Null-ray
One of the signature weapons of Starscream and the Seekers, the null-ray is capable of stopping any electrical device with one shot, be it human or Transformer.
Except Megatron. All a blast from the null-ray does is make him angry. It doesn't work on the Dinobots either, but they were already pissed at Starscream and the jets.
Fiction
The Transformers cartoon
Shortly after arriving at the oil platform with his fellow Decepticons, Starscream was ordered to fire his null-ray at some equipment, causing the machinery to freeze and cease from working. More than Meets the Eye, Part 1 After causing a tidal wave at Sherman Dam, Megatron ordered Starscream to shoot three of the generators with blasts from the null-ray as part of their efforts to make Energon cubes. More than Meets the Eye, Part 2
After being discovered by Bumblebee, Starscream shot him with the null-ray, allowing the Decepticons to modify his memory circuits to lead the Autobots into a trap. Transport to Oblivion
Later, when Megatron had the power chip rectifiers of the Decepticons installed in him before his battle with Optimus Prime, Starscream lamented that he could no longer use the null-ray or his cluster bombs. A threat of termination from Megatron shut him up. Heavy Metal War
Starscream zapped Gears with the null ray so Megatron could extract the Autobot's special circuit. Changing Gears
Determined not to be replaced by the human-built Nightbird, Starscream used his null-ray to fritz her circuits. Naturally, Megatron wasn't too happy about the loss of his new female "companion" and immediately labeled Starscream a traitor. Again. Enter the Nightbird
When Starscream partnered up with the (more than usually) paranoid Red Alert, Starscream fired his null-ray at Red Alert, causing his unstable logic circuits to stabilize. Auto Berserk
Later, Starscream was shown firing the null-ray from his nose while in vehicle mode. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 1. Later still, he was shown firing it through his finger. Megatron's Master Plan, Part 2
Starscream last used his null-ray at his own coronation as leader of the Decepticons. During the coronation, the Constructicons played trumpets, but Starscream, eager to get on with the ceremony, used the null-ray to slice the instruments in half. The Transformers: The Movie
In 2005, Marissa Faireborn had a hand-held blaster which fired null-rays. Whether this was reverse engineered from a captured Seeker, developed with the help of the Autobots, or was acquired by some sort of convoluted plan of Starscream's to replace Megatron, is unknown. Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4
Unicron Trilogy cartoon continuity
Armada cartoon
When Armada Starscream finally got his Mini-Con partner, Swindle, he gained a new attack called the "Null Laser Cannon". It didn't disable electrical stuff, but created a big explosion instead.Jungle
Energon
Starscream had two lasers on his wings (the wings swiveled to position the laser cannons). He called these Null Beam Cannons. Again, they acted like very powerful blasters.
Cybertron cartoon
Starscream had two swiveling, very powerful laser cannons at his waist. He had two more stationary cannons, one on each of his forward wingtips. He called these Null Cannons. Once more, they acted like very powerful blasters. When he supersized, he replaced his broken Cyber Key-activated sword with a massive wide-bore null cannon. Fallen
Animated cartoon
Starscream packed null-rays as his main weapon, but these also just worked like a very powerful blaster. Their destructive effect on Earth-made buildings was impressive, if not as intense as Armada Starscream's, and a sustained blast of around 12 seconds was enough to render all five Earth-bound Autobots unconscious—for a few seconds. Hmm. Then later a direct blast fully disabled Ultra Magnus for several minutes (well, to be fair, Magnus took a point-blank shot right in the kisser). Mission Accomplished In this Universe Starscream's Null rays convert into Dual Cyber Blade which are used either for a more personal kill or for close combat. He was recently engaged in a sword fight against Megatron. A Bridge Too Close, Part I Both cons had an equal number of swords so the battle could had been a stalemate or Starscream get's slagged like the last six times. Mission Accomplished
Revenge of the Fallen
Starscream designed his null-ray himself. It was a weapon feared for its ability to deactivate electrical systems. In the Video game it is Starscream signature ability where bots within the radius of the Null ray is stunned for a few seconds. Decepticon Campaign
Dark of the Moon
Starscream possessed two Mechtech Null-ray cannons which could combine to create a large double-bladed weapon. Either cannon could also be used as a hand-held blade. Mechtech Deluxe Starscream
Prime cartoon
After losing his arm in a ground-bridge accident, Starscream waited on an operating table as Knock Out began suggesting upgrades to replace the lost limb. His highest recommendation for a new armament was the null ray. Shadowzone
Games
Transformers (PS2)
Starscream's null-ray sliced mountains in half. It most likely did the same to Autobots, but Starscream was bashed offline by Optimus Prime before he could test that theory.
Transformers: War for Cybertron
During the Great War, Null Rays were a common weapon used by Scout and Sniper class Transformers, and Starscream's preferred weapon. They were sniper rifles fitted with 10x zoom scopes, and the cloaked Scout's best friend. Transformers: War for Cybertron
- Damage: 10
- Range: 9
- Accuracy: 10
- Rate of Fire: 1
Notes
- At least once Starscream's null-ray appeared to cause freezing. This could be a mere error. [citation needed]
- Clearly, Starscream never bothered to patent the null-ray. Bad enough a G.I. Joe agent's daughter used them, but so did Generation 1 Whirl.
- Due to the Armada cartoon's frequent translation and dubbing errors, Starscream's "Null Laser Cannon" was randomly referred to as the "Narrow Laser Cannon" (despite the visually obvious fact that the laser blast was anything but narrow).
Foreign names
- Italian: Raggio Zero (The Transformers second dub, "Zero Beam"); Raggio Nullo (Prime, "Null-ray")
- Polish: Miotacz promieni Zero (War for Cybertron, "Zero ray rifle")
