Combaticons

In the fictional universe of the Transformers, the Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles, made up of a space shuttle (Blast-Off), a helicopter (Vortex), a jeep (Swindle), a tank (Brawl), and a missile trailor (Onslaught). Formerly rusting old World War II vehicles, they were given sparks by Decepticon lieutenant Starscream while he was in exile. The five could form a larger robot called Bruticus, who can switch his limbs for certain abilties.

The only one of these characters with any personality on the TV show was Swindle, whose one attribute is more or less summed up in his name.

This group of five military robots was introduced as a natural complement to the group of five autobots called the Protectobots, which were all rescue vehicles.

The Combaticon toy molds have been re-used no fewer than 6 times in the Transformers toyline. The best example of this are the Decepticons in "Transformers: Robots In Disguise."

G1

Onslaught (missile trailer) 

Team leader. Calm and calculating, prefers to think things out logically before engaging into combat. Motto: The mind is the greatest weapon.

Blast-Off (shuttle) 

A lone wolf. Proud of his space flight capabilities, spends most of his time in space. Motto: I destroy Autobots by choice, not by command.

Vortex (helicopter) 

A reckless flyer. Likes to outfly others and make them crash. Motto: I'm Vortex, fly me – if you dare!

Swindle (jeep) 

A businessman. Always wants to make a profit. Motto: Make deals, not war.

Brawl (tank) 

A powerful but stupid brute who enjoys combat. Motto: I was built to be wild.

RID/CarRobots

In Japan, the Combaticons are called Combatrons.

When the Predacons found six Autobot protoforms, Megatron brought them to a military base to awaken them, reprograming them to serve him. Five of these protoforms took on the forms of military vehicles and a shuttle. These five servive under the 6th Protoform, Scourge, and combine to form Ruination (Valdigus in Japan).

Mega-Octane (Dolrailer) 

The cool calculating leader who commands his four subordinates like a drill sergant. Turns into a missile trailer. Based on Onslaught.

Armorhide (Dangar) 

Desert warfare specialist, uses pit traps to capture his enemies. Turns into a tank. Based on Brawl.

Movor (Shuttler) 

Orbitial Recon, able to achieve planetary orbit under his own power. He serves usually as recon for his comrades. Turns into a shuttle. Based on Blast Off.

Rollbar (Greejeeper) 

Hand-to-hand combat specialist, he loves to fight and perfers arctic environment. Turns into a Jeep. Based on Swindle.

Ro-Tor (Heptor) 

Reconnaissance specialist. Turns into a helicopter. Based on Vortex.

Energon/Superlink

In Japan, the Energon Combaticons are known as Bruticus.

Bruticus Maximus is an ancient Transformer who was one of three gestalts sealed away for ages to guard the SuperEnergon. But when awakened by Galvatron, Bruticus swore loyalty to him. He can split into five drones: Barricade (Onslaught), Blackout (Bolter), Blight (Brawl), Stormcloud (Blastoff) and Kickback (Swindle).

External link

• Transformers On-Line Encyclopedia: Combaticons