The Energon Pub

Howdy, all. In the growing trend of these "Top 10, 25, 26, 151, etc." Threads, I thought I'd be a sport and come up with my list of the five most degrading modes a Transformer can take. By degrading I mean a mode that is the epitome of getting the shaft. The ones that just scream "Why would I do this to myself?" Typically these modes are so humiliating that very few ever take them, and probably fewer advertise the fact, so each entry will be often very short, sometimes limited to just one character... But enough of me droning on about the specifics...
Onward to the list!

#5: Projectile
Nothing says "I have a crappy alt-mode." like turning into something that gets fired at something else.

Say hello to Soundwave's little friend!


They even highlight my shame on the packaging!

Granted this "Launching RAVAGE Projectile" doesn't transform, so it's really the toy's only mode. In the movie, however, that is his alt-mode. it's a seamless transition from projectile fired out of a satellite at a planet, (to cat/fish/robot if you like deleted scenes), to snarling one-eyed robocat of dubious adorability.


"ROCKET wants to fight."

The deluxe Ravage figure featured his reentry mode (technically false due to his never having entered the atmosphere in the first place, thereby negating the "re") But it's simply an upscaled version of his space-missile mode. The only playability one could feasibly get out of this mode is throwing it at things.

Because nobody wants to be fired at something else, I'm relatively certain Ravage is alone in this department, however if I've made a glaring omission, please feel free to post it in here.

Stick around for my next entry (later today, maybe tomorrow). I won't force you at gunpoint or anything... but the next entry might.

lol, fun thread. Looking forward to the next entry.

Hehe! It was only a matter of time before this thread spawned itself from the Diem's lovely countdown! This should prove to be quite interesting, not to mention highly entertaining!

Waiting patiently for the next installment!

I assume #4 will be "Gun that must be held and fired by another TF, making it useless on its own."

#3: Anything that is cute and fluffy. (I'm looking at you, Stampy.)

#2: A toaster, or other small household appliance. (I love ROTF Ejector, but it's gotta be degrading to be a toaster.)

#1: A "Cybertronian jet" that looks suspiciously like a robot folded in half, possibly engaged in self-fellatio. (Now I'm looking at you, The Fallen.)

Great topic: there's been quite a few degrading alt modes, so you can go far with this...

I think I know what nr. 1 is, or should be: Sports Label Megatron and Sports Label Optimus Prime!

GuyIncognito wrote:#2: A toaster, or other small household appliance. (I love ROTF Ejector, but it's gotta be degrading to be a toaster.)

Toaster: What's the point of buying a toaster with artificial intelligence if you don't like toast?
Lister: I do like toast.
Toaster: This is my job. This is cruel, just cruel.
Lister: Look, I'm busy.
Toaster: Oh, you're not busy eating toast are you?
Toaster: I toast, therefore I am.

Oh, yeah. Shoes have got to be number one.

Nice Red Dwarf reference there, Editor.

Anyway, a list like this must have the orgysaurus in there somewhere.

Nujevad wrote:Nice Red Dwarf reference there, Editor.

The set up was right there, no smegin' way I couldn't post that. anything else would be complete fail.

Just realised how much i miss Red Dwarf...

I'll go on record and say that Beast Wars Stampy probably has one of the most degrading Alt Modes ever. He turns into a cute little rabbit! It's so weird that its cool beyond all reasoning.

WolfDawg wrote:I'll go on record and say that Beast Wars Stampy probably has one of the most degrading Alt Modes ever. He turns into a cute little rabbit! It's so weird that its cool beyond all reasoning.

I don't know about degrading...it's a pretty good alt mode for a fast-moving scout. I'd say being a skunk is worse, what with the social stigma.

But if you're talking about character-wise, it has to be Broadside...a guy who rusts easily, gets seasick and is scared of heights. And he turns into a jet and a boat. That's pretty degrading.

Perhaps a skunk is a more degrading alt mode. But the only two skunks I can think of is Gaskunk and the Beast Wars mold he was taken from...and those were some pretty bad ass looking Transmetal II skunks.

Maybe a Garbage truck is more along the lines of degrading. I'm looking at you Animated Wreck Gar.

WolfDawg wrote:I'll go on record and say that Beast Wars Stampy probably has one of the most degrading Alt Modes ever. He turns into a cute little rabbit! It's so weird that its cool beyond all reasoning.

Sounds like some people need to go and watch Monty PYthon and the Holy Grail!

Mykltron wrote:Sounds like some people need to go and watch Monty PYthon and the Holy Grail!

You mean behind the bunny?

No, it is the bunny!!!

I wouldn't call a rabbit a degrading alt mode, I have two "house" rabbits (they are litter trained and hop around the house like cats) and the one is a vicious little bitch that attacks people, grunting and swiping at their feet if you piss her off. If I don't keep her claws short she would scratch the crap outta ya.

I also have a scar on my left hand where our male bit me a few years ago when I was breaking up a fight. Those teeth are sharp and way bigger they they look!

Cute fluffy bunnies my ass!

I'd have to say streetlamp is pretty high up there(sorry, G1 Soundwave)

Traffic signal and payphone aren't that much more impressive.

--B-- wrote:I wouldn't call a rabbit a degrading alt mode, I have two "house" rabbits (they are litter trained and hop around the house like cats) and the one is a vicious little bitch that attacks people, grunting and swiping at their feet if you piss her off. If I don't keep her claws short she would scratch the crap outta ya.

I also have a scar on my left hand where our male bit me a few years ago when I was breaking up a fight. Those teeth are sharp and way bigger they they look!

Cute fluffy bunnies my ass!

Consider this scenario, though: You are a large robotic warrior from the planet Cybertron, you've traveled across the galaxy to wage war on another group of large robotic intergalactic warrior, and your alt mode can only attack by grunting, scratching, and nipping at peoples' feet and hands. I'd say that's pretty degrading.

GuyIncognito wrote:

--B-- wrote:I wouldn't call a rabbit a degrading alt mode, I have two "house" rabbits (they are litter trained and hop around the house like cats) and the one is a vicious little bitch that attacks people, grunting and swiping at their feet if you piss her off. If I don't keep her claws short she would scratch the crap outta ya.

I also have a scar on my left hand where our male bit me a few years ago when I was breaking up a fight. Those teeth are sharp and way bigger they they look!

Cute fluffy bunnies my ass!

Consider this scenario, though: You are a large robotic warrior from the planet Cybertron, you've traveled across the galaxy to wage war on another group of large robotic intergalactic warrior, and your alt mode can only attack by grunting, scratching, and nipping at peoples' feet and hands. I'd say that's pretty degrading.

The same could be said for Rattrap.

Cassettes and cassette recorder. Even in his own spotlight, Bludgeon disrespected Soundwave's alt mode.

Sky Boom Shield. C'mon, being held up and possibly bludgeoned to protect someone else can't be fun.

God Bomber. Trailer and personal armour.

A Penguin or Giraffe?

Humans. For the Decepticon (M)alice, that's got to feel like a demotion.

Grimlock wasn't too pushed about his Pretender shell either. Doubt Stranglehold was thrilled with his.

Though I think he's the coolest Dinobot, Snarl never liked his stegosauraus mode.

While they aren't TFs, I'd say the Rock Lords have the worst alt modes ever.

Gauntlet101010 wrote:While they aren't TFs, I'd say the Rock Lords have the worst alt modes ever.

2007 TFTM Preview Prime and Starscream Deluxe "Rock Lords"?

Valandar wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:While they aren't TFs, I'd say the Rock Lords have the worst alt modes ever.

2007 TFTM Preview Prime and Starscream Deluxe "Rock Lords"?

They're not rocks, they're meteorites... wait, meteorites technically are rocks...

#1: A painfully realistically depicted tanuki?

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Valandar wrote:

Gauntlet101010 wrote:While they aren't TFs, I'd say the Rock Lords have the worst alt modes ever.

2007 TFTM Preview Prime and Starscream Deluxe "Rock Lords"?

They're not rocks, they're meteorites... wait, meteorites technically are rocks...

Yes, but Meteorites move really really fast.