Autocrusher

Autocrasher is a Predacon Autoroller from the Beast Era of the Generation 1 continuity family.

Nothing says prehistoric robots like a dude with a buzz saw!

Autocrasher is proof that age and experience don't always lead to wisdom. The oldest of the Autorollers, Autocrasher has fought the most battles and crushed the most enemies beneath his treads, and all with the same airtight strategy: Brute force. Autocrasher prefers to plow through his foes like a juggernaut and considering he's lived longer than most Predacons, one can't really argue against his game plan.

Like all the Autorollers, Autocrasher is rivals with an opposite among the Insectrons. In his case, it's Powerhug, another big bruiser who fancies himself as an immovable object. The two are always eager to match strength, though Autocrasher has a few more years on Powerhug as a bulldozing brute, which tends to give him the edge.

Fiction

Beast Wars II cartoon

Voice actor: Hitoshi Bifu (Japanese)

Autocrasher and the other Autorollers were aboard the Galvaburg II when Galvatron came to the planet Gaea. They assumed vehicular modes based on scans from the super-computer found in the planet's ruins. White Lion, Run! They were sent to construct a Predacon base near an isolated lake, secretly a trap to capture any unwary Maximal. The Lake Trap Autostinger and Autocrasher also did the grunt work for Dirge and Thrust clearing the area for a genuine Predacon base on the Southern continent. The Insect Corps Arrive

After the Combatrons failed to eliminate the Insectrons or get them to turn on the Maximals, Autostinger volunteered his team to take up the job. Megastorm accepted, and so the Autorollers rolled out. Autostinger and Autojetter went to Bigmos of the Insectrons to cash in on an old debt while Autolauncher and Autocrasher... went somewhere else? Autorollers Roll Out!

The Autorollers made another assault on the Insectrons, and captured an unwary Scissor Boy. In a complicated series of escapades, they also captured Tasmania Kid and tried to force the Maximals to lead them to the Insectrons' lair. Boy and Kid actually planned to lead them into an ambush by the Maximals, but the unknowing Drill Nuts and Powerhug started a landslide early to rescue their friends, and the diversion ended up leading the Autorollers in a circle back to the Galvaburg II. Megastorm was initially pleased by Autostinger and his cohorts' accomplishment, but then the united Maximals and Insectrons arrived at the ship while the Combatrons were out on patrol. Megastorm was forced to abandon his position and take the Galvaburg II to the air before being overrun by enemies. Danger! Scissor Boy

After their last few failures, Megastorm put the Autorollers back on fortress construction duty. Although Autocrasher appreciated the work, Autojetter felt slighted and wanted to show he was the most fearsome Predacon of all. Autostinger was moved by Autojetter's passion, and they came up with a plan to reroute the Angolmois they were digging for to create an eruption that would destroy the Insectrons' lands in the name of the Predacons. A crazed Galvatron upset their plans, drilling into the Angolmois pipelines to disturb the flow, and the Autorollers ended up joining forces with Scuba and the Maximals to bring down the rampaging Galvatron with an overdose of Angolmois energy. After the battle, the Maximals and Autorollers parted peacefully. Galvatron Rampages

The Autorollers continued to work on Megastorm's behalf, devastating much of the South Continent in their efforts to build an Angolmois powered fortress. Predacon General Offensive!

Autocrasher and Autostinger accompanied Dirge and Thrust to the East Continent to establish a new front-line base. During construction, they spotted a signal beam firing up from the ground, and pinpointed the Maximal base. The Autorollers helped Dirge and Thrust secure the Maximal ship for Galvatron. Dirge and Thrust penetrated the ship while Autocrasher and Autostinger remained outside, ready to blow the fuel cache with their missiles if the Maximals tried anything. However, the comedy duo had difficulty keeping the manic and cheerful Jointrons in line, even at gunpoint. Inside the ship turned into an oil party while Dirge and Thrust waited for Diver to fix the radio Gimlet busted, so they could contact the Galvaburg II. DJ later brought oil outside to the growingly impatient Autocrasher and Autostinger, distracting them long enough for Lio Convoy and Bighorn to return from patrol and disable the Autorollers. Then Tripledacus happened and, well...running time! The Festive Jointrons

At one of their construction sites on the East Continent, Autocrasher and the Autorollers were joined by Starscream and BB, who intended to capture the Jointrons for study. Most of the Autorollers got involved in this side mission, but the Combatrons failed to separate the Jointrons for long. The might of Tripledacus soon drove off the Predacons and their fortress site was destroyed. Who Is the Leader!? While excavating some ancient ruins back on the North Continent, Autocrasher and his team found an old Copy Machine which they brought back to Galvatron. Hijinks ensued. The Black Lio Convoy

IDW Beast Wars comics

Autocrasher once served as Galvatron's bodyguard. Beast Wars Sourcebook #1

Autocrasher was seen during an Angolmois-induced riot on Cybertron, following the Tako Tank as it broke down a wall. The Ascending #4

Toys

Beast Wars

• Autocrusher (Autoroller, 1998)
  • Japanese ID number: D-18
  • Accessories: 4 missiles

A redeco of Generation 2 Roadblock, Autocrasher turns into a payloader. His robot mode has a spring-activated spinning saw blade on his left arm, and a spring-loaded missile launcher in the right. He has an auto-transforming gimmick activated by rolling his rear wheels; roll forward to go to robot mode, and back to payloader. A switch on his back end separates the gears of the gimmick, allowing him to roll freely in either mode.

This mold was also intended to be used for "Sgt. Hound" in Generation 2, but that release was canceled. Autolauncher was reissued in the Korean Car Bot toyline, reassigned as an Autobot and renamed Scoutslasher.

• More information on Autocrusher at TFU.info

• Showdown of Heavy Armor: Powerhug VS Autocrusher (Multi-pack, 1998)
  • Japanese ID number: VS-18
  • Accessories: 4 missiles

Autocrusher was also available in a two-pack with the Insectron Powerhug. Both toys are unchanged from their standard releases.

Notes

• All of the Beast Wars II Autorollers have 2-D card art, rather than the CGI model art made for the entire rest of the line.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Autocrusher (オートクラッシャー Ōtokurasshā)
• Korean: Autoslasher (오토슬래셔 Otoseullaesyeo)