Organics of Transmetals & Transmetal 2s?

[GoktimusPrime]

I think Verno's idea has some merit too -- the fact that Optimus Prime and G1 Megs' Sparks were dormant at the time, whereas Starscream's was very much active. Cross that with the mutation whereas G1 Megs' Spark probably isn't, and we know for sure that Optimus Prime's isn't (cos we've seen his Spark return to the Matrix in G1, especially when he died and Rodimus Prime was running around as leader)

Also, just watched a SBS documentary on hypnosis yesterday, about how weaker minded individuals are more open and susceptible to suggestion, and thus more easily controlled by hypnosis.

[SuspectimusPrime]

lol, Yes I was trying to avoid a Star Wars reference

[Verno]

Neither did Tigerhawk. His TM2 body was created purely by the Vok without any apparent contact with a Transmetal Driver. It seems that the Deluxe and Mega TM2s were created by the driver, but the Ultras had different origins (again, really because Hasbro wanted them in the show -- remember that this part of Season 3 was written in a rush because Hasbro had ordered the cancellation of the series and the writers were trying to wrap up loose ends _while_ trying to introduce the last batch of toys at the same time).

But the Transmetal Driver is of Vok origin - thus Tigerhawk got his 'transmetal' powers directly from the source.

But I think the reason why Optimus Primal got a more "massive" upgrade was because he mingled his Spark not only with a G1 Titan like Optimus Prime, but because said Spark had been in direct contact with the Matrix -- and he also transferred Prime's Spark directly from the Matrix vessel. G1 Megatron's Spark, while also a mighty Titan, wasn't in contact with the Matrix. I think that could explain why he didn't upgrade into an "Optimal Megatron."

Megs got an equally "massive" upgrade. Sure he doesn't have a 4th mode, but he grows quite considerably in both size and power, so much so that he is actually able to best Primal in their final fight.

Optimal Optimus' body has no organic motifs on it at all, unlike other Transmetals. His robot and beast modes are completely robotic/mechanical in appearance.

And what organic motifs does TM Rattrap have?

[GoktimusPrime]

But the Transmetal Driver is of Vok origin - thus Tigerhawk got his 'transmetal' powers directly from the source.

Fair point.

Megs got an equally "massive" upgrade. Sure he doesn't have a 4th mode, but he grows quite considerably in both size and power, so much so that he is actually able to best Primal in their final fight.

The nature of their upgrades may have differed due to Optimus Primal's transformation having been somehow influenced or affected by the Matrix; if in no other sense, cosmetically (i.e. no organic appearance). Although having a fourth mode, deployable shields, gatling cannons etc. is pretty significant (it doesn't make Primal unbeatable of course, but it's certainly impressive nonetheless).

And what organic motifs does TM Rattrap have?

As you said, the musculature, which runs throughout his entire torso, arms and legs. The way that the body and limbs are sculpted have always looked organic to me. He looks like a big muscly dude carrying a robotic-rat backpack. If you look at Optimus Primal's robot mode, there's nothing even remotely like that. Everything's angular, smooth and machine-looking. Robotic robot mode, robotic beast mode and mechanical looking vehicle modes.

[Verno]

As you said, the musculature, which runs throughout his entire torso, arms and legs. The way that the body and limbs are sculpted have always looked organic to me. He looks like a big muscly dude carrying a robotic-rat backpack. If you look at Optimus Primal's robot mode, there's nothing even remotely like that. Everything's angular, smooth and machine-looking. Robotic robot mode, robotic beast mode and mechanical looking vehicle modes.

That very same musculature is present on Op Op's Beast mode chest:

http://www.seibertron.com/images/toy...optimus012.jpg

Yes, this differs from other TMs, who show their 'organic' part in robot mode, but it is still present in Op Op's design.

[GoktimusPrime]

Yeah, but those are robo-abs. It lacks the organic quality of the musculature sculpted on Rattrap which looks more 'fibrous' and 'sinewy' (for lack of gooder words). They're like the kinda abs you see on Iron Man's armour. Besides, the idea is for the robot mode to look organic while the beast mode looks robotic. OpOp looks robotic in both robot and beast modes, whereas other Transmetals look robotic in beast, organic in robot.

[Verno]

Yeah, but those are robo-abs. It lacks the organic quality of the musculature sculpted on Rattrap which looks more 'fibrous' and 'sinewy' (for lack of gooder words). They're like the kinda abs you see on Iron Man's armour. Besides, the idea is for the robot mode to look organic while the beast mode looks robotic. OpOp looks robotic in both robot and beast modes, whereas other Transmetals look robotic in beast, organic in robot.

He has toes. Game, set and match.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Well, this got interesting. Cheers to both of you, the various explanations make enough sense and/or are sufficiently plausible for my (extremely lax) standards that I'm not really fussed by it anymore.

The nature of their upgrades may have differed due to Optimus Primal's transformation having been somehow influenced or affected by the Matrix; if in no other sense, cosmetically (i.e. no organic appearance). Although having a fourth mode, deployable shields, gatling cannons etc. is pretty significant (it doesn't make Primal unbeatable of course, but it's certainly impressive nonetheless).

Just tossing this out there, but if you include Prime's trailer (and/or Roller) he sorta does have multiple alt-modes. It's a bit of a stretch, but no more so than a lot of TF lore let alone fanon.
Or you could just, you know, use the actual reason, but that's far less fun.

[GoktimusPrime]

He has toes.

Robotic toes. Almost every Transformer has some kind of robotic organic part on them somewhere; fingers, noses, mouthes, facial "hair," head hair, teeth etc. Didn't necessarily make them organic per se. The thing with Transmetals was, as you said before, the beast modes looked robotic, but the robot modes looked organic - and it went far beyond just having fingers and toes. Half the Bayverse Transformers have toes (including Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ironhide etc.) -- doesn't make them organic, does it? Toes (or at least some form of foot articulation) is actually something any upright standing bipedal being HAS to have in order to walk! Even Masterpiece Optimus Prime has foot articulation... I don't consider that toy to be organic though. But you compare OpOp's beast mode with say Ultra Optimus Primal or Air Attack Optimus Primal's beast modes -- they look much more organic because they have detailed sculpted fur, skin wrinkles and their nails/claws are sculpted to look more organic.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Robotic toes. Almost every Transformer has some kind of robotic organic part on them somewhere; fingers, noses, mouthes, facial "hair," head hair, teeth etc. Didn't necessarily make them organic per se. The thing with Transmetals was, as you said before, the beast modes looked robotic, but the robot modes looked organic - and it went far beyond just having fingers and toes. Half the Bayverse Transformers have toes (including Optimus Prime, Megatron, Ironhide etc.) -- doesn't make them organic, does it? Toes (or at least some form of foot articulation) is actually something any upright standing bipedal being HAS to have in order to walk! Even Masterpiece Optimus Prime has foot articulation... I don't consider that toy to be organic though. But you compare OpOp's beast mode with say Ultra Optimus Primal or Air Attack Optimus Primal's beast modes -- they look much more organic because they have detailed sculpted fur, skin wrinkles and their nails/claws are sculpted to look more organic.

OMG she's a Transmetal!
Suddenly her acting skills are explained...