Multi-component Transformer
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Multi-component Transformers are able to have one or more of their components separate and act independently of one another. All of the components together make up the Transformer. They should not be confused with combiners, which form from individual characters.
Contents |
Transformers with equal components
When these Transformers split, none of the components are more important than the others. Sometimes these Transformers are depicted in fiction more like Triple Changers, where the components are never shown active at the same time.
- Generation 1
- Reflector[1] (Spectro, Spyglass, Viewfinder)
- Omega Supreme (rocket, tank, and base)
- Sky Lynx (lynx, long-necked pterodactyl-like animal)
- Duocons
- Battletrap (truck, helicopter)
- Flywheels (howitzer, fighter jet)
- Cog (Gasket, Grommet)
- Overlord (Tank, jet)
Beast Wars Neo/Beast Machines
- Magmatron (Landsaurus, Seasaurus, Skysaurus)
- Armada
- Tidal Wave ('Dark Fleet'-Aircraft Carrier, Battleship, Troop Transport)
- Energon
- Omega Supreme (Omega, Omega Train, Omega Battleship)
- Omega Sentinel (Small robot, battle train, battleship)
- Animated
- Reflector (Spectro, Spyglass, and Viewfinder)
- Shattered Glass
- Live-action film
- Aligned
Mitotic sparks
Magmatron is stated to have this ability because he has a mitotic spark. The Duocons (including Overlord) and "beings like Sky Lynx" have been retconned by Ask Vector Prime as also possessing mitotic sparks, but this may not apply to the other characters on this page.
Transformers with a minor component
Some Transformers clearly have a dominant component, but also possess parts that are required for their Transformation in one mode but can act independently in another mode. Sometimes the component is semi-autonomous and sometimes it is merely a remote-controlled drone. The distinction is not always clear and varies by fiction.
- Generation 1
- Optimus Prime (Brain Center, Combat Deck, Roller)
- Orion Pax (Barrelroller)
- Ironhide / Ratchet (sled)
- Laserbeak (laser cannons)[2]
- Motormaster (roller car)
- Metroplex (Six-Gun, Slammer, Scamper)
- Trypticon (Full-Tilt, Brunt, Wipe-Out)
- Boltax (puppet)
- Rodimus Prime (Mobile Defense Bay)
- Fortress Maximus (Cog)
- Scorponok (Fasttrack)
- Motorvators
- Flame (Energon figure)
- Gripper (Energon figure)
- Lightspeed (Energon figure)
- Overlord (2 Energon mini-figures, unnamed car drone)
- Crosscut (Clutch)
- Masterforce
- Grand Maximus (Cog)
- Overlord (unnamed car drone)
- BlackZarak (Black Roritchi)
- Victory
- Zone
- Generation 2
- Beast Wars
- Beast Wars Neo
- Energon
- Tow-Line (sled)
- Shattered Glass
- Power Core Combiners
- Bombshock (Combaticons)
- Crankcase (Destrons)
- Double Clutch (Rallybots)
- Grimstone (Dinobots)
- Mudslinger (Destructicons)
- Over-Run (Stunticons)
- Skyburst (Aerialbots)
- Stakeout (Protectobots)
- Steamhammer (Constructicons)
- Generations
- Thunderwing (recon drone)
- Sky Shadow (recon drone)
Pretenders
Pretender shells can be controlled independently by the inner robot.
Fiction
Generation 1
Reflector was the first multi-component Transformer to be depicted in fiction. His entry in the G1 cartoon series production bible states that "in his robot mode, Reflector is 3 robots that speak together." He was usually depicted this way, but this was inconsistent. Reflector components existed and spoke on their own and seemed to have their own personality. It was left uncertain if these components were extra generic look-alikes. Reflector made one brief cameo in the Marvel comic without addressing the multi-component issue. The Last Stand Dreamwave treated the trio as three individuals that simply had a combiner-type altmode. The 2005 IDW continuity has portrayed Reflector both similarly to the cartoon All Hail Megatron #3 and as individuals Spotlight: Wheelie
In the cartoon, Omega Supreme showed the ability to have his rocket component take off (leaving the base and tank behind), travel to another planet then transform back into robot mode. Sometimes his base mode was there on the planet waiting for the rocket to land. Fictional portrayals of Omega Supreme tend to address the oddness of his multi-component altmode by simply not having him transform very often unless he needs to give the Autobots a ride somewhere.
Fictional depictions of Sky Lynx and the Duocons tend to treat them as triple-changers of sorts. Their components are not often seen operating at the same time. The exception is the Dreamwave Generation One continuity, where they made it a point to show them operating independently.
Live-action film continuity
Arcee was badly damaged by Thundercracker. Flatline attempted to create a new Decepticon warrior by transplanting her spark into a new pink body. The transplant was a success, but Arcee retained her own will and broke free, surprised to learn that she could control a purple body and a blue body that were with her in the lab. Tales of the Fallen #6
Arcee had become a "tripartite Cybertronian," meaning she is not one, but three motorcycles, who are controlled by a singular intelligence. Revenge of the Fallen (novel) The three components were able to combine to form one robot mode. Revenge of the Fallen (novel) Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation
Power Core Combiners
Some Power Core Commanders went through special training to be able to control a team of drones that they can also combine with. Their personality engrams were uploaded to the drones so the Commander can effectively be in multiple places at once. Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 32
Notes
- Energon Optimus Prime had a group of drones called the Prime Force that he could Powerlinx with forming a super mode. There is little evidence to say that the Prime Force was an extension of Optimus Prime, however. In one instance, Omega Supreme brought the Prime Force to a wounded Optimus Prime and Optimus Prime seemed surprised to see them. Decepticon Army
References
- ↑ original Transformers cartoon production bible, toy bio
- ↑ Toy bio, Universe profile, original Transformers cartoon