Editing Starscream (Armada)

{{factions|decepticon|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Starscream}}
:''Starscream is a [[Decepticon]] and briefly [[Autobot]] in the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:Starscreamut.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Starscream's back, and he's a [[Linkin Park]] song.]]

'''Starscream''' is disillusioned by his leader [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. It took a while for Starscream to come to grips with Megatron's faults, but there's no turning back. Megatron doesn't respect him, doesn't appreciate him, and would casually toss Starscream's life away if it got him something he wanted. If following Megatron is the school of hard knocks, then Starscream is the valedictorian—but not without a few scars. Starscream may have once been compassionate, he may once have known what true friendship is, but all that has been replaced, scab for scab, with the lessons of Megatron's abuse.

Unwittingly, Megatron may have created a monster even he cannot ultimately control.

Starscream's nominal [[Mini-Con]] partner is [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]], though he has been seen to work with [[Zapmaster]].


:''Japanese name (Energon):'' '''Nightscream'''
:''Japanese name (Galaxy Force, "Supreme" version):'' '''Super Starscream'''
:''Hungarian name (Energon)'': '''Surranó''' ("Sneaker")
:''Hungarian name (Cybertron)'': , '''Üstökös''' ("Comet")
:''Polish name (Armada):'' '''Krzykotron''' ("Screamtron")


==Fiction==
===Dreamwave comics continuity===

[[Image:DWArmada4_Starscream_jetmode.jpg|thumb|left|250px|]]

One million years ago, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] was at relative peace.  Most Transformers were nothing more than citizens of the planet and the [[Autobot]] army simply guarded the majestic [[Cyber City]]. The standard-sized Transformers lived alongside villages of the smaller-sized [[Mini-Con]]s, and all of them were caught unawares by the sudden rise of Megatron and his "Decepticon" army. He and his soldiers came seemingly out of nowhere, sweeping through Mini-Con villages and performing horrible experiments on the diminutive Transformers.  The Decepticons had discovered how to rewire Mini-Cons to interface with them, [[Powerlinx|drawing power]] from their new slaves. Starscream was a member of this malevolent menagerie, one of many soldiers who followed Megatron out of greed for the power the Mini-Cons could impart upon them. He was among the Decepticons who fought Autobot leader [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s team in Cyber City, managing to best both [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]] whilst augmented with the power of his Mini-Con, [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]]. Unfortunately, he discovered that the Mini-Cons they had captured earlier had somehow managed to flee Decepticon headquarters. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2}}

[[Image:DWArmada5_Starscream_Ineednoone.jpg|thumb|200px|]]

The war continued.  As the Decepticons sought out entrenched Autobot bunkers, Starscream noted to Megatron that even though the Decepticon leader's plans were smarter and more practical, the action-before-thought demonstrations of the warrior [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] were a greater "crowd-pleaser."  Starscream warned his leader that Scoroponok's antics might be seen as some as a challenge.  {{storylink|No Exit}}

Over the next million years, the Mini-Con empowered Decepticons steadily conquered the planet, and leaving much of it in rubble. The situation changed drastically when when [[Rad White|some]] [[Alexis|human]] [[Carlos Lopez|children]] stumbled upon the crashed [[Exodus|Mini-Con escape ship]] on the distant world of [[Earth]] and activated a distress beacon. The Decepticons, controlling Cybertron's communications satellites, intercepted the signal and mounted a [[Space bridge|spacebridge]] assault on Earth.  Meanwhile, the Autobots, having hacked into the communications system, also saw the signal and made a spacebridge trip of their own. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3}} While Megatron struggled in vain to capture [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]]'s group and their newfound human friends, Starscream led [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] to a nearby military base to find suitable Earthen vehicle whose form they could adopt. Returning to [[Science City]], while Megatron ranted and raved about leveling the human settlement to find the fugitive Mini-Cons, Starscream suddenly stabbed him in the back - or so it seemed, to Megatron, at least. Starscream had infact downloaded information for a new vehicle mode that Megatron could reconfigure himself into. After Megatron calmed down, he complimented his lieutenant on his choice. When the Mini-Cons were spotted again, Starscream and Cyclonus led the chase, until they were stopped by the Autobots and momentarily disabled. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 4}} In the ensuing fight, he and Cyclonus tried to get the jump on Scavenger, until they were jumped by Hot Shot and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]]. The fight took a turn for the worse when the Mini-Cons [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]], [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], [[Rollbar (Armada)|Rollbar]] and [[Liftor]] arrived and powerlinked with the Autobots. The Decepticons retreated to Cybertron after Starscream pointed out that they were in no condition to counterattack, as Megatron had powerlinked with all their available Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5}}

The Decepticons returned to set up their base at [[Silver Ridge]], [[Nebraska]] and plan their strategy. Realizing that the Autobots could now defend themselves with allied Mini-Cons, they set out to capture the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team]], who had been detected in Rapid City, [[South Dakota]]. Chafing at Megatron's greed, Starscream began to plot behind his back, trying to find a way to stop Megatron from having such a significant advantage in Mini-Con augmentation. While pondering this, he came across Sparkplug's Mini-Con group breaking into the base to rescue to the Air Defense Team, who were being reconfigured to combine into the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] sword. Prematurely thanking his [[Primus|Transformer diety]], Starscream set about trying to capture these Mini-Cons, but he got more than he bargained for when they brought the room's ceiling generator down upon him. {{Storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 6}} Digging his way out of the wreck, he wondered if it wasn't too much to ask for the chance to come out on top for once. When Megatron launched his attack on [[Lincoln]], Nebraska to lure the Autobots out of hiding, Starscream complained to the other Decepticons about how Megatron had forgotten about them in his latest power trip, and decided that their leader needed to be reminded of how much he needed their support. While Megatron busied himself with Optimus Prime, Starscream convinced [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] to not give Megatron enough power to effectively control the Star Saber's might. At this cruicial moment, the Decepticon leader lost his thrall over the Air Defense Team and they escaped, and with this, Megatron's advantage. Starscream mocked his loss and left. {{Storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7}}

[[Image:DWArmada10_StarscreamThrust_whiner.jpg|thumb|left|350px|]]

When the Mini-Cons in both factions disappeared, Starscream tracked them to a strange obelisk in Tranquility, [[Kansas]]. Just as he was about to capture [[Wreckage (Armada)|Wreckage]], he was blasted from behind by the obelisk, which then activated a powerful forcefield that prevented the Decepticons from retaliating. With the arrival of the Autobots, a melee ensued, which distracted both sides to the fact the Mini-Cons had entered the obelisk (now sporting hidden rocket engines) and had blasted off into space. {{Storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8}} Figuring out that the Mini-Cons had been taken to the moon by a previously-unknown faction of Mini-Con rebels, Megatron called upon [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] via the [[space bridge]] to bring him rocket booster packs so he could lead the flight-capable Decepticons in an attack on Earth's natural satellite. Soon, the Decepticons encountered the Mini-Con outer defenses, consisting of small, but, as Starscream pointed out, extremely numerous spatial mines. Eventually he was shot down and the Decepticons were forced to fall back. {{Storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9}} While Megatron worked on getting around the moon base's defenses, Starscream and Thrust were sent back to their Silver Ridge headquarters to retrieve some equipment, so Starscream decided it was as good a time as any to complain about how much fuel this sort of fetch and carry task wasted. Thrust commented that this sort of whining and complaining was why he didn't miss Starscream's absence at all, and wondered what he was good for, for Megatron to keep him around all of these years. They came across the unconscious body of Demolishor, and Starscream decided that now was the time to show just what he was good for. Unfortunately, he decided to demonstrate this by firing wildly as soon as he entered the base' empty control room. While the Decepticons were trying to figure out reason what Hot Shot and Red Alert had broken into  their base for, the Autobots suddenly burst out of a computer panel and blasted Starscream and the large computer behind them, to prevent the Decepticons from tracking the space bridge movements of Optimus Prime. {{Storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 10}}

[[Image:DWArmada13_Starscream_smirk.jpg|thumb|300px|]]

During Megatron's next Crazy Scheme for domination, he had [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]], [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]] launch his [[Solar Scalpel]], an orbital mirror that focused the [[Sun]]'s rays into a beam of mass-destruction. During Megatron's attempt to blast the Autobots and free a Mini-Con stasis pod frozen in the icy north of [[Alaska]], Starscream questioned why Megatron destroyed their shuttle instead of hitting the Autobots directly. Megatron condescendingly accused his second-in-command of lacking finesse, as he wanted the Autobots to see their impending doom. Starscream had the last laugh, however, as the [[Space Mini-Con Team]] member [[Skyblast (Armada)|Skyblast]] destroyed the Solar Scalpel, scuttling Megatron's plans. {{Storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13}}

Soon, it was discovered that their space bridge portal was not opening to Cybertron, and Megatron demanded Starscream and Demolishor fix it, despite the fact they were not trained in space bridge mechanics. Leader-1 discovered some sort of outside influence disrupting the whole inter-spatial network. While out on patrol, Starscream spotted Hot Shot and several of the Autobot Mini-Cons travelling from Big Sur National Park to [[San Francisco]] and decided to follow, unaware he himself was being followed by Thrust. Blasting the Autobots out of the sky as they arrived at the construction site, Starscream spotted an [[Over-Run (Armada)|unfamiliar Mini-Con]] and made a bid to grabbed him. As the Mini-Con screamed in terror, Starscream gloated, unaware that an [[Galvatron (G1)|immensely powerful being]] had appeared behind him, and paid for his lack of awareness when he was knocked unconscious with a single blow. {{Storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}}

[[Image:WorldsCollide1_Starscream_thebird.jpg|thumb|left|350px|]]

When Leader-1 discovered the Autobots were scanning sub-space for the absent Optimus Prime, Megatron decided to strike [[Autobase (Armada)|Autobase: Earth]]. Starscream fired the opening shot in the battle that followed, destroying the computer console Red Alert was stationed at. While Red Alert attempted to defend what remained of the base, Starscream blasted him with missiles and prepared to move in for the kill, but was prevented from doing so by Megatron, who wanted to finish off the Autobot himself. Fortunately for the Autobots, Galvatron, the mysterious being who defeated Starscream in San Fransisco, attacked the Decepticons and handily defeated all of Megatron's lackeys. {{Storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}}

The Decepticons eventually retreated after the defeat of Galvatron at the hands of the Star Saber {{Storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}, but were soon contacted by a new, powered-up Optimus Prime who wanted to form an alliance against the world-eating being known as [[Unicron]]. Eager for payback and the common interest in protecting their homeworld, the Decepticons agreed. During the ensuing battle on Cybertron, Starscream questioned if Megatron seriously expected him to go up there with the others. Megatron berated his subordinate for not recognising Unicron as power, power that Megatron deserved to have. As Megatron flew up towards the Chaos Bringer, Starscream decided he had seen the last of his leader, which turned out to be true. {{Storylink|The End}}

Ten years later, in the wake of the unification of Autobots and Decepticons following Unicron's defeat, Starscream had tried to ingratiate himself with [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] and the rest of the remaining Decepticons.  His wheedling didn't last long, though, as [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] showed up and promptly blasted him into a trash compactor.  {{storylink|This Evil Reborn}}  Later, during the [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcon]] attack on Earth, Starscream reappeared in his new form as an [[Energon]] [[ghost]] and incapacitated [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]].  {{storylink|Multiplicity, Pt. 3}}

{{note|Due to Dreamwave's subsequent bankruptcy, this ended up being his only appearance in his Energon form. He was going to gain a new form made of pure Energon and battle the Omnicons in #33 <ref>[http://seibertron.com/comics/view.php?comic_id=787 Transformers: Energon #33 at seibertron.com]</ref>}}

{{charstubfiction}}

===Cartoon continuity===
{{cleanup|October 2009|All fiction sections need significant expansion, because he's one of the major characters of the series.}}

====''Armada'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Dobson]] (English), [[Jin Yamanoi]] (Japan), [[José Sant'anna]] (Brazil), [[Gerd Meyer]] (Germany), [[Niclas Fransson]] (Sweden), [[Sander de Heer]] (The Netherlands)

[[Image:AStarscream cartoon.jpg|right|180px|thumb|He's grouchy because he's fangirl bait.]]
Accompanying Megatron's forces to [[Earth]], Starscream was deliberately made to be the last of the Decepticons to acquire a personal partner Mini-Con. Infuriated by this mistreatment, Starscream's resentment and hatred of Megatron made him a chink in the armor of the Decepticons that could be easily exploited by the manipulative [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]]. {{storylink|Rebellion}}

Initially, Sideways coerced Starscream into a duel with Megatron, which he promptly lost. A short time later, [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]], acting under the instructions of Sideways, further exploited Starscream by making him the patsy in his latest plan. Starscream was given the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] and allowed to run riot to draw the [[Autobot|Autobots]] out of their base, but was then abandoned on the battlefield so that the other Decepticons could invade the base and steal the [[Requiem Blaster]]. {{storylink|Sacrifice}}

Surviving to return to the Decepticon base, Starscream went on a rampage with the sword and disowned the Decepticons, siding up with the wary Autobots, not out of any desire to do good, but simply out of sheer hatred for Megatron. After a clash with [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and a trip to  [[Mars]] with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], Starscream befriended the Autobots' [[human]] allies, particularly [[Alexis]], and then gave the Autobots access to the Decepticon base, resulting in a raid that freed all the captive Mini-Cons. Starscream's defection was not a smooth process, however; he constantly clashed with his new teammates over morals and battle strategies, but nonetheless proved a capable and, on at least some level, willing Autobot. {{storylink|Regeneration}} {{storylink|Rescue}} {{storylink|Mars (episode)|Mars}}

Soon thereafter, Sideways and Thrust approached Starscream, planting seeds of doubt in his mind. This eventually caused him to steal the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom shield]] from the Autobots and return to the Decepticon fold (for a chance to defeat Megatron by working from the inside), giving the Decepticons possession of all three Mini-Con weapons. {{storylink|Crack}}

As Megatron readied his new super weapon to attack Earth, Starscream began to suffer a serious moral crisis. He had returned to the Decepticons but he still viewed those he'd left behind on Earth as his friends, and was torn between following orders, and a desire not to harm them. At times he found compromises, for instance, as Optimus led an attack to stop Megatron using the three Mini-Con weapons, Starscream, currently battling Jetfire, spotted one of the Decepticons sneaking up on Prime. Starscream then attacked Jetfire, allowing himself to be thrown away, and collided with the Decepticon who would have attacked Prime.

[[Image:Cramp-Starscreamdies.jpg|right|200px|thumb|(He gets better.)]]

Subsequently, Starscream was among the Transformers injured battling [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]], and who then received "[[Powerlinx]]" power boosts from their Mini-Cons. Starscream gained a new, blue coloration that he commented made him look like his contemporary, [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], with disgust just ''dripping'' from his tone. Returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Starscream pursued Thrust into the depths of the planet when the turncoat tactician revealed his treachery by stealing the Requiem Blaster and Skyboom shield. Starscream took a fatal shot from the Requiem Blaster as he battled Thrust in the subterranean tunnels, but the Mini-Con [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] used his powers to restructure the timeline, saving Starscream (and throwing the human kids back in time, and.. well, it's confusing). Thrust escaped and delivered the weapons to Sideways and his master, [[Unicron]], presently disguised as Cybertron's moon. Following Thrust through a warp gate and briefly reuniting with Alexis, Starscream entered the belly of the beast along with Hot Shot and [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]], but the unlikely trio were stymied by Unicron's [[Dead End Drone|internal defenses]] and failed to stop Sideways from using the weapons to begin Unicron's reactivation. 

Megatron—now Galvatron—was unwilling to acknowledge Unicron's threat, dismissing it as an Autobot trick, but Starscream knew the threat was real, and that only united under a true leader like [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]—whose strength of character and nobility had touched Starscream during his time with the Autobots—could the Transformers hope to stop him. To show Galvatron the error of his ways, he challenged him to a duel in which he allowed Galvatron to run him through with the Star Saber. Galvatron realized what happened and demanded to know what possessed Starscream to do such a thing.

Starscream told him that he tried to gain Galvatron's respect, but nothing was ever good enough, no matter how many battles he fought, his leader always found fault. Optimus Prime treated his men with respect, and was thus a leader of integrity, unlike Galvatron. But that didn't matter anymore, and after tearing the Star Saber out with his bare hands, Starscream turned his full firepower onto Unicron. The Chaos Bringer promptly obliterated him, to the shock of both Galvatron and Optimus Prime. When the dust settled, Galvatron stood reflecting upon Starscream's last words, and as a gesture, handed his enemy the Star Saber.

Unfortunately, Sideways ran off with it two seconds later. But it's the thought that counts. 

Alexis, who Starscream had formed a close bond with, was deeply affected by his death. {{storylink|Cramp}}

{{-}}
====''Energon''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Dobson]] (English), [[Nobuo Tobita]] (Japanese), [[Niclas Fransson]] (Swedish), [[Sander de Heer]] (The Netherlands)

Ten years after Starscream's death, when Megatron seized control of Unicron's body by ousting its former occupant, the alien being [[Alpha Quintesson]], the evicted extra-terrestrial needed an assassin to eliminate Megatron so that he could return to his original task of recreating the worlds destroyed by Unicron. Using what little [[Energon (Energon)|energon]] he had left, Alpha Q recreated another victim of Unicron—Starscream. However, Alpha Q ran out of energon before the process could be completed, leaving Starscream incomplete—his memory blank, and his body unstable, constantly shifting from a physical to an ethereal form, able to teleport by "ghosting" from location to location. {{storylink|Megatron Raid}

Alpha Q unleashed Starscream upon [[Ocean City]], where he battled Optimus Prime and then tracked Megatron back to Unicron's body. Even his awesome new abilities proved no match for the Decepticon leader, who used Unicron's power to brainwash Starscream, turning him into his right-hand man and most loyal subordinate. 

{{charstubfiction}}

Rather ironically, Megatron now treated Starscream with far more respect than previously, even entrusting him with some of the most difficult missions.  Later, when Megatron became Galvatron again through immersion in a subterranean reservoir of [[Super Energon]] on Cybertron, Starscream was allowed to do the same as a reward for his loyalty; the influx of power stabilized his physical form, while allowing him to retain his teleporting powers. When Galvatron was subsequently possessed by Unicron, [[Primus]] used the Super Energon to create a sun, and Galvatron plunged himself into it in order to contain Unicron's spark within it. Starscream seemingly sacrificed himself as well, diving into the sun alongside his leader. {{storylink|The Sun}}

====''Cybertron''====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Michael Dobson]] (English), [[Takaya Kuroda]] (Japanese)

[[Image:CybStarscream01.jpg|right|200px|thumb|[[Don Figueroa|Figueroa?]] I barely know 'er!]]

A decade after [[the Powerlinx Battles]] (as they were called), when  [[Primus]]'s plan to contain Unicron's spark at the core of the energon sun failed, the sun collapsed, becoming a deadly [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] that threatened Cybertron. Along with Megatron, Starscream was freed from the sun, his mind his own once more and his body refurbished into yet another new form. He had no memory at all of what happened, but then it seems no one did. 

Megatron began his campaign to acquire the legendary [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] by stealing the map that showed their locations from the ancient Transformer, [[Vector Prime]] while Starscream created a diversion that kept the other Autobots busy. During the fight, Starscream sent [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] tumbling into the black hole, but Vector Prime saved him at the last moment, opening a dimensional gate that teleported him to Earth. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} The Autobots and Decepticons followed, and when it was deduced that the Cyber Planet Keys' focusing device, the [[Omega Lock]], was hidden somewhere on the planet, Megatron charged Starscream with locating it while he focused on acquiring the Cyber Planet Key of [[Velocitron]], the Speed Planet.

Little did Megatron suspect, however, that Starscream had evolved a new ambition—now, he sought to oust Megatron and become the leader of the Decepticons, then the universe. Unlike [[Starscream (G1)|those with similar goals]], however, Starscream was smart enough to keep his intentions to himself, quietly working to achieve his goals through subtle means. While on a brief mission to attack [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] on Velocitron, Starscream was able to secretly switch Megatron's map with a copy that would play an important role later, and in an attempt to acquire more troops loyal to him, recruited the disillusioned Autobot [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] into his service on Earth. He later crossed paths once again with the mysterious [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], who saw in him the best chance to achieve his own goals.

With the Autobots having successfully acquired the Omega Lock and the Cyber Planet Keys from Velocitron and the [[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]], Starscream realized it was time to step up his agenda. His duplicate planet map led Megatron and the other Decepticons to a dead sector of space and sealed them within a metal sphere, freeing Starscream to search for the third Cyber Planet Key, from Earth itself. Encountering the Autobot monster-hunter, [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]]—one of the ancient Transformers whose ancestors had come to Earth with the Cyber Planet Key eons ago, who had recently been reactivated—Starscream discovered a vast underground holding cell in which Crosswise had imprisoned the [[ancient Decepticon]]s of his time. {{storylink|Trap}}

Liberating them, Starscream took command of their forces and began a planet-wide search for the Cyber Planet Key, fighting back the Autobot and human military resistance. {{storylink|Invasion|Invasion}} The Autobots had Crosswise's ally [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] recover the key from its hiding place in preparation for a retreat to Velocitron, but Starscream fought his way through the entire Autobot army and confronted Optimus Prime himself, successfully purloining the lock and all three keys by endangering the Autobots' human allies and drawing Prime out of the fight. {{storylink|Retreat}}

[[Image:Thunder-OhHi.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Betta have my money.]]

Retreating to a small volcanic island in the South Pacific, Starscream attempted to harness the power of the Cyber Planet Keys. Megatron, meanwhile, had been freed by [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], and immediately sought retribution, only to wind up clashing with the Autobots first. The extra time this afforded Starscream allowed him to tap the power of the keys and harness a fragment of the spark of Primus, growing to a gigantic height, complete with a familiar crown with which he crowned himself "Emperor of the Universe". With an extra power boost courtesy of his combination with [[Wing Saber]], Optimus Prime was able to defeat Starscream, but Sideways teleported his body away to the ancient starship [[Atlantis]] to recuperate. {{storylink|Starscream (episode)|Starscream}}

Not longer thereafter, when the Cyber Planet Keys were used by the Autobots to awaken Primus and transform Cybertron into his body, Starscream attempted a rather pitiful attack on the god, only to be swatted away like an insect. Later, when the Autobots assembled an energy converter that would allow Primus to direct his energy against the black hole in beam form, Starscream sensed the release of power and had Sideways warp the Atlantis into range. Plunging himself into the energy beam, Starscream tapped into Primus's powers once more, and this time, grew to planetary size. Ultimately, however, he fared little better in combat with the creator, winding up bludgeoned into submission by Cybertron's moons and drained of his excess power. {{storylink|Titans}}

The discovery of the fourth Cyber Planet Key on [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet, set Starscream racing to acquire the key first, but Landmine reached it ahead of him and was able to use its power to pay him back for past indignities by growing to his size and pummeling him. {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}} Subsequently, Megatron—now Galvatron—stole the Omega Lock and all four keys, and Starscream challenged him to a final battle for possession of them. Declaring that he had given himself over to his pursuit of power, and had no reason to hold back as he had nothing to lose, Starscream engaged his former leader in battle. Throughout the fight Starscream was easily the aggressor using his ability to increase the mass of his body, and null cannons. This reduced Galvatron to the point where he was on the verge of destruction. At the climatic point of the battle, Starscream channeled unprecedented levels of energy; Galvatron did the same, and so incredible was the reaction when the two fully-powered combatants clashed released that space and time itself was rendered by the final explosion. Starscream was hurtled into another dimension along with the interfering Sideways and [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]. Only his crown was left, seen floating through space. {{storylink|Showdown (episode)|Showdown}}

Finally, after Galvatron had been defeated in battle within the black hole, Starscream's spirit reached out across the dimensions, apparently via the [[fire dimension]], to encourage him to fight on, adding a little extra motivation when Galvatron acquired Starscream's crown, crushing it in his hand.

As the Autobots made preparations to begin their new galaxy-spanning [[space bridge]] initiative, [[Wing Saber]]—having departed from the rest of the Autobots to continue with his "loner" lifestyle—radioed Optimus to report that he had found a lead on Starscream's trail and was pursuing it. Landmine and a reformed Mudflap departed to aid him, and would eventually encounter Starscream within what appeared to be the fire dimension. {{storylink|Beginning}}

====''Cybertron'' comic====
Starscream killed the Mini-Con [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] as the little guy was uploading himself into Cybertron's planetary mainframe.  {{storylink|Revelations Part 2}}

{{note|This is an allusion to a Dreamwave Comics continuity event, but apparently it also took place in the animated continuity, too? Well, okay. Don't think too hard on this one.}}

===Panini ''Armada'' comic===
Starscream answered letters! A mere wiki article write-up cannot convey how rude he was to the five-year-old letter-writers.

{{charstubfiction}}

==Games==
===''Transformers''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Matt Hetherington]]

[[Image:Starscream-GameBurn.jpg|left|180px|thumb|Sephiroth! Sephiroth! 'Cause all bad guys walk in flames and not get burned to hell!]]
Starscream was stationed in Antarctica, overseeing [[Decepticlone]] operations in  recovering the [[Mini-Con storage panel|Mini-Con storage panels]] found in the area, using a human research center they overran as his base of operations. When the Autobots ventured too close, Starscream attacked (blowing up the hangar he was holed up in first), but was shot out of the sky and left for dead.

Having survived his initial defeat, Starscream followed the Autobots to Alaska. There he collided his starship into a mountain in an attempt to crush them, but the Autobots escaped unscathed. This also gave them the chance to infiltrate the downed ship and free the captive Mini-Con [[Aftershock (Armada)|Aftershock]] from the control room. Starscream used his null laser cannons at full power in an attempt to finish off his foes, but only succeeded in cutting the rock face below the ship, which collapsed and sent the precariously balanced ship plunging into the valley below. The impact of the crash buried the bow deep into the earth, forcing the Autobots to climb their way up and out to the surface.

[[Image:Starscream-Cmere.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Does Wayne Brady have to choke a bitch?]]
When the Autobots pulled free from the buried ship and got back to ground-level, Starscream attacked again. But this battle too ultimately ended in defeat, leading Optimus Prime to interrogate him as to the whereabouts of Megatron. When Starscream refused and attempted to fire his functional null ray at point-blank range, Optimus knocked him unconscious with a well-aimed punch. He then ordered Red Alert to hack the treacherous Decepticon's warp transponder, which led them to Megatron's [[Pacific Island]] base. {{storylink|Transformers (Melbourne House)}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[Image:Armada SS toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|He's Emo-tastic!]]
*'''Starscream with Swindle''' (Mega-Con, 2002/2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Port wing/sword, 2 "fireblast" missiles

: Starscream transforms into a Cybertronic jet fighter. In both modes, pressing down on his cockpit canopy activates electronic sound effects; in jet mode, it also deploys his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] if he is stored under the cockpit.  Plugging a Mini-Con onto his rearmost [[Powerlinx]] plug releases two spring-activated over-shoulder spring-loaded missile launchers, as well as more electronic sound effects. His left wing detaches and unfolds to form a large sword for use in robot mode.

: The [[Takara]] version of this toy is largely identical to the [[Hasbro]] version, but uses a brighter light gray plastic, gold paint instead of yellow, more detailed paint applications on the wings, and has a "separated" Decepticon sigil deco. The canopy section on the Japanese version is parallel to the rest of the jet mode, while the American points more downward. This is due to a retooling of the area that meets his chest, and was done [[for safety reasons]], making the nosecone "collapse" easier if pressed point-first into, say, your little brother.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]], ''Armada'' [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and ''Armada'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]].


<span id="McDonalds"></span>

*'''Starscream''' (Happy Meal premium, 2003)

: Part of the McDonald's ''Armada'' promotion, this version of Starscream transforms into a Cybertronic jet the somewhat resembles his larger toy. It features a pull-back motor gimmick that propels his jet-mode forward, then leaps up to instantly convert to robot mode, like the [[Generation 1 (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Jumpstarter|Jumpstarters]]. In jet mode, he can combine with the other three Happy Meal Decepticons to form a goofy-looking super vehicle.


<span id="BTR"></span>

[[Image:BTR Armada Starscream.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Starscream's attempts to take over [[Block Town]] were less than successful.]]
*'''Starscream with Swindle''' (Built to Rule, 2003)
**''Accessories'': 2 missiles

: ''[[Built to Rule]]''
Starscream is a building-brick set that can be assembled into a Cybertronic fighter jet or a robot, or to whatever else you feel like. He came with a building-brick version of Swindle. The set features two missile launchers that use a unique "twist-block" pressure-launch mechanism.

: This set was later released in different colors as Thundercracker and [[Zapmaster]].

{{-}}
<span id="JapaneseSuper"></span>
[[Image:Armada Thundercracker toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Thunder-who? Sorry, never heard of him.]]
*'''Starscream Supermode with Spark Grid''' (Mega-Con, 2003)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MD-09'''
**''Accessories:'' Port wing/sword, 2 "fireblast" missiles

: The Takara version of the ''Armada'' Thundercracker toy represents a powered-up version of Starscream instead of a new character. This toy is almost identical to the Hasbro Thundercracker, but uses a darker, more vivid blue plastic and a darker, more vivid red. Also the canopy section on the Japanese version is parallel to the rest of jet mode, while the American points more downward. This is due to a retooling of the area that meets his chest and was done [[for safety reasons]].

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]], ''Armada'' [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and ''Armada'' [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]].

{{-}}

===Energon===
[[Image:Superlink Nightscream Toy.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Takara Starscream, now with G1 sweetening.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Energon sword, energon rifle, 2 missiles

[[Image:Energon Starscream toy.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Hasbro Starscream, all spooky.]]
: ''Energon'' Starscream transforms into a jet fighter loosely based upon the F/A-22 Raptor (which would later be used as the alt-mode of [[Starscream (Movie)|another Starscream]]), cast mostly in dark clear-green plastics to emphasize his "energon ghost" status. The toy also features numerous spots of sculpted battle damage and asymmetrical plastic-color layouts to further enhance the effect. He comes with two very large accessories, a sword and a non-firing blaster, which can combine to form a ''really'' larger sword and/or non-firing blaster. In jet mode he has two wing-mounted spring-loaded missile launchers, which can flip up over his robot-mode shoulders for "Hyper Mode".

: The Japanese version of this mold, called "Nightscream", uses gray plastics instead of stony-blue, a lighter shade of red paint, and darker blue plastic and paint.

: There was much controversy upon the toy's announcement since at first glance it appears to be a simple [[retool]] of ''[[Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen]]. However, Starscream is in fact an all-new mold which uses a similar transformation scheme.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]], and [[Leozack]]

{{-}}
<span id="SamClub"></span>
[[Image:Energon-toy_2-pack_Starscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]
*'''Prowl with Longarm & Starscream with Zapmaster''' (Multi-pack, 2004)

: Part of a Sam's Club [[exclusive]] set, the [[#Armada_2|original Starscream toy]] was [[Redeco|redecoed]] in primarily dark gray with burgundy and black accents.  His Mini-Con partner was [[Zapmaster]] this time around rather than Swindle.  The set also included ''Energon'' [[Prowl (Energon)|Prowl]] as an ''Armada'' [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] redeco with [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]].

{{-}}
<span id="EnergonEnergon"></span>
[[Image:Superlink Nightscream Reverse Toy.jpg|right|130px|thumb|Takara "Nightscream" has two scoops of G1 in every toy.]]
*'''Energon Starscream''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''SD-19'''
**''Accessories:'' Sword, rifle, 2 missiles

[[Image:Energon Energon Starscream Toy.jpg|left|130px|thumb|Hasbro Starscream has twice the G1 for half the price.]]
: ''Energon'' Starscream was redecoed into a more [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]-inspired color scheme, primarily light gray with blue and red accents. His assymetrical arm coloration continues in this mode due to the use of [[Unpaintable plastic|unpaintable plastics]] needed for structural support.

: The Takara "Nightscream Rebirth" release of the toy has some significant differences, the most notable being the use of clear-blue plastics in the place of some of the solid-gray in the Hasbro version. Gray plastic was used in place of black, and many paint details were different. It also came with a yellow version of ''Energon'' [[Insecticon (Energon)|Insecticon]]'s [[Energon weapon|energon drill weapon]] and Decepticon-style [[energon chip]].

: The Hasbro version of this mold was used as the model for the [[#Attacktix|unreleased ''Attacktix'' vehicle-mode Starscream piece]].

{{-}}

<span id="BTREnergon"></span>
[[Image:BTR EnergonStarscream.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Starscream's attempt to infiltrate the Space Police was only marginally more successful.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Built to Rule, 2004)

: The ''Energon'' version of ''Built To Rule'' Starscream was designed with a much more solid skeleton with larger, blockier limbs. He can be rebuilt from a Cybertronic jet fighter with pressure-launch missiles, to a robot, to basically whatever you feel like doing with the parts.

: Unfortunately, due to the slow performance of the ''Built to Rule'' line overall, the ''Energon'' versions only had a limited, test market release initially in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. The sets later filtered out into many "Tuesday Morning" chain discount stores at drastically dropped prices.

{{-}}

===Cybertron===
[[Image:GalaxyForce Starscream toy.jpg|right|180px|thumb|I am Vegeta, Prince of all Saiya- I mean, I will be leader of all Decepticons!]]
*'''Starscream''' (Voyager, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GD-03'''
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, missile, Decepticon Cybertron Cyber Planet Key

: ''Galaxy Force'' Starscream transforms into a Cybertronic starfighter.  In both modes, plugging a [[Cyber Planet Key]] into his back end flips out a spring-loaded blade from each arm. His spring-loaded missile launcher can be used as either a hand-held weapon, or mounted under his jet-mode nosecone. He comes with a Cybertron-Decepticon-style Cyber Planet Key.

: This mold in these colors was never released in the Hasbro ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' line, most likely to not interfere with sales of the much larger Supreme Starscream toy (see below). It was later used to make ''[[Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] and the [[Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]].


<span id="Supreme"></span>
[[Image:CybScreamSupreme.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Honeycomb big?  Yeah Yeah Yeah!  It's not small?  No No No!]]
*'''Starscream''' (Supreme, 2005)
**''Accessories:'' Missile, "Crown of Leadership", Decepticon Cybertron Cyber Planet Key, Gold Earth Cyber Planet Key

: Supreme Starscream is a colossally-upscaled version of the Voyager-class Starscream toy, with quite a few changes. The most notable is the change in his Cyber Planet Key [[gimmick]]: each arm has a separate Key jack in it rather than the Voyager's single joint-jack. While the right arm still deploys a blade, the left arm now reveals a "null laser cannon" spring-loaded missile launcher and expanding prongs of undetermined function (beyond looking neat). The original back-mounted Key jack still exists in a fashion, though it does not activate any gimmicks and merely serves as a Key storage space (a rarity among ''Cybertron'' toys). A second storage-only jack is found on the underside of the same assembly. The two small guns on the sides of his cockpit can swivel up to firing position in robot mode, and he also has several electronic light and sound gimmicks, including one activated by moving his sword-arm.

: He comes with a Decepticon "Crown of Leadership" that fits over his noggin (which, together with his considerable size, has earned him the nickname "King Starscream" among fans.)  He is also the only ''Cybertron'' toy to come with ''two'' Cyber Planet Keys, a Cybertron-Decepticon Key, and a gold-bordered Earth-style Key.  Both Keys have the [[Cyber Key Codes|Key Code]] "'''s5a3'''" [[Tampograph|tampographed]] on their backs.  (The placement of these accessories in the box varies in later releases.)

: In Japan, this toy was released as a Toys "R" Us exclusive, basically unchanged in US packaging.


<span id="VsVector"></span>
[[Image:Tru2005Cybertronstarscream.JPG|right|180px|thumb|Thrust? No wait... Ramjet?]]
*'''Starscream vs. Vector Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2005)
**''Accessories:'' Missile launcher, missile, Decepticon Cybertron-style Cyber Planet Key

: This burgundy and black redeco of ''Galaxy Force'' Starscream came in a two-pack with an unaltered [[Vector Prime]], and was exclusive to Toys "R" Us stores.  It was also sold for slightly less than the cost of two Voyagers.

: This mold was also used to make ''[[Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Starscream (SG)|Starscream]] and the [[Universe (2008 toyline)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]].

{{-}}
<span id="LOC"></span>
[[Image:CybScream-LOC.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Starsqueak.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)

: A colossally ''downscaled'' and simplified version of the ''Cybertron'' Starscream figure was released as part of the first wave of the ''[[Legends Class|Legends of Cybertron]]'' series. He transforms into the same Cybertronic starfighter altmode, and has flip-out weapons (one sword, one non-firing blaster).

: In Japan, the toy was sold as part of the ''very'' short-lived "EZ Collection".  It was given more extensive [[Paint application|paint applications]] than the Hasbro version. 

: This mold was used to make ''Legends of Cybertron'' [[Ramjet (Universe)|Ramjet]], [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]] and [[Sunstorm (LOC)|Sunstorm]], and ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

{{-}}
<span id="EZClear"></span>
*'''EZ Collection Clear Set''' (Multi-pack, 2005)

: A three-pack of EZ Collection [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Galaxy Convoy]] and Starscream using clear plastics in some parts was released in Japan. It was a mail-away exclusive to ''TV Magazine''.

===Attacktix===
[[Image:AttacktixScream.jpg|right|180px|thumb|He keeps flying in circles for some reason.]]
*'''Starscream''' (Booster, 2006)
{{attacktix 
|ID=TF08
|faction=Decepticon
|class=Captain
|special=Rally - 14/26 (54%) success ratio
|cost=10
|speed=6
|attacktype=Shooter (Large Missile)
}}
{{-}}

: ''[[Attacktix]]'' Starscream is based on his [[#Cybertron_2|''Cybertron'' incarnation]]. His Special Power, ''Rally'', enables a player to return any one of their already-defeated [[Decepticon]] pieces to play. If Starscream's speed wheel reads 8 stop moving him there—you'll be able to move him 2 extra tix next turn and even if he gets shot down his special power is always white when he's on 8 speed.

: A Captain figure Starscream works very well with his own redeco, [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]], supporting his ''Infiltration'' power. 

{{-}}

*'''Starscream''' (Booster, 2007)
{{attacktix 
|ID=??
|faction=Decepticon
|class=Captain
|special=Rally - 14/26 (54%) success ratio
|cost=30
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (Small Missile)/Flight
}}
{{-}}

: This as yet unreleased Starscream is a missile launching piece based on his [[#EnergonEnergon|"''Energon'' Energon" form's vehicle mode]]. His vehicle form can detach from his base and fly on a string, enabling him to get better shots of opposing pieces, or even airlift allies (or enemies... is that a legal move?). His "Transform" power would probably allow you to bring any Starscream figure into play from your back-ups—making Starscream an even more effective figure when working with Skywarp. But as the toy was never released, we'll never know.

{{canceledtoy}}
{{-}}

===Merchandise===
* A soft-plastic PVC figurine of Starscream's animation model was released in "Act-9" of Takara's [[Super Collection Figure]] series.  It came in both full-color and pewter-finish version, one each per case of twelve.

* A larger non-transforming PVC figure of Starscream was released in the Mega Super Colleciton figure series. Like other toys in the line, he came with a few extra pieces, like a separate wing-sword, and a mini-PVC of his [[Mini-Con]] partner [[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]].

==Notes==
* According to the [[Transformers (Melbourne House)|''Armada'' video game]]'s instruction booklet, Starscream (in his ''Armada''-era body) has the following statistics:

:Height: 19' 7" (15' 1" vehicle mode length)
:Weight: 22,050 lbs
:Thrust: 28,000 lbs
:Vehicle Top Speed: Mach 2.7

* ''Armada'' Starscream's body parts made frequent cameos in the CGI models of the generic Decepticon and Autobot soldiers during the ''Energon'' cartoon series, despite Starscream not actually ever appearing in his ''Armada'' body during the series.

* [[Aaron Archer]] has expressed disappointment in how the ''Energon'' Starscream toy turned out, largely its design cues not quite coming across as intended.

* It's a popular rumor that the Starscream who appears in ''Super Link'' (the Japanese version of ''Energon'') is not the original, but a clone. Popular, but entirely wrong. Although not ''explicitly'' referred to with the name "Starscream" in dialogue, he is identified as one of Megatron's former soldiers, given a new name in a poetic moment (Galvatron traps him in utter darkness to reduce him to terror—hence his new Japanese name, "Nightscream"), and things just roll on from there without a backward look.

[[Image:Speaker.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Starscream's emptiness can only be filled by love or electronics.]]
* The ''Cybertron'' Starscream design is based on the [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 Starscream]] body from the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic series "[[The War Within]]", designed by [[Don Figueroa]]. Possibly as a "second try" at the design cues intended for the ''Energon'' toy that, as noted above, didn't come out as the designers had hoped.

* ''Cybertron'' Voyager Starscream was designed with a [[soundbox]] in mind (even including the requisite speaker and battery brackets when you crack one open), but the final Hasbro and Takara versions have no electronics.

* The Supreme Starscream's crown is modeled directly after the crown [[Starscream (G1)|Generation 1 Starscream]] wore in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', though this Starscream actually wore it for more than thirty seconds before dying. 

* He is the only Starscream that has ever stood up to Megatron and earned the respect of his opponents. Like Dinobot, he "Lived a warrior and died a hero". Primus bless his spark.
 
* He is the first Starscream based on the original to start the trend of Starscream being a [[Starscream (Movie)|capable]] [[Starscream (Animated)|fighter]].

*He is by far the only Starscream to <strike>fall in love with and</strike> form a close bond with a human. Make that a [[Alexis|''female ''human]].

*Many times throughout the series Starscream was labeled a coward and a traitor. Up until Cybertron,  it was because either Megatron abused him, or because he had enough common sense to avoid a battle that was impossible to win.

*In Cybertron, Starscream not only successfully betrays Megatron, but goes on to defeat the whole Autobot army. He follows this up with having the bearings to do battle with Primus himself.

*Ironically, Starscream's defeat at Galvatron's hands allowed him to outlive Galvatron. His current fate is unknown, as at the end of the series Landmine and Mudflap were last seen encountering him, but the outcome is not shown.

==References==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Decepticon/Starscream/starscream.htm Starscream at TFU.info]


[[Category:Armada characters]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Built to Rule]]
[[Category:Energon characters]]
[[Category:Cybertron characters]]
[[Category:Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Fast food exclusives]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Sam's Club exclusives]]
[[Category:Seekers]]
[[Category:Turncoats]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]