Acid Storm (G1)

Acid Storm is a Decepticon from the Generation 1 continuity family.

"What is this 'camouflage' of which you speak?"

Despite his intelligence, data gathering skills, and potential charisma, Acid Storm prefers to wallow in anonymity as just one of the Rainmakers, a cadre of specialized Seekers who have the capability to manipulate localized weather patterns to create acid rain.

“	Failed, Chip. Acid storm... disabled... circui... try.	”
—Bumblebee, "Divide and Conquer"

Fiction

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Transformers cartoon

When a group of Autobots (and Chip Chase) journeyed to Cybertron to fetch a cosmitron for a wounded Optimus Prime, Megatron sent the Rainmaker trio, including Acid Storm, to make things difficult for our heroes with some acid rain.

Guess what? They failed. Divide and Conquer

Wings Universe

Wings Universe is based on the Generation 1 cartoon, but deviates from it in cosmetic ways and continuity points.

Acid Storm was at Megatron's side shortly before the latter ordered a retreat from Iacon. Battle Lines, Part 6

Millions of years later, Acid Storm was part of the united Autobot and Decepticon forces that helped repel back the Cybertronian invasion of Cybertron. A Common Foe

Classics

Classics continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.

Doomed to always be a background guy.

After the war officially ended on Klo, Acid Storm was one of the handful of Bludgeon's Decepticons who scattered to the far corners of the universe. He, Drag Strip, and Overkill were waiting on a dusty planet when Springer's rogue team of Autobots attempted to hunt them down. At Fight's End

IDW Generation 1 continuity

12782 is the loneliest number.

Early in the war, Acid Storm was among the Seekers who led Orion Pax's hostage negotiation party to Bludgeon's base in the Rust Spot. Omega's Conundrum

Three years after Megatron was defeated on Earth, Acid Storm was among those Decepticons who managed to escape the human homeworld and was now under the command of the (self-proclaimed) Decepticon leader Starscream. However, with the lack of resources, poor morale and Starscream's weak leadership, the Decepticons largely collapsed into anarchy and resorted to cannibalism with not enough energon to go around. After another pointless patrol, Acid Storm and Sunstorm dejectedly sat in front of what remained of the ship that carried them to the asteroid that they now called home. All His Engines

When Hot Rod finally tracked the Decepticons to their asteroid, Acid Storm was the first one to detect the Autobot craft but did not have time to plan a counter-attack himself. While he was still panicking, Shrapnel used the base defenses to blow the Autobot out of the sky, causing pieces of it to fall on them in the process. The two Decepticons then went to search the wreckage for anything useful, only to find that Hot Rod was still alive, and heavily armed to boot. Acid Storm was quickly taken out of action by a shot to the back. Heart Like a Wheel Once Megatron was finally repaired, he took back leadership from Starscream and held an impassioned speech to Acid Storm and the others that roused their spirits once more. Spotlight: Megatron

Later, Acid Storm was one of the many Decepticons in Autobot captivity on Cybertron. The Autonomy Lesson He was put to work alongside other Decepticons in "waste reclamation". Devisive Later, Acid Storm was among a Cybertronian crowd recruited by Starscream to pressure Prowl into revealing one of his secret discoveries below ground on Cybertron. Later underground, they witnessed a Metrotitan declare that Starscream was the Cybertronian destined to unite their whole race. He and the other Cybertronians celebrated afterwards with Starscream. All Good Things

When Megatron appeared for the first time since the war ended, Acid Storm and the other Decepticons stopped the Autobots from executing him on the spot, then realized that this was their chance to oust the Autobots and return to the good old days. Starscream tried to stop them from rioting with rousing speech about change, but Acid Storm told him to stuff it and walked off with his mates to torch some buildings. City on Fire They then marched straight to the Autobot prison, where they made short work of the guards and liberated Megatron from captivity. The Verge As Megatron led the Decepticons in a new attempt to conquer Cybertron, Acid Storm participated in the battle with the defending Autobots. Plan for Everything The battle ended with a Decepticon defeat, and all Decepticons who wouldn't renounce their faction were banished into the wilderness, including Acid Storm. Shockpoint

After the destruction of Iacon, Acid Storm became one of many down-trodden Decepticons living in a ghetto outside of Metroplex. When Optimus Prime stopped by the ghetto only to be harassed by an angry mob, Acid Storm joined in but tried to stop Sparkstalker from needlessly angering the Prime. City of Steel

Transformers: The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe

Acid Storm was one of the many Decepticons who pursued the AllSpark to Earth. He participated in an enormous battle against the Autobots in a human settlement. The Ultimate Pop-Up Universe

TransTech

Acid Storm was one of many offworlders in Axiom Nexus's Under City. Acid Storm was part of a crowd in Seeker-Shinai that C-81 attempted to disperse through intimidation. Unfortunately, all the Seekers present were too stunned to see a "Megatron" in Axiom Nexus to budge. Cybertron's Most Wanted

Games

Bot Shots Battle Game!

"I HATE to RAIN on your parade—wait, NO I DON'T! BAHAHAHA!!"

Acid Storm and his gang of troublemakers reduced the once-vital city of Cybertropolis to burning ruins. Through your Bot Shot's efforts were he and his gang defeated, and Cybertropolis was allowed to prosper once more.

Acid Storm is also one of the many random Bot Shots the player can encounter in the game. He can also be purchased in the "Bot Shop"... provided one defeats a Super Bot in the Sonic Canyons arena first.

Bot Shots Battle Game!

Transformers Legends

Acid Storm was among the Seekers who went on a worldwide rampage, until they were thwarted by the Autobots. Robots in the Sky Acid Storm was part of a number of reinforcements who arrived on a battlefield and joined the conflict already in progress. By Land, Sea, or Air

Following the restoration of Cybertron, Acid Storm and Spinister attempted to ambush a group of Autobots who were exploring the changes to their world. The pair were promptly captured and sent to a detention facility. The Autonomy Lesson

Transformers: Battle Tactics

Acid Storm participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of him! Transformers: Battle Tactics

Toys

Universe (2008)

File:Universe AcidStorm toy.jpg

The Seeker redeco you weren't expecting.

• Acid Storm (Deluxe, 2008)
  • Accessories: Left & right missile launchers, 2 missiles

Part of the second wave of 2008 Universe Deluxe Class toys, Acid Storm is a redeco of Classics Starscream, transforming into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, though with a canopy like that of an F-14 Tomcat. He comes with a pair of spring-loaded missile launchers that can peg via 5mm post onto his biceps, hands, and wings.

Classics mold: Seeker

Hasbro: Classics Starscream Skywarp Ramjet Universe (2008) Acid Storm Starscream Generations Thrust Dirge Thundercracker Fun Publications: Timelines Thundercracker Dirge Thrust Ramjet (Generation 2) Thundercracker (Shattered Glass) Bitstream Hotlink Sunstorm Nacelle G2 Starscream TakaraTomy: Henkei! Henkei! D-02 Starscream D-04 Ramjet Skywarp Thundercracker Gentei! Gentei! Dirge Thrust United Skywarp Starscream Thundercracker Dirge Ramjet Thrust Million Publishing: Henkei! Henkei! Starscream Ghost Version

• More information on Acid Storm at TFU.info

Bot Shots

"Whoops, you can't play anymore. Game's been canceled on account of ME!"

• Nemesis Prime / Megatron / Acid Storm (Multi-pack, 2012)
  • Series: 1
  • Number: Super Bot 006
    • Fist strength: 420
    • Blaster strength: 905
    • Sword strength: 285

Part of the first wave of Bot Shots Series 1 three-packs, Acid Storm is a redeco of Starscream, transforming into a teeny fighter jet very very vaguely like an F-22 Raptor, with a spring-loaded automatic transformation to robot mode triggered when his nosecone is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. As a "Super Bot", he is cast in translucent green plastic, and has more lopsided stats. He comes with Megatron and Nemesis Prime.

This mold was also redecoed into Skyquake, Thundercracker, Sunstorm, Quickslinger, and Autobot Firestrike, and was retooled into Skywarp.

• More information on Acid Storm at TFU.info

Masterpiece

The Seeker redeco you really weren't expecting.

• Acid Storm (2013)
  • ID number: MP-01
  • Japanese release date: 10-03-2013
  • Japanese ID number: MP-11A
  • 08 OF 30
  • Accessories: 2 cannons, 2 missile racks, pilot figurine, gun clip, two-piece display stand

Masterpiece Acid Storm is a Toys"R"Us-exclusive redeco of MP-11 Starscream (himself a heavy retool of MP-3 Starscream), but without the coronation gear. He transforms into an F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and features numerous built-in gimmicks, such as an opening panel at the top-center of the jet, adjustable thrust vectors, a sculpted radar hidden in his nosecone, and an opening canopy. In robot mode, he features missile pods hidden in his chest.

For accessories, his non-firing cannons are attached to extending armatures so that they don't have to be removed for transformation, but they each have a 5mm post, and can be easily detached via ball joint. He also comes with two missile racks which peg via 5mm post onto ports on his wings, provided the cannons (which normally mount there in vehicle mode) are removed. Also included is a pilot figurine that can fit in his cockpit, and he additionally has a clip that is intended to mount underneath the cockpit and hold the Megatron gun initially included with 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime/Masterpiece MP-1 Convoy. Finally, he comes with a two-piece stand, which has two peg-holes to store two of his weapons, and can be configured for either robot or vehicle mode.

On the sides of his cockpit, he sports tampographed names of a pilot and a co-pilot: "MSGT. [Master Sergeant] B 'Vicious' Vala" (after Hasbro designer Bobby Vala) and "SSGT. [Staff Sergeant] Etipsone" (after graffiti artist Etipsone).

Acid Storm's instructions neglect to mention numerous steps of his transformation, such as the fact that the strut his nosecone is attached to is on a slide joint that allows it to slide into the cockpit more and help compact his kibble backpack. It also fails to mention the fact that he has heels hidden in compartments just in front of his thrusters, and that his tail-fin/rear wing assemblies are also on slide joints, allowing them to slide up and allow his toes and heels to both touch the surface at once. To make matters worse, his instructions only tell you how to transform him into vehicle mode... despite the fact that he's packaged in vehicle mode.

Acid Storm, along with fellow Masterpiece, Soundwave, was first released in limited numbers in conjunction with San Diego Comic-Con 2013. Acid Storm was later made available in TakaraTomy's markets as a "USA Edition" of sorts, still exclusive to Toys"R"Us. While the figure itself was unchanged, the packaging was altered to change his ID number, among other things. Common to both versions is a designated number marking him as part of the Thrilling 30 line.

Acid Storm's original deco would have been significantly different, such as featuring a different pilot and co-pilot ("MSGT. Bill 'Brawlin' Brawley" and "SSGT. Mark 'Tag' Maher"), and being far more busy. He would have had numerous additional tampographs, such as a reference to him being part of the "924th Rainmakers", a reference to a "Toxitron Weapons System", "Bringing the Pain Rain", and even Rainbow Dash's cutie mark!

The original MP-3 version of this mold was redecoed into MP-6 Skywarp and MP-7 Thundercracker, while the MP-11 version of this mold was also redecoed into MP-11S Sunstorm and Transformers (2010) Masterpiece Thundercracker.

• More information on Masterpiece Acid Storm at TFU.info

Generations

File:TFGenerations Legends Acid Storm.jpg

The Seeker redeco you were kind of expecting by this point.

• Acid Storm with Venin (Legends, 2014)
  • Accessories: 2 cannons

Part of the seventh wave of 2012-onwards Generations Legends Class toys, Thrilling 30 Acid Storm is a redeco of Legends class Starscream. He is roughly the same size as a Cyberverse Commander Class toy. Based on a Guido Guidi seeker concept for IDW Publishing, Acid Storm transforms from a hybrid F-15/F-22 style jet. He features a fold out front landing gear, 5mm-compatible hands, and back/roof, and has 3mm-compatible upper arm ports. He comes with two removable cannons that have both 5mm and 3mm pegs.

Acid Storm is partnered with Venin, a redeco of Waspinator, who can transform into a wasp-er, a cicada, a robot with 3mm-compatible hands, and a gun with 5mm handle. He has an autotransformation feature that folds up his wings when his gun barrel is extended.

This mold was also used to make Generations Combiner Wars Thundercracker and Skywarp.

• More information on Generations Acid Storm at TFU.info

Merchandise

The Loyal Subjects

Make it Rain.

• Rainmakers (2013)
  • Accessories: Pegged wings, blasters

The Loyal Subjects Acid Storm is a 3-inch non-transforming vinyl figure designed by Les Schetkoe. He comes in the "Rainmakers" set alongside unnamed blue and yellow Seekers. The set comes in a retro box and was released in a limited run of 500 pieces.

Notes

• Acid Storm isn't solid green in every shot of "Divide and Conquer" - in the monitor shot he first appears in, he has grey intakes and a green-grey upper chest that matches his helmet. Oddly enough, the intakes are one of the areas that were left the basic green on his Universe toy.
• Although explicitly based on the green Rainmaker from "Divide and Conquer", Acid Storm's near-fluorescent green in the cartoon was specifically toned down to fit better into the quasi-realism of the 2008 Universe toyline.
• Acid Storm's basic camo pattern was designed by Aaron Archer, a relatively rare occurrence for the time given Archer's high hierarchical status within Hasbro. The specifics of Acid Storm's Universe deco were then fleshed out and finalized by designer Bill Rawley.
• According to Hasbro's BotCon 2008 panel, Acid Storm was originally to be named "Rainmaker", then "Acid Rain", but those names didn't clear legal.
• Acid Storm's "hyperion3 cannon" is based on one of the email addresses of Transformers fan Matthew Karpowich, aka "Monzo", much as Acid Storm's bio itself is based in part on him (notably the data-gathering aspect). This is the second Universe toy to shout-out to him, the first being Onslaught.

Foreign names

• Japanese: Acid Storm (アシッドストーム Ashido Sutōmu)
• Mandarin: Suān Pào (Taiwan, 酸暴, "Acid Storm"), Liúsuān Yǔ (China, 硫酸雨, "Sulfuric Acid Rain")