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Combiner

2022-11-29T12:13:31Z

Poggerdude: corrected the position of my edit

[[File:studioox combiners whatif.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.]]

Over the course of their endless wars, the Cybertronian race has developed a frightful array of [[:Category:Weapons by franchise|weapons]], but the most powerful and versatile invention of all might be the power to physically merge multiple Cybertronians into a single form—this power might be unlocked through conventional Cybertronian science, or through the energies of a mystical artifact like the [[Enigma of Combination]]. The term '''combiner''' (sometimes capitalized, sometimes not) can be used to refer to both those rare Transformers who possess this ability and the composite machine they create.

Although many different varieties of combiners exist—for instance, two or more Cybertronians might merge to form a vehicle, weapon, or some kind of useful machine, the most famous and immediately recognizable form of combination involves the fusion of five or six individual Cybertronians into a larger robot, sometimes referred to as a '''gestalt'''; more often than not, this combined form possesses its own emergent personality based at least in part on the interaction between the minds of its individual components. Introducing the technology into any of the myriad iterations of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] across the [[multiverse]] inevitably leads to the same result: short of a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], the only thing capable of stopping a combiner rampage is another combiner, and more than one conflict between the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s has spiralled into an endless combiner arms race as both sides scramble to accrue as many of these strategic-grade weapons as possible.

Although the mental merge usually dilutes the strength of a combiner's individual thoughts, to the point where many suffer from limited intellects or outright insanity, a few combiner teams like the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s or [[Breastforce]] have taken steps to mitigate this design flaw. But, as more than one [[Decepticon]] leader has used to his advantage, even the most dysfunctional combiner is exponentially stronger than the mere sum of its parts, and more than a match for a dozen average-sized Cybertronians.

{{bigquote|Superion is five Autobots put together. Think about the last time you and your friends tried to agree on pizza toppings, then make it '''way''' more complicated.|[[Spike (MLP)|Spike]]|"[[The Mightiest Dinobot]]"}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:Diaclone Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Diaclone pre-G2 Constructicons.]]

The concept of combining robots is a [[tvtropes:Main/CombiningMecha|long-standing anime trope]], so it is perhaps appropriate that the story of combiners as we know them today began before the creation of the ''Transformers'' brand. In 1982, the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline introduced the "Construction Vehicle Robo" and "Train Robo" figures. Not only did these six-man teams change from robots into realistic construction vehicles and locomotives, they could also combine with their respective teammates to form a larger super robot. In [[1985]], with the ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' franchise now in its second year, [[Hasbro]] imported the construction-themed toys to the [[United States of America|United States]] and characterized them as the evil "[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s", who could unite to form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. After Diaclone's 1986 cancellation, the next wave of combining toys saw release as ''Transformers'' characters on both sides of the Pacific. A significant step up from their predecessors, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s, [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s, and [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s possessed a standardized combination scheme that allowed kids to mix and match team members at well, leading to [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] marketing them under the "Scramble City" subline on account of their ability to "scramble" limbs at will.

[[File:Raiden boxart.jpg|thumb|right|200px|There's a "derailment" joke waiting to happen.]]

Initially, tie-in fiction treated the ability to combine as a comparatively recent invention created after the Transformers arrived on Earth, but this soon changed: the cartoon episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" revealed that the Constructicons first combined early in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; later, to accommodate the presence of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s, Marvel's ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' miniseries showed these combiners existing on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] long before the exodus to [[Earth]]. By the end of the original ''Transformers'' toyline, the line had expanded beyond Scramble City: these included [[Mini-Cassette]] combiners like [[Squawkbox]], vehicle-mode combiners like the [[Micromaster Combiner]]s, and a number of oddballs like [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and the [[Duocon]]s. Given Japan's aforementioned affection for the concept, basically every Japanese-exclusive franchise would introduce new combiners, even after Hasbro eased off on the concept—perhaps most prominently, the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|The Headmasters]]'' franchise would resurrect the original Train Robo under the name "[[Raiden]]", and subsequent franchises would introduce a host of new combining characters like the [[Breastforce]], [[Multiforce]], and [[Dinoforce]].

While the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' franchises did not embrace the gimmick to the same degree as the franchises that preceded them (although the toyline-exclusive combiners [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]] and [[Tripredacus]] would go on to appear in various tie-in comics), Japanese-original shows from around the same time, most prominently ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'', introduced many new combiner characters like [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] and [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. In [[2004]], riding on the success of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' franchise, its successor ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' spotlighted combination as one of its central gimmicks: in addition to resurrecting the Scramble City gimmick with the "Maximus" combiners (which were basically a last-minute addition to the toyline), the [[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|toyline]]'s central gimmick allowed almost every Autobot to combine with any other Autobot by forming either the upper or lower body of a combiner. Unlike most previous depictions of the process, or even [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s concurrent depiction of the technology as a mentally and physically rigorous mechanical upgrade, this series introduced [[Primus]]'s divine [[Spark of Combination]] as an explicitly supernatural force capable of instantly combining individual Transformers together.

For many years, [[Fandom|fans]] referred to super robot combiners with emergent personalities as '''gestalts''', based on the {{w|Gestalt psychology|real-world term}} meaning, roughly, an object greater than the sum of its parts. The term remained firmly in realm of [[fanon]] for years, but between ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' design sketches, ''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s bio, and a mention in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', the term soon caught on with Hasbro designers. Initially, IDW's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ''Transformers'']] treated gestalt technology as an unpredictable and highly experimental technology—modern-day Autobots like the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s lacked combination powers, and author [[Simon Furman]] characterized [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] as an insane failed experiment from Cybertron's bygone [[Golden Age]]. ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' introduced a new incarnation of Devastator, although [[Shockpoint|later stories]] established that he was the imperfect product of arduous research.

[[File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|He-who-shall-not-be-named.]]

Around this time, [[Fun Publications]] released a number of [[redeco]]ed ''Energon'' combiner components through the Collector's Club. Tie-in fiction published in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|official Collector's Club magazine]] detailed their adventures across the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]], and eventually culminated with the reveal that all five of these seemingly unrelated 'bots were all fragments of [[Nexus Prime]], one of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]] who displayed mastery over [[energon]]. Hasbro would fold Nexus Prime into their definitive version of the Thirteen; when he reappeared in 2013's ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', his new profile played up his status as the first combiner instead. Notably, that book established that he controlled a mysterious [[Enigma of Combination]], but what exactly this ''was'' would not be revealed for another few years.

The [[2010]] ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' toyline featured a mixture of old and new characters, who combined with static [[Autotransformation|auto-transforming]] figures to form larger super robots. The Japanese counterpart of the toyline, ''[[Transformers United EX|United EX]]'', declared the toys (which were redecoed from the Hasbro toys) to be new bodies for various established characters in the sprawling [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], while others made appearances in [[Live-action film series|movie]]-related media like ''[[Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions]]''. [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|Issue #32]] of the Collectors' Club magazine expanded on their scant [[bio]] information by explaining that [[Power Core Combination]] was a "lost art"; modern attempts to reinvent the technology only created destructive monsters in what is presumably a reference to [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s role in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.

Just five years later, the ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'' multimedia branding again pushed combiners to the fore. To support this marketing push, [[IDW Publishing]] launched a [[Combiner Wars (comic)|tie-in comic series]] set in its [[2005 IDW continuity|primary ongoing universe]]... a universe that had already established combination as a forbidden, dangerous art. To get around all this, IDW revealed that Nexus Prime's "Enigma of Combination" was a supernatural artifact that could instantly merge Cybertronians together into a combiner. This reveal tied the old Spark of Combination to the idea that "true" combination had become a lost art by the modern day; furthering this revelation, ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The Crucible|#34]] subtly retconned that Monstructor's creator [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] had been trying to recreate the power of the Enigma using mundane technology.

In the years since ''Combiner Wars'', depictions of combination have shifted toward something more supernatural than scientific in nature: many modern works of media tie the process to the Enigma of Combination, arcane super-science, or exposure to exotic radiation. Many contemporary depictions of combiners, including the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], IDW's various comic continuities, or ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'', focus just as much on the internal struggles of the team to coordinate their efforts. For more specific descriptions of how individual stories have treated combination in all its forms, read on.

{{--}}

==Types of combiner==
{{bigquote|Decepticons are '''obsessed''' with combining. Put two of 'em in a room and within seconds one will be standing on the other's shoulders. '''Fact.'''|[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]|"[[The Waiting Game]]"}}

Although combiners are a diverse and varied clade, not ''all'' Cybertronians who combine with smaller robots or form a larger machine count as “true” combiners. Although many Transformers, such as [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] or ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], can combine with parts of their alternate mode to form a larger, [[Super Mode|powered-up form]], these only involve one character combining with an inanimate piece of machinery. [[Multi-component Transformer]]s like [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] or [[Magmatron]] possess a single consciousness distributed over several bodies; there is only ''one'' Transformer involved, regardless of how many bodies that character may simultaneously operate, although a few “true” combiners like the [[Power Core Combination|Power Core Combiners]] blur this line.

Sometimes a smaller Transformer will attach to and enhance a larger Transformer in some way. [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] partners like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s, or [[Mini-Con]]s who [[Powerlinx]] with larger partners, are not considered combiners; although the components involved often a share a deep, almost symbiotic relationship with each other, their "combined" form is almost exactly the same in appearance and functionality as their non-combined form.

Generally, combiners can be divided into three primary categories:

===Robot mode combiners===
[[File:Computron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The majority of Transformers who combine do so by merging into a humanoid "super robot" that exponentially magnifies the strength of its components. In many cases, this robot is its own being, with a unique name and a personality formed from the intersection of multiple minds. In other instances, however, a combiner might be governed by just ''one'' member of the team, their personality so strong that the act of combination becomes an extension of their own will supported by the other Cybertronians who comprise the combiner. Sometimes, the individual components involved in a combination might not actually possess humanoid robot modes of their own: for instance, the Autobot [[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]] is the combined form of [[Raindance]] and [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]], who transform from [[Mini-Cassette|mini-cassette]]s into a tank and jet respectively.

While a combiner can be formed from as few as two robots or hundreds, perhaps the most immediately recognizable combiners of all are the five-man teams who made prominent appearances in the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]] and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]]. While [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] utilized a unique six-bot configuration that relegated nominal team leader [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] to the ignoble role of right leg, the "Scramble City" combiners that followed—[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], etc.—were all based on a standardized five-member design featured in the Japanese [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|''Scramble City'' toyline]]: the team leader forms the head and main body of the combiner, while the four other team members form the limbs. These limbs are interchangeable from one Scramble City-style combiner to the next, allowing for a number of improvised combinations. The [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s are notable for incorporating ''six'' members into the team; while any four can combine with their leader [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] to form [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], one member of the team transforms into a blaster for the combiner to wield. A few other modern interpretations of the characters, most notably their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' incarnations, have also featured a smaller sixth member of the team in a support role—sometimes acting as a weapon, other times serving as a chestplate or shield.

These specific four-limbs-and-one-torso combiners and their components have also been called, varyingly, '''Scramble City combiners''', '''[[Special Teams]]''',<ref>When the ''Scramble City'' toys were marketed in Europe they were referred to as Special Teams, and the term appeared in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK comic book]] series and some marketing materials in the US,, but never appeared in US fiction until 2004's [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''Ultimate Guide'']].</ref> '''fusilateral quintrocombiners'''.<ref>Coined by [[Simon Furman]] in [[Swarm (issue)|issue 9]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] to refer to the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]],</ref> or '''amalgam models'''.<ref>"[[Devastation Derby!]]"</ref> Although they comprise a substantial cross-section of combiners, not all combiners adhere to this specific layout: the various [[Micromaster]] combiners, including [[Sixwing]], [[Sixtrain]], or [[Sixbuilder]], feature their own standardized layout, which incorporate up to six members and also feature interchangeable limbs. Other combiners like [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], [[Predaking (G1)|"Generation 1" Predaking]]", ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]], or ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] all incorporate a different number of components with unique transformation schemes.
{{--}}

===Vehicle mode combiners===
[[File:Fireshot vanquish windblade 4.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Rather than combining into a larger robot, a number of Transformers can instead transform into a combined vehicle form. Unlike humanoid combiners, who generally merge into a single super robot with its own personality, almost all fiction has treated these kinds of combiners as a purely physical combination, with no kind of mental merge to speak of. This is not to say that Cybertronians who combine in this way are ''completely'' separate from one another: many works of fiction treat this kind of combination as a kind of sibling bond, sometimes shared between a literal set of [[twin]]s, and the Transformers involved might share some kind of deeper link.

While some 'bots—such as [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], who combine into the larger [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]—possess individual vehicle modes that can then merge into a larger form, others, most notably the [[Micromaster Combiner]]s, lack individual alternate forms entirely: they can only transform into the front or back half of a vehicle, and rely on their partner to form a complete alternate mode.

{{--}}

===Others===
[[File:RequiemBlaster.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

A small number of Transformers combine into objects that are neither super robots nor vehicles. This kind of combination is most prevalent among [[Mini-Con]] teams, who possess the power to combine into larger weapons and tools for full-sized Cybertronians to wield, but a small number of other Transformers and near-Cybertronian lifeforms have adopted similar configurations: [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]] and [[Boom]] transform into a set of speakers, while the [[Recyclon]]s could unite to form the [[Prime Processing Unit]].

{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}

[[File:TFUS10 all crumble before devastator.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Although a number of combiner teams existed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], including both the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}} the ability was rare enough that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and his legion of Earth-bound Autobots had never encountered combiners. Thus, when [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] designed and built the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s and imbued them with life using the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] energy stored in Prime's severed head, they were taken by surprise and nearly defeated by the newly formed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}
''The [[Special Teams]] were first conceived within [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s mind shortly after the human had relinquished control of the Creation Matrix to Optimus Prime. Shockwave was able to view this data remotely and prepare for their development.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Menasor superion heavy traffic.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Once the Autobots rescued and repaired Optimus Prime, the group turned their attention to countering Decepticon combiner technology: although their new warrior [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] could combine his rocket and tank modules into one mighty robot, his creator [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] judged this combination inadequate compared to Devastator's six-way fusion. To get their hands on this advanced technology, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] secretly recorded their transformation pattern, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} and the Autobots successfully reverse-engineered to create the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. Unfortunately, they were forced to go on their first mission with only [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]'s personality programming completed, leaving the rest of the team and their combined form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] indifferent towards [[human]] casualties. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After their first mission proved a failure, Optimus Prime had [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] wipe their memory and started reprogramming them with the Creation Matrix. However, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who had gotten a lift to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] on Silverbolt's plane mode, had injected Optimus Prime with a [[cerebro-shell]] with which [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] used to steal energy from the Creation Matrix and bring his newly built combiner team, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], to life. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} As this combiner arms race heated up, the heroic [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s and evil [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s became the next combiner teams to join the conflict on Earth. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}

''Megatron summoned the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s to Earth'', {{storylink|Prey!}} and Shockwave would again call on their services. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} ''Shockwave would also bring the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s from Cybertron to Earth'', {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} and subsequent Decepticon leader [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] made use of [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] and [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} Many combiner teams—the Aerialbots, Technobots, Terrorcons, Seacons, and possibly the Combaticons and Protectobots—fell to an [[Underbase]]-empowered [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during his infamous rampage. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] combined to form [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. They appeared to keep their individual personalities in their combined mode instead of merging their minds. {{storylink|People Power!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
The Constructicons lost the ability to combine, but attempted to compensate by constructing a separate Devastator robot on a deserted island in the [[Bahamas]]. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
Multiple [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]]s could combine into larger vehicle modes. {{storylink|Total War!}} The [[Stormtrooper (Cybertronian)|Stormtrooper]]s under [[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]]'s command, for instance, could form a single "thunderjet". {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}

=====''Classics''=====
[[File:ShatteredHope-Magnaboss.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the years after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s defeat, Megatron rebuilt the Constructicons as a five-robot combiner, a new configuration that incorporated [[Hightower (Classics)|Hightower]] in place of [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}}

After the destruction of [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|their native universe]], [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] received [[beast mode]] upgrades to survive on the prehistoric [[Earth]] of [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|a parallel universe]]. While in their beast forms, they gained the ability to combine into the mighty [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]; this new form came in handy when they went up against Megatron and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s, who had since adopted [[Scylla]] into their ranks and reforged their combined form into "God Neptune"—thanks to Scylla's influence, this new configuration proved to be more intelligent and tactically minded than the brutish hunter that had preceded him. {{storylink|Shattered Hope}}

{{--}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 MonstructorDeathTouch.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] prepared for the arrival of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s invasion of Cybertron by having [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]] alert the Neo-Decepticon cells to get ready, while he himself prepared to deploy Monstructor. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} When [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] deployed [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to take out Bludgeon's [[Blitz Engine]]s, Soundwave ordered Monstructor to take out Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} The two giants clashed and just as the invasion was halted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s defeat of Bludgeon and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s annihilation of the ''[[Warworld]]'', Omega Supreme utterly destroyed Monstructor. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

=====''Timelines''=====
During the campaign against the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] and [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] rebuilt a dying [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] and upgraded him with combiner technology in the hopes that he'd take the ailing First Aid's place as one of [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]'s limbs. Due to Ratchet's [[The Pri¢e of Life!|prior experiences with combination]], he remained wary of the upgrade and did not combine unless absolutely necessary. {{storylink|Ratchet (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Customization class G2 Ratchet bio}}

=====''Transformers '84''=====
Although combiner technology did not see widespread use on Cybertron due to its intense energy-inefficiency, Straxus nevertheless posted [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] to guard [[Project Dreadnought]]'s headquarters in [[Stanix]]. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
[[File:Heavy Metal War Devastator.JPG|thumb|left|250px]]
The secret of combination hinged on a Cybertronian's [[personality component]]; only a fully-sentient Cybertronian could combine with their teammates into a more powerful form, and if even one ‘bot lacked a personality component then the team could not combine. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} However, combiners could still function, albeit in a severely weakened state, even without a team member forming an arm. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}} Some Cybertronians like [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] could combine into a single alternate mode. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}
On Cybertron, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] were existing Transformers who were brainwashed by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to become Decepticons and modified so that they could combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and challenge [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. After the fall of the [[Crystal City]] that they had worked to build together, Omega Supreme pursued the Constructicons for millions of years. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} In 1984, the Constructicons were [[Constructicon (G1)#Origin inconsistency|(re?)created]] on [[Earth]] with the ability to combine to bolster the Decepticons' strength. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

As the Cybertronian war on Earth heated up, the Autobots and Decepticons wound up constructing the heroic [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and evil [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s to plug specific tactical weaknesses in their ranks—a lack of air power and an inability to outmaneuver the Autobots on the road. Designed to combine, both sides eventually received personalities from [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}} [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] installed the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s' [[personality component]]s into junked military vehicles and gave them the ability to combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Later, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s became part of the Autobot forces on Earth and used their combined form to great effect on multiple occasions. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} On one notable occasion, a group of Autobots disguised themselves as the Stunticons, and were even able to combine their myriad abilities together to create a crude facsimile of Menasor himself. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

Years later, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s appeared as combiners under the command of the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} The combinable [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s were part of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s troops. An intellectually enhanced [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s with the ability to combine. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

{{--}}

=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
[[File:LegendsOptimusMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

A number of combiner warriors incorporated the mysterious technique known as "[[Scramble Power]]", which gave them the ability to swap and even interchange their component limbs at will to generate unique configurations for battle. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}} A smaller number of combiners were "[[Free-Combination|Free Combiners]]", who could rearrange their bodies at will. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (story page)|Operation Combination}} A unique form of [[energon]] known as "[[Joint energon]]" could cause Transformers to spontaneously develop combiner joints. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}}

[[Precursor World]] hero [[White Gallant Convoy]] could combine with members of the [[White Order]] to form a powerful "Grand Prime" mode, but even this powered-up mode could not withstand the might of a Matrix-empowered [[God Neptune]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 2}} During another battle with God Neptune, [[Purple Wicked Convoy]] combined with Megatron Omega to form an "Omega Hand Mode". {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1|Finale 1}}

[[File:AutobotScrumFormation01.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Two dozen androids form into one, and we've only just begun!]]

A mysterious dimensional shockwave turned a number of [[Cyberdroid]]s into combining [[Micromaster]]s. {{storylink|A New Transformer Legend Begins!!}}

In the modern day, inspired by a [[Masquerade|previous incident]] in which several Autobots combined, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] initiated the "Masquerade Project" in the late 1980s, modifying their [[transformation cog]]s to adopt new combiner modes. Though the process was imperfect and unstable, they managed to combine into [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] and defeat [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] during the battle for the [[Transform Super Cog]]. The combiner was then split apart when hit by an energy shockwave emitted by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

The [[Trainbot]]s were a group of Autobot rail vehicles with the power to combine into [[Raiden]]; on multiple occasions, they used their combined form to tussle with other combiners like Bruticus and Predaking. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}}

On one notable occasion, the combiners [[Guard City]], [[Sixbuilder]], [[Sixwing]], [[Sixturbo]], and [[Sixtrain]] all teamed up to unleash the awesomely powerful "[[Autobot Scrum Combination]]", summoning energy from their twenty-nine components and releasing it in a single devastating blast to save the Earth from [[Battle Gaia]] and the [[Jet Corps]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (story page)|Conclusion}}

With the help of [[Chip Chase|Professor Chase]], [[Power Core Combination]] was developed on [[Earth]] in the 21st century during a time when the Autobot/Decepticon conflict had largely moved away from the planet. Participants in the program—beginning with several Autobot [[Micromaster]]s from planet [[Micro|Zone]]—were upgraded into new forms and fitted with newly developed [[Energon Matrix]] power sources, becoming part of a new "[[Master Class]]" [[subgroup]]. {{storylink|The Mighty Bolt}} Before long, their successful tests of the Power Core Combination drones drew the attention of a team of Decepticons under the command of [[Scrash (G1)|Scrash]], who performed a similar upgrade on themselves (dubbing themselves "[[Master Chaos]]") that would enable them to interface with the Power Core drones and steal them. {{storylink|Prelude to the Siege}}

In the year [[2021]], the Autobots successfully resurrected Optimus Prime as a combiner; although he'd live for only seven days as a result of his many previous deaths, he was able to combine with several of his Autobot friends to form an improved version of Optimus Maximus. Despite this boost in power, however, Optimus Maximus and his components were quickly defeated by [[Megatronia]], a combiner composed of female Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} Meanwhile, a time-travelling [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] from another reality invaded this world and possessed [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]]'s body as his new vessel. Though Galvatron planned to usurp Unicron's body in order to implement the "[[Grand Galvatron]]" scheme, the crippled god offered him an alternative; instead he would summon from across the [[multiverse]] others who shared similar thoughts of revenge, and together they would unite to become a new "Grand Galvatron". Galvatron accepted and Cyclonus was joined by [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and a partially re-materialized [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] into Galvatron's new body. Though Unicron ordered Galvatron to seize [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for him, Galvatron planned to betray Unicron once again, and take control of his homeworld for himself. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}}

In their new combined form, the team attacked Cybertron until [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] split them apart. Cyclonus and the rest made their way to [[Vector Sigma]]'s chamber before re-combining to do battle with [[Sky Reign]]. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} With the arrival of [[Megaempress]], the rest of the team fled, leaving Cyclonus and Galvatron at the empress's mercy as she threatened to enthrall them both. They were saved when a revived Optimus Prime took Megaempress and her soldiers on. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} When Unicron himself showed up and tried to take Cybertron as his new body, Galvatron was angered and had Cyclonus attack the dark god, but he ended up blasted out of the sky and knocked unconscious. {{Storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Galvatron II's spirit then left Cyclonus's body, but he remained able to combine and, after recovering, convinced the rest of the team to form Grand Galvatron once more and help defeat Unicron. After their victory, he went into space, plotting to restore the Decepticon army by becoming the next Galvatron. {{Storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

[[File:Roadcaesar robotmode.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Although early Cybertronian combiners were lumbering brutes who struggled with intellectual or emotional issues, drawbacks that would be exemplified by the oafish [[Dinoking]], the [[Breastforce]] would be the first combiner team to bypass this debilitating weakness: their combined form, [[Liokaiser]], proved an intelligent and cunning warrior. {{storylink|Unite! Liokaiser}} Not to be outdone, the Autobots retaliated with next-generation combiners of their own: the Autobot [[Brainmaster]]s could unite into [[Road Caesar]], a perfect three-way fusion with an unbreakable fighting spirit, {{storylink|Attack! Leozack}} while the modular [[Multiforce]] could assume multiple sub-combinations or perform a six-way combination to form the mighty [[Landcross (SG)|Landcross]]. {{storylink|Unite!! Multiforce}}

[[File:Volcaticon.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

When the [[Quintesson]]s escaped their dimensional prison, they arrived on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] in the year [[2050]], where they spotted and hoped to subdue the Dinobots to use as merchandise. Towards this goal, they summoned [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], who had the Dinobots on the ropes till Grimlock was encouraged by telepathic messages from the [[Primus|Oracle]] of the past universe to use [[Earth]]'s [[Angolmois Energy]] to manifest his heart's strength in reality. With this energy and the lending of an [[Energon Matrix]] from [[Kakuryu (G1)|Grimmaster]], Grimlock and the other four original Dinobots combined into the mighty Volcanicus. Soon after, Volcanicus was contacted by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] about the [[Selector]] revolt at [[Neo Scramble City]], so Volcanicus's components split up to go and assist their human allies against the [[Cybertron Alliance]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

The Technobots arrived as Grimlock faced down [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who had already defeated the other [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]; unwilling to hurt the humans, the six combined into [[Volcaticon]]: a new cross-factional combiner that combined Grimlock's strength and take-charge attitude with the intellect of the five Technobots. Although Volcaticon announced his intention to find a solution that would benefit the humans and Selectors alike, the Quintessons attacked and knocked the new combiner back into his components. To resist a barrage of corrosive gas bombs, the two teams reformed into Computron and Volcanicus. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}} With the Cybertron Alliance combiners on the back foot thanks to a deblitating [[Angolmois Energy]] attack and a subsequent [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]] assault that took the female combiner [[Orthia]] out of action, a number of Technobots, Aerialbots, and Protectobots joinined up as another ad-hoc combination they dubbed "[[Comperian]]". Quintesson enforcer Abominus thus fought fire with fire by stealing [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s limbs to become [[Abomenaticus]]. The two combiners fought till [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron Omega]] threatened to take all of Earth's Angolmois Energy, so Abominus reformed to use the full capability of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]' Angolmois-manipulating nature and shifted his focus onto Megatron Omega. {{Storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

Combiner technology would persist and evolve into the distant future; [[Maximal]] combiners like [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] and [[Tripledacus]] were powerful warriors, but eschewed the direct mind-melding technology of their ancestors in favour of a simpler system where each individual component worked in tandem to coordinate their attacks. {{storylink|The Combined Giant, Tripledacus}} [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] warriors like [[Starscream (BW)|Starscream]] and [[BB (BW)|BB]] could temporarily combine into [[Formation Scream]] while in vehicle mode, and tripartite warriors like [[Magmatron]] possessed a unique [[beast mode]] that could split and recombine at will. {{storylink|Big Convoy, Move Out}} The [[Seacon (BWII)|Seacon]]s used a quintuple combination system when they formed into [[God Neptune]], while the Jointrons incorporated a triple combination system that directly integrated their bodies into a greater whole. {{storylink|Face the Setting Sun}}

{{--}}

=====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity=====
Powerglide rescued a [[Battle Dog|puppy]] that was juiced up on energy thanks to the Decepticons. Before it died, the puppy transferred his power to Powerglide. This temporarily energized Powerglide with Scramble Power, which he used to combine with other Autobot Minibots. The [[Minibot combiner]] was then easily able to defeat [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] using the "Minibot Warrior Spiral Attack". {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
[[File:TheComingStormPart6-Bruticus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

{{Wingsnote}}

Combining technology was the brainchild of the Decepticon warlord [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]], who had tinkered with the technology for many years before the [[Stealth Team (G1)|Stealth Team]] discovered his fortress at [[Gygax]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 36|Bruticus's ''Wings Universe'' profile}} He perfected the technology about nine million years ago and tested his invention out on his new recruits the Combaticons, which gave them the ability to combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 5}} Later, Megatron defeated Deathsaurus to become sole leader of the Decepticons, and stole Deathsaurus's technology to augment the Constructicons so that they could form Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

In the year [[2984]], the combiners [[Big Rescue Force]] and [[Big Motorvator]] could be glimpsed milling about in the [[Galadria Space Bridge Outpost]] in the [[Delta Prysmos Sector]]. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag}}

{{--}}

=====''Deviations''=====
[[File:TF-Deviations-Megascream-Combiner.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

In a timeline where Megatron died before ever becoming Galvatron, it would be [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] who became [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s herald. As the newly christened "Megascream", he bargained with Unicron to enhance his inner circle of warriors so that he could combine with them. As Unicron betrayed his minion and launched a direct attack on Cybertron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] attempted to use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to destroy Unicron, but Megascream combined with his troops into a towering new form and easily crushed Optimus under his fist. Ultimately, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] saved the day by first teleporting the wounded Optimus to safety, then opening the Matrix to sacrifice himself but destroy both Unicron and Megascream in the process. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

{{--}}

=====''Timelines''=====
An [[energon]] infusion from the Aerialbots gave the recently arrived Protectobots the power to combine into Defensor. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 21/9/2015}}

Exposure to an [[Enigma of Combination|arcane Autobot artifact]] gave [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] the power of combination and the unique ability to act as a "universal donor" for any combiner by acting as a replacement limb. While in an arm configuration, he possessed a unique "healing touch" that could re-energize and rejuvenate injured Cybertronians, but overusing this power by trying to heal severe injuries could forcibly disengage the combination. {{storylink|Ratchet (G1)/toys#BotCon2016|Customization class G1 cartoon Ratchet bio}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:DevastatorDissectionDreamwave.jpg|thumb|right|200px|What, no Terror Claws? No Cranium Regulation Unit? What kind of lame dissection is this?!]]

The combination process has its roots in the "mass intellect" experiments carried out by the Decepticons during the earliest phases of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; building off the well-established science of mechanically combining bodies, the next step would be to mesh individual electro-neural impulses together into a unified mind. Following the failure of the planetary engine turbines, {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] recruited the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s to refine this technology into a viable weapon that would multiply a small group of warriors beyond the sum of their parts, but early experiments into this "cofunctional interlock" technology proved unsuccessful: the mind-merging experiments amplified stronger minds and drowned out weaker ones. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

After a period of trial and error, the Constructicons developed a unique "hyper vortex processor" that would preserve the minds of the individual within the combined whole. By testing the technology on themselves, the Constructicons became the prototype for all future combination experiments, but the rudimentary process left their combined form a dimwitted brute who needed all six Constructicons to agree on a single course of action to function. Despite these drawbacks, Devastator's destructive capabilities greatly pleased Megatron, and the Decepticon leader began planning for a full-scale combiner program. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} Combiner technology remained risky and unpredictable; only those rare Cybertronians with the correct predisposition and the ability to work as a team could safely undergo the upgrade, and unfit Decepticons who failed the trial period usually wound up insane or dead. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

[[File:Escalation-DevastatorVsDefensor.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Eventually, the [[Autobot Science Harmonium]] obtained combiner schematics from the Decepticons, successfully reverse-engineered the mass intellect process, and dramatically overhauled the procedure to create safer and more efficient combiners. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], the combined forms of the Autobot [[Special Teams]], utilized advanced compartmentalized neural processors that maintained the integrity of individual brainwaves while also drawing on each to create an integrated mind. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}} The Decepticons retaliated by turning the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] into combiners; as this arms race escalated, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]] resulted in all of the Special Teams agreeing to become non-aligned parties. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} After Optimus and Megatron vanished, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and his breakaway faction of [[Ultracon]]s flouted the Accords by deliberately recruiting Devastator into their ranks. {{storylink|Escalation}} As a result, the Protectobots intervened, although in the end they took him down by separating and fighting as individual robots. Despite all the advances that'd been made, the second-generation combiners still suffered from limited intellects, and Protectobots were trying to iron out these drawbacks while [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron were missing. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

After somehow travelling to Earth in 2002, Devastator spread chaos in [[San Francisco]] and trounced the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s when they formed Superion to take him down. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} Although Devastator proved tough enough to withstand a direct nuclear blast, the individual Constructicons suffered massive damage that permanently fused them together. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}} In 2003, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] release the Stunticons, who'd been deemed too dangerous to function in society, from [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Detention Banks]]. Menasor ran amok for a while, but [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] took down the combiner by insulting his components one by one; as his individual consciousnesses began bickering over whose fault it was that they were losing, Ultra Magnus rammed the paralyzed combiner in the chest and forced him to separate. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After locating the rogue Predacons on the planet [[Beest (planet)|Beest]], Megatron bested their leader Razorclaw, brought them back into the Decepticon fold, and rebuilt them with combiner technology. {{storylink|Welcome to the Jungle}} As Predaking, they battled Bruticus, who had recently suffered damage at the hands of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and triumphed. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

Other groups of Cybertronians utilized a less extreme version of combiner technology—robots like the [[Micromaster Combiner]]s, who combined to form a single vehicle mode, or armor-based powerups like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Powermaster]] trailer, did not rely on mental merging. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

{{--}}

====''Transformers/G.I. Joe''====
The Aerialbots formed Superion during a battle against [[Cobra]] and the Decepticons in the [[Fera Islands]]; {{storylink|Wolves}} as he waded toward the [[Terrordrome]], he was forced to hold his fire when Optimus noticed that Cobra was using their slaves as human shields. In response, Cobra opened fire on Superion with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s massive cannon mode; {{storylink|Trenches}} although Superion shielded his allies for as long as he could, he eventually perished. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

Notably, the [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] of this reality was ''not'' a combiner, nor even a Cybertronian; he was born on Earth in [[1939]] as an unholy, unliving hybrid of Cybertronian and human technology, a walking engine of destruction created to be the ultimate weapon. {{storylink|Wolves}}

{{--}}

====''The Beast Within''====
[[File:THE BEAST.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

When Megatron and the other Decepticons held the upper hand on the battlefield, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and the four Dinobots displayed the ability to combine into a monstrous creature known only as the "[[Beast (G1)|Beast]]", an out-of-control berserker who easily slaughtered his way through the Decepticons and killed every Decepticon combiner Megatron sent to stop him. {{storylink|The Beast Within}} However, the Beast then turned on his nominal allies, and chased the Autobots around for a while before the survivors could bait him into falling off a cliff and killing himself. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}

{{--}}

====''Hearts of Steel''====
After reawakening in the 19th century, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s displayed the ability to combine into a self-propelled, heavily armed railcar known as the "[[Insectrain]]". {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

{{IDW HOS}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:AllGoodThings-Monstructor.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Wubba wubba wubba is Monstructor's song.]]

The art of combination came easily to other mechanical species like the "omnicombinational" [[Ammonite]]s, where any one member of their species could combine with any other; {{storylink|Little Victories}} although all [[Transformer]]s possessed the ''capacity'' for combination encoded in their [[CNA]], only a handful would consciously manifest this ability in their lifetime as a result of external stimuli. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} The history of Cybertronian combiner technology began with [[Nexus Prime]], a member of the [[Thirteen]] in the years before the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. His [[Enigma of Combination]], an extremely powerful artifact created by [[Solus Prime]], {{storylink|Transformers: Historia|Historia}} could instantly reconfigure two or more Cybertronians into a combiner, melding their minds so that they could coordinate their actions on a higher-dimensional plane known as [[antespace]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} Most combiners utilized [[Size changing|mass displacement]] to some degree—when their components combined, they also grew in size to the point where they towered over their fellow Cybertronians. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}}

When the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] swept Cybertron, Nexus colluded with his ally [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s that fused beasts and 'bots together. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} Not all Cybertronians viewed combination as a gift, however: [[Darklands|Darklander]] warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], already prejudiced against Cybertronians with [[beast mode]]s, viewed combination as a perversion that "rotted away the individual", {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|OnoffON}} his one-man war against Nexus Prime's armies singlehandedly drove the ancient Headmasters extinct. Eventually, Galvatron confronted and murdered Nexus Prime, stole the Enigma, and when he could not destroy it he jettisoned it into space in the hopes that it would burn up in a nearby star. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[Nova Prime]] led the planet out of the shadow of war and into a new [[Golden Age]], but his early idealism soon gave way to a twisted, fascistic imperialism: inspired by an ancient legends of the [[Guiding Hand]], and a time when "[['Til all are one|all were one]]", he sought to turn combination into a tool of conquest, and instructed his chief theoretical scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to create a combiner without the Enigma. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Without the reality-warping power of the Enigma, Jhiaxus's experiments yielded only a crude recreation of what once was; this stunted form of combination forcibly merged the bodies and minds of the [[Pretender Monster|six volunteers]] that Jhiaxus had conscripted to create a violently insane personality, and the newly christened "[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]" ran amok in [[Crystal City]] until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] could seal him in a dimensional prison. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}}

[[File:Windblade volume2 devisiun.jpg|thumb|right|350px]]

Although true combination on the mental level remained out of reach, some Cybertronians discovered safer but less dramatic forms of combination, including shared "duocombiner" [[alternate mode]]s. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} A "branched [[spark]]" telepathically linked them to a [[twin]] sibling; while incredibly rare on Cybertron, the Transformer colonists on the planet [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]] evolved into an entire civilization of duocombiners, although they did not consider themselves "true" combiners. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} The twelve 'bots who made up the [[Functionist Council]] could all combine into a single alternate mode, a religious ornament known as the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}}

Serious research into combiner technology stagnated for millennia until the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], when [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], seeking to create a Decepticon superweapon, recruited Jhiaxus's former student [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] into the Decepticons, provided him with a laboratory and ample resources, and ordered him to continue where his master had left off. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} An early attempt involved physically rebuilding five Cybertronians so that they transformed into four limbs and a torso; humiliated by the loss of his alternate mode, right leg [[Ambulon]] defected to the Autobots and the "[[Combicon]]" project was abandoned. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}} {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} When Monstructor escaped from his dimensional prison, the Autobots apprehended him {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} and took his individual components into custody in the hopes that they could be rehabilitated. [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s studied them with the goal of rehabilitating them, but the difficulty of the technology meant that they didn't get the chance before the [[Decepticon Secret Service]] captured the "Monstructor Six". {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} Eventually, however, Shockwave left the Decepticons to pursue his [[Regenesis|pet project]], in his absence, it would be [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] who created the first successful combiner: by using the like-minded [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s as test subjects, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] avoided Monstructor's debilitating personality flaws but remained sluggish in both mind and body. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} After [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] died, the Constructicons could still use his corpse to form Devastator, but the "dead leg" left Devastator hobbled. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} In the years following the Surge, other Decepticons subgroups acquired combiner upgrades, but their attempts generally went poorly: the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s rebuilt themselves using black market technology from [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] but couldn't properly unify their minds, {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}} while the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s didn't even get as far as combining due to their inability to agree on ''anything''. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}}

[[File:IDWRID14 prowlstator.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

In the final battle of the Great War, the eldritch [[D-Void]] harnessed a mysterious energy emitted from Cybertron's core and used it to suppress the individual wills of Galvatron, his [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s, and every Decepticon on the planet save Megatron, then merged them all into a [[Deceptigod|monstrous avatar]] slaved to the D-Void's will. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} After the end of the war, Megatron learned to manipulate this same energy as part of a new plan to claim dominance over Iacon; when the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s ventured into the Cybertronian wilderness, this energy caused the group to became increasingly aggressive toward each other until they spontaneously combined into [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], which may have been a CNA-level defense mechanism against the hostile signal. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} {{storylink|Night and the City}} At the same time, Bombshell used his [[cerebro-shell]]s to brainwash [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and turn his quarters into a secret "black room". In preparation for Megatron's impending return, Bombshell rebuilt the remaining Constructicons so that they could combine with any suitable Cybertronian, upgraded Megatron so that he could combine with the Constructicons, and used Prowl as a guinea pig to form a new Devastator under Bombshell's control. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} Bombshell's death enabled a new, Prowl-centric Devastator personality, who ran amok and grievously injured Superion. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Before Megatron could trigger his own Devastator combination, the Autobots stopped him. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

United by their shared hatred of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], the Constructicons saw Prowl as a kindred spirit and allied themselves with the Autobots to stay with their new leader, {{storylink|Second Exodus}} and formed Devastator once more to defeat Monstructor during the "Dark Cybertron" crisis. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} While on Earth, Prowl came to rely on this new Devastator as his heavy-duty enforcer during the search for [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} and later the [[Enigma of Combination]]. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}} However, as Galvatron foretold, the stress of repeated combination took its toll: even when not combined, the Constructicons began losing their individual quirks and finishing each other's sentences, {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} while Prowl suffered energon "nosebleeds" and unconsciously referred to his teammates as "Scrapper". {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} Eventually, Prowl admitted that his experiences as Devastator meant that he no longer saw the Decepticons as enemies, but as a part of him. {{storylink|Now and On Earth}}

[[File:AllThatRemains-OptimusMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

This dramatic upswing of combiner activity sparked an unofficial arms race between the different factions vying for control of the planet. Although Cybertronian ruler [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and his faction of neutrals did not yet control a combiner, he revived a comatose [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] and convinced him to repair the damaged Superion. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} Using the [[Enigma of Combination]] that Starscream's lackey [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] poached from Earth, Superion soon returned to full functionality with [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] serving as new components. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} Superion's return coincided with the restoration of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[space bridge]] and a potential alliance with the lost colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. In the hopes that he could conquer Caminus and the other [[Cybertronian colonies]] to form a new galactic empire, Starscream orchestrated the "[[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]", which saw the Enigma repeatedly change hands as different factions tried to conquer or save Caminus: combatants included Superion, a rebuilt Menasor, {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], formed from the loosely affiliated "[[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s", {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} and a new version of Devastator that incorporated Starscream's lackey [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] in place of Prowl. Determined to keep Starscream from conquering the galaxy by forcibly cutting Cybertron off from the universe, Prowl pressganged Optimus Prime and several other Autobots into becoming [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]], {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} but when he confronted their personalities in antespace the four members of the combination convinced him to work with them, fight for a united future, and defeat Devastator in a galaxy-spanning brawl. {{storylink|All That Remains}} After the formation of the [[Council of Worlds]], Arcee tried to steal the Enigma of Combination, sparking in motion a chain of events that led to six visiting [[Torchbearer]]s accidentally merging into the powerful [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|An Uneventful Night}} When Cybertron opened diplomatic relations with the citizens of Devisiun, Starscream brought Superion along to impress them and offered them a place on the Council in exchange for combiner technology. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

Combiners created by the Enigma possessed a high degree of mental stability occasionally manifested unusual powers, including the ability to split their bodies apart or even fire their limbs as rocket-powered projectiles. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Victorion displayed a number of unusual traits: not only did she possess a suite of gravity-related powers, allowing her to fly under her own power or crush objects from afar, {{storylink|Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|Perihelion}} she proved a sophisticated and erudite thinker capable of verbally sparring with Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange}} However, this kind of combination ''also'' proved addictive: Defensor and Superion displayed an unwillingness to split into their components, and Prowl noted that combiners teams had trouble staying separate. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} After his arrest, Prowl taunted Optimus that a part of him would always exist in Prime's mind due to their brief mental merge as Optimus Maximus. {{storylink|Now and On Earth}} Aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', Defensor was able to substitute Ambulon as a replacement limb after [[Rook (CW)|Rook]]'s death, but was defeated by [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] shortly afterwards. Under unclear circumstances, the Decepticon combiner [[Liokaiser]] served under Decepticon leader [[Nickel]]. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

[[File:AHO-earthannexed.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

While Optimus Prime was away on Cybertron, the Earthbound Autobots discovered that [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] had upgrade some of his mass-produced [[Seeker clone]] troopers into tripartite combiners. Later still, Optimus brought Superion and Victorion back with him when he made the controversial decision to annex Earth. They discovered that, thanks to the machinations of [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]], who had previously reverse-engineered the Enigma of Combination, its energies had "infected" all of Earth's computerized technology and turned the entire planet into an Enigma—during the final battle against Galvatron and his rogue Decepticon faction, Galvatron betrayed his principles in the name of victory and forcibly amalgamated Cybertronians together to create [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]]. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}} To nullify this "Earth-Enigma", Superion incorporated part of the Enigma's code into his own mind, then permanently separated himself into his components, effectively killing himself. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}}
Around this time, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] sought to access the mind of their former teammate Swindle, who'd supposedly dug up compromising information on Starscream's role in the Combiner Wars. To do this, they stole the Enigma and used it on themselves to create [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], but their inexperience with combination turned their combined form into a rampaging monster. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}} On Earth, [[human]] dictator [[Iron Klaw|Count "Iron Klaw" von Rani]] used a copy of the extraterrestrial [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to suppress the individual minds of the Predacons and turn them into "[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]". When [[Snake-Eyes]] smashed the console that kept them docile, their argumentative personalities resurfaced and tore the combiner apart. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} During "Onyx Prime's" invasion of Cybertron, Victorion wound up clashing with a misguided Devastator, and thanks to an extra surge of power-enhancing [[Ore-8]] she unleashed a devastating gravitational wave that crushed Devastator to atoms. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

During [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s invasion of Cybertron, Monstructor returned and fatally wounded Victorion by killing [[Stormclash]] and forcing the other [[Torchbearer]]s to break apart. {{storylink|Road's End}} When the battle moved to Earth, the Aerialbots recombined into Superion, reactivated the latent Earth-Enigma by doing so, and allowed [[Slide]], a Devisen duocombiner who'd lost her ability to transform after the death of [[Oiler|her brother]], to sub in as Victorion's new leg. Together, Victorion and Superion took on Monstructor and finally put an end to their monstrous progenitor. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

{{--}}

====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity====
[[File:DawnOfThePredacus-magnabossvsmegatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

In the twilight of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] oversaw the creation of [[Predacus]], a combiner formed from the members of the [[Tripredacus Council]]. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}} The Autobots and [[Maximal]]s retaliated by creating [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]], a combiner made up some of the most seasoned Autobot veterans. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}} Although [[Under-3|an untested Maximal]] would wind up taking Perceptor's intended role in the combination, Magnaboss and Predacus both played vital roles in the final battle of the war before the ratification of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]; while Magnaboss took out the 'bot who would one day call himself "[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]", Predacus eliminated "Megatron's" trump card, Predaking. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}} By the time of the [[Great Upgrade]], peacetime society dismissed combiners as energy-inefficient and the technology was largely forgotten. Magnaboss disappeared from the public eye, but the Tripredacus Council refined the technology to create [[Tripredacus]]. Other notable combiners included [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss II]] and [[Tripledacus]], who participated in later Maximal-Predacon skirmishes over [[Angolmois Energy]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}
{{--}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
[[File:TFJoe12-Defensor.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

To combat a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] invasion, the Constructicons formed Devastator. In spite of being able to deter the initial invasion force, he was rammed by the ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} which killed Long Haul and took Devastator out of commission. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

As Cybertron inched ever closer to Earth, the Decepticon/Cobra alliance attacked [[New York City]], the Combaticons combining into Bruticus. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

During the lead-up to the final battle, the [[Rescuebot]]s—a group of Autobots who'd developed a particularly strong affection for humanity—sealed their holy oath to protect mankind with a unique "Combination Lock". This combination lock allowed them all to spontaneously merge into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]; in the final battle, the united G.I. Joe-Autobot force fetched up against a number of combiners, including Predaking, Abominus, Menasor, and a rebuilt Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} Megatron briefly combined the energies of his black hole with the Matrix of Leadership to absorb all of the Autobots into his being to become the monstrous "Mega-Megatron" until [[Shipwreck]] and [[Polly]] crashed the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' into his new body and freed the captive Autobots. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

{{--}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
[[File:CulturalAppropriation-MonsterousVsDevastator.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

[[Nucleon (TR)|Nucleon]] considered gestalt technology to be a crude precursor to the [[binary bonding]] process that would come to define the later days of the Great War. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} A number of combiner teams survived into the era of the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]]s, [[Maximal]]s, and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, including the Protectobots, Aerialbots, and Constructicons, but to survive on a crumbling post-war Cybertron the teams downsized into fuel-efficient [[Micromaster]] bodies. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} The Constructicons retained the ability to form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], but by the 24th century the team had evolved into a two-thirds Autobot unit led by [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]]. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

Inspired by the legendary titans of old, a number of other parties would go on to acquire combiner technology: [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]], the first proto-race combiner, drew upon the strength and wisdom of the Maximals who made up the [[Maximal High Council]]: [[Silverbolt (Magnaboss)|Silver Bolt]], [[Tigatron]], [[Santon]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], and [[Lio Junior|Lio Minor]]. Not to be outdone, the 'bots of the [[Tripredacus Council]] stole combination technology from their rivals and used it on themselves to become [[Tripredacus]]. {{storylink|Derailment}} More ominously, the street gang known as the "Antares Eight"—in reality, a group of dimensionally-displaced [[Monster GoBot]]s—could call upon their own personal gestalt, [[Monsterous]]. When these dimensional invaders attempted to bait the [[Human Confederacy]] into destroying Cybertron, Devastator faced off with the GoBot combiner and ultimately emerged triumphant. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]], Devastator and Magnaboss joined the final assault on the [[Grand Mal]].A beam from the ancient battle station hit both combiners, and though Magnaboss survived the battle with only [[Lio Junior|one component]] lost, three of Devastator's components perished. {{storylink|Derailment}} At the same time, the Tripredacus Council used their Tripredacus form to hunt down and slay [[Preditron]] before a vengeful [[Ser-Ket (BWU)|Ser-Ket]] killed two of his three components. {{storylink|Derailment}} With the dawn of the [[Cybertronian Parliament]], the surviving Constructicons recruited [[Wideload (G1)|Wideload]], [[Hauler|Road Hauler]] and [[Steam Hammer]] as replacements. The new, construction-minded Devastator who emerged would be hailed as the champion of the remaining Builders. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Timelines''====
As the Autobot war machine came to increasingly rely on Combiners, the Autobots began taking steps to minimize their drawbacks. Most glaringly, the loss of a single member would all but incapacitate the whole; to minimize this tactical weakness, the Protectobots began drafting auxiliary members who could replace any given component when nessecary, including [[Rook (CW)|Rook]], [[Skyfeather]], [[Heatrock]], and [[Medix (G1)|Medix]]. {{storylink|Medix (G1)#Toys|Customization class Medix bio}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
[[File:OMAMFinale WreckageVThunderMayhem.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

During the Great War, combiners played a significant role, and both sides invested significant time and effort into producing combat-ready combiners. {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} During one such experiment, [[Loudpedal]] and [[Oil Slick (G1)|Oil Slick]] accidentally created [[Toxitron (G1)|Toxitron]], a malformed mutant who spewed an endless torrent of noxious acid. {{storylink|The Toxic Transformer}} Soon, however, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his underlings began tampering with forces that the Cybertronian race was not meant to control: seeking to create the "ultimate combiner", he combined [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s [[Point One Percenter]] spark with the artificial [[Matrix of Malice]], which formed the core of the terrifying [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Soon enough, Thunder Mayhem turned on his creators and rampaged across Cybertron: over the course of this one-sided war, it destroyed every other combiner, and the few survivors of this mass extinction assumed that Thunder Mayhem had annihilated Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Life Finds a Way}}

Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] began travelling the stars to assemble a team capable of taking down Thunder Mayhem and slowly assembled a new crew of Wreckers from the few surviving Cybertronians he found throughout the galaxy. Toxitron, [[Alpha Bravo]], and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] were already combination-compatible,and [[Fractyl]] and [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] received full rebuilds to accommodate combiner technology. Fractyl reverse-engineered the power of Thunder Mayhem's spark using a substance called "[[Greenergon]]" and implanted a supply of it into Toxitron to act as a booster when they combined. However, their combined form went berserk and tried to kill Impactor. Terrified by the prospect of unleashing a second monster on the universe, Alpha Bravo murdered his friend Offroad to stop Thunder Mayhem from ever forming again, and was himself shot by Toxitron seconds later. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} Upon discovering the ruins of Cybertron, the Wreckers recruited [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] into their team; when alien [[Teklaan]]s attacked, Impactor used a design lab to modify Bluestreak for the process, and Wreckage re-emerged: with Impactor now leading the team from within the combiner's psyche, this new iteration proved stronger both mentally and physically... although Bluestreak's penchant for talk left him far chattier than the original Wreckage {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}}

The Wreckers finally located Thunder Mayhem on the planet Earth, and formed Wreckage to stop the monster once and for all. In battle with the destroyer of worlds, Wreckage's power was harnessed by a human with a genetic quirk named [[Lisa|Elizabeth]]. Joined by the other Earth-bound Autobots, the heroes successfully broke the Matrix of Malice and reduced Thunder Mayhem back into his separate components. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

{{--}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
[[File:CombinerWarsMachinima-Menasorstill.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The Enigma of Combination created many combiners during the later years of the Great War, including [[Computron (G1)|Computron]], [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], {{storylink|The Fall}}, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}} and [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Victorion}} Whether or not the combiners adhered to the old factions remains debatable: although [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] pointed out that they were still made up of Autobots and Decepticons, {{storylink|The Council}} a number of combiners appear to self-identify as members of an independent faction, separate from either Autobots or Decepticons. {{storylink|The Fall}} After the end of the Great War, Optimus Prime and Megatron willingly went into self-imposed exile, and as a result the leaderless combiners fell into a period of vicious, destructive infighting known as the "[[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]". The [[Council of Worlds]] came into possession of the Enigma and considered using it to stem the conflict—either fighting fire with fire by creating a new combiner army, or by simply destroying ''all'' combiners. {{storylink|The Council}}

As the council debated using the Enigma to control the Combiners, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] aassisted [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as they attacked the Council pavilion. All of the extant combiners converged on the building, and although Devastator attempted to claim the Enigma for himself, the Council ordered Starscream to use the Enigma to take control of the combatants. {{storylink|A War of Giants}} Instead, he used it to merge himself with Devastator, Victorion, and the bodies of [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]; his attempted "super-combination" collapsed and turned him into an unstable energy being. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} Upon Starscream's defeat, the four other combiners were returned to normal; Victorion took ownership of the Enigma by claiming that the artefact rightfully belonged to the combiners. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

[[File:DesperateActions-UltimateVictorion.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

During [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage across Cybertron, the Mistress of Flame recruited the combiners to find and reactivate [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} Computron discovered that the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]'s [[transformation cog]] was damaged but the weapons systems were intact, and so Victorion ordered him to take control of the weapons and fire everything they had at Trypticon. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}} When Megatron arrived at Fortress Maximus and revealed the Mistress of Flame had perished, the combiners assumed him responsible and attacked. Once Windblade arrived and the fight stopped long enough for Megatron to explain, Victorion fused with the other combiners to successfully form "Ultimate Victorion", a massive warrior comprised of spectral energy. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}} Although Ultimate Victorion fell in battle against Trypticon and wound up reduced to her components once more, all of the combiners joined in the ensuing battle. {{storylink|Consumed}} {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Victorion joined Megatron and his crew on their subsequent quest to find the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] before [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], who had already stolen the Enigma of Combination, could use it to achieve his evil goals. While exploring a marshy wilderness, the team encountered the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, who displayed the ability to combine into [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]. {{storylink|The Swamp}} Predaking attacked the group shortly afterwards and demanded that Victorion turn over the Enigma, {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} but they were able to peacefully talk down the ex-Decepticon combiner. {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}} Not long afterwards, [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]] successfully killed almost all of the combiners: first Computron, Menasor, and Devastator, {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} then Victorion in the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} In the final battle against Megatronus, Predaking attempted to seize the Enigma and wound up fatally decapitated. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

{{--}}

====''Bumblebee'' graphic novels====
The Constructicons briefly formed Devastator during a battle for a [[cybertonium]] meteorite until the precious mineral exploded, reducing them back to the individual Constructicons. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}

====''Mazinger Z vs. Transformers''====
As combiners, the Constructicons were the only Decepticons capable of taking on [[Kōji Kabuto]]'s [[Mazinger Z]] super robot, but not even Devastator could withstand Mazinger's infamous rocket-propelled punch that instantly collapsed the gestalt back into his components.

====''Transformers/Ghostbusters''====
When [[Gozer]] invaded Cybertron, Megatron set loose every combiner the Decepticons had against the extradimensional monster, to no avail. One by one, Predaking, Devastator, and Bruticus fell. Seeing the defeat of their ultimate weapons convinced the other members of [[Decepticon High Command]] that Cybertron was doomed. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:SeaOfRust1-Abominus.jpg|thumb|right|350px|"I'm not afraid of the mutation anymore. Not when I have ''this'' kind of power!"]]

The origins of the Enigma of Combination are unclear, but folk wisdom held that the artifact belonged to [[Nexus Prime]], who had once wielded the artifact at the dawn of Cybertronian civilization. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}} Although the Enigma could theoretically combine any group of Cybertronians into a combiner, only those who shared a common sense of purpose could successfully master the art of combination. In the years before the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], a group of Cybertronians used the Enigma to try and combine, but without a clear goal their combined form became a mindless "[[Abominus (G1)|abomination]]" that rampaged across the planet in search of fuel; when it became clear that the combiner could not be reasoned with, [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] and a legion of warriors finally felled the beast at [[Rivets Field]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} {{storylink|Escape Part Three}}

[[File:ConstructiconsRisingPart4-Devastator.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

The Enigma of Combination wound up buried in the strata beneath the region, where it remained for many megacycles until after the end of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], when the newly christened [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] uncovered the Enigma while on cleanup duty. Their supervisor [[Termagax]] encouraged them to embrace this artifact to push their potential to its fullest; although they successfully united into [[Devastator (G1)|a combiner]], {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} mastering that combined form by learning to successfully merge their minds came less easily. Only by embracing the combiner's emergent personality, and learning to harness its deep reserves of primal anger, could they use their powerful new form to rebuild Iacon. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], nervous about what would happen if the Constructicons lost control of their combined form, petitioned [[Nominus Prime]] to exile them to [[Mayalx]]. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} Nominus agreed; to ensure that no more combiners would threaten his [[Nominus Edict|vision]] of Cybertron's future, Nominus entrusted Termagax with the Enigma in the hopes that she could keep the artifact safe until such time as it would be needed. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

In the years that followed the ratification of the Nominus Edict, combiner technology fell by the wayside, although individuals like [[Power Punch]] and [[Direct-Hit]] appear to possess a combined vehicle mode, {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} while 'bots like [[Cromar]] could combine with others in their weaponized forms. {{storylink|End of Time}} The only known Cybertronian to successfully crack the secret of true combination would be the mad scientist [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]], who used her knowledge to create a massive [[Combination Core]] aboard the [[Hexagon]] asteroid colony that could forcibly merge any five 'bots together. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

With a second civil war looming on the horizon, [[The Rise|Rise]] leader [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] turned his attention to acquiring a monopoly on combiner technology. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} To this end, he recruited his former allies the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], to manipulate the Constructicons into embracing their rage; after renaming their combined form "Devastator", the combiner laid waste to the colony that they'd built and fled into deep space. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}} Several cycles later, [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] and his [[Technobot (G1)|Technical Solutions]] team fell into the Combination Core and emerged as [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. Before their combined form could gather his wits, colony administrator [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] jettisoned the entire floor from the station and launched Computron into space. However, once returned to their regular forms, Scattershot discovered that he'd somehow absorbed the power of the Combination Core. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

When [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] received a distress signal from Cybertron, she made for [[Crystal City]]. Though Lodestar was too weak to fight, her size alone scared off the majority of the Decepticon army and allowed her to release Computron who held off [[Strika's Heavies]] long enough for Optimus Prime to confront the Decepticon general. {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} The battle drained the Technical Solutions team of energon, leaving the Autobots unable to turn Computron against the [[rust worm]]s or [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Following [[Exarchon]]'s return, Shockwave summoned Devastator back to Cybertron, {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} giving him instructions to meet with [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. After the combiner's size had scared off the Autobots and Decepticons in the [[Sonic Canyons]], Exarchon sought to usurp Devastator, {{storylink|War's End Part Three}} only for Constructicons to resist him, though the strain forced them to decombine. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}}

By the time Exarchon had been destroyed, Computron had been refuelled, escorting the Autobot convoy to Darkmount. Having been given the Constructicons by Shockwave, Megatron unleashed Devastator on Computron during the siege of Darkmount. Though the Constructicon combiner initially proved stronger, Scattershot used the powers of the Combination Core to add [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]], [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], [[Javelin]], and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] to the mix. Reborn as a ten-bot combiner, Computron was able to defeat Devastator but was ultimately overwhelmed by the totality of the Decepticon force firing on him, forcing him to decombine back into their components, though the sacrifice had allowed the Autobots to escape Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}
{{--}}

====''My Little Pony/Transformers''====
[[File:TheMightiestDinobot-Superion.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

While stranded on [[Earth]], [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] the [[dragon]] helped [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] defend the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' from a Constructicon assault. Devastator easily trounced Grimlock, Spike quickly worked out how to fire the ''Ark''{{'}}s primary thrusters, and the force of the blast reduced Devastator back to his components, who promptly fled. {{storylink|Inspiring}}

During [[King Sombra]]'s magical assault on Cybertron, the evil unicorn brainwashed [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] and the other four Aerialbots with his mind-control [[magic]] and forced them to combine into Superion. Although the brainwashed combiner quickly defeated Grimlock and the other Dinobots, Spike and [[Smolder (MLP)|Smolder]] deduced that forcing Sombra to split his control five ways would weaken his magic, and taunted the individual Aerialbots by playing on their individual hangups and personality traits until Superion could no longer maintain the combination and fell apart, breaking the spell in the process. {{storylink|The Mightiest Dinobot}}
{{--}}

====''Last Bot Standing''====
[[Steel Jaw|Steeljaw]]'s pack possessed the ability to combine into the diminutive [[Unstoppimus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] stood in the way of the pack getting [[energon]], the pack combined to hold off the Autobot but fuel-starved as they were, Unstoppimus was more bark than bite, Rodimus quickly disabling their weapons before beheading them, the shock sending their components into stasis lock. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

===''Robots in Disguise''===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:Landfill RiD Cartoon.JPG|thumb|left|250px]]
Many of the Autobots active on Earth were combiners: most notably, the three Autobots who comprised [[Team Bullet Train]] could merge into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} The hard-working 'bots who made up the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] could also combine to form [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]], but they rarely took an active combat role due to their duties maintaining the [[Global Space Bridge]]. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} Rail Racer proved a powerful trump card for the Autobots during the early phases of the war for Earth; seeking some powerful new warriors to level the playing field, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] leader [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] created the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]], a team of crack warriors who could merge into [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Many combiners in this reality displayed the ability to rearrange their components at will and gain specific powers in doing so: for instance, Landfill could combine in three possible configurations: one that balanced offense and defense, {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} a "Typhoon Mode" that optimized offensive power, {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}, and a "Cyclone Mode" close-quarters assault form. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Ruination possessed two primary configurations— a ground assault "Land Mission" mode, and a "Flight Mission" form that allow him to hover. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Even [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] displayed the power to combine: when his rebellious brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] travelled to Earth, he feigned compassion in an attempt to steal the Matrix, then forced his brother to combine with him. What he didn't expect, though, was that Optimus had as much control over their new "[[Omega Prime]]" form as Magnus did; his plan to steal the power of the Matrix backfired and he had to cooperate with Prime to defeat the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon|a dystopian alternate timeline]], [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smashed]] Rail Racer and Landfill so that they became the evil [[Dominus Trannis]] and [[Devastator (Universe Ultra)|Devastator]] respectively. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}} Megazarak slaughtered three out of the four members of the [[Protection Team]] and left their leader Hot Spot unable to combine. When [[Ultra Trion]] passed the Matrix onto him, he received new armor which gave him the abilities of his fallen comrades. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/07}} This new, one-bot iteration of "[[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]]" tried to save Dominus Trannis, but was ultimately forced to put his old comrades out of their misery, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/28}} while [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] plucked Devastator away from his home timeline to serve in the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] claimed that [[beast mode]] Transformers such as himself were too emotionally delicate to suffer the indignity of combining. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Shark Sonnets, 2015/10/21}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
Across multiple continuities, the power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s possessed the ability to power up larger Autobots and Decepticons with extra weapons and abilities while physically attached to their bodies. This special bond is known as a "[[Powerlinx]]", and is not considered a "true" combination, although by the time of ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' this specific term would come to be used interchangeably with more familiar forms of combination.

====Cartoon continuity====
=====''Armada'' cartoon=====
[[File:Ruin-Star Saber Skyboom Shield.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

In addition to their ability to Powerlinx, a number of Mini-Cons possessed the power to combine with each other: although [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]], [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] combined into a super robot named [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]], {{storylink|Comrade}} most other Mini-Cons became enhanced weapons or tools: the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] formed the supernatural [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] became the impenetrable [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield, {{storylink|Overmatch}} and the [[Space Mini-Con Team]] could unite to form the devastatingly powerul [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|Awakening (Armada)|Awakening}}

During a battle with the Decepticons, the Autobots struggled against [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s new tactician [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and his 'henchman' [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]. Right when it seemed hopeless, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] fell from the sky and combined with Optimus to form Jet Optimus. {{storylink|Awakening (Armada)|Awakening}} Later still, Optimus began combining with the hulking [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], who formed a large pair of cannons on top of Super Optimus's shoulders. Overload's additional firepower, combined with the already impressive firepower of the Requiem Blaster, enabled Optimus to destroy [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. {{storylink|Origin}}

The Decepticons were not without their own combiner; [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was able to combine with Megatron to form additional armour and a back-mounted [[jet pack|rocket pack]]. In this form, Megatron was able to battle Jet Optimus to a standstill. {{storylink|Desperate}}

=====''Linkage'' comic=====
The non-flying members of the evil [[Speed Chaser Team]] could form the [[Magnawing]] aircraft to transport themselves around. {{storylink|Linkage Part 4}}

=====''Energon'' cartoon=====
[[File:TwoHeros optimus supermode.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Long ago, during a time when the Decepticons and Autobots were at peace, four ancient combiner robots were tasked with guarding the [[Super Energon Temple]] deep beneath Cybertron: [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]], [[Constructicon Maximus]], [[Superion Maximus]], and [[Dauntless Maximus|Superion's brother]]. The Autobots and Decepticons glared at one another in mutual acrimony until they became completely corroded and were unable to move. {{storylink|Ambition}}

Millennia later, following Unicron's defeat, the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s arrived on [[Earth]] to acquire energon, and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] granted [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] the [[Spark of Combination]], a divine power imbued upon the Autobot leader by [[Primus]], so that Hot Shot and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] could Powerlinx with one another and fight off the invaders. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}} This new form of powerlinxing became a widespread ability among the Autobots, to the point where almost any Autobot could combine with any other to become more powerful. Spark of Combination didn't automatically make someone an expert at it, however—it took practice and both partners had to learn to synchronize their breathing. Several different varieties of combination emerged over the course of this new conflict: similarly sized Autobots could Powerlinx together, with the top half becoming the dominant consciousness with an added "Powerlinx" title (e.g. "Powerlinx [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]".) {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}} A few Autobots and some Decepticons combined with components of their alternate modes to form a larger "brute mode". {{storylink|Bulkhead (episode)|Bulkhead}}

[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] was able to Powerlinx with his [[Prime Force]] [[drone]]s, {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)}} [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] {{storylink|Jungle Planet (episode)}} and [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] to form his Super Modes.While Optimus Prime would become the dominant consciousness in all of his Super Modes, Omega Supreme was the only one who could continue to communicate with him, presumably due to [[Omega Supreme (Energon)#Omega|Omega]]—his head-unit—storing inside his right shoulder. {{storylink|A Heroic Battle}} After their discovery, the three remaining guardians of the Super Energon Temple joined the battle; in particular, Superion Maximus fought to avenge his deceased brother, and while briefly incapaciated by the loss of his combiner limbs during his final battle against Bruticus, stole Constructicon's limbs and used them to finally kill Bruticus Maximus. {{storylink|Spark (episode)|Spark}}

=====''Cybertron'' cartoon=====
[[File:Cyb ep16 savage claw mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In addition to his preexisting ability to merge with Wing Saber into an airborne "Sonic Wing Mode", {{storylink|United}} Optimus would later display the ability to combine with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] to form the "Savage Claw Mode". {{storylink|Savage}} His evil clone [[Nemesis Breaker]] could likewise form a "Dark Claw" mode for Megatron. {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
The [[Deep Space Mini-Con Team]] could combine into the [[Umbral Blaster]] {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} while the [[Sky Terror Mini-Con Team]] could form the [[Chaos Saber]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/19}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 1104.30-DB Zeta]], [[Brian Jones|Dr. Jones]] attempted to reverse-engineer the Maximus combination technology and apply it to [[Mini-Con]]s, which resulted in the creation of the [[Micromaster]] combiners [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]], [[Defensor (Universe)|Defensor]], and [[Rail Racer (Universe)|Rail Racer]] . The [[Decepticon]]s, however, stole this technology and used it to create their own Micromaster combiner, [[Devastator (Universe Micromaster)|Devastator]]. During the [[Unicron Singularity]] crisis, these four Autobot and Decepticon combiners clashed in a conflict known as the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/31}}

{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Clubcombinercarving.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

At the dawn of time, Nexus Prime was a member of the [[Thirteen]] and the first combiner. However, when [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] turned on his siblings, [[Vector Prime]], Alpha Trion, and [[Solus Prime]] made the decision to permanently reduce Nexus Prime into five components and conceal the location of Prima's [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword. The Star Saber cut Nexus into five other robots: [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], who were subsequently scattered across the [[multiverse]] and lost to the ages. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}} In time, however, the [[Caretaker]] supercomputer put the five components on the path to reunification, and upon recruiting the heroic Decepticon Heatwave in a [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|mirror universe]] Nexus Prime successfully returned and used his powers to transform [[Megatron (SG)|that reality's Megatron]] into Galvatron before departing to recover the Star Saber. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}}

The [[GoBot]]s of [[Gobotron]] possessed their own version of combination technology: basing his designs of the transformable "power suits" of the heroic [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]]s, [[Renegade]] leader [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] commandeered Earth vehicles and modified them into the mighty [[Puzzler]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Renegade Rhetoric (1), 2015/10/16}} While in [[Axiom Nexus]], he stole six [[spark]]s {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Renegade Rhetoric (1), 2015/10/15}} and, after recruiting a group of [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] criminals from the [[Uniend|Uniend Cluster]] upgraded them with the combination technology he'd once used for Puzzler to create [[Monsterous]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric, 2015/10/21}} Upon returning to his home reality, he used the stolen sparks to recreate the Puzzler project with genuine living machines.{{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric}}

In a splinter reality created by [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] and [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]], Puzzler and Monsterous would menace the Autobots during a particularly strange version of the [[Unicron War]]. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}} Another iteration of Puzzler would join the [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]] after [[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] permanently fused his components together to ensure an unbroken existence. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/15}}

When asked who he'd combine with if he became a combiner, [[Vector Prime]] admitted that while he might merge with other members of the [[Thirteen]], he did not feel comfortable becoming a combiner. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/25}}

{{--}}

===''Animated''===
====''Animated'' cartoon====
[[File:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

{{Idw-tfa}}

''[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and his [[twin]] brother [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] were chosen for an ambitious genetic experiment after an industrial accident nearly killed them. By grafting Decepticon coding acquired from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] during his time in custody onto their Autobot shells, the Autobots hoped to duplicate the Decepticons' vaunted flight abilities. When a simulated training exercise against a virtual simulation of Starscream went awry, the pair displayed an unconscious "gestalt powerlink" that allowed them to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] and destroy the virtual Decepticon. {{storylink|First (and Second) in Flight}}''

After travelling to Earth, the pair formed Safeguard during the search for [[Wasp]] {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}} and later used a combined jet mode to carry their leader [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

''Later, the ambitious [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] recruited his former lackeys [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] to work on something he called "[[Devastator (Animated)|Devastator]]." {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

====Sentinel Shouting====
In his younger days, Sentinel Minor appears to have been somewhat prejudiced against combiners. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Sentinel Shouting, 2015/10/07}}

{{--}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
[[File:ReunificationPart4-ComputronVsAbominus.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

As the Great War between the heroic Decepticons and evil Autobots escalated, the introduction of combiner technology afforded [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] and his warriors a distinct tactical advantage. To fight back, the Decepticons initiated "Operation: Combination", a program designed to refit their own warriors with combination technology. Decepticons who underwent the refit underwent a rigorous battery of psychological tests to ensure their compatibility with one another, as well as an automatic disengagement mechanism designed to protect the individual minds of their components should the combination matrix fail. The erudite [[Abominus (SG)|Abominus]], combined form of the [[Terrorcon (SG)|Terrorcon]]s, eventually emerged as the apex of combination technology, although the care involved in buffering the minds of his components left him with an extremely fragile combination matrix. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 28|Abominus profile}}

Unlike the Decepticons, the Autobots showed no such care for the combination process and freely abused the technology to create unstable monsters. While [[Computron (SG)|Computron]], combined form of the scientifically inclined [[Technobot (SG)|Technobot]]s, was once an evil genius, his components eventually grew addicted to the process to the point where they no longer separated. Cruel and egotistical, Computron suffered severe mental damage during an ill-advised attempt to imbue [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]] with intelligence, which permanently corrupted his parallel processing capabilities and left him a mentally and emotionally stunted brute. Although the Technobots remained addicted to combining, Computron quickly grew to despise his individual components and continually, if ineffectually, plotted to rid himself of the "parasites" who comprised his body. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 27|Computron profile}}

[[Superion (SG)|Superion]], a smaller combiner, displayed the ability to freely split and recombine his body at will, which he used to flummox a [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|parallel-universe Grimlock]] when the two met in battle. {{storylink|Memory's Splinter}}

After downloading his consciousness into a backup body, [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]] upgraded himself with combiner technology. While combined, he could plant viruses into a gestalt mainframe or even seize complete control of a combiner's motor functions, but his new body's tendencies to freeze and reboot could interfere with the combination processes. {{storylink|#Combiner Wars|Customization class SG Ratchet bio}}

===Live-action film series===
====Toy bios====
[[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]] hoped to undergo the "combination retrofit" process.<ref>Knock Out's toy bio.</ref> The [[Aerialbot (ROTF)|Aerialbots]] and the [[Combaticon (ROTF)|Combaticons]] could combine into [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] and [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)|Bruticus Maximus]], respectively. Both combined forms had limited intelligence: [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] was seemingly incapable of any thoughts beyond "destroy Decepticons" and "protect innocents", while [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)|Bruticus Maximus]], despite being both dumb and slow, could overwhelm almost any opponent his strength and nigh-impenetrable armor.<ref>Superion and Bruticus Maximus's toy bios.</ref>

====Movies====
[[File:Devastator-ROTFvsLeoSpitz.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The [[Guardian Knight]]s could combine into the mighty three-headed dragon known as [[Dragonstorm]], whereas [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]]'s [[Infernocon]]s could combine into the monstrous [[Infernocus]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}} Cybertronian [[twin]]s, like [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], could assume separate combined forms or merge into a more durable shared alternate mode. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1}} Some animalistic Cybertronians, like the insectoid [[Microcon (ROTF)|Microcons]] could combine into a [[Reedman|razor-thin robot form]] designed for infiltration purposes. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen}}

Experimental combiner technology was developed by the Decepticons for combat advantage and then used on the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s who were able to form [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]. Comfort was rather decidedly not on the top of the list of priorities and, as a result, the process was brutally painful to the Transformers involved, which also made the combiners fuse in a very aggressive and painful manner. The mental and physical torture involved left Devastator only interested in causing destruction.<ref>Devastator's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> Combiners were not limited to one combination scheme, and their final forms could vary.<ref>[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/hasbro-q-10212009.html Hasbro's answer to Unicron.com] as part of the [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#Unicron.com|October 2009 Q&A]].</ref>

During the final battle in [[Egypt]], [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] sacrificed himself so that the recently revived Optimus Prime could use his parts. The combination gave Optimus a powered up, flight-capable form that he used to battle [[The Fallen]] and triumph. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen}}

====''Unite for the Universe''====
[[File:Project Unite.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the wake of the battle in Egypt, [[NEST]] initiated [[Project Unite|Project: Unite]] so that Optimus Prime could maintain this combined state. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|The Secret of Project: Unite}} Seeking to copy the project for his own ends, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] hired [[Skystalker (ROTF)|Skystalker]] and [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to aid him, and together they stole information on Project: Unite. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}} Using the knowledge he'd gleaned, Starscream applied the upgrade to himself and grafted parts of [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] onto his body. With his newfound power, he made short work of Bludgeon before declaring his intention to conquer the world and defeat Megatron. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 2|Bludgeon's Revenge}} Unfortunately for him, Starscream had failed to acquire the neural interface protocols required for Project: Unite, causing his mind to deteriorate, and he began to rashly and mindlessly attack things around him. Both the Autobots and Megatron realized they had to stop the crazed Decepticon before he did too much damage. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 2|On the Road to Destruction}}

Megatron attacked the powered-up Starscream himself, intending to take him apart and reverse-engineer the secrets to Project: Unite from his body. Optimus Prime couldn't allow this to happen, and had [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] bring in a new weapon to burn out the Unite technology in Starscream's body, defeating him and destroying his upgrades. Once Megatron had fled, Optimus lamented that the danger of their new weapons research falling into the Decepticons' hands was too great, seemingly signaling the end of Project: Unite. {{storylink|The Strongest Weapon}}

{{--}}

===''Power Core Combiners''===
The art of [[Power Core Combination]] was lost during the early days of the war on Cybertron. The Decepticons made an attempt to resurrect the process, but their crude "Gestalt Process" was a horrific procedure that usually cost the participants their sanity; the [[Autobot]]s made more careful attempts, but even these still inflicted mental damage. As a result, "[[Proto-Combiner]]s" with the potential to become a combiner were doomed to either live with a permanent sense of incompleteness or risk their sanity by submitting to these ill-conceived experiments.

All of this changed, however, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]'s database was recovered by the Autobots, and (with some [[human]] assistance) the Power Core process was at last rediscovered. It facilitated perfect symbiosis between a [[Commander (PCC)|Commander]] and their Mini-Con, not only enhancing the attributes of both, but also creating a mysterious bond of shared perception. With training, a Commander might graduate to having a set of drones to control. A single Commander could upload his own personality engrams into the drones and effectively be in multiple places at once. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|The Return of Power Core Combination!}} The Decepticons were able to steal the technology for their own warriors,<ref>Toy packaging blurb [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/view/power-core-combiners/bombshock-with-combaticons/2191/1/16/ (scan at Seibertron.com)]</ref> doling out the upgrades as a reward for displays of ruthlessness<ref>[[Bombshock (PCC)|Bombshock]]'s toy bio [http://tftechspecs.com/pics5/15531.jpg (scan at TFTechSpecs.com)]</ref> or for loyalty.<ref>[[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]]'s toy bio [http://tftechspecs.com/pics5/15524.jpg (scan at TFTechSpecs.com)]</ref> Because the technology was rediscovered only recently, Gestaltics researchers have yet to reach the limits of their understanding and exploitation of it. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|The Return of Power Core Combination!}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:TheCovenantOfPrimus-mutacons.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

At the dawn of time, [[Nexus Prime]] was the first combiner, a 'bot capable of splitting and reforming at will. Following the death of [[Solus Prime]] and the disastrous [[War of the Primes]] that drove the original [[Thirteen]] apart, Nexus permanently divided himself into five 'bots and scattered himself across the stars.

Following the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Rust Plague]] and the collapse of the Cybertronian empire, a fleet of refugees fleeing [[Neutronia]] discovered [[Amalgamous Prime]]'s lost [[transformation cog]]. Its supernatural power mutated them into the [[Mutacon]]s, [[shifter]]s with the power of infinite transformation and combination. Seeking a way to cure their condition before they finally lost their individuality and combined into a single amorphous being, they traversed the galaxy in a fleet of living starships comprised of their own bodies. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
The ancient art of combination was as old as Cybertron itself, although the fiercely independent [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] despised the notion of surrendering his hard-won individuality to some greater whole. During his time at [[Crystal City]] [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] created several prototype combiners, and merged the five [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticon]]s into the savage and uncontrollable [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus Maximus]], but their combined form proved so dangerous that all five would be placed in protective [[stasis lock|stasis]] and sealed away. Undeterred, Shockwave continued his experiments; while in the gladiatorial pits of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] just before the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], he experimented on a trio of [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s and turned them into combiners who could merge into both robot and vehicle forms.

A number of combiners attended the fateful meeting of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] that saw Orion Pax promoted to the rank of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]; when war broke out in earnest, the [[Constructicon (WFC)|Constructicon]]s joined the Decepticons, by which point Shockwave had perfected his combinatorial process and used it to turn at least seven of their number into the ferocious [[Devastator (WFC)|Devastator]], and the Decepticons later reactivated the Combaticons after discovering them beneath the ruins of Crystal City.

To fight back, the Autobots stole and successfully reverse-engineered Shockwave's combination process to create combiners of their own. The first, [[Defensor (WFC)|Defensor]], successfully blunted Devastator's rampage when the two clashed in the [[Tagan Heights]] but wound up destroying the secret lab where Autobot scientists had created him. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The five [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] aboard the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' were combiners; their gestalt form of [[Superion (Prime)|Superion]] would prove instrumental in rescuing both Autobots and Decepticons from the Quintesson-controlled [[Aquatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Timelines''====
[[Fisitron (Timelines)|Fisitron]] was discovered in a routine physical examination to have a rare "combination spark", which theoretically gave him the ability to combine with other machines. {{storylink|Fisitron (Timelines)#Toys|TFSS Fisitron profile card}}

====''Portal''====
{{stub}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:TRID E 57 Heatmark.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

A number of combiner teams possessed a unique form of combination known as "Crash Combination": by crashing into one another at high speed, two 'bots could temporarily fuse into one. Four out of the five [[Stunticon (Prime)|Stunticon]]s possessed this ability; in addition to combining with [[Motormaster (WFC)|their leader]] to form [[Menasor (RID)|Menasor]], they could unite to form [[Dragbreak]] {{storylink|Bee Cool}} and [[Heatmark]]. {{storylink|The Golden Knight}} None of these combinations utilized a mental merge: while the two smaller combiners simply drew upon the personalities of whoever formed the combiner torso,

The Decepticon criminal [[Chop Shop (RID)|Chop Shop]] was formed from five identical robots, although it's unclear whether "Chop Shop" is an emergent personality made up from the interaction of his five components, or if he is one mind spread across multiple bodies: notably, he could function without all of his components intact, and could appropriate [[Mini-Con]]s like [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] as replacements. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (RID)|More than Meets the Eye}}

[[File:TRID SF Ultra Bee vs Galvatronus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While fighting [[Heatseeker]] above a nuclear waste dump, an explosion triggered a barrage of radiation that forcibly merged all six members of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] into [[Ultra Bee]], but none of them realized at the time. {{storylink|King of the Hill (Part 2)}} The team experienced this phenomenon again during their battle with [[Dragstrip (WFC)|Dragstrip]] at a swamp. They didn't understand how to control it, and being combined had the strange effect of splitting [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] into two individuals. {{storylink|The Great Divide}} Eventually, Fixit deduced that this mutation had been triggered by radiation, but attempts to recreate the accident initially proved fruitless: one attempt left [[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]] and [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] stuck together, {{storylink|Get a Clue}} while later experiments led to the creation of temporary combined forms like [[Bumblearm]] {{storylink|The Fastest Bot Alive!}} and [[Sidelock]]. {{storylink|Out of the Shadows}} On one occasion, a bungled attempt to force the combination using mechanical assistance left the team with their minds in the wrong bodies. {{storylink|Disordered Personalities}}

Eventually, however, the team mastered their combination and used their new form to take on Menasor and win on two separate occasions. {{storylink|Combine and Conquer}} {{storylink|Moon Breaker}} To combat [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] attempted to form Ultra Bee but found themselves unable to complete the combination without [[Drift (RID)|Drift]]. {{storylink|Collateral Damage}}

[[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] and his troops were able to combine into [[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]]. They attempted to use their combined form to defeat the Bee Team only to be met with Ultra Bee. Nonetheless, the Decepticon combiner proved stronger than his Autobot counterpart until [[Cyberwarp (RID)|Cyberwarp]]'s hesitation allowed Ultra Bee to triumph. {{storylink|Freedom Fighters}}
{{--}}

===''Cloud''===
[[File:Cloud Bruticus.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

The combiner [[Bruticus (Cloud)|Bruticus]] was an invention of the mad logician [[Shockwave (Cloud)|Shockwave]], who incorporated the ability to combine into the (perhaps unwilling) [[Combaticon (Cloud)|Combaticons]], a team of renegades in the [[Underground (Cloud)|Underground]]. The giant was utilized as part of Shockwave's many contingencies to bring about the return of [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] for the ultimate conquest of the [[Multiverse|Spacetime World]]. {{storylink|Eagerness}}
{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
While in [[Axiom Nexus]], offworlder combiners required a license to operate. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric, 2015/10/21}}

[[Stakeout (PCC)|Stakeout]] and his Protectobot drones took part in ''[[Cybertron's Got Talent]]'' and dazzled audiences with their Power Core Combination. {{storylink|Axiom Nexus News Editor|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 2015/05/14}} After winning the Sub-Metro Amateur League [[Lobbing]] championship, the Mighty Mechanics considered moving up to the Combiner Leagues, although they'd have to be upgraded with combination technology to compete. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/28}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:TheImmobilizers-Volcanicus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After liberating the [[Enigma of Combination]] from the tomb of [[Nexus Prime]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and the [[Dinobot (Cyberverse)|Dinobot]]s accidentally activated the artifact, which merged them together into [[Volcanicus (Cyberverse)|Volcanicus]]. The newly formed combiner spent a significant amount of time and effort learning to coordinate their actions in both their individual and combined forms, but after a lengthy training period the Dinobots took on [[Trypticon (Cyberverse)|Trypticon]]'s crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and emerged triumphant. {{storylink|The Immobilizers}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
Bruticus was formed by the Combaticons when they were making a last ditch effort to salvage a mission to capture a large Autobot energon transport. After the team disabled the anti-air guns, the got their dropship close enough for all five of them to depart onto the ship and combine. Bruticus's raw strength allowed him to easily eliminate the transport's crew, but the damage he did to the ship caused it to crash land. Bruticus later formed during [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s mission to recapture [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], and later joined the fight during the Decepticon attack on the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]] before [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] knocked him off. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
[[File:Devastation-OptimusMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After the incident with the [[Ferrotaxis]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] mused to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] about ending the war once and for all. They then both looked at a set of Combiner schematics on a computer screen, depicting Optimus Maximus. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
A number of combiners participated in battles against both Autobots and Decepticons, but could only be recruited if all of their component members were at max level. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{stub}}

==Combiner list==
{{note|Due to the many uses of redecoes as new characters and convenience for reading, each mold is listed on its own line, with all different-character decoes/retools on the same line.}}
{{See also|Super Mode}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiners with two members'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Mega-Dinobot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Decibel]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Legout]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Slamdance (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Squawkbox]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cog (G1)]] / [[Cog (Masterforce)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (G1)]] / [[Darkwings]]}}
{{Bp-d2|[[Stormtrooper (Cybertronian)|Stormtrooper]]s {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}}}
*[[Multiforce]] members
{{Bp-a1|[[Wingwaver]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Dashtacker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Machtackle]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (G2)]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)]]'s combined form / [[Megatron (G1)]] and [[Starscream (G1)]]'s combined form / [[Formation Scream]] / [[Stealth Bomber]] / [[Dreadwing (RID)]] / [[Gigant Sniper]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sky Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Land Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Attack Powered]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Wing Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Drill Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Powerlinx#Energon|Silver and Gold Powerlinx users]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Safeguard (Animated)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] (only in ice cream truck mode)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Primestrong]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Beeside]]}}
{{Bp-a1|"[[Sidelock]]" {{storylink|Out of the Shadows}}}}
{{Bp-a1|"[[Bumblearm]]" {{storylink|The Fastest Bot Alive!}}}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Skyhammer (RID)|Skyhammer]] / [[Shocknado]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dragbreak]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Heatmark]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Primelock]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Saberclaw]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Dragonstorm#Premier Edition|Dragonstorm]] (only in toy form)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Battletrap (G1)#Generations|Battletrap]] (only in toy form)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblegrim]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumbleswoop]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Slugtron]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Wheelgrim]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:G1toy-Slamdance.jpg|thumb|200px|Slamdance]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiners formed by main bodies with power-up partners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Godbomber|God]] [[Ginrai (robot)|Ginrai]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Victory Leo|Victory]] [[Star Saber (G1)|Saber]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Omega Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Jet Optimus]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Burning]] [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]'s combined form}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Megaweapon]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Fight Mode or Optimus Prime Flight Mode]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Supreme]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Savage Claw Mode]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Sonic Wing Mode]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] [[Nemesis Breaker|Dark Claw Mode]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Live-action film series|Power Up Optimus Prime]] (only in toy form)}}
*[[Megatron (RID)#Legends/Unite Warriors|Devil God]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Legends/Unite Warriors|Fire Convoy]] {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Purple Wicked Convoy]] [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Generations Selects Special Comic (1)|Omega Hand Mode]] {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1}}}}
</ul>
|[[File:Armada JetOptimusMegaweapon toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Jet Optimus/Optimus Prime Megaweapon]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiners with three or more members (non-Scramble City-type)'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Devastator (ROTF)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Raiden]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] / [[Dinoking]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Road Caesar]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Liokaiser]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Big Rescue Force]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Landcross (G1)|Landcross]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Big Powered]]}}
{{Bp-m1|[[Magnaboss (BW)]] / [[Magnaboss (BWII)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (RID)|MegaWing]] [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Dark]] [[Dreadwing (RID)|MegaWing]] [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Piranacon (Prime)]]}}
*[[Prime Processing Unit]] {{storylink|Collect and Save}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Tripredacus]] / [[Tripledacus]]}}
*[[Tri-Rex]]
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Rail Racer (RID)]] / [[Dominus Trannis]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Landfill (RID)]] / [[Devastator (Universe Ultra)]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Minibot combiner]] {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8}}}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Beast (G1)|Beast]] {{storylink|The Beast Within}}}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Insectrain]] {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2}}}}
*[[Cobratron]]
{{Bp-sa|[[Computron (SG)]]}}
{{Bp-sd|[[Abominus (SG)]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Raiden toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Raiden]][[File:TF-Studio-Series-Devastator.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Devastator]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Reedman]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Deceptigod]]}}
{{Bp-d1p2|[[Abominus (Prime)]] / [[Goradora]] / [[Infernocus]] (only in toy form)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mighty Robot]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Mighty Vehicle]]}}
*[[Puzzler]]
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p2|[[Monsterous]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Toxitron (Zone)|Toxitron]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Overmegasixwave]] {{storylink|The Waiting Game}}}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Grimstone (Kre-O)|Grimstone]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Lazerbolt]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Obsidian (Kre-O)|Obsidian]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Volcanicon]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Gaiacross]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gaia Scramble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream Combiner#Deviations|Megascream's combined form]] {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Galvatronus (CW)]] {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}}}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Starscream Combiner#Prime Wars Trilogy cartoons|Ultimate Starscream]] {{storylink|A War of Giants}}}}
*The [[Functionist Council]] {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Ultra Bee]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Menasor (RID)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Galvatronus (RID)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Dragonstorm]] {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Infernocus]] {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Victorion|Ultimate Victorion]] {{storylink|Desperate Actions}}}}
{{Bp-m1p1|[[Fossilizer Combiner]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Unstoppimus]] {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4}}}}
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triple Combination combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Gekisoumaru|DaiGekisou]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Kenzan|DaiKenzan]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gekisoumaru|GoGekisou]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ganoh|GoGanoh]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hishoumaru|GoHishou]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jinbu|GoJinbu]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Kenzan|GoKenzan]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sensuimaru|GoSensui]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:TFGoSensuimaru.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Sensuimaru]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Scramble City-type combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus (G1)]] / [[Battle Gaia]] / [[Ruination (RID)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)]] / [[Guard City]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Menasor (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Superion (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Abominus (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Piranacon (G1)]]<ref name="seacon">With extra "limb" robot used as weapon.</ref> / [[King Poseidon]]<ref name="seacon" /> / [[God Neptune]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus (WFC)]] / [[Ruination (FOC)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Victorion]] / [[Megatronia]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sky Reign]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Grand Galvatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Thunder Mayhem]]}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Predacus]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Orthia]]}}
|
[[File:Superion toy.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Superion]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Official mix-n-match Scramble City-type combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Abomenaticus]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Comperian]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Autobot Super Scramble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Decepticon Super Scramble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scramble 7]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ultra Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Galvatronus (CW)]] (only in toy form)}}
|
|width="60%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Betatron (CW)|Betatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Grand Scourge|Scourge Grand Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Modulus]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Starscream Combiner]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Elita-Infin1te]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Inferno Combiner]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[White Gallant Convoy|White Convoy Grand Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Volcaticon]]}}
|
[[File:Abomenaticus toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Abomenaticus]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster-type combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]] and [[Heave]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]] and [[Spaceshot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Blast Master]] and [[Phaser (G1)|Phaser]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Direct-Hit]] and [[Power Punch]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]] and [[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]] / [[Retro]] and [[Surge (G1)|Surge]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Fireshot]] and [[Vanquish]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Full-Barrel]] and [[Overflow]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Grit]] and [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]] / [[Gusher]] and [[Pipeline]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]] and [[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]] and [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]] / [[Cement-Head]] and [[Terror-Tread]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Missile Master]] and [[Moonrock]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Oiler]] and [[Slide]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Power Run]] and [[Strikedown]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Roadburner]] and [[Wheel Blaze]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Sixliner]] / [[Sixtrain]]<ref>Sixtrain was redecoed and retooled from Sixliner.</ref> / [[Rail Racer (Universe)]]<ref>Universe Rail Racer uses the same deco as Takara's 2003 redecoed "reissue" of Sixtrain.</ref>}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sixbuilder]] / [[Decepticon Sixbuilder]] / [[Devastator (Universe Micromaster)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sixturbo]] / [[Defensor (Universe)]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sixwing|Sixwing / Berserker Sixwing / Destron Sixwing]] / [[Superion (Universe)]]}}
|
[[File:OC-toy Sixbuilder.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Sixbuilder]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini-Con combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Perceptor (Armada)#Armada 3|Perceptor (Armada)]] / [[Bumble]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Perceptor (Armada)#Energon 3|Perceptor (Energon)]] / [[Heavy Metal (Energon)|Heavy Metal]] / [[Windcharger (Energon)|Windcharger]] / [[Perceptor (Armada)#Cybertron|Perceptor (Cybertron)]] / [[Bumble]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Mirror]] / [[Nightcreeper]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]] / [[Umbral Blaster]] / [[Astro Blaster (Armada)]] / [[Transwarp Blaster]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] / [[Magnawing]] / [[Cosmotector (Armada)|Cosmotector]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] / [[Vorpal Saber]] / [[Energon Saber]] / [[Cryo Saber]] / [[Chaos Saber]] / [[Pyro Saber]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Centuritron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Chop Shop (RID)|Chop Shop]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:EN-toy MB2 Frenzy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Heavy Metal]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Maximus-type [[Powerlinx]] combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)]] / [[Bruticus (G1)]] (Universe) / [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Constructicon Maximus]] / [[Devastator (G1)]] (Classics)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Superion Maximus]] / [[Dauntless Maximus]] / [[Superion (G1)]] (Universe) / [[Superion (ROTF)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Nexus Prime]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:TF-Super-Link-EX-01-Buildron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Constructicon Maximus]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''"Omnicombinational" [[Stentarian]] combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[16444/9]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Paddox]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Centuritron]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:Generationstoy-Centuritron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Centuritron]]
|}

==Notes==
*'''Gestalt''', a German word which literally means 'form' or 'shape', in this context refers to the psychological concept, namely 'something which is more or greater than the sum of its parts', e.g. a table being more than the timber it's made out of. The origin of "gestalt" as a fan-term is unknown; the earliest documented use is in 1998, when it was already in common parlance.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/af8234bb79475e5f?dmode=source&output=gplain&noredirect Earliest known alt.toys.transformers post using "gestalt"]</ref> Intriguingly, however, the {{w|Isaac Asimov's Robots in Time|''Robots in Time'' series of novels}} published in 1993-94 prominently feature a "gestalt robot" who could split into six smaller autonomous robots, each with a different personality. If this actually inspired some ''Transformers'' fan searching for a good word to use, there is no evidence of it, but the publishing timeframe is conspicuously close to the opaque early days of the online fandom.
*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|Scramble City]]-type combiners were initially designed to be a sub-line of ''[[Diaclone]]'' called ''Jizai Gattai'' (自在合体, "Free Combination"). This goes along with their ability to interact with and attach to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], the designs of which were also originally intended for the ''Diaclone'' line. Due to the fact any robot can form either an arm or a leg, the franchise as a whole very rarely enforces a "standard" combination setup to a particular Scramble City combiner.
* Fiction has almost uniformly depicted combiners as being much larger than their individual components would suggest; combiners are almost uniformly depicted as, far bigger than the sum of their components would suggest. In perhaps the most egregious example, Dreamwave's comics present combiners as kaiju-sized monsters who loom over skyscrapers; after engaging and defeating Superion, he holds one of the latter's component members in his hand, his [[robot mode]] proportionally no larger than a doll. A few attempts, such as IDW's later ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' comic, have chalked this discrepancy down to judiciously applied [[Size changing|mass displacement]] technology.

===Unused concepts===
[[File:Generations Street Combiner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|He transforms into a traffic jam.]]
Combiners were a very popular idea during the "Generation 1" toyline and as such there are loads of scrapped combiner designs that never got past the drawing board. Among them were:
*A Scramble City-style dinosaur combiner. The body is a ''T. rex'', while the limbs are a pterodactyl (right arm), ''Ankylosaurus'' (left leg), ''Dimetrodon'' (left arm), and ''Styracosaurus'' (right leg)<ref>[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|''Transformers Generations'']], p22</ref>
*A decidedly goofy organic insect combiner composed of a stag beetle (right leg), another beetle (left leg), grasshopper (left arm), fly (right arm), and a cockroach body.<ref name="p99">[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|''Transformers Generations'']], p99</ref>
*A cybernetic beast combiner that did not form a robot, but rather a large cybernetic monster. It is formed from a cyber bat, mole, stag beetle, and a couple of fish things.<ref name="p99" />
*A fifteen (!) vehicle Micromaster combiner where the only attached parts not contained by the component robots were the large robot fists. This combiner consists of three uniformly colored teams (in a similar fashion to the vehicular Voltron of the same time period):
**Air team (blue) — two jets, two helicopters, a space shuttle.
**Construction team (green) — a hauler, a bulldozer, a steam shovel, a tank (don't ask), a missile carrier (don't ask).
**Street team (red) — two cars, a motorcycle, a formula racer, a jeep.<ref name="p108">[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|''Transformers Generations'']], p108</ref>
*A simpler dinosaur combiner composed of a pterodactyl, a not-really-a-''Stegosaurus'', and a ''T. rex'' with a very large head. The three combine into a dinosaur thing similar to [[Magmatron]]'s combined dino mode. It shares many visual characteristics with Tomy's relatively simple robot designs.<ref name="p108" />
[[File:ClassicVehicombiner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Either the smallest steamboat ever, or the largest car in existence.]]
*A five vehicle combiner (evidently not Scramble City-style in nature) composed of a steam engine (right arm), steam boat (torso), car (right leg), truck (left leg), and plane (left arm).
*A base consisting mostly of ramps and a hollow tower in the center that combined with 14 non-transforming cars and vans. Two vehicles make up each limb, with three crammed in the chest, two for feet, and one that slides into the tower's gun platform to form the head. The ramps would then act as an exoskeleton to contain all of the components.<ref name="p79">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p79</ref>
*A robot formed from a truck cab and four cars with no robot modes that each have flip out weapon arrays. This may qualify more as a conventional "super robot" than a standard combiner, but we may never know.<ref name="p80">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p80</ref>
*A "Duocon" (or rather, "Triocon", in this case) style robot formed by three cars. One car splits in half to form the arms, another splits for the legs, and a third folds in half to reveal the robot head and connect it all together.<ref name="p80"/>
*A Concorde jet that split into two robots, where the front portion's robot can pop out three wheels and a spare cockpit to give it a land mode. Presumably the larger rear robot could do the same.<ref name="p81">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p81</ref>
*Two military convoy "trains", one good, one evil, of six vehicles each hooked together that combine along the lines of Devastator but with loads more guns. The robot core is formed by a tractor trailer that leads either convoy, the good one being long nosed, the evil one being flat, each with trailers that open up into small cannon platforms usable by the five smaller robots. Said trailers also become their respective combined form's handgun. The other five members each have a specific large weapon such as a missile rack or chaingun that they can also use in robot mode.<ref name="p83">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p83</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gattai''' (合体, "Combination"), '''Gattai Senshi''' (合体戦士, "Combined Warrior"), '''Gattai Heishi''' (合体兵士, "Combined Soldier")
*''French:'' '''Fusionneur''' (Canada, ''Robots in Disguise'' 2001 only)
*''Spanish:'' '''Combina''' (Latin America, ''Robots in Disguise'' 2001 only)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hétǐjīngāng''' (合體金剛, "Combination Vajra")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Combiners| ]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Technology]]

Combiner

2022-11-11T12:01:17Z

Poggerdude: added unstoppimus to the non-scramble city combiners section

[[File:studioox combiners whatif.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.]]

Over the course of their endless wars, the Cybertronian race has developed a frightful array of [[:Category:Weapons by franchise|weapons]], but the most powerful and versatile invention of all might be the power to physically merge multiple Cybertronians into a single form—this power might be unlocked through conventional Cybertronian science, or through the energies of a mystical artifact like the [[Enigma of Combination]]. The term '''combiner''' (sometimes capitalized, sometimes not) can be used to refer to both those rare Transformers who possess this ability and the composite machine they create.

Although many different varieties of combiners exist—for instance, two or more Cybertronians might merge to form a vehicle, weapon, or some kind of useful machine, the most famous and immediately recognizable form of combination involves the fusion of five or six individual Cybertronians into a larger robot, sometimes referred to as a '''gestalt'''; more often than not, this combined form possesses its own emergent personality based at least in part on the interaction between the minds of its individual components. Introducing the technology into any of the myriad iterations of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] across the [[multiverse]] inevitably leads to the same result: short of a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], the only thing capable of stopping a combiner rampage is another combiner, and more than one conflict between the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s has spiralled into an endless combiner arms race as both sides scramble to accrue as many of these strategic-grade weapons as possible.

Although the mental merge usually dilutes the strength of a combiner's individual thoughts, to the point where many suffer from limited intellects or outright insanity, a few combiner teams like the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s or [[Breastforce]] have taken steps to mitigate this design flaw. But, as more than one [[Decepticon]] leader has used to his advantage, even the most dysfunctional combiner is exponentially stronger than the mere sum of its parts, and more than a match for a dozen average-sized Cybertronians.

{{bigquote|Superion is five Autobots put together. Think about the last time you and your friends tried to agree on pizza toppings, then make it '''way''' more complicated.|[[Spike (MLP)|Spike]]|"[[The Mightiest Dinobot]]"}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:Diaclone Constructicons.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Diaclone pre-G2 Constructicons.]]

The concept of combining robots is a [[tvtropes:Main/CombiningMecha|long-standing anime trope]], so it is perhaps appropriate that the story of combiners as we know them today began before the creation of the ''Transformers'' brand. In 1982, the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toyline introduced the "Construction Vehicle Robo" and "Train Robo" figures. Not only did these six-man teams change from robots into realistic construction vehicles and locomotives, they could also combine with their respective teammates to form a larger super robot. In [[1985]], with the ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' franchise now in its second year, [[Hasbro]] imported the construction-themed toys to the [[United States of America|United States]] and characterized them as the evil "[[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s", who could unite to form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. After Diaclone's 1986 cancellation, the next wave of combining toys saw release as ''Transformers'' characters on both sides of the Pacific. A significant step up from their predecessors, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s, [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s, and [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s possessed a standardized combination scheme that allowed kids to mix and match team members at well, leading to [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] marketing them under the "Scramble City" subline on account of their ability to "scramble" limbs at will.

[[File:Raiden boxart.jpg|thumb|right|200px|There's a "derailment" joke waiting to happen.]]

Initially, tie-in fiction treated the ability to combine as a comparatively recent invention created after the Transformers arrived on Earth, but this soon changed: the cartoon episode "[[The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme]]" revealed that the Constructicons first combined early in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; later, to accommodate the presence of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s and [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s, Marvel's ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' miniseries showed these combiners existing on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] long before the exodus to [[Earth]]. By the end of the original ''Transformers'' toyline, the line had expanded beyond Scramble City: these included [[Mini-Cassette]] combiners like [[Squawkbox]], vehicle-mode combiners like the [[Micromaster Combiner]]s, and a number of oddballs like [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and the [[Duocon]]s. Given Japan's aforementioned affection for the concept, basically every Japanese-exclusive franchise would introduce new combiners, even after Hasbro eased off on the concept—perhaps most prominently, the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)|The Headmasters]]'' franchise would resurrect the original Train Robo under the name "[[Raiden]]", and subsequent franchises would introduce a host of new combining characters like the [[Breastforce]], [[Multiforce]], and [[Dinoforce]].

While the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' and ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' franchises did not embrace the gimmick to the same degree as the franchises that preceded them (although the toyline-exclusive combiners [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]] and [[Tripredacus]] would go on to appear in various tie-in comics), Japanese-original shows from around the same time, most prominently ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Car Robots]]'', introduced many new combiner characters like [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]] and [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. In [[2004]], riding on the success of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' franchise, its successor ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' spotlighted combination as one of its central gimmicks: in addition to resurrecting the Scramble City gimmick with the "Maximus" combiners (which were basically a last-minute addition to the toyline), the [[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|toyline]]'s central gimmick allowed almost every Autobot to combine with any other Autobot by forming either the upper or lower body of a combiner. Unlike most previous depictions of the process, or even [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s concurrent depiction of the technology as a mentally and physically rigorous mechanical upgrade, this series introduced [[Primus]]'s divine [[Spark of Combination]] as an explicitly supernatural force capable of instantly combining individual Transformers together.

For many years, [[Fandom|fans]] referred to super robot combiners with emergent personalities as '''gestalts''', based on the {{w|Gestalt psychology|real-world term}} meaning, roughly, an object greater than the sum of its parts. The term remained firmly in realm of [[fanon]] for years, but between ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' design sketches, ''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s bio, and a mention in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]'', the term soon caught on with Hasbro designers. Initially, IDW's [[2005 IDW continuity|first ''Transformers'']] treated gestalt technology as an unpredictable and highly experimental technology—modern-day Autobots like the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s lacked combination powers, and author [[Simon Furman]] characterized [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] as an insane failed experiment from Cybertron's bygone [[Golden Age]]. ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' introduced a new incarnation of Devastator, although [[Shockpoint|later stories]] established that he was the imperfect product of arduous research.

[[File:NexusPrimeflankedbyotherPrimes.jpg|thumb|left|200px|He-who-shall-not-be-named.]]

Around this time, [[Fun Publications]] released a number of [[redeco]]ed ''Energon'' combiner components through the Collector's Club. Tie-in fiction published in the [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|official Collector's Club magazine]] detailed their adventures across the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]], and eventually culminated with the reveal that all five of these seemingly unrelated 'bots were all fragments of [[Nexus Prime]], one of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]] who displayed mastery over [[energon]]. Hasbro would fold Nexus Prime into their definitive version of the Thirteen; when he reappeared in 2013's ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', his new profile played up his status as the first combiner instead. Notably, that book established that he controlled a mysterious [[Enigma of Combination]], but what exactly this ''was'' would not be revealed for another few years.

The [[2010]] ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' toyline featured a mixture of old and new characters, who combined with static [[Autotransformation|auto-transforming]] figures to form larger super robots. The Japanese counterpart of the toyline, ''[[Transformers United EX|United EX]]'', declared the toys (which were redecoed from the Hasbro toys) to be new bodies for various established characters in the sprawling [[Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity]], while others made appearances in [[Live-action film series|movie]]-related media like ''[[Transformers: Cyber Missions|Cyber Missions]]''. [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|Issue #32]] of the Collectors' Club magazine expanded on their scant [[bio]] information by explaining that [[Power Core Combination]] was a "lost art"; modern attempts to reinvent the technology only created destructive monsters in what is presumably a reference to [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]'s role in ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]''.

Just five years later, the ''[[Combiner Wars (franchise)|Combiner Wars]]'' multimedia branding again pushed combiners to the fore. To support this marketing push, [[IDW Publishing]] launched a [[Combiner Wars (comic)|tie-in comic series]] set in its [[2005 IDW continuity|primary ongoing universe]]... a universe that had already established combination as a forbidden, dangerous art. To get around all this, IDW revealed that Nexus Prime's "Enigma of Combination" was a supernatural artifact that could instantly merge Cybertronians together into a combiner. This reveal tied the old Spark of Combination to the idea that "true" combination had become a lost art by the modern day; furthering this revelation, ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The Crucible|#34]] subtly retconned that Monstructor's creator [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] had been trying to recreate the power of the Enigma using mundane technology.

In the years since ''Combiner Wars'', depictions of combination have shifted toward something more supernatural than scientific in nature: many modern works of media tie the process to the Enigma of Combination, arcane super-science, or exposure to exotic radiation. Many contemporary depictions of combiners, including the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], IDW's various comic continuities, or ''[[Transformers: Cyberverse (cartoon)|Cyberverse]]'', focus just as much on the internal struggles of the team to coordinate their efforts. For more specific descriptions of how individual stories have treated combination in all its forms, read on.

{{--}}

==Types of combiner==
{{bigquote|Decepticons are '''obsessed''' with combining. Put two of 'em in a room and within seconds one will be standing on the other's shoulders. '''Fact.'''|[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]|"[[The Waiting Game]]"}}

Although combiners are a diverse and varied clade, not ''all'' Cybertronians who combine with smaller robots or form a larger machine count as “true” combiners. Although many Transformers, such as [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] or ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], can combine with parts of their alternate mode to form a larger, [[Super Mode|powered-up form]], these only involve one character combining with an inanimate piece of machinery. [[Multi-component Transformer]]s like [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] or [[Magmatron]] possess a single consciousness distributed over several bodies; there is only ''one'' Transformer involved, regardless of how many bodies that character may simultaneously operate, although a few “true” combiners like the [[Power Core Combination|Power Core Combiners]] blur this line.

Sometimes a smaller Transformer will attach to and enhance a larger Transformer in some way. [[Binary bonding|binary bonded]] partners like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s, or [[Mini-Con]]s who [[Powerlinx]] with larger partners, are not considered combiners; although the components involved often a share a deep, almost symbiotic relationship with each other, their "combined" form is almost exactly the same in appearance and functionality as their non-combined form.

Generally, combiners can be divided into three primary categories:

===Robot mode combiners===
[[File:Computron.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
The majority of Transformers who combine do so by merging into a humanoid "super robot" that exponentially magnifies the strength of its components. In many cases, this robot is its own being, with a unique name and a personality formed from the intersection of multiple minds. In other instances, however, a combiner might be governed by just ''one'' member of the team, their personality so strong that the act of combination becomes an extension of their own will supported by the other Cybertronians who comprise the combiner. Sometimes, the individual components involved in a combination might not actually possess humanoid robot modes of their own: for instance, the Autobot [[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]] is the combined form of [[Raindance]] and [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]], who transform from [[Mini-Cassette|mini-cassette]]s into a tank and jet respectively.

While a combiner can be formed from as few as two robots or hundreds, perhaps the most immediately recognizable combiners of all are the five-man teams who made prominent appearances in the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic]] and [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]]. While [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] utilized a unique six-bot configuration that relegated nominal team leader [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] to the ignoble role of right leg, the "Scramble City" combiners that followed—[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]], etc.—were all based on a standardized five-member design featured in the Japanese [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|''Scramble City'' toyline]]: the team leader forms the head and main body of the combiner, while the four other team members form the limbs. These limbs are interchangeable from one Scramble City-style combiner to the next, allowing for a number of improvised combinations. The [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s are notable for incorporating ''six'' members into the team; while any four can combine with their leader [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] to form [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], one member of the team transforms into a blaster for the combiner to wield. A few other modern interpretations of the characters, most notably their ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' incarnations, have also featured a smaller sixth member of the team in a support role—sometimes acting as a weapon, other times serving as a chestplate or shield.

These specific four-limbs-and-one-torso combiners and their components have also been called, varyingly, '''Scramble City combiners''', '''[[Special Teams]]''',<ref>When the ''Scramble City'' toys were marketed in Europe they were referred to as Special Teams, and the term appeared in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK comic book]] series and some marketing materials in the US,, but never appeared in US fiction until 2004's [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''Ultimate Guide'']].</ref> '''fusilateral quintrocombiners'''.<ref>Coined by [[Simon Furman]] in [[Swarm (issue)|issue 9]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] to refer to the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]],</ref> or '''amalgam models'''.<ref>"[[Devastation Derby!]]"</ref> Although they comprise a substantial cross-section of combiners, not all combiners adhere to this specific layout: the various [[Micromaster]] combiners, including [[Sixwing]], [[Sixtrain]], or [[Sixbuilder]], feature their own standardized layout, which incorporate up to six members and also feature interchangeable limbs. Other combiners like [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], [[Predaking (G1)|"Generation 1" Predaking]]", ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]], or ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]] all incorporate a different number of components with unique transformation schemes.
{{--}}

===Vehicle mode combiners===
[[File:Fireshot vanquish windblade 4.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Rather than combining into a larger robot, a number of Transformers can instead transform into a combined vehicle form. Unlike humanoid combiners, who generally merge into a single super robot with its own personality, almost all fiction has treated these kinds of combiners as a purely physical combination, with no kind of mental merge to speak of. This is not to say that Cybertronians who combine in this way are ''completely'' separate from one another: many works of fiction treat this kind of combination as a kind of sibling bond, sometimes shared between a literal set of [[twin]]s, and the Transformers involved might share some kind of deeper link.

While some 'bots—such as [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], who combine into the larger [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]—possess individual vehicle modes that can then merge into a larger form, others, most notably the [[Micromaster Combiner]]s, lack individual alternate forms entirely: they can only transform into the front or back half of a vehicle, and rely on their partner to form a complete alternate mode.

{{--}}

===Others===
[[File:RequiemBlaster.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

A small number of Transformers combine into objects that are neither super robots nor vehicles. This kind of combination is most prevalent among [[Mini-Con]] teams, who possess the power to combine into larger weapons and tools for full-sized Cybertronians to wield, but a small number of other Transformers and near-Cybertronian lifeforms have adopted similar configurations: [[Sonic (IDW)|Sonic]] and [[Boom]] transform into a set of speakers, while the [[Recyclon]]s could unite to form the [[Prime Processing Unit]].

{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 continuity family===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics=====
{{noteukonly}}

[[File:TFUS10 all crumble before devastator.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Although a number of combiner teams existed on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], including both the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}} the ability was rare enough that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and his legion of Earth-bound Autobots had never encountered combiners. Thus, when [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] designed and built the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s and imbued them with life using the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] energy stored in Prime's severed head, they were taken by surprise and nearly defeated by the newly formed [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}
''The [[Special Teams]] were first conceived within [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s mind shortly after the human had relinquished control of the Creation Matrix to Optimus Prime. Shockwave was able to view this data remotely and prepare for their development.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Menasor superion heavy traffic.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Once the Autobots rescued and repaired Optimus Prime, the group turned their attention to countering Decepticon combiner technology: although their new warrior [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] could combine his rocket and tank modules into one mighty robot, his creator [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] judged this combination inadequate compared to Devastator's six-way fusion. To get their hands on this advanced technology, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] secretly recorded their transformation pattern, {{storylink|Command Performances!}} and the Autobots successfully reverse-engineered to create the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. Unfortunately, they were forced to go on their first mission with only [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]'s personality programming completed, leaving the rest of the team and their combined form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] indifferent towards [[human]] casualties. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After their first mission proved a failure, Optimus Prime had [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] wipe their memory and started reprogramming them with the Creation Matrix. However, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who had gotten a lift to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] on Silverbolt's plane mode, had injected Optimus Prime with a [[cerebro-shell]] with which [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] used to steal energy from the Creation Matrix and bring his newly built combiner team, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], to life. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} As this combiner arms race heated up, the heroic [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s and evil [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s became the next combiner teams to join the conflict on Earth. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}

''Megatron summoned the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s to Earth'', {{storylink|Prey!}} and Shockwave would again call on their services. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} ''Shockwave would also bring the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s from Cybertron to Earth'', {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} and subsequent Decepticon leader [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] made use of [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] and [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}} Many combiner teams—the Aerialbots, Technobots, Terrorcons, Seacons, and possibly the Combaticons and Protectobots—fell to an [[Underbase]]-empowered [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] during his infamous rampage. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] combined to form [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. They appeared to keep their individual personalities in their combined mode instead of merging their minds. {{storylink|People Power!}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
The Constructicons lost the ability to combine, but attempted to compensate by constructing a separate Devastator robot on a deserted island in the [[Bahamas]]. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}}

=====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic=====
Multiple [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]]s could combine into larger vehicle modes. {{storylink|Total War!}} The [[Stormtrooper (Cybertronian)|Stormtrooper]]s under [[Mindset (G2)|Mindset]]'s command, for instance, could form a single "thunderjet". {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}

=====''Classics''=====
[[File:ShatteredHope-Magnaboss.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the years after [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s defeat, Megatron rebuilt the Constructicons as a five-robot combiner, a new configuration that incorporated [[Hightower (Classics)|Hightower]] in place of [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}}

After the destruction of [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|their native universe]], [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] received [[beast mode]] upgrades to survive on the prehistoric [[Earth]] of [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|a parallel universe]]. While in their beast forms, they gained the ability to combine into the mighty [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]]; this new form came in handy when they went up against Megatron and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s, who had since adopted [[Scylla]] into their ranks and reforged their combined form into "God Neptune"—thanks to Scylla's influence, this new configuration proved to be more intelligent and tactically minded than the brutish hunter that had preceded him. {{storylink|Shattered Hope}}

{{--}}

=====''Regeneration One''=====
{{NoteRG1}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 MonstructorDeathTouch.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] prepared for the arrival of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s invasion of Cybertron by having [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]] alert the Neo-Decepticon cells to get ready, while he himself prepared to deploy Monstructor. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} When [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] deployed [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to take out Bludgeon's [[Blitz Engine]]s, Soundwave ordered Monstructor to take out Omega Supreme. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} The two giants clashed and just as the invasion was halted by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'s defeat of Bludgeon and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s annihilation of the ''[[Warworld]]'', Omega Supreme utterly destroyed Monstructor. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

=====''Timelines''=====
During the campaign against the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] and [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] rebuilt a dying [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] and upgraded him with combiner technology in the hopes that he'd take the ailing First Aid's place as one of [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]'s limbs. Due to Ratchet's [[The Pri¢e of Life!|prior experiences with combination]], he remained wary of the upgrade and did not combine unless absolutely necessary. {{storylink|Ratchet (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Customization class G2 Ratchet bio}}

=====''Transformers '84''=====
Although combiner technology did not see widespread use on Cybertron due to its intense energy-inefficiency, Straxus nevertheless posted [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] to guard [[Project Dreadnought]]'s headquarters in [[Stanix]]. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
[[File:Heavy Metal War Devastator.JPG|thumb|left|250px]]
The secret of combination hinged on a Cybertronian's [[personality component]]; only a fully-sentient Cybertronian could combine with their teammates into a more powerful form, and if even one ‘bot lacked a personality component then the team could not combine. {{storylink|B.O.T. (episode)|B.O.T.}} However, combiners could still function, albeit in a severely weakened state, even without a team member forming an arm. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}} Some Cybertronians like [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] could combine into a single alternate mode. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}
On Cybertron, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] were existing Transformers who were brainwashed by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to become Decepticons and modified so that they could combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and challenge [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. After the fall of the [[Crystal City]] that they had worked to build together, Omega Supreme pursued the Constructicons for millions of years. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} In 1984, the Constructicons were [[Constructicon (G1)#Origin inconsistency|(re?)created]] on [[Earth]] with the ability to combine to bolster the Decepticons' strength. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

As the Cybertronian war on Earth heated up, the Autobots and Decepticons wound up constructing the heroic [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s and evil [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s to plug specific tactical weaknesses in their ranks—a lack of air power and an inability to outmaneuver the Autobots on the road. Designed to combine, both sides eventually received personalities from [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}} [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] installed the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s' [[personality component]]s into junked military vehicles and gave them the ability to combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}} Later, the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s became part of the Autobot forces on Earth and used their combined form to great effect on multiple occasions. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}} On one notable occasion, a group of Autobots disguised themselves as the Stunticons, and were even able to combine their myriad abilities together to create a crude facsimile of Menasor himself. {{storylink|Masquerade}}

Years later, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s appeared as combiners under the command of the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} The combinable [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s were part of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s troops. An intellectually enhanced [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s with the ability to combine. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

{{--}}

=====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity=====
[[File:LegendsOptimusMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

A number of combiner warriors incorporated the mysterious technique known as "[[Scramble Power]]", which gave them the ability to swap and even interchange their component limbs at will to generate unique configurations for battle. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}} A smaller number of combiners were "[[Free-Combination|Free Combiners]]", who could rearrange their bodies at will. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (story page)|Operation Combination}} A unique form of [[energon]] known as "[[Joint energon]]" could cause Transformers to spontaneously develop combiner joints. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}}

[[Precursor World]] hero [[White Gallant Convoy]] could combine with members of the [[White Order]] to form a powerful "Grand Prime" mode, but even this powered-up mode could not withstand the might of a Matrix-empowered [[God Neptune]]. {{storylink|God Neptune comic 2}} During another battle with God Neptune, [[Purple Wicked Convoy]] combined with Megatron Omega to form an "Omega Hand Mode". {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1|Finale 1}}

[[File:AutobotScrumFormation01.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Two dozen androids form into one, and we've only just begun!]]

A mysterious dimensional shockwave turned a number of [[Cyberdroid]]s into combining [[Micromaster]]s. {{storylink|A New Transformer Legend Begins!!}}

In the modern day, inspired by a [[Masquerade|previous incident]] in which several Autobots combined, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], [[Mirage (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Mirage]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Sunstreaker]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]], and [[Prowl (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Prowl]] initiated the "Masquerade Project" in the late 1980s, modifying their [[transformation cog]]s to adopt new combiner modes. Though the process was imperfect and unstable, they managed to combine into [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] and defeat [[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] during the battle for the [[Transform Super Cog]]. The combiner was then split apart when hit by an energy shockwave emitted by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Slugslinger's Ambition}}

The [[Trainbot]]s were a group of Autobot rail vehicles with the power to combine into [[Raiden]]; on multiple occasions, they used their combined form to tussle with other combiners like Bruticus and Predaking. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}}

On one notable occasion, the combiners [[Guard City]], [[Sixbuilder]], [[Sixwing]], [[Sixturbo]], and [[Sixtrain]] all teamed up to unleash the awesomely powerful "[[Autobot Scrum Combination]]", summoning energy from their twenty-nine components and releasing it in a single devastating blast to save the Earth from [[Battle Gaia]] and the [[Jet Corps]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (story page)|Conclusion}}

With the help of [[Chip Chase|Professor Chase]], [[Power Core Combination]] was developed on [[Earth]] in the 21st century during a time when the Autobot/Decepticon conflict had largely moved away from the planet. Participants in the program—beginning with several Autobot [[Micromaster]]s from planet [[Micro|Zone]]—were upgraded into new forms and fitted with newly developed [[Energon Matrix]] power sources, becoming part of a new "[[Master Class]]" [[subgroup]]. {{storylink|The Mighty Bolt}} Before long, their successful tests of the Power Core Combination drones drew the attention of a team of Decepticons under the command of [[Scrash (G1)|Scrash]], who performed a similar upgrade on themselves (dubbing themselves "[[Master Chaos]]") that would enable them to interface with the Power Core drones and steal them. {{storylink|Prelude to the Siege}}

In the year [[2021]], the Autobots successfully resurrected Optimus Prime as a combiner; although he'd live for only seven days as a result of his many previous deaths, he was able to combine with several of his Autobot friends to form an improved version of Optimus Maximus. Despite this boost in power, however, Optimus Maximus and his components were quickly defeated by [[Megatronia]], a combiner composed of female Decepticons. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} Meanwhile, a time-travelling [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] from another reality invaded this world and possessed [[Cyclonus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Cyclonus]]'s body as his new vessel. Though Galvatron planned to usurp Unicron's body in order to implement the "[[Grand Galvatron]]" scheme, the crippled god offered him an alternative; instead he would summon from across the [[multiverse]] others who shared similar thoughts of revenge, and together they would unite to become a new "Grand Galvatron". Galvatron accepted and Cyclonus was joined by [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]], [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], and a partially re-materialized [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] into Galvatron's new body. Though Unicron ordered Galvatron to seize [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for him, Galvatron planned to betray Unicron once again, and take control of his homeworld for himself. {{storylink|Grand Galvatron Chapter}}

In their new combined form, the team attacked Cybertron until [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] split them apart. Cyclonus and the rest made their way to [[Vector Sigma]]'s chamber before re-combining to do battle with [[Sky Reign]]. {{storylink|Sky Reign Chapter}} With the arrival of [[Megaempress]], the rest of the team fled, leaving Cyclonus and Galvatron at the empress's mercy as she threatened to enthrall them both. They were saved when a revived Optimus Prime took Megaempress and her soldiers on. {{storylink|Megatronia Chapter}} When Unicron himself showed up and tried to take Cybertron as his new body, Galvatron was angered and had Cyclonus attack the dark god, but he ended up blasted out of the sky and knocked unconscious. {{Storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part One}} Galvatron II's spirit then left Cyclonus's body, but he remained able to combine and, after recovering, convinced the rest of the team to form Grand Galvatron once more and help defeat Unicron. After their victory, he went into space, plotting to restore the Decepticon army by becoming the next Galvatron. {{Storylink|Ruination Chapter, Part Two}}

[[File:Roadcaesar robotmode.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Although early Cybertronian combiners were lumbering brutes who struggled with intellectual or emotional issues, drawbacks that would be exemplified by the oafish [[Dinoking]], the [[Breastforce]] would be the first combiner team to bypass this debilitating weakness: their combined form, [[Liokaiser]], proved an intelligent and cunning warrior. {{storylink|Unite! Liokaiser}} Not to be outdone, the Autobots retaliated with next-generation combiners of their own: the Autobot [[Brainmaster]]s could unite into [[Road Caesar]], a perfect three-way fusion with an unbreakable fighting spirit, {{storylink|Attack! Leozack}} while the modular [[Multiforce]] could assume multiple sub-combinations or perform a six-way combination to form the mighty [[Landcross (SG)|Landcross]]. {{storylink|Unite!! Multiforce}}

[[File:Volcaticon.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

When the [[Quintesson]]s escaped their dimensional prison, they arrived on [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] in the year [[2050]], where they spotted and hoped to subdue the Dinobots to use as merchandise. Towards this goal, they summoned [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], who had the Dinobots on the ropes till Grimlock was encouraged by telepathic messages from the [[Primus|Oracle]] of the past universe to use [[Earth]]'s [[Angolmois Energy]] to manifest his heart's strength in reality. With this energy and the lending of an [[Energon Matrix]] from [[Kakuryu (G1)|Grimmaster]], Grimlock and the other four original Dinobots combined into the mighty Volcanicus. Soon after, Volcanicus was contacted by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]] about the [[Selector]] revolt at [[Neo Scramble City]], so Volcanicus's components split up to go and assist their human allies against the [[Cybertron Alliance]]. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

The Technobots arrived as Grimlock faced down [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who had already defeated the other [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]; unwilling to hurt the humans, the six combined into [[Volcaticon]]: a new cross-factional combiner that combined Grimlock's strength and take-charge attitude with the intellect of the five Technobots. Although Volcaticon announced his intention to find a solution that would benefit the humans and Selectors alike, the Quintessons attacked and knocked the new combiner back into his components. To resist a barrage of corrosive gas bombs, the two teams reformed into Computron and Volcanicus. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}} With the Cybertron Alliance combiners on the back foot thanks to a deblitating [[Angolmois Energy]] attack and a subsequent [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]] assault that took the female combiner [[Orthia]] out of action, a number of Technobots, Aerialbots, and Protectobots joinined up as another ad-hoc combination they dubbed "[[Comperian]]". Quintesson enforcer Abominus thus fought fire with fire by stealing [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s limbs to become [[Abomenaticus]]. The two combiners fought till [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron Omega]] threatened to take all of Earth's Angolmois Energy, so Abominus reformed to use the full capability of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]' Angolmois-manipulating nature and shifted his focus onto Megatron Omega. {{Storylink|Abominus comic 2}}

Combiner technology would persist and evolve into the distant future; [[Maximal]] combiners like [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss]] and [[Tripledacus]] were powerful warriors, but eschewed the direct mind-melding technology of their ancestors in favour of a simpler system where each individual component worked in tandem to coordinate their attacks. {{storylink|The Combined Giant, Tripledacus}} [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] warriors like [[Starscream (BW)|Starscream]] and [[BB (BW)|BB]] could temporarily combine into [[Formation Scream]] while in vehicle mode, and tripartite warriors like [[Magmatron]] possessed a unique [[beast mode]] that could split and recombine at will. {{storylink|Big Convoy, Move Out}} The [[Seacon (BWII)|Seacon]]s used a quintuple combination system when they formed into [[God Neptune]], while the Jointrons incorporated a triple combination system that directly integrated their bodies into a greater whole. {{storylink|Face the Setting Sun}}

{{--}}

=====''TV Magazine'' comic continuity=====
Powerglide rescued a [[Battle Dog|puppy]] that was juiced up on energy thanks to the Decepticons. Before it died, the puppy transferred his power to Powerglide. This temporarily energized Powerglide with Scramble Power, which he used to combine with other Autobot Minibots. The [[Minibot combiner]] was then easily able to defeat [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] using the "Minibot Warrior Spiral Attack". {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #8}}

=====''Wings Universe''=====
[[File:TheComingStormPart6-Bruticus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

{{Wingsnote}}

Combining technology was the brainchild of the Decepticon warlord [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]], who had tinkered with the technology for many years before the [[Stealth Team (G1)|Stealth Team]] discovered his fortress at [[Gygax]]. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 36|Bruticus's ''Wings Universe'' profile}} He perfected the technology about nine million years ago and tested his invention out on his new recruits the Combaticons, which gave them the ability to combine into [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. {{storylink|The Coming Storm: Part 5}} Later, Megatron defeated Deathsaurus to become sole leader of the Decepticons, and stole Deathsaurus's technology to augment the Constructicons so that they could form Devastator. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

In the year [[2984]], the combiners [[Big Rescue Force]] and [[Big Motorvator]] could be glimpsed milling about in the [[Galadria Space Bridge Outpost]] in the [[Delta Prysmos Sector]]. {{storylink|Hoist the Flag}}

{{--}}

=====''Deviations''=====
[[File:TF-Deviations-Megascream-Combiner.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

In a timeline where Megatron died before ever becoming Galvatron, it would be [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] who became [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s herald. As the newly christened "Megascream", he bargained with Unicron to enhance his inner circle of warriors so that he could combine with them. As Unicron betrayed his minion and launched a direct attack on Cybertron, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] attempted to use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to destroy Unicron, but Megascream combined with his troops into a towering new form and easily crushed Optimus under his fist. Ultimately, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] saved the day by first teleporting the wounded Optimus to safety, then opening the Matrix to sacrifice himself but destroy both Unicron and Megascream in the process. {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations|Deviations}}

{{--}}

=====''Timelines''=====
An [[energon]] infusion from the Aerialbots gave the recently arrived Protectobots the power to combine into Defensor. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 21/9/2015}}

Exposure to an [[Enigma of Combination|arcane Autobot artifact]] gave [[Ratchet (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ratchet]] the power of combination and the unique ability to act as a "universal donor" for any combiner by acting as a replacement limb. While in an arm configuration, he possessed a unique "healing touch" that could re-energize and rejuvenate injured Cybertronians, but overusing this power by trying to heal severe injuries could forcibly disengage the combination. {{storylink|Ratchet (G1)/toys#BotCon2016|Customization class G1 cartoon Ratchet bio}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:DevastatorDissectionDreamwave.jpg|thumb|right|200px|What, no Terror Claws? No Cranium Regulation Unit? What kind of lame dissection is this?!]]

The combination process has its roots in the "mass intellect" experiments carried out by the Decepticons during the earliest phases of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]; building off the well-established science of mechanically combining bodies, the next step would be to mesh individual electro-neural impulses together into a unified mind. Following the failure of the planetary engine turbines, {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] recruited the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s to refine this technology into a viable weapon that would multiply a small group of warriors beyond the sum of their parts, but early experiments into this "cofunctional interlock" technology proved unsuccessful: the mind-merging experiments amplified stronger minds and drowned out weaker ones. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

After a period of trial and error, the Constructicons developed a unique "hyper vortex processor" that would preserve the minds of the individual within the combined whole. By testing the technology on themselves, the Constructicons became the prototype for all future combination experiments, but the rudimentary process left their combined form a dimwitted brute who needed all six Constructicons to agree on a single course of action to function. Despite these drawbacks, Devastator's destructive capabilities greatly pleased Megatron, and the Decepticon leader began planning for a full-scale combiner program. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} Combiner technology remained risky and unpredictable; only those rare Cybertronians with the correct predisposition and the ability to work as a team could safely undergo the upgrade, and unfit Decepticons who failed the trial period usually wound up insane or dead. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

[[File:Escalation-DevastatorVsDefensor.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

Eventually, the [[Autobot Science Harmonium]] obtained combiner schematics from the Decepticons, successfully reverse-engineered the mass intellect process, and dramatically overhauled the procedure to create safer and more efficient combiners. [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], the combined forms of the Autobot [[Special Teams]], utilized advanced compartmentalized neural processors that maintained the integrity of individual brainwaves while also drawing on each to create an integrated mind. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}} The Decepticons retaliated by turning the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] into combiners; as this arms race escalated, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]] resulted in all of the Special Teams agreeing to become non-aligned parties. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} After Optimus and Megatron vanished, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] and his breakaway faction of [[Ultracon]]s flouted the Accords by deliberately recruiting Devastator into their ranks. {{storylink|Escalation}} As a result, the Protectobots intervened, although in the end they took him down by separating and fighting as individual robots. Despite all the advances that'd been made, the second-generation combiners still suffered from limited intellects, and Protectobots were trying to iron out these drawbacks while [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron were missing. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

After somehow travelling to Earth in 2002, Devastator spread chaos in [[San Francisco]] and trounced the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s when they formed Superion to take him down. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} Although Devastator proved tough enough to withstand a direct nuclear blast, the individual Constructicons suffered massive damage that permanently fused them together. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}} In 2003, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] had [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] release the Stunticons, who'd been deemed too dangerous to function in society, from [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Detention Banks]]. Menasor ran amok for a while, but [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] took down the combiner by insulting his components one by one; as his individual consciousnesses began bickering over whose fault it was that they were losing, Ultra Magnus rammed the paralyzed combiner in the chest and forced him to separate. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}}

After locating the rogue Predacons on the planet [[Beest (planet)|Beest]], Megatron bested their leader Razorclaw, brought them back into the Decepticon fold, and rebuilt them with combiner technology. {{storylink|Welcome to the Jungle}} As Predaking, they battled Bruticus, who had recently suffered damage at the hands of [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], and triumphed. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

Other groups of Cybertronians utilized a less extreme version of combiner technology—robots like the [[Micromaster Combiner]]s, who combined to form a single vehicle mode, or armor-based powerups like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Powermaster]] trailer, did not rely on mental merging. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}

{{--}}

====''Transformers/G.I. Joe''====
The Aerialbots formed Superion during a battle against [[Cobra]] and the Decepticons in the [[Fera Islands]]; {{storylink|Wolves}} as he waded toward the [[Terrordrome]], he was forced to hold his fire when Optimus noticed that Cobra was using their slaves as human shields. In response, Cobra opened fire on Superion with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s massive cannon mode; {{storylink|Trenches}} although Superion shielded his allies for as long as he could, he eventually perished. {{storylink|The Iron Fist}}

Notably, the [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] of this reality was ''not'' a combiner, nor even a Cybertronian; he was born on Earth in [[1939]] as an unholy, unliving hybrid of Cybertronian and human technology, a walking engine of destruction created to be the ultimate weapon. {{storylink|Wolves}}

{{--}}

====''The Beast Within''====
[[File:THE BEAST.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

When Megatron and the other Decepticons held the upper hand on the battlefield, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and the four Dinobots displayed the ability to combine into a monstrous creature known only as the "[[Beast (G1)|Beast]]", an out-of-control berserker who easily slaughtered his way through the Decepticons and killed every Decepticon combiner Megatron sent to stop him. {{storylink|The Beast Within}} However, the Beast then turned on his nominal allies, and chased the Autobots around for a while before the survivors could bait him into falling off a cliff and killing himself. {{storylink|The Beast Within Part 2, Consequences}}

{{--}}

====''Hearts of Steel''====
After reawakening in the 19th century, the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s displayed the ability to combine into a self-propelled, heavily armed railcar known as the "[[Insectrain]]". {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2|Hearts of Steel #2}}

{{IDW HOS}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:AllGoodThings-Monstructor.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Wubba wubba wubba is Monstructor's song.]]

The art of combination came easily to other mechanical species like the "omnicombinational" [[Ammonite]]s, where any one member of their species could combine with any other; {{storylink|Little Victories}} although all [[Transformer]]s possessed the ''capacity'' for combination encoded in their [[CNA]], only a handful would consciously manifest this ability in their lifetime as a result of external stimuli. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} The history of Cybertronian combiner technology began with [[Nexus Prime]], a member of the [[Thirteen]] in the years before the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. His [[Enigma of Combination]], an extremely powerful artifact created by [[Solus Prime]], {{storylink|Transformers: Historia|Historia}} could instantly reconfigure two or more Cybertronians into a combiner, melding their minds so that they could coordinate their actions on a higher-dimensional plane known as [[antespace]]. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}} Most combiners utilized [[Size changing|mass displacement]] to some degree—when their components combined, they also grew in size to the point where they towered over their fellow Cybertronians. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}}

When the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] swept Cybertron, Nexus colluded with his ally [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] to create an army of [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s that fused beasts and 'bots together. {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} Not all Cybertronians viewed combination as a gift, however: [[Darklands|Darklander]] warrior [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], already prejudiced against Cybertronians with [[beast mode]]s, viewed combination as a perversion that "rotted away the individual", {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|OnoffON}} his one-man war against Nexus Prime's armies singlehandedly drove the ancient Headmasters extinct. Eventually, Galvatron confronted and murdered Nexus Prime, stole the Enigma, and when he could not destroy it he jettisoned it into space in the hopes that it would burn up in a nearby star. {{storylink|The Crucible}}

[[Nova Prime]] led the planet out of the shadow of war and into a new [[Golden Age]], but his early idealism soon gave way to a twisted, fascistic imperialism: inspired by an ancient legends of the [[Guiding Hand]], and a time when "[['Til all are one|all were one]]", he sought to turn combination into a tool of conquest, and instructed his chief theoretical scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to create a combiner without the Enigma. {{storylink|The Crucible}} Without the reality-warping power of the Enigma, Jhiaxus's experiments yielded only a crude recreation of what once was; this stunted form of combination forcibly merged the bodies and minds of the [[Pretender Monster|six volunteers]] that Jhiaxus had conscripted to create a violently insane personality, and the newly christened "[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]" ran amok in [[Crystal City]] until [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] could seal him in a dimensional prison. {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}}

[[File:Windblade volume2 devisiun.jpg|thumb|right|350px]]

Although true combination on the mental level remained out of reach, some Cybertronians discovered safer but less dramatic forms of combination, including shared "duocombiner" [[alternate mode]]s. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|Patternism}} A "branched [[spark]]" telepathically linked them to a [[twin]] sibling; while incredibly rare on Cybertron, the Transformer colonists on the planet [[Devisiun (planet)|Devisiun]] evolved into an entire civilization of duocombiners, although they did not consider themselves "true" combiners. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}} The twelve 'bots who made up the [[Functionist Council]] could all combine into a single alternate mode, a religious ornament known as the [[Key to Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}}

Serious research into combiner technology stagnated for millennia until the outbreak of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], when [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]], seeking to create a Decepticon superweapon, recruited Jhiaxus's former student [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] into the Decepticons, provided him with a laboratory and ample resources, and ordered him to continue where his master had left off. {{storylink|Shockwaves}} An early attempt involved physically rebuilding five Cybertronians so that they transformed into four limbs and a torso; humiliated by the loss of his alternate mode, right leg [[Ambulon]] defected to the Autobots and the "[[Combicon]]" project was abandoned. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}} {{storylink|No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases}} When Monstructor escaped from his dimensional prison, the Autobots apprehended him {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} and took his individual components into custody in the hopes that they could be rehabilitated. [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s studied them with the goal of rehabilitating them, but the difficulty of the technology meant that they didn't get the chance before the [[Decepticon Secret Service]] captured the "Monstructor Six". {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} Eventually, however, Shockwave left the Decepticons to pursue his [[Regenesis|pet project]], in his absence, it would be [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] who created the first successful combiner: by using the like-minded [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s as test subjects, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] avoided Monstructor's debilitating personality flaws but remained sluggish in both mind and body. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} After [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] died, the Constructicons could still use his corpse to form Devastator, but the "dead leg" left Devastator hobbled. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} In the years following the Surge, other Decepticons subgroups acquired combiner upgrades, but their attempts generally went poorly: the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s rebuilt themselves using black market technology from [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] but couldn't properly unify their minds, {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}} while the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s didn't even get as far as combining due to their inability to agree on ''anything''. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}}

[[File:IDWRID14 prowlstator.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

In the final battle of the Great War, the eldritch [[D-Void]] harnessed a mysterious energy emitted from Cybertron's core and used it to suppress the individual wills of Galvatron, his [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s, and every Decepticon on the planet save Megatron, then merged them all into a [[Deceptigod|monstrous avatar]] slaved to the D-Void's will. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} After the end of the war, Megatron learned to manipulate this same energy as part of a new plan to claim dominance over Iacon; when the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s ventured into the Cybertronian wilderness, this energy caused the group to became increasingly aggressive toward each other until they spontaneously combined into [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], which may have been a CNA-level defense mechanism against the hostile signal. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|Dinobot Hunt}} {{storylink|Night and the City}} At the same time, Bombshell used his [[cerebro-shell]]s to brainwash [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and turn his quarters into a secret "black room". In preparation for Megatron's impending return, Bombshell rebuilt the remaining Constructicons so that they could combine with any suitable Cybertronian, upgraded Megatron so that he could combine with the Constructicons, and used Prowl as a guinea pig to form a new Devastator under Bombshell's control. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} Bombshell's death enabled a new, Prowl-centric Devastator personality, who ran amok and grievously injured Superion. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} Before Megatron could trigger his own Devastator combination, the Autobots stopped him. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}}

United by their shared hatred of [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Spike Witwicky]], the Constructicons saw Prowl as a kindred spirit and allied themselves with the Autobots to stay with their new leader, {{storylink|Second Exodus}} and formed Devastator once more to defeat Monstructor during the "Dark Cybertron" crisis. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} While on Earth, Prowl came to rely on this new Devastator as his heavy-duty enforcer during the search for [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], {{storylink|Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|Detonation Boulevard}} and later the [[Enigma of Combination]]. {{storylink|The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|The Obliterati}} However, as Galvatron foretold, the stress of repeated combination took its toll: even when not combined, the Constructicons began losing their individual quirks and finishing each other's sentences, {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} while Prowl suffered energon "nosebleeds" and unconsciously referred to his teammates as "Scrapper". {{storylink|Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|I Dream of Wires}} Eventually, Prowl admitted that his experiences as Devastator meant that he no longer saw the Decepticons as enemies, but as a part of him. {{storylink|Now and On Earth}}

[[File:AllThatRemains-OptimusMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

This dramatic upswing of combiner activity sparked an unofficial arms race between the different factions vying for control of the planet. Although Cybertronian ruler [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] and his faction of neutrals did not yet control a combiner, he revived a comatose [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] and convinced him to repair the damaged Superion. {{storylink|The World of Tomorrow}} Using the [[Enigma of Combination]] that Starscream's lackey [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] poached from Earth, Superion soon returned to full functionality with [[Alpha Bravo]] and [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] serving as new components. {{storylink|The Sum and Its Parts}} Superion's return coincided with the restoration of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s [[space bridge]] and a potential alliance with the lost colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]. In the hopes that he could conquer Caminus and the other [[Cybertronian colonies]] to form a new galactic empire, Starscream orchestrated the "[[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]", which saw the Enigma repeatedly change hands as different factions tried to conquer or save Caminus: combatants included Superion, a rebuilt Menasor, {{storylink|First Contact (IDW)|First Contact}} [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], formed from the loosely affiliated "[[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s", {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} and a new version of Devastator that incorporated Starscream's lackey [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] in place of Prowl. Determined to keep Starscream from conquering the galaxy by forcibly cutting Cybertron off from the universe, Prowl pressganged Optimus Prime and several other Autobots into becoming [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]], {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} but when he confronted their personalities in antespace the four members of the combination convinced him to work with them, fight for a united future, and defeat Devastator in a galaxy-spanning brawl. {{storylink|All That Remains}} After the formation of the [[Council of Worlds]], Arcee tried to steal the Enigma of Combination, sparking in motion a chain of events that led to six visiting [[Torchbearer]]s accidentally merging into the powerful [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|An Uneventful Night}} When Cybertron opened diplomatic relations with the citizens of Devisiun, Starscream brought Superion along to impress them and offered them a place on the Council in exchange for combiner technology. {{storylink|Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|Windblade vol. 2 #6}}

Combiners created by the Enigma possessed a high degree of mental stability occasionally manifested unusual powers, including the ability to split their bodies apart or even fire their limbs as rocket-powered projectiles. {{storylink|Mistakes and Mayhem}} Victorion displayed a number of unusual traits: not only did she possess a suite of gravity-related powers, allowing her to fly under her own power or crush objects from afar, {{storylink|Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|Perihelion}} she proved a sophisticated and erudite thinker capable of verbally sparring with Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange}} However, this kind of combination ''also'' proved addictive: Defensor and Superion displayed an unwillingness to split into their components, and Prowl noted that combiners teams had trouble staying separate. {{storylink|You, Me, and the Universe}} After his arrest, Prowl taunted Optimus that a part of him would always exist in Prime's mind due to their brief mental merge as Optimus Maximus. {{storylink|Now and On Earth}} Aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', Defensor was able to substitute Ambulon as a replacement limb after [[Rook (CW)|Rook]]'s death, but was defeated by [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] shortly afterwards. Under unclear circumstances, the Decepticon combiner [[Liokaiser]] served under Decepticon leader [[Nickel]]. {{storylink|The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|Journey's End}}

[[File:AHO-earthannexed.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

While Optimus Prime was away on Cybertron, the Earthbound Autobots discovered that [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] had upgrade some of his mass-produced [[Seeker clone]] troopers into tripartite combiners. Later still, Optimus brought Superion and Victorion back with him when he made the controversial decision to annex Earth. They discovered that, thanks to the machinations of [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]], who had previously reverse-engineered the Enigma of Combination, its energies had "infected" all of Earth's computerized technology and turned the entire planet into an Enigma—during the final battle against Galvatron and his rogue Decepticon faction, Galvatron betrayed his principles in the name of victory and forcibly amalgamated Cybertronians together to create [[Galvatronus (CW)|Galvatronus]] and [[Sky Reign]]. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}} To nullify this "Earth-Enigma", Superion incorporated part of the Enigma's code into his own mind, then permanently separated himself into his components, effectively killing himself. {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|As Above...So Below}}
Around this time, the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] sought to access the mind of their former teammate Swindle, who'd supposedly dug up compromising information on Starscream's role in the Combiner Wars. To do this, they stole the Enigma and used it on themselves to create [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], but their inexperience with combination turned their combined form into a rampaging monster. {{storylink|The Line Between Us}} On Earth, [[human]] dictator [[Iron Klaw|Count "Iron Klaw" von Rani]] used a copy of the extraterrestrial [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]] to suppress the individual minds of the Predacons and turn them into "[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]". When [[Snake-Eyes]] smashed the console that kept them docile, their argumentative personalities resurfaced and tore the combiner apart. {{storylink|The Iron Klaw}} During "Onyx Prime's" invasion of Cybertron, Victorion wound up clashing with a misguided Devastator, and thanks to an extra surge of power-enhancing [[Ore-8]] she unleashed a devastating gravitational wave that crushed Devastator to atoms. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 6: Unforgivable|Unforgivable}}

During [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s invasion of Cybertron, Monstructor returned and fatally wounded Victorion by killing [[Stormclash]] and forcing the other [[Torchbearer]]s to break apart. {{storylink|Road's End}} When the battle moved to Earth, the Aerialbots recombined into Superion, reactivated the latent Earth-Enigma by doing so, and allowed [[Slide]], a Devisen duocombiner who'd lost her ability to transform after the death of [[Oiler|her brother]], to sub in as Victorion's new leg. Together, Victorion and Superion took on Monstructor and finally put an end to their monstrous progenitor. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

{{--}}

====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity====
[[File:DawnOfThePredacus-magnabossvsmegatron.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

In the twilight of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] oversaw the creation of [[Predacus]], a combiner formed from the members of the [[Tripredacus Council]]. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}} The Autobots and [[Maximal]]s retaliated by creating [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]], a combiner made up some of the most seasoned Autobot veterans. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}} Although [[Under-3|an untested Maximal]] would wind up taking Perceptor's intended role in the combination, Magnaboss and Predacus both played vital roles in the final battle of the war before the ratification of the [[Pax Cybertronia]]; while Magnaboss took out the 'bot who would one day call himself "[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]", Predacus eliminated "Megatron's" trump card, Predaking. {{storylink|Dawn of the Predacus}} By the time of the [[Great Upgrade]], peacetime society dismissed combiners as energy-inefficient and the technology was largely forgotten. Magnaboss disappeared from the public eye, but the Tripredacus Council refined the technology to create [[Tripredacus]]. Other notable combiners included [[Magnaboss (BWII)|Magnaboss II]] and [[Tripledacus]], who participated in later Maximal-Predacon skirmishes over [[Angolmois Energy]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook}}
{{--}}

====''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''====
[[File:TFJoe12-Defensor.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

To combat a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] invasion, the Constructicons formed Devastator. In spite of being able to deter the initial invasion force, he was rammed by the ''[[Defiant (G.I. Joe)|Defiant]]'', {{storylink|Targetmasters (issue)|Targetmasters}} which killed Long Haul and took Devastator out of commission. {{storylink|Earth: R.I.P.}}

As Cybertron inched ever closer to Earth, the Decepticon/Cobra alliance attacked [[New York City]], the Combaticons combining into Bruticus. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}}

During the lead-up to the final battle, the [[Rescuebot]]s—a group of Autobots who'd developed a particularly strong affection for humanity—sealed their holy oath to protect mankind with a unique "Combination Lock". This combination lock allowed them all to spontaneously merge into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]; in the final battle, the united G.I. Joe-Autobot force fetched up against a number of combiners, including Predaking, Abominus, Menasor, and a rebuilt Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} Megatron briefly combined the energies of his black hole with the Matrix of Leadership to absorb all of the Autobots into his being to become the monstrous "Mega-Megatron" until [[Shipwreck]] and [[Polly]] crashed the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'' into his new body and freed the captive Autobots. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}

{{--}}

====''Beast Wars: Uprising''====
[[File:CulturalAppropriation-MonsterousVsDevastator.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

[[Nucleon (TR)|Nucleon]] considered gestalt technology to be a crude precursor to the [[binary bonding]] process that would come to define the later days of the Great War. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}} A number of combiner teams survived into the era of the [[Builder of Cybertron|Builder]]s, [[Maximal]]s, and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, including the Protectobots, Aerialbots, and Constructicons, but to survive on a crumbling post-war Cybertron the teams downsized into fuel-efficient [[Micromaster]] bodies. {{storylink|Micro-Aggressions}} The Constructicons retained the ability to form [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], but by the 24th century the team had evolved into a two-thirds Autobot unit led by [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]]. {{storylink|A Brush With Infamy–Prologue}}

Inspired by the legendary titans of old, a number of other parties would go on to acquire combiner technology: [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]], the first proto-race combiner, drew upon the strength and wisdom of the Maximals who made up the [[Maximal High Council]]: [[Silverbolt (Magnaboss)|Silver Bolt]], [[Tigatron]], [[Santon]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], and [[Lio Junior|Lio Minor]]. Not to be outdone, the 'bots of the [[Tripredacus Council]] stole combination technology from their rivals and used it on themselves to become [[Tripredacus]]. {{storylink|Derailment}} More ominously, the street gang known as the "Antares Eight"—in reality, a group of dimensionally-displaced [[Monster GoBot]]s—could call upon their own personal gestalt, [[Monsterous]]. When these dimensional invaders attempted to bait the [[Human Confederacy]] into destroying Cybertron, Devastator faced off with the GoBot combiner and ultimately emerged triumphant. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

During the [[Vehicon Apocalypse]], Devastator and Magnaboss joined the final assault on the [[Grand Mal]].A beam from the ancient battle station hit both combiners, and though Magnaboss survived the battle with only [[Lio Junior|one component]] lost, three of Devastator's components perished. {{storylink|Derailment}} At the same time, the Tripredacus Council used their Tripredacus form to hunt down and slay [[Preditron]] before a vengeful [[Ser-Ket (BWU)|Ser-Ket]] killed two of his three components. {{storylink|Derailment}} With the dawn of the [[Cybertronian Parliament]], the surviving Constructicons recruited [[Wideload (G1)|Wideload]], [[Hauler|Road Hauler]] and [[Steam Hammer]] as replacements. The new, construction-minded Devastator who emerged would be hailed as the champion of the remaining Builders. {{storylink|The Inexorable March}}

====''Timelines''====
As the Autobot war machine came to increasingly rely on Combiners, the Autobots began taking steps to minimize their drawbacks. Most glaringly, the loss of a single member would all but incapacitate the whole; to minimize this tactical weakness, the Protectobots began drafting auxiliary members who could replace any given component when nessecary, including [[Rook (CW)|Rook]], [[Skyfeather]], [[Heatrock]], and [[Medix (G1)|Medix]]. {{storylink|Medix (G1)#Toys|Customization class Medix bio}}

====''Of Masters and Mayhem''====
[[File:OMAMFinale WreckageVThunderMayhem.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

During the Great War, combiners played a significant role, and both sides invested significant time and effort into producing combat-ready combiners. {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} During one such experiment, [[Loudpedal]] and [[Oil Slick (G1)|Oil Slick]] accidentally created [[Toxitron (G1)|Toxitron]], a malformed mutant who spewed an endless torrent of noxious acid. {{storylink|The Toxic Transformer}} Soon, however, [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and his underlings began tampering with forces that the Cybertronian race was not meant to control: seeking to create the "ultimate combiner", he combined [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s [[Point One Percenter]] spark with the artificial [[Matrix of Malice]], which formed the core of the terrifying [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Soon enough, Thunder Mayhem turned on his creators and rampaged across Cybertron: over the course of this one-sided war, it destroyed every other combiner, and the few survivors of this mass extinction assumed that Thunder Mayhem had annihilated Cybertron itself. {{storylink|Life Finds a Way}}

Wrecker leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] began travelling the stars to assemble a team capable of taking down Thunder Mayhem and slowly assembled a new crew of Wreckers from the few surviving Cybertronians he found throughout the galaxy. Toxitron, [[Alpha Bravo]], and [[Offroad (CW)|Offroad]] were already combination-compatible,and [[Fractyl]] and [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] received full rebuilds to accommodate combiner technology. Fractyl reverse-engineered the power of Thunder Mayhem's spark using a substance called "[[Greenergon]]" and implanted a supply of it into Toxitron to act as a booster when they combined. However, their combined form went berserk and tried to kill Impactor. Terrified by the prospect of unleashing a second monster on the universe, Alpha Bravo murdered his friend Offroad to stop Thunder Mayhem from ever forming again, and was himself shot by Toxitron seconds later. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} Upon discovering the ruins of Cybertron, the Wreckers recruited [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] into their team; when alien [[Teklaan]]s attacked, Impactor used a design lab to modify Bluestreak for the process, and Wreckage re-emerged: with Impactor now leading the team from within the combiner's psyche, this new iteration proved stronger both mentally and physically... although Bluestreak's penchant for talk left him far chattier than the original Wreckage {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}}

The Wreckers finally located Thunder Mayhem on the planet Earth, and formed Wreckage to stop the monster once and for all. In battle with the destroyer of worlds, Wreckage's power was harnessed by a human with a genetic quirk named [[Lisa|Elizabeth]]. Joined by the other Earth-bound Autobots, the heroes successfully broke the Matrix of Malice and reduced Thunder Mayhem back into his separate components. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

{{--}}

====''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons====
[[File:CombinerWarsMachinima-Menasorstill.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The Enigma of Combination created many combiners during the later years of the Great War, including [[Computron (G1)|Computron]], [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], {{storylink|The Fall}}, [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]], {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}} and [[Victorion]]. {{storylink|Prelude to Transformers: Combiner Wars - Victorion}} Whether or not the combiners adhered to the old factions remains debatable: although [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] pointed out that they were still made up of Autobots and Decepticons, {{storylink|The Council}} a number of combiners appear to self-identify as members of an independent faction, separate from either Autobots or Decepticons. {{storylink|The Fall}} After the end of the Great War, Optimus Prime and Megatron willingly went into self-imposed exile, and as a result the leaderless combiners fell into a period of vicious, destructive infighting known as the "[[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]". The [[Council of Worlds]] came into possession of the Enigma and considered using it to stem the conflict—either fighting fire with fire by creating a new combiner army, or by simply destroying ''all'' combiners. {{storylink|The Council}}

As the council debated using the Enigma to control the Combiners, [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] aassisted [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] as they attacked the Council pavilion. All of the extant combiners converged on the building, and although Devastator attempted to claim the Enigma for himself, the Council ordered Starscream to use the Enigma to take control of the combatants. {{storylink|A War of Giants}} Instead, he used it to merge himself with Devastator, Victorion, and the bodies of [[Computron (G1)|Computron]] and [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]; his attempted "super-combination" collapsed and turned him into an unstable energy being. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (CW)|Darkest Hour}} Upon Starscream's defeat, the four other combiners were returned to normal; Victorion took ownership of the Enigma by claiming that the artefact rightfully belonged to the combiners. {{storylink|Destruction's Dawn}}

[[File:DesperateActions-UltimateVictorion.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

During [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s rampage across Cybertron, the Mistress of Flame recruited the combiners to find and reactivate [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|Our Heroes Respond}} Computron discovered that the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]'s [[transformation cog]] was damaged but the weapons systems were intact, and so Victorion ordered him to take control of the weapons and fire everything they had at Trypticon. {{storylink|Overlord and Emissary}} When Megatron arrived at Fortress Maximus and revealed the Mistress of Flame had perished, the combiners assumed him responsible and attacked. Once Windblade arrived and the fight stopped long enough for Megatron to explain, Victorion fused with the other combiners to successfully form "Ultimate Victorion", a massive warrior comprised of spectral energy. {{storylink|Desperate Actions}} Although Ultimate Victorion fell in battle against Trypticon and wound up reduced to her components once more, all of the combiners joined in the ensuing battle. {{storylink|Consumed}} {{storylink|All Things Must Pass}}

Victorion joined Megatron and his crew on their subsequent quest to find the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]] before [[The Fallen|Megatronus]], who had already stolen the Enigma of Combination, could use it to achieve his evil goals. While exploring a marshy wilderness, the team encountered the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s, who displayed the ability to combine into [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]. {{storylink|The Swamp}} Predaking attacked the group shortly afterwards and demanded that Victorion turn over the Enigma, {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} but they were able to peacefully talk down the ex-Decepticon combiner. {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}} Not long afterwards, [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]] successfully killed almost all of the combiners: first Computron, Menasor, and Devastator, {{storylink|Volcanicus (episode)|Volcanicus}} then Victorion in the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} In the final battle against Megatronus, Predaking attempted to seize the Enigma and wound up fatally decapitated. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

{{--}}

====''Bumblebee'' graphic novels====
The Constructicons briefly formed Devastator during a battle for a [[cybertonium]] meteorite until the precious mineral exploded, reducing them back to the individual Constructicons. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold|Go for the Gold}}

====''Mazinger Z vs. Transformers''====
As combiners, the Constructicons were the only Decepticons capable of taking on [[Kōji Kabuto]]'s [[Mazinger Z]] super robot, but not even Devastator could withstand Mazinger's infamous rocket-propelled punch that instantly collapsed the gestalt back into his components.

====''Transformers/Ghostbusters''====
When [[Gozer]] invaded Cybertron, Megatron set loose every combiner the Decepticons had against the extradimensional monster, to no avail. One by one, Predaking, Devastator, and Bruticus fell. Seeing the defeat of their ultimate weapons convinced the other members of [[Decepticon High Command]] that Cybertron was doomed. {{storylink|Ghosts of Cybertron Part 2}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:SeaOfRust1-Abominus.jpg|thumb|right|350px|"I'm not afraid of the mutation anymore. Not when I have ''this'' kind of power!"]]

The origins of the Enigma of Combination are unclear, but folk wisdom held that the artifact belonged to [[Nexus Prime]], who had once wielded the artifact at the dawn of Cybertronian civilization. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}} Although the Enigma could theoretically combine any group of Cybertronians into a combiner, only those who shared a common sense of purpose could successfully master the art of combination. In the years before the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], a group of Cybertronians used the Enigma to try and combine, but without a clear goal their combined form became a mindless "[[Abominus (G1)|abomination]]" that rampaged across the planet in search of fuel; when it became clear that the combiner could not be reasoned with, [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]] and a legion of warriors finally felled the beast at [[Rivets Field]] in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} {{storylink|Escape Part Three}}

[[File:ConstructiconsRisingPart4-Devastator.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

The Enigma of Combination wound up buried in the strata beneath the region, where it remained for many megacycles until after the end of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]], when the newly christened [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] uncovered the Enigma while on cleanup duty. Their supervisor [[Termagax]] encouraged them to embrace this artifact to push their potential to its fullest; although they successfully united into [[Devastator (G1)|a combiner]], {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 1}} mastering that combined form by learning to successfully merge their minds came less easily. Only by embracing the combiner's emergent personality, and learning to harness its deep reserves of primal anger, could they use their powerful new form to rebuild Iacon. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], nervous about what would happen if the Constructicons lost control of their combined form, petitioned [[Nominus Prime]] to exile them to [[Mayalx]]. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 3}} Nominus agreed; to ensure that no more combiners would threaten his [[Nominus Edict|vision]] of Cybertron's future, Nominus entrusted Termagax with the Enigma in the hopes that she could keep the artifact safe until such time as it would be needed. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

In the years that followed the ratification of the Nominus Edict, combiner technology fell by the wayside, although individuals like [[Power Punch]] and [[Direct-Hit]] appear to possess a combined vehicle mode, {{storylink|War World: Titans|Titans}} while 'bots like [[Cromar]] could combine with others in their weaponized forms. {{storylink|End of Time}} The only known Cybertronian to successfully crack the secret of true combination would be the mad scientist [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]], who used her knowledge to create a massive [[Combination Core]] aboard the [[Hexagon]] asteroid colony that could forcibly merge any five 'bots together. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

With a second civil war looming on the horizon, [[The Rise|Rise]] leader [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] turned his attention to acquiring a monopoly on combiner technology. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}} To this end, he recruited his former allies the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], to manipulate the Constructicons into embracing their rage; after renaming their combined form "Devastator", the combiner laid waste to the colony that they'd built and fled into deep space. {{storylink|Constructicons Rising, Part 4}} Several cycles later, [[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]] and his [[Technobot (G1)|Technical Solutions]] team fell into the Combination Core and emerged as [[Computron (G1)|Computron]]. Before their combined form could gather his wits, colony administrator [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] jettisoned the entire floor from the station and launched Computron into space. However, once returned to their regular forms, Scattershot discovered that he'd somehow absorbed the power of the Combination Core. {{storylink|Light/Star}}

When [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] received a distress signal from Cybertron, she made for [[Crystal City]]. Though Lodestar was too weak to fight, her size alone scared off the majority of the Decepticon army and allowed her to release Computron who held off [[Strika's Heavies]] long enough for Optimus Prime to confront the Decepticon general. {{storylink|The Landscape of Fear}} The battle drained the Technical Solutions team of energon, leaving the Autobots unable to turn Computron against the [[rust worm]]s or [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. {{storylink|End of Time}}

Following [[Exarchon]]'s return, Shockwave summoned Devastator back to Cybertron, {{storylink|War's End Part Two}} giving him instructions to meet with [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. After the combiner's size had scared off the Autobots and Decepticons in the [[Sonic Canyons]], Exarchon sought to usurp Devastator, {{storylink|War's End Part Three}} only for Constructicons to resist him, though the strain forced them to decombine. {{storylink|War's End Part Four}}

By the time Exarchon had been destroyed, Computron had been refuelled, escorting the Autobot convoy to Darkmount. Having been given the Constructicons by Shockwave, Megatron unleashed Devastator on Computron during the siege of Darkmount. Though the Constructicon combiner initially proved stronger, Scattershot used the powers of the Combination Core to add [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], [[Flareup (G1)|Flareup]], [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], [[Javelin]], and [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] to the mix. Reborn as a ten-bot combiner, Computron was able to defeat Devastator but was ultimately overwhelmed by the totality of the Decepticon force firing on him, forcing him to decombine back into their components, though the sacrifice had allowed the Autobots to escape Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}
{{--}}

====''My Little Pony/Transformers''====
[[File:TheMightiestDinobot-Superion.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

While stranded on [[Earth]], [[Spike (MLP)|Spike]] the [[dragon]] helped [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] defend the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' from a Constructicon assault. Devastator easily trounced Grimlock, Spike quickly worked out how to fire the ''Ark''{{'}}s primary thrusters, and the force of the blast reduced Devastator back to his components, who promptly fled. {{storylink|Inspiring}}

During [[King Sombra]]'s magical assault on Cybertron, the evil unicorn brainwashed [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] and the other four Aerialbots with his mind-control [[magic]] and forced them to combine into Superion. Although the brainwashed combiner quickly defeated Grimlock and the other Dinobots, Spike and [[Smolder (MLP)|Smolder]] deduced that forcing Sombra to split his control five ways would weaken his magic, and taunted the individual Aerialbots by playing on their individual hangups and personality traits until Superion could no longer maintain the combination and fell apart, breaking the spell in the process. {{storylink|The Mightiest Dinobot}}
{{--}}

====''Last Bot Standing''====
[[Steel Jaw|Steeljaw]]'s pack possessed the ability to combine into the diminutive [[Unstoppimus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] stood in the way of the pack getting [[energon]], the pack combined to hold off the Autobot but fuel-starved as they were, Unstoppimus was more bark than bite, Rodimus quickly disabling their weapons before beheading them, the shock sending their components into stasis lock. {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4|Last Bot Standing #4}}

===''Robots in Disguise''===
====2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:Landfill RiD Cartoon.JPG|thumb|left|250px]]
Many of the Autobots active on Earth were combiners: most notably, the three Autobots who comprised [[Team Bullet Train]] could merge into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]]. {{storylink|Bullet Train to the Rescue}} The hard-working 'bots who made up the [[Build Team (RID)|Build Team]] could also combine to form [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]], but they rarely took an active combat role due to their duties maintaining the [[Global Space Bridge]]. {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} Rail Racer proved a powerful trump card for the Autobots during the early phases of the war for Earth; seeking some powerful new warriors to level the playing field, [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] leader [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]] created the [[Commando (RID)|Commandos]], a team of crack warriors who could merge into [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Many combiners in this reality displayed the ability to rearrange their components at will and gain specific powers in doing so: for instance, Landfill could combine in three possible configurations: one that balanced offense and defense, {{storylink|Landfill (episode)|Landfill}} a "Typhoon Mode" that optimized offensive power, {{storylink|Sky-Byte Saves the Day}}, and a "Cyclone Mode" close-quarters assault form. {{storylink|Galvatron's Revenge}} Ruination possessed two primary configurations— a ground assault "Land Mission" mode, and a "Flight Mission" form that allow him to hover. {{storylink|Commandos}}

Even [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] displayed the power to combine: when his rebellious brother [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] travelled to Earth, he feigned compassion in an attempt to steal the Matrix, then forced his brother to combine with him. What he didn't expect, though, was that Optimus had as much control over their new "[[Omega Prime]]" form as Magnus did; his plan to steal the power of the Matrix backfired and he had to cooperate with Prime to defeat the Decepticons. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus: Forced Fusion!}}

{{--}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Viron 704.31 Epsilon|a dystopian alternate timeline]], [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] [[Robosmasher|Robo-Smashed]] Rail Racer and Landfill so that they became the evil [[Dominus Trannis]] and [[Devastator (Universe Ultra)|Devastator]] respectively. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}} Megazarak slaughtered three out of the four members of the [[Protection Team]] and left their leader Hot Spot unable to combine. When [[Ultra Trion]] passed the Matrix onto him, he received new armor which gave him the abilities of his fallen comrades. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/07}} This new, one-bot iteration of "[[Defensor (OTFCC)|Defensor]]" tried to save Dominus Trannis, but was ultimately forced to put his old comrades out of their misery, {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/28}} while [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] plucked Devastator away from his home timeline to serve in the [[Universe War]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/30}}

[[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]] claimed that [[beast mode]] Transformers such as himself were too emotionally delicate to suffer the indignity of combining. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Shark Sonnets, 2015/10/21}}

===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===
Across multiple continuities, the power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s possessed the ability to power up larger Autobots and Decepticons with extra weapons and abilities while physically attached to their bodies. This special bond is known as a "[[Powerlinx]]", and is not considered a "true" combination, although by the time of ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' this specific term would come to be used interchangeably with more familiar forms of combination.

====Cartoon continuity====
=====''Armada'' cartoon=====
[[File:Ruin-Star Saber Skyboom Shield.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

In addition to their ability to Powerlinx, a number of Mini-Cons possessed the power to combine with each other: although [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]], [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] combined into a super robot named [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]], {{storylink|Comrade}} most other Mini-Cons became enhanced weapons or tools: the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] formed the supernatural [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] became the impenetrable [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield, {{storylink|Overmatch}} and the [[Space Mini-Con Team]] could unite to form the devastatingly powerul [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|Awakening (Armada)|Awakening}}

During a battle with the Decepticons, the Autobots struggled against [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s new tactician [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and his 'henchman' [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]. Right when it seemed hopeless, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] fell from the sky and combined with Optimus to form Jet Optimus. {{storylink|Awakening (Armada)|Awakening}} Later still, Optimus began combining with the hulking [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], who formed a large pair of cannons on top of Super Optimus's shoulders. Overload's additional firepower, combined with the already impressive firepower of the Requiem Blaster, enabled Optimus to destroy [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]]. {{storylink|Origin}}

The Decepticons were not without their own combiner; [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] was able to combine with Megatron to form additional armour and a back-mounted [[jet pack|rocket pack]]. In this form, Megatron was able to battle Jet Optimus to a standstill. {{storylink|Desperate}}

=====''Linkage'' comic=====
The non-flying members of the evil [[Speed Chaser Team]] could form the [[Magnawing]] aircraft to transport themselves around. {{storylink|Linkage Part 4}}

=====''Energon'' cartoon=====
[[File:TwoHeros optimus supermode.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Long ago, during a time when the Decepticons and Autobots were at peace, four ancient combiner robots were tasked with guarding the [[Super Energon Temple]] deep beneath Cybertron: [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|Bruticus Maximus]], [[Constructicon Maximus]], [[Superion Maximus]], and [[Dauntless Maximus|Superion's brother]]. The Autobots and Decepticons glared at one another in mutual acrimony until they became completely corroded and were unable to move. {{storylink|Ambition}}

Millennia later, following Unicron's defeat, the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]]s arrived on [[Earth]] to acquire energon, and [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] granted [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] the [[Spark of Combination]], a divine power imbued upon the Autobot leader by [[Primus]], so that Hot Shot and [[Inferno (Energon)|Inferno]] could Powerlinx with one another and fight off the invaders. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}} This new form of powerlinxing became a widespread ability among the Autobots, to the point where almost any Autobot could combine with any other to become more powerful. Spark of Combination didn't automatically make someone an expert at it, however—it took practice and both partners had to learn to synchronize their breathing. Several different varieties of combination emerged over the course of this new conflict: similarly sized Autobots could Powerlinx together, with the top half becoming the dominant consciousness with an added "Powerlinx" title (e.g. "Powerlinx [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]]".) {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}} A few Autobots and some Decepticons combined with components of their alternate modes to form a larger "brute mode". {{storylink|Bulkhead (episode)|Bulkhead}}

[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] was able to Powerlinx with his [[Prime Force]] [[drone]]s, {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)}} [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] {{storylink|Jungle Planet (episode)}} and [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|Omega Supreme]] to form his Super Modes.While Optimus Prime would become the dominant consciousness in all of his Super Modes, Omega Supreme was the only one who could continue to communicate with him, presumably due to [[Omega Supreme (Energon)#Omega|Omega]]—his head-unit—storing inside his right shoulder. {{storylink|A Heroic Battle}} After their discovery, the three remaining guardians of the Super Energon Temple joined the battle; in particular, Superion Maximus fought to avenge his deceased brother, and while briefly incapaciated by the loss of his combiner limbs during his final battle against Bruticus, stole Constructicon's limbs and used them to finally kill Bruticus Maximus. {{storylink|Spark (episode)|Spark}}

=====''Cybertron'' cartoon=====
[[File:Cyb ep16 savage claw mode.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

In addition to his preexisting ability to merge with Wing Saber into an airborne "Sonic Wing Mode", {{storylink|United}} Optimus would later display the ability to combine with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] to form the "Savage Claw Mode". {{storylink|Savage}} His evil clone [[Nemesis Breaker]] could likewise form a "Dark Claw" mode for Megatron. {{storylink|Darkness (episode)|Darkness}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
The [[Deep Space Mini-Con Team]] could combine into the [[Umbral Blaster]] {{storylink|Revelations Part 5}} while the [[Sky Terror Mini-Con Team]] could form the [[Chaos Saber]]. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/19}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In [[Aurex 1104.30-DB Zeta]], [[Brian Jones|Dr. Jones]] attempted to reverse-engineer the Maximus combination technology and apply it to [[Mini-Con]]s, which resulted in the creation of the [[Micromaster]] combiners [[Superion (Universe)|Superion]], [[Defensor (Universe)|Defensor]], and [[Rail Racer (Universe)|Rail Racer]] . The [[Decepticon]]s, however, stole this technology and used it to create their own Micromaster combiner, [[Devastator (Universe Micromaster)|Devastator]]. During the [[Unicron Singularity]] crisis, these four Autobot and Decepticon combiners clashed in a conflict known as the [[Combiner Wars (event)|Combiner Wars]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/31}}

{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:Clubcombinercarving.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

At the dawn of time, Nexus Prime was a member of the [[Thirteen]] and the first combiner. However, when [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] turned on his siblings, [[Vector Prime]], Alpha Trion, and [[Solus Prime]] made the decision to permanently reduce Nexus Prime into five components and conceal the location of Prima's [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] sword. The Star Saber cut Nexus into five other robots: [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]], [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], [[Topspin (Classics)|Topspin]], and [[Heatwave (Timelines)|Heatwave]], who were subsequently scattered across the [[multiverse]] and lost to the ages. {{Storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/18}} In time, however, the [[Caretaker]] supercomputer put the five components on the path to reunification, and upon recruiting the heroic Decepticon Heatwave in a [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|mirror universe]] Nexus Prime successfully returned and used his powers to transform [[Megatron (SG)|that reality's Megatron]] into Galvatron before departing to recover the Star Saber. {{storylink|Reunification: Part 6}}

The [[GoBot]]s of [[Gobotron]] possessed their own version of combination technology: basing his designs of the transformable "power suits" of the heroic [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]]s, [[Renegade]] leader [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] commandeered Earth vehicles and modified them into the mighty [[Puzzler]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Renegade Rhetoric (1), 2015/10/16}} While in [[Axiom Nexus]], he stole six [[spark]]s {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Renegade Rhetoric (1), 2015/10/15}} and, after recruiting a group of [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] criminals from the [[Uniend|Uniend Cluster]] upgraded them with the combination technology he'd once used for Puzzler to create [[Monsterous]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric, 2015/10/21}} Upon returning to his home reality, he used the stolen sparks to recreate the Puzzler project with genuine living machines.{{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric}}

In a splinter reality created by [[Sideways (disambiguation)|Sideways]] and [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]], Puzzler and Monsterous would menace the Autobots during a particularly strange version of the [[Unicron War]]. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}} Another iteration of Puzzler would join the [[Thirteen Great Demon Generals]] after [[Violengiguar|Bio Ranger Iga]] permanently fused his components together to ensure an unbroken existence. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/07/15}}

When asked who he'd combine with if he became a combiner, [[Vector Prime]] admitted that while he might merge with other members of the [[Thirteen]], he did not feel comfortable becoming a combiner. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/25}}

{{--}}

===''Animated''===
====''Animated'' cartoon====
[[File:WhereIsThySting-obligatorymisunderstanding.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

{{Idw-tfa}}

''[[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire]] and his [[twin]] brother [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] were chosen for an ambitious genetic experiment after an industrial accident nearly killed them. By grafting Decepticon coding acquired from [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]] during his time in custody onto their Autobot shells, the Autobots hoped to duplicate the Decepticons' vaunted flight abilities. When a simulated training exercise against a virtual simulation of Starscream went awry, the pair displayed an unconscious "gestalt powerlink" that allowed them to combine into [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] and destroy the virtual Decepticon. {{storylink|First (and Second) in Flight}}''

After travelling to Earth, the pair formed Safeguard during the search for [[Wasp]] {{storylink|Where Is Thy Sting?}} and later used a combined jet mode to carry their leader [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]] to [[Dinobot Island (Animated)|Dinobot Island]]. {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Animated)|Predacons Rising}}

''Later, the ambitious [[Dirt Boss (Animated)|Dirt Boss]] recruited his former lackeys [[Mixmaster (Animated)|Mixmaster]] and [[Scrapper (Animated)|Scrapper]] to work on something he called "[[Devastator (Animated)|Devastator]]." {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

====Sentinel Shouting====
In his younger days, Sentinel Minor appears to have been somewhat prejudiced against combiners. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Sentinel Shouting, 2015/10/07}}

{{--}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
[[File:ReunificationPart4-ComputronVsAbominus.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

As the Great War between the heroic Decepticons and evil Autobots escalated, the introduction of combiner technology afforded [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]] and his warriors a distinct tactical advantage. To fight back, the Decepticons initiated "Operation: Combination", a program designed to refit their own warriors with combination technology. Decepticons who underwent the refit underwent a rigorous battery of psychological tests to ensure their compatibility with one another, as well as an automatic disengagement mechanism designed to protect the individual minds of their components should the combination matrix fail. The erudite [[Abominus (SG)|Abominus]], combined form of the [[Terrorcon (SG)|Terrorcon]]s, eventually emerged as the apex of combination technology, although the care involved in buffering the minds of his components left him with an extremely fragile combination matrix. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 28|Abominus profile}}

Unlike the Decepticons, the Autobots showed no such care for the combination process and freely abused the technology to create unstable monsters. While [[Computron (SG)|Computron]], combined form of the scientifically inclined [[Technobot (SG)|Technobot]]s, was once an evil genius, his components eventually grew addicted to the process to the point where they no longer separated. Cruel and egotistical, Computron suffered severe mental damage during an ill-advised attempt to imbue [[Grimlock (SG)|Grimlock]] with intelligence, which permanently corrupted his parallel processing capabilities and left him a mentally and emotionally stunted brute. Although the Technobots remained addicted to combining, Computron quickly grew to despise his individual components and continually, if ineffectually, plotted to rid himself of the "parasites" who comprised his body. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 27|Computron profile}}

[[Superion (SG)|Superion]], a smaller combiner, displayed the ability to freely split and recombine his body at will, which he used to flummox a [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|parallel-universe Grimlock]] when the two met in battle. {{storylink|Memory's Splinter}}

After downloading his consciousness into a backup body, [[Ratchet (SG)|Ratchet]] upgraded himself with combiner technology. While combined, he could plant viruses into a gestalt mainframe or even seize complete control of a combiner's motor functions, but his new body's tendencies to freeze and reboot could interfere with the combination processes. {{storylink|#Combiner Wars|Customization class SG Ratchet bio}}

===Live-action film series===
====Toy bios====
[[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]] hoped to undergo the "combination retrofit" process.<ref>Knock Out's toy bio.</ref> The [[Aerialbot (ROTF)|Aerialbots]] and the [[Combaticon (ROTF)|Combaticons]] could combine into [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] and [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)|Bruticus Maximus]], respectively. Both combined forms had limited intelligence: [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] was seemingly incapable of any thoughts beyond "destroy Decepticons" and "protect innocents", while [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)|Bruticus Maximus]], despite being both dumb and slow, could overwhelm almost any opponent his strength and nigh-impenetrable armor.<ref>Superion and Bruticus Maximus's toy bios.</ref>

====Movies====
[[File:Devastator-ROTFvsLeoSpitz.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The [[Guardian Knight]]s could combine into the mighty three-headed dragon known as [[Dragonstorm]], whereas [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]]'s [[Infernocon]]s could combine into the monstrous [[Infernocus]]. {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}} Cybertronian [[twin]]s, like [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]], could assume separate combined forms or merge into a more durable shared alternate mode. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.1}} Some animalistic Cybertronians, like the insectoid [[Microcon (ROTF)|Microcons]] could combine into a [[Reedman|razor-thin robot form]] designed for infiltration purposes. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen}}

Experimental combiner technology was developed by the Decepticons for combat advantage and then used on the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s who were able to form [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]. Comfort was rather decidedly not on the top of the list of priorities and, as a result, the process was brutally painful to the Transformers involved, which also made the combiners fuse in a very aggressive and painful manner. The mental and physical torture involved left Devastator only interested in causing destruction.<ref>Devastator's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref> Combiners were not limited to one combination scheme, and their final forms could vary.<ref>[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/hasbro-q-10212009.html Hasbro's answer to Unicron.com] as part of the [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#Unicron.com|October 2009 Q&A]].</ref>

During the final battle in [[Egypt]], [[Jetfire (Movie)|Jetfire]] sacrificed himself so that the recently revived Optimus Prime could use his parts. The combination gave Optimus a powered up, flight-capable form that he used to battle [[The Fallen]] and triumph. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen}}

====''Unite for the Universe''====
[[File:Project Unite.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

In the wake of the battle in Egypt, [[NEST]] initiated [[Project Unite|Project: Unite]] so that Optimus Prime could maintain this combined state. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|The Secret of Project: Unite}} Seeking to copy the project for his own ends, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] hired [[Skystalker (ROTF)|Skystalker]] and [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] to aid him, and together they stole information on Project: Unite. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 1|Ambition Instigated}} Using the knowledge he'd gleaned, Starscream applied the upgrade to himself and grafted parts of [[Sideways (ROTF)|Sideways]] and [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] onto his body. With his newfound power, he made short work of Bludgeon before declaring his intention to conquer the world and defeat Megatron. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 2|Bludgeon's Revenge}} Unfortunately for him, Starscream had failed to acquire the neural interface protocols required for Project: Unite, causing his mind to deteriorate, and he began to rashly and mindlessly attack things around him. Both the Autobots and Megatron realized they had to stop the crazed Decepticon before he did too much damage. {{storylink|Unite for the Universe issue 2|On the Road to Destruction}}

Megatron attacked the powered-up Starscream himself, intending to take him apart and reverse-engineer the secrets to Project: Unite from his body. Optimus Prime couldn't allow this to happen, and had [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]] bring in a new weapon to burn out the Unite technology in Starscream's body, defeating him and destroying his upgrades. Once Megatron had fled, Optimus lamented that the danger of their new weapons research falling into the Decepticons' hands was too great, seemingly signaling the end of Project: Unite. {{storylink|The Strongest Weapon}}

{{--}}

===''Power Core Combiners''===
The art of [[Power Core Combination]] was lost during the early days of the war on Cybertron. The Decepticons made an attempt to resurrect the process, but their crude "Gestalt Process" was a horrific procedure that usually cost the participants their sanity; the [[Autobot]]s made more careful attempts, but even these still inflicted mental damage. As a result, "[[Proto-Combiner]]s" with the potential to become a combiner were doomed to either live with a permanent sense of incompleteness or risk their sanity by submitting to these ill-conceived experiments.

All of this changed, however, when the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]'s database was recovered by the Autobots, and (with some [[human]] assistance) the Power Core process was at last rediscovered. It facilitated perfect symbiosis between a [[Commander (PCC)|Commander]] and their Mini-Con, not only enhancing the attributes of both, but also creating a mysterious bond of shared perception. With training, a Commander might graduate to having a set of drones to control. A single Commander could upload his own personality engrams into the drones and effectively be in multiple places at once. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|The Return of Power Core Combination!}} The Decepticons were able to steal the technology for their own warriors,<ref>Toy packaging blurb [https://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/view/power-core-combiners/bombshock-with-combaticons/2191/1/16/ (scan at Seibertron.com)]</ref> doling out the upgrades as a reward for displays of ruthlessness<ref>[[Bombshock (PCC)|Bombshock]]'s toy bio [http://tftechspecs.com/pics5/15531.jpg (scan at TFTechSpecs.com)]</ref> or for loyalty.<ref>[[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]]'s toy bio [http://tftechspecs.com/pics5/15524.jpg (scan at TFTechSpecs.com)]</ref> Because the technology was rediscovered only recently, Gestaltics researchers have yet to reach the limits of their understanding and exploitation of it. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32|The Return of Power Core Combination!}}

===Aligned continuity family===
====''The Covenant of Primus''====
[[File:TheCovenantOfPrimus-mutacons.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

At the dawn of time, [[Nexus Prime]] was the first combiner, a 'bot capable of splitting and reforming at will. Following the death of [[Solus Prime]] and the disastrous [[War of the Primes]] that drove the original [[Thirteen]] apart, Nexus permanently divided himself into five 'bots and scattered himself across the stars.

Following the [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Rust Plague]] and the collapse of the Cybertronian empire, a fleet of refugees fleeing [[Neutronia]] discovered [[Amalgamous Prime]]'s lost [[transformation cog]]. Its supernatural power mutated them into the [[Mutacon]]s, [[shifter]]s with the power of infinite transformation and combination. Seeking a way to cure their condition before they finally lost their individuality and combined into a single amorphous being, they traversed the galaxy in a fleet of living starships comprised of their own bodies. {{storylink|Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus}}

====Aligned novels====
The ancient art of combination was as old as Cybertron itself, although the fiercely independent [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] despised the notion of surrendering his hard-won individuality to some greater whole. During his time at [[Crystal City]] [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] created several prototype combiners, and merged the five [[Combaticon (WFC)|Combaticon]]s into the savage and uncontrollable [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus Maximus]], but their combined form proved so dangerous that all five would be placed in protective [[stasis lock|stasis]] and sealed away. Undeterred, Shockwave continued his experiments; while in the gladiatorial pits of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]] just before the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], he experimented on a trio of [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s and turned them into combiners who could merge into both robot and vehicle forms.

A number of combiners attended the fateful meeting of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] that saw Orion Pax promoted to the rank of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]; when war broke out in earnest, the [[Constructicon (WFC)|Constructicon]]s joined the Decepticons, by which point Shockwave had perfected his combinatorial process and used it to turn at least seven of their number into the ferocious [[Devastator (WFC)|Devastator]], and the Decepticons later reactivated the Combaticons after discovering them beneath the ruins of Crystal City.

To fight back, the Autobots stole and successfully reverse-engineered Shockwave's combination process to create combiners of their own. The first, [[Defensor (WFC)|Defensor]], successfully blunted Devastator's rampage when the two clashed in the [[Tagan Heights]] but wound up destroying the secret lab where Autobot scientists had created him. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

The five [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] aboard the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' were combiners; their gestalt form of [[Superion (Prime)|Superion]] would prove instrumental in rescuing both Autobots and Decepticons from the Quintesson-controlled [[Aquatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

====''Timelines''====
[[Fisitron (Timelines)|Fisitron]] was discovered in a routine physical examination to have a rare "combination spark", which theoretically gave him the ability to combine with other machines. {{storylink|Fisitron (Timelines)#Toys|TFSS Fisitron profile card}}

====''Portal''====
{{stub}}

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
[[File:TRID E 57 Heatmark.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

A number of combiner teams possessed a unique form of combination known as "Crash Combination": by crashing into one another at high speed, two 'bots could temporarily fuse into one. Four out of the five [[Stunticon (Prime)|Stunticon]]s possessed this ability; in addition to combining with [[Motormaster (WFC)|their leader]] to form [[Menasor (RID)|Menasor]], they could unite to form [[Dragbreak]] {{storylink|Bee Cool}} and [[Heatmark]]. {{storylink|The Golden Knight}} None of these combinations utilized a mental merge: while the two smaller combiners simply drew upon the personalities of whoever formed the combiner torso,

The Decepticon criminal [[Chop Shop (RID)|Chop Shop]] was formed from five identical robots, although it's unclear whether "Chop Shop" is an emergent personality made up from the interaction of his five components, or if he is one mind spread across multiple bodies: notably, he could function without all of his components intact, and could appropriate [[Mini-Con]]s like [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] as replacements. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye (RID)|More than Meets the Eye}}

[[File:TRID SF Ultra Bee vs Galvatronus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

While fighting [[Heatseeker]] above a nuclear waste dump, an explosion triggered a barrage of radiation that forcibly merged all six members of the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] into [[Ultra Bee]], but none of them realized at the time. {{storylink|King of the Hill (Part 2)}} The team experienced this phenomenon again during their battle with [[Dragstrip (WFC)|Dragstrip]] at a swamp. They didn't understand how to control it, and being combined had the strange effect of splitting [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] into two individuals. {{storylink|The Great Divide}} Eventually, Fixit deduced that this mutation had been triggered by radiation, but attempts to recreate the accident initially proved fruitless: one attempt left [[Grimlock (RID 2015)|Grimlock]] and [[Drift (RID)|Drift]] stuck together, {{storylink|Get a Clue}} while later experiments led to the creation of temporary combined forms like [[Bumblearm]] {{storylink|The Fastest Bot Alive!}} and [[Sidelock]]. {{storylink|Out of the Shadows}} On one occasion, a bungled attempt to force the combination using mechanical assistance left the team with their minds in the wrong bodies. {{storylink|Disordered Personalities}}

Eventually, however, the team mastered their combination and used their new form to take on Menasor and win on two separate occasions. {{storylink|Combine and Conquer}} {{storylink|Moon Breaker}} To combat [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]], the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] attempted to form Ultra Bee but found themselves unable to complete the combination without [[Drift (RID)|Drift]]. {{storylink|Collateral Damage}}

[[Cyclonus (WFC)|Cyclonus]] and his troops were able to combine into [[Galvatronus (RID)|Galvatronus]]. They attempted to use their combined form to defeat the Bee Team only to be met with Ultra Bee. Nonetheless, the Decepticon combiner proved stronger than his Autobot counterpart until [[Cyberwarp (RID)|Cyberwarp]]'s hesitation allowed Ultra Bee to triumph. {{storylink|Freedom Fighters}}
{{--}}

===''Cloud''===
[[File:Cloud Bruticus.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

The combiner [[Bruticus (Cloud)|Bruticus]] was an invention of the mad logician [[Shockwave (Cloud)|Shockwave]], who incorporated the ability to combine into the (perhaps unwilling) [[Combaticon (Cloud)|Combaticons]], a team of renegades in the [[Underground (Cloud)|Underground]]. The giant was utilized as part of Shockwave's many contingencies to bring about the return of [[Megatron (Cloud)|Megatron]] for the ultimate conquest of the [[Multiverse|Spacetime World]]. {{storylink|Eagerness}}
{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
While in [[Axiom Nexus]], offworlder combiners required a license to operate. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric, 2015/10/21}}

[[Stakeout (PCC)|Stakeout]] and his Protectobot drones took part in ''[[Cybertron's Got Talent]]'' and dazzled audiences with their Power Core Combination. {{storylink|Axiom Nexus News Editor|Axiom Nexus News Editor, 2015/05/14}} After winning the Sub-Metro Amateur League [[Lobbing]] championship, the Mighty Mechanics considered moving up to the Combiner Leagues, although they'd have to be upgraded with combination technology to compete. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/28}}

===''Cyberverse'' cartoon===
[[File:TheImmobilizers-Volcanicus.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

After liberating the [[Enigma of Combination]] from the tomb of [[Nexus Prime]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and the [[Dinobot (Cyberverse)|Dinobot]]s accidentally activated the artifact, which merged them together into [[Volcanicus (Cyberverse)|Volcanicus]]. The newly formed combiner spent a significant amount of time and effort learning to coordinate their actions in both their individual and combined forms, but after a lengthy training period the Dinobots took on [[Trypticon (Cyberverse)|Trypticon]]'s crew of [[Mercenary|Mercenaries]] and emerged triumphant. {{storylink|The Immobilizers}}

{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
Bruticus was formed by the Combaticons when they were making a last ditch effort to salvage a mission to capture a large Autobot energon transport. After the team disabled the anti-air guns, the got their dropship close enough for all five of them to depart onto the ship and combine. Bruticus's raw strength allowed him to easily eliminate the transport's crew, but the damage he did to the ship caused it to crash land. Bruticus later formed during [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]]'s mission to recapture [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]], and later joined the fight during the Decepticon attack on the [[Ark (WFC)|Ark]] before [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] knocked him off. {{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Devastation''===
[[File:Devastation-OptimusMaximus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

After the incident with the [[Ferrotaxis]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] mused to [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] about ending the war once and for all. They then both looked at a set of Combiner schematics on a computer screen, depicting Optimus Maximus. {{storylink|Transformers: Devastation}}

{{-}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
A number of combiners participated in battles against both Autobots and Decepticons, but could only be recruited if all of their component members were at max level. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{stub}}

==Combiner list==
{{note|Due to the many uses of redecoes as new characters and convenience for reading, each mold is listed on its own line, with all different-character decoes/retools on the same line.}}
{{See also|Super Mode}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiners with two members'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Mega-Dinobot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Decibel]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Legout]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Slamdance (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Squawkbox]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Cog (G1)]] / [[Cog (Masterforce)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (G1)]] / [[Darkwings]]}}
{{Bp-d2|[[Stormtrooper (Cybertronian)|Stormtrooper]]s {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}}}}
*[[Multiforce]] members
{{Bp-a1|[[Wingwaver]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Dashtacker]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Machtackle]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (G2)]] and [[Smokescreen (G2)]]'s combined form / [[Megatron (G1)]] and [[Starscream (G1)]]'s combined form / [[Formation Scream]] / [[Stealth Bomber]] / [[Dreadwing (RID)]] / [[Gigant Sniper]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sky Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Land Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Attack Powered]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Wing Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Drill Powered]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Powerlinx#Energon|Silver and Gold Powerlinx users]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Safeguard (Animated)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]] (only in ice cream truck mode)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Primestrong]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Beeside]]}}
{{Bp-a1|"[[Sidelock]]" {{storylink|Out of the Shadows}}}}
{{Bp-a1|"[[Bumblearm]]" {{storylink|The Fastest Bot Alive!}}}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Skyhammer (RID)|Skyhammer]] / [[Shocknado]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dragbreak]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Heatmark]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Primelock]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Saberclaw]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Dragonstorm#Premier Edition|Dragonstorm]] (only in toy form)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Battletrap (G1)#Generations|Battletrap]] (only in toy form)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblegrim]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumbleswoop]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Slugtron]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Wheelgrim]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:G1toy-Slamdance.jpg|thumb|200px|Slamdance]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiners formed by main bodies with power-up partners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Godbomber|God]] [[Ginrai (robot)|Ginrai]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Victory Leo|Victory]] [[Star Saber (G1)|Saber]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Omega Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Jet Optimus]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Burning]] [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] and [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]'s combined form}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Megaweapon]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Fight Mode or Optimus Prime Flight Mode]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Supreme]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Savage Claw Mode]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Unicron Trilogy|Optimus Prime Sonic Wing Mode]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] [[Nemesis Breaker|Dark Claw Mode]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Live-action film series|Power Up Optimus Prime]] (only in toy form)}}
*[[Megatron (RID)#Legends/Unite Warriors|Devil God]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Legends/Unite Warriors|Fire Convoy]] {{storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Purple Wicked Convoy]] [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Generations Selects Special Comic (1)|Omega Hand Mode]] {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1}}}}
</ul>
|[[File:Armada JetOptimusMegaweapon toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Jet Optimus/Optimus Prime Megaweapon]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Combiners with three or more members (non-Scramble City-type)'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Devastator (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Devastator (ROTF)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Raiden]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] / [[Dinoking]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Road Caesar]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Liokaiser]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Big Rescue Force]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Landcross (G1)|Landcross]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Big Powered]]}}
{{Bp-m1|[[Magnaboss (BW)]] / [[Magnaboss (BWII)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dreadwing (RID)|MegaWing]] [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Dark]] [[Dreadwing (RID)|MegaWing]] [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Piranacon (Prime)]]}}
*[[Prime Processing Unit]] {{storylink|Collect and Save}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Tripredacus]] / [[Tripledacus]]}}
*[[Tri-Rex]]
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Rail Racer (RID)]] / [[Dominus Trannis]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Landfill (RID)]] / [[Devastator (Universe Ultra)]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Minibot combiner]] {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8}}}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Beast (G1)|Beast]] {{storylink|The Beast Within}}}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Insectrain]] {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2}}}}
*[[Cobratron]]
{{Bp-sa|[[Computron (SG)]]}}
{{Bp-sd|[[Abominus (SG)]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Raiden toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Raiden]][[File:TF-Studio-Series-Devastator.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Devastator]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Reedman]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Deceptigod]]}}
{{Bp-d1p2|[[Abominus (Prime)]] / [[Goradora]] / [[Infernocus]] (only in toy form)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Mighty Robot]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Mighty Vehicle]]}}
*[[Puzzler]]
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-p2|[[Monsterous]]}}
{{bp-a1|[[Toxitron (Zone)|Toxitron]]}}
{{bp-d1|[[Overmegasixwave]] {{storylink|The Waiting Game}}}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Grimstone (Kre-O)|Grimstone]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Lazerbolt]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Obsidian (Kre-O)|Obsidian]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Volcanicon]]}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Gaiacross]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gaia Scramble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream Combiner#Deviations|Megascream's combined form]] {{storylink|Transformers: Deviations}}}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Galvatronus (CW)]] {{storylink|All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|It's Beginning To And Back Again}}}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Starscream Combiner#Prime Wars Trilogy cartoons|Ultimate Starscream]] {{storylink|A War of Giants}}}}
*The [[Functionist Council]] {{storylink|Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|Bad Moon Rising}}
</ul>
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Ultra Bee]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Menasor (RID)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Galvatronus (RID)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Dragonstorm]] {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Infernocus]] {{storylink|Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight}}}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Victorion|Ultimate Victorion]] {{storylink|Desperate Actions}}}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Unstoppimus]] {{storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 4}}}}
{{Bp-m1p1|[[Fossilizer Combiner]]}}
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Triple Combination combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Gekisoumaru|DaiGekisou]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Kenzan|DaiKenzan]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Gekisoumaru|GoGekisou]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ganoh|GoGanoh]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hishoumaru|GoHishou]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jinbu|GoJinbu]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Kenzan|GoKenzan]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sensuimaru|GoSensui]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:TFGoSensuimaru.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Sensuimaru]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Scramble City-type combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus (G1)]] / [[Battle Gaia]] / [[Ruination (RID)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Defensor (G1)]] / [[Guard City]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Menasor (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Superion (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Abominus (G1)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Computron (G1)]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Piranacon (G1)]]<ref name="seacon">With extra "limb" robot used as weapon.</ref> / [[King Poseidon]]<ref name="seacon" /> / [[God Neptune]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus (WFC)]] / [[Ruination (FOC)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Victorion]] / [[Megatronia]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sky Reign]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Grand Galvatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Thunder Mayhem]]}}
{{Bp-p1|[[Predacus]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Orthia]]}}
|
[[File:Superion toy.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Superion]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Official mix-n-match Scramble City-type combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Abomenaticus]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Comperian]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Autobot Super Scramble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Decepticon Super Scramble]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Scramble 7]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ultra Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Galvatronus (CW)]] (only in toy form)}}
|
|width="60%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Betatron (CW)|Betatron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Grand Scourge|Scourge Grand Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Modulus]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Starscream Combiner]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Elita-Infin1te]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Inferno Combiner]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[White Gallant Convoy|White Convoy Grand Prime]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Volcaticon]]}}
|
[[File:Abomenaticus toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Abomenaticus]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Micromaster-type combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]] and [[Heave]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]] and [[Spaceshot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Blast Master]] and [[Phaser (G1)|Phaser]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Direct-Hit]] and [[Power Punch]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]] and [[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]] / [[Retro]] and [[Surge (G1)|Surge]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Fireshot]] and [[Vanquish]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Full-Barrel]] and [[Overflow]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Grit]] and [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]] / [[Gusher]] and [[Pipeline]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]] and [[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]] and [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]] / [[Cement-Head]] and [[Terror-Tread]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Missile Master]] and [[Moonrock]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Oiler]] and [[Slide]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Power Run]] and [[Strikedown]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Roadburner]] and [[Wheel Blaze]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Sixliner]] / [[Sixtrain]]<ref>Sixtrain was redecoed and retooled from Sixliner.</ref> / [[Rail Racer (Universe)]]<ref>Universe Rail Racer uses the same deco as Takara's 2003 redecoed "reissue" of Sixtrain.</ref>}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sixbuilder]] / [[Decepticon Sixbuilder]] / [[Devastator (Universe Micromaster)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sixturbo]] / [[Defensor (Universe)]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sixwing|Sixwing / Berserker Sixwing / Destron Sixwing]] / [[Superion (Universe)]]}}
|
[[File:OC-toy Sixbuilder.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Sixbuilder]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini-Con combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Perceptor (Armada)#Armada 3|Perceptor (Armada)]] / [[Bumble]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Perceptor (Armada)#Energon 3|Perceptor (Energon)]] / [[Heavy Metal (Energon)|Heavy Metal]] / [[Windcharger (Energon)|Windcharger]] / [[Perceptor (Armada)#Cybertron|Perceptor (Cybertron)]] / [[Bumble]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Mirror]] / [[Nightcreeper]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]] / [[Umbral Blaster]] / [[Astro Blaster (Armada)]] / [[Transwarp Blaster]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] / [[Magnawing]] / [[Cosmotector (Armada)|Cosmotector]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] / [[Vorpal Saber]] / [[Energon Saber]] / [[Cryo Saber]] / [[Chaos Saber]] / [[Pyro Saber]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Centuritron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Chop Shop (RID)|Chop Shop]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:EN-toy MB2 Frenzy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Heavy Metal]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Maximus-type [[Powerlinx]] combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)]] / [[Bruticus (G1)]] (Universe) / [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Constructicon Maximus]] / [[Devastator (G1)]] (Classics)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Superion Maximus]] / [[Dauntless Maximus]] / [[Superion (G1)]] (Universe) / [[Superion (ROTF)]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Nexus Prime]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:TF-Super-Link-EX-01-Buildron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Constructicon Maximus]]
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''"Omnicombinational" [[Stentarian]] combiners'''
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[16444/9]]
{{Bp-a1|[[Paddox]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Centuritron]]}}
</ul>
|[[File:Generationstoy-Centuritron.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Centuritron]]
|}

==Notes==
*'''Gestalt''', a German word which literally means 'form' or 'shape', in this context refers to the psychological concept, namely 'something which is more or greater than the sum of its parts', e.g. a table being more than the timber it's made out of. The origin of "gestalt" as a fan-term is unknown; the earliest documented use is in 1998, when it was already in common parlance.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/af8234bb79475e5f?dmode=source&output=gplain&noredirect Earliest known alt.toys.transformers post using "gestalt"]</ref> Intriguingly, however, the {{w|Isaac Asimov's Robots in Time|''Robots in Time'' series of novels}} published in 1993-94 prominently feature a "gestalt robot" who could split into six smaller autonomous robots, each with a different personality. If this actually inspired some ''Transformers'' fan searching for a good word to use, there is no evidence of it, but the publishing timeframe is conspicuously close to the opaque early days of the online fandom.
*[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#1986 (Scramble City and Transformers 2010)|Scramble City]]-type combiners were initially designed to be a sub-line of ''[[Diaclone]]'' called ''Jizai Gattai'' (自在合体, "Free Combination"). This goes along with their ability to interact with and attach to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], the designs of which were also originally intended for the ''Diaclone'' line. Due to the fact any robot can form either an arm or a leg, the franchise as a whole very rarely enforces a "standard" combination setup to a particular Scramble City combiner.
* Fiction has almost uniformly depicted combiners as being much larger than their individual components would suggest; combiners are almost uniformly depicted as, far bigger than the sum of their components would suggest. In perhaps the most egregious example, Dreamwave's comics present combiners as kaiju-sized monsters who loom over skyscrapers; after engaging and defeating Superion, he holds one of the latter's component members in his hand, his [[robot mode]] proportionally no larger than a doll. A few attempts, such as IDW's later ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' comic, have chalked this discrepancy down to judiciously applied [[Size changing|mass displacement]] technology.

===Unused concepts===
[[File:Generations Street Combiner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|He transforms into a traffic jam.]]
Combiners were a very popular idea during the "Generation 1" toyline and as such there are loads of scrapped combiner designs that never got past the drawing board. Among them were:
*A Scramble City-style dinosaur combiner. The body is a ''T. rex'', while the limbs are a pterodactyl (right arm), ''Ankylosaurus'' (left leg), ''Dimetrodon'' (left arm), and ''Styracosaurus'' (right leg)<ref>[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|''Transformers Generations'']], p22</ref>
*A decidedly goofy organic insect combiner composed of a stag beetle (right leg), another beetle (left leg), grasshopper (left arm), fly (right arm), and a cockroach body.<ref name="p99">[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|''Transformers Generations'']], p99</ref>
*A cybernetic beast combiner that did not form a robot, but rather a large cybernetic monster. It is formed from a cyber bat, mole, stag beetle, and a couple of fish things.<ref name="p99" />
*A fifteen (!) vehicle Micromaster combiner where the only attached parts not contained by the component robots were the large robot fists. This combiner consists of three uniformly colored teams (in a similar fashion to the vehicular Voltron of the same time period):
**Air team (blue) — two jets, two helicopters, a space shuttle.
**Construction team (green) — a hauler, a bulldozer, a steam shovel, a tank (don't ask), a missile carrier (don't ask).
**Street team (red) — two cars, a motorcycle, a formula racer, a jeep.<ref name="p108">[[Transformers Generations (guidebook)|''Transformers Generations'']], p108</ref>
*A simpler dinosaur combiner composed of a pterodactyl, a not-really-a-''Stegosaurus'', and a ''T. rex'' with a very large head. The three combine into a dinosaur thing similar to [[Magmatron]]'s combined dino mode. It shares many visual characteristics with Tomy's relatively simple robot designs.<ref name="p108" />
[[File:ClassicVehicombiner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Either the smallest steamboat ever, or the largest car in existence.]]
*A five vehicle combiner (evidently not Scramble City-style in nature) composed of a steam engine (right arm), steam boat (torso), car (right leg), truck (left leg), and plane (left arm).
*A base consisting mostly of ramps and a hollow tower in the center that combined with 14 non-transforming cars and vans. Two vehicles make up each limb, with three crammed in the chest, two for feet, and one that slides into the tower's gun platform to form the head. The ramps would then act as an exoskeleton to contain all of the components.<ref name="p79">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p79</ref>
*A robot formed from a truck cab and four cars with no robot modes that each have flip out weapon arrays. This may qualify more as a conventional "super robot" than a standard combiner, but we may never know.<ref name="p80">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p80</ref>
*A "Duocon" (or rather, "Triocon", in this case) style robot formed by three cars. One car splits in half to form the arms, another splits for the legs, and a third folds in half to reveal the robot head and connect it all together.<ref name="p80"/>
*A Concorde jet that split into two robots, where the front portion's robot can pop out three wheels and a spare cockpit to give it a land mode. Presumably the larger rear robot could do the same.<ref name="p81">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p81</ref>
*Two military convoy "trains", one good, one evil, of six vehicles each hooked together that combine along the lines of Devastator but with loads more guns. The robot core is formed by a tractor trailer that leads either convoy, the good one being long nosed, the evil one being flat, each with trailers that open up into small cannon platforms usable by the five smaller robots. Said trailers also become their respective combined form's handgun. The other five members each have a specific large weapon such as a missile rack or chaingun that they can also use in robot mode.<ref name="p83">[[Transformers Generations 2009 Volume 2|''Transformers Generations 2009'' Vol. 2]], p83</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Gattai''' (合体, "Combination"), '''Gattai Senshi''' (合体戦士, "Combined Warrior"), '''Gattai Heishi''' (合体兵士, "Combined Soldier")
*''French:'' '''Fusionneur''' (Canada, ''Robots in Disguise'' 2001 only)
*''Spanish:'' '''Combina''' (Latin America, ''Robots in Disguise'' 2001 only)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Hétǐjīngāng''' (合體金剛, "Combination Vajra")

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Combiners| ]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Technology]]