wouldn't it make more sense for that cartoon in that dinobot section. i mean are more a sequel to the game when you stop to think about it. Also there is no evidence supporting the fact were referring to the fall of cybertron version of the dinobots.--[[User:Projectus|Projectus]] ([[User talk:Projectus|talk]]) 04:29, 12 August 2016 (EDT)
:At the time that Miko and Bulkhead made that reference, the RID Dinobot subspecies didn't even exist yet. There was no way that the Prime cartoon was referencing something that never existed at the time that it made the reference. The FOC Dinobots, however, did exist, and were part of an active attempt to better unify the Aligned media between the games, the tie-in comics, and the Prime cartoon. Miko's and Bulkhead's Dinobots reference only makes sense in regards to the FOC Dinobots since they were only Aligned Dinobots that existed at the time the reference was made. What you're asking is for us to declare Miko's and Bulkhead's reference as having been retconned into referring to a subspecies that would not come into existence until later on, yet there has been no official media that has made such a retcon. We as fans have ZERO authority on such matters and are not going to start declaring our own unofficial retcons for virtually no other reason than "because we want to", as you seem to want us to do. Besides, Bulkhead's referring to Dinobots as something "Totally different" from how the Predacons were like a natural Cybertronian dinosaur species makes no sense in regards to the RID Dinobots, since the RID Dinobots for all intents and purposes do very much seem to be like a natural Cybertronian dinosaur species while the FOC Dinobots were an artificially-created subgroup that very much does make them totally different from a natural Cybertronian dinosaur species. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 11:19, 12 August 2016 (EDT)

== [[Roboid]] [[Nook]] ==

Isn't it generally TFWiki's practice to ''point out'' Easter eggs, homages, and the like? --[[User:Rhymus|Rhymus]] ([[User talk:Rhymus|talk]]) 05:10, 3 September 2016 (EDT)

== Regarding TFO edits ==

Saix, I know there is currently no official parameter and that it's not within the wiki's obligation to decide upon an arbitrary translation, but some of the transliterations, even by Chinese (BOTH Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese) standards, are just flat out nonsensical and frivolous. I hope you understand that there are multiple ways (via synonyms) to translate the hanzi, and I can speak from experience behind the screen as a bilingual Mandarin-English speaker, and as a professor's teaching assistant in Elementary Chinese irl. [[User:The Seeker|The Seeker]] ([[User talk:The Seeker|talk]]) 10:50, 14 September 2016 (EDT)
:By transliteration, I assume you actually mean translation? I realize there is leeway in translation to convey the same idea in a different language, but some of your translations were still questionable and played too loose with the meaning of the hanzi, in my opinion. Take 命运之殇 in particular—I don't understand how you derived "war" out of it, unless you were going by Google translate, when it's a straightforward name based on the certain death it supposedly doles out (as opposed to "Destiny's War", which means absolutely nothing). Or how you got "Laser Wrench" from F型扳手. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 13:16, 14 September 2016 (EDT)
I didn't use Google Translate. I consulted with native speaking relatives and peers and utilized Systransoft.com as well as MDBG, which I find for both to be more adequate. Bluestreak's sniper rifle, from the hanzi I recognize, can have synonymous possibilities. Certainly, "Destiny" can be interchanged with "Fate", altho I will admit, the second half of the title can be considered as: "war casualty" or "death" in general. For the second example, there's clearly no resemblance to an actual F-Type Wrench whatsoever, so I find even calling that weapon an "F-Type" in practicality to be redundant. (I've been a workshop assistant for a good year or so, so I've been familiar enough with tools in the shed.) If anything, Wheeljack's Melee weapon is identified as a Pipe Wrench, so shame on Tencent for the misleading name. [[User:The Seeker|The Seeker]] ([[User talk:The Seeker|talk]]) 15:19, 14 September 2016 (EDT)
:A wiki is not the place for creative "translations" that basically are localizations. If the name is literally "F-type Wrench", then it's F-type Wrench, regardless of how much you think it makes sense. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:39, 14 September 2016 (EDT)

== Deluge ==

first of all, i know the story has deluge as both, but in most universe, he's and his decepticon counterpart are there own individual. i was trying to make that clear to the people reading that story, but you thought i was too stupid to realize that, i mean yes the blackout thing was stupid on my part. but seriously you could have easily edited it to say that this Deluge is a amalgam of both version.--[[User:Projectus|Projectus]] ([[User talk:Projectus|talk]]) 21:29, 28 December 2016 (EST)

== Missed the joke ==
While I appreciate the effort to correct errors on the page bearing my name ([[Mark Baker-Wright]]), it should be noted that the word "misspelled" was misspelled (as "mispelled") on purpose....--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] ([[User talk:G.B. Blackrock|talk]]) 18:21, 13 January 2017 (EST) (sorry to get to this so late. I actually don't go around looking at my own page that often)
:Ah, I was using an automated tool that does automatic corrections and wasn't really reading that closely. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 22:05, 13 January 2017 (EST)

==Model Numbers==
hey, i saw that you undid some of my edits for adding model numbers back into these wiki pages (apologies if i did it wrong!) - but how can we get these reinstated? that information is very useful, and should be on each of the main collection pages...

== Godbomber revision? ==

Why was my info deleted on the godbomber page? - [[User:Asda|Asda]] ([[User talk:Asda|talk]]) 11:28, 28 September 2017 (EDT)

== Don't revert my notes man ==

It's not needless my friend, it's just extra information that many Transformers fans I know would be happy to find on here. Please don't revert people's notes, even if you feel that it's "needless". If anything, I'm '''adding''' notes, not pruning them. Smh.
: Please stop adding notes. They're not good notes. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 23:57, 1 January 2018 (EST)
::"Pruning" was what I was doing, and we are not obligated to store every passing thought you have. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 00:05, 2 January 2018 (EST)

== Run For Our Lives ==

Like you, my first instinct when I created the article was to use lower case for "for", as is grammatically correct, but the official title actually leaves it capitalized (see [https://www.go90.com/videos/37rr2B0WBM6 here]). By comparison, other TR episode titles that have conjunctions or articles choose to use lower case as normal ("Aftermath and Rebirth", "At the Last Second", etc.), so the capitalization of For stands out by comparison. Thus, technically, the title was more accurate as it was. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 12:35, 2 January 2018 (EST)
:I don't consider websites to be particularly authoritative in capitalization, especially when the actual "official title" in the episode itself is "RUN FOR OUR LIVES". People rarely remember every rule about how to capitalize titles, and we don't need to drive ourselves crazy accounting for every mistake some website has in rendering them. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 13:48, 2 January 2018 (EST)

== SG Fistfight, Insecticons ==

Why did you remove the note about SG Fistfight's deco? Do you dispute that it's true, that it's verifiable, or that it's noteworthy?

It's true that he's orange and black, as verified by [[Transhuman]]. As for it being noteworthy, ''This character has no official visual representation whatsoever... yet, at least'', so shouldn't we at least mention what we know about his physical appearance?

As for his sharing Tyrannitron's deco, G1 Fistfight and Tyrannitron were Action Master partners of opposing factions, just like Skyfall and Banzai-Tron were Action Masters of opposing factions (so SG Skyfall got G1 Banzai-Tron's deco), the Technobots and Terrorcons were combiners of opposing factions (so the SG teams swapped decos), etc. Moreover, G1 Fistfight and Tyrannitron were partnered with Shockwave and a Dinobot, respectively, further emphasizing a rivalry for SG to flip around.

If you look at almost any SG character's article, we typically note what inspired or seems to have inspired that character's deco, even if it is unconfirmed.

Speaking of unconfirmed, why does everyone insist that ''Generation 1 Zaptrap was officially repurposed as Shattered Glass Shrapnel'' if his only appearance colors him like someone else? i'd appreciate your comments [[File_talk:Insecticons_SG.jpg|here]], please.

--[[User:Rhymus|Rhymus]] ([[User talk:Rhymus|talk]]) 04:50, 14 January 2018 (EST)

== Crossformers/Pretenders ==

I get that Japan never identified the Crossformers (or the Dinoforce) as Pretenders, but the TransTech story "Gone Too Far" does refer to Black Shadow as both a Crossformer and a Pretender, with Hubcap referring to him as "some kind of ''Pretender''!", Jackpot asking "Who ever heard of a Pretender with a ''robotic'' shell? I hate this universe!", and the narration reading "He had hoped that the Pretender’s focus would be split between controlling both the shell and his own body." Granted, all three of these could arguably be just from the perspective of those two Autobots, using a term that's familiar to them to refer to a kind of Transformer they've never encountered before, but I figured it was at least worth pointing out. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 17:04, 19 January 2018 (EST)

== Hi! Cylas here. ==

Are you just following me and undoing my (admittedly) "sub-par" edits? Also, if/when you do, could you give a reason? And your comments sometimes hurt my feelings. -[[User:Cylasbreakdown|Cylasbreakdown]] ([[User Talk:Cylasbreakdown|talk]]) 6:54 PM (MST)

And for your information, Aligned is, according to this wiki, a continuity family. It doesn't have an official name, but go to the family's [[Aligned continuity family|page]] and see for yourself everything that it encompasses. The Covenant of Primus and the Novels and Prime and Robots in Disguise and Rescue Bots and War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. [[User:Cylasbreakdown|Cylasbreakdown]] ([[User talk:Cylasbreakdown|talk]]) 00:11, 6 April 2018 (EDT)
*Edit: I should have actually read the article before I wrote that comment. Yes, the Aligned family has some inconsistencies. Yes, it can be interpreted as several similar universes that don't necessarily line up. But Aligned is still a continuity family, and the inconsistencies are worth noting.
**Edit to the edit: Forgot to sign. [[User:Cylasbreakdown|Cylasbreakdown]] ([[User talk:Cylasbreakdown|talk]]) 00:19, 6 April 2018 (EDT)
:Okay Saix. I can handle the Novel trilogy as not being in the same universe as Prime. But RID is a ''direct sequel'' to Prime. Okay, maybe my thing with Thunderhoof wasn't good. But that doesn't change the fact that Prime and RID are in the same universe. -[[User:Cylasbreakdown|Cylasbreakdown]] ([[User talk:Cylasbreakdown|talk]]) 18:35, 9 May 2018 (EDT)

== Stop undoing my edits ==

You are just removing everything I post at this point, most of them without even stating why. Stop it. This isn't your website. I have just as much right to contribute as you. And I'm allowed to make jokes: rule 1 of this wiki: the funny stays. If you keep doing this, I'm taking it to the moderators.
* Edit: Leave my posts alone. Anything you delete, I'm just going to put back. I've had enough of you trying to bully me off this site. And from the look of this page I'm not the only one.

== Legends chapter 53 ==

I think that the in the top right panel of page 2, the guys protecting Dinobot, Tigatron, and Cheetor are ''Device Label'' Grimlock, ''Prime'' Arcee, and ''Disney Label'' Mickey Mouse. Also Maybe Diabattles with Rhinox? Also possibly Cybertron Optimus in supermode sticking his feet in right above Windblade. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 19:19, 9 August 2018 (EDT)

== Chinese names ==
Hello,I'm user IDWchromedome.These Chinese names(okay,most) really come from hasbro officials,I admit a few are not,I will be careful later.I have a Chinese Dreamwave Illustrations book.This book is officially licensed by Hasbro,most are written according to that book.and I'm Chinese.As you can see,My English level is very bad,So I don't know you can understand what I'm saying.I hope you can understand,if I offended you,I'm sorry.

== M'Ress ==

I'd just like to take this moment to explicitly thank you for [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=M%27Ress&diff=1288196&oldid=1288175 fixing] my glaring omission from M'Ress's introduction. I don't know how such a mistake escaped my notice. --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] ([[User talk:Andrusi|talk]]) 10:10, 27 September 2018 (EDT)

== Could you move all the info for Cyberverse McDonalds to G1 ==

I didn't know the McDonalds toys were G1 not Cyberverse. Could you move all those McDonalds entries from the Cyberverse pages to G1 pages then? Be sure to edit any pictures and the fast food promotion and McDonalds page as well. Or you can just wait until later where I'll probably do it, I dunno. [[User:Notirishman|--notirishman]] ([[User talk:Notirishman|talk]]) 22:41, 13 October 2018 (EDT)

== Why remove the new section in Twelve-of-Twelve? ==

Just wondering why you'd change it. In character synopsis articles we usually break up the character's history into smaller sections. In this case, literal millions of years have passed between the Lost Light's adventures in the Functionist universe and the arrival of Council-controlled Primus in the main universe. If anything necessitates the addition of a new section, it's this. Is the article just not long enough to be split up? Or is there some other reason?

Also, I'd like to bring your attention to my questions on the [[Talk:Functionist Council|Functionist Council talk page]]. Is it okay to copy-paste that same paragraph in the other members' articles? [[User:Genitus|Genitus]] ([[User talk:Genitus|talk]]) 13:54, 17 October 2018 (EDT)
:Because we don't "usually" do that; only in long IDW subartciles, which Twelve isn't. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:08, 17 October 2018 (EDT)
::Okay, that's what I thought. What about my second question? [[User:Genitus|Genitus]] ([[User talk:Genitus|talk]]) 14:48, 17 October 2018 (EDT)
==Why did you change the acid storm (Cyberverse) page==
the discussion agree that till thing are sorted out we try gender-neutral pronoun (Like what Simon Furman did). yes there was the episode but that could have been a script error.--[[User:Projectus|Projectus]] ([[User talk:Projectus|talk]]) 17:26, 29 October 2018 (EDT)

== Legal drinking age ==

Nope. Wyoming did not raise its drinking age until 1 July 1988 while Louisiana had raised its but had enacted a loophole that basically left the age at 18. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 07:59, 23 April 2019 (EDT)

== BW Megatron edits ==

Hi, I'd just like to apologize for overfixating on sneaking in complaints about Masterpiece Megatron's Japanese voicebox. I made the mistake of thinking that the wiki's informal tone gives people leave to treat it like a TV Tropes YMMV page, and I based most of those edits on YouTube comments that I saw that affirmed my own opinion at the time (that is, that the Japanese voice box drives the price up merely to affirm that the toy represents a wackier and less threatening version of the character that is absolutely not my literal David Kaye-voiced husbando).

I should absolutely find other things to edit, to focus on useful information (such as poseability, objective comparisons between figures, etc.) rather than using the wiki to vent my salt boner. (As for my previous opinion, I'm starting to realize that Chiba's voice clips probably didn't inflate Megs' price ''that'' much, since MP Dinobot comes with no sound gimmick and is nearly as expensive.) --[[User:Samus Aran|Samus Aran]] ([[User talk:Samus Aran|talk]]) 00:36, 23 May 2019 (EDT)

== RBA and Prime Hot Shot ==

Hey, OK sorry if I made that change, but the new Hot Shot is small and young (maybe one of the cybertronians born after the core's rebirth. So, please, he's obviously a separate character from Prime Hot Shot.
[[User:RoboWarriorPrime|RoboWarriorPrime]] ([[User talk:RoboWarriorPrime|talk]]) 17:57, 03 June 2019
: He's not for our categorization purposes. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 08:22, 4 June 2019 (EDT)
::Oh really? Aren't also Grimlock, Sideswipe and Whirl for your categorization purposes? [[User:RoboWarriorPrime|RoboWarriorPrime]] ([[User talk:RoboWarriorPrime|talk]]) 08:42, 04 June 2019
:::We have official material that states those three are entirely different characters from the ones that appeared in WFC/Prime. Just think of Hot Shot's Prime design as a different "version" of the same character, like G1 Megatron in the comics versus G1 Megatron in the cartoon. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 09:28, 4 June 2019 (EDT)
::::I agree with RoboWarrior. Hot Shot and Whirl are almost identical situations of pre-existing veteran Wreckers being distinct from new recruits in Rescue Bots Academy. And the original decisions to split Grimlock, Sideswipe, and Kickback were not based on word from "official material". Not sure where you got that from. --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 09:38, 4 June 2019 (EDT)
Please hash it out on [[Talk:Hot Shot (Prime)]]. My issue was that somebody came out of nowhere and split a page. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 09:52, 4 June 2019 (EDT)

== Transmutate (character) to Transmutate (G1) ==

Thanks for catching that one. Given how rarely non-characters have franchise tag disambiguations as opposed to "story", "episode", "polity", etc., I felt that we were more likely doing a disservice to our users by insisting on not giving Paddles the (G1) disambig. I hadn't even noticed that the same situation applied to Transmutate. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 11:47, 13 September 2019 (EDT)

==Transformers references==

I was looking for someone to ask: when is something a reference, then? I was operating under the impression that something like, say, ''Cyberverse'' Shockwave threatens to take over the Decepticons when nearly every cartoon version of the character has been a staunch loyalist (except for ''Energon'' Shockblast) would be surprising to people who don't know about the character's comic history.

== Solid Snake and Simon Belmont ==

I was going to add a note about Snake and Simon ending up in another fighting game together, but stopped after seeing the edit history. You stated that "Now that it's not a unique thing, it's not worth noting." To my understanding, they're the only two characters who have articles on this wiki that ended up in ''Smash Bros.'', especially since they both ended up in the same game. What is it about this that makes it not unique or unnoteworthy as trivia? I'm not necessarily against the decision, but am curious about the reason. --[[User:King Starscream|King Starscream]] ([[User talk:King Starscream|talk]]) 16:01, 8 October 2019 (EDT)
:[[Ryu]], [[Ken Masters|Ken]] and [[Inkling]] are playable in Smash too. And [[Bomberman]] is an assist trophy. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 16:09, 8 October 2019 (EDT)
::That and it's not really a trivia point relevant to ''Transformers''. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:44, 8 October 2019 (EDT)

== Super Megatron notes ==

Stuck on mobile right now, so I cant really do it myself, but, several notes:

1. I think the "native humanoids" are younger versions of White Leo and White Lune

2. The "Omega Sentinel"'s details match up more with Titans Return Astrotrain more than Energon Omega's mold [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 09:32, 8 April 2020 (EDT)
:Thanks for catching the Astrotrain thing. I'm waiting till the comic confirms that the cat people are Beastformers, because the details don't match up just yet. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:00, 8 April 2020 (EDT)
::One more thing; should the Frenzy/Rumble mold just go on Frenzy's page, seeing as it's almost certainly not JG1 Frenzy, and that he's based more on the toy than the animation model? [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 16:15, 8 April 2020 (EDT)
:::I approached it from the Japanese perspective, so I just put him on the page with blue cartoon guy, but I suppose it doesn't really matter where. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:26, 8 April 2020 (EDT)

== About official Chinese release ==

Excuse me. 黑狗队/HēiGǒuDuì was a translated Chinese name and in an official Chinese release of the comic. So...can it be added?

== Why shouldn’t I blank out the talk page on my own profile? ==

The entire thing was nothing but condescension from jerks. I took their points to heart a long time ago, and I was tired of looking at them. {{unsigned|Phil Bond}} 02:25, 1 September 2020 (EDT)
:It's [[Transformers Wiki:User page#User page etiquette|against site policy]]. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 03:12, 1 September 2020 (EDT)

== Kudos on the cleanup ==

You da Cybertronian on the BWII cleanup! --[[User:Lonegamer78|Lonegamer78]] ([[User talk:Lonegamer78|talk]]) 17:44, 11 September 2020 (EDT)

== New jokes, not edited ones. ==

Just for the record, I didn't edit an existing joke. I edited my OWN joke that was new to begin with. There was nothing there to begin with.
In fact, I'd say Mirage's page was shockingly absent of captions for such an iconic, long-standing character really. [[User:MirageX|MirageX]] ([[User talk:MirageX|talk]]) 18:31, 22 October 2020 (EDT)
:Check the message. It says not to add more jokes if you haven't already been contributing actual content to the wiki. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 18:42, 22 October 2020 (EDT)
Check Mirage's page now. I've written up a partial stub of his WFC Siege storyline. I intend to finish it once I watch the rest of the episodes tonight, possibly tomorrow. It's not the easiest thing to watch, but I'll do it if it means contributing so I'm not chastised for adding missing captions. [[User:MirageX|MirageX]] ([[User talk:MirageX|talk]]) 19:50, 22 October 2020 (EDT)
:Look, are you making contributions because you want to actually improve the wiki, or are you only doing it so you have an excuse to add captions? Because like was said on your talk page, the site is meant to be informative first and funny second. If the real reason you're here is just so you can add jokes, you're probably better off going elsewhere. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 20:28, 22 October 2020 (EDT)

== A request ==

Hey, would you be able to help me out in figuring out what the Japanese names of the Great Transformation are? When Optimus mentions it in Episode 26's Japanese dub, I can hear him say 素晴らしい変化 (''subarashī henka''), which makes sense. But in Episode 1's Japanese dub, I can't tell exactly what the Oracle is saying due to its voice being so echo-y. I can hear the second part of the name as トランスフォーム (''toransufōmu''), but I can't quite make out what the first part is. [https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm2216607 Here's a video] containing the scene in question, with the specific line of dialogue being around the 5:25 mark. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 09:41, 26 October 2020 (EDT)
:I am not good at listening to spoken Japanese, so I'm not of much help. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 13:43, 26 October 2020 (EDT)
::Thanks anyway. --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 14:32, 26 October 2020 (EDT)

== Can you please tell me the source? ==

I could not find the source that [[Bonecrusher (BW)|Bone Crusher]] was sold under the name Bone Crush (ボーンクラッシュ) when it was imported to Japan.
Can you please tell me the source?
--[[User:CATBBA|CATBBA]] ([[User talk:CATBBA|talk]]) 14:05, 4 December 2020 (EST)
:[https://twitter.com/syncson/status/1200028057051910146 This tweet] has an advertisement that lists the names. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:09, 4 December 2020 (EST)
::Thank you. However, this is not an official product list, but an advertisement created by the dealers themselves. It may not be the official name.　It seems to me that the names were deliberately changed or misspelled to reduce the number of characters, especially with respect to the Bone Crusher. Also, I don't know what the standard is for names in the Beast Wars Universe or Transformers Generations to be no good and for names in the Beast Wars Perfect Book to be okay.--[[User:CATBBA|CATBBA]] ([[User talk:CATBBA|talk]]) 14:39, 4 December 2020 (EST)
:::I can't find pictures of the Takara stickers for Bonecrush/Bonecrusher, so this is the best we have to go on. In regards to Perfect Book, the difference is that it is placing the characters in a Japanese context and giving us original fictional details as opposed to Beast Wars Universe and Beast Generations, which are just describing Hasbro product. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 18:31, 4 December 2020 (EST)
::::Although it seems Perfect Book is also just describing Hasbro product, the different names given to the McDonald's toys are worth noting. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 19:08, 4 December 2020 (EST)

== reason for revert? ==

i addressed the errors on the Lightspeed and Nosecone disambiguation pages, and explained them in my [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Lightspeed_%28disambiguation%29&diff=1471508&oldid=1471462 edit] [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/index.php?title=Nosecone_%28disambiguation%29&diff=1471507&oldid=1471463 summaries.] Why did you revert to the incorrect versions?

[[User:Rhymus|Rhymus]] ([[User talk:Rhymus|talk]]) 00:11, 26 December 2020 (EST)

== Fixing links ==

While I appreciate your efforts changing links, I just put in requests for Teletraan-X to do it. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 23:40, 4 January 2021 (EST)

== United EX names ==

There's a couple of guys who don't have their United EX names in Katakana: I think Detritus, Roadblock, Grindcore, Gravedigger, and Clouder are all the ones that need it. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 18:02, 10 January 2021 (EST)
: (Also, Von Rani and Krieger need their names from Binaltech). [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 18:06, 10 January 2021 (EST)
::Added. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 18:30, 10 January 2021 (EST)
::: Thanks. Also, for whatever reason, RID 15 Sideswipe is missing his Japanese name. I assume it's Sideswipe still, but just in case. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 18:34, 10 January 2021 (EST)
:::: Got another group: the guys who get named in Solar Requiem. Presumably, it's those who get named in English as well. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 08:50, 14 January 2021 (EST)

A couple of the Siege/Earthrise guys (Trip-Up and Daddy-O, at least) need their Japanese names added in. [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 14:26, 22 January 2021 (EST)

== Is your name a reference to... ==

:...[[Backstop_(Cybertron)#Notes|Saidos]] / [[Rhinox|Rhino X]]?
:...the {{w|Sai (weapon)|''sai''}} dagger?
:...the Spanish number ''[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dos#Spanish dos]'' / the {{w|Roman numeral|Roman numeral}} ''[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/diez#Spanish diez?]'' ({{w|homophone|Nine}}? [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nein Nein?)]

Just curious.

[[User:Rhymus|Rhymus]] ([[User talk:Rhymus|talk]]) 01:03, 30 January 2021 (EST)
:It's a Kingdom Hearts character. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 01:04, 30 January 2021 (EST)
::As he said, [https://www.khwiki.com/Sa%C3%AFx]. I was playing ''Kingdom Hearts 2.5'' at the time I signed up for my account. I could probably pick a better name now, but I don't really care enough to change it. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 02:06, 30 January 2021 (EST)

== Big Convoy in Abduction ==

[[File:BigConvoyAbduction.jpg|thumb|100px]]
I think this is most likely Big Convoy.

There are only two other characters that share his silholuette. Nemesis and Ultra Mammoth. However;

* Nemesis Prime is a herald of Unicron, so he shouldn't be imprisoned in the Cauldron. Though there is a chance it is an early appearance still, I guess.

*Ultra Mammoth hadn't been created yet.

It's either Big Convoy or an early appearance of Nemesis Prime.--[[User:Primestar3|Primestar3]] ([[User talk:Primestar3|talk]]) 13:24, 16 March 2021 (EDT)
:It's still just speculation. As the other silhouettes in other panels share a similar design (horns and spiked kibble parts), it could go either way. If the artist can confirm that it's Big or any of his repaints, then we can work from that, but as it stands, it's not enough to go off of. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 17:22, 16 March 2021 (EDT)

== Legends comic image + Blurr ==

Yes, I'm aware of the events of The return of Blurr; but considering that ''Legends'' is a Japanese comic, I just made a joke about the fact that in Japan the last time somebody saw Blurr was in the cartoon itself, when (after killing him) Shockwave orders to Cliffjumper to dispose of his body. Sorry :) [[User:Grievous Prime|--Grievous Prime]] ([[User talk:Grievous Prime|talk]]) 16:56, 16 March 2021 (EDT)

== ''Energon'' Terrorcons ==

Was wondering what you thought about me making [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27/sandbox/Shadowhawk Desert Type|this]] a thing? [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 04:37, 18 March 2021 (EDT)
:It works for me. Any chance you can do the same for "Command Jaguar Cosmo Type"? [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 04:41, 18 March 2021 (EDT)
::Sure thing, I'll just make this one live and I'll get started on the other. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 04:43, 18 March 2021 (EDT)

== sorry ==

sorry [[User:GobotsFanForever|GobotsFanForever]] ([[User talk:GobotsFanForever|talk]]) 13:06, 1 June 2021 (EDT)

== Combatant ==

I just wanted to apologize if I came off rudely towards you. We had different perspectives and you were right. I'm sorry if I came off as acting in any way other than in good faith of keeping the wiki organized. [[User:TransFormersfan1|TransFormersfan1]] ([[User talk:TransFormersfan1|talk]]) 16:10, 24 June 2021 (EDT)
:It's alright. No grudges here. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:41, 24 June 2021 (EDT)

== Deleting Others' Messages==

Hey, why'd you go and delete my message on the Hot Shot (Armada) toys talk page thing? I think that that was a tad bit uncalled for. Besides I thought that the talk things were for discussing stuff. I never saw something that said that I couldn't respond to stuff. Mind you, I'm not saying that it doesn't exist, I'm just saying that I never saw it. Also, I hope that I'm not overstepping by asking, but do you even have the authority to remove my post in that sense? I'm asking as I don't know who's in charge on this wiki. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 12:27, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
:That conversation was SIX YEARS OLD. It was over. Your replying to it was rather pointless and there is no reason for us to keep such things around. Any user can remove pointless responses to long dead conversations.--[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 14:52, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
:: Well, I did not realize that then. I mean, I get the point, yeah, it was old, which I honestly did not even realize until after the deletion, but I personally think that deleting it was tad bit overboard. In my opinion, telling the person that posted it to delete it, reminding them that it was an old conversation and to not do that anymore, or just repremanding them in general would've been better. I just think that deleting it rather than repremanding the person is a bit rude. But eh... what do I know? [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 15:15, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
::: Also, how is a response, comment, or message deemed "pointless" anyway? Like is there a "hard and fast" rule, as they say, or is it just up to the person who reads it? [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 15:18, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
::::"Pointless" when used above, is only in reference to comments that continue conversations that have not been added to in months or years. ANY comment made today to a conversation that has been quiet since 2015 is pointless. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 15:48, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
::::: What about the one in the Tantrum G1 talk thing? That had a point, as I was curious. Plus, the people who commented before you were quite helpful, and understanding. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 16:47, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
:::::::Can you guys please take this conversation off my talk page? I detailed exactly why I deleted your message in the edit history: "Stop replying to old conversations". That's all there is to it. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 16:55, 12 July 2021 (EDT)
:::::::: Sure. I didn't even expect the other person to see this, let alone respond. Plus, I wasn't sure what you meant until after the first message was posted. But either way, you got it, at least from me. I can't speak for the other person. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 16:58, 12 July 2021 (EDT)

== Stop removing good info. ==

Why'd you remove my Blackarachnia (Animated) toy stuff? That's pretty accurate. It covered it in the show. She is "an [[Archa Seven arachnid]] in a black widow-esque variant". So like what's wrong? I get the grammar part, but not the whole content. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 00:45, 9 August 2021 (EDT)
:Saix was right to remove that note. The fictional spider species isn't relevant to the toy design. -- [[User:Cyberlink420|Cyberlink420]] ([[User talk:Cyberlink420|talk]]) 00:52, 9 August 2021 (EDT)
:: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought that it was, given most other toys seem to tend to follow that rule. Like stating the model of vehicle or species of animal, even if fictional, especially so if it's mentioned in canon. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 01:00, 9 August 2021 (EDT)

== What was wrong with my edits? ==

I noticed that you removed my question on [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking's (Prime)]] talk page, and my edits on [[Primus#Fight.21 Super Robot Lifeform Transformers|Primus' toys]] in regards to the cities. Was there something wrong with them? If so, what? So I can avoid making that mistake in the future, as I only want to help ''improve'' this wiki for others, not ''be'' one of the problems it has. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 12:18, 17 August 2021 (EDT)
:I get an email every time you edit my talk page. Please stop doing that or at least mark your edits as minor. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 14:46, 17 August 2021 (EDT)
:: Oh. I'm sorry. Also, what about the above things? [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 15:06, 17 August 2021 (EDT)
::: I didn't even realize that that ''would'', ''could'', or even ''was'' happening. I just read up on that, and understand, or at least think I understand, ''now'', and I'll try to keep that in mind from now on. Thanks for letting me know that that was a problem, and while on the topic of problems, maybe you could, whenever you remove something of mine, explain why, at least if I have made an error in how I edited in some sense, and/or e-mail me about how to fix it in the future, which my e-mail address is on my talk page for purposes like this, and/or even just straight up tell me on my talk page. Because at the end of the day, I want to help improve this wiki, not ruin it for anyone else and/or ruin their hard work. Which I can't do if I don't even know if I am messing something up unknowingly. [[User:Beetle Bug|Beetle Bug]] ([[User talk:Beetle Bug|talk]]) 15:18, 17 August 2021 (EDT)
:::: Which by the way, the whole problem above, is mentioned here: [[Help:Style guide#Always use the summary box]].

== ID number page ==

Can you please stop editing the ID number page? I have a huge edit I wanna save but I can't because of the editing conflicts that will ensue. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 11:54, 19 August 2021 (EDT)
:Apologies. I thought you were still sleeping. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 11:58, 19 August 2021 (EDT)
::I haven't even gone to bed yet lol. I had about 4 hours worth of work that I was needing to save but it'd probably take another hour or so for me to sort through. It's mostly coding-related. Sipher suggested on Discord to add the insignia bullets which is mainly what I was working on. It's all saved [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27/sandbox/WIP|here]] if you'd like to take a stab at adding it to what you've done? I need sleep, it's like 4 AM here now lol. [[User:Fanofcoolstuff27|Fanofcoolstuff27]] ([[User talk:Fanofcoolstuff27|talk]]) 12:12, 19 August 2021 (EDT)

== Capitalization of "bodyscrapper" ==

Hey, I see you've updated the term in many places to start with a capital letter. Looking at pages 3, 7, 16, and 20, it's fully lowercase. Seems to me that it's being treated as a common noun, more of a slang synonym for "bounty hunter" and not a proper noun for a subgroup like "Wrecker", at least at this point in the story. I think we should adhere to the fiction and treat it as a common noun as well. [[User:Genitus|Genitus]] ([[User talk:Genitus|talk]]) 20:51, 26 August 2021 (EDT)
:It was capitalized in various points in the article. I don't care if you make all instances lowercase as long as it's consistent. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 20:58, 26 August 2021 (EDT)
::Sounds good, I'll run through the wiki and make it consistently lowercase. [[User:Genitus|Genitus]] ([[User talk:Genitus|talk]]) 21:03, 26 August 2021 (EDT)

== Legends Bonus Edition Vol EX ==

There are three volumes involved in Legends comics: the original strips, the Bonus Editions, and the Bonus Edition Extra volumes. Because there are multiple EX volumes, labeling storylinks as "Bonus Edition Vol EX" is not suitably descriptive. It's the equivalent of stating "RID Annual" when there are multiple annuals. For clarity, EX storylinks should be cited as "Bonus Edition EX Greatshot", "Bonus Edition EX Grand Maximus" or "Bonus Edition EX Metroplex" instead of listing all as "Bonus Edition Vol EX". Agreeable? --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 11:06, 9 September 2021 (EDT)
:Forgot to respond to this. I'm more than well aware of how the Legends comics are released and don't agree that this is an actual issue to insist on altering their actual names. None of the Legends pack-ins have "descriptive" names. It's fine and we've lived. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 09:39, 10 September 2021 (EDT)
::If we were talking about how to label the actual comic pages, I would agree to use the most accurate title from the pack-ins themselves. But the second storylink title after the " | " is to reduce overly long titles and for reference purposes. You don't think it's useful for visitors to know that "Bonus Edition Vol EX" in Fiction sections actually refers to multiple comics? Especially for characters that appear in several Vol EX issues, and so would have identical links going to different places in their Fiction section? --[[User:Xaaron|Xaaron]] ([[User talk:Xaaron|talk]]) 09:51, 10 September 2021 (EDT)

==Bent Wing==
I apologize - I misunderstood what you had added to that page, and at first reverted based on that misunderstanding. --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 16:55, 15 September 2021 (EDT)

==Notes==
They aren't frivolous. [[User:Tylerwu|Tylerwu]] ([[User talk:Tylerwu|talk]]) 18:24, 4 February 2022 (EST)

=="mainpic" template use==
Just a heads-up, but that template is really only for character pages with NO visual representation of the character whatsoever. A toy picture is perfectly fine as a main pic until it can be replaced with art. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] ([[User talk:M Sipher|talk]]) 01:27, 14 July 2022 (EDT)

==Notes==
OK thank on clarifying that but why were the rest of my edits removed/undone? [[User:Elitaone|ElitaOne]] ([[User talk:Elitaone|talk]]) 20:17, 19 September 2022 (EDT)

== UK/US issues ==

Hey, don’t mean to disrespect but why are you deleting my edits? I accept the first one might not have been informative enough, I thought the second one was good. Many other US issues talk about this exact topic, and having just read “back from the dead“ I was surprised the continuity issue wasn’t mentioned there. Happy to have your professional feedback. Thanks
[[User:Levyshahar|Levyshahar]] ([[User talk:Levyshahar|talk]]) 13:59, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
:I removed it because it comes off as a personal fixation for you and not a real continuity error. Furthermore, it's not even the right story where Optimus Prime discovers Megatron's survival; Optimus mentally notes it in "[[Skin Deep]]", and the dialogue there is more than ambiguous enough to cover both continuities. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 17:36, 11 October 2022 (EDT)
::Personal?… Just trying to make sense of the story for me and for future readers. Skin deep comes after Back from the dead [[User:Levyshahar|Levyshahar]] ([[User talk:Levyshahar|talk]]) 01:42, 12 October 2022 (EDT)

== Rifle's design ==

I honestly can't explain why I went for Energon Megatron over TR Galvatron. That one was my bad, sorry. [[User:ThatGuy79|ThatGuy79]] ([[User talk:ThatGuy79|talk]]) 14:03, 29 March 2023 (EDT)

== Is the wiki okay? ==
There's been a fair number of rapid reversions coupled with odd comments recently. Is there a beef that I'm not aware of? [[User:Banpei the Mini-Con|Banpei the Mini-Con]] ([[User talk:Banpei the Mini-Con|talk]]) 21:50, 26 April 2023 (EDT)

==So in regards to the info I added on Bisk's page==
Do you really think his and the Car Vehicon's alt modes don't look similar at all? If so, why? [[User:SerafettinB|SerafettinB]] ([[User talk:SerafettinB|talk]]) 10:04, 26 April 2023 (TRT)

== Transformers: Generation 1 ==

Is issue four supposed to stay the same? -- [[User:Usfmm|Usfmm]] ([[User talk:Usfmm|talk]]) 22:45, 20 February 2024 (EST)
:[https://imgur.com/06HDdCs "Generation 1"]
:[https://imgur.com/JwYGd5i "Generation One"] [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 22:48, 20 February 2024 (EST)

==Book of Cyber-Kells==
Could you please explain why you reverted my edits? I added the Simmons quote because it's the only place where the book is ever named. Also why did you remove the External links as they are also the only place we've had confirmation of the book cover. Also that quote on the other image I left alone because I thought it was policy that quotes for images were left to those who uploaded the images. Thanks. [[User:Astrobotix|Astrobotix]] ([[User talk:Astrobotix|talk]]) 23:51, 21 March 2024 (EDT)
:Also, what's wrong with doing "prop stuff" if they're the only clear images of the item? We risk not having adequate documentation of in-universe objects when external sites get deleted/shutdown. [[User:Astrobotix|Astrobotix]] ([[User talk:Astrobotix|talk]]) 23:57, 21 March 2024 (EDT)

== Prime Beast Creator ==

Sorry for messing with the Predacon names on the 'Beast Creator' page! I even missed the bit of the edit history where someone did the exact same thing and you had to do the work of reverting it. I would feel bad for just the once, but I can imagine two separate occasions would be really annoying. Again, I am genuinely sorry and I didn't mean to make such a mess of it. I'll stick it in my watchlist and keep an eye on it in case someone else tries to do the same thing. [[User:Spacebridge Technician|Spacebridge Technician]] ([[User talk:Spacebridge Technician|talk]]) 12:29, 28 March 2024 (EDT)
:Apologies aren't necessary, it's just wiki editing, but thank you regardless. [[User:Saix|Saix]] ([[User talk:Saix|talk]]) 12:31, 28 March 2024 (EDT)

== On Circular Reporting ==
As far as I can tell, people don't treat the idea of "Big Long Haul" as a redesign or a fun idea--they treat this as if he actually ''is'' supposed to be that big, and him being the same size as his teammates is a scaling error, similar to Blast Off or Groove. The wiki itself described him as such in its articles on scale, when it's actually not a scaling error; his size is actually about right. Media depicting him as such is going off the idea that it was a scaling error when it wasn't. Hell, even Long Haul's page caption describes that scene of him ramming Optimus as "correct" scale.[[User:MBG|MBG]] ([[User talk:MBG|talk]]) 14:30, 6 April 2024 (EDT)

Talk:Scale

2024-04-06T18:21:21Z

MBG:

Hi, this is my second (and much larger) personally-originated article. I hope you like it; I certainly had fun writing it.

As I discussed on [[micro-continuities]], I'm keen for people to contribute to the article; I'm not overly precious about it. All I'd ask is that if you really hate something, please discuss it HERE first, rather than outright deleting or extensively re-writing it just yet.

I'd particularly appreciate anyone wanting to add examples from other franchises. It's pretty G1 and Beast Era-centric at the moment. More/better pictures would also be great.

Also, I'd REALLY appreciate any suggestions as to what category(ies) this article should be placed in. I'm really scratching my head here...

Anyway, don't be shy, let the newbie know what you think!

Cheers,
[[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].

:Wonderful article. I enjoyed it. This is something that's always on my mind when I'm looking at my toys or comics. About the proto-humans in Beast Wars, though: proto-humans were smaller than modern humans (around 4 ft tall). So the scale problems, while still an issue, are not as drastic as they seem. I'm not sure how to integrate that into that section. --[[User:Crockalley|Crockalley]] 18:02, 22 March 2007 (UTC)

::Wow, thanks man. And cheers for the protohumans info. Please feel free to contribute anything, especially pictures! Ta, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].

I love the subtle hilarious genius of giving this the Things that Don't Exist category. --[[User:Terrocon Blot|Terrocon Blot]] 05:55, 23 March 2007 (UTC)
:Uncyclopedia reference FTW! --[[User:TVsGrady|TVsGrady]] 04:07, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

== Alternators having a problem?==

Pardon me for asking, but what problem is there with the Alternators line? Kiss Players obviously deserves its place, but isn't that line seperate from Alternators? {{unsigned|66.161.202.19}}
:It's just a joke at Kiss Players' expense. And they're not entirely separate; some Alternators toys ended up as Kiss Players toys. [[User:JW|JW]] 20:11, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

== JBW Scales? ==

I remember hearign that the JBW TF's were scaled like classic G1 TF's, not the 8' tall BW-era average, but it's been so longsince i saw parts of BW2 that I can't back that up. 
(This of course creates issues with Primal suddenly getting that size int he teamup. which I suppose is a problem in Robotmasters too.) 
Pic of Robotmasters Primal & Prime vs. a 2-shot from Agenda? -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 07:53, 23 March 2007 (UTC)

:I wouldn't know; I've never seen more than the teamup movie of BWII and some painful snippets of BWNeo on YouTube. Frankly I loath the little I've seen of these shows, and most Japanese-originated fiction for that matter, although I don't want to force that opinion on anyone. Love the leader-toys though ;-)

:Please feel free to add anything like that if you can verify it, and if accurate please do point out the resulting scale problem with Primal in relation BW and RM. Cheers, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].

::Such misconceptions were probably caused by the fact that in BWII Most of the Destrons turn into vehicles, the J-Beast Warriors are only G1-Sized if we assume that the Destron's vehicle modes are supposed to be real world scale. They could just be tiny vehicles like in Dawn of Futures Past. Which is probably the most likely, as Lio Convoy has been shown to be the same size as the Lion he scanned, while on the other hand Tasmanian Kid turns into a huge Tasmanian Devil, much like Rattrap turns into a huge rat.

:::But that's inconsistant as well. I did a quick search and found evidence that LioConvoy was about the size of his lion, as you said [http://bigbot.com/beast_wars_2/pictures/cartoon_tv_show/02_White_Lion_Run/], but I also saw an image of Tasmania Kid cradling a tasmanian devil that he scanned in his hands [http://bigbot.com/beast_wars_2/pictures/cartoon_tv_show/04_Lake_Trap/]. Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasmanian_devil#Physical_description] places the average length of a Tasmanian devil at 652 mm, which would be over one-fourth the height of an average man. So it's still confusing.-[[User:EricMarrs|EricMarrs]] 23:41, 26 March 2007 (UTC)
::::Contextually, though I haven't seen the episode, I'm betting that's a baby Tazmanian devil.
::::Sale in JBW is weird. It appears that Lioconvoy was 'real' sized, (about 7 feet tall, and transforms into a normal-sized lion.) while others in hsi crew are ridiculously undersized. By contrast- the Destrons turned into TINY versions of jets and such. The toy scale was (loosely) maintained. Robotmasters is fucked though.
::::I might rephrase the entry to more accurately reflect this contradiction. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 00:15, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

== Mini-Cons ==

The first paragraph on Mini-Con scale bugs me. The Earth-based altmodes have always been pretty clearly intended as small-scale reproductions of actual vehicles, no different from how Waspinator is (theoretically) a large-scale reproduction of an actual wasp. So Sparkplug, for instance, has windows because he's a tiny Lamborghini and Lamborghinis have windows. (A case could be made for the non-Earth-design vehicles, I suppose.) It just seems to be inventing an issue for the sake of having something to question on a subject where there's already plenty going on that's questionable... if anything, Mini-Cons in Armada are one of the few cases of ''consistent'' scale in Transformers. --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 18:23, 25 March 2007 (UTC)
:Well, except the weapons. --[[User:Andrusi|Andrusi]] 18:24, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

: Yeah, I'm not wild about it either. They're not supposed to be having passengers at all ever, and clearly were never intended to... except in ''Cybertron''. (And, well, the SAT, right.) --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 18:43, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

::Well, I take your point, but it seems to me that it's still a valid inclusion. Even if Mini-Cons were never ''intended'' to hold passangers (although for that matter, frankly, how often do you see post-Movie characters actually carrying passangers anyway...?), they nevertheless turn into vehicles that ''appear'' to be able to carry people in them but are too small to actually do so. They are, almost by definition, SCALED DOWN representations of (mostly) real vehicles. So feel free to reword the paragraph, but I still think Mini-Cons warrant a reference. That's my two cents, anyway. Ta, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]]

==Question==

Why does Lio Convoy and Primal being the same size in BWII cause a problem. Lio convoy was the same size as a real lion.

==Nanotyrannus?==

You should remove the nanotyrannus caomment since many now believe it's just a young rex.
:Except that when Mainframe created the CGI models for Beast Wars, Nanotyrannus was believed to be a real genus. I always assumed that they had Megatron get his beast mode from scanning Nanotyrannus fossils so he wouldn't completely dwarf the rest of the cast. --[[User:Rotty|Rotty]] 20:36, 5 June 2007 (UTC)
:Maybe the same explanation of Nanotyrannus applies to Meg's beast mode scale-he just scanned the fossil of a juvenile T-Rex. [[User:Darktruth|Darktruth]] 23:17, 16 January 2008 (UTC)

== Scale within Toylines ==

Parts of the paragraph involving the movie toys are very inaccurate, especially the claim that non-Prime or Megatron characters having toys in different classes representing the same body is virtuarlly unprecendeted. If it were just the Legends that were the exception, that would be fine, as the reason for that class was "small versions of the large toys", much the TF-Juniors (same goes for fast-food toys and kabya kits).

The main problem with this is Beast Machines, as the first Megatron (Mega) toy is the same "body" as his TMII form (Ultra), three toys for Cheetor (Mega, Supreme, Deluxe) and Primal (Deluxe, Mega, Supreme), Jetstorm (Deluxe and Ultra), Tankorr (Mega and Basic), and Thrust (Deluxe and Basic). (Yes, the Basics forms of the last two were techinaclly Drones, but the ''Beast Wars Returns'' line released the Basics as the Generals, and the visual difference between General and Drone was some extra paint.) --[[User:FortMax|FortMax]] 20:41, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

== Awsomeness. ==

Hey man love the article. I wish all of wikipedia could be like that, informal and with a bit of humour, instead of being as about as much fun as getting repeatedly kicked in the face. Lauds.

== Movie ==

While not perfect, the movie has avoided many of the scale issues that previous generations have had, and should be mentioned. As with Beast-Era, this entire new kettle of fish is in need of its own section and should probably be added soon. If anyone can point out any scale problems in-movie (not in the toys, though there are many there) please mention them here. -[[User:King Starscream|King Starscream]] 14:08, 12 September 2007 (UTC)

* In the movie we are shown the All-Spark compressing itself from a massive cube to a much smaller one, in which a human is easily able to hold and run with it. Isn't it reasonable to suggest that the Transformers, being a product of the All-Spark, would be able to, to some degree, compress or expand themselves in the same fashion?
::Yes, but that's a topic for the [[size changing]] article. While this article does talk about size changing (possibly too much), any discussion that's ''just'' about size changing shouldn't be here. [[User:JW|JW]] 20:34, 16 October 2007 (UTC)

== Featured? ==

Any chance of this article becoming a featured article? It contains an enormous ammount of knowledge, and is also witty at the same time. As such, this article could be said to be a perfect example of what this wiki is about. [[User:Tindalos|Tindalos]] 20:39, 12 September 2007 (UTC)
: Well, as the originator of the article, I'd second that! ;-) I'm enormously chuffed to hear you say that, thanks. [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]].

:: Ideally, I'd like to see the BW sections edited a bit more, and possibly integrated into the top sections of the article. Currently, the article is partly organized by topic (scale and toys, scale and fiction) and partly by franchise. Also, it needs to be trimmed of discussion of size-changing that is not relevant to scale (with that discussion moved into the size changing article). [[User:JW|JW]] 02:10, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

:::Hi there [[User:JW|JW]],
::: Your points are valid, but I'd actually argue that the BW stuff ''should'' stay separate. Although there's no massively logical rationale behind this (scale, after all, is scale), I think the fundamental aesthetic differences between the vehicular TFs that dominate the franchise and the animal altmodes of the Beast Era, especially Season 1 of BW (which is mostly what this material covers, since they were the only significant depiction of "real animal" altmodes) are better discussed separately. I know that falls a little bit afoul of the usually meaningless "toasters versus squishies" dualism, but in this case I really think it just''feels right'' as an organisational divide for this particular article.
:::As to the size-changing stuff; I'll have a closer look but I really thing that some discussion of size-changing is inevitably required with a topic concerning scale.
:::Cheers, [[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]] 23 October 2007
Me again, [[User:JW|JW]],

I've had a close look at the article and I really feel that all the discussion of size-changing herein really ''is'' neccessary, and thoroughly relevant. Sorry.
[[User:PacifistPrime|PacifistPrime]] 26th Oct. 07

:If you think the amount of size-changing discussion currently in the article is about right, I won't quibble much. [[User:JW|JW]] 11:50, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

== Metroplex ==

While his "city" mode isn't really shown, Metroplex is about the size of Autobot City in the UK comic ("Space Pirates", to be precise).

[[User:Cliffjumper|Cliffjumper]] 09:42, 15 September 2007 (UTC)

I've added a short line to indicate this, though I'm buggered if I can work out how to link to Space Pirates properly...I've tried it with an underscore, with a space, and both with and without the exclamation mark, but it keeps redirecting me to a new page. Anyone?

[edit]...aha, fixed it. The Space Pirates article has a picture of 'Plex in robot mode that might be useful for this article too, if the Citybot section was more substantially re-written.

[[User:Emvee|Emvee]] 05:10, 9 January 2008 (UTC)
:The recent changes to this article removed the Space Pirates info about Metroplex and it now once again reads 'almost no fiction even begins to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot"' - is there some reason why the one instance of a Citybot being shown to a reasonable scale is being omitted? [[User:Emvee|Emvee]] 06:45, 13 June 2008 (UTC)

== movie scale alert ==
i think there might be one more scale problem in the 2007 transformers movie : when bumblebee shrinks the all spark he holds it fairly easily with one hand and when ladiesman217 takes it he holds it just as easily with two hands[[User:217.43.84.145|217.43.84.145]] 13:57, 30 December 2007 (UTC)
:Yah, but the All Spark explicitly can change size, so it's hard to argue Bumblebee didn't just shrink it again . . . [[User:JW|JW]] 15:31, 30 December 2007 (UTC)

== Long Article ==

For people who are tempted to add to this article, please note that it is close to the maximum recommended length of 32kb already. Don't add new stuff unless it's pretty important to the article. New material that is ''just'' jokes will probably get cut again to make room for more substantive stuff. [[User:JW|JW]] 11:55, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

== Animated ==

There's nothing in the article about any size inconsistencies that may have cropped up in ''Animated'', so, as the series goes forward, we should probably keep an eye out. Im' guessing the first problems to crop up will involve Prowl, as he's a motorcycle rather than a car or truck. --[[User:Nemesis Primal|Nemesis Primal]] 05:26, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

:I've noticed a few instances, but they're more "animation company screwups" than any kind of consitent scale issues. Look at Prime from the first episode when Bulkhead is loading an injured Prowl onto his bed. Prime's truck mode is HUGE. That's not a consistent thing, though, so I don't know that' it's worth mentioning outside of the episode's "animation errors" listing. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 18:51, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
::Forget Prime. PROWL in robot mode is gigantic in many shots, considering his tiny altmode. --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 19:23, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

== minicons ==

i think the gigantion minicons are supposed to be huge because in the episode showing the origin of soundwave and sideways it says that the people turned there planet and THEMSELVES (which would include the minicons on that planet) into giants[[User:81.108.233.59|81.108.233.59]] 17:54, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
:Except they're clearly ''not'', and they're explicitly said to be ''tiny'' to do detail work. --[[User:M Sipher|M Sipher]] 18:46, 31 January 2008 (UTC)

== Rattrap ==

The article mentions that only Cheetor and Tigatron were seen next to their actual flesh and blood counterparts, but I could have sworn there was a scene where Rattrap was seen next to a real rat (and the real rat was tiny compared to him). In A Better Mousetrap, perhaps? [[User:Excise|Excise]] 14:33, 8 February 2008 (UTC)
:True. Fixed. [[User:JW|JW]] 14:44, 8 February 2008 (UTC)

==Dinosaur Alts==
Dinobot cannot be a Utahraptor OR a Velociraptor. While he IS much too large to be a Velociraptor, Utahraptors are about 7 meters long and 2 meters tall, and he is shown to be shorter than Optimus Primal in beast mode. Additionally, Megatron's Nano T.Rex is not even confirmed as a genuine species, and is 17 feet tall anyway. It's probably wiser to assume the same matters of scaling as with the insects and Rattrap. [[User:Harley Quinn hyenaholic|Harley Quinn hyenaholic]] 07:48, 24 April 2009 (EDT)

==Dreamwave Devastator Pic==
While it's an excellent example of scale problems, it doesn't belong in the Toys section (since it's not a pic of a toy), and in the section where it ''does'' belong, we already have a Dreamwave Menasor pic which illustrates the problem. Unless there's another place to put it where it will fit, it should probably be cut. [[User:JW|JW]] 12:53, 20 February 2008 (UTC)

==Alternators ''Only'' Toyline to Scale?==
Perhaps I'm missing the intention of the statements in the article, but a couple of times the Alternators are spelled out as the ''only'' exception to the scale difficulties that plague all-that-is-Transformers. The G2 GoBots (later known as Spychangers) were designed to be 1:64 scale, weren't they? Or is there something wonky about their scale I'm missing?--[[User:G.B. Blackrock|G.B. Blackrock]] 17:30, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
:I think if you place RID Hot Shot, Ironhide, and Mirage next to each other, you'll see that they're only ''roughly'' to the same scale. Mirage is big for an Indy car, and Ironhide is a small pickup. "1:64 scale" in this case means "about yay long". [[User:JW|JW]] 17:38, 19 March 2008 (UTC)
::Yeah, basically in this case it means "Fits most Matchbox/Hotwheels tracks."

==Article cleanup==
This article, with its many many subsections and considerable length, has been bothering me for a while. I think I figured out why: it had sections talking about a type of ''problem'', such as explicit size changing, then it also has sections about various fictions, then it ''also'' has sections talking about a type of ''Transformer'' that suffered from those various problems, thus repeating all the information previously given.

It seems to me it's got to be one or the other -- we either break it down by type of problem, by fiction, or by type of Transformer. It's redundant and sloppy to have it all three ways. Considering how many kinds of Transformers there are and how much media exists, the logical choice is by problem type. That's what I'm shooting for with the most recent edit.

It still needs further cleanup; for example, the city and planet sections should be combined with other instances of an alternate mode implying a different size of robot than is actually shown. When you get down to it, Seaspray has exactly the same type of scale problem as Unicron; the article should reflect that instead of rambling all over the place. -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 15:45, 30 April 2008 (UTC)
:The [[Scale#Fictional_scale_.E2.89.88_toy_scale|Fictional scale ≈ toy scale]] section in your rewrite cuts off abruptly mid-sentence. - [[User:SanityOrMadness|SanityOrMadness]] 16:16, 30 April 2008 (UTC)
::Thanks, missed that. And sorry I just called you someone else's user name in the Recent Changes list. <:D -- [[User:Repowers|Repowers]] 16:39, 30 April 2008 (UTC)

==A "scale canon"==

Sorry for this brain-dump, but it's one of the few places I can think of with the collective knowledge to make this work. Most lines are not even remotely in scale within a [[size class]], especially if we're talking about aircraft. However Scout or Legends-class car characters could sit alongside Deluxe or Voyager aircraft, and be in scale. Given the number of size classes in the larger lines, and the plethora of figures in those lines, ultimuately you could concoct one or more "scale canons" per line containing a range of characters which are approximately in scale with each other. Any thoughts? [[Special:Contributions/82.41.72.10|82.41.72.10]] 10:12, 23 August 2009 (EDT)

:So the idea would be to list the toys which have relative sizes matching the relative sizes of the characters in fiction? Are you talking about robot mode or vehicle modes, cause I can see arguments for both, but they're not always the same... --[[User:Abates|abates]] 16:59, 23 August 2009 (EDT)

::If you were going to base their relative sizes on the fiction, then it would make sense to do it based on robot modes, IMO. If it was going to be based on their expected relative sizes in reality (which obviously only works for real-life alt-modes) then it would make sense to do it based on vehicles. [[Special:Contributions/82.41.72.10|82.41.72.10]] 00:48, 25 August 2009 (EDT)

== Nebulans ==

Assuming that Nebulan partnered cars are the same size to Earth cars and that Nebulan partnered jets are the same size as earth jets, wouldn't that make the Nebulans to be different sizes to each other? This is especially apparent for Targetmasters in vehicle mode with their Nebulan partner attached. I assume that Nebulans would not wear a suit of armor the same size as they are (as seen in the eighties comic and cartoon) but a personal mobile suit as depicted in Dreamwave's MTMTE (the Nebulan sits in the torso area) - it beats the Nebulan having to move their legs in impossible ways when transformed as the toys would let us believe. [[Special:Contributions/90.242.193.102|90.242.193.102]] 18:18, 23 August 2009 (EDT)

== More for toys out of scale with themselves ==

Energon Omega Supreme is out of scale with himself, one half of him is a construction crane while the other is a space battleship. Just compare the sizes of the 1-2 person train cab against the multi person battleship bridge. Add to that Devastator from ROTF. One of his arms is a giant crane while the other is a small, um, you know, bulldozer thing that isn't a bulldozer.[[Special:Contributions/81.108.237.26|81.108.237.26]] 09:24, 12 December 2009 (EST)

Also, there's the fact that vehicles have compartments in them, meaning that a TF that has a, say, car alt-mode will be smaller in robot mode than in vehicle mode. However, most Transformer toys have the limbs and all that crammed into the vehicle, so the robot mode is out of scale with the vehicle mode. even alternator and HA figures can suffer from this, but not as much as others.[[User:CrowBuster|CrowBuster]] 16:50, 4 January 2012 (EST)CrowBuster
== Waaaaaaaaaait a minute ==

This is in the "Planets" category because.....? --[[User:-Blackout-|-Blackout-]] 13:16, 26 October 2010 (EDT)
:I guess because it discusses the scale of Primus and Unicron. But scale is not really a planet, so... --[[User:NCZ|NCZ]] 13:49, 26 October 2010 (EDT)

== Implicit Size Changes ==

Great article and I'm not even done reading it yet! One suggestion: The "Implicit Size Changes" section needs some references/examples as I'm not sure what/who you are talking about. Just a little example to illustrate the point. [[User:Shockwave 75|Shockwave 75]] 19:00, 5 May 2011 (EDT)Shockwave 75
:But... there are a whole bunch of characters named in that section. --[[User:Abates|abates]] 20:13, 5 May 2011 (EDT)

== Snake-Eyes Optimus Prime pic ==

The Snake-Eyes/Optimus Prime main picture doesn't seem like it has much of a scale problem. He looks like he would fit right into the driver's seat of that truck to me. It's not like it is super-exaggerated or anything. - [[User:Starfield|Starﬁeld]] 21:27, 1 January 2012 (EST)
: If the cab is as small as you seem to be thinking it is, then Optimus Prime's head is as large as his own torso. ~--[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 21:39, 1 January 2012 (EST)

== Actual toy size ==

I don't know whether this is the right place for this, but, as someone who's never owned any Transformers toys, I've noticed this wiki doesn't really give me an idea of how big any of them are. For example, how tall is the average Autobot Car? How tall are "Deluxe" or "Mega" toys? How much bigger is a "Large Headmaster" than a "Small Headmaster"? It's really hard to judge without looking for information elsewhere, and a Transformers wiki really should have information like this. --[[User:Flicky1991|flicky]][[User talk:Flicky1991|1991]] 06:46, 2 June 2013 (EDT)

== Characters with more than one version of their toy that're different size categories? ==

Take how bulkhead from the animated series has the two versions of his toy; the one that comes with a headmaster unit is significantly larger than the original. What section should this be discussed in?[[User:Skadooshbag|Skadooshbag]] ([[User talk:Skadooshbag|talk]]) 15:12, 31 March 2020 (EDT)
:We already have [[Scale#Multiple_scales_of_same_character]]. --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 16:40, 31 March 2020 (EDT)

== Constructicon scale ==
This is just here as a note and a clarifier on already existing edits, as it's something I discovered while working on a scale chart. The wiki, and this article, repeatedly claims Long Haul to be a very large model of truck. As far as I can tell, this arose from the fact that people discovered how big a mining truck can get and then assumed Long Haul had to be that big as well. And, to be fair, the information on the sizing of what he actually turns into is very scarce, but pictures of the real truck certainly don't make it look like a towering monster. I managed to find a scale model of the truck, which are pretty common, and work backwards from there, which gave him a length of roughly 7.5 meters. This is by no means small--Optimus's truck cab is about six meters long--but it's half the length and about an eighth the bulk of the trucks this wiki usually used as an example of how big he "should" be (i.e. the Caterpillar 797 that ROTF Long Haul turns into in that famous Josh Nizzi concept).[[User:MBG|MBG]] ([[User talk:MBG|talk]]) 14:21, 6 April 2024 (EDT)

Circular reporting

2024-04-06T18:06:48Z

MBG: here's a crazy one i just discovered

[[File:AHM 15cvrB.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The cover for ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|issue #15]], featuring text from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor's article on this wiki.]]]]
As befitting a franchise that has run continuously for {{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}}-1984}} years, the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] is a vast and sprawling one. However, as an intellectual property based around the inherently transient medium of [[To sell toys|merchandising]], both [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] have, historically, taken a laissez-faire approach to storytelling and don't have a complete, centralized repository of internal reference material.

As a result, the largest compendium of ''Transformers'' knowledge is, in fact, this [[TFWiki.Net|very website]] you are reading this article on right now, and many creatives have confirmed that they have used our wiki when writing stories or looking for toy references. While wikis have a few advantages over "in-house" lore bibles—they can be edited by anyone, not just professionals, for instance—their main downside is that... well, they can be edited by anyone. Although we at {{SITENAME SHORT}} strive for accuracy and neutrality when covering ''Transformers'' topics, there have been cases where inaccurate, misleading or misinterpreted information on this very wiki have gone on to inform official ''Transformers'' toys and fiction.

Of course, people working on official Transformers work use references outside of the wiki, namely other sites reporting on ''Transformers'', leaving the door open for many, many more errors. See the [[Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon|miscolorings]] page for more information.

This phenomenon is formally termed '''{{w|circular reporting}}''', commonly nicknamed '''citogenesis''' due to a 2011 [https://xkcd.com/978/ xkcd webcomic strip] that satirized the concept. This article provides a non-comprehensive cross-section of such mishaps.

{{quote|Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|{{w|Gail Simone}}|Twitter<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Now, I am not talking about some niche comic book property, I am talking about massively successful film, game and tv properties. Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913142152/https://twitter.com/GailSimone/status/1304831678045585408|name=Gail Simone|site=Twitter|year=2020|month=09|day=12}}</ref>}}

{{TOC|limit=3}}

==Hasbro's in-house continuity documents==
[[File:Ultimateguide.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Comprehensive. Definitive. Authoritative.]]
In the mid-2000s, Hasbro licensees were provided with copies of [[Simon Furman]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' as reference—notably, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] regularly consulted the guide while writing the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie. In a similar vein, [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprints of [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile series were directly referenced for ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', and have been used by other licensees such as [[Fun Publications]] and [[Space Ape Games]].

The only known example of a high-level continuity document designed solely for internal use was the 2010 [[Binder of Revelation]], compiled to help new creatives in the franchise get up to speed with key characters, concepts, and settings, to bring the various stories they were producing at the time into alignment. This lore bible went on to inform vast swathes of modern ''Transformers'' storytelling, most notably the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon, which proved extremely influential in its own right.

As the creatives behind the Binder have moved on from the company over the years, however, it appears to have fallen by the wayside, with Hasbro happy to have different concurrent media diverge entirely so long as some key synergies remain—such as the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon being informed by the script for the 2018 ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' movie—directing writers to the wiki for lore nitty-gritty. ''Cyberverse'' showrunner [[Randolph Heard]] cites this as one reason for the show's starring roles for many more obscure fan-favourite characters.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I came to this, again, without a lot of ''Transformers'' knowledge, and I was directed to TFWiki, and I started reading TFWiki and I'm like, oh my god, I don't understand ''anything'', is this a multiverse, or- why- why are there so many variations on things? I'm never gonna learn this thing or understand it. And fortunately my staff were very helpful in that regard. But I think that ''Cyberverse'' to me was like, because I came from the outside in a way, I looked at it as a big box of toys, and I could play with any of them. And you know, that's how kids are, right? They're not going to distinguish between a [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] toy, a [[DC Comics|DC]] toy, and something else—if they're cool they'll make a battle between anything. And so to me I felt the freedom, like, yeah, I'll just pick stuff and no-one said no. In fact they seemed delighted that we were bringing back characters. [...] I researched lists of 'weirdest Transformers ever.' [...] I said I don't, you know, I confessed to [[Mikiel Houser]], and he said that's fine, check out the TFWiki and that'll tell you everything you need to know, and I was kind of like- it told me too much, you know? It was overwhelming. And I love TFWiki—they have such great writers, they're hilarious.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vindAiN7YNY&t=1087s|name=Randolph Heard is too kind,|site=Keyan Carlile's Transformer Channel|title=The cancelled TF show BEFORE Cyberverse! (Randolph Heard talks Early Development & Seasons 1-2)|year=2021|month=11|day=20}}</ref> Another franchise newcomer, [[Brian Ruckley]], writer of [[IDW Publishing]]'s rebooted ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' series, plucked a large number of obscure characters from the wiki, in particular a great many [[female Transformer]]s. All of this is to say that the referencing of fan wikis is perfectly normal and can often be positive. It's also why the wiki should strive for completeness and accuracy when documenting the ''Transformers'' universe—as the following cautionary tales show...
{{-}}

==Examples of circular reporting through TFWiki.net==


===Absence of evidence===
[[File:SpotlightHardhead-CaughtInAVortex.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The original Tailwind that went undocumented on this wiki...]]
[[File:BeforeAndAfter-DriftTailwindTentakil.jpg|thumb|200px|...and this guy showed up! Maybe if he gets hurt, [[Mario (ROTF)|he'll shrink back?]]]]
In the [[2008]] comic story ''[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]'', the [[Micromaster]] toy character [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] was given a cameo as one of the many [[Gorlamite]]s attacking [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]—but for many years, Tailwind was the only one whose appearance in that comic was not documented on his own wiki page. As part of a general desire to make use of characters who had yet to be introduced to the [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]], writer [[James Roberts]] evidently decided to check him off the list by writing a full-sized Cybertronian Tailwind into [[Before & After|''More than Meets the Eye'' #12]], being bisected by [[Drift (G1)|Drift]].

{{anchor|Trickshot}}
Similarly, the 2007 online [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] profile for [[Flashdrive]]—based on the Japanese-exclusive Mini-Con Processor—refers to a teammate called "Trickshot", clearly intended to be his fellow [[Micron Booster]] toy Triac; the wiki failed to note this, and soon thereafter the Mini-Con bio regimen ended without Trickshot's own profile being published. Thusly, the 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]] column would instead give Triac the localized identity of "[[Bingo]]".
{{-}}

===Text transfer===
====(Heavy) Artillery Drones====
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Once we were nameless...]]
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone robot.jpg|thumb|200px|...until a mix-up gave us our name!]]
The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] belonging to [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] were never named in the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' cartoon]], [[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|toyline]], or related media. Back when TFWiki started out on Wikia (now Fandom), [https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Special:Contributions/72.48.102.5 an anonymous user] created the article for Strika's drones in [[2008]] using the fan name "Heavy Artillery Drone". Due to an oversight (as no one knew that it ''wasn't'' an official name), this remained the article's name for nearly a decade.

In a non-visual, text-only instance of this roundabout reporting, the [[2016]] prose story "[[Derailment]]" officially named Strika's drones as "Artillery Drones" based on the wiki's use of the name "Heavy Artillery Drone". The article was soon moved to "[[Artillery Drone]]" shortly after in early [[2017]], to reflect the official name. But, the official name only came about in the first place because of the wiki unknowingly using a completely made-up fan name.
{{-}}

===Coloring conundrums===
The use of {{SITENAME SHORT}} images as color references can occasionally result in... interesting... new color schemes. Original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Horri-Bull}}
====IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' Horri-Bull====
In the [[IDW Publishing]] comic issue [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|''Robots in Disguise'' #1]], [[Horri-Bull]]'s colorization is apparently based on photos of a [[Photodegradation|photodegradated]] example of his original toy that was once used on his page. When asked, colorist [[Josh Perez]] said he chose to use the yellow to "help him stick out a lot more".<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/84653-idw-rid-teaser-images/page-5|name=Josh Perez|site=The Allspark forums|defunct=yes}}</ref>

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy-Horri-Bull.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Horribull bullhorn toy.jpg|''Degraded toy pictured''
File:Autonomy Lesson Horri-Bull Zetca.jpg|''2012 comic scene pictured'' [[Photodegradation|It's canon folks!]]
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Vortex}}
====''Fall of Cybertron'' Vortex====
[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]]'s color scheme in ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' is an unusual red and beige, derived from [[Vortex (G1)|G1 Vortex]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' character art that is his main page image—in particular, our previously-used scan of the artwork makes it appear to have a much warmer tone than it does in print, shifting the gray towards brown and the lilac towards pink. These tones influenced the coloring of Vortex's ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[:File:FOC Vortex.jpg|concept art]], which evolved to the in-game colors.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1Vortex toy.jpg|''Original 1985 deco pictured''
File:MTMTE2003-Vortex.jpg|''Better scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:MTMTEVortex.jpg|''Worse scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:FOC-HMS-render-Vortex-robot mode.jpg|''2012 game render pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Roadburner}}

====''Legends'' Roadburner====
[[Roadburner]]'s 2013 appearance in the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game can only be described as a fit of insanity. His appearance is based on a catastrophic misinterpretation of this wiki's photography for the toy, depicting his partner [[Wheel Blaze]] as white... because they didn't understand the greyed-out photo this wiki uses to indicate ''which toy the article isn't about''. To make matters worse, it is highly likely Roadburner ''wasn't supposed to be in the game to begin with.'' Considering that the theme of [[By Land, Sea, or Air|the event he appeared in]] was basically "These Autobots with military alt-modes do stuff," and the fact that [[Roadbuster (G1)|Road''buster'']] would make more sense given [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]'s prevalence in said event... yeah. Not helping matters is that when in the process of typing "Roadbuster" into this wiki's search bar, Roadburner shows up first in the search results. Someone must have been in a hurry.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1-toy Roadburner.jpg|''1990 toy pictured'' HOW???
File:TFLegends-Roadburner.jpg|''2013 art pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Azimuth}}

====IDW ''Transformers'' Azimuth====
[[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] was originally a minor character who appeared in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]''. Beyond a brief namedrop, she went unseen for several years until 2015, when the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook feature revealed that she sported a body based on the gold MC-6 ''[[Kronoform]]'' toy. However, when [[Azimuth (G1)|a new incarnation of Azimuth]] appeared in 2020, in IDW's ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' comic, she was colored silver—a mixup that almost assuredly stems from the photo on Azimuth's wiki article more prominently displaying ''that'' figure, with the "correct" gold figure tucked away on the far right.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Aligned Azimuth Toy.jpg|''Original 1993 deco pictured''
File:Mc-06 kronoform catalog.jpg|''Catalogue scan uploaded to the wiki in 2015'' Hey, she got a [[Azimuth (G1)#Toys|''Transformers'' toy]] out of it.
File:Tremors-Azimuth.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured'' You know what, you're welcome.
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Dile}}
====''Earth Wars'' Dile====
In the ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'' mobile game, [[Dile]] was revealed as a forthcoming character in early September 2020, sporting an unusual gray and purple deco which doesn't match his toy's colors at all. The following month, [[Space Ape Games]] put out a new render via their official newsletter, explaining that the original colors were based on the washed out scan of his card art seen at the top of his TFWiki character page. This makes it one of the few known instances where circular reporting was caught and corrected before release. The new render instead uses a more light-green and silvery hue based on a somewhat color-corrected version of the card art, rather than the much more pronounced green of [[:File:G1toy dile.jpg|the toy itself]].

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy dile.jpg|''Original 1987 toy pictured''
File:G1 Dial boxart.jpg|''Scan of 1987 art pictured'' A washout, that's all you are! A washout!
File:Early Dile-EarthWars.jpg|''Initial 2020 CG model pictured''
File:Dile Fixed-EarthWars.jpg|''Finalized 2020 CG model pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====''Siege'' Ion Storm====
The stock photography for ''Siege'' [[Ion Storm]]'s jet mode mistakenly showed [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Thundercracker]]'s jet instead—which is nearly identical apart from red highlights. With the 2019 [[Rainmaker]]s set being hard to come by, this erroneous image was used on the wiki for a couple of years, and appears highly in Google Image searches—leading Ion Storm's jet mode to be colored according as Thundercracker in [[Volcanicus comic 2|a TakaraTomy comic]] released in September 2020 and in [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|an IDW comic]] released in September 2021.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:TF-Generations-WFC-S-Rainmaker-3-pack-Ion-Storm.jpg|''Erroneous 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:Siege-toy IonStorm.jpg|''True 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:GS-Volcanicus comic 2-Rainmakers.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured''
File:SeaOfRustPartII-Rainmakers.jpg|''2021 comic scene pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===Deco disasters===
On rare occasions the aforementioned coloring misadventures can escalate to the point of affecting the characters' actual future toys. Once again, original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Igu}}
====''Prime 10 Year Anniversary'' Igu====
The ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Post-Prime releases|10 Year Anniversary]]'' reissue of [[Igu]] ([[Vehicon (Prime)|Jet Vehicon]]'s [[Arms Micron]] partner from the [[TakaraTomy]] ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|Prime]]'' toyline) mistakenly colors him bright silver, as opposed to the black of the original release.

This can be attributed to the set designer using the first image in the "Toys" subheading of Igu's wiki page for reference—which was actually an "elite" redeco packed with [[Vehicon (Prime)#JetGeneral|Jet Vehicon General]]. The original black release of Igu is used as the article's mainpic instead of being used in the "Toys" section, due to a lack of images of his vanishingly few fictional appearances. From a toy design perspective, this error means that the now-silver Igu breaks aesthetic cohesion with his mostly-black partner Jet Vehicon.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Prime-toy Igu.jpg|''Original 2012 deco pictured''
File:Primetoy-TakaraTomy-ArmsMicronIguS.jpg|''Secondary 2013 deco pictured'' Please, "Igu S" was my father.
File:Prime-toy Igu 10Year.jpg|''2020 reissue deco pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|T-Wrecks}}
====''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks====
The ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Leader Class toy of [[T-Wrecks#Generations|T-Wrecks]] has a colour scheme which is much more drab than the original ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Ultra Class iteration, with the brown-tinted torso being swapped for a dull grey, and the bright bronze of his helmet being swapped for the same red as his beast-mode skin. More noticeably, only the lower portion of T-Wrecks's crotch is molded blue, with the waist itself being left unpainted grey. It seems that these changes are the result of the wiki's photo of the original toy being primarily used for reference; the lighting in the image is a little misleading, and the toy's posed leaning forward such that its belly overhangs its waist entirely! The ''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks's eyes are also yellow rather than the green of the ''Beast Machines'' toy. It would seem that [[:File:Disclosure-Dinobots.jpg|some of the]] [[:File:TWrecksdinobotspackaging art.jpg|other pictures]] on his page may have played into this color change also.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Beast Machines T-Wrecks.jpg|''Finalized 2000 deco pictured''
File: BM T-Wrecks toy.jpg|''Prototype 2000 deco pictured''
File:WFC-K T-Wrecks stock.jpg|''2021 toy pictured'' His bronze and innocence: Gone.
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The big ones===
{{anchor|Black Roritchi}}
====Black Roritchi's antennae====
For years, the main image for [[Black Roritchi]] on this wiki used an image from the [[2006]] [[Metrodome]] release [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Masterforce'' cartoon]] depicting him against a pitch-black backdrop, which his equally-black antennae blended into. When ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' Black Roritchi was produced in 2020 as a redeco of [[Fasttrack (G1)#Generations|Fasttrack]], the figure was given a custom head solely to remove the antennae under the mistaken belief that he didn't have them. Color-correction in later re-releases of the cartoon would reveal Black Roritchi to have blue antennae against a starfield. The timing of those re-releases? [[2012]]. Oops.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:MF-toy Black Roritchi.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Mf35 guardminder leader.jpg|''2006 [[Metrodome]] version of 1988 anime scene pictured'' He's literally about to turn his head and show off his black antennae.
File:Black roritchi masterforce.jpg|''2012 [[Shout! Studios|Shout! Factory]] restoration pictured'' Uh, make that blue antennae. 
File:GS-toy BlackRoritchi.jpg|''2020 toy pictured'' The only time people wouldn't care if Hasbro [[Rotorstorm (G1)#Generations|accidently forgot to show off the new head]].
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Scrapmetal}}

====''Studio Series'' Scrapmetal====
[[File:ROTF Constructicon concept.jpg|thumb|250px|left|{{SITENAME SHORT}}'s beautiful son. Our little guy.]]
[[File:Studio-Series-MV2-41-Deluxe-Scrapmetal.jpg|thumb|250px|Nobody tell him he was an accident.]]
The character that the wiki identifies as "[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]" was created through a complicated, decade-long tennis match between the wiki and Hasbro. In 2009, shortly after the theatrical release of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', the wiki created a page for the then-nameless character under the half-jokey title "Ze little one". Rather than assuming that the character was a [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] clone, wiki editors at the time decided that he was his own character, as the scene where [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] went underwater featured a yellow Volvo excavator that didn't match to any of the other characters. "Ze little one" quickly picked up an ironic fan following, and by December 2009 Hasbro called him "Scrapmetal" and identified his alternate mode as "the bulldozer."<ref>[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/641 Hasbro Q&A December 2009 at TFviews.com]</ref> The wiki documented this and moved on. Around the same time, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s page noted that the film version of the character was formed from [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|an extra bulldozer]] compared to the official list of his components.

Almost ten years later, Hasbro announced a giant, fully-articulated ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)#Generations|Devastator]] toy formed from multiple Constructicon figures from the ''[[Studio Series]]'' toyline. It is not 100% clear, but what appears to have happened is that whoever was planning the character selection looked at both Devastator and Scrapmetal's pages and decided to marry these two random tidbits by making Scrapmetal the extra bulldozer. ''Then'', the individual(s) assigned to design Scrapmetal's toy consulted the wiki page to figure out who the character was and instead made them a yellow excavator with the robot mode of the concept art randomly chosen for the main picture of the article—the result of the wiki stringing together tidbits of contradictory information from the movie.

{{-}}{{anchor|Sideways}}
====Sideways the dimension-hopper====
[[File:Sidewayses.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|''Can you see all of me? Walk into my mystery Step inside and hold on for dear life'' ''Do you remember me? Capture you or set you free I am all, I am all of me'']]
Oh dear.

In [[2002]], Hasbro released two motorcycle toys bearing the same name: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] and ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. The Hasbro toy bio for the latter recycled much of the same text from the bio of the former, nearly verbatim. This led to speculation at the time about whether or not they were meant to be the same character, ''regardless'' of the differences in toyline release since ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways also came packaged with [[Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise|Axer]], whose own bio hinted at his being the same person as [[Axer (G1)#The Transformers|his Generation 1 namesake]], having crossed dimensions from Generation 1 to ''Robots in Disguise''.

In [[2004]], Takara's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' line released another motorcycle toy named [[Sideways (RM)|Double Face]], who shared the exact same colors and Japanese name of ''Armada'' Sideways. Since the ''Robotmasters'' series was a big crossover event similar in concept to the concurrent ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series, fans in the West initially mistook ''Robotmasters'' for a [[multiverse|multiversal]] event, with characters crossing dimensions from different universes to team up with each other in a Generation 1 setting (as was the case in ''Universe''). In actuality, ''Robotmasters'' only featured time travel, not dimensional travel. But because of the initial misconception, what came next was very easily believed.

In early [[2005]], a mere two months after Double Face's release, a [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/lKVCHWhYoJM/m/1NhElIcSnwwJ fan-given claim] was made online about Takara's official [http://web.archive.org/web/20070618040111/www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/robotmasters/main2.htm ''Robotmasters'' website] supposedly declaring Double Face to be the same character as ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways. When the [[Sideways (Armada)|original TFWiki article for Sideways]] was first being put together in [[2006]], this same claim was reiterated several times on the article's [[Talk:Sideways (Armada)|talk page]], which misled the article's original creators to believe it and treat the ''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', and ''Robotmasters'' characters all as the same Sideways, assuming that ''Robotmasters'' had confirmed the character to have dimension-hopped from another universe into Generation 1 (when it actually ''hadn't'').

With the wiki article treating all three as the same person, able to jump from universe to universe, the article went on to inspire later versions of Sideways, like ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sideways (Animated)|Sideways]] and [[Ask Vector Prime]] [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], who not only were ''explicitly'' presented as dimension-hoppers, but also had ''implicit'' ties to the originally-unrelated ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], which only led to even ''more'' debates about how ''that'' Sideways related to the others, and whether or not ''every'' Sideways was really the ''same'' individual!

It wasn't until late [[2022]] that the validity of the original claim about ''Robotmasters'' Double Face was finally investigated; the results of this investigation revealed that there had actually been ''zero evidence'' in support of the claim found anywhere on the Takara ''Robotmasters'' website. And thanks to this false claim influencing the wiki, Sideways went on to have a reputation for being a multiversal mischief maker who jumps across multiple realities, which was never originally supposed to be the case.
{{-}}
<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)#Toys|Sideways]]
File:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Sideways]] / ''Legends of the Microns'' Double Face
File:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' [[Sideways (RM)#Toys|Double Face]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The littlest one===
====Spelling the word Robo-Smasher====
In perhaps the amusingly smallest example of circular reporting from this wiki, the "[[Robosmasher]]" from the 1985 cartoon episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" was in fact written as one plain word in the episode's script. However, as is prone to happening with televised media, the original dialogue's text was not consulted when a TFWiki article for the device was created in [[2006]], under the hyphenated spelling "Robo-Smasher". This spelling was thus used by the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook page as well as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' text stories in [[2015]] prior to the wiki article being amended in [[2017]] to acknowledge the original spelling.

==Non-TFWiki misreporting==
Of course, people working on official ''Transformers'' material make use of unofficial reference material outside of this wiki, and errors in ''Transformers'' scholarship elsewhere are just as capable of leading to incorrect or occasionally, outright made up, information making it into the final product.


===Incorrectly-colored animation models===
[[File:Incorrect R.E.D. Soundwave Shins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Inaccurate model at left'' ''Accurate model at centre'' ''Off-model 2020 product at right'']]
{{main|Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon}}

The [[1984]]-[[1987]] [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' animated series]] that has become a centerpiece of the brand was, to be blunt, not a high-quality production in the animation department. All four seasons were prone to [[animation error]]s, adding an additional challenge to modern fans attempting to isolate simple views of any given [[character model]]. To make matters worse, Hasbro and licensees have often relied upon a set of fan-colorings from the Ukrainian ''Transformers'' fan website, [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/index.php?pageid=g1encyclopedia Transformers.kiev.ua,] that attempted to recreate Sunbow animation models using screen captures of episodes, while eye dropping the colors from said screen captures, and then replacing the heads of the models with traced headshots also taken from episode screen captures. These fan-colorings regularly make rounds on the web since they are readily available on Pinterest and Fandom wikia pages, making it hard not to come across them through a simple Google Search.

On top of all of this, the models Transformers.kiev.ua would frequently use were also the ones published in [[The Ark series|''The Ark'' series]] books as they were the only real source available for Generation 1 animation models at the time. In the years since, better copies of animation models have surfaced through eBay and various Japanese auction sites, revealing that a large majority of the models used in the books were actually out of date pre-final models that had been revised anywhere from once, to several times afterwards. The author of the books, [[Jim Sorenson]] has also stated in conversation with the wiki team that due to the condition of some of the models he had found or been given access to, [[Bill Forster]] had to sometimes trace, redraw and digitally mend models, such as the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s, to make them more presentable for publishing; this has also led to several inaccuracies with the original model sheets that have surfaced since.

As can be seen in the example at right, the 2020 ''[[Transformers R.E.D.|R.E.D. <nowiki>[</nowiki>Robot Enhanced Design<nowiki>]</nowiki>]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#RED|Soundwave]] figure's shins were incorrectly left blue instead of being painted silver/gray due to Hasbro once again basing the figure on the [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/soundwaveg1.html Transformers.kiev.ua fan-colored model].

Hasbro also tends to use the images from Transformers.kiev.ua whole-hog in their social media posts on Instagram and Facebook for memes, visuals for trivia and holiday celebration posts, as well as using them as placeholder images for pipeline reveals of upcoming figures in the works. A notable example of this was the pipeline reveal of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Devcon (G1)#Legacy|Devcon]], whose [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/devcong1.html placeholder "model" image] isn't even a model at all, rather [[:File:Devcon-Body01.jpg|a couple of]] [[:File:Gambler Devcon vehicle.jpg|traced screencaps]] from the episode "[[The Gambler]]".<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/01/31/transformers-jan-23-livestream-recap-legacy-evolution-wave-2-and-more-474374 Transformers Jan 23 Livestream Recap – Legacy Evolution Wave 2 and More!] at TFW2005</ref> The same had also been done for [[Snarl (G1)#Legacy|Snarl]], [[Bombshell (G1)#Legacy|Bombshell]], [[Dirge (G1)/toys#Legacy|Dirge]], and so on. It's one thing to use them as reference for toys and design inspiration, but the practice of taking them whole-hog without a background check, and using them in official posts is a bit of a shoddy practice, to say the least.
{{--}}

===Other oddities===
====Discmaster====
This might be one of the earliest cases of circular reporting in the history of the ''Transformers'' brand and fandom (and one of the rare, non-visual, text-only cases). The [http://tflab.net/japaspe/second/bd20.html toy bio] for ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Autolauncher]] refers to both himself and his rival [[Mantis]] with the turn of phrase ''enban tsukai'' (円盤使い, meaning "disc user"). When the bio was translated into English in the late 1990s/early 2000s, the phrase was written in English as "Discmaster", with the one responsible having likely taken some creative inspiration from [[Headmaster (technology)|the]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|various]] [[Powermaster|forms]] [[Godmaster (lifeform)|of]] "[[Brainmaster|-master]]" [[Micromaster|technology]] [[Powered Master|of]] Generation 1.

During the mid-2000s, when putting together the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'', longtime fan [[Ben Yee]] (who was co-author of the ''Sourcebook'' with [[Simon Furman]]) took this translation to heart and applied the term to the book's profiles for both Autolauncher and Mantis—unaware that "Discmaster" was actually creative liberty on part of the fan translation and not an accurate representation of what was originally written in the Japanese bio text. As a result, the term "[[Discmaster]]" now referred to a martial art practiced by both characters, despite the term having never actually existed beforehand in the first place.

====Long Haul's size====
[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2]]
The original [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] toy turns into a mining dump truck, of a type unfamiliar to most Americans. Because mining dump trucks can get ''incredibly'' large, it was common for fans to assume that he was meant to turn into one of those massive models. This was further appealing because it served as both a fine example of the franchise's wonky use of [[scale]], and a comical note on Long Haul's characterization as a put-upon unfortunate that he was actually the biggest of all the Constructicons.

Later on, enterprising fans identified Long Haul as a Hitachi DH321, a Japanese model of mining truck that isn't especially big (roughly 7.5 meters long), and would actually put Long Haul pretty close to his teammates in scale, if not outright smaller than some of them. However, by that point, the interpretation of him as a giant had caught on, which led to [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|official comics]] reworking him as "the big one", and the eventual ''[[Combiner Wars]]'' release [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|following suit]] (though his role as Devastator's hip assembly also played a part there).

====''Transformers Legends'' Axe====
[[File:TFLegends Axe vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.5]]
In 2014, the ''Transformers Legends'' mobile game added a card based on [[Axe (G1)|Axe]], a character designed by [[Alex Milne]] for ''[[The Transformers: Drift]]''. However, for alt-mode reference, the card directly copied a piece of fanart created by Sara Guyon-Gellin.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Nicely done, but the game's artist lacks some creativity IMHO. For the design of jet mode in particular. Done and uploaded in 2011. Nice to know my work is good enough that someone officially hired by Hasbro decided there was no need for further adjustment and simply copied his/her own pictures from it :( I mean, couldn't you at least have changed the tail rudders ? </sarcasm>|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/journal/Nice-to-be-an-inspiration-for-official-TF-artists-494832421|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Nice to be an inspiration for official TF artists|year=2014|month=11|day=16}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/art/Axe-alt-modes-studies-252754825|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Axe alt modes - studies|year=2011|month=08|day=14}}</ref> Milne had intended the character to have a land-based mode!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Too bad for the jet part, though, [Alex Milne] told me later Axe was land-based only. Voice of God :/|link=https://www.deviantart.com/comments/1/252754825/2172060396|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|year=2011|month=08|day=30}}</ref> Also, not cool.

{{-}}{{anchor|Menasor}}
====''Combiner Wars'' G2 Menasor====
At first glance, Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''-themed redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Menasor (G1)#CWG2|Menasor]] looks to be a simple homage to the original, canceled ''Generation 2'' toy. However, a closer inspection reveals that it took some notable inspiration from a 2014 fanmade digibash [http://air-hammer.deviantart.com/art/G2-Stunticons-Digibash-471989649 posted to DeviantArt] by longtime fan artist Air Hammer, which was itself based on another fan's [http://cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?p=76573 hand-painted customization] of the original Generation 1 Stunticons in an attempt to recreate the canceled ''Generation 2'' toys. Most glaringly, [[Breakdown (G1)#CWG2|Breakdown]] winds up having [[:File:Generations g2 breakdown.jpg|purple and silver]] in place of the proper [[:File:G2-toy Breakdown.jpg|pink and gold]]. As an extra, the official Transformers Facebook page [[:file:G2Offroad.jpg|posted a promotional pic of the set]] that used the aforemented digibashes of the individual Stunticons instead of their proper stock photos... which featured [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] as the fifth member of the team, rather than [[Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck]] (whose ''Combiner Wars'' version wasn't revealed yet when the digibash was made) as the official set.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G2 Menasor and G2 Defensor.jpg|''Original 1994 deco pictured, left''
File:Transformers-Generations-Combiner-Wars-G2-Menasor.jpg|''2015 deco pictured'' Why, these limbs are the wrong toolings entirel- [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Oh, right.]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====Warriorbot====
[[File:Warriorbot hobby lobby.jpg|thumb|150px]]
In [[2017]], a Hasbro license, [[Open Road Brands]], released a [[:File:Open road brands faction sign.jpg|tin wall sign]] exclusively to Hobby Lobby stores, meant to showcase the many [[Insignia|faction symbols]] from the [[Transformers brand|brand]]'s history, but one symbol stood out. The self-proclaimed "Warriorbots" were never a real thing. So were did they come from? The answer can be found on the "[https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Insignia?diff=prev&oldid=405151 Insignia]" page on the Transformers Fandom (formerly Wikia) wiki from 2014 to 2017, with it being listed among the others. In other words: Whoever designed it used that page as reference.
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[IP infringement#Third party designs in official products and marketing|Mistakes caused by unlicensed toys using ''Transformers'' likenesses]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

Circular reporting

2024-04-06T18:06:30Z

MBG: here's a crazy one i just discovered

[[File:AHM 15cvrB.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The cover for ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|issue #15]], featuring text from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor's article on this wiki.]]]]
As befitting a franchise that has run continuously for {{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}}-1984}} years, the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] is a vast and sprawling one. However, as an intellectual property based around the inherently transient medium of [[To sell toys|merchandising]], both [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] have, historically, taken a laissez-faire approach to storytelling and don't have a complete, centralized repository of internal reference material.

As a result, the largest compendium of ''Transformers'' knowledge is, in fact, this [[TFWiki.Net|very website]] you are reading this article on right now, and many creatives have confirmed that they have used our wiki when writing stories or looking for toy references. While wikis have a few advantages over "in-house" lore bibles—they can be edited by anyone, not just professionals, for instance—their main downside is that... well, they can be edited by anyone. Although we at {{SITENAME SHORT}} strive for accuracy and neutrality when covering ''Transformers'' topics, there have been cases where inaccurate, misleading or misinterpreted information on this very wiki have gone on to inform official ''Transformers'' toys and fiction.

Of course, people working on official Transformers work use references outside of the wiki, namely other sites reporting on ''Transformers'', leaving the door open for many, many more errors. See the [[Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon|miscolorings]] page for more information.

This phenomenon is formally termed '''{{w|circular reporting}}''', commonly nicknamed '''citogenesis''' due to a 2011 [https://xkcd.com/978/ xkcd webcomic strip] that satirized the concept. This article provides a non-comprehensive cross-section of such mishaps.

{{quote|Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|{{w|Gail Simone}}|Twitter<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Now, I am not talking about some niche comic book property, I am talking about massively successful film, game and tv properties. Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913142152/https://twitter.com/GailSimone/status/1304831678045585408|name=Gail Simone|site=Twitter|year=2020|month=09|day=12}}</ref>}}

{{TOC|limit=3}}

==Hasbro's in-house continuity documents==
[[File:Ultimateguide.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Comprehensive. Definitive. Authoritative.]]
In the mid-2000s, Hasbro licensees were provided with copies of [[Simon Furman]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' as reference—notably, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] regularly consulted the guide while writing the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie. In a similar vein, [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprints of [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile series were directly referenced for ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', and have been used by other licensees such as [[Fun Publications]] and [[Space Ape Games]].

The only known example of a high-level continuity document designed solely for internal use was the 2010 [[Binder of Revelation]], compiled to help new creatives in the franchise get up to speed with key characters, concepts, and settings, to bring the various stories they were producing at the time into alignment. This lore bible went on to inform vast swathes of modern ''Transformers'' storytelling, most notably the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon, which proved extremely influential in its own right.

As the creatives behind the Binder have moved on from the company over the years, however, it appears to have fallen by the wayside, with Hasbro happy to have different concurrent media diverge entirely so long as some key synergies remain—such as the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon being informed by the script for the 2018 ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' movie—directing writers to the wiki for lore nitty-gritty. ''Cyberverse'' showrunner [[Randolph Heard]] cites this as one reason for the show's starring roles for many more obscure fan-favourite characters.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I came to this, again, without a lot of ''Transformers'' knowledge, and I was directed to TFWiki, and I started reading TFWiki and I'm like, oh my god, I don't understand ''anything'', is this a multiverse, or- why- why are there so many variations on things? I'm never gonna learn this thing or understand it. And fortunately my staff were very helpful in that regard. But I think that ''Cyberverse'' to me was like, because I came from the outside in a way, I looked at it as a big box of toys, and I could play with any of them. And you know, that's how kids are, right? They're not going to distinguish between a [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] toy, a [[DC Comics|DC]] toy, and something else—if they're cool they'll make a battle between anything. And so to me I felt the freedom, like, yeah, I'll just pick stuff and no-one said no. In fact they seemed delighted that we were bringing back characters. [...] I researched lists of 'weirdest Transformers ever.' [...] I said I don't, you know, I confessed to [[Mikiel Houser]], and he said that's fine, check out the TFWiki and that'll tell you everything you need to know, and I was kind of like- it told me too much, you know? It was overwhelming. And I love TFWiki—they have such great writers, they're hilarious.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vindAiN7YNY&t=1087s|name=Randolph Heard is too kind,|site=Keyan Carlile's Transformer Channel|title=The cancelled TF show BEFORE Cyberverse! (Randolph Heard talks Early Development & Seasons 1-2)|year=2021|month=11|day=20}}</ref> Another franchise newcomer, [[Brian Ruckley]], writer of [[IDW Publishing]]'s rebooted ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' series, plucked a large number of obscure characters from the wiki, in particular a great many [[female Transformer]]s. All of this is to say that the referencing of fan wikis is perfectly normal and can often be positive. It's also why the wiki should strive for completeness and accuracy when documenting the ''Transformers'' universe—as the following cautionary tales show...
{{-}}

==Examples of circular reporting through TFWiki.net==


===Absence of evidence===
[[File:SpotlightHardhead-CaughtInAVortex.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The original Tailwind that went undocumented on this wiki...]]
[[File:BeforeAndAfter-DriftTailwindTentakil.jpg|thumb|200px|...and this guy showed up! Maybe if he gets hurt, [[Mario (ROTF)|he'll shrink back?]]]]
In the [[2008]] comic story ''[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]'', the [[Micromaster]] toy character [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] was given a cameo as one of the many [[Gorlamite]]s attacking [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]—but for many years, Tailwind was the only one whose appearance in that comic was not documented on his own wiki page. As part of a general desire to make use of characters who had yet to be introduced to the [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]], writer [[James Roberts]] evidently decided to check him off the list by writing a full-sized Cybertronian Tailwind into [[Before & After|''More than Meets the Eye'' #12]], being bisected by [[Drift (G1)|Drift]].

{{anchor|Trickshot}}
Similarly, the 2007 online [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] profile for [[Flashdrive]]—based on the Japanese-exclusive Mini-Con Processor—refers to a teammate called "Trickshot", clearly intended to be his fellow [[Micron Booster]] toy Triac; the wiki failed to note this, and soon thereafter the Mini-Con bio regimen ended without Trickshot's own profile being published. Thusly, the 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]] column would instead give Triac the localized identity of "[[Bingo]]".
{{-}}

===Text transfer===
====(Heavy) Artillery Drones====
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Once we were nameless...]]
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone robot.jpg|thumb|200px|...until a mix-up gave us our name!]]
The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] belonging to [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] were never named in the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' cartoon]], [[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|toyline]], or related media. Back when TFWiki started out on Wikia (now Fandom), [https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Special:Contributions/72.48.102.5 an anonymous user] created the article for Strika's drones in [[2008]] using the fan name "Heavy Artillery Drone". Due to an oversight (as no one knew that it ''wasn't'' an official name), this remained the article's name for nearly a decade.

In a non-visual, text-only instance of this roundabout reporting, the [[2016]] prose story "[[Derailment]]" officially named Strika's drones as "Artillery Drones" based on the wiki's use of the name "Heavy Artillery Drone". The article was soon moved to "[[Artillery Drone]]" shortly after in early [[2017]], to reflect the official name. But, the official name only came about in the first place because of the wiki unknowingly using a completely made-up fan name.
{{-}}

===Coloring conundrums===
The use of {{SITENAME SHORT}} images as color references can occasionally result in... interesting... new color schemes. Original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Horri-Bull}}
====IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' Horri-Bull====
In the [[IDW Publishing]] comic issue [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|''Robots in Disguise'' #1]], [[Horri-Bull]]'s colorization is apparently based on photos of a [[Photodegradation|photodegradated]] example of his original toy that was once used on his page. When asked, colorist [[Josh Perez]] said he chose to use the yellow to "help him stick out a lot more".<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/84653-idw-rid-teaser-images/page-5|name=Josh Perez|site=The Allspark forums|defunct=yes}}</ref>

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy-Horri-Bull.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Horribull bullhorn toy.jpg|''Degraded toy pictured''
File:Autonomy Lesson Horri-Bull Zetca.jpg|''2012 comic scene pictured'' [[Photodegradation|It's canon folks!]]
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Vortex}}
====''Fall of Cybertron'' Vortex====
[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]]'s color scheme in ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' is an unusual red and beige, derived from [[Vortex (G1)|G1 Vortex]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' character art that is his main page image—in particular, our previously-used scan of the artwork makes it appear to have a much warmer tone than it does in print, shifting the gray towards brown and the lilac towards pink. These tones influenced the coloring of Vortex's ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[:File:FOC Vortex.jpg|concept art]], which evolved to the in-game colors.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1Vortex toy.jpg|''Original 1985 deco pictured''
File:MTMTE2003-Vortex.jpg|''Better scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:MTMTEVortex.jpg|''Worse scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:FOC-HMS-render-Vortex-robot mode.jpg|''2012 game render pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Roadburner}}

====''Legends'' Roadburner====
[[Roadburner]]'s 2013 appearance in the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game can only be described as a fit of insanity. His appearance is based on a catastrophic misinterpretation of this wiki's photography for the toy, depicting his partner [[Wheel Blaze]] as white... because they didn't understand the greyed-out photo this wiki uses to indicate ''which toy the article isn't about''. To make matters worse, it is highly likely Roadburner ''wasn't supposed to be in the game to begin with.'' Considering that the theme of [[By Land, Sea, or Air|the event he appeared in]] was basically "These Autobots with military alt-modes do stuff," and the fact that [[Roadbuster (G1)|Road''buster'']] would make more sense given [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]'s prevalence in said event... yeah. Not helping matters is that when in the process of typing "Roadbuster" into this wiki's search bar, Roadburner shows up first in the search results. Someone must have been in a hurry.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1-toy Roadburner.jpg|''1990 toy pictured'' HOW???
File:TFLegends-Roadburner.jpg|''2013 art pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Azimuth}}

====IDW ''Transformers'' Azimuth====
[[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] was originally a minor character who appeared in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]''. Beyond a brief namedrop, she went unseen for several years until 2015, when the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook feature revealed that she sported a body based on the gold MC-6 ''[[Kronoform]]'' toy. However, when [[Azimuth (G1)|a new incarnation of Azimuth]] appeared in 2020, in IDW's ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' comic, she was colored silver—a mixup that almost assuredly stems from the photo on Azimuth's wiki article more prominently displaying ''that'' figure, with the "correct" gold figure tucked away on the far right.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Aligned Azimuth Toy.jpg|''Original 1993 deco pictured''
File:Mc-06 kronoform catalog.jpg|''Catalogue scan uploaded to the wiki in 2015'' Hey, she got a [[Azimuth (G1)#Toys|''Transformers'' toy]] out of it.
File:Tremors-Azimuth.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured'' You know what, you're welcome.
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Dile}}
====''Earth Wars'' Dile====
In the ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'' mobile game, [[Dile]] was revealed as a forthcoming character in early September 2020, sporting an unusual gray and purple deco which doesn't match his toy's colors at all. The following month, [[Space Ape Games]] put out a new render via their official newsletter, explaining that the original colors were based on the washed out scan of his card art seen at the top of his TFWiki character page. This makes it one of the few known instances where circular reporting was caught and corrected before release. The new render instead uses a more light-green and silvery hue based on a somewhat color-corrected version of the card art, rather than the much more pronounced green of [[:File:G1toy dile.jpg|the toy itself]].

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy dile.jpg|''Original 1987 toy pictured''
File:G1 Dial boxart.jpg|''Scan of 1987 art pictured'' A washout, that's all you are! A washout!
File:Early Dile-EarthWars.jpg|''Initial 2020 CG model pictured''
File:Dile Fixed-EarthWars.jpg|''Finalized 2020 CG model pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====''Siege'' Ion Storm====
The stock photography for ''Siege'' [[Ion Storm]]'s jet mode mistakenly showed [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Thundercracker]]'s jet instead—which is nearly identical apart from red highlights. With the 2019 [[Rainmaker]]s set being hard to come by, this erroneous image was used on the wiki for a couple of years, and appears highly in Google Image searches—leading Ion Storm's jet mode to be colored according as Thundercracker in [[Volcanicus comic 2|a TakaraTomy comic]] released in September 2020 and in [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|an IDW comic]] released in September 2021.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:TF-Generations-WFC-S-Rainmaker-3-pack-Ion-Storm.jpg|''Erroneous 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:Siege-toy IonStorm.jpg|''True 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:GS-Volcanicus comic 2-Rainmakers.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured''
File:SeaOfRustPartII-Rainmakers.jpg|''2021 comic scene pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===Deco disasters===
On rare occasions the aforementioned coloring misadventures can escalate to the point of affecting the characters' actual future toys. Once again, original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Igu}}
====''Prime 10 Year Anniversary'' Igu====
The ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Post-Prime releases|10 Year Anniversary]]'' reissue of [[Igu]] ([[Vehicon (Prime)|Jet Vehicon]]'s [[Arms Micron]] partner from the [[TakaraTomy]] ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|Prime]]'' toyline) mistakenly colors him bright silver, as opposed to the black of the original release.

This can be attributed to the set designer using the first image in the "Toys" subheading of Igu's wiki page for reference—which was actually an "elite" redeco packed with [[Vehicon (Prime)#JetGeneral|Jet Vehicon General]]. The original black release of Igu is used as the article's mainpic instead of being used in the "Toys" section, due to a lack of images of his vanishingly few fictional appearances. From a toy design perspective, this error means that the now-silver Igu breaks aesthetic cohesion with his mostly-black partner Jet Vehicon.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Prime-toy Igu.jpg|''Original 2012 deco pictured''
File:Primetoy-TakaraTomy-ArmsMicronIguS.jpg|''Secondary 2013 deco pictured'' Please, "Igu S" was my father.
File:Prime-toy Igu 10Year.jpg|''2020 reissue deco pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|T-Wrecks}}
====''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks====
The ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Leader Class toy of [[T-Wrecks#Generations|T-Wrecks]] has a colour scheme which is much more drab than the original ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Ultra Class iteration, with the brown-tinted torso being swapped for a dull grey, and the bright bronze of his helmet being swapped for the same red as his beast-mode skin. More noticeably, only the lower portion of T-Wrecks's crotch is molded blue, with the waist itself being left unpainted grey. It seems that these changes are the result of the wiki's photo of the original toy being primarily used for reference; the lighting in the image is a little misleading, and the toy's posed leaning forward such that its belly overhangs its waist entirely! The ''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks's eyes are also yellow rather than the green of the ''Beast Machines'' toy. It would seem that [[:File:Disclosure-Dinobots.jpg|some of the]] [[:File:TWrecksdinobotspackaging art.jpg|other pictures]] on his page may have played into this color change also.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Beast Machines T-Wrecks.jpg|''Finalized 2000 deco pictured''
File: BM T-Wrecks toy.jpg|''Prototype 2000 deco pictured''
File:WFC-K T-Wrecks stock.jpg|''2021 toy pictured'' His bronze and innocence: Gone.
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The big ones===
{{anchor|Black Roritchi}}
====Black Roritchi's antennae====
For years, the main image for [[Black Roritchi]] on this wiki used an image from the [[2006]] [[Metrodome]] release [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Masterforce'' cartoon]] depicting him against a pitch-black backdrop, which his equally-black antennae blended into. When ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' Black Roritchi was produced in 2020 as a redeco of [[Fasttrack (G1)#Generations|Fasttrack]], the figure was given a custom head solely to remove the antennae under the mistaken belief that he didn't have them. Color-correction in later re-releases of the cartoon would reveal Black Roritchi to have blue antennae against a starfield. The timing of those re-releases? [[2012]]. Oops.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:MF-toy Black Roritchi.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Mf35 guardminder leader.jpg|''2006 [[Metrodome]] version of 1988 anime scene pictured'' He's literally about to turn his head and show off his black antennae.
File:Black roritchi masterforce.jpg|''2012 [[Shout! Studios|Shout! Factory]] restoration pictured'' Uh, make that blue antennae. 
File:GS-toy BlackRoritchi.jpg|''2020 toy pictured'' The only time people wouldn't care if Hasbro [[Rotorstorm (G1)#Generations|accidently forgot to show off the new head]].
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Scrapmetal}}

====''Studio Series'' Scrapmetal====
[[File:ROTF Constructicon concept.jpg|thumb|250px|left|{{SITENAME SHORT}}'s beautiful son. Our little guy.]]
[[File:Studio-Series-MV2-41-Deluxe-Scrapmetal.jpg|thumb|250px|Nobody tell him he was an accident.]]
The character that the wiki identifies as "[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]" was created through a complicated, decade-long tennis match between the wiki and Hasbro. In 2009, shortly after the theatrical release of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', the wiki created a page for the then-nameless character under the half-jokey title "Ze little one". Rather than assuming that the character was a [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] clone, wiki editors at the time decided that he was his own character, as the scene where [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] went underwater featured a yellow Volvo excavator that didn't match to any of the other characters. "Ze little one" quickly picked up an ironic fan following, and by December 2009 Hasbro called him "Scrapmetal" and identified his alternate mode as "the bulldozer."<ref>[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/641 Hasbro Q&A December 2009 at TFviews.com]</ref> The wiki documented this and moved on. Around the same time, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s page noted that the film version of the character was formed from [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|an extra bulldozer]] compared to the official list of his components.

Almost ten years later, Hasbro announced a giant, fully-articulated ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)#Generations|Devastator]] toy formed from multiple Constructicon figures from the ''[[Studio Series]]'' toyline. It is not 100% clear, but what appears to have happened is that whoever was planning the character selection looked at both Devastator and Scrapmetal's pages and decided to marry these two random tidbits by making Scrapmetal the extra bulldozer. ''Then'', the individual(s) assigned to design Scrapmetal's toy consulted the wiki page to figure out who the character was and instead made them a yellow excavator with the robot mode of the concept art randomly chosen for the main picture of the article—the result of the wiki stringing together tidbits of contradictory information from the movie.

{{-}}{{anchor|Sideways}}
====Sideways the dimension-hopper====
[[File:Sidewayses.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|''Can you see all of me? Walk into my mystery Step inside and hold on for dear life'' ''Do you remember me? Capture you or set you free I am all, I am all of me'']]
Oh dear.

In [[2002]], Hasbro released two motorcycle toys bearing the same name: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] and ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. The Hasbro toy bio for the latter recycled much of the same text from the bio of the former, nearly verbatim. This led to speculation at the time about whether or not they were meant to be the same character, ''regardless'' of the differences in toyline release since ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways also came packaged with [[Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise|Axer]], whose own bio hinted at his being the same person as [[Axer (G1)#The Transformers|his Generation 1 namesake]], having crossed dimensions from Generation 1 to ''Robots in Disguise''.

In [[2004]], Takara's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' line released another motorcycle toy named [[Sideways (RM)|Double Face]], who shared the exact same colors and Japanese name of ''Armada'' Sideways. Since the ''Robotmasters'' series was a big crossover event similar in concept to the concurrent ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series, fans in the West initially mistook ''Robotmasters'' for a [[multiverse|multiversal]] event, with characters crossing dimensions from different universes to team up with each other in a Generation 1 setting (as was the case in ''Universe''). In actuality, ''Robotmasters'' only featured time travel, not dimensional travel. But because of the initial misconception, what came next was very easily believed.

In early [[2005]], a mere two months after Double Face's release, a [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/lKVCHWhYoJM/m/1NhElIcSnwwJ fan-given claim] was made online about Takara's official [http://web.archive.org/web/20070618040111/www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/robotmasters/main2.htm ''Robotmasters'' website] supposedly declaring Double Face to be the same character as ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways. When the [[Sideways (Armada)|original TFWiki article for Sideways]] was first being put together in [[2006]], this same claim was reiterated several times on the article's [[Talk:Sideways (Armada)|talk page]], which misled the article's original creators to believe it and treat the ''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', and ''Robotmasters'' characters all as the same Sideways, assuming that ''Robotmasters'' had confirmed the character to have dimension-hopped from another universe into Generation 1 (when it actually ''hadn't'').

With the wiki article treating all three as the same person, able to jump from universe to universe, the article went on to inspire later versions of Sideways, like ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sideways (Animated)|Sideways]] and [[Ask Vector Prime]] [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], who not only were ''explicitly'' presented as dimension-hoppers, but also had ''implicit'' ties to the originally-unrelated ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], which only led to even ''more'' debates about how ''that'' Sideways related to the others, and whether or not ''every'' Sideways was really the ''same'' individual!

It wasn't until late [[2022]] that the validity of the original claim about ''Robotmasters'' Double Face was finally investigated; the results of this investigation revealed that there had actually been ''zero evidence'' in support of the claim found anywhere on the Takara ''Robotmasters'' website. And thanks to this false claim influencing the wiki, Sideways went on to have a reputation for being a multiversal mischief maker who jumps across multiple realities, which was never originally supposed to be the case.
{{-}}
<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)#Toys|Sideways]]
File:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Sideways]] / ''Legends of the Microns'' Double Face
File:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' [[Sideways (RM)#Toys|Double Face]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The littlest one===
====Spelling the word Robo-Smasher====
In perhaps the amusingly smallest example of circular reporting from this wiki, the "[[Robosmasher]]" from the 1985 cartoon episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" was in fact written as one plain word in the episode's script. However, as is prone to happening with televised media, the original dialogue's text was not consulted when a TFWiki article for the device was created in [[2006]], under the hyphenated spelling "Robo-Smasher". This spelling was thus used by the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook page as well as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' text stories in [[2015]] prior to the wiki article being amended in [[2017]] to acknowledge the original spelling.

==Non-TFWiki misreporting==
Of course, people working on official ''Transformers'' material make use of unofficial reference material outside of this wiki, and errors in ''Transformers'' scholarship elsewhere are just as capable of leading to incorrect or occasionally, outright made up, information making it into the final product.


===Incorrectly-colored animation models===
[[File:Incorrect R.E.D. Soundwave Shins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Inaccurate model at left'' ''Accurate model at centre'' ''Off-model 2020 product at right'']]
{{main|Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon}}

The [[1984]]-[[1987]] [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' animated series]] that has become a centerpiece of the brand was, to be blunt, not a high-quality production in the animation department. All four seasons were prone to [[animation error]]s, adding an additional challenge to modern fans attempting to isolate simple views of any given [[character model]]. To make matters worse, Hasbro and licensees have often relied upon a set of fan-colorings from the Ukrainian ''Transformers'' fan website, [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/index.php?pageid=g1encyclopedia Transformers.kiev.ua,] that attempted to recreate Sunbow animation models using screen captures of episodes, while eye dropping the colors from said screen captures, and then replacing the heads of the models with traced headshots also taken from episode screen captures. These fan-colorings regularly make rounds on the web since they are readily available on Pinterest and Fandom wikia pages, making it hard not to come across them through a simple Google Search.

On top of all of this, the models Transformers.kiev.ua would frequently use were also the ones published in [[The Ark series|''The Ark'' series]] books as they were the only real source available for Generation 1 animation models at the time. In the years since, better copies of animation models have surfaced through eBay and various Japanese auction sites, revealing that a large majority of the models used in the books were actually out of date pre-final models that had been revised anywhere from once, to several times afterwards. The author of the books, [[Jim Sorenson]] has also stated in conversation with the wiki team that due to the condition of some of the models he had found or been given access to, [[Bill Forster]] had to sometimes trace, redraw and digitally mend models, such as the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s, to make them more presentable for publishing; this has also led to several inaccuracies with the original model sheets that have surfaced since.

As can be seen in the example at right, the 2020 ''[[Transformers R.E.D.|R.E.D. <nowiki>[</nowiki>Robot Enhanced Design<nowiki>]</nowiki>]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#RED|Soundwave]] figure's shins were incorrectly left blue instead of being painted silver/gray due to Hasbro once again basing the figure on the [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/soundwaveg1.html Transformers.kiev.ua fan-colored model].

Hasbro also tends to use the images from Transformers.kiev.ua whole-hog in their social media posts on Instagram and Facebook for memes, visuals for trivia and holiday celebration posts, as well as using them as placeholder images for pipeline reveals of upcoming figures in the works. A notable example of this was the pipeline reveal of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Devcon (G1)#Legacy|Devcon]], whose [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/devcong1.html placeholder "model" image] isn't even a model at all, rather [[:File:Devcon-Body01.jpg|a couple of]] [[:File:Gambler Devcon vehicle.jpg|traced screencaps]] from the episode "[[The Gambler]]".<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/01/31/transformers-jan-23-livestream-recap-legacy-evolution-wave-2-and-more-474374 Transformers Jan 23 Livestream Recap – Legacy Evolution Wave 2 and More!] at TFW2005</ref> The same had also been done for [[Snarl (G1)#Legacy|Snarl]], [[Bombshell (G1)#Legacy|Bombshell]], [[Dirge (G1)/toys#Legacy|Dirge]], and so on. It's one thing to use them as reference for toys and design inspiration, but the practice of taking them whole-hog without a background check, and using them in official posts is a bit of a shoddy practice, to say the least.
{{--}}

===Other oddities===
====Discmaster====
This might be one of the earliest cases of circular reporting in the history of the ''Transformers'' brand and fandom (and one of the rare, non-visual, text-only cases). The [http://tflab.net/japaspe/second/bd20.html toy bio] for ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Autolauncher]] refers to both himself and his rival [[Mantis]] with the turn of phrase ''enban tsukai'' (円盤使い, meaning "disc user"). When the bio was translated into English in the late 1990s/early 2000s, the phrase was written in English as "Discmaster", with the one responsible having likely taken some creative inspiration from [[Headmaster (technology)|the]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|various]] [[Powermaster|forms]] [[Godmaster (lifeform)|of]] "[[Brainmaster|-master]]" [[Micromaster|technology]] [[Powered Master|of]] Generation 1.

During the mid-2000s, when putting together the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'', longtime fan [[Ben Yee]] (who was co-author of the ''Sourcebook'' with [[Simon Furman]]) took this translation to heart and applied the term to the book's profiles for both Autolauncher and Mantis—unaware that "Discmaster" was actually creative liberty on part of the fan translation and not an accurate representation of what was originally written in the Japanese bio text. As a result, the term "[[Discmaster]]" now referred to a martial art practiced by both characters, despite the term having never actually existed beforehand in the first place.

====Long Haul's size====
[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2]]]]
The original [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] toy turns into a mining dump truck, of a type unfamiliar to most Americans. Because mining dump trucks can get ''incredibly'' large, it was common for fans to assume that he was meant to turn into one of those massive models. This was further appealing because it served as both a fine example of the franchise's wonky use of [[scale]], and a comical note on Long Haul's characterization as a put-upon unfortunate that he was actually the biggest of all the Constructicons.

Later on, enterprising fans identified Long Haul as a Hitachi DH321, a Japanese model of mining truck that isn't especially big (roughly 7.5 meters long), and would actually put Long Haul pretty close to his teammates in scale, if not outright smaller than some of them. However, by that point, the interpretation of him as a giant had caught on, which led to [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|official comics]] reworking him as "the big one", and the eventual ''[[Combiner Wars]]'' release [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|following suit]] (though his role as Devastator's hip assembly also played a part there).

====''Transformers Legends'' Axe====
[[File:TFLegends Axe vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.5]]
In 2014, the ''Transformers Legends'' mobile game added a card based on [[Axe (G1)|Axe]], a character designed by [[Alex Milne]] for ''[[The Transformers: Drift]]''. However, for alt-mode reference, the card directly copied a piece of fanart created by Sara Guyon-Gellin.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Nicely done, but the game's artist lacks some creativity IMHO. For the design of jet mode in particular. Done and uploaded in 2011. Nice to know my work is good enough that someone officially hired by Hasbro decided there was no need for further adjustment and simply copied his/her own pictures from it :( I mean, couldn't you at least have changed the tail rudders ? </sarcasm>|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/journal/Nice-to-be-an-inspiration-for-official-TF-artists-494832421|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Nice to be an inspiration for official TF artists|year=2014|month=11|day=16}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/art/Axe-alt-modes-studies-252754825|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Axe alt modes - studies|year=2011|month=08|day=14}}</ref> Milne had intended the character to have a land-based mode!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Too bad for the jet part, though, [Alex Milne] told me later Axe was land-based only. Voice of God :/|link=https://www.deviantart.com/comments/1/252754825/2172060396|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|year=2011|month=08|day=30}}</ref> Also, not cool.

{{-}}{{anchor|Menasor}}
====''Combiner Wars'' G2 Menasor====
At first glance, Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''-themed redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Menasor (G1)#CWG2|Menasor]] looks to be a simple homage to the original, canceled ''Generation 2'' toy. However, a closer inspection reveals that it took some notable inspiration from a 2014 fanmade digibash [http://air-hammer.deviantart.com/art/G2-Stunticons-Digibash-471989649 posted to DeviantArt] by longtime fan artist Air Hammer, which was itself based on another fan's [http://cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?p=76573 hand-painted customization] of the original Generation 1 Stunticons in an attempt to recreate the canceled ''Generation 2'' toys. Most glaringly, [[Breakdown (G1)#CWG2|Breakdown]] winds up having [[:File:Generations g2 breakdown.jpg|purple and silver]] in place of the proper [[:File:G2-toy Breakdown.jpg|pink and gold]]. As an extra, the official Transformers Facebook page [[:file:G2Offroad.jpg|posted a promotional pic of the set]] that used the aforemented digibashes of the individual Stunticons instead of their proper stock photos... which featured [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] as the fifth member of the team, rather than [[Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck]] (whose ''Combiner Wars'' version wasn't revealed yet when the digibash was made) as the official set.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G2 Menasor and G2 Defensor.jpg|''Original 1994 deco pictured, left''
File:Transformers-Generations-Combiner-Wars-G2-Menasor.jpg|''2015 deco pictured'' Why, these limbs are the wrong toolings entirel- [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Oh, right.]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====Warriorbot====
[[File:Warriorbot hobby lobby.jpg|thumb|150px]]
In [[2017]], a Hasbro license, [[Open Road Brands]], released a [[:File:Open road brands faction sign.jpg|tin wall sign]] exclusively to Hobby Lobby stores, meant to showcase the many [[Insignia|faction symbols]] from the [[Transformers brand|brand]]'s history, but one symbol stood out. The self-proclaimed "Warriorbots" were never a real thing. So were did they come from? The answer can be found on the "[https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Insignia?diff=prev&oldid=405151 Insignia]" page on the Transformers Fandom (formerly Wikia) wiki from 2014 to 2017, with it being listed among the others. In other words: Whoever designed it used that page as reference.
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[IP infringement#Third party designs in official products and marketing|Mistakes caused by unlicensed toys using ''Transformers'' likenesses]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

Circular reporting

2024-04-06T18:05:35Z

MBG: here's a crazy one i just discovered

[[File:AHM 15cvrB.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The cover for ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|issue #15]], featuring text from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor's article on this wiki.]]]]
As befitting a franchise that has run continuously for {{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}}-1984}} years, the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] is a vast and sprawling one. However, as an intellectual property based around the inherently transient medium of [[To sell toys|merchandising]], both [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] have, historically, taken a laissez-faire approach to storytelling and don't have a complete, centralized repository of internal reference material.

As a result, the largest compendium of ''Transformers'' knowledge is, in fact, this [[TFWiki.Net|very website]] you are reading this article on right now, and many creatives have confirmed that they have used our wiki when writing stories or looking for toy references. While wikis have a few advantages over "in-house" lore bibles—they can be edited by anyone, not just professionals, for instance—their main downside is that... well, they can be edited by anyone. Although we at {{SITENAME SHORT}} strive for accuracy and neutrality when covering ''Transformers'' topics, there have been cases where inaccurate, misleading or misinterpreted information on this very wiki have gone on to inform official ''Transformers'' toys and fiction.

Of course, people working on official Transformers work use references outside of the wiki, namely other sites reporting on ''Transformers'', leaving the door open for many, many more errors. See the [[Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon|miscolorings]] page for more information.

This phenomenon is formally termed '''{{w|circular reporting}}''', commonly nicknamed '''citogenesis''' due to a 2011 [https://xkcd.com/978/ xkcd webcomic strip] that satirized the concept. This article provides a non-comprehensive cross-section of such mishaps.

{{quote|Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|{{w|Gail Simone}}|Twitter<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Now, I am not talking about some niche comic book property, I am talking about massively successful film, game and tv properties. Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913142152/https://twitter.com/GailSimone/status/1304831678045585408|name=Gail Simone|site=Twitter|year=2020|month=09|day=12}}</ref>}}

{{TOC|limit=3}}

==Hasbro's in-house continuity documents==
[[File:Ultimateguide.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Comprehensive. Definitive. Authoritative.]]
In the mid-2000s, Hasbro licensees were provided with copies of [[Simon Furman]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' as reference—notably, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] regularly consulted the guide while writing the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie. In a similar vein, [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprints of [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile series were directly referenced for ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', and have been used by other licensees such as [[Fun Publications]] and [[Space Ape Games]].

The only known example of a high-level continuity document designed solely for internal use was the 2010 [[Binder of Revelation]], compiled to help new creatives in the franchise get up to speed with key characters, concepts, and settings, to bring the various stories they were producing at the time into alignment. This lore bible went on to inform vast swathes of modern ''Transformers'' storytelling, most notably the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon, which proved extremely influential in its own right.

As the creatives behind the Binder have moved on from the company over the years, however, it appears to have fallen by the wayside, with Hasbro happy to have different concurrent media diverge entirely so long as some key synergies remain—such as the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon being informed by the script for the 2018 ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' movie—directing writers to the wiki for lore nitty-gritty. ''Cyberverse'' showrunner [[Randolph Heard]] cites this as one reason for the show's starring roles for many more obscure fan-favourite characters.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I came to this, again, without a lot of ''Transformers'' knowledge, and I was directed to TFWiki, and I started reading TFWiki and I'm like, oh my god, I don't understand ''anything'', is this a multiverse, or- why- why are there so many variations on things? I'm never gonna learn this thing or understand it. And fortunately my staff were very helpful in that regard. But I think that ''Cyberverse'' to me was like, because I came from the outside in a way, I looked at it as a big box of toys, and I could play with any of them. And you know, that's how kids are, right? They're not going to distinguish between a [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] toy, a [[DC Comics|DC]] toy, and something else—if they're cool they'll make a battle between anything. And so to me I felt the freedom, like, yeah, I'll just pick stuff and no-one said no. In fact they seemed delighted that we were bringing back characters. [...] I researched lists of 'weirdest Transformers ever.' [...] I said I don't, you know, I confessed to [[Mikiel Houser]], and he said that's fine, check out the TFWiki and that'll tell you everything you need to know, and I was kind of like- it told me too much, you know? It was overwhelming. And I love TFWiki—they have such great writers, they're hilarious.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vindAiN7YNY&t=1087s|name=Randolph Heard is too kind,|site=Keyan Carlile's Transformer Channel|title=The cancelled TF show BEFORE Cyberverse! (Randolph Heard talks Early Development & Seasons 1-2)|year=2021|month=11|day=20}}</ref> Another franchise newcomer, [[Brian Ruckley]], writer of [[IDW Publishing]]'s rebooted ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' series, plucked a large number of obscure characters from the wiki, in particular a great many [[female Transformer]]s. All of this is to say that the referencing of fan wikis is perfectly normal and can often be positive. It's also why the wiki should strive for completeness and accuracy when documenting the ''Transformers'' universe—as the following cautionary tales show...
{{-}}

==Examples of circular reporting through TFWiki.net==


===Absence of evidence===
[[File:SpotlightHardhead-CaughtInAVortex.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The original Tailwind that went undocumented on this wiki...]]
[[File:BeforeAndAfter-DriftTailwindTentakil.jpg|thumb|200px|...and this guy showed up! Maybe if he gets hurt, [[Mario (ROTF)|he'll shrink back?]]]]
In the [[2008]] comic story ''[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]'', the [[Micromaster]] toy character [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] was given a cameo as one of the many [[Gorlamite]]s attacking [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]—but for many years, Tailwind was the only one whose appearance in that comic was not documented on his own wiki page. As part of a general desire to make use of characters who had yet to be introduced to the [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]], writer [[James Roberts]] evidently decided to check him off the list by writing a full-sized Cybertronian Tailwind into [[Before & After|''More than Meets the Eye'' #12]], being bisected by [[Drift (G1)|Drift]].

{{anchor|Trickshot}}
Similarly, the 2007 online [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] profile for [[Flashdrive]]—based on the Japanese-exclusive Mini-Con Processor—refers to a teammate called "Trickshot", clearly intended to be his fellow [[Micron Booster]] toy Triac; the wiki failed to note this, and soon thereafter the Mini-Con bio regimen ended without Trickshot's own profile being published. Thusly, the 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]] column would instead give Triac the localized identity of "[[Bingo]]".
{{-}}

===Text transfer===
====(Heavy) Artillery Drones====
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Once we were nameless...]]
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone robot.jpg|thumb|200px|...until a mix-up gave us our name!]]
The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] belonging to [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] were never named in the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' cartoon]], [[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|toyline]], or related media. Back when TFWiki started out on Wikia (now Fandom), [https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Special:Contributions/72.48.102.5 an anonymous user] created the article for Strika's drones in [[2008]] using the fan name "Heavy Artillery Drone". Due to an oversight (as no one knew that it ''wasn't'' an official name), this remained the article's name for nearly a decade.

In a non-visual, text-only instance of this roundabout reporting, the [[2016]] prose story "[[Derailment]]" officially named Strika's drones as "Artillery Drones" based on the wiki's use of the name "Heavy Artillery Drone". The article was soon moved to "[[Artillery Drone]]" shortly after in early [[2017]], to reflect the official name. But, the official name only came about in the first place because of the wiki unknowingly using a completely made-up fan name.
{{-}}

===Coloring conundrums===
The use of {{SITENAME SHORT}} images as color references can occasionally result in... interesting... new color schemes. Original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Horri-Bull}}
====IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' Horri-Bull====
In the [[IDW Publishing]] comic issue [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|''Robots in Disguise'' #1]], [[Horri-Bull]]'s colorization is apparently based on photos of a [[Photodegradation|photodegradated]] example of his original toy that was once used on his page. When asked, colorist [[Josh Perez]] said he chose to use the yellow to "help him stick out a lot more".<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/84653-idw-rid-teaser-images/page-5|name=Josh Perez|site=The Allspark forums|defunct=yes}}</ref>

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy-Horri-Bull.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Horribull bullhorn toy.jpg|''Degraded toy pictured''
File:Autonomy Lesson Horri-Bull Zetca.jpg|''2012 comic scene pictured'' [[Photodegradation|It's canon folks!]]
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Vortex}}
====''Fall of Cybertron'' Vortex====
[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]]'s color scheme in ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' is an unusual red and beige, derived from [[Vortex (G1)|G1 Vortex]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' character art that is his main page image—in particular, our previously-used scan of the artwork makes it appear to have a much warmer tone than it does in print, shifting the gray towards brown and the lilac towards pink. These tones influenced the coloring of Vortex's ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[:File:FOC Vortex.jpg|concept art]], which evolved to the in-game colors.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1Vortex toy.jpg|''Original 1985 deco pictured''
File:MTMTE2003-Vortex.jpg|''Better scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:MTMTEVortex.jpg|''Worse scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:FOC-HMS-render-Vortex-robot mode.jpg|''2012 game render pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Roadburner}}

====''Legends'' Roadburner====
[[Roadburner]]'s 2013 appearance in the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game can only be described as a fit of insanity. His appearance is based on a catastrophic misinterpretation of this wiki's photography for the toy, depicting his partner [[Wheel Blaze]] as white... because they didn't understand the greyed-out photo this wiki uses to indicate ''which toy the article isn't about''. To make matters worse, it is highly likely Roadburner ''wasn't supposed to be in the game to begin with.'' Considering that the theme of [[By Land, Sea, or Air|the event he appeared in]] was basically "These Autobots with military alt-modes do stuff," and the fact that [[Roadbuster (G1)|Road''buster'']] would make more sense given [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]'s prevalence in said event... yeah. Not helping matters is that when in the process of typing "Roadbuster" into this wiki's search bar, Roadburner shows up first in the search results. Someone must have been in a hurry.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1-toy Roadburner.jpg|''1990 toy pictured'' HOW???
File:TFLegends-Roadburner.jpg|''2013 art pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Azimuth}}

====IDW ''Transformers'' Azimuth====
[[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] was originally a minor character who appeared in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]''. Beyond a brief namedrop, she went unseen for several years until 2015, when the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook feature revealed that she sported a body based on the gold MC-6 ''[[Kronoform]]'' toy. However, when [[Azimuth (G1)|a new incarnation of Azimuth]] appeared in 2020, in IDW's ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' comic, she was colored silver—a mixup that almost assuredly stems from the photo on Azimuth's wiki article more prominently displaying ''that'' figure, with the "correct" gold figure tucked away on the far right.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Aligned Azimuth Toy.jpg|''Original 1993 deco pictured''
File:Mc-06 kronoform catalog.jpg|''Catalogue scan uploaded to the wiki in 2015'' Hey, she got a [[Azimuth (G1)#Toys|''Transformers'' toy]] out of it.
File:Tremors-Azimuth.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured'' You know what, you're welcome.
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Dile}}
====''Earth Wars'' Dile====
In the ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'' mobile game, [[Dile]] was revealed as a forthcoming character in early September 2020, sporting an unusual gray and purple deco which doesn't match his toy's colors at all. The following month, [[Space Ape Games]] put out a new render via their official newsletter, explaining that the original colors were based on the washed out scan of his card art seen at the top of his TFWiki character page. This makes it one of the few known instances where circular reporting was caught and corrected before release. The new render instead uses a more light-green and silvery hue based on a somewhat color-corrected version of the card art, rather than the much more pronounced green of [[:File:G1toy dile.jpg|the toy itself]].

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy dile.jpg|''Original 1987 toy pictured''
File:G1 Dial boxart.jpg|''Scan of 1987 art pictured'' A washout, that's all you are! A washout!
File:Early Dile-EarthWars.jpg|''Initial 2020 CG model pictured''
File:Dile Fixed-EarthWars.jpg|''Finalized 2020 CG model pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====''Siege'' Ion Storm====
The stock photography for ''Siege'' [[Ion Storm]]'s jet mode mistakenly showed [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Thundercracker]]'s jet instead—which is nearly identical apart from red highlights. With the 2019 [[Rainmaker]]s set being hard to come by, this erroneous image was used on the wiki for a couple of years, and appears highly in Google Image searches—leading Ion Storm's jet mode to be colored according as Thundercracker in [[Volcanicus comic 2|a TakaraTomy comic]] released in September 2020 and in [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|an IDW comic]] released in September 2021.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:TF-Generations-WFC-S-Rainmaker-3-pack-Ion-Storm.jpg|''Erroneous 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:Siege-toy IonStorm.jpg|''True 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:GS-Volcanicus comic 2-Rainmakers.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured''
File:SeaOfRustPartII-Rainmakers.jpg|''2021 comic scene pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===Deco disasters===
On rare occasions the aforementioned coloring misadventures can escalate to the point of affecting the characters' actual future toys. Once again, original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Igu}}
====''Prime 10 Year Anniversary'' Igu====
The ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Post-Prime releases|10 Year Anniversary]]'' reissue of [[Igu]] ([[Vehicon (Prime)|Jet Vehicon]]'s [[Arms Micron]] partner from the [[TakaraTomy]] ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|Prime]]'' toyline) mistakenly colors him bright silver, as opposed to the black of the original release.

This can be attributed to the set designer using the first image in the "Toys" subheading of Igu's wiki page for reference—which was actually an "elite" redeco packed with [[Vehicon (Prime)#JetGeneral|Jet Vehicon General]]. The original black release of Igu is used as the article's mainpic instead of being used in the "Toys" section, due to a lack of images of his vanishingly few fictional appearances. From a toy design perspective, this error means that the now-silver Igu breaks aesthetic cohesion with his mostly-black partner Jet Vehicon.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Prime-toy Igu.jpg|''Original 2012 deco pictured''
File:Primetoy-TakaraTomy-ArmsMicronIguS.jpg|''Secondary 2013 deco pictured'' Please, "Igu S" was my father.
File:Prime-toy Igu 10Year.jpg|''2020 reissue deco pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|T-Wrecks}}
====''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks====
The ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Leader Class toy of [[T-Wrecks#Generations|T-Wrecks]] has a colour scheme which is much more drab than the original ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Ultra Class iteration, with the brown-tinted torso being swapped for a dull grey, and the bright bronze of his helmet being swapped for the same red as his beast-mode skin. More noticeably, only the lower portion of T-Wrecks's crotch is molded blue, with the waist itself being left unpainted grey. It seems that these changes are the result of the wiki's photo of the original toy being primarily used for reference; the lighting in the image is a little misleading, and the toy's posed leaning forward such that its belly overhangs its waist entirely! The ''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks's eyes are also yellow rather than the green of the ''Beast Machines'' toy. It would seem that [[:File:Disclosure-Dinobots.jpg|some of the]] [[:File:TWrecksdinobotspackaging art.jpg|other pictures]] on his page may have played into this color change also.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Beast Machines T-Wrecks.jpg|''Finalized 2000 deco pictured''
File: BM T-Wrecks toy.jpg|''Prototype 2000 deco pictured''
File:WFC-K T-Wrecks stock.jpg|''2021 toy pictured'' His bronze and innocence: Gone.
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The big ones===
{{anchor|Black Roritchi}}
====Black Roritchi's antennae====
For years, the main image for [[Black Roritchi]] on this wiki used an image from the [[2006]] [[Metrodome]] release [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Masterforce'' cartoon]] depicting him against a pitch-black backdrop, which his equally-black antennae blended into. When ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' Black Roritchi was produced in 2020 as a redeco of [[Fasttrack (G1)#Generations|Fasttrack]], the figure was given a custom head solely to remove the antennae under the mistaken belief that he didn't have them. Color-correction in later re-releases of the cartoon would reveal Black Roritchi to have blue antennae against a starfield. The timing of those re-releases? [[2012]]. Oops.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:MF-toy Black Roritchi.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Mf35 guardminder leader.jpg|''2006 [[Metrodome]] version of 1988 anime scene pictured'' He's literally about to turn his head and show off his black antennae.
File:Black roritchi masterforce.jpg|''2012 [[Shout! Studios|Shout! Factory]] restoration pictured'' Uh, make that blue antennae. 
File:GS-toy BlackRoritchi.jpg|''2020 toy pictured'' The only time people wouldn't care if Hasbro [[Rotorstorm (G1)#Generations|accidently forgot to show off the new head]].
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Scrapmetal}}

====''Studio Series'' Scrapmetal====
[[File:ROTF Constructicon concept.jpg|thumb|250px|left|{{SITENAME SHORT}}'s beautiful son. Our little guy.]]
[[File:Studio-Series-MV2-41-Deluxe-Scrapmetal.jpg|thumb|250px|Nobody tell him he was an accident.]]
The character that the wiki identifies as "[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]" was created through a complicated, decade-long tennis match between the wiki and Hasbro. In 2009, shortly after the theatrical release of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', the wiki created a page for the then-nameless character under the half-jokey title "Ze little one". Rather than assuming that the character was a [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] clone, wiki editors at the time decided that he was his own character, as the scene where [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] went underwater featured a yellow Volvo excavator that didn't match to any of the other characters. "Ze little one" quickly picked up an ironic fan following, and by December 2009 Hasbro called him "Scrapmetal" and identified his alternate mode as "the bulldozer."<ref>[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/641 Hasbro Q&A December 2009 at TFviews.com]</ref> The wiki documented this and moved on. Around the same time, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s page noted that the film version of the character was formed from [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|an extra bulldozer]] compared to the official list of his components.

Almost ten years later, Hasbro announced a giant, fully-articulated ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)#Generations|Devastator]] toy formed from multiple Constructicon figures from the ''[[Studio Series]]'' toyline. It is not 100% clear, but what appears to have happened is that whoever was planning the character selection looked at both Devastator and Scrapmetal's pages and decided to marry these two random tidbits by making Scrapmetal the extra bulldozer. ''Then'', the individual(s) assigned to design Scrapmetal's toy consulted the wiki page to figure out who the character was and instead made them a yellow excavator with the robot mode of the concept art randomly chosen for the main picture of the article—the result of the wiki stringing together tidbits of contradictory information from the movie.

{{-}}{{anchor|Sideways}}
====Sideways the dimension-hopper====
[[File:Sidewayses.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|''Can you see all of me? Walk into my mystery Step inside and hold on for dear life'' ''Do you remember me? Capture you or set you free I am all, I am all of me'']]
Oh dear.

In [[2002]], Hasbro released two motorcycle toys bearing the same name: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] and ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. The Hasbro toy bio for the latter recycled much of the same text from the bio of the former, nearly verbatim. This led to speculation at the time about whether or not they were meant to be the same character, ''regardless'' of the differences in toyline release since ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways also came packaged with [[Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise|Axer]], whose own bio hinted at his being the same person as [[Axer (G1)#The Transformers|his Generation 1 namesake]], having crossed dimensions from Generation 1 to ''Robots in Disguise''.

In [[2004]], Takara's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' line released another motorcycle toy named [[Sideways (RM)|Double Face]], who shared the exact same colors and Japanese name of ''Armada'' Sideways. Since the ''Robotmasters'' series was a big crossover event similar in concept to the concurrent ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series, fans in the West initially mistook ''Robotmasters'' for a [[multiverse|multiversal]] event, with characters crossing dimensions from different universes to team up with each other in a Generation 1 setting (as was the case in ''Universe''). In actuality, ''Robotmasters'' only featured time travel, not dimensional travel. But because of the initial misconception, what came next was very easily believed.

In early [[2005]], a mere two months after Double Face's release, a [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/lKVCHWhYoJM/m/1NhElIcSnwwJ fan-given claim] was made online about Takara's official [http://web.archive.org/web/20070618040111/www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/robotmasters/main2.htm ''Robotmasters'' website] supposedly declaring Double Face to be the same character as ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways. When the [[Sideways (Armada)|original TFWiki article for Sideways]] was first being put together in [[2006]], this same claim was reiterated several times on the article's [[Talk:Sideways (Armada)|talk page]], which misled the article's original creators to believe it and treat the ''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', and ''Robotmasters'' characters all as the same Sideways, assuming that ''Robotmasters'' had confirmed the character to have dimension-hopped from another universe into Generation 1 (when it actually ''hadn't'').

With the wiki article treating all three as the same person, able to jump from universe to universe, the article went on to inspire later versions of Sideways, like ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sideways (Animated)|Sideways]] and [[Ask Vector Prime]] [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], who not only were ''explicitly'' presented as dimension-hoppers, but also had ''implicit'' ties to the originally-unrelated ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], which only led to even ''more'' debates about how ''that'' Sideways related to the others, and whether or not ''every'' Sideways was really the ''same'' individual!

It wasn't until late [[2022]] that the validity of the original claim about ''Robotmasters'' Double Face was finally investigated; the results of this investigation revealed that there had actually been ''zero evidence'' in support of the claim found anywhere on the Takara ''Robotmasters'' website. And thanks to this false claim influencing the wiki, Sideways went on to have a reputation for being a multiversal mischief maker who jumps across multiple realities, which was never originally supposed to be the case.
{{-}}
<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)#Toys|Sideways]]
File:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Sideways]] / ''Legends of the Microns'' Double Face
File:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' [[Sideways (RM)#Toys|Double Face]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The littlest one===
====Spelling the word Robo-Smasher====
In perhaps the amusingly smallest example of circular reporting from this wiki, the "[[Robosmasher]]" from the 1985 cartoon episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" was in fact written as one plain word in the episode's script. However, as is prone to happening with televised media, the original dialogue's text was not consulted when a TFWiki article for the device was created in [[2006]], under the hyphenated spelling "Robo-Smasher". This spelling was thus used by the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook page as well as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' text stories in [[2015]] prior to the wiki article being amended in [[2017]] to acknowledge the original spelling.

==Non-TFWiki misreporting==
Of course, people working on official ''Transformers'' material make use of unofficial reference material outside of this wiki, and errors in ''Transformers'' scholarship elsewhere are just as capable of leading to incorrect or occasionally, outright made up, information making it into the final product.


===Incorrectly-colored animation models===
[[File:Incorrect R.E.D. Soundwave Shins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Inaccurate model at left'' ''Accurate model at centre'' ''Off-model 2020 product at right'']]
{{main|Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon}}

The [[1984]]-[[1987]] [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' animated series]] that has become a centerpiece of the brand was, to be blunt, not a high-quality production in the animation department. All four seasons were prone to [[animation error]]s, adding an additional challenge to modern fans attempting to isolate simple views of any given [[character model]]. To make matters worse, Hasbro and licensees have often relied upon a set of fan-colorings from the Ukrainian ''Transformers'' fan website, [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/index.php?pageid=g1encyclopedia Transformers.kiev.ua,] that attempted to recreate Sunbow animation models using screen captures of episodes, while eye dropping the colors from said screen captures, and then replacing the heads of the models with traced headshots also taken from episode screen captures. These fan-colorings regularly make rounds on the web since they are readily available on Pinterest and Fandom wikia pages, making it hard not to come across them through a simple Google Search.

On top of all of this, the models Transformers.kiev.ua would frequently use were also the ones published in [[The Ark series|''The Ark'' series]] books as they were the only real source available for Generation 1 animation models at the time. In the years since, better copies of animation models have surfaced through eBay and various Japanese auction sites, revealing that a large majority of the models used in the books were actually out of date pre-final models that had been revised anywhere from once, to several times afterwards. The author of the books, [[Jim Sorenson]] has also stated in conversation with the wiki team that due to the condition of some of the models he had found or been given access to, [[Bill Forster]] had to sometimes trace, redraw and digitally mend models, such as the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s, to make them more presentable for publishing; this has also led to several inaccuracies with the original model sheets that have surfaced since.

As can be seen in the example at right, the 2020 ''[[Transformers R.E.D.|R.E.D. <nowiki>[</nowiki>Robot Enhanced Design<nowiki>]</nowiki>]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#RED|Soundwave]] figure's shins were incorrectly left blue instead of being painted silver/gray due to Hasbro once again basing the figure on the [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/soundwaveg1.html Transformers.kiev.ua fan-colored model].

Hasbro also tends to use the images from Transformers.kiev.ua whole-hog in their social media posts on Instagram and Facebook for memes, visuals for trivia and holiday celebration posts, as well as using them as placeholder images for pipeline reveals of upcoming figures in the works. A notable example of this was the pipeline reveal of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Devcon (G1)#Legacy|Devcon]], whose [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/devcong1.html placeholder "model" image] isn't even a model at all, rather [[:File:Devcon-Body01.jpg|a couple of]] [[:File:Gambler Devcon vehicle.jpg|traced screencaps]] from the episode "[[The Gambler]]".<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/01/31/transformers-jan-23-livestream-recap-legacy-evolution-wave-2-and-more-474374 Transformers Jan 23 Livestream Recap – Legacy Evolution Wave 2 and More!] at TFW2005</ref> The same had also been done for [[Snarl (G1)#Legacy|Snarl]], [[Bombshell (G1)#Legacy|Bombshell]], [[Dirge (G1)/toys#Legacy|Dirge]], and so on. It's one thing to use them as reference for toys and design inspiration, but the practice of taking them whole-hog without a background check, and using them in official posts is a bit of a shoddy practice, to say the least.
{{--}}

===Other oddities===
====Discmaster====
This might be one of the earliest cases of circular reporting in the history of the ''Transformers'' brand and fandom (and one of the rare, non-visual, text-only cases). The [http://tflab.net/japaspe/second/bd20.html toy bio] for ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Autolauncher]] refers to both himself and his rival [[Mantis]] with the turn of phrase ''enban tsukai'' (円盤使い, meaning "disc user"). When the bio was translated into English in the late 1990s/early 2000s, the phrase was written in English as "Discmaster", with the one responsible having likely taken some creative inspiration from [[Headmaster (technology)|the]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|various]] [[Powermaster|forms]] [[Godmaster (lifeform)|of]] "[[Brainmaster|-master]]" [[Micromaster|technology]] [[Powered Master|of]] Generation 1.

During the mid-2000s, when putting together the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'', longtime fan [[Ben Yee]] (who was co-author of the ''Sourcebook'' with [[Simon Furman]]) took this translation to heart and applied the term to the book's profiles for both Autolauncher and Mantis—unaware that "Discmaster" was actually creative liberty on part of the fan translation and not an accurate representation of what was originally written in the Japanese bio text. As a result, the term "[[Discmaster]]" now referred to a martial art practiced by both characters, despite the term having never actually existed beforehand in the first place.

====Long Haul's size====
[[File:Big_haul.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.5]]]]
The original [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] toy turns into a mining dump truck, of a type unfamiliar to most Americans. Because mining dump trucks can get ''incredibly'' large, it was common for fans to assume that he was meant to turn into one of those massive models. This was further appealing because it served as both a fine example of the franchise's wonky use of [[scale]], and a comical note on Long Haul's characterization as a put-upon unfortunate that he was actually the biggest of all the Constructicons.

Later on, enterprising fans identified Long Haul as a Hitachi DH321, a Japanese model of mining truck that isn't especially big (roughly 7.5 meters long), and would actually put Long Haul pretty close to his teammates in scale, if not outright smaller than some of them. However, by that point, the interpretation of him as a giant had caught on, which led to [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|official comics]] reworking him as "the big one", and the eventual ''[[Combiner Wars]]'' release [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|following suit]] (though his role as Devastator's hip assembly also played a part there).

====''Transformers Legends'' Axe====
[[File:TFLegends Axe vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.5]]
In 2014, the ''Transformers Legends'' mobile game added a card based on [[Axe (G1)|Axe]], a character designed by [[Alex Milne]] for ''[[The Transformers: Drift]]''. However, for alt-mode reference, the card directly copied a piece of fanart created by Sara Guyon-Gellin.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Nicely done, but the game's artist lacks some creativity IMHO. For the design of jet mode in particular. Done and uploaded in 2011. Nice to know my work is good enough that someone officially hired by Hasbro decided there was no need for further adjustment and simply copied his/her own pictures from it :( I mean, couldn't you at least have changed the tail rudders ? </sarcasm>|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/journal/Nice-to-be-an-inspiration-for-official-TF-artists-494832421|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Nice to be an inspiration for official TF artists|year=2014|month=11|day=16}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/art/Axe-alt-modes-studies-252754825|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Axe alt modes - studies|year=2011|month=08|day=14}}</ref> Milne had intended the character to have a land-based mode!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Too bad for the jet part, though, [Alex Milne] told me later Axe was land-based only. Voice of God :/|link=https://www.deviantart.com/comments/1/252754825/2172060396|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|year=2011|month=08|day=30}}</ref> Also, not cool.

{{-}}{{anchor|Menasor}}
====''Combiner Wars'' G2 Menasor====
At first glance, Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''-themed redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Menasor (G1)#CWG2|Menasor]] looks to be a simple homage to the original, canceled ''Generation 2'' toy. However, a closer inspection reveals that it took some notable inspiration from a 2014 fanmade digibash [http://air-hammer.deviantart.com/art/G2-Stunticons-Digibash-471989649 posted to DeviantArt] by longtime fan artist Air Hammer, which was itself based on another fan's [http://cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?p=76573 hand-painted customization] of the original Generation 1 Stunticons in an attempt to recreate the canceled ''Generation 2'' toys. Most glaringly, [[Breakdown (G1)#CWG2|Breakdown]] winds up having [[:File:Generations g2 breakdown.jpg|purple and silver]] in place of the proper [[:File:G2-toy Breakdown.jpg|pink and gold]]. As an extra, the official Transformers Facebook page [[:file:G2Offroad.jpg|posted a promotional pic of the set]] that used the aforemented digibashes of the individual Stunticons instead of their proper stock photos... which featured [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] as the fifth member of the team, rather than [[Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck]] (whose ''Combiner Wars'' version wasn't revealed yet when the digibash was made) as the official set.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G2 Menasor and G2 Defensor.jpg|''Original 1994 deco pictured, left''
File:Transformers-Generations-Combiner-Wars-G2-Menasor.jpg|''2015 deco pictured'' Why, these limbs are the wrong toolings entirel- [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Oh, right.]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====Warriorbot====
[[File:Warriorbot hobby lobby.jpg|thumb|150px]]
In [[2017]], a Hasbro license, [[Open Road Brands]], released a [[:File:Open road brands faction sign.jpg|tin wall sign]] exclusively to Hobby Lobby stores, meant to showcase the many [[Insignia|faction symbols]] from the [[Transformers brand|brand]]'s history, but one symbol stood out. The self-proclaimed "Warriorbots" were never a real thing. So were did they come from? The answer can be found on the "[https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Insignia?diff=prev&oldid=405151 Insignia]" page on the Transformers Fandom (formerly Wikia) wiki from 2014 to 2017, with it being listed among the others. In other words: Whoever designed it used that page as reference.
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[IP infringement#Third party designs in official products and marketing|Mistakes caused by unlicensed toys using ''Transformers'' likenesses]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

Circular reporting

2024-04-06T18:04:57Z

MBG: here's a crazy one i just discovered

[[File:AHM 15cvrB.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The cover for ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|issue #15]], featuring text from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor's article on this wiki.]]]]
As befitting a franchise that has run continuously for {{#expr: {{CURRENTYEAR}}-1984}} years, the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] is a vast and sprawling one. However, as an intellectual property based around the inherently transient medium of [[To sell toys|merchandising]], both [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] have, historically, taken a laissez-faire approach to storytelling and don't have a complete, centralized repository of internal reference material.

As a result, the largest compendium of ''Transformers'' knowledge is, in fact, this [[TFWiki.Net|very website]] you are reading this article on right now, and many creatives have confirmed that they have used our wiki when writing stories or looking for toy references. While wikis have a few advantages over "in-house" lore bibles—they can be edited by anyone, not just professionals, for instance—their main downside is that... well, they can be edited by anyone. Although we at {{SITENAME SHORT}} strive for accuracy and neutrality when covering ''Transformers'' topics, there have been cases where inaccurate, misleading or misinterpreted information on this very wiki have gone on to inform official ''Transformers'' toys and fiction.

Of course, people working on official Transformers work use references outside of the wiki, namely other sites reporting on ''Transformers'', leaving the door open for many, many more errors. See the [[Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon|miscolorings]] page for more information.

This phenomenon is formally termed '''{{w|circular reporting}}''', commonly nicknamed '''citogenesis''' due to a 2011 [https://xkcd.com/978/ xkcd webcomic strip] that satirized the concept. This article provides a non-comprehensive cross-section of such mishaps.

{{quote|Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|{{w|Gail Simone}}|Twitter<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Now, I am not talking about some niche comic book property, I am talking about massively successful film, game and tv properties. Some of the biggest shows and franchises you follow have zero in-house continuity documents. They do everything off of fan wikis.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913142152/https://twitter.com/GailSimone/status/1304831678045585408|name=Gail Simone|site=Twitter|year=2020|month=09|day=12}}</ref>}}

{{TOC|limit=3}}

==Hasbro's in-house continuity documents==
[[File:Ultimateguide.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Comprehensive. Definitive. Authoritative.]]
In the mid-2000s, Hasbro licensees were provided with copies of [[Simon Furman]]'s ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' as reference—notably, [[Roberto Orci]] and [[Alex Kurtzman]] regularly consulted the guide while writing the 2007 ''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]'' movie. In a similar vein, [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprints of [[Dreamwave Productions]]' ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile series were directly referenced for ''[[The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', and have been used by other licensees such as [[Fun Publications]] and [[Space Ape Games]].

The only known example of a high-level continuity document designed solely for internal use was the 2010 [[Binder of Revelation]], compiled to help new creatives in the franchise get up to speed with key characters, concepts, and settings, to bring the various stories they were producing at the time into alignment. This lore bible went on to inform vast swathes of modern ''Transformers'' storytelling, most notably the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon, which proved extremely influential in its own right.

As the creatives behind the Binder have moved on from the company over the years, however, it appears to have fallen by the wayside, with Hasbro happy to have different concurrent media diverge entirely so long as some key synergies remain—such as the ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'' cartoon being informed by the script for the 2018 ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' movie—directing writers to the wiki for lore nitty-gritty. ''Cyberverse'' showrunner [[Randolph Heard]] cites this as one reason for the show's starring roles for many more obscure fan-favourite characters.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I came to this, again, without a lot of ''Transformers'' knowledge, and I was directed to TFWiki, and I started reading TFWiki and I'm like, oh my god, I don't understand ''anything'', is this a multiverse, or- why- why are there so many variations on things? I'm never gonna learn this thing or understand it. And fortunately my staff were very helpful in that regard. But I think that ''Cyberverse'' to me was like, because I came from the outside in a way, I looked at it as a big box of toys, and I could play with any of them. And you know, that's how kids are, right? They're not going to distinguish between a [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] toy, a [[DC Comics|DC]] toy, and something else—if they're cool they'll make a battle between anything. And so to me I felt the freedom, like, yeah, I'll just pick stuff and no-one said no. In fact they seemed delighted that we were bringing back characters. [...] I researched lists of 'weirdest Transformers ever.' [...] I said I don't, you know, I confessed to [[Mikiel Houser]], and he said that's fine, check out the TFWiki and that'll tell you everything you need to know, and I was kind of like- it told me too much, you know? It was overwhelming. And I love TFWiki—they have such great writers, they're hilarious.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vindAiN7YNY&t=1087s|name=Randolph Heard is too kind,|site=Keyan Carlile's Transformer Channel|title=The cancelled TF show BEFORE Cyberverse! (Randolph Heard talks Early Development & Seasons 1-2)|year=2021|month=11|day=20}}</ref> Another franchise newcomer, [[Brian Ruckley]], writer of [[IDW Publishing]]'s rebooted ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' series, plucked a large number of obscure characters from the wiki, in particular a great many [[female Transformer]]s. All of this is to say that the referencing of fan wikis is perfectly normal and can often be positive. It's also why the wiki should strive for completeness and accuracy when documenting the ''Transformers'' universe—as the following cautionary tales show...
{{-}}

==Examples of circular reporting through TFWiki.net==


===Absence of evidence===
[[File:SpotlightHardhead-CaughtInAVortex.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The original Tailwind that went undocumented on this wiki...]]
[[File:BeforeAndAfter-DriftTailwindTentakil.jpg|thumb|200px|...and this guy showed up! Maybe if he gets hurt, [[Mario (ROTF)|he'll shrink back?]]]]
In the [[2008]] comic story ''[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]'', the [[Micromaster]] toy character [[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] was given a cameo as one of the many [[Gorlamite]]s attacking [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]—but for many years, Tailwind was the only one whose appearance in that comic was not documented on his own wiki page. As part of a general desire to make use of characters who had yet to be introduced to the [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]], writer [[James Roberts]] evidently decided to check him off the list by writing a full-sized Cybertronian Tailwind into [[Before & After|''More than Meets the Eye'' #12]], being bisected by [[Drift (G1)|Drift]].

{{anchor|Trickshot}}
Similarly, the 2007 online [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] profile for [[Flashdrive]]—based on the Japanese-exclusive Mini-Con Processor—refers to a teammate called "Trickshot", clearly intended to be his fellow [[Micron Booster]] toy Triac; the wiki failed to note this, and soon thereafter the Mini-Con bio regimen ended without Trickshot's own profile being published. Thusly, the 2015 [[Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime]] column would instead give Triac the localized identity of "[[Bingo]]".
{{-}}

===Text transfer===
====(Heavy) Artillery Drones====
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|240px|Once we were nameless...]]
[[File:Sparkwar3 Heavy Artillery Drone robot.jpg|thumb|200px|...until a mix-up gave us our name!]]
The [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon drones]] belonging to [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] were never named in the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' cartoon]], [[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|toyline]], or related media. Back when TFWiki started out on Wikia (now Fandom), [https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Special:Contributions/72.48.102.5 an anonymous user] created the article for Strika's drones in [[2008]] using the fan name "Heavy Artillery Drone". Due to an oversight (as no one knew that it ''wasn't'' an official name), this remained the article's name for nearly a decade.

In a non-visual, text-only instance of this roundabout reporting, the [[2016]] prose story "[[Derailment]]" officially named Strika's drones as "Artillery Drones" based on the wiki's use of the name "Heavy Artillery Drone". The article was soon moved to "[[Artillery Drone]]" shortly after in early [[2017]], to reflect the official name. But, the official name only came about in the first place because of the wiki unknowingly using a completely made-up fan name.
{{-}}

===Coloring conundrums===
The use of {{SITENAME SHORT}} images as color references can occasionally result in... interesting... new color schemes. Original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Horri-Bull}}
====IDW ''Robots in Disguise'' Horri-Bull====
In the [[IDW Publishing]] comic issue [[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|''Robots in Disguise'' #1]], [[Horri-Bull]]'s colorization is apparently based on photos of a [[Photodegradation|photodegradated]] example of his original toy that was once used on his page. When asked, colorist [[Josh Perez]] said he chose to use the yellow to "help him stick out a lot more".<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/84653-idw-rid-teaser-images/page-5|name=Josh Perez|site=The Allspark forums|defunct=yes}}</ref>

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy-Horri-Bull.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Horribull bullhorn toy.jpg|''Degraded toy pictured''
File:Autonomy Lesson Horri-Bull Zetca.jpg|''2012 comic scene pictured'' [[Photodegradation|It's canon folks!]]
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Vortex}}
====''Fall of Cybertron'' Vortex====
[[Vortex (FOC)|Vortex]]'s color scheme in ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' is an unusual red and beige, derived from [[Vortex (G1)|G1 Vortex]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' character art that is his main page image—in particular, our previously-used scan of the artwork makes it appear to have a much warmer tone than it does in print, shifting the gray towards brown and the lilac towards pink. These tones influenced the coloring of Vortex's ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[:File:FOC Vortex.jpg|concept art]], which evolved to the in-game colors.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1Vortex toy.jpg|''Original 1985 deco pictured''
File:MTMTE2003-Vortex.jpg|''Better scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:MTMTEVortex.jpg|''Worse scan of 2003 art pictured''
File:FOC-HMS-render-Vortex-robot mode.jpg|''2012 game render pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Roadburner}}

====''Legends'' Roadburner====
[[Roadburner]]'s 2013 appearance in the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game can only be described as a fit of insanity. His appearance is based on a catastrophic misinterpretation of this wiki's photography for the toy, depicting his partner [[Wheel Blaze]] as white... because they didn't understand the greyed-out photo this wiki uses to indicate ''which toy the article isn't about''. To make matters worse, it is highly likely Roadburner ''wasn't supposed to be in the game to begin with.'' Considering that the theme of [[By Land, Sea, or Air|the event he appeared in]] was basically "These Autobots with military alt-modes do stuff," and the fact that [[Roadbuster (G1)|Road''buster'']] would make more sense given [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]'s prevalence in said event... yeah. Not helping matters is that when in the process of typing "Roadbuster" into this wiki's search bar, Roadburner shows up first in the search results. Someone must have been in a hurry.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1-toy Roadburner.jpg|''1990 toy pictured'' HOW???
File:TFLegends-Roadburner.jpg|''2013 art pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Azimuth}}

====IDW ''Transformers'' Azimuth====
[[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] was originally a minor character who appeared in ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]''. Beyond a brief namedrop, she went unseen for several years until 2015, when the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook feature revealed that she sported a body based on the gold MC-6 ''[[Kronoform]]'' toy. However, when [[Azimuth (G1)|a new incarnation of Azimuth]] appeared in 2020, in IDW's ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' comic, she was colored silver—a mixup that almost assuredly stems from the photo on Azimuth's wiki article more prominently displaying ''that'' figure, with the "correct" gold figure tucked away on the far right.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Aligned Azimuth Toy.jpg|''Original 1993 deco pictured''
File:Mc-06 kronoform catalog.jpg|''Catalogue scan uploaded to the wiki in 2015'' Hey, she got a [[Azimuth (G1)#Toys|''Transformers'' toy]] out of it.
File:Tremors-Azimuth.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured'' You know what, you're welcome.
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Dile}}
====''Earth Wars'' Dile====
In the ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'' mobile game, [[Dile]] was revealed as a forthcoming character in early September 2020, sporting an unusual gray and purple deco which doesn't match his toy's colors at all. The following month, [[Space Ape Games]] put out a new render via their official newsletter, explaining that the original colors were based on the washed out scan of his card art seen at the top of his TFWiki character page. This makes it one of the few known instances where circular reporting was caught and corrected before release. The new render instead uses a more light-green and silvery hue based on a somewhat color-corrected version of the card art, rather than the much more pronounced green of [[:File:G1toy dile.jpg|the toy itself]].

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G1toy dile.jpg|''Original 1987 toy pictured''
File:G1 Dial boxart.jpg|''Scan of 1987 art pictured'' A washout, that's all you are! A washout!
File:Early Dile-EarthWars.jpg|''Initial 2020 CG model pictured''
File:Dile Fixed-EarthWars.jpg|''Finalized 2020 CG model pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====''Siege'' Ion Storm====
The stock photography for ''Siege'' [[Ion Storm]]'s jet mode mistakenly showed [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Thundercracker]]'s jet instead—which is nearly identical apart from red highlights. With the 2019 [[Rainmaker]]s set being hard to come by, this erroneous image was used on the wiki for a couple of years, and appears highly in Google Image searches—leading Ion Storm's jet mode to be colored according as Thundercracker in [[Volcanicus comic 2|a TakaraTomy comic]] released in September 2020 and in [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|an IDW comic]] released in September 2021.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:TF-Generations-WFC-S-Rainmaker-3-pack-Ion-Storm.jpg|''Erroneous 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:Siege-toy IonStorm.jpg|''True 2019 vehicle mode pictured''
File:GS-Volcanicus comic 2-Rainmakers.jpg|''2020 comic scene pictured''
File:SeaOfRustPartII-Rainmakers.jpg|''2021 comic scene pictured''
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===Deco disasters===
On rare occasions the aforementioned coloring misadventures can escalate to the point of affecting the characters' actual future toys. Once again, original colors are given to the left when possible.

{{anchor|Igu}}
====''Prime 10 Year Anniversary'' Igu====
The ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Post-Prime releases|10 Year Anniversary]]'' reissue of [[Igu]] ([[Vehicon (Prime)|Jet Vehicon]]'s [[Arms Micron]] partner from the [[TakaraTomy]] ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|Prime]]'' toyline) mistakenly colors him bright silver, as opposed to the black of the original release.

This can be attributed to the set designer using the first image in the "Toys" subheading of Igu's wiki page for reference—which was actually an "elite" redeco packed with [[Vehicon (Prime)#JetGeneral|Jet Vehicon General]]. The original black release of Igu is used as the article's mainpic instead of being used in the "Toys" section, due to a lack of images of his vanishingly few fictional appearances. From a toy design perspective, this error means that the now-silver Igu breaks aesthetic cohesion with his mostly-black partner Jet Vehicon.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Prime-toy Igu.jpg|''Original 2012 deco pictured''
File:Primetoy-TakaraTomy-ArmsMicronIguS.jpg|''Secondary 2013 deco pictured'' Please, "Igu S" was my father.
File:Prime-toy Igu 10Year.jpg|''2020 reissue deco pictured''
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|T-Wrecks}}
====''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks====
The ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Leader Class toy of [[T-Wrecks#Generations|T-Wrecks]] has a colour scheme which is much more drab than the original ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Ultra Class iteration, with the brown-tinted torso being swapped for a dull grey, and the bright bronze of his helmet being swapped for the same red as his beast-mode skin. More noticeably, only the lower portion of T-Wrecks's crotch is molded blue, with the waist itself being left unpainted grey. It seems that these changes are the result of the wiki's photo of the original toy being primarily used for reference; the lighting in the image is a little misleading, and the toy's posed leaning forward such that its belly overhangs its waist entirely! The ''Kingdom'' T-Wrecks's eyes are also yellow rather than the green of the ''Beast Machines'' toy. It would seem that [[:File:Disclosure-Dinobots.jpg|some of the]] [[:File:TWrecksdinobotspackaging art.jpg|other pictures]] on his page may have played into this color change also.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:Beast Machines T-Wrecks.jpg|''Finalized 2000 deco pictured''
File: BM T-Wrecks toy.jpg|''Prototype 2000 deco pictured''
File:WFC-K T-Wrecks stock.jpg|''2021 toy pictured'' His bronze and innocence: Gone.
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The big ones===
{{anchor|Black Roritchi}}
====Black Roritchi's antennae====
For years, the main image for [[Black Roritchi]] on this wiki used an image from the [[2006]] [[Metrodome]] release [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Masterforce'' cartoon]] depicting him against a pitch-black backdrop, which his equally-black antennae blended into. When ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' Black Roritchi was produced in 2020 as a redeco of [[Fasttrack (G1)#Generations|Fasttrack]], the figure was given a custom head solely to remove the antennae under the mistaken belief that he didn't have them. Color-correction in later re-releases of the cartoon would reveal Black Roritchi to have blue antennae against a starfield. The timing of those re-releases? [[2012]]. Oops.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:MF-toy Black Roritchi.jpg|''Original 1988 toy pictured''
File:Mf35 guardminder leader.jpg|''2006 [[Metrodome]] version of 1988 anime scene pictured'' He's literally about to turn his head and show off his black antennae.
File:Black roritchi masterforce.jpg|''2012 [[Shout! Studios|Shout! Factory]] restoration pictured'' Uh, make that blue antennae. 
File:GS-toy BlackRoritchi.jpg|''2020 toy pictured'' The only time people wouldn't care if Hasbro [[Rotorstorm (G1)#Generations|accidently forgot to show off the new head]].
</gallery></center>

{{-}}{{anchor|Scrapmetal}}

====''Studio Series'' Scrapmetal====
[[File:ROTF Constructicon concept.jpg|thumb|250px|left|{{SITENAME SHORT}}'s beautiful son. Our little guy.]]
[[File:Studio-Series-MV2-41-Deluxe-Scrapmetal.jpg|thumb|250px|Nobody tell him he was an accident.]]
The character that the wiki identifies as "[[Scrapmetal (ROTF)|Scrapmetal]]" was created through a complicated, decade-long tennis match between the wiki and Hasbro. In 2009, shortly after the theatrical release of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', the wiki created a page for the then-nameless character under the half-jokey title "Ze little one". Rather than assuming that the character was a [[Scrapper (ROTF)|Scrapper]] clone, wiki editors at the time decided that he was his own character, as the scene where [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicons]] went underwater featured a yellow Volvo excavator that didn't match to any of the other characters. "Ze little one" quickly picked up an ironic fan following, and by December 2009 Hasbro called him "Scrapmetal" and identified his alternate mode as "the bulldozer."<ref>[http://www.tfviews.com/news/main/hasbro-q-and-a/641 Hasbro Q&A December 2009 at TFviews.com]</ref> The wiki documented this and moved on. Around the same time, ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s page noted that the film version of the character was formed from [[Unknown Constructicon shovel|an extra bulldozer]] compared to the official list of his components.

Almost ten years later, Hasbro announced a giant, fully-articulated ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Devastator (ROTF)#Generations|Devastator]] toy formed from multiple Constructicon figures from the ''[[Studio Series]]'' toyline. It is not 100% clear, but what appears to have happened is that whoever was planning the character selection looked at both Devastator and Scrapmetal's pages and decided to marry these two random tidbits by making Scrapmetal the extra bulldozer. ''Then'', the individual(s) assigned to design Scrapmetal's toy consulted the wiki page to figure out who the character was and instead made them a yellow excavator with the robot mode of the concept art randomly chosen for the main picture of the article—the result of the wiki stringing together tidbits of contradictory information from the movie.

{{-}}{{anchor|Sideways}}
====Sideways the dimension-hopper====
[[File:Sidewayses.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|''Can you see all of me? Walk into my mystery Step inside and hold on for dear life'' ''Do you remember me? Capture you or set you free I am all, I am all of me'']]
Oh dear.

In [[2002]], Hasbro released two motorcycle toys bearing the same name: ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] and ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. The Hasbro toy bio for the latter recycled much of the same text from the bio of the former, nearly verbatim. This led to speculation at the time about whether or not they were meant to be the same character, ''regardless'' of the differences in toyline release since ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways also came packaged with [[Axer (G1)#Robots in Disguise|Axer]], whose own bio hinted at his being the same person as [[Axer (G1)#The Transformers|his Generation 1 namesake]], having crossed dimensions from Generation 1 to ''Robots in Disguise''.

In [[2004]], Takara's ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' line released another motorcycle toy named [[Sideways (RM)|Double Face]], who shared the exact same colors and Japanese name of ''Armada'' Sideways. Since the ''Robotmasters'' series was a big crossover event similar in concept to the concurrent ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Transformers: Universe]]'' series, fans in the West initially mistook ''Robotmasters'' for a [[multiverse|multiversal]] event, with characters crossing dimensions from different universes to team up with each other in a Generation 1 setting (as was the case in ''Universe''). In actuality, ''Robotmasters'' only featured time travel, not dimensional travel. But because of the initial misconception, what came next was very easily believed.

In early [[2005]], a mere two months after Double Face's release, a [https://groups.google.com/g/alt.toys.transformers/c/lKVCHWhYoJM/m/1NhElIcSnwwJ fan-given claim] was made online about Takara's official [http://web.archive.org/web/20070618040111/www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/robotmasters/main2.htm ''Robotmasters'' website] supposedly declaring Double Face to be the same character as ''Robots in Disguise'' Sideways. When the [[Sideways (Armada)|original TFWiki article for Sideways]] was first being put together in [[2006]], this same claim was reiterated several times on the article's [[Talk:Sideways (Armada)|talk page]], which misled the article's original creators to believe it and treat the ''Robots in Disguise'', ''Armada'', and ''Robotmasters'' characters all as the same Sideways, assuming that ''Robotmasters'' had confirmed the character to have dimension-hopped from another universe into Generation 1 (when it actually ''hadn't'').

With the wiki article treating all three as the same person, able to jump from universe to universe, the article went on to inspire later versions of Sideways, like ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sideways (Animated)|Sideways]] and [[Ask Vector Prime]] [[Sideways (AVP)|Sideways]], who not only were ''explicitly'' presented as dimension-hoppers, but also had ''implicit'' ties to the originally-unrelated ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]], which only led to even ''more'' debates about how ''that'' Sideways related to the others, and whether or not ''every'' Sideways was really the ''same'' individual!

It wasn't until late [[2022]] that the validity of the original claim about ''Robotmasters'' Double Face was finally investigated; the results of this investigation revealed that there had actually been ''zero evidence'' in support of the claim found anywhere on the Takara ''Robotmasters'' website. And thanks to this false claim influencing the wiki, Sideways went on to have a reputation for being a multiversal mischief maker who jumps across multiple realities, which was never originally supposed to be the case.
{{-}}
<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:RIDtoy-Sideways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Sideways (RID)#Toys|Sideways]]
File:Armadatoy-Sideways-wrongways.jpg|''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Sideways]] / ''Legends of the Microns'' Double Face
File:RMtoy-Doubleface.jpg|''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'' [[Sideways (RM)#Toys|Double Face]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

===The littlest one===
====Spelling the word Robo-Smasher====
In perhaps the amusingly smallest example of circular reporting from this wiki, the "[[Robosmasher]]" from the 1985 cartoon episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" was in fact written as one plain word in the episode's script. However, as is prone to happening with televised media, the original dialogue's text was not consulted when a TFWiki article for the device was created in [[2006]], under the hyphenated spelling "Robo-Smasher". This spelling was thus used by the [[Ask Vector Prime]] Facebook page as well as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' text stories in [[2015]] prior to the wiki article being amended in [[2017]] to acknowledge the original spelling.

==Non-TFWiki misreporting==
Of course, people working on official ''Transformers'' material make use of unofficial reference material outside of this wiki, and errors in ''Transformers'' scholarship elsewhere are just as capable of leading to incorrect or occasionally, outright made up, information making it into the final product.


===Incorrectly-colored animation models===
[[File:Incorrect R.E.D. Soundwave Shins.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''Inaccurate model at left'' ''Accurate model at centre'' ''Off-model 2020 product at right'']]
{{main|Miscolorings based on the Generation 1 cartoon}}

The [[1984]]-[[1987]] [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'' animated series]] that has become a centerpiece of the brand was, to be blunt, not a high-quality production in the animation department. All four seasons were prone to [[animation error]]s, adding an additional challenge to modern fans attempting to isolate simple views of any given [[character model]]. To make matters worse, Hasbro and licensees have often relied upon a set of fan-colorings from the Ukrainian ''Transformers'' fan website, [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/index.php?pageid=g1encyclopedia Transformers.kiev.ua,] that attempted to recreate Sunbow animation models using screen captures of episodes, while eye dropping the colors from said screen captures, and then replacing the heads of the models with traced headshots also taken from episode screen captures. These fan-colorings regularly make rounds on the web since they are readily available on Pinterest and Fandom wikia pages, making it hard not to come across them through a simple Google Search.

On top of all of this, the models Transformers.kiev.ua would frequently use were also the ones published in [[The Ark series|''The Ark'' series]] books as they were the only real source available for Generation 1 animation models at the time. In the years since, better copies of animation models have surfaced through eBay and various Japanese auction sites, revealing that a large majority of the models used in the books were actually out of date pre-final models that had been revised anywhere from once, to several times afterwards. The author of the books, [[Jim Sorenson]] has also stated in conversation with the wiki team that due to the condition of some of the models he had found or been given access to, [[Bill Forster]] had to sometimes trace, redraw and digitally mend models, such as the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion]]s, to make them more presentable for publishing; this has also led to several inaccuracies with the original model sheets that have surfaced since.

As can be seen in the example at right, the 2020 ''[[Transformers R.E.D.|R.E.D. <nowiki>[</nowiki>Robot Enhanced Design<nowiki>]</nowiki>]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/merchandise#RED|Soundwave]] figure's shins were incorrectly left blue instead of being painted silver/gray due to Hasbro once again basing the figure on the [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/soundwaveg1.html Transformers.kiev.ua fan-colored model].

Hasbro also tends to use the images from Transformers.kiev.ua whole-hog in their social media posts on Instagram and Facebook for memes, visuals for trivia and holiday celebration posts, as well as using them as placeholder images for pipeline reveals of upcoming figures in the works. A notable example of this was the pipeline reveal of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Devcon (G1)#Legacy|Devcon]], whose [https://www.transformers.kiev.ua/g1/devcong1.html placeholder "model" image] isn't even a model at all, rather [[:File:Devcon-Body01.jpg|a couple of]] [[:File:Gambler Devcon vehicle.jpg|traced screencaps]] from the episode "[[The Gambler]]".<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2023/01/31/transformers-jan-23-livestream-recap-legacy-evolution-wave-2-and-more-474374 Transformers Jan 23 Livestream Recap – Legacy Evolution Wave 2 and More!] at TFW2005</ref> The same had also been done for [[Snarl (G1)#Legacy|Snarl]], [[Bombshell (G1)#Legacy|Bombshell]], [[Dirge (G1)/toys#Legacy|Dirge]], and so on. It's one thing to use them as reference for toys and design inspiration, but the practice of taking them whole-hog without a background check, and using them in official posts is a bit of a shoddy practice, to say the least.
{{--}}

===Other oddities===
====Discmaster====
This might be one of the earliest cases of circular reporting in the history of the ''Transformers'' brand and fandom (and one of the rare, non-visual, text-only cases). The [http://tflab.net/japaspe/second/bd20.html toy bio] for ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers|Beast Wars II]]'' [[Autolauncher]] refers to both himself and his rival [[Mantis]] with the turn of phrase ''enban tsukai'' (円盤使い, meaning "disc user"). When the bio was translated into English in the late 1990s/early 2000s, the phrase was written in English as "Discmaster", with the one responsible having likely taken some creative inspiration from [[Headmaster (technology)|the]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|various]] [[Powermaster|forms]] [[Godmaster (lifeform)|of]] "[[Brainmaster|-master]]" [[Micromaster|technology]] [[Powered Master|of]] Generation 1.

During the mid-2000s, when putting together the ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'', longtime fan [[Ben Yee]] (who was co-author of the ''Sourcebook'' with [[Simon Furman]]) took this translation to heart and applied the term to the book's profiles for both Autolauncher and Mantis—unaware that "Discmaster" was actually creative liberty on part of the fan translation and not an accurate representation of what was originally written in the Japanese bio text. As a result, the term "[[Discmaster]]" now referred to a martial art practiced by both characters, despite the term having never actually existed beforehand in the first place.

====Long Haul's size====
[[File:Big_haul.jpg]]
The original [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] toy turns into a mining dump truck, of a type unfamiliar to most Americans. Because mining dump trucks can get ''incredibly'' large, it was common for fans to assume that he was meant to turn into one of those massive models. This was further appealing because it served as both a fine example of the franchise's wonky use of [[scale]], and a comical note on Long Haul's characterization as a put-upon unfortunate that he was actually the biggest of all the Constructicons.

Later on, enterprising fans identified Long Haul as a Hitachi DH321, a Japanese model of mining truck that isn't especially big (roughly 7.5 meters long), and would actually put Long Haul pretty close to his teammates in scale, if not outright smaller than some of them. However, by that point, the interpretation of him as a giant had caught on, which led to [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|official comics]] reworking him as "the big one", and the eventual ''[[Combiner Wars]]'' release [[Long Haul (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|following suit]] (though his role as Devastator's hip assembly also played a part there).

====''Transformers Legends'' Axe====
[[File:TFLegends Axe vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.5]]
In 2014, the ''Transformers Legends'' mobile game added a card based on [[Axe (G1)|Axe]], a character designed by [[Alex Milne]] for ''[[The Transformers: Drift]]''. However, for alt-mode reference, the card directly copied a piece of fanart created by Sara Guyon-Gellin.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Nicely done, but the game's artist lacks some creativity IMHO. For the design of jet mode in particular. Done and uploaded in 2011. Nice to know my work is good enough that someone officially hired by Hasbro decided there was no need for further adjustment and simply copied his/her own pictures from it :( I mean, couldn't you at least have changed the tail rudders ? </sarcasm>|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/journal/Nice-to-be-an-inspiration-for-official-TF-artists-494832421|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Nice to be an inspiration for official TF artists|year=2014|month=11|day=16}}</ref><ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.deviantart.com/alteride/art/Axe-alt-modes-studies-252754825|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|title=Axe alt modes - studies|year=2011|month=08|day=14}}</ref> Milne had intended the character to have a land-based mode!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Too bad for the jet part, though, [Alex Milne] told me later Axe was land-based only. Voice of God :/|link=https://www.deviantart.com/comments/1/252754825/2172060396|name=Sara Guyon-Gellin|site=deviantART|year=2011|month=08|day=30}}</ref> Also, not cool.

{{-}}{{anchor|Menasor}}
====''Combiner Wars'' G2 Menasor====
At first glance, Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]''-themed redeco of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Menasor (G1)#CWG2|Menasor]] looks to be a simple homage to the original, canceled ''Generation 2'' toy. However, a closer inspection reveals that it took some notable inspiration from a 2014 fanmade digibash [http://air-hammer.deviantart.com/art/G2-Stunticons-Digibash-471989649 posted to DeviantArt] by longtime fan artist Air Hammer, which was itself based on another fan's [http://cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?p=76573 hand-painted customization] of the original Generation 1 Stunticons in an attempt to recreate the canceled ''Generation 2'' toys. Most glaringly, [[Breakdown (G1)#CWG2|Breakdown]] winds up having [[:File:Generations g2 breakdown.jpg|purple and silver]] in place of the proper [[:File:G2-toy Breakdown.jpg|pink and gold]]. As an extra, the official Transformers Facebook page [[:file:G2Offroad.jpg|posted a promotional pic of the set]] that used the aforemented digibashes of the individual Stunticons instead of their proper stock photos... which featured [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] as the fifth member of the team, rather than [[Wildrider (G1)|Brake-Neck]] (whose ''Combiner Wars'' version wasn't revealed yet when the digibash was made) as the official set.

<center><gallery heights=200px widths=200px>
File:G2 Menasor and G2 Defensor.jpg|''Original 1994 deco pictured, left''
File:Transformers-Generations-Combiner-Wars-G2-Menasor.jpg|''2015 deco pictured'' Why, these limbs are the wrong toolings entirel- [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and 2010)|Oh, right.]]
</gallery></center>
{{-}}

====Warriorbot====
[[File:Warriorbot hobby lobby.jpg|thumb|150px]]
In [[2017]], a Hasbro license, [[Open Road Brands]], released a [[:File:Open road brands faction sign.jpg|tin wall sign]] exclusively to Hobby Lobby stores, meant to showcase the many [[Insignia|faction symbols]] from the [[Transformers brand|brand]]'s history, but one symbol stood out. The self-proclaimed "Warriorbots" were never a real thing. So were did they come from? The answer can be found on the "[https://transformers.fandom.com/wiki/Insignia?diff=prev&oldid=405151 Insignia]" page on the Transformers Fandom (formerly Wikia) wiki from 2014 to 2017, with it being listed among the others. In other words: Whoever designed it used that page as reference.
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[IP infringement#Third party designs in official products and marketing|Mistakes caused by unlicensed toys using ''Transformers'' likenesses]]

[[Category:Fandom]]

File:Big haul.jpg

2024-04-06T18:03:15Z

MBG:

Top left: Picture of a real DH321 mining truck. Note the size of the driver and the nearby loader.

Top right: Picture of [[Long Haul (G1)|G1 Long Haul]]'s vehicle mode, from seibertron.com.

Bottom left: Picture of the Liebherr T282B, one of the largest mining trucks in the world--images of this truck were linked on this wiki's [[Scale]] article to suggest how large Long Haul "should" be.

Bottom right: Long Haul in [[Transformers (2023) issue 5]], drawn as a similarly immense Caterpillar 797F.

File:Big haul.jpg

2024-04-06T18:02:47Z

MBG:

Top left: Picture of a real DH321 mining truck. Note the size of the driver and the nearby loader.

Top right: Picture of [[Long Haul (G1)|G1 Long Haul]]'s vehicle mode, from [seibertron.com].

Bottom left: Picture of the Liebherr T282B, one of the largest mining trucks in the world--images of this truck were linked on this wiki's [[Scale]] article to suggest how large Long Haul "should" be.

Bottom right: Long Haul in [[Transformers (2023) issue 5]], drawn as a similarly immense Caterpillar 797F.

File:Big haul.jpg

2024-04-06T18:02:23Z

MBG:

File:Big haul.jpg

2024-04-06T18:02:12Z

MBG:

Top left: Picture of a real DH321 mining truck. Note the size of the driver and the nearby loader.

Top right: Picture of [[Long Haul (G1)|G1 Long Haul's vehicle mode, from seibertron.com.

Bottom left: Picture of the Liebherr T282B, one of the largest mining trucks in the world--images of this truck were linked on this wiki's [[Scale]] article to suggest how large Long Haul "should" be.

Bottom right: Long Haul in [[Transformers (2023) issue 5]], drawn as a similarly immense Caterpillar 797F.

File:Big haul.jpg

2024-04-06T18:01:58Z

MBG: Top left: Picture of a real DH321 mining truck. Note the size of the driver and the nearby loader. Top right: Picture of [[Long Haul (G1)|G1 Long Haul's vehicle mode, from seibertron.com. Bottom left: Picture of the Liebherr T282B, one of the largest m...

Top left: Picture of a real DH321 mining truck. Note the size of the driver and the nearby loader.
Top right: Picture of [[Long Haul (G1)|G1 Long Haul's vehicle mode, from seibertron.com.
Bottom left: Picture of the Liebherr T282B, one of the largest mining trucks in the world--images of this truck were linked on this wiki's [[Scale]] article to suggest how large Long Haul "should" be.
Bottom right: Long Haul in [[Transformers (2023) issue 5]], drawn as a similarly immense Caterpillar 797F.

Scale

2024-04-02T04:38:53Z

MBG: There are more types of dump truck than the earth-mover kind. G1 Long Haul is a Hitachi DH321 mining dump truck. From what I was able to tell, they're around 7.5 meters long--for comparison, this is about half the size of ROTF Long Haul.

{{disambig2|the controversial size difference|the Mini-Con from Rescue Bots|Scale (RB)}}
[[File:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|And the truck's how big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

The overwhelming majority of franchises, fictions, [[toy]]lines, or other incarnations of ''Transformers'' simply don't present scale in a logical or believable fashion (there are, of course, a few [[#Intentional attempts at a consistent scale|rare exceptions]], detailed below). Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process [[fanon|fanwank]] themselves into oblivion.

However, the considerable and varied scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

{{bigquote|Clearly, the pitiful humans at Hasbro are so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of Cybertronian life forms that they can't get the scale right.|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]|[[Transformers Comic issue 23|Star Screams #23]]}}

==Scale within toylines==

===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
[[File:DiacloneScale.jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]
The early [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toy line]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] releases, were [[rebranding|rebranded]] and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toy lines. The crucial point is that the toy lines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale with each other as they all have real-world [[alternate mode]]s that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale with each other (though problems already arise with [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys|Sideswipe]], whose alternate modes are based on ''the same car'' yet are not quite the same size), but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 924]] ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 935]] ''Diaclone'' toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with Mini Vehicles such as [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (a hovercraft), who should be many times their actual size. Notably, the {{w|GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8/A Avenger}} gatling cannon mounted to the front end of the {{w|Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt II}} ([[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]'s alternate mode) alone is about the same size as a [[Volkswagen]] {{w|Volkswagen Beetle|Beetle}} ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]).<ref name="airvec">[http://www.airvectors.net/ava10_1.html Development history of the A-10 Thunderbolt II], including a side-by-side comparison between the GAU-8/A Avenger and a Volkswagen Beetle.</ref>

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 19.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Though their toys are some of the larger G1 toys, correctly scaled, this would make their [[robot mode]]s several times the height of most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

Transformers are currently formalised to a variety of [[size class]]es, which dictate the approximate cost and dimensions of a figure. Consequently, if the powers that be release toys of two characters in the same line in the same size class, they're going to come out in the same size. Even if one character's a [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|twenty-metre fighter jet]] and the other's a [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys|five-metre pickup truck]]. So don't expect this one to go away any time soon.

===Toys slightly out of scale with others in the same assortment===
Sometimes toys that ship in the same assortment or [[size class]] have similar alternate modes (i.e. two cars or two planes), but are not ''quite'' in scale with each other. One possible reason for this is that one of them would be considerably smaller than the other one in real life if they were perfectly in scale. For example, ''[[Movie (franchise)|Movie]]'' [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]'s Pontiac Solstice alternate mode is a ''tiny'' car, and any size class that includes both him and [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] (a Chevrolet Camaro) will result in scale problems between the toys. Hasbro ''could'' have made Jazz smaller, but since the main limit for a size class is the ''weight'' of a toy, not its size (as long as it fits into the standardized packaging, that is), they decided that scale problems are more acceptable than selling a tiny Deluxe Class toy when there's still room in the budget for more plastic. With the [[Human Alliance]] assortment, Hasbro have taken a different approach by trying to keep the vehicles in scale (roughly 1:24) and adding accessories and other characters that turn into motorcycles for smaller cars such as Jazz, [[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]].

Other toys with comparable alternate modes that are slightly out of scale with each other are ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sideswipe]] (mentioned above), who have the ''same'' basic alternate mode (with a few differences), and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Autobot Jazz]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Rodimus]]. Likely the first major example of this is [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Wheeljack]], who is about the same size as the other Autobot Cars, if not a bit bigger, despite his altmode, a modified Lancia Stratos, being a ''very'' small car.

===Toys out of scale within teams===
[[File:Bruticus toy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7|[https://imgur.com/a/yfDTE7A Wait till you see the artist's rendition of a scale-accurate version].]]
Even toys specifically [[combiner|designed to interact with each other]] suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are wildly out of scale to each other—[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]'s [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]] mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Concorde|Concorde jet]]) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

Don't even ask about the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] with their [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] limbs...

This problem isn't just limited to the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' combiners either: ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Supreme [[Devastator (ROTF)|Constructicon Devastator]] has a massive [[Scavenger (ROTF)|mining excavator]] form the lower portion of the torso, with your everyday type of [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|cement mixer truck]] that's ''almost the same size'' forming the upper portion of the torso. An [[Long Haul (ROTF)|"earth mover"-type dump truck]] that should be about the same size as the excavator forms one tiny leg, while the other leg is formed by a [[Rampage (ROTF)|bulldozer]] that should be slightly smaller. The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]] circumvents this problem by adding additional construction vehicles in the mix, which are ignored by the toy line. The [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] version of Devastator only adds another [[Overload (ROTF)|dump truck]] for the torso, which doesn't really improve things since all the individual components are still more or less the same size.

The ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' releases of the classic crews made varying efforts to avoid this. Among other changes, Blast Off's initial release was a significantly smaller jet, Swindle's tiny steering wheel suggests him to be around the same size as Brawl, Long Haul is significantly bigger than his team, and Groove is a much smaller Legends Class figure, while newcomer [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] takes his place as one of Defensor's limbs. That said, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] molds don't scale well with anyone else bar Groove, and Silverbolt remains tiny; seemingly the only character in-scale with his mold is maybe [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Newcomer [[Alpha Bravo]] is also undersized if his windows are anything to go by. There's also [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], both of whom are smaller than their teammates when the former should be the same size and the latter larger. Aaaand then a Deluxe-sized Groove and a new Blast Off figure with a space shuttle alternate mode are added to the line in order to revert their teams to their "classic" configurations.

This also presents clear problems with similar figures whose gimmick suggests interaction, such as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] or [[Mini-Cons]]. In both cases, part of the gimmick is the interchangeability of their accessories, who represent whole characters in their own right, suggesting the toys are indeed meant to have some kind of scaling with each other. However, that presents problems with some characters, such as [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (motorcycle) being the same size as [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (jet), especially if you assume [[Mirror]] is meant to be the size of a human. The biggest case by far is [[Unicron]]. His ''Armada'' toy is notoriously covered in Mini-Con ports, despite the fact that Unicron's very nature as a character suggests that any Mini-Con large enough to Powerlinx with him would have to be about the size of Argentina.
{{-}}

===Same alternate mode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) [[alternate mode]]s, but whose toys are different sizes. For example, [[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|the original Air Raid]] transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]], but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)/toys|the original Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Countach|Lamborghini Countach]] [[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Multiple scales of same character===
[[File:Animated-toy MultipleSizeOptimusPrimes.jpg|right|upright=1.5|thumb|Oh great. And I thought ''Bulkhead'' was confused...]]

Starting with ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'', many franchises have released multiple versions of the same character in different [[size class]]es, most often the leader characters. Originally, the intent was apparently to make the popular [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] characters available at lower price points than just the large and expensive "Leader" class, so that children with less money would not miss out, and perhaps persuading [[completist]]-minded [[User:ItsWalky|collectors]] to buy multiple versions of one character.

While this introduces a nice range of options for the discerning collector, it can also lead to some problems. ''Beast Machines'', for example, featured three different [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor toys]]. The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Supreme size toy]] was so large it could not interact with most of the other toys from the line (based on [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon]], he's maaaaybe in scale with [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|Nightscream]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], the latter of whom wasn't released until three years later). The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Deluxe Cheetor]], on the other hand, was too ''small'' to match scales with most of the other toys (again, using the cartoon as a yardstick). Anyone looking ''within'' the toyline for notions of a "correct" scale between the characters would be stymied by the multiple size classes and the lack of real-world scale references. That said, it does also mean that fans attempting to create "scale-accurate" collections have more options: for instance, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s releases at the Voyager pricepoint struggle to scale with the standard Deluxe-class cars, but his [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Leader-class incarnation]] is much closer.

Other instances of multiple-size characters are more clear cut; the [[Spychanger]] incarnations of various [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] characters, for instance, are simply scaled-down representations of the same characters in the same bodies, not meant to interact with the much larger "main" toys, as are the later "Legends of Cybertron" toys in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''. Other multiple-toy scale differences include intentionally simplified forms, such as the [[Fast Action Battlers]], which simply make all the characters the same size, with no attempt at matching scales.

Multiple-scale characters usually aren't meant to cross-interact. A rare exception is [[Movie (franchise)|live-action]] [[Blackout (Movie)#Voyager Class toys|Blackout]], who came with a [[Scorponok (Movie)#Voyager Class Blackout companions|tiny (and correctly scaled) version of Scorponok]]. A much larger [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Deluxe version of Scorponok]] is ''also'' meant to interact with the same Blackout toy, despite the ridiculous scale disparity (and the fact that this means Blackout can have ''two'' Scorponoks of radically different size clipped to him simultaneously).

Multiple toy sizes are generally irrelevant to the fiction, though the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] inflating to planetary size, presumably in response to the [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Supreme|super-large "King Starscream" toy]] available at the time.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[File:G1 Broadside toy.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Kill me. Just... kill me now.]]

[[Triple Changer]]s create a whole new set of problems. The original [[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] transforms from a 21-meter (70-foot) locomotive to a 37-meter (122-foot) [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]]. [[Octane#Toys|Octane]]'s original body transforms from a 20-meter (60-foot) tanker truck into a 65-meter (200-foot) jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth fighter jet of indeterminate model (let's pretend for the sake of argument that he's supposed to be an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] and say he's 18 meters (61 feet) long) into an entire ''aircraft carrier'', approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) long.

The newer versions of Astrotrain and Octane (aka "[[trademark|Tankor]]"), while changing the specifics of their alternate modes, really don't improve on the general size disparity all that much. The ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' version of Broadside actually makes it ''worse'': The figure includes tiny versions of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] (styled specifically after their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' alternate modes) to place on various spots on his aircraft carrier mode, but at the same time this Broadside is also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] figure that can ride inside his jet mode's cockpit, arguably making the Titan Master alone larger than the ''Combiner Wars'' Aerialbots' [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] gestalt form if scale were to be taken at face value... and yet the entire [[play pattern]] of the ''Titans Return'' line explicitly calls for Broadside and his Titan Master [[Blunderbuss]] to be compatible and interchangeable with any other figure and Titan Master in the line, most of whom are supposed to be ''much'' smaller in scale. Transformers Legends even acknowledges this by having Broadside becoming a gigantic Headmaster large enough to fight level with [[Grand Scourge]], and piloting a larger Transtector who seems to be on a similar scale to most versions of Metroplex.

Even a two mode toy can have this problem. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]] has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions. The original G1 Optimus Prime toy also has scale issues. His cab is 1/48 scale, but his trailer is closer in scale to the Autobot Cars, which fall more in the neighborhood of 1/35 to 1/40 scale-wise.
{{--}}

===Toys with roleplay alternate modes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)#Toys|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be real-world [[human]]-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster (G1)#Toys|Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with the original [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceMegs|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Masterpiece Optimus Prime]]. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing... not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica".

===Fanciful altmodes===
Characters with alternate modes that are not meant to be replicas of real-world things (or at least, close enough while being legally-distinct from said things) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertronian vehicles whose size we don't really know... or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all. The scale of characters such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|original Dinobots]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] or [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters within the fiction, although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard (see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for [[human]]-sized passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]] with [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]] suggests the scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] and planetformer toys (such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge [[Hasbro]] not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

Additionally, Fortress Maximus's main adversary [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is considerably smaller as a toy. Whereas Fortress Maximus includes a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Generation 1|Spike]], who turns into the head of [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (whose toy is roughly the same size as the regular 1987 Headmasters toys), who in turn becomes the head of Fortress Maximus, Scorponok merely comes with [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (whose figure is the same size as Fortress Maximus's Spike), who turns into a tiny head for Scorponok, covered up by a large helmet. So either Fortress Maximus is supposed to tower over Scorponok, or Zarak [[size changing|grows in size]] during his transformation into Scorponok's head.

===Action Masters===
[[File:Turbo Racer art.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|A car riding inside a car. Wheeljack, you are either a genius or completely nuts.]]

The [[:Category:Action Master vehicles|Action Master vehicles]] were designed to take advantage of the fact that the [[Action Master]] figures were all the same size. They can each pilot each other's vehicles or ride as a passenger. With the vehicles as a frame of reference, it seems we should take it as fact that all of the Action Masters are literally the same size, even characters such as [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Did Devastator shrink?

Then again, the vehicles pose even more problems: [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], who still sports car [[kibble]], rides a [[Turbo Cycle (G1)|motorcycle]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]] (who used to transform into a car himself) drives a [[Turbo Racer|sports car]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] steers a massive [[Armored Convoy|18-wheeler truck]], despite his own chest still being the front end of a truck cab. Did [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] shrink the Transformers to ''[[human]]'' size, or are these just ''gargantuan'' vehicles?

Of particular note, Wheeljack's Turbo Racer is based on a Ferrari Testarossa, and the Action Master [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] figure (a new [[character]] created specifically for the Action Masters lineup) sports kibble that indicates he once used to transform into a Ferrari Testarossa himself!
{{--}}

===Size class cross-compatibility===
[[File:ROTF-toy FuryOfFearswoopBox.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Finally, toys that are more or less in scale with each other... yet Hasbro insists they are ''not''.]]

With standardized [[size class]]es and mixed-faction assortments being the norm these days, scale issues are a given. For example, the first [[wave]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxes featured Autobots [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|Bumblebee]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]], two cars, as well as Decepticons [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]], a modified F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Classics 2|Astrotrain]], a [[Triple Changer]] who turns into a bullet train locomotive and a modified NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, all roughly the same size in robot mode but obviously not the same scale in their alternate modes.

However, with the increasing prevalence of multiple toys of the same [[character]] in different size classes, particularly enforced by the [[live-action film series]], it is technically possible to have somewhat more accurate scale combinations. The [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] and its successor, the Legion Class (part of the ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' range for a few years), allow Autobots with cars as their alternate modes to be roughly in scale with Deluxe or Voyager-sized Decepticons that turn into aircraft. Likewise, the Legends Class version of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Arcee (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Arcee]], a motorcycle, is more or less in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes.

Hasbro does not often take advantage of this possible compatibility with store [[exclusive]] [[giftset]]s and "bonus" packs. Even when toys with considerable size differences are sold in the same pack, combinations such as a Leader-sized [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Optimus Prime]] (which would be in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes) with the ''much'' smaller Legends Class versions of [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Jazz]] or the large Ultimate Bumblebee toy with the much smaller Deluxe-sized toys of [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Scorponok]] (who should be roughly the same size as Bumblebee) and [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]] (who should be considerably larger than either of them) are fairly common. The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "Shanghai Showdown" multi-pack with [[Demolishor (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|Demolishor]]'s Voyager-sized toy and the ice cream truck versions of [[Skids (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Mudflap]] (whose combined alternate mode is Deluxe-sized) is closer, but truly scale-accurate multi-packs like the ([[unreleased toy|unreleased]]) [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] "Sideways Sneak Attack" pack with a Deluxe-sized [[Sideways (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Sideways]] (who transforms into a car) and the aforementioned Legends Class version of Arcee and two [[redeco]]s of hers as [[Chromia (ROTF)#Transformers (2010)|Chromia]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)#Transformers (2010)|Elita-1]] are rare exceptions. A particularly odd example is the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "[[The Fury of Fearswoop]]" three-pack, which features a Deluxe-sized [[Fearswoop (ROTF)|Fearswoop]] (who transforms into a plane) and Legends Class versions of [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Fearswoop|Sideswipe]] and Mudflap (who turn into cars), making them more or less in scale with each other... yet the on-packaging [[bio]] states that Fearswoop has "grown to immense size".

{{--}}

===Drivers===
[[File:DOTM Tailpipe Pinpointer SgtNoble.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|That sure is one big motorcycle...]]

One of the more popular play patterns in the line's history is that of the driver figure: a small figure, usually a human or one of the various -Master configurations, who is capable of fitting inside the figure and driving it. However, given that a working interior that can fit an entire to-scale humanoid would likely compromise a lot of the engineering, many figures designed with this play feature in mind have the driver be far too small in comparison to their vehicle. This was first evident in the pre-''Transformers'' days, with the various ''[[Diaclone]]'' mechs all coming with pilot figures that, if to scale with the cars, would probably be the size of hobbits. The ''[[Masterpiece]]'' line, seemingly partly in homage to the heady days of ''Diaclone'', also frequently includes characters like [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] that end up not too far off the ''Diaclone'' drivers in scale next to the vehicles they're meant to be driving.

In the case of the [[Headmaster]] figures, the Headmasters set a rather consistent scale to their toys, but one that raises a lot of questions. Notably, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], if his driver is meant to be about the size of a human, is a rather oversized car, while the issues of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] being way too small for a city are magnified. It also creates issues since most incarnations of Headmasters are shown as interchangeable, suggesting that the toys are indeed meant to be about the same size, even if one is a car and the other is [[Highbrow (G1)|a dual-rotor copter]]. The cartoon somewhat got around this by depicting the heads of the Headmasters as significantly larger than their human and [[Nebulan]] pilots, though this may make Chromedome's issues even worse. These scale issues are largely inherited by similar lines, such as the [[Brainmasters]] and [[Titan Masters]].

''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' made use of ''Alternators'' sculpts, only with added [[human]] female driver figures... which were woefully small compared to the cars they came with. This would repeat itself with the "[[Human Alliance]]" toys for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'': The cars/robots are all roughly the right size compared to each other ([[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]] are even smaller, squatter toys and come with sub-[[size class|Scout]]-sized [[Arcee (Movie)#Human Alliance|motorcycle]] and [[Chromia (ROTF)#HumanAlliance|robots]] to make up for it), but their human drivers are all too small (amusingly, [[Frenzy (Movie)#Human Alliance|Frenzy]] seems to be about right). In fact, the size differences have even ''increased'': The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] line introduced an even ''smaller'' scale for the driver figures, including new versions of [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] that are smaller than their ''Revenge of the Fallen'' predecessors. The new scale for the driver figures continued with ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', which introduced Scout-sized robot figures that had one-man [[alternate mode|vehicle modes]] in a slightly larger scale, resulting in [[Sergeant Noble|undersized drivers]] riding [[Tailpipe (DOTM)|oversized motorcycles]]. Conversely, the [[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] ''Dark of the Moon'' "Autobot Daredevil Squad" multi-pack couples a redeco of the original ''Revenge of the Fallen'' version of Sam with a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee]], resulting in a large human with a small Chevrolet Camaro he couldn't possibly fit into even if the Bumblebee toy had its crude interior redesigned to house a driver.

===Intentional attempts at a consistent scale===
[[File:TF2010-toy Jazz HumanAlliance.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In the films, Jazz is only about 15 feet tall. Josh Duhamel (Lennox) is 6'4" (!). That's one tiny Lennox there.]]
There have been a few toy lines that attempt to address this weirdness and try to present scale in a much more consistent manner, however... though issues still pop up in virtually every one.

The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus in perfect scale with each other, was the first to buck the trend. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limited the choice of altmodes. A [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (Space Shuttle) toy in scale with the ''Alternators'' toys would be 1.6 meters (5.1 feet) long, while a [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (aircraft carrier) toy at that scale would be over 12 meters (40 feet)! Hasbro actually displayed [[Prototype|mock-ups]] for an unproduced line of "military" Transformers in scale with ''Alternators'' during the [[BotCon 2007]] Hasbro Tour; two of them recycled parts of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], and were thus [[Size class|Supreme-sized]], which made said potential toyline not particularly commercially viable for Hasbro.

The direct—and indirect—successors to ''Alternators'' (''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]'', ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'', [[Human Alliance]]) also maintained a mostly consistent internal scale with their car figures. Indeed, given that the lines all share a 1:24 scale, they actually scale well with each other. But as noted above, these lines include "human" drivers that needed to be comparatively ''tiny'' to fit inside their partner's vehicle mode. ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' would follow in ''Alternators''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s footsteps with a series of smaller 1:32-scale licensed cars... as well as stuffing [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Alternity|characters who traditionally don't have automobile alternate modes]] into modern-day civilian vehicles. That these toys represent [[Alternity (species)|hyper-evolved beings]] most of the time make it all the more head-scratch-inducing. The follow-up to that line, ''[[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Transformers GT]]'', packed each 1:32-scale toy with a 3 3/4-inch ''[[Microman]]'' "[[GT Sister]]" figure, making the girls positively ''giant'' when compared to the cars. (Admittedly the GT Sisters are non-human Cybertronians, despite appearances, but this definitely smacks of fiction working to explain the toyline's scale issue.)

The ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line, from roughly [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|MP-10]] onward, has gone in the opposite direction, making heavy use of the in-fiction scale of the G1 cartoon - but only in robot modes. Thus, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] comes up to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s waist, which is show-accurate, but results in Bumblebee turning into a very small Volkswagen Beetle; were vehicle mode scale used, Bumblebee would actually be slightly larger. [[Star Saber (G1)|Saber]] is also correctly the height of the Autobot cars, resulting in him being smaller than the original toy (despite the Star Saber mode being bigger). The robot mode scaling is generally very consistent to the chosen source, but there are still a few oddities, particularly when dealing with older figures being reissued or redecoed after MP-10. The [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] are about right (going by robot mode, anyway, as ever), but [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s reissue is a little shorter than MP-10 Optimus, when he should be about a head taller. And, much like ''Human Alliance'', the various human figures released alongside them are far too small - going by the [[scale charts]], Spike, for instance, should come up to Optimus's knee, rather than the middle of his shin.

In recent years, the "collector-aimed" mass-retail lines have made attempts to stick to an internally consistent scale (while still adhering to price points), largely based on the characters' robot mode depictions in media. The 2018 ''[[Studio Series]]'' line was the first to do so: Deluxe [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Bumblebee]] is shorter than Deluxe [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Ratchet]], but taller than Deluxe [[Jazz (Movie)#Studio Series|Jazz]], with Deluxe [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Generations|Lockdown]] being taller than all three. Sadly, the scale for this line doesn't translate as well for vehicle modes even within a single price point, plus Voyager-and-up toys of larger characters ''still'' have vehicle modes far too small compared to the cars. (And they were ''never'' gonna make a properly screen-accurate-scale [[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]], though a Commander Class figure ''was'' in the works, but was canned, bummer.)

The following year, the Generation-1-based ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' continued the robot-mode scale trend, with the opening series ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' roughly scaling characters according to the original cartoon's animation models. Non-show characters such as [[Spinister (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Spinister]] used other media, namely [[IDW Publishing]]. The vehicle modes were (supposedly) Cybertronian vehicles which also helped ignore vehicle-mode scale issues. The following line, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', even went so far as to make Deluxe [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]] considerably smaller all around than the other Deluxes, but filled out his price tag with his giant bazooka accessory. Of course, with much of the line now using Earth-based vehicle modes, those scale issues return. The final line in the trilogy, ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' introduced ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' characters into the mix, which hoooo boy. The line attempts to maintain media-based robot-mode scale between the respective casts, but just kind of ignores the obvious scale issues between putting Generation 1 characters alongside ''Beast Wars'' characters. The reintroduction of the ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]'' Legends Class (under the name "Core Class") is another barrel of monkeys, with the majority of them being smaller takes of "G1" characters based on larger toys, which only scale amongst their own. Meanwhile, the beast Core toys do not adhere to any scale besides being smaller than the rest of the cast.
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== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation error]]s, such as layering problems,[[:File:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:File:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:File:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]] but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[File:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]
[[File:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Actually, disturbing ''fiction'' is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

The original ''Transformers'' fictions often depict characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] as about the same height, [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics portrayed the [[Pretender]]s as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full-scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]] encounter [[Femax|giant, transformer-sized humanoids on an alien planet]] which made them appear to be of a "normal" scale.

[[File:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|I know he's meant to be big, but holy ''crap'', dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most Minibots, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|toy Galvatron]] is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realize that a [[redeco]] of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode. G1-era media also consistently depicts the members of the [[Special Teams]] as being about the same size as each other, even though the toys consistently had the leader be about twice the size of the limbs.

[[File:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]], who has an Ultra toy (the "level four" size, almost twice the size of the "level three" Mega next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (both of whom are "level two" Deluxe sized toys). Further, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron]]'s toys use the same (Deluxe) mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys. This problem was magnified when the Generation 1 characters cameoed in the series. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' but is shown in "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", as being much smaller than Optimus Prime.
[[File:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|An example of how small Beast Wars Megatron is compared to Optimus Prime.]]

The ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the [[Maximal]]s featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], is [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)#Beast Machines|the ''shortest'' toy]], while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|massive Ultra-class toy]]. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the [[King Kong]]-like size of this toy became [[canon]] in one specific [[micro-continuity]]. {{storylink|Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark}})

[[File:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]
In the otherwise fairly toy-scale-savvy [[Unicron Trilogy]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes (they do at least scale decently to each other, though). Within the animation, this causes problems with their [[Mini-Con]] partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' release of [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]], dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MegaloConvoy|Optimus Prime toy]] to indicate the "correct" scale. The [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'']] update of ''Cybertron'' Metroplex in the [[Transformers: Legacy|''Legacy'']] toyline similarly accomplished broadly show accurate scaling with regular Deluxe and Voyager class figures by bumping him up a size class or three with a new [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Legacy|Titan class toy]].

The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' franchise has its share of scale problems when comparing its toyline to the cartoon (not helped by multiple releases of some characters in different sizes—see above), with several characters seeming roughly one [[size class]] too small, such as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] being a mix of one Voyager size and two Deluxes, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Toys|Sentinel Prime]] looking rather diminutive as a Deluxe, and, most egregiously, [[Lugnut (Animated)#Toys|Lugnut]] as a ''very'' squat Voyager who's shorter than even some Deluxes (as with [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Toys|Voyager-class Bulkhead]], more of his mass went into his width, plus his weapon takes away some from his robot mode). Conversely, the traditionally stunted [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]] is marginally too tall and bulky to be in correct scale to his otherwise fairly accurate core teammates, assuming one includes [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Voyager|Voyager Optimus]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Leader|Leader Bulkhead]] in their lineup. In fact, ''Animated'' is one of those toylines where you're not quite sure who you're supposed to base correct scale on.

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[File:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|left|thumb|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll...]]
[[File:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|...too late.]]
Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes. [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] is another serial offender, particularly given his frequent appearances in episodes animated by [[AKOM]]; his size ranges from shot to shot in "[[The Core]]" from being about twice as tall as Optimus to being so large that Prowl's head doesn't even come up to the top of his foot.

The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] vary in height relative to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. A [[:File:TimeWars2-TakeUp.jpg|panel]] in the "[[Time Wars]]" arc shows [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his original appearance, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer. Super mode Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was originally about Fortress Maximus-sized, until he too shrunk to the size of his inner robot—which was never seen again.

Scale can even be inconsistent within the same story thanks to changing artists: In the Marvel UK story "[[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]]", a ginormous [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] picks up a tiiiiny military Jeep with one hand, implying that he grew to humongous proportions when he transformed (as his alternate mode is ''also'' depicted as a Jeep in fiction), but in the second part of the story, Swindle is hit by a burning Jeep (possibly even the same one) that is [[:File:LadiesNightSwindleJeepScale.jpg|now in scale with his robot mode]]. {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}} It can even happen within the same issue without an artist change: In [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]'', there's a scene where a [[Hiro|human]] picks up [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] in his tape deck mode, which is smaller than a thick comic book slipcase in his hands. A few pages later, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] picks up Soundwave out of the human's hands, being barely able to hold the tape deck in his mouth, making Laserbeak about the size of a large dog (not counting the wings). Yet when [[Skywatch]] discovers Laserbeak at the end of the story, his ''head'' alone is suddenly the size of an adult human. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime's in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blastizone adds on a few tons to Beast Era characters.]]
Between the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably downgraded in size at the [[Great Upgrade]]. When entering the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the Ark and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the [[Maximal]]s are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet the Ark also seems to feature some human-sized computer control panels. {{storylink|Master Blaster|Master Blaster}} Without any height booster, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] can interface well with these controls.

[[File:Cosmos MTMTE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Finally, drawn in alternate mode scale!]]On the other hand, ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blastizone]] may somehow {{w|Boom tube#Later additions to the concept|account for this discrepancy}}. On the other hand, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'' characters were retconned to be time travelers from the Maximal/Predacon-dominated era of the future, yet the amnesiac [[Tow-Line (RID)|Wrecker Hook]] is the same size as his 21st century Decepticon comrades. Similarly, the ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'' comic "[[Hoist the Flag]]" features 21st century Cybertronians (including several ex-Decepticons) alongside 30th century Cybertronians (including Maximals as well as long-lived Autobots), all at the same size. And this continuity is ''supposed'' to contain a near-identical version of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.

[[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] [[2005 IDW continuity|original continuity]] frequently took liberties with scale as well: notably, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] is consistently drawn positively ''huge'' in robot mode when standing side by side with his fellow Autobots while appearing as a regular member of the (background) cast in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', but as soon as he transfers over into the sister title ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'', his size is considerably scaled down a bit (although he's still a few heads taller than the average Autobot).
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===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] becomes a human-scale radio; [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] shrinks into a handgun scaled for either Transformer or human hands, depending on the situation. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the audience to attribute it to advanced alien technology.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the [[Pretender]]s are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized or Powermaster Optimus Prime is the size of Devastator. ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size in a less explicit fashion when transforming. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size-changing by that portion of the fan base who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice. It can also be supposed that they are hiding their mass somewhere (car style Transformers storing mass in their passenger compartments when in humanoid form, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] folding his wings flat, the buildings in a Titan collapsing to eliminate the spaces normally occupied by humans, boat-bots filling up or getting rid of the vast empty areas used to provide buoyancy) or puffing up with empty space, but at a certain point, things just get silly. Some Transformers are smaller than solid blocks of the mass contained in their alt-modes: [[Unicron]] would have to be about as thick as the [[Earth]]'s crust while in planetary form, and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] would probably be blown away by a stiff breeze in his larger incarnations.

====Transport characters====
[[File:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|thumb|right|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]
[[File:Ironhide carried into Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|...And not to [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|mention]] [[Ratchet (G1)|this]].]]

In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode. Likewise, a whole squad of Decepticons can fit into Astrotrain's shuttle mode easily (including the combined-form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]!), yet he's an ordinary-sized trooper in his robot form.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] or [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In one story, the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' series of [[bio]] comics tried to explain this for characters such as Astrotrain and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] by saying they're able to expand themselves to increase cargo space in vehicle mode, though their armor becomes thinner as it is spread out more. Conversely, the series notes, in robot mode, all that armor and structure being compressed into a smaller form makes that mode stronger and more durable for combat.

This concept is lampshaded in the credits of ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'', where [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] pulls up, and the entire Autobot cast of the game step out of his passenger door, clown car style.

====Combiner characters====
[[File:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Since when is a Formula-1 car nine stories tall?]]
[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner).

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be slightly less than three times as tall as a one-car Transformer, even when taking the alteration of their body parts into account, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades. In the video game ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]] towers at least ten times as tall as any Protectobot, crushing them under his feet. In fact when the Combaticons form him in Chapter X they are clearly swelling in size. The same is later repeated with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] in ''[[Transformers: Devastation]]''.

Sometimes, they are even out of scale in their own team; [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s torso is an [[Onslaught (G1)|anti-aircraft truck]], while one of his limbs is a [[Blast Off (G1)|Space Shuttle]] and another is a [[Swindle (G1)|two-person offroad vehicle]]. For this to work, either Blast Off has to shrink, or Swindle needs to grow. Likewise, [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] features a [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and a [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] as limbs that are inexplicably the same size.

On occasion, characters are shown explicitly changing size when forming a Combiner. For example, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] was shown to grow several times his normal size when forming the head of Devastator in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots In Disguise]]''.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for e.g. the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.

===Undersized alternate modes===
Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. [[Mini Vehicle]]s [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] are usually depicted as smaller than other Transformers in fiction, even though their alternate modes should have them towering over other characters. This often results in minuscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows. Conversely, if a new toy based on such a [[character]] is designed to be more in scale with other toys, such as [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Ultra Class Powerglide or [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Voyager Class [[Sea Spray (TF 2010)|Sea Spray]], some [[fandom|fans]] complain ''because they expect those new toys to reflect the original toys' sizes'' and, by extension, the [[show-accuracy|depiction in fiction]].

[[File:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]
The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot mode, but they transform into equally tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes. The animated segments featured in the television [[commercial]]s for the toys generally play fast and loose with scale: One of them features Micromasters small enough for [[Action Master]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] to hold several of them (in alternate mode) in the palm of his hand (see the image to the left), which would mean the toys are supposed to be roughly life-sized, while others feature an entire Micromaster ''city'' that's small enough for [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime to hold it in the palm of his hand, which would make the toys massively ''oversized''!

Conversely, the Marvel Comics depict the Micromasters merely as a little smaller than the likes of Bumblebee or Cliffjumper. One story even features [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized car. Furthermore, the Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to interact more easily with "smaller beings". Whether that meant creatures of human scale or even smaller stature is never clarified, but the Micromasters' passenger compartments are presumably too small to accommodate human passengers.

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers (notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]], and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances). This results from the Mini-Cons scanning normal vehicles and then resizing them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing or that their cockpits are kinda cramped. Though the Recon Team all originate from Gigantion, and seeing how partnered Mini-Cons seem to change size to fit their larger companions, a little size shift to accommodate a passenger doesn't seem too far-fetched compared to other scale issues.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[File:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|If you were ever this big in the cartoon, then we might call you a city.]]
[[File:HeadmastersScale.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|See above. Way, way, way above.]]
[[Titan (group)|A few characters]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a Titan that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' Transformers, should have a robot mode that'd make [[Godzilla]] look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. Even so, it would take something along the lines of the grossly undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) to even begin to reasonably represent the colossal size of a transformed city. Thus, in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These Titans often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]], [[Six-Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus, and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters. However, Metroplex, during his one, brief appearance, was depicted as being immensely larger, crushing Quintesson attack cruisers under foot without batting an eyelid. He was still considerably smaller than a city, however, but this was justified by him merely serving as the 'transformation core' for Autobot City: Earth, not the actual city itself.

In IDW's 2005-2018 comics, Metroplex's size warrants further exploration. In "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" he's shown to be about the same size as the ''[[Lost Light]]''. If one takes James Robert's measurements into account (but then, the ''Lost Light'' has its own fair share of scaling problems), this would make him and [[Quintessa (IDW)|some]] of the other [[Titan (group)|Titans]] approximately 15 miles high in [[robot mode]] — taller than Manhattan Island is long! In panel art, characters are usually visible (albeit small) compared to him... but even if they only came up to his foot, they'd still have to be dozens of meters taller than they really are to even ''show up'' on panel. Other Titans, such as the numerous dead Titans on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] or [[Chela]], seem to be smaller, roughly the size of a single large building. Metrotitan, the Titan that ended up on Earth, was stated by military sources to be two miles tall. It may just be that Titans vary in size like many other Transformers.

Likewise, Metroplex's internal workings are portrayed as much smaller than they'd realistically have to be. His brain module, for instance, is consistently depicted as being only a few times bigger than [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] as opposed to the city block-sized machine it would "realistically" be. These visual cheats are of course done for the sake of narrative convenience and good storytelling, so we can't really begrudge the writers and artists for this.<ref>But we'll certainly bring it up.</ref>

In ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]] is portrayed not so much as the city, but a part of the city; with one hand being large enough to carry Optimus or crush Megatron.

====Planets and planetbots====
[[File:Planet_scale.jpe|center|upright=2.4|thumb|From left to right: [[Unicron]], [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]], [[Moonbase One]], [[Moonbase Two]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], [[Earth]]]]
[[File:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is 'only' the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge France into that gash (which would probably improve both Cybertron and France).]]
Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout Generation 1 with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.''-style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150 km (100 miles) across, far smaller than even the smallest known (or even physically possible) dwarf planets. The rather [[wikia:starwars:Coruscant|Coruscant]]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable (some people reason that the Transformers' advanced technology, along with their large size and their not needing to breathe, means that buildings actually CAN be that big).

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. [[File:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Either Galvy is humungo, or Lithone is tiiinyyy!!!]]Scenes in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm (G1)#Marvel Comics continuity|Brainstorm]] on his fingernail, {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. Not to mention that he's described as a "''ginormous'' weird-lookin' planet," which would lead one to assume that he is ''significantly'' larger than your average-sized weird-lookin' planet. Thank you, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]]. Thank you so much.

If Cybertron is the size of Earth's moon (and that's generous), and Unicron is about the size of Cybertron, his hands would be about the size of Europe and Galvatron (to the right) would be about the size of Denmark.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

The depiction of Unicron in ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' is another improvement - he is explicitly said to be the [[Earth's core|''core'' of the planet Earth]], which would be about 3470 km. Furthermore, only manifestations of him are seen (these vary in size), and his eyeball, which is in comparison to the Transformers about the size of a small town. It also helps that there are no regular transformers in the shot of his eyeball. It's not perfect but hey, what're you going to do?

As a side note, Unicron has been established in some continuities as having already devoured approximately 22.56% of known universes which is truly ridiculous if one takes actual planetary/galactic scale into consideration. Assuming that Unicron is ''generously'' close to the size of our moon, when compared to other stellar bodies he shows up as an all-but-invisible speck. Imagine him trying to devour a star the size of [http://www.kiroastro.com/writings/perspective.html Betelgeuse!]

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[File:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|right|thumb|I'm tellin' ya, all da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]
Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other (a consistency made more easy to achieve thanks to CGI used to animate), their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, other characters are more subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros (he's roughly the correct size for a Sumatran rhinoceros, but seriously undersized for a white rhinoceros, the two living species of rhinos with two horns and more or less the same head shape as his beast-mode), and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal gorilla. However, despite being by far the shortest of the Maximals, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] is still a monstrously huge rat, the size of a Labrador dog (indeed, the writers stated that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref>). Likewise [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real ''Velociraptor''. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], however, is a pitifully tiny specimen of a ''T. rex''. In their interactions with adult [[anthropoid]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

However, thanks to the scaling up of the arthropod characters, it is relatively safe to assume that the Transformers generally scanned only animal ''forms'' and then rescaled them to fit their own size - additionally, they were not so much attempting to ''disguise'' themselves, as to ''protect'' themselves from an excess of Energon. This is actually slightly more believable than all other series, in which the Transformers use mass shifting to make their alt-modes the ''right'' size.

The movie universe characters aren't immune to scale issues, either; the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]] are way out of proportion compared to their real-life counterparts; such as [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]] (who is ''far'' too big for a ''Pteranodon'' compared to his allies), and [[Scorn]] (who isn't quite as problematic; though a real ''Spinosaurus'' had shorter legs, making his ''proportions'' more of an issue than actual scale). Interestingly, despite being markedly out of scale compared to each other, the Dinobots are actually quite well-scaled towards the other characters (with the exception of Strafe, as noted above); for example, [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] is the same scale to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] as a real ''Tyrannosaurus'' is to a human.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[File:Prime has a huge head.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|With 20th Anniversary Prime and Smallest Transformers Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]
Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character. Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|he's 15' tall]] {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair (and also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult). [[Animated]] departs from this, where Decepticons are sometimes depicted larger than the Autobots to emphasize the rookie nature of the team handling imposing and dangerous enemies.

In a related vein, sometimes Transformers are able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and running up their staircases without crashing through. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things. In another variation of this, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] is a colossal monster in [[beast mode]] that even the upgraded [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] can barely look in the chest, but transforms into a beefy robot a head or two taller than [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Since for the majority of his presence on the show he is a loyal servant of Megatron, this was likely intentionally fudged so that he could have scenes inside the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', which is also where one of his biggest and most plot-important [[Synthesis|fight scenes]] takes place.

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====Intentionally strange scale====
[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|One side makes you larger, one side makes you small (Op's been noshing on the first side too much).]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size [[Authorial intent|intentionally]]. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original ''Transformers'' comics series]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too). This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[[World of the Transformers]]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere (except for ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'').

Artwork for the [[:File:VaderVsPrime.jpg|''Star Wars'']] subline features [[:File:Megatronvsluke.jpg|humans from another galaxy]] standing at the same height as Transformers, although this is simply because most of the figures in [[Attacktix|the tabletop game advertised by this artwork]] are the same size.

[[File:World of the Transformers ent.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Meet the Supreme class <s>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</s> Optimus Primal.]]
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===Live-action film series===
[[File:Moviescale1.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]
The creators of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues (well, greater than previous franchises). This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode, although [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]] would later give Prime his more classic flat-nosed truck mode without any notecable change of mass of his robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30 cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience, and other visual cheats to make the robots seem shorter or taller were used in the movies. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]] is particularly confusing; while official sources state that there is only a two-foot height difference between Megatron and Optimus Prime, Megatron seems to tower over Prime in the shot where he steals Quintessa's staff, yet is almost exactly the same size as Optimus throughout the rest of the film. The [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|movie-franchise toys]], meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), with the largest contrast among the "primary" toys being between Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], a motorcycle, and Voyager Class Decepticons with helicopters as their [[alternate mode]]s, such as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. Many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale, although Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and Classic Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] are obviously not the same scale, as noted above.

[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s size is particularly confusing. In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', his size is based on the actual sizes of his components; the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|''ROTF'' game]] inflates his overall scale to a far larger size. The movie tries to circumvent the size differences between Devastator's individual components by adding [[unknown Constructicon dump truck|more]] [[unknown Constructicon shovel|construction vehicles]] into the Devastator combination. The toy line, on the other hand, [[Overload (ROTF)|mostly]] ignores those additional components, resulting in massive scale discrepancies ([[#Toys out of scale within teams|see above]]) - [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], who forms Devastator's right leg, is a massive Caterpillar 773B mining dump truck, which should make him considerably larger than [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], a Caterpillar D9L bulldozer who forms the left leg.

Another interesting example is [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]]. Despite transforming into a Lamborghini Aventador (a smallish vehicle at less than four feet in height and fifteen feet in length), Lockdown unfolds into a massive robot mode that stands at least 24 feet tall. Robot mode Lockdown is pretty much the same size as Optimus, at most only a few feet shorter than him, even though Optimus is a massive Western Star Truck concept. In toy form, Lockdown's small alternate mode means you can either set his Deluxe-sized toy against a Voyager-or-smaller Prime for correct robot mode scale, or against a Leader-sized Prime toy for correct vehicle mode scale - but obviously not both!

At the time of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', scaling concerns in relation between robot and vehicle modes were seemingly absent, at least in regards to airborne vehicles. Seekers, most notably Blitzwing (who later scans an Earth-based fighter jet) are mostly the same size as bots like Optimus, who maintains his truck mode. [[Shatter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]] were introduced as the first Triple Changers in the film franchise with two Earth-based vehicle forms (with [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] having a Cybertronian helicopter mode alongside his car mode). While the two initially have their own customized muscle car alt-modes with no scaling issues, inconsistencies begin to appear as soon as they scan secondary airborne vehicle modes. Most notably, the additional [[kibble]] added to their bodies shows in glaring contrast to already-existing car parts, indicating that their aerial forms are quite undersized. While they're not shown next to humans in their jet and helicopter modes, their on-screen transformations do not indicate any notable size increase. In fact, they actually seem to ''increase'' their mass when changing from aerial vehicles ''into'' muscle cars.

And then there's [[Mirage (ROTB)|Mirage]] in ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts|Rise of the Beasts]].'' Throughout most of the film he transforms into a Porsche 911 that's marginally smaller than the '78 Camaro that Bumblebee turns into, but both 'bots end up around the same height in robot mode. In one scene Mirage turns into a Lamborghini and a Formula One car, both of which are considerably larger yet shorter than the 911, without any visible changes in mass, but a few scenes later he turns into a dump truck that easily dwarfs the Freightliner cabover that Optimus transforms into. And ''then'' at the end of the movie, Mirage is able to disassemble himself and turn into a suit of armor that comfortably fits around Noah like and [[Iron Man]] suit. Yeah.

In terms of toys, the [[Studio Series]] line is designed to more-or-less avert these scale issues, as each figure is sized in relation to other toys, even in the same [[size class]]; Deluxe #18 Bumblebee is shorter than Deluxe Jazz and #01 Bumblebee, who are in turn shorter than Deluxe Ratchet and Lockdown.

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==Official scale guides==
'''See: [[Scale charts]]'''
[[File:Tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|thumb|Official Scale Guides of ''The Transformers'']]
[[File:Beastwarsscalepreliminary.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|''Beast Wars'' Season 1 scale guide]]
Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guides ''[[Transformers: The Ark|The Ark]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]''. Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.

''Beast Wars'' likewise had an official scale guide, which appeared as a bonus on the DVD set of Season 2. Despite this guide, the series writers have indicated some measure of disregard for relative scale when it suited the needs of dramatic tension.<ref>[http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html BotCon 98 report - see "ON THE SIZES OF CHARACTERS"]</ref> Thus, Optimal Optimus is ''ungodly'' tall in his first appearance, later reduced to perhaps two times the height of the rest of the cast.

[[File:ROTF Autobot scale guide 1.jpg|thumb|right|''ROTF'' scale guide]]

''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' had scale guides featured in the ''25 years of Transformers'' feature for the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video|DVD release]] which showed official heights for both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Notably, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] gains an extra twelve feet when he wears [[Jetfire (Movie)|a corpse]].

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==Alternate meanings of the term "scale"==
In recent years, Hasbro has actually started using the term "scale" in the context of their ''Transformers'' toys more frequently. However, the term is ''not'' used, as one might assume, to refer to the size ''ratio'' between different characters and their surroundings, but to refer to [[size class]]es. Terms like "[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends scale]]", "Deluxe scale", "Voyager scale", etc. are used in official product descriptions and press releases, and have since been adopted by the [[fandom]]. So in Hasbro terms, a Deluxe-sized fighter jet and a Deluxe-sized motorcycle are both considered the ''same'' "scale".

Even worse, [[Hasbro Pulse]] refers to a figure's ''height measurements'' as "figure scale".

If one were <s>a cynic</s> decidedly snarky, one might argue that the reason Hasbro has no sense of scale with regards to Transformers is because they don't even know what the term actually ''means''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

Gold Plastic Syndrome

2024-03-07T06:14:38Z

MBG: most of randy's robot mode parts are made of white plastic

{{featured}}
[[File:Electrogoldplasticsyndrome.jpg|right|upright=2.5|thumb|Ouch.]]
'''Gold Plastic Syndrome''' (commonly shorthanded to '''GPS''') is fandom terminology used to describe the phenomenon of a toy's [[plastic]] decomposing and becoming brittle to the point of shattering or crumbling under minimal-stress conditions. In the most extreme cases, toys have been reported to spontaneously crumble to small bits without any applied force at all, even if they're fresh out of their [[Mint in sealed box|unopened package]].

This breakage is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some [[Toy|''Transformers'' toys]]; while normal stress fractures are universally heralded by stress marks on the toy, GPS breakage doesn't have that sign; it simply crumbles to pieces. The condition takes its name from the gold plastics of late Generation 1 through to ''Beast Wars'' that have proved the most prone to this sort of breakage. Despite the name, Gold Plastic Syndrome has been known to affect other types of plastic—most of them noted for a pretty metallic swirl in the plastic; the reason it has the "GPS" moniker is because gold plastic was the first and most common color observed to have this horrific phenomenon.

Thankfully, Gold Plastic Syndrome is generally unheard of in modern ''Transformers'' figures, with the last reported case being in [[2015]] with ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' [[Motormaster (G1)#Unite Warriors|Motormaster]].

==Etymology==
The term was coined in an [[alt.toys.transformers]] post made by user Sky Shadow in September 2002.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b3d532961b2c2dc</ref> A post by [[Dave Edwards|Dave "Zobovor" Edwards]], meanwhile, made in June of the previous year,<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6ed7e0f3586f37e4</ref> is the earliest identifiable acknowledgment of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

Completing the journey from fan term to official term, "Gold Plastic Syndrome" was used by Hasbro designer [[John Warden]] at the ''Transformers Generations'' panel at Comic-Con International 2015 to describe exactly what would not happen to ''Combiner Wars'' G2-style [[Slingshot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Quickslinger]].

==Notability==
GPS is widespread among toys made in the tail-end of [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]], typically the second year of [[Pretender]]s and even some European-market exclusives, ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' and the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' series, but examples have surfaced from lines as recent as [[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|''Universe'' (2003)]], the ''[[Star Wars Transformers]]'' and the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 movie]]. Transformers toys are not the only ones to suffer from this; there have been reports of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Visionaries]]'' toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord; even some ''Super Sentai'' and ''[[Power Rangers]]'' toys have been known to suffer. Probably the strangest is accounts of retro game collectors finding ''Majora's Mask'' cartridges shatter under minimal stress. Other retro robot toy collectors have referred to it as "Popy disease", after the metallic blue plastic favored by the company Popy that led to the demise of many a Dairugger / Vehicle Team Voltron.

The toys most likely to suffer from Gold Plastic Syndrome are those with gold or bronze plastic with a metallic swirl to it. There are other known cases with different colors of plastic—though usually there is a tell-tale swirl in the plastic.

===Cause===
[[File:SkyquakeGPSback.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Gleargh]]
Because this is not exactly an area of scientific notability there aren't any full studies into Gold Plastic Syndrome that we know about. Basically, it is thought that certain plastics weren't mixed as well as others, possibly because of the metallic pigment or colouring, so they break down more quickly.

It's not much of a theory, really; think more a hypothesis. Here's a more detailed attempt:

{{bigquote|The problem likely arises, as with many composites, when the bonding between the polymer and the dye/particles breaks down. This could occur do to a natural chemical/phase change of the plastic, due to oxidation, for example, or by another mechanism, say the forces incurred by the toy being played with, or more likely, due to some combination thereof. In any case, when the bonds between the particles and the polymers break down, you would get small voids in the plastic structure. If this occurs frequently enough, the structure would become effectively porous (that is, it would be filled with lots of tiny voids/cracks where the polymers and particles have come apart). With even a slight amount of force, some of these cracks/voids could expand, even slightly, to the point where they intersect another void and join, making an even bigger crack. Once a critical crack length is reached, the sample fractures.

So effectively, the plastic becomes more brittle, and this would also explain it "crumbling" as well as cracking.}}
:-Aernaroth suggests a cause for GPS [http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=57191&view=findpost&p=1174876 on the Allspark]

In short, the poorly-bonded plastic is so honeycombed with air gaps that the pressure required for movement will crumble it.

Hasbro have attributed it to "the amount of gold fleck included in the plastic", and have apparently reduced the amount in similar plastics of more recent vintage to prevent further occurrences.<ref name="hasbrogps">[http://www.transformerland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3481 Hasbro Transformersland.com Q&A, August 2009:] "When we used gold metallic plastic in the past we discovered, along with many of you, that it becomes brittle over time. As we became aware of this situation, we took the necessary steps to reduce the amount of gold fleck included in the plastic to eliminate this issue. Ultimately, this should no longer be an issue due to these corrective steps that we have taken."</ref> Later Hasbro said that they believe they've "alleviated the issues associated with the 'gold' plastic issue" through "trial and error." <ref>http://www.toyark.com/news/transformers-toy-news-2/hasbro-transformers-june-2010-qna-2867/</ref>

All in all, the actual causes of Gold Plastic Syndrome aren't a very big deal to Transformers fans—it's really pretty academic. Of more concern is the ''RESULTS'' (i.e., poor Electro crumbling to bits like an Oreo left in milk too long), and what to look out for. There's no certain cure here, no fix. If a toy has GPS, it '''will''' die if handled and transformed normally.

Seibertron.com has reported that Ace Hardware's "Lub-E" product may prevent GPS breakage, having applied it to an Electro pre-photo-shoot. This claim needs further verification, as it may very well be a coincidence that that specific Electro did not break at that moment. Other discussions of Lub-E or comparable shock oil products have recommended ''submerging the toy in the lubricant entirely,'' which many collectors would find unacceptable even ''if'' it worked.

===The Symptoms===
[[File:GPSSkyquakescopeclose.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|right|Nooo!]]

Gold Plastic Syndrome usually has a few clear signs. Knowing how to tell the difference between Gold Plastic Syndrome and normal plastic breakage is very important for a Transformers fan who is collecting vintage toys. It's the difference between giving up on that toy completely (since if it has GPS, it's ''likely'' most other samples of the toy will as well) and buying a new copy.
*GPS usually takes place in metallic-coloured plastics, most notably gold plastic and bronze plastic; they tend to have distinctive "swirly," "sparkly" appearance.
*GPS breaks are NOT accompanied by stress fractures. There is usually NOT any visible wear before the breakage. This is really important. Plastic breaks. This is a reality of toy collecting, plastic gets old and it breaks. Gold plastic syndrome is breakage without warning.
*GPS breaks often leave a powdery residue and shards of plastic (though not always), the result of the plastic actually physically crumbling. Take a look at the picture of Skyquake's scope—okay, the bits of his scope—to the right. You can actually see some of the left-over shards of plastic. Keep in mind this picture was taken years after the break actually occurred—these are new shards of plastic which came off these pieces of scope during the process of moving the parts around for photography. Plastic should '''not''' be that brittle or delicate.
*GPS breakages don't need to involve any excess stress or force on a toy—simply handling a toy or opening its box can cause the breakage. If your toy breaks despite careful handling it's more likely to be GPS.
*GPS breaks often have rough, uneven edges with no stress lines around them. This is important—usually when plastic snaps it snaps cleanly (as is common with clear plastic), or it bends first (leaving a torn-off piece, or clear stresses around the break). If a break is uneven, with different colours and textures in it, yet there are no stress fractures around the wound, and especially if it leaves a powdery residue as well, it's almost certainly a GPS break. Take a look at the photo of Skyquake above for a good example of the ragged break. Okay... not good. What's the other word that's LIKE "good", but not actually good? Oh yeah. Horrifying. A HORRIFYING example.
*GPS plastics will sometimes feel brittle to the touch, sometimes making cracking noises as they're handled.

A really easy test to tell if you have GPS breakage is this—if a piece breaks off, try snapping it again. If it's normal plastic breakage, the broken piece should bend or bow, since it would have had only one fracture point and otherwise remained malleable; in that circumstance, even if it were brittle clear plastic, you would be able to glue it back into place, or at least get a replacement part. On the other hand, if the broken piece continues to repeatedly crack apart like a potato chip when hit with pressure from any angle, then you've almost definitely got Gold Plastic Syndrome.

==GPS misconceptions==
'''ALL GOLD PLASTIC WILL DIE!'''
:Not true. It's only a specific composite of gold plastic only used during a specific era that will die, most prominently used from 1988 (second year Pretenders are notorious for it) and through to about the end of ''Beast Wars'' in 2000, although there are still a few rare cases of post-millennium figures with this issue up until 2015. As far as we know modern toys do not suffer from GPS due to a reduction in the amount of metallic flakes in similar, but more recent toys.<ref name="hasbrogps" /> Toys with flexible nylon-based gold plastics, such as [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Superbase Optimus Prime's]] elbows, are not susceptible to GPS supposedly because of the plastic's composition. Even on toys well known for GPS, some of their gold plastic is less prone to break. Gold plastic which is nice and thick is much less likely to snap than gold plastic which is thin. Gold plastic which is under constant stress—like that at a joint—is also more likely to break. That said, some really nice solid parts can shatter like eggshells if it's real GPS we're talkin' about.

:Furthermore, there are various examples of figures built between 1988 to 2007 molded in similar-looking gold or bronze swirly plastic that do not suffer from this issue, like [[Blaze Master]], [[Archadis]], [[San D-Go]], [[Snarler]], and perhaps most ironically, [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Goldbug]]. Gold chrome, like that seen in [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|G2 Bumblebee]] and [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Transmetal Cheetor]], is also completely immune from GPS since it's merely painted rather than actually being gold plastic.

'''MY TOY BROKE, IT MUST BE GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME!!!'''
:There are plenty of ways for plastic to break that aren't related to Gold Plastic Syndrome. Repeated stress on a plastic, dropping a toy, a toy with metal parts that damage the plastic parts, thin plastic, or simply the use of translucent plastic, which is more brittle. Just because a toy breaks doesn't mean it's Gold Plastic Syndrome. Look for the symptoms (listed above) and ask around before assuming that every single copy of this toy is destined to die a painful and horrible death.

'''ONLY GOLD PLASTIC GETS GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME!'''
:Not ''quite'' true. Observations suggest that it should probably be called "Metallic Plastic Syndrome". It's those metallic plastics, most commonly the gold and bronze plastics used for almost ten years by Hasbro and Takara, from around 1989 to 1998. However, it's possible that any colour of plastic could be susceptible, given enough time. So keep a close eye on your Fire Convoy, kids; that pretty metallic swirl in his plastic isn't promising... maybe.

'''MY TOY IS DOOMED!'''
:Okay... not ''exactly'' a misconception. Your toy is ''probably'' doomed... but there is a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

:You see, the thickness of the plastic seems to affect GPS. Also, the amount of stress on it affects it. While some toys are known for breaking just by having their packages opened—guys like Randy, Roadblock and ''Generation 2'' Slingshot—others, like Skyquake and Pyro, can remain intact if they are handled with extreme care (and never ever transformed, of course) because the parts that are made of GPS plastics are large and thick and otherwise robust. GPS is an inconsistent process—eventually your toy '''will''' crumble, but there's no telling how long it will take. With delicate handling (read: almost none) you can maintain a GPS-afflicted toy in your collection for quite some time.

:Also remember that the evidence for Gold Plastic Syndrome is ''completely'' observational. There seems to be some evidence that different plastic batches were less affected, that some releases of the toys were less affected. You might luck out and get an Electro that never crumbles to dust, or you might be really unlucky and get multiple Electros, all of which break horribly. This page is a caution more than anything else. Know what you're getting into when you buy a toy known to be afflicted by GPS.

==Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome==
====Generation 1====
* '''[[Scorponok (G1)#BlackZarak|BlackZarak]]''' is easily one of the most depressing cases due to his rarity and hefty aftermarket pricing. Forget transforming him - simply standing him up is a risk. His golden feet and shield have to be under stress to function as intended, leading to cases of shattered toys fresh out of the box, or even ''[[Mint in sealed box|when still inside it.]]'' The Headmaster figure, double cannons, and city antennas are all likewise gold plastic and all need to be inserted or swiveled into position, and his pack-in partner [[Black Roritchi#Toys|Black Roritchi]], almost entirely made of gold plastic, transforms by folding in half. This is a toy to be handled as little as possible, if ever.

* [[Pretender Monster]]s '''[[Bristleback#Toys|Bristleback]]''' and '''[[Slog (G1)#Toys|Slog]]''' both suffer, but at different severities. Bristleback has multiple points of failure, the most obvious being the thin edges of his fist-holes, which can snap if his gun is pushed too far in. When forming Monstructor, sliding the combiner's fist in place can sometimes be enough to create a large crack through his legs, sometimes even splitting them entirely. (If you're feeling crafty, you might try shaving a tiiiny bit off the sides of the fist's connector plug. Better that less-than-mint condition than the "very broken" type.) And while his monster-limbs are fairly thick plastic, which is ''usually'' safer, they are also attached ''really tightly'', which means applying too much pressure to turn them can cause fractures. Slog is not especially susceptible on his own despite the sheer amount of gold plastic, but forming Monstructor requires another toy ([[Birdbrain#Toys|Birdbrain]]) to be inserted up inside his gold-plastic torso, which can put too much stress on the thinner sides if jostled or pushed in at a bad angle.

* Ultra Pretenders '''[[Roadblock (G1)#Toys|Roadblock]]''' and '''[[Skyhammer (G1)#Toys|Skyhammer]]''' are particularly notorious. Roadblock's innermost robot has three peg holes, two in the fists and one on his back, that are particularly susceptible to cracking and shattering, leaving many a Roadblock hand-less... or arm-less, as sometimes the posts attaching his arms to his torso will crumble around the pin keeping them in place. Meanwhile, the entire bottom of Skyhammer's large vehicle shell is made of gold plastic and it is '''''very''''' prone to breakage. Not to mention how much gold plastic is on his inner shell and his [[robot mode]].

* '''[[Killbison#Toys|Killbison]]''' is one of the comparatively few Takara-market-only toys of the era to have this problem. His arms and back (including the head) are metallic-gold plastic. Most of this plastic is fairly thick, giving it a fair amount of resilience, but his fists and the joint for [[Liokaiser#Toys|Liokaiser]]'s fold-out foot are thinner and run a higher risk of breakage.
[[File:GPSSkyquakescope.jpg|thumb|Well, ''crap''.]]

*The missile launchers shared by all six '''[[Predator (subgroup)|Predator]]''' toys are likely to self-destruct in two ways. Loading a missile when the toy is holding the launcher can cause the peg itself to give before the rather strong internal spring does. Additionally, launching a missile is a gamble. Either the plastic is able to bend enough to release the internal catch, or it isn't and snaps off.

*'''[[Skyquake (G1)#Toys|Skyquake]]''' is another toy notable for having a gimmick which makes the whole thing worse. Skyquake actually has two colours of metallic plastic on him: One is a dark bronze, the other a light bronze. It is the light bronze plastic that is most likely to break. Unfortunately, the light bronze plastic also forms Skyquake's scope. You're supposed to put a Predator jet's scope slide into that part of him. But the union is not pleasant for the one on the receiving end. Take a look at the picture to the right. These are the parts left of Skyquake's scope after another Predator tried to unite with him. Actually... that's not even all the parts, that's just all that could be found. This is a gimmick which should '''''never''''' be attempted by modern collectors. Never, ever, ever, ever. For the same reason, don't transform him: the scope won't withstand being swung around and latched into position (the plastic around the swivel-pins is particularly thin) or having his stabilizer fins leveraged inside it. The moving plate over the [[light-piping|light piping]] on the back of his head is that brittle light bronze too, but it is at least loose and thick enough to be less risky.

*'''[[Thunder Clash#Toys|Thunder Clash]]''', Skyquake's Autobot counterpart, has fewer parts jeopardized by metal-swirly plastics, but the toy's ankles are definite risks, as is the handgun peg if not handled with care. Removing the ratchet "catch" from the feet and sanding the handgun's peg a bit will also help by reducing the force put on those parts without noticeably altering the toy.

*'''[[Pyro (G1)#Toys|Pyro]]''' has a gold plastic waist which puts him at high risk of cracking in half during transformation, and clipping his gold feet into position in robot mode is a bad idea too. The elbow ratchets are also risky due to the constant spring stress. And of course, his rifle handle is prone to shearing off.

*The e-Hobby exclusive ''[[The Transformers: Collector's Edition]]'' '''[[Megatron (G1)/toys#Collector's Edition|Megatron Black Version]]''' has metallic brown plastic that can crumble if one attaches the sword or rifle in the hand in robot mode or a stock in Walther P-38 mode.
{{-}}

====''Generation 2''====
[[File:Electrobrokenknee.jpg|thumb|Oh, God, my knee! MY KNEEEEEEE!!]]
* There's a ''reason'' that '''[[Electro#Toys|Electro]]''' sits up at the top of this page. Poor guy just can't catch a break, it seems. Wait... actually, no. That's the ''entire problem''. The poor guy totally ''can'' catch a break. All the time. Because he is ''designed to die''. Basically ''anything'' on Electro's body is susceptible to shattering thanks to having many many thin joints made out of metallic gold plastic.

* '''[[Slingshot (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Slingshot]]''' is ''infamous'' for coming apart straight out of the package.<ref>http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/2b8b3dec846e5479?hl=en</ref> Worse, he's another toy whose gimmick will destroy him, like Skyquake. Slingshot's head is a post which is designed to plug into [[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Silverbolt]] (or any other "Scramble City" style torso-bot) so that Slingshot can form an arm or a leg. If you're unlucky, you're going to end up with his head trapped inside a connector joint.

{{-}}

====''Beast Wars''====
[[File:Goldplasticgrimlock.jpg|thumb|A mighty Dinobot warrior... bested by his own crumbling joints.]]
[[File:Brownplasticsyndrome.jpg|thumb|The one part of Megatron's Movie Jazz cosplay he ''didn't'' want to recreate.]]

*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Beast Wars|Grimlock]]''' uses metallic gold plastic ball joints for his hips, which is not really a good thing. Common breakages include the insides of his legs (where his chest pegs into them in [[beast mode]]) and his mutant mask (which is very thin).

* The [[Magnaboss (BW)#Beast Wars|Magnaboss]] component '''[[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#Beast Wars|Silverbolt]]''', despite having a ''dangerously'' large amount of metallic bronze plastic, is... actually fairly stable. The main breakage point is where his tail connects to his body. As well, [[Skywarp (BW)#Beast Wars II|Skywarp]], his Japanese counterpart, is just as likely to suffer from this. That said, just... be careful, okay? Be careful.

* The Hasbro version of '''[[Megatron (BW)/toys#MegaTransmetal|Transmetal Megatron]]''' has a tendency to snap at the waist, the shoulders, the... well, anything that's made of that dark semi-metallic brown plastic. This is technically Brown Plastic Syndrome, but regardless of what you call it this toy may end in sadness. This breakage may be due to GPS, a [[design flaw]], or a combination of both; the Takara version's immunity to this issue (because its brown parts are black plastic instead) seems to suggest that GPS may have a role.

*'''[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#OptimalOptimus|Optimal Optimus]]''' uses sparkly dark brown plastic for his wheels and turrets, which can suffer from GPS. The block that holds the batteries is the most likely to break, as the "soft" ratchet joint requires the affected plastic to bend. The pieces that connect his wings to his arms are also made from the same sparkly brown plastic.

* The [[Fuzor]] '''[[Torca (BW)#Toys|Torca]]'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s legs, hip armor panels, tail hinge and sides are all prone to Gold Plastic Syndrome.

* The [[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]] '''[[Soundwave (BW)#Toys|Soundwave]]''' has his ''entire fraggin' body'' composed of gold plastic, so it's a crapshoot. The softer plastics are far less likely to crumble, but the places on his body where the sides hinge open as part of his transformation have a high risk of snapping.

* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1998 (Beast Wars II)|Beast Wars II]]'' '''[[Bigmos#Toys|Bigmos]]''' has GPS problems that are bizarrely ''not'' his many many many metallic gold plastic parts; his ''turquoise''-colored plastic parts are the brittle ones, to the point of snapping right out of the package. Notable breakage points include the mosquito leg connectors snapping right off, tight hip/thigh swivels resulting in crumbling, and occasionally the robot feet can break due to being really thin pieces. Basically, be very gentle with anything molded in turquoise, be very gentle and take extra caution when twisting tight joints.
:''See [[:File:Bigmos GPS examples.jpg|here]] for a minor example of breakages.''

* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1999 (Beast Wars Neo)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' '''[[Randy (BW)#Toys|Randy]]''' is one of the ''legendary'' Gold Plastic Syndrome toys. Imagine, if you will, a toy with an entirely spring-loaded transformation... and an outer shell ''made entirely out of metallic gold plastic''. Ouch, right? The stress of staying in beast mode in package, the mode with the very compressed springs, is often enough to break the joints holding his beast-mode sides on before you even open the package. If you're lucky enough to have one still intact, keeping him in robot mode is the best way to ''keep'' him intact. For a while longer, at least.

* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Beast Wars 10th Anniversary]]'' '''[[Dinobot (BW)/toys#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|Dinobot]]''' has ''two'' kinds of metallic swirled plastic, both of which seem to have hit their expiration dates around 2013. In other words, basically any part on him is highly fragile, although he's most likely to break at the neck, hips, and helmet. At this point, keeping the toy MISB is the best way to display him.

{{-}}

====''Beast Machines''====
* '''[[Snarl (BM)#Toys|Snarl]]''' is an ''atrocious'' example of a victim to Gold Plastic Syndrome; it seems that the longer the figures are left in sealed packages, the more brittle they are upon opening said packages. All manner of extremities will simply snap off of Snarl's body, most easily among these being the ankles.

* '''[[Striker#Toys|Striker]]''' has an entirely gold plastic dinosaur shell which relies on ball joints to move and shift. He also has gold plastic pegs that tab into gold plastic slots. Transforming Striker could prove to be a suicide mission... for him.

{{-}}
====''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)====
*'''[[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Air Attack Optimus Primal]]''', the biggest toy in the line, has large expanses made of sparkly brown plastic, which, like with Optimal Optimus (see above), can be prone to shattering. This condition most often results in the feet breaking. The 2018 ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' reissue does not suffer from GPS.

*'''[[Megabolt#Toys|Megabolt]]''' has limbs cast primarily in gold plastic, which is ''not'' a good thing. Fracture points include his forearms, the holes that lock his arms in place in crawling head mode, lower legs near the knees, and his head. On top of this he has other design flaws that can lead to non-gold-plastic parts snapping off, so, good luck!

{{-}}
====''Choro-Q''====
*The pinned metallic flake plastic hinges on '''[[Hot_Rod_(G1)/toys#metallic|Rodimus Convoy Metallic Version]]''' is prone to breaking after two decades.
{{-}}

====''Universe'' (2003)====
* Many combiner [[kibble]] parts to '''[[Micromaster]] [[Superion (Universe)#Toys|Superion]]''' suffer from GPS, particularly the peg that connects [[Ro-Tor (Universe)|Ro-Tor]] to Superion's torso piece.<ref name="tfwsuper">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/300674-warning-universe-micromaster-superion-suffers-gold-plastic-syndrome.html TFW2005 thread about Micromaster Superion suffering from Gold Plastic Syndrome, with multiple reports]</ref>

{{-}}

====''Alternators''====
*'''[[Swerve (G1)#Alternators|Swerve]]'''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> elbow joints, poseable fists, thighs, and even rocket launchers are all made out of gold plastic, but the leg joint takes the cake for being one of the easily snapped areas due to its tight construction.
*Like Swerve, '''[[Mirage (G1)/toys#Alternators|Mirage]]''' is also one of the minor sufferers given the usage of the swirly plastic.
{{-}}

====Unicron Trilogy====
* ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' '''[[Repugnus (Cybertron)#Cybertron|Repugnus]]'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s robot mode "hands"/''Spinosaurus'' head are made of black-painted gold plastic. Insertion of his flail weapon into his hands can cause his thin jaw parts to break into pieces. His thigh covers are made of the same plastic, but due to their static position and lack of moving parts are very, very unlikely to break.

{{-}}

====''Star Wars Transformers''====
*'''[[General Grievous]]'''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> pelvis, arms and legs are all made out of gold plastic with many thin parts in the jointing, leaving them especially prone to breakage.

* '''[[Millennium Falcon]]/[[Han Solo]] & [[Chewbacca]]''' has problems with the metallic-brown plastic, especially the Chewbacca half, where his legs can lock up and ultimately snap off. His upper arms are also said to fall victim as well.<ref>http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=2481&size=0&start=101</ref>

{{-}}

====Movie toys====
* '''[[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Deluxe Class toys|Protoform Starscream]]''' has plastic hinges that connect the two small wings to his body which are especially brittle, because the plastic housing the joints is thin and gives way over time to a crumbly mess. The thumbs are also prone to breakage.

* ''Revenge of the Fallen'' '''[[Stratosphere#Toys|Stratosphere]]''' has gold plastic in his shoulders and thighs, and there have been reports of these parts crumbling. Additionally, more commonly-reported breakages are the toy's lower knees and the hinges connecting the wings—but neither of these parts are the ones made of gold plastic! Poor guy can't catch a break—or, well he can.

{{-}}
====''Transformers (2010)''====
*'''[[Primus#Transformers_.282010.29|Creator Primus]]'''' metallic blue parts eventually hit their expiry dates 13 years later.

====''Unite Warriors''====
*'''[[Motormaster (G1)#Unite Warriors|Motormaster]]''' is prone to breakage on the waist due to his swirly gunmetal plastic.

{{-}}

====Other notable instances====
* The "[[Vacuum metallizing|chrome]]" version of ''[[Diaclone]]'' '''[[Delta Magnus|Powered Convoy]]''', the [[pre-Transformer]] version of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Notes|Ultra Magnus]], has this problem with its swirly ''blue'' plastic. Given the age and relative rarity of this toy, this is particularly troublesome for hardcore collectors.

* While not a Transformer, ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s '''[[Serpentor]]''' is also known to suffer from this problem, especially through his hips, given the groin-breakage-prone leg construction of the standard 1980s ''G.I. Joe'' figure.

==Toys often mistaken for having GPS==
A number of toys have gold parts that easily break not due to the plastic used, but due to structural problems with the part designs themselves.

* The ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' '''[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#SuperBase|Super Base Optimus Prime]]''' figure's elbows/biceps are made of gold plastic, and the lower joint has been known to break very easily. However, the plastic doesn't exhibit the "crumbliness" typical of GPS; instead, it seems likely that the break occurs when the elbow joints are lined up for them to sit behind the combined mode's back. In this configuration, the red and blue joints don't have room to bend around each other. The way to alleviate this issue is to pull the shoulder out, ''then'' bend the top joint (the red one) first, before moving the arms in any other direction.
* ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' '''[[Scorponok (Energon)#Energon|Scorponok]]''' has pale gold plastic on the (largely painted) front panels of the shoulders, and moving the shoulders for transformation (particularly into jet mode) can cause the panels to tear in half. However, the plastic itself isn't the problem; rather, it seems to be the result of the toy's design, where the corners of the front panels aren't quite symmetrical, and the one with more clearance is on the opposite side. A [[Variant|running change]] saw these panels swapped to alleviate this issue. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHXKDmxeuHs Swapping the panels to the opposite sides], has a higher chance of reducing breakages.
* Another Scorponok, the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]] [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] '''[[Scorponok (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Scorponok]]''', has a tail stinger made of soft and bendy golden plastic, which tends to harden over time and become prone to breaking. The cause of this problem seems to simply by the use of an inferior plasticizer, rather than traditional Gold Plastic Syndrome.

==Fiction==
===''Animated'' cartoon===
At some point during the [[Great War (Animated)|Great War]], a vaccine for Gold Plastic Syndrome was developed by [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} [[Swindle, Swindle and Swindle]] claimed to be the only licensee of the cure in the [[Nexus]] Cluster. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Swindle's Spiel, 2015/10/03}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In [[Primax 185.0 Beta]], the [[S.T.A.R.S.]] weaponized Gold Plastic Syndrome and invented the [[Photodegradation|Photo Degradation Protocol]] in a failed attempt to fight off [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron's]] mindless hordes of [[Decepto-Pack]]-enhanced human slaves. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/04}}

===''Timelines''===
[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] contracted GPS during the war against the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. The disease prevented him from properly combining into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]. {{storylink|Ratchet (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Customization class G2 Ratchet bio}}

==Notes==

* ''Generation 2'' [[First Aid (G1)#Generation 2|First Aid]]'s chest/combiner port and upper legs are made out of gold plastic. However, given the extreme rarity of this [[Unreleased toy|unreleased figure]], with less than a dozen known to exist, it's unknown if they suffer from GPS. Still, it's recommended to ''never'' attempt combining him into Defensor, or (preferably) to never transform him in the first place. No one wants to find out if an unreleased figure that can easily cost past four digits on the incredibly scarce occasions where it might appear for sale, will crumble into dust right before their eyes...

==See also==
*[[Unpaintable plastic#Photodegradation|Another common problem since 2018.]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcjAUN5Ssj8 Demonstration of Gold Plastic Syndrome in effect at YouTube]

[[Category:Animated]]
[[Category:Diseases]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Scale

2024-02-27T02:25:07Z

MBG:

{{disambig2|the controversial size difference|the Mini-Con from Rescue Bots|Scale (RB)}}
[[File:OptimusSnakeEyes.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|And the truck's how big...?]]
'''Scale''' in ''Transformers'' is, not to put too fine a point on it, screwed.

The overwhelming majority of franchises, fictions, [[toy]]lines, or other incarnations of ''Transformers'' simply don't present scale in a logical or believable fashion (there are, of course, a few [[#Intentional attempts at a consistent scale|rare exceptions]], detailed below). Most fans agree that one must either ignore it or accept it, lest they be tempted to explain these problems and in the process [[fanon|fanwank]] themselves into oblivion.

However, the considerable and varied scale problems of ''Transformers'' still merit description.

{{bigquote|Clearly, the pitiful humans at Hasbro are so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of Cybertronian life forms that they can't get the scale right.|[[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]|[[Transformers Comic issue 23|Star Screams #23]]}}

==Scale within toylines==

===Toys out of scale with others in the same line===
[[File:DiacloneScale.jpg|right|upright=1.95|thumb|That little guy — who comes from the same toyline as all those vehicles — is supposed to be a normal-sized human. Yeeeah.]]
The early [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toy line]], especially the pre-[[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] releases, were [[rebranding|rebranded]] and [[redeco]]ed toys from several different Japanese toy lines. The crucial point is that the toy lines were initially unrelated. The characters ''should'' be in scale with each other as they all have real-world [[alternate mode]]s that (should) pass for real vehicles. However, since ''[[Diaclone]]'' toys were not part of the same line as ''[[Microman]]'' toys, scale issues arose. ''Diaclone'' figures such as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] are more-or-less in correct scale with each other (though problems already arise with [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys|Sideswipe]], whose alternate modes are based on ''the same car'' yet are not quite the same size), but many of the [[Mini Vehicle]]s from the ''New Microman'' line are clearly far too small by comparison. Even aside from their deformed penny-racer proportions, a [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 924]] ''[[Micro Change]]'' toy is disproportionately tiny when compared to a [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Porsche 935]] ''Diaclone'' toy. The disparity becomes even more obvious with Mini Vehicles such as [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (a tank) and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (a hovercraft), who should be many times their actual size. Notably, the {{w|GAU-8 Avenger|GAU-8/A Avenger}} gatling cannon mounted to the front end of the {{w|Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II|A-10 Thunderbolt II}} ([[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]'s alternate mode) alone is about the same size as a [[Volkswagen]] {{w|Volkswagen Beetle|Beetle}} ([[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]]).<ref name="airvec">[http://www.airvectors.net/ava10_1.html Development history of the A-10 Thunderbolt II], including a side-by-side comparison between the GAU-8/A Avenger and a Volkswagen Beetle.</ref>

Another glaring scale problem comes in the form of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], who turn into F-15 Eagles which, in real life, are 19.4 m (63.8 feet) long. Though their toys are some of the larger G1 toys, correctly scaled, this would make their [[robot mode]]s several times the height of most Autobots. Similarly, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], despite also coming from the ''Diaclone'' line, are too small, in particular [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]], whose alternate mode is an "earth mover" type of dump truck, which are ''gigantic'' in real life. Far worse is the other ''Diaclone'' combiner team, the [[Trainbot]]s, who have train engine altmodes, yet their toys are among the ''smallest'' of the ''Diaclone'' releases.

Transformers are currently formalised to a variety of [[size class]]es, which dictate the approximate cost and dimensions of a figure. Consequently, if the powers that be release toys of two characters in the same line in the same size class, they're going to come out in the same size. Even if one character's a [[Starscream (Movie)/toys|twenty-metre fighter jet]] and the other's a [[Ironhide (Movie)/toys|five-metre pickup truck]]. So don't expect this one to go away any time soon.

===Toys slightly out of scale with others in the same assortment===
Sometimes toys that ship in the same assortment or [[size class]] have similar alternate modes (i.e. two cars or two planes), but are not ''quite'' in scale with each other. One possible reason for this is that one of them would be considerably smaller than the other one in real life if they were perfectly in scale. For example, ''[[Movie (franchise)|Movie]]'' [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]]'s Pontiac Solstice alternate mode is a ''tiny'' car, and any size class that includes both him and [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] (a Chevrolet Camaro) will result in scale problems between the toys. Hasbro ''could'' have made Jazz smaller, but since the main limit for a size class is the ''weight'' of a toy, not its size (as long as it fits into the standardized packaging, that is), they decided that scale problems are more acceptable than selling a tiny Deluxe Class toy when there's still room in the budget for more plastic. With the [[Human Alliance]] assortment, Hasbro have taken a different approach by trying to keep the vehicles in scale (roughly 1:24) and adding accessories and other characters that turn into motorcycles for smaller cars such as Jazz, [[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]].

Other toys with comparable alternate modes that are slightly out of scale with each other are ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Sideswipe]] (mentioned above), who have the ''same'' basic alternate mode (with a few differences), and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Legends Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Autobot Jazz]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Rodimus]]. Likely the first major example of this is [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Wheeljack]], who is about the same size as the other Autobot Cars, if not a bit bigger, despite his altmode, a modified Lancia Stratos, being a ''very'' small car.

===Toys out of scale within teams===
[[File:Bruticus toy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7|[https://imgur.com/a/yfDTE7A Wait till you see the artist's rendition of a scale-accurate version].]]
Even toys specifically [[combiner|designed to interact with each other]] suffer from this problem. The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] are wildly out of scale to each other—[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]'s [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]] mode should dwarf [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], with the others somewhere in between. Instead, they're about the same size. Among the Constructicons, [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] is designed to look like a gigantic {{w|File:Liebherr t282 1.jpg|"earth-mover" mining truck}}. He should be able to carry all his teammates in his bed, with some crowding. Similarly, [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (a [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Concorde|Concorde jet]]) is dramatically undersized compared to his fighter-jet [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] teammates. These scale problems are necessary to avoid misproportioned gestalt forms.

Don't even ask about the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] with their [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] limbs...

This problem isn't just limited to the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' combiners either: ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Supreme [[Devastator (ROTF)|Constructicon Devastator]] has a massive [[Scavenger (ROTF)|mining excavator]] form the lower portion of the torso, with your everyday type of [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|cement mixer truck]] that's ''almost the same size'' forming the upper portion of the torso. An [[Long Haul (ROTF)|"earth mover"-type dump truck]] that should be about the same size as the excavator forms one tiny leg, while the other leg is formed by a [[Rampage (ROTF)|bulldozer]] that should be slightly smaller. The [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|movie]] circumvents this problem by adding additional construction vehicles in the mix, which are ignored by the toy line. The [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] version of Devastator only adds another [[Overload (ROTF)|dump truck]] for the torso, which doesn't really improve things since all the individual components are still more or less the same size.

The ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' releases of the classic crews made varying efforts to avoid this. Among other changes, Blast Off's initial release was a significantly smaller jet, Swindle's tiny steering wheel suggests him to be around the same size as Brawl, Long Haul is significantly bigger than his team, and Groove is a much smaller Legends Class figure, while newcomer [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] takes his place as one of Defensor's limbs. That said, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] molds don't scale well with anyone else bar Groove, and Silverbolt remains tiny; seemingly the only character in-scale with his mold is maybe [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Newcomer [[Alpha Bravo]] is also undersized if his windows are anything to go by. There's also [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], both of whom are smaller than their teammates when the former should be the same size and the latter larger. Aaaand then a Deluxe-sized Groove and a new Blast Off figure with a space shuttle alternate mode are added to the line in order to revert their teams to their "classic" configurations.

This also presents clear problems with similar figures whose gimmick suggests interaction, such as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] or [[Mini-Cons]]. In both cases, part of the gimmick is the interchangeability of their accessories, who represent whole characters in their own right, suggesting the toys are indeed meant to have some kind of scaling with each other. However, that presents problems with some characters, such as [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] (motorcycle) being the same size as [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] (jet), especially if you assume [[Mirror]] is meant to be the size of a human. The biggest case by far is [[Unicron]]. His ''Armada'' toy is notoriously covered in Mini-Con ports, despite the fact that Unicron's very nature as a character suggests that any Mini-Con large enough to Powerlinx with him would have to be about the size of Argentina.
{{-}}

===Same alternate mode, different sizes===
Other scale problems come from characters who transform into the same (or similar) [[alternate mode]]s, but whose toys are different sizes. For example, [[Air Raid (G1)#Toys|the original Air Raid]] transforms into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]], but his toy is half the size of [[Starscream (G1)/toys|the original Starscream]]'s. The same can be said for the [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Lamborghini Countach|Lamborghini Countach]] [[Breakdown (G1)#Toys|Breakdown]], who should be the same size as [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Toys|Sunstreaker]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]], not significantly smaller. These discrepancies are also seen in the other [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiners with Earth altmodes, whose toys are all smaller than similar earlier toys.

===Multiple scales of same character===
[[File:Animated-toy MultipleSizeOptimusPrimes.jpg|right|upright=1.5|thumb|Oh great. And I thought ''Bulkhead'' was confused...]]

Starting with ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'', many franchises have released multiple versions of the same character in different [[size class]]es, most often the leader characters. Originally, the intent was apparently to make the popular [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] and [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] characters available at lower price points than just the large and expensive "Leader" class, so that children with less money would not miss out, and perhaps persuading [[completist]]-minded [[User:ItsWalky|collectors]] to buy multiple versions of one character.

While this introduces a nice range of options for the discerning collector, it can also lead to some problems. ''Beast Machines'', for example, featured three different [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor toys]]. The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMSupreme|Supreme size toy]] was so large it could not interact with most of the other toys from the line (based on [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|the cartoon]], he's maaaaybe in scale with [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|Nightscream]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], the latter of whom wasn't released until three years later). The [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#BMNSC|Deluxe Cheetor]], on the other hand, was too ''small'' to match scales with most of the other toys (again, using the cartoon as a yardstick). Anyone looking ''within'' the toyline for notions of a "correct" scale between the characters would be stymied by the multiple size classes and the lack of real-world scale references. That said, it does also mean that fans attempting to create "scale-accurate" collections have more options: for instance, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s releases at the Voyager pricepoint struggle to scale with the standard Deluxe-class cars, but his [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Leader-class incarnation]] is much closer.

Other instances of multiple-size characters are more clear cut; the [[Spychanger]] incarnations of various [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] characters, for instance, are simply scaled-down representations of the same characters in the same bodies, not meant to interact with the much larger "main" toys, as are the later "Legends of Cybertron" toys in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''. Other multiple-toy scale differences include intentionally simplified forms, such as the [[Fast Action Battlers]], which simply make all the characters the same size, with no attempt at matching scales.

Multiple-scale characters usually aren't meant to cross-interact. A rare exception is [[Movie (franchise)|live-action]] [[Blackout (Movie)#Voyager Class toys|Blackout]], who came with a [[Scorponok (Movie)#Voyager Class Blackout companions|tiny (and correctly scaled) version of Scorponok]]. A much larger [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Deluxe version of Scorponok]] is ''also'' meant to interact with the same Blackout toy, despite the ridiculous scale disparity (and the fact that this means Blackout can have ''two'' Scorponoks of radically different size clipped to him simultaneously).

Multiple toy sizes are generally irrelevant to the fiction, though the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]] featured [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] inflating to planetary size, presumably in response to the [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Supreme|super-large "King Starscream" toy]] available at the time.

===Toys out of scale with themselves===
[[File:G1 Broadside toy.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Kill me. Just... kill me now.]]

[[Triple Changer]]s create a whole new set of problems. The original [[Astrotrain (G1)#Toys|Astrotrain]] transforms from a 21-meter (70-foot) locomotive to a 37-meter (122-foot) [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#Space Shuttle Orbiter|Space Shuttle]]. [[Octane#Toys|Octane]]'s original body transforms from a 20-meter (60-foot) tanker truck into a 65-meter (200-foot) jumbo jet. [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] transforms from an Earth fighter jet of indeterminate model (let's pretend for the sake of argument that he's supposed to be an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] and say he's 18 meters (61 feet) long) into an entire ''aircraft carrier'', approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) long.

The newer versions of Astrotrain and Octane (aka "[[trademark|Tankor]]"), while changing the specifics of their alternate modes, really don't improve on the general size disparity all that much. The ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' version of Broadside actually makes it ''worse'': The figure includes tiny versions of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] (styled specifically after their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' alternate modes) to place on various spots on his aircraft carrier mode, but at the same time this Broadside is also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] figure that can ride inside his jet mode's cockpit, arguably making the Titan Master alone larger than the ''Combiner Wars'' Aerialbots' [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] gestalt form if scale were to be taken at face value... and yet the entire [[play pattern]] of the ''Titans Return'' line explicitly calls for Broadside and his Titan Master [[Blunderbuss]] to be compatible and interchangeable with any other figure and Titan Master in the line, most of whom are supposed to be ''much'' smaller in scale. Transformers Legends even acknowledges this by having Broadside becoming a gigantic Headmaster large enough to fight level with [[Grand Scourge]], and piloting a larger Transtector who seems to be on a similar scale to most versions of Metroplex.

Even a two mode toy can have this problem. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]] has wheels which are pretty tiny for a Freightliner truck, while his rear hitch section is too thick. These out-of-proportion vehicle parts were necessary to give his robot mode [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] proportions. The original G1 Optimus Prime toy also has scale issues. His cab is 1/48 scale, but his trailer is closer in scale to the Autobot Cars, which fall more in the neighborhood of 1/35 to 1/40 scale-wise.
{{--}}

===Toys with roleplay alternate modes===
The characters with roleplay altmodes such as Generation 1 [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]], [[Perceptor (G1)#Toys|Perceptor]], or [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Toys|''Armada'' Laserbeak]] are scaled to be real-world [[human]]-scale (well, kid-scale). Since the [[size changing]] seen in the fiction is not possible for real toys (at least, that's what [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] ''wants'' us to think), this human-scaling makes in some cases for inordinately large robot modes. E.g., [[Blaster (G1)#Toys|Blaster]]'s toy, in robot mode, is taller than most other Transformers.

The opposite problem is seen with the original [[Megatron (G1)/toys#MasterpieceMegs|Masterpiece Megatron]], whose robot mode is in scale with the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|Masterpiece Optimus Prime]]. The result is that, while he may transform into a very accurately-proportioned handgun, it's unmistakably much larger than the real thing... not that this has stopped him being widely banned as a "realistic firearm replica".

===Fanciful altmodes===
Characters with alternate modes that are not meant to be replicas of real-world things (or at least, close enough while being legally-distinct from said things) are difficult to accurately scale, as they generally transform into futuristic or Cybertronian vehicles whose size we don't really know... or, indeed, they don't transform into vehicles at all. The scale of characters such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|original Dinobots]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Hot Rod]] or [[Overhaul (Cybertron)#Voyager|Leobreaker]] is fairly arbitrary and can only be estimated by their relative size to other characters within the fiction, although most fiction is highly inconsistent in this regard (see below). Nevertheless, if one assumes that most vehicle altmodes are intended for [[human]]-sized passengers, comparing toys such as [[Chromedome (G1)#Toys|Chromedome]] with [[Lightspeed (G1 Technobot)#Toys|Lightspeed]] suggests the scale problem continues.

===Big toys===
It goes without saying that the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] and planetformer toys (such as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#Toys|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]]) are not remotely to scale with normal Transformer toys. While they are indeed ''large'' toys, they're only two to five times bigger than typical Transformer toys, and thus transform into "cities" and "planets" about the (relative) size of a bungalow. The scale problems extend to the details. Some of the citybot toys have visible windows, which are too large for a city, suggesting instead a medium-sized building.

However, it's hard to begrudge [[Hasbro]] not offering us a [[Primus]] toy the size of an asteroid. Where would we keep it?

Additionally, Fortress Maximus's main adversary [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is considerably smaller as a toy. Whereas Fortress Maximus includes a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figure of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Generation 1|Spike]], who turns into the head of [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] (whose toy is roughly the same size as the regular 1987 Headmasters toys), who in turn becomes the head of Fortress Maximus, Scorponok merely comes with [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]] (whose figure is the same size as Fortress Maximus's Spike), who turns into a tiny head for Scorponok, covered up by a large helmet. So either Fortress Maximus is supposed to tower over Scorponok, or Zarak [[size changing|grows in size]] during his transformation into Scorponok's head.

===Action Masters===
[[File:Turbo Racer art.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|A car riding inside a car. Wheeljack, you are either a genius or completely nuts.]]

The [[:Category:Action Master vehicles|Action Master vehicles]] were designed to take advantage of the fact that the [[Action Master]] figures were all the same size. They can each pilot each other's vehicles or ride as a passenger. With the vehicles as a frame of reference, it seems we should take it as fact that all of the Action Masters are literally the same size, even characters such as [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Did Devastator shrink?

Then again, the vehicles pose even more problems: [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], who still sports car [[kibble]], rides a [[Turbo Cycle (G1)|motorcycle]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]] (who used to transform into a car himself) drives a [[Turbo Racer|sports car]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] steers a massive [[Armored Convoy|18-wheeler truck]], despite his own chest still being the front end of a truck cab. Did [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] shrink the Transformers to ''[[human]]'' size, or are these just ''gargantuan'' vehicles?

Of particular note, Wheeljack's Turbo Racer is based on a Ferrari Testarossa, and the Action Master [[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] figure (a new [[character]] created specifically for the Action Masters lineup) sports kibble that indicates he once used to transform into a Ferrari Testarossa himself!
{{--}}

===Size class cross-compatibility===
[[File:ROTF-toy FuryOfFearswoopBox.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|Finally, toys that are more or less in scale with each other... yet Hasbro insists they are ''not''.]]

With standardized [[size class]]es and mixed-faction assortments being the norm these days, scale issues are a given. For example, the first [[wave]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Deluxes featured Autobots [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Classics|Bumblebee]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]], two cars, as well as Decepticons [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Starscream]], a modified F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and [[Astrotrain (G1)#Classics 2|Astrotrain]], a [[Triple Changer]] who turns into a bullet train locomotive and a modified NASA Space Shuttle orbiter, all roughly the same size in robot mode but obviously not the same scale in their alternate modes.

However, with the increasing prevalence of multiple toys of the same [[character]] in different size classes, particularly enforced by the [[live-action film series]], it is technically possible to have somewhat more accurate scale combinations. The [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] and its successor, the Legion Class (part of the ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' range for a few years), allow Autobots with cars as their alternate modes to be roughly in scale with Deluxe or Voyager-sized Decepticons that turn into aircraft. Likewise, the Legends Class version of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Arcee (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Arcee]], a motorcycle, is more or less in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes.

Hasbro does not often take advantage of this possible compatibility with store [[exclusive]] [[giftset]]s and "bonus" packs. Even when toys with considerable size differences are sold in the same pack, combinations such as a Leader-sized [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Leader Class toys|Optimus Prime]] (which would be in scale with Deluxe-sized Autobots with car alternate modes) with the ''much'' smaller Legends Class versions of [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Legends Class toys|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (Movie)#Legends Class toys|Jazz]] or the large Ultimate Bumblebee toy with the much smaller Deluxe-sized toys of [[Scorponok (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Scorponok]] (who should be roughly the same size as Bumblebee) and [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class toys|Brawl]] (who should be considerably larger than either of them) are fairly common. The ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "Shanghai Showdown" multi-pack with [[Demolishor (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|Demolishor]]'s Voyager-sized toy and the ice cream truck versions of [[Skids (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Mudflap]] (whose combined alternate mode is Deluxe-sized) is closer, but truly scale-accurate multi-packs like the ([[unreleased toy|unreleased]]) [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] "Sideways Sneak Attack" pack with a Deluxe-sized [[Sideways (ROTF)#Deluxe Class toys|Sideways]] (who transforms into a car) and the aforementioned Legends Class version of Arcee and two [[redeco]]s of hers as [[Chromia (ROTF)#Transformers (2010)|Chromia]] and [[Elita-One (Movie)#Transformers (2010)|Elita-1]] are rare exceptions. A particularly odd example is the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' "[[The Fury of Fearswoop]]" three-pack, which features a Deluxe-sized [[Fearswoop (ROTF)|Fearswoop]] (who transforms into a plane) and Legends Class versions of [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Fearswoop|Sideswipe]] and Mudflap (who turn into cars), making them more or less in scale with each other... yet the on-packaging [[bio]] states that Fearswoop has "grown to immense size".

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===Drivers===
[[File:DOTM Tailpipe Pinpointer SgtNoble.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|That sure is one big motorcycle...]]

One of the more popular play patterns in the line's history is that of the driver figure: a small figure, usually a human or one of the various -Master configurations, who is capable of fitting inside the figure and driving it. However, given that a working interior that can fit an entire to-scale humanoid would likely compromise a lot of the engineering, many figures designed with this play feature in mind have the driver be far too small in comparison to their vehicle. This was first evident in the pre-''Transformers'' days, with the various ''[[Diaclone]]'' mechs all coming with pilot figures that, if to scale with the cars, would probably be the size of hobbits. The ''[[Masterpiece]]'' line, seemingly partly in homage to the heady days of ''Diaclone'', also frequently includes characters like [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] that end up not too far off the ''Diaclone'' drivers in scale next to the vehicles they're meant to be driving.

In the case of the [[Headmaster]] figures, the Headmasters set a rather consistent scale to their toys, but one that raises a lot of questions. Notably, [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], if his driver is meant to be about the size of a human, is a rather oversized car, while the issues of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] being way too small for a city are magnified. It also creates issues since most incarnations of Headmasters are shown as interchangeable, suggesting that the toys are indeed meant to be about the same size, even if one is a car and the other is [[Highbrow (G1)|a dual-rotor copter]]. The cartoon somewhat got around this by depicting the heads of the Headmasters as significantly larger than their human and [[Nebulan]] pilots, though this may make Chromedome's issues even worse. These scale issues are largely inherited by similar lines, such as the [[Brainmasters]] and [[Titan Masters]].

''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' made use of ''Alternators'' sculpts, only with added [[human]] female driver figures... which were woefully small compared to the cars they came with. This would repeat itself with the "[[Human Alliance]]" toys for ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'': The cars/robots are all roughly the right size compared to each other ([[Skids (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)#Human Alliance|Mudflap]] are even smaller, squatter toys and come with sub-[[size class|Scout]]-sized [[Arcee (Movie)#Human Alliance|motorcycle]] and [[Chromia (ROTF)#HumanAlliance|robots]] to make up for it), but their human drivers are all too small (amusingly, [[Frenzy (Movie)#Human Alliance|Frenzy]] seems to be about right). In fact, the size differences have even ''increased'': The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] line introduced an even ''smaller'' scale for the driver figures, including new versions of [[Sam Witwicky]] and [[Mikaela Banes]] that are smaller than their ''Revenge of the Fallen'' predecessors. The new scale for the driver figures continued with ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'', which introduced Scout-sized robot figures that had one-man [[alternate mode|vehicle modes]] in a slightly larger scale, resulting in [[Sergeant Noble|undersized drivers]] riding [[Tailpipe (DOTM)|oversized motorcycles]]. Conversely, the [[Kmart]] [[exclusive]] ''Dark of the Moon'' "Autobot Daredevil Squad" multi-pack couples a redeco of the original ''Revenge of the Fallen'' version of Sam with a redeco of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Deluxe Class [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Cannon|Cannon Bumblebee]], resulting in a large human with a small Chevrolet Camaro he couldn't possibly fit into even if the Bumblebee toy had its crude interior redesigned to house a driver.

===Intentional attempts at a consistent scale===
[[File:TF2010-toy Jazz HumanAlliance.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|In the films, Jazz is only about 15 feet tall. Josh Duhamel (Lennox) is 6'4" (!). That's one tiny Lennox there.]]
There have been a few toy lines that attempt to address this weirdness and try to present scale in a much more consistent manner, however... though issues still pop up in virtually every one.

The ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toyline, where every toy is a 1:24-scale representation of a real car, and thus in perfect scale with each other, was the first to buck the trend. Unfortunately, for practical reasons this limited the choice of altmodes. A [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (Space Shuttle) toy in scale with the ''Alternators'' toys would be 1.6 meters (5.1 feet) long, while a [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (aircraft carrier) toy at that scale would be over 12 meters (40 feet)! Hasbro actually displayed [[Prototype|mock-ups]] for an unproduced line of "military" Transformers in scale with ''Alternators'' during the [[BotCon 2007]] Hasbro Tour; two of them recycled parts of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], and were thus [[Size class|Supreme-sized]], which made said potential toyline not particularly commercially viable for Hasbro.

The direct—and indirect—successors to ''Alternators'' (''[[The Transformers: Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]'', ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'', [[Human Alliance]]) also maintained a mostly consistent internal scale with their car figures. Indeed, given that the lines all share a 1:24 scale, they actually scale well with each other. But as noted above, these lines include "human" drivers that needed to be comparatively ''tiny'' to fit inside their partner's vehicle mode. ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' would follow in ''Alternators''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s footsteps with a series of smaller 1:32-scale licensed cars... as well as stuffing [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Alternity|characters who traditionally don't have automobile alternate modes]] into modern-day civilian vehicles. That these toys represent [[Alternity (species)|hyper-evolved beings]] most of the time make it all the more head-scratch-inducing. The follow-up to that line, ''[[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Transformers GT]]'', packed each 1:32-scale toy with a 3 3/4-inch ''[[Microman]]'' "[[GT Sister]]" figure, making the girls positively ''giant'' when compared to the cars. (Admittedly the GT Sisters are non-human Cybertronians, despite appearances, but this definitely smacks of fiction working to explain the toyline's scale issue.)

The ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line, from roughly [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp10|MP-10]] onward, has gone in the opposite direction, making heavy use of the in-fiction scale of the G1 cartoon - but only in robot modes. Thus, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] comes up to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s waist, which is show-accurate, but results in Bumblebee turning into a very small Volkswagen Beetle; were vehicle mode scale used, Bumblebee would actually be slightly larger. [[Star Saber (G1)|Saber]] is also correctly the height of the Autobot cars, resulting in him being smaller than the original toy (despite the Star Saber mode being bigger). The robot mode scaling is generally very consistent to the chosen source, but there are still a few oddities, particularly when dealing with older figures being reissued or redecoed after MP-10. The [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] are about right (going by robot mode, anyway, as ever), but [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s reissue is a little shorter than MP-10 Optimus, when he should be about a head taller. And, much like ''Human Alliance'', the various human figures released alongside them are far too small - going by the [[scale charts]], Spike, for instance, should come up to Optimus's knee, rather than the middle of his shin.

In recent years, the "collector-aimed" mass-retail lines have made attempts to stick to an internally consistent scale (while still adhering to price points), largely based on the characters' robot mode depictions in media. The 2018 ''[[Studio Series]]'' line was the first to do so: Deluxe [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Bumblebee]] is shorter than Deluxe [[Ratchet (Movie)/toys#Studio Series|Ratchet]], but taller than Deluxe [[Jazz (Movie)#Studio Series|Jazz]], with Deluxe [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Generations|Lockdown]] being taller than all three. Sadly, the scale for this line doesn't translate as well for vehicle modes even within a single price point, plus Voyager-and-up toys of larger characters ''still'' have vehicle modes far too small compared to the cars. (And they were ''never'' gonna make a properly screen-accurate-scale [[Scavenger (ROTF)|Scavenger]], though a Commander Class figure ''was'' in the works, but was canned, bummer.)

The following year, the Generation-1-based ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' continued the robot-mode scale trend, with the opening series ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' roughly scaling characters according to the original cartoon's animation models. Non-show characters such as [[Spinister (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Spinister]] used other media, namely [[IDW Publishing]]. The vehicle modes were (supposedly) Cybertronian vehicles which also helped ignore vehicle-mode scale issues. The following line, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', even went so far as to make Deluxe [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]] considerably smaller all around than the other Deluxes, but filled out his price tag with his giant bazooka accessory. Of course, with much of the line now using Earth-based vehicle modes, those scale issues return. The final line in the trilogy, ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' introduced ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' characters into the mix, which hoooo boy. The line attempts to maintain media-based robot-mode scale between the respective casts, but just kind of ignores the obvious scale issues between putting Generation 1 characters alongside ''Beast Wars'' characters. The reintroduction of the ''[[Prime Wars Trilogy]]'' Legends Class (under the name "Core Class") is another barrel of monkeys, with the majority of them being smaller takes of "G1" characters based on larger toys, which only scale amongst their own. Meanwhile, the beast Core toys do not adhere to any scale besides being smaller than the rest of the cast.
{{-}}

== Scale within fictions ==
Scale issues abound within the fiction, especially the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]]. Some can be attributed to [[animation error]]s, such as layering problems,[[:File:Tinybluestreak.jpg|1]][[:File:Huge Ironhide and Small Ratchet.jpg|2]][[:File:CarnageMiniBlaster.jpg|3]] but some "errors" were deliberate choices, for a variety of reasons.

===Fictional scale vs. toy scale===
[[File:TeenyCliff.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Frighteningly toy-accurate.]]
[[File:Powerglide Astoria Marygoaround.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Actually, disturbing ''fiction'' is probably more of a concern than scale issues.]]

The original ''Transformers'' fictions often depict characters to the same relative scale as the toys, which duplicates the intra-toyline problems described above. The cartoon, for example, shows [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] as about the same height, [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and Autobot cars as slightly shorter (though not as much as the toys are), and [[Mini Vehicle|Minibots]] as smaller yet. This scale was carried over to their vehicle forms, resulting in differently-sized cars that, based on real world measurements, should be virtually the same size.

For another example, the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics portrayed the [[Pretender]]s as literal interpretations of their toys: 60-foot humans with full-scale Transformers inside. The "disguise" aspect of this was later explained by having [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]] encounter [[Femax|giant, transformer-sized humanoids on an alien planet]] which made them appear to be of a "normal" scale.

[[File:Omegasupreme astrotrain.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|I know he's meant to be big, but holy ''crap'', dude!]]

Transformers fiction commonly shrinks or inflates characters, relative to their toy sizes. "Giant" characters such as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] are, even aside from any [[size changing]] for transport purposes, clearly not in the same scale in toy form as they are depicted on screen. [[Mini-Cassette|Cassette characters]] such as [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s toys are roughly the same height as most Minibots, while in the show they are usually portrayed as human-sized.

[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] are usually shown to be of a fairly similar height (although Magnus is much bulkier), whereas there is a considerable difference between the size of their toys. By the same token, Rodimus is always depicted as being an equal stature to his opposing leader [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], whereas the [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|toy Galvatron]] is instead the same size as Magnus. Optimus Prime is also usually shown as only a head or so shorter than Magnus (if that), which gets very strange when you realize that a [[redeco]] of Prime's toy forms but a small part of Magnus' robot mode. G1-era media also consistently depicts the members of the [[Special Teams]] as being about the same size as each other, even though the toys consistently had the leader be about twice the size of the limbs.

[[File:Beastwarsmaxgroup.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Airazor picks the Ultra-class figure.]]

The cast of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' were size-tweaked quite a bit, relative to the toyline. The most noticeable problem is [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]], who has an Ultra toy (the "level four" size, almost twice the size of the "level three" Mega next-largest Maximal toys), but is shorter than both [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] and [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] (both of whom are "level two" Deluxe sized toys). Further, [[Cheetor (BW)/toys#Beast Wars|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron#Toys|Tigatron]]'s toys use the same (Deluxe) mold, but Tigatron is a head taller in the show (both because tigers are larger than cheetahs, and because Cheetor is "a kid"). New and altered characters in later seasons were generally more consistent in size (and appearance) with the toys. This problem was magnified when the Generation 1 characters cameoed in the series. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] is a ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' but is shown in "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]", as being much smaller than Optimus Prime.
[[File:G1Prime BWMegs.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|An example of how small Beast Wars Megatron is compared to Optimus Prime.]]

The ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]''' toyline was ''far'' worse in size discrepancies with the cartoon. Of the [[Maximal]]s featured in the show, the tallest character, [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]], is [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)#Beast Machines|the ''shortest'' toy]], while the diminutive [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] is a [[Nightscream (BM)#Toys|massive Ultra-class toy]]. And, sadly, the most show-accurate toy, [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Robots in Disguise|Air Attack Optimus Primal]], is a ''ginormous'' Supreme figure, towering over the other toys. (Weirdly, the [[King Kong]]-like size of this toy became [[canon]] in one specific [[micro-continuity]]. {{storylink|Prime Spark (story)|Prime Spark}})

[[File:ShrinkingHeavy.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|I lost thirty tons, thanks to the Jump-Cut! Thank you, Jump-Cut!]]
In the otherwise fairly toy-scale-savvy [[Unicron Trilogy]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]] and the other citizens of [[Gigantion]] are depicted as gargantuan in animation, whereas the toys are merely among the normal boxed size-classes (they do at least scale decently to each other, though). Within the animation, this causes problems with their [[Mini-Con]] partners, who are depicted as human-sized in robot mode by themselves, but when shown directly interacting with their larger partners, are scaled up right along with their partner... resulting in some temporarily gigantic Mini-Cons!

The Japanese ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)#Galaxy Force|Galaxy Force]]'' release of [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Toys|Metroplex]], dubbed "Megalo Convoy", included an exclusive [[redeco]] of the [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends of Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MegaloConvoy|Optimus Prime toy]] to indicate the "correct" scale. The [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'']] update of ''Cybertron'' Metroplex in the [[Transformers: Legacy|''Legacy'']] toyline similarly accomplished broadly show accurate scaling with regular Deluxe and Voyager class figures by bumping him up a size class or three with a new [[Metroplex (Cybertron)#Legacy|Titan class toy]].

The ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' franchise has its share of scale problems when comparing its toyline to the cartoon (not helped by multiple releases of some characters in different sizes—see above), with several characters seeming roughly one [[size class]] too small, such as the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]] being a mix of one Voyager size and two Deluxes, [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)#Toys|Sentinel Prime]] looking rather diminutive as a Deluxe, and, most egregiously, [[Lugnut (Animated)#Toys|Lugnut]] as a ''very'' squat Voyager who's shorter than even some Deluxes (as with [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Toys|Voyager-class Bulkhead]], more of his mass went into his width, plus his weapon takes away some from his robot mode). Conversely, the traditionally stunted [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Toys|Bumblebee]] is marginally too tall and bulky to be in correct scale to his otherwise fairly accurate core teammates, assuming one includes [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Voyager|Voyager Optimus]] and [[Bulkhead (Animated)#Leader|Leader Bulkhead]] in their lineup. In fact, ''Animated'' is one of those toylines where you're not quite sure who you're supposed to base correct scale on.

===Inconsistent portrayal===
[[File:OmegaSupremeintro.jpg|left|thumb|No! Don't wash him in hot water! He'll...]]
[[File:Omegasupreme-blasterandgrimlock.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|...too late.]]
Even if a size was decided on, it often didn't remain consistent. The height of the cartoon's [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], just to name one, frequently varied between episodes. [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]] is another serial offender, particularly given his frequent appearances in episodes animated by [[AKOM]]; his size ranges from shot to shot in "[[The Core]]" from being about twice as tall as Optimus to being so large that Prowl's head doesn't even come up to the top of his foot.

The [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]] is notorious for changing the relative sizes of various characters. A single Transformer's size is rarely consistent between artists. For example, [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] vary in height relative to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. A [[:File:TimeWars2-TakeUp.jpg|panel]] in the "[[Time Wars]]" arc shows [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]], and [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] all the same height. [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], titanic in his original appearance, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} shrunk steadily in subsequent issues until he was not much taller than the average Transformer. [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] suffered a similar problem, shrinking in size even though he was explicitly rebuilt to be twice as tall as the average Transformer. Super mode Powermaster [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] was originally about Fortress Maximus-sized, until he too shrunk to the size of his inner robot—which was never seen again.

Scale can even be inconsistent within the same story thanks to changing artists: In the Marvel UK story "[[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]]", a ginormous [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] picks up a tiiiiny military Jeep with one hand, implying that he grew to humongous proportions when he transformed (as his alternate mode is ''also'' depicted as a Jeep in fiction), but in the second part of the story, Swindle is hit by a burning Jeep (possibly even the same one) that is [[:File:LadiesNightSwindleJeepScale.jpg|now in scale with his robot mode]]. {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}} It can even happen within the same issue without an artist change: In [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] ''[[Spotlight: Soundwave]]'', there's a scene where a [[Hiro|human]] picks up [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] in his tape deck mode, which is smaller than a thick comic book slipcase in his hands. A few pages later, [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] picks up Soundwave out of the human's hands, being barely able to hold the tape deck in his mouth, making Laserbeak about the size of a large dog (not counting the wings). Yet when [[Skywatch]] discovers Laserbeak at the end of the story, his ''head'' alone is suddenly the size of an adult human. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:Beastwarriors scale.jpg|right|upright=0.85|thumb|Beast Megatron's size vs. Optimus Prime's in America... and Japan. Looks like the Blastizone adds on a few tons to Beast Era characters.]]
Between the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and the [[Beast Era]], the majority of the Cybertronian race considerably downgraded in size at the [[Great Upgrade]]. When entering the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the Beast Warriors are quite small compared to the dormant Generation 1 characters, especially [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]—but just ''how'' much bigger varies quite a bit from scene to scene and episode to episode. When interacting with the Autobot technology of the Ark and the [[Autobot shuttle]], the [[Maximal]]s are often dealing with equipment grossly oversized for them (standing on the chairs to reach the controls, turning knobs the size of their heads); yet the Ark also seems to feature some human-sized computer control panels. {{storylink|Master Blaster|Master Blaster}} Without any height booster, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] can interface well with these controls.

[[File:Cosmos MTMTE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Finally, drawn in alternate mode scale!]]On the other hand, ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' depicted Generation 1 and ''Beast Wars'' characters like [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] as being exactly the same size. Lovely. It's possible that passage through the [[Blastizone]] may somehow {{w|Boom tube#Later additions to the concept|account for this discrepancy}}. On the other hand, ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'' characters were retconned to be time travelers from the Maximal/Predacon-dominated era of the future, yet the amnesiac [[Tow-Line (RID)|Wrecker Hook]] is the same size as his 21st century Decepticon comrades. Similarly, the ''[[Transformers: Wings Universe|Wings Universe]]'' comic "[[Hoist the Flag]]" features 21st century Cybertronians (including several ex-Decepticons) alongside 30th century Cybertronians (including Maximals as well as long-lived Autobots), all at the same size. And this continuity is ''supposed'' to contain a near-identical version of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon.

[[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] [[2005 IDW continuity|original continuity]] frequently took liberties with scale as well: notably, [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] is consistently drawn positively ''huge'' in robot mode when standing side by side with his fellow Autobots while appearing as a regular member of the (background) cast in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', but as soon as he transfers over into the sister title ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'', his size is considerably scaled down a bit (although he's still a few heads taller than the average Autobot).
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===Explicit size changes===
{{main|size changing}}

Numerous characters are explicitly shown to shrink or expand at various times.

====Human-scaled alternate modes====
[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] becomes a human-scale radio; [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] shrinks into a handgun scaled for either Transformer or human hands, depending on the situation. The cartoons and comics typically show this without explanation, leaving the audience to attribute it to advanced alien technology.

====Pretenders====
Some versions of the [[Pretender]]s are shown to explicitly shrink when hiding in their human-sized outer shells. In the U.S. toy commercials, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] in their new Pretender forms were small enough to fit in [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s hand. So, at least in that [[micro-continuity]], they were human-sized or Powermaster Optimus Prime is the size of Devastator. ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' featured Pretenders who did not have outer shells but rather an ill-defined holistic transformation which explicitly involved size changing. A vaguely similar explanation appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' encyclopedia.

===Implicit size changes===
Characters often change size in a less explicit fashion when transforming. These changes in scale are usually attributed to size-changing by that portion of the fan base who like to find explanations for things. The other explanation is that the artists hoped the audience wouldn't notice. It can also be supposed that they are hiding their mass somewhere (car style Transformers storing mass in their passenger compartments when in humanoid form, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] folding his wings flat, the buildings in a Titan collapsing to eliminate the spaces normally occupied by humans, boat-bots filling up or getting rid of the vast empty areas used to provide buoyancy) or puffing up with empty space, but at a certain point, things just get silly. Some Transformers are smaller than solid blocks of the mass contained in their alt-modes: [[Unicron]] would have to be about as thick as the [[Earth]]'s crust while in planetary form, and [[Optimus Prime (disambiguation)|Optimus Prime]] would probably be blown away by a stiff breeze in his larger incarnations.

====Transport characters====
[[File:MakeHoistHuffer.jpg|thumb|right|Definitely ''not'' toy-accurate.]]
[[File:Ironhide carried into Ratchet.jpg|thumb|right|...And not to [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|mention]] [[Ratchet (G1)|this]].]]

In the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]], Transformers that act as transport for other Transformers, such as [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], will often dramatically change size relative to their compatriots between one shot and the next. For example, Cosmos is ''much'' shorter than [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blaster]] in robot form; yet Blaster easily fits within his spacecraft mode. Likewise, a whole squad of Decepticons can fit into Astrotrain's shuttle mode easily (including the combined-form [[Devastator (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Devastator]]!), yet he's an ordinary-sized trooper in his robot form.

Sometimes the cartoon would show ordinarily-scaled characters such as [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] or [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] carrying another Transformer in their cockpit, implying either a tiny passenger or a huge vehicle. Even [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who is supposed to be huge, would have to have a greatly expanded scale for his rocket ship component to accommodate passengers as shown on the cartoon.

The Marvel comics commonly sidestepped this issue by not using Transformers as transport characters, or else requiring the passengers to transform into their explicitly smaller forms to be carried. Yet they were not immune to this problem. In one story, the Pretender [[Cloudburst]] exited his shell, transformed into jet mode, and then his shell (and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]) boarded him as a passenger. The fact that his ''outer'' shell was now much smaller than the ''inner'' robot was quietly ignored. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}}

[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave's]] ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' series of [[bio]] comics tried to explain this for characters such as Astrotrain and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] by saying they're able to expand themselves to increase cargo space in vehicle mode, though their armor becomes thinner as it is spread out more. Conversely, the series notes, in robot mode, all that armor and structure being compressed into a smaller form makes that mode stronger and more durable for combat.

This concept is lampshaded in the credits of ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|War for Cybertron]]'', where [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] pulls up, and the entire Autobot cast of the game step out of his passenger door, clown car style.

====Combiner characters====
[[File:DreamwaveCover6.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Since when is a Formula-1 car nine stories tall?]]
[[Combiner]] characters are often depicted as far larger than the sum of their parts. Characters such as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] are frequently shown as [[Godzilla]]-sized. Given that their limbs are mere cars and construction vehicles, this is patently absurd ([[Superion (G1)|Superion]], by contrast, ''would'' be building-sized, given that his torso is a 100-seat jetliner).

Combiners are also often out-of-scale with other Transformers; a combiner with cars for legs and another car for its torso should be slightly less than three times as tall as a one-car Transformer, even when taking the alteration of their body parts into account, but they are routinely drawn as five to dozens of times taller than their comrades. In the video game ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]] towers at least ten times as tall as any Protectobot, crushing them under his feet. In fact when the Combaticons form him in Chapter X they are clearly swelling in size. The same is later repeated with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] in ''[[Transformers: Devastation]]''.

Sometimes, they are even out of scale in their own team; [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]'s torso is an [[Onslaught (G1)|anti-aircraft truck]], while one of his limbs is a [[Blast Off (G1)|Space Shuttle]] and another is a [[Swindle (G1)|two-person offroad vehicle]]. For this to work, either Blast Off has to shrink, or Swindle needs to grow. Likewise, [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] features a [[Groove (G1)|motorcycle]] and a [[Blades (G1)|helicopter]] as limbs that are inexplicably the same size.

On occasion, characters are shown explicitly changing size when forming a Combiner. For example, [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] was shown to grow several times his normal size when forming the head of Devastator in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots In Disguise]]''.

====Scale problems and size-changing====
Some fans interpret the many otherwise-unexplained scale issues above to all be the result of [[size changing]], but this is debatable. If virtually all characters use mass-shifting (or whatever) to gain or drop a few feet of height for no logical reason, the technology would be pointlessly mundane. There's also no known reason for e.g. the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] to choose to get ''shorter'' when going into battle. A to-scale Starscream in robot mode could kick Bumblebee around like a soccer ball. There's simply no positive evidence that size-changing is so widespread.

===Undersized alternate modes===
Many Transformers are portrayed in fiction as having alternate modes that are smaller than the real-life objects they are imitating. Sometimes this is deliberate, allowing them to match their toy scale and/or be of a similar size to other characters; in other cases, it is essentially an artistic error.

Toys at the lowest price points usually include "mini" or "micro" in their name. [[Mini Vehicle]]s [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]], and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] are usually depicted as smaller than other Transformers in fiction, even though their alternate modes should have them towering over other characters. This often results in minuscule vehicle forms; Seaspray is a tiny hovercraft, despite being covered with doors and windows. Conversely, if a new toy based on such a [[character]] is designed to be more in scale with other toys, such as [[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Ultra Class Powerglide or [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] Voyager Class [[Sea Spray (TF 2010)|Sea Spray]], some [[fandom|fans]] complain ''because they expect those new toys to reflect the original toys' sizes'' and, by extension, the [[show-accuracy|depiction in fiction]].

[[File:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Do you have change for four hot rods?]]
The [[Micromaster]]s are explicitly downsized Transformers, roughly the size of a human in the comics, meaning that they ''should'' have explicitly tiny vehicle modes... which wouldn't make for very convincing disguises. The Micromasters are about the same height in robot mode, but they transform into equally tiny cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and other vehicles that should be vastly different sizes. The animated segments featured in the television [[commercial]]s for the toys generally play fast and loose with scale: One of them features Micromasters small enough for [[Action Master]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] to hold several of them (in alternate mode) in the palm of his hand (see the image to the left), which would mean the toys are supposed to be roughly life-sized, while others feature an entire Micromaster ''city'' that's small enough for [[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime to hold it in the palm of his hand, which would make the toys massively ''oversized''!

Conversely, the Marvel Comics depict the Micromasters merely as a little smaller than the likes of Bumblebee or Cliffjumper. One story even features [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] carrying a human passenger in his vehicle form, as though he were a full-sized car. Furthermore, the Dreamwave miniseries ''[[Transformers: Micromasters|Micromasters]]'' suggested that the Micromasters were scaled down to interact more easily with "smaller beings". Whether that meant creatures of human scale or even smaller stature is never clarified, but the Micromasters' passenger compartments are presumably too small to accommodate human passengers.

The [[Mini-Con]]s of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] are another race of small robots who stand approximately the same height as humans and, like the Micromasters before them, are clearly modeled to carry passengers. Really teeny passengers (notable exceptions are [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (in his original body), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]], and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], who become small one-man conveyances). This results from the Mini-Cons scanning normal vehicles and then resizing them to fit, retaining now-useless passenger compartments. In the [[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]], the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] have slightly-larger-than-human robot modes, but their alternate modes are large enough for a single human passenger, implying either a little size-changing or that their cockpits are kinda cramped. Though the Recon Team all originate from Gigantion, and seeing how partnered Mini-Cons seem to change size to fit their larger companions, a little size shift to accommodate a passenger doesn't seem too far-fetched compared to other scale issues.

Likewise, the [[Beast Era]] Maximals and Predacons possess roughly human-size bodies; yet when portrayed as vehicles on Cybertron ("[[Dawn of Future's Past]]", the [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]] in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]''), they feature seats and cockpits that, at their size, should be basically useless.

====Citybots====
[[File:EarlyGalvatronTVMagazine1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|If you were ever this big in the cartoon, then we might call you a city.]]
[[File:HeadmastersScale.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|See above. Way, way, way above.]]
[[Titan (group)|A few characters]] have "city" alternate modes. As actual real-life cities can sprawl for many miles, a Titan that can notionally house a population of humans, ''let alone'' Transformers, should have a robot mode that'd make [[Godzilla]] look like a gecko. Suffice to say, almost no fiction even ''begins'' to approximate the logical size of a true "city-bot". In the American and Japanese cartoons, all four were shown as massive robots capable of housing many normal-sized Transformers. Even so, it would take something along the lines of the grossly undersized depictions of [[Unicron]] (see below) to even begin to reasonably represent the colossal size of a transformed city. Thus, in the context of Transformers, "city" is perhaps better read as "building" or "fortress".

These Titans often have "small" robots forming vital components. Scorponok has a "human-sized" being forming his head. [[Full-Tilt (G1)|Full-Tilt]], [[Six-Gun]], and [[Slammer]] must logically be building-sized in robot mode to be in-scale with Trypticon and Metroplex, but, again, are not drawn as such.

The Marvel Generation 1 comic sidestepped this issue by depicting Trypticon, Fortress Maximus, and Scorponok as merely "large-standard" characters. However, Metroplex, during his one, brief appearance, was depicted as being immensely larger, crushing Quintesson attack cruisers under foot without batting an eyelid. He was still considerably smaller than a city, however, but this was justified by him merely serving as the 'transformation core' for Autobot City: Earth, not the actual city itself.

In IDW's 2005-2018 comics, Metroplex's size warrants further exploration. In "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" he's shown to be about the same size as the ''[[Lost Light]]''. If one takes James Robert's measurements into account (but then, the ''Lost Light'' has its own fair share of scaling problems), this would make him and [[Quintessa (IDW)|some]] of the other [[Titan (group)|Titans]] approximately 15 miles high in [[robot mode]] — taller than Manhattan Island is long! In panel art, characters are usually visible (albeit small) compared to him... but even if they only came up to his foot, they'd still have to be dozens of meters taller than they really are to even ''show up'' on panel. Other Titans, such as the numerous dead Titans on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] or [[Chela]], seem to be smaller, roughly the size of a single large building. Metrotitan, the Titan that ended up on Earth, was stated by military sources to be two miles tall. It may just be that Titans vary in size like many other Transformers.

Likewise, Metroplex's internal workings are portrayed as much smaller than they'd realistically have to be. His brain module, for instance, is consistently depicted as being only a few times bigger than [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] as opposed to the city block-sized machine it would "realistically" be. These visual cheats are of course done for the sake of narrative convenience and good storytelling, so we can't really begrudge the writers and artists for this.<ref>But we'll certainly bring it up.</ref>

In ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron]]'', [[Metroplex (FOC)|Metroplex]] is portrayed not so much as the city, but a part of the city; with one hand being large enough to carry Optimus or crush Megatron.

====Planets and planetbots====
[[File:Planet_scale.jpe|center|upright=2.4|thumb|From left to right: [[Unicron]], [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]], [[Moonbase One]], [[Moonbase Two]], [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], [[Earth]]]]
[[File:Cybertronplanet.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|If we're generous and assume Cybertron is 'only' the size of Earth's moon, then the larger visible buildings are roughly the size of Massachusetts stood on end, and you could wedge France into that gash (which would probably improve both Cybertron and France).]]
Scale when it comes to planets is so fraught it's painful. The problems of describing citybots as "cities" is a thousand times worse if [[Unicron]] is supposed to have a planet alternate mode, and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is in turn supposed to be of similar size. Though different stories have compared Cybertron/Primus and Unicron to drastically different real planets, the fact remains that they are ''planets'', and yet are shown in such insane scale to characters as to suggest they are the size of a ''very'' small moon (or [[Darth Vader|space station]]).

To start with, Cybertron was shown throughout Generation 1 with buildings visible from space. Although this was intended to show that the planet was technological in nature, it makes little sense, as the structures would have to be the size of small ''nations'' to be visible. If the buildings were in fact supposed to be skyscrapers (or even ''2000 A.D.''-style arcologies) sized for 10 m (30') robots, Cybertron would still be less than 150 km (100 miles) across, far smaller than even the smallest known (or even physically possible) dwarf planets. The rather [[wikia:starwars:Coruscant|Coruscant]]-like shots of Cybertron in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' may be less distinctive or "Cybertronian", but are ''far'' more believable (some people reason that the Transformers' advanced technology, along with their large size and their not needing to breathe, means that buildings actually CAN be that big).

Unicron is a more extreme problem. Assuming no [[size changing]] occurs during his transformation (and really, what possible reason would he have to become ''smaller''?), in robot mode he would be so massive that any shot featuring a recognizable ''part'' of his body, let alone the whole thing, would be on a scale such that no normal Transformer would even be visible. [[File:UnicronEatsGalvyMmmm.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Either Galvy is humungo, or Lithone is tiiinyyy!!!]]Scenes in the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 movie]] in which he directly interacts with normal Cybertronians are blatantly absurd (though totally phat-looking). Shots such as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] fleeing his grasping hand, a starship penetrating his eye, impaling [[Brainstorm (G1)#Marvel Comics continuity|Brainstorm]] on his fingernail, {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} or ''especially'' him picking up Galvatron between his fingers before swallowing him, break any concept of "planetary" scale. Not to mention that he's described as a "''ginormous'' weird-lookin' planet," which would lead one to assume that he is ''significantly'' larger than your average-sized weird-lookin' planet. Thank you, [[Jazz (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Jazz]]. Thank you so much.

If Cybertron is the size of Earth's moon (and that's generous), and Unicron is about the size of Cybertron, his hands would be about the size of Europe and Galvatron (to the right) would be about the size of Denmark.

There is no explanation for any of this. Just go with it.

The depiction of Unicron's scale in ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' was (debatably) a slight improvement, in that physical interaction with normal beings was not attempted. He preferred instead to communicate with normal Transformers by possessing [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. Nevertheless, shots featuring [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] standing on his neck are still ''farcically'' out of scale.

The depiction of Unicron in ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' is another improvement - he is explicitly said to be the [[Earth's core|''core'' of the planet Earth]], which would be about 3470 km. Furthermore, only manifestations of him are seen (these vary in size), and his eyeball, which is in comparison to the Transformers about the size of a small town. It also helps that there are no regular transformers in the shot of his eyeball. It's not perfect but hey, what're you going to do?

As a side note, Unicron has been established in some continuities as having already devoured approximately 22.56% of known universes which is truly ridiculous if one takes actual planetary/galactic scale into consideration. Assuming that Unicron is ''generously'' close to the size of our moon, when compared to other stellar bodies he shows up as an all-but-invisible speck. Imagine him trying to devour a star the size of [http://www.kiroastro.com/writings/perspective.html Betelgeuse!]

===Oversized alternate modes===
[[File:RattrapLOVEScheetor.jpg|right|thumb|I'm tellin' ya, all da rats in Brooklyn are dis big!]]
Much less common are instances of a Transformer turning into an overscaled real-world object. Most such instances occur in the ''Beast Wars'' era.

Although the Beast Warriors are consistent day-to-day in their relative size to each other (a consistency made more easy to achieve thanks to CGI used to animate), their scale in relation to their real-world animal equivalents is more complex. While the bug characters such as [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] are obviously scaled-up, other characters are more subtly not quite the right size.

[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] and [[Tigatron]] are shown standing next to real members of their species, and they are both the same size as the animals in question. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Law of the Jungle}} This makes them (and Cheetor in particular, since he's around more) the measuring sticks for the other characters. Therefore, [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] is a rather small rhinoceros (he's roughly the correct size for a Sumatran rhinoceros, but seriously undersized for a white rhinoceros, the two living species of rhinos with two horns and more or less the same head shape as his beast-mode), and [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] is a roughly normal gorilla. However, despite being by far the shortest of the Maximals, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] is still a monstrously huge rat, the size of a Labrador dog (indeed, the writers stated that Season 1 Rattrap was 5' (1.5 m) tall<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/8227a6ca84c0238d Bob Forward gives Rattrap's height from the show bible]</ref>). Likewise [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] is considerably larger than a real ''Velociraptor''. [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]], however, is a pitifully tiny specimen of a ''T. rex''. In their interactions with adult [[anthropoid]]s, the Transformer characters seem between twice and three times their height. Considering our ancestors really were smaller than modern humans, this is not extremely wrong, but it deserves noting.

However, thanks to the scaling up of the arthropod characters, it is relatively safe to assume that the Transformers generally scanned only animal ''forms'' and then rescaled them to fit their own size - additionally, they were not so much attempting to ''disguise'' themselves, as to ''protect'' themselves from an excess of Energon. This is actually slightly more believable than all other series, in which the Transformers use mass shifting to make their alt-modes the ''right'' size.

The movie universe characters aren't immune to scale issues, either; the [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobots]] are way out of proportion compared to their real-life counterparts; such as [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]] (who is ''far'' too big for a ''Pteranodon'' compared to his allies), and [[Scorn]] (who isn't quite as problematic; though a real ''Spinosaurus'' had shorter legs, making his ''proportions'' more of an issue than actual scale). Interestingly, despite being markedly out of scale compared to each other, the Dinobots are actually quite well-scaled towards the other characters (with the exception of Strafe, as noted above); for example, [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] is the same scale to [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] as a real ''Tyrannosaurus'' is to a human.

===Artistic license===
====Variation for characterization====
[[File:Prime has a huge head.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|With 20th Anniversary Prime and Smallest Transformers Bumblebee, you can actually recreate this scene.]]
Some scale problems are for the sake of characterization. For example, Optimus Prime is routinely shown as thoroughly gargantuan, several stories in height, and capable of cradling humans in his palm. If he's the size of a real truck, Prime in robot mode should be 8–10 m (25'–30') tall, at best. He's drawn large because he's a leader character. Conversely, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] is sometimes shown only a few feet taller than an average human, while in reality he would be 3–5 m (10'–15') tall (the Marvel comic actually states [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|he's 15' tall]] {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}). He's drawn small because he's a human-friendly character, and a junior member of the Autobots.

With fighter jet alternate modes, the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] should be among the largest everyday Transformers and would ''tower'' over their Autobot adversaries; instead, the animation depicts characters such as [[Thundercracker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Thundercracker]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Wheeljack]] as about the same height. Though jets are much larger than cars, they're drawn the same height so the battles appear fair (and also to make it easier to animate; blocking a shot where characters differ radically in height is difficult). [[Animated]] departs from this, where Decepticons are sometimes depicted larger than the Autobots to emphasize the rookie nature of the team handling imposing and dangerous enemies.

In a related vein, sometimes Transformers are able to enter human buildings, fitting through their doors and running up their staircases without crashing through. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} A cast that couldn't enter buildings would be grossly inconvenient for telling some stories, so the animators fudge things. In another variation of this, ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] is a colossal monster in [[beast mode]] that even the upgraded [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] can barely look in the chest, but transforms into a beefy robot a head or two taller than [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. Since for the majority of his presence on the show he is a loyal servant of Megatron, this was likely intentionally fudged so that he could have scenes inside the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', which is also where one of his biggest and most plot-important [[Synthesis|fight scenes]] takes place.

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====Intentionally strange scale====
[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|One side makes you larger, one side makes you small (Op's been noshing on the first side too much).]]
Sometimes artists draw a character at a different size [[Authorial intent|intentionally]]. For example, on the cover of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original ''Transformers'' comics series]], Optimus Prime is extremely huge compared to the highway, bridge, and normal cars ([[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] is bigger than usual, too). This is purely for dramatic effect.

Another notable example is the splash screen for the "[[World of the Transformers]]" website, which depicts [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] (in his original gorilla body) as the same size as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|G1 Optimus Prime]] and [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Movie Optimus Prime]], directly contradicting the size difference seen in "[[Optimal Situation]]" and elsewhere (except for ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'').

Artwork for the [[:File:VaderVsPrime.jpg|''Star Wars'']] subline features [[:File:Megatronvsluke.jpg|humans from another galaxy]] standing at the same height as Transformers, although this is simply because most of the figures in [[Attacktix|the tabletop game advertised by this artwork]] are the same size.

[[File:World of the Transformers ent.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Meet the Supreme class <s>[[Trukk not munky|Munky]]</s> Optimus Primal.]]
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===Live-action film series===
[[File:Moviescale1.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Scale is absolutely not an issue in the movie. Riiight.]]
The creators of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]] took great pains to avoid out-of-scale issues (well, greater than previous franchises). This is sometimes reflected in the choice of vehicle or the design of their robot mode. E.g., [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] is an extended-hood cab in order to have more mass with which to make a taller robot mode, although [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]] would later give Prime his more classic flat-nosed truck mode without any notecable change of mass of his robot mode. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s robot mode is nearly as wide as it is tall, with shorter, digitigrade legs, so the massive jet-former won't end up twice as tall as Optimus. In the case of [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]], his huge alternate mode simply results in a hulking, towering robot mode.

There are still minor scale issues to be found, though. For example, Optimus Prime can hold both [[Sam Witwicky|Sam]] and [[Mikaela Banes|Mikaela]] in one hand. Comparing this shot with when he picks up [[Archibald Witwicky]]'s glasses a few minutes later, it seems the glasses have lenses a foot (30 cm) in diameter. This is a visual cheat so the glasses are visible to the audience, and other visual cheats to make the robots seem shorter or taller were used in the movies. There's also debate about whether [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]]'s head could compact itself into a slim mobile phone. [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] in [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]] is particularly confusing; while official sources state that there is only a two-foot height difference between Megatron and Optimus Prime, Megatron seems to tower over Prime in the shot where he steals Quintessa's staff, yet is almost exactly the same size as Optimus throughout the rest of the film. The [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|movie-franchise toys]], meanwhile, are only intermittently consistent (particularly since some of the secondary ones are redecos of toys from previous lines), with the largest contrast among the "primary" toys being between Deluxe Class [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], a motorcycle, and Voyager Class Decepticons with helicopters as their [[alternate mode]]s, such as [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] and [[Incinerator (Movie)|Incinerator]]. Many of the wheeled vehicles are close to 1:35 scale, although Deluxe Class [[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] and Classic Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]] are obviously not the same scale, as noted above.

[[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s size is particularly confusing. In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', his size is based on the actual sizes of his components; the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)|''ROTF'' game]] inflates his overall scale to a far larger size. The movie tries to circumvent the size differences between Devastator's individual components by adding [[unknown Constructicon dump truck|more]] [[unknown Constructicon shovel|construction vehicles]] into the Devastator combination. The toy line, on the other hand, [[Overload (ROTF)|mostly]] ignores those additional components, resulting in massive scale discrepancies ([[#Toys out of scale within teams|see above]]) - [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]], who forms Devastator's right leg, is a massive Caterpillar 773B mining dump truck, which should make him considerably larger than [[Rampage (ROTF)|Rampage]], a Caterpillar D9L bulldozer who forms the left leg.

Another interesting example is [[Lockdown (ROTF)|Lockdown]]. Despite transforming into a Lamborghini Aventador (a smallish vehicle at less than four feet in height and fifteen feet in length), Lockdown unfolds into a massive robot mode that stands at least 24 feet tall. Robot mode Lockdown is pretty much the same size as Optimus, at most only a few feet shorter than him, even though Optimus is a massive Western Star Truck concept. In toy form, Lockdown's small alternate mode means you can either set his Deluxe-sized toy against a Voyager-or-smaller Prime for correct robot mode scale, or against a Leader-sized Prime toy for correct vehicle mode scale - but obviously not both!

At the time of ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'', scaling concerns in relation between robot and vehicle modes were seemingly absent, at least in regards to airborne vehicles. Seekers, most notably Blitzwing (who later scans an Earth-based fighter jet) are mostly the same size as bots like Optimus, who maintains his truck mode. [[Shatter]] and [[Dropkick (Movie)|Dropkick]] were introduced as the first Triple Changers in the film franchise with two Earth-based vehicle forms (with [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]] having a Cybertronian helicopter mode alongside his car mode). While the two initially have their own customized muscle car alt-modes with no scaling issues, inconsistencies begin to appear as soon as they scan secondary airborne vehicle modes. Most notably, the additional [[kibble]] added to their bodies shows in glaring contrast to already-existing car parts, indicating that their aerial forms are quite undersized. While they're not shown next to humans in their jet and helicopter modes, their on-screen transformations do not indicate any notable size increase. In fact, they actually seem to ''increase'' their mass when changing from aerial vehicles ''into'' muscle cars.

In terms of toys, the [[Studio Series]] line is designed to more-or-less avert these scale issues, as each figure is sized in relation to other toys, even in the same [[size class]]; Deluxe #18 Bumblebee is shorter than Deluxe Jazz and #01 Bumblebee, who are in turn shorter than Deluxe Ratchet and Lockdown.

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==Official scale guides==
'''See: [[Scale charts]]'''
[[File:Tfcartoonscaleguideic1.jpg|left|thumb|Official Scale Guides of ''The Transformers'']]
[[File:Beastwarsscalepreliminary.jpg|right|upright=1.4|thumb|''Beast Wars'' Season 1 scale guide]]
Animators and comic book artists received official scale guides showing relative and (in some cases) absolute heights. Some of these were published in the character model guides ''[[Transformers: The Ark|The Ark]]'' and ''[[Transformers: The Ark II|The Ark II]]''. Though they were sometimes ignored, they still give insight into the official scale of characters in Generation 1. However, even here, there are problems. Devastator in the Season One scale guide was approximately 2.5 times the height of Optimus Prime, but by Season Two he was somewhat less than twice Prime's height.

''Beast Wars'' likewise had an official scale guide, which appeared as a bonus on the DVD set of Season 2. Despite this guide, the series writers have indicated some measure of disregard for relative scale when it suited the needs of dramatic tension.<ref>[http://builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html BotCon 98 report - see "ON THE SIZES OF CHARACTERS"]</ref> Thus, Optimal Optimus is ''ungodly'' tall in his first appearance, later reduced to perhaps two times the height of the rest of the cast.

[[File:ROTF Autobot scale guide 1.jpg|thumb|right|''ROTF'' scale guide]]

''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' had scale guides featured in the ''25 years of Transformers'' feature for the [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)/home video|DVD release]] which showed official heights for both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Notably, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] gains an extra twelve feet when he wears [[Jetfire (Movie)|a corpse]].

{{-}}

==Alternate meanings of the term "scale"==
In recent years, Hasbro has actually started using the term "scale" in the context of their ''Transformers'' toys more frequently. However, the term is ''not'' used, as one might assume, to refer to the size ''ratio'' between different characters and their surroundings, but to refer to [[size class]]es. Terms like "[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends scale]]", "Deluxe scale", "Voyager scale", etc. are used in official product descriptions and press releases, and have since been adopted by the [[fandom]]. So in Hasbro terms, a Deluxe-sized fighter jet and a Deluxe-sized motorcycle are both considered the ''same'' "scale".

Even worse, [[Hasbro Pulse]] refers to a figure's ''height measurements'' as "figure scale".

If one were <s>a cynic</s> decidedly snarky, one might argue that the reason Hasbro has no sense of scale with regards to Transformers is because they don't even know what the term actually ''means''.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/6db411e03e75a342?dmode=source Estimated "real-life" heights for several Transformers, derived from the size of their alt-modes, archived from alt.toys.transformers on groups.google.com]

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Things that don't exist]]

Cyber Caliber

2024-02-21T10:35:35Z

MBG: Undo revision 1748037 by MBG (talk)

{{factions|nexusprime}}
The '''Cyber Caliber''' is one of [[Artifacts of the Primes|the relics]] of the [[Thirteen]], and a creation of [[Solus Prime]]. Much like its intended wielder [[Nexus Prime]], the sword could split apart into five separate weapons for his components to wield, or merge into a single exceedingly sharp blade. The sword was said to be able to repair or disassemble any device.

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
The Cyber Caliber was created by Solus Prime after the defeat of [[Unicron]]. After Solus Prime's death, Nexus Prime hid the sword inside his component robots, and scattered them among the stars. Eons later, a reconstituted Nexus Prime gifted it to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]; Optimus used the sword to duel against [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
The Cyber Caliber was created by Solus Prime. After the defeat of [[Liege Maximo]], Nexus Prime took custody of the relic and decided it must be hidden away till it could not be done without. He separated himself into five beings, each carrying and guarding a fragment of the Cyber Caliber. Much later, a newly reformed Nexus Prime granted it to Optimus Prime, who used it to fight Megatron to a standstill on the planet Junkion. After the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] was fired from the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', the Cyber Caliber had disappeared, blown away by the explosion. After the battle, each of Nexus Prime's components once again took a piece of the sword as they split up and headed out into space in different directions. {{Storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Mogahn the Mass]] wielded a version of the Cyber Caliber. During a battle with the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warrior]]s, [[Vector Prime]], who had recovered his memories as one of the [[Thirteen]], wrested the Cyber Caliber from Mogahn's grasp. He then reformatted the sword into [[Rhisling|one that could cut through time]], and defeated Mogahn. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 12/7/2015}}

==Notes==
*"Cyber Caliber" was once believed to be an obscure alternate name for ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''-era [[Vector Prime]]'s sword, "[[Rhisling]]".<ref>Previous revisions of the [[Rhisling]] page on {{SITENAME SHORT}} reported this fact variously citing instruction sheets or Japanese sources.</ref> That may have been true, but if so, the source of the information currently remains lost to the fog of time—or vanishing online content.
*The name may have been originally inspired by the famous fictional sword, [[Talisman (TLK)|Excalibur]]. If the original source of the name was Japanese, the English spelling of "Cyber Caliber" (as opposed to "Cyber Calib'''u'''r") may have come down to a transliteration choice.
*The name of this sword from ''Exiles'' is presumably a homage to Vector Prime's sword, which, as stated above, may or may not have actually been called "Cyber Caliber".
*The Facebook edition of Ask Vector Prime told how the Cyber Caliber was reformatted into the Rhisling, homaging the confusion surrounding the origin of the term "Cyber Caliber".

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes]]
[[Category:Prime weapons]]
[[Category:Swords]]

Cyber Caliber

2024-02-21T10:35:02Z

MBG:

{{factions|nexusprime}}
The '''Cyber Caliber''' is one of [[Artifacts of the Primes|the relics]] of the [[Thirteen]], and a creation of [[Solus Prime]]. Much like its intended wielder [[Nexus Prime]], the sword could split apart into five separate weapons for his components to wield, or merge into a single exceedingly sharp blade. The sword was said to be able to repair or disassemble any device.

==Fiction==
===''The Covenant of Primus''===
The Cyber Caliber was created by Solus Prime after the defeat of [[Unicron]]. After Solus Prime's death, Nexus Prime hid the sword inside his component robots, and scattered them among the stars. Eons later, a reconstituted Nexus Prime gifted it to [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] on the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]; Optimus used the sword to duel against [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

===Aligned novels===
The Cyber Caliber was created by Solus Prime. After the defeat of [[Liege Maximo]], Nexus Prime took custody of the relic and decided it must be hidden away till it could not be done without. He separated himself into five beings, each carrying and guarding a fragment of the Cyber Caliber. Much later, a newly reformed Nexus Prime granted it to Optimus Prime, who used it to fight Megatron to a standstill on the planet Junkion. After the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] was fired from the ''[[Trypticon (WFC)|Nemesis]]'', the Cyber Caliber had disappeared, blown away by the explosion. After the battle, each of Nexus Prime's components once again took a piece of the sword as they split up and headed out into space in different directions. {{Storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Mogahn the Mass]] wielded a version of the Cyber Caliber. During a battle with the [[Time Warrior (AVP)|Time Warrior]]s, [[Vector Prime]], who had recovered his memories as one of the [[Thirteen]], wrested the Cyber Caliber from Mogahn's grasp. He then reformatted the sword into [[Rhisling|one that could cut through time]], and defeated Mogahn. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 12/7/2015}}

==Notes==
*"Cyber Caliber" was once believed to be an obscure alternate name for ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''-era [[Vector Prime]]'s sword, "[[Rhisling]]".<ref>Previous revisions of the [[Rhisling]] page on {{SITENAME SHORT}} reported this fact variously citing instruction sheets or Japanese sources. That may have been true, but if so, the source of the information currently remains lost to the fog of time—or vanishing online content.</ref>
*The name may have been originally inspired by the famous fictional sword, [[Talisman (TLK)|Excalibur]]. If the original source of the name was Japanese, the English spelling of "Cyber Caliber" (as opposed to "Cyber Calib'''u'''r") may have come down to a transliteration choice.
*The name of this sword from ''Exiles'' is presumably a homage to Vector Prime's sword, which, as stated above, may or may not have actually been called "Cyber Caliber".
*The Facebook edition of Ask Vector Prime told how the Cyber Caliber was reformatted into the Rhisling, homaging the confusion surrounding the origin of the term "Cyber Caliber".

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Artifacts of the Primes]]
[[Category:Prime weapons]]
[[Category:Swords]]

Partformer

2024-01-26T20:36:30Z

MBG: /* Examples in fiction */

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Teh Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] also have removeable fists, but unlike Prime and Magnus, this is because their fists can be swapped with missiles. And also because their arms won't fit into their vehicle mode until their fists (and/or missiles) are first removed.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is probably one of the most significant cases, as pretty much his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could perhaps get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons, but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be removed and partformed into their respective robot modes (though maybe you can keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands as tiny spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?)
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the few exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather old toy.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege''. ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* All of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'' "transform" by turning into a pile of floating silver bricks and then reassembling themselves while morphing fluidly from one mode to the other. (Unsurprisingly, this has made them rather difficult to render in toy form.)

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Partformer

2024-01-26T20:34:20Z

MBG:

[[File:G1-Starscream-partsformer.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from a rectangle with a nose to a rectangle with arms and a head and back!]]
A '''partformer''' (also '''part-former''' or '''partsformer''' or '''parts-former''', also sometimes '''Lego-former''') is a fandom term for a [[Toy|''Transformers'' toy]] that transforms by removing pieces of one form, then reattaching them to assemble the other form. This term is often used derisively, as the parts can often be lost in between modes (especially when they don't have anywhere to go in one mode or another), and the concept itself is seen as "cheating" with the puzzle aspect of a [[Transformer]] when any [[kibble]] can simply be removed and stuck back on anywhere.

By and large, more modern engineering technology has removed this style of transformation from the line. However, it is still fairly commonplace to have figures with alt-mode parts that detach to become hand-held weapons and accessories. The [[Beast Era]] in particular used this practice as a way to avoid [[kibble]], usually by repurposing beast mode tails as clubs or whips. Figures with parts that are removed to become accessories are usually not considered partformers, with the distinction being due to how integral the part is to the robot mode. Having to pop off a gun is normal, having to pop off the arms is not. That said, the accusation is still sometimes levied in cases where significant portions of the [[Alternate mode|altmode]] need to be disconnected to form these accessories, or where the "accessory" is essentially just a large chunk of altmode trying to pass itself off as a weapon.

Some customisers will also use partforming to achieve a better robot mode, by moving the kibble to different parts of the body or removing it entirely. And some will even go so far as to use magnets and other unique methods to replace the bulkier transforming kibble with cleaner, more [[Show-accuracy|screen-accurate]] non-transforming kibble, or go in reverse to remove integral parts of the robot mode (such as heads and limbs) to form the vehicle mode because those parts weren't originally from the base toy. Fanmade "[[IP infringement|upgrade sets]]" also involve adding or swapping out parts of the toy that can't easily integrate with the original engineering, so partforming is often needed in these cases.

Partforming also happens more frequently with toys that are designed to function as [[Super Mode]] upgrades for other characters, as the process of turning into power armor or guns usually forces them to break apart anyway, as is commonplace in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] and ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]''.

==Notable examples==
===Individual figures===
[[File:G1-Omega-Supreme-partsformer.jpg|250px|thumb|Wonder no more why you see little yellow clips running for ten dollars on eBay.]]

* [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Omega Supreme (G1)#Toys|Omega Supreme]] is probably the prime example of a "partformer", since all of his robot mode limbs and backpack are formed from pieces separate from his central tank body.
* All Generation 1 [[Seeker (body-type)#Toys|Seeker]] molds required the jet mode's landing gear and weapons to be removed before transformation. The weapons would be reattached in a different place and the robot's fists (which simply sat around in jet mode) added to complete the robot form. The landing gear had no official place to go in robot mode, but could be stored in the cockpit. The instructions also ask to remove the wings and tailfins and attach them in a different arrangement.
* Aside from the Seekers, G1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Optimus Prime]] is probably the most famous of the G1 partformers, thanks to his removable fists. Popping open his chest and shoving the fists in the Diaclone-era driver's seat is an extremely common solution. His retool [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Ultra Magnus]] adds in the larger robot fists, the chestplate, the head, and the crotchpiece. Cleverly, the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' downscale of G1 Convoy]] works around this through the inclusion of sculpted fists, though this does come at the cost of having a much fuller midriff.
* Along with Prime and Magnus, Generation 1 [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Sunstreaker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Trailbreaker]], [[Hoist (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)/toys#Teh Transformers|Inferno]] and [[Grapple (G1)#The Transformers|Grapple]] also have removeable fists, but unlike Prime and Magnus, this is because their fists can be swapped with missiles. And also because their arms won't fit into their vehicle mode until their fists (and/or missiles) are first removed.
* Generation 1 [[Scamper#Toys|Scamper]] requires the blasters mounted on top of the car mode to be detached from the vehicle and reattached to the robot mode as arms.
* Generation 1 [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|Powermaster Optimus Prime]]'s super mode head must be removed and has nowhere to go in any other mode, bar perhaps being shoved inside his trailer. This is thought to be a relic from an earlier phase in the toy's design, when it was planned to be a Headmaster.
* Generation 1 [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] is probably one of the most significant cases, as pretty much his entire jet mode (the cockpit, the engines, the wings, the weapons, the main visible body) is removed for his transformation in a single large chunk that forms his Pretender shell's turret. Gunrunner himself essentially turns into a block that plugs into the bottom of the jet, which has caused a lot of jokes that he turns into landing gear.
* The [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)|Japanese Generation 1 toylines]]' [[Godbomber]] disassembles almost entirely for his "transformation", owing to him basically being a pile of armor parts with a robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)#Toys|Ultra Magnus]]'s trailer must be removed, separately transformed into his legs, then reattached to the figure.
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Hightower (RID)#Toys|Hightower]]'s crane cab, which includes his head, must be removed during transformation, then reconnected on his back in robot mode.
* ''[[Transformers: Crossovers|Crossovers]]'' [[Darth Vader#Crossovers|Darth Vader to Star Destroyer]] requires large chunks of his [[Star Destroyer]] mode to be removed and reattached while forming a [[Republic Attack Cruiser]]: particularly odd, given how similar the two modes are (''obviously'', we are aware that within ''Star Wars'' lore they are both models of Star Destroyers). The entire front third of his Star Destroyer mode must also be detached as two large shells to turn him into either mech mode. The instructions say to reattach them as a "shield" for the Anakin mode or shoulder spires for the Vader mode… at least, that's what they say, as they're far more likely to pop right out again.

===Toylines and subseries===
* The vast majority of Generation 1 [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] figures cannot be transformed with their head pilots in place. This would later carry on into the ''Titan Masters'', the [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]] equivalent of the Headmasters.
* Despite the fundamental gimmick of the [[Action Master#The_Transformers|Action Master Elites]] being that they're ostensibly transformable versions of the ''Action Masters'' toys, all four of them require chunks of their (already rather basic) vehicle modes to be removed and reattached into robot mode. [[Omega Supreme (G1)#omegaspreem|Omega Spreem]] and [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] could perhaps get a pass since their leftover chunks double as robot weapons, but the propellers of [[Turbo Master]] and the scorpion legs of [[Double Punch]] are both explicitly meant to be removed and partformed into their respective robot modes (though maybe you can keep Turbo Master's propellers in his hands as tiny spinning bladed weapons, which isn't part of his official configuration but really; who's going to stop [[You|you]]?)
* Perhaps unsurprisingly, this applies to most ''[[LEGO]]''-esque construction block toylines that have featured [[Transformer]]s:
** ''[[Built to Rule!]]'', Hasbro's first foray into a construction system, featured characters with a very basic humanoid skeleton that is ''vaguely'' transformable (as in, it can fold the limbs into a slightly more compact position, and that's about it). Both vehicle and robot modes are built around this, resulting in significant disassembly and reassembly.
** ''[[Diablock|Nanoblock]]'' 's [[Choro-Q]] renditions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Convoy]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q|Bumblebee]] require the complete disassembly of one mode to build the other (though notably, other larger [[Diablock]] Transformers sets managed to avoid this with some clever engineering).
** ''[[Kre-O]]'' predominantly features sets that require complete disassembly to be transformed, with the only official exception being the small tail-end ''Battle Changers'' subseries that actually featured traditionally transformable characters. Some of the [[Micro-Changer]]s can also be converted with only ''minor'' amounts of partforming, though even that usually takes some modifications.
** When teaming up with The LEGO Group themselves to create the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LEGO|10302 Optimus Prime]] ''Icons'' set, its creator, [[Joe Kyde]], made the decision to have the set transform entirely without the need of disassembly. One thing that wasn't taken into account, however, was the front bumper/crotch-guard piece, which is meant to look different in both modes. In order to achieve this, a piece with a bumper-detailed sticker was included to swap out with an identical piece with a crotch-guard-detailed sticker for the respective modes. This is entirely ''optional'' partforming, however, as it doesn't affect the rest of the transformation and solely serves as an aesthetical choice.
* Most transforming [[Kabaya]] offerings (particularly ''[[Transformers Gum#2009 series|Transformers Gum]]'') partform, due to being designed to mimic much more complex toys. The [[2011]] Kabaya [[Starscream (G1)/merchandise#Transformers Gum|Starscream]], for instance, requires near-complete disassembly to match the ''Classics'' mold it's based on. One of the few exceptions to this is the [[2012]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GumDX|Fortress Maximus]] toy, which features no partforming in its main transformation (apart from the Headmaster gimmick), due to being both an unusually large kit and based on a rather old toy.
* The ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' Weaponizers all partform to varying degrees due to their gimmick of dissassembling into [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System|a set of weapons]]. The same applies to the Modulators from the sequel line ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise]]'', whose parts can either serve as connective ramps for other toys' base modes using the [[A.I.R. Lock System]] or be attached to other toys in the same way as the Weaponizers from ''Siege''. ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' carries on the play pattern with the [[F.O.S.S.I.L. Technology|Fossilizer]]s.

==Partforming lite==
[[File:Collab-toy-Megatron-HISS-Tank.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|250px|Technically not partforming. ''Technically''.]]While "genuine" partforming (that is, removing a piece from one mode only to reattach it as an essential part of another mode) is broadly uncommon in modern Transformers toys, a more recent trend seems to be figures that do not partform... on paper. They feature essential pieces of one mode that's removed and usually reattached as an important part of another mode, such as a character's back, '''but''' that can also double as ''sort-of'' weapons and shields for the figure, meaning that they are, technically, accessories with a purpose beyond just being left-out bits... Even if, sometimes, the extent to which these pieces feel like "accessories" rather than just abandoned portions of a vehicle mode with bonus [[5 mm post|5 mm post]] compatibility is debatable, at least.

Some notable examples include:
* ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]'' (the TakaraTomy Line) Leader Class [[Optimus_Prime_(Movie)/toys#CaliburOP|Calibur Optimus Prime]] features a newly-molded fifth wheel hitch that forms a handheld shield based on the one used in Dark of the Moon, which results in a backpack-less robot mode. As such, the shield that came with prior versions has been omitted (though it's still fully compatible, of course). The figure can be transformed without partforming if so desired, leaving a backpack like the original leader.
* ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'' Deluxe Class [[Cliffjumper (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Cliffjumper]]'s transformation requires detaching the back end of his car mode and plugging it to the robot mode's back via flip-out peg (though it can double as a “shield”).
**The [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Bumblebee]] retool of this mold acts much in the same way. The issue becomes much more evident with this version, as the Volkswagen Beetle rear seems much more ill-fitted as a shield compared to the more square-ish Porsche 924 derivative rear that Cliffjumper originally had.
* ''Earthrise'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#War for_Cybertron: Earthrise|Megatron]] requires a front portion of his tank to be detached for transformation, which can double in robot mode as an impractically small "shield".
* ''[[Transformers Collaborative|Collaborative]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/Generations toys#Collaborative|H.I.S.S. Tank Megatron]]'s back plating must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can be used as a "shield". The turret can also optionally be removed during either transformation.
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Legacy|Breakdown]]'s spoiler must be removed for transformation into robot mode, where it can either be held as a boomerang-like weapon or combined with his gun to form an "axe".

==Examples in fiction==
* Given the way his toy is designed, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] is depicted in most Generation 1 fiction (that uses his original toy design) to partform.
* In [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'s [[The Search for Alpha Trion|Generation 1 cartoon appearance]], she is shown to separate her lower legs at the knee for transformation into her Cybertronian pick up truck mode; her torso forms the cab, and her legs form the bed.
* Also all of the [[Kinetic Solutions Incorporated|KSI]] [[Living metal|Transformium]]-based products from ''Transformers: Age of Extinction'', pretty much.

==See also==
*[[Kibble]], especially the original definition of the term.

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Downshift (G1)

2024-01-15T03:49:10Z

MBG: these seem to be switched

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

[[File:G1DownshiftMTMTE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|''[[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 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]] [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]] profile</ref> and a scout,<ref name="Takara">Downshift's [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] bio, in the [http://tflab.net/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===
[[File:Lookinsideforaspecialoffer.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"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 (G1)|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 (G1)|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.
{{-}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:TrainWars Downshift.jpg|thumb]]
====''Legends'' comic====
Downshift was among the Autobots who defended [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] when the Decepticons came to steal the [[Transform Super Cog]]. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

====Wars comics====
When [[The Fallen]] attacked [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the hopes of merging with [[Vector Sigma]], [[Overdrive]] sought additional help using the power of his [[Quantum Dial]]. Further empowering the dial with the help of the Oracle, Overdrive reached across space and time to recruit inter-dimensional warriors, as well as his fellow Omnibots, Downshift and Camshaft. {{storylink|Train Wars}} The Fallen assumed a combination form, however, and managed to impale Downshift and the reinforcements using energy spikes. [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], the [[Trainbot]]s, the [[Sixtrain|Train Team]], and the [[Sixliner|Liner Team]] soon arrived to turn the tide, and the Fallen was ultimately defeated. In the aftermath, Downshift and the Omnibots returned the foreign warriors home after the battle. {{storylink|Train Wars 2}}
{{--}}

===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''===
[[File:Omnibots group.jpg|left|thumb|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 (G1)|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.

[[File:Downshift vehicle.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|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. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Omnibots passive aggression.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]

Downshift and his fellow Omnibots acted as guards outside the detention facility on Cybertron. {{storylink|Cold War (issue)|Cold War}} After [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] unleashed Menasor on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], the 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}}
{{--}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[Stormbringer issue 1|''Stormbringer'' #1]]}}
[[File:Downshift punched IDW24.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Watch your language!]]

Downshift hung out with fellow Omnibot Overdrive on the [[Autobot Orbital Command Hub]] under the command of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} He remained on the 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}}

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)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] and an army of [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s 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|Lamentations}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:Downshift_G1_Toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Downshift''' ([[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]], 1985)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': 2 "Magnetic-Guided Rocket Launchers", "[[Rust-ray rifle|Rust Rifle]]"
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:Downshift (aka Camshaft in Japan) 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 [[TakaraTomy|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 Point]]s. 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]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W3CPrivateDownshift.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Private Downshift, Special Ops•Security Agent''' (2019)
**'''Wave 3C: Convention Pack 2019'''
**''Rarity: '''''RT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T02/T03'''
**''Stars: ''8
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFGenerations2014 Rejected Downshift.jpg|thumb]]
*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 [[The Transformers Universe|''Transformers Universe'']] form and in the pared-down style of an on-package bio (with [[Tech Spec]]s, 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 [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''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 [[insignia|faction symbols]] and the aforementioned sticker variation.
* A mock-up of a new Downshift toy in the form of a ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Generations|Wheeljack]] redeco was shown in ''[[Transformers Generations 2014 Volume 1]]'' as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. The mock-up promised that if produced, the final product would make use of some [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Turbo Tracks]] tooling. During the [[Fan polls#Generations Magazine Exclusive Character Popularity Vote|fan poll]] held to determine which of the ten would be produced, Downshift claimed only 1.6% of the votes, leaving him in second-to-last place.<ref>[http://millionhero.sblo.jp/article/101898683.html Poll results at Hero-X]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Camshaft''' (カムシャフト ''Kamushafuto''), '''Downshift''' (ダウンシフト ''Daunshifuto'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Security officers]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]

Camshaft (G1)

2024-01-15T03:49:06Z

MBG: these seem to be switched

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Camshaft}}
:''Camshaft is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Camshaftg1.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|Mild-mannered ninja stuntman who performs daring feats of bravery while avoiding brave feats of daring.]]
'''Camshaft''' is an [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] tasked with covert operations, like scouting<ref name="Dreamwave">Camshaft's [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]] profile</ref><ref name="flyer">"[[You Have Been Chosen.]]" toy pack-in flyer</ref> and tracking.<ref name="Takara">Camshaft's [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] bio, in the [http://tflab.net/japaspe/tf2010/rp04.html original Japanese] and [[User talk:Apcog#Translating the Omnibot bios|fan-translated English]]. Note that "Downshift" is the relevant one, since their names were switched in Japan.</ref> He follows orders faithfully, but being on spy missions sometimes makes him paranoid that others are spying on ''him.'' If there's one thing he does trust, it's his super-hard body armor.<ref name="Takara" /> Despite that and his notable intelligence, his sense of self-preservation is still so strong that he can't be counted on for battlefield heroics.<ref name="Dreamwave" />

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. In particular, a scout named "Camshaft" in the [[Universe War]] was known as [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s bold and grim shadow-warrior, with acrobatic prowess bar none, advanced scanning equipment, and unorthodox hand-to-hand fighting skills.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/universe-autobots-195/autobot-camshaft-1038/ Camshaft's on-package bio] from the [[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|2003 ''Universe'']] franchise</ref>

==Fiction==
===S.T.A.R.S. pack-in flyers===
[[File:Lookinsideforaspecialoffer.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|His alt-mode is scouting so hard, ''you can't even see it.'']]
Camshaft 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 Autobots 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 (G1)|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 (G1)|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 presented the first distinguishing characteristic of Camshaft's personality (that he was a scout), 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.
{{--}}

===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:TrainWars Camshaft.jpg|thumb|]]

====''Legends'' comic====
Camshaft was among the Autobots who defended [[Ark (G1)|Autobot headquarters]] when the Decepticons came to steal the [[Transform Super Cog]]. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

====Train Wars====
When [[The Fallen]] attacked [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the hopes of merging with [[Vector Sigma]], [[Overdrive]] sought additional help using the power of his [[Quantum Dial]]. Further empowering the dial with the help of the Oracle, Overdrive reached across space and time to recruit inter-dimensional warriors, as well as his fellow Omnibots, Downshift and Camshaft. {{storylink|Train Wars}}The Fallen assumed a combination form, however, and managed to impale Camshaft and the reinforcements using energy spikes. [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], the [[Trainbot]]s, the [[Sixtrain|Train Team]], and the [[Sixliner|Liner Team]] soon arrived to turn the tide, and the Fallen was ultimately defeated. In the aftermath, Camshaft and the Omnibots returned the foreign warriors home after the battle. {{storylink|Train Wars 2}}
{{--}}

===''The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers''===
[[File:Omnibots group.jpg|left|thumb|Camshaft is on the right, which is left in Japan.]]
During a massive battle on [[Feminia]], [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] introduced his latest combining warrior, [[Predaking (G1)|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.

[[File:Camshaft vehicle.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Trunk activated; junk deployed.]]
From out of nowhere came Camshaft, [[Downshift (G1)|Downshift]] and Overdrive. They swiftly shifted into their vehicle mode 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. {{storylink|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers issue 5|The Story of Super Robot Lifeforms: The Transformers #5}}
{{--}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Omnibots passive aggression.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
When [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] released Menasor from containment within the [[Detention Banks]], the [[combiner]] attacked [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], leaving a crumpled pile of Camshaft and the other two Omnibots in its wake. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:Camshaft-G1toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|My name is a lie!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Camshaft''' (Omnibot, [[1985]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': [[neutron blaster]], 2 rockets
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:A re-release of one of the three "Double Changers" from [[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s pre-''Transformers [[Diaclone]]'' line, Camshaft transforms into a Mazda RX-7 Series 2. He also has a third "assault mode" which compacts his car's length and flips out his spring-loaded missile launcher from his rear window. (It looks even dippier than it sounds.) He was only available in both the U.S. and Japanese markets as a mail-order item. In the US, he cost $5 and four [[Robot Point|robot points]], while in Japan he cost 980 yen and only 2 robot points.

:Camshaft and Downshift had their names swapped for their Japanese Transformers mail-away releases (which were also available in 1985), presumably because the real-life Mazda RX-7 featured a rotary (or Wankel) engine that does not actually have a camshaft. The Takara versions also had [[Tech Spec]]s, unlike the Hasbro versions.

::*[http://www.tfu.info/1985/Autobot/Camshaft/camshaft.htm Omnibot Camshaft information at TFU.info]
{{-}}

===''Alternators''===
[[File:Camshaftalternator.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Bluestreak's brother from another mother.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Camshaft''' ([[2006]])}}</ul>
:*''ID number:'' '''23'''
:*''Accessories'': engine-gun, light baton
{{toydesigner|[[Steve Bono]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:A [[retool]] of the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl toy]], Camshaft transforms into a 1:24-scale licensed Acura RSX, complete with opening doors, hood, trunk, and an open passenger compartment. His engine becomes a non-firing cannon, plus he carries a clear-plastic nightstick. His rear spoiler and hubcaps are also changed from Prowl's; however, they are the same as those of the blue "civilian" Prowl from Takara's ''Binaltech'' version of the line.

:Like the other late-series ''Alternators'', Camshaft has a state-specific [[license plate]], sporting an abbreviated form of his name, "CAM SHFT", registered in the Ocean State of Rhode Island (also the home of [[Hasbro]]).

:Camshaft's deco was originally designed with [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] in mind—specifically, the original ''Diaclone'' deco for the ''Generation 1'' toy depicted in early catalogs and the toy's instructions. An early leaked sample even sported an abbreviated form of the name "Bluestreak", "BLU STRK", on its license plate.<ref name="blustrk">[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=5973 ''Alternators'' Autobot Camshaft sample with "BLU STRK" license plate]</ref> Hasbro planned to release the silver deco at the same time, as a Subaru Impreza WRX, under the name "Silverstreak". However, the [[trademark]] "Bluestreak" wasn't available for use, so the blue toy was released as "Autobot Camshaft" instead.

:The [[tampograph]]ed deco on ''Alternators'' Camshaft's shoulders (also Bluestreak-inspired) somehow ended up on the ''back'' of the shoulders, a weird fluke that somehow passed through [[quality control]]. It's ''possible'' that this happened because the deco designer didn't take into consideration the fact that the pegs that connect the forearms to the shoulders in vehicle mode are located on the front side of the shoulders, which would have made it difficult to tampograph the deco around them, and thus ''maybe'' someone at the factory decided to put the deco on the side without the peg.<ref name="altcamshaft1">[http://www.transformers-universe.com/include.php?path=galerie/Bildergalerie.php&cat_ID=1262 ''Alternators'' Autobot Camshaft with unmodified shoulders, pegs pointing forward.]</ref><ref name="altcamshaft2">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-images/toys/Alternators/Autobots/Camshaft/ ''Alternators'' Autobot Camshaft with swapped shoulders, deco pointing forward.]</ref>

::*[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AltCamshaft/camshaft.htm ''Alternators'' Camshaft information at TFU.info]
{{AlternatorsProwlMold}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2003)===
[[File:RID-toy WarsKB2 TFU-SG Camshaft.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|His feet look tasty.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Autobot Camshaft''' (Spy Changer, [[2006]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Rifle

:For ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'', Camshaft is identical to the last [[KB Toys]] [[exclusive]] redeco of [[W.A.R.S.]], transforming into a clear-purple [[NASCAR]] Ford Thunderbird stock car. He features through-axle construction that allows him to zip along quickly on smooth surfaces, plus he is compatible with many "Hot Wheels" and "Matchbox" racetracks. He was available only on an individual card from discount chains like The Dollar Store.

:This sculpt was also used to make [[Gearhead]] and the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Soundwave]]. It was planned to be used to make ''Generation 2'' [[Greasepit (G2)|Greasepit]], but that toy was ultimately unreleased.

:As with many ''Universe'' characters, it is unclear whether this Camshaft is meant to be the same individual as his [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] predecessor. He is included here because his on-package [[bio]] bears the same function ("Scout") as presented in the previous [[Pack-in material|mail-order flyers]] and Dreamwave profile.

:This toy was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as ''[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Camshaft (SG)|Camshaft]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/Wars/wars.htm More information on Camshaft (actually, W.A.R.S.) at TFU.info]''
{{G2GearheadMold}}
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W3CPrivateCamshaft.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Private Camshaft, Special Ops•Scout''' (2019)
**'''Wave 3C: Convention Pack 2019'''
**''Rarity: '''''RT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T01/T03'''
**''Stars: ''8
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TFGenerations2014 Rejected Camshaft.jpg|thumb]]
*An image from the mini-catalog that came with the ''[[Diaclone]]'' predecessors of the Omnibots depicted the toy that would eventually become ''Generation 1'' Camshaft with a Bluestreak-esque head, which some fans believe may have been one of the inspirations for the ''Alternators'' Autobot Camshaft toy...but this seems highly unlikely.
*The road to having a personality has been a long and rocky one for Camshaft:
**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=Camshaft&ImgURL=/archive/instructions/autobot/1985/instr_camshaft.jpg Camshaft's original English-language instruction-sheet bio] (such as it is; see third panel)</ref>
**He was given his "Scout" 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 "Tracker" did not match up with the American one. That, and his and [[Downshift (G1)|Downshift's]] names somehow got swapped.<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 [[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|''Transformers Universe'']] form and in the pared-down style of an on-package bio (with Tech Specs, even!), giving him a very different personality from any other portrayal: His function was "Road Warrior," and he was said to be recklessly overconfident, tearing up the highways and literally pulverizing cars with no regard for human safety.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071230230844/http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=40993 Camshaft's Marvel comic bible profile]</ref> This was never officially released to the public.
**The English-speaking public finally got an official profile for Camshaft in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s 2003 [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More Than Meets the Eye'' comic]]. This naturally presented ''another'' personality, keeping the "Scout" function but otherwise having little or no relation to anything else that had come before.<ref name="Dreamwave" />
*In later years, toys sporting the name "Camshaft" required an additional "Autobot" prefix for [[trademark]] reasons, making the official name "'''Autobot Camshaft'''".
*The ''Alternators'' Mazda RX-8 (which ultimately ended up as [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Meister]]) was originally intended to be named "Camshaft", according to various early store listings and a premature reply from Hasbro's customer service. This would also fit with the early idea of making the ''Alternators'' toys "direct updates" of their characters' ''Generation 1'' predecessors. A prototype was leaked to the public in early 2004 sporting the same basic colors as the later ''Alternators'' "Autobot Camshaft" toy (the Acura RSX), although it's uncertain whether the prototype colors for the RX-8 were supposed to be indicative of the proposed colors for Camshaft (since the Acura redeco was originally intended as a Bluestreak homage before being renamed into "Autobot Camshaft"). The reason the RX-8 Alternator was ultimately not named "Camshaft" was apparently because the real-life Mazda RX-8 car doesn't ''have'' a camshaft. Of course, Camshaft's original RX-7 mode didn't have a camshaft either, but it's unlikely anyone gave a damn (except very few rotary fans that got a good laugh) since that wasn't a licensed toy.
*A mock-up of a new Camshaft toy in the form of a [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ironhide]] redeco was shown in ''[[Transformers Generations 2014 Volume 1]]'' as one of ten potential exclusives for Vol. 2. During the [[Fan polls#Generations Magazine Exclusive Character Popularity Vote|fan poll]] held to determine which of the ten would be produced, however, Camshaft placed dead last, having claimed only 1% of the votes. The indignity!<ref>[http://millionhero.sblo.jp/article/101898683.html Poll results at Hero-X]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Downshift''' (ダウンシフト ''Daunshifuto''), '''Camshaft''' (カムシャフト ''Kamushafuto'')

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Legends Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Scouts]]
[[Category:Spychangers]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Introdump

2024-01-13T01:34:59Z

MBG:

[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The buying public will never suspect their TRUE NATURES as commercial products until it is TOO LATE!]]
An '''introdump''' (also known as name-dropping, name-checking, forced introduction, or "really awkward self-exposition") is a scene in which new characters are introduced, and the dialog goes out of its way to give each character's name. It is particularly prevalent in certain portions of ''Transformers'' fiction.

Sometimes the characters give their ''own'' names (referring to themselves in the third person). On other occasions, the characters will work each other's names into the dialog. The classic [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|G1 Marvel Comic]] was particularly guilty of this, not least because they introduced on the order of 200 characters across only 84 issues (counting ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]''). In '''that comic''', it was '''usually signified''' by the '''writing''' of '''each new character's name''' in '''bold typeface'''.

Because most ''Transformers'' fiction exists [[to sell toys]], it seems likely that [[Hasbro]] required the writers of the comic to make sure every new character was explicitly named, so the readers could then go out and ask the toy store employee for 'em by name.

Though the G1 comics were particularly notorious for it, introdumps pop up across the whole spectrum of ''Transformers'' fiction. In egregious examples, the characters also describe their "selling points" (weapons, etc.)

{{quote|And that is a flat-out unnatural speech pattern. I know Cerebros. Why is he introducing him to me?|[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]|"[[Ten to Midnight]]"}}

==Marvel Comics==
[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Ten characters, nine color schemes, and only six molds.]]
* A ''particularly'' heavy example, from [[The Transformers (issue)|the first issue of the US comic]]. (Note [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]'s ironic comment of "Can the speeches.")
[[File:MarvelUS22 Stunticons.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Mouseketeer roll call!]]
* At right, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] introduce themselves in "[[Heavy Traffic!]]". Bonus points for [[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]], who goes the extra mile by indicating his personality, too.
{{-}}

==''The Transformers'' cartoon==
* "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]" features an extended "roll call" scene, where most of the Autobots line up and transform when their names are called.

==''Beast Wars'' cartoon==
{{listen
|Introdump bwep1 thepain.ogg
|Painful Introductions
|The Maximals introduce themselves.
|350 KB
}}
* In the sound clip at right, from [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|the first episode]] of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', the writers at least have the justification that the characters are adopting new names at that moment. Through the opening two parter, we also get extended, individualized transformation sequences where the characters shout their names.
{{-}}

==''Transformers Animated'' cartoon==
* In "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", the [[Decepticon]]s bicker, giving their names and at least one important fact per character:

: '''Lugnut''': Megatron is wise! Megatron is bold! Megatron will return the Decepticons to Cybertron and...
: '''Blackarachnia''': ...and wipe our homeland clean of the stench of Autobot tyranny, blah-dee blah blah blah! Did you memorize that speech, Lugnut? Or is it just hardwired into that thick, one-track processor of yours?
: '''Blitzwing''': ''(as Icy)'' As usual, Blackarachnia, your demeanor is as unpleasant as that accursed organic mode of yours.
: '''Blackarachnia''': Blow it out your actuator, three-face.
: '''Blitzwing''': ''(switches to Hothead)'' Ze name is Blitzving, insect! Remember it! Cause it's ze last thing you're going to hear before I-''(switches to Random)'' express my feelings in song!
{{-}}

==IDW Publishing==
===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:PrimusAllGoodThings-introdump.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|I, [[John Barber]], probably had way too much fun writing this.]]
By contrast, IDW's comics seem to go out of their way to avoid introdumps, meaning that sometimes a character with an all-new design will go unnamed for several issues, forcing readers to guess who they are. And the occasional new character is tossed in (and left unnamed) just to make things even more of a challenge. (For instance, [[Drift (G1)|Drift]], who isn't even named in his first appearance except on the retailer incentive cover.) The [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing IDW series]] occasionally used captions to identify some (but not all) characters by name rather than dropping these names in dialogue. The concept returned in ''[[Revolution]]'' and ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'', supplying names and brief character blurbs with varying degrees of tongue-in-cheek humor.

One exception is in "[[Primus: All Good Things]]," during a flashback sequence designed to homage the early Marvel style, including a lovingly-crafted old-fashioned introdump. This issue's infodump references specifically the Decepticon introdump from the first Marvel issue, seen above.

===Other IDW comics===
Another exception to the above is IDW's ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie|Animated Movie Adaptation]]'', in which writer [[Bob Budiansky]] gives characters whose toys had been available 20 years earlier (!) ''more'' blatant introdumps than in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' itself. Old habits, probably.

John Barber takes another excuse to spoof the convention in [[Age of Eggstinction!|issue #2]] of ''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]'': as the recently created [[Autobird]]s stand around and introduce themselves, [[Blues|Bluestreak Bird]] demands to know why they're talking so strangely and saying their own names for no reason. He eventually gives up and yells his own name just to get it over with.
{{-}}

==''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons==
* In the [[The Swamp|first episode]] of ''[[Transformers: Power of the Primes (cartoon)|Power of the Primes]]'', as the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] surround the heroes, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] names off himself, [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] and [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] in sequence and introduces them as the Dinobots. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] points out that they've already known each other for a long time, making the introductions rather pointless.

==External links==
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20120303004705/http://theswordreview.com/item.php?sub_id=1289 A parallel coining of "introdump", in the context of prose SF.]
* {{w|Exposition (narrative)#Information dump|"Information dump", a broader term, at Wikipedia}}.
* [[tvtropes:Main/Introdump|Introdump]] on TVTropes (because ''we'' are the trope namer)

[[Category:Media]]
[[Category:Fan terminology]]

Onslaught (ROTF)

2023-11-05T05:31:33Z

MBG: genuine question: how? the ROTF toy is obviously a straight transplant of G1 Onslaught into the movieverse, but the only thing TLK Onslaught has in common is that they're both trucks (and not even the same kind of truck).

{{factions|decepticonfilm}}
{{disambig3|Onslaught}}
:''Onslaught is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[live-action film series]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:TLK Onslaught concept.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2.2|Big Green Dead?]]
As leader of the [[Combaticon (ROTF)|Combaticon]]s, '''Onslaught''' is a genius when it comes to strategy. While this tactical skill is his most impressive asset, he's more proud of the fact that he's so much bigger than his peers. In true Decepticon fashion, Onslaught likes to show off his brawn by bullying smaller foes.

When he is provoked into being violent,<ref>''The Last Knight'' TRF [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/decepticon-casefiles-roundup-with-the-best-look-yet-at-mowhawk-dreadbot-and-others/38370/ prisoner dossier bios]</ref> he combines with his fellow Combaticons to form the mighty [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)|Bruticus Maximus]].

{{quote|You need a bigger door!|Onslaught's disappointment before freedom|''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]''}}

{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===''The Last Knight'' film===
{{voiceactor|??? (English), [[Kenji Nomura]] (Japanese)|[[Zhang Yaohan]] (Chinese), [[José Luis Miranda]] (Latin-American Spanish)}}

[[File:TF-TLK-Onslaught-you-need-a-bigger-door.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|Big Green! Get in here.]]
Onslaught was among the Decepticons in [[Transformers Reaction Force|TRF's]] custody. When the TRF opted to work with [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] and release some Decepticons to be part of his "crew", among Megatron's first choices was none other than [[Berserker]]. However, Berserker was deemed too dangerous, so Megatron had to settle for Onslaught, who needed high level clearance to be released. When released, he angrily bemoaned the small size of the TRF's doors, which he could not fit through. However, he ''was'' able to get his cannon through said door.

[[File:TF-TLK-Onslaught-death.jpg|right|upright=1.33|thumb|Looks like Berserker picked the right day to call in sick.]]
Onslaught joined the Decepticons on their hunt for [[Cade Yeager]], and followed his leader to the human's scrap yard and then to a nearby town. They were met with some not-quite-unexpected resistance in the form of the Autobots [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]], [[Drift (AOE)|Drift]], and [[Crosshairs (AOE)|Crosshairs]] and damaged in a trap set by Yeager. He attempted to catch the fugitive human but was ambushed by Drift and Crosshairs. He first lost his leg and took several shots in the chest before finally losing his "fat head" to Drift's sword.
{{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}

===''Schick Hydrobot and the Transformers'' comic===
[[File:TF-TLK-ANF-Onslaught.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|Well I'm going to call you little green.]]
Onslaught was among the Decepticons who attacked Doctor [[Hiroshi Benson]]'s laboratory. Onslaught moved to attack [[Hydrobot (TLK)|Hydrobot]], but was quickly subdued by the razor. Later he was hit by Hydrobot's [[energy-field razor]] and, along with the other Decepticons, was forced to retreat.
{{storylink|A New Friend}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:Universe-ROTF-toy_Onslaught.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Don't mess, or [[w:Heroes_Reborn_(comics)|I'll have your ''favourite'' superheroes]] drawn by [[Rob Liefeld]]!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bruticus Maximus''' ([[2009]])}}</ul>

:''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Onslaught is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Barricade (Energon)#Energon|Barricade]], transforming into an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier with a rear-mounted (non-firing) missile rack that turns and elevates. He was available with the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Bruticus Maximus giftset, and when combined with the other Combaticons, Onslaught forms the torso. Almost every Onslaught also has a paint error on the right robot knee, in that there is no paint around the hole immediately below the knee, where there ''is'' paint on the left one. This error is also evident in the box photos for the individual robot mode, but not the combined mode, curiously. ONSLT and C5 (a reference to the original Onslaught's team ID number) are tampographed on the hood of Onslaught's vehicle mode.

:He was also [[retool]]ed into ''[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]'' [[Heatwave (Timelines)#Heatwave|Heatwave]] and is indistinguishable from ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Onslaught (G1)#BrutMaxSet|Onslaught]], including the paint error.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TargetOnslaught/onslaught.htm More information on Onslaught at TFU.info]
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Prime 1 Studio===
[[File:Prime 1 Studio TLK Onslaught.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Onslaught''' (<strike>201?</strike>)}}</ul>
:*''Movie:'' '''''The Last Knight'''''
:*''ID Number'': '''MMTFM-??'''

:[[Prime 1 Studio]] ''Museum Masterline'' Onslaught was supposedly a ''huge'' non-transforming but screen-accurate polystone statue that was entirely based on his robot mode seen in the film. As with all Prime 1 Studio statues, he would probably feature LED lights on his eyes.

:Had this release not been canceled, you would have needed a ''bigger shelf'' for this guy.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
* For his appearance in ''The Last Knight'', Onslaught employed a retooled version of [[Long Haul (ROTF)|Long Haul]]'s model, complete with new weaponry and Western Star 4900SF tow truck kibble replacing the original dump truck parts.
** According to an Instagram post from [[Josh Nizzi]], Onslaught and Long Haul are [[twin]] [[Relatives|brother]]s, justifying why they share a body-type. However, this little tidbit has not been referenced in any official media.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Onslaught, the twin brother of Long Haul.|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/BX3g_imj9sG/|name=Josh Nizzi|site=instagram|year=2017|month=08|day=16}}</ref>
* ''Revenge of the Fallen'' Onslaught was developed independently of the on-screen character, yet shares the same article for simplicity.
* During Onslaught's one line of dialogue, he appears to have an alternate mouth design based off [[Brawl (Movie)|Brawl]]'s (compared to what is seen during the rest of his screen-time) to accommodate the exaggerated words.
* According to his TRF prisoner dossier bio, Onslaught was developing a new weapon called The Decapitator prior to being released, presumably the large claw he wields in the film.
* The Western Star 4900SF used to portray Onslaught in ''The Last Knight'' was returned to Daimler Trucks North America's headquarters in [[Portland]], Oregon, where it was put to work towing other trucks.<ref>{{citesocial|link=https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/167009-onslaught-is-alive-and-well-in-portland-or/?p=3962971|name=Poster|site=The Allspark forums|defunct=yes}}</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Onslaught''' (オンスロート ''Onsurōto'')
*''Korean:'' '''Onslaught''' (온슬로트 ''Onseulloteu'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Túxí''' (China, 突袭, "Raid")
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.instagram.com/p/BX3g_imj9sG/], [https://www.instagram.com/p/BaJsUV-DvgO/] Concept art for Onslaught by Josh Nizzi on Instagram

[[Category:Combaticons]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:The Last Knight Decepticons]]

To sell toys

2023-07-26T01:11:15Z

MBG:

[[File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hasbro wasn't quite sure whether to advertise this expensive toy until the fans forced their hand.]]
To understand ''Transformers'' fiction, it is important to understand that it exists '''to sell toys.''' [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] are toy companies, and they are primarily interested in continuing to sell [[toy]]s to children and adults. The cartoons, comic books, etc., mostly exist to make this happen. To be sure, they normally [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Reception|make a profit in their own right]], but this is regarded as mere gravy.

The "to sell toys" effect often distorts the fiction in interesting ways. Primarily, since you can't ([[Army-building|usually]]) sell someone the same toy twice,<ref>Although the toy lines from the [[live-action film series]] have given us multiple ''different'' toys of the ''same characters''.</ref> Hasbro and Takara constantly introduce new toys, and often require the creators of the fiction to introduce the new characters into ongoing storylines. Older characters (whose toys are no longer being sold) are shoved aside to make room.

Another effect of "to sell toys" is when the toys have gimmicks which must be explained in the fiction. Sometimes ([[Mini-Con]]s) this is relatively easy, while other times it requires a lot of imagination on the part of the writers (the in-comic explanations for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] are kinda wonky).

[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Japanese]] [[Triple Combination: Transformers Go! (cartoon)|shows]] are normally the worst offenders, because ''Transformers'' doesn't take itself very seriously over there.

The UK [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|movie-based ''Transformers'' comic]] took this to more blatant heights. For its first year, it had a specific four-page feature every week called ''Top Gear'', which existed solely to promote the newest ''Transformers'' merchandise. ''Any'' merchandise. This led to readers being told how great [[Optimash Prime]] was. For the [[2010]] ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' game franchise, [[Ironhide (Movie)|''Ironhide himself'']] opened letters pages by telling readers how ''awesome'' the game was and how [[you]] should buy it.

{{bigquote|Truly, I'm speechless. Your species characterizes the infinite wonders of the churning, whorling, chaotic cosmos through the lens of... merchandising?

I can see why Swindle loves you idiots.|[[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] on the concept, [[Ask Vector Prime]].}}

==Casting==
===Huge casts===
[[File:CosmicRust-BigGroup.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|[[Pokeformers|Gotta catch 'em all!]]]]
Hasbro makes a lot of toys at once, and they generally want all of them to appear in their fiction. This can force writers to bring in vast numbers of characters all at once, sometimes with awkward results. Examples include:

*The first issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 comic]], "[[The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers]]", in which ''twenty-eight'' different robots appeared and introduced themselves, even though only a handful are important to the plot.
*"[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", a free mini-comic given away with issue [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]] of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|comic]], notoriously introduces the reader to ''twenty-four'' new Transformers in just three pages. Granted, four of those are the [[Combiner|combined forms]] of the other twenty, but that's still a lot of new names to remember.
*The 1987 ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' Limited Series, which introduced over ''sixty'' characters in the course of four issues, including all the first waves of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], all their [[Nebulan]] partners, the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s.
*The cartoon episode trilogy "[[The Rebirth]]" likewise abruptly introduced well over ''forty'' of the 1987 toyline characters, mostly the same ones seen in ''Headmasters''. In both cases, this wasn't helped by the fact that the nature of Headmasters and Targetmasters meant every new toy had to effectively get two introductions.
*In the first four episodes of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the 2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], eighteen characters are introduced in quick succession.
*From #9 onwards, [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movie-based ''Transformers'']] heavily bumped up the cast with new toys. In one example, #17 brought in nine new toys in eleven pages; only one of the five Decepticons got any real focus or dialogue.

===Random casting===
The Hasbro-induced need to show all the toys can also cause stories to suddenly focus on a new character, sometimes dropping ongoing plot threads about older ones. Examples include:

*Season 2 of the cartoon introduced many new characters/buyable toys with no explanation; despite never having been seen before, the story treats them as though they have [[Beachcomber (G1)|been there]] [[Perceptor (G1)|the whole]] [[Tracks (G1)|time]]. [[Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1|One episode]] even hinges on this idea.
[[File:Decepticonpretenders-behold.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|After seven issues, it's finally time for these six dudes to do something!]]
[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Apparently, the Triggerbots didn't make much of an impression on Prime.]]
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" suddenly introduces a dozen Autobots and Decepticons that we've never met before, and follows their adventures. The story adds nothing to the long-range plot that couldn't have been accomplished by using existing characters; these teams were added to the mix to promote their new toys.
*Many issues of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] had cover blurbs in the form "Introducing the _______!", where the blank was whatever the latest line of toys was. The following issues specifically introduce new toys on the cover: [[Repeat Performance!|#8]], [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], [[Brainstorm!|#11]], [[Command Performances!|#19]], [[Aerialbots over America!|#21]], [[Crater Critters|#29]], [[The Cure!|#30]], [[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]], [[People Power!|#42]], [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]], [[Club Con!|#47]], and [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]. Throw in a few covers where new characters were pictured but not named, and that's 1/5th of the series.
*In [[Spacehikers!|issue #36]] of the Marvel comics, when [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] decides that he needs help in dealing with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s inept leadership, he doesn't turn to any of the ''dozens'' of Autobots aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which include two combiner teams and Omega Supreme. No, he has to call in his "old buddy"/new toy, [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]].
*In the prelude to the [[Underbase Saga]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] were the lead characters in a story set before the Transformers came to [[Earth]]. But rather than palling around with the likes of Jazz or Soundwave, they are instead shown alongside the newest "gimmick" characters, the [[Triggercon]]s and the [[Triggerbot]]s.
*[[Mainframe Entertainment]] planned to use [[Wolfang (Maximal)|Wolfang]] in ''Beast Wars'', but [[Tigatron]] appeared instead because he had an upcoming toy, and to save money as his CGI model was only a slight tweak of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s.<ref>[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/browse_frm/thread/9c79c4226fc6dd28/30c3cdf158ea6e52?lnk=st&q=bob+forward+beast+wars+tigatron+wolfang&rnum=1#30c3cdf158ea6e52 Ben Yee relays some info from Bob Forward in regards to Wolfang being replaced by Tigatron in the Beast Wars cartoon]</ref>
*Rather than revealing stuff about the [[Vok]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], a long-running subplot, "[[Other Victories]]" spends much of its time telling us how great [[Tigerhawk]] is and how we should buy his toy.
*Material released by both [[3H Productions|3H]] and [[Fun Publications]] tends to release characters from various series and continuities and then write stories featuring every character (usually with a particular focus on that year's box set), which often leads to some bizarre casting choices. [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], and [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] were all retroactively added to [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]] and [[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]] because they wanted to do toys of them that year. The [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] version of [[Tracks (SG)|Tracks]] is introduced from nowhere, has minimal characterization, and doesn't do anything, because they wanted to do [[Tracks (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Tracks's 2010 toy]] in [[Diaclone]]/[[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] colors. And pretty much every story taking place in the [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]], ostensibly a [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel G1]]-based series, will introduce or reintroduce characters who were dead (the various [[Underbase Saga]] casualties), not even implied in the original stories ([[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]), or [[Female Transformer#Marvel Comics continuity|don't make sense in that universe to begin with]] ([[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]]). Sometimes this gets a token justification, other times not.
*The [[First (and Second) in Flight|sixth issue]] of ''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' stops following the regular cast so it can flag the awesome cool out-now-in-shops [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] toy.
*Prominent generals in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan's movieverse]] Decepticon army change frequently and without any acknowledgment as new toys jostle for (and gain) space.
*[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] and its lead-ins were packed with ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toys, so suddenly ''Beast Wars'' characters [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] are in G1. Things got worse in later issues when [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] and [[Crosscut (G1)|Crosscut]] needed a comic; Tankor berates Starscream for a few panels in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''Dark Cybertron'' #6]], while Crosscut and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] briefly halt the plot in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]] to tell you who Crosscut ''is''. Then he vanishes. They've started getting an increased role in IDW fiction ever since, though.
*For "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", several Autobots had to abruptly depart the ''[[Lost Light]]'' for Cybertron so they could appear in their combiner teams. In the case of [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]], this was despite him having just become the Chief Medical Officer: a long-running plot!
*[[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] appeared in the IDWverse after a seven-year absence in ''[[Starscream: The Movie (comic)|Starscream: The Movie]]'' and ''[[The Falling, Chapter 2: Another Mine|Another Mine]]''. The fact that those two oft-ignored characters had new ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' and ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' Legends Class toys released recently probably had something to do with the matter.
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] became a much more important character in the IDW comic throughout 2022, with [[Transformers: War's End|multiple issue covers]] prominently focusing on his original design that had not been for sale for over 30 years, and never in America. Later that year, Hasbro announced that he was getting [[Hasbro Pulse#HasLab|a new toy]] in that very design.

===Limited casting===
On the opposite side of things, Hasbro doesn't want to pay to depict characters that aren't selling toys. This can force a story, particularly an animated cartoon, to have a smaller cast than it otherwise might.

[[File:Metamorphdeceps2.JPG|upright=1.1|thumb|The full might of the Decepticon army.]]
*The [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] and [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|early Marvel comics]] both featured an oddly lopsided cast, particularly at the beginning, with the Autobot forces on Earth outnumbering the Decepticons two to one. This difference was never really acknowledged, though the cartoon also used [[generic]]s to make it look like Megatron had more than four guys, three pets, and [[Reflector (G1)|a camera]] under his command.
*The early episodes of ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' featured only the toys available on the shelves. This resulted in two ridiculously small teams going to [[Earth]] for the all-important mission of gathering Mini-Cons, rather inexplicable in story terms.
*[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Both the Dreamwave]] and [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|Panini comics]] suffered exactly the same problem, but it gets worse: [[First Encounter|The first ''Armada'' episode]] reused models of older Transformers as [[generic]] background guys to bump numbers up. The comics ''didn't''. So Megatron apparently conquers all of planet Cybertron with an army of three guys, whereas the city/planet defending Autobots are just five blokes.
*Dreamwave would also [[Dreamwave Armada issue 10|feature a scene on Cybertron]], where the ''only'' Autobot who seemed to exist was [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]].
*For [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|the movie prequels]], IDW got around this by deciding that [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] was going to be a [[Class Alpha drone unit|series of drones]] instead of one guy, allowing for really big battle scenes despite a then-limited number of toys. (It would later turn out there was ''also'' a Dreadwing who was one guy.) Titan Magazines would borrow this, and turn other Decepticons into drone series too.
*It seems unlikely that four bots and their human partners would be sufficient to handle every emergency on [[Griffin Rock]], but those four bots [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|were the only ones on shelves at the time]] (other than [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]], who were needed [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|elsewhere]]), so they were the ones who went into [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|the show]]. As the toyline expanded, toy characters Blurr, Salvage, High Tide and Quickshadow were introduced into the cast.
*''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|Kingdom]]'' acts as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', but only includes characters who were slated for the first three waves of the accompanying toyline (with the exception of [[Tigatron]], likely due to the ease of retooling [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]'s animation model into a spare character). This means that notable cartoon characters like [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] or [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] who didn't have toys in the first three waves never put in an appearance in the season. To compensate for the Predacons having depleted ranks as a result, [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] stays with the Predacons for most of his screentime while [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] was turned into a group of generics; Predacon [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] also says many Predacons have been lost in his war with the Maximals.
{{-}}

==Plot==
===Forced explication===
{{main|Introdump}}

Rather than simply showing up in the background, new toy/characters often overtly introduce themselves, often with a ridiculous description of their special abilities. The Marvel comic is rife with examples, but it shows up across numerous fictions.

[[File:Introdump decepticons marvelus01.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector is actually here, he's just buried underneath a pile of speech bubbles.]]
*Again, [[The Transformers (issue)|''Transformers'' #1]] has two huge splash pages in which 28 characters do nothing but stand around and tell each other who they are and what they can do.
*Towards the end of "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", Jazz puts together a strike team. Naturally, he does this by calling out their names one by one, so that the camera can cut to each Autobot in turn and show them transform in noticeable detail.
*The two-part original ''Transformers'' cartoon episode "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]" features many new 1985 characters getting their own short little introductory scene, often with a characteristic bit of self-description ([[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]: "I'd rather stay in my stunning auto mode!" [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]: "I'm ''always'' ready for action!" [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]: "Wow, like, I hope we don't destroy this place before we can study it!")
*"[[The Rebirth]]" has ''three different sequences'' in which large new groups of characters form a lineup and introduce themselves to viewers one after another. Strangely enough, much of this screen- and dialogue-time is given over to Nebulan partners; the "main" Transformer characters get no such introductions, even though they are the items kids would have to purchase to acquire the Nebulan accessories. For instance, [[Spasma]], [[Monzo]], and [[Peacemaker]] (all speaking characters) are introduced by name as part of various lineups, but their in-store hosts [[Apeface]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]], and [[Pointblank]] are never named (and Weirdwolf never even speaks).
*"[[Beast Wars (Part 1)]]" has the Maximals walk on one-by-one admiring their [[beast mode]]s, loudly explaining their names and showing character traits. This also gives the impression they deliberately changed their names to fit these new beast modes for no apparent reason.
*Crosscut and Swerve fill in Crosscut's backstory and job during a fight. That's all Crosscut does in [[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|''Dark Cybertron'' #7]].

===Gimmicks===
{{main|Gimmick}}
When the toys can do something special, fiction writers must often go out of their way to show the gimmick in action.

* The ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 .28Scramble City and 2010.29|Scramble City]]'' category of G1 combiner teams have the ability to freely swap around their limbs. Because of this, an unusual amount of Japanese fiction focuses on the idea of characters swapping limbs, best shown by ''[[Scramble City: Mobilization]]'', with rather variable consequences, and sometimes resulting in the creation of [[Scramble 7|whole new combiner characters]]. Sometimes, this purportedly results in some kind of increase in power or the combiner gaining different traits, but these changes are almost invariably told more than shown. In some cases, simply [[Free-Combination|changing the arrangement of an existing set of limbs]] is cited as something that can vastly alter a character's capabilities, with little real explanation.
*The Headmaster gimmick got [[The Transformers: Headmasters|an entire Limited Series comic book]] devoted to it.
*The comic issue "[[Pretender to the Throne!]]" features [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] proudly creating the [[Pretender]]s, gloating that they will hide the Decepticons' identities from the Autobots "until it is too late". Not only does the plan not actually work, it's also a plot point with absolutely zero lead-in or build-up—at no point has Scorponok ever expressed concern about his troops being detected by the Autobots (if anything, considering the altmodes of his troops, he seems to be the ''least'' concerned with stealth), nor has he demonstrated the science skills to pull this off, and we've never even met the Pretender characters before. It was brought about solely because the new toys had to be jammed into the story. (The, uh, story of returning Optimus Prime's character to the comic book because he had [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#PMOP|a new toy]].)
*[[Rotor Force]] made their debut in "[[New Dawn]]", and both here and in subsequent ''Generation 2'' issues would primarily fight enemies not with guns like everyone else, but by firing their giant rotors at them. Page 3 of ''New Dawn'' actually shows them having to ''stop and reattach their rotors'' before they can carry on fighting.
[[File:Mistaken Identity Galvatronscourge.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|[[Johnny Yong Bosch|It's Morphin Time! MASTODON!]]]]
*The [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] had six alternate modes and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 cartoon)|the cartoon]] really wanted you to see them, which is why [[Battle Protocol!|his first appearance]] is as ''a giant hand for no reason''. It gets sillier when he turns into Galvatron and gains four more modes. In "[[Mistaken Identity]]", he turns into his "Iron Mammoth" form when facing off against [[Fortress Maximus (RID)|a hostile Fortress Maximus]] even though he doesn't ''do'' anything in his form except stand there ''as he was already doing''.
*[[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] and [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] are the only Autobot jets in the ''Animated'' line. (Not counting the toyless [[Omega Supreme (Animated)|Omega Supreme]].) To fully big this up, their origin story has it that there have ''never been'' any flying Autobots before, despite them having been in (and won) a long and bitter war with enemies who ''often fly''. This one was silly enough that [[Endgame, Part I|a later episode]] explicitly joked on this, pointing out that there were multiple Autobots before and after Jetfire and Jetstorm with some kind of flight capability.
* The second season of the 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon coincided with the release of the [[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]] toys, which fire smaller [[Mini-Con]] figures. Suddenly, every Decepticon in the cartoon was partnered with a Mini-Con or two, even Decepticons who'd appeared in the past as solo operatives.

The [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], noted for its gimmicks in all three toylines, was particularly notorious in this regard:

*The quest for power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s practically defined the plot of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' cartoon, with both factions out to recruit or capture all the Mini-Cons.
*[[Powerlinx]]ing is shown again and again and again in ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'', despite having comparatively little relevance to most episode plotlines. In fact, due to the fact much of Energon's action was firefights, Powerlinxing seemed to be a disadvantage, since it resulted in a single larger Autobot shooting instead of two smaller ones.
*[[Cyber Key]] powerups are likewise shown repeatedly in ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]].'' In this case, while most characters had basic weapons, the Cyber Keys were necessary to unlock hidden weaponry or special techniques. So, for example, Optimus might be able to shoot at the Decepticons with a smaller firearm, but to fire his larger cannons he would need to summon his Cyber Key. Some characters, however, needed their Cyber Keys to activate what one would expect to be their main weapons (e.g. Starscream activating his Null Ray Cannon).
*All three series were also marked by lengthy transformation sequences which highlighted the gimmicks in very toy-accurate animation (and also made production cheaper, thanks to [[Stock footage|recycled footage]]).

===Strange developments===
Shoehorning loads of new characters with new powers can compel the writers to do things with the plot that, in all probability, they otherwise wouldn't.

*Marvel UK had to promote the [[Special Teams]] toys ''before'' they knew how they'd be appearing in the US reprints. To get around this, [[Simon Furman]] wrote a story arc titled "[[Second Generation!]]", where [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], Optimus and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] <s>watched an advert</s> saw a Matrix-induced vision of the Special Teams in action. These events were previewed in "The Special Teams Have Arrived", nine issues earlier, with no indication that they were part of a vision, making their place in continuity uncertain.
*In the US Marvel comics, the simultaneous introduction of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] and [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the introduction of the Pretenders both saw a lot of rigamarole involved in explaining why both the Autobots and the Decepticons had new members with identical numbers/gimmicks at the same time.
*Season 3 of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] almost completely ignored the characters of the previous two seasons that were no longer on toy shelves. The 1985 Autobot cars, for example, are not seen at all. [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Bumblebee]] and the 1985 Mini-Vehicles, by contrast, show up now and again, as their toys were still shipping. Even Starscream, who was ''dead'', managed to get a couple of Season 3 episodes all to himself; again, his toy sold through 1986.
*One season later, "[[The Rebirth]]" - the last episodes of the entire series - was almost entirely spent on introducing new characters and giving old ones upgrades, leaving just barely enough time to provide any kind of conclusion.
*''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' was absolutely crazy about this. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus]] (whose toy was long gone) kicks the bucket only three episodes in for the sake of a sacrifice that would be nullified only a few episodes later, putting new(er) toy [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] back in the command chair for a short while. In the tenth episode, Rodimus departs the series and hands the title of Supreme Commander to brand-spanking-new toy [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]], who's had a few months, tops, of combat experience. Much like Season 3, ''Headmasters'' also ignored most of the Season 3 regulars ([[Springer (G1)|Springer]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, the [[Quintesson]]s) or removed them altogether, sometimes fairly dubiously ([[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] leave with Rodimus, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] gets shot a bit and dies, [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] is buried in ice and nobody digs him up until ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: The Battlestars (story page)|Battlestars]]''). By the end of the series, the only remaining Autobots from the first three seasons were the [[Special Teams]], [[Blaster (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Twincast]] and his cassettes, [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]].
*[[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #2]] wrote an entire story devoted to Optimus sternly explaining which Autobots and Decepticons were on sale in [[Germany]] in 1989. The reason he had to? [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] had ''shot an Autobot''!
*The first thirteen issues of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic were focused around the Mini-Cons, with plots often revolving around their desire to be seen as equals and not be enslaved. Then without ''any'' prior set-up, the last five issues turn into a dimension-spanning battle against [[Unicron]]—who had just had a new and expensive toy.
*[[Tigerhawk]] debuts in "[[Other Victories]]", where he's the reason the Predacons lose their base and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] is killed. This disrupts any ending for the Tarantulas/[[Vok]] storyline, as the episode is left with little time to properly explain the mysteries of either character and the plot of last episode, Tarantulas trying to destroy the whole ''Ark'', is reduced to two lines about the [[Tripredacus Council]].
[[File:Samprowl.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|<s>Upgrades are bad.</s> Upgrades are GOOD. We have always been at war with <s>Eurasia</s> Eastasia.]]
*"[[A Fistful of Energon]]" has [[Prowl (Animated)|Prowl]] learn not to use upgrades, and he gives up using powerful samurai armour. But whoops, Hasbro thought "hey, we could make a toy out of that armour"! And so in [[Five Servos of Doom|a later episode]], Prowl ''regains'' it and the show hurriedly claims that the upgrade is fine ''now'' because Prowl realizes now that it's the Autobot, not the upgrade.
*The [[France|French]] decided to be good sports and start using propeller-driven nuclear bombers again in [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|''All Hail Megatron'' #11]], just so [[Octane|Tankor]] could be used.
*[[Ransack (ROTF)|Ransack]] has been on Earth for a while, in hiding from other Decepticons while he waits for orders from [[the Fallen]] in "[[Transformers Comic issue 2.7|Turnabout]]". Ransack is a member of a race that can scan any object and take its form as a disguise. Ransack moves around in the cunning disguise of ''a 100-year-old plane''. (At least, unlike the previous example, the oldness of the alt mode was pointed out.)
*In Titan's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic, [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] go from being [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee's]] responsibility to bugging [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] to being [[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe's]] responsibility in the space of three issues, all to allow each issue to focus on a specific toy-bearing movie star. Similarly, only one or two Decepticons per issue are sent on a mission, when presumably the Fallen might want to send loads of guys to silence the twins.
*In ''Dark of the Moon'', nearly all of the Transformers switch from built-in weaponry to handheld weaponry. It just so happens that the gimmick of the ''Dark of the Moon'' toys was that they had "MechTech" weapons that could be held by any other figure.
*Also in ''Dark of the Moon'', most Autobots transform into [[Stealth Force]] mode, a weaponized vehicle mode that allows them to access various weapons in their otherwise defenseless disguises, an incredibly useful combat mode that's never used in any prior or later films. Uniquely, this was something Hasbro came up with for the toyline on their own; director [[Michael Bay]] decided to incorporate it into the film only after seeing what they were working on for the then-upcoming toyline and taking a personal liking to it.
*The [[subline imprint]] of the ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] was the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Beast Hunters]]'' line, which took hold at about the time of the [[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|show]]'s third season, which was given the subtitle of the imprint. In the episode "[[Project Predacon]]", [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]] awkwardly redubs [[Team Prime]] as the "Beast Hunters", when they begin looking for Predacon fossils. The Autobots must've felt the same way as we did about the sudden name change, since really only the protocol-obsessed [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] begins using the term. Thanks to behind the scene troubles and the whole concept being a late addition to the series, the team never actually ''hunts any beasts'', as only three Predacons ever take a central role in the story.
[[File:YouMeAndTheUniverse-Scoopcolors.jpg||thumb|upright=1.4|Talk about "shoehorned in".]]
*The [[subline imprint]] for the ''Generations'' line from 2015 to 2016 was ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'', hence IDW's tie-in comic had to introduce a heapload of combiners in a universe that regarded combination as a lost art with unpredictable side-effects. (Devastator, Menasor, Superion, and Monstructor were around, but they had each been introduced separately, and each with their own unique explanations, over the course of ''ten years''.) Enter the [[Enigma of Combination]], an artifact of Nexus Prime with the power to merge any Transformers into a combiner. Not only is this artifact used on Superion, Menasor, and Defensor, it is also used on Optimus Prime and other selected Autobots to create [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. The fact that Optimus had two Combiner Wars toys (one released, one upcoming at the time of the story's publication) might have influenced this decision.
*Also, the big toy of 2015 was a Titan Class Devastator... in his classic configuration instead of IDW's newly introduced 'Prowlastator' form. Unfortunately, Scrapper had been long dead and hence was unable to take his spot as the combiner's leg. However, IDW had another bulldozer-bot conveniently lying around - [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]]. Naturally, he was merged with the other Constructicons by the aforementioned Enigma, restoring Devastator's classic silhouette.
*A long-running plot thread of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', starting all the way back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue 5]], was [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] preparing [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] to succeed him as the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s Chief Medical Officer. [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|Issue 40]] ''finally'' sees Ratchet stepping down and leaving the ship (so he could participate in the events of ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''), officially declaring First Aid "the new Chief Medical Officer"... but after only two issues in his new position, [[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue 43]] sees First Aid himself leave the ''Lost Light'' under a flimsy in-story pretense so he could participate in the events of ''Combiner Wars'', appointing [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] as his own successor (although he would later return to the ''Lost Light'' following the conclusion of ''Combiner Wars'').
*In a follow-up story, Galvatron creates two combiners out of random soldiers and foes. To plug the new merch, these are called [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]] but most of the characters that made them up in toy form were either on Cybertron, the ''[[Lost Light]]'', or dead at the time. Unusually for this page, Hasbro allowed IDW to use random limbs as long as the names were right but this leads to the comic pimping a toy you can't buy (though you could make it with others), and in Galvatronus' case a toy that doesn't even have the same face as in the comic.
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===Awkward continuity===
[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This happened... er.... look just buy the toys, ok?!]]
Sometimes the requirement to feature new toys can be so strong that continuity takes a major backseat and stories are produced that feature combinations of characters that make the story very difficult to slot into the main continuity. The Marvel UK comic was especially prone to this as it could not always foresee where, when and how characters would be introduced:

*The ''[[Transformers Annual 1985]]'' contains many stories featuring toys from the 1985 release long before they were formally introduced in the regular comic, often interacting with other characters who would be out of action by then. As a result, few of the stories easily fit the continuity of the weekly comic.
*The demands of Hasbro UK for the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]] to be featured heavily even before the US ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series was available meant that both the ''[[Transformers Annual 1987]]'' and the regular strip "[[Worlds Apart!]]" contain a slightly different set of events that are at odds with the mini-series.
*The requirement to give prominence to the rereleased toys in the [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] range resulted in one of the biggest continuity trainwrecks of all, [[Earthforce]]. Over three decades later fans are still uncertain where it fits in continuity, and even [[Simon Furman]] admits to being unsure.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Looking back, as I try my hardest not to do, it's very hard to tie the Earthforce stories into a specific time frame (in terms of the US continuity), because (if I'm brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn't necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year=2004}}</ref>
*Germany's ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' started in 1989 and reprinted older Marvel US and UK strips. Since, of course, these would rarely show the current toys, Comic-Magazin ran text stories from #2 that showcased ''completely different'' Transformers that were on Earth at the same time, and just happened not to be seen in the strips.
*Trapped between the need to pimp toys and the problem of not knowing what the plot of ''Revenge of the Fallen'' would be, Titan just threw up their hands and unambiguously set their lead strip in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)#Alternate universe|an alternate universe]]. Similarly, the [[Dark of the Moon (video games)|video games]] for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'' were all prequels so that the games would not directly contradict the then-upcoming movie's plot while still using some of the characters and settings who would be featured (some minor plot contradicitons ''did'' occur, but few fans have ever accepted the video games to be in perfect continuity with the films anyway).
*Based on evidence from various sources, it's been speculated that the episode "[[Starscream's Ghost]]" was originally meant to star [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]], who at the time had been exiled from the Decepticons and was on somewhat friendly terms with the Autobots. Instead, his role was taken over by new toy [[Octane]]. The only other episode to prominently feature Octane, "[[Thief in the Night]]", which was aired ''after'' "Starscream's Ghost", kinda sorta explains his falling out with the Decepticons—except it doesn't: While said episode ''does'' have him go rogue, not only is he ''still'' a bad guy—by the end of that episode, ''Galvatron is no longer on bad terms with Octane''! Likewise, the episode "[[The God Gambit]]" starred [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], Starscream and Thrust, with Astrotrain (a new toy at the time) taking on a leadership role more akin to Megatron rather than the bus he's reduced to in almost every other episode.
*The Japanese broadcast of ''Animated'' outright skipped "[[Rise of the Constructicons]]" and "[[Sari, No One's Home]]", as they largely revolve around the toy-less [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]]. Meanwhile, "[[Sound and Fury]]" was moved up to be the first episode to air after the pilot to promote Soundwave's toys, which is at odds with continuity since Megatron only came back online during "[[Home Is Where the Spark Is]]", which was pushed to air ''after'' "Sound and Fury".
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===Power levels===
In order to make new characters seem more ''totally awesome'', they're often depicted as ultra-powerful in their initial appearances. Once they become old news, they frequently seem to lose their super-charged abilities.

*The original ''Transformers'' cartoon introduced [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] as the ultimate threat. Once newer combiner teams came along, however, he was less of a threat, easily defeated at various times by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] and even [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]].
[[File:Buzzsawyikes4.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Buzzsaw reminds Omega Supreme he's not a new toy any more.]]
*The Marvel comics feature [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] as nigh-invulnerable and ultimately powerful in [[Command Performances!|his debut issue]], slaughtering all but two of the Decepticon forces sent to attack him. Just [[Dark Star|two years later]], he's getting his butt handed to him by the likes of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], one of his original victims. He was also drawn as [[Scale|truly colossal]] in his first appearance, before becoming just a head taller than [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] by the time of his death.
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], in a weird case of this, actually seemingly ''[[Scale|shrank]]'' between the third season of the G1 toon and [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']], going from being drawn as a genuine giant to barely bigger than the average combiner. Even in official [[scale charts]], he dropped from being shown as 800 meters tall to about 45. This was likely to avoid upstaging new-kid-on-the-block [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus.]]
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] was, amazingly, something of a threat in early episodes; he holds his own against [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] in his debut. He only became significantly weaker than the other Predacons during the second season.
*In her first appearance on the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] effortlessly blasts [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] to pieces. She never displays such a level of power again.
*Similarly, [[Rampage (BW)|Rampage]] was presented as a huge threat when he first appeared, but just a few episodes later, he seems just slightly tougher than the average Predacon (save for a few notable occasions).
*[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] was actually a credible threat for his first couple of episodes.
*The [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]] were far more powerful and competent than the Predacons, who were made even ''less'' powerful and competent as episodes went on. Remarkably, this was actually used in the plot, with Megatron focusing on the new toys while the Predacons became underdogs trying to get their old status back and one-up the new guys.
[[File:ArmTVTidalWave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Before he shrank in the wash.]]
*''Any'' new toy character in the Unicron Trilogy cartoons is almost guaranteed to win the day's battle.
*[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was a staggering behemoth as big as the sky in his introduction, and his ability to combine with Megatron gave the battle advantage to the Decepticons until his equally powerful counterpart [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] was introduced. By the time of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Tidal Wave is just this tall guy (but not as tall as he used to be) and is treated as just another Decepticon, even after he gets a body upgrade in the form of "Mirage".
*When the newly redecoed Jetfire and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus]] combine in Dreamwave's Armada comic, they are so powerful ''they can hurt Unicron himself''.
*[[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]] ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] was incredibly powerful when he was first introduced, but later on, he's getting slaps on the wrist by [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]], and schooled by [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], ultimately becoming more of a sympathetic comedic bumbler than a credible threat.
*The Decepticons in ''Animated'' started off as being so horrifically powerful that the entire Autobot team had to take on a ''single'' one. By Season 3, this no longer happens. Uniquely, this was ''deliberate'' by the writers: they wanted to show the Decepticons as supreme threats, and have the Autobots gradually being better at dealing with them.
*The [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] in ''Prime'' started off pretty tough; easily wearing down [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] in a group, then just two giving [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]] a tough time. In the next episode, they've got Stormtrooper aim, and basically exist to give the Autobots someone to kill while saving the named Decepticons from the scrapheap. It gets to the point where in the third season, [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] actually ''counts'' on the Vehicons failing to execute [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], and Wheeljack makes several amusing comments about the Vehicons' incompetence.
*Additionally, the [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] started off as nightmarishly strong monsters. One wears ''[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'' to the point of exhaustion before dying (admittedly, Megs was deprived of his main asset when Airachnid webbed his fusion cannon). However, for the remainder of the series, the Insecticons are just as weak as the Vehicons, being blasted down in one shot, despite a return to form in "[[Tunnel Vision]]" and "[[Toxicity]]" (the latter of which saw the debut of notorious Autobot killer [[Hardshell]]).
{{-}}

===New bodies===
There's rarely a compelling reason for a Transformer to get a brand-new body in fiction; it's simply to promote a new toy. It has become a default way to keep a popular character on shelves, rather than having to kill them off and introduce a new character to keep moving toys. Sometimes fiction writers are able to work these alterations in elegantly... sometimes not.

[[File:Bumblebeeskindeep.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Ratchet pulls a Kitty Pryde on Bumblebee.]]
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was rebuilt into Goldbug following his near-destruction... and was later re-rebuilt back into Bumblebee to sell the [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Pretender|new Classic Pretender toy]]. The reason given in [[Skin Deep|the comic storyline]] was that [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] reverted him without his consent because Ratchet liked his old form better, something Bumblebee is strangely fine with.
*Season 2 of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' introduced the new [[Transmetal]] toys in short order, requiring some strange sci-fi waffling to explain why members of both teams suddenly got special new bodies. The writers had originally planned to introduce these changes gradually, across the length of Season 2, but Hasbro ordered them to be brought in immediately. (The slow-and-gradual notion would eventually appear during Season 3.)
[[File:Retailbuyer decisiontree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
*The [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons feature [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] getting recolored and renamed "Galvatron" ''three times''; at the start of each subsequent series, he's given a different body but called Megatron ''again'', because the name "Megatron" just sells more toys. (This also means Hasbro gets to keep the [[trademark]] "Galvatron".) The Japanese versions handled this differently (with Megatron known as Megatron throughout Armada even after his upgrade, and being known as Galvatron throughout all of Energon) due to different trademark laws. Galaxy Force (the Japanese version of Cybertron) played it straight with Master Megatron being upgraded into Master Galvatron.
*Several times during the Unicron Trilogy, characters get new paint jobs as part of some magical power-up enhancement. These new color schemes exist solely to promote redecorated toys like "[[Ironhide (Energon)|Energon Ironhide]]" or "[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Powerlinx Hot Shot]]". Even the comics got in on the action, introducing the redecorated versions of Jetfire and Optimus during the Unicron arc.
*The three future members of the [[Cybertron Defense Team (Cybertron)|Cybertron Defense Team]] get shot up by Megatron, then transmogrify through the power of [[Burning justice|BLAZING HEART OF JUSTICE]] into new forms. These new forms, of course, were just hitting shelves at a toy store near you.
*In the course of the [[Transformers (film)|live-action movie]], [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] gets irritated at a slight against his alternate mode, and scans a new form. Voilà, suddenly he's got ''two'' toys on the shelf! He later pulls the ''exact same thing'' in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', but by now, he's been established as having a fragile ego, explaining the constant desire to switch alternate modes.
*When [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''Transformers'' comic originally came out, there were no Generation 1-themed toys to flog, and many characters were given altered designs for the series. Then along came ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'', featuring new toys of Generation 1 characters, and suddenly multiple characters get new, toy-accurate bodies in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'', for no apparent in-story reason. Later, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] even gets a namechange to ''Silver''streak to fit his toy.
*Sometimes, IDW's comics don't even bother with a reason: you just get the latest issue and a character suddenly resembles the latest toy. This can sometimes be explained as artist interpretation, but at other times...
*[[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]] was originally grey, but when he was reunited with the ''Animated'' Decepticons, he changed his colours to purple while referring to it as his proper look. Why he changed colouration to go undercover was not explained, but it may have something to do with a purple-coloured Shockwave toy being out when that episode aired.
*In ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'', [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] start out as an old ice cream truck combiner but after a disastrous mission [[NEST]] decides to upgrade them to new individual [[General Motors]] vehicles. New toys ''and'' product placement!
*[[Starscream (Armada)#Generations|''Armada'' Starscream]] got a new toy in 2014. There wasn't an ''Armada'' comic but there ''was'' a Generation 1 comic with a Starscream, which was then [[pack-in material|packed in]] with the toy series including Armada Starscream. And lo and behold, for ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' Starscream got a new body! A year later, he swapped to ''another'' body for "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]", which was his then-new Leader Class toy, and several issues were devoted to him choosing it and then flaunting it. Then again, this ''is'' Starscream we're talking about...
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] finally got a new toy as well. Problem is, his comic body didn't look much like the toy. Then, in ''[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Dark Cybertron Chapter 11]]'', he revealed his new invention: reactive armor that changed his body to look like his opponent's. Who did he use this armor to battle? Why, it's Starscream, the guy his toy was retooled from!
*2015's "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" comic series brought back almost all of the combiner characters that have appeared in the IDW continuity thus far. However, [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] was apparently killed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] quit the Stunticons... so that [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] can replace them! Meanwhile, Starscream rebuilds Devastator; not only does Devastator suddenly resemble his toy counterpart, but [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is no longer a required member of the combiner team, leaving him free to combine with Optimus Prime and company to become the brand-new combiner [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. Superion and Menasor, who had made previous appearances in IDW fiction, are both rebuilt by the [[Enigma of Combination]], causing their bodies to more closely resemble their toy counterparts.

===Character pimping===
Characters with toys may get more attention than those without:

*"[[Matrix Quest]]" has four separate teams on a mission. You could use any three Transformers in one of these teams, right? Nope, Furman has toys to promote: out go nine new Autobot characters and three existing ones with new toys.
*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge's]] presence in all three of his first three ''Beast Wars'' episodes: one for his origin, another for him joining the Maximals after all, and then an abrupt appearance at the very end of "[[Cutting Edge]]" where he turns up and single-handedly drives off a Predacon force.
*When ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)#Japanese release|Animated]]'' was released in Japan, episodes focusing on the [[Constructicon (Animated)|Constructicon]]s were never broadcast on television (instead being reduced to bonus content on the DVDs), as the Constructicons did not have toys. The episode order was also rearranged (and thus the internal narrative of the series, as well) so that episodes introducing new toys could air earlier than those that didn't.
*IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' came back in 2013 in order to promote six of the upcoming ''Generations'' toys. Even [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], a little-used character who would never have been given a ''Spotlight'' otherwise! (Initially published through Diamond and Comixology as per IDW's usual practice, these comics were subsequently packed-in with the toys they were based on, aiming to use the higher sales of the toys to boost comic sales in a "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" scenario.) Likewise, Waspinator, having a new toy out in late 2013, began making appearances and took on increased importance in the IDW universe. An upcoming [[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] toy brought forth a Tankor appearance in Dark Cybertron. The opening arcs of the second seasons of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' (as well as ''Windblade'' vol. 1) in 2014 also heavily feature casts of characters with new toys, such as Nightbeat, Rattrap, Arcee, and Jetfire.
* When [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] frees some Decepticons in the second season of ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', the freed 'Cons include his former minions [[Clampdown (RID)|Clampdown]] and [[Thunderhoof (RID)|Thunderhoof]], yet not the other two members of the Pack, [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]] and [[Underbite]]. He instead frees [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]], [[Groundpounder (RID)|Groundpounder]], [[Overload (RID)|Overload]], [[Quillfire (RID)|Quillfire]] and [[Springload (RID)|Springload]]. There's no reason to neglect those who have already proven to be able to work together in the Pack (and thus Steeljaw should know would help in his eventual coup), except for the fact that the toys of both Fracture and Underbite had already sold, and the newly freed Decepticons have new figures on the shelves.

===Abrupt conclusions===
[[File:MarvelUSG2-12.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|It's the end of the road for Transformers Generation 2! That can't bode well for the toyline.]]
Just as ''Transformers'' fiction lives at Hasbro's pleasure, so too does it die. Falling sales, a change of plans, and standard [[rebranding]] can all cause a storyline to come to a sudden end when Hasbro decides to pull the plug.

*The American Generation 1 cartoon got a somewhat rushed conclusion in the form of "[[The Rebirth]]", rather than a full fourth season.
*The Generation 1 comics were nearly canceled at [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]], but granted a reprieve. The stay of execution was only temporary, however; with the Generation 1 toyline ending, the comic was terminated a mere five issues later, resulting in a rather hasty concluding plotline.
*Hasbro was only willing to support the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] for twelve issues, unless it proved an unqualified (perhaps phenomenal) success. Aware of this from the start, writer Simon Furman was able to plot a story arc that reached its finale as the series ended (and poked fun at it with a character whose name is a pun on "[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Gee, axe us]]".)
*The writers of the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon reportedly never had any idea if they'd be back for another season. When the axe fell with Season 3, they had only three episodes left to wrap up the whole series.
*Hasbro nearly killed off the just-begun comic series ''[[Transformers: The Wreckers|The Wreckers]]'' in 2003, wishing instead for [[3H Productions|3H]] to focus on a ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic advertising its current toyline.
*Even though ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' wasn't abruptly canceled, Kids WB ended the series on the [[cliffhanger]] of the episode "[[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]", leaving millions of kids tuning in next time only to get a re-run of ''Xiaolin Showdown''. The reason? The Cybertron Defense Team toys hadn't hit stores yet.
*With ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' coming out in June, Titan had to end their alternate universe storyline in May so they could tie in early—an issue earlier than planned. The main strip handled this, with the notable exception of [[Jazz (Movie)#Titan Magazines Transformers movie comics|the Jazz plot arc]] going completely unresolved, but it played havoc with working out the IDW reprints!
*According to [[Rik Alvarez]], IDW was asked to drop their G1 continuity and move to the brand-spanking new [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] one. (They said "nah".)
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==Death==
===Killing off old product===
[[File:Tftm1986a.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Guess who's no longer in the Mini Vehicles case assortment?]]
[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Publisher's clearing house.]]
[[File:BW Scorponok Terrorsaur deaths.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Scorponok, Terrorsaur, we're condemning you to a fiery death 'cause Waspinator has a bigger fan club.]]
The most obvious To Sell Toys effect comes from the temporary nature of retail sales. Even in the 1980s, toys rarely stayed on the shelves past two years; today that timespan is much smaller. Once a toy is no longer selling, Hasbro has no interest in supporting fiction about that character—especially when there are newer toys to promote. Therefore, writers are often compelled to remove characters from the story by killing them off. Sometimes this happens through carefully developed story arcs, but it's easier to do it with huge, apocalyptic battles with massive numbers of casualties.

*Right before the introduction of most of the 1985 cast, the Marvel comic saw eleven of the original Autobots taken offline within a single issue in "[[Prime Time!]]". A few issues later, six of the original Decepticons met [[Command Performances!|a similar fate]] at the hands of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (which doubled as character pimping for the big guy). Though it was suggested they could be repaired, the vast majority of casualties wouldn't reappear in the US until they popped up in crowd shots [[Totaled!|thirty issues later]], and a number had their next appearance being a ''second'' death in the Underbase Saga.
*In ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', numerous main characters are killed or changed in the movie's first 30 minutes, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]]. They are replaced by a slew of new characters; in fact, the poster for the movie shows ''only'' new characters.
*Numerous characters are killed in the Marvel UK comics saga "[[Time Wars]]". The Grim Reaper seemed to spare either popular characters (Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) or newer characters ([[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]], [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], for example.)
*The [[Underbase Saga]] features a super-powerful [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] killing literally ''dozens'' of characters; some place the count over fifty. The survivors were mostly from the [[Pretender]], [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] ranks, those being the then-current toy lines. However, the explanation ([[Underbase]] power didn't affect those TFs with organic components) meant that even the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], new toys at the time and introduced three issues before, met their end.
*The climactic [[On the Edge of Extinction!|battle with Unicron]] 25 issues later killed off many of the Underbase survivors, whose shelf run had ended.
*With its enormously expensive CGI animation, ''Beast Wars'' was particularly vulnerable to toy-based interference. The expense of creating and animating a CGI body model meant that the character roster had to remain fairly constant; the introduction of all-new characters usually required the removal of an equal number of existing characters. And so, [[Scorponok (BW)|Scorponok]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] die just in time for the arrival of [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]. (Frustrated with the situation, the writers carefully planned out<ref>http://www.builtstlouis.net/tf/manic/m-botcon.html</ref> the demise of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], anticipating that someone would have to be removed to make way for [[Rampage (BW)|newer characters]].) [[Tigerhawk]] was introduced and then killed off within three episodes, due to corporate uncertainty about whether the toy would actually be produced.
*''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' would end up killing a large number of Autobots in [[The Reign of Starscream issue 5|issue #5]], after their toys had been around for a while; as they'd not made an appearance in the comics until this mini, this is both an example of Huge Cast ''and'' Product Clearing. It would then go on to bump off some Decepticons, while its sequel ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' slaughtered ''hordes'' of Decepticons with old toys. Mowry is the new Furman...
*The ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Xbox 360/PS3)|console video game]] is a prequel to the film and can't afford to kill off most of its characters due for an appearance in the then-upcoming film. Luckily, there's several characters who've been around since the ''Revenge of the Fallen'' franchise who can be used to give the game some bosses to kill off like [[Mixmaster (ROTF)|Mixmaster]], [[Breakaway (ROTF)|Breakaway]], and [[Stratosphere]]!
*An odd case of this is in the [[live-action film series]], which, as well as advertising toys, also serves as advertising for [[General Motors]] vehicles. Hence, Autobots whose cars are no longer in demand have an uncanny tendency to either lose prominence or perish. The most prominent example would be [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] - the GMC Topkick had been discontinued for two years by ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (franchise)|Dark of the Moon]]'', and so, despite a fifty-dollar toy on the shelves, Ironhide dies halfway in. Similarly, [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] is the major Autobot casualty of ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' due to his Hummer H2 vehicle mode being a thing of the past by the time the film hit theaters (though unlike Ironhide, Ratchet had next to no representation in the toyline).
*IDW's [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']] ongoing has to promote a [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]... with [[Alpha Bravo|a new helicopter]] instead of [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]]. Hence, Slingshot is the one to suffer most and die from the injuries caused when [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] tore him in half. This is especially weird considering that Devastator tore through Superion from the ''right'', and Slingshot was Superion's ''left'' arm at the time. Not to mention that Silverbolt, the torso, was explicitly ripped in half... The series would go on to have [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] leave the Stunticons over a humiliating defeat... one he suffered years ago, in [[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]. Naturally, the empty position was filled by new toy [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]]. Then Hasbro decided to release Quickslinger and Brake-Neck (Slingshot and Wildrider renamed for trademark issues) ''much'' later after the others' release, part of a strategy that effectively forced fans to buy toys ''both'' of the "replacement" characters ''and'' the original characters.

This has become less common in recent years, as Hasbro has come to realize that their target audiences can actually get attached to certain [[character]]s, and might not enjoy seeing them die random, brutal, meaningless [[death]]s.
{{-}}

===Hi-and-die===
[[File:Chuffer cof.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Likely dialog: "SHEEEAAGH!!"]]
Kids don't want to buy a toy of a character who's dead. So if the plot calls for someone to die, smart money bets on the character who has a toy as the survivor. The guy without a toy, who you've never heard of before? Toast. This is the ''Transformers'' version of ''[[Star Trek]]''{{'}}s infamous {{w|redshirt syndrome}}. The stereotypical hi-and-die character is killed off in the same episode/issue that introduces him, if not the very same scene.

*This approach was particularly common in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#UK comics|UK comics]]. Characters created specifically so they could be killed off include Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], Autobot/zombie food [[Chuffer]], Tailgate's Autobot trainee buddies/mutant fodder [[Subsea]] and [[Flattop (Autobot)|Flattop]], and the sixth member of the "Magnificent Six", [[Stampede]].
*The U.S. comics also used this approach on occasion, as with [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s poignantly adorable buddy [[Scrounge (G1)|Scrounge]].
*[[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] showed up and died in [[Transmutate (episode)|that episode]], of course Hasbro doesn't make [[Transmutate (BW)#Beast Wars 10th Anniversary|a toy]] [[Action Master|that don't transform]], right?
*The ''Energon'' cartoon introduced [[Padlock (Energon)|Padlock]], whose purpose was to die at [[Shockblast]]'s hands, providing motivation for toy-character [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]].
*''Animated'' chucked in [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] so Ratchet could have a tragic past where he failed to save someone. (And ''then'' she got a toy!)
*The [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Animated'' comic]] wants to do a story arc about an Autobot who's really a spy and then have him killed. Quick, [[Afterburn|make someone up]]!
*''[[Transformers: Exodus|Exodus]]'' invents hordes of characters solely to populate the story with casualties while preserving the classic characters: [[Chromatron]], [[Gauntlet (WFC)|Gauntlet]], [[Halogen (WFC)|Halogen]], [[Drixco]], [[Revo]], [[Catalycon]], and dozens of other unnamed Autobots, Decepticons and [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]].
*[[James Roberts]] elevated hi-and-die to an artform; though his run on ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' is crammed with minor non-toy characters who wind up dead, many still received some backstory, history, or distinctive characterization before - or even after - being killed off. Examples from ''MtMtE''{{'}}s first "season" include [[Polaris]], [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]], [[Shock (G1)|Shock]], [[Ore]], [[Animus]], [[Dent]], [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]], [[Boom]], [[Piston (Wrecker)|Piston]], [[Crest]], [[Torque (G1)|Torque]], [[Sherma]], [[Momus]], "[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]", "[[Streaker]]", [[Heavies|Hammer and Anvil]], [[Trepan]], [[Frak]], [[Rushcut]], [[Rossum]], [[Tripodeca]], [[Pivot]], [[Scattergun]], [[Blockus]], [[Datum]], [[Ramp]], and [[Suture (G1)|Suture]]. Similarly, ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' introduced us to [[Squadron X]], comprising just about every Decepticon hi-and-die character from the Marvel continuity, who were then all slaughtered by Impactor.
{{-}}

===Resurrection===
Killing off a character isn't always toy-motivated; sometimes it's a dramatic plot development. But it can also be a problem if Hasbro decides to make a new toy of that character.

[[File:Inferno dies agenda2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Only a flesh wound!]]
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] has been resurrected [[The many deaths of Optimus Prime|so many times]] that it's practically a defining character trait. His original revival in the cartoon didn't correspond to any actual toy release, but the Marvel comic brought him back specifically to advertise his [[Powermaster]] form. A second death-and-revival introduced his [[Action Master]] body. And a ''third'' death-and-revival in ''Generation 2'' brought him into his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2Hero|Hero]] toy form.
*The Japanese killed off Optimus (or "Convoy" as they called him) in [[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|''The Headmasters'']]. A few years later, they not only brought him back with a new toy, the ''entire franchise'' for that year was called ''[[Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]]''.
*Numerous "dead" characters were brought back into the Marvel comic series when their Classics and/or Action Master versions were released. Many were "deactivated" rather than outright dead; however, very few ''non'' Action Master characters showed up alongside them.
*The series writers for ''Beast Wars'' considered [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Optimus Primal]] dead and gone at the end of Season 1. Hasbro, however, had a [[Transmetal]] Optimus Primal toy to promote, and so he was returned to life in Season 2. Hasbro wanted him brought back in the first minutes of the season premiere, but the writers managed to convince them that it would be better to do so at the ''end'' of the two-episode story following the premiere.
*At the end of Season 2 of ''Beast Wars'', [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]] was pretty clearly shown being killed—being ''disintegrated''—but in the next season appeared to have just been bruised and cracked, because Hasbro was not ready to have a Mega-scaled toy removed from the series.
*Pretty much ''nobody'' could successfully die in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]]. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]], [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Dagger]], and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] all die and/or are resurrected from the dead during the course of the show.
*[[Jazz (Movie)|Jazz]] still had toys out in 2008. The [[bio]] for AllSpark-Enhanced Autobot Jazz states he was brought back from near-death by the AllSpark and is "more powerful than ever". Voilà, Jazz comes back from the dead thanks to the AllSpark in [[Transformers Comic issue 16|Titan's tie-in comic]]! Optimus even uses the ''term'' "Autobot Jazz" in [[Transformers Comic issue 21|a later issue]]...
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was shot in the head and abandoned on [[Gorlam Prime]] back in "[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]". Six years later, Hasbro were releasing a new Nightbeat toy and back he comes into ''Dark Cybertron'', a chatty undead from the [[Dead Universe]]. He proceeds to survive the destruction of the Dead Universe and wound up on the ''Lost Light'' before seemingly dying again.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s IDW incarnation first appeared in the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' limited series, set millions of years in the past. The final issue originally left his exact fate following his final confrontation with Megatron ambiguous; according to artist [[Alex Milne]], Sentinel was ''not'' dead ''yet'' as far as he was concerned, and the script had called for him to look like he could go either way.<ref name="milne">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110822003501/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=37411 Post by Alex Milne on the IDW Publishing Forums]</ref> However, ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', published around the same time, at least ''implied'' that he was dead in the present day just like in other continuities, given how Optimus Prime had succeeded him. Subsequently, ''[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', among others, presented [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] as the Prime who chronologically succeeded Sentinel, before being himself killed by Megatron and succeeded by Optimus. Fast forward to several years later, when Hasbro's [[Titans Return (toyline)|''Titans Return'' toy line]] introduced a new Sentinel Prime toy that was also a [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] with a [[Titan Master]] named [[Infinitus]], and lo and behold, the IDW version of Sentinel, having been presumed dead for four million years, suddenly makes an unexpected return in a ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, with absolutely no buildup beforehand, and is revealed to actually ''be'' a smaller robot named Infinitus who survived the destruction of his larger body. After menacing everyone a little for a few issues, he gets dropped down a very big hole, never to be spoken of again.
{{-}}

===Untouchables===
[[File:Armorhide drawhisfire.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Really, they could just stand there making rude noises at Starscream.]]
Obviously, if a character ''does'' have a current toy (or soon will), they're ([[Cliffjumper (WFC)|usually]]) not going to die, even if the plot or common sense indicates they should. This is sometimes because Hasbro itself declares a character unkillable, and so comics and TV writers must follow suit.
*In "[[Optimal Situation]]", [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] had betrayed [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to the Maximals, ruining his greatest shot at victory. As he declared, "There will be no more betrayals!", she would pay the price: being knocked into stasis lock so the Maximals could fix her and she could stay on their team.
*Megatron himself was in a prime position to be terminated, as were the Maximals later on, in "[[The Weak Component]]". Since this was only episode 6 and everyone had toys out, the cast politely agreed not to take this opportunity to end a brutal war for the planet.
*Titan's Movie strip was moved to an alternate universe, where you'd [[Rhythms of Darkness!|expect nobody to be safe from death]]. However, most of the cast had toys out, so whether it was a desperate guerrilla fight against Decepticon occupation, the rise of [[Unicron]], a [[Decepticon Civil War]], or the final battle, very few characters bought it. The big exception was [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]], dying in his first battle.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' (mentioned earlier), James Roberts observed that Impactor was the only character who was guaranteed not to be killed. However, Hasbro shot down the idea of Perceptor or Springer dying, and so most of the fatalities were less well-known characters like Pyro, Ironfist, and eternally unlucky Wreckers Twin Twist and Topspin.
*Similar to his Beast Era counterpart, ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Prime]]'' [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] was worn down to the point of exhaustion, and was at [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]]'s mercy. Optimus, now [[One Shall Fall|sworn to outright kill Megatron when he gets the chance]], is about to pull the trigger, but ends up backing down when he's threatened by Decepticon reinforcements... in this case, the laughing stock redshirt Vehicons. It doesn't help that the ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|Prime]]'' toyline had ''just'' gotten on shelves, but seriously? Optimus felt threatened by ''Vehicons''?
*If a Decepticon with a current toy is about to be captured in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'', they can pull off the most miraculous of escapes, sometimes [[Bee Cool|disappearing under our heroes' noses]].
*Starscream, the end.

==Notable exceptions==
There are, however, a few notable exceptions to the To Sell Toys effect, such as fictional characters without a toy counterpart, and other anomalies:

===Toys not released in the relevant market===
[[File:Swoopg1marvelukfirst.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|YOU CAN'T HAVE ME.]]
Occasionally the ''Transformers'' fiction released in a particular country features characters whose toys were not released in that country. The Marvel UK comic featured two variations of this phenomenon:

*Characters inherited from the U.S. strips. Some, such as [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], were given fairly prominent roles in the U.S. stories reprinted in the UK comic and so it was hard to ignore them completely in the UK originated material despite their toys not being around to need advertising. However the decision to develop the Predacons (even before their US appearances were reprinted), to have entire storylines focusing on Swoop, and also to keep Shockwave in continuity even after he'd been (supposedly) killed off in the US comic goes beyond this.
*Characters not featured in the U.S. strips. Bizarrely the UK comic also made use of some characters such as [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]], and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], despite their toys not being available on UK toy shelves. None of these characters were inherited from the US material.

Writer [[Simon Furman]] has since stated that when writing the stories he was generally unaware of which toys were unavailable in the UK.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We largely took our cue from what characters were being introduced into the US storyline. If there was a release schedule for the toys in the UK, we rarely saw it... But in the case of Swoop and the Predacons, I don't think I was consciously aware (at the time) that we were dealing with toys not generally available in the UK. They were just extant characters, and therefore fair game.|link=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php|name=Simon Furman|site=TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'|year-2004}}</ref>

This would happen again with Titan, as foreign exclusives such as [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and [[Slap Dash (ROTF)|Slap Dash]] palled around with UK-available toys.

Another example would be the original text stores published by [[Condor Verlag]] in their ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'': The text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|issue 11]] features the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]], even though catalogs from the era, backed up by German fans' recollections, suggest that the German release of the ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line-up omitted the Classic Combaticons, possibly due to their "war" theme.
{{-}}

===Post-Marvel, pre-2013 G1 comics===
[[File:Infiltration 1b.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Hey, Runamuck, it's our first appearance on a comic book cover in twenty years!" "Heh heh, now if only we could appear on toy store shelves..."]]
Both [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] comics, the two recent holders of the license to publish ''Transformers'' comic books, sometimes produce comics using whichever toy line is current (e.g., Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' comic or IDW's [[Transformers (film)|2007 movie]] tie-ins), and sometimes publish comics using whatever characters they please (e.g., ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]''). The characters in their "discretionary" comics are often not currently available in toy form ([[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], a character appearing in numerous stories from IDW's G1 continuity during their early years, only had [[Hardhead (G1)#Universe (2008)|another toy]] on shelves at around 2009, a good twenty-two years since [[Hardhead (G1)#Generation 1|his last toy]]), sometimes are drawn with bodies that have ''never'' been toys (most of the ''War Within'' characters), and sometimes are toys that were never available outside of specific countries ([[Lio Convoy]] in IDW's ''Beast Wars'').

[[Chris Ryall]], IDW Editor-in-Chief and writer of the miniseries adapting the 2007 movie to comics, had stated on IDW's forums that Hasbro does not dictate what comics IDW must make ("Nope, no dictates at all from Hasbro. We put the plan together, send to them for approval.").<ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=69377</ref> By the time of ''All Hail Megatron'', however, the ''Universe'' line came out and Hasbro asked IDW to start using some of those designs.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=102461#102461 Guido reveals the Hasbro request]</ref> Though this practice did not influence the subsequent [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], it did raise its head again in 2013, as Hasbro and IDW began working together to create new toys based on character designs from the comics, to promote upcoming toys with New Bodies and to include the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] event (including various preludes) with the toys.

===New toys, same basic design===
In more recent times (mostly in the case of the [[live-action film series]]), Hasbro has used a combination of minor [[redeco]]s, [[retool]]s and sculpts based on the same basic designs to create new toys, instead of giving recurring characters a major design overhaul for the next installment. The fiction then rarely, if ever, acknowledges any of those minor design changes. According to screenwriter [[Roberto Orci]], some people at Hasbro even argued against changing the designs of some returning characters in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'', so that parents would '''not''' have to buy the same toy twice for their children just because of a minor change or modification to the characters' designs.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/showpost.php?p=2186879&postcount=171 Roberto Orci posting at TFW2005.com]</ref> (Hasbro still released new, or modified, toys of those characters, prompting [[completist]]s to buy them as well, and the film gave some of the characters slight tweaks in their [[alternate mode]]s, based on changes in the real-life vehicle designs, which the toys had to incorporate.)

===Killing off characters with new toys===
Even characters with new or expensive toys can get the axe early on if the plot calls for it... or when poor timing caused by unplanned executive decisions resulted in bad coordination between in-fiction developments and toy release schedules.
*Despite being killed off in the middle of ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon]]'', [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] got a lot of new toys, including a Leader Class figure, a Voyager Class figure, and a Halloween costume for children!
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]] was hyped up as a major character in the lead-up to the show's premiere, and got several toys like the other members of the main cast. He dies within the first five minutes of the [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|premiere episode]]. However, later he gets his fair share of screentime by [[Out of the Past|flashbacks]] and the like.
*Due to behind the scenes budget issues and the ''Prime'' [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)|toyline]] getting pushed back thanks to the ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|toyline]], [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]] is quickly shut away inside a stasis pod in "[[Armada (episode)|Armada]]" for much of the remainder of the series at the ''same time'' as the mass release of her toy; [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] also suffered a grimmer fate as he was killed off just a few episodes earlier (by Airachnid herself, no less). On a similar beat, poor [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]] died in "[[Masters & Students]]", but his toys weren't released until well over a year later, making them posthumous toy releases.
*IDW [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] gets a new ''Titans Return'' toy in mid late 2016, but was killed off at about the same time his toy was hitting shelves in the [[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|final issue]] of the second season of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]''.

===New toys with minimal fictional appearances===
Sometimes, characters that have a new or expensive toy barely see use in fiction.
*Generation 1 Whirl and Roadbuster were larger and more expensive than many of the other Autobots, but never appeared in the original cartoon. They were featured in the comics as members of the Wreckers.
*Sixshot's only appearance in the original cartoon is a quick sequence where he transforms into each of his alt modes to defeat the Aerialbots. He is never seen again.
*In ''Transformers Armada'', Optimus Prime is the only character to not receive an upgrade after being defeated by Nemesis Prime, despite having an expensive $40 redeco on store shelves. Optimus does receive the redeco colors in the final episode of the series, but he returns to his old colors by the episode's conclusion.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|"Silver Knight" Optimus Prime]] had an entire thematic segment of the [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|''Age of Extinction'' toyline]] dedicated to him that was exclusive to [[Target]] stores. However, the planned upgrade of Optimus Prime was cut from the theatrical release of ''Age of Extinction''.
*''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Quickslinger and Brake-Neck, meant to be [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]], did not get any focus in the accompanying IDW fiction: Slingshot is dead and Wildrider's whereabouts are unknown after his leaving the Stunticons. Instead, their selling point is giving fans the chance to complete G1-accurate [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toys. Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Rook (CW)|Rook]] made only a background appearance in the event, and was so overlooked he had to be digitally added ''to'' those backgrounds; [[Alpha Bravo]], his [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] counterpart, gets a bit more but nothing you'd miss. (When Rook ''did'' get some work later, he was promptly killed off!)
*''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' introduced a massive amount of new toys and a ''massive'' amount of Headmasters, including many familiar G1 characters redone as Headmasters. However, very few of these new toys were given focus in IDW's [[Titans Return (comic)|tie-in comic arc]], including prominent characters such as [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. ([[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] is a notable exception, returning after a long absence.) Also, despite the heavy emphasis on [[Titan Master]]s in the toyline, only one character, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], displayed actual Headmaster ability. [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] is briefly decapitated and turned into a lifeless body for [[Infinitus]] to take control of, for no real reason other than to show off the head-swapping gimmick inherent in all ''Titans Return'' figures. And, with a colossal new [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/toys#Generations|Titan-class]] toy for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] as the centerpiece of the line, you'd expect some significant toy-shilling action. Instead, Fortress Maximus's brand-new Titan body gets smacked around a bit before utterly failing in its one job of defending [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]'s [[space bridge]] from the [[zombie]] Titans.
*Most likely caused by the complaints from fans about the small amount of Decepticons in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|RID 2015 Toyline]], [[Steeljaw (RID)|Steeljaw]] breaks out many monsters of the week from the first season. Each one gets a figure, yet they all get one or two episodes to shine. [[Bisk (RID)|Bisk]] is the greatest example, appearing very briefly in Episode 4 of Season 1, getting captured, going free, and getting captured again in the next Episode.
**Every major 'Con from or affiliated with Decepticon Island gets Mini-Cons, who do very little but appear anyway only because they had toys. Ratchet gets one as well.
[[File:TF-TLK-Berserker.jpg|right|upright=1.7|thumb|'''DELUXE ROOK''' with Amazing ''STANDING AROUND ACTION!''']]
* After having a Deluxe-sized figure despite being the largest [[Dinobot (AOE)|Dinobot]] in ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'', [[Scorn]] got a larger, more movie-accurate Voyager class figure for the toyline of ''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (toyline)|The Last Knight]]''. Unfortunately, Scorn didn't even appear in the [[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|actual film]]!
* A more egregious ''The Last Knight'' example occurs in the case of [[Berserker]]. Despite being on-screen for only ''8.39 seconds'' (in which he's a prisoner of war and not even released from incarceration), and having only one line, Berserker got several toys to himself, one of which was an entirely new Deluxe class figure. This is in stark contrast to more prominent Decepticons [[Onslaught (ROTF)|Onslaught]], [[Dreadbot]], and [[Mohawk]], none of whom received toys. Set photos seem to indicate that Berserker was going to have a larger role than he did, explaining why he was given such a prominent role in the toyline.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Toys]]

Hound (G1)/toys

2023-06-19T09:45:46Z

MBG:

{{suite}}
[[File:G1 packageart Hound.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
Just because '''Hound''' wasn't yellow enough to be a [[kid-appeal character]] doesn't mean that he doesn't have a lot of toys.

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1Hound toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Short but sweet.]]
*'''Hound''' (Autobot, [[1984]]/[[1985]])
**''Takara ID number:'' '''02'''
**''Accessories:'' "[[Hologram gun]]", poseable [[machine gun]], missile launcher, 3 [[missile]]s, spare tire, gas can
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Hound was released as part of the initial Autobot assortment in 1984, transforming into a [https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1983/2019845/mitsubishi_jeep_j59.html Mitsubishi Jeep J59]. Mounted on the back of the [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is a large, [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] silver machine gun turret which doesn't really go anywhere in [[robot mode]]. Other vehicle accessories include a spare tire and a fuel canister which also don't really go anywhere in robot mode.

:In robot mode, Hound is armed with a large, silver "holographic rifle" and a shoulder-mounted, spring-loaded, firing rocket launcher with three silver projectiles. The US version of this launcher had severely weakened springs [[for safety reasons]]. Due to his transformation, he ends up considerably smaller than the rest of the [[Autobot Cars]] in this mode.

:The strip sticker numbered #10 on Hound's [[sticker]] sheet is supposed to be two stickers, which belong on either side of the waist. As the sticker is a single strip, and this placement isn't shown in the instructions, one often comes across Hound sticker sheets on the secondary market with solely #10 left unapplied!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=If you look at Hound’s sticker application map, there is no mention of #10. Hilariously, looking on Google and eBay, I found used Hound stickersheets with only sticker #10 remaining on the sheet! I was clearly not the first person to have this problem. Looking more closely at the instruction book seen above, I noticed in the transformation images, sticker #10 could be seen applied to Hound! There they were, on the sides of his waist…|name=Maz|site=TFsource|title=News to Me – 2018 Edition|year=2018|month=05|day=13}}</ref> To recreate the intended placement, one must cut the sticker in half, placing the halves with the red sections at the back of Hound's waist. The instructions also incorrectly swap stickers #14 and #15 across the arms, so they don't fit properly.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=My incorrect assumption was that it was just an error for the Detritus stickersheet, but I see now on this reissue TFC Hound that it too has a single piece sticker for #10, it too was left unsplit! I don't believe the vintage Hound sticker #10 is split either, which once more explains why so many vintage Hounds simply do not have that correctly applied, or applied at all! But, sticker #10 on the Diaclone stickersheet... is split! [...] The sticker on the side of the waist is hard to see at the best of times, but it consists of 4 yellow/black rectangles and a red capsule shape, all in a row. The Transformers instructions show the red capsule being placed nearest the front of the waist, but all the Diaclone literature and art show it being the 4 rectangles that are closer to the front of the waist, and the red capsule shape being towards the back of the waist. [...] Stickers #14 and #15 go on Hound's forearms/wrists, but both the vintage and reissue Transformers instructions tell you to put #14 on his right forearm, and #15 on the left. This is incorrect, and will end up causing those L-shaped stickers to sit in a way that does not cover the length of the forearm, as well as causing an ill fit around the wrist. Detritus has the same issue, too, by the way.|link=https://tfsquareone.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-mysterious-g1-hound-stickers.html|name=Maz|site=TFsquareone|title=The Mysterious G1 Hound Stickers|year=2023|month=03|day=11}}</ref>

: This mold was originally released in 1982 in Takara's ''[[Diaclone]]'' line as the "J59 Jeep", coming with a blue-and-white pilot figure and several IP-infringing decals. This mold was also used to make the [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] [[Detritus (G1)#Toys|Detritus]].

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-autobot-cars-hound/51/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Hound at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Hound/hound.htm More information on Generation 1 Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:Un autorollers.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Sgt. Hound. Starring Steve Martin. (Hound is the white payloader.)]]
*'''Sgt. Hound''' (Auto Roller, <s>1995</s>)
**''Accessories'': 4 missiles
:A [[redeco]] of the [[Auto Roller (G2)|Auto Roller]] [[Roadblock (G2)#Generation 2|Roadblock]] was planned for release in 1995 as "Sgt. Hound", but was one of several redecos and molds that were canceled with the end of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' line]]. He would have transformed into a payloader. As an Auto Roller, a switch on his vehicle mode back end connects a gearing mechanism attached to his rear axle, which makes him [[autotransformation|autotransform]] from vehicle to robot mode when pushed forward, and back when pulled in reverse. His right arm ends in a spring-loaded missile launcher, while his left features a spring-gear-activated spinning circular saw. All four of his missiles can be stowed on his rear wheel wells. No known samples of the toy have surfaced.

:This mold was also used to make [[Autocrusher#Beast Wars|Autocrusher]] from ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1998 (Beast Wars II)|Beast Wars II]]''.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G2Gobot}}
[[File:G2GoBotsUnmadeJeepAndCar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|We don't even exist among stuff that doesn't exist.]]
* "'''Hound'''" (Go-Bot, <s>1995</s>)
**''Accessories'': Rifle
:Part of the canceled fourth wave of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]], Hound's [[alternate mode]] would have been a green military SUV with [[tampograph]]ed "U.S. Army" and "19HOUND960" markings. In robot mode, he would have featured magenta parts. Sadly, he was one of the two unreleased G2 Go-Bot sculpts (alongside a [[Purple Mercedes Go-Bot|purple Mercedes-Benz character]]) whose [[mold]]s were apparently lost; therefore the Hound sculpt was not even included with a later release of the other four unreleased molds as part of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] line.

:While unpainted [[prototype]]s of the sculpt had found their way into collectors' hands and the name "Hound" had even been rumored in association with the toy, it wasn't until 2014 that a fully painted sample surfaced, confirming the name for the first time. Shortly afterwards, the (repeatedly delayed) book ''[[Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging]]'' was released, which featured the [[package art]] that would have been used for Hound had he been released, alongside those of [[Rumble (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Rumble]], "[[Crash Test (G2)#Toys|4X]]", and "[[911#Toys|911]]".

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===''Alternators''/''Binaltech''===
{{anchor|Alternators}}[[File:Alternators Hound toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Wrangling our hearts.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' ([[2004]])
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''3'''
**''Binaltech ID number:'' '''BT-04'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol
{{toydesigner|[[Mark McCall]] (Hasbro), [[Hironori Kobayashi]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:For the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line, Hound's vehicle mode was updated to a ([[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]]) 1:24 scale {{w|Jeep Wrangler}}, with opening doors, hood (with mock engine bay) and tailgate, and a detailed interior. Hound also features [[rubber tires]] and a working, spring-loaded suspension system, similar to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]], but lacks steering. In robot mode, he greatly resembles both the original toy in detail and the Generation 1 [[character model|cartoon model]] in proportions and personality. In this form, Hound is armed with a holographic projector gun stored inside his spare tire.

:The Japanese ''Binaltech'' version of the toy is largely identical to the [[Hasbro]] version, except for the use of painted [[die-cast]] metal for numerous vehicle mode panels.

:This sculpt was [[retool]]ed into ''Alternators/Binaltech'' [[Swindle (G1)/toys#Alternators|Swindle]], who was then [[redeco]]ed into ''Alternators'' [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]].

::*[[Source:Transformers Binaltech bios#4|Archive of ''Binaltech'' Hound's bio and tech specs]]
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltHound/hound.htm More info on Alternators Hound at TFU.info]''
{{AlternatorsHoundMold}}
{{--}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
*'''Hound''' (2004)
**''ID number:'' '''14'''

:In 2004, the original Hound toy was [[Generation 1 reissues|reissued]] by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their their ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' "bookbox" reissue series. Apparently, Takara had to repair (or even recast) the [[mold]]; the reissue features several sculpting differences compared to a vintage specimen: The top end of the Jeep grille bars is now straight instead of rounded off, the headlights have sculpted detail added, the windshield hinges are more rounded off, and the formerly sharp facial details look very washed out.<ref name="reissuecomp">[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/g1-1984/hound/1670/2/ Seibertron gallery of the Transformers Collection Hound reissue], including comparisons with a vintage G1 Hound.</ref>
{{picsneeded}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
{{anchor|2008legend}}
[[File:Hounduniverselegends.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Legends, [[2008]])
**''Series'': Classic Series
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] figures (but the first wave to feature new-mold items, not simply ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-series [[redeco]]es), the first ''Universe'' Hound toy is sculpted to closely resemble his Generation 1 design, particularly in the way his vehicle mode resembles a somewhat outdated, old-fashioned army Jeep. For legal reasons, the vehicle mode has been slightly tweaked, such as sporting squared headlights and horizontal vents in the front grille, as compared to the characteristic round headlights/vertical grille vents design of a real-life Jeep. Due to his small size and [[size class|price point]], he has no weapon in either mode.

:This mold was also used to make [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Hunt for the Decepticons'']] [[Hound (Movie)#Transformers .282010.29|Tracker Hound]]. It is also the basis for the non-toy character [[Mito Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LegendsHound/hound.htm More information on Universe Legends Hound at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Univ2008Dx}}
[[File:TFU08-toy HoundDeluxe.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Cats and dogs. Geddit? ''Do you get it?'']]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, 2008)
**''Series'': Generation 1 Series
**''Accessories'': Missile launcher
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro), [[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Don Figueroa]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the fourth wave of ''Universe'' Deluxe Class toys, this version of Hound is more of an evolution of the character rather than the reproduction the Legends class toy represents. His vehicle mode resembles a {{w|Jeep Hurricane}} concept car, once again with a modified front section that avoids the [[trademark]] Jeep look with round headlights and vertical grille vents. Hound features his familiar (non-firing) rocket launcher, which clips to the back of his seats in vehicle mode, and can be either hand-held or shoulder-mounted in robot mode (Although the latter is by no means a secure fit, and will fall off with the slightest touch.) In the area of "undocumented features", the soles of Hound's feet can pivot inwards, providing more stability for wide-stanced poses.

:Hound's vehicle-mode back-end has a pair of flip-up tabs, which are used to secure the [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ravage figure]] included with Hound, when Ravage is put into his "capture mode" (aka "oversized audio cassette" form). Other [[Mini-Cassette]] Transformers can fit there too, though not as well as the new Ravage.

:Hasbro's initial "hand-painted digitally touched-up prototype" [[stock photography|stock photos]] featured a slightly different color layout for Hound, with a black bullbar (painted silver on the final toy) and entirely reversed arm colors: the original stock photos feature green shoulders, black forearms with three yellow stripes and green fists, whereas the final toy has the entire arm cast out of black plastic and the ''forearms'' painted over in green, with only one thick yellow stripe per arm.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Scorch (G1)#Timelines|Turbomaster]] and served as the basis of the non-toy [[Hound (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' incarnation of Hound]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHound/hound.htm More information on Universe Deluxe Hound at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei houndravage.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A friend to all the animals.]]
*'''Hound''' ([[December 27]], 2008)
**''ID number:'' '''C-13'''
**''Accessories'': Missile launcher
{{toydesigner|[[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:The Japanese version of ''Universe'' Deluxe Class Hound, ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Hound is primarily cast in a darker shade of green plastic for a better match to his original toy and appearances in fiction. Where ''Universe'' Hound had white plastic, ''Henkei'' Hound replaces it with grey, and overall has more elaborate paint applications, such as the toy-homaging yellow stripe around the edges of his hood and silver paint on his hubcaps. As with all ''Henkei! Henkei!'' toys, Hound has [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] plastic, specifically his grill guard, albeit in an unusually dark color to make it resemble dark polished metal.
{{--}}

===''Chronicle''===
[[File:EZCollectionHoundToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hound''' (EZ Collection, [[2011]])

:''[[Transformers Chronicle (toyline)|Chronicle]]'' Hound is a very slight redeco of the ''Universe'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Autobot Hound toy, with the front windshield's black paint replaced with the same gunmetal paint used for the legs. Like other ''Chronicle'' Legends toys, he is sold in a blindpacked box.

===''EZ Collection'' (2013)===
{{anchor|EZCollection2013}}
*'''Hound''' (EZ Collection, [[2013]])
**''ID number'': '''EG05'''

: Hound was released again in the 2013 ''[[EZ Collection]]'' series. It is uncertain what, if any, changes were made to this from the above ''Chronicle'' release.

{{-}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:BStoy-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' ([[2013]])
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''B012'''
***''Fist strength'': '''730'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''609'''
***''Sword strength'': '''277'''
:Part of the third wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 2 single-packs, Blitz Shot "Autobot Hound" is a [[redeco]] of [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Series 1 Ironhide]], transforming into a teeny pickup truck (with spoiler) with an [[Autotransformation|automatic, spring-loaded 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.

:This mold was also used to make [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)#Bot Shots|Super Bot Dirt Boss]] and [[Swindle (G1)#Bot Shots|Swindle]].
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy HoundKreon unreleased.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Where did you come from, where did you go?]]
*'''???''' (???, <s>2011</s>)
**''Accessories'': Large rifle
:A [[Kreon]] version of Hound was shown at numerous conventions in 2011 as part of a large ''[[Kre-O]]'' display; early appearances had him with shoddy stickers instead of [[tampograph]]s (but he was far from the only one), but later appearances used production samples. Samples of release-ready Hounds in sealed bags (as he would have appeared in sets) have since surfaced.

:However, it is still unknown just how Hound was originally planned to be released. It seems most likely he was going to be packed in with another character's large-build set, but ''who'' that was is unknown.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|CustomKreon}}
[[File:Hound (Kre-O).jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Custom Kreon, [[2014]])
**''Set number'': '''A7317'''
**''Pieces'': '''42'''
**''Accessories'': Rack, buildable gatling gun, bazooka, jetpack, door-wing backpack
:Part of the second assortment of "Custom Kreons", Hound comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. The plastics of his torso, arms and legs have a metal-flake sheen, and his similarly-shiny [[tampograph]]s are based on the [[#Generation 1|original Hound toy]]. His "normal" helmet and bazooka are [[Vacuum metallizing|chromed]], 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 gatling gun, a buildable jetpack, and the door-wing backpack.

:Though widely solicited, this wave of Custom Kreons ultimately never saw release outside of the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online store and Chinese-market distribution circles.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:KreO-Toy HoundC84.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Set number'': '''B0090'''
**''Voted'': "Friendliest"
**''Accessories'': Heavy machine gun
:This version of Hound, part of the [[Kreon Class of 1984]], is based once again on the original Hound, with much more detailing based ''heavily'' on the original toy. He uses the Hound-style helmet as expected.

:He was only available in a pack of 30 Kreons dubbed "Class of 1984". This set was made for sale at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014. Remaining stock would have been sold at the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] website, but the set sold out at the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OHound/hound.htm More information on Class of 1984 Hound at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BattleChanger}}
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Battle Changer, [[2015]])
**''Set number'': '''B2691'''
**''Pieces'': '''87'''
**''Accessories'': Long rifle, rocket launcher
:Part of the second round of Battle Changers, Hound has a Kreon core, but the limbs and body are all built up using bricks, resulting in a toy that can change from robot to jeep without disassembly/reassembly.

: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.
{{--}}

===''Construct-Bots''===
[[File:ConstructBots Elite Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Hound''' (Elite Class, 2013)
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

:''[[Construct-Bots]]'' Hound transforms from a jeep-like vehicle. He includes a small hand-held blaster as well as a shoulder mounted piece that evokes the hologram projector.

:Most of his parts were used to make [[Breakdown (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Breakdown]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/CBHound/hound.htm More information on Hound at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Q-Transformers''===
[[File:QTransformers Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Perfect for going camping in.]]
*'''Hound''' ([[March 21]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''QT-15'''
:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Hound transforms from a [[super deformed]] Suzuki Hustler to a cute little robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Hound as a playable character in the ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns]]'' game.

:This mold was retooled into ''Q-Transformers'' [[Skids (G1)#Q-Transformers|Skids]].
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:BotCon2015toy-Sgt Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sgt. Hound''' (Deluxe Class, 2015)
:Available only at [[BotCon 2015]] in a 2-pack with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Timelines|General Optimus Prime]], Sgt. Hound is a retool of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Scoop (G1)#Generations|Scoop]] based on the cancelled [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]] [[#Generation 2|Sgt. Hound]] toy, transforming into a payloader. He comes with [[Dia Cinders|Dia]] and [[Cline]], who transform into guns that can be held by Hound or plugged into pegholes his arms and legs.

:This mold was also redecoed, sans one Targetmaster, into ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)#Japanese toyline|Adventure]]'' [[Roadblock (RID)|Roadblock]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/BCSgtHound/hound.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Sgt. Hound at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
{{anchor|Specialist}}
[[File:TF-Specialist-Autobots-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Specialist: Autobots''' (Multi-pack, [[March 25]], 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, Ravage figure
:''Universe'' Deluxe Hound was re-released in a three-pack with ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Generations|Mirage]] and ''Universe'' [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Generations|Ironhide]], available from Hasbro Asia and [[TakaraTomy Mall]]. All three Autobots feature new metallic paint decos, and the set's [[package art]] links up to the contemporaneously-released "Specialist: Decepticons" set to form a complete image. At select stores in Asia, the set was available with a free Autobot insignia earphone cap plug.
{{--}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CWDlxHound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Giving combiners the power of Afterimages.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2016]])
**'''2 OF 5: [[Sky Reign]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
:Part of the sixth wave of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Hound" is a [[retool]] of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Swindle (G1)#Combiner Wars|Swindle]] (himself an extensive retooling of [[Rook (CW)#Generations|Rook]]), transforming into a militarized jeep of indeterminable, likely-made-up model. In addition to a new head, his toy benefits from a [[Variant|running change]] from Swindle that adds two small nubs onto the rear of his smaller weapon, which allows it to be attached to his backpack as an over-shoulder blaster.

:As a ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe figure, Hound can combine with any compatible Voyager-class mold as either an arm or a leg, but his nominal placement is as [[Sky Reign]]'s left arm. He can also combine with [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]] as a leg.

:Unfortunately, due to the internal molding of his shins, repeatedly transforming Hound will eventually create horizontal scratch marks across the hip parts of his thighs.

:Hound comes with a copy of ''The Transformers'' #41 (''Combiner Wars'' Part 4), "[[You, Me, and the Universe]]". In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of [[multilingual packaging]] including a character card featuring his comic book cover/[[package art]] instead. He and the last three waves of ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe and Voyager figures later showed up at TJ Maxx at reduced prices with the collector card.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/CWHound/hound.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Hound at TFU.info]''
{{CWRookMold}}
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-UW-EX-Hound.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Lynxmaster''' (giftset, [[October 29]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, axe, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Hound is a redeco of his ''Combiner Wars'' toy with new and different paint details based on his cartoon appearance, including various yellow stripes, a star on his shoulder, and the replacement of the star on his hood with an Autobot insignia. Aside from the mold's established accessories, Hound includes an axe from the Offroad mold. He was only available in a [[TakaraTomy Mall]]-exclusive [[Sky Reign#Unite Warriors 2|Lynxmaster]] multi-pack.
{{CWRookMold}}
{{--}}

===''Alt-Modes''===
[[File:Alt-Modes-toy Hound.jpg|upright=1.22|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Alt-Modes, 2017)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Collection'': '''1'''

:''[[Alt-Modes]]'' Hound is a super deformed toy whose body transforms into a jeep when the Autobot faction symbol on his head is flipped. He was [[Blindpacking|blind-boxed]] and available in the first and only case of the second series.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
[[File:War-for-Cybertron-Siege-Deluxe-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2019]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-S9'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SG-12'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[March 30]], [[2019]]'''
**''Hidden message code'': '''MACCADAMS'''
**''Accessories'': "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster," "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," ammo clip (combine to form "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster")
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]]<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Evan didn't work on Siege. The Hound thing was just something John Warden showed him at the time.|link=https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/656248887534944265/1072287364543688754|name=Matthew Karpowich|site=the TFWiki Discord server, reporting on the day's Fan Q&A|year=2023|month=02|day=06}}</ref> and [[Aaron Gray]] (Hasbro)|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Deluxe Class figures, Hound transforms from robot to Cybertronian jeep and back. He includes the "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster" and "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," which are compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], and can combine to form the "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster," or can be mounted onto his shoulder. The Refraction Blaster comes with a detachable ammo clip, which can be stored in the bed of the jeep. Hound's colors are more subdued than his other figures, and he also features "battle damage" paint applications on his bullbar and shins, as well as multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the [[Battle Master]]s assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions.

:His vehicle mode has a sculpted winch, in the center of which is a hole. If some thread is fed through, this makes his winch somewhat functional.

:Though designated for release in the first quarter of 2019, Hound's wave reached U.S. store shelves in late 2018.

:This mold was redecoed into ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)#Netflix|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Hound (below), and retooled into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)#Generations|Hot Shot]]. In an artistic error, Hound was depicted with Hot Shot's head on his [[:File:Siege-Hound-art.jpg|package art]], long before the latter retool was officially revealed. Additionally, Hound's [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/archive/c/cf/20181011015637%21War-for-Cybertron-Siege-Deluxe-Hound.jpg earliest computer-generated stock images] depicted him with an opaque green windshield, rather than the translucent windshield of the final product.

::*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O09YJahH8Lg Official conversion video at the TRANSFORMERS OFFICIAL YouTube channel]''
::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/include.php?path=content/content.php&contentid=3551 More information on Siege Hound at Transformers-Universe.com]''
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:MP-47 Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Unfortunately, does not come with [[Halonix Maximus]] accessory.]]
*'''Hound''' ([[December 26]], [[2019]])
**''ID number'': '''MP-47'''
**''Accessories'': 2 side mirrors, Hologram gun, machine gun, spare tire, gas can, key, roof cover/shield, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Spike Witwicky]] figure, hologram effect, hologram pilot. smiling face, screaming face
:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Hound transforms from a licensed Jeep CJ-3B to a show-accurate robot, down to the [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|shrunken]] back wheels on the sides of his feet.

:Accessories for this figure include two alternate faces (as is the standard for modern ''Masterpiece'' releases), his hologram gun (with a hologram shooting effect part), the car-mounted machine gun, a spare tire and gas can, plus a bunch of specific episode-related accessories: a figure of Spike Witwicky to represent their relation in the original 3-parter, plus the hologram driver he briefly showcased in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]" and the key for [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]]'s cage from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]". His final accessory deviates from the usual bunch of toy and cartoon-related accessories and it's entirely new: a roof cover that turns into a shield, apparently inspired by the one found on [[Hound (Movie)#Movie The Best|his live action counterpart's ''Movie The Best'' toy]] or perhaps by the folding roof that he deploys briefly in "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". As an additional note, his head features a flip-out face shield, representing the one he used in the underwater scenes from "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2".

:Due to the engineering, the spare tire, the gas can, and the machine gun can fold up inside his feet in robot mode without the need for [[partsformer|partsforming]], but they can still be stored inside the roof cover, along with the cage key and the alternate face accessories, with the pipe and handle parts of the hologram gun being stored under the unfoldable panels in each of his lower legs.

:His jeep mode features an opening hood, and while it mainly just reveals his arms and head, there is an engine piece put in to hide his face. As an unfortunate side effect, there is a risk of the engine block piece chipping the paint on his face. He can be left faceless for the transformation, although the third face piece doesn't have room for storing it anywhere.

:For other quality control issues, the lower end of the painted thighs can also easily chip off due to the friction between the piece and the lower legs. Probably due to tolerance or design failure (or both), the panels that cover the rear section of the lower legs are prone to breaking. There have also been many reports of this figure's parts developing cracks with minimal or even ''no'' handling, prompting speculation about an unstable plastic mix.

:Per the brand unification of TakaraTomy and Hasbro, Hound was directly released with no changes by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the United States and Canada.
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Netflix-WFC-Series-Deluxe-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''WFC-02'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[September 26]], 2020'''
**''Accessories:'' "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster," "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," ammo clip (combine to form "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster")
:Promoting the ''Siege'' season of the [[Netflix]] [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon]], this redeco of ''Siege'' Hound slathers the Autobot in an ''extensive'' paint wash coating to represent accumulated grime and battle scars.

:Unfortunately, there have been several reports of Hound's neck stem being too stiff and snapping right off.
{{-}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-Deluxe-Hound.jpg|thumb|300px|Just whisper your complaints very quietly into the mouth of the CareHound.]]
* '''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]]?)
**''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
**''Accessories:'' Rocket launcher, hologram gun

:''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' ''[[Studio Series|Studio Series 86]]'' Hound is a heavy retool of the above ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' figure, presumably transforming into a Jeep. He comes with his rocket launcher and hologram gun.

:Much like the rest of ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'', Hound was exclusive to [[Target]] in the United States and was first revealed via online listings with no prior announcement from Hasbro.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Retro''===
[[File:TFRetro-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If I had a nickel for every time a retailer exclusive 1986 movie-branded Hound figure was made, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Walmart exclusive reissue/redeco, [[2023]])
**''Accessories:'' "[[Hologram gun]]", poseable [[machine gun]], missile launcher, 3 [[missile]]s, spare tire, gas can

:The original Hound toy was reissued by Hasbro for western markets for the very first time in 2023 in the ''[[Transformers Retro]]'' line. This release, which was given specific ''The Transformers: The Movie'' branding, gives the mold a redeco with colors based on his original cartoon character model. All of Hound's chromed details are now cast in very light silver plastic, and instead of using stickers for detailing he has tampographs and paint applications. He retains his die-cast metal and rubber tires though. While his missiles were not modified [[for safety reasons]], his launcher's firing ability has been neutered.

:Of note is the fact Hound is now a licensed Jeep product, which may explain how this version sports a new 2023 date stamp, pointing to the likelihood of a repaired or "resurrected" mold for this release. Hey, it's been nineteen years since the [[The Transformers Collection|''Transformers Collection'']] reissue, which was also repaired compared to the 1984 original. This mold features all the changes made for that release.

:Retro Hound was released as a [[Walmart]] exclusive in the United States.

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:Tfcaramel hound.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Stick him right in your trail mix.]]
*'''Hound''' (1985)
:A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''— of Hound was released as part of the second wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' [[candy toy]] range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in red, blue, and yellow.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:Decoy hound.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9]]
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
:Hound 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, Hound 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. Hound 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.

*'''Hound''' ([[1987]])
**''Decoy number:'' '''17'''
: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/Hound/hound.htm More information on Decoy Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroeshoundblitzwing.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Not included: Awkwardly-positioned Spike.]]
*'''Autobot Hound & Blitzwing''' (Two-pack, [[2008]])
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''Universe''-branded ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Hound is posed, like many ''Robot Heroes'', in a squat crouching pose. However, he has a few noteworthy aspects: he's one of the few Generation 1 characters to be sculpted with a handheld weapon. More surprising than that, Hound is the ''most'' articulated Generation 1 Robot Hero, having swivel joints at his head, shoulders and ''waist''.

:Hound was only available in a two-pack with [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Robot Heroes|Blitzwing]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHHound/hound.htm More information on ''Robot Heroes'' Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Speed Stars''===
====''Stealth Force''====
[[File:StealthForce Hound toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Missile launcher converts to missile launcher and back!]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Basic, [[2010]])
:''[[Speed Stars]]'' "Autobot Hound" is part of the "Stealth Force" sub-line, consisting of vehicles without robot modes, but with plenty of flip-out panels with hidden weapons. The toy is a Jeep Hurricane approximation that's nearly identical to Hound's ''Universe'' Deluxe Class toy, about 5% larger in length and height and about 10% larger in width. The similarities with ''Universe'' Hound aren't limited to the general vehicle design, but extend to almost absurdly faithfully recreated details such as the design of the rims, the tire patterns and even the prongs in the back that were used to attach [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] on ''Universe'' Hound (sculpted in their retracted state on "Stealth Force" Hound). The biggest liberties, oddly enough, have been taken with the design of the dashboard.

:Hound's "Stealth Force" gimmick is triggered either by pulling out the front bumper or any medium amount of impact, which activates an auto-transformation mechanism that extracts all four wheels sideways and reveals non-firing weapons in the vehicle's hood, fenders, doors and trunk, and an extracting (non-concealed) missile launcher above the co-driver's seat.

:His [[package art]] is directly recycled from ''Universe'' Autobot Hound.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/SFHound/hound.htm More information on Stealth Force Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
[[File:SDCC2013Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And don't forget the new ''G.I. Joe'' vehicles and playsets! There's the Troop Carrier, the Troop Transport, and the Action Figure Storage Truck!]]
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' (2013)
**''Accessories:'' two gas canisters, portable gear pack, utility shovel
:A [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]], first available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013 and later made available via the Hasbro Toy Shop website, this is a [[redeco]] of the 2008 [[mold|sculpt]] of the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[VAMP]] as "Autobot Hound". Hound seats two figures, and features an opening hood to reveal engine detailing, as well as a tilting and rotating machine gun emplacement. A utility shovel clipped on the hood and two gas cannisters stowed in the back can be removed and held by compatible Joes.

:The set also comes with a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] representing [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], 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, a [[Bludgeon (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Bludgeon]] figure, and a [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Blaster]] boombox 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'' [https://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.

::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/13/autobothound/ More information on Autobot Hound at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===''The Loyal Subjects''===
[[File:Houndtls.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|A card-carrying member of the FOC Sideswipe club.]]
*'''Hound''' (2014)
:[[The Loyal Subjects]] Hound is a wave 3 chase figure, with standard articulation. He does not have any special gimmicks, and appears to be based on the original toy. For every 48 figures, there is one Hound.
{{-}}{{anchor|The Loyal Subjects G2}}
*'''Hound "G2" Ed.''' (2014)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

===Bouncing Ball Heads===
[[File:BouncingBallHead Hound.jpg|upright=1.22|thumb]]
*'''Hound''' (2017)
:"Bouncing Ball Head" Hound is a small, super deformed figurine with a removable head that doubles as a bouncy ball. An Autobot logo is tampographed on the back of his head and his name is written under his feet.

:He is (apparently) available in both gacha-style machines and in an 8-pack with the whole collection, and comes inside a spherical capsule with a unique baby blue color.

:Despite clearly representing Generation 1 characters, the collection is advertised as a 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' product.

{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W1AutobotHound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound, Long-Range Scout''' (2018)
**'''Wave 1'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T03/T40'''
**''Stars: ''8
:Autobot Hound, Long-Range Scout is one of forty double-sided character cards available in Wave 1 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]].

:The artwork on the card is reused from the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game, and is based on the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Transformers: Universe]]'' Hound toy. The line-art for the Bot Mode was drawn by [[Dan Khanna]].
{{-}}

[[File:W3SergeantHound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sergeant Hound, Infantry-Recon''' (2019)
**'''Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T43/T48'''
**''Stars: ''9
:Sergeant Hound, Infantry-Recon is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], War for Cybertron: Siege I.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Hound toy, with the Bot Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art (including the pretooled [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)|Hot Shot]] head), and with original Alt Mode artwork (line-art by [[Dan Khanna]], colors by [[Volta]]).
{{-}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Hound''' (20??)
{{toydesigner|[[Akira Amemiya]] (concept artist)}}
:Announced by [[Flame Toys]], this Hound will be part of the ''Furai Model'' line of {{w|Gundam model|Gunpla}}-style non-transforming articulated model kits.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===''Pop!''===
*'''Hound''' ([[Funko Pop!#Digital Pop! NFTs|Digital ''Pop!'']], 2022)
**''Rarity:''
***''Monochrome:'' '''Common'''
***''Static:'' '''Common'''
***''Glowing:'' '''Uncommon'''
***''Chrome:'' '''Rare'''
***''Original'': '''Rare'''
:{{W|Non-fungible token|NFT}}s depicting Hound in the [[Funko Pop!|Funko]] Style.
<center><gallery heights=200>
File:TRANSFORMERS_COMMON_HOUND_MONOCHROME.gif
File:TRANSFORMERS_COMMON_HOUND_STATIC.gif
File:TRANSFORMERS_UNCOMMON_HOUND_GLOW.gif
File:TRANSFORMERS_RARE_HOUND_REDCHROME.gif|Red is sus.
File:TRANSFORMERS_RARE_HOUND_ORIGINAL.gif
</gallery></center>
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Universe Hound concept.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
*Perhaps as a complement to the unreleased [[#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' Auto Roller front loader toy]] of Hound, Hasbro's early plans for ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' included a [[McDonald's]] vehicular [[Auto Roller (G2)|Auto Roller]] toy of Hound as a steam shovel.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The last proposed Happy Meal Transformers were not the familiar Beast Wars animals, and would have included Prowl, Starscream, Hound and Rumble as Vehicle Auto Rollers, functionally similar to the Creature Auto Rollers.|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CJIcRo5Aqym/|name=@roboticplanettoys|site=Instagram|year=2020|month=12|day=23}}</ref>
*The ''Alternators'' version of Hound was originally planned as a Jeep Rubicon, sporting a slightly different transformation that would have somewhat reduced the back kibble. Presumably, the change from the Rubicon to the Wrangler was due to Jeep wanting their more common model featured.
*The Japanese book [[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 1|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 1]] contains concept art (by [[Don Figueroa]]) for an earlier version of ''Universe'' Hound, resembling a Humvee instead of the Jeep form of the final figure.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]

Hound (G1)/toys

2023-06-19T09:45:35Z

MBG:

{{suite}}
[[File:G1 packageart Hound.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
Just because '''Hound''' wasn't yellow enough to be a [[kid-appeal character]] doesn't mean that he doesn't have a lot of toys.

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}
[[File:G1Hound toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Short but sweet.]]
*'''Hound''' (Autobot, [[1984]]/[[1985]])
**''Takara ID number:'' '''02'''
**''Accessories:'' "[[Hologram gun]]", poseable [[machine gun]], missile launcher, 3 [[missile]]s, spare tire, gas can
{{toydesigner|[[Kōjin Ōno]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Hound was released as part of the initial Autobot assortment in 1984, transforming into a [https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1983/2019845/mitsubishi_jeep_j59.html Mitsubishi Jeep J59]. Mounted on the back of the [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is a large, [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum metallized]] silver machine gun turret which doesn't really go anywhere in [[robot mode]]. Other vehicle accessories include a spare tire and a fuel canister which also don't really go anywhere in robot mode.

:In robot mode, Hound is armed with a large, silver "holographic rifle" and a shoulder-mounted, spring-loaded, firing rocket launcher with three silver projectiles. The US version of this launcher had severely weakened springs [[for safety reasons]]. Due to his transformation, he ends up considerably smaller than the rest of the [[Autobot Cars]] in this mode.
.

:The strip sticker numbered #10 on Hound's [[sticker]] sheet is supposed to be two stickers, which belong on either side of the waist. As the sticker is a single strip, and this placement isn't shown in the instructions, one often comes across Hound sticker sheets on the secondary market with solely #10 left unapplied!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=If you look at Hound’s sticker application map, there is no mention of #10. Hilariously, looking on Google and eBay, I found used Hound stickersheets with only sticker #10 remaining on the sheet! I was clearly not the first person to have this problem. Looking more closely at the instruction book seen above, I noticed in the transformation images, sticker #10 could be seen applied to Hound! There they were, on the sides of his waist…|name=Maz|site=TFsource|title=News to Me – 2018 Edition|year=2018|month=05|day=13}}</ref> To recreate the intended placement, one must cut the sticker in half, placing the halves with the red sections at the back of Hound's waist. The instructions also incorrectly swap stickers #14 and #15 across the arms, so they don't fit properly.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=My incorrect assumption was that it was just an error for the Detritus stickersheet, but I see now on this reissue TFC Hound that it too has a single piece sticker for #10, it too was left unsplit! I don't believe the vintage Hound sticker #10 is split either, which once more explains why so many vintage Hounds simply do not have that correctly applied, or applied at all! But, sticker #10 on the Diaclone stickersheet... is split! [...] The sticker on the side of the waist is hard to see at the best of times, but it consists of 4 yellow/black rectangles and a red capsule shape, all in a row. The Transformers instructions show the red capsule being placed nearest the front of the waist, but all the Diaclone literature and art show it being the 4 rectangles that are closer to the front of the waist, and the red capsule shape being towards the back of the waist. [...] Stickers #14 and #15 go on Hound's forearms/wrists, but both the vintage and reissue Transformers instructions tell you to put #14 on his right forearm, and #15 on the left. This is incorrect, and will end up causing those L-shaped stickers to sit in a way that does not cover the length of the forearm, as well as causing an ill fit around the wrist. Detritus has the same issue, too, by the way.|link=https://tfsquareone.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-mysterious-g1-hound-stickers.html|name=Maz|site=TFsquareone|title=The Mysterious G1 Hound Stickers|year=2023|month=03|day=11}}</ref>

: This mold was originally released in 1982 in Takara's ''[[Diaclone]]'' line as the "J59 Jeep", coming with a blue-and-white pilot figure and several IP-infringing decals. This mold was also used to make the [[e-HOBBY]] [[exclusive]] [[Detritus (G1)#Toys|Detritus]].

::*''[http://www.transformerland.com/wiki/toy-info/transformers-g1-autobot-cars-hound/51/ Patent info, price guide, and further reading on Hound at Transformerland.com]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Hound/hound.htm More information on Generation 1 Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:Un autorollers.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Sgt. Hound. Starring Steve Martin. (Hound is the white payloader.)]]
*'''Sgt. Hound''' (Auto Roller, <s>1995</s>)
**''Accessories'': 4 missiles
:A [[redeco]] of the [[Auto Roller (G2)|Auto Roller]] [[Roadblock (G2)#Generation 2|Roadblock]] was planned for release in 1995 as "Sgt. Hound", but was one of several redecos and molds that were canceled with the end of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' line]]. He would have transformed into a payloader. As an Auto Roller, a switch on his vehicle mode back end connects a gearing mechanism attached to his rear axle, which makes him [[autotransformation|autotransform]] from vehicle to robot mode when pushed forward, and back when pulled in reverse. His right arm ends in a spring-loaded missile launcher, while his left features a spring-gear-activated spinning circular saw. All four of his missiles can be stowed on his rear wheel wells. No known samples of the toy have surfaced.

:This mold was also used to make [[Autocrusher#Beast Wars|Autocrusher]] from ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1998 (Beast Wars II)|Beast Wars II]]''.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G2Gobot}}
[[File:G2GoBotsUnmadeJeepAndCar.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|We don't even exist among stuff that doesn't exist.]]
* "'''Hound'''" (Go-Bot, <s>1995</s>)
**''Accessories'': Rifle
:Part of the canceled fourth wave of ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bots]], Hound's [[alternate mode]] would have been a green military SUV with [[tampograph]]ed "U.S. Army" and "19HOUND960" markings. In robot mode, he would have featured magenta parts. Sadly, he was one of the two unreleased G2 Go-Bot sculpts (alongside a [[Purple Mercedes Go-Bot|purple Mercedes-Benz character]]) whose [[mold]]s were apparently lost; therefore the Hound sculpt was not even included with a later release of the other four unreleased molds as part of the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] line.

:While unpainted [[prototype]]s of the sculpt had found their way into collectors' hands and the name "Hound" had even been rumored in association with the toy, it wasn't until 2014 that a fully painted sample surfaced, confirming the name for the first time. Shortly afterwards, the (repeatedly delayed) book ''[[Legacy: The Art of Transformers Packaging]]'' was released, which featured the [[package art]] that would have been used for Hound had he been released, alongside those of [[Rumble (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Rumble]], "[[Crash Test (G2)#Toys|4X]]", and "[[911#Toys|911]]".

{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

===''Alternators''/''Binaltech''===
{{anchor|Alternators}}[[File:Alternators Hound toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Wrangling our hearts.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' ([[2004]])
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''3'''
**''Binaltech ID number:'' '''BT-04'''
**''Accessories'': Pistol
{{toydesigner|[[Mark McCall]] (Hasbro), [[Hironori Kobayashi]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:For the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line, Hound's vehicle mode was updated to a ([[licensed vehicle alternate modes|licensed]]) 1:24 scale {{w|Jeep Wrangler}}, with opening doors, hood (with mock engine bay) and tailgate, and a detailed interior. Hound also features [[rubber tires]] and a working, spring-loaded suspension system, similar to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary/Masterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]], but lacks steering. In robot mode, he greatly resembles both the original toy in detail and the Generation 1 [[character model|cartoon model]] in proportions and personality. In this form, Hound is armed with a holographic projector gun stored inside his spare tire.

:The Japanese ''Binaltech'' version of the toy is largely identical to the [[Hasbro]] version, except for the use of painted [[die-cast]] metal for numerous vehicle mode panels.

:This sculpt was [[retool]]ed into ''Alternators/Binaltech'' [[Swindle (G1)/toys#Alternators|Swindle]], who was then [[redeco]]ed into ''Alternators'' [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]].

::*[[Source:Transformers Binaltech bios#4|Archive of ''Binaltech'' Hound's bio and tech specs]]
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AltHound/hound.htm More info on Alternators Hound at TFU.info]''
{{AlternatorsHoundMold}}
{{--}}

===''The Transformers Collection''===
*'''Hound''' (2004)
**''ID number:'' '''14'''

:In 2004, the original Hound toy was [[Generation 1 reissues|reissued]] by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] as part of their their ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' "bookbox" reissue series. Apparently, Takara had to repair (or even recast) the [[mold]]; the reissue features several sculpting differences compared to a vintage specimen: The top end of the Jeep grille bars is now straight instead of rounded off, the headlights have sculpted detail added, the windshield hinges are more rounded off, and the formerly sharp facial details look very washed out.<ref name="reissuecomp">[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/g1-1984/hound/1670/2/ Seibertron gallery of the Transformers Collection Hound reissue], including comparisons with a vintage G1 Hound.</ref>
{{picsneeded}}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
{{anchor|2008legend}}
[[File:Hounduniverselegends.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Legends, [[2008]])
**''Series'': Classic Series
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the second wave of ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] figures (but the first wave to feature new-mold items, not simply ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]''-series [[redeco]]es), the first ''Universe'' Hound toy is sculpted to closely resemble his Generation 1 design, particularly in the way his vehicle mode resembles a somewhat outdated, old-fashioned army Jeep. For legal reasons, the vehicle mode has been slightly tweaked, such as sporting squared headlights and horizontal vents in the front grille, as compared to the characteristic round headlights/vertical grille vents design of a real-life Jeep. Due to his small size and [[size class|price point]], he has no weapon in either mode.

:This mold was also used to make [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Hunt for the Decepticons'']] [[Hound (Movie)#Transformers .282010.29|Tracker Hound]]. It is also the basis for the non-toy character [[Mito Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/LegendsHound/hound.htm More information on Universe Legends Hound at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Univ2008Dx}}
[[File:TFU08-toy HoundDeluxe.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Cats and dogs. Geddit? ''Do you get it?'']]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, 2008)
**''Series'': Generation 1 Series
**''Accessories'': Missile launcher
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro), [[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Don Figueroa]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the fourth wave of ''Universe'' Deluxe Class toys, this version of Hound is more of an evolution of the character rather than the reproduction the Legends class toy represents. His vehicle mode resembles a {{w|Jeep Hurricane}} concept car, once again with a modified front section that avoids the [[trademark]] Jeep look with round headlights and vertical grille vents. Hound features his familiar (non-firing) rocket launcher, which clips to the back of his seats in vehicle mode, and can be either hand-held or shoulder-mounted in robot mode (Although the latter is by no means a secure fit, and will fall off with the slightest touch.) In the area of "undocumented features", the soles of Hound's feet can pivot inwards, providing more stability for wide-stanced poses.

:Hound's vehicle-mode back-end has a pair of flip-up tabs, which are used to secure the [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Ravage figure]] included with Hound, when Ravage is put into his "capture mode" (aka "oversized audio cassette" form). Other [[Mini-Cassette]] Transformers can fit there too, though not as well as the new Ravage.

:Hasbro's initial "hand-painted digitally touched-up prototype" [[stock photography|stock photos]] featured a slightly different color layout for Hound, with a black bullbar (painted silver on the final toy) and entirely reversed arm colors: the original stock photos feature green shoulders, black forearms with three yellow stripes and green fists, whereas the final toy has the entire arm cast out of black plastic and the ''forearms'' painted over in green, with only one thick yellow stripe per arm.

:This mold was also used to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Scorch (G1)#Timelines|Turbomaster]] and served as the basis of the non-toy [[Hound (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' incarnation of Hound]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TFUHound/hound.htm More information on Universe Deluxe Hound at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Henkei! Henkei!''===
[[File:Henkei houndravage.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|A friend to all the animals.]]
*'''Hound''' ([[December 27]], 2008)
**''ID number:'' '''C-13'''
**''Accessories'': Missile launcher
{{toydesigner|[[Alex Kubalsky]] (TakaraTomy)}}

:The Japanese version of ''Universe'' Deluxe Class Hound, ''[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'' Hound is primarily cast in a darker shade of green plastic for a better match to his original toy and appearances in fiction. Where ''Universe'' Hound had white plastic, ''Henkei'' Hound replaces it with grey, and overall has more elaborate paint applications, such as the toy-homaging yellow stripe around the edges of his hood and silver paint on his hubcaps. As with all ''Henkei! Henkei!'' toys, Hound has [[Vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metallized]] plastic, specifically his grill guard, albeit in an unusually dark color to make it resemble dark polished metal.
{{--}}

===''Chronicle''===
[[File:EZCollectionHoundToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Hound''' (EZ Collection, [[2011]])

:''[[Transformers Chronicle (toyline)|Chronicle]]'' Hound is a very slight redeco of the ''Universe'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Autobot Hound toy, with the front windshield's black paint replaced with the same gunmetal paint used for the legs. Like other ''Chronicle'' Legends toys, he is sold in a blindpacked box.

===''EZ Collection'' (2013)===
{{anchor|EZCollection2013}}
*'''Hound''' (EZ Collection, [[2013]])
**''ID number'': '''EG05'''

: Hound was released again in the 2013 ''[[EZ Collection]]'' series. It is uncertain what, if any, changes were made to this from the above ''Chronicle'' release.

{{-}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:BStoy-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' ([[2013]])
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''B012'''
***''Fist strength'': '''730'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''609'''
***''Sword strength'': '''277'''
:Part of the third wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 2 single-packs, Blitz Shot "Autobot Hound" is a [[redeco]] of [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Bot Shots|Series 1 Ironhide]], transforming into a teeny pickup truck (with spoiler) with an [[Autotransformation|automatic, spring-loaded 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.

:This mold was also used to make [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)#Bot Shots|Super Bot Dirt Boss]] and [[Swindle (G1)#Bot Shots|Swindle]].
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy HoundKreon unreleased.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Where did you come from, where did you go?]]
*'''???''' (???, <s>2011</s>)
**''Accessories'': Large rifle
:A [[Kreon]] version of Hound was shown at numerous conventions in 2011 as part of a large ''[[Kre-O]]'' display; early appearances had him with shoddy stickers instead of [[tampograph]]s (but he was far from the only one), but later appearances used production samples. Samples of release-ready Hounds in sealed bags (as he would have appeared in sets) have since surfaced.

:However, it is still unknown just how Hound was originally planned to be released. It seems most likely he was going to be packed in with another character's large-build set, but ''who'' that was is unknown.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|CustomKreon}}
[[File:Hound (Kre-O).jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Custom Kreon, [[2014]])
**''Set number'': '''A7317'''
**''Pieces'': '''42'''
**''Accessories'': Rack, buildable gatling gun, bazooka, jetpack, door-wing backpack
:Part of the second assortment of "Custom Kreons", Hound comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. The plastics of his torso, arms and legs have a metal-flake sheen, and his similarly-shiny [[tampograph]]s are based on the [[#Generation 1|original Hound toy]]. His "normal" helmet and bazooka are [[Vacuum metallizing|chromed]], 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 gatling gun, a buildable jetpack, and the door-wing backpack.

:Though widely solicited, this wave of Custom Kreons ultimately never saw release outside of the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online store and Chinese-market distribution circles.

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:KreO-Toy HoundC84.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Set number'': '''B0090'''
**''Voted'': "Friendliest"
**''Accessories'': Heavy machine gun
:This version of Hound, part of the [[Kreon Class of 1984]], is based once again on the original Hound, with much more detailing based ''heavily'' on the original toy. He uses the Hound-style helmet as expected.

:He was only available in a pack of 30 Kreons dubbed "Class of 1984". This set was made for sale at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014. Remaining stock would have been sold at the [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] website, but the set sold out at the show.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OHound/hound.htm More information on Class of 1984 Hound at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BattleChanger}}
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Battle Changer, [[2015]])
**''Set number'': '''B2691'''
**''Pieces'': '''87'''
**''Accessories'': Long rifle, rocket launcher
:Part of the second round of Battle Changers, Hound has a Kreon core, but the limbs and body are all built up using bricks, resulting in a toy that can change from robot to jeep without disassembly/reassembly.

: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.
{{--}}

===''Construct-Bots''===
[[File:ConstructBots Elite Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
* '''Hound''' (Elite Class, 2013)
{{toydesigner|[[Andrew Scribner]] (deco artist)}}

:''[[Construct-Bots]]'' Hound transforms from a jeep-like vehicle. He includes a small hand-held blaster as well as a shoulder mounted piece that evokes the hologram projector.

:Most of his parts were used to make [[Breakdown (WFC)#Construct-Bots|Breakdown]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/CBHound/hound.htm More information on Hound at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Q-Transformers''===
[[File:QTransformers Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Perfect for going camping in.]]
*'''Hound''' ([[March 21]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''QT-15'''
:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Hound transforms from a [[super deformed]] Suzuki Hustler to a cute little robot. He comes with a code for unlocking Hound as a playable character in the ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns]]'' game.

:This mold was retooled into ''Q-Transformers'' [[Skids (G1)#Q-Transformers|Skids]].
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:BotCon2015toy-Sgt Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sgt. Hound''' (Deluxe Class, 2015)
:Available only at [[BotCon 2015]] in a 2-pack with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Timelines|General Optimus Prime]], Sgt. Hound is a retool of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Scoop (G1)#Generations|Scoop]] based on the cancelled [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]] [[#Generation 2|Sgt. Hound]] toy, transforming into a payloader. He comes with [[Dia Cinders|Dia]] and [[Cline]], who transform into guns that can be held by Hound or plugged into pegholes his arms and legs.

:This mold was also redecoed, sans one Targetmaster, into ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)#Japanese toyline|Adventure]]'' [[Roadblock (RID)|Roadblock]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/BCSgtHound/hound.htm More information on ''Timelines'' Sgt. Hound at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Generations''===
{{anchor|Specialist}}
[[File:TF-Specialist-Autobots-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Specialist: Autobots''' (Multi-pack, [[March 25]], 2014)
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, Ravage figure
:''Universe'' Deluxe Hound was re-released in a three-pack with ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Generations|Mirage]] and ''Universe'' [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#Generations|Ironhide]], available from Hasbro Asia and [[TakaraTomy Mall]]. All three Autobots feature new metallic paint decos, and the set's [[package art]] links up to the contemporaneously-released "Specialist: Decepticons" set to form a complete image. At select stores in Asia, the set was available with a free Autobot insignia earphone cap plug.
{{--}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CWDlxHound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Giving combiners the power of Afterimages.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2016]])
**'''2 OF 5: [[Sky Reign]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
:Part of the sixth wave of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Deluxe Class toys, "Autobot Hound" is a [[retool]] of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Swindle (G1)#Combiner Wars|Swindle]] (himself an extensive retooling of [[Rook (CW)#Generations|Rook]]), transforming into a militarized jeep of indeterminable, likely-made-up model. In addition to a new head, his toy benefits from a [[Variant|running change]] from Swindle that adds two small nubs onto the rear of his smaller weapon, which allows it to be attached to his backpack as an over-shoulder blaster.

:As a ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe figure, Hound can combine with any compatible Voyager-class mold as either an arm or a leg, but his nominal placement is as [[Sky Reign]]'s left arm. He can also combine with [[Godbomber#Legends|''Legends'' Godbomber]] as a leg.

:Unfortunately, due to the internal molding of his shins, repeatedly transforming Hound will eventually create horizontal scratch marks across the hip parts of his thighs.

:Hound comes with a copy of ''The Transformers'' #41 (''Combiner Wars'' Part 4), "[[You, Me, and the Universe]]". In Canada, Latin America, and Europe, he was available in different types of [[multilingual packaging]] including a character card featuring his comic book cover/[[package art]] instead. He and the last three waves of ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe and Voyager figures later showed up at TJ Maxx at reduced prices with the collector card.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/CWHound/hound.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Hound at TFU.info]''
{{CWRookMold}}
{{--}}

===''Unite Warriors''===
[[File:TF-Unite-Warriors-UW-EX-Hound.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Lynxmaster''' (giftset, [[October 29]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''UW-EX'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, axe, double-barreled gun/fist/foot
:''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' Hound is a redeco of his ''Combiner Wars'' toy with new and different paint details based on his cartoon appearance, including various yellow stripes, a star on his shoulder, and the replacement of the star on his hood with an Autobot insignia. Aside from the mold's established accessories, Hound includes an axe from the Offroad mold. He was only available in a [[TakaraTomy Mall]]-exclusive [[Sky Reign#Unite Warriors 2|Lynxmaster]] multi-pack.
{{CWRookMold}}
{{--}}

===''Alt-Modes''===
[[File:Alt-Modes-toy Hound.jpg|upright=1.22|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Alt-Modes, 2017)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Collection'': '''1'''

:''[[Alt-Modes]]'' Hound is a super deformed toy whose body transforms into a jeep when the Autobot faction symbol on his head is flipped. He was [[Blindpacking|blind-boxed]] and available in the first and only case of the second series.
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
[[File:War-for-Cybertron-Siege-Deluxe-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2019]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-S9'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SG-12'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[March 30]], [[2019]]'''
**''Hidden message code'': '''MACCADAMS'''
**''Accessories'': "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster," "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," ammo clip (combine to form "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster")
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]]<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Evan didn't work on Siege. The Hound thing was just something John Warden showed him at the time.|link=https://discord.com/channels/656241088826441729/656248887534944265/1072287364543688754|name=Matthew Karpowich|site=the TFWiki Discord server, reporting on the day's Fan Q&A|year=2023|month=02|day=06}}</ref> and [[Aaron Gray]] (Hasbro)|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Deluxe Class figures, Hound transforms from robot to Cybertronian jeep and back. He includes the "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster" and "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," which are compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]], and can combine to form the "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster," or can be mounted onto his shoulder. The Refraction Blaster comes with a detachable ammo clip, which can be stored in the bed of the jeep. Hound's colors are more subdued than his other figures, and he also features "battle damage" paint applications on his bullbar and shins, as well as multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the [[Battle Master]]s assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions.

:His vehicle mode has a sculpted winch, in the center of which is a hole. If some thread is fed through, this makes his winch somewhat functional.

:Though designated for release in the first quarter of 2019, Hound's wave reached U.S. store shelves in late 2018.

:This mold was redecoed into ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)#Netflix|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Hound (below), and retooled into ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)#Generations|Hot Shot]]. In an artistic error, Hound was depicted with Hot Shot's head on his [[:File:Siege-Hound-art.jpg|package art]], long before the latter retool was officially revealed. Additionally, Hound's [https://tfwiki.net/mediawiki/images2/archive/c/cf/20181011015637%21War-for-Cybertron-Siege-Deluxe-Hound.jpg earliest computer-generated stock images] depicted him with an opaque green windshield, rather than the translucent windshield of the final product.

::*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O09YJahH8Lg Official conversion video at the TRANSFORMERS OFFICIAL YouTube channel]''
::*''[http://www.transformers-universe.com/include.php?path=content/content.php&contentid=3551 More information on Siege Hound at Transformers-Universe.com]''
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:MP-47 Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Unfortunately, does not come with [[Halonix Maximus]] accessory.]]
*'''Hound''' ([[December 26]], [[2019]])
**''ID number'': '''MP-47'''
**''Accessories'': 2 side mirrors, Hologram gun, machine gun, spare tire, gas can, key, roof cover/shield, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Spike Witwicky]] figure, hologram effect, hologram pilot. smiling face, screaming face
:''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Hound transforms from a licensed Jeep CJ-3B to a show-accurate robot, down to the [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|shrunken]] back wheels on the sides of his feet.

:Accessories for this figure include two alternate faces (as is the standard for modern ''Masterpiece'' releases), his hologram gun (with a hologram shooting effect part), the car-mounted machine gun, a spare tire and gas can, plus a bunch of specific episode-related accessories: a figure of Spike Witwicky to represent their relation in the original 3-parter, plus the hologram driver he briefly showcased in "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]" and the key for [[Ravage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ravage]]'s cage from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 3]]". His final accessory deviates from the usual bunch of toy and cartoon-related accessories and it's entirely new: a roof cover that turns into a shield, apparently inspired by the one found on [[Hound (Movie)#Movie The Best|his live action counterpart's ''Movie The Best'' toy]] or perhaps by the folding roof that he deploys briefly in "[[Atlantis, Arise!]]". As an additional note, his head features a flip-out face shield, representing the one he used in the underwater scenes from "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2".

:Due to the engineering, the spare tire, the gas can, and the machine gun can fold up inside his feet in robot mode without the need for [[partsformer|partsforming]], but they can still be stored inside the roof cover, along with the cage key and the alternate face accessories, with the pipe and handle parts of the hologram gun being stored under the unfoldable panels in each of his lower legs.

:His jeep mode features an opening hood, and while it mainly just reveals his arms and head, there is an engine piece put in to hide his face. As an unfortunate side effect, there is a risk of the engine block piece chipping the paint on his face. He can be left faceless for the transformation, although the third face piece doesn't have room for storing it anywhere.

:For other quality control issues, the lower end of the painted thighs can also easily chip off due to the friction between the piece and the lower legs. Probably due to tolerance or design failure (or both), the panels that cover the rear section of the lower legs are prone to breaking. There have also been many reports of this figure's parts developing cracks with minimal or even ''no'' handling, prompting speculation about an unstable plastic mix.

:Per the brand unification of TakaraTomy and Hasbro, Hound was directly released with no changes by [[Hasbro Pulse]] in the United States and Canada.
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Netflix-WFC-Series-Deluxe-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2020]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''WFC-02'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[September 26]], 2020'''
**''Accessories:'' "W-5 Holo-Beam Refraction Blaster," "RT-10 IR Electro-Scope Launcher," ammo clip (combine to form "HD Vector-Beam Mega-Blaster")
:Promoting the ''Siege'' season of the [[Netflix]] [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon]], this redeco of ''Siege'' Hound slathers the Autobot in an ''extensive'' paint wash coating to represent accumulated grime and battle scars.

:Unfortunately, there have been several reports of Hound's neck stem being too stiff and snapping right off.
{{-}}

===''Buzzworthy Bumblebee''===
[[File:TF-Buzzworthy-Bumblebee-Deluxe-Hound.jpg|thumb|300px|Just whisper your complaints very quietly into the mouth of the CareHound.]]
* '''Autobot Hound''' (Deluxe Class, [[2023]]?)
**''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
**''Accessories:'' Rocket launcher, hologram gun

:''[[Buzzworthy Bumblebee]]'' ''[[Studio Series|Studio Series 86]]'' Hound is a heavy retool of the above ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' figure, presumably transforming into a Jeep. He comes with his rocket launcher and hologram gun.

:Much like the rest of ''Buzzworthy Bumblebee'', Hound was exclusive to [[Target]] in the United States and was first revealed via online listings with no prior announcement from Hasbro.

{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers Retro''===
[[File:TFRetro-Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|If I had a nickel for every time a retailer exclusive 1986 movie-branded Hound figure was made, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Walmart exclusive reissue/redeco, [[2023]])
**''Accessories:'' "[[Hologram gun]]", poseable [[machine gun]], missile launcher, 3 [[missile]]s, spare tire, gas can

:The original Hound toy was reissued by Hasbro for western markets for the very first time in 2023 in the ''[[Transformers Retro]]'' line. This release, which was given specific ''The Transformers: The Movie'' branding, gives the mold a redeco with colors based on his original cartoon character model. All of Hound's chromed details are now cast in very light silver plastic, and instead of using stickers for detailing he has tampographs and paint applications. He retains his die-cast metal and rubber tires though. While his missiles were not modified [[for safety reasons]], his launcher's firing ability has been neutered.

:Of note is the fact Hound is now a licensed Jeep product, which may explain how this version sports a new 2023 date stamp, pointing to the likelihood of a repaired or "resurrected" mold for this release. Hey, it's been nineteen years since the [[The Transformers Collection|''Transformers Collection'']] reissue, which was also repaired compared to the 1984 original. This mold features all the changes made for that release.

:Retro Hound was released as a [[Walmart]] exclusive in the United States.

{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===''Transformers Milk Caramel''===
[[File:Tfcaramel hound.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Stick him right in your trail mix.]]
*'''Hound''' (1985)
:A soft rubber figurine—known in Japan as a ''keshigomu''— of Hound was released as part of the second wave of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' [[candy toy]] range. He came packaged with chocolate-covered caramel candies, and was available in red, blue, and yellow.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:Decoy hound.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9]]
*'''Cybertron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
:Hound 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, Hound 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. Hound 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.

*'''Hound''' ([[1987]])
**''Decoy number:'' '''17'''
: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/Hound/hound.htm More information on Decoy Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Robot Heroes''===
[[File:Robotheroeshoundblitzwing.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Not included: Awkwardly-positioned Spike.]]
*'''Autobot Hound & Blitzwing''' (Two-pack, [[2008]])
{{toydesigner|[[Bill Rawley]] (Hasbro)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (concept artist)}}

:Released in the first wave of ''Universe''-branded ''[[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]]'', Hound is posed, like many ''Robot Heroes'', in a squat crouching pose. However, he has a few noteworthy aspects: he's one of the few Generation 1 characters to be sculpted with a handheld weapon. More surprising than that, Hound is the ''most'' articulated Generation 1 Robot Hero, having swivel joints at his head, shoulders and ''waist''.

:Hound was only available in a two-pack with [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Robot Heroes|Blitzwing]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/RHHound/hound.htm More information on ''Robot Heroes'' Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Speed Stars''===
====''Stealth Force''====
[[File:StealthForce Hound toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Missile launcher converts to missile launcher and back!]]
*'''Autobot Hound''' (Basic, [[2010]])
:''[[Speed Stars]]'' "Autobot Hound" is part of the "Stealth Force" sub-line, consisting of vehicles without robot modes, but with plenty of flip-out panels with hidden weapons. The toy is a Jeep Hurricane approximation that's nearly identical to Hound's ''Universe'' Deluxe Class toy, about 5% larger in length and height and about 10% larger in width. The similarities with ''Universe'' Hound aren't limited to the general vehicle design, but extend to almost absurdly faithfully recreated details such as the design of the rims, the tire patterns and even the prongs in the back that were used to attach [[Ravage (G1)/toys|Ravage]] on ''Universe'' Hound (sculpted in their retracted state on "Stealth Force" Hound). The biggest liberties, oddly enough, have been taken with the design of the dashboard.

:Hound's "Stealth Force" gimmick is triggered either by pulling out the front bumper or any medium amount of impact, which activates an auto-transformation mechanism that extracts all four wheels sideways and reveals non-firing weapons in the vehicle's hood, fenders, doors and trunk, and an extracting (non-concealed) missile launcher above the co-driver's seat.

:His [[package art]] is directly recycled from ''Universe'' Autobot Hound.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Autobot/SFHound/hound.htm More information on Stealth Force Hound at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
[[File:SDCC2013Hound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And don't forget the new ''G.I. Joe'' vehicles and playsets! There's the Troop Carrier, the Troop Transport, and the Action Figure Storage Truck!]]
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' (2013)
**''Accessories:'' two gas canisters, portable gear pack, utility shovel
:A [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] [[exclusive]], first available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013 and later made available via the Hasbro Toy Shop website, this is a [[redeco]] of the 2008 [[mold|sculpt]] of the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' [[VAMP]] as "Autobot Hound". Hound seats two figures, and features an opening hood to reveal engine detailing, as well as a tilting and rotating machine gun emplacement. A utility shovel clipped on the hood and two gas cannisters stowed in the back can be removed and held by compatible Joes.

:The set also comes with a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] representing [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], 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, a [[Bludgeon (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Bludgeon]] figure, and a [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Blaster]] boombox 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'' [https://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.

::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/13/autobothound/ More information on Autobot Hound at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===''The Loyal Subjects''===
[[File:Houndtls.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|A card-carrying member of the FOC Sideswipe club.]]
*'''Hound''' (2014)
:[[The Loyal Subjects]] Hound is a wave 3 chase figure, with standard articulation. He does not have any special gimmicks, and appears to be based on the original toy. For every 48 figures, there is one Hound.
{{-}}{{anchor|The Loyal Subjects G2}}
*'''Hound "G2" Ed.''' (2014)
{{charstubtoys}}
{{-}}

===Bouncing Ball Heads===
[[File:BouncingBallHead Hound.jpg|upright=1.22|thumb]]
*'''Hound''' (2017)
:"Bouncing Ball Head" Hound is a small, super deformed figurine with a removable head that doubles as a bouncy ball. An Autobot logo is tampographed on the back of his head and his name is written under his feet.

:He is (apparently) available in both gacha-style machines and in an 8-pack with the whole collection, and comes inside a spherical capsule with a unique baby blue color.

:Despite clearly representing Generation 1 characters, the collection is advertised as a 2015 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' product.

{{-}}

===''Transformers Trading Card Game''===
[[File:W1AutobotHound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Autobot Hound, Long-Range Scout''' (2018)
**'''Wave 1'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T03/T40'''
**''Stars: ''8
:Autobot Hound, Long-Range Scout is one of forty double-sided character cards available in Wave 1 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]].

:The artwork on the card is reused from the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game, and is based on the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Transformers: Universe]]'' Hound toy. The line-art for the Bot Mode was drawn by [[Dan Khanna]].
{{-}}

[[File:W3SergeantHound.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sergeant Hound, Infantry-Recon''' (2019)
**'''Wave 3: War for Cybertron: Siege I'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T43/T48'''
**''Stars: ''9
:Sergeant Hound, Infantry-Recon is one of forty-eight double-sided character cards available in Wave 3 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], War for Cybertron: Siege I.

:The card's artwork is based on the ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Hound toy, with the Bot Mode artwork being reused from the toy's packaging art (including the pretooled [[Hot Shot (Henkei!)|Hot Shot]] head), and with original Alt Mode artwork (line-art by [[Dan Khanna]], colors by [[Volta]]).
{{-}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Hound''' (20??)
{{toydesigner|[[Akira Amemiya]] (concept artist)}}
:Announced by [[Flame Toys]], this Hound will be part of the ''Furai Model'' line of {{w|Gundam model|Gunpla}}-style non-transforming articulated model kits.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===''Pop!''===
*'''Hound''' ([[Funko Pop!#Digital Pop! NFTs|Digital ''Pop!'']], 2022)
**''Rarity:''
***''Monochrome:'' '''Common'''
***''Static:'' '''Common'''
***''Glowing:'' '''Uncommon'''
***''Chrome:'' '''Rare'''
***''Original'': '''Rare'''
:{{W|Non-fungible token|NFT}}s depicting Hound in the [[Funko Pop!|Funko]] Style.
<center><gallery heights=200>
File:TRANSFORMERS_COMMON_HOUND_MONOCHROME.gif
File:TRANSFORMERS_COMMON_HOUND_STATIC.gif
File:TRANSFORMERS_UNCOMMON_HOUND_GLOW.gif
File:TRANSFORMERS_RARE_HOUND_REDCHROME.gif|Red is sus.
File:TRANSFORMERS_RARE_HOUND_ORIGINAL.gif
</gallery></center>
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Universe Hound concept.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
*Perhaps as a complement to the unreleased [[#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' Auto Roller front loader toy]] of Hound, Hasbro's early plans for ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' included a [[McDonald's]] vehicular [[Auto Roller (G2)|Auto Roller]] toy of Hound as a steam shovel.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=The last proposed Happy Meal Transformers were not the familiar Beast Wars animals, and would have included Prowl, Starscream, Hound and Rumble as Vehicle Auto Rollers, functionally similar to the Creature Auto Rollers.|link=https://www.instagram.com/p/CJIcRo5Aqym/|name=@roboticplanettoys|site=Instagram|year=2020|month=12|day=23}}</ref>
*The ''Alternators'' version of Hound was originally planned as a Jeep Rubicon, sporting a slightly different transformation that would have somewhat reduced the back kibble. Presumably, the change from the Rubicon to the Wrangler was due to Jeep wanting their more common model featured.
*The Japanese book [[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 1|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 1]] contains concept art (by [[Don Figueroa]]) for an earlier version of ''Universe'' Hound, resembling a Humvee instead of the Jeep form of the final figure.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:TakaraTomy Mall exclusives]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]

Dinoforce

2023-03-03T23:16:16Z

MBG: /* Notes */

{{factions|decepticon}}

:''The Dinoforce are a [[Decepticon]] subgroup from the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]] portion of [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]].''
{{picsneeded}}
[[File:Dinoforce goryuisgreat.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Open the door / Get on the floor / Everybody walk the Dinoforce]]

Hailing from [[Chaar]], the '''Dinoforce''' (恐竜戦隊 ''Kyōryū Sentai'') has the combined brainpower of a melon. And not even a particularly bright melon. Looked down upon by the other Decepticons, most notably the [[Breastforce]], they are often relegated to mere grunt work, made to haul stolen [[energon]] and other supplies around. Often seen as disposable, they're typically sent in first to do the unglamorous stuff while the higher-ranking Decepticons enact the ''real'' plan.

If you need a group to mindlessly break stuff, they're your bots. But their general sloth and simple-mindedness is a massive hindrance in any situation more complex than "smash stuff and steal energy", never mind their penchant for going off-plan even when they're not just outright bungling. In general they are only somewhat efficient in combat against Autobots, mainly beating foes by sheer numbers and relentless firepower, splitting from their semi-autonomous dinosaur shells to double their number. Team leader [[Goryu (G1)|Goryu]] tries to keep them in order, but even a more competent commander would have a hard time with this crew.

And yet, despite the bickering and beatings, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more eager, tighter-knit group of soldiers in the Decepticon army. They stick up for each other and their commander through thick and thin, and put their all into every mission. You can't fault their enthusiasm.

The Dinoforce consist of:

*[[Goryu (G1)|Goryu]] (leader, ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' shell)
*[[Doryu (G1)|Doryu]] (''Stegosaurus'' shell)
*[[Gairyu]] (''Ankylosaurus'' shell)
*[[Kakuryu (G1)|Kakuryu]] (''Triceratops'' shell)
*[[Rairyu]] (''Brontosaurus'' shell)
*[[Yokuryu]] (''Pteranodon'' shell)

If things get really hairy, the six robots can combine into the colossal [[Dinoking]], whose monstrous strength is nothing to scoff at.

{{bigquote|The stupidity of you fools is as limitless as the universe.|[[Leozack]]|"[[Unite!! Multiforce]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
Clips of the Dinoforce were seen when [[Shūta Gō]] and [[Grand Maximus]] were talking about the new [[Supreme Commander]] [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink |Shūta and Grand's Masterforce Super-Secrets!}}

====''Victory'' cartoon====
[[File:Goryu and the Dinoforce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|"Let's forget our cowardice yesterday and face the Power Rangers...wait a minute."]]
{{groupstub}}

===''Victory'' comic===
During the final showdown between the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s within [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s [[Planet-Destroying Fortress|Space Stronghold]], the Dinoforce proved to be of little use against [[Galaxy Shuttle]] and the [[Victories]]. Eventually, however, Deathsaurus admitted defeat and introduced the Autobots to what he was really fighting for: the Decepticon civilians living in the city atop the Stronghold. With peace at last attained between the two factions, the Dinoforce were joyfully reunited with their precious [[Baby Dinoforce|babies]]. {{storylink|The Grand Victory War}}

==Toys==
===''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers''===
{{anchor|Victory}}
{{anchor|Dinoking}}
[[File:Victorytoy dinoking giftset.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Dinoking''' (''Dinoforce'' gift set, [[1989]])
**''ID number'': '''D-328'''

: The Dinoforce toys share the same robot molds as the [[Hasbro]] [[Pretender Monster]]s, but their shells are modeled after dinosaurs with cyborg armor attachments rather than monsters. Each one transforms into a small monster-robot, plus has a third mode as part of the combiner robot Dinoking.

: All six members of Dinoforce were available both in individual boxes, and in a complete six-piece gift set. While there are no differences in the toys themselves, the gift set 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]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
* The Dinoforce shells are notable for developing a green patina on the painted-gold portions, as well as a slimy texture over their whole surface over time. What causes this is unknown, but ''ick''. Even previously unopened samples will develop this nastiness. 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.
*The Dinoforce is unique among ''Transformers'' subgroups in that their Japanese name entirely uses native Japanese words—"''Kyōryū Sentai''", literally, the "Dinosaur Squadron". Still, Takara provided an apt English translation—"Dinoforce"—spelled out in Latin letters on the toys' pack-in cards.
*Despite being fairly regular characters, the Dinoforce never transform to their monster modes in the entire series.

===Foreign names===
*''English:'' '''Dinosaur Regiment''' ([[Omni Productions]] dub)
*''Spanish:'' '''Batallón de Dinosaurios''' (Latin America, "Dinosaur Battalion")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kǒnglóng Zhànduì''' (China, 恐龙战队, "Dinosaur Combat Team")

[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Dinoforce| ]]
[[Category:Decepticon subgroups]]
[[Category:Victory subgroups]]

Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers

2023-02-06T06:30:16Z

MBG: genuinely, how does this refute the misconception. if anything, it verifies it further. this is just complaining.

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, and mistranslations of foreign material.

Some of these myths have since been mostly forgotten as the fandom moved on, but are being preserved here for historic purposes. Others still persist to this very day, and may even evolve into fully-fledged conspiracy theories.

==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 almost four decades, 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.
{{-}}

*'''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"]].
{{-}}

[[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.

{{-}}
[[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]].

{{-}}
*'''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. 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 Wal-Mart to release the vise-like death grip they have on manufacturers' nuts 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]].
{{-}}

===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 original [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1 toys]], and possibly also the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' toys]]. 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, Whirl, and Roadbuster, for example), 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 (such as the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'', the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 Movie line]] and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]/[[Henkei! Henkei! Transformers (toyline)|Henkei! Henkei!]]'') 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]]''.
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*'''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=1.0|Let's never forget that Takara made ''this''.]]
: 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 any broad generalization, it does have some basis.

:*"Better quality" can refer to the fact that Japanese versions of individual toys sometimes have clear plastic instead of painted-on windows like [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Movie Bumblebee]], or have vac-metallized parts where the equivalent U.S. release doesn't, like [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|''Energon'' Optimus Prime/Grand Convoy]]. Or, "better" quality can refer to the fact that Japan is a less litigious society, with different toy safety laws, and Takara can thus give [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Prime]] toys old-school long smokestacks, which are now shortened in the U.S. [[for safety reasons]]. These laws also mean that [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Masterpiece Megatron]] is freely available in Japan, but hard to get in the U.S. (the exact opposite of ''real'' handguns, ironically). In the various forms of [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)#Overview|CHUG]], Takara releases also consistently boast more paint applications (for example, many ''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'' figures had painted rims, while their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' counterparts went without), something that was ironically reversed in their version of the [[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Takara Prime toyline|''Prime'' toyline]].

:*"More [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] decos" does have some basis, as Takara frequently releases its toys later than Hasbro does Stateside, and thus they are better able to reflect discrepancies between late-run changes to a character's coloration in a show (such as with the original [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] or [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|''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 add a lot of the deco that was added to the characters by [[Mainframe Entertainment]] that was not accurate to the original toys.

:*"More accessories" mostly comes from the fact that ''some'' of Takara's releases have some extra accessories, but the only cases of this before the reissues were [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s two [[sword]]s, Megatron's sword and bullets (even though the Japanese release lacked the barrel, scope and stock extensions) and clear cases from the various cassettes. Japanese reissues have included additional accessories from the cartoon (the axe, chain mace, Energon cubes and gun mode Megatron in the ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' reissues of Optimus and Megatron, Insecticons and Starscream, respectively, the Matrix from New Year's Convoy). Some ''[[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 .282008.29|Hot Shot]] due to budget constraints, and featured the original tooling for the rear bumper for their inclusion. In contrast, ''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, a similar number of such releases stay in international territories and never reach Japanese fans. 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.

:*The fields in which Takara genuinely excels Hasbro are comparably minor: Takara's [[stock photography]] generally tends 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. Likewise, Takara's [[instructions]] tend to be more detailed and useful than Hasbro's.
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*'''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.

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==Generation 1 Misconceptions==
===Toys===
====Generation 1 (1984-1990)====
{{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 and packaging art with colors they were never released in —[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], 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?
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{{anchor|JapaneseCopyright}}
*'''Some Generation 1 toy molds were in use as long ago as 1974.'''

:Some ''[[Micro Change|Microchange]]''-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 ''Microchange'' 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.
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{{anchor|Smokescreen38}}
[[File:G1 Smokescreen toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|They really did a number on him.]]
*'''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".'''

:Several of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' figures that would end up serving as the basis for the ''Transformers'' "[[Autobot Cars]]" were based on very specific real-life racing vehicles. Most of them featured sponsor decals, some of which advertized alcoholic beverages or cigarette brands. All of those sponsoring decals were subject to minimal modifications for their ''Diaclone'' releases, which were then carried over to their ''Transformers'' counterparts: Instead of "Martini" (a cocktail brand), the decals on No.14 "Porsche 935 Turbo" (which became the Autobot [[Jazz (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Jazz]]) were changed to "Martinii", with two "i"s at the end; the decals on No.16 "F-1 Ligier JS11" (which became the Autobot [[Mirage (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Mirage]]) read "Citanes" rather than "Gitanes" (a French brand of cigarettes), with a "C" instead of a "G"; one version of No.18 "Lancia Stratos Turbo" (which initially wasn't released as a Transformer, but later served as the inspiration for [[Exhaust]]) advertized a fictional company named "Marlboor" (which later became an [[Marlboor Dynamic|actual thing]]), rather than the real cigarette brand "Marlboro"; and the other version of the Lancia Stratos (which became the Autobot [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Wheeljack]]) didn't advertize the airline Alitalia, but a barely noticeable "Alitalla", with a double "l".

:It stands to reason, then, that the racing number "38" on No.11 "Fairlady Z Racing Type" (which became the Autobot [[Smokescreen (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Smokescreen]]) was similarly modified from the number "83" that is commonly seen in historic photos of the Electramotive Datsun 280ZX driven by Don Devendorf and Tony Adamowicz.

:In reality, though, the real life car ''has'' raced under both numbers, although admittedly, "38" ''is'' the more obscure number for this car compared to "83" since it was only used once, for the "6 Hours of Fuji" race on October 3, 1982.<ref name="38-1">[http://www.a2zracer.com/page84.html "Electramotive Years 1982"] at a2zracer.com.</ref><ref name="38-2">[https://teamobscurityracing.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/formula-silhouette-photo-find/ "Formula silhouette photo find."] at AusZoku.</ref><ref name="38-3">[https://www.racingsportscars.com/driver/results/Don-Devendorf-USA.html "All Results of Don Devendorf"] at Racing Sports Cars.</ref> Since that was the only time that particular car had participated in a race in Japan that year, this would explain why Takara might have considered that number to be more relevant for a Japanese audience.
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{{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.
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{{anchor|MBOptimusPrime}}
[[File:Jetfire-MB-comic.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Oddly enough, Optimus Prime can still be seen in the background.]]
*'''Optimus Prime's toy was originally not released in Europe due to a trademark conflict.'''

:When Hasbro subsidiary [[Milton Bradley]] launched the [[The Transformers (European toyline)|''Transformers'' line]] on the European continent in 1985, many prominent characters were missing, among them [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 1|Optimus Prime]]. Bizarrely, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] was branded as the Autobot leader, and depicted as such in [[The Transformers (Milton Bradley comic)|a pack-in mini-comic]]. Furthermore, Dutch publisher [[Junior Press]] initially renamed Optimus Prime into "Jetfire" for all his appearances in their translated versions of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]]. Optimus Prime's toy was eventually released with the second wave of MB-branded ''Transformers'', and the Junior Press comics subsequently referred to him by his correct name.

:The reason for Optimus Prime's initial omission from the MB line-up was claimed to be due to a [[trademark]] conflict with Swedish kitchen utensil manufacturer "[http://www.optimusstoves.com/ Optimus]". Though initially accepted by the fandom, this claim doesn't hold up under scrutiny. A manufacturer of kitchen utensils ''usually'' does not operate in the "toys" field, thus making a trademark conflict unlikely to begin with. An editor's note in the Junior Press comic trying to explain the "Optimus"/"Jetfire" name situation claimed that the ''Transformers'' were originally ''two'' toy lines by different manufacturers in the United States, and MB had only released ''one'' of them in the Netherlands, while the "[[copyright]]" to the name "Optimus Prime" belonged to the other manufacturer. Which is of course horsehockey. Many years later, this editor's note (including the incorrect use of the term "copyright" rather than "trademark") was cited by a Dutch fan who added his own speculation (without marking it as such), thus spawning the urban myth that was subsequently accepted by the fandom.<ref name="optimusdutch">[http://www.fredsworkshop.com/veuro2.html The origin (?) of the "Optimus trademark conflict in Europe" rumor?] at The Complete Transformers Variants Page</ref>

:A much more likely explanation lies in that French company [[Joustra]] released their own version of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' line in many of the same markets as Milton Bradley's ''Transformers''. The theory suggests that because of Joustra's exclusive contract with [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], any toys from their ''Diaclone'' line-up were initially off-limits for Milton Bradley's ''Transformers'' line-up.<ref name="mijofive">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-5/ Mijo's "MB Transformers: Part 5" article] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref> A related theory suggests that Joustra's parent company, Ceji, got into financial trouble at the time, prompting them to sign a deal with Milton Bradley allowing them to use their existing (but still unsold) ''Diaclone'' stock released in ''Transformers'' packaging, which could explain why the second wave of MB-branded ''Transformers'' matches up almost perfectly with Joustra's ''Diaclone'' line-up.<ref name="mijofour">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-4/ Mijo's "MB Transformers: Part 4" article] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref>
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{{anchor|OverbiteSparkabots}}
[[File:JawbreakerComic.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|UK comic exclusive name variant!]]
[[File:Model sheets G1 Guzzle Fizzle Overbite Snaptrap.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Sparklercons? Firebots? Firesparklers? [[BotCon|Botcon]]s?]]
*'''The Generation 1 Seacon Overbite was released under the name "Jawbreaker" in some European markets, and the Sparkabots were sold as "Sparkler Mini-Bots".'''

:In [[Enemy Action!|issue 152]] of the Marvel UK comics, the first appearance of the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], [[Overbite (G1)|Overbite]] was called "Jawbreaker", a name repeated in his appearance in [[Salvage!|issue 160]] and in an "A to Z" profile in "[[Transformers Annual 1989]]". Likewise, the [[Sparkabot]]s were consistently referred to as "Sparkler mini-bots" (spelled with a hyphen, and a capital letter only for the word "Sparkler") in the introductory paragraphs for several issues) beginning with their first Marvel UK appearance in, once again, issue #152. In the early days of online fandom, American fans concluded that this had to mean that those toys had been released under different names in Europe—which is not ''entirely'' unfounded, as Transformers often got renamed in Canada and Italy, and many toys released in Europe after the line had been canceled in the US had multiple concurrently used names, depending on which countries the packaging they were sold in was intended for.

:However, existing specimens of packaged toys confirm that the Seacon toy was indeed called "Overbite" as per normal for all its European releases. This was further corroborated by the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] in [[City of Fear!|issue #164]] of the UK comic, which featured a question by a confused (British) reader regarding the discrepancy between the toy's name and the character's name in his UK comic appearances (resulting in a made-up-on-the-spot explanation from the Marvel staff to reconcile both names). Adding to the confusion was the letters page in [[A Savage Circle|issue #327]] from late 1991, which stated that Jawbreaker was his British name and Overbite his American name. By this time, the toy was no longer on sale, and the character had long disappeared from the comic. Apparently whoever answered the letters at this point was not very well-informed, and thus contributed to, or possibly even ''started'' the myth the begin with.

:Meanwhile, things were even more confusing in other parts of Europe: Contemporary toy ads from the Netherlands applied the name "Sparkler mini-bots" to the ''[[Firecon]]s''<ref name="ads">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/posts/2012/05/01/transformers-toy-ads-from-the-1980′s-part-2/ "Transformers toy ads from the 1980's – Part 2"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref>, while a [[multilingual packaging|bilingual]] [[pack-in material|pack-in]] [[catalog]] included with the 1988 toys available in European French/Dutch packaging used "Sparkler mini-bots" as a super-category for ''both'' the Sparkabots ''and'' the Firecons. Meanwhile, in Germany, [[Condor Verlag]] not only published translated versions of both Marvel US and Marvel UK comics in its ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'', but also featured additional text stories that were unique to Condor, which were all over the place when it came to naming the subgroups, alternating between "Sparkabots" and "Sparkler Minibots" (though consistently spelled without a hyphen) for the Autobot subgroup, while sometimes "Sparkler Minibots" was also used used as a super-category for both the Sparkabots ''and'' the Firecons. And then the text story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 22|issue #22]] (which was mostly recycled from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 5|issue #5]], which just called the Autobot subgroup "Sparkabots") suddenly mentioned a Decepticon subgroup named "''Sparkler-Cons''", and then referred to the "Sparkler Minibots" as a ''Decepticon'' subgroup that existed ''alongside'' the Firecons, ''explicitly'' opposing the Autobots' Sparkabots. (Interestingly, the story from [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|issue #2]] also referred to the Seacon as "Overbite".)

:So, why ''did'' the UK stories identify the character as "Jawbreaker", and the Sparkabots as "Sparkler mini-bots", for that matter? The answer was unknown until 2016, when a couple of early internal [[character model|model sheets]] were offered on [[eBay]]: Overbite's model sheet has his name crossed out, with "Jawbreaker" written below it. Likewise, the Sparkabots were identified as "Sparkler Mini-Bots", while both Overbite/Jawbreaker and Seacon leader [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] were mistakenly categorized under "''Sparkacons''/Sparkabots/Firecons".<ref name="modelsheets">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/93711-more-unseen-tftm-designs-plus-some-early-colors-and-some-show-design/?p=3191211 Early model sheets] at The Allspark.</ref> At [[BotCon]] 2022, Marvel UK writer [[Simon Furman]] confirmed that he had been provided with these model sheets, with the non-final names on them, as reference materials. The Overbite toy's instructions, as well as his on-packaging [[bio]], still refer to his ''weapon'' as a "jawbreaker cannon" (spelled with a lowercase "j", thus implying that it was meant as a mere descriptive term, rather than an official ''name''), and he himself is also called "Jawbreaker" at one point in the [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] assembly instructions, while his weapon mode for Piranacon is named "Jawbreaker weapon". The ''[[The Transformers Universe (Marvel)|Universe]]''-style profile page for Overbite published in issue [[Skin Deep|#59]] of the Marvel US series calls his weapon a "jawbreaker cannon", as well as the aforementioned "A to Z" profile from the 1989 UK Annual, also call his weapon a non-capitalized "jawbreaker cannon".

:By the time the Sparkabots's sole apperance in [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|issue #46]] of the US series and the Seacons' appearances in issues [[Club Con!|#47]] and [[Cold War!|#49]] were reprinted in the UK title (in issues #192-193, #194-195 and #206-207, respectively), Marvel UK had seemingly become fully aware of the naming discrepancy. Thus, Overbite's name was left unchanged in order to maintain consistency with the toy's name, rather than having it changed to conform to the character's earlier UK appearances. Additionally, the introductory paragraphs for issues #192 and #193 used the US name "Sparkabots" (which wasn't even used in the story itself), while issue #195's introductory paragraph also referred to the Seacon by the name "Overbite". For whatever reason, the aforementioned A to Z from the 1989 Annual, which was published about five months after the first letter that pointed out the naming discrepancy was published in issue #164 of the main series, still used the outdated name. One year later, Simon Furman had presumably received more accurate information, and thus Overbite referred to himself by his correct name, rather than "Jawbreaker", in one of his last appearances in a UK-exclusive story, "[[Dreadwing Down!]]" from ''[[Transformers Annual 1990]]''.
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{{anchor|UKexclusives}}
[[File:Euro Classic Fireflight Breakdown.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|Hardly "exclusive" to one particular country.]]
*'''Some toys were exclusively (or predominantly) available only in the United Kingdom/Netherlands.'''

:During the early days of the Transformers online fandom, most of the active European fans in English-language forums were based in the UK and Netherlands. So when information about non-US toys (or toy variants) was spread, there simply were no fans from Germany or France around to confirm that the toys in question had also been officially available in their respective countries. (Although to be fair, it's quite possible that some toys, such as the [[Milton Bradley]]-branded Generation 1 toys, were indeed released in bigger quantities in the Netherlands than in Germany or France.)<ref name="mbpart6">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-6/ "MB Transformers: Part 6"] at 20th Century Toy Collector.</ref>

:As a result, numerous toys like the red [[Tracks (G1)#Toys|Tracks]] and [[IGA]] Mexican-market Transformers (imported under [[parallel import|dubious circumstances]]) got labeled as "Netherlands-only", when they actually saw release in at least a half-dozen countries. Meanwhile, post-US-cancellation Transformers like the [[Action Master Elite]]s, "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]" reissues, [[Turbomaster]]s, [[Obliterator]]s, etc, were (and sometimes still are) often referred to as "UK exclusives", even though all of them were available in multiple countries, including Canada and Australia!

:In reality, there are ''very'' few toys actually exclusive to a single European country. The first ''genuine'' "UK exclusives" were a set of multi-packs from the 2007 [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' live action movie]] [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|toyline]], but the toys themselves were identical to the US releases. Meanwhile, other multi-packs or minor variants of toys from the 2007 movie toyline that were available in the UK but not the US were also available in other places, such as Japan, Hong Kong, Australia or other European countries again.
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{{anchor|GreenTrailbreaker}}
*'''A green variant of Trailbreaker was available in some European countries.'''

:This belief seems to stem from the fact that [[IGA]]'s Mexican version of [[Hoist (G1)/toys|Hoist]] (which, like most Mexican Transformers, was widely available on the European gray market circa 1989, as mentioned above) used the same head sculpt as [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]. But like the "Blue" Bluestreak, no samples of an actual green version of the Trailbreaker mold actually sold ''as'' "Trailbreaker" have been found.
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{{anchor|Beastformers}}
*'''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.

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====''Generation 2''====
{{anchor|G2insignias}}
*'''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.'''
[[File:G2AutobotInsignia.png|thumb|upright=1.0|Probably ''not'' the result of a dispute between Hasbro US and Hasbro UK.]]
:The first half is ''maybe'' true, the second half certainly isn't. While the new Autobot and Decepticon faction [[insignia]]s were popularized by the ''Generation 2'' line, said line didn't start in Europe until 1994, a year later than in the US. Instead, the ''Transformers'' brand had continued in Europe even after its cancellation in the United States in 1990 (see the page for the [[The Transformers (European toyline)|European toyline]] for more details), and new European-"exclusive" figures were still being released in 1993, many of which were later re-released in [[rebranding|rebranded]] ''Generation 2'' packaging in Europe in 1994, while some of them were also made available (including some color, name and faction changes) under the ''Generation 2'' line in the United States in 1993. It was those designed-for-Europe 1993 pre-''Generation 2'' figures that had first featured the new Autobot and Decepticon insignias on their packaging, and a popular myth claims that they had become a necessity for the European market due to Hasbro UK and Hasbro US being legally considered distinct entities under international law, and Hasbro UK alternatively didn't want to continue paying their parent company the fee for being allowed to use these symbols, or the license for using them had expired.<ref name="euhist">[https://tfarchive.com/fandom/features/thirtieth-anniversary/?s=countdown-04-european-history "European History"] at The Transformers Archive.</ref>

:The holes in this theory are legion: First of all, Hasbro US ''didn't actually register the original Autobot and Decepticon insignias as trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office until 2002''. That was also the same year when those insgnias were first claimed as trademarks on the toys' packaging. How, then, could Hasbro US, assuming it was indeed a distinct legal entity, enforce those insignias as trademarks by 1993, let alone ''internationally''? Why exactly would the UK Patent Office be enforcing the trademarks of a (supposedly) foreign company that didn't do business in the UK? In fact, why would ''anyone'' be enforcing trademark claims against Hasbro UK on behalf of Hasbro US? And why would this only affect the faction insignias? Wouldn't the names "Transformers", "Autobot" and "Decepticon" be equally subject to those alleged licensing fees?

:A much more likely explanation is that the faction insignias were changed for the same reason the "Transformers" title logo was changed to a new version (both in the US and Europe) in 1989, along with a major redesign of the toys' packaging, and why there had been another change to the packaging design and "Transformers" title logo for the European releases in 1992: To "refresh" the overall presentation of the brand, making everything look "new" and different for marketing reasons. Now whether the new insignias were originally created by Hasbro US for the ''Generation 2'' line and were simply applied to the European 1993 toys first for the sake of consistency, or whether they had indeed been created by Hasbro UK and Hasbro US just liked them so much they decided to adopt them for the ''Generation 2'' line, is up for debate.
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{{anchor|KBG2Devastator}}
*'''The orange ''Generation 2'' Constructicons were exclusive to KB Toys.'''
[[File:G2Devastator toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Its a exclusive!?{{sic}}]]
: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.
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====''Masterpiece''====
*'''''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.'''
:This misconception was started by now defunct Hong Kong-based online retailer Action-HQ<ref name="plasticahq">[http://tformers.com/transformers-20th-anniversary-optimus-prime-plastic/2150/news.html "20th Anniversary Optimus Prime Plastic?"], November 2003.</ref> and ''might'' have been extrapolated from the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' toys, which are made entirely out of plastic (except for the rubber tires) for their Hasbro releases, whereas their Japanese ''Binaltech'' counterparts feature a few parts made out of [[die-cast|die-cast metal]].

:In fact, however, the amount of die-cast metal parts versus injection-[[mold]]ed plastic parts is the same between 20th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and his Japanese ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Convoy counterpart. The only differences between the two toys (not counting the packaging) are the shortened smokestacks for Hasbro's 20th Prime and the addition of painted battle damage that is missing from the Takara version.

====''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|Meister]] or [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]], was 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)|Mirage]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]] 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 TFC reissues actually sported "Dreamwave" package art, whereas the rest ''did'' use newly-commissioned art drawn by Japanese artist [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], who has never in his life worked for Dreamwave and had been drawing in this style long before Pat Lee rose to his brief "superstar artist" fame.
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====''Generations''====
*'''The "Generation 1" characters featured in ''[[Studio Series]]'' are branded under the "''Studio Series'' 86" subline.'''
:This myth originates from leaked Walmart listings appending "86" to the end of the toyline's name, which led to the misunderstanding that the ''The Transformers: The Movie'' characters sold in ''Studio Series'' are branded differently from the rest of the line (an unaware editor on {{SITENAME_SHORT}} may have helped propagate this misconception).

:Aside from having the "86" prefix on their ID numbers, the ''Studio Series'' G1 characters are branded exactly the same as the live-action film characters sold alongside them. However, the term "''Studio Series'' 86" has stuck around as [[fandom]] terminology for those wanting to distinguish between the two continuities sold within the same toyline.

===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.
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*'''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.
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*'''''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 pace of the series (common for Japanese shows but anathema to American sensibilities), 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.
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*'''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.
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====''The Transformers: The Movie''====
*'''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>
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*'''Brawn was killed in the movie by a single shot to the shoulder.'''
[[File:TFTM - Brawn's death.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Brawn can't shoulder the blame on this one.]]
: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.
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*'''''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>
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*'''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 Scourge would have during Season 3 of the cartoon also led many to mistakenly believe 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 who spoke it reveals that 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. Though to be fair, the line itself makes very little sense for Cyclonus to have said it, since Galvatron piloting him meant he was already being used to do the very thing he asked Galvatron if he should do. A look at the movie's [https://sunbowmarvelarchive.blogspot.com/p/mp-4034-transformers-movie-sunbow.html storyboards] sheds a little light on this, as it does attribute the line to Scourge, suggesting it was originally supposed to have been spoken by him, but the line ultimately went to Cyclonus instead.
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*'''''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>
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*'''''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>
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====Japanese Generation 1 fiction====
[[File:ExplosionMarsMegaZarak MarsExplodes.jpg|upright=1.1|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.
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*'''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."
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*'''Metrotitan is a zombie version of Metroplex.'''
:[[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] was a Destron [[redeco]] of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] from the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Zone|Zone]]'' portion of Japanese Generation 1 continuity. For unclear reasons, Western fans believe that Metrotitan was a "zombified" version of Metroplex, and a stranger variation on this rumor holds that Metrotitan was somehow "regrown" from one of Metroplex's legs.<ref name="tfa522" />
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{{anchor|Robotmasters}}
[[File:RobotMasters relation chart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|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's 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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*'''An Earthforce story was written to promote the non-combining Constructicon toys.'''
:The comic story "[[Desert Island Risks!]]" from issue 264 of the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|G1 comic]] reveals that the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have somehow lost their ability to combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. As a result, they try to build another Devastator as a new robot.

:Some fans mistakenly believe that this is somehow related to a re-release of the Constructicons (now in yellow) that were available in [[The Transformers (European toyline)|Europe]] after the ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' toyline had ended in the USA. Those Constructicons omitted the extra parts necessary to form Devastator; and furthermore, [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (neither of them officially named in this version; all six toys came on multi-purpose cardbacks simply named "Constructicon") were [[retool]]ed to omit the tabs that were necessary for combining them (and [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]) when forming Devastator. Since the toys couldn't combine into Devastator anymore, fans believe that the [[Earthforce]] comic story was intended to serve as an "explanation" for this.

:The problem with this theory, however, is that the yellow "Euro" Constructicon toys were released in 1992; the comic story, however, had already come out in early 1990. If anything, "Desert Island Risks!" was based on the [[Action Master]] version of Devastator, which no longer consisted of six individual Constructicons. (Also, the individual Constructicons don't even ''appear'' in the story.)
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===Early internet misconceptions===
*'''Powermaster Optimus Prime was the first, ''original'' Optimus Prime toy.'''
[[File:G1 OptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|1984—the original.]]
[[File:PowermasterOptimusPrime toy.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|1988—the Powermaster version.]]

:This one claims that the [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] toy, originally released in 1988, is the ''original'', first Optimus Prime toy ever released, rather than the ''earlier'', non-Powermaster toy, which is an entirely different mold and was originally available in 1984. This phenomenon is particularly common in [[eBay]] auctions, where Powermaster Optimus Prime toys are frequently advertised as "ORIGINAL Optimus Prime".

:The reasons for this misconception are obvious: Numerous people arrived late to the party—that is, became fans of the original ''Transformers'' line after the ''real'' original Optimus Prime toy had vanished off the shelves in 1986 (the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] was still shown in reruns on TV). Any of them looking for a toy of the iconic [[Autobot]] leader would only find the Powermaster toy on store shelves starting in 1988. Fast-forward to 20 years later, and people who weren't really paying a lot of attention to the brand for the past few years, now looking to sell off their childhood toys, would naturally conclude that the toy they got as a kid was the ''original'' Optimus Prime toy.

:The phenomenon is even more widespread in countries such as Germany, where the cartoon wasn't officially shown on TV until 1989(!). By that point, the ''original'' toy, which had originally been released by [[Milton Bradley]] in the European market in 1985, was long gone off the shelves. Thus, the only Optimus Prime toy available to kids who had only just become fans because of the cartoon was the Powermaster version. Admittedly, [[parallel import|gray import]]s of the Mexican version of the ''original'' toy by [[IGA]] were also available in European stores around this time, and Hasbro themselves would release the original toy again two years later as part of their European-exclusive [[Classics (Europe)|Classics]] line of reissues. However, the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy was still a lot more widespread.
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*'''20th Anniversary Optimus Prime was the Optimus Prime toy available in the 1980s/Alternators are the same toys that were available in the 1980s.'''

[[File:TF-Masterpiece-MP-1-Convoy.jpg|125px|thumb|Sadly, this didn't exist until 2003.]]
:This misconception usually comes from people who, upon seeing the 20th Anniversary [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] toy (which was originally released in 2003/2004), honest-to-god swear it's the toy they had when they were a kid. Similarly, there are also people who believe that the toys from the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' line are the same toys they had as kids, when they're most likely confusing them with the original Autobot Cars, which are about half the size.

:The reasons for this aren't too hard to guess: People were a lot smaller when they were kids, so obviously the original Transformers toys seemed a lot larger to them. Since these fans didn't repeatedly hold or play with their Transformers while growing up, they weren't constantly adjusting to the toys' size in relation to their own. This resulted in blurred memories of outright ''gargantuan'' Transformers toys available in the 1980s. (One might wonder how tall those people would remember [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] being.)

:When confronted with the original toys—now relatively small because the fans have grown up—these people often reject them, insisting the "original" toys were ''larger'' (occasionally even accusing the ''real'' original toys of being downsized [[knockoff]]s). Showing them the Alternators or 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime, on the other hand, will bring back warm (albeit incorrect) memories.
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*'''"Bumblejumper" is just a yellow Cliffjumper.'''
[[File:G1-toy Bumper.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Bumblejumper", who later would be known as "Bumper".]]
: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 a mystery. 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!
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*'''A show-accurate Skyfire toy was available during Generation 1.'''
[[File:Jetfire-SkyfireModels.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Patience. You just have to wait 22 years.]]
: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. (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 have aspects of the cartoon model too.)
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*'''A Unicron toy was available during Generation 1.'''
[[File:Unicron Proto.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Seriously, aren't you glad your poor parents didn't have to waste like a hundred bucks on this back in '86?]]
: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 could 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 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 there was a toy for him.
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*'''In 2005, a crazy old man claimed he had created the original ''Transformers'' toys.'''
[[File:Henry Orenstein old.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Arguably one of the most fascinating people involved with the creation of the ''Transformers'' brand.]]
: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?
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*'''The Decepticons' undersea base in the Generation 1 cartoon was the ''Nemesis'', the ship that originally brought them to Earth.'''
[[File:G1 cartoon Decepticon underwater base.JPG|upright=1.15|thumb|This wrecked ''Victory'' was never the ''Nemesis''.]]
: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 full the 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.
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*'''"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.
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[[File:TFTM dead gray Prime.jpg|upright=1.67|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]].''
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*'''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>
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*'''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">[https://twitter.com/TF_Moments/status/1561586703265153024 Excerpts from an early draft for "Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2"].</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.
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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 Theatrical Special 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 almost not fair to call this one a misconception: By all appearances, this ''was'' the original intent for the Japanese-original ''Beast Wars'' shows. 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, which was also reflected in both the ''Beast Wars II'' manga and [[Duel Fight Transformers Beast Wars: Beast Warriors' Strongest Decisive Battle|handheld video game]]. Likewise, the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon initially gave no reason to doubt that this also applied to its story, and ''Beast Wars Neo'' even featured a [[Convoy Council|military council]] that could have very well been the Japanese version of the [[Maximal High Council|High Council]] of [[Maximal Elder]]s.

:But then, months into its run, the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon's [[Emissary of the Fourth Planet|thirty-sixth episode]] stated that humanity hadn't lived on Gaia for "tens of thousands of years." Before, the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon had [[Dark Designs|established]] that its cast hailed from only three centuries after the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the end of which vintage Japanese G1/G2 fiction had placed in the 21st Century, when Earth was still populated by humans. ''Beast Wars Neo'' would then further treat the Great War as having ended with the destruction of Unicron in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which was set in the year [[2005]]. As a result, this made it was impossible for the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' cartoons to take place in the same home-time as the American ''Beast Wars'' cast, and thus meant that the two Japanese series were, instead, set ''long'' after that time period.

:Furthermore, the [[Big Convoy, Move Out|first episode]] of ''Beast Wars Neo'' opened with a depiction of the Maximals and Predacons ''unambiguously'' at war with each other. Said war had apparently been going on for a long time, too, given that Maximal commander [[Big Convoy]] was described throughout the series as a legendary "One-Man Army" with a lengthy history of having singlehandedly won countless battles prior to the series' beginning. This not only conflicted with the [[Beast Wars (Part 1)|first episode]] of the American ''Beast Wars'' series stating that the Maximals and Predacons were currently at peace with each other and had been for centuries, but would be further contradicted by [[The Agenda (Part 1)|a later episode]] (which, admittedly, had yet to air in Japan at the time of ''Neo''{{'}}s initial broadcast) referring to this peace as the "[[Pax Cybertronia]]".

:Of course, as it was nearly twenty years before either series had been translated in full, western fans didn't really ''know'' about any of this at the time and, with only the catalog to go on, continued to assume that its story held true for the Japanese cartoons. It was only in 2006/2007, when TakaraTomy published a massive [[Source:Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)|Generation 1/Beast Era timeline]], which adhered to the ''Beast Wars II'' cartoon's dating for the series, that English-speaking fans at large first learned of this fact.

:Now, to be fair, ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' probably didn't ''intentionally'' deviate from the ''Beast Wars'' cartoon, but rather, just kinda goofed on the continuity, and history had to roll with it. That said, this did also fix another discrepancy: By coincidence, both ''Beast Wars Neo'' and ''Beast Machines'' (both produced around the same time) featured the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]], but depicted it in two radically different, very contradictory ways. ''Beast Wars Neo'' presented the computer as the publicly-known ruler of Cybertron, while ''Beast Machines'' depicted it as a long-lost legend, unheard of for years until it was reactivated as the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] in the series' [[The Reformatting|first episode]]. If ''Beast Wars Neo'' was meant to occur before ''Beast Machines'' (as was probably the intent), this didn't make any sense; but the timeline shuffle caused by ''Beast Wars II'' now helped these two different portrayals fit better together.

:It 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. In [[2019]], a ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Transformers Legends]]'' [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Blue Big Convoy)|pack-in comic]] fixed this last gap in the timeline, explaining how and why Cybertron was turned back into a metallic world eons after its [[Great Transformation|technorganic reformatting]].

:While these retcons have helped to tidy things up, the original understanding of the timeline has influenced several pieces of American Beast Era media over the years:
:*The Hasbro toy bio for [[Transmetal 2|Transmetals 2]] [[Cybershark]] referred to "a rogue band of Cybertronian space pirates" (an allusion to ''Beast Wars II''{{'}}s [[Seacon (BW)|Seacon Space Pirates]]) as his contemporaries, while the toy bio for ''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobots]]'' [[Magmatron]] all but explicitly pegged him as the same Magmatron from ''Neo'', mentioning his "[[Emperor of Destruction|emperor of destruction]]" title and his involvement in "an interplanetary quest for [[Angolmois Energy|energy capsules]]"; the latter of which was also placed, by the bio, before the events of ''Beast Machines''.<ref>The full first sentence of ''Dinobots'' Magmatron's bio: "Following an interplanetary quest for energy capsules, Magmatron returned to Cybertron to find an alarmingly growing population of Vehicon drones."</ref>
:*In both the ''[[Transformers: Universe (comic)|Universe]]'' comic series and the prose story "[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]", characters from the two Japanese series appeared on Cybertron as contemporaries of the ''Beast Machines'' cast, at points set within a year after the planet's reformatting. The latter even described the [[Cyborg Beast]]s of ''Beast Wars II'' as "pre-reformatting".
:*The ''Beast Wars II'' Predacons [[BB (BW)|Max-B]] and [[Dirge (BW)|Dirge]] were featured in the [[Fun Publications]] ''Beast Wars'' prequels "[[Intimidation Game]]" and "[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]", respectively.
:*Finally, [[IDW Publishing]]'s two ''Beast Wars'' comic mini-series, ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|The Gathering]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending|The Ascending]]'', and the accompanying ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'', likewise chose to depict the ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' casts as contemporaries of the ''Beast Wars'' characters, but also ''further'' reshuffled the timeline by repositioning the events akin to ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' a few years ''before'' the home time-period of the ''Beast Wars'' cast, instead of during or after.

: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 ''Beast Wars II'' and ''Neo'' (and even ''Car Robots'') existing side-by-side with the ''Beast Wars'' and ''Beast Machines'' cast, with such series as ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'', the ''[[Transformers Legends (comic)|Transformers Legends]]'' comics set in the "[[Legends World]]", 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 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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*'''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 life energy 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 an energy body made of Angolmois Energy that Unicron has deliberately shaped into resembling the likeness of Galvatron. He takes this form in an initial attempt to trick Magmatron into thinking that he ''is'' Galvatron, impersonating the deceased Predacon leader before revealing his true identity. After which , he simply decided to continue using Galvatron's likewise as his energy body's default appearance, even using Galvatron's name when transforming between dragon and robot modes.

: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 for Galvatron's revival instead of Unicron's.
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[[File:BWN Blentrons absorbed.jpg|thumb|Unicron absorbs the Blentrons for no reasons related to Angolmois Energy.]]
*'''The Blentrons are made of Angolmois Energy, and are later absorbed by Unicron to fully complete his resurrection.'''
:In [[End of the Maximals!?|Episode 33]] of ''Beast Wars Neo'', the resurrected Unicron reaches Planet Cybertron in his aim to posses [[Vector Sigma]] and turn Cybertron into his new physical body. However, before touching down on the planet, he battles his way through the entire Maximal space fleet, utterly annihilating it and exhausting much of his power in the process. In his weakened state, he is then nearly destroyed in a fight with Big Convoy. His loyal minions, the [[Blentron]]s, soon come to Unicron's aid and are promptly absorbed by their master.

:Since Angolmois Energy is Unicron's energy, fans who did not understand the Japanese dialogue simply misinterpreted the absorption of the Blentrons as if to say that they too were made up of Angolmois Energy, and that Unicron needed to absorb them to top off the last of his energy needed to complete his resurrection.

:In actuality, the three were absorbed because, in that moment, Unicron had been significantly weakened and needed to replenish his health. Otherwise, he would have been destroyed by Big Convoy's Mammoth Dynamite attack, which almost completely dissipated Unicron's energy body.

:The series didn't actually give any kind of backstory for the Blentrons. While they were creations of Unicron in the manga, no such origin was given in the show. Regardless, the idea of the three being made out of Angolmois Energy was certainly never stated or even suggested, having been born out of this misinterpretation of Unicron absorbing them to save his own life.
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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=0.7|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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*'''''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn was so complex, the toy's designer later apologized.'''
:Basically. [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Car Robots'']] [[Side Burn (RID)|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 an "admonition" to do better in the future.<ref name="Translated interview at ToyboxDX">http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?3,97799,97800</ref>
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===Fiction===
*'''Unlike the English version, Gigatron (Megatron) has multiple personalities, a different one for each of his modes.'''
:This seems to have arisen from how, in the Japanese version, Gigatron's bat and dragon modes each have their own unique-sounding voice and way of speaking. The Gigabat voice is higher-pitched, a bit dim-sounding, and speaks 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 speaks with a much deeper, angrier, and overall more aggressive-sounding voice. Both of these differ from his much calmer and more "normal" sounding voice in robot mode (which he also used in each of his other modes), and are most noticeable in the first episode, in which Gigatron makes heavy use of both his Gigabat and Gigadragon modes.

: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.
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==Unicron Trilogy misconceptions==
*'''''Armada'' Super Base Optimus Prime toys are known to catch fire.'''
:In a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwE7Hc6xWLM review of the toy posted in 2010], YouTube reviewer Baltmatrix claimed that the motorised auto-transformation feature in his Super Base Optimus Prime became stuck mid-transform, causing the toy to "burst into flames" and "set part of [his] house on fire." Baltmatrix's recounting of the incident was the only evidence it had happened: it wasn't captured on video, and the copy of the toy featured in the review was not the one it had happened to. In the decade since, fans have widely repeated the story uncritically, and along the way, the legend has become that the toy is "famous" for doing this, that multiple toys have done it, and that it's a fire hazard to have one in your home. Put simply: '''''no it's not, there has never been a single other report of this ever happening in the two decades the toys has existed.''''' And if the original story ''is'' true, the way Baltmatrix significantly mis-handles the figure in the review (failing to unpeg the sides of the trailer before activating the mechanism, thus leading to it becoming stuck) indicates it was the product of user error.

==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.
{{-}}

*'''''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 is a reboot, and is 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. Likely due to a combination of wishful thinking and resentment of the Bay films, members of the fandom and various mainstream nerd sites quickly jumped on the idea that ''Bumblebee'' was now a "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—though both [[Hasbro]] and [[Paramount Pictures]] have been fairly mum on just how ''Bumblebee'' and the five prior Bay films will fit together moving forward: the closest we've gotten to a conclusive answer is that the film represents 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> which is... a pretty ambiguous statement, to say the least. Other fiction, such as the ''[[Sector 7 Adventures: The Battle at Half Dome]]'' comic included with the home media release of the film, has continued to tie the events of ''Bumblebee'' to the rest of the live-action film series, suggesting Hasbro is at least maintaining its prequel status for now.

: This vaguery has only continued in the lead-up to ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (film)|Transformers: Rise of the Beasts]]'', with the only official statement being their desire to avoid the "timeline" of the first five films. This is almost certainly meant to refer to the time''frame'' of the preceding films' events, with ''Rise of the Beasts'' being yet another prequel story set before the 2007 film, rather than any kind of alternate timeline. Either way, for the moment, we're no closer to a definitive answer.
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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 have been released in 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'' clips to their YouTube channels and make it available for streaming alongside their other ''Transformers'' cartoons on services like [[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]] finally put the misconception to rest for good, confirming 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> So basically, there's nothing stopping them from making new toys based on ''Animated'' characters if they wanted to. And the next year, [[Prowl (Animated)#Legacy|they did!]]
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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.

: 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.

{{-}}

==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.
{{-}}

===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.
{{-}}

==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]]''. 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. 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>

===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).

===IDW Publishing===
*'''Hasbro pays IDW 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 IDW Publishing and other licensees to produce ''Transformers'' comics for them. This is the exact opposite of how licensed comics work; IDW pays Hasbro for the privilege of publishing ''Transformers'' comics, and IDW keeps 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 IDW keep paying for the license.

*'''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.

==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)

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