Transformers: Armada

Formed from the combination of the Mini-Con

Mini-Con

Mini-Cons are a human-sized race and faction of power-enhancing transforming robots in the Transformers: Armada universe and its sequels, one of the assorted universes in Transformers fiction...

 Race Team (Dirt Boss, Downshift

Downshift

Not to be confused with Downshifting, the social trend.Downshift is the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:This Autobot's function is Security Agent, and he transformed into a white Toyota Supra...

, and Mirage

Mirage (Transformers)

Mirage is any of several distinct fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Mirage is one of the single most re-used names in the Transformers series, and is almost entirely synonymous with characters possessing Formula One racing car alternate modes.-Transformers Generation 1:Some...

), it is one of three most powerful weapons in the Universe (the other two weapons are the Star Saber

Star Saber

Star Saber is the name of several fictional characters and also a legendary weapon in the Transformers toyline. He is the protagonist in the Japanese exclusive series Transformers: Victory.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 and Requiem Blaster

Requiem Blaster

The Requiem Blaster is a fictional device in the Transformers series. Its physical form in some of the Transformers continuities resembles the laser rifle wielded by Optimus Prime in the Generation One era cartoons and comics.-Transformers: Armada:right|thumb|The Requiem Blaster toyFormed from the...

). The Skyboom Shield throughout the series was able to block any attack used against, even those from the Star Saber and Requiem Blaster.

Animated series

The Skyboom Shield is shown in action for the first time in episode #21, "Decisive Battle". Megatron uses it to stop a meteor

METEOR

METEOR is a metric for the evaluation of machine translation output. The metric is based on the harmonic mean of unigram precision and recall, with recall weighted higher than precision...

 and, when being convinced of its power, challenges the Autobots to the battle. But in the crucial moment Sideways

Sideways

Sideways is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne and directed by Payne. Adapted from Rex Pickett's 2004 novel of the same name, Sideways follows two forty-something year old men, portrayed by Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, who take a week-long road trip to...

 causes the Skyboom Shield to be passed on to the Autobots, so that the Decepticons lose a game once again. The Autobot Smokescreen becomes the custodian of the Skyboom Shield. He is able to toss it to his comrades (mainly to Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

 or Jetfire), using his crane arm as a tube.

In episode #37, "Crack", Thrust

Thrust (Transformers)

Thrust is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. The original character was an evil red Decepticon jet, with most of the following character using the name Thrust being a variation on that concept...

 successfully manipulates Starscream into stealing the Skyboom Shield from the Autobots and rejoining the Decepticons. After Starscream's returning to the D-Base, the Skyboom Shield (together with the other two Mini-Con super-weapons) was used by Megatron as the power source for the Hydra-Cannon.

The three weapons were later stolen by Thrust. The latter handed them over to Sideways

Sideways

Sideways is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne and directed by Payne. Adapted from Rex Pickett's 2004 novel of the same name, Sideways follows two forty-something year old men, portrayed by Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, who take a week-long road trip to...

 who needed these weapons as the keys to fully awaken Unicron

Unicron

Unicron is a fictional character from the Transformers universe and toyline. Created by Floro Dery, he was introduced in the 1986 animated film The Transformers: The Movie as the film's main antagonist. Unicron is a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions, and he is also...

from dormancy.

Toys

• Armada Race Team

Packaged together these three Mini-Con could combine into the Skyboom Shield.

• Armada Road Assault Team

The Road Assault Mini-Con Team was repackaged with the Space Team as a discount six pack of Mini-Cons under the Energon label. These toys were identical to the Armada version.