Cyclonus (Armada)

The name or term "Cyclonus" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Cyclonus (disambiguation).

The name or term "Snow Cat" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Snow Cat (disambiguation).

Cyclonus is a Decepticon from the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

"Morale? We've never had morale around here!"

Cautious. Reliable. Uneager. These are not words to describe Cyclonus. He is one wild and craaaaaaazy guy. Seriously, he's the guy in the group that even the other Cons think is a little unbalanced. His usual battle tactic is to rush straight in with every piece of artillery he has blazing, all while laughing maniacally. Other times, he yodels while rushing straight in with every piece of artillery he has blazing.

He loves combat, and isn't particularly picky about which side he's on, so long as he gets to shoot things. He's not especially bright, but Megatron knows the value of a soldier largely without fear.

He is oftentimes partnered with the Mini-Con Crumplezone, whose optics were opened up to just how much fun lunatic charges can be. The two get along amazingly well, both having an undying love for the sheer excitement of blowing stuff up real good.

Cyclonus takes the name Snow Cat after receiving a new body.

Fiction

Toy pack-in mini-comics

When Megatron turned an energon-draining device on Cyber City, Cyclonus and Crumplezone guarded it against Autobot intervention. The duo powerlinked and threatened Hot Shot with a super-cannon when he arrived to foil their plans. Hot Shot's partner Jolt arrived, however, giving him super-speed and driving claws to outmaneuver the Decepticons. Cyclonus and Crumplezone were caught in an explosion when Hot Shot dumped the Decepticon device in a ravine. Armada (mini-comic)

Somehow, Megatron was able to ambush Optimus Prime, and forced him to battle Snow Cat, Demolishor, Mirage and Shockblast without back-up. Luckily for Prime, Wing Saber arrived with a new Powerlinx mode for the two of them, enabling Prime to annihilate Snow Cat and the other Decepticons with heavy firepower. Energon (mini-comic)

Cartoon continuity

Armada cartoon

Voice actor: Don Brown (English), Isshin Chiba (Japanese), Peter Kjellström (Swedish), Tobias Lelle (German), Mauro Ramos (Brazil)

Cyclonus is a wild soldier under Megatron's command. He is closely partnered with his comrade Demolishor, with whom he sometimes shares a love/hate relationship. He is known for having a maniacal personality and will often fire at targets frantically, risking damage to his own teammates. He has a quirky and sarcastic personality, often leading to harsh punishment by his commander. For some unknown reason, Cyclonus had the habit of falling asleep at random intervals during downtime after battles. He could be the first recorded case of a narcoleptic Decepticon (although not the first narcoleptic in Transformers full-stop).

Cyclonus served Megatron throughout The Unicron Battles, and was a key player in the united Armada against the chaos-bringer. His alternate form is a helicopter, and he often took pleasure in tormenting the three kids under Optimus Prime's protection. He joined the Autobot unit after the demise of Megatron, though with reservations.

Energon cartoon

Voice actor: Don Brown (English), Isshin Chiba (Japanese), Johan Hedenberg (Swedish, Cyclonus), Anders Öjebo (Swedish, Snow Cat)

Cyclonus returned as the guardian of the Cybertron City based on the moon. Although he served in his role dutifully, he was yearning for the days of combat. Not long after the attacks on Mars and Asteroid City, the moon would also be attacked, a battle through which Cyclonus would hold up a small resistance before he was presumed destroyed. As Demolishor prepared for more Terrorcon assaults on Earth, Cyclonus surfaced, having tucked tail and ran, abandoning the Cybertron City on the moon to be looted of its Energon. Cyclonus assisted Demolishor and the Autobots until Tidal Wave showed up wielding Megatron's Sword, a blade forged by Alpha Quintesson from the Spark of Megatron. Believing that it was proof of Megatron, Cyclonus abandoned the Autobots and Demolishor, joining Alpha Quintesson's forces.

Cyclonus would once again serve Megatron when the commander was revived within Unicron for some time, before sustaining damages from an Autobot assault while retreating. Having failed to topple the energon towers, Cyclonus returned injured to his commander, begging for repairs. In a rage, Megatron bound Cyclonus to the wall using Unicron's internal tentacles as punishment. Cyclonus was then fused with Unicron's essence in a painful manner and upgraded into Snow Cat, who then took up yodeling, and skiing. Kicker Beware! During The Powerlinx Battles Snow Cat and Demolishor had to deal with a gigantic Insecticon, who was mutated by the Super Energon.

Cybertron cartoon

Following The Powerlinx Battles, Snow Cat went totally starkers (it wasn't a long trip), and without Megatron to guide him, wandered the streets of Kaon, a raving loon during the planet's evacuation. Snow Cat's Universe toy bio

Snow Cat's Universe bio sets him off-camera during the events of Cybertron rather within the pre-existing Universe storyline. This is likely due to the Universe storyline giving way to and folding into the Fanclub Cybertron comic which is set largely on this abandoned Cybertron.

Dreamwave comics continuity

Armada comic

Before the war with the Autobots began, Cyclonus was part of Megatron's inner circle. He and Demolishor attacked Mini-Con Village C52, capturing most of its population after getting past its forceshield by simply attacking from underground. Armada #1 After picking C52 resident Crumplezone as his personal slave, Cyclonus participated in the Decepticon assault on Cyber City. Armada #2

One million years later, Cyclonus was present when the Decepticons learned that the Mini-Cons who had fled from Cybertron during the war had ended up on Earth. Armada #3 He, Demolishor and Starscream traveled to the alien planet via space bridge and assaulted a military base for new alternate modes. After complaining about the humans' stench and taking out their communications systems, Cyclonus scanned a helicopter and joined Megatron for some Mini-Con hunting. He found out the hard way that the Autobots had also come to Earth when Scavenger caved his cockpit in. Armada #4 Cyclonus and the others fought a short battle with the Autobots, but were forced to retreat when their enemies got some Mini-Cons of their own. Armada #5

Cyclonus later helped capture the Air Defense Mini-Con Team, which led to Megatron getting his hands on the Star Saber. Armada #6 Using this mighty weapon, the Decepticons attacked the Autobots' headquarters. Cyclonus overheard Starscream complaining that Megatron didn't even need his loyal troops now that he had the power of the Star Saber, and told him to stop being so whiny: they were Megatron's eyes and ears, and he would never forget about them! He then fought with the Autobots, lost, and retreated in short order. Armada #7 Some time later at the Decepticons' Silver Ridge base, Cyclonus went to put the Mini-Cons to bed back in their cells, but found that the little 'bots had run away. When he tried to recall them, he found that they had tampered with the base's internal defenses, turning them against him. Cyclonus, who had forgotten the emergency override code, was promptly imprisoned in the base and blasted by laser turrets. Luckily, the lasers were only set to harm Mini-Cons, so he wasn't too injured to participate in the hunt for the escaped Mini-Cons. The Decepticons followed their Mini-Cons to a structure in Kansas, but failed to stop them from entering it and blasting off into space. Armada #8

The Decepticons found that the Mini-Cons had traveled to the Moon, and soon followed them there. The flying Decepticons and Megatron attacked the Mini-Con Moonbase, but were driven off by its automated defenses. Armada #9 Cyclonus doubted that the moonbase had any weaknesses at all, but Megatron scoffed at this and fought his way into it using a really big drill. Armada #10 With help from Leader-1, he took control of the base's defenses and ordered Cyclonus to renew his assault... only for Leader-1 to betray the Decepticons and reactivate the defenses. After retreating again, Cyclonus decided to pick a fight with a newly arrived Autobot shuttle instead, but this turned out to be a poor decision as the ship heavily outgunned him. Armada #11

Megatron eventually wrecked the moonbase and captured the Destruction Mini-Con Team who had built it. However, the Mini-Con trio proved capable of overloading anyone who powerlinxed with them, so rather than using them himself, Megatron decided that Cyclonus had volunteered to try them out. He was sent to help Thrust retrieve some Mini-Cons in Alaska, but shortly after he took out the Adventure Mini-Con Team, the Destruction Team indeed overloaded him. Driven mad with power, Cyclonus attacked Thrust in a berserker rage. Fire & Ice The Destruction Team's power allowed him to easily defeat his Decepticon comrade, and he even outmatched an entire team of Autobots which arrived shortly afterward. He was eventually knocked out by Optimus Prime, powered up with every ounce of Sparkplug's energy. Armada #13 The heavily damaged Cyclonus was eventually retrieved and placed in a repair tank in the Decepticon base. Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4

After recovering, Cyclonus participated in an all-out ssault on the Autobots, who had lost Optimus Prime. The attack went well, up until a powerful stranger arrived on the scene and effortlessly took out all the Decepticons other than Megatron. Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4 When the threat of Unicron reared its ugly head, the Decepticons had no choice but join forces with the Autobots. Cyclonus released the Decepticon-held Mini-Cons back into the wild, then returned to Cybertron to do battle with Unicron. The End

Energon comic

Ten years after the destruction of Unicron, Cyclonus was spotted in Cyber City, oddly not blowing anything up. This Evil Reborn

Later, Snow Cat was located in a small town in the Yukon, under the command of Scorponok busy sabotaging Base Unit 1 to that the Energon it'd produce would come to feed Unicron. He also captured the Omnicons and rigged them to a machine that would brainwash them into obedience to him and Megatron. However, the Omnicons learned the value of teamwork thanks to the shared-hallucination-induced disembodied advice-giving head of Over-Run, broke free, and totally kicked his ass. Omni-Potent

Much later, Snow Cat was one of several Decepticons who attempted to "sneak" into Ocean City and steal the data for the Autobots' Omega Supreme prototype. He rushed into the dark hangar, smacked into a scaffolding like a big dumb doof, and was chased out by security. Megatron didn't buy Snow Cat's recounting of how his daring and skill was thwarted by a "sub sea earthquake" for one second. Perspective

Due to the bankruptcy of Dreamwave Productions, it has not been confirmed if Cyclonus and Snow Cat are one and the same in this reality. If Snow Cat was indeed a reformatted Cyclonus, then it is likely that he was taken during the Four Horsemen's attack on Cybertron during issue 21.

Panini Armada comic

In the early days of the war, Cyclonus, Starscream and Thrust performed an airstrike on the Autobot Command HQ. Counter-Strike! As the war with the Autobots continued for millions of years, and Cyclonus was seen fighting alongside Starscream some more. First Encounter!

When the Mini-Cons were discovered on Earth, Megatron summoned the two fliers and Demolishor to scour the planet. Shortly after arriving, they got into a battle with the Autobots again, and Cyclonus was rammed out of the sky by a flying Hot Shot. Friends and Foes! The Decepticons later attacked the Autobots to stop them from sending some Mini-Cons back to Cybertron, and kind of succeeded. No Way Back! When Megatron went looking for Mini-Cons on the Moon, he took Cyclonus and Demolishor with him. They didn't do much searching, though, as they soon ran into two Autobots sent to stop them. Cyclonus spent some time strafing Scavenger until he got his own Mini-Con powerup and presumably defeated the crazy copter. Between Two Worlds!

The Decepticons remained on the Moon and built a new base, from which they prepared to fire missiles at the Autobot base on Earth. When the Autobots' Mini-Cons surrendered in exchange for their friends' lives, Cyclonus was sent to pick them up in a solar barge and take them to the Moon. Earthshaker! Unfortunately, the Mini-Cons broke out during the trip and cut the cable connecting Cyclonus and the barge. When the Decepticon noticed, he prepared to destroy the pesky Mini-Cons, but was shot by Jolt's electrical darts. This crashed his guidance systems, and he was sent floating aimlessly through space. Lost in Space! Cyclonus crashed on the Moon's surface, where he was found by the Destruction Mini-Con Team. The three Mini-Cons power-linked with him, taking control of his body in order to use it against the other Decepticons. As he was forced to bombard his headquarters and grapple with his leader, Cyclonus could do naught but plead that it wasn't his fault. Eventually, Starscream used a sonic destabiliser to disconnect the Destruction Team from him. Dawn of Destruction!

Games

Transformers (PS2)

Voice actor: Daran Norris (English)

When a Mini-Con signal drew the Decepticons to Earth, Cyclonus was deployed in the Amazon to find the signal's origin. The Autobots were not far behind, and once they reached the hilltop where the signal had originated, he revealed himself, declaring Earth to be Decepticon property before departing, leaving a Heavy Unit behind to deal with them.

After the defeat of Starscream in Antarctica, the Autobots returned to the Amazon, venturing deeper into the jungle to an ancient temple. There, Cyclonus attacked again, tossing the Autobots all across the temple's surroundings and strafing them in copter mode. Eventually, the Autobots managed to deal him a finishing blow that sent him spiraling out of control in copter mode as his internal components exploded. Transformers

Toys

Armada

Craaaaaaazy air-taxi!

• Cyclonus with Mini-Con Crumplezone (Deluxe, 2002/2003)
  • Japanese ID number: MD-04
  • Accessories: Missile, "gatling" missile, rotor blade

Cyclonus transforms into a Cybertronian helicopter coloured in light blue, light grey with dark blue and gold accents. His Mini-Con Crumplezone can be attached to the front of his helicopter cockpit for added firepower. His primary gimmick is a trigger-activated gear assembly that runs through the length of the vehicle mode; pulling the trigger both spins the rotor blade and a gear system in the cockpit area. If Crumplezone is attached, the gears make his cannon move back and forth. Attaching a compatible geared Mini-Con to the square frame on the underside of his cockpit (any member of the Destruction Mini-Con Team, the Adventure Mini-Con Team, or Refute) allows the gear system to activate their gear-wheel gimmicks as well by pulling the trigger. Attaching Mini-Cons to the powerlinx plugs on either of his wing-mounted weapons pods launches a spring-loaded missile. In robot mode, attaching a Mini-Con to the plugs on either side of his legs will make a spring-loaded (non-firing) cannon pop up from his shins.

The Takara release of Cyclonus has some slight color differences from the Hasbro, including a "separated" painted sigil, and a much brighter white plastic.

This mold was also used to make Cybertron Buzzsaw.

• More information on Cyclonus at TFU.info

• Sandstorm w/ Cannon and Destruction Micron (Multi-pack, 2003)
  • Japanese ID number: MS-04
  • Accessories: Missile, "gatling" missile, rotor blade

"Sandstorm" was sold both as an individual and in a multi-pack with the Destruction Mini-Con Team, whose gear-gimmicks were designed to function with Cyclonus's gearing system. All of the toys in the set are identical to their individual releases.

• Cyclonus (Happy Meal toy, 2003)
  • Accessories: Rotor

Part of the McDonald's Armada promotion, this extremely simplified version of Cyclonus transforms into an assault helicopter. Rolling his vehicle form forward spins his rotor prop, which launches into the air after picking up enough speed, a gimmick like that of the Generation 2 Rotor Force toys. He could combine with the Happy Meal versions of Megatron, Starscream and Demolishor toys to form a "super vehicle".

• More information on McDonald's Cyclonus at TFU.info

Let's make some crazy Energon!

• Megatron with Leader-1 and Cyclonus with Crumplezone (Built to Rule, 2003)

Part of the largest Transformers series Built to Rule set, Cyclonus can be assembled into an assault helicopter, a robot, or whatever your imagination can do with the blocks provided. Cyclonus is the only Built to Rule "figure" that does not have some kind of missile launcher. He came with a block-version of his Mini-Con partner Crumplezone, as well as the larger Megatron with Leader-1 model.

• More information on Built to Rule Cyclonus at TFU.info

Still Crazy In Spite Of All These Gears.

• Powerlinx Cyclonus with Mini-Con Crumplezone (Deluxe, 2003)
  • Accessories: Missile, "gatling" missile, rotor blade

This redeco of Cyclonus uses mostly bright green plastic, as well as dark grey and chocolate-brown. He retains all of his original gimmicks and still has his Mini-Con partner. He may have been designed as something of a questionable homage to Springer.

This toy was not released as part of the normal Micron Legend series in Japan, but was straight-imported as a USA Edition exclusive to LaOX stores on September 27th, 2003.

In November of 2003, US Toys "R" Us stores had special bonus pack Max-Con (Deluxe) toys, which came with a single bonus Mini-Con attached to the card over their sticker, for less than the price as a normal Max-Con during Toys "R" Us' post-Thanksgiving-day sale. Like Powerlinx Hot Shot, Powerlinx Cyclonus came with one of the Adventure Mini-Con Team members: Dune Runner, Iceberg or Ransack.

• More information on Powerlinx Cyclonus at TFU.info

Energon

• Cyclonus with Mini-Con Crumplezone (Deluxe, 2004)
  • Japanese ID number: SD-03
  • Accessories: Missile, "gatling" missile, rotor blade

This is an "arctic camouflage" redeco of Cyclonus, presented in mostly shades of gray with black and purple. The majority of the paint applications are black and white in a camouflage pattern. He retains all of his gimmicks and Mini-Con partner.

Released at the start of the Japanese Super Link line, this toy did not appear in the American Energon line until late 2004 as a KB Toys exclusive, alongside the similarly-previously-Super-Link-only version of Demolishor.

• More information on KB Toys Cyclonus at TFU.info

Does not come with Frostbite :(

• Snow Cat (Deluxe, 2004)
  • Japanese ID number: SD-10
  • Accessories: 2 missiles

Snow Cat transforms into a G.I. Joe "Snow Cat" SAM half-track. He is cast in primarily white and light blue plastics, with clear and burgundy for accents. In vehicle mode, the front wheel-hubs and sideskirts can be lowered to form skis for the vehicle to travel on, while in robot mode the sideskirt-skis fold down from his feet to allow him to "ski" in robot mode. He features twin spring-loaded missile launchers available to him in both modes; in robot mode, they end up as a back-mounted over-shoulder assembly. Unusually for Transformers of this era, he has a visible cockpit interior with a partially frosted windshield and working windshield wiper, further homaging the G.I. Joe toy he was designed after.

• More information on Snow Cat at TFU.info

Universe

• Snow Cat (Deluxe, 2005/2006)
  • Accessories: 2 missiles

The Energon Snow Cat mold was redecoed in superdark blue with orange accents and released as an exclusive to KB Toys stores in 2005, along with a redeco of Energon Downshift. However, at the time KB was undergoing financial troubles, closing numerous stores across the United States, and it appears that the two toys did not make it to a great many of the stores that remained open. Many did make their way to Toy Liquidator outlets, a sub-company within KB mostly found in outlet malls. In 2006, it seems the toys finally made it to a wider distribution through the remaining KB stores.

• More information on Universe Snow Cat at TFU.info

Notes

• According to the Armada Playstation 2 game instruction booklet, Cyclonus's Armada body has the following statistics:

Height: 19' 7" (17' 1" vehicle mode)

Weight: 16,550 lbs

Power: 1800 shaft horsepower

Vehicle top speed: 190 mph

• The colors chosen for Universe Snow Cat emulate the colors of vehicles present in G.I. Joe's Night Force sub-line. However, there was never a Night Force Snow Cat in the line.

• In the cartoon, Cyclonus NEVER had the right Mini-Con. In one episode, it is Longarm that he uses, while in another episode, it is Drill Bit (whom he refers to as Crumplezone).

• Snow Cat may have been originally intended as a separate character. Hasbro appears to have implied this is the case, saying that designing the toys before the show was completed led to "some characters not aligning together in the animation and toy expressions".

Foreign names

• Japanese: Sandstorm (サンドストーム Sandosutōmu), Snowstorm (Snow Cat, スノーストーム Sunōsutōmu)
• Hungarian: Ciklonusz (Armada), Ciklon (Energon, "Cyclone"), Hósapka (Snow Cat, "Snow Cap")
• Polish: Cyklotron (Armada)
• Russian: Ciklon (Циклон, "Cyclone"), Snegohod (Snow Cat, Снегоход, "Snowmobile")