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Commercial/Generation 1

2014-08-28T15:21:15Z

Pwnzor.ak: /* 1987 */ Fixed Punch/Counterpunch link

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[[Image:Hasbrooldlogo.jpg|left|75px|thumb|And if I had a hammer....]]
Generation 1's stylized and somewhat dated commercials played a huge part in propelling the [[Transformers brand]] to household name status (after all, they reached audiences who weren't actively looking for robots). As the [[theme song]] played over many of them, they are also responsible for the jingle's status as a mid-80s icon.

Generation 1 commercials would commonly start with a short sequence of original cel animation, then cut to two or more boys in the 7 to 10-year-old range playing with the toys. [[Victor Caroli]] and another narrator (here referred to as [[The Other Guy]]) provided voice-overs to describe just how exciting the incredible new toys were. Various show characters narrated some spots, including Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus Prime, but Caroli and The Other Guy were usually there at the end to affirm that the toys were "each sold separately". Background music would feature the show's [[theme song]], but often with new lyrics about the toys in question. The lyrics had to stretch to fit the cadence of the song; sometimes they were jammed into a different melody altogether. Most of the early commercials had an animated segment at the end with Hasbro's logo being "hammered" by animated human hands onto the screen, often having Caroli saying "...only from Hasbro!".

[[Image:Jetfireg1commercial.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from robot to lawsuit right before your eyes!]]
The animated segments often featured high-quality art and animation. Some of the 1986 and 1987 animation was combined into a [[title sequence]] for "[[The Rebirth]]", the final three-part episode of the Generation 1 cartoon (they contrasted painfully with the lower-quality segments produced by [[AKOM]].) The short length of television commercials meant the animated sections were fast-paced, with characters speaking their lines very rapidly; within the context of the fictional world they portray, this could lead to some hilarious results, such as Jazz taking about 1/4th of a second to decide to become an Action Master. The animated segments would sometimes feature the voice actors from the cartoon; however, some such as Blaster had not been assigned a voice actor yet. Later segments required soundalikes for characters whose voice actors had died (Jazz) or were unavailable (Megatron). These spots were the only American animation produced for dozens of characters from the toyline's later years, and in [[Micromaster Combiner|a few cases]], remain their only fictional appearance ''ever''.

[[Image:OptimusMagnusCommercialChange.JPG|right|250px|thumb|The Halloween masks were weak this year.]]
[[Image:Kid_to_Galvatron.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Transforms from child to robot and back!]]
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the commercials featured one of the young actors staring very seriously into the camera, mouthing "Robots in disguise!" as his eyes glowed and/or his face transformed into that of a robot (based on Galvatron or Ultra Magnus.) Variants on the "kidmation" clip continued throughout Generation 1. ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac]]'' dubbed this process "[[reverse-pretender technology]]."

Many commercials were reedited into even shorter versions, without the animation segments.

Some of these commercials, along with some Takara Transformers ads are available on the Sony DVD release of [[The Transformers: The Movie]]. Because of legal issues, the young actors' faces have now been blurred. A greater number of the commercials (of varying quality) were also available on the earlier [[Madman Entertainment]] release of The Transformers: The Movie in Australia, and their final collection of the Generation 1 cartoon complete with unblurred children. [[Shout! Factory]]'s "Matrix of Leadership" complete series collection of the Generation 1 cartoon, as well as some of their individual season sets, contains several Generation 1 commercials and the ad for Generation 2 Optimus Prime. The first season set's "Triple Changer: The Origins of the Transformers" featurette contains clips of the commercial for the ''The Transformers'' #1 comic.

===1984===
[[Image:Earlymegatron.jpg|right|200px|thumb|You've got to get up preeeetty early in 1984 to catch Megs with a black head.]]
* '''''The Transformers'' #1''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9-7RjhFzpM]

:''Animation:'' Fast pan-ins take us from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to [[Earth]], with a Decepticon ship attacking the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] and forcing it to crash on Earth. The three [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] fly in, transform and attack a power plant. Three cars drive out to meet them, transforming into [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] joins the counter-attack, prompting the Autobots to take off into the sky. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrives out of an explosion cloud, transforming and firing. An image of [[The Transformers (issue)|the first issue]] cross-fades into view.
:''Toy segment:'' None.
:''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:''Notes:'' Almost every element is an early production model. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] have strangely colored faces; Megatron is in his pre-animation black helmeted design; the Ark is a green-colored model with X-shaped wings; and the Decepticon ship resembles a flying aircraft carrier.

[[Image:Starscreamg1early.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Starscream in his Ramjet suit.]]
* '''Transformers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87RI02GVyNY&#t=24s]

:''Animation:'' In the desert, the Seekers strafe Prowl, Sideswipe and Jazz, who transform and fire back; the three jets transform, land, and grapple with the Autobots, while three more Seekers fly past in robot mode.
:''Toy segment:'' Some very early 80s streaking effects as the toys are shown instantly changing from vehicle to robot.
:''Narration:'' Almost none, apart from "The Transformers, from Hasbro", by [[The Other Guy]].
:''Kidmation:'' Bowl haircut kid mouths robotic "Robots in disguise!"
:''Notes:'' The show's season 1 theme song plays over most of the commercial. A total of six Seekers are seen in a single shot. The Seekers continue to use the pre-cartoon animation models with the dark faces.
:"We're under attack!" "[[To sell toys|Get more Autobots!]]"

* '''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron''' [http://dvd.ign.com/dor/objects/14342171/transformers-the-complete-first-season-25th-anniversary-edition/videos/trans_com_062309.html]
:''Animation:'' Partially recycled from the ''Transformers #1'' commercial and the cartoon opening, including animation model Megatron leading his troops, immediately followed by pre-animation model Megatron landing. Whoops! New footage (possibly borrowed from Soundwave's commercial below) shows Prowl, Jazz and Sideswipe on what appears to be Cybertron.
:''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:''Kidmation:'' Buck-toothed kid mouths robotic "Robots in disguise!"
: "Attack the Autobot commander!" "Call in the Decepticon leader!" Yep, Neither Optimus Prime's nor Megatron's name is ever actually mentioned in the commercial.
:* '''Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbokeZsoTY] - Nearly the same as above, except the footage of Megatron transforming with streaking effects is replaced by footage of the Optimus Prime toy being "flown" in front of a mountain. The reason for Megatron's removal is unknown, but likely due to legal and/or ethical issues with advertising a toy that turns into a realistic looking gun.
[[Image:Soundwavecommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Soundwave's pink phase didn't last long... [[:Image:FlamesofBoltax-SoundwaveRatbat.jpg|in the cartoon.]]]]
:* '''Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSPgnamkOSY#t=0m06s] - A resoundtracked version of the previous Megatron-less ad, this time using the Season 2 theme song. Obviously this version didn't air until 1985.

* '''Soundwave''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhIb5H5rSkg]

:''Animation:'' Prowl, Jazz, and Sideswipe transform, as well as a light purplish-blue [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who fires twice, opens his cassette door, and tosses out [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], who transforms and fires upon the three Autobots, who fire back.
:''Narration:'' The Other Guy.
:''Kidmation:'' Bowl haircut kid mouths robotic "Robots in disguise!"

[[Image:Powercycle-ad.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Homeland security falls to a kid on a Big Wheel. You know, it must be said that NSA really is failing here.]]

* '''Transformers [[Power Cycle]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTSuBDZ5T58]

: Advertising a Coleco-made Big Wheel.
: ''Animation:'' Recycled from the first Transformers commercial, including black helmet Megatron, and some cuts between the live-action and animated footage that has the kid blasting some Autobots. Oops.
: ''Narration:'' Some wussy dude.
:"Missed! But ''I'' won't!"

* '''30 second cartoon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzBHik7i6ZQ&#t=1m30s]
: ''Animation:'' Various excerpts from season one of the cartoon.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]] on Xanax.
: ''"The Transformers, the world's most exciting robot adventure, continues."'' - Victor Caroli, in a decidedly '''un'''-excited intonation.
{{-}}

===1985===
* '''[[Family Home Entertainment|F.H.E.]] [[The Transformers (cartoon)|''The Transformers'']] Video Tapes''' [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/5898/]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from "[[More than Meets the Eye (episode)|More than Meets the Eye]]".
: ''Narration:'' The Other Guy
: ''Notes:'' Despite the animation being taken from "More than Meets the Eye", that tape is not actually among those pictured. The pictured tapes are (from left to right): [[Divide and Conquer]], [[Transport to Oblivion]] and [[Roll for It]]. It is stated that the tapes are available on VHS or Beta.

* '''Dinobots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C7ebWaFaVI]

:''Animation:'' Amid a raging thunderstorm on Earth, [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] take on [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]].
:''Narration:'' [[The Other Guy]].
:''Kidmation:'' Buck-toothed kid #3 mouths robotic "Robots in disguise!"
:''Notes:'' Soundtracked with a minor variation on the Season One cartoon opening theme: "Dinobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons!" Grimlock is advertised as having a chromed sword and Slag has chromed horns.
:* '''Dinobots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaNG6nXmQmU] - A re-soundtracked version of the previous commercial. Narrated by The Other Guy; soundtracked with the Season 2 theme song (still with "Dinobots" replacing "Autobots".) Kidmation spot uses the same footage of buck-tooth kid #3, but ''with freaky glowing green eyes'' (and, bizarrely enough, his polo shirt has been recolored from green to blue.)

* '''Grimlock''' [http://www.retrostatic.com/videos/p803_sectionid/13/p803_fileid/483/p803_js_on/1]

: ''Animation:'' Same as Dinobots.
: ''Narration:'' The Other Guy.
: ''Kidmation:'' None.
: ''Notes:'' Very similar to the two [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] commercials, using the same toy scenes (albeit in a different order, and with a different soundtrack) and animation. There are two characteristics, that most Generation 1 commercials share, but this one does not:

:*There is no Kidmation, but the voice is present in the audio.
:*The ending still shot is not taken in front of the diorama used in the toy segment. Instead a blue backdrop is employed.

:Due to these oddities, it was previously thought this might be a test version. However, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64UwP0WUdAA footage has since surfaced on YouTube which proves this ad made it to air]. Given the similarities and differences, it is quite likely that this commercial was reworked to create the Dinobots commercials or vice versa.

[[Image:Rubsign.gif|right|200px|thumb|"Congratulations, Cliffjumper. It's a Decepticon!"]]
* '''Mini-Spies''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df5GGZ3we68]

:''Animation:'' [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] allow a yellow [[Mini-spy|Mini-Spy]] to enter Autobot Headquarters. The little robot starts messing with the computer; Huffer and Cliffjumper come racing in and check his faction symbol. "It's a Decepticon! After him!"
:''Narration:'' [[I Wish I Was Victor Caroli]]
:''Kidmation:'' Kid points urgently at the camera: "It's an Autobot!"
:''Notes:'' [[Casey Kasem]] provides the voice for Cliffjumper's single line. Visible among the packaged Mini-Bots on the store pegs are a red Bumblebee and a (red) Cliffjumper with a yellow vehicle mode pictured on the package.

* '''Jetfire''' and '''Shockwave''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OEEncGeu8s]

:''Animation:'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] strafe [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. As the three transform and retreat, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] steps out of a mountain and takes on the Decepticon jets; [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] transforms halfway and fires, then transforms the rest of the way and fires again.
: ''Narration:'' An incredibly mellow Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' A grim-faced buck-toothed kid mouths the robotic "Robots in disguise!"
: ''Notes:'' Jetfire here is in his original, toy-based animation model. The toy shown is a Pre-TF Macross VF-1S Valkyrie, albeit with red Jetfire armor.

* '''Insecticons''' plus '''Swoop''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZWNnzzjm3E] 1984 Version [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7burTQGhYEc]
: ''Animation:'' A horde of [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] attacks a farm.
: ''Narration:'' The Other Guy.
: ''Kidmation:'' Glowing green eyes kid.
: "Pa, look!" "What is it?" "It's the Insecticons, an evil, new menace in the world of the Transformers!"
:* '''Insecticons''' - Resoundtracked from the previous commercial, with the 1986 version of the background music.

* '''Constructicons/Devastator''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-arvwj7VN8]
:''Animation:'' The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], working on a building site in the desert, suddenly transform and combine. [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] touches his fists together over his head and is [[Commercial bumper|enveloped with energy]].
: ''Narration:'' The Other Guy.
: ''Kidmation:'' Blond-haired kid mouths robotic "Robots in disguise!"
: "It's Devastator — six ''Constructicons'' in one!"
:* '''Constructicons/Devastator Giftset''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxVdqHn-tOo] - Similar to the previous commercial, but with a few differences. The background music has been changed from the Season 1 intro to the Season 2 intro, a different kid without glowing eyes is used for the Kidmation, and the end is changed to feature the Constructicon Giftset.
:* '''Constructicons/Devastator''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3hzPZ0fdmY] - Resoundtracked and slightly re-edited for a 1986 re-use. Narration by The Other Guy and Megatron; Kidmation segment featuring a kid's face fold-morphing into Ultra Magnus-like generic robot.

* '''Jumpstarters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1arJdZShoxY]
: ''Animation:'' None.
: ''Toy segment:'' Repeated shots of the [[Jumpstarter]] toys doing their thing on a futuristic smooth black surface (with custom early-80s sound effects), while shaggy-haired kids turn their heads to watch at whiplash-inducing speeds.
: ''Narration:'' [[The Other Guy]]
: ''Kidmation:'' Buck tooth kid mouths "Robots in Disguise"
: ''In the world of the Transformers, no Autobots can jump into battle faster than the Jumpstarters!''

* '''Autobot cars plus Thrust and Dirge''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sxMlvn3Dsw]
:''Animation:'' As [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] fight a battle in the desert, [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]], [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] drive up and transform, prompting Megatron to summon [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]].
: ''Narration:'' You're Gonna Get It
: ''Kidmation:'' Beatles haircut kid mouths robotic "Robots in disguise!"
: Included a tail-end ad for Transformers [[Action Cards]].

* '''Triple Changers''' and '''Perceptor''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crn_8VIxaOk] or [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8LKVfwxoEY]
: ''Animation:'' [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] grapples with Optimus Prime, then escapes on some train tracks. The Autobots blast a trestle out from under him; he transforms and flies away. Optimus Prime uses [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to examine some Decepticon debris.
:''Narration'': The Other Guy; possibly Victor Caroli as well (While supplies last.)
:''Kidmation'': Taller bowl haircut kid with glowing green eyes.
:''Notes:'' Cameo animation appearances from Sunstreaker, [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]. Perceptor is portrayed as significantly shorter than Optimus, perhaps the same size as Bumblebee. The Astrotrain prototype figure (showing his [[Character model|animation colors]]) is shown being played with alongside the Blitzwing toy. In one version, a bizarre stinger note labels the Perceptor toy as "While supplies last".
:''Triple changers, the most eeeeevil Decepticons of all!''

[[Image:RumbleBlasterCommercial1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey Soundwave, check out this new radio I found!" (actual dialogue)]]

* '''Blaster''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1kyVOJSoFk]
: ''Animation:'' [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] merrily walks into a Decepticon base carrying Blaster in boom box mode; [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] transforms, prompting Soundwave to send Laserbeak and Ravage at him.
:''Narration'': [[The Other Guy]].
:''Kidmation'': Glowing green eyes kid.
:''Notes:'' Soundwave and Rumble have their usual cartoon voices, but Blaster has a completely different voice for his single word of dialogue.
: ''Not a working radio!''

* '''Omega Supreme''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbcwV818LuA] / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq3VhggqfmM] (Stinger version)
: ''Animation:'' In the desert, Starscream and Thrust attack the new Autobot defense base, not realizing it's [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Omega transforms and attacks. Includes [[The Transformers: The Movie]] stinger at the end.
:''Narration:'' I Wish I Was Victor Caroli
:''Kidmation:'' Shaggy haired kid.
:''Notes:'' Starscream and Thrust have their normal cartoon voices. Except for Starscream's last line, "It's Omega Supreme!" which sounds like [[Chris Latta]] inhaled helium. The 1985 version of this ad also has a version with the same "While Supplies Last!" stinger as the Triple Changers and Perceptor ad.
:"It's the Autobot defense base!" "But where are the Autobots?" "Who cares? Attack!"
:* '''Omega Supreme''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBIVY2gV-0] / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcC7_bf6GmU&#t=3m25s] (Stinger version) - Edited and resoundtracked with Optimus Prime narration and the 1986 theme song. Some airings included a [[The Transformers: The Movie]] stinger.

[[Image:Alex Karras Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"I've lowered myself to ''this''?"]]
* '''Prime time spot''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eRDVymB4SU]
: [[Alex Karras]], along with two unidentified boys, calmly promotes the virtues of Perceptor (a working microscope!) and Blitzwing (what a great tank!) and urges you to shop ''now'' if you want one for your kid for Christmas.
: ''Toy segment:'' In addition to Alex and his child assistants demonstrating the toys, footage from the Dinobots commercial is reused.
: ''<s>Kid</s> KARRAS-mation:'' Alex Karras mouths along to the "robots in disguise" line and then continues his spiel without missing a beat. Sadly, his eyes do not glow green.
: ''Notes:'' This ad aired between [[Halloween]] and Thanksgiving in order to get a head start in promoting the toys for Christmas. Amongst the many boxed Transformers sitting on the table (in various shots) are Blaster, Snarl, Swoop, Soundwave, Ratchet, Megatron, Jazz, Astrotrain, Grimlock, Wheeljack, Jetfire and Optimus Prime. Three Blitzwings, Jetfire, two Perceptors, Optimus Prime, Smokescreen, Red Alert, and Astrotrain are all shown loose.
: ''These are the Transformers, one of the hottest selling toys in America. If you want one for your kid this Christmas, go now while stores have a good sel-ec-tion.''

* '''[[Rubsign]]s''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PzBTGZno3w]
:To distinguish real Transformers from [[Knockoff|bootlegs]] and other brands such as [[Tonka]]'s ''[[GoBots (franchise)|GoBots]]''.
: "We are conquerors." "No one is like us." "Only we have the right to be called by the name." "Only we have the right to wear this symbol." "Or THIS symbol." "Only WE are Autobots and Decepticons." "Good versus evil." "And only WE have the right to be called the Transformers!" ''Only the Transformers are REAL Transformers!''
: ''Animation:'' A mixture of clips from various 1984 and 1985 commercials.
: ''Narration:'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], Optimus Prime and Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Reused from Autobot cars plus Thrust and Dirge. Same kid is used for the Constructicon giftset commercial, but in a different clip.

* '''Tyco [[Electric Train and Battle Set]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jH7PCd32-E]
: ''Animation:'' Some unbelievably generic Autobots and Decepticons, all predominantly bluish-gray, fight it out over the transforming train.

[[Image:Transformers_Tyco_Electric_Racing_Nightglow.jpg|right|200px|thumb|They shouldn't race so close to the nuclear power plant.]]

* '''Tyco Transformers [[Electric Racing Set]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCm5bOiI2R8]
: ''Animation:'' None.
: ''Toy Segment:'' Shots of the racers speeding along the track in normal lighting and then "into a whole new universe of night-glow" are featured.
: ''Notes:'' Features the same version of the Season 1&2 outro as the train set commercial for background music. This is the only time [[Natron]] and [[Freezon]] are given names.
: "By Tyco, of course."

[[Image:ViewMaster_Projector_Commercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Put your hands in the air!"]]

* '''ViewMaster Showbeam Projector with Transformers cartridge''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t781lHy-CV0]
: A brother and sister talk their mom into letting them stay up to play with the projector. They are then suddenly pulled into the images and the battle they depict. Mom walks back in to see what the ruckus is about, and thus returning them to reality.
: "Let's show the Transformers!" "Yeah!" "Wow!" "Look out! Decept-i-cons!" "Take that Megatron!"

* '''30 second cartoon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUYryiY2_jU](Version 1 Cleveland)/ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvDyMjWeW2Q] (Version 1 Chicago)/ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew1r-_SQseY&t=0m25s] (Version 2)

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts which are mostly from Season One episodes. There are two versions of the ad, which use a different assortment of clips. A clip of the Sub-Atlantican General firing at the Autobots from [[Atlantis, Arise!]], which is used in the Monday-Friday collage, is the most notable exception in version 1 of the ad. For version 2, a scene of [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] being shot by a fake Starscream from [[A Prime Problem]] is the most notable.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, various local TV station announcers.
: ''Notes:'' The Season Two theme is played in the background as Victor Caroli informs us that we can "''Watch the heroic Autobots battle the evil Decepticons five days a week.''" The Caroli narrated segment was sent to the various local TV stations who then added narration and a screen with the station logo and slogan to the end of the spot. This type of customized promo would continue until [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Transformers]] [[Cartoon Network|left]] terrestrial television.
: ''The Transformers are like nothing you've ever seen before. Don't miss a single day!''

* '''15 second cartoon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGDsr1GqYag]

: ''Animation:'' Various cartoon excerpts from the first two seasons, though mostly Season One.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli and Optimus Prime.
: ''Notes:'' This spot reuses the animation clips from the collage in the previous commercial. However, instead of using them in a collage, a screen flipping transition is used to go from one to the next. The local station end screen was modified to include a small clip of Optimus Prime standing up. To go along with this, a [[Peter Cullen]] as Optimus Prime narration was added in the format of "Weekdays at [insert time here] on [insert station call letters here]." Considering there were likely in the neighborhood of 100 or so syndication affiliate stations, that must have been a long day at the office for Mr. Cullen!
{{-}}

===1986===
[[Image:DiacloneMagnusAnime1.jpg|thumb|200px|"We're the Dandy Highwaymen, and here's our invitation."]]
* '''[[The Transformers: The Movie promo|The Transformers: The Movie promo trailer]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvoAxeykxwc] (Japanese Subtitles)
: Created for the purpose of getting potential investors to buy into the movie, this trailer features LOTS of unfinished or ultimately unused animation. Also features a temp music track featuring cues taken from ''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock''.
:''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]] tells us how awesome the movie will be by giving away some fairly hefty plot spoilers.
:* '''The Transformers: The Movie theatrical trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urxTOF5z918]
:: Edited down from the promo trailer and re-soundtracked with some new Victor Caroli narration and proper [[Vince DiCola]] music to be sent out to cinemas.

* '''The Transformers: The Movie theatrical trailer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaEWLuVJee0]
: ''Animation:'' Clips from the movie, starting with the Autobot shuttle launching and the Sharkticon guard pulling the feed-them-to-the-Sharkticons lever. [[The Touch|"The Touch"]] plays across the first half, then [[Lion|Lion's]] rendition of the [[theme song]].
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli introduces the characters and expounds on how great the movie is.
: ''Hold on tight. The most incredible rock and roll adventure ever is here!''

* '''The Transformers: The Movie TV spots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLbhYEzZV7s],[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQngCtR71SU]

: ''Animation:'' Similar to the trailer with Autobot shuttle launch at the beginning, then switches back and forth between the [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] battle, [[Unicron]] devouring [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] vs. the Decepticons. Again, "The Touch" plays for the first half, then Lion's rendition of the theme song.
: ''Narration:'' Depending on the version, Victor Caroli, The Other Movie Guy, or both.
: ''Notes:'' Several different versions of the TV spot were produced, updating the amount of time to go until the movie's release. The known variations are: "August 8th" (60 & 30 seconds), "Opens Tomorrow" (60 & 30 seconds), "Now playing!"(60 & 30 seconds), "Opens in Three Days" (30 sec #1), and "Opens in Three Days" (30 sec #2). The first 6 versions can be found as part of the extras on [[Sony]]'s 20th Anniversary Edition DVD, while the other two are linked to above.
: ''So exciting you'll have to see it twice to take it all in!''

* '''Hot Rod''', '''Kup''', and '''Blurr'''; '''Cyclonus''' and '''Scourge'''; and '''Rrrrrodimus Prime'''. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5MO0AwlO2g&t=8m57s]

: ''Animation:'' A running battle in the desert with each character charging in as the narrator identifies him.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to Galvatron face.
: ''Notes'': Cameos by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]], making this bit of animation yet another one of the pre-TF:TM ancillary stories that contradicts the movie itself. Additionally features an older Hot Rod animation model placing his Autobot symbol above his fire emblem, as it also appears in the movie promo trailer.
: '''''No one''' can take on the Decepticons like Rrrrrodimus Prime!''

* '''Ultra Magnus''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJJbJnP4SRI] / [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W7MA-tZh1s] (w/ Movie plug)

: ''Animation:'' Decepticons are attacking the Autobot launch site. With Optimus on Cybertron, it's up to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]! Magnus loads up some 'bots in Autobot City, then rolls out into the desert to fight the Decepticons, plowing through the Combaticons en route.
: ''Narration:'' Optimus Prime; Victor Caroli (Each sold separately.)
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face.
: ''Notes:'' [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and Magnus both have their normal cartoon voices. Cameo appearances by Starscream, Skywarp, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]; [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]; [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]]; [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]]. Another version of this ad has the ending "From Hasbro" tag replaced with a plug for ''The Transformers: The Movie'' narrated by Victor Caroli and Optimus Prime. ''And coming this summer, Transformers: The Movie.'' ''You've never seen anything like it.''

* '''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Galvatron''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K424Dmj0jTc] (full) /[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUNUWzKbdyY] (w/ movie ad)

: ''Animation:'' Magnus and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], along with others, do battle on a highway. Starscream and Skywarp can be glimpsed flying into battle alongside Galvatron!
: ''Narration:'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to Galvatron face.
: ''Notes:'' Cameos by Jazz, Red Alert, Smokescreen, Tracks (could this be in continuity with the previous commercial?!); Skywarp and Starscream. Galvatron's voice appears to be Frank Welker doing a less-gravely Megatron-like voice.
: A shortened version includes a tail-end ad for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', narration by The Other Movie Guy. ''Does Prime die?!''

[[Image:SpringerWreckGarCommercial1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|It sorta happened like this in the movie. A little.]]
* '''Springer''' and '''Wreck-Gar''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-10pud7DY]

: ''Animation:'' Original animation, but the plot draws heavily from ''The Transformers: The Movie''. [[Springer (G1)|Springer's]] shuttle is destroyed by the ''[[Revenge (G1)|Revenge]]''; he flies to the surface of [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] and battles [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and another Junkion.
: ''Narration:'' Optimus Prime describes Springer; Megatron gleefully describes Wreck-Gar as though he were a Decepticon; [[Victor Caroli]] (Each sold separately.)
: ''Notes:'' Wreck-Gar's is voiced by [[Frank Welker]] for this commercial, not sounding particularly distinct from Megatron; his lines are directly copied from the movie.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face.

* '''Sharkticons''', '''Kup''', '''Hot Rod''' and '''Wheelie''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWZlBTci95M]

: ''Animation:'' Like the previous commercial, heavily based on the movie. Hot Rod and Kup battle a group of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]], and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (sounding like Scrappy-Doo) arrives to help.
: ''Narration:'' Prime and Megatron; Victor Caroli (Sold separately).
:''Kidmation:'' Kid face to Galvatron face.
: ''Autobots never faced an evil force worse than the terror of - the Sharkticons!''

* '''Aerialbots''' and '''Stunticons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdA_0PXT1fQ]

: ''Animation:'' The two teams both arrive in the desert and transform; both combine, and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] bashes [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] into a cliff. Menasor's legs are on backwards.
: ''Narration:'' Optimus and Megatron.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face.
: "Only the Stunticons!" ...only the Stunticons ''what?''

* '''Combaticons/Bruticus''' and '''Metroplex''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8K1C9AQxc4]

: ''Animation:'' The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] fly through a canyon, combine, and attack [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who transforms to his enormous robot mode and fires at them.
:''Narration:'' Megatron, Optimus Prime; Victor Caroli (From Hasbro.)
:''Kidmation:'' Kid face to Galvatron face.
: "But the ''Combaticons'' can combine to form ''Bruticus!''"

* '''Protectobots/Defensor''' and '''Trypticon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHgTi-OTjLI]

: ''Animation:'' The Protectobots drive down a road towards the Decepticons' massive new base, transform and attack. [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]'s voice commands the base to transform into battle station mode; the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] become [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and fire back. [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] changes to dinosaur mode and blasts fire-breath at Defensor.
: ''Narration:'' [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]; [[Victor Caroli]] (Batteries not included.)
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to Galvatron face.
: ''Notes:'' Trypticon is voiced by [[Jack Angel]] for this commercial.
: ''Toy segment:'' Two kids playing with the toys are ''very'' affected by the sight of toy Trypticon knocking over Defensor.

* '''Predacons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPOpI_fGoyo]

: ''Animation:'' The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] barrel over Skywarp, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] and Starscream; the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] charge in to counter the Dinobots, transforming into robot mode and then combining into [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]].
: ''Narration:'' Megatron; Victor Caroli (Each sold separately.)
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face.
: ''Notes:'' [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] is missing from the animated Dinobots. He was also missing from previous commercials featuring the Dinobots.
: "Few Decepticons can stand up to the Dinobots, but the Predacons can!"

* '''Sky Lynx''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjBbPOw2UPs]

: ''Animation:'' Predaking smashes through a mountain to attack the Dinobots. [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] thinks they're in trouble, but then [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] swoops in to save the day.
:''Narration:'' Optimus Prime; Victor Caroli (Batteries not included.)
:''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face.
:''Notes:'' Like the Magnus commercials, this one could actually be in continuity with the Predacon commercial, which ended with the Predacons combining. [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] and Grimlock both have their cartoon voices (well, the higher-pitched voice that Slag had in Season 3.)

* '''Triple Changers''' - '''Sandstorm''', '''Broadside''' and '''Octane''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh9oVZV8lPs]

: ''Animation:'' [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] and Astrotrain attack [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]; [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] change repeatedly as they travel over land and water.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]]
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face.
: ''Notes:'' The commercial uses the alternate character model for Broadside, also used in [[Carnage_in_C-Minor|Carnage in C-Minor]].
:''Autobot - triple changers battling - the triple changers of - the Decepticons!''

[[Image:Patches g1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Spike, if you don't put the patch on your skin, you won't get the nicotine.]]
[[Image:1986 Comm Jazz and Thundercracker Party.jpg|right|200px|thumb|This socially awkward scene could be all yours!]]
* '''Battlechargers''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P98Iqk2heF4]

: ''Animation:'' Amid a field of erupting volcanoes, Ultra Magnus and his usual team of Autobots (Jazz, Smokescreen, Red Alert and Tracks) transform and march forward in lock-step, prompting Megatron to order the Battlechargers to attack. [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] drive off a cliff; Runabout transforms and fires.
: ''Narration:'' Megatron; Victor Caroli (Each sold separately.)
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to Galvatron face.
: ''Toy segment:'' The toy portion also features repeated cuts of a kid's head/eyes following the rolling [[Battlecharger]] toys.
: ''Nobody jumps into action - faster than - Battlechargers!''

* '''[[Prizes in Disguise]] contest/[[Iron-on patch|reflective patches]]''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UUwi2uSUQE]

: ''Animation:'' Jazz and Cosmos shine their headlights to reveal that a group of humans are wearing Transformers reflective patches, thus gaining entry to the Autobot base.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid face to generic Magnus face; also, a kid saying "Robots in Disguise" through the Voice Changer.
: ''Notes:'' Standard cartoon voices for [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], Jazz and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. Background cameos by Tracks and Smokescreen.
: ''You could win a party with life-sized Transformers!''

* '''[[Underoos]]''' [http://www.retrostatic.com/videos/p803_sectionid/6/p803_fileid/398/p803_js_on/1]

: ''Kidmation:'' Three different kids turn into animated versions of the lead good guy from the toyline that corresponds to their underwear while growling that line's catchphrase and the name of the good guy. The last of the three is Freddy, who pulls on his Transformers Underoos and turns into Optimus Prime while growling "MORE than meets the eye! The Transformers!".
: ''Notes:'' The animation model used for Optimus Prime has design simplifications which make it very similar to the animation model used in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|actual cartoons]]. The coloring of the model however, is based off Prime's [[package art]]. It oddly deviates by coloring the upper legs blue, and having a white line just under his forehead crest.
: "Freddy, what are you doing up there?"

* '''30 second cartoon promo''' [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/4290/]
: ''Animation:'' Various Season One and Two excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, various local TV station announcers.
: ''Notes:'' In addition to the customized end tag, a text overlay in that station's style was placed over several scenes early in the spot. Uses the Season 3/Season 4 theme. Two different Megatron quotes are used.
: "We'll be waiting!"

* '''30 second cartoon promo #2''' [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/2986/]
: ''Animation:'' Various Season Two excerpts.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, various local TV station announcers.
: ''Notes:'' Uses Season Three/Season Four theme.
:''It's the incredible adventures of the Transformers. Watch as Heroic Autobots bravely battle Evil Decepticons every Monday through Friday. Don't miss a single day!''

===1987===
Many of the live-action segments for the 1987 toy commercials showed kids playing with the toys in a rocky, doom-laden environment, replete with constant flashes of lightning illuminating the toys. It is possible this is meant to be [[Nebulos]], given the way that planet is portrayed in the animated segments.

[[Image:Brainstormpretenderscommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Let's search that planet, Magnus! We've got to find them! With their help, we can defeat the Decepticons!" Keep hoping, Rodimus. Keep hoping.]]
* '''Headmasters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__QTNCp5RhI]

: ''Animation:'' The four Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] [[Nebulan]]s climb into their respective partners, who are parked in vehicle mode in a base; they roll out and clash with the three Headmaster Decepticons. Includes particularly nice closeups of [[Monzo]] and [[Stylor]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] narrate. (well, Rodimus actually spews out a series of basically incomprehensible lines.)
: ''Kidmation:'' A kid leaps and flips, turning into a stop-motion version of Ultra Magnus's toy.
: ''Head. MasterTransformers—more muchmore than meets the eyes!'' {{sic}}

* '''Decepticon Headmasters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ6FtUb-WQo]

: ''Animation:'' At the secret base of the Headmaster Decepticons, the "trainers" are putting [[Skullcruncher]], [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] through their paces, having them jump through hoops and smash through rock statues of the Autobot Headmasters. Yes, the "trainer" concept actually made it into animation. They even carry whips!
: ''Narration:'' [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid to stop-motion Magnus toy.
: ''Nothing's better than going into battle with '''these''' Transformers!''

* '''Headmaster Horrorcons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr4iHCbkRWw]

: ''Animation:'' [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] fly into a canyon and transform to robot mode, then change to beast mode and charge, spewing fire and swinging rocks around.
:''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Extreme closeup of a kid's eye, with a camera pull-out emerging from the pupil.
: ''The jaws of the beast become the pilot of the plane, and the pilot of the plane becomes the head of the robot!''

* '''Targetmasters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugF7cyTOuro]

: ''Animation:'' Live-action set of a rocky planet explodes. Cel: on Cybertron(?), [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] get strafed by [[Triggerhappy]], who transforms and grapples with Sureshot, while their guns do the same. Crosshairs drives forward; he and [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]] transform and run, then both get tackled by [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] and [[Aimless (G1)|Aimless]].
: ''Narration:'' Galvatron, Ultra Magnus, and Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid flips and becomes stop-motion Ultra Magnus toy.
: ''Two Trans-for-mers, all in one! The vehicle transforms and so does the gun!''

* '''Sixshot''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZz2xhptRc]

: ''Animation:'' Rodimus Prime and Galvatron lead their teams in battle; [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] attacks and runs through his various modes, as Galvatron describes them and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] counts them off.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Notes:'' Cameos by [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Galvatron has his usual cartoon voice, but Cyclonus does not. A deeper version of the substitute Cyclonus voice is also used for Sixshot. Also, atypically for animators Toei, Cyclonus' earlier pre-production character model as most often seen in AKOM-animated episodes is used.
: ''The most challenging Transformer of them all!''

[[Image:Technobots.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hi-Tech Sentai Nerdranger]]
[[Image:Computron animated.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Revenge of the nerds!]]
* '''Technobots/Computron''' and '''Scorponok''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYeqcXuno4o]

: ''Animation:'' Galvatron runs down a ramp as [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] transforms from base to scorpion to repulse the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]]; the Technobots combine, and get hit with a rock thrown by Scorponok.
: ''Narration:'' Galvatron, [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Notes:'' Naturally, [[Mo Zarak|Zarak]] is visible running around as Scorponok transforms.
: ''And now it's a beast with capture claws and a trainer who becomes...the HEAD of its robot!''

* '''Technobots''' and '''Terrorcons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mir0KHITDM]

: ''Animation:'' The two teams battle on Earth, while Rodimus and Magnus narrate.
: ''Narration:'' Ultra Magnus, Rodimus Prime, and Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid to stop-motion Ultra Magnus.
: ''Notes:'' Includes [[decoy]] stinger.
: "Those hi-tech heroes are in for one horrific battle!"

* '''Punch/Counterpunch''' and '''Clones''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HI_CIGzCyU&t=5m48s] (no stinger) /[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqOgrljuZAg] (Decoy stinger)

: ''Animation:'' [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] informs Rodimus that he can trust him, transforms to car mode, rolls out of the base and promptly transforms to Counterpunch and tells the waiting Galvatron that he can trust ''him''. The Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]] run through a rocky landscape in perfect step and open fire on the Autobot clones, then both groups transform.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid to stop-motion Ultra Magnus.
: ''Notes:'' Cameos by [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]] and Cyclonus. Sometimes included a [[decoy]] stinger.

* '''Monsterbots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SdN-zvZpYo]

: ''Animation:'' Blurr and Rodimus Prime arrive; Kup tells them that there's been an accident, and the new Autobots are monsters! The [[Monsterbot]]s trash a lab, then burst through a wall and fight some Decepticons.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid to stop-motion Ultra Magnus.
: ''Notes:'' Cameos by Scourge, [[Octane (G1)|Octane]], and Cyclonus.
: ''And they've even got sparks, BLASTING out of them!''

[[image:FlywheelsCommercialAndSeason4Intro.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
[[Image:Weirdwolfweirdhead.jpg|right|200px|thumb|I think pulling my head off is a pretty good idear.]]
[[Image:Brainstormweirdhead.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Brainstorm was actually pretty happy to get rid of his bizarre zombie vampire head.]]
* '''Duocons/Throttlebots''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFZdT575OFk]

: ''Animation:'' [[Flywheels|Flywheels’s]] jet portion swoops down out of the sky and links up with his tank, transforming to robot mode before being jumped on by Rodimus Prime. "That jet is going to crash into that tank!" "No, it's not. They're going to transform into one robot!"
: ''Narration:'' Galvatron, Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid to stop-motion Ultra Magnus.
: ''Notes:'' Includes decoy stinger.
: ''They think they’re twice as tough as any Autobot—and MAYBE THEY ARE.''

* '''Fortress Maximus''' "FOR-TRESS MAX-I-MUHUUUS!" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6qIgMbRvc]

: ''Animation:'' [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] transforms to base mode and blows away the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], who combine into [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and attack him.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus.

* '''''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]''' comic book'' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiBfxykv5go]

: ''Animation:'' The post-Movie Autobots and Decepticons shoot it out on Cybertron: Galvatron and Scourge fire on Blurr and Rodimus; [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] grapples with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]; Ultra Magnus...stands there. Two teams "blast" their way to Nebulos. The Autobots detach their heads, which are replaced by "the intelligent Nebulons". The Decepticons do the same. Scorponok and Fortress Maximus slug it out; the [[Targetmaster]]s charge at each other and transform.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Notes:'' Features completely random, made-up heads for the pre-Headmaster robots.

* '''The Return of Optimus Prime promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSzcc-KQuCg]
: ''Animation:'' Excerpts of the Optimus Prime death scene and Prime vs. Megatron from The Transformers: The Movie.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli and various local TV announcers.
: ''Notes:'' Features Unicron's Theme as the background music. Many TV stations shrank or otherwise manipulated it at the end, but New York's WPIX simply overlaid a graphic on the bottom saying, with a red line between them, "4:30 PM" on top, and "Tues. & Wed." on the bottom, with their classic "Circle 11" logo on the far right.
:"It's over Prime." "Never!" ''Hang on, Autobots, it's not over! Optimus Prime returns, February 24th and 25th on ''The Transformers''.''
:*'''Optimus Prime week''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgbmYGDbjkw] – Same as above commercial but re-narrated with the removal of "Never!" and changed to speak of a whole Optimus Prime week.
::"It's over Prime." ''Wrong, Megatron! It's just the beginning!''

*'''Season 4 cartoon promo''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kja8RSRq21g]
: ''Animation:'' A set of excerpts from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' almost identical to those used for the Return of Optimus Prime and Optimus Prime week spots.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, trying to exclaim every line more dramatically than the last and various local TV station announcers.
: ''Notes:'' Features a brand new piece of background music incorporating the Transformers theme. Similar in sound to the music [[Vince DiCola]] composed for The Transformers: The Movie.
:''Autobots versus Decepticons. Good against evil. Metal against metal!''

[[Image:G1 Season 4 promo.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
*'''Season 4 cartoon promo #2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hcvpyzn3QQ]

: ''Animation:'' Excerpts from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' and several 1987 toy commercials/the Season 3 [[title sequence]]. A scene from the movie of Hot Rod and Kup watching Decepticon missiles come back towards their shuttle has the view from the shuttle's “windshield” replaced with crude CGI to make it look like they're flying through a...a...well, we're not really sure what it's supposed to be. It kind of looks like a base, though it has both Autobot and Decepticon logos in different areas. A shot of a crude CGI Optimus Prime closes out the commercial.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, various local TV station announcers.
: ''Notes:'' Features the same new music used in the previous commercial.
:''They're more, much more than you've ever imagined! The Transformers. Watch as the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons reaches an incredible new level.''

===1988===
Many of the 1988 commercials began with a still shot of several animation frames, arranged as if in a comic book. The camera would zoom in on one as the animation began.

* '''Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5rcakCV8kk] (Almost complete)/[http://www.bigbot.com/mp3/preten.mp3] (Complete audio track)
: ''Animation:'' [[Brainstorm]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] battle [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] and [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]]. Three Autobot [[Pretender]]s are created (nekkid!). [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attack and the armored Pretenders split to reveal their robots, forcing the Decepticons to flee. The Decepticon Pretenders burst through the wall and both groups split.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli
: ''Notes:'' Includes tail-end spot for the relevant [[Pretender to the Throne!|Marvel Comics issue]].

* '''Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-1daWCZTEY]
[[image:AutobotPretenderCommercial.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
: ''Animation:'' Clips re-used from the comic commercial.
:''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
:''Notes:'' Features only the first wave of large Pretenders ([[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]], [[Cloudburst]], [[Waverider]]; [[Skullgrin]], [[Submarauder (G1)|Submarauder]] and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]].)
:''After a series of startling defeats at the hands of the Decepticons...''
:* '''Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUHUtMm9p48]
: ''Animation:'' The Autobot Pretenders splitting, re-used from the comic commercial.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' A bizarre segment of kids proclaiming what they "are" ("I’m a video gamer!" "I’m a skateboarder!"), only for the skateboarder to split Pretender-style, revealing a generic CGI robot who announces "I’m a Transformer!"
::* '''Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OfIYC1FC3Y] - Edited down version of the immediately preceding commercial.
:* '''Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL0uRBKRHa8]
: ''Animation:'' The Autobot Pretenders splitting, same as the above commercials.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid's face splits apart to reveal his 'inner' robot face.

[[Image:Slapdashcommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Why are you here, again?]]
* '''Powermasters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEAjoH_EEtY]

: ''Animation:'' Amid desert canyons, the various Powermaster partners transform to engine form and combine with their partners, including [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] transforming his trailer to base mode. This is followed by the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s shooting at Darkwing and Dreadwind who, now that they've accomplished their [[To sell toys|goal]], are once again in their plane modes.
:''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:''Notes:'' Features [[Getaway]] / [[Rev]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] / [[Lube]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] / [[Hotwire]]; [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] / [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] / [[Hi-Test]]; and [[Hi-Q]]. Includes tail-end ads spot for the relevant [[People Power!|Marvel Comics issue]].
: ''Their engine’s the key that unlocks their Transformer en-er-geeee!''

[[Image:HiQCommercial1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Truck? What truck?]]

* '''Powermaster toys''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLBV9ZfBLfk]

: ''Animation:'' Dreadwind and Darkwing chase Getaway and Joyride around the rim of a crater. Dreadwind and Darkwing transform. Includes segments recycled from the first Powermaster commercial.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Kidmation:'' A kid crackles with energy, which surrounds and replaces his head with a ''very'', and we mean ''very'', crude CGI Powermaster Optimus Prime head.
: ''Powermaster Transformers! They've got the power to surprise!''

* '''Powermaster Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB27NXZvfTQ]

: ''Animation:'' Recycled footage of Prime transforming from the Powermasters commercial; Powermaster Optimus Prime firing [[Quickswitch (G1)|Quickswitch]].
:''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:''Kidmation:'' Kid to Powermaster Optimus Prime.
: ''POW-er-master Optimus Prime! Greatest hero of his time!'' ("It's great to be back!")
:* '''Powermaster Optimus Prime''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f-0UF_NBgs] - edited down from the previous commercial.

*'''Powermaster Prime''' and '''Doubledealer''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6a4y-TWNAI]

: ''Animation:'' Footage of Prime reused from other commercials featuring him, then a new segment with [[Doubledealer]] in robot mode standing with Prime. Doubledealer transforms to vehicle mode, then [[Skar (Decepticon)|Skar]] flies out of [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]'s hand and locks into place, transforming Doubledealer to falcon mode.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: "Who’s that new Transformer with Optimus Prime?"

[[Image:NightbeatTV.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Look at my chest.]]
[[Image:Fangrycommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|HOOKA chaka HOOKA chaka HOOKA HOOKA HOOKA chaka]]

* '''Small Headmasters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf-MDd7cdi0]

: ''Animation:'' The small Autobot Headmasters ([[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Siren]], [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]]) drive on a rocky world; Nightbeat and [[Muzzle]] transform. The small Decepticon Headmasters burst through a wall in beast mode; [[Fangry]] and [[Brisko]] transform.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli, and [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who's obviously never met Fangry, [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] or [[Horri-Bull (G1)|Horri-Bull]]: "Our new Decepticon Headmasters will give us more brainpower than ever!"
: ''Kidmation:'' A kid flips through the air, converting to a robot and folding up to become the head of a larger (stop motion?) robot resembling Brainstorm.
: ''And when the '''head''' enters the robot's body you get a '''readout''' of its power!''

[[Image:Snarlercommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|If it's a Beast War you want...]]
* '''Pretender Beasts/Pretender Vehicles''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdgmccNpuqM]

: ''Animation:'' [[Snarler]] and [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] battle in beast mode... then... are suddenly in their shells... and then come out of their shells...? [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] emerges from his vehicle and transforms to jet mode; [[Roadgrabber]] emerges and transforms his vehicle to battle mode, opening fire on the flying Gunrunner.
:''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:''Kidmation:'' Pretender Kid.
:''Now, in the world of Pretenders, there are Pretender Beasts; Strange and terrifying.''

* '''Quickswitch'''. "It's Quickswitch, Sixshot's son! And he's on our side!" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq2bNbOlCJo]

: ''Animation:'' In the midst of a moon battle, Getaway spots [[Quickswitch (G1)|Quickswitch]] incoming and mistakes him for a Decepticon, urging the others to destroy him, until someone says he's an Autobot. Quickswitch runs through his modes, beating up Horri-Bull and [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]], then goes to gun mode and lands in Powermaster Optimus Prime's hand.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Kidmation:'' A kid holding the toy mouths a synthesized "How quick can you all six" [''sic''], while his head flops around disturbingly.
: ''Determined to make good where his Decepticon father went bad, Quickswitch joins the Autobots!''

* '''Double Targetmasters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMPIqV_n3c]

: ''Animation:'' [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and [[Needlenose]] chase the Autobot small Targetmaster Nebulans (most prominently [[Boomer]] and [[Ricochet (G1)|Ricochet]]) across a rocky landscape. The Nebulans transform to gun modes and link up with their vehicle-mode Autobot partners, [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]], who then transform and fire. [[Holepunch (G1)|Holepunch]] and [[Tracer (Nebulan)|Tracer]] fly out of Scoop's hand and combine into their double weapon form. Scoop fires at a strafing Spinister and Needlenose, who transform, land and charge into battle.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid flips over and turns into a gun for a very crude CGI robot.
: ''Targetmaster Transformers—theeeeeey've got the power to surprise!''

[[Image:FireconCommercial1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Now auditioning for Gamera vs. The Firecons]]

* '''Triggerbots/Triggercons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xBLVLIKprA]

: ''Animation:'' Recycled Dreadwind and Darkwing chasing Getaway and Joyride, from the Powermasters commercial.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''And when the Triggerbots battle the Triggercons, there's no doubt there'll be a real shoot-out!'' KERRUNCH.

[[Image:PiranaconCommercial1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Sadly, Dreamwave never learned that what works in animation doesn't always go over so well as a still image.]]
* '''Seacons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nF4m8wtJwY]

: ''Animation:'' Beneath the ocean, the beast-mode [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] take bites out of a [[M.A.R.S.|M.A.R.S. Industries]] submarine. Piranacon switches out his left arm and gun.
: ''Narration:'' [[Stephen Keener]].
: ''Kidmation:'' A kid leaps over the top of a generic stop-animated robot and transforms into his gun, which he fires.
:* '''Seacons / Sparkabots / Firecons''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MOFXjDTJ50#t=1m33s]
: Portions of the Seacon commercial with a Sparkabots/Firecons segment at the end.
:''Animation:'' The [[Firecon|Firecons]] march forward in beast mode, spewing flames; the [[Sparkabot]]s drive forward and transform; the Firecons transform and grapple with the Sparkabots ([[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]] vs. [[Sizzle (G1)|Sizzle]] being most prominent.)
:* '''Seacons / Triggerbots / Trigggercons''' - Same as previous with the Triggerbots/Triggercons segment in place of the Firecons/Sparkabots.

===1989===
* '''Micromaster Patrols''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GKXFzYvLGU]

: ''Animation:'' From Optimus Prime's glowing fist, the [[Sports Car Patrol]] and [[Off Road Patrol]] charge forth. They infiltrate a Decepticon base, driving right past Piranacon, [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], who wonder why they don't have those things. Then the Micromasters swarm around Dreadwind's head. In stop motion, a stream of [[Micromaster]] toys topples a gray-painted [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]].
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Kidmation:'' Kid scoops up the Micromasters and opens his palm to show them off.
: ''Notes:'' Dreadwind and Darkwing are given voices.
: "Our new commandos, who go where no one else goes!"

[[Image:Destronsoldier micromasters.jpg|right|200px|thumb|""]]
* '''Micromaster transports and battle stations''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2sGiQPOSxs] or [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/5542/]

: ''Animation:'' A horde of Micromasters swarms over an attacking [[Giant Decepticon Soldier]]; Prime opens his palm to reveal a Micromaster city; [[Red Hot]] transforms and flies at the camera. Stop-motion spots show a fleet of Micromaster vehicles driving around the combined playsets.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Notes:'' Includes stinger for a $1.00 copy of the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] when you buy two Transformers toys.
: "The most incredible Micros of all! They're not just small; they're ''Tranzzforrrmerrzzz''!"
:* '''Micromaster battle stations''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9qABpn1U5s] - edited down from the previous commercial.
: "The ''only'' Micros that transform!"
:* '''Micromaster transports''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU0ApqagpFk] - edited down from the previous commercial.

[[Image:Micromasterbasescommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Bumblebee, you fool!]]
[[Image:SkystalkerCommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Go ahead. Make my day.]]

* '''Micromaster micro bases''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQn7XgrcT9o]

: ''Animation:'' [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] drag two captured Decepticon vehicles (the [[Interstellar shuttle]] and the [[Helicopter]]) up to Optimus Prime in an Autobot base, only to have them transform and attack, with the guns manned by the [[Sports Car Patrol]] and [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]].
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Notes:'' Bumblebee has his [[Dan Gilvezan|normal voice]]. An unidentified voice presumably belongs to Skystalker.
: ''You can connect them to form whole cities!''
:* '''Micromaster micro bases''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v36l6C1nhwA] - edited down from the previous commercial.

* '''Classic Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecehJWexUaE] or [http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/5541/]

: ''Animation:'' As Prime transforms and comes under attack in a nighttime city, the Autobot Pretenders arrive to help out.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Notes:'' [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is voiced by [[Gregg Berger]]. Includes stinger for a $1.00 copy of the movie when you buy two Transformers toys.
: "Bumblebee, Jazz, you're back!" "And me Grimlock!" "And the '''eeeevil''' Starscream is here too!"
:* '''Classic Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSi6ZVZe0no] - edited down from the previous commercial.

* '''Mega and Ultra Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7OyjslCxT8]

: ''Animation:'' [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] and [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]] slowly drift out of their shells and transform; [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] avoids a strafing run from [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]], then his two robot forms both pop out of his vehicle shell and fire.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: "Who's more than they pretend to be? Mega Pretender Transformers, Mega Pretenders!"
:* '''Mega Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFfrX0fd0DA] - edited down from the previous commercial.
:: "Inside one, there's the other; then they both transform and combine to form another!"
:* '''Ultra Pretenders''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAnApP6Grjw] - edited down from the previous commercial.

[[Image:Pretendermonstercommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Decades later, their [[Pretender_Monster#Toys|melting shells]] let you re-enact this scene.]]
* '''[[Pretender Monster]]s''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHnOzFuYdcQ]

: ''Animation:'' [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] dunks [[Wildfly]], [[Icepick (G1)|Icepick]] and [[Scowl]] into colorful vats; they and the others emerge as Pretenders and charge at the camera. "BEYOND! (beyond) anything you've EVER SEEN before: Transformers Monster Pretenders!"
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: '''''Now''', the Decepticons have '''Monster Pretenders'''. Monster Pretenders with '''rubbery skin!'''''

===1990===
[[Image:Sprocketoverruncommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Sure, Prime, I'll give up the alternate mode that I never had."]]
[[Image:Commercial Gutcruncher in Stratotronic Jet.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Estroy them!" Actual dialogue. We're not making this up.]]
The Action Master commercials began and ended with a metal fist bursting through a wall, with "ACTION MASTERS" emblazoned across its knuckles. Some of the animation was screened against real-world backgrounds, with poorly animated characters morphing into the real toys.

* '''Action Masters''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeNf3jQ1zdw]

: ''Animation:'' Inside a base, [[Optimus Prime (G1)| Optimus Prime]] invites a circle of Autobots ([[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]], [[Rad]], [[Over-Run (G1)|Over-Run]] and [[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]) to join him. Prime, Jazz and Rad dash before the animation morphs to show their respective toys. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] blast through a wall before they too morph from animation to toys.
: ''Narration:'' [[Victor Caroli]].
: ''Notes:'' Jazz is voiced by a sound-alike, [[Scatman Crothers]] having passed away. Rad is given a voice by [[Michael Bell]].
: "Who will give up the power to transform to become stronger faster more alive?" [''sic'']

* '''Action Master vehicles — Starscream, Prowl''', and '''Overrun''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOvx9ByUUqo]

: ''Animation:'' A short battle sequence (on Cybertron?) with the three featured characters.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''And '''look!''' The Action Master vehicles transform into powerful '''battle stations!'''''

* '''Action Master vehicles — Wheeljack, Sprocket''', and '''Gutcruncher''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_zEQL5qoSs]

: ''Animation:'' [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] takes to the sky in the [[Stratotronic Jet|Stratojet]]; Wheeljack and Sprocket drive out of a tunnel.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
: ''Notes:'' Gutcruncher speaks!
: "Estroy them!" [again, ''sic'']
:* '''Action Master vehicles''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwjlbcD724k] - Edited down from the previous commercial.

[[Image:Hotrodpatrolcommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Micromasters melt in your mouth, not in your hand.]]
[[Image:Bigdaddycommercial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Hey, daddy-o, where's the drive thru at?]]

* '''Hot Rod Patrol''' and '''Construction Patrol''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgBDJhj67Uw]

: ''Animation:'' Cel: Jazz and Prime pick up the Hot Rod Patrol and examine them. Stop-motion toys: The Construction Patrol destroys a bridge, making Scorponok fall into a ravine. Rawr!
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:* '''Hot Rod Patrol / Construction Patrol''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAGdONYuMxQ] - Abbreviated (and accelerated) version of the previous commercial. [[Neil Ross]] jibbers his lines at hilariously high speed: "Micromasterconstructionpatroldestroythebridge!"

* '''Micromaster Combiners/Combiner Transports''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcH7ONvY4-g]

: ''Animation:'' Megatron grabs at a couple of combiner vehicles ([[Roadburner]]/[[Wheel Blaze]] and [[Missile Master]]/[[Moonrock]]), only to have them split apart, reconnect, and shoot him in the face. [[Cement-Head]] and [[Terror-Tread]], along with their transport, transform from vehicle to robot/base.
:''Notes:'' A rather wussy Frank Welker soundalike voices [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]; Neil Ross voices the indeterminable Micromaster. Roadburner somehow fires a laser from the short end of his cherry picker crane.
: ''Narration:'' Victor Caroli.
:* '''Micromaster Combiners''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ7lGbBV_NE+] - Edited down from the previous commercial.

===1999===
* '''Kid Rhino Video Trailer'''

: Scenes from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'' and ''Jem'' are shown with their corresponding theme songs followed by text narration asking you to turn your home into a zoo by buying Kid Rhino's home video releases.
: ''Notes:'' The Transformers scenes are of [[Unicron]] demolishing [[Lithone (planet)|Lithone]] and Springer transforming to helicopter mode before following [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and the other Autobots through Unicron's right eye.

===2006===
* '''[[Sony]] ''The Transformers: The Movie'' 20th Anniversary Edition DVD Preview''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dU2TiL7Vgs]
: Scenes from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' play as text narration overlays promote the features of the DVD.
: ''Notes:'' This preview was shown at the Transformers panel at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2006.

===2008===
[[Image:G1Awakening Trailer1.jpg|right|200px|thumb|"Hey, look at the pretty numbers..."]]
* '''Transformers G1 Awakening trailer 1''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRbWH14tT0M]
: Composed of sound-less excerpts of actual game footage highlighting some aspects of the control interface, in-game bios and battle mechanics.

===2009===
* '''Transformers G1 Awakening trailer 2''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLkqZmEf7CY]
: Excerpts from the Season 1 intro to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] are interspersed with shots of a CGI cellphone displaying actual game footage.
: ''Notes:'' The cartoon animation is taken from [[Rhino Entertainment|Kid Rhino]]'s Season 1 DVD boxset, complete with the "remastered" 5.1 surround sound audio track.

===2011===
* '''Cobra-palooza Megatron-A-Thon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7oU1C9Vtqs]
: [[Cobra Commander]] and Megatron have an argument related to a New Year's Day marathon of ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' and the Generation 1 cartoon.

===2014===
* '''Transformers 4th of July Marathon''' [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzb56jIR7RI]
: ''Friday, July 4th. Celebrate the Transformers' 30th Anniversary with the Hub Network. "Lock and load." ''Featuring three decades of Transformers action-- "Roll out." ''All. Day. Long.'' "Let's go for it." "Brace yourselves." ''There's fireworks a plenty--'' "Boom." ''with the 4th of July Transformers Marathon. Friday, July 4th, starting at 11:00 AM Eastern, 10:00 AM Central. Only on the Hub Network.''
: Notes: this was a marathon featuring the re-titled ''[[The Transformers: The Movie|Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'', ''[[Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising]]'', and various ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Rescue Bots]]'' episodes.
{{-}}

==External links==
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcC7_bf6GmU Generation 1 toy commercial compilation, 1984-1986]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaVLkocrooE Generation 1 toy commercial compilation, 1986-1987]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmuar95T8U Generation 1 toy commercial compilation, 1987-1988]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmJ86RwoKcY Generation 1 toy commercial compilation, 1988-1990]

[[Category:Commercials|Generation 1]]
[[Category:Generation 1 media]]
[[Category:Toys]]

Sparking gimmick

2014-07-04T18:47:22Z

Pwnzor.ak: Added AOE Dino Sparkers

[[Image:Repugnus-toy-sparks.jpg|thumb|right|300px|You have no clue how difficult it was to take this photograph.]]

{{bigquote|And they've even got ''sparks'', BLASTING out of them!!|[[Victor Caroli]], narrating the [[Monsterbot]] [[commercial]]}}

Some Transformers toys have had the ability to produce showers of '''sparks''', simulating [[Weapon|weapons]] or [[Anatomic euphemism#Tailpipe|hot exhaust]].

These sparks are produced by a mechanism that, when activated, allows a spinning steel wheel to rub against a flint, similar to that contained in a [[Donny Finkleberg|cigarette lighter]].

Sparking mechanisms are notorious for wearing out after prolonged play, and for littering a toy's surface with burned-in crunchy bits, giving the spark-exit area a black-peppered appearance.

Though this [[gimmick]] is cool and fun, it isn't one that [[Hasbro]] considers much any more [[For safety reasons|for use in toys]], after a similar gimmick in Barbie dolls drew national attention for [http://diswww.mit.edu/tla/humor/442 setting children's underwear on fire.] However, this gimmick has returned recently in the form of the Age of Extinction Dino Sparkers.

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* [[Monsterbot|Monsterbots]] (1987)
:The Monsterbots feature sparking gimmicks which launch sparks from their creature mouths (or chest, in the case of [[Doublecross]]). The sparks are activated by pushing a button that in turn activates the flint wheel.

* [[Sparkabot|Sparkabots]] (1988)
* [[Firecon|Firecons]] (1988)
* [[Sparkdash|Sparkdashes]]
:The Sparkabot and Firecon molds (which, together, were reused as the Sparkdashes) feature a sparking gimmick activated by rolling them across a hard surface, with a rubber wheel turning the flint wheel.

===Age of Extinction===
* [[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)#Dino Sparkers|Dino Sparkers]] (2014)
:These feature pull-back motors which activate a sparking mechanism.

[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]

Reflector (G1)

2014-06-26T22:39:56Z

Pwnzor.ak: /* The Transformers cartoon */ Image caption

{{factions|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Reflector}}
:''Reflector is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[File:ReflectorG1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|It's a Kodak moment. Top down: Viewfinder, Spyglass, Spectro]]
'''Reflector''' likes to watch. He lives (they live?) to observe anything and everything, from scenery, to wildlife, to architecture. But above all else, Reflector likes to watch his (their?) comrades, learn their dark secrets, and profit from them. Reflector is also very impressed with his (their) own abilities both in the fields of observation and blackmail.

Reflector is generally composed of three separate robots—[[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]] and [[Viewfinder]]—who combine into the one single-lens-reflex camera [[alternate mode|altmode]] that is Reflector.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Chris Latta]] (English), [[Yoku Shioya]] (Japanese), [[Keiichi Nanba]] (Japanese, "Fire in the Sky")|[[Ulrich Bernsdorff]] (German), [[Gerd Wiedenhofen]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1"), [[Willy Schäfer]] (German, ''Generation 2'', "S.O.S. Dinobots")}}

{{Note|Reflector possesses the unusual ability to split his singular robot mode into three copies, who all walk, talk and act with a single mind and voice. The three individual robots are never named; they are all simply "Reflector" and are all entirely identical, save for the lens aperture visible in the chest of the robot who forms the center of their camera mode. Reflector normally spends his time in this divided, triplicate state (three robots being the number required to form his camera mode), but in certain circumstances, he'll remain as one entity. Further, there are documented instances of significantly ''more'' Reflector bodies operating at once, suggesting Reflector's replication capabilities may extend beyond the creation of a simple trio.

Reflector's replication ability was never directly addressed in the cartoon, with only a seemingly-anomalous scene in "[[Divide and Conquer]]" that showed the three Reflectors colliding and combining into one hinting at it. It was evidently an ability included at the script stage but which wound up not getting a lot of face time in the finished show; the script for "[[S.O.S. Dinobots]]" also includes a reference to Reflector "splitting into this three identical selves". The real-world explanation for appearances of more than three Reflectors, of course, is that he made a handy [[generic]] with which the animators could pad out the meager Decepticon ranks in early episodes.}}

[[File:MTME1 Reflector camera.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|[[Scale]] in a camera-con? Don't be silly.]]
Reflector was among the warriors who accompanied [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] aboard the Decepticons' [[Nemesis (G1)|space cruiser]] during its assault on the Autobots' [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago. When the Ark crashed on Earth, Reflector was entombed in stasis with the other Transformers and awoke with the other Decepticons on Earth in 1984. Withdrawing from the Ark, the Decepticons immediately set about constructing a temporary base for themselves, and Reflector and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] were assigned to patrol the perimeter. As they surveyed the desert landscape, Reflector expressed his disbelief that the Autobots had also survived the crash. Thundercracker then spotted something off in the distance, and Reflector transformed to camera mode so that Thundercracker could use him to zoom in on the mystery object. Reflector dispensed a Polaroid photograph of the truck that had caught their attention, and Thundercracker reported the intruder to Megatron as a possible Autobot (which it wasn't). {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

[[File:GenericDecepticons MTMTE.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Anything you need reflected? I (we?) gotcha covered.]]
Reflector later battled the Autobot forces on an offshore oil rig, {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}} and joined in the Decepticons' attack on [[Sherman Dam]]. Soon after, numerous Reflector robots were seen pillaging energy all across the world and helping stack [[energon cube]]s in the [[ruby crystal mines of Burma]]. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 2}} Reflector participated in the battle royale with the Autobots shortly before the Decepticons' failed attempt at returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] aboard a new space cruiser. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}}

While the Decepticons were in the midst of testing their new intergalactic "[[space bridge]]" transport system, Reflector took part in two battles with the Autobots when the heroic robots tried to interfere with the test run. The battle ended badly when Megatron was sucked through the space bridge and back to Cybertron, {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}} but Reflector seemed unfazed by the apparent loss of his leader, as he went on to carry out orders that had previously been given to him and began staking out the laboratory of [[antimatter]] researcher [[Alcazar|Doctor Alcazar]]. Using his photographic abilities to obtain the entry code for the laboratory's security system in secret, Reflector concluded his stakeout just as Megatron returned to Earth, and he quickly reported his findings to the Decepticon leader. Reflector subsequently followed Megatron back to the lab and entered the entry code for him, allowing the villains to enter the complex stealthily. Reflector was no doubt rather cheesed off to learn that his spying had been for naught when it turned out that Alcazar had gotten rid of the antimatter formula by transmitting it to [[Chip Chase]]. When the Decepticons acquired the formula from Chip, Reflector helped charge energon cubes with the antimatter they created, and then participated in the subsequent battle with the Autobots, which ended when the antimatter cubes Megatron was using to power himself threatened to overload. {{storylink|Roll for It}}

[[File:DivideandConquer SympatheticDecepticon.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Hey, Reflector, want this candy bar? *tosses it to the ground and stomps on it.*]]
Reflector later worked with [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] on another attempt to transport energon cubes to Cybertron via the space bridge. In addition to the normal three Reflector robots, a fourth robot sharing their body type was present for this operation, and when Starscream required a pilot for the space bridge vessel, this unfortunate warrior was selected. He begged that he not be chosen, but his words fell on deaf ears as Starscream picked him up and dropped him into the transport craft. Fortunately for this robot, his piloting skills allowed him to traverse the space bridge, and he safely arrived on Cybertron with his energon payload.

{{note|This hapless little guy was scripted to just be a generic Decepticon, but the animators substituted in a Reflector. He was voiced by [[Ken Sansom]], rather than Reflector's normal voice actor, Chris Latta.}}

[[File:ReflectorCartoon1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|I (we?) see EVERYTHING!]]
A group of Autobots soon arrived to investigate the Decepticon goings-on, but Reflector was quick to act and dazzled them with a blinding flash from his central lens. The Autobots soon got themselves together, though, and Reflector was dispatched when his duplicates were hurled into one another, causing them to recombine into one. Reflector's component selves later took part in a Decepticon attack on [[Ark (G1)|Autobot Headquarters]] and were fired upon by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], but the three robots were confident that the Earth germ couldn't hit all of them at once. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer}}

[[File:FireintheSky Reflector formation.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Reflector made up his entire high school gymnastics team.]]
Reflector did most of the grunt work when the Decepticons sought to drain the energy of the Earth's core via a crystal shaft in the Arctic, operating machinery and gathering energon cubes. When their digging unearthed the frozen Autobot [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]], Reflector tried attacking the towering robot by running at him in a sort of cheerleader-pyramid formation, only to be—unsurprisingly—knocked to the ground with a swipe of Skyfire's arm. {{storylink|Fire in the Sky}}

Along with [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], Reflector gathered valuable intelligence on the [[Great Falls]] hydroelectric power station, and he took part in the attack that their information-gathering helped facilitate. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} Soon after, Reflector went with the other Decepticons on a mission to Peru in another attempt to seize the power of the Earth's core. {{storylink|Fire on the Mountain}} Later still, Reflector was part of the Decepticon team who tried harnessing energy from an unstable meteorite. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

When the Decepticons used their space bridge to pull Cybertron itself into Earth's orbit in order to reap the energy released by the natural disasters that would result, Reflector was at Megatron's side as the Decepticon leader watched the construction of a hydroelectric energy collector. When an unexpectedly strong tidal wave demolished the structure, Megatron and Reflector escaped aboard a transport ship, though Reflector was given pause to wonder on the fate of the Decepticons' human ally, [[Doctor Arkeville]]. {{storylink|The Ultimate Doom, Part 3}} Cybertron was soon blasted out of Earth's proximity, but some robots of Reflector's body design were seen on the planet not long after, carrying the wounded Arkeville to a medical bay. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (episode)|Countdown to Extinction}}

After taking part in another energy-raiding attempt with the help of new arrivals the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]], {{storylink|A Plague of Insecticons}} Reflector joined the other Decepticons in relinquishing his [[power chip rectifier]] to a machine that would transfer all of the Decepticons' special abilities to Megatron, enabling him to best [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] easily in a one-on-one duel. During the combat, Megatron employed Reflector's power to generate a brilliant flash of light to blind Optimus Prime. When Megatron's deception was exposed, Reflector and the other Decepticons were sent tumbling into a river of lava by the enraged Autobots. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

Learning that the Autobots had transferred Spike's mind into a robot body, Megatron had Reflector watch over Autobot Headquarters, and his spying soon bore fruit when the unstable "Autobot Spike" came bursting through a wall and flew off. Reflector followed and summoned the other Decepticons to his position. Megatron proceeded to try and turn Spike against the Autobots, but the attempt ultimately ended in failure. {{storylink|Autobot Spike}}

Following the "Autobot Spike" affair, Reflector's role in the war suddenly began to drop off; he became less and less visible on the battlefield, and he was never heard to speak again. Throughout 1985, he was glimpsed only a few times: He joined in the Decepticons' attempt to conquer [[Washington, D.C.]], {{storylink|City of Steel}} he followed Megatron in an attempt to hijack a rocket, {{storylink|Attack of the Autobots (episode)|Attack of the Autobots}} and he clashed with the Insecticons over stolen [[electro-cell]]s. {{storylink|Traitor}} A little later, he helped battle the Autobots for control of [[korlonium crystal]]s. {{storylink|A Prime Problem}} After being absent for a prolonged period after this, Reflector reappeared as part of a group of Decepticons on the rampage in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], {{storylink|A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court}} and soon after, he was among the Decepticons who coated themselves with [[electrum]] to cause havoc. {{storylink|The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon}} Reflector then disappeared from the field of battle for quite some time, returning for one final appearance that year, battling the mutinous Starscream and his [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

Reflector put in his final, very brief appearances in 2005, when he could be spotted at both the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and the coronation of Starscream soon afterward. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{note|The real-world reason behind Reflector's steady disappearance from the show lies with the troubled release of this toy, as discussed further down this article. In accordance with Hasbro's decision not to release the figure, the [[Production bible|series story bible]] specifically discouraged writers from use of the character after season one ended.<ref>[http://tfarchive.com/cartoons/bible/#043 Reflector's page in the series bible]</ref> Indeed, following "Autobot Spike", Reflector is never called for by an episode script again, and appears only in group shots of the Decepticons at the animators' discretion.}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' manga====
[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] photographed the incomplete [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] with the aid of Reflector's camera mode, so that Megatron could decipher whether or not it was powerful enough to stand up to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 3|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #3}}

====''Wings Universe''====
{{Wingsnote}}

The Reflector trio were "one" of fourteen [[Decepticon Warlord|Warlords]] that arose championing the Decepticon cause. His / their legion, the [[Photon]]s, were an endless series of identical Cybertronians apparently patterned after their leader. As the [[Autobot Elite Guard]] began picking off the Decepticon Warlords one at a time, Reflector attended the War Councils with the other Decepticon leaders to discuss strategy. It was Reflector who suggested they pool secrets and information for the greater good of the Decepticon cause. It was also Reflector who assimilated his / their Photons into the ranks of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s Decepticons after the Warlords gave up their secrets to each other. This merger allowed him / them to avoid certain destruction when [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]] sent an unwitting suicide bomber to the next council meeting, wiping out all the remaining Warlords besides Megatron. {{storylink|A Team Effort}}

As [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] breached [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s walls, Reflector was there with the rest of Megatron's forces. {{storylink|Battle Lines, Part 5}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Reflectormarvel.jpg|100px|thumb|A [[To sell toys#Hi-and-die|hi-then-die]] who didn't even get to say hi!]]
[[Spectro]], [[Spyglass]] and [[Viewfinder]] worked with the [[Decepticon medics|Decepticon medic]] to repair their fellow Decepticons. Subsequently an oddly colored Viewfinder was seen decorating the cavern floor of [[Mount St. Hilary]] after all the [[Decepticon]]s were rendered inoperable by [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'s poisoned fuel. They didn't even get to introduce themselves in [[Introdump|painfully lengthy exposition]]. Alas, Reflector was taken away from us before his prime. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}
{{-}}
===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{notekeepers}}
''Reflector was part of Megatron's crew, active on Earth in the 1980s before the ''[[Ark II]]'' incident. When Megatron was snatched up by the Keepers, not all Decepticons fell into line under Starscream's maniacal command. [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and the three Reflector robots chose to make a stand against Starscream's leadership at [[Hoover Dam]], outside the Decepticon's new base in [[Las Vegas]]. Spyglass and Skywarp drew [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s electronic attention, prompting Starscream and his communications officer to make an appearance at the Dam. As Skywarp rejected Starscream's rule, the other Reflector robots leapt out of hiding to attack the usurper. The battle quickly turned against Skywarp and Reflector, though, as Soundwave's sonic attack ripped Spectro apart, sending him over the edge of the dam and into stasis lock. Once Skywarp was disabled as well, Spyglass and Viewfinder wisely chose to abdicate to Starscream. {{storylink|Transformers: Hardwired|Hardwired}}''

''The surviving two Reflector parts remained under Starscream's command only as long as necessary, and left Las Vegas with Megatron's splinter faction of Decepticons soon after their former leader returned to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: Annihilation|Annihilation}} After the Decepticons reunited, Reflector was instrumental in several attempts at blackmail and media manipulation against the [[President of the United States]], first recording him whimpering helplessly in Megatron's massive hand during an attack on the White House, and later sending the media outlets footage of the U.S. Armed Forces attempting to assassinate Autobots AND Decepticons in the Nevada desert. {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}''

[[File:BrothersBurden Reflector.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
''A duplicate of'' Reflector remained on Cybertron and worked for [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], monitoring the planet and its inhabitants for him from a central mainframe. {{storylink|Brothers' Burden}} They were seemingly destroyed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when he broke ranks with Shockwave's command structure. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} ''The true Reflector, on Earth, dismissed this duplicate as an inferior copy.'' {{storylink|Transformers: Fusion|Fusion}}

{{note|The presence of two Reflectors originally arose as a continuity error, when the ''Annihilation'' novel depicted Reflector on Earth while the concurrently published comics showed him to be on Cybertron. Like a couple of other errors in the novels, this was paved over in the third book, ''Fusion'', with the true, Earth-bound Reflector making the above "inferior copy" remark. Coincidentally, the situation echoes the body-duplication theme seen in the Generation 1 cartoon, discussed above, but regardless, what happened to the so-called true Reflector after ''The Transformers Trilogy'' remains a mystery.}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers'' continuity===
[[File:GIJoevsTF4 Reflector.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The three Reflector components were among the Transformers who crashed on Earth millions of years in the past, and upon being discovered by humans, they were reprogrammed to serve the terrorist organization [[Cobra]]. The Autobot [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] eventually restored everyone's original programming, and the angry Reflector trio broke into Cobra's control center to teach the fleshlings a thing or two about messing with their heads. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 4|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #4}} Reflector was then ordered by Megatron to assist [[Doctor Mindbender]] and [[Firefly]] while they used the [[SPS Satellite]] to create [[energon cube]]s. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived to halt their scheme, the three Reflectors attacked him, but were easily swatted aside. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 5|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers #5}}

[[File:ArtofWar4 Reflector message.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
In a dark alternate future where the Decepticons had conquered Earth, three black Reflectors guarded human slaves imprisoned near a factory, but were killed by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Tomax and Xamot]]. As this future was also full of multiple [[Sweep]]s, [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon swarms]] and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage packs]], it is possible these Reflectors were some sort of [[Cloning|clones]]. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 3|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II #3}}

Viewfinder was present for a Decepticon gathering on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], during which [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]] took control of the Decepticon army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} During a subsequent Decepticon assault on an Autobot peace ceremony, the Reflector trio were charged with delivering a message to Optimus Prime. After being carried to Prime in [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s palm, Viewfinder used his chest lens to project a hologram of Serpent O.R., allowing the Decepticon leader to negotiate with Prime. Reflector came under attack by [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] during the negotiation, but Viewfinder managed to continue the transmission despite being injured. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
Early in the war, the Reflector trio tried to stop an Autobot prison break in the [[Citadel]] only to be blown away by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]. {{storylink|Rise}} Spectro and Spyglass were later seen aboard a Decepticon orbital outpost, terrified of walking down the same hallway as [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sixshot}}

{{note|In Spotlight: Sixshot, Spyglass and Spectro appear in their toy based character models.}}

[[File:AHM3 Reflector Rumble.jpg|thumb|275px]]
All three Reflector units (speaking entirely in unison), eventually joined Megatron on [[Earth]], and helped defeat the Autobots there. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 7|All Hail Megatron #7}} Following this victory, the Reflector trio help destroy [[New York City]] along with the other Decepticons. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 3|All Hail Megatron #3}} Spectro and Spyglass enjoyed "playing games" with the city's fleshy inhabitants, but were disappointed about how easily they came apart. Viewfinder preferred to brood by himself, while still echoing the other two's dialogue. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 8|All Hail Megatron #8}} Reflector stayed with Megatron when [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] rebelled against his leader {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 10|All Hail Megatron #10}}, and fought back against the Autobots when they returned to Earth. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 11|All Hail Megatron #11}} The Decepticons were ultimately defeated {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 12|All Hail Megatron #12}} and Viewfinder and Spectro left the planet aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 13|All Hail Megatron #13}} Spyglass was left behind, however, and was still trying to get off the planet two years later. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 1: "New Arrivals, Old Encounters"|New Arrivals, Old Encounters}}

In the aftermath of the war with [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] and [[D-Void]], the trio was instructed by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] to undertake a special mission beginning with the theft of [[Turmoil|Turmoil's]] time-sliding space cruiser. {{storylink|Night and the City}} Using the ship, they were supposed to locate [[LV-117]] and report its circumstances back to Shockwave, but were unprepared for the planet's erratic movement through time. Appearing out of nowhere right in front of them, LV-117 flung the Reflector trio over one hundred years into the past, depleting the ship's fuel supply and causing it to crash. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

Viewfinder was killed in the crash when a large piece of the bridge's canopy shattered and impaled him through the chest. Spectro and Spyglass survived and eventually they located [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who had previously crashed on the same planet and had been building an escape vessel with a [[Varta|friendly alien]]. They managed to hijack the vessel shortly before it launched by threatening to kill Wheelie's friend, but the tiny Autobot removed the safety catch from his energon converter before disembarking, causing it to explode violently shortly after takeoff. {{storylink|Spotlight: Wheelie}}

{{-}}

===Alternity===
[[File:Worldisflat alternity bumblebee.jpg|left|thumb]]

Three Reflector units hailing from an unknown [[universal stream]] were among the minions serving under [[Megatron (G1)#Alternity|Megatron]] during his complicated, cross-dimensional war with the Autobot [[Alternity]]. This incarnation of Reflector was a [[Pretender]], with each of his components able to disguise itself as an ordinary-sized human being.

Reflector was dispatched to [[Primax 905.0 Beta|universal stream 905.0 Beta]] to search for the source of a new dimensional flux of previously unheard type. In their Pretender guises, the trio tracked the source of the disruption to the Otsuka Museum of Art, and found that it was a strange tablet. Reflector was about to make off with the tablet when he was accosted by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Alternity|Bumblebee]] and [[Arcee (Energon)|Elita Seven]], and his components promptly dropped their Pretender forms to battle the little Autobot. Unfortunately for Reflector, he was no match for the unearthly powers of an Alternity: Bumblebee snatched the tablet away, and with a snap of his fingers, reduced Reflector to a nearly two-dimensional state. From across the dimensions, Megatron saw his minions collapse like paper, and lashed out with his tesseractal swords, destroying the museum and the tablet, and wounding Bumblebee. By the time Bumblebee came to, Reflector was long gone. {{storylink|The World Is Flat!}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Sector Seven'' game===

Dubbed "[[Non-Biological Extraterrestrial]] - 115", a video of Reflector transforming in the midst of a child's birthday party reached the public through "hacked evidence" files. {{storylink|Sector Seven (game)}}

===''Transformers Legends''===
Reflector rallied with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] when the latter became Decepticon leader in Megatron's absence. The Autobots soon had the Decepticons defeated and Starscream's plan thwarted. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (Legends)|Countdown to Extinction}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1 Reflector toy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|We three kings of orient are... Left to right: Spectro, Viewfinder, Spyglass]]
* '''Reflector''' (Mail-away, 1986/1987; wide release in Japan, 1985)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' Spectro's "Shutter Gun", Viewfinder's "Lens Laser", Spyglass' "Optic Blaster", flash cube/missile launcher, 3 missiles, telephoto lens.

: Reflector was first sold in Japan in 1985 as an ordinary retail item. However, [[Hasbro]] delayed selling him in the US until 1986, and only then via mail-order from a [[The Autobots Have a Special Mission for:|direct-mail flyer promoting ''The Transformers: The Movie'']]''.'' (Oddly, this came just as the character was being fully phased out of the fiction.) The toy would be a common offering in [[Pack-in material|pack-in flyers]] from then on, at a cost of $10 and two [[Robot Point]]s.

: Reflector is composed of three distinct robots that combine to form a camera: Viewfinder as the central component with the lens, Spectro as the right-side component with the shutter button, and Spyglass as the left-side component with the flash. It includes a telephoto lens and old-style flashcube that doubles as a missile launcher, but of course, the Hasbro version has the spring-loaded mechanism neutered [[for safety reasons]]. Undocumented in the instructions is that the telephoto lens is supposed to fit onto Viewfinder's gun to reduce kibble.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Spectro/spectro.htm More information on (part of) Reflector at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/SpyGlass/spyglass.htm More info on another part of Reflector at TFU'info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Viewfinder/viewfinder.htm More info on yet another part of Reflector at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:Generationstoy-SkrapnelReflector.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|"Didn't there use to be two more of you, you?"]]
*'''Skrapnel & Reflector''' (Legends Class, 2014)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #008'''

: Part of the sixth wave of 2012-onwards ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Legends Class]] toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' "[[Shrapnel (G1)#Generations|Skrapnel]]" comes with Reflector, a smaller robot that mixes elements of [[Viewfinder]]'s character model with his toy. Reflector can transform into a camera or a weapon modeled after Shrapnel's grenade launcher, both of which Skrapnel can wield via its [[5mm post]], or mount onto Skrapnel's back in insect mode.

: [[Stock photography]] of Reflector depicts him with his [[:File:GenerationsSkrapnelandReflectortoypromo .jpg|arms swapped, and therefore facing backwards.]]
{{--}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers Milk Caramel===
[[File:Tfcaramel reflector.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Reflector''' (1985)
:A small soft-rubber figurine of Reflector (known as a ''keshigomu'' in Japan) was released as part of [[Kabaya]]'s ''[[Transformers Milk Caramel]]'' line of [[candy toy]]s. Based specifically on the Viewfinder toy, the figure was available in multiple colors and came packaged with a piece of chocolate-covered caramel.
{{-}}

===Decoy===
[[File:ReflectorDecoy1.jpg|thumb|"HI! I'M SUPPOSED TO BE CONSPICUOUS! AM I DOING IT RIGHT? HI!"]]
*'''Destron Hero Collection 22''' (multi-pack, 1986)
:Reflector was among the larger ''keshigomu'' developed by Takara, molded from soft purple rubber and initially sold in a multi-pack with twenty-one other Decepticon figurines. The figure, based on Reflector's animation model (unlike the earlier ''Caramel'' figure), features a number etched into its back which is the sum total of Reflector's [[Tech Spec]] ratings, for use in the various simple games that could be played with the figures. Reflector was later available in a peach coloration as part of various other multi-packs.

*'''Reflector''' (1987)
**''Decoy number:'' '''52'''

: The Reflector figurine was later brought over to [[Hasbro]] markets as part of the [[Decoy]] promotion, largely identical to the Japanese release except for the fact that the number on his back was replaced with a simple "checklist" number (52, in Reflector's case). Like all Decepticons Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded [[Throttlebot]]s, [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] and [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], and was, very early on in the promotion, available in an alternate red coloration that was only packed in with the Throttlebots. Unsurprisingly, this red figurine is much rarer.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Decepticon/Decoys/Reflector/reflector.htm More information on Reflector at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:PreReflector.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Say "Cheese" and die.]]
* Reflector was originally the "Camera Robo" from Takara's ''[[Micro Change]]'' sub-series of the ''[[Microman|New Microman]]'' line. The only noteworthy difference between the two releases, besides the whole missile-launcher-neuter-in-the-United-States thing, is that the ''Microman'' release has "MICROX" emblazoned on the center unit's decals instead of "REFLECTOR".

* Not so surprisingly, the Camera Robo was first designed as a single unit. Apparently, the primary designer of the final toy, and possibly this initial design, was mecha designer [[Shinji Aramaki]], who designed the robots for ''[[wikipedia:Megazone 23|Megazone 23]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Genesis Climber Mospeada|Genesis Climber Mospeada]]''.

* Reflector's role early in the cartoon makes it seem likely his toy was originally planned for inclusion in the initial 1984 line, a theory supported by the inclusion of a Hasbro product code consistent with the other 1984 toys in [[Teletraan I (G1)|Teletraan I]]'s files on the Decepticons in "[[Heavy Metal War]]". Why Hasbro decided not to release it so late in the game is unknown, as is the reason they later reversed that decision to make it a viable mail-away.

* In the Japanese dub of ''The Transformers'' cartoon, and in true anime fashion, Reflector announces the name of his special attack every time he uses it: "Flash Beam!"

*At [[BotCon 2010]], it was announced at the Hasbro design panel<ref>http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2010-hasbro-designers-panel-170066/</ref> that Reflector was being considered as the redeco for the ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers:]] [[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[Perceptor (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Perceptor]] toy, using a built-in alternate head for the mold that was designed to look like Perceptor's toy head (which does bear a passing resemblance to Viewfinder). However, with the Reveal the Shield brand segment over, it is presently unknown where this concept will end up.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Reflector''' (リフレクター ''Rifurekutā'')

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Alternity Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combined forms]]
[[Category:Decoys]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Reconnaissance specialists]]
[[Category:Wings Universe Decepticons]]

Decepticon

2014-06-24T00:20:30Z

Pwnzor.ak: Added photo caption

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|ttdecepticon|sgDecepticon}}
{{disambig2|the Transformers faction|the ''Robots in Disguise'' episode|The Decepticons}}
[[File:Symbol decept reg.png|upright=1.4|thumb|Get this tattooed on you and all you'll need is a black trenchcoat and a long ponytail. Then people will love you.]]

{{quote|'''''Decepticon''' (di-sep-ti-con) A member of a subversive sect or society. From the noun — 'deception'; one who deceives.|the [[New Cybertronic Dictograph]]}}

The '''Decepticons''' are one of the primary factions in the ''[[Transformer]]s'' mythos. They are typically concerned with such things as conquering [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], defeating the [[Autobot]]s, amassing large quantities of [[energon]], developing powerful weaponry, and beating people up. Not necessarily in that order.

Unlike the Autobots, whose leader is a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] bearing a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], the Decepticons are led by the [[Decepticon leader|most powerful]] of their ranks. This tends to cause some conflict, given how generally ''every'' Decepticon thinks that they're the most powerful. Also, the Decepticons are not exactly the most compassionate beings in the universe, but not all fight for greed. More than a few have a [[Scourge (Cybertron)|sense of honor]], while others believe that Cybertron would be better protected by [[Decepticon Empire|aggressive expansion]]. Ultimately, the Decepticons desire to protect their homeworld, even if it is at the expense of others. [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Usually]].

{{quote|The Decepticons are a malevolent race of robot warriors, brutal and merciless. The Decepticons are led by a single undeviating goal: total domination of the universe.|[[Narrator]]|[[Secret Files of Teletraan II]]}}

==Generation 1==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
[[File:Thelaststand-prepare.jpg|left|upright=1.95|thumb|MUSTER THE GOOMBAS! HAND OUT THE DE-EVOLUTION GUNS! PREPARE FOR DESTINY!]]
The Decepticons emerged from the gladiatorial [[Games|State Games]], which caused [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s rise to public prominence - in the aftermath of the destructive Vos-Tarn War, Megatron was able to use his fame and charisma to unite both the survivors and the planet's malcontents into a new army. His plan was to turn Cybertron into a mobile cosmic dreadnought and conquer the galaxy. {{storylink|State Games}} The Decepticons developed new technology to allow them to transform into attack vehicles and weaponry, launching a devastating attack that killed billions and shook the planet from its orbit before [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] turned the tide.

Megatron, Shockwave and others were lost on Earth for four million years; as Optimus was too, the Autobots swiftly lost ground to Decepticon leaders [[Trannis]] and [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]. Cybertron was devastated and conquered, causing the cream of the Decepticons to leave the burnt-out planet to form a [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] out in the stars, while Straxus threw all those he considered weak into the [[Smelting pool]]. The Empire would go on to slaughter and Cyberform planet after planet, their actions unknown on Cybertron.

Eventually the Earth-bound Decepticons would awaken in 1984, sparking off a new front in the war. After the presumed suicide of Megatron, an escalation in fighting would see Decepticon leadership fragment and change hands rapidly, with frequent clashes, plots and counter-plots between the primary leadership, namely [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], until most of them were killed in the [[Underbase]] conflict, leaving Scorponok the only surviving commander. A brief truce with the Autobots was held when [[Unicron]] attacked in 1991, but Scorponok was killed in the following conflict. Immediately after this, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] came to power. Charismatic and driven, Bludgeon turned the beaten Decepticons into a new army; after a defeat on [[Klo]], they regrouped and reorganised. ([[Another Time & Place|In one reality, they were immediately massacred afterward.]])

====Earthforce====
In the side-continuity of [[Earthforce]], while Unicron continued on to Cybertron, Megatron and Shockwave continued a Decepticon civil war on Earth with a small handful of troops - wasting most of their time trying to take each other out. Eventually Soundwave and Starscream overthrew them, uniting both factions into a stronger Decepticon force. The two former leaders attempted to regain their position but never appeared to succeed.

====Generation 2====
Bludgeon invaded Earth with the intention of capturing the Matrix and making a new generation of Decepticons, but Megatron returned, killed Bludgeon in one-on-one combat, and stole this plan. However, the threat of the Cybertronian Empire forced an alliance between the Autobots and Decepticons again.

====Classics====

===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:Ffod4 early soldiers.jpg|thumb|250px]]

The Decepticons began life as a line of military hardware robots created by the [[Quintesson]]s, alongside the consumer goods robots that would become the Autobots. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} It is unknown exactly what role the military hardware robots played in the eventual rebellion of the robots against their creators; the only ones seen to participate in the conflict were the Autobots' ancestors, led by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|A-3]], but given their fighting ability, the proto-Decepticons seem like they would have made logical soldiers in the fight. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

Following the defeat of the Quintessons and their exile from Cybertron, a brief period of peace descended, before the base differences between the two breeds of robot led to the outbreak of conflict. Lusting for power, the Decepticons, as they now called themselves, rallied under [[Early Decepticon leader|a leader]] and began a war with the peaceful Autobots, who proved unable to match their inborn military skills. After the fall of several successive Autobot leaders, the heroic robots turned to stealth, and invented the art of [[transformation]]; with this edge, [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] defeated the Decepticons' leader, ending the war and ushering in the prosperous [[Golden Age]] of Cybertron. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}}
[[File:Masterplan2 earth germ.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|"Excuse me, do you have seating for 3?"]]
Over time, the defeated Decepticons married transformation technology with robot-mode flight powers, leading to the creation of [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] around nine million years ago. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Gathering like-minded warriors like the loyal [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]], the emotionless [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and the young upstart [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and brain-washing others into his service with the [[Robo-Smasher]], {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} Megatron slew Sentinel Prime and reignited the war. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4}} Against the Autobots under the command of new leader [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], the protracted warfare ran for five million years, draining Cybertron dry of energy and forcing the Transformers to seek new power sources on other planets. When Optimus Prime's best and brightest departed on this quest aboard [[Ark (G1)|a spacecraft]], Megatron's elite followed them, and the battle that erupted led to a crash-landing on prehistoric Earth that entombed all the combatants in stasis for four million years. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

In 1984, a volcanic explosion led to the reactivation of the Transformers; the Decepticons were first to recover, and immediately set about plundering Earth's natural resources to build a [[Victory (G1)|space cruiser]] that would take them back to Cybertron. Sabotaged in mid-flight, the ship crashed into one of Earth's oceans, {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye, Part 3}} but the Decepticons survived and rebuilt the crippled craft to serve as their new [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Earth)|headquarters]] for the continuing conflict on the planet. A [[space bridge]] was established between Earth and Cybertron, and any resources the villains could purloin would be sent back to the dying planet to secure their stranglehold over it. {{storylink|Transport to Oblivion}}
[[File:FFOD5 Decepticons attack.JPG|thumb|250px|Scourge always has to mess up the group photo.]]
At some point over the next twenty years, the Decepticons focused their attentions away from Earth and managed to take complete control of Cybertron, forcing the Autobots to relocate to twin moonbases on Cybertron's two satellites, and to [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth. In 2005, learning that the Autobots planned a major strike to retake Cybertron, the Decepticons launched an [[Battle of Autobot City|attack]] on Autobot City, with disastrous consequences for the Autobots. The battle saw one of the Decepticons' long held dreams achieved in the death of Optimus Prime, but Megatron was damaged, and left to rot in deep space, along with several of his wounded followers. Found by the monster planet [[Unicron]], Megatron was reformatted him into [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]], and the others into [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and the [[Sweep]]s, in return for their servitude. Soon after, while Unicron was attacking the Decepticon-controlled Cybertron, Galvatron duelled with the new Autobot leader [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]], who triumphed and hurled him into the void of space. Their world and their forces devastated and their leader gone, the Decepticons were easily routed by the Autobots, who forced them into exile on the burned-out world of [[Chaar]] while they retook and restored Cybertron. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{quote|Once the Decepticons held the quadrant through terror, now we scrap like [[Slaarg]]s over a few [[energon cube]]s.|[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]|[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]}}
[[File:Rebirth 2 Decepticon offerings.JPG|left|thumb|250px]]
On Chaar, the Decepticons faced constant energy shortages and engaged in constant in-fighting over what little they did have. Determined to restore order, Cyclonus hatched a plan to locate the lost Galvatron, in hopes that he could lead the Decepticons to glory once more. Although they were successful, Galvatron proved to have been driven insane by his experiences, and while his return did herald the recommencement of hostilities with the Autobots, the Decepticons never quite recovered their old standing, continuing to operate on Chaar throughout 2006 and regularly entering into ill-fated alliances with the Quintessons. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness}}

Eventually, the Decepticons went into hiding following the resurrection of Optimus Prime. When they returned, it was in force, launching an attack on Autobot City in order to steal the key to the [[Plasma Energy Chamber]] on Cybertron, intending to use the chamber to overload the sun and destroy Earth and Cybertron together. The battle for the key carried several of their number to the planet [[Nebulos]], where they became [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] to the planet's evil rulers, the [[Hive (G1)|Hive]], as [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] and [[Targetmaster]]s. They returned with the key to Cybertron, but Autobot intervention caused the energy of the chamber to backfire on them, hurling their battlestation [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], with the amassed forces of the Decepticons aboard, off into the far reaches of the universe. {{storylink|The Rebirth}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====

{{note|In Japanese cartoon continuity, the events of "The Rebirth" do not occur, and Headmasters and Targetmasters have a different origin.}}
[[File:FourWarriors Decepticon Headmasters flaming balls.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Following the return of Optimus Prime, the Decepticons consolidated their power base by heavily fortifying Chaar and turning it into an actual, functional base of operations. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Their ranks were swelled with the addition of the Decepticon Headmasters—Cybertronians who had fled their homeworld millions of years before and taken up residence on the planet [[Master (planet)|Master]], but who had been exiled by the local leader [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] for an attempted coup. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} Headmaster commander [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] coveted leadership of the Decepticons for himself, and finally obtained it when the Autobot Headmasters entombed Galvatron in an iceberg. {{storylink|The Emperor of Destruction Vanishes on an Iceberg}} Under Scorponok's leadership, the Decepticons nearly succeeded in destroying the Earth with [[crysmagnetal]] and [[plasma energy]], but upon the destruction of Scorponok's [[Transtector]], the ultimately elected to finally withdraw from Earth once and for all. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
[[File:BirthHeadmasterJrs Decepticon Jrs in transtators.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
The Decepticons returned to Chaar, and over the next few years, fought the Autobots on [[Athenia]] in a series of space-based exchanges that became known as the [[Master Wars]]. Circumstances changed when the mysterious alien [[Devil Z]] was able to brainwash Scorponok, placing him and by extension, the entire Decepticon army, under his command. {{storylink|Master File No, 1}} While Scorponok, now known as "BlackZarak", continued to lead the Decepticons' space based forces, a small group of [[Pretender]]s operating under Devil Z's direct command on Earth furthered the evil alien's attempts to fuse human and Transformer life to create the ultimate lifeform by bringing about the rise of the [[Headmaster Junior]]s and the [[Godmaster]]s. {{storylink|Birth! Headmaster Jrs}} {{storylink|Super Warriors - The Godmaster Brothers}} A group of Autobot Pretenders worked to counter his schemes by doing the same, and the repeated failure of his human Transformers to triumph over their Autobot counterparts led Devil Z to conclude that he had been incorrect, and that humanity was of no use to him. He transformed the Headmaster Jr and Godmasters into full robotic lifeforms, but soon after, he and BlackZarak were destroyed by the Autobot leader [[Ginrai]], and the Decepticons fled the Earth once more. {{storylink|A Battle... and Then...}}
[[File:Deathsaurus throne.jpg|thumb|200px]]
Leadership was briefly taken up by [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]], but by the year 2025, the Decepticon army was reorganized under the new Emperor of Destruction, [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus]], and began attacking numerous different planets all across the galaxy in pursuit of a world they could take for their own. {{storylink|The Brave Hero of the Universe - Star Saber}} Deathsaurus led the [[Breastforce]] and [[Dinoforce]] in attack on Earth, seizing enough energy to reactive his [[Planet-Destroying Fortress]], but he was stopped by the new Autobot [[Supreme Commander]], [[Star Saber (Victory)|Star Saber]]. {{storylink|Showdown! The Fortress vs the Victory Unification}}
[[File:TVMJuly1990Mashougun.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
Deathsaurus' defeat marked a decline in Decepticon activity, but soon a more supernatural force seized command: [[Violen Jiger]], a being made up of the spirits of many defeated Decepticons, rallied together [[Nine Great Demon Generals]] from throughout Decepticon history to capture for him the Autobots' new [[Energon Z]], and the life-giving [[Zodiac]], which he would combine to create a "[[Decepticon Zone]]" from which he could conquer the universe. His plans were stopped by new Autobot leader [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]], {{storylink|Transformers: Zone (franchise)|Zone}} and the Zodiac was instead used to bring Optimus Prime back to life. This stood in the way of the plans of the mysterious alien [[Dark Nova]], so he used his powers to resurrect Galvatron from his Arctic tomb and transform him into Super Megatron. The Decepticon army was virtually non-existent under Dark Nova; Super Megatron had no actual Decepticon troops at his command, merely Dark Nova's [[Novaroid]] and [[Galaman]] warriors, though they did bear the Decepticon insignia. Dark Nova later upgraded Super Megatron into Ultra Megatron, then merged with him to become "Star Giant", but was destroyed by the resurrected Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy}}

By the year 2035, Decepticon leadership had been taken up by the enigmatic [[Scrash (OC)|Scrash]], and fighting was primarily occurring in outer space once again. The development of [[Power Core Combination]] by the Autobots and their human allies on Earth drew Scrash's attention back to the planet, and he sent [[Battle Gaia]] and the [[Jet Corps]] to create distractions while a team of Decepticons reformatted to be able to take control of the Autobots' new inventions were sent to steal the combiner tech. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination}} Some reports suggest that when his plans were foiled, Scrash himself made another attack on the planet along with his warriors [[Flashwing]], [[Deathplay]], [[Darkfly]] and [[Sharpedge]] which also met with failure. {{storylink|Generation 1 cartoon timeline (Japan)#After_2025|2007 timeline}} [[File:G2 Humans killed Megatron's friend.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]] Following this, Megatron retook command of the Decepticons, but with his damaged sanity circuits repaired, he abandoned his evil ways and united the Decepticons with the Autobots as the [[Cybertron Alliance]]. This was not to last, unfortunately, when a misunderstanding led a human military unit to kill [[Megatron's dead friend|a Decepticon]], prompting Megatron to begin the war all over again. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|Autobots vs. Decepticons: Combat Secrets}}

Defeated by Optimus Prime in a duel in the [[Mirtonian constellation]], the badly wounded Megatron disappeared with the Decepticons into the far reaches of the universe, and the war appeared to be over once more. {{storylink|Transformers: G-2 (story page)|The Autobots Triumph in the Battle of Good Vs. Evil!}} Alas, it was not to be so, as a [[Galvatron II|parallel version of Galvatron from an alternate dimension]] appeared and took control of the Decepticon army, renewing hostilities {{storylink|Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version}} and bolstering their forces with the addition of biomechanically-engineered monsters. {{storylink|MP-1B Cybertron Commander / Convoy Black Ver.}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:DeceptLitho.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|"My Liege, when did you get that sw—" "CAN'T HEAR YOU, FANWANKING"]]
The Decepticons arose out of the [[Gladiatorial combat|underground fights]] that Megatron once partook in. After discovering certain secrets about Cybertron's origin, including massive [[planetary engine]]s, Megatron began using the games to recruit combatants. For nearly half a million years, they grew in numbers and trained, until they rebelled against the [[Council of Ancients]] and took [[Kaon]] by force.

While the war raged on, the Constructicons repaired the engines and introduced a mecha-forming process, but what they really needed was a power source. Megatron became convinced that he could find one powerful enough within the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], which was in the possession of [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. However, when Megatron finally killed the Prime, he discovered that it was not within him. Soon after, Optronix became Optimus Prime, and Megatron initiated a plan: an assassination team under Communications Officer [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] would elimate the Prime and claim the Matrix, while Military Operations Commander [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] would lay siege to Iacon, preventing the Autobots from coming to Prime's rescue.

However, Megatron made two mistakes: he informed Air Commander [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] of his intentions, and he underestimated Optimus Prime. The Prime managed to erase some of Megatron's memories of what he discovered, while Starscream activated the mechaforming process using energy from the planetary engines. The engines were destroyed before the process was complete, ruining both. {{storylink|Transformers: The War Within|The War Within}}

After Megatron disappeared with Optimus Prime in a space bridge test, Shockwave became Decepticon leader, though Starscream and High Auditor [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] broke off with their own splinter factions shortly afterwards. The Decepticons allied with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s Autobots and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] (an Autobot splinter group), to stop the machinations of [[The Fallen]]. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|War Within: The Dark Ages}} Several thousand years later, Shockwave was prepared to sign a peace treaty with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], who had become Autobot leader, the LSC, and Ratbat's [[Ultracon]]. However, Megatron returned with the [[Air Warrior|Aerospace Extermination Squadron]], an army of [[Quintesson]] created [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] drones, whose abilities allowed the Decepticons to fully conquer Cybertron and enslave the Autobots. The Decepticons' control over Cybertron was ended when Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron and the Air Warriors were defeated. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

When Megatron disappeared along with the ''Nemesis'' crew, Shockwave again emerged as Decepticon leader, this time as head of a triumvirate including Ratbat and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. With [[energon]] becoming scarce, Shockwave agreed to work with Ultra Magnus and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in the creation of the [[Micromaster]]s, Transformers who were downsized for better fuel efficiency. Shockwave suffered a rebellion when [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]] overthrew him, using Shockwave's severed head as a tool. {{storylink|Transformers: Micromasters}} However, all Transformers on Cybertron entered [[stasis lock]] when the [[Great Shutdown]] occurred.

Around 1,000 B.C.E., Shockwave was reactivated by Scourge, and then defeated the Unicronian Transformer. Studying Scourge and discovering some of the secrets Megatron had learned, Shockwave made peace with the Autobots, installing himself as Head of State with an [[Autobot High Council]] as a legislature, while Ultra Magnus became his senior security officer. However, the High Councillors were unsuited for peace time government, and gradually gave Shockwave more and more power... which is exactly what he had planned.

On Earth, the ''Nemesis'' crew was reawakened in 1984. Cut off from Cybertron, the Decepticons concluded that they had no other choice but to conquer the planet. Megatron soon learned that others had come looking for them, including [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]]. The Decepticons captured Jetfire and the Dinobots except Grimlock, and used the hostage situation to force Grimlock to serve the Decepticons. Additionally, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] located Earth and served under Megatron. In 1998, the Autobots allied with humanity to defeat the Decepticons. They were to be returned to Cybertron in the ''[[Ark II]]'', but Shockwave, through a human intermediary, sabotaged the ''Ark II'', causing the ship to crash and send the Transformers aboard into stasis lock.

Renegade members of the [[United States military]] managed to capture the Decepticons and a number of Autobots, intending to use them as instruments of war, but [[Lazarus|Adam Rook]] later stole them and set himself up as an arms dealer. Unfortunately, Megatron overwhelmed the programming that kept him a prisoner, and freed the other Decepticons. Megatron then intended to unleash a technovirus on Earth, but the Autobots defeated him. {{storylink|Prime Directive}}

A year later, Shockwave arrived to tie up loose ends, quickly capturing Megatron and the ''Nemesis'' crew. Starscream ejected Megatron out of the ship carrying them to Cybertron, leaving him to die in space. The ''Nemesis'' crew were granted amnesty, but Starscream quickly recruited them into going back to Earth to conquer the planet, taking the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] with them. Shockwave was finally overthrown when Optimus Prime united the Autobot resistance groups, but he escaped with a small number of troops. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

Meanwhile, Megatron was rescued by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], who repaired his memory loss. Using some recovered Air Warriors, Megatron located the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], who were used to take control of Shockwave's small army. On Earth, Starscream's failures during [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]]'s rampage were reason enough to convince the ''Nemesis'' crew to mutiny against Starscream in Megatron's favor. With two combiner teams, an army of Seekers, Soundwave's cassettes, and knowledge of Earth's connection to Cybertron, Megatron prepared to lead the Decepticons on the conquests of Earth and Cybertron {{storylink|Transformers: Generation 1 (Dreamwave) |G1 ongoing}}...

{{note|...At which point Dreamwave went bankrupt. Damn.}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
The Decepticons were formed out of samizdat writings by [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]: the end result of a corrupt society and [[Senate]]. They soon began scaring people in high society. {{storylink|Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc}} They really came into their own when Megatron led an uprising in Kaon, taking the city and killing a Prime. {{storylink|The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}} The Decepticons soon began spreading across the planet, recruiting new people and carrying out terrorist strikes in advance of their main assaults. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blurr}} Eventually they overthrew the Senate and yet another Prime, but by then it was clear they were going to install a brutal dictatorship of their own. {{storylink|Overthrown}} The Autobots of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] rose up against them and war began. {{storylink|Rise}}

The war they started proved ''too'' destructive for Cybertron to handle, and the Decepticons had to abandon it after the disastrous [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] incident. {{storylink|The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer}}

The Decepticons are spread across known space, following a strict [[Infiltration protocol]] to conquer worlds. Disguising themselves, the infiltration unit gathers intelligence and seeds [[Facsimile construct|facsimiles]] in key strategic places; Phase Two is to use their facsimiles to inflame global tensions and watch the locals to devastate themselves. By Phase Five, their base is in [[Infiltration protocol|Siege Mode]] and Phase 6 has open war on a burnt-out world. {{storylink|The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration}} {{storylink|The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation}} In extreme circumstances, when they ''really'' want a world destroyed, they'll send in a [[Phase Sixer]] like [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]].

The Decepticon army is highly specialised: there's infiltration units for, er, infiltration; a [[Decepticon Secret Service]] handling spying and tech acquisitions {{storylink|Spotlight: Hot Rod}}; penal colonies like [[Styx]]; and Tactical Assault Units like the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] who carry out direct action.

This all got thrown out of the window in the early 21st Century, however, when it appeared the Decepticons had won. Whoops, they hadn't. Earth was lost, Megatron was defeated, and Starscream took control through a charade of wielding the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron}} Some Decepticons were left behind on Earth while Starscream led the rest to a barren asteroid, where they accomplished nothing for three years until Megatron finally returned and took back his rightful position. {{storylink|Revenge of the Decepticons Part 2: Altered Carbon}}

Later, Megatron allowed himself to be captured and brought to a mostly restored Cybertron, where he used a [[space bridge]] built into his body to summon the Decepticon army to him. Then they were brainwashed by [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] and/or [[D-Void]] into combining with the [[Sweep]]s to form a "[[Deceptigod]]". {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings}} Once the monster was defeated, the weakened Decepticons were all captured by the Autobots. They were imprisoned and kept under control using [[inhibitor/deterrence chip]]s in their heads, and the war was considered over. {{storylink|Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime}}

The Decepticons were released and eventually, in the interests of peace, the chips were deactivated. An uneasy peace exists between Decepticon, Autobots, and the [[NAIL|returning neutrals]], with Starscream rising to power as the Decepticon spokesman (after arranging the death of their previous spokesman, Ratbat, before he could start another war). {{storylink|The World & Everything in It}} {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} Out in space, however, the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] refused to accept the war was over and continued hunting down and murdering anyone on their 'list'. {{storylink|Rules of Disengagement}}

===Aftermath===
Both sides signed the [[Pax Cybertronia]], which eventually led to peace, but left the Decepticons in a second class position.

==Beast Era==
In ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' continuity, the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] were the descendants of the Decepticons and fought with the same aggression and ideas of conquest. They faced the [[Maximal]]s in the same way their ancestors had fought the [[Autobot]]s.

==Robots in Disguise==
In the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (cartoon)|''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]], the Decepticons were a brand new faction that came into being during the events of the story. Because there were so few Decepticons (only six or seven), and because they were a subset of the [[Predacon (RID)|Predacon]] antagonists, they can almost be viewed as a [[subgroup]] rather than a proper faction. The Decepticons were created on Earth when [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron]]'s forces captured a set of [[stasis pod]]s from an ancient Transformer spaceship that had been found on [[Earth]], leading to the birth of the [[Commando (RID)]]s and [[Scourge (RID)|Scourge]]. The toy version of [[Megatron (RID)|Galvatron]] was also labeled as a Decepticon, although this "change" in the character's faction was only mentioned once in the cartoon series.

In the Japanese version of ''Robots in Disguise'', ''Car Robots'', the Decepticons were known as Combatrons. This is the same name by which the [[Combaticon (G1)|G1 Combaticons]] were called in Japan.

For the [[Hasbro]] toy line, several other non-show Decepticons were added to the ranks to help fill out the line. It is unknown how most of these actually fit into the story, though one of them, [[Axer (G1)|Axer]], is actually a dimension-hopper who arrived from [[Generation 1 continuity family|a Generation 1 universe]].

==Unicron Trilogy==
===Cartoon continuity===
====Armada====
The ''exact'' origins of the Decepticon faction are a bit muddled. It is widely assumed, though never directly confirmed, that the movement was founded by [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]]. Also, the enslavement of the power-enhancing [[Mini-Con]]s is considered to be the impetus to the Decepticons' rise to a massive multi-planet-spanning army, though at what point in the war this occurred is unclear; it's possible the Mini-Cons' arrival was what gave Megatron the opportunity to rise to power, or that they arrived after the war had already begun.

Either way, the Mini-Cons fueled the war machine for centuries, and the war with the [[Autobot]]s soon spread from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to other worlds. The self-imposed exile of the Mini-Cons to an unknown destination was seen as a major setback for the Decepticons (and something of a pyrrhic victory for the Autobots), but despite this, the war continued, as both sides had amassed a large enough power base to continue on without the little buggers.

The Autobots and Decepticons seemed to fight to a stalemate, neither able to gain a distinct advantage over the other. When a signal reached Cybertron centuries later that the Mini-Cons had landed on [[Earth]], it seemed neither side was capable of sending a full force to retrieve them, despite the power they contained. Though the Decepticon force sent to Earth was small in numbers, it was far from insignificant; Megatron himself led the squad, backed by some of his most trusted warriors.

When Megatron returned to Cybertron, the overwhelming majority of the Mini-Cons were in the protective custody of the Autobots, but Megatron was unfazed; he had assembled the Mini-Cons required to make the three legendary weapons: the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] and [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. Bolstered by this new power and the apparent death of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], Megatron attempted to take Cybertron once and for all.

But Megatron's (now calling himself Galvatron) return to Cybertron was the beginning of the end of the Decepticon army. When [[Unicron]] revealed himself as a threat to both armies, fueled by the negative psychic energies from centuries of death and destruction, the two sides eventually joined together to beat back the planet-eater. Despite the truce, Galvatron and Prime engaged in a brutal duel on the surface of the weakened Unicron after the three legendary weapons had been removed from his core. Realizing their battle was keeping Unicron active, Galvatron sacrificed himself, and both Unicron and Galvatron disappeared into nothingness.

====Energon====
[[File:Energon Decepticon insignia.jpg|left|127px|thumb|Now available with added purple!]]
Galvatron's final orders to his troops still stood: work ''with'' the Autobots. The Decepticons maintained a degree of autonomy, still wearing the faction sigil and often taking military/defensive positions in the growing number of [[energon]]-mining colonies, but they were ultimately answerable to Optimus Prime and the Autobots. There were, of course, dissenters, most of whom were captured and imprisoned. For a decade, Autobot and Decepticon worked side-by-side in a somewhat stable truce.

Both sides found themselves the target of attacks from Unicron again; hordes of [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon drones]], sent by [[Alpha Quintesson]] to steal energon ore with which to revive the now-shattered husk of Unicron. What the alien did not count on was that Galvatron's [[spark]] had survived within the remains, and was siphoning energon from Unicron's body. Soon the Decepticon leader revived himself in a new form,(calling himself Megatron again) drove off Alpha Quintesson, and along with an elite cadre of soldiers and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of mindless Terrorcon drones, began his ''new'' plans for conquest.

When news of Megatron's return reached Cybertron, hundreds of Decepticons rose up and rebelled, eager to get back to conquering. But having been joined to Unicron for so long apparently had given Megatron a taste of godhood; he had no more interest in amassing a galaxy-spanning army of troops. Countless Decepticons died in the resulting battles, with Megatron more than willing to sacrifice them without a thought to attain ultimate power for himself. As "[[the Powerlinx Battles]]" -as they came to be called- came to their climax, Megatron (calling himself Galvatron ''again'') found that his actions and thoughts were being influenced and controlled by the dark spark of Unicron. Unwilling to let Unicron stand in his way, Galvatron ultimately sacrificed himself (again) and seemingly destroyed Unicron's spark by plunging himself into a newly formed energon sun created by [[Primus]].

====Cybertron====
What little remained of the once-mighty Decepticon army after [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron's]] loss was at best a loose association of criminals, thugs, and lunatics, with no real political or military power to speak of. For a decade, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was once again at peace, with the population overwhelmingly [[Autobot]] or neutral. The Transformers had withdrawn from [[Earth]] and its other colonies to focus on revitalizing their homeworld after the devastation of the Powerlinx Battles. However, two great catastrophes shattered this peace; the energon sun collapsed in on itself, forming the powerful black hole known as the [[Unicron Singularity]], which threatened to devour Cybertron and, if left unchecked, the entire universe... and the return yet once again of Megatron, who had absorbed much of what remained of Unicron's power.

Megatron's goal of attaining godhood was now at hand. By obtaining the legendary [[Omega Lock]] and the four [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, Megatron intended to accelerate the growth of the black hole, consuming the universe in a vast sea of nothingness that only he would survive, then use his powers to re-create the universe in his image.

To this end, he had no need of an army. He gathered a small group of allies and lackeys to seek the items he needed, but they were nothing more than pawns to him, to be used and discarded at a whim.

The Decepticons briefly regained their status as a mass army of individuals when [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], who had long suffered at Megatron's hands since the beginning of the Decepticons, made his own bid for ultimate power with the help of the [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] agent [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]. Having sealed Megatron and his troops in a trap, Starscream freed hundreds of criminal Transformers who had been locked up on [[Earth]] for millennia, and formed his own globe-spanning army. The Decepticon "Monsters" were tasked with finding the Omega Lock and Earth's Cyber Planet Key, which they eventually brought to their leader. However, numerous Decepticons were killed in the battles with the Autobots, and it soon became apparent that Starscream, like Megatron before him, didn't care. Most of these criminals soon abandoned Starscream and went into hiding.

As for Megatron, he too had deserters among his own considerably-small ranks. Most notably, the powerful [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], leader of the [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]] and the colossal [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] from [[Gigantion]], both of whom eventually joined forces with their former enemies the Autobots.

This was not seen as a concern for Megatron, however, as by this time Starscream and his allies were seemingly destroyed on Gigantion, and Megatron (now calling himself "Galvatron" again) had the Omega Lock and all four Keys. What few Decepticons remained loyal to him were too stupid to see what Galvatron had planned, and made perfect distractions as he set his final plan in motion. If they weren't strong enough to survive the coming cataclysm, then so be it.

[[File:NewDecepticonArmy.jpg|thumb|The yutz, the ditz, the klutz, and the putz.]]
Ultimately, Galvatron's plan failed, and the Unicron Singularity was sealed. His remaining Decepticons quickly left him, realizing what was likely to have happened to them, and eventually joined the Autobots. After Galvatron's seemingly-final defeat and death in a one-on-one duel with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron's]] moon, the Decepticons, not knowing when to quit, rose again, albeit in a rather pathetic fashion. Having cobbled together a rather rickety rocket, [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]], [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] and [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] shanghaied the reluctant [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], who was ''really'' keen on being on the winning side for once, and flew off to parts unknown as the "[[New Decepticon Army]]".

They made it to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] before the rocket crash-landed.

Meanwhile, the Autobot [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] reported form a deep-space recon mission that he thought he had picked up traces of Starscream, seemingly backed up by Sideways and [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]. [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] and the former Decepticon [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] raced off to join Wing Saber and investigate...

===Comics continuity===
====Armada====
Founded by Megatron, the exact number of the original Decepticons is unknown. Using the Mini-Cons as weapons, they were able to conquer Cybertron and force the Autobots underground. Eventually they were beaten due to the arrival of Unicron: his heralds slaughtered the entire Decepticon base on Cybertron, and the Chaos-Bringer's arrival forced them to join forces with the Autobots. With Megatron shot dead during the Unicron battle, the peace held for a period of years.

==Live-action ''Transformers'' movies continuity==
[[File:Defiance3 wearenowDECEPTICONS.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|LATER: Megatron realizes he blew his entire budget on the giant rotating wall symbol.]]

The Decepticons are the Transformers who sided with [[Megatron (Movie)|Lord High Protector Megatron]] and attempted to seize the [[AllSpark]]. Their numbers ranged from the [[Starscream (Movie)|treacherous]], the [[Blackout (Movie)|fanatical]], the [[Brawl (Movie)|violent]], and the [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|treacherous fanatically violent]] to the [[Frenzy (Movie)|spastic]].

The origins of these Decepticons began when a being known as [[The Fallen]] turned on his [[Dynasty of Primes|brother Primes]] in an attempt to seize power at the cost of [[human|humanity's]] existence. One account has it that the Fallen gathered a small army of [[Constructicon (ROTF)|construction drones]] to assist him and named them Decepticons. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 3}} Either way, he would become known as the ''first'' Decepticon and would go on to become the [[Yoda]] to Megatron's [[Luke Skywalker|Luke]] {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}, tempting the latent aggressive edge in the Protector. Filled with dreams of power and paranoia of losing that power, Megatron reformed the Cybertron defense force into a massive engine of war, ready to wipe out entire alien species who would dare challenge them. When science leader [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime's]] opposition became known, Megatron branded them traitors and declared his followers to be the Decepticons. Soon after, The Fallen commanded Megatron to build the ''[[Nemesis (ROTF)|Nemesis]]'', a ship that would carry his sarcophagus and Decepticon soldiers in their search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]] left on Earth. Megatron was commanded to remain on Cybertron, so [[Soundwave (ROTF)|Soundwave]] commanded the expedition. Most of the Decepticons left Cybertron, leaving Megatron with a reduced, but still potent, army. {{Storylink|Transformers: Defiance|Defiance}}

War devastated Cybertron. While the Decepticons were heavily reliant on drone units to bolster their forces and were forced to automate many of their outposts, the risk was still too high that they might claim the AllSpark, {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 1|Prelude: Optimus Prime}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 5|Lost In Space 3: Ironhide}} and Optimus Prime made the desperate decision to launch the AllSpark into deep space. Megatron obsessively followed after it, and disappeared. [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] took over leadership, and began a search for Megatron and the AllSpark. After a while, Starscream began to focus more on the AllSpark, hoping Megatron would remain lost, something the other Decepticons began to suspect. {{storylink|Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday|Ghosts of Yesterday}}

In 2003, Starscream's retrieval team made their way to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], destroyed the [[Beagle 2 Rover]] and making their way to Earth. In 2007, the Decepticons began to make their presence known, with [[Blackout (Movie)|Blackout]] destroying [[SOCCENT Forward Operations Base]] in [[Qatar]], searching for information on Megatron and the AllSpark. A few days later, [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] hacked [[Air Force One]]'s computers. Although he was unable to find out the truth about [[Sector Seven]], he avoided detection and managed to get a clue in [[Sam Witwicky (Movie)|Sam Witwicky]], whose ancestor [[Archibald Witwicky]] had discovered Megatron a century earlier. His glasses had been marked with coordinates to the AllSpark's location, so [[Barricade (Movie)|Barricade]] and Frenzy attempted to confront the boy. Although they were defeated by [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]] and [[Mikaela Banes]], Frenzy hid in Mikaela's purse, and accompanied them to [[Hoover Dam]], where Megatron and the AllSpark were hidden. As Starscream ordered the Decepticons to mobilize, Frenzy shut down the temperature controls while Starscream destroyed the external generators. Megatron was freed, but Bumblebee took the Cube with a group of survivors from Blackout's attack to Mission City, meeting with Optimus Prime's Autobots along the way. In the Battle of Mission City, Megatron and most of the Decepticons were killed and the AllSpark believed destroyed. {{storylink|Transformers (film)|Transformers}}

Starscream, however, survived, and stole Frenzy's remains to access whatever information the humans had on the AllSpark to build [[Replica AllSpark|his own AllSpark]]. Returning to Cybertron, Starscream proclaimed himself [[Decepticon leader]] and began building the replica. One month later, the replica was ready, but it didn't work properly and [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] made a coup attempt. Starscream barely survived and made his way back to Mars, questioning his purpose, when he received word that the Autobots would be helping the humans destroy Megatron's remains. Hoping to destroy Prime, Megatron, and the traitor [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] all at once, Starscream returned to Earth. Although he managed to destroy Wreckage, Prime had already left with Megatron's body. Just as he defeated Bumblebee, Starscream received word from Soundwave, who had brought the ''Nemesis'' to Earth's solar system. After meeting up with Soundwave, Starscream explained the situation, and returned to the ''Nemesis'' to awaken the remaining Decepticons and oversee the spawning of more [[hatchling]]s while Soundwave lead a scout team to Earth. {{storylink|Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream}} {{storylink|Transformers: Alliance}}

[[File:ROTF Fallen message.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|The Fallen performs what may be the greatest [[Rick Astley|Rick roll]] in history.]]
Over the next two years, the Decepticons searched for the [[Tomb of the Primes]], which housed the Matrix needed to activate the solar harvester. In 2009, Soundwave discovered Megatron's resting place in the [[Laurentian Abyss]] and the presence of an AllSpark shard on [[Diego Garcia]]. Dispatching [[Ravage (ROTF)|Ravage]] and the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s, the Decepticons managed to restore Megatron's [[Spark]] and bring him back to life. Returning to the ''Nemesis'', Megatron learned from the Fallen that the AllSpark's knowledge was within Sam Witwicky's mind, who had destroyed the Cube when he killed Megatron. Further commanded to kill Optimus Prime, Megatron captured the boy. Although he escaped, Megatron managed to kill Optimus. Megatron then decided that a show of force was needed to compel the humans to turn Sam over to them. The Fallen lead Decepticon protoforms to Earth and then broadcast a message demanding the humans turn over Sam. Sam was eventually found in [[Egypt]], where the harvester was hidden. Although the Fallen managed to reclaim the Matrix, it had been used to resurrect Optimus, who in turn killed the Fallen. Megatron and Starscream were forced to retreat and form a new plan. {{storylink|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen}}

The Decepticons returned after three years with the plan to use a space bridge to bring an army to Earth and transport Cybertron into orbit to rebuild the planet with Earth's natural resources and the human population as slaves. Megatron and the traitorous Sentinel Prime had planned this for a long time, intending to meet on Earth before Megatron went after the Allspark and ended up frozen while the Ark was shot down by Decepticon fighters and crashed on Earth's Moon in 1961. This was detected by the Americans and the Russians and the space programs were created to reach the ship and study it. However, by 1963 the Decepticons had raided the Ark and removed all but five of the pillars and hid them on the Moon along with an army of Decepticons, awaiting the time that the pillars would be used. After humans successfully reached the Moon and explored the ship, Soundwave and Laserbeak approached various humans including Dylan Gould's father to get them to shut down the American and Russian space programs. The Decepticons established a network of human collaborators who kept the humans from noticing the Decepticons actions on the Moon, later led by Dylan Gould. After a human collaborator named Alexi Voshkod lead NEST to Chernobyl where they retrieved an engine part from the Ark, the Decepticons reemerged for the first time since Egypt in the form of Shockwave and his Driller who attack, but retreat. This leads the Autobots to retrieve Sentinel and the remaining space bridge pillars and revive him. As this is part of his plan, Megatron orders Laserbeak to kill all the human collaborators save for Dylan Gould. Sam Witwicky and Seymour Simmons find out about the Decepticons plot from pictures a Russian probe got of the Decepticons hiding the pillars and the Dreads are sent to attack the convoy protecting Sentinel, but are killed. After Sentinel reveals his true colors and murders Ironhide, he sets up the pillars in the National Mall and brings the Decepticon army, consisting of hundreds of Decepticon soldiers and Decepticon ships, to Earth. With the army in hand, the Decepticons promise to bring no war against the human population in exchange that the Autobots must leave Earth. While taking off into the atmosphere, Starscream destroyed the Autobot ship, knowing that mankind will resist on their own. Some of the Decepticons scatter around the world to set up the pillars while most of the army invades Chicago, devastating the human population and securing it as a fortress. The Autobots, NEST and, a team of mercenaries, led by Sam Witwicky and Robert Epps, invade Chicago and battle the Decepticon army, aided by the United States Army and U.S Air force. The group manages to take out much of the army including Laserbeak, the Driller, Starscream, Soundwave, Barricade, and Shockwave and disrupt the Control Pillar, forcing Sentinel into battle. The combined human and Autobot forces overwhelm Sentinel and his remaining forces while Tomahawk missiles destroy most of the Decepticon fighters. Sentinel then tried to flee before engaging Optimus one-on-one as Dylan Gould reactivates the space bridge. Sam Witwicky kills Gould and Bumblebee and Ratchet destroy the Control Pillar, causing Cybertron to implode and ruining the Decepticon plan. The remaining Decepticon ships are sucked up into Cybertron by the space bridge and are presumably destroyed with the planet. Sentinel nearly kills Optimus, but Megatron, convinced by Carly Spencer that he would end up working for Sentinel, saves Optimus and incapacitates Sentinel. Megatron, half-heartedly,offers a truce between the Autobots and Decepticons after Cybertron is destroyed as long as he's in charge of the Decepticons again, but Optimus refuses and kills Megatron and Sentinel. While the loss of human life in Chicago is massive, the battle is a major victory for the Autobots as they eliminated most of the Decepticon army on Earth. Despite there still being some Decepticons scattered around the globe, the entire Decepticon command structure was destroyed in the battle.{{Storylink|Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Dark of the Moon}}
[[File:Titan23 decepticonsmassing.JPG|upright=1.4|thumb|Company photo day.]]
The Decepticons are, in general, less human in appearance than the Autobots in the movie, resembling carnivorous mammals, birds, insects or the Decepticon insignia itself (possibly to frighten the [[Human|insects]]). What is also most noticeable about the Decepticons in the movie franchise is that they've actually been designed to resemble the insignia of their faction, most notably Megatron, Blackout, Barricade, and the Fallen; the insignia is in fact based on the Fallen's ugly mug. {{storylink|Transformers: Defiance|Defiance}}

{{note|In a departure from previous Transformers incarnations, Japan used the name "Decepticons" for this franchise, rather than "Destrons".<ref>[http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/products/movie/decepticons.html Movie Decepticons toy listing on Takaratomy.com]</ref>}}

{{-}}

==Animated==
Around 1 billion years ago, the [[Destron (Animated)|Destrons]] emerged as a new faction on the Protectobot governed Cybertron. Led by [[Devron (Animated)|Devron]], the [[Third Cybertronian War]] was fought between the Destrons and the Protectobots (who were led by the new leader [[Nova Magnus]]). ''The Destrons emerged victorious, though many Cybertronian records were forever lost due to the [[Great Purge]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

The Decepticons came to prominence as a sub-faction of the Destrons around 70 million years ago. They advocated the use of the AllSpark to bring Cybertron itself to life, that it might serve as a cosmic juggernaut that would allow the Transformers to return to the era of expansion and colonization of other worlds they had enjoyed nearly 700 million years beforehand. When the Decepticon leader [[Megazarak (Animated)|Megazarak]] was ousted by charismatic rhetorician named [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]], tensions finally exploded, and the Autobots and Decepticons went to [[Great War (Animated)|war]] for possession of the AllSpark.

After something in the vicinity of six million years of civil war, things reached a crisis point when the Decepticons began a strategic bombing campaign on Cybertron, demanding the AllSpark be turned over in exchange for a cessation of hostilities. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}} Rather than give in to Megatron's demands, the Autobots instead sought to put the AllSpark beyond any Cybertronian's reach, launching it randomly through a [[space bridge]] to some distant corner of the galaxy, where it was hoped it would never be found. {{storylink|Transform and Roll Out}}

4 million stellar cycles ago, the Autobots and Decepticons battled each other in what is now known as The Great War. The Autobots pulled a victory only due to their exclusive access to [[space bridge]]s and their decision to send the [[AllSpark]] into deep space. Defeated, the Decepticons dispersed, and, according to [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]], the only sight of them would be an occasional scout ship. In fact, they had been missing for so long, [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] believed a Decepticon presence was a thing of the past. This was quickly reassessed upon encountering [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron's]] crew. In his final battle against Optimus, Megatron was taken back to Cybertron, along with [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]] and [[Shockwave (Animated)|Shockwave]], for imprisonment. The rest are still at large, except Starscream, who died when his AllSpark fragment was removed.

{{stub}}

{{note|As with the movie Decepticons, the Animated Decepticons are not called Destrons in Japan.}}

==Shattered Glass==
[[File:Decepticon Shattered Glass.png|thumb|Decepticons wage their battles to destroy...]]
{{quote|Your tyranny ends here, Prime! Cybertronians will once again know the freedom which is their right!|Megatron|"[[Shattered Glass]]"}}
In this universe, the Decepticons are the good guys and a resistance group, intended to overthrow Autobot tyranny and their dastardly leader, [[Optimus Prime (SG)|Optimus Prime]]. Led by the heroic [[Megatron (SG)|Megatron]], the 'Cons want to liberate Cybertron and preserve freedom and life across the galaxy, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|no matter the cost]]. But if they fail to stop the Autobots, not only will the Autobots conquer [[Earth]], they will also enslave the universe and all will be lost. {{storylink|Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass}}

{{-}}

==Aligned==
{{bigquote|Sometimes deception is necessary, when those who listen to the truth should not, and will only understand once they have been lied to and forced to see their own lies.|[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]].}}

[[File:Megatroncamehome.jpg|thumb|300px|"Breakdown! Assume the footrest position! Soundwave! Log into my Netflix! Knock Out, you... erm. Go make some popcorn or something.]]
The Decepticons originated from those in the [[caste system|lower castes]] of Cybertronian society in the [[Badlands (Cybertron)|Badlands]]. Megatron, a gladiator who seized control of all the gladiatorial pits and assumed the name of The Fallen, began preaching to the dispossessed on the Grid. He allowed them to bomb Cybertron and throw their society into chaos, for he rightly believed if he denied any connection to their extremist behavior, it would elevate him in the eyes of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]]. Even the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] kidnapped [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]] for him. When the Council questioned Megatron about the movement's name, he denied he had heard of it, though he also accepted it for reasons outlined above.

When Halogen appointed Orion the new Prime, Megatron declared his Decepticons would continue to fight for freedom. During the war they conquered eighty-five percent of the planet, as well as occupying [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]] and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station, before poisoning the [[core]] itself with [[Dark Energon]]. When the Autobots left aboard the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'', Trypticon transformed into the ''Nemesis'' and followed them with Megatron, Starscream, [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]] and [[Lugnut (WFC)|Lugnut]] into unknown space, while [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] took control of the Cybertronian Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

===Prime===
Eons later, Megatron, Starscream, Soundwave, [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (WFC)|Breakdown]] were based on [[Earth]], with a mass-produced [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]] army. During a three year lull, Starscream was ordered to build a [[space bridge]] and to mine more Energon. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)}} Megatron returned, but not with the army Starscream had hoped for. Instead he tried to raise an army of [[Terrorcon (Prime)|Terrorcon]] [[zombie]]s to eradicate humanity, but failed and perished in a space bridge implosion, leaving Starscream in command once more. {{storylink|Darkness Rising}} It emerged he survived, and he was retrieved and placed in sickbay. {{storylink|Masters & Students}} Meanwhile, Starscream and Soundwave waited for opportunities to pounce on [[Team Prime]] with their Vehicons. {{storylink|Con Job}} {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}}
[[File:DeusExMachina-fourcons.jpg|thumb|300px|Starscream: "We're gonna go out there and catch those museum thieves red-handed!" <br/> Breakdown: "What color are their hands now?"]]

Megatron eventually returned to life, nearly killing Starscream for his part in his near-death in the space bridge explosion. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}{{storylink|Out of His Head}}{{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}} Despite his brush with death, Starscream continued to secretly operate against Megatron {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}, which came to a grinding halt when Megatron forced him to beg for his life in an abandoned Energon mine. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}} Finding neither respect from Megatron following this incident nor mercy from the [[Arcee (WFC)|Autobots]], as well as seemingly being replaced by former rogue [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]], Starscream abandoned the Decepticons, becoming neutral, and leaving Airachnid to take his place. {{storylink|Partners}}

Seeking to attain more Dark Energon to coincide with a prophecy that he interpreted as his own destiny in the [[Covenant of Primus]], Megatron raced to complete a second space bridge. Optimus Prime sought to stop this plot by finally ending the Decepticon leader's life{{storylink|One Shall Fall}}, but a larger problem became apparent. Following an explosion of Dark Energon from a volcano, it was surmised that [[Unicron]] was awakening at the core of Earth. Rejected from Unicron's service, {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 1}}Megatron formed a shaky alliance with Optimus {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 2}} to defeat Unicron. During this time, acting Decepticon leader Airachnid attempted to abandon Megatron to Unicron's wrath, but following a humiliating defeat at the hands of Soundwave, relinquished command to the communications officer. With the power of the Matrix of Leadership, Optimus was able to defeat Unicron. However, Optimus' surrender of the Matrix's power also lost him his memories of being a Prime, and he took upon his old 'Orion Pax' persona. {{storylink|One Shall Rise, Part 3}} Megatron took advantage of Orion's amnesia, setting him to work on [[Project Iacon]], to find various relics from Cybertron hidden on Earth. {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 1}} Eventually, however, the Autobots were successful in restoring Orion Pax to Optimus Prime, halting work on the project {{storylink|Orion Pax, Part 3}}.

Former Seeker captain [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]] arrived on Earth {{storylink|Loose Cannons}}, and was promoted to second in command following Airachnid's departure and murder of Breakdown (whose remains were recovered by human terrorist organization MECH). {{storylink|Crossfire}} Airachnid later sent her armada of [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticons]] to kill Megatron, but following her defeat at the hands of Arcee, the Insecticons were freed from her control and then integrated into Megatron's forces. However, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead's]] actions caused the ''Nemesis'' to crash on Earth, {{storylink|Armada (episode)}} prompting Megatron to use Dark Energon to repair the ship. Unexpectedly, the Dark Energon enhanced Nemesis gained sentience, and disabled the Decepticons and worked to complete Project Iacon and collect the relics around the world. Through the efforts of [[Jack Darby (Prime)|the]] [[William Fowler|Autobots]] [[Miko Nakadai (Prime)|human]] [[Raf Esquivel|allies]], the ship's sentience was defeated, but had already located four Iacon relics. {{storylink|Flying Mind}} The Decepticon forces were sent to the four locations around the world: Knock Out and an Insecticon to New York City {{storylink|Tunnel Vision}}, Dreadwing to Antarctica {{storylink|Triangulation}}, Soundwave to a wooded area {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}}, and [[Hardshell (Prime)|Hardshell]] to a volcano around the equator. {{storylink|Toxicity}} Knock Out, Dreadwing, and Hardshell's endeavours all end in failure, Soundwave being the only victorious one. {{storylink|Triage (episode)|Triage}} After mistakenly reporting Bulkhead's destruction to Megatron, Hardshell was himself destroyed by a vengeful Wheeljack and Miko.{{storylink|Hurt}}

[[File:FlyingMind-DecepticonsOnDeck.jpg|thumb|left|300px|And the Decepticons always remembered this as the day Megatron said, [[Frank Welker|"Well it was either this or college!"]]]]
Breakdown's remains were used to save the mortally wounded {{storylink|Nemesis Prime (episode)}} MECH leader Silas - to Megatron and Knock Out's disgust - who attempted to join the Decepticon ranks, but when his offering of Project Damocles was destroyed by the Autobots, he was hauled away for dissection by Knock Out. The effort did bear fruit in that the location of Raf Esquivel's home was discovered,{{storylink|The Human Factor}} narrowing down the location of the Autobot base. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}}. The Decepticons lost the upper hand briefly when Optimus acquired the [[Star Saber (Prima)|Star Saber]] {{storylink|Legacy}}, but the blade was destroyed by Megatron's knock-off [[Dark Star Saber]]. Additionally, the Decepticons found the existence of the [[Omega Key]]s on Earth, though they were unaware of their true function. {{storylink|Alpha/Omega}}. Knock Out successfully retrieved a Key, while Dreadwing lost one, but it turned out new Autobot recruit [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]] is the final Key, and was promptly kidnapped by Soundwave. {{storylink|Hard Knocks}} Megatron learned of the Omega Keys' ability to revive Cybertron, but Smokescreen made off with the two Keys the Decepticons possessed. However, the rogue Starscream was able to steal all three Autobot Keys, and proposed to use them as a bargaining chip to return to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Inside Job}}

Naturally, Megatron was less than convinced of Starscream's loyalty, and watched his memories via cortical psychic patch to find his true motives. While evidence of Starscream's treachery was rampant, Megatron allowed him to return since the Decepticons must be united to revive Cybertron. However, Dreadwing was enraged and disillusioned by Megatron's pardon, since his leader was apathetic to Skyquake becoming one of the undead, {{storylink|Patch (episode)}} but his attempt to murder Starscream was halted when Megatron killed him with his own blaster. Starscream returned to his position of second-in-command, and worked out the location of the Omega Lock on Cybertron. Megatron battled the Autobots on their home planet, lost the Keys, but Starscream, Knock Out and Soundwave kidnapped the Autobots' human allies and held them hostage. {{storylink|Regeneration (Prime)}} The Autobots handed over the Keys in exchange for the children, and Megatron turned the power of the Omega Lock on Earth to cyberform it. Optimus used the Star Saber to destroy the Omega Lock and all hope of restoring Cybertron, but Megatron launched a full-scale invasion of the Earth from his new fortress of [[Darkmount (Earth)|Darkmount]], with his first act of aggression being destroying the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]]. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (episode)|Darkest Hour}}

In the wake of the Autobots' defeat, and having found no corpses in the base's remains, the Decepticons increased global surveillance to find them - also dealing a similarly devastating blow against the United States military with its fusion cannons. Megatron feigned a desire for peace to the US government, a cover for his eventual violent conquest of Earth. A search on Cybertron for the missing relics turned up [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]], {{storylink|Darkmount, NV}} who is quickly reinstated into the Decepticon command structure as first lieutenant of all scientific endeavors, to Starscream's chagrin. Efforts to find the Autobots resulted only in failure, leading Shockwave to unleash the massive [[Predacon (Prime)|Predacon]] he cloned, [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] to hunt down the Autobots, {{storylink|Scattered}} only for it to come home empty-handed. {{storylink|Prey (episode)|Prey}} The Autobots were able to spread the Decepticon ranks thin and away from Darkmount, and the newly arrived [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]] lead the regrouped team to assault the fortress. The attack was eventually halted and the Autobots were taken prisoner, only for an upgraded Optimus Prime to arrive and single-handedly turn the tide. Earth's military was able to bring Darkmount crumbling to the ground, forcing the Decepticons to go on the defense and return to using the ''Nemesis'' as their base of operations. {{storylink|Rebellion (Prime)}}

The Decepticons turned their efforts to cloning, and enjoyed a string of successful ventures to retrieve Predacon fossils to engineer an army of the extinct beasts thanks to the efforts of Shockwave and Soundwave, {{storylink|Project Predacon}} the Predacon, {{storylink|Chain of Command (Prime)}} and Knock Out. {{storylink|Plus One}} Jealous of Megatron's favoring Shockwave, Starscream coerced Knock Out to create an army of super soldiers with a mix of Dark and [[Synthetic Energon]], starting with the imprisoned Cylas. However, this only created a new form of Terrorcon that craved and drained Energon from a victim, starting a plague that threatened the entire ship. The Decepticons struggled to repel the infected, until Cylas freed Airachnid from her stasis pod. The former prisoner killed Cylas and called the Insecticons to rejoin her, but Airachnid's latest attempt to overthrow Megatron was put down by Soundwave, who bridged her and her army to a dead moon of Cybertron. The crisis weakened the Decepticons with the loss of the Insecticons and the infected Vehicons, having depleted more than half of their military strength. Shockwave subsequently speeded up progress on Project Predacon, {{storylink|Thirst}} but Predaking revealed his sentience and ability to transform on the verge of the project's completion. The former beast asked to lead the coming Predacons on Megatron's behalf, but the Decepticon leader and his command staff knew better than to give him control of a more powerful army than the depleted Decepticons. Following a plot engineered by Starscream, the Decepticons allowed the Autobots to destroy the Predacons before they escape their pods, to Predaking's horror and rage. The destruction of the lab, coupled with the presence of Synthetic Energon, resulted in the lab being filled with pure Cybermatter. {{storylink|Evolution}}

[[File:Deadlock-Megatron-Decepticons-extinguished.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Megatron shouldn't have gone to Unicron for life insurance.]]
Shockwave realized the Cybermatter could cyberform entire worlds. Megatron resolved to restore the Omega Lock and rule a cyberformed Earth and a revived Cybertron, but found the synthetic Energon formula was incomplete, and had Ratchet delivered to him by the captured Soundwave, while his lieutenants gathered human technology to repair the Omega Lock. {{storylink|Minus One}} As the device was being restored, Megatron appealed to Ratchet to finish the synthetic Energon formula, playing on the medic's love for his home to outweigh his reservations about aiding the leader of the Decepticons. Ratchet eventually consented when he was shown the nearly completed Omega Lock {{storylink|Persuasion}} and soon completed the formula. In return, Megatron turned him over to the vengeful Predaking, but Ratchet - having learned the truth thanks to a slip up from Knock Out - revealed Megatron's plot to wipe out Project Predacon. Predaking turned on the Decepticons and slaughtered countless Vehicons, but was bested by Megatron in combat. Ratchet gave his comrades a way onto the warship, and Megatron mobilized his remaining army for their last stand. {{storylink|Synthesis}} While Megatron battled Optimus with the Dark Star Saber, Jack and Miko banished Soundwave to the [[shadowzone (dimension)|shadowzone]] on the bridge, while the other Autobots fought to capture the ship. Smokescreen and Bumblebee tried to get the Star Saber to Optimus, but Megatron killed Bumblebee as he tried to do so. However, the scout's corpse, having fallen info the Omega Lock, was revived by the Cybermatter, and ran Megatron through with the Star Saber, finally killing the leader of the Decepticons once and for all. Their leader dead, Shockwave, Starscream, and what few Vehicons remained abandoned ship, while Knock Out attempted to join the winning team. The ''Nemesis'' was used to fire the Omega Lock into the [[Well of All Sparks]], and Cybertron was restored. {{storylink|Deadlock}}.

Most of the Vehicons had theoretically surrendered to the Autobots, and were part of an inept crew of construction workers under Bulkhead's watch. Though, not all hope was lost for the Decepticons. Shockwave & Starscream had been moving to the former's labs, cloning more Predacons to overthrow the Autobots in their newly restored home world. However, when Unicron took over Megatron's semi-lifeless body, the [[Skylynx|two]] [[Darksteel (Prime)|Predacons]] they had cloned joined [[Predaking (Prime)|Predaking]] in helping the Autobots save Cybertron from an army of Terrorcon-Predacons headed to corrupt the core once more, after Shockwave had been beaten up by the zombie dragons and encouraged the Predacons' decision. To make matters worse for them, Knock Out, who had been imprisoned by the Autobots, officially joined their side. When the Autobots put a stop to Unicorn's plans and trapped Unicron in the [[AllSpark]]'s container, Megatron officially disbanded the Decepticons after being victim of Unicron's eternal torture and realized the true meaning of oppression. With Starscream all alone, he returned to his roots and decided to take command of the seized-functioning faction, but the Predacons had something in store for their former abuser... {{storylink|Predacons Rising (Prime)|Predacons Rising}}

===Rescue Bots===
Bumblebee mistook the [[MorBot]]s as Decepticons. {{storylink|Bot to the Future}}

==Merchandise==
===Transformers (2007)===
====Transformers Movie Screen Cleaners====
[[File:Movie Decepticon Screencleaner.jpg|105px|thumb|Transforms your dirty screen to a clean one and — well, actually just the first thing.]]
*'''Decepticon''' (2008)
:Released by Tomy Yujin on January, this dangler is a [[Insignia|faction logo]]-shaped screen cleaner for your cell phone, with a stock image of Decepticon insignia printed on the other side.
{{--}}

==Notes==
===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Destron''' (デストロン ''Desutoron''), '''Combatron''' (''Car Robots'', コンバットロン ''Konbatoron''), '''Decepticon''' (ディセプティコン ''Diseputikon'')
*''Cantonese:'' '''Kwòng Pāǐ''' (Hong Kong, 狂派, "Con Faction", literally "Mad Faction" or "Crazy Clan")
*''Danish'': '''Bedragerne''' (Marvel comic, "Betrayers"), '''Bedraonerne''' (''The Transformers'' cartoon)
*''French:'' '''Decepticans''' (France ''The Transformers'' cartoon)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Álcák''' (Marvel comic, "Disguises"), '''Decepticonok''' (toy commercial, second ''The Movie'' dub), '''Varangyok''' (first ''The Movie'' dub, "Toads"), '''Robotikák''' (''Energon'', ''Cybertron'', "Roboticas")
*''Indonesian:'' '''Déséptikon''' (더섶티콘, ''Decepticon''), Panggajwo (팡가줘, ''Destroyer'')
*''Italian:'' '''Distructors'''
*''Mandarin:'' '''Dí Sài Kāng''' (Taiwan, 迪賽剛), '''Ba Tian Hu''' (China, 霸天虎, "Tigers that Forcibly Occupy the Sky")
*''Polish:'' '''Deceptikony''', '''Decepcjokony''' (first ''The Movie'' dub, "Deceptiocons"), '''Dezorientaci''' (''Beast Wars'')
*''Portuguese:'' '''Decépticos''' (Portugal comic), '''Malignus''' (Brazil comic)
*''Serbian:'' '''Deseptikoni'''
*''Swedish:'' '''Bedragare''' (Marvel comic, "Betrayers")
*''Ukrainian:'' '''Obmanoidy''' (Обманоіди, "Decepticons")
*''Korean:'' '''디셉티콘''' (Decepticons)
*''Armenian:'' '''Deseptikonner''' (Դեսեպտիկոններ, "Decepticons")

==References==
<references/>

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