Transmetals
Encyclopedia
Transmetals are a subgroup of the Beast Wars
and Beast Machines
characters in the fiction
al Transformers
universe. Ordinary Transformers in the Beast Wars universe have a mechanical robot form and a techno-organic animal form, also known as a "beast mode". This beast mode and its organic appearance is used to blend in with organic lifeforms encountered elsewhere in the universe. Transmetals in contrast are the reverse, having a mechanical beast mode and a techno-organic robot form.
The Transmetal subline of toys was released in 1998 in conjunction with Beast Wars' second and third seasons.
A more mutated form of Transmetals known as Transmetal 2
was introduced later in the Beast Wars storyline, with toys released in 1999. In contrast to the original Transmetals, they had robot and beast modes that had mechanical and organic parts blended in equal parts. They also had a degree of "supernatural" power, for example rapid healing or telekinesis.
As the quantum surge expanded, it irradiated the neighbouring Transformer space-ships Axalon
and Darksyde. The effects of the strange energies of the quantum surge resulted in the characters Cheetor
, Megatron
, Rattrap, and Tarantulas
, gaining Transmetal forms. The characters Scorponok and Terrorsaur where in the process of gaining their new forms when they fell in lava pits within their ship and were killed. Rampage
became Transmetallized within his statis pod. The leader of the Maximals, Optimus Primal
, who had sacrificed his life to destroy the Planet Buster, had his lifeforce known as a "spark" transplanted into a new protoform which incidentally had also become Transmetallized.
Other Transformers who became partially Transmetallized or gained a Transmetal ability include Transmutate, and the Fuzors Silverbolt and Quickstrike. The character Depth Charge
would also become a Transmetal, even though their process took place as they approached Earth a good period after the quantum surge occurred. The Transformers that where "born" on Earth at the time however were not affected by the quantum surge for unknown reasons despite the fact protoforms still in their stasis pods where to varying levels.
Some Transmetals also gained a third transformation, which is a blend of their beast mode with vehicular additions. An example would be the character Rattrap who could transform into a wheeled rat. They also have an immunity to some Vok (an energy-based alien creature) weaponry, and were invisible to Vok scanners.
In the sequel to the Beast Wars cartoon, Beast Machines
, the Transmetals would have temporary resistance to Megatron's virus, however when they encountered the virus they lost their Transmetal form and abilities and reverted back to a normal Transformer.
More Than Meets the Eye guidebook series, the term Transmetal was expanded to include any Transformer with a metallic animal-themed alternate mode - for example the Dinobot
leader Grimlock
turned into a Transmetal Tyrannosaurus
.
In the Transformers: Cybertron
toyline, the character profile of Scourge, states that he has a "Transmetal claw" without expanding any further on it.
Predacons
Beast Wars
Transformers: Beast Wars is a Transformers toyline released by Hasbro between 1995 and 2000, and a Daytime Emmy Award winning full-CG animated television series spawned by it that debuted in 1996...
and Beast Machines
Beast Machines
Beast Machines is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Hasbro has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel to Beast Wars taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series...
characters in the fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al Transformers
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
universe. Ordinary Transformers in the Beast Wars universe have a mechanical robot form and a techno-organic animal form, also known as a "beast mode". This beast mode and its organic appearance is used to blend in with organic lifeforms encountered elsewhere in the universe. Transmetals in contrast are the reverse, having a mechanical beast mode and a techno-organic robot form.
The Transmetal subline of toys was released in 1998 in conjunction with Beast Wars' second and third seasons.
A more mutated form of Transmetals known as Transmetal 2
Transmetal 2
Transmetal 2 , also known as Transmetal II, are a subgroup of the Beast Wars and Beast Machines characters in the fictional Transformers universe...
was introduced later in the Beast Wars storyline, with toys released in 1999. In contrast to the original Transmetals, they had robot and beast modes that had mechanical and organic parts blended in equal parts. They also had a degree of "supernatural" power, for example rapid healing or telekinesis.
Background
The origin of the Transmetals was the result of several Transformers becoming bathed in a "quantum surge" (part shockwave and part energy/radiation wave). This quantum surge was the result of the destruction of the Vok's "Planet Buster", a Moon-sized heat-ray weapon that was to be used for destroying prehistoric Earth.As the quantum surge expanded, it irradiated the neighbouring Transformer space-ships Axalon
Axalon
The Axalon is the name of the fictional Maximal ship in the Beast Wars cartoon and comic books. In addition, in the Transformers: Armada cartoon, the Autobots constructed a space ship that was also named the Axalon, possibly in reference to the original Maximal ship.-History:The Axalon, commanded...
and Darksyde. The effects of the strange energies of the quantum surge resulted in the characters Cheetor
Cheetor
Cheetor is several fictional characters from various Transformers universes.- Beast Wars :Cheetor's original tech spec indicated he was a seasoned and confident warrior always in search of battle with the Predacons, seemingly in contrast to his youthful and impulsive portrayal in the original show...
, Megatron
Megatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)
The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
, Rattrap, and Tarantulas
Tarantulas (Transformers)
Tarantulas is a Predacon in theBeast Wars series who turns into a tarantula. Due to problems in trade-marking the name, later releases of the character were called Predacon Tarantulus by Hasbro.-Beast Wars:...
, gaining Transmetal forms. The characters Scorponok and Terrorsaur where in the process of gaining their new forms when they fell in lava pits within their ship and were killed. Rampage
Rampage (Transformers)
Rampage is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Rampage is a fictional character of the Transformers Predacons, with his alternative form being a mechanical tiger....
became Transmetallized within his statis pod. The leader of the Maximals, Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal
Optimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
, who had sacrificed his life to destroy the Planet Buster, had his lifeforce known as a "spark" transplanted into a new protoform which incidentally had also become Transmetallized.
Other Transformers who became partially Transmetallized or gained a Transmetal ability include Transmutate, and the Fuzors Silverbolt and Quickstrike. The character Depth Charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
would also become a Transmetal, even though their process took place as they approached Earth a good period after the quantum surge occurred. The Transformers that where "born" on Earth at the time however were not affected by the quantum surge for unknown reasons despite the fact protoforms still in their stasis pods where to varying levels.
Some Transmetals also gained a third transformation, which is a blend of their beast mode with vehicular additions. An example would be the character Rattrap who could transform into a wheeled rat. They also have an immunity to some Vok (an energy-based alien creature) weaponry, and were invisible to Vok scanners.
In the sequel to the Beast Wars cartoon, Beast Machines
Beast Machines
Beast Machines is an animated television series produced by Mainframe Entertainment and distributed by Universal Pictures. Hasbro has the full distribution rights to the show as of 2011. It was a direct sequel to Beast Wars taking place within the continuity of the original Transformers series...
, the Transmetals would have temporary resistance to Megatron's virus, however when they encountered the virus they lost their Transmetal form and abilities and reverted back to a normal Transformer.
Transmetals in later fiction
In the DreamwaveDreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
More Than Meets the Eye guidebook series, the term Transmetal was expanded to include any Transformer with a metallic animal-themed alternate mode - for example the Dinobot
Dinobots
Dinobots is the name of several teams of characters in the fictional Transformers Universe. The groups are made up of several robots, each of whose transformed mode is that of a dinosaur or similar prehistoric animal. They are called Dinotrons in the Japanese version; and ' in the Japanese dub of...
leader Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
turned into a Transmetal Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
.
In the Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Cybertron, known in Japan originally as , is the 2005-2007 Transformers toy line and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara...
toyline, the character profile of Scourge, states that he has a "Transmetal claw" without expanding any further on it.
Transmetalized Beast Wars cartoon characters
Maximals- CheetorCheetorCheetor is several fictional characters from various Transformers universes.- Beast Wars :Cheetor's original tech spec indicated he was a seasoned and confident warrior always in search of battle with the Predacons, seemingly in contrast to his youthful and impulsive portrayal in the original show...
- Depth Charge
- Optimus PrimalOptimus PrimalOptimus Primal is a fictional character from the Transformers toyline, and the leader of the Maximal forces and the main protagonist in the Beast Wars television series. He is sometimes called Optimal Optimus...
- Rattrap
- Blackarachnia
Predacons
- MegatronMegatron (Beast Wars and Beast Machines)The Beast Wars and Beast Machines version of Megatron is the main antagonist from the aforementioned parts of the Transformers animated series, toy lines, and multiverse...
- RampageRampage (Transformers)Rampage is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Rampage is a fictional character of the Transformers Predacons, with his alternative form being a mechanical tiger....
- TarantulasTarantulas (Transformers)Tarantulas is a Predacon in theBeast Wars series who turns into a tarantula. Due to problems in trade-marking the name, later releases of the character were called Predacon Tarantulus by Hasbro.-Beast Wars:...