The Energon Pub

Could someone explain the different types of Martial Arts in the Transformer universe? I've heard about them, but don't know anything about them.

TransFormers: More than Meets the Eye #8 goes into some detail on some of the most famous Cybertronian Martial arts, which include Circuit-Su, Crystalocution, Diffusion, Metallikato, and Pit Fighting.

Circuit-Su is a highly mental Martial art that harnesses a Cybertronian's personal energy and turning an agressors attacks back at them. It is believed they can even use their energy to contro others' minds or call upon their own spark energy to create powerful bolts of energy to attack. The Pretender, Bugly is a Circuit-Su master.

Crytalocution is more physical. It eschews spirituality to focus on perfecting theur physical condition and focuses on targeting an opponents weak points and triggering pressure points in the crystaline structure of opponents/structures, and shattering them. Banzai-tron was a Crystalocution master.

Diffusion is more of a catch-all for a series of non-lethal defensive movements designed to dissipate an opponent's agressive energies, turning attacks, or redirecting them back without doing any permanent damage to the attacker or putting youreself in danger. Ultra Magnus was a Diffusion master

Metallikato is the most arkane as well as rare, and combines elements of both Circuit-Su and Crystalocution, also mixing in a serious dose of spirituality. It follows a very strict code of ethics too, and combat forms range from standard hand-to-hand to edged and blunt weapons. It emphasizs variety as a means to superiority, but mstery of edged weapons is their hallmark. The Pretender, Bludgeon was a Master of Metallikato

Pit Fighting is the most brutal, and barbaric. It's very improvisational characterized by series of ruthless maneuvers and lethal fininshing moves. It's basically glatiatorial combat or street fighting; very brutal, very chaotic and very deadly. Grimlock and Megatron were master Pit Fighters

Wow! Thanks for the insight! Is it possible for Transformers to have respect for another Martial Artist's abilities, to the point of perhaps sparring outside of their factions? Maybe I'm getting too deep.

Without question they could. Why wouldn't they? a Master of martial art is still a master regardless of the art, and deserves the respect of his peers. Think about this, Would a master of a given Earth martial art disrespect masters of other martial arts because they aren't the one he himself practice? No. A master will always respect other masters and practicioners of any martial art.

Tramp wrote:Without question they could. Why wouldn't they? a Master of martial art is still a master regardless of the art, and deserves the respect of his peers. Think about this, Would a master of a given Earth martial art disrespect masters of other martial arts because they aren't the one he himself practice? No. A master will always respect other masters and practicioners of any martial art.

only because the pupil doesn't want to get punished

Very true. What I really meant was Autobot respecting Decepticon (or vice versa) for their abilities. For example, if an Autobot practiced Crytalocution and so does a Decepticon, would the two set aside their differences, for a designated moment, and step outside the realm of their faction in order to spar and push themselves to a new level. Basically, their martial art would take priority over their said faction.

The reason I ask this is because that is the heart and soul of martial arts. Learning from your opponent. I think that even a Decepticon who wants to take their fighting skill to a new level would want to learn from an Autobot who is just as or more proficient at the same martial art. Sparring allows martial artists to discover new abilities that you probably wouldn't learn in the heat of real combat.

Autobot Commander wrote:only because the pupil doesn't want to get punished

ROFLMAO

BumbleScream84 wrote:Very true. What I really meant was Autobot respecting Decepticon (or vice versa) for their abilities. For example, if an Autobot practiced Crytalocution and so does a Decepticon, would the two set aside their differences, for a designated moment, and step outside the realm of their faction in order to spar and push themselves to a new level. Basically, their martial art would take priority over their said faction.

The reason I ask this is because that is the heart and soul of martial arts. Learning from your opponent. I think that even a Decepticon who wants to take their fighting skill to a new level would want to learn from an Autobot who is just as or more proficient at the same martial art. Sparring allows martial artists to discover new abilities that you probably wouldn't learn in the heat of real combat.

They wouldn't likely step "outside of their faction" and simply spar. They would more likely they would, fight all the harder to defeat one another in single combat both out of respect for each other's ability, and to protect their own allies. This is especially true of the more structured Martial arts.

This is some pretty cool stuff! Thanks for sharing guys.

Do any of you know about the comics or even specific animated series/episodes that showcased some of these martial arts? Thanks!

y'know what would be cool? (and funny) it would be seeing Optimus Prime "Shaq-Fu" Megatron in a duel ^^

anyways... Weren't Sideswipe & Sunstreaker proficient in something called Jet Judo?

"Sideswipe and Sunstreaker often operated together. When antimatter-fueled Decepticons attacked the Ark on one occasion, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker took to the air to battle with the incoming seeker jets, in a rambunctious, if ultimately ineffective, display of "jet judo."

http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Side ... _1_Cartoon

well... Jet Judo would prolly be most grappling or grab/throw or something. (at least the grappling part. if you've seen the ep where Sideswipe makes Starscream say: "Uncle!" while grabbing him`?, that could be a little... taste of Jet Judo)

Fortress_Maximus wrote:This is some pretty cool stuff! Thanks for sharing guys.

Do any of you know about the comics or even specific animated series/episodes that showcased some of these martial arts? Thanks!

War and Peace shows Ultra Magnus using Diffusion on Blitzwing.

I don't think Siders and Sunny were exactly "proficient" in Jet Judo given the results. I kinda got the impression it was more something they'd come up with themselves than being an actual Cybertronian martial art. But there's no actual proof for that, so I guess it could be.

So who are the most proficient martial arts masters in the TF universe?

Anyone care to take a stab at ranking and listing the comic(s) or anime it was shown in? THanks!

I'd be amazed if one of the city sized bots could do something. Just imagine....

Well, I already gave examples of master of the main Cybertronian Martial Arts: Circuit-Su—Bugly, Crystalocution—Baonzai-tron, Difusion—Ultra Magnus, Metallikato—Bludgeon, Pit Fighting—Gromlock and Megatron.

Didn't the Transformers Website say something about someone being proficient at Metallikato if you used a Cyber Key Code from one of the Cybertron toys? Because we all know how G1 heavy THOSE references got.

My favorite technique is the punch to the face.

Beast Machines Arcee is also a Crytalocution master.

Beast Machines Arcee is also a Crytalocution master.

This is something that should have been done a lot more in G1. I love the scenes where Transformers fight hand to hand combat.

Healthiest_Stomach wrote:This is something that should have been done a lot more in G1. I love the scenes where Transformers fight hand to hand combat.

I would reasonably explain why they were such lousy shots