Light cannon

It's that thing on his shoulder.

Alongside his other multifarious weapons, the eminent Autobot scientist Perceptor is armed with a powerful and destructive light cannon, which is formed from the various component parts of his microscope mode's lens barrel.

Fiction

Marvel The Transformers comics

Using his magnifying lenses to concentrate and intensify its beam, Perceptor could convert his lens barrel into a powerful light cannon that could blast a hole in a cinder block wall 2,000 miles away with pinpoint accuracy. He could also use the cannon in robot mode or convert to a third form and use it as a stationary field artillery piece. Perceptor's Universe profile

The Transformers cartoon

Finding himself trapped along with a group of other Autobots on a distant planet by a space bridge accident, Perceptor figured out a way to use his light cannon, along with Aron's telescope and some energon cubes, as a way to get back to Earth. Unfortunately, Starscream and the Decepticons showed up and used it as a ride home instead. Child's Play

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

Perceptor's microscope lens could adapt for offensive capabilities, becoming a powerful light cannon that could blast through a hole through concrete from over 2,000 miles away. He could use the cannon in both modes, including as a stationary cannon as a microscope. Perceptor's More than Meets the Eye profile

Toys

The Transformers

• Perceptor (Autobot, 1985/1986)
  • Accessories: concussion rifle, missile launcher, 3 missiles

The Transformers Perceptor's microscope scope turns into a shoulder-mounted light cannon, according to his packaging bio. The mold was later redecoed to make Magnificus and also served as the model for the non-toy character, the Chairman. This toy has been reissued a number of times since its initial release.

Notes

• Due to a hinged arrangement, the original Perceptor toy's light cannon could be mounted on either shoulder; while his package art (above) had it on his right, most fictional depictions—probably following the toy's instructions—showed it on his left instead.