Editing Overmatch

{{episode|
|series=Armada
|ep=14
|prev=Swoop (episode)
|next=Gale
|title="Overmatch"
|furigana=つわもの
|japanese=強敵<!--overmatch-->
|romaji=Tsuwamono
|translation=Formidable Enemy: Exceptional Person
|image=Overmatch_Starscreamswordslice.jpg
|caption=Richard Dawson! Charles Nelson Reilly! They're here to play The Overmatch Game '76!
|production code=TF: A-14
|production company=[[TV Tokyo]], [[Nihon Ad Systems|NAS]]
|writer=[[Ryō Motohira]]
|director=[[Takashi Sano]]
|animation studio=[[Actas Inc.]]
|airdate=[[December 13]], [[2002]] (English)<br>[[April 11|11 April]] [[2003]] (Japanese)
|continuity=[[Unicron Trilogy]]
}}
'''The Autobots have a solid victory thanks to the Star Saber, but then a mysterious and powerful mercenary gives the Decepticons a new edge.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Overmatch Scavengermysterious.jpg|left|150px|thumb|And here's the star of The Overmatch Game '76...]]
In a mountainous area, under the moonlight, the [[Decepticon]]s search for another [[Mini-Con]]. As [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] climbs a mountainside to the active panel, [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] leaps in front of him and summons the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] while Smokescreen goes after the Mini-Con. Hot Shot slices through Starscream's arm, making the Decepticon fall from the mountain. Starscream unsheathes his sword, but the Star Saber easy slices through it, and a stray shard knocks [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] out of [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]]'s way. [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] orders [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] forward, but [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus]] then lands directly onto the Decepticon leader, leaving Demolishor to fight Hot Shot on his own. When Hot Shot removes Demolishor's cannons, Megatron once more orders a retreat.

[[File:Overmatch Smokescreen Liftor.jpg|200px|thumb|Here's Mini-Con #923. You gettin' all this down?]]
Smokescreen arrives at the mountain's base and introduces the activated Mini-Con: [[Liftor]]. Optimus warns Hot Shot not to be overconfident, then almost notices a cloaked figure who was watching the entire battle.

At the [[Autobot]] base, [[Rad White|Rad]] complains that the fridge is full of tools, and [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] explains that [[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] is out shopping for more food. This still doesn't explain why there are tools where the food should be.

[[File:Overmatch sliceDemolishor.jpg|left|150px|thumb|"Dumb Demolishor is SO dumb..." ''"How dumb is he?"'']]
In a grocery store, Alexis buys some laundry detergent with bleach, and some de-greaser, even if there is a suspected risk of causing her fashionable Mini-Con to short-circuit. When she gets back to the Autobot base, [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] reminds the kids that the Mini-Cons shouldn't go out in public, and then silences Carlos's complaints of boredom. He then gives the kids an upgraded Laserbeak.

In the Decepticon base, the Decepticons are healing their wounds while Megatron berates his troops. But then the mysterious cloaked figure from earlier arrives, and Megatron introduces him as [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]]. Scavenger belittles all the Decepticons, aggravating Starscream into an assault that Scavenger can deny outright, leading Starscream to hold another grudge.

On [[Earth]], Scavenger locates a ''yellow'' [[Mini-Con storage panel]], but instead of grabbing it, he leaves it as a catalyst for a series of manipulated events. Soon enough, the Autobots and the Decepticons face each other in combat. Hot Shot is eager to use the Star Saber to make the first move. Cyclonus opens fire at Hot Shot, who leaps and slices off the Decepticon's helicopter tail. Starscream then challenges Hot Shot in open combat.

Just then, Scavenger's laughter is heard, drawing everybody's attention. Optimus admits that it was Scavenger who taught Prime how to fight. Starscream tells Scavenger to butt out, and Scavenger tells Megatron to butt out.

Starscream and Hot Shot begin their duel. Their first attacks bounce off each other. On the second approach, Starscream can put a nasty gash into Hot Shot's face. On the third dive at each other, Hot Shot again slices Starscream's sword off. Starscream yells that the duel isn't over yet, but Scavenger prevents him from going on fighting, telling that Starscream will beсome a great warrior only when he knows himself better. 

[[File:Overmatch Scavenger-HotShotbeatdown.jpg|200px|thumb|"Scavenger and Hot Shot had a mighty battle - it was so mighty that it shook the BLANK."]]
Then Scavenger pronounces that Hot Shot's victory was only because of the Star Saber. When Hot Shot challenges Scavenger, the mercenary uncloaks himself and accepts the challenge. Scavenger pushes Hot Shot back, and a stab from Hot Shot wedges the Star Saber within Scavenger's arm. Scavenger is unfazed and slaps Hot Shot away, then delivers a brutal punch to Hot Shot's gut, winning the fight.

Megatron tries to claim the Star Saber, but Optimus intervenes. Cyclonus, however, has found the Mini-Con, and with the prize in hand, the Decepticons retreat. On the Moon, Megatron tries to unlock the Mini-Con, and Scavenger explains about the legend of the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom]] shield.

As Megatron reflects upon this new revelation, his laughter echoes through the halls of the Decepticon base...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] (5)
*[[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]] (7)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (9)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (15)
*[[Laserbeak (Armada)|Laserbeak]] (16)

|c2=
*[[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] (1)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (2)
*[[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] (3)
*[[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] (4)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (8)

|c3=
*[[Rad White|Rad]] (11)
*[[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] (12)
*[[Alexis Thi Dang|Alexis]] (13)

|h4=[[Mini-Con]]s|c4=
*[[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] (6)
*[[Liftor]] (10)
*[[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (14)
}}

==Quotes==
"Hah-ha! I found one! Something's glowing up in the rocks above you, Starscream. I'll bet you dollars to brainchips it's a Mini-Con!"
:—'''Cyclonus'''


"You want to go again?"<br>
"Uh, no, uh, thanks. I've had enough punishment for one day."
:—'''Hot Shot''' and '''Demolishor''', after the former slices off the latter's shoulder cannons


[[File:Overmatch Sureshockdisguise.jpg|150px|thumb|Gene Rayburn's wardrobe courtesy of the Palm Beach Signature Collection by John White.]]
"Mommy! I just saw a robot in the store!"<br>
"That's nice, dear."
:—A little boy and his mother, upon seeing Sureshock.


"What is the meaning of this? I have never seen such a pathetic combat!"
:—Poor '''Megatron''' suffers from [[Engrish]] dialogue.


"I wasn't sure until just now whether I would respond to your request. I made up my mind after witnessing that battle and seeing how pathetically you performed. You need all the help you can get. Still, I'm impressed that you would have a base here. It's perfect for a warp facility. Nice work, Megatron. Sometimes your intelligence surprises me."<br>
"Spare me the cynicism. Calling you was a last resort, believe me. We must have that Star Saber. Can we count on your assistance, my friend? I'll be certain to make it worth your while."
:—'''Scavenger''' sasses '''Megatron'''


"Megatron, I've heard the rumors about these three assistants of yours. Some claim they are among the most fearsome of the Decepticons. So much for believing everything you hear."
:—'''Scavenger''', dissing the Decepticons


[[File:Overmatch Cyclonusslicebutt.jpg|150px|thumb|Detailed!]]
"My butt! What have you done to my poor butt?!"
:—'''Cyclonus''' laments the loss of his helicopter tail


"Enough stalling! Your trip down memory lane has nothing to do with me or this battle!"<br>
"You're right, Starscream. On with the battle. I'm looking forward to witnessing your little performance."<br>
"Oh, this will be more than just a performance. And when I'm finished with him, I'm gonna do a little surgery on ''your'' mouth."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Scavenger'''

==Notes==
===Differences with ''Legends of the Microns''===
*In ''Armada'', after Starscream calls Demolishor a fool, the latter says Starscream isn't having better luck trying to find the Mini-Con, and Starscream replies that it sounds like a personal problem. In ''Legends of the Microns'', Starscream calls Demolishor a "blockhead," Demolishor asks Starscream what he said, and the latter says he told Demolishor to get moving. Later, Cyclonus's line telling Starscream to watch himself is removed.
*Hot Shot says, "Transform!" a second before transforming in ''Armada'', but in ''Legends of the Microns'', he says it as he changes into robot mode. Then Hot Shot is silent during the shot of him leaping toward Starscream.
*The transforming sound effect heard during the Star Saber forming sequence, and the echo effect from Hot Shot's voice in the next shot are removed. Also, Hot Shot's line after forming the line is extended to remove the awkward silence from the ''Armada'' version.
*Instead of telling Starscream to look out, Demolishor just says Starscream's name.
*When he loses his sword, Starscream sounds more devastated than he does in ''Armada'', and the weird silence after his line is removed.
*After Megatron commands him to charge, Demolishor asks if Megatron wants him to get the Star Saber. In ''Armada'', Demolishor strangely refers to Megatron as ''his'' backup.
*As the Decepticons retreat, Starscream and Cyclonus say, "Damn!" and "Scumbags!", respectfully.
*Optimus warns Hot Shot not to get cocky since the Decepticons will soon adapt to fighting the Star Saber. Then Hot Shot says the sword will end the fighting before that happens. After this, during the close-up of Scavenger, he doesn't laugh and says, "Foolishness" in an unimpressed tone.
*In ''Armada'', Rad complains that it took him a lot of time to "fix" the fridge, but in ''Legends of the Microns'', it's about how much effort it took to "get" a fridge in the base.
*Rather than worry about de-greaser for cleaning the Autobots and detergent causing the Mini-Cons to short circuit as she does in ''Armada'', Alexis wonders if Transformers even take baths at all in ''Legends of the Microns''. When she returns with the food, Alexis says Billy and Fred gave her suggestions. Then, in ''Armada'', Rad asks Alexis why she took Sureshock with her; in ''Legends of the Microns'', he asks about Sureshock's disguise.
*Red Alert presents the kids with an upgraded Laserbeak as a reward for "good housekeeping" around the base.
*Alexis talks about spy-cams in ''Armada'', while in ''Legends of the Microns'', she hopes that Carlos will calm down and get back to minding the base.
*In ''Legends of the Microns'', after Cyclonus moans about the team getting bested by the Star Saber, Megatron ''shouts'' that they are fools and need to steal back the sword before lowering his voice when proposing another invasion of the Autobot base. In ''Armada'', Megatron's voice doesn't have any drastic tonal shift.
*Rather than making his presence known by saying that Megatron is surrounded by incompetence, Scavenger refers to Megatron by his "Emperor of Destruction" title. He also doesn't speak again until after Megatron introduces him.
*In ''Legends of the Microns'', Scavenger decides ''not'' to join the Decepticons during his first meeting with them, considering himself out of their league. His subsequent discussion of the base and their warp facility is deprecation in the Japanese dub as he highlights what a handy and cowardly method of retreat he thinks it is. This is the reason for the impartial "watch from the sidelines" role he plays in the rest of the episode, which makes little sense in ''Armada'', where he ''does'' join up with Megatron's crew. On the other hand, though, he's never shown to actively change his mind in ''Legends of the Microns'', so him going back to the base with the other Decepticons doesn't flow as well in that version.
*As he walks away from Starscream, Scavenger's laughter is extended. Then Starscream's inner dialogue is him questioning how he will "tolerate Scavenger's arrogance."
*The scene of Scavenger finding the yellow Mini-Con panel is entirely silent except for the very end when he laughs and says "Foolishness" like earlier.
*After Hot Shot cuts off Cyclonus's butt, Cyclonus's line is extended to remove the silence that's in ''Armada''.
*Instead of Starscream sarcastically thanking Megatron for "the instructions," as he does in ''Armada'', ''Legends of the Microns'' has Starscream tell Megatron to shut up.
*In ''Armada'', Scavenger tells Megatron not to interfere with Hot Shot and Starscream's duel. In ''Legends of the Microns'', he first tells Optimus to stay out of it before telling Megatron.
*In ''Legends of the Microns'', there's no sound effect when Starscream spins around to attack Hot Shot a second time.
*When Hot Shot jams the Star Saber into Scavenger's arm, he congratulates himself on the move in ''Legends of the Microns'', while in ''Armada'', he realizes his folly, now that the weapon is pinned.
*In ''Armada'', upon defeating Hot Shot, Scavenger calls him not bad for an amateur, but in ''Legends of the Microns'', he asks if that fight was Hot Shot's best. Then Megatron commands Scavenger to get the Star Saber. In ''Armada'', he says to move in, without naming anyone.

===Animation and technical errors===
*In the opening, Cyclonus says he found "one" as though there's more than one Mini-Con. ''Legends of the Microns'' corrects this so that Cyclonus says that he found "it" instead.
*After forming the Star Saber in the opening fight, the markings under Hot Shot's eyes are miscolored black instead of matching his face.
*After Hot Shot slices Starscream's sword, the Decepticon insignia on Starscream's right arm is a tiny triangle.
*As Cyclonus is hit by the flying piece of Starscream's sword cut off by Hot Shot, it is shown to have shrunk down quite a bit.
*When Carlos tells Rad about Alexis's grocery trip, Rad calls Sureshock "Grindor." He again calls Sureshock "Grindor" when she returns, and Alexis refers to her as male. The mixup with Alexis also happens in the Japanese dub.
*When berating the Decepticons for the opening fight, Megatron refers to it as "a pathetic ''combat''." In ''Legends of the Microns'', his line is changed to him saying that it's the first time they have been utterly humiliated.
*When Scavenger says he taught Optimus how to fight, the side of his left eye is colored white like the top of his head.
*After this, part of Starscream's head matches the color of his face.
*After Hot Shot is defeated and the Decepticons retreat, Red Alert is heard asking Hot Shot if he is all right...but Red Alert is nowhere on the battlefield (It's presumed he's still at the base, like before), and Smokescreen is the one seen coming to Hot Shot's aid. This is fixed in ''Legends of the Microns'' to Smokescreen's voice.
*When Smokescreen comes to Hot Shot's aid, he is missing his antenna/horn.
*The Decepticon symbol on Starscream's arms is a purple spot in some scenes. The same applies to Smokescreen's Autobot symbol.
*The Autobot and Decepticon symbols are badly drawn in some scenes.
*In the Decepticon base, while praising Starscream for challenging him, Scavenger says the former's arm was severed in battle, though it was really his wrist. The Japanese dub fixes this error with Scavenger saying Starscream's sword and wrist were cut.
*Before Hot Shot charges at him, Scavenger's head is off-model, and his mouth doesn't move. Then after blocking Hot Shot's attack, the left of Scavenger's face is miscolored.
*There's a strange sound effect heard after Starscream warps at the end. The Japanese dub removes it.

===Continuity notes===
*This is Scavenger's first appearance in the cartoon. ''[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]'' [[Linkage Part 3|issue #3]] and [[Linkage Part 4|issue #4]] would establish he had been on [[Earth]] for a short time before his cartoon appearance, witnessing [[Super Stunt Team|battles between]] [[Speed Chaser Team|other Mini-Cons]] that had activated on [[Earth]]. He aided in one of the battles and traded [[Scavenger's ship|his ship]] for [[Rollbar (Armada)|a Mini-Con partner of his own]], continuing his journey on foot. 
*Smokescreen gains his Mini-Con partner, Liftor, who was found in the southern hemisphere.
*This is the first episode a Mini-Con is disguised as a [[human]].
*Scavenger's evaluation foreshadows Starscream's identity crisis that becomes a major plot element in the future.
*None of the other Decepticons have heard of Scavenger before, the reason why would be cleared up in the episode "[[Trust (Armada)|Trust]]".
*Gadgets and powers:
**Red Alert makes some minor adjustments to Laserbeak, allowing him to pick up the children's voices from "anywhere".
**Scavenger shows of his hand-to-hand combat skills and awesome strength. He is also proven to be a master strategist, analizing all of his opponent's and allies attacks. It is both of these things that allow him to triumph in battle with Hot Shot wielding the Star Saber.

===Continuity errors===
*As the flying piece of Starscream's blade hits Cyclonus, it's shown to hit his wing between his torso and arm, the subsequent explosion quite clearly showing his right arm coming off. As the Decepticons retreat, he is shown with only the outer part of his wing being cut, his arm still attached to him.
*Between the shots of Smokescreen introducing Liftor and admiring the Star Saber, his crane suddenly shrinks. Then, in the wide shot of him, Optimus, and Hot Shot, Smokescreen's crane is long again.

===Transformers references===
*Scavenger refers to Megatron's reputation as the "Lord of Destruction," a reference to the Japanese Decepticon ranking title for leaders.

===Real-world references===
*Cyclonus's "dollars to freight chips" line is a variation of "dollars to donuts."
*In the store, one can see "Hagiss" toilet paper in the aisle. The name can easily be mistaken for "{{w|haggis}}," the Scottish pudding.
*In some shots during his fight with Hot Shot, Starscream's wing blade looks like a {{w|katana}}.

===Trivia===
*The kanji 強敵 would be pronounced as "''kyouteki''," while "''tsuwamono''" is used for the kanji 強者.
*This is one of the few episodes of ''Armada'' that keeps every character consistently on-model with very few to no animation errors. Similarly, as you can see above, the English dub of the episode is ''almost'' entirely devoid of any mistakes, with any significant plot changes appearing to be either deliberately-made alterations, rather than the usual cack-handed script stumbles the series makes, or minor modifications.
*In ''Legends of the Microns'', Scavenger says that Starscream, Cyclonus, and Demolishor are a "legendary trio" among the Decepticons.
*This episode is where the image of Optimus used for the next episode preview in ''Legends of the Microns'' comes from, albeit with a different background as later seen in "[[Tactician]]".

===Foreign localization===
'''Hungarian'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Zsoldos'''" ("Mercenary")

'''Polish'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Konfrontacja'''" ("Confrontation")

'''French'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Une arme redoutable'''" ("A Formidable Weapon")

'''Korean'''
:*''Title:'' "'''강적 하이에나'''" ("Formidable Foe Hyena")

'''Portuguese'''
:*''Title:'' "'''Adversário Superior'''" ("Superior Opponent")

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2003 — ''Transformers: Legends of the Microns'' — Volume 4 ([[Columbia Music Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Best Of The Decepticons ([[Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2004 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Season One: Part One ([[Rhino Entertainment]])<br>
[[File:Flag of France.png|20px|France]] 2007 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Le combat recommence... ([[TFou Vidéo]]) — French audio only.<br>
[[File:Flag of Germany.png|20px|Germany]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — Volume One ([[New KSM]]) — English and German audio.<br>
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Armada'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

;VideoNow
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2003 ''Transformers: Armada'' ([[Tiger Electronics]])

[[Category:Armada episodes]]