MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Shellformer

2012-07-08T15:34:10Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{disambig2|toys that have lots of kibble|toys from a long time ago that still haven't been sold|Shelfwarmer}}
[[Image:BWN-toy Break.jpg|right|400px|thumb|The robot is the prize inside. No refunds.]]
'''Shellformer''' is a fandom term for a [[Toy|Transformer]] that transforms by "unpeeling" [[kibble|pieces of one form]] to reveal the other form inside. Literally, the majority of the [[alternate mode]] is a "shell" that closes completely (or close enough) around the robot parts, with the robot mode having very little genuine integration of the alternate-mode parts.

In some of the most extreme cases, such as the ones pictured on this page, one can remove almost the entirety of the alternate mode parts and still have a complete, fully-functional robot figure left over.

This term is most often used derisively. Also see [[kibble]].

Shellformers should not be confused with the [[Pretender]]s.
{{--}}
==Notable shellformers==
[[Image:Bigconvoy shell.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The weather is too hot, so I take off my woolly fur coat.]]
{{collist|2|
* [[Big Convoy]]
* [[Break]]
* [[Side Burn (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn]]
* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|''Cybertron'' Thunderblast]]
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Classics_.282006.29|''Classics'' Voyager Class Megatron]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]]
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Bumblebee]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|''Animated'' Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Human Alliance|Human Alliance Sideswipe]]
* [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Sentinel Prime]]
* [[Topspin (DOTM)#Cyberverse|Cyberverse Legion Class Topspin]]
}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[category:Fandom]]
[[category:Toys]]

Shellformer

2012-07-08T15:33:45Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{disambig2|toys that have lots of kibble|toys from a long time ago that still haven't been sold|Shelfwarmer}}
[[Image:BWN-toy Break.jpg|right|400px|thumb|The robot is the prize inside. No refunds.]]
'''Shellformer''' is a fandom term for a [[Toy|Transformer]] that transforms by "unpeeling" [[kibble|pieces of one form]] to reveal the other form inside. Literally, the majority of the [[alternate mode]] is a "shell" that closes completely (or close enough) around the robot parts, with the robot mode having very little genuine integration of the alternate-mode parts.

In some of the most extreme cases, such as the ones pictured on this page, one can remove almost the entirety of the alternate mode parts and still have a complete, fully-functional robot figure left over.

This term is most often used derisively. Also see [[kibble]].

Shellformers should not be confused with the [[Pretender]]s.
{{--}}
==Notable shellformers==
[[Image:Bigconvoy shell.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The weather is too hot, so I take off my woolly fur coat.]]
{{collist|2|
* [[Big Convoy]]
* [[Break]]
* [[Side Burn (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn]]
* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|''Cybertron'' Thunderblast]]
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Classics_.282006.29|''Classics'' Voyager Class Megatron]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]]
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Bumblebee]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|''Animated'' Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Human Alliance|Human Alliance Sideswipe]]
* [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Sentinel Prime]]
* [[Topspin (DOTM)#Cyberverse|Cyberverse Legion Class Topspin]]
* [[Roadbuster (DOTM|Deluxe Roadbuster]]
}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[category:Fandom]]
[[category:Toys]]

Shellformer

2012-07-08T15:32:11Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{disambig2|toys that have lots of kibble|toys from a long time ago that still haven't been sold|Shelfwarmer}}
[[Image:BWN-toy Break.jpg|right|400px|thumb|The robot is the prize inside. No refunds.]]
'''Shellformer''' is a fandom term for a [[Toy|Transformer]] that transforms by "unpeeling" [[kibble|pieces of one form]] to reveal the other form inside. Literally, the majority of the [[alternate mode]] is a "shell" that closes completely (or close enough) around the robot parts, with the robot mode having very little genuine integration of the alternate-mode parts.

In some of the most extreme cases, such as the ones pictured on this page, one can remove almost the entirety of the alternate mode parts and still have a complete, fully-functional robot figure left over.

This term is most often used derisively. Also see [[kibble]].

Shellformers should not be confused with the [[Pretender]]s.
{{--}}
==Notable shellformers==
[[Image:Bigconvoy shell.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The weather is too hot, so I take off my woolly fur coat.]]
{{collist|2|
* [[Big Convoy]]
* [[Break]]
* [[Side Burn (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn]]
* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|''Cybertron'' Thunderblast]]
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Classics_.282006.29|''Classics'' Voyager Class Megatron]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]]
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Bumblebee]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|''Animated'' Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Human Alliance|Human Alliance Sideswipe]]
* [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Sentinel Prime]]
* [[Topspin (DOTM)#Cyberverse|Cyberverse Legion Class Topspin]]
* [[Roadbuster (DOTM #Deluxe|Deluxe Roadbuster]]
}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[category:Fandom]]
[[category:Toys]]

Shellformer

2012-07-08T15:30:45Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{disambig2|toys that have lots of kibble|toys from a long time ago that still haven't been sold|Shelfwarmer}}
[[Image:BWN-toy Break.jpg|right|400px|thumb|The robot is the prize inside. No refunds.]]
'''Shellformer''' is a fandom term for a [[Toy|Transformer]] that transforms by "unpeeling" [[kibble|pieces of one form]] to reveal the other form inside. Literally, the majority of the [[alternate mode]] is a "shell" that closes completely (or close enough) around the robot parts, with the robot mode having very little genuine integration of the alternate-mode parts.

In some of the most extreme cases, such as the ones pictured on this page, one can remove almost the entirety of the alternate mode parts and still have a complete, fully-functional robot figure left over.

This term is most often used derisively. Also see [[kibble]].

Shellformers should not be confused with the [[Pretender]]s.
{{--}}
==Notable shellformers==
[[Image:Bigconvoy shell.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The weather is too hot, so I take off my woolly fur coat.]]
{{collist|2|
* [[Big Convoy]]
* [[Break]]
* [[Side Burn (RID)|''Robots in Disguise'' Side Burn]]
* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|''Cybertron'' Thunderblast]]
* [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Classics_.282006.29|''Classics'' Voyager Class Megatron]]
* [[Scourge (G1)|Generation 1 Scourge]]
* [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Bumblebee]]
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Trans-Scanning|Trans-Scanning Optimus Prime]]
* [[Wreck-Gar (Animated)|''Animated'' Wreck-Gar]]
* [[Sideswipe (Movie)#Human Alliance|Human Alliance Sideswipe]]
* [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)#Voyager Class toys|''Dark of the Moon'' Voyager Class Sentinel Prime]]
* [[Topspin (DOTM)#Cyberverse|Cyberverse Legion Class Topspin]]
* [[Roadbuster (DOTM#Deluxe)|Deluxe Roadbuster]]
}}

[[Category:Fan terminology]]
[[category:Fandom]]
[[category:Toys]]

Design flaw

2012-07-08T15:16:51Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

A '''design flaw''' is a physical problem with a [[toy]] that is either directly rooted in its design itself or the transition from a two-dimensional design to a three-dimensional object.

Generally, ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' toys are marvels of modern toy engineering. They can be [[transformation|changed]] from [[alternate mode|one form]] into another, and yet they still manage to be both great vehicle or animal toys ''and'' great action figures.

Despite that, sometimes there are problems. Because of the complexities in design, there are some common ways that toys don't work properly the way they were intended. Sometimes a toy's features aren't quite finished, or don't really work how they're supposed to. Some toys also have common breakage points or parts that wear down in predictably consistent ways. Sometimes the way a toy transforms can cause it to break. Sometimes toys just plain aren't what they're supposed to be. That's what design flaws are all about.

This phenomenon should not be confused with [[misassembly]] or one-off molding errors, in which toys leave the factory in a condition not in accordance with the design. Those issues should be caught in [[quality control]].

==Clearance issues==
Some toys have joints that don't work the way they are intended to. Sometimes the parts just can't go all the way, ending up with misaligned parts. Sometimes joints are even entirely useless, allowing for minimal articulation at best... because adjacent parts get in the way of the articulated part. For some reason, heads are particularly prone to this kind of problem.
*''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Steamhammer (Energon)|Steamhammer]], in theory, has an articulated head, but there is absolutely no configuration where it could possibly move, because the [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] treads are in the way.
*''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] has a similar problem. The ridges on his chest (the air vents on the vehicle mode hood) hinder any rotation of the head.
*Likewise, ''[[Movie (toyline)|Movie]]'' [[Fast Action Battlers]] [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] has a head that sits on a ''ball joint'', but the only purpose it serves is allowing for the head to pop off, because the plastic parts behind the head hinder any movement.
*''Movie'' [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] is only minimally better, with the ridges on his chest limiting the possible head articulation to a few degrees in each direction.
*''Movie'' Deluxe Class [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] is about as bad as Swindle.
*''Movie'' Deluxe Class [[Wreckage (Movie)|Wreckage]] has the same problem with his waist. Articulation is limited to a few degrees in each direction thanks to an immovable piece of plastic on his back getting in the way.
*''Movie'' Voyager Class [[Ratchet (Movie)|Autobot Ratchet]] has articulated thumbs that can't move because plastic parts of the wrists get in the way.
*[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] Deluxe Class [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide's]] head rests on a piece of plastic that can't be aligned properly with the torso because of plastic parts getting in the way of the hinge, making him incapable of looking straight forward.
*[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|ROTF]] Leader Class Optimus Prime's arm panels that form the front nose of the truck are hindered by the gas tanks when converting into vehicle mode, the tanks have to be rotated up and squeezed between the doors in order to gain clearance.
*[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] [[Sea Spray|Sea Spray's]] hands can rotate about 45 degrees sideways at maximum at the wrists, because plastic parts of the forearms get in the way.
*On a more broad note, a characteristic of the [[Titanium Series]] transformable figures involved joints that bent in oddly or arbitrarily limited ways, such as 45 degrees backward at the knee, but 90 degrees ''forward''.

==Square peg, round hole==
Some toys that are designed to have parts connect to other parts by plugging a [[peg]] into a corresponding peg hole have problems due to the length, size or shape of the pegs, resulting in the parts not connecting properly. This mostly affects accessories such as weapons.
*''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime's]] [[ion blaster]] sports a peg that is supposed to plug into the hole in one of his fists. However, the weapon's handle (which has an entirely aesthetic purpose) and the forearms get into each others' way, and since the peg is too short, Optimus can't hold his weapon both tight and straight at the same time. This was fixed by a [[variant|running change]] that saw the fist holes elongated upwards, but the problem re-emerged with some [[Generation 1 reissues|reissues]] of the toy.
*''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' Deluxe Class [[Unicron]] isn't quite as bad... but his claw weapons' pegs were shortened some time shortly between stock photography and release, making it very difficult to plug the claws into his hands tightly.
*''[[Movie (toyline)|Movie]]'' Deluxe Class [[Brawl (Movie)#Deluxe Class|Decepticon Brawl's]] arms are connected to the torso at the shoulders by diamond-shaped pegs, but the pegs are ever so slightly too big for the corresponding peg holes, resulting in the arms having a tendency to detach from the torso at the slightest touch. This was fixed for the ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' Deep Desert Brawl [[redeco]] of the sculpt.
*''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Storm Jet (Energon)|Storm Jet]] and his [[redeco]]s have a problem with the peg that connects the jet nosecone to the pelvis in robot mode (the official one according to the [[instructions]]) as well as in [[Superion Maximus]] mode: The corresponding peg hole has a cavity on one side, resulting in the peg not locking in place securely. Meanwhile, a problem similar to the one with ''Movie'' Deluxe Brawl occurs with a second peg hole that can be used for an alternate (non-official, though possibly intended by the designers but ignored by the instructions), shorter robot mode for Storm Jet, where the pegs tends to pop out of the peg hole due to too much pressure.
*Deluxe Class [[Wreck-Gar (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Wreck-Gar]] from the ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[subline imprint]] of the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toy line]] has a minor problem with the tabs that connect his torso to the shoulders, which are just a tiny bit too long, resulting in the shoulders not locking in all the way, causing a small gap. It's more evident on his left shoulder than on the right one.<ref name="shoulders">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/reveal-the-shield/wreck-gar/2281/1/62/ Reveal the Shield Wreck-Gar with particularly poorly connecting shoulders] at Seibertron.com.</ref>
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Cyberverse]] Commander [[Powerglide (DOTM)|Powerglide]] has diamond-shaped pegs that connect his shoulders to the torso, and a rectangular peg that connects the crotch to the rest of the torso. None of the pegs plug in tightly, resulting in a slightly unstable robot mode.

==Strong spring, weak peg==
Some toys have metal springs that power a [[gimmick]] or help during the [[transformation]] (as part of, or similar to, an [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]] mechanism). When not deployed (i.e., the spring is under pressure), the relevant parts are usually held in place by tabs. Sometimes the pegs are slightly too small, resulting in too much plastic clearance. As a consequence, the parts in question are not held in place securely, and the mechanism is likely to be deployed unintentionally.
*This happens quite a lot with spring-powered missile launchers, resulting in the missiles being fired at the slightest touch. In some extreme cases, it's almost impossible to lock the missile in place without it being instantly fired back out.
*The [[Power Core Combiners]] are also prone to this. The limb drones use an auto-transformation mechanism that is activated by the same peg used to connect them to the torso robot. However, the transformed "limb" mode is the position that puts pressure on the spring; and due to too much plastic clearance between the connector pegs and the limbs, the drones have a tendency to transform back into their [[alternate mode]]s, detaching from the connector pegs in the process.
*''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' "[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]" [[Optimus Prime (Prime)#Generations|Cybertronian Optimus Prime's]] gun can be folded up to a more "compact" form, with a spring mechanism converting it back into its primary weapon mode. The only thing that keeps the spring mechanism from deploying in the compact form is a very small plastic tab.

==Wear-based looseness==
It's perhaps unfair to include this as a ''design flaw'', but it should be touched upon. When a toy is played with frequently, the plastics or metals will wear against each other, causing the friction that keeps the joints tight to lessen. This will lead to looseness in the toy's joints. The easiest way to avoid this common malady is simply not to play with a toy. Looseness is often not much of a problem with toys kept on display. A loose-armed ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] will look much the same as a tightly jointed Optimus Prime. However, looseness can be more of a problem for other toys, preventing them from standing or holding together in their alt mode.

Some toys are particularly prone to looseness not just due to wear but due to design too. Heavy parts on weak joints are a common problem here, leading to incredibly weak joints that are loose and difficult to use how they were intended.

===Ball joints===
[[Ball joint]]s, which rely entirely on friction to work, are a common victim of wear-based looseness. This can be particularly bad for toys with ball-jointed hips, ankles or legs, making them nearly impossible to stand. Looseness in ball joints can also make it easy to lose parts, such as arms, legs, or kibble panels...oh, or heads...or, uhh...well, just about anything on a ball joint.
*Almost all of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' is afflicted with this problem. Woe to all those kids who grew up on ''Beast Wars''. Good luck having complete toys.
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Cyberjet]]s can be nigh-impossible to stand with just a little joint wear, but it's their arms that tend to get especially floppy.

===Retractable thighs===
A common method of transformation in ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' was for the thighs of the toy to retract into the lower legs (or, more accurately, for the lower legs to push up over the thighs) when in vehicle or beast mode, then for the thighs to extend while in robot mode. It doesn't take an enormous amount of wear for the thighs to loosen, and then they won't be able to stay extended in robot mode. When that happens, you'll either have a midget version on display or you'll have to shove a wedge of paper down into the joint to increase the friction to let the thighs stay extended.

This problem can be particularly compounded when a toy has a really heavy upper body. A toy with electronics or [[die-cast]] metal in the torso will be much more likely to collapse its own knees just due to weight, time, and wear and tear on the toy.
*G1 [[combiner|Special Teams]] toys are particularly prone to this, especially the smaller [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]].
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] represents a reversal of this problem: it is quite easy to overextend his lower legs in such a way that they can never fully compress back into vehicle mode again.
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] is particularly problematic due to his heavy upper body.
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] is also prone to this problem.
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Laser Optimus Prime]] has a massively heavy upper body and weak knees. It's incredibly common for him just to collapse into Midgetimus Prime.
*''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|Soundwave]]'s entire leg assembly is made of multiple retractable components that lack the ability to lock together securely. Put a heavy die-cast metal chest on top of that and you end up with a toy that will never stand up on its own no matter how pristine it is.

==Clipping issues==
Sometimes when designing a Transformer, the designers will forget that these things have to work in 3D space. Parts will have to bend around each other or pass through the same space during transformation. Often, if you don't do steps in the right order, this will lead to parts breaking or snapping. This is particularly problematic when you give the designers the freedom of things like ball joints, where you can use their flexibility to transform the toy, leading not just to breakages but to toys that are incredibly difficult and frustrating to transform.

===Parts breaking off other parts===
Especially around late Generation 1, there were a few toys which required transforming their parts in the right order. If you didn't, you risked breaking your toy when the parts pushed against each other, causing stress or wear. This problem is a lot less common with modern Transformers, which use parts that are designed to pop off rather than simply break if the stresses are too great.
*''Generation 1'' [[Skystalker (G1)|Skystalker]]'s [[interstellar shuttle]]'s wings are known to snap quite regularly. This is particularly a problem for his ''left'' wing because of the way the base is designed. If you attempt to fold Skystalker's wing down from base mode into its shuttle position '''before''' you've folded in the grey box next to it, it's very easy to snap the wing due to the edge of the box just touching the wing. The edge of the box is even curved, giving you the visual impression that it won't be a problem. But it will be a problem, as attested to by eBay's endless supply of one-winged Skystalker bases.
*''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' [[Lockdown (Animated)|Lockdown]] has tabs in his wrists that prevent them from extending into a straight position. Unfortunately, these same tabs act as levers so that if you try to force the hands into a straight position, you will simply snap his wrists. Ouch.
*[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Octane|Tankor's]] head rests on a retractable section, but even when extracted all the way up, the surrounding torso still gets in the way of his head rotation, gradually chipping off plastic from the lower section of his helmet. This is ''almost'' a clearance issue as detailed above; however, the head ''can'' just barely rotate, it merely scratches off plastic in the process.

==Common breakage points==
Some toys have flimsy plastic, others have joints that are too tight, and still others have metal pieces wearing on poor plastic pieces. Whatever the case, there are often Transformers with predictable, easily identifiable breakage points. Let's have a look at a few types.

===Breakable joints===
Joints are very important to Transformers. They're required both for articulation and to allow the toy to change from one form to another. Usually, articulation isn't much of a problem, but sometimes transformation puts a massive amount of pressure on a small joint that's just not able to keep up with the strain of moving large parts of the toy from one place to another. You'll see eBay littered with toys that are victims of these sorts of joints, the same toy breaking over and over in the same place due to the stresses on a joint.
*''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] is particularly bad, with his entire body rotating around a flimsy little waist joint that likes to snap. Loves to snap. Delights in snapping. Reportedly, the [[Generation 1 reissues|reissue]] of Metroplex has made this joint a little bit more robust.
*''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Transmetal]] [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] suffers from a weak plastic used in a very small, tight joint. His waist is so well known for snapping that the fandom has mistakenly thought that it was [[Gold Plastic Syndrome]]. The fact that the forces involved cause it to ratchet apart doesn't help.
*''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron's]] turret has a gearing flaw on the inside. Namely, the ratcheting joint simply...breaks, eventually. The ratchet is actually a very small and relatively flimsy gear that is attached to the rotating handle. When the handle is locked in place, high stress is placed on the gear and tends to make it snap somewhere between the teeth and become loose or just fall off and rattle around inside Megatron.
*All four [[Action Master Elite]] figures ([[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Spreem]], [[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]], [[Turbo Master]] and [[Double Punch]]) are prone to roughly the same problem as ''Armada'' Megatron, in that the gears used to drive their gimmicks are not made of strong enough plastic to last very long. Many an Elite can be found with a half a neon plastic gear rattling around inside.
*This same problem is also usually the culprit when ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' [[Optimus Primal|Blast Punch Optimus Primal's]] gimmick ceases working correctly.
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]]'s leg sockets are a frequent breakage point due to the stress put on the relatively weak plastic used for them. Many Scalpels have their sockets broken ''out of the package''.
*[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] features rubber handles for his motorcycle mode that are supposed to be folded back via an [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]]-style mechanism during the transformation. However, the thick rubber is very strong, much stronger than the joints the handles are attached to. ''Not'' using the Automorph mechanism is a quick way to break the joints; but even using it can eventually result in breakage. The only somewhat safe way to avoid permanent damage to the toy is to cut off the rubber tabs that hold the handles firmly in place in vehicle mode.

===Hands with stress marks===
Some toys come with handheld weapons that are slightly too large for their hands. For "closed fist"-shaped hands with fist holes for the weapons, this isn't quite as much of a problem; it gets more problematic with the recent introduction of half-open hands with round cavities for the weapons. Sculpted finger "joints" that are aligned in a straight line are an obvious weak point:
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (toyline)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Bludgeon (ROTF)|Bludgeon]] and ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers 2010]]'' [[Banzaitron]]'s hands can be prone to this because of the size of their katana's handle, although the soft plastic used for the sword mitigates this somewhat. (You'll probably end up with the fingers gouging ''notches'' on the sword, instead.)However there are cases of the hand just breaking in half.
* ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]]'s thumbs can snap right off because of the thickness of her swords's handles.
*Both [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2010)]] ''[[Reveal the Shield]]'' "Laser" [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Transformers (2010)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] are prone to showing stress marks inside their hands after having their melee weapons inserted only a few times.

===Clear plastic breakage===
Common especially for ''[[Diaclone]]''-based toys, which have hinged clear plastic parts that are very well known for snapping or breaking.
*''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl's]] roof is particularly prone to this problem.
*A number of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' toys, such as Deluxe [[Optimus Primal]] and [[Skydive (BM)|Skydive]], use clear plastic for tightly pinned joints. These generally break without careful use.
*''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl's]] clear plastic car doors are mounted on ball joints. Unfortunately, clear plastic is not usually malleable enough to withstand the constant pressure and tends to break, especially if the door is accidentally dislodged from the joint.
*''[[Movie (toyline)|Movie]]'' Deluxe Class [[Brawl (Movie)|Decepticon Brawl]] used clear plastic for his [[Automorph Technology|Automorph]] gears, which often tended to come broken right out of the packaging.

===Inferior glue===
Some toys have parts attached to the rest of the toy not by pegs, screws, joints or struts, but with ''glue''. Depending on the quality of the glue, this can be an open invitation to easy breakage.
* ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Alternators|Prowl's]] wing mirrors are glued onto the doors. Trying to open a door by pulling on the mirror could easily result in the mirror snapping off.
[[Category:Toys]]

Mold

2012-06-12T16:46:00Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

[[Image:Redeco.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Invasion of the Seeker Snatchers]]

A '''mold''' is a pre-cut metal shape into which plastic (or, sometimes, [[die-cast|die-cast metal]]) is injected to manufacture the parts for a given [[toy|''Transformers'' toy]]. Although Transformers toys are usually created from several molds for the various parts of their body (which is the reason why their parts are cast in more than one single plastic color), many fans also commonly use the term "mold" to refer to a toy's ''sculpt'', i.e. the entire body shape which can be [[redeco]]ed or [[retool]]ed into a new toy that is still based on the same sculpt. Fans also commonly refer to retools as "remolds".

==Types of molds==
===Plastic injection molds===
[[Image:Cyb Prime Mold Plans.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
As part of the creation process of a new Transformers toy, [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] create one or more hand-sculpted hardcopy [[prototype]]s (also referred to as "gray models"). Once these prototypes have served their purpose (ie. proving that the transformation works as intended, all the individual parts have the necessary clearance and the sculpt looks visually as intended in both modes), the hardcopy (or, if there are multiples, at least one of them) will be disassembled. From all the individual parts, Hasbro and Takara will then cast plastic injection molds made out of steel, basically a "negative" counterpart to the toy parts. This mold consists of two or more parts, so it can be opened and the cast plastic parts removed.

To minimize development costs (the steel molds are reported to be by far the most expensive part of the development process of a new toy), Hasbro and Takara will try to include as many of the toy's parts in the same mold as possible. This, however, means that all the parts in one mold will end up in the same plastic color, which puts limits on the toy's plastic color layout. In other words, if a toy's hands, feet and head are cast from the same mold, the toy can't have black hands, blue feet and a red head—unless they are painted over, that is. This is particularly important to consider in the case of [[redeco]]s, since Hasbro has a maximum number of allowed [[paint operation]]s per [[size class]] to stay on budget. The larger a toy, the more plastic injection molds are used to create all the parts needed for assembling the toy. If the toy in question is very small, Hasbro and Takara will occasionally create parts of several simultaneously released toys (such as [[Micromaster]]s, [[Spy Changer]]s or [[Mini-Con]]s) from the same mold, which is referred to as [[gang-molding]]. This means, however, that creating parts of one toy will automatically also create the corresponding parts for the other toy(s), unless they are gated off.

The liquid plastic enters the mold through a large [[sprue]], is distributed to the mold cavities through smaller runners, and enters individual cavities through gates. Once the plastic has cooled down, the mold halves will be opened and the plastic parts removed. At this point, the parts are still connected by the plastic residue in the sprues, runners and gates, and have to trimmed off. If you see excess plastic on a part of Transformers toy that looks like it was connected to something at one point, this is the explanation. The excess plastic will then be recycled. The entire connected system of the toy parts, sprues, runners and gates is referred to as a "tree" (or, alternatively, as a "sprue" as well).

Initially, Hasbro and Takara will create [[prototype|test shots]] from the molds to test the toolings, spot and fix flaws, see if the toys cast from the molds still look and work like they are supposed to as compared to the hardcopies and perform [[for safety reasons|safety testing]]. Once the molds have been given clearance, mass production can begin.

===Die-cast metal molds===
{{stub}}

==Multiple uses of a mold==
Since the creation of molds is the most expensive part of the development process of a toy, Hasbro and Takara will try to use an already-created mold as many times as possible to recoup the development costs. In other words, the same molds already used for a toy will be used again to create another toy that is then released under a different name (or at least a "variant" name). There are several possible ways to have the "new" toy differ from the original toy.

===Redecos===
{{main|Redeco}}
The easiest way to get a "new" toy out of an existing molding is to [[redeco]] it. This is achieved in two different ways.

*The plastic colors for the individual mold trees are changed, thus giving the new toy a different overall plastic color layout

*The "new" toy is given different [[paint operation]]s than the original version, thus changing its appearance further. As noted above, however, a maximum number of allowed paint operations required to stay on budget puts a limit on the extent of possible changes to the toy through paint operations. Therefore, the plastic color layout is usually carefully chosen so the number of paint operations can stay as low as possible.

In some cases, a redeco may also be given a new, permanently attached [[accessory]] such as an emergency-vehicle light bar.

===Retools===
{{main|Retool}}
In addition to redecos (which are merely a cosmetic change), a toy can also be physically altered in order to visually differentiate it further from the original release. Such alterations are collectively referred to as [[retool]]s, but can actually be achieved in three different ways:

*The actual tooling is permanently altered, thus making the "new" toy out of the existing molds, but with changes to them. Since those modifications to the molds are hard to undo, this method is usually limited to changes that objectively improve the toy.
*One or more new molds can be cast for the altered parts of the new toy, retaining the basic shape of those parts but with physical changes to the details. This is achieved more or less in the same way as the original molds were created, and the new molds are then used instead of the existing molds for the parts that are replaced on the new toy. In extreme but rare cases, the new toolings will be so thorough as to change the toy's transformation mechanics, as happened with [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] and [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Dark Crumplezone]].
*A "retool" might be planned in advance, and thus the "new" parts and the parts they will eventually replace are cast from the same mold, thereby ending up on the same "tree". The unused parts are then discarded or recycled. Therefore, this method is usually limited to cases where only a small number of parts are replaced, such as different head sculpts.
==Issues with Reissues==
Toy molds are mysterious things. As mentioned above, the larger a toy is, the more molds are required to create all the numerous parts required to assemble the complete toy. Even a ''Scout Class'' (formerly "Basic") ''Transformers'' figure requires at least two or three separate molds, one for each plastic color. If some ill fate should befall one or all of those molds, the toy may be lost forever. The older a mold is, the more likely this is to happen at some point.

===Lost molds===
Molds can be lost when [[Hasbro]] or [[TakaraTomy]] (or any other toy company) sells, closes down, or otherwise abandons a plant or factory. The molds may be sold as excess inventory as part of a warehouse deal. Sometimes, they simply get misplaced in the supply chain between factory and warehouse. Occasionally, molds are outright destroyed in order to prevent piracy. Whatever cruel fate befalls a set of molds, once they're gone, they're gone for good.

In some cases, Hasbro/TakaraTomy may actually still ''have'' a mold, which may or may not still be in a usable condition, but due to the sheer ''number'' of molds created over the years, in addition to the number of different factories and warehouses employed by the two companies over the years, they may be misplaced somewhere deep inside a warehouse. And since the molds are not necessarily marked with bright labels that say "TRANSFORMERS GENERATION 1 1989 PRETENDER BUMBLEBEE INNER ROBOT TORSO AND FEET" in large letters, they're hard to track down once they have vanished off the radar.

Known lost/stolen molds are:
*''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Grimlock (G1)/toys|Grimlock]]
*''Generation 1'' [[Slag (G1)|Slag]]
*''Generation 1'' [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]
*''Generation 1'' [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]
*''Generation 1'' [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]]
*''Generation 1'' [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]
* Most if not all of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' basics
Molds rumored to be lost:
*''Generation 1'' [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]

===Broken molds===
Despite their impressive size and heft, molds can break and thereby be rendered useless.
Known broken molds are:
*''Generation 1'' [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys|Wheeljack]]

As an aside, [[Fun Publications]] faced some consternation from [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] fans after the molds for a promised convention exclusive were accidentally broken before production of the toys was complete.

===Deterioration===
Molds can only be used so much before they begin to wear down and deteriorate. The mold is then unable to supply products of the same quality of the original release. This may result in toys where parts no longer fit together properly, joints are overly tight or overly loose, and sculpted detail appears "washed-out." Just compare the face of an original 1984 ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys|Prowl]] or [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] with a 2000-onwards reissue.<ref name="hound">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/toys/g1-1984/hound/1670/2/77/ Direct comparison] of a Vintage G1 Hound with the ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' reissue at Seibertron.com.</ref>

Molds specifically said to be worn out beyond a condition where further use is still viable include:
*Essentially all of the mass-released ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]] teams.
*The ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Autobot Brothers]]: [[Prowl (RID)|Prowl]], [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn]], and [[X-Brawn]].

Molds that seem to be on their way out include:
*The ''[[Transformers: Alternators| Alternators]]'' Subaru Impreza mold in its various incarnations started to show major signs of deterioration with ''[[Transformers: Alternators#Binaltech Asterisk|Binaltech Asterisk]]'' [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]].
*The ''Generation 1'' [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]].
*The ''Generation 1'' [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] are considered by many to have been ''beyond'' this point already when the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] released the ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' versions.
*The ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Cyberjet|Cyberjets]].
*[[Legends Class|Legends]] of [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]].
*''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Voyager [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|Optimus Prime]].
*''Classics'' [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]].
*''[[Movie (toyline)|Movie]]'' Deluxe Class Concept Camaro [[Bumblebee (Movie)/toys|Bumblebee]].

It is unclear exactly how many uses a mold can take; some of the various Mini-Con teams were released over a half-dozen different times in the space of four years.

===Legal issues===
Several ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' Transformers toys were produced under license from companies other than [[TakaraTomy|Takara]], including [[Shockwave (G1)/toys|Shockwave]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and the [[Deluxe Vehicle]]s and [[Insecticon (G1)|Deluxe Insecticons]]. While Hasbro still owns the ''characters'' represented by those toys, the rights to these molds eventually reverted to their original owners, some of whom have since gone bankrupt or been absorbed into other companies. In the case of Omega Supreme and Sky Lynx, the molds actually ended up in the possession of Tomy, which ultimately allowed the merged company TakaraTomy to release them as "reissues" in Japan.

Similarly, while Hasbro owns the intellectual property pursuant to [[GoBots (franchise)|Tonka's ''GoBots'' line]], the actual toy molds themselves still belong to [[Bandai]], making any sort of reissue series extremely unlikely.

===Resurrection===
Sometimes, molds can be recut and repaired. One of the most famous examples is ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]'' [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]], whose face started out with a normal mouth in 1984, acquired a slightly deteriorated grin with the 1993 ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' release of the toy, and had degraded into an ugly grin with Takara's 2002 ''[[The Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' and Hasbro's 2003 ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series| Generation One Commemorative Series]]'' reissues. Takara then fixed the face for the 2004 [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Stepper/Ricochet]] reissue. The fixed head was subsequently also used for the 2007 ''[[Transformers Encore]]'' reissue. Note, however, that in this case an entirely new head sculpt was apparently cast based on the original one, rather than restoring the existing mold, judging from several minor differences between the "fixed" head and the original one (such as differently-shaped ending points for the horns and not perfectly parallel vertical lines for the vents in the cheek guards).

''Generation 1'' [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] is also rumored to have been "fixed" by Takara prior to the 2003 ''Transformers Collection'' reissue. However, the reissue is simply based on a [[retool]]ed running change [[variant]] of Takara's 1985 release of Soundwave. Whether the initial toolings used for the Hasbro and early Takara versions are genuinely "lost" or "damaged", or have been directly modified to make the variant back in 1985, is unclear.

It is also speculated that the original ''Generation 1'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]] mold is long gone, as reissues share the toolings of the ''Generation 2'' mold. In general, the process of restoring a mold is presumably very expensive, and as such seems uncommon. Considering the iconic nature of the character, however, it seems likely that Hasbro and Takara are willing to invest a lot of money into restoring and/or recasting the mold(s) whenever necessary. In fact, it's speculated that multiple molds existed for the toy as early as the 1980s.

Do not, however, confuse the recent trend towards high-quality [[Knockoff|bootlegs]] with reissues. Many of the current bootlegs of ''Generation 1'' toys are reverse-engineered from existing toys; instead of stealing or copying the original toy's mold, the bootleggers cut new molds based on the toys themselves—creating a copy of a copy. The same practice also holds true for the... less faithful bootlegs and knockoffs out there, generally speaking.

==See also==
*[[Gang-molding]]
*[[Sprue]]

{{stub}}
==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Toys]]

Perceptor (Prime)

2012-06-03T00:25:01Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{factions|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Perceptor}}
:''Perceptor is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[Image:FOC-Perceptorart.jpg|right|thumb|250px|"I collect spores, mold, and fungus"]]
'''Perceptor''' is a dedicated astronomer and physicist, and he is not interested at all in the mystical or supernatural. There's a paradox named after him, presumably one he theorized. Distant and antisocial, Perceptor speaks with a bluntness befitting a scientist.

==Fiction==
===''Prime'' cartoon===
Perceptor was mentioned during one of [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]'s ramblings, saying that the [[Synthetic Energon]] formula disproved Perceptor's paradox. {{storylink|T.M.I.}}

===''Exiles''===

After passing through the unstable [[Space Bridge]], Perceptor and the Autobots aboard the Ark found themselves in the vicinity of a Cybertronian colony world called [[Velocitron]]. They located it in part thanks to a mysterious starmap projected outwards from Optimus Prime's chest by the Matrix itself. As a scientist, Perceptor had difficulty with the concept of a mythical artifact guiding their movements, but Velocitron proved to be real enough. He was part of Optimus Prime's initial landing team, who made contact with the planet's rulers, [[Override (Prime)|Override]] and [[Ransack (Prime)|Ransack]]. It was a time of great stress between Velocitron's rulers, and the Autobots' arrival from mythical Cybertron only exacerbated the situation. The planet's sun was unstable, and the speed-oriented engineers of the world had little scientific background in astronomy. Perceptor assisted the Velocitronians with their studies of the star, and successfully reactivated the planet's Space Bridge, reopening the world to interstellar travel.

The next leg of their journey through the Space Bridge brought the Autobots to fabled [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], a world composed entirely of space junk. Sabotage brought down the Ark shortly after their arrival, and Optimus Prime tasked Perceptor with getting things up and running again. He also performed an exploratory check on Junkion's four Space Bridge nexii, and determined that one was indeed still in working order. (The one indicated by the Matrix, but of course Perceptor made his own observations first.) Perceptor's work proved valuable, and the Ark was able to regain flight even amidst the arrival of the ''Nemesis'' and the chaos created by the unearthed [[Requiem Blaster (Prime)|Requiem Blaster]]. After the battle over Junkion ended, Perceptor updated Optimus Prime on the status of the planet and the ships involved in the skirmish. The Ark then set a new course for the Allspark itself. {{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
{{storylink|Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron}}

[[Category:Fiction-only characters]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]
[[Category:Scientists]]

Mirage (BS)

2012-02-17T00:40:33Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{disambig3|Mirage}}

:''Mirage is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

{{mainpic}}

'''Mirage''' is presumably very tricky.

==Toys==
===Bot Shots===
*'''Mirage''' (Bot Shot, 2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''B005'''
***''Fist strength'': '''???'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''???'''
***''Sword strength'': '''???'''

:Part of the second wave of ''[[Bot Shots]]'', Mirage is a teeny little sports car with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. His head is based on the ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' version of [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Mirage (G1)#Classics|Mirage]].
[[Image:Botshot6.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]

{{comingsoontoy}}

[[Category:Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots]]

Starscream (WFC)

2012-02-17T00:32:22Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{faction|decepticon|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}
:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''
[[Image:StarscreamPrime.jpg|thumb|300px|In a cruel twist of fate, perhaps the most legitimately competent Starscream ever, but no one will take him seriously for even a minute.]]
'''Starscream''' was an Air Commander of the [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]]s, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s finest air warriors. His dream was to recover the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and become the [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] that would return the Transformers to the [[Golden Age]], and he saw opportunity with the rebel upstart [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]. A patient and polite schemer, Starscream used to wish Megatron would drop the heroic anti-[[caste system|caste]] charade and be more honest about his lust for power.

These days, he alternatively wishes Megatron would stop being obsessed with his lust for power and chafes under having to work for such a madman. While he serves as Megatron's right-hand man, he constantly looks for a way to become the commander himself and Megatron knows it: Starscream's extremely volatile personality means he is not adept at hiding his true intent. Fortunately for Megatron, Starscream is prone to panic, cowardice and bombastic gestures, meaning that it'd take exceptional circumstances for Starscream to actually manage to get behind him to shove the knife in.

He may be a scientist, but [[Starscream (Prime)#Notes|we're not quite sure]].

{{quote|That shot was perfect, much like the one who fired it!|Starscream after achieving a headshot|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Aligned novels===
Starscream may or may not have had a history as a scientist. Regardless of what he did prior, in the early days before the war began he was one of the leaders of the Cybertronian Air Command. When [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] fell into chaos following bombings by [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon]] followers, Starscream was posted as [[Sentinel Zeta Prime|Sentinel Prime]]'s bodyguard. He was with the Prime at [[Altihex]] Casino during a performance by comedian [[Armorhide (WFC)|Armorhide]] when the Decepticons attacked. Sentinel's attempt to flee rather than fight back made Starscream ashamed of his leader, so he had [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] take him to [[Kaon]] Prison rather than the safety of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. This earned him loyalty with Megatron, but wary of how sour a revolution could quickly turn Starscream opted not to be directly involved in the gladiator's operations, posting his Seekers at [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]] and [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station. Megatron was intrigued by why Starscream wanted to occupy "that semi-sentient pile of junk" but despite [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]]'s research they found no clues, with information regarding the Station seemingly censored.

Whenever Starscream's Seekers were present, the Decepticons were victorious in battle against the [[Autobot]]s. Starscream however, found Megatron's strategies overly convoluted. As the war devolved into a siege of Iacon, Megatron and [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], by probing into forgotten areas of the [[DataNet]], discovered Trypticon was a storage of [[Dark Energon]], the life essence of [[Unicron]]. When questioned, Starscream explained since even the Air Command was not sure what Dark Energon was, he had forbidden its use, fearing the damage Megatron's gladiators would unleash. Megatron forgave Starscream, noting how he "was smart enough to be afraid of it", and was granted access.

Starscream sent a message to the Autobots proposing a meeting. Optimus only granted him a communication channel. Starscream stated if the Autobots did not know what Dark Energon was (they did) they would need to find out — and asked what would he could expect from them if something happened to Megatron. Optimus replied that he sought a just peace. Starscream said he understood, broke off the conversation and flew to [[Kaon]] Prison where Sentinel was held. Starscream offered Sentinel a chance to redeem his cowardly behavior at Altihex. The ultimate aim of this road to becoming Decepticon leader was to become [[Prime (rank)|Prime]] in a peace settlement with Optimus, and lead Cybertron back to its [[Golden Age]]. Starscream then flew to Moon Base One when Megatron ordered him to Trypticon, where he found the Decepticons had invaded the Station and slaughtered and maimed his scientists.

Megatron and [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] forced Starscream to select two survivors to absorb [[Dark Energon]], for what was a successful experiment. Requiring more for the Decepticon war effort, Megatron ordered Starscream to capture the [[Geosynchronous Energon Bridge]], below the ruins of [[Crystal City]]. Empowered by his first taste of Dark Energon, Starscream activated the device that transmitted Energon to the Station for it to be Darkened. But the Bridge still did not produce enough, and Starscream was ordered to find the Code [[Key of Power]] and [[Key of Justice]] to the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]] underneath the [[High Council Tower]] in Iacon. Starscream decided it was time to release Sentinel, renouncing Dark Energon after realizing Megatron had turned his soldiers into addicts. Starscream found the Key of Power within the [[Hall of Justice]] and flew underground to find his plan had failed, as Megatron had mortally wounded Sentinel. He could see within Sentinel's body was the Key of Justice, but was prevented from taking it by [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]]. Megatron fought Starscream to a standstill, sparing him because he realized he was a better soldier than a would-be example.

As Megatron entered the Chamber, [[Teletraan-1]] activated the legendary [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]] to fly it away. Aware Starscream had a better chance of escaping Omega's awakening, Megatron ordered Starscream and his Seekers to down Omega, in exchange for more Dark Energon. Giving up on his attempt to give up his addiction, Starscream gleefully accepted and they successfully blew Omega out of the sky, allowing the Decepticons to retrieve the Chamber and corrupt the [[core]]. As Cybertron became uninhabitable, the Autobots left on the largest starship ever built - the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]''. Starscream left the planet with Megatron as they gave pursuit on Trypticon, now a ''Nemesis''-class supercruiser. The two ships entered a [[space bridge]], which separated the two ships to unknown parts of space... {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

{{charstubfiction}}
{{storylink|Transformers: Exiles|Exiles}}

===''Prime'' comic===
[[Image:Primecomic-Starscream.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Hey, look, a backscratcher!]]
Starscream had been on [[Earth]] at some point, but was assigned by Megatron to scour the galaxy for remnants of space bridge technology. Returning to their dead homeworld, Starscream built a weapons lab in Kaon and began building a space bridge. He was informed by his [[Vehicon (Prime)|Eradicon]]s elsewhere they had apprehended the Autobot spy [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]. Later, after basking in the glory of successfully activating the space bridge that would return them to Earth and its [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]], Starscream realized Cliffjumper was present. The Autobot claimed to be freed by his captors after defecting to the Decepticons, and warned them of [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]]: this ruse successfully distracted Starscream long enough for Arcee to activate and overload the space bridge, but he jumped in after them moments before the lab was blown sky high.

Falling to Earth, a dazed Starscream picked up a [[bunny rabbit]], commenting that [[human]]s were smaller than he remembered. [[Scanning]] a fleet of jets flying overhead, he found Cliffjumper and Arcee driving on a road and launched a missile at them. He picked up Arcee's blown off arm and started battering Cliffjumper with it, but the Autobot blew up the rock formation above them and crushed Starscream with the rubble. Having received Starscream's signal, [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] came to his rescue, and the duo pursued and overwhelmed the Autobots. Just as Starscream was about to send them back to the [[AllSpark (Prime)|AllSpark]], Optimus jumped and landed on him, while gunning Breakdown away. As Starscream greeted his opponent, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] tapped him on the shoulder and sent him flying. Optimus opted not to finish the job, allowing Starscream to escape and fight another day as he got Cliffjumper and Arcee to base. {{storylink|Transformers: Prime (comic)|Transformers: Prime}}
{{-}}

===''Prime'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor'': [[Steve Blum]] (English), [[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Spain-Spanish), [[Jin-uk Hong]] (Korean), [[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian), [[Gerald Paradies]] (German), [[José Antonio Macías]] (Latin American Spanish), [[Nicolas Dubois]] (French)

[[Image:DarknessRising1-Starscreamsneer.jpg|right|thumb|300px|One look sells him as Starscream.]]
Before Starscream joined Megatron and the Decepticons, he was commander of a squadron of Energon Seekers on Cybertron. {{Storylink|Partners}} When the Decepticons arrived on Earth, Starscream scouted a old 'Con ship called the ''[[Harbinger]]'' that had crashed landed on Earth. However he failed to record the coordinates of the crash site or find the [[Immobilizer]]. {{Storylink|Partners}} [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] had left [[Earth]] for the depths of space three years ago, leaving Starscream in charge. Starscream spent his time sending out [[Vehicon (Prime)|Decepticon grunts]] to search for [[Energon (fuel)|Energon]] deposits{{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}, and managed to set up a lucrative energon mine in secret. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}} One energon search was intercepted by the Autobot [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]]. Once Cliffjumper was defeated, Starscream had him brought aboard his ship, where his captive asked where Megatron was. Assuring the defeated Autobot that he was his own master, he stabbed Cliffjumper with his fist, causing the Autobot to bleed out and finally succumb to his wounds. [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] played back a transmission of Cliffjumper and Arcee's last conversation, and Starscream declared she would be their next target, sending two drones after her.

Later, Soundwave picked up deep space transmissions, and a hesitant Starscream opened the space bridge for Megatron's return. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 1}} Welcoming him to his energon mine, Starscream asked (quite snarkily) whether Megatron had raised a new army in his three year absence. His leader replied he had recovered [[Dark Energon]], the blood of Unicron himself, to the Seeker's concern; then he asked if Starscream were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, to test its abilities to raise the dead. Starscream ''declined'' his unhinged commander's request, offering Cliffjumper's corpse for the experiment. It resulted in a rabid [[zombie]] whose rampage was only stopped by Megatron slicing it in half: Starscream was left confused and unnerved by the idea Megatron intended to weaponise such things.

The zombie's activation made the Autobots think Cliffjumper was alive and they raided Starscream's energon mine to find it. Starscream reported this to Megatron, upset about losing the place, and was ordered to his annoyance to bomb the mine: Megatron believed Optimus survived, however. Feeling he had not spent enough time exploring Dark Energon's secrets, he promptly stabbed a shard into his spark, and Starscream looked in horror as a purple light infused Megatron's body... {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 2}}

[[Image:DarknessRising3-interrogateFowler.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"No, Mister Fowler, I expect you to be saved at the last minute!"]]
With the success of the experiment, Megatron took off for parts unknown, leaving Starscream in charge once more. Starscream confided in Soundwave that he thought Megatron had gone a bit batty, and Soundwave responded by playing a sound byte of their master's last order. When Soundwave later picked up [[William Fowler|Agent Fowler]]'s transmissions, Starscream ordered the human be brought to him. This done, he attempted to interrogate Fowler, who responded not only responded with sarcasm but demanded to see the "manager". Starscream, enraged, called for an [[Energon prod]]. He offered Fowler one last chance, and when it was thrown back in his face, Starscream began jabbing Fowler with the prod, noting that energon and the human nervous system shouldn't mix.{{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 3}}

[[Image:Tfprimestarscreamsteppedon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bosses, always stepping on the little guy...]]
The torture eventually weakened Fowler to the point where he almost gave the location of the Autobot's base. However, the sound of battle outside brought about a bout of sarcasm. An annoyed Starscream shocked Fowler into unconsciousness before ordering a pair of Vehicons to find the source of the commotion. After Fowler regained consciousness, he proved to be dazed and incapable of answering anything. When Bulkhead and Bumblebee arrived and aimed their guns at Starscream, the 'Con in turn threatened to kill Fowler, only to discover that Arcee was perched above him, aiming her gun at his head. A stand off ensued, until another outburst by Fowler distracted Starscream, allowing the Autobots to fire on him. Realizing his disadvantage, Starscream fled. Once Megatron returned to the ship, he was outraged at Starscream's actions and proceeded to beat his subordinate for "delaying his plans". Starscream managed to quell his master's anger by announcing he had a way to get their plans back on course. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 4}}

[[Image:DarknessRising5-ohgeez.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Oh my God. It's called toothpaste, use it.]]
As it turned out, his plan was to send Soundwave down to use a radio dish array on Earth to set the space bridge's target. He kept a close eye on the team of Autobots who had appeared on the space bridge, confiding in Megatron that he thought they were up to something. When the space bridge appeared to veer off course, he contacted Soundwave to find out what was going on. Once the technical difficulties were sorted, Starscream opened the space bridge so that Megatron could throw the chunk of Dark Energon though. Starscream moved the ship back to a safe distance when the fighting on the rim of the space bridge became more intense, while imploring his master to withdraw as well. Alas, the space bridge exploded, apparently taking Megatron with it, and Starscream gave a brief eulogy before declaring himself leader. {{storylink|Darkness Rising, Part 5}}

[[Image:Masters&Students-SoundwaveStarscream.jpg|thumb|250px|*ping* "FINE! FINE! I'LL WRITE A THANK-YOU NOTE!"]]

Hiding his joy at Megatron's demise, Starscream gave a speech to the troops, only for it to receive a lukewarm reception at best. Recalling that the Decepticons had left warriors on Earth to guard the energon deposits, Starscream took Soundwave to locate one. They found and reactivated [[Skyquake (Prime)|Skyquake]], but to Starscream's disappointment, the newly-awakened Decepticon was not keen on accepting him as leader and belted him aside when the opportunity came to attack Optimus Prime. Starscream still believed he could salvage the situation if Skyquake successfully killed Prime under his watch, however a signal Soundwave detected coming from the location of the space bridge explosion meant a reluctant Starscream had to go and check it out. He found Megatron's body floating in space, having barely survived the explosion by virtue of the Dark Energon infusion. Starscream ripped the sliver of Dark Energon from him, but then realised he was being observed by Soundwave's [[Deployer (Prime)|drone]], and was forced to take Megatron back to the sick bay on the ''Nemesis''. Along with the news that Skyquake had been defeated by the Autobots, it was not a good day for Starscream. {{storylink|Masters & Students}}

Starscream's next plan, conceived when Soundwave detected a transmission from [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]], was to have [[Makeshift (Prime)|Makeshift]] masquerade as the Autobot and infiltrate the Autobot base in order to learn its whereabouts. Starscream paid a visit to the now-captive Wheeljack, who almost managed to goad Starscream into killing him. Soundwave stopped the killing blow, reminding Starscream that Wheeljack might be useful later. The two Decepticons retired to the upper hull to wait for Makeshift to activate the [[GroundBridge]], but while Starscream grew steadily impatient, Wheeljack broke free and climbed up to attack him. The GroundBridge opened and Wheeljack stormed through, but Starscream's order to his Vehicon troops came too late, as the GroundBridge closed. It opened again a short time later and Makeshift was thrown through, landing on Starscream. Starscream hoped Makeshift had at least discovered the base's location. Makeshift didn't get a chance to say, as Starscream spotted that the Autobots had triggered the grenade on his waist and flew off before it exploded. {{storylink|Con Job}} After Soundwave picked up on [[Dynamic Nuclear Generation System|another Autobot operation]], Starscream figured it was a good opportunity to get rid of the Autobots while they were distracted, and sent a squadron of Vehicons on a search and destroy mission (inadvertently exposing their existence to [[MECH]]). {{storylink|Convoy (episode)|Convoy}}

[[Image:DeusExMachina-Screamer grins.jpg|left|thumb|250px|"We've had too much Energon shed. I think that a cleansing is in order."]]
To Starscream's discomfort, the crew held a vote and he was obliged to call in [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] to aid in Megatron's recovery. The discovery that an [[Energon Harvester]] was located in an museum on Earth as all the excuse Starscream needed to put that on hold, and the other Decepticons soon obtained the device for him. He took it to [[Greece]] to try it out on an energon vein Breakdown had found there. When Knock Out tried to correct him on who had supplied the device, Starscream icily demonstrated its effectiveness on a passing Vehicon. When Bulkhead attacked them, Starscream turned the device on him as well, but then Bulkhead punched him in the face and broke the Harvester. When the rest of the Autobots arrived, and being ditched by Knock Out and Breakdown, Starscream fled. {{storylink|Deus ex Machina}}

While checking up on Megatron's repairs, Starscream was displeased to learn that Knock Out had engaged in street races with the humans. Starscream instructed Knock Out to seek his permission before engaging in such activity, and was exasperated that Knock Out insisted on calling him "Commander" Starscream, instead of "Lord" Starscream, as he still believed Megatron was headed for death. When Knock Out returned having been bested by the Autobots after another street race, Starscream was furious, both at Knock Out's disobedience, and the fact that he still called him "Commander". Insisting that it was '''LORD''', Starscream decided to make an example of Knock Out, starting with a "cosmetic" punishment. {{storylink|Speed Metal}}

Some time later, after the ship's electromagnetic shielding failed, Starscream put the Vehicons to work fixing it. He enticed Knock Out into cooperating on the Megatron issue by offering the other 'Con a post as second-in-command. The pair attempted to persuade Soundwave that Megatron was a lost cause, and they should mercifully terminate their leader's life. Soundwave remained unconvinced and pointed out a strange cable attached to Megatron, which Starscream followed to find Arcee and Bumblebee. When Megatron's life support was damaged during the Autobots' exit, Starscream was overjoyed but reluctantly had to command Knock Out to reconnect the cable to keep Soundwave happy. Knock Out later informed him that though Megatron was still alive, his brain activity had ceased. {{storylink|Sick Mind}}

[[Image:OutOfHisHead-grabby.jpg|right|thumb|250px|That's NOT how ATB Megatron and Starscream combine!]]
Overjoyed at this development, Starscream taunted Megatron's body with the chunk of Dark Energon he'd previously extracted from it, and announced he was going to enact a new, epic plan that would prove him worthy of leadership to the other Decepticons. Once the Decepticons had stolen a large lens from an observatory in [[Hawaii]], Starscream had a heat ray constructed atop the ship, and began using it to melt a glacier to get to a huge energon deposit. Unfortunately the Autobots arrived, and Optimus was able to climb onto the ship. Starscream turned the heat ray onto the Autobot leader, but Optimus managed to slice the weapon, causing it to explode. An enraged Starscream prepared to terminate Optimus, only to be intercepted mid-dive by a resurrected Megatron. Megatron took his startled subordinate back to the ship, where Starscream first tried to weasel his way out of trouble, and then outright flee. Both attempts failed, and Megatron dragged the wailing Starscream away by his head. {{storylink|Out of His Head}}

[[Image:Shadowzone-gah.jpg|left|thumb|225px|Damn, in another [[Starscream (Movie)|continuity]] the arm comes off and they mock it in this one.]]
Fortunately for Starscream, Megatron did not terminate his would be usurper. Unfortunately for Starscream, he was so badly damaged at Megatron's hands that he ended up in the ship's infirmary, on the same slab Megatron had occupied. His leader dropped by to gloat, but Starscream had his own plans. He took the chunk of Dark Energon he'd taken from Megatron when he was in a coma, and went to the site of Skyquake's grave, intending to resurrect the warrior as well as imbuing himself with Dark Energon. Unfortunately the Autobots arrived before Skyquake rose, and Starscream had to retreat through the Decepticon Groundbridge, albeit minus his right arm. Back on the ''Nemesis'', he subjected himself to treatment from Knock Out. The medic attempted to interest him in a new arm, but when the Dark Energon shard he'd retained began flashing, Starscream realized that Skyquake must have reactivated after all. He speedily returned to the site under the guise of retrieving his original arm, only to encounter the Autobots human friends and Skyquake's zombified right arm, the latter of which attacked him. With the arrival of the Autobots, he retreated back to the ship and resigned himself to more of Knock Out's care. {{storylink|Shadowzone (episode)|Shadowzone}}

When Breakdown failed to report in after investigating an energon source, Soundwave discovered that he had been captured by [[MECH|humans]]. Starscream suggested mounting a rescue, but Megatron decided that if Breakdown had allowed himself to be captured by those weaker than him, he deserved his fate. Starscream, however, took four Vehicon fliers in a rescue attempt, only to discover that he had been freed by his Autobot rival [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]]. Starscream offered "many sparkfelt thanks", then ordered Breakdown to finish off the Autobot. Breakdown eventually complied, but Bulkhead was able to overpower the weakened Decepticon. Starscream and the Vehicons began to engage, but Starscream ordered a retreat when Optimus Prime and the rest of [[Team Prime|his team]] arrived. Breaking off from the Vehicons, Starscream took time to tell Breakdown not to let Megatron know about his help, and that when the day came, Starscream would call on Breakdown to repay his debt—when the time came to choose sides between Starscream and Megatron. {{storylink|Operation: Breakdown}}

Starscream was confused when Megatron insisted they go to an [[Stripped energon mine|old mine]]. When they found mining equipment still there, he tried to blame it on Soundwave, only for Megatron to pluck an [[energon crystal]] from a wall and reveal that he was aware of Starscream's ongoing treachery. Starscream pleaded for his life, until a distraction gave him the opportunity to escape. The mine collapsed when he was in sight of the entrance. He dug himself out and was triumphant, only to realize that Megatron had probably survived and could be a threat in the future. Intending to claim the credit for Megatron's rescue, Starscream dug his way back in, eventually finding Bulkhead and [[Miko Nakadai|Miko]]. He threatened the girl until [[Jack Darby]] rescued her. Starscream figured that Bulkhead would at least be a nice bonus gift when he dug out Megatron. That plan, too, was short-lived, as Arcee came to Bulkhead's rescue. Starscream was left supporting the rock that Bulkhead had been supporting. That was how Megatron found him, and Starscream begged for his life once more. {{storylink|Rock Bottom}}

[[Image:Partners-ScreamPrisoner.jpg|thumb|250px|Why am I always seen like this? Chest and lower body off to one side, head towards y'all....]]
Allowed to remain functional, Starscream again found himself at the end of Megatron's fury when Airachnid revealed that Starscream knew the location of the ''Harbinger'' wreck, which might have contained a certain experimental weapon. Starscream was ordered to lead [[Airachnid]] to the crash site. He did so, but when Airachnid discovered that the ship had broken in half, she bound Starscream in a web and forced him to tell her where the other half of the ship was. Starscream was found that way by the Autobots, and told them that he wanted to switch sides. Skeptical, the Autobots bound him and took him with them. While the other Autobots went to investigate the other half of the ship, Arcee was left guarding Starscream. When he accidentally spilled the fact that he had been the one who killed Cliffjumper, it provoked her into fighting at length with him, and she eventually gained the upper hand. He was only saved from termination by Bumblebee, and Arcee allowed him to limp away. He decided that he would be an independent from then on. {{storylink|Partners}}
{{--}}

===Titan Magazines ''Prime'' comics===
Starscream accompanied [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] on a trip to [[Antarctica]] to attack the [[Yamal|NS ''Yamal'']]. He carried the [[static lance]] that Megatron intended to use to detonate the ship's nuclear reactors, and when the Autobots arrived to intercede, Starscream used the weapon to knock [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] out. He tried to do the same to [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but the Autobot dodged the blow and kicked him in the head. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 4.3|Ice Breaker}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor'': [[Sam Riegel]] (English), [[Gianluca Iacono]] (Italian), [[Leopoldo Ballesteros]] (Spain-Spanish)
[[Image:WFC_Starscream.jpg|thumb|300px|Where are your stupid Macross jokes now?!]]
{{quote|Have no fear, Lord Megatron. Under my leadership, Decepticon victory is assured!|Starscream being all modest|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

For the last thousand years of the [[Great War (Prime)|Great War]], Starscream was in charge of an orbital facility that had the capability of producing [[Dark Energon]], though they maintained only a small stockpile because of its unpredictable and uncontrollable nature. The station's force of neutral soldiers were no match for Megatron's invading forces, while Starscream and [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]]'s repeated warnings that no one could control Dark Energon had no effect on Megatron's determination. Instead, Megatron tempted Starscream with knowledge of his past, reminding him of his demotion from Sky Commander to a mere guard over an all-but-derelict station, and offered to let him join the Decepticons, something Starscream scoffed at — at least, at first. Starscream attempted to destroy the station's stock of Dark Energon before the Decepticon leader could reach it, but failed, and watched, first with amusement as Megatron entered the storage chamber...and then with shock as Megatron infused himself with the substance and bent it to his will within moments. Starscream quickly volunteered his services for the Decepticon cause, causing Jetfire to label him a traitor and leave to warn Zeta Prime. Megatron sent him with [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to reactivate the [[Energon Bridge]]. Starscream performed the mission successfully using his trademark style, flair, and modesty, never mind Megatron's taunting and unreasonable impatience, or Thundercracker's warning him of the danger of certain courses of action, or even Skywarp's cluing in to his constant insults.

During the Battle of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon City]], Starscream led the Decepticons aerial squadrons and [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]] led the Decepticons' ground assault, while Megatron, [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]], and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] went behind enemy lines and tried to secure the [[Omega Key]]. When Megatron's group met up with Brawl, Starscream refused to send Dark Energon bombers, saying that he wouldn't let Brawl waste anymore of "his ships". Megatron took issue with Starscream dubbing the bombers his, and overrode Starscream's refusal. Later that evening, while looking for the "real" Omega Key, they ran into it: [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]]. Starscream assumed Megatron was killed when Omega attacked a dropship Megatron was heading for and declared himself Decepticon commander. Shortly afterward, Megatron managed to communicate with Starscream and ordered him to attack Omega Supreme, getting the massive Autobot off of Megatron's back. By the time Megatron's group were heading for the [[missile turret]]s, Starscream was ready to sound a retreat, which Megatron overrode with the threat of marking any retreating Decepticon as "kill on sight". Fortunately, Megatron arrived moments later and managed to defeat Omega Supreme, making the retreat unnecessary. Later on, he was present at the Core of Cybertron as Megatron corrupted it with Dark Energon.

As the Battle of Iacon continued, Starscream fought through Jetfire and [[Silverbolt (WFC)|Silverbolt]], and attacked [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus]]'s group in the [[Decagon]]. However, the Air Commander was injured by Optimus's [[Energon-axe]] and forced to retreat. The wound was apparently bad enough to cause him to sit out the remainder of the conflict. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{charstubfiction}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
:''Voice actor'': Sam Riegel (English), Gianluca Iacono (Italian)
Starscream had been in control of Trypticon Space Station for years, until Megatron and his forces invaded. Megatron wished to revive the Dark Energon project to aid him in his conquest of Cybertron, but Starscream would have none of it. Megatron was able to fight his way to Starscream himself, and after a brief battle, Starscream had lost. He begged for mercy, and Megatrons spared Starscream in exchange for loyalty to the Decepticons. Starscream obliged and Megatron was taken to the core of the station.

After a test run of the Dark Energon's effects on Decepticons in Kaon Prison, Soundwave deduced the element would only destroy the host. A furious Megatron set Starscream to work on fixing the problem, with Starscream continuously bickering with Barricade over his usefullness. The problem was eventually solved in time for an attack on Iacon City. When Megatron felled Zeta Prime and found the Omega Key, the titanic Autobot Omega Supreme was unleashed upon the Decepticons, quickly crushing them with ease.

Megatron was downright furious with Starscream, declaring he had brought Omega Supreme's rampage upon them all. Starscream retorted that if it wasn't for Megatron and his blind troops, none of this would've happened. Starscream invited Megatron to kill him, but warned him it wouldn't do a thing about Omega Supreme out for their blood. Megatron for the moment let it go, and finally felled Omega Supreme, gaining total dominance over Cybertron.

Sometime later, Starscream ambushed an [[Autobot rookie|Autobot recruit-in-training]], and would've killed him if it wasn't for Optimus charging to the rescue. He wasn't seen again after that.
{{Storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Cybertron Adventures''===
:''Voice actor'': Sam Riegel (English), Gianluca Iacono (Italian)

Being Megatron's "right-hand man," he wonders how the war could have changed if HE were to be the leader, not Megatron. Still he was ordered by Megatron to do his dirty work, and growing jealous, he waits for the right time, to take his place, as leader of the Decepticons.
{{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

===''Transformers: Fall of Cybertron''===
Starscream is stated to make a reappearance in ''Fall of Cybertron''. Statements so far state that he'll become a fugitive running from both sides, which may or may not have something to do with the fact that he tries talking [[Grimlock (WFC)| Grimlock]] into joining him while also making insults at him before possibly letting him out, resulting a beating from the angry Autobot.

==Toys==
===War for Cybertron===
[[Image:WFC_Legends_Starscream.jpg|thumb|300px|So I'm ''Cybertron'' Starscream in Generation 1 Starscream colors as ''Prime'' Starscream. Confused? ''Good!'' '''*BLAM!*''']]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends Class, 2010)

: This redeco of Legends Class [[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'']] [[Starscream (Armada)#LOC|Starscream]] appeared pretty much out of the blue one day, when, without fanfare, it was offered as a promotional giveaway in the United Kingdom to those who purchased the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' video game from [http://www.shopto.net ShopTo.Net]. He transforms into a Cybertronic jet fighter and features hidden weapons in his wing-sections/biceps: the right arm hides a blade, while the left arm has a non-firing cannon.

: This toy was later offered as a gift to attendees at the Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong fair 2010 if they made a combined purchase of [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|''Transformers'' toys]] amounting to more than HK$400.

: This mold was also used the make ''Cybertron'' [[Ramjet (Universe)#Cybertron|Ramjet]], [[Skywarp (Armada)#Cybertron|Skywarp]] and [[Sunstorm (LOC)#Toys|Sunstorm]], ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ramjet (G1)#Classic Series|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)#Classic Series|Thrust]], and [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|''Dark of the Moon'']] [[Starscream (Movie)/toys#BeeStarscream|Cybertronian Starscream]].
{{-}}

===Prime===
{{anchor|FirstEdition}}
[[Image:Primetoy-StarscreamDeluxe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|He's got legs, and he knows how to attach them to the underside of his jetmode.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Deluxe Class, 2011)
**''Number:'' '''003'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 missile pods, stand
: Deluxe Class Starscream transforms from a jet resembling a [[Wikipedia:General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] into a skinny robot and back! He comes with two missile pod accessories that can either attach onto tabs on the underside of his wings, or onto the rear wings on his arms in robot mode. Additionally, he has a [[5mm post|5mm peg]] hole that goes through each arm, which become the sides of his jet mode tail. This allows accessories with the same size peg to be used in either mode. Also, since the tail stabilizers fold into the sides of the tail to become the arms, the hole isn't very deep in robot mode unless you leave these fins folded out. Undocumented in either of his [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]] [[instructions]], Starscream has a winglet on the back of each of his legs that can be deployed for slightly increased [[show-accuracy]].

: Some units have the head aerial deformed in-package due to being made of soft plastic. This is due to friction preventing it from hinging back. The aerial is supposed to fold back along the head for transformation, but can be tough enough to get in place due to simply flexing instead of changing position. His knee spikes also tend to deform.

: As with all "First Edition" toys, a cardboard stand is included.
{{-}}

{{anchor|Cyberverse}}
[[Image:StarscreamCommander.jpg|right|thumb|200px|]]
*'''Starscream''' (Cyberverse Commander, 2012)
**''Accessories'': 2 "missile cannons"

: This Cyberverse-scaled Starscream is cast partly in translucent plastic so that the toy can be lit using the electronic lights featured in the larger playsets. He also comes with two translucent "missile cannon" weapons and a pack-in file card.
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

{{anchor|EntertainmentPack}}
*'''Starscream vs. Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Accessories:'' 2 missile pods
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

{{anchor|Powerizer}}
[[Image:PrimeRIDtoy-StarscreamVoyager.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Oh, that can't be aerodynamic.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Powerizer, 2012)
**''Accessories:''
{{comingsoontoy}}
{{-}}

===Bot Shots===
*'''Starscream''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''B002'''
***''Fist strength'': '''640'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''710'''
***''Sword strength'': '''240'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots]]'', Starscream is a teeny little fighter jet very very vaguely like an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes#F-22 Raptor|F-22 Raptor]] with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his nosecone is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. His head is very much like his [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Starscream (G1)|counterpart]].

: This mold was [[retool]]ed to make [[Thundercracker (WFC)#Bot Shots|Thundercracker]] and [[Acid Storm (BS)#Bot Shots|Acid Storm]].
[[Image:Botshot4.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
==Notes==
[[Image:Tfprimestarscreamjet.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''ooooo-ooooo/We fade to grey!'']]
*Starscream's backstory in ''Exodus'' is self-contradictory:
:''"Not even Starscream, who had spent much of his scientific career in the labs contained within these refracting walls..."'' (p. 78).
:''"See what?" Starscream asked. Neither Starscream nor Megatron were scientists."'' (p. 158).
:*When asked via Twitter, Exodus's writer [[Alex Irvine]] stated "Let's say he's always been scientifically curious."<ref>[http://twitter.com/alexirvine/status/36051088754868224 Twitter post]</ref>
*Despite being a [[Neutral]] before joining Megatron's cause in War for Cybertron, Starscream begins the game with his glowing details already in Decepticon purple as opposed to Neutral yellow.
*Starscream's thin body recalls [[Starscream (Animated)|''Animated'' Starscream]], but his voice, colour scheme, Igor-like posture and subservience to Megatron recalls the [[Starscream (Movie)|live-action incarnation]]. The game design has the movie bulk but with a [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1]] head and colours.
*Starscream's chest design is basically his live-action incarnation's head design. Now that's a visual homage.
*''Prime'''s Starscream has [[Starscream (SG)|a red Decepticon insignia]].
*[[Steve Blum]] said he was a fan of [[Charlie Adler]] and [[Tom Kenny]]'s portrayals of Starscream, and had Adler give him his blessing after he got the part.<ref>[http://sknr.net/2011/04/20/steve-blum-talks-transformers-prime-guild-wars-2-bulletstorm-more/ Skewed magazine Steve Blum interview.]</ref> Coincidentally, Blum, Adler and Kenny are all in Superhero Squad.
* Screamer appears to have [[Decepticon]] logos on his legs. They disappeared after "[[Masters & Students]]".

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Starscream''' (スタースクリーム ''Sutāsukurīmu'')

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Bot Shots]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Exclusives]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]

Sentinel Zeta Prime

2012-02-17T00:26:13Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{factions|autobot|eliteguard}}
{{disambig3|Sentinel Prime}}

:''Sentinel Zeta Prime is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[Image:WFC_ZetaPrime.jpg|thumb|250px|Believe in the Sign of Zeta.]]

'''Sentinel Zeta Prime''' was originally an officer in the [[Cybertron Elite Guard|Elite Guard]] before being named [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. Under pressure from the various guilds of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] he oversaw the rise of the caste system that came to dominate Transformer society, a policy which brought him into conflict with [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]], and ultimately led to the archivist's self-imposed exile in the [[Hall of Records]]. By the time of the rise of the [[Decepticon]] movement time had robbed him of much of the fire which had made him an effective military leader, and this left him out of touch with the people he claimed to represent.

{{quote|The battle is far from over, Decepticon! Prepare for destruction!|Zeta Prime, sounding surprisingly evil|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

==Fiction==
===Aligned novels===
Though not one of the [[Thirteen|Thirteen original Transformers]], Sentinel Prime ruled [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] since near that time. Among his achievements was besting off a [[Quintesson]] [[Age of Wrath|invasion]], overseeing Cybertron's [[space bridge]] expansion to worlds such as [[Gigantion]], [[Velocitron]] and the [[Hub (G2)|Hub]], and the construction of [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] Station. But as the space bridges grew less reliable and the [[Golden Age]] drew to a close, Sentinel reorganized Cybertron into Guild-run castes, an action [[Alpha Trion (Prime)|Alpha Trion]] opposed, forcing him to retreat forever into the [[Hall of Records]]. Sentinel also became reclusive, enforcing the notion he did not care for the lower castes.

When the [[Kaon]]ian [[gladiatorial combat|gladiator]] boss [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] began preaching against the [[caste system]], Sentinel dispatched the security agents [[Bumper (WFC)|Bumper]] and [[Fastback (WFC)|Fastback]] to investigate him. When their identities were exposed, Megatron brutally murdered them—an act for which Sentinel blamed both Megatron and himself. It was while attending a performance by comedian [[Armorhide (WFC)|Armorhide]] at [[Altihex]] Casino when Megatron's [[Decepticon]]s attacked. Sentinel did not try to fight back, and relied on his bodyguards [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]], [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] for his safety—only to discover they were part of the plot, and they delivered him to Kaon to gain favor with Megatron.

Megatron occasionally desired to take out his anger on Sentinel, but Starscream saw him as a potential bargaining chip—perhaps as a trade in a ransom deal—so they compromised and had the Prime moved to [[Moonbase One|Moon Base One]]. As the war with the [[Autobot]]s lulled, Starscream visited Sentinel and offered him a chance to redeem his cowardly behavior at Altihex. As Megatron plotted to take the [[Plasma energy]] Chamber beneath the [[High Council Tower]], Starscream released Sentinel and he confronted Megatron below [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. Though he was an agile opponent, Megatron ''literally'' disarmed Sentinel and cut open his chest, exposing the [[Code Key]] of Justice needed to access the Chamber within him. Starscream removed the Key and [[Blackout (WFC)|Blackout]] was ordered to return Sentinel to Kaon.

Sentinel was chained to a pillar in the [[Underworld]] pits that he had despised his whole life. But he was able to send a distress signal which [[Prowl (Prime)|Prowl]] received, and he, [[Jazz (WFC)|Jazz]] and Sentinel's replacement [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] arrived to rescue him. Sentinel said he had overstayed his welcome as Prime and said the High Council made the right decision in appointing Optimus. Before dying, he ordered Optimus to journey to Cybertron's [[core]] and purge it of Megatron's [[Dark Energon]]. Optimus returned Sentinel's body to Iacon, where it was laid to rest. {{Storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Troy Baker]] (English)

[[Image:WFC Megatron Vs ZetaPrime.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Just watch, Megatron will realise he didn't need Pandora's box after all.]]

{{quote|High Council... I return with a fallen hero.|Optimus Prime|''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''}}

When Megatron launched a raid on [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon station]], and Starscream joined the Decepticons, [[Jetfire (WFC)|Jetfire]] escaped to warn Autobot leader Zeta Prime that the Decepticons had access to Dark Energon. Zeta Prime sent a large group of Autobot soldiers to guard the Energon bridge that Jetfire knew Starscream and his crew would be reactivating in order to refine an endless supply of Dark Energon for the war effort, ordering that all Decepticons would be shot on sight, but they were unsuccessful. After the Decepticons began manufacturing Dark Energon in mass quantities, Megatron led the attack on the Autobot capitol of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], intending to take the [[Omega Key]], a tool that would allow access to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s core. Megatron's plan was to pump the powerful [[Dark Energon]] into the core in the hopes of reviving the planet and restoring it to what he claimed would be its "former glory". He found the Omega Key's resting place...but it was gone, Zeta Prime having anticipated Megatron's plan and taken it under his personal protection himself. Megatron simply declared that he would take it from Zeta, who appeared several more times via holographs during the missions, warning the Decepticons to turn back before it was too late and Zeta would be forced to execute them.

Megatron's team managed to fight their way to Zeta Prime's chamber in the [[Vaults|Iacon Vaults]], where he was in control of a mechanism that not only rendered him invincible to all attack, but allowed him to create [[Holo-Brute|holographic energon clones of himself]] and manipulate the ceiling to crush the Decepticons. However, the device had a fatal flaw — it generated tremendous heat, requiring the core to periodically open up in order to cool down, allowing Megatron and his Decepticons to damage it. As Zeta Prime's machine crumbled around him, he was pinned to the floor by the wreckage. He told Megatron to finish it, but instead, the Decepticon leader squeezed his [[spark]] casing, forcing Prime to release his grip on the Omega Key. As Megatron gloated in his victory, the "key" started to flash and beep. Zeta Prime laughed, mocking Megatron for heeding the words of his misinformed spies. The device Megatron now held in his hands was not the Omega Key itself, but merely the device that activated the Key. Zeta said that Megatron would only have to wait for the Omega Key to come to him.

Zeta Prime was taken to Megatron's [[Kaon]] Prison Complex, but elsewhere on Cybertron, [[Omega Supreme (WFC)|Omega Supreme]], guardian of Iacon and, as it turned out, the true Omega Key, was activated with a mission: Destroy Megatron.

After the defeat of Omega Supreme and the corruption of Cybertron's core with Dark Energon, rumours spread through the Autobot camp that Zeta Prime was dead. A young soldier named Optimus was forced to take tempoary command of the Autobots and lead the defensive efforts of Iacon. After Starscream was defeated in the [[Decagon]]'s communications tower, a message, seemingly from Zeta Prime, was played to all Autobot frequencies. Zeta reported his location, and claimed that he had acquired information vital to the Autobot war effort. [[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] warned that it was an obvious trap, despite the confirmation of his unique ID signature, but Optimus determined that if there was a chance Zeta was still alive, the Autobots must try to rescue him.

[[Image:WFC_ZetaPrime_Optimus_council.jpg|thumb|300px|"We need a new guy. This guy's kinda...dead."]]

Allowing themselves to be captured, Optimus, [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] and [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] were imprisoned (and then broke free), only to learn from Megatron himself that he had orchestrated Zeta Prime's message, their capture and their subsequent escape, so that Megatron could talk to Optimus in a situation he controlled. After being captured and escaping ''again'', Optimus' team freed the remaining Autobot prisoners and [[Air Raid (WFC)|Air Raid]] (who had helped orchestrate their first escape), then set off to find their leader. Eventually, Zeta Prime was found, being tortured by [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] in his laboratory. After Soundwave was bested by the Autobots, in desperation, the Decepticon drew energy from the injured Zeta's spark itself, mortally wounding him, though Optimus took a final bullet from Soundwave for his erstwhile commander. Optimus promised to bring Zeta home, but with his last breath, the Prime said that while he appreciated the noble sentiment, it was already too late. Zeta Prime, leader of the Autobots, was dead.

Optimus took Zeta's body back to Iacon, presented it before the [[Autobot High Council]], and begged them for guidance in these desperate times. The leader of the Council stated that they existed only to choose Primes, and that it was the Primes who led the Autobots. When Optimus responded that there were no Primes left, the Council leader asked if Optimus would still reject his true calling. The Council said that for too long they have watched the Primes fall to greed and pride, but Optimus was one leader whose wisdom and courage inspired and transformed the lives of those around him. Charging him with the mission to remove the infection of Dark Energon from Cybertron's core, the council bestowed leadership of the Autobots onto Optimus, a burden and responsibility he accepted. He was now Optimus Prime, the last Prime. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
After the Autobots severed the link between the Energon Bridge and Cybertron's core, Zeta Prime ordered Optimus to protect the library while he himself took the Omega Key to a secure location. Little did they know that they were being spied on by [[Laserbeak (Prime)|Laserbeak]], who reported back to the Decepticons. The Decepticons eventually tracked him down to Iacon library where, protected behind a force field, Zeta Prime unleashed defense systems on them. Unfortunately he made the mistake of putting the power sources for the force field outside said force field, and the Decepticons were able to disable it and blast him. Defiant to the last, Prime told Megatron to go scrap himself. To Megatron's surprise, the "Omega Key" turned out to activate the real key — Omega Supreme.

Following Omega Supreme's defeat, Zeta Prime was taken to Kaon Prison. While held there, he attempted to send a distress call to his old friend Optimus. Once the Autobots retook Iacon and got the Data-net back online, he was able to get through and tell them where he was. Optimus and a group of Autobots fought their way into Kaon prison and eventually found their leader on the verge of death. His dying wish was for them to take his body back to the Autobot council. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)}}

==Toys==
===Bot Shots===
*'''Sentinel Prime''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''980'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''630'''
***''Sword strength'': '''190'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots]]'', Sentinel Prime is a teeny little fire truck with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. He is heavily based on the [[Sentinel Prime (ROTF)|live-action movie sentinel Prime]], with his head based on the Sentinel [[Sentinel Prime (Kre-O)|''Kre-O'' figure]] (which is in turn inspired by ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' [[Sentinel Prime (Animated)|Sentinel Prime]]'s head).

:As this "Super Bot" of this wave, Sentinel is mostly unpainted clear-plastic, has a far higher power rating than his (later) normal release, and is [[shortpacking|shortpacked]] to boot.
[[Image:Botshot3.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
{{-}}{{anchor|BotShot3Pack}}
*'''Sentinel Prime / Prowl / Bumblebee''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''???'''
***''Fist strength'': '''???'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''???'''
***''Sword strength'': '''???'''

: A [[redeco]] of his individually-carded toy, this opaque-plastic version of Sentinel was only available in a three-pack with [[Prowl (Prime)#Bot Shots|Prowl]] and [[Bumblebee (Prime)#Bot Shots|Bumblebee]].

{{comingsoontoy}}

==Notes==
[[Image:WFC_ZetaPrime_concepts.jpg|thumb|300px|]]
* As revealed in the unlocked concept art in the Extras menu of the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]'' video game, some early colour schemes for ''War for Cybertron'' Zeta Prime resembled that of Generation 1 [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. Also revealed in the concept art is that Zeta Prime's vehicle mode is a Cybertronic car, though he doesn't actually transform in the course of the game.
* Since ''Exodus'' featured a Sentinel Prime and ''War for Cybertron'' featured a Zeta Prime, both occupying the same role, Hasbro suggested at [[BotCon 2010]] that they were the same guy: "Sentinel Zeta Prime". However, the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)| War for Cybertron]]'' comic also written by [[Alex Irvine]] refers to the disappearance of Sentinel as depicted in the novel, when Zeta Prime in the games doesn't go missing until much later than the novel portrays it. Yet, the comic portrays Sentinel Prime with Zeta Prime's appearance, in attempt to further enhance the connection between the two.
** ''[[Transformers Vault]]'' paves over the confusion by referring to "Sentinel" as a title, ie. "sentinel, Zeta Prime".
* Zeta Prime became a playable character in multiplayer and Escalation mode as part of a DLC pack released on September 7th, 2010. He was available for the XBox 360 and PS3 versions of the game, but not for the PC version. He is a member of the Leader class and transforms into the vehicle mode shown in his concept art. His character model in multiplayer is designated the ''Elite Rig''.
* In the game, Zeta Prime appears to share the exact same [[Body-type|character model]] as the head member of the [[Autobot High Council]].
* In the novel, Sentinel Prime's belt has the sigil of [[Vector Prime]]. However, in the game, he doesn't seem to wear a belt at all.
*A Sentinel Zeta figure by Reysol Grant won a Collectors' Club custom figure contest, announced in [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 37]].

[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Bot Shots]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Autobots]]

Barricade (WFC)

2012-02-17T00:19:49Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Barricade}}
:''Barricade is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[Image:Barricade-MMO-promo-robot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|His crotch is [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]'s face.]]
'''Barricade''' speeds around the battlefield, annoying [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] alike with his mouthing off. He particularly likes taunting opponents until they start chasing him, and then leading them through hazardous areas that they don't have a chance of surviving, while he will escape without a scratch. Even [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] has taken to tolerating his rebellious streak, perhaps due to his effectiveness, but possibly also because his scolding of the other Decepticons sometimes works in Megatron's favor.

{{quote|Huh. And we're fresh out of star cruisers to tunnel our way.|Barricade, criticizing Megatron's tactics and not getting dead for it|[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Barricade ran the day-to-day events of [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]'s [[gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial ring]]/revolutionary movement/emerging army. When [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]] came to [[Kaon]] for his first face-to-face meeting with Megatron, Barricade and [[Lugnut (WFC)|Lugnut]] "greeted" him at the entrance to their headquarters. Throughout Orion's tour of the headquarters, Barricade followed and got lippy with the archivist, but was rather curtly cut off by Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Steve Blum]] (English)

[[Image:WFCBarricade.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Stop stealing [[:Image:Breakdown-WfC.jpg|poses]], Barricade!]]
During the early days of the war against the Autobots, Barricade was part of the bridge crew of a Decepticon Star Cruiser under the command of their leader, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]], serving alongside [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]]. Megatron planned to steal the last remaining supply of [[Dark Energon]] from an orbiting relay station guarded by the neutral Sky Commander [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. After gaining entry into the station (by ramming the ship into the station; talk about a barricade), Barricade accompanied Megatron and Brawl into the station...so that Megatron could use the corrupted, highly dangerous energy source to 'save' Cybertron. Yeah, it wasn't a very good plan. While fighting through the station, and hordes of Starscream's soldiers, Barricade expressed doubts that Dark Energon was everything Megatron believed it to be, and also that the station was ''totally'' old and decrepit, noting in particular the large number of cubic crates. Strange he never noticed that fourth wall... Anyway, Megatron said he had plans to [[Trypticon (WFC)|upgrade]] the station. Barricade further asked him what made him so certain he could control the Dark Energon, to which Megatron explained that only the strong could control such a power, and he was the strongest. Okay, so the invasion of Normandy, this really was not.

Megatron was getting annoyed by this point, and told Barricade not to question him again. Barricade obeyed, and despite his skepticism, helped Megatron secure the supply of Dark Energon. It would seem his skepticism about the Dark Energon was silenced when Megatron infused him with its power. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{Note|Barricade is an unlockable character for the Nintendo DS version of ''War for Cybertron''. On the Decepticon version he can replace any of the other Decepticons in the campaign mode. He can be unlocked by beating Stadium 6 in Arena Mode.}}
[[Image:WFCDS Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|100px]]
Barricade often sparred with other Decepticons in Kaon Stadium. When Soundwave discovered the location of Trypticon Space Station, Barricade was part of the crew of Megatron's ship during the attack. He was very concerned when the station defenses reduced the ship's shields to 15%, and told Megatron it was a big risk to take over a legend. Despite Barricade's worries, they took the station and obtained Dark Energon. Following tests, Barricade asked Soundwave what happened to the failed test subjects, but Soundwave's reply didn't reassure him. He reluctantly submitted to an infusion of Dark Energon at Soundwave's hands.

Starscream discovered the existence of the Energon Bridge, which they could use to repower Trypticon station, but they would need all of the Dark Energon they had left to reach and reactivate it. Barricade was skeptical that they should risk everything on Starscream's word, but went along with the plan anyway. They reactivated the Energon Bridge, but the Autobots severed the link to the core, and secured it with the Omega Key. As the Decepticons attempted to track the Key down, Barricade expressed doubt that anyone would follow Starscream, but the Air Commander was convinced his time would come.

They found the key, but to Barricade's alarm, it merely activated Omega Supreme, who kicked all of the Decepticons out of Iacon. Barricade was convinced they should retreat, but at Megatron's urging, the Decepticons moved forward and managed to defeat the giant. They subsequently infused the core of Cybertron with Dark Energon. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)}}

===Transformers: Cybertron Adventures===

After [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] detected an Autobot incursion into the datacore where information was being held on [[Dark Energon]], [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] dispatched him and Barricade to intercept the Autobot thieves. Barricade sent the Autobots running right into a collison with Soundwave...and Megatron's fusion cannon.

Later on, Barricade was tasked with the assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] by Megatron, but soon fell behind the faster-moving [[Seekers]], [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (Prime)|Skywarp]]. Despite having to break through the city's defenses on his own, Barricade soon entered Iacon and began weakening the city's structural supports for the Seekers' air strikes. He was confronted by [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] during his demolition, but broke off during the fight to accompany [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to the council chambers. Starscream's brilliant plan was hindered, however, by the fact that the council had already been evacuated before he and Barricade arrived. {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
{{comingsoon}}

==Toys==
===Bot Shots===
*'''Barricade''' (2012)
**''Number'': '''B004'''
***''Fist strength'': '''390'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''400'''
***''Sword strength'': '''840'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots]]'', Barricade is a teeny little police car with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. His robot mode is heavily based on the [[Barricade (Movie)|live-action movie Barricade]], though run through a bit of an [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] filter.

:This mold was also used to make [[Prowl (Prime)#Bot Shots|Prowl]].
[[Image:Botshot1.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

==Notes==
* In the map of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] from the "[[Binder of Revelation]]" included in ''[[Transformers Vault]]'', Barricade is listed as having lived in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]!
* Barricade's ''War for Cybertron'' game design is based on his [[Barricade (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] while borrowing some design cues from the [[Barricade (Movie)|live-action film version]]. In ''Exodus'', he's described as essentially being the film version, having a black and white colour scheme and ruby-red optics. His ''Universe'' design is purple but has film design cues again such as the placement of the wheels on his arms and police lights.
* In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron Adventures|Cybertron Adventures]]'', [[Skywarp (Prime)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] make fun of his inability to fly by stating he likes to hold his arms out to the side and say "''VROOM!''" when he is by himself.

[[Category:Bot Shots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]

Barricade (WFC)

2012-02-17T00:19:01Z

Welcometothedarksyde:

{{faction|decepticon}}
{{disambig3|Barricade}}
:''Barricade is a [[Decepticon]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[Image:Barricade-MMO-promo-robot.jpg|right|300px|thumb|His crotch is [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]'s face.]]
'''Barricade''' speeds around the battlefield, annoying [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]] alike with his mouthing off. He particularly likes taunting opponents until they start chasing him, and then leading them through hazardous areas that they don't have a chance of surviving, while he will escape without a scratch. Even [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] has taken to tolerating his rebellious streak, perhaps due to his effectiveness, but possibly also because his scolding of the other Decepticons sometimes works in Megatron's favor.

{{quote|Huh. And we're fresh out of star cruisers to tunnel our way.|Barricade, criticizing Megatron's tactics and not getting dead for it|[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Exodus''===
Barricade ran the day-to-day events of [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]]'s [[gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial ring]]/revolutionary movement/emerging army. When [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Orion Pax]] came to [[Kaon]] for his first face-to-face meeting with Megatron, Barricade and [[Lugnut (WFC)|Lugnut]] "greeted" him at the entrance to their headquarters. Throughout Orion's tour of the headquarters, Barricade followed and got lippy with the archivist, but was rather curtly cut off by Megatron. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (Xbox 360/PS3/PC)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Steve Blum]] (English)

[[Image:WFCBarricade.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Stop stealing [[:Image:Breakdown-WfC.jpg|poses]], Barricade!]]
During the early days of the war against the Autobots, Barricade was part of the bridge crew of a Decepticon Star Cruiser under the command of their leader, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]], serving alongside [[Brawl (WFC)|Brawl]]. Megatron planned to steal the last remaining supply of [[Dark Energon]] from an orbiting relay station guarded by the neutral Sky Commander [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]]. After gaining entry into the station (by ramming the ship into the station; talk about a barricade), Barricade accompanied Megatron and Brawl into the station...so that Megatron could use the corrupted, highly dangerous energy source to 'save' Cybertron. Yeah, it wasn't a very good plan. While fighting through the station, and hordes of Starscream's soldiers, Barricade expressed doubts that Dark Energon was everything Megatron believed it to be, and also that the station was ''totally'' old and decrepit, noting in particular the large number of cubic crates. Strange he never noticed that fourth wall... Anyway, Megatron said he had plans to [[Trypticon (WFC)|upgrade]] the station. Barricade further asked him what made him so certain he could control the Dark Energon, to which Megatron explained that only the strong could control such a power, and he was the strongest. Okay, so the invasion of Normandy, this really was not.

Megatron was getting annoyed by this point, and told Barricade not to question him again. Barricade obeyed, and despite his skepticism, helped Megatron secure the supply of Dark Energon. It would seem his skepticism about the Dark Energon was silenced when Megatron infused him with its power. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (360/PS3/PC)|Transformers: War for Cybertron}}

===''Transformers: War for Cybertron'' (DS)===
{{Note|Barricade is an unlockable character for the Nintendo DS version of ''War for Cybertron''. On the Decepticon version he can replace any of the other Decepticons in the campaign mode. He can be unlocked by beating Stadium 6 in Arena Mode.}}
[[Image:WFCDS Barricade.jpg|thumb|right|100px]]
Barricade often sparred with other Decepticons in Kaon Stadium. When Soundwave discovered the location of Trypticon Space Station, Barricade was part of the crew of Megatron's ship during the attack. He was very concerned when the station defenses reduced the ship's shields to 15%, and told Megatron it was a big risk to take over a legend. Despite Barricade's worries, they took the station and obtained Dark Energon. Following tests, Barricade asked Soundwave what happened to the failed test subjects, but Soundwave's reply didn't reassure him. He reluctantly submitted to an infusion of Dark Energon at Soundwave's hands.

Starscream discovered the existence of the Energon Bridge, which they could use to repower Trypticon station, but they would need all of the Dark Energon they had left to reach and reactivate it. Barricade was skeptical that they should risk everything on Starscream's word, but went along with the plan anyway. They reactivated the Energon Bridge, but the Autobots severed the link to the core, and secured it with the Omega Key. As the Decepticons attempted to track the Key down, Barricade expressed doubt that anyone would follow Starscream, but the Air Commander was convinced his time would come.

They found the key, but to Barricade's alarm, it merely activated Omega Supreme, who kicked all of the Decepticons out of Iacon. Barricade was convinced they should retreat, but at Megatron's urging, the Decepticons moved forward and managed to defeat the giant. They subsequently infused the core of Cybertron with Dark Energon. {{storylink|Transformers: War for Cybertron (DS)}}

===Transformers: Cybertron Adventures===

After [[Soundwave (Prime)|Soundwave]] detected an Autobot incursion into the datacore where information was being held on [[Dark Energon]], [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] dispatched him and Barricade to intercept the Autobot thieves. Barricade sent the Autobots running right into a collison with Soundwave...and Megatron's fusion cannon.

Later on, Barricade was tasked with the assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] by Megatron, but soon fell behind the faster-moving [[Seekers]], [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] and [[Skywarp (Prime)|Skywarp]]. Despite having to break through the city's defenses on his own, Barricade soon entered Iacon and began weakening the city's structural supports for the Seekers' air strikes. He was confronted by [[Sideswipe (WFC)|Sideswipe]] during his demolition, but broke off during the fight to accompany [[Starscream (Prime)|Starscream]] to the council chambers. Starscream's brilliant plan was hindered, however, by the fact that the council had already been evacuated before he and Barricade arrived. {{storylink|Transformers: Cybertron Adventures}}

===''Transformers Universe''===
{{comingsoon}}

==Toys==
===Bot Shots===
*'''Barricade''' (2012)
**''Number'': '''B004'''
***''Fist strength'': '''390'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''400'''
***''Sword strength'': '''840'''

:Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots]]'', Barricade is a teeny little police car with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. His robot mode is heavily based on the [[Barricade (Movie)|live-action movie Barricade]], though run through a bit of an [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] filter.

:This mold was also used to make [[Prowl (Prime)#Bot Shots|Prowl]].
[[Image:Botshot1.jpg|thumb|right|100px]]

==Notes==
* In the map of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] from the "[[Binder of Revelation]]" included in ''[[Transformers Vault]]'', Barricade is listed as having lived in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]!
* Barricade's ''War for Cybertron'' game design is based on his [[Barricade (G1)|Generation 1 counterpart]] while borrowing some design cues from the [[Barricade (Movie)|live-action film version]]. In ''Exodus'', he's described as essentially being the film version, having a black and white colour scheme and ruby-red optics. His ''Universe'' design is purple but has film design cues again such as the placement of the wheels on his arms and police lights.
* In ''[[Transformers: Cybertron Adventures|Cybertron Adventures]]'', [[Skywarp (Prime)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]] make fun of his inability to fly by stating he likes to hold his arms out to the side and say "''VROOM!''" when he is by himself.

[[Category:Bot Shots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Prime Decepticons]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron Decepticons]]