Multi-component Transformer

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Three components, one Transformer.

Multi-component Transformers are able to have one or more of their components separate and act independently of one another. All of the components together make up the Transformer. They should not be confused with combiners, which form from individual characters.

Transformers with equal components

When these Transformers split, none of the components are more important than the others. Sometimes these Transformers are depicted in fiction more like Triple Changers, where the components are never shown active at the same time.

Generation 1

• Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass, Viewfinder)
• Omega Supreme (rocket, tank, and base)
• Sky Lynx (lynx, long-necked pterodactyl-like animal)
• Duocons
  • Battletrap (truck, helicopter)
  • Flywheels (howitzer, fighter jet)
• Cog (Gasket, Grommet)
• Overlord (Tank, jet)
• Gigatron (Tank, jet)

Masterforce

• Cog (Onomus, Koka)
• Overlord (Megajet, Gigatank)

Beast Wars Neo/Beast Machines

• Magmatron (Landsaur, Seasaur, Skysaur)

Energon

• Omega Supreme (Omega, Omega Train, Omega Battleship)
• Omega Sentinel (Small robot, battle train, battleship)

Animated

• Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass, and Viewfinder)

Me, myself, and I

Shattered Glass

• Sky Lynx

Live-action film

• Arcee (fiction-only)

Mitotic sparks

Magmatron is stated to have this ability because he has a mitotic spark. It has not been established whether any of the other examples could have mitotic sparks.

Transformers with a minor component

Some Transformers clearly have a dominant component, but also possess parts that are required for their Transformation in one mode but can act independently in another mode. Sometimes the component is semi-autonomous and sometimes it is merely a remote-controlled drone. The distinction is not always clear and varies by fiction.

Generation 1

• Optimus Prime (Brain Center, Combat Deck, Roller)
  • Orion Pax (Barrelroller)
• Ironhide / Ratchet (sled)
• Laserbeak (laser cannons)
• Motormaster (roller car)
• Metroplex (Six-Gun, Slammer, Scamper)
• Trypticon (Full-Tilt, Brunt, Wipe-Out)
• Rodimus Prime (Mobile Defense Bay)
• Fortress Maximus (Cog)
• Scorponok (Fasttrack)
• Motorvators
  • Flame (Energon figure)
  • Gripper (Energon figure)
  • Lightspeed (Energon figure)
• Overlord (2 Energon mini-figures, unnamed car drone)
• Crosscut (Clutch)

Masterforce

• Grand Maximus (Cog)
• Overlord (unnamed car drone)
• BlackZarak (Black Rorichi)

Victory

• Star Saber

Zone

• Metrotitan (Metrosquad)

Generation 2

• Dreadwing (Smokescreen)

Beast Wars

• Scorponok (Cyberbee)

Energon

• Tow-Line (sled)

Shattered Glass

• Megatron (Rumbler)

Pretenders

Pretender shells can be controlled independently by the inner robot.

Fiction

Generation 1

Reflector was the first multi-component Transformer to be depicted in fiction. His entry in the G1 cartoon series production bible states that "in his robot mode, Reflector is 3 robots that speak together." He was usually depicted this way, but this was inconsistent. Reflector components existed and spoke on their own and seemed to have their own personality. It was left uncertain if these components were extra generic look-alikes. Reflector made one brief cameo in the Marvel comic without addressing the multi-component issue. The Last Stand Dreamwave treated the trio as three individuals that simply had a combiner-type altmode. The IDW comics portrayed Reflector both similarly to the cartoon All Hail Megatron #3 and as individuals Spotlight: Wheelie

In the cartoon, Omega Supreme showed the ability to have his rocket component take off (leaving the base and tank behind), travel to another planet then transform back into robot mode. Sometimes his base mode was there on the planet waiting for the rocket to land. Fictional portrayals of Omega Supreme tend to address the oddness of his multi-component altmode by simply not having him transform very often unless he needs to give the Autobots a ride somewhere.

Fictional depictions of Sky Lynx and the Duocons tend to treat them as triple-changers of sorts. Their components are not often seen operating at the same time. The exception is from the Dreamwave comics, where they made it a point to show them operating independently.

Live-action film

When Arcee came to Earth in answer to Optimus Prime's summoning message, she came in the form of a "tripartite Cybertronian," meaning she is not one, but three motorcycles, who are controlled by a singular intelligence. Revenge of the Fallen (film) The three components were able to combine to form one robot mode. Revenge of the Fallen (novel) Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation

It is not clear if Arcee has always been a tripartite Cybertronian (and was always combined in her previous appearances), or if it is an ability she recently acquired.

While fictional appearances portray Arcee as a multi-component Transformer, the toy bios give her individual components their own personality. (Arcee, Chromia, and Elita-1). Chromia's bio refers to them as sisters.

See also

• Binary bonding