Overcharge (G1)
| This article is about the Quintesson drones from Generation 1. For the Autobot Mini-Con from Universe, see Overcharge (Universe). |
- Overcharges are Quintesson creations from the Generation 1 continuity family.
The Overcharges (オーバーチャージ Ōbāchāji) are the latest model of Quintesson mass-produced warrior-drone (aka "Terrorbots"), using technologies gleaned from the Decepticons. Produced in countless numbers and sold to whatever buyers can cough up the credits, Overcharges are strong, fast, powerful, and in the wrong hands, can overrun worlds.
They're expensive to purchase and suck up a lot of energy to function. People mutter darkly that they're called "Overcharges" because of what you had to pay for them or because you have to actually overcharge the bloody things to make them move.[1]
Fiction
Legends comic
Overcharges made up an army that invaded the Legends World under the supervision of a Quintesson. The Quintesson's personal Overcharge attendant met his future self, who convinced him to make his own destiny and gave him his name: "Blitzwing". Thanks to the efforts of the future Blitzwing, Big Fight, and Astrotrain, the Quintesson forces were sent retreating to their home universe. Bonus Edition Vol. 59
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Before the war began, Overcharge (or an Overcharge) was a member of the Triorian Guard, a detachment of multi-terrain Triple Changers charged with guarding the body of Nominus Prime as it lay in state in the Primal Basilica. An Intimate Beheading
Beast Wars: Uprising
The Overcharges were ancient Quintesson Terrorbot surplus that may have predated the last Great War. The Builders bought some a while ago and were totally ripped off: they cost a lot and were inefficient clunkers.
Overshoot spent forty stellar cycles keeping watch over the Overcharge's warehouse near the Melpomene Bridge, watching the acid rain get in. After the Grand Uprising kicked off, Stiletto joined him and both were ordered to use the drones to defend the bridge if need be. Stilleto expressed distaste at the idea Cybertron would require "mindless drones" to defend it instead of proper Transformers. During their time, Overcharge Unit 381-PCE drove into a crater and couldn't get out.
When the Resistance came, three half-fuelled Overcharges were on patrol and were all they could use. Two of them accidentally shelled Stiletto, too crap to cease fire when ordered, and in the actual fight they missed most of their shots. Overshoot managed to weaponise their crapness though, having all three drones overload their engines and blow up the bridge so the Resistance couldn't take it. Burning Bridges
Toys
Collector's Edition
- Overcharge (Triple Changer Terrorbot, 2005)
- Japanese ID number: 72
- Accessories: "Heat rifle", "null gladius" sword, 3 missiles
- An e-HOBBY exclusive redeco of the Blitzwing toy, Overcharge transforms from robot mode to a Mitsubishi Type 74 tank or a MiG-25 fighter jet. In jet mode, it features two spring-loaded missile launchers, one within each wing assembly.
- Overcharge came with an extra decal sheet with multiple faction logos (including several totally new ones) so it could be assigned to different armies: Autobot, Decepticon, Quintesson/Terrorbot, "Ancient", EDC, and "Unicron Herald" (using the Blentron sigil).
Notes
- While the toy's color scheme is based on the mold's original pre-Transformers Diaclone colors, the "character" appears to be based on the mass of off-color Blitzwing-model tanks seen in the title sequence to the third season of the Generation 1 cartoon.
- Overcharges, it is noted, are based on technology from the Decepticons, since the Quintessons' original robots did not transform, only developing the skill after freeing themselves from slavery. The use of the Blitzwing mold for this Quintesson creation seems to harken back to The Transformers cartoon series Season 3 episode "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3", in which Blitzwing is the only Transformer to recognize the Quintessons, albeit in a vague, uncertain way. This seems to suggest a connection between Blitzwing and the Overcharges, but what that connection could be is pure speculation.
- Considering that the toy is an e-HOBBY exclusive, "Overcharge" is considered in the fandom to be a very apt name.
