Concussion weapon

Concussion weapons are Transformer weapons that cause the bulk of their damage through sheer physical force. For whatever reason, they appear to be used mostly by Decepticons, though not exclusively. The most common type is the concussion blaster which is the standard armament of many Decepticon troops, though concussion rifles, concussion cannons, concussion mortars, concussion missiles, and concussion bombs are all relatively common—and often interchangeable—types of concussion weapon.

Some of the Transformers most commonly associated with concussion weapons are:

• Blitzwing
• Bonecrusher
• Breakdown
• Catilla
• Dirge
• Horri-Bull
• Krok
• Optimus Prime
• Over-Run
• Perceptor
• Powerglide
• Ransack
• Razorclaw
• Sixshot
• Soundwave
• Stranglehold
• Thrust

Fiction

Marvel The Transformers comics

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

Blitzwing's jet fighter mode was armed with heat-seeking concussion missiles. Blitzwing's Universe profile In vehicle mode, Bonecrusher could use a short-range concussion bomb launcher to aid his demolitions. Bonecrusher's Universe profile When in car mode Breakdown's engine produced a rumbling vibration that caused mechanical failures in other vehicles; in robot mode he used a concussion cannon to achieve similar results. Breakdown's Universe profile Horri-Bull wielded a concussion blaster with an effective range of over twelve miles in robot mode. Horri-Bull's Universe profile After undergoing the Powermaster process, Optimus Prime's trailer could transform into a battle station armed with two concussion blasters and two twin particle beam cannons. Powermaster Optimus Prime's Universe profile Perceptor was armed with a concussion rifle. Perceptor's Universe profile In vehicular mode Powerglide carried small concussion bombs and could shoot a short range high-temperature thermal beam from the tip of his nose module. Powerglide's Universe profile In both lion and robot modes, Razorclaw's twin concussion blasters shot capsules which exploded on contact, releasing a volatile gas. Razorclaw's Universe profile In robot mode Soundwave carried a high-amplification directional radiowave sensor and a concussion blaster-gun. Soundwave's Universe profile Thrust carried two concussion bomb missile launchers and two compressed air rifles. Thrust's Universe profile

In the early days of the war on Cybertron, Steamhammer liked nothing more than blowing Autobots to pieces at short range with a concussion blaster. He was reminiscing about such good times while stuck out on guard duty in Yuss, shortly before the Magnificent Six showed up and blasted him to pieces instead. The Magnificent Six!

In their first confrontation on Earth at the Community Drive-In, Soundwave fired his concussion cannon at Prowl and Cliffjumper, but apparently missed. The Transformers

During an altercation with RAAT, Breakdown used his concussion cannon to shoot down one of their helicopters. Heavy Traffic! Shortly afterwards, the Predacons arrived from Cybertron to assassinate Megatron whereupon Razorclaw shot him with his concussion blaster. Gone but Not Forgotten!

During the climactic battle in Buenos Aires with the Underbase-powered Starscream, Soundwave shot the Seeker with his concussion blaster, though it had little effect. Dark Star

Searching for the lost Matrix on the planet Cheyne, the Triggerbots carried dual phase concussion blasters on their hips. Kings of the Wild Frontier.

Trigger-Happy!

Facing off against Megatron and his forces at the Riverway Fun Park, Powermaster Optimus Prime carried a concussion blaster in robot mode. Later, Prime transformed into his little-seen battle station mode and started blasting away at them with his arsenal of lasers, particle beam cannons and concussion blasters. Trigger-Happy!

Another Time & Place

On Hydrus Four, Crankcase carried a concussion blaster, which was swiftly taken from him by Grimlock to shoot down Dreadwind. Another Time & Place

Find Your Fate Junior

The following summarizes one or more multipath adventures. Details vary depending on the paths taken in-story. See the book's page for information on alternate paths.

Dinobots Strike Back

When four of the Dinobots were taken over by Bombshell's cerebro-shells, Powerglide was part of Optimus Prime's retaliatory Autobot attack force. He dropped a small concussion bomb near Snarl, bringing the Stegosaurus to his knees. Dinobots Strike Back

Earthquake

While exploring a Decepticon base with Windcharger and Powerglide, Beachcomber ran into Dirge, who stunned him with a concussion missile before dismembering him and extracting his memory tape, alerting Megatron to the presence of the other two Autobots. Earthquake

Desert Flight

Embarked upon a fuel-finding mission, the Autobots heard the sound of nearby explosions which Optimus Prime recognised as being caused by Dirge's concussion missiles. Discovering a nearby Decepticon outpost that was testing an anti-gravity gun, Powerglide flew ahead of the rest of the Autobots but was ambushed by Thrust and nearly downed by a concussion missile. Desert Flight

Dreamwave Generation One continuity

In jet mode Blitzwing was armed with heat-seeking concussion missiles and a chain gun. Blitzwing's More than Meets the Eye profile Bombshock's tank mode turret fired concussion bombs. Bombshock's More than Meets the Eye profile In vehicle mode Bonecrusher used a short-range concussion missile launcher to aid in demolitions. Bonecrusher's More than Meets the Eye profile Breakdown could deploy a double-barreled concussion cannon in vehicle mode, while in robot mode he was armed with a concussion rifle. Breakdown's More than Meets the Eye profile Catilla was armed with an air concussion cannon in robot mode. Catilla's More than Meets the Eye profile

In jet mode Dirge could fire two concussion missiles in addition to machine guns. Dirge's More than Meets the Eye profile As a robot Horri-Bull was armed with a concussion blaster that focused and amplified ambient kinetic energy at its targets. Horri-Bull's More than Meets the Eye profile Krok carried a concussion blaster that could combine with Gatoraider to form a concussion cannon. Krok's More than Meets the Eye profile Over-Run's Attack Copter could transform into a double-barreled concussion cannon emplacement and he could also use the concussion cannons in robot mode. Over-Run's More than Meets the Eye profile In robot mode, Perceptor was armed with a concussion blaster in addition to his light cannon. Perceptor's More than Meets the Eye profile Powerglide was armed with concussion bombs, a standard machine gun, and a nose-mounted thermal cannon in jet mode. Powerglide's More than Meets the Eye profile

In robot mode Ransack wielded a concussion blaster and a shield. Ransack's More than Meets the Eye profile In both modes Razorclaw had shoulder-mounted concussion cannons as well as an additional launcher which fired capsules filled with explosive gas; Razorclaw's More than Meets the Eye profile Predaking also had access to these cannons. Predaking's More than Meets the Eye profile All of Sixshot's modes utilized his powerful hypersonic concussion blaster, which turned sound into solid force—except for his wolf mode, where he preferred to shred his enemies with his fangs and claws. Sixshot's More than Meets the Eye profile In robot mode Soundwave wielded a concussion gun and a shoulder-mounted, multi-chambered, mini-rocket launcher. Soundwave's More than Meets the Eye profile Stranglehold was armed with a concussion blaster as a robot. Stranglehold's More than Meets the Eye profile As a jet Thrust was armed with two concussion bombs. Thrust's More than Meets the Eye profile

Fun Publications Shattered Glass continuity

Gutcruncher was part of the Decepticon force battling the Autobots for control of the newly rediscovered Arch-Ayr fuel dump, facing off against Arcee. When Thundercracker was able to encase her in a bubble of silence, the inability to hear the voices in her head distracted her enough for Gutcruncher to knock her off her feet with a concussion blast. Dungeons & Dinobots

Animated cartoon

In attack mode, Omega Supreme deployed concussion blasters alongside a number of other weapons. AllSpark Almanac

War for Cybertron Trilogy marketing material

The Concussion Beam was Trailbreaker's primary weapon. Earthrise webpage The Concussion blaster was one of Soundwave's powers and weapons. Kingdom webpage

Toys

The Transformers

CBGISM or CBGIHH?

• Soundwave (Decepticon, 1984-1986, 1990)

• Accessories: battery/concussion blaster gun, battery/rocket launcher, 3 rockets

Beginning life as the Micro Change toy "Cassette Man", The Transformers Soundwave came with a range of accessories including his concussion blaster gun, which transforms into a battery that can fit into a compartment on his back. This toy was reissued many, many times, as well as being retooled and redecoed to make Soundblaster, Linkin Park Soundwave, Shattered Glass Soundwave, and J. Balvintron, although the latter came with new accessories.

• Blitzwing (Triple Changer, 1985)

• Accessories: gyro-blaster rifle, electron scimitar, 3 concussion missiles

The Transformers Blitzwing is a redeco of the Takara Diaclone "Triple Changer Jet Fighter Type". His jet mode has spring-loaded missile launchers in the wings (severely weakened in the US version) which can hold two of the three concussion missiles he came with. This toy was reissued a number of times and also redecoed to make Overcharge.

This is actually Mega Dozer, as we don't have a pic of Bonecrusher with the accessories attached.

• Bonecrusher (Constructicon, 1985/1986)

• Accessories: laser pistol, Devastator's left fist, target shooter, rotor blade

Bonecrusher is a redeco of the Takara Diaclone "Construction Vehicle Robot No.1 Bulldozer". His instructions document an "attack bulldozer" mode, attaching the target shooter (loaded with the rotor blade projectile) onto the posts on the hood of his vehicle mode, described in his packaging bio as a short-range concussion-bomb launcher. This toy was available as part of a Devastator giftset and in Europe it was also released with a predominantly yellow colour scheme and was reissued in 1992, though without the parts to form the concussion-bomb launcher. In addition to Generation 2 Bonecrusher (see below) it was also used to make Mega Dozer.

• Dirge (Decepticon Plane, 1985/1986)

• Accessories: left & right fists, front landing gear, 2 concussion missiles

A retool of the Starscream/Skywarp/Thundercracker mold, Dirge came with new wings and new weapons—a pair of black concussion missiles. In Japan, Dirge was only available as a mail-away in 1986. This sculpt was also used to make Ramjet, Sunstorm, and Thrust though the concussion missiles are unique to this version.

• Perceptor (Autobot, 1985/1986)

• Accessories: concussion rifle, missile launcher, 3 missiles

Formerly the Micro Change MC-20 Micro Scope, The Transformers Perceptor came with a red concussion rifle and a rocket launcher that holds one of three red missile-shaped projectiles. This toy was reissued a couple of times and redecoed to make Magnificus.

• Powerglide (Mini-Vehicle, 1985)

Although not represented by a separate accessory, Powerglide's A-10 Thunderbolt II mode is armed with concussion bombs according to his packaging bio. This toy was reissued in 2004 when it was also redecoed to make Bad Boy.

• Ransack (Deluxe Insecticon, 1985)

• Accessories: concussion blaster gun, reflector shield

A redeco of the unreleased Armored Insect Corps Beetras Beet-Vadam, The Transformers Ransack came with a black high-intensity concussion blaster gun.

• Breakdown (Stunticon, 1986/1987)

• Accessories: concussion rifle, plasma-energy blaster, connector

In robot mode Breakdown is armed with a small blue concussion rifle. This toy was also available as a Menasor giftset and was reissued in 1990 as part of the European/Australian Classics line. It was later redecoed to make the BotCon 1994 exclusive Generation 2 Breakdown.

• Razorclaw (Predacon, 1986)

• Accessories: twin concussion blaster, sonic sword, Predaking head

Know that Razorclaw transforms into a lion with a twin concussion blaster mounted on his back and in robot mode he wields his sonic sword. This toy was also available in a Predaking giftset that was reissued in 2004 and redecoed for further releases in 2010 and 2017.

• Sixshot (Decepticon, 1987/1988)

• Accessories: 2 hypersonic blasters

The Transformers Sixshot came with two identical white weapons labelled as hypersonic blasters in his instructions and specified to be hypersonic concussion blasters in his packaging bio. Sixshot can hold these weapons in robot mode and they are intended to attach to each of his other modes except the "wolf-creature" mode. This toy was used to make Greatshot, with the hypersonic concussion blasters being slightly retooled to make Greatshot's great lasers.

• Catilla (Pretender Beast, 1988)

• Accessories: Pretender shell, concussion cannon, helmet, tail

The Transformers Catilla came with a gray weapon, identified as a concussion cannon in his instructions. However, his packaging bio refers to the same weapon with two different names: when inside his shell, it's referred to as a turbo blaster but in robot mode it's referred to as an air concussion cannon.

• Horri-Bull (Headmaster, 1988)

• Accessories: Kreb Headmaster pilot, concussion blaster, flamethrower/tail

The Transformers Horri-Bull came with a gray concussion blaster that he could wield in robot mode alongside his blue double-barreled flamethrower. This toy was released in Japan without changes as Super-God Masterforce Bullhorn.

• Optimus Prime (Powermaster, 1988)

• Accessories: Hi-Q Powermaster unit, 2 laser rifles, 2 twin particle beam cannons, super robot head

Powermaster Optimus Prime came with two black guns, labelled as laser rifles in his instructions, but identified as concussion blasters in his packaging bio. This toy was also released in Japan with some retooling as Ginrai and was later redecoed into the Japanese-exclusive Super Convoy.

• Stranglehold (Pretender, 1989)

• Accessories: brawn blaster, concussion blaster, helmet, rhino backpack/shield

The Transformers Stranglehold came with a small orange high-intensity concussion blaster that his inner robot could hold. No version of this mold or character was released in Japan.

• Attack Copter with Over-Run (Action Master Action Blaster Vehicle, 1990)

• Accessories: laser cannon, left & right side cannons, 2 missiles, engine cover, rotor

The Transformers Over-Run's Attack Copter could transform into a double-barreled concussion cannon emplacement, according to his packaging bio.

• Battlefield Headquarters (Micromaster Combiner Autobot Headquarters, 1990)

• Accessories: 2 scrambler guns, 2 laser machine guns, 2 air-to-air missiles, 2 cruise missiles

The Battlefield Headquarters was armed with concussion mortars according to its packaging bio.

• Krok with Gatoraider (Action Master, 1990)

• Accessories: electro pulsator, Gatoraider partner

Only available packaged with his larger partner Krok, Gatoraider can transform via spring-loaded mechanism from a robotic alligator into a concussion cannon that can be held by any Action Master figure.

• Soundwave with Wingthing (Action Master, 1990)

• Accessories: photon negator, Wingthing partner

Only available with his larger partner Soundwave, Wingthing can transform via spring-loaded mechanism from a robotic bat into a metal-piercing concussion cannon that can be held by any Action Master figure.

Generation 2

Also Mega Dozer.

• Bonecrusher (Constructicon, 1992)

• Accessories: laser pistol, bionic power pak, drill, Devastator left fist

Although Generation 2 Bonecrusher's instructions bizarrely renamed his target shooter to a bionic power pak and perhaps more sensibly renamed his rotor blade to a drill, his packaging bio maintains that he is armed with a short-range concussion bomb launcher.

Smallest Transforming Transformers

• Soundwave (2003–2004)

Standing at only two inches tall, Smallest Transforming Transformers Soundwave came with a tiny concussion blaster.

Titanium Series

• Soundwave (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)

Titanium Series Soundwave is a new toy cast in the image of his original Generation 1 figure. He retains his transforming weapons, which still store as batteries in a compartment on his back. This mold was intended to be redecoed in Soundblaster colors, but that was ultimately cancelled.

Notes

• Soundwave's instructions identify his hand-held gun as a rocket launcher (capable of firing the three rockets he also came with) and his shoulder-mounted weapon as a concussion blaster gun. However, his packaging bio calls out that he "carries a concussion blaster gun" and his Marvel Universe profile notes that he "carries a high-amplification directional radiowave sensor and a concussion blaster-gun". The ambiguity of this wording has led to Soundwave's hand-held gun also being described as a concussion weapon of some kind, depending on interpretation—for example in his very first appearance in the Marvel comics, Soundwave namechecks his "concussion cannon" while firing his hand-held weapon, and his Dreamwave More than Meets the Eye profile claims that his weapons are "a concussion gun and a shoulder-mounted, multi-chambered mini-rocket launcher".
• Breakdown's instructions identify his robot mode weapon as a concussion rifle, while his Universe profile calls it a concussion cannon, hence his calling it that in the Marvel comics. His Dreamwave profile arms him with a concussion rifle but also gives his vehicle mode a double-barreled concussion cannon in place of the toy's plasma energy blaster.
• Ransack's unpublished Universe bio confirms he would have carried a concussion blaster gun in that continuity.
• Oddly, Thrust's packaging bio arms him with air-to-air missiles and Dirge's gives him two concussion missiles, while their Marvel Universe profiles give Thrust concussion bomb missile launchers and Dirge two air-to-air missiles, suggesting that some details may have been confused or switched between the two Coneheads' bios. To confuse matters further, Thrust also received a The Transformers: The Movie branded character model which designated his jet mode's weapons as atomic heat seeking missiles.
• As was often the case with Dreamwave More than Meets the Eye profiles, a number of characters' weapons' names were changed for some reason: Bonecrusher's concussion bombs became concussion missiles; Perceptor's concussion rifle became a concussion blaster; Soundwave's concussion blaster gun became a concussion gun; and Razorclaw's twin concussion blasters became concussion cannons. More unusually, Razorclaw's profile also added another launcher to fire the gas-filled capsules that his Marvel Universe concussion blasters fired.