Master Sword
The Master Sword (マスターソード Masutā Sōdo), "blade of blades, wielded only by the righteous and just", is the single most powerful weapon created by the super-science of the planet Master, and the ultimate weapon of Autobot Headmaster leader Fortress Maximus.
In addition to the massive blade, the term "Master Sword" also refers to the small dagger-like device housed in the control console of Battleship Maximus. When this is drawn from the console by Fortress, the battleship transforms to robot mode, to which Fortress connects in head mode, forming Fortress Maximus. To unsheath the sword, Fortress's physical and mental energies must be in perfect synchronization; the activation of the Master Sword and his transformation into Fortress Maximus drains them severely, requiring an extended period of recharging before it can be accomplished again.
No, it's not that Master Sword. Stop asking.
Fiction
Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity
The Headmasters cartoon
Fortress first unsheathed the Master Sword when the Decepticons unleashed a monstrous carnivorous plant on San Francisco. Unable to draw the sword at first, Fortress was galvanized by cries for help from his Headmaster troops, and became Fortress Maximus for the first time to whack the plant's weed with the Master Sword. Head On!! Fortress Maximus The Master Sword proceeded to be a weapon that turned the tide of many a battle, and ultimately forced the Decepticons from Earth when it perforated the weak spot of Scorponok. I Risk My Life for Earth
Seeking a way to counter the power of the Master Sword, Scorponok headed for planet Master. There, he attempted to learn the secrets and weaknesses of the Master Sword by having one of the scientists responsible for creating it, Jack, captured and tortured. Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 2) This approach failed, but while burrowing underground, he located the ore necessary to create the incredible durable G-Metal, and proceeded to capture the Autobot Wheelie, ransoming him for a disc containing all the data on the Master Sword. The Master Sword Is in Danger!! Combining these, he successfully created the Zarak Shield, which proved able to deflect the Master Sword when they first clashed in battle. Operation: Destroy the Decepticons
Returning to Earth, Scorponok initiated a plan to destroy the planet, culminating in a massive battle between the Autobot and Decepticon armies at the North Pole. Powered up by the combining energies of the Autobots, relayed to him through the Headmasters' Head Formation, Fortress Maximus used the Master Sword to destroy the Zarak Shield, and Scorponok's Transtector, saving the planet. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)
Transformers Legends comic
The new Battleship Maximus built in the Legends Universe also came equipped with the small and large Master Swords. Taking over Fortress's transtector, Weirdwolf attempted to unsheath the sword and transform the base into "Weird Maximus", but failed to balance his physical and mental energies appropriately and was knocked out. After transforming into Fortress Maximus, Fortress used the larger Master Sword to pierce the device Tarantulas was using to control Metroplex. Bonus Edition Vol. 31
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe
The Master Sword was thus named because it contained the souls of the Blind Master, Soft Master, and Hard Master. Their pupil, Snake-Eyes, acquired the sword and through it he bonded with Fortress Maximus and become the city-bot's new Headmaster partner. Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12
Prime Wars Trilogy cartoons
Toys
The Headmasters
- Fortress Maximus (Headmaster Base, 1987)
- Japanese ID number: C-114
- Available only with the Japanese release of the Fortress Maximus toy, both forms of the Master Sword are included—the small version, which can be wielded by Fortress, and the large version, which fits in the hand of Fortress Maximus. It is currently unknown if the swords were originally planned for the Hasbro version but dropped for price or safety concerns, or if they were a Takara-initiated addition to their release of the toy.
- The Master Sword was redecoed to make the Master Blade included with Grand Maximus, and slightly retooled to make the Matrix Blade.
Encore
- Fortress Maximus (Headmaster Base, 2013)
- The Encore release of Fortress Maximus retains his Master Sword accessory.
Generations
- Fortress Maximus (San Diego Comic-Con exclusive, 2016)
- Accessories: Cerebros, Emissary, 2 leg guns, gun turret, Master Sword
- The San Diego Comic-Con 2016 exclusive release of Fortress Maximus comes with a new Master Sword weapon. Like the original Generation 1 accessory, the sword can be separated into a small version of the blade for Cerebros to hold.
- Master Sword (Toys R Us online exclusive, 2016)
- A redeco of the Master Sword that features painted details to resemble the animation model was available as part of a promotional campaign via several Asian branches of Toys"R"Us.
- In Hong Kong, it was available for the first 100 customers to purchase Fortress Maximus via the Toys"R"Us website between June 26 and July 1. In Taiwan, the campaign was launched in July; and in Singapore, it ran from July 7 to August 31 and was limited to the top 20 spenders who purchased Fortress Maximus.
Legends
- Fortress Maximus (2016-09-24)
- ID number: LG31
- Accessories: Headmaster unit, Fortress, 2 leg guns, gun turret, Master Sword
Notes
- In issue #6 of Dreamwave's ongoing Generation One comic book, Autobase is designed to look like an inverted Master Sword, with its hilt acting as a landing pad for aircraft.
Foreign names
- Italian: Master Sodo
