Other blitzwing incarnations: I posses a rare ability that allows me to transform into both a tank and a jet. Animated blitzwing: How bout I just take both ze jet and ze tank?
@@TheUncivilizedNation it’s explained in the description of one of the scrapped season 4 episodes that blackarachnia experimented on him to give him a third mode and in another one it shows that she was gonna do the same to megatron, making him unstable as well in the process
Given Skyklik's amnesia and mysterious origins, I firmly believe that he was originally Rotorbolt until he lost his memories. (Fumes is just some other guy with the same bodytype.)
Can you do a Basics on Unreleased Transformers Toys? There are dozens of comic only characters based on toys that were never released, such as the Triple Changer Dropshot, Hardcase the flashlight from Diaclone, and even remakes of old characters like New Rodimus.
Gosh, when I was a kid I used to always think that if I could be a Transformer I’d want to be a “shifter” style Transformer that could turn into anything I wanted. I didn’t know the term “shifter” though, I just called them “all-formers”
I'm very grateful to have gotten the chance to sponsor this episode of The Basics Chris, it's very well done ^^ Also as a triple changer I'd be robot to car to tank
Actually I don't really understand what is a Duobot/Duocon, like, all Cybertronians (as long as their T-cog still function) have two shapes at least, robot mode and vehicle alt mode, right? So they are all borne duo-modes !! What EXACTLY does a Duobot/Duocon means?
@@cathy6393 They were two G1 Decepticons named Flywheels and Battletrap. They both transformed by splitting into two separate vehicles instead of having the ability to turning into two different alt modes.
@@zetaandnazboojunkie So it was like, when they transform, they'll become two parts and each half of them turns into a individual vehicle? Two vehicle combines to a whole Cybertronian?
In meta-lore most early Cybertronians were clones created by the Quintesson. Who believed that they sentience was a bug even after Alpha Trion rebellion. For most of the time Cybertronian culture was stale as result of culture lost and incapable to react on the problems, which lead to Decepticon rebellion. Which was largely outrage of displeased masses who were still treated like the saves, when they supposed to be free. Rebellion was secretly manipulated by the Unicorn cultists, but also was supported by Alpha Trion students. Because yes, Optimus Prime was a Decepticon. Due to complex circumstances Optimus was elected as next Prime, instead Megatron. What lead to rift between two. After becoming Prime, Optimus introduced concept of the Autobot focusing on the "freedom as right of every sentient being" but Decepticons undermined his effort, paying on previous betrayal and fact that Autobots were largely old Cybertronian Military and Senators. Though there were some groups of rebels who did support him. Like Wreckers or Aerobots. Anyway, reappearance of many unique groups were result of rediscovery of latent Cybertronian powers, alongside evil experiments of Shockwave. At least on side of the Decepticons, though test subjects occasionally did rebelled.
We all talk about the famous ninja consultant Sixshot's six modes, but the Headmasters anime gave him a seventh--"Wingwolf"--which looked about as haphazard as you might expect from a mode created by putting his wings out halfway into his wolf transformation.
Actually, in Japanese Transformers: Legends Manga, RID Galvatron/Devil Gigatron gained an 11th alternate mode, the Devil Ostrich. The Devil Ostrich apparently started as a fan-mode from somewhere, that was made canon in Transformers: Legends.
Switchblade is the name of the Helicopter that transforms into a Jet from M.A.S.K., it is the vehicle of Miles Mayhem, the main villain of the series and leader of the evil team known as V.E.N.O.M. (Viscious Evil Network of Mayhem.)
That bot who changes from copter to jet reminds me of Miles Mayhem’s switchblade vehicle, which also changes from copter to jet. I often wondered what would have happened if it gained a robot mode or if Cyclonus was made into a triple changer.
Well, specifically, Shockwave's study of Scourge was related to his investigations into the origins of Cybertron and his finding of Alpha Trion and Vector Sigma, which in turn led to him finding and reivivng "ancient arcane sciences" that led to the creation of the Triple Changers. But - as was far too complicated to dig into in this vid, though I did think about it for a while - the unfolding of the Triple Changers' history in Dreamwave was a conflicting mess of contradictory stories; this particular account (from the "More than Meets the Eye" guidebook), also credits Springer as the first Triple Changer, created after Cybetron awoke from the Great Shutdown, while the events I've recounted in the video - which I deferred to based on that fact that they are actual in-story events instead of a guidebook writeup - depict Blitzwing developing his triple-changing, and Shockwave learning about it, millions of years before that. It's a bit of a mess!
*Fun Fact:* The Allspark Almanac has pictures of a greyscale prototype for a Triple Changer Animated Megatron toy that would've been made had season four came to be. This Megs would not suffer the same insanity issue as Blitzwing as the in-universe explanation would simply be that the 'Cons perfected the process and ol' Blitzy was the first semi-successful 3-changer.
I used to be all for g1 even when my kid brother watched prime 24/7 but when I finally sat down to watch prime i would certainly recommend it! 11/10... Fun fact prime got cancelled/dumbed down for being to dark after the 3rd season
THANK YOU SO MUCH AMELIA!!!!! I've been waiting for this video since I found this channel. I've created 2 triple changers: Gold Star who transformers into a classic space shuttle and a Tatra 815-290N3T; and Spring Hopper, a female transformer who changes between a sea plane and a submersible (I'm still working on the exact models for those).
This was a terrific episode! I've been watching Transformers: The Basics for a long time now, and it's always a treat to see which topic you'll cover in each video. I was very excited for this episode in particular, since Triple Changers are one of my favorite types of Cybertronian, with Blitzwing being a big reason for this. But to see you cover Quadruple Changers, the famous Sixshot and his ilk, the Horrorcons and even the Shifters (I sometimes call them Omniformers) was especially exciting. By far my favorite part of the entire episode, however, was when RID 2001 Megatron (and by extension, Galvatron) got his own dedicated segment in the video. RID 2001 Megatron (I call him by his Japanese name of Gigatron to simplify things, and it just sounds cooler) has very quickly become one of my favorite incarnations of Megatron, and short of his own Basics episode, this was a brilliant tribute to him. I was really surprised to learn that the Shifters were part of the Aligned Continuity, appearing in Transformers Prime and Transformers: Robots In Disguise 2015. Prior to watching this episode, I had always assumed that Laserbeak from Dark of the Moon was the only Transformer to have this ability, but it turns out I was wrong, and there are some Transformers out there who can truly take any shape they desire, at any time. It really brings a whole new meaning to the beloved phrase "Robots in Disguise" and I love it. Finally, to answer your question at the end of the video, if I were a Triple Changer (or higher), I know for a fact that one of the modes I had would be a jet, but I honestly can't decide if my second alternate mode would be a mechanical dragon (dragons are my favorite creature, fictional or otherwise) or if it would be a tank and my robot mode would have dragon-like features (wings, claws, horns, digitigrade legs, a tail, etc.) like the Decepticons from RID 2015. Sorry for the long comment. ^^;
He has two robot modes, but only one vehicle mode. Animated Shockwave took it a step further by having two alternate modes: a Cybertronian tank for himself and a Cybertronian crane for his Autobot persona.
I would argue that the question comes down to if Counterpunch is considered an alternate mode, or not. On one hand, he’s a disguise that Punch uses for espionage, but on the other hand, Counterpunch develops his own personality in some continuities.🤔
Honestly, part of what makes Triple Changers so hard to place toy-wise is that it's difficult to figure out what is and isn't one. A lot of toys have come with "attack modes" or whatnot that are just one of their other modes but with a bunch of weapons deployed, and most people don't consider those to be Triple Changers. But then you have, for instance, Transmetals, which technically have a third mode but it doesn't actually alter their appearance much more than most attack modes do; in plenty of cases, it's just a beast mode with jets folded out. But then, conversely, you have characters like G1 Springer, who is officially a Triple Changer but actually changes between his vehicle modes less than a lot of Transmetals do.
I was wondering if gestalts count, in that each member has a third mode as a body part. They could be disqualified, however, because they're not self-sufficient in that mode (and I'm happy to overlook RID Galvatron turning into a 'hand'). Then there's Tracks as a flying car, barely more involved than Springer's conversion, Perceptor as a tank thingy, Shockwave as a standing cannon, and of course the joy of all those 'fan modes' out there... :)
In my opinion, for something to count as a triple changer it has to change its appearance or purpose enough so you would describe it as something else. Like, take Transmetal Rattrap for instance. You have rat mode, and then you have rat with wheels mode. You still identify it as a rat, meaning it hasn't changed enough. If we compare that to Springer, you'd describe his modes as helicopter mode and car mode. Each mode is distinct enough that you can tell it's something different and not just a car with a propeller. Attack modes (and transport modes) shouldn't count for triple changing purposes, otherwise you could argue that "Optimus Prime with a Gun" is a different mode from "Optimus Prime without a Gun".
@@leetri The thing is, G1 Springer's car mode really does look like a helicopter with the propeller and tail taken off. The only thing really marking it as a car is that it has two wheels in the front. Compare that to Transmetals like Waspinator or Rampage that really do change their whole silhouette and are visibly trying to be some kind of vehicle. Of course, a lot of that is just that G1 Springer is a pretty crap toy.
Galvatron counts as a triple changer doesn't he? Robot, cannon and laser pistol. Do the Special Team leaders (Silverbolt, Hot Spot, Onslaught, Motormaster, Scattershot) who have third modes that connect to Metroplex and Trypticon and the Seacons (with the exception of Snap Trap) who also turn into guns count as Triple Changers?.
Same for Megatron, there are some versions of the character where he has both a tank and a jet as alt modes, and those are usually my ideal versions of the character
interesting to know that the rescue bots’ toys of so many different modes aren’t just an altmode for one year’s specific gimmick, and they actually put the effort into having it make sense, bravo
This is gonna be an absolutely random choice of alt modes: I'd be a beast machine with an orca alt mode and an elephant alt mode. Also, can we get a basics video on Conjunx Endura?
Only found out about this channel recently, and appreciate all the work that goes into it! As an aside, there are two candidates for the first "three-way transforming mecha": Getter Robo, from 1974, was three mecha that could combine with each other in three different ways; meanwhile, the first mecha with a traditional 3-way transformation was Daitarn 3 from 1978.
Rba Hotshot is seriously a really superior bot not only the first rescue bot to have the most alt modes but also the first kid and I loved the episode multichange of pace where he worked so hard to gain the power to access all modes at once seriously proud of him he's my favorite along with whirl and of course I love the others too they're so adorable it's such a cute show
Kinda like the name SkyClick. I also always forget Sandstorm is a thing, and that Springer can turn into a car. Still my fav will always be the master ninja SixShot. Also not enough triple changers have water forms so I'd love to see a sub and jet cause of my love of Final Fantasy V's airship.
YEEEEEEEES! Me too,...honestly I haven't seen him in later transformes continuities, so I would love to see how history took care of him. (Yes, I know I can just check transformers wiki for that, but Chris knows how to make it more entertaining) Same goes for Deathsaurus and Trypticon...characters with interesting feachers and looks, that I don't know that much about.
Boadside’s Nimitz class aircraft carrier/F/A-18 Hornet alt modes are an example of transformations that have no logic whatsoever, but are just plain awesome!
An excellent video, glad you covered this. I only learned of the jet helicopter figure a couple of years back, but I didn't know that it had been the basis for any Transformers, though I probably would have named it Switchblade (after the MASK vehicle). For the record, there was a fan page from many years ago that stated that the reason why there are only 6 original Triple Changers was because Triple Changers were defined as regular sized Transformers who had 3 distinct, separate forms, specifically a robot and two vehicle forms. Metroplex, Trypticon, Fortress Maximus, and Scorponok were much larger and possibly had auxiliary systems to enable them to transform, so were exempt under this defintion. The combining team members all had 3 forms, but their third form was a module, not a separate form. Punch and Double Dealer had one vehicle form and two robot (or animal) forms, so are also disqualified under this old definition. However, would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks for another great video, looking forward to your next one.
I find it interesting that in the cartoons, Blitzwing and Astrotrain could increase to immense size in plane mode so they could be used as troop transports. The same happened with Autobot Skyfire. They were retreating from Decepticons and everyone climbed inside him to escape and plan a counterattack.
We really need an episode on the Dreamwave G1 continuity and what lead to its fall. So many ideas were introduced here that is still being referenced years after they ended.
Personally, I think that Triple Changers are by far one of the most brilliant ideas that ever came out of transformers designing-wise...right after Sixshot and Quickswitch.
I would consider Punch/CounterPunch a Triple Changer because he's a car and has TWO robot modes, I mean, a Transformer with more than one robot mode is fascinating to me, and the only other Transformer I know of with that ability is Animated Shockwave. I could be wrong, but like I said those are the only ones I know of that can do that. Anyway, I would call Punch/CounterPunch a Triple Changer
Good question. I think their titans return figures say they have 4 modes on the box. Then there's the whole thing of them splitting into 2 separate vehicles. They're quad-biners lol
Yeah, They Were Released Under: #TITANSRETURN. I Have G1-Style #Blitzwing Who Has #TFA; Blitzwings Heads & Octane Who Had An Odd Name On Package & Was A Headmaster. They Also Had #Springer; But I Wasn't Sure If He Was A Headmaster & NEVER SAW A #Sandstorm?
Quite informative, if I were to choose two alt-modes they would probably be a YF-23 black-widow 2 with royal blue highlights and a royal blue 1966 Ford Mustang fastback
As a kid, I was completely enthralled with AstroTrain. The Decepticons definitely had the better bots. Also loved Shockwave. That one-eyed bastard was such a badass...transforming into a 13-in. long purple gun--just awesome! Sadly, I lost track of my kickass collection as I matured into adulthood. My collection would've snagged some major $$ to this day. Never would've sold, obviously. But I do wonder what the hell ever became of my collection.
I have made a few triple changer ocs some time ago, I still use them in my made up stories. Here is a list. Skyraider: BR 9F loco to jet fighter. Railrider: LNER Class Y7 loco to a small lorry (road alt mode still on drawing board and may change). Spindle: (based on Airachnid but as an autobot) from helicopter to spider. I personally would pick Skyraider's modes. I have 3 more triple changers but I'm not sure how they would work.
Jesus back when I was 7 or 8, I had Blitzwing and Broadside toy without even knowing about Transformers. I just thought: "Huh this is cool, I get 3 toys for the price of 1"
I was so fascinated by triple changers, I build a Lego with four modes like Optimal Optimus. A robot, jet, car and beast mode. These days Lego and 30 Minute Missions give me ideas and hope for so many alternate modes.
Wouldn't Punch-Counterpunch be considered a de-facto triple changer. He has 1 alt-mode and 2 robot modes due to his role as a spy. He may not be a traditional triple changer, but 3 modes is 3 modes. He's just unique among them.
Broadside has to be the weirdest triple changer. He's both an aircraft carrier and an aircraft. If he can change into an aircraft carrier he should be at least as big as a combiner, but then that creates the problem of his jet mode being gigantic. He's a transformer that should have just picked one mode and stuck with that. I have a hard enough time dealing with astrotrain being big enough to carry all the other decepticons inside of him then is just average size in bot mode and in train or shuttle mode hes usually average size then comes the movie and He's carrying the who decepticon army...😂
Chris McFeely can you do a video or videos about the cities like Metroplex, Trypticon and the other cities like them I would really like to know about them😀
Hmm, while I'm working on a fanmade Six Changer character, I've been thinking about a female Autobot triple changer. I was thinking of calling her, Triple Crown. Her alternate forms would an amphibious craft and a VTOL. So she'd cover land, water, and air missions.
For me, an ideal triple changer would be a VW Beetle or some other rounded vehicle, and an orca - there's something about being able to drive into the water and then change into a whale that's appealing to me. Awesome video Chris!
In my opinion, the helicopter/jet Triple Changer deserves an update. Yeah his choices in alt modes may look silly but a update to him is worthwhile. Hopefully he will be released in the toyline after Kingdom
Seconded, I love the idea of him being a jet that predates VTOL so you could get great animated shots of the helicopter taking off then quickly shifting into this classic aircraft that probably wouldn't have a pricey licence attached to it..
@@Gigas0101 As well as the functions of the mode. Like how he can use his jet mode for speed while he uses his helicopter mode for manoeuvrability and landing etc.
