Super Mode
From Transformers Wiki
ASuper Modeis an auxiliary transformation some Cybertronians possess that is used sparingly, perhaps due to a higher energy consumption. This transformation often involves combining with unused portions of theiralternate modeand bringing normally concealed weapons systems online. This form is often a variation on the robot mode, but there are many who possess vehicular or other Super Modes. In some continuities, it is referred to as aBattle Mode,Brute Mode,orUltra Mode.A robot-mode super mode is, amazingly enough, often called aSuper Robot.
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Fiction
Generation 1
- One might easily considerUltra Magnusone of the earliest examples of a Super Mode, due to his toy combining with histrailerto form a Super Robot. However, due to the recognition factor and possible confusion withOptimus Prime,he was never depicted in his primary robot mode. This made his Super Mode hisde factonormal mode.
- This was later superseded by Optimus Prime's upgrade into aPowermaster,by which he acquired a canonical Super Mode. However, after the first couple of issues he was rarely if ever shown in his smaller robot mode.
- TheClassicsVoyager Class andGenerationsLeader ClassJetfiretoy has a removable head-piece and large booster-kibble in robot mode which could be considered a super mode (the actual reason was to allow a toy that resembles Jetfire in both his toy and cartoon appearances).
Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity
Super-God Masterforce
- Ginrai,much like his American Powermaster counterpart, possessed both a robot mode and a Super Robot mode from combining with his trailer. As well, he could combine this powerful mode with theGodbomberdrone to form a still larger and shinier "God Ginrai" mode. Though Godbomber had no counterpart in the English-language fiction, the rerelease of Powermaster Optimus Prime fifteen years later included the mold improvements featured in Ginrai as well as the Godbomber figure, renamedApex Bomber,who formed Prime's "Apex Armor."
Victory
- Star Saberwas a doubleBrainmaster,starting as a small robot known as the Brain of Courage, combining into a larger robot named Saber, and finally forming an even larger robot known as Star Saber (natch). This robot could then be enhanced further by combining withVictory Leoto form Victory Saber.
Zone
Return of Convoy
Legendscomic
Generations Selects Special Comic
2005 IDW continuity
- Nova Primepossessed a Super Robot mode formed by combining with his vehicle mode's trailer. This form also granted him wings and thus the power of flight.
- Thunderwingrevealed that not only were his robot and jet modes enhanced by thePretenderprocess, but he also possessed an extremely powerful tertiaryUltra Mode.However this form drew heavily from the reserves ofOre-13that were powering him, causing the enhanced energon variant to go critical and burn him out from the inside. Damaging him beyond repair.Or not.Stormbringer
Robots in Disguise(2001)
- Optimus Primeinitially had a smaller robot mode composed of just his vehicle mode cab, which could then combine with pieces of his "trailer" to form a larger, more powerfulBattle Mode(this mode was called "Super Fire Convoy" inCar Robots). Later on, he andUltra Magnuscould combine to form the Super RobotOmega Prime( "God Fire Convoy" inCar Robots). Neither was the dominant personality in this fusion, much to Magnus's disappointment.
- Also, the threeAutobot BrothersSide Burn,Prowl,andX-Brawnwere each granted the ability to "Power Up" into a "Supercharge Mode" after receiving a power boost from Ultra Magnus when the Matrix was being shared between him and Prime. In contrast to more typical Super Modes which used unused altmode bits or hidden weapons, their super modes were examples ofspontaneous recoloration.
Unicron Trilogy
Armada
- Optimus Primecould combine with his trailer to form his Super Mode. He could also combine withJetfireto become Jet Optimus. Both of these Super Modes could be further enhanced by mountingOverloadon their shoulders. In the Japanese versionLegends of the Microns,the names used are "Jet Convoy" and "Magna Jet Convoy", respectively.
- Megatroncould form a Super Mode by combining with the various components that make upTidal Wave.He retains this ability after being upgraded into Galvatron. While the instructions for Tidal Wave called this his "weapon mode," for over twenty years onlyLegends of the Micronsnamed this mode as "Burning Megatron." It wasn't untilthe reveal videoof theLegacy UnitedTidal Wavefigure that officially gave it the "Burning" name in the West.
Energon
- Optimus Prime could combine with the four drone vehicles stored in his trailer, with each forming an arm or a legScramble City-style, leading to a wide variety of Super Robot modes. Prime could be further enhanced by combining withWing Saberto form either his heavily armed "Fight Mode" or the more maneuverable "Flight Mode." Prime could also combine withOmega Supremeto form "Optimus Supreme." The names "Wing Convoy - Cannon Mode", "Wing Convoy - Jet Mode", and "Omega Convoy" are used in the Japanese versionSuper Link.
- Also, every Autobot (who wasn't anOmnicon) possessed the ability to combine with the others in pairs to form "Powerlinx"versions of themselves, thanks to theSpark of Combination.
- As well, bothLandmineandBulkheadpossessed "Brute Modes," which were formed by combining with previously unused portions of their vehicle forms.
Cybertron
- InTransformers Cybertron,Optimus Prime transforms into Super Mode. Most of his trailer goes onto his back while two leg pieces connect to the blue part of his legs and hismouthplatecomes over his face. Optimus Prime goes into Super Mode when fighting in battle against anybody vaguely threatening.
- Optimus Prime could also enter a number of Super Mode configurations by combining with other characters, such as "Savage Claw Mode" withLeobreakerand "Sonic Wing Mode" with Wing Saber. In the Japanese versionGalaxy Force,"Liger Convoy" and "Sonic Convoy" respectively.
- Conversely, Megatron could form the "Dark Claw Mode" withNemesis Breaker,and similarly named "Liger Megatron" inGalaxy Force.
Live action film series
Revenge of the Fallenfilm
- After being critically injured byScorponok,Jetfireoffered his parts toOptimus Prime,who was still recovering after being resurrected and needed assistance in fightingthe Fallen.Jetfire then ripped out hisspark coreand died.Ratchetthen instructedJoltto transplant the afterburners and weapons onto Optimus Prime'sstructure.Once completed, Optimus Prime was left with two winged rocket thrusters, extra armor, an arm-mounted missile launcher, and an arm-mounted machine gun. Flying off, Optimus broke through the debris The Fallen had raised to protect theStar Harvesterand destroyed the machine, then attacked the Fallen.Megatroncame to the aid of his master, but Optimus broke off his arm, shooting off about a third of Megatron's head and finally used the rocket thrusters to send Megatron flying through some ruins. Optimus Prime and The Fallen then resumed their duel. The Fallen was able to tear off Prime's left thruster and strike him in the face with it, but Optimus Prime ultimately triumphed and ripped out the Fallen'sspark,forcing Megatron andStarscreamto retreat. Following this, Optimus detached Jetfire's donated parts.Revenge of the Fallen
Dark of the Moonfilm
- Optimus Prime keeps the sacrificed parts from Jetfire, as well as the upgrade in power that came with it, keeping the rocket engine pieces inside histrailerin the form of flight-capable combat armor. Additionally, the trailer itself also contains an impressive arsenal, deploying into a mobile weapons base as Optimus transforms.
- Additionally, many Transformers are capable ofboosting their agility and deploying numerous weapons directly from their vehicle modes.Bumblebeeand theWreckersin particular can access "Stealth Force" vehicle modes that aresignificantlymore weaponized, being filled to the brim with weapons and rocket boosters.Dark of the Moon
The Last Knightfilm
- Though never seen in the movie, Cogman could also assume an unorthodoxHeadmasterconfiguration, and take control of a larger body.
Animated
- Prowl's samurai armor and Optimus's jetpack could count as supermodes.
Aligned continuity family
- Bumblebeeseemed to have abattle suit,atleast in toy form as it was never used in the show.
- TheApex Armorcould arguably serve as a "super mode" for those who wear it.
- High Tide,however, does have a super mode. He can combine with his Rescue Rig, forming the head of aMegabot Mode,while his rig transforms into a giant body, which greatly resembles theHeadmasterorBrainmastertechnology.Turning the Tide
- Years later, while fightingMegatronus,Sideswipe, Strongarm, and Bumblebee discovered that when they combined theirDecepticon Hunters,inPrime form,the energy surge would create armor for them to wear.Battlegrounds, Part 2
- Steeljaw would later find out about the power armors formed from combining three Decepticon hunters and would do the opposite, wield all three himself to form an even powerful armor, which Bumblebee stole back when Steeljaw lost the weapons.
- Though not much of a supermode, several characters would gain the ability to scan vehicles, and only change their color schemes, allowing them to blend into various terrians. Initially Optimus introduced the trick as something the Primes taught him during his time in the Realm of the Primes, but later other characters, who would have no way of knowing, use the ability as well.
- Several Minicons would show up in the second and third seasons that, likeArmadabefore it, would have them link up to certain characters and allow them to gain powered armors or new configurations. Most notably the Weaponizers, which Starscream would seek out because if all 7 were combined, he would exceed the power level of a Prime. Starscream would gain an armor from combining all 7 Minicons, though he later lost one, which linked with Optimus and gave him armor as well.
- Later Stunwing would link up with Bumblebee and briefly give him a flying car mode.
- Soundwave would later use the Activators to steal the Autobots Decepticon Hunters to upgrade himself and free himself from the Shadowzone. Unlike Steeljaw, Soundwave's new body form remained intact even after losing the weapon, though his body seemed to revert a different color scheme.
- Optimus would link up with Hi-Test and gain the ability to turn into what was essentially a mobile battle station.
Cloud
Cyberverse
- Season 2 would see several characters using theAllSparkto combine with ordinary Earth vehicles to formspark armors.Of course, this would be carried over into the toyline where several more characters would come with armor who didn't otherwise have any in the show.
