Attack mode
Attack mode (sometimes called Battle mode) is an extra mode added to a Transformer toy to give its robot mode and/or alternate mode a more combat-orientated configuration. It primarily consists of a figure arranging or adding weapons in such a way that it becomes more focused on combat than the standard robot or alternate mode. Sometimes it consists of uncovering weapons not seen on either mode. A good example of this is B'Boom's third mode. Another example is Ultra Magnus; by deploying his cannons on his back and flipping out his guns, he goes from imposing to "beating you to hell and back".
However, attack mode may also involve only a slight shift from the basic robot/alt mode, such as folding wings onto the shoulders, like Ransack, or just pointing the beast mode head up on the chest, as with Snarl. It is most likely that these modes are thought up by Hasbro to give the toy an extra bonus without actually investing in extra parts.
The entire Stealth Force concept from the live-action movies can be considered attack modes for alternate modes, and several toys from the ROTF and DOTM toylines have the ability to deploy weapons in vehicle mode to simulate it.
Toys
Generation 1
The Omnibots possessed vehicular "assault modes" with weapons systems deployed from their alt modes.
Beast Wars
The term "attack mode" was used rather loosely throughout the Beast Wars. Several characters were advertised as having an attack mode in their instruction booklets, but oftentimes, this mode was merely the character's beast mode with their robot-mode weapons deployed. Nonetheless, the following characters were referred as having an attack mode:
- Fuzor
- Transmetal 2
Additionally, the following characters were said to possess an animal attack mode:
- B'Boom
- Cicadacon
- Ironhide
- Prowl (Magnaboss)
- Ram Horn
- Sea Clamp
- Silverbolt (Magnaboss)
- Silverbolt (Fuzor)
- Transquito
- Windrazor
What draws the line between an animal attack mode and a regular attack mode in these cases is unknown. B'Boom and Transquito were the only Transformers to possess two separate "attack modes" each. Oddly enough, nearly all toys from this era were shown as possessing similar offensive abilities in their beast modes that would suggest they too had either an "attack mode" or an "animal attack mode". However, in these cases, said ability was not shown to be a distinct mode, but was alternatively referred to with the somewhat redundant term "attack weapons". Finally, Optimal Optimus possesses two vehicle modes, the names of which evoked an "attack mode": his "Hypersonic Attack Mode" and his "Ground Assault Mode".
In the guide book Beast Wars Universe, there are several terms for third mode besides "attack mode", including:
- Another form
- Buzzclaw
- Optimus Minor
- Optimus Primal (Ultra)
- Retrax
- Scarem
- Sonar
- Attack weapons
- On the shelves
- Cheetor (Transmetal 2)
- Blackarachnia (Transmetal 2)
- Miscellaneous
- Aerial battle mode - Tigerhawk
- Robotic defense mode - Blackarachnia (Transmetal 2)
- Shield mode - Airazor (Transmetal)
Energon
Aside from the smaller Terrorcons and the Decepticon combiners, every Decepticon has a Hyper Mode. Sometimes it is just a minor repositioning of parts, as with Slugslinger, but in many cases, it reveals hidden weapons or accessories, like Sharkticon's side cannons or Snow Cat's skis. In the cases of Scorponok, Shockblast, and Six Shot, their third modes (scorpion or satellite) act as the vehicle mode's hyper mode, the vehicle mode being a plane or a laser tank.
Animated
- Oil Slick has a hilarious "Vehicle Attack Mode" that pretty much looks like he's doing a pushup.
- Snarl features an "attack mode", that is basically flipping the beast mode's face up on his robot mode chest.
Revenge of the Fallen
- Ransack has a battle mode that consists of his rotor being pointed forward and his wings propped upwards.
- Skystalker has a battle mode.
- Being a redeco of Ransack, Divebomb features the same battle mode.
Notes
- A Transformer with an attack mode as the third mode isn't usually a Triple Changer. Some of them weren't labeled or identified as Triple Changers until several years after the release of the toys.
See also
