Onslaught (G1)
| This article is about the Generation 1 Combaticon leader. For the live-action universe Combaticon leader, see Onslaught (ROTF). |
- Onslaught is a Decepticon Combaticon from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Onslaught is what you'd call the "hands-off" type. He doesn't enjoy getting his mitts dirty, but instead prefers the thrill of designing battle plans, strategies, and tactics, and then watching his Combaticon soldiers carry them out. While he typically crafts his strategies to exclude his direct involvement, Onslaught is no coward. When required, he will engage in battle with strength, cunning and earthquaking fury. This darker, more brutish side of Onslaught might lead some Decepticons into thinking he has a secret blood-lust stashed away in his circuits. But truth be told, he's really just ticked off that his plans didn't work out the way they were supposed to.
Onslaught can combine with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus, who is considerably dumber than Onslaught.
| “ | I beg you're pardon?! My strategies are brilliant! | ” |
——Onslaught to Starscream, "The Revenge of Bruticus" | ||
- French-Canadian name: Abordage
- Hungarian name: Cudar
- Italian name: Destroyer
- Spanish name (Spain): Oslat
Fiction
Cartoon continuity
Generation 1 cartoon
- Voice actor: S. Marc Jordan, Steve Bulin (English), Yutaka Shimaka (Japanese)
Onslaught was one of several Renegade Decepticons who had been imprisoned in the Decepticon Detention Center on Cybertron for plotting against Megatron. After Starscream was booted from the Decepticon base for attempting to overthrow Megatron (again), he decided to form his own army. Travelling to Cybertron via the Space Bridge, he "liberated" renegade personality components and placed them in human military vehicles left over from Earth's second World War. At first, the newly-dubbed 'Combaticons' were hardly grateful to Starscream for their freedom until the Decepticon air commander revealed he had predicted their treachery and thus did not equip them with vital energy absorbers.
Onslaught and his fellow Combaticons agreed to work with Starscream to overthrow Megatron on the promise of being given the vital components. Onslaught worked in capturing two Autobots, though he got into an argument with Vortex over who was responsible for the act. Later, while recharging at a power station, Starscream's brigade was confronted by the Decepticons under Megatron's command. Anticipating that Devastator might come into play, Starscream ordered Onslaught and the other Combaticons to merge into the dim-witted Bruticus. The Combaticon combiner managed to soundly defeat Devastator, but was in turn defeated by a surprise attack by Menasor. For their treachery, Megatron banished Onslaught, his comrades and Starscream in space on a desolate asteroid. Starscream's Brigade
After a falling out with Starscream, Onslaught became the mastermind of Operation Revenge and helped defeat Shockwave's forces on Cybertron. He also used his external backpack and altered the Space Bridge to send Earth into the sun. It didn't work as he was defeated by the allied Decepticons and Autobots. Then Megatron had the Combaticons, including Onslaught, reprogrammed to serve him. Poor guy, can't seem to get a break. The Revenge of Bruticus
After that little lobotomy, the Combaticons were deployed to Earth's Middle East to assist in Megatron's scheme to steal military jets, rebuild them into cars, drive them out of the owners nations, and then rebuild them back into drone jets in friendly territory. Yeah. Onslaught and the other Combaticons attacked the Aerialbots when they snooped around, managing to force Slingshot to crash into a cave (YAY!). Later, Onslaught and the ground-based Combaticons form an anti-aircraft screen against an Aerialbot attack on the Fortress, then merged into Bruticus, but was rather quickly defeated by Superion before being blown away by the exploding oil wells. Aerial Assault
Back in the United States, Onslaught led the Combaticons in driving down the road of a random city for no apparent reason until they were confronted by Defensor. Though the Combaticons formed Bruticus, they were blown to pieces by a single shot from the Autobot, with Swindle being the only survivor. Swindle later sold the parts of his comrades, but was forced to buy them back for Megatron's next Crazy Scheme. The Combaticons formed Bruticus to operate the orbital disruptor cannon, but was shot by the cannon itself when B.O.T. tampered with it. B.O.T.
By the year 2006, the Decepticons had been forced into retreat on the ruined, burned out world of Chaar. Onslaught warned first Rumble and then the Quintessons that the Decepticons would no longer be powerful enough to attack the Autobots directly, but he joined most of the other Decepticons in their attack on the Autobots anyway. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2 Much later, Galvatron sent Onslaught, Brawl and Blast Off to assassinate the Decepticon exile Octane. Onslaught attempted to hold his troops until the proper moment presented itself, but Octane was still able to seek cover before their laser fire could terminate him. The traitor's Autobot partner, Sandstorm, then used his eponyomous ability to blind and disorient the Combaticons long enough for the two Triple Changers to escape. Starscream's Ghost
Onslaught's next mission was to lead the Combaticons in an attack on an Autobot shuttle waiting to deliver humans to a peace conference. He had a complicated and cunning strategy of misdirecting the Autobots by dressing up like Bruticus and having Swindle painted like Hound, but the Autobots were unfazed by the confusion. The Combaticons succeeded in busting up the shuttle a little before being driven away by the Autobots. Surprise Party As part of Bruticus, Onslaught watched the Decepticon assault on Paradron Fight or Flee, and was infected by the Hate Plague, along with the rest of the galaxy. The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1
During the battle for the Plasma Energy Chamber, Onslaught led his Combaticons in the crafting of a giant planetary rocket engine that would be used to propel Cybertron into orbit around Earth. This engine was fueled by the reprocessed body parts of defeated Autobots. Gross. The Rebirth, Part 3
Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers comic
When Menasor's baseball stadium/command base was attacked by Superion and Defensor, Bruticus (so by proxy, Onslaught) came to his aid. He quickly took out Defensor, damaging Hot Spot and preventing the Protectobots from combining again. However, Superion blasted Brawl and Swindle away with his electrostatic discharger rifle, allowing First Aid and Streetwise to steal their places as Bruticus's legs and fly away with Onslaught and his troops. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5
In order to make the Autobots look bad, Onslaught joined the Stunticons in destroying factories while wearing the Autobot insignia. When they were caught, all but him and Motormaster fled the scene, but Onslaught had an ace up his sleeve: Together, he and Motormaster made up the Decepticon Trailer Brigade! With their spinning "Decepticon Great Wheel" attack, the subgroup leader held the Autobots at bay for a while, but were eventually defeated by Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus's "Prime-Magnus Finish Double" kick. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 7
Onslaught then led his Combaticons in murdering a puppy. They succeeded, but the Minibots got them good. Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 8
Scramble City OVA
When the Stunticons were dispatched to hinder the Autobots from constructing Scramble City, they were attacked by the Aerialbots and did not fare too well. Onslaught's Combaticons arrived to help, and together Bruticus and Menasor easily overpowered Superion. However, Scramble City itself soon arrived and blasted both combiners away. Scramble City
The Headmasters cartoon
- Voice actor: Michitaka Kobayashi (Japanese)
Onslaught and the Combaticons participated in an all-out Decepticon attack on Cybertron, Four Warriors Come out of the Sky until Fortress Maximus arrived and drove them away. The Mystery of Planet Master Shortly afterwards, Hot Rod set out to find the Matrix of Leadership and bring it to Optimus Prime, and the Combaticons were among the troops sent out to stop him. They were ambushed by the Protectobots, and defeated when Defensor buried Bruticus in a rockfall. Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime Not long after that, the Combaticons defended Trypticon against Twincast's attempted infiltration, but failed when the Aerialbots arrived and distracted them. The Great Cassette Operation
The Combaticons were later part of another attack on Cybertron, during which they killed plenty of soldiers before getting into another fight with Defensor. Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1 They lost. Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2 When the Decepticons planted a giant carnivorous plant in San Francisco, the Combaticons and Stunticons were stationed to attack any Autobots who arrived to kill it. Head On!! Fortress Maximus Sixshot later sent the Combaticons, Terrorcons and Horrorcons to attack an Autobot energy facility in Miami, in order to lure Autobot troops away from Autobot City. Ultra Magnus Dies!!
Onslaught was present when Scorponok held a speech about Galvatron's recent death and took control of the Decepticons. I Risk My Life for Earth Bruticus was later part of a small group of Decepticons who tried to lead Fortress Maximus away from the Decepticon base on Master. The Zarak Shield Turns the Tide The combiner then stood by and laughed as Predaking sank the luxury liner Queen World in the Atlantic Ocean. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1) As Bruticus, the Combaticons participated in the final battle with the Autobots at the North Pole, and retreated into space when Scorponok's energy-absorbing satellite started tearing the Earth apart. The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)
Zone OVA
Although Onslaught and the other individual Combaticons were never seen separated, Bruticus was one of Violen Jiger's 9 Decepticon Demon-Generals. He joined Abominus, Menasor and Overlord on a raid for Energon Z on planet Zone. Enter the New Supreme Commander, Dai Atlas!
Marvel Comics continuity
Generation 1
Onslaught is the leader of the Combaticons, one of the Special Teams foretold by the Matrix. Second Generation! Onslaught and his team were first seen on Earth fighting the Protectobots inside the Multi-World computer game. Afterdeath!
Later on, he led his team to kill Galvatron while he was trapped in a volcano, and Onslaught was the only Combaticon not taken down by a trio of human women. He would've killed them if the Throttlebots hadn't shown up as the cavalry. Ladies' Night In response to that humiliation, Onslaught and the Combaticons hunted the Throttlebots down. The Throttlebots were trapped in a used car lot and the Combaticons were forced to bid for them in an auction against RAAT and the Protectobots, but Onslaught cut through this by trying to have the lot's owner assassinated. RAAT would get the Throttlebots and the Combaticons were beaten by Blaster. Used Autobots
Onslaught's shining moment came when he got to lead a massed Decepticon assault on the Autobots, which came close to wiping them all out. Totaled!
Marvel UK future timelines
In an alternate timeline after the attack of Unicron in 2006, Onslaught is still active in 2008 and was one of Soundwave's lieutenants when the Quintessons invaded. Space Pirates!
Generation 2
Onslaught was one of the Decepticons operating aboard Warworld. At the death of Mindset, a G2 Cybertronian killed light years away, Onslaught was briefly overcome by pain, hinting of a genetic connection between these two. Escalation! He was offlined along with the entire Combaticon team by Starscream shortly thereafter, and this was never delved into. It is unknown if he was killed or later repaired. Total War!
Dreamwave comics continuity
Onslaught unleashed his considerable firepower against the Autobots during the Decepticon assault against Iacon. The War Within He and his fellow Combaticons were later upgraded into Combiners. After the Crisis Intervention Accords were enacted, however, it is unknown if Onslaught joined up separately with any faction.
After the Great Shutdown and the peace that followed it, Onslaught and the Combaticons were labeled as war criminals and held in stasis in a penitentiary. That is, at least until Starscream freed them. Revelation
When Sunstorm appeared on Earth, the battered Combaticons were ordered by Starscream to combine into Bruticus and deal with the crazed zealot. It did not end well. Black Sunshine
The repaired Combaticons were brought to Guadalcanal where they could hone their somewhat lackluster combat skills and listen to Starscream's long-winded aspirations of glory. Starscream ordered them to defeat the magnificent Autobot Sky Lynx as a means to train themselves for greater battles. Unfortunately, the Combaticons did not fare well when the crafty Autobot split into his two forms, with Onslaught nearly crushed by the Lynx's right paw as he was issuing orders. After Starscream deactivated Sky Lynx, Onslaught berated his team as buffoons for not paying attention to his battle plan.
This was the least of their troubles, however, as Predaking showed up as soon after Sky Lynx shut down. Onslaught ordered his men to keep moving and maintain formation so as to remain smaller, faster targets, then as they neared Predaking, formed Bruticus. This encounter also did not end well either.... The Route of All Evil
IDW comics continuity
Onslaught led the Combaticon tactical unit assigned to the Decepticon Secret Police under Banzaitron's command. They were the storming squad which participated in the ground assault raid of the Garrus-9 penal facility, successfully blasting their way through Autobot resistance and capturing the "gestalt" transformers. He was the only one not to wee himself over the pink death that is Arcee, and he berated the other Combaticons for fearing her. Spotlight: Arcee
After a deal was negotiated between Arcee and Banzai-Tron, Onslaught and the other Combaticons later helped her in an attempt to recapture Monstructor (who had been stolen by Jhiaxus and Nemesis Prime's forces), though the insane Autobot disappeared mid-battle. Spotlight: Sideswipe
Toys
Generation 1
- Onslaught (1986, 1990)
- Team ID number: C5
- Japanese ID number: D-64
- Accessories: "Sonic stun-gun" rifle, double-barreled turret, chest shield, ramp, Bruticus chest shield, Bruticus head, left & right Bruticus fists, left & right Bruticus foot stands
- Onslaught transforms into a dark blue-green mobile anti-aircraft truck of made-up origin, armed with a large double-barreled cannon mounted on the flatbed of his vehicle mode. He can also assume a base/gun emplacement mode with a ramp that smaller Combaticons can use. This base mode can be connected to both the Autobot city Metroplex (a feature not mentioned in either toy's instructions, for obvious reasons) and to the Decepticon city Trypticon, a feature only documented in Trypticon's instructions. Just like Motormaster and Silverbolt, the toy of Onslaught had an extra feature only on the japanese release, where there is a spring-loaded mechanism in "base" mode to propel the smaller vehicles off him. On all non-japanese releases, this feature was removed probably due to safety reasons.
- In robot mode, Onslaught is armed with a long olive sonic stun-gun and is accessorized by a small chest plate. The gun can store on his backpack in either mode via two rectangular pegs which hold onto his gun sight. Holes in the side of the gun are, probably coincidentally, just the right size to peg in the smaller weapons from the other Combaticons -- a feature that would be canonized only for the later Ruination version of the mold.
- Onslaught forms the central body component of Bruticus, protected by an even larger silver chest plate and Bruticus's head. He also comes with Bruticus's hands and feet.
- The complete set of Combaticons were re-released in the European-market "Classics" line in 1990; these releases typically has the rubsign indent removed from the molding. However, Onslaught has his indent intact, and the indent remains even in more recent reuses of the mold.
- This mold was redecoed as Operation Combination Great Cannon, Robots in Disguise Mega-Octane, and Universe Mega-Octane.
- Bruticus (Multi-pack, 1986)
- Japanese ID number: D-69
- In Japan and Italy, Onslaught was also available as part of the Bruticus giftset.
Generation 2
- Onslaught (1993)
- Team ID number: C5
- Accessories: "Sonic stun gun" rifle, double-barreled turret, missile launcher, 2 missiles, chest shield, ramp, Bruticus chest shield, Bruticus head, left & right Bruticus fists, left & right Bruticus foot stands
- In Generation 2, Onslaught was redecoed in a rather outlandish colour scheme of bright orange covered in purple camouflage, with purple replacing most of his olive and silver colours. The stickers on the back of his truck proudly state that he is indeed Onslaught. In this form he was reputedly "one metamorphin' dude-icus."
- His new spring-loaded missile launcher was taken from Snow Serpent from the G.I. Joe toyline, and was the same one used by Gen2 Sideswipe and Jazz. His backpack cannon was retooled with a peg-hole to mount this new launcher. This is the only peg-hole on Onslaught to accommodate the gun's smaller peg, rather than its 5mm peg. (In theory the other smaller Combaticons can also hold the rifle, and their weapons can store on Onslaught's backpack now. Not that Onslaught's about to lend his gun to Swindle or Brawl.)
Universe (2008)
Classic Series
- Onslaught (Legends of Cybertron, 2008)
- Part of the very first wave of Universe Legends-class toys, Onslaught is a redeco of Legends-class Cybertron Red Alert, transforming into a SWAT-deco'd BTR-90 armored personnel carrier mounted with a top-mounted missile similar to a SCUD launcher. Because apparently SWAT teams now have missiles. Well, maybe in Chicago.... Onslaught uses the Movie-style Decepticon symbol.
- Onslaught (Ultra, 2008)
- Accessories: Shield
- The large Universe version of Onslaught transforms into a six-wheeled SWAT assault truck with top-mounted twin cannons. When the button on his rotating turret is pressed, electronic lights flash and one hears either machine gun fire or a siren sound. A rubber tread on the vehicle's middle left tire activates a third sound effect of him causing extensive property damage on something unfortunate enough to get caught under his wheels. In robot mode, a riot shield can detach from the top of the turret and connect to Onslaught's left arm, while a button on Onslaught's right arm spring-deploys an arm-mounted weapon. The robot mode cheats somewhat, having a second tow-winch on his belt-buckle immediately below his vehicle hood, while the actual vehicle mode winch splits in two to form his shoulders (see below for more on this). Interestingly enough, Onslaught on his own stands almost exactly as tall as the combined mode of the original Bruticus toy.
- The Japanese TakaraTomy version of Onslaught was released in American Universe packaging as a USA Edition toy. He is redecoed to more closely resemble the colours of the original Onslaught toy and his appearance in the Generation 1 cartoon.
- The first waves of Onslaughts gave only very brief clips of sound when that gimmick was activated; this was changed in the Japanese release and as a running change in the U.S. version, so that the gun and siren noises are now restored to their intended full lengths.
- "MONZO 12782" is tampographed onto the front of the vehicle mode on both versions, a reference by Hasbro to the ever-helpful fan Monzo and his birthdate, December seventh, 1982, or 12-7-82.
G1 Series
- Bruticus Maximus (2008)
- Universe (2008) Onslaught is a redeco of Energon Barricade, transforming into an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier with a rear-mounted (non-firing) missile rack that turns and elevates. Amusingly, Barricade has a more Onslaught-accurate colour scheme than Universe Onslaught. He was only available with Universe Bruticus Maximus giftset, and when combined with the other Combaticons, Onslaught forms the torso.
Trivia
- Like the rest of the Combaticons, Onslaught had an earlier, unused character model which superficially resembles the toy, other than the head design. There are other problems, such as wheel placement, but it's possible the artist of the unused character model was working off crappy source material.
- In the commercial advertising the Generation 2 Aerialbots and Combaticons, Onslaught is referred to as "one metamorphin' dudicus". It is presently unknown what a dudicus is, or what qualifications Onslaught has met to be the only known one.
- When the unused character model was redrawn into the final character model, it kept the odd wheel placement, gave Onslaught his toy's head, but did some bizarre things with his transformation. Like with many of the other Combaticons' final character models, such as Swindle's, his torso is the bumper, hood, and roof of the vehicle mode flattened out. Years later, Onslaught's Ultra class Universe toy attempted to replicate this transformation scheme.
- As revealed on Hasbro's Transformers website[1], Universe Ultra class Onslaught's original prototype featured a front section of his vehicle with a (non-functional) winch that folded down to become his stomach and waist, as well as more cartoon-accurate sculpted detailing on his waist. However, on the final version of this mold, the winch remains on his shoulders while another winch is molded onto the battery cover as part of his waist.
- Onslaught's ability to combine with Metroplex is due to the fact that both were originally designed as part of the Diaclone line, where both were presumably part of the same faction. Neither were ever released under the Diaclone brand as it had long since been overtaken by the Transformers & folded.
