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Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys

2023-11-12T07:25:59Z

SpookwaveGOA125: /* Studio Series */ Included details about how you can make the missiles look like they're firing by using the blast effects.

{{suite}}

[[File:MP Magnus book cover art.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.2|He can't deal with the obligatory joke now!]]
Sometimes [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] looks a lot like [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. There are a lot of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime toys]], and they need to be [[redeco]]ed into SOMETHING. Ergo...

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:Ultramagnusg1toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Honkimus Prime]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Autobot City Commander, [[1986]]/[[1987]])
**''Takara ID number:'' '''C-69'''
**''Accessories:'' Large robot head, rifle, chest plate, 2 trailer connectors/waist plates, 2 small robot fists (left & right), 2 large robot fists (left & right), 2 missile launchers, 4 missiles
{{toydesigner|[[Hiroyuki Obara]] (Takara), [[Shōji Kawamori]] ([[Studio Nue]])}}

: ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' Ultra Magnus is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Powered Convoy" figure, itself a redeco and slight retool of "Battle Convoy", the toy that became the original [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] figure, sporting a new trailer. One of the last few ''Diaclone'' toys to be released in the ''Transformers'' toyline, Magnus was recolored from the original toy's dark blue, red and black color scheme into a more patriotic red, white and blue. His chestplate, which was rendered white in his package art, was molded in the same blue as his shoulders. He transforms into a White Freightliner WFT-8664T cabover semi-trailer truck, towing a car-carrier trailer capable of transporting up to four normal-sized Autobot cars. As with Optimus Prime, his cab transforms into a small robot, which can then combine with the trailer to form a "super robot", although all original Generation 1 fiction prior to the 21st century ignored this and simply rendered the super robot as Magnus's default robot form. To facilitate this combination, Magnus sports a slightly longer front axle than Prime, thereby creating tabs on either side of the cab that slide into grooves in the trailer to help lock the small robot into place. He is armed with a rifle sporting two handles that allow either of his [[robot mode]]s to hold it, and two shoulder-mounted missile launchers, whose spring-loaded firing mechanism was removed for the Hasbro release of the figure.

:Despite having extensive arm articulation on the same level as his inner Prime mold, Magnus's completed robot mode's arms are somewhat hindered by protrusions along the sides of his body. While this does not particularly impede his arms from moving, positioning them at certain levels will cause said protrusions to force them outwards. The helmet also features empty eye-sockets, which show nothing but his inner Prime's upper brow behind them as opposed to actual eyes.

:The ''Diaclone'' Powered Convoy figure had several additional features and modes which were mostly excised or left unmentioned for the ''Transformers'' release of Ultra Magnus. Principally, Powered Convoy came packaged with "Powered Buggy", who was left out of Magnus's release (see [[#Notes|notes below]] for further details). Omitted from Magnus's instructions is the ability of his chestplate and super robot head to combine to form a small vehicle; the Powered Convoy version of the figure included small rolling wheels on the underside of the chestplate which were removed for Ultra Magnus. Three additional modes were included in the ''Diaclone'' instructions that Hasbro left out: a "preparation base" mode and an "Autobot base" mode were excluded entirely, while the third, a "catapult launcher" mode originally intended and proportioned to accommodate the ''Diaclone'' Jet Robo figure that became [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]], was shown only on the front of his packaging, interacting with [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]. The Japanese release of Ultra Magnus—released as part of the ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (toyline)#Toys 2|Scramble City]]'' sub-line—''did'' include instructions for the preparation base and catapult launcher modes, but replaced the original Autobot base mode with a new configuration.

:The original Ultra Magnus figure has been reissued and redecoed several times down the years, and this article strives to list each edition of the figure under its own heading. The first alteration to Magnus, however, was a [[variant|running change]] made while he was still on shelves: Originally, his tires were made of [[rubber tires|rubber]] and he sported paint on both his small and large robot heads, but this version was replaced with one featuring plastic tires and no paint on either head. In addition, the clear yellow plastic that formed his windows was removed from the cab, leaving just holes instead; and his thighs and fuel tanks were left white, as opposed to the vacuum metalized chrome ones of the original release.

:The small robot component, as well as being part of Optimus Prime, was also released with a different trailer as [[Pepsi Convoy]]. The white Optimus Prime redeco was also repurposed to be [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] himself in the ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[The War Never Ends|#11]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/UltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{G1OptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|2000reissue}}
[[File:Reissue ultra magnus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (December 2000)
**''ID number:'' '''C-69'''
**''Accessories:'' Large robot head, rifle, chest plate, 2 trailer connectors/waist plates, 2 small robot fists (left & right), 2 large robot fists (left & right), 2 missile launchers, 4 missiles

:Ultra Magnus was first reissued in Japan in December of 2000, featuring no discernible changes from the original Japanese edition of the figure. His packaging sported a metallic golden sticker commemorating the fifteenth anniversary of the ''Transformers'' franchise in Japan.

:This reissue of Magnus was accompanied by two exclusive redecos, noted below.

{{-}}{{anchor|MatrixGlow}}
[[File:Ultra-magnus Matrix Glow.JPG|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Till All Go Number One!]]
*'''Shining Magnus''' ([[December 26]], 2000)
**''ID number:'' '''C-69'''
**''Accessories:'' Large robot head, rifle, chest plate, trailer connector/waist plate, 2 small robot fists (left & right), 2 missile launchers, 4 missiles

: With a yellow cab and an entirely translucent yellow trailer, Shining Magnus is intended to recall the moment in the ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', just before Optimus Prime dies, when the Matrix is passed to Ultra Magnus and he is bathed in its light. Of course, the Matrix's light was, er, ''blue,'' so it's a weird fit. The Marvel Comics adaptation of the film did colour the light yellow, but it seems rather unlikely that's where Takara were taking their inspiration from.

:Shining Magnus was one of two exclusive redecos released in the wake of the 2000 reissue of the original Ultra Magnus toy. Limited to only 800 pieces, it was available only at the 20th Century Toy Museum toy show, held on [[December 26]], 2000 at the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Yokohama, Japan. The toy is sometimes known as "Matrix Glow Magnus" amongst collectors, or less favorably, "Urine Magnus".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/UltraMagnusMatrixGlow/ultramagnus.htm More information on Matrix Glow Magnus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|MoviePreview}}
[[File:G1 UltraMagnusPreviewVersion toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Blue Honkimus Prime]]
*'''Ultra Magnus Yokokuhen Version''' ([[February 26]], 2001)
**''ID number:'' '''C-69'''
**''Accessories:'' Large robot head, rifle, chest plate, trailer connector/waist plate, 2 small robot fists (left & right), 2 missile launchers, 4 missiles

: In the early stages of the development of ''The Transformers: The Movie'', [[The Transformers: The Movie promo|promotional footage]] for the movie was released that depicted Ultra Magnus in the black, red, and dark blue color scheme of the original ''Diaclone'' Powered Convoy toy. As the second of two exclusive redecos released in the wake of the 2000 reissue of the original Ultra Magnus toy, the "Movie Preview Version" (予告編バージョン ''Yokokuhen Bājon'') of Ultra Magnus paid homage to this early appearance. He ''is'' just a redeco of the Magnus figure, however, and so despite his resemblance to the ''Diaclone'' figure, he still lacks that toy's exclusive features, like Powered Buggy, wheels in his chestplate, and a Diaclone pilot.

: Movie Preview Version Ultra Magnus was available exclusively at Toy Festival 2001, held on [[February 26]], 2001 in Tokyo, Japan, limited to 1,500 pieces.

: This toy doubles as [[Delta Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/UltraMagnusPre-Movie/ultramagnus.htm More information on Ultra Magnus Movie Preview Version at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

====''Transform Jr''====
[[File:Ultramagnus jr.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|And thus a trend is foreshadowed]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Gokin, 1985)
**''ID number:'' '''C-69'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, two fists (left and right), head, cardboard trailer

:As one of the first ''[[Transform Jr]]'' toys, this version of Ultra Magnus was released under the early name for the series, ''Transform Gōkin''. Naturally, the figure is a redeco of the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transform Jr|''Transform Jr'' Optimus Prime toy]], a smaller, simplified version of the original Generation 1 cab robot figure intended as a low-cost alternative for younger children. Magnus features a similar transformation to his larger toy, with a removable head in addition to fists, but lacks rubber tires and translucent windows. As with most other ''Transform Jr'' figures, he lacked most of his major accessories, coming only with a rifle (a white redeco of [[Ion blaster|Prime's gun]], rather than Magnus's own unique weapon) and a cardboard replacement for his trailer that had to be assembled by the buyer, and which unsurprisingly, could not form armor.

::*''[http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/reminator4/HTML/g1auto/magnusjr.htm More information on Transform Jr Ultra Magnus at an Ultra Magnus fan site]''
{{-}}

[[File:Tfjr magnus galvatron.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Ultra Magnus vs Galvatron''' (multi-pack, 1987)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, two fists (left and right), head, cardboard trailer

:Later, by the time the line had been rebranded with the more familiar ''Jr'' title, the Magnus figure was re-released in a two-pack with a [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#Seven|vinyl figurine of]] [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Galvatron]], which also came with a die-cast figurine of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]].
{{--}}

===''Commemorative Series''===
[[File:G1toy commemorative magnus.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|So the reissue was later reissued....''All right, give me the bomb''.]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (2002/2012)
**''Accessories:'' Large robot head, rifle, chest plate, 2 trailer connectors/waist plates, 2 small robot fists (left & right), 2 large robot fists (left & right), 2 missile launchers, 4 missiles

:Part of their ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]'' of Generation 1 reissues, Ultra Magnus was released in the first series (Series I) and has proper functional missile launches for the first time in the Western Hemisphere, but this meant that, like all the other ''Commemorative Series'' toys with renewed firing projectiles, his formerly short missiles were infamously lengthened to absurdity [[for safety reasons]]. Additionally, like the ''Commemorative'' Optimus Prime toy, his smokestacks were shortened to prevent breakage.

:The figure was given a surprise re-release in late 2012, Though the "''Commemorative Series''" label was not printed anywhere on the packaging, the included instructions retained the name. The figure is largely similar to its previous ''Commemorative'' release. Despite early product listings by online stores depicting the figure with long smokestacks,<ref name="longstacks">[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=19045 Premature announcement of long smokestacks for the 2012 Asia reissue of Commemorative Series Ultra Magnus] at TFormers</ref> the stacks are actually still short like on the previous release.<ref name="shortstacks">[http://vxt.ca/2013/01/05/transformers-reviews-commemorative-series-ultra-magnus-missile-modification-tutorial/ Review of the 2012 Asia reissue of Commemorative Series Ultra Magnus] at VTX (the long stacks seen in the photos are explicitly stated to be a custom job)</ref> The cab also has the modified hitch that the Optimus Prime cab received for the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G1MoviePrime|2011 ''Chronicle'' DOTM two pack]]. In any case, [[Mold#Deterioration|mold deterioration]] is beginning to catch up to the tooling.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Autobot/CSUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on ''Commemorative Series'' Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:Masterpiece UltraMagnus toy.jpg|right|upright=2.2|thumb|I looked like this in a comic [[Revelation (War and Peace)|once]]. ONCE!]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (2005/2008)
**''ID number:'' '''MP-2'''
**''Accessories:'' Rifle, Megatron gun with removable silencer, scope and stock, Matrix of Leadership, energon axe

: ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' Ultra Magnus is a white redeco of ''Masterpiece'' Convoy (Optimus Prime) with all the same accessories, though some have been redecoed. Additionally, his box can be refolded into his classic trailer configuration, but doesn't hold up since it's, well, cardboard. He retains the Matrix, which he can indeed open. Dammit, open.

: As a Takara product, ''Masterpiece'' Ultra Magnus was never released in the US, but was eventually released by Hasbro Australia in 2005 for their market as a Target exclusive, retaining his Japanese packaging, with simple stickers stating a recommended age of 8+, as well as presenting Hasbro Australia's details and explaining what the product was.

: Additionally, [[TakaraTomy]] reissued Masterpiece Ultra Magnus in 2008 sporting their logo in the top right-hand corner of the box to replace the Takara logo in the bottom right featured on the original release in 2005. This reissue has been met with some [[quality control]] issues much like that of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#mp4|Convoy Perfect Edition]], such as bad paint applications and chipping, misaligned doors, and even [[Misassembly|mis-assembled]] headlights which have been installed upside down.

: Like all the Japanese versions of this mold, Ultra Magnus features different images on his communicators than all other releases. In his case he features [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and a digital readout.

: This mold was also used to make ''Masterpiece'' "[[Eldedroid#Masterpiece|Convoy Black Version]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/UltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Masterpiece Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{MP1Mold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|MP22}}
[[File:MP22-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|upright=2.2|thumb|You know what? He can deal with this n...hold on, WHY THE HELL DOES HIS CAB HAVE A RED BUMPER--<br>''*looks at screencaps*''<br>oh<br>huh]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' ([[2014]]-[[December 27|12-27]]/[[2018]]-[[January 27|01-27]])
**''ID number:'' '''MP-22'''
**''Accessories:'' Super Blaster Gun, 2 missiles, [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#MP22|Spike figure]], [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#MP22|Daniel figure]], left & right Matrix hands, neutral face, screaming face
{{toydesigner|[[Hironori Kobayashi]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Shogo Hasui]] (initial concept)}}

: The second release of ''Masterpiece'' Ultra Magnus is an all new, much more show-accurate mold, transforming into a car carrier with a functioning gate/ramp. He can carry 4 smaller ''Masterpiece'' Autobots in the top and bottom of his trailer, which features small indents to stop them from rolling off. While the cab in his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is heavily modeled on the MP-10 Optimus Prime mold, it doesn't transform into a separate white Optimus Prime figure, but rather folds inside-out to form his upper torso. The cab is much lighter than the MP-10 cab (due to it being hollow), and neither can carry the other's trailer due to differences in the height of the back section and a different attachment process.

:He is designed to interact with the Matrix of Leadership of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP10|MP-10 Optimus Prime]] in two ways: his chest opens to reveal a Matrix compartment, and he comes with an extra pair of hands specifically molded to hold the Matrix. To complement this, his regular, "neutral" face can be replaced with an alternative "screaming" face. Both faces can store on a panel in his back, and removing his face reveals a white face-plated design underneath the helmet, as a reference to the "White Optimus in armor" design of the original toy.

:For his other accessories and features, he comes with his gun, and his two non-firing shoulder missile launchers. The gun stores in the trailer in vehicle mode, while the launchers have removable missiles, and are no longer detachable, instead being connected to poseable armatures. Finally, he also comes with articulated figurines of Spike and Daniel, who can ride in his cab in vehicle mode.

[[File:MP-22 Ultra Magnus stock.jpg|right|1px]]
:The artwork on the spec card and instruction booklet are in a different style to other TakaraTomy ''Masterpiece'' releases. Also, early [[Stock photography|stock photo]]s depicted him [[:File:MP-22 Ultra Magnus stock.jpg|with red inner legs and a gray gun.]]

:If bought in Asian markets outside Japan, Ultra Magnus comes with a [[collector coin]]. The coin comes in a package designed after Ultra Magnus's chest, although the white "belt" is upside-down compared to the ''Masterpiece'' figure.

:In Australia, Ultra Magnus was a [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]], being limited to 400 pieces. This release has a different box design (the same artwork as the instruction manual on the regular release) and instructions in English.

:This figure was reissued on [[January 27]], [[2018]].

:''Masterpiece'' Ultra Magnus was later redecoed as [[Delta Magnus#Masterpiece|Delta Magnus]].
{{MPMagnusMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|MP35}}
{{picsneeded|Die-Cast figure}}
* '''Ultra Magnus''' Mini Die-Cast figure (2017)
**''ID number:'' '''2'''

:The Hasbro Asia release of ''Masterpiece'' [[Grapple (G1)#Masterpiece|Grapple]] comes with a mini Ultra Magnus figure, the second in a range of non transformable collectables made from <s>lost art</s> Die-Cast metal and based on the corresponding ''Masterpiece'' figure (MP-22).
{{--}}

===''G-2''===
{{anchor|G2}}
[[File:G2toy-LaserUltraMagnus.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Probably the only Magnus repaint of Prime we'll ever get who isn't just white.]]
*'''Laser Ultra Magnus''' (2006)
**''ID number:'' ''' TRF-13-S'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, sword, 5 discs, ripple missile launcher, 10 missiles, 1 foam missile, foam missile launcher air bellows

: An [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive, ''G-2'' Laser Ultra Magnus is a redeco of Laser Optimus Prime, transforming into a mid-1990s Western Star 4964EX extended-hood truck pulling a blue and white tanker trailer. He was packaged in the reissue Laser Optimus Prime's box, along with Prime's instructions, bio card, and sticker sheet. Yes, the stickers that have "Optimus Prime" written on them.

:In [[robot mode]], the bottom of the truck becomes a windowed chest based upon the original Optimus Prime toy (and the original Ultra Magnus's cab). His main gimmick is light-up LED headlights and a [[Light-piping|lightpipe]] in the bottom of his right fist, illuminated by an LED in his right forearm, that illuminates his clear sword or his double-barreled rifle if they are placed in that hand. All three LEDs are activated simultaneously by pressing the sunroof-like depression on the roof of the truck.

:The trailer unfolds to form a battle station bristling with many firing weapons. Primarily, these are an air-powered missile launcher, a ripple rocket launcher with 5 missiles that can be launched individually (This turret can also be mounted in Laser Magnus's hand) and a "disc launcher" that fires several white plastic discs. This disc launcher is the only weapon that can be used in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]].

:This release uses the toolings that were modified for the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Scourge (RID)#Robots in Disguise (2001)|Scourge]] toy, and thus has smooth discs and a less pointy sword. This mold was also planned to be used for the canceled ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Toxitron (Universe)#Universe (2003)|Toxitron]] toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Cybertron/UltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Laser Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{G2LaserOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:Transformers-classics-BfAC-Ultra-Magnus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Arctic Camo Prime!]]
*'''Ultra Magnus vs Skywarp: Battle For Autobot City''' (Multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestack/laser cannons, Wind vane/blaster

: A [[Target]]-[[exclusive]] [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Optimus Prime]], Ultra Magnus transforms into a modern cab-over style truck of made up model, dominated by a large wind vane on his roof. In robot mode, his wind vane transforms into a large ion blaster, and his smokestacks transform into a smaller laser cannon. Additionally, both weapons can combine together to form a double-barreled over-shoulder weapon. As with most ''Classics'' toys, he features a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]].

: He was released with [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Skywarp]] as part of the "Battle for Autobot City" set. He was also available in Woolworth stores throughout the United Kingdom.

: The final production toy has several major paint application differences compared to [[:File:ClassicsUltraMagnus toy.jpg|the toy depicted on the packaging]], including the loss of all light blue paint (including his faceplate and crest, both replaced with silver) and darker blue on his thighs. Also, his red eyes are replaced with blue light-piped eyes, and it seems the smokestacks/double-barreled gun were originally going to be cast or painted white instead of the final version's unpainted black.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Classics Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|PrimeMagnus2Pack}}
*'''Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus''' (Multi-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestack/laser cannons, Wind vane/blaster

:In Asian markets, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Ultra Magnus was also made available as part of a special two-pack with Voyager Class Optimus Prime in late 2007. Aside from the unique packaging, the toys are identical to their single releases.
{{--}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:TitaniumHero UltraMagnus.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|Oh, that's right, this Ultra Magnus guy had a trailer or something, didn't he?]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle, display stand, 2 rocket launchers
{{toydesigner|[[Don Figueroa]] (concept artist)}}

: ''Titanium Cybertron Heroes'' Ultra Magnus is an all-new sculpt constructed mostly of die-cast metal. For the first time, Ultra Magnus's cab and trailer are one piece, rather than a [[partformer]] like the Generation 1 toy version, although the cab is only held on by a peg and can be detached, resulting in a small, super-deformed cab. The toy's wheels can all spin. He transforms very similarly to the original toy, but the aforementioned truck cab now folds down into his back rather than detaching and reconnecting, with his head flipping out of the back of the cab.

: Ultra Magnus is armed with a gray laser rifle and two shoulder-mounted, non-firing rocket launchers which, due to some mistake, face top-down when attached in [[robot mode]]. It is unknown whether the launchers were somehow mirror-flipped in manufacture or if his shoulder assemblies [[Misassembly|were switched]]. The latter is perhaps supported by the orientation of molding detail shown in the [[instructions]] and on the Generation 1 toy, although the [[tampograph]]s could argue against this. One can easily "correct" this by unscrewing his blue forearms and swapping out the shoulders, allowing the launchers to face top-up.

: Unfortunately, due to the robot mode-oriented design of this figure, as well as size limitations, the rear ramp is now solely part of his legs as detail and cannot fold down, nor is there clearance space for any other vehicles to be transported. For some reason, on the side of each of Magnus's legs/ the back of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] trailer there are white flip-out wing shaped panels. The paint on these panels flakes off easily, so it's best never to touch them. Like most, if not all, 6-inch Titaniums, his joints are very floppy. His left shoulder on some copies is one of the loosest (if not ''the loosest'') ball joints on a Transformers figure ever. In another possible mis-assembly issue, the figure's knees bend far more ''forwards'' than backwards. Strangely, the molded detail on the tops of the thighs contradicts this being a mis-assembly. The vehicle mode also has a hard time staying as it should as very few pieces actually tab together.

:His chest panel can flip up to reveal a shallow recess for the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, though no Matrix accessory to date is actually flat enough to fit inside.

:He comes with the generic display stand shared by all of the 6" "Cybertron Heroes", with a unique, removable nameplate.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Titanium Series Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|TiWarWithin}}
[[File:Titanium WarWithin ultramagnus.JPG|right|upright=1.67|thumb|A toy to remember that time Ultra Magnus never looked like this in ''The War Within''.]]
*'''(War Within) Ultra Magnus''' (6-inch Cybertron Heroes, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle, display stand

: A [[redeco]] of the 6-inch War Within Optimus Prime, transforming into a Cybertronian truck mode used by Prime (but not Magnus) in "[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]" comics. The original Prime figure was personally designed by comic artist [[Don Figueroa]], who created the original comic design in the first place, and his signature is left on the figure in the most literal way: The word "DON" can be seen sculpted into the barrel of his gun.

: As a ''[[Titanium Series]]'' figure, Magnus is made in large part from [[die-cast]] metal, but like so many of the other toys in the ''Titanium'' line, his plastic joints have trouble supporting his heavy metal weight. He again comes with the generic display stand and nameplate.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/TitTWWUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on War Within Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Alternity''===
[[File:Alternity Ultra Magnus.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Because a car carrier isn't a car.]]
*'''Ultla Magnus {{sic}} [Brilliant White Pearl]''' (2010)
**''ID number:'' '''A-01U'''

:An [[e-HOBBY]]-exclusive redeco of ''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Alternity|Convoy]], Ultra Magnus transforms into a white 1:32 scale Nissan GT-R, featuring die-cast metal parts, an opening hood, trunk and doors, as well as an interior, complete with his feet and thighs being sculpted to form the back seats. This complex figure stands at 6.5" tall and is armed with a pair of blasters on each arm.

:The e-HOBBY version came packed with an [[Nissan GT-R / Ultra Magnus (Brilliant Pearl White)|exclusive comic book]]. A version available via Hasbro Asia is identical to the e-HOBBY version except it does not include the pack-in comic (like most e-HOBBY exclusives released outside of Japan).

:The mold suffers from a [[Design flaw|minor design oversight]], wherein the rear Nissan badge collides with his left leg strut when the left foot is hinged over and pegged into a clear plastic socket during transformation, with the results being that the connection is slightly crooked, isn't very secure, and sometimes pops off, and that the crooked pegging often causes the socket to crack.
{{AlternityConvoyMold}}
{{--}}

===''United''===
[[File:Unitedtoy-UltraMagnus.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|If you can't afford the [[#Masterpiece|''Masterpiece'' Ultra Magnus]], you can still get yourself a<s>n Albino Optimus Prime</s> Cabnus.]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' ([[September 29]], 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestack/laser cannons, Wind vane/blaster

: ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' Ultra Magnus is a redeco of [[#Classics|his ''Classics'' toy]], replacing his opaque blue plastic with white, omitting his blue and black [[paint operation]]s, painting his hands and shin-vents white, adding silver paint to his kneepads, thighs, pelvis, and smokestack cannons, painting his [[mouthplate]] and crest blue, replacing his bronze-painted wheel rims with silver, and [[vacuum metallizing]] his vehicle grill and fenders. He was exclusively released in Hasbro Asia's markets.

:While unconfirmed, it seems likely that this release was conceived to satisfy then-high collector demand for the original ''Classics'' Ultra Magnus, a result of the unofficial City Commander upgrade kit released for the figure by "[[IP theft|third party]]" company FansProject. Of course, as an unlicensed product, the kit was not acknowledged in any official marketing material for the re-released toy.
{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

===''Timelines''===
[[File:TCCSS1-UltraMammoth.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67|If I'm a mammoth I'm a very manly mammoth.]]
*'''Ultra Mammoth''' (Ultra Class, 2012)
**''TFSS1 number'': '''6'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Blue Bolts]] cannon, two Energy Bolts, two Thunderstrike missiles, [[Reconfiguration Matrix]]

: Representing the new body [[Ultra Magnus (G1)#Classics|Ultra Magnus]] used in ''[[Beast Wars Shattered Glass]]'', the Ultra Mammoth toy is a light blue and white redeco of ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars (Japanese toyline)#1999 (Beast Wars Neo)|Beast Wars Neo]]'' [[Big Convoy]]. Like Big Convoy, Ultra Mammoth is a [[shellformer]], as practically all of his [[beast mode]] components are shells that fit around the compressed robot to form this mode. He technically has a beast "[[attack mode]]", in which his large cannon is folded out. His main body has a similar color scheme to Ultra Magnus's "Super Mode" (though with more white), and his head has the color scheme of regular Magnus.

: In [[robot mode]], Ultra Mammoth is absolutely chock-full of weapons and gimmicks. First and foremost, the spring-loaded Blue Bolts cannon, formed out of the beast's head, back, and tail, can fire two missiles from two barrels in succession with a rotating dial. It is held in his hands via [[5 mm post]] and can be stored on his back, though doing so may cause some stability problems owing to its weight. Second, his shoulders can be swung up to reveal sculpted, non-firing missile pods. Third, he has flip-out {{w|tonfa}} melee weapons in his forearms. Fourth, the two beast panels on the sides of his legs feature two spring-loaded missile launchers that fire his anchor-shaped projectiles, which can be loosely held in his hands. Last, but certainly not least, his chest panel flips down, revealing a removable Matrix toy accessory in vacuum-metalized sliver with a transparent blue center. This accessory can be held by any figure with standard 5mm fist holes.

: The anchor-shaped Thunderstrike missiles have been retooled since the previous two uses of this mold, presumably for safety reasons, and as a result can no longer be kept loaded in beast mode. The instructions refer to the space in his chest as a "[[Dead Matrix]] annex", but the Matrix within is referred to as the [[Reconfiguration Matrix]] in packaging and was ultimately depicted by [[Beast Wars Shattered Glass|tie-in fiction]] as the [[Origin Matrix]].

: Ultra Mammoth is one of the first six [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] [[exclusive]] figures to be offered via the [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|Figure Subscription Service]] in 2013.

:The Ultra Mammoth figure was also repurposed as a different guy also called [[Ultra Mammoth]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Maximal/TFCCUltraMammoth/ultramammoth.htm More information on Ultra Mammoth at TFU.info]''
{{BWBigConvoyMold}}
{{--}}

===''Bot Shots''===
[[File:BStoy-3packUltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Hasbro|They]] didn't even bother painting me white this time.]]
*'''Red Alert / Ultra Magnus / Mirage''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''BP010'''
***''Fist strength'': '''840'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''248'''
***''Sword strength'': '''532'''

:Part of the third wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 2 three-packs, Ultra Magnus is a [[redeco]] of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#BotShotJumpShot|Jump Shot Optimus Prime]], and turns into a heavily-armed futuristic firetruck heavily based on ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. As a Jump Shot toy, an impact to his front bumper will cause him to spring up and [[Autotransformation|autotransform]] into robot mode. He also has an "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. He comes in a three-pack with [[Red Alert (G1)/toys|Jump Shot Red Alert]] and [[Mirage (G1)#3pack|Super Bot Mirage]].
{{--}}

===Ultra Magnus Pen===
[[File:UltraMagnusPen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Transformers Ultra Magnus Pen''' (2014)
**''Accessories:'' Blaster

: A white redeco of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Optimus Prime Pen|Optimus Prime Pen]] produced by [[Sentinel (company)|Sentinel]] as part of the 30th anniversary of ''Transformers'', Ultra Magnus Pen is a well-articulated robot that folds into the shape of a rather chunky, but functional ballpoint pen. The tip of the pen is formed from his blaster, with the barrel acting as a cap. Ultra Magnus Pen was sold exclusively through [http://www.hlj.com/ HobbyLink Japan].

: This mold was also used to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Black Convoy Pen|Black Convoy Pen]].
{{--}}

===''Hero Mashers''===
[[File:HM-toy Optimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Magnus: The Hand of Fate.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Battle Upgrade, 2014)
**''Pieces'': '''18'''
**''Accessories'': Missile-launching rifle, missile, energy axe, cannon, left & right rocket pods, "Ultra Magnus" right forearm & fist

: Part of the first wave of "Battle Upgrade" ''[[Hero Mashers]]'' toys, Ultra Magnus is represented as a spare forearm that is included with Optimus Prime, but does not appear in the line as a complete figure. The arm is a retooling of [[Bulkhead (Prime)#Hero Mashers|Bulkhead]]'s, removing the spring-loaded missile-launcher gimmick.
{{--}}

===''Kre-O''===
{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:KreO-Toy UltraMagnusC84.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|right]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, [[2014]])
**''Set number'': '''B0090'''
**''Voted'': Teacher's Pet
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle

:[[Kreon]] Ultra Magnus is based on the inner "white Optimus" robot of the original toy, with extensive toy-based details, including red eyes.

:He was only available in a [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014 [[exclusive]] pack of 30 Kreons dubbed the "[[Kreon Class of 1984]]". Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online, only there ''was'' no remaining stock after the show.

:And yes, his inclusion in this 1984-themed set is confusing, as Magnus did not appear in ''Transformers'' in any capacity until 1986.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

===''Transformers'' (2014)===
{{anchor|2014legion}}
[[File:Transformers-2014-legion-ultra-magnus-toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|My other pants are in the cleaners.]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Legion Class, 2015)

:Legion Class Ultra Magnus is a redeco of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#2010Legend|Optimus Prime]], with the retooled hands and head/vehicle mode roof originally created for [[Transformers: Generations#Asian market exclusives ("GDO")|''Generations'' GDO]] Legends Class [[Motormaster (G1)#Generations|Motorbreath]]. While the deco partially follows previous redecos of Optimus Prime figures as Ultra Magnus's "inner robot", with a teal/blue [[mouthplate]], a teal/blue forehead crest [[paint operation]], red eyes and blue/teal windows, it also features several rather ''odd'' deco choices, namely extremely dark charcoal gray legs (to the point of nearly looking ''black'') and ''white'' wheels (though coincidentally resembles his Transform Jr. toy).

:Ultra Magnus comes in packaging that is based on the packaging design for the concurrently released ''Combiner Wars''-era ''Generations'' figures, but replaces the name ''Generations'' with "Authentic Transformers". Since Ultra Magnus and his [[wave]]-mates ship with three figures previously released under what we consider a generic [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2014) toy line]], all of them now in the new packaging style, we consider Ultra Magnus to be part of that line as well. The [[package art]] used for Ultra Magnus is hilariously inaccurate, as it is recolored from artwork originally created for the [[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|''Legends'' mobile game]], depicting Ultra Magnus's armored form ''colored as his inner robot''.

:The wave that contains Ultra Magnus has thus far been found at Fred's, Gordmans, Dollar General, and Family Dollar stores in the United States, but was available at general retail in Hong Kong and from Australian Target stores.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/FDUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]
{{2010LegendsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
{{anchor|Leader}}
[[File:CombinerWarsUltraMagnus.jpg|upright=2|thumb|"You may take Albino Prime from me, but you can never leave my chest empty!"]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Leader Class, 2015)
**''Accessories:'' Two guns, [[Minimus Ambus]] figure
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro), [[Takashi Kunihiro]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Ultra Magnus is based on [[Nick Roche]]'s design for the character in [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' and transforming into a truck and trailer. Although the truck and trailer cannot be separated, they are connected by a pivot joint that still allows one to move independently of the other. He includes a small [[Minimus Ambus]], based on [[Alex Milne]]'s design for the character, that can be stored inside his chest in robot mode. In vehicle mode, the trailer bed has a set of 3 notches that seemingly correspond with tabs on Minimus, however, it is a loose fit, and Minimus will detach with a little shaking. Artist [[Andrew Griffith]] also worked with Hasbro on Minimus's toy design and "cockpit" within Magnus.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Awesome that they finally showed the Leader Ultra Magnus. Have they shown Ambus' cockpit yet? That's the part I got to work on.|link=https://twitter.com/glovestudios/status/566696096794034176|name=Andrew Griffith|site=Twitter|year=2015|month=02|day=14|(defunct=)}}<br>{{citesocial|quote=Oh yeah I forgot I worked on the design of Minimus too lol. (In plastic form.)|link=https://twitter.com/glovestudios/status/566697537730408449|name=Andrew Griffith|site=Twitter|year=2015|month=02|day=14|(defunct=)}}</ref> Minimus is not necessary for transformation and Ultra Magnus can be completed without seating him in the cockpit.

:Ultra Magnus includes two [[5 mm post|5 mm]] guns, which can be combined with his shoulder-mounted missile launchers to form a large hammer weapon, in homage to the character's [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|''Animated'']] and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|''Prime'' incarnations]]. Note that in robot form, Ultra Magnus lacks 5mm holes in his hands for his guns; instead, his fingers open and close like the hands of Combiner class Combiner War toys. This means that he can't firmly hold his guns, making them prone to falling out. The door sculpted into Ultra Magnus's cab suggests it is intended to represent a positively ''gargantuan'' vehicle, with the trailer being perhaps seven stories tall if [[scale]]d to a human. Hasbro representatives at [[Toy Fair 2015]] said that his ladder sculpts were intended to match in scale similar ladder sculpts on ''Combiner Wars'' [[Devastator (G1)#Generations|Devastator]].

:Though undocumented in the instructions, Ultra Magnus' trailer can hitch with 1 or 2 Legends Class and/or Deluxe Class cars with smaller mass, with the lower leg panels serving as a makeshift ramp.

:Ultra Magnus comes with a character card based on his packaging art, which was drawn by [[Marcelo Matere]].

:The mold was also heavily retooled into ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Titans Return|Powermaster Optimus Prime]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWUltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]
{{CWUltraMagnusMold}}
{{--}}

===''Legends''===
{{anchor|TransformersLegends}}
[[File:Takaratomy-lg-14-ultra-magnus-and-alpha-trion.jpg|upright=2|thumb|Of course he comes with Alpha Trion! Why wouldn't he? Those two hang out all the time!]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' ([[September 19]], [[2015]])
**''ID number:'' '''LG-14'''
**''Accessories:'' two guns, Alpha Trion figure
{{toydesigner|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}

:''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' Ultra Magnus is a redeco of the [[#Combiner Wars|''Combiner Wars'' Leader Class Ultra Magnus]] toy. Compared to the Hasbro release, ''Legends'' Ultra Magnus features whiter plastic, and a deco closer to his original toy (including his rifles) and his appearances in [[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|IDW's ''More Than Meets The Eye'']] comics (down to the red thighs and unpainted eyes). The figure includes a small [[Alpha Trion (G1)#Legends|Alpha Trion]] figure, which is redecoed from Minimus Ambus. His profile names his buildable hammer the [[Magnus Hammer]].

:Unlike most ''Legends'' releases which feature Takara-original art, Ultra Magnus features the ''Combiner Wars'' toy's [[Marcelo Matere]]-drawn packaging art on his box, only recolored to match the toy's new paint job (and slightly modified to accommodate Trion's longer beard).

:Ultra Magnus also comes with [[Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 14|Bonus Edition Vol. 14]] of the [[Transformers Legends (comic)|''Legends'' manga]].
{{CWUltraMagnusMold}}
{{--}}

===''Q-Transformers''===
[[File:QTransformers UltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.66|A totally realism-minded superdeformed Ultra-Munchkin vehicle, just like all the others!]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' ([[January 30]], [[2016]])
**''ID number:'' '''QTF-05'''

:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Ultra Magnus is a retool of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Q-Transformers|QT-19 Convoy]] with a new head and arms/trailer, transforming from a [[super deformed]] car carrier with integrated trailer to a cute little robot. This toy was first available for sale at a special ''Q-Transformers'' event on [[January 16]]th, two weeks before it was released in stores.

:The original version of this mold was also used to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Q-Transformers|Black Convoy]].
{{--}}

===''Platinum Edition''===
{{anchor|AutobotHeroes}}
[[File:TF-Platinum-Edition-Autobot-Heroes-Ultra-Magnus.jpg|upright=2|thumb|"Beware, my retool is nearby.."]]
*'''Autobot Heroes''' (5-pack, 2016)
**''Accessories'': Springer's weapons (dual missile launcher, two missiles, rotor blades/sword), Arcee's weapons (2 swords), Kup's "laser musket" rifle/exhaust pipe, Ultra Magnus' 2 guns, Blurr's weapons (Sniper rifle, left & right pistols), Minimus Ambus figure

:Part of Hasbro's ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' offerings for 2016 intended to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Ultra Magnus is a redeco of his ''Combiner Wars'' Leader Class toy, featuring some plastic color changes: The white plastic parts are now truly ''white'', compared to the more creamy color of the original version; also, several parts previously cast in blue plastic have been changed to white and vice versa, with some of them being (at least partially) painted over to restore the original color. The metallic blue color for the chest section and the forearm panels is not only visibly rather conspicuous compared to his unpainted blue parts, but also makes tabbing his arms together in truck mode considerably more difficult, due to the paintjob resulting in a thicker tab and smaller slot. Additional painted details include painted rims and a blue striping on his cab. He also retains his [[Minimus Ambus#Platinum Edition|Minimus Ambus]] figure, who is cast in the same white plastic as Ultra Magnus's white parts and features more light and dark green paint operations on his torso than the original release, both of which are considerably darker and more saturated than the original's lighter, "pearly" green paint operations.

:Ultra Magnus was released as part of 5-pack with [[Arcee (G1)/toys#AutobotHeroes|Arcee]], [[Springer (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Autobot Springer]], [[Kup (G1)/toys#AutobotHeroes|Sergeant Kup]], and [[Blurr (G1)/toys#AutobotHeroes|Blurr]]. The set also included a recreation of the theatrical poster for the 1986 movie. In the United States, this set was officially a [[Target]] exclusive, but was only available via the company's website, never sold in stores. It was also released in Singapore, although it's currently unknown whether it was exclusive to any particular stores there or not. In Canada, it was available via the Canadian [[Walmart]] website but never found in stores, whereas in the United Kingdom, it was available via [[Toys"R"Us]] stores and the website. In Spain, it was available via the Spanish subsidiaries of both [[Amazon (website)|Amazon]] and Carrefour, as well as the department store chain El Corte Inglés, supposedly also only available online. In Germany, it was available via retailer Real and specialty store Rappelkiste Ahlen, also only available online.
{{CWUltraMagnusMold}}
{{--}}

===''Alt-Modes''===
[[File:Alt-Modes UltraMagnus.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Alt-Modes, 2016)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Collection'': '''1'''

:A retool of ''[[Alt-Modes]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Alt-Modes|Optimus Prime]] with a new head and chest, Ultra Magnus is a super deformed toy whose body transforms into a truck when the Autobot faction symbol on his head is flipped. He was [[Blindpacking|blind-boxed]] and available in the first collection of the toyline.

:The original version of the mold was also used to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Alt-Modes|Nemesis Prime]].
{{--}}

===''Titans Return''===
{{anchor|HasCon}}
[[File:TitansReturntoy-UltraMagnus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The smallest Soldier who ever lived!]]
*'''Leinad & Arcee''' / '''Ultra Magnus''' (Special Edition, 2017)
**''Accessories:'' [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)#Generations|Leinad]] Titan Master, Ultra Magnus Titan Master, guns

:''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Ultra Magnus is a redeco/retool of ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Fangry (G1)#Generations|Fangry]] with a new Titan Master head, and he is a solo [[Titan Master]] included with [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Arcee]], a redeco/retool of [[Blurr (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Blurr]]. The Titan Master in robot mode is themed after the original toy's inner robot figure, while his head mode face is based on the armored Magnus head. The set debuted at [[HasCon 2017]] before a later release at [[New York Comic Con]] 2017 and a standard release<ref>[http://io9.gizmodo.com/hasbros-own-convention-will-sell-you-a-giant-transforme-1797331311 Hasbro's Own Convention Will Sell You a Giant Transformer That Actually Charges Your Phone]</ref> at [[Toys"R"Us]]. Like [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#TRCOV|Rodimus Prime]], [[Thunderwing (G1)#Titans Return|Thunderwing]], and [[Scorponok (G1)/toys#Generations|Scorponok]], Ultra Magnus also features a die-cast Titan Master torso and head mode face.
{{TRFangryMold}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Siege''===
[[File:War-for-Cybertron-Siege-Leader-Ultra-Magnus.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|It comes with a white Magnus cab that ''isn't an Optimus redeco?'' Time to channel ''Unsolved Mysteries'', with [[Robert Stack]]!]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Leader Class, [[2019]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-S13'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''SG-07'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': '''[[February 23]], 2019'''
**''Hidden message code'': '''FORGEOFSOLUS'''
**''Accessories'': "RT-15 Stethoscopic Detector", 2 "C-30 Magnetic Inducer Launchers", 2 "W-HV-1000 Simulacrum Blasters", 7 armor pieces
{{toydesigner|[[Emiliano Santalucia]] (concept artist)}}

:Part of the first wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'' Leader Class figures, Ultra Magnus transforms from a robot to a car carrier truck inspired by his ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|incarnation]] and back! The most notable feature of this toy is that the trailer transforms into the Magnus Armor and combines with the Voyager-sized inner robot to form the super robot mode, making this the first official mainline representation of the armor since Magnus's original toy back in 1986. Ultra Magnus also features "battle damage" paint applications on several parts of his body, as well as multiple hardpoints all over himself and his weapons to accommodate "Fire Blasts" from the [[Battle Master]]s assortment, which can be used to simulate blaster fire or explosions. He includes five weapons compatible with the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]. His "RT-15 Stethoscopic Detector" is silver in painted samples at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2018|SDCC 2018]], Hasbro's stock renders, and [[stock photography]], while [[TakaraTomy]] stock photography (to the right) shows it in red with silver highlights. The final blaster is molded in red and painted silver, except for the grip which is left as bare red plastic. Though his two black blasters continue the ''Robots in Disguise'' Ultra Magnus homage, mirroring the detailing placed just behind Magnus's cab, their hexagonal tips resemble that of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|Optimus Prime]]'s Super Mode leg cannons, a comparison strengthened by the stock photos using the black blasters as leg mounted cannons.

:The inner robot, while still resembling Optimus Prime in general appearance, is actually a different mold from ''Siege'' Voyager Class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#War for Cybertron: Siege|Optimus Prime]].

:As with the redecoes/retools of the mold below, this Ultra Magnus is ''not'' designed to hitch Deluxe/Legends Class cars due to how the trailer is designed, though you can mount one of them (albeit not securely) on top of it.

:Though designated for release in the first quarter of 2019, Magnus's wave reached U.S. store shelves in late 2018.

{{WFCSiegeUltraMagnusMold}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy''===
[[File:Netflix-WFC-Ultra-Magnus-Rung-Spoiler-Pack.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|[[Play-Doh|Fun to play with, not to eat.]]]]
*'''Spoiler Pack''' (Leader Unboxing, [[2020]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''WFC-08'''
**''TakaraTomy release date:'' [[December 19]], 2020
**''Accessories:'' "RT-15 Stethoscopic Detector", 2 "C-30 Magnetic Inducer Launchers", 2 "W-HV-1000 Simulacrum Blasters", 7 armor pieces, 2 "Fire Blasts", 3 [[energon cube]]s, [[Play-Doh|compound]]
{{toydesigner|[[AJ Piejko-Brown]] (packaging)}}

:Promoting the ''Siege'' season of the [[Netflix]] [[Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy (cartoon)|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon]], this ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' Leader Unboxing set contains a slathered redeco of ''Siege'' Leader Ultra Magnus, plus some extras that beef up the price (including the translucent pink "[[Rung (G1)#War for Cybertron Trilogy|Battlefield Rung]]" and a compound in which a buyer can dig to reveal energon cubes).

:The Cybertronian text on the package reads "BATTLEFIELD RUNG", while the 'spoiler' text inside features a Decepticon-themed quote: "I ULTRA MAGNUS / IN GOOD FAITH / HEREBY SURRENDER / TO YOU" and an Autobot-themed one: "THIS CAN ONLY / MEAN ONE THING / [[Ultra Magnus Dies!!|ULTRA MAGNUS IS DEAD]]". These are direct quotes that refer to Ultra Magnus's decision and its consequences in the [[Siege episode 2|second]] and [[Siege episode 4|fourth]] episode of the ''Siege'' chapter, respectively. It is noteworthy that the black gradients are meant to represent his final moments in the ''Siege'' cartoon. The included Rung also has a striking resemblance to the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]]. While the set does not include the cloak Magnus sported in the second episode, the cloak from ''[[Studio Series]]'' ''Dark of the Moon'' [[Megatron (Movie)/toys#SS34|Megatron]] can be used as a decently accurate stand-in if one wishes.

:This set is a shared exclusive between online retailers and [[Walmart]] in Canada and the USA, and in Japan as a [[TakaraTomy]] Mall exclusive. The Japanese release is packaged in a standard windowed box. The set also found its way into numerous discount retailers, often at a steep deduction to its price tag.
{{WFCSiegeUltraMagnusMold}}
{{-}}

{{anchor|Behold}}
[[File:Behold Galvatron Ultra Magnus.JPG|thumb|200px]]
* '''Behold, Galvatron! Unicron Companion Pack''' (Leader Class, 2022)
:Ultra Magnus was also released as a non-transforming and immobile [[Slug figure|minifigure]], barely 10mm tall, scaled to interact with the immense [[Unicron/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' Unicron]] figure and its clear display base. This was one of a set of 14 minifigures in the "Unicron Companion Pack" that was included with the [[Galvatron (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron Trilogy|"reformatting" version of Galvatron]]. The set was [[exclusive]] to [[Hasbro Pulse]].
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
[[File:WFC-Kingdom Leader Ultra Magnus.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|ER Prime forgot to bleach his colors before the photoshoot, so they had to get a new guy for the pictures.]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Leader Class, February [[2021]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-K20'''
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''KD-11'''
**''TakaraTomy release date'': [[July 31]], 2021
**''Accessories'': "RT-15 Stethoscopic Detector", 2 missile launchers, 7 armor pieces
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

:Part of the second wave of ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' Leader Class toys, Ultra Magnus is a retool of the above ''Siege'' toy, transforming from robot to car carrier truck. Like the ''Siege'' version, the figure is composed of the truck cab, which transforms into the inner robot, and the trailer, which transforms into the armor for the main robot. The wheels, Magnus Armor head, two chest pieces, shoulders, side car-carrier panels, and crotch, core-body chest, back, and rear-end have been changed to more closely resemble Ultra Magnus's original "Generation 1" cartoon appearance in both modes. As such, his cab and trailer are more separate, lengthening the truck mode, although the two halves cannot swivel independently from one another. Due to the retooling, the armor's shoulders no longer attach to the trailer itself in vehicle mode, and the robot mode hands of the truck cab are visible. The cab retooling also limits the backward hip movement in his core-body and the waist in his main body (though the latter can be worked around with the back's sliding rail).

:The front end of Ultra Magnus's trailer also features small molded details shaped like the Autobot [[insignia]] to be placed to better replicate his [[Sunbow Productions|Sunbow]] model and his [[#Generation 1|original toy]], although there is no Autobot symbol present. Ultra Magnus has a similarly blank spot on his right shoulder for an Autobot sigil, but no sigil exists.

:His "RT-15 Stethoscopic Detector" remains the same, though his missile launchers are differently molded, and he lacks the leg-mounted "C-30 Magnetic Inducer Launchers". While the armor parts are still compatible with the original ''Siege'' inner robot, the front torso armor cannot clip into place due to the distance of both the tabs and holes.

:Much like most of the toyline, Ultra Magnus comes with one of four possible holographic [[Golden Disk (Voyager)|Golden Disk]] cards for his wave, which reveals a [[Source:Golden Disk destinies|possible destiny]] of a key character.

:Hasbro stock photography is mistransformed; the inner Magnus robot has the truck mode's front bumper left slid down and the torso slid forward, while the armored robot form has the waist plate left in the configuration used for his standard robot form. Both truck modes have the torso piece of the cab slid back instead of all the way forward. The CGI renders on the back of the box do not have these mistakes, though his armored robot chest is missing red.

{{WFCSiegeUltraMagnusMold}}
{{--}}

===''Premium Finish''===
[[File:Premium-finish-siege-Ultra-Magnus.jpg|thumb|350px|Dude, are you sure you are Ultra Magnus? You look more like a poorly tanned [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Nemesis Prime]]...]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (Leader Class, [[December 29]], [[2021]])
**''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PF WFC-03 / PFGR 03'''
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''GE-03'''
**''Accessories'':"RT-15 Stethoscopic Detector", 2 "C-30 Magnetic Inducer Launchers", 2 "W-HV-1000 Simulacrum Blasters", 7 armor pieces

:As part of the third wave of TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers Premium Finish|''Premium Finish'']]'' subline, Ultra Magnus is a detailed redeco of the [[#WFC-S13|Siege]] mold, featuring more paint applications that represent his appearance in [[War for Cybertron: Siege|''Transformers: War For Cybertron: Siege'']] and with the same weapons as the aforementioned mold. Alongside sporting a dark grey paint scheme instead of white (or white & grey), his Shoulder Pylons are now cracked. He may have stiff limbs, and his legs may not connect when transforming him into truck mode.
{{WFCSiegeUltraMagnusMold}}
{{--}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:Studio-Series-Commander-Class-86-21-Ultra-Magnus.jpg|thumb|350px|Ready to ''shoulder'' a lot of burdens.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-a1|'''Ultra Magnus''' (Commander Class, [[2023]])}}</ul>
:*''Movie'': '''''The Transformers: The Movie'''''
:*''Hasbro ID number'': '''86-21'''
:*''Accessories'': rifle, "emergency shuttle" blaster, 2 missile launchers, 2 horns, [[Matrix of Leadership]], [[Fire Blast effect]]s, backdrop
{{toydesigner|[[Evan Brooks]] (Hasbro), [[Tomoki Tatsumi]] (TakaraTomy)|[[Marcelo Matere]] (packaging artist)}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBqMyy6HYxE San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Generations panel recording] at the "Memo's collection" YouTube channel</ref>

:The first Commander Class figure in the ''[[Studio Series]]'' line, '86 Ultra Magnus is based directly on his appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Unlike all of the Magnus figures released in the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' before him, this Ultra Magnus does not have an "inner robot", instead transforming directly from armored [[robot mode]] to car carrier truck in the name of [[Show-accuracy|movie-accuracy]]. Unlike his ''Combiner Wars'' figure, the truck cab is designed to be separated from the trailer without disassembly. Despite the [[instructions]] depicting otherwise, it is advised to detach the truck cab from the trailer before transforming the latter, as the truck cab is prone to falling off while handling it.

:As a Commander Class figure, Magnus has a notably high range of movement, including individually-articulated fingers. Similarly to ''Studio Series'' [[Kup (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Kup]], his limbs can also be removed from his body to replicate his death at the hands of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and the [[Sweep (G1)|Sweep]]s. Unlike Kup, however, his joints secure via ''Combiner Wars''-style (but not compatible) spring-backed locks rather than at the points of articulation. He also has spring-loaded chest doors that spring out when the "T"-shaped armor piece is flipped up. Inside his chest is a molded chamber for the included Matrix of Leadership accessory, which is the same size as ''Studio Series'' {{'}}86 [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Hot Rod]]'s, meaning he's only really capable of holding it by gripping it with one finger from each hand. Out of the box, the Matrix is installed in his chest upside-down, but it can be plugged in in its proper orientation as well.

:In addition to the expected shoulder/trailer-mounted missile launchers, Magnus includes two guns: one is based on his main rifle, and the other is based on the blaster Magnus uses after his emergency shuttle crash-lands on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]]; both can peg into slots on Magnus's back. He also includes yellow-and-gray redecos of ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege]]'' [[Omega Supreme (G1)#War for Cybertron: Siege|Omega Supreme]]'s blast effects, which can be pegged into either of the two blasters or any of the various [[5 mm post|5 mm ports]] on Magnus' body, again to mimic his death scene. Alternatively, aside from the three tip pieces, you can take any combination of the other four blast effects and plug them into the back of the red missiles, and then plug them into the front of the shoulder launchers. This will make it look like the missiles are firing out of the launchers.

:''Studio Series'' Magnus's trailer is specifically designed for him, with a unique connector joint that prevents it from hitching onto other Optimus or Magnus figures' vehicle modes. Magnus's trailer is also capable of carrying up to three [[Autobot Cars|Deluxe Class cars]], with enough room left over to fit in one [[Mini Vehicle|Core Class car]]; in a nod to a [[:File:TFTM-SideswipeRedAlertTracks.jpg|cut sequence from the film]] (and several [[1986]] toy [[commercial]] animations), this feature was demonstrated at Magnus's debut with the ''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom]]'' figures for [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Sideswipe]], [[Tracks (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Tracks]], and [[Red Alert (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Red Alert]]. Unlike the rest of the ''Studio Series'' toyline, which focuses most of its efforts on a rough robot mode scale, the designers instead prioritized Ultra Magnus's car carrier mode functionality with Deluxe Class figures, meaning his robot mode ends up much larger than it should be. Ultra Magnus should be slightly shorter than [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Grimlock]] but instead ends up being a head taller.

:''Studio Series'' Ultra Magnus was revealed at [[San Diego Comic-Con#2023|San Diego Comic-Con]] on [[July 20]], 2023, with pre-orders going live on [[August 24]], 2023. Magnus then appeared at Netherlands retailer, TF Robots,<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwzqol4MiF3/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D</ref> in early [[September]].

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CvsUQerueu_/ Designer commentary on ''Studio Series'' Ultra Magnus from Evan Brooks on Instagram]''
{{WFCSiegeOmegaSupremeFireBlastMold}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:TrasformerSuperBuggy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The child custody battle was a long and painful process.]]
*The ''[[Diaclone]]'' toy that would become Magnus—called "Powered Convoy"—came in a couple different varieties. Aside from the version that was eventually turned into "Movie Preview" Magnus, there was a "chrome" version that used a lighter gray outer plastic and chromed the central body/lower ramps of the trailer unit. This version was also available in a multi-pack with a red version of the toy which would become [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Toys|Mirage]], and the black version of the toy which would become [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Toys|Sideswipe]]. (Decades later, the red and blue Magnus would inspire the character [[Delta Magnus]] while the black Sideswipe would be used as [[Deep Cover#Toys|Deep Cover]]).

*All versions of the ''Diaclone'' Powered Convoy toy came with a red "Powered Buggy" (パワードバギー) partner-robot that transformed from futuristic buggy (with a space for a Diaclone pilot) to robot and could also use the large rifle in either mode. Why this was excised from the ''Transformers'' incarnation is unknown. The Italian ''[[Trasformer]]'' line by [[GiG]], however, ''did'' release the vehicle as the "Super Buggy" on its own.

*White redecos of Optimus Prime toys that ''look'' like Ultra Magnus, but which surprisingly aren't, include ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#STTWhite|Convoy (White)]], ''[[Transformers Sports Label|Sport Label]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#marine|Convoy featuring Nike Free 7.0 Marine Version]], and ''[[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Music Label|Convoy —playing iPod speaker—]] (though it was actually made from the Ultra Magnus version of the mold), ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Polar Assault Team Optimus Prime]], ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#TakaraTomy BeCool line|BeCool]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#GarbageTruck|Garbage Truck (Clean Optimus)]], ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#MP711|Convoy (7-Eleven ver.)]], and ''au x Transformers'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#InfobarANNIN|INFOBAR Optimus Prime (ANNIN)]] .
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.diaclone.net/orid/dia057/index.html Diaclone Powered Convoy at Diaclone.net (Japanese-language site)]

[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:E-HOBBY exclusives]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Kre-O Autobots]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
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Bludgeon (G1)

2023-10-25T12:27:33Z

SpookwaveGOA125: /* Legacy */ Slightly modified the "samurai action" part

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Bludgeon}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Bludgeon is a [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:MarvelUK-282.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is pretty much the most metal cover in TF history.]]
'''Bludgeon''' is a ferocious warrior, skilled in the ancient Cybertronian martial art of [[Metallikato]]. He and his blade can cut through the battlefield as if everyone else is operating at a minimal speed setting. Bludgeon's feats in battle seem nearly supernatural, which is probably the effect he's going for, if he doesn't believe his own hype. Utterly vicious and aloof, Bludgeon is also highly religious, adhering to an arcane code of honor. Though his beliefs fuel his single-minded bloodthirstiness with dogmatic precision, they also cause him to be rather superstitious.

Bludgeon's confidence, skill, and grand words have often catapulted him to the upper ranks of the Decepticons. Who wouldn't fall in line behind him? He's charismatic! The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] is his usual host of cronies, but he's also been known to fill in as [[Decepticon leader]] if a power vacuum presents itself.

Bludgeon is (obviously) a [[Pretender]] who has adopted a shell which takes the appearance of a skeletal samurai. His signature weapon is an [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]], though he also carries a shield and a [[Electric cannon|high-voltage electric cannon]]. In accordance with his martial arts motif, generators in his shell's legs can create disorienting clouds of smoke, and he can generate electric fireballs from the torso of either his body or his shell.<ref>Bludgeon's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile says the electric fireballs are fired from either of his torsos. His original toy bio said they're fired from between his shell's antennas.</ref>

Sometimes Bludgeon combines with some of the members of the Mayhem Attack Squad to form [[Thunder Mayhem]].

{{quote|Prattling fool! Your warrior heart is tainted by an idiot's tongue! Perhaps I shall remove '''both''' for you!|Bludgeon takes on [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]|"[[The Primal Scream]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Bludgeonasavageplace.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The shoulder is a well-known [[Transformer]] instant-death spot.]]
''When Decepticons [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] defected to the [[Autobot]]s, a new Mayhem Attack Squad was formed which included Bludgeon, his Pretender cohorts [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], and [[Snarler]]. After a [[solid light simulation]] of a mission in [[Slaughter City]], their prey was authorized—they would hunt down and kill Catilla, Carnivac, and their new [[Wreckers|Wrecker]] friends.'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}} ''They found Carnivac outside [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], and Bludgeon, promising him a warrior's death, led the charge.'' {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} ''However, Carnivac managed to draw first blood, injuring Bludgeon's shoulder. The confrontation was then interrupted by the National Guard, and Carnivac escaped Bludgeon and the other Mayhems while they were distracted by the new arrivals.'' {{storylink|Survival Run}} ''After dealing with the fleshlings, the Decepticons tracked Carnivac down to [[Los Gravos]], [[Mexico]]. [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] was about to deal the killing blow, when Catilla rescued him. However, Bludgeon threw his [[sword]] into Catilla, killing Carnivac's savior. As the rest of the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon ordered a withdrawal. Carnivac swore that Bludgeon and the other Mayhems would pay for killing his friend.'' {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}

[[File:Bludgeonstrangleholdoctopunchmodelsheet.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|The [[Nelson Yomtov|colorist]] made me look hunchbacked.]]
He later took on the leadership of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s new [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], sent to slay the newly resurrected [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Alongside the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]], the [[Classic Pretender]]s were due to be teleported to [[Earth]], an operation Bludgeon attempted to interrupt by shoving his blade through the transportation machine. Instead, he and the Mayhems were transported with the Autobots to the center of Cybertron. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} Here, the Mayhems found the Autobots being told the story of Cybertron's origins by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. Despite being on holy ground, Bludgeon and his compatriots attacked, with Bludgeon gaining the upper hand against Jazz until Bumblebee managed to sneak up on him. Bludgeon was lured into a nearby canal, where Seawatch grappled him and hoisted him away with his boat mode. In his absence, the battle inadvertently awakened the slumbering [[Primus]]. Ultimately, the transportation was completed, and the Mayhems were sent to Earth along with the Autobots, {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} where they told [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s coming and joined his Decepticons on Earth. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok in order to facilitate an alliance against Unicron, Bludgeon helped the other Decepticons imprison the surrendered Autobots. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Bludgeon fought on Scorponok's side during the subsequent [[Decepticon Civil War]] {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} and was transported with all of them to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Primus]]. Primus (speaking through the body of [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]) told them of the history between himself and Unicron, while Bludgeon cleaned his sword. He was there also to quell the sudden [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultist]] uprising, remarking that to a master of [[Metallikato]], their moves were like slow motion. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} When Unicron himself arrived, though, the superstitious Bludgeon ran like hell. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Thankfully, Optimus Prime's sacrifice saved them all, and Bludgeon was there standing over Prime's body with a few others as he died. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance that emerged was shaky and the Decepticons leaderless, so Bludgeon and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] discussed a plan of their own. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[File:Bludgeonlastautobot.jpg|left|upright=1.55|thumb|It's a good thing the Battlechargers were dead then, or Bludgeon's shell would've been totally ganked.]]
Tensions came to a head when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] discovered that Cybertron was tearing itself apart in the aftermath of the Transformers' victory against Unicron. While Bludgeon openly kept the peace (like keeping [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] in line at meetings), he and Krok began to worry that some of the Decepticons were in ''favour'' of peaceful alliance and plotted to break it up. New Autobot leader Grimlock almost gave them an opening by beating the tar out of Fangry, until [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] stopped the fight; Bludgeon quickly exploited the situation anyway, demanding the full details of the Autobots' plans.

Now knowing they intended to start anew on another planet and live in peace, he sabotaged the Autobot ships and assumed command of the Decepticons. He gave the troops a rousing speech, condemning the Autobot plan as weak and advocating a return to conquest as was the Decepticon way. Having risen from the ranks to light their darkest hour, he was cheered on by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|Look at him go. What a skeleton!]]
With his Decepticons eager for conquest, Bludgeon randomly selected the planet of [[Klo]] as their first target. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The peaceful inhabitants of Klo were easily (and violently) subdued, and Bludgeon thought this planet did not meet the challenges befitting their warrior race. In turn, Krok pleased him with news that their ships were bugged and that they should be expecting the Autobots to be arriving soon. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

Indeed, when the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon's Decepticons were ready for them, luring them into an ambush—only five Autobots escaped their purge, and Bludgeon sent a small hunting party after them. Ultimate victory was snatched from Bludgeon only by divine intervention. The [[Last Autobot]] arrived with a resurrected Optimus Prime and the [[Neo-Knights]]. Bludgeon rejected this development on religious grounds; the Last Autobot, according to his beliefs, was the Ultimate Warrior, who was bent on conquest. He ordered his troops to attack the "unbelievers". Ultimately, the Decepticons were defeated. The Last Autobot was able to revive the fallen Autobots at will, and Bludgeon was forced to admit defeat and withdraw. As he and the Decepticons retreated, he promised a "solitary exile" to the Autobots—while saying that they were fleeing to fight another day to his subordinates. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Aspects of evil bludgeon.jpg|left|90px|thumb|GIVE ME YOUR THROAT.]]
In an alternate [[1990]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] was captured by the Decepticons and freed by an agent placed within their ranks. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] accused Bludgeon of being the culprit, and Bludgeon demanded the chance to prove himself through [[Trial by Combat]]. He was released and chased by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Stranglehold]] and [[Warmonger]]. Bludgeon easily dispatched the former two but was caught from behind by Warmonger, who couldn't bring himself to kill in cold blood. Realizing who the infiltrator was, Megatron destroyed Warmonger, then reflected that it would have simply been easier to kill all four of them. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:UKBludgeonEarthForce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|There wolf!]]
Following Catilla's death, the Mayhems set up a base on a deserted island, where Needlenose decided to test their response time in an emergency. Enraged, Bludgeon threatened to tear him apart, but was stopped by Snarler. As Needlenose returned to his quarters, he was ambushed by Carnivac, who had snuck in during the chaos caused by his "drill". His calls for help were ignored by Snarler and Bludgeon, who thought that their comrade was once more lying about the emergency. {{storylink|Cry Wolf!}} Carnivac decided to pick off Bludgeon next, finding him meditating. Bludgeon sensed him coming and took him on, and the other Mayhems responded to the commotion. Bludgeon wanted to finish this traitor with his blade as well, but Spinister decided to end it summarily by slagging Carnivac with his blaster instead. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Angry at losing his kill, Bludgeon was pleased to find [[Earthforce]] attacking them, in an attempt to rescue Carnivac. He and his fellow Pretenders were defeated, outnumbered by the Autobots. But before they could be executed, a shell-less Carnivac appeared and told the Autobots to spare them, denying them a warrior's death. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

Captives of Earthforce, Bludgeon and his Pretender partners were held in a cell together. To get free, Bludgeon arranged a most subtle escape attempt with his cell mates. At first, they all remained completely silent for an extended period of time, partly to unnerve their guard, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], but also to give Bludgeon time to make mental contact with his katana, locked away in the property vault. Once he found the weapon and began summoning it back to him through the hallways, Bludgeon signaled Stranglehold to begin pounding frantically on the floor. This sudden activity spooked Inferno into opening the cell door to pacify the prisoner, only to wind up with a floating sword in his backside. The Pretenders then simply walked out over his leaking body. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

Afterwards, Bludgeon and the others hooked up with Megatron and Shockwave, the deposed leaders of the Decepticons, and took on a bounty to assassinate their betrayers, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Assassins}} Though the Pretenders were only meant to eliminate whichever of their targets had survived an orchestrated battle between the pair, they found both Starscream and Soundwave functional upon their arrival. Unperturbed, Bludgeon and his teammates surmised that they could ask to be paid double for the hit once it had been completed. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The assassins outnumbered their prey, but they hadn't counted on the Autobots intervening on Starscream's behalf. It seemed the Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] was dying, and could only be saved by a systems boost from a compatible Transformer, namely Starscream. [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] joined the fight on Starscream's side, and the Mayhems were defeated. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:BludgeonStrangleholdOctopunch-AnotherTimeAndPlace.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Bludgeon: All skeleton, no spine.]]
After the defeat on Klo, Bludgeon decided the Decepticons needed some "old blood" back in charge. He traveled to Earth and retrieved the deactivated body of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from the wreckage of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Then, he seized upon an opportunity to follow Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to [[Hydrus Four]], the source of the miraculous energy known as [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] which had supercharged the Dinobot commander. Slipping ahead of the Dinobots as they made their way to the medical facility, Bludgeon and his Decepticons set up a [[Holocaust Trigger]] to trap the Dinobots, disabling them without firing a shot. Unfortunately for Bludgeon, he ignored [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]'s cries of "Let's just kill them already!" and instead planned on keeping Grimlock and the Dinobots alive long enough for them to witness the triumphant resurrection of Megatron. That didn't mean, however, that he kept his fellow Decepticons from aggressively torturing their fallen captives.

In a matter of hours, a full scale Autobot strike force had tracked the Dinobots down to Hydrus Four and assaulted Bludgeon's position. Fearing his rag-tag team of Decepticons wouldn't be enough, Bludgeon accelerated Megatron's revival, sending the half-mad, half-living monstrosity at Optimus Prime. He had no time to gloat, though—the heavily injured Dinobot known as Swoop had dragged himself to the control module for one of the [[repair spider|medical machines]] in the area, setting its spidery arms to work on Bludgeon, disassembling him in seconds down to his core components.

Bludgeon didn't even have time to scream. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeontalesofearth.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|G2, home of New Extreme Weapons.]]
Optimus Prime considered Bludgeon a defeated threat. When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Empire]] was discovered, he considered if "Bludgeon had lied about his plans" but decided that this was too advanced an operation. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Turns out Prime was dumb as what Bludgeon had actually meant by "solitary exile" was "build a slag-off big planet-like spacecraft called the [[Warworld]] and attack vessels for their cargo across the galaxy". {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} He also battled Optimus Prime and the Autobots over a store of ancient alien weapons, but an [[Guardian (G2)|alien entity]] drove him off. {{storylink|Ghosts}} After that, he went back to stealing resources—and finished the construction of a [[Bludgeon's new army|new generation of Decepticon warriors]], who just needed the Matrix to come back to life. That meant luring Prime to him... {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}}

[[File:Bludgeon-PowerAndTheGlory.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Also, so very much less.]]
To lure Prime out, Bludgeon launched a full-scale attack on Earth and did succeed in drawing Optimus Prime to Earth's defense, but not before Bludgeon was confronted by the newly rebuilt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who wanted command of the Decepticons for himself once more. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Bludgeon destroyed Megatron's gun with one swipe of his blade, but neglected to realize how enhanced the new Megatron was—the former Decepticon leader ripped Bludgeon's Pretender skull off with one hand. Undaunted, Bludgeon proclaimed himself an agent of chaos and transformed into his little-used tank mode to confront Megatron on his own terms. He briefly drove back Megatron, but ultimately the Decepticons' founder proved to be too much for their current leader, and his new railgun destroyed Bludgeon utterly. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

[[File:Megatron ignores Bludgeon's severed head.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|If you think this is harsh Bludgeon, Swindle would've sold your skull on eBay by now.]]
The victorious Decepticon leader subsequently displayed Bludgeon's severed head in the Warworld, though he did muse that he might have spared Bludgeon's life if he'd known how much the guy had achieved and envisioned with limited time and resources. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later on, the Decepticons would try not to say the word "bludgeon" around Megatron (even with the "to hit things" meaning) just in case it annoyed him. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeon-WarWithoutEndUK.jpg|thumb|upright=1|thumb|[[Robin Smith]], copying a [[character model]] pose??? [[Ravage (G1)|Never!]]]]
Intending to draw out Autobots to Earth and steal the Matrix to bring a new generation of Decepticons to life, Bludgeon attacked Earth in force—specifically [[London]]. Unfortunately for him, the Autobots were already there, and attacked just as his troops were low on fuel. Bludgeon fought Optimus in direct combat and lost. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}} When Megatron turned up afterwards to fight Optimus, Bludgeon's men actually ''attacked'' Megatron just in case it was Bludgeon he was stomping: [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] bluntly said that the Pretender was their boss, not the old guy.

Bludgeon sneaked away {{storylink|War Zone}} to try exactly the same tactic again. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}}—and learned if at first you don't succeed, Try #2 will get you killed by Megatron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Bludgeon Piranacon AtFightsEnd.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Is that you, {{w|Brainiac (character)|Brainiac}}?]]
Optimus Prime was reluctant to prolong the war by following Bludgeon and his followers across the galaxy, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] was more than happy to. Grimlock, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and a crew of others searched and fought Bludgeon's Decepticons in the fringes of known space, but to no known resolution. At some point the mysterious Decepticon, [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], joined Bludgeon's Decepticons, and Bludgeon put him in charge of his own subgroup. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

As Bludgeon became aware of Megatron's re-emergence, he began to prepare his forces to repel an attempted coup by the former Decepticon leader. Bludgeon and his Sub-Commander [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] were readying their battleplans when [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] brought to his attention their plans may have been compromised from within. They apparently identified the traitor working for Megatron, [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, and so Bludgeon confronted him with the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s. A fight broke out between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] as a result, but Bludgeon's loyal gestalt won, and so they returned to battle preparation. In the war room, Bludgeon became so intent on watching for Megatron's next move on the monitors that he failed to notice Seawing removing his sword. Only after the Seacons had formed Piranacon again did Bludgeon finally realize he had miscalculated. Piranacon's mass compression cannon destroyed the Pretender completely, leaving room for Megatron to swoop in and claim full leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:BludgeonVision DestinyPt3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I will die naked and alone? Glorious!"]]
Bludgeon felt his warrior's honor was deeply tarnished on [[Klo]], when he faltered and retreated instead of fighting to his death. The various conquests and victories the Decepticons achieved since then did nothing to remove that stain. Deep in meditation, Bludgeon received a vision of his own glorious death at the hands of a worthy opponent back on Cybertron, and he began plotting to bring this future about. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}}

Twenty years after the defeat at Klo, the Autobots unaware of his location, Bludgeon was finally ready to take his revenge. He contacted [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] at the secret [[Fort Scyk]] base, revealing he had agents on Cybertron and even in the Neo-Decepticons, and requested Soundwave retrieve a valuable resource for him in exchange for aid against the Autobots. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}} The moment came when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and many of his warriors were occupied on Earth. Soundwave contacted Bludgeon as his men eliminated another bio-mechanical species on [[Torkulon]], telling him to expect delivery soon. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Soundwave successfully retrieved the Matrix-infused remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]], the "spark" Bludgeon needed to bring life to his [[Blitz Engine]]s—adaptable, self-regenerating war machines of tremendous power. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} The spark was lit, and Bludgeon and Soundwave observed a successful field test of the Engines' power on [[Cresta Superior]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Soundwave returned to Cybertron and used his Neo-Decepticons to orchestrate the total blinding of Cybertron's long-range sensors, allowing Bludgeon and the Warworld to come within striking distance unnoticed. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 BludgeonRoadbuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
As the siege began, Bludgeon dropped Blitz Engine troopers all over Cybertron, devastating Autobot defensive measures. The Warworld was transmitting Matrix-energy to power the Engines' sparks, and so it needed to be close to the assault, but Bludgeon initially refrained from bringing the Warworld's more awe-inspiring weapons to activation. Something needed to be left of Cybertron to rule, after all. Still, at his troops' encouragement, Bludgeon agreed to a symbolic strike. Hacking the Autobot surveillance feed, he made them watch as the Warworld's city-killer armaments were brought down on top of a single target: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. (Miraculously, Magnus survived by using the body of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] as a super-dense shield.) {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}}

[[File:RodimusVBludgeon DestinyPt5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"C'mon, beat me up! I'll even sing "[[The Touch]]" for you if need be."]]
Bludgeon sent his soldiers to join the Neo-Decepticon forces on the ground, but remained on board the Warworld in anticipation of his final battle. He easily dispatched the [[Wreckers]] commando unit sent to disable the Thunderwing link to the Blitz Engines, and was prepared to deliver the killing stroke to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] when his fated opponent arrived: ''[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'', freshly empowered by an alternate Creation Matrix and ascended to the name of Prime. Unimpressed at first, Bludgeon learned otherwise when Rodimus Prime caught his blade in mid-strike. The battle after that was swift but certain, as Rodimus threw Bludgeon out of the Warworld, letting him hurtle uncontrollably into the planet's surface below. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Adding insult to horrible, horrible injury, Rodimus found Bludgeon's still smoldering frame after the battle. Bludgeon lived, barely, and insisted Rodimus finish the job. Instead, Rodimus Prime refused to grant Bludgeon his "glorious death", and ordered Autobot medics to make sure Bludgeon survived to suffer the ignominy of imprisonment. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} His imprisonment probably didn't last long as he was most likely turned into a [[shadow-leech]] along with nearly every other Decepticon, presumably an even more ignominious end. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Decepticons purge secrets and lies 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
When [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] took over leadership of the Decepticons, he greatly increased their efforts to eliminate every surviving Autobot on the planet. Bludgeon was at the forefront of one of these brutal purges. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin Escalation Bludgeons vision.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|EPIC FORESHADOWING.]]
During the so-called [[Dark Ages]] of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, Bludgeon, alongside [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], formed the [[Chaos Trinity]], a group that sought to harness the dark forces of the universe and use them to their advantage. During one of their ceremonies in the [[Polities of Cybertron|Orbital Torus State]] of [[Kalis]], they were interrupted by the mysterious being known as [[The Fallen]], who applauded their amateur theatrics while mocking the lack of substance behind their words. He offered them [[Furmanism|power beyond measure]] in exchange for their servitude, a proposal that Bludgeon at first boldly refused, then agreed to once The Fallen changed the term for which they would be referred to. The Fallen tasked his new "disciples" with capturing a number of Transformers in order to perform a bizarre ceremony called The [[Unbinding]] in [[Well of All Sparks|Cybertron's core]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} Soon, Bludgeon began to chafe at being ordered around without any tangible reward, so The Fallen gave him a glimpse of the dark power, ensuring the Decepticon's loyalty. While the [[Wreckers]] and [[Ultracon]]s busied themselves with their civil war, unaware of the events unfolding, Bludgeon formulated a strategy to capture two of their targets: the Trinity would exploit [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s twisted sense of justice and have him deliver himself and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] into their trap. {{storylink|Escalation}}

[[File:WarWithin Confrontation BludgeonBlades.jpg|thumb|upright=2.4|And you call yourself 'Blades'? You don't even have a blade!]]
When Jetfire met with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the [[Neutral Territories]] to discuss their suspicions about an outside force influencing the current conflict, the Trinity sprung their trap, attacking the Decepticon Commander. Bludgeon declared that once he would have never dared face Shockwave in battle, but he had been given new insights into the [[dark science]] and his ability to see the bigger picture, the latter no longer stood a chance. Once Shockwave was taken care of, the Trinity captured Jetfire, but noticed that Grimlock hadn't taken the bait of Jetfire's supposed treachery. As they prepared to leave, Grimlock jumped them, forcing The Fallen to step in. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}}

With two of the targets secured, The Fallen ordered the Trinity to capture [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], leader of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], while he would take care of the fourth target personally. In the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], while the Protectobots were discussing their problems with maintaining their control while combined as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], Bludgeon and the Trinity attacked, taking down the other Protectobots with ease and capturing Hot Spot. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

[[File:BanzaitronBludgeonDWMTME.jpg|thumb|left]]
While The Fallen used the four prisoners to unlock the [[Seal of Primus]], Bludgeon and the others were forced to defend the access shaft to the underground chamber against the Decepticons. Though Bludgeon stood resolute, ordering his comrades to fight on, with the faith that they would be rewarded for their loyal service, his resolve soon crumbled when the Autobots and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] joined forces with Shockwave and eliminated Bugly and Mindwipe. Bludgeon escaped underground to seek his master, only to be gunned down by a teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

At some point, Bludgeon in his Pretender shell faced off against [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] in presumably training or a tournament. This moment was recorded into [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #8|More than Meets the Eye #8}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe ultimately destroyed by [[Unicron]], Bludgeon joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s team of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] to serve [[Last Autobot|the Ultimate Warrior]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 19, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 19/09/2015}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:DWDropshot sliced.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Silent but deadly.]]
Bludgeon, Galvatron, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] were sent to prepare [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|this universe]]'s Cybertron for Unicron's arrival, starting with capturing the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After the group had activated all the [[space bridge]]s in the [[space bridge nexus]] in order to destabilize local space-time, Bludgeon was left to guard the nexus while the other three went to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} He attacked [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]'s unit when they arrived to investigate and put up a formidable assault (as [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] could attest), though the Autobots eventually realized the secret to his technique and forced him to retreat, leaving behind his Pretender shell. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} He returned when Jetfire attempted to use the space-bridge portal, but like the rest of the Heralds was shortly blown up when the Autobot detonated the entire base. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bludgeon Robot GIJoe.jpg|upright=0.8|right|thumb|Bludgeon always secretly dreamed of being a [[Visionaries|Visionary]].]]
Eons ago, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was given the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bludgeon attempted to kill him, but failed.

Along with the [[Pretender Monster]]s, Bludgeon traveled to Earth, seeking to be present at the planet's destruction by Unicron. The group was shot down by the [[China|Chinese]] Air Force, however, and damaged in the process. An alliance with the underground kingdom of [[Cobra-La]] provided them with life-sustaining [[Pretender]] shells in exchange for protecting the kingdom. He was responsible for the death of [[Atomic Man]] in 1978, when the [[Adventure Team]] came snooping too close to Cobra-La's hidden lair in the caves beneath [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

Decades later, Bludgeon engaged Optimus Prime in battle as the Autobot attempted to infiltrate Cobra-La's caves. After being burned by Bludgeon, Optimus ripped the chest from Bludgeon's Pretender shell. In his anger, Bludgeon lost his edge and fell off a cliff. Although Optimus had caught him, Bludgeon chose to fall, standing by his philosophy of "merciless death and destruction." {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Stormbringer issue 1|''Transformers: Stormbringer'' #1]]

[[File:Bludgeon Thundercracker SLOrionPax.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|left|I seek glory, power, enlightenment, and my lower jaw.]]
In the earliest days of the war, Bludgeon was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] to capture [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] so that the Decepticons could use him to find [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. To this end, he kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and organized a hostage exchange in the [[Rust Sea|Rust Spot]], knowing that the Autobots would have to use Alpha Trion to find their way through the area. The plan worked up until that point, but Alpha Trion escaped his clutches thanks to the efforts of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], one of the hostage exchangers. As payback, Bludgeon had him strapped to a shuttle programmed crash into the nearest settlement, and though Orion tried to stall for time by telling him he'd go far in life only to overreach and become a symbol of failure, Bludgeon didn't really care and launched his captive into the sky. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}}

[[File:Bludgeon altmode TheHuntingParty.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ancient Metallikato secret... the flying tank.]]
Following Metroplex's departure from Cybertron, Bludgeon continued his hunt for the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] using the starship ''[[Empirion]]''. One of his subordinates, [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], tracked their prey to a desolate planetoid inhabitated by some pesky [[Urtuskian|aliens]], so Bludgeon commenced planetary bombardment to get them out of the way. The assault attracted the attention of a group of Autobots who rammed and crippled the ''Empirion'', forcing Bludgeon to abandon ship and fight them until Thundercracker reported that Metroplex was nowhere to be found. As the Decepticons retreated to continue their hunt elsewhere, Bludgeon had Thundercracker transferred out of his unit for seemingly having led them into an Autobot trap. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}}

During the war, Bludgeon formed an army of "deviants and half-forms", an event that would be remembered as one of the most horrible things the Decepticons did. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

[[File:SpotlightSoundwave Bludgeon defeatsLaserbeakRavage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Wait, does this mean that Piranacon [[Bludgeon (G1)#Classics|is stealthier]] than ''Ravage''?]]
Bludgeon was the leader of a team of Decepticons (including [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], [[Finback]], [[Skullgrin]], and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]) who were assigned by Megatron to look into what [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s various projects were when he disappeared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Megatron also sent [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] to spy on them. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During this time, Bludgeon discovered Shockwave's work on [[Regenesis]]. Eventually, however, they discovered the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], the Decepticon scientist who became the cause of the Cybertronian cataclysm. Bludgeon came to believe that Thunderwing was an avatar of the apocalypse, and became bent on restoring the wasted Cybertron to its former glory by resurrecting him. He and his team of Decepticons believed that in reawakening Thunderwing and turning him loose, the mass sacrifice of worlds would allow the rebirth of Cybertron. They also delved into the outlawed [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]] experiments pioneered by Thunderwing, in an attempt to create super-shells of their own.

In [[1984]] they went to [[Earth]] to extract a load of [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]], establishing a base within Mt. St. Helens. Soundwave naturally followed them. He eventually came to them asking for a cut of their profits, believing that they meant to sell the energon, but when he realized that they meant to resurrect Thunderwing he tried to stop them. They used one of Shockwave's devices to lock him in his alt-mode, then caused a volcanic eruption and returned to Cybertron via an [[orbital jump|orbital bounce]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:IDWBludgeonShell.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Yes... I feel it, the power... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am... I am a part of the cosmos! Its energy flows... flows through me! Of what consequence are you now?]]
Twenty-three years later, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], detecting the Ultra-Energon from orbit, went to investigate, and were taken by the cult, planning to use them as raw materials for their shells. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} Bludgeon wanted Jetfire to witness Thunderwing's awakening, to make him see that Thunderwing had been right to experiment, but Jetfire eventually annoyed him too much. Connecting his mind to an [[axis cradle]] that controlled Thunderwing's blank neuroscape, Bludgeon sent Thunderwing to destroy [[Nebulos]], then engaged the auto-drive to inspect his own shell's progress. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Wreckers attacked Bludgeon's base on Cybertron by surprise, Iguanus escaped to the bio-graft chamber to find Bludgeon—only to find the cult leader having donned full polydermal armor. However, in Bludgeon's rush, the shell was not mentally aligned, causing a psychic backlash that took down the Decepticon before the Wreckers even found him. It was unclear at the time whether Bludgeon's mind survived, though it was believed to be in torment if it had. Prime felt that he got off lightly for having unleashed Thunderwing. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

[[File:SpotlightSideswipe Bludgeon attacks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.95|"I can tell you're happy to see me, Craig... IN YOUR PANTS!"]]
After the defeat of Thunderwing, Bludgeon was transferred to [[Garrus-9]], where [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] stored his extracted [[spark]] in the Rig. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} However, during [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]]'s attempt to bring forth the [[Expansion]], Bludgeon was reactivated inside his cell by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stop Jetfire from attempting to take control of Thunderwing. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} The remote-controlled Bludgeon sliced its way into Jetfire's lab and Jhiaxus planned to have it kill the Autobot. However, multiple fronts of Autobot resistance at each [[Nega-Core]] kept Jhiaxus from focusing his full attention on controlling Bludgeon, and he was forced to abandon his effort to kill Jetfire. [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] and [[Fastlane]] arrived and quickly disarmed the now-inert Bludgeon, and Jetfire borrowed the Pretender's [[sword]] to go aid Optimus Prime in his fight against Nemesis Prime. Bludgeon's body was presumably returned to confinement afterwards. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:AHM bludgeoniseeevill.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|Another inconsistency [[John Barber]] has to fix.]]
Somehow freed from Garrus-9 and again in possession of his full faculties (such as they were), Bludgeon was given command of the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]. Still displaying cultish fanaticism and a cruel streak a mile wide, he urged his crew onward in pursuit of the maverick Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]]. Downing the Autobot's shuttlecraft, Bludgeon had his ship land and crew disembark to sacrifice Hot Rod for the greater purpose of restoring Cybertron. With the untimely arrival of the crew of the battleship ''[[Trion]]'', Bludgeon ordered his acolytes to form Monstructor and crush the Autobots. However, his forces were put to rout by a precise shot from [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s sniper rifle, which hit the vulnerable connecting joint of the large combiner. Appearing to realize what he was up against, Bludgeon sounded the retreat. {{storylink|Lost & Found}} In actuality, he was leading the pursuing ''Trion'' to Cybertron, where several Decepticon battlecruisers staged an ambush, sending the Autobot craft plummeting to the planet below. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

[[File:Bludgeon Wheelie Syndromica1.jpg|left|upright=0.65|thumb|Annnnnd ''fixed''. Thanks, John!]]
With Bludgeon still in command, the ''Torment'' later arrived in the nick of time to rescue Shockwave from the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who opted to retreat rather than face him and the Monstructor Six. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

Several years later, learning that Jhiaxus had returned and was the captive of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|his]] [[Garnak|crew]], Bludgeon, following the orders of Shockwave, put into motion a plan to liberate him. Taking Monstructor to the planet [[Arduria]], he sent out a phony distress call that lured Hardhead's crew—joined now by Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime—to the frozen world. While Monstructor kept Hardhead and Orion busy, Bludgeon penetrated their ship, easily cutting his way through [[Garnak]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and liberating Jhiaxus. Together, the villains set off to track down the other planets that had been targeted by the Regenesis program crafted by Shockwave, who had been Jhiaxus's greatest student. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

Bludgeon arrived on planet [[LV-117]], which thanks to the Regenesis missile that had landed there, existed in a constant state of chronal flux. After they both separately came in contact with the time machine aboard [[Turmoil]]'s stolen ship, Bludgeon and Orion Pax were sent adrift across different eras of the planet, moving in opposite directions through time in relation to each other. Bludgeon managed to steal the device that allowed LV-117's inhabitants to control their planet's journey through time and slew Wheelie's friend [[Varta]] in the process, before he and Jhiaxus escaped aboard Turmoil's ship. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

The villains tracked down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], one of Bludgeon's old [[Titan Hunter]] subordinates, who had once managed to control a Titan. After duping Orion Pax into raising a deactivated Titan on [[Gorlam Prime]], they used Waspinator to seize control of it. The Titan's [[space bridge]] was used to teleport it back to Cybertron, and Jhiaxus' group followed in their own ship. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} They arrived on Cybertron to join with Shockwave shortly thereafter. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Bludgeon watched silently as Jhiaxus prepared to undertake Shockwave's master plan. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The completion of the chronal drive came just in time for the invasion of Cybertron by Shockwave's allies, the [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:BlackPlanet SkidsVBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|right|Add these two together and you basically get {{w|Taskmaster (comics)|Taskmaster}}.]]
Bludgeon began expressing some small doubts of the plan, as he came to realize that his master, Jhiaxus, was actually subservient to Shockwave. Still, he remained at their side, striking out against the Autobots and Decepticons who invaded Crystal City to stop Shockwave's plot. He struck down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and laughed at [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and his copied Metallikato moves. As he prepared to execute [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], however, Bludgeon was blasted by Optimus Prime, as the Autobot leader and his team re-emerged from the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Bludgeon was last seen as Ultra Magnus checked the fallen warrior for signs of life, but ultimately left him behind. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Managing to escape from the Crystal City before it was consumed into a singularity, Bludgeon set up residence in the Sea of Rust, and in the following months, he discovered that the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] in [[Alyon]] had reignited with Sparks. He proceeded to perform horrifying experiments upon some of them, including placing some of the sparks within the remains of fallen [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] and mutant [[Turbofox]]es, as well as messing with the corrupted energon emanating from the fallen [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

[[File:BludgeonslicesBarricade Redemption.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], eat your heart out.]]
Upon discovering a convoy protected by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] which contained sparks from the colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Bludgeon set some of his Sweeps upon them, but when they were driven off by a [[Torchbearer|second group]] he instead had them followed. Taking advantage of an attack from the [[Badgeless]], Bludgeon attacked the truck himself, destroying it, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] and the sparks. Easily disregarding the attack from [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]], Bludgeon hurled her into the corrupted energon, curious to see what it would do as it began mutating her. However the equally distraught [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], upset at Barricade's death, damned him for robbing himself of his "future" by destroying the sparks. Disgusted with the amoral scientist, she pushed Bludgeon over a cliff into a pool of the contaminated energon, only narrowly saved from joining him when [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] caught her by the wrist. Doubting that Bludgeon had perished, Strafe and the Dinobots decided to seek him out and make sure he suffered. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

[[File:Salvation BludgeonFlatline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|right|Your armor shall be mine, Ryo of the Wildfire!]]
Bludgeon did indeed survive his plunge, altering his outer shell and putting a new plan into action. Having discovered that Trypticon was in fact a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], Bludgeon intended to use the beast's internal [[space bridge]] to conquer the galaxy in the name of Cybertron. He used the corrupted Sweep sparks to reactivate Trypticon's [[brain module]], which he then took control of using a replica of the [[Void Scepter]] said to have created the Titan. Next he raided the Alyon hot spot, killing the [[Badgeless]] guarding it and only leaving [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] alive before harvesting the remaining sparks, intending to use Trypticon's energon to corrupt them into an army under his control. As he demonstrated Trypticon's power by having the monster march on Iacon, Bludgeon was confronted by the Dinobots, and while he had expected Sandstorm to keep them busy, Sandstorm instead joined forces with them and destroyed the Void Scepter. His control over Trypticon broken, Bludgeon found himself forcibly teleported out of the vengeful Titan, who melted his body with a powerful beam from his mouth. Unbeknownst to most however, he survived, though not without grievous injuries including losing most of his limbs, and was secretly taken into custody by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who held an interest in his spark experiments. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}}

[[File:TheDeadComeHomePt1 BludgeonVoidSceptor.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left|Darkest soul, evil's courier, serve me as a Skeleton Warrior!]]
Starscream eventually locked the crippled Bludgeon up in a back room and gave him a repaired Void Scepter with which he would carry out Starscream's bidding. After the Seeker had lent [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] so they hunt for the missing [[protoform]]s, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} he had Bludgeon control the Dinobot via the Scepter. When Slug reunited with the Dinobots, Bludgeon had him attack his friends, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} to make ready the coming of his "master". Starscream eventually caught wind of this and shattered the Scepter. Though Bludgeon tried to goad the Seeker into killing Optimus, Starscream refused to bite and reminded Bludgeon of his house arrest. Though disappointed at how things turned out, Bludgeon was confident that these events would not impede his master's return. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

Anticipating a large existential threat, Starscream eventually repaired Bludgeon and sent him out into the galaxy so that he could gather all the Decepticons who had failed to return to Cybertron following the war's end. Bludgeon readily accomplished this task, forming the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], a massive fleet of Decepticon capital ships capable of destroying whole planets with ease. Though Starscream, {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} and Shockwave each believed they commanded Bludgeon's loyalty, {{storylink|Road's End}} Bludgeon's fetish for the apocalypse had already led him to pledge loyalty to [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. When the Chaos Bringer began attacking the [[Cybertronian colonies]], Starscream dispatched the DVD to [[G Nebula 89]] to destroy him, with Bludgeon duping Starscream and his troops into believing Unicron could be felled by their firepower and a dud [[stasis web]]. In reality, Bludgeon had brought the fleet to Unicron as part of their plan. After its combined firepower failed to damage the monster planet, Unicron unleashed the [[Maximal]]s onto Bludgeon's [[Worldsweeper]], warping the Decepticons into Maximal-like forms. Unicron then teleported to Cybertron, bringing the DVD and its converted Decepticon crews along to act as his heralds. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:RoadsEnd BludgeonMonstructor.jpg|upright=1.9|right|thumb|Trusting the skull-faced fanatic was a bad idea...who'da thunk?]]
As Unicron began attacking Cybertron, Bludgeon commanded his ship to open fire on [[Vigilem|Carcer]], crippling the Titan. His attack drew the attention of [[Victorion]] who attempted to kill him and destroy his ship. Anticipating this, Bludgeon unleashed [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] who defeated the Camien combiner. {{storylink|Our Finest}} Once Unicron had destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the fleet quantum jumped to [[Jupiter]], Bludgeon loudly proclaiming their loyalty to Unicron as the fleet destroyed [[Sanctuary Station]]. {{storylink|Road's End}}

After Shockwave had located the errant [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], he contacted Bludgeon, ordering him to have the device retrieved and used to slay Unicron. Bludgeon chose that moment to inform Shockwave of his loyalty to Unicron, dispatching his troops to retrieve the device... only so it would pose no threat to Unicron. When Starscream, Thundercracker, and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] charged the fleet, Bludgeon casually ordered Monstructor to slay the Decepticon leader, before Metroplex and Trypticon space bridged in and unleashed an army on the DVD. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

Caught off guard, the DVD fell to the Titans with only Bludgeon's ship surviving the attack. As the Worldsweeper descended into Earth's atmosphere, Shockwave tried to reassert control over Bludgeon to no avail. As the warship rained destruction on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, it was boarded by the Dinobots who stormed the bridge. Though managing to slay Snarl and Sludge, Bludgeon soon found himself locked in mortal combat with Slug. Their battle caused Bludgeon to lose control of his Void Scepter, sending the Worldsweeper crashing into the [[White House]] and killing both Bludgeon and Slug. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
After [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] asked him why his Pretender shell had a skeleton's face, Bludgeon explained that it once looked human, but its face was melted off after witnessing [[w:Raiders of the Lost Ark|the opening of the Ark of the Covenant]]. The incident totally ruined his chances at being that year's prom king. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===A Tale of the Pretenders===
[[File:Tale of Pretenders Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"''Nyeh-heh-heh!'' Soon the secrets of Castle Greyskull will be mine!"]]

With other Decepticon Pretenders, Bludgeon was active in ancient [[Japan]]. One day, they came across three [[human]] siblings and threatened them. The oldest managed to escape and both [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] pursued the remaining two while the other Decepticons followed. Bludgeon found the entire thing beneath their notice, but was rebuked by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], who desired to play with the humans. Octopunch was about to step on the two when [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] leapt to the rescue. Impressed by this apparent human, Bludgeon challenged him to a duel, but he ultimately proved lacking. Despite the rescuees trying to defend Metalhawk, Bludgeon was about to go in for the kill when other Autobot Pretenders appeared and fought off the Decepticons. Bludgeon and Metalhawk continued their duel, which Metalhawk managed to end by sending Bludgeon falling into a lava pit. {{storylink|A Tale of the Pretenders}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-9-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Bludgeon was tasked with leading a group of Decepticons to find the legendary [[Red Bucket]], which they did. While he was bragging about how the Decepticons would use the bucket to conquer the world, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] appeared out of nowhere and kicked him in the chest, shattering the armor passed down to him by his ancestors. Bludgeon retaliated by having [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] tip the bucket over on Bluestreak and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], burying them in blocks, but the Autobots were able to use the blocks to build a giant robot that neutralized Bludgeon by picking him by one leg. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Kre-O'' bio===
A proud practitioner of [[Metallikato]], Bludgeon lived by the code of [[Brickshido]] and regarded the other prattling Kreons as fools. Especially [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]], whom Bludgeon intended to attack with his [[energo weapon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12 BludgeonVectorStigmata.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|"And what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"]]
The otherworldly guardian of the entrance to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]], Bludgeon blocked the path of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s souls on their journey to the great beyond, demanding they present the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" before they could pass. While Prime revealed the key and was granted passage by the gatekeeper, Grimlock could not produce one and was refused entry until Prime let him have his key. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}
{{-}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:OMAMHistory MayhemAttackSquad.jpg|right|upright=2.1|thumb]]

Bludgeon's [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] was selected by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to form the ultimate combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Their power amplified and the combiner's personality solidified by the [[Matrix of Malice]], the Mayhem Attack Squad's destructive ability proved uncontrollable. The Squad captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and restrained him within their ship, forcing him to watch as Thunder Mayhem went on an apocalyptic rampage across Cybertron, nearly driving the Cybertronian race to extinction. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}}

Years later, Bludgeon and the rest of the Mayhem Attack Squad were drawn to a cavern on Earth by a Decepticon signal, finding upon their arrival that the extra-dimensional [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] was the one broadcasting it. Though other members of his team were eager to simply off the stranger, Bludgeon allowed their new acquaintance to speak first. Ramjet was quick to comment on the dark energies he sensed within Bludgeon, who rebutted that if Ramjet was simply after his Matrix of Malice, it would not be easily pried from his frame. Ramjet reassured him that he had no interest in the artifact, and instead made a quick demonstration of his power to convince the Squad that he would make a valuable ally. Impressed by Ramjet's eldritch energies, Bludgeon and his team agreed to join forces with him, and together they begun to plot the destruction of the universe. {{storylink|History}}

The Mayhem Attack Squad turned Thunder Mayhem loose on the city of [[Merida]]. {{storylink|Divination}} They were confronted by [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s team of Autobot [[Pretender]]s and the exiled Optimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}} Thunder Mayhem had little trouble keeping them at bay, but when the [[Wreckers]] arrived and unveiled their new combined form [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the Mayhems had a true fight on their hands. The superpowered human [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] fired an energy blast that damaged Thunder Mayhem's chest, allowing Wreckage to expose the Matrix of Malice. Together, all parties focused their fire and destroyed the Matrix, causing the Squad to de-combine and ending Thunder Mayhem for good. In the aftermath, the Wreckers took the Mayhem Attack Squad into custody when they left the planet. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:EHOBBY Bludgeon front.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In an unknown location, an enigmatic Bludgeon observed different scenes throughout the multiverse with [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]], taking special note of [[Magna Convoy]] joining forces with [[Convobat]] as the awakening of the "Blue". With the warriors who inherited the "[[Star Power|Seven Lights]]" from [[The One]] beginning to play their parts, Bludgeon declared the coming of a new era. {{storylink|Cybertron Magna Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-BludgeonQuintusPrime-CardArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]

Bludgeon was a [[Prime Master]] who housed the spark energy of [[Quintus Prime]]. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Decepticon Bludgeon / Quintus Prime online bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Bludgeon, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:LightStar BludgeonAttacksAfterburner.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A rumored assassin with personal beliefs (delusions, some said) rooted in the supernatural, Bludgeon was placed in punitive stasis no less than four times over the years. Somehow, he always managed to be released, escaping more serious consequences for his alleged crimes. [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] hired him to act as his chief enforcer on the asteroid colony of [[Hexagon]]. After [[Vigilem]] docked at Hexagon, Thunderwing provided him with repairs, and [[Colonial Security]] arrived aboard [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] shortly thereafter to apprehend the renegade [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] boarded Hexagon and were greeted by Bludgeon, whom they weren't too pleased to see up-and-about. The tension only grew as the Technobots met with Thunderwing and he begrudgingly allowed them to inspect his colony. Bludgeon stayed at Thunderwing's side, with the two of them being guarded by [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] while the other Technobots had a look around. When it became clear that Thunderwing was engaging in illegal operations, communications between the Technobots were jammed and Bludgeon attacked Afterburner. The two engaged in a running battle across Hexagon, with Bludgeon nearly overwhelming his opponent. However, Bludgeon was defeated when [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] unexpectedly burst through a wall and pierced the assassin's armor with his drill bit. {{storylink|Light/Star}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Surely everyone waited for ''official'' permission to [[repurposing|repurpose]] this design, right?]]
Early in the war, Bludgeon was to meet with the Autobots Orion Pax, Alpha Trion, and Nightbeat to perform a prisoner exchange for the safe return of Rack'n'Ruin. This turned out to be a Decepticon ploy, however, and the Decepticons ambushed the group, capturing Alpha Trion in the process. {{storylink|Orion's Gambit}} Bludgeon and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

Bludgeon was later part of Thunderwing's squad of Decepticons. They attacked a [[Sun-Farming facility]] run by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], only to discover that the Autobots were more formidable than they had counted on. Bludgeon headed for the main building, fending off [[Fastlane]] and cleaving guards with his [[Energo weapon|Energo-Sword]], until he was able to secure the [[Energon]] stored inside. The Autobots subsequently retreated. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}} Bludgeon was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|King Pig#As Bludgeon}}
Bludgeon appears as one of the first unlockable Characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:BludgeonEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8| [[Starscream (G1)|Who]] said I was a "Disturbing sword guy?"]]Mysterious, stealthy, and deadly, Bludgeon is a master of the ancient Cybertronian martial art of Metallikato, a combat style that borders on the mystical.

The consummate assassin, Bludgeon locks on to his victim like a silent guided missile, and won't stop or deviate until he's claimed his scalp.
A master swordsman, Bludgeon hides his true robot self behind an outer shell designed to strike icy dread into his victims.{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bludgeon character bio}}

Bludgeon was brought through the Space Bridge by Starscream, and he had a transmission for Starscream from Megatron: Get Megatron to Earth, or be stuck on the dreary mudball for eternity. Seeing as Starscream didn't want to be abandoned with Bludgeon and Autobots, he and Bludgeon got a crystal powerful enough to get Megatron through. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Get Megatron! Campaign}}

Bludgeon received orders from Megatron to spy on and observe Starscream. Starscream headed to the Space Bridge and brought out [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and Scrapper. Bludgeon followed the trio to an Autobot outpost, where Bludgeon stopped them from getting another piece of the [[Fractal Map]] to make sure Starscream didn't get any credit and would be humiliated by Megatron. Which Starscream was. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Power Play Campaign}}

Bludgeon helps out in the final battle for the Codex Key, helping to destroy the opposing Autobot outpost to the ground. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

He then witnessed the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] arrived and complained about Space Bridge travel being unpleasant, Bludgeon noted that the Bridge's calibration was way off.

Bludgeon heard of Cyclonus's movement and scouting in the Frozen wastes of the Arctic. Bludgeon was oddly missing from the battle for the Frozen Fortress, even though prior to, Megatron orders him to rally the troops to attack. Maybe he was assigned baby sitting duty of the outpost to ensure Autobots didn't randomly attack. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Arctic Saga}}

*'''Class:''' Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''' - He targets a building with his gun, then engages and slices it with his sword.
*'''Ability: Rush in'''- Rush into combat smashing walls along the way and dealing damage to the target.
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:bludgeon Bludgeon at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
Even Bludgeon was impressed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s mastery of warfare in contests of strength. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero15.shtml Brawn on the Transformers Online website]</ref>

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Bludgeon-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|Shouldn't you rather be repurposing [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|the latest version]] of Bludgeon for this game?]]
Bludgeon was one of the Decepticons pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|his universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight#Chapter 1: Realities Collide| The Way of the Blade}}

{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBludgeon.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Bludgeon commands the fourteenth Decepticon base destroyed by the Autobots. He appears once tbe player reaches 15,800,000 points. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He's an electric warrior. He is not, however, a Jeepster for your love.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Pretender, [[1989]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pretender shell, helmet, "laser rifle" (large gun), tank turret/shield, "[[electric cannon]]" (small gun)
{{toydesigner|[[Tetsuya Ikeda]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released in the sixth year of ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'', Bludgeon's inner-robot transforms into a green and lilac quad-tread tank of undetermined, possibly-made-up model. Oddly, unlike most ''Transformers'' tanks, he does ''not'' have wheels inside the static tank tracks for any sort of rolling movement. The main tank turret separates into two separate pieces; the turret section can form a shield for the [[Pretender]] shell, while the barrel of the tank becomes the robot mode mode's "electric cannon". Like all of the 1989 Pretenders, the "electronic cannon" can store inside the shell in a port located in the leg. Alternatively, one can copy his [[:File:MTMTE-Dreamwave-Bludgeon-Pretender.jpeg|Dreamwave character profile artwork]], and have the entire combined turret mounted on the arm of his shell—which is pretty kickass! The shell itself is also armed with a white "laser rifle".

: Speaking of the Pretender shell, it continues the Decepticon trend of monstrous or war-like shells, being an orange and maroon humanoid samurai with a human skull for a head. Removing the helmet reveals great attention to detail on the skull, with cranium fusion seams and well-defined teeth, among other sculpting. Unfortunately, Bludgeon does not include a katana accessory like the one depicted in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics.

: No version of this mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More info on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:ROTFtoy-BludgeonVoyager.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Behold, I am Yoshimitsu the Second!"]]
[[File:ROTFBludgeon japanese instructions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''RD-20'''
:*''Accessories:'' {{w|katana}}, {{w|tantō}}
{{note|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Bludgeon in multiple video games.}}

: Released in the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyagers, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]] transforms from a green and orange Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a skeletal samurai robot mode which homages his original [[Pretender]] shell, in colors that homage both the shell and the original inner robot. Bludgeon features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and that pulling his turret open makes a gray sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

: The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:There is a paint application error on Bludgeon's rear wheels/thighs, wherein the black [[paint operation]]s, which were meant to help blend his rear wheels in with the black center wheels, are placed on the ''wrong side'', keeping them out of sight in vehicle mode, and behind his thighs in robot mode. The ratcheting hip joint is also flipped 180 degrees from what it should be, with two further ratchet divots on top of the hip than inside of it, meaning the mechanism in the upper leg is trying to click into a smooth surface. The toy seems to have been originally designed to feature light-piping in the head, though this feature is rendered useless with it being cast in the same solid gray plastic used for his arms, weapons, shoulders and Mech Alive features.

: The [[TakaraTomy]] release of Bludgeon has a different [[instructions|instruction sheet]] that actually labels the weapons as a {{w|katana}} and {{w|tantō}}, whereas the Hasbro release doesn't label them at all.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Toys|Banzaitron]], and [[retool]]ed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Voyager Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BludgeonKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's not the [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|first time]] he's had Megatron's head.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Micro-Changer, [[2012]])}}
:*''Bag number'': '''22851 51'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first normal wave of ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]] [[Kreon]]s, Bludgeon is a [[blindpacking|blindpacked]]-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts which turn him into a kinda-sorta-tank. He also comes with a 2x4 block stand with the Kre-O logo on the side.

: He uses [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s helmet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|2016}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''1'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, sword

: In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released ''Kre-O'' sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Blugeon's torso [[tampograph]] has also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarstoy-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The samurai skeleton look was going out of fashion.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Voyager, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Twin "high-voltage" cannons, 2 "cyber-blade" swords.

: Part of the [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service#Series 4.0 (2016)|Figure Subscription Service 4.0]], ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Bludgeon is a [[retool]] of Voyager Class [[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]] with a new robot head, a new combiner head, and two additional swords from [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Exprime|''Go!'' Optimus Exprime]]. Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager, he can combine with any four of that line's Deluxes, though he is meant to combine with his fellow [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to form [[Thunder Mayhem#Generations|Thunder Mayhem]]. Like other ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager Class toys, Bludgeon's head and torso kibble is incorporated into the toy itself, rather than being add-on parts. Bludgeon's two rifles combine into a longer rifle for the combined robot, which can also wield the twin swords.

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon features misassembled knee struts, but the backs of his feet can flip out heels to provide better support.

:Bludgeon's mold was originally retooled from [[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Hot Spot]], who was retooled differently as [[Pyra Magna#Generations|Pyra Magna]].
{{CWHotSpotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Quintus-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Uh, nevermind.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Quintus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-20'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 25]], 2018
:*''Accessories'': Decepticon Bludgeon decoy armor, {{w|kanabō}}/gun
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the third and final wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Prime Master]]s, [[Quintus Prime#Power of the Primes|Quintus Prime]] comes with Bludgeon decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell. Quintus Prime/Bludgeon is a [[Retool|partial tooling]] of [[Vector Prime#Power of the Primes|Vector Prime]]/[[Metalhawk (G1)#Power of the Primes|Metalhawk]], swapping that toy's grey sprue for yellow parts with new detailing. The new weapon piece is modeled after a kanabō (a metal stick), and uniquely can be wielded as such with the alternate 3mm plug on the end.

:This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[you]]r imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Voyager-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Honor died on the beach! The Khan deserves to suffer!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Comic Universe Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tank turret base, 2 tank barrels, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[June 20]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]]</ref>

: Part of the seventh wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Voyagers, ''Legacy: Evolution'' Bludgeon is a redeco and new-head retool of ''Legacy'' [[Tarn (G1)#Legacy|Tarn]], based on his appearance in the [[Light/Star|2021 IDW comic annual]], transforming into a Cybertronian tank. Like Tarn, Bludgeon's tank turret can detach as part of the [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick, and the barrels can split off and peg into the turret itself to make an extra-long [[fusion cannon]]. His hands feature hinged knuckles, allowing them to open and close, but are unfortunately exposed on the tank mode's rear end. Unlike Tarn, Bludgeon includes a new sword accessory, which is based on the sword from [[Don Figueroa]]'s [[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]] design for [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|IDW G1 Bludgeon]] to add samurai action, with a [[5 mm post]] that allows for storage in both modes.

:In an undocumented feature, Bludgeon’s smaller back turrets are removable.<ref> https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?hl=en </ref> Detaching them reveals two 5 mm ports at the base and beginning of the turret, allowing them to be held as small guns or batons respectively. Doing this can be quite difficult given how tight they are in the back, so exercise caution when removing them as his backpack is made from very thin clear plastic and can snap easily.

: Bludgeon's antenna are a bit too long for the head to fit easily into the torso cavity during transformation, and it may take quite a bit of finagling to avoid this (pushing the head to either side of the cavity is particularly helpful). Exercise caution when transforming.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Bludgeon from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===First 4 Figures===
*'''Bludgeon''' (<s>2006/2007</s> unreleased)

:Intended for release in [[First 4 Figures]]' "Generation One" series, this would have been a full body resin statue of Bludgeon. When his digital sculpt was shown to ASM website staff at New York [[Toy Fair]] in February 2006, they specifically noted that he included his sword.<ref name=ASM>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070806062058/http://toyfair06.asmzine.com/first4figures/report.html "First4Figures Limited Transformers Statues and Busts Info!"] at ASMzine.com (archived)</ref> First 4 Figures allowed [[BigBadToyStore]] to solicit him for sale the same month.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/update-from-bigbadtoystorecom-transformers-and-gij/6539/ "Update from BigBadToyStore.com: Transformers and G.I.Joe Statues and Busts!!!"] on Seibertron.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426030454/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=527&company=130 BigBadToyStore's listings for First 4 Figures' statues] (archived)</ref>

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon and the rest of the "Generation One" series were casualties of the general discontinuation of First 4 Figures' ''Transformers'' output, which was attributed to a challenging market and a lack of retailer support.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' ([[2013]])
[[File:SDCC2013Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"To a master of Metallikato, your kung-fu grip is slow-motion!"]]
:*''Accessories'': {{w|kabuto}} (helmet), {{w|Dō (armour)|dō}} (breastplate), jinbaori (cloak), {{w|Japanese sword|daitō}} (long sword), shōtō (short sword)

:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this is a 3.75" figure depicting Bludgeon in his Pretender shell. He's constructed from the torso, waist, and upper legs of 2011's ''30th Anniversary'' [[Storm Shadow]], the lower legs and feet of the 2012 ''Retaliation'' Red Ninja, new arms, a new robo-skull head, and various rubberised bits of samurai armour such as his helmet, breastplate, cloak, and a non-removable {{w|Sangu (armour)|haidate}} (thigh armour). (Interestingly, this means he's only a head and kabuto away from being [https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/budo3.shtml ''Retaliation'' Budo] and, given that the ''Retaliation'' toyline had to be reshuffled when the {{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation#Theatrical|movie}} was delayed nine months, it's uncertain which samurai was designed first.) He is armed with two swords derived from his original character model in two different lengths, as was the {{w|Daishō|style at the time}}.

:The set also includes a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], a G.I. Joe [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Hound]], a new [[Snake-Eyes#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Snake-Eyes]] figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a [[Baroness#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Baroness|Ravage]] on a leash, and an [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Autobot Blaster]] boombox accessory with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Eject]].

:The box set was announced via a ''USA Today'' [http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusives/2392295/ article] on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/SDCCBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/bludgeon.shtml More information on Bludgeon (v1) at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Bludgeon.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon, Electric Warrior''' ([[2020]])
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T09/T46'''
**''Stars: ''11
:Bludgeon, Electric Warrior is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]. The Alt Mode artwork is based on the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] Voyager-class toy, while the Bot Mode artwork is based on Bludgeon's idiosyncratic appearance in the [[e-HOBBY]] comic [[Cybertron Magna Convoy]] with a new color scheme to marry the two.

:This card's set was originally scheduled for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

===e-HOBBY===
====''Transformers Character Card''====
[[File:Transformers Character Card Bludgeon and Stranglehold.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold Set''' ([[March 14]], [[2022]])
**''ID number:'' '''09 & 10'''

:Released as part of the second wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon and [[Stranglehold]] along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#09 |Translation of Bludgeon's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}

====Rubber strap series====
[[File:E Hobby rubber keychain Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold & Octopunch Set''' ([[January]] [[2023]])

:Released as part of the first wave of an [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive series, this trio of rubber keychains depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon, [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]].
{{-}}

===ULTIMATES!===
*'''Bludgeon''' (ULTIMATES!, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Toy-style head with removable helmet, comic-style head with removable helmet, severed neck wires, tank turret, tank cannon, katana with working sheath, wakizashi with working sheath, gun, 6 hands

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Super7|Transformers ULTIMATES!]]'' from [[Super7]], Bludgeon is a 7-inch-tall non-transforming action figure. Despite his retro look, he has ''way'' more articulation than the original, including multi-directional joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles; plus swivel biceps, elbows, knees, and a bit of ab crunch. His hands pop out at the wrists so they can be replaced with his additional spare hands, some in sculpted martial arts poses. He includes a tank turret that can be worn on his arm as a shield, both of his traditional swords that can plug into their sheaths, as well as two different styles of heads and helmets (comic- or toy-accurate), and a piece to represent the tangled wires left on Bludgeon's severed neck after [[The Power and the Glory|he was decapitated]] by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].

: Preorders for Bludgeon (and the rest of Wave 2) opened on [[July 29]] 2021, and closed on [[August 27]], with the toys slated for shipping in summer 2022, but wound up delayed by a full year.
{{--}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Bludgeon''' (?)
: To be released as part of the ''Furai Model'' line by [[Flame Toys]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[File:1989ToyFairCatalogBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Like a Rosetta Stone, but for samurai skeletons.]]
*Bludgeon's color scheme in the Marvel comics was based on a non-final prototype toy (as seen in the 1989 [[Toy Fair]] catalog and various toyline photography), explaining the absence of grey down the sides of his torso. This alternate color layout was far more noticeable on his rarely-depicted inner robot, revealing the origins of his differently-colored tank turret and the random patch of color on his chest in "[[The Last Autobot?]]". The shape of the prototype inner robot's head also aligns more closely with how [[Andrew Wildman]] and other artists drew it than the finalized toy design.
**While Bludgeon's Pretender shell prototype did have shoulderpads that matched its front "skirt" (visible on the pack-in flier and cardback photo), the angle and lighting of his shoulders in the Toy Fair catalog rendered this area's colors indistinct, which might explain why Bludgeon's shoulder armor was often the same color as his chest in the comics.
**The Toy Fair prototype was furthermore armed with a copy of [[Apeface]]'s sonic boomer gun painted white instead of the mold's normal pistol, but this doesn't appear to have affected any of his media portrayals.
*Like [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], Bludgeon's [[character model]] portrays him with a specialized melee weapon. Bludgeon is consistently drawn with the character model's sword, which has become a trademark, despite his toy lacking one. Thus far, Bludgeon's San Diego Comic-Con release is the only toy to include this design. The character model also seems to include a scabbard for the sword, though that is not included nearly as often. Why all three of these characters are given weapons that don't exist is unknown.
*The only time we see his character model is when it's copied faithfully by [[José Delbo]] in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]". (However, [[Robin Smith]] takes another crack at it in [[Fleetway]]'s ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Generation 2]]'' series, but a tiny few liberties were taken, style-wise.)
*The sword in his character model has unique detailing at the base of the front of the blade. In Delbo's rendition, it looks kind of like a dong. Elsewhere, not so much. Thankfully.
*Bludgeon's outer shell is a "Warrior-Grade Pretender Shell" equipped with an ambient stealth field.<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', by [[Simon Furman]]</ref>
[[File:Bludgeon-IDW-Alex Milne-concept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Bludgeon came close to having a new toy on two separate occasions. The first was a planned 6" Titaniums toy, supposedly based on his ''War Within'' design.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/titanium-13/cancelled-titanium-bludgeon-revealed-in-tfw2005-toy-database-164105/ Cancelled Titanium Bludgeon Revealed in TFW2005 Toy Database]</ref> Artist [[Don Figueroa]] then submitted a concept for a [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] Bludgeon toy way back during the development of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' or ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toylines. Obviously, the concept wasn't put into production as a toy at the time, so Figueroa used it as inspiration for his [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|rendition of Generation 1 Bludgeon]]. Hasbro considered releasing Bludgeon in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line, but put it on hold because of the large number of tank and tank-like vehicles released recently.<ref>[[Bill Rawley]] in an interview for the Transformers Collector's Club magazine: ''"One that comes to mind right away is Bludgeon. We even started early design sketches for him but the fact that he would transform into a tank, in a line that had a lot of tank-like vehicles in it, meant that he would have to be put on hold... for now."''</ref> This design was evidently [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|resurrected]] for the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' line. Figueroa notes that his contribution on this toy is very small, as his work on it ended when he submitted the concept to Hasbro way back when.
*Bludgeon's [[e-HOBBY]] appearance is a "[[Redeco#"Virtual" redecoes|virtual redeco]]" composed of a veritable rat king of references.
**His body is ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hardhead (G1)#Generations|Hardhead]].
**His head is ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Rev#Generations|Throttle]].
**His sheathed sword comes from 2016 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Warrior Class [[Windblade (RID)#Warrior|Windblade]].
**His projection drone, meanwhile, is modeled on the vehicle partner of ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]].
**Finally his actual color scheme is patterned after his original ''Generation 1'' Pretender shell, but with the white shoulder stripes of 2003 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|Destructicon Bludgeon]], while his drone and Titan Master partner are both in the colors of his tank inner robot.
*The [[2019 IDW continuity]] incarnation of Bludgeon (at right) was broadly patterned by [[Alex Milne]] on the [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' animated design]], itself inspired by the 2017 [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bludgeon''' (ブラジオン ''Burajion'')
*''French'': '''Ossement''' (France, "Bones"), '''Gourdin''' (Canada, "Club", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Husáng''' ("Stick", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Italian:'' '''Teskior''' ("Skullor")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kirigakure Anjō''' (China, 雾隐暗丈 ''Wùyǐng Ànzhàng''), '''Thunder Thump''' (China, 雷震 ''Léi Zhèn'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mayhem Attack Squad]]
[[Category:Precursor World characters]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

Bludgeon (G1)

2023-10-25T12:26:17Z

SpookwaveGOA125: /* Legacy */ Added "IDW G1" into a hyperlink text.

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Bludgeon}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Bludgeon is a [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:MarvelUK-282.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is pretty much the most metal cover in TF history.]]
'''Bludgeon''' is a ferocious warrior, skilled in the ancient Cybertronian martial art of [[Metallikato]]. He and his blade can cut through the battlefield as if everyone else is operating at a minimal speed setting. Bludgeon's feats in battle seem nearly supernatural, which is probably the effect he's going for, if he doesn't believe his own hype. Utterly vicious and aloof, Bludgeon is also highly religious, adhering to an arcane code of honor. Though his beliefs fuel his single-minded bloodthirstiness with dogmatic precision, they also cause him to be rather superstitious.

Bludgeon's confidence, skill, and grand words have often catapulted him to the upper ranks of the Decepticons. Who wouldn't fall in line behind him? He's charismatic! The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] is his usual host of cronies, but he's also been known to fill in as [[Decepticon leader]] if a power vacuum presents itself.

Bludgeon is (obviously) a [[Pretender]] who has adopted a shell which takes the appearance of a skeletal samurai. His signature weapon is an [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]], though he also carries a shield and a [[Electric cannon|high-voltage electric cannon]]. In accordance with his martial arts motif, generators in his shell's legs can create disorienting clouds of smoke, and he can generate electric fireballs from the torso of either his body or his shell.<ref>Bludgeon's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile says the electric fireballs are fired from either of his torsos. His original toy bio said they're fired from between his shell's antennas.</ref>

Sometimes Bludgeon combines with some of the members of the Mayhem Attack Squad to form [[Thunder Mayhem]].

{{quote|Prattling fool! Your warrior heart is tainted by an idiot's tongue! Perhaps I shall remove '''both''' for you!|Bludgeon takes on [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]|"[[The Primal Scream]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Bludgeonasavageplace.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The shoulder is a well-known [[Transformer]] instant-death spot.]]
''When Decepticons [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] defected to the [[Autobot]]s, a new Mayhem Attack Squad was formed which included Bludgeon, his Pretender cohorts [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], and [[Snarler]]. After a [[solid light simulation]] of a mission in [[Slaughter City]], their prey was authorized—they would hunt down and kill Catilla, Carnivac, and their new [[Wreckers|Wrecker]] friends.'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}} ''They found Carnivac outside [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], and Bludgeon, promising him a warrior's death, led the charge.'' {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} ''However, Carnivac managed to draw first blood, injuring Bludgeon's shoulder. The confrontation was then interrupted by the National Guard, and Carnivac escaped Bludgeon and the other Mayhems while they were distracted by the new arrivals.'' {{storylink|Survival Run}} ''After dealing with the fleshlings, the Decepticons tracked Carnivac down to [[Los Gravos]], [[Mexico]]. [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] was about to deal the killing blow, when Catilla rescued him. However, Bludgeon threw his [[sword]] into Catilla, killing Carnivac's savior. As the rest of the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon ordered a withdrawal. Carnivac swore that Bludgeon and the other Mayhems would pay for killing his friend.'' {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}

[[File:Bludgeonstrangleholdoctopunchmodelsheet.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|The [[Nelson Yomtov|colorist]] made me look hunchbacked.]]
He later took on the leadership of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s new [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], sent to slay the newly resurrected [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Alongside the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]], the [[Classic Pretender]]s were due to be teleported to [[Earth]], an operation Bludgeon attempted to interrupt by shoving his blade through the transportation machine. Instead, he and the Mayhems were transported with the Autobots to the center of Cybertron. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} Here, the Mayhems found the Autobots being told the story of Cybertron's origins by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. Despite being on holy ground, Bludgeon and his compatriots attacked, with Bludgeon gaining the upper hand against Jazz until Bumblebee managed to sneak up on him. Bludgeon was lured into a nearby canal, where Seawatch grappled him and hoisted him away with his boat mode. In his absence, the battle inadvertently awakened the slumbering [[Primus]]. Ultimately, the transportation was completed, and the Mayhems were sent to Earth along with the Autobots, {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} where they told [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s coming and joined his Decepticons on Earth. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok in order to facilitate an alliance against Unicron, Bludgeon helped the other Decepticons imprison the surrendered Autobots. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Bludgeon fought on Scorponok's side during the subsequent [[Decepticon Civil War]] {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} and was transported with all of them to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Primus]]. Primus (speaking through the body of [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]) told them of the history between himself and Unicron, while Bludgeon cleaned his sword. He was there also to quell the sudden [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultist]] uprising, remarking that to a master of [[Metallikato]], their moves were like slow motion. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} When Unicron himself arrived, though, the superstitious Bludgeon ran like hell. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Thankfully, Optimus Prime's sacrifice saved them all, and Bludgeon was there standing over Prime's body with a few others as he died. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance that emerged was shaky and the Decepticons leaderless, so Bludgeon and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] discussed a plan of their own. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[File:Bludgeonlastautobot.jpg|left|upright=1.55|thumb|It's a good thing the Battlechargers were dead then, or Bludgeon's shell would've been totally ganked.]]
Tensions came to a head when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] discovered that Cybertron was tearing itself apart in the aftermath of the Transformers' victory against Unicron. While Bludgeon openly kept the peace (like keeping [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] in line at meetings), he and Krok began to worry that some of the Decepticons were in ''favour'' of peaceful alliance and plotted to break it up. New Autobot leader Grimlock almost gave them an opening by beating the tar out of Fangry, until [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] stopped the fight; Bludgeon quickly exploited the situation anyway, demanding the full details of the Autobots' plans.

Now knowing they intended to start anew on another planet and live in peace, he sabotaged the Autobot ships and assumed command of the Decepticons. He gave the troops a rousing speech, condemning the Autobot plan as weak and advocating a return to conquest as was the Decepticon way. Having risen from the ranks to light their darkest hour, he was cheered on by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|Look at him go. What a skeleton!]]
With his Decepticons eager for conquest, Bludgeon randomly selected the planet of [[Klo]] as their first target. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The peaceful inhabitants of Klo were easily (and violently) subdued, and Bludgeon thought this planet did not meet the challenges befitting their warrior race. In turn, Krok pleased him with news that their ships were bugged and that they should be expecting the Autobots to be arriving soon. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

Indeed, when the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon's Decepticons were ready for them, luring them into an ambush—only five Autobots escaped their purge, and Bludgeon sent a small hunting party after them. Ultimate victory was snatched from Bludgeon only by divine intervention. The [[Last Autobot]] arrived with a resurrected Optimus Prime and the [[Neo-Knights]]. Bludgeon rejected this development on religious grounds; the Last Autobot, according to his beliefs, was the Ultimate Warrior, who was bent on conquest. He ordered his troops to attack the "unbelievers". Ultimately, the Decepticons were defeated. The Last Autobot was able to revive the fallen Autobots at will, and Bludgeon was forced to admit defeat and withdraw. As he and the Decepticons retreated, he promised a "solitary exile" to the Autobots—while saying that they were fleeing to fight another day to his subordinates. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Aspects of evil bludgeon.jpg|left|90px|thumb|GIVE ME YOUR THROAT.]]
In an alternate [[1990]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] was captured by the Decepticons and freed by an agent placed within their ranks. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] accused Bludgeon of being the culprit, and Bludgeon demanded the chance to prove himself through [[Trial by Combat]]. He was released and chased by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Stranglehold]] and [[Warmonger]]. Bludgeon easily dispatched the former two but was caught from behind by Warmonger, who couldn't bring himself to kill in cold blood. Realizing who the infiltrator was, Megatron destroyed Warmonger, then reflected that it would have simply been easier to kill all four of them. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:UKBludgeonEarthForce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|There wolf!]]
Following Catilla's death, the Mayhems set up a base on a deserted island, where Needlenose decided to test their response time in an emergency. Enraged, Bludgeon threatened to tear him apart, but was stopped by Snarler. As Needlenose returned to his quarters, he was ambushed by Carnivac, who had snuck in during the chaos caused by his "drill". His calls for help were ignored by Snarler and Bludgeon, who thought that their comrade was once more lying about the emergency. {{storylink|Cry Wolf!}} Carnivac decided to pick off Bludgeon next, finding him meditating. Bludgeon sensed him coming and took him on, and the other Mayhems responded to the commotion. Bludgeon wanted to finish this traitor with his blade as well, but Spinister decided to end it summarily by slagging Carnivac with his blaster instead. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Angry at losing his kill, Bludgeon was pleased to find [[Earthforce]] attacking them, in an attempt to rescue Carnivac. He and his fellow Pretenders were defeated, outnumbered by the Autobots. But before they could be executed, a shell-less Carnivac appeared and told the Autobots to spare them, denying them a warrior's death. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

Captives of Earthforce, Bludgeon and his Pretender partners were held in a cell together. To get free, Bludgeon arranged a most subtle escape attempt with his cell mates. At first, they all remained completely silent for an extended period of time, partly to unnerve their guard, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], but also to give Bludgeon time to make mental contact with his katana, locked away in the property vault. Once he found the weapon and began summoning it back to him through the hallways, Bludgeon signaled Stranglehold to begin pounding frantically on the floor. This sudden activity spooked Inferno into opening the cell door to pacify the prisoner, only to wind up with a floating sword in his backside. The Pretenders then simply walked out over his leaking body. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

Afterwards, Bludgeon and the others hooked up with Megatron and Shockwave, the deposed leaders of the Decepticons, and took on a bounty to assassinate their betrayers, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Assassins}} Though the Pretenders were only meant to eliminate whichever of their targets had survived an orchestrated battle between the pair, they found both Starscream and Soundwave functional upon their arrival. Unperturbed, Bludgeon and his teammates surmised that they could ask to be paid double for the hit once it had been completed. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The assassins outnumbered their prey, but they hadn't counted on the Autobots intervening on Starscream's behalf. It seemed the Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] was dying, and could only be saved by a systems boost from a compatible Transformer, namely Starscream. [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] joined the fight on Starscream's side, and the Mayhems were defeated. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:BludgeonStrangleholdOctopunch-AnotherTimeAndPlace.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Bludgeon: All skeleton, no spine.]]
After the defeat on Klo, Bludgeon decided the Decepticons needed some "old blood" back in charge. He traveled to Earth and retrieved the deactivated body of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from the wreckage of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Then, he seized upon an opportunity to follow Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to [[Hydrus Four]], the source of the miraculous energy known as [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] which had supercharged the Dinobot commander. Slipping ahead of the Dinobots as they made their way to the medical facility, Bludgeon and his Decepticons set up a [[Holocaust Trigger]] to trap the Dinobots, disabling them without firing a shot. Unfortunately for Bludgeon, he ignored [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]'s cries of "Let's just kill them already!" and instead planned on keeping Grimlock and the Dinobots alive long enough for them to witness the triumphant resurrection of Megatron. That didn't mean, however, that he kept his fellow Decepticons from aggressively torturing their fallen captives.

In a matter of hours, a full scale Autobot strike force had tracked the Dinobots down to Hydrus Four and assaulted Bludgeon's position. Fearing his rag-tag team of Decepticons wouldn't be enough, Bludgeon accelerated Megatron's revival, sending the half-mad, half-living monstrosity at Optimus Prime. He had no time to gloat, though—the heavily injured Dinobot known as Swoop had dragged himself to the control module for one of the [[repair spider|medical machines]] in the area, setting its spidery arms to work on Bludgeon, disassembling him in seconds down to his core components.

Bludgeon didn't even have time to scream. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeontalesofearth.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|G2, home of New Extreme Weapons.]]
Optimus Prime considered Bludgeon a defeated threat. When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Empire]] was discovered, he considered if "Bludgeon had lied about his plans" but decided that this was too advanced an operation. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Turns out Prime was dumb as what Bludgeon had actually meant by "solitary exile" was "build a slag-off big planet-like spacecraft called the [[Warworld]] and attack vessels for their cargo across the galaxy". {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} He also battled Optimus Prime and the Autobots over a store of ancient alien weapons, but an [[Guardian (G2)|alien entity]] drove him off. {{storylink|Ghosts}} After that, he went back to stealing resources—and finished the construction of a [[Bludgeon's new army|new generation of Decepticon warriors]], who just needed the Matrix to come back to life. That meant luring Prime to him... {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}}

[[File:Bludgeon-PowerAndTheGlory.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Also, so very much less.]]
To lure Prime out, Bludgeon launched a full-scale attack on Earth and did succeed in drawing Optimus Prime to Earth's defense, but not before Bludgeon was confronted by the newly rebuilt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who wanted command of the Decepticons for himself once more. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Bludgeon destroyed Megatron's gun with one swipe of his blade, but neglected to realize how enhanced the new Megatron was—the former Decepticon leader ripped Bludgeon's Pretender skull off with one hand. Undaunted, Bludgeon proclaimed himself an agent of chaos and transformed into his little-used tank mode to confront Megatron on his own terms. He briefly drove back Megatron, but ultimately the Decepticons' founder proved to be too much for their current leader, and his new railgun destroyed Bludgeon utterly. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

[[File:Megatron ignores Bludgeon's severed head.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|If you think this is harsh Bludgeon, Swindle would've sold your skull on eBay by now.]]
The victorious Decepticon leader subsequently displayed Bludgeon's severed head in the Warworld, though he did muse that he might have spared Bludgeon's life if he'd known how much the guy had achieved and envisioned with limited time and resources. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later on, the Decepticons would try not to say the word "bludgeon" around Megatron (even with the "to hit things" meaning) just in case it annoyed him. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeon-WarWithoutEndUK.jpg|thumb|upright=1|thumb|[[Robin Smith]], copying a [[character model]] pose??? [[Ravage (G1)|Never!]]]]
Intending to draw out Autobots to Earth and steal the Matrix to bring a new generation of Decepticons to life, Bludgeon attacked Earth in force—specifically [[London]]. Unfortunately for him, the Autobots were already there, and attacked just as his troops were low on fuel. Bludgeon fought Optimus in direct combat and lost. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}} When Megatron turned up afterwards to fight Optimus, Bludgeon's men actually ''attacked'' Megatron just in case it was Bludgeon he was stomping: [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] bluntly said that the Pretender was their boss, not the old guy.

Bludgeon sneaked away {{storylink|War Zone}} to try exactly the same tactic again. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}}—and learned if at first you don't succeed, Try #2 will get you killed by Megatron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Bludgeon Piranacon AtFightsEnd.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Is that you, {{w|Brainiac (character)|Brainiac}}?]]
Optimus Prime was reluctant to prolong the war by following Bludgeon and his followers across the galaxy, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] was more than happy to. Grimlock, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and a crew of others searched and fought Bludgeon's Decepticons in the fringes of known space, but to no known resolution. At some point the mysterious Decepticon, [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], joined Bludgeon's Decepticons, and Bludgeon put him in charge of his own subgroup. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

As Bludgeon became aware of Megatron's re-emergence, he began to prepare his forces to repel an attempted coup by the former Decepticon leader. Bludgeon and his Sub-Commander [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] were readying their battleplans when [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] brought to his attention their plans may have been compromised from within. They apparently identified the traitor working for Megatron, [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, and so Bludgeon confronted him with the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s. A fight broke out between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] as a result, but Bludgeon's loyal gestalt won, and so they returned to battle preparation. In the war room, Bludgeon became so intent on watching for Megatron's next move on the monitors that he failed to notice Seawing removing his sword. Only after the Seacons had formed Piranacon again did Bludgeon finally realize he had miscalculated. Piranacon's mass compression cannon destroyed the Pretender completely, leaving room for Megatron to swoop in and claim full leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:BludgeonVision DestinyPt3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I will die naked and alone? Glorious!"]]
Bludgeon felt his warrior's honor was deeply tarnished on [[Klo]], when he faltered and retreated instead of fighting to his death. The various conquests and victories the Decepticons achieved since then did nothing to remove that stain. Deep in meditation, Bludgeon received a vision of his own glorious death at the hands of a worthy opponent back on Cybertron, and he began plotting to bring this future about. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}}

Twenty years after the defeat at Klo, the Autobots unaware of his location, Bludgeon was finally ready to take his revenge. He contacted [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] at the secret [[Fort Scyk]] base, revealing he had agents on Cybertron and even in the Neo-Decepticons, and requested Soundwave retrieve a valuable resource for him in exchange for aid against the Autobots. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}} The moment came when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and many of his warriors were occupied on Earth. Soundwave contacted Bludgeon as his men eliminated another bio-mechanical species on [[Torkulon]], telling him to expect delivery soon. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Soundwave successfully retrieved the Matrix-infused remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]], the "spark" Bludgeon needed to bring life to his [[Blitz Engine]]s—adaptable, self-regenerating war machines of tremendous power. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} The spark was lit, and Bludgeon and Soundwave observed a successful field test of the Engines' power on [[Cresta Superior]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Soundwave returned to Cybertron and used his Neo-Decepticons to orchestrate the total blinding of Cybertron's long-range sensors, allowing Bludgeon and the Warworld to come within striking distance unnoticed. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 BludgeonRoadbuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
As the siege began, Bludgeon dropped Blitz Engine troopers all over Cybertron, devastating Autobot defensive measures. The Warworld was transmitting Matrix-energy to power the Engines' sparks, and so it needed to be close to the assault, but Bludgeon initially refrained from bringing the Warworld's more awe-inspiring weapons to activation. Something needed to be left of Cybertron to rule, after all. Still, at his troops' encouragement, Bludgeon agreed to a symbolic strike. Hacking the Autobot surveillance feed, he made them watch as the Warworld's city-killer armaments were brought down on top of a single target: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. (Miraculously, Magnus survived by using the body of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] as a super-dense shield.) {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}}

[[File:RodimusVBludgeon DestinyPt5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"C'mon, beat me up! I'll even sing "[[The Touch]]" for you if need be."]]
Bludgeon sent his soldiers to join the Neo-Decepticon forces on the ground, but remained on board the Warworld in anticipation of his final battle. He easily dispatched the [[Wreckers]] commando unit sent to disable the Thunderwing link to the Blitz Engines, and was prepared to deliver the killing stroke to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] when his fated opponent arrived: ''[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'', freshly empowered by an alternate Creation Matrix and ascended to the name of Prime. Unimpressed at first, Bludgeon learned otherwise when Rodimus Prime caught his blade in mid-strike. The battle after that was swift but certain, as Rodimus threw Bludgeon out of the Warworld, letting him hurtle uncontrollably into the planet's surface below. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Adding insult to horrible, horrible injury, Rodimus found Bludgeon's still smoldering frame after the battle. Bludgeon lived, barely, and insisted Rodimus finish the job. Instead, Rodimus Prime refused to grant Bludgeon his "glorious death", and ordered Autobot medics to make sure Bludgeon survived to suffer the ignominy of imprisonment. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} His imprisonment probably didn't last long as he was most likely turned into a [[shadow-leech]] along with nearly every other Decepticon, presumably an even more ignominious end. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Decepticons purge secrets and lies 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
When [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] took over leadership of the Decepticons, he greatly increased their efforts to eliminate every surviving Autobot on the planet. Bludgeon was at the forefront of one of these brutal purges. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin Escalation Bludgeons vision.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|EPIC FORESHADOWING.]]
During the so-called [[Dark Ages]] of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, Bludgeon, alongside [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], formed the [[Chaos Trinity]], a group that sought to harness the dark forces of the universe and use them to their advantage. During one of their ceremonies in the [[Polities of Cybertron|Orbital Torus State]] of [[Kalis]], they were interrupted by the mysterious being known as [[The Fallen]], who applauded their amateur theatrics while mocking the lack of substance behind their words. He offered them [[Furmanism|power beyond measure]] in exchange for their servitude, a proposal that Bludgeon at first boldly refused, then agreed to once The Fallen changed the term for which they would be referred to. The Fallen tasked his new "disciples" with capturing a number of Transformers in order to perform a bizarre ceremony called The [[Unbinding]] in [[Well of All Sparks|Cybertron's core]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} Soon, Bludgeon began to chafe at being ordered around without any tangible reward, so The Fallen gave him a glimpse of the dark power, ensuring the Decepticon's loyalty. While the [[Wreckers]] and [[Ultracon]]s busied themselves with their civil war, unaware of the events unfolding, Bludgeon formulated a strategy to capture two of their targets: the Trinity would exploit [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s twisted sense of justice and have him deliver himself and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] into their trap. {{storylink|Escalation}}

[[File:WarWithin Confrontation BludgeonBlades.jpg|thumb|upright=2.4|And you call yourself 'Blades'? You don't even have a blade!]]
When Jetfire met with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the [[Neutral Territories]] to discuss their suspicions about an outside force influencing the current conflict, the Trinity sprung their trap, attacking the Decepticon Commander. Bludgeon declared that once he would have never dared face Shockwave in battle, but he had been given new insights into the [[dark science]] and his ability to see the bigger picture, the latter no longer stood a chance. Once Shockwave was taken care of, the Trinity captured Jetfire, but noticed that Grimlock hadn't taken the bait of Jetfire's supposed treachery. As they prepared to leave, Grimlock jumped them, forcing The Fallen to step in. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}}

With two of the targets secured, The Fallen ordered the Trinity to capture [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], leader of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], while he would take care of the fourth target personally. In the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], while the Protectobots were discussing their problems with maintaining their control while combined as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], Bludgeon and the Trinity attacked, taking down the other Protectobots with ease and capturing Hot Spot. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

[[File:BanzaitronBludgeonDWMTME.jpg|thumb|left]]
While The Fallen used the four prisoners to unlock the [[Seal of Primus]], Bludgeon and the others were forced to defend the access shaft to the underground chamber against the Decepticons. Though Bludgeon stood resolute, ordering his comrades to fight on, with the faith that they would be rewarded for their loyal service, his resolve soon crumbled when the Autobots and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] joined forces with Shockwave and eliminated Bugly and Mindwipe. Bludgeon escaped underground to seek his master, only to be gunned down by a teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

At some point, Bludgeon in his Pretender shell faced off against [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] in presumably training or a tournament. This moment was recorded into [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #8|More than Meets the Eye #8}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe ultimately destroyed by [[Unicron]], Bludgeon joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s team of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] to serve [[Last Autobot|the Ultimate Warrior]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 19, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 19/09/2015}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:DWDropshot sliced.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Silent but deadly.]]
Bludgeon, Galvatron, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] were sent to prepare [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|this universe]]'s Cybertron for Unicron's arrival, starting with capturing the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After the group had activated all the [[space bridge]]s in the [[space bridge nexus]] in order to destabilize local space-time, Bludgeon was left to guard the nexus while the other three went to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} He attacked [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]'s unit when they arrived to investigate and put up a formidable assault (as [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] could attest), though the Autobots eventually realized the secret to his technique and forced him to retreat, leaving behind his Pretender shell. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} He returned when Jetfire attempted to use the space-bridge portal, but like the rest of the Heralds was shortly blown up when the Autobot detonated the entire base. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bludgeon Robot GIJoe.jpg|upright=0.8|right|thumb|Bludgeon always secretly dreamed of being a [[Visionaries|Visionary]].]]
Eons ago, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was given the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bludgeon attempted to kill him, but failed.

Along with the [[Pretender Monster]]s, Bludgeon traveled to Earth, seeking to be present at the planet's destruction by Unicron. The group was shot down by the [[China|Chinese]] Air Force, however, and damaged in the process. An alliance with the underground kingdom of [[Cobra-La]] provided them with life-sustaining [[Pretender]] shells in exchange for protecting the kingdom. He was responsible for the death of [[Atomic Man]] in 1978, when the [[Adventure Team]] came snooping too close to Cobra-La's hidden lair in the caves beneath [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

Decades later, Bludgeon engaged Optimus Prime in battle as the Autobot attempted to infiltrate Cobra-La's caves. After being burned by Bludgeon, Optimus ripped the chest from Bludgeon's Pretender shell. In his anger, Bludgeon lost his edge and fell off a cliff. Although Optimus had caught him, Bludgeon chose to fall, standing by his philosophy of "merciless death and destruction." {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Stormbringer issue 1|''Transformers: Stormbringer'' #1]]

[[File:Bludgeon Thundercracker SLOrionPax.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|left|I seek glory, power, enlightenment, and my lower jaw.]]
In the earliest days of the war, Bludgeon was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] to capture [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] so that the Decepticons could use him to find [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. To this end, he kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and organized a hostage exchange in the [[Rust Sea|Rust Spot]], knowing that the Autobots would have to use Alpha Trion to find their way through the area. The plan worked up until that point, but Alpha Trion escaped his clutches thanks to the efforts of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], one of the hostage exchangers. As payback, Bludgeon had him strapped to a shuttle programmed crash into the nearest settlement, and though Orion tried to stall for time by telling him he'd go far in life only to overreach and become a symbol of failure, Bludgeon didn't really care and launched his captive into the sky. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}}

[[File:Bludgeon altmode TheHuntingParty.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ancient Metallikato secret... the flying tank.]]
Following Metroplex's departure from Cybertron, Bludgeon continued his hunt for the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] using the starship ''[[Empirion]]''. One of his subordinates, [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], tracked their prey to a desolate planetoid inhabitated by some pesky [[Urtuskian|aliens]], so Bludgeon commenced planetary bombardment to get them out of the way. The assault attracted the attention of a group of Autobots who rammed and crippled the ''Empirion'', forcing Bludgeon to abandon ship and fight them until Thundercracker reported that Metroplex was nowhere to be found. As the Decepticons retreated to continue their hunt elsewhere, Bludgeon had Thundercracker transferred out of his unit for seemingly having led them into an Autobot trap. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}}

During the war, Bludgeon formed an army of "deviants and half-forms", an event that would be remembered as one of the most horrible things the Decepticons did. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

[[File:SpotlightSoundwave Bludgeon defeatsLaserbeakRavage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Wait, does this mean that Piranacon [[Bludgeon (G1)#Classics|is stealthier]] than ''Ravage''?]]
Bludgeon was the leader of a team of Decepticons (including [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], [[Finback]], [[Skullgrin]], and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]) who were assigned by Megatron to look into what [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s various projects were when he disappeared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Megatron also sent [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] to spy on them. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During this time, Bludgeon discovered Shockwave's work on [[Regenesis]]. Eventually, however, they discovered the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], the Decepticon scientist who became the cause of the Cybertronian cataclysm. Bludgeon came to believe that Thunderwing was an avatar of the apocalypse, and became bent on restoring the wasted Cybertron to its former glory by resurrecting him. He and his team of Decepticons believed that in reawakening Thunderwing and turning him loose, the mass sacrifice of worlds would allow the rebirth of Cybertron. They also delved into the outlawed [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]] experiments pioneered by Thunderwing, in an attempt to create super-shells of their own.

In [[1984]] they went to [[Earth]] to extract a load of [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]], establishing a base within Mt. St. Helens. Soundwave naturally followed them. He eventually came to them asking for a cut of their profits, believing that they meant to sell the energon, but when he realized that they meant to resurrect Thunderwing he tried to stop them. They used one of Shockwave's devices to lock him in his alt-mode, then caused a volcanic eruption and returned to Cybertron via an [[orbital jump|orbital bounce]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:IDWBludgeonShell.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Yes... I feel it, the power... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am... I am a part of the cosmos! Its energy flows... flows through me! Of what consequence are you now?]]
Twenty-three years later, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], detecting the Ultra-Energon from orbit, went to investigate, and were taken by the cult, planning to use them as raw materials for their shells. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} Bludgeon wanted Jetfire to witness Thunderwing's awakening, to make him see that Thunderwing had been right to experiment, but Jetfire eventually annoyed him too much. Connecting his mind to an [[axis cradle]] that controlled Thunderwing's blank neuroscape, Bludgeon sent Thunderwing to destroy [[Nebulos]], then engaged the auto-drive to inspect his own shell's progress. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Wreckers attacked Bludgeon's base on Cybertron by surprise, Iguanus escaped to the bio-graft chamber to find Bludgeon—only to find the cult leader having donned full polydermal armor. However, in Bludgeon's rush, the shell was not mentally aligned, causing a psychic backlash that took down the Decepticon before the Wreckers even found him. It was unclear at the time whether Bludgeon's mind survived, though it was believed to be in torment if it had. Prime felt that he got off lightly for having unleashed Thunderwing. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

[[File:SpotlightSideswipe Bludgeon attacks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.95|"I can tell you're happy to see me, Craig... IN YOUR PANTS!"]]
After the defeat of Thunderwing, Bludgeon was transferred to [[Garrus-9]], where [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] stored his extracted [[spark]] in the Rig. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} However, during [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]]'s attempt to bring forth the [[Expansion]], Bludgeon was reactivated inside his cell by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stop Jetfire from attempting to take control of Thunderwing. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} The remote-controlled Bludgeon sliced its way into Jetfire's lab and Jhiaxus planned to have it kill the Autobot. However, multiple fronts of Autobot resistance at each [[Nega-Core]] kept Jhiaxus from focusing his full attention on controlling Bludgeon, and he was forced to abandon his effort to kill Jetfire. [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] and [[Fastlane]] arrived and quickly disarmed the now-inert Bludgeon, and Jetfire borrowed the Pretender's [[sword]] to go aid Optimus Prime in his fight against Nemesis Prime. Bludgeon's body was presumably returned to confinement afterwards. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:AHM bludgeoniseeevill.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|Another inconsistency [[John Barber]] has to fix.]]
Somehow freed from Garrus-9 and again in possession of his full faculties (such as they were), Bludgeon was given command of the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]. Still displaying cultish fanaticism and a cruel streak a mile wide, he urged his crew onward in pursuit of the maverick Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]]. Downing the Autobot's shuttlecraft, Bludgeon had his ship land and crew disembark to sacrifice Hot Rod for the greater purpose of restoring Cybertron. With the untimely arrival of the crew of the battleship ''[[Trion]]'', Bludgeon ordered his acolytes to form Monstructor and crush the Autobots. However, his forces were put to rout by a precise shot from [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s sniper rifle, which hit the vulnerable connecting joint of the large combiner. Appearing to realize what he was up against, Bludgeon sounded the retreat. {{storylink|Lost & Found}} In actuality, he was leading the pursuing ''Trion'' to Cybertron, where several Decepticon battlecruisers staged an ambush, sending the Autobot craft plummeting to the planet below. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

[[File:Bludgeon Wheelie Syndromica1.jpg|left|upright=0.65|thumb|Annnnnd ''fixed''. Thanks, John!]]
With Bludgeon still in command, the ''Torment'' later arrived in the nick of time to rescue Shockwave from the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who opted to retreat rather than face him and the Monstructor Six. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

Several years later, learning that Jhiaxus had returned and was the captive of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|his]] [[Garnak|crew]], Bludgeon, following the orders of Shockwave, put into motion a plan to liberate him. Taking Monstructor to the planet [[Arduria]], he sent out a phony distress call that lured Hardhead's crew—joined now by Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime—to the frozen world. While Monstructor kept Hardhead and Orion busy, Bludgeon penetrated their ship, easily cutting his way through [[Garnak]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and liberating Jhiaxus. Together, the villains set off to track down the other planets that had been targeted by the Regenesis program crafted by Shockwave, who had been Jhiaxus's greatest student. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

Bludgeon arrived on planet [[LV-117]], which thanks to the Regenesis missile that had landed there, existed in a constant state of chronal flux. After they both separately came in contact with the time machine aboard [[Turmoil]]'s stolen ship, Bludgeon and Orion Pax were sent adrift across different eras of the planet, moving in opposite directions through time in relation to each other. Bludgeon managed to steal the device that allowed LV-117's inhabitants to control their planet's journey through time and slew Wheelie's friend [[Varta]] in the process, before he and Jhiaxus escaped aboard Turmoil's ship. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

The villains tracked down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], one of Bludgeon's old [[Titan Hunter]] subordinates, who had once managed to control a Titan. After duping Orion Pax into raising a deactivated Titan on [[Gorlam Prime]], they used Waspinator to seize control of it. The Titan's [[space bridge]] was used to teleport it back to Cybertron, and Jhiaxus' group followed in their own ship. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} They arrived on Cybertron to join with Shockwave shortly thereafter. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Bludgeon watched silently as Jhiaxus prepared to undertake Shockwave's master plan. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The completion of the chronal drive came just in time for the invasion of Cybertron by Shockwave's allies, the [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:BlackPlanet SkidsVBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|right|Add these two together and you basically get {{w|Taskmaster (comics)|Taskmaster}}.]]
Bludgeon began expressing some small doubts of the plan, as he came to realize that his master, Jhiaxus, was actually subservient to Shockwave. Still, he remained at their side, striking out against the Autobots and Decepticons who invaded Crystal City to stop Shockwave's plot. He struck down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and laughed at [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and his copied Metallikato moves. As he prepared to execute [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], however, Bludgeon was blasted by Optimus Prime, as the Autobot leader and his team re-emerged from the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Bludgeon was last seen as Ultra Magnus checked the fallen warrior for signs of life, but ultimately left him behind. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Managing to escape from the Crystal City before it was consumed into a singularity, Bludgeon set up residence in the Sea of Rust, and in the following months, he discovered that the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] in [[Alyon]] had reignited with Sparks. He proceeded to perform horrifying experiments upon some of them, including placing some of the sparks within the remains of fallen [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] and mutant [[Turbofox]]es, as well as messing with the corrupted energon emanating from the fallen [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

[[File:BludgeonslicesBarricade Redemption.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], eat your heart out.]]
Upon discovering a convoy protected by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] which contained sparks from the colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Bludgeon set some of his Sweeps upon them, but when they were driven off by a [[Torchbearer|second group]] he instead had them followed. Taking advantage of an attack from the [[Badgeless]], Bludgeon attacked the truck himself, destroying it, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] and the sparks. Easily disregarding the attack from [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]], Bludgeon hurled her into the corrupted energon, curious to see what it would do as it began mutating her. However the equally distraught [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], upset at Barricade's death, damned him for robbing himself of his "future" by destroying the sparks. Disgusted with the amoral scientist, she pushed Bludgeon over a cliff into a pool of the contaminated energon, only narrowly saved from joining him when [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] caught her by the wrist. Doubting that Bludgeon had perished, Strafe and the Dinobots decided to seek him out and make sure he suffered. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

[[File:Salvation BludgeonFlatline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|right|Your armor shall be mine, Ryo of the Wildfire!]]
Bludgeon did indeed survive his plunge, altering his outer shell and putting a new plan into action. Having discovered that Trypticon was in fact a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], Bludgeon intended to use the beast's internal [[space bridge]] to conquer the galaxy in the name of Cybertron. He used the corrupted Sweep sparks to reactivate Trypticon's [[brain module]], which he then took control of using a replica of the [[Void Scepter]] said to have created the Titan. Next he raided the Alyon hot spot, killing the [[Badgeless]] guarding it and only leaving [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] alive before harvesting the remaining sparks, intending to use Trypticon's energon to corrupt them into an army under his control. As he demonstrated Trypticon's power by having the monster march on Iacon, Bludgeon was confronted by the Dinobots, and while he had expected Sandstorm to keep them busy, Sandstorm instead joined forces with them and destroyed the Void Scepter. His control over Trypticon broken, Bludgeon found himself forcibly teleported out of the vengeful Titan, who melted his body with a powerful beam from his mouth. Unbeknownst to most however, he survived, though not without grievous injuries including losing most of his limbs, and was secretly taken into custody by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who held an interest in his spark experiments. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}}

[[File:TheDeadComeHomePt1 BludgeonVoidSceptor.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left|Darkest soul, evil's courier, serve me as a Skeleton Warrior!]]
Starscream eventually locked the crippled Bludgeon up in a back room and gave him a repaired Void Scepter with which he would carry out Starscream's bidding. After the Seeker had lent [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] so they hunt for the missing [[protoform]]s, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} he had Bludgeon control the Dinobot via the Scepter. When Slug reunited with the Dinobots, Bludgeon had him attack his friends, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} to make ready the coming of his "master". Starscream eventually caught wind of this and shattered the Scepter. Though Bludgeon tried to goad the Seeker into killing Optimus, Starscream refused to bite and reminded Bludgeon of his house arrest. Though disappointed at how things turned out, Bludgeon was confident that these events would not impede his master's return. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

Anticipating a large existential threat, Starscream eventually repaired Bludgeon and sent him out into the galaxy so that he could gather all the Decepticons who had failed to return to Cybertron following the war's end. Bludgeon readily accomplished this task, forming the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], a massive fleet of Decepticon capital ships capable of destroying whole planets with ease. Though Starscream, {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} and Shockwave each believed they commanded Bludgeon's loyalty, {{storylink|Road's End}} Bludgeon's fetish for the apocalypse had already led him to pledge loyalty to [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. When the Chaos Bringer began attacking the [[Cybertronian colonies]], Starscream dispatched the DVD to [[G Nebula 89]] to destroy him, with Bludgeon duping Starscream and his troops into believing Unicron could be felled by their firepower and a dud [[stasis web]]. In reality, Bludgeon had brought the fleet to Unicron as part of their plan. After its combined firepower failed to damage the monster planet, Unicron unleashed the [[Maximal]]s onto Bludgeon's [[Worldsweeper]], warping the Decepticons into Maximal-like forms. Unicron then teleported to Cybertron, bringing the DVD and its converted Decepticon crews along to act as his heralds. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:RoadsEnd BludgeonMonstructor.jpg|upright=1.9|right|thumb|Trusting the skull-faced fanatic was a bad idea...who'da thunk?]]
As Unicron began attacking Cybertron, Bludgeon commanded his ship to open fire on [[Vigilem|Carcer]], crippling the Titan. His attack drew the attention of [[Victorion]] who attempted to kill him and destroy his ship. Anticipating this, Bludgeon unleashed [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] who defeated the Camien combiner. {{storylink|Our Finest}} Once Unicron had destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the fleet quantum jumped to [[Jupiter]], Bludgeon loudly proclaiming their loyalty to Unicron as the fleet destroyed [[Sanctuary Station]]. {{storylink|Road's End}}

After Shockwave had located the errant [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], he contacted Bludgeon, ordering him to have the device retrieved and used to slay Unicron. Bludgeon chose that moment to inform Shockwave of his loyalty to Unicron, dispatching his troops to retrieve the device... only so it would pose no threat to Unicron. When Starscream, Thundercracker, and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] charged the fleet, Bludgeon casually ordered Monstructor to slay the Decepticon leader, before Metroplex and Trypticon space bridged in and unleashed an army on the DVD. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

Caught off guard, the DVD fell to the Titans with only Bludgeon's ship surviving the attack. As the Worldsweeper descended into Earth's atmosphere, Shockwave tried to reassert control over Bludgeon to no avail. As the warship rained destruction on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, it was boarded by the Dinobots who stormed the bridge. Though managing to slay Snarl and Sludge, Bludgeon soon found himself locked in mortal combat with Slug. Their battle caused Bludgeon to lose control of his Void Scepter, sending the Worldsweeper crashing into the [[White House]] and killing both Bludgeon and Slug. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
After [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] asked him why his Pretender shell had a skeleton's face, Bludgeon explained that it once looked human, but its face was melted off after witnessing [[w:Raiders of the Lost Ark|the opening of the Ark of the Covenant]]. The incident totally ruined his chances at being that year's prom king. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===A Tale of the Pretenders===
[[File:Tale of Pretenders Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"''Nyeh-heh-heh!'' Soon the secrets of Castle Greyskull will be mine!"]]

With other Decepticon Pretenders, Bludgeon was active in ancient [[Japan]]. One day, they came across three [[human]] siblings and threatened them. The oldest managed to escape and both [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] pursued the remaining two while the other Decepticons followed. Bludgeon found the entire thing beneath their notice, but was rebuked by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], who desired to play with the humans. Octopunch was about to step on the two when [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] leapt to the rescue. Impressed by this apparent human, Bludgeon challenged him to a duel, but he ultimately proved lacking. Despite the rescuees trying to defend Metalhawk, Bludgeon was about to go in for the kill when other Autobot Pretenders appeared and fought off the Decepticons. Bludgeon and Metalhawk continued their duel, which Metalhawk managed to end by sending Bludgeon falling into a lava pit. {{storylink|A Tale of the Pretenders}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-9-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Bludgeon was tasked with leading a group of Decepticons to find the legendary [[Red Bucket]], which they did. While he was bragging about how the Decepticons would use the bucket to conquer the world, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] appeared out of nowhere and kicked him in the chest, shattering the armor passed down to him by his ancestors. Bludgeon retaliated by having [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] tip the bucket over on Bluestreak and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], burying them in blocks, but the Autobots were able to use the blocks to build a giant robot that neutralized Bludgeon by picking him by one leg. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Kre-O'' bio===
A proud practitioner of [[Metallikato]], Bludgeon lived by the code of [[Brickshido]] and regarded the other prattling Kreons as fools. Especially [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]], whom Bludgeon intended to attack with his [[energo weapon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12 BludgeonVectorStigmata.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|"And what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"]]
The otherworldly guardian of the entrance to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]], Bludgeon blocked the path of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s souls on their journey to the great beyond, demanding they present the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" before they could pass. While Prime revealed the key and was granted passage by the gatekeeper, Grimlock could not produce one and was refused entry until Prime let him have his key. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}
{{-}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:OMAMHistory MayhemAttackSquad.jpg|right|upright=2.1|thumb]]

Bludgeon's [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] was selected by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to form the ultimate combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Their power amplified and the combiner's personality solidified by the [[Matrix of Malice]], the Mayhem Attack Squad's destructive ability proved uncontrollable. The Squad captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and restrained him within their ship, forcing him to watch as Thunder Mayhem went on an apocalyptic rampage across Cybertron, nearly driving the Cybertronian race to extinction. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}}

Years later, Bludgeon and the rest of the Mayhem Attack Squad were drawn to a cavern on Earth by a Decepticon signal, finding upon their arrival that the extra-dimensional [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] was the one broadcasting it. Though other members of his team were eager to simply off the stranger, Bludgeon allowed their new acquaintance to speak first. Ramjet was quick to comment on the dark energies he sensed within Bludgeon, who rebutted that if Ramjet was simply after his Matrix of Malice, it would not be easily pried from his frame. Ramjet reassured him that he had no interest in the artifact, and instead made a quick demonstration of his power to convince the Squad that he would make a valuable ally. Impressed by Ramjet's eldritch energies, Bludgeon and his team agreed to join forces with him, and together they begun to plot the destruction of the universe. {{storylink|History}}

The Mayhem Attack Squad turned Thunder Mayhem loose on the city of [[Merida]]. {{storylink|Divination}} They were confronted by [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s team of Autobot [[Pretender]]s and the exiled Optimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}} Thunder Mayhem had little trouble keeping them at bay, but when the [[Wreckers]] arrived and unveiled their new combined form [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the Mayhems had a true fight on their hands. The superpowered human [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] fired an energy blast that damaged Thunder Mayhem's chest, allowing Wreckage to expose the Matrix of Malice. Together, all parties focused their fire and destroyed the Matrix, causing the Squad to de-combine and ending Thunder Mayhem for good. In the aftermath, the Wreckers took the Mayhem Attack Squad into custody when they left the planet. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:EHOBBY Bludgeon front.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In an unknown location, an enigmatic Bludgeon observed different scenes throughout the multiverse with [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]], taking special note of [[Magna Convoy]] joining forces with [[Convobat]] as the awakening of the "Blue". With the warriors who inherited the "[[Star Power|Seven Lights]]" from [[The One]] beginning to play their parts, Bludgeon declared the coming of a new era. {{storylink|Cybertron Magna Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-BludgeonQuintusPrime-CardArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]

Bludgeon was a [[Prime Master]] who housed the spark energy of [[Quintus Prime]]. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Decepticon Bludgeon / Quintus Prime online bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Bludgeon, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:LightStar BludgeonAttacksAfterburner.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A rumored assassin with personal beliefs (delusions, some said) rooted in the supernatural, Bludgeon was placed in punitive stasis no less than four times over the years. Somehow, he always managed to be released, escaping more serious consequences for his alleged crimes. [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] hired him to act as his chief enforcer on the asteroid colony of [[Hexagon]]. After [[Vigilem]] docked at Hexagon, Thunderwing provided him with repairs, and [[Colonial Security]] arrived aboard [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] shortly thereafter to apprehend the renegade [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] boarded Hexagon and were greeted by Bludgeon, whom they weren't too pleased to see up-and-about. The tension only grew as the Technobots met with Thunderwing and he begrudgingly allowed them to inspect his colony. Bludgeon stayed at Thunderwing's side, with the two of them being guarded by [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] while the other Technobots had a look around. When it became clear that Thunderwing was engaging in illegal operations, communications between the Technobots were jammed and Bludgeon attacked Afterburner. The two engaged in a running battle across Hexagon, with Bludgeon nearly overwhelming his opponent. However, Bludgeon was defeated when [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] unexpectedly burst through a wall and pierced the assassin's armor with his drill bit. {{storylink|Light/Star}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Surely everyone waited for ''official'' permission to [[repurposing|repurpose]] this design, right?]]
Early in the war, Bludgeon was to meet with the Autobots Orion Pax, Alpha Trion, and Nightbeat to perform a prisoner exchange for the safe return of Rack'n'Ruin. This turned out to be a Decepticon ploy, however, and the Decepticons ambushed the group, capturing Alpha Trion in the process. {{storylink|Orion's Gambit}} Bludgeon and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

Bludgeon was later part of Thunderwing's squad of Decepticons. They attacked a [[Sun-Farming facility]] run by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], only to discover that the Autobots were more formidable than they had counted on. Bludgeon headed for the main building, fending off [[Fastlane]] and cleaving guards with his [[Energo weapon|Energo-Sword]], until he was able to secure the [[Energon]] stored inside. The Autobots subsequently retreated. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}} Bludgeon was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|King Pig#As Bludgeon}}
Bludgeon appears as one of the first unlockable Characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:BludgeonEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8| [[Starscream (G1)|Who]] said I was a "Disturbing sword guy?"]]Mysterious, stealthy, and deadly, Bludgeon is a master of the ancient Cybertronian martial art of Metallikato, a combat style that borders on the mystical.

The consummate assassin, Bludgeon locks on to his victim like a silent guided missile, and won't stop or deviate until he's claimed his scalp.
A master swordsman, Bludgeon hides his true robot self behind an outer shell designed to strike icy dread into his victims.{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bludgeon character bio}}

Bludgeon was brought through the Space Bridge by Starscream, and he had a transmission for Starscream from Megatron: Get Megatron to Earth, or be stuck on the dreary mudball for eternity. Seeing as Starscream didn't want to be abandoned with Bludgeon and Autobots, he and Bludgeon got a crystal powerful enough to get Megatron through. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Get Megatron! Campaign}}

Bludgeon received orders from Megatron to spy on and observe Starscream. Starscream headed to the Space Bridge and brought out [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and Scrapper. Bludgeon followed the trio to an Autobot outpost, where Bludgeon stopped them from getting another piece of the [[Fractal Map]] to make sure Starscream didn't get any credit and would be humiliated by Megatron. Which Starscream was. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Power Play Campaign}}

Bludgeon helps out in the final battle for the Codex Key, helping to destroy the opposing Autobot outpost to the ground. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

He then witnessed the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] arrived and complained about Space Bridge travel being unpleasant, Bludgeon noted that the Bridge's calibration was way off.

Bludgeon heard of Cyclonus's movement and scouting in the Frozen wastes of the Arctic. Bludgeon was oddly missing from the battle for the Frozen Fortress, even though prior to, Megatron orders him to rally the troops to attack. Maybe he was assigned baby sitting duty of the outpost to ensure Autobots didn't randomly attack. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Arctic Saga}}

*'''Class:''' Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''' - He targets a building with his gun, then engages and slices it with his sword.
*'''Ability: Rush in'''- Rush into combat smashing walls along the way and dealing damage to the target.
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:bludgeon Bludgeon at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
Even Bludgeon was impressed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s mastery of warfare in contests of strength. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero15.shtml Brawn on the Transformers Online website]</ref>

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Bludgeon-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|Shouldn't you rather be repurposing [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|the latest version]] of Bludgeon for this game?]]
Bludgeon was one of the Decepticons pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|his universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight#Chapter 1: Realities Collide| The Way of the Blade}}

{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBludgeon.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Bludgeon commands the fourteenth Decepticon base destroyed by the Autobots. He appears once tbe player reaches 15,800,000 points. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He's an electric warrior. He is not, however, a Jeepster for your love.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Pretender, [[1989]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pretender shell, helmet, "laser rifle" (large gun), tank turret/shield, "[[electric cannon]]" (small gun)
{{toydesigner|[[Tetsuya Ikeda]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released in the sixth year of ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'', Bludgeon's inner-robot transforms into a green and lilac quad-tread tank of undetermined, possibly-made-up model. Oddly, unlike most ''Transformers'' tanks, he does ''not'' have wheels inside the static tank tracks for any sort of rolling movement. The main tank turret separates into two separate pieces; the turret section can form a shield for the [[Pretender]] shell, while the barrel of the tank becomes the robot mode mode's "electric cannon". Like all of the 1989 Pretenders, the "electronic cannon" can store inside the shell in a port located in the leg. Alternatively, one can copy his [[:File:MTMTE-Dreamwave-Bludgeon-Pretender.jpeg|Dreamwave character profile artwork]], and have the entire combined turret mounted on the arm of his shell—which is pretty kickass! The shell itself is also armed with a white "laser rifle".

: Speaking of the Pretender shell, it continues the Decepticon trend of monstrous or war-like shells, being an orange and maroon humanoid samurai with a human skull for a head. Removing the helmet reveals great attention to detail on the skull, with cranium fusion seams and well-defined teeth, among other sculpting. Unfortunately, Bludgeon does not include a katana accessory like the one depicted in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics.

: No version of this mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More info on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:ROTFtoy-BludgeonVoyager.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Behold, I am Yoshimitsu the Second!"]]
[[File:ROTFBludgeon japanese instructions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''RD-20'''
:*''Accessories:'' {{w|katana}}, {{w|tantō}}
{{note|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Bludgeon in multiple video games.}}

: Released in the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyagers, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]] transforms from a green and orange Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a skeletal samurai robot mode which homages his original [[Pretender]] shell, in colors that homage both the shell and the original inner robot. Bludgeon features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and that pulling his turret open makes a gray sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

: The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:There is a paint application error on Bludgeon's rear wheels/thighs, wherein the black [[paint operation]]s, which were meant to help blend his rear wheels in with the black center wheels, are placed on the ''wrong side'', keeping them out of sight in vehicle mode, and behind his thighs in robot mode. The ratcheting hip joint is also flipped 180 degrees from what it should be, with two further ratchet divots on top of the hip than inside of it, meaning the mechanism in the upper leg is trying to click into a smooth surface. The toy seems to have been originally designed to feature light-piping in the head, though this feature is rendered useless with it being cast in the same solid gray plastic used for his arms, weapons, shoulders and Mech Alive features.

: The [[TakaraTomy]] release of Bludgeon has a different [[instructions|instruction sheet]] that actually labels the weapons as a {{w|katana}} and {{w|tantō}}, whereas the Hasbro release doesn't label them at all.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Toys|Banzaitron]], and [[retool]]ed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Voyager Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BludgeonKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's not the [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|first time]] he's had Megatron's head.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Micro-Changer, [[2012]])}}
:*''Bag number'': '''22851 51'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first normal wave of ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]] [[Kreon]]s, Bludgeon is a [[blindpacking|blindpacked]]-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts which turn him into a kinda-sorta-tank. He also comes with a 2x4 block stand with the Kre-O logo on the side.

: He uses [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s helmet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|2016}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''1'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, sword

: In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released ''Kre-O'' sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Blugeon's torso [[tampograph]] has also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarstoy-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The samurai skeleton look was going out of fashion.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Voyager, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Twin "high-voltage" cannons, 2 "cyber-blade" swords.

: Part of the [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service#Series 4.0 (2016)|Figure Subscription Service 4.0]], ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Bludgeon is a [[retool]] of Voyager Class [[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]] with a new robot head, a new combiner head, and two additional swords from [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Exprime|''Go!'' Optimus Exprime]]. Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager, he can combine with any four of that line's Deluxes, though he is meant to combine with his fellow [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to form [[Thunder Mayhem#Generations|Thunder Mayhem]]. Like other ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager Class toys, Bludgeon's head and torso kibble is incorporated into the toy itself, rather than being add-on parts. Bludgeon's two rifles combine into a longer rifle for the combined robot, which can also wield the twin swords.

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon features misassembled knee struts, but the backs of his feet can flip out heels to provide better support.

:Bludgeon's mold was originally retooled from [[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Hot Spot]], who was retooled differently as [[Pyra Magna#Generations|Pyra Magna]].
{{CWHotSpotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Quintus-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Uh, nevermind.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Quintus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-20'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 25]], 2018
:*''Accessories'': Decepticon Bludgeon decoy armor, {{w|kanabō}}/gun
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the third and final wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Prime Master]]s, [[Quintus Prime#Power of the Primes|Quintus Prime]] comes with Bludgeon decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell. Quintus Prime/Bludgeon is a [[Retool|partial tooling]] of [[Vector Prime#Power of the Primes|Vector Prime]]/[[Metalhawk (G1)#Power of the Primes|Metalhawk]], swapping that toy's grey sprue for yellow parts with new detailing. The new weapon piece is modeled after a kanabō (a metal stick), and uniquely can be wielded as such with the alternate 3mm plug on the end.

:This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[you]]r imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Voyager-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Honor died on the beach! The Khan deserves to suffer!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Comic Universe Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tank turret base, 2 tank barrels, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[June 20]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]]</ref>

: Part of the seventh wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Voyagers, ''Legacy: Evolution'' Bludgeon is a redeco and new-head retool of ''Legacy'' [[Tarn (G1)#Legacy|Tarn]], based on his appearance in the [[Light/Star|2021 IDW comic annual]], transforming into a Cybertronian tank. Like Tarn, Bludgeon's tank turret can detach as part of the [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick, and the barrels can split off and peg into the turret itself to make an extra-long [[fusion cannon]]. His hands feature hinged knuckles, allowing them to open and close, but are unfortunately exposed on the tank mode's rear end. Unlike Tarn, Bludgeon includes a new sword accessory, which is based on the sword from [[Don Figueroa]]'s [[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]] design for [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|IDW G1 Bludgeon]], to give some samurai action, with a [[5 mm post]] that allows for storage in both modes.

:In an undocumented feature, Bludgeon’s smaller back turrets are removable.<ref> https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?hl=en </ref> Detaching them reveals two 5 mm ports at the base and beginning of the turret, allowing them to be held as small guns or batons respectively. Doing this can be quite difficult given how tight they are in the back, so exercise caution when removing them as his backpack is made from very thin clear plastic and can snap easily.

: Bludgeon's antenna are a bit too long for the head to fit easily into the torso cavity during transformation, and it may take quite a bit of finagling to avoid this (pushing the head to either side of the cavity is particularly helpful). Exercise caution when transforming.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Bludgeon from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===First 4 Figures===
*'''Bludgeon''' (<s>2006/2007</s> unreleased)

:Intended for release in [[First 4 Figures]]' "Generation One" series, this would have been a full body resin statue of Bludgeon. When his digital sculpt was shown to ASM website staff at New York [[Toy Fair]] in February 2006, they specifically noted that he included his sword.<ref name=ASM>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070806062058/http://toyfair06.asmzine.com/first4figures/report.html "First4Figures Limited Transformers Statues and Busts Info!"] at ASMzine.com (archived)</ref> First 4 Figures allowed [[BigBadToyStore]] to solicit him for sale the same month.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/update-from-bigbadtoystorecom-transformers-and-gij/6539/ "Update from BigBadToyStore.com: Transformers and G.I.Joe Statues and Busts!!!"] on Seibertron.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426030454/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=527&company=130 BigBadToyStore's listings for First 4 Figures' statues] (archived)</ref>

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon and the rest of the "Generation One" series were casualties of the general discontinuation of First 4 Figures' ''Transformers'' output, which was attributed to a challenging market and a lack of retailer support.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' ([[2013]])
[[File:SDCC2013Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"To a master of Metallikato, your kung-fu grip is slow-motion!"]]
:*''Accessories'': {{w|kabuto}} (helmet), {{w|Dō (armour)|dō}} (breastplate), jinbaori (cloak), {{w|Japanese sword|daitō}} (long sword), shōtō (short sword)

:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this is a 3.75" figure depicting Bludgeon in his Pretender shell. He's constructed from the torso, waist, and upper legs of 2011's ''30th Anniversary'' [[Storm Shadow]], the lower legs and feet of the 2012 ''Retaliation'' Red Ninja, new arms, a new robo-skull head, and various rubberised bits of samurai armour such as his helmet, breastplate, cloak, and a non-removable {{w|Sangu (armour)|haidate}} (thigh armour). (Interestingly, this means he's only a head and kabuto away from being [https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/budo3.shtml ''Retaliation'' Budo] and, given that the ''Retaliation'' toyline had to be reshuffled when the {{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation#Theatrical|movie}} was delayed nine months, it's uncertain which samurai was designed first.) He is armed with two swords derived from his original character model in two different lengths, as was the {{w|Daishō|style at the time}}.

:The set also includes a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], a G.I. Joe [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Hound]], a new [[Snake-Eyes#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Snake-Eyes]] figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a [[Baroness#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Baroness|Ravage]] on a leash, and an [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Autobot Blaster]] boombox accessory with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Eject]].

:The box set was announced via a ''USA Today'' [http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusives/2392295/ article] on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/SDCCBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/bludgeon.shtml More information on Bludgeon (v1) at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Bludgeon.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon, Electric Warrior''' ([[2020]])
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T09/T46'''
**''Stars: ''11
:Bludgeon, Electric Warrior is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]. The Alt Mode artwork is based on the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] Voyager-class toy, while the Bot Mode artwork is based on Bludgeon's idiosyncratic appearance in the [[e-HOBBY]] comic [[Cybertron Magna Convoy]] with a new color scheme to marry the two.

:This card's set was originally scheduled for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

===e-HOBBY===
====''Transformers Character Card''====
[[File:Transformers Character Card Bludgeon and Stranglehold.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold Set''' ([[March 14]], [[2022]])
**''ID number:'' '''09 & 10'''

:Released as part of the second wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon and [[Stranglehold]] along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#09 |Translation of Bludgeon's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}

====Rubber strap series====
[[File:E Hobby rubber keychain Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold & Octopunch Set''' ([[January]] [[2023]])

:Released as part of the first wave of an [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive series, this trio of rubber keychains depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon, [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]].
{{-}}

===ULTIMATES!===
*'''Bludgeon''' (ULTIMATES!, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Toy-style head with removable helmet, comic-style head with removable helmet, severed neck wires, tank turret, tank cannon, katana with working sheath, wakizashi with working sheath, gun, 6 hands

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Super7|Transformers ULTIMATES!]]'' from [[Super7]], Bludgeon is a 7-inch-tall non-transforming action figure. Despite his retro look, he has ''way'' more articulation than the original, including multi-directional joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles; plus swivel biceps, elbows, knees, and a bit of ab crunch. His hands pop out at the wrists so they can be replaced with his additional spare hands, some in sculpted martial arts poses. He includes a tank turret that can be worn on his arm as a shield, both of his traditional swords that can plug into their sheaths, as well as two different styles of heads and helmets (comic- or toy-accurate), and a piece to represent the tangled wires left on Bludgeon's severed neck after [[The Power and the Glory|he was decapitated]] by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].

: Preorders for Bludgeon (and the rest of Wave 2) opened on [[July 29]] 2021, and closed on [[August 27]], with the toys slated for shipping in summer 2022, but wound up delayed by a full year.
{{--}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Bludgeon''' (?)
: To be released as part of the ''Furai Model'' line by [[Flame Toys]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[File:1989ToyFairCatalogBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Like a Rosetta Stone, but for samurai skeletons.]]
*Bludgeon's color scheme in the Marvel comics was based on a non-final prototype toy (as seen in the 1989 [[Toy Fair]] catalog and various toyline photography), explaining the absence of grey down the sides of his torso. This alternate color layout was far more noticeable on his rarely-depicted inner robot, revealing the origins of his differently-colored tank turret and the random patch of color on his chest in "[[The Last Autobot?]]". The shape of the prototype inner robot's head also aligns more closely with how [[Andrew Wildman]] and other artists drew it than the finalized toy design.
**While Bludgeon's Pretender shell prototype did have shoulderpads that matched its front "skirt" (visible on the pack-in flier and cardback photo), the angle and lighting of his shoulders in the Toy Fair catalog rendered this area's colors indistinct, which might explain why Bludgeon's shoulder armor was often the same color as his chest in the comics.
**The Toy Fair prototype was furthermore armed with a copy of [[Apeface]]'s sonic boomer gun painted white instead of the mold's normal pistol, but this doesn't appear to have affected any of his media portrayals.
*Like [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], Bludgeon's [[character model]] portrays him with a specialized melee weapon. Bludgeon is consistently drawn with the character model's sword, which has become a trademark, despite his toy lacking one. Thus far, Bludgeon's San Diego Comic-Con release is the only toy to include this design. The character model also seems to include a scabbard for the sword, though that is not included nearly as often. Why all three of these characters are given weapons that don't exist is unknown.
*The only time we see his character model is when it's copied faithfully by [[José Delbo]] in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]". (However, [[Robin Smith]] takes another crack at it in [[Fleetway]]'s ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Generation 2]]'' series, but a tiny few liberties were taken, style-wise.)
*The sword in his character model has unique detailing at the base of the front of the blade. In Delbo's rendition, it looks kind of like a dong. Elsewhere, not so much. Thankfully.
*Bludgeon's outer shell is a "Warrior-Grade Pretender Shell" equipped with an ambient stealth field.<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', by [[Simon Furman]]</ref>
[[File:Bludgeon-IDW-Alex Milne-concept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Bludgeon came close to having a new toy on two separate occasions. The first was a planned 6" Titaniums toy, supposedly based on his ''War Within'' design.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/titanium-13/cancelled-titanium-bludgeon-revealed-in-tfw2005-toy-database-164105/ Cancelled Titanium Bludgeon Revealed in TFW2005 Toy Database]</ref> Artist [[Don Figueroa]] then submitted a concept for a [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] Bludgeon toy way back during the development of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' or ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toylines. Obviously, the concept wasn't put into production as a toy at the time, so Figueroa used it as inspiration for his [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|rendition of Generation 1 Bludgeon]]. Hasbro considered releasing Bludgeon in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line, but put it on hold because of the large number of tank and tank-like vehicles released recently.<ref>[[Bill Rawley]] in an interview for the Transformers Collector's Club magazine: ''"One that comes to mind right away is Bludgeon. We even started early design sketches for him but the fact that he would transform into a tank, in a line that had a lot of tank-like vehicles in it, meant that he would have to be put on hold... for now."''</ref> This design was evidently [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|resurrected]] for the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' line. Figueroa notes that his contribution on this toy is very small, as his work on it ended when he submitted the concept to Hasbro way back when.
*Bludgeon's [[e-HOBBY]] appearance is a "[[Redeco#"Virtual" redecoes|virtual redeco]]" composed of a veritable rat king of references.
**His body is ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hardhead (G1)#Generations|Hardhead]].
**His head is ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Rev#Generations|Throttle]].
**His sheathed sword comes from 2016 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Warrior Class [[Windblade (RID)#Warrior|Windblade]].
**His projection drone, meanwhile, is modeled on the vehicle partner of ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]].
**Finally his actual color scheme is patterned after his original ''Generation 1'' Pretender shell, but with the white shoulder stripes of 2003 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|Destructicon Bludgeon]], while his drone and Titan Master partner are both in the colors of his tank inner robot.
*The [[2019 IDW continuity]] incarnation of Bludgeon (at right) was broadly patterned by [[Alex Milne]] on the [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' animated design]], itself inspired by the 2017 [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bludgeon''' (ブラジオン ''Burajion'')
*''French'': '''Ossement''' (France, "Bones"), '''Gourdin''' (Canada, "Club", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Husáng''' ("Stick", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Italian:'' '''Teskior''' ("Skullor")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kirigakure Anjō''' (China, 雾隐暗丈 ''Wùyǐng Ànzhàng''), '''Thunder Thump''' (China, 雷震 ''Léi Zhèn'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mayhem Attack Squad]]
[[Category:Precursor World characters]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

Bludgeon (G1)

2023-10-25T12:22:51Z

SpookwaveGOA125: /* Legacy */ re-edited to provide proper hyperlinks.

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Bludgeon}}
{{featured}}
{{suite}}
:''Bludgeon is a [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:MarvelUK-282.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is pretty much the most metal cover in TF history.]]
'''Bludgeon''' is a ferocious warrior, skilled in the ancient Cybertronian martial art of [[Metallikato]]. He and his blade can cut through the battlefield as if everyone else is operating at a minimal speed setting. Bludgeon's feats in battle seem nearly supernatural, which is probably the effect he's going for, if he doesn't believe his own hype. Utterly vicious and aloof, Bludgeon is also highly religious, adhering to an arcane code of honor. Though his beliefs fuel his single-minded bloodthirstiness with dogmatic precision, they also cause him to be rather superstitious.

Bludgeon's confidence, skill, and grand words have often catapulted him to the upper ranks of the Decepticons. Who wouldn't fall in line behind him? He's charismatic! The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] is his usual host of cronies, but he's also been known to fill in as [[Decepticon leader]] if a power vacuum presents itself.

Bludgeon is (obviously) a [[Pretender]] who has adopted a shell which takes the appearance of a skeletal samurai. His signature weapon is an [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]], though he also carries a shield and a [[Electric cannon|high-voltage electric cannon]]. In accordance with his martial arts motif, generators in his shell's legs can create disorienting clouds of smoke, and he can generate electric fireballs from the torso of either his body or his shell.<ref>Bludgeon's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile says the electric fireballs are fired from either of his torsos. His original toy bio said they're fired from between his shell's antennas.</ref>

Sometimes Bludgeon combines with some of the members of the Mayhem Attack Squad to form [[Thunder Mayhem]].

{{quote|Prattling fool! Your warrior heart is tainted by an idiot's tongue! Perhaps I shall remove '''both''' for you!|Bludgeon takes on [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]|"[[The Primal Scream]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Bludgeonasavageplace.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The shoulder is a well-known [[Transformer]] instant-death spot.]]
''When Decepticons [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] defected to the [[Autobot]]s, a new Mayhem Attack Squad was formed which included Bludgeon, his Pretender cohorts [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], and [[Snarler]]. After a [[solid light simulation]] of a mission in [[Slaughter City]], their prey was authorized—they would hunt down and kill Catilla, Carnivac, and their new [[Wreckers|Wrecker]] friends.'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}} ''They found Carnivac outside [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], and Bludgeon, promising him a warrior's death, led the charge.'' {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} ''However, Carnivac managed to draw first blood, injuring Bludgeon's shoulder. The confrontation was then interrupted by the National Guard, and Carnivac escaped Bludgeon and the other Mayhems while they were distracted by the new arrivals.'' {{storylink|Survival Run}} ''After dealing with the fleshlings, the Decepticons tracked Carnivac down to [[Los Gravos]], [[Mexico]]. [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] was about to deal the killing blow, when Catilla rescued him. However, Bludgeon threw his [[sword]] into Catilla, killing Carnivac's savior. As the rest of the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon ordered a withdrawal. Carnivac swore that Bludgeon and the other Mayhems would pay for killing his friend.'' {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}

[[File:Bludgeonstrangleholdoctopunchmodelsheet.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|The [[Nelson Yomtov|colorist]] made me look hunchbacked.]]
He later took on the leadership of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s new [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], sent to slay the newly resurrected [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Alongside the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]], the [[Classic Pretender]]s were due to be teleported to [[Earth]], an operation Bludgeon attempted to interrupt by shoving his blade through the transportation machine. Instead, he and the Mayhems were transported with the Autobots to the center of Cybertron. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} Here, the Mayhems found the Autobots being told the story of Cybertron's origins by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. Despite being on holy ground, Bludgeon and his compatriots attacked, with Bludgeon gaining the upper hand against Jazz until Bumblebee managed to sneak up on him. Bludgeon was lured into a nearby canal, where Seawatch grappled him and hoisted him away with his boat mode. In his absence, the battle inadvertently awakened the slumbering [[Primus]]. Ultimately, the transportation was completed, and the Mayhems were sent to Earth along with the Autobots, {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} where they told [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s coming and joined his Decepticons on Earth. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok in order to facilitate an alliance against Unicron, Bludgeon helped the other Decepticons imprison the surrendered Autobots. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Bludgeon fought on Scorponok's side during the subsequent [[Decepticon Civil War]] {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} and was transported with all of them to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Primus]]. Primus (speaking through the body of [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]) told them of the history between himself and Unicron, while Bludgeon cleaned his sword. He was there also to quell the sudden [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultist]] uprising, remarking that to a master of [[Metallikato]], their moves were like slow motion. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} When Unicron himself arrived, though, the superstitious Bludgeon ran like hell. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Thankfully, Optimus Prime's sacrifice saved them all, and Bludgeon was there standing over Prime's body with a few others as he died. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance that emerged was shaky and the Decepticons leaderless, so Bludgeon and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] discussed a plan of their own. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[File:Bludgeonlastautobot.jpg|left|upright=1.55|thumb|It's a good thing the Battlechargers were dead then, or Bludgeon's shell would've been totally ganked.]]
Tensions came to a head when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] discovered that Cybertron was tearing itself apart in the aftermath of the Transformers' victory against Unicron. While Bludgeon openly kept the peace (like keeping [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] in line at meetings), he and Krok began to worry that some of the Decepticons were in ''favour'' of peaceful alliance and plotted to break it up. New Autobot leader Grimlock almost gave them an opening by beating the tar out of Fangry, until [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] stopped the fight; Bludgeon quickly exploited the situation anyway, demanding the full details of the Autobots' plans.

Now knowing they intended to start anew on another planet and live in peace, he sabotaged the Autobot ships and assumed command of the Decepticons. He gave the troops a rousing speech, condemning the Autobot plan as weak and advocating a return to conquest as was the Decepticon way. Having risen from the ranks to light their darkest hour, he was cheered on by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|Look at him go. What a skeleton!]]
With his Decepticons eager for conquest, Bludgeon randomly selected the planet of [[Klo]] as their first target. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The peaceful inhabitants of Klo were easily (and violently) subdued, and Bludgeon thought this planet did not meet the challenges befitting their warrior race. In turn, Krok pleased him with news that their ships were bugged and that they should be expecting the Autobots to be arriving soon. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

Indeed, when the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon's Decepticons were ready for them, luring them into an ambush—only five Autobots escaped their purge, and Bludgeon sent a small hunting party after them. Ultimate victory was snatched from Bludgeon only by divine intervention. The [[Last Autobot]] arrived with a resurrected Optimus Prime and the [[Neo-Knights]]. Bludgeon rejected this development on religious grounds; the Last Autobot, according to his beliefs, was the Ultimate Warrior, who was bent on conquest. He ordered his troops to attack the "unbelievers". Ultimately, the Decepticons were defeated. The Last Autobot was able to revive the fallen Autobots at will, and Bludgeon was forced to admit defeat and withdraw. As he and the Decepticons retreated, he promised a "solitary exile" to the Autobots—while saying that they were fleeing to fight another day to his subordinates. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Aspects of evil bludgeon.jpg|left|90px|thumb|GIVE ME YOUR THROAT.]]
In an alternate [[1990]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] was captured by the Decepticons and freed by an agent placed within their ranks. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] accused Bludgeon of being the culprit, and Bludgeon demanded the chance to prove himself through [[Trial by Combat]]. He was released and chased by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Stranglehold]] and [[Warmonger]]. Bludgeon easily dispatched the former two but was caught from behind by Warmonger, who couldn't bring himself to kill in cold blood. Realizing who the infiltrator was, Megatron destroyed Warmonger, then reflected that it would have simply been easier to kill all four of them. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:UKBludgeonEarthForce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|There wolf!]]
Following Catilla's death, the Mayhems set up a base on a deserted island, where Needlenose decided to test their response time in an emergency. Enraged, Bludgeon threatened to tear him apart, but was stopped by Snarler. As Needlenose returned to his quarters, he was ambushed by Carnivac, who had snuck in during the chaos caused by his "drill". His calls for help were ignored by Snarler and Bludgeon, who thought that their comrade was once more lying about the emergency. {{storylink|Cry Wolf!}} Carnivac decided to pick off Bludgeon next, finding him meditating. Bludgeon sensed him coming and took him on, and the other Mayhems responded to the commotion. Bludgeon wanted to finish this traitor with his blade as well, but Spinister decided to end it summarily by slagging Carnivac with his blaster instead. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Angry at losing his kill, Bludgeon was pleased to find [[Earthforce]] attacking them, in an attempt to rescue Carnivac. He and his fellow Pretenders were defeated, outnumbered by the Autobots. But before they could be executed, a shell-less Carnivac appeared and told the Autobots to spare them, denying them a warrior's death. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

Captives of Earthforce, Bludgeon and his Pretender partners were held in a cell together. To get free, Bludgeon arranged a most subtle escape attempt with his cell mates. At first, they all remained completely silent for an extended period of time, partly to unnerve their guard, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], but also to give Bludgeon time to make mental contact with his katana, locked away in the property vault. Once he found the weapon and began summoning it back to him through the hallways, Bludgeon signaled Stranglehold to begin pounding frantically on the floor. This sudden activity spooked Inferno into opening the cell door to pacify the prisoner, only to wind up with a floating sword in his backside. The Pretenders then simply walked out over his leaking body. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

Afterwards, Bludgeon and the others hooked up with Megatron and Shockwave, the deposed leaders of the Decepticons, and took on a bounty to assassinate their betrayers, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Assassins}} Though the Pretenders were only meant to eliminate whichever of their targets had survived an orchestrated battle between the pair, they found both Starscream and Soundwave functional upon their arrival. Unperturbed, Bludgeon and his teammates surmised that they could ask to be paid double for the hit once it had been completed. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The assassins outnumbered their prey, but they hadn't counted on the Autobots intervening on Starscream's behalf. It seemed the Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] was dying, and could only be saved by a systems boost from a compatible Transformer, namely Starscream. [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] joined the fight on Starscream's side, and the Mayhems were defeated. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:BludgeonStrangleholdOctopunch-AnotherTimeAndPlace.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Bludgeon: All skeleton, no spine.]]
After the defeat on Klo, Bludgeon decided the Decepticons needed some "old blood" back in charge. He traveled to Earth and retrieved the deactivated body of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from the wreckage of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Then, he seized upon an opportunity to follow Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to [[Hydrus Four]], the source of the miraculous energy known as [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] which had supercharged the Dinobot commander. Slipping ahead of the Dinobots as they made their way to the medical facility, Bludgeon and his Decepticons set up a [[Holocaust Trigger]] to trap the Dinobots, disabling them without firing a shot. Unfortunately for Bludgeon, he ignored [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]'s cries of "Let's just kill them already!" and instead planned on keeping Grimlock and the Dinobots alive long enough for them to witness the triumphant resurrection of Megatron. That didn't mean, however, that he kept his fellow Decepticons from aggressively torturing their fallen captives.

In a matter of hours, a full scale Autobot strike force had tracked the Dinobots down to Hydrus Four and assaulted Bludgeon's position. Fearing his rag-tag team of Decepticons wouldn't be enough, Bludgeon accelerated Megatron's revival, sending the half-mad, half-living monstrosity at Optimus Prime. He had no time to gloat, though—the heavily injured Dinobot known as Swoop had dragged himself to the control module for one of the [[repair spider|medical machines]] in the area, setting its spidery arms to work on Bludgeon, disassembling him in seconds down to his core components.

Bludgeon didn't even have time to scream. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeontalesofearth.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|G2, home of New Extreme Weapons.]]
Optimus Prime considered Bludgeon a defeated threat. When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Empire]] was discovered, he considered if "Bludgeon had lied about his plans" but decided that this was too advanced an operation. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Turns out Prime was dumb as what Bludgeon had actually meant by "solitary exile" was "build a slag-off big planet-like spacecraft called the [[Warworld]] and attack vessels for their cargo across the galaxy". {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} He also battled Optimus Prime and the Autobots over a store of ancient alien weapons, but an [[Guardian (G2)|alien entity]] drove him off. {{storylink|Ghosts}} After that, he went back to stealing resources—and finished the construction of a [[Bludgeon's new army|new generation of Decepticon warriors]], who just needed the Matrix to come back to life. That meant luring Prime to him... {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}}

[[File:Bludgeon-PowerAndTheGlory.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Also, so very much less.]]
To lure Prime out, Bludgeon launched a full-scale attack on Earth and did succeed in drawing Optimus Prime to Earth's defense, but not before Bludgeon was confronted by the newly rebuilt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who wanted command of the Decepticons for himself once more. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Bludgeon destroyed Megatron's gun with one swipe of his blade, but neglected to realize how enhanced the new Megatron was—the former Decepticon leader ripped Bludgeon's Pretender skull off with one hand. Undaunted, Bludgeon proclaimed himself an agent of chaos and transformed into his little-used tank mode to confront Megatron on his own terms. He briefly drove back Megatron, but ultimately the Decepticons' founder proved to be too much for their current leader, and his new railgun destroyed Bludgeon utterly. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

[[File:Megatron ignores Bludgeon's severed head.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|If you think this is harsh Bludgeon, Swindle would've sold your skull on eBay by now.]]
The victorious Decepticon leader subsequently displayed Bludgeon's severed head in the Warworld, though he did muse that he might have spared Bludgeon's life if he'd known how much the guy had achieved and envisioned with limited time and resources. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later on, the Decepticons would try not to say the word "bludgeon" around Megatron (even with the "to hit things" meaning) just in case it annoyed him. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeon-WarWithoutEndUK.jpg|thumb|upright=1|thumb|[[Robin Smith]], copying a [[character model]] pose??? [[Ravage (G1)|Never!]]]]
Intending to draw out Autobots to Earth and steal the Matrix to bring a new generation of Decepticons to life, Bludgeon attacked Earth in force—specifically [[London]]. Unfortunately for him, the Autobots were already there, and attacked just as his troops were low on fuel. Bludgeon fought Optimus in direct combat and lost. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}} When Megatron turned up afterwards to fight Optimus, Bludgeon's men actually ''attacked'' Megatron just in case it was Bludgeon he was stomping: [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] bluntly said that the Pretender was their boss, not the old guy.

Bludgeon sneaked away {{storylink|War Zone}} to try exactly the same tactic again. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}}—and learned if at first you don't succeed, Try #2 will get you killed by Megatron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Bludgeon Piranacon AtFightsEnd.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Is that you, {{w|Brainiac (character)|Brainiac}}?]]
Optimus Prime was reluctant to prolong the war by following Bludgeon and his followers across the galaxy, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] was more than happy to. Grimlock, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and a crew of others searched and fought Bludgeon's Decepticons in the fringes of known space, but to no known resolution. At some point the mysterious Decepticon, [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], joined Bludgeon's Decepticons, and Bludgeon put him in charge of his own subgroup. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

As Bludgeon became aware of Megatron's re-emergence, he began to prepare his forces to repel an attempted coup by the former Decepticon leader. Bludgeon and his Sub-Commander [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] were readying their battleplans when [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] brought to his attention their plans may have been compromised from within. They apparently identified the traitor working for Megatron, [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, and so Bludgeon confronted him with the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s. A fight broke out between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] as a result, but Bludgeon's loyal gestalt won, and so they returned to battle preparation. In the war room, Bludgeon became so intent on watching for Megatron's next move on the monitors that he failed to notice Seawing removing his sword. Only after the Seacons had formed Piranacon again did Bludgeon finally realize he had miscalculated. Piranacon's mass compression cannon destroyed the Pretender completely, leaving room for Megatron to swoop in and claim full leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:BludgeonVision DestinyPt3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I will die naked and alone? Glorious!"]]
Bludgeon felt his warrior's honor was deeply tarnished on [[Klo]], when he faltered and retreated instead of fighting to his death. The various conquests and victories the Decepticons achieved since then did nothing to remove that stain. Deep in meditation, Bludgeon received a vision of his own glorious death at the hands of a worthy opponent back on Cybertron, and he began plotting to bring this future about. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}}

Twenty years after the defeat at Klo, the Autobots unaware of his location, Bludgeon was finally ready to take his revenge. He contacted [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] at the secret [[Fort Scyk]] base, revealing he had agents on Cybertron and even in the Neo-Decepticons, and requested Soundwave retrieve a valuable resource for him in exchange for aid against the Autobots. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}} The moment came when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and many of his warriors were occupied on Earth. Soundwave contacted Bludgeon as his men eliminated another bio-mechanical species on [[Torkulon]], telling him to expect delivery soon. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Soundwave successfully retrieved the Matrix-infused remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]], the "spark" Bludgeon needed to bring life to his [[Blitz Engine]]s—adaptable, self-regenerating war machines of tremendous power. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} The spark was lit, and Bludgeon and Soundwave observed a successful field test of the Engines' power on [[Cresta Superior]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Soundwave returned to Cybertron and used his Neo-Decepticons to orchestrate the total blinding of Cybertron's long-range sensors, allowing Bludgeon and the Warworld to come within striking distance unnoticed. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 BludgeonRoadbuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
As the siege began, Bludgeon dropped Blitz Engine troopers all over Cybertron, devastating Autobot defensive measures. The Warworld was transmitting Matrix-energy to power the Engines' sparks, and so it needed to be close to the assault, but Bludgeon initially refrained from bringing the Warworld's more awe-inspiring weapons to activation. Something needed to be left of Cybertron to rule, after all. Still, at his troops' encouragement, Bludgeon agreed to a symbolic strike. Hacking the Autobot surveillance feed, he made them watch as the Warworld's city-killer armaments were brought down on top of a single target: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. (Miraculously, Magnus survived by using the body of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] as a super-dense shield.) {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}}

[[File:RodimusVBludgeon DestinyPt5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"C'mon, beat me up! I'll even sing "[[The Touch]]" for you if need be."]]
Bludgeon sent his soldiers to join the Neo-Decepticon forces on the ground, but remained on board the Warworld in anticipation of his final battle. He easily dispatched the [[Wreckers]] commando unit sent to disable the Thunderwing link to the Blitz Engines, and was prepared to deliver the killing stroke to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] when his fated opponent arrived: ''[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'', freshly empowered by an alternate Creation Matrix and ascended to the name of Prime. Unimpressed at first, Bludgeon learned otherwise when Rodimus Prime caught his blade in mid-strike. The battle after that was swift but certain, as Rodimus threw Bludgeon out of the Warworld, letting him hurtle uncontrollably into the planet's surface below. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Adding insult to horrible, horrible injury, Rodimus found Bludgeon's still smoldering frame after the battle. Bludgeon lived, barely, and insisted Rodimus finish the job. Instead, Rodimus Prime refused to grant Bludgeon his "glorious death", and ordered Autobot medics to make sure Bludgeon survived to suffer the ignominy of imprisonment. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} His imprisonment probably didn't last long as he was most likely turned into a [[shadow-leech]] along with nearly every other Decepticon, presumably an even more ignominious end. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Decepticons purge secrets and lies 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
When [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] took over leadership of the Decepticons, he greatly increased their efforts to eliminate every surviving Autobot on the planet. Bludgeon was at the forefront of one of these brutal purges. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin Escalation Bludgeons vision.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|EPIC FORESHADOWING.]]
During the so-called [[Dark Ages]] of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, Bludgeon, alongside [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], formed the [[Chaos Trinity]], a group that sought to harness the dark forces of the universe and use them to their advantage. During one of their ceremonies in the [[Polities of Cybertron|Orbital Torus State]] of [[Kalis]], they were interrupted by the mysterious being known as [[The Fallen]], who applauded their amateur theatrics while mocking the lack of substance behind their words. He offered them [[Furmanism|power beyond measure]] in exchange for their servitude, a proposal that Bludgeon at first boldly refused, then agreed to once The Fallen changed the term for which they would be referred to. The Fallen tasked his new "disciples" with capturing a number of Transformers in order to perform a bizarre ceremony called The [[Unbinding]] in [[Well of All Sparks|Cybertron's core]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} Soon, Bludgeon began to chafe at being ordered around without any tangible reward, so The Fallen gave him a glimpse of the dark power, ensuring the Decepticon's loyalty. While the [[Wreckers]] and [[Ultracon]]s busied themselves with their civil war, unaware of the events unfolding, Bludgeon formulated a strategy to capture two of their targets: the Trinity would exploit [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s twisted sense of justice and have him deliver himself and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] into their trap. {{storylink|Escalation}}

[[File:WarWithin Confrontation BludgeonBlades.jpg|thumb|upright=2.4|And you call yourself 'Blades'? You don't even have a blade!]]
When Jetfire met with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the [[Neutral Territories]] to discuss their suspicions about an outside force influencing the current conflict, the Trinity sprung their trap, attacking the Decepticon Commander. Bludgeon declared that once he would have never dared face Shockwave in battle, but he had been given new insights into the [[dark science]] and his ability to see the bigger picture, the latter no longer stood a chance. Once Shockwave was taken care of, the Trinity captured Jetfire, but noticed that Grimlock hadn't taken the bait of Jetfire's supposed treachery. As they prepared to leave, Grimlock jumped them, forcing The Fallen to step in. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}}

With two of the targets secured, The Fallen ordered the Trinity to capture [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], leader of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], while he would take care of the fourth target personally. In the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], while the Protectobots were discussing their problems with maintaining their control while combined as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], Bludgeon and the Trinity attacked, taking down the other Protectobots with ease and capturing Hot Spot. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

[[File:BanzaitronBludgeonDWMTME.jpg|thumb|left]]
While The Fallen used the four prisoners to unlock the [[Seal of Primus]], Bludgeon and the others were forced to defend the access shaft to the underground chamber against the Decepticons. Though Bludgeon stood resolute, ordering his comrades to fight on, with the faith that they would be rewarded for their loyal service, his resolve soon crumbled when the Autobots and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] joined forces with Shockwave and eliminated Bugly and Mindwipe. Bludgeon escaped underground to seek his master, only to be gunned down by a teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

At some point, Bludgeon in his Pretender shell faced off against [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] in presumably training or a tournament. This moment was recorded into [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #8|More than Meets the Eye #8}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe ultimately destroyed by [[Unicron]], Bludgeon joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s team of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] to serve [[Last Autobot|the Ultimate Warrior]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 19, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 19/09/2015}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:DWDropshot sliced.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Silent but deadly.]]
Bludgeon, Galvatron, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] were sent to prepare [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|this universe]]'s Cybertron for Unicron's arrival, starting with capturing the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After the group had activated all the [[space bridge]]s in the [[space bridge nexus]] in order to destabilize local space-time, Bludgeon was left to guard the nexus while the other three went to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} He attacked [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]'s unit when they arrived to investigate and put up a formidable assault (as [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] could attest), though the Autobots eventually realized the secret to his technique and forced him to retreat, leaving behind his Pretender shell. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} He returned when Jetfire attempted to use the space-bridge portal, but like the rest of the Heralds was shortly blown up when the Autobot detonated the entire base. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bludgeon Robot GIJoe.jpg|upright=0.8|right|thumb|Bludgeon always secretly dreamed of being a [[Visionaries|Visionary]].]]
Eons ago, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was given the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bludgeon attempted to kill him, but failed.

Along with the [[Pretender Monster]]s, Bludgeon traveled to Earth, seeking to be present at the planet's destruction by Unicron. The group was shot down by the [[China|Chinese]] Air Force, however, and damaged in the process. An alliance with the underground kingdom of [[Cobra-La]] provided them with life-sustaining [[Pretender]] shells in exchange for protecting the kingdom. He was responsible for the death of [[Atomic Man]] in 1978, when the [[Adventure Team]] came snooping too close to Cobra-La's hidden lair in the caves beneath [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

Decades later, Bludgeon engaged Optimus Prime in battle as the Autobot attempted to infiltrate Cobra-La's caves. After being burned by Bludgeon, Optimus ripped the chest from Bludgeon's Pretender shell. In his anger, Bludgeon lost his edge and fell off a cliff. Although Optimus had caught him, Bludgeon chose to fall, standing by his philosophy of "merciless death and destruction." {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Stormbringer issue 1|''Transformers: Stormbringer'' #1]]

[[File:Bludgeon Thundercracker SLOrionPax.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|left|I seek glory, power, enlightenment, and my lower jaw.]]
In the earliest days of the war, Bludgeon was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] to capture [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] so that the Decepticons could use him to find [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. To this end, he kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and organized a hostage exchange in the [[Rust Sea|Rust Spot]], knowing that the Autobots would have to use Alpha Trion to find their way through the area. The plan worked up until that point, but Alpha Trion escaped his clutches thanks to the efforts of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], one of the hostage exchangers. As payback, Bludgeon had him strapped to a shuttle programmed crash into the nearest settlement, and though Orion tried to stall for time by telling him he'd go far in life only to overreach and become a symbol of failure, Bludgeon didn't really care and launched his captive into the sky. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}}

[[File:Bludgeon altmode TheHuntingParty.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ancient Metallikato secret... the flying tank.]]
Following Metroplex's departure from Cybertron, Bludgeon continued his hunt for the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] using the starship ''[[Empirion]]''. One of his subordinates, [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], tracked their prey to a desolate planetoid inhabitated by some pesky [[Urtuskian|aliens]], so Bludgeon commenced planetary bombardment to get them out of the way. The assault attracted the attention of a group of Autobots who rammed and crippled the ''Empirion'', forcing Bludgeon to abandon ship and fight them until Thundercracker reported that Metroplex was nowhere to be found. As the Decepticons retreated to continue their hunt elsewhere, Bludgeon had Thundercracker transferred out of his unit for seemingly having led them into an Autobot trap. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}}

During the war, Bludgeon formed an army of "deviants and half-forms", an event that would be remembered as one of the most horrible things the Decepticons did. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

[[File:SpotlightSoundwave Bludgeon defeatsLaserbeakRavage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Wait, does this mean that Piranacon [[Bludgeon (G1)#Classics|is stealthier]] than ''Ravage''?]]
Bludgeon was the leader of a team of Decepticons (including [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], [[Finback]], [[Skullgrin]], and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]) who were assigned by Megatron to look into what [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s various projects were when he disappeared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Megatron also sent [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] to spy on them. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During this time, Bludgeon discovered Shockwave's work on [[Regenesis]]. Eventually, however, they discovered the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], the Decepticon scientist who became the cause of the Cybertronian cataclysm. Bludgeon came to believe that Thunderwing was an avatar of the apocalypse, and became bent on restoring the wasted Cybertron to its former glory by resurrecting him. He and his team of Decepticons believed that in reawakening Thunderwing and turning him loose, the mass sacrifice of worlds would allow the rebirth of Cybertron. They also delved into the outlawed [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]] experiments pioneered by Thunderwing, in an attempt to create super-shells of their own.

In [[1984]] they went to [[Earth]] to extract a load of [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]], establishing a base within Mt. St. Helens. Soundwave naturally followed them. He eventually came to them asking for a cut of their profits, believing that they meant to sell the energon, but when he realized that they meant to resurrect Thunderwing he tried to stop them. They used one of Shockwave's devices to lock him in his alt-mode, then caused a volcanic eruption and returned to Cybertron via an [[orbital jump|orbital bounce]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:IDWBludgeonShell.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Yes... I feel it, the power... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am... I am a part of the cosmos! Its energy flows... flows through me! Of what consequence are you now?]]
Twenty-three years later, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], detecting the Ultra-Energon from orbit, went to investigate, and were taken by the cult, planning to use them as raw materials for their shells. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} Bludgeon wanted Jetfire to witness Thunderwing's awakening, to make him see that Thunderwing had been right to experiment, but Jetfire eventually annoyed him too much. Connecting his mind to an [[axis cradle]] that controlled Thunderwing's blank neuroscape, Bludgeon sent Thunderwing to destroy [[Nebulos]], then engaged the auto-drive to inspect his own shell's progress. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Wreckers attacked Bludgeon's base on Cybertron by surprise, Iguanus escaped to the bio-graft chamber to find Bludgeon—only to find the cult leader having donned full polydermal armor. However, in Bludgeon's rush, the shell was not mentally aligned, causing a psychic backlash that took down the Decepticon before the Wreckers even found him. It was unclear at the time whether Bludgeon's mind survived, though it was believed to be in torment if it had. Prime felt that he got off lightly for having unleashed Thunderwing. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

[[File:SpotlightSideswipe Bludgeon attacks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.95|"I can tell you're happy to see me, Craig... IN YOUR PANTS!"]]
After the defeat of Thunderwing, Bludgeon was transferred to [[Garrus-9]], where [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] stored his extracted [[spark]] in the Rig. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} However, during [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]]'s attempt to bring forth the [[Expansion]], Bludgeon was reactivated inside his cell by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stop Jetfire from attempting to take control of Thunderwing. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} The remote-controlled Bludgeon sliced its way into Jetfire's lab and Jhiaxus planned to have it kill the Autobot. However, multiple fronts of Autobot resistance at each [[Nega-Core]] kept Jhiaxus from focusing his full attention on controlling Bludgeon, and he was forced to abandon his effort to kill Jetfire. [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] and [[Fastlane]] arrived and quickly disarmed the now-inert Bludgeon, and Jetfire borrowed the Pretender's [[sword]] to go aid Optimus Prime in his fight against Nemesis Prime. Bludgeon's body was presumably returned to confinement afterwards. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:AHM bludgeoniseeevill.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|Another inconsistency [[John Barber]] has to fix.]]
Somehow freed from Garrus-9 and again in possession of his full faculties (such as they were), Bludgeon was given command of the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]. Still displaying cultish fanaticism and a cruel streak a mile wide, he urged his crew onward in pursuit of the maverick Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]]. Downing the Autobot's shuttlecraft, Bludgeon had his ship land and crew disembark to sacrifice Hot Rod for the greater purpose of restoring Cybertron. With the untimely arrival of the crew of the battleship ''[[Trion]]'', Bludgeon ordered his acolytes to form Monstructor and crush the Autobots. However, his forces were put to rout by a precise shot from [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s sniper rifle, which hit the vulnerable connecting joint of the large combiner. Appearing to realize what he was up against, Bludgeon sounded the retreat. {{storylink|Lost & Found}} In actuality, he was leading the pursuing ''Trion'' to Cybertron, where several Decepticon battlecruisers staged an ambush, sending the Autobot craft plummeting to the planet below. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

[[File:Bludgeon Wheelie Syndromica1.jpg|left|upright=0.65|thumb|Annnnnd ''fixed''. Thanks, John!]]
With Bludgeon still in command, the ''Torment'' later arrived in the nick of time to rescue Shockwave from the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who opted to retreat rather than face him and the Monstructor Six. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

Several years later, learning that Jhiaxus had returned and was the captive of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|his]] [[Garnak|crew]], Bludgeon, following the orders of Shockwave, put into motion a plan to liberate him. Taking Monstructor to the planet [[Arduria]], he sent out a phony distress call that lured Hardhead's crew—joined now by Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime—to the frozen world. While Monstructor kept Hardhead and Orion busy, Bludgeon penetrated their ship, easily cutting his way through [[Garnak]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and liberating Jhiaxus. Together, the villains set off to track down the other planets that had been targeted by the Regenesis program crafted by Shockwave, who had been Jhiaxus's greatest student. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

Bludgeon arrived on planet [[LV-117]], which thanks to the Regenesis missile that had landed there, existed in a constant state of chronal flux. After they both separately came in contact with the time machine aboard [[Turmoil]]'s stolen ship, Bludgeon and Orion Pax were sent adrift across different eras of the planet, moving in opposite directions through time in relation to each other. Bludgeon managed to steal the device that allowed LV-117's inhabitants to control their planet's journey through time and slew Wheelie's friend [[Varta]] in the process, before he and Jhiaxus escaped aboard Turmoil's ship. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

The villains tracked down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], one of Bludgeon's old [[Titan Hunter]] subordinates, who had once managed to control a Titan. After duping Orion Pax into raising a deactivated Titan on [[Gorlam Prime]], they used Waspinator to seize control of it. The Titan's [[space bridge]] was used to teleport it back to Cybertron, and Jhiaxus' group followed in their own ship. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} They arrived on Cybertron to join with Shockwave shortly thereafter. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Bludgeon watched silently as Jhiaxus prepared to undertake Shockwave's master plan. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The completion of the chronal drive came just in time for the invasion of Cybertron by Shockwave's allies, the [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:BlackPlanet SkidsVBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|right|Add these two together and you basically get {{w|Taskmaster (comics)|Taskmaster}}.]]
Bludgeon began expressing some small doubts of the plan, as he came to realize that his master, Jhiaxus, was actually subservient to Shockwave. Still, he remained at their side, striking out against the Autobots and Decepticons who invaded Crystal City to stop Shockwave's plot. He struck down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and laughed at [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and his copied Metallikato moves. As he prepared to execute [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], however, Bludgeon was blasted by Optimus Prime, as the Autobot leader and his team re-emerged from the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Bludgeon was last seen as Ultra Magnus checked the fallen warrior for signs of life, but ultimately left him behind. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Managing to escape from the Crystal City before it was consumed into a singularity, Bludgeon set up residence in the Sea of Rust, and in the following months, he discovered that the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] in [[Alyon]] had reignited with Sparks. He proceeded to perform horrifying experiments upon some of them, including placing some of the sparks within the remains of fallen [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] and mutant [[Turbofox]]es, as well as messing with the corrupted energon emanating from the fallen [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

[[File:BludgeonslicesBarricade Redemption.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], eat your heart out.]]
Upon discovering a convoy protected by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] which contained sparks from the colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Bludgeon set some of his Sweeps upon them, but when they were driven off by a [[Torchbearer|second group]] he instead had them followed. Taking advantage of an attack from the [[Badgeless]], Bludgeon attacked the truck himself, destroying it, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] and the sparks. Easily disregarding the attack from [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]], Bludgeon hurled her into the corrupted energon, curious to see what it would do as it began mutating her. However the equally distraught [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], upset at Barricade's death, damned him for robbing himself of his "future" by destroying the sparks. Disgusted with the amoral scientist, she pushed Bludgeon over a cliff into a pool of the contaminated energon, only narrowly saved from joining him when [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] caught her by the wrist. Doubting that Bludgeon had perished, Strafe and the Dinobots decided to seek him out and make sure he suffered. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

[[File:Salvation BludgeonFlatline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|right|Your armor shall be mine, Ryo of the Wildfire!]]
Bludgeon did indeed survive his plunge, altering his outer shell and putting a new plan into action. Having discovered that Trypticon was in fact a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], Bludgeon intended to use the beast's internal [[space bridge]] to conquer the galaxy in the name of Cybertron. He used the corrupted Sweep sparks to reactivate Trypticon's [[brain module]], which he then took control of using a replica of the [[Void Scepter]] said to have created the Titan. Next he raided the Alyon hot spot, killing the [[Badgeless]] guarding it and only leaving [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] alive before harvesting the remaining sparks, intending to use Trypticon's energon to corrupt them into an army under his control. As he demonstrated Trypticon's power by having the monster march on Iacon, Bludgeon was confronted by the Dinobots, and while he had expected Sandstorm to keep them busy, Sandstorm instead joined forces with them and destroyed the Void Scepter. His control over Trypticon broken, Bludgeon found himself forcibly teleported out of the vengeful Titan, who melted his body with a powerful beam from his mouth. Unbeknownst to most however, he survived, though not without grievous injuries including losing most of his limbs, and was secretly taken into custody by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who held an interest in his spark experiments. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}}

[[File:TheDeadComeHomePt1 BludgeonVoidSceptor.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left|Darkest soul, evil's courier, serve me as a Skeleton Warrior!]]
Starscream eventually locked the crippled Bludgeon up in a back room and gave him a repaired Void Scepter with which he would carry out Starscream's bidding. After the Seeker had lent [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] so they hunt for the missing [[protoform]]s, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} he had Bludgeon control the Dinobot via the Scepter. When Slug reunited with the Dinobots, Bludgeon had him attack his friends, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} to make ready the coming of his "master". Starscream eventually caught wind of this and shattered the Scepter. Though Bludgeon tried to goad the Seeker into killing Optimus, Starscream refused to bite and reminded Bludgeon of his house arrest. Though disappointed at how things turned out, Bludgeon was confident that these events would not impede his master's return. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

Anticipating a large existential threat, Starscream eventually repaired Bludgeon and sent him out into the galaxy so that he could gather all the Decepticons who had failed to return to Cybertron following the war's end. Bludgeon readily accomplished this task, forming the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], a massive fleet of Decepticon capital ships capable of destroying whole planets with ease. Though Starscream, {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} and Shockwave each believed they commanded Bludgeon's loyalty, {{storylink|Road's End}} Bludgeon's fetish for the apocalypse had already led him to pledge loyalty to [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. When the Chaos Bringer began attacking the [[Cybertronian colonies]], Starscream dispatched the DVD to [[G Nebula 89]] to destroy him, with Bludgeon duping Starscream and his troops into believing Unicron could be felled by their firepower and a dud [[stasis web]]. In reality, Bludgeon had brought the fleet to Unicron as part of their plan. After its combined firepower failed to damage the monster planet, Unicron unleashed the [[Maximal]]s onto Bludgeon's [[Worldsweeper]], warping the Decepticons into Maximal-like forms. Unicron then teleported to Cybertron, bringing the DVD and its converted Decepticon crews along to act as his heralds. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:RoadsEnd BludgeonMonstructor.jpg|upright=1.9|right|thumb|Trusting the skull-faced fanatic was a bad idea...who'da thunk?]]
As Unicron began attacking Cybertron, Bludgeon commanded his ship to open fire on [[Vigilem|Carcer]], crippling the Titan. His attack drew the attention of [[Victorion]] who attempted to kill him and destroy his ship. Anticipating this, Bludgeon unleashed [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] who defeated the Camien combiner. {{storylink|Our Finest}} Once Unicron had destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the fleet quantum jumped to [[Jupiter]], Bludgeon loudly proclaiming their loyalty to Unicron as the fleet destroyed [[Sanctuary Station]]. {{storylink|Road's End}}

After Shockwave had located the errant [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], he contacted Bludgeon, ordering him to have the device retrieved and used to slay Unicron. Bludgeon chose that moment to inform Shockwave of his loyalty to Unicron, dispatching his troops to retrieve the device... only so it would pose no threat to Unicron. When Starscream, Thundercracker, and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] charged the fleet, Bludgeon casually ordered Monstructor to slay the Decepticon leader, before Metroplex and Trypticon space bridged in and unleashed an army on the DVD. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

Caught off guard, the DVD fell to the Titans with only Bludgeon's ship surviving the attack. As the Worldsweeper descended into Earth's atmosphere, Shockwave tried to reassert control over Bludgeon to no avail. As the warship rained destruction on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, it was boarded by the Dinobots who stormed the bridge. Though managing to slay Snarl and Sludge, Bludgeon soon found himself locked in mortal combat with Slug. Their battle caused Bludgeon to lose control of his Void Scepter, sending the Worldsweeper crashing into the [[White House]] and killing both Bludgeon and Slug. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
After [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] asked him why his Pretender shell had a skeleton's face, Bludgeon explained that it once looked human, but its face was melted off after witnessing [[w:Raiders of the Lost Ark|the opening of the Ark of the Covenant]]. The incident totally ruined his chances at being that year's prom king. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===A Tale of the Pretenders===
[[File:Tale of Pretenders Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"''Nyeh-heh-heh!'' Soon the secrets of Castle Greyskull will be mine!"]]

With other Decepticon Pretenders, Bludgeon was active in ancient [[Japan]]. One day, they came across three [[human]] siblings and threatened them. The oldest managed to escape and both [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] pursued the remaining two while the other Decepticons followed. Bludgeon found the entire thing beneath their notice, but was rebuked by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], who desired to play with the humans. Octopunch was about to step on the two when [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] leapt to the rescue. Impressed by this apparent human, Bludgeon challenged him to a duel, but he ultimately proved lacking. Despite the rescuees trying to defend Metalhawk, Bludgeon was about to go in for the kill when other Autobot Pretenders appeared and fought off the Decepticons. Bludgeon and Metalhawk continued their duel, which Metalhawk managed to end by sending Bludgeon falling into a lava pit. {{storylink|A Tale of the Pretenders}}
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===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-9-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Bludgeon was tasked with leading a group of Decepticons to find the legendary [[Red Bucket]], which they did. While he was bragging about how the Decepticons would use the bucket to conquer the world, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] appeared out of nowhere and kicked him in the chest, shattering the armor passed down to him by his ancestors. Bludgeon retaliated by having [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] tip the bucket over on Bluestreak and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], burying them in blocks, but the Autobots were able to use the blocks to build a giant robot that neutralized Bludgeon by picking him by one leg. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Kre-O'' bio===
A proud practitioner of [[Metallikato]], Bludgeon lived by the code of [[Brickshido]] and regarded the other prattling Kreons as fools. Especially [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]], whom Bludgeon intended to attack with his [[energo weapon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia}}
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===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12 BludgeonVectorStigmata.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|"And what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"]]
The otherworldly guardian of the entrance to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]], Bludgeon blocked the path of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s souls on their journey to the great beyond, demanding they present the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" before they could pass. While Prime revealed the key and was granted passage by the gatekeeper, Grimlock could not produce one and was refused entry until Prime let him have his key. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}
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===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:OMAMHistory MayhemAttackSquad.jpg|right|upright=2.1|thumb]]

Bludgeon's [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] was selected by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to form the ultimate combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Their power amplified and the combiner's personality solidified by the [[Matrix of Malice]], the Mayhem Attack Squad's destructive ability proved uncontrollable. The Squad captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and restrained him within their ship, forcing him to watch as Thunder Mayhem went on an apocalyptic rampage across Cybertron, nearly driving the Cybertronian race to extinction. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}}

Years later, Bludgeon and the rest of the Mayhem Attack Squad were drawn to a cavern on Earth by a Decepticon signal, finding upon their arrival that the extra-dimensional [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] was the one broadcasting it. Though other members of his team were eager to simply off the stranger, Bludgeon allowed their new acquaintance to speak first. Ramjet was quick to comment on the dark energies he sensed within Bludgeon, who rebutted that if Ramjet was simply after his Matrix of Malice, it would not be easily pried from his frame. Ramjet reassured him that he had no interest in the artifact, and instead made a quick demonstration of his power to convince the Squad that he would make a valuable ally. Impressed by Ramjet's eldritch energies, Bludgeon and his team agreed to join forces with him, and together they begun to plot the destruction of the universe. {{storylink|History}}

The Mayhem Attack Squad turned Thunder Mayhem loose on the city of [[Merida]]. {{storylink|Divination}} They were confronted by [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s team of Autobot [[Pretender]]s and the exiled Optimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}} Thunder Mayhem had little trouble keeping them at bay, but when the [[Wreckers]] arrived and unveiled their new combined form [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the Mayhems had a true fight on their hands. The superpowered human [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] fired an energy blast that damaged Thunder Mayhem's chest, allowing Wreckage to expose the Matrix of Malice. Together, all parties focused their fire and destroyed the Matrix, causing the Squad to de-combine and ending Thunder Mayhem for good. In the aftermath, the Wreckers took the Mayhem Attack Squad into custody when they left the planet. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:EHOBBY Bludgeon front.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In an unknown location, an enigmatic Bludgeon observed different scenes throughout the multiverse with [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]], taking special note of [[Magna Convoy]] joining forces with [[Convobat]] as the awakening of the "Blue". With the warriors who inherited the "[[Star Power|Seven Lights]]" from [[The One]] beginning to play their parts, Bludgeon declared the coming of a new era. {{storylink|Cybertron Magna Convoy}}
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===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-BludgeonQuintusPrime-CardArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]

Bludgeon was a [[Prime Master]] who housed the spark energy of [[Quintus Prime]]. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Decepticon Bludgeon / Quintus Prime online bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Bludgeon, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:LightStar BludgeonAttacksAfterburner.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A rumored assassin with personal beliefs (delusions, some said) rooted in the supernatural, Bludgeon was placed in punitive stasis no less than four times over the years. Somehow, he always managed to be released, escaping more serious consequences for his alleged crimes. [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] hired him to act as his chief enforcer on the asteroid colony of [[Hexagon]]. After [[Vigilem]] docked at Hexagon, Thunderwing provided him with repairs, and [[Colonial Security]] arrived aboard [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] shortly thereafter to apprehend the renegade [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] boarded Hexagon and were greeted by Bludgeon, whom they weren't too pleased to see up-and-about. The tension only grew as the Technobots met with Thunderwing and he begrudgingly allowed them to inspect his colony. Bludgeon stayed at Thunderwing's side, with the two of them being guarded by [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] while the other Technobots had a look around. When it became clear that Thunderwing was engaging in illegal operations, communications between the Technobots were jammed and Bludgeon attacked Afterburner. The two engaged in a running battle across Hexagon, with Bludgeon nearly overwhelming his opponent. However, Bludgeon was defeated when [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] unexpectedly burst through a wall and pierced the assassin's armor with his drill bit. {{storylink|Light/Star}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Surely everyone waited for ''official'' permission to [[repurposing|repurpose]] this design, right?]]
Early in the war, Bludgeon was to meet with the Autobots Orion Pax, Alpha Trion, and Nightbeat to perform a prisoner exchange for the safe return of Rack'n'Ruin. This turned out to be a Decepticon ploy, however, and the Decepticons ambushed the group, capturing Alpha Trion in the process. {{storylink|Orion's Gambit}} Bludgeon and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

Bludgeon was later part of Thunderwing's squad of Decepticons. They attacked a [[Sun-Farming facility]] run by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], only to discover that the Autobots were more formidable than they had counted on. Bludgeon headed for the main building, fending off [[Fastlane]] and cleaving guards with his [[Energo weapon|Energo-Sword]], until he was able to secure the [[Energon]] stored inside. The Autobots subsequently retreated. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}} Bludgeon was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|King Pig#As Bludgeon}}
Bludgeon appears as one of the first unlockable Characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:BludgeonEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8| [[Starscream (G1)|Who]] said I was a "Disturbing sword guy?"]]Mysterious, stealthy, and deadly, Bludgeon is a master of the ancient Cybertronian martial art of Metallikato, a combat style that borders on the mystical.

The consummate assassin, Bludgeon locks on to his victim like a silent guided missile, and won't stop or deviate until he's claimed his scalp.
A master swordsman, Bludgeon hides his true robot self behind an outer shell designed to strike icy dread into his victims.{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bludgeon character bio}}

Bludgeon was brought through the Space Bridge by Starscream, and he had a transmission for Starscream from Megatron: Get Megatron to Earth, or be stuck on the dreary mudball for eternity. Seeing as Starscream didn't want to be abandoned with Bludgeon and Autobots, he and Bludgeon got a crystal powerful enough to get Megatron through. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Get Megatron! Campaign}}

Bludgeon received orders from Megatron to spy on and observe Starscream. Starscream headed to the Space Bridge and brought out [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and Scrapper. Bludgeon followed the trio to an Autobot outpost, where Bludgeon stopped them from getting another piece of the [[Fractal Map]] to make sure Starscream didn't get any credit and would be humiliated by Megatron. Which Starscream was. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Power Play Campaign}}

Bludgeon helps out in the final battle for the Codex Key, helping to destroy the opposing Autobot outpost to the ground. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

He then witnessed the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] arrived and complained about Space Bridge travel being unpleasant, Bludgeon noted that the Bridge's calibration was way off.

Bludgeon heard of Cyclonus's movement and scouting in the Frozen wastes of the Arctic. Bludgeon was oddly missing from the battle for the Frozen Fortress, even though prior to, Megatron orders him to rally the troops to attack. Maybe he was assigned baby sitting duty of the outpost to ensure Autobots didn't randomly attack. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Arctic Saga}}

*'''Class:''' Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''' - He targets a building with his gun, then engages and slices it with his sword.
*'''Ability: Rush in'''- Rush into combat smashing walls along the way and dealing damage to the target.
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:bludgeon Bludgeon at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
Even Bludgeon was impressed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s mastery of warfare in contests of strength. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero15.shtml Brawn on the Transformers Online website]</ref>

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Bludgeon-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|Shouldn't you rather be repurposing [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|the latest version]] of Bludgeon for this game?]]
Bludgeon was one of the Decepticons pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|his universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight#Chapter 1: Realities Collide| The Way of the Blade}}

{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBludgeon.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Bludgeon commands the fourteenth Decepticon base destroyed by the Autobots. He appears once tbe player reaches 15,800,000 points. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He's an electric warrior. He is not, however, a Jeepster for your love.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Pretender, [[1989]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pretender shell, helmet, "laser rifle" (large gun), tank turret/shield, "[[electric cannon]]" (small gun)
{{toydesigner|[[Tetsuya Ikeda]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released in the sixth year of ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'', Bludgeon's inner-robot transforms into a green and lilac quad-tread tank of undetermined, possibly-made-up model. Oddly, unlike most ''Transformers'' tanks, he does ''not'' have wheels inside the static tank tracks for any sort of rolling movement. The main tank turret separates into two separate pieces; the turret section can form a shield for the [[Pretender]] shell, while the barrel of the tank becomes the robot mode mode's "electric cannon". Like all of the 1989 Pretenders, the "electronic cannon" can store inside the shell in a port located in the leg. Alternatively, one can copy his [[:File:MTMTE-Dreamwave-Bludgeon-Pretender.jpeg|Dreamwave character profile artwork]], and have the entire combined turret mounted on the arm of his shell—which is pretty kickass! The shell itself is also armed with a white "laser rifle".

: Speaking of the Pretender shell, it continues the Decepticon trend of monstrous or war-like shells, being an orange and maroon humanoid samurai with a human skull for a head. Removing the helmet reveals great attention to detail on the skull, with cranium fusion seams and well-defined teeth, among other sculpting. Unfortunately, Bludgeon does not include a katana accessory like the one depicted in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics.

: No version of this mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More info on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:ROTFtoy-BludgeonVoyager.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Behold, I am Yoshimitsu the Second!"]]
[[File:ROTFBludgeon japanese instructions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''RD-20'''
:*''Accessories:'' {{w|katana}}, {{w|tantō}}
{{note|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Bludgeon in multiple video games.}}

: Released in the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyagers, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]] transforms from a green and orange Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a skeletal samurai robot mode which homages his original [[Pretender]] shell, in colors that homage both the shell and the original inner robot. Bludgeon features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and that pulling his turret open makes a gray sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

: The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:There is a paint application error on Bludgeon's rear wheels/thighs, wherein the black [[paint operation]]s, which were meant to help blend his rear wheels in with the black center wheels, are placed on the ''wrong side'', keeping them out of sight in vehicle mode, and behind his thighs in robot mode. The ratcheting hip joint is also flipped 180 degrees from what it should be, with two further ratchet divots on top of the hip than inside of it, meaning the mechanism in the upper leg is trying to click into a smooth surface. The toy seems to have been originally designed to feature light-piping in the head, though this feature is rendered useless with it being cast in the same solid gray plastic used for his arms, weapons, shoulders and Mech Alive features.

: The [[TakaraTomy]] release of Bludgeon has a different [[instructions|instruction sheet]] that actually labels the weapons as a {{w|katana}} and {{w|tantō}}, whereas the Hasbro release doesn't label them at all.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Toys|Banzaitron]], and [[retool]]ed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Voyager Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BludgeonKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's not the [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|first time]] he's had Megatron's head.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Micro-Changer, [[2012]])}}
:*''Bag number'': '''22851 51'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first normal wave of ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]] [[Kreon]]s, Bludgeon is a [[blindpacking|blindpacked]]-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts which turn him into a kinda-sorta-tank. He also comes with a 2x4 block stand with the Kre-O logo on the side.

: He uses [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s helmet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|2016}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''1'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, sword

: In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released ''Kre-O'' sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Blugeon's torso [[tampograph]] has also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarstoy-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The samurai skeleton look was going out of fashion.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Voyager, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Twin "high-voltage" cannons, 2 "cyber-blade" swords.

: Part of the [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service#Series 4.0 (2016)|Figure Subscription Service 4.0]], ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Bludgeon is a [[retool]] of Voyager Class [[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]] with a new robot head, a new combiner head, and two additional swords from [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Exprime|''Go!'' Optimus Exprime]]. Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager, he can combine with any four of that line's Deluxes, though he is meant to combine with his fellow [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to form [[Thunder Mayhem#Generations|Thunder Mayhem]]. Like other ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager Class toys, Bludgeon's head and torso kibble is incorporated into the toy itself, rather than being add-on parts. Bludgeon's two rifles combine into a longer rifle for the combined robot, which can also wield the twin swords.

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon features misassembled knee struts, but the backs of his feet can flip out heels to provide better support.

:Bludgeon's mold was originally retooled from [[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Hot Spot]], who was retooled differently as [[Pyra Magna#Generations|Pyra Magna]].
{{CWHotSpotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Quintus-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Uh, nevermind.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Quintus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-20'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 25]], 2018
:*''Accessories'': Decepticon Bludgeon decoy armor, {{w|kanabō}}/gun
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the third and final wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Prime Master]]s, [[Quintus Prime#Power of the Primes|Quintus Prime]] comes with Bludgeon decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell. Quintus Prime/Bludgeon is a [[Retool|partial tooling]] of [[Vector Prime#Power of the Primes|Vector Prime]]/[[Metalhawk (G1)#Power of the Primes|Metalhawk]], swapping that toy's grey sprue for yellow parts with new detailing. The new weapon piece is modeled after a kanabō (a metal stick), and uniquely can be wielded as such with the alternate 3mm plug on the end.

:This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[you]]r imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Voyager-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Honor died on the beach! The Khan deserves to suffer!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Comic Universe Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tank turret base, 2 tank barrels, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[June 20]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]]</ref>

: Part of the seventh wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Voyagers, ''Legacy: Evolution'' Bludgeon is a redeco and new-head retool of ''Legacy'' [[Tarn (G1)#Legacy|Tarn]], based on his appearance in the [[Light/Star|2021 IDW comic annual]], transforming into a Cybertronian tank. Like Tarn, Bludgeon's tank turret can detach as part of the [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick, and the barrels can split off and peg into the turret itself to make an extra-long [[fusion cannon]]. His hands feature hinged knuckles, allowing them to open and close, but are unfortunately exposed on the tank mode's rear end. Unlike Tarn, Bludgeon includes a new sword accessory, which is based on the sword from [[Don Figueroa]]'s [[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]] design for [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|Bludgeon]] to give some samurai action, with a [[5 mm post]] that allows for storage in both modes.

:In an undocumented feature, Bludgeon’s smaller back turrets are removable.<ref> https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?hl=en </ref> Detaching them reveals two 5 mm ports at the base and beginning of the turret, allowing them to be held as small guns or batons respectively. Doing this can be quite difficult given how tight they are in the back, so exercise caution when removing them as his backpack is made from very thin clear plastic and can snap easily.

: Bludgeon's antenna are a bit too long for the head to fit easily into the torso cavity during transformation, and it may take quite a bit of finagling to avoid this (pushing the head to either side of the cavity is particularly helpful). Exercise caution when transforming.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Bludgeon from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===First 4 Figures===
*'''Bludgeon''' (<s>2006/2007</s> unreleased)

:Intended for release in [[First 4 Figures]]' "Generation One" series, this would have been a full body resin statue of Bludgeon. When his digital sculpt was shown to ASM website staff at New York [[Toy Fair]] in February 2006, they specifically noted that he included his sword.<ref name=ASM>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070806062058/http://toyfair06.asmzine.com/first4figures/report.html "First4Figures Limited Transformers Statues and Busts Info!"] at ASMzine.com (archived)</ref> First 4 Figures allowed [[BigBadToyStore]] to solicit him for sale the same month.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/update-from-bigbadtoystorecom-transformers-and-gij/6539/ "Update from BigBadToyStore.com: Transformers and G.I.Joe Statues and Busts!!!"] on Seibertron.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426030454/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=527&company=130 BigBadToyStore's listings for First 4 Figures' statues] (archived)</ref>

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon and the rest of the "Generation One" series were casualties of the general discontinuation of First 4 Figures' ''Transformers'' output, which was attributed to a challenging market and a lack of retailer support.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' ([[2013]])
[[File:SDCC2013Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"To a master of Metallikato, your kung-fu grip is slow-motion!"]]
:*''Accessories'': {{w|kabuto}} (helmet), {{w|Dō (armour)|dō}} (breastplate), jinbaori (cloak), {{w|Japanese sword|daitō}} (long sword), shōtō (short sword)

:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this is a 3.75" figure depicting Bludgeon in his Pretender shell. He's constructed from the torso, waist, and upper legs of 2011's ''30th Anniversary'' [[Storm Shadow]], the lower legs and feet of the 2012 ''Retaliation'' Red Ninja, new arms, a new robo-skull head, and various rubberised bits of samurai armour such as his helmet, breastplate, cloak, and a non-removable {{w|Sangu (armour)|haidate}} (thigh armour). (Interestingly, this means he's only a head and kabuto away from being [https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/budo3.shtml ''Retaliation'' Budo] and, given that the ''Retaliation'' toyline had to be reshuffled when the {{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation#Theatrical|movie}} was delayed nine months, it's uncertain which samurai was designed first.) He is armed with two swords derived from his original character model in two different lengths, as was the {{w|Daishō|style at the time}}.

:The set also includes a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], a G.I. Joe [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Hound]], a new [[Snake-Eyes#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Snake-Eyes]] figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a [[Baroness#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Baroness|Ravage]] on a leash, and an [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Autobot Blaster]] boombox accessory with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Eject]].

:The box set was announced via a ''USA Today'' [http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusives/2392295/ article] on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/SDCCBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/bludgeon.shtml More information on Bludgeon (v1) at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Bludgeon.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon, Electric Warrior''' ([[2020]])
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T09/T46'''
**''Stars: ''11
:Bludgeon, Electric Warrior is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]. The Alt Mode artwork is based on the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] Voyager-class toy, while the Bot Mode artwork is based on Bludgeon's idiosyncratic appearance in the [[e-HOBBY]] comic [[Cybertron Magna Convoy]] with a new color scheme to marry the two.

:This card's set was originally scheduled for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

===e-HOBBY===
====''Transformers Character Card''====
[[File:Transformers Character Card Bludgeon and Stranglehold.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold Set''' ([[March 14]], [[2022]])
**''ID number:'' '''09 & 10'''

:Released as part of the second wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon and [[Stranglehold]] along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#09 |Translation of Bludgeon's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}

====Rubber strap series====
[[File:E Hobby rubber keychain Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold & Octopunch Set''' ([[January]] [[2023]])

:Released as part of the first wave of an [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive series, this trio of rubber keychains depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon, [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]].
{{-}}

===ULTIMATES!===
*'''Bludgeon''' (ULTIMATES!, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Toy-style head with removable helmet, comic-style head with removable helmet, severed neck wires, tank turret, tank cannon, katana with working sheath, wakizashi with working sheath, gun, 6 hands

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Super7|Transformers ULTIMATES!]]'' from [[Super7]], Bludgeon is a 7-inch-tall non-transforming action figure. Despite his retro look, he has ''way'' more articulation than the original, including multi-directional joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles; plus swivel biceps, elbows, knees, and a bit of ab crunch. His hands pop out at the wrists so they can be replaced with his additional spare hands, some in sculpted martial arts poses. He includes a tank turret that can be worn on his arm as a shield, both of his traditional swords that can plug into their sheaths, as well as two different styles of heads and helmets (comic- or toy-accurate), and a piece to represent the tangled wires left on Bludgeon's severed neck after [[The Power and the Glory|he was decapitated]] by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].

: Preorders for Bludgeon (and the rest of Wave 2) opened on [[July 29]] 2021, and closed on [[August 27]], with the toys slated for shipping in summer 2022, but wound up delayed by a full year.
{{--}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Bludgeon''' (?)
: To be released as part of the ''Furai Model'' line by [[Flame Toys]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[File:1989ToyFairCatalogBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Like a Rosetta Stone, but for samurai skeletons.]]
*Bludgeon's color scheme in the Marvel comics was based on a non-final prototype toy (as seen in the 1989 [[Toy Fair]] catalog and various toyline photography), explaining the absence of grey down the sides of his torso. This alternate color layout was far more noticeable on his rarely-depicted inner robot, revealing the origins of his differently-colored tank turret and the random patch of color on his chest in "[[The Last Autobot?]]". The shape of the prototype inner robot's head also aligns more closely with how [[Andrew Wildman]] and other artists drew it than the finalized toy design.
**While Bludgeon's Pretender shell prototype did have shoulderpads that matched its front "skirt" (visible on the pack-in flier and cardback photo), the angle and lighting of his shoulders in the Toy Fair catalog rendered this area's colors indistinct, which might explain why Bludgeon's shoulder armor was often the same color as his chest in the comics.
**The Toy Fair prototype was furthermore armed with a copy of [[Apeface]]'s sonic boomer gun painted white instead of the mold's normal pistol, but this doesn't appear to have affected any of his media portrayals.
*Like [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], Bludgeon's [[character model]] portrays him with a specialized melee weapon. Bludgeon is consistently drawn with the character model's sword, which has become a trademark, despite his toy lacking one. Thus far, Bludgeon's San Diego Comic-Con release is the only toy to include this design. The character model also seems to include a scabbard for the sword, though that is not included nearly as often. Why all three of these characters are given weapons that don't exist is unknown.
*The only time we see his character model is when it's copied faithfully by [[José Delbo]] in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]". (However, [[Robin Smith]] takes another crack at it in [[Fleetway]]'s ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Generation 2]]'' series, but a tiny few liberties were taken, style-wise.)
*The sword in his character model has unique detailing at the base of the front of the blade. In Delbo's rendition, it looks kind of like a dong. Elsewhere, not so much. Thankfully.
*Bludgeon's outer shell is a "Warrior-Grade Pretender Shell" equipped with an ambient stealth field.<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', by [[Simon Furman]]</ref>
[[File:Bludgeon-IDW-Alex Milne-concept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Bludgeon came close to having a new toy on two separate occasions. The first was a planned 6" Titaniums toy, supposedly based on his ''War Within'' design.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/titanium-13/cancelled-titanium-bludgeon-revealed-in-tfw2005-toy-database-164105/ Cancelled Titanium Bludgeon Revealed in TFW2005 Toy Database]</ref> Artist [[Don Figueroa]] then submitted a concept for a [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] Bludgeon toy way back during the development of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' or ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toylines. Obviously, the concept wasn't put into production as a toy at the time, so Figueroa used it as inspiration for his [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|rendition of Generation 1 Bludgeon]]. Hasbro considered releasing Bludgeon in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line, but put it on hold because of the large number of tank and tank-like vehicles released recently.<ref>[[Bill Rawley]] in an interview for the Transformers Collector's Club magazine: ''"One that comes to mind right away is Bludgeon. We even started early design sketches for him but the fact that he would transform into a tank, in a line that had a lot of tank-like vehicles in it, meant that he would have to be put on hold... for now."''</ref> This design was evidently [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|resurrected]] for the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' line. Figueroa notes that his contribution on this toy is very small, as his work on it ended when he submitted the concept to Hasbro way back when.
*Bludgeon's [[e-HOBBY]] appearance is a "[[Redeco#"Virtual" redecoes|virtual redeco]]" composed of a veritable rat king of references.
**His body is ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hardhead (G1)#Generations|Hardhead]].
**His head is ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Rev#Generations|Throttle]].
**His sheathed sword comes from 2016 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Warrior Class [[Windblade (RID)#Warrior|Windblade]].
**His projection drone, meanwhile, is modeled on the vehicle partner of ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]].
**Finally his actual color scheme is patterned after his original ''Generation 1'' Pretender shell, but with the white shoulder stripes of 2003 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|Destructicon Bludgeon]], while his drone and Titan Master partner are both in the colors of his tank inner robot.
*The [[2019 IDW continuity]] incarnation of Bludgeon (at right) was broadly patterned by [[Alex Milne]] on the [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' animated design]], itself inspired by the 2017 [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bludgeon''' (ブラジオン ''Burajion'')
*''French'': '''Ossement''' (France, "Bones"), '''Gourdin''' (Canada, "Club", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Husáng''' ("Stick", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Italian:'' '''Teskior''' ("Skullor")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kirigakure Anjō''' (China, 雾隐暗丈 ''Wùyǐng Ànzhàng''), '''Thunder Thump''' (China, 雷震 ''Léi Zhèn'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mayhem Attack Squad]]
[[Category:Precursor World characters]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]

Bludgeon (G1)

2023-10-25T12:04:49Z

SpookwaveGOA125: I edited the Legacy Bludgeon toy bio to state that the sword is based on the sword from the Stormbringer design.

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{{disambig3|Bludgeon}}
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{{suite}}
:''Bludgeon is a [[Decepticon]] [[Pretender]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:MarvelUK-282.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|This is pretty much the most metal cover in TF history.]]
'''Bludgeon''' is a ferocious warrior, skilled in the ancient Cybertronian martial art of [[Metallikato]]. He and his blade can cut through the battlefield as if everyone else is operating at a minimal speed setting. Bludgeon's feats in battle seem nearly supernatural, which is probably the effect he's going for, if he doesn't believe his own hype. Utterly vicious and aloof, Bludgeon is also highly religious, adhering to an arcane code of honor. Though his beliefs fuel his single-minded bloodthirstiness with dogmatic precision, they also cause him to be rather superstitious.

Bludgeon's confidence, skill, and grand words have often catapulted him to the upper ranks of the Decepticons. Who wouldn't fall in line behind him? He's charismatic! The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] is his usual host of cronies, but he's also been known to fill in as [[Decepticon leader]] if a power vacuum presents itself.

Bludgeon is (obviously) a [[Pretender]] who has adopted a shell which takes the appearance of a skeletal samurai. His signature weapon is an [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]], though he also carries a shield and a [[Electric cannon|high-voltage electric cannon]]. In accordance with his martial arts motif, generators in his shell's legs can create disorienting clouds of smoke, and he can generate electric fireballs from the torso of either his body or his shell.<ref>Bludgeon's ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' profile says the electric fireballs are fired from either of his torsos. His original toy bio said they're fired from between his shell's antennas.</ref>

Sometimes Bludgeon combines with some of the members of the Mayhem Attack Squad to form [[Thunder Mayhem]].

{{quote|Prattling fool! Your warrior heart is tainted by an idiot's tongue! Perhaps I shall remove '''both''' for you!|Bludgeon takes on [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]|"[[The Primal Scream]]"}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Bludgeonasavageplace.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The shoulder is a well-known [[Transformer]] instant-death spot.]]
''When Decepticons [[Catilla (G1)|Catilla]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] defected to the [[Autobot]]s, a new Mayhem Attack Squad was formed which included Bludgeon, his Pretender cohorts [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], and [[Snarler]]. After a [[solid light simulation]] of a mission in [[Slaughter City]], their prey was authorized—they would hunt down and kill Catilla, Carnivac, and their new [[Wreckers|Wrecker]] friends.'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}} ''They found Carnivac outside [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], and Bludgeon, promising him a warrior's death, led the charge.'' {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} ''However, Carnivac managed to draw first blood, injuring Bludgeon's shoulder. The confrontation was then interrupted by the National Guard, and Carnivac escaped Bludgeon and the other Mayhems while they were distracted by the new arrivals.'' {{storylink|Survival Run}} ''After dealing with the fleshlings, the Decepticons tracked Carnivac down to [[Los Gravos]], [[Mexico]]. [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] was about to deal the killing blow, when Catilla rescued him. However, Bludgeon threw his [[sword]] into Catilla, killing Carnivac's savior. As the rest of the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon ordered a withdrawal. Carnivac swore that Bludgeon and the other Mayhems would pay for killing his friend.'' {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}

[[File:Bludgeonstrangleholdoctopunchmodelsheet.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|The [[Nelson Yomtov|colorist]] made me look hunchbacked.]]
He later took on the leadership of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s new [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], sent to slay the newly resurrected [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]. Alongside the [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]], the [[Classic Pretender]]s were due to be teleported to [[Earth]], an operation Bludgeon attempted to interrupt by shoving his blade through the transportation machine. Instead, he and the Mayhems were transported with the Autobots to the center of Cybertron. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} Here, the Mayhems found the Autobots being told the story of Cybertron's origins by the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]]. Despite being on holy ground, Bludgeon and his compatriots attacked, with Bludgeon gaining the upper hand against Jazz until Bumblebee managed to sneak up on him. Bludgeon was lured into a nearby canal, where Seawatch grappled him and hoisted him away with his boat mode. In his absence, the battle inadvertently awakened the slumbering [[Primus]]. Ultimately, the transportation was completed, and the Mayhems were sent to Earth along with the Autobots, {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} where they told [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s coming and joined his Decepticons on Earth. When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok in order to facilitate an alliance against Unicron, Bludgeon helped the other Decepticons imprison the surrendered Autobots. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

Bludgeon fought on Scorponok's side during the subsequent [[Decepticon Civil War]] {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} and was transported with all of them to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] by [[Primus]]. Primus (speaking through the body of [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]]) told them of the history between himself and Unicron, while Bludgeon cleaned his sword. He was there also to quell the sudden [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultist]] uprising, remarking that to a master of [[Metallikato]], their moves were like slow motion. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} When Unicron himself arrived, though, the superstitious Bludgeon ran like hell. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} Thankfully, Optimus Prime's sacrifice saved them all, and Bludgeon was there standing over Prime's body with a few others as he died. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance that emerged was shaky and the Decepticons leaderless, so Bludgeon and [[Krok (G1)|Krok]] discussed a plan of their own. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[File:Bludgeonlastautobot.jpg|left|upright=1.55|thumb|It's a good thing the Battlechargers were dead then, or Bludgeon's shell would've been totally ganked.]]
Tensions came to a head when [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] discovered that Cybertron was tearing itself apart in the aftermath of the Transformers' victory against Unicron. While Bludgeon openly kept the peace (like keeping [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] in line at meetings), he and Krok began to worry that some of the Decepticons were in ''favour'' of peaceful alliance and plotted to break it up. New Autobot leader Grimlock almost gave them an opening by beating the tar out of Fangry, until [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] stopped the fight; Bludgeon quickly exploited the situation anyway, demanding the full details of the Autobots' plans.

Now knowing they intended to start anew on another planet and live in peace, he sabotaged the Autobot ships and assumed command of the Decepticons. He gave the troops a rousing speech, condemning the Autobot plan as weak and advocating a return to conquest as was the Decepticon way. Having risen from the ranks to light their darkest hour, he was cheered on by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

[[File:Bludgeon-youlie1.jpg|thumb|Look at him go. What a skeleton!]]
With his Decepticons eager for conquest, Bludgeon randomly selected the planet of [[Klo]] as their first target. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The peaceful inhabitants of Klo were easily (and violently) subdued, and Bludgeon thought this planet did not meet the challenges befitting their warrior race. In turn, Krok pleased him with news that their ships were bugged and that they should be expecting the Autobots to be arriving soon. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

Indeed, when the Autobots arrived, Bludgeon's Decepticons were ready for them, luring them into an ambush—only five Autobots escaped their purge, and Bludgeon sent a small hunting party after them. Ultimate victory was snatched from Bludgeon only by divine intervention. The [[Last Autobot]] arrived with a resurrected Optimus Prime and the [[Neo-Knights]]. Bludgeon rejected this development on religious grounds; the Last Autobot, according to his beliefs, was the Ultimate Warrior, who was bent on conquest. He ordered his troops to attack the "unbelievers". Ultimately, the Decepticons were defeated. The Last Autobot was able to revive the fallen Autobots at will, and Bludgeon was forced to admit defeat and withdraw. As he and the Decepticons retreated, he promised a "solitary exile" to the Autobots—while saying that they were fleeing to fight another day to his subordinates. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Aspects of evil bludgeon.jpg|left|90px|thumb|GIVE ME YOUR THROAT.]]
In an alternate [[1990]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] was captured by the Decepticons and freed by an agent placed within their ranks. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] accused Bludgeon of being the culprit, and Bludgeon demanded the chance to prove himself through [[Trial by Combat]]. He was released and chased by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], [[Stranglehold]] and [[Warmonger]]. Bludgeon easily dispatched the former two but was caught from behind by Warmonger, who couldn't bring himself to kill in cold blood. Realizing who the infiltrator was, Megatron destroyed Warmonger, then reflected that it would have simply been easier to kill all four of them. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:UKBludgeonEarthForce.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|There wolf!]]
Following Catilla's death, the Mayhems set up a base on a deserted island, where Needlenose decided to test their response time in an emergency. Enraged, Bludgeon threatened to tear him apart, but was stopped by Snarler. As Needlenose returned to his quarters, he was ambushed by Carnivac, who had snuck in during the chaos caused by his "drill". His calls for help were ignored by Snarler and Bludgeon, who thought that their comrade was once more lying about the emergency. {{storylink|Cry Wolf!}} Carnivac decided to pick off Bludgeon next, finding him meditating. Bludgeon sensed him coming and took him on, and the other Mayhems responded to the commotion. Bludgeon wanted to finish this traitor with his blade as well, but Spinister decided to end it summarily by slagging Carnivac with his blaster instead. {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} Angry at losing his kill, Bludgeon was pleased to find [[Earthforce]] attacking them, in an attempt to rescue Carnivac. He and his fellow Pretenders were defeated, outnumbered by the Autobots. But before they could be executed, a shell-less Carnivac appeared and told the Autobots to spare them, denying them a warrior's death. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

Captives of Earthforce, Bludgeon and his Pretender partners were held in a cell together. To get free, Bludgeon arranged a most subtle escape attempt with his cell mates. At first, they all remained completely silent for an extended period of time, partly to unnerve their guard, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], but also to give Bludgeon time to make mental contact with his katana, locked away in the property vault. Once he found the weapon and began summoning it back to him through the hallways, Bludgeon signaled Stranglehold to begin pounding frantically on the floor. This sudden activity spooked Inferno into opening the cell door to pacify the prisoner, only to wind up with a floating sword in his backside. The Pretenders then simply walked out over his leaking body. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

Afterwards, Bludgeon and the others hooked up with Megatron and Shockwave, the deposed leaders of the Decepticons, and took on a bounty to assassinate their betrayers, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. {{storylink|Assassins}} Though the Pretenders were only meant to eliminate whichever of their targets had survived an orchestrated battle between the pair, they found both Starscream and Soundwave functional upon their arrival. Unperturbed, Bludgeon and his teammates surmised that they could ask to be paid double for the hit once it had been completed. {{storylink|External Forces!}} The assassins outnumbered their prey, but they hadn't counted on the Autobots intervening on Starscream's behalf. It seemed the Dinobot [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] was dying, and could only be saved by a systems boost from a compatible Transformer, namely Starscream. [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] joined the fight on Starscream's side, and the Mayhems were defeated. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

=====Another Time & Place=====
[[File:BludgeonStrangleholdOctopunch-AnotherTimeAndPlace.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|Bludgeon: All skeleton, no spine.]]
After the defeat on Klo, Bludgeon decided the Decepticons needed some "old blood" back in charge. He traveled to Earth and retrieved the deactivated body of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] from the wreckage of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. Then, he seized upon an opportunity to follow Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to [[Hydrus Four]], the source of the miraculous energy known as [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] which had supercharged the Dinobot commander. Slipping ahead of the Dinobots as they made their way to the medical facility, Bludgeon and his Decepticons set up a [[Holocaust Trigger]] to trap the Dinobots, disabling them without firing a shot. Unfortunately for Bludgeon, he ignored [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]'s cries of "Let's just kill them already!" and instead planned on keeping Grimlock and the Dinobots alive long enough for them to witness the triumphant resurrection of Megatron. That didn't mean, however, that he kept his fellow Decepticons from aggressively torturing their fallen captives.

In a matter of hours, a full scale Autobot strike force had tracked the Dinobots down to Hydrus Four and assaulted Bludgeon's position. Fearing his rag-tag team of Decepticons wouldn't be enough, Bludgeon accelerated Megatron's revival, sending the half-mad, half-living monstrosity at Optimus Prime. He had no time to gloat, though—the heavily injured Dinobot known as Swoop had dragged himself to the control module for one of the [[repair spider|medical machines]] in the area, setting its spidery arms to work on Bludgeon, disassembling him in seconds down to his core components.

Bludgeon didn't even have time to scream. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{-}}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeontalesofearth.jpg|upright=1.15|thumb|G2, home of New Extreme Weapons.]]
Optimus Prime considered Bludgeon a defeated threat. When the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Empire]] was discovered, he considered if "Bludgeon had lied about his plans" but decided that this was too advanced an operation. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

Turns out Prime was dumb as what Bludgeon had actually meant by "solitary exile" was "build a slag-off big planet-like spacecraft called the [[Warworld]] and attack vessels for their cargo across the galaxy". {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}} He also battled Optimus Prime and the Autobots over a store of ancient alien weapons, but an [[Guardian (G2)|alien entity]] drove him off. {{storylink|Ghosts}} After that, he went back to stealing resources—and finished the construction of a [[Bludgeon's new army|new generation of Decepticon warriors]], who just needed the Matrix to come back to life. That meant luring Prime to him... {{storylink|Primal Fear!|Old Evils}}

[[File:Bludgeon-PowerAndTheGlory.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|Also, so very much less.]]
To lure Prime out, Bludgeon launched a full-scale attack on Earth and did succeed in drawing Optimus Prime to Earth's defense, but not before Bludgeon was confronted by the newly rebuilt [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who wanted command of the Decepticons for himself once more. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Bludgeon destroyed Megatron's gun with one swipe of his blade, but neglected to realize how enhanced the new Megatron was—the former Decepticon leader ripped Bludgeon's Pretender skull off with one hand. Undaunted, Bludgeon proclaimed himself an agent of chaos and transformed into his little-used tank mode to confront Megatron on his own terms. He briefly drove back Megatron, but ultimately the Decepticons' founder proved to be too much for their current leader, and his new railgun destroyed Bludgeon utterly. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

[[File:Megatron ignores Bludgeon's severed head.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|If you think this is harsh Bludgeon, Swindle would've sold your skull on eBay by now.]]
The victorious Decepticon leader subsequently displayed Bludgeon's severed head in the Warworld, though he did muse that he might have spared Bludgeon's life if he'd known how much the guy had achieved and envisioned with limited time and resources. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}} Later on, the Decepticons would try not to say the word "bludgeon" around Megatron (even with the "to hit things" meaning) just in case it annoyed him. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Bludgeon-WarWithoutEndUK.jpg|thumb|upright=1|thumb|[[Robin Smith]], copying a [[character model]] pose??? [[Ravage (G1)|Never!]]]]
Intending to draw out Autobots to Earth and steal the Matrix to bring a new generation of Decepticons to life, Bludgeon attacked Earth in force—specifically [[London]]. Unfortunately for him, the Autobots were already there, and attacked just as his troops were low on fuel. Bludgeon fought Optimus in direct combat and lost. {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}} When Megatron turned up afterwards to fight Optimus, Bludgeon's men actually ''attacked'' Megatron just in case it was Bludgeon he was stomping: [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] bluntly said that the Pretender was their boss, not the old guy.

Bludgeon sneaked away {{storylink|War Zone}} to try exactly the same tactic again. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}}—and learned if at first you don't succeed, Try #2 will get you killed by Megatron. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Bludgeon Piranacon AtFightsEnd.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Is that you, {{w|Brainiac (character)|Brainiac}}?]]
Optimus Prime was reluctant to prolong the war by following Bludgeon and his followers across the galaxy, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] was more than happy to. Grimlock, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], and a crew of others searched and fought Bludgeon's Decepticons in the fringes of known space, but to no known resolution. At some point the mysterious Decepticon, [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], joined Bludgeon's Decepticons, and Bludgeon put him in charge of his own subgroup. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

As Bludgeon became aware of Megatron's re-emergence, he began to prepare his forces to repel an attempted coup by the former Decepticon leader. Bludgeon and his Sub-Commander [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] were readying their battleplans when [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] brought to his attention their plans may have been compromised from within. They apparently identified the traitor working for Megatron, [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s, and so Bludgeon confronted him with the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s. A fight broke out between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]] as a result, but Bludgeon's loyal gestalt won, and so they returned to battle preparation. In the war room, Bludgeon became so intent on watching for Megatron's next move on the monitors that he failed to notice Seawing removing his sword. Only after the Seacons had formed Piranacon again did Bludgeon finally realize he had miscalculated. Piranacon's mass compression cannon destroyed the Pretender completely, leaving room for Megatron to swoop in and claim full leadership of the Decepticons. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:BludgeonVision DestinyPt3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"I will die naked and alone? Glorious!"]]
Bludgeon felt his warrior's honor was deeply tarnished on [[Klo]], when he faltered and retreated instead of fighting to his death. The various conquests and victories the Decepticons achieved since then did nothing to remove that stain. Deep in meditation, Bludgeon received a vision of his own glorious death at the hands of a worthy opponent back on Cybertron, and he began plotting to bring this future about. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}}

Twenty years after the defeat at Klo, the Autobots unaware of his location, Bludgeon was finally ready to take his revenge. He contacted [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] at the secret [[Fort Scyk]] base, revealing he had agents on Cybertron and even in the Neo-Decepticons, and requested Soundwave retrieve a valuable resource for him in exchange for aid against the Autobots. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}} The moment came when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and many of his warriors were occupied on Earth. Soundwave contacted Bludgeon as his men eliminated another bio-mechanical species on [[Torkulon]], telling him to expect delivery soon. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Soundwave successfully retrieved the Matrix-infused remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Lord Thunderwing]], the "spark" Bludgeon needed to bring life to his [[Blitz Engine]]s—adaptable, self-regenerating war machines of tremendous power. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} The spark was lit, and Bludgeon and Soundwave observed a successful field test of the Engines' power on [[Cresta Superior]]. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Soundwave returned to Cybertron and used his Neo-Decepticons to orchestrate the total blinding of Cybertron's long-range sensors, allowing Bludgeon and the Warworld to come within striking distance unnoticed. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:DestinyPt5 BludgeonRoadbuster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left]]
As the siege began, Bludgeon dropped Blitz Engine troopers all over Cybertron, devastating Autobot defensive measures. The Warworld was transmitting Matrix-energy to power the Engines' sparks, and so it needed to be close to the assault, but Bludgeon initially refrained from bringing the Warworld's more awe-inspiring weapons to activation. Something needed to be left of Cybertron to rule, after all. Still, at his troops' encouragement, Bludgeon agreed to a symbolic strike. Hacking the Autobot surveillance feed, he made them watch as the Warworld's city-killer armaments were brought down on top of a single target: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. (Miraculously, Magnus survived by using the body of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] as a super-dense shield.) {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}}

[[File:RodimusVBludgeon DestinyPt5.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"C'mon, beat me up! I'll even sing "[[The Touch]]" for you if need be."]]
Bludgeon sent his soldiers to join the Neo-Decepticon forces on the ground, but remained on board the Warworld in anticipation of his final battle. He easily dispatched the [[Wreckers]] commando unit sent to disable the Thunderwing link to the Blitz Engines, and was prepared to deliver the killing stroke to [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] when his fated opponent arrived: ''[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]]'', freshly empowered by an alternate Creation Matrix and ascended to the name of Prime. Unimpressed at first, Bludgeon learned otherwise when Rodimus Prime caught his blade in mid-strike. The battle after that was swift but certain, as Rodimus threw Bludgeon out of the Warworld, letting him hurtle uncontrollably into the planet's surface below. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}} {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Adding insult to horrible, horrible injury, Rodimus found Bludgeon's still smoldering frame after the battle. Bludgeon lived, barely, and insisted Rodimus finish the job. Instead, Rodimus Prime refused to grant Bludgeon his "glorious death", and ordered Autobot medics to make sure Bludgeon survived to suffer the ignominy of imprisonment. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} His imprisonment probably didn't last long as he was most likely turned into a [[shadow-leech]] along with nearly every other Decepticon, presumably an even more ignominious end. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Decepticons purge secrets and lies 3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
When [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] took over leadership of the Decepticons, he greatly increased their efforts to eliminate every surviving Autobot on the planet. Bludgeon was at the forefront of one of these brutal purges. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:WarWithin Escalation Bludgeons vision.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|EPIC FORESHADOWING.]]
During the so-called [[Dark Ages]] of the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, Bludgeon, alongside [[Bugly (G1)|Bugly]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], formed the [[Chaos Trinity]], a group that sought to harness the dark forces of the universe and use them to their advantage. During one of their ceremonies in the [[Polities of Cybertron|Orbital Torus State]] of [[Kalis]], they were interrupted by the mysterious being known as [[The Fallen]], who applauded their amateur theatrics while mocking the lack of substance behind their words. He offered them [[Furmanism|power beyond measure]] in exchange for their servitude, a proposal that Bludgeon at first boldly refused, then agreed to once The Fallen changed the term for which they would be referred to. The Fallen tasked his new "disciples" with capturing a number of Transformers in order to perform a bizarre ceremony called The [[Unbinding]] in [[Well of All Sparks|Cybertron's core]]. {{storylink|Fragmentation (G1)|Fragmentation}} Soon, Bludgeon began to chafe at being ordered around without any tangible reward, so The Fallen gave him a glimpse of the dark power, ensuring the Decepticon's loyalty. While the [[Wreckers]] and [[Ultracon]]s busied themselves with their civil war, unaware of the events unfolding, Bludgeon formulated a strategy to capture two of their targets: the Trinity would exploit [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s twisted sense of justice and have him deliver himself and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] into their trap. {{storylink|Escalation}}

[[File:WarWithin Confrontation BludgeonBlades.jpg|thumb|upright=2.4|And you call yourself 'Blades'? You don't even have a blade!]]
When Jetfire met with [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in the [[Neutral Territories]] to discuss their suspicions about an outside force influencing the current conflict, the Trinity sprung their trap, attacking the Decepticon Commander. Bludgeon declared that once he would have never dared face Shockwave in battle, but he had been given new insights into the [[dark science]] and his ability to see the bigger picture, the latter no longer stood a chance. Once Shockwave was taken care of, the Trinity captured Jetfire, but noticed that Grimlock hadn't taken the bait of Jetfire's supposed treachery. As they prepared to leave, Grimlock jumped them, forcing The Fallen to step in. {{storylink|Revelation (The Dark Ages)|Revelation}}

With two of the targets secured, The Fallen ordered the Trinity to capture [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]], leader of the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]], while he would take care of the fourth target personally. In the ruins of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], while the Protectobots were discussing their problems with maintaining their control while combined as [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], Bludgeon and the Trinity attacked, taking down the other Protectobots with ease and capturing Hot Spot. {{storylink|Confrontation (issue)|Confrontation}}

[[File:BanzaitronBludgeonDWMTME.jpg|thumb|left]]
While The Fallen used the four prisoners to unlock the [[Seal of Primus]], Bludgeon and the others were forced to defend the access shaft to the underground chamber against the Decepticons. Though Bludgeon stood resolute, ordering his comrades to fight on, with the faith that they would be rewarded for their loyal service, his resolve soon crumbled when the Autobots and the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]] joined forces with Shockwave and eliminated Bugly and Mindwipe. Bludgeon escaped underground to seek his master, only to be gunned down by a teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Conflagration}}

At some point, Bludgeon in his Pretender shell faced off against [[Banzai-Tron (G1)|Banzai-Tron]] in presumably training or a tournament. This moment was recorded into [[Vector Sigma]]. {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye#Issue #8|More than Meets the Eye #8}}
{{-}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity===

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a universe ultimately destroyed by [[Unicron]], Bludgeon joined [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s team of [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]] to serve [[Last Autobot|the Ultimate Warrior]]. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 19, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 19/09/2015}}

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:DWDropshot sliced.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|Silent but deadly.]]
Bludgeon, Galvatron, [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] were sent to prepare [[Aurex 402.24 Gamma|this universe]]'s Cybertron for Unicron's arrival, starting with capturing the [[Decepticon Command Headquarters]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After the group had activated all the [[space bridge]]s in the [[space bridge nexus]] in order to destabilize local space-time, Bludgeon was left to guard the nexus while the other three went to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} He attacked [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]'s unit when they arrived to investigate and put up a formidable assault (as [[Dropshot (Armada)|Dropshot]] could attest), though the Autobots eventually realized the secret to his technique and forced him to retreat, leaving behind his Pretender shell. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} He returned when Jetfire attempted to use the space-bridge portal, but like the rest of the Heralds was shortly blown up when the Autobot detonated the entire base. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}
{{--}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Bludgeon Robot GIJoe.jpg|upright=0.8|right|thumb|Bludgeon always secretly dreamed of being a [[Visionaries|Visionary]].]]
Eons ago, when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was given the [[Matrix of Leadership]], Bludgeon attempted to kill him, but failed.

Along with the [[Pretender Monster]]s, Bludgeon traveled to Earth, seeking to be present at the planet's destruction by Unicron. The group was shot down by the [[China|Chinese]] Air Force, however, and damaged in the process. An alliance with the underground kingdom of [[Cobra-La]] provided them with life-sustaining [[Pretender]] shells in exchange for protecting the kingdom. He was responsible for the death of [[Atomic Man]] in 1978, when the [[Adventure Team]] came snooping too close to Cobra-La's hidden lair in the caves beneath [[Tibet]]. {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 1 of 2}}

Decades later, Bludgeon engaged Optimus Prime in battle as the Autobot attempted to infiltrate Cobra-La's caves. After being burned by Bludgeon, Optimus ripped the chest from Bludgeon's Pretender shell. In his anger, Bludgeon lost his edge and fell off a cliff. Although Optimus had caught him, Bludgeon chose to fall, standing by his philosophy of "merciless death and destruction." {{storylink|Black Horizon, Part 2 of 2}}
{{-}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
:*''First Appearance:'' [[Stormbringer issue 1|''Transformers: Stormbringer'' #1]]

[[File:Bludgeon Thundercracker SLOrionPax.jpg|upright=1.55|thumb|left|I seek glory, power, enlightenment, and my lower jaw.]]
In the earliest days of the war, Bludgeon was ordered by [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] to capture [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] so that the Decepticons could use him to find [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. To this end, he kidnapped [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] and organized a hostage exchange in the [[Rust Sea|Rust Spot]], knowing that the Autobots would have to use Alpha Trion to find their way through the area. The plan worked up until that point, but Alpha Trion escaped his clutches thanks to the efforts of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]], one of the hostage exchangers. As payback, Bludgeon had him strapped to a shuttle programmed crash into the nearest settlement, and though Orion tried to stall for time by telling him he'd go far in life only to overreach and become a symbol of failure, Bludgeon didn't really care and launched his captive into the sky. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}}

[[File:Bludgeon altmode TheHuntingParty.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Ancient Metallikato secret... the flying tank.]]
Following Metroplex's departure from Cybertron, Bludgeon continued his hunt for the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] using the starship ''[[Empirion]]''. One of his subordinates, [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], tracked their prey to a desolate planetoid inhabitated by some pesky [[Urtuskian|aliens]], so Bludgeon commenced planetary bombardment to get them out of the way. The assault attracted the attention of a group of Autobots who rammed and crippled the ''Empirion'', forcing Bludgeon to abandon ship and fight them until Thundercracker reported that Metroplex was nowhere to be found. As the Decepticons retreated to continue their hunt elsewhere, Bludgeon had Thundercracker transferred out of his unit for seemingly having led them into an Autobot trap. {{storylink|The Hunting Party (IDW)|The Hunting Party}}

During the war, Bludgeon formed an army of "deviants and half-forms", an event that would be remembered as one of the most horrible things the Decepticons did. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

[[File:SpotlightSoundwave Bludgeon defeatsLaserbeakRavage.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|Wait, does this mean that Piranacon [[Bludgeon (G1)#Classics|is stealthier]] than ''Ravage''?]]
Bludgeon was the leader of a team of Decepticons (including [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], [[Finback]], [[Skullgrin]], and [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]) who were assigned by Megatron to look into what [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s various projects were when he disappeared. {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} Megatron also sent [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]] to spy on them. {{storylink|Shockpoint}} During this time, Bludgeon discovered Shockwave's work on [[Regenesis]]. Eventually, however, they discovered the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], the Decepticon scientist who became the cause of the Cybertronian cataclysm. Bludgeon came to believe that Thunderwing was an avatar of the apocalypse, and became bent on restoring the wasted Cybertron to its former glory by resurrecting him. He and his team of Decepticons believed that in reawakening Thunderwing and turning him loose, the mass sacrifice of worlds would allow the rebirth of Cybertron. They also delved into the outlawed [[Pretender|polydermal grafting]] experiments pioneered by Thunderwing, in an attempt to create super-shells of their own.

In [[1984]] they went to [[Earth]] to extract a load of [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]], establishing a base within Mt. St. Helens. Soundwave naturally followed them. He eventually came to them asking for a cut of their profits, believing that they meant to sell the energon, but when he realized that they meant to resurrect Thunderwing he tried to stop them. They used one of Shockwave's devices to lock him in his alt-mode, then caused a volcanic eruption and returned to Cybertron via an [[orbital jump|orbital bounce]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Soundwave}}

[[File:IDWBludgeonShell.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Yes... I feel it, the power... fills me. Yes, I feel the universe within me! I am... I am a part of the cosmos! Its energy flows... flows through me! Of what consequence are you now?]]
Twenty-three years later, [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]], detecting the Ultra-Energon from orbit, went to investigate, and were taken by the cult, planning to use them as raw materials for their shells. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 1|Stormbringer #1}} Bludgeon wanted Jetfire to witness Thunderwing's awakening, to make him see that Thunderwing had been right to experiment, but Jetfire eventually annoyed him too much. Connecting his mind to an [[axis cradle]] that controlled Thunderwing's blank neuroscape, Bludgeon sent Thunderwing to destroy [[Nebulos]], then engaged the auto-drive to inspect his own shell's progress. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} When [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Wreckers attacked Bludgeon's base on Cybertron by surprise, Iguanus escaped to the bio-graft chamber to find Bludgeon—only to find the cult leader having donned full polydermal armor. However, in Bludgeon's rush, the shell was not mentally aligned, causing a psychic backlash that took down the Decepticon before the Wreckers even found him. It was unclear at the time whether Bludgeon's mind survived, though it was believed to be in torment if it had. Prime felt that he got off lightly for having unleashed Thunderwing. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

[[File:SpotlightSideswipe Bludgeon attacks.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.95|"I can tell you're happy to see me, Craig... IN YOUR PANTS!"]]
After the defeat of Thunderwing, Bludgeon was transferred to [[Garrus-9]], where [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] stored his extracted [[spark]] in the Rig. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} However, during [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]]'s attempt to bring forth the [[Expansion]], Bludgeon was reactivated inside his cell by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] to stop Jetfire from attempting to take control of Thunderwing. {{storylink|Spotlight: Doubledealer}} The remote-controlled Bludgeon sliced its way into Jetfire's lab and Jhiaxus planned to have it kill the Autobot. However, multiple fronts of Autobot resistance at each [[Nega-Core]] kept Jhiaxus from focusing his full attention on controlling Bludgeon, and he was forced to abandon his effort to kill Jetfire. [[Cloudraker (G1)|Cloudraker]] and [[Fastlane]] arrived and quickly disarmed the now-inert Bludgeon, and Jetfire borrowed the Pretender's [[sword]] to go aid Optimus Prime in his fight against Nemesis Prime. Bludgeon's body was presumably returned to confinement afterwards. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

[[File:AHM bludgeoniseeevill.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|Another inconsistency [[John Barber]] has to fix.]]
Somehow freed from Garrus-9 and again in possession of his full faculties (such as they were), Bludgeon was given command of the ''[[Torment]]'', a Decepticon warship crewed by the [[Pretender Monster|Monstructor Six]]. Still displaying cultish fanaticism and a cruel streak a mile wide, he urged his crew onward in pursuit of the maverick Autobot [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]]. Downing the Autobot's shuttlecraft, Bludgeon had his ship land and crew disembark to sacrifice Hot Rod for the greater purpose of restoring Cybertron. With the untimely arrival of the crew of the battleship ''[[Trion]]'', Bludgeon ordered his acolytes to form Monstructor and crush the Autobots. However, his forces were put to rout by a precise shot from [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s sniper rifle, which hit the vulnerable connecting joint of the large combiner. Appearing to realize what he was up against, Bludgeon sounded the retreat. {{storylink|Lost & Found}} In actuality, he was leading the pursuing ''Trion'' to Cybertron, where several Decepticon battlecruisers staged an ambush, sending the Autobot craft plummeting to the planet below. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 5|All Hail Megatron #5}}

[[File:Bludgeon Wheelie Syndromica1.jpg|left|upright=0.65|thumb|Annnnnd ''fixed''. Thanks, John!]]
With Bludgeon still in command, the ''Torment'' later arrived in the nick of time to rescue Shockwave from the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who opted to retreat rather than face him and the Monstructor Six. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

Several years later, learning that Jhiaxus had returned and was the captive of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|his]] [[Garnak|crew]], Bludgeon, following the orders of Shockwave, put into motion a plan to liberate him. Taking Monstructor to the planet [[Arduria]], he sent out a phony distress call that lured Hardhead's crew—joined now by Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime—to the frozen world. While Monstructor kept Hardhead and Orion busy, Bludgeon penetrated their ship, easily cutting his way through [[Garnak]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and liberating Jhiaxus. Together, the villains set off to track down the other planets that had been targeted by the Regenesis program crafted by Shockwave, who had been Jhiaxus's greatest student. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

Bludgeon arrived on planet [[LV-117]], which thanks to the Regenesis missile that had landed there, existed in a constant state of chronal flux. After they both separately came in contact with the time machine aboard [[Turmoil]]'s stolen ship, Bludgeon and Orion Pax were sent adrift across different eras of the planet, moving in opposite directions through time in relation to each other. Bludgeon managed to steal the device that allowed LV-117's inhabitants to control their planet's journey through time and slew Wheelie's friend [[Varta]] in the process, before he and Jhiaxus escaped aboard Turmoil's ship. {{storylink|Syndromica (2)}}

The villains tracked down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]], one of Bludgeon's old [[Titan Hunter]] subordinates, who had once managed to control a Titan. After duping Orion Pax into raising a deactivated Titan on [[Gorlam Prime]], they used Waspinator to seize control of it. The Titan's [[space bridge]] was used to teleport it back to Cybertron, and Jhiaxus' group followed in their own ship. {{storylink|Homecoming (IDW)|Homecoming}} They arrived on Cybertron to join with Shockwave shortly thereafter. {{storylink|The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|The Dead Are Not Enough}} Bludgeon watched silently as Jhiaxus prepared to undertake Shockwave's master plan. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}} The completion of the chronal drive came just in time for the invasion of Cybertron by Shockwave's allies, the [[Ammonite]]s. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}}

[[File:BlackPlanet SkidsVBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|right|Add these two together and you basically get {{w|Taskmaster (comics)|Taskmaster}}.]]
Bludgeon began expressing some small doubts of the plan, as he came to realize that his master, Jhiaxus, was actually subservient to Shockwave. Still, he remained at their side, striking out against the Autobots and Decepticons who invaded Crystal City to stop Shockwave's plot. He struck down [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and laughed at [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and his copied Metallikato moves. As he prepared to execute [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], however, Bludgeon was blasted by Optimus Prime, as the Autobot leader and his team re-emerged from the Dead Universe. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Bludgeon was last seen as Ultra Magnus checked the fallen warrior for signs of life, but ultimately left him behind. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

Managing to escape from the Crystal City before it was consumed into a singularity, Bludgeon set up residence in the Sea of Rust, and in the following months, he discovered that the [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] in [[Alyon]] had reignited with Sparks. He proceeded to perform horrifying experiments upon some of them, including placing some of the sparks within the remains of fallen [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] and mutant [[Turbofox]]es, as well as messing with the corrupted energon emanating from the fallen [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]].

[[File:BludgeonslicesBarricade Redemption.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|left|[[Sideswipe (Movie)|Sideswipe]], eat your heart out.]]
Upon discovering a convoy protected by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] which contained sparks from the colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], Bludgeon set some of his Sweeps upon them, but when they were driven off by a [[Torchbearer|second group]] he instead had them followed. Taking advantage of an attack from the [[Badgeless]], Bludgeon attacked the truck himself, destroying it, [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] and the sparks. Easily disregarding the attack from [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]], Bludgeon hurled her into the corrupted energon, curious to see what it would do as it began mutating her. However the equally distraught [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], upset at Barricade's death, damned him for robbing himself of his "future" by destroying the sparks. Disgusted with the amoral scientist, she pushed Bludgeon over a cliff into a pool of the contaminated energon, only narrowly saved from joining him when [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] caught her by the wrist. Doubting that Bludgeon had perished, Strafe and the Dinobots decided to seek him out and make sure he suffered. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

[[File:Salvation BludgeonFlatline.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|right|Your armor shall be mine, Ryo of the Wildfire!]]
Bludgeon did indeed survive his plunge, altering his outer shell and putting a new plan into action. Having discovered that Trypticon was in fact a [[Titan (group)|Titan]], Bludgeon intended to use the beast's internal [[space bridge]] to conquer the galaxy in the name of Cybertron. He used the corrupted Sweep sparks to reactivate Trypticon's [[brain module]], which he then took control of using a replica of the [[Void Scepter]] said to have created the Titan. Next he raided the Alyon hot spot, killing the [[Badgeless]] guarding it and only leaving [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] alive before harvesting the remaining sparks, intending to use Trypticon's energon to corrupt them into an army under his control. As he demonstrated Trypticon's power by having the monster march on Iacon, Bludgeon was confronted by the Dinobots, and while he had expected Sandstorm to keep them busy, Sandstorm instead joined forces with them and destroyed the Void Scepter. His control over Trypticon broken, Bludgeon found himself forcibly teleported out of the vengeful Titan, who melted his body with a powerful beam from his mouth. Unbeknownst to most however, he survived, though not without grievous injuries including losing most of his limbs, and was secretly taken into custody by [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who held an interest in his spark experiments. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}}

[[File:TheDeadComeHomePt1 BludgeonVoidSceptor.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left|Darkest soul, evil's courier, serve me as a Skeleton Warrior!]]
Starscream eventually locked the crippled Bludgeon up in a back room and gave him a repaired Void Scepter with which he would carry out Starscream's bidding. After the Seeker had lent [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] so they hunt for the missing [[protoform]]s, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}} he had Bludgeon control the Dinobot via the Scepter. When Slug reunited with the Dinobots, Bludgeon had him attack his friends, {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} to make ready the coming of his "master". Starscream eventually caught wind of this and shattered the Scepter. Though Bludgeon tried to goad the Seeker into killing Optimus, Starscream refused to bite and reminded Bludgeon of his house arrest. Though disappointed at how things turned out, Bludgeon was confident that these events would not impede his master's return. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

Anticipating a large existential threat, Starscream eventually repaired Bludgeon and sent him out into the galaxy so that he could gather all the Decepticons who had failed to return to Cybertron following the war's end. Bludgeon readily accomplished this task, forming the [[Decepticon Vengeance Division]], a massive fleet of Decepticon capital ships capable of destroying whole planets with ease. Though Starscream, {{storylink|Stranger Eons}} and Shockwave each believed they commanded Bludgeon's loyalty, {{storylink|Road's End}} Bludgeon's fetish for the apocalypse had already led him to pledge loyalty to [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. When the Chaos Bringer began attacking the [[Cybertronian colonies]], Starscream dispatched the DVD to [[G Nebula 89]] to destroy him, with Bludgeon duping Starscream and his troops into believing Unicron could be felled by their firepower and a dud [[stasis web]]. In reality, Bludgeon had brought the fleet to Unicron as part of their plan. After its combined firepower failed to damage the monster planet, Unicron unleashed the [[Maximal]]s onto Bludgeon's [[Worldsweeper]], warping the Decepticons into Maximal-like forms. Unicron then teleported to Cybertron, bringing the DVD and its converted Decepticon crews along to act as his heralds. {{storylink|Stranger Eons}}

[[File:RoadsEnd BludgeonMonstructor.jpg|upright=1.9|right|thumb|Trusting the skull-faced fanatic was a bad idea...who'da thunk?]]
As Unicron began attacking Cybertron, Bludgeon commanded his ship to open fire on [[Vigilem|Carcer]], crippling the Titan. His attack drew the attention of [[Victorion]] who attempted to kill him and destroy his ship. Anticipating this, Bludgeon unleashed [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] who defeated the Camien combiner. {{storylink|Our Finest}} Once Unicron had destroyed [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the fleet quantum jumped to [[Jupiter]], Bludgeon loudly proclaiming their loyalty to Unicron as the fleet destroyed [[Sanctuary Station]]. {{storylink|Road's End}}

After Shockwave had located the errant [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]], he contacted Bludgeon, ordering him to have the device retrieved and used to slay Unicron. Bludgeon chose that moment to inform Shockwave of his loyalty to Unicron, dispatching his troops to retrieve the device... only so it would pose no threat to Unicron. When Starscream, Thundercracker, and [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] charged the fleet, Bludgeon casually ordered Monstructor to slay the Decepticon leader, before Metroplex and Trypticon space bridged in and unleashed an army on the DVD. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

Caught off guard, the DVD fell to the Titans with only Bludgeon's ship surviving the attack. As the Worldsweeper descended into Earth's atmosphere, Shockwave tried to reassert control over Bludgeon to no avail. As the warship rained destruction on the Eastern seaboard of the United States, it was boarded by the Dinobots who stormed the bridge. Though managing to slay Snarl and Sludge, Bludgeon soon found himself locked in mortal combat with Slug. Their battle caused Bludgeon to lose control of his Void Scepter, sending the Worldsweeper crashing into the [[White House]] and killing both Bludgeon and Slug. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
After [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] asked him why his Pretender shell had a skeleton's face, Bludgeon explained that it once looked human, but its face was melted off after witnessing [[w:Raiders of the Lost Ark|the opening of the Ark of the Covenant]]. The incident totally ruined his chances at being that year's prom king. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===A Tale of the Pretenders===
[[File:Tale of Pretenders Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"''Nyeh-heh-heh!'' Soon the secrets of Castle Greyskull will be mine!"]]

With other Decepticon Pretenders, Bludgeon was active in ancient [[Japan]]. One day, they came across three [[human]] siblings and threatened them. The oldest managed to escape and both [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] and [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] pursued the remaining two while the other Decepticons followed. Bludgeon found the entire thing beneath their notice, but was rebuked by [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], who desired to play with the humans. Octopunch was about to step on the two when [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] leapt to the rescue. Impressed by this apparent human, Bludgeon challenged him to a duel, but he ultimately proved lacking. Despite the rescuees trying to defend Metalhawk, Bludgeon was about to go in for the kill when other Autobot Pretenders appeared and fought off the Decepticons. Bludgeon and Metalhawk continued their duel, which Metalhawk managed to end by sending Bludgeon falling into a lava pit. {{storylink|A Tale of the Pretenders}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-9-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
Bludgeon was tasked with leading a group of Decepticons to find the legendary [[Red Bucket]], which they did. While he was bragging about how the Decepticons would use the bucket to conquer the world, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] appeared out of nowhere and kicked him in the chest, shattering the armor passed down to him by his ancestors. Bludgeon retaliated by having [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] tip the bucket over on Bluestreak and [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], burying them in blocks, but the Autobots were able to use the blocks to build a giant robot that neutralized Bludgeon by picking him by one leg. {{storylink|Treasure Competition! Defeat with Block Power!}}

===''Kre-O'' bio===
A proud practitioner of [[Metallikato]], Bludgeon lived by the code of [[Brickshido]] and regarded the other prattling Kreons as fools. Especially [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]], whom Bludgeon intended to attack with his [[energo weapon]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:TFvsJoe12 BludgeonVectorStigmata.jpg|left|upright=1.8|thumb|"And what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?"]]
The otherworldly guardian of the entrance to the [[Transformer afterlife|Matrix]], Bludgeon blocked the path of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s souls on their journey to the great beyond, demanding they present the "[[Key to Vector Sigma|key]] to [[Vector Sigma|Vector Stigmata]]" before they could pass. While Prime revealed the key and was granted passage by the gatekeeper, Grimlock could not produce one and was refused entry until Prime let him have his key. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}}
{{-}}

===''Of Masters and Mayhem''===
[[File:OMAMHistory MayhemAttackSquad.jpg|right|upright=2.1|thumb]]

Bludgeon's [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] was selected by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to form the ultimate combiner, [[Thunder Mayhem]]. Their power amplified and the combiner's personality solidified by the [[Matrix of Malice]], the Mayhem Attack Squad's destructive ability proved uncontrollable. The Squad captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and restrained him within their ship, forcing him to watch as Thunder Mayhem went on an apocalyptic rampage across Cybertron, nearly driving the Cybertronian race to extinction. {{storylink|Foundation and Wreckage Part 1: Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim}} {{storylink|Lively Pursuit}} {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}}

Years later, Bludgeon and the rest of the Mayhem Attack Squad were drawn to a cavern on Earth by a Decepticon signal, finding upon their arrival that the extra-dimensional [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]] was the one broadcasting it. Though other members of his team were eager to simply off the stranger, Bludgeon allowed their new acquaintance to speak first. Ramjet was quick to comment on the dark energies he sensed within Bludgeon, who rebutted that if Ramjet was simply after his Matrix of Malice, it would not be easily pried from his frame. Ramjet reassured him that he had no interest in the artifact, and instead made a quick demonstration of his power to convince the Squad that he would make a valuable ally. Impressed by Ramjet's eldritch energies, Bludgeon and his team agreed to join forces with him, and together they begun to plot the destruction of the universe. {{storylink|History}}

The Mayhem Attack Squad turned Thunder Mayhem loose on the city of [[Merida]]. {{storylink|Divination}} They were confronted by [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]'s team of Autobot [[Pretender]]s and the exiled Optimus Prime himself. {{storylink|Pandora's Gift}} Thunder Mayhem had little trouble keeping them at bay, but when the [[Wreckers]] arrived and unveiled their new combined form [[Wreckage (G1)|Wreckage]], the Mayhems had a true fight on their hands. The superpowered human [[Lisa|Elizabeth]] fired an energy blast that damaged Thunder Mayhem's chest, allowing Wreckage to expose the Matrix of Malice. Together, all parties focused their fire and destroyed the Matrix, causing the Squad to de-combine and ending Thunder Mayhem for good. In the aftermath, the Wreckers took the Mayhem Attack Squad into custody when they left the planet. {{storylink|Finale (OMAM)|Finale}}

===e-HOBBY comics===
[[File:EHOBBY Bludgeon front.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]

In an unknown location, an enigmatic Bludgeon observed different scenes throughout the multiverse with [[Soundwave (BW)|Soundwave]], taking special note of [[Magna Convoy]] joining forces with [[Convobat]] as the awakening of the "Blue". With the warriors who inherited the "[[Star Power|Seven Lights]]" from [[The One]] beginning to play their parts, Bludgeon declared the coming of a new era. {{storylink|Cybertron Magna Convoy}}
{{-}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:PowerOfThePrimes-BludgeonQuintusPrime-CardArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0]]

Bludgeon was a [[Prime Master]] who housed the spark energy of [[Quintus Prime]]. {{storylink|#Power of the Primes|''Power of the Primes'' Decepticon Bludgeon / Quintus Prime online bio}}
{{note|For a list of powers manifested by Bludgeon, see [[Prime Master/Combinations|this chart]].}}
{{-}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
[[File:LightStar BludgeonAttacksAfterburner.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]
A rumored assassin with personal beliefs (delusions, some said) rooted in the supernatural, Bludgeon was placed in punitive stasis no less than four times over the years. Somehow, he always managed to be released, escaping more serious consequences for his alleged crimes. [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] hired him to act as his chief enforcer on the asteroid colony of [[Hexagon]]. After [[Vigilem]] docked at Hexagon, Thunderwing provided him with repairs, and [[Colonial Security]] arrived aboard [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] shortly thereafter to apprehend the renegade [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] boarded Hexagon and were greeted by Bludgeon, whom they weren't too pleased to see up-and-about. The tension only grew as the Technobots met with Thunderwing and he begrudgingly allowed them to inspect his colony. Bludgeon stayed at Thunderwing's side, with the two of them being guarded by [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] while the other Technobots had a look around. When it became clear that Thunderwing was engaging in illegal operations, communications between the Technobots were jammed and Bludgeon attacked Afterburner. The two engaged in a running battle across Hexagon, with Bludgeon nearly overwhelming his opponent. However, Bludgeon was defeated when [[Nosecone (G1)|Nosecone]] unexpectedly burst through a wall and pierced the assassin's armor with his drill bit. {{storylink|Light/Star}}
{{--}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|Surely everyone waited for ''official'' permission to [[repurposing|repurpose]] this design, right?]]
Early in the war, Bludgeon was to meet with the Autobots Orion Pax, Alpha Trion, and Nightbeat to perform a prisoner exchange for the safe return of Rack'n'Ruin. This turned out to be a Decepticon ploy, however, and the Decepticons ambushed the group, capturing Alpha Trion in the process. {{storylink|Orion's Gambit}} Bludgeon and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

Bludgeon was later part of Thunderwing's squad of Decepticons. They attacked a [[Sun-Farming facility]] run by [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], only to discover that the Autobots were more formidable than they had counted on. Bludgeon headed for the main building, fending off [[Fastlane]] and cleaving guards with his [[Energo weapon|Energo-Sword]], until he was able to secure the [[Energon]] stored inside. The Autobots subsequently retreated. {{storylink|Revelation (Legends)|Revalation}} Bludgeon was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|King Pig#As Bludgeon}}
Bludgeon appears as one of the first unlockable Characters. He is portrayed by King Pig. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:BludgeonEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8| [[Starscream (G1)|Who]] said I was a "Disturbing sword guy?"]]Mysterious, stealthy, and deadly, Bludgeon is a master of the ancient Cybertronian martial art of Metallikato, a combat style that borders on the mystical.

The consummate assassin, Bludgeon locks on to his victim like a silent guided missile, and won't stop or deviate until he's claimed his scalp.
A master swordsman, Bludgeon hides his true robot self behind an outer shell designed to strike icy dread into his victims.{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Bludgeon character bio}}

Bludgeon was brought through the Space Bridge by Starscream, and he had a transmission for Starscream from Megatron: Get Megatron to Earth, or be stuck on the dreary mudball for eternity. Seeing as Starscream didn't want to be abandoned with Bludgeon and Autobots, he and Bludgeon got a crystal powerful enough to get Megatron through. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Get Megatron! Campaign}}

Bludgeon received orders from Megatron to spy on and observe Starscream. Starscream headed to the Space Bridge and brought out [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] and Scrapper. Bludgeon followed the trio to an Autobot outpost, where Bludgeon stopped them from getting another piece of the [[Fractal Map]] to make sure Starscream didn't get any credit and would be humiliated by Megatron. Which Starscream was. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Power Play Campaign}}

Bludgeon helps out in the final battle for the Codex Key, helping to destroy the opposing Autobot outpost to the ground. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|The Codex Showdown Campaign}}

He then witnessed the creation of Devastator. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Combiner Wars Campaign}}

When [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] arrived and complained about Space Bridge travel being unpleasant, Bludgeon noted that the Bridge's calibration was way off.

Bludgeon heard of Cyclonus's movement and scouting in the Frozen wastes of the Arctic. Bludgeon was oddly missing from the battle for the Frozen Fortress, even though prior to, Megatron orders him to rally the troops to attack. Maybe he was assigned baby sitting duty of the outpost to ensure Autobots didn't randomly attack. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars|Arctic Saga}}

*'''Class:''' Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 1 star
*'''Weapons''' - He targets a building with his gun, then engages and slices it with his sword.
*'''Ability: Rush in'''- Rush into combat smashing walls along the way and dealing damage to the target.
**'''Cost:''' 3 ability points +2 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:bludgeon Bludgeon at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers Online'' (2017 video game)===
Even Bludgeon was impressed by [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]'s mastery of warfare in contests of strength. {{storylink|Transformers Online (2017 video game)|Transformers Online}} <ref>[http://tfol.qq.com/act/a20160726data/hero15.shtml Brawn on the Transformers Online website]</ref>

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Bludgeon-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|300px|Shouldn't you rather be repurposing [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|the latest version]] of Bludgeon for this game?]]
Bludgeon was one of the Decepticons pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|his universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. He eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of him running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}

{{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight#Chapter 1: Realities Collide| The Way of the Blade}}

{{chargamestub}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOBludgeon.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Bludgeon commands the fourteenth Decepticon base destroyed by the Autobots. He appears once tbe player reaches 15,800,000 points. {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
{{anchor|Generation 1}}[[File:G1-toy Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|He's an electric warrior. He is not, however, a Jeepster for your love.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Pretender, [[1989]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Pretender shell, helmet, "laser rifle" (large gun), tank turret/shield, "[[electric cannon]]" (small gun)
{{toydesigner|[[Tetsuya Ikeda]] (TakaraTomy)}}

: Released in the sixth year of ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'', Bludgeon's inner-robot transforms into a green and lilac quad-tread tank of undetermined, possibly-made-up model. Oddly, unlike most ''Transformers'' tanks, he does ''not'' have wheels inside the static tank tracks for any sort of rolling movement. The main tank turret separates into two separate pieces; the turret section can form a shield for the [[Pretender]] shell, while the barrel of the tank becomes the robot mode mode's "electric cannon". Like all of the 1989 Pretenders, the "electronic cannon" can store inside the shell in a port located in the leg. Alternatively, one can copy his [[:File:MTMTE-Dreamwave-Bludgeon-Pretender.jpeg|Dreamwave character profile artwork]], and have the entire combined turret mounted on the arm of his shell—which is pretty kickass! The shell itself is also armed with a white "laser rifle".

: Speaking of the Pretender shell, it continues the Decepticon trend of monstrous or war-like shells, being an orange and maroon humanoid samurai with a human skull for a head. Removing the helmet reveals great attention to detail on the skull, with cranium fusion seams and well-defined teeth, among other sculpting. Unfortunately, Bludgeon does not include a katana accessory like the one depicted in the [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics.

: No version of this mold was released in Japan.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1989/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More info on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Revenge of the Fallen''===
[[File:ROTFtoy-BludgeonVoyager.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Behold, I am Yoshimitsu the Second!"]]
[[File:ROTFBludgeon japanese instructions.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, [[2009]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number:'' '''RD-20'''
:*''Accessories:'' {{w|katana}}, {{w|tantō}}
{{note|''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Generation 1 Bludgeon in multiple video games.}}

: Released in the sixth wave of ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Voyagers, [[Bludgeon (ROTF)#Voyager|Bludgeon]] transforms from a green and orange Japanese {{w|Type 90 Kyū-maru|Type 90}} tank into a skeletal samurai robot mode which homages his original [[Pretender]] shell, in colors that homage both the shell and the original inner robot. Bludgeon features a flexible plastic sword which is made out of a portion of the barrel of the tank's main gun as well as a smaller dagger. The dagger can be stored in a sheath which is revealed from inside the tank turret, and both blades can be slotted in holes provided on the robot mode's left hip guard. Additionally, the dagger's handle can fit in the base of the sword's handle, forming a double-bladed weapon. He has [[Mech Alive]] [[gimmick]]s in his thighs and turret: Sculpted cylinders in his thighs rotate whenever his lower legs are rotated, and that pulling his turret open makes a gray sculpted "disc" at the center rotate while a scabbard for the tantō hinges over to the side and props itself up for use.

: The [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] is one of the very few Transformer tank toys with rubber components to its treads. Portions of the tread links can unlock, allowing them to hang from the robot mode, while the wheels of the treads are integrated separately into the robot mode form itself. The treads still do not function realistically; small plastic wheels on the underside of the treads help the tank mode roll, as is standard with nearly all Transformer tank toys.

:There is a paint application error on Bludgeon's rear wheels/thighs, wherein the black [[paint operation]]s, which were meant to help blend his rear wheels in with the black center wheels, are placed on the ''wrong side'', keeping them out of sight in vehicle mode, and behind his thighs in robot mode. The ratcheting hip joint is also flipped 180 degrees from what it should be, with two further ratchet divots on top of the hip than inside of it, meaning the mechanism in the upper leg is trying to click into a smooth surface. The toy seems to have been originally designed to feature light-piping in the head, though this feature is rendered useless with it being cast in the same solid gray plastic used for his arms, weapons, shoulders and Mech Alive features.

: The [[TakaraTomy]] release of Bludgeon has a different [[instructions|instruction sheet]] that actually labels the weapons as a {{w|katana}} and {{w|tantō}}, whereas the Hasbro release doesn't label them at all.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Hunt for the Decepticons]]'' [[Banzaitron (TF 2010)#Toys|Banzaitron]], and [[retool]]ed into [[BotCon 2012]] [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]] and ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generations|Megatron]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2010/Decepticon/Bludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Voyager Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===''Kre-O''===
[[File:KreO-Toy BludgeonKreon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's not the [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|first time]] he's had Megatron's head.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Decepticon Bludgeon''' (Micro-Changer, [[2012]])}}
:*''Bag number'': '''22851 51'''
:*''Accessories'': Stand brick, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Ed Masiello]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the first normal wave of ''[[Kre-O]]'' [[Micro-Changer]] [[Kreon]]s, Bludgeon is a [[blindpacking|blindpacked]]-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts which turn him into a kinda-sorta-tank. He also comes with a 2x4 block stand with the Kre-O logo on the side.

: He uses [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]]'s helmet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/Kre-OBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on Bludgeon at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|2016}}
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Kreon Micro-Changer, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Collection'': '''1'''
:*''Accessories'': Logo plate, sword

: In 2016, Collection 1 was re-released in a whole new production run for Dollar General stores in the US as part of a large collection of re-released ''Kre-O'' sets. But where most of these releases are nigh-identical to the originals, the re-released Micro-Changer blind-bags use the almost-entirely-retooled 2015 Kreon, with slightly-differently-hued plastics than the originals. (It is possible for some of the add-on pieces to be in the older hues.) Blugeon's torso [[tampograph]] has also been reworked to be slightly more detailed, and the formerly-bare legs now have extra detail tampographing on them.

: Sadly, this release has no individual-identification code on the bag, requiring you to use the feel-through-the-bag method or just buy blind and hope.
{{-}}

===''Combiner Wars''===
[[File:CombinerWarstoy-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The samurai skeleton look was going out of fashion.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Bludgeon''' (Voyager, [[2016]])}}</ul>
:*''Accessories:'' Twin "high-voltage" cannons, 2 "cyber-blade" swords.

: Part of the [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service#Series 4.0 (2016)|Figure Subscription Service 4.0]], ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Bludgeon is a [[retool]] of Voyager Class [[Onslaught (G1)#Combiner Wars|Onslaught]] with a new robot head, a new combiner head, and two additional swords from [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Exprime|''Go!'' Optimus Exprime]]. Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager, he can combine with any four of that line's Deluxes, though he is meant to combine with his fellow [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to form [[Thunder Mayhem#Generations|Thunder Mayhem]]. Like other ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager Class toys, Bludgeon's head and torso kibble is incorporated into the toy itself, rather than being add-on parts. Bludgeon's two rifles combine into a longer rifle for the combined robot, which can also wield the twin swords.

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon features misassembled knee struts, but the backs of his feet can flip out heels to provide better support.

:Bludgeon's mold was originally retooled from [[Hot Spot (G1)#Combiner Wars|Hot Spot]], who was retooled differently as [[Pyra Magna#Generations|Pyra Magna]].
{{CWHotSpotMold}}
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:POTP-Prime-Master-Quintus-Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Uh, nevermind.]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Quintus Prime''' (Prime Master, [[2018]])}}</ul>
:*''TakaraTomy ID number'': '''PP-20'''
:*''TakaraTomy release date'': [[August 25]], 2018
:*''Accessories'': Decepticon Bludgeon decoy armor, {{w|kanabō}}/gun
{{toydesigner|[[John Warden]] (Hasbro)}}

: Part of the third and final wave of ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Prime Master]]s, [[Quintus Prime#Power of the Primes|Quintus Prime]] comes with Bludgeon decoy armor, visually based on the original [[Pretender]]'s inner robot and shell. Quintus Prime/Bludgeon is a [[Retool|partial tooling]] of [[Vector Prime#Power of the Primes|Vector Prime]]/[[Metalhawk (G1)#Power of the Primes|Metalhawk]], swapping that toy's grey sprue for yellow parts with new detailing. The new weapon piece is modeled after a kanabō (a metal stick), and uniquely can be wielded as such with the alternate 3mm plug on the end.

:This toy has identical features to the other Prime Masters in the line. The decoy armor has a weapon piece which can fold out to create a weapon mode, or detach and be held in the armor's 3 mm-compatible hand. The [[Titan Master]]-like robot can store inside the decoy armor or ride [[Size class|Legends Class]] figures in vehicle mode, and is fully compatible with toys from the previous ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' line. The "Power Swap" gimmick means its [[spark]] form can plug onto any decoy armor's weapon form (which has a [[5 mm post]] to be held by larger figures), Deluxe Class figures' chest armor, Voyager Class figures' bucklers, Leader Class figures' [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Power of the Primes|Matrix]] (in place of their Matrix core), [[combiner]]s' torsos (in place of their [[Enigma of Combination]]), or the [[Scepter of Sparks]]. With the power of [[you]]r imagination, this bestows the Prime Master's [[Prime Master/Combinations|unique power]] on the larger figure.
{{-}}

===''Legacy''===
[[File:TF-Legacy-Voyager-Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Honor died on the beach! The Khan deserves to suffer!]]
<ul class="iconlist">{{Bp-d1|'''Comic Universe Bludgeon''' (Voyager Class, 2023)}}</ul>
:*''Accessories'': Tank turret base, 2 tank barrels, sword
{{toydesigner|[[Mark Maher]] (Hasbro), [[Yūya Ōnishi]] (TakaraTomy)}}<ref>[[June 20]], [[2023]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLY0uamTKM Hasbro Pulse Transformers Fanstream] on YouTube, with [[Ben MacCrae]], [[Mark Maher]], [[Evan Brooks]], and [[Rich Pellegrino]]</ref>

: Part of the seventh wave of ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' Voyagers, ''Legacy: Evolution'' Bludgeon is a redeco and new-head retool of ''Legacy'' [[Tarn (G1)#Legacy|Tarn]], based on his appearance in the [[Light/Star|2021 IDW comic annual]], transforming into a Cybertronian tank. Like Tarn, Bludgeon's tank turret can detach as part of the [[Evo-Fusion]] gimmick, and the barrels can split off and peg into the turret itself to make an extra-long [[fusion cannon]]. His hands feature hinged knuckles, allowing them to open and close, but are unfortunately exposed on the tank mode's rear end. Unlike Tarn, Bludgeon includes a new sword accessory based on the sword from Don Figueroa's [[Stormbringer Bludgeon]] design for some samurai action with a [[5 mm post]] that allows for storage in both modes.

:In an undocumented feature, Bludgeon’s smaller back turrets are removable.<ref> https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?hl=en </ref> Detaching them reveals two 5 mm ports at the base and beginning of the turret, allowing them to be held as small guns or batons respectively. Doing this can be quite difficult given how tight they are in the back, so exercise caution when removing them as his backpack is made from very thin clear plastic and can snap easily.

: Bludgeon's antenna are a bit too long for the head to fit easily into the torso cavity during transformation, and it may take quite a bit of finagling to avoid this (pushing the head to either side of the cavity is particularly helpful). Exercise caution when transforming.

::*''[https://www.instagram.com/p/CuktZlULApl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D Designer commentary on ''Legacy'' Bludgeon from Mark Maher on Instagram]''
{{-}}

==Merchandise==
===First 4 Figures===
*'''Bludgeon''' (<s>2006/2007</s> unreleased)

:Intended for release in [[First 4 Figures]]' "Generation One" series, this would have been a full body resin statue of Bludgeon. When his digital sculpt was shown to ASM website staff at New York [[Toy Fair]] in February 2006, they specifically noted that he included his sword.<ref name=ASM>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070806062058/http://toyfair06.asmzine.com/first4figures/report.html "First4Figures Limited Transformers Statues and Busts Info!"] at ASMzine.com (archived)</ref> First 4 Figures allowed [[BigBadToyStore]] to solicit him for sale the same month.<ref>[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/update-from-bigbadtoystorecom-transformers-and-gij/6539/ "Update from BigBadToyStore.com: Transformers and G.I.Joe Statues and Busts!!!"] on Seibertron.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070426030454/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/menu.aspx?menu=527&company=130 BigBadToyStore's listings for First 4 Figures' statues] (archived)</ref>

:Unfortunately, Bludgeon and the rest of the "Generation One" series were casualties of the general discontinuation of First 4 Figures' ''Transformers'' output, which was attributed to a challenging market and a lack of retailer support.
{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===''G.I. Joe and the Transformers''===
*'''''The Epic Conclusion!'' box set''' ([[2013]])
[[File:SDCC2013Bludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"To a master of Metallikato, your kung-fu grip is slow-motion!"]]
:*''Accessories'': {{w|kabuto}} (helmet), {{w|Dō (armour)|dō}} (breastplate), jinbaori (cloak), {{w|Japanese sword|daitō}} (long sword), shōtō (short sword)

:An [[exclusive]] release for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013, this is a 3.75" figure depicting Bludgeon in his Pretender shell. He's constructed from the torso, waist, and upper legs of 2011's ''30th Anniversary'' [[Storm Shadow]], the lower legs and feet of the 2012 ''Retaliation'' Red Ninja, new arms, a new robo-skull head, and various rubberised bits of samurai armour such as his helmet, breastplate, cloak, and a non-removable {{w|Sangu (armour)|haidate}} (thigh armour). (Interestingly, this means he's only a head and kabuto away from being [https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/budo3.shtml ''Retaliation'' Budo] and, given that the ''Retaliation'' toyline had to be reshuffled when the {{w|G.I. Joe: Retaliation#Theatrical|movie}} was delayed nine months, it's uncertain which samurai was designed first.) He is armed with two swords derived from his original character model in two different lengths, as was the {{w|Daishō|style at the time}}.

:The set also includes a retooled [[Skystriker (vehicle)|Sky Striker]] as [[Jetfire (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Jetfire]], a G.I. Joe [[VAMP]] redecoed into [[Hound (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Hound]], a new [[Snake-Eyes#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Snake-Eyes]] figure bearing an Autobot symbol, a [[Baroness#G.I. Joe and the Transformers 2|Baroness]] figure with [[Ravage (G1)/toys#Baroness|Ravage]] on a leash, and an [[Blaster (G1)/toys#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Autobot Blaster]] boombox accessory with cassette pieces representing [[Steeljaw (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Steeljaw]], [[Ramhorn (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Ramhorn]], and [[Eject (G1)#G.I. Joe and the Transformers|Eject]].

:The box set was announced via a ''USA Today'' [http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusives/2392295/ article] on June 5, 2013, along with Hasbro's other Comic-Con exclusives.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Decepticon/SDCCBludgeon/bludgeon.htm More information on ''G.I. Joe and the Transformers'' Bludgeon at TFU.info]''
::*''[https://www.yojoe.com/action/13/bludgeon.shtml More information on Bludgeon (v1) at YoJoe.com]''
{{-}}

===Transformers Trading Card Game===
[[File:W5Bludgeon.jpg|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon, Electric Warrior''' ([[2020]])
**'''Wave 5: Titan Masters Attack'''
**''Rarity: '''''CT'''
**''Card Number: '''''T09/T46'''
**''Stars: ''11
:Bludgeon, Electric Warrior is one of forty-six double-sided character cards released as part of Wave 5 of the [[Transformers Trading Card Game]], Titan Masters Attack.

:The card features original artwork for both modes, with lines by [[Dan Khanna]]. The Alt Mode artwork is based on the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] Voyager-class toy, while the Bot Mode artwork is based on Bludgeon's idiosyncratic appearance in the [[e-HOBBY]] comic [[Cybertron Magna Convoy]] with a new color scheme to marry the two.

:This card's set was originally scheduled for an April 2020 release, however due to the global COVID-19 pandemic the release was pushed back to May 29, 2020.
{{-}}

===e-HOBBY===
====''Transformers Character Card''====
[[File:Transformers Character Card Bludgeon and Stranglehold.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold Set''' ([[March 14]], [[2022]])
**''ID number:'' '''09 & 10'''

:Released as part of the second wave of the [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive ''[[Transformers Character Card]]'' series, this pair of holographic trading cards depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon and [[Stranglehold]] along with [[bio|character profiles]] and [[Tech Spec|tech specs]].
::*''[[Source:Transformers Character Card#09 |Translation of Bludgeon's Transformers Character Card]]''
{{-}}

====Rubber strap series====
[[File:E Hobby rubber keychain Bludgeon.jpg|upright=1|thumb]]
*'''Bludgeon & Stranglehold & Octopunch Set''' ([[January]] [[2023]])

:Released as part of the first wave of an [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive series, this trio of rubber keychains depict super-deformed art of Bludgeon, [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]].
{{-}}

===ULTIMATES!===
*'''Bludgeon''' (ULTIMATES!, 2023)
**''Accessories'': Toy-style head with removable helmet, comic-style head with removable helmet, severed neck wires, tank turret, tank cannon, katana with working sheath, wakizashi with working sheath, gun, 6 hands

: Part of the second wave of ''[[Super7|Transformers ULTIMATES!]]'' from [[Super7]], Bludgeon is a 7-inch-tall non-transforming action figure. Despite his retro look, he has ''way'' more articulation than the original, including multi-directional joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, hips, and ankles; plus swivel biceps, elbows, knees, and a bit of ab crunch. His hands pop out at the wrists so they can be replaced with his additional spare hands, some in sculpted martial arts poses. He includes a tank turret that can be worn on his arm as a shield, both of his traditional swords that can plug into their sheaths, as well as two different styles of heads and helmets (comic- or toy-accurate), and a piece to represent the tangled wires left on Bludgeon's severed neck after [[The Power and the Glory|he was decapitated]] by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]].

: Preorders for Bludgeon (and the rest of Wave 2) opened on [[July 29]] 2021, and closed on [[August 27]], with the toys slated for shipping in summer 2022, but wound up delayed by a full year.
{{--}}

===Flame Toys===
*'''Bludgeon''' (?)
: To be released as part of the ''Furai Model'' line by [[Flame Toys]].
{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[File:1989ToyFairCatalogBludgeon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Like a Rosetta Stone, but for samurai skeletons.]]
*Bludgeon's color scheme in the Marvel comics was based on a non-final prototype toy (as seen in the 1989 [[Toy Fair]] catalog and various toyline photography), explaining the absence of grey down the sides of his torso. This alternate color layout was far more noticeable on his rarely-depicted inner robot, revealing the origins of his differently-colored tank turret and the random patch of color on his chest in "[[The Last Autobot?]]". The shape of the prototype inner robot's head also aligns more closely with how [[Andrew Wildman]] and other artists drew it than the finalized toy design.
**While Bludgeon's Pretender shell prototype did have shoulderpads that matched its front "skirt" (visible on the pack-in flier and cardback photo), the angle and lighting of his shoulders in the Toy Fair catalog rendered this area's colors indistinct, which might explain why Bludgeon's shoulder armor was often the same color as his chest in the comics.
**The Toy Fair prototype was furthermore armed with a copy of [[Apeface]]'s sonic boomer gun painted white instead of the mold's normal pistol, but this doesn't appear to have affected any of his media portrayals.
*Like [[Stranglehold]] and [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], Bludgeon's [[character model]] portrays him with a specialized melee weapon. Bludgeon is consistently drawn with the character model's sword, which has become a trademark, despite his toy lacking one. Thus far, Bludgeon's San Diego Comic-Con release is the only toy to include this design. The character model also seems to include a scabbard for the sword, though that is not included nearly as often. Why all three of these characters are given weapons that don't exist is unknown.
*The only time we see his character model is when it's copied faithfully by [[José Delbo]] in "[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]". (However, [[Robin Smith]] takes another crack at it in [[Fleetway]]'s ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Generation 2]]'' series, but a tiny few liberties were taken, style-wise.)
*The sword in his character model has unique detailing at the base of the front of the blade. In Delbo's rendition, it looks kind of like a dong. Elsewhere, not so much. Thankfully.
*Bludgeon's outer shell is a "Warrior-Grade Pretender Shell" equipped with an ambient stealth field.<ref>''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', by [[Simon Furman]]</ref>
[[File:Bludgeon-IDW-Alex Milne-concept.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
*Bludgeon came close to having a new toy on two separate occasions. The first was a planned 6" Titaniums toy, supposedly based on his ''War Within'' design.<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/titanium-13/cancelled-titanium-bludgeon-revealed-in-tfw2005-toy-database-164105/ Cancelled Titanium Bludgeon Revealed in TFW2005 Toy Database]</ref> Artist [[Don Figueroa]] then submitted a concept for a [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] Bludgeon toy way back during the development of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' or ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toylines. Obviously, the concept wasn't put into production as a toy at the time, so Figueroa used it as inspiration for his [[IDW Publishing]] ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' [[Bludgeon (G1)#2005 IDW continuity|rendition of Generation 1 Bludgeon]]. Hasbro considered releasing Bludgeon in the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' line, but put it on hold because of the large number of tank and tank-like vehicles released recently.<ref>[[Bill Rawley]] in an interview for the Transformers Collector's Club magazine: ''"One that comes to mind right away is Bludgeon. We even started early design sketches for him but the fact that he would transform into a tank, in a line that had a lot of tank-like vehicles in it, meant that he would have to be put on hold... for now."''</ref> This design was evidently [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|resurrected]] for the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' line. Figueroa notes that his contribution on this toy is very small, as his work on it ended when he submitted the concept to Hasbro way back when.
*Bludgeon's [[e-HOBBY]] appearance is a "[[Redeco#"Virtual" redecoes|virtual redeco]]" composed of a veritable rat king of references.
**His body is ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hardhead (G1)#Generations|Hardhead]].
**His head is ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Rev#Generations|Throttle]].
**His sheathed sword comes from 2016 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' Warrior Class [[Windblade (RID)#Warrior|Windblade]].
**His projection drone, meanwhile, is modeled on the vehicle partner of ''Titans Return'' Titan Master [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]].
**Finally his actual color scheme is patterned after his original ''Generation 1'' Pretender shell, but with the white shoulder stripes of 2003 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Bludgeon (RID 2001)|Destructicon Bludgeon]], while his drone and Titan Master partner are both in the colors of his tank inner robot.
*The [[2019 IDW continuity]] incarnation of Bludgeon (at right) was broadly patterned by [[Alex Milne]] on the [[Bludgeon (Cyberverse)|''Cyberverse'' animated design]], itself inspired by the 2017 [[Bludgeon (Prime)#Robots in Disguise (2015)|''Robots in Disguise'' toy]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Bludgeon''' (ブラジオン ''Burajion'')
*''French'': '''Ossement''' (France, "Bones"), '''Gourdin''' (Canada, "Club", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Hungarian:'' '''Husáng''' ("Stick", as in the beat-you-up-with kind)
*''Italian:'' '''Teskior''' ("Skullor")
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kirigakure Anjō''' (China, 雾隐暗丈 ''Wùyǐng Ànzhàng''), '''Thunder Thump''' (China, 雷震 ''Léi Zhèn'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Armada Decepticons]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 toy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) Decepticons]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Legacy Decepticons]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Mayhem Attack Squad]]
[[Category:Precursor World characters]]
[[Category:Pretenders]]
[[Category:Prime Masters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Super-God Masterforce Decepticons]]
[[Category:Transformers Character Card]]
[[Category:Unicron-related characters]]