Editing Combiner

[[File:studioox combiners whatif.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.]]
{{quote|Decepticons are '''obsessed''' with combining. Put two of 'em in a room and within seconds one will be standing on the other's shoulders. '''Fact.'''|[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]|[[The Waiting Game]]}}
A '''combiner''' is a group of Transformers that assemble and combine their bodies into a single machine, or that composite machine itself. Most combiners form a larger Super Robot with its own unique personality (a character in its own right), but other varieties of combiner exist, forming vehicles, weapons, or other items. Combiners tend to be considerably larger and more powerful than the average Transformer, equivalent to strategic-grade weapons.

There are a number of combiner-related terms that can be easy to mix up, partially because some of them are used interchangeably. Additionally, most of them have no formal definition and thus may be used differently by different fans. Consequently, most of the discussion which follows should not be taken as the word of [[Primus]], but as a rough description of common usage.

==Terms for combiners==
[[File:Combiner logo.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Worst...logo...ever.]]
'''Combiner''': As above, a member of a group of Transformers who assemble into a composite form. Also refers to that composite form itself. This is the most general term for all combining Transformers. "Combiner" is the most common term for combining Transformers that has been used by Hasbro in an official capacity, starting with the ''[[Micromaster]] Combiners'' from 1990 (with the exception of the more limited "special teams" and a recent official use of the term "gestalt"), having even appeared with its own logo on ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' toy packaging.

[[File:DevastatorDissectionDreamwave.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|What, no Terror Claws? No Cranium Regulation Unit? What kind of lame dissection is this?!]]
'''Gestalt''': Generally only a "big robot" combiner with an emergent personality, but usage is imprecise. The term was coined by fans, and there was never consensus on how broadly it could be applied; for example, if [[Squawkbox]] would fall under the category or not. The term was and remains quite popular in the fandom, and it eventually gained official use as well. It's unclear when or how it first arose, but it is commonly understood to refer to [[wikipedia:gestalt psychology|gestalt psychology]], wherein the word roughly means a thing that is greater than or different from the sum of its parts. ''(For more on its origin and meaning, see [[#Notes|Notes]].)'' It remained firmly in realm of [[fanon]] for years, though its appearance in some ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' design sketches showed that the term had caught on with Hasbro designers. Then in 2007, "gestalt" [[Canonizing|made its first official appearance]] in the bio of the ''[[Titanium Series]]'' [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] toy, followed in the same year by the "[[Spotlight: Optimus Prime]]" comic (referring to [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]), and again in 2009 in the "[[First (and Second) in Flight]]" comic wherein [[Perceptor (Animated)|Perceptor]] describes [[Jetfire (Animated)|Jetfire's]] & [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm's]] combination into [[Safeguard (Animated)|Safeguard]] as a sort of "gestalt powerlink".

'''Scramble City combiner''': A specific type of [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] giant gestalt that follows the five-member design featured in the Japanese [[Scramble City (toyline)|''Scramble City'' toyline]]. The team leader is larger than the other members and forms the main body of the combiner, while the others are smaller and form the limbs. The limbs are interchangeable, although there is always a generally-accepted “normal” formation. Further, the limbs are interchangeable from one Scramble City-style combiner to another, making for a large number of bizarre combinations. (See [[Abomenaticus]], [[Cybertron Super Scramble]], [[Comperian]], [[Destron Super Scramble]], and [[Scramble 7]].) Limbs are also able to attach to and augment Metroplex & Metrotitan (see "Notes" below). Note that this term is purely descriptive rather than being a proper name.

'''Special Team''': A synonym for Scramble City-style combiner. When the ''Scramble City'' toys were marketed in Europe they were referred to as Special Teams, and the term even appeared in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK comic book]] series. The term was used in some marketing materials in the US, such as packing lists for the toy [[Case|case assortments]], but never appeared in US fiction until the [[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide|''Ultimate Guide'']] was published in 2004. It was also used as the name for a [[Target]] [[exclusive]] five-pack of [[redeco]]s of ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Legends Class|Legends]] toys released under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' banner, "Special Team Leaders". Ironically, none of these toys were actually ''combiners''—the term simply referred to the ''characters'', since the redecos were [[homage]]s to the leaders of Generation 1 combiner teams, four of which were Scramble City-style combiners.

'''Super Robot''': A robot which is formed through the combination of two or more Transformers. Powered-up robot modes composed of only one Transformer who combines with some of their own accessories are often also referred to as Super Robots, such as [[Powermaster]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] or the incarnations of Prime from ''Robots in Disguise'' and all three ''[[Unicron Trilogy]]'' series. It is probably safe to informally refer to any such mode as a Super Robot (thus including, say, G1 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and ''Energon'' [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]]). Note that this means Super Robots are not always combiners and do not have to have their own personality. Rather, Super Robot and combiner are two different categories of Transformer which ''sometimes'' overlap. A one-robot Super Robot may also be referred to as that robot's [[Super Mode]].

'''Fusilateral quintrocombiner''': Coined by [[Simon Furman]] in [[Swarm (issue)|issue 9]] of the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] to refer to the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. It presumably is meant to refer to all the Scramble City-style teams except possibly the Seacons, as their combined forms consist of six robots (not five, so they could possibly be fusilateral hexocombiners I guess...). It may also apply to the Predacons, but it doesn't matter because nobody uses this term anyway.

'''Amalgam model''': Yet another obscure term for combiners first used by Simon Furman via [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] in the "[[Devastation Derby!]]" story in the UK comic books.

==Types of combiner==
As mentioned above, most combiners form a super robot. However, there are many other types of combining in the Transformers multiverse.

In the ''Energon'' franchise, most of the Autobot characters were able to combine with each other in pairs much like ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (franchise)|Victory]]'''s [[Multiforce]]. These combined forms can probably be considered Super Robots. The combined form was simply controlled by whichever Autobot was "on top". Make whatever jokes you will.

Generation 1 contains many examples of combined [[alternate mode]]s, including [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]], [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]], [[Big Powered]], the [[Triple Combination Battlestar Attack|Battlestar]], and the [[Targetmaster|Double Targetmasters]].

The [[Micromaster Combiner]]s are made up of Transformers whose altmodes combine into vehicles, with one partner being the front and another the rear. The combined forms do not have specific names. Thanks to the generic peg-and-socket connection method used, any two Micromaster combiners can be linked (though some such as the dump truck/space shuttle combo may attract comment). These altmode combiners should not be confused with the Micromaster "Sixcombiners", six-robot teams who combine to form a Super Robot.

The [[Unicron Trilogy]]'s [[Mini-Con]]s brought to the fiction combined weapon modes, like the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]] & [[Vorpal Saber]] [[sword]]s, [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]] cannon, and [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]].

The [[Power Core Combiners]] use a different type of combining method. Instead of using 5 robots, the combined final robot is formed by one "Commander" type robot, and 4 different drones that form the arms and legs.

==Not combiners==
Not all cases of multiple things attaching to each other are combiners. As mentioned above, many Super Robots—which are formed through a conglomeration of parts—are not combiners. [[Landmine (Energon)|''Energon'' Landmine]], for example.

A similar case can be found in [[multi-component Transformer|Transformers who have two or more "components" which combine into a single entity]]. [[Sky Lynx (G1)|G1 Sky Lynx]] has lynx and dino-bird components, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|G1 Omega Supreme]] has tank, base, and rocket components, and [[Magmatron]] has three dinosaur components. However, all of these components are considered to be "part of" the overall Transformer, even through they can act independently. The [[Duocon]]s are another case of this sort. All of these examples are ''not'' combiners because there is only ''one'' Transformer involved in each of them, regardless of how many bodies that Transformer may simultaneously operate. Such robots are occasionally referred to as "Reverse Combiners" within the fandom.

(Confusing things further are the comics which treated Sky Lynx and the Duocons as triple changers, able to transform between the combined mode and the ones for individual components without any parts separating off.)

Sometimes a smaller Transformer will attach to and enhance a larger Transformer in some way. This is the case when Mini-Cons powerlink with bulks, as well as with [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] partners like [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], [[Powermaster]]s/[[Godmaster]]s, [[Kiss Player]]s and [[Breastforce]] members. Although these examples do include more than one Transformer (or a Transformer and a fleshling), they are not considered "combiners". The simplest justification for this is that, in these cases, the "combined" form is almost exactly the same in appearance as the non-combined form.

And sometimes [[Beast (G1)|things just combine for no real reason at all. Just deal with it. We hate it, oh God yes, but there it is. We're sorry.]]

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
=====Combiner teams=====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Constructiconsbornmarvel.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
The [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s were designed and built by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] as the first combiner team. They were given life through [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] energy stored in [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s head. The Constructicons had considerable difficulty coordinating together as Devastator in their first mission. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

Optimus Prime assigned a secret project to the architect [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

[[File:Superion drawing devastation derby.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
''The [[Special Teams]] were first conceived within [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]'s mind shortly after the human had relinquished control of the Creation Matrix to Optimus Prime. Shockwave was able to view this data remotely and prepare for their development.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

Grapple's project was finished and revealed as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who was able to combine his rocket and tank modules into one mighty robot. This form of combination was considered inadequate next to the combination of the six Constructicon warriors, so the Autobots decided to learn learn how to utilize the more advanced technology. They staged an attack on a Decepticon coal mining base which drew out the Constructions. When they combined, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] was there recording their transformation pattern. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} [[File:Menasor superion heavy traffic.jpg|thumb|left]] They used this information to construct the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. Unfortunately, they were forced to go on their first mission with only [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]'s personality programming completed, leaving the rest of the team, and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], rather indifferent towards [[human]] casualties. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} After their first mission proved a failure, Optimus Prime had [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] wipe their memory, and started reprogramming them with the Creation Matrix. However, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], who had gotten a lift to the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] on Silverbolt's plane mode, had injected Optimus Prime with a [[cerebro-shell]] with which [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] was able to steal energy from the Creation Matrix and bring his newly-built combiner team, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] to life. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s were the next combiner teams to become part of their respective factions' Earth-bound crew. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}}

{{note|The exact origin of the Protectobots and Combaticons is not revealed.}}

[[File:Predaking gone but not forgotten.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
''The combining [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] were summoned to Earth from Cybertron by Megatron.'' {{storylink|Prey!}} The Predacons were ''again'' summoned to Earth by Shockwave. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} The [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s were part of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s crew and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s were part of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s crew on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. They had the ability to combine. {{storylink|The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters}} ''The [[Seacon (G1)|Seacon]]s were combiners that were summoned from Cybertron to Earth by Shockwave.'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} They later came under the command of [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

{{note|It is not revealed how the Combiner technology that was developed on Earth was found among these Cybertron based crews. Some of the Decepticons on Cybertron were in contact with Earth Decepticons, so perhaps the technology was passed along and the Cybertron Autobots stole it from the Cybertron Decepticons. Or the Cybertron Transformers just developed the technology independently.}}

=====Other combiners=====
[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] combine to form [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|People Power!}} They appear to keep their individual personalities in their combined mode instead of merging their minds.

====Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
On Cybertron, the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] were existing Transformers who were brainwashed by [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] to become Decepticons. Megatron also adapted them with the ability to combine into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to challenge [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. Omega Supreme pursued the Constructicons for millions of years. {{storylink|The Secret of Omega Supreme (episode)|The Secret of Omega Supreme}} In 1984, the Constructicons were (re?)created on [[Earth]] with the ability to combine to bolster the Decepticons' strength. {{storylink|Heavy Metal War}}

{{note|For more on the conflicting origin of the Constructicons, see [[Constructicon (G1)#Origin inconsistency|here]].}}

The [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]s and [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]]s were built from scratch and given personality by [[Vector Sigma]]. They were designed with the ability to combine. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

[[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] installed the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s' [[personality component]]s into junked military vehicles. This brought the vehicles to life with the ability to combine. {{storylink|Starscream's Brigade}}

The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobot]]s became part of the Autobot forces on Earth and were able to combine. {{storylink|The Revenge of Bruticus}}

Years later, the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacon]]s originated as combiners under the command of the [[Quintesson]]s. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5}} The combinable [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s were part of [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s troops. An intellectually enhanced [[Grimlock (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Grimlock]] created the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]]s with the ability to combine. {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
Experiments in combining were conducted both before and during the early phase of the civil war, in a process known as [[mass intellect]]. However, the combined forms suffered in that the stronger minds tended to drown out the weaker ones. Following the failure of the planetary engine turbines, the Constructicons turned their attention to the mass intellect process. They eventually developed a hyper vortex processor that managed to preserve the individuals minds in the combined whole. Testing the process on themselves, the Constructicons combined into Devastator. While the Constructicons were able to preserve their minds, Devastator was hampered by the need of all six Constructicons to agree on a course of action, which was usually destroy the Autobots. As a result, the combined intellects of the Constructicons did not translate to Devastator, who instead suffered serious mental disabilities. Despite this, Devastator's destructive capabilities greatly pleased Megatron, and he ordered the Constructicons to continue their experiments. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}}
{{groupstub}}

====IDW Generation 1 continuity====
Combination was invented by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], whose experiments with the technology resulted in [[Pretender Monster|six volunteers]] being merged into [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]]. Unfortunately, in this first prototype, the merging process led to insanity, and they were sealed away by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} {{storylink|Primus: All Good Things}} [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]], a student of Jhiaxus, continued his combiner research as part of the Decepticon army. {{storylink|Omega's Conundrum}} [[Ambulon (G1)|Ambulon]] was modified into a leg as part of an experimental Decepticon combiner, but he defected and the project seemingly went nowhere. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

Having escaped after millions of years, the Monstructor components captured by the Autobots {{storylink|Spotlight: Optimus Prime}} and placed into the custody of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] while [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]] studied them with the goal of rehabilitating them. The technology stymied Jetfire, who estimated it would take a lot more study before progress could be made. He didn't get the chance, however, since the "Monstructor Six" were soon captured by the [[Decepticon Secret Service]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} Monstructor was then captured by unidentified minions of [[Nova Prime|Nemesis Prime]] {{storylink|Spotlight: Hardhead}} and used to guard the [[Nega-Core]] on Rotan. He was engaged in combat by the Decepticon Secret Service and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] while the Autobots sneaked around him. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}} Following the battle, he fell under Decepticon control and was put under the command of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. {{storylink|All Hail Megatron issue 15|Lost and Found}}

Thanks to the efforts of Shockwave and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]], the Decepticons finally completed their own combiner in the form of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], bypassing the insanity normally caused by uniting the minds of several individuals by having the like-minded [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] form him. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}}

Two years after Devastator's first appearance, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] used illegal combiner technology to modify the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]] to be able to form [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] and attempted to use the combiner to kill [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]], any other Autobots as were in reach, and steal a space ship [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]]'s Autobots and the Decepticons which Swindle had both been working on to get off Earth. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"|Enemies of the System}} However, the minds of the Stunticons couldn't unite properly and kept conflicting, causing Menasor to be defeated by the Autobots. {{storylink|Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"|Earthworks}}

Using a mysterious energy emitted by Cybertron's core, [[D-Void]] combined [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'s [[Sweep]] army with brainwashed Decepticon soldiers, creating a [[Deceptigod|giant monster]] under the entity's direct control. {{storylink|Chaos Part Three: Kings|Kings}} Inspired by D-Void's ability to create a powerful combined body by repressing the wills of the individuals, [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] learned to manipulate the very same energy. As an experiment he forcibly combined the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], but the result, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], was driven insane. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} {{storylink|Night and the City}}

The [[Ammonite]]s, a diminuitive faction of robotic shapeshifters far more advanced than Cybertronians, were "omnicombinational": any Ammonite could combine with many others into a wide variety of forms, even mimicking [[Paddox|Cybertronians]]. {{storylink|Little Victories}}

===Robots in Disguise===
Combination was taken for granted and combiners were commonplace. (About half the characters are combiners, depending how you count.) No special explanation of their origin was offered.

====One-robot combiners====
*In the television show, [[Megatron (RID)|Megatron/Galvatron]] was able to transform into his hand mode and then combine with his ship, the ''[[Megastar]]''.

====Two-robot combiners====
*[[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]] is capable of combining with his [[Relatives|brother]] [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] to form [[Omega Prime]].
 
====Three-robot combiners====
*[[Team Bullet Train]], consisting of [[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]], [[Railspike (RID)|Railspike]] and [[Rapid Run (RID)|Rapid Run]], combine into [[Rail Racer (RID)|Rail Racer]].
*[[Fortress Maximus (RID)|Fortress Maximus]] is technically a three robot combination, although most of those robots could be considered drones. [[Cerebros (RID)|Cerebros]] and [[Emissary]] combine together to form Fortress Maximus' head, which connects to the body.

====Four-robot combiners====
*The [[Build Team]], [[Wedge]], [[Grimlock (RID)|Grimlock]], [[Heavy Load (RID)|Heavy Load]] and [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]], can combine into the robot [[Landfill (RID)|Landfill]].

====Five-robot combiners====
*The combined form of the [[Commandos]] is a being named [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]. This combiner is controlled almost entirely by [[Mega-Octane]], in order to be a more effective, coordinated being than most other combiners.

===Armada===
[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] could combine with his trailer to form a Super Mode robot. With this ability at his disposal, he beat the tar out of every Decepticon at least once. Then a new magic mushroom appeared: [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]]. During a battle with the Decepticons, the Autobots were totally getting slagged by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]'s new tactician [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]] and his 'henchman' [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]]. Right when it seemed hopeless, a space shuttle fell from the sky and combined with Optimus to form Jet Optimus. Needless to say, Megatron was rather surprised. The Decepticons kept trying to beat the Autobots and miserably failed each time, frequently due to this new team-up, which also helped the Autobots survive and win [[the Unicron Battles]]. A third magic mushroom appeared late on in the series literally out of nowhere. Prime's new 'shroom, named [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], formed a large pair of cannons on top of Super Optimus's shoulders. Overload's additional firepower, combined with the already impressive firepower of the Requiem Blaster, enabled Optimus to destroy the being known as [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]].

The Decepticons were not without their own combiner; Tidal Wave was able to combine with Megatron to form additional armor and a back-mounted [[jet pack|rocket pack]]. The only practical upshot of this is that Megatron could now fly, which came in handy from time to time.

The three [[Mini-Con]] companions of the humans Rad, Alexis and Carlos could band together to form Perceptor. There were three other Mini-Con combiner teams who could form the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] and the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. A fourth weapon existed as a dark clone of the Star Saber, wielded by the evil [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]].

===Energon===
During this period, one couldn't swing a dead cybercat without hitting a combiner, as every Autobot, save for the Omnicons, was capable of merging with another, or with an augmenting portion of his vehicle mode. Then the [[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)|three]] [[Constructicon Maximus|Maximus]] [[Superion Maximus|teams]] arrived, giving the Decepticons two five-part combiners and the Autobots one.
{{see|Spark of Combination}}

===Live-action film series===
Experimental combiner technology was developed by the Decepticons for combat advantage (yeah, that's right, the 'Cons do invent stuff themselves sometimes) and then used on the [[Constructicon (ROTF)|Constructicon]]s who are able to form [[Devastator (ROTF)|Devastator]]. Comfort was rather decidedly not on the top of the list of priorities and, as a result, the process is brutally painful to the Transformers involved, which also makes the combiners fuse in a very aggressive and painful manner (it's a vicious circle). The mental and physical torture involved leaves Devastator only interested in causing destruction.<ref>Devastator's [http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/Battle-Bios.cfm Battle Bio] at Hasbro.com</ref>

[[Knock Out (ROTF)|Knock Out]] hopes to undergo the "combination retrofit" process.<ref>Knock Out's toy bio.</ref>

{{note|No details are given regarding this "combination retrofit" technology, but it is a possible factor in [[Skids (ROTF)|Skids]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)|Mudflap]]'s ice cream truck mode.}}

Combiners are not limited to one combination scheme. Their final form may also vary.<ref>[http://unicron-events-interviews.blogspot.com/2009/10/hasbro-q-10212009.html Hasbro's answer to Unicron.com] as part of the [[Hasbro Q&A/October 2009#Unicron.com|October 2009 Q&A]].</ref>

===Aligned===

Combining is an art as old as Cybertron itself; the very first combiner, [[Nexus Prime]], was also one of the [[Thirteen]]. [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]] would eventually experiment with combination technology. 
Before the [[Great War]], Shockwave experimented on the [[Combaticons]] during his time at [[Crystal City]]. Their combined form, the savage and uncontrollable [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]], was deemed too dangerous and was put in stasis for safety.

In [[Kaon]], he created three combining [[Insecticon (WFC)|Insecticon]]s, which were torn apart by [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] during a gladiatorial pitfight. During the war, the Combaticons were re-activated and opted to join the Decepticons, putting their unstoppable combined form to good use. Midway through the war, he perfected his experiments, creating the [[Constructicon (WFC)|Constructicon]] combiner known as [[Devastator (WFC)|Devastator]]. Autobot saboteurs managed to steal and reverse-engineer combiner technology, and created [[Defensor (WFC)|Defensor]], who battled Devastator to a standstill at the [[Tagan Heights]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus}} 

The five [[Aerialbot (WFC)|Aerialbots]] aboard the ''[[Ark (WFC)|Ark]]'' could also merge into [[Superion (Prime)|Superion]], who was instrumental in rescuing both Autobots and Decepticons from the Quintesson-controlled [[Aquatron]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Retribution|Retribution}}

==Combiner list==
{{note|Due to the many uses of redecoes as new characters and convenience for reading, each mold is listed on its own line, with all different-character decoes/retools on the same line.}}
;Combiners with two members
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Jet Optimus]]
*[[Mega-Dinobot]]
*[[Decibel]]
*[[Legout]]
*[[Slamdance (G1)]]
*[[Squawkbox]]
*[[Dreadwing (G1)]] / [[Darkwings]]
*[[Stormtrooper (Cybertronian)|Stormtrooper]]s
*[[Multiforce]] members
**[[Wingwaver]]
**[[Dashtacker]]
**[[Machtackle]] <!-- Only notable combinations listed-->
*[[Dreadwing (G2)]] / [[Formation Scream]] / [[Dreadwing (RID)]] / [[Gigant Sniper]]
*[[Powered Master]]s
**[[Sky Powered]]
**[[Land Powered]]
**[[Big Powered]] ''(actually consists of three members)''
*[[Powerlinx#Energon|Silver and Gold Powerlinx users]]
*[[Safeguard (Animated)]]
*[[Skids (ROTF)]] and [[Mudflap (ROTF)]] in ice cream truck mode

;Combiners formed by main bodies with power-up partners
{{See also|Super Mode}}
*[[Ginrai|God Ginrai]]
*[[Star Saber (Victory)|Victory Saber]]
*[[Omega Prime]]
*The combined form of [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]]
*[[Optimus Supreme (Energon)]]
*[[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Live-action film series|Power Up Optimus Prime]] (''aka'' [[Optimus Prime Super Modes#Live-action film series|Jetpower Optimus Prime]])

{{note|Optimus Prime and Jetfire are not a combiner in the fiction — Optimus simply uses Jetfire's corpse as parts to enhance his strength and firepower.}}

;Combiners with three or more members (non-Scramble City-type)
*[[Devastator (G1)]]
*[[Devastator (ROTF)]]
*[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]
*[[Raiden (Headmasters)|Raiden]]
*[[Monstructor (G1)]] / [[Dinoking (Victory)|Dinoking]]
*[[Road Caesar]]
*[[Liokaiser (Victory)|Liokaiser]]
*[[Big Rescue Force]]
*[[Landcross (Victory)|Landcross]]
*[[Magnaboss]] / [[Magnaboss II]]
*[[MegaWing Galvatron]]
*[[Dark MegaWing Galvatron]]
*[[Prime Processing Unit]] {{storylink|Collect and Save}}
*[[Tripredacus]] / [[Tripledacus]]
*[[Rail Racer (RID)]]
*[[Landfill (RID)]] / [[Constructicon Devastator (Ultra)]]
*Unnamed [[Minibot combiner]] {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8}}
*[[Beast (G1)|Beast]] {{storylink|The Beast Within|The Beast Within}}
*[[Insectrain]] {{storylink|Hearts of Steel issue 2}}
*[[Reedman]]
*"[[Deceptigod]]"
*[[Abominus (Prime)]] / [[Goradora]]

;Triple Combination combiners
*[[Gekisoumaru|DaiGekisou]]
*[[Kenzan|DaiKenzan]]
*[[Gekisoumaru|GoGekisou]]
*[[Ganoh|GoGanoh]]
*[[Hishoumaru|GoHishou]]
*[[Jinbu|GoJinbu]]
*[[Kenzan|GoKenzan]]
*[[Sensuimaru|GoSensui]]

;Scramble City-type combiners
*[[Bruticus (G1)]] / [[Battle Gaia (OC)|Battle Gaia]] / [[Ruination (RID)|Ruination]]
*[[Defensor (G1)]] / [[Guard City]]
*[[Menasor (G1)]]
*[[Superion (G1)]]
*[[Abominus (G1)]]
*[[Computron (G1)|Computron]]
*[[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]]<ref name="seacon">With extra "limb" robot used as weapon.</ref> / [[King Poseidon]]<ref name="seacon" /> / [[God Neptune (BWII)|God Neptune]]
*[[Bruticus (WFC)]] / [[Ruination (FOC)]]

;Official mix-n-match Scramble City-type combiners
*[[Abomenaticus]]
*[[Comperian]]
*[[Cybertron Super Scramble]]
*[[Destron Super Scramble]]
*[[Scramble 7]]

;Micromaster-type combiners
*[[Micromaster Combiner]] Squads
**[[Barrage (Micromaster)|Barrage]] and [[Heave]]
**[[Blackout (G1)|Blackout]] and [[Spaceshot]]
**[[Blast Master]] and [[Phaser]]
**[[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]] and [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]]
**[[Excavator (G1)|Excavator]] and [[Stonecruncher (G1)|Stonecruncher]] / [[Retro]] and [[Surge (G1)|Surge]]
**[[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] and [[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]]
**[[Full-Barrel]] and [[Overflow]]
**[[Grit (G1)|Grit]] and [[Knockout (G1)|Knockout]]
**[[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]] and [[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]]
**[[Hammer (G1)|Hammer]] and [[Sledge (G1)|Sledge]] / [[Cement-Head]] and [[Terror-Tread]]
**[[Missile Master]] and [[Moonrock]]
**[[Oiler]] and [[Slide]]
**[[Power Run]] and [[Strikedown]]
**[[Roadburner]] and [[Wheel Blaze]]
*[[Sixliner]] / [[Sixtrain]]<ref>Sixtrain was redecoed and retooled from Sixliner.</ref> / [[Rail Racer (Universe)]]<ref>Universe Rail Racer uses the same deco as Takara's 2003 redecoed "reissue" of Sixtrain.</ref>
*[[Sixbuilder]] / [[Decepticon Sixbuilder]] / [[Constructicon Devastator (Micromaster)]]
*[[Sixturbo]] / [[Defensor (Universe)]]
*[[Sixwing|Sixwing / Berserker Sixwing / Destron Sixwing]] / [[Superion (Universe)]]

;Mini-Con combiners
*[[Perceptor (Armada)#Armada 3|Perceptor (Armada)]] / [[Perceptor (Universe)]]
*[[Perceptor (Armada)#Energon 3|Perceptor (Energon)]] / [[Heavy Metal (Energon)|Heavy Metal]] / [[Windcharger (Energon)]] / [[Perceptor (Armada)#Cybertron|Perceptor (Cybertron)]]
*[[Mirror]] / [[Nightcreeper]]
*[[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]
*[[Skyboom (Armada)]]
*[[Star Saber (Armada)]] / [[Vorpal Saber]] / [[Energon Saber]] / [[Cryo Saber]]
*[[Centuritron]]

;Maximus-type [[Powerlinx]] combiners
*[[Bruticus Maximus (Energon)]] / [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus Maximus (G1)]] (Universe) / [[Bruticus Maximus (ROTF)]]
*[[Constructicon Maximus]] / [[Devastator (G1)|Constructicon Devastator (Classics)]]
*[[Superion Maximus]] / [[Superion (G1)]] (Universe) / [[Superion (ROTF)]]
*[[Nexus Prime]]

==Unused concepts==
[[File:Generations Street Combiner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|He transforms into a traffic jam.]]
Combiners were a very popular idea during the Generation 1 toyline and as such there are loads of scrapped combiner designs that never got past the drawing board. Among them were:
*A Scramble City-style dinosaur combiner. The body is a T-Rex, while the limbs are a Pterodactyl (right arm), Ankylosaurus (left leg), Dimetrodon (left arm), and Styracosaurus (right leg)<ref>[[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p22</ref>
*A decidedly goofy organic insect combiner composed of a stag beetle (right leg), another beetle (left leg), grasshopper (left arm), fly (right arm), and a cockroach body.<ref name="p99">[[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p99</ref>
*A cybernetic beast combiner that did not form a robot, but rather a large cybernetic monster. It is formed from a cyber bat, mole, stag beetle, and a couple of fish things.<ref name="p99" />
*A fifteen (!) vehicle Micromaster combiner where the only attached parts not contained by the component robots were the large robot fists. This combiner consists of three uniformly colored teams (in a similar fashion to the vehicular Voltron of the same time period):
**Air team (blue)- two jets, two helicopters, a space shuttle.
**Construction team (green)- a hauler, a bulldozer, a steam shovel, a tank (don't ask), a missile carrier (don't ask).
**Street team (red)- two cars, a motorcycle, a formula racer, a jeep.<ref name="p108">[[Transformers Generations Deluxe]], p108</ref>
*Another, simpler dinosaur combiner composed of a Pterodactyl, a not-really-a-Stegosaurus, and a T-Rex with a very large head. The three combine into a dinosaur thing similar to [[Magmatron]]'s combined dino mode. It shares many visual characteristics with Tomy's relatively simple robot designs.<ref name="p108" />
[[File:ClassicVehicombiner.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Either the smallest steamboat ever, or the largest car in existence.]]
*A five vehicle combiner (evidently not Scramble City-style in nature) composed of a steam engine (right arm), steam boat (torso), car (right leg), truck (left leg), and plane (left arm).
*A base consisting mostly of ramps and a hollow tower in the center that combined with 14 non-transforming cars and vans. Two vehicles make up each limb, with three crammed in the chest, two for feet, and one that slides into the tower's gun platform to form the head. The ramps would then act as an exoskeleton to contain all of the components.<ref name="p79">[[Transformers Generations 2009#Volume 2|Transformers Generations 2009 Vol. 2]], p79</ref>
*A robot formed from a truck cab and four cars with no robot modes that each have flip out weapon arrays. This may qualify more as a conventional "super robot" than a standard combiner, but we may never know.<ref name="p80">[[Transformers Generations 2009#Volume 2|Transformers Generations 2009 Vol. 2]], p80</ref>
*A "Duocon" (or rather, "Triocon", in this case) style robot formed by three cars. One car splits in half to form the arms, another splits for the legs, and a third folds in half to reveal the robot head and connect it all together.<ref name="p80"/>
*A Concorde jet that split into two robots, where the front portion's robot can pop out three wheels and a spare cockpit to give it a land mode. Presumably the larger rear robot could do the same.<ref name="p81">[[Transformers Generations 2009#Volume 2|Transformers Generations 2009 Vol. 2]], p81</ref>
*Two military convoy "trains", one good, one evil, of six vehicles each hooked together that combine along the lines of Devastator but with loads more guns. The robot core is formed by a tractor trailer that leads either convoy, the good one being long nosed, the evil one being flat, each with trailers that open up into small cannon platforms usable by the five smaller robots. Said trailers also become their respective combined form's handgun. The other five members each have a specific large weapon such as a missile rack or chaingun that they can also use in robot mode.<ref name="p83">[[Transformers Generations 2009#Volume 2|Transformers Generations 2009 Vol. 2]], p83</ref>

==Notes==
*The origin of "gestalt" as a fan-term is unknown; the earliest documented use is in 1998, when it was already in common parlance.<ref>[https://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/af8234bb79475e5f?dmode=source&output=gplain&noredirect Earliest known alt.toys.transformers post using "gestalt"]</ref> Intriguingly, however, the [[wikipedia:Isaac Asimov's Robots in Time|''Robots in Time'' series of novels]] published in 1993-94 prominently feature a "gestalt robot" who could split into six smaller autonomous robots, each with a different personality. If this actually inspired some Transformers fan searching for a good word to use, there is no evidence of it, but the publishing timeframe is conspicuously close to the opaque early days of the online fandom.
*[[Devastator (G1)|Generation 1 Devastator]] and [[Raiden (Headmasters)|Raiden]] are the only combiners from the [[Diaclone]] toyline.
*[[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-type combiners were initially designed to be a sub-line of ''[[Diaclone]]'' called ''Jizai Gattai'' ("Free Combination"). This goes along with their ability to interact with and attach to [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]], the designs of which were also originally intended for the ''Diaclone'' line.
*Six of the seven released Generation 1 Scramble City-type combiners were apparently released in themed pairs, themes usually further reinforced by their team members' tech spec bios to some extent.
**Aerialbots (air vehicles) and Stunticons (ground vehicles)
**Protectobots (rescue vehicles) and Combaticons (offensive vehicles... and a space shuttle)
**Technobots (futuristic vehicles) and Terrorcons (fantastical beasts)
**The Seacons are the odd men out, but the above mentioned unreleased dinosaur Scramble City-style combiner may have been an intended adversary.

==Footnotes==
<references/>

[[Category:Combiners| ]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]