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{{factions|decepticonfilm|autobotfilm}}
{{factions|decepticon|autobot}}
{{disambig2|the mass-produced drones|the individual Decepticon who looks just like them|Payload (Movie)}}
:''Class Beta drone units are [[drone]]s from the [[Transformers (2007 franchise)|Transformers]] portion of the [[movie continuity family]].''
:''Class Beta drone units are [[drone]]s from the [[Movie (franchise)|2007 movie franchise]] in the [[Live-action film series|live-action film]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:RoS4 Beta drone.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]
[[Image:RoS4 Beta drone.jpg|thumb|right|200px|]]


Drones have often been used on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for manual labor. It was [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] who first put drones to use in the military when he had drones upgraded and refitted for combat. The '''Class Beta drones''' are combat-ready warriors specializing in land combat.
Often been used on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] for manual labor, the '''Class Beta drone units''' were upgraded and refitted for combat when [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] put them to use in the military under [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]]'s leadership. Slightly stronger and more suited for ground-based combat than their [[Class Alpha drone unit|Class Alpha]] counterparts, the Class Beta drones are capable of causing the most destruction in battle. There is certainly strength in numbers and when these drones are in a large group, they become nearly unstoppable.<ref>''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'' trade paperback bonus material</ref>


[[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] has been put in charge of the drone army.
They also look physically similar to [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]].


==Fiction==
==Fiction==
===IDW ''Transformers'' movie comics===
===IDW movie comics===
Class Beta drones were part of the crew of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s ship that pursued the [[AllSpark]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] to the [[Eshems Nebula]]. They were forced to turn back for repairs when the ship was damaged by an Autobot [[concussion chain]]. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}
Class Beta drones were deployed to battle [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s team of Autobots at [[Simfur Temple]] where the Decepticons believed the [[AllSpark]] was being held. {{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}} After it turned out the Autobots had moved the AllSpark and fired it into space, Class Beta drones were part of the crew of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s [[Nemesis (Movie)|ship]] that pursued both the relic and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] to the [[Eshems Nebula]]. They were forced to turn back for repairs when the ship was damaged by an Autobot concussion chain. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 1|The Reign of Starscream #1}}


[[File:Dronesdefendreignofstarscream3.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=1.75]]
After Megatron was killed and the AllSpark destroyed during the battle of [[Mission City]] on [[Earth]], Starscream returned to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. While he was recuperating, a team of Autobots attacked, and drones, including Class Betas, were activated to defend the ship. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream #3}}
After Megatron was killed and the AllSpark destroyed during the battle of [[Mission City]] on [[Earth]], Starscream returned to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]. While he was recuperating, a team of Autobots attacked, and drones, including Class Betas, were activated to defend the ship. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 3|The Reign of Starscream #3}}


Class Beta drones were among those assigned to guard the Autobot slaves who were being forced to build the new Cube. They brutally punished [[Warpath (Movie)|Warpath]] when he saw to the exhausted [[Grindcore (Movie)|Grindcore]]. Later, after the new AllSpark was completed, Payload arrived leading a team of drones carrying the massive generators required to drain the [[Spark|life force]] out of the Autobot prisoners and put it into the Cube. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 4|The Reign of Starscream #4}}
Class Beta drones were among those assigned to guard the Autobot slaves who were being forced to build the new Cube. They brutally punished [[Warpath (Movie)|Warpath]] when he saw to the exhausted [[Grindcore (Movie)|Grindcore]]. Later, after the new AllSpark was completed, Payload arrived leading a team of drones carrying the massive generators required to drain the [[Spark|life force]] out of the Autobot prisoners and put it into the Cube. {{storylink|The Reign of Starscream issue 4|The Reign of Starscream #4}}


{{charstubfiction|{{Storylink|Defiance issue 4|Defiance #4}}}}
[[Flatline (ROTF)|Flatline]] utilized both Class Alpha Drone units and Class Beta Drone units as security on his ship. He deployed them to stop [[Twins (ROTF)|his]] [[Arcee (Movie)|experiments]] from running wild, but they were unsuccessful. {{storylink|Tales of the Fallen issue 6|Tales of the Fallen #6}}
{{-}}
{{--}}
 
===Titan movie comics===
[[File:Titan11_Bonecrusher.jpg|250px|thumb|right|"We'll just stand here... you know, just if you need us..."]]
In a [[Tyran 208.28 Gamma|divergent timeline]], the Decepticons succeeded at Mission City and conquered the United States. Payload units were used in the occupation of Earth. They had no personality or higher consciousness. [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] smashes them real good. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 10|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2}}
 
A team of snazzy red Payloads were used to guard the [[Savannah]] All Spark facility. [[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]] had them stand down so he could beat up the Autobots himself {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 11|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3}} and they got so bored they painted themselves blue again between issues. When they were allowed to battle, they almost overwhelmed the Autobot rebels but eventually failed to kill them or save the facility. Also, ''[[Bonecrusher (Movie)|Bonecrusher]]'' smashed them real good simply cos they were in the way. Not the best boss on Earth... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 13|Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5}}
 
[[File:Payloads_Titan24.JPG|left|250px|thumb|''Move bitch, get out the way<br>Get out the way...'']]
 
An army of Payloads made an assault on oil pipelines in [[Alaska]] as part of a major campaign. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 16|Dark Spark}}
 
An even ''bigger'' army of them stood around going "GRRRR" as part of a Decepticon group shot when the [[Decepticon Heartland]] prepared for war. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 23|Revolution Part 1}} And an even bigger army than ''that'' served as the bulk of the invasion force when Starscream announced the re-conquest of the USA.
 
Unfortunately for Starscream, the Payloads under [[Hardtop (Movie)|Hardtop]] were intercepted by [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] and his crew, and [[Fracture (Movie)|Fracture]] reprogrammed the entire platoon to work for ''them''. They became the first defected drones in a [[Decepticon Civil War]], including [[:File:Titan24_greenMdrone.jpg|some with different colouring schemes]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 24|Revolution Part 2}} and soon ''all'' of them were under Stockade's command, since every one that wasn't had been slagged.
 
Following the sudden Autobot strike that saw every Decepticon exiled from Earth, the Payloads remained. The Autobots have now got the task of decommissioning all of these drones. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 25|Revolution Part 3}}
{{--}}


==Games==
==Games==
===''Battle For the Allspark'' online game===
===''Battle For the Allspark'' online game===
[[Image:Payload head.jpg|left|125px|thumb|Payload units can be either Autobot (top) or Decepticon (bottom)]]
[[File:Payload head.jpg|left|125px|thumb|Payload units can be either Autobot (top) or Decepticon (bottom)]]
Payload units of both sides have a strong defense, good attack, but poor speed. They are differentiated by little more than the make of their noggins; Autobot versions use a facemask-with-optics model, while Decepticons have a circular lens-face.  {{storylink|Battle for the Allspark|Battle for the Allspark}}
Payload units of both sides have a strong defense, good attack, but poor speed. They are differentiated by little more than the make of their noggins; Autobot versions use a facemask-with-optics model, while Decepticons have a circular lens-face.  {{storylink|Battle for the Allspark|Battle for the Allspark}}


===''Transformers: The Game'' (console)===
===''Transformers: The Game'' (console)===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Keith Szarabajka]] (grunts only)
{{voiceactor|[[Keith Szarabajka]] (grunts only)}}


Payloads show up in [[Mission City]] to put the hurt on both Autobot and Decepticon alike.  Their primary attack is an unstoppable running charge that can send even the likes of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] reeling.  The only way to break them out of this attack is to nail them with a thrown object or melee attack when they briefly pause between charges.
Payloads show up in [[Mission City]] to put the hurt on both Autobot and Decepticon alike.  Their primary attack is an unstoppable running charge that can send even the likes of [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] reeling.  The only way to break them out of this attack is to nail them with a thrown object or melee attack when they briefly pause between charges.
Line 34: Line 51:


===Transformers: Autobots/Decepticons===
===Transformers: Autobots/Decepticons===
Payload's body frame has been shown in numerous forms: his Armored Truck mode, the Peace Van, the Moving Truck, the School Bus, the Ice Cream Truck, the Death Truck, the Funky Bus, the SWAT Van, and the Prison Bus.  Certain forms have either the Autobot head or the Decepticon head, but which game is unimportant; the same vehicle has the same head in both games.  {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons}}
Payload's body frame has been shown in numerous forms: his Armored Truck mode, the Peace Van, the Moving Truck, the School Bus, the Ice Cream Truck, the Death Truck, the Funky Bus, the SWAT Van, and the Prison Bus.  They all use the Decepticon lens head.  {{storylink|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons|Transformers Autobots/Decepticons}}


==Toys==
==Toys==
===Transformers (2007)===
===''Transformers'' (2007)===
[[Image:Movie-Payload-Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
[[File:Movie-Payload-Toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
*'''Payload''' (Deluxe, 2007)
*'''Payload''' (Deluxe, 2007)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MD-17'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''MD-17'''
 
{{note|The ''Transformers'' Payload toy represents both the main individual and the Class Beta drone units.}}
: The [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] toy could stand in for any Class Beta drone.


: Payload transforms into a [http://www.alpineco.com/armored/swat/bulldog-x2.php Bulldog II Armored Truck] model based on the Decepticon-drone coloration and face type. In robot mode, his midsection has a large push-out grabber-claw that extends waaaaaaaaaaaaay far out. However, in order to do this, the claw-shaft sticks far out of his back in robot mode, making posing and display in narrow spaces difficult. It also makes him hard to balance.
: Payload transforms into a [http://www.alpineco.com/armored/swat/bulldog-x2.php Bulldog II Armored Truck] model based on the Decepticon-drone coloration and face type. In robot mode, his midsection has a large push-out grabber-claw that extends waaaaaaaaaaaaay far out. However, in order to do this, the claw-shaft sticks far out of his back in robot mode, making posing and display in narrow spaces difficult. It also makes him hard to balance.
Line 49: Line 65:


: Payload had a tendency to [[Shelfwarmer|sit on shelves]] for weeks, with some examples of end displays filled completely with Payload figures. This has led to some fans affectionately renaming him as ''Pegload''.
: Payload had a tendency to [[Shelfwarmer|sit on shelves]] for weeks, with some examples of end displays filled completely with Payload figures. This has led to some fans affectionately renaming him as ''Pegload''.
:This mold was [[retool|retooled]] into [[Dispensor]].


::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Payload/payload.htm More information on Payload at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Decepticon/Payload/payload.htm More information on Payload at TFU.info]''
 
{{--}}
{{-}}
 
==Merchandise==
===3D Battle-Card Game===
[[Image:3DBattleCard_Payload.jpg|thumb|right|250px|]]
* '''Payload''' (3D Battle Card, 2007)
**''Card number:''
 
: In the [[3D Battle-Card Game]], the Payload is on the Decepticon side.  Pieces punched out from two different cards can be assembled to form a SWAT truck or a robot, while a third double-sided card gives its stats and attacks for each mode.  He uses the same piece layout as [[Ratchet (Movie)|Ratchet]], though his lens-head peeking up over the back end of his vehicle mode looks less doofy than Ratchet's does. This layout was later also used for [[Trailbreaker (Movie)|Trailbreaker]]. Payload's card art was done by [[Lucio Parrillo]].
 
{{-}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
* Artist [[Ken Christiansen]] designed Payload (and the subsequent Class Beta drone units), along with the other new characters in the [[Transformers The Game|''Transformers'' - The Game]] and [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game]] video games. The security company logos on his design and the toy, "Armored Security Systems", spells out "ASS". Christian says this was [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/tf1-armored-truck-drone.html not intentional].
* Artist [[Ken Christiansen]] designed Payload (and the subsequent Class Beta drone units), along with the other new characters in the [[Transformers The Game|''Transformers'' - The Game]] and [[Revenge of the Fallen (video games)|''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' - The Game]] video games. The security company logos on his design and the toy, "Armored Security Systems", spell out "ASS". Christiansen says this was [http://badflipblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/tf1-armored-truck-drone.html not intentional].
* The Class Beta drone units were named as such in the bonus material of the [[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]] trade paperback.
* The Class Beta drone units were named as such in the bonus material of the [[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]] trade paperback.


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[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:Movie Autobots]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Movie Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Decepticons]]

Latest revision as of 04:18, 16 February 2026

Class Beta drone units are drones from the Transformers portion of the movie continuity family.

Often been used on Cybertron for manual labor, the Class Beta drone units were upgraded and refitted for combat when Megatron put them to use in the military under Dreadwing's leadership. Slightly stronger and more suited for ground-based combat than their Class Alpha counterparts, the Class Beta drones are capable of causing the most destruction in battle. There is certainly strength in numbers and when these drones are in a large group, they become nearly unstoppable.<ref>The Reign of Starscream trade paperback bonus material</ref>

They also look physically similar to Payload.

Fiction

[edit]

IDW movie comics

[edit]

Class Beta drones were deployed to battle Optimus Prime's team of Autobots at Simfur Temple where the Decepticons believed the AllSpark was being held. Defiance #4 After it turned out the Autobots had moved the AllSpark and fired it into space, Class Beta drones were part of the crew of Starscream's ship that pursued both the relic and Megatron to the Eshems Nebula. They were forced to turn back for repairs when the ship was damaged by an Autobot concussion chain. The Reign of Starscream #1

After Megatron was killed and the AllSpark destroyed during the battle of Mission City on Earth, Starscream returned to Mars. While he was recuperating, a team of Autobots attacked, and drones, including Class Betas, were activated to defend the ship. The Reign of Starscream #3

Class Beta drones were among those assigned to guard the Autobot slaves who were being forced to build the new Cube. They brutally punished Warpath when he saw to the exhausted Grindcore. Later, after the new AllSpark was completed, Payload arrived leading a team of drones carrying the massive generators required to drain the life force out of the Autobot prisoners and put it into the Cube. The Reign of Starscream #4

Flatline utilized both Class Alpha Drone units and Class Beta Drone units as security on his ship. He deployed them to stop his experiments from running wild, but they were unsuccessful. Tales of the Fallen #6

Titan movie comics

[edit]
"We'll just stand here... you know, just if you need us..."

In a divergent timeline, the Decepticons succeeded at Mission City and conquered the United States. Payload units were used in the occupation of Earth. They had no personality or higher consciousness. Ironhide smashes them real good. Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 2

A team of snazzy red Payloads were used to guard the Savannah All Spark facility. Bonecrusher had them stand down so he could beat up the Autobots himself Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 3 and they got so bored they painted themselves blue again between issues. When they were allowed to battle, they almost overwhelmed the Autobot rebels but eventually failed to kill them or save the facility. Also, Bonecrusher smashed them real good simply cos they were in the way. Not the best boss on Earth... Twilight's Last Gleaming, Part: 5

Move bitch, get out the way
Get out the way...

An army of Payloads made an assault on oil pipelines in Alaska as part of a major campaign. Dark Spark

An even bigger army of them stood around going "GRRRR" as part of a Decepticon group shot when the Decepticon Heartland prepared for war. Revolution Part 1 And an even bigger army than that served as the bulk of the invasion force when Starscream announced the re-conquest of the USA.

Unfortunately for Starscream, the Payloads under Hardtop were intercepted by Stockade and his crew, and Fracture reprogrammed the entire platoon to work for them. They became the first defected drones in a Decepticon Civil War, including some with different colouring schemes, Revolution Part 2 and soon all of them were under Stockade's command, since every one that wasn't had been slagged.

Following the sudden Autobot strike that saw every Decepticon exiled from Earth, the Payloads remained. The Autobots have now got the task of decommissioning all of these drones. Revolution Part 3

Games

[edit]

Battle For the Allspark online game

[edit]
Payload units can be either Autobot (top) or Decepticon (bottom)

Payload units of both sides have a strong defense, good attack, but poor speed. They are differentiated by little more than the make of their noggins; Autobot versions use a facemask-with-optics model, while Decepticons have a circular lens-face. Battle for the Allspark

Transformers: The Game (console)

[edit]
Voice actor: Keith Szarabajka (grunts only){{#if: |, {{{2}}}}}

Payloads show up in Mission City to put the hurt on both Autobot and Decepticon alike. Their primary attack is an unstoppable running charge that can send even the likes of Optimus Prime and Megatron reeling. The only way to break them out of this attack is to nail them with a thrown object or melee attack when they briefly pause between charges.

Payloads also appear in the bonus Cybertron levels on both sides.

Aside from the aforementioned head differences, Decepticon Payloads are dark blue, while the Autobot versions are silver-white. Transformers The Game (console)

Transformers: Autobots/Decepticons

[edit]

Payload's body frame has been shown in numerous forms: his Armored Truck mode, the Peace Van, the Moving Truck, the School Bus, the Ice Cream Truck, the Death Truck, the Funky Bus, the SWAT Van, and the Prison Bus. They all use the Decepticon lens head. Transformers Autobots/Decepticons

Toys

[edit]

Transformers (2007)

[edit]
  • Payload (Deluxe, 2007)
    • Japanese ID number: MD-17
The Transformers Payload toy represents both the main individual and the Class Beta drone units.
Payload transforms into a Bulldog II Armored Truck model based on the Decepticon-drone coloration and face type. In robot mode, his midsection has a large push-out grabber-claw that extends waaaaaaaaaaaaay far out. However, in order to do this, the claw-shaft sticks far out of his back in robot mode, making posing and display in narrow spaces difficult. It also makes him hard to balance.
Several pieces on Payload tend to pop off easily: his brush guard, midriff-plate/claw-center, and even his upper shoulder/head assembly. The mold was later retooled to include larger pegs for the shoulder/head assembly and an added tab on the brushguard, to connect to the new slot in the claw plunger. While this was intended to give the pieces a better fit, it actually puts more pressure on the parts and causes them to pop off even more easily. The chest piece, however, fits fairly well on either version but is still easy to remove.
Payload had a tendency to sit on shelves for weeks, with some examples of end displays filled completely with Payload figures. This has led to some fans affectionately renaming him as Pegload.
This mold was retooled into Dispensor.

Notes

[edit]
[edit]
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