Starscream (Armada)

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

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Starscream is a Decepticon and briefly Autobot from the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Starscream's back, and he's a Linkin Park song.

Starscream is disillusioned by his leader Megatron. It took a while for Starscream to come to grips with Megatron's faults, but there's no turning back. Megatron doesn't respect him, doesn't appreciate him, and would casually toss Starscream's life away if it got him something he wanted. If following Megatron is the school of hard knocks, then Starscream is the valedictorian—but not without a few scars. Starscream may have once been compassionate, he may once have known what true friendship is, but all that has been replaced, scab for scab, with the lessons of Megatron's abuse.

Unwittingly, Megatron may have created a monster even he cannot ultimately control.

Starscream's nominal Mini-Con partner is Swindle, though he has been seen to work with Zapmaster.

Fiction

Toy pack-in comics

Yes, throw the flying guy off a cliff. Great plan.

Starscream, Swindle, and the Destruction Mini-Con Team were sent to destroy an Autobot satellite dish that could have helped detect Megatron. Attacking from the air, Starscream successfully destroyed the dish, then moved in to finish off Rollbar up close and personal. Rollbar's partner Scavenger didn't take kindly to this, and plowed off Starscream off the cliff into the sea. Armada Volume 2

Much later, Starscream battled Optimus Prime, Hot Shot, and Skyblast with Scorponok and Battle Ravage. Energon Volume 2

Dreamwave Armada continuity

Starscream is only really helpful when he can be a dick at the same time.

One million years ago, Cybertron's relative peace was shattered by the appearance of Megatron and his new "Decepticon" army, who captured and performed horrible experiments on the diminutive Mini-Cons so that they could interface with and draw power from the tiny 'bots. Starscream was a member of this malevolent menagerie, one of many soldiers who followed Megatron out of greed for the power the Mini-Cons could impart upon them. When the Decepticons introduced themselves to the Cybertronian public by attacking Cyber City, Starscream was there, and bested both Hot Shot and Scavenger whilst augmented with the power of his Mini-Con, Swindle. The Decepticons triumphed over Optimus Prime's Autobots, but as they were gloating, Starscream discovered that the Decepticon base had been broken into, and the Mini-Cons held captive there had escaped and fled the planet. Armada #2

Years later, as the war raged on, during a Decepticons mission to seek out entrenched Autobot bunkers, Starscream noted to Megatron that even though the Decepticon leader's plans were smarter and more practical, the action-before-thought demonstrations of the warrior Scorponok were a greater "crowd-pleaser." Starscream warned his leader that Scorponok's antics might be seen as some as a challenge. No Exit

After a million years of war, during which the Mini-Con empowered Decepticons steadily conquered the planet, Starscream joined Megatron, Demolishor and Cyclonus in traveling to the distant world of Earth when a Mini-Con distress beacon from the planet reached Cybertron. Armada #3 While Megatron went after a group of Mini-Cons led by Sparkplug and their newfound human friends, Starscream led the other Decepticons to a nearby military base to find suitable Earthly vehicles whose forms they could adopt. Regrouping with Megatron outside Science City, Starscream downloaded Megatron's new vehicle mode into him in characteristic fashion: by suddenly stabbing him in the back with the data injector. Just as Megatron was complimenting Starscream on his choice of vehicle, the Mini-Cons came roaring by, and Starscream and Cyclonus led the chase after them, until they were stopped by the Autobots and momentarily disabled. Armada #4

In the ensuing fight, Starscream and Cyclonus tried to get the jump on Scavenger, until Hot Shot and Red Alert intervened. Starscream went up against Hot Shot, but the Decepticons were forced to retreat when the Mini-Cons all powerlinked with the Autobots and the Decepticons were unable to match their power since, as Starscream pointed out Megatron had powerlinked with all their own Mini-Cons. Armada #5

Starscream went with the Decepticons to Rapid City, South Dakota to capture the Air Defense Mini-Con Team, but chafed at Megatron's greed and began trying to think up a way to stymie his plan to forge all three Mini-Cons into a sword. Stalking the halls of their new Silver Ridge, Nebraska base as he pondered the subject, he came across Sparkplug's Mini-Con group breaking into the base to rescue to the Air Defense Team and attempted to captured them, but they brought the room's ceiling generator down on him. Armada #6 By the time he had dug himself out, Megatron had completed the forging of his new "Star Saber", and Starscream joined him in attacking Lincoln, South Dakota to lure the Autobots out of hiding. Grumbling to the other Decepticons that the Megatron's latest power trip had caused him to forget about them, he decided to give their leader a reminder of their importance by instructing Megatron's Mini-Con partner Leader-1 to disrupt his control of the Star Saber. When Megatron subsequently lost control of the blade and the Mini-Cons making it up ecaped, Starscream mocked his loss and left. Armada #7

When the Mini-Cons from both factions disappeared, Starscream tracked them to a strange obelisk in Tranquility, Kansas. Weaponry in the obelisk held Starscream back, and a battle that erupted following the Autobots' arrival distracted both sides long enough for the obelisk to blast off into space with the Mini-Cons onboard. Armada #8 The Decepticons followed the obelisk to the moon, where Starscream was shot down by the defense systems protecting the Mini-Con moonbase that had been built there. Armada #9 While Megatron worked on getting around the defenses, Starscream and newcomer Thrust were sent back to their Silver Ridge headquarters to retrieve some equipment, griping at each other all the way. Coming across the unconscious body of Demolishor outside and realizing the Autobots had come a-calling, Starscream sprayed the base control with laser fire, unaware that the 'Bots in question had hidden themselves in the vents. A little later, as the pair were trying to figure out why the Autobots had broken in, Hot Shot and Red Alert suddenly burst from their hiding place and blasted Starscream into the computer behind him, to prevent the Decepticons from tracking the space bridge movements of Optimus Prime. Armada #10 Megatron did eventually succeed in capturing the creators of the moonbase, the Destructicon Team, but found he could not control their power, much to Starscream's amusment. Fire & Ice

When Megatron was about to test his newest weapon, the Solar Scalpel, Starscream alerted him to a shuttle of Autobots that would make the perfect guinea pigs. Starscream lambasted his leader for destroying only their shuttle, but Megatron retorted that he wanted the Autobots to see their doom coming. Starscream had the last laugh, however; Space Mini-Con Team member Sky Blast destroyed the Solar Scalpel, scuttling Megatron's plans. Armada #13

Lacking the skills necessary to fix the Decepticons' malfunctioning space brige, Starscream instead went out on patrol and came upon Hot Shot and several of the Autobot Mini-Cons travelling from Big Sur National Park to San Francisco and decided to follow, unaware he himself was being followed by Thrust. Blasting the Autobots out of the sky as they arrived at the construction site, Starscream spotted an unfamiliar Mini-Con and made a bid to grab him, only to be knocked unconscious by a blow from behind delivered by the mysterious Galvatron. Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4

When Leader-1 discovered the Autobots were scanning subspace for the absent Optimus Prime, Megatron decided to strike Autobase: Earth. Starscream fired the opening shot in the battle that followed, destroying the computer console Red Alert was stationed at and felling Red himself, but was prevented from delivering a killing blow by Megatron, who wanted to finish off the Autobot himself. Fortunately for the Autobots, Galvatron attacked the Decepticons and handily defeated all of Megatron's lackeys. Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4 Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4

The Decepticons eventually retreated after Megatron bested Galvatron, but were soon contacted by the returned Optimus Prime with the proposal of an alliance against Galvatron's master, the world-eating being known as Unicron. The Decepticons agreed, and everyone returned to Cybertron to prepare for the coming battle, but when Unicron appeared in the skies over their homeworld, and incredulous Starscream refused to fight, and was sure that he had seen the last of Megatron when he jetted off into the fight. As it turned out, he was right. The End

Ten years later, in the wake of the unification of Autobots and Decepticons following Unicron's defeat, Starscream had tried to ingratiate himself with Tidal Wave and the rest of the remaining Decepticons. His wheedling didn't last long, though, as Scorponok showed up and promptly blasted him into an Energon ore processor, which ground his body down and smelted what remained. This Evil Reborn Contrary to appearances, however, this would not be the last of Starscream: later, during the Terrorcon attack on Earth, he returned in a new form, the bizarre circumstances of his death having somehow allowed him to transcend death as an Energon "ghost" of sorts. Investigating a blast in the processing facility, Demolishor was attacked by the spectral Starscream, who drained his energy. Multiplicity, Pt. 3

Due to Dreamwave's subsequent bankruptcy, the Energon comic ceased publication before Starscream's story could continue. The following would have taken place in unpublished issues.

Seeking to absorb more and more Energon, Starscream set out looking for other Transformers to drain, and came across the ever-unfortunately Dropshot being menaced by Decepticons. The 'Cons scattered at the sight of a "ghost", while Starscream drained Dropshot dry. He then targeted the Mini-Con Over-Run, having sensed his connection to the Energon-rich core of Cybertron and intending to feed on it through him. Armageddon Part 1 After killing Over-Run, Starscream battled with the Omnicons, and proved to be more than a match for their Energon weapons, which only made him stronger. The Omnicons allowed Starscream to begin draining their energy, but as he did so, they merged their minds together and defeated him with combined force of will. Reverted into a solid form by this experience, Starscream fled. Armageddon Part 2

Starscream's murder of Over-Run would later be recounted in the cartoon-continuity Cybertron comic, as the Unicron Singularity caused the comic and cartoon continuities to intertwine; see Starscream's cartoon article for details.

More than Meets the Eye: Armada

Although supposedly set in the same universe as Dreamwave's Armada comic, the More than Meets the Eye guidebook published after the conclusion of the series contained multiple scenarios that were incompatible with the comic's story, including some points drawn from Starscream's portrayal in the Armada cartoon.

Starscream was originally revolted by the idea of powerlinking, but came to accept it when he realised the power the Mini-Cons could provide him. He doesn't entirely trust Swindle, suspecting he may just be "fattening him up for the kill", but knows they make a powerful team together.

According to Tidal Wave, Starscream botched the first mission they went on together on Cybertron, and left him for dead in the process. Tidal Wave has carried a grudge against Starscream ever since, which was only magnified when he discovered that Starscream had allegedly developed a fondness for human beings. Starscream himself confirmed this, feeling that the small creatures had opened his mind to new ways of thinking. More than Meets the Eye: Armada #3

Cartoon continuity

Starscream accompanied the Decepticons to Earth in the year 2010, but his relationship with his leader was a troubled one; where Starscream craved Megatron's respect, Megatron gave him not one ounce of it, consistently berating and even brutalizing him in some kind of twisted attempt to drive him to realize the Decepticon potential he could see within the younger 'bot. Granted control of the Star Saber but abandoned on the battlefield as part of a feint scheme, Starscream turned against his comrades and sided with the Autobots—not out of any desire to do good, but because he hoped they would help him destroy Megatron. Although he befriended the Autobots' young human allies—Alexis Thi Dang in particular—and appeared to slowly be coming around to their way of thinking, he fell victim to the manipulations of Thrust and Sideways, who tricked him into returning to the Decepticon fold. When the threat of Unicron appeared, however, Starscream could see that the only way forward was for Autobots and Decepticons to unite under Optimus Prime's leadership. Coming to a fatal decision, Starscream challenged Megatron to one last battle for respect, then attacked Unicron himself, sacrificing his life to convince his leader of the threat the chaos-bringer posed.

Ten years later, Starscream was resurrected by the alien Alpha Q using the power of Energon, sans his memories, with the intent that he destroy Optimus Prime and Megatron both. But Megatron was able to harness Unicron's power and even further mindwipe Starscream, transforming him—ironically enough—into his most loyal soldier in the war for Energon. When Megatron hurled himself into an Energon sun to entrap Unicron's spark, Starscream plunged into the star alongside his leader, and was believed dead. However, in 2030, when the sun collapsed into a black hole, Starscream and Megatron were freed, and Starscream—his mind now his own once more—had a new ambition: to take leadership of the Decepticons for himself. He opted to bide his time at first, supervising the search for the Omega Lock on Earth while Megatron sought out the Cyber Planet Keys, but when he located an army of Ancient Decepticons, he made his big move. Taking on the entire Autobot army, Starscream stole the Omega Lock and the Cyber Planet Keys, and channeled from them the power of Primus, transforming himself into a skyscraper-sized giant. In a final battle with Megatron on the planet Gigantion, Starscream disappeared in a reality-sundering discharge of energy, apparently swept away across the dimensions.

Panini Armada comic

During the war on Cybertron, Starscream participated on multiple raids on Mini-Con villages. The enraged Mini-Con Dualor sought revenge by luring the Decepticons into a attacking an Autobot outpost, planning to blow them all up; Starscream, Cyclonus and Megatron took the bait, but Dualor's plan failed thanks to interference from Sparkplug. Counter-Strike!

Although the Mini-Cons would later abandoned the planet, the war continued after their departure. In one of many battles, Starscream strafed some Autobots, but was shot down by Optimus Prime's trailer cannon despite his Mini-Con augmentation. Megatron punished him by taking Swindle away, which Starscream protested against. First Encounter! When Megatron found the Mini-Cons on Earth, he summoned Starscream, Cyclonus and Demolishor to the planet through a space bridge. After spending some time searching for Mini-Cons and shooting at Autobots, he was shot down by Red Alert. Friends and Foes! Starscream was later present when the Decepticons made a failed grab for the Autobots' Mini-Cons. No Way Back!

In order to boost his own strength and overthrow Megatron, Starscream made a plan to capture the Air Defense Mini-Con Team. Knowing that the Mini-Con trio enjoyed saving humans, he arranged for a satellite to fall on Chicago to draw them out. True to their nature, the Air Defense Team showed up and diverted the satellite, letting Starscream attack and capture Jetstorm. Unfortunately, an Autobot team showed up and saved the Mini-Cons, but Starscream had still managed to plant a tracking device on Jetstorm. Devices and Desires! Following his tracker, he soon found and ambushed the Air Defense Team again, successfully capturing them, shutting off their personality chips and combining them into the powerful Star Saber. Unsatisfied with even the sword, Starscream went after the Street Action Mini-Con Team to ensure he had enough power to best Megatron. They resisted and attacked Starscream in the form of Perceptor, and he fought back with his new Star Saber. However, disengaging Air Defense Team's personalities had been a mistake — without them, the Star Saber's power soon went wild. Lightning filled the air and Starscream began panicking as he couldn't let go of the weapon, but thankfully Optimus Prime took it from him and separated it. With his plan failed, Starscream ran away. The Two-Edged Blade!

After the Decepticons built a grandiose base on Earth's moon, Starscream was shocked to hear that Megatron planned to spare the Autobots in exchange for their Mini-Cons. Megatron confirmed that of course he was just going to trick the Autobots and blow them up after he got their Mini-Cons, and Starscream even got to fire the missiles for the job. Earthshaker! After the plan failed, Starscream first reported that Cyclonus was missing, and then that he was returning with too much power inside him. It turned out that Cyclonus was powered up and under the control of the Destruction Mini-Con Team, and while the other Decepticons attacked the "traitor", Starscream had an idea. He used a sonic destabiliser to safely separate the Destruction Team from Cyclonus, and after they escaped, he contacted them and offered them a deal... Dawn of Destruction!

The cancellation of the Panini Armada comic meant that Starscream's schemes never reached fruition. He did, however, have another memorable role in the comic's pages: he answered letters in the "Starscream's Hate Mail"! A mere wiki article write-up cannot convey how rude he was to the five-year-old letter-writers.

The Balance of Power

During the war on Cybertron, the Autobots and Decepticons met in battle while searching for a mysterious relic that could allegedly reveal what had become of the Mini-Cons who had long ago vanished from the planet. While Cyclonus and an army of Decepticlones kept the Autobots busy, Starscream snuck away from the combat and managed to unearth the relic, which turned out to be a Data-Con. The device contained a recording left by the Mini-Cons that provided a flight plan and tracking codes for their vessel, which Starscream intended to keep for himself. However, just as he was attempting to perform a deep-space probe to locate the craft's current resting place, either by coincidence or consequence, a Mini-Con distress beacon screamed to life, alerting all the other combatants to the Mini-Cons' current location. Starscream and the Decepticons took off through a space bridge, tracking the signal back to the source, and the Autobots pursued... The Balance of Power

This comic was written as a tie-in to the Armada video game, but its details differ from the introduction seen in the game itself. See below for Starscream's role in the game.

Galaxy Force manga

After the Autobots relocated to Earth to escape the gigantic black hole that was threatening Cybertron, Starscream and Thundercracker tracked them down. Optimus Prime and Jetfire intercepted the Decepticon pair before they could discover the location of their base, but in the mid-air combat that ensued, the villains' Cyber Key powers allowed them to gain the upper hand. Impaling Optimus Prime through the shoulder with his Cyber Key swords, Starscream broke off the battle and retraced the Autobots' flight path, looking for their base, evening managing to shoot Prime down when he attempted to pursue. Fortunately for the Autobots, their human ally Coby Hansen was able to get the base's shielding up in time to hide it from Starscream's prying eyes, and the Decepticon was then taken down by an unexpected blast from Optimus Prime's Cyber Key-powered cannons. The Devil's Dogfight! Coby's Courage

Following Megatron's disappearance in the explosion of the starship Atlantis, Starscream took control of what small Decepticon force was currently active, and dispatched Thundercracker to Velocitron to obtain that world's Cyber Planet Key. Unsurprisingly, the Autobots defeated him and took the key for themselves. Fastest Dream! Hot Shot's Run They also later obtained the key from Jungle Planet, where Starscream watched their victory from afar. Galaxy Force Mission.7

With two keys and their focusing device the Omega Lock now gathered in one place, Starscream was able to send his newest recruit Sideways to steal them all from the Autobots at once, then rejoined with him at the location of the third Cyber Planet Key, hidden on Earth itself. Optimus Prime and Vector Prime had followed Sideways, however, and a battle over the key broke out; although a blast from Optimus took off nearly half of Starscream's face, he still triumphed over the two Autobots, wrested the Earth key from its pedestal and added it to the Omega Lock. The combined energy of the three keys flowed into Starscream, transforming him into a skyscraper-sized giant. As if this were not enough, the activation of the Earth key also awoke an army of ancient Decepticons slumbering on Earth, who began laying siege to the planet at Starscream's command. Galaxy Force Mission.8 The Autobots proved no match for Starscream's new powers, as he took Optimus down with his new Cyber Key blaster, blowing his chest open and exposing the Matrix of Leadership. When the Autobot aerial ace Wing Saber arrived with news that Primus had awoken, however, the bolstered Prime rose, protected from Starscream's blasts by the Matrix, and merged with Wing Saber into his "Sonic Wing" mode. The combined Autobots tore into Starscream, and the titanic Decepticon was vanquished in a huge explosion. Galaxy Force Mission.9

The Galaxy Force manga was cancelled before it could reach the end of the story, so it's unknown if Starscream would have returned in later chapters the way he did in the cartoon.

Cybertron Cyber Key Code content

Years ago, Starscream was responsible for slicing off Red Alert's hand with his sword during a battle on Cybertron. Red has held a grudge against Starscream ever since.

In addition to Thundercracker, Starscream had another soldier under his command during his time on Earth in the first stage of the black hole crisis: the bumbling Skywarp. To ensure that this fool did not ruin his plans, Starscream assigned him the time-wasting task of faking alien activity by creating crop circles and stealing livestock.

Games

The Energon Within

Megatron ordered Starscream to secure 100 energon cubes from an Autobot mine. He did so successfully, though at a high cost, and still got a verbal drubbing from Megatron anyway. The Energon Within

Transformers

Voice actor: Matt Hetherington (English)

Sephiroth! Sephiroth! 'Cause all bad guys walk in flames and not get burned to hell!

Starscream was stationed in Antarctica, overseeing Decepticlone operations in recovering the Mini-Con storage panels found in the area, using a human research center they overran as his base of operations. When the Autobots ventured too close, Starscream attacked (blowing up the hangar he was holed up in first), but was shot out of the sky and left for dead.

Hey, look! Prime's a THROTTLED-bot! Get it? Throttle? Like choking? I'll be here all week. Tip your server.

Having survived his initial defeat, Starscream followed the Autobots to Alaska. There he collided his starship into a mountain in an attempt to crush them, but the Autobots escaped unscathed. This also gave them the chance to infiltrate the downed ship and free the captive Mini-Con Aftershock from the control room. Starscream used his null laser cannons at full power in an attempt to finish off his foes, but only succeeded in cutting the rock face below the ship, which collapsed and sent the precariously balanced ship plunging into the valley below. The impact of the crash buried the bow deep into the earth, forcing the Autobots to climb their way up and out to the surface.

When the Autobots pulled free from the buried ship and got back to ground-level, Starscream attacked again. But this battle too ultimately ended in defeat, leading Optimus Prime to interrogate him as to the whereabouts of Megatron. When Starscream refused and attempted to fire his functional null ray at point-blank range, Optimus knocked him unconscious with a well-aimed punch. He then ordered Red Alert to hack the treacherous Decepticon's warp transponder, which led them to Megatron's Pacific Island base. Transformers (PS2)

Toys

Armada

He's Emo-tastic!

• Starscream with Swindle (Mega-Con, 2002/2003)
  • Japanese ID number: MD-02
  • Accessories: Port wing/sword, 2 "fireblast" missiles

Starscream transforms into a Cybertronic jet fighter, loaded with electronic sound effects that function in both modes. Pulling back and releasing his rearmost Mini-Con port activates a take-off sound effect, while holding it follows up the sound with an extended engine roar that lasts a few seconds. Placing a Mini-Con on the port, such as his included partner Swindle, releases two spring-activated over-shoulder spring-loaded missile launchers, and pulling back on the port with a Mini-Con attached triggers a laser-firing noise that lasts just long enough to be too long. Pressing his cockpit canopy activates a pulsing sound effect; Swindle can also snap into place under his nosecone, and pops free with an explosion effect when the canopy is pressed down hard. His left wing detaches and unfolds to form a large sword for use in robot mode.

The Takara version of this toy uses a brighter light gray plastic, gold paint instead of yellow, more detailed, contiguous paint applications on the wings, and has a "separated" Decepticon sigil deco. The nosecone on the Japanese version is parallel to the rest of the jet mode, while the American version was retooled to slope downward for safety reasons, making it "collapse" easier if pressed point-first into, say, your little brother.

This mold was redecoed to create Armada Thundercracker, and retooled to make Armada Skywarp and Universe Ramjet.

• More information on Armada Starscream at TFU.info

I'm afraid I just blue myself.

• Starscream Supermode with Spark Grid (Mega-Con, 2003)
  • Japanese ID number: MD-09
  • Accessories: Port wing/sword, 2 "fireblast" missiles

While this blue redeco of the Armada Starscream figure was released in Hasbro markets as the separate character of Thundercracker, Takara repurposed it as a powered-up version of Starscream, and used it as such in the Armada cartoon. The Takara toy is almost identical to Hasbro's Thundercracker, but uses darker, more vivid blue and red plastics, and has the parallel nosecone of the Takara Starscream.

• More information on Thundercracker/Starscream Supermode at TFU.info

Built to Rule

File:BTR Armada Starscream.jpg

Starscream's attempts to take over Block Town were less than successful.

• Starscream with Swindle (Built to Rule, 2003)
  • Accessories: 2 missiles

Built to Rule Starscream is a building-brick set that can be assembled into a Cybertronic fighter jet or a robot, or to whatever else you feel like. He came with a building-brick version of Swindle. The set features two missile launchers that use a unique "twist-block" pressure-launch mechanism.

This set was later released in different colors as Thundercracker and Zapmaster.

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

Starscream's attempt to infiltrate the Space Police was only marginally more successful.

• Starscream (Built to Rule, 2004)

The Energon version of Built To Rule Starscream was designed with a much more solid skeleton with larger, blockier limbs. He can be rebuilt from a Cybertronic jet fighter with pressure-launch missiles, to a robot, to basically whatever you feel like doing with the parts.

Unfortunately, due to the slow performance of the Built to Rule line overall, the Energon versions only had a limited, test market release initially in and around Cincinnati, Ohio. The sets later filtered out into many "Tuesday Morning" chain discount stores at drastically dropped prices.

Energon

Hasbro Starscream, all spooky.

Takara Starscream, now with G1 sweetening.

• Starscream (Deluxe, 2004)
  • Japanese ID number: SD-01
  • Accessories: Energon sword, energon rifle, 2 missiles

Energon Starscream transforms into a jet fighter loosely based upon the F/A-22 Raptor (which would later be used as the alt-mode of another Starscream), cast mostly in dark clear-green plastics to emphasize his "energon ghost" status. The toy also features numerous spots down the right-hand side of the robot mode's front, back, shoulder and wings where Starscream appears only partially-constructed, along with asymmetrical plastic-color layouts, to further enhance the "half-formed" effect—though Aaron Archer would later remark that he felt these design cues did not come across properly. He comes with two very large accessories, a sword and a non-firing blaster, which can combine to form a really large sword. In jet mode he has two wing-mounted spring-loaded missile launchers, which can flip up over his robot-mode shoulders for "Hyper Mode".

The Japanese version of this mold, called Nightscream, uses gray plastics instead of stony-blue, a lighter shade of red paint, and darker blue plastic and paint.

There was much controversy upon the toy's announcement since at first glance it appears to be a simple retool of Generation 2 Smokescreen. However, Starscream is in fact an all-new mold which simply uses a similar transformation scheme.

This mold was also used to make Timelines Skyquake and Leozack.

• More information on Energon Starscream at TFU.info

• Prowl with Longarm & Starscream with Zapmaster (Multi-pack, 2004)
  • Accessories: Port wing/sword, 2 missiles

Part of a Sam's Club exclusive set, the Armada Starscream toy was redecoed in primarily dark gray with burgundy and black accents, patterned after the color scheme of his Deluxe Energon figure. His Mini-Con partner was Zapmaster this time around rather than Swindle. The set also included Energon Prowl as an Armada Red Alert redeco with Longarm.

• More information on Sam's Club Starscream at TFU.info

Hasbro Starscream has twice the G1 for half the price.

Takara "Nightscream" has two scoops of G1 in every toy.

• Energon Starscream (Deluxe, 2004)
  • Japanese ID number: SD-19
  • Accessories: Sword, rifle, 2 missiles

Representing Starscream in a powered-up form following his immersion in Super Energon, Energon Starscream was redecoed into a more Generation 1-inspired color scheme, primarily light gray with blue and red accents. Though the sculpted "half-formed" sections remain, the figure's new paint layouts ignore them, sometimes painting directly over the top of them, which coupled with the figure's new lack of translucent plastic seems to suggest that this is a non-ghosty version of the character, though his asymmetrical arm coloration remains due to the use of unpaintable plastic needed for structural support. He was released under the name "Energon Starscream", thus making him Energon Energon Starscream, though when he was first listed in Walmart computers it was under the name "Skywarp Inerceptor", perhaps indicating an aborted intent for the toy.

The Takara "Nightscream Rebirth" release of the toy is almost entirely different, using clear-blue plastics in the place of some of the solid-gray in the Hasbro version. Gray plastic was used in place of black, and many paint details were different. It also came with a yellow version of Energon Insecticon's energon drill weapon and Decepticon-style energon chip. This was the deco used for Starscream's powered up appearance in the Energon cartoon.

The Hasbro version of this mold was used as the model for the unreleased Attacktix vehicle-mode Starscream piece.

• More information on Energon Energon Starscream at TFU.info

Cybertron

I am Vegeta, Prince of all Saiya- I mean, I will be leader of all Decepticons!

• Starscream (Voyager, 2005)
  • Japanese ID number: GD-03
  • Accessories: Missile launcher, missile, Decepticon Cybertron Cyber Planet Key

Exclusive to Takara's Galaxy Force line, this version of Starscream draws much of its influence from Don Figueroa's design for Generation 1 Starscream in Dreamwave's The War Within, transforming into a Cybertronic starfighter. In both modes, plugging a Cyber Key into his back end flips out a spring-loaded blade from each arm. His spring-loaded missile launcher can be used as either a hand-held weapon, or mounted under his jet-mode nosecone. He comes with a Cybertron Decepticon Cyber Planet Key.

Although essentially the "standard" version of Cybertron Starscream, this figure was not released in the Cybertron toyline, presumably so it would not interfere with the sales of the much larger (more expensive) Supreme Starscream toy (see below). A redeco would be made available later in the line (again see below).

This toy was redecoed to create Shattered Glass Starscream and the 2008 Universe Dirge.

• More information on Galaxy Force Starscream at TFU.info

Honeycomb big? Yeah Yeah Yeah! It's not small? No No No!

• Starscream (Supreme, 2005)
  • Accessories: Missile, "Crown of Leadership", Decepticon Cybertron Cyber Key, Gold Earth Cyber Planet Key

Supreme Starscream is a colossally-upscaled version of the Voyager-class Starscream toy, with quite a few changes. The most notable is the change in his Cyber Planet Key gimmick: each arm has a separate Key jack in it rather than the Voyager's single joint-jack. While the right arm still deploys a blade, the left arm now reveals a spring-loaded missile-firing "null laser cannon" with expanding prongs. The original back-mounted Key jack is still present, though it does not activate any gimmicks and merely serves as a Key storage space (a rarity among Cybertron toys). A second storage-only jack is found on the underside of the same assembly. The two small guns on the sides of his cockpit can swivel up to firing position in robot mode, and he also has several electronic light and sound gimmicks, including one activated by moving his sword-arm. His eyes are, for some strange reason, green.

He comes with a Decepticon "Crown of Leadership", based on Generation 1 Starscream's crown from The Transformers: The Movie that fits over his noggin (which, together with his considerable size, has earned him the nickname "King Starscream" among fans.) He is also the only Cybertron toy to come with two Cyber Keys, a Decepticon Cybertron Key, and a gold-bordered Earth Planet Key. Both Keys have the Key Code "s5a3" tampographed on their backs. The placement of these accessories in the box varies in later releases.

Supreme Starscream was released in the first wave of Cybertron toys, long before Starscream was transformed into a giant in the third quarter of the Cybertron cartoon. To sell this large, expensive figure at this early stage, a few other toys in the Cybertron line were changed—predominantly, the standard Voyager Starscream figure went unreleased in Hasbro markets. Also, to keep Starscream's Cybertron-style Cyber Key exclusive among the early figures, Jetfire and Overhaul—who had Cybertron-style keys in the cartoon, and in the Takara toyline—had their keys changed to Earth and Jungle Planet keys respectively.

In Japan, this toy was released as a Toys "R" Us exclusive, basically unchanged in US packaging.

• More information on Cybertron Starscream at TFU.info

Thrust? No wait... Ramjet?

• Starscream vs. Vector Prime (Multi-pack, 2005)
  • Accessories: Missile launcher, missile, Decepticon Cybertron-style Cyber Planet Key

The Voyager Starscream mold was made available by Hasbro in a two-pack with an unaltered Vector Prime, now sporting a burgundy paint job. The two-pack was exclusive to Toys "R" Us stores, and was sold for slightly less than the cost of two Voyagers.

• More information on Toys "R" Us Starscream at TFU.info

Starsqueak.

• Starscream (Legends of Cybertron, 2005)

A colossally downscaled and simplified version of the Cybertron Starscream figure was released as part of the first wave of the Legends of Cybertron series. He transforms into the same Cybertronic starfighter altmode, and has flip-out weapons (one sword, one non-firing blaster).

In Japan, the toy was sold as part of the very short-lived "EZ Collection". It was given more extensive paint operations than the Hasbro version.

This mold was used to make Legends of Cybertron Ramjet, Skywarp, and Sunstorm, Universe Ramjet and Thrust, War for Cybertron Starscream, and Dark of the Moon Cybertronian Starscream. Phew!

• More information on Legends of Cybertron Starscream at TFU.info

• EZ Collection Clear Set (Multi-pack, 2005)

A Japanese exclusive multi-pack of "EZ Collection" Starscream, Megatron and Optimus Prime recast the figures using primarily clear plastics; in Prime's case, both his grey became translucent. A mail-away exclusive to TV Magazine in October 2005, the set was limited to 3000 pieces.

• More information on the EZ Collection multi-pack at PlasticCrack.net

Generations

Cuz once you got a theory of how the thing works, everybody wants the next thing to be just like the first.

• Armada Starscream (Deluxe, 2014)
  • Series / Number: 02 / #011
  • Japanese release date: 03-23-2014
  • Japanese ID number: TG33
  • Accessories: 2 Energon Swords, 2 missiles

Part of the eighth wave of 2012-onwards Generations Deluxe Class toys, Thrilling 30 "Armada Starscream" is a modern update of the original Armada Starscream figure. He comes with two "Energon Swords" which he holds via 5mm post, and can fold up and store on his wings, as opposed to the wings themselves detaching and forming swords. He has numerous Powerlinx plugs on his forearms and turbines, though they do not activate any features. In place of his spring-loaded cannons, his turbines can each fire a missile in either mode via pressure-launch, and can be positioned in robot mode to either face forward or lay flat on his back.

While his bio paints this toy as this Starscream, IDW Publishing repurposed this toy as a new body for Generation 1 Starscream, debuting it in the issue the figure comes packaged with.

The TakaraTomy release of Armada Starscream, part of the fourteenth wave of Japanese Generations toys, features a deco more accurate to his original cartoon, most obviously by casting much of his arms, legs, wings, and launchers stark white. Other changes include use of a darker shade of red plastic and paint, a thoroughly-painted red cockpit, red-painted toes, a black-painted canopy, and a silver face with painted "chinstrap". He lacks the comic.

This toy was retooled into Generations Jhiaxus.

• More information on Generations Armada Starscream at TFU.info

Merchandise

Happy Meal toy

• Starscream (2003)

Part of the McDonald's Armada promotion, this version of Starscream is based on his larger toy and features a pull-back motor gimmick that propels his jet-mode forward, then leaps up to instantly convert to robot mode, like the Generation 1 Jumpstarters. In jet mode, he can combine with the other three Happy Meal Decepticons to form a goofy-looking Mighty Vehicle.

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

Super Collection Figure

File:SCF armada starscream.jpg

• Starscream (2002)
  • Accessories: Display base

A three-inch tall non-transforming PVC figurine of Starscream was released in the Armada-specific ninth wave of Takara's Super Collection Figure line. The figure came in both full colour and metallic silver "pewter" variants, available at an equal ratio one each in every case of twelve blindpacked figures.

Mega Super Collection Figure

• Starscream (2003)
  • ID number: 13
  • Accessories: Swindle figure, sword

A five-inch tall non-transforming, highly-articulated PVC figure of Starscream was the thirteenth and final release in Takara's Mega Super Colleciton Figure series. Like other toys in the line, he came with a few extra pieces, like a separate wing-sword, and a mini-PVC of his Mini-Con partner Swindle. The miracle of universal pegs also allows him to wield weapons belonging to other Mega SCF figures, most characteristically approrpriate being the Star Saber that came with Optimus Prime.

• More information on Mega SCF Starscream at TFKenkon.com

Transformers Figure

• Starscream (2003)

A non-transforming PVC figurine of Starscream was released by Omron Entertainment as part of their simply-named Transformers Figure line of gaming arcades prizes, standing around 5" tall. Despite there being a nationwide commercial for the figures, their distribution was poor, and not many arcades actually wound up carrying them.

• More information on Omron PVC figures from TFKenkon.com

Battle for Cybertron Game

• Transformers: Armada - Battle for Cybertron Game (2003)

A small figurine of Starscream was among the eight Transformers character playing pieces included with the Milton Bradley Battle for Cybertron board game.

• More information on Battle for Cybertron at BoardGameGeek.com

Bubble Twist

• Starscream (2003)

A small solid-color PVC figurine of Starscream was among the blindpacked toys available with Bubble Twist bubble gum, produced by Hasbro's subsidiary Cap Candy and only available at Toys"R"Us. Like all figures in the series, Starscream was available in red, blue, purple, grey and black.

• More information on Bubble Twist at TFormers.com

Attacktix

He keeps flying in circles for some reason.

• Starscream (Booster, 2006)

ID number:	TF08
Rarity:
Faction:	Decepticon
Class:	Captain
Special:	Rally - 14/26 (54%) success ratio
Point Cost:	10
Base Speed:	6
Attack Type:	Shooter (Large Missile)

Attacktix Starscream is based on his Cybertron incarnation. His Special Power, Rally, enables a player to return any one of their already-defeated Decepticon pieces to play. If Starscream's speed wheel reads 8 stop moving him there—you'll be able to move him 2 extra tix next turn and even if he gets shot down his special power is always white when he's on 8 speed.

A Captain figure Starscream works very well with his own redeco, Skywarp, supporting his Infiltration power.

• More information on Attacktix Starscream at TFU.info

• Starscream (Booster, 2007)

ID number:	TF11
Rarity:
Faction:	Decepticon
Class:	Captain
Special:	Rally - 14/26 (54%) success ratio
Point Cost:	30
Base Speed:	4
Attack Type:	Shooter (Small Missile)/Flight

This unreleased Starscream is a missile launching piece based on his "Energon Energon" form's vehicle mode. His vehicle form can detach from his base and fly on a string, enabling him to get better shots of opposing pieces, or even airlift allies (or enemies... is that a legal move?). His "Transform" power would probably allow you to bring any Starscream figure into play from your back-ups—making Starscream an even more effective figure when working with Skywarp. But as the toy was never released, we'll never know.

Several pieces of this mold would also have been used to make Generation 1 Skywarp, who also went unreleased.

Game over. This Attacktix item has been canceled, with no current plans for release.

Notes

• According to the Armada video game's instruction booklet, Starscream (in his Armada-era body) has the following statistics:

  Height: 19' 7" (15' 1" vehicle mode length)

  Weight: 22,050 lbs

  Thrust: 28,000 lbs

  Vehicle Top Speed: Mach 2.7

File:Speaker.jpg

Starscream's emptiness can only be filled by love or electronics.

• Armada Starscream's body parts made frequent cameos in the CGI models of the generic Decepticon and Autobot soldiers during the Energon cartoon series, despite Starscream not actually ever appearing in his Armada body during the series.
• It's a popular rumor that the Starscream who appears in Super Link (the Japanese version of Energon) is not the original, but a clone. Popular, but entirely wrong. Although not explicitly referred to with the name "Starscream" in dialogue, he is identified as one of Megatron's former soldiers, randomly given a new name by Alpha Q, and things just roll on from there without a backward look.
• Cybertron Voyager Starscream was designed with a soundbox in mind (even including the requisite speaker and battery brackets when you crack one open), but the final Hasbro and Takara versions have no electronics.
• Starscream's arc across the end of Armada and the beginning of Energon, in which he is killed by Galvatron while Unicron was causing trouble, returned in ghostly form, and his complete resurrection within Unicron, is reminiscent of his arc in the third season of the original cartoon.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Starscream (スタースクリーム Sutāsukurīmu), Nightscream (Super Link, ナイトスクリーム Naitosukurīmu)
• Hungarian: Csillagsikoly (Armada, "Starscream"), Surranó (1st Energon dub, "Sneaker"), Üstökös (2nd Energon dub and Cybertron, "Comet")
• Korean: Scream (스크림 Seukeurim), Mega Starscream (Cybertron, 메가 스타스크림 Mega Seutaseukeurim)
• Polish: Krzykotron (Armada, "Screamtron")
• Russian: Skandalist (second Armada dub, "Troublemaker")