Combat Deck (G1)

Combat Deck is a component of Autobot leader Optimus Prime in Generation 1 continuity family.

The Combat Deck as it flies through space and attacks Devastator's hand. Hubba-hubba-wha?!

In robot mode, Optimus Prime splits into three components:

• A sentient robot module, the Brain Center.
• A wheeled drone module known as Roller.
• A Combat Deck.

Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one module is felt by the other two.

Prime can operate by remote-control his Combat Deck module up to a distance of 1500 feet. The Auto-Launcher mounted on the deck can use a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, including most of those used by his fellow Autobots. The launcher also includes a highly dexterous grapple-arm which allows it to load itself and change its weaponry. The communications disk antenna mounted on the launcher provides a link between Optimus and all his fellow Autobots within a radius of 50 miles. It can be adapted to a satellite hook-up that increases its effective range tenfold.

Unlike Roller, the Combat Deck does not possess autonomous intelligence, but it has shown several times the strange ability to come and go out of nowhere. Spooky...

Fiction

Marvel comics continuity

When the Ark's computer was awakened by the eruption of Mount St. Hilary in 1984, it dispatched "revival drones" to reanimate the Autobots and Decepticons on board. Two of these drones bore a striking resemblance to the Combat Deck, and they were the ones that reactivated most, if not all of the Ark's passengers. The Transformers

Later, a drone assisted Ratchet in repairing the Ark. Prisoner of War!

While the revival drones were modelled after the Combat Deck's toy (right down to the wheels and platform) they were never suggested in-story to be the transformed Optimus Prime's trailer - in "Prisoner of War!" we see a drone with Ratchet while Prime drives up in truck mode. However, since there was more than one drone, it's possible Prime appropriated one to use as his trailer.

Cartoon continuity

Combat Deck, the alternate mode of Optimus Prime's trailer, exists within Optimus Prime's trailer. ...Wait, what?

The Combat Deck was first used by Optimus Prime during a battle with Megatron, during which the two fired at each other at the same time. While the Combat Deck's blasts knocked Megatron's fusion cannon off his arm, Megatron's blast blew the Combat Deck cannon to pieces. This didn't seem to hurt Prime, unless he's really good at shrugging off pain. More Than Meets the Eye, Part 3

Optimus Prime later used the Combat Deck to help the Autobots with a battle in the Arctic. The Combat Deck managed to damage Skywarp's stabilizers, causing him to crash into Thundercracker in midair and taking out both Seekers. Fire in the Sky

When Optimus Prime was briefly turned evil, he activated the Combat Deck and Roller to attack his fellow Autobots when they tried to help him. It didn't hit anything, and stopped firing at them as soon as it was hit with an attitude exchanger. Attack of the Autobots

this is the only time the combat deck actually resembled its toy counterpart. In fact, the deck seemed to change appearance with each episode.

Although it didn't fully appear, the Combat Deck's arm can be clearly seen lifting the body of the ailing Elita One into Prime's Trailer. The Search for Alpha Trion

Coloring book continuity

The Combat Deck takes aim at Starscream.

Optimus Prime used the Combat Deck in defense of a forest in danger of being cleared by the Decepticons to make way for a Decepticon factory. It looks somewhat familiar. Forest Rescue Mission

IDW comics continuity

When the Autobots arrived in the former Russian state of Brasnya, Optimus Prime deployed the Combat Deck for remote tactical assistance. Escalation issue 3 It detected the optically camouflaged Blitzwing, enabling Roller to take the Decepticon out of commission. Escalation issue 4

After being savagely beaten by Megatron, Optimus Prime funneled his consciousness into the memory buffers of the Combat Deck and commanded the Autobots through Prowl from there. After Megatron assumed victory, Optimus moved his higher functions back into his body and showed Megatron the error of his ways. Escalation issue 6

Toys

Generation 1

• Optimus Prime (1984)
  • Japanese ID number: 01

The trailer portion of Optimus Prime's vehicle mode opens up into his Combat Deck, which features a missile-armed repair drone pod (with seating for one) mounted upon a boom lift arm. Situated in the base of this boom is a spring-loaded launcher that can be used to launch Roller out of the Combat Deck. There are little peg-holes that allow Optimus Prime's gun to be stowed. The interior space of the trailer allows storage room for one Autobot car. This accessory originally featured metal panels, as it was intended to be a base that could accommodate the magnetic feet of Diaclone pilots. The feature was removed for the Transformers release of the figure.

Smallest Transforming Transformers

• G1 Convoy Trailer (2003)
  • Japanese ID Number: GTF-01B (trailer)

Honey, I shrunk the Combat Deck

The Combat Deck was available separately from the Optimus cab toy as a shortpacked figure. It is a tiny, simplified replica of the Generation 1 Combat Deck.

In wave 2.5 Optimus was available in cartoon colors, with the chase figure being the trailer painted in cartoon colors.

Masterpiece

You just paid $170 for a big box on wheels.

• Convoy Perfect Edition (2006)
  • Japanese ID number: MP-4

For the re-release of Masterpiece Convoy, Takara packed him with a proper, full-size, fully transforming, plastic and die-cast metal trailer. The trailer can open up to reveal his Combat Deck, with storage for his accessories and a functional repair drone. The interior has enough room to accommodate one Alternators toy in vehicle mode.

Hybrid Style

Also stores fishing tackle.

• G1 Convoy (2006)
  • Japanese ID number: THS-02

This version of Convoy comes with a fully transforming and highly detailed trailer that opens up into his Combat Deck/repair bay, with a functioning repair drone and Roller. It also has storage points for Convoy's various spare hands and equipment pieces. The front of the trailer has two little holes to attach Sideswipe's jet pack.

Trivia

• The combat deck is at the origin of one of the oldest and most asked question among the fans. And no, we still don't know where it goes...
• Combat Deck was renamed "Autobot Headquarters" in a profile in issue #1 of the UK Generation 2 comic.
• Among the sticker displays in the original Combat Deck toy is a map of the Romulan Neutral Zone. Really!

External links

Combat Deck (with Optimus Prime) at TFU.info.