Editing Tech Spec

{{disambig2|the character-rating system|information about character write-ups|Bio}}

[[File:MegatronG2Hero Bio&TechSpecs.jpg|275px|thumb|"Tech Specs" ≠ "[[bio]]". Clip and save ''that,'' jack.]]

'''Tech Specs''', short for "technical specifications", are the character-ratings that many [[Transformer]]s have received on their packaging or on Hasbro.com, ranking qualities like "Strength" and "Intelligence" and "Skill" on a scale of 1-10. These have also been called '''Technical Data''' or '''Vehicle Data'''.

While technically the character [[bio]]s included on most toys are separate from the Tech Specs—and are sometimes called out as such on the packaging itself—the graphic design traditionally merged them into a single box/card (which you are encouraged to "clip and save!"), along with a reduced version of the character's [[package art]]. Thus, "tech specs" has become, in casual use, a shorthand term for the entire bio/art/Tech-Specs combination.

The current lineup of stats is:

*'''Strength'''
*'''Intelligence'''
*'''Speed'''
*'''Endurance'''
*'''Rank'''
*'''Courage'''
*'''[[Fireblast]]''' (formerly '''Firepower''', which meant something)
*'''Skill'''

The [[Micromaster]] teams replaced "Rank" and "Firepower" with:

*'''Teamwork'''
*'''Cooperation'''

The ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' ''[[Robot Powered Machines|RPMs]]'' line features a reduced list of "Vehicle Data" stats presented in much the same manner:
*'''Max Speed'''
*'''Horsepower'''
*'''Ramming Power'''
*'''Armor'''

While these stats often correspond at least loosely to the described abilities of the characters, parity ''between'' characters is virtually nonexistent. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], for instance, has traditionally maxed out most or all of his stats, despite the existence of much [[Omega Supreme (G1)|stronger, faster, fireblastier]] characters. The only category with anything really close to a sense of scale between characters is "Rank," where faction leaders tend to be 10s, group leaders tend to be 9s and 8s, and most others are below that. There are of course many exceptions, but at least there's a solid trend.

==History==
===Generation 1===
[[File:Trailbreaker Bio&TechSpec.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The original style, with decoder overlaid.]]
[[File:Mainframespec.gif|left|upright=1.4|thumb|The last ''Generation 1'' style. Did dropping the decoder gimmick [[Ruined FOREVER|kill the franchise]]? Undoubtedly yes.]]

Tech Specs were present right from the start. With the very first Transformers also came a packaging gimmick: Kids were instructed to "use the special decoder inside to decipher your Tech Specs." A fuchsia criss-cross pattern obscured the blue line that indicated the various ratings, so overlaying a piece of clear red plastic made the blue line much easier to see. This design was used for five years, then was replaced with a bar-graph design that required no decoder to read. The description was also changed from just "Tech Specs" to "Bio and Tech Specs". [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] ended two years later, but in all the ''Transformers'' revivals and re-envisionings since then, the decoder gimmick has not yet made a comeback.

In addition to the packaging, Tech Specs were once briefly seen on the toys themselves: The [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster figures]] contained abbreviated Tech Specs bar-graphs inside their chests. When the head was plugged into the body, bars would emerge on the graph.

[[File:MicroSpec.gif|upright=1.1|thumb|The Micromasters got two stats all their own. Awww... it's like they're real toys.]]

After the cartoon was canceled and the comic entered the [[Simon Furman|Furman]] years, many new toys were made whose corresponding characters never appeared in the fiction.  But, with an extremely small number of exceptions, Hasbro continued writing bios and Tech Specs for every toy, and this was the only source of "life" for dozens—perhaps even hundreds—of characters. While [[Rescue Force|some European toys]] were released with virtually no character information (not even names), even this was a small hiccup in the larger trend.

The [[Micromaster]] patrols were notable for being the first variation in stat categories, replacing "Rank" and "Firepower" with "Teamwork" and "Cooperation". The difference between Teamwork and Cooperation isn't quite clear.

[[Bob Budiansky]] was responsible for working out all the tech specs (at least through the end of his tenure writing the Marvel comic book)<ref>[https://network.comixplex.com/posts/transformers-tuesday-with-bob-budiansky-watch-the-recorded-event-here Bob Budiansky interview at Comixplex on March 16th, 2021. He says he thinks he continued for a "couple of months" after leaving the comic, but not much beyond that]</ref>. He did this based on the scientific method of: "I kinda looked at who they were and how big they were and what kind of vehicle they turned into and I figured, 'well, a jet is probably faster than a Volkswagen Beetle.' (laughs)"<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Bob Budiansky interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref>
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===Generation 2===
[[File:Realactionpopups3dtransformertradingcard.jpg|left|120px|thumb|What? It was the '90s. You had to be there.]]

The early ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]]'' packages kept all the same information as the ''Generation 1'' toys before them but reorganized it, placing the portrait and bio sections above the stats so that the whole thing resembled a trading card ''(see image at top of page)''.

Some later ''Generation 2'' toys took this further: While a figure's packaging had the bio and Tech Specs printed on it like usual, it would also contain a separate pack-in card that not only featured the bio and Tech Specs again, but could also be folded into a free-standing pop-up image of the character.

In [[Europe]], ''Generation 2'' packaging was crammed with multilingual text, so the bios were shorter, and in many cases there were no Tech Spec ratings at all.
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===Beast Wars / Machine Wars===
[[File:OptimusMinor TechSpecs.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Put it in your spokes, and your bike will go EEK EEK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK.]]

The tech spec designs on ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Wars]]'' packaging kept the "trading card" dimensions established in ''Generation 2'', but the internal elements were rearranged. For the first time, the stats were represented numerically rather than via a chart, which allowed them to be run vertically alongside a much-enlarged space for the portrait. Earlier cards also included a space displaying the toy's hidden weapons.

The short-lived ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' line, running concurrently with ''Beast Wars'', used the same design.
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===Beast Machines===
[[File:StrikaBM ToyBio.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|The dotted line is pretty much a formality at this point.]]

''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'' altered the tech spec format once again, most obviously by replacing the illustrated portrait that had been included since ''Generation 1'' with a photo of the actual toy. More subtly, it took the first steps toward disintegrating the picture/bio/Tech-Specs unit: While a clip-and-save rectangle still framed the design, the elements within were more loosely structured and less consistently arranged. The lack of a standardized size, shape, or backing made them seem less like distinct collectible cards and more like... well, just bits of the box you might want to keep.

Where previously there had always been a description of the card by the "Clip and Save" note, ''Beast Machines'' omitted it. With it went the term "Tech Specs", which would never be seen on packaging again.
{{--}}  
===Robots in Disguise===
[[File:AxerSidewaysRID BoxBack.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|What the...?]]

It was 2001 ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' that marked the first real break in tradition, brought on by a move to [[Multilingual packaging|trilingual packaging]]. Toys on the smallest packaging cards, such as the [[Spy Changer]]s, literally did not have room for character information. Most Deluxe-sized and larger packaging still retained bios, Tech Specs, and "art," but the bios were graphically separated from the "clip-and-save" box that contained the rest. In at least one case, creative use of space put the Tech Specs box at a 90-degree angle to the rest of the layout, including the bios ''(see image at right)''. And in [http://www.seibertron.com/toys/fullsize.php?id=392&amp;size=1&amp;image=5 another], there was no bio at all.

Later on, individually-carded Kay-Bee and Target [[exclusive]] versions of the six show-character Spychangers were released with bios and Tech Specs, since the exclusive packaging was English-only. However, this didn't last; the final ''Robots in Disguise'' exclusives had ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''-style trilingual packaging with no character info except for names and allegiances. All told, a little less than half of RID releases lacked bios and Tech Specs, which meant more than a third of the characters.
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===Unicron Trilogy / Universe===
''Armada'' continued the departure from tradition, eliminating all character information from the packaging beyond names, allegiances, and a few trilingual "blurbs" noting the vehicle modes and conspicuous weapons or gimmicks. The toys came with sticker cards that had their pictures and names on them, but no further information. This was also true for the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, which started halfway through ''Armada'''s run. The Japanese release, ''Legends of the Microns'', continued the use of stats on the more traditional trading card for Super-con and larger sized toys.

Some bios and Tech Specs did appear, but only on the Hasbro website, only for the main ''Armada'' characters, and only on a somewhat haphazard schedule. The fandom response ran from neutral to negative; certainly no one was ''happy'' about the dwindling output, especially since the supplementary character info had had the most impact on characters who had no other fiction.

But by the time of ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'', the in-package stickers had become trading cards, and in response to the fandom, each had Tech Specs on the back. However, the casual use of the term had muddied the issue: In granting the request for "tech specs," Hasbro hadn't realized that the most important part was the ''bio,'' not the actual Tech Spec ratings. So some more time passed before packs of trading cards with bios were released. And, of course, bios continued appearing on the Hasbro site for ''Energon'' and ''Universe'' characters, though not every character in those series got in before the practice was discontinued. Meanwhile, two new specifics were added: "N/A," which was used for [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]'s rank and courage and [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]]'s Fireblast, and "?" which was Starscream's Strength rating, and the rating for every statistic for [[Unicron]] and [[Dreadwing (Energon)|Dreadwing]]. 

It was with ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' that bios and Tech Specs (now called "Technical Data") finally returned to the packaging, with even more information (sometimes further bio info, sometimes toy-trivia) hosted online and accessed via [[Cyber Key Codes]]. The Technical Data also introduced "unknown" in lieu of some numerical ratings, such as for [[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]]'s stats. An "Infinity" rating was introduced later in the line for some of Primus and Unicron's stats.

===Live-action film series===
The live action film series figures followed a format similar to the Transformers Cybertron Line, featuring a bio and a list of stats. The bio and tech specs could be located either together or on different parts of the packaging, depending on the line and size class that the toys belonged to. The Age of Extinction toyline eliminated tech specs from both toy packaging and Hasbro's website. The Last Knight's toyline is also devoid of tech specs.

Unlike earlier toylines, the tech specs of movieverse characters never change, even if they get a new body or get an upgrade. For example, the severely damaged and weakened Dark of the Moon Megatron possesses the same stats as 2007 Megatron, who was in his prime. Bumblebee retains his fireblast of 2, despite having toys with "upgraded weapons". Jetwing Optimus Prime has the same speed as his normal counterpart.

===Transformers Animated===
Though ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]]'' toys had on-package bios, they were mostly free-form, with a call-out section for "Galactic Powers and Abilities" listing three vaguely technical facts or trivia items in a bullet-point style. However, [[BotCon 2011]] featured two lithographs, each with 26 bios done up as early G1 style Tech Specs.

===Generations===
The first and second portions of the ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'' toyline displayed traditional Tech Specs with even the G1-style 'zigzag' graph returning for the ''Fall of Cybertron'' portion. Toys of the ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' subline imprint displayed bar graph Tech Specs. The ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'' subline imprint, while keeping the bar graph, featured drastically different Tech Specs featuring only the four categories of Strength, Speed, Intelligence, and Fireblast represented by pictograms instead of words (Endurance, Rank, Courage, and Skill were removed) and upsizing the maximum of each category to 20. As the main gimmick of ''Titans Return'' was larger figures interacting with Headmaster partners, rankings of the characters themselves were marked in red while the 'augmented' portions were added in blue at the end of the red bar. Tech Specs were dropped for the ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'', and were instead replaced by a series of randomly-packed cards depicting [[Prime Master/Combinations|one of twelve possible combinations]] between the packaged toy and one of the twelve [[Prime Master]]s.

For the first part of the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' subline imprint, ''[[War for Cybertron: Siege|Siege]]'', the instructions included specs not for the character, but for each of the [[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]] weapons packaged with the toy, ranking their Strenght, Aim and Fireblast on a scale of 1-20. Eventually, Tech Specs for the characters themselves made a subtle return in the second part of the trilogy, ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]'', being again included on the instructions while also being completely written in [[Cybertronian language|Ancient Autobot]]; this version brings back seven of the original stats (including Firepower instead of Fireblast!) and excludes only Rank, possibly because that stat became part of [[Insignia#War_for_Cybertron:_Siege|another rating system]] introduced in the previous subline.

===Other===
The [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]] line never got more than names, allegiances, and mottoes; but the ''[[Titanium Series|Titanium]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' continued the tradition. ''[[Transformers Animated (toyline)|Animated]]'' never had the stats on the packaging, but had the rest, including three special facts about each character. [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|Hasbro TFCC]] made up for this by printing ''Generation 1''-style tech specs for upcoming characters in their magazine, starting with 10 in issue 24, and 2 in each of the next 6 issues. [[King]] was issued the additional non-standard ratings of Regalness, Conversation, Creepiness, Heat, and Balance.

==Fiction==
===''Generation 1''===
====Toy instructions====
A Transformer's Tech Specs were determined by means of a ratings test. The [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]]s were not given a ratings test because they were a new type of [[Autobot]] still young in their evolution.<ref>The Omnibots' [[instructions]], specifically panel three [http://www.botchthecrab.com/archive/instructions/autobot/1985/instr_camshaft.jpg (scan at BotchTheCrab.com)]</ref>
====Japanese cartoon continuity====
[[File:HM3 Chromedome's tech specs.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
[[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]]s and [[Headmaster Junior]]s would often briefly flash their abbreviated tech specs on their chest displays when they attached their heads. {{storylink|Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters}} {{storylink|Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|Super-God Masterforce}}

===''Timelines''===
====''TransTech'' text stories====
As part of the processing performed at [[Axiom Nexus]] by the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s, each [[lowtech|offworlder]] is given an [[identification bolt|identification card]] which includes, among other things, their Tech Specs. [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] did not know what to think about his "Strength=3". At one point he told a [[Cheetor (TransTech)|security official]] "check our tech specs". {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}

===''Transformers Animated''===
====''The AllSpark Almanac''====
After [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] confronted [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]] in an [[Elite Guard]] training simulation, his test evaluation was given in the form of a Tech Spec. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac}}

===''Wings Universe''===
{{wingsnote}}
[[Tornado]] knew from seeing [[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]]'s Tech Specs that the [[Star Seeker]] captain had a hand under his dagger. {{storylink|Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur}}

==Notes==
* When Hasbro went to trilingual packaging, [[Aaron Archer]] said it was because they believed in the near future all products, down to mundane items such as sticks of butter, would require it; they were attempting to get "ahead of the curve." Years later this obviously has not come to pass, to the relief of most Transformers fans, but not necessarily [[Jorge Figueroa|everyone]].

==See also==
* [[Bio]]
* [[Package art]]
* [[Packaging]]
* [[Power Plans]]

==References==
<references/>

{{toystub|Non-US sources for all eras; imagery for later lines.}}

[[Category:Toys]]