Strafe (Transformers)

Strafe the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers franchise. They are often members of the Technobots, an Autobot subgroup, and transform into aircraft. In Age of Extinction, Strafe later becomes a Dinobot, who transforms into a mechanical two-headed and two-tailed Pteranodon.

Transformers: Generation 1

Strafe/Swoop

Strafe in Marvel Comics
Autobot
Information
Sub-group	Cyberjets, Deluxe Vehicles, Targetmasters, Technobots, Voyagers
Function	Aerial Gunner
Rank	5 (G1, G2, Gentei), 3 (Reveal the Shield)
Partner	Afterburner, Nosecone, Lightspeed, Rocketbot, Scattorshot
Motto	"Shoot everywhere - because that's where your enemies are."
Alternate modes	Cybertronian combat jet, X-29 jet, Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut, Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
Series	Transformers: Generation 1 Transformers: Generation 2 Gentei! Gentei! Transformers: Reveal the Shield
English voice actor	Steve Bulen

Strafe forms the left arm of Computron. A triggerhappy fighter who's as much a danger to friends as he is to enemies.

Animated series

The Transformers

The Technobots first appeared in 'The Transformers season 3 episode "Grimlock's New Brain". After biting through a computer's cables located inside Cybertron's core, Grimlock became super-intelligent, and created the Technobots to combat the Terrorcons. The Terrorocons combined into Abominus and to combat him, Grimlock transferred his vast intellect into Computron, the Technobots' combined form. This left Grimlock in the same mental state as before. Like Omega Supreme, Computron speaks only in suffixed phrases, taking the form of "analysis: conclusion". However, unlike Omega, Computron often combines shorter suffixed phrases (such as items or datums) as variables in a larger problem, and seems less concerned than Omega with vocal economy.

The Technobots appeared on numerous other occasions, including when they were assigned to destroy a Quintesson base on Mars with the help of Marissa Fairborne. While the Quintessons controlled the Terrorcons they had them unite into Abominus to face the Technobots. The Technobots quickly formed Computron and were successful in defeating the Terrorcons and Quintessons.

During "The Return of Optimus Prime", they tried to stop the Terrorcons from stealing a special heat-resistant alloy. The two teams merged into their combined forms, but Computron's need to analyse every strategy before committing himself led to Abominus swiftly defeating him.

The Technobots also appears in the season 4 episode "The Rebirth Part 1". They are on Earth when the Decepticons attack Autobot City.^[1]

Transformers: Headmasters

Strafe appears in episode #27 of the Japanese Headmasters series, called "The Miracle Warriors - The Targetmasters (Part 1)." Spike orders the Protectabots, Technobots and Trainbots to destroy the abandoned Decepticon headquarters on Earth. Combined into Defensor, Computron and Raiden the Autobots quickly demolish the building.

Books

The Technobots are a favorite toy of the character Lucas in the book The Annoyance Bureau By Lucy Frank.^[2]

Comics

Dreamwave Productions

Although Strafe and the other Technobots received individual biographies from Dreamwave they did not appear in any fiction before the company went out of business.

IDW Publishing

Jetfire and the Technobots appeared working together in IDW Publishing's comic book miniseries, The Transformers: Stormbringer. They investigated a mysterious energy spike on the deserted surface of Cybertron. Jetfire, Lightspeed, Scattershot and Strafe went down to the surface to investigate, but were ambushed and taken out by Bludgeon's troops. Nosecone and Afterburner's ship was shot down, but they managed to launch a distress beacon first and get to an escape pod. The three captured Technobots were cannibalized for their parts, while Bludgeon revealed his true pan—to reanimate Thunderwing. Nosecone and Afterburner were left on the surface on Cybertron, and were about to be killed by Centurion drones when help arrived—the Wreckers, who saved them both. The Wreckers subsequently attacked Bludgeon's cult, and rescued the Technobots. They then helped Jetfire to decode Bludgeon's data, helping shut Thunderwing down for good. It is unknown if the Technobots can merge into Computron at this point.

Marvel Comics

The Technobots were among the Autobots who joined Fortress Maximus in leaving Cybertron for the planet Nebulos (Transformers: Headmasters #1). However, a crew of Decepticons under Maximus' rival Scorponok pursued them and the war began anew on Nebulos. Assisting the Autobot Headmasters Brainstorm and Hardhead against the Terrorcons and Horrorcons, the Technobots were first seen combining to form Computron in Transformers: Headmasters #3. They again battled the Terrorcons as Abominus, defeating him and forcing the Decepticons to flee. Realising the damage the war was doing, the Autobots, including the Technobots, departed Nebulos for Earth (Transformers: Headmasters #4).

When Maximus' forces linked up with the Earthbound Autobots, they encountered resistance from Autobot leader Grimlock, who was unhappy they might resurrect Optimus Prime and topple him.

The Technobots were last seen trying to stop the Underbase powered Starscream in issue 50, as they were all taken out and deactivated. The Technobots were never seen again in the U.S. Marvel Transformers series. While they may have been destroyed by Starscream, many of the other characters he disabled in that issue eventually returned to the series.

Toys

• Generation 1 Technobot Strafe (1987)

Knockoffs of this toy were commonly released in a gift pack containing a mixture of Stunticons and Technobots who formed a bizarre Menasor/Computron hybrid toy.^[3]

• Generation 2 Cyberjet Strafe (1995)

A Cyberjet redeco of the Decepticon Space Case.^[4][5]

• Gentei! Gentei! Deluxe Strafe (2009)^[6][7]

Released exclusively through the Transformers Basecamp website in Japan, this figure is a red/white redeco of Universe Deluxe Cyclonus. Comes with Rocketbot, a redeco of Cyclonus' Targetmaster partner Nightstick.^[8]

• Reveal the Shield Voyager Strafe (2011)

A recolor of Revenge of the Fallen Mindwipe.

Shattered Glass

Strafe

Shattered Glass Strafe
Autobot
Information
Sub-group	Technobots
Alternate modes	Cybertronian Space Ship
Series	Transformers: Timelines

This character is one of Optimus Prime's evil Autobots, but secretly loyal to Alpha Trion.

Fun Publications

Computron was created as a combiner for the Autobots. Although the individual Technobots are all geniuses in their fields, when united they formed a highly ambitious super genius called Computron who suppressed all their individual flaws. In his arrogance Computron attempted to grant enhanced intelligence to Grimlock. The experiment backfired and it brought out the flaws in each Technobot, resulting in insanity for Computron. Optimus Prime enjoyed the new Computron and refused to repair him. Alpha Trion was then able to sway Computron to his side.^[9]

The Technobots are among the acolytes of Alpha Trion who respond to his return to their world.^[10] When Breakaway, Landquake, Skyfall and Topspin escape Alpha Trion Scattorshot offers to have the Technobots hunt them down, but Alpha Trion instead assigns them to help relocate his base.^[11] The four rogue robots are eventually uncovered by Computron. Although Computron chases the quartet, they escape to the Decepticon headquarters, and Computron faces off against Abominus.^[12]

Toys

No toy for this version of Strafe has been made. He is depicted as looking similar to the Generation 1 character, but colored like Generation 1 Cutthroat.

Transformers Cinematic Universe (2010 toys)

Strafe is an Autobot who transforms in a stealth fighter jet. While Strafe is usually a pretty nice guy, other Autobots tend to keep away from him, especially during battle. This is because he's way too easily startled, and when scared, responds by attacking everything around him until he burns himself out. Nothing is safe around Strafe, not even sizzling bacon, for any sound can set this Autobot off in a terribly violent way.

Toys

• Transformers Voyager Strafe (2010/2011)

Strafe is a redeco of Revenge of the Fallen Voyager Class Mindwipe, Strafe transforms into a stealth fighter jet similar to an F-117 Nighthawk.

Transformers Cinematic Universe (2014 film)

Strafe is one of the Dinobots in Transformers: Age of Extinction, who specializes in assault infantry and transforms into a mechanical two-headed and two-tailed Pteranodon. This Dinobot, was originally called Swoop, but later the name was changed to Strafe.

Age of Extinction film

Strafe was among the legendary knights Lockdown kept prisoner aboard his ship, and was inadvertently rescued when the Autobots liberated Optimus Prime and stole a detachable section of Lockdown's ship. Optimus later freed him and the other Dinobots to request their help in defeating Galvatron's forces, and when he finished beating Grimlock into submission, Strafe and the others joined the Autobots charge into Hong Kong. Once there, he picked up Bumblebee, as well as a stowaway Stinger, carrying them around the skycrapers as they battled. Once Stinger was defeated, Strafe (who was fed Stinger's head) carried Bumblebee back into the battle and helped to escort the Seed to a safe location. However Lockdown returned and attempted to recapture the Dinobots and Optimus using a magnetic tractor-beam, but the Autobot leader managed to destroy it before they were caught. Once Lockdown was defeated, Optimus set the Dinobots free, and Strafe and the others headed off. Like the rest of the Dinobots, he isn't referred to by name as he cannot speak.

Toys

• Age of Extinction Cyberverse Strafe (2014, not yet released)
• Age of Extinction Dinobot Sparker Bumblebee and Strafe (2014, not yet released)^[13]
• Age of Extinction Deluxe Class Strafe (2014)
• Age of Extinction Power Attackers Strafe (2014)
• Age of Extinction One Step Changers Strafe (2014, not yet released)
• Age of Extinction Scene Pack: Bumblebee with (Deluxe) Strafe vs. Decepticon Stinger (2014)

References